Chapter 146:
Chikairi (Oath + Sea)-Where the Sea Meets...and Parts.
The Weight of my /n0lnb_lPiIo
Both Kairi and Tenebrae Xehanort are transported to a pocket dimension from the resulting clash of their respective Keyblades-the former's Kingdom Key and the latter's No Name. The pocket dimension itself resembles the cage that the Lingering Will had once used in order to trap Terra-Xehanort with, following the original Terra's Body becoming possessed by Master Xehanort's Heart. Instead of the Chains that symbolise Master Eraqus and his Master's Defender Keyblade however, seen floating around everywhere within the pocket dimension are shown Emblems of the Kingdom Hearts Sigil, coloured both White and Black respectively.
The White colours signifying Kairi and the Black colours signifying Tenebrae. After the close duel exchange ends between them, the two opposing Keyblade Wielders are forced back to the sides of left and right equally. Kairi towards the left and Tenebrae towards the right. The two take a moment to recollect themselves, as they begin their final fight...
"...Hmph. Somehow...you've gotten...stronger. Foolish woman. You think...that you can beat this vessel as it is now? that...YOU currently are? at your level of strength prowess and power incarnate?" says Tenebrae Xehanort…as Alexandros, the host of Tenebrae makes a comparison and believes that Tenebrae's physical abilities are superior to Kairi's in every single way and manner that could be thought up of.
"It's not about strength for me, it's not about power. It's about...keeping a promise. To myself, to Donald and Goofy. To Sora...and even...to Xehanort. The Xehanort that's standing in front of me...the one that you're using. Release his Heart! NOW!" shouts out Kairi, as she demands Alexandros relinquishes Xehanort's Body. However...he merely scoffs at the very notion of this idea. "HAH! why go so far to save an empty Heart? just why do you persist in these folly endeavours?" says Xandros, mocking Kairi's efforts.
"Because it's the will of my Heart. And...the Weight...of my Pride. I can't let myself move on...knowing...that a Heart, screaming out for help...is in dire need. That's why...I'm going to knock this control spell of yours right out and release him!" says Kairi, taking up her usual battle posture. "Hmph…try it if you can. You'll fail...just like you always do. You couldn't save Sora and were always the one needing to be rescued...you think that you have what it takes!? TRY IT!" shouts out Tenebrae Xehanort, as he prepares...for the final bout.
After a few seconds and 1 minute passes by them...Kairi makes the 1st move and lunges at Tenebrae! he blocks with the No Name Keyblade, hoping to use Kairi's PTSD against her again. He thinks to himself inside his mind the words "Ha...just once glance and this will set everything-!?" as Tenebrae was conceited with this plan, suddenly though...his expectations turn horrified. Kairi swings her Kingdom Key Keyblade against the No Name, head on no less. All the previous struggles up to now were left with Kairi in fearful trauma of the Keyblade that once stole away her Heart...but. NO LONGER!
Kairi takes advantage of Tenebrae's confusion by latching the blade of the Kingdom Key within the empty column of the No Name, halting movement from it and in turn Tenebrae into place. "W-WHAT!?" shouts Tenebrae, caught up in the moment. Kairi with an unusual swing of her fist punches right into Tenebrae's elbow, doubling the impact blow of which becomes Tenebrae hitting himself with his own arm and hand!
By punching her fist into the bottom of Tenebrae's elbow, she caused his arm to rocket skyward and his fist to hit right into his jaw...causing a nasty reaction. Afterwards she backs away whilst Tenebrae is dazed, Kairi suffering the effects of the punch that she made against her enemy. "OW-OW-OWIE! OOF! YEOW! ooh that hurts! that's smarts! ugh! Sora and Riku don't make punches like THAT, do they!? seriously. I'm a woman, I can't do things like that from now on. As much as I want to, I've got to keep in condition and maintain myself. A woman that can't pride herself on both her wits and her Body by especially taking care of the latter as such doesn't deserve to properly consider herself a woman. But...even so. Just like a man, a woman knows what must be done in the heat of situations, such as these." says Kairi…
She shakes her hand back and forth, feeling like she has broken it. Yet she has no regrets...wanting to live up towards expectations of some kind. By her side is seen a visual image of Sora in his KH III appearance, sharing in Kairi's pain and mimicking her movements. Their faces together stare on at Tenebrae of whom regains his balance by focusing his jaw into place. Although it wasn't broken like Kairi's fist, it still suffered a very nasty shock as the result all the same. Angered by this...Tenebrae retaliates.
