Chapter 51: Pain

I realize the screaming pain

Hearing loud in my brain


"Hang in there Blake." Jaune said to the girl he now held close to him.

The faunus could barely walk, leaning onto Jaune for support as he basically half carried her. Her hand was coated with blood, holding her torn side as the two kept moving forward.

The moment Sora and Adam clashed, Sora had cast a quick Curaga on Blake. Sadly it didn't do much but cause the wound to slowly close, the injury was far too deep for even magic to heal right away. The moment he noticed that, the keyblade wielder told Jaune to grab Blake and get her to safety. When Sora finishes Adam, he'd be right behind them to properly heal Blake's injury.

But would Blake last that long?

Jaune felt himself fall backwards as Blake weight sent the both to the floor. Blake hit the ground hard, a light yelp in pain as she tried to get back up.

"Blake!" Jaune quickly got over to her, grabbing her by the shoulders to steady her.

"Let go of me!" Blake pulled away from him, another scream of pain from overexertion. She gripped her side in agony, breathing heavily as the pain shot through her.

Jaune flinched at her suddenly raised voice, regardless, he couldn't allow her to move on her own. Her injury was far too severe, she'd only be pushing out more blood.

"You're hurt, really badly." Jaune tried to coax her. "You can't even move well on your own. So let me carry you and get you out of here."

"Forget it." Blake said angrily, rebuking herself almost right after. "Just leave me here...I don't need your help."

Jaune was adamant, much to her displeasure. "No way! If I just leave you here, you'll bleed out."

"...I don't care."

Was she being serious? Did she not know what that meant? He looked at her sullen expression, one speaking volumes of pure defeat. Not just physically; but mentally, and emotionally. Like nothing in her pursuits made sense, and her entire world of belief had come crashing down on her. Her amber eyes seemingly lost their glow, and the girl's arms hung limply at her sides. No longer even trying to restrain her wound.

Well, getting cut down by someone you believed to be your friend could do that to you.

"Blake, we have to get up. It's not safe here." Jaune tried once more, praying she'd be understanding this time. "We're in enemy territory, they're bound to find out where we are soon if we don't keep moving. Sora will be right behind us, then he'll fix you up."

Blake just sat there, leaning up against the wall, taking to staring at the ceiling. Almost like she was contemplating life in general. What was the point in it? What did it even mean?

Jaune instantly recognized that look.

A look he was all too familiar with.

The same look he'd had at his lowest, when he absolutely had given up on pretty much everything.

Was Blake doing the same now?

Jaune scooted up and sat next to her, looking at her wound with concern. "I've got some bandaging, at least let me patch you up a bit."

Still nothing from her. Damn. But she didn't seem against it either, Blake wasn't so brainless that she wouldn't know she required medical treatment. A bit hesitant at first, Jaune quickly grabbed the bandage wrap out of his pocket.

Gladly, Blake didn't resist him, but she didn't dare look at him either.

"Cure…" Jaune said slowly, focusing his glowing green hand on Blake's injury. Jaune had been paying attention to the times Sora had used healing magic, and had even asked him about it a few times before. He still wasn't that great, and he wanted to get better before he told his teammates. But Blake needed help now, so he supposed that keeping it a secret didn't even matter anymore.

About five minutes in, Jaune began to think Blake wouldn't say anything. Maybe they weren't getting far, but at least Blake's injury would be fixed up for now. Of course they were still in their enemy's stronghold, and out in the open no less.

Hopefully, Sora would finish Adam quickly and they could all get the heck out of here.

"Jaune…"

The boy's blue eyes glanced up at the black-bowed beauty in front of him, her eyes never left the ceiling. "What...what am I supposed to do...?"

Jaune's eyebrow rose in confusion, yet that answer-less expression on her face compelled him to say something. Something he hoped would be helpful…

"I know it was idiotic of me." Blake continued, whether she knew if Jaune was listening or not was anyone's guess. Perhaps even Blake needs a shoulder to lean on from time to time.

"I just wanted to save him. He reached out to me, begging for my help." She spoke, it was like she was going to choke any moment. "What could I do? Just leave him? I just thought that maybe he wanted to change; to become someone good."

