The Road to Dawn
By Ariana Aislinn
Chapter 30: The Battle for Destiny Islands

Many thanks again to Megumi for beta-reading! And the battle begins... (grins) I hope everyone enjoys the fight scenes!

Standard disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts and its characters are the property of Square-Enix and Disney, not me.

As they walked back along the path to Riku's island, Riku slowed, frowning. DiZ stopped to see what was keeping him. The reflection spells had worn off only a moment ago, and Riku could now see the man's bandaged face clearly in the growing darkness. "DiZ…there's a problem with our plan."

"And that is…?"

"How can we really be sure the Organization will leave Gran alone once she's told them she knows nothing? Isn't that what she's been telling them so far? And if she hasn't told them that, why would they believe her now? They're not going to leave that easily."

"Perhaps not," DiZ agreed. "Do you have a suggestion, then?"

"Well," Riku said slowly, "I know I said the islanders aren't much good at fighting, but…if they were prepared, it might work. We've got things that can be used as weapons - wooden poles and oars, fishing spears, even blitzballs. Any kind of projectile or blunt object might be effective if the Organization doesn't see it coming, right?"

"And what about the Nobodies?"

Soul Eater appeared in Riku's hand. "I'll have to take care of those. Still…if the Organization controls them, what if we knock them out or distract them? Wouldn't the Nobodies stop attacking?"

DiZ nodded. "They might."

Riku dismissed Soul Eater, bunching his right hand into a fist and smacking it into his palm as he paced forward thoughtfully. "If I can get to them, I might be able to rally the dueling club. I can get them some weapons and stash them in a safe place, for when we attack. So…what do you think?"

DiZ smiled slightly. "I think it would help a great deal. Very well - I will scout the beach on Palm Island, outside the marketplace. You should go seek out weapons for your friends. But Riku…"

Riku paused in mid-pace. "Yeah?"

"Be careful near the Nobodies. Before you go, I will show you how to use your powers of twilight to avoid detection. Watch carefully…"

Riku came and sat on the curved trunk of his favorite palm tree, watching as DiZ demonstrated basic twilight magic for him.

It was after midnight, and the moon was high in the sky, but Tidus couldn't sleep. He fumed irritably, staring out at the dim, gray line of the creatures that guarded the villagers. All around him, islanders lay on thin blankets, asleep on the sand. A few had tried to sneak away, but the silver creatures did not sleep, and they had quickly herded the prisoners back into place. They had learned early on that the creatures' talons were dangerous, and a few of the villagers nursed stinging wounds.

The leader of the creatures, the blond man with the smooth speech, was gone for the moment. Less than an hour ago, a second man with long, blue hair had come to speak to him, and they had both left the villagers unwatched. It was almost insulting, Tidus thought, how easily they dismissed them…although he did have to admit, the silver-gray creatures seemed to be all the guard they needed.

"Psst!"

A pebble hit Tidus in the back of the head, and he turned around, scowling at the prone figures of his friends. "All right, who did that?"

"It wasn't me," Selphie mumbled sleepily. "Go back to sleep."

Wakka muttered something about coconut pies and rolled over.

Tidus frowned, stepping over Rikku as he carefully headed over to the cliff face. He was still well within the circle of inhuman guards, but here, in the direction from which the pebble had come, he could see a dark shape huddled against the rock. It was strange, though - the figure's outline was fuzzy and indistinct. Peering closely, Tidus could eventually make out what looked like a coat and a hood - just like those of his captors. He stepped back, about to cry out an alarm, but a hand went over his mouth.

"Shh," whispered Paine in his ear. "You want to alert the guards?"

Tidus blinked, swallowing the shout he'd been about to release.

"I think he's on our side," Paine said, releasing Tidus. "He says he's got a plan."

Tidus frowned at the newcomer. "Who are you…?"

The figure in black shook its head. "No time. Go get the others from the dueling club - quietly."

Tidus continued to frown - there was something very funny going on here. The figure looked and sounded male, though it was difficult to tell much else from his low, rasping whisper. Still, he wasn't calling the guards, so what could it hurt to listen to him?

It was the work of a moment to quietly roust out the rest of his friends. Soon, Tidus stood before the figure again with the rest of the dueling club - Paine, Selphie, Rikku, Wakka, and even Yuna for good measure. "Okay, mystery man - you gonna tell us what this is about?"

