Yes, I know I haven't updated. Frankly, I'd have forgotten this story all together if it weren't for my little brother and his friends. So I'll delay you no further as you read the final chapter to Shadows of the Past.

Momo

P.S: And don't worry: for you sanity, there will be an epilogue.

.:Chapter 15:.

Azumi

Dammit, I told him to stay put! Those weapons were for defense only!

She tried, without success, to battle her way towards her father and Riku. When she thought she had managed to move a few feet, she heard a scream from the other side of the Island.

Whirling around, she saw the Heartless were tearing out Sora's heart; the scream belonged to Kairi.

"Azumi HELP!"

Fuck, man, why's life always so unfair?

She then turned, making a beeline for the rest of the group, hoping she could get back to Riku in time.

Immediately, she broke through the Heartless to Sora; they had thickened only where Kairi, Selphie, and Wakka were. But this action triggered Tidus, who had been on the brink of devouring Sora's heart. With a shout of a spell, her sword flared white, and she thrust it through Tidus's heart.

Kairi and Selphie released screams of "No!" while Wakka stood there dumbfounded. Had this supposed old friend just killed his "partner in crime"? His "best bud"? His "number one pal"?

But they soon realized their protests were unneeded; for as Azumi pulled out her sword, it pulled out the black shadows as well. She then directed the black at Ansem. It turned white in the air, causing the man (if he could be called that) to drop Riku, the heart sinking back into the boy, and writhe in pain. Temporarily. It would buy her enough time to instruct the rest of the group and heal Sora. Hopefully.

The Heartless, temporarily uncontrolled, ran wild, some running into the ocean and dissolving in the water, others sinking into the sand, never to emerge again. They had gone back to the dark heart of the world.

At least this will weaken Ansem's forces a little.

As Kairi, Selphie, and Wakka approached, she said, "Tidus is fine, he'll wake in a little while. Have him use Sra's sword. Then guard Sora. I don't know if he'll live…"

That last part was freakishly true.

She then whispered an Al Bhed spell for healing, enough to keep Sora alive until she could deal with him, then headed towards Riku and Ansem.

The dark entity was on Riku again, frantically pulling the boy's heart out was she approached. With a battle yell, she put on an extra burst of speed.

It wasn't enough. Ansem pulled away and into the air with Riku's heart, preparing to devour it. Azumi could feel the life quickly leaving Riku. Tears streamed down her face ahs she shouted, "I'll fucking kill you for that!"

Ansem smiled, "Aw, a daughter shouldn't so cold towards her father, Azumi. And why fight me now? I thought we had a deal? Beleth admired you, you know…"

Those words hit her hard. She had always known Ansem was her father, even as they toured the worlds (which she later found was her father searching for weak points) but never had she heard him call her his daughter. Even before she knew he was corrupt. Now it hurt more than ever. And she was not Beleth's servant anymore! And she never would be again!

Rising into the air. She and Ansem battled at lightening speed, him laughing at her.

I will not let him take Riku, the light of this Island, and enslave the universe!

But in his moment of glory, she got an attack in, thrusting her bladed spear through his stomach. He fell to the ground, but not before giving her a blackening slash across her torso, reaching from her left side of her collarbone all the way to her right hip. But she grabbed Riku's heart from him. She then fell from the sky as well, her magic and power almost spent and draining fast from the wound. She landed rather gently next to Riku, splattered with her father's black blood. And pushed Riku's heart back into him. She had trouble with that; it didn't quite want to go back, and she was weak.

He took in a shuddering gasp, and she sighed with relief, glimpsing the others running towards them; the Heartless disappearing, and everything turning back to normal.

Then everything went white.

.:End Chapter 15:.

.:End Shadows of the Past:.