Chapter 27
Saphir Dies: Wiseman's Trap
As the Malefic Black Crystal continued to grow, so that the Dark Gate could be opened, news reports began flooding the television screens of every home, as well as immediate evacuation orders. In the Tsukino Residence, Usagi, Sora, and all of their friends sat before the TV Screen.
"This has become a major disaster," said Luna.
"Do we have a plan in mind?" asked Makoto.
"First we have to find out how powerful that Giant Malefic Black Crystal is before we're able to come up with any sort of countermeasure," replied Ami.
"So that means we'll have to wait and see what Mamoru and Artemis will have to discover," said Minako.
"Until then, there's not much to do except stand by," added Rei.
Usagi however, was still upset at how Chibiusa was now corrupted by the darkness.
"These TV reports are making me worried. Perhaps we should be evacuating like everyone else," said Keiko, who arrived with tea for everyone.
"Mom, what's that?" Usagi asked.
"Huh, what? This?" she asked.
She counted everyone that was present.
"Oh dear, I brought out an extra cup," she said.
She was puzzled as to why she brought the pink teacup, but the others knew it was Chibiusa's cup as Keiko walked back to the kitchen.
"With Luna P gone, memories of Chibiusa should have been erased from everyone's minds," said Luna.
"Do you suppose that deep down, they still remember her?" asked Makoto.
"You guys, do you think it's wrong that I actually miss her?" Usagi asked somberly.
"What do you mean?" questioned Sora.
"Now that Chibiusa's gone, everything's back to the way it should be. There's no one jumping on my bed and bugging me, but this house feels so empty without her," she said sadly.
"I know," replied Luna.
"We all do, Usagi. But, I think all of us miss Chibiusa a lot more than we realize," said Sora.
"It's gonna be alright, Usagi," Rei assured everyone.
"But how?" she asked.
"We'll work together. We'll find a way by combining our powers. I'm sure we can free her evil, and bring back the girl we all love," replied Rei.
""Rei's right, Usagi. You have to believe," added Sora.
"Believe? But how? Do you really think I should truly believe that I can help Chibiusa come back to her senses? Without any proof?" Usagi asked.
"Exactly, believe. I thought it was all over for me, but a friend of mine looked me in the eye and said, 'You don't believe that.' And I still believe there's good in Chibiusa's heart, no matter how much she tries to deny it," replied Sora.
"That's just like you, Sora. You can sense a tiny sliver of light within someone's heart, just like we can," agreed Minako.
"Yeah. You're right. I just wish I knew what to do… to help light Chibiusa's way back to the light, now that we know that Wiseman has turned her into his puppet," Sora said, as he felt sad about Chibiusa being a pawn of the darkness.
"We all do, Sora. But, there's one thing I should tell Usagi and the others, which concerns my past," replied Riku.
"Your past?" asked Rei.
"Yes, I've been where Chibiusa is now, Rei. And I did a lot of terrible things than you or anyone else could believe. When Sora walked down the path of light, I went down the dark road, because I thought he turned his back on me for new friends. I gave into the darkness once, and ever since it's chased me around in one form or another. The seeker of darkness who stole my body. He tried to use it to take away everything that I held most dear. After everything I did, I was afraid that I'd never forgive myself. But it wasn't just him alone, I did some of them of my own volition. And because of the pain I caused Sora, he still forgave me of my actions. But, there were others who once went down the dark road, they were Sunset Shimmer and Starlight Glimmer. Both embraced the darkness so that they could gain power, but in the end they saw the light of redemption. And I know that we can help Chibiusa rediscover her lost light," explained Riku.
"Did you forget? Twily and Terra felt the same way as you did, Riku. And then Sunset and Starlight also realized, through mine and Twilight's friendship, that nothing's impossible, and the future, even if it has been set in stone, can still be changed. And by working together, all of us, we can call Chibiusa's heart back from the darkness, as one united force of light," said Sora.
"Thank you," replied Usagi.
"O' emptiness, O' silence, obey me! Swear your allegiance to the almighty Death Phantom! The one who shall rule the Realm of LIght, is not someone like Prince Demande, with his fleeting dreams of power! But someone like the Death Phantom, who wields absolute power! Oh foolish Prince Demande, you shall do my bidding and bring on silence and chaotic baroness, and then bestow true power upon the true conquer of this world,the Death Phantom! Purge the Realm of LIght of all impurities, like the living, so that only emptiness prevails everywhere," Wiseman said.
But he didn't know that Saphir was listening to his raving, until he quickly darted away. Now he knew that Wiseman had been using his brother the entire time, and cursed the dark sorcerer's name as he reached the core.
"There's been an unnatural surge of energy in the crystal. Wiseman again, I bet. I must stop this," he said.
He approached the Malefic Black Crystal, and a conduit suddenly emerged from the ground. Then the control board parted, and Saphir took the very piece that he needed, which shut down the reactor.
'That's better, I can't let the reactor get out of control. It needs to cool down," Saphir said quietly.
He was about to leave, when Wiseman caught him in the act.
"I order you to put that back, right now," he said.
"You cannot order me to do anything. I will talk to my brother first and then decide what's best," countered Saphir.
"Oh, Saphir, Lord Death Phantom, the one who shall rule all the realm of light, after he takes control of Kingdom Hearts, is giving you an order, and you must follow it to the letter. However, if you are to disobey him, you'll end up being killed, or worse, turned into a Heartless for your betrayal," said Hyena R. Droid, who appeared alongside Wiseman.
"You've referred to him before. Who exactly is this Death Phantom?" demanded Saphir.
"He is a supreme god who intends to restore silence and crystal clear emptiness to the Realm of Light. In time, he will eliminate everyone of you filthy creatures," replied Wiseman.
"W-who are you, really?" Saphir asked, his eyes having a slight glimpse of fear.
"It is not time for me to reveal that information," countered Wiseman, who fired an energy blast at Saphir.
"Wiseman, you monster!" he cried out.
"You shall perish without finding what you seek!" yelled Wiseman.
But Saphir quickly teleported away.
"He managed to get away, but it doesn't matter, I know exactly where he's going," Wiseman said.
He turned to Hyena who was chuckling.
"Hyena, you will follow the traitor Saphir and observe his every move. If you encounter Sora, Sailor Moon, and their friends, you must kill them all," he said.
"Don't worry, Death Phantom, I'll be sure to do what's necessary while I pursue that wretched fool," replied Hyena, and he darted away with a dark cruel chuckle.
Meanwhile, on his own vessel, Black Lady and Prince Demande were now gazing at the Malefic Black Crystal that would be used to open the dark gate.
"The dark gate is coming along quite nicely," she said.
"Very soon, the reactor will have reached its peak energy output. Then, if we're able to send it through…" replied Demande.
"This world will fall to darkness. A new history will be written," finished Black Lady.
"I agree with your statement, Black Lady and Prince Demande. However, I can sense that Sailor Moon and her cursed friends may try to medal in your affair on this matter. I would recommend caution, in the slightest," replied Maleficent.
The three of them chuckled as they watched the people of Juban struggling to leave the city, despite being told by the police to keep calm and maintain order. But, the four Spectre Sisters, Koan, Berthier, Petz, and Calaveras were surprised to see what was going on.
"Should we leave?" she asked.
"Well, it looks like everyone else is," answered Berthier.
We'd better pack up our shop and get out of here too," agreed Calaveras.
"Right," said Petz, but she noticed someone was limping through the city streets, making her realize that it was Saphir.
"What's wrong, Petz?" asked Calaveras.
Limping badly, Saphir had just managed to reach Juban park and leaned against a tree so that he could rest.
"Brother, don't do it. This is exactly what Wiseman…" he said, but he collapsed to the ground.
Then he suddenly felt the scent of grass which suddenly began to bring back memories of his childhood. Back then he saw his first flower with Demande which seemed beautiful but unusual, especially since life on Nemesis was very difficult for them, until Demande that he and the rest of the clan would launch a full-scale attack on Earth, so that they could have a garden of flowers to tend together. Saphir seemed relatively happy about wanting to get their world back, until Wiseman beckoned Demande to come with him, making him furious yet suspicious about his motives, trying to convince his brother that Wiseman was manipulating him. But when he awoke, he found himself in bed, even as he clutched at his arm, which had been bandaged.
"Where am I?" he asked.
