KINGDOM HEARTS: SONIC VERSION

Chapter Eight: Cipher Strikes

Out in the desert, Sonic and his friends were making their way to the infamous Realgam Tower with Wes and Rui leading the way.

"So, how much longer until we reach this tower place?" Sonic asked.

"It shouldn't be long." Rui assured him. "We should be able to see the tower within ten minutes."

"Hopefully we can get there before lunch. I'm hungry." Storm said.

"You're always hungry." Silver stated. "For once, can you think with your head, not your stomach?"

Rui laughed at the conversation her new friends were having. Shortly she noticed the man riding next to her. Wes was quiet, really quiet. When you're around Wes for a long time, this would seem normal. But Rui knew Wes more then anyone. The only time he was this quiet was when something bad was about to happen.

"He really eats that much?" Sonic chuckled. "Its no wonder he's so fa..."

Silver suddenly slapped his hand over Sonic's mouth to shut him up.

"If you care about you life, you won't finish that sentence, idiot." Silver warned. "Trust me; you would not like Storm when he hears that word."

"Why?" Sonic asked. "What's he gonna do?"

Silver remained silent, still angry about their earlier spat. Just then, a gigantic fireball dropped from out of nowhere and landed in front of the group's course. Wes skillfully swerved his cycle around and came to a stop while the heroes fall off their Gear.

"Why is it always me?" Silver asked God.

The group was piled up with Silver on the bottom, Sonic in the middle, and Storm on top.

"Hahaha! Man, you sure know how to pick them, don't you, Wes?"

"You." Wes growled.

The heroes got from their little pileup and looked over to where Wes was conversing with their attacker. They were shocked to find out that their attacker was...Wes. Indeed their attacker was Wes and standing to his right was a red-black dog with two horns, a small skull pendent, and bones on its back.

"Two Wes'?" Storm questioned. "Oh, my head hurts."

"Rui, who is that?" Silver asked.

"That's Fein, a Cipher minion." Rui answered. "After we defeat Cipher a year ago, Fein disguised himself as Wes to ruin his reputation."

"And it looks like he's at it again." Wes said coolly.

"Aww, it's so good that you remember me." Fein said. "Now it's time for our little rematch."

"I have already defeated you once." Wes stated. "What makes you think that won't happen again?"

"I was anticipating that, so..." Fein smirked.

Fein raised his hands and snapped his fingers. The hero crew waiting for the copycat's attack, but noting happened.

"Uh...is that supposed to do something?" Sonic asked.

"Wes! Help!" Rui screamed.

The heroes looked back to see that Rui was grabbed by a giant Vulcus and was flying away.

"Rui!" Wes cried. "Skarmory, help Rui!"

Wes threw a pokeball that released large steel bird with a pointed beak and three red blades for wings. The steel bird known as Skarmory raced after the giant Vulcus until.

"Oh no, you don't." Fein remarked. "Houndoom, flamethrower!"

The dog creature called Houndoom ejected a stream of flames from its mouth that blew to the direction of Skarmory. The steel bird saw it coming and was able to push back far enough to avoid the attack, but at the price of losing Rui.

"What have you done with her?" Wes growled.

"If you want to find out, then you'll have to beat me in battle." Fein remarked.

"Fine!" Wes agreed angrily. "Skarmory, steel wing!"

The steel bird's wings glowed white and dived at the hellish canine.

"Using a steel type on a fire type? Man, you have really lost it." Fein remarked. "Houndoom, flamethrower!"

The fire hound once again released a stream of flames and sent it to Skarmory's direction.

"Just as I expected." Wes said lowly. "Now, Skarmory, sandstorm!"

Skarmory stopped in midair and flapped its wings to create a tornado of sand. The sandstorm blocked Houndoom's flamethrower instantly.

"What?!" Fein exclaimed.

"To make up for the type advantage, I use strategy." Wes smirked. "Now's your chance, Skarmory! Use steel wing!"

Just then, Skarmory flew straight through the sandstorm with its wings glowing brilliantly. Before Houndoom even had a chance to react, the steel bird brought its wing straight down on its forehead to promptly knock it out.

"Wha? No way!" Fein exclaimed.

