Chapter 51: Master and Superior
Another day, another meeting, and another step forward. Per the norm as of late, all remaining members had gathered, save for Axel. It was a time to take initiative. A time to cobble together a plan, and of course, a time to reflect on recent circumstances. Circumstances such as those surrounding the simulation.
So, naturally, Zexion was first to speak, stroking his chin in thought. "I saw the puppet last week. It would seem she decided to return to Twilight Town for a time, but this time, she delved deep into the datascape."
His words captured Xemnas' gaze. "And what were the results?"
"In short, it was a disaster." He slumped over, lips pulled into a straight line. "Her presence alone caused the system to run wild with glitches, and her appearance was highly unstable. If I had to guess, it was due to the way Riku's memories have influenced the data itself. The program has this peculiar tendency to shift visitors into a form that matches his memories, and if Xion was born from those very memories, well… I could see how problems might arise."
Up until this point, Demyx had been staring aimlessly at the ceiling, leaning over the arm of his chair with half-closed eyes, as if he was about to pass out from sheer boredom. However, when Zexion finished speaking, his eyes popped open, and he shot up, sitting erect.
"But waaait a second. Riku's never met you, so what happens when you go in there?"
"For once, you raise an excellent point." Zexion snickered, a dry smile gracing his lips. "It seems the system can't figure out what to do with me. Everything I touch peels away. My body is intangible, able to pass through solid objects like a specter…"
Demyx shivered, arms wound around his shoulders. "Dude, that's creepy! How do you even put up with it?"
"Don't forget that we're all incapable of emotion. Unsettling as it is, it had no true effect on me."
Demyx went slack-jawed at Zexion's statement and deflated without another word. With his faux curiosity seemingly sated, it was time to focus on more urgent matters.
With a chilling gaze, Saïx peered up at Zexion. "And what of the puppet's activities? It must have returned for a reason."
"Hmm… Well, she seemed desperate for answers. When she encountered Riku, she begged to know of their connection." Pausing, Zexion shut his eyes and folded his hands. "Moreover, she brought the Replica and Roxas into the mansion from parts unknown."
Saïx growled, his hands rolling into fists. "Then we must uncover their whereabouts at once."
"That shouldn't be too difficult," said Zexion. "After what transpired at Disney Castle, I find it highly doubtful that they would flee to an ordinary world. Thus, we need only apply the process of elimination."
Chuckling, Luxord, tossed a pair of dice into the air. "Perhaps they have one last ace up their sleeve. One final card to determine their fates…" With a snap of his wrist, the dice vanished, replaced with a single tarot card: The Tower.
One look at the card, and the gears in Xemnas' head began to spin. The implications were impossible to ignore. Of all the worlds in the cosmos, how many could truly serve as their haven? With Disney Castle proven penetrable, there was but one option left. One world that even the Organization dare not breach.
Xemnas' forehead wrinkled, and his brows drew together. "If they have taken refuge in Yen Sid's domain, then there is little we can do beyond providing… incentive for them to leave the nest. However, this will be incredibly simple. After all, at the center of this crisis lies one point of connection. A binding rope tying together the Keyblade wielders and their allies…"
"Then shall we cut the rope?" said Xaldin. "If this matter is as simple as you say, we should act now, before they're able to form a plan."
"No. This is not something we can rush. In order to leave a true impact, we must set the stage for the moment that is most significant. Then and only then shall we strike."
From the start of the meeting, Lexaeus had remained silent as a statue, his arms crossed and a perpetual frown fixed to his features. Now, at long last, he cast his title of Silent Hero aside, his voice booming as he spoke.
"It isn't the Replica we should be worrying about. He may hold our secrets, but based on strength alone, I believe we should focus on Master Aqua."
Saïx bristled, shoulders hunched. "Yes, the Keyblade Master possesses a skill far beyond that of her fellow Keyblade wielders. The others are mere children by comparison."
"Ah, but that's not all," said Zexion. "At the moment, she and King Mickey are the de facto leaders, the ones to whom the others undoubtedly turn for guidance. If we could just find a way to break through to them—"
"The remaining pieces would topple over like a string of dominos." Once again, Luxord tossed his dice, catching them with single, swift gesture. "You know the rules quite well. The question is, how do we intend to use our knowledge to reap the winner's pot?"
Xigbar clapped his hands, bending over the edge of his seat. "Hey, how 'bout I have a chat with the bluebird? Her and I go way back."
"No." Xemnas' voice was firm, absolute. "If anyone is to meet this... Master Aqua, it will be me."
The entire room lapsed into silence. Demyx's mouth went agape, Xigbar winced, his grin growing stiff. Lexaeus merely shut his eyes, his blank expression indiscernible, while Zexion stroked his chin once more. Continuing to toss his dice, Luxord watched with a raised eyebrow, but chose not to say a word. Lastly, both Xaldin and Saïx stared, eyes narrowed and brows tense.
Saïx was first to speak. "Lord Xemnas, are you certain this is wise?"
"Yeah!" said Demyx. "I mean, if anything happens to you, who's gonna—I mean, not that anything would happen, but y'know…"
"Never thought I'd see the day where you were itchin' for field work," said Xigbar. "I figured you'd be too busy chatting with the moon to worry about some pesky Keyblade wielders."
"Don't be absurd," said Zexion. "Xemnas is our Superior. If anyone is capable of assessing the matter, it's him. And need I remind you that he has faced a Keyblade wielder in the past?"
"Yes, but that was Riku," said Saïx. "Having faced Aqua yourself, surely you're aware of her tenacity."
How amusing. It was almost as if they cared, but naturally this was impossible. Nonetheless, a faint smirk lined Xemnas' lips, there one minute and gone the next.
"It is because of her strength that I will face her. This is a matter of such importance that I cannot risk the lives of my fellow Nobodies." He swept his hand over the empty cavity in his chest. "While I understand your concerns, you needn't underestimate me. The Keyblade Master may possess great power, but power alone cannot shield the heart."
Silence consumed the whole chamber for the umpteenth time, though, this time, the reactions were more subdued. While Demyx shivered and gulped, he managed to keep a fairly straight expression. Saïx and Xaldin continued to scowl, but the two nodded, seemingly content. With a snicker, Xigbar's grin enlarged; no doubt he was aware of Xemnas' intent. After all, violence was far too simple a solution, and this was a matter that required absolute control.
"Now, Zexion, before I leave… there is a matter we must discuss."
The two shared a glance, and then darkness swirled around them, whisking them away from their peers.
x.x.x
"Wak! Hey, watch where you're shooting those things!"
"Aw, ya can't be too hard on her, Donald! She's just practicin'."
"Oh yeah? Then why don't you be their target? You're the one with the shield!"
"Ya know, maybe I should!"
It was hard not to laugh at the events unfolding in front of her. Having agreed to step out for some training, Kairi, Aqua, Donald, Goofy, and Sora had all made their way into Twilight Town's sandlot. And, while Goofy and Sora had spent the last few minutes seated at the edge of a nearby bench, Donald was zigzagging all across the arena, ducking, sliding, and jumping over colorful balls of light. Red, blue, yellow, and orange, the sandlot shone with a rainbow of colors released from the tip of Aqua's Keyblade. With her demonstration out of the way, she had then stepped aside, allowing Kairi to step into the center of the platform.