He sends a volley of Dark Firagas at Kairi by swinging his Keyblade around just once, the Dark Firagas slow down in motion before suddenly speeding up, as though they were caught in a time-lag but then with time naturally moving forwards quickly after. Kairi sees the Firagas heading for her and both swiftly and nimbly avoids them using Flowmotion. Tenebrae shockingly however displays Flowmotion usage as well but unlike Kairi's covered in an aura of Light is his usage of the technique covered in an aura of the Dark.
"You think that you're special!? you're NOTHING! just a foolish woman-nay, a girl in search of her lost crush. FACE IT! he's GONE! GONE FOREVER!" says Alexandros with Tenebrae Xehanort's voice, full of hate and spite. "You're wrong...Sora's with me. No matter where he currently is...he's always been with me, all along." says Kairi, recognising that Sora's Heart was fighting alongside her in spirit against the foe that sought to destroy all...
"I won't let people that can't emphasize with the pain of others' Hearts...dictate how they choose to live!" says Kairi, as she engages in another close quarters confrontation of Keyblades against Tenebrae. Momentarily, Tenebrae sees Sora's visual fighting alongside Kairi, blocking against the No Name with a spiritual copy of the Kingdom Key. The visual next disappears though...leaving Kairi to continue the fight on her very own terms.
"I'm not letting my journey end here. It's too soon...too soon to give up and throw in the towel. I'll keep on and continue fighting...even...at the cost of my own Heart! whoever is the enemy. Whoever tries to hurt other people and stand in our way...I'll stop them, no matter what! this...is what I have decided. Xigbar…the man whom orchestrated everything...I vow...to...DEFEAT HIM!" shouts out Kairi, recalling the evil smile of Xigbar back at the Keyblade Graveyard in KINGDOM HEARTS III.
She manages to brush off the No Name during the clash of Keyblades, surprising Tenebrae. But unfortunately not enough to shock him, especially considering her declaration. "Your friends are your power? such...CONCEIT! this World knows only hate and it will continue to breed as such until someone dictates the Hearts, chosen by Destiny! another Keyblade War is inevitable. What can YOU hope to accomplish? you are pathetic. You are nothing but a girl whom clings to the past, thinking that she can undo what has already been done. Even if you do change SOMETHING...a consequence must be paid. ALWAYS." says Tenebrae Xehanort in a foreboding tone of voice, making a proclamation...
He states that no matter where Kairi's journey takes her, should she survive this fight...will only despair await her, regardless of choice in the matter. Taking her by surprise, Tenebrae charges a point blank Memoria against her, hoping to engulf her whole and end the fight all at once. The aftermath smoke clears and Kairi is shown to have survived but her right arm was badly injured as a result. Tenebrae instead of taking advantage waits on the side-lines, not approaching Kairi.
Realising to not underestimate the Keyblade Wielder by this point at last. "Even if her power is a gifted one by another person...that power still belongs to the category of the Keyblade. There's no way that she is not aware of wielding such a weapon with catastrophic capabilities is drawing away what little Light that her Heart has left. Soon enough...she'll turn into that husk again. Once that happens...it's game over for her Heart. Hehe..." says Alexandros, as he plots how to finish off Kairi with the next struggle sequence...
Levitating upwards before summoning by Tenebrae Xehanort's sides are the buildings from The World That Never Was. Three in total. The middle one that floats above over his head...being the Memory's Skyscraper! "Let's see you scrape yourself...off from the Sky!" says Tenebrae, making a bad pun whilst launching the three buildings right at Kairi. With her damaged arm, she is unable to respond quickly in time. Nearly thinking that hope was lost in that moment, Kairi…is saved somehow!
"!? N-NO...IMPOSSIBLE!" shouts out Tenebrae, seeing whom has come to Kairi's aid. It is...all of Sora's Spirit Dream Eaters from the Ending of Dream Drop Distance! they have come to lend their aid in protecting Kairi…whilst being led by a certain Spirit. "May your Heart be your Guiding Key." says the certain Spirit, making itself known by hopping upon Kairi's shoulder and then off from it towards the ground. "Hello there! I'm a Chirithy!" says the Spirit, as it introduces itself.
