Well, just two or three chapters to go, unless maybe I can think of another plot twist, which I doubt. This chapter is very action-packed. Also, I haven't played Final Fantasy VIII in a while, so I don't quite remember what Ultimecia's third looked like.

As for Chaos, I haven't beaten Feral Chaos in Dissidia Duodecim's Confessions of the Creator yet: Just his Manikin, I might find myself being a tad inaccurate.

For the record, Kingdom Hearts and Dissidia: Final Fantasy were copyrighed by Squaresoft.


Chapter 27: Discord Incarnate

Back at Sanctuary, Bartz, Zidane and the rest of their group held their own against the Manikin Horde and the three attacking Chaos Warriors.

Bartz and Gilgamesh dueled fiercely, eventually disarming the swordsman.

" Hm, it looks like we've both been practicing, but it's not over yet" growled Gilgamesh, drawing a spare sword.

" Enough, you've failed for the last time, Gilgamesh. Now it's back to the void with you!" interjected Exdeath.

" What? Not again!" cried Gilgamesh, as Exdeath cast X-Zone on his former servant.

Nearby, Squall and Shantotto managed to weaken Ultimecia. The crimson-robed sorceress snarled" Let's see you handle my ultimate form!"

With that, she summoned Griever one more time and fused.

Rinoa cast Ultima on the evil sorceress, who retailiated with Flare.


Zidane, Beatrix, Steiner, Garnet a.k.a. Dagger, Baltheir and Fran held their own on the Manikins, but barely.

" Those mindless puppets are getting ridicules!" groaned Steiner.

" Well they can't match my blade, Climhazzard!" The Alexandrian general cast one of her sword techniques on several Manikins.

Zidane spammed Meteo Twist and Grand Lethal, while Garnet summoned her Eidolons.

" This is endless, where's the calvery when you really need it?" gasped Bartz.

Just then, a familiar dark vortex appeared as Riku, Penelo and Luneth appeared.

Riku and Luneth helped dispose the remaining Manikins.

Ultimecia-Griever snarled" That won't nearly be enough to save you!"

Just then, a laser blast had zapped Ultimecia, knocking her back.

" Whoo-hoo!" cried Selphie, who had just activated the Ragnarok II's combat system.

Rinoa and Ultimecia shot a high powered spell at each other, but the blue and black clad sorceress got nicked.

This set Squall off, as he got into a battle stance, brandished Lionheart and thrust himself at Ultimecia with a flurry of blows.

Battered, the crimson robed sorceress threw a desparate Meltdown at Squall, which Riku quickly put himself in the way of.

Rinoa finished Ultimecia off by casting a high-power Flare spell.

" Nice assist" grunted Squall.

" Anytime" chirped Penelo, casting heal spells on the injured heroes.


Bartz, Zidane and Garnet confronted Exdeath in front of Cosmos's throne.

Refia and Luneth joined the former three.

The dark magus sneered" Prepare to drown yourselves in the void."

Luneth changed into a Onion Knight and Refia into a Sage.

Bartz smirked" You're flying solo this time, Exdeath."

Exdeath unleashed a powerful Ultima, which was blocked by a barrier.

" Cosmos, so you've gotten involved this time" said Exdeath.

Cosmos focused magic power and cast a wave of Light at the dark magus.

" What's this? That's the best you can do?" growled Exdeath.

" Zidane, Bartz, I can't sustain myself for long like this, you know what to do" spoke Cosmos.

Zidane smirked" No problem."

Bartz launched himself at Exdeath, stabbing the magus where his heart should be, just as Zidane unleashed Grand Lethal.

Exdeath crumbled into this air, while Cosmos collapsed.

" Cosmos, you okay?" piped Luneth.

Cosmos sighed as she stood up" This is nothing, my strength will return in time. The Manikin Horde from the twelfth cycle required even more of my vitality then the spells I just cast."

Riku breathed" At least we finished cleaning up here, so now what?"

Cosmos replied" It is too late for you to rejoin the others who are fighting for us at the Land of Discord. Now we must wait."

" I hope Sora dosen't let us down" sighed the silvette Keyblade Master.

" I'm worried about Vaan. Riku, can you teleport the two of us back to the Land of Discord?" inquired Penelo.

" I think so, but that was my first trip to that fire pit. Luneth, we need you" said the silvette.

Luneth grinned" Let's go."


Back in the Land of Discord, Sora, Lightning, the Warrior of Light and the rest of their group camped for the night and were ready to march at dawn.

As they moved to the farthest region of Chaos's domain, they came across a sight near the volcano where the Edge of Madness was. The cave was blocked by magic fire.

