Chapter 28
Believing in Love and the Future: Usagi's Decision
Things were not looking so good in Juban since the fall of Saphir. The Malefic Black Crystal was still growing even larger, as Usagi and Sora raced down the road to see what was going on, after Tuxedo Mask had told them to stay behind as he wanted to find out what the Black Moon Clan was plotting, even warning him to be cautious, while Rei stated that they would meet up at the Hikawa Shrine. Usagi and Sora looked up at the crystal, and noticed how the crystal was continuing to increase it's mass, when Naru approached them.
"Oh, hi Naru," Usagi said.
"Hey there," added Sora.
"What is it? Is something wrong?" Naru asked.
Usagi was confused.
"Lately, you've been acting strange. Could it have something to do with that bizarre phenomenon going on over there?" she continued inquisitively.
"We do, Naru. And we both know what it's all about. But, we understand that if there's anything we'd want you to do, we'd have to ask you," replied Sora.
"But Naru, I…" Usagi tried to say, but she brushed it off.
"How come I would know anything?" she asked with a sheepish giggle.
"Of course you wouldn't, and you wouldn't be able to talk about it if you did," replied Naru.
"What do you mean?" asked Sora.
"You guys, please just try to be careful. I'll see you both later, okay?" Naru said.
"Thanks Naru, see you then," replied Usagi.
"See ya," added Sora.
Then they raced off into the distance as Naru called after them. However she said a silent prayer to whoever was listening to keep Usagi, Sora, and the world they lived upon safe. Usagi however, was mildly upset for not telling Naru who she really was, but deep down knew that they'd do everything in their power to keep the world safe from the darkness with Sora at her side. Meanwhile, as Demande was looking at the reactor core, Wiseman appeared behind him.
"The time has come," he said.
"Wiseman, you have a lot of nerve coming here, after ignoring my orders, not to mention killing Saphir for no reason at all," Demande replied sharply.
"We have toiled for years to rewrite the world's history. Those not true to our vision, those who do not follow our ideals, must be cast off," countered Wiseman.
"What made you think you had the right to kill him?" Demande asked furiously.
"Gaze upon the beauty of this magnificent Malefic Black Crystal. Now that the Crystal has been nurtured and further strengthened by Black Lady's power, we have long awaited to fulfill our long held dream to take revenge upon the Earth and its people for their transgressions against us," replied Wiseman.
"Our long held dream," Demande said.
But he grew angry at the cloaked man.
"Wiseman, your words will not distract me. Why did you defy my orders and kill Saphir? I need an answer now!" he snapped.
"Saphir's passing was a minor occurrence, compared to the great things about to come," replied Wiseman.
"So are those your true feelings?" demanded the dark prince.
"Prince Demande, have you forgotten why our Black Moon Clan was forced to come to nemesis in the first place? For ages we have waited for this unique set of circumstances to present themselves. You're not seriously thinking of letting this chance of revenge to slip away, because of an inconsequential casualty," countered Wiseman.
"You're right, occupying Earth and finally getting our vengeance has always been our clan's dream for a long time. So go ahead and proceed with our plans, but do not think I have forgotten or that I have forgiven you for what you have done. Once we have crushed the Earth completely, I intend to reexamine your actions. Consider yourself warned," replied Demande, though he was still sore about losing his brother.
"Of course, as you wish. You are free to carry out any investigation, if you are still alive my prince," said Wiseman, as he chuckled malevolently.
Out on the streets of Juban, everyone was now gathered around the Black Crystal.
"The Malefic Black Crystal's energy continues to get stronger," said Ami.
"Yeah, if this keeps up," added Minako.
"It'll destroy us all," piped in Rei.
"We need to do something quickly," finished Makoto.
"I'm also worried about Tuxedo Mask. After all, he's still inside of that thing," said Luna.
"The only way for us to help out is for us to go in there," replied Artemis.
The two cats charged forward, but they were sent back by a powerful barrier that badly injured them as they landed on the ground, making Usagi and Minako worried about them.
"We just have to get past that barrier," said Rei.
"I bet if we transform, we can do it," added Makoto.
"We'll help too, you guys," said Sora, and the other Guardians of KIngdom Hearts nodded in agreement.
"'Kay, let's do it," agreed Usagi.
"Just one more thing. If anyone has something to say, then say it now," said Riku.
"I just want to say thanks, and that I was really looking forward to going out for cakes again," said Ami.
Everyone was surprised to hear that coming from Ami.
"I'm sorry everyone, I don't mean to be pessimistic, but I had to tell you, just in case," she finished.
"Aw, come on now, we'll be scarfing down cakes again, before you know it," assured Rei.
"How about we get the all you can eat deal, next time?" asked Makoto.
Usagi agreed with a light giggle.
