Disclaimer: Check Chapter 1
I don't know how long the seven of us stayed in that hallway, struck with disbelief that a life had ended. Mickey broke the silence first, hands fisted at his sides.
"We...we have to stop Xemnas. He has to pay for this." Sora nodded, and put a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged to let him know I felt it, and he sighed.
"We'll give you a minute." Seven pairs of footsteps heading back downstairs fading into silence told me I could finally open the dam, and I did so. Clutching at Riku's cloak, I cried enough to make my voice hoarse and my eyes red and aching. Sniffling, I backed away until I could see his face again. Closed aqua eyes were still covered with the black blindfold from so long ago, never to open again. I brushed his bangs from his face, biting my lip as they fell back to his forehead.
"You needed a haircut so badly..." I shook my head, vision blurring as more tears came. They spilled down my cheeks as I put my head on his chest, still crying a little. Placing one hand above his heart, I jolted in surprise as my hand pulsed for a second. I shook my head, passing it off as my own pulse. Giving him one last kiss, I stood and took a breath.
"I'll see this through to the end, I promise." Sneakers clicking on the tile beneath my feet, I returned to the Proof. Inside, Sora stood up as I entered the room. The sympathy in his eyes made my flinch, and I walked past him towards the other exit. Axel took a step after me, and I turned to look at them over my shoulder.
"Could you...could you both take the body back to Infinity?" They nodded, and I ran off to head outside. I needed air, badly.
With a sigh, Sora turned to head up to collect the body of his best friend. Axel fell into step beside him, offering a sympathetic arm around his shoulders. Sora squeezed his eyes shut.
"How could this have happened..." Axel shook his head.
"I dunno. I'm sorry." Sora shrugged, then gasped in surprise at what he saw before him. When they'd left Christie to say her goodbyes, Riku had been laying flat on his back. He now sat up, knees tucked beneath him as he worked the knot of cloth at the back of his head. Sora stared for a moment, then took a step forward.
"...Riku?" Dropping the blindfold to reveal teal-blue eyes, Riku looked up, very much alive. The sound of boots and cries of joy from behind told Sora that Axel had gone back to tell the others the good news, but he didn't care. Taking a few steps forward to stand before his old friend, Sora fell to his knees. As Riku stared in confusion, Sora lunged forward, bursting into tears as he threw his arms around Riku's shoulders, knocking them both to the ground. Riku blinked, shocked that Sora had hugged him so tightly and suddenly. When Sora let go after a moment, Riku tilted his head.
"I'm glad to see you too, but why the hug?" Sora stared, stopping the wiping of tears from his cheeks. Kairi took a step forward, placing her arms around Sora's shoulders as she looked to Riku.
"You...you were dead. You died, Riku." Riku's eyes widened, and he shook his head.
"No, that's...that's impossible." He suddenly looked up, noticing the lack of the most important person to him.
"Where's Christie?" Sora and Kairi shared a look, and Sora shook his head.
"We don't know. She ran back down the Castle...but I dunno where she went." Riku was off in a flash, running through abandoned halls to try and reach her before it was too late.
"Chris..."
"Child, I'm so sorry..."
"Christie..." I buried my face further into my knees, sniffling away the last of my tears. There would be no consoling me for a while, and they knew it. I looked up to the rumbling sky, eyes narrowed as the clouds cracked up, spilling rain onto the streets. Extending one hand out past my knees, I called one dagger. I hiccuped a sob back at the sight of the black blade. Riku had given these to me, on my 17th birthday. I treasured these, using them every chance I got. But now...I just couldn't bring myself to use them. I dismissed the blade, looking out across the city and listening to the falling rain on the ground and buildings. In my grief, I didn't feel the bond that Riku and I shared perk up, nor did I hear his footsteps until he came barreling around the corner.
"Christie!" I stiffened, slowly turning around to face his voice. He stood there, panting from what had to have been a long run. Not really believing it was really Riku, I stood up slowly. He took one step forward, and I backed away, shaking my head.
"No, this can't be real. You...you're dead!" Sympathy and understanding filled his eyes, and he took another step forward.
"Chris, I'm real as you are. It's ok." I closed my eyes, turning my back on him.
"No. It's not ok. This...this is just a dream." I heard a sigh, and footsteps. A hand was placed on my shoulder, and I didn't have time to react until I was pulled into a hug with one very much alive Riku. He settled his chin on my head, arms around my back.
"It's ok. I'm here." It took a minute for the reality of the situation to set in. He was here. He was alive. Burying my face into his chest, I hugged him as tight as I could. We must have stood there for a very long time, becuase my legs were stiff when we finally broke apart. He looked at me, gently smiling as he wiped a stray tear from my cheek.
"See? Everythings all right now." I nodded, smiling a tiny bit. Yes, everything was all right again. Hand in hand, we returned to the Castle. Of course, he shed the cloak midway through the trip back up, revealing jeans and that silly top. I smiled.
"We never did get that crazy zipper fixed, did we?" Riku chuckled, shaking his head as I fiddled with it, finally managing to get it closed all the way.
"Well, it's fixed now." We shared a small laugh, and continued our trek back up to the Proof. Once inside, both Riku and I were charge-glomped by Sora and Kairi, both younger teens blabbering on about how happy they were. They backed off when Kairi unleashed a yawn of massive proportions, and Namine soon followed. Sora ran a hand through his spikes, looking like he was also about to drop.
"Guess it got pretty late, huh?" I glanced at my watch, and let out a low whistle.
"Late is an understatement...it's 4AM Destiny Islands time..." Sora blanched, and looked around at our current location. He frowned, turning back to me.
"How much space does Infinity have?" I shook my head. There were eight of us here, Infinity couldn't hold that many sleeping people, even if one of them was a three foot tall mouse. Mickey sighed, hopping onto one of the platforms and curling up against the wall.
