Broken Masks: Chapter Five
Authors Notes: um . . . . Merry Christmas '02? There really isn't a good excuse for getting this up sooner, other then I'm lazy and had really bad writers block. That and I've been paying more attention to my new obsessions. I've started off on a NASCAR kick and I've been writing stories left and right. But seeing as this is my only fic that is a multi-chapter, I'll try my best to churn these chapters out faster with good content.
I'd also like to state that I got home from school around four and it's about Seven now. I wrote this whole thing up in about three hours. Now by the time it gets to you people days will have passed, but the reality is that I can write these things out that fast. So I'm gonna try and work on chapter six on Thursday and have it up by Monday. I need to go take some Advil for my back ache now . . . reminder to self . . . get a chair, no more using a stool for the computer.
Chapter Five:
Sora swallowed heavily as he managed a glance out of the corner of his eye. Though it was a cliché, Sora could almost cut the tension in the room. Since first launching the Gummi ship from the destroyed port, Sora had busied himself with the sonar and weapons alignment of Leon's advanced ship. It was a complicated system that had taken him a while to figure out on his own. And he had done it on his own, immediately deciding Leon wasn't the person to be speaking with at the moment.
The tall brown haired male had swiftly climbed in the pilot's chair and hadn't moved since they launched. Occasionally Sora would be able to hear an annoyed grunt or see Leon lash out at his ship with a quick fist. But for the most part both males sat in silence.
Sora wanted to talk about Cloud. He wanted to talk about Hallow Bastion too. But more importantly he wanted to talk about what had Leon so spooked about Cloud being in Hallow Bastion. Best he had been able to place was that Leon had spent an expanded amount of time at Hallow Bastion, but hadn't been back since the heartless had invaded. Sora wanted to know why Leon thought Cloud couldn't take care of himself. Cloud had showed nothing but strength as fast as Sora was concerned, and could phantom the one winged angel needing someone.
Leon didn't want to talk about Cloud-couldn't talk about him. Leon couldn't let his mind wander, or his mouth for that much. He couldn't risk letting his heart talk for him. Then again, he was letting his heart lead him. And worse, it was leading Sora along with them. Leon knew from the beginning that involving Sora in Hallow Bastion too early was a large mistake. The young boy wasn't ready for the evil of Hallow Bastion. But through certain events Leon pressed that Sora would have to make due.
"You love him?"
Leon frowned and turned in his chair just a bit, so he might see Sora out of the corner of his vision. He knew he couldn't have heard him correctly. Of all the things to say in their trip this could not be what Sora had chosen.
"Do you?"
Leon looked immediately back to the empty space. "That's none of your business," Leon hissed.
"You love him." This was a statement.
Leon searched for a rebuttal but it seemed his mouth would not work. He wanted desperately to tell Sora he did not love Cloud. Finally he found choice words in his head and turned to look Sora in the eyes. "Don't you have more important things to think about?" Leon immediately regretted his words. Those were not the words that we supposed to have come from his mouth. He was supposed to have told Sora that Cloud was a dear friend he could not bear to lose.
Leon slouched in his seat, Gummi ship on Auto Pilot. Did he love Cloud? Could he honestly say he loved the blonde who seemed to steal his breath each and every time he entered a room. The blonde who's presence alone set off uncontrolled desire that washed through his body and made him want to ravish his red lips?
He knew for sure he would give his life for Cloud. He would do his best to make sure Cloud survived, no matter what. He would make sure Cloud got to go home after the heartless had been beaten back. He would see Cloud safe with his last breath if necessary.
But did that mean he loved Cloud?
"I love Riku," Sora told him quietly. "I've loved Riku since I can remember. He's always been there to hold me, and protect me. He's always made sure the kids at school didn't pick on me. And made sure nothing ever came between us." Sora's voice dropped off. "Something did come between us though."
Leon nodded. "But if the choice comes, can you choose your destiny over Riku?"
Sora had no real answer. He wanted nothing more then to be back on the beach under the warm sand with Riku lying next to him. The waves washing up on their feet and cooling them in the warm weather. How could he be expected to kill the person that meant the most to him?
