DDR HEARTS 2: Decision – Nageki no Ki
By
Darkness Shade
Outlaw Star
"Well, we've almost arrived…you might want to get prepared." Gilliam warned, as their ship was soon approaching Hollow Bastion.
"Guys, I'm picking up some dangerous signals coming from the planet…it's almost like the world is being overtaken by darkness again." Alia informed, "Please be cautious…it seems as if everything is going haywire down there. Perhaps checking in with Tron would be a good idea."
"That sounds like a plan then cutie." Dark replied, giving a wink, "All right guys, let's get down and there and do what we do best!"
"Wet our pants?" Reps asked.
"Run in circles?" Sora asked.
"Get some Burger King?" Ryan added.
"…no, just, no…" Dark sighed as the four of them teleported to the surface.
Hollow Bastion: Townways
"Okay, what the hell happened to this place?" Dark commented, seeing everything just completely fubared, "Jeez…Yosh has been slacking big time."
"You don't think Tron's been having some issues, do you?" Sora asked, his voice showing concern for their digital friend.
"I bet him and Haseo have their hands full with the MCP and Cubia…we have been gone a while." Reps added, "We should check in at Merlin's place and then head to the computer room as soon as possible."
With a nod and a mutual agreement, the group of heroes took off, heading towards Merlin's place.
Stopping at Merlin's place and being informed that something did seem to be up with the computer system, the heroes left the 5 badges they'd acquired with Yoshino and headed off to meet Leon and hopefully find out what the deuce was going on.
"Hmm, he's not here." Ryan murmured, seeing the control room empty.
"Yosh was acting rather vacant as well." Dark growled, "Probably from fixing the problems around town."
"Maybe we should check on Tron and Haseo." Sora offered, "If anyone knows what's going down with the town's systems, it'd be those two."
"Well, an actual good idea from the spiked clown." Reps chuckled, "Who'd have thought?"
After some playful banter and some tinkering around, the four heroes digitized themselves as they re-entered…
Space Paranoids: Delta Server: Internal Disc Drive Mac Anu
"It's quiet…too quiet." Ryan groaned, seeing everything going as it should, "I think our friends are busy somewhere."
"We'd best find them then." Reps agreed as the group took off, looking around the town for the others.
"Has anyone else noticed how weird everything looks now?" Sora asked, noting the surroundings had changed.
"I think Spiky is right…look at his suit and look at the town." Dark replied, "They've changed somewhat…but what does that mean?"
"I don't know, but I bet we don't want to find out from that thing!" Reps shouted, pointing at an incoming Recognizer, "RUN!"
Our heroes quickly began to try and escape from their pursuers but with all the changes in the city, they had a lot of trouble gaining any ground and eventually they were trapped.
"Can't you do something crazy like last time?" Dark stated, "Another program or something?"
"Tron helped out with that one, I'm not familiar with what this system runs on." Ryan grumbled, "Well, I bet we'll at least find out what's going on around here."
With that, the Recognizer landed and the group was shuffled on board by the guards; with that, the Recognizer took off for somewhere that wasn't easily recognizable at first.
"This looks like the Game Grid…but…what did they do to it?" Dark questioned, seeing the changes, "And what's with the crowd of programs?"
"This does not look good…I think we have to fight." Sora noted, seeing other programs ready for battle, "Good thing we're users."
"Yep…time to cheat!" Ryan stated, taking out his opponent easily before knocking back another's identity disc, causing the crowd to ooh and ahh in delight, "That all they've got…this fancier place is weak."
Suddenly, with the four of them left, the crowd began to chant a name loudly over and over again.
"What are they saying?" Reps stated, trying to make out the word, "It sounds like a name…Rinzler?"
"What the hell's a Rinzler?" Dark asked, before seeing an orange striped suited combatant jump-flip his way down to the playing field, "Ah, you must be a Rinzler…hmmm…."
"You feel it too, don't you?" Ryan asked, looking at Rinzler's outfit, "He seems familiar…"
Before the four of them could get a chance to discuss it further, Rinzler went on the offensive…and sent the four of them scattering.
"Well then, this one seems to be a challenge…" Ryan mused, having to think and dodge, "Hmmm…"
Even with the four of them fighting, this Rinzler dude just couldn't be touched and our heroes were starting to get worn down.
"I bet Sark is just laughing his ass off right about now…the little bastard." Sora groaned, "I guess the MCP really fubared everything royally."
"I want to know where Tron and Haseo are though…they've got to be here somewhere." Dark grumbled, "Slackers are late."
With that, it seemed as if our heroes weren't going to be able to do much until…
A rather large vehicle came crashing through the walls and landing on their battle platform, knocking Rinzler out of the way and coming to a stop.
"Get in you idiots!" Haseo shouted from the car, signaling for them to get moving, "We've not got a lot of time!"
Not one to look a quick getaway in the backseat, the four heroes piled in as best they could and held on tight as the driver got them out of there.
"Who's the chick?" Dark asked, as they weaved around the course avoiding the guards that had swarmed.
"My name is Quorra." She explained, "And I must say I'm rather excited that I get to meet you as well; I've heard quite a lot from your friend Haseo."
"And Tron…what about Tron?" Sora asked, not seeing him around here.
"Well…that's a long story. I'll explain things when we're safe." Haseo said, "Needless to say, things have gotten really f'ed up around here since you left."
"Okay, but you're buddy is missing too…he okay?" Reps asked, "He seemed pretty attached to you."
"Oh yeah…I remember that bit you little bastard…" Haseo grumbled, "He's back at the base doing his best to figure out what happened to the system."
"Well then, I'll leave the driving to the cutie, I'm taking a nap." Dark sighed, closing his eyes and resting as they made their way towards Quorra's safe house.
Off the Grid: Quorra's Place
"We're here sleepy head, so get off me!" Ryan shouted, shoving Dark awake and getting out of the car, "Nifty ride there Quorra, much roomier than a Light Cycle."
"Heh, we do what we can." Quorra quipped, "Feel free to get settled everyone, we'll explain what happened once you can rest a bit."
With that, the crew crashed a bit, trying to wrap their head around the changes that had happened to the digital landscape.
"Is someone cooking something?" Dark suddenly asked, his sniffer catching wind of food smells, "Huh, didn't know food existed here."
"Oh, it's just me." Reps replied, boiling a pot of something, "I'm pretty hungry."
"Um…dude…are you boiling motor oil?" Ryan asked, eyeing his pot oddly, "I don't think you cook with that."
"Um…hello, machine?" Reps sighed, rolling his eyes, "I swear…a guy can't make some Soba Noodles around here without being judged."
"Oy, don't get him all riled up again." Sora sighed, "So, Haseo…what the hell did happen to the Grid…and Tron?"
"After you morons left and took off to who knows where, things were quiet." Haseo began to explain, his face becoming rather gloomy (well, gloomier than usual for him), "Seems the MCP was busy…he found a hidden version of that Encom system that was an upgraded format."
"Ah, so that's why everything looks off." Ryan mused, "What happened with Tron though?"
