Chapter Six: Seekers of Darkness
The two met in the middle of the beach, keyblades clashing once again, for the final time.
Riku bounced away from the Sentiment, ducking under its first slash and stabbing his keyblade into its stomach, scratching the armor and doing little else. The Sentiment swung its blade again, aiming to decapitate Riku but the teen dodged again and slashed its back, tearing a huge gash in its cape. The Sentiment spun, swinging its keyblade at the same time it tore the rest of its cape off. Riku back flipped away and thrust his hand up, black fireballs striking the Sentiments chest.
The armor took the attack and wasn't fazed, charging through the smoke to swing its blade at Riku who dodged to the right of the Sentiment and raised his own blade to retaliate- When the Sentiment's other hand grasped the hilt of its keyblade and tore the weapon into two, swinging and blocking Riku's attack before thrusting the other blade at Riku's head. The teen managed to duck in time, a few silver hairs fluttering as the blade cut through them easily.
Riku jumped back and away from the Sentiment, twirling his sword and reassuming is fighter's stance. The Sentiment slammed his blades together and slid them across each other, sparks flying dangerously. "I've had bad luck with duel wielders," Riku noted dryly to himself.
The Sentiment pulled its blades back and charged, swinging both in an 'x' shaped cross chop. Riku dodged to the right and the Sentiment slowed into a crouch before swinging the blade in its right hand, aimed for Riku's ribs. Riku blocked with his barrier, and this time it held though Riku was pushed back, feet sliding through the sand. Riku shot forward keyblade slamming into the side of the Sentiment's helmet.
The Sentiment's head jerked, metal denting and the armor swung its blades rapidly, trying to overwhelm Riku. And succeeding. Riku could barely dodge or block the rapid assault of blades and before long he was forced to jump away from the Sentiment to catch his breath. Unlike Riku however, the Sentiment didn't require the need to breath and leapt after him, blades pulled back in a lethal swing. Riku gasped and ducked, rolling away, the sand flying as the beach beneath his feet took the intended deathblow.
Panting, Riku backed up from the Sentiment, thinking over his next move carefully as the Sentiment rose to look at him and began approaching slowly.
Not far away, on the same island where the three young friends had sat on the bent tree, Sora, Kairi, the king and Donald and Goofy all watched, all grimacing with worry and tense. Kairi looked at Sora and saw he had raised his hand slightly, fist clenched and shaking. Frowning, she put her hand on his shoulder, trying to sooth him with the gentle touch. Sora's hand gradually stopped shaking and lowered a little. Then he placed his hand over hers and Kairi smiled.
"Gwarsh," Goofy whispered as the Sentiment lunged, twin blades swinging. Riku dodged and shot forward slashing rapidly at the Sentiment's chest. Goofy, "Terra and Riku ain't holdin' back. Riku better be careful." Donald gave Goofy a glare. Donald, "Stupid! Nobody can beat Riku twice!"
Mickey sighed loudly, teeth clenching, fingers rapping against the sides of his arms. Next to Sora, the king was watching the battle below with perfect focus. He followed every swing, dodge and blast of magic, never missing a thing.
Back below, the battle went on, the Sentiment swinging its blades so fast they were blurs but Riku dodged and countered, denting and chipping some of the living armors body, small bits that it hardly noticed.
The Sentiment swung its blades again but Riku saw easily dodged the attack. He smirked at the Sentiment. Riku, "This guy I fought a while back, was way better with two blades than you." The Sentiment drew itself up, poised and tensed to attack but Riku was quicker this time. He swung his keyblade twice, the tip denting its stomach and the blunt side nailing the Sentiment square in the jaw, before Riku leapt into the air and dived down, keyblade reversed and piercing the ground. A shockwave of power hurled the Sentiment back, causing it to trip and stumble before righting itself.
Riku smirked and aimed his keyblade back at the Sentiment.
