The five keyblade bearers take out many nobodies as they make their way through a section on the exterior of the Castle That Never Was, known as Naught's Skyway. A wide variety of Nobodies, from dancers to berserkers, to samurai stood in their way, but they stood no chance against the 5 keyblade warriors. They make their way past the raised platform in the hall of melodies, before finding their way up to some stairs and into a room known as the Proof of Existence. The room contained twelve small structures and a sealed door.
"What is this place?" asks Kairi.
"This room acts as both a graveyard for the organization and security to block protect Kingdom Hearts. Xion explains. The ones that shine red and have broken structures represent those that have fallen. Xigbar, Xaldin, Vexen, Lexaeus, Zexion . . ." Xion's breath gets shaky ". . . Axel. . . Demyx. . . Marluxia and Larxene." Xion finishes, before taking a few deep breaths.
"Then the blue ones-?" asks Riku
"Yes, they represent those who still stand. Saix, The Luna Diviner. Luxord, The Gambler of Fate. and . . ." Roxas grasps Xion's hand, and the two tighten their grip on each other. "Us, The Keys of Destiny," Roxas explains. " in the case of some sort of raid on the castle, we would have all been sent to separate arenas, as the gates to Kingdom Hearts were locked, and each of us would be expected to either defeat the intruders or die trying." Roxas looks at their headstone, while their grave shines blue, their headstone is destroyed since they are no longer part of the organization. "The headstones act as gateways to the arenas. If we want to proceed, we'll need to face what remains of the organization."
"Who should we fight first?" asks Namine. "It would be best for all five of us to take one on at a time right?"
"I don't think so," says Xion. "Kingdom Hearts is almost ready, if we want to stop Xemnas in time, we'll need to hurry."
"You three can take on Luxord, we'll deal with Saix," says Roxas.
"Just the two of you? Are you sure?" asks Namine, concerned for the safety of her two friends.
"Yes, we're sure," says Xion, without a second thought. The two enter the portal to Saix's arena before the portal closes.
"Well, they've made their choice. It's time for us to pull our own weight," says Riku, turning to face Luxord's headstone. Namine and Kairi do the same.
"Ready?" asks Kairi. Riku and Namine nod. The three walk into the headstone and prepare for what's up ahead. What they aren't ready for is to see is a large green beam shooting Kingdom Hearts.
"What's that?" asks Namine.
"It's Diz- I mean, Ansem's backup plan," says Riku. Kairi looks over at Riku, as he says the name of their old foe.
"Ansem the wise?" asks Namine. Riku nods.
"The same Ansem me and Sora fought a year ago?" asks Kairi. Riku shakes his head. "No, it's a long story, but Ansem the wise is not the same as the heartless you had taken care of previously," says Riku
"It's a shame it won't work though. . ." a voice says from behind. The three turn to see The Gambler of Fate. He pulls out a deck of cards from under his sleeves. "How about we skip the formalities and end this, here and now?" asks Luxord. Riku and Kairi, materialize their keyblades before Namine manages to get hers as well.
"Fine by me," says Riku the gambler summons large bladed cards by his side that he swings around wildly, yet with elegance, Riku and Kairi jump back away from the sudden attack, but Namine didn't react in time and is thrown across the arena Riku and Kairi attack Luxord from opposing sides before casting a powerful Dark Firaga, and performing a Ragnarok combo. Luxord summons three cards that spin around and he suddenly disappears into one, the three cards go face down to the ground and shuffle before standing back up.
"There!" Shouts Namine, as she stabs one of the cards with her keyblade, From which Luxord emerges, in pain. The three keyblade wielders attack Luxord ferociously, before he does the trick again, with five cards. Namine pays close attention and attacks Luxord's card immediately as it rises from the ground, finally, Luxord tries the trick one last time, with a total of nine cards, the three heroes pay close attention, but lose sight of Luxord's card as the cards rise, Kairi sees a single king of spades among an assortment of non-face cards, she takes the gut instinct to heart and attacks the king of spades, revealing Luxord. The three take advantage of Luxord's vulnerable state and attack him once more before Luxord jumps back and throws clusters of bladed cards that spin around like sawblades. Before jumping back again
"Look who's on top of the game?" Luxord taunts, as he throws a vast amount of bladed cards, the three dodge them before noticing Luxord vanish as he's surrounded by cards. Suddenly the cards on the floor turn face-side up as Luxord appears out of them and slashes at Namine with two large bladed cards. He attacks with such speed and force that the three wonder why he hadn't been doing this the entire time. Finally, the three are surrounded by massive cards the make a circle around them, Luxord appears in front of them
"Pick a card. . ." Luxord says as four cards swirl around him Namine looks closely before. She reaches out and grabs two cards, a black and red joker. Luxord jumps back, astonished before Namine throws the cards into the air as the cards around them turn to show their faces the cards swirl around Namine before shrinking to fit in her hand. She shows the cards off like they're a really good hand, before throwing the cards like knives at Luxord. Taking advantage of his weakened state, Riku and Kairi stab at him, piercing his body and finishing him off. They pulled out their keyblades and jump back to Namine's side as Luxord falls to the ground.
"How could they. . . Roxas. . . Xion. . ." the gambler says with anger and exhaustion, finally losing the will to live, and disappearing in black dust.
"I wasn't expecting a fight like that. . ." says Kairi.
"He's the Gambler of Fate, it's not too surprising that he has some tricks up his sleeve." Namine remarks.
"Well, he's gone now. That just leaves Roxas and Xion to deal with Saix," says Riku. The three make their way to the exit of the arena, which acts as a portal back to the proof of existence. While Riku, Namine, and Kairi had left to deal with Luxord. Xion and Roxas walk down the familiar white halls of the castle, they enter the large room where they were given their missions some time ago, though it was a bit different now. The furniture was all gone, leaving only an empty room. In this room stands Saix, the back of his long blue hair goes over his hood as he faces away from the two, looking up at Kingdom Hearts. Saix turns around and faces his once-subordinates as an evil grin takes shape on his face.
"Only you two could have ruined a plan this badly. I must say though, I'm impressed you both managed to come back in one piece. . . Sora." Saix says, mocking them.
"How long are you going to pretend that you're still in control?" Xion fires back.
"We're our own people, whether you like it or not! We are ourselves, and no one else!" yells Roxas, the two materialize their keyblades, Two Become One, and Rejection of Fate. Saix in turn raises his claymore and laughs.
"People? Have you forgotten who you are?" asks Saix "You are both nothing more than puppets. An imperfect copy and a hollow shell based on the real deal. What makes you think your any different from us?"