Feathers ruffled, Donald scooped up his hat, slapped it down on his head, and lumbered over to the bench, plopping down next to a wide-eyed Sora. Grinning, Sora's shoulders bobbed up and down a little, and he covered his mouth, though no sound escaped him. Given Donald's mood, it was probably for the best. Goofy, on the other hand, seemed more than eager to participate, as he hopped down from his seat and shuffled over to the platform with his head held high and his shield raised over his chest.
"All right, Kairi! I'm ready whenever you are!"
Aqua muffled a laugh with her hand. "Oh, Goofy. You don't have to do this."
"Maybe not, but I sure want to! This whole Shoot-lockin' thing sounds real important."
"True, but I could just as easily create magical targets. The last thing we need is for you to get hurt!"
A pat on the leg brought Aqua's attention down to Mickey. "You don't have to worry, Aqua! There's a reason Goofy's the captain of the guard."
"Yup!" He gave a quick salute. "Besides, we all gotta stay sharp for the next time we're stuck dealin' with Heartless, Nobodies, or whatever other fellers get in our way."
"Well, you still oughta be careful." Donald grumbled, rubbing his tail feathers. "Those lights are almost as hot as a Fire spell, and you'll be dealing with a whole bunch of 'em at once!"
"Isn't that the point?" said Kairi, swishing her sword. "It's like magical crowd control."
"Yeah, but there's only one me!"
Mickey folded his arms, tail flicking back and forth. "Say, Aqua, do ya want me to help out? It'll probably be better if she's got more than one target, anyway."
She pursed her lips and tapped her chin. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt. In fact, why don't we all work together?" She strode next to Goofy with Mickey toddling close behind.
Once everyone was in position, Kairi looked them over one by one. Taking a step back, she bent her knees, and raised her rapier. "So, all I have to do is focus, right?"
Aqua nodded, gesturing at the others. "The idea is to keep your eyes fixed on your targets while channeling your magical energy. It can be whatever element you like, but the key is to focus it into small pockets of power instead of a single large spell."
"Well, that can't be too hard." She took a deep breath, wrapping her fingers tightly around her rapier's hilt. A small sphere of white light began to swell around the tip of her blade, and she squinted, glancing from Aqua, to Mickey, to Goofy, and back. As the orb grew larger, it split off into three more spheres, circling around the weapon's tip. Then, with a wave of her arm, all four salvos rocketed forward, splitting off in different directions.
One flew directly at Goofy's shield and ricocheted right off. Another rocketed towards Aqua from the left, which she evaded by tumbling into a quick cartwheel. The third shot towards Mickey's face, but he leaped out of its path and scurried to the far right corner of the platform. The fourth circled in towards Goofy's back, forcing him to spin like a top to deflect the blast.
Over by the bench, Sora broke into a wild applause, while Donald heaved an enormous sigh. With a bright smile, Aqua joined in the applause before striding over to Kairi's side. All the while, Mickey and Goofy continued to clap.
"Great job, Kairi! It looks like you've already picked up the basics."
"It helps that I had a great teacher." Kairi tipped her chin up and grinned. "Still, I think I've got a long way to go before I catch up with you."
"Well, one thing you can do to maximize your Shotlock is to continue channeling your magic even after the initial blast. When you're facing large crowds, it's important to keep the momentum going as long as possible."
"So they don't have time to fight back?"
"Exactly!" She reached for Kairi's shoulder, and her smile nearly doubled in size. "If they're too busy trying to evade, they're much more likely to slip up. They could bump into one another, lose their balance at the most critical moment…."
"Oh, so they'd be just like Donald."
"Hey! I heard that!"
The two both burst out laughing, though Aqua was quick to resume a straight face. "All jokes aside, I think you should focus on mastering the basic Shotlock before I teach you more advanced techniques. Given how desperate the Organization's been as of late, it's important that you have a way to deal with the Heartless from a distance."
"I know." And at that, Kairi sighed, her once cheery expression vanishing in an instant. "I just wish it hadn't come to this. I already had a close call a few days ago." Her eyes drifted towards her rapier, as did Aqua's.
"So what happened?"
Slipping her rapier into its sheath, Kairi looked at the sky. "An ambush, as usual. And it wasn't just any attack, either! One minute we were heading out for supplies, and the next, a whole flock of Wyverns swooped down on us like we a midday snack." She reached for the hilt of her sword. "One of them even tried to sneak off with my weapon."
"Because they know." Aqua's hand curled into a fist, which she pressed against her Master's pendant. "Was that the only time?"
"Well, sorta," said Donald. "That was the first time they went straight for Kairi's sword, but we've been swimming in Heartless no matter where we go."
"Not everywhere, Donald." Goofy gestured at their surroundings, which only made Donald moan.
"You know what I mean!"
With his hands tucked behind his back, Mickey paced back and forth. "I just wish there was somethin' we could do about it. We could seal all the Keyholes in the universe, but that's not gonna get us any closer to beating the Organization." His voice came out slow, tired, and a frown spread across his lips. He stopped his pacing and gazed at the ground, his little hands bunching into fists.
Sensing his tension, Aqua took it upon herself to approach the King, kneel down by his side, and look him in the eye. "We all wish it was easier, Mickey. I hate how helpless we are. How even protecting the worlds runs the risk of aiding them…"
Mickey's fists began to tremble, but he managed a slow nod. "But I can't fail again. Not after what happened to you and your pals…"
"And you won't. None of us will." She gripped Mickey's shoulder, sweeping her arm towards the bench. "It isn't like before. This time we know the risks."
"And we do have a lot more friends on our side." Slowly but surely, his lips began to perk. "Gosh, what am I thinking? I'm the one who should be setting a good example!"
"Hey, nobody said you weren't," said Kairi. "We're all stressed, Your Majesty, and it's okay to admit it."
Scratching his head, Sora pulled out his pen and paper. 'Well, maybe we should take a break. Anyone up for some ice cream?'
"Well, I sure am!" said Kairi, hopping back on her feet. "C'mon. I'll buy."
The duty-driven part of Aqua might have declined. If she were firm and unyielding, she would have urged them to stay and train. After all, the circumstances were dire. Logically, it was important to prepare for the worst, but fortunately, Aqua wasn't bound solely by her duties as Master. No, after putting forth so much effort over the past two hours, they all deserved the break. A chance to leave their troubles behind and enjoy each other's company.
So, when Kairi took off in the direction of the Tram Common, Aqua naturally followed suit, and in a matter of moments the three had slipped out from the Sandlot into the wide and bustling Market Street.
Crowds of people flooded the path. Teenagers on skateboards skidded down the road, slapping posters on every vacant wall, bulletin board, and idle tram car. A young couple dressed in black berets whispered to one another, muttering something about the nearby coffee shop. Two Moogles fluttered over Aqua's head, squeaking with joy over the latest Mognet deliveries. By the time she'd taken in her surroundings, Sora, Kairi, and the others were already several yards ahead of her.
After wedging her way between a boy in a black beanie and a child with a shadowy, black face, Aqua began sprinting towards her friends. However, just as she made it halfway, she heard a soft whoosh from afar. Stopping mid step, she pivoted around, eyes scouring the area. Between the gaps of passersby, a lone figure appeared, wandering up the steps to one of the many walkways spanning over the street. A black coat covered him from head to toe, setting off alarm bells in her head.