His answer came when Petz came into the room with food and drink.
"I'm glad you're awake, Master Saphir," she said.
"Petz, is it really you?" Saphir asked the eldest Spectre Sister.
"Yes," replied Petz.
"Where am I?" Saphir asked the same question he asked himself.
"In my home, on Earth," she answered calmly.
"That's right, I was told that you and your sisters decided to live in this world, after you betrayed us," said Saphir.
"I will accept my punishment, but please Master, you must forgive my three sisters. I take full responsibility," replied Petz.
"You have nothing to worry about. I didn't come to this world to punish you or your sisters," Saphir assured her, making her surprised.
Koan and Berthier quietly shut the door, having heard everything.
"Why is she tending to him? Last I heard she hated all men," said the youngest Specter Sister.
"We should get out before he gets better. What if he changes his mind and wants to punish us?" replied Berthier.
"I think we're going to be alright. Right now, let's leave them alone for a little while," Calaveras assured them.
"Do you know something that we don't?" asked Berthier.
"The truth is, not so long ago, Petz loved him," explained the second oldest Specter Sister.
"What's that?" Demande asked in shock and disbelief.
"Saphir has gone mad. He removed the control module from the reactor to stop it from functioning. We must get it back, and he must be eliminated immediately. He has fled from this world, betraying us, and all of our people," replied Wiseman.
"Ridiculous, Saphir would never do that, there must be a reason" Demande said defiantly.
"Oh, is that so? Well sorry to burst your bubble, Demande, but Saphir's a traitor and he's gotta be dealt a lot of harsh consequences, unless of course you want Wiseman to think that you wanna shut down this whole operation," said Pete.
"Well, I…" Demande tried to say.
"Nonsense, I will take it upon myself to retrieve the module for the reactor," said Black Lady.
"Very well, then. Do what you must, Black Lady. I will inform Sephiroth of what Wiseman has said," replied Maleficent.
The two of them nodded and vanished into the darkness, while Wiseman quickly retreated to his fortress.
"I just can't believe it. Why Saphir?" Demande asked himself.
Back in her apartment, Petz and Saphir were alone, but at the same time, things seemed different between them since their previous encounters in the past.
"Would you like some?" she asked, offering the man she loved some food.
Saphir accepted it, but sensed something different in the woman he loved, yet he wasn't sure why he was more relaxed and comfortable with Petz.
"Oh, I guess that's because I'm very content with myself right now. I've come to learn trust and kindness from Sailor Moon and her circle of friends," she said.
"Sailor Moon, huh?" mused Saphir.
"While it's true there are some difficulties living in this world compared to Nemesis, it's filled with warmth and joy, we're grateful to have been given the chance to experience this. I like how the people seem to be able to care about one another. I'm finding it quite a wonderful way to live," replied Petz.
Saphir smiled at her, but he became serious when he remembered questioning the idea of destroying the world being the right thing to do, even when he kept quiet about it because of Wiseman's manipulation for survival. Despite Petz' concern Saphir knew in his heart he had to leave and meet with his brother despite his injuries.
"How typical of you, always putting Prince Demande before yourself," she said.
"I'm sorry, I need to go," Saphir replied apologetically.
"You can't leave in this condition," Petz countered, her voice filled with worry.
""He needs to know about Wiseman's true intentions right away," he argued.
Petz didn't want him to go as she hugged him tightly.
"But Petz," he tried to say.
"I get it now. I know who hurt you. If you go to Prince Demande in this condition, you won't have the energy to stand up to him, and you could…" Petz said as she started to cry.
Petz," Saphir said quietly.
"If something should happen to you…" sobbed the eldest Specter Sister.
"I have to go and make him do the right thing," Saphir said in a firm but gentle tone.
Petz looked into his eyes as the tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Put yourself in my place. If one of your sisters was going down the wrong place, would you just turn away and ignore her?" he asked.
Petz was saddened by what she heard.
"He's all I have. Prince Demande and I are all that's left of our family," said Saphir.
"But…" Petz tried to say.
"Don't worry, I'm just going to talk to him. That's all that's going to happen," he said.
Petz nodded sadly, making Saphir smile at the woman who loved him, but he promised her that they'd see each other again, after things had settled down between the two brothers of the Black Moon Clan, and Petz agreed to wait for him, as she held his jacket after he left, knowing that things would be all right between them.
"Why did Petz just let him walk out of here all alone? He was so injured" Wondered Koan.
"Shouldn't we follow him and be his back up?" asked Berthier.
"How? We can't. Not anymore. You're forgetting that we don't have any powers. I'm afraid we'd just get in the way. All we can do is wait, and hope he returns safely," replied Calaveras.
Koan however, decided to contact Usagi's home, through the phone.
"This is Usagi. Oh, Koan," Usagi said.
"Usagi, please, help us," replied Koan.
Outside in the alleyways, Saphir bravely walked to try and find his brother. As he looked at the Malefic Black Crystal, he heard Black Lady's laughter, and knew that she was waiting for him.
"How nice of you to show up. It saves me the trouble of having to go look for you," she said.
"Don't interfere, Black Lady. I have business to discuss with my brother," replied Saphir.
"That's too bad. Sorry to say, you'll be dead before you see him!" Chibiusa's dark side said sadistically.
She was about to attack him, when Sailor Moon, Sora, and their friends arrived.
"Hold it right there!" they said.
Saphir and Black Lady glanced at them.
"Stop Chibiusa! Don't try and make another move to harm him. Please snap out of it Chibiusa, Wiseman has brainwashed you," Sailor Moon said.
"I don't know what you're talking about. This is the real me, I'm not brainwashed," remarked Black Lady.
"Chibiusa, I know you're angry, but it's not too late to renounce the darkness. The Black Moon Clan can be stopped and we can end this here," said Riku.
"Silence!" snapped Black Lady.
She soon transformed Luna P into a dark mirror, and fired a burst of darkness at them, but they quickly evaded it as Sailor Venus fired her Crescent beam at her, only to have it deflected away from her. Sailor Mercury unleashed her Bubble Spray to create a fog bank, while Sora and his friends fought off the Heartless that tried to catch them off guard.
"Why are you protecting me?" Saphir asked.
"Saphir, now's your chance. Talk to your brother while she's distracted," Sailor Mars said, as she and Sailor Jupiter stood their ground.
"Wait, how did you know about that?" he inquired.
"I don't know, Koan and her sisters asked us to help you out, and that's what we agreed to do, Dude," replied Sora.
"Wait, did you just call me, dude?" Saphir asked, making Sailor Jupiter laugh a bit.
"He sure did, Saphir. You can call us crazy all you like, but springing traps so that we can fight our way out of them, is kind of our style. It's something we've embraced from Sailor Moon," said Roxas.
"I couldn't agree more, Roxas," smiled Sailor Mars.
"And trusting people we meet for the first time, even if they are bad guys, is also another hobby of ours. That's why Sora and Sailor Moon are more alike than you realize," added Kairi.
"You thought you could stop me? This isn't over," sneered Black Lady as she transformed the mirror into a fan, and blew the fog away.
"Chibiusa, become your true self," called Sailor Moon.
"Darkness isn't the heart's true essence," added Sora.
She tried to use the Crystal again, but Black Lady blocked it with her umbrella, using it as a shield. Then she turned it into a serving racket and sent the badminton towards them, leaving Sailor Venus confused as her Love-Me Chain was halted, just as Sora jumped clear from the barrier that formed from the birdie and sent dark lightning at them.
"Don't worry about me anymore, you'd better hurry and help your friends," said Saphir.
Sailor Mars was about to protest, but she knew he was right.
"You were asked to get me safely to my brother, and you've accomplished that," he continued, looking up at Prince Demande who arrived.
But Demande had a look of disappointment on his face, even as he watched Saphir telling the other Sailor Guardians and their allies to help those they cherished, then he bravely walked to his brother.
Saphir, why did you betray me?" he asked furiously.
"I've done no such thing! Brother, Wiseman has been deceiving us all along!" called Saphir, as Black Lady caught everyone else in a dark barrier via another birdie.
"Stop talking nonsense. You're wrong. But if anyone, including you dares to interfere with-" Demande said furiously.
"Brother! Wiseman is the one who came up with this plan, not you! He's just using you! Try to remember! Was this what you and I were wanting to achieve!? What we were fighting for!?" interrupted Saphir, causing Demande's eyes to be filled with confusion.
