Chapter Thirteen: Day 313: Part Two: Water and Earth Reunited.
Xigbar laughed and spun his arrowguns, pointing both at Aqua.
"I get to fight a real hero! Come on little girl! Let's dance!"
With that declaration he opened fire, multiple blasts of violet diamond projectiles blasting towards the armored water maiden. Aqua met his blasts head on, charging into them. The arrows bounced off her armor harmlessly and she reached Xigbar, Rain Storm swinging-
And cutting through air as Xigbar vanished, reappearing upside down in midair, mocking laughter echoing all around her. His arrowguns locked onto her and he shouted, "Slow learner!" Before opening fire. Aqua whirled around, swinging her Rain Storm out to deflect many of the shots before pulling it back towards herself in a guard stance, blocking the remaining shots. Xigbar growled and teleported in a bright flash of violet, reappearing across the platform, hovering directly over Xion's unconscious body. When she saw that, Aqua froze. She couldn't let the girl be hurt anymore then she already was.
Xigbar took full advantage of her hesitation as he let loose another volley of blasts but Aqua only blocked them again and just as easily, stepping back slightly. Xigbar growled…and smirked. Xigbar, "Not bad! Let's see how-"
He thrust his arms out, as if to fire at her but Aqua nearly did a double take when his arms melted away, leaving only smoking darkness at his elbows. "You handle this!"
Before Aqua could move, her back was assaulted by multiple blasts from Xigbar's arrowguns from behind. Aqua's armor took the brunt of the damage but the multiple blasts caused her stumble, almost falling to her knees until she called her Reflect Barrier up. The green glass like shield deflected each shot and allowed Aqua to look around. Her eyes widened behind her visor when she saw Xigbar's arms poking out through a portal of darkness, arrowguns kicking with each blast. Aqua dispelled her barrier when Xigbar's guns clicked empty once again. His arms reappeared back on his arms and he scowled, growling, "Hrr! Reload!"
Aqua saw her opening and leapt, charging at Xigbar in midair. The sniper's one eye widened and his body became surrounded by a violet aura. But he never had a chance to teleport and Aqua unleashed a furious combo of slashes against his chest and arms with her Rain Storm. Her keyblade moved quicker, struck harder and more precisely then her teacher's blade had in her hand. But this was her keyblade, not someone else's. Only in her hands could it's- and her's- full potential be unleashed.
As if to emphasize her point, her whole body became surrounded by a fiery aura. Xigbar cried out in pain as Aqua's already cutting slashes now had a burning mix thrown in. His booted foot shot out, kicking her away and singing the bottom of his sole. Xigbar teleported away and Aqua dispelled her fire aura. Xigbar reappeared, still hanging upside down across the platform, thrusting his guns out, stock refilling. His arms thrust out from his body, melting into darkness and causing two new portals with Xigbar's weapons pointing at her to appear.
"Head's up!" Cackled the Freeshooter as his weapons opened fire, two separate streams of glowing arrows blasting at her. Aqua cartwheeled, causing a few of the blasts to hit each other. Xigbar took advantage of her moving to teleport over her, firing more shots down like some deadly rain. But Aqua only continued to swiftly dodge by cartwheeling, the shots missing her by mere inches.
Xigbar glared at her, is guns clicking dry and he teleported while calling, "Reload!" Aqua righted herself and twirled her keyblade, her armor chilling over as an aura of ice surrounded her. She jumped and shot at Xigbar, her icy keyblade tearing into him with chilled cuts that froze his blood before it could splatter onto the platform below. Xigbar grunted, taking each hit before vanishing in another flash of violet. He reappeared standing across from her, twirling his guns and refilling the stock. With a smirk he vanished. "Gotcha now!" His voice called from across the chasm overlooking the platform and castle.
Aqua stood her ground, waiting.
Hidden in between some cliff walls, Xigbar merged his arrowguns into a single rifle and took aim through the scope. He smirked as he saw Aqua standing in the center of the platform, looking around for any sign of him. Even if by some chance she could see him across the chasm, there was no way she would spot him nestled between these walls. Crouching down on one knee and balancing his elbow on the other, Xigbar took aim, right for her helmet.
He opened fire, letting loose a six shot volley. He laughed loudly to himself when all six shots hit her across the chest and one even managed to nail her right on her visor. He took aim and fired again. Much to his surprise, Aqua jumped into the air, spinning in mid jump and raising her leg-
To kick and send several of his shots back at him while dodging the rest.
Xigbar only had time for a single curse as he righted himself, standing up to teleport-
And fail as three of his shots tore into his side and shoulder, tearing through the black leather of the cloak and cutting deep into his skin, blood flying and splattering the cave walls. Xigbar stumbled, almost dropping his rifle but righted himself with a snarl. "Clever little witch…"
Playtime was officially over.
With a loud roar and burst of violet light, he reappeared over Aqua, letting loose several shots on automatic fire, striking the girl and scratching up her armor pretty badly. Before she could jump up and attack him, he teleported away a few feet and let loose another automatic burst, repeating this move again before teleporting a safe distance away and twirling his guns, reloading.
Aqua snapped her gaze towards him, armored figure crackling with yellow electric power and she charged. Xigbar let loose a three round blast, all three shots hitting Aqua and causing her to stumble, giving Xigbar the time he needed to reappear over her and rain down some pain in a series of multiple automatic bursts, scratching and burning Aqua's armor. He smirked and laughed as his shots caused Aqua to stumble, almost bringing her to her knees-
Just as his guns clicked dry.
Xigbar's single eye widened and he cried, "No!" Aqua righted herself and jumped, her electrified keyblade slamming into Xigbar over and over again, the electricity coursing from her and into him, shocking him internally and freezing that cry of pain on his lips as his whole body floated in midair, stunned and trapped by lightning.