She cast a quick glance to her friends, then proceeded towards the stairs. Perhaps it was careless to pursue this stranger on her own, but on the other hand, a large group would likely dissuade him from lingering. At the moment, she needed to assess the situation, and to do that, she needed the element of surprise.
Thus, rather than squeeze her way through the crowd, Aqua followed the flow of movement. With brisk steps, she trailed after a man with spiky silver hair, draped in a long black coat. A circle of squealing young women surrounded him, gushing over some sort of Struggle tournament. As he took a sharp turn to the left, Aqua continued up the stairs, passing a trio of teenagers including a rather portly boy with messy black hair, a taller, skinnier blond dressed in camouflage pants, and a brown haired girl in an orange tank top. As she passed them, Aqua gave them a smile and a wave, but there was little time to chat.
Turning the corner, she leaped down from the walkway, taking slow, cautious steps across another strip of tram tracks. The figure moved without pause, ducking into a jagged hole in the wall—the same hole that lead into the forest and, in turn, the mansion.
Without even realizing it, Aqua had once again broken into a sprint. Her metallic boots clanked against the pavement, no doubt alerting the Nobody of her presence, but at this point, it didn't matter. She had to intervene before he discovered the mansion. Before he discovered Riku!
Ducking low to the ground, she dived into the hole and skidded across the forest floor. Only dim glimmers of sunlight breached the crisscrossing branches of the surrounding firs and pines. A deep shadow stretched over the grassy landscape, and Aqua had to squint at first in order to distinguish the figure from the surrounding tree trunks.
Pressing her palms against her thighs, she rose to her full height and took a single step forward. There was a swish, and something flashed in the corner of her eye. When she turned around, she found the hole had been covered in a shining, translucent barrier.
Her eyes popped wide open, then snapped into a narrow gaze. Her breath hitched at first, only to slow as she turned back around. If this was a trap, then she would have to face it the same way she would any other conflict: with a sharp focus and a clear head. This wasn't the time to let her nerves get the best of her.
She refused to summon her Keyblade or draw the sword she'd been granted. Instead, she took three more steps forward, brushing her hand against the bark of a nearby pine.
"I know you're here," she called with a firm, resonant voice.
At first, there was only silence, then the sound of crunching leaves. Back bent, she once again scoured the woods on the off chance that yellow eyes would appear from within the shadows.
They never did, and she continued along, nearing the heart of the forest. It was then that she saw him, the man in the black coat, standing as still as the trees.
His hood covered his face, but with his back turned, she doubted it would have made a difference. However, even with his entire form concealed, a few features stood out. First and foremost was his height, nearly a head taller than her. He had wide shoulders and a sturdy, muscular frame. His hands were clasped behind his back, no weapon in sight, and his overall lack of movement made it difficult to discern how threatened he was by her presence.
She took another step forward, then paused when he broke the silence.
"There's something remarkable about this world." His voice was low, a deep and unwavering baritone. Proof that she hadn't met this man before.
Keeping her eyes fixed to him, Aqua moved just a little closer. "And why is that?"
"Ah… I would think that one of your stature would have realized it by now." He unclasped his hands in a wide, sweeping gesture, though he still refused to turn her way. "It is a world teetering on the edge between light and dark. Fitting for a town named after the twilight of dusk."
She recoiled, curling her hands into fists. So this man knew of her and her title… Perhaps she should have expected this after her encounters with both Saïx and Zexion. Regardless, his calm demeanor filled her with an unrelenting tension. She stood rigid, ready to defend herself at a moment's notice.
But if he wished to converse, then perhaps it was time for a more relevant question.
"Who are you?"
The man tipped his head up ever so slightly and clasped his hands once more. "My name is of no importance."
"Then don't bother. I've got it narrowed down." After all, there were only so many Organization members who matched his physical and psychological profile, according to what she'd heard from her peers.
"Oh?" His head turned halfway towards his shoulder, but he was quick to look away. His voice took on a somewhat lighter tone. "You'll have to forgive my lack of enthusiasm. You see, even if you were remotely imposing, I lack the heart to feel fear."
"So, where are the Heartless? I would have expected them to appear by now."
He shook his head. "I know it would be futile."
How refreshing to get straight to the point. But she didn't dare let her guard down. Aqua knew by now to expect anything from the Organization. She pressed further in a steely, commanding tone, "Then, tell me why you're here."
"Is it so wrong to seek intelligent conversation?"
She scoffed. "Your coworkers not up to the task?"
The man made a sound akin to a chuckle. Did he find this amusing? "Perhaps not. None of them anticipated that you and your friends would cast aside your Keyblades so effortlessly. However, there is one critical flaw in your scheme."
Aqua's brow twitched. "You've tried disarming us. You've tried threatening our friends. You've done everything your Organization possibly can and we've stopped you time and time again."
"No. Not everything." The man shook his head. "We've thus far spared you from the horrible truth, but now you've forced my hand. Tell me, have you even considered what becomes of the hearts released by weapons other than the Keyblade?"
Aqua's heart froze for a solid second. The idea had never crossed her mind. Did they simply float free, returning whence they came? Did they disappear? She couldn't begin to answer.
The man must have expected this, because he let out a hushed chuckle. "Without the aid of the Keyblade, those hearts will never be free. In time, they will return to the Heartless' grasp. It may take minutes, hours, perhaps even days. But in time, they will become Heartless again, perhaps worlds away and beyond your reach." Pausing, he gave her another passing glance. "You see, Master Aqua, your efforts have done far worse than delaying the inevitable. By abandoning your Keyblade, you have put innocent lives at risk."
She stood completely still, eyes wide as she contemplated his words. Yet the contemplation was fleeting. Soon her eyes narrowed and her lips formed a crooked smile. "It took you six months to come up with that?" When the man didn't reply, she pressed further, growing bolder by the second. "I've heard better lies from Ven when he dropped my toothbrush in the toilet. If this is all the Organization can muster, you're finished. My friends and I have been thwarting your plans for over half a year now, but I never imagined you'd be so desperate."
The man replied stoically, "And whatever gave you that impression?"
Aqua nearly laughed, her composure loosening as the reality of the situation quickly dissolved the tension. "All we had to do was sheathe our Keyblades, and now the Organization comes crawling to our doorstep, begging us to do their dirty work again, and all they can offer is a pathetic lie." A fire sparked in her narrowed eyes as the smile widened. She drew the cerulean saber at her side and taunted him further, "I can see the sun setting for the Nobodies. Your days of terrorizing the worlds are at an end."
"It is the Heartless who inflict pain. We simply guide them from world to world, seeking your aid in ending their pitiful existence."
She tightened the grip on her blade, more convinced than ever that the man before her lied through his teeth. "Sure. And it's not your fault that men and women become monsters when you sell them armies of Heartless. 'Let the buyer beware,' is that it?"
"Those we lead into the dark have already strayed beyond redemption. We simply hasten the process so that they, too, may find solace in oblivion." As he spoke, he made more broad, sweeping gestures. "As for the worlds… Well, Monstropolis is in the midst of an energy crisis, so we took it upon ourselves to aid them in their plight."
"And Manhattan?"
