KHA: GAH! It's a fanfiction site miracle! They let me update twice in one day. AND I BROKE MY RECORD! Whooo! Two chapters in three hours! We're celebrating! (throws a party)
Roxas: COOKIES!
Audience: (sigh)
KHA: All is explained in this chappie. I warn you, your brain my implode from the information.
Akyra: What makes you say that?
KHA: (points at Naminé)
Naminé: (ish imploded)
Akyra: O.O Oh...
Roxas: Naminé! NU! (sobs like a maniac)
Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or COM. But I own this cookie! MINE!
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Akyra was beginning to grow weary and panted heavily with each step she took. Sheer determination will get her far. But will it take her up sixteen staircases? She thought so at first but now she was beginning to have some doubts. She dragged her feet above every step, holding the higher steps with her hands as she tried to keep her balance. It's not often you see someone climbing stairs on all fours. Slowly but surely, she took another step. But her foot slipped and was thrown directly off the step. Luckily, she was holding onto some steps with her hands, which prevented her from falling down the staircase and breaking her neck, but she was still frustrated.
"Stupid random stair…" she muttered, "I will annihilate you when all this is over…"
She stepped again onto the step, this time more carefully. At this rate, it'll be a month before she reaches the top of the castle. If only she had something to boost her adrenaline…
The answer came straight away. Several portals of darkness opened all around her, revealing multiple types of Heartless. There were shadows, soldiers, air pirates… and event those cute little ones that cast mean magic spells.
"I have no time for you!" she screeched, picking herself up from the ground. She quickly slashed the ones that blocked her way and continued running, ignoring the other ones. To her dismay, they decided to follow her. Hey, it wasn't that bad! As long as she keeps a fair distance away from them, she'll be at the top of the castle in no time. Yet, with every couple of steps she took, another swarm of Heartless would appear, chasing her down ruthlessly along with all the others. It wasn't long before she had a sea of Heartless behind her, slowly catching up to her pace.
"Crazy Heartless…" she panted, bolting up the stairs, "No wonder everyone hates your guts…"
Heartless can't hear things, can they? And even if they did, they wouldn't understand it, right? Well… at that moment, it felt like they did hear her comment about them. And it seems like they took it personally, for the moment Akyra reached the next floor, a swarm as big as the one behind her awaited patiently for her arrival.
"…. Uh oh…" she gulped, her voice squeaking. She was entirely surrounded by hundreds of Heartless, each one of them looking at her with hungry eyes.
"Don't eat me… don't eat me… don't eat me…" Akyra pleaded, gripping her staff. She shut her eyes and kneeled to the ground. They were prepared to strike. Could this possibly be the end of her?
A sudden flash of red light filled the room. The sound of rustling Heartless disappeared almost instantly. Akyra opened one eye and checked the area. Every single Heartless threatening to attack her… was gone! But how did that happen?
"Well, it's about time!"
"Huh?" Akyra mumbled as she got up and searched the area. Standing in front of her was none other than…
"Axel?" she asked quizzically. What was HE doing here?
"You know, I was starting to think Naminé was rambling again when I didn't see you coming," he said, sounding rather annoyed and relieved, "Now, follow me! Sora's waiting."
"Hang on just one, cotton picking second!" Akyra intervened, glaring at him, "How do I know if I can trust you'll lead me to Sora?"
"Where else would I lead you?" he asked lazily.
"I don't know! Some dungeon where you plan to keep me in for the rest of my days?" she guessed in a sarcastic tone.
"Look, do you want to help Sora or not?" Akyra nodded.
"Yeah, but –"
"Then you'll have to trust me," he finished, "Run up the stairs and I'll take care of the Heartless. Pay no attention to them!" Akyra watched him suspiciously for a moment. He had a point. Besides, she needed to get to Sora fast!
"O-okay…" she hesitated.
Surely enough, Axel kept his word. The both of them bolted up the stairs at lightning speed, Axel shooting fire attacks or slashing at any Heartless who would dare stand in their way…
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"We...we got him?" Donald asked excitedly once they had defeated Marluxia.
"You could say that," Marluxia answered, reappearing right before their eyes, "But what you destroyed was just an image of me. No more than a petty imitation."
