A/N: Well, here it is. After basically a whole summer if inactivity, I have finally finished the next chapter! I'm publishing it today in honor of the American release of 358/2 Days even though I won't be able to play it. (A sad side effect of being a college student, and not even having enough money to look at videogames, let alone buy them.) I hope you guys like the chapter though! I'm not so sure how feel about it myself.
Disclaimer: Unowned by me, or anyone I know, unless someone is keeping one heck of a secret from me!
The Battle of Radiant Gardens
"Did you bring it?" Kairi asked Selphie quietly as they returned to the Destiny Islands camp.
"Of course I did!" Selphie smiled, snapping open her purse and drawing out a bright yellow fruit. "So, are you going to share it with Sora?"
Kairi nodded, taking the paopu fruit from Selphie.
"I'm going to give it to him the first chance I get. If this whole adventure has taught me one thing, it's that you never know when something could happen. I don't want to run the chance of losing him again."
Selphie smiled.
"Oh, that is so sweet!" she exclaimed as they reached the small two-man tent they would be sharing. "I hope it happens soon."
Kairi smiled appreciatively.
"Thank you, Selphie." She paused, "We should probably get some sleep. Tomorrow is a big day."
Selphie nodded and together, they crawled into their tent.
~*~
Hours had passed since that conversation had ended, and the thick silence of night had fallen. If one had happened to be walking in that midnight hour through Radiant Gardens, perhaps one would wonder as to the unusual abundance of tents, for there were indeed a lot of tents. At every turn, and in ever corner was yet another cloth dwelling, it's occupants sleeping soundly in preparation for the next day's battle.
As it happens, someone was walking through Radiant Gardens at that late hour. His name was Dillan and he had come to Radiant Gardens as part of the army from Atlantica. He had just finished some, ahem, personal business, and was now returning to the fire from which he and a couple others had been keeping watch. He was also wondering about the number of tents.
Why are there so many? He wondered. He resolved to ask the others once he got back to the fire, and he did.
"Well, my friend," Kazeem of Agrabah smiled in reply to the other man's question, "There are many people, so would there not also be many tents?"
"He's right." inserted the lioness languishing in the corner. Her name was Katika, "Considering that every world sent an army, it's not surprising that it's impossible to walk anywhere without tripping over tent stakes."
"True." Dillan yawned, resuming his spot around the fire. "Still, that's a lot of tents."
"Our shift is almost over." Katika smiled, as the yawn traveled around the group. "Then we can wake the next group and get some sleep."
There was a general murmur of sleepy agreement.
"What are we watching for, anyway?" Kazeem asked, the fire-light dancing in his dark eyes. "After all, we're the ones attacking, right?"
"You can never be too careful." Dillan shrugged.
"Yes, I suppose." Kazeem replied. The clock struck one. Katika stood up.
"Well, boys, that's it. Let's go wake the next group and get some sleep."
The three sentries laughed drowsily as they gathered their stuff. As they left the fire's light, Dillan looked back once more, and stopped. In the distance, just within sight stood an ominous figure. Tall as a large building, it moved forward with long slithering movements, it's eyeless face devoid of expression. Dillan had only seen one, before now, in the book of enemies he had received upon arriving
at Radiant Gardens, but that didn't stop him from recognizing it, or noticing the army of Heartless and Nobodies it led.
"Twilight Thorn!" he exclaimed, pointing toward the darkness as the alarm bells rang out.
~*~
"What do you mean I can't help fight?" Kairi asked incredulously. "You're not leaving me behind again!"
"Kairi, Sora would kill me if anything happened to you." Riku replied, "You will be safer in the camp. Try using your Princess of Heart magic to keep this place safe. Alice, Aurora, and Snow White are staying as well. They will help you."
"But Riku-"
"Kairi, please!" Riku snapped, folding his arms across his chest defensively. "Until we find Sora and Roxas, it's my job to keep you and Naminè safe. Just humor me."
Kairi opened her mouth to protest farther, but stopped as Naminè grabbed her hand.
"It's okay, Kairi. We can help from here too." she said comfortingly. "He has enough to worry about. We could just-"
It was then that the sounds of screams reached them. The Nobodies had arrived, and the battle had begun. Riku froze, staring out across the battlefield. King Mickey was out there, but the need for another Keyblade was obvious. Almost immediately, the front line started to lose ground, moving back toward the town. He had to get out there and help.
