Chapter 9
Burn
Hundreds of yoma began running about the city, as the people fled for their lives. Shiki saw that this was indeed serious, and at Yumi's urging, both she and her companions knew that time was of the essence. Most of the other kunoichi fought them off, but they still kept coming, even when Ikaruga joined her side. Despite being rivals, the two allies knew what they had to do, and began sending them flying about in all directions. Several more tried to bring down the other kunoichi, but they still fought with all their hearts, while team Mikagura watched from above, even though Kagura was going to let Asuka perform the sealing technique, Fumakourin. She soon activated a powerful barrier, which got all of them sealed inside of it, but Sora was still prepared with his blindfold at the ready. The side effect of that barrier was that all the kunoichi's garments had vanished, making them squeal and squirm, but Ryona didn't seem to mind that much, although she was disappointed to see Sora blindfolded. Kagura had suddenly made them all go into frantic mode.
"Even still, I must utilize my other senses, since I'd rather not use my eyes to see my opponents or allies. You can trust me on that one, girls," he said to all the kunoichi that were present.
"Still, thanks for being respectful, Sora. Otherwise, I'd shoot out both your eyes with my rifle," replied Ryobi.
"Oh, shoot out my eyes next, Sis!" called Ryona.
"Ryona, seven words that'd definitely make both Mirai and your sister happy. Rip and tear, until it is done," warned Sora.
"Right," Mirai said, uncertainly.
But Sora was quick to give Ikaruga a black coat so that she could cover herself up. It did make her a bit happier, even with Yomi saving her life, while Sora took down another yoma.
"Aw, man!" groaned Katsuragi.
"Rip and tear!" shouted Mirai.
"Uh, Mirai's right. Let's do what she says for now," added Yomi.
"Then let's crank it up to a higher level. Remember, if my blindfold flies off my eyes, then you guys can rip and tear my guts out, even though I prefer to keep the perversion to a zero," Sora said to them.
"Okay then, I know you think I'm still human, even though I feel nothing, Sora," remarked Hikage.
"Still, he's right. But even if I was crushing on him, let's just say it wouldn't be pretty," added Haruka.
But the yoma still kept coming towards them, even as everyone did their best to fight them. Mirai, despite what was going on, did note that Sora was indeed very respectful around girls, no matter their appearance, even after his meeting with Tifa Lockhart.
(Go and play Only The Strong Will Survive by Axel Rudi Pell from the album Kings and Queens for this epic fight)
"They heard the call from the evil vault
And raised their swords in the air
Kings and Queens, the evil dreams
Their hearts full of steel and despair
Rain and thunder
The lightning strikes the earth
And a thousand warriors
They lived and died by the sword
On the run only the strong will survive
Get on down, can't escape from the hideaway
On the run only the strong will survive
On the wings of no return will they ever learn?
The battle cry, the call to die
The witch is cating the spell
"Oh Lord" they prayed, no time to wait
Don't want to fall into hell
Rain and thunder
The lightning strikes the earth
And a thousand warriors
They lived and died by the sword
On the run only the strong will survive
Get on down, can't escape from the hideaway
On the run only the strong will survive
On the wings of no return will they ever learn?
On the run
(Guitar Solo)
On the run
Living and dying, raising and fall till the end
On the run only the strong will survive
On the wings of no return will they ever learn?
(Epic Heavy Metal Break)
On the run only the strong will survive
Get on down, can't escape from the hideaway
On the run only the strong will survive
On the wings of no return will they ever learn?
On the run"
Far away from the battle, Fubuki informed Rasetsu that she would join the fray.
"I'm afraid we have some company, Fubuki. The traitors, Senkou and Gekkou, have arrived. I'll leave the three of you to catch up, and Rasetsu, as a little favor from me, let her take them on her own terms," smirked Nuno, and he faded away.
"Why are you doing this, Lady Fubuki?" Senkou asked in dismay.
"As Sephiroth said, this world must be destroyed," Fubuki remarked.
"Hold on, is that why you believe in Jenova's justice?" questioned Gekkou.
