Gummi Ship
The Gummi ship managed to get to Beast's Castle once more. They looked down at where the castle was at. "I hope the Beast is ok." said Sora.
"Yeah, and hopefully that Organization member didn't do him in again." Asuna added, "What was his name again… Xaldin?" Kirito nodded in response to the question. Last time he was here, he was disbelieving to the idea that the Beast was good. He learned better now, and he hoped the Beast didn't hold a grudge for that.
"Let's make sure that the Beast is ok." Sora suggested, standing up and walking towards the transporter.
"And let's hope he and Belle have made up again." Yui added, flying to the computer. Everyone else followed behind him. Yui set the coordinates, and the team teleported down to the castle.
When they arrived, they found themselves at the entrance doors inside the castle. They also noticed something that made Kirito rub his eyes to make sure he wasn't dreaming. Pacing at the base of the stairs was the Beast, but he had totally changed. He was standing upright, was well groomed, and was wearing a blue and yellow-lined suit, complete with black pants, white cuffs and a cumberbun. He, in many cases, was less of a beast in this uniform, despite his physical appearance.
He was pacing back and forth, looking worried as he looked up the steps. "Hey there!" Sora called out waving as he stepped forward. Asuna wondered if Sora had a sense of tact since was able to see what was going on.
Donald took a quick look around. "No Heartless and no Nobodies!" he pointed out.
"I doubt they'll show themselves this easily, Donald." Kirito retorted, "Still, they might be close."
"Better watch out!" Sora told the Beast.
The Beast turned away from them, and growled slightly. "Is there something wrong with him?" Yui asked Kirito. He shrugged, having no idea.
"What are you so mad about?" Donald asked the Beast.
Beast turned to them and said, "Why are you here?"
"The Nobodies' world has to be out there somewhere." Sora stated, "We're looking for a way in."
"Plus, we wanted to make sure nothing bad has happened here." Kirito added. The Beast huffed in reply.
Asuna gasped and the team, looking at the direction for which Asuna was looking at, saw why. Belle stood up at the staircase that led to the east wing. She was dressed in a beautiful yellow ball gown, her hair tied by a ribbon of the same color. If she was beautiful before, she was down right gorgeous now. As she walked down the curved staircase, Beast walked up the first flight towards the ballroom. "Tonight is very important." he told the team. Belle looked to Sora, Kirito and the others, then to the Beast, and smiled broadly. Once the two stood in front of each other, they bowed to one another, and the Beast escorted Belle to the ballroom.
"Uh, maybe we came at a bad time." Goofy said to the others.
"We should probably come back at another time." Kirito suggested.
"I wonder if they're gonna dance?" Asuna wondered, "Does the Beast know how to dance?"
"Well, there's only one way to find out." Donald answered, and with that he charged up the steps towards the ballroom, with Sora calling out to him.
"Honestly, do you or Donald have any tact whatsoever?" Asuna asked, "Don't you realize they are on a date?" She chased after Donald, with the boys and Yui right behind her.
Donald led the team into the ballroom, where they saw Belle and Beast walk towards the center of the room. "Now then, Monsieur, Mademoiselle." started Lumiere, "Please, enjoy the evening." They heard the door shut, and saw Sora, Asuna, Kirito and the others standing there. "And of course, our honored guests are welcome, too." Lumiere added as he saw the group.
"A welcome indeed." said a foreboding voice. Beast recognized the voice, and drew Belle close to him. Sora and Kirito led the group further into the ballroom and looked up to the banister above.
"The Organization!" declared Sora.
"Xaldin!" accused Kirito, whipping his Oblivion out.
"You don't know when to quit." Xaldin said in a calm voice.
"Oh yeah! We'll show you!" squawked Donald furiously, shaking his staff around.
Beast looked angrily at the man above him, then dashed forward growling, "Get out!" Belle watched as the Beast charged in.
"Not tonight!" she huffed. Asuna looked at Belle, and then glared up at Xaldin, furious for ruining this moment. As the Beast charged in, Xaldin snapped his fingers, and a group of Nobodies were produced in front of the group. A couple were Dusks, but new Nobodies tried attacking Beast, but he knocked them aside.
"Their Dragoon Nobodies." Yui explained to the group.
"I've come to take something you hold very dear." Xaldin taunted to the Beast. Beast could only think about Belle, and his fury grew as he roared furiously. "Yes. Let your anger grow…" Xaldin told the Beast, and he disappeared in a black portal. The team looked at all the Nobodies surrounding them.