'Is this the Adam guy she's talking about?' Jaune wondered. Now Jaune was not a judgmental person, but Adam definitely didn't look like the kind of guy to change sides. He seemed strict to his own ideals and morals, an indomitable will that just happened to purged in a lust of destruction.

"But I was wrong…" Blake pulled her knees up to her chest, ignoring the pain in her side. She wrapped her arms around her legs and buried her head in them. She made no sound other than the small hitches of breath from time to time.

She was crying.

Never did Jaune ever think he'd see Blake of all people break down emotionally.

Maybe in front of her own teammates, she trusted them. But Jaune? How could he help her? She must be very hurt to be unable to hold in her personal turmoil at this point.

"Adam was using me. He never needed me or cared. He just used me to lure Sora here…" Blake sadly admitted. How unsightly was this? Wasn't she much smarter than to make such roundabout decisions? Infiltrating Organization XIII's hideout? The very thought now sounded ridiculous.

Blake sighed, clearing her eyes free of tears. "I don't know anymore...maybe all this means is that I never had a true friend in Adam. So I came all this way for naught...what can I even do now?"

Jaune thought for a moment. Jaune knew what it felt like to lose sight of your goals and so yourself in the process. To feel so lost that you have no idea where you stand anymore. Perhaps he had some insight on this situation after all?

"You can defeat Adam." He said without thinking.

Blake looked at him, a bit confused.

Jaune decided to roll with it, he'd already started, may as well keep it going. "I know what it's like to be lost. I think, when that happens you have to find yourself again. And you can find yourself in the people closest to you."

Blake's eyes lowered. "But Adam-

"No, not Adam," Jaune shook his head vehemently. "Your team! Ruby, Weiss and Yang! They are the ones who know you and care! I don't know anything about your past, or Adam. But I do know what it feels like to have friends, and Adam certainly did not seem like one."

The boy raised his fist. "We get knocked down, but we have to get back up you know? Even if things we believed to be true turn out wrong, we can't give up. It'd be a slap in the face to everyone who supported us."

Blake turned away. "How can you even say that? It just seems like no matter how much I get up, I just get pushed down harder. Do you honestly think that things will turn out well just because you keep trying?"

Jaune smiled cheekily. "I dunno."

Blake nearly face-palmed.

"But I won't know unless I try. It's better than sitting around crying right?" Jaune continued. "I had lost confidence in myself before, but Pyrrha, Ren, Nora...and Sora have all had my back. No matter what, they pushed me to become better and opened up my eyes. I was in the dark for a time...but they showed me to the light."

A light punch came to the faunus girl's arm.

"You don't want to live in that darkness anymore do ya Blake?"

Blake shook her head slowly, but she seemed sure of her answer.

"Then what do you think you should do?"

About two minutes of contemplating and Blake rose her head again, now struggling to stand up. Her injury felt alright for the most part, there was an occasional twinge of pain but it was nothing she couldn't tolerate. Her eyes were narrowed in brisk with vibrant resolution. She didn't need to give him an answer, and Jaune certainly didn't need one either. Just her expression was enough.

In that moment, the Blake that Jaune had always known, returned.

"I'm going back." Blake said without looking at Jaune. "I know Sora can probably defeat Adam by himself...but I feel like I can...no, that I must help him do so. I have to beat Adam just as much as Sora does."

Jaune sighed, a small smile on his face as he stood up. "Come on, are we really gonna go fight that guy? He seemed waaayyy too out of my league!"

Blake chuckled. "Afraid?"

"Pff! Me?" Jaune scoffed. "Although, perhaps it's better that I catch up with the others and assist them. You and Sora have this one covered. We'll catch up later."

"I guess this is where we split off then." Blake turned back toward the direction of Adam's quarters. Jaune at the same time turned to the opposite hall. Both teens gave small grins at each other, words weren't at all needed.

"Don't die on us Jaune." Blake joked before dashing down the hallway.

Jaune groaned, but couldn't resist a laugh. "I'm not gonna die that easily you know! I'm much more durable than people give me credit for!"

With that, he dashed through the hall as well. His mind focused solely to find the vast staircases to the higher floors that would lead them to his allies.