"That's correct," she replied coldly.
"Heh heh heh heh heh heh… Respect has to be earned, not attained through will power, fools. Fubuki cast you aside because of your weakness. Shed that respect and replace it with vengeance. Resist, and you will both fall not just to her power, but to my sword as well. This blade is my tool to fulfill what Mother believes. You will not stop what is written," said Sephiroth, and without warning, he managed to bring them both down in an instant.
"How interesting," said the dark twintail.
Both sisters were aghast.
"Descend heartless angels!" the One-Winged Angel called darkly towards the heavens above.
They were forced onto their knees, but even as they tried to get back up, Fubuki saw that they still had a bit of fight left in them. Elsewhere, everyone was still fighting off the hordes of yoma that continued to swarm them, but Sora despite his undying respect, scooped Hibari up in his arms and carried her bridal style to safety. He gently set her on the ground, and turned towards the other yoma.
"Let's go!" he shouted, and cut them all down without a second thought.
Everyone else could see that Sora was acting more like Cloud was, because he could sense Sephiroth outside of the barrier. Suddenly the defeated horde suddenly began to converge into one massive yoma that looked more like a kaiju sized creature you could only see in movies.
"Guys, fall back! I'll stall it myself!" Sora called toward his companions.
Throwing his blindfold aside, but still keeping his eyes locked on the yoma, Sora glared at it, as it glared back at him.
"You wanna know what I think, ugly? I think your mother slept with Godzilla!" he taunted.
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" roared the yoma, and began viciously attacking him in a blind fury.
"SORA!" cried all the kunoichi.
"No, wait! Let him do this!" Yumi said to them.
(Play Fortunes of War by Axel Rudi Pell from Circle of the Oath for this fierce battle between Sora and the kaiju sized yoma, while everyone else watches)
"That dude's getting way too cocky for his own good. We need to help him!" remarked Shiki.
The others agreed, even though Ryona had a different plan in mind to help Sora and the others.
"In a scary night we left all behind
Soldiers are following blind
Politics, religion, the truth we'll never find
Revenge is coming to our mind
Longing for fame and for glory
But hoping for peace on earth
Earth
Running and hiding and ready to fight
Scenes that we'd been through before
Losing and riding all day and all night
We follow the Fortunes of War
Fortunes of War
Wounded or fallen, much to our regret
Slaves of the Empire we are
Praying 'till the morning, for some it is too late
The victory seems to be far
Longing for fame and for glory
But hoping for peace on earth
Earth
Running and hiding and ready to fight
Scenes that we'd been through before
Losing and riding all day and all night
We follow the Fortunes of War
Fortunes of War"
[Solo - Axel]
"Longing for fame and for glory
But hoping for peace on earth
On earth
Running and hiding and ready to fight
Scenes that we'd been through before
Losing and riding all day and all night
We follow the Fortunes of War
Running and hiding and ready to fight
Scenes that we'd been through before
Losing and riding all day and all night
We follow the Fortunes of War
Fortunes of War
Fortunes of War
Fortunes of War
Yeah"
"That should do it. Now, let's make sure it doesn't cause any more trouble," Sora told them.
"Agreed! You've subdued it, because I could sense your determination to slow it down long enough for me, Sora. Now, I'll be the one who ends it," Asuka said.
Utilizing the Fumakourin, the yoma was thus sealed back into its realm, even though no one had ever seen this before. Everyone was surprised, until she felt a sharp pain in her chest.
"Asuka, are you okay?" Sora asked her worriedly.
"I'll be fine, Sora. The yoma's been sealed away by me," she assured him, but she collapsed against him.
"Save your strength, Asuka. Our battle isn't over yet," he said to her unconscious form.
But Fubuki saw what had happened, after Sephiroth had beaten Senkou and Gekkou.
"Hmph… that fool managed to seal that beast away. But it does not matter. In time this war will end and the world shall perish in fire, once Asuka abuses that technique a few more times, and vanishes to the afterlife. That is her ultimate destiny," said the One-Winged Angel.