"Whelp, we'll just have to rest here for the night." Giving us all goodnights, he curled into a ball and dozed off. Axel, Roxas, and Namine curled off on the highest platform, curled around one another as Sora and Kairi took the platform across from Riku and I. Kairi was asleep against Sora's shoulder in seconds, while I took a few moments longer to fall asleep, my head on Riku's lap. I dozed off, lightly at first, before falling into a deep sleep in my true loves arms.
Riku smiled as Christie finally fell asleep. She needed the rest, after what had happened just an hour before. Feeling a pair of eyes on him, Riku looked up to his best friend, tilting his head at Sora's concerned stare.
"What's up, Sora?" Sora blinked, realizing he'd been staring. He shook his head, looking to the exit where they'd come from.
"I just keep thinking I'm dreaming, and I'll wake up to find you gone. I...I couldn't take that again." Riku nodded, understanding where his friend was coming from.
"I'll be here, don't worry about it." Sora took a deep breath as he nodded, but one question wouldn't stop nagging at him. He looked to his oldest friend.
"There's something I wanna ask you. How is it you're alive? You had no pulse, I felt it myself." Sora shuddered at the memory. It would be a very long time before he would lose that memory, no matter what happened. At first, Riku had looked to the cieling in thought, before looking to the girl sleeping in his lap. Sora followed his gaze, then looked back up at him.
"Christie?" Riku nodded.
"Yeah. She gave me some of her Darkness, and brought me back." Riku leaned his head back, eyes closed and a gentle, knowing smile on his face.
"Life seeks out balance. I took in too much Light way too fast when..it happened, and my Heart stopped. Christie, she gave me some of her Darkness to even it out, so here I am." Sora frowned.
"I'm not really sure I get it. I'm just glad you're back." Riku nodded, already beginning to doze.
"Me too, Sora...me too."
Footsteps.
I was up in a flash, dagger appearing in my hand at the sound. The movement woke Riku, and he summoned Way to Dawn when he saw my dagger. Sora had already woken up, and was gently handing Kairi off to the already awake Axel. He turned to the exit, summoning Oblivion as we readied ourselves for combat.
"Gawrsh, Donald, are you sure they're here?"
"Positive. Infinity's here, right?" Mickey's ears twitched, and he leapt up to stay Sora's blade. When my cousin protested, Mickey raised a finger to his lips.
"Don't you recognize those voices?" Sora tilted his head, then dismissed Oblivion as Donald and Goofy came around the corner. Mickey and Sora raced forward to hug them, waking Kairi with all thier racket. Riku and I shared a look, dismissing our weapons as the happy reunion came to an end. Donald and Goofy seemed well rested and ready for combat, and as I looked over our little group, I realized we were all ready to go as well. Sora and I shared a look, and I walked to the tallest ledge. Fingering my necklace, I looked over my friends.
"I'm...I'm not very good at speeches. What I'm trying to say, is that after we defeat Xemnas...I'm going to Radient Garden to live." Sora nodded in understanding, Kairi stared in shock, and Riku sighed in relief. I walked back to Riku's side, and we proceeded up the Castle. Nobodies got in the way every step up, but with the ten of us, it was easy going. When we reached the highest ledge of Twilight's View, Kairi stiffened. She and Namine ran to the gaurd railing, looking over the edge at all the Shadow's crawling up the side to try and reach us. They crested the edge of the railing, forcing the girls back. Namine smacked at them with her sketchbook if they got to close, and Kairi knocked them away with her staff, the closed off area to small for her Hell-Spells. Before the Heartless could claim any of us for thier ranks, a barrier of green fire went up. Riku and I stiffened as Maleficent and Pete appeared on our side of the Barrier. Maleficent looked over her shoulder at us.
"Begone from here, all of you! Leave these foul ones to us!" Pete stared.
"But there's now way we could take them all on our own!" Maleficent pointed towards us with her staff.
"We must hold them off, while these...children...handle Xemnas. Or would you rather fight him yourself?" Pete blanched, taking a step back.
"Frankly my dear, I'd rather run!" Maleficent scoffed, opening a Dark Portal for her cowardly subordinate.
"Off with you then." Pete made to run off, but then Mickey caught his eyes. Pete planted his hands on his hips.
"Well, if it ain't the boat boy King." Mickey smiled wryly.
"Time to weigh anchor, Captain Pete." Pete frowned.
"What? Like, abandon ship? I dun think so!" He turned back to Maleficent, walking to her side as the witch began to down the barrier. She turned to us.
"Sora, "your highness", Do not forget. Once they've all been destroyed, this castle will be mine!" The barrier dropped as Maleficent and Pete ran into the fight against thousands of Shadows, and we ran towards the Passage of Ruin and Creation. Sora skidded to a stop as he nearly fell into what he thought was a bottomless pit, but Roxas kept running forward. The path we had to take formed beneath his feet, and we followed after the blond until we reached the highest point. Axel suddenly stopped, turning around. He cursed.
"Crap. SQUIRT!" I turned, facing where he was pointing in time to see at least 500 Berserkers working thier way up the pathways towards us. Riku cursed.
"There's gonna be no end to them!" Sora patted his friend on the shoulder.
