We hadn't had time in the Pride Land for Sora to fill us in on what was he was doing while we were separated. Sora, Donald, and Goofy had been looking at the previous worlds we had gone to, but when they went to Mickey's Kingdom again they were told to go get us by Mickey. Then Mickey and the rest of the people would meet us in Twilight Town when we finished there.
We passed by the smoldering black rock that was Halloween Town witch made us angry than ever before. We arrived at Twilight Town and made are way to the computer room as fast as we could. We found Cid, Squall, Yuffie, and even Cloud waiting for us in the small room.
"Finally you guys made it."
Squall said coolly.
"Yall took ur sweet time too, didn't ya?"
Cid groaned turning around in the computer chair.
"You took so long Riku and the King decided to go on ahead to scout the place out."
Cid went on.
"They told us to wait here for you guys and go find them soon as you got here so let's vamoose."
Yuffie burst out as she hoped down from the counter top.
"Ok."
I agreed as we all ran through the portal into the World that Never Was, except for Cid who stayed behind to operate the controls. We arrived into a darker and more foreboding version of the World that Never Was. The ground was coated in a thick black fog that hovered around your ankles, as if it was trying to swallow you up. We all ran out of the alley to see a beam of light shooting from the castle directly at Kingdom Hearts. But no sooner had we seen it than the bases of the light came a huge explosion.
"What was that?"
Yuffie asked as the ground shook from the explosion.
"I don't know, but we better go check it out."
Sora said as he and the rest of us started to run towards the castle. We ran to the place where Riku had fought Roxas when we were stopped by the sight of Zephon and Duma.
"So it seems you have arrived. Good, now we can end this little game and free ourselves, but what's this? You brought some tagalongs with you, now we can't have that, can we?"
Zephon said as he summoned dozens of Heartless that stood at attention like solders.
"Who are you calling tagalong?"
Sora shouted angrily, but was completely ignored.
"I'm guessing you have come here to give up."
Duma sneered.
"You wish. Why would we give up to some losers like you?"
I mocked his arrogant voice.
"What did you just say, you little whelp?"
Duma snarled with his eyes filled with rage, but before he moved to attack us Zephon placed a hand on his shoulder and said
"Calm yourself Duma. There is no need to become flustered now. All we want is you three. If you can make it to the top, you will get the honor of being killed by us. But like I said, that is only if you can make it to us. Good luck. Oh, yes don't bother trying to leave because it is our world now. So you're stuck here until you destroy us or we are no longer here."
And with that they disappeared into the black mist. The Heartless they summoned leaped from their spots straight at us. But with on swipe of theirs blades, Squall and Cloud destroyed them all.
"You guys go ahead. We will fight them off here as long as we can!"
Yuffie said as she threw her boomerang through some of the newly spawned Heartless. Sora started to run to the castle, closely followed by Midna, Tyler, Donald and Goofy. But instead of running, I pulled out Eb and Iv and started firing at the Heartless as I slowly walked backwards, not wanting to leave them behind.
"Startux, you have to go! We can handle things here!"
Squall roared as he cut away at the steadily increasing number of Heartless.
"It's time we helped you guys out for once, now go!"
Cloud said calmly as he jumped into the swarming Heartless cutting them away with a wide swing.
"Thanks."
I said as I turned to run after the rest of them.
"Just don't go dieing on us!"
Squall called to me as I turned the corner. I had ran for a while, not stopping to fight any of the Heartless that chased me until I final reached Tyler, Midna and the rest of them. They were stopped in the room where you fight Xibar by dozens of Heartless. There would have been more, but they couldn't fit. I jumped into the air, cutting away at the Heartless that had tried to catch me. I landed behind Tyler.
"So what's the deal? Why haven't we broken through yet?"
I asked Tyler who threw his key blade at the exit, clearing a path. But the path was almost instantly blocked by even more Heartless.
"That's why."