Aqua leapt back, swinging her Rain Storm out as her eyes focused on Xigbar. Time to lock and shoot. Magenta light gathered at the tip of her blade and the seven beams of Ragnarok fired, striking Xigbar and knocking him back as they exploded. He almost fell back onto the platform but teleported at the last second. Aqua looked around, wondering where he had fled too. Her answer came as he reappeared on one corner, arrowguns rejoined and gathering power in the form of bright blue energy that grew at the tip of his rifles barrel. Xigbar, "Take this you little-"
Gold and black struck the Freeshooter, knocking him off balance, causing the huge shot to fire off into the sky and do no harm. With a spin and flourish of his keyblade, Mickey landed back on the platform, grinning cockily. Mickey, "I'm not out yet!"
Xigbar glared down on the mouse king with an enraged amber eye and with an incoherent scream of rage his arms thrust out and into space, reappearing over Aqua and Mickey and opening fire everywhere. Several shots almost hit the prone bodies of Roxas and Xion. Aqua and Mickey deflected the randomly flying shots with their keyblades and Aqua called to the king, "Take care of them! I'll cover you!" Mickey nodded and called, "Got it!"
With a leaping spin, the king jumped over to Xion and picked her up, holding her easily with one arm and leapt away off the platform to deposit her somewhere safe. Xigbar didn't notice or more likely didn't care, just focused all of his firing on Aqua. The armored maiden twirled and dodged with grace that mocked the Freeshooters enraged and unfocused firing. Her body became surrounded by light, its holy power letting her float and let go of her Rain Storm. The keyblade moved and twirled in time with its master and the two separated, dodging Xigbar's twin lines of fire. Aqua moved her hands and as they moved so did her keyblade, the blade spinning and slashing in midair before it glowed brightly and let fire several shards of light, each shard slamming into Xigbar's chest. The one eyed sniper had the breath knocked out of him and his firing stopped abruptly, his arms reappearing back on his elbows.
Aqua took her chance and leapt at him, her keyblade reappearing in her hand and slashing and cutting into his chest even deeper then she already had. Xigbar jerked and flailed in midair, crying in pain as Aqua spun and uppercut him with the tip of her Rain Storm, forcing the Freeshooter back on the ground just as Mickey reappeared, grabbing Roxas and hauling the unconscious teen up with some effort. Xigbar spotted Mickey and roared, "No you don't!" His arms disappeared again and reappeared over Mickey and Roxas, both guns gleaming dangerously. Mickey looked up in shock, eyes wide as the two arrowguns opened fire-
Only for Aqua to cartwheel in front of the king and teen, her Reflect Barrier taking every shot. Xigbar screamed enraged, pulling the triggers faster and faster but each shot merely bounced off her green shield until his weapons finally clicked empty. Aqua moved away from Mickey while the mouse king leapt off with Roxas. Aqua jumped in midair, an orb of light shooting towards Xigbar and Aqua followed after it, coming down like a blue arrow of judgment as her keyblade tore through Xigbar again and again every time the orb moved and shifted over his floating form.
The Freeshooter stumbled up, coughing and hacking blood. But Aqua was far from finished. She jumped back down to the platform, a rippling aura surrounded her as she moved, leaving the faintest echo of her form. Xigbar weakly followed her movements by turning in place, his right arm outstretched and his gun shook in his grip. His single eye narrowed and he snarled, "You-"
Aqua struck. She charged forward, Rain Storm turning into a blue spear of light that impaled through Xigbar's body. The Freeshooter jerked and cried in agony, failing to notice Aqua separate from herself, leaving a see through after image and pierce his side with another blue spear. Xigbar jerked and flailed as Aqua repeated this four more times four rippling echoes of her armored form holding each spear in place. She floated over Xigbar and swung her keyblade causing the images and their spears to explode, consuming the screaming sniper in an explosion of magic.
Aqua floated back to the ground and stood watching the smoke, waiting to see Xigbar's collapsed body. She heard rapid footsteps behind her and turned around, her visor unreadable as Mickey raced over, huffing and puffing. Mickey, "Aqua! I got Roxas and Xion to a safe spot! Did you…" He trailed off, looking at the smoke as it faded away entirely. Aqua followed his gaze, eyes narrowing behind her helm and her grip on her keyblade tightening.
Xigbar stood tall and proud, sneering through blood and agony neither keyblade holder could fathom.
Xigbar laughed through blood and declared, "Now we're talking! I haven't had this much fun in a long time!" He twirled his guns, reloading the stock and for a moment Aqua and Mickey thought he'd teleport again and try to snipe them off. But he stood his ground and declared, "Let's see how you two…" His body erupted into an aura of blue light, his arrowguns following. "HANDLE THIS!" Screamed the Freeshooter in a mad cackle.
Suddenly, the air, no the space around Aqua, Mickey, Xigbar and the platform rippled and shifted, everything warping and filling the water maiden and mouse king with nausea.
The fog and daze faded and settled and Aqua and Mickey found themselves floating over a bottomless black pit. They were still on the platform but it was no longer connected to the castle. Neither Aqua nor Mickey knew how but somehow Xigbar had displaced themselves and the platform to a different location. The cackling Freeshooter was floating in midair, spinning his glowing arrowguns and calling, "Let's see how you dance!" With a gleeful laugh, he charged down, landing in the center of the platform and between Aqua and Mickey. He spun in place, letting loose a volley of automatic fire. His
energy bolts were now a bright and vibrant blue. Mickey ducked and rolled while Aqua cartwheeled and back flipped, one of the arrows nicking the side of her armored hip. And cutting through, burning pass the metal and into her flesh. She redoubled her efforts, jumping faster and passing Mickey several times as the two dodged with all their speed and acrobatic prowess.