"Together, we can stop them!" Unsure as the situation looked, Sora's confidence was very inspiring. Axel stayed behind with Donald and Goofy to gaurd the Kairi and Namine, while the rest of us leapt forward into battle. Bond of Flame came alive in Roxas's hands, and he was able to disarm several Berserkers and use thier own weapons to knock them into the gorge. The heat of Axel's weapons and the constant sound of Namine's sketch creatures mixed with Kairi's spells to create a battle symphony. Sora and Riku quickly cleaved through their own targets, as I leapt from Berserker to Berserker, kicking thier heads together and making them aim at one another to get at me. But for all we tried, it was just too much to handle. After they nearly knocked Mickey off the pathway, we retreated to the ledge where the girls waited. Sides heaving, we stared down the remaining 20 creatures. They just stood there, mocking us. If we went up, they'd follow and we'd be outnumbered with Xemnas as a threat. We couldn't go down either, they were severly blocking the path. Sora dismissed Oblivion, curling into himself to try and drive. I felt the pull for a moment, but it dissipated quickly as Darkness raced into the area. Sora screamed in pain, then ran past us in a flash of black. Riku and I tried to grab him, but he slipped right through our hands and into the Berserker's ranks. Kairi cried out after him, but either he didn't hear or he was ignoring us. Biting Axel's arm as he tried to hold her back, Kairi ran past us to get to Sora. She managed to reach him, but the Berserker's closed in on them before we could run to help. For a few tense moments, we stood there, waiting for something to happen. And boy, did it ever! A flash of white light made Riku and I turn away, but when we looked back, Sora was standing there with Kairi in his arms, Oathkeeper and Oblivion swirling around them. Sora's black clothes had become white, with flame designs on the shorts. He floated over back to the ledge, setting Kairi down.
"Wait here." He literally flew back into the fray, killing the remaining Berserkers. Once they were gone, he floated back over to us, dismissing Final Form as he came to a firm, safe landing. Kairi ran forward, hugging him tightly for a moment, then smacking him upside the head. He yelped, but said nothing as she kissed him fiercely on the mouth. We looked away to give them privacy, only turning back when, after a minute, they were still at it. Riku and I shared an incredulous look as they finally broke apart, smiling at one another. Axel clapped.
"Nice show, kids. But, we gotta go." They nodded, and we turned to leave. Before we could get up the stairs to the Alter, the sound of breaking stone made us turn back to Twilights View. Quickly running down the pathway, I had to grab hold of the doorframe to stop myself from falling off the edge. Sora peered over my shoulder, whistling at the site of the deep pit that led to the city below. Maleficent's dragon roar above us filled in the blanks, and we returned to the high ledge back in Creation's Passage. Sora led the way up the stairs to the Altar's peak, where Xemnas had his arms raised high up to his destroyed Kingdom Hearts. He turned around when he heard us, eyes narrowed.
"Warriors of the Keyblades! Go forth, and bring me more Hearts!" Mickey, Sora, and Riku glared, summoning thier blades and snarling in unison.
"No!" Xemnas shook his head, almost pensive.
"Denizens of Light, tell me this: Why do you hate the Darkness?" Mickey lowered his Keyblade, looking to the ground.
"We don't hate it...it's just kinda...scary." He shook his head, looking up at Xemnas.
"But the worlds are made of both Light and Darkness. You can't have one without the other, 'cause Darkness is half of everything. It sorta makes ya wonder why we are scared of the Dark..." Riku glared towards Xemnas.
"It's because of who's lurking inside of it." Xemnas nodding, and I thought he understood for a moment.
"Then allow me another question. You accept the Darkness, and yet, choose to live in the Light. So, why is that you loathe and despise us who teeter on the brink of nothing? We who were turned away by both Light and Dark, never given a choice?" Riku lowered Way to the Dawn, almost sympathetic.
"That's simple. It's because you've messed up our worlds." Xemnas nodded, taking full responsibility for his actions.
"That may be...However, what other choice might we have had." Sora scowled.
"Just give it a rest already! It doesn't matter what you say, we're taking you down!" Xemnas chuckled.
"You don't miss a thing, Isumaru. No matter what misery will befall this world, no matter what you think, what you feel, or how you choose to exist, you will end me." He raised his arms, making both he and Sora vanish. We called out to Sora, but there was no response. Kairi ran to the gaurd rail of the Altar, screaming.
"SORA!"
Sora lowered his arm, gasping in surprise. He was standing in front of the Skyscraper outside of the Castle, but it was if it was in another dimension entirely. Sora jumped to attention as Xemnas appeared in front of him, hands forming some kind of sign. Sora winced in pain as a barrier formed around him, sapping his strength away by the second. Xemnas vanished, reappearing at the top of the Skyscraper. Sora snarled up at him, leaping to the entrance door and somehow running up the side of the building. Xemnas leapt down, conjuring two red beam swords as he flew towards the teen. They met in front of a giant video screen, and Sora slammed Xemnas into it's surface with Oblivion, stunning him. The barrier on Sora faded away, and they both fell to the ground. Sora managed to right himself to land hard on his feet, while Xemnas crashed headfirst into the ground. He faded away, and Sora sighed in relief. Keeping Oblivion in hand, he looked around for some kind of escape route. When there was none he could see, Sora gently tugged Kairi's charm out of his pocket, clutching it to his heart.
"Sora! Where are you?!"
"Sora! Answer me!"
"Sora!" Sora smiled, lifting his head to the rain as he was able to use the Hearts of his friends to return to the Altar. What he didn't expect, however, was to fall face first onto the floor as he was dumped from a portal in the "sky". He shook his head as Riku and Christie tugged him from the ground, shaking off the King's concern for the bigger picture.
"Where's Xemnas?!" Donald peered around, suddenly sqauwking in shock as he looked up to see Xemnas embedding himself into the Moon.
"Hear me, Kingdom Hearts! It seems we must begin anew. Ah, but know this: I will give you as many Hearts as it will take. Mark my words! You can no more be complete without me, then I without you. Heed me, Kingdom Hearts! Lend me your power, so that we may be complete! The power to erase the fools that hinder us." Mickey called out to the man, trying to reach Xehanort within.
"Xemnas, no!"
"Hearts, quivering with hatred." Sora shook his head, glaring up at the man.
"Xemnas! Don't do this!"
"Hearts, burning with rage!"
I snarled, hands clenching at my sides.
"You'll never get away with this!" Xemnas still ignored us, attention fully on his still half broken dream.
"Hearts scarred by envy. That fool Ansem said that the Heart's true nature was beyond his understanding. But it's not beyond mine! Hearts are the source of all power!" Kingdom Hearts suddenly glowed insanely bright, forcing the humans in our groupt to shield our eyes from the Light. When we were able to look back again, Xemnas was gone. Sora cursed.
