A/N: Slightly revised.
/blah/ Driger to Rei.
/blah/ Rei to Driger
Disclaimer: Same as in Prologue
Chapter 17
"We have to go to Hollow Bastion." Sora said quietly. "Hollow Bastion?" Lee repeated. Sora nodded. "Yes. It's where the Heartless generals make their plans." Sora explained. The other beybladers from the other teams, came up to them. "So, we have to go to a world beyond Neverland?" Max asked uneasily.
"What are you guys talking about?" Emily asked. The group of twelve glanced at her. And the red headed girl flinched. Since this journey had begun, she had begun to notice the changes in the two teams, Bryan and Sora.
Their eyes showed ancient wisdom, as if they had seen and done things no one should ever have to have seen and done. So, Yami explained to those who had no idea what had occurred in Neverland with Captain Hook's revelations about the plans for Hollow Bastion.
"Woah. That sounds harsh." Kenny said after a while. Tala looked at Sora right in the eye and gave a curt nod. "Good luck...my friend." Sora smiled. "Thank you Tala." He said softly. And so, with a wave, the group of twelve left Traverse Town behind and headed for Hollow Bastion.
"Good luck." Emily whispered.
/line break/
In the gummi ship, Sora typed furiously on the main computer. "Hallow Bastion is just beyond Neverland." He looked up. "I can get us there faster by warping us there." He said quietly. "Do it." Kai ordered. Sora nodded and pressed a button. "Er - - you better hold on." He warned.
Just as the gummi ship gave a tremendous lurch and the ship went through a wormhole, spitting them right out in front of what appeared to be a giant castle with a waterfall underneath. Mist seemed to swirl around the castle.
"Is that - - ?" Tyson trailed off. Sora nodded, grimily. "Yes. Hollow Bastion." He said coldly. "Let's go." The mirror appeared behind them and they disembarked onto the world and into their worst adventure yet.
/line break/
They landed on cold, hard rocks down at the very bottom of an eerie looking water fall. Above them, cliffs floated in the air, leading a path to the castle high above them. "Man, would ya look at that!" Ranma said in amazement, looking up towards the evil looking castle that had mists swirling around.
Sora frowned. "I know this place..." He trailed off. "Hmm, that's strange." Lee mused. "I wonder why..." Sora mumbled, rubbing his chest tenderly. "I feel this warmth inside, right here." He touched his chest, right where his heart was pulsing. He could feel an incredible warmth filling him to his very soul.
"Aw, you're probably just hungry." Gary teased. Sora glared at him and crossed his arms. "Hey, I'm being serious!" He snapped.
A huge roar echoed in the distance.
The gang exchanged looks. "Um, we should get going." Tyson said uneasily. Sora nodded. "You're right." He took off for the nearest cliff and landed with ease. And he kept jumping from rock to rock. It took all of the bladers, Ranma's and Yami's might, just to keep up with Sora. They kept jumping from rock to rock, until Sora heard the possessed Riku's voice ring out as well as a deep, throaty male one.
"No vessel, no help from the Heartless...So tell me, how'd you get here?" Riku sneered. Sora saw that Riku was talking to a demonic bestial like creature with huge claws and wore only a deep blue cloak and black ripped pants.
"I simply believed." The Beast growled. "Nothing more to it. When our world fell into darkness, Belle was taken from me. I vowed I would find her again no matter what the cost." Beast promised darkly. "I believed I would find her. So, here I am. She must be here." He glared at Riku with pure hatred. "I will have her back!" He roared. Riku smirked. "Take her, if you can." He mocked.
Riku withdrew a pure black dragon winged sword and slammed it into the Beast's chest who stumbled back, wheezing in pain.
"Stop!" Sora cried, running forward, not even paying attention to see that the others had caught up. Sora didn't even care if that person who had just attacked the Beast was Riku or not. Riku grinned at Sora. "So, you finally made it. About time. I've been waiting for you." This caught the fighters attention.
Just what was going on between the two?
"We've always been rivals, haven't we?" Sora remained silent, not wanting to answer. "You've always pushed me as I've always pushed you." Bluish white eyes narrowed slightly. "Riku..." Riku's grin then faded as he eyed Sora as if he were nothing more than a mere bug to him. "But, it all ends here. There can't be two Keyblade masters."
Say what?!
"What are you talking about?" Mariah snapped. Riku reached out a hand. "Let the Keyblade choose...its real master!" Riku growled. Sora gasped as Ultima struggled to get out of his hands and he strained with all of his might to not let go.
But it was no use.
The Keyblade vanished from Sora's hand and reappeared in Riku's. Everyone froze at the sight.
"Huh?" Ranma gasped.
"What?!" Yami yelled in shock.
Riku frowned, his red eyes gleaming oddly. "Maleficent was right." He then glared at Sora who's eyes had glazed over in shock. "You don't have what it takes to save Kairi." He hissed. "It's up to me. Only the Keyblade master can open the door...and change the world."
That didn't sound good.