Suddenly, Xigbar vanished and reappeared, racing across air as he continued to fire. Aqua and Mickey kept running even as Xigbar teleported faster and more randomly, firing from every direction as he teleported randomly onto various locations, running one second, hanging upside down another. The two keyblade wielders still somehow survived the random firing, earning several deep cut and burns but living through the mad snipers rampage.
Until he reappeared several feet over them, body and arrowguns glowing brighter and brighter. Xigbar twirled his guns, his single eye wide and filled with insane glee as he screamed, "NOW DANCE FOR ME!" Twirling his guns, the two arrowguns vanished along with Xigbar's upper arms into darkness.
And hundreds upon hundreds of black portals opened up around the platform, multiple copies of the Freeshooter's arrowguns all poking out. And aiming right at Aqua and Mickey.
Aqua reached up and tore off her helmet, looking at Mickey and meeting his fierce eyes with her own determined ones.
Aqua, "Together!"
Mickey, "As one!"
Xigbar screamed, "DIE!"
And opened fire.
Hundreds upon hundreds of blue energy blasts rained down on the two, snaking and twisting in midair like snakes, slithering rapidly towards the two key holders. Aqua and Mickey twirled their keyblades in front of themselves, moving from one spot to another, covering each other's backs as the deflected each shot away from themselves. The firing was relentless and the number of blasts was impossible to count even as the two were forced to move faster, keyblades twirling to block each shot, Aqua covering Mickey and Mickey covering Aqua. Roaring, Xigbar spun his guns faster, the shots firing out at impossible speeds, burning brighter and hotter then before, the blue arrows shifting and twisting all around on their own accord, trying to weave past their guard. And failing each time as Mickey and Aqua only jumped and moved faster then before, spinning their keyblades until they and their bodies moved as blurs, deflecting every shot each time, pushing their exhausted bodies to their limits and beyond.
And never relenting, pausing or stopping once, meeting each of the mad sniper's blasts head on without fear.
Xigbar screamed enraged as every single shot suddenly froze, glowing brighter and brighter-
And exploded.
Aqua and Mickey were blinded and stunned by the multiple explosions and then there was that dizzying sense of vertigo and sudden shift in the space around them-
And the two keyblade wielders stumbled to their knees, back on the platform in its normal form connected to the castle.
Aqua shook her head, trying to get her vision to focus while behind her Mickey staggered up-
Only to get a boot to the head.
Aqua whirled to watch Mickey collapse on his back, crying out, "Mickey!"
Chik-chak.
Aqua whirled back around and found herself staring at the glowing barrel of Xigbar's arrowgun. The Freeshooter towered over her, bloody face smirking. There was only one arrow left in the stock. And Xigbar's trigger finger was twitching. He sneered down on her, single amber eye wild and bright. Xigbar, "Dodge this." His finger squeezed down on the trigger-
Just as Mickey leapt between them, shoving Aqua back as the shot pierced his back in a flash of violet and splatter of blood. Aqua's eyes widened in horror while Xigbar looked outraged once again. As his guns clicked dry.
Aqua skidded back, her metal boots kicking up sparks and she crouched, charging forward, her left hand out. Mickey looked at her through pained eyes and pushed his right hand out.
Handing his golden Kingdom Key to Aqua.
She didn't know if this would work, having only witnessed someone wielding two keyblades at once only mere minutes ago.
But she had to try.
Aqua grabbed it, duel wielding her Rain Storm and the golden Kingdom Key as Mickey fell away, collapsing onto the platform and forcing Aqua jump over his fallen body. Xigbar's eye widened in horror as Aqua charged at him, her beautiful face twisted in a mask of utter and uncontrolled fury. Letting out a wordless scream of rage, Aqua slashed and slammed the two keyblades against Xigbar over and over, forcing him back several steps in a flurry of gold and silver. Every time her blades struck the Freeshooter, she thought of the pain he inflicted on herself, Mickey, Roxas and without a doubt countless others, all for himself and his own goals, destroying anything in his way for power. And Aqua redoubled her strength and the speed of her blows, bringing Xigbar to his knees before she crossed both blades over herself and slashed them in a wide 'x' shaped uppercut with one final cry of uncontrolled rage. The force of the blow sent Xigbar flying into the air, his mouth open in a silent scream of horror and pain.
Aqua jumped back, skidding to a halt as she stood by Mickey once more. The mouse king was coughing blood and feebly looked up at Aqua. She held her hand that grasped the gold Kingdom Key towards him. The water maiden smiled gently at the king.
"As one," she whispered.
Mickey looked at her, smiling through the pain. His large gloved hand touched hers, both hands gripping the gold Kingdom Key, its silver handle flashed, pure white light traveling from their hands and into the tip of the blade, a glowing circle appearing around an orb of light as it grew at the base of the blade. The keyblade followed Xigbar's falling form, his body glowing violet as he tried and failed to teleport away to safety. As one, Aqua and Mickey screamed, "HOLY!"
And pure, white light fired from the golden keyblade, a beam of unstoppable hallowed fury. Xigbar's single eye widened-
As the beam struck his chest and exploded, consuming him a glowing blaze of hallowed light.
Aqua and Mickey lowered their hands as Xigbar fell without a sound back towards the platform, smoking and charred. But his eye was still open, his face a look of confused agony. Aqua let go of Mickey's Kingdom Key and charged at the falling Freeshooter. Her sapphire eyes met his amber one. And she saw fear.