"Xemnas! You can't hide from us!" I clenched a fist, glaring up at the moon.
"We're not letting him get away now!" Kairi suddenly turned, pointing up towards the broken moon.
"Look!" We all whirled around, as the Door to Kingdom Hearts appeared. Goofy tilted his head.
"What's going on?" Mickey looked to the door, not really surprised.
"Kingdom Hearts..." Riku squared his shoulders, walking over to the pathway that led up to the door.
"Let's go. Xemnas must be inside." Mickey nodded, looking up at us.
"The worlds gave us this doorway. They chose us to be the Guardians of thier destiny.." Sora nodded, Oathkeeper in hand. Riku turned to his friend, determined.
"Once we go through, there's no turning back. It's either victory, or oblivion. So, Sora...are you ready?" Sora nodded, and the three Keybearers raised thier blades to the sky. Three seperate beams of light shown from the tips, opening the door. Sora lowered his blade, focused on the door.
"Get ready, Xemnas. It all ends here!" Riku offered his hand to me, and I took it. Sora led the way, with us just behind him as he headed into the world beyond that door. Inside, Xemnas stood on top of a tall building, staring down at us in contempt. Without even having to shout, we could hear him from here.
"So...it seems your hearts have led you to Oblivion. Perhaps it does not pay to be loyal to ones Heart. I will have to be sure and remember that." He raised one arm, sending a building after us. With the ground shaking beneath our feet, we bolted for the door. A strong rumble sent Riku, Sora, and I tumbling to the ground, carrying the others outside of the door. Sora reached out to Kairi as the door shut.
"NO!" Snarling, Sora stood up and summoned Oathkeeper. Way to Dawn appeared in Riku's hand as my daggers we called form the Void, and we ran forward. Xemnas's defense consisted of building's careening up from the ground, forcing us apart. Riku grabbed me, pulling us into a small alcove as Sora slashed through the buildings. As harrowed as the battle was, the sound of Riku's steady heartbeat beneath my ear and the feel of his hands on my back was comforting. I wish the moment had lasted longer, but duty called. As soon as the buildings crashed in a pile of dust, we were off after Sora, clambering over the debris in time to reach a platform that raised up as Xemnas sent another building crashed towards us. Sora cut this one in half, and we could barely keep up with him, leaping across building pieces to a metal platfrom. Nobodies appeared, and we knocked them into the Core of Xemnas's attack ship. After a few of the flying creatures were knocked into it, the core began to pulse red with heat. Sora cursed, and we made a break for it, running across the grating to the other side of the ship. Just in time as well, for the core we'd been attacking exploded the second we were out of the way, throwing us to the steel grating. Sora got up first, back on the warpath. Riku stared after his old friend, eyes wide.
"What's he doing?" I shrugged, helping my love to his feet as the grating shook beneath us with Sora's tossing of Nobodies into the Core. That battle was over before it began, and Sora panted as he ran back to us. Using the explosion's power, we were able to get up to the Central Core. Various Berserker's were waiting for us when we got there, and Riku narrowed his eyes at something behind them. Sudden knowledge flooded his eyes, and he ran for the Core at the back of the room, leaving Sora and I to handle the Berserkers on our own. I'd had enough of these things to last me a dozen lifetimes, and attacked the ones that Sora left behind as he stole thier weapons. The Ship shook beneath our feet as the Core came to a stop, and Riku called out.
"Guys! This way!" We ran after him as we used the elevator cleverly hidden in the Core to reach Xemnas, arriving on the top level. We could see Xemnas's creation from up here, a city of Darkness and despair. Sitting on a throne of Cards, the self-proclaimed King of this land faced us down. He called a spear to his hand, starting the attack. When Sora ran in on his own, Riku and I shared a nod. Grabbing his hands, we spun around until Riku let go, sending me towards a wall. I spun in mid-air, landing on my feet and pushing off the wall to soar over Xemnas head and pepper him with Thundara and Fira spells. He cursed in rage, letting Sora get in multiple blows before the evil man cast up a shield, blocking my spells and forcing Sora back. I landed on my feet, running back to my friends as Xemnas panted behind his shield. Sora turned to us, taking advantage of this brief respite.
"Either of you know a shield breaking Spell?" I snapped my fingers, already back in the fight. Riku caught on as I dropped to my knees, head bowed as my fingers laced in prayer. He tapped Sora on the shoulder, gesturing to Xemnas. I heard the shield break, and looked up in time to see Sora and Riku leap forward, floating on Dark Energy as the boys threw Dark Firagas at Xemnas, catching him off gaurd again as blades of Dark and Light spun around them, cutting deeply into his armor. To end it all, the threw thier keyblades into the air, letting all the energy in the sacred weapons wash over Xemnas. I rose to my feet as the man howled in agony, and we were returned to the Altar of Naught as Xemnas feel to the ground, clutching at his chest.
"I need...more rage...I need more...hearts..." Sora frowned in pity.
"Xemnas. There's more to a Heart than just anger, or hate. It's full of all kinds of feelings. Don't you remember?" Xemnas looked up, eyes fading out of focus as he stared at Sora.
"Unfortunately...I don't..." He fell to the ground, fading away. When he was gone, we dismissed our weapons. Sora took a step back as Kairi tackled him, and I batted at Axel's hand as he messed up my hair. Mickey smiled up at the three of us, eyes filled with joy.
"Gosh, you all did great!" Footsteps made Sora and I turn in time to see Riku walk over to one of the gaurd rails, and I nodded to my cousin. Gently extracting himself from Kairi, Sora walked over to his friend, and I could hear them from here. Sora hesitated for a moment, then spoke up.
"You're coming back with us, right?" Riku shook his head, looking up at the sky.
"I...I had given into the Darkness." Sora frowned.
"Riku!" Riku whirled on his old friend, hands in front of him.
"How am I gonna face everyone?!"
