Chapter 78

Outside of the castle in Radiant Garden, two people were talking. Those people were from the Real Organization: Vexen and Demyx.

Once Vexen was done talking, Demyx shouted with surprise, "WHAAA-?!"

Demyx's mouth was completely covered by Vexen's hand. "Quiet, you dunce!", he said in anger while looking around to see if anyone has noticed.

Demyx removed Vexen's hand from his mouth and asked, "But, dude, why would you pick me?"

"I cannot let the chosen catch wind of this, understand?"

Demyx then became angry and annoyed. "Oh, I see! It's because I got benched!", he angrily said while he came up to Vexen's face and pointed his finger at him.

"I got 'benched' too!", Vexen fired back.

"Wha- Hey!" Demyx panicked and covered Vexen's mouth. "Quiet!"

After a small pause, Demyx removed his hand from Vexens mouth. Vexen then gave a small cough and turned around.

"Okay, man, look. Real talk? Backstabbing those guys would be stupid. If they find out, we are yesterday's toast. I mean, what's in it for me?"

Vexen the faced the center square of the town and said, "Forgiveness."

"Huh? For what?"

"Men like us-in the pursuit of science, we sometimes make terrible mistakes. Lose sight of our mission to help people. But now I can help someone with my research. Now, I can atone."

Demyx looked unconvinced. "I'm not a scientist." Demyx turned around and started to leave.

Vexen then began to panic. "Wait, wait, wait!" He grabbed Demyx's hood and pulled him back towards him.

Demyx became annoyed. "C'mon, dude. I'm useless, I'm chicken, we're not friends. I can count the number of times you and I have hung out on one hand-less than one hand! I didn't even know you in the old life!"

"Fine, fine! But listen."

Vexen then whispered something into Demyx's ear, which greatly shocked him.

"Huh? No way!"

"It's true. The whole thing was his idea."

"Huh? No stinkin' way."

"He wants to atone too. But, he is one of the chosen, so his hands are tied. Hence my actions on his behalf, hence my need for you to act on my behalf should all go awry. As you said, we are far from friends. No one would ever suspect you."

"Hmm… So I'm not doing any fighting?"

"Correct. And more importantly, no benchwarming."

Demyx smiled with happiness. "Ha! Yeah baby! Sign me up. Yes! Demyx time."

Vexen sighed with annoyance.

Back at the computer room in the castle, Ienzo and Levy were still working on finding a body for Roxas.

"We've come a long way toward reconstruction Roxas's heart.", said Ienzo. "But a vessel… Without that… Yeah, right. Bodies don't grow on trees, Ienzo. It's the backup plan or nothing now. But...the backup plan isn't a true solution."

"Maybe we're missing something…", wondered Levy.

Suddenly, a dark corridor appeared behind them.

"Finally. 'Bout time."

They both turned around with surprise and they saw Demyx emerging from the corridor. He was carrying what appears to be a body wrapped in a white cloth on his shoulder.

He looked around and said, "Ooh. Nice place."

"That coat… you're an Organization member, aren't you?", asked Levy as she got into a fighting stance.

"Demyx? Is that you?!", asked a surprised Ienzo.

"You know him?"

"He was in the Original Organization."

"Hey, Zexion! Long time!", said Demyx with a smile. He then put down the body and was adjusting his shoulder. "How's humanity treatin' ya? I rejoined the Nobodies, but, like…" He then started to walk closer to Ienzo. "I just can't shake the feeling I've been sweet-talked, y'know? We have sooo got to have a chat."

Ienzo looked confused and was taken back by this. "Whoa, back up. What?"

"Oh! Sorry, sorry. I'm gettin' ahead of myself." He then faced Levy. "Sorry I didn't introduce myself, my name is Demyx. That mark on your shoulder tells me that you're a member of that Fairy Tail guild. Those guys have been talking about that group a lot. This is the first time I have met one."

"Oh, well, hi.", said an unsure Levy. "My name is Levy. Is there a reason you're here?"

"Yes! I'm actually here on a top secret mission. Apparently I'm so off everyone's radar, that I'm just the guy to handle a special delivery.", he said as he walked towards the corridor. "Ta-daaah!", he said as he backed away to the side with his arms out.

