[Video]

[lockandkeyblade]

[So it does happen on occasion that Sora likes to play Sherlock. This particular evening, inspiration strikes while in the midst of training exercises in the woods (taught to him some time ago by a certain blue haired master). His hair's a little mussed, outfit slightly askew. But here's something new! Sora's sporting some new duds: At the moment, his left arm's covered in what appears to be some well-crafted armor.]

I've been thinking... Back in my world, there used to things called Gates that helped get you from place to place. Thing is, they weren't all that easy to find, and they didn't just open for anybody or for any reason.

Only, if I'm right, I just might know a way to make this work!

[Hence, his next question. It's completely relevant to the previous matter, he promises:]

What's most important to you? What's something you guys just can't go without?

[Tell the sixteen year old about your precious items, Siren's Port. So he can ask to see it. Toss it in the air. Point a weapon at it.]

[It'll turn out just fine.]

[Probably.]

Comments

[lockandkeyblade]

Actually, I got it from King Mickey, and he got it from other people. [People who would be important to Roxas in the future. The one he doesn't want to know.]

It's an orb from something called a Struggle Trophy. In a way, this thing sort of helped me learn a little about you when I was back home.

[pullsheavendown]

[Oh, the mouse king. Roxas only talked to him once or twice, but he'd seemed nice. It's not hard to imagine him helping Sora out.

Roxas looks closely at the crystal again, and back at Sora.]

Then...I'm glad you got it.

Ready to try it?

[lockandkeyblade]

[He sets down the milkshake because obviously, because otherwise Roxas will have a very messy apartment if it works. He sends Roxas an eager smile: Here goes!

He steps out into a more open area with the orb in hand. His fingers curl once, twice, and then he's lifting it into the air to draw his keyblade.]

Ready.

[pullsheavendown]

[Roxas nods, then sets down his own milkshake. He...isn't sure what he can do. Maybe just provide moral support if it doesn't work.

Maybe say goodbye if it does.]

Go ahead.

[lockandkeyblade]

[Sora reaches into his bag to pull out the orb. Then, he stretches out his hand with the item sitting neatly in his palm, as if he's offering it. There's a ray of light that's streaming in from the window nearby, but Sora swears he just might see the orb glittering on its own.

He inhales and holds his breath. The moments tick by. There's the chime of his keychain on the keyblade. He can feel something, a movement of energy, or a shifting of the temperature- just like it had done every other world he'd found a gate.

But his expression becomes a little more searching as a few more moments pass...]

[pullsheavendown]

[For a long moment it seems like it's really going to happen. A gate out of Siren's Port; the answer to almost everyone's prayers.

And then—

And then—

Nothing. No, not quite nothing; it still feels like something's about to occur, but it just won't. Like Sora's not doing it right, or maybe he doesn't have enough power.

Roxas remains still for a few seconds longer, frozen with indecision, but then he relaxes, extends a hand, and calls forth Oathkeeper.

Maybe Sora just needs a little boost.]

[lockandkeyblade]

[There's another chime, another spark of magic like a keyblade being summoned. Sora turns to the other and sees that Roxas has his own out. Sora draws courage, giving the other an appreciative nod before turning back to the item in his hand.

He raises it higher, feel more of a stir of magic, like it's actually starting to work. he can feel it, like something on the tip of his tongue. He grips his keyblade tighter. And waits...

Then, it all seems to fade away. Like a gradual settling of magic. The energy stilling around them.

Sora lowers his hand, expression ... confused.]

[pullsheavendown]

[This wasn't supposed to happen.

The tension gone, Roxas follows Sora's lead and lowers his Keyblade, but doesn't dismiss it. It's like he can't believe there's no use for it.]

That's it?

[He frowns, then his expression shifts to something that's just sort of sad.]

I really thought it was going to work.

[lockandkeyblade]

Me too...

[And Sora just stares down at the orb frowning. Had he... done something wrong? It certainly feels like it.]

