Chapter 6
Shinovi Versus
In a grassy field, Asuka and Yumi stood face to face with each other.
"It's up to me to defeat you. If I succeed, Grandpa's dream will come true: A world of pure good without black or white. A place where everyone can live in happiness," she said to her.
"I understand, but if a place like that actually existed, do you honestly believe everyone would be happy in it?" questioned her rival.
"That's exactly what I believe. Conflict only exists because there is good and evil. And that same conflict creates hatred and despair. If they can't live virtuously, they must die," remarked Yumi.
"So they have to die for choosing to live differently than you? You're insane, if you think that's an ideal world," Asuka argued.
"Those sound like the words of someone who's friends with evil ninjas. I never thought that you and I could understand each other. But once we fight, we'll know who is right, and who is wrong," she explained.
Their clash began, and the winds of conflict erupted around them, but with everything they had, and the arguments they had, Yumi still believed that balance could never be achieved, as light would always overcome darkness. However, when Asuka learned about what happened to her rival's mother and father, she was shocked, even as their clash continued, along with everyone else who experienced their own form of loss. Even as their battle continued, Asuka and Yumi still refused to let either of their resolve waver.
In the arena, Sora, Asuka, and Yumi stood against Fubuki, Senkou, and Gekkou.
"What are the rules for the final match?" she asked them.
"There are none, really. The last battle is merely a test of your strength and sheer will," replied Fubuki.
"In that case, there's no point in holding back. Also, even though you may have broken Asuka's morality, that doesn't mean she can still let us fight by her side, even if it means doing things on her own, even after she learned something terrible, thanks to my bond with her" Sora said bravely, his Keyblade held at the ready.
Asuka was a bit surprised, due to the unbreakable bond they had with each other, but she dismissed it, after telling them she would explain things after the battle was won.
"Then let's make doubly sure that we don't lose, guys," he said to the two kunoichi.
Senkou and Gekkou slowly stepped forth, and they too assumed their transformed states.
"Not bad, Senkou and Gekkou. But we're still gonna make you pay," Sora told them, and their battle began.
(Play What I'm Made Of by Crush 40 for this three on two battle, thanks to the foreshadowing)
[Intro]
(Sora: The time for talk is over! Let's finish this, right now!)
[Verse ]
I don't care what you're thinkin' as you turn to me
'Cause what I have in my two hands is enough to set me free (set me free)
I can fight the feeling to resist it over time
But when it's just too much to take, you sneak up from behind
[Pre-Chorus 1]
Is it me you say you're looking for?
Let me show you who I am, and what I'm here for
Here for! (hey!)
[Chorus]
Try to reach inside of me. Try to drain my energy
Let me show you just what I'm made of
Simple curiosity tries to take a bite of me
Let me show you just what I'm made of
Now!
[Verse 2]
Like a million faces, I've recognized them all
And one by one, they all become a number as they fall (as they fall)
In the face of reason, I can take no more
And one by one they all become a black mark on the floor
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Is it me (is it me) you say (you say) you're looking for?
Let me show you who I am, and what I have in store
In store! (hey! hey! yeah!)
[Chorus]
Try to reach inside of me. Try to drain my energy
Let me show you just what I'm made of
Simple curiosity tries to take a bite of me
Let me show you just what I'm made of
Now!
[Bridge]
You can take another lifelong try
You can take another try
(Hey!)"
[Guitar Solo]
(Sora: You're going to pay for taking our friends hostage, Senkou, Gekkou, and Fubuki! And if I say I'll fight for vengeance, then so be it! I'll be branded a traitor to all that is good and righteous, because of some stupid belief that all evil is destined to die, when in reality, our greatest enemy is ourselves!)
(Yeah!)
[Chorus]
Try to reach inside of me. Try to drain my energy
Let me show you just what I'm made of
Simple curiosity tries to take a bite of me
Let me show you just what I'm made of
Now! (yeah!)
[Coda / Chorus']
Try to reach inside of me (let me show you what I'm made of)
Try to drain my energy (let me show you what I'm made of)
Let me show you just
What I'm Made Of"
As the battle raged on above, Team Crimson kept to the shadows, just as Team KRYYSTAAL joined them.
"Somehow this creature's not like any we've faced before in battle. We'll need to create a diversion. That way, we'll free Asuka's companions from its grip. That's probably the best course of action," hissed Kiba.
"Kiba is right, everyone. I searched the layout of the stadium, and it seems possible," added Suzune.
"It's a good plan, Suzune. See if you can get Homura and her compatriots in a flanking position so that you can ambush that yoma. The rest of us will also be on standby. While it's distracted, we move in for the kill," replied Kenton.
But as the six of them prepared to move, they suddenly stopped, and heard a creaking sound. That meant trouble. From above, the five combatants continued their fierce battle, until Gekkou was sent flying back.