"Well, that Rinzler dude was part of the newer system functions…Tron tried to fight him off when we got ambushed…I tried to help but I just didn't have the strength then." Haseo lamented, "Quorra helped upgrade me to this new Xth Form, but that didn't help him back then."
"So is he…?"
"Well, he held them off and let me escape…I wandered the digital wasteland area till I ran into Quorra." Haseo continued, "She brought me here and up to speed about those changes. She's had Azure Kite running some sub-routines to help find our best plan of attack."
"Well, with us here we should be able to do pretty well." Dark added, striking a pose, "They'll be derezzed before they know it!"
"Heh, you users never cease to amaze me." Quorra chuckled, "Well, we've deduced the best place to approach and attack; only the Game Grid and surrounding area have been upgraded so our path to the MCP and your way out is pretty straight-forward."
"Then what are we waiting for!" Reps stated, slurping the rest of his noodles, "Let's go kick some ass!"
"Geez, give a guy some noodles and suddenly he's ready to be serious." Sora joked, drawing a laugh from everyone but Haseo.
"Ugh, anything to be rid of you idiots…" Haseo sighed, cracking a slight smile as the group prepared for their journey.
Space Paranoids: Sigma Server: Unfortunate Troubling Simulation Hangar
"That thing is going to take us to the MCP?" Ryan quipped, "Dear Lord, I feel like if I breathe on it it'll break."
"It may be old, but it's reliable." Quorra retorted, "Besides, this was the only place unguarded at the moment; Sark's got all of the MCP's little lackeys busy converting to the new system."
"Which means he will be free for the fighting. Perfect." Reps chuckled, "Time for some generic revenge!"
"You scare me sometimes dude." Dark commented, eyeing Reps carefully, "You've got this whole revenge bloodlust thing going on…and that's not healthy."
"VENGANCE SHALL BE MINE!" Reps shouted, before coughing and composing himself, "I mean we shall right the wrongs that shouldn't be! Yes…all that noble stuff."
"If you're quite done being stupid, we need to get moving." Haseo grumbled, impatiently tapping his foot.
With that, the motley crew of heroes boarded the Simulation and began their trek towards the MCP and hopefully to the solution to their problems…unaware the Rinzler was a few steps behind them.
"…Sora…"
"Not that I'm complaining but its way too quiet." Sora sighed, "I almost can't help but think we're going into a trap."
"Well, if he knows we're back, which I'm sure he does, then he's most likely sure we'll come for him." Ryan deduced, to which Dark added, "Which means we at least don't have to worry about being sneaky."
"What's the real world like anyway?" Quorra asked as she attempted a segue, "I've often wanted to know what a sunrise is like to be honest…I can't really picture it."
"Well, it's…hmm…I'd say warm." Sora stated.
"Hopeful would be a good word too." Reps added, "Not that, you know, I ever have a lot of that hanging with these overwound heroes."
"Hey!"
"Oh shush, he's one of us too, so he kind of made fun of himself." Dark laughed, "It's comforting though…the real world is cool but it's got its problems too."
"I'd like to visit it someday…" Quorra trailed off, "Maybe after we take care of the MCP…looks like we're almost there."
In the coming distant our heroes saw a large tower jutting from the ground, red lines of light going in every direction from the top of it and traveling down the Grid.
"So, who's ready to show them what a user can do?"
Space Paranoids: Sigma Server: Troubling Recursive Control
"So this is where the big, bad MPC hides out huh?" Dark quipped, "Not a very happening place…there isn't even a disco ball for crying out loud! No wonder he's so cranky, I bet he doesn't get any ladies with this set-up."
"Um, I'm pretty sure he's not really concerned about girls." Sora added, sighing in the process, "I'd wager that rather large gaping red void is the entrance to his domain."
"Well then, let's go take care of this asshole." Haseo stated, "For Tron…"
"You know, I just remembered, what became of that Cubia fellow?" Ryan asked, looking over at Haseo for answers, "You didn't mention him…"
"It's odd…like he just…vanished. Kite couldn't find him anywhere…though he didn't come with us so I assume he has his own lead to track him down." Haseo explained, "Crazy damn programs…no offense Quorra."
"None taken Haseo that Kite fellow is definitely a strange program even by my standards…he also seems to like you far too much." Quorra chuckled, "It's actually cute in a way."
"There is nothing cute about his stalker, obsessing over me ways!" Haseo fumed, stamping his feet and waving his arm, "Jeez…you must be one of those fangirls."
"What's a fangirl?"
"Nevermind…let's get this over with, you guys are giving me a headache." Haseo sighed, walking towards the red void and entering, the others close behind.
Meanwhile, Rinzler was slowly catching up to them, pausing only to examine the Simulation before noting where he was.
"Here…hmmm…" he growled before disappearing.
"Okay, I can't be the only one that thought there would have been more in our way that just a door, right?" Ryan commented, noting that this place was way too quiet.
"Maybe lucks on our side." Quorra replied, "It would seem you'd be in need of a moment like that."
"You don't know the half of it." Dark growled, "Reps get that sucker open would ya?"
"Leave it to me! I'll get the revenge started in style!" Reps shouted, interfacing with the door and making the oddest of facial expressions.
"Is he okay?" Haseo asked, "Not that I care or anything but he looks really stupid doing that…"
"Oh, it's his "thinking" phase as he puts it." Sora groaned, "He's done that before when trying to overtake some electronic device so I wouldn't worry too much."
"And behind door number two…" Reps stated, snapping out of his trance and opening the door to reveal…
"Bup-ba-ba-bah! Nick JR!" the MCP declared loudly as our intrepid heroes entered…only to facefault in tandem.
"You know…that seemed awfully familiar." Dark stated, pulling himself up from the ground.
"Oh, I don't know, because it's another needless reference to our childhood!" Ryan groaned while Haseo, well, Haseo looked like Haseo.
"…WHAT THE FUCK IS IT WITH YOU PEOPLE?" Haseo shouted, nearly having a coronary, "Why must everything be so messed up with all of you! I mean, why can't it be like the simple days where I just mercilessly slaughtered things and that was how you heored!"
"I'm so very confused by all of this…" Quorra interjected, "What is a Nick Jr.? And why does it make Mr. Haseo so angry?"
"Well, it's like this…" Reps explained to her as the others stared at what was supposed to be their big boss.
"Hmmm, I'd reckon that Cubia fellow must have infected him." Ryan deduced, "Haseo, your thoughts?"
"I think you can all go to hell…" Haseo groaned, "But this seems like his handy work to me…it would explain where he's been."
As Dark went to assume the position to kick some ass, he was tackled from behind and sucker punched by Rinzler who immediately went on the offensive to take down our heroes.
"You sniping bastard." Dark growled, getting back up and charging at him, "Let's see you do that again!"
As the others did their best to fight them, Ryan couldn't help but notice something familiar about this Rinzler fellows fighting style.
'I couldn't focus on it last time with how tight things were but…he seems really familiar.' Ryan thought, barely dodging an attack and passing close to him, 'Wait…his suit…that dotted pattern…Oh God!'
