Chapter 8
Clash with Familiar Faces
In Usagi's house, Sora could notice that his blonde Odango-twintailed friend was pacing back and forth with an anxious look on her face, when she suddenly heard something being carried in the wind.
"Sora, Usagi, if you can hear me, I hope you can find us with the guidance of your hearts," a voice said.
"Was that, Riku?" she asked.
"Yeah, I think I heard it too. That means Riku's with Chibiusa are okay," replied Sora.
But before they could head off, Luna suddenly emerged from behind the curtain of Usagi's bedroom window.
"Hey, what's up?" asked Sora.
"Does it have anything to do with Riku and Chibiusa?" Usagi asked as well.
"No, Hotaru has vanished!" Luna said to them
"Do you think she's just gone out for a walk?" asked Usagi.
"Perhaps, she might have…" replied Luna.
"Well, Even though you and Hotaru are different, Usagi, she's a lot more like myself when her heart and mind are made up," said Sora.
"That may be true, Sora. but, she's not a wanderer like you or Usagi," Luna said.
"What did you just say about me, Luna!?" snapped Usagi.
"Actually, it's the truth. But whatever the case may be, I can tell you that the darkness must be watching our every move," warned Sora.
"If Hotaru's all by herself, then it means that she's in great danger of being lost to us," added Luna.
"Hey Sora, do you think Xion might be able to sense her presence?" asked Usagi.
Before Sora could explain they heard the sound of Chibiusa's friend crying out for help, as she ran into her room.
"Momoko!? What are you doing here?" asked Sora.
"Is something wrong?" Usagi asked as well.
Momoko tried to explain that Chibiusa and Riku were in danger, but she was blubbering Chibiusa's name as the tears fell from her cheeks.
"Hey, try to calm down, Momoko. Take a few deep breaths, and collect your thoughts," suggested Sora.
Momoko did what Sora had asked of her, then she began to speak more calmly.
"We were looking for some kind of stone called the Rose Crystal to help Mamoru get better, so we decided to go to Mugen Academy. But there were a lot of dangerous monsters there. If I had been more alert, I could've gone back home to my parents. So, please, Sora and Usagi, you've gotta help Chibiusa and Big Brother Riku," she said.
"Okay, stay with Keiko, Keiji, and Shingo. You can leave the search, to us," Sora said with a friendly smile.
"Now wipe away those tears, Momoko, and do what Sora said," added Usagi.
Momoko smiled happily at them, and nodded.
"Thank you," she said.
"A promise is a promise, no matter how bleak the situation may be," replied Sora.
Then he and Usagi snapped to attention.
"Count on us!" they said together.
"Then may your hearts be your guiding key," replied Momoko, as she walked down stairs to the living room.
"Did you hear what Momoko said, Luna?" asked Usagi.
"I may not have understood much of it, but Momoko's right. There might be something that can help us at Mugen Academy," said Luna.
"Then let's head out there and see if there's anything that can help us," replied Sora.
But as they were getting ready, Sora decided to talk to Shingo in his room, and knocked on his bedroom door. Shingo opened it and was relieved to see Sora instead of Usagi.
"Oh, Sora. I didn't know you'd be coming to my room," he said.
"Yeah, well, I have a favor to ask of you," replied Sora.
"What is it?" asked Shingo.
"I need both you and your parents to look after Momoko. When she's ready to leave, you can bring her back to her parents' house," said Sora.
"You got it, bro," replied Shingo.
Then the two boys gave each other a thumbs up. After that, Sora rejoined Usagi and Luna, and the three of them hurried off to Mugen Academy. When they got to the bus stop, the driver accepted their fair of 180 munny, and soon drove them towards the former headquarters of the Death Busters. As they off boarded the bus, Sora noticed Xion staring intently with a look of fear in her eyes.
"Hotaru's in there. I have to help her," she said to herself.
In the office of the school director, Sin was surprised to see Usagi, Sora, and Xion outside of the academy grounds.
"That's Sailor Moon! Why has she come here!?" she seethed in anger.
She stormed towards Professor Souichi Tomoe and glared at him.
"I want you to invite them into your research lab, and eliminate them!" commanded Sin.
"It shall be done, Madam Sin," replied the professor, who bowed and left.
Outside on the academy grounds, Sora also sensed that Hotaru was in danger, and prepared himself.
"There's darkness inside of the academy," he said.
"I sense it as well, guys. But it doesn't seem to be coming from Mugen Infinity Academy," replied Usagi.
"It must be coming from Professor Tomoe's research lab!" gasped Luna.
