The dream is going to make it a bit longer! Things are gonna change in the Struggle Tournament.

Kingdom Hearts II: A Journey's End

Chapter 7: The Struggle

Restoration at 48%

The same man sat in front of the computer screens and the silver haired boy stood next to him.

"Was that Namine made out of data?" The teenager asked.

"No…Namine hijacked the data herself. Look what she's done now. She's totally beyond my control!" The man punched the wall.

"Calm down."

"It doesn't matter." The man sighed. "As long as Namine accomplishes her goal, we needn't not worry about Roxas and Phoenix."

The next morning…

"But grandma, I'm scared of darkness. That's why the worlds are still scattered, divided from each other."

"You shouldn't be my dear. But someday, the door to the innermost darkness will open and the true light will return."

"This is why you shouldn't be afraid of the darkness. Even in the deepest of darkness, there will always be a light to guide you no matter what. Remember, believe in the light and the darkness will never defeat you."

"You are a special little girl my Haruka. Your heart isn't like any other. It will shine bright with its power and won't ever succumb to the darkness, but you will be able to use it. Do you understand my sweetheart?"

"Someday you will…"

"But it all ends here. There can't be two Keyblade masters."

"No! I think you're forgetting something."

"Don't take me as if I'm invisible. Don't take me as if I'm useless. Don't take me as if I can't fight and definitely don't take me as a damsel in distress because I am a Keyblade master as well!"

"Let the Keyblade choose…its true master!"

"Only the Keyblade master can open the secret door and change the world."

"You're wrong Riku! The Keyblade master can't open the secret door and change the world, the only person who can do this is…"

"We have to remember our mission, we must follow the key."

"Yeah, you're right. That's what the King said."

"He also told us to…well we did that."

"We're sorry Sora."

"Haruka, you might as well just leave me here and go and join Riku. I won't mind."

"Come on Haru, you can come to me now."

"Well, it serves him right for taking away someone's best friend."

"What do you mean?"

"Come on Haruka."

"I'm sorry Riku, but I can't just leave my friend like this, especially without a weapon. My friends are my power and I'm theirs! I'm not going to leave Sora like this."

"Haruka, stay out of this, this is me and Sora's fight."

"No! I won't stay out of this anymore and Sora won't fight."

"I always watched you and Sora fight on the side lines and never had the chance to fight against either of you. You were the strongest kid on the islands, but now you fight me! I won't just fight with my Keyblade; I'll fight with my heart."

"Are you serious Haruka, with your heart?"

"Return yourself to Sora!"

"Sora I will never let you fight each other, so stay of it and don't help me."

"I can't believe you're doing to me your best friend, out of all people."

"No, you're wrong. The boy I met 10 years ago is long gone and replaced with the darkness. You leave me no choice Riku. You've done too much to me. But I'm not weak anymore!"

"So your heart won this battle?"

"But Riku, I don't need her! I've got Kairi."

"That's more like it. Haruka is mine and always be mine." Riku mumbled.

"You don't own Haru! You never will."

"Yes, Kairi is a Princess of heart and her heart was in you the whole time and I'm gonna be the one to save her."

"NO!"

"This is what you get when you try and steal Haruka away from me. Kairi's my Princess now…"

"Now, it's time for us to fight for Kairi."

"No, please don't"

"Riku, there's no point of fighting, it won't change anything!"

"Haruka what do you know about any of this?"

"Riku, please stop fighting."

"Shut up!"

"Who are you?"

"Haruka!"

"Haruka…"

"You wield both light and darkness but both can harm you. You must be very careful."

I can't stop them and my words won't make a difference."

"But if I don't stop them, then I'll lose Sora, one of my best friends

"…But what's worse is…"

"…I'll lose Riku, the boy I love, my best friend…"

"…Or even worse, I might lose both of them then I would never be able to live peacefully, a life full of regret is a life with no purpose."

"I have to fight, but how…?"

"I feel so useless! I'm hopeless! I feel like…"

"…like her! A bloody damsel in distress who can't fight and is vulnerable. I'm like…"

"…like Kairi. I'm just gonna have to stand here and endure all of this…"

'I won't let this happen, but I can't do anything.'

