For Ones with Hearts...

[Rikugurl]

~Rikugurl
Lumi, wake up child. Your heart is too pure to leave this place now. You are wanted by someone very special. You don't want to disappoint him now, do you? he loves you very much and you play a big role in his life. Awake. Your time is not up yet.I opened my eyes. Am i....alive? I looked around the room. Had i died? I saw Duo on the other side of the room. He was crying. A woman was sitting next to him, trying to make him feel better. I smiled and opened my mouth. "Duo--?" he looked up and ran to my side. "Lumi? Say something!" "I think I’ll be okay." His face brightened. He smiled and hugged me. With the last of my strength, I returned the hug. "i love you too, Duo--."

~Chris
Duo released her, suddenly remembering that she was injured. but when he looked down to change the bandages, the wound was gone. all the blood was still there, but the gaping hole in her side was gone. he was amazed. "how?!" he looked up at Lumi. "does it really matter?" she just smiled. he smiled back and and said "no, you're right. it doesn't matter." her face suddenly filled with concern again. "Duo, your hand!" she grabbed his hand to inspect it. "oh, i guess you're okay. if the bands are back." Duo was glad he had found time to replace the bands while searching for Riku. Celest scoffed from behind him. he turned around. "you got a problem?" "no, no." she said with a smile on her face.

~Celest
I wasn't use to this kind of behavior. I walk towards them. "I hope you know, You two can't stay here. The heartless are after you. You won’t be safe here." the girl looked up at me. "B-but I'm too weak to walk anywhere else. I won’t be up f-for awhile." "You're not walking anywhere. You're going to be transported there. I'm sending you to a new world." Duo and the girl looked very confused. "As a heartless, I can transport you to a new world." the girl seemed shocked. Duo stood up and took out his sword. "You are a heartless?" I stood up straight and looked at him in the eye. "Yes, I am a Heartless. What are you going to do? Kill me? Who's the one without a heart now?" Duo stopped and put his sword away. "Why must we leave?" he asked. "I think I know what is happening. If I’m right. You must leave as soon as possible." Duo nodded. "I'll send you to the next closest world. You'll be unknown there. It will take awhile before the heartless have found out you're gone. On another note. I wish to take that older boy with me. I have a feeling--"

~Dk.jr.
Cloud sat on his chair. His eye's were dark. That was too close. he looked into his necklace. His eyes grew wide. Is that.....Celest? I thought she died! Cloud stood up remembering what he had to do. "Shadow!" The small heartless walked up to him once more. "yes sire?" "Your stupid army almost killed the girl. if she dies it's yours and my head!" "sorry, sire." "Be happy that i'm not going to kill you." Cloud stopped. Then he pointed to his necklace. "See that girl? I want you to bring her to me at once. Let the girl and her 'hero' rest for awhile." "What is so great about that girl? She's just a heartless like myself." "No more questions! I want the girl here and i want her hear now! Be gone!" the heartless ran way from Cloud. Looks like this Lumi girl is going to be harder to get then I thought. Her heart is so damn pure. Cloud sighed and returned to his chair once again.

~Chris
"No, you're not taking that boy with you. we've been looking for him for the past month." Duo stood up again. she turned and almost seemed to get taller when she did so. "i will take him with me. you have no reason for concern, i will not harm him." "that's not my concern. i am worried about her." he pointed to Lumi. "her and the boy are very close friends and she has come all this way to find him." Celest was unmoved. Lumi spoke up again. "Duo, it's ok. she won't hurt him. i'd rather be with you than with him anyway." Duo finally accepted the fact. he turned back to Celest. "how are you going to transport us to another world?"

~Celest
"Simple. Like how any Heartless transport humans." I pointed my finger at Duo. A black cloud started to swirl around him. "The new world is pretty tropical so I think you'll be fine. Take care." The blackness covered his body and he shortly disappeared. I then looked at the girl named Lumi. "I wish you good luck." I pointed to her. Again the black cloud swirled around her limp body.I hope she can make the transport. She too shortly disappeared into the darkness. I walked to the next room. the two boys were sitting there playing a card game. I walked to the small one. "You're going with them." I pointed my finger at the boy and the process began again only this time the boy was scared and started screaming as he disappeared. the older boy stood up. "What are you doing?" "I'm bringing them to a new world and you're coming with me. I'll teach you what you need to know--to become a heartless master. Don't listen to Duo. He is wrong. You're not the one he's looking for. You're just a target in this strange cycle. You need to train to help them in the end when they get to their final destination and fight my love, Cloud."