"!? C-C-C-C-" Kairi is flabbergasted upon seeing the Chirithy, causing it slight unease. It becomes even more uneasy by what Kairi does next. "C-C-CUTE! SO CUUUTTTTTEEEEEEE!" Kairi in a very rash, comical manner hugs the Chirithy, nearly suffocating it. "!? AH-ARGH! P-PLEASE! please let go! now is not the time for such hugging!" says the Chirithy, able to use it's plush like Body to escape Kairi's grasp, since she was only able to hold him tightly with one arm alone.
"...Ah! much, much better. We...heard the call. It was the call...of your Heart. We heard it...and we answered it. It was only thanks however...to the two Hearts that guided us here, from the Realm of Sleep. You may not understand much right now...but you will. Given the time..." says the Chirithy, mentioning "two Hearts" of some kind. "H-Huh? two...Hearts?" says Kairi, confused as heck. Especially with the arrival of all the Dream Eaters that have come to her aid.
Both nevertheless and regardless, the sheer numbers of the Spirits that have come to aid Kairi were enough to fend off the 1st blow of the three levitating buildings. Pushing them back at the same time. Already seeing the extent of just how far these wonderous appearing creatures are willing to go for her...Kairi musters up her resolve to fight alongside them. Deciding not to question what they are exactly for the time being, knowing that they are lending their aid towards her cause...and that...is more then enough.
Still...the question of "two Hearts" persisted within her mind. Kairi wonders-believing that one of the Hearts seemed to definitely be Sora. The other she makes a guess at being Riku…but she appeared to be unsure about that guess. Even so, Tenebrae made no time to wait for his enemy. Intending to strike her down again with the three buildings. "Hmph. Dreams crossover into Memories...is that it? I see...her Heart...has become a literal Heartbinder. No...it is more accurate to say...that her Heart is calling forth these Dream Eaters, rather then just summoning them alone. Her existence has become unique...indeed. The folly she referred about earlier...her loved ones being her strength? that power is now...a Guiding Key." says Tenebrae, as he tightens the circumference of his guard. No longer allowing any and all blind spots to affect him...
"...Two Hearts. What...!" Kairi sees above the Memory's Skyscraper heading directly towards both her and the small army of Dream Eaters. A bunch of Kooma Pandas and Zolephants rally a defensive perimeter whilst trying to protect Kairi in the centre of all of the Spirits. They manage to hold back the massive sized building...but only barely. Taking this chance, as good, as it gets. A flock of Komory Bats, Halbirds and Ryu Dragons mount an offensive against the three buildings, hoping to give Kairi a chance to slip by through them and then make it the other side where Tenebrae is.
"Go! they are Guiding you! they...are your Guiding Key!" says Chirithy, saying Kairi to move whilst the chance was still available. No longer pondering on the subject from before, Kairi intends to fulfil the wishes of the Dream Eaters and take the initiative that they have provided for her. Using Athletic Flow, she runs across the middle of one building before jumping onto the next. Going back and forth between the three buildings, she sees Tenebrae casting Dark Blizzagas, trying to take her down with them. To distract her, he summons both Heartless and Nobodies alike.
They scale the inner space that the three buildings have provided, hoping to knock Kairi's concentration off long enough for the Dark Blizzagas to hit her, hence why she is using the Athletic Flow technique to begin with. Kairi must run whilst fending off the airborne Heartless and Nobodies that strike with the Keyblade. "Ugh! this isn't good! the space is tightening. I've got...to kick it up a notch!" says Kairi, as she appears to make a pose, similar to how athletes start up jogging movements.
"If I want to surpass the speed of everything around me...I've got...to breathe. Sigh..." says Kairi before making a deep sigh. Surprisingly, her eyes momentarily turn green. The same shade colour that she had throughout the 1st half of the previous World visit. Meaning...that she was tapping into the power of the Pure Light she was bestowed. "! Speed increase using the Pure Light huh...heh. I figured she wasn't going to use that power for the rest of the fight. No matter...even if she taps into it, that transformation of Darkness earlier has most surely affected the balance in her Heart. There's no telling WHAT will happen...following the upset of that balance and especially regarding usage of the Pure Light." says Alexandros, as he believes that something will surely happen, now that Kairi had regained her senses after the previous struggle...
