A/N: Here I am! Finally worked out how I'm going to write this. Cliffies are good, aren't they? And because of the fact that I've finally worked out this chapter, I have to admit, I have committed a serious mistake. The quote from previous chapter ("I sacrifice...my heart.") actually comes from the chapter after this one. I am so sorry, you guys! The proper quote was
"You can cry on my shirt any day, Princess."
Sorry, my head's been jumbled up so badly... And yeah, I'll just remind ya, this fic's rating is T, okay? No biggie, just wanted to get it off my system. There's a reason why this fic's genre is Angst, so I'm warning you right now.
Disclaimer: The Kingdom Hearts franchise belongs to Tetsuya Nomura, Disney, and Square Enix.
Mickey Mouse and all other related paraphernalia belong to Disney.
Hikari- KINGDOM Orchestra Instrumental Version belongs to Kaoru Wada and was originally performed by New Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.
But... You Don't Miss It Till It's Gone's plot belongs to me! Now stop asking!
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XV: Antiform
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Sora stared at a very familiar figure, who was now playing violin with the Royal Orchestra (very well, he might add), and forced himself not to drop the champagne glass (filled with punch--d'you really think the King would let drunk Wielders run around the Castle?) he was holding.
The piece finished, and the musicians changed seats. The figure left the podium where the Orchestra was playing and made its way over to him, violin and bow clutched in one hand. He struggled not to laugh at the expression on Larxene's face as she walked up to him, which was a mixture of anger, apprehension, and ---pride?
"L-Larx--"
She immediately placed a gloved hand on his mouth (and Sora tried not to think of where that glove had been), muffling what he was about to say.
"I will kill anyone who recognizes who I am, Wielder," Larxene hissed, her royal blue eyes crackling with anger. "So don't scream out my name, idiot."
"I recognized you, Larx," he pointed out, earning him a sharp tap on the head with her bow (it hurt, sixteen inches of solid oak will hurt).
"Smart aleck," she muttered. "You are very lucky I am under orders, or you'd be long dead by now."
"You're under orders to play violin?" Sora asked unbelievingly. "Organization XIII must be planning something to make one of their members play violin."
"Yes--I mean, not actually--geez," she sighed. "It's a long story."
"Shoot. I have the whole night."
"I have a whole night to try and find the violinist I replaced, so I don't have time to tell you."
"Xemnas sent you to watch over us, right?"
"No, he made a deal with me so I can move out of Axel's room."
Sora clamped his mouth shut; it had been dropped open a second earlier. He stared at the blonde girl in front of him, who was suddenly very busy with the violin's strings.
"You're rooming with Axel?"
"Why the hell would I be moving out in the first place? I didn't think you were that dumb, Sora." She snickered at him. Strangely enough, Sora felt that he had already heard that snicker before, he just couldn't place when and where. "Don't worry, I'll kill you some other time (that was a comforting thought). Right now, I have to find that violinist."
"Why? You play great, you know. Way better than Demyx." He did a double take as Larxene blushed. It seemed so unnatural. Then again, it really was unnatural, Nobodies weren't supposed to feel anything, let alone blush.
"Shut it, Wielder, I'm not the one supposed to be playing--"
"You're scared of playing in front of people, huh?"
Larxene fell silent. If looks could kill, the daggers she was glaring at him would've made him look like an overpricked pincushion.
"Who're you looking for, anyway?"
"Some Ashe St. Ivalice. And now, if you'd stop laughing at me, I have to go."
"Ashe's down at Destiny Islands," he informed her, remembering that there had been a Nobody outbreak near her part of the Islands earlier that morning, and that she and Vaan had worked hard to slaughter each and every one of them. Of course, he'd help, but he was stuck with the Academy, Wielder or not. "South Port, Summoner's Square, third house on your left. In the Arcadias' home." he eyed her uneasily. "You're not going to kill her, are you?"
"Hell no, she's my ticket outta here," she replied, looking a tinge relieved at knowing where Ashe was.
"Good, because you won't stand a chance against a Paladin, much less two of them. Ashe and her, uhm, well, Vaan are both Paladins, you know."
"If I were you, I'd stay out of Nobody business."
"I'm just saying!"
Larxene smirked at him and crossed her arms, the violin's pointed end in his direction. "You know I can kill you with this, Sora."
"Is that how you greet everyone? With death threats?"
