"THUNDER!" Donald shouted, casting a spell that struck yet another prison guard at the Underwater Mines. The guard promptly fell to the ground, out like a light. Meanwhile, Goofy threw his shield, which promptly began spinning rapidly, cutting through the chains that held the miners.
"Get out of here, before those Knights come back!" Goofy shouted. The miners had no second thoughts, pouring out of the mines as quickly as they could.
"That takes care of that!" Donald shouted.
"Um, Donald? I wouldn't be too sure of that," Goofy responded upon seeing several Nobodies appear in front of them.
"Bring it on, you big palookas!" Donald shouted, charging for the Nobodies.
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A lightning bolt easily tore straight through a troop of Rapid Thruster Heartless, while a large tidal wave drowned out a horde of Armored Knights, surprisingly keeping the city buildings intact. As a squad of Soldier Heartless jumped for Will and Irma, a blast of freezing air struck the Soldiers, freezing them solid. Hay Lin flew down and quickly drop-kicked a Large Body, sending it crashing to the ground.
"That takes care of that," Irma said.
As if on cue, even more Heartless appeared on the battle scene, most of them being Large Bodies.
The three girls sighed.
This... was not going to work.
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As Taranee and Cornelia plowed through the squadron of Samurai Nobodies, Sora began attacking the Snipers, occasionally warping around to deflect a laser bullet fired by said Nobody.
However, it seemed that for each Nobody they cut down, four more seemed to join the battle. Cornelia eventually fell to the ground, exhausted from the onslaught. She could only watch as a Samurai crept up to her, drawing its dual swords. But, before it could strike, a mysterious blade cut through the Samurai, making it disappear in a sparkle of blue light. Cornelia gasped when she saw her savior: a man of about 18 with sandy brown hair that stuck out in all kinds of directions. He was wielding what seemed to be a Keyblade.
"Caleb!"
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"I've had enough of this!" Nick shouted. "I'm ending this right here, right now!"
With a mighty battle cry, Nick raised Oathkeeper and charged for the massive army.
Nerissa raised her hand, which began glowing with an eerie light. The rock face that was holding back the Heart Stealers quickly disappeared. "Heart Stealers, CHARGE!" Nerissa shouted, and with that, the massive army began trudging forward.
As Nick inched ever closer to the army, he began thinking.
He wasn't really sure if he could take all of these creatures by himself. But, he told himself, if he believed he could, he could do it.
At least, that's what he had to believe...
...if he was going to save the world.
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(Love is a very special thing. It represents the promise two people make for each other. They say that love can overcome any obstacle. The question is, can it literally overcome an army?)
S.P.D. Gold Ranger presents:
W.I.T.C.H. in: "K is for Keyblade"
Genre: Romance/Action/Adventure
Rating: T for some violence, 'moments' and a bit of harsh language
Summary: Nerissa, the Guardian's new enemy, has found and unearthed an ancient evil force, one that consumed Nick's old friend. What wicked plans does Nerissa have for the Dark Keyblade? Can the Guardians stop her and save their home from the darkness? Features Nick, my original character.
Today: As Nick does battle with the massive Heart Stealer army, he reflects on Irma and the kiss they shared earlier. Can he survive the onslaught?
W.I.T.C.H. is copyright SIP Animation and JETIX. Kingdom Hearts is copyright Disney, Square Enix, and Buena Vista Games. This story is copyright S.P.D. Gold Ranger, July 2006. This takes place during the animated series, even though the Knights of Vengeance I'm using for this story are from the comics.
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Chapter 6: "L is for Love"
As Nick drew ever closer to the Heart Stealers, the Oathkeeper began glowing brightly.
I promised Cassidy. I promised my friends! I'm not letting these freaks take over this world! Nick thought as he began the attack, swinging the Oathkeeper and cutting down at least 15 Summer Knights. Just as a series of Thruster Drones was about to strike, Nick began spinning in mid-air, the Oathkeeper unleashing a whirlwind of energy that tore down at least 20 more of the Heart Stealers.
"You're not getting the drop on me, you heartless freaks!" Nick shouted, leaping into the air. When he landed, he materialized Fatal Crest and slammed both Keyblades onto the ground of the Meridian Plains, releasing an energy wave that toppled a whole row of the creatures.
Nick looked behind him and noticed a huge troop of Summer Knights heading straight for him. Wasting no time, Nick began striking rapidly, ending in a powerful finishing move that tore through that entire troop.