"The world was a cesspool of sin and depravity before we ever set foot there. And Demona was nothing but a tool to strengthen your resolve."
Aqua scoffed, rolling her shoulders back. "Consider me resolved. But if this is all you have, you're nothing but a cowering rat compared to Xehanort."
"Xehanort?" The man let out a hoarse, hollow laugh. "How ironic."
There was something strange about his tone. It was light, almost carrying an edge of amusement, and just hearing him made Aqua grimace. If he knew Xehanort, then…
The realization dawned on her. The deepness of his voice, the silhouette of his build, the fact that everything he said to her was so eerily similar to what the Organization's leader said to Sora almost a year ago…
Her eyes widened, her breath slowed, the sword lowered as the two onerous syllables escaped her tongue with an almost subconscious effort. "…Xemnas?"
He didn't answer. Not with words. A second passed, two, three before he slowly, deliberately wrapped his black-gloved fingers around the hem of his hood and let it fall, revealing the head of spiky, silver hair that fell to his mid-back. He slowly turned to face her.
Aqua braced herself, but nothing could fully dispel the roiling sickness at beholding the tan skin; the familiar curvature of his face, aged a decade in the natural world; those emotionless eyes the color of molten amber, the color of Terra's Wayfinder…
Her heart stopped for a moment, but a moment only. She'd seen the face of Terra corrupted by darkness and knew her efforts to save him had failed. The past year was spent preparing for this moment: the day she would once again see Xehanort in the eyes of one of her dearest friends.
Moments passed in perfect silence. At last, Xemnas broke that silence with more of his bitter lies. "You're not the first to look at me that way. I suppose you also mistake me for an old friend. 'Terra,' was it? I believe Sora said as much…" He let those words linger for several slow, agonizing seconds. "He must be… quite significant. One wonders what became of him…"
Aqua nearly hissed through clenched teeth, but instead let her breaths slowly seep out of her. This was no time to lose composure. "You have the gall to ask? You should already know the answer."
"Perhaps. And perhaps it is not the answer you think… Who can really say for certain? Alas, though I possess many gifts, clairvoyance is not one of them." His shoulders rolled in a shrug, and he shut his eyes. "But I suppose to you, I'm yet another soul who has gone… astray."
The emotional shield she'd fortified herself with cracked at that last word. Though she didn't mean to, she recoiled ever so slightly.
It had to be coincidence. Nothing more. She was overthinking. Losing focus and losing heart. And in the face of perhaps the worlds' greatest foe, that was simply unacceptable! She needed to steel herself. Stare that mockery of her friend head on.
So her face sharpened into a steady glare. She spoke, low and firm. "Do you really think that's going to work with me? You can spout as many vague, pretentious phrases as you like. In the end, it's all rubbish!"
"Call it what you will. In the end, it hardly matters." He shook his head, and for the briefest of instances, it seemed as though the air around him had rippled ever so slightly. Yet as soon as she blinked, all was steady once more. "Now, allow me to provide an alternative perspective. Regardless of whom you believe me to be, we don't have to carry on as enemies. I propose an alliance. You free the worlds from the Heartless' filth, and we obtain the hearts we so desperately desire."
Aqua scoffed. "Sounds a lot like the old deal."
"But I submit a caveat. The Organization will no longer interfere with the affairs of the worlds. We shall remain in our castle, eyes forever fixed to our salvation in the sky, and never again will you fear the forms of black coats watching you from the shadows."
"If it was that simple, you never would've gotten involved with the Heartless. There's more to this—there has to be. Sora told me you plan to—"
"Create Kingdom Hearts? And why should this concern you?"
"Because I've seen Kingdom Hearts. The real one. You summoned it in your previous life, and you killed my Master to do it. If I hadn't been there, you would've taken my friends as well. I won't let you hurt anyone ever again."
Xemnas almost smirked in his retort. "A few insignificant sacrifices? What simpler times those were. And yet you would deny the worlds even that if it meant staving off Kingdom Hearts, the most perfect embodiment of light itself?"
Aqua paused, confounded by the turn in his reasoning.
"Have you always been so rash, Keyblade Master? Is your pride so important to you that you would allow it to cloud your judgment? You believe you walk a righteous path, and look at what you have done thus far. Look at the stars. As darkness spreads, the light dwindles. In time, there will be few worlds remaining, and who will carry the blame?"
Aqua winced, outraged at his twisted logic. "The ones commanding that darkness, of course!"
His voice raised, almost a reflection of anger, "And because you have neglected that darkness, Kingdom Hearts will never be complete. Only grant us this; draw your Keyblades once more, and the mere apparition of Kingdom Hearts will banish the Heartless from the realm of light!"
That gave her pause for thought. That made her doubt everything she'd fought for in the past year.
Xemnas pressed on, "It was the light of Kingdom Hearts that destroyed Ansem, the Seeker of Darkness, and it is the light of Kingdom Hearts that will expel this present darkness and restore the worlds to life. This was meant to be Riku's destiny, but the evil in his heart was too great. In sheathing your Keyblade as he did, you deny the worlds their salvation. And where heroes fail, we rise to the challenge. Our methods are cruel, heartless, but what else would you expect when Nobodies are forced to play the heroes?"
Tension gripped Aqua from head to toe. His words drove a knife halfway into her chest. His voice was cold, authoritative, and scolding, as if she was a child. He continued watching her, his arms straight at his sides, no weapon within his grasp. It would've been so much simpler if he attacked—if he flooded the woods with Heartless. At least then she'd have a reason to stand and fight.
But now? Now that he'd laid everything on the table, now that he'd bared his bleeding husk of a heart and thrown everything she knew into question? She'd been snared in a trap, forced to confront the worst possibility imaginable. The saber in her grasp felt so much heavier, and her heart sank with it.
In her shoes, she was certain that anyone else would fold. They'd lose heart. Accept defeat and fall right into this Nobody's clutches, but Aqua didn't have that 'luxury.' There was far too much at stake to take chances.
Her face slowly shifted into a glare, and she raised her cerulean blade once more, leveling it for the corrupted mockery of Terra's face. "What do you know about responsibility? I've spent my whole life training to uphold the balance. You're nothing but an arrogant child toying with forces beyond your control!"
Xemnas' face contorted just enough to imitate the shadow of anger. "You think me out of my depth?" With a wave of his hands, the shadows at his feet twisted and stretched. On either side of him, a pair of red, armored torsos with gorilla-like arms emerged, raising twin shields resembling snarling, black dogs. But before Aqua ever had a chance to leap at the beasts, Xemnas slashed across one's torso with a beam of red energy, and a second blade decapitated the identical Eliminator. Their bodies faded, and their hearts drifted through the treetops.
She watched, stupefied, and stayed in place as Xemnas returned his intensified gaze to bore into hers. "At the moment, it is you who lacks control. If I so desired, I could summon an entire army of Heartless with a mere thought. I could engage you in combat, but doing so would only strengthen your delusions."
Her shoulders shook. Her chest tightened. Once again, she found herself lowering her weapon, weighed down by doubt.
She wanted to tell him how wrong he was. How he was the one suffering delusions. How he was a fool if he believed he could win her over so easily. How she would never trust someone who saw fit to hide in the shadows, keeping his face, his name, and his intentions a secret from the worlds he thrust into the fatal clutches of darkness.
