Kingdom hearts: Fragment Chapter 292: The Final Battle Part 14, a kingdom hearts fanfic

Chapter CCLXXXVIII: The Final Battle Part XIV

Staring around at the damage that had been incurred upon the green glass prison, that held Kagi. Riku, turned his attentions back to him, he asked, "You remembered someone?"

"Urgh...!" Still struggling against the paralysing blast he'd been struck with, Kagi breathed in and out slowly, as he recovered, before replying, "Yeah...there was a girl, Lachesis... that was...her name."

Hearing it, Riku was quiet. Then he repeated curiously, "Lachesis...?" As he did, something about it was very familiar to him. He put a hand to his forehead, as he tried to concentrate, and think of them...

Kagi seeing him do this, after finally getting back onto his legs, he walked over shakily before he stood near to Riku. As he did, he asked him with some hope, "Do you... know her?"

As he concentrated on his thoughts, after a few moments. Riku sighed, and replied with a sad shake of his head, "No...I'm sorry Kagi, the name is bringing something to my mind, but I can't picture anyone to go with it."
The green haired boy became visibly depressed. As he did, he echoed sadly, "Oh no..." then he fell down onto his knees again. It was clear he was upset, as pained frustration decorated his features.

Seeing him kneel down before him, Riku became worried and asked, "Kagi?"

The young boy before him, clenching his hands tightly said, "What am I...supposed to do!? If I can't-!"

GLOW!

Quickly his green prison began to glow ominously with power again, and as it did-!

"Agh!"

Kagi's hands immediately returned to his chest! As immediately he felt his power was being forcibly used, which caused unmeasurable pain to spread in his heart!

Worried for him, Riku cried out, "Kagi what's wrong!?"

Shivering at this intrusive sensation, he said, "It's that...man again!" Shuddering, trying desperately to soothe himself, he continued to say, "He's forcing... my power out!"

Hearing this, Riku looking into the dark abyss above them, said with agitation, "So it's Xehanort again!"

As this name was mentioned, Kagi was silent. Then he repeated, "Xeha...nort?" Then as he did-!

"Soon, soon I will wipe out that disgrace of an existence that is Xehanort!"

Kagi had another image appear in his mind, he remembered a woman. As he was held before her, by two of her brutes, he saw her clearly. A shoulder length crimson red-haired, lab coat wearing scientist, with deadly red eyes, who smiled with sinister glee at him. His head then ached, as he uttered, "That's right... that man, he was-!"

Hearing him struggling again, Riku immediately returned his attentions back to the suffering captive. He asked him worried, "What is it?"

Still struggling, Kagi felt more of his memories returning. As he did, he remembered!

"Xehanort is dead!"

…

"What did you say?"

"I was told! The man you hate, the one who ruined you! He's dead, he no longer exists in the world! You no longer have anything to eradicate anymore."
Then taking in a deep breath, he quickly added, "That mean's you can't use and abuse Lachesis anymore to-!"

It was then Kagi remembered more, and said, "That's right...Lachesis, she was made to... eradicate Xehanort, by Rosso!"

Listening to him say all this, Riku was quiet. But quickly, that name rung a strong bell in his heart, as he repeated, "Rosso?" Then he quickly remembered something, that he and Nozomi, along with the King had gathered together on their long journey, "The Lachesis Reports!"

Hearing him say this, Kagi asked, "Reports?"

With a nod, Riku told him, "That's right, I'm remembering now! The woman you mentioned, she was trying to create the ultimate weapon, by breaking people's hearts!"

"Breaking...the heart?" Kagi asked. Then as he said those words, he remembered the experiment, the one the girl Lachesis was involved in. He was used to-!

CRACK! CRACK!

Immediately more cracks emerged in his prison! He was making more progress with each and every memory he was recovering! As he realised this, it was then he heard Riku say, "Looks like you're on a roll now, huh?"
As he said this, Kagi was quiet. Then he revealed a small smile and said, "Looks... like it!" Then as he said those words, he felt inside, the pain in his chest was slowly easing up. He wasn't in so much agony anymore! Feeling this ease, he sighed and added, "It's good... that I'm remembering more...but?"
"But what?" Riku asked him with concern.

Kagi was quiet, before he summarised his thoughts, and replied, "That girl... Lachesis, she was in so much pain, in all those experiments... and I can't even remember more about her..." then gripping his hands against the green glass, he confessed further, "How am I supposed to help her...or anyone else, when I'm so pitiful, being stuck in here like this!"

Riku was quiet as he stared at him, then as he gazed at Kagi's pained state, he felt something inside. As he did, looking at his sad blue eyes... he realised, "Wait, Kagi?"

Puzzled as he said this, the green haired boy asked, "Wait, for what?"

Looking at him, the purple armour clad Keyblader said, and explained, "Those words you said... didn't we have a conversation about something like this, sometime ago?"

As he said those words, Kagi asked him, "A conversation?"

To which, Riku nodded, and explained further, ""That's right, you were concerned about the same thing about being unable to help someone, I remember we talked about it..." then as he looked through his own memories, he realised, "It was after you'd woken up, that we-!"

SMASH!

They were both interrupted and distracted, looking above themselves in confusion and amazement, it was then that they both saw a huge bright pink flash in the dark heights! As they did, Kagi exclaimed, "What was that!?"
Quiet, Riku then said with a smile, "She did it! Kairi saved her, all on her own!"

"Kairi?" Kagi asked.