Tyler moaned as he summoned his key blade back and continued to fight the Heartless. They just wouldn't stop pouring into the room. Keeping enough room for us to fight was all we could do.
"Guys, get near me."
Tyler said to everyone and we all surrounded him. And as we did Tyler raised a fire dome, surrounding us. But it was not able to keep out all the Heartless.
"What's this about Tyler?"
I asked.
"This is going nowhere fast. I'm doing this so you guys can come up with a plan. But could you hurry? I can't keep this up forever."
Tyler panted as he focused on keeping the barrier up.
"Well we're not getting out without fighting, that's for sure... Hm, anyone got any bright ideas? How 'bout you Mid?"
I thought out loud as we fought off the Heartless that made it through the fire. But no one had any ideas.
"Well it doesn't look like we're going to make it out of this… Sorry guys."
I said feebly.
"Startux can you take us back to your world?"
Midna suggested, obviously knowing we had run out of choices. But I shook my head and said.
"No, I've tried that already. They weren't bluffing when they said we couldn't leave… but you still can. You can still save yourself by going back in my shadow."
But Midna interrupted me before I could go on.
"Shut up! I would never leave you guys behind. If you guys are going down I'm going with you, got that? Now we have to think of a way out before Tyler's fire wall fails."
But at that, no sooner had she said it than did Tyler fall to one knee and the barrier started to fade.
"Sorry guys, I can't."
But by the time he started to say,
"Keep this up."
The barrier fell completely and there we stood ready for are last stand.
"Ready guys? Let's go out with a bang!"
I said as I prepared to charge. Just as the Heartless were nearly on us a blinding flash came in through the doorway making us shield are eyes.
"What's all this lets go out with a bang crap? You guys aren't giving up already are you?"
It was Riku and he was back in his normal body. Riku and the king entire room was cleared of Heartless and the black smoke that coated the ground earlier. For some reason the Heartless weren't coming out of the doors like they had before… yet.
"You can never lose when you have friends."
Mickey said in an awkwardly bright attitude.
"Riku it's you!"
Sora bellowed running up to him giving him a hug. Suddenly out came a bang as the door we entered from was cracked open by another swarm of Heartless. Riku and the king jumped toward them and told us
"Startux, Midna, Xetryl, it's up to you. There's a barrier that won't let anyone but you three through it up ahead, so it's up to you to end this. Hurry, the barrier is at the top. We will hold them here. The rest of the way should be clear."
We didn't need to be told twice. We started to run up the rest of the castle and soon found the barrier that only we could pass through. I pushed through with no trouble and Tyler and Midna followed me. We looked around, ready to be ambushed, but the top of the tower was empty except for the giant door.
"I guess they're in there."
I said, looking at the looming door. It towered over us like a giant white door thingy. My point is it was a big fucking white Door to Doom.
"Are you ready guys?"
I asked turning to them.
"You know it. Eee hee."
Midna chuckled with an evil grin.
"Let's go."
Tyler nodded. I smiled and turned to the door getting ready to kick it down and said.
"All right then. Let's ROCK!"
But soon as the words left my mouth I stopped.
"Stuart… No, just no."
Tyler said as he shook his head and Midna just rolled her eyes. I was using one of my old mentor Dante's lines and completely failed at saying it.
"But… It sounded cool when Dante said it. Anyway, let's go. We need to finish this."
I said, walking through the door. It was a narrow street that led to a cliff that dropped off hundreds of feet. My eyes rose up to see Duma and Zephon. They were floating above the cliff edge. When they spoke, their voices echoed through the street and seemed to come from everywhere.
"So it seems that you have made it to us after all."
Zephon said as his voice echoed.
"Good, now we will get to have some fun."
Duma said with a snide tone.
"What do you mean by fun, I never realized getting your ass kicked was fun?"
Tyler jested mockingly.
"What? How dare you, you miserable insect! How dare you mock me?"
Duma boomed, obviously hating the fact that we showed no fear, but before he could do anything Zephon grabbed his shoulder and said.