"But that's impossible. I'm the one who fought my way here with the Keyblade!" Sora snarled. Riku smirked cruelly. "You were just the delivery boy." He then tossed a wooden sword at Sora's feet.
"Here. Go play hero with this." He mocked, before disappearing from their sights. Sora just fell to his knees, completely stunned that history was repeating itself once more. Then that meant that he would be forced to reveal one of his greatest secrets of all times.
Sora looked up as he heard the Beast struggling to get to his feet and try to go after Riku. He scrambled to his feet and ran to the fallen cursed man. "Hey, don't move. You're hurt." He said gently, placing his lightly calloused hands on the soft dark brown fur.
The Beast looked up with pained blue eyes. "Why...Why are you...you here?" He demanded, panting. Sora stiffened, his eyes wide. The Beast stood up slowly. "I cam here to fight for Belle. And though I am on my own, I will fight." Beast said with determination. "I won't leave without her. That is why I am here." Sora grew thoughtful as he glanced back towards the others and saw what he wanted to see in their eyes.
They would stick by him no matter what. Plus, he still needed to get to Kairi. Sora picked up the wooden sword and smiled warmly at the Beast who blinked at the sudden change. "Me too." Sora said softly, looking towards the castle. "I'm not gonna give up now." His eyes grew misty as he thought of his secret love and soulmate. "I came here to find someone very important to me." He whispered.
"You also have us Sora." Lee said softly, placing his hand on Sora's shoulder. Sora smiled. "Thanks guys. I don't know what I would do without you." He said with a small smile. "You can't get rid of us that easily!" Tyson cheered. Sora laughed at the younger boy's antics.
Hm.
Now to get to the castle.
There was another platform above them. Sora glanced over to the right to see a smaller platform that was rising up and down. He moved a bit closer and waited until it was at the right level and jumped on. The platform rose and he landed with ease to the stone bridge above them. The others caught on, and managed to keep up. There was a flash of purple light in the distance before a circular platform shot from across the ocean and picked them up, and dropped them on the edge of the castle.
In less than a millisecond.
"Woah." Said Max, as he shook his head. Trying to clear the dizziness away. "That was...different." Yami commented dryly, also clearing his head from dizziness.
"The main doors will be locked. We'll have to find another way of opening them." Sora said suddenly. "The lock should be in the water dungeons." Beast growled. "Question is, how do we get down there?" Mariah wondered out loud. Sora looked around and then he saw the gates to their right. Shrugging, he went through. It was worth a shot.
Sora then spotted two crystals. Only one would lead them down to the dungeon area. But, which one? "Which of those crystals will get us down?" Lee questioned. "We have to choose, I guess." Kevin murmured.
Sora went to the one that was at the very edge of the castle and touched the glowing blue crystal. It turned yellow, and a platform appeared before them. Before any of them had a chance to speak, the same purplish light that brought them here, placed them into the platform, and it went down to below the castle.
When they reached the bottom, new Heartless attacked!
The Heartless were giant balls of purplish black with wiggling antennas, glowing yellow eyes and razor sharp teeth. "Those are Darkballs." Sora said grimily. "Do they have a weakness?" Max squeaked in fear. Sora shook his head.
"No."
Beast attacked the Darkballs with his huge claws, effectively keeping them at bay. "Go! I'll hold them off!" Beast growled. Since Sora no longer had the Keyblade, he had to weave through the attacking Heartless and came to a giant water bubble that was floating in mid air right by what he assumed was the dungeons.
He leapt into it.
The gang was just stunned as a smaller water bubble separated from the bigger one, and went under the building and into the dungeons. Having a funny feeling that smaller bubble had been Sora, they followed in hot pursuit as did the Beast.
Mariah shivered from the coolness of the watery dungeon. Even the ground was flooding with ice cold water. "This place gives me the creeps." She said, still shivering. To their right was a Rest Point. And a...breakable wall? Sora simply pointed to the wall and Beast caught on. He slashed at it, and it crumbled into pieces. Sora climbed over the rubble and went in even deeper into the dungeons. They followed.
The only thing anyone saw, was a second bubble in the next area. Sora jumped into it, and was transported into a third area of the watery dungeon. There was a glowing button resting against the wall. "Press it." Ranma said with a shrug. Sora pressed it, and the gate by them opened. Lee blinked.
"Oookay..." He said slowly.
"That was strange."
Kai nodded in agreement, his hand on his launcher. Just in case they got attacked down here as well.
Sora walked ahead, not even paying attention to their conversations. Besides, if his memory served correctly, the next switch should be around the corner. He turned the corner and smiled.
He was right.
Sora pressed it and looked up to see another gate just up ahead, shifting as did the whole layout of the dungeon. He quickly pressed the second button that was on the gate that would lead him and his friends to the switch for the castle gates. While they weren't paying attention, Sora had managed to get to the second level of the dungeon and he threw the main gate switch on and was back up before anyone could even really say anything.
