Chapter 52: The Battle at Maelstrom

The ships fired at each other, each ship becoming hit by each other's cannons. Riku hit the deck as he saw a sea pirate aim for him. He quickly loaded another cannonball and fired again, however quickly, the two masts of the ships collided and caught onto each other, keeping both ships circling above the enormous whirlpool below them. "Watch yourselves!" Riku shouted.

Suddenly, a series of Sea Pirates swung on ropes onto the Black Pearl, Ninja Soulz appearing beside them. "Great," Riku thought to himself as Neku ran up to him, hands lit. The rain makes things worse. We'll have to get rid of them together fast, he said to Riku in his thoughts.

"Neku!"

"Ready when you are!"

Riku jumped forward and stabbed into the deck of the ship as a wave of darkness blasted across the floor towards the pirates. Before it reached them, Neku zoomed through the air just above the darkness, and blasted two yellow beams into the wave. Quickly, the darkness became attached to his beams, as Neku began to shake the beams like rope as the darkness spread out in wavelengths like a long rope across the deck knocking the sea pirates over, one falling off into the vortex. The Ninjas disappeared in a puff of smoke and appeared behind Neku to strike at him, only for Riku to through them from behind at an intensely quick speed. Riku brought up Road to Dawn and Neku guided the beams of his energy and the darkness to meet Riku keyblade pointed above them as it sent out a shockwave of sound at the Flying Dutchman, sending back sea pirates also trying to swing over to the Pearl. "That worked out well," Neku said giving a thumbs up.

"Get ready to board!" Gibbs shouted for another part of the ship.

Another array of cannons fired off from the Pearl and struck at the Flying Dutchman. Jones quickly grabbed Luxord while yelling "Cover!" As the cannons hit some Ninjas, Davey Jones' tentacles began to reach at Luxord's throat, trying to choke him. However, quickly, Luxord disappeared in a flash of smoke and reappeared feet away, Xidmun standing next to him. "Trying to take us out, hm?" Xidmun said. "That won't stand well with us. You want to deal with them, fine with us all by all means, but we're not going without the Royals Scroll. Now stand out of the way as we get to your 'precious' chest," Xidmun said as Luxord held up the key.

However, Jack Sparrow came up from the captain's quarters, apparently escaping during the attack from his small prison cell below, and held the chest in his hands. "Oh bugger."

"Well look here, the lost bird that never learned to fly," Jones said, just getting more mad with the situation.

"I've always regretted that. But hey, never too late to learn, right?" Jack said, cutting some rope beneath him. As soon as he did so, Davey Jones punched Luxord, nabbing the key as Jack was sent up into the air and landed up above one of the sails, but turned to see Jones right behind him emerging from the mast. "The Chest! Hand it over!"

"I can set you free mate," Jack said, trying to avoid a fight.

"I lost my freedom long ago," Jones said bringing out the sword of the fallen Norrington, Jack blocking with his sword in defense, the chest hanging from his other hand. They began to duel upon the mast as Xidmun and Luxord watched from below. "Pirates," Luxord muttered to himself.

Than from the Pearl swung over Roxas, Axel, Goofy, and King Mickey as they set foot upon the Flying Dutchman. "You!" Roxas shouted, summoning Oathkeeper and Oblivion.

"Well, it seems that the situation has grown way out of proportion. There are more here than we thought," Xidmun said.

"Didn't get the chance to tell you, did I?" Luxord said, large bladed cards appearing as he grabbed them.

"No matter. We'll get rid of them than go after the Scroll. Perhaps even one of these has a piece," Xidmun said, his triangular blades coming from underneath his cloak.

Everyone readied their weapons, King Mickey being the last to summon his keyblade. "What is it The Seekers want anyways with the Royal Scroll?"

"We could ask you the same, but I believe we already know why you seek it, so why bother asking or telling you our reason," Luxord said.

"Heh, you think some of us don't already know?" Axel said. "Remember who tried to get me to join you guys. He told me what you were up to."

"That fool!" Luxord said.