Man! No matter how many of these guys I tear down, more just keep coming! Nick thought, starting to get just a little bit exhausted as he continued tearing through the creatures.
"The boy is starting to tire," Nerissa said.
"But he is not down just yet," Xemnas replied. "Your army may need a little help."
As Nick continued fighting, he suddenly noticed a large quantity of dark energy bursts falling all around the battlefield.
"Oh, come on! Like I'm not having a hard enough time as it is!" Nick shouted, leaping over a few Summer Knights and attacking whatever he could. The seemingly endless army trudged on.
As Nick kept on chopping down Heart Stealers, he began trying his best to dodge the dark bursts of energy that Nerissa was firing from the Dark Keyblade.
"I may need a little help here," Nick said to himself, fighting off a swarm of Summer Knights.
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"I hope Nick's okay down there," Irma said as she looked towards the Meridian Plains, where Nick was seen fighting his way out of a swarm of Summer Knights.
"Irma! Get back down here!" Will shouted as she zapped another Armored Knight.
Irma looked onwards, remembering something she'd said to Nick a couple days before this mess had started.
"I can't believe I almost lost you back there, Irma," Nick said as he paced back and forth across Irma's living room.
"Nick. Can I say something?" the brunette replied.
"I'm glad you came to your senses and got me out of there. I really am."
Irma walked up to Nick and put her hands on his shoulders.
"Irma..." Nick said, tears starting to form in his eyes. "I don't want to lose you again..."
"You won't," Irma responded, reaching into her pocket and pulling out what appeared to be a wave crest that she would usually hang up on the Christmas tree every year.
"Take this," Irma said. "It's my lucky charm. As long as you keep it with you, I know we won't lose each other."
Nick looked at Irma for a few seconds.
"Don't ever forget, Nick... wherever you go... I'm always with you."
Her mind made up, Irma began flying towards the Meridian Plains.
"Irma! Where are you going?" Will shouted as Hay Lin flew behind and attacked another Large Body.
"I made a promise to Nick."
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Back at the plains, Nick kept trying his best to contain the massive horde of Heart Stealers, but to no avail. He was slowly weakening, whereas the Heart Stealer army had no intention of shrinking.
Irma... I'm sorry... Nick though before launching headlong into a flashback.
(a few years ago, before Cassidy found the Dark Keyblade)
"Nick?" Cassidy said to Nick.
"Yeah?" the boy replied.
"I'm kinda nervous about this trip," Cassidy replied. "Especially with the rumors of those people mysteriously disappearing on the mountains..."
Nick walked up to Cassidy. "Don't worry, Cassidy. They're just rumors. We don't know if they're true or not."
"I'm still kinda scared," Cassidy replied.
Suddenly, Nick knew what he had to do.
"Cassidy, you don't have to worry. If there are stalkers on the mountain, I'll protect you."
"Really?" Cassidy's face became less tense.
"No matter what," Nick replied.
"Promise?"
Cassidy held out her hand, which Nick promptly clasped.
"It's a promise, Cassidy."
(end flashback)
As Nick's vision slowly turned black, he began remembering the promises he'd made.
"I'll protect you. It's a promise, Cassidy!"
"Don't ever forget, Nick... wherever you go... I'm always with you."
Cassidy... Irma... all of his friends were depending on him.
He'd made a very important promise... he wasn't about to break it!
That's right! I made a promise to Cassidy! To Irma... My heart belongs to Irma, NOT THESE FREAKS! Nick thought as the Oathkeeper began glowing with a brilliant gold light. Feeling his energy returning to him, he leaped and performed a powerful spin attack that destroyed dozens of Heart Stealers. Many of the Summer Knights aimed their powerful attacks for Nick, but quickly met a merciless end at the hands of Nick's Oathkeeper. And at last, the army seemed to be drawing to a close.
"No! This isn't possible! How can he be back on his feet after an attack like that?" Nerissa exclaimed furiously.
"The Keyblade he wields represents a promise he made to someone dear. It gives him some otherworldly power when he gets angry," Xemnas explained.
"I see," Nerissa replied.
At least 200 more of the Heart Stealers came for Nick, but they had all met their end in the space of 15 seconds. Nick continued tearing through the swarm, whose numbers were rapidly depleting. The more he attacked, the lighter his feet and the Oathkeeper seemed to him.
In no time at all, Nick had completely decimated the Heart Stealer army. But he had no intention to stop fighting just yet. He quickly set his gaze on Nerissa and Xemnas. In the blink of an eye, he had disappeared.
"Where did he go?" Nerissa exclaimed.
