Last time found our heroes and the Abarangers finding their way back to the mansion to warn Tess of the dangers of the mysterious world taht is aparently her home, or is it? Tess, now adopting the name Teresa, said that she's leaving the group to inherit her birthright, her lands, house and titles, as well as her future husband, Baron Marcus. Outraged, Riku left off on his own, again, only this time got lost for real instead of leading Sora and the others away so he could be alone. At the same time Malcolm, whom had been left at the mansion to keep an eye on Tess, was trapped by Baron Marcus and locked away, having glimsed the truth. While looking for Riku, Sora, Kairi, Aiden and the Abarangers once again fought the hybrind monster Kitsuneonosaboten, whom revealed the insidious fate that awated Tess, while at the same time, Riku met Asuka, also known as Abare Black. Meanwhile, Maleficent and Xehanort agreed to a face to face meeting, to plan a future most foul. 'Nuff said, on with the show!
Chapter 3: To Crash a Wedding
…The Keyblade Graveyard…
Xehanort emerged from the Dark Corridor onto the vast rocky expanse where long ago, thousands of Keyblade Wielders lost their lives in the cataclysmic battle that ended The Keyblade War. Scattered across the ground were hundreds of rusting Keyblades, laying about in a disorganized manner, a memento of the confrontation between Xehanort, Vanitu and Brag, against Terra, Aqua and Ven. Yet not too far away, like a nightmarish field of crops, were thousands of more Keyblades, stuck in the ground point first, marking where their Wielders fell in battle.
"It's a miracle that any Keyblade Wielder survived this battle," said Maleficent as she emerged from behind a rock. "And another miracle that you survived your experience with Terra."
"I merely proved that my darkness was, is and always will be, stronger than his light," said Xehanort, "oh, he was reborn along with me, but I have him contained, powerless, silent, isolated, where he can never cause me any trouble again. All that is needed is to eliminate King Mickey and Aqua, and then use Ventus to create the X-Blade, and the old group of Keyblade Wielders shall be extinct."
"There's still yourself, old man," said Maleficent, "and I highly doubt that you can create such a powerful Keyblade."
"Why doubt me?" Xehanort asked, "I have begun resurrecting Vanitus, and once I've properly tormented Sora to his breaking point, I'll rip Ven's heart out of him, shove it back in Ven's body and then force him and Vanitus to become one."
At that Maleficent laughed cruelly. "You truly are a fool," she said.
At that Xehanort irately crossed his arms, "and what's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," said Maleficent, "a private joke." She knew that Ven's heart had passed onto Roxas, yet she wasn't going to share that bit of information, not if it didn't further her own gains that is.
"Regardless," said Maleficent, "you wanted to have a parley. Well? I'm waiting."
"Manners, first, my dear Maleficent," said Xehanort, "if I may say so, your choice in hosts paints a very flattering image. It would be my honor to court you."
"As if I would have anything to do with you in that manner!" snapped Maleficent, "I told you before, I only chose this body for her magical potential. As soon as I transfer my essence into a body whose powers are equal to my old form, I shall cast aside this body like a used up piece of parchment!"
"A shame," said Xehanort, "very well then. I wanted to talk to you about the possibility of cooperation between you and me."
"You have my attention," said Maleficent.
"We both have plans for the future," said Xehanort, "plans to plunge the realms of light into darkness, plans to use The Heartless and other dark creatures to further or own desires, plans within plans, and most of all, plans to make a certain group of foolish young Keyblade Wielders suffer."
"It is true," said Maleficent, "I want revenge on Sora and his friends. I want them to suffer until their hearts shatter."
"That they shall," said Xehanort, "and they will, but to get to that point means a great deal of invested time and resources."
"And you believe that if we were to combine resources," said Maleficent, "that we can both achieve our respective goals with far less time."
"Indubitably," said Xehanort.
Maleficent turned her back on Xehanort as she thought things over, "I must admit, you have a very tempting offer." she then turned to face the dark master, "but then, one must remember that I am The Mistress of all Evil, and will not tolerate anyone who thinks himself my equal."
"Who said anything about being equals?" Xehanort asked as he raised his hands in a placating gesture. He then smiled viciously, "as we are right now, I am the superior one," he then balled up his hand into a fist, "I can crush you before you can stop me."
"My powers may be diminished," said Maleficent as she also smiled viciously, "but I have prepared for any betrayal on your behalf. Just you try attacking me, you'll be unconscious before you can get close."
"And you'll be unconscious as well before you cast a single spell." said Xehanort, "oh yes, I've prepared for your brand of backstabbing."
"Then it seems we are at an impasse," said Maleficent.
"Indeed we are," said Xehanort, "then perhaps a compromise is in order, for now that is."
"Again, you have my attention," said Maleficent.
"An agreement, to start with, on keeping an eye on Sora and his friends," said Xehanort, "I will change the frequency of the Interocitor, while you alter the mirror spell, so as the two no longer clash."
"That is reasonable," said Maleficent, "what else to you suggest?"
"A regular exchange of information," said Xehanort, "and an agreement that our respective minions and allies shall, in all future encounters, refrain from trying to destroy each other."
"Again, that is reasonable," said Maleficent, "and if I may make a suggestion of my own?"
"I'm listening," said Xehanort.
"Leave Kairi and the other fools to me to destroy," said Maleficent, "you can do whatever you wish to torment Sora and his friends, and you may have Sora's heart so you can retrieve the heart of Ventus, but when the time comes to finally the other Keyblade Brats, they are mine to do with as I please."
"Agreed," said Xehanort.
"And I get to watch them suffer," said Maleficent.
"Of course," said Xehanort, "is there anything else?"
"Nothing that I can conceive at this time," said Maleficent.
"Very well then," said Xehanort, "I shall keep an open line for future communications, so that we can come to further agreements."
"Then there is nothing more to say," remarked Maleficent. Without waiting for a response from Xehanort, she turned around and left the blighted world through a Dark Corridor.
"Insufferable woman," said an annoyed Xehanort. He then smiled wickedly, "if only I were a few years younger; the malevolence we would cause would be the stuff of legends." He then left the world via his own Dark Corridor.
…Castle Oblivion…
"So? How did it go?" Dio Brando asked as Xehanort exited the Dark Corridor.
"It went surprisingly well," said Xehanort, "we won't have any further trouble in our viewings, and there's the possibility of cooperation with Maleficent and her cabal."
"Is that all?" Sephiroth asked.
"That's all," said Xehanort.
"How disappointing," said Insano.
"It's a beginning," said Xehanort as he walked up to the Interocitor, took off one of the side panels and made an adjustment to the circuitry, "there now, we shouldn't be getting any further interference from Maleficent's viewings."
...Maleficent's Cavern...
"I've altered the spell on the mirror," said Regina, "our viewings shouldn't be interrupted any more."
"Are you certain of this?" Maleficent asked.
"If there is one thing I am certain of," said Regina, "it is magic mirrors."
"And now you're going to complain about wanting your original magic mirror," said Lady Tremaine.
"I wouldn't mind having it back," said Regina. She then looked at Maleficent, "while you're preoccupied with watching Sora and those other fools, I shall begin the search for the spirit of my magic mirror." With that she left the room.
"You're just going to let her do what she wants?" Lady Tremaine asked Maleficent.
"She can do very little to harm me," said Maleficent, "and she cannot run very far, not without reverting to her crippled state."
"Ah yes, the potion that keeps us hale and whole," said Lady Tremaine. "You had best keep it a secret, for if I were to ever discover it, you will be ever so sorry for humiliating me."