And then she realized something. "No…you can't."
Xemnas narrowed his eyes and raised a brow. "Elaborate."
"You can't fight me." Her grip tightened once more and she assumed a battle stance.
The Superior scoffed. "More delusions."
"Are they? Then, call me deluded, but those Heartless you summoned were Eliminators, correct? Why haven't you summoned him? Where's your Guardian?" Xemnas' eyes widened just slightly, but Aqua caught it. She smirked and pressed on, "And those swords you slayed them with—I'm curious. Why didn't you draw your Keyblade?"
If Xemnas breathed, that was the moment his breath stopped. That was the moment his eyes shot apart and shock contorted his already corrupted face. The words slithering from his tongue were barely audible in their astonishment. "My…what…?"
Aqua's confidence came surging back, and she had to resist the urge to laugh. "Unbelievable. You lost your Keyblade the moment you lost your heart, and your Guardian abandoned you for your Heartless, leaving you with nothing. Fitting for a Nobody."
Xemnas almost glowered. "Even now, you dare to challenge me?"
"It wouldn't be the first time. And by the look of things, you really haven't aged well."
His eyes narrowed. "You would condemn the worlds to die, all because you've abandoned logic for stubborn pride."
"Wrong. I have thought this through. And the way I see it, the Seeker of Darkness already fell to a Keyblade. All that's left is his Nobody. If I slay you, Terra comes back to life."
He balked, however slightly, before offering a hasty retort. "You cannot hope to defeat me without your Keyblade's power."
She only smirked, tightening her grip on the saber. "Don't be too sure."
Xemnas froze. Perhaps he'd finally realized the fatal error in challenging a Keyblade Master.
A second of silence permeated the forest thicket, shattered when Aqua bellowed in fury and unleashed an unceasing bombardment of Shotlock, the very same that she instructed Kairi in earlier that afternoon. Xemnas only barely managed to throw up a barrier shield before the first of the pearlescent salvo could reach him, but the sheer intensity of the torrential missiles steadily cracked the hexagonal prisms comprising his pellucid bulwark.
Both combatants poured everything they had into their weaponized elements, Aqua screaming as the luminous barrage exploded like a cosmic dam from her saber, and Xemnas groaning under the crushing weight as the shield cracked, fractured, shattered—
His power drained the exact moment Aqua's did, leaving him recoiling back as she absorbed an ether and followed through by expelling a hyperactive spear of Thundaga. Xemnas ignited the energy blade of his right palm and batted the missile away in a backhanded swing, obliterating a nearby pine tree. And no sooner than he parried the blast than Aqua's cerulean saber careened straight for him in a spinning Strike Raid. He hadn't yet recovered from the previous impact when he ignited the second blade and batted the saber away.
He'd lost his footing, resorted to levitation, only to find that he was left wide open and Aqua herself flew through the air right for him. She'd used a powerful wind spell to launch herself forward, and now her Keyblade was drawn, still glistening from its summoning, and it sailed mercilessly through the air for Xemnas' head.
For the briefest moment, Aqua swore she saw fear in the Nobody's eyes.
And then a missile of purest hellfire exploded against her ribs, blasting her away from Xemnas and sending her skidding violently across the ground. She tumbled to a stop against the smoldering remains of the pine tree her Thundaga spell had obliterated.
The wound—the sizzling, blackened caldera deforming her ribs—was molten and deep. But she felt so cold, and her limbs so heavy…
A glint in the thicket alerted her to her shooter's location, and though her eyes steadily closed, she just barely managed to discern the contour of a crossbow-rifle obscured by foliage. And behind the trigger, a single, golden eye paralleled by a jet-black eyepatch.
x.x.x
Xigbar's arrival was… most unexpected. In truth, Xemnas had intended to keep this a cordial affair. Zexion's presence was merely to provide an added flourish and… take advantage of his unique abilities, should the negotiations fail. An understudy had its uses. Yet as Xemnas emerged from the shadows, his face remained blank. Utterly composed.
And while the sudden company was unexpected, he applauded Xigbar, who was already at the 'Superior's' side, helping him to his feet and enjoying a laugh at his expense.
"Gotta give the kid some props. He does you perfectly. I think he's been practicin' behind our backs."
The other 'Xemnas' sneered, and his visage melted away to one significantly younger and half-concealed by a mess of silver hair. Zexion. "Xigbar, your flair for being fashionably late is not appreciated."
He clapped a hand on Zexion's back. "Pssh! Calm down, junior. It's not like you'd have a heart attack or anything."
Yet heart or not, Zexion groaned. No doubt he had intended to respond, but Xemnas silenced them both with a single glance, spreading his arms out wide. "Regardless of our flirtation with workplace injury, I believe we have everything we came for. Wouldn't you agree, Zexion?"
After swatting Xigbar's arm away, the younger Nobody nodded. "Yes, I believe I have enough. Let's hope this works…"
Shadows warped and contorted into plates of crimson and the gnashing maw of a black hellhound. An Eliminator. No sooner than it materialized, Zexion thrust his arm forward and a flash of light emanated from his palm, impaling the armored Heartless where it stood. It dropped the shield, fell to its knees, and as it burst apart and its heart rocketed for the heavens, the weapon in Zexion's hand completed its form. The perfect recreation of Aqua's Keyblade.
Xigbar chuckled. "Well, well. The copycat grew some claws."
Impressive indeed. Certainly a suitable contingency plan, where reasoning had failed. Thus, a smile crossed Xemnas' lips.
"Gentlemen, I believe we're back in business."
"For twenty-four hours," Zexion corrected. "I'll need another sample to duplicate when the time comes. But, yes. Until then, we have a fully functional Keyblade."
Xigbar craned his neck at Aqua, brow raised. "Speaking of the 'sample pool,' I don't imagine we wanna leave her bleedin' in the dirt. How do ya lock up a Keyblader, though?"
Xemnas folded his hands behind his back. A difficult dilemma, given the present company. Were it Zexion alone, it would be different, but in light of the one-eyed elephant in the room… he feigned a chuckle. There was a simple enough answer, however insincere.
"The Keyblade can overcome any lock. A conventional cell would not do. But there remains one prison that not even the Keyblade could liberate her from."
Xigbar smirked malevolently. "Oh, Lord Xemnas, you heartless monster."
Zexion chuckled and rested the false Keyblade over his shoulder. "But it would work perfectly. We can traverse the realms with a mere snap of our fingers, yet Aqua would be left thrashing and wailing for an escape beyond her reach. When the first twenty-four hours pass and I'll need to replicate her blade again, I'll simply pay her a visit, extract another sample, and leave her writhing on that dark shore. And that will be her fate: to suffer loss and humiliation day after day after day, forever and ever until Kingdom Hearts is complete. Perhaps even longer if we're feeling spiteful."
Xigbar cackled. "So, who wants to do the honors?"
And then, perhaps defying their expectations, Xemnas knelt beside her. "The honor is all mine." Better this way. He could transport her to a more… appropriate chamber. A place of rest and repose. At least for now, it would buy him an opportunity to speak to the Master in more… convenient quarters. Then, should the others grow suspicious, he'd need only twist the truth. Claim that upon depositing her on the shore, she had a change of heart.
There was one trick up his sleeve that would surely get her attention, but one he could only utilize in perfect solitude.