And the three of them stormed away. As they left, Sephiroth turned and pointed Masamune menacingly at both twins.
"There's no point in stopping Fubuki from attaining what she believes in. Mother's justice will prevail, and Kingdom Hearts will be mine, after Vanitas is released from within," he added darkly, then vanished in a whoosh of darkness and black feathers.
Below, Kagura praised them all for a job well done, despite what had happened.
"It's over for now. But I have a feeling that Fubuki's not one to give up that easily. Still, Kagura, I'm worried that the minute both she and Yumi do start fighting each other again, they might try and kill each other in their personal sibling rivalry of attrition," Sora said to her.
"No way," gasped Katsuragi.
"I'm afraid so, Katsu. Also, Asuka's secrets have a heavy price, even if she told us. Forcing her to tell us, despite what you do, isn't the right way at all. It scares me to death, just thinking about what might happen if she abuses the power of the Fumakourin, just like how I abused the power of waking to ensure that nobody would die for my sake, only to deal with the consequences of my actions, resulting in me being banished to Quadratum, never to come back. But Riku pulled me out of that dark place, and now I've become a bit more humble and wiser when using that power, after relearning it, and fully mastering it thanks to his training," he explained to her.
"Sora, I'm so sorry you went through a lot of trouble to keep your friends safe and protected from the darkness, only to deal with the consequences of abusing such power," sighed Yumi.
Even Asuka had to agree. Later that day, everyone was now enjoying a bit of peace in the city, even though Team Crimson was back to their jobs of being saleswomen. However, Homura was feeling distant, almost worried about her friend and rival, even when the others tried to assure that they would be alright. Team Hebijo arrived to see what was up, despite their quips, and the history they had with each other. Of course, Ryona still had a few more ideas up her sleeves, despite everyone's embarrassment. It did draw more attention, which she was very proud of, and even Homura had to admit it.
"Suzune-Sensei has gone to Keikaidone. She's requested that you look after things in her absence," Miyabi explained to her.
But something was making her feel strange, after she witnessed Asuka's usage of Fumakourin, but was told that Sora was right about how secrets came with a price that was far heavier than she realized, despite her belief of exterminating yoma, after what happened to her mother. Unknown to her, Sora had heard everything.
"So Miyabi's vengeful of what the yoma did to her mother back then, but revenge won't bring her back from the dead. She's gotta accept that she'll always live on in her heart, otherwise, I'll be forced to fight her in battle, but it'll probably be to the death, rather than to see who's truth is stronger," he said to himself.
He decided to leave it be for now, and soon hurried off to meet with both Asuka and Yumi at temple, where they first met Homura, before she chose the life of a rogue, along with her companions.
Somewhere in a marketplace, Asuka walked alone, until she came face to face with both Asuka and Yumi.
"Guys," she said in surprise.
"Hey, we were wondering if we could talk for a bit," Sora explained briefly.
Asuka reluctantly agreed, and they both sat in a cafe together.
"So, what did you need?" Asuka asked them.
"Hey, there's no rush. Let's drink some tea and warm up a bit," Yumi answered.
"They did so, but Sora wasn't sure why Asuka was acting so distant.
"Delicious. Have you ever been to this cafe before?" she asked.
"Yeah, a couple of times. It's pretty close to home, so I used to come here often. Sometimes Grandpa would even come and join me, and we would eat together," replied Asuka.
"Hmm…sounds fair. Still, Yumi and I are pretty happy you've gone back to your usual self again," said Sora.
"Really? then I guess that's a good thing," she smiled.
"I think so. We've been so worried. What happened to you?" Yumi asked her.
This made Asuka suddenly remember the gruesome defeat she endured at the hands of Senkou, Gekkou, Fubuki, Sephiroth, and Nuno, until she was told by her to give them a message about the dark past of all shinobi, and the terrible sins that came with it, and how it broke her morality.
"I can't tell you," she said bitterly.
"Why not, Asuka?" they asked in dismay.
They left after that, but still Sora and Yumi tried to convince her to explain what was going on with her.