" I guess the Edge of Madness isn't the location of Mateus" said Firion.

" I'm not surprised, the area around Chaos's throne had started to erupt when myself and nine others defeated him in battle" said the Warrior of Light.

Up ahead, Aqua saw a dark fortress" Was that there before?"

" No" sighed Lightning.

" The Hades Citadel Pandemonium has been restored as well? Then that's where Mateus is concocting his latest scheme" said Firion.

Roxas rolled his eyes" There's no exterior entrance, but I can teleport us into the fortress."

" Don't forget about us" said a voice as the Dark Corridor opened and Riku, Penelo and Luneth emerged.

" How were things?" inquired Firion.

Riku replied" The invading Manikins and Exdeath, Ultimecia and Gilgamesh are slain. Cite the fact that Exdeath himself put Gilgamesh away into the void."

The Warrior of Light nodded" Nice work, but they will return shortly after Chaos reawakens unless we put a stop to Mateus."

Roxas and Riku focused their energies into a large vortex, opening the way to Pandemonium.

" That underworld which Mateus is lurking in must be below his fortess then?" piped Sora.

Firion replied" I have only explored the upper levels before. Let's go, but we should be on guard. Out of Chaos's forces, Kefka, Sephiroth, Seymour, Garland, Jecht and Mateus remain."

The heroes stepped into the portal, ready to save the worlds from Emperor Mateus.


At the lowest level of his new lair, Emperor Mateus remarked" It seems that we have intruders, they had somehow wormed their way into my impenetrable new stronghold."

"You want me to dispose of them?" spoke Seymour.

" We'll set them up for an unpleasent trap. This chamber is quite large, each of us will summon Manikins to try and harry their momentum at select chambers" spoke Mateus.

Garland sighed" It is nearly time, I will asume my true form. The rest of you should try to weaken Cosmos's pawns."

Mateus replied" Do as you see fit, I however will remain just outside this chamber. Use the crystals still in our posession to power yourself up and reincarnate Chaos."

" Very well, this should be an amusing experience" sneered the silver clad knight.


Sora and his friends began the long march through Pandemonium, the lower of levels of which led to the Underworld of Madnes.

" There might be a secret here, if we can find it" sighed Firion.

" Perhaps you ought to rethink your strategies" said a voice, as a silver haired man appeared.

" Sephiroth, you snake. it's about time I setttle this with you" said Cloud.

Sephiroth sneered" So far in this prelude to the Forteenth Cycle, we've dueled but once."

Tifa scoffed" You just don't know when to quit."

" Now, prepare to meet your fate" said Sephiroth, summoning forth a group of Manikins.

Cloud drew his Buster Blade" Tifa and I got Sephiroth. All of you, go on without me."

" You two will need help, count me in" said Riku.

Tidus smirked" See you later."

" We'll catch up as soon as Sephiroth is down" said Tifa.

As most of the group moved on, Tifa, Riku and Cloud confronted the silver haired Swordsman.

Sephiroth signaled his Manikins to attack. Riku and Tifa intercepted them while Cloud made to cross swords with his arch enemy.

Cloud attempted a Cross Slash, which Sephirth dodged and countered with a flurry of slashes with his Masamune.

The blond swordsman survived and said" Big miskate, OMNISLASH!"

Sephiroth dodged and cast Meteor, which Cloud dodged.

Nearby, Tifa and Riku fought off the Manikins.

" That was too easy, it might be a trap" sighed Riku.

Cloud asumed his battle stance once more and unleashed another Omnislash.

Sephiroth dodged again, just as Tifa smashed him from behind with Final Haven.


The rest of Sora's group found a hidden staircase and descended into an area similar to Pendamonim's top floor.

They had not gotten far when an insane cackle met them.

" Kefka" whispered Tina.

The Mad Mage appeared in his Esper Form" I'll be sure to make this our last battle, Tina!"

Kain drew his lance" I've got this one."

Luneth and Tina stood their ground. The Half-Esper spoke" The three of us will handle Kefka."

" Be careful" said Lightning.

Sora's group continued on, leaving Tina, Luneth and Kain to battle Kefka.

" Well, shall we continue?" sneered Kefka.

Tina morphed into her Esper Form and flew straight at him.

Kefka knocked her back with Flare, only to be at the recieving end of Kain's jump attack.

The Mad Mage countered with Trine, when Luneth cast Comet on him.


Even farther down, Seymour stood waiting as the remaining heroes ran into him.

" It all appears to be a truly gallent gambit on both our parts" remarked the Half-Guado.

" I'll send you back to the Farplane this time" said Yuna.

Tidus smirked" I'll help."

