Chapter 10: The Fall of the Giants
Destiny Islands
"This is crazy! What are we going to do? How are we supposed to beat these things?" asked Donald.
"Sora, haven't you fought these things before?" asked Kairi. "I've fought the Darkside three times before. However, once was in a dream. But I never fought it alongside that giant Nobody out there," said Sora.
"It's called a Twilight Thorn. They're probably the most powerful kind of Nobody that isn't human in form," explained Mickey. "Thanks. I'm sure now that we know what its name is, it'll be easier to beat it," said Riku sarcastically.
Almost on cue, the long arm of the Twilight Thorn reached in through the cave entrance. The heroes flattened themselves against the cave wall as the Nobody's hand felt around for them. "Whatever we're going to do, we need to think of it and fast!" shouted Riku.
"I know how to deal with the Darkside. If we can get up to its head, we can inflict major damage. Whenever I fought it, I ran up its arms. But back then it didn't have the Twilight Thorn fighting alongside it so I don't think that opportunity is going to happen," said Sora.
"If we were in Neverland, ya could fly up to the head," said Goofy. "But we're not in Neverland, ya big palooka!" shouted Donald.
Suddenly, an idea popped into Mickey's head. "Goofy, I think your idea is a good one!" he exclaimed. "Huh?" asked Donald.
"We may not be able to fly. But we can come up with something pretty close. Sora can glide up to the Darkside's head if he activates his Final Form," said Mickey.
"My Drive Forms! I can't believe I forgot about them! Donald, Goofy, you don't mind sitting out the battle while I borrow your powers for my Final Form, do you?" asked Sora.
"No problem, Sora. If we can help you finish off that monster, Donald and I will be glad to help," said Goofy. "Always have to do things on your own, do you Sora?" asked Donald although he was smiling as he said it.
"What about the Twilight Thorn?" asked Riku. "Well, that I can't say. You see, I've never faced that type of Nobody before. Although, it does look vaguely familiar," said Sora.
"Maybe the head is its weak spot as well. But how are we supposed get up to it?" asked Kairi.
"While Sora engages the Darkside, I have no doubt the Twilight Thorn will try to stop him. When that happens, then we'll make our move. Riku, you lead the charge," said Mickey. "Got it," responded Riku.
"Only one problem. How are we going to get out of here?" asked Kairi. She indicated the arm of the Twilight Thorn which was still feeling around for them.
"Donald, would you care to make things a little hot to handle for the Twilight Thorn?" asked Mickey with a smile. "Gladly, your Majesty," said Donald as he pointed his staff at the Twilight Thorn.
A fireball burst out of the staff and struck the Twilight Thorn's hand. The giant Nobody recoiled its hand in pain.
"Let's do it!" yelled Sora as he ran out of the cave. As he beheld the two enemies, he began to concentrate and then shouted out, "Give me strength!"
Immediately, Sora's clothes burst into white light while within the cave, Donald and Goofy vanished. When the light died down, Sora's clothes had turned completely white. Two Keyblades, Oathkeeper and Oblivion floated aside him.
Moving as if he was walking on air, he ran by the Twilight Thorn. It attempted to stop the powered up Keyblade master by firing down streams of energy that resembled branches of thorns. But Sora avoided each of them and made his way to the Darkside.
The Darkside did not stand by while Sora made his approach. It responded by firing energy blasts from the heart shaped cavity in its body. But with the powers of the Final Form, Sora easily dodged them and leapt into the air. He then glided right toward the face of the Darkside.
With a gesture of his hands, Sora directed the Keyblades to pummel the Darkside in the face. Unable to get its bearings, the Darkside was helpless against Sora's relentless onslaught.
As Mickey had predicted, the Twilight Thorn turned its attention away from the cave and toward Sora. It raised its elastic arms in preparation to grab the young boy hovering in the air. It never saw what happened next.
Riku charged out of the cave and leapt onto the Twilight Thorn's back. Its back was at an angle so that he could run up it. Preoccupied with trying to rescue its companion, it never noticed Riku's presence until it was too late.
Upon reaching the Twilight Thorn's neck, Riku plunged his Keyblade into it. The Twilight Thorn flailed its arms wildly as the pain caused it to lose its balance. It fell down to its chest.
"Now Kairi! Let's get it!" called out Mickey as he and Kairi ran out of the cave. Pluto opted to stay behind since the Twilight Thorn was out of his league.
Kairi and Mickey made their way to the Twilight Thorn's head and began to beat on it with their Keyblades. Riku participated as well.