"Sora!" Leon snapped, disliking the silence immensely. "You have to understand winning this war is more important then myself, you or Riku. If we don't win this we're all going to die. The first worlds have been attacked, but each and every one that exists will follow. Every thing that is living will die. Everything!"
Sora nodded numbly. He understood.
"What about you?" He understood, but pushed back. Leon was caught off guard. "What if you had to kill Cloud to win the war? What if it comes down to his life or everyone else's?"
Leon's hands froze in his lap, and his heart skipped a beat. He had pledged to himself a long time ago that he would never hurt Cloud. He would never be the cause of any pain, much less death! He couldn't kill Cloud if it was the end. He couldn't take his sword and drive it through Cloud's heart, even if the man became evil. Leon would choose Cloud's life over his own and everyone else's. He was being a hypocrite and he knew it. But his stance was staying. He couldn't kill Cloud, and he would stop anyone from trying.
"You love him." Sora was back to that. But this time Leon wasn't trying to form words of disagreement.
~
"No!" Cloud shook his head, backing away from the taller man who had taken a near stance in front of him. "I don't know who you are and I don't want anything to do with you." Cloud took stronger steps. "You're not going to tell me where to go, and I'm certainly not going anywhere with you."
Sephiroth's smile never left his face, allowing Cloud his room. "If only you remembered what we shared, you would never harbor distrust for me. We are one, Cloud. We are supposed to be together, we belong together."
Fear clutched Cloud as his back bumped a shelf and he couldn't move any further. He could not and would not believe that he belonged with this new face that called himself Sephiroth. He wanted to be with Squall, not with Sephiroth.
But his intelligence bit back with a vengeance reminding him that Squall was not the one he was searching for. Before Squall had over taken his mind and heart, he had been searching for another. He had been looking desperately for his other half whom he had been separated from when their world had collapsed. Something told him this was the man who he had been wanting. This man was supposed to make him feel safe and warm, yet Squall did that with merely a thought.
"No," Cloud told him. "I belong with Squall."
Cloud was taken back at the sneer that slipped past Sephiroth's smile. The man that had been so warm and inviting had suddenly turned angry. "I see Squall has managed to corrupt your mind." Sephiroth's anger had faded and he now stood completely in front of Cloud. "He's an evil person that wants to take you away from me. He wants to keep you in this world that is falling apart. I want to take you where it's safe. I want to keep you safe from people like him." Cloud was taken back, but forced his face to show none of it. "I know you can't remember anything, and that he's filled your mind with lies," Sephiroth placed both hands on Cloud's shoulders. "I hoped you would find me first, so I could protect you from lies."
Cloud knew his words were false. He could remember some things. He could remember brief memories of his childhood that involved himself and Squall happy. They had been acquaintances in early years and friends in the middle. Towards the end memories began to blur, but Cloud believed they were more. So where had Sephiroth come from? Where had he gotten the notion that they belonged together?
And the lies? Squall had never lied to him, because you couldn't lie about true feelings. Cloud had felt the truth in Squall's words when he had asked him not to leave the town. Squall had wanted him there, to help him protect the town and more. Squall never lied to him about anything. Squall didn't lie period.
"You're fake, and you're not bringing me down with false words!"
The gentle hands on his shoulders turned harsh and Cloud was forced into submission as Sephiroth leaned in close. "You'll have to understand a few things Cloud. This isn't a choice. You belong to me, and I'm not going to lose you to Squall. I got rid of him before and I'll get rid of him again."
Cloud's eyes widen at the threat to the man he held close in his heart. With a bout of strength he managed to push Sephiroth off him and back. "You're not going to hurt Squall! I won't let you!" His legs buckled under him and he sank to the floor. "You're why I can't remember anything!" Cloud accused the recovered man. "You tried to erase Squall!"
"Yes," Sephiroth freely admitted. "I tried to erase everything, but by the time I reached your memories of him, time had run out and our world was being destroyed. I attempted to implant and urge for you to find me, but it seems to have only half worked." The silver haired male's smile fell back into place and dark energy began to gather in his hands. "But now I have all the time in the world. I promise to get it right this time."
~
Deeper in Hallow Bastion a meeting was being held. Darkness was gathering from the worlds the Key Blade Master had not reached yet. At the head of the group stood Maleficent, raven on her shoulder and staff in hand. Very little light entered the room, and most illumination came from the form of Hades, whom at this time was near bright red.
