Pairings: Riku/Sora, Axel/Roxas Leon/Cloud more pairings later?Seifer frowned folding his arms over his chest. He'd kept his agreement to Leon to make sure that everyone made it safely to the Highwind. But that didn't mean that he had to stay there himself. Not that it made a difference. Without Merlin there to help power the ship, there was nothing more they could do to even get moving.

Warnings: AU, I guess spoilers or something for people who haven't seen all the way through the end of the game, medieval stuff, possibilities of violence and bloodshed and sexiness

Comment: Sorry it took so long again, I got lazy.....and the format changed again.

Princely Garbs 25

What were Leon and Cloud thinking?! To go back to such a dangerous place all by themselves?! Why hadn't they waited until everyone was together then come up with a plan?!

"Stay calm," Roxas said from beside him, even resting a cool hand over his brother's. Right, he couldn't let this get the best of him. They couldn't change the past, all they could do was move on and do their best to save the others. Still...what was going on back at Sephiroth's castle to make the two of them even go there? He'd heard most of everything from Cid from how Leon has left to how Cloud went back to save him. From the description that Cid gave him about the soldiers there, Sora seriously doubted that the two of them could handle all of them by themselves.

No matter how much confidence I have in them, there's just no way....

"How much longer, Cid?" Sora asked, sitting beside Cid in the cockpit growing more restless the more time passed.

"Shouldn't be all that much further now," Cid said, biting on the end of the cigarette hanging out of his mouth. He was obviously worried about this whole thing himself, considering he hadn't even lit the smoking stick at all. "I'm a little worried about letting you two go alone like this, but if you two really are the princes of Kingdom Hearts, then you might really be our best bet right now."

"Yeah, that's true," Roxas said folding his arms not trying to sound cocky. "But we can't forget that we're up against all of the Organization, not to mention we're no where near Kingdom Hearts right now."

"Besides that," Sora said looking straight ahead out the window. "If the Door to Darkness really is there...then it'd only get more dangerous if it ended up opening."

Roxas nodded in response to that. "Let's just do what we can to hurry and stop that from happening then."

"You're right," Sora said glancing at his twin brother and smiling. "We can do this. We have to do this." It wasn't just a matter of saving Riku anymore, it was to save everyone. Of course Riku was an important part of it to him, but if he didn't stop the door from opening, he could only imagine there would be even more chaos in the world. Everything would probably end up being like Kingdom Hearts...and he didn't want to lose his home anymore...or any more of his friends and family.

"Hey...Roxas?" Sora said in a questioning tone, waiting until the other was looking at him before he continued, a little frown on his lips. "What are the Organization exactly? I mean like...how did it start?"

"Well...the whole thing started with the three originals. I'm not sure about the full details since Axel only told me so much about it. A lot of the history is hidden with Xemnas, Xigbar, Xaldin, Lexaeus, Vexen, and Zexion. Specifically Xemnas. He started the whole thing, tampering and researching with the darkness and the light, drawing the other five to work with him. At some point, the darkness must have invaded their hearts and made them the way they are now. After that, Xigbar was sent out to start recruiting more people to become part of the darkness, I guess based on their spiritual strength. If they could handle the darkness then they would be brought there." Roxas paused for a moment before continuing. "Though not everyone was able to adapt very well."

"Really?" Sora asked, looking like a curious child though he felt skeptical about hearing the rest. There was something about the way Roxas...ended that sentence. "Then...what happened to the people that can't...adapt well to the darkness?"

Roxas looked at him and frowned, getting far too serious for Sora's taste. "They either become swallowed up by the darkness and disappear or...become something even worse...."

"Even worse?" He was worried now, about Riku...and about Leon and Cloud. "And...what is that something worse?"

"Remember that creature we saw back at Kingdom Hearts? The ice creature? Well...that's an example of what happens."

"So then....."

Roxas nodded seeing the understanding finally shining in Sora's eyes. "That's right. They become monsters, incapable of thought. With Riku, there's a hope. He was able to keep his form so it won't be long before he obtains a sense of awareness. Whether that's good or not is another thing...he may become your enemy."

"I see..."

"But in the case of someone whose body isn't strong enough to handle the darkness...he becomes a monster, a beast. He won't remember friends nor will he know what those are."