Which is probably why he didn't notice the sinister yellow glowing eyes in the darkness of the corridor.


KHXRWBY


Another clash.

Then another.

Sora and Adam clashed blades back and forth, the almost eardrum shattering sound of banging steel ringing in the air as the warriors faced off in what what surely be their final bout. Sora could feel the massive boost in Adam's power in comparison to last time, how could he grow so powerful in such a short time? Even darkness shouldn't be able to amplify a fighter's ability to this kind of level.

Sora rolled to the side, avoiding a blinding fast forward stab. He gave an immediate counter attack with his One-winged angel in the form of a horizontal slash. Adam deftly blocked it with his blade, pushing it back and closing in on his target. He held his blade at his side as red energy fueled his body.

Sora gritted his teeth, knowing what was coming. A quick blast of Aerora under his feet pushed him far enough from Adam for him to evade the incoming wave of dark energy. The blade of darkness tore through the wall behind him, causing large chunks of earth to shatter to the ground, rattling the floor they stood upon.

"You seem anxious...keyblade wielder."

Sora narrowed his eyes at Adam, who held his blade at his side readily as he spoke. "It couldn't possibly be fear...you didn't show such emotion the last time we fought. Have you grown soft since then?"

Sora didn't bother with a response, perhaps if he just didn't respond to him then he would stop talking.

"Or perhaps it's your concern over my pathetic partner that dulls your attacks."

'Don't let him bait you, Roxas spoke to Sora straight away. 'He may be trying to instigate you into being more reckless, who knows if your Anti-form might burst out again.'

'I know...' Answered Sora, holding his keyblade readily in case Adam attacked without warning. "If I could just go full power, I know I could take him down without much trouble at all. But doing that would severely weaken me...and if Xehanort shows up after that…

'Exactly. So don't play Adam's game, it may take a bit more time but you'll just have to defeat him in your base form. Don't use your drive power unless it's absolutely necessary.'

'...yeah...I just hope we can defeat him quickly, Blake may not last for much longer. Adam slashed her the same we he got me, so even my Curaga won't completely save her.'

'She'll be okay, Roxas tried to assure his nobody. He knew Sora kind of blamed himself for what was happening If he'd just kept his mouth shut about Miltia; then Blake never would've gained the knowledge of Adam's location. He should've seen it sooner...Blake cared for those close to her just as much as Sora did.

The keyblade wielder had underestimated the catgirl's courage.

Only...that courage and will ended up being her downfall.

He just hoped it wasn't too late.

Sora was snapped out of his internal conversation when Adam came charging at him at sonic speeds, almost a blur of black and red as he closed in. Sora immediately reared his blade back...

"Blizzard Raid!"

His keyblade streaming with cold ice, the boy hurled his weapon rapidly at his opponent. Adam simply smirked and knocked the weapon away. Sora returned the weapon to his hand and tossed it again, Adam simply blocking it again. Once Adam was upon him, Sora switched his weapon to reverse grip, using it to block and counter Adam's high speed movements. Adam was a fast as lightning! But Sora was faster; ensuring that no blow, whether it was in front or behind him, had any chance of reaching him.

Adam let out a frustrated yell, swinging his blade harder than he was already. Lucky for him, Sora had misjudged the strength of his attack and had his keyblade knocked away from him. The spiky haired teen was unable to dodge the swift and powerful kick to his jaw, sending him tumbling to the ground.

The boy staggered to his feet, rubbing his bottom lip free of the trickles of blood. He was glad he closed his mouth before impact, or he'd be spitting out several teeth.

"You got better Adam." Sora gripped his weapon tighter, trying to think of a surefire way to get past Adam's guard. Despite the man only having a chokuto and a rifle, his defense was incredible. Not to mention he'd seemingly gotten more durable since their last fight.

"But if that kick was your real power, then you have no chance of beating me."

Adam chuckled, thoroughly amused by Sora's words. "You think yourself higher than me human? Typical, looking down on the faunus as lesser beings simply because you think you can."

That seemed to strike a nerve. "What is with you!? It's always humans this and faunus that! You're just trying to justify your hate driven goals! If you cared about faunus that much, you would never have cut down Blake like you did!"

