AN: Yay, the final chappie is here at last! What everyone's been waiting for! Aw, it's going to be so sad ending this story. But I had a lot of fun writing it. I know I never would have made it through it weren't for you, my reviewers! Thank you! Of course, I will thank you each individually in the epilogue (which I hope to get out asap).
Mr. Moogle: aliasfan will never own Kingdom Hearts.
Chapter 24: Elimination
"I don't know what we would've done if we didn't find this world!" Vern said, tying her black hair into a ponytail.
"I know." Tidus said, plopping into one of the chairs. "It's even more of a miracle that the world we found happened to be Traverse Town!" After steering the ship through the endless abyss for what seemed like forever, Donald spotted a small dot ahead of them. Of course, that small dot turned out to be Traverse Town. Vern, Tidus, and Donald rushed Wakka to Merlin, while Kairi, Selphie, and Goofy stayed at the ship.
Donald paced back and forth, his webbed feet flopping against the marble floor. "Yah, not too many worlds can say they have a top of the line wizard in their midst."
Vern sighed. "I just hope Wakka is okay."
They heard a small creak as a small brown door opened and Merlin stepped out. "How is everyone doing?"
"We're alright." Tidus said. "We just want to know if Wakka is."
Merlin stroked his long white beard. "It appears that the bullet has damaged some vital organs. I've used my most powerful healing potions and conjured my strongest spells. I've done all I can. Wakka will probably be fine for now, but he needs to see a real doctor as quickly as possible."
"Is there a doctor in the house?" Tidus asked, laughing. No one else joined in. Tidus cleared his throat. "Uh…"
"I've sent for the only doctor we have here in this world." Merlin responded.
"Good, then he should be arriving soon." Vern said.
"She. Doctor Erelah is very good at what she does. Erelah was born from parents who were both doctors, so she grew up surrounded by people being healed. Wakka will be in safe hands."
"I think I heard Dewey talking about Erelah once. Isn't she a white mage as well?" Donald asked.
Merlin nodded. "Yes, which is what makes her even better at what she does."
"Let's just hope she comes quickly. Wakka needs all the time he can get." Tidus said, concerned for his close friend.
"Doctor Erelah doesn't live too far from here. She should be arriving short-"
"I should be arriving now." A voice said.
"Ah, I should have known you were already here. I'm getting a little rusty with my powers, my dear." Merlin smiled, turning to greet Doctor Erelah. Tidus, Vern, and Donald stared in awe at her. She was very beautiful. She had bright blue eyes and a slender build. She was dressed like a normal doctor but everyone could tell she was anything but that. The thing that stood out most was her long, wavy white hair.
Merlin chuckled, ushering Erelah to the group. "Vern, you're a girl, Donald, you're married to Daisy, and Tidus…well…she's a little too old for you."
Tidus snapped out of his daze and shook his head. "Well I can see that! She's got white hair!"
"Don't you know? White hair isn't a sign of old age. It's a sign of wisdom and knowledge. Even though Erelah is only twenty-six years old, she is very wise, thus the white hair."
"It's a pleasure to meet you all." Erelah said, bowing. "Now, where is the boy?"
"Oh, right." Merlin said. "This way…" Merlin lead the doctor through the brown door and into the room with Wakka. Before he closed the door, he spoke to the three waiting. "I don't know how long we'll be. Just wait here and be patient."
"Wait?" Donald quacked. "I hate waiting!"
"Donald, if you hate waiting, why wait for death? You can die right now if you wish to." Merlin replied.
Donald jumped into a seat. "I'll wait." He said quickly.
Tidus leaned over, resting his elbows on his legs and his head on his hands. "Wakka's my friend. I'll wait for as long as I have to…"
-----
Riku spun around, jutting his keyblade out and striking the three darkballs that had charged at him. "How're you holding up there Sora!"
"I'm doing alright!" Sora yelled back, using Ars Arcanum on a bunch of neoshadows. "But there's just so many of them!"