"Um," Sora began. They stopped their arguments and silly nonsense talk. "Yes?" Lee questioned. "We can go to the main gates of the castle now. It's open." Said Sora. They stared. "H-how?" Kevin stuttered. Sora shrugged. "I flipped the switch while you guys were talking."
"Oh."
As they left the dungeon, Sora had only one thought. Please Kairi, he prayed. Please hang on. I'm almost there.
/line break/
Somewhere deep within the castle, Maleficent was walking down a long hallway, where each Princess that the Heartless had taken, remained in suspended animation. Locked away in crystal chambers. And Kairi, her body was floating in the middle of all six. Her face was peaceful, yet her body was surrounded by purplish black mists.
Finally, Maleficent stopped in front of a huge hole in the wall in the shape of the Heartless crest. The hole had an eerie red glow to it. She raised her staff.
"O purest of hearts! Reveal to me the Keyhole!"
From the sleeping Princess's bodies, hovered a red crystallized heart. Each heart shot a thin beam into the air and into the hole behind her.
Maleficent smiled evilly.
Everything was going according to plan.
/line break/
Sora threw the doors open that would lead them into the main hall and stormed inside. Wincing, the gang followed.
"Be on your guard." Warned the Beast. "They're close. I can feel it. Are you ready?" Sora stepped forward, but Beast was distracted by something behind them. He whirled around to see a beautiful young woman with wavy dark brown hair done in a bun and was wearing a golden gown.
"Belle?" Beast rumbled in shock. Suddenly, the woman was surrounded by purplish black mists, before giving away to a Shadow Heartless. Growling, Beast raced after it, and the door slammed behind him.
Not good.
"Quit while you still can." Came Riku's cold voice. Sora turned around and frowned as he saw his former friend's body standing there.
"No. Not without Kairi." Sora snapped. Riku frowned and his islander clothing changed. He was now wearing a skin tight black body suit with the Heartless crest on his chest, and knee high black boots. In his hands, he held Sora's Ultima Keyblade.
"The darkness will destroy you." He intoned in a monotonous voice. Sora's frown deepened. "You're wrong Riku." He said icily. "The darkness may destroy my body, but I refuse to let it touch my heart." He glanced towards his friends and smiled softly. "My heart will stay with my friends. It will never die!" He yelled. Riku scoffed. "Really...Well, we'll just have to see about that!"
Riku held out his hand, and sent a rather impressive size blast of pure dark energy at Sora. Sora didn't even try to get out of the way. He closed his eyes, bracing for the impact that would destroy his body.
Only it never came.
"Sora ain't gonna go nowheres!" Ranma yelled, using his shield to block the attack. Sora opened his eyes to only stare at Ranma in shock. For Ranma had just deflected the attack by jumping in front of him.
But why?
"Why do you fight for that loser?" Riku growled. Ranma glared at him. "There is no way I'm gonna betray Sora. Especially not after all we've been through together!" He snarled. Yami placed a gentle hand on Sora's shoulder and gave a hard glare to Riku who was not impressed.
"It's all for one and one for all Sora..." Yami whispered into Sora's ears whose eyes widen a Yami had apparently echoed Donald's words.
"Thanks you guys." Sora said softly.
Riku was still holding Ultima. "How will you fight without a weapon?" He sneered. Tyson glared at him. "What I wouldn't give to knock that look off his face." He growled. Sora looked up with sad eyes. "I know now I don't need the Keyblade. I've got a better weapon. My heart." He answered.
"Go Sora!" Max cheered.
"Your heart? What good will that weak little thing do?" Riku mocked. Sora just stared at him with a neutral look upon his face.
"Although my heart may be weak, it's not alone," he said quietly. "It's grown with each new experience, and it's found a home with all of the friends I've made. I've become a part of their heart," his hand flew over his chest, right where his heart was and he smiled serenely.
"Just as they've become a part of mine. And if they think of me now and then . . . if they don't forget me... then our hearts will be one." Sora got into a battle stance, holding the wooden sword tightly.
"I don't need a weapon. My friends are my power!" He yelled. Riku gasped as the Keyblade left his hand, and replaced the wooden sword. "It won't do you any good!" Riku roared as he lunged for Sora. Sora quickly rolled out of the way.
"Wind!" Sora cried, and the barrier of mist swirled around him. And just in time, too. Apparently, Riku had tried to end Sora's life by slicing through his chest.
Didn't work.
Instead, Riku was thrown from Sora and went flying into the hall. He slumped to the ground in a daze. Sora blinked. /Looks like you put too much power into that one spell. It took him out in less than a second./ Driger commented dryly.
Sora nodded.
/You're right./ He said weakly.
"This isn't over yet, Sora!" Riku snarled and he vanished in a blaze of black flames. Sora relaxed as Riku disappeared. "You okay, Sora?" Ranma asked worriedly, as he jogged up to the Keybearer. Sora sighed.
"I don't know Ranma. I really don't know anymore." He said sadly.