"Leon..." He couldn't explain it but hearing those words...an image of Leon popped to mind. Was he ok? He did suffer some injuries before. But Cloud was with him...so he had to be ok...both of them did. "Cid, let's hurry. I don't think we have much time left."

"Going as fast as I can, kid," Cid said smoking the cig, having listened to the whole conversation. "You don't need to be worrying about those two," Cid said looking back at them and grinning. "Hell, the last thing you have to worry about is those two giving up, even the prince won't give up that easily." He hesitated a moment looking at the two princes before blowing out a puff of smoke. "Well the prince of Radiant Garden anyway. Not that I'm saying the two of you wouldn't do the same." At the blank looks he got he shook his head grumbling loudly. "Aww hell, I don't know what I'm saying. Anyway, hold on tight! We're getting close now! I ain't gonna be able to land this baby since Sephiroth's probably aiming to take down anything that comes near here!"

"Then how in the world are we supposed to get down there?!" Sora asked. At that, Cid put the plane on autopilot and got up going towards the back. The two brothers looked at each other in confusion for a moment before focusing their attention back on Cid when he returned.

"...What are those?" Roxas asked.

"These are Protective Airship Release Apparatus Controlled Under Terrifying Emergencies. Or a parachute for short."

"Uh...ok," Roxas said staring at the things. "And what do we do with these...parachutes."

"You'll be using the Protective Airship Release Apparatus Controlled Under Terrifying Emergencies to jump from the ship."

What?!

"Are you insane, Cid!" Sora yelled out staring at him in shock. "You're trying to get us killed before we even get there!"

"Trust me," Cid said grinning like a big kid with a new toy. "The Protective Airship Release Apparatus Controlled Under Terrifying Emergencies, a.k.a. the parachute won't fail. I've been testing it out with BZ."

"...What's a BZ?"

"The bug zapper I created in Radiant Garden." He took the cig from his lips smothering it against the side of the wall beside him as he looked up at the ceiling. "Riku apparently thought it would be a good enough name for him. Though I've modified it to kill those dark suckers now. Guess it's not much of a bug zapper anymore. I'll be sending that little baby with ya. It should help protect ya against the darkness if they try to sneak up on yas."

Riku....

"Ok... teach me how to use it then."

"Are you insane, Sora?!" Roxas said snapping his head towards him quickly like he'd lost his mind. "There's no way that'll work!"

"Well we have to do something!" Sora yelled back. "Even if it's a just little chance!"

"You'll be small enough that even Sephiroth wouldn't notice ya. Just like a little bug," Cid said still having that grin on his face. "Trust me, it won't fail."

Looking between Sora and Cid, Roxas sighed finally giving up as he leaned back on the chair. "Ok...so how do you use the protective appara-thingy."

"The parachute."

"Whatever," Roxas said giving a small glare. "Just show us how to use it so we can be done with this!"

"Fine fine, I'll teach ya everything ya need to know."

Why am I still here?

....

That's right....I need to......save Leon......

Still, even that thought didn't stop the pain in his side from throbbing. Sitting up carefully, he shook his head giving himself a moment to recollect himself. That's right, he'd been trying to save Leon when Auron.....what was it that Auron had done? He was starting to remember it now. He'd been trying to go to the garden when Auron had found him. After having his wound treated, he must have fallen asleep during that time. He remembered Auron saying that he'd go save Leon for him...but that wasn't something Cloud was going to be able to wait on. He needed to see for himself that Leon was safe and sound.

Quietly, he went over to the door resting his ear against it listening out to make sure it was still clear outside. So far everything was quiet, which could have been either a good thing or a bad thing. He winced holding his side seeing some of the blood seeping through the bandage. Though he'd been treated, it wasn't like he was fully healed yet. He took a moment to get his shirt and sword, grateful that Auron hadn't taken it, before taking his chance and slipping out of the infirmary room. There wasn't a soul in sight, a good thing since with the glowing of his eyes, he was sure he'd have been seen in an instance. With the injury on his body right now, he was better off not getting into any fights if he could avoid it. The last thing he needed was to pass out due to blood loss.

He moved quickly, rushing down the hallway, holding his sword in his one hand and he free hand to the wound at his side. He knew where it was he was going. He was heading back to that garden, to the place where he was certain everything would begin. He knew the Door to Darkness was out there, and for some reason he had a feeling that everything would start with it. What was Sephiroth's goal was? He still wasn't sure; but he doubted it was anything good.

