Sorry for posting this one late, guys I could not get to a computer the last two days. Plus I have been stuck playing Assassin's Creed: Revelations that game is just sooooo addicting! Thanks to DemonessOfDepartingSorrows for the beta!
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts or Fullmetal Alchemist, they are trademarked properties of Square Enix/Disney and FUNimation/Aniplex, but I do own by OC's Bishop and Melody.
Heir to Darkness
Chapter LIII: Will Never Waver
World: Radiant Garden/ The World That Never Was
Dante made sure to keep her distance from Edward. The Heir to Darkness was a killing machine. Not one Nobody got away from his grasp. The teen no longer depended on his alchemy to fight, his style had completely changed. Edward had used the shadows to his advantage. Every time he stepped near a shadow he could turn it into whatever he wanted, a sword, shield, lance. The boy had completely encumbered his arm in the darkness and was hacking away at a Samurai.
The woman's lips curled into a smirk. "He's not the Edward I knew before. He's a monster, everything that I need to achieve my goals. Once we get him to Kingdom Hearts, everything will go as planned."
Wrath nodded in agreement, but deep down, anger built in him. How could he allow Dante to manipulate him, to carry him on for so long without him noticing? No... It wouldn't be that way anymore; he would turn the tables on the woman. He would be the one pulling he strings. The young Homunculus was going to make sure that Dante died in this day. "Dante... we should get Edward towards Kingdom Hearts..."
The boy felt something. He knew the Keyblade wielders we're close. TOO close for his liking, if Edward caught sight of them, it could ruin everything. Surely he was powerful enough now to kill Sora without a struggle, but... he needed to be the one to quell the Elric brother's rage. Deep down, in his heart, he wanted to redeem himself. Greed left Dante's side, why not him. Without her puppets she was powerless, and the boy was determined to show her that.
"Wrath!" Dante's cry broke through his thoughts. His eyes widened as he saw that all the Nobodies had stopped attacking. That was not good, his eyes averted to the sky. The Alter of Naught. Far from the top, he could spot Xemnas glaring down. His forehead trickled, the Organization coat he wore was tattered in cuts. The Meteorain had nearly been the end of the Organization's leader. Glaring at Dante, he chuckled. "Xemnas!"
"It seems that I've been 'in depose' for quite some time. The Homunculi must be slipping if they allowed the trash to slip in my world." Xemnas locked eyes with the woman, whose orbs burnt with rage. Glaring coldly, he looked to Edward, who's attention turned to Xemnas. "I must say, his anger is building. Not a thought going through the young alchemist's head. You've done well in controlling him, Dante, I applaud you're performance."
The woman giggled softly at his words. "Don't patronize me, Xemnas; this battle is far from over. You'd be out of your mind if you think I risk sending the Heir right into your grasp. He is much too precious, I will just let Sora and his lackeys take care of you first."
"ED!" Kairi called, her eyes wide. Sora stood next to her, speechless as well. She covered her mouth when she saw Dante look to her, cursing under her breath. Summoning her Keyblade, Kairi glared at Dante. "You're not getting away this time."
"Were not letting you take Ed from us again!" Sora yelled, summoning his Keyblade. Putting his hand on his heart, the boy knew this would be it; there was no backing down now. No turning around and returning home. They had no other choice, he and Kairi had to defeat Dante here, or die trying. "Dante, you've caused too much pain. You've ruined too many lives, we're going to put an end to your plan!"
Dante cursed as the Keybladers blocked her path. They lied in the Hall of Empty Melodies. Narrowing her eyes at Sora, her arms hit the ground, shattering into countless droplets of water. "You've served you purpose, Keybladers, now it's time that I put an end to you!"
Wrath looked up to Xemnas. The two Keybladers hadn't noticed his presence, but the Nobody stayed silent as he observed. This was his only chance. He saw Edward waited no longer as Dante's attention dropped from the Heir. Edward charged towards the Alter, but Wrath tackled him, barreling him to the death. "I won't let you get past me! You have to get a hold of yourself."
"AAAAAHHHHHRRRRGGHH!" Edward screeched, landing on all fours. His eyes glowed red and his red coat blew violently in the wind. The Heir summoned shadows, gathering up his arms and transforming into sharp blades. Running at Wrath, he unleashed a barrage of swipes, but the Homunculus was too fast, dodging his blows and jumping onto the wall. Flying off, Wrath summoned his tentacles, grasping Edward and tossing him off the platform.