"What?" Adam merely shrugged a single shoulder. "Am I to be forgiving toward a traitor for this cause? She became nothing more than a human to me when she left the White Fang, she turned on her desperate brothers and did nothing to bring about the equality we rightly deserve."

Then he grinned, almost maliciously. "You think Blake is a good person at heart? You couldn't be more wrong, there is darkness within her. I've witnessed it myself."

Sora wished he could've hid his shock. Darkness within Blake? While he certainly remembered how defensive she'd gotten about faunus, which turned into a morbid anger at him for a few weeks, he didn't think it'd grow so potent…

Adam could be lying…

But what reason did he have? Perhaps to just set Sora on edge? To place distrust on Blake? If anything, Blake's foolhardy decision to save Adam would be a far more viable reason for Sora not to trust her.

Curious, the boy asked. "What do you mean?"

Adam was in no way hesitant to answer. "As she made her way here, she came across a member of Organization XIII. One of the weaker ones mind you. I know this because my senses have been heightened so greatly that I could sense events occurring miles away."

"In her haste to find me, she interrogated the nobody, forcing my location out of him. Once she got her answers, I thought that'd be the end of it, she'd be on her way to me...alas…

Sora tensed.

"What happened further was far more surprising...and appeasing to me." Adam smirked even wider. "She completely slit that Nobody's throat, destroying him right away. While that may not be considered murder, it changes nothing in the face of intent. She'd have been willing to take a life if it was to locate me."

Sora shook his head defiantly. "I don't believe that, Blake is not like you."

"Are you certain?" Adam rested the tip of his blade on the floor, leaning on it much like a cane. "She's faced as much hatred and discrimination as any other faunus, if not worse. Even she cannot deny the anger she feels toward humans for how they treat faunus."

He then cast his glance upward, though Sora didn't dare think he was dropping his guard. "She feels that anger...that rage...and the darkness builds up within her. She will become a denizen of the dark, her own name is a testament of that."

While Sora adamantly refused to believe Adam, his words did strike a chord. Could Blake be withholding that much anger? Was that hidden dark potential finally coming to life inside of her? And then about killing the Organization member. While they were technically monsters, did it really make any difference if your intentions were the same?

And that made him think back on his own actions.

Back during his second journey when he struck down the remaining members of Organization XIII, without regard for what the wanted. Granted what they wanted was pure worldly domination, but did he dare consider their desire to be whole humans again?

It reminded him of Nora, who bore no anger to her murderous Nobody. Even Valkyrie end was in no way happy, she lost everything…

Just where was the moral ground here? Aren't they the heroes? Why did it have to be so difficult to decide what's right and what's wrong? Good and evil should be as plain as day! Those who committed crimes were bad, while those who stopped them were good!

Right?

Could Blake be falling into the darkness? Is that what Adam meant? And could it stopped? Or perhaps…

Was this going to happen anyway?

….

No.

He would not accept that.

"You think you know everything Adam! But you are dead wrong!" Sora argued. "Blake, perhaps she does have a dark side, there's no one who doesn't. But her will was always in the right place. She's not the kind of person to thrust hate onto others and commit murder!"

Adam frowned.

"She's fighting to protect those she cares about. Just like I do! We can't always make the best decisions and keep our hands clean, but it's the choices to the end that matters! It's you who harbors hate for humans, and all this 'fighting for equality' is just a cover-up so you can get away with killing people!"

Silence.

The raspy breath of Sora was likely the only thing they heard as the room filled with an intense eeriness. Sora hadn't expected to use so much breath yelling, but he had been fed up with Adam and his manipulative games. He didn't want Adam's words to be true.

He could only imagine the pain Blake was going through, having been betrayed by someone she cared enough for to punch through a powerful Organization hideout without a second thought.

He didn't want to lose another friend, it'd been too much for everyone to lose Nora. But Sora swore to himself that no one else would be taken from them, that none of his other friends would suffer that kind of fate.

In order to truly save Blake, and to pull her out of the darkness…

Adam needed to be destroyed.

An easy choice, yet a hard one as well. Sora was challenging his own morals, and forsaking the life, non-existent or otherwise, of another person. But Sora knew it was the right choice to make.

