Chapter CCLXXXVIV: The Final Battle Part XV
Sweating badly over and over, Donald saw the enormous blasts of power that were coming their way, from behind! As he did, he cried out panicked, "Oh higher! Higher!" Then as the terrible light was getting closer and closer to them all, he cried out louder, "We gotta get higher!"
"I know!" Ody cried out, then quickly he looked down and patting her, he said, "Scriptium, please!"
In seconds, his loyal dragon Dusk moved to his wishes and-!
SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!
She rapidly flapped her wings, making them ascend and then-!
BLAST!
BLAST!
Quickly the terrible blasts of power, Xehanort had unleashed missed them! As the deadly lights, shot away into the darkness, Donald collapsed, and feeling his heart trying to race out of his chest, said, "Urgh, urgh... that was too close!"
"You said it!" Pete agreed, for he was sweating buckets too.
"Yeah...!" Nozomi agreed, as she sat next to Goofy and Mickey who were feeling massive amounts of relief, rapidly spreading through them. Then as she turned, she said, "Thanks for getting us out of that, Ody!"
The spectacled Nobody, simply smiled, then gave a small thumbs up in reply. With that he concentrated on flying Scriptium, manoeuvring her, to try and find a better position of advantage for them all.
Nozomi smiled in reply, then looking around, she saw that the rest of their friends had made it out unscathed too. As Ruby flew on high and Spidron too, with the aid of the Pixie Dust. As she looked to them, she looked to where the shots had come from. Looking at Xehanort, she gritted her teeth. Feeling her loathing for the man, only increased tenfold, as she imagined what he'd done to the remainder of her friends.
As she looked to him, she asked becoming worried, "Do you think that Riku and the others are going to be okay, can they succeed still?"
Hearing her ask, Mickey replied, "We gotta believe in them, Nozomi," then as he looked to the evil man, he added, "That's all we can do right now."
"Yeah you're right," she replied. Though gripping her hand, she couldn't help but add, "I just wish we could do more than that..."
"We all do!" Goofy said in agreement, but then smiling he added, "But don't you worry, Sora and everyone will get through this, 'sides we've been up against fellas, who were just as big as Xehanort here!"
"Really?" Nozomi asked surprised.
To which he nodded and said brightly, "Yeah! So don't you be worryin'! They'll make it! We just gotta make sure we're here at the end to greet 'em!"
Nozomi hearing Goofy say this, couldn't help but smile too. But before she could say anything-!
"He's not gonna make it easy for us though!" It was then Pete, who spoke up, as he did, walking over, he added, "Cause I can tell, he's not gonna hold back no more, especially if he says he doesn't care what happens to ya!"
As he said this, Nozomi was quiet and replied, "Yeah I know..." then putting her hand to her chest, feeling her heartbeat that was sustained by the Seventh Fragment, she looked back to the evil man herself, with determination and added, "I won't let him wipe out anyone else here or me, just so he can regain my power!"
As she said this, Donald walking over replied, "You said it, I won't let that happen either!"
Mickey was glad that the fires of camaraderie hadn't died between them all, he smiled and got up to say something, but before he could-!
GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT!
Suddenly something shone on from the distance, around Xehanort, seeing this everyone was confused. Goofy looking on asked, "What's that there?"
Mickey squinting with his right hand over his eyes, replied, "I dunno, Goof?" Puzzled, he couldn't see well from the distance they were at, so asked, "Maybe he's-!"
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Interrupting him, suddenly these new shapes came flying straight towards them all! Spooked Nozomi cried out shutting her eyes, "Agh!" As she raised her arms up defensively, with everyone reacting similarly, they all became still, waiting for the oncoming pain...but nothing happened, puzzled she asked opening her eyes, "Huh?" Then she heard-
"What're these?" Hearing this question from Ody, Nozomi looked to see what he was talking about. Quickly she saw what it was.
All around them were something that looked like octogan pieces of glass, that had decorative golden rims around them. Seeing their reflective surfaces, Nozomi asked baffled, "Are those...mirrors?"
Pete in disbelief, couldn't help but say, "I knew that creep was vain, but just sendin' us all his collection of vanity mirrors, is just ridiculous!"
Mickey laughed awkwardly at this and said, "I somehow doubt that's what these things are," However as he looked at these objects, as they shone in the darkness, he stated feeling puzzled, "But this sure is confusing, why send out something that won't hurt us?" For then looking back to the treacherous monster, he asked, "I wonder what he-?"
GLOW!
GLOW!
Suddenly both of his giant Keyblades ignited with dangerous red light, as they burned with this power, he aimed them both ahead and declared his attack with excitement in his voice,
"Razing Arpeggio!"
SHINE! SHINE!
Immediately two beams of intense deadly light shot forth, and quickly came heading straight towards them all!
Seeing this, feeling anxious again, Donald cried out, "Ody!"
He didn't need to be told twice, and they all rolled out of the way of the attack! As it missed them, Donald couldn't help but say, "Boy that was close!" However-!
GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT!
GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT!
GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT!
GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT!
Suddenly the mirrors all around them multiplied into higher numbers! As they did, Nozomi cried out, "More of them!?" Then-!
GLEAM! GLEAM! GLEAM! GLEAM! GLEAM!
The red beams of light that Xehanort shot out, were quickly reflected off of the many mirrors! As they were, the beams were quickly redirected and-
"Oh no!"
SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE!
SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE!
SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE!
SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE!
The two powerful blasts were turned into multiple beams that fired everywhere that surrounded the heroes and-!
"AAAGGGHHH!"
They were struck by the deadly force Xehanort had unleashed!
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RRROOOAAARRR!
"Tch!" Annoyed as he flew on high through the darkness, Sora couldn't believe their bad luck! Looking on up high, he could spy the new monster that had been created, as it spied down at them with it's awful red eyes, over the orange jewel that was wrapped in deadly thorns. As it stared down at him, with seething hatred he uttered, "I can't believe Xehanort would do this!" Gripping his Keyblade, remembering the painful screams of pain that had come from Jona, he added, "He really is heartless!"
"Sora can we still save my sister?"
Hearing the worry in his voice, Sora could feel Timbre's pain. It hurt him too, however he wasn't going to lose heart, and declared, "I'm gonna make sure we will!" Then directing his weapon at the awful creation of darkness, he added, "I swear to you, we're gonna get her back no matter what!"
"...Okay, if you're that certain, then so am I!"
Sora then nodded pleased, glad that he'd been able to stoke the flames of courage in Timbre's heart. With that they continued to fly on high, as they did-!
RRROOOAAARRR!
SMASH!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
Countless thorns of Darkness raced towards them, ready to slash them both to ribbons! However quickly Sora moved fast with agility and quickly the battle commenced between them!
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TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
"Hey, whoa!" Just barely avoiding the deadly sharp thorns that were beginning to penetrate through the level they were on, Kairi was doing everything in her power to avoid being struck by these horrible things! She was fast, but-!
SLASH!
"Agh!"
"Kairi!"
Hearing Oralee's voice as she rolled onto the floor, being struck by one of the deadly creations, she got up as quick as she could. Breathless from the impact, and wincing from the pain, she held her Keyblade tightly in both hands. Doing this, she heard the worried princess inside her heart ask,
"Are you alright!?"
She released a painful chuckle and admitted, "I could be better!" However, looking to the pink armour she was dressed in, she added, "But luckily with this on, it didn't hurt me as bad!"
The Princess of heart, heard Oralee sigh with relief inside, which she couldn't help but smile at. However-!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
The terrible monstrous thorns had formed a wall ahead, blocking off from their sight, the yellow light of the Fifth Fragment!
Agitated seeing this, Kairi uttered mad, "Looks like they're not going to make it easy, for us to get to Reeve, huh?"
"Sadly it seems..."
Hearing her depressed tone, Kairi wished she could comfort the girl inside her somehow. But there was no time for that, they needed to think about how they were going to get through this dangerous sharp wall! Looking at it, she couldn't help but say, "I just wish I had more strength right now, if I could just get past all this, maybe we could...?"
