The groups had soon arrived into a large city like area where they saw line upon line of sheltered fortresses with small houses built around them.
"What kind of world is this?" Ace said as he saw Cable Cars going back and forth between the fortresses.
"Wait...could this be...I've read about a place like this." Robin said. "A rumored world that was said to be a seat of power for all keyblade wielders. In our language, it was called the Stairway to Heaven but its true name is...Scala ad Caelum."
"Oh, like the song." Scarlet said. "Although, I guess this place came before that…anyway, where is the old man?"
"Good question...this place seems deserted. Where could he...huh?" Jexi said as he noticed Xehanort walking in the street. "There!"
"Wait… There's one over here too." Leopardmon said.
"Wait...something's wrong." Ace said.
"Take heart, he's setting up an ambush!" Leopardmon said.
"He's attacking us using his other selves!" Hope said as the Xehanorts donned robes and strange masks.
"And they're using the members weapons too." Tsuki said as she clashed with one using Saix's claymore.
"Calm down. We can still take them on. Besides, we know how those weapons function." Tetsu said.
"He's right. No pressure, just read the weapons they're using and counter them." David said.
"Right. Keyblade Form 7: Lunatic Voice Trident!" Ace called.
"C'mon guys, there's 13 of them but we outnumber them by the hundreds!" Hagakure said leaping into the air. "Light Refraction!" she called using her ultimate move to blind the cloaked selves. "Veevee, go!"
"You've got it! Victory Saber!" UlforceVeedramon called as he sliced through the cloaked figures.
"Wait, wait, something's up." Jexi said as the figures vanished soon reappearing in the air with Xehanort leading them.
"Ah...welcome...one and all. Witness as me and my other selves become one here...at Scala ad Caelum." Xehanort said.
The 13 copies of Xehanort then turned into white and black orbs of darkness as all of them phased into the real one. Then erupting with that same blackness, Xehanort became donned in a demonic suit of armor.
"Now he gets serious. So I suppose we should too." Jexi said entering Golden God Mode.
"Yeah. Let's get him." Hope said entering Azure God Mode.
"Heh. Why settle with just that?" David asked as he and Sectonia entered their second stages while Francisca simply entered Sapphire God Mode and the Royal Knights with X-Antibody forms entered them.
"Alright, for Theo and everyone in the Multiverse!" Ace said activating Celestial Force.
"It's over, Xehanort." Mark said as he activated his Angel Form. "No backup plans, no other bodies. This is where your story ends."
"We are just getting started." Xehanort said raising his hands as the land of the fortress was changing to his whim as it tilted.
"It'll take more than that to stop us." Jexi said charging in as Xehanort blocked the incoming punch.
"Over here!" Hope said as he came from behind and blasted Xehanort in the back. "Mark, show him what you can do!"
"You got it." Mark said as he summoned a Cross Pistol. "Faith Bullet!"
Mark fired the gun as the bullet hit Xehanort in the knee.
"Golden God's….Shining Fist!" Jexi shouted, sending Xehanort flying into the air. "David! Ace!"
"Roger!" David said forming two energy rifles as energy was building up. "Sapphire God's...Judgment Blaster!" he shouted as he fires a huge blast of energy from his energy rifles.
"This is it, everyone, lend me your strength!" Ace said as all of his Keyblade's forms appeared and charged at Xehanort. "Celestial Force's Divine Assault…" He said as he teleported into the into the air and formed a massive orb of light and darkness. "Ether Strike!" He called firing it down on Xehanort as the light engulfed him.
The armor shattered as Xehanort knelt there before he retreated to the large castle overlooking the small island.
"After him!" Jexi said as they gave chase.
They soon caught up with him inside the building as Xehanort stood there with the X-Blade in his hand.
"You think you can contain me here...all of you knowing well about connections?" Xehanort asked smirking. "I'm afraid it all ends here. Only one sky, one destiny."
"Well, unfortunately for you. There's one thing I like to say: Screw Destiny!" David said.
"He's right. We decide our own fate!" Sectonia said.
"It's time we ended your scheme… here and now!" Hope said.
"Light and Darkness will still go hand in hand, your reign is over!" Ace said.
"Come Kingdom Hearts!" Xehanort shouted as a large platform rose high into the sky under the moon that was Kingdom Hearts as Xehanort prepared a final strike against them.
"No...it ends for you." Sora said aiming his keyblade at him.
"Together!" Donald said linking his staff with Sora's blade.
"We got your back, Sora." Goofy said linking his shield with it.
"We all do." Jexi said as one by one the heroes joined their power with Sora's.
"You've lost!" they all shouted as a ray of light emerged from the keyblade and pierced right through Xehanort.
"No...how…." Xehanort groaned as he lied there on the ground.
"Because you were alone, with no one else by your side." Ace said.