With the battle finish, Wes recalled his pokemon after a job well done. Fein tried to run away, but Wes ran right in front of him and lifted him up into the air by the collar of his coat.

"Where is Rui?" Wes questioned. "Where is she? Who has her?"

"I-it's Nascour." Fein stuttered in fear. "Nascour has her at Realgam Tower."

"Who's Nascour?" Sonic asked.

"Nascour was the vice-president of Cipher until he took over after the real leader of Cipher, Evice, was placed behind bars." Wes informed the group. "If he has Rui, then that can't be good."

"There, I told you everything. Now can you please let me go?" Fein begged for mercy.

The group figured Wes wasn't the kind of guy to let this guy go off easily. But, to their surprise, Wes gently placed the imposter back on the ground. The fake seemed safe until Wes delivered a furious left hook to Fein's jaw and knocked him out.

"Come on. We've wasted enough time here." Wes stated.

Wes jumped on his cycle and took off without giving the others a chance to follow.

"Hey, wait up!" Sonic called.

The heroes quickly grabbed their Gear and took off after Wes in search of Rui and the mysterious Nascour.

Speaking of whom, Nascour was sitting in his new office he had acquired after Evice defeat at Realgam Tower. Standing on the other side of the desk was Rui being held with her hand behind her back by a taller and stronger version of the shadow heartless called neo shadows.

"Rui." Nascour started. "It has been so long since we have last seen each other."

"Not long enough." Rui said venomously.

"Ouch, that hurt." Nascour mocked. "It makes me sad that two old friends have to fight each other."

"We where never friends!" Rui exclaimed.

"Of course." Nascour said. "You were just a nuisance that had to be wiped out. And we would have done so if it hadn't been for that Snagem brat."

"You won't win!" Rui stated. "Wes will find you and rescue me!"

"I know." Nascour said. The evil minded man turned around in his chair to gaze out the office window. "We intended to use you as bait to draw Wes to us. What he doesn't realize is that we have a special surprise waiting for him."

"And that's where I come in." A new voice entered the conversation.

Rui looked in horror at the new person was. The man was bald and very muscular with a very long mustache and eyebrows. He wore a red sleeveless jacket, black pants, and two red gauntlets.

"Gonzap!" Rui exclaimed.

"Yes, I brought Wes' old boss to settle things." Nascour said. "Gonzap, Wes and some strange creatures will be arriving here shortly. Please do give them a very warm welcome."

"My pleasure." Gonzap chuckled evilly. "It'll be good to see the kid again. And this time will be the last.

At the base of the Tower, Sonic and the others were barely able to keep up with Wes and made it to Realgam Tower.

"Whoa! It's huge!" Storm shouted.

"Evice created it to draw wealthy aristocrats and rob them blind." Wes informed. "If I know Nascour, he will be holding Rui and the colloseum at the top of the tower."

"Ugh, why do bad guys always have to make the bases at the top of something?" Silver moaned.

The hero crew entered inside the tower and found themselves in the lobby. Last Wes had heard; the tower was turned into a gaming facility for trainers. But as the looked around the lobby, there wasn't a single trainer in sight.

"Where is everyone?" Wes questioned. "This place should be filled with trainers."

"Something tells me something bad is about to happen." Silver said cautiously.

"Wow, you must be psychic." Said a voice.

"Wait. I know that voice." Wes said silently. Wes and the others to see Gonzap coming down the clear glass elevator. "Gonzap!"

"It's been a while since you betrayed us, Wes." Gonzap said while cracking his knuckles.

"Let me guess, that's you old boss?" Sonic asked.

"Yeah." Wes answered. "He is not to be taken lightly. His pokemon are as strong as he is."

"This is it Wes, my boy." Gonzap said. "This time I will be the one who comes out victorious."

"I don't have time for you." Wes said. "Tell us, is Nascour keeping Rui at the top of the tower?"

"Yes, he is." Gonzap answered with a chuckle. "But if you want to get to him, you'll have to go through me first."

"Sonic." Wes whispered. "You and your friends use the elevator and head up to the tower and save Rui."

"But..."