"TRON!" Ryan shouted, pointing at Rinzler with his Keysaber, "What happened to you? I thought you fought for the user!"
Rinzler merely growled as if fighting some internal struggle before hissing at Ryan.
"Heh, you won't break my new toy that easy." Stated a shadowy figure appearing from within the MCP, "It was fun twisting him and much more challenging than this older program."
"Cubia…" Haseo growled, "I was wondering when you would show up…"
"It's good to see you again Haseo…oh, by the way, I have something that belongs to you." Cubia stated, tossing a familiar looking weapon at his feet, "Heh, he just couldn't keep up I'm afraid…no surprise though given who he was based upon afterall…"
"You bastard!" Haseo seethed, grabbing his twin pistols and making to charge Cubia, "I'm going to end you right now!"
"As if you had any kind of chance…Rinzler, take them down!" Cubia commanded, while fading into the MPC, "I have systems to conquer and no time for peons."
Rinzler merely nodded and charged at Haseo, knocking him around before throwing him into a wall, his twin pistols sliding across the floor and over the platforms edge.
"Bastard…" Haseo groaned, unable to move and helpless to stop his approach, "Good thing you've got a one track mind…"
"My thoughts exactly." Ryan shouted, having snuck up and grabbed Rinzler from behind, "Come on Tron, snap out of this funk Cubia put you in dude!"
Rinzler shook and twisted trying to break free of Ryan's grasp but he wasn't having any of that as Ryan held on tight.
"There's got to be something we can do to free his mind." Dark growled, unsure of what to do, "Where's a plot device when you need one?"
"Dammit…he's too strong!" Ryan shouted, slowly losing his grip, "We're your friends Tron…come on!"
Rinzler growled before finally shaking Ryan free and tossing him aside, with his discs in hand he stood poised to take him out.
"Data…Drain…"
A brilliant flash of light shone forth and pierced Rinzler, sending his makeup into frenzy as bits of data were unscrambled and rearranged.
"Wait…only one person I know could have done that attack." Haseo gasped in surprise, "Kite…"
"Aaaaaaaagh…" Kite hissed as he slowly floated down, missing an arm but okay otherwise.
"Oh great, this guy again." Reps sighed, "He says he needed Cubia to think he was out of the way to get him to re-enter the MCP."
"And Tron?" Ryan asked, standing up and looking over what appeared to once again be their friend.
"Aaaaah, heeeeeee…." Kite explained, pointing at Tron.
"He says he'll be okay after he reboots; also thanks for giving him a clear shot since he didn't want to miss…apparently he was only going to get one chance with that…Data Drain attack." Reps translated, "Anyway, Cubia apparently is going to use the MCP's controls to try and hijack not only Hallow Bastion but to spread to other worlds."
"That's not something we want is it?" Sora asked, before turning to look at the MCP, "Isn't Cubia part of that thing now…so wouldn't he be seeing all this?"
"Cubia is tricky but kind of dumb." Haseo explained, finally gathering the strength to pull himself out of the wall, "He has a one-track mind so he won't even be monitoring us."
"So we've got the element of surprise on our hands…excellent." Dark replied with a grin, "Kite, since you don't seem to be in a state to fight now, will you watch Tron for us?"
Kite merely nodded and hovered over to Tron while the others took off, diving head first into the MCP to take on Cubia and end this.
"So, should we be taking this long to fall?" Ryan asked, concerned that they hadn't hit bottom yet.
"We should be there soon." Quorra stated, "He'll be at the core and that's your way out."
"Really? Wouldn't it be how we came in?" Dark asked, "Also, you were pretty quiet earlier, you okay?"
"I must admit that was a lot to take in…users tend to be complicated but I never expected that much." Quorra answered, "I was a bit stunned…at least till you guys ran headfirst into the MCP."
"Well, when you hang with these two, that tends to happen." Reps added, "I've just been around long enough that my circuits have gotten used to their shenanigans."
"If you ladies are done chatting, I think the core is just ahead." Haseo grumbled, "The sooner the better too, I can't wait to be rid of you and your problems…"
"Is that him?" Dark asked, seeing a strange purple mass in the distance, "He looks creepy."
"That's his real form." Haseo explained, "He just takes that human form to avoid suspicion and get around."
"You know…he strikes me as the kind of guy that really wouldn't be all that bad save for circumstance." Sora interjected, "I mean I have experience with those types so…I get that vibe."
"Maybe…" Haseo trailed off before shaking his head, "We've got to stop him so come on!"
Running down the path ahead of them, it became clear Cubia knew they were coming as they had to dodge numerous obstacles, including what seemed to be an endless stream of Cubia's Gomora and tendrils flying from every which way.
"It's like we've stumbled into some generic, terrible hentai…except there's no sexy girls in sailor outfits." Dark commented, slashing the tendrils to pieces, "What a waste…"
"Is now really the time to be thinking of that?" Reps sighed, clearing a path for the group.
"…what is this hentai he speaks of?" Quorra asked, confused by the words Dark was saying, "And why does it involve girls?"
"You're better off not knowing…" Ryan sighed, seeing their goal in sight, "Quick! On to that platform!"
"So, you've finally made it here." Cubia bellowed, staring at the heroes, "Do you really believe you have any hope of defeating me?"
"We don't know the meaning of the word fail so yeah, I'd say we do." Dark joked, sticking his tongue out at Cubia, "We've faced bigger and badder than you before…"
"Exactly…we can't let you ruin this world or any world!" Ryan shouted, spinning his Keysabers, "So let's go!"
"…you hurt my friend…and caused me to have to deal with so much bullshit." Haseo grumbled, readying his pistols, "I am so going to enjoy this!"
"Fools! With the power of this ENCOM system behind me I'm beyond anything you can imagine! Kite could never stop me…and neither shall you!" Cubia shouted, unleashing the full force of his fury upon our heroes.
"Doesn't anyone find the fact that that system being from 1982 makes his claim a little less intimidating?" Ryan commented…and was promptly ignored, "Thanks guys..."
"I think we pissed him off." Sora groaned, standing back up and using his Keyblade as a crutch.
"I don't understand though…he shouldn't be able to interface with the MCP like this." Quorra, "Unless…he's more like a virus of some kind."
"I suppose that's close enough to the truth…" Haseo mumbled, "We can't let him win…"
"Then we won't…let's go Dark!" Ryan shouted, signaling for a combined attack as they walloped on Cubia from multiple angles, "Now, let's finish this!"
With a nod, Ryan and Dark fused and put all the strength they could muster into their Keysabers as they bore down on Cubia…but met with resistance.
"You fool…what power could you posses against one such as myself." Cubia chortled as he held them back.
"We can't…let it end…like this." Kouki seethed, "I can't let our friends down…"
"Guys…what should I do…" Haseo murmured to himself, "Without you I…I don't think we can win."
"I knew you weren't as bad-tempered as you act…" Reps joked having overheard him, "You have friends to protect besides Kite don't you?"
