Chapter 7: Given Up

Whilst punching Colin in the face, Terra growled through gritted teeth, "This! Is for being! A total! Kupo! Moron!"

Ven approved, "Great job keepin' it clean, Terra."

Still punching through Colin's shattered Iron Man mask, Terra added, "And this! Is for being! The crappiest! Quarterback! IN THE NFC!"

Confused, Xion said, "NFC? I thought he played football…?"

Roxas fawned, "Goddamn, you're cute."

Still punching, Terra shrieked, "And this! Is for all! The money! I lost! Using you! IN FANTASY FOOTBALL!"

Aqua slowly approached the earth lord of awakened rage, placing a hand on his shoulder while delivering the good news, "He's unconscious."

Still punching, albeit slower, Terra took labored breaths while uttering more vengeance, "And this…is for…the six interceptions you threw…god, I can't even remember which game that was…"

Finally, he stood up and joined his peers, basking in their victory over the social justice maniacs. Then, Terra asked, "So, what were you guys getting into?"

Axel answered, "Oh, just planning an assault and battery. Well, actually it's more like a kidnapping."

Stunned, Terra asked, "For real?"

Roxas nodded. "Yep. You think Nomura might be at the HQ Tower this time of night?"

Ven said, "Good chance. That's the only place I ever see him."

Aqua inquired, "Wait, are you guys planning on kidnapping Nomura?"

Hayner answered, "Hell yes, we are. Ask us why."

"Why," she asked.

"'Cuz that guy has it coming."

"In what way?" she asked further.

"Oh, man…you MUST not have seen the new trailer!" Hayner shook his head. "Shit's brutal."

"Nah, I didn't see it. What happened?"

Xion explained, "Nomura once again showed his evil greed and made a videogame level focusing on my death." Her face got extra dramatic. "That was a hard time for not just Roxas and me, but Axel, too."

"Super hard," Axel affirmed.

Ven recalled, "Oh, yeah! I remember that part. Uh…you realize that wasn't the whole game, right?"

"Yeah, we realize that!" Roxas exclaimed. "But that part of our life, that part of our suffering—it's something we've been trying to move past! We don't need any more reminders of our turmoil!"

Ven sighed. "Okay, guys. I realize Xion dying and even losing all your shared memories was probably the hardest thing…" Ven sighed again. "Okay, so you know how that America-place is going through hell because a lot of people are unhappy with its past? I saw somewhere that some people even started tearing down statues that represent that checkered past. But do you realize what the problem with that is? It's people attempting to erase history. The reason why we look back on the past is so we try to make a better future. And we can't do that if we cover up or tear down what we don't like. We have to own it. And I don't think Nomura was trying to capitalize on your sadness—at least, not fully. He's a pretty nutty guy, but I know he cares deeply about us because in every game he puts us, we learn to be stronger."

Xion looked down, deeply moved. "Wow, Ven… That was beautiful."

Roxas agreed, icy feelings also melted. "Yeah… I guess, maybe, we overreacted."

Aqua also wanted to get in on that "wise words of wisdom" stuff. She said, "Hey, it's just like what they say. A better present starts inside the, er…after you look at-into the past, and, you know-you see…future…"

"Damn," said Terra.

Axel approved, "I read ya loud and clear, Aqua. Beautiful words as always. Also, if we're not gonna kidnap Nomura, let's A, get rid of those two bags of grass, and B, hit up your boy Seifer for that free eighth."

Happy to participate, Hayner whipped out his phone and said, "Texting him right now!"

Smacking himself in the face, Terra suddenly said, "Oh, yeah! I almost forgot!"

He proceeded to stab Colin into the ground, causing him to explode into blood and guts. Nope, not googling him either.

"Holy kupo," Terra uttered, genuinely shocked.

"That was nuts," Aqua echoed him.

"Sheesh," Axel added. "At least that wasn't nearly as bad as all the adult-themed products that news guy exploded into when we defeated him."

Xion admitted, "I might've kept one if they were still in their packaging."

Everyone enjoyed a good laugh at what they assumed was a light jest. Roxas then cheered, "That's Xion, folks!"

-X-

Cruising through outer space with the heater turned up and the lights turned low, Riku and Naminé were now faced with the task of finding something to do before parting ways for the night.

"Hmm…I added some more funny videos to my funny playlist on YouTube."