"Hey, you think this place has a library?" Kevin asked suddenly. Everyone gave the monkey beyblader a weird look.
"What? What I say?" Kevin asked in confusion. "Libraries in castles like these are usually kept on the second level." Max mused. Sora glanced to the right to see a spiral stair case leading up. "Guess we take the stairs." He said dryly.
They climbed up the spiral stairs, not even one Heartless attack. Which in itself was very odd. Sora glanced down one hallway and saw a door that had the Heartless insignia upon it. There were four missing pieces to it. That would have to be taken care of later.
Much later.
"There's a set of wooden doors down there." Said Kai, pointing to the end of the hallway. "That must be where the library is." Yami said out loud.
Sora shrugged. "It's worth a shot." He muttered and went inside. Sure enough, it was indeed the library. And it was huge! Sora walked forward until he spotted a book on the bottom of a bookshelf. According to the title it said: Khama vol.8.
"Hm. It should go around here somewhere..." Sora trailed off, looking around. On the bottom shelf right next to them was an empty space. He carefully slid the book back in and gestured for them to continue on. What they failed to see was that the bookshelf slid back, revealing a hidden passage way.
"How can we get out of here?" Ranma asked as they stepped away from the shelves and into what appeared to be a large black table and an empty chair, resting by a spiral staircase that lead to the upper level. Sora froze, seeing the table and chair. His mind instantly shifted to the memory he had of a younger Kairi talking to an old woman who was telling the tale of the light that was the Keyblade.
"There must be hidden passages." Lee said quietly. "Only, we just don't know where." Sora frowned. "I think I might know. Just give me a few minutes." He muttered before blurring from their sight. He didn't teleport, just moved at an incredible speed. About ten minutes later, and after watching bookshelves shift, Sora returned.
"Everything's done. We should probably return to the Entrance Hall." He pointed out and they headed through the door that would lead them back out into the hall.
/line break/
Sora saw several objects surrounded the central brazier and knew that the brazier flame had to be put out. He pointed Ultima at the several stone heads and called forth his fire spell. "Firaga!" He cried. Instantly, the flames in the central brazier went out and a small treasure chest dropped to the bottom of the Entrance Hall. Sora jumped down and landed with ease on the green marble floor.
Ranma had little effort for his years of training in martial arts and Yami just used his own ancient magic to get down. However, the Bladebreakers and Bryan twisted their ankles slightly. The White Tigers had no problem, for they lived in a secluded village in the mountains their entire lives.
Sora went up to the chest that had fallen and tapped the lid with the Keyblade. It popped open and resting on green velvet was a broken emblem piece of the Heartless crest he had seen earlier on the door in the second hallway on that was above the only water fountain in the Entrance Hall.
The second emblem piece; which was the blue one, was sitting to the right of the hallway with the Heartless insignia door. The pink emblem piece fell from above the library doors. And the violet emblem piece was hiding in some vases near the castle door.
"What's with the broken emblem pieces?" Gary asked. Sora then explained the door he had seen earlier, and that the door had the Heartless insignia upon it. Only to find out that the insignia was missing four emblem pieces. The exact same pieces that Sora had just gathered up.
Sora inserted the correct emblem pieces into their corrective place. For a second, nothing happened. Then the insignia was surrounded by a soft white light, before the entire wall lifted up, revealing a long an dark hallway.
"Guess we go through it." Bryan said uneasily.
Sora lead the way, though. Apparently, they had discovered the castle Lift Shop. Sora then pointed to a doorway down the hall. "We should take that door. I don't trust this place." He said grimily. "If you say so." Lee said uneasily, following the Keybearer through.
Instantly, once outside, they were attacked by Darkballs and huge red falcon like creatures.
Wyverns.
Sora summoned Ultima and leapt into the air, bringing the Keyblade down on the aerial Heartless. Yami blasted the Darkballs away with a fire spell. All twelve headed through another doorway which lead them into another area of the Lift shop. "Okay, this place is seriously confusing." Tyson grumbled.
The next door that appeared before them lead them into a medieval chapel. Sora grew tense, for he could sense an overwhelming darkness. "So, you finally appeared Keymaster. I am indeed impressed that you last this long." Purred an evil voice. Sora stiffened and slowly turned around to see the evil witch was smiling cruelly at him and his friends.
"What's this? You've picked up some new friends. How . . . quaint." She mocked. "Well, they'll end up just like the kings friends. . . .dead!" She snarled.
"Wind!" Sora yelled, quickly casting the shield spell that would protect them from Maleficent's summons of the shield wearing Defenders.
"Force!" Sora yelled again.
This time, the ball of dark energy forced the platform that Maleficent was riding on, to crash. "Why you - - !" She screeched. Sora leapt out of the way of her sharp nails. This was between him and her, the others could easily take care of the Defenders.
He hoped.
Sora decided it was time to summon an ally to the field. But who to choose? He decided on the last minute to maintain using Driger.
"Courage!"
A ball of white light left his heart. He clutched it in one hand, and gripped Ultima tightly in the other.
