Riku appeared back in the throne room.
"Riku!" Ignus called quickly. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, thanks…" Riku's words died in his throat.
Ignus's face was dripping with sweat and he was shivering on the spot. "Sora!" He panted. "You have to get Sora…" The rest of the sentence was lost in a groan of effort before Ignus fell to the ground, Spark and Inferno dropping beside him.
"I'm sorry." He panted. "I couldn't hold it…any longer."
Riku looked up. The dark mist had solidified on the final throne into a bald man with a dark smile.
"Master…Xehanort…" Ignus croaked as he struggled to his knees, propping himself up with Spark.
"All of this was decided." The man said triumphantly. "My twelve selves would welcome me here on this day, when I would return a complete person. It is the future which lies beyond my sight."
"Why?" Ignus pushed himself up on his keyblade, rising to one knee. "Why do all of this? What's the point?"
"In ancient times, people believed that light was a gift from an unseen land by the name of Kingdom Hearts. But Kingdom Hearts was safeguarded by its counterpart, the χ-blade. Warriors vied for that precious light, thus beginning the 'Keyblade War.' The violent clash shattered the χ-blade into twenty pieces – seven of light, and thirteen of darkness. And the only real Kingdom Hearts was swallowed by the darkness, never to surface again. I once tried to create my own pure light and darkness to forge the χ-blade, but the attempt ended in failure. In my eagerness, I had lost sight of the correct way to achieve my goal. I acted rashly. I can admit that now."
Ignus pushed himself to his feet with a growl. "What happened back then…what you did to my friends…" He looked up at Master Xehanort. "You think saying you were rash excuses the fact that you destroyed their lives?" He roared.
"Ah, but destiny is never left to chance." Master Xehanort was unmoved. "I merely guided them to their proper places. The broken boy who failed to be the blade…the misguided master who sacrificed herself for a friend…and the feckless youth who became my new vessel."
"Ventus. Aqua. Terra." Ignus snarled. "They had names you soulless bastard!" He cried. "They sacrificed themselves to stop you! Even if they failed, I won't let you disrespect their memory!" He lowered his head and spoke more softly. "I even believed they'd succeeded for a while. I was so stupid. As soon as Maleficent started gathering the seven princesses of the heart, I should have known it was you and your damned obsession!"
"Yes, they were all my doing. I used the evil fairy to find seven pure lights for me, just as I prepared thirteen vessels to fill with pure darkness."
"But you failed." Riku stepped up next to Ignus as he got to his feet. "Sora stopped you in your tracks on both counts."
"Yes, he did." Master Xehanort admitted. "That dull, ordinary boy, a keyblade wielder so unlike any I have ever seen. However, I have not abandoned my ambitions. The seven guardians of light and the thirteen seekers of darkness."
"Seven guardians of light…" Ignus muttered. "Well, there's me, Riku, and Sora. Terra, Aqua, and Ven. That's six. And then the last one… But you wouldn't be telling us about this unless you were ready. And it's just you here… You're all thirteen seekers of darkness?"
"Yes, boy. Perceptive. But Sora and another on your list belong to me now. And that puts you three guardians short. But worry not. All of the pieces are destined to appear. Your seven lights just like my thirteen darknesses, whose final clash will beget the prize I seek…"
"The χ-blade." Both men said together.
Master Xehanort rose on his throne. His dark keyblade appeared in his hand. "But first, the thirteen darknesses shall be united. All the seats have been filled. And now, the last vessel shall bear my heart like the rest!"
He extended a hand and the throne with Sora on it began to rise. Ignus leaped towards it, but Xemnas materialized in mid-air, trapping him against a pillar. Riku was intercepted by Ansem, who forced him to the ground. Sora's throne stopped. Master Xehanort extended his keyblade and a ball of light shot towards Sora. As it hit, an explosion clouded the area.
"You prepared the thirteen and seven for here. You foresaw everything up to this point. But you couldn't see past it, and that shows." Ignus smirked. "Your count is off, Master Xehanort."
A red-haired man stepped out of the flames, Sora under one arm and a glaive in his free hand.
"Axel!" Xigbar shouted.
"Axel? Please. The name's Lea." He grinned. "Got it memorized?"
"You're not supposed to be here!"
"Promises to keep." Lea shrugged. "I'll always be there to get my friends back." Lea directed a cocky smile at Master Xehanort. "What, bad timing? You had your perfect little script, but you kinda forgot to write the sequel. Now, let's find out what happens!"
"What now, you old coot?" Xigbar demanded. "Our time is up!"
A cloaked figure shot off a throne towards Lea. He caught a powerful swing on his glaive, knocking the figure's hood off. "Isa!" Lea breathed. He deflected the strike and jumped to the ground.
Ignus finished the Oath and swung Inferno into Xemnas's face, knocking him away with a burst of flame. Riku swung his keyblade backwards, forcing Ansem to warp away, and jumped to his feet.
"You cut it pretty close there." Ignus grumbled over his shoulder.
"Why are you here, Axel?" Riku demanded.
"No, I told you my name's…Agh, whatever, Axel, fine. Now let's get outta here!"
All of Xehanort's bodies began to fade, dark spots rising from now-translucent skin and clothes.
"We are out of time." Master Xehanort said. "Neither the union of light nor darkness has been achieved, and we must all return whence we came. But, the gathering of the seven and thirteen is nigh. Let us finish this at the fated place, once your lights and my darknesses have joined together!"
He vanished as well, and Ignus stared up at the empty chair. "Don't you worry, Master Xehanort." He said quietly. "We'll be there."