"Duma remain calm, there's no need to get so flustered over them. Soon we shall have the power to leave and you can get your vengeance by killing their families."
But it did nothing to calm Duma down who replied,
"Don't tell me to calm down, Zephon. If you don't care that these miserable worms mock you then fine. But I will not stand for it. I am going to tear them apart."
But we just started to snicker as they started to fight with each other.
"What's so funny?"
Duma yelled as his anger rose.
"You sound like an old married couple. But don't worry, I'm sure you two will sort this out and make up later."
Tyler chuckled wanting to antagonize him even more.
"I will crush you like bugs!"
Duma snarled as he made the building fall around us. We were ready, we ran through the street cutting through the pieces of building that fell. We had made it to a clearing, not too far from the edge of the cliff. We were fine, but the way back was blocked by tons of rubble. Tyler changed into valor form and Midna drew her blades. Duma and Zephon were fighting with each other when we got there.
"Zephon, since you seem so content with letting them walk all over you, you will stay out of this fight. I will take care of them myself and you will stay away and watch. Do you understand me?"
Duma argued, now furious with Zephon.
"Fine. Whatever you say, I shall not interfere with your fight in the slightest. But let's not forget who has created whom, shall we?"
Zephon said calmly as he floated off into the distance to get a good vantage point. He obviously wasn't planning on fighting us any ways. I started to say something witty but was soon stopped by a crashing building that was sent towards me by Duma. He had made all the crushed buildings rise up and encircle us. I changed to Devil trigger and pulled out Alastor, pointing it at Duma with a wide grin.
He sent more buildings toward us, but they moved too slowly to hit us. I jumped from one to another getting closer and closer to Duma, until I was right on top of him. I could feel my heart pounding from the adrenalin as I jumped straight down at him attempting to cut him down the middle but he raised his claymore stopping the blade.
The force of the blow sent him to the ground, cracking the ground below his feet. I landed in the crater with him, but he didn't seem to be affected by my attack. He swung his claymore but I parried it just enough to save my life. I was knocked back into one of the fallen buildings with a rather strong swing of his claymore. The force of the blow sent Alastor flying into a wall. Tyler jumped from his building, flying straight at him with his key blades out in front spinning like propellers. He looked like a comet flying at Duma covered in brilliant scarlet flames. His hair looked like it was aflame and he now had dark rings around his eyes.
Tyler and Duma seemed to be evenly matched, for each attack one made the other countered. Tyler cut through Dumas chest, or so he thought, but he let down his guard for a second allowing Duma to get the upper hand and hit him. The blow sent him sliding on his head nearly sending him off the cliff. Midna came at him everything she had, but every time a spell seemed to make contact, he would shake it off. He threw his claymore at Midna.
"Reflega!"
I said as I shot the spell at her, just making it in time to save her, although the force from the claymore sent Midna flying towards the edge of the cliff. Tyler, acting fast, jumped an caught her just before she fell off. I turned around to see my sword still in the wall and Duma who was the other direction. I ran straight at Duma, who seemed smug. I shot a web line directly behind me onto Alastor's handle, removing it from the wall and sending it soaring behind me. I jumped and let go of my web, having my sword fly straight into his chest. He stumbled backwards and fell.
"You did it."
Tyler said.
"That's what he gets for messing with us."
Midna cheered as Tyler set her down. I walked over to Duma's body and pulled out my sword, pointing it at Zephon who hadn't moved from his spot, which concerned me. Before my spider sense even had a chance to go off I looked back at Duma as he grabbed my leg and threw me right back into the building. I watched Tyler and Midna as I tried to get out of the rubble and as they went right back in the fight. But nothing they seemed to do could stop him. He grabbed Midna by the throat and pinned Tyler down with his claymore having the two spikes at the end of it nailing him to the ground. I looked at them helplessly.
"Hahahahaha! Not so confident now, are you? You really thought you could beat me?"
Duma bellowed, barely containing his glee.
"Let them go you bastard! Take me instead."