Without a sound, Aqua spun and slashed, her keyblade Rain Storm tearing Xigbar's chest open in a geyser of blood. She came to a stop as the Freeshooter slammed down onto the platform. Xigbar lay there, his eye weary and confused, his arrowguns vanishing into black and white mist. Aqua turned and looked down on him without feeling, her face blank and unreadable. His eye met hers.
Xigbar, "I…I lost?" Aqua nodded.
And then Xigbar's eye closed, his head falling onto the platform with a dull 'clang'.
Aqua let out a shuddering breath and fell to her knees, gripping the hilt of her keyblade with both hands as she impaled it into the platform to support herself.
All was still, the only sound was Aqua's panting as she took in deep, shaky breaths. Mickey rose back on his feet, still holding his keyblade with a tired but firm grip. He looked down on Xigbar's still form and then over to Aqua. Aqua's eyes were closed for a few moments and then she looked at Mickey, asking while still panting, "Are…Roxas and Xion…safe?"
The mouse king nodded, wiping blood away from his mouth. Mickey, "They're both fine."
Aqua smiled and let out another shuddering breath. The armored maiden looked back at Mickey, smiling as she laughed breathlessly. Mickey frowned and asked, "What?"
Aqua, "We never found that report."
Mickey blinked while Aqua still laughed. Then, a grin grew on his face and he broke into a fit himself. The two stood there, laughing through their wounds and weariness. After a good minute of laughing and catching their breath, Aqua and Mickey stumbled up, Mickey dispelling his keyblade, Aqua following suite, casting her armor off as well. Mickey stepped over to Aqua, looking down on the still form of Xigbar. He looked up at her, eyes questioning. Mickey, "Did you…?"
Aqua shook her head, glaring down on the fallen Freeshooter. Aqua, "He's not worth it."
Mickey smiled, beaming with pride. Mickey, "I'm glad you're back Aqua."
Aqua smiled back. Aqua, "Thank you."
Mickey hopped, turning and looking down the platform towards the stairs. Mickey, "Come on, we still gotta find that report. Then we'll get Roxas and Xion out of here and away from the Organization. No way we can let them hold on to a keyblade, especially two." Aqua nodded and followed after the king.
They were halfway across the platform, moving closer to the stairs…
When the air rippled at the base of them, an eerie electric hum echoing.
Both Aqua and Mickey froze as the air rippled again, closer and turning black as the hum got louder.
Mickey's eyes widened as the ripple took shape, outlining into the form of a man. Aqua watched with angry, narrowed sapphire eyes.
A man in a black cloak, hood raised to hide his face, now approached them, black boots making no sound as he moved towards them slowly.
The hum faded as the man's form appeared to fill in entirely.
Both Aqua and Mickey had seen the cloak and hood before…but something was different this time.
The cloak and hood were no different from Xigbar's or any of the others, and this man was roughly the same height as most of the others, shoulders broad while the chest of his cloak outlined muscles.
But these were trivial details.
When Aqua had seen all the others with their hoods raised, it was because they hid their faces for a big dramatic reveal.
But this one made no move to lower his hood.
Almost… as if this was his true face. A blank face. No face at all.
As if this man was Nothing at all.
The man's head raised slightly, looking past Mickey.
And settling his hidden eyes right on Aqua.
The water maiden knew his eyes were boring into hers. And she froze, filled with a feeling she had only truly experienced twice before in her lifetime.
Fear.
Mickey looked between the suddenly paler Aqua and the unreadable form of this unknown person. No, not unknown, Mickey corrected himself.
The Organization Superior.
The Superior extended his right hand out slowly, until it was completely raised. He held his hand out to Aqua, in a beseeching manner. Mickey's eyes widened and he charged forward, hand swinging out and calling his keyblade. Mickey, "NO!"
Mickey leapt, keyblade pulled back in a reversed swing-
Only for the Superior's form faded into mosaic, becoming see through as Mickey passed through him harmlessly. The Superior reappeared in front of Mickey and the mouse king whirled around, trying to bring his weapon up-
And watch a sparking red energy blade connect with the side of his face.
Aqua snapped out of her daze when she saw the unknown man strike Mickey with a bright red blade that gave off sparks. The sword seemed to grow out of his wrist and the Unknown twirled, striking Mickey across the jaw hard and sending the mouse king tumbling down the steps, his cloaks hood falling back.
"Mickey!" Aqua screamed before trying to run over to him.
And the Unknown moved in front of her without a sound.
Aqua stopped, only inches away from colliding into him. She gasped, eyes wide and full of fear. Her hand thrust down to call her keyblade-
The Unknown's left hand came up, the gloved index and middle finger gently tapping her on the forehead.
Aqua blinked, surprised by the strange gesture and-
And her eyes were suddenly heavy, her body going numb. She stumbled, clutching at her forehead, the same spot where the Unknown had touched her. She tried to move away from him, fighting the overpowering fatigue that suddenly gripped her. She stumbled like a drunkard, still desperate to escape from this person she tripped on her own metal boots, falling forward-
Right into the Unknown's arms as he caught her fall. Aqua was shocked by how silent he was. She hadn't heard or seen him move towards her. As she fell into his grasp, she couldn't even hear him so much as breathe.
He supported her easily in his strong arms. Aqua forced her exhausted eyes to open and look up at him, trying to see past the darkness of his hood. Her world became blurry and gray, her eyes betraying her as they began to close against her will. She didn't see him raise his arm again, but she felt him brush some of her blue locks away from her face.
W..why would he…who…who are you?
That was the last thing she thought as darkness stole her thoughts and claimed her in its embrace.
But she suspected she was already in the grip of darkness itself.
He brushed her hair from her face, looking down on her peaceful, sleeping features.