Some else then emerged from the corridor, revealing to be Ansem the Wise.

Ienzo gasped. "Master Ansem!"

"The ruler of Radiant Garden?", question Levy.

"Ah, well met, little Ienzo.", said Ansem with a smile. He then faced Levy. "And who might you be?"

"My name is Levy, your majesty. I'm a Fairy Tail mage in Earth Land."

"So you're a Fairy Tail member they spoke of. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Aeleus and Dilan then entered the room in a hurry and were shocked at what they saw.

"Master Ansem!", they both said.

Ienzo then looked guilty. "They told me you'd gone mad. That you abandoned us. I was just a boy, but I should have known better. I am truly, deeply sorry."

Ansem came up to him and put his hands on Ienzo's shoulders. "I think what matters is that you recognize the mistake. Peace, Ienzo. It was I who was consumed by hatred-who failed you in my obligations as your mentor. Forgive me."

Aeleus looked guilty while Dilan growled in frustration.

Aeleus put his hand on Dilan's shoulder and said, "It's okay."

Demyx then came up and waved at Ienzo and Ansem with an awkward look.

"So, uh...are we cool to get on with things here?", he asked as he pointed at the body on the floor. "Got ya a present from Vexen. One was all he could manage for the time being, but hey, he figured you guys would know what to do with it."

"A vessel!", said Ienzo.

"Thanks for helping us.", said Levy with a smile.

Demyx looked really happy upon hearing that.

"No one has ever complimented me like that.", he said. "Thanks, Levy-chan!"

Just outside of the castle entrance, a dark corridor appeared and Xehanort's Heartless, Ansem, emerged from it.

"I know he's here.", he said. "If they were going to bring him somewhere safe. This would be it."

Before he could continue, he was approached by a young girl with orange-brown hair, which they were tied in two braided pigtails on either side of her head. She was wearing a black T-shirt with a white collar line under a pair of calf length greyish blue overalls, covering her torso and reaching up below her armpits, held up by shoulder straps. She was a mage of Mermaid Heel, Beth Vanderwood.

"Excuse me, can I help you?", she asked.

Ansem looked at her coldly and said, "Move."

He then summoned a Demon Tower and two Dual Blades. Beth looked at the Heartlesses in horror as they charged towards her, creating a large explosion.

Back inside the computer room, everyone felt the room shaking.

"What was that?", asked Ansem.

Ienzo went on the computer. After typing for a few minutes, a screen pulled up, showing the security camera of the front entrance. On it was Xehanort's Heartless behind the Demon Tower and two Dual Blades. Beth was shown, who was completely covered in blood and was unconscious. Two of her fellow guild members, Risley Law and Arana Webb, were there, fighting the Heartlesses.

"It's Xehanort!", said a shocked Ienzo.

"He followed us here?!", said a surprised Demyx.

"Let's go!", said Aeleus.

Dilan nodded. "I'll let the others know. Guard the entrance!"

Both Dilan and Aeleus ran out of the room, leaving Ansem, Ienzo, Demyx, and Levy there.

"He's trying to take me back!", said Ansem.

"Why?", asked Levy.

"He's looking for Subject X, a girl we did research on to uncover her memory. When I learned that Xehanort was doing dangerous experiments on her, I ceased his research. After that, she disappeared. He believes I've hidden her somewhere, but I don't know what happened to her."

"But why does he want her now?"

"He said that she holds a mystery to unravel, about the battle between light and darkness."

"A mystery?"

"I don't know what that means. But she did say something that she remembered that might be close to it. 'May my heart be my guiding key'."

The room began to shake again.

"We'll have to discuss later.", said Ienzo. "Master Ansem, if he is after you, then you must go find a place to hide."

"But what if he breaks in here?"

"He won't!", said a determined Levy. "Because the Earth Land mages are here!" She then faced a nervous Demyx. "What are you going to do?"

"I-I don't know! I can't fight against them, they're super strong! I know you're a mage, but what can you do against that?"

"I don't know if we can win or not. But, I still don't want to see people hurt. If he comes in here, I'll fight. Because I'm a Fairy Tail mage! If you can leave, that's okay. That way you'll be safe."