"I'm tired of all this dramatic nonsense, just die," Black Lady said, but a rose sent her third birdie out of her hand, followed by two more that saved the Sailor Guardians from certain death.
"Stop this, Chibiusa," Tuxedo Mask said.
Then he turned to Demande and asked him to listen to his brother, as Saphir was aware of something about the future he never knew.
"Fine then. Saphir, I will hear you out," said Demande.
"Don't even bother, Prince Demande. There's no point in talking with him. I say we slaughter him along with everyone else," interjected Black Lady, and with a click of her fingers, thousands of Heartless appeared around them.
At her signal, they charged at the Warriors of Light, and the battle between them had begun.
"Saphir, stay back! Leave this to us!" cried Terra.
"He's right. Everyone, form a circle, but don't let the Heartless injure Saphir even further!" agreed Riku.
Despite the battle being fierce, and Saphir trying to convince Demande that Wiseman was using him and the Black Moon Clan, Black Lady glared venomously at the Warriors of Light. Aqua looked firmly back at her.
"I know that you're letting darkness rule her heart. Now, let our friend go!" she said to the little girl's dark side.
But Black Lady gave a cruel chuckle, and leered venomously at them.
"She is Wiseman's final vessel," Mickey said to them.
"Today is the day you all lose," she said to them, as an aura of darkness appeared around her.
"What!?" Aqua asked in disgust.
"Before you even face the wrath of Wiseman, every last one of you will be torn heart from body. But fear not. The X-blade will soon be in his hands," Black Lady explained to Sora, as she had Luna-P turn into a replica of the Master of Master's destroyed Gazing Eye Keyblade.
"We're not gonna lose to you," Sora remarked bravely.
Just as Black Lady was about to attack them, a huge dust cloud appeared around them. To her shock and horror, along with the surprise of the Warriors of Light, there stood a presence that seemed familiar. It was Chibiusa's lingering will, dressed in what appeared to be Keyblade Armor that looked very much like Terra's, wielding the Ends of the Earth Keyblade. Both were now glaring at each other despite the bladelock.
(Play Rage Awakened for this fierce clash between Black Lady and Chibiusa's Lingering Will)
"Who are you?" Black Lady demanded.
"Got you, Wiseman," Chibiusa's voice remarked from beneath the armor.
Black Lady jumped back in dismay, while everyone stood in awe, even Prince Demande and Prince Saphir.
"Chibiusa?" Sailor Moon asked in awe.
"This is impossible! Your heart succumbs, your body submits, so why does your mind resist!?" snapped Black Lady.
The armored will of Chibiusa's resentment at being overtaken by darkness slowly marched towards her.
"How I've waited for this moment," she said quietly.
Both combatants readied their weapons, but the armored version turned the replicated Keyblade into a whip, which wrapped itself around Black Lady's replicated Keyblade. Giving it a powerful yank, Black Lady felt herself being pulled up into the air, but she quickly let go of the weapon, then lunged at her. However, Chibiusa's lingering will anticipated it, and turned her replicated Keyblade into the Ultima Cannon. Black Lady was now horrified as she saw it charge up to maximum power.
"Ultima Cannon, FIRE!" she cried.
A beam of golden light shot out, and struck Black Lady, causing her immense pain, but she quickly recovered from the attack and resummoned the Gazing Eye replica. Chibiusa's lingering will lunged at her, and the clash of blades truly began between them. However, Sailor Moon couldn't bear to watch it any longer.
"Chibiusa!" she called.
"No, Sailor Moon!" Sailor Mars said, stopping her.
"But-" Sailor Moon tried to protest.
"I'll go after them. The rest of you keep the Heartless busy, and don't let them hurt Saphir while he tries talking to Demande," Sora said in her stead.
"You got it, Sora. But be careful not to underestimate Chibiusa's dark side, as well as Demande," replied Riku, who agreed to take charge of the group for now.
Sora nodded, and rushed ahead to find the clashing Chibiusa and Black Lady, while the rest of his friends fought off the Heartless while defending Saphir.
"You fool…" scoffed Demande, as he watched Sora rush away from his friends and allies.
"Chibiusa, just try to hang on," Sora said in desperation.
On the way, he soon came face to face with someone he'd heard of before. It was the spirit of Sailor Moon's true mother, Queen Serenity.
"Sora?" she asked in surprise.
"Queen Serenity?" he asked in surprise as well.
"What are you doing here? Are you trying to save that girl, like Sailor Moon is?" questioned the late Queen's spirit.
"Well, it's a long story. But. tell me. Why the heck are you still here in this form, even though your heart's returned to Kingdom Hearts?" Sora inquired, despite his confusion.
"Because, I know what you're doing, thanks to her bond with you. But, I've been calling out to her that child's heart, and it's brought another presence here," explained Queen Serenity.
"Chibiusa?" he wondered.
"No, Chibiusa's heart is too steeped in darkness. Instead, I've brought out Chibiusa's most personal and powerful thoughts. This is Chibiusa's sadness, anger… lament," she said to him.
"Chibiusa's thoughts?" Sora asked in surprise.
Their clashing auras darted this way and that, and the sound of blades crashing against each other meant that it was growing even more furious than before. Knowing Sora, he was growing even more concerned about Chibiusa until he saw them crash into the ground, causing another dust cloud to form between them. Then he saw them jump back as their auras faded away. Black Lady began breathing heavily, as if she was winded by this terrible clash.
"Wretched spirit!" she glowered angrily.
"As long as Wiseman's darkness resides within you, you're a threat to Usagi and Mamo," remarked the armored Chibiusa.
"How noble, you would give your life for theirs?" Black Lady asked.
"You must be removed from existence… at all costs," the lingering will said.
Then they charged at each other again, and as they fought again, they entered a fierce bladelock. Sora was growing even more worried than before, and he looked at Queen Serenity's spirit who appeared beside him.
"Queen Serenity, can you call out to Chibiusa?" he asked her.
"No, her rage is too strong. She won't respond to me," Queen Serenity replied.
"No matter who gets hurt, it's bad for Chibiusa. Either way, I can't let her die. Nor do I want her to prevent her own birth," Sora said firmly.
"And you?" asked the spirit of Usagi's true mother.
"I got this," Sora replied firmly with a confident grin.
Black Lady and Chibiusa's lingering fury still continued to clash furiously with each other, their blades crashing against each other like a giant hammer striking against an anvil, making it ring loudly. They entered yet another bladelock, but this time, as she smirked, the dark figure emerged, grabbed hold of its head, and began to crush it, through Black Lady's will. A cruel chuckle leaped out of her throat.
"BE GONE!" she shouted.
Suddenly, a new light appeared, and out of it appeared Sora, armed with his Ultimate Weapon Keyblade.
"That's enough!" he cried, as he emerged between them.
He struck at the dark figure releasing Chibiusa's lingering will, and it faded away. Black Lady was furious when she saw him land between her and Chibiusa's lingering will.
"How can someone like you interfere!?" she snapped angrily.
"Hey, I don't plan on letting you destroy yourself, Chibiusa. Do you think that preventing your birth is what you really want?" Sora remarked.
"You dare…!" Black Lady said angrily, and she lunged at him.
Sora fought with all of his strength, but he was soon sent flying back by a mighty strike that made him go further away from her, even as he blocked it. Calling the dark figure to her side again, she had it grab hold of him from behind, then she surged at him.
"Sora!" cried Chibiusa's lingering will, and she rushed towards him.
Black Lady was about to kill him for good, when the armored will jumped between them, and took the blow for him. Pieces of armor clattered to the ground, as if it were nothing more than a puppet that had its strings cut, and it clattered to the ground. To Sora's shock, it was very much like Miss Eglantine Price's powers when she had many sets of armor and different uniforms from England's history, to fight back against those who would bring harm to the people of her world, although she paid a heavy price causing her spell, Substitutiary Locomotion, which brought many sets of armor and uniforms to life.
"Chibiusa!" he cried, but he saw the armor vanish into nothingness in a flash of light.
He grew anguished at the horrible sight, just as Black Lady stalked towards him.
"Seeing as you have also become as foolish as Sailor Moon has, you too must be willing to pay for your sins of abandoning me," Black Lady said venomously at him.