He held her easily, her body weighing nothing in his arms as he scooped her up in a bridal position.
He stood there for a moment, ignoring the fallen bodies of the mouse king and his number two. And just stared at her.
She looked exactly as how he dreamed of her, no, more than that. She wasn't a dream or a memories echo. She was real, here, in his arms.
His.
The Superior stroked her face with the back of his index finger's knuckle, and Aqua shivered in his arms. He continued to stare at her face for a moment before his hidden eyes traveled down her neck and then her chest, his left hand coming up, reaching for the item that lay there. His fingers brushed the orange star charm, shifting it slightly. He stared at it before returning his gaze to her.
Then, he bowed his head, his left hand gripping the zipper around his neck and pulling it down. And revealing the blue charm that hung around his neck, the twin to the orange one around hers. He looked back her, stroking the charm around her neck. Then, he straightened himself up and turned on a heel, still holding the sleeping maiden in his arms.
He paused to look over his shoulder, towards the fallen form of Xigbar. And then without another thought, turned away and walked down the stairs onto the walkway. He passed Mickey's unconscious body, not even glancing at the fallen king. The Superior carried the sleeping water maiden into the old castle, vanishing into the darkness.
He had no idea how much time had passed when he finally woke up.
Mickey's eyes blinked open and he groaned lowly, rubbing his aching face. It felt like someone had kicked him across the face a few times. Mickey stumbled up, momentarily confused and wondering where he was. Then he looked over the stairs and onto the platform, spotting the still form of the fallen mad sniper and remembered everything.
Saving Aqua from a group of Neo-Shadow Heartless, explaining to her he needed to find his friend's report, the sudden appearance of the keyblade wielding Nobodies Xion and Roxas and then Xigbar's entrance and the battle that followed, the Freeshooter holding the advantage the entire battle until something possessed that charm around Aqua's neck and lead her into the castle. Mickey had tried to fight Xigbar one-on-one but found it too be a losing fight from the get-go. Until Aqua reappeared with her armor and her true keyblade, Rain Storm. And the Freeshooter suddenly wasn't as all-powerful as he appeared. Aqua had fought him while Mickey had gotten Roxas and Xion to safety, since the mad sniper obviously didn't care about what happened to them. In fact the more Mickey thought about it, the more it seemed like Xigbar wanted them dead. But Aqua and Mickey had worked together to defeat the Freeshooter once and for all.
Mere moments before the Organization Superior appeared.
Mickey's eyes widened and he looked around frantically. And saw no signs of either the Superior or Aqua. Horror filled the mouse king as he realized the Superior had taken her and he had no way of tracking them down now. Mickey gritted his teeth and slammed his fist into the metal railing, ignoring the pain in his knuckles.
"I can't believe they send us to a new world and it's to pick up Xiggy of all people!"
"All in the game. There are several detours down life's path."
Mickey froze and flattened himself against the railing.
Up on the platform, down the path, Luxord and Demyx steadily approached, Luxord cradling Xion in his arms while Demyx struggled with Roxas, practically dragging the unconscious teen. Demyx, "When Saix said 'go get Xigbar back', he didn't mention we'd be hauling off Roxas and Xion as well! Why were they in that construction lot? Who put them there and why are their cloaks caked with dry blood but I can't find an injury!"
Luxord sighed. Luxord, "Demyx, why do you like recon when you can't even answer your own questions? In order: Someone put them there, someone healed their wounds but failed to wipe the blood away." A pause. Then Demyx asked, "Well who?" Luxord shrugged. "A random player. Roxas and Xion are two pair. Xigbar himself is the wild card."
Demyx grunted, shifting Roxas's weight while nodding. Demyx, "I can't say if I'm surprised or not surprised with Xiggy going rogue. I mean, it kinda sounds out of character…but at the same time it doesn't."
The two arrived on the platform standing over Xigbar's fallen body. Luxord and Demyx exchanged glances. Luxord, "Will you do the honors?"
Demyx sighed and shifted Roxas again. And then his booted foot struck Xigbar across the jaw as he screamed, "Wake up!" rousing the Freeshooter up in a fit of coughing and splattering blood. His single eye looked around in confusion before spotting Luxord and Demyx. Demyx smiled sheepishly and said quickly, "Xaldin says 'hi'." Xigbar blinked and coughed out a, "Wh…what…"
Luxord interrupted and finished for him, "'Are we doing here?' Better question, what were you doing here? Sending both of our keyblade wielders on unauthorized missions goes pass defiance and rule breaking Xigbar." The Gambler reached into his cloak pocket with one hand and carelessly dropped a golden elixir bottle onto Xigbar, eliciting a cry of pain from the Freeshooter as it fell right down on his broken and cut chest. With that, Luxord turned and swept his hand out.
A swirling Corridor of Darkness rose up in front of him. Without another glance towards Xigbar, Luxord stepped through and disappeared with Xion still cradled in his arms. Demyx offered the one-eyed sniper a goofy sympathetic smile before quickly following after Luxord, vanishing with Roxas in tow as well. Xigbar pushed himself up with a groan, ignoring the Corridor as it vanished. Sitting on his backside with one knee drawn up and the other leg sprawled out; Xigbar popped the cork off the golden bottle and drank down the healing contents. His whole body shuddered as the healing drink did its work, his wounds, burns and other injuries fading away almost instantaneously. Panting, the Freeshooter tossed the glass bottle aside, hardly caring as it shattered. He looked around, spotting no trace of Aqua or the mouse king.