"Beast!" Kirito called out, "We have to get rid of these guys first!" The team all raised their weapons and went to work.
The Dusks weren't the problem here. What was were all the Dragoons. They carried lances, but their most dangerous skill was their jumping power. They kept jumping all over the place at fast speeds, and when they hit the ground, they caused shockwaves. Sora managed to watch them in action, and somehow learned to mimic their move using the power of the Keyblade. This really helped in dodging and attacking at the same time. Within a few minutes, they cleared out all the Nobodies.
"Where's Belle?!" demanded Sora.
"Over here!" Belle replied, walking over to them with the servants. They were hiding on the balcony.
"Whew, she's okay." sighed Asuna.
"Guess Xaldin didn't take anything after all." assumed Goofy. Kirito was lost in thought. No way would the Organization make such idle threats. If Xaldin did say he would take something precious from Beast, he must mean it. If not Belle, then whom?
Suddenly, Beast gasped in shock, and he ran off towards and through the doors in a panic. "What's wrong?" Sora asked. Belle ran passed them, in pursuit of the Beast. "Belle?" Sora muttered as the group stared at the doors for which the two left. "What's with them?" Sora asked.
"Maybe Belle isn't the only thing precious to the Beast." Goofy guessed.
Suddenly, something clicked in both Asuna and Kirito's mind. The rose! they thought in unison. They remembered how much the Beast cared for it.
"To Beast's chambers!" Kirito declared, and he charged ahead of the group, with everyone racing behind him.
They ran out of the ballroom and up the stairs towards the west wing. There were plenty of Heartless out and about now, including the Morning Stars that they fought before at Hollow Bastion, and Hammer Frames from Timeless River, only in color. They ran through the large hallway, fighting Heartless everywhere they went, then went up the stairs towards the corridors to Beast's chamber.
When they entered the room, they found Belle standing there, and the Beast pacing back and forth, his face full of fury. After a couple rounds of pacing, he suddenly roared loudly, slamming the floor with his fists. "What's wrong?" Belle asked him. He didn't reply, but only growled with rage. Belle hesitantly stepped closer to the Beast. "Please, calm down!" she begged to him.
"Calm down?!" he echoed furiously, turning to her, "Hmph! You just had to have a party, didn't you? Don't you see what happened?" Belle stepped back in fright as Sora, Kirito and Asuna stepped forward.
"Hey. What's with you?" Sora asked.
"Could it be…" Asuna started, staring at the table where the rose in the glass jar was suppose to be, but it wasn't there.
"The rose…" moaned the Beast, "My rose…"
"What, that?" Sora asked absentmindedly, "He took it?"
"But surely, you can find another rose…" Belle suggested to the Beast.
"Silence!" barked the Beast, causing Sora and Kirito to step in front of Belle to protect her, "You don't know anything!"
"That's enough, Beast!" shouted Kirito, "Don't take your anger out on Belle! It's not like she stole it!" The Beast realized his mistake and sighed deeply as he bowed his head away from the group.
"I'm sorry." Belle said apologetically.
"You don't have to apologize." Asuna retorted, patting her shoulder.
"But…" muttered Belle.
The Beast looked shameful at how rude he was to Belle and the others. He turned away to one side of the room. "Belle…Sora…Kirito…" he addressed them, "I want you to leave the castle." Everyone looked surprised at what he was telling them to do, especially Belle. "Look at me." the Beast continued, "Look. This is what I am. When you first got here, I tried to change. But…I was only fooling myself. I can't be any different. I'll always be a beast. So, I should live like a beast. With no one, alone." He turned towards the window as he finished, "Good-bye, Belle."
"You can't mean that…" Belle said, looking woefully at the Beast. He turned to her for a short second, then turned away and walked towards the windows.
"Aw, I think his mind's all made up." Goofy whispered to the others as they watched him walk away from them.
"Yeah." Sora agreed.
Asuna turned to see Belle walk towards the doors. "Hey, Belle. Don't go yet." she asked her, "Leave this to us. I bet if we can find the rose again, he'll calm down." Belle nodded and turned to the group, and they saw tears running down her face before she walked off.