"I'm also sensing a premonition," said Usagi.
"What are we waiting for? We gotta find Hotaru!" piped in Xion.
"Not alone, you're not!" quacked Donald Duck.
"We're also goin' into the lab!" added Goofy.
Usagi then activated her compact and transformed herself into Sailor Moon.
"According to my knowledge of the academy during our previous visits, when we fought Pharaoh 90, Tomoe Labs should be located southwest of the academy," said Luna.
"Good call, Luna. Let's head there," replied Xion.
They soon hurried down to the labs, and squared off the Heartless and Daimons. Despite having a pre-emptive strike, the Heartless and Daimons were all defeated, and their eggs cracked and sent the darkness inside of them faded into nothingness. Quickly, the five friends entered the facility and began to search around for clues, while also being careful not to draw attention to themselves. Not wanting Goofy to make too much noise, Sora shushed him, as they walked down the stairs. To their shock, they saw Professor Tomoe, when he made a deal with Pharaoh 90 to take the world's heart and have it sealed away, in the Realm of Darkness.
"Well, it rather has been a while, Sailor Moon, Sora, Donald, Goofy, Xion," he said.
Usagi was aghast, but Sora glared at him.
"Did you really believe I'd been eliminated?" asked the professor.
"Maybe," replied Sora.
Then the professor stood aside, and raised his hands to the ceiling.
"Come forth, Mistress 9! Unleash the calamity upon these anomalies, and destroy them!" he shouted.
A dark corridor soon appeared before them, but then it faded away to reveal Mistress 9.
"No!" gasped Xion.
"How could you? HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO YOUR OWN DAUGHTER!?" shouted Sora.
"What are you saying? If Hotaru were to stop being Mistress 9, she'd simply be transported to Qaudratam, from which there is no coming back," sneered Professor Tomoe.
"Maybe, Hotaru is the same as before. Have you really been changed into Mistress 9?" Usagi asked in shock.
"Sailor Moon, we shall receive our true Destiny, this time!" MIstress 9 said as she smirked at them.
(Play Infinity's End from Final Fantasy 7 Remake for this part)
Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Xion all charged furiously at Mistress 9. Together they struck at her with all that they had. Sora swung his keyblade at her, but Mistress 9 moved aside and tried to bind him with her hair. Not wanting Sora to be hurt, Donald blasted her with Flare, causing serious damage to her, which made Sora jump clear. Xion then readied herself, and struck at her with every fiber of strength she had. Behind Mistress 9, Goofy catapulted right at her and clunked her head with his shield, which did manage to leave a mild bruise on the back of her head.
"Hotaru! I know you're still there! You are Sailor Saturn! Not the great Calamity of Darkness!" Xion called to her, as she flung her Keyblade right at her.
But Mistress 9 blasted her back with a powerful burst of her mental abilities, only for Sailor Moon to unleash her Moon Spiral Heart Attack upon her. The force of the attack sent Mistress 9 flying back and landed in a crumpled heap.
(Music ends here)
"Please forgive us, Hotaru," whispered Usagi.
"Those who dare defy Her Destiny shall be destroyed! With that, I ask you, Kaolinite, to wipe them all out!" snarled Souichi.
"With pleasure, Professor," a voice said from nearby.
Another Corridor of Darkness appeared before them, and out stepped a familiar face that Sora knew only too well.
"You…! You started all of this! Because of you, Usagi's birthday was ruined, and I transformed into Vanitas out of anger when you hurt her!" Sora said furiously.
"How amusing it is to see that fate has brought us back together again," replied Kaolinite, as she smirked at him.
"Well, this time, we're gonna give you a little payback of our own," said Xion.
(Play Vector to the Heavens KH3 Remind version for this battle)
The Keybearing Duo charged right at Kaolinite and began hitting her with everything they had, with Donald, Goofy, and Sailor Moon providing back up. Using her Heart Spiral rod as a club, Usagi hit her hard with every ounce of strength in her arms. Sora quickly jumped back and changed his Kingdom Key into Starlight. He attained his Second Form and lunged right at her.
"ANCIENT LIGHT!" he shouted.
Five pillars of light burst all around Sora, transformed into orbs that merged with him, and then erupted around him, causing Kaolinite some serious damage, that she was sent flying back and landed in a crouch next to the beaten Hotaru.
"You'll regret that!" snapped Kaolinite, as she charged right back at Sora.
But Xion had managed to intercept her, and forced her back.
"D-Links! Sailor Saturn! Sailor Goddess of Destruction and Revolution! Lend me your power!" she said.