"We're doing a pretty good job of holding them off." Mickey added. He flung his keyblade like a boomerang. It sliced through some Invisibles then returned to him.
"It's just killing me inside knowing that I'm destroying all those innocent lives." Sora said.
"Yah," Riku said, thrusting the blade into a defender. "But if you don't fight you'll end up as one of those innocent lives."
"I know, I know." Sora agreed as he continued to fight. He glanced up to see Evelsone standing on top of a huge rock, staring down at the mayhem that lay before him.
Evelsone was smiling at the beginning of the fight, but he was starting to get restless. His impatience always seemed to get the best of him. Why aren't those stupid Heartless killing them already? This is taking too long…
I agree. The Heartless are strong yet weak. We must do something…
Evelsone looked around at the Heartless. "They're so pathetic. I can do this myself."
Evelsone flung his arms up. "Heartless!" At that moment the Heartless stopped attacking, and Sora, Riku, and Mickey glanced up to see what was going on. "One by one you are being defeated. On your own you are weak. But together you are strong. I'm not saying fighting together will make you strong, but becoming one will."
"What're you going to do!" Sora yelled.
Evelsone smirked. "You'll see." Evelsone began twisting his hands until they formed a swirling black sphere formed. Then he started to chant:
"Use what's left of the dead man's soul
Take each one and make us whole Find the power that's held insideThe moon shall overcome the tide."
At that moment, the Heartless began to rise up, one by one, and fly into the sphere. Each time a Heartless entered, the swirling mass got bigger and bigger. Evelsone continued chanting until all of the Heartless were gone.
"What is he doing?" Mickey asked, worried.
"I don't know." Sora said. "It seems as if he's combining all of the Heartless together…"
Evelsone began a different chant:
"Now the power is collected here
The end of all lies in this sphere Enter the one who shall defeat And then the spell shall be complete.""What? What is he saying!" Riku exclaimed.
Evelsone continued the second chant as the deathly mass began to move towards him. Then suddenly, it quickly rushed into Evelsone's chest. He fell back behind the rock, screaming, until every last bit of dark energy was gone.
The three keyblade wielders could no longer see Evelsone, who had fallen behind the rock, but they could hear him screaming.
"Heh, maybe his little plan didn't work after all." Riku said.
"Don't be so sure…" Sora said, still cautious. The screaming suddenly stopped. Sora gripped his keyblade firmly and slowly moved towards the rock. Mickey and Riku followed as well.
"Wait…" Mickey said. "I see something coming from behind the rock." They all looked to see a liquid rush from around the rock.
The dark substance continued to flow out, eventually reaching the group. Sora bent down and touched it, the examined his fingers. "It's…it's…blood…" Sora said.
Suddenly, Sora screamed out in pain as his fingers began to burn. Then the crimson liquid began to gush out even faster. "Get away from it!' Sora yelled to the others.
Riku grabbed Jahu and ran to where Mickey and Sora were. "Do you hear something?" Sora asked.
They all turned to see the rock beginning to crack. Then in a huge burst the rock exploded, falling onto them. They shielded their eyes from the debris, and when the dust cleared, it revealed Evelsone, who had taken on a new form.
"Wha-What is he?" Sora asked. "Some sort of…Heartless or monster…"
Evelsone was much larger and was all black. His legs and arms were grotesquely long and he had long, sharp claws as well. Evelsone had blood red eyes and spikes jutting out from his spine. His mouth was the most gruesome thing of all. It was packed with razor sharp teeth, dripping with blood and mucus.
"This cannot be happening…." Riku said in disbelief.
"Well it is…" Evelsone said. He still had his regular voice, but it was a little raspier. When he talked, the three keyblade wielders gasped. There was another, smaller mouth inside his mouth which had its own set of sharp teeth.
Evelsone opened his mouth wide as the smaller mouth began to speak. "I have not yet had the pleasure of introducing myself, though you all know who I am."
"What?" Sora said, stunned. "Ansem?"