"Like this!" Sora squished his face in like a fish, crossing his eyes. Riku stared for a moment, then laughed. I walked over to the boys, and Riku pulled me into a surprised hug. He leaned his head down to my ear, whispering.
"I'm going home with you. Don't say anything to Sora or Kairi." I nodded into his chest, and we broke apart. Before we could try and leave, the ground shook beneath us, heralding the destruction of this world. Mickey ran over.
"Hurry! We've gotta go!" Riku nodded, and we ran for the portal that Axel had opened to take us to Twilight Town. Kairi and I ran ahead of Riku and Sora as Pluto bolted past us, running alongside his master. Feeling the Darkness wobble behind us, Kairi and I turned around to see Riku and Sora sprinting for the portal.
They didn't make it time. The portal closed, leaving them stranded in the Darkness.
Sora skidded to a stop, staring in shock as the Portal closed, cutting him off from Kairi. A bright flash of light made both boys turn, in time to see a nesting Core in the distance. Riku and Sora stared in shock as a large, flying Dragon Mecha burst from the Core, roaring as it flew over to the tower, knocking into the structure. Both boys tumbled to the ground as the Altar began to collapse, sending them sliding across it's surface. Riku looked up, seeing a small, two seater hovercraft floating on a lower level. Eyes narrowed, Riku stood up and ran for the edge, ignoring Sora's panicked cries as he leapt for the craft, landing right in the drivers seat. Sending up a small prayer of thanks to Leviathan for the motorcycle races in Traverse Town, he managed to pilot the little craft over to Sora in time to catch him from his free fall plummet into the Darkness. When Sora stood up on the second seat, Oathkeeper in hand, Riku took off after the Mecha, lasers on the tiny craft blazing. As Sora knocked down the various Nobodies attacking them, Riku kept on the offensive, peppering the larger craft with laser fire to knock it down. The two energy cores under the tail went down first, then the wings, and finally, the armor shielding the head. Riku pulled the hovercraft to a stop as the larger ship crashed to the ground, destroying the city below with it's death thrashes, filling the air with smoke. As the boys watched, energy swirled around the ruined machine, bringing it back to life and making it bigger. Riku cursed as he swerved the hover craft through smaller laser fire, pulling away to a safe distance. Sora dismissed Oathkeeper, eyes narrowed at the Darkness around them. Riku shook his head, they couldn't stay here forever. Eventually, Xemnas would catch up to them, or the hovercraft would run out of fuel. Taking a deep breath, Riku took up the controls of the craft, turning to Sora.
"Hang on!"
We all must have stood there for at least five minutes, before I ran for the Transport Beacon at the Station. Kairi and Mickey outran the rest of the group, and we were quickly on board Infinity as Axel and the others caught up, panting. Mickey flung himself into a seat as I brought up the map, heading for the only world close to Twilight Town. But before we could leave to save the boys, the ship shook beneath our feet, doing a 180 degree turn for home. Bracing myself on a seat, I called out to Infinity. She appeared, tugging on her pom-pom.
"I'm sorry, captain. We're returning to Radient Garden, per your brother's order." I closed my eyes, silently fuming as I pulled myself into the captain's chair. Infinity stared for a moment, then vanished as Kairi walked over and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"...Christie?"
"I'll kill him. I swear, he's dead meat." Kairi backed away, and for the rest of the trip, I sat in that chair, fuming. When we arrived, I stood up and stalked down the aisle to the hatch. It started open as we landed, and I leapt the two feet distance to the hanger floor. Nii-san took a step back as I stalked over to him, and he stared in open shock as I slapped him, hard. Hands clenched at my sides, I got up in his face.
"Who do you think you are?! Telling Infinity to come back here like that!" Rubbing his cheek with one hand, Nii-san stared at me, ranting and raving as our crowd of friends gathered while Mickey, Donald, and Goofy hopped off the ship. Panting as I finished my rant, I stalked back on the ship. Slamming the hatch shut to keep everyone else out, I started up the engines again, pulling the manual flight controls. Kairi walked over, hands laced in front of her.
"Where are we going?" Eyes set on the hanger doors ahead of us, I smiled.
"After Sora and Riku, of course. We're bringin' em home." Kairi and I both looked up as metal screeched, and I cursed as the hangar doors began to screech closed. Kairi understood the gravity of the situation, and raced for a seat. When I heard the seat belt click into place, I turned the engines to high-speed fuel. The radio keyed on, and Zack's face appeared, gravely staring at mine.
"Go. Bring them home." I nodded, and the man's face vanished from the display. I managed to pull us through the doors just as they slammed shut, and we left Radiant Garden airspace before they could follow.
Leon cursed, whirling on Zack with his weapon raised. Gunblade met Buster Sword in a clash of sparks, and Leon's weapon went flying into a crate. Glaring at Zack, Leon calmed down a bit.
"Why did you let her go?" Zack lowered his weapon, eyes calm.
"Becuase if it was Yuffie back there, you'd be doing the same. We'd all do the same for anyone here, and you know it. Besides, Riku's my godson." Zack smiled a little, tossing a loose strand of black hair over his ear.
"Not to mention, she didn't return your pendant. She'll come home." Everyone turned to the Hangar doors, various emotions running through thier eyes. Suddenly understanding, Leon nodded. Reclaiming his weapon, the man walked off to find Cid.
Back at the World that Never Was, Riku had finally managed to get himself and Sora to the makeshift throne room where Xemnas sat. Both boys leapt from the hovercraft to the ground, suddenly turning around as the sound of screeching metal made them look back to see the hovercraft get drawn into the swirling void of space. Turning back to thier opponent, Sora and Riku summoned thier blades and leapt forward, meeting Xemnas attack for attack, sword swipe for sword swipe. One of Xemnas's sword blasts knocked them from the platform and to a floating building below, Sora crashing through a window to fall inside. Riku leapt in after him, pulling his friend from the floor.