It was clear Kairi was struggling to think of what to do, she'd already tried 'Flame Salvo' and the spell Aqua had taught her a few times already. However the terrible plants had grown back so fast, she was just wasting magical energy. Gripping her Keyblade tight from the stress, she said, "Is there nothing else I can do now?"
….
There was then only silence in that dark space, Kairi didn't want to be helpless like this again! She had to do her best, she had to help Sora and Riku! She had to, so quickly she ran forwards to try again, when-!
"Wait!"
Surprised by this cry, Kairi asked, "Oralee?"
"I've been thinking, I might be able to assist you here."
As she said this to her, the pink clad knight asked, "You can?"
"I think so... at least, I hope this can power can help you."
Hearing the uncertainty in her voice, Kairi though told her, "Well we haven't got anything to lose!" Then looking back up to the thorns, who were gearing up for another attack, she told the princess, "Any help you can give me will be better than nothing!"
"All right then...!"
GLOW!
With those words, Kairi's body began to glow all over with pink light! As it did, she was astounded and asked, "Oralee, what're you-!"
TWIST!
Suddenly one of the terrible shoots came straight for her! As it did, the princess within her cried out,
"Kairi ahead of you!"
She looked ahead of herself, and there she saw the deadly sharp plant shoot coming straight for her! Then-!
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"Verholy Igniga!"
Releasing the holy power of fire that was within him, Riku directed it ahead and-!
BLAZE!
RRROOOAAARRR!
The terrible Wyvern like monster, was bathed in white flames, along with all the thorns that covered Hari's red jewel prison. Seeing this, Riku held his Keyblade tight, watching the results of his spell, as he did, he heard Kagi ask,
"Did you get it?"
Riku was quiet, he wasn't sure, when-!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
Angered, the white haired Keyblader quickly saw to his dismay that more thorns of darkness sprouted forth! As they did, they all moved and-!
SLOSH! SLOSH! SLOSH! SLOSH! SLOSH! SLOSH!
Quickly leaking from deadly new flowers, they poured forth a terrible dark blue rain, that immediately put out the white flames!
Seeing that his attack had been negated, he uttered agitated, "It seems not!"
"No!"
Hearing Kagi's distress, Riku felt terrible! He couldn't believe the spell he'd just learned wasn't going to work! But if it wasn't, what could they-!
GGGRRRR!
Looking up, it was then Riku saw the monster! It had recovered from his attack, however it was smouldering, showing that his attack had incurred damage but not enough to thwart it! It narrowed it's eyes at him hatefully, as it's long thorns behind it wavered around threateningly, showing its rage was peaked!
Seeing this, he didn't know what to expect from the creature. But he had to think of something, for looking behind it, and towards Hari. He saw she was helpless and still, held by the dark tendrils that had multiplied and wrapped themselves more tightly all over her body. As her Fragment shone outside of her body, beating faintly with the light of life, he knew there was going to be no hope for her, if he didn't do something more soon, nor for anyone else! He had to-!
"Riku!?"
Kagi knocking him out of his thoughts, the white haired Keyblader saw the monster move and-!
FLAP! FLAP! FLAP! FLAP!
It spread out its wide petal wings, and as it did, they lit up with deadly red light! As they did, Riku couldn't understand what it was doing! What was it-!
SWOOSH!
Then quickly it charged straight towards him! As it flew towards him, Riku rolled and dodged out of the way! He avoided the attack, but-!
"Riku!"
"Huh!?" Hearing Kagi's cry, he was about to ask what was wrong when-!
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!SLASH!
"Agh!"
He was struck by the trailing long thorns of the monster, that were flowing out behind it, like the tail feathers of a peacock!
Angered, he got up aching and uttered, "That's cheating!"
"You got that right!"
FFFWWWIIISSSHHH!
Riku then moved to get up, but he saw that now his body had been covered in the awful dark blue liquid that had leaked from the flowers within the long tails. Seeing this, he asked, "Just what is-!?"
RRROOOAAARRR!
The monster released it's deadly cry again! As it did, Riku saw that it had landed, it then reared its head back! As it did, he saw immediately that its chest lit up with deadly red light!
Seeing this, the purple armoured Keyblader felt himself shudder! As he did, he heard Kagi within him cry out,
"Riku! Run now!"
He didn't hesitate, he ran to get out of the aim of fire, when-!
BLAZE!
The monster unleashed it's deadly blast against him, which set the space alight, as the dark blue liquid let the red fires burn everywhere it touched, which meant-!
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"Whoa!"
Quickly spiralling out of the way of the fast ricochetting attack, just barely making it. Yuffie, couldn't help but say, "Geez that was close!" Then seeing the deadly light fade finally, she added, "We were almost full of holes!"
However there was no time for a reply as-!
"AAAGGGHHH!"
On heavy alert, hearing these screams of pain, the ninja turned and saw to her horror, along with the others. That the Dusk Scriptium had been struck, and quickly the group riding her, were falling through the air!
"Oh no!" Hearing his partner cry this out, Leon already acted and cried out, "Araxne! Get us closer to them!"
"Yes!" With that, quickly the Spider Master, directed her enormous creation to move, and immediately they all swooped down to catch them! However as they all moved, it was clear they weren't moving fast enough! As Scriptium's flames began to burn and fade away, she revealed with grief in her voice, "We can't catch up to their rate of descent!"
"Well what do we do then!?" Yuffie cried out, for they couldn't let them all be taken into the Darkness for-!
SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!
SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!
SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!
SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!
The countless arms of the Heartless were coming up, to drag them all down to oblivion!
Seeing there was no time, Leon thought fast and told their nimble comrade, "Yuffie, tie one of Spidron's threads to your giant Ninja star!"
Baffled, Yuffie uttered, "Huh!?"
"C'mon hurry up!" He told her urgently!
"What good is that gonna do!?" Gandrake cried out, not understanding his plan!
However after a moment, Yuffie understood what he wanted, "Okay I'll do it!" With that she turned to their friendly Nobody and said, "Araxne!"
She nodded firmly, then with a silent order-!
SPIN! SPIN! SPIN! SPIN! SPIN!
Quickly a long thread came forth, immediately Yuffie tied it to her star with some fast tied knots! Then running to Spidron's head, she looked down and with careful aim, she moved and cried out, "Here we go!"
THRUST!
With that she threw her star down, it flew fast and hard down, getting closer and closer, towards the falling Dusk dragon, with the long thread trailing with it!
As it did, Yuffie though had to ask, "But how're we gonna pull them up! We won't have the strength to, with just Spidron will we?!"
"We're not doing this alone!" Leon told her.
"Huh!?" Baffled once more, Yuffie had no idea what he meant when-!
FFFWWWIIISSSHHH!
Hearing this loud sound of water being unleashed, Yuffie looked down and there she saw making it towards the falling dragon was, "Meixeng!?"
GRAB!
Getting a hold of the thread, the long white haired female Nobody looked up, then grinning she said, "Thanks for the helping thread there!" Then with that, she quickly got to work, moving all around fast, as Scriptium's flames finally died away revealing her original form as a living ink Quill, as everyone came to lie within her fast made net, Meixeng tied the thread tightly in place!
Yuffie couldn't believe the speed she was working at, when-!
TUG!
"Hey!" "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" "Ah!"
Spidron dipped suddenly from the new load of weight that had been created! Feeling this pull, Gandrake annoyed couldn't help but say, "I bet it's that dumb fatso, Pete that's causing this dead weight!"
Annoyed, Leon told him, "It doesn't matter who's caused this!" With that getting back up, he continued and said with determination, "What matters now, is that we get everyone back up to safety!"
"Yes, Leon!" Araxne agreed, with that she proceeded to give Spidron its orders, with that done she added, "Now let us give aid to our allies!"
He nodded, and with that, everyone watched as Spidron began to lift up the band of heroes up from the Darkness, as Meixeng continued to aid support, keeping the Heartless away from them, with powerful blasts of water!
It looked like they'd be successful, however-!
VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM!
Quickly more Heartless, emerged to engage them! As they did, Leon agitated uttered, "Looks like it's time for us to get to work again!"