"Please, Kairi, just stay here." he called over his shoulder as he ran toward the chaos. "Just stay here!"
"Riku, wait!" But he was already gone. The battle of Radiant Gardens had begun.
~*~
Half an hour later, in the midst of the confusion of battle, two Soldier Heartless and a Dusk looked up in confusion a moment and a half before a poorly shaped anvil fell from the sky, landing on top of them, and promptly squashing them flat.
About fifty feet away, Naminè watched this strange scene from the stop of a building before turning back to her sketch book. The anvil was crudely dawn, and Naminè could admit, a bit corny, but she had felt the pressing need to aid the army in some way, and that had been the first thing that had popped into her head.
Again, she looked out over the battlefield, trying to figure out who was winning. So far, no one, but that could change at any moment.
Still feeling dissatisfied with her part in the battle, Naminè left the roof, joining the group of women who stood on the street below.
"How dare they leave us behind!" Wendy asked, looking at the others around her indignantly. Her words were met with angry nods. "We just want to help!"
"It's not like we can't take care of ourselves!" Ariel replied.
"Well, you're pregnant, Ariel." Meg inserted, "That's why you're still here, but the rest of us?"
There was a pause.
"Alright, who here reckons they can fly a Gummi ship?" Jane asked. A good number of hands went up. :Well then, that settles it. Ladies, prepare yourselves, we're about to turn the tide of this battle." The others looked around eagerly before following Jane to the gummi fleet. Kairi made to follow, only to be stopped by Jane.
"No, Kairi, I think you and Naminè should stay here."
"What?" Kairi exclaimed, "I want to help! And don't say this is just because Riku said I should stay. Tarzan told you to, but you're leaving."
"But Tarzan isn't second in command of the whole army. Riku only answers to King Mickey, and both of them are concerned about yours and Naminè's safety. Besides, if Sora came back and something had happened to you-"
"Nothing is going to happen to me! I can fight too! I want to help!" Kairi voice cracked as tears welled up in her eyes. Naminè rushed forward, pulling her Somebody into a hug. "Sora always helped me when I was in danger, and now that he needs me, no one will let me help."
Jane looked at the younger girl sadly.
"I'm sorry, Kairi. I understand what you mean, really, I do, but-"
"But I have to stay here."
"Yes, but you can help too. Ariel could use the help a lot, and none of the animals from 100 Acre Woods can quite manage to keep up with Simba's daughter. She is quite, um, energetic."
Kairi wanted to argue more, but she got the feeling it wouldn't help much, and Pooh-Bear did look exhausted, so she just nodded, and went off in search of little Kiara, feeling completely unsatisfied.
~*~
Riku panted, adrenaline coursing through his body. He whirled around, cutting roughly through a Dusk, scanning the battle for some sign that would tell him how the army fared. Every once in a while, a spot would clear in the continual mass of Heartless and Nobodies, and one of his comrades would appear for a second before being swallowed again by the crowd.
They were outnumbered. Riku knew that. Luckily, most of the foes they had encountered thus far had been minor. Dusks, Shadows, and Soldiers, but that could change at any moment.
~*~
Roxas sat up suddenly, gasping. He looked around frantically, checking his surroundings. Next to him, Sora groaned, his face flushed with fever. Roxas sighed, burying his head in his hands.
It was just a dream. He thought, relief flooding over him. A bad dream. He looked at Sora again, relief quickly replaced by worry and frustration. Even if the dream wasn't real, this nightmare was. He was useless!
Sora groaned again, but this time he stirred too, his eyes fluttering open. In a second, Roxas was by his side.
"Sora!"
"R-Roxas?" Sora asked, his voice barely audible.
"Oh, thank heavens, Sora!" Roxas gasped, his voice breaking a little. "How do you feel?"
"Sick." the brunette replied, wincing, "And really tired."
Roxas reached forward, checking the pulse on Sora's neck. He could barely feel it.
"Roxas, what happened?" Sora asked.
"I-It's just the side effects of the Septocaine. You'll be fine."
"Are you sure?" Sora persisted, "You look really worried." Roxas turned his head away for a second before answering with a smile.