"It is a good thing that I am so good at keeping secrets," said Maleficent.
…Valkasia…
"Where is that freaking compass?!" exclaimed Aiden as he and the others franticly searched the ground for the missing item, "we're running out of time!"
"Just chill out, Aiden," said Sora, "getting upset isn't going to help us get back to Tess any sooner."
"The last thing we need is for one of us to completely freak out," said Yukito.
"You haven't seen me freak out," said Aiden, "you'll know when I'm freaked out."
"You still need to calm down," said Kairi.
"I'll be calm once we've saved Riku, Tess and gotten away from this crazy world," said Aiden, "this whole place is giving me the willies."
"Now that I think about it," said Ranru, "I am feeling a bit unnerved by this world. The sooner we leave the better, after we find our friends and save Tess of course."
"But what is it that Marcus wants with her?" Kairi asked, "and what does his master want with her?"
"I don't want to find out," said Aiden in a nervous tone, "I just want to get out of here."
"What's your problem, man?" Sora asked.
"I told you, this world is giving me the willies!" said Aiden in a very nervous tone, "okay, now I'm starting to freak out."
"You're not going to freak out," said Ryoga, "you're going to calm down and think clearly."
"And just how the hell am I going to do that?" Aiden asked.
"Because you're human," said Ryoga as he confidently smiled, "and all humans, no matter what world they're from, can call upon the courage in their hearts. Call it plain courage, call it Dino Guts, so long as you believe in yourself and those you love, you can never fail."
"Are you serious?" Aiden asked, "you're giving me a lecture on courage at a time like this?"
"Of course I'm serious," said Ryoga, "I'm a father."
"What does that have to do with anything?" Aiden asked. He then blinked in confusion and surprise, "oh, well, it did calm me down, I'll admit it." He then stepped on something that wasn't a twig. He looked down and shouted triumphantly, "found it!" and picked up the missing makeshift compass.
"Alright," said Sora as Aiden used it to find south, "let's go save Tess!"
"Are you finished, Lady Teresa?" Mr. Pensive asked as he sat waiting in a chair in a brightly decorated room, while Teresa and two maids stood behind a screen.
"Almost, I think," said Teresa. She then winced as one of the maids tightened something on the outfit she was wearing, "just as soon as they're done with me…okay, I'm done." She then emerged from behind the screen, wearing a white, sleeveless wedding gown with lace shoulders and bows on the waist and white gloves up to her elbows. Her hair was piled up and set in curls with a diamond tiara that had a silk veil. Her face was made up with eyeliner, lip gloss and just a hint of rouge on her cheeks.
"Well?" Tess asked, "how do I look?"
"Absolutely wonderful!" said an overjoyed Mr. Pensive, "you look so beautiful, just like your mother on her wedding day."
"You think so?" Teresa asked.
"I know so," said Mr. Pensive, "if your mother and father were here, they would agree with me whole heartily."
Just then one of the butlers came into the room and whispered something in Mr. Pensive's ear. "Excuse me, my lady," said the majordomo, "but there is a small matter I need to attend to."
"You won't be long?" Teresa asked in a slightly nervous tone, "I…I feel a little light headed."
"It's only natural for you to feel nervous," said Mr. Pensive. "This a tremendous moment you're about to step into. After tonight, your new life shall truly begin." With that he stood up and left the room. Teresa then stood in front of a full length mirror and admired her reflection.
"This is unacceptable!" Baron Marcus snapped as he and Mr. Pensive hurried through the upper corridor to the hidden doorway behind the tapestry. Marcus, who was wearing a tuxedo, wasn't happy, "I was in the middle of a fitting!"
"I'm sorry, sir," said Mr. Pensive, "but he insisted on speaking with you."
"Unacceptable!" said Marcus again, "I'm getting married tonight, and the idiot wants some attention. Well, I'll give him attention alright, I'll give him more attention than he ever asked for!"
They reached the tapestry. Marcus pressed the hidden button that turned the wall and tapestry transparent and he walked through, leaving Mr. Pensive out in the corridor.
"This had better be good, Kitsuneonosaboten!" said Marcus irately as he walked into the dark room, seeing the hybrid monster sitting under the single overhead lamp. But then Marcus got a better look at Kitsuneonosaboten, "you look like hell, my friend."
"I feel worse than I look," said Kitsuneonosaboten, "you should know, those Keyblade brats and Abarangers, they're a lot tougher than you've given them credit for."
"You didn't destroy them," said Baron Marcus, "it would seem that you're the one I overestimated."
"You don't know what they did to me!" snapped the hybrid monster, "that alchemist brat, he pulled out some of my needles, and believe me, pal, it hurt like a mother fraker!"
"I don't care how much it hurt!" said Marcus, "I want those meddling brats finished! I'm getting married at sunset and I won't have anything interrupt it!"
"I don't give a damn about your wedding!" snapped Kitsuneonosaboten, "whatever you do to Tess is your own business. Me, all I care about is pleasing the master so he can revive Evolien for me."
"You won't revive anything if you're dead!" said Marcus, "if anything happens to ruin my wedding, you won't have to worry about the brats destroying you or the displeasure of the master; I'll kill you myself! Now get out there and stop the Keyblade Wielders and Abarangers!"
"Fine!' said Kitsuneonosaboten, "I'll get out there and stop them, just make sure you save me at least a third of the wedding cake! I don't work for free, after all!" with that the hybrid monster vanished.
"That stupid monster," said Marcus, "why did I ever ally myself with that idiot? I'll give him cake, alright. I hope he gets so fat, he has to wash himself with a rag on a stick!"
"Would you mind leaving me?" Teresa asked the maids, "I need a moment alone."
The maids nodded in acknowledgement and left the room. Teresa sighed and looked at herself in the mirror.
"I'm getting married," she said to herself, "I'm home, I found out who I am, and I'm getting married," she smiled happily, "it doesn't get any better than this."
"Famous last words," said an all to familiar voice. Teresa turned around and there was the strange woman she first met on The Castle of Dreams and then later in the woods of the Wildlands resort.
"You!" said Teresa irately, "what the hell do you want? What the hell are you doing here? Get the hell out of my house!"
"To answer the first two," said the strange woman, "I'm here to talk some sense into you. And no, I won't leave until you hear me out."
"Well, I don't want to listen!" said Teresa, "you've been ticking me off ever since I first saw you, and I've had enough!"
"You will hear what I have to say," said the strange woman, "your life depends on it!"
"I don't want to hear it!" said Teresa, "I've finally found the answers I've been looking for, without your help, or any help from that bitch Alegra. You can tell her that I said that she can go to hell! And you can go to hell too, for all I care!"
At that the strange woman looked as if she had been knifed in her heart, so to speak, "you don't mean that, do you?"
"Absolutely." said Teresa, "now get out before I shout for Mr. Pensive to throw you out!"
At that the woman looked like she was about to cry, but she looked at Teresa with a serious expression, "very well, I'll take my leave. You'll never hear from me or Alegra ever again. I hope you're happy with this life of yours, and know that whatever happens next, you're going to have to live with it."
"I will," said Teresa as she turned around and looked at herself in the mirror again, pleased to see that her emotional outburst hadn't done anything to disrupt her makeup.
"But before I leave," said the strange woman, "just know that things aren't always what they seem to be, even happy endings aren't always perfect."
