Chapter 22 The Possessed Prince

"T-Takumi?" Sakura gasped.

Before her was indeed her older brother from back home. Though there was something clearly wrong with him.

"Lord Takumi." Kaze gasped.

'Takumi? Wait a minute…' Corrin thought in shock.

"Say Corrin, isn't that the name of one of your brothers from back home?" Sora asked.

"By why is he here and why did he try to attack us?" Donald asked.

Takumi didn't say anything. Instead, he shot another arrow at the group with his Fujin Yumi. This time he aimed for Sora, but Sora blocked it with Oathkeeper.

"Takumi! Please stop!" Sakura cried. But Takumi fired an arrow at her which Corrin intercepted with his own sword.

"Takumi!" Sakura cried in shock.

"Something is wrong with him. Lord Takumi would never point his weapon at Lady Sakura." Kaze said.

"I'll bet it was Maleficent!" Donald growled.

"Most likely. Look at his eyes. Maleficent has him under a spell." Minnie said pointing at the prince's green glowing eyes. Takumi fired another arrow at her, but Goofy blocked it with his shield.

"There has to be something we can do!" Sakura cried.

"Maybe the Cornerstone's power can snap him out of it." Minnie offered.

"We can't. Don't you remember what Maleficent said? The Cornerstone is really low on power. If we use it, it could break and this castle will be completely overrun by the Heartless!" Daisy cried as she ducked under another arrow shot.

"What about my Keyblade? It worked on the Beast." Sora offered deflecting an arrow.

"Well, the Beast wasn't under a spell like he is but...Maybe it might work with a little push." Jiminy guessed.

"What kind of push?" Sora asked deflecting another arrow. "And how many arrows does this guy have?"

"Maybe if someone close can reach out to him, Sora's Keyblade can free him from Maleficent's spell." Jiminy offered.

"You think that will work?" Donald asked

"I'm not sure, but it's probably our best shot." Jiminy said.

"Someone close huh..." Corrin muttered deflecting another arrow as he glanced to his sister behind him. "Sakura. Look's like you're up."

"What? No, I can't! I couldn't even help Kamui when she went on a rampage!" Sakura protested as she was still hiding behind Corrin who was deflecting arrows.

"But from what I heard, Kamui didn't remember anything about home before hand, so she likely didn't fully trust you yet. But does Takumi?" Corrin asked.

"He has a point lady Sakura. Lord Takumi is probably closer to you than to anyone else of the Hoshidan Royal Family. If anyone here can reach him, it's you." Kaze said.

"It has to be you Sakura. My memories of home are still too fuzzy. I don't think my voice can reach him." Corrin said.

"You can do it Sakura!" Sora cheered. "Don't you remember when we told you how Kairi and I saved Corrin from going crazy as a dragon? I believe you can do the same with Takumi."

Sakura was silent for a moment. She couldn't deny what Kaze and Corrin said. She and Takumi were usually go to each other for problems whenever their mother wasn't available. Plus she did want to protect what was left of her family. Her mother was now dead, she failed to win back Kamui, she lost Azura, and if something wasn't done soon, she would lose Takumi as well.

"Okay...I'll do it." Sakura said with a more determined look in her eye that was usually not seen in the shy youngest princess of Hoshido.

"Okay. First, me and Sora will wear him out. Once we do, Sakura will speak up and try to reach through to him. Once she does that, Sora will do that think with his Keyblade that he did with Cogsworth and hopefully that will snap Takumi out of it." Corrin said as the other two nodded.

"And what about us?" Donald asked.

As if on cue, a swarm of Shadow Heartless appeared around them.

"There's your answer." Corrin smirked as Donald rolled his eyes.

"You'll have to Donald. I can't draw more power from the Cornerstone without the risk of breaking it." Minnie said.

"Got it. Let's get em Kaze and Goofy!" Donald declared as the three got to work slaying the Heartless.

Sora and Corrin charged at Takumi who fired another arrow at them. Corrin deflected it and shot a fire spell right at the prince.

Sora swung his Keyblade at Takumi who managed to block it with his bow, but was left open to a Hydro Shot from Corrin.

"Sakura! Start trying to talk to Takumi!" Corrin called out as his mask vanished.

Sakura nodded and ran towards him.

"Big brother, please stop! This isn't you!" Sakura pleaded and Takumi flinched.

"I think it's starting to work. Keep it up Sakura!" Sora said as he unleashed a Sonic blade to weaken Takumi even more with its high speed.

"Takumi! It's me Sakura! Don't you remember?" Sakura pleaded.

"S-Sakura?" Takumi groaned as the glow in his eyes were starting to fade slightly.

"Don't you remember the times you and I would have to brace ourselves for major gatherings? You gave me pointers on how to use a Yumi before. We used to play a lot together when we were little! Please Takumi! Don't let our family get even more divided!" Sakura cried as she ran up to Takumi and restrained him in a hug.