There was a moment of silence. Then Demyx said, "No. I'll stay. I'm tired of being a chicken."

"Are you sure you'll be fine?"

Demyx then summoned his sitar, Arpeggio, and said with confidence, "You're looking at a member of the Organization."

Back outside, the Heartlesses were having trouble moving due to Risley using her Gravity Change magic on them.

"Don't look down on the chubby!", she said while in her slimmer form.

But something came up to her and attacked her with a sword, causing her to crash near a wall and freeing the other Heartlesses.

"What was…!", she said as she saw that the one who attacked her was another Heartless.

This Heartless had a large, muscular, humanoid figure with a large, heart-shaped hole in its chest. Raised portions and ridges on its black skin give it an armored appearance. It features large, spiked horns on the sides of its head, and two more rising from its forehead which form the shape of a heart; all four horns fade from black to red to yellow, giving them the appearance of heated metal. Its tail ends in a bladed fin with a diamond-shaped hole through it. Its two-toed, clawed feet stand upon swirling vortexes of white energy, which it uses to "skate" around the battlefield. It has undersized, purple bat-like wings on its shoulders and dull purple tendrils wrapped around its throat like a scarf, which drape down on either side of its "heart." It also has tendrils wrapped around each wrist, which fade to the same burning yellow color as its horns. In each hand it holds a large blue sword with hook-like extensions near the tip and an exaggerated gold hilt with a knuckle bow.

"Another one?!"

"Don't assume that those three are the only ones.", said Ansem.

Behind him, Arana snuck up behind him and blasted him with her web magic. The web had completely wrapped around his upper body. He looked unfazed by this.

"I got you!", she said. "You can summon them, right? So if we take down their leader, they will disappear!"

Ansem smiled. "That is a good idea. However, you will not defeat me."

Without even trying, Ansem broke free of Arana's web, shocking her. He then held out his hand and blasted her with dark magic, sending her crashing near a wall.

"You can't stop me. I am bringing him back to the Badlands."

"Then how about this!"

"Nekosoku Tube!"

An orange tube came flying towards Ansem and it wrapped around his right wrist. When he saw where it came from, he saw another girl holding it. It was Millianna.

"Got you, meow!", she said.

"Millianna!", the girls said with relief.

"Tch! You annoying mages.", Ansem said with annoyance as he lifted his left hand to attack. But, no dark magic came out of his hand. He then looked shocked. "I can't use my magic?!"

"Too bad for you!", said Millianna.

Suddenly, the two Dual Blades and the Dark Inferno let out a painful roar and they disappeared. A figure then appeared next to Millianna, revealing to be Kagura with her sword in her hand.

Ansem looked surprised. She defeated them without unsheathing her sword?!

"You're an Organization member, correct? Why are you here?", asked a serious Kagura.

"I am looking for a man that is believed to be here.", he answered.

"We have not received any visitors at all. Though I guess you probably don't believe me."

"That's correct. I'm getting inside no matter what."

He then yanked his right arm hard, causing Millianna to fly towards him. When she came close, Ansem punched Millianna in the gut. She then sent flying onto the ground near the Demon Tower while the tube around Ansem's wrist disappeared. Millianna was clutching her stomach.

"K-Kagura...chan…", she weakly said.

Just then, the top part of the Demon Tower came up to Millianna and it swallowed her completely.

"Millianna!", shouted Kagura.

"Carrot Missile!"

Tons of over-sized carrots were flown towards the Tower. When they made an impact, they exploded, causing some Shadows to be destroyed. Kagura then saw Beth, Arana, and Risley weakly standing in front of the Tower.

"We'll save Millianna.", said Beth.

"Defeat that guy!", said Risley.

Kagura nodded and faced Ansem.

"I will defeat you and rescue my comrade!", she said as she got into her fighting stance.

Ansem smirked. "I liked to see you try."

Kagura then charged towards Ansem and attacked him with her unsheathed sword. But Ansem has been blocking her attacks with his right hand.

"You're really strong.", he said while continuing to block her attacks. "I never seen a sword wielder fight like that. Not even Keyblade Wielders are capable of that kind of skill."