~Rikugurl
My eyes opened. I was underwater and i sucked in a bunch of water. I swam to the surface to get air. When my head reached to air i started gagging. I looked around. I wasn't too far away from the beach. I swam over to the beach and sat on the sand. It was night time and the stars were shinning. I looked around the beach. It reminded my of home. I smiled and i saw a crab walk in front of me. Then a sudden fear went down my back. Where's Duo? I got up and looked up and down the beach. No sign of him. There was no sign of my sword or backpack either. I sighed and started to wlk down the shore line. It felt good to walk. As i did so i started to dry my mangled up hair. I saw a clump of something up ahead. I continued walking to it when i found out it was my backpack. i took a great sigh or relieve. Now at least i have a blanket and a tent. I started to set up camp and made a fire out of the twigs laying around. I then wrapped myself in the blanket and looked into the fire. After awhile i started writing Duo's name in the sand. I wonder where he is? I don't want to be alone. I put out the fire and climbed into the tent. I layed down on the sand and tried to get comfortable ut i couldn't help notice that i was cold, wet and alone.

[Rikugurl]

~Chris
Duo woke up. his vision was blurred slightly but it went away in a few seconds. he felt a draft of air on his back. but he was looking up at the sky. strange he thought while he attempted to stand. but he quickly noticed that the ground was not as solid as it should be. he looked under him to see that he was up in a tree. "what the?" he was somewhat confused until he remembered about Celest. as he was climbing down the tree, he heard crying. he quickly moved to the sound to find Tidus lying in the sand bawling. when he saw Duo, he stopped though and jumped up to him. "where are we Duo? how did we get here?" "Celest sent us here, remember?" he looked confused for a moment. "oh yeah. where's Lumi?" both Tidus and Duo looked around. "i don't know. lets go find her." after about ten minutes of searching the beach, they saw a column of smoke. "Duo look! i'll bet 'cha that's her!" he looked to where Tidus was pointing and smiled. "yeah, that's her alright."

~Rikugurl
As i was trying to sleep, i could hear footsteps coming to my tent. I sat up and hid underneath my blanket. "Lumi?" I poked my head out. "Duo!" I jumped up and gave him a big hug. "I was so scared that maybe i got lost." He smiled at me. Tidus then popped into the tent. "hey Lumi." he said. I smiled at him. "I wonder where we are Duo." Duo shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know either." I started to shiver. The night wind was really cold. Duo smiled once more. "Here. Take my coat." he said as he handed me his coat. he then took the blanket from me and gave it to Tidus. "You two can sleep in the tent. I’ll stay up and keep guard." I nodded and sat back down when Duo left. Tidus went to the other side of the tent and laid down. He seemed to have fallen asleep the minute his head hit the ground. I looked at Duo's coat. Then I thought, I really don't want to get his coat wet. I started to take my outer clothes off and ended up only in my under garments. I put my wet clothes on the top pole of the tent to dry. I then put on Duo's coat. It was so nice and warm. I could see Duo's shadow against the tent. He was poking at the fire, probably thinking again. I laid down and soon fell asleep.

~Chris
Duo sat by the fire. he loved to watch the fire. he sighed and fell back onto the ground. and he just watched the stars. another star went out. he wondered what could cause such a thing. he thought about it for hours, until he eventually gave up trying to figure it out, and did his excercises. it had been a while since he did them and he was having trouble suppressing the urge to uleash his power and let loose on humanity. the night passed uneventfully and Tidus and Lumi woke up early. Duo was at the fire frying a few fish he had caught earlier in the morning. "good morning." he said with a smile.

~Rikugurl
My eyes grew big. "Duo! You're burning the fish!" I ran up to him and took the pan's handle. "If you don't know how to cook, wait for me to do it." i scolded him. he gave me an uneasy smile. I smiled back and pushed him out of the way. Tidus began to giggle. I fixed breakfast (the right way) and we sat down and ate. My clothes had dried fast that night so i gave Duo his coat back. After breakfast, we put everything away and began to follow a path up through the woods till we got to a main road. It was disserted but peaceful looking. We followed the road for about an hour. Tidus was dragging along while me and Duo kept a good pace, talking every second of the way. Then i looked up. A huge castle was standing straight and tall a few miles down. I looked to find the top but it was hidden in the clouds and the sun got in my eyes. Duo stopped to and looked at the beautiful scene. "I guess that's were we're going." he looked down and smiled at me. I returned it and began to run down the road. I was still hungry from this morning and i really needed some comfort. I ran up to the main doors with Tidus not to far from me. Duo seemed to be taking his time, looking around. i pushed open the main door to reveal a busy market street. People were walking up and down the street talking to others and buying random things. I smiled and looked back at Duo. "C'mon! let go, you slow poke!" I said as i waited for him. after awhile we were on our way through the busy streets. We stopped at several inns but everyone was out of rooms due to a certain event. The castle owner held a ball every year and the prize dancers were rewarded 2,000 munny. the ball was in three more days. "A ball!" i was so happy. i wanted to see one so badly. i had heard of them in some newspapers in Traverse town and now i might be able to see one in real life. Finally we ran out of inns to go to. "What do we do now, Duo?" i looked up at him. He smiled. "Looks like we're going to have to find a room at the castle."