"So what if I do?" Haseo grunted, "Even if they were here I don't know what we could do to win…I mean just look at your friend; he's not even scratching them."
"Maybe, but he won't give up…even if he dies he'll do anything he can to save his friends." Reps explained, "And I know you would too for your friends…"
"Then what should we do? Even the combined attacks of all of us weren't enough…And he can't stay in a deadlock forever." Haseo noted, seeing Kouki slowly losing ground.
"You users can do anything, right?" Quorra interjected, "I've seen you do amazing things…so I know you can't fail."
"Heh, you're right…" Haseo stated, standing up and pulling out Kite's twinblades, "Alright…let's finish Cubia once and for all!"
Just when Kouki felt he couldn't hold Cubia off any longer, Haseo jumped in and helped push him back.
"Hey, don't forget us!" Sora shouted, charging headlong to attack with Reps, "We won't let you do it alone…we want some glory too you know."
"Heh, he's been around us too long." Reps retorted before unloading a massive blast at Cubia.
"Insects…to still hold on to delusions that I can be beaten…why do you persist?" Cubia growled.
"It's something you won't ever understand Cubia…when you have people you care about you will do everything in your power to protect them!" Kouki shouted, "And with a whole galaxy of friends I can't let you have your way!"
"Fool, friendship is your answer? How can something like that defeat a God?" Cubia roared, unleashing his full might upon our heroes.
"Ahhhhh!" Quorra shouted being blown back from the force, and being caught by none other than a fully restored Azure Kite, "Oh…it's you."
"But how…unless…that would mean that…" Cubia stuttered before feeling something pierce through him and leave a gaping hole in his chest, "How could you break my code?"
"Arrrrrhhh…" Kite replied as he set Quorra down, "Haaaaa…"
"I fight for the users!" Tron shouted, catching his identity disc and winding up for another throw, "As they fight for us!"
Cubia could only watch as Tron blasted his defenses and allowed the full force of our heroes attack to rip through him, shattering his essence into a thousand pieces.
"How could…I lose…to a bunch…of humans…and a raccoon dog?" Cubia gasped in his last moments of consciousness.
"Dammit! I AM NOT A RACCOON DOG!" Reps shouted, annihilating the remnants of Cubia and ending this whole blasted sequence of trouble, "I'm a hedgehog…"
As Cubia disappeared into the ether, the whole group of heroes (the human/non-data ones anyway) soon felt very tired and then passed out.
"Arrrrrr…" Kite groaned as he helped Tron and Quorra pick them up and carry them back to somewhere safe.
"Heh that was a nice line; very heroic." Dark mumbled to Tron before finally succumbing to unconsciousness.
"Users…I'll never understand them." Tron chuckled as they made their way back to the entrance.
Outside the System
"Oh, my head is killing me." Dark groaned, shaking his head as he noticed he was back in the real world, "How'd we get here?"
"You just sort of popped out of nowhere." Leon commented, looking over the console, "All of you did, Tron said you'd broken you limits and would recover faster here."
"That sounds like something he'd say." Sora added, "So, did we win?"
"Heh, take a look for yourself." Leon replied, motioning towards the screen.
Pictured there were Tron, Haseo, and Quorra, albeit in 8-bit, saying 'Thank You' for saving the system while an 8-bit Azure Kite hovered in the background.
"Heh, we did it…now maybe we can deal with the bigger fish." Ryan stated, well aware they weren't done yet, "Speaking of that…where's Yoshino?"
"He was with Mickey at Merlin's but he went to fight off the Nobodies while you were how he put it, "playing around"." Leon chuckled, "We can go find them if you're done."
"Sounds like a good a plan as any." Reps mumbled, "The sooner we do this the sooner this crap is over with."
As the group made their way towards Merlin's, who should come running up but Yoshino.
"Guys…we've got trouble." Yoshino quickly spat out, confusing everyone in the group.
"What do you mean by that?" Dark asked, "That doesn't sound good…"
Suddenly a loud rumbling was heard as a very high-powered energy filled the air around Hallow Bastion.
"Oh no…it's started." Yoshino stated, "While I was fighting…I got sucker-punched by the number I's of the Organizations. They took the badges…"
"How the hell do you sucker-punch a ninja?" Ryan shouted, "I guess Mickey, Donald, and Goofy were trying to stop them?"
"They put up some stupid force-field around the Gate so we couldn't get through." Yoshino explained, "We've got to get there as fast as we can; even if they succeed we might still be able to fight him."
"Fight who Yosh?" Dark asked following behind him with the others.
"Kinjinshi…"
The Cardinal Gate
"With all the badges we can finally summon forth the power this gate has locked away." Sakura chuckled, watching Xenmas place in the final badge, "And then finally…we can use that power to make our dreams reality."
"Well put my analog. We can only hope the heroes interfere, so that they can be dealt with as well." Xenmas commented, before watching the badges shimmer and shine as the doors slowly began to part and a bright, white light sprung forth…and then nothing.
"…what is happening?" Sakura asked confused, "Where is this God of the Center we were told about?"
Suddenly the ground began to rumble loudly as the walls cracked and the gate shook, a large, grey tree rising from the depths and ascending slowly, its form soon towering over all of Hollow Bastion.
"Heh, it would seem this is who we were waiting for." Xenmas surmised, "I must say, I did not expect a tree of all things."
"XENMAS!"
"Oh, look, the heroes have finally made it." Sakura cackled, "All according to plan."
"Oh man, tell me that isn't what I think it is Yosh?" Ryan asked, staring up at the huge tree looming before them.
"Well, it's not the Tree of Might, that's for sure." Dark joked, before being smacked by Yosh, "Hey, just trying to lighten the mood."
"This is not good...guys, be ready for him." Yosh repeated, "Kijinshi's arrival is foretold by this, the Nageki no Ki…the Tree of Lamentation."
"But the other gods didn't fight us…well, okay Suzaku did but she was possessed, so why would this Kinjinshi guy fight us?" Sora asked, rather confused on the whole deal.
"Why wouldn't he when we are the ones to summon him?" Sakura asked, staring at our heroes, "If you hadn't been involved all of the gods would be under our command…instead we must rely on Kinjinshi to ice all of you."
"Hey, the only Ice around here is me missy!" Yoshino shouted, waving his Keysaber menacingly, "Guess Mickey decided to help protect the town so…it's just us five guys."
"And that's different from the other times how?" Reps joked, "I think those two may have underestimated Kinjinshi though…"
"What is that raccoon dog going on about?" Xenmas commented, before detecting a strong presence heading towards them, "What is this…power? It's coming from…the tree?"
With that a huge explosion rocked forth, pieces of the tree splintering out in different directions as a rather tall fellow appeared, clad entirely in something not unlike that of a knight's armor.
Hefting a large white cross emblazoned with a red design over his shoulder, he slowly flapped his wings as if contemplating something and trying to decide his action.
"Ah, so he finally makes an appearance…how nice of you to show Kinjinshi!" Sakura exclaimed, "And just in time to help us out…"
"Sakura…something doesn't seem right here…" Xenmas cautioned, seemingly shaken by Kijinshi's presence.