Curious, he stood up and walked down the steps to the platform connecting to the castle. No one there, save for the door to the castle itself. Scowling, Xigbar leaned over the railing, peering down into the misty chasm below. Xigbar, "And the rat scurries off…" With one last angry glance, Xigbar turned, wordlessly and motionlessly calling a Corridor of Darkness into existence. He stepped into it and vanished, the Corridor melting away into black mist.
While back on the platform, a black gloved hand held on for dear life onto the metal mesh of the platform's floor, the mouse king keybearer dangling over the chasm with a grimace. Mickey, "The only rat I see is the one with one eye." With a tug and flex, Mickey somersaulted back onto the platform. His expression was grim.
Now the Organization had Roxas, Xion and Aqua.
No, he corrected himself.
The Organization had Roxas and Xion.
Their Superior had Aqua.
With one last glance around, hoping he'd find some kind of clue to where the hooded leader of Nobodies had taken Aqua, Mickey sighed sadly in defeat. With no way to track them, he had to hope and pray Aqua would be able to defend herself when the time came. He looked towards the doorway into the castle.
Mickey still had another friend to help.
Pulling his hood back over his head, Mickey blended in with the shadows and moved into the castle, deeper into darkness still.
Awareness returned slowly.
Sapphire eyes blinked, the world still gray and blurry while her body was still numb and sore, bruised and aching.
For a moment, Aqua was confused, wondering what had happened.
She pushed herself up onto her elbows, brushing her blue locks from her eyes.
The water maiden stumbled to her knees, confused by her weariness and her whereabouts. She looked around, wondering where in all the worlds she was now.
It was a large circular dome of some sort and it was in poor shape. The ground was cracked and littered with dirt, rubble and all other sorts of debris. To Aqua's astonishment, giant tree trunks or roots burst from the floor and the roof, snaking around inside the room and blocking off what little light there was. The more Aqua looked, the more it appeared the larger roots or trunks seemed to thrive in the shadows. A single shaft of light managed to pierce through the ceiling. No doubt from the massive hole in it. As Aqua looked up at it, it appeared the hole was formed by some kind of explosion. But she saw no burn marks whatsoever.
Aqua stared at the hole or a long time.
Then she looked around the room again, searching for a way out as she stood up. She turned, thinking there must be a door or something-
And almost ran into the chest of the hooded Unknown.
With a cry of shock, Aqua jumped back, hands raised to call her keyblade and cast a spell.
But the Unknown did not move. He merely stood there, watching her.
Aqua stared back, taking in deep breaths to calm her racing heart. Why was she like this? None of the others, not even Braig or Xigbar or whatever he wanted to call himself now, had this effect on her. So why was this one different?
The Unknown stared at her, not moving at all, not even appearing to breathe. Then, he spoke.
"Hello my friend."
Aqua blinked, stepping back quickly. She hadn't heard a voice at all. But she knew it was him talking to her, possibly through some kind of telepathy or other power.
Aqua, "F-friend?" She was caught off guard by the statement before finding herself angry and snapping, "I'm not you friend!"
The Unknown didn't respond, just stared at her.
Aqua growled, tired of this silence and snapped, "Who are you? I know you're a member of the Organization but why have you brought me here?"
Again, the Unknown did not respond.
Then, more words appeared, echoing inside her mind.
"I'm all that's left. And all there ever was."
Before Aqua could find a response to that, he moved towards her, slowly, his footsteps making no sound at all. Aqua gasped and jumped back, calling her keyblade Rain Storm into existence in a flourish of ethereal pink petals. With out a sound, she charged forward and swung her blade, aiming for his neck-
And slicing through air as his form became a transparent image, fizzling out for a second before reappearing behind her. Aqua spun, shocked, trying to bring her keyblade up-
And the Unknown placed his hand on her forehead, bluish black sparks discharging.
Aqua stood stunned for a moment as-
She smiled, barely able to contain her joy as she approached her two friends.
The younger spiky haired blonde looked up in confusion while the older and dark haired watched her, looking bemused.
She proudly held up her hands, displaying the three star shaped charms, one blue, one orange, the last green. "Ta-da!" She declared.
The two boys smiled in wonder and surprise as she-
-blinked in surprise as the blacked haired teen caught up with her outside the coliseum gates. He smiled up at her. "Hey how about one date?" He asked out of the blue. She blinked, feeling her face flush. She-
-stared around the beautiful water fountain filled with falling pink petals. She caught one, staring at it and smiling. Behind her, the dark haired warrior smiled, watching her as she-
-stumbled as someone small collided into her. She looked down. It was a very young little girl with bright red hair, her small hands gripping at her keyblade. She looked scared and her eyes spoke volumes to her as they looked up at her pleadingly. She-
-cradled the young blonde's frozen form, watching his eyes shift rapidly in fear and confusion. A boastful laugh sounded behind her and she whirled around. Standing not too far away was a man wearing a strange but familiar gray uniform and red scarf around his neck. His right eye had an eye patch over it while the left was a sickening amber yellow.
She glared up at him, knowing he wasn't a friend in this time of-
-a strong unrelenting hand held her up by the neck with no problem.
She coughed and gasped, clawing at the unyielding grip as she fought to stay conscious.
Confused yellow eyes stared at her.
"Who…am…I?"
She forced her watery sapphire orbs to meet his blazing yellow.
"T-T…"
"Terra…" She breathed as the Unknown removed his hand.
He stared down on Aqua as she reeled, stumbling back and holding her own hand to her face, the sudden rush of memories and emotions almost overwhelming her once again. The water maiden looked up at the Unknown figure before her, eyes first confused and hurt. Then angry.
Aqua, "How…dare you? How dare you look at my memories!" With a scream, she swung her keyblade out-
Hitting empty air again as the Unknown displaced himself and reappeared across this strange area, directly under the shaft of light.