"What the hell does that mean?" Teresa asked as she turned around, but once again, the strange woman was gone. Almost immediately, she felt regretful for shouting at the woman and sending her away. She was still plagued with questions of who the woman was and who was Alegra, and most of all, what did they want with her.
And then there was the woman's final words 'things aren't always what they seem to be, even happy endings aren't always perfect.' What was up with that?
But then there came a knock on the door, "is everything alright, Lady Teresa?" Mr. Pensive asked from the other side of the door.
"I'm fine," said Teresa in a slightly forced cheerful tone, as if her questions where lessening her happiness.
Mr. Pensive then walked into the room, "you're still nervous, but it won't be much longer. Soon you and Baron Marcus shall be joined as man and wife."
"You'll be there, at the wedding, right?" Teresa asked.
"I wouldn't miss it for all the world," said Mr. Pensive, "I'll be the one giving you away of course."
At that Teresa smiled brightly and hugged Mr. Pensive, "thank you, you've been such a good friend ever since I came here! How can I ever thank you?"
"By being the best you can be, my lady," said Mr. Pensive, "just be your best." Yet unknown to Teresa, the majordomo had a sinister look in his eyes.
"Finally!" said Kairi as they reached the edge of the woods and emerged onto the backyard of the mansion.
"If we ever have to go into those woods again," said Aiden, "I'll burn it all to the ground."
"Don't let Flora hear that," said Sora, "she'd be pretty upset."
"She's consider it murder," said Kairi.
"I don't know what you're talking about," said Yukito, "and frankly, I don't really care. All I care about is stopping the enemy and finding Asuka."
"We also want to find Asuka," said Sora, "and Riku for that matter. But we're here so we might as well save Tess first."
"I just hope Malcolm's alright," said Kairi, "we promised Mirta we'd look after her brother."
"He's fine," said Aiden.
"How can you be so sure?" Ranru asked.
"He's the kind of guy who'll always be alright in any situation," said Aiden.
Just then several rock-sized objects fell out of nowhere around our heroes and allies. The second each item hit the ground, they produced blinding flashes and deafening explosions that combined to leave Sora, Kairi, Aiden, Ryoga, Yukito and Ranru completely disoriented.
Before any of them could do anything, they were completely surrounded by Snap Hoppers and were all forced to the ground and restrained with their hands tied behind their backs with ropes.
"What the…?!" exclaimed Aiden, "how the hell did this happen?"
"They got the drop on us!" said Ranru, "I hate when that happens."
"How often does it happen to you?" Sora asked.
"A lot," said Ryoga, "you?"
"More often than we like," said Kairi.
Just then they heard Kitsuneonosaboten laughing at them as the hybrid monster appeared. "Well now," said the monster as it gloated down at them, "isn't this a sight for sore eyes! I can't believe you morons actually fell for my little trap, and such a stupid, spur of the moment trap, it's positively brilliant!"
"Yeah, we're all happy that you're so smart," Yukito said sarcastically.
"So, what now?" Ranru asked.
At that the hybrid monster looked at them in a pondering manner, "that is a good question; what now?" He then bent down and touched Kairi's face with its claws, causing her to flinch in disgust, "I ought to kill you here and now, if only to get Marcus off of my back. It would please the master that I bring you your heads," he then touched Ranru's face with its claws, causing her to flinch in disgust as well, "especially you Abarangers. Yes, the master would be most pleased that you are dead."
"Why does your master care that we're dead?" Ryoga asked, "what'd we ever do to him?"
"Nothing, yet," said Kitsuneonosaboten as it stood up, "but he knows of your exploits and would rather not have to deal with you in the future."
"Well, he's going to have to deal with us," said Ranru, "when we've taken care of you, you jerk, we'll find your master and deal with him!"
"After we save our friends," said Yukito.
"Right," said Ranru.
"Too bad you'll be dead," said Kitsuneonosaboten, "which brings me to the question; just what am I going to do to you? Should I kill you outright and get it over with? Or should I torture you first for fun?" the monster then bent down and ran one of its claws across Kairi's face leaving a shallow but bleeding cut below her eye. She winced from the pain but glared defiantly at the monster.
"Stop it!" shouted Sora.
"Don't you touch her again, you butt-fraking son of a bitch!" snapped Aiden.
"Good grief! The language you kids use," said Kitsuneonosaboten in a mocking tone, "keep insulting me and I'll cut out your tongue next."
Just then they heard the sound of organ music from inside the mansion, "oh, I do believe they're almost ready for the wedding."
"What?!" exclaimed Sora and the others.
"It can't be! It's not sunset yet!" said Yukito.
"True," said Kitsuneonosaboten as it looked up to the setting sun, seeing that there was still several minutes of daylight left, "it's probably just the organist warming up. The real fun is yet to come," it then smiled viciously as it had a vile idea, "I know just what to do with you." The monster then gestured at the Snap Hoppers, "pick 'em up!"
"Just what is your game, Kitsuneonosaboten?" Sora asked as the Snap Hoppers roughly pulled him and the others to their feet.
"I'm actually doing something nice for you," said the hybrid monster, "before you die, you're going to be treated to a real delight. You're going to watch the wedding."
"What?" Kairi asked.
"That's right," said Kitsuneonosaboten, "you're going to watch as your friend walk down the aisle to her eventual doom! You see, Marcus has Tess so completely under his thumb already, all he needs is one more push, just one more jolt of his mojo on her, she'll be his forever, at least until he hands her over to the master.
"That last jolt will come when they exchange vows and kiss. After that Tess' heart will belong to Marcus, and nothing will ever be able to break his hold over her, nothing!"
"You bastard!" spat Aiden as he lunged at the hybrid monster but the Snap Hoppers held him back, "I'll pull out all of your needles and make you eat them!"
"I ought to make you eat them!" said Kitsuneonosaboten irately, "it'd be worth pulling them out myself!" but the monster then smiled wickedly, "but that's going to have to wait until the bride and groom exchange vows, and cut the cake of course," it then looked thoughtful, "I did tell Marcus save me a third of the cake, and what a cake it is! Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry with mint and lime frosting! Come on! We've a wedding to attend!" with that Kitsuneonosaboten strutted towards the mansion, while the Snap Hoppers manhandled our heroes and allies towards the house as well.
A short time later, Mr. Pensive looked at his watch and nodded at Teresa, "it's time, my lady."
Teresa took a few calming breaths and nodded at Mr. Pensive, "I'm ready. Let's go get married!" She then looped her arm around his and they walked out the room.
"This place actually has it's own wedding chapel?" Ranru asked as she, Yukito, Ryoga, Sora, Kairi and Aiden, were tied to chairs in the balcony overlooking the right side of said wedding chapel. They, Kitsuneonosaboten and a dozen Snap Hoppers were the only ones in the balcony overlooking the blue and white room that had rows of red velvet chairs separated by an isle with a white carpet leading up to a pulpit where a white haired priest in black robes stood waiting.
"Yep," said Kitsuneonosaboten, "and it's going to be a heck of a wedding."
"Just who are all these people?" Sora asked as he and the others watched as dozens of gaily dressed people filed into the room and sat in the chairs.
"Wedding guests of course," said Kitsuneonosaboten, "you can't have much of a wedding without guests, now can you?"
"But who are they?" Yukito asked.
"As far as Tess is concerned," said the hybrid monster, "they're her fellow nobles and leading citizens of Valkasia. As to who they really are, let's just say they're the kind of creature that isn't supposed to exist."
Just then Marcus walked into the room and stood at the pulpit. He then shook hands with the priest and smiled brightly at the guests, whom all happily clapped for him.