"Very good, Sora!" the mouth spoke. Then it closed as Evelsone began to talk. "Shut up Ansem. I didn't do this so we could waste more time! I'm trying to get this done as soon as possible!"
"What is this to you?" Sora said angrily. "Just something you're doing so you can check it off your to-do list?"
"In a way, yes. With you three and your keyblades I won't be able to take over all of the worlds. So I must eliminate you as soon as possible so that I can gain more power."
"You make me sick!" Mickey spat.
"I do?" Evelsone said sweetly. "Hm, then you wouldn't mind a little medicine!"
Mickey began to grab his throat as blood began to pour from his mouth.
"Mickey!" Sora yelled, running to him. "What did you do, Evelsone!"
"Oh, don't worry." Evelsone said nonchalantly, "He's just choking on his own blood."
"What!" Riku screamed. He set Jahu down then rushed at Evelsone with the keyblade. "Why you…" Riku swung the keyblade at him. They heard a big clank as Riku was thrown back from the blow.
"W-What happened?" Sora sputtered. He looked to see that Evelsone was made entirely of pure steel and silver. Evelsone switched back to his "normal" look of black.
"Hm, look at your friends, Sora." Evelsone said. Mickey was now lying still on the ground, blood still trickling down from his mouth. Riku was also lying on the ground, his arm appearing to be twisted.
Sora was on the verge of tears. He backed away and knelt by Jahu.
"Your friends are having so much fun, Sora." Evelsone continued. "Why not join the party?"
"If you consider this fun, then you're crazy! I was an idiot to ever think you'd be nothing more than Ansem's puppet." Sora spat. I hope I can try to talk my way through this. I can see by what happened to Mickey and Riku that fighting isn't going to do me any good…I've got to try something else…
"Be careful what you say, boy." Evelsone said angrily. "I have the power to kill you."
"You do, do you?" Sora asked. "Well, do you have the power to kill Jahu? 'Cause she's right here."
Evelsone laughed. "You cannot use her to sway me, Sora. Jahu is nothing to me. She ruined my plans, she only got in the way. For that I can never forgive her."
"Why can't you forgive her for using a power she couldn't help but have? You on the otherhand used your power to manipulate her when you didn't have to. You used her. She thought that she had a friend back there with you in Bendugria." Sora explained.
"And that's exactly why I hate her. Because she's never seen me as nothing more than that!" Evelsone yelled.
"And now she never will. Do you think that she's even going to want to be your friend after all of this?"
"It doesn't matter…because she'll be dead anyways."
"Oh yah, I forgot, because you have the power." Sora said, standing up. "Mesna, I know you're in there. You're somewhere deep inside. I know what you're going through." Sora slowly started to walk up to him. "I can help you…"
"Stay away!" Evelsone yelled, backing up. "I don't need help, and you don't know what I'm going through!"
Sora though a moment. "I may not be going through what you're going through, but I know someone who has. Riku, the one who you so casually knocked out, was taken over by Ansem as well. This was a while ago. Riku became an entirely different person. He became evil, instead of doing the good he knew he should be doing."
"Ansem doesn't have control over me. I rule myself." Evelsone stated.
"Then prove it." Sora said. "Instead of doing what Ansem wants to do, do what you want to do." Sora moved away from Jahu. "You said you wanted to kill her. Here she is. What are you waiting for?"
"Nothing. I'll do what I want…a-and…I want to kill her…" Evelsone crawled over to Jahu.
"You have a choice, Mesna. It's your life. No one else can live it but you…" Sora said softly.
Evelsone stared at Jahu lying there. Her face was dirty, her dirty blonde hair was a mess, strands of hair stuck out from her braids. Her face was pale and some of her clothes were a little ripped. "Jahu…" Even through such an ordeal you've still managed to come out looking beautiful.
Evelsone…
Don't worry, I know what I'm doing…
Evelsone stroked Jahu's face. A deep longing swelled up inside of him. He leaned down and gently kissed her lips. "I'm sorry Jahu…" Evelsone said, raising up one of his huge claws.