I pleaded as he broke out in maniacal laughter. I should have known only sticking a sword threw his chest wouldn't kill him. After all the monsters he summoned took much more than that to kill.
"Let them go!"
I couldn't take it, so I charged him. But he held Midna in front of him, which made me stop. He kicked straight in the chest sending me back. It was hopeless.
"Don't you worry, I haven't forgotten about you. I will get you just your turn, but first, who should I kill? The pretty girl or the smart ass?"
He said as he dug the spikes deeper into Tyler's shoulder making him scream out in pain, but Duma's face lit up like a child at Christmas
"I know what I should do. How about I let you decide who dies. If you do, I'll let one of them live. Or you could save yourself and run. I don't really care, we only need two of you. So… who will it be?"
Duma snickered, his grin growing even wider.
"Don't do it Stuart!"
Tyler screamed in pain.
"Don't listen to him."
Midna said, gasping for air. I didn't know what to do, but I wouldn't pick one of my friends to die.
"Let them go, take me instead."
I pleaded once more, only to have him laugh in my face.
"No, we need you alive. Now choose who will die and who will become my new body."
Duma said, his malevolence growing with every word.
"New body? What do you mean new body? You mean you're going to…?"
My eyes widened now that I realized why they didn't kill Tyler and Midna when they had them in the first place.
"That's right. We use your bodies like portals. Or if we are given enough time to corrupt the story we can get out that way, but that way takes far too long and it's so much more satisfying to take someone's body."
And as he saw my expression his eyes widened and bellowed with laughter,
"How does it feel to be the reason your friends die? Hahahahaha! It seems that I will have to choose for you. Let's see well this one is damaged already and I particularly don't like him, so I think it will be this one. Now witness as I kill your friend!"
It felt like my head was about to explode.
'Speaking of safety, you really shouldn't bring any one with you or even tell them that you have this power. You could lose them in the story or even get them killed and it will be your fault.'
I could hear the hooded man say to me in my head. My body filled with rage at what I had done by bringing my friend with me. My half-devil blood boiled, burning through my veins like fire. I wasn't going to let my friends die because of me. I suddenly lost all control and power surged through my entire body. As Duma raised his claymore to perform a coupe de' grace on Tyler, I shot at him with such speed and force I knocked him through multiple buildings.
My body gave off a red glow from this new power. I had no idea where this power was coming from, but I didn't care. All I knew was that I had to save my friends no matter what the cost. I was above Tyler and Midna who had fallen on the floor. Tyler had two holes in his left shoulder that bled profusely and Midna was laying on the ground gasping for air.
"How dare you touch me?"
Duma barked as he emerged from the rubble, his eyes glowing yellow. I looked at him and in an instant I had him by the throat, his feet dangling and kicking, trying to pry my fingers away. They were digging into his neck, not letting him take a single breath of air. I looked at Saïx and could almost see through him. Inside his body was something moving, as if trying to break free. I thrust my hand into Saïx's chest and pulled out the parasite that was Duma.
It was wearing an old cracked mask that showed one red eye that looked almost familiar. It had the upper body of a puppet, and where its legs would have been there was inky smoke. Ironically enough, it had wings like those of an angel. I dropped Saïx and drew Ivory. The puppet squirmier as I put the barrel to its forehead
"Good bye."
That was the last thing it would ever hear. I shot one single hole through the mask and it went limp. I looked up at Zephon, who looked deadly calm with a hidden pleasure. But before I could even attempt to go for him, a man who looked almost human except for the pale skin and vampiric look appeared out of Xemnas. He looked straight at me and smiled as if he knew I was gonna do this and vanished. I was breathing deep and slow breaths as I turned back to the now dissolving body of Duma, and then to Tyler and Midna.
"You guys ok?"
I said dizzily. Midna was helping Tyler up, who was holding his shoulder. Then she said
"We're fine. Tyler's shoulder is healing already and I will be fine."
I looked up and said.
"Oh… good."