"Last time, you did eat it all," said Minako.
"Hey, I didn't eat that much," protested Usagi.
"Well anyway, let's get ready to do this. We'll show this Black Moon Clan the really super power of FAMILY!" said Sora.
"Okay, first we protect the world, then we celebrate," agreed Makoto.
"Let's go do this, for our future," added Minako.
"We'll do our best to save Chibiusa and the people of the future city of Crystal Tokyo," said Ami.
"Let's all put our hearts together," piped in Rei.
"To protect our beloved world," said Usagi.
"To safeguard the light from the darkness," said Sora.
"To walk the road to dawn," agreed Riku.
"For our mothers and fathers," said Kairi.
"Our precious siblings," agreed Roxas.
"Standing together as one," said Xion.
"Going all out with a bang," smirked Axel.
"To decide our own fate," said Ventus.
"To have strength to protect what matters," put in Terra.
"To balance duty with our lives," said Aqua.
"For those we cherish with our hearts," said Mickey.
"For Daisy, and my nephews," quacked Donald.
"And for those who will be our legacy," finished Goofy.
Everyone nodded, as Luna and Artemis told them to be extremely careful in the final battle, and that they would be counting on them.
"Okay, time to transform," Usagi said to her friends.
Then Usagi and her friends assumed their Sailor Guardian identities in a brilliant flash of light and varying colors, as Sora and his friends summoned their Keyblades for battle. At the same time, the Malefic Black Crystal suddenly reacted to their presence, as they charged towards it. A beam of darkness struck Sailor Moon squarely in the chest causing her to crash to the ground, causing her friends to grow concerned as they helped her back up.
"We can't let this thing stop us, we have to break through with everything we've got. So let's take it into overdrive!" Sora said.
"He's right, we can do this. Come on, one more time," replied Sailor Moon.
They all charged forward together again, but this time they were prepared for the defensive blasts of the Black Crystal, as everyone gave Sailor Moon encouragement to endure.
"We're coming for you Chibiusa! I'll turn you back into the cute girl you once were! And put an end to this evil energy forever!" Sailor Moon cried out.
Calling upon her friends to lend them her strength, everyone soon united their powers as one and together they soon burst through the barrier and entered the inner workings of the Malefic Black Crystal.
"Think they'll be okay?" Luna asked worriedly.
"I'm sure they're gonna come back to us in one piece, Luna," replied Artemis.
Thanks to the Sailor Teleport, Sailor Moon, Sora and all their friends were now inside of the Black Crystal.
"It looks like we made it inside," said Sailor Venus.
""This place is like a maze of mirrors," observed Sailor Mars as they saw reflections of themselves.
"Well, let's get moving," replied Sailor Moon.
Sora nodded, and the two friends bravely walked forward.
"Wait you guys, we really should be cautious," warned Sailor Mercury.
Suddenly, a trap door opened underneath them, and caused Sora and Sailor Moon to fall through it. This made everyone worried, as it closed on them.
"They disappeared," Sailor Mars said with a look of concern in her eyes.
"Where do you think they'll end up?" asked Sailor Venus.
"We'd better go find her," Sailor Mercury replied, making everyone nod at her.
"I'm afraid you're too late," Maleficent replied when she appeared behind them.
Everyone turned and glared at the dark fairy.
"This is where your journey ends. Any moment now, the Malefic Black Crystal will be too powerful to stop. This world will be plunged into darkness. It is inevitable," Maleficent said.
"Silence! We've had enough of you! Give back our friends!" snapped Aqua.
"You poor simple fools, you think you can defeat me? Me, the mistress of all evil!?" cried the wicked fairy.
"Well guess what, Maleficent, we're not gonna let you or anyone else create a future where darkness wins!" Sailor Jupiter said furiously at the evil witch.
Meanwhile, Sora and Sailor Moon were soon transported to another part of the Crystal.
'Where are we?" she asked.
"Sailor Moon, Sora, let me welcome you inside our Malefic Black Crystal," Demande said as he stepped out of the shadows with his sword at the ready.
"So, Prince Demande, I see you're still gonna try and turn Sailor Moon into your puppet just so that she can become your queen," Sora replied darkly.
"It's a pleasure to see you again. But this time, things are going to be a bit different now," the dark prince said to them.
He soon jumped towards them, but Sora was prepared for him as he forced him back with a swing of his Keyblade, stopping him from laying a finger on Sailor Moon.
"I won't let you control Sailor Moon's heart," he said.
"I know we have our score to settle, Sora Lucis Caelum. Which is why I've also been expecting you. However I have a proposal for you, if you're willing to hear it, but first, you should dismiss your Keyblade," remarked Demande, then he made the weapon vanish from his hand.
"Sora, try to stay strong," Sailor Moon said quietly to her friend.