"Doesn't matter, his soul has departed," Xidmun said gaining a fighting stance referring to Vexen. "All we have to do is take them out and they'll just be pure illusions." Xidmun darted forward and struck at King Mickey, but Goofy blocked him with his shield as Axel and Roxas charged at Luxord, keyblades and charklams meeting the blades on the gambler's cards.

Back on the Pearl, Everyone one else was fighting off Sea Pirates and Ninjas as they all clanged their swords and bursts of magic was shot across, a few cannons still firing. Will and Elizabeth stood near the mast, back to back as the fought off Sea Pirates. "Elizabeth! Elizabeth!" Will shouted finally getting her attention. "Will you marry me?"

"I don't think now is the best time!" she said pushing back a pirate off her sword.

"Now may be the only time! I love you. I've made my choice. What's yours?"

Elizabeth just stared at Will for a moment, then turned again to cut through a Ninja. "Barbossa!" she shouted towards the wheel. "Marry us!"

"I'm a little busy at the moment!" Barbossa said as he shot a Sea Pirate on his left and then continued fighting back another on his right.

"Barbossa! NOW!!" Will shouted.

"Fine then!" said the cpatian as he jumped up ontop of a table as Valdamar took his spot and helped defend the ones attacking him. "Dearly beloved, we be gathered here today..."

"Elizabeth Swann, do you take me to be your husband?" Will said as he continued to fight off the enemy.

"I do."

"Great!"

"Will Turner, do you take me...to be your wife, in sickness and in health, with health being the less likely?"

"I do."

"As captain, I now pronounce you..." Barbossa stopped to shoot a ninja. "you may kiss..." slashing back a Sea Pirate Valdamar than took down with his whip. "you may kiss..." another Ninja. "JUST KISS!!!" he yelled at one point and returned to the fight.

Will and Elizabeth temporarily pushed their opponents back, and embraced each other and kissed. Gibbs, turned away at the sight as Sora blocked a Pirates sword and saw the spectacle end. "Wow…" he said.

However, the moment ended abruptly as something burst from the sea and landed aboard the Pearl. Sora spun around and knocked back the Sea Pirate overboard, and turned to see a tar like substance slowly rising up and taking a shape as the rain dripped around it. "Get away!" Riku shouted to the others as he advanced upon it. Everyone slowly fought off their main enemy as Riku stood facing the thing as Sora ran up. "What is it?" Sora asked.

"It's Shade," he said.

Sora than remembered the being Riku told about he had fought before and the two readied their keyblades as Shade took shape. It was different than when Riku last encountered it. This time, it took a more distinct female form, but it was still altered. The liquid that made it up also dispersed to bring out long, flowing like hair that seem to move with a mind of its own as a lizard shaped tail came from its lower back. The red eyes appeared upon where there should have been a face, but were distinct as human eyes but still evil as last time. We meet again, Riku. Said the being with thoughts coming from it and entering their minds.

Neku also heard the voice because of his ability and fell down on the ship, clutching his head as the voice seemed to slam him like a freight train. Namine quickly ran in front of him to save him from a Ninja. "Neku! Are you alright?" she asked, water dripping from her hair.

"The voice…so strong," he said as he struggled to his feet and looked to see Shad facing Riku and Sora. "It's that thing." Namine quickly grabbed Neku and pulled him away to try to get him further away from Shade.

Riku's eyes had slightly widened. "How do you know my name?"

Since our last encounter, we have searching to find out who you are since your use of darkness intrigued us. So, we came across the one who showed you the darkness, and she has told us many things.

"You're working with Maleficent!" Sora said, reading Ultima Weapon.

No, Sora, keyblade master. We are simply doing something in favor of the witch in return for a certain item we so desperately acquire. But now, we know of your past Riku. Soon, your power shall belong to us too. But we wish to ask it of you before we imply force.

Shade's right arm than began to shift and form until what looked like a keyblade in the same substance of the material Shade was made out of formed in her clutch. The substance hardened until it turned into real keyblade. "A keyblade!" Sora shouted.

"Impossible!" Riku shouted.