She cocked her head to one side before tossing the violin to him. With reflexes honed from catching hundreds of Strike Raids he had thrown at Roxas, he caught the violin and its bow by the very tips of his fingers.
"If you see the Superior, tell him I've done my part of the deal. See you around." He blinked, and she disappeared right in front of him.
He stared at the violin in his hands, bewildered. Xemnas is here! Why?
Stupid question. What? Thinking he's performing tonight? Singing on the table? Man, the things I'd do to see that!
He stood still, ignoring his Antiform's inane cackling resounding in his head.
Obviously, he's in cahoots with King Mick here--
Shut it, Antiform. King Mickey would never side with Xemnas.
--Awww, give the mouse some love...
Shaking his head, Sora went over to the Conductress and returned the violin.
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"Don't say anything," he warned the cloaked figure that rose out of the Library's darkness. Organization XIII's 'Superior' calmly settled back down into the white marble chair, and King Mickey could feel that he was being watched as he propped up the Keyblade against a shelf.
He frantically pawed through the scattered books on the table; the books which he himself had studied earlier, in hopes of finding a way to ensure that the Wielders remain faithful to the Light. He did find a way, something scribbled in the margins of the fifth Ansem Report--something about the Princesses of Heart, and--
"I assume then I don't have to say I told you so, Your... Highness."
"You just did, Xemnas," he said irritatedly, throwing a glare in the Nobody's general direction. He did not appreciate his sense of humor (and the badly hidden pause before 'Highness', that was insulting) at this point in time, he was already irritated enough as it was.
Horribly wrong. There was no other word to describe it.
"One...one of the Princesses' touch has been tainted by darkness," he said heavily, dropping down and sitting on a pile of hardbound books, not caring if his slightest touch turned said books into little puffs of dust. He had too much on his mind now. "Her touch, in turn, has tainted the light that has been drawn, and the binding---" he paused.
Xemnas had drawn back his hood and his face had registered as much surprise as King Mickey supposed a Nobody could remember how to feel; in short, he was stunned like hell. "Wait. A Princess of Heart does not have darkness in her heart."
"Apparently, she does. Nobody is immune to darkness. Something must have happened for darkness to get a grip on a Princesses' heart."
"Which Princess are we talking about here?"
"The seventh one."
The surprise on Xemnas' face slowly turned into a very patronizing stare. "I think you might have had a hand in this, King Mickey, considering that it was you who sent a certain letter."
"And so?" Mickey's brows furrowed; he couldn't see where this was leading to.
"You have even less feelings than a Nobody."
"Nobodies don't have feelings."
"Exactly my point."
He resisted the urge to summon his own Keyblade and stab Xemnas roughly where his heart would be. "You are treading in dangerous waters, Xemnas."
"I am just telling the truth."
"I don't have time for this!" he burst out. "I need a way to reverse the binding right now!"
"Tell me what the Keyblade did, then."
"It has absolutely no effect on Riku; his heart has withstood much more difficult calls to darkness, and he has even taken control of the darkness inside him. But on Sora... You should've come forward earlier, Xemnas. I would've figured out another way..."
The silver-haired Nobody leant forward slightly. " What?"
"I would've known that Sora and Roxas had already unmerged--"
"Roxas? What does Roxas have to do with this?"
"Roxas is half of Sora. He controls light; it was him who controls the unbelievable darkness in Sora's heart. Did you really think Ansem would sacrifice Roxas only for revenge?" He glanced forlornly at the sheets of paper scattered on the top of the table; even his dearest friend's Reports detailed nothing. Xemnas again wore that stunned look on his face; Mickey ignored it and pressed on."Roxas wasn't only to restore Sora's memories, but also to act as a safeguard! Sora's most powerful Form, which brings down the chances of him Driving into Antiform accidentally, is powered by Roxas; the Final Form is a testament to Roxas' control! "
"The brightest of flames cast the darkest of shadows..." Xemnas trailed off.
Mickey nodded. "The Key's heart acts as a balance between the colossal darkness and blinding light of Kingdom Hearts, and to control those, you need an exceptionally strong heart."
"Well then," he leant back into his chair, his gloved fingertips coming together. "I am confident that somebody with the boy's iron will can stand anything."
"I am, too."
Xemnas' eyelid twitched. "So why are you so intent on finding a reversal for the binding? If Riku's heart can stand unscathed, how much more Sora's?"
"Kairi's tainted touch somehow twisted the light and---"
"Yes?"
