Chapter 13: The FINAL Issue

Kairi and Yuffie stepped out into the computer world. They were behind the firewall, but Norton was nowhere to be found, nor was RAM. FINAL viruses clung to the firewall once again, and the wall looked as though it was getting thinner. Yuffie threw her shuriken, and the FINAL viruses crumpled in on themselves and zipped away towards an enormous digital palace that hadn't been there last time. Male and female programs marched silently, led by FINAL orbs. The two girls ran out and started towards the palace.

It wasn't long before they reached the gates, but dozens of FINAL orbs blocked their passage. Kairi and Yuffie nodded to each other and began to wade through the foes. Many orbs were destroyed, but there proved to be too many, and the girls were overwhelmed. Their limbs were shackled and the orbs dragged the two into the palace.

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Kairi awoke in a small room. She was strapped to the wall by her hands, and Yuffie was next to her, still hanging limp. Kairi cursed the viruses, and then summoned her Keyblade.

When she tried to summon her blade, she felt a sharp pain as she was de-rezzed. The pain only stopped when she gave up on summoning it. Norton, where are you? She asked mentally.

I'm here, Kairi. Norton replied from inside her head.

"What the?" Kairi muttered.

I'm transmitting through RAM. Listen to me, the guards will be coming soon to take you to the Hive Mind. They've already picked me up from my cell. Try to figure out what's de-rezzing you. I have a plan. Norton explained.

Kairi looked around for a while until she spotted what looked like a cheap sci-fi ray gun hanging from the ceiling. It's some gun thing. Right above my head. Kairi thought back. For good measure, she sent him a mental picture of the device.

I'm almost there. Hang on tight to something.

Suddenly the wall opposite the two girls blew inwards. It hit the top of the wall Kairi and Yuffie were strapped to, and the two girls flew backwards into the hallway behind them. Kairi broke the bonds on her and Yuffie, and then turned towards where the wall had been blown in.

"You might want to hurry. It's possible someone heard that." Norton suggested, a three-foot diameter RAM behind him.

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Kairi and Yuffie followed the antivirus program closely as he turned through the many hallways of the palace, blowing away any unfortunate FINAL virus that happened to get in the way of the party.

Eventually they reached a huge door. "Typical." Norton muttered, turning around. "Through this door lies the FINAL virus Hive Mind. Are you two sure you want to go in?"

"Of course we do. C'mon, Kairi!" Yuffie huffed, dragging Kairi through the door.

The three stood in an impossibly high silver chamber. A wall of inky blackness obscured the other end of the hall. "You've done well, Norton." A voice said. "Now kill them both, and be quick about it. I haven't got all day, you know."

"What does the voice mean 'kill us'?" Yuffie asked Norton. She turned just in time to see Norton leap at Kairi, a huge sword in each of his hands. "Kairi, behind you!"

Kairi turned in time to see Norton attack her viciously, scoring hit after hit on her. Finally, she was able to concentrate enough to draw her Keyblade, and blocked an attack that she knew would have finished her off. Yuffie swung her shuriken around herself, repeatedly hitting Norton. He snarled. "Debug!" he yelled. Kairi and Yuffie were flung back across the room, and Kairi fell unconscious. Norton charged up for a while, then, as Yuffie was about to strike him once again, yelled out "DEBUG 3!" A huge ball of energy rocketed towards Yuffie, but she batted it back.

"Take that, you traitorous piece of crap!" She yelled as Norton hit the wall of darkness and started to writhe as he was slowly deleted. Yuffie ran to Kairi and administered an elixir to her. The two girls turned and saw Norton hit the ground, continuing to twist and turn.

Norton stood up. He was now dressed in pitch-black armor with purple lines, but it only covered most of his body. His right arm had been replaced with one of pure darkness, and bat-like wings sprouted out of his back. The heartless emblem was displayed prominently on his chest. "Ladies, I give you Norton V.3!" the voice yelled.

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Leon and Tifa ran past the mysterious man, and towards the Great Maw.

A/N: And there's the short chapter 13. Yeah, no summons. Sorry. However, Sora will get one in the next chapter (it will be longer than this one), which will feature the final match in the Battle of the Bands.

May your swords stay sharp!