"Give me strength..."
He brought the Keyblade down and began to move in a circular motion. The light left behind by the Keyblade, was a bright glowing neon green. Underneath him, the kanji for White Tiger, flashed. And behind him, came the glowing green portal of pure fire.
"Driger!"
There was a roar before a majestic white tiger leapt from the green flames and nuzzled Sora gently. Sora smiled and locked eyes with the magnificent beast. "Let's do this Driger." He whispered. The tiger nodded and waited as Sora climbed on and clung gently to the soft white fur. Sora glared at Maleficent. "It's over!" He hissed.
"Tiger Claw Attack!" Sora commanded.
The eleven friends had to stop in their fighting to watch in amazement as Driger's claws began to take on an eerie golden glow as the two began to head towards the witch at an alarming speed. Maleficent was trying to blast them away with bolts of pure magical energy. But she couldn't get a lock on them.
"Go Sora!" Lee cheered.
Maleficent cried out in pain as deep gashes started to mar her green skin. More and more kept appearing all over body, but Sora and Driger were nowhere to be found. Kai smirked. The Ex-White Tiger and bit beast were moving at a speed faster than the human eye could see.
Finally, the two reappeared. Maleficent's yellow blood staining Driger's claws. "You'll pay for this." She hissed.
But, Sora wasn't paying attention to her. In fact, none of them was. They were looking behind her. Growling, and still in pain, she turned to see a figure about Sora's height wearing a black hooded robe. His/her robed form was shrouded in black mists. "Can't even take care of a whelp, can you?" Teased a deep voice from within the robe. Defiantly male.
In the man's hands was a gleaming red handled black sword. "Is that..." Yami trailed off. "A keyblade?" The man mused. "Yes. But unlike Sora's, this one can unlock hearts." The man-child whirled around. "Allow me to demostrate!"
"Behold!" The man-child roared out, and stabbed her through the heart with what appeared to be a shiny black sword.
"Wha–?" She gasped in pain before the pained gasp melted into one of pleasure. "Yes." She moaned.
"Open your heart to the darkness...become Darkness itself!"
And her body was surrounded by green flames before she shifted forms. The man-child simply laughed and vanished.
Sora's eyes widen slightly and he began to back up as he realized what form Maleficent was taking shape of. "What's your problem?" Bryan snapped, seeing him back away. "She's taking on the form of a giant black dragon. Back up now." Sora ordered.
Eep.
Sora took to the air, and barely managed to avoid getting the life stomped out of him by the dragon's huge claws. He looked down and cursed when he realized that the others were not so lucky. He tossed a Cottage; it would heal any injury, into the air. Thus, healing them for the time being.
"How the hell did this happen?" Ranma demanded, dodging the swipes of the dragon.
Sora had Scan activated and he frowned. "She sacrificed her body to the powers of darkness. And if we're not careful, she could kill us with one blow." He said grimily.
The Beybladers had sent their bit beasts, only to have them retreat back into their respective blades. Yami had then summoned the Dark Magician, only to have his most beloved monster destroyed. Yami gasped in pain, and clutched his chest, grimacing from the pain as he felt his link to the Spell Caster get severed. Sora knew one attack might do the trick.
A powered up Strike Raid.
First, Sora cast Aeroga then he swallowed an Elixir. He would need all the magic he could get to finish this dragon off once and for all. "Ha!" He cried, as the Keyblade was bathed in an icy blue glow. He hurled the Keyblade with all of his strength at the dragon's head and relished in the roar of pain that the dragon emitted. He repeated this a few more times until. . . .
Huge bolts of ice blue lightning shot down and ripped through the weaken dragon. Destroying her entirely. Sora dropped to the ground in exhaustion, not even paying attention as a new corridor was revealed in the Chapel. Ranma and Yami ran up to him worriedly. "Are you okay?" Ranma asked in concern. Sora had to use a Tent; it would only restore his magic, and then looked up and smiled warmly. "Don't worry. I'm fine." Sora reassured them. They relaxed.
By a mere hair.
"Where did that corridor come from?" Max asked suddenly. Sora looked up. Sure enough, a new corridor was right across from where they were. His eyes narrowed. He knew that deep in his heart, Riku was waiting in there for him. "Let's go." He said quietly, getting up and going through.
/line break/
They left the Lift Shop behind and were now walking down a long an eerie hallway. "Oh my god." Mariah said in horror.
"Look!" She cried.
Lined in crystallized chambers, three on each side, were young woman. "It's Alice!" Max said in shock, recognizing one. "And Jasmine." Bryan added, uneasily. Recognizing the seemingly sleeping Arabian Princess. Sora looked up to the upper level of the room and he broke out into a run, before jumping into the air, and landing in the upper area.
The others ran to catch up, only to slam into an invisible force field. Sora looked around the strange machinery until he spotted Kairi laying not to far from him. His eyes widen. "Kairi!" He cried, rushing to her. The group was stunned.