"I wish you would at least explain why you won't talk about what happened," she said.
Asuka still didn't answer them, until finally, Sora decided to put his foot down after stopping in his tracks.
"Asuka, I'm only gonna say this once, and only once. If you don't tell us the exact details about what happened, then I'm afraid Yumi may do something extremely immoral, like tell you that your friendship with her is over, as well as make me say that our relationship has ended," he said firmly.
Asuka whirled round in shock, and noticed the angry glare in his eyes, but Yumi was thunderstruck by what she heard.
"Sora!" she gasped in shock, but was suddenly silenced when she saw him raise his hand towards her face, telling her to keep quiet.
"That's something neither of us want to do. So either you explain what happened before, or what I've said will come to pass. Friends should always share their secrets with others, but seeing as you won't tell us, then I'm afraid this is it. You have only ten seconds to decide. No more, no less. Either you tell us now, or that's the end of both your friendship with Yumi, and our relationship, capice?" he said, but he sounded more angry than disappointed.
"That's not fair!" protested Asuka.
"Nothing is fair when you try to keep the burden you're shouldering a secret from all of us. Look, I've got a lot of burdens I carry on my shoulders, but I share it with all of my friends, rather than keep it to myself. Trying to do the same thing that Sasuke Uchiha did will only make you become your own worst enemy. Look, I get it, you got beat by Fubuki, but being both a Shinobi, Keyblade Master, Warrior of Light, and Mercenary, you don't know what it's gonna be like to sever your ties with others. That's the true mark of loneliness. You have no idea what's gonna happen if I allow something terrible to happen to you, and everyone else in this world and beyond. Do you wanna know why I suddenly gave up after I lost all of my friends at that moment I managed to avert? It's because without them, I could do nothing, but let the darkness win. But I was wrong. Riku said that I didn't believe that at all. Listen to yourself, you think you want to sever our bond thanks to both the red strings of fate, and the golden chain of light? We're right here with you, but you're starting to act more like Terra did when he told me that he wanted to do things his way, rather than with his friends. But seeing as you'll still refuse to tell us what happened back then, so be it. Both our friendship and my relationship are well and truly ended. So goodbye, Asuka. I hope your heart disappears into darkness," he explained ominously.
Yumi was horrified by what she heard Sora saying to Asuka, even as he stormed away from them.
"Sora! What's gotten into you?" she gasped.
"What's that mean?" questioned Sora.
"Well, I know that you said that both my friendship with Asuka, as well as your relationship with her, were ended, but hearing you say that you hope her heart disappears into darkness isn't like you at all. In my honest opinion, you allowed that demon in your heart, Vanitas, to make you say those things that you really didn't mean to say. I know that you guys are both alike, because you have friends by your side who'd be more than willing to help you out when you're in a serious jam. But when I said those things to her with that demon taking hold of your heart, it almost scared me to death. Sora, I know she said that your father left you the day you were born, but the more you continue to never forgive him, the scar he left on your heart will never truly heal, unless you accept that the reason he left you, is because he wanted to protect you from something much worse than darkness itself. But, if I were indeed in your position, and Asuka was as well, neither of us would want to just shroud that secret in an even greater shadow. Instead, we'd let it come to light, between everyone we cherish, and share that secret, regardless of the heavy price that comes with it. As you once said before, with great power comes great responsibility, but now you're squandering that responsibility, just as your friend Spider-Man almost did, when Asuka told me that you saw him dressed in that black symbiote suit, helped him and Harry Osborn stop both Venom and Sandman from hurting Mary Jane Watson in a terrible way. But after Harry died, you both began to hate Venom, and even defeated him with both sound waves and fire, until Eddie Brock decided that they would go out with a bang together. But you forgave Flint Marko after he told you both the truth about what really happened to Ben Parker, Peter's uncle," Yumi explained.
"Forget about her, Yumi. She's not going to tell us, even if we force her to. As of right now, she's a disgrace to all shinobi, and Hanzo's legacy," he told her in a sharp tone.