The right choice was the one that saved the people he cared for.

And that's the new goal that fueled his determination for victory.

Sora charged his keyblade with light energy, holding it at his side as he prepared to unleash the Zantetsuken.

"You're beyond saving Adam." Sora spoke darkly. "I'm not gonna let you torture Blake anymore, so I'll make sure to eradicate you completely. I didn't want it to end like this, but you brought it upon yourself."

Dark energy blazed to life around Adam, cascading around his shoulders and wrapping around his sickly blood red blade. It melded with the tempered steel, slowly ingraining itself into it until it became as black as coals.
"What awaits you is nothing but death, Keyblade wielder." His red eyes wispy with dark energy as they did before.

Sora unleashed his technique, zipping at speeds far too fast for any normal being to see. He spotted Adam's brief surprise in the second his disappeared, but by then, it was already too late.

Swinging his sword out, he delivered a powerful and deep cutting slash to Adam's left side. Eliciting a yell of anger and pain from the bull faunus. In retaliation, the man swung his chokuto backwards, darkness radiating off of it and increasing its power and range. Sora, whom was now behind him, had only just finished the Zantetsuken attack.

Leaving him wide open.

Adam's attack was sure and true, its speed and cutting strength would surely be enough to lop of his hated enemy's head.

That is, if a crescent shaped beam of energy hadn't rocketed from out of nowhere…

And struck him dead on.

BOOM!

The beam was powerful, initiating a blast upon impact that sent the bull faunus flying. Several bits of floor were torn up from the impact, and it seemed to slightly burn the air around it. He crashed on the ground some distance away.

Now regaining his stance, Sora turned to see who fired the attack.

"Sora!"

Her weapons drawn, and a look of fierce determination, Blake Belladonna made her way over to Sora as quickly as she could. Sora was surprised to say the least. The injury one her side...it was healed! But how? Sora had tried Curaga on the injury at least once, and it hadn't so much as closed the wound as far as he knew.

Still, it was a mystery that didn't particularly matter. She seemed okay, and that's all that mattered.

She skidded to a stop in front of him, holding her blades at her sides as she looked at the boy. Her expression was a hard one to read, a range of emotions spanning across her face rapidly. It was like she couldn't decide on one, unsure of what exactly to feel in this situation.

Finally her head lowered, her fist tightened around her weapon grips. "You...you were right, the whole time. Adam...isn't who I thought he was. I just allowed myself to foolishly be manipulated by him, and I dragged everyone into this because of it…"

Her amber eyes glanced at Adam, whom was struggling to his feet. A pang of sadness and the highest form of betrayal flaunted her emotions. Sora felt so badly for her, for a friend to turn away from you. Even to cause you harm without remorse…

Her words shot guilt through Sora's heart. Just how much pain was Blake going through? It made him want to go back in time and punch the him that refused to help her in the first place. Perhaps if he had, then at least when they encountered Adam, no one would be seriously injured. How could he be so cruel back then? Was his anger towards Adam really so potent that he refused to put his friends before him? To not trust Blake?

Instinctively he put a hand over his heart, as if to check if it was there. 'That could be what contributed to my near subjection to the darkness...it's like I'm changing all over, just what exactly am I turning into?

To his surprise, Roxas answered him. "It's what happens in darkness Sora. Not even you are immune to hate and anger, and no friendship is perfect. You've made mistakes, as have Blake and all the others. That's not what is important now."

The boy felt comforted by his nobody's words, a strange warmth in his heart.

"You were both in darkness….it's time to pull yourselves out. This fight...the outcome of this fight will surely decide that."

Sora nodded slowly. Again, Roxas was correct. Now was not the time for guilt or repentance, now they just need to win against Adam. Once that was done, then everything else could be figured out.

His attention went back to Blake, whom still looked at the floor shamefully.

The black haired faunus looked up at Sora, whom stared back at her calmly, yet with compassion. Sora moved to stand beside her, his glance at Adam. "I understand...it seems that we both need to make changes to ourselves. Perhaps if I'd helped you back then...things might have been different."