"So what!" Riku growled, slashing at him relentlessly. However, Marluxia simply disappeared, leaving a trail of flower petals in his place.
"Grr… Another trick."
"The real Marluxia's through that door, right?" Sora asked as he pointed to a large door before them. It was the biggest and brightest one they'd seen in the castle to this day.
"Yes, he is…" Naminé replied softly.
"Whatever's on the other side is powerful... I can feel it," Sora added, not tearing his gaze away from the large door.
"Well then, we'd better hurry up and stop it!" Goofy said cheerfully.
"Yeah! Let's do this!" Donald added.
"Riku... Keep Naminé safe."
"Me?" Riku asked, his jaw wide open with shock as he pointed to himself.
"You don't want to?" Sora asked.
"All right," he answered as he nodded his head. Sora, Donald and Goofy turned to face the final door, taking deep breaths.
"This is it, Sora! The final battle!" Donald said.
"Yeah…" Sora added, summoning his Keyblade in his hand, "Let's go!"
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"Here we are… the thirteenth floor," Axel said calmly once they had reached the top of the staircase. Akyra poked her head up and gazed across the hallway. Sure, it didn't look any different from the previous ones she'd seen. The only difference was the presence of a huge door at the end. And an intense battle between Sora and Marluxia right in front of it.
Sora… Sora was there!
"Sora, I made it!" Akyra cheered as she jumped into the air and trotted off down the hallway. She took a couple of steps but then suddenly stopped. Sure… it WAS Axel… but he helped her out, didn't he? That would deserve a 'thank you' at the least. She turned around to face him just as he was about to step into a portal of darkness he had summoned. She grinned brightly at him.
"Hey, Axel," she began, "Thanks for helping me get here. I really owe you one!"
Axel looked at her suspiciously, his eyes narrowed with confusion. Was she going to start rambling too now? He grunted softly and stepped into the portal as if he hadn't heard her words at all. But… right before disappearing into it… he turned around and smiled a smile that looked rather forced.
"I think I'll pass…" was all he said before he vanished into thin air.
Insane weirdo… she thought to herself as she turned around to continue her walk.
Hey! Weren't Sora and Marluxia locked in battle when she last saw them? Of course they were! Her own eyes can't deceive her. But they were gone! Vanished! Just like Axel had just done. She scampered down the hallway in a panic. She couldn't have lost them that easily…
She skidded to a halt at the door and scanned the area wildly for any sign of them. She'd be happy even if she ran into Marluxia. Anyone would suffice. Anyone to prove that she wasn't losing her mind.
"No!" she called, "Sora was just here a minute ago! Where did he go now?"
"You came! I knew you would!" Akyra suddenly stopped moving, alert. Someone else was here with her. Someone who sounded delighted to see someone else. It sounded like a girl's voice.
"Huh?" Akyra asked softly. She couldn't quite recognize whom the voice belonged to. But it sounded so… happy. Soon, the sound of footsteps filled the hall as well. Akyra whirled around. A girl about her age was running up to her with a bright smile and her hand waving in the air. She had blonde hair, wore a white dress and blue sandals, which were slightly lighter than the color of her eyes. Akyra stared at her with a confused look. She had no idea who this person was but… she looked like someone she knew…
"I called you and you answered! Now you can save Sora!" the girl cheered joyfully.
"Y-you called me?" Akyra asked. How could she have called her? She had no idea who she was in the first place!
"Wow… Forgive me but who are you?" she asked. Akyra probably regrets having asked this. The girl looked so happy yet, the moment Akyra asked for her name, her face fell and was replaced by sadness and fright.
"I prefer not to tell…" she said, twiddling with her fingers.
"My name's Akyra!" she said, hoping to cheer up the stranger by introducing herself, "But why won't tell? Come on, I don't bite."
Akyra wore a very happy smile but the girl crossed her arms and looked at her sarcastically. Yeah, right… As if she was going to believe that!
"Okay, maybe I do…" Akyra said, rolling her eyes as she spoke, "But… not you… You look like someone I know…"
The girl scanned her for a moment and positioned her arms to her side. Akyra didn't look like she was lying. Maybe… maybe she won't snap if she told her her name. Then again… it was still a risky move.