"The darkness in Sora's heart has been...shall we say, asleep. Ever since Roxas has awoken, however, he has no knowledge that he is supposed to regulate the incredible dark side of Sora's heart. Once they merged again, the control returned, but not absolutely. His Antiform still finds ways to show itself."
"The point, Majesty, the point."
He sighed and ignored Xemnas' impatient demand. "Now that Sora has once again unmerged with Roxas, his Antiform once again struggles to break free. Fortunately, Sora's will is strong enough to hold it back. But tonight, with the tainted Keyblade..."
He heard Xemnas mutter something that vaguely sounded like 'It is already tainted, you idiotic mouse' (he brushed it off, deeming the Nobody somewhat distraught) before motioning to him to continue.
King Mickey, for the first time since he was declared King of Disney Castle, stumbled on his words. "R-reversal. The darkness in Sora's heart, his Antiform... The Keyblade was supposed to bind. With Kairi's touch--"
"For the love of the Creator, King Mickey, the damn point."
"Tonight, I have set Sora's Antiform free."
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"Who was that?" Kairi said offhandedly, sipping slowly out of her champagne glass while looking at Sora out of the corner of her eye. He swirled his punch around his wineglass before shrugging.
"The blonde?"
She nodded, not letting her irritation show. Not only was he bipolar, but exceptionally dense as well.
"Someone I met 'round Radiant Garden. Name's Arlene." He stared at her, his brows furrowing together. "Why're you asking? Jealous much?"
Her fingers enircled the stem of her wineglass in a deathgrip, and her other hand was itching to get around his neck, but being the demure person a Princess of Heart was supposed to be, she made herself calm down. She exchanged glances with the platinum-haired Wielder leaning on the refreshments table beside her.
"Just asking, as if I'd ever have an interest in you," she said carefully, expecting at least a flash of anger of some sort from Sora. She glared at Riku, who had let out a gasp, before turning her attention back to the brunette, who was now holding his glass to the chandelier light and staring at the ice cubes floating inside.
"Sora, I'm talking to you," she said patiently. Sora blinked and turned to face her.
"Huh? Interest? In you? " In some logic-defying way Sora actually laughed at the thought, and Kairi recoiled, her free hand finding Riku's and squeezing it in fright. "Who'd actually fall for you? That's rich."
"Sora," Riku suddenly said sharply, the expression on his face blurry, she realized, because tears were blurring her line of vision. His warm hand curled around her clammy one comfortingly. "What the hell?"
"I'm just sayin'," he replied amusedly, raising one eyebrow. People around them stopped whatever they were doing to watch.
"If you meant that as a joke, I'm not laughing," Riku retorted angrily. "You've hurt Kairi's feelings."
"Riku, no," she said softly, swiping a paper towel from the table and scrubbing at her face to wipe away her tears. "It's okay..."
"The hell it's not. I'm sick and tired of you two pretending that everything's all fine, Kairi!" he almost yelled. Sora looked puzzled as he alternated his gaze between her and the angry Wielder. A crowd had started to form, and the spectators' heads turned collectively as they followed the argument. Kairi cringed as Sora opened his mouth to speak.
"Everything is fine, Riku. She's happy, I'm happy, what's the problem with that?" he asked curiously, his eyes wide. Psychotic, bipolar Keyblade Master strikes again.
Kairi didn't have time to stop the older Wielder's fist from connecting with Sora's jaw with enough force to knock their Battle Strategy professor flying.
"Sora!" she screamed. The brunette, however, merely staggered backward (the crowd immediately backed away for a good ten feet) and stared at the two of them, rubbing his jaw.
"She's happy? The hell, can't you feel anything!" Riku said through gritted teeth as his fist swung back again.
"No!" Kairi threw her hands and most of her weight around his waist, making him stagger slightly and lower his raised fist. "Please, Riku...don't..." she mumbled into his white shirt, fervently praying that Sora wouldn't strike back. Her pulse rate suddenly shot up as she felt both of Riku's hands encircle her protectively. She looked up and found herself lost in his aquamarine eyes.
"Strike two...ohmydamn, what the--"
She glanced over her shoulder at a very bewildered Sora, who was now staring at them with the expression of someone who realized he had just made a horrible mistake. For some reason, it made her heart ache even more, and even more tears stung her eyelids.
