Chapter 5
There's No Way I'll Ever Regret It
By evening, at the Mitakihara Hospital, Sayaka stood on the roof with Kyubey, surrounded by several flowers in a strange maze, while Sora stood back with his arms folded over his chest, as she asked the cat if he could grant her any wish she wanted most.
"You don't have to worry. I can grant yours without any problem," assured Kyubey.
He then asked if Sayaka was ready, and the bluette soon made her wish to have Kyosuke's arm healed. Once she did, Kyubey used his powers to reach deep into her heart, and revealed a glowing blue light that materialized before her, which she took hold of with her two hands.
"So that's how Magical girls gain their power," murmured Sora, and he slowly walked away, despite his disbelief, but he was going to find Madoka and help her be safe and protected.
He soon met up with Mami, after she and the remaining members of Team SKYYLAR had finished their witch hunt, following the defeat of another witch called Alisa.
"Guys, I just saw Sayaka Miki ask Kyubey to make her a magical girl, after she made her wish. Whatever it is, I hope she doesn't become a hopeless case, or loses herself to darkness," he said to them.
"Whatever comes next, Sora, we'll always be there for her, and she will never be alone. No one deserves to be alone," replied Mami.
Sometime later, in Mitakihara Middle School, Hitomi yawned after what was believed to have been a rather agonizing sleep.
"Oh, excuse me. That was terribly rude," she said.
"What's up, Hitomi? Didn't you get enough sleep?" Sayaka asked.
"I didn't. I was up really late talking to the police and getting checked up on in the hospital," replied Hitomi.
She then explained that she had been sleep walking, along with several other people who were also affected by it, and that they had all awakened within the old warehouse.
"She may not know it, Madoka, but both Hitomi and the other people were affected by that witch, who placed a dark spell upon them," Sora murmured towards her, despite how Hitomi was upset that she'd have to continue going back to the hospital for more tests.
"Maybe you should try and take it easy for now, Hitomi. Trust me, no one would blame you if you let Miss Saotome know that you weren't feeling well, and both the school nurse and Madoka would make sure you're okay," said Leafa.
But even as they exchanged a friendly laugh, Madoka was still worried about her friend, despite Homura's watchful gaze making her feel uneasy. Sometime after school, they rested on the grass with all of their friends at their side.
"I haven't felt this good in a long time. I feel awesome," smirked Sayaka.
"Just be careful not to let all that pride get to your head, Sayaka," warned Mami.
"Is it okay if I ask you if you're scared, Sayaka?" inquired Yui, with Madoka nodding in agreement.
"Well, I guess I am, a little. I mean it wasn't too hard to beat that witch," she remarked.
"It may have been easy for you the first time, but you need to know this, Sayaka. If Hitomi, Madoka, Mami, and all of us together were about to be destroyed by that witch, only then would you never be able to forgive yourself, thus giving the darkness a chance it needs to destroy you. And that in turn would also hurt everyone," explained Sora.
"Ah, you worry too much, Sora. But after seeing you guys in action, I've started feeling motivated, or more at ease. I feel I wanna congratulate myself too," assured Sayaka.
"That's good to hear, Sayaka. But just remember what Mami said about pride and overconfidence. This is why we'll help you, a new magical girl, ensure that the people of Mitakihara are protected, and even maintain the peace in this city. But I'm more concerned about how you might not have any regrets at all," replied Kirito.
"I guess, if I did have any regrets, it'd be that I'd never get to see Team SKYYLAR, Mami, and Homura working together in their temporary alliance," admitted Sayaka.
"Well, try to be careful not to scare Madoka to death, Sayaka. Still, even though you and Madoka stood back with Yui when we fought against Charlotte, it was only until you saw that Sora would never let someone he cherished be killed by her," said Ruby.
"But like I said, I am happy to be alive, thanks to Sora," assured Mami.
"I know," sighed Madoka, until she hugged Mami again, with Sora nodding quietly towards her.
"You guys, there's also something that you should know as well. There's no such thing as should've, could've. Fear, hesitation, and regret will always give way to darkness, no matter how much you don't want to admit it. Even though the Heartless have joined forces with the witches as their two very similar forces of pure darkness, the consequences of fighting them can lead to disaster, such as how I nearly lost hope and gave up after I was used by Organization XIII. They were a group of Nobodies who wanted to become servants of Xehanort, and restart the Keyblade War to reforge the X-Blade. The ultimate key that opens the doorway into Kingdom Hearts, where whoever has the power will decide what they want most for the worlds around us," explained Sora.