"Here's the groom," said Kitsuneonosaboten, "any moment now, the bride shall enter."
Just then the organist began playing a wedding march. All the guests turned to look at the door at the rear of the room and saw Teresa, escorted by Mr. Pensive. All the guests made awed comments on how beautiful Teresa looked in her wedding dress.
"Oh no," said a shocked Kairi as she and the others watched Teresa and Mr. Pensive begin their walk down the aisle.
"You can stop right there," said the hybrid monster as the Snap Hoppers tightened their grip on Sora, Kairi, Aiden, Ryoga, Yukito and Ranru, "one more word out of you, even so much as a peep, and you die instantly."
Forced into silence, Sora and the others sat in outraged helplessness as their friend walked to her doom in blissful ignorance.
Still following his heart, Riku, along with Asuka, ran out of the forest and up the back lawn of the mansion. But then they heard the organ music.
"Oh no!" exclaimed Riku, "we're too late!"
"It's never too late!" said Asuka, "we've come this far! Don't tell me you're going to up and quit when you're so close to saving Tess!"
"But…" said Riku.
"But nothing!" said Asuka, "you want her to spend the rest of her life with that jerk who stole her from you? What are you, Riku? A man or a newt?"
Riku was slightly taken aback by Asuka's choice of words, but his resolve was restored. "I'm a man, damn it!" he said boldly. He then shouted to the heavens, "I AM A MAN!" with that he and Asuka ran towards the mansion.
Teresa felt as if she was in the happiest dream of her life. All around her as the walked down the aisle were, as she was told by Mr. Pensive when they came into the room, were her fellow nobles and leading citizens of Valkasia, whom all had come to her house to see her wed Baron Marcus. And there he was at the pulpit, looking so handsome in his tuxedo.
Teresa and Mr. Pensive stopped just shy of the pulpit. The majordomo gave Teresa an approving smile and nod and she walked towards Marcus' outstretched hand, which she took and she stepped onto the pulpit, just as the organist finished playing.
"Dearly beloved," said the priest, "we are gathered here today to witness the union of two great nobles of this great land of ours. There are those who say that storybook endings are just that, stories, but here we have one happy ending that was ordained by fate. Here we have Duchess Teresa Angelina Francesca d'Avrnoy, about to join with Barron Marcus Jarvis Othello b'Zalliak in holy matrimony."
:Tess!: Sora shouted with his mind, :Tess! You've got to stop this! Marcus is just using you! Please! You've got to hear me!:
:I don't think she can: Kairi thought, :she's so wrapped around Marcus' lies, she's deaf to the rest of the world.:
:I don't believe this,: thought Aiden, :how did this happen to Tess? How did she fall so easily for Marcus? Wait a second, where's Malcolm? He was supposed to keep her safe. Malcolm! Hey! New guy! Where the hell are you?:
:Uh, Aiden,: said Sora, :I don't think Malcolm has telepathy yet:
:Then what can we do?: Kairi asked, :Naminé? Can't you and Roxas do anything?:
:We could,: said Naminé, :If I can get close enough, I can try to reawaken her memories of her life before she came to this horrible world.:
:And I can attack that weird monster,: said Roxas, :but then those Heartless would go for Sora and the others. If I try to take out the Heartless, the weirdo could attack. Damned both ways.:
:But there's got to be something we can do,: said Sora.
:I'm sorry, Sora,: said Kairi in a remorseful tone, while she looked at him with remorseful eyes, :but I'm afraid this is one where we lose.:
At that Sora looked like he had truly been defeated as he and the others were forced to listen to the priest continue his sermon about love, honor, duty and the sanctity of marriage.
Finally, after what seemed an eternity, the priest went on with the ceremony, "If there be anyone whom objects to the union of these two hearts," said the priest, "speak now or forever hold your peace."
"Say one word," whispered Kitsuneonosaboten in a taunting manner to Sora as he held his claws up to Kairi's throat, "go on, I dare you."
But then Ryoga's eyes brightened as he looked at someone at the entrance to the chapel.
"I object!" shouted Asuka as he ran into the room, earning gasps of shock from the wedding guests, the priest and Teresa, while Marcus looked as if he was ready to commit murder at the sudden intrusion.
"Askua!" said both Yukito and Ranru, Kitsuneonosaboten was so shocked by Asuka's arrival, he backed away from Kairi without harming.
"Young man!" said the priest in an outraged tone, "this is a holy ceremony! Who are you?"
"A warrior of the Ryujin tribe," said Asuka.
"Is that your friend?" Sora asked Ryoga.
"You better believe it," said Ryoga.
Marcus then took a step towards Asuka with daggers in his eyes, "I don't know who you are, but you've picked the wrong wedding to crash. If you leave now, I might just let you go with your life."
"Don't try to intimidate me, you manipulative bastard!" snapped Asuka, "I'm not here for you."
"Then what are you here for if not to ruin my wedding?" Marcus asked.
"Oh, I'm here to ruin it alright," said Asuka, "but it's not for my sake, it's for his."
Asuka then stood aside and revealed Riku behind him.
"Riku!" Sora, Kairi and Aiden shouted.
"Riku?" Teresa asked in a confused tone. She then looked up and saw Sora and the others, the Snap Hoppers and Kitsuneonosaboten. She then looked back at Riku, "what's going on here? Why are you here? Why are you ruining my wedding?"
"I promise I'll explain things later, Tess," said Riku, "but you've got to get away from Marcus. He doesn't love you at all and only wants to hurt you!"
"Shut up, you loverboy loser!" spat Marcus. He then walked up to Teresa and grabbed her roughly by the arm, "her name is Teresa and you will never bother her again! Now get out!"
"Marcus, you're hurting me!" Teresa said as she tried to get away from him, but his grip was too tight.
"Stop it!" shouted Kairi as she shoved the Snap Hoppers away from her, while the others also forced the offending Heartless away from them as well. Roxas then popped out of Sora and slashed the bonds on Sora's wrists, then cut Kairi's, before facing Kitsuneonosaboten.
"Just hold it right there, tall, dark and fury!" said Roxas as he held up his Keyblades, "or I'll turn you into a new coat for Naminé!"
"I don't really like that fur color," said Naminé as she popped out of Kairi and untied Aiden, Ryoga, Yukito and Ranru, "but I appreciate the thought.
"Just what is going on here!" Teresa demanded.
"You've been lied to, Tess," said Riku, "lied to by someone who wants you for something terrible. I don't know what Marcus is really after…"
"He's only marrying Tess just to mess with her!" said Sora as he, Kairi and Aiden summoned their Keyblades, "then he's going to hand her over to his master, whoever that is."
"Don't listen to them, Teresa!" said Marcus in an outraged tone, "they're only trying to make you unhappy!"
"He's the one who will make you unhappy!" Kairi shouted, "he doesn't love you! He only wants to use you in the worst way before he hands you over to his master!"
At that Teresa glared at Marcus suspiciously, "is this true?" she asked.
"Of course not!" said Marcus, "I do love you. Our marriage was promised by our parents who died to free our world from an enchantress. Are you willing to let their sacrifice be in vain? All for the lies of those who only pretended to be your friends?"
"We are your friends, damn it!" said Aiden, "that cock hydrant you've been so hot and bothered over is the liar!"
"Listen to reason, Tess!" Naminé shouted, "just think about it. You only met Marcus today, yet you were infatuated with him at the drop of a hat. Doesn't that seem just a little out of sorts?"
"Unkoser is more like it," said Yukito.
