Chapter LX: The Final Clash Part 1

Darkness encircled Ushio and Aster as the other could only watch. They knew they had to get the girl out and help her defeat the man. Yet, the Heartless seemed to have other plans as they started to flood in. Turning to face the onslaught of creatures headed towards them, Sora uttered a simple sentence.

"Ushio, stay safe."

—

Keyblade at the ready, Ushio stared down the Neo Seeker. She charged him, swing her weapon into his side. The man took the blow, barely flinching. Extending a hand forward, a ball of fire built up. Ushio leapt back as the fireball flew at her.

Aster took advantage of her falling back. Sweeping around her, he set up five shards of ice pointed at her. Once back in his spot, the shards launched forward. Seeing the ice aimed at her, Ushio threw her Keyblade up in defense.

With the projectiles gone, she once more rushed the man. She landed several successful blows on him. Aster stumbled back as the hits kept coming. As she swung once more, he disappeared.

Reappearing behind her, she turned only to be grabbed by the neck. A shock ran through her body. Before she knew it, he raised her up and tossed her into the air. Airborne, she was helpless as he flew past her, dark energy formed into a blade coming from his hand. Pain flooded the girl as he slashed her.

"C-curaga…" she muttered getting to her feet.

"You still stand?" Aster puzzled. He waved his hand as five giant, black fireballs lit up and launched at her.

Pointing her Keyblade towards the man in black, Ushio steeled her resolve. The fireballs shot at her as she glided between them, heading towards Aster. A bit taken aback, Aster was too late to dodge as Ushio found her mark. Swing after swing impacted the man before Ushio used her full strength, sending him across the field.

"How foolish." he uttered.

With a grand swing of his right arm, a shadow stretched out, settling under Ushio. As she looked down, it's shot up, forming a cage around her. Quickly, it shrank. Ushio felt as it squeezed her tighter and tighter before it disappeared.

Yet, Ushio wasn't ready to give. Despite the hurt she felt, she raised her key once more. She wouldn't let it end like this. Summoning her strength, she sprung forth. Her salvo against the Neo Seeker proved successful as her Keyblade connected.

Having had enough, Aster sent out a shockwave, throwing Ushio back.

"Let us end this." he proclaimed.

With a snap of his fingers, the domed area darkened. Ushio planted herself firmly as she readied for what was next. A moment later, the light returned as she looked around her. Countless orbs of darkness surrounded her on all sides. Glancing above, Aster looked down on her directly from above. He gripped his fist, ushering in his move. One by one the orbs flew at Ushio. Trying her best, she swung her key, blocking each of the orbs. Each of the balls of darkness continued their assault as she reflectively kept her defense up. Every once in a while, one would slip pass and buff her. Yet she pushed on as their numbers dwindled.

Finding the last of the orbs headed towards her, she finished her stand. Switching modes, she pushed down on the ground as she launched herself towards Aster. She gripped her Keyblade tight, her full strength applied to it. With one final swing, she knew she had to conclude it. Aster drawing closer, she engaged in one final attack.

A resounding impact sounded out as Ushio and Aster descended. Their backs turned towards each other, the two stood motionless. A few seconds passed before Aster staggered falling to the ground. The battle was over, Ushio standing victorious. Around them, the dome of darkness faded, disappearing.

"Ushio!" voices cried out in unison.

Ushio looked forward as the six rushed towards her. She smiled as the pain resurfaced. She fell forward, expecting to hit the ground. Yet, what she felt was different. It felt warm, familiar. Opening her eyes, she spotted her father and mother standing there, having caught her.

Sora sat the girl down as Kairi used her magic to heal her. As the family did so, Mickey, Aqua, and Riku approached Aster.

"You think it's over, don't you?" Aster said, getting to his feet. The three approaching grew wary. "You think that if I got beat by that fledgling girl over there, that this battle would come to a close." he glanced skywards as he backed up to the edge of the cliff. "Our goal is almost at hand. I know it. I've been told it's so close. Just a…little more."

Speaking those words, he tumbled backwards, the trio reaching out. He fell further until he was no longer visible.

"What just happened?" Riku uttered.

"He…just fell." Aqua muttered.

Mickey continued glancing downward as something caught his eye.

"Everyone, get back!" he yelled.

No sooner than he did, did a gigantic figure ascend out of the abyss. It appeared similar to a three headed, mechanical eastern dragon, yet it was unmistakably a Heartless.

"I told you, didn't I?" Aster's voice called out. "I'd prepared this failsafe. To think you make me use it."

The six looked up, spotting the familiar adversary atop its central head on what appeared to be a platform. As the gigantic Heartless stared them down, Ushio got to her feet.

This battle wasn't over yet.