With that, he lifted her upright into a seated position. Now was the ideal opportunity to remove a Hi-Potion from his pocket and pour the green liquid over the still festering wound. As the fluids shimmered and wiped away the burns, Xemnas continued his train of deception. "This woman is a Keyblade Master, a dying breed. The Realm of Light will never again be graced with one of her power and stature. It is only fitting that the Superior would lead her to the last days of the rest of her life."
Something wicked glimmered in Zexion's eye. "Then, by all means." He stepped aside, extending an arm and calling forth the shadows. "While you tend to our prisoner, I'll—"
An explosive burst of plasma shot through the air and ravaged Zexion's hand, spinning him off balance and knocking the Keyblade from his grasp. He reeled over in pain, his hand marred and mangled as the imitation blade shattered against a rock and dispersed into particles of light.
Xigbar turned immediately to the source beyond the thicket and aimed his arrow guns, while Xemnas bolted to his feet and drew a pulsating, crimson saber. Zexion fell to his knees behind them, howling in agony at the burning appendage.
A crisp, booming baritone called from the woods as DiZ entered their line of sight, a laser rifle in his grasp and aimed at Xemnas' head. "A Nobody wielding a Keyblade? Don't make me laugh."
Xemnas recognized the voice immediately, yet the incongruity of the man's robed and bandaged left him utterly still. For a moment, anyway.
Once the 'shock' wore off, he snickered and deactivated his ethereal blade. "What's this? No servants to do the dirty work for you? Oh, how the mighty have fallen."
DiZ shot back, "And how the treacherous shall fall if they don't get off my lawn!"
Xigbar kept his sights trained on the newcomer as he asked his Superior, "You want a hole through his head, or should I get the knees first?"
"Let him speak. It's been far too long since last we entertained our elder's inanity. And besides," he snapped his fingers and a wall of hexagonal prisms flashed into being before the three Nobodies. "…what weapon formed against us can prosper?"
But DiZ seemed unfazed. "I've spent well over a decade studying how best to torture your kind, Xehanort. I know how to make you scream." He redirected his rifle away from the impenetrable shield and for the barely breathing young woman lying nearby.
Xigbar and Zexion bristled immediately, eyes bulging and breaths hitching.
Though his hand still smoldered, Zexion cried, "What is this, you senile fool?!"
DiZ's voice boomed wrathfully, like a teacher reproaching his student, "This, young Ienzo, is the consequence of your treachery! Despite your kind's inability to feel, there remains something inside you that all sentient creatures understand: hope. This woman is the embodiment of your dreams of ever becoming human again. And if you can know hope, then you also understand despair."
Unlike the others, Xemnas restrained himself far more effectively, even if it took considerably more effort than usual. He spoke in a careful, even tone, "You would murder your own ally just to spite us?"
"Ally?" DiZ scoffed. "What use have I for disobedient children who believe their weapons grant them the authority to defy me? Riku undermined me at every turn, ignored my orders to destroy his double, and now my every waking moment is spent keeping him alive because of what his foolishness has wrought! And Xion's reckless abandon only worsened the matter, and her twisted sense of entitlement nearly destroyed an entire year's worth of work! Even worse, these Keybearers inspire rebellion among their lessers, teaching them to defy me at every turn!"
His eye narrowed and his voice lowered as he continued, "No, these are no allies of mine. They are obstacles, and this woman is the worst of them all. A Master—a false shepherdess to steal my flock. There is no reason in all the worlds for me not to pull this trigger and scatter her brains all over the forest floor. I don't need her heartbeat. Only her remains. That will be more than enough to salvage a new replica—one without a will to defy me, and one powerful enough to destroy the Organization."
A bold proclamation, to be certain, but was it true? Had their former master truly fallen so far from grace? Xemnas' gaze drifted to Aqua, then back to DiZ. Though the man spoke boldly, there was a slight tremble in his movements. His hands in particular. His unsteady aim betrayed his true feelings.
Yet, if there was even a sliver of a chance he was sincere, then this did not bode well.
Xemnas did not wait over a decade only to lose her again. No. He would have to plan his actions most carefully. Perhaps stall just a little longer. Distract the old fool…
So he retorted, "Then, do it. What is one Keyblade among five?" As he spoke, a wall of red dots began to form behind DiZ's back, lingering in the open air. How fortunate that it was silent, and that the salvos held their position.
DiZ seemed none the wiser as he continued his tirade. "To you, everything. If you could afford to weed out the Keybearers that threaten you, the Replica have perished a year ago."
"Do you even comprehend why we need the Keyblade? There is far more at stake here than our lost humanity."
"For your artificial Kingdom Hearts, of course."
"And you would deny the worlds their salvation all over a petty grudge?"
"If Xehanort desires it, then I shall destroy it!" He punctuated his cry by pulling the trigger, detonating a chunk of earth mere inches from Aqua's head. She didn't stir, but the Organization members all flinched. And Xemnas, normally so utterly composed, had to look away to conceal his grimace.
All the while, DiZ returned his gaze to them, barrel steaming, and he practically growled in his hatred, "That was a warning shot. The next will decimate her frontal lobe. Leave now or lose your Keyblade forever!"
Despite the injuries, Zexion extended an arm one more time. A corridor rose from the shadows, inviting them to cut their losses and take their leave. But why stop there? Xemnas had held his fire long enough and splitting his focus between barriers and Shotlock had grown tiresome. Thus, he snapped his fingers, letting the lasers fly. The sudden onslaught sent DiZ staggering forward and, taking advantage of the opportunity, Xemnas glanced sidelong to Xigbar and nodded something unspoken. Nodding back, Xigbar reverted his rifle into a pair of twin crossbows, and turned to enter to the dark corridor.
Only to vanish from sight in a lesser teleportation spell, and the bandaged man's eye widened in horror. He aimed his plasma rifle for Aqua's head, but the shot flew wild as space bent behind him and two identical energy-bolts flashed and tore through his legs and another wave of lasers struck the old man's shoulders.
DiZ screamed as he dropped the gun and fell forward onto the forest floor. Xigbar smirked victoriously behind him and thrust his boot down on DiZ's spine, keeping him pinned to the ground. The one-eyed sniper winked conspiratorially to his leader. "Option B. Knees first."
Xemnas smiled. And surprisingly, so did Zexion, however shakily from the pain in his hand.
This gave Xemnas the opportunity to banish his barrier with a flick of his wrist. "Excellent work, Xigbar. The Heartless prefer their meal with a pulse."
Zexion spoke with a coarse voice and a crooked grin, "I want to see him beg for mercy. Throw him in the Realm of Darkness with Aqua, make her watch as the Heartless tear him apart so she knows how powerless she is to save anyone!"
In the midst of his agonized howling, DiZ looked fearfully at Xemnas, watched him consider Zexion's request. And then, after letting it linger in the air, Xemnas said, "That can be arranged."
Xigbar smirked as he twirled one of his crossbows like a pistol and tossed it up and down in the air. "Well, if the Superior would be a gentleman and take his lovely lady by the hand, we can get this show on the road."
He tossed the gun in the air once more, opened his hand to catch it, but a black hand of murky claws shot over his shoulder and snatched the crossbow in its descent, and as Sora's second arm caught Xigbar's throat in a chokehold, sending them both tumbling for the ground, the young Heartless fired the weapon straight at Xemnas.