Above, Donald, Goofy and Kairi cheered, Donald and Goofy jumping in joy. But Sora and Mickey remained tense. Sora whispered, "Don't underestimate him Riku…"
The Sentiment cocked its head and looked down at its swords. It looked back up at Riku, slowly twirling the blades. Riku readied himself in case the Sentiment started to charge but strangely it remained in place, just twirling its blades. Soon the spinning grew faster, building and building until they were whirlwind blurs. Then, light flashed, cubes spun and the swords became whips. Whips that shot out and struck Riku across the chest so hard he was sent flying back right into a stone wall, which crumpled from the force that propelled Riku into it.
The Sentiment cracked its whips across the beach, sand flying in the air.
Donald's beak had dropped before shutting, eyes closing as the mage squealed angrily. "Whaaa! Whips? Whips! What can't this guy turn that keyblade of his into?"
Sora and Mickey shook their heads. "Believe me," Sora began. "You don't wanna know." Mickey finished
The Sentiment lowered its arms, dragging the whips as it walked toward Riku. The silver haired teen meanwhile had dislocated himself from the wall and scrambled up in time as the Sentiment reached him. Riku thrust his arm out, black fire gathering but the Sentiment was quicker this time, its own arm whipping out, the metal chain wrapping around the teens arm and yanking, pulling Riku off balance. The Sentiment quickly swung its second hip around Riku's other arm and with a powerful yank tossed the keyblader over its shoulders and into the beach. Riku didn't have a chance to catch his breath as he was yanked again and thrown over near the small waterfall and no sand was there to cushion his fall.
The whips pulled back and Riku dragged himself up, coughing and spitting blood.
Sora was gritting his teeth and his gaze was shooting from Riku, to the Sentiment and finally to the king. Sora looked down at the king, who remained silent and impassive, watching the fight with intense focus. Sora, "If this keeps up I am going to stop it."
The king didn't reply for a moment. Then, he looked up at Sora, a smirk on his face. Mickey, "That's disappointing Sora." Sora flinched. The king returned his gaze to the battle below, still smirking.
Riku had regained his balance, watching the Sentiment coil it's whips around its arms and slowly approach Riku.
Mickey, "You of all people, Sora, should know Riku never gives up. And never loses."
Riku slashed his blade widely, hoping to slice the Sentiment across the chest but the armor weaved to the left and its fist shot out, nailing Riku right in the cheek and sending the teen reeling, barely managing to stay up. The Sentiment closed in punching Riku in the stomach and then backhanding before he had a chance to get his breath. Riku doubled over, coughing and grunting in pain. The Sentiment grabbed Riku's long hair and jerked him up, electing a cry of surprise and pain before he was silenced when the Sentiment's armored kneecap shot up, striking the teen in the jaw. Riku went limp in the Sentiment's grip.
His fingers loosened and Riku's Way to Dawn fell into the ground, clattering quietly.
The Sentiment peered into Riku's bloody, beaten face before looking at the freshwater pool and then slowly looking back at Riku. Tightening it's grip on Riku's hair, its other hand grabbed him by the back of his vest and the armor tossed him into the pool, water splashing everywhere, some of it tinting red as Riku entered. Everyone on the other island, save Mickey, had an expression of horrified shock on their faces, jaws and beak dropped. Only Mickey, oddly enough, still had his smirk of knowing.
The Sentiment let its arms go lax and the whips uncoiled, pooling on the ground near its feet. Light flashed and cubes danced and the whips became blades again. The Sentiment raised them and they rejoined seamlessly, becoming the dangerous looking keyblade once more. Balancing its long weapon across its shoulder, the Sentiment slowly approached the pool, savoring its victory and tightening its grip on the hilt of its keyblade.
Sora watched in outraged horror as the Sentiment continued its approach. His head turned quickly between the Sentiment and the calm looking king rapidly before Sora began to shake in rage and frustration. Kairi moved over to him, attempting to calm him down but he brushed past her and glared down at Mickey.
Sora's anger was only fueled as he saw Mickey's smirk widen, and the king actually seemed to be trying to fight off the urge to laugh. Sora, "How can you just stand there grinning? It's going to kill him! Don't you see that?"
Mickey shook his head, still grinning. Sora cried in rage and his hand shot out, Kingdom Key appearing in a flash. He was poised to lunge down below when Mickey finally spoke up. Mickey, "Sora, don't bother. Riku's about to begin his counterattack."