He held his hand out to her again.
Aqua ignored this strange gesture and called, "Who are you? What do you want with me?"
The Unknown didn't move or reply for a moment. Then his open hand clenched into a fist, his index finger pointing at her. He spoke once more.
"I want you."
Aqua gasped, flinching a step back. She understood now.
"The Organization Superior," she breathed. "That's who you are isn't it?"
He lowered his hand in a swipe.
"My title is of no importance…"
Aqua glared at him, holding Rain Storm out. Aqua, "Superior or not, you're just like them. And I won't go with you. You want me? Come and get me!"
With that, she swung her blade out, becoming surrounded by an aura of pure white light. The Unknown flexed his fingers; black and blue sparks dancing between them. Without a sound, Aqua charged forward, surrounded by light, keyblade poised out to impale the Unknown right through the spot his heart should've been-
And slicing though air once more as the Unknown reappeared in a twirl of shadows. Aqua reversed her direction, still moving at impossible speeds and shooting after the Unknown in a flurry of light. The hooded Superior stood his ground as she charged, the light around her burning brighter-
And missing as his form melted into shadow, rapidly shooting across from her until he reformed and stood in the center of the area. Aqua gritted her teeth together and reversed direction once more, screaming wordlessly as she charged him. Right as she reached him, she leapt into the air, keyblade pulled back and reversed down as she fell. Aqua thrust her Rain Storm out, aiming right for his chest-
Black and blue energy sparked between his hands as they thrust up to meet her strike, the sparks turning red as a strange perfectly square shaped shield appeared between her and the Unknown, deflecting her attack and shocking her with a rebound of energy that coursed throughout her entire body. Aqua hung in midair, her whole body not burning but freezing as the strength behind her own attack was reflected back at her. The Unknown lowered his shield and Aqua fell without a cry, just a look of confused pain. And she fell right into his arms for the second time.
He looked at her flushed and pained face, and he spoke once more.
"Stop fighting."
She glared up at him weakly and spat, "Never."
Without another word she swung her blade out, forcing him to let go of her and jump back. The Unknown watched her, the water maiden barely standing, fighting physical and emotional exhaustion. He held his hand towards her once more.
"Come to me."
Aqua glared at the Unknown and charged, screaming, "Never!"
Her Rain Storm swung out randomly, no skill in her strokes just uncontrolled rage and terrified fury. The Unknown deftly dodged all her swings, stepping back and pulling away with a grace and skill far beyond his servants. Aqua pulled her blade back in a mighty uppercut swing-
Silver met sparking red as the Unknown summoned that strange blade from his wrist once more, hand clenched and sparking blue and black sparks around the spot the blade sprouted from.
Aqua desperately pushed against his strange weapon, trying and failing to disarm him. Her strength was fading, the rage-fueled adrenaline dying. And a strange calm was settling over her. With no real effort at all, the Unknown locked her blade with his and swept them down and aside, disarming her so easily it was as if he didn't even try. Aqua stumbled back as her Rain Storm clattered and spun across the floor, the red blade the Unknown had conjured impaling through the hilt guard and pinning it in place.
Aqua stepped back, her right hand at her chest clutching at her star charm while the Unknown advanced wordlessly and soundlessly. Within seconds Aqua found herself backed up against the wall of this place and the Unknown advanced still, both arms suddenly gripping the walls on either side of her, trapping her there.
Aqua looked into his hidden face, catching the faintest glimpse of a lower jaw and mouth. And she saw he was smiling. This didn't anger her, but frightened her. She looked away, gripping the charm tightly and squeezed her eyes shut.
She had lost. And it was over.
The Unknown's arms lowered and moved towards her, one hand gently gripping her by the jaw while the other grasped her by the wrist of the hand clutching the charm. Aqua whimpered as he forced her to look back at him and then pried her hand open, exposing the charm. He looked at it, studying it for a moment. Then, still gripping her wrist, he forced her hand towards his neck. And Aqua finally noticed something. The zipper was pulled down partially, revealing he was wearing a black vast, the top parted open slightly and exposing the tanned skin of his neck and chest.
And lying against the base of his neck was…was…
Aqua shook her head, refusing to accept what her eyes saw.
The Unknown gently placed her hand against the blue star shaped charm that lay there. Right over a scar directly over his heart.
She remembered her dream.
Aqua stared at the charm and scar, head shaking as she mouthed the word 'No' over and over again.
She looked back at the Unknown's hidden face. His smile was sad as he nodded.
Aqua shut her eyes and cried, "No!" She ripped her hand free and beat at his chest with all her strength. The Unknown stood there, letting her channel her rage and denial into these weak hits. Finally after several moments, she stopped. Her body fell against his and she cried into his chest, mere inches away from the blue star charm.
Her blue star charm.
She hardly felt or noticed his lack of heartbeat.
His arms wrapped around her and she didn't even try to fight him this time.
She was tired of fighting.
"Aqua…"
His voice was older, sounding deeper then she remembered.
She looked up at him, her eyes tired and watery, tears at the corners. His hands grasped hers again and he brought them up to the sides of his hood.
He smiled down at her. A familiar smile.
With a small sob, she gripped his hood and pushed it back.
And saw his face.
He was older, no longer a boy but a man. His skin was darker then she remembered and his hair was longer still, spikier and more unruly then ever, going past his neck. It wasn't brown like fresh earth anymore but a grayish silver. And his eyes…
They weren't yellow anymore, nor were they brown.
But deep blue.
Aqua stared up at the older but still familiar face, her tears falling down her cheeks as she stroked his cheek. He smiled sadly at her.
"T-T…" She gasped out before whispering breathlessly:
"Terra."
And then, the tears truly fell.