The power of Sailor Saturn flowed through her, as it unleashed a violet aura around her body.
"DEATH RIBBON REVOLUTION!" she shouted.
"UNION RAGNAROK!" cried Sora.
"MOON SPIRAL HEART ATTACK!" added Sailor Moon.
All three attacks surged right at Kaolinite who was now in shock and dismay at what was happening. She tried to find a way to stop the attacks, but the deadly ribbons, the sapphire beams of light, and the spiralling hearts collided against her, causing her immense pain. The proud assistant of Professor Tomoe screamed in pain and agony. Then the five heroes of light lowered their weapons, and watched as Kaolinite faded away into the darkness.
"It seems that I made a grave miscalculation. We shall withdraw for now," said the professor.
Then he raced away from them as he laughed maniacally. Then Sora noticed something happening to Hotaru.
"Uh, guys, I think Hotaru might be moving," said Sora.
Quickly Xion and Usagi rushed to her side, but they saw something strange happening. Hotaru was shifting back and forth into Mistress 9 and to her regular self at an almost alarming rate.
"Something's wrong, she's changing forms at a rapid pace!" gasped Xion.
"Gawrsh, Luna, what's with Hotaru changing forms?" asked Goofy.
"It seems that Hotaru's gone into limbo. But, seeing as she is, Sailor Moon can use her Silver Crystal to help her," replied Luna.
"All right, then let's put that theory of yours to the test!" agreed Sora.
Usagi nodded, and had her compact held at the ready.
"Moon Cosmic Power!" she called.
The shining light of the crystal washed over Hotaru, and freed her from the darkness that had taken hold of her. She was a bit dizzy after that, but Sora passed her an Elixir, which she drank and felt her strength coming back to her.
"Thank you Sora. But what are you, Usagi, Xion, Donald, Goofy, and Luna doing here?" she asked.
"We came here because Luna sensed that you disappeared from us," replied Sora.
"But, we're really happy that you're okay," smiled Usagi.
"You were a shell of your former self. And out of some strange circumstance, you transformed into Mistress 9," said Luna.
"That's right, but it seems that your father has also reverted to what he once was, before we saved him and stopped your dark side from taking his heart into darkness," added Xion.
Luna nodded once.
"But, with the power of the Silver Crystal, we can change him back into the man he is now," she said.
"You mean my father's alive?" asked Hotaru.
"Yep, but it looks like he's helping Sin and her cohorts resurrect our old adversaries," replied Sora.
Hotaru blinked in confusion, but Xion gently rested her hand upon her shoulder.
"In other words, he's reverted to his old ways thanks to someone called Apsu," she told her.
"Listen Sora, Donald and I are gonna head back to Mamoru's apartment and look after him," said Goofy, as he took him aside.
"Gotcha," replied Sora.
Then he watched the court wizard and the captain of the guards hurry race back to the entrance of Tomoe Labs. Once they were gone, Sora walked back to Xion, Usagi, Luna, and Hotaru who then noticed a door that Professor Tomoe ran into.
"Seeing as your father went through that door, we'd better find out where it leads to," he said.
"You really think there's something through that door, if it's been used recently?" asked Hotaru.
"Well, let's just see if your father's in the other room," said Luna.
Taking out her transformation wand, Hotaru raised over her head.
"Saturn Planet Power: Make up!" she chanted.
Instantly a violet light surrounded her. Then it faded away to reveal that Hotaru had transformed back into Sailor Saturn, which made Sora smile at her.
"All right, then let's head inside," he said.
They raced inside to see Professor Tomoe standing before them.
"Ah, I see that there are two Sailor Goddesses, and two Guardians of Kingdom Hearts. Well, isn't this convenient," he said.
"Just give it a rest!" remarked Sora who pointed his Starlight Keyblade at him.
"Then how about I take care of things and eliminate you all myself?" the professor said with a wicked smirk.
"Before you do that, I have one question to ask you," interrupted Xion.
"Very well then, Xion," replied the Professor.
"What do you hope to gain by dragging your own daughter into meaningless fights like this again?" she asked.
"Ah, but this is not just any battle, this is merely a science experiment. We've been resurging with something called 'strength.' And we will soon get some perfect results this time around," the professor said, with a malevolent chuckle.
Instantly he slammed a capsule to the ground, and the daimon eggs merged together to form Germatiod.
(Play any version of J-E-N-O-V-A from Final Fantasy 7 for this battle)
Sora looked back at them as Sailor Saturn had her Silence Glaive held at the ready.