"There is such a thing as true love," said Ranru, "but what you went through was a load of crap."
"If reason isn't helping," said Ryoga, "then listen to your heart. Doesn't your heart tell you that something's not right with this situation?"
At that Teresa looked like she was really confused, "I…I just don't know."
"What's there not to know?" Marcus asked, "we are destined to be one!"
"No you're not, you piece of dragon dung!" snapped Malcolm as he walked in.
"Where have you been?" Sora asked.
"Trapped in the broom closet," said Malcolm.
"You!" snapped Marcus, "how did you escape from my full body bind spell?"
"It was quite easy, once I figured out what was really going on," said Malcolm. He then looked up at Sora and the others, "I'm sorry I couldn't keep Tess safe, I had the whammy put on me. But something was odd about the spell," he then looked at Marcus, "you cast a fully body bind with just your hands. That spell can only be performed either with a wand and saying the spell, or it can be cast nonverbally, it's never used with just hand movements, not that I know of anyway.
"But then, as I was stuck in the closet, unable to move, it came upon me that I could move; I spoke to Marcus after he spelled me. That should have been impossible while under the full body bind, but I could speak.
"It then hit me that I had it all wrong; it wasn't a real spell that I was under, it was an illusion; specifically, the illusion of a full body bind."
"An illusion?" Sora asked.
"Yes," said Marcus, "and illusion. I ought to know, my sister is an illusionist. Once I realized that I was under an illusion, I broke it and was able to move again. Then, once I was in the right frame of mind, I then saw that this entire world; the house, the grounds, the weddings guests, the house servants, even Marcus, they're all part of one big, worldwide illusion."
This left Sora and the others speechless. How can they all be under an illusion?
But then they heard Marcus laughing viciously, "of all the lies you could have told, this has to be the worst. Of all the nonsense; a worldwide illusion. Balderdash! Utter balderdash!"
But Teresa wasn't treating it like balderdash. The words of the strange woman kept repeating in her mind, 'things are not always what they seem.'
"Tess, whatever you may think is real or not real," said Riku, "know that my love for you has always been real. I've loved you from the moment I first saw you in The Infinite City back on Metamore. Even when you threatened to cut my throat with your fathers' razor, when you revealed your scarred body for everyone to see, just so you could convince Elyon of the truth, when you first got your Keyblade and agreed to come with us and everything that's happened since, I've loved you. I'm sorry I haven't been able to better express it, but I love you and I'll always love you, no matter what."
"We all love you, Tess," said Kairi, "through thick and thin."
"No matter what lies or illusions are thrown at us to destroy that love," said Aiden.
"This is utter nonsense," said Marcus. He then grabbed Teresa by both arms and pulled her close, forcing her to look him in the eyes, "they, your so called friends, they're the ones trying to trick you! They're the ones trying to destroy your happiness! They are the ones who wish to destroy you! They think they can fool you into believing that our world is nothing more than an illusion, but I am the only reality you will ever need! I am your reality!"
But then Teresa saw deeper into Marcus' eyes and saw an inner darkness. She saw into a heart incapable of compassion and kindness, of friendship and love, a heart filled with malice, deception and manipulation, a heart she found undeniably repulsive.
Teresa, now Tess again, pushed herself away from Marcus and spoke with words full of courage, defiance and determination, "I reject your reality and substitute my own!"
At that Marcus blinked in shock, his whole body tensing with rage. But then seemed to relax and grinned in acceptance, "so be it," he said.
It was as if the entire world shattered into glass fragments, at least to the eyes of our heroes and allies. Everything; the mansion, the people, the wedding dress Tess was wearing, revealing her normal clothes, all of it shattered like glass and vanished. Sora, Kairi, Aiden, Ryoga, Yukito and Ranru yelped in shock as the balcony they were on vanished and they fell to the ground, landing hard, while Kitsuneonosaboten also fell to the ground and landed hard.
As Sora and the others got back up, they were shocked to find that the world they were now in was a blighted wasteland, with nothing but sand and rocks for as far as they could see. A sour-smelling wind was blowing with a flesh-crawling wail, while the skies were heavily overcast with dark, roiling clouds, as if a storm was about to break.
"So, the jig is up," said Marcus as he idly bushed a bit of lint from the sleeve of his tux.
"I don't get it," said Tess in a slightly distant tone as she looked at the man who deceived her, "what did you do to Valkasia?"
"There never was a Valkasia, you stupid little girl," said Marcus, "all of it; the kingdom, the mansion, the grounds, the woods, all of the people, everything, it was all a product of my imagination."
"Good Gods!" exclaimed Aiden, "Nobodies!"
True enough, for each of the false persons whom inhabitant the illusion world, there stood a Nobody, either a Wizard for each male and a Dancer for each female. Tess then saw the Wizard where Mr. Pensive used to be.
"How?" Sora asked as he saw the Nobodies just standing there, while more and more Snap Hoppers arrived in the area, "how did you get Nobodies and Heartless to get along without killing each other?"
"Does he have an Uridium item?" Kairi asked.
"He's got an illusion cast on them," said Malcolm, "so that they don't know that the other creatures are here."
"It's a simple matter to fool them," said Marcus, "Nobodies do have more intelligence than Heartless, but they can be fooled if you know how."
"Who are you?" Tess asked, "what are you?"
"Oh, forgive me," said Marcus in a tone that was dripping with mock courtesy, "permit me to introduce myself." His tuxedo then shimmered, becoming a suit that constantly shifted colors, one instant it was red and blue pinstripes, the next it was yellow and green, then it was pokadots, then all black and so on. He also donned a hat that constantly changed as well. One minute it was a brown fedora hat, the next it was a blue and white top hat with a red feather in it, then it was a gray and orange straw hat with a black band.
"I am, for lack of better words, The Lord of Illusions," he then took off his shifting hat and made a sweeping bow to our heroes and allies, "at your service."
"Okay, now we know who you are," said Tess, "then why don't you tell us why you did all of this to me?"
"Why manipulate Tess so?" Riku asked, "why?"
"He's was just messing with her," said Kitsuneonosaboten, "the flamboyant jackass just wanted Tess for his own pleasure, until the master is ready for her."
"Just who is this master?" Yukito asked.
"And why does he want Tess?" Ryoga asked.
"You'll find out soon enough," said The Lord of Illusions, "soon, very soon, the master will be ready for Tess, then nothing will keep her from him."
"That's no answer!" spat Tess, barely able to contain her rage, "you drag me to this blasted, dead world, convinced me I was a noble, lied to me about who I am and where I came from, about my parents, then you convinced me that you loved me, and I almost married you no lest! You're disgusting! You sick, twisted maniac!" she then took out her razor, "I'm going to cut you to ribbons!" screeching in rage, Tess rushed at The Lord of Illusions.
But the villain merely raised his hand and produced a bright flash that briefly blinded Tess and our heroes. A few seconds later they could all see again, but The Lord of Illusions was gone.
They all then heard his disembodied laugh, "sorry, Tess, but you won't be enacting any revenge on me any time soon!"
"You bastard!" snapped Tess as she shouted to the heavens, "get back here so I can kill you!"
"Just like you killed so many on Metamore?" the insidious villain asked, "oh yes, I know all about your days as a mass murderer, as does the master. He was most pleased by your merciless killings, but was disappointed when you gave it all up to be a Keyblade Wielder. But he's also pleased that you're a Keyblade Wielder, for it suits his desires as well."
"Why?" Riku asked.