"Finally realized, huh?" Riku said coolly, his arms clutching her shoulders. "Psychotic issues acting up?"
At this point, she had really no intention of stopping whatever Riku was doing. He could pummel Sora to the floor for all she cared. All the pain flooded her memories, and she knew Sora deserved whatever was coming.
He left her.
Sora gave them one frightened look before he spun on his heels and sprinted away, the crowd parting at record speed to let him through. Apparently they had no desire to get caught on a Wielder's wrong side. Kairi watched as he disappeared behind an archway leading somewhere she didn't know...or didn't even care to know. She vaguely heard the orchestra start to play again.
"Kairi...are you okay?" Riku asked concernedly.
She looked up at his face and she started crying quietly.
"Sorry. Stupid question."
She sniffed and unwillingly let out a giggle as she let her arms drop. "I--I can't cry all over y-your shirt, Riku," she said as she reached for another wad of paper towels. Riku caught her outstretched hand before it reached her face. She peered up at him questioningly.
"Anything for you," he said gently as he clasped her hand in both of his. Her mouth suddenly dried up as she opened it, trying to find words to speak. "You can cry on my shirt any day, Princess."
Stunned, she stared up at him as he wiped away her tears; the paper towels fluttered to the floor, forgotten.
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Sora staggered blindly into the night, not caring where he ended up, as long as it was as far as possible from the Audience Hall. He kept running into the corridor that he stumbled across, his thoughts a swirling soup of madness.
Dang, you could've socked the guy!
For a full five minutes he had lost control of his Antiform, and it had taken over. All that he remembered was a stinging pain in his jaw, which eloquently informed him that a very mad Riku had just punched him.
'Coz you've hurt Kairi's feelings, Antiform imitated Riku in a girly, high-pitched voice.
"Damn it!" Sora roared, still not slowing down. "What the hell did you do, Antiform!"
Whaaat? he said innocently. Only told 'em what you were really like, buddy-boy. Isn't that what you wanted? She's happy, you're happy, hell, we're all fine and daaandyyy...! he sang out in Sora's head.
In the span of five minutes, his life had taken a turn for the worse. There was only one vivid scene that kept replaying in his mind, as if somebody popped a broken sphere recorder in his head and hit the play button.
Kairi. Her arms around Riku and crying into his chest. Kairi crying because of him.
Sora felt like committing suicide.
Hell no, don't die on me, you jerk.
His sneakers pounded silently on the carpeted floor as he ran through the deserted corridor, and he knew he could easily get lost here in Disney Castle, and on this night, there was certainly nobody he could come across. Perfect, he realized, since he would most likely vent out his anger on some poor unsuspecting Palace employee who just happened to pass by.
Killing! Yay!
"SHUT THE HELL UP!" He bellowed as he turned left, blood pounding in his head, his mind still playing the scene over and over again. He stopped short; he had turned into one of the Castle's auxiliary Courtyards (which was just another fancy term for what basically was a huge circle of marble and concrete). Panting, he dropped to his knees, forcing the urge to just collapse away.
Awww, Little Sowwa's tired from running... From himself, perhaps...?
"You bastard..."
Talking to yourself, now? No wonder they call ya psychotic behind your back!
He winced, it was true. People have been whispering about his sanity ever since that Halloween. Sora buried his face in his hands as tears started to rapidly stream down his cheeks.
Hmmmm... You're talking 'bout King Mick, aren't ya?
"Just stop it, Antiform. My life is already ruined, why the hell do you have to make it worse?"
That's what Antiforms do! he laughed.
Sora's head snapped up and he sprang to his feet, the Keyblade reflexively coalescing into his clenched fist. Little strands of antennae were rapidly rising around him as he slowly backed into the center of the Courtyard. Soon he was completely surrounded by Shadows. Now he laughed.
You're going insane!
"Now I have something to vent my anger on!" He charged at the Heartless, his Keyblade making a whistling sound as it hacked and slashed through the hordes of Shadows, its Disney Castle keychain glinting in the darkness. His eyes widened as he realized the more Heartless he slayed, the more came, with progressively more and more Neoshadows, and Neoshadows were much more ruthless than their Shadow cousins.
Ain't laughing anymore, aren't ya? Antiform giggled inside Sora's head.