Sora stopped and looked at the king, a confused expression his face. Kairi bit her lower lip while Donald and Goofy exchanged worried glances. Mickey smiled and said with assurance, "Riku's in control. He's had a plan since this battle started. Watch."
Down below, the Sentiment had reached the pool, which was a murky red and obscured any view of Riku. The Sentiment however saw no bubbles on the surface and this told it that Xehanort was no longer breathing. Still, better safe than sorry.
The Sentiment pulled its arm up and back, keyblade poised to pierce down and through the water, then flesh and bone, and hopefully Xehanort's black heart.
The Sentiment tensed, preparing to stab down-
The water churned, then boiled all in less than a split second. The Sentiment had no time to prepare itself as the water exploded and a huge black fireball the size of a small boulder exploded in its face. Charred and smoking, the armor staggered back, visor smashed, hand covering it like it had been blinded.
A dark shape shot up from the steaming water and Riku briefly floated over the Sentiment, Way to Dawn in his hand where it belonged and held reversed. Without a cry but a fierce look of rage etched on his face, Riku shot down like a meteor and stabbed the Sentiment in-between the shoulder. The armor stumbled, unprepared but undamaged, quickly regaining is balance.
Before it could even attempt to attack, Riku pulled back and stabbed back down, right in the same spot. This time, the armor chipped and cracked a little, the Sentiment stumbling and slower to right itself. Riku bounced back even higher into the air this time and the Sentiment raised its keyblade, holding it flat against its palm like a shield. Riku shot back down with almost five times as much force as the first attack and the Sentiment braced itself-
Futilely.
Riku slammed against the Sentiment's keyblade and knocked it away easily, the huge weapon spinning through the air. Riku continued his descent and straight down onto that cracked spot between the Sentiment's neck and shoulder-
Larger pieces of burned metal chipped off as the blade of the Way to Dawn pierced through the Sentiment's armor for the first time. The Sentiment stumbled and staggered away, freeing itself from the blade and trying to raise its other arm to knock Riku back. Too late though, as Riku quickly raised his keyblade and spun, the whirlwind slash cutting across the Sentiment's helmet and knocking it flat on its back. The armor feebly tried to rise back up but froze as Riku's blade aimed right at its smashed and scarred visor, sunlight glinting off the angel wing tip.
The Sentiment's own keyblade stopped spinning and jammed itself into the sand not far away.
The Sentiment remained frozen, arms slightly raised, staring into Riku's sweaty face. Neither moved. Then, the armor slowly went lax. Finally, it collapsed into the sand, arms spread out, head lolling a little.
Defeated.
Riku allowed himself a sigh of relief.
Above on the smaller island, the others were more vocal. Sora and Kairi jumped in joy before embracing. Donald and Goofy jumped and pumped their fists in the air, laughing in happiness. Only Mickey remained tense, arms still crossed. He was watching Riku and the Sentiment below closely. The next move on Riku's part decided this battle.
Riku still had his keyblade pointed at the Sentiment, even though the armor lay limp and broken.
To the Sentiment, it appeared Xehanort had at last won. Honor was lost, vengeance stolen, strength and keyblade defeated. The Sentiment had nothing.
Aqua…Ven…I have failed you…
Riku stared at the Sentiment, wondering what he should do next. What could he do? He had limited options and couldn't afford to waste time thinking.
In the end, the choice was clear and final.
Riku tightened his grip on the Way to Dawn.
Sora and Kairi watched, still holding onto each other. Kairi whimpered in pity for the Sentiment and buried her face in Sora's chest, not wanting to see the armor's end. Donald and Goofy had frowns on their faces before looking away as well. Only Sora and Mickey continued to watch, both holding their breaths.
The Sentiment glared up at Riku, body tense and defiant.
The Way to Dawn lowered slowly.
Sora, Donald and Goofy gasped. Kairi hesitantly looked up and her eyes widened. Mickey smiled.
The Sentiment stared in complete shock.
Riku held his hand to it.
Riku smiled down on the Sentiment, hand out as if to help it up.
Riku spoke with a friendly and calm tone, "Battles over. Let's get you fixed up and out of here."