"Have patience, Sailor Moon. I'll deal with you at a later time," he remarked.
Sora glared defiantly at Demande, as he slowly stepped back.
"I'm looking forward to teaching you how to control the darkness. In time you will call me, King Demande," he smiled with demented pride.
"You're gravely mistaken. You won't convert me and Sailor Moon as Wiseman converted Chibiusa," Sora remarked bravely.
"Oh, no, my young knight. You will find that it is you who are mistaken… about a great many things," countered Demande as he slowly walked up to them.
"What are you talking about?" Sailor Moon asked cautiously.
"To make you my queen, and your friend, our knight. By now you must know that your only daughter can never be turned from the darkness. So will it be with the both of you," the prince answered her.
"You're wrong. Soon we'll be dead– and you with us," argued Sora.
Demande only gave a quiet chuckle.
"Perhaps you refer to the imminent attack on the other Warriors of Light. Yes. I assure you we are quite safe from your friends here," he said.
He turned slowly away from them and walked off.
"Your overconfidence is your weakness," Sora remarked.
"Your faith in your friends is yours. After all, it is pointless to resist, my queen and my knight. However, everything that has transpired has done so according to my own personal design. Your friends who are somewhere inside of the labyrinth of mirrors, are about to be slain by Maleficent, who agreed to help us out, with some persuasion from Ultimecia. It was she who gave Wiseman the idea to attack this timeline that you blights reside in to avert Crystal Tokyo's creation. It was the perfect way to ensure that what will transpire will most certainly be averted. For she told me the prophecy of how darkness wins and light dies. We are all aware of what was written in the book of the stone. Oh, I'm afraid the Black Gate will be quite operational, when your friends arrive," argued Demande.
He gained a malicious grin, right as Sailor Moon gently took hold of Sora's hand and held it tightly in her own, so that she wouldn't allow him to succumb to despair. He turned to look at her, and noticed the concern in her eyes, which made him think that she truly was just like him.
"Now, come, you two. And see what I will show you," they heard the Prince of Nemesis say to them.
He touched a crystal and showed them an image of their friends battling Maleficent and the Heartless that were stalling them.
"Oh no," shuddered Sailor Moon.
"What I show you, you will witness the final destruction of your companions, and the end of your insignificant belief in the light," Demande explained.
Sora turned sharply towards Demande, his eyes slowly starting to fill with anger.
"Oh, you want to kill me, don't you? Yes. The hatred is swelling in your heart now. Take up your Keyblade, Sora. Use it. I am unarmed. Strike me down with it. Give in to your anger. With each passing moment you make yourself more my servant," he added with wicked glee.
But Sailor Moon shook her head towards Sora, as if she wanted to make sure that he didn't succumb to her enemy's influence. But Sora turned defiantly back towards him.
"No," he said, trying to be brave.
"It is unavoidable. It is your destiny. You and Sailor Moon, like the rabbit… are now… mine," Demande argued with a dark cold voice.
"Sora, please, listen to me. You can't allow Demande to take over your being, just as he tried to take over my heart. We mustn't allow him to make us say that we'd gladly stand at his side. It's like you once told me about how my heart belongs only to Mamo and no one else," Sailor Moon tried to assure him.
This only made Demande laugh at them.
"How naive can you possibly be, Sailor Moon? As you and Sora can see, my lovely queen, your friends have failed. Now witness the true power of the Malefic Black Crystal that I am willingly going to share with that dark fairy that your friend truly despises, Sailor Moon," he said.
Then he touched the crystal, and his image appeared beside Maleficent.
"Use the power that I give to you, Maleficent," Demande's projection said to her.
"That I can gladly do, Demande, Future King of Nemesis," replied Maleficent.
"Venus," gasped Sora, as he watched what was going on in the projection.
The Malefic Black Crystal soon began transferring some of its power over to the dark fairy, giving her an extra powerboost.
"Feel the full power of HELL!" she cried towards the Warriors of Light.
"LOOK OUT!" cried Sailor Mars, and they all dove to the ground.
Her scepter began radiating with dark power, then unleashed a green fireblast, which whooshed over them, but left them barely singed.
"What was that?" Sailor Mercury asked in shock.
"That crystal's giving Maleficent more power! It's like Demande wants us all dead!" cried Sailor Jupiter.
"What can we do now?" Sailor Venus asked.
"Don't retreat! We mustn't allow our enemies to win!" said Riku.
"He's right. We won't get another chance like this, everyone," added Axel.
"We might not have any choice, guys! None of us can repel that kind of power as we are now!" protested the Sailor Guardian of Mercury.
"Sora and Sailor Moon are counting on us! We can't let them down no matter what!" Kairi replied.
"Kairi makes a pretty fair argument. If we give up now, then it is over!" agreed the Sailor Guardian of War.