(Play Dismiss the Data-Terranort version from Kingdom Hearts 3 Re:mind for this battle)
Sora grew furious, and the battle between them began. Using the Dark Figure, Black Lady bade it attack him, but Sora was prepared and began to strike back at Black Lady with his Keyblade, although he knew that killing her would only serve to break Sailor Moon's morality, as well as her belief in trying to bring her back to the light.
"ENOUGH!" she shouted, and the dark figure attacked again, just as he sent a burst of water magic at her.
They clashed again, but this time Sora knew that he had to fight, even though he had to hold back from the urge of killing with a good reason. Black Lady teleported away from him.
"Over here!" she said to him, and struck back with the Gazing Eye replica.
Now Sora was becoming more instinctive, and he soon changed into his Ultimate form, then struck back at Black Lady with all the strength he could muster in his battle with her. Black Lady also grew desperate, and had the Dark Figure strike back against him, but the two combatants fought furiously with each other, despite their opposing views of the world.
"Chibiusa, snap out of it! Don't you know that Wiseman's trying to make you prevent your own birth!? If you kill Usagi and Mamoru, then he will win, and Kingdom Hearts will be in his control!" Sora tried to reach her as he fought with all his heart.
"They betrayed me, Sora, along with you and everyone else. You fools have always betrayed me. That's why I agreed to let Wiseman awaken the darkness in my heart. I killed Chibiusa with my own two hands, and now her heart is sealed away in the deepest darkest pits of darkness, never to resurface again. One who knows nothing can understand nothing. That's why, after I kill them, I will finally be free of their light, and the darkness will swallow up this world and everyone on it!" Black Lady barked back at him.
Quickly switching to Oathkeeper so as not to use his final attack against her, Sora evaded another strike from the Dark Figure, then began deflecting each blow that was sent at him, while also blocking her Dark Firaga Projectiles with it.
"You aren't thinking straight, Chibiusa! Wiseman wants you to kill them so that he'll erase you as well! He didn't give a crap after allowing Rubeus to banish the four Specter Sisters for what he believed to be their final failure! That made me hate him so much that I wanted him dead, but after Sailor Moon and I defeated him, he chose his fate, and I decided that since I didn't want to kill him, I didn't plan on saving him either, which is one of the many reasons why I said that his crumbling vessel would be his burial at sea. He made himself a lost cause, just as Esmeraude did, because she also left me with no choice but to kill her after Wiseman turned her into a perfect monster, thanks to his darkness taking hold of her blackened heart, even though she reminded me of Larxene, due to her mannerisms. But now Saphir's chosen to side with us, because I sensed that he did have good in him, just as I sensed it in Berthier's heart, and now I sense the same good in you too," Sora explained to her.
"I have no such thing as good in my heart, Sora! All that I have is a desire for vengeance, because you and your friends never loved me, wanted me, helped me, or celebrated my birthday. You left me alone on those days, and I will make you all pay for what you did to me! Your only choice is to kill me, here and now!" Black Lady shot back.
"I will not kill you, Chibiusa. Because if I did, only then would Sailor Moon condemn me for doing something horrible to you. As for Mamoru, his disappointment would be just like her's, and they'd call me a disgrace of a knight. But I did learn something from Miss Eglantine Price that sometimes, things may not be as easy as you think they are, no matter how much you want them to be. And I choose to stand by her words, no matter what, even if you really are Wiseman's puppet, Chibiusa," he remarked quietly.
"Then you will die braver than most, Sora," she said with a wicked smile.
Now, Sora channeled the power of his Keyblade, Oathkeeper, and directed it's power at Black Lady.
"SUNRAY BLAST!" he shouted, and sent several projectiles of light against her.
Black Lady was about to strike him, when the projectiles struck her from behind, by pulling them back towards her.
"You've proven your resolve," she said to him, despite being outwitted by him.
(Music stops here)
She staggered back, badly wounded, just as Sora stood down.
"Chibiusa, this has to stop. Neither Sailor Moon nor I want to kill you, even though you've let your heart be overtaken by darkness," he said to her.
But Black Lady had heard enough. Channeling whatever darkness she had in her, she called the Dark Figure to her side. He was about to prepare himself, when the being lunged at him, and grabbed him. Black Lady laughed darkly at her supposed triumph, as she began using it to try and crush Sora to dust. Sora screamed loudly in pain, making Sailor Venus worried about him.
"DARKNESS AWAITS YOU!" screamed Black Lady, and unleashed her full power against him.
"STOP!" called a voice.
It was Queen Serenity's spirit, bursting out of Sora's heart, forcing the Dark Figure to release him.
"Queen Serenity!" Sora gasped in surprise.
"You've done enough, Sora. Go back to your friends and help them," she said.
"But what about Chibiusa?" he asked.
"You'll find a way to save her, but only if she hears someone she cherishes calling to her heart, like my daughter, or the man she loves," Queen Serenity answered him.
Sora was hesitant at first, but he knew that she was right. Quickly, he fled from the battle, just as Black Lady tried to stop him, only to be halted by her.
"Stand aside, you vile devil!" she barked.
"I will do no such thing. You will not harm Sora or any of his friends! And you are wrong about me. I am not a devil. I AM SORA'S GUARDIAN ANGEL, JUST AS I AM SAILOR MOON'S!" Queen Serenity shot back, and a barrier of light appeared between her and her adversary.
This opportunity gave Sora the time he needed to return to his friends. However, Chibiusa banished Queen Serenity's spirit, and rushed back to the battlefield, after the Heartless had fallen to the Warriors of Light.
"Sora, where's that armored figure?" Sailor Moon asked him when she saw him return.
"Gone. Black Lady destroyed Chibiusa's lingering will, but I know she still has her heart within her, now that I know that Wiseman has transformed her into this dark grown up version of herself called Black Lady," Sora said somberly, right as Black Lady reappeared before them.
"Did you honestly believe I'd let your so-called Guardian Angel try and stop me, Sora Lucis Caelum? You are just as idiotic as Sailor Moon is, which is why your light must be expunged from this world, and all other worlds," she sneered at him.
"You're wrong, Chibiusa. Both Sora and Sailor Moon aren't idiots. They're a lot stronger than you believe they are, because you've been deceived by a lie, just like Saphir has. You're only turning yourself against us through Wiseman's machinations," argued Tuxedo Mask.
Demande saw that Sora was indeed different from the other Sailor Guardians and Warriors of Light he saw with his own eyes, even though his mind was set on making Sailor Moon say her heart belonged to him, but a part of him wondered how he could goad Sora into setting Vanitas free, if he targeted someone he loved most of all. He floated down towards him, as his Black Moon Sword materialized on his left hip, just as Sora turned and faced him. Their eyes locked against each other for even a brief moment.
"None of you interfere in this. This is between me and Prince Demande," he said to his friends.
"What? But why, Sora Lucis Caelum? Why must you fight him?" Saphir asked in shock.
"Even though he took Sailor Moon from us the first time, both Tuxedo Mask and I came to an agreement to find her, by tracing our connection to her with our hearts. After that, I fought him, in order to buy them time to escape, Saphir. And now, here I stand once more, ready to defend Sailor Moon once again, and to do so that I honor their bond of love, as well as keep the friendship strong between us through the chains of light that link our hearts together," Sora replied.
"Do you intend to destroy me, Sora?" Demande asked.
Sora readied his Keyblade, and got into a battle stance.
"I will do what must be done," he remarked.
"No…" breathed Sailor Venus.
"Then I will destroy you!" the dark prince declared, and upon drawing his sword, he attacked Sora.
Sora blocked, deflected, and even weaved past Demande's sword strikes, making everyone see that even though they were enemies, they had indeed become rivals. Metal clashed against metal, as the combatants fought furiously with each other, but Black Lady was most amused.
"How very interesting. It appears that Sora Lucis Caelum and Prince Demande have indeed become rivals," she said as she watched the battle.
Demande charged at Sora, who quickly blocked each blow, then retaliated with a flurry of attacks with his Keyblade, and entered a brief bladelock. He broke it, but this time Sora struck back against him, and their clash raged even more viciously than before. The clash of blades was more furious than anyone had ever seen, but to Riku, it was almost as if he was seeing both Ronno and Bambi locked in a fierce battle to see who was truly worthy of being Faliine's mate. Sora and Demande swung their weapons against each other, but neither side was truly gaining ground, as if they were evenly matched in power. Backing away slowly, they stood with their weapons gripped tightly in their own hands.