"Dude, this guy must be crazy tough to shake Xenmas, I've never seen him with that look before." Sora commented as the heroes had no choice but to watch and wait as well.
After an unbearable fifteen minutes, Kinjinshi raised his sword and stared at the two Organization members with contempt.
"Who are you to demand things of me?" Kinjinshi bellowed in a voice that shook the heavens, "Begone!"
With one quick slash Kinjinshi smacked Xenmas and Sakura far away before turning to stare at Ryan and the others.
"Oh shit…he's looking at us isn't he?" Ryan asked his friend.
"Um…maybe he knows we found the badges; I mean, this could be a good thing, right?" Dark replied, wondering if they'd have to fight.
"You four are the spoken heroes that have each earned the blessing of my brethren." Kinjinshi explained, his red cloak billowing in the wind, "As such, you have seen fit to summon me."
"So, excuse me for asking, but what does that mean?" Sora questioned, hoping the answer wasn't what he expected.
"Simple…I now must face you in combat to test your skills for myself." Kinjinshi stated, striking his fighting stance, "Now then: Do you have the reason to fight?"
"So how do we handle this? Should we all attack at once?" Dark asked, readying his stance but not sure how to act.
"Well, he was protected by the other four for a reason right?" Ryan asked Yosh.
"True, but it would seem they did such not to protect him but to keep his power under check." Yoshino explained, readying his Keysaber, "I say we throw everything we've got at him and hope for the best."
"Ah, so business as usual." Reps joked, "Fine, whatever, this was getting boring anyway."
"I still don't like this plan." Sora sighed, before striking a stance with the others, "What the hell! Let's go crazy!"
"Come at me!" Kinjinshi commanded and that's exactly what our heroes did with Ryan and Dark leading the charge.
Ryan's attempts to hit him left him missing but Dark was able to sneak in a quick hit before getting backhanded by Kinjinshi's cross, a move that sent him plummeting into the Tree.
Yoshino followed up by summoning his energy into his Keysaber and staring down Kinjinshi as the two locked eyes; in a quick flash the two switched positions before Yoshino grabbed his arm and grimaced.
However, Kinjinshi's cross had a nice chunk sliced out of it that left him at a disadvantage, however slight.
"We're barely even hitting the damn guy!" Reps shouted, unleashing his buster as fast as possible as Kinjinshi dodged them all with unbelievable speed, "Fuck!"
"Disappointing…" Kinjinshi muttered as he grabbed Reps by the head and slammed him into the ground, dragging him along before finally tossing him aside.
"…I'm…okay…" Reps grumbled before crawling out of the hole he'd created.
"…this is insane!" Sora shouted, running up the tree and jumping at Kinjinshi's backside ready to release some Ragnarok before getting hit by the thrown remaining fragment of Kinjinshi's cross, "…shit."
"Alright, regroup!" Ryan shouted, seeing that his friend's weren't making much progress, "We clearly need another idea."
"Is this all the chosen heroes have to give? I will say that destroying my cross was admirable…but if that is all you have…" Kinjinshi boomed, staring at them.
"Alright Dark, you know what to do!" Ryan shouted, running at this counterpart.
"Fusion! Wapoh!" Dark shouted as the two took on their fused form.
"I'm impressed that you know that technique." Kinjinshi chuckled, "Let's see how you handle now."
"Gladly!" Kouki shouted, spinning his Keysabers before charging at him, "We'll make you cry Bloody Tears!"
Kinjinshi merely chuckled as Kouki flew at him head-on and was held back by his hand.
"Ugh, you're tougher now, that's for sure." Kinjinshi grinned, managing to knock him away, "I haven't had this much fun in ages."
"Happy to oblige then." Kouki retorted back before winding up and charging at him again, quickly dodging Kinjinshi's block and slicing off his wings, "And he's going down ladies and gentleman."
"Argh!" Kinjinshi shouted as he felt the full force of his appendage disappearance and the ground as he hit it, "Impressive…I think I need to step up my game then."
"Why don't I like the sound of that?" Yoshino questioned as he saw Kinjinshi chanting something, "Oh Christwagons this will not be good…"
"What is…"Kinjinshi whispered as a strange purple color surrounded him, "your justice?
With that Kinjinshi transformed with his outer body thinning and being enveloped by armored purple wings, stoic faces on each one staring at our heroes as his sword reshaped into a tall staff.
"Now that's just not right, purple isn't supposed to be evil!" Kouki pouted, readying his sabers.
"Now then, let us try that again." Kinjinshi shouted, charging at Kouki and smacking him hard with his staff, "Slow…"
"Ugh…that is ouchies." Kouki sighed as he slowed his fall, only to see Kinjinshi right in his face, "ay caramba!"
"Your puns are bad." Kinjinshi shouted, smacking Kouki into the tree and splitting him back into Ryan and Dark, "How disappointing…"
"Ryan! Dark! Wake up guys!" Yoshino shouted, shaking his friends out of their daze.
"Did you get that truck that hit me's number?" Dark grumbled, "Man, he can pack a wallop!"
"Ugh…what are we gonna do? I mean, shit, if Kouki can't do much…wait, where's Sora?" Ryan groaned, standing up slowly.
"He said something about reinforcements…well; we can do what was only hinted at before." Yoshino stated, "Though I am hesitant to do such given the results…"
"You don't mean…" Reps started before refusing to finish, "Anything but that…"
"I think he's serious." Dark added with a grin, "Deadly SIRIUS!"
"Oh, I'm going to regret this but…let's go Dark!" Yoshino shouted, doing the motions to fuse.
"Ah hell yeah! It's about time he showed up again!" Dark shouted in reply, "Fusion! Wapoh!"
In an explosion of purple and blue energy, a (somewhat) new hero emerged to face Kinjinshi.
"As a wise man once said, "It's time to Drop the Bomb on yo' ass!"" Scotty D shouted, spinning his Keysabers, "So let's put the D to the A to the A to the N to the A to the C to the C to the E and DANCE BABY!"
"What the me?" Kinjinshi barely stated before getting kicked fiercely in the head that sent him flying into the Tree, lodging him there, "I underestimated your style…I see how you fight now!"
Pulling himself free, Kinjinshi opened the face on either side of his armor and let loose a blinding flash of light hiding him from sight.
"Where is he?" Ryan shouted, "I can't see anything now!"
"I wonder if Scotty D can." Reps questioned, trying to reboot his optics.
"A shame this has to end now, you were proving to be more of a challenge than the other." Kinjinshi stated as he moved into to a seemingly blind and helpless Scotty D, "This ends now!"
"I couldn't agree more." Scotty D replied, flashing a grin before disappearing from sight.
"What the? How can you still see!" Kinjinshi shouted, trying to find him before feeling something bury itself in his back, "Argh!"
"Did you think these shades were just for show?" Scotty D replied, before tearing off Kinjinshi's armor, "Besides, a true warrior relies on more than his sight…but I think you know that."