Fools! Dark Diamond is real as your own, but has the greatest power of all keyblades. This was an original keyblade forged from darkness itself long ago. Now Riku, we offer you the greatest keyblade there is in existence. You will be feared by everyone with your great power. All we ask, is that you join us.

Riku stared at Shade, and began to slowly lower Road to Dawn. "Riku, what are you doing?" Sora said as Riku walked towards Shade.

Riku walked up until he was eye to eye with Shade, slightly shaking from all his senses being blasted by the power of darkness in front of him. So, you will join us? We knew you would appreciate our power to make you stronger.

Shade began to warp as it prepared to envelop him, but he suddenly drew back his arm as he summoned Road to Dawn from where he left it into his hand, dark power surging around it, as he plunged it straight through Shade and twirled around slashing he keyblade. A piercing screech echoed through Sora and Riku's minds as Shade gave out feelings of pain as the liquid being fell into blotches of liquid upon the deck, where Riku quickly leaped backwards from it as Shade began to reform, the red eyes seemingly more dark than before. You dare defy us! You dare to strike us when we offered you everything?! You will SUFFER!!!!

Shade glided across the deck faster than Neku glided and swung Dark Diamond in a furry of blows at Sora and Riku at the same time as they backed up slowly, bringing their keyblades up in defense. Riku then raised Road to Dawn in one block and swung down to leave Shade quickly open as Sora sliced at Shade. The top half of Shade feel like water to the ground, but quickly reformed together again and attacked once more. "Sora, slicing won't work on it!" Riku shouted as soon as he backed against the mast, dodging the keyblade as it struck into the wood.

"FIRE!" Sora shouted sending flames around him.

One managed to touch Shade, but it hardly did anything. Sora than dodge rolled under a swipe from the liquid being as Riku tried to grab Shade with his own hand. Surprisingly, he could grab Shade. He felt something under the liquid that felt like human skin. GET OFF!! Shade blasted into their minds as she flung Riku back into the air against the sail, to which Riku fell hard on the deck, wincing in pain.

Sora quickly ran to Riku and blocked Shade from stabbing Riku. He cast a blizzard spell to which Shade stepped back from to avoid the attack. "You alright Riku?" Sora asked.

"I'll be fine," Riku said getting up. "But we've got to stop Shade fast. The ship won't last too much longer in the whirlpool." Riku then turned to Sora. "Do it."

Sora nodded as he and Riku clasped hands together. "DRIVE!" Sora shouted.

There came a burst of light, followed but a dark shadow covering the spot where Sora and Riku stood. Shade advanced cautiously. A Ninja from the fight jumped at her from behind, but her tail wrapped around the surprised soulz and the liquid melted over it quickly and slowly drew power from the soulz, destroying its existence. "So, you take other's strength. So you tried to trick Riku!" came Sora's voice within the shadow, but his voice sounded more mature.

Silence! I wish not to hear your voice anymore! Shade said as it tossed Dark Diamond like javelin at the shadow, but it was stopped as Ultima Weapon stuck out of the shadow and deflected it. The keyblade flew back to Shade as it stood still. "Then how about mine?" came Riku's voice, but it sounded more cheerful.

Slowly, a figure emerged from the shadow. "How about our voice?!" he said with the voice of Sora and Riku together.

Sora had entered Dawning Drive Form with Riku. Sora had grown slightly taller, his spiked hair even longer, not all of it staying completely upright. His eyes had become Riku's but other than that had remained as Sora. His clothes had become a Silver and Blue pattern with empty heartless symbols. However, the weapon was the most the surprised even Shade. Ultima Weapon and Road to Dawn had forged together at their hilts to create a keyblade-staff which for some reason knew was called Rise of Dawn, which Sora swung around in the air like a quarterstaff. He readied himself as he faced Shade. "Leave now."

No.

Sora charged forward as he gripped the keyblade-staff in his right hand, Shade gliding just as fast. Sora then brought his left hand and using both hands charged forward twirling the keyblade-staff in a circle in front of him. Rise of Dawn cut through the air like a propeller of an airplane as it sliced Shade causing the being to separate again. However, while reforming, Sora kept rotating the keyblade-staff faster and faster, preventing Shade from reforming. At one point, Shade just gathered as a puddle on the deck and tried to slip under Sora's feet, but Sora just plunged one end of his weapon where the liquid puddle and used the keyblade-staff to pole vault away and gain distance. Shade reformed much faster, the red eyes glaring at Sora. You think cutting us up over and over again will defeat us?

