"Outta' the way!" Jaune heard Nate yell as the two of them led the charge through the swarm, Nate's armour and his shield knocking aside any Heartless in their path. Behind them Sora, Sophie and Ciri attacked any Heartless that survived their charge as they continued their push towards the third district.
Reaching the district's doors, Jaune allowed Nate to take the lead, his armoured bulk easily forcing the doors open. Making their way into the district with Nate providing covering fire, the group quickly forced the doors closed once more, pausing briefly to observe their surroundings.
"Alright guys Aerith thinks we'll find the source of this Heartless wave here. Be ready for anything." Jaune said as the others readied their weapons, the group made their way down the ramp and entered a small plaza with a fountain in the far corner.
A few moments of silence passed before Ciri quirked a brow "There's no way this isn't a trap trap right?" as if on cue, walls burst from the ground sealing the plaza in as dozens of Soldier Heartless appeared lining the walls "Enough already!" Sora yelled, raising the Keyblade before charging at the assembled Heartless.
With various battle cries the others followed suit. Nate blasted one Soldier's head clean off with a burst of laser fire before being staggered by a pair jumping on his back, their claws raking over his helmet, twisting around he threw himself backwards crushing the pair between the walls and his armoured back. Ciri blinked through the crowd, cutting down three Soldiers before a lucky spin kick from a fourth sent her tumbling to the ground. Rolling onto her back she lashed out with her sword, stabbing the Heartless through the chest as it tried to lunge at her.
Across the Plaza Sora brought the Keyblade down in a heavy swing, slicing a Soldier apart before rushing towards another, its claws clashing against the strange weapon. Sophie stuck out with her Yo-Yos, sending any Heartless foolish enough to attack head on crashing back, a Soldier attempting to sneak up behind her was quickly dispatched by Jaune. As the Heartless faded back into wisps of shadow Jaune took a moment to survey the battle, while their exhaustion was beginning to show the group was still clearing out the Heartless.
With a grunt of effort, Sora forced back his opponent and cut it down. Panting the group watched as the last Heartless dissipated and the plaza grew silent once more. "That can't have been it, so where's…" Jaune thought a cry from Ciri caught his attention "Arc above you!"
Looking up Jaune saw several objects falling towards him, with surprised yelp Jaune threw himself out of the way the the objects impacted, landing heavily as Sophie rushed over to help him to his feet. Thanking her, Jaune watched as the objects were revealed to be a…pair of giant metal boots? They were soon followed by a torso bearing the same heart insignia as the Soldiers, a pair of hands and finally a helmet. Once fully assembled the floating armour began to move towards them, the hands spinning around like a giant saw and the boots sent out small shockwaves with every step. "Oh come on!"
On the rooftops the silver haired man stabbed through another soldier as his masked companion sliced apart another, appearing behind it in a flash of purple. With the last of their foes dealt with, the pair made their way into the third district arriving just in time to see the Guard Armour make its grand entrance.
Taking a moment to observe their enemy they watched as the group each struggled against a piece of their strange new foe. Ciri desperately dodged out of the way of the left hand as Nate grappled with the right, its claws attempting to impale him as his power armour strained to hold it back. Jaune was forced to one knee, his shield held high as the right foot tried its best to crush him under its heel. Sophie desperately back peddled, firing off shots from her blaster the left foot stomped towards her. Finally the man's eyes were drawn to Sora, the Keyblade sparking as he attempted to deflect the spinning torso as it charged about the plaza.
"It would appear they've reached their limits, what do you say we even up the odds?" he asked as he leapt down to join the fray, his companion vanishing in another flash. Landing at the far side of the plaza stabbing his spear down into the ground, seconds later branches brust free from the stone floor as they grew to entangle the various limbs of the Heartless holding them in place.
The group could only state in surprise at this newcomer as he offered a gentle smile. "It's good to finally meet you, but introductions will have to wait. Now, shall we finish this?" With those words his mysterious companion reappeared overhead, fire leaping from her hands as she set the branches holding the limbs in place alight. Landing atop the torso, she brought her bladed arm back before stabbing through the creature's visor, earning an inhuman screech. Kicking off from the now reeling body she landed next to a stunned Sora before offering to help him stand.