"Please wake up." Sora pleaded gently. "She won't wake up." Said a cold voice. Sora looked up sharply, as did they, and saw Riku sitting atop the glowing Heartless Insignia upon the wall. He jumped off and gently floated back down to the ground.
"What do you mean, she won't wake up?" Ranma asked icily from where they were trapped.
"She lost her heart to the darkness."
Sora suddenly let out a pained gasp, and clutched his chest. Right where his heart was. For a red light sparked just around the area, seconds ago. "It just so happens that her heart is in you Sora." The silver haired teen continued.
"Kairi's heart is in Sora?" Tyson asked weakly. "Who are you really?" Yami snapped. 'Riku' smiled and held out his hands, as if to mock them.
"I am Lord Ansem. Seeker of darkness. And now..." He turned to face Sora, who was still bent over as if in pain. In his hands, Riku held what looked like a dark version of Sora's Kingdom Heart Keyblade.
A dark Keyblade.
"Now, Princess. I shall unlock your heart and unleash everlasting darkness!" He roared and was about to spring the dark Keyblade on Sora, when...
Sora!
Sora stopped Riku with Ultima, effectively blocking him. "You're not taking Kairi's heart!" Sora yelled. He quickly activated Scan and took to the air. Barely avoiding blasts of dark energy coming from Riku's body.
Sora quickly cast Aeroga and then Keyblade clashed with Keyblade. Good versus Evil. Light versus evil. Only one thing settled in Sora's friends minds.
Who will win?
Who indeed.
Sora waited until Riku was close enough before he delivered a number of swift combos to the teen's body. Ten to the head, ten to the chest and six to the legs. With a groan of pain, small bolts of blue lightning swirled around him before Riku stumbled back, disappearing from their sights. But, for some reason, the force field that was preventing everyone else from helping Sora, did not choose to fade.
Slowly, the Keybearer stood up and kept looking between the sleeping Kairi and the dark keyblade. He remembered that while his Keyblade locked worlds, the dark keyblade unlocked hearts. With a sad smile, Sora knew what he had to do.
He began walking over and he picked up the dark keyblade. "Sora, what are you doing?" Lee asked uneasily. Sora looked over to them and smiled sadly.
"Ranma, Yami," They perked up. "Please take care of Kairi for me when this is over." Then it dawned on Yami what Sora was about to do.
"Sora, don't!" He screamed.
"What? What's going on?" Ranma asked fearfully. Yami's eyes were wide with terror. "He's gonna unlock his own heart!" He cried. Realization dawned on the others. "Then that means..." Tyson's eyes widen in horror.
"Sora! Stop!" He yelled.
But it was too late.
Sora impaled himself upon the tip of the dark keyblade.
Almost instantly, the dark keyblade separated into six separate crystallized hearts and re-inserted themselves into their owner's bodies. The force field disappeared instantly. Sora started to sway dangerously on his feet; golden mist swirled around him gently. That is, until a single golden heart left his chest and inserted into Kairi.
Kairi drew in a sharp breath before her eyes flew open and she was getting to her feet. Sora began to fall backwards.
"Sora!" Kairi screamed. She tried to reach Sora. But the moment her fingers touched his skin, he vanished in a swirl of golden sparkles.
"No. He's gone..." Kairi sobbed.
"Sora, you idiot!" Lee moaned.
"Sora!" Mariah wailed for the loss of her friend. "We have to get out of here before the Heartless show up." Yami said uneasily, tears were trickling down his face. Everyone was crying for they all lost someone very close.
As they raced to reach the Gummi Ship, no one noticed a Shadow Heartless peeking out from behind a corner before shifting into a familiar Anti-version of someone they knew very closely. Anti-Sora watched them leave, confusion settling on his face. He chose to follow them by blending into the walls.
Didn't he want to destroy them?
So, why was he following them?
/line break/
Sora was falling through an endless dark hole. Everything was fading. Why should he care about anything in this cold? Only one thing stood out in his mind. A beautiful young girl with wavy dark red hair and warm prussian blue eyes. She was laughing in delight.
"Kairi...."
"KAIRI!"
/line break/
They managed to reach the Entrance Hall, when Yami whirled around and uttered a startled cry as he was looking into a pair of curious yellow eyes. The others turned around and stared in shock as Anti-Sora tilted his head in confusion.
Why where they staring?
Kairi's eyes started to water. "Sora..." She whispered. Anti-Sora was confused even more. Why was the pretty girl crying? And why did she look so familiar?
"K..Kairi...?" The Shadow rumbled, it's voice hoarse and scratchy. I didn't think Heartless could talk, Kevin thought in shock.
"Kairi, stay away from him." Ranma said grimily, standing in front of her. "But it's Sora. I know it is." Her dark blue eyes searched Anti-Sora's soulless yellow ones. "I can feel him still inside." She said softly.
Suddenly, they were surrounded on all sides by hundreds of Shadows. "There's too many of them. We can't take them all on." Tyson said darkly. Kairi stood in front of Anti-Sora, protectively. "Don't worry Sora. You've protected us long enough. It's time we did the same for you." She said gently.