"Yeah, one of my best friends!" Riku told him, as he looked back to him, then he added, "She's one of the Keybladers that entered this space, to help in saving the other Fragment Vessels like you, she's just saved someone, called Oralee!"

Hearing those words, Kagi asked, "Saved?"

"Yeah, she's really come along now..." then thinking of the past, he continued on to say, "She used to be the one who always needed to be saved, but now she's the one turning the tables, and gaining her own power!" He added, with a proud smile, "I'm really happy for her."

"Really?" Kagi asked. Then as he thought to himself, he realised and thought again about what Riku said, "You know I think you're right." With that as the Keyblader turned to look back to him, he explained, "About what you said before, I did want to help her... I wanted to get stronger didn't I?"

As he said this, Riku then nodded and told him, "That's right you did, you said you wanted to be there, to help someone who was stuck in a horrible situation, that she was being used, and you wanted to gain the strength to free her from that fate."

Amazed, Kagi asked, "That's what I wanted?" Then as he thought on this, Riku's words triggered something inside of him, then quickly the memory resurfaced, that would be his key to recovering what he needed the most.

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Sitting within the back of the Gummi ship, Kagi was quiet as he held his hands together. The big group of heroes, were all soon going to be arriving at the Radiant Gardens, where he would reveal the awful truth about what had happened to him and the project, Lachesis. Who was really-!

"Hey!"

"Huh?" Jerked out of his thoughts, it was then the young boy looked up. There he saw looking down at him with concern, it was none other than the white haired Keyblader, that he'd come to know as, "Riku?"

"Are you okay? You're shaking pretty badly there?" The concerned young man asked.

"Shaking?" Kagi repeated, then looking down at himself. He realised then, "Oh...?" For indeed his body was indeed shaking badly, all over. Seeing this, he became ashamed and said, "Sorry... I guess, it's just nerves on my part."

"You're that nervous?" Riku asked him. All Kagi did in reply was nod sadly, as he did this. The Keyblader decided to take a seat near him, and as he did, he sat quietly and waited for him to speak again. If he wished to.

Hearing him sit down close, Kagi remained quiet for a little, as he gathered his thoughts. As he finished, he sighed, and then looking up and around, he saw what the others were up to. Looking on, he saw the two other female Keybladers looking through one of the windows of the ship, smiling and laughing together as the red-haired girl, was pointing out some interesting sights to the girl, who he came to know as Nozomi.

Watching them, and seeing the other passengers with them, who were enjoying the spectacles of the ship and being in the good company of each other, he couldn't help but say, "Y'now I'm jealous of everyone here, being able to relax like this... I wish I could be more the same."

As he heard him say this, Riku was quiet before he made his reply, looking at everyone else too. "I know, I wish I could relax more too."

Surprised to hear this, Kagi asked him, "You're not relaxed?" To which, Riku shook his head. Seeing him do this, the young boy asked, "What're you nervous about right now?"

Leaning his head back against the metal of the ship, Riku replied honestly, "...I'm worried if I can even protect her now, Nozomi." Then as he looked at her, as she hung out with Kairi, he continued on to say, "Because I couldn't against Maleficent, when she nearly Unlocked her... I was also a coward, who couldn't tell her the truth about her identity this whole time, because I was so worried about destroying her heart and will, with the truth about her true existence."

Surprised to hear this, Kagi asked him, "Even though you're so strong?"

"Only physically," Riku replied with a self depreciating chuckle. However looking down to his body, he told him, "But for all the physical strength in the world, it can't always protect those who you treasure the most."
Hearing him say this, Kagi was quiet for a moment. However he nodded and replied, "Yeah, you're right." For clenching his hands, remembering Hari, he continued on to say, "She was the same as you."

As he looked to him, Riku asked becoming curious, "She?"

Nodding, Kagi replied, "Yeah, someone very precious to me, she was amazingly strong too, but..." then remembering the horror that was the past, Kagi continued on to say, "She couldn't protect those she truly wanted to, and... she was used by others, horribly to the point that she was completely broken."

There was then silence between them both. As it came, there was no response from Riku for a little bit, but finally he said, "Well I don't know what to say to that, except it sounds she had it really rough and you too."

Kagi released a sad laugh at this, he then replied, "That's the lighter way to call it...I guess?" But as he said this, the green haired boy continued on to say looking pained, "And you know, she didn't deserve that, cause deep down she was truly a kind, considerate person... who was maybe a bit too quiet for her own good, but," he added thinking of her gentle smile, "She really cared... and she was only just beginning to grow as a real person, before she was..."

Riku could see that thinking of this person for Kagi truly was distressing, he said nothing probably out of consideration for him. As he remained silent, Kagi continued on to say, "But from now on, I want to things to change, I want to help her, to fix was broken in her, so she can properly become the person she wants to be, and to do that, I need to get her out of the bad situation she's surely stuck in."

As he spoke his strong resolve, Riku sounded impressed as he told him, "That's a noble goal for you to have, Kagi."

The green haired boy revealed a simple smile, however it dropped as soon as it came as he continued on to say, "Though I'll only be able to accomplish that if I can find her, cause who knows how long I've been asleep for...doing nothing, but being a liability,"Then looking to Riku he asked, "I'm pretty pathetic, huh?"

As he said those words, again Riku didn't say anything straight away. However after a moment Kagi heard him say, "You know?" Then as he paused, he looked over to him still sadly, as he continued and said, "If you really want to help this person that you've lost, you won't be able to, if you remain melancholy like that."
"Uh?" Surprised by this, Kagi was quiet and then asked, "...What made you say that?"