"But Yumi's right about that, Sora. So you win. I'll tell you, okay?" Asuka said.
"It's about time," Sora and Yumi replied.
"In that case, she should hear everything from me," Fubuki's voice said.
This made everyone turn and face her as the environment was shrouded in shadow. Reacting instinctively, Sora readied his Keyblade, and stood between the three of them.
"Fubuki!" he said sharply.
"Stay your hand, Sora. I have a question," the halfling said.
She turned to Yumi.
"Since you are a shinobi, how do you define justice," she asked.
"Well, it's a belief we have to protect," replied Yumi.
"And what is that belief exactly?" questioned Fubuki.
"To make sure that darkness doesn't take away everyone we cherish, just like how Sparda, the Legendary Dark Knight, defected and helped humanity fight back against the demon hordes of Mundus, and shut the gates to Hell," Sora answered for her.
"How interesting, and what is that darkness? Where does that darkness lie?" she asked him.
"If you want an answer, then I'll give you one. Dispelling all forms of darkness, no matter how powerful they may be, like the Heartless, Grimm, and all manner of dark creatures," he remarked.
"This boy is growing more irritating than I realized," scoffed Fubuki.
"But what Sora's saying is the truth," protested Yumi.
"The shinobi hunt down yoma like beasts, all in the name of so-called justice, because they're evil. However, what if I told you that yoma could feel love the way that humans do?" she explained to them.
"Wait, you mean just like how Sparda found love when he first met Eva, and brought Dante and Vergil into their lives?" Sora asked in dismay.
"That is a rather interesting comparison," Fubuki replied.
"But even still, hearing Sora tell Senkou and Gekkou about the Legend of Sparda, it made me realize that sometimes love can actually be stronger than hatred, even though I was told that yoma are nothing but pure evil, so they must be defeated. Therefore it's hard to believe that the justice of the shinobi is wrong," interjected Yumi.
"Yumi, no. Even though yoma and demons are very similar creatures from two very different worlds, that doesn't change the fact that they are creatures of darkness, just like the Heartless. But if the yoma could actually feel true love in their hearts, just as Sparda did, then there are other yoma who are incapable of that feeling, and thus they'd be branded as lost causes that have to be eliminated," Sora said to her.
"Very well, then let me show you. I have proof that the yoma felt the same way Sparda did. Just like you," she said, and she soon gained several red markings on her body, which looked like kabuki make up, as her aura shot up.
Yumi was shocked to learn the truth.
"So you're a hybrid, just like Dante, Vergil, and Nero are?" Sora gasped in shock.
"You are correct, Sora, and I see you are as smart as your friend Ami Mizuno is. It's because I am a child born from a human and a yoma," Fubuki replied.
The revelation shocked Yumi to no end, but Sora still stood firm between them, even as his Lucian powers began to activate.
"I'm not letting this world die by your hands, Fubuki, nor will I allow you and Nuno to bear a child to continue Sephiroth's demented legacy," Sora said firmly, due to his powers creating an aura of light.
"The blood of kings," she seethed.
"I feel it. The door to the other world is starting to open," Kagura said from their shrine.
"Really?" asked Naraku.
"It's larger than the previous one. If it finishes opening, something terrible is about to happen," she replied.
"Can you tell us where it is, little one?" Reeve asked after he arrived.
Kagura nodded, then used her yoma sense power to locate the portal.
"It's in the hot springs town!" she said in shock.
"If you are right, then I'll alert the RGRO to set up a defensive perimeter around the entire city, as well as have patrols keep an eye open for any signs of danger. We must not allow this world to be destroyed," replied the commissioner.
As he did so, both Sora and Fubuki charged furiously at each other once more, but this time, both Asuka and Yumi decided it was best to keep out of their battle, rather than intervene.
"Please, don't do this. I don't want you to see either of you kill each other," she said somberly.
"Asuka, listen to me. You know that Sora's strong, because of his friends, but the thought of losing them to someone who's pure evil, while frightening, can also give him even greater strength," Yumi assured her.