"Ugh! Fine!" Gandrake uttered, then with that he went to fight with the Gunblader.
While Yuffie readying her own techniques said, "Okay you freaks let's dance!" With that she went to join in the battle too, as they fought hard to make sure they'd be successful in saving their friends, with the group upon Ruby flying in fast to aid them all too!
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BLAZE!
The red flames were coming straight after them both! Seeing this with widened eyes, Riku though knew, they both had to get to somewhere safe! But where could anything like that be within this dark space!?
GLOW!
Quickly he noticed the red glow of Hari's crystal pod, as he did, he knew it was the only chance they both had! Running faster with adrenalin pumping through him, he said, "I hope this works!"
"Riku, what're you-!"
"HHHAAA!"
He gave no response, instead he ran and quickly with desperation he leapt forwards! Trying to make it to behind the gem! Then as he did-!
BLAST!
"Agh!"
He'd just made it! However, he'd still incurred damage from the terrible blast, that the Wyvern monster had unleashed! Feeling some of the fire burn into him, that had struck him in his left leg, Riku moved and quickly put it out!
As he finished this hurried act, he heard Kagi ask him,
"Are you okay, Riku!?"
"I'm intact!" However wincing, seeing the damage that he incurred, he revealed, "But that blast really stung!" Then looking to his armour, he saw with a shiver that it had really taken a bad hit, seeing this he finished saying, "It's like fiery acid!"
"I'm sorry I couldn't help you back there, if I held a different power then-!"
"Don't apologise, it's not your fault!" Riku told him, then peaking around the jewel, he spied the monster, and it was clear, that it was getting ready to take off again, spying this he then told the boy in his heart, "Apologies aren't what we need! What's important, is to find out how to get rid of that thing, and save Hari, then we'll be able to save the rest of our friends!"
"...You're right, sorry."
Riku sighed, he was about to tell Kagi not to say those words when-!
SHINE!
Suddenly the red jewel's surface he was touching, began to glow with green light! As it did, with surprise he asked, "What's this?"
"I don't know, maybe-!"
SHINE!
The light grew stronger! As it did, it was then-!
"Ah!"
Worried, hearing him cry out, Riku cried out, "Kagi!?" But then above them-!
CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACKLE!
It was then he looked above, and he saw to his distress, the dreaded black and dark blue electricity of Xehanort's threatening power begin to conduct furiously again! He needed to run! However-!
RRROOOAAARRR!
SWOOSH!
The monster had taken off again, it was heading straight in their direction! Realising this, Riku thought fast, as he tried to think of what they would do next!
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"Ah!"
Feeling a strange pulse come over him, it was then that Kagi felt himself being pulled forwards somehow! As he was, he almost tripped up! Shocked, he looked down, and there he saw that he had a body again! However it was transparent and glowed with an ethereal green light, seeing this, turning his hands over at this surprising occurrence, he asked, "Am I alive? Is this...?"
"Urgh...!"
Becoming still, hearing this painful gasp, Kagi turned to look behind him. It was then he saw another figure who was like him, however they instead glowed with a bright red light.
Seeing them, he though recognised her in seconds! Shocked, he didn't hesitate and ran to her, crying out, "Hari!?"
"Ah...!"
She gasped in pain again, as terrible dark electricity crackled over her glowing form. Seeing this, Kagi got over to her, and gathering her in his arms, not caring if he got shocked form it, called for her again, "Hari! Hari c'mon! Get ahold of yourself!"
"Uh...huh?" It was then, she opened her eyes, looking to him, she asked, "You are...?"
Seeing she'd opened her eyes, Kagi smiled and said, "You're awake, thank goodness!"
"Awake...?" She repeated puzzled, then as he looked down to her, he heard her ask, "Who are you?"
Becoming shocked at this question, Kagi told her, "Who am I?" Then becoming upset, he told her, "It's me, Kagi! Don't you remember me, Hari!?"
"Ha...ri?" She asked, then as she did this, her eyes widened as she asked him, "Is that...my name?"
"Of course it is!" Kagi couldn't understand what was happening, but he told her, "It's the one you-!"
"Ah!"
Quickly though she gasped in pain again! As she did, Kagi saw the black electricity was intensifying around her, as it did, worried he cried out, "Hari!" But it was no good, as-!
ZZZAAAPPP!
"AAAHHH!"
They both screamed, as the blast struck them both, as it did, Kagi felt himself be pulled away from her! He couldn't fight this malicious power! However he still tried, reaching out to her, as he cried out to her determined, "Hari! I'll get you out of this, I swear, just hang on!"
The pained glowing red girl, hearing him say this and seeing his green form fade away into the darkness, felt a great pain in her heart, as she realised, she did know this boy somehow, he was-! "Kagi!"
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ZZZAAAPPP!
Making it away from the jewel pod before the terrible blasts of electricity could hit him, Riku dodged, and ran out from behind the red glowing treasure! As he did, he heard-!
SWOOSH!
The monster pass over him! As it did, he looked above, and quickly he saw-!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
The terrible thorns that trailed behind it, come after him! As they did, he moved and-!
CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!
Smashed each and every terrible tendril that tried to come after him! As he did, it was then he saw-!
FFFWWWIIISSSHHH!
The dark blue and black rain come for him! He covered himself as best he could with his red cloak, as he ran away from it! As he did, he felt the rain patter into the material, but thankfully he wasn't soaking! As he made it, some distance from the monster, he told it pointing his Keyblade towards it, as it poised itself over the red jewel, threateningly with it's wings, "I'm not gonna let you do the same trick on me twice!"
RRROOOAAARRR!
The monster roared loudly once more, showing it's rage! As he gripped his Keyblade tightly, Riku's mind raced as he tried to think of what to do! What could he-!
CRACK!
Then suddenly something incredible happened! The jewel pod Hari was within, cracked! As it did, with wide eyes, he asked, "What just-!"
"Ah!"
Hearing the Vessel of the Eighth Fragment again, Riku cried out,"Kagi! Are you alright!?"
"...I'm back?"
As he said those words, breathlessly, Riku asked him, "Back, what do you mean? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, but you'll never believe this!"
"Believe what?" He asked him, for it was then that the monster slithered off the jewel, as it swayed too and throw before it; threateningly like a snake.
"I was with Hari! I made contact with her!"
"What!?" Riku hearing this couldn't believe it, he asked him, "How could you have made contact with her! What happened!?"
"I don't know... was it?"
Hearing the tone in his voice, Riku could feel Kagi must be realising something. He told him, "Was it what? C'mon, you need to talk to me!" With those words, it was then the monster was gearing back to attack again!
"I think it must have been when you touched the jewel pod!"
"Touched it?" Riku asked him, then as he thought back, he remembered, "That green light before, that was you!"
"It must have been! I was inside that space with Hari, but it was weird, it was like I was floating, and I wasn't in my original physical body, I was see-through and-?"
"So you were just a soul then?" Riku asked him, trying to understand the situation just as desperately too.
"Yeah, I guess? I think this must be because...?"
"Because what? Don't leave me hanging!" Riku asked him, gripping his Keyblader tightly as he saw-!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
The terrible Wyvern bring forth more thorns, all of them aimed straight at him! As they all did, he became agitated seeing that they were going to try and run him through all at once!
"We have a connection, through our Fragments... in fact, before I remember when we created that Door, together for you all to come here, we were linked through our souls, we could speak to each other when we were in the pods, before Xehanort robbed us of our memories!"
His eyes lightning up with realisation at the possible resolution, Riku asked, "That's it then! That's the way we can save her, and the others! Through the connections that you each have with one another!"
"Yeah, I guess!"
Hearing the happy realisation in his tone, Riku could feel hope growing once more! They now had a shot at this. However-!
CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!
He diverted more attacks from the terrible thorns! As he did, he then said, "Okay, now we have our key, we just need to get rid of this enormous weed that's in our way!" With that he charged on, dodging each blow the monster was trying to send at him, as they raced to save the Vessel of the Fourth Fragment!
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"Looks like I've finally shot that pathetic Dragon Dusk out of the sky!"