"Now's my chance." Sora said as he focused on the Keyblade. 'This is just like with Cogsworth. I need to help Sakura.' Sora thought as energy started to build at the tip of the blade. Once it was ready he pointed it at the two Hoshidan siblings.

"SAKURA, NOW!" Sora shouted.

"TAKUMI, WAKE UP!" Sakura shouted as the two were engulfed in a white light.

Once the light died down, Takumi collapsed to the ground unconscious as the black and green aura vanished.

"Takumi!" Sakura cried as she checked on him.

"Is he okay?" Sora asked as he and the others approached the two.

"He seems to be okay, just unconscious." Sakura said as she started to caste a cure spell on him.

Sora glanced at his Keyblade as he remembered what Merlin once said to him on his first adventure.

'You're still using the Keyblade instinctively Sora. You must learn how to control that power.' Merlin's voice echoed in Sora's head.

'Both now and with the Beast, I called on its power and it came without issue. Maybe I'm finally beginning to use the Keyblade's power like Merlin was talking about?' Sora wondered.

Flashback:

The war with Nohr had gone on quite big as both Hoshido and Nohr did their best to gain as much ground as possible. Takumi and his retainers Hinata and Oboro were sent to capture Port Dia in Nohrian territory where they came face to face with his traitor of a sister Kamui along with the youngest of the Nohrian Royal Family Elise.

At first the battle was going well as Takumi's forces were able push Kamui's forces back while they attempted about to seize the port. Unfortunately, the tides of the battle quickly changed when the elder princess of Nohr Camilla arrived with her retainers Selena and Beruka to shift the battle in Nohr's favor. Despite Takumi's best efforts, and even that Princess Camilla and one of her retainers were on a Wyvern that was usually easy picking for the archer, Camilla's power was too much and his forces were soon defeated.

After the battle, Takumi was before the princesses of the Nohrian Royal Family.

"Dammit! I've lost to you twice already." Takumi growled in frustration.

"Takumi please. This fighting is pointless. You've lost the battle. Do your solders a favor and retreat from this port immediately. If you do, you can all keep your lives and dignity intact." Kamui offered.

"How generous of you 'dear sister.' If I didn't know any better, I'd believe you. But I am well aware of the Nohrian army brutality." Takumi spat. Especially at the "dear sister" part.

"Well then perhaps you should take this as a lesson to not judge all Nohrian's at face value. I speak the truth when I said my soldiers won't harm anyone that doesn't attack us." Kamui retorted.

"Tell me dear sister. Do lies come naturally to you? In light of all the innocent Hoshidans lives you took, including our dear mother, you have the gull to claim you're not a savage? And this 'those who won't attack us' crap? You are helping the people who killed our father invade our home! Pathetic." Takumi spat.

Camilla frowned at this.

"My, what a rude little boy you are. I should really beat some manners into you. You'd better take back what you said or I just might do that." Camilla warned with her axe in hand.

"Stop Camilla. He is entitled to his anger. I am partly to blame for what happened that fateful day." Kamui admitted. Honestly, she still felt guilty over what happened that day, remembering how she held her dying mother in her hands after she protected her from that strange blast.

"That's right. If you never came back into our lives, mother, Sakura, and all those people would still…Argh." Takumi was cut off by a sharp pain in his head.

'Come to the Bottomless Canyon. I can help you.' A voice started to call out in his head.

"Takumi, are you alright? And what's this about Sakura? Did something happen to her?" Kamui asked concerned as she approached her brother in pain.

"GET AWAY FROM ME! Don't touch me Nohrain filth!" Takumi shouted slapping Kamui's hand away and jumping back.

"Takumi! Please let me help you!" Kamui pleaded.

"Don't think this is over. Ryoma has already met with the Rainbow Sage and received his power. You're no match for him even with the entire Nohrian Army backing you up. I'll get stronger too. Soon, you'll be at my feet begging for death that I will happily give." Takumi spat.

"Takumi wait, what happen to Sakura?" Kamui asked.

"Like you care. You turned your backs on us. Stop acting like we still matter to you." Takumi spat as he turned to his wounded soldiers and retainers. "Everyone retreat!"

With that, Takumi and the Hoshidan Forces retreated from Port Dia despite Kamui calling out to him. But the voice in his head from earlier was still calling to him as he ran.

'I can give you the power you crave.'

Takumi didn't know how long he had been running. He was separated from his allies and found himself alone at the Bottomless Canyon.

"What am I doing here?" Takumi asked himself in confusion. Though for some reason, he felt himself drawn to the Bottomless Canyon.

'Closer! Soon all your troubles will end.'

Though before he could get too close, another voice snapped him out of it.