"No," came Riku's voice, followed by Sora's. "This will!"

Sora then held up Rise of Dawn with his right hand in front of him so it was horizontally in the air, like the horizon. Soon, where his hand was gripping the keyblade-staff tightly became to glow in a light. Beneath the horizontally line the keyblade-staff had grew a dark power. The light hovered above the dark brining rays of light just like those of dawn. Sora then quickly brought his left hand with both hands tossed his weapon into the air, spinning. Kairi watched in amazement as she just saw the event happening after clearing a Ninja that had been perusing her. The light and darkness swirled around as the key-staff spun in the air, Sora quickly jumping in midair, catching it shouting "FACE DAWN!!"

The Light and Darkness blasted together in harmony as Shade. The being had held it's dark keyblade in defense, but it could not stop the blast of the combined power of Sora and Riku. Sora could barely hear Shade's cried in pain over the blast of the attack. Fighting practically stopped for a second at the sight of the enormous blast of power. Jack and Jones stopped, only for Jack to cut at Jones' tentacle beard from where the key to the chest was hanging to where Jack jumped down after it, Jones crying out. Luxord and Xidmun stopped to see the attack as well, the four holding their guard as they looked as well. "What is that?" Xidmun said, a hint of fright in his voice.

"It means that we're in something we can't bet on," Luxord said, opening a portal. "It would be best to leave."

"The Royal Scroll…" Xidmun started, but was interrupted as Goofy's shield flew at him, and he quickly ran with Luxord into the portal and disappeared.

Back on the Pearl, the blast ended as Sora and Riku both fell to the Deck, the drive ending, both of their keyblades back in their hands, energy practically knocked out of them. Riku got up on his feet, his keyblade raised as he saw the odd silver and black liquid rise up again. "That didn't stop it?" Sora said, slowly getting back to his feet.

Shade slowly reformed, but was obviously stunned. The liquid it was made out of seemed out of color, closer to a white rather than silver and the black seemed more of a dark gray. Such power…we could have unstoppable together…However, you defy us. We will return to retrieve you again. But we will be more powerful. Much more powerful. And then, nothing will be able to stop us.

Slowly, Shade began to disappear, but not before Sora and Riku heard a disturbing laughter go through their heads that give them shivers, and the rain wasn't helping. Kairi ran over to see that they were alright. "Sora, are you okay?" Kairi said as Sora sat down, whipped out.

He gave a small laugh. "Yeah, I'm fine, but thanks to Riku here," Sora said putting a hand on Riku's shoulder.

Riku gave a small smile, but stopped when he noticed a Sea Pirate running for them. Riku got up and went to stop him, but the pirate stopped in his tracks as Riku felt the Pearl lean more towards the whirlpool. The Seas Pirate began to quickly run back to the Dutchman. Than Riku noticed that all the Sea Pirates were going back to the Dutchman. Also, all the soulz were gone too. "What the heck?" he said out loud.

He then saw Roxas, Axel, Goofy, and King Mickey all swing back on the Pearl. "We've got to get away before the Dutchman takes us down with her!" Axel said.

"Aye! Make quick, or it's the locker for us all!" Barbossa said, turning the wheel.

Quickly, the Pearl snapped free from the Dutchman's and began to rise up above the whirlpool as the Dutchman sank down into the maelstrom. Riku then saw Sparrow and Elizabeth slowly floating in the air from the wind as Jack held onto a piece of a sail like a parachute. "They're not going to make!" Donald said as he watched them sink closer to the water.

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept them up and brought them right onto the deck of the Pearl, Yami lowering her keyblade. Yami then collapsed to the ground, to where Goofy and Riku ran over to her. "Yami! Are you okay?" Goofy asked.