As Xehanort smiled, seeing the carnage he had incurred upon the heroes of Light, as his Heartless continued to attack them all. He knew they wouldn't survive another blast! However he had to recharge his two pieces of giant glass artillery weaponry, before they'd fire again, and his Keyblades too. But this didn't matter, for soon they would all be-!
CRACK!
"Ah!"
Becoming shocked, he turned to his left shoulder, he couldn't believe it! Even that had now incurred damage as a long splintering line went down it, how could this be!
"I thought they wouldn't be able to form any connections anymore!"
It was then he realised he was running out of options! For if he lost all the Fragments, he would-!
Gripping his hands on his weapons, his mind raced. Then looking towards the Door of Light, that his Heartless were still crawling all over... he realised that soon, that he might lose his only chance to get through it!
This he absolutely would never allow! For he had to win, no matter what, he'd lost too much and suffered too many delays, to even imagine defeat! However as he thought to himself... there was one thing he could do, if things became dire. Though it was risky, it would be his only chance!
"I'll erase them before it all becomes that desperate!"
With that he concentrated, and moved to regain his power, as fast as possible! For he needed to succeed, to create the perfect realm, free from the true corrupting force that was the Light!
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"Whoa!"
Quickly diving out of the way of the next terrible thorn that came flying her way, as Kairi turned to look up at it. It was then she was met with an amazing sight!
GLITTER!
All along the edges of the thorns she could see a glittering light of some kind! Baffled, she asked, "This is-!?"
"Thank goodness you can see it!"
"See what!?" Kairi asked her, not understanding what Oralee meant.
"My power is allowing you to see the flow of power, within all the thorns! The greater shine that each one has, you'll be able to know when one will strike next!"
Amazed at this, as she stared these hideous creations of darkness with her eyes glowing with pink power, Kairi asked her, "Wait? So I can read it's movements now?"
"Exactly, because together you and I can see the flow of its dark energy!"
"Wow!" Kairi gasped with a smile. Then-!
GLITTER!
Quickly she saw the one that was coming for her next! As she did, she moved and dodged, then running forwards, she saw-!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
The other remainder come after her! However, through the shine of pink power, she saw which one was coming in first, after the other and-!
CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!
She sent each one flying away from her, with each strike of her Keyblade! Seeing this, she smiled brightly and cried out, "Oralee thank you! Your power is amazing!"
"I'm just giving a helping hand! You're the one who's creating the opening for us now, Kairi!"
The Keyblader laughed at this, then-!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
More thorns came her way, however seeing where they were aiming! She jumped back, and then quickly ran, avoiding each and every blow that was meant for her! As she continued, avoiding each one, she told them mockingly, "You're not getting in my way anymore!" Then as another dangerous shoot came her way, she moved her blade and-!
SLICE!
She sliced it clean out of the way! Doing this, running forwards, she added, "I'm not letting anything hold us back!" With that, as she ran in and around the thorns, dodging through the thick wall that had been created, she swiftly was covering the distance, the dangerous obstacles had made!
"We're doing it! Let's go Oralee!" Kairi decreed.
"Yeah let's!"
Then as Kairi smiled brightly at her enthusiastic reply, the two of them continued on. Avoiding any deadly blows, and attacking when they needed to, for soon the two of them would make it to the jewel pod that held the Vessel of the Fifth Fragment, Reeve.
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"Nozomi!"
"Urgh...!" Her consciousness coming back, the dark haired Keyblader asked, "What?"
"Nozomi c'mon, are you awake now?"
"I guess? Um...?" Then in surprise, she saw that over her, it was none other than, "Yuffie?"
The ninja grinned at her and asked, "You finally back to the land of the living now?"
Nozomi was quiet, but then remembering the terrible barrage of power they'd been struck with, she got up fast and asked worried, "Wait, everyone! Are they all okay! Are they-!"
"We're fine, Nozomi!"
It was then that, the female Keyblader heard a familiar voice. Turning, she saw that it was none other than, "King Mickey!"
He stood upon the back of Ruby with Zidane and the others, who continued to fly in the air. He smiled and told her, "Looks like all made it out in once piece, though..."
Hearing him pause, Nozomi turned and then saw to her sorrow, "Oh no, Ody!"
For there she saw their ally Nobody, holding Scriptium's worn out and battered quill form in his arms, Goofy looked down depressed at their pal who'd been struck so badly. As he heard her, Ody looked to her sadly and said, "Yeah, sorry Nozomi, Scriptium can't fight anymore... this has taken a lot out of her."
The Keyblader became saddened immediately, looking down, she told him, "I'm sorry, Ody..."
The spectacled young man though, shook his head and told, "Don't apologise, it's not anyone's fault, I'm just glad that we got to contribute to this fight..." Then doing his best to smile, he told her, "What matters more is that we all made it out of that barrage alive."
"Yeah, that's true..." Then looking back at Xehanort hatefully, she couldn't help but ask, "But what should we do now?"
"Well we gotta keep going, that hasn't changed!" Donald told her.
"Yeah! Though I'm getting tired all of those Heartless! We've just barely been able to cope with that resources we've got left now!" Aerith said in complaint.
"You said it!" Donald agreed, then he continued to say with his staff at the ready next to Nozomi, "We gotta beat that big palooka! We can't let Sora and the others down!"
Hearing his words, Nozomi nodded to the white duck and replied, "Yeah you're right!" With that she stood up, then she asked, "Does anybody have any ideas of what we can do?"
Leon then stated, "Well we have to be careful and conserve what we have, for Lightning has lost Odin, Vincent is now worn out and without Scriptium, our options have become limited."
"Geez, you really are a pillar of enthusiasm aren't you Squall?" Yuffie asked him.
To which the Gunblader sighed and didn't reply to this.
Lightning though spoke up and said, "I can still fight, even without Odin! You can't count me out, just because of that!"
"True, but you haven't been bathed in the Pixie Dust have you?" Zidane asked her.
To which Lightning looked at him with annoyance, for it was true.
Feeling deflated, Aerith said, "We should have asked for some of it from Hana when we had the chance!"
"Well there's no point getting depressed about it now!" Hope spoke up, then with that he said, "What matters is, is that we're all alive and since we are, we can do something!"
"You said it!" It was then Pete spoke up, as he did he told them all, "I say we just get in there, and blast that creep in the face!"
…
Everyone stared at the former villain in disbelief, as they did. It was then Ruby spoke up and said, "You're basically asking for suicide there, you do know that right?"
"I don't care!" Pete told them mad, with that he told them, "Besides that creep's already overpowered as it is! The sooner we can get the first hit, the bigger the impact we can make!" Then looking towards the horrible villain, he finished saying, "Also it'll be the last thing he's expecting!"
Amazed at him saying this, Nozomi was quiet... she realised, "You're right! It would be." However she had to add, remembering when she was reckless in the past, "Be we can't rush in straight away, we gotta find a way to turn the tables!"
"How are we supposed to turn things around against a giant like that!" Gandrake protested, as he pointed at the enormous monster.
"I'm not sure, maybe-!"
GLINT!
It was then she noticed one of the reflective octagon mirrors beside her. As she did, an idea came quickly came to her mind, "Wait! That might be it!"
"Huh?" Gandrake didn't understand this sudden change, staring at her dismissively, he asked, "What's struck you?"
Nozomi then told them all, "I think I might have an idea!"
Surprised Shirma asked her, "You do?"
Nozomi quickly nodded, then opened her mouth to speak when-!
GLOW! GLOW!
Xehanort was igniting his power again, he was getting ready to fire!
Seeing this on heavy alert, Pete told her, "Well get talkin' fast here! We won't be standin' around for much longer, if ya don't!"
"Okay!" Nozomi replied, with that she quickly explained what she'd thought of, and with that the plan of attack was immediately decided on, as the terrible monstrous man went to unleash untold amounts of agony upon them all again!
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"HHHAAA!"
CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!
Smashing each and every one of the thorns away, Riku was determined to win! They had to get rid of this Wyvern, they had to save Hari! So-!
RRROOOAAARRR!
"It's coming!"