"Of course I'm sure." he said. "You'll be fine."
~*~
"Kingdom Hearts!" Cid cursed as he looked around. "Do they ever end?" he asked, turning to the Mouse King next to him.
"Eventually, they'll have to." Mickey replied as he cut down a Sniper Nobody. "Even they can't go on forev-" The King trailed off, staring towards a nearby cliff where stood eleven black cloaked figures. Cid followed his gaze.
"Aw, heck, not them."
Mickey however, did not respond. He was already running toward the cliff.
~*~
Xemnas stood on a cliff at the farthest end, overlooking the battle. Already, the enemy's army had taken heavy casualties. Fools. He smiled, When Light and Dark are gone, there will be Nothing.
He turned to the other ten members who stood behind him.
"Today, we will finally achieve the goal we have worked to for so long. With this last copious offering of hearts, our Kingdom Hearts will finally be complete, and we will, once again, become whole." he paused, looking each member in they eye. "Now, go out and wreck havoc."
Via Corridors of Darkness, seven Nobodies left, leaving Xemnas, Saïx, Vexen and Zexion standing on the cliff.
"With all due respect, Superior," Saïx said, his voice low, "We would rather go and fight then observe the battle from so far away."
"Speak for yourself, Number VII." Zexion replied, "This distance suits me well enough."
"Don't worry, Saïx." Xemnas replied, calmly, "You will get your chance. Don't worry."
~*~
Kairi!" Naminè exclaimed, pointing toward the battlefield. Kairi broke away from her game with Kiara, walking over to the edge of the roof, looking to where her Nobody was pointing. Black cloaked figures had infiltrated the battle, wrecking havoc as they went.
"The Organization."
"Is that bad, Kairi?" Kiara asked, walking up and looking over the wall. Kairi paused, watching a trail of flames light up across the field.
"Well, it's definitely not good."
~*~
Sora cried out as a wave of pain washed over him, causing his muscles to contract. He began to shake.
"Sora!" Roxas exclaimed. Spasms. That's what Vexen said. Fear seized Roxas. Could Sora be about to die?
Sora cried out again.
The door flew open behind them, and Demyx ran in, holding a glass bottle, panting.
"Give him this!"
"What?" Roxas asked, and Demyx, in obvious exasperation, pushed the smaller blonde aside, poring the contents of the bottle into Sora's mouth. Sora stopped shaking, and took a deep breath.
"A potion?" Roxas asked as Demyx offered him a hand up.
"Yeah. Sorry I pushed you." he smiled, "I looked all over the castle for that one potion. I was afraid I was too late."
"Well, you made it." Sora replied as he stood up, still slightly unsteady on his feet.
"How do you feel now, Sora?" Roxas asked.
"I'm still a little sick, but I'm not dying anymore." his Somebody replied with a wink.
"I was afraid of that." Demyx replied. "Considering how long Vexen's had you on Septocaine, we can't expect one potion to cure you completely. I tried to find something more powerful, but when the others went to fight, they took everything else. We're lucky that potion was here at all."
"The battle!" Sora and Roxas exclaimed, Roxas turning to Sora.
"How's your arm feeling?"
"Like a pin cushion," Sora replied, a sly grin crossing his face as Kingdom Key appeared in his hands. Oathkeeper and Oblivion appeared in Roxas's. Demyx looked between the two boys, something akin to pride written across his face.
"Well, then, I guess we'd better get going."
~*~
Kairi and Naminè watched worriedly as the Organization members cut a hole in the Light's forces.
"All those people." Naminè muttered, her voice shaking. "They're fighting for us, and they're getting hurt, or worse! I wish we could help."
"We could, but they won't let us." Kairi replied, motioning vaguely toward the battlefield.
"Oh, Kairi, stop it." Naminè snapped, causing Kairi to start. Naminè was ridiculously mild-tempered, and never snapped. "You want to fight. I get it. You don't have to tell me five billion times, dear."
"Oh..." Kairi paused. "Sorry..." Feeling chastened, she turned back to the battlefield as something caught her eye.
"That, that was a Keyblade!" she exclaimed, searching, hoping to see it again. She did. "That was the Keyblade! Sora!" Kairi jumped up, running down the stairs, and out of the building, toward the place where she had seen him.