"Our fight isn't anywhere close to through. I'm going to stay true to Kurokage's moral code no matter what. And I'll change the entire world to match his beliefs!" she said to them.
"You'll do no such thing!" Sora shot back, firing a burst of flames from his Keyblade.
Gekkou jumped away from him, but was caught in the blast, that sent her crashing to the ground.
"No matter how hard you try, you'll never be what he once was. Light and dark back to back is one destiny I choose to believe in. You believe that light must always reign eternal over darkness, but you're wrong. Wherever there's light, there will always be darkness. And wherever there's darkness, there will always be light. And now you've lost yourself to light as Master Eraqus did, until Xehanort ruthlessly killed him, right in front of Terra. Asuka believed that fighting proves nothing, and that words can still have a profound effect on people, so that there can always be a peaceful resolution, until he stopped them from killing each other, just like my friend Nero stopped both his father and uncle from killing each other through their sibling rivalry," he added.
This suddenly made Yumi's mind click, and she thought back to when both she and Asuka still had to finish their battle from back then, until they saw the headmaster of Gessen stop them. Despite this, Sora struck at Senkou, forcing her away from Asuka, so that she wouldn't get killed.
"And you're forgetting one thing, Senkou. You can't destroy the true embodiment of justice. Asuka's a strong and stubborn person. So when she found out what you did to her classmates, you made her think that justice should die, but it won't because deep down she doesn't believe that crap! You think the virtuous should not befriend those who are trapped in darkness, but I formed a friendship with Prince Saphir before he was ruthlessly killed by someone more evil than him. And thanks to my bond with Namine, I know what you know. You think that everything was perfect for you before you joined Fubuki, but I could see emptiness in your hearts. You wanted something more. That's when you found the diaries of the late Kurokage, his records of how he fought the darkness, including those he deemed as pure evil, that he wanted to prove that light will reign eternal, in a world free of darkness, death, and pestilence, and that you would plan on finishing what he started long ago, by destroying everything he hated. But in reality, he became what he feared the most, a devil, but then Yumi told me about what Kurokage went through back then, and his beliefs were forever changed after he met her, Murakumo, Yozakura, Shiki, and Minori. They too experienced loss and hardship, because of the loss of their mothers and fathers. I've never known my father, until I learned he left me the day I was born, and since then I've hated him, and never forgave him for it. You rip and tear evil apart. Rip and tear. I fail to see your logic here. Is sanity the price to pay FOR JUSTICE!?" Sora explained.
"Evil people… They are but stubborn, and foolish. It takes a journey through hell for them to accept and praise their gods. A fact that tickles irony's judgment," remarked Senkou.
"Ha! And your judgments, interest me not. For I am here, to reclaim those you took from me and Asuka!" he said to them.
"THE HANZO GiRLS! That is who you seek! And that is why we wait in your path!" shrilled Gekkou.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You will fumble in your opposition of our quest! Though we encourage for an opportunity, to battle two roses of such grand delusion, as you! It's a sweet fortune. However, you were deceived by an even greater evil, Sephiroth and his children. They warped your views on justice, and turned it into vengeance, but Asuka helped Yumi and her friends change their views on the world. And if you want to see vengeance, then I'll be sure to give you that honor," added Sora, and his eyes suddenly changed bright yellow.
(Oh snap! It looks like Sora's about to show both Senkou and Gekkou what vengeance is about to do to people, so play Devils Never Cry from Devil May Cry 3 for this deadly one-sided battle between the three of them, but do the dual mix version by DJMixes of YouTube, and listen to both Little V and Shootie HG, like they're doing a live duet on stage)
Yumi was horrified. She sensed something dark and haunting that chilled her to the very core of her being.
"Vanitas," murmured Asuka, as she jumped back to Yumi's side.
"A friend of mine once told me, 'Devils never cry. Tears are a gift only humans have.' And now, my soul will show you what happens when you see a true devil right in front of you," Sora told them ominously.
"Sora, no! What are you doing!?" gasped Yumi.
"You and Asuka stay back. I'm going to drill this lesson right through both Senkou and Gekkou's skulls, right here, right now. So don't even think of interfering in this battle," he spoke to them in a rather unhinged tone.
But in the locker room, the Hebijo girls felt a menacing aura that seemed dark and colder than anything they'd sensed in their lives, but did make Ryona all the more excited.
"Steal a soul for a second chance
But you will never become a man
My chosen torture makes me stronger
In a life that craves the hunger
A Freedom and a quest for life
Until the end the judgment night"
Without warning, as the twins tried to protect themselves, Sora catapulted towards them, and began brutally ravaging them without any second thought in his actions, but his aura was different, almost terrifying to look upon, as well as sense, as they tried their hardest to fight back.