"Your attitude," Riku told him. Then as the boy looked at him perplexed, Riku explained, "Because if you keep talking in that sad depreciating tone, it's like you're implying, that you've lost, before you've even started your search for her." He then had to add with a serious look, "You won't be able to help anyone, if you stay in that self pitying frame of mind."

Kagi didn't understand him and said, "Weren't you in the same frame of mind as me just a second ago?"

Riku sighed, and then looking to Nozomi and Kairi again, he replied, "I have my regrets, I won't disagree with you on that...and I do feel horrible still inside for the pain that came from my mistakes," however he added, seeing both the girls continue to smile and laugh, "But, I know if I just obsess over them... it won't help anyone in the future," with that he added revealing a small smile of his own, thinking of the support and help, he'd had along his whole journey, "I've already been down that road already, and I'm still continuing down the path of recovery, but each step I take with my friends gets me closer to the brighter future I want."

Really surprised, Kagi uttered feeling his strength of hope and resolve, "Riku..."

With that said the white haired boy turned to him, then with a warm smile, he asked him, "So, how about this?"

"What?" Kagi asked.

"I'll help you in finding who you're looking for, also I can help you become stronger in the meantime?" He suggested.

Amazed, Kagi asked him, "You'll help me get stronger?"

"If you want me to?" He told him, however with a mischievous grin he added, "Though I can't guarantee I'll be the most lenient teacher out there, I can at least help you build some muscle on that scrawny body of yours!"

Kagi couldn't believe him, and cried out annoyed, "Hey! I'm not that bad!" Then as Riku laughed, though he was annoyed, he could tell that the white haired Keyblader meant well, so said after a sigh, "But... y'know, I think I will take you up on that offer..."

"You will?" Riku asked him.

Kagi nodded, then as he did, he told him looking at him with determination, "Yeah, and when I get stronger eventually, I'm gonna get back at you for calling me that!"

Riku smiled more, then told him, "Good enough motivation for me!" However he decided to add, being sincere, "And don't worry Kagi, I'll make sure you gain the strength you need. to save this girl, so you can help her truly with your own power."

Kagi was instantly amazed once again by him, then he said finally smiling properly, "Okay thanks!" However he decided to tell him, "Though you know you're gonna have to work on your supporting skills, you suck when it comes to comforting people!"

Riku laughed himself, then he replied, "Sue me!" With that the boys continued their discussions, as to how they'd begin their training one day, as everyone journeyed on together, to make it to the Radiant Gardens, where the truth would be revealed and fate would begin to unfold...

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His heart racing as he remembered finally, Kagi uttered the girl's true name, "That's right, I remember now!"

"Remember?" Riku asked him.

Kagi then said, "Yeah, I remember the girl! Lachesis wasn't her true name, the name she wanted, the name I gave her... it was Hari!"

As he heard this name, Riku felt again another bell of recognition ring in his heart, as he did, he asked, "Hari?"

Nodding, Kagi then continued on to say, "Yeah, I was kidnapped from my family and brought to her! We slowly became friends!" Then tears began to pour from his eyes, as he remembered too, "Then there was Oliver, he brought out more of her gentleness!" Then thinking of Hari, as she cuddled and held the small cute orange kitten, he said, "Then Dodger and the others...they gave us the motivation to leave that place, but...!"

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

With each and every name that came from Kagi's mouth, Riku felt something too, quickly images came to his mind and he said as he remembered them, "The orange kitten, and those dogs...!" Then he realised, "That's right, you were both together with them all and-!"

Sobbing, Kagi then said, "Yeah, Rosso used me! She used me and them, to turn Hari into the Vessel for the Fourth Fragment, to become the weapon, Lachesis!" Then gripping his hands he said, "I need to save her from that fate!"

CRACK! CRACK!

At last the pod that held Kagi had reached it's limit! It couldn't fight Kagi's desire to save his treasured person, and then-

SMASH!

"Agh!"

"Whoa!"

It was then finally that the Keyhole that would be Kagi's way to freedom was revealed! As it came forth, the young boy asked, "Is that-?"

Nodding Riku told him, "That's right Kagi, your exit!" Then proudly with a smile, he told him, "You did it! You've taken the first step forwards in saving her, I'll be able to help you in releasing Hari now!"

Amazed, Kagi asked him with a smile, "You can?"

Nodding, Riku then replied, "Yeah..." However he had to reveal something else, "But Kagi, when I do, you'll be..."

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"HHHHAAAA!"

RRROOOAAARRR!

Hordes upon hordes of Heartless were everywhere now! The battlefield was in chaos, as each of the warriors, were doing their best to survive the waves! As they flew in the air together, flooding out from the burning green portals that were held in the Chakrams, Yuffie couldn't believe her luck at being able to fly! She said as she flew over a huge group of the monsters, "Who'd ever thunk it! That I'd be the one flying, and not my Ninja star!"

Hearing her, Leon then said, "This isn't the time to be cracking jokes!" With that he moved his Gunblade and-!

KABOOM!

He quickly eradicated a huge ring of the Heartless that surrounded them, as he did he told her, "Now c'mon! Get your head in gear!"

Waving her hand away at his over seriousness, Yuffie replied, "Alright! Alright!" Then as she took off higher into the air, "Can't a girl have a little fun around here!" It was then-!

SCREECH!