"But, Yumi…" Asuka tried to protest.
"Save it, Asuka. You know as well as I that I'm more than willing to trust Yumi's judgment, even though her foster sibling interrupted us, as well as showed us that she's a child of two different worlds. After hearing Fubuki say that she's gonna destroy this world, after the door to the yoma world has opened, I'm still not gonna let what she just said come to pass, and that's a promise I intend to keep, as well as share with you, Yumi, and everyone else, regardless of which side your on. And there's something else you need to know. There's not a thing I don't cherish!" Sora interrupted Asuka.
(It's time to play the Poet and the Pendulum from the Nightwish Album, Dark Passion Play for the second round of Sora and Yoma Triggered Fubuki's rivalry)
He turned sharply back towards Fubuki, even as his powers awakened fully like her's did.
"I'll make you pay for turning your back on both Senkou and Gekkou, as well as having them hurt both Asuka, and all our friends! Even with Sephiroth and Nuno helping them!" Sora snapped furiously.
"You will never win, Sora!" Fubuki snapped back, and they charged at each other.
Time and space seemed to slow between them, until their battle would begin, while Asuka and Yumi stood back and watched the awful conflict between rivals begin again
[Part 1: White Lands Of Empathica]
"The end
The songwriter's dead
The blade fell upon him
Taking him to the white lands
Of empathica
Of innocence
Empathica
Innocence"
[Part 2: Home]
(Both Sora and Fubuki are no longer holding back, so the music takes on a much more intense symphonic metal feel, but now Yumi's growing worried about Sora, as she's never seen him be this serious before, even though there are times when she can be serious)
"You and Yumi will not kill each other!" he snapped.
"YOU DON'T HAVE A CHOICE, BOY!" howled Fubuki, as their battle continued even more furiously.
"The dreamer and the wine
Poet without a rhyme
A widowed writer torn apart by chains of Hell
One last perfect verse
Is still the same old song
Oh Christ, how I hate what I have become
Take me home
Get away, run away, fly away
Lead me astray to dreamer's hideaway
I cannot cry cause the shoulder cries more
I cannot die, I, a whore for the cold world
Forgive me
I have but two faces
One for the world
One for God
Save me
I cannot cry cause the shoulder cries more
I cannot die, I, a whore for the cold world
My home was there and then, those meadows of heaven
Adventure-filled days
One with every smiling face
Please, no more words
Thoughts from a severed head
No more praise
Tell me once my heart goes right
Take me home
Get away, run away, fly away
Lead me astray to dreamer's hideaway
I cannot cry cause the shoulder cries more
I cannot die, I, a whore for the cold world
Forgive me
I have but two faces
One for the world
And one for God
Save me
I cannot cry cause the shoulder cries more
I cannot die, I, a whore for the cold world, a whore for the cold world, a whore for the cold world"
[Part 3: The Pacific]
(This is where Asuka suddenly collapses against Yumi and begins to weep tears of sorrow after seeing both Sora and Fubuki clashing with each other, despite their fierce rivalry between them, but the snow kunoichi wraps her arm around her, and even tries to comfort her)
"Sparkle my scenery
With Turquoise waterfall
With beauty underneath
The ever free
Tuck me in beneath the blue
Beneath the Pain
Beneath the rain
Goodnight kiss for a child in time
Swaying blade my lullaby
On the shore we sat and hoped
Under the same pale moon
Whose guiding light chose you
Chose you all
I'm afraid, I'm so afraid
Being raped, again and again, and again
I know I will die alone
But loved
You live long enough to hear the sounds of guns
Long enough to find yourself screaming every night
Live long enough to see your friends betray you
For years I've been strapped unto this altar
Now I only have three minutes and counting
I just wish the tide would catch me first and give me
A death I always longed for."
"After this world dies, everything you've ever loved will die as well, Sora," glowered Fubuki.
This enraged Sora, and the power of kings that Fubuki mentioned suddenly erupted like a great supernova, and he began attacking her even more furiously with the intent of killing her, while she too did the same, as their clash continued even more viciously.