The figure nodded. "You're all being held hostage, but we're going to attack at dawn - and you're going to help. I've stashed some makeshift weapons nearby. They aren't much, but you know how to use them, and the key thing is that your captors won't be expecting you to fight back."

"Right." Paine scowled, crossing her arms. "They think we're nothing."

The black-coated man shrugged. "Most of the islanders aren't anything to be afraid of in a fight - but you guys can handle it. Just attack with all you've got - yell, scream, beat them over the heads. Hurt them if you can, but mostly, just unnerve them, surprise them. We're hoping they'll leave if they meet with any real resistance." He gestured toward a stand of palm trees nearby. "At the center of those trees you'll find the weapon stash. You should probably look through them now, so you know what to grab when the time comes. You'll know when the time is - we'll surprise attack them not long after dawn."

The group of teens all nodded, and most of them went to rummage through the weapons. Selphie lingered, however, staring at the black-coated man before her. She frowned. "Well, it's awfully nice of you to help us, but…who are you, anyway?"

He shook his head. "Just a friend. I want to help, that's all. Why, you don't believe me?"

Selphie shrugged. "Well…you're dressed like them, but you don't act like you mean us any harm. Still, there's something funny about you. It's something almost familiar."

"Well, I - " His words were cut off as Selphie suddenly reached out and grabbed his hood, pulling it back from his head. Silver hair spilled from it, and Riku swore under his breath. "Why does everyone keep doing that?!" he sputtered, pulling the hood up again.

Selphie's breath caught. "Riku? Is that really you?" Her eyes went wide. "But then - where's Sora? And Kairi, what happened to Kairi? For that matter, where have you been? We've been so - " Suddenly she stopped, peering more closely within Riku's hood. "You…you look so different, Riku. What's with the blindfold? And…"

Riku didn't answer, but she thought she could see a faint glint from his eyes, hidden though they were by cloth and shadow. Selphie sighed and stood up straight. "Okay, just…can't you tell me anything? We've all been so worried…"

Riku stared at the ground. "I know, Selphie. I'm sorry - for everything."

"Sorry? For what?"

"Just…never mind. Look, I'd really appreciate it if you wouldn't tell anyone else about me, all right?" He sighed. "Kairi's fine. She's the one who sent me here, and I'm headed back to see her as soon as the islands are safe. Sora…I don't know where he is, but I think he's okay. I hope he is."

Selphie looked sad - almost as if she were pouting. "You're not staying?"

Riku shook his head. "I can't. Not until I'm done with…what I have to do. But will you try to take care of everyone for us? I promise we'll all come home when this is all over."

Selphie crossed her arms sulkily. "I can't say I understand what you're talking about, but…okay. If it's really that important to you, I won't breathe a word. Happy?"

Riku nodded, starting to get up. "Thanks, Selphie. And please - not even to my parents, okay?"

"What? But they need to know that you're okay, that you're alive!"

Riku hesitated, but then he sighed, straightening the rest of the way. "No. They'll find out when I come home. Look, Selphie, you just work with the others to plan the attack, okay? We'll be here in the morning to kick these guys off our islands. You're with me, right?"

Selphie grinned. "Of course. I'm gonna go referee over there - I think Wakka and Tidus are about to start fighting over a blitzball." She turned to gesture at the stand of palm trees, where the two boys were having a heated yet whispered argument.

"You do that. Be quiet - we can't let the Nobodies know that something's up."

"Okay. And, Riku - " Selphie turned around and stopped - he seemed to have vanished into thin air. She frowned, scanning the immediate area, but she saw nothing but the usual night shadows in the moonlight.

Luxord had returned a few hours before dawn, sitting against a palm tree and apparently dozing off with his head drooping to his chest. For a while DiZ and Riku were afraid that the islanders would act prematurely, but by the time the sun crested the eastern horizon, sending ripples of light across the sea, everything was still silent.

Not long after dawn, Luxord awoke, rising and stretching languidly. He surveyed the apparently still-sleeping prisoners with a smirk. The Nobodies had made no move during the night, and all seemed to be going well for the Organization.

Luxord strode off, returning a while later with a cracked coconut, scooping some of the meat out with a piece of hard shell. He munched casually while he watched the islanders. A few stirred, but none rose. Only a few minutes later, two more black-coated figures rounded the bend of the island, leading a plainly dressed, plump old woman before them.