Some of the remaining bat Heartless, came to try and bite into her with their sharp fangs! But with a grin, she moved her hand back and-!

SHINE!

One of her main Shurikens grew bigger in size and shone with power! Then moving fast-!

SLICE! SLICE! SLICE! SLICE! SLICE!

She cut into a whole group of them! Then as they began to turn into black embers, she grinned and said, "Now that's how you do it!" It was clear now with, the battle was changing towards their favour, they all now had the chance to-!

"Urgh!"

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

Hearing these loud sounds of splintering everyone turned, it was then they saw the last green gem on Xehanort's middle was breaking apart, as it shone with green light! Then as everyone looked at this dazzling sight, they were all mesmerized! Gazing on, Yuffie having never witnessed this before, asked, "What's happening there!? Is it-!"

"It is!"

It was then flying up close to her, upon the back of Scriptium it was none other than Nozomi with the King and the others! As they did, she told the ninja, "It's Riku! He's saving him, he's getting Kagi back from Xehanort!"
Puzzled, hearing this name, Yuffie asked, "Kagi?" Then-!

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After Riku had explained what was going to happen to him, Kagi asked in disbelief, "That's what will happen?"

The white haired Keyblader nodded solemnly, then as there was silence between them for a moment, he enquired, "Are you going to be alright with me doing this to you?"

Kagi was quiet, but as he gripped his hands, he took in a deep breath. Doing this, he told Riku, "Well, I don't like it honestly," however as he looked to his worried expression, he added, "But, I know it now, I can trust you since I have my memories back!" Then he requested him, "Just do one thing for me will you?"
"What's that?" Riku asked.

"Save Hari for me! Help me to get her back from this monster, I can't let her be abused anymore!" Kagi told him.

There was no reason to refuse this request, so Riku told him, "Don't worry! I'll do that for you, I don't want Xehanort to abuse anyone anymore either!"

Kagi smiled brightly and replied, "Great!" Then closing his eyes, he told him bracing himself for what was coming, "Go on then, Riku! Do it now, set me free from this place!"

"You got it!" He replied, with that he moved back and-!

FLASH!

His Keyblade returned to his hand, and quickly-!

SHINE!

The light of Unlocking shone, then it raced forwards from the end of his weapon and-!

SMASH!

It entered the Keyhole and quickly it smashed the green pod, turning it into smithereens! As at last the Vessel of the Eighth Fragment was finally released!

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SMASH!

"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"

In seconds the green gem smashed to pieces! As it was and the remains of it rained out, it was then-!

Dim...

Quickly the green portals that were held within the Chakrams completely disappeared! As they did, quickly Donald realised, "Great! Now we won't have more Heartless swarmin'!"

"Yeah!" Nozomi cried out happily too! It was clear there was a great feeling of optimism growing amongst the army of heroes! However before they could all begin making more cheers-!

"Why!?"

Everyone turned back, there they saw Xehanort was gasping for air in his enormous armoured Heartless form. As he did, it was clear he was struggling badly with agony as he desperately tried to maintain his gigantic shape, but still he continued to ask,

"Why is this happening!? Why am I losing to..."

Then as he gazed down angrily at all the warriors of Light who were before him, he called them what he saw them as,

"Worthless mites like you!?"

Angry in seconds, Yuffie cried out loudly, "Hey! Don't go comparing us to insects you...!" She struggled to think of the right insult, but then she finished pointing at him accusingly, "You ugly bug!"
Gandrake floating on closely beside her, asked unimpressed, "That was seriously the best you could come up with?"

"Shut up!" She said mad, with that she added, "Besides, I can't think of insults straight on the fly!"

Sighing, Leon told her, "This is not the time for arguing you two!"

Meixeng nearby, still floating upon her ape Dusk laughed, "Oh, you guys crack me up!" Then stroking Uma and Fuma who were on her shoulers, she turned to Xehanort and told him, "But joking aside, for someone who thinks he's so huge and mighty, you seem to be missing the most obvious reason why you're losing!"
Vexed, that a Nobody of all things was criticizing him, Xehanort demanded out of her,

"What do you mean!?"

"Ties is what she means!" Araxne answered, as she manoeuvred Spidron into a better position, allowing Leon, Yuffie and Gandrake to land back on it. As she did, she explained further, preparing more of her bandage webbing, "You have none, hence you struggle!"

Hearing this single word, Xehanort repeated puzzled,

"Ties?"

Nozomi then spoke up herself, "Exactly, it's because we're all working together here! We're together as one whole!" With that looking back to Mickey and the others with her, she explained further, "We each become the others strength, making up for the weaknesses of the other, with each of our own unique abilities!"

Mickey proud, then agreed and said, "That's right, we're indestructible as long as we all work together! To help our pals, both here and the inside of ya!" Then pointing to the wretched villain, he added, "With both our forces combined, along with the Fragments we're getting' back from ya, you'll never win as long as you remain all alone, Xehanort!"

Hearing these words as well, Xehanort then repeated,

"Work together?"

Then as he thought to himself about everything that had been happening so far. He remembered everything that had happened up to that point, both here in reality and what was happening within the Interfusing Plane... he realised the simple act of what he needed to do to win! It was so obvious,

"HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!"

As he released this huge bout of maniacal laughter, everyone was disturbed. He wasn't losing his nerve at all!

Zidane looking at him, feeling uneasy asked, "Uh? Has he gone crazy?"

Lightning replied tensing up, "Wouldn't surprise me, but-!"

"I see now! I see...why didn't I realise this from the start!?"