Then they all began mounting a fierce counterattack on both Maleficent and the Heartless, which was far more intense than before, just as Tuxedo Mask arrived.
"Where's Sailor Moon?" he asked them.
"She's being held by Prince Demande, and Sora's also with them! Please, you have to save them, Tuxedo Mask!" called Aqua.
"Don't worry. I'll do what I can to reach them in time. Once you've finished your business with Maleficent, come and find me, by tracing your connection to my heart," replied the caped crusader, and he raced off, dodging some Heartless that tried to pounce him, but continued undeterred.
"You will not escape me, boy!" cried Maleficent, trying to blast him into oblivion with Dark Flare.
"DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!" shouted Sailor Mars, unleashing her Burning Mandala to stop the Dark Flare from harming him.
Luckily, it produced a powerful smoke screen that masked his escape.
"Guys, we have to hit Maleficent with all we got. Get as close as you can, and engage that witch at point blank range!" she called towards her companions.
"But at this close of a range, we might not last long against her full power!" protested Axel.
"Maybe, but we'll last longer than we will against the Heartless, and we may just take a couple of them down with us!" Sailor Mars replied.
Everyone surged towards Maleficent with a fierce determination, while Donald and Goofy kept the Heartless back by fighting alongside Mickey.
"They just keep coming!" grunted Sailor Venus, who blasted them with Crescent Beam.
"Here comes a Demon Tide!" cried the captain of the Disney Town Guard.
He was pinned down as he kept his shield, Save the King, up in front of him. Donald quickly erected a powerful shield to keep a Demon Tower from sending thousands of Heartless after him. Quickly, Roxas struck down one of the Demon Tides that was about to crush the captain of the guard into nothingness, and take his heart. Everyone else was now back to back, even as they struck at the Heartless with everything they had.
"This isn't good," Mickey said.
"Form up. Now!" called Aqua.
Everyone nodded and joined her side, as Maleficent howled with wicked glee.
Surround them! Crush them! Take their hearts, and drive Sailor Moon and Sora to the very edge of despair!" she called towards the Heartless.
But Mickey, despite his concern, knew what he had to do. He had to cast Stopza. Suddenly, Riku took hold of the Star cluster, then shook his head at him.
"If you try to use time magic against these numbers, you won't have enough strength to help our friends," he said quietly to him.
"Riku's right, Mickey. Losing you would most certainly break not just our hearts, it'd break Minnie's heart as well," agreed Sailor Mercury.
They continued striking back against the Heartless, not wanting them to gain an edge in the onslaught. Mickey nodded towards them, then lowered his Keyblade, while Aqua struck down another.
"I'll try and break through. Everyone, get ready!" she said.
"Not by yourself, Aqua! We're in this together!" argued Terra.
"Yeah, Terra's right! We're not losing anyone!" agreed Ventus.
"My thoughts exactly, Ven," added Kairi.
"Yeah, splitting up's a bad idea!" replied Axel.
"Then you can perish together!" howled the dark fairy, as she held both her arms to either side.
"There's way too many!" gasped Goofy.
"Fall into the deepest darkest pits of pandemonium!" Maleficent cried out, as she sent a wave of darkness towards them, hoping to bring back the Demon Storm she had seen from the fierce battle. This made Donald drop to the ground, fearing that the end had at last come.
"We're finished!" he cried, as the shadows were about to over take and submerge them below.
"No! You are not!" Yen Sid said as he emerged in a burst of pure light, which sent the Heartless flying back in all directions
Everyone was amazed to see him.
"Master Yen Sid!" they said with relief.
Using his powers, the former Keyblade Master used his magic to create a pathway of light that would keep the Heartless back.
"Impossible," gasped Maleficent.
"Go, my Warriors of Light, I will hold them all here for as long as I can," he told the Keyblade Wielders and the Sailor Guardians.
"No, we won't let you do this alone!" protested Sailor Jupiter.
"Cease your arguing and go, Sailor Jupiter. This is not the time for any of you to show weakness or concern. That is exactly what Maleficent wants you to believe, so that with Demande's help, she'll destroy you all, and drive Sora and Sailor Moon towards the edge of despair," Master Yen Sid said, looking sternly at her.
"Then we must ensure that doesn't happen," agreed Sailor Mars.
Donald and Goofy however, knew what they had to do. They jumped forth.
"You guys go on!" he said in agreement.
"Me and Donald will stay here. The two of us will back up Master Yen Sid!" added Goofy.
"Thank you, Donald and Goofy," sighed Sailor Mercury.
"Go help Tuxedo Mask find Sailor Moon and Sora, Mercury," quacked Donald.
"Don't worry. We'll catch up with you in just a bit!" agreed the captain.