Then the Shadows attacked!
Anti-Sora grew angered when he saw that Kairi was being attacked. He growled softly, sending warning signals to the Shadows to back off. However, the Shadows did not listen, nor did they understand. They attacked both Anti-Sora and Kairi without hesitation.
"Kairi!" They yelled.
They had already lost Sora, they couldn't take it if they lost another one too. Then, a beautiful, pale bluish white light forced the Heartless away, and everyone could only stare in complete and utter aw. Holding onto Kairi very gently, was Sora. Not Anti-Sora.
But the real Sora.
"Thank you Kairi for believing in me." Sora whispered. "S-Sora?" Ranma asked shakily. Sora looked up and over and gave a sad, yet warm smile. "Yes. It's me." He said tiredly. "Come on, we have to leave before the Heartless return." Lee said warily. He was glad to see his friend was alright. But something seemed different about Sora.
But, what?
/line break/
About three hours later, they were once again in Traverse Town. Kairi left them alone for awhile while the others went to see Cid who was waiting for them behind the Item Shop. Cid told them how he escaped Hollow Bastion nine years ago and hid a very special gummi deep within the Secret Waterway.
"A light at the end of the tunnel..." Kairi trailed off. Sora blinked. "Your grandmother's story, right?" He asked. She smiled. "That's right. You were with me."
Inside, they found Kairi standing there in the ankle deep water. Ahead of her was a mural. "A light at the end of the tunnel..." She whispered. When Ranma went up to the sunny mural a gummi piece dropped and he picked it up as the sunny mural shifted into a mural with a moon and stars.
Sora quickly pocketed it and looked at Kairi and smiled. "Your grandmother's story, right?" He asked. She looked surprised before smiling warmly. "That's right. You were with me."
"You know what's funny?" Sora asked. "What is?" Yami questioned. "I looked everywhere for you, Kairi, but you were with me all along. Finally, we're together." She smiled at him. "Now, it's time to get Riku back once and for all." Sora said, determined.
"You think it'll ever be the same between us? I mean, Riku's lost his..." Sora shook his head at that.
"When I turned into a Heartless, you saved me. Remember?" Sora asked.
In his mind, Sora saw himself falling into eternal darkness...
"I was lost in the darkness. I couldn't find my way," Sora said sadly. "As I stumbled through the dark, I started forgetting things–my family, my friends, even who I was." He looked up to see that their eyes were watery.
"The darkness almost swallowed me. But then I heard a voice. Your voice, Kairi." Sora said softly.
"You were the one to bring me back." She hugged him tightly. "I didn't want to forget you Sora. I could never do such a thing." She whispered, still hugging him. Then Sora realized how he came back from the eternal darkness.
"That's it!" He cried.
They looked at him like he had grown a second head. "What are you talking about, Sora?" Ranma asked curiously.
"Our hearts are connected. And the light from our hearts broke through the darkness." Sora said excitedly. "I saw that light. And I think that's what saved me." He grinned at them. "No matter how deep the darkness is, a light shines within." He gave a laugh.
"I guess it's more than a fairytale."
"Well, let's go then." Said Kairi. Sora turned. "No you can't go." He said sternly. "Why not?" Kairi demanded. "Because it's too dangerous." Yami spoke up.
"Come on Sora," Kairi whined. "We made it this far by sticking together. You can't go alone." She told him. Sora smiled weakly. "Kairi, even if we're apart, we're not alone anymore. Right?" He asked. "So, I can't help?" She asked. He gave a weak chuckle. "You'd kinda be in my way." He joked.
"Okay. You win." Kairi gave Sora her tiny white star good luck charm.
"Take this. It's my good luck charm." He glanced down into its smiley face. "Be sure to bring it back to me, okay?" She asked. "Don't worry, I will." He promised. She smiled. "Promise?"
"Promise."
"Don't ever forget. Wherever you go, I'm always with you." She whispered as the trio left back for the First District.
Upon reaching the doors, they were stopped by Lee. "And just where do you think your going?" He demanded. "To seal up, Hallow Bastion." Sora said quietly. "But, why?" Max cried. "You nearly died back there!" Kevin yelped. "He has to. If he wants to stop the Heartless." Yami said softly.
Lee sighed. "And I'm not going to stop you." He said quietly. Sora smiled. "We'll stop them, Lee. I promise you that." Sora told his friend. As they left, Lee whispered one last thing.
"Good luck."
/line break/
Once, Ranma, Yami and Sora entered the Gummi Ship and entered the interdimensional space, Ranma saw that a new warp hole appeared on the world map. "What's with the new warp hole?" He asked. Sora blinked. "That will automatically take us back to Hollow Bastion." He explained. Yami shivered.
"Then let's seal the keyhole before it's too late."