"My, my. This world is full of such potential." A female voice said.

Takumi turned to see a pale woman with a black cloak and horns on her head with a big and her hands.

"Who are you?" Takumi demanded.

"Such raw anger. Such amazing jealousy. You are perfect to serve me." The woman laughed.

"Serve you? Ha! I don't even know you!" Takumi retorted as he pointed the Fujin Yumi at her.

"But it seems you are too much of a lose canon as opposed to my other finding. And I am not dealing with another Riku." The woman sighed as she raised her staff. "Now sleep young prince. Soon all your troubles won't matter."

A green light engulfed Takumi as he found himself struggling to stay awake.

"W-What the? What is happening…to me?" Takumi asked as he started to fall asleep despite his best efforts.

As he dropped the Fujin Yumi and fell to the ground, the last thing he saw was the witch approaching him as he succumbs to sleep.

Flashback end

Takumi started to groan as he slowly opened his eyes. When his vision came to, he saw a concerned Sakura and Kaze before him.

"Sakura? Kaze? But…" Before Takumi could finish, Sakura had engulfed him in a massive hug.

"You're okay! I'm so glad you're safe Takumi!" Sakura cried into his chest.

"Wait, hold on a minute. I should be saying that to you! We thought you were dead when we found your shattered rod." Takumi protested making Sakura flinch with guilt.

"We would have been had it not been for Silas. We were ambushed by hordes of Heartless, but Silas saved us by sending us to another world. Which you are currently in Prince Takumi." Kaze explained.

"Another world?" Takumi asked skeptically. Kaze nodded and pointed to Queen Minnie and Daisy.

"Hello there Prince Takumi. I am queen Minnie and this is Daisy." Minnie introduced.

"Another world…a talking mouse that's queen…and a room of thorns. It's official. I've lost my mind. That last battle pushed me over the edge and I've given into madness." Takumi sighed.

"Is that anyway to talk after you attacked us?" Daisy demanded much to Takumi's confusion.

"Daisy please." Minnie said as she approached Takumi. "I know this may be hard to believe, but it is true. You are not in your home world. Tell me. What was the last thing you remember?"

Takumi was silent for a second as he recited to the others what happened at the Bottomless Canyon.

"I see. Maleficent captured you to use you for her own ambitions." Minnie sighed.

"Maleficent?" Takumi asked.

"The witch you met. She brainwashed you to attack us. Including your sister." Minnie said.

"I did WHAT?!" Takumi demanded.

"I-It's true. You weren't acting like yourself." Sakura admitted. "If it wasn't for Sora and Corrin…"

"Corrin?" Takumi asked surprised.

"Oh right! We found our missing brother Takumi. Look!" Sakura said with her mood changing to happy as she pointed to Corrin who was watching to the side quietly.

Takumi couldn't believe what he saw. He was sure that Corrin was dead at this point. When the memories of Corrin, that were strangely lost to everyone returned, Takumi was convinced that he was killed by King Garon. But now here he was before him. Looking a lot similar to how he did when they were little, only much taller and wearing rather strange clothing.

"You're alive?" Takumi asked surprised.

"I guess I am." Corrin laughed awkwardly. "My name is Corrin. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you?" Takumi asked annoyed.

"He sadly doesn't remember anything from back home." Kaze said.

"Figures." Takumi muttered as his mood dropped. "Just like Kamui."

"Huh?" Corrin asked confused, not fully hearing Takumi.

"Anyway, what exactly is going on here?" Takumi asked.

"Well…" Kaze said as he explained to Takumi the entire situation.

"So let me see if I got this…Corrin and his…brother Sora are traveling the worlds to look for this castle's king and their friend from back in whatever islands he grew up on, and this Sora guy wields a magic sword called the Keyblade that can defeat those Shadow creatures called Heartless and face up against that Organization XIII that Silas once mentioned?" Takumi asked

"Pretty much." Corrin said.

"I must be dreaming." Takumi sighed resulting in Corrin flicking him in the head. "Ow! What was that for?"

"You're awake. And alive." Corrin said.

Takumi glared at him for a minute before sighing. "So where is this brother of yours anyway?"

"He, Donald, and Goofy went to go consult a friend of ours named Merlin about these Thorns Maleficent set up in our castle." Minnie said.

"We stayed behind to make sure you are okay." Sakura chimed in.

Takumi wasn't sure what to make of this. He was apparently in another world, where he gets reunited with the sister he thought was dead, and the brother that was missing for so long. But just like Kamui, he remembered nothing of his home, So it was only a matter of time before he betrayed him like Kamui did.

"Regardless, I'm glad to see you're alive Sakura. Everyone was devastated when Saizo came back to the castle with your broken rod in hands. I also hoped I didn't hurt you earlier." Takumi said softly.