Kirito watched the Beast, not having said a word through all his speech, and he didn't know why, but he started to hate the Beast again. Why? He knew what kind of man he was, but he was giving up a relationship with someone. He wants to be alone, not be part of anyones life, so he pushes everyone away from him. The Beast didn't want to be trouble to others, so he rather be alone. In a way… Kirito understood that, and he hated it. Sora led the other out of the room, Asuna grabbing Kirito's hand so he would follow.
When they walked down the west wing, they saw Mrs. Potts, Lumiere and Cogsworth standing there at the top of the steps. "Poor child…" moaned Mrs. Potts as Belle past them, walking down the stairs and through the doors.
"How could it have come to this?" Cogsworth asked.
"And they were so looking forward to this evening…" Lumiere muttered.
"Now, now, no need to be so sad." Mrs. Potts told the other two, "Once the rose is back safely, this will all be over."
"What's so special about one rose, anyway?" Sora asked.
"Don't you remember?" Asuna asked him, "They told us the last time we were here; if the Beast can learn to love, and earn love in return, before the last petal falls, the spell on the castle will be broken."
"Yeah. I remember." Donald stated. Kirito was only half-heartedly listening to their conversation, still thinking about the Beast.
"It is as you said, there is a time limit." Lumiere pointed out, "He must find his true love before the last petal falls from that rose."
"Ah, but that's not all." Cogsworth intervened, "Over time, caring for that rose has become a cherished part of the master's daily life."
"It's as though all his hopes and dreams are tied to that single bloom…" Mrs. Potts added.
"Poor Beast!" Sora exclaimed.
"How sad." muttered Yui, poking her head out to listen.
"Then we have to get it back." Asuna told the others, and all but Kirito nodded in response.
"Please do!" pleaded Mrs. Potts.
Kirito heard the Beast's story with the rose, and this somehow made him angrier. He turned back and walked towards Beast's room again. "Kirito? Where you going?" Asuna asked.
"If it really is that important to him, then he has to do it himself." Kirito muttered, emphasizing every other word as he walked on.
"That… does seem like the right idea." Sora agreed, "Then let's go get him." The others nodded, and they followed Kirito's lead.
Kirito walked into Beast's chamber, where the Beast hadn't moved from the spot at the window, though he was out of the suit. He walked right up to him as the others entered the room. "Hey, Beast." Kirito addressed him.
"Leave me alone." the Beast sighed.
"Oh, stop with the melodramatics, Beast!" Kirito barked, startling the others, "You need to hear this; you really think living alone is gonna solve anything? It's not! Believe me, I've tried."
Kirito then walked up to one side of the Beast as he continued, "When I first saw you, I was afraid of you, and I thought you really were nothing but a beast. But afterwards, when I saw how much faith everyone had for you, and you finally came back to your senses, I saw the real you. You used to be fearless. You would have given your life to save Belle, just like how I would protect Asuna the same way." Asuna eyes widened as blush marks appeared on her cheeks. "Don't you know what that meant for everyone? You gave us all courage." Kirito told him, "But you know what, you should've saved some of that for yourself. What point is there to throwing your happiness away?" The team started to realize why he was feeling this way. It wasn't that he was angry at the Beast; he was trying to make sure that he wasn't going to make the same mistakes as Kirito.
"From what I heard, the rose is your only hope, isn't it?" Kirito asked, staring out the window, "Well, it's the only hope for Cogsworth and the others, too. So don't throw away your last chance. Think of what it was like before Belle lived here." The Beast started to remember those times, and realized how much had changed.
"You see?" Kirito asked, turning to him, "Believe me, I understand what you are going through. You already know about other worlds, right? Well in the world I am from, I had to deal with a dangerous moment in my life. I didn't just have a handful of servants that relied on me, but 10,000 people. I made a mistake early on, and that cost the lives of a few people I know. I decided to separate myself from everyone, become a solo player, fighting on my own, wanting to be alone, away from everyone, just like how you're feeling now, and I bet before Belle came, too."
He turned to the group behind him, and looked to Asuna. "Then I met someone, and she was full of vigor and pride, and she was quite stubborn. But for some strange reason, I started to feel more open just being around her. I finally found a reason to keep fighting. I wanted to bring her back to her home again. At a couple of occasions, I almost did lose her, and I almost decided to quit it all. But I did something then that you aren't doing now; I decided not to give up. I pushed forward, and I managed to bring Asuna back to me over and over again. And do you know why I didn't give up? Because I love her. And I know you love Belle just as much. So don't give up, ok? Not now, not for her."