Hearing Kagi again, the white haired Keyblader was ready and quickly he saw it immediately raise it's wings, and in another moment-!
SWOOSH!
It came flying at them both, as it did quickly Riku ducked down and immediately the monster missed them! Seeing it do this, he knew what was coming next! He prepared his weapon and immediately-!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
The thorns came speeding forwards! Seeing them coming he said determined, "Alright! Let's go!" However-!
SMASH! SMASH! SMASH! SMASH! SMASH!
The thorns smashed straight into the floor! Seeing this he quickly became baffled, "What're they doing!?"
"I don't know! Maybe-!"
RUMBLE!
Quickly the floor beneath him shook violently, as it did it almost made him trip up! But before he could voice his thoughts-!
SHATTER!
Suddenly from the sides all around him, the thorns erupted out making glass fly everywhere! As they did, they swiftly moved and-!
"Agh!"
BIND! BIND! BIND! BIND! BIND!
"Riku!?"
He'd quickly been bound down by the thorns! They had grabbed him, by his limbs and torso, binding him down tightly to the broken glass floor!
Seeing this happen to himself, in pain, Riku demanded, "Let go of me!" As he struggled though, it was clear he couldn't cut the thorns, as they were out of his reach and beneath him! He couldn't make them-!
GLOW!
Feeling this terrible aura of power, Riku turned and there he saw hovering over him. Was the horrible Wyvern, it's chest was glowing brightly with red power! As it did, it was clear that it was going to incinerate him, right there and then!
"No Riku!"
His mind was blank, he couldn't think of what to do! How could they get out of this! How could they-!
But there was going to be no time to think, as the terrible power of the monster grew in size to obliterate him!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
GLOW! GLOW!
"That's it! Now we're ready!"
Xehanort's power was now at it's peak! Seeing this, he spied the pathetic group of heroes ahead of him. As he did, he grinned and said,
"This is it, though you survived my Heartless none of you will survive this blast!"
Then before he could fire-!
"Let's go guys!"
Hearing this cry, Xehanort recognised the voice, as that of the Seventh Fragment. He was puzzled, why did she say that? It was then, he saw-!
HHHIIISSS!
A giant spider Dusk, that flew through the air straight towards him!
Looking on oddly at this sight, he was quiet. However smirking, he couldn't help but say,
"So you downgrade from a noble dragon, to a miniscule spider?"
He was given no response though, as quickly there joining the giant white arachnid, was an oversized red robin and an ape Dusk. Seeing this odd rabble coming his way, Xehanort didn't care, and told them,
"Pathetic! Well if you're all so eager to enter the realm of oblivion, then allow me to open the door for you all!"
With those words, his glass artillery moved and immediately-!
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"Urgh!" To his dread, Riku found that he still couldn't move! There was nothing he could do, to stop the attack from hitting him!
"Riku hold on! I'll think of something, I'll-!"
RRROOOAAARRR!
GLOW!
The monster was ready to unleash his power upon them! Seeing this as its chest glowed with that terrible red light still, all Riku could do was stare on in horror. However inside he heard Kagi say,
"No, why can't I do anything again! Why can't I just help you here!"
Hearing his pained voice, Riku though told him, "It's not your fault! I keep telling you! Stop hating yourself!" With that turning back to the horrible monster, he told him, "You're not the only one who's been helpless throughout all this! Even with my own strength, I haven't been able to-!"
It was clear the monster was ready now, it was going to kill them both right there!
Riku closed his eyes bracing himself, when he heard,
"No! I refuse for things to end like this! I don't want to lose anyone anymore! Why can't I ever help, when I'm needed the most! I just want-!"
As he heard his voice, Riku was pained inside. He saw again the young boy's memories, of every time he'd been stopped by Rosso or kept captive by someone, feeling the pain of frustration from these memories, he uttered, "Kagi...!"
"I want to save everyone!"
GLOW!
Suddenly all over Riku's body, it glowed with red light! Seeing this, he recognised it, "The Fourth Fragment?" As he saw it, he didn't understand? How could he shine with this light, what-!?
"So you will gain something of mine, as I will gain something of yours..."
"Hari...!" Remembering then, what had been revealed in their past together, Riku realised what was going on, "This power, when you were put into stasis, you must have-!"
"I gained a little of her power?"
It was clear, neither of the boys could believe it! But there was no time to doubt, and quickly Riku said, "Okay let's go!" He moved with this energy, and-!
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
He cut the thorns that held him down! He was freed!
"Riku, you did it!"
"Yeah thanks to you!" He told him, then getting up taking his Keyblade in his hands, he told him, "Thank you, Kagi!"
"It's no problem! Now go on, slice that thing to ribbons!"
With a firm nod, he told him, "You got it!" With that he quickly moved, then immediately he called upon the new technique he'd learned!
"DIVINE WRATH!"
Around him the white ethereal swords returned! However this time-!
GLOW!
They glowed and sparked with the power of the Fourth Fragment! As they did, Riku ran straight at the creature, as it's face came down to incinerate him! He moved and-!
"HHHAAA!"
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
The swords all immediately sliced straight into the creature, stabbing it all over in its face, chest and wings! As he moved and sliced at it, the creature howled in agony-!
RRROOOAAARRR!
Riku then felt his power peak! As it did, he drew back and with his aim made upon the centre of the creature's grotesque chest, he announced his attack,
"Thunder Dash!"
Immediately his body was covered in fierce thunderous power! As his blade glowed with his own power, and that of the Fourth Fragment, he moved and stabbed his blade into the monster's chest and-!
RRROOOAAARRR!
It screeched loudly in pain, one last time before being split open with one clean cut slice! Then finally... the monster's body slowly disintegrated, turning into dark embers that floated away, into the darkness of nothingness...
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Nozomi seeing they were in the right position, looked behind herself and said, "Okay, Donald you're up!"
"It's about time!" He announced pleased! Then with that he moved and waving his staff high into the air, he unleashed the spell, "Magnega!"
SHINE!
GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT!
GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT!
GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT!
GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT!
A huge group of the octagon reflective mirrors came to hover all around them!
With amazement, Nozomi cried out, "It worked!"
"Don't get too relaxed!" Hearing Gandrake cry this out, they saw the attack that was ready to be unleashed! He quickly declared, "Araxne, c'mon! Do your part!"
"Very well!" With that the controller of the Dusk they were on, made it move and quickly-!
SPIN! SPIN! SPIN! SPIN! SPIN!
Her Dusk released more of its threads from it's abdomen! As it did so, it quickly became a huge netted web that quickly-!
STICK! STICK! STICK! STICK! STICK!
STICK! STICK! STICK! STICK! STICK!
STICK! STICK! STICK! STICK! STICK!
STICK! STICK! STICK! STICK! STICK!
Grabbed hold of all the mirrors, making them stick to their intricate designed structure!
"Well done, Aranxne!" Nozomi cried out, then looking to everyone, she told them, "Guys! Get behind the mirrors you can, let's get ready to send that attack right back at him!"
"Right!"
As they all cried this out together, it was then that Gandrake, Leon and Yuffie all moved, and quickly she too went to join them, with Meixeng giving her aid too, along with her Ape Dusk! However before leaving, she added, "Donald, use your next spell!"
Nodding, he told her, "You got it!" With that-!
"Float!"
With that the spell descended over everyone, who hadn't been coated with the Pixie Dust! Immediately Zidane, Lightning, Hope, Shirma, and Aerith along with Vincent all moved!
Feeling the spell hold them against the pull of gravity, Shirma prayed, "I hope this works!"
"It's better than nothing, we'll be annihilated if no effort's made!" Lightning told her.
"Exactly, we just gotta hope for the best here!" Zidane said, then looking to one particular person on his right, he told him, "No pun intended!"
Hope only laughed! However as the light grew brighter. They knew this was serious, so they got ready!
Aerith now ready looked behind and said, "Good luck your majesty!"
The Mouse king nodded and with that he said, "Okay Ruby, let's fly!"
"You got it!" The enormous red robin replied, with that he flew forwards, carrying Goofy, Ody, Pete and the Mouse King! It was then as they took flight that-!