"Sora, Brother, please, stop this!" begged Saphir, until Sora charged furiously at Demande and attacked him once more, driving him back.
"I'll go after them! You guys stay back and look after Saphir, and don't let him die for our sake," Sailor Moon said, and she rushed away, even as everyone nodded their understanding towards her.
They were now in a narrow alleyway, where their weapons left several slash marks on the many buildings around them, and even caused some of the dumpsters and pipes to split apart during their clash of blades. The two enemies were now in very close proximity with each other, even as their blades crashed against the walls around them, and against each other. It was a risky move, but to Sora, he knew that protecting his friends mattered more than destroying the darkness without a good reason. Keyblade and broadsword crashed against each other, and with the environment around them, almost as if they were in a fierce feud with each other about who was the better person for Sailor Moon, although Sora knew that her heart actually belonged to Mamoru. However, as their fierce battle continued, Sailor Moon was growing worried for Sora, and with the full acknowledgement of her companions, raced off to see Sora duck a killing blow that would cut off her best friend's head, then dodge his vicious strikes by rolling out of the way. She watched them enter yet another blade lock, but Sora broke it and attacked Demande once more, forcing him back with a strong upward strike from his Keyblade.
"BREAK!" he shouted, using his power to cause part of the Malefic Black Crystal to crumble towards Demande.
But his rival stopped it from crushing him, then glared back at Sora.
"Your friends are your power, but they will always be YOUR WEAKNESS!" he said, and struck back at Sora, after sending that fragment flying back away from him, and it crashed a safe distance away.
Then he sent more crystal fragments at Sora, who quickly cut through one with his Keyblade, and the two enemies charged at each other. They clashed furiously with each other, until Sora was struck in the chin by his rival's hand, forcing him back, but they still fought as they entered yet another bladelock. Suddenly, Demande sent a fragment at Sora's feet, causing him to lose his balance and drop to the ground, but he quickly recovered and dodged a blow that would cost him one of his legs, but then saw that Demande had slammed his hand down on the ground, causing it to crumble beneath him.
"And that is why light is destined to perish!" Demande added venomously.
Sora fell into the hole that was made beneath him, chunks of the very road he was standing on followed after him, but he soon recovered just enough to see that Demande now had the high ground. Suddenly, without warning, Demande sent more fragments down upon Sora with the intention of burying him beneath the rubble in that very hole he was in, causing Sailor Moon to grow even more afraid of losing her knight, who was now buried beneath that rubble.
"Stop this, Demande! I don't want to lose Sora, because he's become my best friend!" she cried.
"Did you truly think that I would let you defeat me that easily?" he asked, ignoring Sailor Moon's pleas.
"Sora…" Sailor Moon murmured, as she dropped to her knees.
"You have failed to protect those you cherish, just like how Sailor Moon failed to protect you, Sora Lucis Caelum," Demande grinned wickedly, and he stalked away from the hole, and began slowly walking towards Sailor Moon.
"He's wrong, Sora. I know you're stronger than this. I believe in you, and we can free Chibiusa from the darkness that's taken hold of your heart," Sailor Moon said in denial.
However, Sora, despite being buried beneath the rubble, was slowly beginning to succumb to fear, until Queen Serenity's spirit appeared to him again.
"Sora, you are no failure. You are strong, because of the bonds you forged with the people you cherish, and have come to view them as both your friends and family. That is your strength, but sometimes weakness can be a strength, just like how fear is. Don't let Prince Demande harm those you cherish. Rise up, Break your limits, go beyond Plus Ultra, and realize that you have the potential to become as strong as any god, if not stronger," she said to him.
"You're right, Queen Serenity. I am not weak. I am not a failure. I will never allow my friends to die. And I will not give Vanitas yet another chance to regain his freedom, nor will I allow Demande to corrupt Sailor Moon with darkness, so that she says her heart belongs to him. My heart is my guiding key, and WILL FIGHT FOR THEM!" Sora replied.
Focusing on the memory of protecting them, Sora soon called upon the form that made him truly strong, but only if he used it as a final resort.
"HARMONY!" he shouted, and in a burst of light, the rubble that he was buried under burst out in all directions, shocking Sailor Moon, who was relieved to see him, as he leaped out of the pit.
"Sora!" she said happily.
Breaking into a run, Sora rushed at the now receding Demande, after he clambered out of the hole, and swung a mighty two handed blow at him. Caught by surprise, he did his best to block the blow with his sword, but found himself being driven back by a now empowered Sora, who was using his Harmony Form, thanks to Queen Serenity reminding him to never let weakness define him. Demande did everything he could to fight back against Sora, but suddenly found himself at a serious disadvantage. He tried to block his blows with the darkness, but Sora proved that he was not willing to give him that chance, by pulling his Keyblade back, and even struck back with all he had against his rival.
"AEROZA!" he shouted, and blasted Demande back against the crystal, right in front of his other friends.
"Brother!" called Saphir.
"Saphir, no! Don't interfere!" cried Sailor Mercury, as she held him back.
"Mercury's right, Saphir! Let Sora and Demande fight," agreed Sailor Jupiter, as she saw Sora raising several fragments of the very street they were on over him.
To the shock of Sailor Venus, it was almost as if he was using a new power that was nothing like she'd ever expected.
"You have underestimated the bonds with both my friends, as well as Sailor Moon's friends, Demande. They are my strength. They are not a liability! AND YOU WILL NOT TAKE THEM FROM ME!" Sora said to his rival, and he sent them crashing against Demande, who tried his best to defend himself.
The shock of being pelted by large rocks left some nasty scars on him, and even left his garments badly scuffed all over. Enraged, he charged at Sora, who was quick to deflect each blow with his Keyblade, but they were now in a vicious bladelock, until he was pushed back into some more crystal fragments that exploded as they passed them, while his sword cut through one of them. Breaking the bladelock, Sora now attacked Demande again, but this time, when he tried to stop yet another blow that was meant to kill him, the spiky brunette Keyblade Wielder improvised, and attacked Demande with one hand on his weapon, but then he suddenly used the butt of his Keyblade to strike at his chest, causing Demande to cry out in shock, as if he had been given a fierce punch by Sailor Jupiter. Again and again, Sora continued the barrage, until Demande furiously attacked his rival once more, only to be struck by yet another road fragment that struck his face. He tried to attack again, but Sora slashed him across the back, causing the Prince of Nemesis to stumble and fall. Demande slowly recovered, but due to his injuries, he was badly weakened, even as he tried to attack Sora again, but was thus blasted back by a burst of wind magic that sent him flying away towards the Malefic Black Crystal.
"This is the end!" Sora declared, and as he broke into a run, he made a daring leap, then struck Demande with all he had, causing him to drop to his knees.
Weakened, wounded, and aghast at how strong Sora had become, Demande saw that he had truly underestimated his rival for the first time. Stepping back, Sora lowered his Keyblade, knowing that he had beaten his rival.
"You have lost. This battle is over," he said to his defeated enemy, after quelling the rage in his heart.
"What?" Demande asked angrily, despite being in a weakened state.
"You and I may have become rivals, but because of my bond with Sailor Moon, I will always honor her bond with those she cherishes, because they will always make sure her heart is in the right place. As for me, I have no intention of joining the Black Moon Clan, because Sailor Moon won't permit it at all. Hency why my destiny is my own. I have no intention of turning justice into vengeance, just as Rubeus and Esmeraude did after they became lost causes. She died a fool, while her former partner had his burial at sea, after he was defeated. However, the four Specter Sisters eventually found redemption after their exile, but the one who I truly acknowledged, even though my outburst of wanting one of them dead, scared some of my friends to death. And since that day, I decided on a different course of action, so that neither she nor everyone else would die from her kamikaze attack, Dark Water, once she set it to maximum power. However, I will not kill you, but I'll let Saphir tell you everything he knows about what's going on at this moment, but not while you're in this state," Sora continued, as he stood back, but tossed an elixir to his rival.
Demande caught it and drank it down slowly, then felt his wounds and injuries suddenly disappear, and his garments were restored to their original splendor.
"Very well, then I shall listen to my brother's words, Sora," Demande said, now that he was back to full strength.
While Saphir was relieved that Demande would listen to his explanation, a beam of pure darkness suddenly surged towards him and struck at him, making everyone shocked and appalled at what was happening to him.