The Lord of Illusions then appeared next to Kitsuneonosaboten, "you'll find out soon enough," he said. He then looked at the hybrid monster, "I'll leave them to your capable hands, my friend. Do what you want with the others, but only render Tess unconscious, she must be overall intact for the master."
"Yeah, I know," said Kitsuneonosaboten, "you just go somewhere where you can keep your sorry hide safe."
"Will do, my friend," said The Lord of Illusions. He then blew a kiss to Tess, "I'll be seeing you again soon, my darling!" he then laughed as he vanished again.
"Son of a bitch!" spat Tess.
"Oh shut up and be unconscious already," said the hybrid monster. It then gestured to the assembled Heartless and Nobodies, "go get them!"
"I'm not sure I like this part!" said Malcolm as he, Sora, Kairi, Aiden, Riku, Roxas, Namine, Ryoga, Yukito, Ranru and Asuka, clustered around Tess and got ready, while the assembled enemies closed in.
"I never liked it in the first place," said Sora, "but you'll get used to it."
"When?" Malcolm asked.
"It's different for everyone," said Asuka, "you either get used to it, or you don't. But as long as you've got courage, love and light in you heart, so long as you believe in yourself and your friends, then you can overcome anything!"
"Glad to have you back, Asuka," said a grinning Ryoga.
"Glad to be back!" said Asuka.
"I'm glad you're back, Tess," said Kairi as she handed Tess her Keyblade.
"Glad to be back," said Tess.
Just then the watches on Sora, Riku, Kairi, Aiden and Tess all beeped.
"Now what?" Kairi asked.
"It's the upgrades that Sidney gave us," said Sora, "they've finished installing."
"It's about time," said Riku, "shall we?"
"Oh yeah," said an eager Aiden as he pressed his wrists, "alright, let's do this!"
The five Keyblade Wielders then pressed the buttons on their watches and in a flash of magic, their armor appeared on them. The armor suits looked almost the same as before, but now with the edition of stylish gold lines. Sora and the others could tell that their armor was also lighter and more flexible to allow more freedom of movement, yet was far stronger than before.
"Sidney and Tron are getting such a thank you gift," said Sora.
"That's some pretty awesome armor," said Ranru as she took a picture of our heroes with her camera.
"They're cool," said Yukito in a matter of fact tone, "but not that special. What we wear into battle…"
"Now that's awesome," said Asuka.
"Alright, everyone!" said Ryoga, "let's do it!"
"Right!' shouted Yukito, Ranru and Asuka.
Ryoga, Yukito and Ranru then pressed the buttons on their Dino Braces, while Askua pressed the button on his Dino Harp.
"Bakuryu Change!" the four of them shouted. Ryoga, Yukito and Ranru pressed the buttons on their Dino Braces again, while Asuka inserted the key into his Dino Commander and turned it.
The four of them were engulfed in the transformation light and they appeared in their spandex-like armor that radiated out from their hearts, their helmets roaring with their respective partner calls.
"Enormous Energy! Aba Red!"
"Bursting Seriousness! Abare Blue!"
"Dashing with Courage! Abare Yellow!"
"The Invincible Ryujin Soul! Abare Black!"
"The Ubiquitous Dino Guts!" shouted Aba Red as he held his hands over the dinosaur insignia on his outfit, which glowed brightly.
The four warriors then did a group pose, "Bakuryu Sentai…Abaranger!"
"Whoa!" said an amazed Malcolm, "that is the coolest thing I have ever seen."
"Which goes to show that you haven't seen much in life," said Kitsuneonosaboten. It then gestured to the assembled Heartless and Nobodies, "what are you waiting for? Attack!"
The dark creatures rushed at our heroes and allies, whom met them head. Sora and the Keyblade Wielders hacked, slashed and blasted the offending Heartless and Nobodies with their weapons, while Naminé casts her attack spells, with the Abarangers fighting in their own style as well.
"You know," said Tess as she and Riku fought back to back, "this whole thing has taught me a valuable lesson," she then stabbed a Snap Hopper, then slashed at a Dancer.
"What lesson would that be?" Riku asked as he stabbed a Wizard, then blasted several Snap Hoppers with his Dark Aura.
"Never fully trust a message that's too good to be true," said Tess.
"I could have told you that!" said Aiden as he stabbed two Snap Hoppers, then transmuted the ground under three Dancers into spikes, impaling and destroying the offending Nobodies. "Boy, am I glad that my alchemy is working again."
"It never stopped working," said Malcolm as he cast a Blind spell on two Wizards, then cast Poison on three Dancers, "the whole environment was one big illusion, which isn't affected by alchemy."
"You really know your stuff," said Kairi as she and Sora fought off a group of Snap Hoppers.
"I should know," said Malcolm, "I'm from the Magical Dimension."
"Too bad you won't be going back!" said Kitsuneonosaboten as the hybrid monster. It then inhaled deeply, it's body expanding to grossly beyond natural proportions, then exhaled loudly as it shot it's needles at Malcolm. He blocked most of them but two hit him in his left arm, three in his legs and four in his torso.
Malcolm fell to the ground, grunting in pain as the burning needles began digging deeper into him.
"Always go for the weaker one first," said the hybrid monster as it stalked closer to Malcolm, new needles erupting from its body.
"I ain't weak!" said Malcolm as he gritted his teeth against the pain.
"Well, you ain't gonna be living for much longer!" said Kitsuneonosaboten. It then raised it's claws for the kill. But then Aba Red got in front of the monster and hit it in the head with his Tyrano Rod.
"Not this year, Kitsuneonosaboten!" shouted Aba Red, while Abare Blue, Abare Yellow and Abare Black got in front of Aiden and the four of them faced down the monster.
"We're your opponents now!" said Abare Black.
"Fine by me!" said the hybrid monster. It then rushed at the Abarangers.
Sora and Kairi rushed over to Malcolm, with Sora freezing the needles and Kairi beginning to heal him. As Kairi worked her magic, Sora saw that Riku, Tess, Aiden, Roxas and Naminé, were almost done destroying the Snap Hoppers and Nobodies. He then saw the fight between Kitsuneonosaboten and the Abarangers was going well for the heroes.
The hybrid monster tried to slash at Aba Red, whom ducked and bashed the creature in the stomach with his Tyrano Rod, then Abare Yellow rushed in and struck with her Ptera Daggers, then Abare Blue struck with his Tricer Bunker.
"You bastards!" snapped Kitsuneonosaboten. It then inhaled and expelled more needles at the Abarangers, hitting Aba Red, Abare Blue and Abare Yellow, each needle that hit them producing sparks that added up to enough damage to knock them down.
"Don't you hurt my friends!" shouted Abare Black. His suit then 'roared' as the gold diamonds glowed and became spikes and armored plates. He then rushed the hybrid monster and struck it once, twice, three times in the torso, each hit producing sparks. Kitsuneonosaboten tried to strike back but Abare Black was too fast for the creature, ducking under it's vicious claws and delivering more spark-inducing hits, eventually causing enough damage to force the creature back.
"My turn!" shouted Tess. She then went invisible.
"What the…?" exclaimed the hybrid monster as it looked around in confusion, "where did she go?" Kitsuneonosaboten was then struck from behind by something he couldn't see, then in the front, then on the head. Tess then appeared in front of the monster, her Keyblade still connected to where she hit it on its head.
"Oh, you ingrates!" snapped Kitsuneonosaboten as it staggered back, "I'm going to make you suffer!"
"Suffer this!" shouted Sora as he and Kairi grabbed the creature's left arm, while Riku and Aiden grabbed its right arm.