"So much…darkness," she said trembling. It was than Riku noticed that Yami actually looked frightened. She always came off as sarcastic, hard, and not too much emotion except for right after her dark form and right now. Shade's darkness must have affected her, Riku thought as he put a hand on her shoulder, and brought it back to see blood on his hand. "You're hurt!" he said.

She didn't respond as Namine and Axel walked over. "Here, we'll fix her up," Axel said, carrying her bridal style for the second time. They took her further back on the ship as Jack walked up, Elizabeth just looking at the ground. "What happened?" Sora asked King Mickey. "Over there on the Dutchman."

His majesty actually looked sad as well. "Sora…Jones stabbed Will."

"What?!"

"He and Elizabeth were fighting Jones, when I think Jack came with Jones' heart, and then…Jones stabbed Will. And then Will father tried to stop Jones when Jack had Will stab the heart. And then Jones fell into the water and the ship began to sink as we all escaped. I'm sorry Sora."

Sora was dumbfounded as the rain began to stop, the sun reaching the deck of the Pearl again, the armada of ships still sitting in front of them. "Jack, the armada's still out there," Gibbs said running up to Jack. "The Endeavour's coming up hard to starboard, and I think it's time we embraced that oldest and noblest of pirate traditions..."

"Never actually been one for tradition....luff the sails and lay on iron!"

"Belay that, or we'll be a sitting duck," Barbossa ordered.

"Belay that 'belay that.'" Jack told Gibbs.

"But captain..." Gibbs started.

"Belay!"

"The armada..."

"Belay!"

"The Endeavour..."

"Belay!"

"But we..."

"Kindly SHUT IT!!" Jack shouted, leaving Gibbs silent.

As Beckett's ship approached, Beckett watched as they neared the Pearl, sipping some tea. "What is he waiting for?" asked an officer.

"He actually expects us to honor our agreement. Nothing personal, Jack...it's just good business." Beckett said.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the Flying Dutchman resurfaced from the water, not too far from the Peal. "You've got to be kidding me!" Valdamar yelled and groaned at the same time. On board the Dutchman, the crew walked on the deck, but they seemed to be falling apart. All the sea creatures and attributes of them began to fall off as human pirates looked at themselves in a bit of wounder, Bootstrap surprised as the starfish came off his face. "They're returning to normal," Kairi said as she watched.

Then one man stood behind the wheel of the Dutchman turned around, a scar on his chest where his heart should be, a black bandana over his head. It was Will. "Ready on the guns!" He shouted to the crew of the Dutchman.

"Full canvas!" Jack ordered, glad his plan had followed through.

"Aye, full canvas!"

Soon, the Pearl and Dutchman approached both sides of Beckett's ship. Beckett just staring off into space, the officer nervously asking for orders. "Cap'n?" Sora asked.

"Fire!" Jack said.

"FIRE!!!" Sora yelled to the crew of the Pearl.

"Fire!" Will shouted from the Dutchman.

"Fire all!" Elizabeth ordered as the cannons began to rip apart Lord Beckett's ship. "Orders?! Orders, sir??!! Sir, what do you command?" the officer cried out.

Beckett just stood there stunned, not being able to accept what was going on. "It's just good business...."

Soon, the rest of the soldiers abandoned ship as the it feel apart and sank into the seas. Neku zoomed up to the crow's nest and looked at the rest of the armada far off. "They're turning away!" he yelled to down below. The crew cheered out in joy, those with hats throwing them up as other pirate lords ships soon followed suit.

"Mr. Gibbs, you may throw my hat if you like." Jack said, handing him his hat.

"Aye aye captain!" Gibbs said tossing the hat. "Hooray!"

"Now go and get it," Jack said, as Gibbs looked at him for a moment, then ran to find the captain's hat.

Will stood on the Dutchman, looking over at Elizabeth on the Pearl. "Orders, sir," said his father, walking up to him."

You're no longer bound to the Dutchman. You're free."

"Aye, that's a fine thing, but, by my reckoning, I still have a debt that has to be paid...if you'll have me."

Will smiled at his father. "On the wheel, then, Mr. Turner."