[Rikugurl]

~Chris
Duo could feel heartless aproaching. and a lot of them too. more than enough to wipe out this town and it's castle. they went up to the castle gates where two guards stood. Duo approached them. "excuse me, we've been looking all over for a place to stay and all the inns are filled up. could we stay here?" the guards didn't say anything, but just stepped aside as the huge gates opened. all three of the compainions were in awe as they walked over the threshold into the castle. after getting directions from a passing servent, they found their way to the throne room, where the king sat, talking with his royal advisors about the state of his kingdom and such. Duo never really understood any of that political stuff. when they got to the throne, the king politely turned to the group of three and asked "yes, what can i do for you?" Duo got right to the point. "hello your majesty. we are not from around here, and request that we be able to stay in the castle tonite." the king looked impatient. "we have looked all over town and could not find a single vacant room. and we would very much like to attend your ball." the king looked them all up and down. "you seem to be a mercenary, yes?" Duo looked sheepishly up at the king. "yes sir i am. why do you ask?" "i am curious as to why a mercenary would be traveling with two children." Duo began to tell the king a very abridged version of how they came to travel together, leaving out the part about how the heartless were chasing after them. "and now we're here asking for your hospitality." Duo was about to tell the king about the approaching heartless and offer help until the king interrupted. "well, i'm sorry, but we reserve rooms in the castle for distinguished guests. you understand?" Duo's pride was hurt by the condesending remark, but he wasn't about to tell off a king. he gave him a scoul instead. "yes, i understand. let's go you guys." with that, he turned to the door with Lumi and Tidus short behind. let them die. he thought, but quickly banished the idea from his head. his morals would not let him abandon this entire town and it's inhabitants. the king continued with his conversation with his advisors as if there were no interruption. on the way out, Duo heard something about heartless just before the door slammed shut behind them. when they got back outside the castle, Lumi turned to Duo. "now what? we've got nowhere to sleep." Duo turned to the south, to where the heartless were coming over the hill, and said "i wouldn't worry too much, we might get in yet. the alarm sounded and people fled the streets. soon, an army appeared out of the castle, and took places for battle as the heartless poured into the city. Duo turned to Lumi. "quick! get Tidus to a safe place! you stay hidden too. remember that the heartless are looking for you." "but Duo....right!" she slowly nodded and took off with Tidus to a nearby house behind the army line. Duo drew his long sword just in time to meet the first wave. he started killing heartless left and right, most of them were of the smaller kind, and easy to kill. there were only a few bigger ones. heartless were everywhere. they were coming from every direction now. Duo was killing ten at a time. then the second wave hit. this one was mostly big heartless. they went after the army. the castle army was being devestated. they couldn't fight against these bigger ones. but Duo could. he ran over to the first one and lopped off it's head. then went on to the next and killed that one. he decided to leave the smaller heartless to the castle army. who's controling them? he thought frantically. he calmed his thinking process down. he knew they had to be in the town since there were this many heartless. and they would have to be high up so they could see the entire field of battle. but not too high, get too far away from the heartless and you control. he seached the city with his mind while fighting off more heartless. THERE!! he fought his way back to the general of the castle army, who was desperately running out of ideas and troops. Duo ran straight up to this man. "you've got to keep fighting the heartless for a little longer, i'll take care of their leader." the general just looked at Duo. "who the hell are you?!" Duo grew impatient. "that doesn't matter!! i know how to defeat the heartless fast and with minimal casulties! you keep fighting them off for a few more minutes and i'll take care of the rest." he looked at Duo for a few moments. "alright, go!" he was then astonished to see Duo disappear. Duo appeared on top of a house before the one controling them all. "well, well. it's about time someone found me. oh, and it's you." the man grinned. "this should be fun." he pulled out a gunblade that was almost identicle to Leon's. Duo didn't waste any time and immeadiately went into full swing. he disappeared and reappeared behind the man. he swung his long sword to cut his legs off, but his sword was stopped. this guy was fast. Duo appeared in front of him again. the man ran towards Duo but met only his afterimage. Duo came up behind him and went for his head this time. but he ducked. the man shot a few rounds but his aim was terrible. he ran in towards Duo and cut a deep gash down his left arm. Duo couldn't use his arm. but that didn't stop him. he charged the man, and they met blades. they stood in a dead lock for a few moments sneering at eachother. then, Duo backed up a bit to allow for swinging room and he fired two more shots. Duo had to dodge these shots as they came wizzing by, and one of them nicked his ear. he ended up with his back turned to the man. he lunged at Duo and slashed at his back, causing a deep wound. Duo was bleeding badly. but he still got up. he could hardly hold his longsword. the man knocked it out of his hand. Duo was on his knees looking down at the ground. "AHAHAHAHA!!! and now, my friend, you die!" he started a downward stroke with his deadly weapon. but just then, Lumi interrupted and blocked the blade from reaching Duo. the man hesitated and Duo threw three daggers into his head. Lumi gasped as the man fell to the ground and died. Duo laughed a bit and said "what's the matter? i thought you wanted me to win." and with a smile on his face, fell to the ground and just rested, catching his breath and waiting for his wounds to stop bleeding. Lumi stayed by his side. "i thought i told you to stay hidden." he looked up at Lumi for a change. "i did." she said triumphantly. "this is the house we hid in. i heard your sceaming and came up here through the roof." Duo laughed. "oh, ok then. thank you for saving me." he smiled again. she smiled back. "your welcome. the heartless are gone." Duo breathed a sigh of relief. "that's good. i don't think i could habdle any more of them." after Duo could walk again, they got Tidus and walked over to the general was tallying his casulties. he looked up and saw Duo. "oh, it's you!! you were right, after a few minutes, they all disappeared. oh, and i told the king about you and he wants to see you." when they got to the throne room, the king was eagerly awaiting their return. "ah, welcome back!" "hello again your majesty. i'm sorry for bleeding all over your floors." Duo looked behind him at the trail of blood. "nonsense! you saved my people. you can bleed all over my kingdom if you want!" he was exceedingly happy. i'd like you to stay as my guest. i'm sorry for being so rude to you earlier, with the heartless coming, i was under a lot of stress. please saty and attend my annual ball." he was almost begging them. "thank you very much, we will enjoy our stay here." Lumi tapped Duo. "Duo, we don't have anything to where." "oops! your highness, could we also be provided with some nicer clothes. if it's not too much trouble that is." this just made the king more happy. "of course! of course! we'll send it to your rooms." "thank you, and speaking of which, may we go to our rooms? i would like to recover before the ball." "oh my, of course!" the king then clapped twice and a servent appeared. "show these three heros to their rooms." Lumi broke in. "i will stay with Duo. i must tend to his wounds." "oh, of course, of course. go on now!" Duo spent nearly all of the three days until the ball recuperating on his bed. Lumi of course, never left his side. when he finally did heal, it was the day of the ball.