BLAST!
BLAST!
Xehanort unleashed his power, making it all thunder towards the heroes! Everyone was shivering as the terrifying force came their way! However none of them lost their nerve, and immediately, Yuffie cried out, "Here it comes!" It was then the blasts came upon them and-!
SHINE!
The power collided with their netted wall of reflective mirrors! As they did, they could feel the force of it try to burn through the webbing that held their hope! However, staying strong, they pushed forwards against it, determined to send this power straight back to where it came from!
As they all struggled, it was then they all heard-!
"HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!"
Hearing this detestable laughter, everyone heard Xehanort then mock their struggles against him, as he said,
"So that's your scheme is it? Trying to use my own power against me?"
No one answered him, instead they kept up their desperate endeavour to not be blasted to smithereens! For if they failed here then-!
"You truly are all pitiful!"
As he said those words, it was then they heard-!
GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT!
GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT!
GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT!
GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT!
More mirrors come forth! As they did, it was then Aerith saw to her dismay, "No!"
Nozomi unable to see asked, "What's he done!?"
"He's made a reflective wall with his own mirrors in front of him, he's just going to send the attack back at us again!" Aerith revealed, making everyone become horrified!
"No!" Nozomi cried out, they only had one chance! The threads were all going to burn away, if they didn't do something more, then-!
SHINE!
There was nothing more they could do though, as the enormous red blasts combined into one giant powerful beam, and quickly with their desperate re-direction it was sent speeding back, but soon they'd all be-!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
FADE...
Finally as the last of the dark embers of the Wyvern faded away, Riku breathed a sigh of relief, he then uttered, "I'm glad that's over with!"
"Yeah same! I'm just happy that finally I was useful for a change!"
Riku nodded and smiled, though he corrected him by saying, "You have been useful, stop worrying about that kind of thing!" Then as he turned around, he saw that the remaining thorns, around the red jewel finally faded away too.
As they did, he approached and continued on to tell his comrade, "And right now, you're going to be our key to victory." With that he stood before the red jewel pod.
"Riku?"
Hearing his puzzled tone, the white haired Keyblader told him, "I'm relying on you now Kagi, revive Hari!" With that he placed his hands upon the pod, he added feeling the connecting power activate, "I know you'll be able to do it!"
GLOW!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Ah!"
Again Kagi found himself in the domain's of the red jewel pod, looking behind himself. He could see a dark figure that glowed with a bright glowing aura around it beyond the prison's borders. He knew who it was, showing a small smile to him, he said, "Thanks, Riku!"
He knew he wouldn't be able to hear him, but still he felt better saying it. Then looking ahead, he saw again the very person he wanted to save. Her face was within her hands, and listening... he could hear it, she was crying as she sat upon the floor.
Worried in seconds, he ran to her crying out, "Hari!"
"Huh!?" The girl in the midst of her tear shedding stopped, then looking up, her face was startled. But quickly a relieved smile, graced her face as she cried out, "Kagi!"
He smiled immediately too, and getting down onto her level, he told her, "I'm sorry for taking so long! I'm here now, it's okay!"
She nodded, then told him, "...I'm glad you've been able to return, this entire time in your absence, I was worried!"
"I can imagine!" He told her, then with small happy tears of his own, he told her, "But it's okay now, I'm here to fully restore you! To get you back to normal, so you can return."
"Return?" She asked puzzled, then she asked him, "Why are we in this situation? What's happened to us?"
Quiet for a moment, the young boy paused and thought. Then after a moment, he took a deep breath... then looking to her with determination, he told her, "Well you won't like it... but this is everything that's happened, that's led up to us being here."
With that he made his explanations, revealing to the confused and frightened girl, what had happened. To lead them all being trapped in this dismal and painful dark realm...
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Quiet as he held his hands against the pod, Riku looked inside it, and saw a glowing light green figure, who he knew was Kagi, his light was wrapped around Hari's helpless body. Which was continuing to be held aloft by the terrible dark tendrils, as he watched him, he could only wonder what was happening inside, when-!
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
Immediately the red surface of the pod, incurred more damage, in amazement he saw that their strategy was working! Kagi was connecting with Hari, with a smile he knew it wouldn't be too long, until she was free once more, then they all could-!
CRACKLE!
Though unfortunately he forgot about one other thing! The dark lightning that Xehanort could still cast! However, even as he saw this terrible power grow and surge, he wasn't going to give up! He was going to stay firmly in that space no matter what!
Determined he angrily uttered, "You just try and stop me, you're not going to win anymore!" With that held fast and just prayed, that Kagi would soon succeed!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"And that's everything..." Kagi revealed to the girl before him.
…
There was then silence between them both, after a little bit, Hari asked, "That all really happened?"
Kagi nodded to her quietly.
She then asked further, "So I was turned into a weapon, and used to make all this happen..." Then looking pained at this realisation, she asked sadly, "I've caused so much pain and heartbreak, haven't I?"
Hearing her say this, Kagi though told her, "But, it's as I've said Hari! You weren't in control, the Lock inside you, it forced you to follow Rosso's and whatever Dark Master's, who had you, their orders," then becoming pained himself, hating the fact he was unable to stop it, he added sadly, "You never had a choice in anything you did."
As he said those words, the girl was quiet. Then he saw her grip her hands against her knees. As she did this, he told her, "But that's gonna change now! When we go back to normal, to the real world, you'll be able to do, whatever you want from now on! You'll be free finally!"
"Free?" She asked him.
Kagi nodded, and he told her with a smile, "Yeah, you and me, along with everyone else! We won't be under the thumb of anybody like that again, we can live our lives then, properly!"
As he said all those warm hearted words though, for some reason. The glowing red girl, looked more and more pained. As she did, Kagi was confused, looking at her his smile dropped and he asked concerned, "Hari?"
The girl at first didn't answer him, however after a moment she asked him with sorrow in her eyes, "Do I even deserve to be saved...?"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
SHINE!
Seeing the attack that was charging towards him, Xehanort simply smirked. For with his shining wall of defence before him, there was no way for them to even begin to damage him. Instead they would all be blown to smithereens! They would-!
"CHARGE!"
Surprised by this outcry, it was then the enormous villain saw, that there flying at him at high speed from on high, glittering with the effects of a Haste spell. Was an oversized red robin, seeing this, he simply blinked. Then he asked,
"What is this absurdity?"
However that was all he could do, as suddenly he heard another familiar shout, "Get ready for yer comeuppance Xehanort!" Then-!
"Holy!"
SHINE!
The powerful spell of light was cast, and it was sent flying in his direction!
However he uttered simply with irritation,
"How bothersome!"
SHINE!
The protection of the Fifth Fragment came into play automatically, stopping the spell from even coming close to striking him. As this happened, he couldn't help but ask,
"Is that truly all the best you can-?"
"TAKE THIS TOO, YA GIANT CREEP!"
TOSS!
Looking on, suddenly he saw again that familiar shape and the white it shone with! He couldn't react faster though, as suddenly-!
KABOOM!
The object exploded and-!
SHINE!
The space before him was lit up with blinding light and-!
"AGH!"
He was quickly blinded again, by an Inkwizz that had been tossed by Pete! As he was and the heroes rounded in the air, flying on higher, Goofy then told him, "That's what ya get for hittin' our pal bad!"
Angered but unable to see where they were, Xehnaort cried out,
"YOU!"
But before he could do anything else-!
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
His left shoulder incurred more damage! He immediately grimaced badly from the pain, then as this distracted him-!
GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT!
GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT!
GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT!
GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT! GLINT!
He lost focus upon his mirrors, and they all drifted away from him, this left him open and-!
SHINE!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
He was quickly struck by his own blast as it struck him straight in the middle!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Nice thorwin' there Captain Pete!" Mickey told his new comrade with a smile.
"Hmph!" With a grin Pete then told him, "It's all in the wrist!" With that pointing to Xehanort, he added, "'Sides he had it comin'! I ain't gonna let him walk all over us no more!"
With a firm nod, Goofy agreed saying, "You said it!"