"You called?" Nick replied from seemingly out of nowhere. As quickly as he had vanished, he reappeared in front of Nerissa, Oathkeeper and Fatal Crest in his hands.
Nerissa tried blocking with the Dark Keyblade, but it was to no avail, as Nick began attacking before Nerissa could make a dive for the Dark Keyblade.
It was just then that Irma flew onto the scene and noticed Nick smacking Nerissa around with his dual Keyblades. The army of Heart Stealers was completely gone.
He remembered... Irma thought, smiling brightly.
After a while of smacking Nerissa around, Nick hopped back a bit, both Keyblades glowing brightly. He performed what seemed to be a variation on Sora's Aerial Finish technique, his Keyblades slashing around him and slamming into Nerissa in a fierce series of spinning attacks. What surprised Irma was that the Keyblades weren't in Nick's hands as he performed the attack. It seemed like the mystical blades were acting of their own accord.
Nick finished the spectacular assault with his Cross Attack, the sheer force of the attack knocking Nerissa off of the pillar. Nick quickly turned on Xemnas.
"You're next, Xemnas!" he shouted, charging for the black-hooded Nobody.
"Another time, perhaps," Xemnas replied before disappearing via a column of darkness.
Nick looked up and saw Irma floating in the air. He waved to her, giving Irma the signal to fly down and greet her boyfriend.
"Wow! You took out all those freaks?" Irma asked in wonder.
"All by myself," Nick replied, holding Oathkeeper and Fatal Crest triumphantly. Nick gave Irma a look that clearly said, Actually, I had a little help from you.
Irma looked back at Nick with a gaze that clearly said, I know you did.
"So, what happened to the duo of destruction?" Irma asked.
Nick looked down at the now-empty Meridian Plains and saw a weird-looking portal.
"I'm guessing they went through there," Nick replied.
"Bingo," a mysterious voice said. "You do seem to pick things up quickly."
The two lovers quickly turned around and spotted another man wearing black robes, but this one had very long, spiky red hair.
"I'm guessing you're with Organization XIII as well?" Nick said.
"You're good," the man said. "But I'm not with them anymore. Those guys are too stuffy for their own good. The name's Axel. Got it memorized?"
"Were you the one who ordered Nerissa to send that fake Kairi down to distract us?" Irma asked.
Axel thought for a minute. "Sorry. Don't know any Nerissa. As for Kairi, she's in our castle dungeon."
"You do realize that Sora's going to be pissed if he hears that," Nick replied, drawing Oathkeeper and Fatal Crest. Axel looked mesmerized.
"Roxas?" Axel asked.
"Um, the name's Nick. Got it memorized?" Nick replied, causing Irma to giggle.
"It's just that you remind me of another member... the only one I really liked. He made me feel... as if I really had a heart. Looking at you now, I kinda feel the same way."
"Really?" Nick replied, cautiously holding his Keyblades.
"Really. Anyway, I digress. Go. Find Kairi before Xemnas finds you out." With that, Axel disappeared.
Nick looked at the portal that led to the Organization's world. "Should we tell the others?" Irma asked.
"Already did," Nick replied. "They're on their way."
No sooner did Nick say that than Sora, Donald, Goofy, and the other Guardians fly onto the scene.
"So, this is it, huh?" Sora asked. "That's where Kairi is?"
"Apparently," Nick replied. "Maybe Riku's there, too."
"Well, what are we waiting for? A written invitation? Something like 'This way to the freaky world of Organization XIII, trouble is our specialty, glad to have you'? Let's finish this!" Irma exclaimed.
Saying nothing, everyone walked into the portal. However, Irma stopped Nick before he could enter. She took Nick's hand and placed something in it.
"Here. I found this in the Infinite City. I thought you should have it," Irma said. Nick looked at what Irma had given him. It was a keychain that looked like a shining violet rose. As he looked at it, the keychain began glowing and eventually formed into a keyblade.
Nick studied his new keyblade. The handle held a set of spikes all around it. The blade looked like a flower stem, and the tip was in the shape of a dandelion. The words Divine Rose popped into Nick's head as he held the Keyblade.
Nick smiled at Irma before heading into the portal, his lover trailing close behind.
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The next one's going to be HUGE!
Chapter 7: "C is for Confrontations"
The team finally arrives at the Organization's stronghold: The World That Never Was. After battles with more members of the Organization, Xemnas and Nerissa team up to give the Guardians and the Keyblade bearers a really hard time. Can they pull through?
'Till next,
S.P.D. Gold Ranger