"You ok?" Sora nodded, shaking glass from his shorts. They jumped back outside, and Sora leapt to another discarded building, carying Riku towards it. Dropping his friend off, he glided around towards it's rear, just as Xemnas seemed to speak in his head.
Sora...are you certain you can trust Riku? Snarling, Sora knocked the building towards Xemnas, with Riku hanging on to finish the job. The silver haired boy leapt from the building as it crashed into the mecha, shaking his head as Xemnas spoke again.
Riku...are you sure you're not jealous of Sora? Eyes livid, Riku slashed the building down the middle, sending the parts slamming into Xemnas. With a large explosion, both Keybladers and Xemnas were sent into a void, black and white patterns playing out across the floor and walls, cieling pitch black. Xemas stood before them, black cloak having turned into something that melded with the floor.
"Heroes from the Realm of Light...I will not allow it to end this way. Not yet. If Light and Darkness are eternal, then surely we nothings must be the same...Eternal!" Riku shook his head.
"You're right. Light and Darkness are eternal. Nothing probably goes on forever, too. But guess what, Xemnas." Sora glared.
"That doesn't mean you're eternal!" Xemnas laughed, lifting his hands.
"No more eternal, than that radience of yours..." Hands sparking with blue energy, Xemnas summoned thousands of blacka nd grey thorns, catching Sora and throwing him into the air. Before he could get to his friend to try and aid him, an image of Xemnas appeared in front of Riku, blocking his path. Battle cries and screams rang throughout the area for what must have been hours, before the Xemnas Clone vanished in front of Riku's eyes. The silver-haired male turned to his freind, offering a smile and a nod before they were torn away from one another again, dodging and weaving around Xemnas's blades of red light and dark thorns. But it was all a trap, and Xemnas had snared them both. Grabbing Sora in a ball of blue energy, he began to slowly drain the teens strength.
"Can you spare...a Heart?" Snarling, Riku leapt up to try and stop Xemnas, but was struck by the energy stream and knocked to the ground. Shaking his head to clear it, Riku stood again, coming face to face with the Xemnas clone. It smirked at him, then vanished and reappeared behind him, knocking Way to Dawn from his hand. Instead of making a leap for his weapon, Riku ran for Sora, Dark Aura's flying whenever the clone got to close. Summoning Way to Dawn as he leapt into the air, Riku punched Xemnas in the face, grabbing his hand to stop the energy. It burned, but the thump and cry of his name told him that Sora had broken free, and he spun Xemnas around, throwing the heavier man into the air. Landing on his feet, Riku smirked up at the seething Xemnas.
"Is that all you got?" Xemnas snarled, summoning spheres of red energy into his hands, lifting them and melding them together. Spikes of black energy covered outwards, blackening the arena until the only light was coming from the sphere in Xemnas's hands. The energy suddenly vanished, plunging the teens into pitch black darkness. For a moment, niether boy moved. But then, it was if the darkness came alive, points of red forming all over the room as Xemnas cackled. Leaping to cover one another, Sora and Riku somehow managed to deflect all the laser blasts until they seemed to explode, and Xemnas knocked Riku aside and back, holding his other lightsaber to Sora's head. Riku looked up in time to see Xemnas raise his arms to finish Sora off, and leapt forward, blocking the attack with Way to Dawn. Xemnas spun around to attack Sora again, but Riku saw it coming, and sent his friend flying with a gentle shove. Riku cried out in pain as both of Xemnas's weapons struck him in the left hip, cutting into flesh and burning the wound closed. Sora's eyes burned with rage as Riku fell, and he righted himself, leaping forward to take Riku's falling Keyblade and slammed them into Xemnas, sending the man spinning away. Crossing both Keyblades in his arms, Sora knocked Xemnas into the air, spinning both of them around until the boy landed safely beside his friend. Riku was picking himself up from the ground, and looked up at Sora as he offered Oblivion to the injured one. Nodding, they both sent a beam of Light towards Xemnas, ending him.
"Cursed...Keyblades..." Angry at being defeated, Xemnas reached out to the Keybladers as he faded away in wisps of gray smoke. Sora sighed in relief, happy it was finally over.
"We did it!" Riku shook his head, snarling as at least a thousand Dusks suddenly appeared, the last of Xemnas's forces here to avenge thier master.
"I wouldn't be too sure of that..." Sora glared, Driving into Final Form to defend his friend. Oathkeeper and Oblivion swirling around him, Sora cut through the Dusks until there were none left. He dismissed the drive, and Riku tumbled to his knees.
"Sora...I can't..." Sora kneeled down beside his oldest friend, concerned.
"Don't say another word! It's not over yet. It's just not." Taking Riku's arm, he swung it over his shoulder and helped him stand. Peering through his bangs at the younger boy, Riku stared.
"How can you say that? Even if we could go on...look where we are." Sora shook his head, smiling a little.
"Aw, c'mon, Riku. You've been hanging out in Darkness too long. Try and think positive. Besides, if you give up now, Christie's gonna fry you." Riku nodded, understanding what his friend meant. Still, he was exhuasted and in pain.
"Sora?"
"Hm?"
"You lead." Sora nodded, smiling gently.
"Got it." As Sora led, they walked as long as they could. Before they'd gotten very far, Riku spoke up again.
"You know...I always figured I was better at stuff than you..." Sora tilted his head.
"Really?"
"Are you mad?" Sora shook his head, crinkling his nose in amusement.
"No. I kinda always thought you were better at everything, too." The younger of the two boys suddenly looked up, squinting his eyes.
"Hey, Riku, look. What's that Light?" Riku looked up, and they continued to walk towards the Light. When they passed through the portal, Riku looked up and around thier new surroundings. Black sand petered out to dark blue water, with a silver disc moon above, lighting the rocks on the beach and the ones jutting out over the water. Frowning, Riku shook his head.
"End of the road?" Sora nodded.
"Seems that way." Riku turned to his friend.