"They're hiding him from me!" Hades accused. "Each and every one of them. And him too!" Hades pointed a condemning finger at Riku's small form.
"Calm yourself," Maleficent ordered, eyes moving from Hades to Riku. "Are the words true? Have you been concealing whom Hades seeks?"
Riku smirked and crossed his arms. "Much as I'd like to annoy the big blue flame, I've got better things to worry about. I gain nothing from hiding the man, and therefore do not do it."
"He's been meddling in our plans though!" Hades began again. "He saved the Key Blade Master from death just recently. He's aiding them!"
"Nonsense!" Snapped Maleficent. "Riku is allowed anything he wants. He desires the boy and has the right to claim him. The Key Blade Master has little hope of stopping us, and Riku shall indulge himself far as he wishes."
Hades' flames sparked again, and Riku couldn't resist. "If you cared so much you'd know he has already entered the castle. The library to be precise."
"He is no longer your concern," Maleficent told Hades. "You were merely to lure him to the castle. You are finished. Return to the coliseum and ensure our presence."
Hades' temper boiled over as he vanished away, swearing revenge upon Riku and Sora, but most importantly Cloud.
"He's showing too much interest in him," Riku remarked. "Though I can't see what he'd want."
"And why is this Cloud so important?" Captain Hook asked, hook running through his mustache.
Oogie Boogie nodded. "Yeah, why should we be wasting so much time on that little punk?"
Maleficent snapped her staff down heavily, calling an order. "He's resistant," She told them quietly. "The darkness has seeped into his heart willingly and it has not managed to take him over. He should be a merciless heartless, yet he has kept his wits and fights to win his heart back. He is resilient, strong and willed. He is simply the perfect candidate. Ansem cannot yet take form in this world and we cannot wait for such opportunity. But we can transfer him into another, and then have him reclaim his body at a later time."
"Is Ansem going to be satisfied?" Riku asked. "Cloud comes with a lot of baggage. He has a solid friendship with Sora, perhaps too solid. And the there is that man Leon. He's in love; his heart will never be corrupted so he can never be used. This man could grow to be a thorn in our sides, and he should be disposed of before he reaches our position. And lest we forget the one winged man that is very much out of place in the library. He's established wards that neither you nor myself can break. He's invincible there, and anyone who remains with him is protected as well. How do you plan to lure Cloud out of his grasp? There are lift passages that can take them to any part of the castle without our knowledge. We are weakened by his presence."
"We cannot differ this path," Maleficent made to move from the room. "We must have Cloud's body before Ansem can have his mind. Once the switch is made our plans will be final and we will win this war. Dispose of the man named Leon and find some way to draw Cloud out."
The woman was almost from the room when she paused at the doorway. "Gaston, accompany me. I have work for you." The French man strode forth, a sneer of self-satisfaction on his face. Riku shook his head at the arrogance, feeling another of their allies was flawed.
Maleficent's presence had been absent from the room for many seconds before Riku risked breathing heavily. "She's making a mistake." He told his companions. "She's going after big things too fast and she's going to get herself swallowed whole."
"What are you suggesting?" Captain Hook asked, attention sparked.
"A revolt?" Cruella De Vil hinted.
"Nothing!" Riku snapped, arms waving. "Right now we do nothing! Return to your places."
"Mind yourself," Ratcliffe shot to Riku. "Tongues slip easily with the threat of pain."
The spoken and unspoken members of the meeting shuffled slowly from the room some leaving physically and some allowing the darkness to consume them in transportation. "We do nothing until I am ready."
Riku strode from the room in assurance, feet slapping the cold stone floors softly. He passed through the lifts mechanically, having memorized the passage a long time before. Though this time he did not pass upwards on the lifts, but downwards towards the dungeons. He walked smoothly past the heavily locked cells that contained creatures and people that were far too strong to be destroyed, and those that did pose a danger to helping Sora in some way.
At the final cell in the long hallway he paused, turning to face the three occupants. "I need a favor."
One of the fairies hitched up her dress and stalked towards him. "Ooooh! What makes you think we'll help you?" Flora demanded.
