Riku's eyes open as the drowsiness in his body disappears he pushes himself off the ground and looks around in many directions, getting a view of the unfamiliar city.
"What is this place?" asks Riku, before hearing a groaning sound From Roxas as he too awakens. "Do you always wake up in the morning with a groan?"
"I don't know, is your immediate solution to losing a friend always to kill another?" asks Roxas. The two glare at each other, before their attention is turned to a nearby commotion.
"Stop her!" the two stop their needless arguing and start walking towards the sound, while they do so, a woman with brown hair runs by them. They look at her strangely, wondering what she's doing before they continue to walk forward, only to run into a blonde man in shining gold-colored armor.
"You there! Have you seen a gypsy woman?"
"Nope. Sorry," says Riku, not knowing what exactly the word gypsy meant, but still has the sneaking suspicion that something is off about the man chasing that woman.
"All right. Thanks." sats the man, before walking away. He talks to a man in black robes before they both walk off.
"How strange. . ." says Roxas, as the two begin to walk away, they hear footsteps behind them, to which they turn to see who they belong to. Turns out, it's the same woman that just ran by them
"Thank you for standing up for me. I'm Esmeralda."
"I'm Riku, and my annoying acquaintance is Roxas." Roxas leers at Riku as he says this. "And It's not like either of us knew what a Gypsy was."
"Why are they chasing you anyway?" asks Roxas
"Judge Frollo, the man in black over there, has been hunting us for years. We gypsies are guilty of nothing but loving our freedom, that's why he hates us." says Esmeralda "Frollo hates whatever he cannot control. Now he's even brought in fresh blood to torment us. I'd hate to see what darkness drives that man" Roxas looks over at Riku as he looks to the ground
"I think I can imagine. . ." he says aloud, before looking back to Esmeralda "Tell me more. Was he always like this?" asks Riku
"I don't give Frollo much thought. But if you'd like, you could try Notre Dame." She says, pointing in the direction of a large cathedral "They say it's a place for answers."
"Alright, thanks!" says Roxas, before turning around and running off to the cathedral.
"Hey wait!" says Riku, annoyance filling his voice as he chases the blonde in the coat. Esmeralda giggles to herself as the two-run to the cathedral, before being taken aback by a colorful bat flying past her and following the two. Roxas takes heavy steps as he runs into the cathedral. His shoes make loud squeaking noises as he runs on the tiles below.
"Hello!? Anybody here?" Yells Roxas. Riku storms in as Roxas does say
"Hey! Keep it down! You don't want to get any unwanted attention do you?" asks Riku apprehensively.
"Oh please, I already have your attention, what more could I not want?" Roxas snaps back, before getting distracted by a man in green clothing walking towards them from a spiral staircase.
"Who . . . who are you?" asks the man
"Roxas"
"Riku."
"Oh. M-my name's Quasimodo. I'm very sorry, but the Archdeacon is away." says Quasimodo, before turning around and making his way back towards the stairs
"Actually, we're looking for a man named Frollo. Do you know where he is?" asks Riku.
"My master? He said he had business on the outskirts of the city."
"You know him personally?" asks Roxas.
"Oh yes. He's. . . he's very kind. MAster Frollo saved my life. He protects me from the outside world."
"Protects you from it?" asks Roxas, confused.
"The people out there would be cruel to me," says Quasimodo as he puts his hands over his face. "I'm a monster, you know."
"Is that what Frollo told you?" asks Roxas. Quasimodo puts his hands away from his face, somewhat shocked by the question. "Trust us when we say, people can be deceiving." says Roxas "A good friend sees you for who you are, no matter the face you wear, or the heart you lack." Roxas and Riku turn to look towards the door that's open ajar.
"You should go out there- find some friends who understand you," says Riku, but Quasimodo seems anxious about the idea
"Oh no, I can't. My master forbids it. I'm not to set foot outside." he explains
"Are you sure that's what's stopping you from leaving?" asks Riku "Because I think something else is holding you back." Quasimodo doesn't respond as he turns around and continues to walk closer to the nearby spiral staircase.