"We have each other, and because of that, we can feel. I don't think you can say the same." Xion retaliates. Saix clenches his teeth as he tightens his grip on his claymore.
"I had someone too once, but he didn't make me feel anything," Saix utters as a barrier of light forms in the exit, blocking anyone from leaving. No matter who is in this room, only the winner will be allowed to leave. Saix rises into the air. "Don't you feel it? The moon's power?" asks Saix, before erupting in blue flames and thorns, Saix lands on the ground and swings his claymore, each swing producing shockwaves of blue fire. Roxas and Xion dodge the first three swings before Saix leaps back and throws his claymore at Xion. She barely dodges the claymore but is knocked away by the blue fire. Saix materializes a new claymore as he leaps to attack the vulnerable Xion. Roxas dashes and grabs the other claymore lying on the ground before swinging it with all his strength and knocking Saix away from Xion. knocking him out of his berserker-like state.
The claymore in Roxas's hand disappears as Saix turns to crush him with his own claymore but Xion grabs onto Roxas and Forms a reflective barrier, sending Saix flying as his sheer strength is used against him. Saix gets back on his feet in time to see the two keyblade wielders right in front of him. The two shred him with their keyblades before Saix manages to materialize a new claymore and knock them far away with a single swing. The two land on their feet and look on as their former superior rises to the air and is engulfed in blue flames once more. He lands on the ground and takes large strides towards them, swinging at the ground as he does so, creating massive shockwaves of blue flames along the ground. He jumps into the air and throws his claymore. Roxas and Xion dash out of the way, and Roxas does a 180 to try and grab it. Just as he's about to reach it though, it explodes and sends him flying back into a wall
"Roxas!" Xion shouts as she tries to run to his aid, before stopping as Saix's rage grows evermore.
"All shall be lost to you!" Saix shouts as the flames that engulf him grow larger and larger. He leaps into the air before crashing to the ground in an explosion. He dashes at Xion and spins his claymore around as he does so, creating a constant trail of shockwaves as he does so. He leaps into the air again and crashes down, Xion sprints and pick up Roxas in her arms before she continues to run from the enraged Saix. Finally, Saix dashes right at her and runs his claymore along the ground before rising it into the air and hitting her in the back, Xion cries in agony as she crashes to the floor.
Saix's claymore lands on the ground as he summons a new one, and approaches Xion. he raises his claymore to the air before attempting to strike the girl down, but he's blindsided by the extreme force of his own claymore from behind. Saix turns as he reverts out of his enraged state to see the injured Roxas holding his claymore. The claymore disappears as Siax prepares to swing at the boy who ruined everything when suddenly he feels a sharp pain in his chest. He looks down to see the notched end of Xion's keyblade piercing out of his stomach. He falls to his knees as she pulls the blade from his body, as black dust rises off of him. Xion walks by Roxas's side as they stare down their former superior.
"You said you had a friend once right? Were you talking bout Axel?" asks Roxas. Saix glares at him.
"Why do you care?" asks Saix.
"Just curious, since it seems you and Axel, or rather, Isa and Lea seemed to be good friends," says Xion. Saix takes a sharp breath before looking down and away from the two before him.
"So you've been there. . . to Radiant Garden?" asks Siax.
"Radiant Garden?" Xion asks back. Saix sighs as he struggles to keep going.
"Before it was known as Hollow Bastion, that world was known as Radiant Garden. Me and Axel were residents of that world, along with Zexion, Vexen, Lexaeus, Xaldin, Xigbar, and Xemnas." Saix explains.
"You two became researchers the day before Xehanort enacted his plan right? Why did you join them?" asks Roxas.
". . . we had encountered a strange boy that we hadn't recognized. He called himself . . . Ventus. . ." Saix struggles. The two perk up as they hear that name yet again. "His appearance and tales of his two friends made us curious as to what goes on inside Ansem's castle. . . so we snuck in." Saix coughs as he struggles to speak. "There we ran into a girl. . . she had no name, or memories, and was simply referred to as Subject X." he stops for a second, as he tries to remember the few memories he has from then. "We searched for a way to get her out. . . when were caught and thrown out of the castle," Saix explains. "That's why we had become researchers. . . Once we had our hearts were would go and find here again. . . but then. . ." Saix looks up at the two, his rage reawaking. "You two. . ." He tries to stand up but merely falls to the ground, the two keyblade bearers scowl at him.
"You have no more power over us, you can't hurt anyone anymore," says Xion. Saix merely sighs.
"He had left me. . . us. . . the second you arrived." Saix stares at Roxas. "All for what? Because you look like him, like Ventus?" asks Saix. The two are taken aback by this statement, but brush it off, for all they know, Saix could be just spewing lies.
"You could have been our friend too you know," says Roxas. Saix takes a sharp breath and looks up at them. "But you chose to wallow in your own jealousy." Roxas snaps, as he turns away from his former superior, he walks off and Xion follows.
"Wait," says Saix. The two turn to face him. "If. . . if you two happen to find Subject X. . . don't tell her what happened to us. . . what I became. . ." he asks "Please. . ." the two keyblade bearers look at each other, before looking at their former superior.
"Fine. . . but know that we're doing this for Axel's sake, not because you asked us to." Roxas says firmly, making sure Saix understands. The two make it near the exit in time to see the light barrier disappear.
"Xion. . . Roxas. . ." Saix's weak voice says. They look over their shoulders as the man begins to fade away. He looks at them and uses the last of his will to give them one final message "May your heart be your guiding key. . ." Saix collapses and disappears into a cloud of black dust that rises into the air and disappears. The two look at where he once stood, before taking their exit.
As the two emerge from the portal behind them, the headstone shatters. They look down to see the once blue light is now red. They look over to Luxord's grave and see Kairi, Namine, and Riku waiting there.
"I told you they did it." Namine smiles, as she glances over at Riku.
"What were you two interrogating Saix about?" asks Kairi.
"Just some stuff about Radiant Garden," says Xion.
"Radiant Garden?" asks Riku
"That sounds. . . familiar." Kairi whispers to herself.
"It's the original name of Hollow Bastion," Xion explains. The five look over at where a door of white energy once stood to see a single set of stairs.
"We should get going though, there's still one person left," says Namine. The group nods and they make their way up the flight of stairs. As they make their way to the top of the stairs, they hear a strange sound, and the voice fo the king.
"Ansem?" Mickey says worryingly. Ansem the Wise laughs at himself
"I am a fool. I've spent years studying the workings of the heart. Yet it seems I still haven't learned a thing!"