Luxord, Saïx, and Demyx stood before their captive, a few yards away from the line of Nobodies that guarded the islanders. Some of them were starting to wake now, watching apprehensively. Saïx stepped forward and smiled enigmatically at Kairi's grandmother. "So, old woman," he said slowly, "you have had a couple of days to think about it. You now see the fruits of our labor before you. It would be a great shame if anything happened to these people - your neighbors, your friends. Don't you think you should do the right thing and cooperate with us? We ask very little - just a few answers."

Demyx nodded. "Right. Tell us what we need to know - about restoring hearts, about the Seekers' magic…and about the paopu." He grinned, pulling his sitar from over his shoulder and fingering a chord idly. His fingers plucked the strings, playing a minor scale that had an ominous tone to it.

Concealed behind a stand of palm trees, reflection spells surrounding him, Riku saw the old woman frown in his direction and then hurriedly look back at her captors. Something had gone wrong. How did Demyx know about the paopu? Riku cursed under his breath. He must have been awake…but how much had he overheard? If he didn't know about the attack, then they might still have a chance…

Kairi's grandmother hung her head. "The paopu used to have magic, but it's been lost," she said, sounding reluctant to speak. "No one knows how to use it anymore."

Luxord raised an eyebrow. "No one, woman? No one from these islands, perhaps. But you…?"

She hesitated. "Well, there are the secrets of star magic…"

Saïx took a step forward. "The ancient power of the Seekers, the one that has been lost throughout the ages. Do you know of it, then?"

It was working, Riku realized, holding his breath. The three were absorbed in what Kairi's grandmother was telling them - possibly distracted enough that they could be caught by surprise. If Riku could take out the Nobodies fast enough, then DiZ could form the portals. It just might work, but he would have to move…now.

Riku quickly made a sign with his blurred hand, and he caught a barely perceptible movement in response from DiZ. Taking a deep breath, he wrapped himself in twilight magic over the top of the reflection spell and darted forward, Soul Eater at the ready.

The first line of Nobodies was taken completely by surprise. Two strokes, and Riku had dispatched five of them. He took a few steps forward, whirling around to strike the next group of Dusks. A few more strokes, and suddenly they started to realize something was wrong. Nobodies turned and charged him, falling to his blade as they came near.

As soon as they saw him attack, a small group of teenagers rose from their blankets near a small stand of palm trees. Seconds later, they were running across the sand, darting between confused groups of Nobodies and dodging their awkward slashes. Wakka's blitzball hit Luxord hard in the arm, making him whirl around angrily. Tidus, carrying a makeshift wooden staff, managed to connect a hit on Saïx's shoulder, though it didn't seem to faze the man, who turned around slowly with one eyebrow raised. Selphie struck out at Demyx with a coiled fishing net, managing to entangle his sitar. "Hey!" the younger Nobody yelled, frantically grabbing for his instrument.

Meanwhile, Riku continued to battle wave after wave of Nobodies. A few beads of sweat formed on his forehead, but he found himself grinning. The bright early morning light made him squint despite his blindfold, but he realized his regular weapons training had paid off. He felt full of energy, with none of the fatigue he remembered from the early days of his recovery. He and Soul Eater moved almost as one, taking out several Nobodies with each swing.

Saïx produced a heavy, blunt sword out of nowhere, striking out to knock Tidus onto his back. The teen groaned, rolling in the sand to avoid a second swing. Paine dove in to strike at Saïx with her own wooden staff, catching him on the temple and dazing him slightly. From behind her, Yuna hurled a leather bag filled with pebbles, striking Demyx between the eyes. Rikku reached Demyx just in time for him to finish disentangling his sitar from the fishing net, and he danced backward awkwardly as she struck at him with a small kitchen knife. His fingers ran desperately down the sitar, the notes jangling in discord as he summoned a protective water spell around himself.

Riku finished off the last group of Dusks, following through on his final swing as they dissolved into nothingness before standing there, panting. He stared, wide-eyed, at Soul Eater. How had he managed to carve through so many Nobodies in so short a time?

There was no time to think about it now, however. The other villagers were starting to drag themselves out of their confusion, but help would not arrive in time for Tidus, Selphie, and the others. The three Organization members had been caught off-guard, but now they were angry, and the teens were beginning to fall back. Even Demyx grinned widely, his fingers dancing on the strings of his sitar as water flashed all around him, knocking Rikku to her knees, coughing and sputtering.

