Chapter LXII: Curtain Call

The wind picked up as the Leviamat got a second wind. The mechanical dragon creature's eyes glowed as it gazed at the three Keyblade wielders. Each held their weapon, gripped tightly as they once more rushed the enemy. Their three companions were fighting their hardest and they had to too.

—

"It looks like the whole family is here." Aster stated.

"Unfortunately for you, that just shows that you're going down." Ushio said, pointing her Keyblade at the man.

"Ah, the hubris that comes from you. It shall make your downfall all the more satisfying." said Aster.

"Say what you will, but it sounds like you're the one that full of himself." Sora replied.

"Your words mean little. As I told your daughter, our goal of creating a pseudo Kingdom Hearts is close at hand. After everything the Neo Seekers have done, it is your defeat that will usher in the era of our goals."

"Are you ready?" Sora asked.

"Yeah." Ushio and Kairi replies in unison.

"It appears you've accepted your defeat."

Aster practically flashed in front of the three as he conjured a line of ice shards. Ushio, Sora, and Kairi were forced to immediately throw up their defenses. Using this opportunity, Aster leapt back as he began to charge his next move.

The ice shards flew towards the family as they parried the magical onslaught. Once at last shard was gone, they switched gears, going on the attack. Helpless to defend himself in his situation, the trio's blows on Aster struck full force. Yet, he remained firmly planted.

Above the man in the black cloak, a massive, pitch dark fireball swelled. Finally reaching its peak, he dropped his attack, moving out of the way. The three were forced to quickly throw up their guard, the sheer speed resulting in injuries despite their best efforts.

Seeing the chance, Aster threw a giant fireball at his opponents. It erupted in a fiery explosion. Through the smoke, Sora rushed Aster to his surprise. He quickly conjured a blade of dark energy. Blocking the attack, he spied Kairi coming at him. Doing the same, he found himself locked in a stalemate with the two Keyblade wielders. With Aster occupied by the two, Ushio made her move. Leaping from above, she swung downward as her key found its mark.

Aster stumbled backward as the blow hit him hard. His defense dropped, Sora and Kairi pushed onward with their strikes. The Neo Seeker felt the pain as he tried to regain his composure.

"Let's see you handle this."

Using his fast speed, Aster dashed away from the three. Like he did before, he snapped his fingers as a dark mist sprung up. The three were caught in it as the world around them went black. Almost as soon as it the mist appeared, it dispersed. Same as last time, dark fireballs surrounded the family on all sides.

"Careful." Kairi said as they each backed up to one another.

Each of the balls of fire shot at them as they deflected from all sides. Their Keyblades danced as the lights flickered with each hit. Yet, the fireballs kept coming as their number took time to dwindle.

"How predictable." Aster said as he watched the three block the incoming attacks.

He raised his hand as the air was brimming with magic. Flames licked about as he narrowed his sights on the three. An uneasiness spread as he called out his attack.

"Flare!"

The massive expense of flames shot at the three as they finished deflecting the last shot. Seeing the attack, the three knew they couldn't block or dodge it. Doing the one thing they could do, Kairi quickly cast Curaga as a safeguard to try lessening the blow.

With a blinding light, the magical attack landed, engulfing what was below. Perhaps as a fortunate accident, the Leviamat below felt the blow as it recoiled in pain. As it began to fall in defeat, Aster looked down. Aqua, Mickey, and Riku moved in to finish the gigantic Heartless once and for all. He smiled as he knew it would be easy for he to swoop down and defeat them all.

A glint of light shone from the smoke. Aster's eyes were drawn to it as a blur flew out. Before he knew it, he felt an impact in his stomach. Behind him, Kairi turned as she proceeded to dash back and forth, hitting him six more time.

As Aster began to drop, another blur came from the smoke. This time, Sora was the one dealing blow after blow to the crimson haired man. Aster was helpless as each blow pounded him closer to the ground.

Hitting the flower bed, petals scattered about. He rose to his feet as the final figure emerged. His eyes went wide as Ushio rushed him one last time. She threw her night into the attack, linking together the combos. As Aster was finally able to attempt a defense, Ushio used the last of her strength. One final hit was charged up.

"…"

Aster was speechless as the solid blow hit. He went flying back a bit as he skidded to the edge of the cliff he once stood at. His legs gave way as he fell to his knees.

"Such power…" he muttered. "To think that was achievable through such means."

"That's what you wanted wasn't it." Ushio said as she approached the man. Scratches and bruises were evident as the extent of the battle had taken it toil. "Everyone of you Neo Seekers sought something and tried to abstain it. You sought power. But what was the reason?"