"What do you mean?" asks Roxas. Mickey and Ansem look over to see the five keyblade bearers arrive on the scene. Ansem the wise looks to the floor, and then back at Kingdom Hearts
"The process of encoding hearts is incalculable. The inhabitants of my false Twilight Town were data created from real hearts. I was convinced that they would think and behave the way I had envisioned- but I couldn't have been more wrong." says Ansem. The large machine he's holding begins to shake as the beam becomes more unstable. "A heart is so much more than any system." Ansem takes a second to collect his thoughts. "While I was trying to bring Sora back. I had many plans in store. But once I had seen Roxas and Kairi cross paths. . . they all began to fall apart. But I was too stubborn to accept it." the King of Radiant Garden admits. "It's always the same. I try to wrap my mind around things my heart already knows, only to fail. All my research amounted to nothing, compared to the hearts you all possess. . ." electricity starts to pour out of the machine as the beam glows brighter, and the machine shakes with even greater force than before.
"Ansem! The machine!" Mickey shouts, ready to spring into action, but Ansem stops him.
"All the more proof that hearts cannot be contained by data. Run! It's going to self-destruct, anything could happen!"
"But what about you!?" asks the mouse. The king falls silent, before facing the keyblade bearers.
"Roxas . . . Xion. . . Namine. . . Riku. . . Kairi. . . Mickey. . . The rest is up to you now. . . and to all of you. . . I'm sorry for all the ways I've wronged you. . ."
"Ansem!" Mickey tries to leap to his friend's aid, but Riku stops.
"No Mickey. His heart has made a decision. We can't change that." suddenly though, their attention is turned to something else, or rather, someone else. A dark corridor appears on the ramp nearby Ansem.
"I was wondering who would dare interfere with my Kingdom Hearts. And look, here you all are. How convenient for me." says Xemnas emerging from the portal. He looks over to his former master. "Ansem the Wise. . . You look pathetic."
"Have your laugh. I deserve as much for failing to see you for the fool you are," says Ansem. His former student fires back.
"Students do take after their teachers. Only a fool would be your apprentice. After all, none of this would have happened without you. YOU are the source of all Heartless. It was your research that inspired me to go further than you ever dared." Ansem laughs.
"I admit. . . my disregard brought chaos to more worlds than one. But what are YOU seeking?" asks Ansem. "You erased me from the world, only to take my name and continue research better left forgotten. Is this the answer you've been looking for?"
"All that and more. I'm carrying on what you yourself began, and I'm creating a brand new world, one heart at a time. I thought you'd praise me, but all you ever do is hold me back. I understand, though. Unlike me, you have a heart. And you're powerless to control it. Consumed, by the jealousy you feel toward the student who surpassed you." Ansem glares at his former student.
"Xehanort. Foolish apprentice of a foolish man. You have surpassed nothing. You have only proved how little we both truly know." Ansem states. "We may profess to know the heart, but its essence is beyond our reach. We're both ignorant- as oblivious as when we began. I'm afraid that any world you try to create. . . Any world of yours. . . would be an empire of ignorance. That is why you and your creation are destined to fall! We've said enough!" Ansem turns to Riku. "Riku! You know what to do!" He looks away. "Everyone. . . forgive me." Riku steps in front of the group and creates a large barrier of darkness, as the machine suddenly explodes in a blast of powerful light. Hearts pour from kingdom hearts as the explosion pierces the moon. The hearts rain down on The World that Never Was, landing to the black city below, each heart creating a new heartless as it hits the ground. The legions of heartless begin to climb their way to the castle. The heroes open their eyes as the light fades away, and Riku removes the dark barrier Ansem and Xemnas are gone.
"What do you we do now?" asks Namine, as she looks up to the sky to see Kingdom Hearts, now with a hole in the middle, spewing darkness forth.
"What we were doing earlier. Taking down the rest of the Organization." Roxas says firmly. The keyblade bearers look up as the ramp to the higher points of the castle gets darker and darker.
"Things will only get more dangerous from here." Says Riku, as the group makes their way up Naught's Approach. They enter a large empty area with a few platforms floating mid-air, known as Ruin and Creation's passage.
"How are we supposed to get up there?" Kairi asks as she points to the exit. Roxas and Xion step off the ledge of the platform, and small shockwaves of light appear as they step on the empty space.
"The floor here is invisible. It's supposed to make it harder to traverse. Follow us." Says Xion. Mickey, Riku, Kairi, and Namine nod as they allow Xion and Roxas to lead the way. They make their way to each platform, and take care of any Nobodies that get in their way, before finally reaching the top platform. As they approach the exit, Namine gets their attention.
"Guys! We have trouble!" Namine shouts. They look over to see her point to the windows at the side of the walls. Shadows come pouring out of them, some of them jump and manage to land on the lower platforms, those that don't begin to climb up to the location of the keyblade wielders. They materialize their keyblades and ready themselves for battle.
"There's no end to it. . ." Riku whispers.
"We can this, I know we can," Kairi reassures him, the group prepares to charge, when suddenly from a flash of green fire appear two familiar faces, Pete and Maleficent.
"Begone from here! Leave these creatures to us!" Pete looks almost surprised at this.
"But there's no way we can take 'em all!" says Pete.
"I'll be sending them after Xemnas. . . Or would you rather deal with them yourself?" asks the mistress of all evil.
"Frankly I'd rather run!" Pete responds. Maleficent glares at him.
"Off with you then," she says, allowing her lackey to make his own choice. Pete looks over his shoulder and sees Mickey looking back
"Well, if it ain't the boat-boy King." Pete remarks
"Time to weight anchor, Captain Pete!" says Mickey Pete looks over back to Maleficent.
"What, like abandon ship? I don't think so!"
"Xion, Your Majesty, Do not mistake this gesture as one of allegiance. When I've destroyed them, this castle Shall be mine!"
"Now lookie here. Opportunities like this don't come along every day, ya know." Pete says to the king, before taking his side by maleficent. The two ready themselves for battle. "Bring 'em on!" Pete finishes, as they attack the heartless
"Guess that's our cue," says Roxas. The group turns away and takes the exit, entering the Altar of Naught. They climb up the stairs that spiral around the highest tower in the castle, upon reaching it, they find one last set of stairs that lead to the top platform, atop which Xemnas stands, his arms raised in the air as he looks upon the remnants Kingdom Hearts. The six climb up the final set of stairs.
"Ohh. . . .my Kingdom Hearts. . . ruined. Now I'll have to start all over again." Xemnas pauses for a moment. "Warriors of the Keyblade!" Xemnas turns "Go forth, and bring me more hearts!" Xemnas commands as he puts his two hands on his chest.