"Sonic." Wes interrupted. "I am asking you this because I have trust in you. If you truly are the Keyblade master, then please, save Rui."

Sonic wanted to help Wes, but knew that his job was important too. From the start of this adventure, Sonic always said that his friends came first. But now, he is being asked to abandon one of friends for the sake of the world. Coming to a decision, Sonic nodded his head and ran over to the elevator. Gonzap made no attempt to stop them and let them head upwards.

"Now it's just you and me, kid." Gonzap sniggered. "Prepare to be punished. Go, Armaldo!"

Gonzap threw a pokeball and summoned a large blue dinosaur creature with heavy-duty plate armor and two blades for arms.

"Great! The one time I forget to bring a water pokemon." Wes mentally kicked himself. "Well, it's better then nothing. Go, Typhlosion!"

Wes threw a pokeball and summoned a black and tan bipedal creature that had a ring of flames on the back of its neck and shoulders.

"Fire against rock?" Gonzap laughed. "You're really losing it kid."

"You forget; I'm crafty." Wes smirked.

"True. Now, let's get things started." Gonzap said. "Armaldo, water gun!"

"What?!" Wes exclaimed in surprise.

Armaldo opened its mouth and unleashed a powerful jet of water aimed at Typhlosion.

"Typhlosion, dodge!" Wes ordered. Typhlosion jumped into the air just in time to avoid the attack. "Now, use smokescreen!" Typhlosion released an obscuring cloud of smoke from its mouth that covered the whole area. "Good. This will buy me some time until I can come up with a plan."

"Hah! If you think that will work, then think again!" Gonzap shouted. "Armaldo, water pulse!"

"But that's impossible!" Wes exclaimed.

Within the smog, Armaldo created a ball of water from its mouth and threw it to the ground. The ball transformed into a massive wave that not only took out the smoke, but nailed a direct hit on Typhlosion. Typhlosion was thrown back and landed in Wes' arms.

"Typhlosion, are you ok." Wes asked his pokemon. Typhlosion was ok, but looked sad at his loss. "It's ok. You did your best. That's all I can ask of you." With that, Wes returned Typhlosion to its pokeball.

"Hahahaha! You're out of luck, kid." Gonzap laughed. "As you can see, my Armaldo has become much stronger then last time we fought. No to make sure you don't interfere again. Armaldo, Metal claw!"

Armaldo's blade hand glowed white as it charged forward at Wes. Wes had no time to call another pokemon and was helpless. Wes covered his head with his arms to await the attack, but it never came. Wes removed his arms and found that Sonic had kicked the Jurassic beast back.

"Sonic, what are you doing here?" Wes asked.

"I told Silver already. My friends come first." Sonic smiled and gave a thumbs up. "Together we can beat this guy."

"Right." Wes nodded his head. "Listen this guy is tough. Be on your guard."

"Don't worry." Sonic smirked. "With you guiding me, I can't lose."

"All right, enough of this!" Gonzap shouted. "Armaldo, use water gun!"

Armaldo again shot a jet of water at Sonic.

"Sonic, you have to dodge!" Wes warned.

"No problem." Sonic said confidently.

Sonic quickly summoned his Keyblade and used its keychain ability to move away at a rapid speed.

"B-but that's impossible." Gonzap said shaking.

"Wow, I obviously underestimated you." Wes said. "We could use that to our advantage. Sonic, quick, use that speed of yours and get behind Armaldo!" Sonic nodded his head and used his speed to move behind Armaldo before they had a chance to spot him. "Now aim for his legs!"

Sonic reeled back his Keyblade and swung it towards Armaldo's short legs. Instead of using the blade, Sonic used bashed it with the hilt. On contact, Armaldo roared as its one weak spot was exposed and forced backwards on its back. With it heavy upper body and hurting legs, Armaldo was pinned to the ground.

"B-but how?" Gonzap questioned.

"A pokemon like that does not deserve a trainer like you." Wes stated. "Without Rui, I don't know if it's a shadow pokemon or not. But I do know it's too dangerous for you to have."

Wes placed a pokeball in his Snagem machine arm and threw it at the weakened Armaldo. The Armaldo was sucked in by the ball and returned into Wes' hand.