Landing on his feet, Wrath ran to the edge of the platform, looking off into the endless abyss. "Is it over?" The serenity did not last for long, as a screech roared once more. Edward blasted over the edge of the platform and tackled Wrath to the floor. The Homunculus managed to kick Edward off his body.
The battle between Sora, Kairi, and Dante thundered on close by as Dante jumped from their strikes onto the nearby platform, with Sora and Kairi following. This left only the two alchemist's in the Hall. Gripping his arm tightly, Wrath knew what he had to do. Clapping his hands together, electricity surged as he slammed them to the earth. Four huge walls came soaring from the platform, blocking any means of escape, but the roof. "No one is leaving here. I won't let you escape!"
The Heir retaliated at his words, extending his blades, stabbing Wrath through the shoulder and his stomach. Caught off guard, Wrath was pinned to the wall by Edward's speed. Coughing up blood, he looked into the Heir's eyes to see nothing, but fire. Balling his fists, Wrath clapped his hands together, slamming them against the wall. Pillars flew, smashing Edward. Gripping his body, the blood stopped as his body began to fix itself. "I won't let you escape." He muttered, encouraging himself.
Edward clapped his hands together and red electricity began to fly around him. Wrath's eyes widened in horror as he still had the ability, the knowledge as the mad Heir. Slamming his claws into the platform, a hellish wave of darkness burst from the ground, raining over the both of them.
"Argh!" Wrath held his arm as the darkness ripped through his flesh. Blood fell to the ground as the geyser sprayed the deadly water over the platform. Bone began to show in his left shoulder, the rain was tearing his flesh away, reducing him to just a skeleton. Every step he took he got weaker. "No... I can't... I can't lose!"
Edward watched Wrath melt away with a sadistic look in his eyes, summoning a blade to his arm he tossed it forward, stabbing into the boy's torso.
"Damnit..." Wrath cursed as he felt the stone in his chest throb from the pain. "Wha... what do I do..." He choked as he felt his skeletal arm falling to his waist. "I... I... he's too strong..."
"DON'T QUIT!" A voice yelled in his head. Riku appeared next to Wrath, putting a hand on his shoulder. Smiling grimly, he looked to Edward, who seemed not to notice the spirit at the boy's side. "You want to redeem yourself, you want to do something right! I know how you feel, you can't let the darkness win. Don't let it take over you. Never quit, never back down, and don't lose!"
Wrath's eyes widened at the words. "You're right, I can't lose! I CAN'T LOSEEEEEE!" Tentacles exploded from the boy's arm and flew towards Edward. The Heir's eyes widened in alarm as it grasped him. Wrath's Philosopher's Stone throbbed; it beat like his heart would. His determination, his assault would never waver. As the Heir struggled, ripping through the tightly woven tentacles, blood poured. More than he could have ever imagined.
"MORE!" Riku called. "C'MON!"
More tentacles exploded from his body, wrapping Edward in a tangle of his being. Pulling the Heir closer, Wrath balled his fist and nailed the Heir with all he had, all of his power, all of his person, all of his heart went into the punch. "ARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!"
The walls around the platform exploded and the geyser of darkness was lost under the piles of rubble. Wrath fell to his knees, struggling for air. His body slowly repaired itself as he struggled to stand up. Looking into the pile of rubble, he balled his fists, ready for Edward to come at him again, but the Heir never moved. Only coughing could be heard from under the rocks, and the pile moved.
"Owww, what the hell?" Edward rubbed his head, staring at his battered clothes. "What happened, what? Where the hell am I?"
Wrath fell to his knees laughing halfheartedly in relief.
Riku, who stood next to the boy, placed his hand on his shoulder, smiling as he dissapeared into pyreflies. "Good job, kid."
Edward looked to Wrath and pointed. "What the hell, Wrath, who in the world did that to you and... who in the hell did this to me! You better have some answers, kid, or I just might have to mess you up." Wrath fell on his back, laughing out loud with joy as he pointed at the look on Ed's face. "Who are you pointing at, you little punk!"