Jahu's eyes slowly opened to see a big black monster hovering over her. Jahu screamed as her eyes finally saw the claw ready to slash her.
"Jahu!" Evelsone exclaimed, stumbling backwards as he saw her awaken.
"Jahu, you're okay!" Sora said happily.
"What're you doing!" Jahu screamed, wiping her eyes with her hand.
Evelsone was caught in the act and didn't know what to say. "I…I…"
Tears ran down Jahu's cheeks. "Who are you!"
Evelsone was taken back by her question. "You…don't know who I am? It's me Jahu…it's…" Do…do I really want to tell her that it's me, Evelsone, her friend who wants to kill her…
"What's wrong?" Sora asked, a small smile appearing on his face. "I'd think you'd want to tell Jahu that you're Evelsone."
Jahu gasped, quickly crawling away from the beast she used to call friend. "E-Evelsone? But…what about…Mesna…?" Jahu said. Then she covered her mouth at her discovery. "You…you were going to kill me…"
Evelsone just stood there, helpless. He didn't know what to say…and he didn't know what to do.
"Mesna…you…you were trying to…kill me…" Jahu said as tears began to stream down her face. She rubbed her eyes again, which were still a little sore from using her powers.
"N-no, Jahu, it-it's not what you think…" Evelsone stammered. Jahu…how could I have almost done that to you…why…why?
"Then what should I think, Mesna?" Jahu sniffled. She slowly got up and walked over to Sora, who put his arms around her. "Oh, wait a minute. You weren't trying to kill me, you were just trying to hurt me, right? That makes me feel a whole lot better!" Jahu said sarcastically.
"Jahu!" Evelsone cried out. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to…I didn't want to do it…" Suddenly, Evelsone's mouth shot open as wide as it could go. Then the smaller but equally gruesome mouth started to talk.
"Tsk tsk tsk. Evelsone, why, I didn't think you'd become so weak so quickly. You of all people should know that love is nothing. Friends don't matter. Nothing is important except for power. You are losing your power by feeling sorry for the things you've done." Ansem continued speaking, but this time his voice sounded more angry. "Never be sorry for anything you've done! Remember, Jahu ruined your plans, so now you must ruin her life…by ending it!"
The mouth snapped shut, and Evelsone's mouth closed. Evelsone fell to his knees with his hands holding him up on the ground.
Sora didn't know what Evelsone was thinking right then. Will he listen to me and Jahu or Ansem? Sora continued to hold Jahu, who was crying on his shoulder. "Evelsone-"
"Mesna." Jahu corrected through sobs. "His name…is Mesna…"
"But-" Sora began in protest. "He is evil. He has become his old self."
"No." Jahu said, shaking her head. She parted from Sora and stood up tall, facing Evelsone, who was still staring at the ground. "I know what I saw and I know what I heard when I used my powers on you. You may call yourself Evelsone, and you can act as tough as you want, but I know Mesna's still there. The real you is deep down inside, and with enough help we can help bring him back out."
Sora nodded his head. "Mesna, do you really wish to have power and control the lives of others and in turn lose control of your own life? Who are you listening to? Ansem, or yourself?" Sora continued to speak calmly. "Don't you remember why you changed your name to Mesna in the first place? Because you were different than Ansem. You were the complete opposite of him. But now, you have let him take over you so much, that it seems as if two people really have become one and the same. Is that…what you want?"
Jahu and Sora stood there silently as Evelsone sat up on his knees, looking at his claw-like hands.
No, son, what are you doing? The Mystique Heart must be destroyed along with the three keyblade masters. You can't just let her go!
I…know she's the Mystique Heart…she's supposed to be killed…but…she's my friend…and I can't let her die…because…I love her…
Evelsone continued to remain silent, thinking back on all that was said. Jahu's eyes were filled with concern. She though back to what Ansem had said to Evelsone just a little while ago. "Mesna, whatever Ansem said before, he's lying. You don't need to rule the world to be strong. Having friends and loving others is not a sign of weakness. What you were before, when you were going to kill me…that was weak. But…what we had…even before all of this, back in Bendguria, when it was just you and me. You were strong. You had everything going for you."