As if to prove his point, he extended his hand towards them, and the very weapon that he mentioned appeared before them in a blinding flash of light.
"This is the weapon that Xehanort bequeathed to me after my friends and I showed him the error of his ways. After that, despite how I had this weapon, I still chose to find a way to bring Kairi back, despite the heavy price of using the Power of Waking one last time. But, even after what happened, I had a vision where other worlds came to be, and even managed to defeat the Lost Masters, who were responsible for the war between light and darkness, until the Master of Masters told me that he had been manipulated by a powerful darkness that was more powerful thanI realized, and had been manipulating everything from the very beginning, before I was born. I may not know who that is, but I refuse to let him continue to spread his darkness to other worlds," he continued.
Then he turned to Sayaka.
"Even after I saw you become a magical girl, and even seeing you in action for the first time when you clashed with that witch, which Yui said was named Elly. After all, it's just as I told you before. Be careful of what you wish for, you just might get it. All that I wish for, is to see the people I cherish come together, so that they can be united under one light, one sky, one destiny, and be part of the family I've come to both love and cherish. That's my wish. The wish of a Keyblade Master. Until that time comes, there must be no regrets, no tears, no anxieties. Just go forward in all your beliefs, and prove to those you cherish that I'm not mistaken in mine. After all, nothing is ever truly set stone," he finished.
"Sora," Sayaka murmured.
Then she rested her hand on his shoulder.
"Thank you," she said kindly to him.
"Now that that pep talk is out of the way, I say we better be prepared for what comes next," grinned Yang, even though she was worried about Sayaka, just as Madoka was.
"Don't give yourself to fear, Madoka. Believe me, it is the enemy of every man, woman, and child, no matter when or where they've come from," assured Mami.
"Okay, I'll do my best, Mami," replied Madoka.
In the hospital, Kyosuke soon told Sayaka and Sora that he was not allowed to leave yet, and that he still needed to go through the rehab of using his legs, until he was ready to walk, as well how his hand had suddenly healed as fast as it did, which meant that the doctors needed to run a few tests.
"Okay, but how are you feeling right now, Kyosuke?" Sora asked.
"Yeah, is there any pain you're feeling right now?" Sayaka asked as well.
"No, I feel so good it's scary. But after my heart to heart talk with Sora, I've dismissed the accident as a terrible nightmare. It's weird, I don't even know what I'm doing in this bed," replied Kyosuke.
"It's just like I said, Kyosuke. Dreams and miracles can't die that easily," said the spiky brunette.
"He's right," agreed the bluette.
"Thinking about before, I guess you were right the entire time, Sora. I let my anguish nearly cloud my judgment, until you cheered me up," said the other boy.
"I know what you mean, Kyosuke. Sora's pretty special when he sees someone's heart is wounded. Now that your hand is healed, you should be totally happy about it. So, don't feel ashamed about it," replied Sayaka.
"Yeah, maybe I should try and be more like Sora now," smiled Kyosuke.
"Well, anyway, we'd better get going," replied Sora, when he turned to face Sayaka.
"Actually, let's all go and get some fresh air," suggested Sayaka.
Despite his confusion, Kyosuke wasn't sure why they'd be going up to the roof, when the bluette assured him that he'd find out. When they arrived, they were soon met by the sound of applause from some of the doctors and nurses, and two people whom Sayaka identified as Kyosuke's parents, whom she called Mr. and Mrs. Kamijou.
"What's going on?" Kyosuke asked them.
"We were going to have a party when you got out of the hospital, but we figured since your hand's all better," replied Sayaka, until the other boy looked at the case in his father's hands.
"I know you told me to get rid of it, but I just couldn't throw it all away," said Mr. Kamijou.
There, in that very case, was the violin that Kyosuke played.
"Take it, Son," said his father.
Kyosuke nodded slowly, then gently took the violin from him, with Sora nodding proudly towards him, as he and Sayaka joined the group.
"Go on, play something. You don't have to be afraid," he assured his son.
"Yeah, you're father's right, Kyosuke. Play a song that resonates with your heart," added Sora.
Kyosuke nodded slowly, then he began to play the violin. The song he was playing was Ave Maria, which echoed as the feeling in Kyosuke's hand allowed him to press upon the strings, as the music resonated with his heart. A smile formed on his face, just as Mami joined them.