"Don't relent, don't waver. Never give up...move forwards. Set a goal...and...reach it!" says Kairi within her mind, as she declares to never stop moving. Always keeping moving forwards, no matter what. After the green fades from her eyes and they revert back to their normal blue. Suddenly, just when it seemed that Alexandros was able to anticipate Kairi's plan of action by taking up an athlete's starting position pose.
"Foolish woman. I am and always will be. ONE-STEP-AHEAD!" shouts out Tenebrae Xehanort…transporting himself to Kairi's location from out of thin air! raising the No Name Keyblade, he intends to strike it down upon Kairi's forehead. Only...for Kairi to reveal her very own trick. By tapping slightly into the powers of the Pure Light but not outright using them, she is able to learn...Sora's Super-glide ability!
/U4qy-ZtT9Ao
Swiftly and nimbly flying around at what appears to be Mach-speed, Kairi makes her own attack against Tenebrae-hitting him behind in the centre of his back. She backs away before he could react, next able to hit him upon his right shoulder. The pattern continues with first the left kneecap, then the left hand and finally the right arm. By attacking him at his left hand, Kairi is able to disarm the No Name Keyblade away from Tenebrae...before taking a hold of it for herself!
"W-WHAT!?" shouts out Tenebrae Xehanort/Alexandros. Realising...that the tables have turned against him! "Look! look at this! this is the power of both Light and Darkness...when they work together!" says Kairi. As in a haunting manner...she mimics the exact same movements that Sora had made in the final battle against Xemnas in KINGDOM HEARTS II. When he took hold of Riku's Way to the Dawn...and proceeded to bash away with it alongside the Kingdom Key to give Xemnas a heavy and severe beating. However, unlike Xemnas prior...Tenebrae tries to upset the flow of the chain of attacks.
He retaliates by creating Dark orbs, surrounding his wrists and hands. Resembling boxing gloves more or less but with manifested sharp claws attached to them, Tenebrae begins his counter against the flurry of two Keyblade swings. "YOU THINK STEALING MY KEYBLADE IS ENOUGH TO PUT ME DOWN!? time to REMIND you...not to CROSS ME!" shouts out Tenebrae, clashing against Kairi's Kingdom Key and his stolen No Name...
The two trade blows back and forth, nearly catching each other's faces in the process. In the background, the two buildings that were surrounding the Memory's Skyscaper are destroyed by the combined efforts of the Spirits. Led by the Chirithy, they seek to make things easier for Kairi. Seeing the buildings turning to rubble above and all around, Tenebrae realises that he was in quick danger of being squashed. The debris falls everywhere from above, causing Kairi to roughly dodge about from small place to place.
"AH!" says Kairi, almost crushed by the debris. Just before the last of the rubble could truly and utterly smother her to pieces entirely...a Meow Wow jumps in and saves Kairi by carrying it upon her back for only a few seconds. "T-Thank you!" says Kairi, trying to hold onto the Meow Wow's back. It replies by playfully licking Kairi's face. Chirithy then magically poofs from out of nowhere in the same manner that it's fellow Dream Eaters-Spirits and Nightmares alike do.
He stands atop Kairi's shoulder and points her up above to where Tenebrae is. "Look! there he is! don't relax your guard yet. You're not done, right!?" says Chirithy, asking Kairi a question. "!? … no. Course I'm not! I'm not done...until I've accomplished my promise." says Kairi, as she looks upwards. Her expression brimming with absolute determination and great courage to boot. "Guess we don't need to help from hereon. Go. Fulfil the words that you said you would. End the fight...and bring back a lost Heart from it's slumber towards Awakening." says Chirithy, offering encouragement of some kind to Kairi that shocks her.
"...I just remembered. You're...Ventus' friend, aren't you?" says Kairi, recalling an unusual but very cute looking creature that was hanging around with Ventus at one point. "Heh, that's right. We're friends...same as both me and you are!" says the Chirithy, declaring itself Kairi's friend. But she does not seem surprised...having already thought of the Chirithy as a friend when it came to lend aid moments ago, alongside all the other Spirit Dream Eaters.
