Kingdom Hearts: Final Confrontation

PROLOGUE PART II

"Yes, Sir." one of the officers replied. He then deployed his men to round up the people within the palace and escort them out.

"You are a cruel man." Mickey said. "Just because people refuse to do what you tell them, you can render their lives expendable?"

"The lives of peasants are nothing to me." the commander said. "I could care less if one, or all of them died."

"You monster."-

"Empty insults only fan the flames."-

"Mickey!" Minnie cried, running into his arms.

"Minnie." he uttered. He embraced her tightly.

"I see you are well loved." The evil man said. "But as if that really matters now though."

The band moved about the grand halls of the palace and into the throne room. The throne room was vast, with great tapestries decorating the wall. A red carpet stretched from the main door to the thrown itself. The party walked ever closer to the golden chair.

"So this is where you seat yourself during the grand processions you throw, eh?" the commander chuckled. He halted the party, keeping Mickey and Minnie at bay. He stepped up to the thrown and sat down gently in it. "I could get quite used to this."

"How could you just disgrace something sacred to us that easily?" Mickey asked.

"That's quite simple, my boy. I have no concern with what is sacred to you. I could easily dispense with your sacred relic as easily as I can take the life of a child." The commander stood up. "As of this day forward, King Mickey, you are relieved of your position as ruler of the Disney Kingdom. You have advocated your throne to me, the new lord of a new Dark Empire." He turned to one of the other officers who had accompanied them. "Dispense with both the king and queen. I have no further use of them."

"Yes, sir." The officer replied. "Shall we kill them here, or wait for a proper date to execute them."

"On second thought, do not kill them. They may prove to be more valuable to us alive, rather than dead. Take them to our prison in Cetorburg, I'm sure that no one will go so far as to rescue them so deep within that territory."-

"Sir." The officer escorted Mickey and Minnie out of the throne room.

"You will not get away with this!" Mickey cried. "Your kind will never gain power over the people."

"You misunderstand me." The commander chuckled. "I told you before that the fates of these people are of no concern to me. I only wish to gain all of this territory. Soon, all others will fall just as easily. Then I will give rise to a power that will restore the might of the former Dark Empire."

"Who are you!"-

"If you really must know…" the man stepped from the threshold of the throne. "You may call me the Phantom Lord."

With those final words, Mickey and Minnie were taken away, the grand doors closing behind them.

Just as the doors closed, another man presented himself before the Phantom Lord. He walked at a swift pace to the throne and kneeled before his leader.

"My lord." he uttered.

"Aw, General Gryphon." the lord replied. "Have your forces been deployed to take over the key worlds needed to establish a firm expansion of our territory."

"They have, my lord. I have sent the other five generals out to engage in those campaigns against the resistance. It will not be long, however, before victory is in our grasp."-

"Then, once we have firmly established control of the marked regions, we can begin the process of creating our weapons necessary to ensure complete takeover of all the realms. But in order to fulfill that goal, we must first take out the major powers who would prove to be the greatest threat to us." The Phantom Lord walked about and then turned again to his still kneeling general. "What of our conspirators who are engaged in the key elimination of our main targets."

"I have not received word from them yet, my lord."-

"Well, I expect to hear results soon. Otherwise, I will have to make a personal appearance myself! And to place my presence before those two prematurely would be something I'd like to avoid."-

"I understand, my lord. I will see to it that word comes to you as soon as possible."-

"I want a progress report on all of our movements. I want complete details on the conflicts to which we are engaged."-

"Very well, my lord. I shall take my leave." With that, General Gryphon departed from the throne room. The Phantom Lord turned and sat back in the throne. He placed his hand on his cheek and sighed.

"It won't be long before victory is in our grasp." He chuckled to himself.

The Disney Kingdom had fallen so easily to the power of the Phantom Lord and other worlds would be on the verge of collapse as well. However, all wasn't lost for this kingdom as there was still a ray of hope. Goofy and Donald were on their way to Oceansburg to inform the Universal Alliance of its dire situation.

It wasn't long before the little gummi ship reached the walls of the grand capital city of the Universal Alliance, Oceansburg. The little gummi landed in the main courtyard of the senate building. The two stepped out of the ship and ran into the building, but they were stopped by several officers.

"You two can't go in there." One of the officers said.

"We have to get in there!" Donald shouted.

"Yeah!" Goofy added. "It's an emergency!"

"The Disney Kingdom had been taken over! Let us by! Let us by!"-

"I can't let you in without proper clearance!" the officer said again.

"What is going on here!" a voice suddenly shouted. Goofy and Donald looked to see a familiar face looking at them. It was none other than the legendary Hound of Ulster, Cuchulain.

"Cuchulain!" Donald cried.

"Officers!" Cuchulain instructed. "Unhand them!"