"I know that I warned you about wishing for something for someone else's sake, but at the same time, you were right, Sayaka. You don't want to see someone you cherish giving up on something that they want to be," she said.
Sayaka nodded slowly, knowing that she'd never truly regret this decision, by calling it the happiest moment of her life. After Kyosuke finished his song, everyone applauded him, including Mami, Sora, and everyone he knew. As his parents approached him, they turned to Sora, who looked at him.
"Our son told us everything about you, Sora. You really did believe that he'd heal after the accident, and you helped him realize that he should never give up hope. So, thank you," said Kyosuke's father.
"You're welcome, Mr. Kamijou," replied Sora, and he shook hands with each of them.
Sayaka smiled proudly at her friend, knowing full well that Sora was indeed a kind and understanding soul. Unknown to her, Kyoko Sakura was peering through a set of binoculars, when she noticed Sora and his friends, including Mami were with her.
"Huh. So that's what the new magical girl looks like, and I see that this guy and his pals are responsible for saving Mami's life," she said, as she began to munch on another snack.
"You're going to pick a fight with them, are you?" asked Kyubey.
"Sure, why not? They won't know what hit 'em. I promise," remarked Kyoko.
But she turned back to face the cat, who was mildly confused.
"Why, what's up? You got a problem with that or something? She asked arrogantly.
"Not at all. But it might not be as easy as you think. This city now has two magical girls and seven other worldly travelers," answered the cat-like creature.
"Oh really? So what's their story?" inquired Kyoko.
"I can answer that for Kyubey, Kyoko," interjected Kurai, who arrived via the dark corridor.
"What? I don't need your explanations, Kurai. If this newbie's a magical girl, she most certainly made a contract with Kyubey, right?" she quipped.
"Yes, it's true that the girl with hair, the color of the ocean, is a magical girl, but the other girl, Homura, is something of an oddity in this timeline. None of us are aware of the capabilities she has at the moment, but it is possible that she might be some sort of Arbiter of Fate," explained the son of Ardyn and Galaxia.
"You mean like those black specter thingies that stopped Cloud and his friends from causing a series of irregularities?" she asked.
"In a sense, you may be correct," replied Kurai.
"Sounds good to me. Getting kinda boring around here anyway. Nom! Gotta shake things up, you know what I'm saying?' smirked Kyoko, and she walked away.
"Perhaps, but I'd suggest you be very careful of Sora and his friends, and not underestimate them," warned the Prince of Chaos.
Inside the shopping mall, after taking this moment to part ways with Sayaka, Mami, and most of his friends, Sora soon met up with Homura in the restaurant, who asked if they wanted to talk with her.
"Yep. And there's something we need to tell you about Sayaka. I can tell that like Yang, she's both strong, hypersensitive, and very stubborn, due to her never give up attitude, but she also had a bit of a tendency to argue as well as start fights with other people. But both Madoka and I know that she's a good person we can trust. Much like me, she doesn't like it when someone she sees is being bullied, but she also has a kind and gentle heart, and her courageous attitude is one of her many defining features. In a way, it kind of mirrors how I stood up to Weiss Schnee's father, Jacques, who always treated her, Winter, and Whitley as his own personal tools, before we found out that James Ironwood killed him, as Atlas fell and was reduced to rubble, thanks to what Qrow Branwen and Robyn Hill told us," explained Sora.
"Fatal flaws like that are what can drive a person to the brink of death," replied Homura.
"But why?" he asked.
"A person becomes naive if they are too kind. Careless if they're too bold. And no matter how hard you try to protect others, there's no gratitude. Those who can't comprehend such things aren't fit to be magical girls," she answered.
"Even though that's the reason Mami Tomoe could have died if I hadn't saved her back then, I won't give up on anyone. That's how stubborn I can truly be, Homura Akemi. I know that Sayaka believes she can do things on her own, but I don't believe in that crap. Not one bit of it. And neither does Madoka. We may not know what to do to help her stay true to the light, but we'll always find a way," said the spiky brunette.
"You're really worried about her, aren't you?" Homura asked.
Both Madoka and Sora nodded in agreement.
"We are, but we can't do anything to help her all by ourselves, so we were wondering if you could do anything to help her," she said.