For a while, there was silence. Nobody moved. Sora, Asuna and the others stared intently at the back of the Beast. Finally, he said, "I know one thing." He turned to Kirito, who gave a look that asked 'what is it?'. "This castle belongs to me. Xaldin will never be welcome here." Kirito smirked at the Beast, while everyone smiled at Beast's answer. Asuna was especially happy to hear Kirito say how much he loved her.
Then on the table where the rose stood before, a Keyblade keychain appeared there. It had a thorny, stem-like keychain with a rose for it's pendant. "That's the Rumbling Rose." Yui explained, popping out of Kirito's pocket again, "It is specifically designed for physical fights."
Kirito walked over and picked it up. He pocketed it, deciding to use it for his secondary weapon for his Valor Form. He then turned to the Beast and everyone else. "Let's show Xaldin how we treat uninvited guests." He sneered.
The team exited the Beast's Chamber and went along towards the entrance hall. Heartless repopulated the area again, and they were a lot tougher. There were even Crimson Jazz as well, and they just kept coming. The team kept darting about, trying to make sure that they weren't hit by their attacks while dealing with them and all other Heartless. It was slow, but they managed to make it through the west wing, through west hall and towards the entrance hall.
They had just walked down the last steps when a familiar voice said, "So, Beast…you came after all." They looked up to see Xaldin standing at a high point over the ballroom door, and he had the magical rose in its' jar with him. "You had me worried." he continued, "I was afraid you'd given up for good." The Beast growled at the Organization member high above him.
"What do you guys really want?" Sora demanded.
"…Kingdom Hearts." Xaldin answered. Kirito, Asuna and Sora all looked surprised and angered. Xaldin removed his hood to reveal his face, which was black, long and had dreadlocks. "When Kingdom Hearts is ours, we can exist fully and completely." He said, ending with a toothy grin. Donald and Goofy both looked confused.
"Screw you, bastard!" spat Kirito.
"So you see, Beast, that's why we need your Heartless AND your Nobody!" Xaldin told the Beast.
He snapped his fingers, and more Dragoon Nobodies appeared in between the heroes and Xaldin. "Dammit, these things are a real pain!" Kirito complained as the team produced their weapons. They proceeded to fight with the Nobodies, and there were a lot more than last time. Kirito and the Beast decided that now would be the best time to use their Limit Break, Howling Moon, and destroying the Nobodies everywhere they went.
"Sora!" Goofy called out, "I think I developed a new Limit Break!"
"Then let's try it." Sora replied, getting right next to Goofy in preparation for their new Limit Break, Whirli-Goof. They started spinning around in the air, knocking all the remaining Nobodies with their attack. Finally, they finished by rolling around, and their combined energy made their attack act like a barrel rolling around everywhere. They finished off the horde. When they got done, they looked at the spot where Xaldin was at before, but now he disappeared. They heard something and turned to see Xaldin float down to the open doors to outside, carrying the rose at hand. He looked at them, snorted, and walked off, closing the door behind him. "Come back!" shouted Sora as he, Beast and Kirito led the team to the doors and out of it.
They arrived at the courtyard, and walked around, searching for Xaldin. There was no sign of him. Goofy then looked upward and saw someone looking out into the courtyard from a balcony. It was Belle, in her normal dress, and she looked depressed as she rested her head over the edge of the balcony. Yui came out of Kirito's pocket and flew up to her. "Belle!" she squeaked, landing right next to her, "Don't look so sad. We straightened the Beast out. Look!" She pointed down at courtyard below, where everyone was looking up at her, Donald and Goofy waving their hands up at her.
Belle straightened herself up, looking relieved that the Beast was ok now. "We're trying to find Beast's rose." Yui told her, "Let's go look for it together!"
Belle nodded in reply, and she was about to open the door into her room when she looked to one side. On the floor sat the rose in its' glass jar. "Here it is!" gasped Belle, picking up the glass jar. She ran over to the edge with Yui, so that everyone could see her and the rose. "Look! It's the rose!" she shouted down below.
Everyone looked up to see it. It took Kirito only a second before realizing how wrong the scenario was. "It's a trap!" he shouted to Belle. She only had one second to realize what he had said before someone came from behind, grabbing her and muffling her with his hand. It was Xaldin.
"Belle!" shouted the Beast.