"I agree with my father, guys. Those two need you by their side. Now get going, or our hearts will turn into Heartless chow," added Max Goof, who had arrived with Yen Sid.
Sailor Venus nodded, then she smiled at them.
"Thank you all," she said.
"We'll regroup later," Mickey said to her.
"You will not save them! They are already lost in darkness!" cried Maleficent, and she sent the Heartless to try and block the path, only to see them be sent scattering in all directions again.
"DO NOT INTERFERE, WITCH!" shouted the sorcerer.
He turned to the Warriors of Light.
"Make haste!" he said.
Everyone nodded, and they raced down the path, hoping that they weren't too late to save those who were the Link to All. But Maleficent glared at them.
"You're Warriors of Light are wise, Master Yen Sid. They know when to retreat," she said to him.
"I hold no illusions about engaging the Heartless under your command, Maleficent. But I might delay their pursuit, by removing you from this stage," Yen Sid remarked, Max stood beside him.
The wicked fairy just laughed at them.
"HIghly unlikely, Yen Sid, as I am infused with their belief of destruction!" she cried out.
"To quote a very old friend of Sora's: One shall stand. One shall fall," Max remarked bravely, and the battle continued, with the next captain leading the charge.
But even still, Demande gained a truly demented grin.
"No matter what they do, in the end your friends who are trapped in this labyrinth will not survive. There is no escape, my queen and my knight. The light that you believe in will die, as will your friends and family," he said to them.
"You're wrong. They're not dead. They are still alive and will keep on fighting, because I believe in them, just as Sailor Moon does. There's no way they let themselves be killed that easily," protested Sora.
"Yeah, you said it, Sora. I believe in them too," agreed Sailor Moon.
"Oh really? Then what if they came across even more Heartless that really wanted them dead?" he asked, then clicked his fingers.
Sora looked at the projection, and saw an even more powerful swarm of Heartless empowered by the Black Crystal to try and have them slaughtered.
"You bastard… You'll pay for that," he said, slowly feeling his anger rise up like a pool of lava from a volcano.
"Yes. Good. I can feel that anger building up inside of you, Sora. I am defenseless. Ready your Keyblade. Strike me down with all of your hatred, and your transformation into Vanitas will be complete. But if you refuse, then I will make Sailor Moon say her heart belongs to me, once I've taken hold of her with the limitless power of darkness I command," Demande said with a much more menacing tone, as he prepared to open his third eye, and use it on Sailor Moon.
Sailor Moon was now paralyzed by what she heard, but Sora was now growing more furious after he heard that threat, and saw that Demande had truly crossed the line. Yet what he didn't know was that something had blasted the Heartless in the projection back, allowing the Warriors of Light to continue on, so that they wouldn't be weary before the real final battle with Wiseman.
"Leave her alone!" he shouted.
Lunging furiously at him, Sora uncharacteristically swung his Keyblade towards Demande, who quickly blocked it with his own weapon. Then, Sora attacked Demande furiously, forcing the other man back away from Sailor Moon, as he did his best to block each attack with his sword, only for Sora to deliver a blow to his face with his Keyblade, leaving a nasty scar upon his right eye. Quickly jumping back, Sora quickly countered Demande's attacks, then retaliated with a combo of his own, then kicked him back.
"Very impressive, Sora. Use your aggressive feelings, and let your hatred flow through you," he said, with a chuckle.
"Sora, don't let him deceive you," warned Sailor Moon.
Sora nodded towards her and lowered his Keyblade.
"King Regis has taught you well," complimented Demande.
"I will not fight you, Demande," countered Sora.
Demande stalked towards him like a predator in the wilderness, as Sora slowly stepped back from him.
"It is unwise of you to lower your defenses!" Demande said furiously.
He swung his sword at Sora who quickly protected himself, but was soon driven back as they entered a blade-lock. Demande soon pressed the attack against him, driving Sora back ever since their previous encounter, entering another blade-lock, which Sora purposely broke and jumped away from the dark prince as he swung furiously at him, and missed him completely as the young Keyblade Master landed between him and Sailor Moon.
"Your thoughts betray you, Demande. I feel the good in you. The conflict," Sora said to him.
"There is no conflict," countered Demande as he held his sword in front of him.
"You couldn't bring yourself to kill me before, and Sailor Moon knows that you won't destroy me now," argued Sora.
"You underestimate the power of darkness. If you will not fight, then you will meet your demise!" snapped Demande.
He then threw his sword towards Sora, forcing him and Sailor Moon to duck and run away from the battle. Quickly summoning his sword back to him, Demande continued to pursue his prey. He was now searching menacingly for them, as he looked around him in the dark shadows of the Crystal that Sora and Sailor Moon were hiding in.