I don't understand. That was it. This was supposed to be the one.

I felt it for real. Didn't you?

[pullsheavendown]

I think I did. I mean, I felt something. There was something there, right?

[He's never seen one of Sora's gates before, but there was something familiar all the same. Like a barrier about to give way.]

[lockandkeyblade]

I know there was. There had to be...

[He goes quiet for a bit, and then his fingers curl around the orb with an almost resigned sigh, shoulders slumping.]

[pullsheavendown]

[Finally, Roxas dismisses Oathkeeper but leaves his hand up, hesitating. Then he rests it on Sora's shoulder, just for a moment.]

I'm sorry.

[lockandkeyblade]

[Sora lifts his head, almost in surprise. Then he looks back at Roxas. He can't remember a time Roxas ever reached out to him like this, let a lone touched. That's why the contact stands out now.

So he shakes his head, giving the other a smile, however slight.]

It was worth a shot, right?

[pullsheavendown]

[He half nods, half shrugs, and stuffs his hands in his pockets.]

Of course it was. If it could have been a way out for everybody.

Looks like you're stuck here a while longer, though.

[Curiously, Roxas does not sound as disappointed as one might expect.]

[lockandkeyblade]

You think maybe I used the wrong thing?

[He seems a little stuck on the attempt, as if he's reluctant to let this time go. ]

[pullsheavendown]

No.

[He shakes his head.]

I think maybe the Pull is just that strong.

[Stronger than the two of them together.]

[lockandkeyblade]

You're right about one thing... I guess I really am stuck here a little longer.

[He strides over to the couch and just plops right on over, milkshake temporarily forgotten. Man, you've got no idea how many items he's tried. It's just this one that really got his hopes up. He rubs the back of his neck.]

Sometimes it feels like a little too long.

[pullsheavendown]

[Roxas watches for a moment, than moseys over to the couch and sits down beside him, leaving some space between them.]

Does it have to be a bad thing?

[But Sora's own words and dour expression say it is. And really, Roxas can't blame him. Maybe it's his own wishful thinking that it could be otherwise.]

At least people important to you are here. [And a little too quickly—] Riku and Kairi. Even if you're not all where you're supposed to be.

[lockandkeyblade]

I am glad I've got Riku and Kairi with me. And I'm glad I got to know everybody too. I learned things I never would've known back home -- about Xion, and Ventus and Axel. You too Roxas.

But I also learned about a lot of stuff I gotta take care of. I can't do any of that if I'm stuck here in Siren's Port.

[pullsheavendown]

Yeah, I know.

[And he does. Sora is the half that's the hero.]

You've always had important stuff to do. And being stuck on just one world is a big change—I know that much, too.

I guess I'm kind of selfish, though. Not wanting to say goodbye to people.

[lockandkeyblade]

[That gives Sora pause. Once the flood gates open, a lot of friends that Roxas has made would probably end up leaving too, wouldn't they?]

I don't think it's selfish, wanting to be close to friends.

But you know, the good thing about being friends with somebody? Is that goodbye doesn't have to mean forever.

[pullsheavendown]

I dunno. Leaving here isn't just heading off to another world; the different times, and the way people forget things...sometimes there's no going back.

[That goes for people from their universe and others. Jinx, Ahiru, Godot...he doesn't want to lose any of them, either.]

[lockandkeyblade]

Actually I used to worry about the memory thing too, because I have all these memories of the things I need to do, and I didn't want to forget when I left Siren's Port.

[pullsheavendown]

I know what you mean. I've done so many things here, gotten to know so many people... [Even if I had more time back home—] I don't want to lose any of it.

[He lifts his head to look at Sora.] 'Used to'?

[lockandkeyblade]

Somehow, it just feels like memories can't be that easy to lose. I was hoping the Gate would work, since all the times before, it let me off all the worlds with them intact.

I just... remember someone telling me once that you can't destroy a memory. That they're always there somewhere, buried deep down.