"I'll save you!" Yui shouted, trying to relinquish the hand that covered Belle's mouth. He merely whipped his hand, tossing Yui aside. She had just regained her balance in the air before Xaldin got onto the edge of the banister, carrying both Belle and the rose, and with one tremendous leap, they jumped all the way to the outside of the castle walls.
"Oh, he is so dead!" growled Asuna as Beast led the team towards the outside, Yui flying down to Kirito again.
"Hurry!" shouted Sora.
The Beast slammed the door open to the stone bridge, where they met up with Xaldin, who had Belle grasped in one hand, and the rose in its' jar in the other. The team stopped, meters away from him. This was a hostage situation, and they couldn't get in any closer. They couldn't even use their magic, providing the fact that Xaldin would probably use her as a shield.
"You!" roared the Beast, "Get out of my castle, now!"
"With pleasure, but I'd rather travel light…" taunted Xaldin, "What shall I leave behind? Belle? Or the rose?"
The angered Beast was looking to the two things he care for, not sure what to pick. Everyone else looked infuriated at what Xaldin was putting the Beast in. Finally, Beast shouted, "Belle!" and he made a dash for her. Xaldin moved the rose forward so as to taunt him even more.
Belle suddenly did something no one expected her to do. She shrugged off Xaldin's arm, and elbowed him in the gut, causing him to flinch. She took this moment, grabbed the jar with the rose, and took off to the others.
"Good one, Belle!" cheered Sora as she passed him and the Beast.
"That was awesome!" whooped Asuna as she passed her.
Kirito couldn't help but notice the broad smile on her face. She rather enjoyed it. That girl's got more than beauty. he thought to himself as she took off to the courtyard.
The Beast charged at Xaldin and attempted to swipe at him. He leapt into the air, and landed on the other side of the bridge. The team gathered, producing their weapons as Xaldin looked up at them, looking somewhat cross. He then lifted his hand into the air, and six spiraling cyclones surrounded him, with flashes of purple lightning going up it. Finally, they disappeared, revealing six lances. They rocketed into the air, and they fell down to Xaldin, who grabbed two in one hand, one in the other, and the remaining three floated on the wind around him. "There's no fun in this." he muttered to the group.
"Then let me show you how I have fun!" taunted Kirito. The battle against Xaldin was about to begin.
Kirito, Beast and Sora charged in first as Xaldin used Aero magic to conjure up a wind shield around him. The team struck him, but the shield only halved the damage. He then retaliated by thrusting his lances directly at the crew, sending them toppling backwards. Asuna then blasted Xaldin with a Thundara spell, but it wasn't as strong. He attempted to swing his lances at her, but she blocked them with her Keyblade.
She then started to remember the Jump technique the Dragoons pulled before, and started to use the power of Xaldin's attack to gain the ability to use the attack a couple times. She then performed the Jumping skill, teleporting into the air above Xaldin, and piercing right through the Aero Shield, causing him damage twice. She then jumped away to Donald and Goofy's side to keep herself away from him.
This wasn't useful at all. Xaldin suddenly used his own Jump ability, only it was plenty stronger than Asuna's, and he used his lances a few times on her, Donald and Goofy before jumping down on top of her. It's attack knocked Asuna down, and Donald and Goofy were splayed on the ground aways from her. Xaldin had just teleported again to unleash the same technique onto her again when Sora dove in, slashing him before he had a chance. He then furiously slashed at Xaldin with his Keyblade before the Beast cut in, knocking him down. Kirito went to Asuna's side to give her a potion, despite the fact he could use Cura magic. He rarely uses his magic skills.
Even after taking a lot of damage from Asuna, Sora and the Beast, Xaldin was nowhere near finished. In fact, he started to attack even stronger. He moved a lot faster, and his range and power were a lot better. Sora attempted to use another Jump skill, but he was moving too quickly. He kept slashing at the crew with rapid strikes from his lances. All six heroes did their best to score direct onto him. Asuna was plenty fast enough to strike at him, able to keep up with his attacks. Kirito's combat skills proved the most use in blocking Xaldin's attacks before retaliating. Sora's combo of Keyblade skills and magic were already strong against his onslaught. If they thought they had the upper hand, however, they were wrong. Xaldin made another furious attack onto everyone, and even produced a powerful Aero attack onto Asuna, sending her backwards into Sora.