'I feel like all of this is happening…because of me!'

'Then if it's my fault...I'll have to pay the price…I'll have to be punished…I'll have to…'

'…I'll sacrifice myself!'

"But now…it doesn't matter…You both can return to your normal lives with Kairi…because it doesn't matter if I die…"

"Haruka!"

"…You both can return to your normal lives, as if I don't exist…"

"…because I never truly existed…whenever she was there…did I?"

"I love you…"

Phoenix opened her eyes, she was wrapped around the covers again and her hair was even more messed up. She sighed and smiled as she looked at Roxas. The covers were wrapped around his waist and he wasn't wearing a shirt, again. She placed her hand onto his cheek.

"I love you…" He smiled and opened his eyes. Roxas looked at her and pecked her lips.

"Good morning, gorgeous." He mumbled.

"Good morning, handsome." She winked at him.

After a few minutes, Phoenix got changed. She wore different clothes today, a red tank top with the name 'Phoenix' in black at the back, a pair of black shorts, red trainers (converses) and black fingerless gloves.

She heard a wolf whistle from behind her and felt Roxas snake his hands around her waist.

"How's your ankle?" He asked against her skin.

"Much better, thank you." He kissed her neck and she giggled at this.

They were out of the house and were running to the Sandlot. When they finally got there, there was a stage and so many people.

Phoenix told Roxas to wait for her. She went to the judge box and explained that she wanted to join. The judge stared down at her with a raised eyebrow. Phoenix clasped her hands together and pouted. He sighed at this.

Phoenix walked up to Roxas' side.

"Did they accept?" She had a frown on her face and the judge was on the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Struggle-fiends of Twilight Town! It's time for summer's sizzling clash. That's right; today's the day for the Struggle and title match. And for the first ever time in the history of the Struggle, a girl will be participating." Roxas smiled and so many girls cheered.

"Yes you heard me right. Who will be the one to break through the ranks and take on our champion, Setzer?" Phoenix gulped at this with pink cheeks (out of embarrassment) and Roxas growled. "And since there are an even amount of people, someone will fight Setzer in the semis and the finals. Let's introduce our female participant."

Phoenix eyes widened and she gulped. She walked onto the stage and Seifer's face was to die for. His jaw hit the ground.

"Alright, what's your name?"

"My name is Phoenix!" She yelled and Roxas whistled for her, which she blushed at.

"Phoenix, what has made you to decide on fighting in the Struggle?" She smirked at Seifer but shook her head.

"Two things. I wanted to prove that girls can fight and kick ass as well! Ain't I right, girls?!" She pounded her fist in the air and nearly all the girl roared and cheered at this.

"And the second?" The judge asked.

"Just to have some good fun!" People cheered at this and she got off the stage. She met up with Roxas and they smiled at each other.

"Heh, alright, alright calm down. And who will leave today as the new Struggle Champion?!"

"Hayner, Roxas and Phoenix!" Olette and Pence called.

"ROXAS!" Phoenix shouted.

"PHOENIX!" Roxas and most girls yelled.

"Seifer, y'know!" Rai said.

Then suddenly someone entered the stage.

"SETZEEEEEER!" A group of fan girls sang and Phoenix and Roxas looked up.

There he was; Setzer. He had long, silver hair and violet eyes, as well as a number of thin scars, one of which reaches from his hairline and over his left eye.

He was waving at everyone and then his eyes fell on Phoenix. He smiled at her gently and she returned the smile with a light blush. Roxas scowled at this and wrapped an arm around her waist. Setzer smirked at this; he had a plan.

"Yes the crowd is fired up, so you know what comes next: Let's STRUGGLE!" The judge and crowd screamed. As the armour shops owner started calling out the name, Phoenix noticed Hayner glaring at Roxas. Then she turned to the boy next to her who sighed and looked at the ground.

Shortly after, Hayner, Phoenix, Roxas, Seifer, Vivi and Seifer listened to the rules of the Struggle.

"I'm gonna go and talk to Hayner, come on."