The Superior stumbled back and doubled over from the blast, the sparking remains of the cerise bolt flashing and flickering over his kidney.
Zexion cried, "LORD XEM—!" but froze in place under the ticking of unseen clocks.
Xigbar had since struck Sora's face with his elbow and hurled him off. But as he raced back to his feet, the steel rim of a buckler affixed to a white-gloved hand clocked him across his temple and sent him crashing back to the ground. As Goofy towered over the fallen Nobody, a bright, green glow showered DiZ just beside, healing the wounds in his knees as Donald arrived on the scene and Sora returned to his feet.
Xemnas heard further activity just behind, and he spun around, flinching under pain, and found the mouse king leaping from the petrified Zexion's head with his short sword drawn, catching the light of the sun and sailing straight for the Superior's skull. Keeping one hand over his sparking wound, Xemnas ignited the blade in his other palm and blocked the swing mere inches from his head.
But a streak of red and white rushed from beyond his field of vision, and before Xemnas could fully process the threat, a sliver of silver shot forth, jolting him deathly still where he stood. He looked down to the hand that would not move and found the straight blade of a rapier impaling the back of his hand, piercing straight through and skewering the already-open gunshot wound over his kidney.
Speechless, breathless, and suddenly cold, he followed the blade's form to a sweeping hilt covering the hand of a teenage, red-haired girl in a white, sleeveless jacket. The fury, the settling intensity in her face spoke endlessly of how long she'd anticipated this moment, and how astonishing it was to realize it finally arrived.
The blood ran, stifled by his bolted hand, but already he felt the life pouring out from him, felt his energy subside as the crimson blade dissipated from his raised palm, felt the ground crash against his knees as balance and clarity fled from him. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, Xemnas swore he heard Xigbar calling his name.
He looked up to the girl grasping the rapier that still pierced him, mouth agape and eyes glazing over as the words spilled from his lips, "Is this the face of my destroyer? A child?"
Kairi's heavy breath slowed as her taught muscles shook, clutching the sword for stability. She must have found it all so shocking.
And then the sudden jolt of Xemnas' second hand, blazing with crimson energy, grasped the rapier's blade and tore it from his body, shoving Kairi back. She quickly rebalanced herself and raised the sword once more, and all her allies gathered 'round with weapons of their own drawn.
But it never came. The red energy in his hand faded. He remained kneeling on the ground, paling closer to death by the second, and he smiled almost hysterically at the anxious girl who stared at him like he was a wild animal ready to throw himself at her at any second.
But he didn't. He opened his mouth and spoke slowly, "Your world is now avenged, Princess Kairi…"
His body slackened, weighed heavier on one side, and he collapsed atop the grass…
To think this was how it ended. How… pitiful, after everything he had done. The endless atrocities committed as he maintained pretenses. Weaving deception, donning a despicable mask…
For nothing, it seemed…
Until a flash of emerald ignited above him and life flooded back inside the Nobody. Eyes the color of molten amber shot apart as the Superior gasped his most merciful breath and sprung back to his feet.
But where the Nobodies exuded pure astonishment, all other eyes displayed purest horror at the unkillable enemy. Everyone traced the emerald hue back to its fading source: Aqua's Keyblade. She still lay as a broken pile by the shattered pine stump, clutching her half-healed wound while gasping for breath.
She offered no words, no explanation for her mercy—nothing. She merely clutched at her wounded ribs, the blackness long since faded, though blistering still remained. She heaved each breath, her face crinkling from the pain she doubtlessly still endured.
Was it some twisted sense of honor? A life for a life? Or perhaps her stubborn pride and a desire to end him herself?
Xemnas grinned despite himself, despite the wildness of mortality in his eyes and despite the odds stacked so fatally against him. The portal was still open and he still drew breath. Nothing stood between him and it. Thus, he turned toward the corridor and prepared to take his leave.
It happened all at once.
The other Keybearers and their allies raised their weapons and charged. Xigbar redrew his crossbows and fired into the surrounding crowd. Zexion broke free from the Stopza spell and staggered back at the new scene before him. DiZ picked up his plasma-rifle and fired wildly at Xemnas, uncaring for whoever stood between them. And Xemnas bolted for the corridor, waving his arm as he ran to summon something from beyond the woods.
Darkness swirled behind the trees as the Behemoth burst forth, landing between the heroes and Xemnas and halting them in their charge with a harrowing roar.
Xemnas dove inside the corridor, yet spared a final glance for the woman who saved him.
Some things never changed.
x.x.xKairi's heart still hammered away inside her chest.Everything had happened so fast that her mind had scarcely caught up. She had come so closethat her rapier still trembled in her grasp, her focus only returning at the sound of a furious wail.
"XEHANORT!" DiZ screamed as he fired in vain at the vanishing, black wisps. But his cries only caught her attention for an instant, as the mountain of a Heartless before them bellowed and the others scattered to deal with the situation.
Swords, staves, and spells exploded into action in a maelstrom of magic as the battle raged on. Though Kairi launched a wave of glistening orbs at the Behemoth's horn, the movement of black figures amidst the chaos caught her eye. Zexion ran forward and reached in vain for the distant Aqua with his undamaged hand, only for Xigbar to save him from his foolishness and open another corridor.
"THE KEYBLADE!" Zexion screamed as his elder held him back.
"Forget it, kid! We live another day!"
But just as soon as they left, DiZ turned his back on the battle and raised his gun for Aqua once again. Zexion reached and screamed again in vain, only to vanish from the world in a final swirl of darkness.
Just what was DiZ doing?! Aqua was a friend! An ally! While a shockwave swept across the forest floor, Kairi kicked off the ground, dashed through the air, and struck the weapon in DiZ's hand, redirecting the blast at a low hanging branch.
"DiZ, no!" she screamed as the misfire still echoed and the smoke still wafted between them. The sword she held staved off the rifle by its barrel, and her second hand gripped his wrist and held him back. "What are you THINKING?!" He had to stop this. It was madness! Had the surrounding chaos pushed him over the edge?
Whatever his reasons, DiZ refused to yield. He pushed back, trapped in a deadlock, and he roared in her face with the explosive maelstrom raging behind, "That woman is a traitor to the worlds!"
And Kairi pushed back, "No! She's a greater hero than any of us!"
"THEN EXPLAIN WHY SHE SPARED THOSE FIENDS!"
A second form leaped in the tangle—a black mass throwing DiZ off his feet and wresting the rifle away. He hadn't yet caught his breath on the ground when Sora smashed the plasma-rifle against a nearby boulder, a small explosion scattering the splintered frame.
DiZ could only gape at the two- at the Princess and the Heartless standing in his way. His hands trembled. His teeth gnashed, but in no time, he'd reached into his robe, pulling out a pistol and aiming at Sora. "You Heartless filth!"
The eruption of gunpowder and jacketed lead never reached beyond an inch of the barrel. A burst of ice from Kairi's rapier trapped the gun and its discharge in a mold of jagged frost, forcing DiZ to drop the useless weapon when the scathing chill stung his hand.