/line break/
The Ship showed up in front of Hollow Bastion in less than a second. This time, when the mirror appeared, two Rest Points appeared on the surface. Sora selected the Chapel one. And they dove through.
/line break/
When the green light faded, all three were standing back in the Chapel. The Princess's of Heart were once again revived and standing nervously around them. It was Aurora who spoke the main clue that they would need.
"When the Keyhole appeared, darkness poured from it." She said softly. Sora glanced towards the corridor.
"We have to go." He called.
"Please don't tell Aladdin about this." Jasmine whispered. But, they were already gone. "Good luck." Came from Belle. The trio darted past weak Shadows and re-entered the hallway where Sora had became a Shadow.
Sora stood before the giant Heartless insignia and pointed Ultima at it. Nothing happened. "What gives?" Ranma asked in confusion. "Something's preventing me from sealing the keyhole." Sora said worriedly. "And whatever it is, it's inside the insignia." Yami added. They exchanged looks and nodded before diving into the Dark Depths. Not even knowing what they would find in there.
/line break/
Yami stared up.
And up.
And up...
"What is that thing?" He asked weakly as the huge purple beast loomed over them. It was just as big as Ursula was when she had used the trident to make herself grow. Sora activated Scan.
"That's Behemoth. His attacks are quite powerful, yet infrequent. Just be careful." He warned. "Right." Ranma nodded. "Wind!" Sora called, letting the Aeroga spell settle around all three of them. And he soon took off for the sky.
"What's his weak spot?" Yami called as he summoned three nameless monsters and sacrificed them for one of his god monsters. The Wing Dragon of Ra.
Wing Dragon of Ra
ATK/??
DEF/??
Sora had to dodge one of Behemoth's lightning attacks before he could answer Yami. "His horn!" He called down. "Wing Dragon of Ra, attack the Behemoth's horn with your rage!"
Sora and Ranma stared in awe at the huge golden sphinx slash dragon like creature opened its mouth and spewed out a huge stream of golden flames.
Sora sweat dropped as he watched through Scan that Behemoth's health dropped to zero. With only one attack.
"Impressive."
Was all he said as Yami blushed when he called back his monster.
/line break/
The group was thrown out of the Dark Depths and Sora had a feeling that there wouldn't be any problems with sealing Hollow Bastion up now. "Now, let's seal that Keyhole up!" Said Ranma. "Sora, you did it." Said a voice. Sora whirled around.
"Leon!"
Standing behind them, was Leon, Cid, Yuffie and Aerith.
"What are you guys doing here?" Ranma asked curiously. "We came here in Cid's ship." Said Yuffie. "This is our childhood home. We wanted to see it again." Aerith said softly. Leon looked around sadly.
"It's in worse shape than I feared. It used to be so peaceful." He said sadly. "Don't worry. If we defeat Ansem. Everything should return be restored. Including your island, Sora." Aerith said suddenly. Sora perked up. "Really?" He asked, eagerly.
"But, it also means saying good-bye." Yuffie said sadly.
"Once the worlds are restored, they'll be separate again." Aerith explained. "Everyone will go back to where they came from." Yuffie added. "Then I'll just visit you guys with the gummi ship." Sora said stubbornly.
"It's not that simple." Said Leon.
"Before all this, you three didn't know about the other worlds?" Yuffie asked. Ranma and Yami shook their heads, Sora remained quiet.
"Because every world was isolated, impassable walls were divided." Said Aerith. "And when the Heartless invaded the worlds, they destroyed those walls." Yuffie added in. "But, if the worlds return...so do the walls."
"Which means gummi ships will be useless." Leon said flatly.
"So, you're saying we'll never..." Sora trailed off, sadly.
"We may never meet again, but we'll never forget each other." Leon said softly. "No matter where we are, our hearts will bring us together again." Aerith said sweetly. "Besides, I could never forget about you. Even if I wanted too." Sora narrowed his eyes. "What's that suppose to mean?!" He demanded.
"Sora!" Yami called. "You better close the keyhole, quick!" Ranma yelped. Sora turned and raised Ultima up and sealed Hallow Bastion's Keyhole. "Sora, good luck." Said Leon as the trio ran back to the Castle Chapel, where the other Princesses of Kingdom Hearts, waited.
"Thank you Sora." Alice said, warmly. "I think the darkness has begun to weaken." Sora was quiet. "But, I can feel a powerful darkness growing far away from here." Jasmine whispered.
"It's the heart of darkness." Aurora said softly. "That must be where Ansem went." Sora frowned. "Then we'll take the gummi ship and deal with both Ansem and the Heartless." Cinderella smiled gently. "A worthy answer Keyblade Master."
"Sora, your courage can bring back our worlds." Snow White told him. "Once the darkness is gone, all should return to normal." Explained Aurora. "Kairi will be back on the island?" Sora questioned. "As should you." Said Cinderella. "I can't go home until I find Riku and the king." Sora whispered.
They hopped onto the Gummi ship and made their way to the final world.
The End of The World....
....and the Heartless with it....
/line break/
Well?