"Ask your heart, Quasimodo." Roxas insists, causing Quasimodo to stop for a moment.
"We'll check the edge of town. Thanks," says Riku as the two exit the cathedral, Roxas swears he hears Riku say something. "I wish I could take my own advice," utters Riku, before continuing to go towards the outskirts of town. They find their way out of the center city only to find a bridge leading to the outer city. The two begin crossing the bridge, only for a massive shadow to roll over them. They look up to see a massive nightmare flying across the skies above. It has the face and wings of a bat, the body of a man, and two gauntlet-like arms connected to it via chains.
"It's massive. . ." says Roxas,. The dream eater stops in front of the two and turns around, before shooting a massive fireball from its mouth. They dodge that fireball as it collides with nearby crates. They look back up at the nightmare, known as a Wargoyle, only to see more fireballs being sent their way. "Oh, like this is fair. . ." says Roxas
"It's no use. We have to run for it," says Riku as the two start sprinting across the bridge. "Flynn! You think you could give us a hand?" The colorful bat nods before flying into the air and towards the Wargoyle. The nightmare swings and shoots fire at the bat as it weaves and flies around it. This buys Riku and Roxas enough time to make their way across the bridge, without having to worry too much about the fireballs raining from above. The Wargoyle looks away from Flynn, seeing the two boys fleeing. It flies off in their direction, and Flynn flies as best as it can to keep up, casting gravity spells to slow it down while it tries to both catch up with the nightmare and also to stop it from catching up with Riku and Roxas
Riku and Roxas run through the burning town as the Wargoyle chases after them, dodging fire pillars erupting from the ground, as well as fireballs raining from the heavens. They smash through scaffolding and debris as they clear the way to the outer edges of the city. They run through the plains outside the city still being chased by the large beast, until they find a small house, with Judge Frollo standing in front of it, the only thing stopping him from entering is the man in shining gold-colored armor from before.
"Stand aside, Captain Phoebus." Frollo commands
"I will not! What have these people done wrong?" asks Phoebus
"I have proof this family gave harbor to gypsies!" exclaims Frollo
"That's not a crime!" Pheobus snaps
"I can think of few crimes that are greater," Frollo responds. Suddenly, the Wargoyle flies right past Riku and Roxas as it joins its master. "What demon is this!?" asks Pheobus in shock
"Oh, you are mistaken, Captain Phoebus. This is no demon. It is God's angel of righteous judgment!" claims Judge Frollo as darkness emanates from his body "God has granted me this ally so that I may smite all gypsies now and forever!" Frollo exclaims. Riku and Roxas catch up, and step beside the captain, their keyblades drawn.
"This is all wrong!" yells Pheobus.
"He won't listen," says Riku, catching Pheobus's attention. "Once you've fallen that far, there's almost no coming back."
"How dare you. I am a virtuous man. Good and evil shall be made plain. . . Once the gypsies face the fires of judgment." Frollo laughs before turning around, and making his way back to the city, the Wargoyle follows closely behind.
"Stop!" yells Pheobus as he jumps in front of the Wargoyle
"Pheobus! No!" shouts Roxas, but it's too late. The Wargoyle jumps back before charging right into Pheobus, knocking him to the ground.
"Are you alright?" asks Riku
"Well. . . I can't say you didn't warn me. . ." Pheobus tries to get up, but he clutches his arm as he falls back to the ground
"Take it easy. We'll deal with Frollo," says Roxas
"Thanks," says Pheobus, before laughing at himself. "I gotta tell you, this is embarrassing, having to rely on a kid."
"You wouldn't be the first. Sorry," says Riku reassuringly.
"All right, be careful you two. It looks like it's heading to the cathedral."
"Got it," says Roxas. He looks up as a small colorful bat creature flies down slowly towards them. Flynn sits on his shoulder as he lets himself rest after all that flying. They take off and make their way back to the cathedral.
"Hey." says Riku, catching Roxas's attention "Thanks for not arguing when there are others in need of help."