Leon...you better be ok.......

He stopped near the garden, a feeling passing over his body that made him want to fall in despair. This feeling, the strong amount of darkness...had the door been opened?

"I had a feeling you wouldn't sit still." Cloud turned before thinking, his sword coming up to be blocked once again by the very person that had blocked it the first time.

"A-Auron," Cloud said staring in a daze before he stumbled slightly, being caught in Auron's arms.

"You're still weak," Auron said, though the sound in his voice made it sound less harsh as a statement. "I told you I'd save him for you. You need to rest."

"I know that," Cloud said frowning and pulling away. "But this is something I have to do. I want to save him with my own two hands. Then after that I..."

"...." Auron frowned too seeing that Cloud obviously wasn't going to be going along with this easily. And how could he anyway? The man that kissed him once....or maybe more than once, was in danger of being killed. That was not something Cloud felt he could go through again. Despite that he tried to tell himself it was cause they were comrades, he knew deep down that there had to and was something more to it. He found that Leon was...important to him...and not just as a teammate. Besides that, he had a lot of questions he still needed answers to. Like why had Leon kissed him?

"Auron...sorry but...." Cloud turned running off quickly not giving Auron the time to think about what was happening. He hated to admit it but his head was swimming from all the movement he was doing. He wouldn't be of any help to Leon like this, but at least he'd get to see him again even if it did end up to be this once. Besides that, what ever was going on inside the garden, it wasn't good. So he kept running, heading to the place he knew the Door to Darkness was, hearing the movement behind him to know that Auron was closing in behind him. Why was Auron being so desperate to keep him away? And for that matter, what was it that Sephiroth had tried to convince him into doing?

He was about to keep going before he skidded to a halt seeing four figures up ahead and quickly going into hiding. By the fact that he looked behind him and didn't see Auron, he could only assume the other had done the same. Frowning he looked over the bushes he was hiding behind, seeing the two figures that had been the ones to hurt Leon before. With all that was going on, he realized he'd never had the chance to ask Leon how his injury was doing. But by now, the wound must have been-

Wait...is that Riku?

Sure enough, standing by the Door to Darkness was Riku. He had his eyes closed, a dark keyblade in his hand which he had pointed towards the door. Already the door was opening, darkness spilling out which must have been why that bad feeling had crossed over Cloud earlier. The darkness was starting to take shape into all kinds of creatures, only making Cloud worry more about what was happening. Another creature caught his eye before he full out stared at it seeing the yellow eyes staring at him, the darkness starting to invade the tiny garden.

Leon?

Sure enough, it was Leon...or what was left of his original self anyway. He was turning his head this way and that obviously looking something before looking back at him again, starting to come over. This wasn't good, for several reasons. Cloud was having a hard time finding the energy to run, not to mention that he was about out of energy anyway with all the blood loss. Leon was changed into a creature of the dark, meaning the chances of getting through to him were low. And on top of that, he was heading this way meaning that soon Cloud's position would be exposed. But maybe...if he drew Leon away then.....he'd have a chance to try to bring him back.

I have to try....

He stood up, ignoring the pain in his side or the way his vision was swimming as he started to back up keeping his eyes on Leon. However, his plan was stopped short as he bumped into something and looked back seeing Auron behind him. Wait...what was he doing here now?

"Cloud...I'm sorry..." He took both of Cloud's arms holding them behind his back and used a leg slipping it between Cloud's to lock his position in place, not that Cloud could even move with all the shock holding him down. What was Auron doing?!

"Looks like we have a new toy," Xigbar said walking over and grinning like a fool. "Good job, dude."

"My name is not dude," Auron said frowning and holding Cloud tighter. "And as agreed, he's not to be turned into one of those things. He will stay here with me and King Sephiroth and work under us."

"Auron?" Cloud asked looking up at him in confusion. He wasn't acknowledged, Auron keeping his face away as he looked at Xigbar and Xaldin. What did he mean by work under then? He'd never agreed to that! And Leon...Leon's wasn't looking at him anymore, his eyes looking at the Door to Darkness.

"True," Xigbar said grinning still as he leaned down bringing his face close to Cloud's as if he were inspecting a specimen of some type. "Though I really think we should take him anyway."

"Xigbar."