Kirito watched his girlfriend being tossed back, and looked furiously at Xaldin. "You're going down!" he shouted, "Valor!" He attempted to transform into his Valor Form. However, his rage against his enemy took over, and he suddenly transformed into something else. He grew much larger, turning into something everybody did not expect; he turned into the Gleam Eyes. Yui managed to get away before Kirito transformed, as he made a loud roar in anger, raising his head to the sky.
"Kirito!" shouted Asuna, frightened at what just happened.
"What's going on?!" Donald asked.
"I think I know." Yui replied in fright at seeing her father's form, "Drive Forms take a lot of concentration. When you mix your anger into it, you might just lose control in your transformation, and enter an alternate form born from your Darkness. It is called your Anti Form."
"Anti Form?" Sora repeated as the five gathered to see Kirito make another roar.
"It's basically a form that makes you lose control of yourself!" Yui explained.
Monster Kirito looked down at Xaldin, who looked up at the monster with a calm demeanor. "So this is who you are deep inside." Xaldin said, "I expect your Nobody would be just as powerful. I guess I'll make you one along with the Beast!" He jumped up to attack him with his lances. Kirito retaliated with his claws, slamming him into the ground. Xaldin attempted to get up, and saw another hand bear down upon him. He produced his Aero Shield and attempted to block it. The attack caused rubble to go flying into the air, and a gust of wind bursted from the attack, causing the others to recoil. After the gust, Xaldin pushed back the hand with a gust of wind. He teleported upwards, and made a few strikes with his lances before slamming down on top of Kirito with his Jump ability. This attack only infuriated Monster Kirito, and he tried slashing him with his claws. Xaldin dodged this move, and was about to attack again when another claw came up to meet him, slashing him strongly.
"I'm glad Kirito is not attacking us!" Asuna pointed out.
"It is as he said before." the Beast muttered, seeing Kirito and Xaldin go at it, "Deep down, he is a monster as well."
"Enough of this!" shouted Xaldin, getting back up from Monster Kirito's attack. He then started to produce an aura around him. The aura made him invincible as he started attacking furiously at Kirito with his lances, causing massive damage to him. He brought Kirito down to one knee as he teleported above him, and rode his lances, which were connected together, and they dove under the bridge. When he appeared, the lances took the form of a dragon, and it fired a powerful blast of wind, and shot it all across the bridge. Kirito was hit directly by it, and disappeared in a blast of smoke. Sora dodge rolled the attack while Asuna used Reflect to block the attack so as to protect Donald, Goofy and Beast. After the attack, Xaldin landed onto the bridge once more, on the far edge of the bridge away from everyone else.
Sora and Asuna were panting from narrowly avoiding that attack. They then realized that Kirito was hit by the attack. "Kirito! Are you alright?!" Sora shouted into the smoke. Xaldin snorted, and whipped up a gust of wind to reveal what was in the smoke. Kirito was there alright, back in his normal form. But he was against the wall, seemingly lifeless, covered in bruises and cuts.
"Kirito!" cried Asuna, getting to Kirito's side ahead of the others. She shook him in order to wake him up, but he wasn't reacting to it.
"No…it can't be." Sora muttered, kneeling down to Kirito's side.
"Kirito, wake up!" Goofy cried.
"Kirito!" squawked Donald. Beast looked down at the lifeless body, terrified at what just happened. Asuna started to cry, burying her face into Kirito's body as everyone looked sorrowfully at Kirito's body.
Yui flew over and landed onto Kirito's chest, putting her face down onto the part where Kirito's heart was at. "It's still beating!" she informed them, and all looked at Yui in relief, "But he still is unconscious. I'm afraid he won't be getting up anytime soon."
"At…at least he's still alive." sobbed Asuna, wiping the tears from her eyes.
"You'll be joining him soon enough!" taunted Xaldin, walking closer to the others, his lances dancing around him in the air.
Sora, Asuna, Donald, Goofy and the Beast all looked furiously at Xaldin, getting to their feet. "You won't be getting away with this." snarled Asuna.
"You're going down, big time!" Sora scowled at him. The Beast let out a powerful roar, and everyone charged at Xaldin.
The battle was furious, and although Xaldin was on his last legs, he was still fighting strong. He clashed with everyone with such equality in strength and speed. He then put on his aura again, and attacked at all of them furiously. Finally, leapt onto his flying linked lances, formed them into a dragon, and unleashed another blast of wind at them. This time, they didn't react in time, and all five of them were sent flying. Yui dug herself into Kirito's body.