Up top the Alter of Naught, Xemnas moved away from the battle that had just occurred. Wrath had managed to calm Edward without dying in the process. Looking at Kingdom Hearts, Xemnas basked in the warmth of the powerful entity. "Oh Kingdom Hearts, hear my plea. The worlds are yet coming to an end, shall we pave the path to a never future. A place where there shall be no wars, Keyblades shall no longer exist, nor Heartless, nor Nobodies. A place of peace."
"Xemnas..." A gentle voice came. Xion stood behind the Nobody in a shimmery form, the same form of Riku. An angel to watch over their comrades. "You have to stop what you're doing! Do you know what releasing all of this energy will do, the damage you will create. You think that you're creating a future for everyone, but you're wrong!"
"Oh, Number XIV, it has been long since I have heard that voice. Or should I call you 'Sora'." he mocked Xion, chuckling. "Why do you bother your creator so, then again, how is it that you still exist. Is it the bane of my existence that mocks me, is this endless ambition poisoning my mind?"
The girl winced at the insult. Balling her fists, she glared. "I come here with the power of all souls you've taken, Xemnas. I cannot tell you if you're crazy or not, but... all I can say is... this is not what you want. This is not what Xehanort would have wanted!"
"What do you know of Xehanort?" Xemnas lashed, turning around, swiping his hand through Xion, but the spirit only appeared in front of him. "His ambitions were small compared to mine."
"His research was the devil's research, but it was more just than what you're doing now." Xion looked down. "I was a result of your experiments, but at least I have a heart. One I can feel with, I know the pain you'll cause."
"The heart only hinders ambition... holds me back." Xemnas muttered, staring back at the heart. "Be gone, spirit, I need to see that my plan enters its true fruition."
Xion sighed, holding her arm. "Then Ansem the Wise was right, your arrogance will lead you to eternal oblivion, where you will stay this time, with no return."
"If that is my fate, then so be it, but all with feel the Wrath of my Pride once I pave my Kingdom Anew." Xemnas muttered, holding his chest. "A heart only hinders..." He muttered, looking to Kingdom Hearts. "Only... hinders."
Merlin's House-Radiant Garden
In side of Merlin's home, the Restoration Committee sat. Aerith sat on the sofa with face buried in her hands. Everyone had a solemn look on their faces, with the loss of Tifa, not even Yuffie could say anything to cheer up their spirits. Merlin stood at the head of the table with a parchment of paper in his hand. "Well, then, as you see, it seems that Yen Sid needs my help in the near future. The battle is far from over and my magic skills are needed to teach other mages."
Winry sat out at the table as a mage healed a deep gash on her arm. "Ow, ow! Isn't there any other spell that can heal without it stinging?" The mage stifled a smile, but shook his head. Looking to Merlin, she frowned. "But we need your help here, Merlin, you can't possibly leave now. Not right after the battle."
"I'm afraid I have to." Merlin murmured sadly. "I'm afraid that I don't have a choice in the matter. Master Shantotto is a woman that does not like to be denied, more powerful than myself. So I am afraid that I cannot object. She is a Keyblade Master, the greatest in the Universe, to be exact. Her skill with the blade is unparallel, making our dear Sora look like a novice."
"If she's soooo powerful why didn't this Master help us?" Yuffie muttered, but only got a nudge from Leon to keep quiet.
Yen Sid rubbed his beard. "I dare say that she did. If not for her magic, the defense would have never worked. She sent me to your aid for a long period of time, longer period than the portal would have permitted. But I'm afraid that I am running out of time, my friend's. I came to help and fetch Merlin, and that I did. I daresay that if Sora succeeds, we may all enjoy a bit of peace for the time being."
"For the time being." Cloud muttered ,gripping his blade tightly. Standing up, he shoved his way out of the door, past Leon.
Riza sighed, looking to Aerith with remorse as even more tears fell from her eyes. "He's taking it very rough. We'll have to talk to him."
Mustang nodded in agreement. "We wouldn't want him to distance himself from us."
"Yeah, right." Yuffie muttered, looking down, remaining quite. "I think I'm gonna go talk to Cid, I'm feeling a bit stuffy." No one objected, the once vibrant and happy air around the Restoration Committee was cold. With the loss of Tifa and departure of Merlin, the future didn't seem as bright as the peace they were promised.
4/5 Down.