"You help me and don't caught, and I'll allow you to escape." Riku retrieved their wands and held them within sight distance. "I need a small little favor in order to make sure Maleficent doesn't get what she needs," He paused, taking in the green, blue and red small women. "I need you to cast a spell."
~
As their Gummi ship hovered over Hallow Bastion Leon and Sora exchanged worried glances. "So this is it?" Sora asked, hands and nose placed against the windows of the ship, staring down at the haunting castle. "There's no turning back?"
Leon shook his head, reaching into his pocked and pulling out a small oddly colored Gummi block. "This is for you, Sora." He delivered the important object into gloved hands. "This castle is protected by dark magic that will not allow us to return to the ship in a panic. Until a major source of darkness is cleared away everyone will be trapped. But with this you can avoid being stuck. If such a time arrives you'll be allotted a one way trip back to the ship if to desire it."
Leon's eyes turned hard and suddenly Sora was aware of the severity of the situation. "I'm not kidding you here Sora. When we go down I'm counting on you to get out when it becomes too much."
"But what about you? You'll be trapped if we can't both get back to the ship!"
Leon nodded. "I plan on being trapped. I'm going after Cloud, and I'm going to risk my life willingly. You're just too important for you to risk your own, not yet. If I can't rescue Cloud we're going to die together." Leon paused, a strained smile on his lips. "Damn irony," He whispered. "I'm going to die with the man I love."
Sora reached up to place a hand on Leon's arm. "If you really love him and he really loves you, neither of you will die."
"You still sure you want to do this?" Leon asked him. "Not too late to back out. I won't think anything of you if you want to stay and get the hell out of here as soon as I'm gone."
Sora frowned determinedly. "I can't run anymore. I know I'm not ready to go up against Maleficent or anyone else in there, but I can't run from my friends. Riku taught me always to stick behind the people that we love. So when I go in here with you, it isn't by obligation. It's by love."
Leon held out his hand to Sora. "Thanks," Sora met it and they shared a last glimpse of hope. "For a kid you're not so bad."
Sora's face twisted into anger as they began to disappear from the ship. "Who're you calling a kid!" His voice was gone suddenly along with his body, as he and Leon were transported down to the front gates.
tbc
Authors Notes: um . . . . Merry Christmas '02? There really isn't a good excuse for getting this up sooner, other then I'm lazy and had really bad writers block. That and I've been paying more attention to my new obsessions. I've started off on a NASCAR kick and I've been writing stories left and right. But seeing as this is my only fic that is a multi-chapter, I'll try my best to churn these chapters out faster with good content.
I'd also like to state that I got home from school around four and it's about Seven now. I wrote this whole thing up in about three hours. Now by the time it gets to you people days will have passed, but the reality is that I can write these things out that fast. So I'm gonna try and work on chapter six on Thursday and have it up by Monday. I need to go take some Advil for my back ache now . . . reminder to self . . . get a chair, no more using a stool for the computer.
Chapter Five:
Sora swallowed heavily as he managed a glance out of the corner of his eye. Though it was a cliché, Sora could almost cut the tension in the room. Since first launching the Gummi ship from the destroyed port, Sora had busied himself with the sonar and weapons alignment of Leon's advanced ship. It was a complicated system that had taken him a while to figure out on his own. And he had done it on his own, immediately deciding Leon wasn't the person to be speaking with at the moment.
The tall brown haired male had swiftly climbed in the pilot's chair and hadn't moved since they launched. Occasionally Sora would be able to hear an annoyed grunt or see Leon lash out at his ship with a quick fist. But for the most part both males sat in silence.
Sora wanted to talk about Cloud. He wanted to talk about Hallow Bastion too. But more importantly he wanted to talk about what had Leon so spooked about Cloud being in Hallow Bastion. Best he had been able to place was that Leon had spent an expanded amount of time at Hallow Bastion, but hadn't been back since the heartless had invaded. Sora wanted to know why Leon thought Cloud couldn't take care of himself. Cloud had showed nothing but strength as fast as Sora was concerned, and could phantom the one winged angel needing someone.
Leon didn't want to talk about Cloud-couldn't talk about him. Leon couldn't let his mind wander, or his mouth for that much. He couldn't risk letting his heart talk for him. Then again, he was letting his heart lead him. And worse, it was leading Sora along with them. Leon knew from the beginning that involving Sora in Hallow Bastion too early was a large mistake. The young boy wasn't ready for the evil of Hallow Bastion. But through certain events Leon pressed that Sora would have to make due.