"Never!" shouts Xion as the six manage to materialize their keyblades in unison. Xemnas sighs.
"Denizens of light, answer this: Why do you hate the darkness?"
"We don't have the darkness, we hate those who lurk inside it." Riku snaps.
"Then allow me another question. You accept darkness, yet choose to live in the light. So why is it that you loathe us who teeter on the edge of nothing? We who were turned away by both light and dark never given a choice?"
"We do have a choice! You just chose to ignore it!" shouts Roxas.
". . . do you really believe you two are anything like us?" asks Xemnas. Xemnas suddenly raises his hands as light comes forth from around the platform and rises. The group is blinded for a moment, when Roxas and Xion open their eyes, they find themselves in front of Memory's skyscraper, or some weird other version of it.
"Namine? Kairi?" shouts Roxas
"Riku! You're majesty! Where are you?" shouts Xion. the two look around before turning as Xemnas fade into the reality around them. They draw their keyblades and dash at him. Xemnas opens his palm and zaps Xion with strange electricity, knocking her to the ground and entrapping her in a strange spell that she cannot escape. She screams in agony as Roxas turns to Xemnas, fury rising within him. Xemnas enters a dark corridor and appears at the top of the skyscraper. Roxas follows and runs up the side of the tower as Xemnas leaps off the top and summons his two ethereal blades. Roxas leaps and the two meet in front of the large television screen. Roxas swings but Xemnas dodges and hits him twice with his blades knocking him back and into Xion, breaking the spell.
"Roxas! Are you alright!?" She helps Roxas as he struggles to stand Xemnas dashes at the two and swings his blade to which Xion manages to block, he swings again and aims at Xion's blind spot, but Roxas blocks the attack as well. The two push back against Xemnas and slash at him, knocking him back. Xemnas spins around as he extends his two blades at the same time, moving around in a dancing-like motion as his blades nearly parry the keyblades out of Roxas and Xion's hands. They dodge the flurry of slashes and strike Xemnas with their blades before he teleports behind Roxas.
He swings his blades at him and sends him flying as he performs his flurry of slashes once again on Xion. Xion reflects the attack as best as she can and manages to stun Xemnas long enough to knock him away and Rush to Roxas's aid, using some of her energy to heal his wounds, When Roxas is suddenly blasted with painful electricity from Xemnas. Xion's eyes widen as he yells from the excruciating pain. Xion turns to see Xemnas dash to the top of the skyscraper.
"Come closer. . ." he says as he taunts her from the top of the tower. Xion makes her way to the skyscraper. She jumps and runs up the side of the skyscraper as Xemnas leaps from the top and summons his ethereal blades. As the two meet in the middle, Xion prepares to swing, only to instead make a guarding motion, catching Xemnas off guard and hitting him in his stomach. She uses this to leap over him and strikes him from behind, knocking him downwards. Xemnas turns mid-air to face her as she dives towards him. He swings his blades twice, but Xion guards both attacks and slashes him across the face. Before slamming him in the chest and into the building behind him. As she lands on the ground she raises her keyblade to the sky and lightning comes forth, striking Xemnas where he stands. And just like that Xemnas fades to black dust. Xion turns to Roxas who gets back on his feet and slowly makes her way over to her.
"Is it over? Did we win?" asks Roxas. Xion smiles and nods, before embracing her special one. The two hold each other for some time, before hearing the voice of Namine.
"Roxas! Xion! Where are you?" the two let go of each other and look around, but their friend is not there. Suddenly the blinding light returns and they shield their eyes.
"Xion! Roxas! Answer me!" shouts Namine.
"You can't see through their memories?" asks Riku. She shakes her head.
"No, it's all cloudy. . ." Namine responds.
"Well. . . wherever they are, I'm sure they're oka-" Kairi tries comforting her Nobody when suddenly, the four keyblade bearers hear a thumping sound behind them. They turn to see Roxas and Xion lying face-down on the floor as if they'd fallen from a great height. The four quickly run to their side.
"Your okay!" Mickey says with joy.
"Yeah. . . we're fine. Xemnas should be. . ." Xion tries to get across the message that Xemnas has fallen, but as she catches her breath she looks to Kingdom Hearts and her eyes widen "Look!" she shouts as she points to Kingdom Hearts. The keyblade wielders look as Xemnas floats in front of the heart-shaped moon.
"Hear m,e Kingdom Hearts! It seems w must begin anew. Ah, but know this: I will give to you as many hearts as it takes. Mark my words. You can no more be complete without me than I without you." Kingdom Hearts grows brighter as white energy swirls around it. "Heed me, Kingdom Hearts! Lend me your power, so that we may be complete! The power to erase the fools that hinder us."
"Xemnas! No!" Mickey commands, Xemnas merely ignores him
"Hearts quivering with hatred. . ."
"Xemnas! Stop!" Shouts Roxas, drawing forth his keyblade.
"Hearts burning with rage. . ."
"A heart alone won't let you win!" Xion exclaims.
"Hearts scarred by envy. . . That fool Ansem said the heart's true nature was beyond his understanding. But it's not beyond mine! Hearts are the source of all power!" suddenly, Kingdom hearts shines brighter than the sun as it's enveloped in light. The group shields their eyes once the light dies down, they see a dim Kingdom Hearts and no Xemnas. Before they can question where he went, The door to Kingdom Hearts manifests, with many Nobody symbols engraved on it.
"Once we enter, there's no going back. It's victory. . . or oblivion," says Riku.
"Everyone ready?" asks Roxas. To which everyone nods. "Let's go." the six materialize their keyblades and take aim at the door t Kingdom Hearts. Small beams of light erect from the keyblades and pierce the door, opening it for all to enter.
"Get ready Xemnas . . . This all ends here," says Xion. The six keyblade wielders walk into Kingdom hearts, to find a world similar to that of The World that Never Was in appearance. With one minor exception. The castle is now a dragon, and Xemnas sits atop it.
"So. . . it seems your hearts have led you to obliteration." Xemnas's voice echoes with fury. "Perhaps it doesn't pay to be too loyal to one's heart. I will have to be sure and remember that." Xemnas throws a building at them and the wielders flee to the exit but it closes before they can make it. The building crumbles where they once stood.