"I can't blame you for wanting to save Adam. He was your friend after all, It would be foolish to expect you to just leave him behind. You're a true friend right to the end…"

Blake simply stared at him, replaying his words over in her head. He wasn't angry? She'd been so sure he'd be furious! Instead, he seemed to empathize with her. That morbid expression wasn't at all unlike her own, traces of remorse and frustration in his words.

"You made a mistake...that's all we'll chalk this up to." Sora nodded at her. "But now...we need to stop Adam, once and for all. He'll only cause you and I more pain in the future...and he only poses more of a threat to our other friends."

Sora held up his fist at the girl, a determined while at the same time friendly smile etched on his face. "So, let's win...then we can go back home. To your true friends."

In turn, the girl nodded, bumping Sora's fist with her own as a complete sign of acknowledgement. "Right. Let's do this."

The wind picked up a second after, like a pulsation of energy was pushing against them. The teens held their weapons up in front of them, holding their ground firmly as to not get blown away. The room shook violently, and pieces of the wall and floor were coming apart.

Darkness whipped around like tendrils, so potent that it chilled the very air they breathed. His eyes were glowing the brightest red, and his boiling rage had seemed to reach its pinnacle.

He held his sword readily, seething face boring into the determination of Sora and Blake as they entered their battle stances.

"Still alive Blake? Well, I can honestly say I'm surprised, that cut should've caused you to bleed out…"

Blake gripped tightly on Gambol shroud, anger welling.

"That's alright though...all this means is I'll be I'll have to kill and human and a traitor."

Those last words fresh in mind, the last clash between the two warriors of Beacon and the leader of the White Fang began.


KHXRWBY


"Ah, so that's what happened…"

"Yeah! And if that wasn't enough, she totally tried to kill me!"

Demyx sat before the leader of Organization XIII and the remaining subordinates, explaining his excruciating dilemma to them in full detail. About how the cat faunus from Beacon Academy had somehow snuck into the hideout, taken him hostage and forced him to tell her where Adam Taurus was.

This was only proven further by the sounds of explosions and chaos rumbling through the underground stronghold, no doubt someone was here indeed.

Or possibly multiple.

Now, in essence, it wasn't most impressive of tales. Not to mention it did make him look like a total wuss, but hey! If they start thinking that he's a sissy, perhaps they'll just let him kick back and relax! Demyx really wasn't into fighting, he'd suffered far too much abuse from Larxene to willingly sign over his life.

He gritted his teeth in pain as he felt soft hands wrapping bandaging around his injured neck. It was endearing in a way, someone caring enough to fix up his boo-boo! How sweet!

That is until he felt like the bandaging was too tight.

That and the fact that this person was trying to choke him with it too!

"GAH!" Demyx gasped out as he finally felt his throat clear itself of the restriction. "Geez Neo!"

The pink and brown eyes of Neo blinked innocently, a cruel smirk on her face as she shrugged at the nobody before her. She grabbed the bandage wrap again and resumed closing up his wound.

"Ow!" The boy yelped. "That really hurts Neo! Oof!"

The boy slumped on the floor in defeat, a powerful kick having struck him right in the gut. Neo stood near him, a cheeky grin on her face as she watched Demyx squirm. Slowly the boy pushed himself into a sitting position, looking at the girl with a look of pure irritation and wariness.

"You're...worse than Larxene!"

Neo shrugged with a smile, But Demyx dared not be fooled. There was sinister evil in that beautiful face of hers.

"You were saying...Demyx?"

Upon hearing his name called, the boy turned back to whom he had initially teleported himself to in the first place.

Master Xehanort.

"Uh, uh yeah right!" Sputtered Demyx. "So yeah, that cat chick is here! And if she is, then probably some others are too!"

"Truly more of a nuisance than ought be." Xemnas said, his expression unchanging. "I can sense the keyblade wielder, he is definitely in Adam's quarters...this is the ripe opportunity to take him as the thirteenth vessel."

Master Xehanort seemed to think this over, still leaning on his hand and almost not paying attention to the discussion under way.

"While that does seem plausible, Ansem added. "That still leaves our graciously uninvited guests, only more troubling in that the faunus was meant to be tested by Vanitas."