"My…reason?" Aster said, exhausted. "I wanted power to…wait, why was it again? I know it wasn't for my…sake. It was for…someone else. Someone I…cared about. I suppose it's fitting I forgot. I feel…they wouldn't want to look at me…in this state."

Aster smiled a sad smile. He looked once more at Ushio.

"Everyone journeys down their own path. In the end…I was one of the countless people who got lost on their path. Maybe that's why I sought the power. To help them avoid…getting down their path. To make sure…no one would do so ever again."

"Is that why you formed the Neo Seekers in the first place?" Ushio remarked.

"Heh…where'd you get…that idea…" Aster chuckled as he faded away.

A quiet wind blew as petals were blown into the wind.

—

Waves crashed against the beach as a gentle wind blew. The sounds of seagulls could be heard in the distance. Beneath a curved tree, a girl laid, watching the sunset.

"Ushio!" Sora and Kairi called out.

Raising her head and turning, she spotted the two on the beach with the others. She got up and ran towards them.

"He's still out there." Naminé said as she and Riku talked off to the side.

"Yeah. But he'll show up again. And when he does…" Riku paused. Uncertain about the future, he didn't know how to finish the sentence. Yet, Naminé gripped his hand, holding it tight in reassurance.

"This whole incident was strange." Mickey remarked to Aqua. "Something doesn't add up."

"I know what you mean." Aqua replied. "I talked to Terra and Ven. It seems the Neo Seekers they encountered were like the ones we did. Someone commanded them as if they were the leader. But if Aster was the leader, why would they be off on their own and doing their own agenda?"

"The others said the same." Mickey joined back in. "Everyone separated and confronted their own group of Neo Seekers. Yet, their leadership seemed too spread out. It's almost as if someone else was pulling the strings behind this. I'll report back to the Castle and compile everyone's reports. I fear this isn't over yet."

—

"Ushio." Riku said as he drew closer to the girl.

"Ah, what is it, Uncle?" she said.

"I know this has been a huge mess, but you did have a test you needed to complete." he said.

"Oh yeah." Ushio nodded. "Well, how'd I do?"

"I'd say from what I've heard that you'd pass."

"You mean you're saying I'm now a-"

"Not so fast. I said I'D say you passed. However, it's up to these two to determine it." he motioned at Sora and Kairi.

"So, um, Mom, Dad, what do you say?"

"Well…" they looked at each other, a slight smile between them.

—

Perry the Platypus dealt a blow to Dr. Doofenshmirtz as he fell backwards into his device. It exploded as his hovercraft carried him off. Jumping down, Perry fell through the tree as he removed his hat. Two boys spotted him as they walked over. Picking him up and hugging him, he let out a little cry.

—

Captain McCrea took the plant, planting it in the soil as all the occupants of the Axiom began to gather around. A bit away, the robots watched as WALL-E and EVE glanced off into the distance, holding each other's hands. While the Earth wasn't in the best shape, if one looked close enough, they could see more plants beginning to spring up.

—

Kuzco floated in the water as Pacha jumped in. A flow of water flowed out as Kuzco took the wave to swim out. Reaching shore, Pacha and the rest of his family joined Kuzco as they gave him a warm embrace.

—

Wilbur waved goodbye to Goob and the orphanage as he headed out the door with his things. Hoping in the car, his new family, yet one he knew his future would hold dear, drove off to their new home. Reaching the house, they walked him around the place as he was ushered into his future lab.

—

A group of people picked up Ralph as he was tossed into the ground below. Dusting himself off, he smiled. Outside, the lights of the arcade went off. After congratulating the people for the day, he headed for the terminal. Getting out of his game, Vanellope waves at him as he rushed to join his friend.

—

The Parr family watched as Dash competed in the school race. Enjoying themselves with the familial activity, the ground began shaking as a giant drill machine emerged. Knowing what to do, they smiled, applying their masks as they rushed to perform their heroics.

—

Stepping out of the portal, Jake Long was greeted by his Grandfather and magical talking dog. Talking, he seemed to spin off into the story of his encounter with Ushio, though it seemed to have been spun a bit.

—

Tiana and Naveen held a wedding overseen by Mama Odie. With vows exchanged, they kissed. To everyone's shock, they reverted to humans. Some time later, the pair worked together in Tiana's dream restaurant as Tiana proved the food and Naveen played music.

—

Russell stood on stage at his Wilderness Scout ceremony. As other fathers pin their badges on their sons, Carl came to the stage. Giving Russell a few words, he pinned a special badge on Russell, one his wife had given him long ago. As the awards ceremony ended, the two enjoyed sitting outside, eating ice cream and playing a simple game.

—

Ushio smiled, jumping in the air a bit. The other around her could only smile awkwardly as the girl displayed her joy. Nearby, a hooded figure watched unnoticed. He smiled before he turned, disappearing.