"Okay everyone. . . this is it, let's finish this!" shouts Roxas
"Right!" the wielders say in unison, as they materialize their keyblades and charge at the castle-dragon that sits atop Memory's Skyscraper. Buildings suddenly rise from the earth as the six approach. Roxas raises his keyblade and slashes through the buildings, crumbling them to dust and creating a path forward. They run through a small tunnel before making their way to another clearing near the base of the dragon. The dragon rises revealing its massive rocket-like engines below the skyscraper before slamming into the ground. The ground below the wielders rises and stops as they reach the top of a building. Xemnas throws multiple buildings at them as they sprint ever closer to him and his dragon. Roxas leaps into the sky and slashes through one, and then another. Allowing the group to use the buildings as platforms as they fall. As they land on the highest platform Xion jumps as Roxas puts his keyblade in the air, allowing her to use it as a platform. He pushes her as she leaps, giving her great distance as she approaches another building. Xion slashes through the building in front of her, and then the building behind that one. The rest of the group catches up to her before They use their magical power to cast a powerful wind spell, launching them incredibly far.
They land in front of the right cylinder just in time. Nobodies appear and attack them, but this backfires as the keyblade wielders throw the nobodies into the core, damaging it greatly. Suddenly, the whole thing begins to shake as it's about to explode. Kairi sees a nearby platform and motions, everyone, to follow hear, they use wind magic to leap high into the air and make it just in time as the right cylinder explodes. The group hops over and makes their way to the left cylinder, and does the same thing again to damage the core. Suddenly light erupts from the core, forcing the six off of it as a massive laser shoots forth. The six manage to escape unscathed before hopping back on the platform as the cylinder stops firing. They throw more nobodies into the core before it shakes too. The six use wind magic to hop off as it explodes. Using wind magic once more they leap even higher and enter the core of the dragon, using the Hollowed-out nobody symbol as an entrance. The floor land in the energy core's room and prepares to strike when Nobodies appear behind them.
"Go! Deal with the core, we'll take care of the Nobodies!" shouts Riku as he and Kairi charge at the foes. Mickey nods and the other four keyblade wielders attack the Core with their blades, casting powerful magic and slashing it many times while Riku and Kairi use light and darkness to destroy the Nobodies with ease. Finally, the four keyblade wielders stop the energy core, before feeling a sudden drop. They leap out of the hollowed-out Nobody symbol and see the rest of the dragon has detached from the bottom half. It's too far away for them to use magic to reach it, but Roxas and Xion have a better idea. The two focus their energy before they're enveloped in white energy, entering Final Form.
"Grab on!" The two reach out. Namine and Kairi hold on to Xion while Mickey climbs onto Roxas's back, and Riku begrudgingly grabs him by the hand. The two leap off the bottom half of the dragon just before it crashes to the ground and fly up to the top half of the dragon, landing on an open platform. Namine and Kairi let go of Xion as Riku lets go of Roxas, while Mickey hops off him. Upon landing they ready their keyblades as they face Xemnas, wielding a strange sword made of the weapons of his fallen allies, as well as dawning strange armor. Mickey looks on as he almost recognizes that armor, before pushing the thought out of his mind and focusing on the battle.
The group charges at Xemnas as he sits upon his throne of ignorance. He motions his hands as the weapons of his fallen allies appear around them, attacking the group while he puts in no effort at all. Lances spin around and stab at the heroes as they dodge, while flaming chakram spin around the arena wildly. One spins and approaches Xion, who parries it out of the way and knocks it right into Xemnas.
"How dare you use those as if they're yours. . ." She mutters before grasping Missing Ache and Pain of Solitude tightly, before dashing at Xemnas. Xemnas erects a lights shield, but to his surprise, she shatters right through it as she slashes him with her keyblades. He prepares to slice here with his massive blade but is held back by Roxas who blocks the attack. Xemnas uses all the force he has to push the two away from him, only to be met by the light and darkness of Destiny's Embrace and Way to the Dawn. The light and darkness deal incredible damage to Xemnas, his armor showing wear and tear just from the few attacks he's taken. Xemnas manages to summon a shield of light yet again, knocking them back, only pearls of light to spew forth from Mickey's keyblade the pearls of light stun Xemnas long enough for Namine to come closer and slash with all the might she can muster. Xemnas slashes at her but she manages to create a reflective barrier, knocking his sword back. Namine slices as more pearls hit Xemnas's body. Before Roxas, Xion, Kairi, and Riku join in to finish off Xemnas with one mighty flurry of slashes. Xemnas groans as a bright flash of light returns, and the group reappears on the Altar of Naught. They see Xemnas before them, falling to one knee.
"I need. . . more rage. . . I need more. . . hearts. . ."
"Xemnas, there's more to a heart than just anger or hate. It's full of all kinds of feelings. Don't you remember?" asks Kairi. Xemnas takes a few deep breaths as he glares at the keyblade bearers
"Unfortunately. . . I don't." black dust rises off of his body as he disappears, leaving nothing behind.
"We did it. . . We really did it!" the group erupts in cheers and laughter of joy, Xion turns to her special one and wraps her arms around his neck as she closes her eyes and connects her lips to his. Roxas is taken aback by the sudden affection, but he returns the gesture, closing his eyes and wrapping his arms around her waist. Kairi looks around for Riku and sees he's the only one not celebrating, instead he stares off as he stands by the Altar of Naught's railing.
"You're coming back to Destiny islands, right?" asks Kairi as she steps by his side.
"I had given in to the darkness. . ." Riku utters. "How am I gonna face everyone? Everyone I've hurt. You, everyone else, Sora! I nearly killed him! I nearly killed his other selves multiple times. . ."
"Well. . .I didn't fall to the darkness, but I was the only one around who knew what happened to you guys, the one who had to go to your parents alone and tell them that it's my fault you disappeared. . ." Kairi admits as she leans against the railing. "So if you need someone to stand by your side when facing everyone, then I'll be that person." Riku looks over to his close friend and smiles.
"Thanks, Kai-" but before Riku can thank his friend the ground shakes intensely. Riku and Kairi nearly fall over the railing from the power of the quake, while Roxas nearly falls back from the force of the shake and Xion leaning on him as they kissed. After the ground stops shaking everyone cautiously looks around
"We have to get out of here!" says the king.
"Quick get in!" says Roxas, as he opens a corridor of darkness, but Riku interjects.
"No, you guys came here through a corridor of darkness already, doing it again would be dangerous, especially for those not wearing a black coat."
"What should we do?" asks Namine.
"I have an idea! Everyone! Close your eyes and focus." says the King
"Wha- why-?" asks Roxas
"Just do it!" says the mouse. Everyone closes their eyes and focus really hard, and suddenly, in a flash of light, appears a familiar vessel used to travel between worlds
"The gummi ship!" exclaims Namine
"How'd you get it here?" asks Kairi.