"Sir!" the officers replied.

"Now what is going on? Why are you in a rush?"-

"We have to see Sneer as soon as possible!"-

"Why? What's happened?"-

"Our kingdom has been overrun and taken over by an invading force!"-

"I see!" He turned to the officers. "Let these two through!"

"Yes, Sir!" the officers uttered.
"I will escort you to see Sneer."-

"Thank you very much!" Donald implied. "It's good to know that we know people in high places!"

The three made their way to the top of the building. It was there that Sneer awaited in his office, finishing paper work, regarding military reforms. It was at this moment that the three entered his office.

"Well, Cuchulain," Sneer uttered. "What is the meaning of this intrusion?"

"We have a crisis on our hands, sir." Cuchulain replied. "Donald and Goofy are here to request and audience with you."

"Well, well, well," Sneer stood up, "It's been quite a while hasn't it. Six years I think it has been since the last time we met."

"We come begging for your assistance!" Donald began.

"Why? What has happened?"-

"Our kingdom…the Disney Kingdom has been overrun by invaders!"-

"Is this true?"-

"That's right!" Goofy added. "They attacked when we least expected it!"

"And what of your king?" Cuchulain asked.

"We don't know!" Donald said. "He ordered us to seek aid from the alliance. I don't know what has happened since."

"Could you identify who it was that attacked you?"-

"I don't know, but I think that they may have been a faction power of the former Dark Empire. Goofy and I saw this symbol on the banners that they carried into battle." Donald took a piece of paper and a pen from Sneer's desk and scribbled the best he could the symbol that was inscribed on the cloth of the flags. As soon as he presented the picture to Sneer, the alliance president knew exactly who it was that assaulted the Disney Kingdom.

"So is it confirmed?" Cuchulain asked.

"Without a doubt." Sneer uttered. "This is the symbol of the Midnight Faction! Viro's old organization! It seems that they have decided to reunite all the former followers of the Dark Empire."

"Didn't you mention earlier that out of the factions that splintered after the fall of the Dark Empire, the Midnight Faction was the one power that posed to most dangerous threat?"-

"That is correct. Out of all the factions that were formed after the collapse of the Imperial power, this one is the most dangerous and the most threatening, even to the Universal Alliance." He turned to Goofy and Donald. "It was no wonder that your kingdom fell so easily to them. The foe you had fought is the strongest of the former Imperial organizations. As reports say, the Midnight Faction has already managed to eliminate several of the other powerful factions and have their resources and manpower flock to their banner."

"It must be due to the thanks of their leader."-

"Who is their leader?" Goofy asked.

"We don't know his real name, or his identity." Sneer implied. "We only know him by the title he has declared for the public… The Phantom Lord…"-

"The Phantom Lord?"-

"Unlike many of the other faction leaders, he is the most superb and the most deadly. Unlike many who stick to the old thoughts of Imperial rule, the Phantom Lord has adopted to techniques that were considered too radical even for the upper lords of the former Dark Empire."-

"Is there anything that you can do for us?" Donald asked. "Can you send forces to help us battle these foes and regain our land?"

"The situation isn't as easy as that?" Sneer said. "Our forces have been deployed too thin as they are already. We have troops trying to fight off the forces of the former Arakis Foundation. And they pose just as great a threat as the Midnight Faction. Then there's the Red Ribbon Faction that has established itself within the Kambrian Empire. To add, there are thirty other major factions that have been harassing our coalition forces for the past six years. I can scarcely spare any man to be deployed from those areas."

"So what you're trying to tell me is that you won't do anything to help our kingdom?"-

"I never said that now did I Donald. I have every intention of helping your kingdom as much as I can. However, the fact of the matter is if we'll be able to lighten our efforts on the other areas just to help one kingdom. If I even spare one regiment of alliance troops, I weaken our other fronts. But if I don't give you aid, I only give the Midnight Faction the opportunity to strengthen their own defenses and make it harder for us to face them in the future. Even the might of the Z team is not enough to stop the chaos. Goku, Vegeta, and the others are right now trying to take out the main strength of the Red Ribbon Faction and the Arakis Foundation."-

"Please, Sneer, is there anyone whom you can spare?"-

"There are at least two whom I can spare, who'll be equally matched to at least delay the progress of the Midnight Faction. You know them well. You have journeyed with them before. Of course, it may be a little hard to persuade them from leaving their peaceful lives."-

"Are you talking about…?" Goofy asked.

"Yes. We must call upon the two keybearers to assist us once again." Sneer turned to Cuchulain. "Cuchulain, I want you to take the responsibility of retrieving them, alright?"

"I had a feeling that this might come up." Cuchulain said. "That's why I took the liberty of sending our assistant inspector to send them the message."