[Rikugurl]

~Rikugurl
A hour before the ball, i walked into Tidus's room. he seemed to be very happy due to how big the room was and it was all his at the moment. I knelt down to come face to face with him. "Me and Duo are going to the ball tonight. This is going to be my changing room so you'll need to find a place to hang out for now, ok?" Tidus nodded and ran out of the room. I sat down in front of the mirror and began to comb my hair. I was so nerves and my mind wouldn't stop thinking. Duo has been so nice and giving. He's given me hope, life and even a skirt. he's become one of my dearest friends and what have i given him? Nothing. I sat there for a minute. I closed my eyes and thought. I thought of my mother...She was lying on her death bed. I walked through the door and sat on the bed. I was about six at this time and didn't know much of what was going on. "Lumi? is that you, child" I smiled and took my mother hand. "Yes, mother. It's me." she gave me a weak smile back. "Lumi, I need to tell you something. A story if you will. Will you listen?" "Of course!" I then laid down next to her. "Lumi, I'm not going to be here much longer and I want you to know something. this island is not where you belong. There is a whole world out there. many worlds beyond the stars. One day, Lumi. You'll be taken away from this island. Taken away by someone dear to you. He'll take good care of you and you'll have children and grow old together. Your live might not be easy in the beginning but you two will end out ok. just believe in you heart, Lumi. that's all you need to do, and you'll always end out ok. Please Lumi, take this." She then handed me a necklace, a bracelet and a ring. "These items are very valuable. You'll know when to give them up." With that, she closed her eyes and feel sleep, forever...I opened my eyes and looked around the room. I looked at my bracelet and ring. Duo is always trying to get money for our needs. It was time to pay him back. I ran out of the room and down the hall. People were lining up to see the ball. I ran trough them as best as i could to try to get to the nearest shop. Most of them were closed due to the ball but i managed to find an open one. I burst into the door and ran up to the counter. A man looked over the counter and looked at me. "Can i help you?" "Yes," i said as i took of my bracelet and ring. "How much are these worth?" The man took them and looked at them carefully. "Wow, these stones are very rare. I'd say they are worth 800 munny." I stood in shock. That was great. I looked around the store. then i looked down to see a necklace with a heart on it. It was really pretty but simple. It was obviously made for men. "How much is that?" "It's about 30 munny." "I'll take it and with the rest i'm going to need a nice sword." the man took the necklace out and went into the back and brought out a long sword. "Here you go. You still have 20 munny left." I took the things and looked at the man. "No, i'll just keep the munny." "ok" he said as he gave me the remaining munny. I then ran as fast as i could back to the castle. I ran up the hall and returned to my room. I hid the items under the bed and returned out into the hall. As a maid walked by i walked up to her. "Excuse me, but can you make my hair pretty? I'm going to be in the ball tonight." She nodded and followed me back into the room. She put my hair up in a pretty bun and gave me a very pretty necklace to wear and then left. I quickly started to put my dress on when i heard the announcement. The ball had already started! I was late! I quickly put on my shoes and opened the door. I lifted my dress up, so i wouldn't trip over it and ran down the hall once more. Duo's room was shut and locked. he must have left already. I ran to the end of the hall and slowed down once i saw other girls walking though the doors. I followed them and continued on my way to the ball. When i finally reached the ball room it was filled with people laughing and talking. I walked down the stairs with the other girls, looking around for Duo. Then i spotted him near the base of the stairs. He was wearing a gray coat and a dress shirt with a tie. he looked very nice. It was strange to see him wear such things. When we caught eyes, his jaw dropped to the ground and his eyes grew big. I walked up to him and smiled. "Hey Duo. recognize me?" he seemed to be speechless. "You look great Lumi!" A announcement interrupted our petty talk. The ball dance was now ready to begin. I looked up at Duo. "I hope you know how to dance." He smiled and nodded at me then took my hand and walked me to the ballroom floor with the other dancers. I put my hand in his and my other on his back while he put his other on my waist. The music started and we started to move. When i was little, my uncle taught me how to dance so i knew what i was doing. The song had passed for a few minutes when something happened. i felt something inside of me. A good feeling. One i never felt before. I looked into Duo's eyes and found myself lost. Lost in his beauty. was this the man my mother was talking about? No, it couldn't be. The feeling will go away soon. but it didn't. It grew throughout the night. I felt like, a princess in the arms of a prince. A dream, a fantasy. I ran my fingers though his hair and he gave me a warm smile. The ball shortly ended and we found out that the results of the winning dancers will be announced tomorrow morning. With that, me and Duo walked back to his room, hand in hand.