Sora twirled around, the Kingdom Key turning a dozen Heartless or so into dust everytime he circled. The night sky was illuminated by the hundreds of hearts his Keyblade was releasing. He realized that he had no way to keep this up; he had slain over a thousand Heartless in one battle alone, back then in Radiant Garden, but a horde of this magnitude was simply not possible! The hell, for the all they needed now was a couple of Darksides for the icing on the damn cake!
Be careful what you wish for, buddy-boy.
Shadows scampered away from a spot in front of him, avoiding the coal-black hand that had shot up from the marble floor. He stared up in horror as he watched one of the very first Heartless he had ever slain, the heart-shaped hole in its chest gaping in the night, rose up from the ground. He slowly backed away. Then another hand shot up from behind him. Another one to his left. He gasped as he found himself trapped between three of the colossal Heartless. His eyes darted towards his right, which was blessedly free of Darksides. Run for it...
"Magnega!" he yelled, swinging his Keyblade up. He knew the Darksides would never stick to the spell, but he needed a diversion. Shadows screamed as they were drawn by the spell, and the Darksides' heads were whipping around in confusion. Sora bent close to the ground and sprinted to his right as quietly as possible, clutching his Keyblade to his chest and letting it dissipate quietly in fear that starlight might glint off its silver and attract attention to him.
Don't leave. The party's just-- "---started."
As he looked back towards the chaos he wasn't watching where he was going, and he collided with a very black, very solid--
"Antiform?"
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Riku stared off into the open doors of the Audience Hall, relishing the silky feel of Kairi's hair under his fingertips. He and the redhead had retreated from the crowd into the Colonnade. They were now sitting side-by-side on the marble railing overlooking the Castle Gardens. Kairi had fallen asleep, leaning against his shoulder, her hand curled in his. Her dried tears shone in the night.
Sora, you bastard, he thought angrily. How could you?
Once he had suspected that Sora was a psychotic Wielder, but now... It was proof that Sora had either lost his mind or that hatred had taken over him. Really, he'd prefer the first option, because he still couldn't believe that Sora was capable of inflicting such pain on someone who had loved him all her life.
Kairi. She wouldn't admit it, but Riku could see the wounded gaze in her eyes everytime someone mentioned him, everytime she teased him and he teased her back, as if nothing had happened between them.
He was caught in a rapidly-enlarging rift between his two best friends, and there was nothing he could do besides stand and watch and pick a side.
Sora. A brunette, spiky-haired boy he had known since they were in diapers. A friend that risked everything to search for him and Kairi. He was willing to do whatever it took to save him from the darkness, whatever the cost, even at the price of his life. A friend until the end.
Kairi. An auburn-haired girl who had washed up on Destiny Island's pristine white beach nine years ago, with no memory of her past except for her name. A Princess over whom he and Sora fought quietly through the years. She had thrown herself in the middle of one of the Corridors at the mere mention of Sora's name.
He had picked his side, and she was now asleep on his shoulder. Sora should've stayed. The King's letter could've been ignored, and Kairi wouldn't have broken his heart. It was his fault. And now how dare he hurt her, and he even seemed amused at the sight of her tears.
Kairi stirred slightly, blinking her eyes several times before peering up at him. "How long have I dozed off?"
"About half an hour," he replied, smiling at the look of surprise on her face.
"You make a nice pillow, Riku," she yawned, patting his shoulder before leaning on it again. He was glad her attention was elsewhere, because right now, his face felt as if it was on fire. His heart pounded; he had expected Kairi to mutter some sort of apology for falling asleep and then disappear somewhere. He had not, never expected in a million years, that she would stay with him.
She's just upset over Sora. Get over it, Riku. Tomorrow she'll be back to normal.
He tentatively put his arm around her shoulders, ready to drop the instant she pulled away. Instead, the girl shifted her position closer to him, almost snuggling into him.
Riku, you're insane. Snuggling?
"Hmmm...am I making you uncomfortable?" Kairi suddenly said.
"N-no," he stammered, scarlet rushing up his face anew as he tried to focus his attention on the things happening inside the Audience Hall. He could vaguely see the orchestra arranging themselves and the Conductress preparing to speak.
"The final number for this night is a piece composed by an anonymous musician who lived over two thousand years ago, supposedly for the Court of his or her time. It is tradition to perform this every time a new knight is inducted to the Court of Disney Castle. May I request all Knights who are present join us for the traditional Dance of Light."
"Dance of Light.." He murmured, not really comprehending what the Conductress had just said; he was too preoccupied with Kairi's scent, which right now, he felt intoxicated with.