"Madoka's right, Homura. All we're asking is that you find a way to open your heart to other people, and let them in. You shouldn't try and continue to infight with her and Mami forever. Because if you did in front of any witch in whatever labyrinth they created, only then would they use this disadvantage for their own demented goals, and end up destroying you in the long run. Only by working together as one unstoppable force of light, can we truly overcome the darkness, and the people won't have to suffer all the terrible ordeals that the witches inflict upon them with the power of darkness that they wield, just like Sephiroth and Kurai do," agreed Sora.
Then as if to prove his point, Sora slowly stood up, which made Madoka stand aside so that he could step out of the booth, then dropped to his hands and knees, which made Homura think he was groveling to her.
"Please," he added.
"I don't make a habit of telling lies, and I don't make promises that I can't keep. Therefore, you should forget about Sayaka Miki," Homura said coldly.
Madoka was aghast, but Sora suddenly stood up and became angry.
"Never! I will never forget about Sayaka just because she's a magical girl! And there are three reasons as to why that's the case. 1: I'm not gonna let her die or watch her be overtaken by the darkness, just because she wished for Kyosuke's hand to heal so he could play violin again. 2: Even though Madoka and the rest of us were caught in Elly's labyrinth, Sayaka still came to our rescue and allowed us to help defeat that witch, just as she tried to show us what would happen if Mami did indeed die, because she also sensed my burning desire to protect those that I cherish. And 3: Saying that Sayaka should just be forgotten is not the way at all. I made a promise that I'd keep a friend of mine safe from the darkness, even if it kills me. That's my vow as a Keyblade Master," he said boldly.
"Sora," murmured Madoka.
"You may think that Sayaka shouldn't have agreed to form a contract with Kyubey all you like, Homura, but I can assure you, I'm still gonna try and endure the suffering, no matter how great it may be, after the way I suffered following the deaths of Nehelenia and Galaxia. And I'm still gonna be adamant on asking why you won't tell me the truth about yourself. So I'm still gonna make sure that Sayaka does her best to stay true to the light, no matter how much she doesn't want us to help her. That's what's in my heart. Some mistakes like this can have a redeeming quality, even though those who've passed away will always in some form or another from the netherworld of Kingdom Hearts, just like Pyrrha did, for Jaune Arc. And I know that even though there's no going back from becoming a magical girl, by giving up everything in exchange for that one singular wish, I'll still help them, even though Kirito, Kenton, Kiba, and I can't contract with Kyubey. Once you give up on other people, and yourself, only then will you be truly lost in the darkness," he added.
"Perhaps, but after hearing what you said, Sora, you've actually given me a lot to think about, even if I choose to always be alone, I will continue my fight to the end," replied Homura.
"Then I'd like you to promise me something, Homura. When you feel you're ready to tell me the truth, will you agree to do so, whether or not Sayaka agrees to let me help her stay true to the light?" he asked.
"Even if I don't make any promises, I'll agree to that request, Sora, but only if you do find a way to ensure that you help Sayaka stay true to the light, so that the darkness doesn't destroy her. Then I will tell you everything after that," replied Homura, and she walked away.
Inside her room, Sayaka stood before several mirrors, and slapped her cheeks.
"You must have patience, and a clear conscience, Sayaka," assured Asuna.
"I'm with Asuna on this one," agreed Kyubey.
"I know. One mistake and it's, goodbye me," replied Sayaka.
"You know that Sora won't allow that to happen, right?" asked Leafa.
"I do, but if it does, then Vanitas may break out and start helping the witches," she answered.
"Sayaka, no matter what happens, remember this. Don't let yourself be ruled by fear, anger, hatred, despair, and mistrust. Those can affect you in a negative way, just as I almost gave up hope after Salem destroyed Remnant, as well as drove whatever survivors remained into an underground network of caverns, where they proceeded to mount a daring resistance against her, until Sora freed her from her darkness, and helped her understand what it was she was so foolishly forgetting, even after cursing the gods for making her become an immortal being," warned Ruby.
Nodding silently, Sayaka led them out the door, where they saw Sora and Madoka waiting outside.
"Is your mind made up, Sayaka?" he asked.
"Yep, I'm going. Time to patrol for wicked witches," replied Sayaka.
"I'll go along as well, and so will Team SKYYLAR," agreed Mami.
"Mami's right, Sayaka. Even if you feel like you can do things on your own, just know this. Don't let yourself be ruled by pride as I once did. My father, Tai, told me that it can also become my enemy, and that my semblance shouldn't be used like a crutch. Despite my stubborn nature, all I've ever wanted was a chance to travel the world I loved, until Salem ruined it, only to be saved by Sora who showed her the error of her ways, just as he showed Xehanort," warned Yang.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Yang, but I'm sure it's gonna be okay since we have each other, and together we can overcome anything," replied the bluette.