She broke down, gripping his cloak and crying into his chest, legs shaking, failing to support her any longer. But he caught her, sweeping her up easily. He sat down, back against the wall of this strange place he brought her too, letting her cry ands sob against his chest, letting all the pain, rage, sadness and hopelessness she bottled for ten years come rushing down in a stream of relieved tears.
He held her, watching her cry.
And she never saw the corner of his blue eyes spark, black and blue energy crackling as blue became fiery orange.
And she never saw his smile.
It wasn't the kind smile from before but a vicious, triumphant smile.
She's mine, he thought.
He had won. And it was over.
Well here we are readers. Was it what you expected? Now all that remains are but a few chapters. And- (Boom.)
...Did any of you hear that?
Any way, cryptic talk aside we are nearing the finish line. Sadly, with school coming up, I'm only goingto be making the by-weekly updats for another week or two and then updateswill be random but I will finish this story before or on the day ofBirth By Sleep's release!
Now on to the review responses!
NinjaSheik: 1: That won't be happening much longer. 2: Good.
Aqua StormXIV: 1: Beat it? Now you have my complete respect! Oh I see. Fragment still sounds cooler and once again Eng. trans. ruin good things. Yay, they went to the beach where Roxas passed out! Talk about a day killer. Eh, she'll be meetign Kairi soon. I know, I was just trying to be cryptic by quoting Saix. And you can't be going nearly s crazy I am. 2: 52 pages. My hands are killing me. Whoo! She's got her stuff back. Xemmy can play nice when he wants too. Darn, bad writing on my part. I tried to hint she's been caring Terra's charm the hwoel time but i seems I didn't do a good job of that. And that flashback was to confirm she had Terra's charm while Xehanort has held onto hers for almost tens years and still even as a Nobody. Why is that? Prepare to find out.
Flightfoot: 1: Yes point out thespellingerrors! Ignore theones in the RR those are just me being lazy! 2: NO.
Riku Uzumaki: 1: Were not there yet. And she can't wield a Keyblade until KH 2. 2: Soon enough. she's got a reunion to recover from.
CrimsonDarkness 0013: 1: Twists and turns... deeper down a path of darkness... And no I don't mind. 2: NUUUUU! Breathe darn you BREATHE! Curse this story! It's claimed another life!
Yue Twili: 1: But where will such info lead Roxas himself? And don't die on me, you're one of my favorite reviewers. 2: Out of how many? Xiggy can be a jerk.
TerramFatali: 1: It's quite popular, much to my surprize. And your paitence has paid off.
iceandfire66: 1: Have I? Really? Huh. 2: Days was just...meh. You know, the story wasn't bad, but it was still just...meh. No offense to Xion, I love her. I just didn't see the real point of the game.
sickweirdo: 1: Oh they'll meet for more then five minutes...try a half a chapter.
Fenrir of the Shadows: 1: Sigh. I'm goign to ignore your tips while still respectfully acknowldge them. Now I will thank you for your compliments, they keep me writing. And this story is far from perfect. 2: Really? I keep thinkign it gets lower.
OrganziationkhII: 1: Yeah it rains, once during Roxas's run at the Org. again and again when Sora arrives. No, Sora won't be playing that big a role.
Vampire Countess: 1: I told you, just read, reviews are merely a bonus. And the Freeshooter's goign to have his hands full.
Kaminari-no-Yousei: ...ARE YOU KIDDING ME? (Goes and fixes.) God, why do you all think this story is so good if I can't even get Demyx's name right?
Grim D. Slayer: Eh, I'm not that awesome. Again, I apologise for my rant at you. I removed that and it's not going to happen again to you or anyone else. Xiggy isn't that hard to keep in character, the thing you have to rememebr is that he's a guy with his own agenda. He just pretends to be a laidback surfer/sniper. Of all the Org. memebrs who pretend not to be who they really are, Xigbar's thebest among them at this. And I have a question for you: How did Sora get enough strength to fight Xemnas one-on-one, then when he was controling a giant dragon castle/ship, then figth the dragon on a tiny little flyer thing, then figth Xemnas and his dragon which was throwing BUILDINGS at him and then Xemnas who decided to godmod and shoot hundreds of lasers at Sora. Answer, you have your answer.
sailorjupiterhater: They're fine, just unconscious.
BloodyAphrodite: Read and find out now. Or already do.
Sovereign Beta: Xiggy's not nice when he wants to be. So, tell me, did she do that? BTW: Brigth Crest and Rain Storm are two different Keyblades.
Karma's Save: Thank you.
ObsidianPhantom: Beleive it or not, I'm really considering doing a lemon between them. It kinda depends on how many peopel bring it up or ask.
Shining Sunny: In my opinion I get worse with each chapter. Don't hold me in such esteem, there are far betetr works then this somewhere on this site.
Me(You): What's a heroes depression?
TonberryBlue: Is it just me or these reviews getting longer? (Huggles back.) I love hugs from readers more then Reviews! Xemmy isn't obsessed...that much. And yet anothe person brings up thelemon. Tell you all what, if five more peopleask for the lemon, I'll do it. They're fine! Everybody quit worrying about them! Team Aqua and Mickey? Huh.
Xorncorn-Number 0: Hope you enjoy the rest of this story.
Well everybody, that's it until- (LOUDER BOOM.) What the-? Ok, you all had to hear-(Crash, wall explodes. dust settles...revealing one ticked off Lingering Sentiment)
Oh...crap.
Uh, see you all next chapter-(Keyblade whip wraps around my neck.) URK! If I live to write it!(Dragged off screen.)
Me: (Offscreen) Terra we can talk about this! It's technically your body- Wait, NOT THE FACE!