"ENOUGH!" Aqua coughed as soon as the words left her lips. "Just… leave them out of this. It was my choice… They had nothing to—"
The Behemoth collapsed to the earth and shook the ground, only precious feet behind the stupefied DiZ, and Mickey perched victoriously atop the felled Heartless' head with his short sword driven through its skull. But Kairi only gave it a passing look, as her eyes remained glued to DiZ. Sword still drawn, raised at his chest, while Sora crouched beside Aqua with his pointy teeth bared.
But DiZ remained unfazed, or so it seemed. He returned to his feet and paid no mind to the weary king, the knight, and the mage rejoining them in the settling dust.
The words came out low and bitter as the scientist's fists shook at his side, "So, this is what it's come to. Riku betrayed the worlds to darkness. Aqua saved the life of our greatest enemy. And now you stand in my way, leaping to the defense of traitors and monsters."
Kairi glared and tightened the grip on her rapier. "DiZ, I don't know why Aqua did it, but if you'd just—"
"But nothing! Because of her, the worlds are doomed! I should have known the Keyblade was nothing but a tool of destruction!"
A soft gasp escaped Mickey, and he brought a gloved hand to his chin. Just what was he thinking?
Well, whatever it was, he soon shook his head, speaking as calmingly as he could, "DiZ, we can discuss this later. But right now—"
The bandaged man turned his hateful glare to Mickey and rebuked him, "And you, King Mickey, where have you been all this time?! Where were you when Riku left the Door open?! Where were you when Xehanort crawled from the shadows and brought darkness to the worlds?!"
Donald shoved himself between them and shouted back, "Why you…! How dare you speak to the King that way?! If it wasn't for him, there wouldn't be nearly as many stars in the sky!"
"And yet he permits his underlings to aid the Organization at every turn! Just look at those you consort with—traitors, deserters, puppets, Nobodies, insolent children! You are not the saviors of the worlds! You are their destroyers!"
Silence hung in the air. While Kairi could easily dismiss his ravings as blind fury, he wasn't entirely wrong. Riku left the Door open, and still they traveled with him. Aqua just saved Xemnas' life, and still they stood up for her. They'd failed time and time again to destroy even a single Organization member, and even now, the most they'd accomplished over the past few months was a botched infiltration.
Yet Aqua, still grimacing, wheezed out a laugh. "No. They're… the only light that can truly pierce through this darkness. If you must blame anyone, blame me and only me…" She shivered. "I'm such a… sentimental…"
"Sentimental? Sentimental, you say?!" It was as though a tremor raced through his body. His fingers twitched, his nostrils flared, all signs of his typical composer had long since vanish. "You wretched woman… I had honestly thought that you of all people would understand Xehanort's treachery! You claim he is the reason for your loved ones' suffering, yet you disgraced them with your actions!"
Kairi prepared to stomp forward, ready to leap to her defense, but another cough from Aqua silenced her.
"…Heh. Then maybe… I'm the one who's gone astray…"
It was all Aqua could muster before she collapsed once again, leaving the forest in silence once more. And as the silence lingered further, DiZ turned away, but froze in place when Goofy finally spoke up.
"Y'know what, DiZ? You're no model citizen yourself." DiZ turned back around, brow raised, and the knight continued his reproach. "All you do is shout and push away the people closest to ya. Maybe if you behaved more like a person and less like a Heartless, we'd all be able to talk things out and come up with some way to get out of this mess."
The bandaged man's lip curled in disgust. "You dare to lecture me?"
Goofy set his foot down. "Well, it's high time someone did. You've been holed up in your basement for so long that you've forgotten all about how to treat other people. Ever since we got here, you've treated us like tools to boss around. And Xion, your own daughter—why, I wouldn't be surprised if she never came back after all you've put her through! Not even Ansem was as bad as you."
The silence returned, heavier than ever, and all stared wide-eyed at the knight who dared to drag the elitist recluse from his high horse.
Predictably, DiZ scowled and sneered in a low, furious voice, "Get out of my sight." He turned away, cape snapping as he did, and began the trek back to the mansion.
Kairi spoke above the tension, "We need to take her inside," referring to Aqua, whom she now knelt beside. "It'll take more than a Cure spell to heal her."
DiZ shouted back, "I'll not suffer a savior of Xehanort to set foot in my house! Take her elsewhere, or leave her for the buzzards!"
He marched away, never looking back, and he vanished into the thicket.
The shadowy wisps had tensed over Sora's shoulder as he and Ven watched their friend lay unconscious on the ground. Mickey placed a hand on his shoulder, startling him briefly, but calming him soon enough. "Sora, can ya open a portal to Yen Sid's tower?"
The young Heartless nodded and wasted no time. He turned back to the others as they prepared to follow him through, save for Goofy, who made his way to Aqua's side. But to before he could make another move, Kairi lifted Aqua into her arms.
It honestly surprised her that she could even lift her mentor. Had she really gained that much strength? She looked down at her arms, far more toned than before from the months of endless fighting amidst the shadow-infested worlds. Her speed, her stamina, her magical prowess… All refined like a sword at the forge. Despite the circumstances, a small smile took form, and while the others stared in wide-eyed astonishment, she strode toward the whirling darkness.
She wasn't the same frail child that fell behind when her friends raced in the sand. She wasn't the helpless princess slumbering in wait for the mighty heroes to save her. She wasn't even the same novice who could scarcely handle a saber not three pounds in weight, let alone scratch a stationary target.
She was one of the Keyblade's chosen, and, now more than ever, she looked the part.
x.x.x
It was late. Xion knew that, but no amount of knowledge could shake her insomnia. A whole week had passed since she stepped into the simulation, and nothing had changed, save for the occasional chills. The infrequent migraine. By all means, she should've moved on and forgotten the whole thing. Kairi even told her it was just a bug in the system, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake what she saw, felt, and heard.
ERROR. CORRUPT DATA DETECTED.
Just what did it mean?
Rubbing her eyes, Xion trudged across the floor, silent and slow. Her whole body felt like a rag doll, arms loosely swaying as she walked, upper body sagging forward. If only Roxas was awake right now, she could ask him to hit her with another blast of Sleepga, but, true to form, her friend was tucked under the blankets, the only evidence of his presence being a lump under the covers and the tips of his messy blond hair poking out near his pillow.
Too tired to slip outside but too wired to slip back into bed, Xion stood up on her tip toes and peered out a star-shaped window. The clouds coasted over a clustering of stars vaguely resembling a giant spoon. Each little star shimmered one after the other, spaced one second apart. With her arms crossed over the window pane, her eyelids began to slide shut, when she noticed something… odd about the glass. A discolored smudge, a vague greenish blue.
Shaking off her exhaustion, she leaned closer to the glass, and then it hit her. There were two turquoise splotches. And they weren't splotches at all…
Her hair was still black. Her coat and gloves remained. Her face was still soft, round, and feminine. Just by taking a quick glance, no one would have suspected it, but as Xion stared at her own reflection, rivers of ice began seeping through her veins.
TO BE CONTINUED
END NOTE: This is one of the more significant re-edits, done to add a greater sense of tension and stakes this late in the fic. I cannot thank chickenscrews enough for his contributions. He co-wrote a chunk of this, notably the altered Aqua and Xemnas confrontation. The subsequent scenes were more collaborative, with me taking some of the dialogue he drummed up and me writing and adjusting to suit the POV and the alterations to the scenes I chose to make.