"We watched those two hours ago," Naminé reminded him.

"I know. Let's watch 'em again."

"Actually, that Sephiroth-guy got me thinking. He never really said who he was talking about, or how that boy was connected to Sora. It was all so bizarre."

"Yeah, liquid bizarre," Riku agreed. "He seems like the type of guy to spout nonsense on a daily basis. Trust me, I'm pretty good at recognizing his type."

"I wonder if Sora knows anything about it," Naminé pondered.

"We could hit him up tomorrow," Riku suggested. "I'm sure he's already passed out cold for the night inside his Data Apartment."

"Hm, yeah."

"Yep."

"Mm-hm."

"Oh, well. Guess I could drop you off back at your house, now."

"I guess so. Did you ever get a response from Roxas?"

"Yeah, he mentioned something about making Nomura pay once and for all. I told him 'that's crazy as hell,' and sent him the laughing emoji. You think he's okay?"

"Oh, Roxas is always like that. He loves his drama."

"Yeah, that sounds like him. Still, though…maybe we should hang out with him tomorrow, and check his…temperature?"

"I wouldn't mind," Naminé replied. "Let's also make plans to see Sora and Kairi. I get the feeling I'm gonna be drawing a lot of scribbly doodles in the near future."

-X-

Meanwhile, in Cal's sequestered dream, another skirmish had quickly erupted, where Kurt worked with Mickey, Minnie, and Cal to disarm Rakson of the incomplete χ-blade, then taking the chance to seal him away in the purple crystal.

It was at this point that Draksin, in the middle of a skyward battle with Sora and Kairi, noticed his comrade had already been incapacitated, so he sighed and started rethinking the current strategy.

Just as Sora flew toward him, ready to strike, Draksin went lax and crossed his arms, saying, "Okay, take it easy, kid."

"Whuh?" Sora uttered, halting his momentum before dropping back to the ground.

Tentatively watching Kairi do the same, Draksin peered down at them from higher, his glare flickering into a smirk when Cal and Kurt took their flank.

"I can't even pretend this battle is mine anymore, so what's the point." Seeing Mickey and Minnie arrive too, he added, "Six against one is truly unheard of for me."

"So, you're giving up?" Sora gleaned. "I guess you're smarter than you look."

"Hmph. Just like you."

Kairi revealed, "Not true. Sora looks smarter than he really is."

"Wow, thanks—"

"Man, who turned on friendly fire?" Kurt laughed.

"In any case," Sora resumed heroics, "it's time to send you back to where you came from. Hope you like solitary confinement."

"Sure, sure," Draksin agreed, but then he said, "But I was hoping my punishment could be more severe."

"What, freezing in a crystal pillar not good enough for ya?" Cal dismissed him. "Sorry, the system is here to stay, you…bad apple."

Draksin dropped down to the ground, standing tall as he pointed out, "Your system's broken. If I can break out once, I can break out again. Besides—do you even know where I just came from?"

Cal said, "Uh…the freakin'…the realm of…"

Kurt said, "It was some space-time-shadow-realm-type-dealie-or-whatever—what's your point, Draksin?"

"How about you do everyone a favor and end my life. Seems more thorough that way."

"We're not executioners," Sora said. "Especially not when you ask us to be."

Cal then said, "Also, what the hell do you think I've been trying to do all day? Seems pretty obvious by now you don't do the whole 'mortality' thing."

Chuckling, Draksin said, "Well, perhaps driving that χ-blade through my heart is worthy of a trial."

Kurt then inspected the confiscated super-weapon currently in his grasp, totally thinking he should give it a whirl. Meanwhile, Cal scoffed, ready to cut the negotiations short. "Wow. Never thought you'd be the suicidal type. Just sucks I can't fulfill your request. I already know you don't die, dipshit."

Sneering, Draksin spat back. "Then put me back in the bastard crystal since you're so weak. I'll escape again and come back for you, like always." He crossed his arms and voiced his impatience, "Well? Hurry up and do it."

Cal looked back at Rakson, who glared from inside his purple prison many yards away. Then, Cal instructed, "Get the crystal ready."

Kurt asked, "Where were the shards, again?"

Pointing with one knowledgeable finger, Kairi answered, "Down that way. I can help you find them."

Nodding, the lion-broseph commanded, "Hop on. I'll give ya a piggyback."