"Bless me with your gift of lights
Righteous cause on judgment night
Feel the sorrow the light has swallowed
Feel the freedom like no tomorrow"
"Sora, please you have to stop it! You can't submit to vengeance!" called the snow kunoichi.
"Stepping forth a cure for soul's demise
Reap the tears of the victims cries
Yearning more to hear the suffer (of a)
Of a demon as I put it under
Killed before, a time to kill them all
Passed down the righteous law
Serve a justice that dwells in me
Lifeless corpse as far as the eye can see
The eye can see
The eye can see
The eye can see
The eye can see
The eye can see
The eye can see
Bless me with the
Leaf off of the tree
On it I see
The freedom reign
We are falling
The light is calling
Tears inside me
Calm me down
Midnight calling
Mist of resolving
Crown me, with the
Pure green leaf
Praise to my father
(Life of vengeance, a passive test)
Blessed by the water
(Until the grave, I will rest)
Black night, dark sky
(Engage the pressure until it crumbles)
The devils cry
(The existence of the lifeless black souls)
Bless me with the
(Onward, to the sacred battlefield)
Leaf off of the tree
(Where justification and limits are revealed)
On it I see
(Tools of steel, in rage they conquer)
The freedom reign
(Weed out, the killing of victim's stalker)
We are falling
(The powers proven to end the madness)
The light is calling
(Upon I, take it to end the savage)
Tears inside me
(The rays of light, a truth of meaning)
Calm me down
(To my father, the blood is pleading)
Midnight calling
(A justice rage for all to feel)
Mist of resolving
(With innocent cries and hatred squeals)
Crown me, with the
(The gore of evil seems to satisfy)
Pure green leaf
(When slain and maimed and pacified)
Bless me with the
(My chosen torture makes me stronger)
Leaf off of the tree
(In a life that craves the hunger)
On it I see
(A Freedom and a quest for life)
The freedom reign
(Until the end, the judgment night)
Praise to my father
(Watch the footsteps, but never follow)
Blessed by the water
(If you want to live tomorrow)
Black night, dark sky
(Steel a soul for a second chance)
The devils cry
(But you will never become a man)"
However, from above them, they heard the creaking of an air vent, which burst, and down came Suzune, Homura, and team Crimson, who told them of the yoma holding them hostage. This led to them rushing to the sight of the creature, until they heard something that made their blood run cold.
"You Shinobi seem to be a talented bunch," the yoma said to them.
This creature had started talking to them with its own voice. Above, Sora's rampage suddenly sent both Asuka and Senkou flying back, but poor Gekkou recovered just enough to run to her side.
"Now do you see what I have in me? A demon called Vanitas. The dark spirit who lives inside of my heart. So if you still want to continue, I'd be more than happy to oblige," Sora said, growing more venomous.
He then unleashed a burst of pure darkness within him.
"DARK OMNISLASH!" he shouted.
"No! Don't!" cried Asuka, but it was too late.
Sora's vicious attack sent both of them flying, as well as destroyed their garments, and they crashed to the ground.
"It's over now! You've lost!" Sora told them.
Thankfully, neither of them died, but then he looked into Yumi's heart, and saw the image of Kurokage telling her that she was his light, and that there was more to light than met the eye, as he had never truly believed. But to Asuka, she had lost this battle, and that there was a true light who shone brightest of all, and it was Sora, the link to all, a true symbol of justice, even though he'd have issues with vengeance from time to time, and another, the Justice of the Moon.
"Yumi, I think I understand what your grandfather was trying to tell you. He wanted you to be just like the moon above, which can also stand for true justice. It may not stand out like the sun, but the moon's light is still brighter than you realize," Sora said to her, even with his back to both Senkou and Gekkou, while he kept his hood raised.
"Also, Asuka, I'm sorry," he added somberly, only to feel her arms wrap around him after she stood up.
"No, don't be, Sora. You defeated them, and chose to let them live. So thank you. Thank you for avenging my defeat," she said to him.
"Asuka's right, Sora. It was thanks to her that I finally realized the truth, and she even helped my grandfather find true peace at last, even as he passed away. And thanks to you, you've also shown true valor, despite how you spoke of vengeance, after sparing our opponents of your own free will. And now, the time has come for us to face Fubuki in battle," added Yumi.
"I'm afraid I have to agree with Yumi on this one, Asuka. I know that you hate to see the people you cherish die, like I do, but this time, we'll face her in battle together, and see who is truly the champion. Nothing is pointless, no matter what anyone says. So believe me when I tell you this. We fight so that others may live, instead of dying. That is our destiny. The destiny of a Warrior of Light," Sora said to her, as he pulled away, and stood beside the snow kunoichi with his Keyblade at the ready.