[Part 4: Dark Passion Play]
(This is where Sora finally loses control of himself and lashes out at Fubuki in a blind fury after she threatens to take everything he cherishes away from him, scaring both Asuka and Yumi close to death)
"Rip and tear, until it is done, BROTHER!" Vanitas said within him, shocking Asuka and Yumi to no end even further.
"2nd robber to the right of Christ
Cut in half - infanticide
The world will rejoice today
As the crows feast on the rotting poet
Everyone must bury their own
No pack to bury the heart of stone
Now he's home in hell, serves him well
Slain by the bell, tolling for his farewell
Next morning dawned upon his altar
Remains of the dark passion play
Performed by his friends without shame
Spitting on his grave as they came
Get away, run away, fly away
Lead me astray to dreamer's hideaway
I cannot cry cause the shoulder cries more
I cannot die, I, a whore for the cold world
Forgive me
I have but two faces
One for the world
And one for God
Save me
I cannot cry cause the shoulder cries more
I cannot die, I, a whore for the cold world, a whore for the cold world, whore for the cold world
Today, in the year of our Lord, 2005, Tuomas was called from the cares of the world
He stopped crying at the end of each beautiful day
The music he wrote had too long been without silence
He was found naked and dead
With a smile on his face, a pen and 1000 pages of erased text.
Save me"
[Part 5: Mother And Father]
(Right as Sora's about to deliver the final blow on a downed Fubuki, Yumi, unable to watch Sora spill blood, manages to stop him by wrapping her arms around him, after rushing up to him)
"Be still, my son
You're home
Oh when did you become so cold?
The blade will keep on descending
All you need is to feel my love
Search for beauty, find your shore
Try to save them all, bleed no more
You have such oceans within
In the end, I will always love you
The beginning"
"Please, Sora! No more!" she cried.
"Let go of me, Yumi!" he snapped.
"You can stop now. Killing Fubuki won't make anything better. Are you really that desperate to subvert justice into vengeance, by stooping to her level of madness?" Yumi asked.
Sora gasped in shock, then staggered back. He realized now that he was about to make the same mistakes that Asuka would make, by forsaking justice for vengeance.
"I see you were able to utilize the power of Vanitas while still maintaining some trace of yourself. You are indeed worthy of being a strong yet powerful rival, Sora, the likes of which I've never had before," admitted Fubuki, who recovered from the attack, then used her powers to restore her garments to their original glory.
Then she vanished into the darkness, as Sora turned and faced both girls.
"I'm sorry," he said somberly, but Yumi hugged him tightly.
"No, please don't apologize, Sora. I know that you don't like it when someone says they'll take away the lives of your friends, but that doesn't give you the freedom to kill them for the sake of vengeance. So, don't make the same mistakes my grandfather made, after he compromised his own morality, and became a monster. Seeing history repeat itself again, is something that none of us would want to have happen, thanks to your friendship with Cody, the Son of Xehanort," she said quietly.
Sora nodded, then hugged Yumi back, even as Asuka remained uncharacteristically silent around them.
"Listen, I was able to alert the RGRO, so they'll be helping us out in this final battle we may have later. That means all of my other friends and family will be joining us. You can trust them, Yumi. Just like you can trust me and Asuka, and your grandfather will most certainly be proud of you. After all, despite what happened before, both him and your grandmother's children were able to find someone they could both love and cherish, just as he did, until he realized that he had strayed from his true path, and became remorseful of his actions. That's when he built Gessen, and with your help, he found true closure with himself. HIs spirit will always live on, not just in you, but in Asuka and everyone else, in their hearts, just as he now resides in my heart," Sora explained to them.
"Wait, your friends are joining us in this final battle?" Asuka asked in surprise.
"That's right. And this time, we'll make sure that you don't die for some foolish belief in a darker destiny, which Madoka chose to defy with her own two hands, after Homura Akemi helped her find that motivation she had in her heart," he replied.
They knew that this would be a dangerous assignment, but they all knew that they had to see it through to the end.