"Enough of your praises. Fight me for real!"

"Slashing Form!"

Kagura performs a powerful slash in the air. But when she turned around, Ansem was nowhere to be found.

"But you're very impatient."

Ansem appeared right behind her and punched her back really hard, causing her to cough up blood. But she didn't fall. She held her ground, gritted her teeth, and hit him with her sword. But Ansem blocked the attack using his arms.

His strength is powerful and his speed is faster than mine., she thought. He hasn't even shown his true power, which means it will be difficult to defeat him. I must find a weakness. Or maybe, give it my all!

Ansem then spread his arms out wide and began throwing multiple disks at Kagura. Seeing them coming, Kagura charged towards them.

"Flying Form!"

When she came close, she cut down all of the flying disks. Ansem wasn't surprised by this. But then he felt intense pressure on his body. He then finds it hard to move.

This is Gravity magic., he thought. Is it from that other mage? He then looked at Risley, who was still fighting the Tower with her fellow mages. No. She's too busy fighting. It must be her. She is getting really serious.

"Are you okay?"

Ansem and Kagura saw Dilan, Aeleus, Jet, and Droy enter outside.

"Hey, that thing is just like the one that attacked the guild hall, except smaller.", said Droy while looking at the Tower.

"Let's take it down!", said Jet.

Dilan came up to the girls and asked, "Can you still fight?"

All three of them nodded.

Both Aeleus and Dilan charged towards the Tower and attacked it with their axe and lance respectfully, causing more Shadows to be defeated. When they landed, Tower tried to eat them, but they quickly dodged at the last moment.

"Falcon Heavenward!"

Jet quickly dashed towards the Tower and kicked it, creating a giant hole in the Tower, but was quickly fixed when more Shadows appeared.

"Chain Plant!"

Droy threw some seeds that grew into large vines and they wrapped around the Tower. Arana joined in and she used her web magic to keep the Tower still. Risley then applied her magic on the Tower, crushing most of the Shadows. As the Shadows began to be crushed, a figure popped out of the Tower, but, it too, was being crushed. The figure revealed to be Millianna.

"Millianna!", the girls shouted.

Risley stopped using her magic while Dilan ran up to the Tower and grabbed Millianna, removing her from the Tower. Once she was out, Risley continued using her magic on the Tower.

"Meow! Thank you!", said Millianna with a smile, despite having some bruises on her. "Now it's payback! Beth!"

"Yeah!", said Beth.

"Kitten Blast!"

"Vegetable Magic: Carrot Missile!"

Millianna releases several restraining tubes in a spiral motion with great Magic Power while Beth fired Carrot Missiles. Both attacks completely destroyed the Tower.

"Alright! We won!", shouted the mages with joy.

Dilan and Aeleus, who were not cheering, turned and saw Kagura and Ansem.

"Xehanort!", said an angry Aeleus.

Everyone stopped cheering and took notice of Ansem.

"He's the one?", wondered a surprised Jet.

"I see.", said Kagura. "That explains why he's so powerful. But it doesn't matter. I will defeat him and this war will be over."

"This fight has gone long enough.", said Ansem.

Suddenly, a large crash appeared behind everyone. When the dust had cleared, two Dark Hide Heartlesses appeared, shocking everyone.

"What the hell are those things?!", shouted a scared Jet.

"Get ready!", shouted Dilan in a fighting stance.

While Kagura was distracted by the two Heartlesses, Xehanort's shadowy other appeared behind her and grabbed her, causing Kagura's gravity magic to be canceled and Ansem now can move freely again. The creature then threw Kagura hard into the air and she was sent far beyond the castle walls.

"Kagura!", shouted everyone with worry.

"Now that she is taken care of, I have important matters to attend.", said Ansem as he disappeared, leaving the others with the two monsters.

"He's going into the castle!", said Aeleus as he headed towards the entrance to the castle, but was cut off when one of the Dark Hides blocked his path. "Damn it!"

"There are other mages inside.", said Arana. "Leave them to him."

"He's right. We gotta defend this castle from them!", said Jet.

Aeleus didn't feel comfortable about it, but he held his axe tightly and said, "You're right. Let's defeat them!"