"Put me down, I can walk." Sora nodded again, letting Riku stand on his own with a little help as he nearly fell down again. Seeing that he'd be ok, Sora walked away and headed towards the water. Sora looked out across the horizon, taking a deep breath of the metallic smelling air.
"You know...maybe the Darkness has gotten to me, too..." A 'thump' from behind startled Sora, and he turned around. His Heart stopped for a moment as he caught sight of Riku lying face down in the sand, and the memory of his brother lying dead back in the Castle flashed before his mind's eye.
"Riku?!" He ran to his friend turned brother, and heaved a sigh of relief as the silver haired boy kneeled on the ground, shaking sand from his hands as he looked towards the water.
"This world is perfect for me. If this is what the world really is...just this...then maybe I should fade back into Darkness." Sora's eyes flooded with sadness. What was Riku talking about?
"Riku..." Riku squared his shoulders, looking determined.
"If the worlds are made of Light and Darkness...we'll be the Darkness." Understanding, Sora nodded as he sat beside his friend.
"Yeah. The other side...The Realm of Light is safe now. Kairi, Christie, The King, and the others are tehre." Riku nodded.
"That's what I mean." He turned to Sora.
"Hey, Sora...could you give me a hand? I want to get down to the water." Sora nodded, standing and brushing the dark sand from his shorts. Riku's hand was extended, palm up in a gesture of trust that made Sora's heart break a little. After everything the older boy had been through, he should know not to trust so openly. Throwing Riku's arm around his shoulder, they began the trek to the water. Riku made no act that he could support himself now, and let Sora slowly drag him to the surf. Eyes closed, he sighed.
"At least the waves still sound the same..." A few moments later, as they sat where the water met the sand, Riku spoke up again, slowly swallowing.
"What I said back there...about thinking I was better at stuff then you..." Sora turned to his friend, confused as to where this was going.
"Yeah?"
"To tell you the truth, Sora...I was jealous of you." Sora's eyes widened, and he stared.
"What for?"
"I wished that I could live life the way you do. Just, following my Heart." Sora chuckled, leaning back on his hands.
"Yeah, well, I've got my share of problems, too." Riku turned to his friend, curious.
"Like what?"
"Like...wanting to be like you." Riku chuckled, looking across the water.
"Well, there is one advantage to being me...Something you could never imitate."
"Really? What's that?"
"Having you for a friend." Sora smiled, flopping over to his back on the black sand.
"Then I guess...I'm okay the way I am. I've got something you could never imitate, too." The boys must have stayed there for hours, just staring up at the starless sky in thought. After a while, Sora leapt to his feet.
"I'm gonna go take a look around. Don't go anywhere." Riku nodded, and Sora walked off for the rocks at the opposite end of the beach. He climbed up the slick stone, then stood still as an iron rod as he crested the top. Beyond the tiny beach, was the destroyed city and castle, rubble coating the ground and making a lethal obstacle course. Sora stared, sadness filling his heart. He had thought that they might have been able to find a way home, a portal, a pathway, maybe a ship! But this...he'd never expected to find this. There'd be no way that Riku could climb this, and Sora wouldn't leave his friend behind. A sudden roar made Sora look up, towards a white streak appearing on the horizon. Blue eyes narrowed, and his heart soared at Infinity soared over the town, looking for them. Vaguely hearing Riku's surprised sound, Sora raised Oathkeeper to the sky, creating a beam that caught the attention of whoever was flying the ship. Creating a lot of wind, she soared over, hatch flying open to shed golden yellow light on thier tiny world. Kairi burst from the hatch, latching onto Sora and crying into his shoulder. He patted her on the back as Christie appeared, and the Keybearer nodded to his cousin. She sighed in relief, catching sight of Riku further down the beach. She hopped off the stone as Kairi let Sora go to help the two friends get Riku on board Infinity. Christie gasped at the sight of Riku's hip, giving him a light slap on the arm.
"Goofball." Riku nodded, hissing in pain as he put too much weight on his bad leg. The world grumbled beneath them, and the teens picked up the pace as they carried thier injured friend to safety. Axel had to help them get Riku over the tall stone, but they were in Infinity just as the beach cracked, spilling ocean water into the void. As the hatch closed, Roxas stared out at the world that had been his home for months.
"Goodbye."
Sora and I set Riku down on one of the larger seats, and he winced as he settled into place. Placing a hand on his cheek, I gave him a worried glance. He covered my hand with his own, and he nodded. Worries abated for now, I raced for the cockpit and flew us out of danger. Turning for home, I cursed as the radar squawked a warning.
"Damn." I leapt from the chair, powering the shields as the Hunter X from before fired off a warning shot, rocking the ship. Gathering my feet beneath me, I ran for the rear hatch. The levers to release the Teeny Ships were stuck fast, but Sora grabbed the second one and yanked it hard, releasing the tiny ships for extra fire. When we returned to the main cabin, Axel, Roxas, and Kairi were on thier feet, waiting. I stared for a second, before nodded.
"Sora, get in the copilots chair and hurt that thing! Axel, Roxas, man the laser turrets upstairs! Kairi, sit there and tell me if anything falls below 50 percent!" They nodded, running for thier recently assigned duties. As I ran past the bench that Riku and Namine shared, Riku grabbed my hand.
"Chris...if we don't make it..." I shook my head, brushing hair from his eyes.
"We'll make it. You've played your part. Let me finish the job." He nodded, understanding enough to let go of my hand. Running for the cockpit, I plunked myself down in the captain's seat and flew us around and through the blasts. The constant sound of Axel, Roxas, and Sora firing everything we had at the creature was comforting, but when I pulled Infinity to a full stop, the weapons fire from btoh sides ceased. Infinity appeared, feathers of her Chocobo form messed out of order.
"Captain! It's charging a weapon! 85 Percent power! Shields will not hold!" Cursing, I leapt from my chair, calling out to Axel and Roxas on the higher level.