What does surprise Kairi though is that the Meow Wow swells up in size, knowing what Kairi intends to do. "Alright! go!" says Chirithy, hoping upon the back of the now giant Meow Wow. With a simple nod, Kairi agrees. Using Flowmotion, she jumps very high up into the air...as though she were reaching the Sky. The Memory's Skyscraper is the only building remaining. Tenebrae waits at the very top of the levitating building, egging Kairi on to approach him whilst the building was still ascending very rapidly in mid-air...
"...Come. Let's settle the battles up to now..." says Tenebrae, wanting to conclude things...for good. Running up the Memory's Skyscraper using Flowmotion, Kairi once more copies Sora by lunging. Tenebrae also mimics Xemnas by jumping off the levitating Skyscraper in the very same fashion. As soon, as Kairi and Tenebrae were close to one another...the Skyscraper started shattering into massive chunks!
"THINK THAT YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO DEFEAT THE SOLAERIS!? YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW THE WHOLE TRUTH!" shouts out Tenebrae, momentarily catching Kairi off-guard. Hoping to land a final strike...by summoning a much shorter version of the sword that the Armoured Xemnas once used. But instead of the Nobody Emblem inside the sword...it was a Sigil that appeared to be a cross between both a Heart...and the Sun.
The attack is successful, sending Kairi flying right down below and creating a giant crater from the equally giant impact! the chunks of the Memory's Skyscraper no longer levitate, falling right atop of the crater. Gloating at the chance that seemingly presented itself, Tenebrae declares victory. "HA! HA HA HA! I knew it. I knew it...ALL-ALONG. You're...absolutely NOTHING. You're no one worth of mention, heck, not even of especial threat. I don't know what Alexander, the Doktor and Alexandria were all so worried about. To think...a woman like you thinks that she can prove herself beyond the worth of both having and obtaining one of the Seven Pure Lights. FACE IT! without the Pure Lights...you don't amount to anything! your Heart is just baggage for those around you...! hmm?" Tenebrae notices something deep down inside the crater...
A sparkle of some kind...it radiates and shines brightly forth. Unable to make heads or toes of it, Tenebrae Xehanort slowly floats down towards the crater...only for a massive sword like pillar to emerge from out of nowhere...and pierce "his" Body around where "his" Heart is! "WHA-!?" shouts Tenebrae once more...before breaking out, free from the crater's surrounding rubble. Moving at Lightspeed...is Kairi. Once again, daring to defy not just Alexandros but the will of the entire Solaeris Apostoli. She appears in front of Tenebrae Xehanort and glances at him. Reflecting upon her encounters with Felix, Voesx and even Howlite so far.
The ones of whom have great Connections to the events that are unfolding...Kairi replies to Alexandros' earlier taunt-"...Sigh. Can-Can you hear me!? XEHANORT! answer me!" shouts out Kairi, horrifying Alexandros. As Kairi tries to reason with the real Xehanort that the Kyanite has taken control of. "Please hear me! hear me out! Xehanort!" says Kairi, trying to commune with Xehanort…by Connecting their Hearts together!
…Within Xehanort's Heart...is shown an incarnation of him during the original Xehanort's training days as a Keyblade Apprentice. Standing amidst the shores of The Final World... "...H-Huh? where...am I? where...is this? I...have no clue. I can't think, I can't feel...whatsoever. My Heart...has become...closed. It is...closed off, from the outside World." says Xehanort, as he tightly clutches his Heart. "No, it is not. It has not yet fully sealed itself away...from bonding. From the Connecting process with the Hearts of others. You may choose to believe that it has...but no." Suddenly, a silhouette approaches Xehanort.
"! Who-Who are you? …" says Xehanort, as he then looks up towards whom is approaching him. The one that approached...is actually revealed...to be...Master Xehanort! the true "one and only" Xehanort, walking before next standing still in front of the younger Xehanort. Making his Characteristic hand gestures, Master Xehanort says to the young variation of him the words "Truly...what a foolhardy Heart. Believing that strength can be found...in loneliness." says Master Xehanort, mocking the young version of himself.
