Legacy's Wake

Temoshí stood amidst the fading embers of his fire, the glow dissipating into the deep night as he faced Stitch.

"How did you...?" Stitch murmured, her voice laced with disbelief as her fingers trembled over her eye. "My eye... I can see," she whispered, her gaze darting around, taking in the world with both eyes for the first time in years. A breathless chuckle escaped her lips, half a laugh, half a stunned gasp. "I... I don't believe it. Your power—can it really regenerate? But how? It doesn't make any sense. No one could heal it. Not even Dr. Hugo!" She continued feeling around her face, her fingertips brushing over smooth skin where a scar had once been.

Temoshí tilted his head slightly, watching her reaction with a calm expression. "You wanted to see the world, didn't you?" he said, stepping to the side. "How could you take in its beauty with just one eye? It wouldn't be the same."

Now that her vision had returned, Stitch didn't have to hide her left eye anymore. For the first time in what felt like forever, she was free from the shame that had weighed on her. A flicker of excitement crossed her face—an emotion she rarely let show.

"We'll take care of those bruises once Chiaki wakes up," Temoshí said, rolling his shoulders a bit. "She's a lot better at healing than I am. Fixing your eye took a lot out of me—way more than I expected." He let out a breath, just slightly heavier than usual, but smirked through it.

Stitch placed a hand over her eye again, fingers lightly brushing over the smooth skin that had once been scarred and stitched. "You have no idea how much this means to me," she said softly, her voice unsteady with emotion. "I really thought I'd never be able to see out of this eye again. I don't even know how to thank you for this."

She trailed off, taking in everything—the warmth of the air, the faint glow of the dying embers, the overwhelming reality of what had just happened. Then, after a pause, she glanced up at him. "I feel… lighter," she admitted. "Like I've been carrying something for so long, and now it's just… gone."

Temoshí looked at her for a moment, then let out a short chuckle and ran a hand through his hair. "Good. 'Cause from now on, you don't have to carry that weight alone."

Stitch blinked at him, caught off guard. Then, slowly, a real smile found its way onto her face. It was small and a little unsure, but it was there.

Before Stitch could say anything else, a small blur shot through the air in front of her. Mendy, the little cursed doll, zipped straight toward her face, his button eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Stitch! Stitch! You can see again!" he squeaked, his tiny arms flailing as he hovered in the air. "I knew it! I knew you could do it! Well, not you—but him! But also you! Ahh, who cares! You can see!"

Stitch let out a breathless laugh, her heart swelling. Without thinking, she reached out and grabbed Mendy, pulling him into a tight hug. Then, overwhelmed with joy, she spun in place, her feet barely touching the ground as she twirled with the doll in her arms.

"I can see!" she cried out, laughing between her words. "Mendy, I can see everything! I can see you!" She pulled back slightly, holding him up in front of her, her eyes glistening with happiness. "You look the same as ever, but—damn, I forgot how detailed your ugly little face is!"

"Hey! Rude!" Mendy huffed, crossing his tiny arms, but the grin in his voice was unmistakable. "I prefer 'handsomely eerie,' thank you very much!"

Stitch laughed again, spinning once more before hugging him tighter. "I don't care what you call it—I'm just glad you're here."

Temoshí watched from the side, a small smirk on his lips as he let the moment play out.

Mendy floated toward Temoshí, tilting his head as he studied him closely. He hovered around him in slow circles, his button-like eyes narrowing with curiosity. Temoshí raised a brow, watching the little doll with mild confusion, his hand resting lazily on his hip.

After a moment, Mendy stopped right in front of him, nodding slightly. "You know," he said, "you're not so bad." He folded his tiny arms and glanced over at Stitch, who was still smiling. "She's been waiting for this for a long time—a real chance at something better. And you? You actually gave it to her." He grinned a little. "I'm really happy for her."

Temoshí let out a small scoff, shaking his head. "Didn't do it for thanks," he muttered, "but yeah… she deserves it."

Mendy chuckled, spinning once in the air before hovering back toward Stitch. "Well, too bad, 'cause you're getting it anyway." He floated in front of her again, rocking slightly. "So, what now? You got your sight back, you've got a fresh start. What's next?"

Stitch hesitated, looking around at the smoldering remains of the battlefield before glancing at Temoshí. A new life... It was a strange thought. For so long, she had only been surviving, never really living. Now, with her sight restored and a future ahead of her, the possibilities seemed endless.

She looked down at Mendy, her fingers lightly gripping the fabric of her sleeve. "I... I don't know," she admitted quietly. "But whatever happens next, I'm not running anymore."

Temoshí smirked. "Good answer."

Temoshí raised an eyebrow, glancing down at the doll in front of him. "By the way, Mendy," he said, scratching his head in confusion, "everyone keeps calling you a 'he,' but you sound more like a girl."

Mendy immediately puffed up, her small form vibrating with irritation. "It's because I am a girl, technically!" she shouted, floating in front of Temoshí with exaggerated annoyance. "I'm just a doll, sure, but my ghost is a female! Get it right!"

Temoshí stared at her, blinking once, then shrugged nonchalantly. "Okay, okay, sorry. You've got the voice of a girl and the attitude of a grumpy old man. It's hard to keep track."

Mendy fumed, her tiny fists clenched in the air. "You have no idea how offensive that is!" she huffed dramatically, then paused. "Wait... does that mean I sound like a grumpy old woman?"

Temoshí let out a short laugh, "Could go either way, honestly. I wouldn't want to mess with you either way."

Mendy floated in front of him, hovering for a moment in exaggerated thought. "Fair enough," she muttered, crossing her arms. "I guess I'll accept the 'grumpy old woman' label for now, but next time, be more careful with your words, mister."

Stitch, still grinning, shook her head. "You two are ridiculous."

To be continued...