"Kairi, wait!" Naminè called, running after the other girl, but she was already gone. Naminè paused, just outside the door.
If Sora is here, then Roxas might be too. Naminè thought, a relieved smile appearing on her lips. He's okay. For a moment, she considered running after her Somebody and helping her find the boys they loved, but what good would that do? It would be easier for everyone if she stayed here with Kiara, Ariel, and the others. With that decision, Naminè turned to walk back inside, only to find her way blocked by a figure in black.
"Hello, little witch." Marluxia smiled, pushing his pink hair out of his face. He reached out, grabbing Naminè by the arm, pulling her close.
"Who else is in there?" he asked, motioning toward the doors.
"N-No one!"
"Well then, there's nothing stopping me from walking in there and taking over." he moved through the camp, dragging Naminè along as she looked around, frantically searching for something, anything, that she could use to stop Marluxia before the got to the others. Her eyes landed on a chain someone had thrown aside in the rush to meet the Heartless. On one end was fastened a small, rather heavy looking ball. In pure desperation, she reached forward, grabbing it.
~*~
King Mickey peaked out cautiously from behind his rock, looking warily at the Organization members before him. All four had their backs turned, but Mickey moved carefully anyway. They were standing, looking over the battlefield, deep in conversation.
"They are getting tired." Zexion remarked, his eyes shifting over the soldiers below. "If we continue at this rate, the Light's forces will be all but destroyed."
"I agree." Saïx replied, "Now, Superior, if I might go out and-"
"Impossible!" Zexion gasped, turning his head sharply like a dog grasping at a strange odor, his eyes wide. "He wouldn't dare!"
"What is it, Zexion?" Xemnas asked.
"It's Demyx." Zexion snarled, "And he's brought Sora and Roxas."
"That's ridiculous." Saïx sneered, "You misunderstood the scents."
Zexion glared at Saïx venomously. "I never misunderstand."
"But Sora should be dead by now." Vexen muttered, deep in thought..
"Vexen, you were the one who assured us that Sora was out of the way." Saïx replied, "How do you account for this sudden arrival?"
"Isn't it obvious, Number VII?" Zexion replied dismissively. "Demyx obviously turned traitor, healing him. Vexen and I spoke against leaving Number IX in charge. He can always be expected to do something stupid."
Xemnas held up his hand for silence. There was a moment's pause.
"This is most troubling." he said eventually, " Saïx, take care of it. Kill all three of them."
Saïx smiled sinisterly.
"I would be glad to." With that, he was gone.
"As for you," Xemnas replied, turning to Vexen, who cowered at his Superior's fury. "If you had not assured me that the Keyblade Master would die, I would not have left only Demyx in charge. What do you have to say for yourself?"
"S-Superior," Vexen stammered, backing away, "I-I... How was I to anticipate Demyx would-?"
"Superior, this will hardly help us achieve our goal." Zexion insisted from the other side, his voice calm, but his face betraying his worry.
"No..." Xemnas replied, his Aerial Blades appearing in hands. "It won't."
King Mickey didn't hear the rest. He ran.
Sora and Roxas are here! He thought, hope rising in his chest. I have to find them!
~*~
"Riku," Aladdin shouted as Riku battled with a Samurai Nobody, "Isn't that Kairi?"
Riku started, following Aladdin's gaze. Sure enough, there stood Kairi.
"Idiot." he muttered, running toward her. "I told her to stay in the camp."
~*~
Naminè stood, shocked, looking at where Marluxia lay. She wasn't sure if he was dead, but she'd hit him pretty hard with the round ball at the end of the chain. Her questions were answered as dark smoke-like tendrils began to rise from the Nobody's body as he dissolved into oblivion.
Naminè gripped the chain with resolve, turning to face the entrance. The next Nobody who crossed that threshold would regret it.
~*~
Kairi looked around at the Heartless that surrounded her, her Keyblade appearing in her right hand as her left unconsciously felt into the bag at her hip. Within it was the paopu fruit that Selphie had brought with her from the Islands. As soon as she found Sora, no matter what was happening, Kairi was going to share it with him, even if they had to fight Heartless simultaneously.
"Well, well, well, looks like I found a princess."
Kairi turned around to face the voice, staring into one golden eye, the other being covered by a patch.