"!? What? what do you..." says the young Xehanort in disbelief, wondering what the much, much older Xehanort is talking about. "...Can you not already identify it for yourself? the truth...of your Heart? no matter how much you claim otherwise, your Heart...in reality...seeks a Connection. By allying with those that have brought down your proud nature, you believe in their ideals. Despite the differing ways they had led their lives...I have never known a Xehanort to follow under another person's banner. Indeed...how the mighty have fallen." says Master Xehanort, as his words cause the younger Xehanort to feel as though that his Heart has been impaled with a spike upon hearing them.
"The old geezer's right, ya know." also appearing before the young Xehanort, nearby the side of the old Xehanort…is the young Eraqus. "...Who...are you?" says Xehanort, unable to recognise Eraqus. "! What? what's this? are you unable...to recognise your sibling disciple?" says the younger Eraqus before he then transforms into his older self-Master Eraqus. He continues speaking where he left off, saying the following "...Your best friend?" says Master Eraqus…
"...You were right, old bean. This young fool...has truly lost his way-the road...of real sight." says Master Eraqus to his fellow Master Xehanort. This causes the young Xehanort ire and replies rashly "!? Don't-Don't you DARE mock me-!?" says the younger Xehanort. He had tried to summon his Keyblade…but to no avail does it answer his call. "What!? what is-here! come here! I beckon you! I have beckoned you already! appear before me!" says Xehanort, shaking his hand back and forth, trying to materialise the Keyblade.
"It will not work. One whom doubts the nature of their very own Heart...will the Keyblade not heed the call." Suddenly, a 3rd voice could be heard. Walking across the watery floor of The Final World, the voice continues to speak. Both Master Xehanort and Master Eraqus look back at the owner of this voice approaching. Upon close inspection...the younger Xehanort is greatly shocked to see whom appears whilst intently listening. "The Keyblade is a beacon, a symbol of hope. One for both Light...AND Darkness. One without the other...is an unrealistic World. The enemies that seek to purge one substance whole believe in unification...but under a rule of dictatorship. During the training days of old yore, during out time as Keyblade Apprentices...we fought for what we believed to be justice. Back at the World of Scala ad Caelum...we were taught by the masters to fight the Darkness...but...never try to dispel it. Where did everything go so wrong...so wrong for YOU, my friend? Xehanort…" says this unknown individual of particular question.
Revealed to be a young Female, around the ages of the young Xehanort and Eraqus. She stands in front of the two elderly Keyblade Masters that the youths would later go on in life to become. Resuming speaking her piece, as it were. "Xehanort…do you still remember the promise? the promise...that you made to me?" says the young Female. She raises out her hand to Xehanort. Upon seeing the hand, a Memory starts to flashback within Xehanort's mind...
"...Y-YOU!" shouts out Xehanort to the Female. The Memory shows him with the latter, sitting atop a cable cart, watching over all of the World of Scala ad Caelum. Otherwise known as...the Stairway to the Sky Heaven. Both he and her, an equal Keyblade Apprentice converse amongst themselves. She speaks first, showing to be eating chocolate flavoured ice cream. "Hehe! this is SOOOOOOO yummy! thanks for treating me! wow! just...wow. Look at all this...this is actually the 1st time...I've seen the World in so much detail. I could paint a canvas from up here if I wanted..." says the Female.
"W-Well, if you like this view...just wait until you see it from atop the King's Perch. That's where the One True King is said to sit upon the throne...that watches the universe. The Realm of Light, the Realm of Darkness. Heck! even the Realm of Nothing! it's said that the King watches from high above in the Sky, covered by night clouds. Of course...that's only an urban legend of ancient times. No one really believes except the old scholars that created the Precepts-" says Xehanort, until he is interrupted.