"Realise what?" Pete asked him, not understanding what was so hilarious.

He almost wished he hadn't though, as Xehanort concentrated his red eyes upon them all, and said,

"I know now how to end your key to victory here and now!"

Blinking, Nozomi feeling a shudder go down her back asked, "What do you mean?"

"HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!"

Xehanort simply laughed again, as he did, he told them all,

"It's time to end your little ploy!"

With that he moved his right hand and-!

CRACKLE!

It glowed with vibrant blue power, as it did everyone had no idea what he was going to do now! There was no time to ask, as-!

"HHHAAA!"

He dismissed one of his Keyblades and smashed his gigantic right fist against his chest, making his body glow all over with darkness and the ominous power of the Second Fragment!

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GLOW!

The glittering green Fragment now in his hands, Riku held it gently. He felt bad about it taking Kagi's physical form, however he knew then there was no other way forwards, but to do what he did.

Softly he uttered, "Here we go, Kagi!" With that he pressed the mysterious treasure against his chest, then quickly he felt the Fragment enter him, making it into the domains of his heart. As he did, his eyes widened and-!

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"Meow!"

"Oliver wait for us will ya!" It was then Kagi entered a new sector of the labs, as they did, Hari followed on from behind him.

As she did, he wandered inside and discovered a miraculous sight. There was a garden, filled with trees and grass! Looking at the space he couldn't believe it, "This place is-!"

"It's the botanical garden."

Turning around and hearing her, Kagi curious repeated, "Botanical?"

With a nod, Hari looking around themselves explained, "It's a space that was designed, so that the manufacture of certain herbs and other plants would be made easier, so one can make medicines and various other remedies."

"Oh?" Then as Kagi looked around, he couldn't help but say, "Well it's really pretty here!" Then he couldn't help but add with a smile, "This has gotta be the prettiest spot in the whole of the labs!"

Curious by this word, as Hari finally made her way over to him, she repeated, "Pretty?"

Surprised, Kagi looking to her asked, "Do you not know what that word means, Hari?"

As she put her hand to her chin, it was clear she didn't. She then after some thought replied, "That particular adjective has never been one I've had much encounter with." With that she turned her green eyes to look at him, then she asked, "What is its definition?"
"Uh, you're asking me?" Then as she made a single nod, he scratched his head and tried to think, "Um... well, it means something that looks good I guess, in a really sweet way?"

"I see..." Hari replied, with that she walked forwards. Then making it further into the gardens, she looked at one of the daisy's that were amongst the sea of green , kneeling down she asked, "So this is something that is considered pretty?"

Kagi laughed awkwardly at this, for to him, she was still so mysterious. What on earth was her Mother teaching her? However in good humour, he walked over, then sitting close to her, he plucked a daisy that was near them, then, "There ya go!"
The girl looked over to him, then in that moment, Kagi put the flower he'd taken into her hair. As he did, she stared at him in surprise, as she did, he told her, "Now you're the pretty one, Hari!"

The girl was quiet, as she stared him. Then as this moment of quiet came between them-!

"Meow!"

It was then Oliver made his way over! As he did, he hopped on up and quickly Hari caught him in her arms. As she did, the small marmalade cat reached his paw up to her hair, as he did playing with the daisy he'd put there. Kagi joked and said, "Looks like Oliver feels the same way!"

Looking on at her, it was clear she didn't know how to register these compliments both verbally nor by gesture... but after a moment, she revealed a small smile and replied, "I see..." Then as Oliver came to sit in her lap, she said, "Well, thank you for your observations of me, both of you."

Laughing awkwardly, Kagi told her, "You can just say thanks y'know, it's not like I was assessing you or something?"

"Alright then," Hari replied simply. Then with that, the small party of three played for a little while in the garden.

...

It was then after an hour or more, his female playmate began to doze off. As she did, Kagi asked her, "Hari? Are you sleepy, do you want to go back to the room now?"

Shaking her head, she told him, "There's no...need, I want you...to enjoy yourself here," It was clear, the long haired brunette couldn't keep her concentration well, as she struggled to finish and say, "It took us...quite some time...to find an opportunity... to play, like this."

"I guess?" Kagi replied, but then he told her, "But I'd rather that you get to enjoy it too, I don't want this to be just for me."

"That's...very commendable...I-" But Hari couldn't finish her sentence as quickly-!

"Hari!"

"Meow!"

GRAB!

"Oof!"

Quickly Kagi caught her in his young arms before she fell down! As he did, he told her with a sigh, "Man! Don't scare me like that! You're just so...!"

However, it was clear Hari couldn't answer him. As she continued to sleep away, as she did, Kagi smiled gently. As he did, he told her, "Honestly, what am I going to do with you, silly!"

With that as he held her, Oliver not knowing any better, went under Hari's free limp hand, and nestled himself to sleep there too. Clearly enjoying the girl's warmth.

Seeing him do this, Kagi said, "I guess, I'm now the pillow here, huh?" With a small chuckle, he then looked at Hari and said, "I guess Rosso's been putting you through the ringer, huh?" With that he added as he held her close, "It's no wonder you've been so exhausted lately..."

Then as Hari continued to breath in and out gently next to him, Kagi smiled. As he did, he told her, "Don't worry, I'll get you out of this somehow, someday... then when I do, we'll be able to live peacefully together, somewhere faraway from here, where no-one can catch us, okay?"
As he told this to her, Hari snuggled into him some more. Kagi laughed at this and said, "I guess you agree to my plan, huh?" With that smiling gently he told her, "Sleep well Hari..." With that he lay down with her, and together the small group of unlikely friends rested in the garden, where the artificial sky above them shone down with their soft man-made starlight...