The blue haired sorcerer tapped into his dark magic and transformed into Seymour Omnis.

Tidus drew the Brotherhood" This guy's going down."

" This won't be easy, I shall asist" spoke Basch.

Ashe stood by her knight" Allow me as well."

Seymour Omnis summoned his three magic Elemental Wheels and set it to Fire.

Basch sighed" Sora, Quinn, don't bother waiting for us."

" We'll be there as soon as we can" said Yuna, summoning Bahamut.

Sora, Kairi, Quinn, Vaan, Penelo, Cecil, Golbez, Roxas, Axel, Xion, Firion Terra, Ventus and Aqua began to move on when Cecil stopped.

" What's up?" inquired Ventus.

Cecil shrugged" Tidus and his group back there may have a little trouble with Seymour. I must go help them."

" I shall accompany you" spoke Golbez.

" Give them heck" smirked Vaan.

The remaining group proceeded to the darkness of the lower levels into a passage with purple and red chambers.

" Mateus is up ahead, isn't he?" said Aqua.

The Warrior of Light nodded" Yes, and we must make haste. We have to stop Garland."


Back on the first floor, Riku eradicated the Manikins, while Cloud and Tifa fought Sephiroth fiercely.

All three of them were tiring when Tifa desparately launched another Final Haven blow to Sephiroth.

The silver haired swordsman sneered" Now I shall show you my final power."

With that, he began to cast his ultimate summon" Supernova!"

The firey blast knocked Riku, Tifa and Cloud down.

Just then, a portal opened nearby and Zack and Aerith emerged.

" How did you get here?" said Sephiroth.

" I am part Cetra, we have a surprise for you. HOLY!"

The ultimate White Magic struck Sephiroth hard. Cloud seized the chance and finished his adversary off with a final Omnislash.

" Zack, Aerith, thanks for the help" said Cloud turning to the newcomers.

Aerith smiled" No problem, I teleported Zack and I here to help."

" Let's book, now! The others may need our help" said Cloud.


At the very bottom level of Mateus's Underworld of Madness, Sora and the remainder of his group reached the second to last chamber.

" Well, well, Firion. It looks like we clash again" said a gold and purple clad figure.

Firion spoke" I'm about to send you back to the grave, I won't allow you to succeed."

Mateus smirked evily" But I already have, Garland will soon host the might of the Deity of Discord. I will personally deal with you."

" That's what you think, freak" said a voice as Jecht and Saix reappeared.

" Jecht, you and Golbez are both traitors. Nevertheless, I allowed some of the crystals to remain with the pawns of Cosmos" spoke the gold clad man.

Axel smirked" Look, you're outnumbered, Cosmos will have her victory. Got it memorized?"

" Enough, now we battle" said Mateus, conjuring a magick trap around himself.

" I've got this one" said Firion, charging at his enemy.

Mateus triggered his magic, then cast Flare.

Xion jumped over it and cast Blizzard.

Mateus threw another Flare, which Sora deflected with his keyblade.

The Emperor was thrown back by his own spell, but he stood up" Seems that I underestimated you. Follow me into the final chamber, if you dare."

As Mateus vanished into the next room, Saix spoke with Sora" Jecht and I will help you defeat Garland and that destroyer, Mateus. Consider us on Cosmos's side as well for now."

" Do as you wish, just don't get in our way" said the Warrior of Light.

Sora determinately glanced at the doorway" It ends here."

Jecht spoke" Anyway, where is Yuna and my kid?"

" They're back there, fighting Seymour" said Lightning.

" We're wasting precious time. We must hurry if we want to stop Garland from starting a meaningless conflict" said Saix.


Tidus, Yuna, Basch, Ashe, Cecil and Golbez withstood Seymour's attacks as they fought back.

Bahamut had been forced to withdraw due to a powerful Flare spell, so Yuna backed her allies with healing spells.

Seymour grinned malicously" It seems that I win, Yuna."

" We'll see about that" said a voice as Tina, Luneth, Tifa, Riku, Cloud, Zack and Aerith entered the room.

" Any luck with Kefka?" said Tidus.

Tina smirked" Yeah, he won't bother us again. He's now in limbo until Garland is defeated."

Seymour snuck in Ultima, knocking the group to the ground.

Tidus sighed" I've had enough."

The blond Blitzer took out his Blitzball and performed a Jecht Shot right into Seymour's head.

The blue haired man turned back to normal from the shock, and was faltering.

" So you managed to win once again" breathed Seymour.

Yuna sent him back to the Farplane, then turned to her allies" Let's go catch up with the others."

Cecil nodded" We still have a job to do."

Aerith used a Megaelixer on her allies and said" Let's go."