"Abarangers!" shouted Sora, "we've got the thing!"
"Blast it to hell!" shouted Aiden.
"Gotcha!" shouted Aba Red. He, Abare Blue and Abare Yellow then combined their weapons to form the Dino Bomber, but then Abare Black placed his Dino Thruster on top of the weapon to form a more powerful one.
"Super Dino Bomber!" said all four Abarangers. They then aimed the weapon as the hybrid monster.
"Let me go!" shouted Kitsuneonosaboten, "you idiots! You'll be blasted too!"
"Who's the idiot now?" Aiden asked.
"We're going to let go as soon as they shoot," said Riku, "so make your piece with god while you can."
"As if Dezmozoria was capable of peace!" said Abare Black
"Super Dino Dynamite!" shouted Aba Red as he pulled the trigger on the weapon, sending a huge blast of energy at the hybrid monster.
Sora, Kairi, Riku and Aiden got out of the way just in time. The blast hit the monster with a huge shower of sparks. The creature shouted in pain as bolts of energy crackled over his body.
"But my god is dead!" shouted Kitsuneonosaboten. The vile monster then fell to the ground and exploded. When the flash and smoke cleared, there were only a few charred pieces of Kitsuneonosaboten left to mark its existence
"Yeah!" shouted Sora, while Riku, Kairi, Aiden, Tess, Roxas, Naminé and Malcolm, all shouted in triumph.
"It's not over yet," Abare Blue said in a serious tone.
"What do you mean it's not over yet," said Aiden, "you just destroyed that thing."
But then from the ashes of the destroyed monster, a small object that glowed brightly shot up into the air. It then turned into an even darker cloud.
"What was that thing?" Kairi asked.
"That was Kitsuneonosaboten's life berry," said Abare Black, "sort of like it's heart. We destroyed the body, but the heart is about to bring it back."
"Bring it back?" Riku asked in an exasperated tone. But then the dark cloud unleashed a brief torrential downpour onto the area where Kitsuneonosaboten died, soaking into the pieces of the monster. The pieces condensed together and a large, glowing, multi colored mass rose up several dozen yards into the air and formed into a gigantic form of the hybrid monster.
"How do you like me now?!" shouted Kitsuneonosaboten with vicious glee.
"I hate it when Torinoidos do that," said Abare Yellow.
"Time for you to die!" shouted Kitsuneonosaboten. It then inhaled deeply, then exhaled, releasing its needles at our heroes, with the needles now being the size of spears. It was all Sora and the others could do to avoid being impaled by the giant needles.
"This is serious," said Malcolm.
"It's been serious for a while," said Riku, "but I agree. If we don't figure out something fast, we're pretty much done for."
But then Abare Black's Dino Commander roared, "you're only done for when you abandon hope, Bura!"
"Brachio!" said Abare Black.
"It's working now?" Riku asked.
"Why hasn't your Dino Commander been working, Asuka?" Abare Blue asked.
"Damned if I know," said Abare Black.
Just then they all heard a very loud roar. Striding into the area was an enormous black and gold Brachiosaurus with a huge black and gold container on it's back, "so long as one believes in their heart, they cannot fail!" said Brachio.
The Lord of Illusions then appeared next to Tess, "oh now that's just not fair," said the insidious trickster, "my monster friend was just about ready to crush you, and then this freaky dinosaur thing shows up."
"That's my partner you're insulting!" said Abare Black.
"Well, it still sucks," said the Lord of Illusions.
"Who asked you?" an irate Tess asked. She then punched the trickster in the face, knocking him out cold and felling him to the ground.
At that time, Brachio stopped and three hatches opened up on him; one on his left side, revealing a red and white Tyrannosaurus, one on his back, revealing a blue and white Triceratops and one on his chest, revealing a yellow and white Pteradon.
"Ryoga!" shouted Tyranno as a ramp appeared an he rand own it, "at last we get to see your new friends face to face, tera!"
"Nice to meet you, Sora!" said Tricera as Brachio lowered his neck, becoming as straight as an arrow, which Tricera ran along and jumped to the ground, "you too, Aiden, kero!"
"And Kairi!" said Ptera as she took flight, "you look as lovely as you sound, pura!"
"You can't even see her face right now, tera!" said Tryanno as all three Bakuryu rushed towards the giant monster.
"You filthy lizards!" snapped Kitsuneonosaboten, "I'll render you into mincemeat!"
"Render this, kero!" shouted Tricera as he tackled the hybrid monster, the impact of his horns dealt spark damage and forced the giant creature back. Ptera then swooped down and bit Kitsuneonosaboten on the nose, then Tyranno then rushed in and slashed at the hybrid monster with his tail, which was now spinning like a drill and dealt even more spark damage.
"Damn you!" shouted Kitsuneonosaboten as he staggered back from the combo attack, "I'll turn you all into leather!"
"No you won't!" said Aba Red. He, Abare Blue and Abare Yellow then jumped up, merging with their respective Bakuryu partners.
"Bakuryu Gattai!" they all shouted as an amazing transformation took place. Tyranno's upper torso rotated as his legs became more like that of a bipedal humanoid, resulting with his head on the new form's torso and his tail becoming a left arm and a humanoid head appearing atop the new torso.
Tricera then merged with the form to become the right arm, while Ptera shifted to become the form's helmet and chest plate. The end result was a warrior robot that was a combination of all three Bakuryu.
"Complete! Abaren Oh!"
"Wow!" said an amazed Sora.
"What now?" Kairi asked.
"It's up to them now," said Abare Black, "they're going to fight Kitsuneonosaboten."
"You bastards!" snapped the hybrid monster as it rushed at Abaren Oh. The giant dinosaur robot stepped forward to meet the monster and blocked it's claws, then countered with a right cross.
"Tricera Punch!" shouted the Abarangers as Tricera connected with the monster, his horns dealing a lot of spark-inducing damage.
"Tyranno Drill!" shouted the Abarangers as Tyranno's tail began spinning like a drill bit. The robot swung the drill tail at Kitsuneonosaboten, connecting with the monster and producing more sparks.
"Okay, that's it!" said the hybrid monster, "Take this!" it then shot purple beams from its eyes, hitting Abaren Oh and producing a lot of sparks, forcing the warrior robot back several paces.
"And now this!" shouted Kitsuneonosaboten as it inhaled deeply, then expelled its needles at Abaren Oh, the spear-like needles hitting the robot and began burrowing into its body.
"Oh, gosh it hurts, kero!" exclaimed Tricera.
"I feel like I'm on fire, pura!" exclaimed Ptera.
"It's not that bad, tera!" Tyranno shouted defiantly.
"It's going to get worse!' shouted the hybrid monster as it rushed at Abaren Oh, slashing at the robot with its claws and dealing more damage.
"They're getting murdered up there!" said Aiden, "we've got to do something?"
"But what?" Kairi asked, "that monster is bigger than anything we've ever fought before."
"I think it's even bigger than that proxy of Chernobog that we fought," said Sora.
"Then what can we do?" Malcolm asked, "I don't have any spells for anything that big."
"I don't know," said Tess in a tone filled with grim determination, "but I won't give up. I'll never give up! Not until that evil thing is finished!"
Just then a bright, golden light began pulsing in the center of her armor.
"What is that?" Sora asked.
"I don't know," said an amazed and slightly confused Tess, "but I feel like it's a good thing!"
Just then the same golden light shone on Riku's armor, "I feel it too! It is a good thing! I…I think it has something to do with what Tess was feeling just now, about not giving up."
