Chapter LVII: Abandoned Past

"Come on, smile." Ushio said.

Waves crashed on the beach as the sun continued to set. The two figures were the sole current inhabitants of the island.

"Why? You wouldn't understand."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"You can live with it, but I'm different." stated Iwa.

"Live with what?" she asked.

Iwa took a slight pause before he answered.

"Them." he replied. "But no more. Starting today, I'm beginning my own journey."

Waving his hand, Ushio felt a strange sensation go over her.

"What's going…on."

"It'll be over soon. Then you won't have to worry about this."

"Wait, don't…go." Ushio called out as she passed out on the beach.

"It appears it's begun." a voice said as a cloaked man appeared. "Soon everyone else should forget about you. Though I warn you, should your heart waver, the connections will not fully sever."

"I won't." Iwa replied.

"We shall see." the cloaked man said. "There is still more you must learn. The training you will undergo will be long."

Iwa walked over to Ushio, picking her up and placing her face up on the beach.

"Is everything in order?" the man asked.

"Yes. Shall we go?"

—

Sora slid backwards, kicking up the dirt beneath him. As he came to a stop, Kairi positioned herself beside him.

"Just how many are there?" she asked.

"Nothing we can't handle." Sora tried to reassure.

Ahead of them, a Dark Hide leered at them while Neoshadows and Darkballs littered the surrounding area.

"Need some help?" Aqua called out her and Mickey appeared, making their way through the crowd of Heartless.

The Heartless continued their onslaught. The various beings of darkness attempted to destroy their foes only to find themselves destroyed in turn. Siding up together, the quartet prepared themselves as more charged.

Yet as the four fought on, Aster gazed on from above, once more observing.

—

"So you came." Iwa said, knowing others had arrived without turning around.

"Iwa…" started Naminé.

"The two of you have been looking for me for a while now, haven't you?" Iwa said. "I've kept track of everyone, including you. I knew that even if I threw everything away, it'd come back. When they tasked me with going back to the island, I knew I'd encountered my past. As I went about my task, Ushio seemed to follow along a similar path. I told her I'd dispose of her if she met me again. However, that goes for anyone. I no longer need either of you. Back in Radiant Garden, I saw you once again and could tell you wouldn't abandon me. And so here we are."

"Iwa, I struggled like you are." Riku spoke up. "I too had to face all the hang ups I had. I let darkness start to consume me ba-"

"Heh, you think it's that simple." Iwa turned to face them. "I know of your struggle with the darkness in you and of your fleeting existence as a Nobody. Yet, you accepted all aspects of yourself and you were able to be your own person. The reason I left isn't that simple. My entire existence deals with the fact. It's you two that are the root of my problem!"

Shouting out his words, Iwa leapt forward, summoning a dark blade. With a swift movement, Riku guarded himself and Naminé as his Keyblade clashed with the sword.

"You don't have to do this." Riku said as their weapons locked together.

"That's where you're wrong." Iwa broke away.

Iwa sprung into action, quickly striking towards Riku who blocked his strikes. Despite his own attacks, Iwa found Riku countering him at every opportunity.

"It's quite unfortunate that you both chased me down to here." Iwa said during a stalemate with his father. Dark energy swirled in the palm of his left hand. "You should have come alone, father!"

The Dark Firaga he'd charged shot out of his hand, flying straight at Naminé. Baring no combat capabilities, Naminé could do nothing. Knowing this, Riku jumped forward to protect her. Iwa's strategy worked as he used the chance to strike Riku.

"A shame." Iwa said as his blow struck Riku, sending him to the ground.

"Iwa, please stop this." Naminé pleaded.

Despite her plea, Iwa raised his black blade. He swung with all his might at the recovering Riku.

A metallic cling sound sounded out in the moonlit field. Instead of finding Riku on the receiving end of the blade, a golden blade with pink flower teeth held it aloft.

"Ushio." Naminé said in surprise.

"Looks like I'm just in time." she replied.

"Thanks." answered Riku.

"So now you've come." Iwa stated. "It seems fate brought everyone together."

"You said you'd end it if we saw each other again." Ushio said. "Why don't we resolve this then?"