Riku darted forward, Soul Eater striking out toward the nearest of the three in black. Luxord was ready for him, though, and Riku found himself moving slowly, as if he were pushing against a strong wind. Luxord darted toward him with frightening, unnatural speed, tossing cards as he approached. Riku winced, feeling a card slice his cheek as it whipped past. Gritting his teeth, he gathered the powers of twilight around himself, then pushed against the spell that had caused his movements to slow. It shattered, and Riku burst forward with sudden speed, meeting Luxord and catching him with a well-aimed slice to his throwing arm. Luxord drew back, grabbing his forearm and hissing as he sucked in a breath.

"Riku, now!" DiZ was on his right, and Riku whirled to look - he'd created a portal, right behind the three. It flickered with twilight power; although it would not have the same effect as attempting to cross into the twilight realm, it might at least partially incapacitate the Organization Nobodies. Now all Riku had to do was maneuver them toward the portal before they figured out what was happening, and then they would be transported directly to Castle Oblivion. With luck, they would give up on returning, at least for now.

Soul Eater was a blur as Riku forced Luxord backward, away from Tidus' prone form. The teens who were still standing continued their assault, joining Riku in his push toward the portal.

Saïx turned to look behind him momentarily, and when he looked back, his eyes were narrowed. He sidestepped to avoid Wakka's blitzball, turning and shoving him into the sand, then striking him a rough blow to the head with the flat of his broadsword. He lay still on the ground, momentarily stunned. Not far off, Tidus shook his head and got to his hands and knees, but he wobbled unsteadily. Rikku was doubled over, completely drenched in water and coughing heavily. Yuna had run out of projectiles to throw at their enemies, so it was just Paine and Selphie now, helping Riku to push back the three men. He wondered how long they could last.

There - Luxord had tried to sidestep, but Paine had forced him back in front of the portal. Gathering his strength, Riku charged forward and rammed the man, knocking him backward as hard as he could. It worked, and the man stumbled, falling through the portal and vanishing.

Saïx's golden eyes flashed. "Amusing, boy…and utterly worthless." He glanced at Demyx, his expression unreadable…and then he shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "Very well, then." Saïx stepped through the portal of his own accord, leaving the three remaining attackers in total confusion.

"What…?" began Selphie, before Demyx interrupted, laughing.

"Ha! You thought it was that easy, huh?" He grinned, rummaging in his coat and producing a paopu fruit. "From the moment we got here, I could feel the magic in this thing. It'll reveal its secrets to me pretty easily; I could already feel it responding to the music." He grinned and saluted with the hand that held the fruit. "Thanks, though - I never would have realized its significance if you hadn't had that little chat about it last night! Shouldn't be too hard to figure out what will trigger it. So, I'm off…but as a farewell present…" Demyx ran the fingers of his free hand down the sitar, then plucked a complex chord that made Riku's hair stand on end.

Water exploded out of the sand, knocking Riku to the ground. His blindfold came off in the jet of water, and he cried out in the full sunlight of early morning, his arms going up to shield his face. He could hear Selphie and Paine yelling angrily, and Kairi's grandmother called something he could not hear from several yards away, where they had left her once the fight began.

"Thundaga!" shouted DiZ, his voice deep and angry. Riku heard Demyx wail in pain, the sitar screeching in an agony of mangled chords. The musician's voice cut off suddenly; it sounded as if he had fallen through the portal.

The battle was over, and Riku could hear footsteps running across the sand as the villagers approached. Shading his eyes with his forearm, he got awkwardly to his feet, running toward the portal. It winked out as he approached, but DiZ flickered into view. His blurred form was indistinct, but the reflection spell was obviously wearing off.

Looking down, Riku could see that his own spell had worn off at some point during the battle. He turned to DiZ, panicked. "DiZ, we have to go now. Please. Quick, before someone sees me!"

DiZ eyed Riku carefully for a moment, then nodded. "Very well." He held out a hand, and a new portal appeared. Riku lowered his arm slightly, squinting in the bright light. He thought he could see Selphie a little ways off, looking at him worriedly. He shook his head, then turned and ran through the portal, his heart pounding.

There were tears in Riku's eyes as he fled from his home, and from the old friends he could not bear to face.

And you're in luck - Megumi sent me two beta-read chapters, so chapter 31 will be up very very soon as well!