And while they flew away, Sora did his good guy routine, suggesting, "You know, death doesn't have to be the only answer. You could always try turning over a new leaf."

King Mickey posited, "It might just be the best decision you ever make. But, uh…no pressure or anything."

Draksin shrugged, then gave his take, "I've been alive for hundreds of years. In my time, I've killed, raised, tortured, and even managed to care for other people. But one thing always remained the same: I did it all to benefit myself. Every child I brought forth was a soul to siphon one day. Every woman I cared for, I did so expecting childbearing in return, sometimes forcing it. That was and always will be my system for existing, so no, I'll take death or the crystal, thank you."

Cal gave his wisdom, "Let's sow his mouth shut first."

Kurt and Kairi returned to the scene with blue crystal shards floating around them, the former shouting resolutely, "It's time to hit the glass, Drak-Quak!"

"Remind me to drug test you after this," said Cal.

Sora made one last attempt to reason with the man in black, "It's never too late, Draksin. I've seen people go to the darkest depths, abandoning everything and everyone they knew, and still come back to the light. You can do the same."

"I've chosen my destiny."

"Yeah?" Kurt had another quip locked and loaded. "How 'bout you choose this new crank I picked out for ya? It'll really bring out the color of your eyes, numb-nuts!"

"Ah, c'mon, dude—you're triggering me." Cal seemed genuinely stricken.

"You mean like how I'm about to trigger this guy's psychosis?" Kurt hurled his hand forward, sending the floating shards against Draksin's defiant form.

And as the shards gathered around his feet and legs, the dark user glared and told them, "Maybe next time, you won't be too weak to kill me."

Sora stated, "Next time, we'll send you right back the way you came."

"Ignorance is bliss. You hardly know what I'm capable of."

"We've got a clue." Sora dialed up the attitude. "Trust me. We aren't losing sleep. Besides, we're getting pretty used to the whole 'safeguarding' routine, anyway."

The shards completely covered the man in black, crystallizing his smirking image. And still, his voice rang through, "Admirable, Sora. I've never seen you so confident. Maybe you really can live up to my legacy. After all, like father, like son."

After hearing that, most faces resembled a complicated mathematical equation where the solution equaled shocked. This was especially true for Sora's face, which began sputtering in madness, "Wha—wha—whaaaat? You're my son?!"

Mickey and Minnie gave themselves an epic facepalm. Kurt wasn't sure where the true answers lie, and Cal was curious to see how long this beautiful moment would last.

Meanwhile, Draksin's eyes graduated to dinner plates, severely pissed off ones at that. "You've gotta be f… Is everyone in this timeline stupid as bricks?"

"I think…I think it's the other way around, Sora," Kairi informed him, though she seemed wildly unsure of the truth.

Relieved, he said, "Oh…! Wait—that still kinda sucks, though!"

Concerned, Queen Minnie inquired, "He's not really your father, is he?"

"Definitely not!" Sora shouted in certainty. Then, "…I think."

Cal suddenly interrupted everything, saying, "Wait, hold on, hold the phone, timeout, wait a second—how the heck do we send these ass-clowns back to the shadow realm, again?"

Kurt replied slowly, "You, uh…you don't know?"

"No…?"

"Well, I don't know, either!"

Laughing behind his crystal, Draksin interjected, "May I make a suggestion?"

"Only if it helps," Cal said. He meant it. "I mean it. Don't make fun of us."

"Well, one—you could start by putting us in the right color crystal."

"The right color?" Cal's brain kicked into second gear as he recalled the following, "Ah, shit—you came here in the purple one, didn't ya? Ugh, is that supposed to mean something crucial, or what's the deal?"

Draksin laughed. "Without a special armament, it's nearly impossible to escape from either crystal. The blue one, however, was never forged to contain someone like me. Just like you, this one's much too soft!"

On that last word, Draksin's edgy energy exploded around him, shattering the blue crystal instantly. Enraged, Cal shouted, "I told you not to make fun of us—!"

"You're going down!" Kurt yelled, dashing forward to deliver an impalement to Draksin's center mass. The χ-blade hit its target, stabbing through and leaking noxious darkness from either point.

The dark user seemed unfazed, even grasping the weapon currently piercing him. Grinning, he chided, "Surely, you can do better than that."

"What, should I stab you with a bigger sword?" Kurt retorted, struggling to retain control of the saber.