The final chamber of Mateus's new fortress was as big as Cosmos's sanctuary.

Garland stood in the center of surrounding pedestals as he saw Mateus" Looks like you failed as well."

" Not quite, Cosmos's pawns will not know what hit them" said Mateus.

" What of you? Wasn't it your goal to rule the worlds after Cosmos's 'absolute death'?"

The gold clad man grimaced" There is more then one way. Ah, looks like those insects followed me here after all."

" You bet" said a voice as Sora and his friends entered.

Garland glared at Saix" Your treachery will not go unnoticed, but Jecht is another matter."

Saix drew his claymore" Your scheme ends here, Mateus. I do not live for the sole purpose of the needless slaughter of worlds like you. Organization XIII's goals were well founded, you're just a worthless piece of crap."

" Such insolence" said Mateus, casting Flare at Saix.

The blue haired Nobody was knocked off his feet, Jecht drew his own sword" Don't think you'll get away with this."

Garland tapped into the energy of the surrounding Crystals, then spoke" You are too late, prepare to meet your doom."

The Warrior of Light turned to his comrades" You take on Mateus. I've got Garland."

Sora stood next to him" Let me help you."

" I appreciate it" nodded Quinn.

Mateus cast Ultima on the group.

Just then, a Healing Wind spell was cast on the heroes.

" Aerith, what are you doing here?" gasped Sora.

" Just lending a hand. I can't fight very well, but I do know White Magic" said Aerith and the rest of the heroes entered.

Mateus cast Flare at Riku, when Aqua blocked with her Barrier.

The Emperor cast another Ultima, which Tina countered with Meltdown.

Lightning unleashed a Lightning Strike at Mateus, who teleported out of the way and countered with Flare.

Firion had enough, so he drew his bow and shot a arrow of Light at his enemy.

Mateus was knocked backwards, but he cast Flare again.

Aqua blocked, while Ventus and Terra cross slashed the Emperor.

The Emperor sighed as he succumbed to this wounds" Heh, you may have bested me. But you felll into my trap, soon you shall follow me into the afterlife and beg for my reign!"


Sora and the Warrior of Light braced themselves for battle as Garland began to transform using the power of the crystals. Darkness engulfed the evil knight, and when it dissipated, it revealed a black and crimson humanoid with horns and piercing white eyes.

Sora was astonished" Garland is a Heartless?"

The humanoid chuckled evily" I am what is left of Garland, formerly a knight of Cornelia. You may refer to me as Discord Incarnate, yet at the same time I'm what remains of the real Garland."

Sora drew his keyblade" Well whatever you are, I won't let you destroy the worlds!"

" My powers are enhanced, now we fight to the bitter end" said Garland, brandishing his blade.

Quinn and Sora charged, clashing blades with the monster.

Garland leapt backward and cast Blaze.

The spell barely nicked Sora and the Warrior of Light as they countered with Shining Wave and Strike Raid respectively.

Sora cast Blizzard, which was countered with another Blaze spell.

" Need some help you two?" said Lightning, joining the fray with Thunder Strike.

Garland swung his blade fiercely at Lightning, who quickly jumped out of the way while Kain jump attacked the evil knight.

As the fight dragged on, the crystals started to go haywire with magic explosions.

" What the?" gasped Garland.

The Warrior of Light took the chance to launch is Shield of Light attack on his enemy, catching him off guard.

Garland was knocked out, but powerful magic energy surrounded him once more.

" I have been reborn... The mighty Diety of Discord!" roared a voice.

The shape of a horned brown-skinned demon began to manifest from where Garland was. The monster absorbed the unconcious dark knight.

" That voice, Chaos!" exclaimed the Warrior of Light.

The being took form, and spoke" We meet again, warriors of Cosmos."

Sora kept on his guard" You're Chaos?"

" Indeed, boy. Ah, this vessel was damaged in the last battle, I can feel this world's memories, yet I cannot remain on this plane of existance" growled Chaos.

" What do you mean?" inquired Yuna.

Chaos replied, his accent slightly overshadowed by his growls" Emperor Mateus has tampered foolishly with the souls of the deceased. I sense that you posess some of Shinryu's power, but you have not half the experience as I."

" Bring it on" said Sora.

Chaos summoned his Chaosbringer sword" You will now face me in battle, if you're ready for the void."

Sora cast Blizzard on Chaos, only to be countered with a Fire Pillar.

Quinn tried Shield of Light, but was blasted by Oblivion.

Riku cast Dark Flare, but was intercepted by a swipe of Chaos's monsterous claws.

Saix and Axel charged, but were blasted back by Chaos's fire.