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Feeling this gentle warmth enter his heart, seeing all of Kagi's memories, Riku put his hand to his chest, and said, "Wow... this warmth in here, it's amazing you both were able to have precious moments like that... despite all that horror."

"Yeah, that's true."

Surprised, Riku looking around himself asked, "Kagi?"

"Huh?"

"Was that you just then?" Riku asked him, looking around himself.

"Wait... you can hear me!?"

As he heard him reply, Riku was quiet. Then he laughed and said, "Yeah it looks like I can!" Then putting his hand to his chest, he added, "That's good, I'm glad the Fragment didn't you rob you of your voice!"

"You're telling me!"

Riku laughed again, then as he felt Kagi's warmth inside him. It was then looking again through his memories, he finally remembered Hari properly too, as he did, and he thought of the chaos she had put him through, along with Nozomi, and the King... he knew the truth fully, "She was never acting out of her own will all that time, was she?"

"No... the Lock forces you to become a certain persona, you become whatever the Master who controls you wants you to be, so..."

"And that's what's Maleficent wanted her to be?" Riku asked him.

"I guess so... I'm sorry, Riku, that you and the others had to against her, when she was in that state."

"It's not your fault, Kagi!" Then as he said those words and he remembered the red power that she shone with, he turned his eyes to look above them. There in the upper right side of that dark realm, beside the shining orange jewel that was hanging high over them, there shone the pod that held the Fourth Fragment. As he spied it, he continued on to say, "It's as you've said, she was controlled by the Lock, she's never had any alternative but to obey its dark whims."

Then as he saw the red pod continued to shine, Riku became determined and quickly-!

FLASH!

He called forth his Keyblade and declared, "But we're going to change that now, together!"

"You mean it!?"

"Of course I do!" Then he asked him, "Do you think I'm one for saying empty words like that?"

"I guess not!"

With that Kagi laughed, as he did Riku smiled. Then as he did, he was quiet as he then heard him say,

"Okay then, Riku let's go!"

"Right!" With that the white Keyblader went to move when-!

FLASH!

RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

"Whoa!"

Stumbling Riku almost tripped up, as he did, he quickly recovered! However as he did, he turned about and asked, "What's going on!?"

"I don't know!? Could it be-!"

TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!

Suddenly a huge something twisted itself out from the lower depths of the Interfusing Plane! As they stormed forwards, into the air, Riku in terror with wide eyes cried out, "Flowers of Darkness!?"

For indeed more and more of the twisted dark plants stormed forth and up! Then as they did, they all began to knit themselves together becoming one huge swarming mass! This disturbing shape then began to emit an awful pulse of dark blue!

Seeing it do this, Riku was quiet, but he heard Kagi ask him,

"What is that!?"

"I don't know! Is Xehanort-!?"

"RRROOOAAARRR!"

Suddenly new monstrous entities released their haunting cries! As it did, it was then the the black and purple petals of the flowers, blew about everywhere! As they did, it was nearly blinding to Riku! As he tried to see past this storm, he asked, "Just what is-!"

SWOOSH!

Four massive creatures flew high into the air! As they did, it was then suddenly-!

TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!

More and more of the thorns escaped from their bodies! These new ones all quickly rushed through the air, and charged towards the remaining pods, that kept the remaining Vessels of the Fragments captive!

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Struggling, trying to reclaim some of her strength from the terrible thorns that still surrounded her red jewel prison, the girl inside of it. Couldn't understand, how she'd been caught up in this situation.

"Why...why is this happening to me?" For she couldn't remember anything. Nothing was returning to her, in terms of memory, there was only just empty darkness inside.

This hurt her, she felt she was missing something terribly important to her. But the question begged, was any of this even real? It all felt like it was some terrible nightmare... it was illogical, how could this all be-!

"RRROOOAAARRR!"

Then a new haunting sound came, it wasn't that of shattering. It was monstrous and-!

TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!

Suddenly the thorns around her prison twisted themselves away, as they did, she was no longer bathed entirely in darkness! Cautiously, looking around herself, she was confused, then getting up shakily, she asked, "Why are they all retreating? What could they-!"

GGGRRR!

It was quickly then, that she looked up! There she saw peering down at her from the top of her prison, was a monster!

It was like a giant serpent, but it was made of long dark twisted plant shoots! Along it's back were tall and long brambling wings, that were somehow bat-like, but the membranes that grew from the twisted dark shoots, consisted of long plant petals that were vividly changing from purple to blue, as veins of black coursed through them!

As the girl stared up at this horrific creation, it stared back at her with its wrathful red eyes, then-!

GLOW!

It started to glow all over with a terrible pulsating dark blue power! Then quickly from behind it, more of it's dark thorns sprouted from behind it, and pierced into the top of her prison! Then-!

SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!

Suddenly from all sides around her, tendrils formed of darkness that glowed with that same terrible blue power! They hovered all around her likes countless snakes, as she looked around at them all, terror raced in her heart! But before she could do anything-!

"RRROOOAAARRR!"

At the beckoning call of the monster, the tendrils all rushed straight at her and-!

"Urgh!"

They wrapped themselves around her wrists, and ankles, pulling her off the floor, holding her aloft with nothing for her to stand upon, they wrapped themselves tightly around her neck too, making her a helpless puppet!
She could barely breathe, she didn't understand this! What was this thing doing!? What could it-!