What? I know the old me was weak. I don't want to be weak, I want to be strong. The old me loved Jahu…and the new me still loves her. I had almost forgotten about her in my heart. But now that I can see her beautiful face and hear her voice, I don't want to let that go. I don't and I won't…
Jahu began to walk up to Evelsone. Sora tried to hold her back, but she raised up her hand in protest, so Sora let her go. Jahu knelt down right in front of Evelsone. She tried to look at his face but his head was hung low in shame. "Mesna…" Jahu sighed, knowing she had to talk about it sooner or later. "I…I know about…your feelings for me…and…" Jahu saw Evelsone twitch a little bit. She took a deep breath and continued. "And I think you know how I feel about you. I…just have…one question to ask you. Would you rather keep a good friendship, or throw one away because you can't get what you want?"
Evelsone looked up at Jahu as the past still flooded his mind.
Jahu was in tears, her head throbbing wildly as she looked up at Evelsone. She was met with a pair of angry eyes.
"What have you done!" Evelsone yelled, shaking her violently. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!"
"Jahu…" Mesna said softly. "What have I done?" He threw himself onto Jahu and began weeping loudly. "WHAT HAVE I DONE!"
Jahu wrapped her arms around her friend and consoled him. Sora walked up to the two. "Mesna, everyone makes mistakes. You still have time to set things right."
Mesna sat back, wiping his tears. He looked around. Mickey and Riku were still lying unconscious on the ground. Blood was everywhere, and Mesna still looked like a demon. "But how, Sora? How can I?"
"No!" the smaller mouth screamed out. "Don't listen to them! You can't do this! You-"
"Ansem!" Mesna yelled. "Stop it! I should have listened to my friends but all along I was listening to you. You used me but now you're useless. You can't control me! You're not a part of me anymore!"
"Think again, you fool! I will always be a part of you, for I share your heart! For as long as you live, so will I!" Ansem decreed.
Mesna's eyes opened wide, then he buried his head in his hands and began to cry.
"Mesna, Mesna what is it?" Jahu asked.
Mesna looked up at Jahu, the pained look on his face almost unbearable to look at. "I'm sorry, Jahu, that I could not have been there more for you. I'm sorry for hurting you." He got up, still speaking. "Sora, tell your friends, everyone, that I'm sorry. I know those words don't sound like much. But that is all I can say…"
When I was born I was destined to dieSora seemed confused. "Mesna, what-?"
It is the same for you"That song…" Jahu said, "It's the requiem…"
You can't get out of it, you cannot try
Sora's mouth opened wide from shock. "Mesna, no, you can't do it!"
Mesna shook his head. "No….it is the only way…"
There's nothing you can do
"What? What's going on!" Jahu said with a worried look.
Love can seem so far away
Jahu knew what Mesna's feelings were, yet he had never truly expressed them to her in person. "Jahu, I love you…"
"What! No! You can't do this, Mesna! You're my friend! There must be another way to get rid of Ansem. We have to save you!"
Who can save the hearts of men?
"Can't you hear them?" Mesna asked. "The dead are already singing for me. That is how I know that I must die…that Ansem must die. I must do this…"
Jahu began to cry, though she didn't know if she could produce any more tears. She hugged Mesna tightly, then whispered in his ear, "I will always love you…"
Jahu stepped back to Sora. Mesna gave a weak smile to Sora, and he nodded in return. "Thank you for understanding." Mesna said. He lifted his hand, the black claws seeming even sharper, more deadly. Aim for the heart…Mesna took a deep breath, raised his claw up higher, and said his final words. "I cannot save my life and risk losing the world." Then he struck his heart, the one thing both Mesna and Ansem needed to survive.
They were dead in an instant.
Who will end this requiem?