"At least hit your target. But then again…" He wrenched away the χ-blade and slashed Kurt with it. "…there really is none."

Sensing things about to go south, the green-haired hybrid lunged forward and seized Draksin around the shoulders. The dark user evidently found this entertaining, hence why he smirked and did little to resist. Meanwhile, Cal was trying his hardest to implement that "plot magic" from earlier, though no matter how hard he plot-magicked, he failed to convert Draksin's form into a burst of light.

"So, you've given up reason?" Draksin asked dismissively.

"Not yet—you're gonna love your new digs…! Just…gimme a minute!"

Kurt shouted from the ground, "Don't put him in your heart, Cade! It'll kill you!"

"Not if I lock it tight!"

Draksin chuckled. "Listen to him, idiot. My flesh is infernal. No such place is 'locked tight' enough for me, I'm afraid. Not even your heart."

"Still…it's worth a shot—!"

However, only a dark silhouette enshrouded the man's form. Laughing while Cal strained himself, Draksin said, "See? My darkness rebels against your light even as I remain outside your delicate little chambers."

"Seriously, Cade—it's not worth it!" Kurt shouted. "We'll put him in the right crystal now and work out the kinks later!"

Feeling his strength waver, Cal sputtered, "I can stop this, Nate!"

"Well, at least your heart's in it," Draksin cheekily replied. "But you were right. This was worth a shot. Super entertaining."

Cal strained, "God—it's like you wanna marry the darkness, or something! Just give it up!"

"One doesn't give up his own matter. Now stop trying, boy. You're embarrassing yourself."

Feeling himself faltering, Cal finally let go of Draksin's arms, then taking a slash to the torso.

Growling with the Kingdom Key in-hand, Sora charged and said, "You just don't know when to quit!"

"Like father, like—"

"Okay, stop saying that."

And so, Cal had gone flying from the slash, and Mickey and Minnie went to assist him. Also, at some point in the skirmish between Sora and not-his-pops, Draksin took advantage of a brief lull to shoot a dark beam from the χ-blade, melting and destroying the purple prison holding Rakson captive.

Getting back in the fight, Rakson said, "Many thanks, comrade."

Also jumping back in the fight, Kurt promised, "You're gonna regret that, Draxxy!"

"Remind me when." Then, he raised the χ-blade and summoned one especially potent Magnet spell, "Gather!"

A swirling force spawned above them, pulling all of Draksin's enemies up into its orbit. With his other hand, he called forth the crystal shards, both blue and purple, then cascading them into the orrery of heroes above. Suddenly, he called for his colleague's assistance, "Rakson—quickly!"

The man in blue shouted, "She's mine!" Then, whilst running at full speed, he jumped and seized Kairi from the magical orbit, landing with the distraught princess struggling to escape.

The crystals were then made whole around Sora, Mickey, Minnie, Kurt, and Cal, and before they could devise an escape of their own, Draksin summoned a keyhole-shaped portal and banished them inside.

"At last—!" Rakson started, snarling in Kairi's ear.

Then, bam, everyone teleported back, no problem.

"Bull-shit…?" Rakson was displeased.

Mostly everyone had returned. Cal was missing, though.

"But how?!" Rakson was deluxe displeased with cheese.

Striking his fighting stance, Kurt said, "No clue!"

Also ready to rumble, Sora demanded, "Put Kairi down!"

Draksin needed more information. "No, seriously—how did you get back?"

Imitating The Rock, Kurt barked dramatically, "IT DOESN'T MATT—oh, shit—where's Cal—uh, Cade?!"

Looking around, Minnie ascertained, "I don't see him anywhere!"

Sora strategized, "We'll find him later. You, in the blue suit—you need to put down my girl…friend?"

Everyone, literally everyone cringed at one time, even voicing their disapproval of that line. Kurt asked, "Sora—what the actual dog-dick was that delivery?"

"I-I have no idea! It kinda just slipped ou—"

Kairi complained from the bad guy's grip, "Ugh, Sora—say it with confidence, next time!"

"That could've been a little better," Mickey criticized.

"Honestly—you're right," Sora admitted, fixing to clap back. "I should have something like that down-pat with all the practice I've been through."

Offended, Kairi repeated, "Practice? What, are you trying to say I get captured a lot, or something?"

"Or something. But yes. A million times yes."