"Heh, well done chosen ones." Kinjinshi chuckled as he shook Scotty D off and began chanting again.
"Another transformation?" Ryan shouted, "What the hell man? Isn't that cheating?"
"Well, to be fair, you guys technically transformed with the fusing and all…" Reps interjected.
"…why do we keep you around again?" Ryan sighed, "And what is keeping that spiky haired idiot?"
"The getting one…" Kinjinshi murmured, a golden aura overtaking him this time, "from heaven!"
"Damn yo'! This is gonna suck!" Scotty D grumbled as he was pushed back by the energy Kinjinshi now gave off.
Kinjinshi had cloaked himself in a golden armor, was now wielding a white and gold sword and a shield that was a mix of black and gold with intricately spiraling white patterns emblazoned upon it.
"Now then, shall we continue?" Kinjinshi stated, raising a hand and beckoning Scotty D to bring it, "I'd greatly appreciate if you were to Stick Around…now you've got me doing it."
"Heh, then allow me to show you why I'm such a Midnite Blaze!" Scotty D shouted, tossing his Keysabers at Kinjinshi and dashing behind them.
"…the puns are starting to get a bit irritating." Reps grumbled, "At least I can see again though."
"Lucky you." Ryan groaned, "I can still just make out shapes, that move of his is pretty strong."
"Well, I don't think they're doing too well." Reps stated before seeing them land and split apart in front of them, "Yeah, I think it's safe to assume that."
"Ugh…man, talk about your Knock-Out Regrets!" Dark groaned before passing out.
"Shit, this guy's tough!" Yoshino laughed loudly, "I'm having fun…I guess it's our turn then."
"And my sight's back too, what timing!" Ryan replied, "Hmm, I think this might be a first for the story as well…"
"Anytime you're ready to fight you know…" Kinjinshi huffed impatiently, "Not that I don't mind my time out of the gate but I am getting bored…"
"What is it with all the Gods of the Cardinal Gate being a bit…oddball?" Reps questioned with a sigh.
"To answer your question Ryan, I think it might be…not counting the card game appearance!" Yoshino shouted, "So let's do it! Fusion! Wapoh!"
"Hmmm…another one of them…to think all three of them not only know the fusion technique but can do so with each other…now I see why the others entrusted them with their symbols." Kinjinshi mused, "Well then…what do they call you new warrior?"
"I am…Eclipse." Eclipse stated, dusting off his sleeves, "And I'll be the last thing you ever see."
"Heh, that's quite the bold exclamation seeing as your other friends haven't fared well against me." Kinjinshi chuckled, "Come at me then."
Saying nothing, Eclipse gripped the two swords in his hand tightly, his jacket flapping in the breeze as a strange silence settled over the battlefield.
"Rending Ice…"
"What did you say?" Kinjinshi asked before feeling a stabbing pain in his back, "How…?"
"Your reactions are not up to snuff…" Eclipse coldly stated, one of his swords coated in ice and currently sticking right through Kinjinshi, "And now…Shatter!"
"What?" Kinjinshi gasped before shouting in absolute pain, the ice on Eclipse's sword shooting forth and exploding outward, "Ugh…heh…so much fun."
"That's interesting talk from someone with a bunch of holes in him…here, this might help!" Eclipse stated, reaching into his jacket and pulling out a leek, "I hear vegetables are good for you after all…"
"…you've been watching Bobobo again, haven't you?" Reps sighed, seeing him actually try to physically patch Kinjinshi up with the leek.
"Hmmm…it appears I've been fed false information too…WHY!" Eclipse shouted, suddenly smacking Kinjinshi with the leek fiercely, completely catching him off-guard and knocking him to the ground.
"Such a…mysterious warrior…however…" Kinjinshi grunted, pulling himself up, "Opened Gate, Battle of Destiny…"
"Ah shit, not again." Eclipse groaned, "How many forms does this guy have?"
As a dark red glow enveloped Kinjinshi, he finally assumed his true form: covered in a small amount of golden armor and headdress, red and black wings jutting from everywhere, and a black dragon curled around his body, it's and Kinjinshi's eyes a bright piercing white staring down our heroes.
"I haven't been in this form in a long time…however, this is truly the final test heroes." Kinjinshi hissed, "You must defeat me now…otherwise the fully realized Cardinal Gate shall destroy all that you hold dear…"
"Ugh…did you really have to pull that old card?" Eclipse sighed, "Fine then…we won't be so light to be taken down by you!"
Diving at him, Eclipse gave his all trying to attack Kinjinshi but something was different, this form seemed a bit more formidable.
"I must say I'm surprised, you can almost hit me." Kinjinshi mocked, easily dodging anything thrown at him, "…was that a banana?"
"Yes." Eclipse nodded, "And now the tree it was attached to!"
"You're quite the odd personality…but enough joking." Kinjinshi stated, landing a hard blow to Eclipse's gut, "You shan't survive this."
What followed was enough punch blur movements to make even the Fist of the North Star blush as Eclipse was pummeled relentlessly before being slammed down to the ground and splitting back into Ryan and Yoshino.
"Well, that seemed a bit shameful." Dark commented, having awoken sometime in the middle of Eclipse's beating, "Well then, what now? None of our fusions worked fully on this guy…and we've got no options left."
"Is that really it?" Reps asked, "Is there nothing we can do now?"
"Well, none of us can fuse with you unfortunately…we can't just give up now!" Ryan growled, "What I want to know is where the hell is Sora!"
"I'd worry more about yourselves if I were you." Kinjinshi stated, landing in front of the heroes and pointing at them, "Come now, have you no more spirit!"
"I don't care how strong you are, we will not give up!" Ryan shouted, spinning his Keysabers, "All-out attack everyone!"
With that the four heroes put their all into a final attack, coming at Kinjinshi with everything they had…and for a moment it seemed to have some effect until they began to tire and soon they were picked off one by one.
"Ugh…we can't…can't…" Ryan groaned, holding himself up with his weapon.
"You've been admirable rivals, but this ends now…how sad." Kinjinshi stated, winding up for the final blow…
"Never give up…no matter what!"
"What the?" Kinjinshi asked before being blind-sided by a figure clad in black and white clothing…very familiar clothing at that.
"So-Sora?" Dark groaned out, dusting himself off, "What happened to you?"
"An old friend figured you needed a hand…so I found a way." Sora explained, two Keyblades floating behind him as well as two more off his right shoulder, "Heh, I'm just glad you're still alive."
"No thanks to you spike-ball." Ryan chuckled, "You sure took your sweet time."
"Hey, you know how hard I had to work at getting Final Form right?" Sora joked back, "Besides I made it…that's all that matters now."
"Well, I suppose so." Yosh moaned, clutching his ribs, "But unless you've got some tricks up your sleeve even that form won't be a match for him."
"You're joking, right?" Reps asked, his face showing a very pained look.
"…You know I don't."
"I was afraid you'd say that."
"Excuse me…but I think you interrupted me, rather rudely as well." Kinjinshi coughed, picking himself up and showing no sign of damage.