"You...snagged my Armaldo." Gonzap said in fear.

"Next, think before you act." Wes warned.

Gonzap fell to the floor in defeat while Wes and Sonic walked into the elevator. Wes pressed the button and moved the elevator to take them to the coliseum. During the ride, Wes seemed still while Sonic was twitchy around his human friend.

"Sonic, you didn't follow your orders." Wes said seriously.

"Well I..."

"Thank you." Wes interrupted.

Sonic was taken back at first, but just smiled as he finally received respect from his new friend. When they reached the top, they found themselves in a wide white arena. They were shocked to find that Silver and Storm were lying flat on the floor, battered and beaten.

"Silver! Storm!" Sonic cried as he ran to their side. "Guys, what happened?"

"That guy...he's...not human anymore." Silver gasped weakly. "His...heart...is gone."

"Aww, not that was a little mean, don't you think?"

The two remaining looked on the other side of the arena, showing his creepy smile.

"Nascour!" Wes growled. "What have you done to them? And where's Rui?"

"Who knows? Last I saw of here, a black creature with three eyes took her." Nascour said.

"Black creature with three eyes. Where does that sound familiar?" Silver thought.

"But he was kind enough to leave me a little gift." Nascour said.

Nascour snapped his fingers, which caused the arena to shake. The floor started to crack until it gave way to a monstrous creature. The creature was a pure black dragon-bird with white marks over its eyes.

"What is that?" Sonic asked.

"It's Lugia." Wes said.

"Correction. It's Shadow Lugia!" Nascour stated. "That three eyed creature transformed this once calm beast into a monster of mass destruction.

"Transforming a peaceful pokemon into a monster, that is something that I will never forgive!" Wes exclaimed. Wes threw two pokeballs to send out Espeon and Umbreon. "Sonic, in order to win, we must work together. Are you with me?"

Always." Sonic said.

"Attack!" Nascour ordered.

Lugia flew low and attempted to smash the heroes with its wing. Sonic and Wes were able to grab Silver and Storm before Lugia crashed through the floor.

"That thing is way strong." Sonic stated. "How can we beat something like that?"

"Hmm. Espeon, Umbreon." Wes called for his pokemon's attention. "Keep on attacking it until I can spot a weak point."

The two pokemon brothers nodded their heads and charged at the shadow beast. Sonic followed their example and summoned his Keyblade. Espeon created a purple ray from the gem in its head while Umbreon kept disappearing and head butting the beast. Sonic also tried slashing it with his Keyblade, but everything proven futile. Lugia became quickly annoyed and flapped its wings to shake them off.

"This thing's unstoppable." Sonic said.

Lugia summoned up a ball of dark energy in its mouth and hurled it towards Sonic. Sonic was paralyzed with fear and could not move. When all had seemed Lost, Silver jumped out of nowhere and pushed Sonic out of the way.

"Silver, you saved me." Sonic said surprisingly.

"Hey, what are friends?" Silver smirked before fainting.

"He has only delay the inevitable." Nascour stated. "Lugia has become a heartless monster. Nothing can stop him."

"If that is true, then we have no choice." Wes said solemnly. "Sonic, you know what we must do!" Sonic nodded his head sadly once he realized Wes' plan. "Forgive me, Lugia. Umbreon, confuse ray!"

Umbreon's eyes glowed purple, with had the same effect on Lugia. Lugia swerved around in a daze.

"Now's our chance. Espeon, use psychic to lift Sonic into the air!"

Espeon nodded its head and it eyes glowed blue and created an aura around Sonic. Sonic felt himself being lifted off the ground and thrown into the air towards Lugia's head.

"I'm sorry about this." Sonic said.

Sonic raised his Keyblade and hesitantly pulled it down to stab Lugia in the skull. Wes' heart broke as he watched a pokemon die with his own eyes. Sonic jumped off Lugia and landed next to Silver and Storm. Lugia fell aimlessly as its red eyes returned to normal and smiled, knowing it was finally free. Unfortunately for Nascour, Lugia fell towards his direction and had no chance to run, there by crushing him.

"So, it's finally over." Silver said.