"Which one are you?" she asked, holding her Keyblade out in front of her, voice trembling despite herself.
"I'm Xigbar, The Free Shooter." he replied, still smiling. "And I'm willing to bet the Superior would be willing to reward me awesomely if I brought him a Princess of Heart."
Kairi's grip tightened on the handle of her Keyblade as she swung it forward.
"Not if I have anything to do with it!"
~*~
Riku grunted in frustration. Now she was fighting. How was he supposed to protect her if she wouldn't hold still and stop getting in trouble?
However, he thought as he watched Kairi dodge Xigbar's attacks rather proficiently. I have to admit, she's pretty good. We taught her well. Riku felt his chest filling with pride as he watched Xigbar pitch helplessly off the cliff, gone before he hit the ground.
One down. The thought was brief on Riku's consciousness before it was pushed aside for more important things.
"Riku!" Kairi called, excited. "Riku, you won't believe-"
"Kai, I told you to stay in camp!"
"But Riku," Kairi continued as she reached his side. "Sora's back!"
Riku paused.
"What?"
"I saw him from the camp. Roxas is with him too!"
Riku smiled for the first time since the battle had begun. He turned, looking at Yuffie, who was fighting nearby.
"Well, you heard her! Spread the news! If anything is going to boost the troops' spirits, this is it. Let's win this battle!"
~*~
"Demyx, look out!" Sora cried. Demyx looked to his right, just in time to see Saïx's claymore before it caught him in the stomach, throwing him to the ground.
"I am here with specific orders from Xemnas." Saïx said, shouldering his weapon. "To kill all three of you. I'll start with the traitor." With an evil grin, Saïx swung his claymore again, this time aiming at Demyx's head. However, he was surprised when it stopped. Below him, Demyx held up his sitar, having used it to block Saïx's attack.
"Run!" he yelled, looking back over his shoulder at the two boys. "Get out of here!"
"Demyx!" Sora exclaimed, running forward, only to have Roxas grab his arm, stopping him.
"He's helping us, Sora." Roxas said, his voice grave. "C'mon."
Sora looked back at Demyx, before painfully turning away and running.
Saïx snarled as a line of water sprang up between him and the quickly disappearing boys. He turned back to Demyx, swinging his claymore violently.
"Once I'm done with you," he growled, "I'll go after them. I'll rip those two apart." he swung again, forcing Demyx to block repeatedly as Saïx advanced, a maniacal smile plastered across his face. "You've only made it worse on them."
Demyx closed his eyes, taking a breath before leaping forward, blocking every one of Saïx's strikes easily, to the Lunar Diviner's frustration.
"Why fight the inevitable?" Saïx screamed, slacking madly every which way."You will die eventually!"
Demyx smiled, hitting Saïx in the face with a jet of water.
"You don't get it, Saïx." he replied calmly, "I don't have to survive, I just have to keep you busy long enough for them to escape."
Saïx growled gain, continuing his attacks with renewed vigor, but it did him no good. Demyx was fighting for a reason. Saïx had never really bothered considering Demyx's fighting ability, but not he realized that despite the musician's efforts to avoid battle, he was actually good. Time after time, Saïx attacked, and Demyx countered. It fell into a sort of rhythm. Swing, block, stab, deflect, charge, sidestep. Then, Saïx feigned left, Demyx stumbled, unable to compensate, and caught Saïx's claymore hard on the stomach, then the head. Saïx smiled as he approached the incapacitated musician who lay coughing on the ground.
"Good-bye, traitor." he said, hitting Demyx once more over the head. The musician fell limp, the jets of water that had obscured Saïx's way disappeared, and with one last scoff, the Lunar Diviner moved off in pursuit of the two Keyblade Bearers.
Demyx lay there, his vision shifting slowly in and out of focus, his limbs refusing to obey him. However, even through his blurred sight, he could just make out a crumbling arch, and high rock walls. He smiled. He had disappeared here before.
Good luck, Roxas, Sora. He though, Good luck. With one last breath, the Melodious Nocturne welcomed the darkness. He went home.
~*~
News of the Keyblade Master's return spread though the army like wild fire, as all throughout Radiant Gardens, Nobodies began to fall in incredible numbers.