"I'll tell you later, for now, we need to get out of here!" says Mickey. The group nods as they slowly help each other get on board, first mickey, who opens the cockpit, then Namine, Then Kairi, Then Riku, before finally It's Xion's turn to enter the ship. Roxas grabs her by the waist and lifts her into the air, Kairi and Namine reach out to her to pull her into the ship. Just as she's about to grasp their hands, the ground shakes wildly as the building lowers, dropping them out of grabbing range.
"What's going on!?" asks Xion getting onto her feet to look around, Roxas does the same. The four in the ship try to lower themselves down to get in range of Roxas and Xion when Riku sees something.
"Dragon!" shouts Riku behind Roxas and Xion. Everyone turns and looks on in horror, as the large white castle-dragon flies in from a distance. It flies deceptively fast and reaches the tower incredibly fast.
"Roxas! Xion!" Namine cries as she practically jumps out of the ship to help them, but Riku and Kairi pull her back in
"Go! We'll catch up to you later!" says Roxas. Mickey nods his head and closes the cockpit to the gummi ship.
"No!" Namine shouts as she reaches out, but the cockpit window closes, and she cannot help them. Roxas and Xion turn to face the dragon as it collides with the tower. The tower tilts over, causing Roxas and Xion to slide down what was once the floor. Roxas looks over and sees a Nobody glider on the side of the tower, Roxas gets up and runs down the slope
"Roxas!" Xion shouts, not seeing the glider. He jumps off and gets on the driver's side of the glider before starting it and blasting off just in time to catch Xion who falls of the tower. Xion lands on the passenger's platform and the two blast off and catch up to the gummi ship. Namine sighs in relief as she sees the two fly next to them, but the excitement is short-lived as the dragon flies by, nearly crashing into them. Roxas and Xion look over to everyone in the gummi ship, the two nod, and they nod back. They set course and follow the Dragon. Xion casts powerful magic while Roxas uses the lasers on the glider to shoot at the dragon and the attacking Nobodies, while everyone on the gummi ship flies around and helps out, attacking Nobodies and the dragon with the Gummi ship's defense systems. They deal with the nobodies and get closer to the dragon, before the gummi ship and the glider charge their weapon, and shoot incredible laser beams, inhibiting the dragon's movement. they accelerate and arrive at the dragon's head. More Nobodies appear to attack the ship and glider, but with Mickey at the helm of the Gummi Ship, and Xion casting her powerful magic, there is nothing standing in their way from stopping the dragon. They shoot one more powerful laser and the dragon lets out a metallic screeching sound as if it's in pain before it falls to the ground below. The gang in the gummi ship along with Roxas and Xion look down at the dragon and sigh. It's finally over. . . But then they notice something, and their eyes widen. Upon the head of the dragon stands Xemnas, dawning the strange armor once more.
"He's alive!? How!?" asks Roxas. As the dragon falls to the floor a massive shockwave of darkness envelopes the dragon, and the whole area around it is covered in darkness.
"Neither the gummi ship nor this glider can handle such darkness. . ." says Xion. Roxas looks down at his coat, and then at Xion
"But we can," says Roxas. Xion looks at him and nods. The two take a quick glance at the gummi ship for a moment, as if saying farewell, Namine's eyes widen as she realizes what they're going to do. She bangs against the glass, and while they can't hear her, they can tell what she's trying to say.
"Stop!" Namine yells from within the cockpit. The two look at her and then they look at the wave of darkness. They look back at her, and shake their heads, before grabbing their hoods and pulling them over their heads, giving them as much protection as they can from the darkness. Roxas blasts off on the glider at full speed with Xion, as they make their way to the darkness.
"Are you sure you don't want to go with them?" asks Roxas
"Positive. We're partners Roxas, wherever you go, I go," she says firmly. Roxas nods before they dive into the darkness of the unknown. They fly to the head of the dragon before leaping off the glider for good and facing Xemnas once more. They stare down their foe, and materialize their keyblades, no words are shared between the three. They just stare, until Roxas and Xion charge at their foe. They slash at him with their keyblades as he swings his massive blade. The two dodge the attack and keep slashing their foe. They jump back as he summons a light shield, before dashing into him and stabbing him with their keyblades before they continue to strike their enemies with the blades that chose them. Xemnas Roars before slamming the handle of his blade to the floor, Xion and Roxas are launched far away from Xemnas into the air, the two close their eyes before enveloping themselves in white energy, entering Final Form once more and flying back to Xemnas.
"Nothingness. . . is . . .eternal." Xemnas throws buildings at Roxas and Xion as they fly through the air
"Roxas!" shouts Xion as she lands on top of one. Roxas nods and slams the building with his keyblade the dragon puts up the remnants of its wings to protect its master, causing the building to crash into the wings and stunning the dragon itself. Xion hops of the building as this happens, slicing through the buildings and causing them to rain down on the dragon like meteors. The two keyblade wielders land on the crown of the dragon where Xemnas sits upon his throne. Roxas hacks and slashes at Xemnas while Xion casts Powerful light and dark magic with the power of Final Form. Xemnas groans as he pushes them away with his incredible power.
"Roxas . . .are you sure you can trust Xion? She's not even a real person or even a nobody. . ."
"Shut up! What would you know about trust in love? All you feel is anger and hatred!" shouts Roxas and he flies by his partner's side. He looks over at her. "Xion, would you do the honors?"
"Gladly!" shouts XIon. Roxas hops onto a building that Xemnas throws at them before Xion slams it with her keyblade. The building slams into the dragon causes it to flail before Roxas cuts up the building into many pieces, and rains them upon Xemnas directly. The two heroes fly down and land on the crown of their former superior once again. They stab him multiple times before slashing him together in circles. They jump back as Xion spews out darkness from her keyblade, and Roxas spews out light from his. They slash at Xemnas together before they put their keyblades side by side and shoot a powerful beam of light and darkness, finishing him off Xemnas roars as the two are blinded by light. Upon opening their eyes, they find themselves in a strange area, that resembles a corridor of darkness.
"Heroes from the realm of light. . .I will not allow things to end this way- not yet." the two turn and their eyes widen. Xemnas's once black robes are now white, with thorn-like patterns on them. "If light and darkness are eternal, then surely we nothings must be the same. . .Eternal!" Xemnas raises his hands to the air.
"You're right, light and darkness are eternal. Nothing probably goes on forever, too. . ." Xion admits.
"But just because nothing is eternal, doesn't mean YOU'RE eternal!" shouts Roxas. Xemnas laughs deeply.