"And we had someone else helping us out. His name was...no...his name IS Theo." Mark said.
"No...the world...it has to be purged. Someone has to lead, to be strong so the weak cannot pollute the world with their darkness. Someone to dictate their destiny." Xehanort said.
"Don't you understand, Xehanort?" David asked as everyone reverted. "A true leader knows that destiny is something beyond their control. Someone to know there are things even they cannot change."
"Hmm. You remind me...of an old friend." Xehanort said.
"Look!" Goofy said as lights shined down as the rest of the group from the other side joined them.
"You guys made it!" Hope said.
Terra soon approached Xehanort. "There's more to light than meets the eye...as I have told you." Terra said.
"Heh….you sly fox." Xehanort said as the spirit of Eraqus emerged from Terra's body.
"Now hand over the X Blade...Xehanort." Eraqus said.
"No. It is too late." Xehanort said.
"For us perhaps...but not for them." Eraqus said.
"No...I can do this." Xehanort said as Eraqus held the blade.
"Enough. Checkmate." Eraqus said.
Flashback….
"Checkmate." a younger Eraqus said. They were playing chess with the same rules of the light and darkness battle, and Eraqus had won. "I told you that you'd might be surprised."
"Yeah...congrats." Xehanort said.
"Huh? You...you never admit it when you lose." Eraqus said.
"Because I never lose." Xehanort said.
Both of them laughed for awhile.
"Good game today." Xehanort said.
"Heh...I try." Eraqus said.
"Maybe I won't go as far as you. When the world needs a defender, they'll pick you, Eraqus. But that doesn't mean I won't be there for you." Xehanort said.
"And I'll be there for you." Eraqus said.
End Flashback…
"Very well done." Xehanort said handing the X-blade off to Sora.
"Wait... that's it?" ZS said in disbelief. "Dude, you killed Theo and you expect us to let you walk away?"
"ZS, it's okay." Hope said. "He's played all his moves, and lost."
"Ven, Terra, Aqua...forgive your foolish teacher." Eraqus said as the three ran up to him. "Ven, I tried to use you selfishly. Aqua, I left you with such a heavy burden. Terra….look after them for me...please."
Terra shook his head yes as Eraqus and Xehanort approached one another. The two slowly beginning to fade as they took on their younger appearances before completely fading away into light.
"Can't believe I'm saying this, but… I'm happy for those two." David said.
"They became enemies at some point, but through much hardship, they finally leave this life behind...as friends." Jexi said.
"But… This did come at a cost." Sectonia said.
"That's right. Theo. Poor guy didn't deserve this." David said.
"Actually... I think he may not be as dead as you think." Mark said.
"He's right. He may be gone from this world...but even that wouldn't stop him." Cobalt said. "He'll find a way back to all of us...I know he will."
"He's right. The kid is stubborn...but even death won't stop him. He's gonna come back to us all. I guarantee it." Lycan said.
"Yeah...I feel it too." Sunset said. "He will return. Count on it."
"And when he does...we'll all be waiting for him." Cobalt said. "He might not even recognize how wonderful his dream guild had gotten when he comes back."
"I'm sure he will." SE said.
At that moment, David received a phone call from Emi. "Sorry. I gotta take this." He said answering it. "Hello?"
"Hey, David...I know you're busy with this Perfect Link Tournament thing but...think you can spare some time to travel to someplace...say this real world I keep hearing of?" Emi asked.
"Huh? Why?" David asked.
"Because some strange vortex is merging OUR Tokyo with it! And more than that, these strange green skinned guys have started attacking and some weird white and purple guy is leading them." Emi said.
"Frieza!" Eddy said.
"I've heard a bit about that. Alright. We're on our way." David said.
"I've sent the coordinates to the Galaxy King. I'll meet you at the base. Just hurry!" Emi said as she hung up.
"If you guys are going, we'll come too." Kairi said.
"Uh, are you guys certain you wanna…" Lacy said.
"You just heard that woman, a lot of worlds are in danger. That could mean ours too." Lea said.
"He's right. This is our fight too." Xion said.
"We can't just let this happen." Ven said.
"I just came back...and where Aqua and Ven go, I go." Terra said.
"Same with Xion and Axel." Roxas said.
"Looks like we have some allies coming with us." Jexi said. "We'll need all the help we can get if we're dealing with Normal."
"I suppose this is where my journey ends, unless you want me to help as well." Estelle said.
"Estelle...I think you should return home...and protect your home. They need a leader after all." Jexi said.
"You're right. Yuri, Flynn, and the rest of Brave Vesperia need me. Would you drop me off at Terca Lumeris on the way to Tokyo?" Estelle asked.
"No worries. Cause right now...a major fight is about to begin." Jexi said.
In a far off location, Normal sat in a makeshift throne surrounded by his men as he smiled. "The time has finally come. The game has begun." he smiled.
To be continued...