Ody with them revealed a small smile, holding Scriptium's battered form in his arms, he told them all, "Guys thank you... I mean it." They all then turned to look at him, puzzled until he continued on to add, "Thank you for sticking up for Scriptium, and all of us here, I'm just sorry that I can't now-!"
"You don't need to be apologizin'!" Goofy told him with a smile.
"Huh?" Puzzled this puzzled Ody.
"Yeah, you've done a whole bunch to get us here, and without ya, we wouldn't have the chance against Xehanort, that we've got now!" Mickey smiled in explanation, with that looking back he added, "And the same goes for the rest of yer Nobody pals, we would never have succeeded without any of ya!"
Becoming amazed, Ody didn't know at first what to say, but then he nodded and smiled. With that done, he said, "I'm glad then, that we were able to be there for you all!"
With that everyone there was covered in smiles, however-!
"I think he's beginning to get back up guys!"
It was Ruby who was speaking to them, as he did, it was then they all saw the Master of Darkness begin to move again! As he did, Pete said, "Well we're just gonna have to keep him on the ropes then!"
"Yeah!" Mickey replied with a nod, then quickly he told them all, "Let's keep goin' fella's!"
The heroes then were all in agreement, and quickly they went to fly higher to find a better vantage point, so they may continue their desperate fight against Xehanort!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
ZZZAAAPPP!
"AGH!"
The ferocious black lightning was unleashed on Riku! As it was, he was determined though! He wasn't going to let go, so pushing against it, he cried out, "Kagi, hurry up!" For he didn't know how long he could last!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The green haired boy couldn't believe the words that Hari had spoken, upset he cried out, "What do you mean!? Of course you deserve to be saved! Why would you say something like that!?"
Hari looked pained, as she averted her gaze. As she did, she then after a moment explained, "Because I've hurt so many people, I started this whole process so the Interfusing with begin, because of that so many worlds have been effected..." then with her hand over her pained heart, she added, "How can I ever face them all?"
It was clear Kagi didn't know at first what to say to her, however he didn't want doubt to drag him down then, so he shook his head. Then with determination he told her, "Because I'll be there with you! I'll help you to face that challenge, you won't be alone Hari!"
However hearing him say these encouraging words, only seemed to hurt her again. She shivered, then looking to him, tears had welled up in her eye, as she told him, "But I even hurt you...and I-!" Then holding herself, she added, "I destroyed Oliver, and the others, I..." Then with terrible remorse she added, "How can someone horrible like me, ever be forgiven for all that! I don't deserve it... I don't deserve any of it!"
Hearing her heartbreaking words, Kagi was quiet. He didn't know at first how to answer her... he struggled, gripping his right hand. Then after a moment he gulped and said, "Yeah, you're right, you did hurt me... and yeah we lost Oliver, along with the others, and there'll probably be lots of people, who won't ever forgive you."
But then slowly despite this awful truth, Kagi reached his hand out to her, doing this, he placed his hand on her left cheek. As he did, Hari looked up to him startled, as she did, he just smiled gently and told her, "But that doesn't mean, you don't have the right to live," then with that, he hugged her gently, and continued on to tell her, "You won't be redeemed straight away, it'll be long and hard, but I know one day, as long as you keep doing your best, you can atone."
"Atone?" She asked breathlessly.
With a nod, Kagi told her, "Yeah that's right, you can make up for what you've done... overtime, I'm sure that others will see the better side of you, also that you can change..." then holding onto her, a little tighter he added, "And I know, you'll be able to do it, because I'll be right by your side, I'm sure Oliver and the others would have wanted that for you too!"
"Kagi...!" Then as Hari shivered and cried, becoming overwhelmed by his warmth and kindness. It was then they both heard,
"We're gonna be takin' Hari back from ya! Ya hear me!?"
Jumping hearing this voice, the long haired girl couldn't believe it! Then she uttered as she remembered him too, "Pete!"
Kagi laughed, and then told her, "See, there's also someone out there, who's already changed, and is beginning his atonement, and it's all thanks to you, Hari!"
Disbelief was in her voice, as she asked, "He's doing this...for me?"
"Yeah...he is, lots of people are here for you, not just me," then moving himself back to face her, he told her brightly, as his hand came to rest on her cheek again, "You see? You're wanted, so there's no need for you to stay in this awful darkness, is there?"
Hearing him say this, Hari took in a deep shuddering breath and immediately wept, then she grasped onto him, holding him tightly, crying out loudly, "Kagi! Kagi...I! I'm so sorry! For everything, I-!"
Kagi was crying too, then he told her, stroking her head, "It's okay, I know...I know!"Hari continued to cry, however this release of pain was the thing she'd needed for so long and him too. Kagi could feel it, as her warmth wrapped around him, he smiled down to her, and told her, "I'll always be with you from now on, Hari."
She nodded to his words breathlessly, then quickly-!
SHINE!
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FLASH!
"Urgh!"
Quickly the terrible lightning that had been striking into Riku had ceased in a flash, as it did, with him becoming breathless, he asked, "What is-!"
SHINE!
It was then he looked inside the red pod, as he did so. He saw quickly a bright light shining inside of it! Watching with amazement, she saw the terrible dark tendrils that had wrapped themselves around Hari's body and limbs, all quickly fade away!
He couldn't believe it, then he saw Kagi's spirit shine around Hari's body. As it did, he watched as he saw it gently light around the Fragment before Hari's chest, as it shone, it was then it returned gently into the girl's chest. As it did so,
"Agh!"
A breath of life was released from her, as she came to stand upon her own legs again. Seeing this happen, Riku cried out, "Kagi, you did it! You saved Hari!"
The spirit inside the mysterious treasure, turned and nodded to him. Then as he did, the girl opened her eyes, the light returning to them, she asked, "Kagi?"
He didn't respond to her, instead he stroked her cheek again, before walking back in Riku's direction again. Then placing his hand against where his armoured palms were touching, it was then the Keyblader felt something re-enter him again, that gave him warmth. His hand over his chest, he asked, "Kagi?"
"I'm back now!"
Smiling, the white haired Keyblader replied, "I'm glad!"
"You've come to retrieve me from here, haven't you?"
Hearing her voice, Riku looked back up, there he saw Hari again. As he did, he told her, "Yeah, I have." Then as he looked at the green eyed girl, his own memories of her began to return gradually, as they did he said, "Even though you caused a lot of trouble for us, all this time."
To which as he said this, Riku saw that of all things. Hari looked saddened by, as she dipped her eyes down, as she did, he heard her say, "Yes...I did, I hurt you, and your group, on many occasions didn't I?"
"Yeah..." however as he stared at her expression, he realised, "But, I can tell that the person you are now, isn't the same as the one who came after us." Then he asked her, "You're not controlled by your Mother's Lock anymore, are you?"
Hari was silent, then she gripped her right hand and replied, "No, when the Seventh," then shaking her head, she corrected herself and said, "I mean, your comrade Nozomi, when she did the Unlocking, my heart was freed from its hold, so I am fully functional, both emotionally and physically now."
With a small smile, Riku replied, "I'm glad to hear that."
Hari then looked to him with surprise, "You are?"
He nodded and then told her, "Yeah, because now me and the others, can get to know the real you, the one that was was sealed in that contraption."
Hearing this, the long haired brunette replied, "I see..." however she decided to admit, "But still I must apologise, for the grief I caused, I'm sorry that you all-!"
"You don't have to talk about that now!" Riku told her, stopping her in her tracks. Then as he did this, he added, "You can save it for later, when we all make it out of here!" Then as she stared at him quietly, he added, "Cause there's someone who's waiting for you outside of here, isn't there?"
Hearing this, Hari was quiet. But quickly, she revealed a small smile and said, "Yes, I know Pete's waiting for me!"
Riku nodded with a smile of his own, then quickly-!
CRACK! CRACK!
The pod took the last bit of damage it could handle, before-!
SMASH!
"Urgh!"
"Agh!"
Quickly there before them all, was the Keyhole that would grant Hari her freedom! Seeing it, the girl asked her, "Is that?"
"Your way out!" Riku told her, then quickly-!