"But-" Phoenix huffed and dragged Roxas by the ear whilst he mumbled 'Ouch, ouch, ouch' along the way. They got to Hayner and Phoenix let go of Roxas' ear.

"Hey, Hayner…" Phoenix mumbled and he turned to her.

"Phoenix."

"Look, I'm sorry if I came to the Usual Spot with that jerk. I know, he's our enemy and all but-" He cut her off.

"Don't worry about it. I wasn't angry, you were injured and I understand." He sighed.

"I'm here to repeat what I said. We're in this together, no matter what, okay? Roxas, I'm gonna talk to the others." She said and walked off. There was an awkward silence but then they talked nonetheless.

Phoenix walked over to Seifer's group and they stared at her.

"Vivi…" She said gently and got onto her knee. Vivi looked up at her. "Good luck, okay. Try your best." She smiled.

"Alright, I will. You too, Phoenix!" She giggled at this and nodded. Phoenix stood up and faced Seifer who was staring at her.

"Um, Seifer, good luck as well, don't go easy on me 'cuz of my ankle it's…better." She lied, it was still hurting.

"Thanks and you too cutie." Seifer smirked and Phoenix turned around.

"You're gonna need it." She mumbled and walked off.

"She's so damn evil, y'know!" Rai growled.

Phoenix noticed Setzer and smiled. She walked to him and he noticed her. He turned to her.

"Hi Setzer." She said.

"Why, hello Phoenix. It's been very long since I've seen you last." She rubbed her arm at this with pink cheeks.

"Yeah, it has."

"I never expected you to enter the competition." He mumbled and she looked up at him. "I hope you win, Phoenix." Setzer smiled.

"Thanks Setzer, um I better get going, so bye!" She giggled whilst waving.

The red haired nobody ran to Roxas and took his hand. She dragged him to a secluded area and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. He paused at this but then closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her waist. She tangled her fingers in his hair and he pushed her against the wall whilst returning the kiss.

They started making out for a good ten minutes and pulled away whilst panting. He took her hand and they went back to the stage again. The judge was something about Seifer already being in the semi-final since he was the head of the Disciplinary Committee.

"The first match will be between Roxas and Hayner." Roxas frowned at this, but Phoenix kissed his cheek. The blonde haired boy went onto the stage. Hayner and Roxas shook the judge's hand and took a Struggle Sword. The brown eyed boy aimed his weapon at Roxas and the crowd went crazy.

Phoenix clasped her hands together and pressed them against her chest. Roxas didn't look happy, but his face was so adorable. Olette and Pence walked up to Phoenix and she looked at them with a worried look.

"Sorry about yesterday." Roxas mumbled.

"What, you still worried about that?" Hayner asked. "You need to learn to let that stuff go." Roxas sighed at this.

"It's just that I got a lot on my mind." He said.

"Sorry man." Hayner apologised and Roxas shook his head. Then the brown eyed teen smirked. "Hey what am I sorry for?" He asked rhetorically and Phoenix giggled at this. Roxas looked up and smiled too. The red haired girl looked at her friends and smiled. They started cheering for the two.

"Roxas will be against his best friend Hayner." The judge stated and they started fighting.

"Come on guys!" Phoenix yelled and when she saw Roxas' facial expressions she felt her cheeks go really warm and bright red. They continued fighting until the match was finished. The armour shop's owner raised Roxas' hand in the air.

"And the winner is Roxas!" The crowd went crazy and Phoenix cheered her heart out. Roxas was waving to everyone with that sweet smile of his. "Not even friendship will slow this kid. And Hayner put up a good fight to!" Roxas' blue eyes fell on Phoenix and he winked at her.

The blonde haired winner walked up to Hayner. "I can't believe I lost!" He turned to Roxas and smirked. "I taught you well."

"I had a lot of fun fighting you." Roxas said.

"Well I didn't!" And they started laughing. Phoenix got onto the stage and ran up to Hayner and glomped onto him. He shrieked like a girl and she gave him a noogie.

"You did so well!" She shouted and got off him. He turned to her and growled.

"You're seriously mental, aren't you? Doing that in front of everyone!" She grinned goofily at this and he huffed. Phoenix turned to Roxas and he walked up to her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him.