"I know that Madoka may be concerned about your safety, but I asked Homura to tell me everything about herself, after I do everything I can to make sure you stay true to the light, if you'll let us join you on your first official witch hunt as a magical girl," said Sora.
"I like your style, Sora," smiled Sayaka.
"Yeah, well, I can already tell this is gonna be one hell of a party!" he replied as he felt Dante's spirit within him.
"Hell yeah it is, Sora!" agreed Kirito.
"Ugh, men," muttered Leafa.
"Come on, Leafa, just let them have this moment," assured Asuna.
"Still, Sora doesn't like when people are alone, or when he feels like he'll end up being alone, because of his fear of losing us to the darkness, just like how he saw Xehanort strike down Kairi at that final battle, only to be brought back despite the consequences of him using the Power of Waking one last time. But he's a special person to all of us, just as Madoka's special to you and Mami. And the same can be said about Usagi, because she knows that the people she cherishes will always be in her heart, no matter how far apart they are, or whatever timeline they'd be from, since both linear and multiversal time travel really hurts our brains a whole lot," explained Ruby.
"We'd be honored, if you did join us, Madoka. And yes, Team SKYYLAR is more than welcome as well. Courage of the heart is always rare. Our hearts have a power, when we're bound together by light," said Mami.
"Then, if it's no trouble, we'll also make sure that Madoka's protected from the witches, when we march straight into darkness. That's a promise from all of us to her and Yui. After all, it's just like Yang said. We laugh in the face of danger," replied Sora.
Then he made an evil sounding laugh that made Sayaka and Mami amused, but did leave Madoka a bit unsettled, until she realized that it was his way of being brave. Then off they went, as Sora told Kyubey that he and his friends would ensure that none would dare come to harm Sayaka if she were indeed by herself, regardless of the catlike being saying that Madoka would be the ace, only for Sora to take hold of her hand again, making her feel at ease around him.
"As I told Homura before, I'll always find a way to help my friends, no matter how bleak the situation may be. And as I've told you many times before," he assured her.
"I know, I should be careful of what I wish for. I just might get it," replied Madoka.
"Smart thinking, Madoka," Homura said from behind them, even as she nodded towards Sora.
They continued walking until they came to the entrance of a labyrinth that both Sayaka and Mami's soul gems detected, until they discovered that the labyrinth was the creation of a familiar instead of a witch, despite Sayaka's belief in being cautious.
"Team SKYYLAR! Divide and conquer! Keyblades, Crescent Rose, and Ember Celica at the ready!" cried Sora.
"Sir, yes sir!" replied Team SKYYLAR.
They soon walked into the labyrinth, until they were ambushed by familiars and Heartless, which both Ruby, Yang, and Mami fought back against, then they saw the familiar flying past them.
"There it is," Sayaka said to them.
"Then let's take it down!" replied Sora.
"With pleasure," grinned the bluette, and she soon transformed into her magical girl outfit in a brilliant flash of blue light.
"Sayaka, I'd suggest you help Ruby and Yang deal with the Heartless that are trying to hurt Madoka and Yui. Sora, Asuna, Leafa, and I will deal with the familiar," said Kirito.
"You got it coach," replied Sayaka.
Then without warning, Kirito and Asuna lunged at the familiar, and began drawing it back towards their friends, while Sayaka, Ruby and Yang held off the Heartless as best as they could. The familiar was so shocked, that it barely had time to dodge any of the attacks, as it raced towards Sora and Leafa
"GO, CYCLONE UNION!" cried Sora.
The two friends lunged furiously at the familiar, then managed to cut it down. Suddenly, Kyoko arrived in a maroon dress with an opening for the soul gem on her upper chest, and a mandarin collar attached to it. The borders of her dress were covered with thick white frills that covered the opening of her dress and the back, gray bicep length sleeves with button cuffs around her wrists, a pleated magenta skirt and black corset with white detailing, a pair of tall red boots with white cuffs and white symbols just underneath the opening on her top, and black thigh-high tights.
"Never thought I'd see you guys take that familiar down that easily," she said.
She then pointed her spear at Sora, who then pointed his Keyblade right back at her.