"Hey—for your information, I can get myself un-captured easy-peezy."

Sora shrugged. "Okay, then do it."

Kairi then enlisted a semi-desperate struggle that involved kicking and some mild profanity. When Rakson's arms wouldn't budge, she took a quick break.

Minnie suggested, "Use your Keyblade, Kairi!"

"And do what? He's got my arms locked—I can't even swing right now!"

Minnie muttered sourly, "It was just a suggestion."

"Escape is futile!" Rakson announced diabolically.

Draksin mumbled, "…Are we really doing this?"

Nonchalantly, Sora threw in, "Maybe bite him, or head-butt 'im?"

Rakson suddenly commanded, "Deal with them, Draksin. I'll take her someplace far away."

Right as Rakson flew off, Sora peevishly yelled, "Oh, no—you get back here!"

Thus, he Airstepped and whacked him in the back of the head, freeing Kairi. After a swift landing, Sora spun his Keyblade in victory, also taunting his friend-girl, "Sora to the rescue."

"I wish you were more toxic," Kairi said saltily.

"Ha…you're cute."

Draksin shrieked some logic, "It's still hopeless for you all! You have no way of beating me!"

Rubbing his sore noggin, Rakson added, "Or me."

And then, a part of the, uh…air behind Rakson began to shatter like glass, followed by the sound of someone screaming. From the air that shattered, Cal emerged, screaming like a lunatic.

"Cal—er, Cade!" Kurt exclaimed. "Where have you—oh, no…"

Cal emerged fully from the broken barrier, and he finally finished screaming. The first thing everyone noticed was that his hair was silver, no longer green.

Rakson stammered, "What in the hell—?"

Behold, Cal lurched forward, grabbed Rakson's collar, and forced him to disappear in an explosion of dark vapors. Breathing hard, Cal chanted, "Next~!"

"Impossible," Draksin uttered, evidently near the edge of his sanity.

Holding out his hand, Cal snapped his fingers and demanded, "Hey—lemme see that χ-blade!"

"Up yours—it's mine, now!" Draksin yelled back, holding it at the ready.

"Just gimme the χ-blade, bro!" Cal demanded again.

Noticing Cal's change in eye-color, Draksin lowered his guard, uttering in disbelief, "Have you…given in to the dark?"

"Nah, man—you just needa worry about giving in to…giving me that goddamn χ-blade, you OP sonuvabitch! Now, lemme see that shit!"

"Burn!" Draksin yelled, blasting a barrage of Dark Firaga.

"All right, that's cool—that's all I needed!"

Thus, Cal dashed forward, dodged every Firaga, caught the incoming swing of the χ-blade, and flexed super hard. Then, bam, the super-saber vanished into nothing.

"No…!"

Cal shrieked in over-the-top fashion, "Fryin' and Buyin'!"

Immediately, Draksin was taken by the collar of his overcoat, then caused to disperse into darkness.

Cal said, "Talk about 'hittin' and splittin''."

"Cal…are you okay?" Kurt asked, going over to check on him.

"Never better, my friend. Though, I could use a street pharmaceutical of unknown origin."

Mickey and Minnie caught up as well, both stymied by the hybrid's slight change in appearance. The mouse king pointed out, "Cal…you look like the bad version of you."

Smirking with his red eyes and silver hair, Cal replied, "No kiddin'? What color are my eyes?"

"Bright red," Kurt replied in dismay.

Pulling a strand of hair into his field of view, Cal said, "Cool, and it looks like I remembered how to transform."

"You're sure you're feeling okay?" Kurt double checked.

"Eh, it's all relative. At least now, we can move on from those two mistakes."

Approaching with Kairi, Sora asked, "You put those two men in your heart, didn't you?"

"Yeah. I kinda had to. Look."

He showed his forearm, and part of the skin flickered between shades of purple and blue.

"I might've plot-magicked a little too hard when we all got caught in the crystal, but at least it gave me a new solution."

"It isn't a permanent solution," Kurt noted. "They can still get out."

"I'll be in my world. Far from Sora and Kairi. So…guess I'll roll the dice."

Speaking of Kairi, she asked, "Those monsters aren't going to change you, are they?"

"Absolutely not. Maybe. Definitely yes. So, I'm willing to bet you guys have more questions, right? How 'bout…we go back over to that cliff above the city. I feel like chillin' over there and stuff."