(Play the Final Duel from the Return of the Jedi for this epic yet disturbingly beautiful final clash between Sora and Demande)
"You cannot hide or protect Sailor Moon forever, Sora," he said.
"I will not fight you. But you can't force Sailor Moon to say her heart belongs only to you. You claim that it's all about power, instead of love, friendship, and respect. Those are the things that make us strong, and Tuxedo Mask would be forced to kill you as revenge for trying to turn Sailor Moon against those she holds dear to her," argued Sora.
"Sora's right, power alone never solves anything. Can't you see that?" agreed Sailor Moon.
"Foolish blights, you will give yourselves to the darkness. It is the only way you can save your friends," countered Demande.
Sora and Sailor Moon glanced worriedly at each other, as Demande continued to hunt them down.
"Yes, your thoughts betray you, Sora. Both your's and Sailor Moon's feelings for them are strong, especially for Kairi, Twilight, Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Yang, and Sailor Venus," he said.
Sora gasped in shock, as Sailor Moon shivered with fear.
"So, you're in love with Sailor Venus, Sora. But your feelings have now betrayed her too. Sailor Moon was wise to hide her from me, but now her failure is complete. If Sailor Moon will not become my queen, then perhaps Sailor Venus will," Demande said malevolently.
"NEVER!" exploded Sora.
Demande glanced towards him, but then suddenly found himself being driven back by an enraged Sora, who was now attacking him for threatening another of his friends, as Sailor Moon watched in horror at this change within him. Demande tried to counter attack, but Sora still continued his relentless assault on Demande, swinging his Keyblade furiously at his sword, as Demande barely blocked each blow and tried to fight back. They fought their way back to where they first encountered each other, and Demande was now forced onto his knees as he tried to block each angry blow directed towards him with his sword, until Sora's final blow broke the blade into pieces, causing Demande's grip to loosen, and he toppled to the ground. Sora now held his keyblade dangerously near Demande's throat, as the dark prince panted wearily at this new display of power.
"I see you are strong, Sora, but your hatred has made you much stronger than before. Now, fulfill your destiny, strike me down, and your hands will be stained in my blood, right in front of Sailor Moon," Demande said to him, as he lay defeated.
Sailor Moon quickly rushed to Sora's side, and wrapped her arms around him.
"Don't listen to him, Sora. That's what he wants you to do. Make you give into your darkest feelings so that he can watch you turn into Vanitas," she cried.
"It's a trick, Sailor Moon. Demande is too dangerous to be alive, and he deserves to die for trying to take Sailor Venus," countered Sora who was still seething with rage.
"I know you hate him, but if you strike him down in anger, he'll never be able to see redemption," Sailor Moon said in a tone of voice that brooked no arguments.
Relenting from his rage induced trance, Sora backed off, and lowered his Keyblade.
"I know you and everyone around disappeared to Nemesis, after Neo-Queen Serenity exiled you. But choosing to live together in peace and harmony is better than living with hatred and vengeance Demande. Saphir loved you because he was worried about you, and he still loves you even in death. Nothing's impossible for people to live with each other in peace and harmony, no matter how many differences you have. Even when Rubeus banished the four Spectre Sisters, Sailor Moon still helped them understand the light of redemption, because Wiseman viewed them as pawns to be sacrificed," he explained calmly.
"Is it true? I wonder. Could it be that Wiseman was lying to us?" Demande questioned himself.
"That was probably the reason Wiseman killed your brother. Saphir was trying to warn you about Wiseman's betrayal," said Sailor Moon.
"That's right. Saphir was trying to tell you that Wiseman can't be trusted, because he views you and everyone else in the Black Moon Clan as sacrifices for his ultimate goal, to destroy both this world, and the Realm of Light itself," added Sora.
"Wiseman is…. I just can't believe this. Those eyes of yours, they could only belong to someone who tells the truth," admitted Demande.
He was about to apologize to Sailor Moon for what he had done, when Wiseman appeared, making Demande turn and glare furiously at him.
"These two fools are in our way, they're keeping us from achieving our goal, they must be disposed of," the cloaked demon said.
"So, we meet at last, Wiseman," Sora said as he prepared himself for battle.
"Why are you here, Sora!?" demanded Wiseman.
"What I say to you, I say this, not as someone who chooses to have vengeance, but as someone who has bested your subordinate, Prince Demande, former citizen of Crystal Tokyo, now an exiled denizen of Nemesis, in battle. Even though revenge is a dish that is best served cold, I chose not to compromise who I am for the sake of revenge. Saphir… was my friend, and you will pay for his death. However, had you told me to finish Demande off, Sailor Moon would still do the smart thing, and tell me not to submit to your will, thus freeing Vanitas from within. So now, I'm gonna make sure that you pay for killing off Demande's brother, the Second Prince of Nemesis' Black Moon Clan, who chose to embrace the light, rather than maintain his belief in darkness," he remarked.