"Very well."-

"I have also instructed him to test their fighting skills through a trial battle of competency."-

"Then there is no time to lose." Sneer turned to Goofy and Donald. "You will accompany Cuchulain to retrieve the keybearers. Understood?"

"We gotcha!" Donald implied.

"Oh boy!" Goofy chuckled. "It'll be just like old times."

"Now there's no way that we can lose."-

"Come on, you two!" Cuchulain said. "We have no time to stand around!"

"Right behind ya!"-

The three rushed to where the gummi ship lay docked. As Sneer watched the gummi ship take off within minutes after the three had left his office, he placed his arms behind his back.

"It'll be up to those two young men to save the world from being consumed by the darkness again." He thought to himself. "Riku…Sora…"

It was on that fateful night at Halloween Town, when the KH team confronted the Imperial forces under the command of the infamous Gatler Generals. The night was cold and foreboding, but the team went forward to destroy the infamous Apocalypse Cannon, which was being constructed by the Dark Empire, to help speed the process of conquering the Empire. The fight against the Imperials was hard and without a doubt one of the toughest fights ever to be waged against the two sides. But the most intense fighting came between Riku and Sora against the two Gatler Generals, King and Triiken. However, it was the fight between Triiken and Riku that was the most recalled. Unlike many of the opponents that he had fought in the past, this new foe that Riku faced far surpassed the skills of the foes he had fought before. Riku desperately fought against this second strongest of the Gatler generals.

"You truly are a skilled warrior." Triiken chuckled. "Truly you are! However, it is because you are a highly skilled warrior that I cannot allow you to win! I know that by letting you emerge victorious, you will only slow down, if not halt the progress of the Empire!"

"I must commend you on your strength as well!" Riku replied. "Unfortunately, it is because you are strong that I can't allow you to succeed! Because I know that you would end up causing more pain and suffering if you emerge victorious and have your way!"

"Your sentiment is understandable, boy, but I will not lose to the likes of you!"-

"Funny! I feel the exact same way!"-

"Don't fool yourself, boy! You will be defeated this night! And your eminent defeat will come from none other than me, General Arinario Triiken, leader of the 2nd Gatler division! I shall claim your life, key bearer!" The two continued to battle against each other, clashing their swords and forcing sparks to fly. Their movements and skills were without flaws. But that was to be expected of truly talented warriors. The two clashed their swords for ten minutes, although those ten minutes seemed like an eternity, an eternity with no ending in sight. Finally, a last push came as Triiken and Riku locked their blades together, hoping that one would eventually give in. In the end, however, both jumped back and took their vigilant stances again.

"You're gonna have to give in sooner, or later!" Riku said. "There's no way that you'll be able to beat me!"

"Is that so, boy?" Triiken chuckled. "Then you truly haven't seen the full extend of my skills arsenal." Triiken suddenly crouched down, extending his right leg in front of him and placing the whole of his body weight upon his left leg. He stuck out his left elbow, drawing his blade back. He then, grasped the bottom side of his sword, almost reaching the tip of the blade and nuzzling it between his thumb and index finger. "Your death is assured this night, key bearer."

It was at that moment that Triiken lunged with all his might. Riku was almost caught off guard as he suddenly saw Triiken thrust the blade in front of him with great intensity. It seemed as if in slow motion as Riku saw the blade suddenly appear only a few inches away from his face. There was a sudden pause, as if time seemed to stand still.

"This attack…" Riku uttered. "This attack…could it be…?"

There was a sudden flash of light.

It was at that moment that Riku awoke from his bed. His chest and arms were covered in sweat and he sat up in his bed, heavily breathing as if something had scared him. Riku looked out of his bedroom window to see a storm begin to form. Lightning and Thunder bellowed in the air. He stood up, shirtless, wearing only a pair of blue jeans. He walked to the window and stood out on the little balcony of his room. He could feel the wind continuing to blow.

"It was all a dream." Riku uttered to himself. "A dream about the past. But I've had these dreams before. Why is it that now I feel so uneasy about the whole thing?" He walked back into his room and shut the balcony doors behind him. He lay on his bed, atop the covers and placed his hands under his head. "Is there something about those dreams that I must be aware of? I have gone through matches where I nearly lost my life? Is that it? Is it because I was so near to death that I could have lost my life had I not made the right decision?" Riku then sighed and placed his pillow over his face. "It's probably just bad memories that's all. That was all in the past. I'm here at home, safe and sound and there is no attempt on my life." Riku laid his hands on his chest, the pillow still gently lying on his face and fell asleep.