"Oh no!" gasped the caped crusader.
"Saphir!" Demande gasped as well.
He turned to the very person that hurt him, and saw that it was Wiseman.
"Saphir is a traitor, I am just sparing you the task of having you execute your own brother," said the dark cloaked figure.
"Brother, Wiseman, he wants to erase the future," Saphir tried to say.
But Wiseman unleashed another dark energy beam that struck Saphir again, as everyone called to him, despite Demande's protests.
"SAPHIR!" screamed Sora, lunging at Wiseman.
But the dark sorcerer summoned a dark blade, stopping his attack.
"Why him!?" demanded Sora.
Wiseman forced him back to the ground, but Sora still got up, his eyes streaked with tears.
"Why!?" Sora asked again.
"Because he is a traitor to both light and darkness, and must be banished to the void from whence he came, Sora Lucis Caelum," replied Wiseman.
"SAPHIR!" howled Demande, echoing Sora's anguish.
"Foolish young man. He allowed himself to be tricked into believing that nonsense from those cursed blights," said Wiseman as he recovered the control module.
"You're the blight, Wiseman! You're gonna pay for taking Saphir's life, even though he chose to switch sides of his own free will!" shouted Sora, his anger steadily increasing with even greater intensity, while his eyes slowly streamed with tears that fell from his eyes.
"Ah, I see that Vanitas lives within you, Sora Lucis Caelum," Wiseman said observantly.
He then signaled both Black Lady and Prince Demande to follow him as they would finish they're battle with their foes at a later time, and vanished into the darkness.
"Fine by me," said Black Lady, as she disappeared into the darkness.
But Demande looked sadly at his fallen brother, who was being looked after by Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Mask, and Sora.
"I-I'm sorry, I couldn't protect him," the caped crusader said sorrowfully.
"It's not your fault, Tuxedo Mask. It's Wiseman's fault he's like this. But it's also my fault I chose to fight against Chibiusa, despite knowing that I didn't want to kill her," Sora tried to assure his friend.
"Petz, I'm sorry…" Saphir said, causing Petz to realize that he was no more, when she saw his jacket fall to the floor of her apartment.
Then his eyes closed, and he fell silent. The sight of this death shocked Sora to no end even further, as he looked down at the man he'd barely gotten to know more about. Sailor Moon looked up at him, as he suddenly began to clench his fist first in anger, then in sorrow, at seeing Demande's brother be killed by the dark sorcerer. Everyone else gathered around him, as they bore witness to what was coming next.
(Play A Broken World from Final Fantasy 7 Remake for this heartbreaking moment)
"Saphir… Saphir! Saphir! SAPHIR! No! Please! YOU HAVE TO LIVE!" Sora howled, as his tears fell to the ground.
Then he dropped to his knees, and looked sadly at him, but his reaction suddenly began to tug at the heartstrings of his friends around him.
"How could you? How could you, Wiseman!? He didn't deserve this at all!" he yelled, while punching the ground in unrelenting anguish.
Sailor Venus, sensing that Sora truly was indeed just like Sailor Moon, suddenly began to feel her eyes fill with tears, as she watched him slamming his fist on to the ground, until it slowly began to start bleeding beneath the vambrace. But Sora just ignored the pain, until he punched the ground once more, but the blows were much weaker than before.
"Saphir… Saphir…" he sobbed.
Sailor Mercury, with the full understanding of her friends, slowly walked up to Sora, and gently rested her hand on his shoulder, only to realize that he was still trembling, his whole body racked by choked sobs. Then she recoiled in shock, when he heard something that made her truly worry about him, causing her to wrap her arms tightly around him.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGHHH!"
Sora let out a loud scream of raw, pure anguish that echoed across the Realm of Light, which was overheard by Petz from far away, and soon, many more of his friends heard it on all other worlds, dimensions, and timelines. Sailor Moon jumped back in shock after hearing what sounded like the roar of something truly terrifying from a horror movie. But when Prince Demande heard Sora's agonized howl, he too sensed that tiny spark of Sailor Moon's disdain of seeing people die within him, and saw for the first time that he truly was just like her, despite knowing that he was a boy. However, Sora believed that his scream was a warning to the dead, letting them know that one whose heart had accepted light, was coming to join them in the afterlife of Kingdom Hearts.
"How could I let this happen? Why did Saphir have to die?" he asked breathlessly.
"This wasn't your fault, Sora. You shouldn't blame yourself for what happened to him," she said, trying to console him after she stood up and backed slowly away from him.
Yeah. You're right about that, Mercury. Whatever came before, it was Wiseman that killed Saphir that day. Am I right!?" replied Sora.
Then he turned and faced the Pretty Guardian of Water and Wisdom, who nodded slowly, then clenched her right hand into a fist, as she too felt his pain and anguish at seeing Saphir die in front of him.
"...Yeah," admitted Sailor Mercury.
Slowly and gently, Sora took hold of her shaking hand, and held it as gently as he could, as the droplets of his blood fell to the ground near Saphir's still form, until a tear fell from his cheek, and landed on his now deceased new friend's motionless face.
"Hold on to this. This…anger. Okay?" he said quietly.
Then he gently pulled her towards him, and wrapped his arms around her. Sailor Mercury sighed somberly, then she hugged him back, her eyes also stinging with tears of sadness for Saphir, even as the others watched them.
"Okay," Mercury murmured, as they held each other.
Sailor Venus knew that this was not the time to be taken by the shadow of envy, as she too looked somberly at him. Sora looked back at her, his eyes now red from the tears he shed for Saphir, the second prince of Nemesis' Black Moon Clan, as the Sailor Guardian of fire and passion representing Mars slowly walked up to them, after they broke the hug.
"Sora. He'll live on in Petz' heart," Sailor Mars said softly to him.
"Yeah, you knew there was good in his heart, just like Sailor Moon did," agreed Sailor Jupiter.
"Just like… how I sensed there was good in the Specter Sisters' hearts," Sora replied, with a tiny rasp in his voice, as he and Sailor Mercury broke the hug.
"Yeah. That's right," replied Sailor Mercury.
Tuxedo Mask nodded in agreement with his words.
"We should've been there sooner!" he said.
"I know that Koan asked us to try and keep Saphir safe from harm, but even still, his death at the hands of Wiseman is something we can't forgive at all," Sailor Moon countered gently, making an extremely valid argument.
"But now Petz will feel empty without him," Sora replied somberly.
"That's not true, Sora. Because we know that Sailor Mars is right about how he'll live on in Petz' heart, no matter what," assured Sailor Venus.
Then Sora turned and looked up at Demande, who floated down towards them.
"Please, let me take Saphir with me. I want to be the one who says goodbye to him," he told the Warriors of Light.
"Okay… we'll let you do that, Demande. But, even though you wish to settle your score with Sora, we'll let you say goodbye to him on your own terms. Not all of us are lucky to be with our loved ones as they pass on into the afterlife of Kingdom Hearts," replied Riku.
"But, Riku…" Sailor Moon tried to protest, but Roxas placed his hand on her shoulder and gently shook his head at her.
"Leave him be for now," he said to her.
"Tuxedo Mask, I ask you this. Have you ever seen death with your own eyes?" Sora asked.
"No, I haven't, Sora," replied Tuxedo Mask.
"Then look, and always remember," he said bitterly.
Tuxedo Mask nodded slowly as he looked at Saphir's deceased form, then he and the Pretty Guardian of Love and Justice slowly stepped back, but she too looked sadly upon Demande's fallen brother, and everyone else did as well.
"Saphir…" Sora murmured.
"You are not responsible. Demande's all that's left now," Sailor Venus tried to assure him.
However, Sora looked somberly at the deceased second prince, as his eyes stung with tears of shame that rolled down his cheeks once more.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Saphir… for letting you die," he sobbed quietly, prompting Sailor Moon to hug him from behind.
"As Mercury told you, Saphir's death wasn't your fault, Sora. You're not the one responsible for his demise. Wiseman is. But know this… I will still have Sailor Moon's heart in my possession," Demade explained to him.
"Then we'll settle our score at a later time. Goodbye, Demande," Sora replied, glaring at his rival through the tears that continued to fall from his eyes.
He too stepped back, while also gently ushering Sailor Moon away from him, as he slowly knelt before Saphir's deceased form, then carefully picked him up. Then he furrowed his brow in anger from the horrible sight he witnessed.