"No, leave him to me, Sora. You stay back and protect Sailor Moon," Demande said, holding his arm in front of him.
Sora nodded and stood his ground, just as the Pretty Guardian of Love and Justice tried to stop him.
"But, Demande…!" Sailor Moon tried to protest, only to see her friend's hand in front of her.
"This is his battle, Sailor Moon. We mustn't interfere," Sora said firmly.
Then he tossed his former rival an elixir, which he drank down, and regained his full strength after their previous clash.
"I don't take orders from you! Stay out of this!" the prince said furiously at Wiseman.
"I have no use for a fool who believes the words of some foolish children," countered Wiseman.
"What's that!?" Demande asked angrily.
"I have Black Lady to do my bidding now, and the dark power is growing with every moment. You're no longer needed," answered Wiseman.
Bracing himself for Wiseman's attack, Demande now saw what the cloaked man really was.
"If you think you can kill the leader of the Black Moon Clan so easily, give it your best shot!" he said, and counter attacked.
The two beings of darkness clashed furiously with each other as Sora and Sailor Moon stood watching the clash between them.
"Destroying the world and ruling over its ruins, that is what the great ruler, Death Phantom, desires!" cried Wiseman.
"Death Phantom?" Sora and Sailor Moon asked themselves.
"Turning the Earth into a dark world? Is that what you intend!? I won't let you do it!" yelled Demande, firing a beam of darkness at Wiseman's orb.
But the cloaked man turned his attention to Sailor Moon, and was about to strike him down, when Demande pushed her aside and took the full force of the attack for her. Wiseman laughed wickedly at what he saw.
"Demande!" gasped Sailor Moon.
"Are you okay?" Sora asked.
Demande nodded as he clutched at his wound, and stood up.
"So you still have enough strength to stand. Then you will die with these fools!" roared Wiseman.
"Don't underestimate me," countered Demande.
Then he fired a beam of power towards the dark sorcerer, and destroyed him. But the attack left him drained as he dropped to his knees, just as Sailor Moon and Sora rushed to his side.
"Sailor Moon, Sora, it appears I was wrong about some things. I truly believed moving our clan to Earth was the only way forward, and I was willing to give my life to make that happen. I became so totally obsessed with my mission, I couldn't see through Wiseman's deception, so I allowed countless lives to be sacrificed. I guess I've simply forgotten what it means to be human," admitted Demande.
"But you didn't forget. You not only saved Sailor Moon from certain death, you earned her respect as well as mine, when you asked me to stay by her side," replied Sora.
"Now that you know what the truth is, you won't make those mistakes again," added Sailor Moon, as Wiseman's orb slowly rose.
"You're right, but it's too late for me," said Demande.
"Don't say another word. It's never too late. It's just not," Sora and Sailor Moon begged.
"I'm glad to hear that the specter sisters are living so happily on earth, and the fact that you and your friends tried to save Saphir, makes me think we might have been all able to live in peace," replied Demande.
"We can do it, with your help, we can make anything happen," Sailor Moon said as she cried.
"These tears of sadness are for me?" Demande asked as he gently brushed his fingers across Sailor Moon's cheeks.
"They are, Demande. But I promise you, that Sailor Moon and I will ensure that the future is always bright, instead of dark," replied Sora.
"Thank you, Sora. Please promise to look after my people, the Black Moon Clan, on Planet Nemesis. I thank the both of you for saving me from the darkness," Demande said, while the carnage inside the crystal continued between the Heartless and the Warriors of Light.
He turned to Sora, who gently lifted him up.
"Sora, help me be free… of the darkness," he breathed.
"But you'll die," gasped the spiky brunette.
"Nothing…can stop that now. Just for once… let me… look upon you with my own eyes," replied the now dying Demande.
Sora nodded, despite his unwillingness to see someone die in front of him, then he stood back and summoned his Keyblade to his hand. Pointing it shakily at the now dying prince, he fired a beam of light that struck his chest, and the darkness within him slowly began to evaporite out of his heart, as if he were being refreshed by the light of Sailor Moon's silver crystal.
"There, Demande," he said, then knelt before his weakened form.
"That's good. Now, go, you two… Leave me…" breathed Demande.
"No, you're coming with us. We'll not leave you here, we've got to save you," countered Sora.
"You already… have, Sora. You were right. You were right about me. Tell Sailor Venus… You were right…" assured his former rival.
Then his eyes clouded, his breathing stopped, the strength, and the life… went out of him.
"Demande…" choked Sora, as he watched him fall back and lay still on the ground.
"We won't leave you," he sobbed as new tears rolled down his cheeks, and fell on Demande's face.
