A Friend Returns
A Kingdom Hearts fanfic
By:
Chison
Marlena stared at Iris, "Is that you Iris?" walking slowly toward her, "Yes…I am the one called Iris…however I have some bad news…" Marlena gave her a strange look, "'bad news'? There can't be more news worse than having Ansem take over Zashi's body." Iris pulled back her hood, showing her blue eyes with tears streaming down. "I have worse news than that…DiZ, the leader of the Unknown has put the rest of the members under his control and plan to use them to reach Kingdom Hearts."
Marlena put a hand around her friend's shoulder and said, "There was an Unknown…that saved me, and he was blindfolded do you know him?" Iris looked at her friend and nodded saying, "I know him, he's Riku." They walked to the stairs which lead back to the first district, they walked around the accessory ship, and found Cloud, leaning against the building. "What took you so long…" He cut himself short when he saw Iris, his eyes narrowed and he said, "Marlena who is this?" Iris looked at Cloud, saying "I'm Iris." Cloud turned his head away, but moved his body away from the wall. "All the people are taking refuge at the Castle. The only dilemma now is finding a path into Kingdom Hearts." Marlena put her hand to her chin, and thought, but Iris spoke, "I know a path…Its through Twilight Town, and back into Hollow Bastion." They both looked at her, Marlena gave a smile and said, "That's great! We should get ready to leave for Traverse Town!" She started running for the Gummi ship, and the other two followed her, they climbed into the vessel, and blasted off from Twilight Town, now that Marlena had a friend with her, she was telling Iris about the adventure she had with Cloud, who tuned them out, and concentrated on flying to the planet.
After what seemed like years to Cloud, they finally reached Twilight Town, Marlena and Iris jumped out first, and they rushed off into the town, Cloud lagged a little behind, holding his head, "I hope I NEVER go through that again…" He made his way slowly to catch up with the girls, he passed into the central area of the town, which had a fountain, slowing his pace, he looked around, but then felt a rush of cold air. Whipping around, Cloud pulled out his sword, which was met with a massive katana, "Cloud…You have grown weak in my absence." Sephiroth said with a slight grin, "I am not weak." Cloud retorted, pushing away the katana and thrusting to Sephiroth's heart, but he was met with a hard fist. He stumbled around for a second, but jumped to miss the katana, and held his sword behind him, ready to bring it down on Sephiroth, but he vanished, leaving a crater where he stood. "Like I said Cloud, you have grown weak." Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Marlena and Iris trying to reach him, but an invisible barrier kept them from the fight. "Lets take this somewhere else…This place is too crowded." Cloud bargained, Sephiroth just smiled and said, "No. This place will do just fine." With that, he dashed toward Cloud, katana first, blocking the blow and returning one, Cloud tried to counter attack, but it was in vain.
Iris turned to Marlena, saying "Cloud is doing this for us so we can reach Kingdom Hearts! Come on!" Taking her hand, they left for the castle on the hill. Pushing past the gate, they entered into the castle, Marlena looked to the left, to the painting again, and there was Sora! She stopped and pointed saying, "Iris! Come quick, its Sora!" Iris stopped and came beside Marlena, but only saw a painting, not Sora, "Marlena I think you seeing things." Iris said to her friend and she stared to walk down the hall, Marlena pulled herself from the painting and joined her friend. The path split into two ways, but Iris waved her right hand, and the paths formed into one, long hallway; they slowly walked down the path, watching the walls go from a black stone, to being a polished ocean blue. Walking past the empty chambers, and up the stairs to the left, they came to the massive machine with the portal into Darkness; Marlena walked to the barrier, and summoned her key blade. "Marlena…where did you get that key blade?" Iris asked, holding her hand out to touch it. She looked at her friend and said, "I don't really know…it came to me when I faced Ansem before you came. It reminds me of Zashi." Pointing the key blade to the barrier, Marlena waited for something to happen, but Iris pulled out her key blade, which was totally grey, and had a blue gem in the hilt. Suddenly, a beam of light shot from the two blades and into the barrier, which shattered like glass.
Iris walked to the portal, followed by Marlena, but she stopped, "Marlena…if we don't make it through this…" she put her hands to her necklace, "If I become destroyed by DiZ or Ansem…I want you to have this." Iris took off her necklace and handed it to Marlena, who had a hand open and almost had tears in her eyes. "Iris…You shouldn't say things like that. We will get through this." Clenching the necklace, Marlena tied it around her neck, and they walked through the portal together, ready for anything that awaited them on the other side.