"Dude, chill out," the one eyed male said looking back at his partner who, to Cloud, was equally as dark if not darker. "I'm not going to do anything." It was almost like Cloud could hear the "yet" placed silently at the end of that sentence. Though right now, his own mind was already in a jumble. Why was Auron holding him back like this? What sort of 'deal' had Auron and these bastards struck? And why was it he felt like his heart was shattering the longer he saw Leon like this? He'd seen this sort of thing before. It wasn't the normal type of Heartless that he was used to seeing, but rather a rarer one he wished he could forget about from his past. There were...several things he wished he could forget back then.

"Strange," said a voice back from behind Xigbar, Cloud's head lifting up at the familiar voice. "I'd had rather he become one of us."

Cloud's body tensed up as he saw the young boy he'd taken care of since he was little staring down at him, a lack of expression in those emotionless yellow eyes though the sadist grin seemed to stand out in the darkness. "Riku?"

"It took me a moment to surface," Riku said looking down at his hand, not bothered in the least by all the darkness flowing around him, flowing from the keyblade he held loosely in his hand. Despite the lack of darkness covering his pale skin, the feeling of emptiness flowing from him was enough to let Cloud know that he'd become one of them. "You should considering going to the dark side. It really fits your taste."

The blond opened his mouth to speak, but felt the words freezing up in his throat as he stared up at Riku before his eyes trailed over landing on Leon's dark face and glowing eyes. "Leon...." He tried to reach out to him, but with his arms confined, all he gave was an effortless push. He was still far too weak to fight back, being that his wound was opened and his blood was sliding down his side again. Why was this becoming so hard? Why was everything turning out like this?! He'd lost both his comrade and his prince to the darkness! Yet once again he was spared just like last time...... He could remember it now, all that happened when the king of Kingdom Hearts had been killed.....everything was starting to repeat itself but with a new cast.

It's happening all over again...just like last time...

"Don't worry," Riku said staring at Cloud and smirking. "I'll take good care of him for you, while spreading darkness around the world. It'll be just like Christmas...a happy time for everyone."

"Riku!" Cloud yelled out managing to pull away only to fall down to his knees. "Don't do this! What about Sora?! What about your kingdom?!"

"My kingdom is dead...," Riku said, an almost sad look coming across his face before looking at Cloud again. "Or had you forgotten?"

Cloud's eyes widened at that, remembering the run down halls, the carcasses and smell of the dead who had been left behind leaving only a few survivors. He was right...he was right that the kingdom had been destroyed. Cloud couldn't lie about something like that. But how had Riku found out? "That's-"

"Don't make excuses," Riku said, his voice sounding livid for a moment before he went back to a deadpan. "You were never there to protect me, only Sora. You used our kingdom to protect your precious prince for your own selfish gain so you wouldn't feel like the weakling that you really are. You tried to make Sora a king to remake his kingdom, so you wouldn't have to feel the guilt of failing the people who trusted you most. And because of that now Sora's....." He went silent at that, apparently lost in his own thought for a moment, something Cloud took note of. If it was possible Riku was still feeling emotional about this, then maybe...it wasn't too late to stop the effects of the darkness...maybe for both him and Leon. But...it was going to be useless if he didn't even have the light to help him.

"You're wrong," Cloud said panting slightly, feeling his vision sway as he stood up, Auron holding him by the shoulders even though he had no strength to push the man away. "At first I did start out using your kingdom to get close to Sora...but the longer I stayed there, the more I found myself wanting to protect that kingdom too, along with the people there. " He sighed giving a cough as he looked at Riku again. "Sora's out looking for you right now. You have no idea how worried he's been about you. He's been wanting to see you ever since you were taken away."

"Sora's dead," Riku said, the lack of emotion appearing in his dark eyes before he turned walking off. "And I'll make sure the world suffers for it."

"Riku, wait!" He couldn't stop Riku from leaving as the smaller male disappeared into the Door to Darkness. Why wouldn't he listen? What made him think that Sora was dead?! What sort of lies had the Nobodies told him?! He tried to think about these things, but the blood loss was making him become more and more delusional. For a moment...he saw Leon reach for him...for a moment he thought he saw Sora and Roxas appear behind him, and for a moment he thought he'd managed too utter a few words before he lost all consciousness.

Save...Riku...and...Leon...please...Sora...Roxas...you have to...save...them....

TBC....

Yay, I predict not so good things happening next time...or maybe good things. I don't really know yet.