"You two, get down here and hang on!" They climbed down the ladders, plunking into seats and buckling up as Sora and I withdrew the teeny ships. Infinity was beside us every step of the way, informing us of the Hunter's Firing process.
"90 Percent Power! Routing all available power to Shields! Negative, still will not hold!" I shoved Sora into a seat as Namine buckled herself and Riku up for the blast to come. Kairi buckled herself in, and I glanced at Infinity as the Hunter prepared to fire.
"100 Percent! Brace for impact!" The shields held as best as they could, but I never saw how it ended. In the blast, Infinity was rocked back and forth, and I tumbled to the ground. Everything went black.
Thinking about it far, far back
The future was shining everywhere
Disney Castle, Throne Room. Daisy and Minnie turned around, before Minnie gave a happy cry and ran to embrace her husband. Daisy engulfed Donald in a tight hug as Goofy patted Max on the shoulder in pride. The Nephews and Scrooge laughed as Donald flailed under his loves embrace, but they all turned towards the doors as a black haired, green eyed human girl stepped through. Minnie stepped forward, a little apprehensive. The other girl nodded, and Minnie hugged her tightly. She had her best friend back. That was what mattered.
Beneath a beautiful blue sky
We were only afraid slightly.
Twilight Town, Sandlot. The Announcer gave the cry to begin, and Seifer and Hayner launched at one another, laughing the entire fight. Bonds had been repaired, since Sora had come and gone. Maybe...he may not have been trying, but he repaired the family that had once been. And that was enough.
The window is dyed in a familiar colour.
HUndred Acre Wood, Starry Hill. Hand in hand with his friends, Pooh sat, looking up at the moon. Pooh laughed, remembering two promises he'd made his friend.
If we keep heading forwards will we meet again?
Land of Dragons, Bamboo Grove. Ling, Yao, and Chien-Po peeked around a bush, watching as Mulan and Shang drew in for a kiss. Yelping, Ling toppled them all to the ground, breaking the two captains apart. As Shang moved over to scold his men, Mulan smiled when Mushu popped up on her shoulder from behind. They shared a smile.
The future continues to infinity
Beast's Castle, Ballroom. Belle spun around, clasping hands with the now human Prince as the servants watched with a smile, also returned to normal.
Beneath the big signboard,
We were looking at the changes of our era.
Olympus Coliseum, Arena Entrance. Hercules wiped his brow, smiling alongside Meg, Phil, and Pegasus as they admired the newly restored Coliseum. From a distance, Auron and Rikku watched the happy group, smiling as well. Hand in hand, the couple returned to Spira.
To the people we'll never meet again there
We'll open a window.
Port Royal, Black Pearl. As Jack, Will, and Elizabeth sailed on the open ocean, the moon revealed it's silver disk face. Jack gave himself a check over, kissing the silver medallion in his hands as he saw he was still human. The Pearl sailed on tonight.
Thinking about it far, far back
Halloween Town, Dr's Lab. The Mayor, Sally, and Jack in the Dr.'s lab, arranging a special Halloween Surprise. Sally laughed as Jack swooped her up into his arms, kissing her passionately.
The future was shining everywhere.
Space Paranoids, I/O Tower. Tron smiled as he recieved one of Evan's programs on his ID Disc. Slipping it back into place, he hopped from the platform, dancing and spinning to leave the tower
And beneath a beautiful blue sky,
Timeless River, Wharf. Captain Pete shook his head, then fixed his hat as the little steamboat of his left dock. Mickey ran from the dock, making the jump to the ship just in time.
We were sleeping forever.
Agrabah. Jasmine clung to Aladdin as they flew around the city, with Genie beside them. Smiling, Aladdin kissed Jasmine on the cheek, and they flew off towards the horizon.
Those people we loved long ago
It looks like a child will be born in winter
Atlantica, Prince Eric's boat. Ariel waved to her family as the wedding finished up, and Triton's proud smile brought peace to her heart. She turned to her husband, smiling as they kissed.
Those things that were certain long ago
We would like to question them.
Pride Lands, Pride Rock. Simba stood at the cliff's edge, waiting for Nala and Rafiki. His mate padded over to his side, giving him a nuzzle as Rafiki walked over, thier baby girl head in his strong hands. The mandrill raised Kiara to the sky, letting her grandfather's love shine down on her.
Those things we could never forget
Are like mementos attached to a photograph.
Leon nodded his thanks, taking the ship keys that Cid handed to him. Giving Yuffie a kiss, Leon boarded the Highwind Peak, leaving Radient Garden to search for his baby sister. He smiled as he left, knowing he'd find her alive.
Those things we couldn't do,
I will remember them fondly.
The dark insides of Infinity, lit only by the soft glow of the radio.
"R.G.S Highwind, calling R.G.S Infinity, Please respond." A distinctive female groan sounded, and Christie forced herself from the ground. Walking on shaky legs, she keyed the radio.
"R.G.S Infinity here." There was a sharp sigh of relief from the other side, and the male voice continued.
"I'm taking you home, Infinity." Infinity's captain nodded, holding onto a doorframe as the tow line from the other ship jerked Infinity a little. Once the movement smoothed out, Christie walked over to Riku, gently brushing silver bangs from his eyes. The male woke with the gesture, capturing Christie's hand with his own. The girl smiled.
"We made it." Riku nodded.
"We made it."
Several hours after our rescue, I gently pushed the door to Riku's room open, letting in a little bit of light. He looked up at me, smiling as I entered the room. I mirrored his smile as I sat down in the chair at his side, holding onto his hand. He would be all right. The damage had been severe, and he'd have a limp for the rest of his life, but he would be okay. Abandoning the chair for the space he offered me on the bed, I cuddled up to his right side. He wrapped an arm around me as I placed my head on his chest, and we both fell asleep with the Dawn.
Born of Lion's courage and Night's will, the Dawn's Gaurdian shall fade into rest with the Dawn.
Note: And we're done. The only thing left is the Epilouge, which I will post tomorrow.