[Rikugurl]

~Chris
As they walked back to their rooms, they talked on and on about all kinds of things. like the past adventures they had had together, and past adventures they had had before they met. although Duo was doing most of the talking there. they even talked about a few of the people at the ball. Duo felt so happy when he was around Lumi. she made him feel like nothing else in the world mattered. for the first time in his life he felt that there was nothing he needed to do. or nothing he wanted to do. when they got to Lumi's room, she stopped looked Duo in the eye and said...

~Rikugurl
"You know Duo--" I stopped and thought. It was hard to say what was on my mind. So I decided to wait for another day. "I got you something. Wait here." I walked down the hall to Tidus's room. I saw that he was asleep as i walked up to the bed. I knelt down and took the things that i had bought earlier. I then shut the door behind me and returned to Duo's room. Duo was in the middle of changing but he didn't mind me being there. When he was finish it turned to me. I handed his the long sword. "I bought this for you. Your sword seems to be getting old. You must have had it for awhile." He took the sword and looked at it. He then smiled. "Thank you very much Lumi. You really didn't--" "That's not it." I interrupted. "I got this for you too." I handed him the Heart necklace. he took it and smiled. "But I already have a heart necklace. Remember?" he pointed to the necklace i had given him before. he then paused. He took the handle of the sword and ripped some of the leather off of it. he then broke the necklace in half, so that the heart hung on one end. he took the heart piece and put it on the sword handle and wrapped the leather around it and tied it in a knot. He lifted the sword to show me the handle. "I made the heart into a sword chain. Now when i fight, i know that your heart is always with me." He smiled again. "Thank you again but I must ask where did you get the munny for this stuff?" "I traded in my mother's gifts. She said that i'll know when to give them up. I wanted to repay you for everything you did." "Lumi, you really didn't have to. You're all I need. your smile repays me back all the time." I smiled and hugged him. The night passed and Duo had gone to sleep. I stood up to clear my head. I was in my regular clothes now. I'll never be able to tell him. Maybe I'll live my life not being able to tell him. When he leaves back to his home...what will i do? I'll be crushed. I should stop this all at once. he's too old. He'll never understand... I went through my backpack for the first time since i had been here. As i looked through. I found something odd. Where did this come from? I took out a star shaped fruit. It's the one from Destiny island. How--? I was in shock. The fruit wasn't in my backpack before and now there was one in there. I looked at it and thought. If the fruit is shared, their hearts will be intertwined forever. Forever? I looked over at where Duo laied peacefully. I then began to quietly cry. Duo...