The next morning, the storm had passed and the bright sun was gleaming over the horizon. Riku, by this time, was awake and had already rowed out to the small island where he and his friends hung out at times. He was alone on that island, carrying out with his exercises as he did every morning during the summer. He now trained with a variety of blades. He would at times spar with Sora, using blunt steel swords, or wooden swords. He also used his sharpened katana for meditation fighting, moving in certain patterns and combating imaginary enemies. But most importantly, Riku would train with his new keyblade, the one give to him by the Universal Alliance six years earlier. The Ginroio Noria, The Way of Justice. A glimmering keyblade of black, red, and blue, it was quite a beautiful keyblade. As he trained with these weapons, the sound of the early morning breeze ruffled in the tops of the palm and paopu trees, the waves gently crashed on the white sand.

It was at that moment that Riku heard a voice call to him.

"Hey, Riku!" the voice shouted. Riku turned to see Sora just tying his boat at the dock.

"Hey there, Sora!" Riku replied. "Good morning!"

"I hope I'm not too late."-

"Too late for what?"-

"What else…?" Sora picked up one of the wooden swords. "A spar against you! That's what!"

"Already, Sora? You just got here."

"What's the matter, Riku? Are you scared of me? Afraid that I'll kick your butt?"-

"So you want it that way? Alright, Sora, let's see what you can do!" Riku withdrew his keyblade and picked up the other wooden sword. "Here are the rules though! No using any energy attacks, or magic."

"I gotcha!"-

The two young men made their stances and prepared to battle. Sora was the first to make the move lunging at Riku. Riku made an attempt to strike at Sora, but the young man leaped over his friends head. Sora landed gently on the sand and struck from behind. But Riku easily dodged the attack and thrust with his wooden sword. Sora blocked the attack and began a repetition spin, jumping about against Riku using 360 degree spins. Riku managed to counter however, side sweeping Sora's feet from beneath him. Sora fell, but leaped up again. Again and again, the two managed to evade and block without any trouble. Neither, so far, for an estimated thirty minutes or more, was able to even strike at the other. Finally, with a last attempt to strike one another, Riku and Sora swung their wooden swords and managed to strike at each others' throats.

"It's a draw…" Riku said.

"Neither one of us gained the upper hand." Sora added. They lowered their swords and sat down, side by side, on the sand. Sora threw his shirt from off his back and lay in the warm sand. "Man, I really built up a sweat."

"You and me both." Riku uttered, already shirtless himself. "It doesn't matter how much we spar, we never can seem to break that constant draw."

"But then again, I noticed that you weren't really taking me seriously were you."-

"No, I wasn't. But then again, neither were you."-

"I guess we're both just a couple of idiots."-

"Speak for yourself!" Riku suddenly grabbed Sora and got his head in a lock. He then gave strong noogies on the top of his head. Sora pulled his head out of Riku's grip. "I gotcha good that time, Sora."

"Oh yeah!" Sora pounced on Riku, wrapping his arms around his friend, tackling him to sand. The two rolled about, grappling with one another. But finally, Riku gained the upper hand over his younger friend. He managed to roll Sora over on his back. Riku then straddled himself on Sora's stomach and pinned his arms on the ground. Sora kicked his legs in the air, trying to get Riku off of him, but he was stuck underneath him.

"You're hopeless, you know that!" Riku chuckled. He added weight onto Sora's belly, forcing some of the air out. "You should know by now that you can't beat me in grappling."

"You…just wait…" Sora strained, trying to force Riku off his gut and free himself. But Riku kept his legs wrapped tightly around Sora. All the thrashing amounted to nothing and Sora was at his friend's mercy.

"That's right!" Riku said. "Struggle all you want, Sora. It won't do you any good." He added more weight onto Sora's stomach. Sora wrenched up, throwing his left leg into the air. "Just give it up, Sora. Say you give up!"

"In your dreams…"-

It was then that another familiar voice made itself known.

"Hey, you guys!" it said. "What are you two doing out here!"

The two young men looked up to see Kairi standing over them.

"Kairi…" they both uttered.

"She didn't come alone." Another voice said. The two looked to find Tidus standing behind her. "You two roughhousing again?"

"Hey Tidus!" Riku chuckled.

"This looks like fun." Kairi chuckled. "Can I join in?"

"Sora just had to pounce on me!" Riku said.

"You just wait until next time!" Sora shouted. "Next time, it'll be me that pins you down, Riku!"

"Is that so?" Riku then looked at Kairi. Kairi sat down just opposite of Sora's head and with both her hands, began to tickle him at his sides. Sora began to bawl out with uncontrollable laughter. He continued to kick, hoping to break himself free. But the more he struggled, the more Riku held him down. Tidus sat squatted next to the three.

"You might as well give it up, Sora." He chuckled.

"Alright! Alright!" Sora laughed. "I give up!"

Riku let himself off of Sora's stomach and helped his friend up.

"Maybe next time, you'll be lucky!" Riku said.