"Well done Roxy-boo." She whispered and he snuck in a kiss on her neck. They pulled away and jumped when they saw Vivi next to them. He looked up at Phoenix with this weird look which made shivers go down her spine. Vivi started laughing and this made the red haired girl gulp, something wasn't right.

"Good luck, Phoenix!" Roxas and Hayner said in unison and got off the stage. Phoenix had her Struggle Sword in her hand and so did Vivi. Her opponent kept on staring up at Phoenix which freaked her out.

"The next match will be between Vivi and Phoenix!" The crowd started cheering at this. Vivi jumped onto Phoenix with a swing which Phoenix blocked immediately. She swung her Struggle Sword at him, which made him skid back. The red haired teen ran up to him and started fighting. She and Vivi collected and lost many orbs.

'How did Vivi get so strong?' Phoenix thought as she fought him. Sweat was rolling down her forehead and she panted. Just as she was about to give up, she saw Vivi panting, looking at the ground. Phoenix stood up and swung her Struggle Sword; she finally got him off guard, but then everything paused.

"What's going on?" Phoenix asked and suddenly Vivi turned into one of those grey creatures.

"Phoenix, behind you!" Roxas called out and she saw another one. Roxas jumped onto the stage and he had his Keyblade in his hand. Phoenix's Struggle Sword turned into the white Keyblade and they started fighting against the mysterious enemies.

They were panting heavily and Roxas was off of the stage. She looked at him and smiled. Suddenly, they heard a whistle a clapping.

"Wow, Phoenix, Roxas! Fight, fight, fight!" A man in a black coat said, he was definitely not the thief. Phoenix glared at him and growled.

"Who are you and what do you want?" She asked and the man gasped at this.

"Phoenix, don't you remember…" He took his hood off to reveal bright red hair like hers and green eyes like hers. "…It's me, Axel, your brother."

"Axel?" Roxas asked.

"Brother?" Phoenix raised an eyebrow.

"Talk about blank with a capital 'B'" Axel mumbled. "Man oh man, even the nobodies are gonna crack these ones." Axel summoned his chakrams and she gulped at this.

"What's going on here?" Roxas growled.

"This town is his creation right?" The red haired pyro asked. "Which means we don't have time for a Q&A. You're both coming with me, conscious or not. Then you'll hear the story." Phoenix stepped back, she was confused. Roxas stood in front of her with Keyblade in hand.

"You're not hurting her!" He growled and they started fighting. Phoenix just stood there and gulped; what was going on? Who was this guy and why was he calling himself her brother? Roxas skidded and fell off the stage. Phoenix clocked on and turned to Axel.

"Stop hurting him!" She called out.

"Phoenix, I'm only doing what's best for you and Roxas." He raised his hand for her.

"How can I trust you?" Phoenix asked.

"Because I…" Just as he was about to continue, a man appeared, he wore red robes and most of his face was covered in bandages.

"Phoenix, he's speaking nonsense!" The man said.

"Phoenix, I'm telling the truth." Axel stated and Phoenix held her hand and started to scream.

Suddenly, she opened her eyes and everything was normal again. Phoenix looked around and was clueless. She glanced at Roxas who was confused as well. Then she heard a thud and saw Vivi on the ground.

"What? What just happened?" The judge asked. Little Vivi stood up again.

"Huh? How did I get here?" Phoenix tilted her head to the side and clocked on. Those creatures might have used him or something. Vivi walked away and Hayner, Pence, Olette and Roxas ran onto the stage.

"You did it!" Olette exclaimed.

"Way to go!" Pence cheered.

"Nice work!" Hayner gave her the thumbs up. She stared up at Roxas who smiled at her.

"Well done, Fee-fee." He mumbled and hugged her. She returned the hug and he kissed her lips. She pulled away from him the next match was called out.

"The next match will be: Seifer against Phoenix."

"Move out of the way, pests." Seifer growled and Phoenix's friends walked off. Phoenix glared up at Seifer; she was going to win this fight.

Please review and thanks for reading!

~Parisa01