Kairi suddenly sat up straight and stared at him, puzzled. "Aren't you going to dance? You're a knight, you know."
"Huh?"
"I already taught you how to slow dance, haven't I?"
He nodded, his mind hazy, entranced her deep violet eyes.
"Riku, you're spacing out on me, why does everyone have to do this to me tonight?"
He shrugged as he got off the balcony and pulled her to the Audience Hall, enjoying the stunned look on her rapidly blushing face.
"Princess, I need a refresher course on dancing," he grinned as they walked into the Hall, the crowd in front of him parting to let them pass. "Care to teach me again?"
The stunned expression on her face slowly gave way to a smile, and she reached for his right hand and put it on her waist. Her other hand was still clutched in his own. "Answer enough?"
The Audience Hall dimmed as all the Materia was sealed, leaving only the glass chandelier's light shining down on the dance floor. Riku looked around as more knights came down. A fur-trimmed jacket caught his eye; the brunette sporting it looked familiar, and the girl whose hand he was holding--
"Hey! Eyes on me!" Kairi pouted, sticking out her lower lip in a way that he found irresistible to resist.
Kairi had a split second and her eyes opened wide as Riku kissed her, and he watched as her eyes fluttered closed as he deepened the kiss.
She tasted like strawberries and cream. That was one thing that registered in his head as the music started to play.
--------------------
"Impossible!"
"That's the stupidest thing you have ever said, Sora."
He stared at his Antiform. It was the spitting image of him. Difference was that Antiform was pitch black, from the tips of spiky hair down to the zippered sneakers, he had disturbingly sharp nails that glinted in the night, and his eyes were a sickly yellow color. In short, his Heartless twin.
Heartless. His breath caught in his chest as he realized that Disney Castle was not supposed to be breached by Heartless; the Cornerstone of Light had seen to that.
"The--the Cornerstone--" he stammered. "H--how..."
"How the hell would I know?" Antiform shrugged, busy examining his nails by the light spilling out from the corridors. "Hmmm...do you think my nails are sharp enough?" he asked, holding out a coal-black hand. Sora recoiled slightly before furrowing his brows.
"You're asking me if your nails are sharp enough?"
He cocked his head to one side, apparently still engrossed in his nails. Sora didn't know whether to feel terrified or amused; the darkness in his heart had just stepped out of him, and it was treating him like its manicurist or something. He looked over his shoulder at the Magnega he had cast. It was still spinning, and Shadows were still frantically trying to escape the vortex. He turned back to Antiform as a thought suddenly occured to him.
"Sharp enough for what?" As soon as he uttered those words he immediately regretted it. Antiform's head jerked up and a wild grin crossed his face, revealing teeth that were disturbingly pointed. More like fangs.
"Sharp enough to take out your heart!"
Sora quick-ran to his left just in time to avoid taking the brunt of Antiform's sudden lunge, but his claws sheared through Sora's left sleeve, nicking his upper arm and drawing blood.
"Your heart is one of the most powerful in existence, if I do say so myself," Antiform said, calmly standing in Sora's position as he licked the blood off his fingers. "Possesion of it will make me the greatest Heartless. Actually, I already am, considering I'm the Key to Kingdom Hearts' dark side, but I'd like to secure my position..."
Sora stared at him for a second and suddenly, the magnitude of what had happened hit him like a truck. A colossal truck.
Inside him was the most powerful Heartless in existence; his Antiform, and somehow, he had been set free.
"The timing's perfect, buddy-boy. The Castle's brimming with strong hearts: two more Wielders, the Seven Princesses of Heart, and a whole lot of Knights. After my Heartless storm the Hall---well, you get the picture," he continued, still licking his fingers. "And your blood sure tastes good. Wonder how a Princess' tastes like---"
Anger suddenly sparked in Sora. There was no way in hell that Kairi will get hurt. Even if it costs him his life.
"You bastard!" He charged forward, summoning the Keyblade, his anger raging like a furnace in his head. "You're going down!"
Antiform suddenly dropped down and rolled, and the Keyblade sliced into empty air.
Sora stopped abruptly. He was holding a Keyblade all right, but it was definitely not the Kingdom Key. His shaking hand dropped it on the concrete floor with a metallic clang. He spun around, ducked, and flipped backwards to dodge his Antiform charging from behind him, and, planting his feet firmly on Antiform's back, he kicked him clear across the Courtyard and watched him slam into a brick wall.