But he saw now, that just like Saphir, Prince Demande was dead. Sora gently brushed his hand against his former rival's chest, then looked down at him, as Sailor Moon hugged him from behind. Suddenly, Wiseman approached the mourning friends, and grabbed Sailor Moon by the throat, causing Sora to turn around and glare angrily at him.
"The Legendary Silver Crystal that possesses the power to change the world! Give it to me!" he yelled.
"But we saw you die!" choked Sailor Moon.
'How can you still be alive?" asked Sora, when he looked up at Wiseman.
"I am an immortal being," replied Wiseman.
"I would rather die, than give you the crystal!" Sailor Moon said bravely.
"You will hand it over to me!" commanded Wiseman.
"She will give you nothing!" shouted Sora.
"HEARTLESS! SILENCE HIM!" screamed Wiseman.
Then thousands upon thousands of Heartless appeared around Sora, while Sailor Moon tried to call for Tuxedo Mask's help.
"Help? Would you care to see where your Tuxedo Mask is now?" he asked cruelly.
Then Wiseman used his orb to show her images of what he believed to be true.
"Your precious Tuxedo Mask, also known as Mamoru Chiba, and Chibiusa, Or should I say Black Lady, have fallen in love," he said.
"Liar! Chibiusa's only a child! Mamoru would never fall for someone who's his own flesh and blood!" countered Sora as he fought the Heartless.
"You've been abandoned! They have forgotten you!" Wiseman continued ignoring Sora's words.
Sailor Moon soon began to feel herself becoming scared as tears poured from her eyes.
"Don't listen to him, Sailor Moon!" called Sora.
"Sora's right, Wiseman, I know all about your illusions, and I won't fall for your tricks!" Sailor Moon said in agreement with Sora's words.
"Do you really believe that? In this world, there is nothing that you can truly trust. You must loathe everyone and everything, Sailor Moon. Go on, instill the Legendary Silver Crystal with the power of hatred! Destroy this world! Turn it into eternal Darkness!" countered Wiseman, as he showed her images of Black Lady with Mamoru together.
"It's not true. Mamo and Chibiusa would never betray me! How could they!? Answer me!" Sailor Moon said in denial.
"You have lied to Sailor Moon for the last time, Wiseman! In fact, we've had enough of your trickery, and we are truly sick of you!" Sora declared, and he summoned Starlight to his hand.
"ANCIENT LIGHT!" he cried out, and a burst of light erupted from the tip of his Keyblade, forcing Wiseman to back off, but also breaking his dark spell of deceit on Sailor Moon.
"Wait, why aren't you under my spell?" demanded Wiseman.
"It's because Sailor Moon believes that Mamoru and Chibiusa are very important people to her, just as I believe that my friends are important to me. Even if they aren't with us in body, they will always be in our hearts no matter what you do! We both know that they'd never turn their backs on us, because all you do is try to lie and deceive us through your illusions!" countered Sora.
"Well, in that case, return to darkness!" roared Wiseman.
Then he unleashed a burst of darkness upon them, but something stopped it.
"Using lies to toy with the hearts of people who are strong in the light is the work of a true coward. I Tuxedo Mask, will never forgive you," the caped crusader said, making Sailor Moon and Sora relieved.
"Don't forget about us," the rest of their friends said.
They both turned around to see that all their friends had arrived just in time and surrounded by Wiseman.
"How did you guys find us?" Sora asked.
"It's because of our connection to your hearts, that we were able to find you guys," replied Sailor Venus, who gently kissed Sora's cheek.
"You are too late. The time has come. Black Lady's power has reached its full force. The Malefic Black Crystal's dark power has now opened the gate, and will turn your world into dust!" Wiseman said with a sinister chuckle.
"Are we really?" asked Goofy.
"I don't know," replied Donald.
""We won't let that happen," Sailor Moon said firmly.
"That's right! This is not your world. It is Sailor Moon's world. She's the Chosen Queen of Queens. And we will have… our revenge," Sora added, his belief echoing her own.
"Watch as the entire Earth plunges into darkness forever! And if you desire revenge against me, then I will show you revenge!" roared Wiseman, who vanished.
"Everyone, I have discovered the Dark Gate's center, we must hurry," said the caped crusader.
"Okay, let's go! It's time to make that hooded devil pay for turning most of the Black Moon Clan into his puppets," agreed Sora.
Everyone nodded and followed after Tuxedo Mask, until they reached the top of the Crystal.
"This is it, the Dark Gate's center," he said.
"Ah, the heroes of light," Black Lady said.
"Look, up there!" cried Sailor Moon.
"It's Chibiusa!" everyone said.
"I am known as Black Lady, messenger of the ruler of darkness, known as Death Phantom. This world of yours will soon be destroyed, watch as it becomes filled with hate," she announced with sadistic laughter.