"Well damn…" Sora sighed, "So much for all that quick training."
"Oh, you're the other hero from before…I wondered where you went." Kinjinshi mused, "And using the Drive style of Fusion; curious, I wasn't aware anyone still existed that knew that technique. It's of no consequence, though, as you will soon join your friends in oblivion."
"I prefer Oathkeeper myself." Sora chuckled, "Let's go!"
"He won't be able to keep that up long so we'd best think of something fast." Yoshino warned, "You guys are good at pulling things out of your ass…so come on, do it!"
"Jeez…put us on the spot why don't you?" Dark growled, "Ryan, do you have anything…Ryan…?"
Ryan at this point seemed to have the strangest look in his eyes as if he wasn't completely there at the moment and just as suddenly as it came it left.
"Could that work? But it hinges on so many things lining up…" Ryan began to ramble, ignoring the others.
"Ryan?" Dark asked, grabbing his shoulder, "Did you come up with something?"
"Uh…yes and no. I have a plan…but…technically I didn't come up with it..." Ryan explained, "Someone we know did…"
"Well then, what is it?" Reps asked, "Sora's looking a little rough out there."
"Dark and I have to fuse."
"But you tried that already…"
"I know but this time will be different…and then…well, I'm not sure if it'll work but Sora then Drive fuses with us." Ryan finished explaining, "The idea just…came to me."
"Fuse with Sora? Will that even work?" Dark asked, watching as Sora finally crash landed at their feet, "Well, I guess we've got nothing to lose."
"Indeed…let's do it Dark! Fusion! WAPOH!" Ryan shouted, fusing with his other half and…creating something that wasn't Kouki…in fact, just who the hell was this?
"…Keydan?" Sora groaned as he regained consciousness and lifted himself up.
"Who?" Reps asked, "I don't recognize him at all and yet…he has a strange resemblance to a couple of chuckleheads I know."
"Time is short…Sora we need to fuse Drive style." Keydan explained, "Otherwise no one will be safe."
"I'm not sure how to do that though…" Sora admitted, "Can we even do that?"
"Search your heart…I'm pretty sure someone in there will help you." Keydan stated with a grin, "He won't be missing this, I'm quite certain."
Sora merely closed his eyes as he felt something within him, a strange kind of warmth, one that he knew.
"CUSTOM DRIVE!"
"What could they be discussing?" Kinjinshi asked himself, unaware of what was going on, "What the…? That light…"
After a blinding light and an explosion of energy that sent dust flying in every direction, a single figure was seen standing opposite Kinjinshi, a multitude of Keys floating behind him.
"Hmmm, curious…you're a combination of their two fusion styles…what is your name?" Kinjinshi asked, curious to see such a sight.
"…I have No Name…I am a lost warrior…born from the power of those that seek justice." No Name replied, "I am the DJ of this gig; you shall not win."
"Heh, I see the cockiness trait is still there." Kinjinshi mused, "Very well…show me your power."
"You shall regret that…" No Name quietly replied before vanishing from sight.
"He's fast…I'll give him that." Kinjinshi stated, barely turning around to block two of No Name's Keys before seeing sent reeling by a kick, "Ugh…heh….could I have met an equal?"
"Surrender…there is no need to continue this pointless violence." No Name commented, staring at Kinjinshi's prone form.
"Heh…do you truly believe you compare to a god?" Kinjinshi chuckled, "Feel the full force of the Cardinal Gate!"
With those words the gate swung wide open, flooding the area with energy and feeding Kinjinshi's power.
"As I said before…you shall not win." No Name focused, calling forth the badges of the other four gods, "This is your last chance…"
"Prove your worth! Strike down the Gate and me with it if you truly believe you can win!" Kinjinshi shouted, throwing all he had at our hero.
"…fool." No Name sighed before focusing on the badges and calling forth the power they held.
Rushing at Kinjinshi, No Name began to dash like crazy, slamming his seemingly unending arsenal of Keys through him as the badges began to pulse with power.
"Burning fires of life, ice cold touch of mortality combine with the infinite knowledge of the cosmos, and the carefree spirit that lives in all things! Those of the Cardinal Gate lend me the strength to protect the world from this unrelenting power that seeks to tear it asunder: INESCAPABLE DISTORTION!"
"Come on, Come on! YES! HIT TO KEY!" Reps shouted in referential joy.
"Such…power…" Kinjinshi gasped as he was surrounded by the combined might of Suzaku, Seiryuu, Genbu, and Byakko channeled through our hero, "Heh…you…pass."
As the gate began to close and the powers subside, No Name slowly settled to the ground and gave a chuckle.
"Well…looks like we got to be the hero together one last time…yeah, it'll be hard…but we're tough…they're tough." No Name murmured to himself before collapsing hard, "Farewell…"
With that the hero that no longer was returned to Ryan, Dark, and Sora…and also Donald and Goofy since those two were part of Sora's Final Form.
"We won?" Reps coughed out, finally making the decision to speak.
"It would appear so, but those two are out like a light." Yoshino commented, able to finally move, "Heh, they were always at each other's throats but in the end they were able to save the day together…go figure."
"Well…we should take them somewhere to recoup for now." Reps stated, hefting Ryan on his shoulder, "Dude…he needs to lay off the Doritos."
"I'm….not…that heavy." Ryan grumbled out before drooling on Reps.
"Ew…" Reps sighed, following the others…who didn't notice they were being followed by five lights…
Hollow Bastion: Castle Infirmary
"Ugh…where…the battle!" Ryan shouted, sitting upright in his bed, "Hey, I guess we won."
"Finally, thought you were going to sleep forever." Sora joked from his bed, "I thought you were made of tougher stuff."
"Heh, you're one to talk Roxas." Ryan jabbed back with a grin.
"Typical Keydan, leaping before looking as always…but that plan was pretty successful." Sora retorted.
The two stared at each other briefly before breaking out into laughter, which happened to wake up Dark.
"Just no such thing as letting a demon rest is there?" Dark growled, "Heh, never thought I'd see you guys so buddy buddy."
At this time Yoshino saw fit to finally reappear with the others and a hearty happy sound thundered forth that everyone pulled through okay.
"Gosh, I didn't think you were ever gonna wake up." Goofy blabbered out, happy his friend was finally awake.
"I think they just wanted to sleep a lot." Reps sighed into a chuckle, "That sounds about right."
"Well, if you guys can walk, then we have one last piece of business to deal with…" Mickey explained, as the three heroes stood up and somewhat shakily walked after them.
Hallow Bastion: Gate Courtyard
"Well, the gates closed at least so the world's safe." Ryan sighed, "You said something about some unfinished business?"
"It turns out the Cardinal Gate deities have some parting words for us…all of us." Mickey explained, "Ah, speaking of which…here they are."
Five bright lights appeared before them: Red, Blue, Green, Purple, and White; these lights slowly swirled around the heroes before taking on the familiar forms of Suzaku, Seiryuu, Genbu, Byakko, and Kinjinshi.