"No more eternal than that radiance of yours. . ." Xemnas stands defiantly against his former subordinates, and they prepare to clash, one final time. As Roxas and Xion charge at Xemnas, Xemnas disappears and reappears behind Roxas, grabbing him by the neck. "You shall go together. . ." he says as he throws him into the air. Xemnas swings around his ethereal blades as he flies around Roxas. Roxas dodges and weaves as he flies around Xemnas and avoids the blades. Xion floats from behind and casts a powerful blizzard spell, distracting Xemnas long enough for Roxas to hit him and knock him away, getting him off his back for now. They land on the ground and jump back as Xemnas slashes at their general area.
Xemnas pulls back his hand before lurching it forward as he shots a beam-like mass of thorns. Roxas and Xion dash away and dodge the attack before they dash into Xemnas and slash at him with their keyblades. Xemnas creates two massive orbs of electricity, shocking Xion and Roxas before exploding into many thorn-like tendrils, scaring them and cutting them greatly. Xemnas disappears and reappears a safe distance from the two keyblade bearers. He dashes at Xion and spins around with his blades in the air in a vertical motion, Xion blocks the attack before slashing at Xemnas who blocks her attack in turn. The two enter a blade lock as Xemnas's ethereal blades push against Missing Ache and Pain of Solitude. Roxas dashes from behind and prepares to strike Xemnas with Oathkeeper and Oblivion when a Xemnas apparition appears and blocks the attack. Xemnas pushes Xion away before shooting thorns at her, knocking her even farther back before slashing at Roxas with his red blades, Roxas barely dodges in time to retaliate with a few slashes from his own keyblades.
Xemnas pushes him away with a few electric orbs before dashing at him and preparing to stab at him when Xion arrives just in time to grab onto Roxas and reflect the attack. Xemnas is sent flying back before he stops himself mid-air thanks to Final Form. Xemnas has enough and flies around the area, shooting many ethereal blades from his hands as if they were lasers. Roxas and Xion fly around the area that resembles a corridor of darkness, flying at high enough speeds to dodge the homing lasers. Finally, Xemnas stops flying and stands next to an apparition, before shooting lasers as they stand in place. Roxas and Xion dash left and right, dodging. The two slash at a different Xemnas, and Roxas slices right through his, with no reaction whatsoever, he turns to attack the other from behind.
Xemnas knocks away Xion with incredible force before turning to Roxas and shooting constant electricity at him, Xion looks on as the life is drained away from her special one. She gets up from off the ground she dashes at Xemnas and jumps to slash at him, but this scenario is all too familiar to him at this point. He kicks Xion right in the stomach. She's knocked back and uses her hand to slow herself down before pushing against the ground to flip around and land on her feet.
"Roxas. . ." Xion utters to herself. She raises her two blades and dashes to Xemnas's location. A Xemnas apparition appears to stop her, blocking her way with a light shield. Xion strikes the shield with all of the strength she has, and it shatters completely, before aiming her keyblades at the apparition and freezing it in place with a powerful blizzard spell. She dashes to the real Xemnas and leaps into the air to stab at him. Xemnas tilts his neck to the side to dodge the attack elegantly, before grabbing Xion by the arm. Xion pulls back her other blade and prepares to stab him in the face. But Xemnas grabs her blade with his other hand. With both hands focused on stopping Xion, Roxas is freed from the coursing electricity and falls to the ground. Xion knees Xemnas in the stomach. This stuns him long enough for Xion to slash at him twice with Pain of Solitude, before throwing him across the arena with all the might she has using her other hand. Roxas gets on his feet and materializes Oathkeeper and Oblivion, before dashing at Xemnas and shredding him with his two keyblade, knocking him back even further. Xemnas stops himself as he faces the two keyblade bearers in front of him. He extends his left and right arm, as balls of thorns appear before putting them together. The black thorns envelop the whole area in darkness as Roxas and Xion look on at Xemnas. The two raise their keyblades as electricity courses through Xemnas's veins, and Red ethereal blades appear all around them. Xemnas does a throwing motion with his two arms and the blades fly at the two. Roxas and Xion stand back to back as the lasers approach, before swinging their keyblades wildly, each swing of the blade perfectly made to reflect as many lasers as possible. This goes on, and on, and on, as the lasers keep on shooting before finally, the last explode, enveloping the two in smoke, before Xion is suddenly knocked back by one of Xemnas's blades.
"Xion!" Roxas shouts, he gets up but a blade extends right next to his head, he looks forward and stares into the eyes of Xemnas, who stares down at him. Xemnas swings, at Roxas, but Xion dashes as fast as she can and blocks the attack. She pushes Roxas out of the way as Xemnas spins around and hits her clean in the back, sending her into the air.
"Roxas. . .!" Xion mutters, before extending her arms to hand Roxas her keyblades. Roxas dashes forward as his keyblades float by his side. He grabs onto Missing Ache and Pain of Solitude, before pushing Xion behind him. Xemnas's eyes widen as Roxas slashes at his gut. He's knocked way a bit before being shredded by a flurry of slashes from the four keyblades. Xemnas is knocked into the air before Roxas slashes at his back with the four blades, knocking Xemnas away as he groans in pain. Roxas jumps back and stands by Xion's side.
"Xion!" Says Roxas as he lowers Oathkeeper and Oblivion by her side. She nods and grabs the two blades, before standing up. The two aim their blades at Xemnas as he falls, and from their blades come beams of light. The beams shoot out, before intertwining with each other to form one large bright beam. Xemnas's eyes widen as the beam pierces his body. He goes limp as his body floats still in the air. Roxas and Xion dash at him and jump, before finally finishing off their foe one last stab. They pull out their blades and jump back as Xemnas practically reanimates as he clutches his chest before reaching out to Roxas and Xion, fury filling his eyes. His body erupts in a cloud of black and white dust, he closes his eyes and disappears. "Did . . . did we do it?" ask Roxas. Legions of Nobodies begin to appear around them. They're surrounded.
"Not yet . . ." Xion mutters. Roxas tightens the grip on Xion's blades as he prepares for one last battle. The Nobodies charge at the two, when suddenly. "FLARE!" shouts Xion as she Raises her keyblades to the sky. Light completely fills the room, and the Nobodies disintegrate one by one, not a single one escaping the attack before the light disappears. And Xion collapses as she's forcefully reverted out of Final Form.
"Xion! are you okay!?" Roxas grabs Xion and holds her in her arms as he looks into her eyes. Xion looks at Roxas and manages to nod a little. "Alright, hold on a second," says Roxas. He reverts out of FInal form before he puts one arm behind her back and another below her knees, before picking her up and carrying her in his arms. "You like being carried, right?" asks Roxas. Xion nods a little. "Alright, let's get going," Roxas says as he picks a direction and carries his beloved. Roxas walks as he carries Xion. . . and walks. . . and walks. They walk for what feels like forever before Xion finally has the strength to speak again.