"Guess this is what Haruka and Michiru fought in before we confronted Pharaoh 90," he said.
Then Sora and Sailor Saturn charged forward with everything they had and began hitting it with all they had.
"What's happening?" Usagi asked in shock.
"It's the professor's specimen. Stay calm," said Xion.
They watched as Sora cut off one tentacle, and Sailor Saturn managed to remove the other.
"I gotta give it my all!" he said to them.
He struck it four times, then performed an upward jumping slash, and back flipped away from the creature, just as Hotaru unleashed her Death Ribbon Revolution which caused it even more pain. But Germatoid had managed to regenerate its tentacles, and almost had Hotaru in it's grip, when Xion pulled her back, and struck at it. Then Sailor Moon flung her tiara right at Germatoid, and hit it a total of four times with the golden discus. Quickly she called it back to her, and placed it back onto her forehead. But Germatoid glared at them, and soon several more tentacles burst from the ground which Sora managed to strike down. Xion and Hotaru nodded to each other, and began cutting down any tentacles that were now firing deadly laser beams at them, which they either blocked, or dodged completely. When they had finally cut down the tentacles, they could now focus on Germatoid once more, as Xion performed a powerful spiral slash with her keyblade, followed by Usagi using Moon Tiara action to seriously injure it. Now Germatoid was getting more serious as several droplets of black liquid splashed near Sora, forcing him to jump back.
"You okay?" asked Xion.
Everyone else nodded, as they chose their targets and engaged them. Sora knew that he had to focus on the tentacles while Xion, Sailor Saturn, and Sailor Moon charged after the main body. More droplets of black liquid rained down upon them, but Sailor Saturn's silence wall saved them from being affected by it, as they continued the assault. Having had enough of Germatoid, Sora quickly channeled the light in his heart, and raised his left hand over head. Instantly a dimensional gateway appeared above them, and soon enough, an old friend of Sora's had appeared from his past adventures.
"Glad to have you with us again, Simba," he said, as they charged up a full power Proud Roar.
The shock of the attack managed to disorient Germatoid immensely, but the black drops of liquid began to rain down on Sora once again, forcing him to get clear and dismiss Simba in one swift movement. Seizing this opportune moment of catching Germatoid off guard, Sailor Moon catapulted right at it and unleashed a full power Moon Spiral Heart Attack upon it, leaving it battered and wounded as Xion and Hotaru struck the final blow. Germatoid screamed in unrelenting agony and collapsed to the ground. The daimon eggs soon emerged and cracked once again, causing the dark spectral form it's creator to dissipate into the air. Then, Hotaru looked upon her father, who had seen everything that happened.
"Father… why…? Why are you helping our adversaries!? Answer me! Father!" she called out to him.
But Hotaru's father slowly stood up and looked upon her with a look of shock.
"Hotaru?" he asked.
"Fight the darkness, Professor!" said Sora.
But he screamed in unrelenting agony when a voice echoed in the back of his head.
"Father, protect me! The one in front of you is not real! Take me and protect me like you did with the Taioron Aliens!" it said.
Professor Tomoe clutched at his head, writhing in pain.
"Dad, please open your eyes. I am here, right in front of you," begged Hotaru.
"Listen to your daughter, Professor. Don't let the darkness lead you astray!" added Xion.
"No! BE SILENT!" screamed Professor Tomoe, then he was swallowed up by the dark corridor.
Everyone quickly braced themselves as Hotaru was sent flying back into Sora, who caught her in his arms and held her, as he looked at what braced himself from the shockwave, which sent both Usagi and Xion flying.
"Everyone, okay?" he asked.
They all nodded, but Hotaru blushed a bit when she saw herself in Sora's arms, when Xion walked up to her.
"Listen Hotaru… your father has become a puppet. It may be dangerous, and even if Sailor Moon thinks it's not right for you to help at this time," she said.
"I agree Xion. It would be too heartbreaking for her now. But we can't give in to fear and sorrow," replied Luna.
"You're right. Thanks, you guys. This time, we'll save my father, together," Hotaru said, as she hugged Sora back.
Usagi smiled happily at this, then she watched her two friends pull apart from each other.
"Then, let's go and save your dad, Hotaru," said Sora.