The cheers from the other island were almost twice as loud as before. Sora and Kairi laughed in happiness while Donald, Goofy and even Mickey hopped up and down in joy, laughing. Mickey smiled down at Riku with pride.
"You did it," the king whispered.
None was more shocked than the Sentiment itself. Xehanort's smirk was gone, replaced by a truly sincere smile, gloved hand offered out as if to pull it up. What was this? It was all-wrong and made no sense. Xehanort would never spare the Sentiment, so why-
The Sentiment froze.
It happened slowly.
Xehanort's form seemed to clear up and began to fade away. In the old man's place…
Was a young teen with familiar silver hair and a smile on his face.
Could it be…?
The Sentiment hesitated for the third time in a row. And then, slowly, it raised its hand as well.
Sora, Kairi and the king smiled, while Donald and Goofy leaned closer, both tense and holding their breath.
The Sentiment's dented and rusted hand slipped into Riku's and-
Riku gasped, eyes widening in surprise. He jerked back, keyblade slipping out of his hand and into the sand. Riku clutched his chest and screamed in pain. Everyone on the other island gasped in horror, the king in particular.
The Sentiment staggered to it's feet, watching Riku writhe in agony, clutching his chest as if his heart was about to be ripped out. The wind began to pick up, whirling and howling around them. Black clouds covered the blue sky, plunging the Destiny Islands into darkness. Donald, Goofy and Kairi looked around in confusion and horror. Sora and Mickey however could not tear their horrified gazes away from Riku. The teen had collapsed to his knees, groaning in pain, wind swirling around him. The Sentiment saw its keyblade not far away and raised its hand. Light flashed and cubes swirled, the long weapon reappearing in the Sentiment's hand. The Sentiment returned its gaze to Riku, whose groaning was louder and more pain filled, the wind failing to drown them out. Suddenly, the wind grew stronger and louder and Riku tossed his head back, arms thrown out as he screamed in terror and pain.
Geysers of darkness burst forth from the ground, consuming Riku, obscuring him from anyone's view. Kairi, Donald and Goofy looked away, screaming in fear while Sora grunted and shielded his eyes. Only Mickey could keep watching albeit with a terrified expression on his face. The Sentiment ignored the streams of black lightning, the bolts of darkness bouncing off its cracked armor like paper balls. Finally, after several moments, the geysers of darkness dissipated and faded away, the wind slowing but the clouds remained.
The Sentiment's helmet rose slowly, glaring at the floating figure before it.
Clad in a silver coat with yellow and red trimmings and black shoulder pads, black pants and boots, white gloves covering his arms, bronzed chest revealed with a Heartless Emblem on it, long white silver hair flowing, three stylized crowns on it, one of both sides and the top of his head, yellow eyes glaring and lips curled into a smirk o f triumph. The Sentiment glared at the floating figure and snarled, "Xehanort…"
"Actually," the new being purred, "It's Ansem now."
Ansem, the Seeker of Darkness, had returned.
The dark being floated about three feet above the beach and crossed his arms, sneering down at the Lingering Sentiment. The Sentiment was hunched and tense, gripping its keyblade tightly, fighting the urge to rush over and cleave 'Ansem' in two.
Ansem looked the Sentiment over before shaking his head in disappointment and 'tsking'. Ansem, "What a sorry sight you are…Terra." That made the Sentiment freeze. Then it charged, screaming silently as it leapt, blade pulled back to chop Ansem's head off-
A huge black fist struck the Sentiment right in the jaw and sent it flying back, hitting the beach and lying knocked over.
Ansem's Guardian Heartless appeared behind its master, grinning wildly and flexing its arms. The Sentiment rose up, shaking its head before glaring at Ansem and his Guardian. The Heartless dictator merely laughed, his Guardian throwing several crescent shaped blasts of darkness at the Sentiment. The armor reversed its keyblade, holding the blade flat and blocking the blasts, albeit it was pushed back doing so. The Sentiment swung its blade out deflecting one blast of crescent energy back at Ansem. The Heartless grunted, staggering back in the air. The Sentiment took its chance and leapt blade swinging.
