Kiyomisa: Sorry for the delay, have fun kiddos!

Cloud had heard the sounds of battle near his campsite and went to investigate, sword in hand. What he found didn't really surprise him, but the sight of Riku made his heart twinge.

He's all right. Ansem's plan failed, was the only thing he could think as his former companions started down to the beach. At first he felt light with relief, then he realized that the trio was almost to the End of the World.

"Not good," he said to himself, sprinting back to camp to gather supplies.

Ansem looked at the clock. One hour and fifteen minutes remaining. He could almost taste Riku's lips, almost feel the youth's lithe body under his hands. He felt a tug on his long hair and he turned to look at Sora. The brunette was gazing up at him with half-lidded, glazed eyes.

"Ansem, please more," he pleaded, pouting cutely.

Ansem chuckled and leaned over the youth nuzzling his neck. "Again? I'd almost say you were insatiable, Pretty Boy."

Sora moaned and rubbed up against him insistently. Again Ansem laughed. "Do you know , none of my partners for the past five hundred years has yet to tire me out? And yet, I think you're close to doing it."

Blue eyes pleaded with him. "I need you so badly." Sora's sweet voice wrapped around those words brought a thrill of possessiveness and delight to the Heartless King.

"Then I will not deny you Sweetling."

Riku and his companions were almost to the beach of the End of the World. Beast cautiously approached the starry nothing and tapped it with his foot. He then looked at Jack skeptically. "Are you sure we can walk on this?"

"I'm sure," the skeleton assured him indulgently for the fifth time. Beast was still skeptical, but this time remained quiet.

"All right, let's go then!" Riku said impatiently, stepping out onto the void. It rippled beneath him like water, but did not splash or give. "See Beast? It's fine."

The ground shook and Riku had to struggled to keep his balance. The stars rushed from a spot in the void creating a bigger and bigger circle of darkness. A wind rose from the darkness, followed by the top of a purple metal mound. As it continued to rise, it became apparent that it was a giant armored Heartless, though it's arms legs and head weren't connected physically to the main body.

"God fuck-it!" Riku shouted, punching the void beneath him in frustration.

"No time for that now," Jack retorted tensely, dropping into a fighting stance.

The Heartless swung at them, and though they dodged the first attack, the second swing came much faster than they expected from such a big thing and caught them full force. All were knocked into the hillside, the breath knocked out of Beast and Riku and Jack entangled in the branches of a tree.

Trying to breath despite the sharp pain in his chest, Riku watched the giant Heartless move directly for him. Shit! I can't move!

Riku closed his eyes as the Heartless prepared to strike. A rush of wind and a sharp clang made him jerk his eyes open again.

Before him stood Cloud, sword braced against the Heartless' arms. Both were shaking from exertion and with a harsh grunt, Cloud managed to shove the Heartless away, sparks flying as sword grated against armor.

"C-cloud!" Riku managed to get out. The only response he received was a brief, flickering glance of blue eyes for the Heartless was already recovered and swinging again.

Riku risked a glance at the others. Beast was painfully climbing to his feet, his wounds bleeding again and Jack was trying to unsnag a branch that had pierced his suit. Wincing, the youth forced himself to sit up.

Cloud dodged two more attacks, then, springing off of the Heartless' own arm, he swiped down powerfully at the helmet.

Again sparks flew, then with a shrieking sound, the sword dug in, slowly slicing downward. It began to cut faster, sparks shooting out in a waterfall, and then, the sword was touching the ground again. With a slight grunt, Cloud wrenched the sword form the armor and leaped back, breathing heavily.

The armor fell in pieces, revealing nothing inside. Riku felt Beast and Jack lift him up by his arms.

"Cloud," Riku said, finally able to breathe again. The blond slowly turned around, his expression carefully schooled.

"I gave you the peach, knowing it was from Ansem, and for that I apologize. I never meant to hurt you."

Riku grinned. "I know."

Cloud looked surprised for a moment. "Then you-?"

Riku walked up to him and hugged him. "I forgive you."

At first the swordsman was stiff and uncertain, then he realized and even hugged Riku back lightly. "Thanks."

Riku pulled away with another grin. "No problem. You coming with us then?"

"If you'll have me."

Beast strode over and clapped him on the shoulder. "No one else I'd rather have."

Jack swept him a bow. "An excellent companion to have indeed."

Cloud smiled. "Let's go get that bastard."

The others cheered and they set off.

Ansem was watching Sora sleep when knocking shook the door. The tan man sighed. "Yes?"

Ithlain entered, bowing quickly. "Milord, the boy."

Ansem raised a silver eyebrow. Ithlain swallowed and clarified, "the boy who ate the peach and forgot everything."

"What of him?"

"He's almost here, with Beast, Skellington and the swordsman, and they're headed for the castle."

Ansem stood up, eyes flashing in anger. "Impossible! Send out the Heartless! He must not be allowed to reach us!"

"Milord!" Ithlain replied, bowing sharply and disappearing in his blue flames.

"What's going on?" Sora asked sleepily from the bed.

Ansem looked at him. "Get dressed, I'm moving you someplace safer."

Kiyomisa: Heh heh heh. The final confrontation and the final chapter, next time!