"Still, I'm kinda surprised. Seeing you help this newbie take out a familiar instead of a witch, while she and her other friends fought off those black creatures that tried to hurt both Pinkie and that little squirt, despite not having any spoils" smirked Kyoko.
"Kyoko Sakura," sighed Mami, as she trained her rifle on her.
"Well, well. Mami Tomoe. I see you survived your brush with Charlotte. Every other magical girl in the city they're protecting is talking about it," quipped the red-head.
"Wait, you guys know each other?" Yang asked.
"Yes, she's a magical girl like I am, but we both started to have a lot of disagreements and decided to part ways on not so friendly terms," replied the blonde drilltail.
But Kyoko pulled out what looked like a fish and started munching on it.
"That's the big history lesson about the both of us, but she didn't need to remind me about it. Killing the goose before it lays the golden eggs isn't the way, newbies," she said, as she placed her spear on the ground.
"Even though we didn't want the people to die, we still chose to defeat it," remarked Sora, who bravely stepped towards her after lowering his Keyblade.
"Oh really now? Then how about you guys tell me who you are?" Kyoko asked.
"I'm Sora," replied Sora.
"Hey there. My name's Kirito," added Kirito.
"I'm Yang," greeted Yang.
"My name is Yui," chimed Yui
"I'm Leafa, nice to meet you," added Leafa.
"My name's Asuna," said Asuna.
"I'm Ruby, and I actually like your spear," said Ruby.
"And together we are, TEAM SKYYLAR!" finished Sora, who posed with the two half-siblings.
This only made Kyoko laugh at them.
"Yeah, laugh it up," he quipped towards her.
"Well my name's Kyoko Sakura. I'm a magical girl like Mami and this newbie," replied Kyoko.
But then she turned and looked sharply towards them.
"Have you guys heard something called the food-chain? Didn't they teach it to you at school?" she asked.
"I already know what it is, Kyoko," remarked Sora.
"Then why don't you tell me how the food chain works, Spiky? Or are you too much of a chicken wuss to even figure out what that means?" inquired Kyoko.
But this time Sora got angry at what he heard Kyoko call him.
"Okay, three things, Kyoko. First of all, I don't like being called rude names like chicken wuss or spiky. It's just like how Usagi doesn't like being called bunhead. Secondly, this food chain talk of how witches hunt down and kill people, just so that magical girls can destroy them is nothing more than pure unadulterated bull crap. And thirdly, I still believe that everyone should come together and become part of a group of people I formed called the Warriors of Light, so that we can travel to other worlds and ensure that they are safe from the darkness, and allow those who live upon them to have their happily ever after. Do you want to live in a world where no one can see eye to eye?" he said furiously.
"Sora, please, don't antagonize Kyoko," Mami said worriedly.
"Yeah, you'd better listen to Drill-Buns over here, Spiky, even though it sickens me to my core to agree with her after our disagreement," added the red-headed rogue.
"And another thing, don't call Mami, Drill-Buns! It's sort of like calling Usagi, Bunhead!" Sora snapped furiously.
"Don't push it, Spiky. Or you will regret making me angry. Though I don't know why someone like you is a big believer in justice and saving people from the darkness like that blue newbie," warned Kyoko.
"THAT'S IT!" he shouted, unable to hold back the urge to attack Kyoko.
"Sora, wait!' called Madoka and Sayaka.
"I've had enough of your BULL CRAP, KYOKO SAKURA!" he yelled furiously, and he swung a mighty two handed blow, which she casually blocked with her spear, by treating it like a bo-staff.
"Whatever, wanna stop that?" she asked cockily.
"Grrrr, DON'T YOU MOCK ME!" roared Sora, as he back flipped away from her and charged again.
"I don't get how you can just lose yourself to anger and let something dark inside you burst out. It's really getting old," quipped Kyoko, and she quickly forced him back, only to see Sora use it to his advantage, as he landed on the ground, caught his Keyblade, and drained an elixir in one gulp.
"Sayaka, Madoka, Mami, everyone, stay back! I'll handle her alone," he said darkly.
"Okay, but don't let Vanitas take the chance of breaking free, Big Brother Sora," called Yui.
Nodding quietly, Sora knew that his soul sister was right, as he cleared his thoughts of any anger within his head, and relaxed himself.
"Heh, not bad. I'm actually impressed, Spiky," smirked Kyoko, as she soon gained a cocky grin.