Ansem recovered and his Guardian's arms shot up, catching the blade. The armor and Heartless struggled, strengths and wills grappling. The Guardian cackled and yanked the Sentiment to the side, causing it to stumble and the Guardian backhanded it hard sending the Sentiment flying into another stonewall, crumbling it instantly.
Sora and Mickey exchanged nods and their keyblades appeared in their hands. Sora, "Hang on Terra!"
The two leapt, blades pulled back to smash Ansem's face in-
And slammed into an invisible wall, grunting and bouncing off. Sora hit the water while Mickey landed on his feet. Mickey looked at the air in front of him, eyes widening in horror as it glowed blue. A barrier.
Ansem floated closer to the Sentiment and paused, looking over at Mickey and smirking. Ansem's form flickered and Riku's face was briefly seen, smirking like Ansem before the Heartless usurper reappeared. He gave Mickey a wave before looking at the Sentiment. Mickey slammed his fist and keyblade against the barrier in outrage.
The Sentiment shot up and faced Ansem. The Heartless sneered and was surrounded by purple and blue energy, charging at the Sentiment. The armor held its blade up flat and knocked Ansem back, stumbling the Heartless and allowing the Sentiment to slash twice, hitting Ansem across his chest. The Heartless slid back and snarled. The Guardian threw more crescent blasts and the Sentiment wasn't fast enough to dodge or reflect them, its armor was sliced and charred by multiple hits. Stumbling back, the armor was off guard and the Guardian and Ansem shot over. "Submit!" Ansem roared and the Guardian reared back, lunging as it punched the Sentiment hard in the helmet. Staggered, the Sentiment couldn't move in time as the Guardian melted into the ground and lunged up behind the armor, grabbing its arms. Ansem grabbed the Sentiment by its helmet and dark power shot from the Guardian and Ansem, electrocuting it and burning it at the same time. The Sentiment jerked and spasmed in their grip. Ansem sneered, peering closely into the Sentiment's visor as the armor jerked and shook, dark power coursing through it and sparking off randomly.
The Sentiment's hand flailed and its keyblade dropped into the beach. Ansem smirked, thinking victory assured. Then the Sentiment's arms shot up, grabbing the Heartless by his head and slamming its helmet into him, smashing his nose and snapping his head back. Ansem staggered back, crying out in pain. The Sentiment slammed its elbow into the Guardian and freed itself from the Guardians grip. The Sentiment kicked Ansem in the chest, knocking the Heartless further back, allowing the armor to pick its keyblade up and twirl around and lunge forward, stabbing through the Guardians chest. The Guardian grunted and jerked, looking at its pierced chest. It looked into the Sentiments visor… and smirked. The Guardian melted into the ground and reappeared behind Ansem, cackling. Ansem however, wasn't laughing but glaring at the living armor. The Sentiment glared back, twirling its keyblade.
The Sentiment charged and leapt swinging, only to be blocked by the Guardians huge arms and shoved back. Back flipping the Sentiment righted itself and charged, weaving through streams of dark lightning while Ansem and his Guardian floated calmly. The Sentiment slashed rapidly and Ansem dodged with ease before leaping back when the Sentiment tried to impale him. The Sentiment reversed its keyblade and threw it. The weapon spun and Ansem sneered, Guardian deflecting it easily. The blade landed in the sand sticking up. The sentiment started to run over but Ansem teleported in front of it. The Guardian threw a punch and the Sentiment jumped back and away. Ansem laughed. "My strength returns…"
The Heartless dictator glowed and his Guardian melted into the ground. The Sentiment sprinted, dodging the Guardian as it randomly burst from the ground, shockwaves of power threatening to strike the Sentiment. "What can you accomplish?" Ansem mocked as the Sentiment ran. "Do not deny the darkness in your heart and the sin in your soul…" The Sentiment kept dodging, running for its keyblade, hand outstretched for the hilt-
Ansem and his Guardian appeared between the Sentiment and its keyblade again, glowing brightly and menacingly. Ansem stretched his arms out, screaming in victory, "Darkness will consume all!" Lightning, shockwaves and geysers of dark power erupted from where Ansem floated, the Heartless laughing as the Sentiment was struck by the full brunt of the attack. The armor staggered, smoking and charred even more, cracked and dented badly. The mighty creature collapsed to its knees, arms falling limp to its sides. Ansem laughed. Mickey screamed, slamming his fist against against the barrier.