~*~
"Another one!" Zexion muttered softly. He turned cautiously to his leader. "Superior, Demyx is dead. His scent fades as we speak." Zexion paused, waiting for this good news to take hold before he continued. "But, so are many of the others. Xaldin, Marluxia, Xigbar, Luxord, Larxene, and Lexaeus have all been erased, and since you destroyed Vexen yourself, that leaves our number at four." Zexion paused, waiting to see how Xemnas would react.
"Then only Saïx and Axel remain on the battlefield." he replied slowly. "In that case..." he turned to Zexion, "Prepare your weapon. It is your turn to fight for the Organization."
"What?" Zexion gasped, "But, Superior-"
"It was your plan that led us to this point in the first place, Number VI. You will do as I say, unless you have yet to fully understand the price of insubordination."
Zexion stood silent, staring in horror at his leader before lowering his gaze.
"I understand, Xemnas." he muttered, backing away into a Corridor of Darkness. He's finally lost it! Zexion thought as the Darkness closed between the Superior and himself. Xemnas has gone absolutely insane.
~*~
Sora paused, leaning against a wall, panting. Roxas looked back, worried.
"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked.
"I'm fine." Sora gasped, "Just a little tired."
"Sora, now that our Keyblades are back, I could heal you."
Sora shook his head.
"Curaga takes too much magic." he insisted, "You may need it for something else."
"That's ridiculous!" Roxas exclaimed, aiming Oathkeeper at Sora. "Hold still."
"Roxas, please!" Sora insisted, "Not right now."
Roxas paused, before, against his better judgment, lowering his Keyblade.
"Fine." he replied, "If you insist."
~*~
Most of the Heartless and Nobodies had disappeared, and things were certainly looking up. Riku breathed in a deep sigh of relief as he glanced up at the sky, judging the time by the position of the sun. About ten, he guessed before looking back over the battleground. He hadn't seen Sora yet, but his arrival had turned the tide of the battle, and at least the younger boy was okay.
"Riku," Leon asked from behind him, "What do we do now?"
Riku turned to face the small group that had gathered. The Radiant Gardens crew, Kairi, and scattered others were among them.
"We finish it." he replied, catching each individual person's eye. We finally have the advantage, now let's use it. The King would give the exact same orders."
"Now that ya mention it," Goofy muttered, looking around, "Has anyone seen the King?" His question was met with shaking heads.
"Not since the Organization appeared." Cid replied, followed by choruses of "Me either." and "I wonder where he is..."
Minnie looked around, worried as Donald sighed.
"We had hoped someone had seen him." the magician quacked.
"I'm sure he's fine." Kairi said reassuringly, putting her hand on the Mouse Queen's shoulder. "After all, he's not exactly easy to kill."
Riku nodded before turning back to the others.
"Okay," he said, "Go out there and spread the word. Let's get this battle over with by noon." The others nodded and left, leaving Riku alone with Kairi.
"Of course he shows up in the middle of a battle that was meant to save him." Riku smiled, looking at Kairi out of the corner of his eye. "Just like Sora to do something like that."
Kairi nodded fondly.
"Just like him."
Silence lapsed between them, both distracted by their own individual thoughts, when a sneering voice rang out behind them.
"Well, if he's forcing me to fight, I might as well fight you."
Riku spun around.
"You!" he hissed as Zexion smirked condescendingly.
"Riku, who-"
"Kairi, shh." Riku snapped, his eyes never leaving Zexion as, in a flash of light, Way To Dawn appeared in his hand.
"You've grown taller since we last met, Keybearer." Zexion mentioned, his smirk growing even smugger. "But, have you grown wiser?" His own hand outstretched, darkness gathering around it and forming a Keyblade. A thin, black, keychain-less Keyblade with a dark red handle and smoke-like prongs. Riku gasped.
Impossible! He thought, That Keyblade was made from the hearts of the six Princesses. Sora destroyed it!
Zexion chuckled, observing Riku's reaction.
"It's an illusion, of course," he said, examining his handy-work. "But one can be killed by an illusion." he held the Keyblade up, poised to strike. "Let us see if we can unlock your heart."
A/N: Tada! Almost done. Two more chapters, at the most. Review and make my day, please! I really can't think of anything else to say... Bye!