"My name…" the girl began after drawing a deep breath, "… is Naminé."
Akyra gasped. And blinked. No, no, this girl was lying! She had to have been! Naminé was only a figment of Sora's imagination… right? But if that really is all she was… how could this girl know about it? That's when it finally hit her. This girl… she really was Naminé… But what does she do next? Does she keep her cool or does she bite her head off for bringing her so much misery?
"Yes…" Naminé continued, "My name is Naminé and I have a story to tell…"
Akyra still looked at her suspiciously but decided that the best thing to do was to let her have her say. She cocked an eyebrow and smiled.
"I'm listening…"
Naminé smiled ecstatically when she heard this. So, she drew a couple of deep breaths and began her story…
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"So… you were forced to rewrite Sora's memories? By Marluxia who held you prisoner? That scum!" Akyra screeched angrily.
Naminé had just finished explaining everything. She told her about what she had to do to Sora's memories, why she did it, the story behind Riku's Replica, everything… and she left Akyra stunned.
"Yes… When Sora sent you away, I had to do something soon. So I reminded you of how much you value your friends," she explained, "That memory I made you remember, with the bullies? That was the first time you and Sora fought together as a team, as you do now…"
"Yeah, but… HEY! I thought you had no power over my memories! How did I forget things? And how did I remember the rest?"
Naminé chuckled. "Actually… I do have power over your memories. But I knew about Marluxia's plan ages before you came to the castle. So, I told them I couldn't touch your memories, and they believed me…"
"They believed you?" Akyra asked, stunned by their stupidity, "Wow, they're gullible…"
"Yeah…" Naminé agreed, "I lied to them because I was afraid. I hoped that, in case Sora failed to stop them, you would help. But it's worse than I thought! Marluxia is a tough foe, Akyra, and your friends need your help to destroy him."
"But…" Akyra began. There were still so many things she wanted to ask but where could she start?
"But they don't remember me. Why would they accept help from a stranger?"
"You accepted help from Axel didn't you?"
Akyra gazed at her. Naminé was right, but it just didn't feel like it was the same situation.
"Let me tell you something…" said Naminé. Akyra looked at her straight in the eye and listened intently.
"Before going through those doors, Sora fought an imitation of Marluxia. He did manage to stop him but I was watching from the sidelines, Akyra… Sora almost didn't make it."
"What?" Akyra asked, her voice full of concern.
"And now he is fighting the real Marluxia. If you don't help him, he will fall. He needs you… They need you… At this point, only you can destroy Marluxia."
"Naminé, you have to understand," she said, looking to the ground, "I love my friends and I'd do anything to help them but how can we eliminate Marluxia? We could hardly scratch him. Even as a team, what can we do?"
"You came back for your friends. That is all the power you'll need."
Akyra looked up and smiled. You know, Naminé wasn't that bad at all! And here she was, planning on throttling her the moment she meets her.
"Thank you, Naminé…"
"No…" she interrupted, "Thank you for returning." A
kyra stepped away and stopped in front of the door. It was time to eliminate Marluxia once and for all.
"You know, Sora is the luckiest guy in the world to have you as a friend," Naminé said, hoping to cheer her up, "And the day he realizes it… trust me, Akyra… he'll make it up to you."
Akyra turned her head to face Naminé and smiled as she placed her hands on the door's large handles.
"That scum Marluxia has been around for way too long…" she muttered as she pulled the doors open, "Thanks Naminé!"
She stepped into the darkened room, the door automatically swinging shut.
"Good luck!" Naminé called. Akyra turned and caught a glimpse of Naminé before the door closed completely. She gave her the brightest smile she had.
"Ha! As if I'll need it…"
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KHA: (sings) 36 rows of staircases to climb! 36 rows of staircases! You bolt one up and pant your heart out! 35 rows of staircases to climb!
Audience: O.o Help...
Akyra: (gasp) Next chappie ish the end of Sora's story!
Roxas: Hey, lookie! I beat Sora's story! (waves GBA)
KHA: (shifty eyes) (steals GBA)
Roxas: GAH! (grabs GBA)
KHA: Please please please please please? I'm rotting, don't you see? I NEED to play it! Please...