"Aye, Captain Turner." He said, going to the wheel. Will just stared more at Elizabeth as Bootstrap once again spoke. "This ship has a purpose again, and where we are bound, she cannot come. One day ashore, ten years at sea. It's a steep price for what's been done."

"Depends on the one day," Will said.

*****

They stood on the shore as they all bid Will farewell, as he handed Elizabeth, his wife, the chest with his heart inside of it. "You've always had it. Keep it safe," he said, to where Elizabeth kissed him.

He then walked over to Riku, handing him the piece of Royal Scroll that had been stuck in the chest. "This belongs to you I believe."

Riku held in his hand, and put in his pocket. "Thank you, Will."

Jack last walked up to Jack Sparrow, who just looked to the side. "Jack."

"Captain, Captain Jack Sparrow, Mr. Turner," jack corrected him as usual.

"That'll be Captain Turner," Will corrected him in turn. "You saved me Jack from being with Elizabeth. It may only be every ten years, but I still thank you."

Jack shrugged. "The least I could do mate."

"But I do have a gift for you," he said.

Jack took a bottle from Will and looked at the label. "Rum! Surprised you would have such a thing."

Will just gave a small smile, and with a final wave, headed back for the Dutchman. They group watched as he went off on his ship, disappearing in the Green Flash. Jack than turned to Sora and Riku. "Well Zola, Rukku, I must be off."

"It's Sora!"

"For the last time, Riku!"

"Same thing," Jack said swinging his new bottle of rum. "Now, mates, I'll be off to my own ship."

"Jack, thank you," Elizabeth said walking up to give him a kiss, but he held up a hand. "Once was enough," he said simply, and headed back in his longboat back to his Black Pearl.

*****

Banirith sat in his chair as he thought. The report from Xidmun, now his right hand, and Luxord did not please him. If Sora had found a way to create a keyblade-staff from combining his strength with others, he had to find a way to stop him before it got any further. But, having the entire group together meant the Seekers could go to other worlds unchallenged. What they had to do was to keep them distracted. Hopefully the world Lexaeus was on would be enough. Larxene then walked in with the eighth member of the Seekers. "We found them, just like you said," Larxene said, showing in three figures.

Banirith studied them. They all looked different than their original, but he could tell them apart. The one in front was a soulz, the one to the right a heartless, and the one to the left a nobody. "I see Hojo did all he could to bring him back," Banirith said.

The middle one nodded. "Hojo was too unwise to realize what he was doing. You see, all we want is our Reunion, that's why we were brought so that we can complete it."

Banirith nodded, a small smirk on his face. "And so you shall have this Reunion of yours. I will tell you the location you seek, and even provide you with weapons and magic far more powerful than you already posses. I'll even upgrade your transportation. All I ask is for something in return."

"And that is?" asked the nobody.

Banirith then held a piece of the Royal Scroll. "The Royal Scroll. You may run into those with piece of this. I don't particularly care how you get it from them, but I want it as fast as possible."

The soulz smirked. "Paper? That's all you want. Fine, you'll get it."

Banirith then turned to the eight member and Larxene. "You two help them get to Radient Garden. They have business to attend their before going to the other world. While you are there, I want you to prepare that attack that we have set up. Do I make myself clear?" he asked.

Larxene waved a hand. "Yeah, yeah, understood."

The torn-coated Seeker chuckled and soon laughed manically. "No problem," he said, his golden-yellow eyes glimmering.


Neku's Dark Wave

Dawning Drive Form- This is the form when Sora Drives with Riku. Sora clothes change to a silver and yellow with a few empty heartless symbols across the clothes. He physically becomes more mature, and extremely stronger. Also their weapons combine to make the keyblade-staff Rise of Dawn, a mighty weapon which with the power of Sora' light and Riku's darkness can create a blast that can't be avoided. Overall strength and slight speed is boosted.

And so, we leave Port Royal and move onto the next world, which all of our heroes will go to. I should have it up soon. Sorry once again for the delay in updating. Please tell me how the writing structure was in this chapter if you are good at critiquing as I believe I may need to work on my action sequences a bit more. Thanks as always for reading and the reviews.

Dezblade