Chapter Nine: Atlantis
Kairi, Sora, Goofy, Donald, Tifa and Cloud screamed through the grey tunnels.
Finally they landed on ground. Tifa landed on Cloud and Sora fell on Kairi. Kairi groaned in pain.
"Ow! Sora!"
"Sorry." He rolled off Kairi.
"I told you to lay off the chocolate." Sora laughed at Kairi's comment. His face turned serious as Kairi abstained from moving.
"Kairi? Is that you?"
Kida came running to her.
She hugged Kairi. Kairi groaned again.
"Kida, nice to see you. Milo."
"Kairi, what happened? Why are you hurt?"
Sora jumped. "She's hurt?"
Kida nodded. "But it can be fixed." Kida placed her blue crystal on Kairi's back. It healed instantly.
"Thanks, Kida," said Kairi as she was helped up by Sora.
Kida raised her eyebrows, as did Milo. "Who are they?"
Kairi introduced Sora, Tifa, Cloud, Donald and Goofy.
Kida sighed. "There are Heartless at the palace. There are many, too many for our warriors to defeat." They ran to the palace.
Kida talked to Kairi. "And there is a red headed man."
Kairi, in her panic, ran faster, overtaking them all, and Sora ran right behind her.
Over her shoulder, Kairi yelled, "Stay here!"
Sora and Kairi opened the palace doors to find Axel among many Heartless.
"So… you came?'
Kairi and Sora unsheathed their keyblades.
"If you want to fight, it's me you want!" Sora said.
Kairi grabbed his arm. "No," she said gently. "It's my turn."
Sora turned. "But- "
"But nothing. I'll fight."
"Kairi, wait!"
Kida had ran to her, and the crystal made a hole between Sora and Kairi and Axel. A large silver- blue orb rose from the ground.
Kairi's keyblade started to tremble, then shone with a light of its own.
"Let it go, Kairi!"
The keyblade flew straight to the orb and disappeared. Axel laughed.
"No weapon? We shall still fight. Face me!"
Sora made to protect her, but Kairi silently grasped his arm and put a surprised Sora behind her back, protecting him. She got into a fighting stance.
Axel rushed to Kairi and she quickly pushed Sora from her. She jumped over Axel and landed on the other side.
"You can't jump forever, Kairi!"
The blue orb released and object and Kairi caught it. She gasped. Her keyblade!
It still had the same colours, and it had kept the ribbons, but it looked more like a blade than a key. Axel widened his eyes quickly, then charged.
Kairi blocked, then kicked him hard in the you- know- where.
Axel retreated, kneeling in pain.
"Wow, Kairi, you kick hard."
Kairi smirked. "I know. But that's not even a speck of the pain you caused me."
Axel stood, his pain gone. "And did I revel in joy."
Kairi turned angry, her blue- silver orbs blazing in fire. Axel charged.
Kairi blocked, but too late. Axel had slashed his blades at her stomach and thigh, and they had hit their mark.
Kairi slumped to the floor, blood rushing from her side.
Axel laughed and kicked the keyblade from her weakening hand. He rose to strike…
Sora rammed into Axel, throwing him off. Axel slumped on the floor, breathing hard.
"You touch Kairi, and you'll never see living daylight again."
Axel disappeared, as well as the Heartless.
Only Sora and Kairi were left in the room.
"Kairi!" Sora ran to her and kneeled next to her, holding her.
Kairi groaned as she clutched her side. Sora winced- the cut was long, but at least it was shallow. He raised her gently, his hand on her back, looking in her eyes.
"I should have fought. This is all my fault…"
A finger silenced him.
"No, Sora. This is my- gr- entire fault. Thanks for – gr- defending me." Sora winced at the sounds of her pain.
Sora smiled. "Anytime." He shyly took her hand, but her gasps of pain brought him back to earth.
Donald, Goofy and Kida ran to her.
The last thing Kairi saw before fainting: a pair of cerulean orbs gazing worriedly at her and strong arms carrying her.
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Axel, gasping, came to the hooded man.
"Master, the boy- defended her."
"What did you do to provoke such a defence?"
"I- I slashed her."
"YOU WHAT!"
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Sora carried an unconscious Kairi to a bed. "I hope she's going to be alright…"
Kida said, "Place her here. Axel's weapons are touched with evil magic. I can only dress her wound and close it."
"Will any evil harm come to her?"
"No- just pain, as every wound gives."
Kairi was touched by the crystal and dressed. She lay on the bed, covers on her thin frame.
"Is she gonna be alright?" asked Goofy.
"She'll live. Donald, Goofy, Sora, Milo, let's go to the lunch room."
"No," said Sora. "I want to stay with her."
"Alright. If you're hungry, just call us." They left the room.
Sora sat down next to the bed, relieved to hear easy breathing. He grasped her hand.
He smiled when her hand curled to grasp his.
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Aww… Thanks for the reviews! Don't worry, Kairi won't die.