"Wiseman," the silver-haired prince said angrily.
Then, he took a deep breath, and his dark aura suddenly burst out in a furious display that shocked everyone to their core.
"WISEMAN!" shouted Demande, and his voice echoed everywhere, shocking the Specter Sisters even more.
Then he vanished into the darkness.
"Hey! Where're you going!?" called Axel.
"Axel, please, let him go," Xion said quietly.
Sailor Mercury looked up at the still growing Black Crystal, her eyes still filled with bitter sadness for Saphir's death just as everyone raced off in the opposite direction. Finally, she steeled herself, then followed after her friends. They soon raced down the streets of Juban so that they would meet at the Hikawa Shrine, and plan their next move.
"Sora, where's that Demande guy going?" Axel asked Sora.
"He's gone back to his ship, because we're letting him say goodbye to Saphir of his own volition," explained the spiky brunette.
"Like the one that Rubeus was on?" he inquired.
"Very much like Rubeus' own ship," replied Sora.
"Sora, please tell me he is. Give us something to hang on to! Even if he is, I won't blame you for it, I swear!" begged Sailor Moon.
"Usako," whispered Tuxedo Mask.
"What am I saying? Jupiter would probably try to tear your head off," she said quietly.
"Sailor Moon, please, don't talk about what I'd think of doing to Sora, even after we saw the way he reacted to Saphir's death, because he saw that he did look very much like Mamoru, even though he was different from him. I know that when I saw him for the first time, I began to think that he reminded me of you know who. But, seeing you and him together, made me see that you're both truly alike, even though he's a boy. So there's no way I'd even think of ripping his head off with my own two hands, because I'm not that strong of a person who'd even think of doing that, unless my morality was well and truly compromised," consoled Sailor Jupiter.
Sora turned and looked at Sailor Mars.
"Hey, Sailor Mars. Do you think I'll become a stupid jerk if I start to cast aside my morality?" he asked.
"I'd rather not think about it too much," replied the Pretty Guardian of Fire and Passion.
"If one's morality was truly compromised, they'd end up becoming cold and heartless like Wiseman is, and the only thing they'd be thinking about is killing anyone they deem as too great of a threat to them. But we know that you're nothing like that, Sora," interjected Sailor Mercury.
"That must be why Black Moon wanted Chibiusa so badly," replied Terra.
Sora nodded in agreement, but then he clutched at his head.
"Within my being lives the knowledge of Xehanort. Kingdom Hearts… is my birthright," Sephiroth said in his head.
The ringing in his head stopped, and Sora suddenly saw Sephiroth standing before him. He gasped in shock.
"Saphir's life came to a bitter end, I see," he told Sora.
Sora stumbled back, making Sailor Venus and Kairi turn and look worriedly at him. They too saw Sephiroth standing before the boy they loved, just as Twilight, Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang did. Then the One-Winged Angel slowly stalked towards him.
"But you'll gain strength, when Demande will make Sailor Venus his queen," he added, then rested his hand on Sora's shoulder.
"Will you allow that to happen?" Sephiroth asked.
He slowly walked off, then vanished into the dark corridor, just as Sora turned to watch him disappear. His eyes darted in all directions, right as both the Princess of Heart, and the Pretty Guardian of Love and Beauty came to his side.
"Sora?" they asked.
The other Warriors of Light turned to face him as well.
"It's nothing. Let's pull back to Hikawa Shrine for now," Sora said to them.
They continued walking off, until Tuxedo Mask noticed some police officers passing by.
"Hold on. Look there," he called his friends.
"What are the police doing here?" wondered Sailor Mars.
"They're doing their jobs, Mars. Just focus on how we'll get Chibiusa back from the darkness. Nothing else," replied Sora.
They soon hurried away, knowing that time was truly of the essence.
"Did you guys happen to hear what Usagi said about Koan asking her to help Saphir?" Sailor Jupiter asked.
"Yeah… she told us what the youngest Specter Sister said. She could tell that Petz was truly worried about Saphir, but the others were safe and sound, as well as away from our battle with Chibiusa," replied Sailor Mercury.
"Thank goodness," sighed Tuxedo Mask.
They continued onwards until they were getting close to the Sendaizakou route where they'd catch the bus to any part of Juban.
"I've been thinking, guys… We might have to be better prepared for what awaits us inside that giant crystal," Sailor Moon said.
Sailor Mars looked at her friend in confusion.
"Sailor Moon's got a point. If we don't save Chibiusa, who will?" agreed Ventus.
"...Right," she replied.
"Hey, Sora. Will you help us out on this one?" Sailor Jupiter asked.
"Consider it my highest honor, Sailor Jupiter," Sora replied quietly, who was still saddened by Saphir's death.
They all burst into a run, with Sora leading the way, until at last they reached the Hikawa Shrine.
"Good, we've made it to Hikawa Shrine. Now all we have to do is come up with a plan to avert this disaster," said Sailor Mercury.
"That's a good idea, Ami. We all need to do a little brainstorming so that we can end this madness," agreed Aqua.
"Then we'll need to make this brief. Besides, we can't let this world and the people living on it fall into darkness," added Donald.
"You know Ami's father said that you shouldn't try to rush art," interjected Goofy.
They soon sprinted up the stairs to the entrance of the shrine, and decided that they would soon begin their meeting once everyone was able to let go of their fears and anxiety of what was about to happen.
"Let's head inside," Rei told them, after she reverted back to her normal self, and Sailor Moon motioned for everyone else to do the same.
"Lord HIno! Yuuichirou!" called Axel, as he rushed ahead and burst through the door.
Sora and the others followed after him, only to see him fling Yuuichirou towards the wall.
"Quit your slacking! Get us some tea!" he shouted at the young man.
"Axel!" called Usagi.
Axel stopped then calmed down.
"Listen, Yuuichirou. We need to use Rei's room as our meeting ground. You see, there's something big and black that's far from this place, and it's gonna turn this whole city into a barren wasteland, devoid of any life. And besides, if you died, not only would it hurt Usagi, but Rei as well. You need to believe me," he explained.
"Ow… I think I get your point, Axel. I'll go and get the tea ready," replied Yuuichirou.
Axel, despite his impulsive yet hot-headed nature, felt like he should rush off and tell Rei's grandfather, when he felt the apprentice priest's hand on his shoulder.
"I'll ask Master Hino!" he said firmly.
Axel nodded, then slowly walked quietly through the corridors of the shrine.
"I should help too, Rei. If you're okay with me going with him," said Makoto.
"Just don't make too much of a ruckus. You know that my master doesn't appreciate it. But, maybe you should also go with me as well, Sora," hissed Yuuichirou.
"Fine with me," Sora replied.
They slowly walked after him, until Rei joined them, and her grandfather was relieved to see her.
"Oh, Rei… My granddaughter. Thank the gods," he sighed, and hugged her.
"I should leave them alone for a while, guys," whispered Sora, and he slowly walked out of the shrine to be by himself.
"Petz, please forgive me for my failure to avert Saphir's death," he said quietly, standing in the courtyard.
Petz sat alone as the jacket that Saphir wore disappeared, just as Calaveras walked into the bedroom.
"I'm sorry, Petz," she said.
Koan and Berthier nodded in agreement as they too peeked in as well.
"It's alright. Somehow, I knew this would happen. I felt it the moment I let him leave," replied Petz.
Koan, Berthier and Calaveras all looked sadly at Petz, as the memory of Saphir's smile still lived on in her heart for all time. But she suddenly began to think of Sora, who's cry of anguish echoed across the entire city. However, at the courtyard of Hikawa Shrine, Mamoru silently joined Sora, who was looking distant.
"We should rest up while we can. That also means you too," he said to him, sounding less like himself.
"No, I'm okay, Sora. I really am. Besides, when I close my eyes, I start thinking about things. About people. Like Motoki. My college buddy. I remember that he often told me that he'd give Usako some helpful advice, and we'd also honor Reika's wishes to make sure he's doing okay while she's studying abroad. Our friendship with him, as well as the promises we made with her would always fill her heart with happiness. She and I may have started on the wrong foot back then, but our bond was forged by both the red strings of fate, and the chain of light that connects our hearts together. Now there's Yuuichirou, a good friend to all of us. Despite his goofiness, he'd always do his best, despite getting under Rei's skin when he'd start to slack off. But they still care about each other, no matter what. But, when he was around other girls, it'd only serve to fuel her hate and envy, but she'd still forgive him, just as you forgave Berthier back at the Chess Tower, thanks to your words speaking louder than your actions. Funnily enough, I also sensed that there was conflict in her heart, just as you did. Both you and she actually talking to each other instead of fighting against each other was something that I never knew about, until Ami told me what happened before, despite your uncalled outburst. She saw that you were right about those things," Mamoru explained to him.