"Y'know Roxas. . ." Xion says. "I never really thank you."
"For what?" asks Roxas.
"For everything. You gave me a reason to stay alive Roxas," says Xion.
"You're exaggerating. . ." says Roxas as his cheeks go red.
"No, I'm not!" Xion says firmly. "I- I never thought it would be possible for us to coexist. I saw myself as just a worthless copy, I didn't think anyone would miss me if I disappeared forever. I was ready to cast myself away to the darkness and be forgotten. . . forever. . ." says Xion with despair.
"But look at us now! We're alive! And together! Something I could have never been able to imagine being a reality back then. All I could see then was endless darkness around me, and I was ready to accept that. But you saved me. You showed me the light and gave me a reason to be happy as myself, as Xion. . ." She smiles at Roxas, a tad teary-eyed, but full of happiness. "So . . . Thanks, Roxas. Thanks for being the best thing to ever happen to me." Roxas smiles as he looks upon the love of his life.
"I guess I should be thank you too then?" asks Roxas
"Huh? Why would you thank me?"
"There were plenty of reasons to give up, so many times where I felt like I couldn't go on. But I remembered our promise, so even when I fell, I gritted my teeth and got back up again, no matter how painful it was and no matter how close I was to the brink of death. So . . . Thank you, Xion." Roxas smiles at her, and Xion smiles back at him. As the two face the path forward and go on together until suddenly, they see something up ahead.
"What's that. . .?" asks Xion.
"I don't know. . . I guess we'll have to find out." Roxas says as he looks down at Xion and smiles. She smiles back and the two walk into the strange light before them. As they continue to walk through the blinding light, the light disappears and the two open their eyes.
"End of the road. . ." Xion utters,
"Yeah. . ." The two stare out at an endless expanse, a large sea lit by a distant moon. Xion tugs on Roxas's coat.
"Can we sit near the water?" asks Xion. Roxas nods.
"Of course." Roxas carries Xion to the edge of the beach, before gently setting her down onto the sand. After that, Roxas sits down next to her and places his hand on hers. The two sit silently as they stare out into the dark sea, and then into the sky. The starless sky is lonely, but it's somewhat reassuring. The two close their eyes as they listen to the sound of waves. Suddenly, Xion feels something against her foot and opens her eyes to see a message in a bottle floating on the seashore.
"Roxas, look." Roxas looks over to see the bottle in Xion's hands.
"Should we open it?" asks Roxas
"I don't see why we can't," Xion responds. Opening the bottle and taking out the message, and opens it. "It's for Sora. . ." she says. Roxas leans over to get a better look.
To Sora
Thinking of you, wherever you are.
We pray for our sorrows to end,
And hope that our hearts will blend.
Now I will step forward to realize this wish.
And who knows:
Starting a new journey may not be so hard
Or maybe it's already begun.
There are many worlds,
But they share the same sky-
One sky, one destiny.
A tear falls from Xion's face, as water flows from her right eye, while water flows from Roxas's left eye.
"What the- why. . . why am I crying?" asks Xion as she wipes away her tears, Roxas laughs a little.
"Sora. . . you're such a crybaby, you know that?" says Roxas as he wipes away his tears. Xion smiles and laughs along with him. The two laugh for a bit, but stop. . . they hear footsteps.
"Ventus?" a feminine voice asks. Roxas and Xion turn to look at the voice. Before them, stands a tall lady, or at least, tall in comparison to them.
"Who are you?" asks Roxas. The woman almost flinches as she hears this.
"You're not Ventus. . . are you?" asks the lady. Roxas shakes his head.
"No, I-" but before Roxas could talk, Xion introduced themselves.
"I'm Xion, and this is my boyfriend, Roxas." Xion slightly tightens her hands around Roxas, almost intimidated by the stranger.
"It's nice to meet you, Roxas, Xion." the lady smiles and walks over to them, before crouching by Xion's side.
"So what are you two doing here? Most people don't visit the realm of darkness." says the blue-haired lady.
"Well . . . we didn't actually come here willingly." Says Roxas
"We just sort of. . . found ourselves here after defeating Xemnas" Says Xion.
"Xemnas?" asks the lady
"The leader of a group known as Organization thirteen. He tried to use Kingdom Hearts to make a world in his own image." Xion explained.
"Oh. . .I see. . ." the lady sighs. "I see people are still trying to use Kingdom hearts for their own gain. . . at least you two kept the realm of light safe while I was away." She says.
"Are you a keyblade wielder too?" asks Roxas. The lady nods,
"I was. . . But I had to sacrifice my keyblade so that my friend could escape the realm of darkness."
"Your friend?" asks Xion.
"Yeah. He was consumed by darkness that he couldn't control. . . I hope he's okay now." she says.
"Who is your friend? Maybe we've met him," asks Roxas.
"He's another keyblade wielder, His name is Terra," she says.
"Terra!?" the two are stunned, after hearing that name yet again.
"Wait. . . if your friend is Terra, does that mean you're Aqua?" asks Xion. Aqua nods.
"Is something wrong?" asks Aqua. Roxas and Xion look at each other.
"It's just that, Nobody has seen You, Terra, or Ventus in over ten years. . ." Roxas informs her.
"Ten years!?" Aqua is shocked at how long it's been. "It hasn't felt that long. . ."
"Does time work differently in the realm of darkness? asks Xion.
"I. . . don't know. . . but since it's been ten years, then maybe. . ." Aqua's shock turns to determination.
"If it's been ten years, then I need to get back to the realm of light. . . but . . ." Aqua sighs. "Without my keyblade, I can't leave. . ." Roxas and Xion look at each other and smile.
"We know a way out," says Xion. The two stand up
"But. . . won't one of us have to stay behind?" asks Aqua, not wanting to force one of the two to live out her fate.
"No, we won't need keyblades for this," says Roxas. The two extend their hands forward, forcing a corridor of darkness to open. Aqua's eyes widened.
"What is that?" she asks.
"It's a corridor of darkness, a way of traveling to any world without the use of a gummi ship" Xion explains
"If you couldn't tell by the name, these paths make use of the darkness, which is why we use these black coats to make them. They protect us from the darkness. Do you think you can handle going in there without one?" asks Roxas.
"Well, I've been in the realm of darkness for ten years. A little more time in the darkness won't hurt that much. . ." She says the two guide Aqua into the corridor of darkness. The corridor closes behind them, as they make their way to where they belong. In the light.