The dark skinned Heartless cast a furtive glance over at Vanitas, whom sat in his seat lazily. Boredom was etched on his face, like Master Xehanort, he seemed to tune out most of the conversation.

"Pff. You've got to be kidding...I'd tear that weakling to shreds before I can even get warmed up." Vanitas said smartly, unwavering even by Ansem's deathly glare. "Although, it would be nice to slowly rip that girl's heart out of her body…"

"We were ordered not to kill them Vanitas." Young Xehanort piped in. "Lest we forget who sent that Heartless-Grimm hybrid after that other student team."

"Chill man." Vanitas waved his hand airily. "It's not like they died. Sure that hammer freak got her heart torn out, but it worked in our favor didn't it? All that means is she wouldn't have submitted to the darkness anyway! One vessel possibility out the window."

"Just keep in regard the Superior's plans next time." Young Xehanort said back, his emotionless face annoying Vanitas. "These Remnant fools are not the only one's expendable."

Vanitas's eyes twitched, and he seemed ready to summon his keyblade. Young Xehanort likely knew this, his lack of worry signified by his stagnant look as if to say…

Try me.

But Vanitas knew better. His battles were best picked.

So, reigning in his anger, he merely smirked at the similarly aged boy. "I could say the same about you."

"Hmph." Was Young Xehanort's immediate response.

"In any case, it is imperative that we clean our hands free of our visitors." Xemnas resumed speaking. "Let us prepare to-

"No."

Everyone turned their attention to Master Xehanort, whom had risen from his seat. He looked calm and placid, placing his hands behind his back. "We are to leave them be.. I will allow them to engage Cinder and her followers."

Everyone seemed somewhat surprised, even those slightly less emotional could hide the mild shock. Young Xehanort was the first to speak up. "Is that wise? Cinder's victory cannot be guaranteed, even Adam, whom had actually turned out as a possible vessel is not assured victory against the keyblade wielder."

"Precisely." Master Xehanort agreed, a small hidden grin on his elderly face. "It is not assured. But does that not make it more interesting? This fated battle between two warriors harboring nothing but pure hatred for each other. This is the kind of battle that must not be interrupted. It must be allowed to progress into its final state."

"And what state would that be?" Ansem questioned.

Xehanort simply grinned wider, though since he wasn't facing anyone, they couldn't see it.

"You all remain here, I shall personally greet our guests." Xehanort said to them as he walked away. "They deserve nothing but the best, and if nothing else, I am an honorable host."

And with that, the man vanished, leaving everyone in a confused stupor.


Hello people!

So yeah, I got this chapter written as fast as I could. Which clearly wasn't very fast at all. But then again I happen to work a lot, and when I'm not at my job I'm working on my drawing. And when I'm not drawing, I'm working on projects with my buds.

And when I'm not working with my buds.

I'm sleeping.

And that is often why I can never get writing done as fast as I want to.

Admittedly it was hard to put this chapter together correctly, and I initially wanted the Sora and Blake vs. Adam fight to entail the whole chapter. But that seems a bit rushed to me, so once again it'll be a two parter. The poll was basically tied with Sora and Blake vs. Adam and surprisingly Weiss vs. Larxene. I didn't think people would want to see Weiss's fight so much!

Yes I decided that the bonding moment between Blake and Jaune needed to happen. No I'm not shipping them! I just think that perhaps they can understand each other a little after all of the stuff they've had to deal with. I mean heck, they barely interact in the actual show! Which is why I like showing the friendships between characters that never really speak to one another.

In any case, not much more to say for this chapter. As always I'm working on the next one as we speak! I'm really hoping to get this Arc finished soon so I can move on to the more awesome parts of the story.

Be prepared for some new twists and turns ladies and gents, the surprises are far from over. What will be revealed soon will be the final nail in the coffin and will finally put our heroes to the test.

By the way, Jaune suing cure magic does not mean he is going to learn magic like Sora. I've decided he will perhaps unlock his semblance, which will likely be something related to healing/protection. So healing magic seemed good for him.

I'm still working on going over and edited Light of Remnant to fix out any problems, but that won't occur until much later.

But until then, see you around!

Bye-bye!