"You love him?"
Leon frowned and turned in his chair just a bit, so he might see Sora out of the corner of his vision. He knew he couldn't have heard him correctly. Of all the things to say in their trip this could not be what Sora had chosen.
"Do you?"
Leon looked immediately back to the empty space. "That's none of your business," Leon hissed.
"You love him." This was a statement.
Leon searched for a rebuttal but it seemed his mouth would not work. He wanted desperately to tell Sora he did not love Cloud. Finally he found choice words in his head and turned to look Sora in the eyes. "Don't you have more important things to think about?" Leon immediately regretted his words. Those were not the words that we supposed to have come from his mouth. He was supposed to have told Sora that Cloud was a dear friend he could not bear to lose.
Leon slouched in his seat, Gummi ship on Auto Pilot. Did he love Cloud? Could he honestly say he loved the blonde who seemed to steal his breath each and every time he entered a room. The blonde who's presence alone set off uncontrolled desire that washed through his body and made him want to ravish his red lips?
He knew for sure he would give his life for Cloud. He would do his best to make sure Cloud survived, no matter what. He would make sure Cloud got to go home after the heartless had been beaten back. He would see Cloud safe with his last breath if necessary.
But did that mean he loved Cloud?
"I love Riku," Sora told him quietly. "I've loved Riku since I can remember. He's always been there to hold me, and protect me. He's always made sure the kids at school didn't pick on me. And made sure nothing ever came between us." Sora's voice dropped off. "Something did come between us though."
Leon nodded. "But if the choice comes, can you choose your destiny over Riku?"
Sora had no real answer. He wanted nothing more then to be back on the beach under the warm sand with Riku lying next to him. The waves washing up on their feet and cooling them in the warm weather. How could he be expected to kill the person that meant the most to him?
"Sora!" Leon snapped, disliking the silence immensely. "You have to understand winning this war is more important then myself, you or Riku. If we don't win this we're all going to die. The first worlds have been attacked, but each and every one that exists will follow. Every thing that is living will die. Everything!"
Sora nodded numbly. He understood.
"What about you?" He understood, but pushed back. Leon was caught off guard. "What if you had to kill Cloud to win the war? What if it comes down to his life or everyone else's?"
Leon's hands froze in his lap, and his heart skipped a beat. He had pledged to himself a long time ago that he would never hurt Cloud. He would never be the cause of any pain, much less death! He couldn't kill Cloud if it was the end. He couldn't take his sword and drive it through Cloud's heart, even if the man became evil. Leon would choose Cloud's life over his own and everyone else's. He was being a hypocrite and he knew it. But his stance was staying. He couldn't kill Cloud, and he would stop anyone from trying.
"You love him." Sora was back to that. But this time Leon wasn't trying to form words of disagreement.
~
"No!" Cloud shook his head, backing away from the taller man who had taken a near stance in front of him. "I don't know who you are and I don't want anything to do with you." Cloud took stronger steps. "You're not going to tell me where to go, and I'm certainly not going anywhere with you."
Sephiroth's smile never left his face, allowing Cloud his room. "If only you remembered what we shared, you would never harbor distrust for me. We are one, Cloud. We are supposed to be together, we belong together."
Fear clutched Cloud as his back bumped a shelf and he couldn't move any further. He could not and would not believe that he belonged with this new face that called himself Sephiroth. He wanted to be with Squall, not with Sephiroth.
But his intelligence bit back with a vengeance reminding him that Squall was not the one he was searching for. Before Squall had over taken his mind and heart, he had been searching for another. He had been looking desperately for his other half whom he had been separated from when their world had collapsed. Something told him this was the man who he had been wanting. This man was supposed to make him feel safe and warm, yet Squall did that with merely a thought.
"No," Cloud told him. "I belong with Squall."