"Yeah." Storm replied.

Wes walked over to the dead Lugia and allowed his head to fall. He might not look like it, but he loved pokemon. Killing one really hurt him. Sonic walked over to help Wes.

"Wes, are you ok?" Sonic asked. "I know it was hard, but it had to be done."

"I have no regrets." Wes said. Sonic looked confused. "All pokemon that exist are our friends. But, this one lost its heart. Without a heart, Lugia lost his way into the darkness and lost sight of the light. The light was friendship. Without a heart, you have no friends."

Sonic and Silver looked at each other with apologetic looks on their faces.

"Silver, I'm...sorry about earlier." Sonic apologized.

"I am deeply sorry as well." Silver returned.

Strom ran up to them and wrapped them in a big hug.

"All for one, right?" Strom asked.

"Hey, what's with the screen?" Wes asked.

The large video screen at the edge of the arena glowed brightly until it revealed a large keyhole. Just then, Sonic's Keyblade started to move of its own will and shot a beam at the keyhole. A loud clicking noise filled the air and the keyhole disappeared, leaving behind a Gear.

"A gear!" Silver exclaimed.

"But it's not the kings." Storm said sadly.

Just then, Plusle came out of nowhere and started snuggling against Silver's leg.

"Look's like someone has a new admirer." Wes joked for the first time.

"What?" Silver started to panic. "No way! Blaze would turn me to ashes." Everyone laughed at Silver's expense as he tried to pry the little mouse off his leg.

Meanwhile, Black Doom, Zant, and Captain Whisker were watching the heroes through the squid eye.

"What drew the heartless to that world?" Zant asked.

"The criminal did." Black Doom answered. "It was his lust for power that was the bait. But the bait was too tasty for his own good."

"Yeah." Whisker said. "He got crushed instead."

"A weak hearted fool like him could never control the heartless." Zant stated. "But the rat is a problem. He's found one of the keyholes."

"Fear not." Black Doom assured him. "It will take him ages to find the rest. Beside, he doesn't realize our other plans."

Yes, the princesses." Zant said.

"Princesses?" Whisker questioned.

With a snap of his fingers, Black Doom lit the room to reveal a shocking discovery to Whisker. Incased in a crystal case was Rui, along with the pink haired girl and the pink dragon from Sonic's dreams. The other two was a young girl with short green hair and long pointed ears. She wore purple pants, pink shirt, and goggles on her head. The other was a fourteen year-old girl with braided brunet hair and wore arctic clothing.

"As you can see, we have traveled to the dragon world, the precursor world, the avatar world, and the ninja world. All in the pursuit of finding them." Black Doom said. "With this new addition, we only need two more. Don't fail me, Zant."

"Failure is not an option." Zant stated.

Back at Wes' base, Sonic and his friends returned after their mission, but Wes still seemed down.

"So, you're leaving now?" Silva asked.

"Afraid so." Storm said. "But don't worry, we'll be back."

"You better come back." Wes said. "This is going to hurt my pride, but..." Wes walked up to the heroes and bowed to them. "Please, bring Rui back safely."

"Don't worry, we will." Sonic gave his signature thumbs up. "It's a promise."

Wes stood up and smiled for the first in a long time. Wes reached into his pocket and placed and item in Sonic's hand. It was a keychain shaped Lugia.

"A keychain?" Sonic asked.

"The kings thought it might bring good luck to you and your Keyblade." Wes said.

Sonic switch the keychains and watched as his Keyblade transformed into a white long blade with purple appendages sticking out at the end and two wings circling the handle.

"Cool!" Sonic exclaimed. "I can't wait to see what power this one has!"

"Farewell, my friends." Wes said one last time.

After saying their goodbyes, the three heroes took off on their Gear and made their way to the next world.

"Guess that trip was worth something after all." Silver said.

"And it was all thanks to me." Sonic said smugly.

"Eh, you got lucky." Silver said.

"No way!" Sonic yelled. "It was my natural skill and you know it!"

"You mean the skill to get us killed?" Silver replied.

"Why I oughta..."

Silver and Sonic were once again fighting and Storm shook his head in disappointment.

"Here we go again." Storm said.

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