Then everything went black as I fell backwards, unconscious. I awoke to the smell of salt and the sound of waves crashing on a beach. I was in a small shack made of wood. I looked around the small shack that was lit by the sun.
"So you're up… lazy bum!"
Midna said as she leaned over my bed, looking down at me smiling.
"Hey Midna …What happened? Where are we?"
I groaned sitting up and rubbing my head.
"You went berserk after Duma attacked us and you tore something out of him and killed it, but Zephon got away. After that, you made sure we were ok, and then you passed out. Tyler and I had to kill Saïx and Xemnas, who regained their bodies."
Midna said as she recalled the past events.
"Oh yeah, so are you feeling ok?"
But before she could answer me, the door opened and in walked Tyler, Riku, Sora and Kairi.
"Finally you're up! I was wondering how long it would take."
Tyler said as he walked in. At the sight of Kairi I knew where I was Destiny Island.
"How long was I out for?"
I asked, still drowsy.
"About three days. So how ya feelin'?"
Riku told me, lightly punching my arm which helped to wake me up.
"Good?"
I yawned, but I was still tired and wanted to go home to rest in my own bed.
"So is any one going to introduce me?"
It was Kairi who had been standing there with a smile. I looked her with a grin as I started to get out of bed.
"It's ok. I know who you are Kairi, your Sora's girlfriend."
I said teasingly to Sora.
"Hey, she's just my friend who happens to be a girl!"
Sora said at once in his defense, even though he was blushing.
"Wow Sora …You can do lots of things, but lying is not one of them. Anyways, where is everyone else?"
I laughed, trying to change the subject.
"Everyone has gone back to their own world after you guys defeated Xemnas all of the worlds went back to normal."
Answered Riku.
"I guess our work here is done then. I think it's time we got home too."
I scratched my head not sure what to say.
"We can't leave yet, I still have to get something. I will be right back."
Tyler said as he bolted out of the shack.
"So you guys are going then? Too bad."
Sora said sadly.
"Yeah we have been gone far too long and we need to get back, what it's been? Half a year now since we met?"
I said, trying not to think about what had to happen. We had to leave, but when we did it would be like we never were here so if we ever came back they wouldn't remember us. It was hard to keep that thought out because we had grown so close in the time we had been together.
"Oh I almost forgot, I found this and it's you… I think, but I guess it's for you."
Then Kairi held out a piece of paper and handed it to me. I looked at it and instantly I could tell what it was. It was a picture of Midna, Tyler and me drawn by Namine. It made me smile and as I started to say thanks, but then Tyler burst in and said,
"Ok! Now we can go!"
With a giant grin on his face. He held a star shaped Paopu fruit in his arms.
"Who's that for?"
I asked, not sure what he was thinking.
"Um, I wanted to see what it tastes like?"
Tyler shrugged awkwardly so I ignored it.
"Ok, but before we leave I want one look around at this place."
I said as I got out of bed and walked out the door straight to the secret spot where I found all the cave paintings. I don't know what caused me to do this, but I wrote STM on the wall. I walked back out and saw everyone standing there.
"Will we ever see you again?"
Sora asked hopefully as Tyler and Midna walked to my side to face them.
"I don't really know."
I lied as the sadness filled me.
"It's like Squall said. No matter how far apart we are, we will always be together… As long as we think of each other. We may never see each other but we will always be here inside of you."
Tyler said to Sora pointing to his heart.
"You'll be…inside me?"
Sora replied like he does when he's told Kairi's heart is inside of him. I had to suppress a laugh.
'wow…I don't know about Tyler but I wouldn't be going "inside" any guy.'
I walked up to Sora, Riku and Kairi and gave them hugs, not sure how I could just leave them. I turned to see Midna and Tyler doing the same.
"Well, I guess it's time to go. See ya later."
I said as I grabbed Tyler and Midna and we went off back to our world. A warm breeze was the last thing I felt and I would miss being around them but would be happy to be back home soon.