The tide of battle had turned again. The Darkside and the Twilight Thorn who had earlier had the Keybearers and their friends on the run were now at their mercy. But as everyone knew, creatures of their kind deserved no mercy.
After a series of attacks from three Keybearers, the Twilight Thorn finally gave in. Riku jumped off and joined his friends as they witnessed the Nobody fade away into darkness.
Riku and Kairi cheered while up at the cave's entrance, Pluto barked happily. Mickey however, was not cheering.
"Don't celebrate yet. Sora may need our help with the Darkside," said Mickey. Riku and Kairi nodded and turned to face the Darkside. But before they attacked, Riku said, "I think he's got things under control."
It was true. Sora had been fighting the Darkside and beating its head with his two Keyblades. Finally, the Darkside began to flail in the air as its body began to dissolve.
Sora halted his attack and fell to the ground. Just as soon as he landed, his clothes became black again and the two Keyblades vanished leaving his Kingdom Key in his hand. At the same time, Donald and Goofy reappeared at his sides.
Everyone's attention was focused as the Darkside moved erratically in some feeble attempt to fight the forces that were causing it to dissolve. Its efforts were in vain as it, like its Nobody ally, faded away.
The battle was over. The heroes had won. The Destiny Islands were now, for the time being, safe.
The World That Never Was
"Arrgh! I can't believe it! They won!" shouted Pete in fury. "Indeed, they did. Their teamwork is just as strong despite being apart for awhile," said Maleficent.
"Worry not, my friends. I never sent that squadron to the islands with intention to succeed. They were messengers and the message has been received. The darkness is rising again and it has new abilities that they can't begin to comprehend. We'll let them enjoy the small victories they can get. But in the end, the darkness will swallow them all," said Xehanort.
With Xehanort's words, the tension in Pete and Maleficent was eased. But they were now a little more curious about Xehanort's new abilities.
"Xehanort, how is it that you have gained these new powers just from the reunion of your Heartless and Nobody? You said they were diminished so how do you now have power that is nearly equal to my own?" asked Maleficent.
"All will be explained in due time, Maleficent. For now, there is too much work to be done," responded Xehanort.
"Well, can you at least explain this Darkness Revolution?" asked Pete. "Darkness Evolution, Pete," corrected Maleficent. "Yeah. Yeah. So you can turn any Heartless and Nobody into a stronger form, yes?" asked Pete.
"That is correct. However, there are a few limitations. I can only evolve Pureblood Heartless into other Purebloods. The same notion applies to Emblems as well," said Xehanort.
"Could you evolve the Nobodies into human forms like the Organization? As much as I despised those empty shells, I have to admit that their power was admirable," asked Maleficent.
"I could. That is, if I wanted to. But I think that you find that they would be harder to control than the lesser Nobodies. Higher powered Nobodies tend to think a little more independently. Being a former one, I speak from experience. It would be counterproductive to evolve them that far," said Xehanort.
'So even with all his powers, Xehanort has his limitations including those self-imposed. However, he must not be too concerned about them if he openly admits them. But I'll find a weakness eventually. It's only a matter of time," thought Maleficent.
As Maleficent pondered, Xehanort went on with his speech. "My powers can provide great strength to the Heartless and Nobodies. But we can't rely on them completely. For our plans to succeed, we need complete beings with the will to harness the powers of darkness," said Xehanort.
At the end of Xehanort's words, a Hook Bat flew up to the side of his head. Though no words came from the Heartless, it was apparently telling Xehanort something. "I see. Thank you," he said with a smile. The Hook Bat then flew off.
"We have a visitor: a potential addition to our army. Let us go meet him," said Xehanort as he walked toward the carriage. Maleficent and Pete followed him.
A brief trip later, the villainous trio arrived in the lobby. As they arrived, they heard a familiar voice.
"Look, I followed that Heartless here and put aside my very important plans to destroy Hercules and take over Olympus aside. So now all I want to know is whose party this is. Is that too much to ask?" roared the voice.
Xehanort, Maleficent and Pete all smiled. Hades, the God of the Underworld had arrived. The first of many, they hoped, that would join in their plans for plunging the universe into darkness.
Author's Note: This is the last we'll hear of the villains for awhile unfortunately. They're just so fun to write for. Also, I know that Sora doesn't get two different Keyblades when he uses his Drive Forms. But this isn't a video game though if I had my way, it would be. In my opinion, Sora can use whatever Keyblades he wants when he engages his drive forms.