FLASH!

Then suddenly all around her body, the dark powered tendrils ignited with something and-!"

"Agh!"

She felt this energy pierce straight into her body! She shivered and shook, as something was being forced out, from within inside of her chest, something precious, that began to illuminate the space with dazzling red light!

SHINE!

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As he saw this monstrous new shape fly towards the red pod, Riku heard Kagi in his heart cry out in worry,

"No! It's going straight for Hari!"

Tensing up, Riku realised, "You're right!" Then he began to think fast, trying to figure out what they could do next, when-!

TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!

More of the horrible thorns came forth from the depths below! However the numbers this time were far greater than before, looking down as this storm of horror came rushing up to ensnare them both, Kagi cried out,

"There's more of them!?"

Agitated, Riku realised, "Dammit it, there's no time!" With that he reached his free hand to his chest, and enacted the one thing that could save them then! He concentrated hard and-!

GLOW!

His body began to glow with bright green light! As it did, the power of the Eighth Fragment was being activated! Within him, the Keyblader heard Kagi ask,

"Riku, what're you-!"

"I'm using your power, to take us straight to Hari!" He told him, as he felt his wish be realised!

As he did, Kagi asked him astounded,

"You're using your one wish to-!"

"It's not like I have anywhere in the past I want to go to!" He told the young boy, then he added, "Besides, it's as I told you, I'm here to step forwards into the future, not the regrets of the past!"

SHINE!

It was then finally that the Door of Time was formed! As it was, and it's tall wooden white frame stood shining amidst the darkness, Riku heard the Vessel of that power tell him in awe,

"You're amazing right now, y'know that?"

"Don't praise too much! I still need to fulfil my promise to you, to get Hari back!" Riku told him, with those words, he then went straight towards the door and grabbed its handle!

"Ha! Ha! Yeah you're right!"

Riku revealed a small smile, and nodded to him, then with that he opened the door going through it fast before-!

TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!

The terrible thorns finally made their way to their location and-!

FLASH!

The Door of Time delivered them straight to where they needed to go, before-!

SMASH!

The thorns of Darkness crashed down, and they utterly obliterated the Door that had once been standing there, as they regrouped, ready to make it to the next layer where they would all next find their unwary prey...

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"Whoa!"

"Ah!" Making it through the Door fast, Riku turned around and there he saw-!

SMASH!

The Door was quickly obliterated just as soon as it had closed! Shocked as he saw this, Riku cried out, "I didn't know those doors could be destroyed!?"

"They only can if its done by a gigantic force of Darkness like this... in other circumstances they just cease to be after a century or so?"

Perplexed, Riku then asked, "How would you know that!?"

"It was recorded in legend according to Rosso, and her own research seemed to confirm."

Hearing this, Riku then thought to himself and realised, "That's would make sense as to why Xemnas could never travel in time, Rosso must have destroyed the Doors she'd made with you, so he'd never be able to use them."

"I guess? But anyway, we've got to get Hari now! She must be-!"

"Agh!"

Hearing this gasp of pain, both boys stopped in their discussions. They then turned and saw-!

SHINE!

The girl they were looking for! She was there in the centre of the red jewel pod, however unlike Kagi she was now strung up by a terrible dark power, that kept her limbs, locked in position like a helpless doll!

His eyes widening at this terrible sight, Riku ran forwards and cried out, "Hari!?" As he did, he felt his heart race with anxiety, but not just his own, it was also Kagi's who asked,

"What's happening to her! What's going on!?"

Shaking his head, Riku said, "I don't know! But this is-!"

"RRROOOAAARRR!"

It was then they both saw the monstrous creature that now hung over the jewel pod. Looking at it, Riku heard Kagi ask,

"Is that a Heartless?"

Shaking his head, Riku said, "No! There's no emblem on it, and I don't sense the usual energy they have, I don't know what-!"

"Who are...?"

It was then the two of them saw, that the girl despite her helpless and drained state, she could still speak. However it was with great difficulty, that the words came out, as the tendrils held her neck tightly.

Feeling Kagi's pain in his heart, and his own worry for her, Riku ran forwards and cried out, "Hari, hang on!" However-!

FLASH!

A dark blue power was unleashed through the tendrils, that pierced straight into the bound helpless girl and-!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

It was then in horror, both of the boys saw that Hari was being subjected to horrible pain, as she screamed in agony! Then as she was-!

SHINE!

The shining red light grew! As it did, it was then they both saw the thing that was being forced out of her body! Kagi inside of him, recognised what it was straight away,

"It's the Fourth Fragment!"

"What!?" Riku cried out. Then as he looked on, he saw something that was very similar to the green glass shard, that held Kagi. As he looked at it, he couldn't understand, "Why is that monster forcing it out of her!?"

"I don't know! Just please help her!"

Riku didn't hesitate, he ran forwards and having his Keyblade at the ready, he moved and-!

LEAP!

He went to strike straight into the Heartless, however-!

ZZZAAAPPP!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

He was thrown straight back! As he was, and he landed painfully on the floor, it was then as the black and dark blue electricity pulsed out of him, that he asked, "What...was that!?"

"It's the Second Fragment!"

"What...do you mean!?" As Riku began to lift himself up, he heard Kagi explain to him,

"Xehanort's used it to make that monster! It's also that power now that he's using to-!"

FLASH!