When the attack ended, the five of them were sprawled all over the bridge, Goofy and Donald unconscious, and Sora, Asuna and the Beast clinging on to their last bit of stamina. "Face it, you cannot defeat me." Xaldin taunted at them, landing on the ground closest to the Beast, "Your lives are futile when dealing with me. Sora, Asuna and Kirito's main mission is to create Kingdom Hearts for us. The same goes for you, Beast, by becoming a Nobody and a Heartless. Forget about your love for Belle or the rose. Eventually, you will all be stripped of the things you love." Xaldin raised his lances upwards, aiming at the Beast. "Farewell, Beast." he said to him, "It was nice playing with your life."
Suddenly, Xaldin noticed something that he wasn't expecting; Kirito was getting to his feet again. He was breathing heavily as he stood up, and sweat dropped from his bowed face from exhaustion. Xaldin watched him, a mixture of surprise and amusement at how Kirito struggled. Then from Kirito, he stammered the words "L-Limit." Kirito transformed into his Limit form, with his Dual Wield skill on him. He held both his Oblivion and Sleeping Lion Keyblade in his hands, his eyes overshadowed as he bowed his head.
"You know, Gouxus was right about you." Xaldin pointed out, "You really are a stubborn one." The name of his enemy infuriated Kirito even more, and started to stand up straight, the strength coming back to him. Xaldin frowned at him, then charged in with his lances at the ready. "Why don't you just die already?!" he shouted to Kirito, thrusting his lances at Kirito. From an inch away from contact, Kirito lifted his face, and a look of fury was displayed in it, his eyes glowing a yellow hue. In a flash, he knocked back all the lances with his Keyblades, then thrusted them into Xaldin, causing him to skid back.
"I…won't ever die…" Kirito said with every breath, "This battle…is far from over…and you will pay…FOR SCREWING WITH MY FRIENDS' LIVES!" Kirito charged ahead at Xaldin, and he and him started an intense duel with one another, their Keyblades and lances clashing with one another. This time, it seemed that Xaldin was the one struggling to keep Kirito's powerful attacks at bay. With three swipes, Kirito managed to send Xaldin's lances flying high into the sky, leaving the owner vulnerable.
"This is it!" Kirito growled, his eyes locked onto Xaldin, "Starburst…Stream!" In a flash, Kirito started one of his most devastating Sword Skill. He furiously slashed at Xaldin with his Keyblades, and he was unable to block them. four…six…ten strikes. Kirito's attack kept going and going, while everyone else watched in amazement. twelve strikes. Kirito's swipes became faster and faster, his Keyblades glowing with his increased attack. Finally, he thrusted his Oblivion at Xaldin's chest, finishing his 16-hit combo. Xaldin was sent flying backwards from Kirito's final attack. He landed onto one knee as his lances finally landed in a hexagon all around him. They started to glow as Xaldin attempted to get stand up straight, groaning in pain. The lances then became six pillars of swirling light, shooting into the sky. Xaldin made one last cry in pain before the lights disappeared, and his body deteriorated, vanishing into nothingness. It was over.
Kirito stood there, watching as Xaldin's body disappeared into nothingness. He finally sighed in relief, removing his Limit Form and putting his Keyblade away. "Kirito!" Asuna cried, and he turned just in time for Asuna to dive into his arms. He seemed startled as he felt her body shaking as she was crying. Sora, Donald, Goofy, Yui and Beast all gathered around the two.
"A-Asuna…" Kirito stammered, slightly in pain from Asuna hugging him so hard.
"You're such an idiot!" sobbed Asuna, her voice muffled in Kirito's body, "I thought you were dead! Why'd you have to make such a stupid move like that?"
"What are you talking about?" Kirito asked, looking at the back of her head, "One moment, I was attempting to go into my Valor Form. The next, I find myself in pain, leaning against the side of the bridge, and I saw all of you on the floor, and Xaldin attempting to kill Beast. Please tell me I didn't do that to you guys."
Asuna's head shook as she lifted her head up to Kirito's. "No. You just had us worried." Asuna replied.
"You took on an Anti Form, Kirito." Sora explained, "It was crazy! You grew big, and you had horns, claws, and a snake-like tail. What was that?"