"I'm sorry I worried you all. I just wanted to find Azura. Our family's been so divided ever since Corrin and Kamui were taken and now that Kamui left us, I didn't want to lose more." Sakura said. "And no. You didn't hurt me."

"Look. I don't remember anything about this Nohr place ether. I won't betray you like my sister apparently did." Corrin assured.

"I suppose we'll see." Takumi said. If what Sakura said is true, he and that Sora person helped save him so he at least owed them that much. But he would have his guard up at all times. He then turned to Queen Minnie.

"I guess I should also apologies for attacking you." Takumi bowed.

"You're darn right you should." Daisy scolded.

"Daisy please!" Minnie scolded before turning to Takumi. "It wasn't your fault, it was Maleficent's."

Before anyone could say anything else, Donald's voice was heard as he, Sora, Goofy, and Merlin

"I thought it would be better to see the situation myself." Merlin said as Donald grumbled.

While Merlin was inspecting the thorns, Sora noticed Takumi was up and about.

"Hey! Glad to see you're all right. You had Sakura really worried about you." Sora said casually.

Takumi just stared at him.

"My name is Sora. Nice to meet you Takumi." Sora greeted.

"That's prince Takumi." Takumi said sharply.

"Oh uh…sorry." Sora said unsure.

"I'm sorry about my brother. He has trust issues and can come off as rude. Please don't be too angry." Sakura bowed.

"Aw don't worry about it. We already know what it is like to deal with someone who is rude and has a temper. Right Donald?" Goofy laughed.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?! I'M NOT RUDE AND I DON'T HAVE A TEMPER!" Donald shouted.

"Loud." Takumi grumbled as he covered his ears at the duck's screaming.

"And he doesn't even call to let his girlfriend know that he's alive when he vanishes for a year." Daisy scolded.

"I said I was sorry!" Donald cried.

"Let that also be a lesion to the rest of you. If you have or ever get someone you love, be sure to check up on them when you have to leave for a long time." Daisy lectured to Sora, Corrin, Takumi and Kaze who just nodded dumbfounded.

"Remember that when you and Kairi get together." Corrin chuckled to Sora.

"Shut it!" Sora shouted with his face all red as Corrin laughed.

"I think I see the problem." Merlin said as he raised his hands. As he did, a white door appeared.

"This door should lead you to where our enemies are hiding." Merlin said

"What does it lead to?" Sora asked.

"I can't say." Merlin said causing everyone to fall over.

"Why not?" Takumi asked annoyed.

"Let's just say that it leads to a special world. Our enemies are using a door similar to this one. Sora. You must find the other door and lock it with your Keyblade. As long as the other door remains open, this castle will never be safe." Merlin said.

"You got it. Leave it to me." Sora assured.

"One last thing. This world will give you some dark temptations. You must resist it and complete your objective. Understood?" Merlin asked as the four nodded.

"Good. I have high hopes for you all." Merlin said.

"Let's go. We need to get rid of these thorns before the castle becomes overrun by Heartless." Sora said. The others nodded.

Sora went up to the door and opened it. He and the others walked right through being engulfed in a white light.

And that's a wrap!

Okay, so explanation time:

First of all, yes that was Anankos's voice in Takumi's head at Port Dia, but no Takumi is not possessed by Anaknos right now in any way.

It isn't exactly clear when Takumi was possessed in Conquest, but it is heavily speculated that it happened after Chapter 10 of Conquest. Since the next time you face him in Chapter 13, is when he is even more aggressive, and when Azura comments that Takumi is acting not like his old self. I believe that after his defeat in Dia is when Anankos reached out to Takumi and lured him to the Bottomless Canyon. However, as you saw in this chapter, Maleficent snatched Takumi up before he could fall into the Bottomless Canyon and get possessed. So technically, Maleficent unintentionally saved Takumi from his fate in Conquest. Let that sink in. XD

On another note, you guys might have noticed that I didn't mention Azura at all in that flashback, despite the fact she joins you in Chapter 9 of Conquest, and that flashback was chapter 10. That was intentional.

But this was pretty nice to write. Sakura might be a coward due to that Survivor's guilt she believes from Corrin's kidnapping, but when push comes to shove, she can be pretty strong willed, and it was nice for her to finally do something in this Fanfiction. Her first step of getting stronger to protect her family.

But anyway, next chapter has us go to the Timeless River. Stay tuned.

Guestwithideas: I honestly have no idea with the Maleficent thing. As for Takumi, I get the idea, but as cliche as this might sound, I think I have enough Sword users and martial arts don't seem like it would fit too well. Maybe I'll have him pick up a sword later at points, but also remember that there is a certain spin off game called Fire Emblem Warriors in which Takumi has movement and abilities in that game that would fit right at home with Kingdom Hearts. I also have a few abilities and spells in mind for him to learn to assist in that.