XXX. Three

MEMO: Note that there is a memo at the end of this chapter as well! It has spoilers for KH:3D, just to warn you. Anyway, I thought I'd let you know that this is the end of [THREE]! I'm going to take a couple weeks off to work on my next upload, and then will return with the third part of [My Color, Our Style]. After that, I'll be taking a month off to focus on my transition back to school (but in Japan this time!), and I'll return with something brand-new! See you then!

I wonder if she knew she was going to die from the very beginning of our journey, Sora wondered as he kneeled next to Ten's still body. She was still breathing, but it was a struggle for her to open her eyes.

"Ten," Sora murmured, an inexplicable wave of sadness flowing through him. He had hated her at first, so why this sudden feeling of remorse?

"Sora," she said, trying to sound unharmed. King Mickey appeared beside Sora, and Ten let out a pathetic laugh. "Your Majesty. I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?" the King said with a chuckle. "We owe you our lives."

"Did I…really help you…?" Ten's eyes were glassy, and it was in that moment that Sora finally understood. Ten had existed for one purpose: to aid keyblade masters. It was the only explanation for her behavior and extended youth. But now it had come to an end, and a dramatic one at that.

"You did. Right, Sora?" The King looked up at Sora, and the teen couldn't help but smile.

"Yeah," he replied, thinking back on their journey. "You helped us a lot."

Ten smiled, for the first time seeming truly happy.

"I'm…glad."

With that last breath, Ten's body became completely still, and her eyes stared up at the ceiling, finally lifeless.

"She can be at peace now," King Mickey told Sora, who nodded. "Her soul has been forced to be still for so long, but now she's achieved her purpose. She can move on."

"Yeah. Not only did she avenge her daughter, but she helped us out, too."

"It wasn't just to avenge her daughter," Mickey stated. "It was to keep the proof of how much she loved Aurae."

Silently, admiring her beautiful face one last time, Sora stood upright, giving Ten a sad smile.

"She did that, too, I think." Sora turned back to his friends, who all were waiting for the results of their epic battle.

"Is she…?" Kairi asked. Sora nodded, and the entire group frowned.

"She did a lot for us, you guys," Sora insisted. "You shouldn't be sad. Instead, we should be grateful, right?"

"It's still hard to think about," Riku admitted.

"But, because of her, light and darkness are finally in balance again," Aqua pointed out. "We're safe again."

"You're right," Terra agreed, he and Ven nodding. "I think this is our cue to start rebuilding what's been destroyed because of that imbalance."

"Where do we even begin?" Ansem the Wise asked, shaking his head slowly. "So many worlds have been affected by the darkness."

"Let's go home," Ven said suddenly, turning to Terra and Aqua. "We can start by rebuilding the Land of Departure, like the way it used to be. There'll still be keyblade wielders in the future, right? Won't you need someplace to train them, Master Aqua?"

Blushing with pride, Aqua grinned and nodded.

"Then it's settled!" Terra exclaimed. "What about the rest of you?"

Sora opened his mouth to speak, but King Mickey cut him off.

"I think it's about time those three returned to their normal lives," he said, grinning. "Whaddya think of that?"

"Sounds amazing," Kairi said quickly, laughing.

"That means school, though," Sora groaned, and Riku smirked.

"C'mon, you could use the discipline of sitting still for a few hours," he told the brunette.

"Aww, man." Sora chuckled, crossing his arms. "Well, I guess he has a point. All right, let's go home."

The group seemed to burst into a cheerful chatter the second Sora gave that declaration. Together, they walked toward the door, discussing their future plans and how to even find their way outside. Before they left, Sora gave one last glance back at Ten's body. He did so just in time to see it burst into little lights.

"…Thanks again," he mouthed, smiling as the lights faded into the air.

Sora turned forward once more, and soon he too was lost in the excitement with his friends, all but forgetting Ten for the time being.

Three months later, Sora, Riku, and Kairi were once again enrolled in school. Though Sora was less than thrilled, he was admittedly grateful for a more normal life.

The familiar sound of screeching chairs filled the air as the homeroom teacher walked in, followed by a young girl about Sora's age.

"Quiet down, class," the teacher said, smacking her hand on the desk. Kairi jumped; Riku and Sora exchanged grins. "Today we have a new student with us. Please listen as she introduces herself."

The girl, her long white hair flowing over her shoulders, bowed at the waist before speaking.

"I'm new here; my name is Tenko," she said. "But you can call me Ten, if you want. I'll do my best to get along with everyone here. Thank you."

Eyes wide, Kairi and Riku both looked at Sora, who shrugged. Tenko quietly sat down in the open seat next to Riku.

"Uh…hi?" he said.

"Hello," she replied. "You seem nervous?"

"And you seem familiar. Do you mind me asking where you're from?"

"Oh, that? Do you mean my hair?" Tenko laughed. "I'm from Radiant Garden. My parents thought this would be a better environment for me. I was very sick for a long time, but now I'm better, and being here on these islands is helping me stay that way."

Riku turned to the others, who shrugged.

"Nice to meet you," Riku said at last. "Sorry if I creeped you out."

"No issue," Tenko said, waving her hand. "Maybe we met in a past life!" She laughed heartily, and Sora couldn't help but join her.

Yeah, I'd say so, he thought, unable to hide a grin. Good to have you back, Ten.

END MEMO:

[WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS TO KINGDOM HEARTS: DREAM DROP DISTANCE]

Well, that's that! It's over!

As I was writing this, a lot of spoilers for KH3D were released, and I found that a few of my theories were correct! But as far as me saying that there would be a new character to aid Sora and Co. in their battle, that was different. I wasn't expecting to see Lea back in action. But I do stand by the fact that he will probably die in this. Something about his return is just not quite right.

I had a few people comment on the pace of the story; I wrote it with a rush in mind. This story, as I stated from the beginning, is just an extension of my theories for the future of the KH series. I thought it'd be more fun to write a story instead of just TALK about it. Nobody wants to read that, right? I wouldn't want to. (Lies. I would, I totally would. But I know I'm in the minority on that one, hence this quickly-told tale. xD) Besides, I wanted to keep working on the projects I've had planned for ages…^^;; hehe.

Anyway, I look forward to seeing you all in Part 3 of [My Color, Our Style]. It's going to be the best part of all of them, so look forward to it, mmkay? Thank you for your avid reading!