With the surprise of the new arrivals wearing off and the limbs breaking free of their burning restraints the assembled warriors regrouped. "We've got it on the back foot, now let's take it down" Nate yelled, joining Sophie in unleashing covering fire as the others charged ahead.
Lashing out the Guard Armour sent its hands towards them, claws twitching as they approached. Glowing with power, Ciri launched herself at the left hand, slicing two claws from it and knocking it to the ground where Jaune brought his sword down, finishing it off. The silver haired man held out his hand, a large sword appeared in his hand with a flash of light before he attacked, the blade creating fiery arcs as slashed the air. As the waves of fire hit the right hand it burst into wisps of darkness, the Guard Armour staggered back while still under fire from Nate and Sophie.
Again it tried to strike back, the boots stomping forward once more. Taking the lead the mysterious woman held out her hands as the boots approached, slowly their advance ceased as they began to rise off the ground, caught in an invisible grip. With a flick of her wrists the boots were launched back at the torso, destroying them and crippling it. With the main body reeling from the loss of its limbs and the continuous fire of his new companions, Sora gripped the Keyblade with both hands and swung with all his might, the legendary weapon carving through the Heartless' weakened body in a flurry of blows.
Under this relentless assault the Heartless finally broke, its body collapsing as a large crystallised heart emerged before vanishing into the sky. For a while the only sounds were the group's ragged breathing before Sora thrust the Keyblade into the air "WE DID IT!" Jaune and Sophie quickly joined in the celebration, Nate and Ciri offered their own more subdued cheers while the silver haired man and the masked woman observed quietly.
After their celebration and the walls sank once more into the floor the group once again turned their attention to the two newcomers. "Hey thanks for the help. My name is Sora and this is Jaune, Sophie, Nate and Ciri"
The silver haired man gave them a soft smile as he bowed politely "Greetings Keybearer, My name is Loki. I am glad to see you alive and well"
"Keybearer? You know about the Keyblade?" Ciri asked, earning a quick nod in reply. "Indeed I have heard of the Keyblade and its previous wielders, but first we should allow our friend here to introduce her self no?"
Taking this as her cue, the mysterious woman removed the old fashioned diving helmet revealing a youthful face and long dark brown hair "My name is Eleanor Lamb, it's a pleasure to meet you" at those words Sora seemingly collapsed backwards. A brief panic washed over the group before the unmistakable sound of snoring could be heard.
"I guess we never really had time to rest since we got here" Ciri commented with a chuckle. "Time out please" Sophie muttered in solidarity with her sleeping friend as Jaune also slumped in exhaustion "Take a break? That's an idea I can get behind"
"How about you Nate?" Ciri asked as the armoured man removed his helmet, his brow covered with sweat "Honestly the only thing keeping me standing is the suit" he joked. With a quiet chuckle Loki gestured towards the gates leading back to the second district "Perhaps it would be best if we continued this conversation somewhere more hospitable" he suggested. As Nate gently lifted Sora to carry him out the group made their way back to the Hotel, their first victory over the Heartless lifting their weary spirits.
As the group celebrated however another gathering observing the events were far less jubilant.
"That little runt actually took down that Heartless!" the first figure snarled, hair blazing slightly, "Hah! The child only succeeded thanks to the efforts of his companions. His own strength is of little concern" a second replied, hands lightly drumming on his snake topped staff.
"Why don't we just turn them into Heartless? Get that power on our side" a third suggested.
"They're a motley crew alright. Shipwrecked rats who survived their world's destruction" a fourth stated as a fifth began to chuckle "You're not exactly in a position to complain about how others look, you sea dog"
Before things could escalate the final figure slammed her staff on the floor "Enough! The appearance of the Keyblade's chosen is of little concern. Should he and his little friends attempt to get in our way they'll be swallowed by the Darkness like all the rest"