Seeing this horrible pulse of power being unleashed upon her again, Riku cried out, "Stop it!" However it didn't end and-!

"Agh..."

This last gasp of agony was all they heard as-!

SHINE!

Finally the Fragment was taken out of Hari's body! The poor girls head dropped and her green eyes, became empty and lifeless, she didn't move as the mysterious treasure was kept before her chest. It was not completely removed, however it was not entirely inside of her now either.

Seeing this happen, Riku cried out to her, "Hari! Can you hear me! Hari!?" With that he rushed forwards to get closer to the pod, but-!

ZZZAAAPPP!

"Riku! Look out!"

Fortunately the white haired Keyblader avoided the terrible paralysing blow, however they couldn't get close to the pod now! Not without them both being subjected to the wrath of the evil monstrosity!

"Why has Xehanort done this!? What's he done to Hari!?"

Shaking his head, Riku said, "I don't know! But this cruelty is just-!"

"I have now removed the last hope, for all of you Warriors of the Light!"

Hearing him say this, Riku demanded, "What does that mean!?" However it was clear Xehanort wasn't talking to them, as he was explaining now what he was doing to those who were still within the Plane of Reality...

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hearing him say those terrible words, Nozomi demanded, "What're you talking about!? Then aiming her own Keyblade, as she stood upon Scriptium, she further asked, "What have you done to everyone!"

"Your comrades will no longer be able now to take my remaining Fragments, there will be no opportunity, to rebuild any connections they may have once had with them!"

As he said those words, everyone felt terrible chills inside. The King as he listened to Xehanort speak, came to a terrible realisation, as he asked him, "You mean you've-!"

"That's right!"

Then as Xehanort smugly smiled down at them all, he added,

"I have permanently immobilized them!"

Goofy hearing this word was puzzled, "Mobile-sed 'em?"

Annoyed Donald told him mad, "Immobilized Goofy! It means that someone can't move no more and-!"

"That is correct!"

Then as the evil man continued to grin, in his hideous Heartless form, they heard him explained further,

"I have removed the Fragment's partially from their Vessels, so they are kept alive, but they are not near enough to grant consciousness, so I can still have full access to their powers!"

Hearing this horrible revelation, Nozomi then quickly realised, "No! Then that means, Riku, Sora and Kairi! They can't help everyone to remember who they are! If they can't talk, then-!"

"That's right, you're all finished!"

Then feeling now that his victory was assured, Xehanort moved and-!

SHATTER! SHATTER! SHATTER! SHATTER!

He quickly destroyed the Chakrams that once held the power of the Eighth Fragment, then in another moment-!

GLOW! GLOW!

It was then that two new weapons came forth, as the countless pieces of glass circled around they took on the forms of powerful pieces of artillery, that shone with an eerie red crystal light. They had long barrels, with giant muzzles, that also held triggers which his extra arms held onto tightly! As these came forth, they started to-!

SHINE! SHINE!

Blaze with terrifying power! As they did, everyone became on edge, as then Xehanort further declared, as his body armour began to change in colour again,

"I have also come to a decision, that I no longer need the current Vessel of the Seventh Fragment!"

Perplexed, Nozomi didn't understand him, "Huh!?"
Annoyed by his ambiguous words Yuffie demanded, "What the heck do you mean by that!? What-!"

"Because now thanks to all of your numbers, I have more than enough potential candidates to become a new Vessel, once I eradicate the majority of the numbers of you mites that are here!"

SHINE!

It was then, that Xehnaort's new form was revealed, he was plated now mainly in gold and red, there were also bright lines of yellow and orange across it. He also somehow became more demonic looking and crazed! Nozomi felt herself shake as she couldn't help but think it resembled the armour that Terra was once wore! Then-!

FLASH! FLASH!

He called back 'Annihilation' and the "Subtle Scythe' to his hands!As he did, he further declared,

"I'm now going to release the full potential of the remaining Fragments I have upon you all!"

GLOW! GLOW!

In seconds then, the two massive crystal artillery weapons he'd created from the glass lit up with terrifying red power! As they did, Odyeux quickly realised and cried out, "Everyone move fast! Don't any of that light hit you!"

SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

Then quickly Scriptium flew, and everyone worried, all began to try and get to a safe enough distance that they wouldn't be hit!

Seeing them all move in fright like this, Xehanort grinned and said,

"Now let's see how many of you I can wipe out in one blast!"

With that he aimed and quickly, he released his new combined powers of the Second and Fourth Fragment, as he prepared another something that would make the battlefield even more treacherous for the Warriors of Light!

BLAST!

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Hearing the sounds of battle that were happening beyond them, and what Xehanort had done to the remaining Vessels, that they needed to save. Both Kagi and Riku couldn't believe it!

"No!"

For looking at the awful state Hari was being held in, the Vessel of the Eighth Fragment asked,

"How are we supposed to help her now! What can we-!"

ZZZAAAPPP!

Quickly avoiding another blast of power, from the terrible winged serpent that held itself over Hari's pod. Riku wiped his lip with determination and told Kagi, "I don't know! But we're going to have to think!"

"RRROOOAAARRR!"

Then as the creature roared loudly, he added, "And we're gonna have to solve this soon! For Xehanort's not pulling any punches anymore!" With those words, Riku rushed forwards, as both him and Kagi worked hard together to figure out how to save Hari. For if he and his fellow Keybladers within the Interfusing Plane couldn't save the remaining Vessels, there would be no-one who could save anyone else throughout all the worlds!