~Rag
Cloud sat on his chair with an evil look on his face. Shadow was sitting next to him in a silence state. the last defeat had angered Cloud greatly. he grew so mad that he picked up his glass and threw it against the wall. The glass shattered into millions of pieces. He then stood up and walked to the only window in the room. He looked out at the large landscape of Hollow Bastion. The snow and ice covered everything beyond miles. He hated Hollow Bastion with a passion since he found it to be too cold for his liking. He tried to think back to the climate he lived in when he was a little boy but found it impossible to remember. After becoming Hades knight, he had forgotten most of his childhood. he had forgotten most of everything he had once loved. he didn't even remember what it felt like to love. he only know how to hate. Cloud sighed and turned to Shadow. "i have had it. I'm not playing games anymore. Celest tried to trick me but it didn't work. She should have known better. Get out of my room before i kill you." Shadow left as quick as he came. Cloud left the room and walked down the stairs of his tower. He then entered into the Great Hall. He walked to the end of the room where a large mirror stood. He bowed at the foot of the mirror and looked into it. "i call upon you, Darkside. A favor is asked." Cloud then stood up and waited for a response. A large creature appeared on the glass. It's eyes were yellow and his hair was in the shape of medusa’s. "I asked you here for a favor. I need you to swallow a World. The world, Navi." The creature seemed to nod its head. "I ask that you send three human here, to Hollow Bastion, instead of Tranverse Town. Their names are Duo, Tidus and Lumi. I also ask you to separate Lumi from the other two. Her heart is wanted by your master, Maleficent."
What about the other two?

"Leave them to me. I'll get rid of Duo. He will be the end of Lumi. Once he is dead, Lumi will be as good as ours. The boy will be trained under me to serve my master, Hades. The girl will have her heart taken and used to open the door." he paused for a minute. "That is all I ask." The creature again nodded then disappeared. Cloud's face darkened and a smirk ran across his face.

~Chris
when Duo woke up, he saw Lumi was already up. they smiled at each other and went to go get Tidus. just then, everything went dark. it was just like on Destiny Island. then the bug heartless showed up again. Duo took out his new long sword that Lumi had given him and began fighting them off. he and Lumi fought their way down the hall to Tidus's room and burst through the door where heartless were surrounding him on the bed. Duo shouted "Tidus, duck!" when he did so, Duo swept his long sword through the heartless on the bed. Lumi grabbed Tidus and they all ran out of the room. they started to make for the outside of the castle. as they were running, they saw heartless everywhere, surrounding people and engulfing them in a dark ooze before the person disappeared into nothing. when they got outside it was much the same picture, just on a bigger scale. soon an army of heartless were surrounding the group. it was clear that they were the last ones left in the city. the heartless closed in around them. Duo and Lumi fought hard to keep them at bay, but were soon tired out. there were just too many of them. then, they all sank to the ground and rushed toward the three adventurers as if they were one being. all three companions were swallowed up by this entity. Duo could not see anything, or feel anything but darkness.

[Rikugurl]

~Rikugurl
I opened my eyes. I was surrounded my white cold stuff. The wind blew in a vicious manner. I tried to look around my surroundings but it was near impossible. Everything was hazy and my hair kept blowing in my face. "Duo!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. There was no answer. I looked around to see what I could but again my vision was useless. Suddenly a large beast popped out from behind me and let out a loud howl. I screamed and began to run. I had no weapon to defend myself. All I had was my backpack. The wind blew against me and froze my bare legs. I ran as fast as I could but suddenly tripped. I fell against the stinging cold of the white but pushed myself up again due to the fact I was getting chased. I ran till I could hardly run anymore. I looked behind me now and then to see if the beast was getting tired but he wasn't at all. Then I saw what seemed to be hope. Another large castle was ahead of me. This sight made me put more strength in my legs. I can close to the castle gates when the ground started to change. it wasn't white anymore but it was now blue. I began to run over it and then my feet came out from under me. I fell once more but the ground was no longer soft but really, really hard. It hurt and my body slammed down on it. I looked behind me to see that the beast was gone. I took a big sigh of relief. I noticed that the wind stopped blowing and it seemed less cold. I then stood up and carefully walked toward the castle. Maybe Duo is there.