He turned his attention back to the Keyblade lying on the floor, glinting innocently in the starlight. The darkness radiating from it was horrible. Forged from six Princesses' hearts. He did not summon that Keyblade. He backed away and was warned by rapid footsteps that his Antiform was coming. He shut his eyes and summoned, specifically, the Kingdom Key, and threw a Strike Raid at his Heartless.
Antiform laughed. Sora snapped his eyes open and gasped in horror as he saw that Antiform had actually caught the Keyblade he had thrown, which was, he realized with a sinking feel in his stomach, the Dark Keyblade.
"I know all your tricks, buddy-boy, and I know full well how to defend against them," he said, grinning, before throwing a retaliating Strike Raid at Sora. He dodged the Keyblade and cast Firaga, balls of fire shooting from his hands.
One thing.
He had forgotten that unintercepted Strike Raids always come back to the thrower.
The Keyblade struck him in the back, and Sora screamed in pain as the force knocked him off his feet. The blade itself had sliced into his back, and from the feel and looks of it, right through his chest. He could feel warm blood trickle down as he fell forward.
He tried a Curaga, but his breathing seemed to be on fast-forward, and soon he was gasping for air. In his rapidly dimming vision he vaguely saw his Antiform walk calmly towards him, the Keyblade held in his hand slowly dripping blood. He knelt in front of his scope of sight.
"Toldja I knew how to defend. After all, I am you, in a sense," he whispered and laughed cruelly.
"S-shut up..." he choked, a thin stream of blood trickling out of his mouth and onto the concrete. He tried to move his arms to push himself up, but it was like lifting thick bars of lead.
"Now, you'd better prepare yourself, " Antiform's pitch-black face hovered in front of Sora's, his eyes glowing a pale yellow. Sora gasped and choked reflexively as he realized fingers were stroking his hair, the sharp nails digging into his scalp. Blood trickled down his forehead. "Because taking out your heart takes a whole lotta energy from ya."
The Keyblade clattered to the floor as Antiform's face grinned and disappeared from view. He heard his voice from somewhere above him. Sora tried one last time to at least move and failed. His lungs felt like rapidly deflating balloons.
"Shh, Sora. It'll all be over soon. Shut your eyes now..."
"Because this is going to hurt like hell."
Antiform raised his hand and plunged it down, and the night resonated with Sora's anguished screams.
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Lookie! 38 kb on WordPad, and translates into about 13 pages of Microsoft Word. I dunno if this qualifies as a cliffy, though. Writer's block had lessened, but it's still there, jumping insanely on Nobody's Perfect. Crud. I hate it when I get writer's block.
Yay for reviews!
FlowerLady-Aerith Gotta love that Antiform. Based it off Sora himself, actually. Twist Sora's humor a bit, empty a bucket of black paint over his head, there! You've got Antiform!
darkdude71 You can stop twiddling your thumbs now. And yeah, I am evil.
Wing staff-4 Tense? Well then, how about this chapter? Thank ye for the review, mate.
Starlight-x Oh the damn quote, so sorry about that! But think positive! You now have something to wonder about again; who really said the quote? The oath, then. Intention: good. Outcome: excruciatingly bad. O.o
fallingstar I'm glad I enabled anonymous reviews, natch. Thank you for agreeing with my point of view that Sora is actually optimistic to the point of insanity.
randomperson More twists to come... Keep on reviewin'!
TgIiDgUiS yeah, there is a happy chapter there somewhere... but I ain't saying when... o.O
Phoenix80hp Kairi is so cold, isn't she? It is a bit justified, since duty was chosen over her...but still. This chapter might make you feel a bit...sorrier.
hikari-aozora It's actually supposed to confuse readers, but I'm willing to help out. Which part, then? Thanks for sticking with my story.
Cookie shower! Again, reminding you, the quote was from the wrong chapter. My bad. Next chapter's quote is still
"I sacrifice...my heart."
I still stand my ground. It ain't Xemnas, Xehanort, Ansem, or any other name the guy goes by. And now that's Sora's gonna--
beep.
Spoiler calls. My bad, again. Toldja somebody's gonna kick the bucket. Man, I'm so depressed. You guys know the drill anyway. Read, review, and tell me which is sadder, this fanfic, or my writing skills. o.O Flamers, go ahead. I've got a stack of painkillers right here.