"You should know that I don't give up that easily, after a hit like that. It's something that I've gained from both my Shinobi and Saiyan Soul Drive powers, Kyoko. And much like Sayaka, I'm not throwing in the towel just yet. The only reason why Mami's still alive is because of me, so believe me when I say this to you about her. Had she died by Charlotte's fangs, only then would Madoka and Sayaka start hurting because of it, even though the two of you used to be friends, before you split up. However, I can tell that deep down, you're also hurting, just as she did. I don't believe in the whole 'I'm staying a lone wolf' crap. I also know that Sayaka wished for Kyosuke to be healed so he could play violin till his heart's content," he explained.
"I see. Then I hereby name you my rival, Sora!" remarked Kyoko, as she prepared for battle again.
Readying his Keyblade, Sora got into a battle stance as well, as the two new rivals looked firmly into each other's eyes.
"If you wish to prove your worth against me, then show me what you've got!' she added.
"With pleasure," smirked Sora.
"You've gotta be kidding," muttered Sayaka, as she and the others watched the battle between Keyblade Master and Magical Girl begin.
"I know what you mean, Sayaka. But at the very least, those two have already started their stint as rivals," replied Kirito.
(Time to play In The Dead Of The Night by Hardline, which is now the theme of Sora vs Kyoko, as Johnny Gioeli's voice echoes around them as they engage in a clash of Keyblade vs Spear. So imagine how their battle's gonna be both intense and epic)
"[Verse 1]
Where are we now that all the chains are broken
When all the words have spoken, yeah
And nothing will surprise our journey to the glory
This is our life story, yeah, yeah
[Pre-Chorus]
Listen to the thunder roar
Knocked down to the floor
[Chorus]
One with nothing on your side
Keep on riding on the path
In the dead of the night
Burning bridges till the end
There ain't nothing to pretend
In the dead of the night
In the dead of the night, yeah, yeah, oh
[Verse 2]
Make your way to the world and find your peace of mind
Never look behind, yeah
The sign of the cross, the freedom of the son
Every action has its road
[Pre-Chorus]
Listen to the thunder roar
Knocked down to the floor
[Chorus]
One with nothing on your side
Keep on riding on the path
In the dead of the night
Burning bridges till the end
There ain't nothing to pretend
In the dead of the night
[Guitar Solo]
[Chorus]
One with nothing on your side
Keep on riding on the path
In the dead of the night
Burning bridges till the end
There ain't nothing to pretend
In the dead of the night
One with nothing on your side
Keep on riding on the path
In the dead of the night
Burning bridges till the end
There ain't nothing to pretend
In the dead of the night, oh!
In the dead of the night, yeah, oh"
(And the song ends with Kyoko and Sora now standing away from each other, after the latter sees that he's still standing, despite the fierce clash of their weapons in this narrow alleyway, just as the rough and tough redhead starts breathing heavily)
"Well, I see you're not as easy to defeat as I realized. I don't know how someone like you wields a key-shaped sword so that you can easily fight witches and familiars like us magical girls, but I have to admit, you've become a worthy opponent, and it'd be a shame to just kill you without having a true challenge," she smirked, despite the weariness in her eyes.
"In all honesty, Madoka, I gotta hand it to Sora. He really does know how to take a stand for any of us, even when it's against another magical girl who's acknowledging him as a powerful rival. That's something I can respect about him, after his heart to heart talk with Kyosuke," said Sayaka.
"No way," murmured Madoka.
"Yes, way, Madoka. And that's actually something I love about him, too. Hence why he's got another friendly rival who respects him called Haruka Tenoh, who is a Sailor Guardian that represents Uranus, named in honor of the Roman God of the Sky, because his name also means sky," replied Yang.
"Yeah, yeah, thanks for the trivia about Sora, Miss Blonde Hothead. Now if you don't mind, both Sora and I have a fight to finish," scoffed Kyoko.
"I'm afraid that's enough of that," came a voice from nearby.
"Homura," hissed Mami.
This was enough to make both Kyoko and Sora stand down, as Homura stepped out and looked at the both of them.
"Well, I guess that's one matter solved without Madoka becoming a magical girl," sighed Kyubey.
"Well, yeah, but at least Sora and Kyoko's relationship is more akin to that of true rivals, rather than enemies, even though they have different ideals on how to battle the darkness," remarked Yang.
"True dat, Yang," agreed Sayaka, as they exchanged a fist bump with each other, despite Madoka's estranged shock and relief that Sora was fighting in her stead, while Mami rested her hand on her shoulder.