~Chris
Duo woke up face down on the ground in a huge room with no furniture. he got up and looked around but didn't see Lumi anywhere. Tidus was missing too. "about time you got up." a sinister voice said from the shadows. "you've been like that for hours." "who are you?! show yourself!!" a man stepped out of the shadows to Duo's left. he was a thinly build man with a very large sword on his back. he didn't look like he could even lift the sword, let alone fight with it. but then again, Duo was not very bulky either. and he could move with extraordinary speed and agility and deal devastating blows to an opponent. this man was probably a lot like Duo. "my name is Cloud. and you are about to die." he said with a grimace. Duo almost laughed but held back. "oh really? well alright then, but first, I need to ask you a few questions." Cloud paused for a moment. "alright, I don't see any harm seeing as you're about to die." "where is Lumi?" "the girl? she is in the door chamber. she will be used to open the door to a new world order that will reign over all worlds until the end of time." he made big hand gestures while talking of his "new world order". "why her?" "she is the only one that can do it. she is the chosen one if you will. this is her life's purpose. but don't worry, after completing her task, she will join you in the after life. heh, heh, heh. AHAHAHAHA!!" his insane laughter was getting on Duo's nerves. "SHUT UP!! where is the door chamber?!" Cloud stopped his cackling to answer him. "fool! do you think you can save her?! I’ll tell you only if you defeat me." "very well then" Duo smiled at this new challenge. he drew his long sword and looked at the chain on the end. hang on, Lumi. I’m coming suddenly, Cloud was right next to Duo. he's fast! Duo barely managed to block Cloud's huge sword. Cloud started to push him back. "what's the matter? a little weak? hahaha." Duo pushed off Cloud and charged him. but Cloud blocked his long sword without effort. "tisk, tisk. you're too slow!" Cloud shoved Duo's blade away and slashed across his chest. "AAAAHHHHHH!!!!" Duo fell to one knee. he breathed heavily. "you....shouldn't under-estimate your opponents...so much." Duo smirked as a wound opened up on Cloud's right arm. it wasn't much, but it was enough to prove that Duo could hit him. "heh, you call that something to worry about?" Duo got up and ran around behind Cloud. but Cloud was turned around before he even got there. Duo attacked anyways and was blocked. they stood in a dead lock as Cloud started more of his taunting. "do you really think you can beat me?" "yes, and I will. to save Lumi." he took a dagger from his jacket and thrust it into Cloud's left shoulder. Cloud staggered back in pain. "AARRGGGHHH!! damn
YOU!!! YOURE DEAD!!!!"

~Rikugurl
I walked through a large room. I was very quiet and I was pretty scared. Large stained glass windows surrounded the room. "My dear, you have arrived." I turned to see a woman standing across the room in front of a door. "Who are you?" "My name is Maleficent. I'm happy you're here." "Where's Duo?" "Duo? Oh yes, that man that traveled with you. See for yourself." she said as she pointed to the door behind her that had opened in the middle of her sentence. I slowly walked to her and walked through the door. She followed me and the door shut behind us. I then gasped. Duo was laying on the floor in the middle of the room. "Duo!?" I ran up to him and knelt down. I picked up his head and put it on my lap. He wasn't breathing. His body was cold and empty. "Duo--" I began to cry and picked up his hand and put it on my cheek. "No--" "When I found him it was too late. He was no longer alive. I'm terribly sorry, child." Maleficent walked towards me and Duo. "But, there is a way to bring him back--" I looked up at her with the tears coming down my cheek. "How?" "You can give him your heart." "My heart?" "Yes, I am the great Heart Mender, child. Give me your heart and I will put it in Duo." "But wont I die?" She seemed shocked. "How selfish of you! Hasn't he given you everything? Everything you've ever wanted? He is dead now, child. What he wants now is to live and he cannot live without a heart." I looked down at Duo. She's right. Duo has done everything for me. I should sacrifice my life for him. I looked up at her. "if I give you my heart, you will give it to him so he may live?" "Of course child. Are you sure you want to do this?" I paused and then nodded. He would do the same for me. "Then come with me ,child ,to the Door Chamber. She walked by me and entered through a new door. I took my last look at Duo. I love you. I'm sorry I must do this. I stood up and followed the Heart Mender. The new room had a large door in it with a very large keyhole. Around the room there were small chambers that held other girls in them. Something was wrong. "Excuse me but why are there other girls here?" "They to have sacrificed their hearts for their loved ones. they are admired greatly. Please step into that chamber and I will take your heart and bring it to Duo." she said as she pointed to an empty chamber. I slowly began to walk to the chamber. Once I stepped in, a glass dome went around my body. This is it. The end of my life. I hope Duo will understand. My chest started to hurt and I winced. I looked out to see that Maleficent had an evil smile on her face. "I finally have all 7 pure hearts! The door of darkness will open now! I will be the ruler of all! HAHAHAHAHA! I gasped for air but found that there was none left. My heart began to beat faster until it suddenly stopped and I was no longer there.

~Rag
Cloud's arm quickly healed. "You are no match for me!" Just then the door busted open and a ray of light shown through. It hit Duo and it knocked him over. The light seemed to seep through him. he sat there for a minute, breathing deeply. Cloud stood there in shock. What was that? Duo then seemed like he was in great pain. Duo opened his eyes and began to glow.
We are now one, Duo.

It was a girls voice.
I give you strength.

Duo got up and his wounds healed automatically. He swung his sword and looked at Cloud. "You die now." Duo then rushed at cloud and plunged his sword through Cloud's heart. Cloud stepped back then dropped to the floor. He then grinded his teeth together and looked up at Duo. "I don't know who you are or what powers you have but you're too late to save Lumi. Darkness rules all!" With that, Cloud laid flat on the floor. He died with his mission complete.