"Please, I don't need your thanks. I'm just doing what I'm supposed to do as a keyblade wielder." Roxas snaps before continuing to run off.
"Can't even take a compliment. . . " Riku utters before beginning to run faster. As they cross they arrive at the bridge between the outskirts and the inner city, the two stop dead in their tracks.
"Is that. . . smoke?" Roxas says in shock.
"We have to go! Now!" Yells Riku as the two start to sprint to the center of the town.
They arrive in front of the cathedral to find fire everywhere, as well as Quasimodo holding the unconscious Esmeralda in his arms. They approach him to assess the situation.
"Is she going to be all right?" asks Riku. Esmeralda awakens, opening her eyes a little
"I'm fine, thanks to Quasimodo," she says quietly. The two boys smile and nod before looking around, then at Quasimodo.
"Quasimodo, do you know where the creature went?" asks Roxas. Quasimodo looks up at the top of the cathedral
"It's up there," he responds. Roxas and Riku look up to see the Wargoyle perched upon the cathedral. Roxas and Riku nod, before running off to the cathedral.
"Wait. . .Wait! I'll go with you!" says Quasimodo, confidence filling his voice
"Thanks, but we need you stay with her," says Roxas as he runs into the building. Riku runs after him but stops to turn back to Quasimodo.
"Quasimodo. Did your heart have the answer?" he asks. Quasimodo smiles and nods. Riku smiles back, before turning to join Roxas in the cathedral. Riku climbs up the spiral staircase until he's reunited with Roxas who peeks from behind the door outside. He turns to Riku, and Riku nods. He turns back and swings the door open, entering the roof. From here they have a much better view of the burning city below, and so does Judge Frollo, who's been watching from afar, what they don't find, however, is the Wargoyle.
"Yes! Let it burn. The flames will consume everything!" Frollo says as he stands on the guard railing. Roxas and Riku run up behind him and materialize their keyblades, giving him one last chance to stop this. He does not. "You see? This is the power that has been granted to me!"
"I don't see power. All I see is a sad old man with a dark heart," says Riku. Frollo turns to face the two, as anger rises within him
"Again you are wrong!" he yells as a dark aura surrounds him. "Now you will be judged, just like the rest!" he raises his hands to the air, and from behind the Wargoyle rises high into the air. Suddenly, Frollo falls back into the sea of flames "Judgement is mine!" he yells maniacally as he's consumed by the hellfire below. The two relax a little before hearing a voice behind them
"So sad. The cost of yielding to the darkness." Riku jumps as he turns around, recognizing that voice anywhere.
"Ansem! Why are you here?" asks Riku
"That's Ansem!? Isn't he supposed to dead!?" asks Roxas as the two take their battle stances.
"Your best friend is never far." says the silver-haired boy in the black coat. Roxas looks at the two and notices the uncanny resemblance.
"He's not my friend! He's just another person who fell to darkness!" yells Riku
"I did not fall to darkness, I embraced it." Ansem lifts his hand and points at Riku. "and unless you hurry up and learn to do the same, your story will end just like his."
"I walk the road to dawn!" Riku exclaims, holding his ground
"Still afraid of the dark, I see." the boy in the black coat comments, before opening a corridor of darkness behind him, and entering it. Ansem turns to do the same, only to be blocked by Roxas.
"Roxas wait-!" shouts Riku, but it's too late. Ansem summons his guardian, who quickly swats Roxas away like a fly. Roxas crashes through the railing before grabbing onto the edge with one hand. Ansem looks over his shoulder at Riku, before laughing, and entering the corridor of darkness. As soon as Ansem disappears Riku turns and runs to the cathedral's edge, grabbing Roxas by the arm and pulling him back onto the roof. "Are you alright?" asks Riku as Roxas gasps for air, the pure darkness burning his chest. Before Roxas can respond, however, their attention is turned to the Wargoyle, who flies down to be on their level, flying over the pit of fire. The two notice strong winds coming from below as the heat rises.