"Thank you heroes…we were wise to put our trust in you." Suzaku stated, graciously bowing to them.
"Indeed, of course I knew that much…all that knowledge and such." Genbu joked before being smacked by Seiryuu, "Ouch!"
"I still can't believe this guy is the most knowledgeable being in the universe." Reps sighed.
"In all seriousness though, we are glad you were able to stop Kinjinshi." Seiryuu continued on, ignoring Genbu, "We knew it would be a difficult trial to save him but you all certainly proved yourselves by never giving up."
"Heh, you boys are alright." Byakko stated with a laugh, "Now we can get all this nasty business about mixed up universes fixed and return things to how they should be."
"Yes…they've done well to free me and fix the whole mess that occurred. Before we start fixing things though, the five of us have something for each of you so that you may never forget your heroics." Kinjinshi explained, motioning with his hands as five objects appeared before Ryan, Dark, Reps, Yoshino, and Sora, "These five weapons will hopefully serve you well on your travels in the future."
"For Ryan, whose heart burns strongly with a want for justice, my power is yours." Suzaku explained, as Ryan grasped a shining red Keysaber wrapped in pulsing orange flames.
"I bestow upon Yoshino, whose stoic personality and calm visage is as cool as ice, my powers." Seiryuu stated, as Yoshino grasped a deep blue Keysaber, the handle in the shape of a snowflake with an ice dragon wrapped around the blade.
"As for Reps, whose cunning nature and knowledge of things beyond fighting for situations that require more finesse, I hope you'll wield my power well." Genbu declared, as Reps felt his internal circuits sharpening and powering up; in addition his blaster hand was now a deep shade of jade inscribed with the kanji for Genbu.
"Dark, you're carefree way of life and living as well as the somewhat reckless nature that you fight certainly wins points in my books." Byakko stated with a hearty laugh, "But behind all that is a heart that is serious about protecting his friends and the world they live in. I know you'll use my powers well."
Dark could only grin in agreement as he took hold of a royal purple Keysaber, the handle patterned in black stripes with a sharp looking tiger's claw on the rear of the handle.
"And finally, as you will be on your own away from the other four after this, you will be bestowed with abilities from me." Kinjinshi explained while producing a very plain looking Keyblade modeled after the Cardinal Gate, "As you use your Drive technique to take different forms, so shall you be able to call upon the abilities of my forms through this blade."
"Thank you, I won't let it go to waste." Sora stated, accepting the blade, "Wait…you said something about being alone?"
"Of course, with us free and Kinjinshi back to how he should be the Gate is in harmony." Suzaku explained, "And with that your realities will return to how they should be."
"So then that means…we'll be parting ways." Ryan stated, looking over at Sora and his bunch, "I…I'm not sure I feel happy about that."
"For the worlds to be safe, we much return order, which means making it as if the whole incident with the Cardinal Gate never existed." Seiryuu replied, "I am sorry…you have grown rather close with your battles so I know this must be rough."
"Heh, stupid Keydan." Sora shouted with a pained look, "You should know better than anyone that no matter how far apart we'll be we won't ever forget one another…even if our minds do, our hearts won't ever let us forget."
"…you would say something like that, wouldn't you Roxas?" Dark chuckled back, "Well, so be it then…we saved our worlds for now and that's how it should be."
"You truly are chosen heroes." Genbu stated with a pleased smile, "Well then, it's time we got to work."
"Indeed…it's been fun. I haven't had this much enjoyment in ages!" Byakko shouted, laughing as he disappeared from sight.
"Farewell heroes, I know the worlds are in good hands as long as you never give up." Kinjinshi stated before joining the others in front of the gate.
The group of mismatched heroes watched in silence as the gate gave a huge groan and slammed shut for the final time, the image slowly disappearing from their sight as the gods, having done their work, disappeared as well.
"I guess we don't have much time now, huh Ryan?" Sora asked, waiting for the inevitable.
"No…oh, but I do have a nickname for your weapon." Ryan chuckled, "You'll love it."
"Oh yeah, what did you come with?"
"Well, we beat Kinjinshi, who was involved with the Nageki no Ki…so, that would make your weapon the Nageki no Keyblade." Ryan shouted with excited laughter.
And on cue everyone face faulted rather violently at Ryan's dumb pun.
"Well played…well played." Sora laughed, picking himself up, "Hmm, I feel odd."
"Gawrsh, we're getting all see-through." Goofy commented, seeing his hand becoming transparent.
"Donald…" Reps stated.
"Yeah Reps…" Donald replied.
"I still can't understand a word you say."
"…I'll miss you too."
"Heh, I still can't believe you're my analog." Yoshino chuckled with a sigh, "At least you're competent so I can feel okay with it."
"Heh, just keep those two in line, I can tell they'll be trouble." Mickey replied with a quick laugh, "Oh my, I think this might be it."
With one final silent goodbye, Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Mickey soon vanished from sight and left our group of heroes in a bit of stunned silence as the wind slowly picked up.
"Any reason you guys are just standing around staring into the distance?" Leon stated, having come to check on them, "I thought you said you had something important to do real quick and then you'd be gone."
"…You know, I can't remember why we're standing here." Ryan replied, "And where did this Keysaber come from?"
"I've got one too." Dark replied, "I feel like…someone important gave them to us."
"That's strange; even I can't recall why we came here." Yoshino sighed, looking over his mystery weapon, "What do you guys remember us doing last?"
"Well, there was the distress call from Roll, we met some strange King who wanted help fixing the stars, something about another Ryan, Amy Rose, and another Sonic reality, and then something about a pixilated world?" Reps stated, grabbing his head, "I feel all weird and my memory is quite fuzzy."
"Well, whatever the reason you guys were here, shouldn't you be getting a move on to stop the Organization?" Leon asked, rather confused himself about what they were talking about.
"Right, we've got to go stop them and save Charmy and the others!" Ryan shouted.
"Well, then, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Dark shouted, running off towards their pickup point.
"Come on Reps, if you get there last we won't save you any Yakisoba." Yoshino joked, chasing after Dark, "Hey man, don't eat it all if you get there first!"
Grumbling in agreement, Reps followed suit and as the group made their way there Ryan stopped, feeling something odd in his pocket.
"Now what could that be?" Ryan asked, pulling out a strange looking pendant, "…I know this."
Ryan's eyes began to water as a memory came to him: one of a spiky haired boy in checkered clothing that would always smile but somehow still seem sad.
"Ryan, what's the matter dude?" Dark asked, having stopped when he saw Ryan do the same.
"Oh, I was…just thinking about an old friend." Ryan explained, staring at the pendant, "I wonder, will he find his happy ending too?"
"You always were the sentimental one." Dark joked, lightly punching Ryan in the shoulder, "Come on man, if they eat up all the food before we get there, I'm holding you responsible!"
Ryan merely shook his head and pocketed the keepsake before chasing after Dark, yelling something about him being a complete and utter dip.
As our heroes hurriedly make their way back to the ship, a single star hurtles through the dimming sky signaling that, perhaps, the other heroes will find their happy ending too…