Tidus caught Chaos off guard with Jecht Shot, while Xion and Roxas cast spells at the Diety of Discord.

" He's too poweful" gasped Riku, as Chaos countered with Demonsdance.

Tina transformed into her Esper self and cast Meltdown.

Chaos dodged, then was intercepted by Firion's arrow.

The Diety of Discord snarled as he began to transform" My powers and my thirst for domination have intensed. I cannot hold back!"

Much to the heroes's surprise, Chaos grew larger, the monster's skin darkened and he now stood on all fours.

" Great, he's gone Feral" groaned Aqua.

Feral Chaos growled as he cast a flaming wall at the heroes.

Sora and his friends were brought to their knees.

" How are we supposed to defeat him now?" despaired Tina.

Just then, the summonstone that Shinryu bestowed on Sora began to glow.


Cosmos sensed the danger" Sora is in trouble."

" Now what?" sighed Zidane.

" Wait, I sense something... Shinryu?" gasped Rinoa.

Namine gasped as she took out her sketch" I know what to do."

" How can you think of pictures at a time like this?" said Rinoa.

" Her pictures are far from ordinairy" said Cosmos.


Back in the Underworld of Madness, Sora felt strength and vitality in himself and his comrades, he transformed so his clothes were a bright gold and he now had a powerful sword shaped Keyblade in his hand.

Namine's voice contacted him telepathically" This will give you the power you need to win the fight."

" Thanks again, Namine" said Sora.

Terra felt himself transform, the voice of the late Master Eraqus suddenly echoed in his heart" Terra, I know you and your friends can do this. You have come to terms with the darkness in your heart, something I could never do."

Sora, Terra, Aqua, Ventus, Roxas and Xion stood before Feral Chaos, who charged with a mighty blow.

The group dodged, just as Quinn blasted Chaos with Shield of Light.

Chaos countered with a swipe of his claw, while Yuna cast Holy on him.

Feral Chaos stomped the ground, casting a mighty quake.

Kairi and Aerith cast a joint seal spell.

" Sora, we're using Seal Evil to hold Chaos in place: your new Keyblade to strike the final blow" instructed Aerith.

Sora complied and unleashed the Arcs Arcanum combo on the monster.

Feral Chaos recovered and stood on his hind legs to stomp on Sora, when Yuna cast Shiva's Diamond Dust spell.

Sora thrust his new blade into the crystal on Feral Chaos's chest, shattering it. Terra and Ventus performed a Cross Slash right after.

Chaos growled" You've done the impossible... You defeated my Feral form. But be assured that I may return!"

Feral Chaos was engulfed in a firey light, and when it dissipated, Chaos was gone.

" You've done it, Sora. Well done" said the Warrior of Light.

Terra sighed" We couldn't have done it ourselves."

The group turned to leave the Land of Discord, Roxas used a Dark Corridor to help his friends get there.


At Sanctuary, Cosmos greeted her champions" You've done well, the worlds have been saved from Chaos and Mateus."

" Yes but, Chaos's final words..." Sora trailed off.

Cosmos replied" Harmony and Discord cannot exist as separate entities. Chaos may or may not reincarnate again, only time will tell."

Tidus smirked" Well, now we can party or something."

" Should have figured. We get out of that firepit alive and he wants cake and ice cream" remarked Jecht.

Aqua spoke" I know now seems like a time to celebrate, but I must now do one more thing."

" What's that?" inquired Yuna.

Aqua replied" Ven was revived in Castle Oblivion, but I had not the chance the change the place back to the Land of Departure."

" We can still do that" grinned Ventus.

Terra smiled" Let's do it."

Cosmos nodded" I wish you luck, but there is something else I must discuss. However, it can wait."

Ventus turned to Aqua" I'll go with you."

" Count me in" said Terra.

Sora smirked" Mind if I come?"

" It shouldn't be too much trouble, but I guess Castle Oblivion can affect one's memories" sighed Aqua.

" I'm coming too" said Kairi.

Cecil, Kain and Lightning approached. The pink haired woman spoke" My home world should be back to normal soon, but I feel that I must go on one more mission."

" Very well, the eight of you may go. But beware, one more shadow awaits from your past" warned Cosmos.

Tidus sighed" What about me and Yuna?"

" The more the merrier" said Sora.

The ten went to board the Ragnarok II for one last mission.


What a long, epic chapter that was, huh? Not that I'm bragging. As for my final decision on an Aqua pairing, I might pair her with Ventus. I just thought of a surprise Terra pairing born of my dense mind.

Eraqus, Cosmos and Chaos might have been OOC, but I did my best.

Please feel free to review.