Ansem floated over the Sentiment and his Guardian grabbed it by the arms, lifting the armor up and glaring into its broken visor. Ansem, "Ten years of loneliness and despair, brooding over memories, with little nothing else. Thankfully, it's finally ending Terra."
The Sentiment's head rose, glaring back at Ansem. Before the Guardian could do anything the Sentiment's arms rose up and knocked the Guardian and Ansem back. It spun, leg raising and kicking Ansem away from its keyblade. The Sentiment grabbed its weapon and spun it, holding the keyblade reversed. Light flashed and cubes danced once more.
Ansem shied away from the light, growling in annoyance. He looked up Guardian rearing back to attack- When both froze, jaws dropping. The Sentiment held up with both hands, a huge cannon with spinning gears on it. The barrel glowed, energy gathering.
Mickey's eyes widened and he whirled, running away from the barrier. Mickey, "TAKE COVER!"
Sora grabbed Kairi and ducked, shielding her with his body. Donald and Goofy jumped behind a large rock while Mickey dived under the water.
The Sentiment's Ultima Cannon fired and the blast didn't shoot at Ansem, it exploded around both of them. Bright lights flashed and the whole island shook. Ansem's barrier cracked and shattered in short order. Kairi screamed as wind and sand blew past them, the sand superheating into glass and scratching her exposed arms and legs. Sora gritted his teeth, ignoring the heat and glass. Donald and Goofy screamed in terror while Mickey hissed under water as it boiled.
The light faded gradually, revealing the Sentiment in a crater of smoking glass, cannon still held over its head. The Sentiment lowered its arms and cubes danced, the cannon becoming a keyblade once more. Ansem was on his knees, Guardian fading away into black mist. The Sentiment stared at Ansem, whose own form was melting away into black mist, revealing a battered and bloodied Riku in his place. Riku fell flat on his face, unconscious.
Sora chanced a look, eyes squinting through the smoke. He gasped upon seeing Riku and screamed his name.
Suddenly, the black mist left behind by Ansem and his Guardian, gathered around Riku. The mist formed a portal, tendrils of darkness dragging the teen under. Sora screamed, "NO!" and raced over, arm outstretched to grab Riku-
The Sentiment beat him to it and grabbed Riku by the collar.
The dark tendrils lunged, wrapping around the Sentiment's arm and dragging it down with Riku. Sora ran over at full speed but it was too late. Darkness consumed the Sentiment and Riku, dragging them into realms unknown. Sora stood around the destroyed beach and looked wildly around. Sora looked at the black clouds, grim and forboding, offering no salvation and no hope for his friend whatsoever.
Perpetual darkness surrounded them, but there was plenty of light around them to illuminate the station they stood on.
The Sentiment stood over the unconscious body of Riku. The two were on a large glass station, much like a stained glass window in a church or cathedral. Imprinted on the glass was an image of Riku, eyes closed, keyblade held in one hand and two cards in the other. One card held a picture of a smiling Sora, the other a winking Kairi. The Sentiment stood over Riku, keyblade held out as it surveyed the endless darkness.
A mocking laughter echoed out from the darkness.
The Sentiment gripped its keyblade tightly, fists shaking. Hiss like moans rose from inside its throat.
"Xehanort…"
The laughter ceased. The voice that spoke was a scolding old rasp like leaves rustling as they burned.
"When addressing your teacher…You shall always refer to him as 'Master'."
The Sentiment hunched over, keyblade shaking.
Obscured by darkness, a hunched and feeble looking figure slowly emerged. Clad in a silver and black coat, wearing black boots and pants, white gloves and a buttoned up white shirt, a bald old man emerged. And etched on his ancient features was a smile.
A smile that did not offer any friendship. Only cruelty, despair and the promise of a slow painful demise.
The Sentiment raised its keyblade and knew, that it had finally, found its true enemy.
Master Xehanort crossed his hands behind his back and smiled, glaring at the Sentiment with his horrible yellow eyes.