[Rikugurl]

~Chris
Duo looked down at his hands. he had never had such power before. he glowing, but he couldn't explain it or anything that had just happened.
we are now one

Duo suddenly remembered. that was Lumi's voice! is she ok? he suddenly felt a huge serge of dark power. he focused on that point and was instantly transported there. when he got there, he looked to see Maleficent gathering dark energy from a large door and Lumi on the ground, dead. "Lumi!!" he ran to her side, in disbelief. "NOOOO!! why?!" Maleficent turned to him. " oh, Duo, how nice to see you again. I haven't seen you since I helped you locate that boy with the ultimate power. did you find him?" Duo turned to her looking for revenge. "what did you do to her?!" he started to glow even brighter. "I didn't do hardly anything. she gave up her heart to save you. said something about repaying you for everything you've done. I do hope you won't hold a grudge." she had a wicked smile across her face. "I won't have time to hold a grudge, seeing as how you're going to die in less than a minute." he drew his long sword one last time. "now DIE!!" he thrust his blade into her but she was unparsed. "HA! puny man!! you cannot hurt me!!" she raised her arms high into the air and shouted "COME FORTH!! O RETCHED BALL OF DARKNESS!!!" Duo just watched as an enormous ball of dark energy formed above her. I can't survive that!! Duo thought while trying to think of a way to defeat her. just then, he heard Lumi's voice again.
you're fighting with anger. you cannot defeat her by fighting for revenge! you must fight with a pure mind!

Duo tried to talk with her one last time. "Lumi!! why did you sacrifice yourself for me?!" but there was no answer. he closed his eyes to think of how to clear his mind of any impure thoughts. he didn't have time to do his exercise. Maleficent forced her way back into his mind. "FOOL!!! DO YOU THINK THAT IF YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES IT WILL ALL GO AWAY?!!" he ignored her. Lumi!! that's it! He thought of Lumi and his entire body relaxed. his long sword began to glow along with him as air swirled around his body. his body soon began to pulsate. Duo could feel his heartbeat throughout his entire body, and the glow pulsated in the same rhythm as his heart. but there was another heartbeat, separate from his own. it felt warm and began to beat stronger. Duo knew deep down that this was Lumi's heart. he felt empowered even more by this and opened his eyes to see Maleficent throwing the ball of dark energy. "NOW DIE!!!!" the huge ball rocketed toward Duo. he took a defensive position and swatted tit back to her with his long sword. "WHAT?!" she caught it and disintegrated it. Duo wasted no time and rushed her again. this time, when his blade pieced her cloche, she screamed out in agony. "AAAAHHHHH!!! WHAT?! THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!!!!" Duo tore his long sword from within her and threw her to the ground. she struggled for air as she writhed on the ground. Duo calmly walked up to her. "what's 'impossible'?" and he thrust a dagger into her eye, killing her instantly. he fell to his knees, exhausted as the glowing aura around him disappeared. he turned to Lumi and held her close to him. "no, why did you do this? why?" he wept as he held her closer. "don't you know that I love you?!" almost immediately after he said those words, they both exploded with light. they were forced apart and started floating above the ground about a foot away from each other. then, he felt his heartbeat again, and Lumi's too. then Lumi's stopped, and a heart shaped crystal came out of his chest and into Lumi's. suddenly, she started to cough and breathe again. as they floated back to earth, Duo grabbed her and supported her as they landed back on the ground. and as she opened her eyes, he softly said "welcome back."

~Rikugurl
As soon as he had said that, it grew light again. I couldn't see or hear anything. My heart beat was loud and strong. I opened my eyes. I was in a familiar bedroom. I looked around and saw a dolly next to the bed on the floor. It was my room. Was I back home? "Lumi! you're awake!" Tidus came running in. "Lumi, it's over! We're home again!" he smiled at me. "Home? I Duo here?" "No I haven't seen him." I stood up and shook my head. I walked out the front door to see the ocean. It's true. I was back in Destiny Island. I looked around to see kairi and Riku working on one of the houses. for hours I looked for Duo, but he was no where to be seen. Tidus soon came up to me. "Lumi, maybe since we are home, maybe he went home too." I had never thought of that. I put my hand over my heart. Maybe I’ll never see him again. I walked to the shore and looked out to the sea. I'll wait for you then. I'll know you'll come back. So I waited there. Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. I soon gave up. My heart was alone for the first time in months. One day though, when I was washing my clothes I looked out to the sea. I then spotted something in the distance. A vessel? I stopped what I was doing and ran to the shore. It was and a man was on it. A man with long silver hair and a long sword. "Duo!?" "Lumi!?" I ran into the water as far as I could. he had come back! he then jumped off his vessel and ran toward me. We met each other half way. he then picked me up and swung me around in the air. Tidus came out and started to smile. "I came back for you, Lumi." "I knew you would." he then put me down. "hey, I wanted to ask you. What is this sword called? All swords need a name." I thought for a minute. "For ones with Hearts. It's a long name but it suits it well." We smiled at each other once more and then kissed. Our hearts were intertwined at last.

The End

note: there are some post missing because this story has moved from SR to SC to here.