"Don't YOU believe it? the legend? when Scala ad Caelum was first found, following the Keyblade War...it spoke of a certain tale. Now considered a legend in these present days...the Sea, the Sailor and the Ram's Horn. The man, the wise old sage carrying a conch to traverse the stars...was named Orichalcum. No one knows if that was his real name or not though, that part of the tale is missing. But even so...still. It spoke of him once belonging to an ancient clan, bearing a very old sigil as their Emblem. The sigil…translated or still translates as "Chi". The Chi clan...and also...this wise old sage, also considered a wizard...had worn a crown shaped necklace around his neck. People called him Orichalcum...the "man whom discovered the Sky" for us Keyblade Wielders. Using the Conch of the Seven Coloured Star Oceans, he opened the long lost Corridors of Light from the Lanes Between. However...there was a trick method to that. Orichalcum or "Oric" for short devised some secret way to keep the passageways a secret, knowing that others might be tempted by ill means to use them. He shared the secret with only us Keyblade Wielders...and no one else. Until we become Masters ourselves...we too cannot be allowed to learn the secret, not before we at last complete our Marks of Mastery." says the Female Keyblade Apprentice.
"...Your ice cream has melted, by the by." says Xehanort, as he points out that the Female's ice cream has dissolved mostly whilst she was talking about her story. "ARGH!? OH NOOO! I was looking forward to this! d'oh poopie." says the Female, making a cutesy pout at lamenting the loss of, well...lost ice cream. Xehanort slightly blushes before replying, saying "H-Hey, what's your name by the way? I never...asked." says Xehanort. Reminded of this, the Female out of the blue displays a rather shocked reaction. "Oh that's right! I forgot! heh, sorry. …Thank you, by the way. For the ice cream, for this magnificent sight...and...for becoming my friend. I'll tell you my name as thanks. But...in exchange...would you like to make things official and become proper friends?" says the Female, wanting to get to know Xehanort better.
"!? S-Sure...I don't...particularly mind. The name's...Xehanort." says Xehanort, as he introduces his name. "Xehanort? hmm. What an unusual name...well, I guess it's not any more unusual then mine. My name...is Kokoro. I come from a World called the Star Shrine, have you heard of it?" says the Female...ultimately revealing as herself, as none other...then Kokoro. Before anymore of the flashback was shown, it ends abruptly. Xehanort's mind hurts in great pain, recalling other flashbacks, not related to the first one.
"My-My mind! my-my head! it hurts! it-HURTS!" shouts Xehanort, as he sees split second images of what appear to be pods. From inside one of them, filled with green coloured liquid, he sees a black coloured silhouette, standing alongside a white coloured silhouette. The black silhouette is seen wearing a monocle and the other...a Sun shaped mask. The mask in question is similar to the ones that the Solaeris Apostoli and Trionfi Arcana members wear with the Chi insignia upon them. However, the Sun mask also has what look like 13 stretching thunder and lightning bolts that appear to signify shining rays of the actual Sun. Illuminating from above down below towards others...of "normal statures".
The images end upon the Female-Kokoro taking a hold of Xehanort's hand. She places her own hand upon his cheek, trying to both lessen and ease his pain. "Think for a moment. Not of what has been so already...but of what can be here and now, today." says Kokoro…helping Xehanort and trying to save him...from his own anguish.
"HEY! CAN YOU HEAR ME!?" shouts out another Female voice, seemingly unfamiliar to Xehanort. She speaks through Kokoro's voice and Kokoro herself then starts to fade in and out of reality. The elder Master Xehanort and Master Eraqus show hints of smiles upon their faces...before vanishing into thin air. As the younger Xehanort tries to make sense of this occurrence, he at last remembers the truth. That there was another Female of certainty he knew...
"NO! you CANNOT! you belong to ME! YOU belong to us! it is your fate, it is YOUR Destiny!" says the voice of Alexandros, trying to maintain his grip upon Xehanort's Heart. However, the other Female ultimately manages to force her way through the mental block that Xandros himself had casted...taking hold of Xehanort's arm. He is shocked...but appears to Awaken his eyes, as though he was resting within a deep sleep.
Kokoro's visual fades completely into the background...replaced by a shining Light. The Light manifests itself in it's entirety, transforming...into none other of course...but the both one and only Kairi. "HERE! TAKE MY HAND!" shouts out a desperate Kairi, trying to Connect her Heart with Xehanort's and break the hold that Xandros has over the former. Just as soon as Xehanort seems to regain full conscience...just before he could grasp Kairi's extended hand, another hand of a Dark shadow emerges from behind Xehanort and breaks away the Connection!