Before they can test the idea that pops into their head, the Wargoyle flaps its wings quickly, sending dark diamond-shaped projectiles at them, that crash and explode as they make contact with the ground. The two manage to dodge as Flynn flies off of Roxas's Shoulder. Flying towards the Wargoyle as it prepares to cast more gravity spells. The Wargoyle leaps back before flying across the roof as it sets itself ablaze. It punches the earth as the two quickly leap off the roof. Just as they thought, the appearance of these sudden strong winds allow them to almost fly.
The Wargoyle raises its gauntlet arms and starts firing dark laser-like projectiles at them. The two, alongside their bat companion. Tackles and slash at the Wargoyle as fire, blizzard, and gravity spells are cast on it. Roxas flies above the Wargoyle before stabbing his keyblade into its head, before pulling it down as he runs along the Wargoyle's body. It scratches as it whips its tail up and stabs Roxas, before throwing him back onto the roof.
Roxas gets back on his feet just in time to dodge a massive fireball from the Wargoyle, who follows it up with more diamond-shaped dark projectiles, his attention gets turned around, however, by a keyblade from behind, it turns to see the flying keyblade return to Riku's hand, The Wargoyle flies towards Riku but is slowed down by gravity spells from Flynn. Roxas raises his keyblade and takes aim, casting fire and blizzard spells at the Wargoyle from behind. The Wargoyle switches back and forth between the attacks from both sides. Finally, it screeches as it shoots hundreds of projectiles into the air, The three heroes quickly dodge around on the ground and in the air as they dodge the bullets from above. The Wargoyle takes advantage of this and slams the ground where Roxas stands, but since Roxas is already dodging the bullets, by the time the nightmare's arm hits the ground, Roxas has already moved. Roxas steps back as the barrage of bullets stop and throws his keyblade right at the nightmare's face. The Wargoyle screeches as it pierces its skull. It flies back limping as its wings fail to support it, and as Riku and Flynn join Roxas on the cathedral's roof, The nightmare falls to the sea of flames below.
"Looks like the nightmare's gone, Good job finishing it off," says Riku. Roxas turns around and makes his way towards the doors
"Whatever. I'm not looking for your approval, I just want to return Sora's memories," says Roxas as he grows closer to the door.
"What's with you? I've saved your life at least twice now, I helped you guys take down what's left of the organization, we both nearly died together when facing sephiroth, why are you so dead set on hating me?" asks Riku
"Is that a joke? You nearly killed me! You nearly killed Xion!" Roxas responds angrily
"You're still hung up about that!? Xion got over that a long time ago, why can't you?"
"You tried to get one of your only friends to up and disappear! How am I supposed to get over that!?"
"She was confused, she was in pain! I was just trying to help her!"
"By making her die!? That's not a solution! That's murder!"
"Namine's the one that-!" yells Riku, before stopping himself, realizing what he just said. Roxas's eyes widen as he hears what Riku says. Fire crackles as the two stare at each other.
"No. . . no you're not serious. . ." says Roxas stepping back away from Riku. Riku looks away from Roxas. "Namine. . . she wouldn't do that. . . she's our friend." Says Roxas, trying to convince himself more than anyone. "You're lying right, please Riku! Tell me you're lying!" asks Roxas desperately. Riku looks to the ground
". . . Namine's told me that there was no other way. That Xion had to disappear to return Sora's memories. I'm sorry Roxas." Roxas stands there in disbelief as he processes everything he just heard.
"No. . ." Roxas utters. The two stand there, neither able to muster the will to speak. Finally, Roxas opens his mouth, but before he can ask anything else, the two notice a bright light coming from the fire below. The light takes the shape of a keyhole within the fire. Roxas and Riku look at each. "When we wake up, I will get answers," says Roxas, anger, and anxiety filling his chest.
". . . Right," says Riku, as he nods. The two take their keyblades and point them at the keyhole. Beams of light shoot from the ends of Way to the Dawn and Two become One. the beams pierce the keyblade, causing intense light to glow from it. The two close their eyes as they're blinded by the light, and fall to the allure of slumber once more.