"Of course she did," Sora replied quietly.
"As for Mako and Minako, even though they may have their differences, they both know that any form of conflict they have with each other would easily lead to Sephiroth killing them, and we both know that you and Usako don't want that to happen at all. People sometimes think they're more like sisters than friends. They'd say 'no way!' and get annoyed, but then they'd share a good laugh with each other and you'd know… Yeah… we'll all be fine. They're strong. They're tough. Because of us," he continued.
Sora gave him a slight nod in acknowledgement.
"After we save Chibiusa, then you and Minako will have all the time you need to learn more about each other," Mamoru finished.
"Sounds good, Mamoru," he replied.
"Huh. Never thought I'd feel better after talking with someone who easily reminds me of Usako," admitted the other young man.
"Think you can sleep now?" Sora asked him.
"Oh yeah. Like a baby," remarked Mamoru, and he walked back into the shrine.
However, once he was gone, Sora suddenly noticed something, and thought he saw Chibiusa standing in front of him in front of the flowerbed.
"How is this…?" he asked.
He looked around him, wondering what was going on.
"Is this a dream?" Sora asked her.
"Maybe. You tell me," Chibiusa replied.
"Are you okay?" Sora asked Chibiusa, despite his concern for her.
"Don't I look it?" she remarked.
Then the little girl looked into his eyes.
"I used to live in the Crystal Palace, back before the Black Moon Clan laid siege to Crystal Tokyo," Chibiusa explained to him.
"Your father told us," replied Sora.
"Right. So it kinda feels like I've gone back to my childhood home, you know? Honestly, it's not that bad," she said to him.
"So what, you wanna stay?" Sora questions her.
"C'mon, Sora. Don't be silly," giggled the little girl.
"Usagi's really worried too," he said to her.
"'Too'? So you're worried about me?" Chibiusa asked curiously.
"Of course I am," Sora replied somberly.
"I'm sorry about that. Really," she said quietly.
Then she turned and looked up at the sky above, and Sora did the same, even as the Malefic Black Crystal still continued to grow.
"Is that…?" he asked.
Chibiusa nodded quietly, then placed her hands in front of her chest, as if she were praying with her heart.
"Everyone dies eventually," the little girl said to him.
"I suppose," murmured Sora.
"So we need to make the most of the time we have–to live our lives the way we wanna live. Every minute…every moment, matters," Chibiusa said.
"I'll remember that," he replied.
"Good. So…" she was about to say, but grew hesitant.
"You need to embrace this moment. Right?" Sora said to her.
Chibiusa nodded, then looked into his azure eyes.
"I'm glad I met you, Sora. I really am. I'm grateful for all the words we've shared. For all the moments and the memories. You've made me more happy than you know. And I'll always cherish what you've given me. But… But whatever happens, you can't fall in love with Usagi," Chibiusa explained to him.
"I know, Chibiusa, because I love Minako," Sora said, until he felt her hand gently touch his cheek, even as he knelt down and looked into her eyes.
"Even if you think you do…it's not real," she finished.
Sora tried to take her hand, but it passed right through her, as if she wasn't there at all. This made him even more worried for Chibiusa.
"Do I get a say in all this?" he asked.
"It's almost morning. Time to go," she replied, as she slowly began to fade away.
"I'm coming for you," Sora declared with a strong hint of conviction in his voice.
This made her fading form turn and face him once more.
"If that's what you want. Thank you," Chibiusa said, and she faded away into the sky above.
Sora suddenly awoke from what he believed to have been a dream, causing Usagi to look at him with concern in her eyes.
"What's wrong?" she asked him.
"What I had was partially a dream, and partially a vision, Usagi. And I promise, no matter what happens, we'll all save Chibiusa together. You, me, Mamoru, and everyone else. Even though she was a pain in your neck when she was with him, a part of you knew that it's because she cherishes him, just as you do. But she's also a part of my heart, just as she's part of yours, and the other Warriors of Light. She even formed a very strong bond with Riku, and since then, they've called each other Big Brother Riku and Little Sister. Also, when she returns home to her true family, after we bring her back to what she once was, before Wiseman corrupted her heart with darkness, we won't ever forget her, no matter how many differences you've had with her, because your bond was formed between the two of you by an unbreakable chain of light. We're not gonna let her down, no matter what happens next," Sora explained to her.
"Maybe there's a light at the end of her tunnel…" Usagi said quietly to him.
"Oh, like the story Kairi's grandmother told her," he replied, surprising his friend.
Then it hit him.
"Now I know why. Kairi was always with me this entire time. You know what's funny? I looked everywhere for her, but she was with me all along. And now, we're together forever. This is like deja vu all over again," Sora said.
"You think it'll ever be the same again between us? Chibiusa's lost her…" she wondered.
"When I turned into a Heartless, Kairi was the one who saved me, Usagi. I was lost in the darkness. I couldn't find my way. As I stumbled through the dark, I started forgetting things– my friends, who I was. The darkness almost swallowed me. But then I heard a voice–Kairi's voice. She brought me back. She didn't want to just forget about me, because she refused to let me go," Sora said to her.
But then he remembered something else from before.
"That's it! Our hearts are connected. And the light from our hearts broke through the darkness. I saw that light. I think that's what can save Chibiusa. No matter how deep the darkness, a light shines within. Now I know it's more than just a fairy tale," he added firmly.
"Then, let's go," replied Usagi.
"But, Usagi–" Sora tried to protest.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Because I'm gonna be with you. After all, I do know something else from what I told Kairi. Even if we do get pulled apart from our friends, we'll never be alone. Right?" Sora said to her.
"You mean you'll protect me from him, like Mamo would?" Usagi inquired.
"Hey, Queen Serenity did say that my friends and I are your knights after all," he remarked.
Usagi gave a quiet giggle.
"Okay. You win. Even if Demande tries to trick me into saying my heart belongs to him, I know that you won't let it happen," she assured him.
"Don't worry. I won't. That's a Pinkie Promise I don't plan on breaking. So cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," Sora declared proudly to her.
"Don't ever forget. Wherever you go, I'm always with you, because we'll always be the best of friends, Sora," she smiled, and the two of them exchanged a friendly hug with each other.
But somewhere in the darkest depths of her heart, Chibiusa wandered around aimlessly, alone and afraid.
"Mamo… Usagi… Everyone… I'm so sorry." she said sadly.
She began looking around her.
"Is this the afterworld?" the little girl asked.
She staggered for a moment, and felt herself slowly starting to fade away.
"I'm not ready. Not yet. Not until I see my friends and family one last time…" Chibiusa told herself.
"Small Lady, can you hear me?" a voice asked her from beyond.
Chibiusa looked up in surprise.
"We have always been with you," it said.
"Is it you, Puu?" Chibiusa asked worriedly.
"The bonds that Wiseman is trying to make you break– the people you've formed strong connections to after you met them. I've been trying to get through to you. But the darkness in your heart kept me away," Sailor Pluto's voice explained to her.
"But why, Puu? What's happened to me?" inquired the little girl.
"Your heart won the battle against darkness, but it was too late for your body. That's why you're here– in this place of darkness where hearts are gathered," she answered.
"So what do I do?" Chibiusa asked, despite her disdain of loneliness.
The Dark Gate will open soon, but it's a door that only those with darkness can pass through. It has to be closed from both sides. To do this, you need the Silver Crystal and the Keyblade, from two powerful hearts. Maybe you came to Sora and Sailor Moon's side for the same reason. Maybe it was fate," Sailor Pluto told her.
"Fate, huh? You seem to know everything, don't you, Puu? Then tell me: are Usagi and Mamo okay?" Chibiusa remarked.
"Can you not feel the echoes of their hearts? You already know the answer. Look inside your own heart," Pluto's voice said to her.
"Okay," Chibiusa replied more calmly than before.