"Courage and determination," said Tess, "that's what I'm feeling in my heart!"
All of a sudden, Sora, Kairi and Aiden also felt courage and determination in their hearts, causing the golden light to shine on their armor. The lights on the five Keyblade Wielders then traveled down their arms onto their Keyblades, which glowed brightly.
"Now what?" Kairi asked.
"I don't know," said Tess, "I thought you guys would know."
"I've got an idea," said Sora, "follow my lead!" he then aimed his Keyblade at Kitsuneonosaboten, the golden light then shot at the giant monster, forming a continuous beam that caused the monster to shout in agony.
"Hey, cut it out!" shouted the giant monster, "that hurts!"
"All the more reason to keep it up!" shouted Sora. Riku, Kairi, Aiden and Tess then aimed their Keyblades at the monster, adding their lights to Sora's and causing Kitsuneonosaboten even more pain.
This allowed Abaren Oh enough time to get rid of the needles in its body. The robot then backed up a few paces, raising it's drill tail arm up. The drill then began spinning so fast it was a blur.
"Bakuryu Dengeki Drill Spin!" shouted the Abarangers as Abaren Oh rushed at Kitsuneonosaboten, the drill arm aimed like a spear at the monster. It struck and impaled the creature all the way through and rushed past and producing a shower of damage sparks.
"NOOOOOO!" shouted Kitsuneonosaboten. It then fell down and exploded, destroying itself completely.
"They did it!" shouted Sora, while the others shouted in triumph as well.
But then The Lord of Illusions got back up, "yeah, they did, didn't they?" the insidious trickster said in a vicious tone as he rubbed where Tess punched him.
"You just get right back on the ground, mister," said Tess as she held up her fist again, "or better yet, stay right where you are, so I can make you pay for what you did to me!"
"Tempting," said the Lord of Illusions, "but I'll have to take a rain check." he then vanished in a flash of multi-colored light, only to appear right behind Tess, "but don't get me wrong," he said as Tess whirled around to face the trickster, "you have not seen the last of me, so enjoy what little time you have. Sooner or later you will become the property of the master, and the master always gets what he wants." with that he vanished in another flash of colored light, this time gone for real.
"That guy has to be the weirdest villain we've ever fought," said Sora.
"You won't get any arguments from me," said Kairi.
A short time later everyone had powered down and were talking to each other. The three Bakuryu had separated and were getting to know our heroes better.
"If I may say so, you Keyblade Wielders would make great heroes on Dino Earth, tera!" said Tyranno.
"We are heroes," said Sora, "and if Phil calls us junior heroes one more time, I'm going to be sick."
"There's nothing junior about any of you, Pura!" said Ptera.
"Anyone who says you're not ready to be heroes needs their head checked, Kero!" said Tricera.
"Nice to know that you're appreciated," said Aiden.
Just then Yukito looked at his watch, "I think it's time for us to be getting on our way."
"Yeah, it's about that time," said Ranru.
"Do you guys really have to leave so soon?" Sora asked.
"Unfortunately, yeah," said Ryoga.
"We've got friends and loved ones waiting for us back on our world," said Ranru. She then looked at Yukito and smiled mischievously, "especially someone's girlfriend."
"That's right," said an eagerly smiling Ryoga, "Yukito, you were supposed to ask Emiri to marry you."
At that Yukito blanched, "I think that," he said modestly, "after everything that's happened here, I think I want to wait before I ask Emiri to be my wife."
"Yeah," said Asuka, "marriage isn't something to rush into, but when it's between two hearts that truly love each other, it's the most wonderful thing in life."
"Well, you ought to know," said Yukito, "you're already married, with children no less."
At that Asuka paled in embarrassment and in mild fear, "oh, man! Mahoro is going to kill me!" He then pulled out an orange crystal and held it up. The crystal flashed brightly and a large, multi colored portal opened up, with the portal large enough for even Branchio to walk into.
"This will take us back to our world," said Asuka.
"So, this is goodbye," said Yukito.
"It's only goodbye for now," said Sora, "we'll meet again someday."
"Maybe," said Ranru.
"Just remember one thing, Sora," said Ryoga, "courage always comes from one place."
"I know," said Sora as he touched his heart.
"You got it!" said Ryoga.
"Give my best to Mai and the others," said Kairi.
"Will do," said Yukito. With that the Abarangers and their Bakuryu partners walked into the portal, which closed up after them.
"Well, that was one screwy adventure," said Malcolm.
"You ain't seen nothing yet, my friend," said Aiden.
All of a sudden Tess yawned deeply, "wow, I'm bushed," she said, then she swayed and nearly lost her balance, but Riku caught her before she fell to the ground.
"Are you alright?" he asked in a worried tone.
"Yeah, I'm fine," said Tess in a slightly distant tone, "I'm just tired, that's all."
"That's understandable," said Naminé.
"I think we're all tired," said Roxas.
"No kidding," said Sora as he looked around the sand and dust filled wasteland, "let's get out of this place and go home."
"I wonder what happened here?" Kairi asked, "was this world always so dark, dreary and lifeless? Was there ever really a Valkasia? Or was it all just lies and illusions?"
"I don't know, and right now I don't care," said Tess, "right now I could sleep a week."
"You can stay at my place if you want," said Riku.
"I…I don't think that's necessary," said Tess, "I've got my own place, you know."
"Are you kidding?" Riku asked, "now that we've fully confessed our love, I'm never letting you out of my sight again."
"That's not necessary," said Tess, "but part of me, the part that truly loves you, does want you in my sight forever." with that the two of the kissed.
"Oh get a room," said Malcolm.
"They already have a room," teased Aiden.
A shot time later they had opened their portal back to their world and walked through, leaving the terrible wasteland and it's hair-raising wind to itself.
…someplace dark…
The Lord of Illusions strode through an endless expanse of black, with only a single light to guide him to his insidious destination. He found himself in an area full of tables full of magical equipment. One table was covered in grimoires and other books of magic, while other tables had vast arrays of potion brewing pieces, and another table had multiple amulets and wands. The one factor that unified all the equipment was that they were all affiliated with dark magic.
The vile trickster then walked into the middle of the area, where, standing around a large crystal ball that glowed with an insidious purple light, stood a man wearing a black robe with the hood covering his head.
"Master," said The Lord of Illusions as he bowed before the hooded man.
"Rise, my trickster friend," said the hooded man.
"I beg to report," said The Lord of Illusions as he stood up, "Tess and her fellow Keyblade Wielders have defeated my first illusion."
"And Kitsuneonosaboten?" the hooded master asked.
"Destroyed," said The Lord of Illusions, "while the Abarangers have returned to their world."
"Then all is proceeding according to plan," said the hooded master as he stepped around the large crystal ball, his hands, covered in black gloves, tracing strange patterns over the purple light, "everything that has transpired has done so to my design. And now the time has come for the next phase," he then turned his hooded face to The Lord of Illusions, "you know what to do next."
"Yes, master," said The Lord of Illusions as he bowed again, then turned to leave the area, teleporting out.
"Yes," said the hooded master as he faced the crystal ball again, "everything is going according to plan. Soon, Tess, very soon, you shall be mine, and together, we shall spread my darkness farther than before!"
The end of chapter 3.
Next chapter finds our heroes being drawn back to Radiang Garden as a ew crisis grips Kairi's home world, while at the same time, Doctor Insano aquires a new insidious toy. Reviews will be rewarded with cake and pie. see you next time!
