Chapter XLVIII: Tethered to the Past
"You mean…" Ushio started to say in disbelief.
"Indeed." Iwa nodded. "Now you understand a bit better why I have to do what I'm doing."
"You're causing conflict all over. They wouldn't want this." Ushio said.
"I'm carving my own path!" Iwa spoke up. "That's what I always hated about you. The reason you're such a fool. You're just fine hearing their stories and following in their shadows. Meanwhile, I don't want any of that. I don't want to live in the shadows of their actions."
"You're not. You're your own person." Ushio persuaded him.
"That's what you believe. Yet, everywhere you go, you can feel your parents' legacy hovering over you. How many times have you wondered what they'd do in that situation. How things would be different if they were here. What I'm doing is allowing me to move forward on my own."
"You…you're…"
"See, that's why I've been keeping track of you all this time. Even now, you try to convince against my principles. Say that everything can be okay if I do it the way you say. You've always been one of the few links I can never sever no matter how I've tried. However, I know a way to end all this now. When the Neo Seekers give the order that you're no longer needed for our goals, we'll end this."
"If you're saying all this, why confront me now about it?" questioned Ushio.
"I wanted to make sure you knew the truth. No doubt everything will return in time. Consider this my declaration of war."
Iwa, having said his peace, wasted no time. With a snap of his fingers, a portal opened up and he disappeared inside.
Ushio was left in the room, alone. The words he spoke rang inside her.
—
Facing everything that was dropped upon her, Ushio realized she had to push it aside for now. Bring forth her Keyblade, she pointed it at the door. A beam of light shot out as the door unlocked.
Making her way out, she found herself in the hanger. Spotting Russell tied to a chair on the lowering ramp, she began rushing to aid him. Her way was suddenly blocked by a few Dusks. The grey humanoids slithered their way through the air at her. Her Keyblade collided with their bodies as she watched Russell continue to fall. The Nobodies fell as she ran to help the boy. Fearing she'd be too late, she was relieved to see a figure zipline in and save him.
"Mr. Fredricksen." Russell called out. "You came back for Kevin and Ushio. Let's go get them."
"Hey! Up here!" Ushio shouted to them below.
"Ushio, there you are!" Russell shouted back. "Have you seen Kevin?"
"No, I haven't. He must've been elsewhere on the ship." she said.
Dug meanwhile pulled Carl's house over the ramp as Carl carried Russell inside.
"We'll Get Kevin. You stay here." he said.
"But I want to help." Russell complained.
"I don't want your help. I want you safe." Carl responded.
As Carl started up the ramp, Ushio spotted strange creatures beginning to fly about. One bug-esque thing flew right by Carl and nearly caused him to stumble.
"What was that?" he said, regaining his footing.
"Heartless." Ushio said, running down the ramp. "They're just like those shadow dog things you saw before. I'll handle them. You go find Kevin."
As a Vaporfly flew by the ramp, Ushio threw caution to the wind as she jumped on it. Steadying herself on its back, she saw a massive number of them flying about the blimp's airspace.
"This doesn't look good." she murmured to herself.
Spotting the house starting to float away, she noted Russell hanging from the hose. To make the situation worse, the Vaporflies started homing in on the house. As one flew by, a balloon popped. Knowing this wouldn't be good, she used the Vaporfly she was on to fly her towards the others.
Flying besides the others, she released one hand and brought out her Keyblade. With her closing in on some, she was able to fly close enough to swing at the creatures. Much like the Rabid Dogs she had faced earlier, they were easily defeated, but made up for that fact in numbers. The others caught on to her actions as they began shooting at her. Maneuvering at avoid the shots, she continued her assault.
Yet, to her misfortune, more Vaporflies flew by, blasting at her. Missing her, they unfortunately hit the one she was riding on. Taking too much damage, it disappeared, leaving Ushio to fall. At that moment, luck switched to her side as another flew beneath her. Landing on it, she was quick to settle in and resume the dogfight. She circled the house as she hit the enemies and flew away.
Spying Russell climbing up to safe, a fear of her was relieved. As the remaining Vaporflies flew about, she was able to get close to them and take them out. With one left in her sights, she flew by and swung. Taking the hit, it dispersed into shadows.
"All right!" she cried out.
However, her victory was short lived. From the clouds below, a massive figure began to appear. A giant Heartless that seemed half bird, half mechanical flew up and past them. Knowing this wasn't good, she used the Vaporfly she was on to follow it to the blimp. The Heartless, one known as a Blitzkrieger, hovered above the blimp as Carl and Kevin made their way up there, running from Charles Muntz. Ushio flew by, taking out the Heartless she rode as she landed on the blimp's top.
Carl stared at the strange creature as it started to lock in on them.
"Just keep moving!" Ushio shouted. "I'll handle this!"