Cloud was taken back at the sneer that slipped past Sephiroth's smile. The man that had been so warm and inviting had suddenly turned angry. "I see Squall has managed to corrupt your mind." Sephiroth's anger had faded and he now stood completely in front of Cloud. "He's an evil person that wants to take you away from me. He wants to keep you in this world that is falling apart. I want to take you where it's safe. I want to keep you safe from people like him." Cloud was taken back, but forced his face to show none of it. "I know you can't remember anything, and that he's filled your mind with lies," Sephiroth placed both hands on Cloud's shoulders. "I hoped you would find me first, so I could protect you from lies."
Cloud knew his words were false. He could remember some things. He could remember brief memories of his childhood that involved himself and Squall happy. They had been acquaintances in early years and friends in the middle. Towards the end memories began to blur, but Cloud believed they were more. So where had Sephiroth come from? Where had he gotten the notion that they belonged together?
And the lies? Squall had never lied to him, because you couldn't lie about true feelings. Cloud had felt the truth in Squall's words when he had asked him not to leave the town. Squall had wanted him there, to help him protect the town and more. Squall never lied to him about anything. Squall didn't lie period.
"You're fake, and you're not bringing me down with false words!"
The gentle hands on his shoulders turned harsh and Cloud was forced into submission as Sephiroth leaned in close. "You'll have to understand a few things Cloud. This isn't a choice. You belong to me, and I'm not going to lose you to Squall. I got rid of him before and I'll get rid of him again."
Cloud's eyes widen at the threat to the man he held close in his heart. With a bout of strength he managed to push Sephiroth off him and back. "You're not going to hurt Squall! I won't let you!" His legs buckled under him and he sank to the floor. "You're why I can't remember anything!" Cloud accused the recovered man. "You tried to erase Squall!"
"Yes," Sephiroth freely admitted. "I tried to erase everything, but by the time I reached your memories of him, time had run out and our world was being destroyed. I attempted to implant and urge for you to find me, but it seems to have only half worked." The silver haired male's smile fell back into place and dark energy began to gather in his hands. "But now I have all the time in the world. I promise to get it right this time."
~
Deeper in Hallow Bastion a meeting was being held. Darkness was gathering from the worlds the Key Blade Master had not reached yet. At the head of the group stood Maleficent, raven on her shoulder and staff in hand. Very little light entered the room, and most illumination came from the form of Hades, whom at this time was near bright red.
"They're hiding him from me!" Hades accused. "Each and every one of them. And him too!" Hades pointed a condemning finger at Riku's small form.
"Calm yourself," Maleficent ordered, eyes moving from Hades to Riku. "Are the words true? Have you been concealing whom Hades seeks?"
Riku smirked and crossed his arms. "Much as I'd like to annoy the big blue flame, I've got better things to worry about. I gain nothing from hiding the man, and therefore do not do it."
"He's been meddling in our plans though!" Hades began again. "He saved the Key Blade Master from death just recently. He's aiding them!"
"Nonsense!" Snapped Maleficent. "Riku is allowed anything he wants. He desires the boy and has the right to claim him. The Key Blade Master has little hope of stopping us, and Riku shall indulge himself far as he wishes."
Hades' flames sparked again, and Riku couldn't resist. "If you cared so much you'd know he has already entered the castle. The library to be precise."
"He is no longer your concern," Maleficent told Hades. "You were merely to lure him to the castle. You are finished. Return to the coliseum and ensure our presence."
Hades' temper boiled over as he vanished away, swearing revenge upon Riku and Sora, but most importantly Cloud.
"He's showing too much interest in him," Riku remarked. "Though I can't see what he'd want."
"And why is this Cloud so important?" Captain Hook asked, hook running through his mustache.
Oogie Boogie nodded. "Yeah, why should we be wasting so much time on that little punk?"
Maleficent snapped her staff down heavily, calling an order. "He's resistant," She told them quietly. "The darkness has seeped into his heart willingly and it has not managed to take him over. He should be a merciless heartless, yet he has kept his wits and fights to win his heart back. He is resilient, strong and willed. He is simply the perfect candidate. Ansem cannot yet take form in this world and we cannot wait for such opportunity. But we can transfer him into another, and then have him reclaim his body at a later time."