"ARGH!?" shouts Kairi, having been forced back by the Dark shadow and away from Xehanort of whom still remains a prisoner of the Heart now at this point in time. The massive sword like pillar that kept Tenebrae Xehanort in check was now broken thanks to the shadow's interference. "Oh so sorry...but. This vessel...BELONGS TO ME. You cannot hope to form a bond...not as long as I am around. At the very least...my conscience at present." says Alexandros, mocking Kairi whilst floating back up into the Sky...
"Ugh. Then...so be it. Let's continue...the final round!" says Kairi, as she looks upwards with an expression of greatest determination. Prepared to face the oncoming storm that still remains at hand. "Stupid woman...over...and over. Over...and over...and over. OVER AND OVER! why don't you just GIVE-UP already!? the Light of Kingdom Hearts has already ABANDONED YOU!" shouts the voice of Alexandros through his puppet-Tenebrae.
"That may be...but even so. The Lights...and the Darknesses of my family, friends and other loved ones. They shall continue to remain...Guiding my Heart forth down the right path. I have already realised it...but I'll say it again anyways. Those that do not consider redemption...have absolutely NO RIGHT whatsoever to lead others. That's one of the truest meanings of the term balance. Without redemption...there is no paved way towards equilibrium. If a Heart knows only joy and happiness...then it is only a shelled existence. I have learned...that deep down there are Lights...that never really go out. No matter how bleak situations may occur at times, the Heart becomes filled with strength, once it experiences both joy...AND suffering. Happiness and despair too...you can't take away what is fundamental towards a Heart's existence." says Kairi, clutching her chest tightly.
She then lastly states "...In all honesty. I believe...that the Light and Darkness of Kingdom Hearts, are the lessons taught to us. Either for better or for worse...Kingdom Hearts exists to teach us these things. Even when we stumble, so long our Hearts remain Connected and become Keys that can open the Door...we won't falter. Not even an inch...so. Bring it! show me your worst! I know that you're still holding back...just bring it already! show me...that final form." says Kairi, causing Tenebrae's face to widen upon realising that Kairi in turn has realised...that he has actually been holding back the whole extent of his current transformation.
"!? … Tch. The trick is out, eh...very well, fine. Don't forget though...YOU ASKED FOR THIS. If normal, fusion and powerup Chrysalis will not work. It is time...for the cocoon of this vessel's Heart...to EXPIRE. Heed my call...Data! answer the call of my Heart...and send the Heart of this wench...to where...her Dearly Beloved one...AWAITS." says Tenebrae Xehanort lastly. Equally last...he holds up his hand for some both strange and mysterious reason. Preparing something ominous in mind...the Sky starts to tint with charcoal black colours. Signifying...that the final stage of Tenebrae Xehanort's "evolutions" was at hand...
/SKkizg0NuK8
…This was it. The last round...the Beginning to the End of the 1st half of Kairi's journey. Wherever the trails will take her next...Kairi must surpass expectations here and now. She must defeat the Heart that possesses Tenebrae, the Heart that belongs to the spiritually existing Alexandros of the Kyanite Four Elements. Of the Solaeris Apostoli…knowing what must be done. Kairi takes a deep breath...before clasping her necklace. A soft but warm shine emits from it, although vaguely. Suddenly, she feels two pats upon her shoulders. One on the left appeared from someone dressed in red and the other on the right appeared from someone dressed in blue.
Recognising the feels of the pats...and especially the Hearts of whom their hands belong towards. Kairi feels reassured, smiling. Taking a moment to gather herself, she decides to take the opportunity...to bind her hair once more. She makes use of the Kingdom Crown patch upon her arm, by turning it into a replacement ribbon to tie the knot around her hair. Reforming her ponytail, Kairi finishes things off by tightly keeping the patch in place upon her hair as the new ribbon.
"...There are...so very many Worlds. But...nothing has changed. They all share the same Sky. One Sky...one Destiny. Sora, you too Riku. Please...lend me...your strengths! the strength...to overcome the final hurdle, thrown right in front of me!" says Kairi, now done with the prepping...she holds her Kingdom Key in one hand and Tenebrae Xehanort's stolen No Name in the other. This...was it. The final showdown...the duel. To signify the long both enduring and especially struggling 1st half of Kairi's journey...reaching it's apex.
To be Continued.