Kirito thought about the description that Sora described, and thought of the only beast that fit that part. "I turned into the Gleam Eyes?" Kirito asked, looking to Asuna, "Man, I haven't done that since my journey to save you in ALO."
Asuna chuckled a bit, wiping the tears away. "Just…make sure you don't do that again, okay?" she asked Kirito, who nodded in response. He felt like that phrase was used one too many times.
"Look!" Donald cried, pointing at the spot where Xaldin disappeared. Three more Magic Orbs were there, waiting for them. Sora, Kirito, Asuna and Yui walked over to them.
"Those are more Reflect Elements." Yui described, "Your Reflect magic will be upgraded to Reflera, which will increase the range of your barrier and counter blast."
"I'll make sure to use this well." Asuna stated as the trio took all three orbs.
They walked off the bridge and onto the courtyard, where Belle, who still held the rose, and the servants waited for them. While Sora, Kirito and the others gathered to the servants, the Beast walked up to Belle, and the two faced each other. There was a silent pause, then Belle said, "Here. It's your's again." She gave the glass jar to the Beast.
"Belle…" the Beast started.
"I know." Belle replied, looking shameful, "You want me to leave the castle." All of the group and servants looked worried at Belle and the Beast. The Beast turned to Kirito, who's face looked calm as he nodded to him, cuing into what he must say.
"What matters is…you weren't hurt by Xaldin…" the Beast told Belle, who looked back at the Beast again, "You're safe." Everyone looked pleased at what the Beast just said. "And…" the Beast continued, "I'm very grateful to you…for bringing the rose back to me. Thank you."
Belle smiled in response to Beast's grateful remark as he put the rose down onto the ground next to him. "It's the least I could do." Belle replied, "You've been good to me. And you didn't have to be."
"L-Listen, Belle…" the Beast started.
"Yes?" Belle asked.
The Beast looked a bit flustered, and he turned to Sora and Kirito's group. "Say it!" encouraged Sora gleefully.
"Just tell her." Kirito said with a smirk.
"Go on!" Lumiere egged him.
"Out with it already!" Yui squeaked as she sat on Asuna's shoulder.
"C'mon!" squawked Donald impatiently.
"You can do it." encouraged Mrs. Potts.
"We have confidence." Cogsworth stated.
"Don't be bashful, now." Goofy chuckled.
"It's ok. Just ask." assured Asuna.
The Beast looked at all of them, then turned to Belle and took a deep breath before asking, "Belle, I'd like you to stay…with me…please?"
Belle smiled broadly, the moonlight twinkling in her eyes as she stared kindly at the Beast. She raised a hand out to him, and they held one another as if they were ready to dance. "I will." Belle answered, making the Beast smile.
"Maestro, music!" Lumiere said. Then out of nowhere, music started to play ('Beauty and the Beast'), and the two begun to dance with one another. Everyone watched them dance with each other.
"Funny." Asuna stated, looking to her boyfriend, "I believe it has been a very long time since you asked me to dance, Kirito."
Kirito blushed as he looked aways up into the sky. "I've...never had a chance for us to dance before." Kirito said honestly, "There haven't been any quests that require it."
"Well, I think now's a good time as any." Asuna stated as she grabbed Kirito's hand and arm, taking the same position as Belle and Beast, "If the Beast can do it, so can you." Kirito then looked somewhat nervous at her sudden movement onto him, but he sighed deeply, and smiled at her as she begun leading him into a dance with the music as well. Yui flew around them as they danced, leaving a glittering trail of light as she did so.
"Hey, did you see the look on Belle's face when she grabbed that rose?" Sora asked Donald and Goofy.
"Uh-huh." Donald answered.
"Yep, she sure was havin' fun, all right." Goofy chuckled.
"She is rather unique, isn't she?" Lumiere said amusingly.
"Always ready for a little adventure." Mrs. Potts added.
"The two of them do seem made for each other." Cogsworth stated.
"Yeah, they sure do!" Sora agreed, looking to Beast and Belle, then to Asuna and Kirito, "Both of them!" The team watched happily as they saw the two couples dance with each other.
This moment right now, with Asuna… Kirito thought as he twirled Asuna, I can't help but enjoy it. The two pairs of eyes met, and it seemed like time stood still as they stared at one another, smiling. The stars seemed to twinkle in both Asuna and Kirito's eyes. This was their very first dance they had since coming to this dimension, and it was one that the two would never forget for the rest of their lives.