A shining heart veiled in the deepest Darkness. That same shining heart, shattered. The pieces, scattered. Some, hopeful to be re-joined with the main part.. Others.. So veiled that they no longer remember where they belong..
Riku stood before that who he knew was Sora, it Had to be Sora. No one else had eyes like that... "Sora.." He pleaded desperately, hoping the younger male would tell the Neoshadows to leave.
"Come no further." Sora simply stayed where he was, the Heartless however seemed to crouch. "There is nothing here. Just leave."
Why was he being so cold to Riku? Kairi took a step forward then, coming up beside Riku. "Sora.. Please, come back with us.. We miss you and Roxas needs you.." She bit her lip, scared that Sora would just leave again.
"No." Sora shook his hooded head. "You don't need me, you need the old me." He was about to turn and leave when Roxas woke up.
"Sora.." Roxas pushed away from Riku, standing on his own and slowly making his way to Sora. "S-.. Sora.."
Sora watched as the Neoshadows crouched, ready to pounce if Roxas came any closer. "Stand down.." The order was but a whisper, but the Heartless heard and obeyed, letting Roxas come close to Sora and wrap his arms around him tightly.
"T-Take it back.. Take back your Light.." Roxas sobbed into his shoulder, Sora just merely standing there.
"I'm sorry.. I can't.."
…
"What happened to Nexus?" Maleficent screeched at Pete when he carried the unconscious male back into the lab room.
"He just kinda.. I dunno, passed out." Pete tried to explain, but he didn't know why it had happened either, so what was he to say?
"There had to be a reason! He could not have just 'passed out'!" Maleficent yelled at the large lackey.
"Shut up you old bat.." Nexus's eyes fluttered open, sky blue darkening to a deep, almost black, blue. "Your voice and heart annoy me." The teen pushed away from Pete, standing steadily on his feet and glaring at the witch. "You never shut up, you're always ranting! You'll never control the Darkness, you'll never beat those chosen by light! Because you are Weak! You are more pathetic then those people talking to the Hooded One."
"Why you insolent brat!" Maleficent raised her staff, beginning to cast a magic spell, making Nexus smile widely.
"You Stupid Old Bat." He laughed, Darkness rising from beneath his feet and forming many Giga and Nova Shadows. "You cannot beat me with your petty magic!"
….
Sora felt the pull from the other part, his power over Darkness was waning, but only slightly. The Neoshadows were loyal to him and wouldn't go, even if he were to lose control completely. "Roxas, let go."
Roxas shook his head, refusing to let go of Sora. He couldn't, he didn't want him to suffer anymore. He, didn't want to suffer anymore.. "Sora.. Please, just take it back, it belongs to you!"
Sora moved, slowly, wrapping his arms around the blond. "It's ours." He whispered gently, "But until I am whole.. I can't let it be.." He then roughly shoved Roxas away, making him stumble backwards and fall.
"What was that for Sora!" Riku yelled, stepping forward. The Neoshadows crouching in warning. "He's your Nobody! He missed you! Like all of us do! Please, Sora!"
A crystalline tear fell from his eye, rolling down his cheek before falling to the ground. "I'm sorry.. We promised we wouldn't be separated.. I broke the promise.. I'm sorry.. Riku."
"No! Sora! You can still come back!" Riku froze for a moment, then reached into his pocket and pulled out the crown keychain. "Remember that day, before we left! Remember the keychain you found?"
Sora stared, lifting his hand then as the heart part of the chain appeared in his palm. "I remember.." Sora clutched the little object tightly. "But.. That doesn't change anything. I cannot be that Sora again.. We can't go back, Riku.. I'm sorry.." With that, Sora sunk into the ground, vanishing along with the Neoshadows.
…
Nexus laughed at the fallen witch. Maleficent was no match for the Darkness he controlled. His deep blue eyes moved to Pete, who was cowering in a corner. Something inside of Nexus stopped him from dealing the same damage to Pete.. "Leave before I let my pets eat your heart too.." Nexus turned away from Pete, letting the ex-lackey escape.
"That nice side is getting to you isn't it?"
Nexus turned to see the hooded-figure rise from the ground. "Well, I didn't think you'd come here." He smiled slightly. The Hooded One.. They were one in the same.
"I had to. Otherwise, she'd have gotten you." Sora pointed at Maleficent, who was now moving again.
Nexus stared. "But.. The Novashadows!" He gritted his teeth; the Heartless hadn't taken her heart!
Maleficent rose to her feet, gasping and gripping her staff tightly. "You brat! I'll take your heart and remake you again! And Again! And AGAIN! Until you learn to listen!"
Nexus tightened his hands to fists, growling softly. "I'll tear you apart.."
Sora moved forward, placing his hands on Nexus's shoulders and pulling him back. "Let me." A devilish smirk played itself across Sora's half-hidden face. His sky-blues shining a soft gold as he moved in front of Nexus. "Maleficent.. You are now to be judged by the Keyblade Master."
"K-Keyblade Master! Impossible! Y-You're DEAD!" Maleficent began to back away as Sora summoned up his 'Dearly Beloved'.
"I'm alive enough to leave you Heartless~" Sora laughed, the Dearly Beloved twisting and turning over itself until the 'R' of the blade was covered in thorns and roses. "Literally~" Sora then pointed Dearly Beloved at Maleficent, a large wall of Darkness rising up from behind her then. Little Heartless shot out from the wall, grabbing Maleficent and holding her against the wall. Sora then approached her.
"Poor witchy witch~ Meddling with things she shouldn't be~" Sora then raised his keyblade, plunging it into the witch's heart. A loud scream erupting from the witch then.
Nexus watched in amazement, the Hooded One.. Was so much more powerful then he was.. If he could just get the Hooded One to teach him how to use the Darkness like that..
"This power is nothing.." Sensing the other's thoughts, Sora turned to Nexus. "When you realize where you truly belong.. You will know power.. But only if you accept your fate.."