As they walked through the metallic corridors of Tomoe Labs, they entered a chamber where new daimons were being grown. The sight of it angered Xion immensely, as she brandished her keyblade and smashed the test tubes to smithereens, causing the incomplete daimon eggs to transform back into a liquid which splattered onto the floor. After that, Xion slowly took a deep breath, and calmed down so that they would continue with a clear conscience. As they walked down the hallways, they spotted two Daimons waiting for them. But, Sora quickly dispatched them with his keyblade, and they marched onwards. They soon spotted a chair with several dolls behind it that made Xion realize it was the same place where they first saw Hotaru before her transformation into Mistress 9. Then Hotaru glanced at Xion who clenched her hand into a fist, that shook with rage.
"I know how you feel, Xion. But, we can't let revenge guide our actions," she said in a somber tone.
"I know," replied Xion.
They continued onwards through another corridor, until they reached the room where Professor Tomoe had created the daimon eggs to find those who's crystal hearts had talismans, and eventually the one who's pure light would be used to unleash the calamity. Sora, Xion, and Usagi all got ready for battle in case he refused to listen to reason.
"Please, Dad!" cried Hotaru.
"No! It's too painful! It must be that this pain is… Hotaru! Where did you go, Hotaru!?" howled her father.
"Come on, Professor! Snap out of it! Your daughter is here! Professor Souichirou Tomoe!" called Sora.
Usagi glanced at Xion who nodded her approval. Now was the time!
"Moon Cosmic Power!" she said.
The light then engulfed the professor, and he dropped down to his hands and knees. Then Sora and Hotaru rushed to his side.
"Sora, Hotaru," he said faintly.
"Professor Tomoe!" Sora said as he knelt down.
"Dad!" cried Hotaru.
"Thank you, my daughter… Both your voice and Sora's brought me back to my senses," he said.
But he screamed in unrelenting agony, as a dark creature emerged from his body.
"Once again, it's that accursed Silver Crystal!" it said in anger.
"Look out!" shouted Sora, and he pushed Hotaru aside as he swung at it with his keyblade.
It dodged out of the way and was about to strike Hotaru, when her father jumped in front of it.
"No way! You really did that for me, Dad!?" gasped Hotaru.
"Yes, Hotaru. I'll be fine, but you must destroy that dark spirit," Professor Tomoe said as he crawled away.
(Now for this battle, play Jenova Complete: Distant Worlds variant from Final Fantasy 7)
Sora nodded and readied himself for battle, as the dark creature surged right at them. He was able to jump clear and land a few strikes upon it with his keyblade in hand, which managed to distract it. Then Xion and Hotaru nodded at each other and rushed forward with their weapons at the ready.
"Take this!" they said, and managed to wound it just enough for Sailor Moon to use her Moon Heart Spiral Attack upon it. With its attention drawn to her, Sailor Saturn gripped her Silence Glaive tightly in both her hands and swung it downwards to the ground.
"DEATH RIBBON REVOLUTION!" she shouted.
Several golden ribbons struck at it, and severely wounded it immensely.
You're finished! SONIC BLADE!" screamed Sora.
He surged through it six times and emerged near his friends. Then he ran towards Professor Tomoe who was badly injured, and Hotaru did the same. They both knelt beside him, but Hotaru took her father's hand in her own.
"Please, Dad… you have to live," sobbed Hotaru.
"Hotaru, don't cry. I'm just going back to my original Destiny," said her father, who gently touched her cheek.
Tears rolled down Hotaru's cheeks, but Sora stepped back and looked sadly at them.
"Professor, you don't need to worry about your daughter. She's all right, thanks to you. But I promise, both me, Usagi, and all of our friends will look out for your daughter," he said to him.
"Then, I'm proud that my daughter has friends that can take care of her," replied Souichi as he faded away.
Then suddenly, Sora felt a tear roll down his cheek, and looked sympathetically at Hotaru.
"Hotaru, I, I'm so sorry. I know you wanted to help your father, I really do. But- but he almost succumbed to darkness. I'm sorry," he said to her.
But Hotaru ran up to him and hugged him tightly.
"It's okay, Sora. I'm fine. You did help me save him, with both Xion and Usagi's help. But even though I wanted a little more time with him, you helped him overcome the darkness, and saved him in the end. So, thank you, Sora," she said.
Then Sora returned the embrace, just as Usagi wrapped her arms around them both, as Hotaru took a deep breath as she began to reminisce about the happy times with her mother and father before the Death Busters ruined it and made her life difficult.
(This chapter may have come to an end, but I think you can play Hollow by Yosh of Survive Said The Prophet, from Final Fantasy 7 Remake and enjoy the music)
"I love you, dad," she whispered.
After a few minutes, Hotaru, Usagi, Sora, Xion and Luna left Tomoe Labs and returned to Usagi's house.