FLASH!
His Keyblade returned to his right hand, as it did, he told her, "Hari, I'm gonna free you now, but when I do, you'll-!"
"Be taken into your heart correct?" Hari asked him.
"Huh? You know?" Riku asked her surprised.
The girl made a single nod, then she explained, "Kagi informed me."
"Yeah, cause we don't have time for long explanations do we?"
Hearing him say this, the white haired boy was quiet. However he laughed and said, "True, we don't!" Then looking back to Hari, he told her, "Okay then, here we go!"
She simply nodded, then with that done, Riku jumped back and-!
SHINE!
The light of Unlocking shone upon the end of his Keyblade, then it raced forth and-!
SMASH!
It entered the Keyhole and in seconds, the pod that was the prison of the Fourth Fragment, was smashed to smithereens, and the captive girl inside was finally freed!
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SHINE!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
Amazed seeing their desperate move had somehow been pulled off, Nozomi asked, "We did it?"
"Boomya!" Yuffie cried out pleased! Then doing this, with a hard fist forwards she added, "That felt so good!"
"Ha, ha! You got that right!" Zidane agreed.
"We're definitely fortunate here!" Vincent commented with a small smile of his own appearing.
Lightning smiled too, then looking up to Nozomi, she told her, "You really came through for us, thinking of this idea so quickly, well done, Nozomi!"
Hearing this with amazement, as the pink haired warrior said this to her. Nozomi blushed, then laughing awkwardly said, "Well I had to think of what we could use what was around us, so..." Then looking to the spider master, who was near to her, she said, "I mean, we're lucky to have Araxne here, without her, this would never have been possible."
The dark skinned Nobody, hearing this was quiet, however after a moment she bowed her head. Then she replied simply, "I appreciate the praise."
Everyone laughed at this, then looking to Xehanort, Donald spoke up and said, "Now we just gotta finish off that bully!"
"Yeah!" Then before Nozomi could continue-!
CRACK! CRACK!
Hearing these loud sounds of breaking, it was then everyone turned and-!
SMASH!
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
They saw the red jewel upon Xehanort's left shoulder, smashed into pieces! As they twinkled and disappeared into the darkness, they couldn't believe it! Nozomi asked, "Hari! She's been saved too!?" Then-!
FADE...
Quickly, the dangerous 'Subtle Scythe' Keyblade that Xehanort once wielded, vanished from his hold! Seeing this, they had the true confirmation, the evil monster had lost even more power!
"No!"
Immediately Nozomi though was full of relief and cried out happily, "Yes they did it! They won! Hari's been-!" She couldn't contain her joy, as the rest of it flowed out as happy laughter!
The rest of the heroes were the same, as this was a tremendous victory for them, for without a second Keyblade. Xehanort couldn't-!
"Unforgivable!"
Hearing this cry of outrage, they all stopped. As they did, it was then they saw the evil man, glow all over with vengeful power, as the darkness grew in horrific waves! As it did, they were all taken aback, as he declared,
"Your insolence is absolutely unforgivable!"
VOOM!
Then immediately he acted and called forth a new horrific power forth!
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GLOW!
Quickly the glittering red Fourth Fragment came to Riku, holding it between his hands. He felt it's warmth, then looking down to it, he smiled gently, and bringing it close to his chest, he whispered, "Here you are, Hari..." then feeling it's warmth enter him, he finished saying, "I'll keep you safe now."
With that, it was then the powerful mysterious treasure came to rest in his heart. As it did, he gasped, then he saw-!
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Beeep...Beeep...Beeep...
As the cardiac monitor revealed the end, the young girl looking at it was in disbelief, for this meant-?
"So...even the youngest of my three potential successors, couldn't accept the power of the Fourth," Then looking to the person, who said these words so coldly, she stared on wide eyed, and heard her say heartlessly, "What a disappointment!"
The girl was quiet, she couldn't register at all what had happened, as she stared ahead at the young figure that lay upon the bed, they no longer moved, they were so still. Why was that? How could-!
"I won't even bother to record her down, nor the first, Clotho..." Then looking down to her, the last one remaining, the young girl was quiet. She shivered, then quickly-!
Stroke...
She felt a hand come down onto her head, as it did, she heard the professor, no her mother, Rosso then tell her with a smirk, "I should have given you the name Atropos, for you seemed to be the one unalterable, but able to survive." Then removing her hand from her head, Rosso walked past her and said, "I'll see if I can change that, so it will be an advantage for myself one day ."
Step, step, step, step, step...
Then with that, Rosso left the room, leaving the girl alone. Looking at the young figure in the bed, who had once been her sister, then thinking of her older sibling who had been lost recently too...
Tears began to leak from the girl's eyes, the only thing she could do then for her lost sibling , was move her hand, and stroke her face gently. Doing this, she told her, "I'll remember you Atropos... and Clotho too," then collapsing over her, she apologised further saying, as more tears poured out, "I'm so sorry, that I couldn't help you avoid this fate...you'll both be in my heart, always!" Then in that same moment. Something became cold and still deep within her, she didn't understand what it was. But it was precious and shone brightly, but now she buried it deep within... she had to keep it hidden inside of herself, otherwise, the pain inside would destroy her, she couldn't let her heart break. Not anymore...with that realisation made, she lifted herself silently off her sibling and left the room too, unable to look back for fear of faltering too soon...
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Feeling that pain, in seconds Riku's tears leaked from his eyes. Doing this, he asked, "Hari, you were actually-?"
"Yes, I was one of triplets originally... myself and my sisters were tested vigorously to see who would be a good match to the Fragment's frequency... but sadly, I was the only one who was able to tolerate it's pulse."
His heart aching feeling this, then saw more of her memories. He saw them, Hari's lost siblings, them together in the Botanical Gardens within the World that Never Was. As he did, he even saw an image of Rosso smiling over them all, however growing more hatred towards her, he said, "So even from those few happy moments between you all, she was planning to use you, even from then!?"
"More than likely... I only have realised that now, properly as the years of passed... though, I still would like to imagine if circumstances had been different, she wouldn't have been so consumed by the darkness of vengeance, but even that is probably foolish to believe, isn't it?"
Hearing her say this, Riku though shook his head. Then he told her, "No, you're just kind, like Kagi said... too kind." Then placing his hands over his chest, he told her, "But I promise you, I and my friends will make sure, you're never abused and made to go through something so horrible again."
"Riku...thank you!"
He smiled, hearing her voice. Then he heard,
"You see, I told you that people would come to be on your side, didn't I?"
Riku only smiled more, hearing Kagi, then in turn he felt warmth blossom in his heart, which he knew to be Hari's affection. As he did, he opened his eyes and was about to say something, when-!
GLOW!
He looked down to his right! As he did, he saw his Keyblade glowing vibrantly all over with green and red light! His eyes widening, he asked, "This is-!"
SHINE!
Then quickly something began to happen to his weapon, it glittered and shone with power! It was morphing and quickly-!
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SHATTER! SHATER! SHATTER! SHATTER!
Quickly the two giant pieces of artillery were wiped out! As they were, quickly the pieces of glass fluctuated everywhere, spinning in mad circles like a swarm of angry hornets! Then-!
VOOM!
He called forth his one remaining Keyblade from a cloud of darkness, 'Annhilation!' As he did, it was then that the enormous weapon glowed with furious dark blue light! Which quickly morphed and changed it, making it become something like a huge cannon! Then-!
GLOW! GLOW!
Two other huge pieces of weaponry came to line either side of it, creating another pair of terrible longer cannons! As they did, they charged up in mere seconds, before-!
SHINE!
It was ready to fire! All the heroes seeing this were horrified, Donald cried out, "Oh no!" There was nowhere for them to go! They were right in the line of fire, then-!
"Dark Invincible Ultima Cannon!"
The attack was then quickly unleashed!
BLAST! BLAST! BLAST!
Three enormous beams of horrific dark light came storming forwards towards the heroes! As they did, Mickey cried out worried for his friends, "Fella's!?" Then the terrified group upon Ruby heard Xehanort declare with horrific glee,
"Now die!"
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"