"Is Ansem going to be satisfied?" Riku asked. "Cloud comes with a lot of baggage. He has a solid friendship with Sora, perhaps too solid. And the there is that man Leon. He's in love; his heart will never be corrupted so he can never be used. This man could grow to be a thorn in our sides, and he should be disposed of before he reaches our position. And lest we forget the one winged man that is very much out of place in the library. He's established wards that neither you nor myself can break. He's invincible there, and anyone who remains with him is protected as well. How do you plan to lure Cloud out of his grasp? There are lift passages that can take them to any part of the castle without our knowledge. We are weakened by his presence."
"We cannot differ this path," Maleficent made to move from the room. "We must have Cloud's body before Ansem can have his mind. Once the switch is made our plans will be final and we will win this war. Dispose of the man named Leon and find some way to draw Cloud out."
The woman was almost from the room when she paused at the doorway. "Gaston, accompany me. I have work for you." The French man strode forth, a sneer of self-satisfaction on his face. Riku shook his head at the arrogance, feeling another of their allies was flawed.
Maleficent's presence had been absent from the room for many seconds before Riku risked breathing heavily. "She's making a mistake." He told his companions. "She's going after big things too fast and she's going to get herself swallowed whole."
"What are you suggesting?" Captain Hook asked, attention sparked.
"A revolt?" Cruella De Vil hinted.
"Nothing!" Riku snapped, arms waving. "Right now we do nothing! Return to your places."
"Mind yourself," Ratcliffe shot to Riku. "Tongues slip easily with the threat of pain."
The spoken and unspoken members of the meeting shuffled slowly from the room some leaving physically and some allowing the darkness to consume them in transportation. "We do nothing until I am ready."
Riku strode from the room in assurance, feet slapping the cold stone floors softly. He passed through the lifts mechanically, having memorized the passage a long time before. Though this time he did not pass upwards on the lifts, but downwards towards the dungeons. He walked smoothly past the heavily locked cells that contained creatures and people that were far too strong to be destroyed, and those that did pose a danger to helping Sora in some way.
At the final cell in the long hallway he paused, turning to face the three occupants. "I need a favor."
One of the fairies hitched up her dress and stalked towards him. "Ooooh! What makes you think we'll help you?" Flora demanded.
"You help me and don't caught, and I'll allow you to escape." Riku retrieved their wands and held them within sight distance. "I need a small little favor in order to make sure Maleficent doesn't get what she needs," He paused, taking in the green, blue and red small women. "I need you to cast a spell."
~
As their Gummi ship hovered over Hallow Bastion Leon and Sora exchanged worried glances. "So this is it?" Sora asked, hands and nose placed against the windows of the ship, staring down at the haunting castle. "There's no turning back?"
Leon shook his head, reaching into his pocked and pulling out a small oddly colored Gummi block. "This is for you, Sora." He delivered the important object into gloved hands. "This castle is protected by dark magic that will not allow us to return to the ship in a panic. Until a major source of darkness is cleared away everyone will be trapped. But with this you can avoid being stuck. If such a time arrives you'll be allotted a one way trip back to the ship if to desire it."
Leon's eyes turned hard and suddenly Sora was aware of the severity of the situation. "I'm not kidding you here Sora. When we go down I'm counting on you to get out when it becomes too much."
"But what about you? You'll be trapped if we can't both get back to the ship!"
Leon nodded. "I plan on being trapped. I'm going after Cloud, and I'm going to risk my life willingly. You're just too important for you to risk your own, not yet. If I can't rescue Cloud we're going to die together." Leon paused, a strained smile on his lips. "Damn irony," He whispered. "I'm going to die with the man I love."
Sora reached up to place a hand on Leon's arm. "If you really love him and he really loves you, neither of you will die."
"You still sure you want to do this?" Leon asked him. "Not too late to back out. I won't think anything of you if you want to stay and get the hell out of here as soon as I'm gone."
Sora frowned determinedly. "I can't run anymore. I know I'm not ready to go up against Maleficent or anyone else in there, but I can't run from my friends. Riku taught me always to stick behind the people that we love. So when I go in here with you, it isn't by obligation. It's by love."
Leon held out his hand to Sora. "Thanks," Sora met it and they shared a last glimpse of hope. "For a kid you're not so bad."
Sora's face twisted into anger as they began to disappear from the ship. "Who're you calling a kid!" His voice was gone suddenly along with his body, as he and Leon were transported down to the front gates.
tbc