Last time found The Yamato and The Intrepid Heart facing the world-destroying weapons of The Daleks. Although our heroes and allies didn't know it was The Daleks they were facing, they still destroyed the weapon platforms, saving the two worlds of Micandor. But their efforts left The Yamato and The Intrepid Heart almost depleted of power. The Daleks took advantage of the situation and locked onto them with tractor beams.
At the same time the combined Hakonian/Gamilus/Heartless armada arrived, only to have The Daleks turn the masses of Heartless against The Hakonians and Gamilus ships, all but destroying the armada. The metal monstrosities then ordered Our heroes and allies to board the vile command ship of The Daleks. 'Nuff said, on with the show!
Chapter 8: Apotheosis of The Daleks
Sora, Riku, Kairi, Donald and Goofy proceeded down the dimly lit corridors of the enemy ship. "These guys need to change their interior decorator," said Kairi.
"I don't think they care about what other people think of them," said Riku, "I think we're in more trouble than ever."
"Why's that?" Goofy asked.
"I've got a rotten feeling that we know who we're dealing with," said Sora, "even though we've never met them before. You remember when we were chained up in Reddik's sand fortress back in Aiden's world?"
"I wish I could forget," said Kairi.
"Well he and Rakel told us about all those other bad guys The Hakonians faced," said Sora.
"Oh yeah," said Donald, "that was a lot of baddies he talked about."
"There were Zygons," said Goofy as he counted on his fingers, "and them Ice Warriors, And then there was them Santarians."
"That's Sontarians, ya big palooka," said Donald.
"There were also those robots with living brains," said Kairi, "Cybermen."
"And there were the worst of the worst," said Sora.
Just then they came to a point where another corridor intersected with the one our heroes were in, and there in the other corridor was Captain Okita, Kodai, Shima, Yuki, Analyzer and several security officers from The Yamato, all armed with laser blasters
"It seems we're all on the right track," said Captain Okita as they met in the middle of the intersecting hallways.
"It makes you wonder where we're being lead," said Yuki.
Just then the mechanical voice shouted from a hidden loudspeaker. "DO NOT PROCRASTINATE! PROCEED TO COMMAND CENTER OR BE EXTERMINATED!"
"We're coming already!" said Sora.
"What's with these guys?" Shima asked as they all continued down the corridor, eventually coming to a large elevator, "and why to they keep using that word, 'exterminate?'"
"That's what we were talking about," said Sora as they all got into the elevator. The doors closed and the elevator shot upwards, "we heard about these really evil beings called Daleks that were so full of hate that they recklessly killed everything that wasn't like them."
"And you think these Daleks are in charge here?" Kodai asked.
"I think we're about to find out," said Kairi.
The elevator stopped and the door opened, revealing a slightly more lit corridor.
"PROCEED," said the harsh electronic voice.
"There's no reason we should be like ungrateful guests," said Captain Okita as he proudly walked forward, but Sora and the others, they could tell he was making a tremendous effort to be able to stand up straight.
"Sir, you okay?" Sora asked.
"Old wounds tend to act up at the worst of times," said Captain Okita in a hushed tone, "but it's important that I don't show any weakness to my crew. A captain is supposed to be a pillar of strength on which a crew can depend on."
"I won't argue with that," said Sora, "a leader should always be strong when it counts. But you should see your doctor as soon as this is over."
"Dr. Sado already knows of my condition," said Captain Okita, "he didn't oppose my coming here, but I'm sure he's already writing several furious protests that will be filed when we get back to Earth.
"The good doctor can protest all he wants. My life isn't all that important when one considers the grander picture. I'd gladly give my life it would ensure the success of The Yamato's mission. Truth be told, I took this assignment with the knowledge that my condition could possibly kill me. But if I have to die for the survival of my world and its people, then so be it. My only regret in that situation would be that I won't get to see Earth from orbit one last time."
"You'll get to see your home again," said Sora in a promising manner, "we'll get out of this mess, stop The Daleks, if they're the ones responsible. Then we'll fix The Wave Motion Engine so that The Yamato can make up for lost time. You'll get to Iscandar, get the Cosmo Cleaner D, get back to Earth and fix it. You'll get to see Earth again, I promise."
"You have the look of a man who can keep such a promise," said Captain Okita, "and I believe you would. And of course, my crew has been known to get lucky every now and then. We wouldn't have survived this far without luck."
"It all comes down to luck," said Sora.
Our heroes and allies then reached a large set of doors, which opened, "ENTER!" said the harsh electronic voice.
Sora and the others stepped onto a large, dimly lit bridge with stations that had circular controls. A low double beeping could be heard in the background of the machinery.
"We're here," said Sora, "what do you want with…"
"DO NOT SPEAK!" snapped the electronic voice, "YOU WILL REMAIN SILENT UNTIL ORDERED OTHERWISE! DISOBEY AND YOU WILL BE EXTERMINATED!"
"I just want to know who you are," said Sora, "are you The Daleks?"
"WE ARE INDEED THE DALEKS," said a different electronic voice. From the shadows of the control room emerged five mechanoids, each one resembled a human-sized salt and pepper shaker. They each had a black metal casing with a round, rotating top that had a long stalk that had the glowing blue eye and two smaller lights on top that flashed when speaking. The lower part of their bodies were much longer in the front and were covered in hemispherical bumps. They each had a plunger-like manipulator arm on their left and an energy weapon on the right.
The five creatures, Daleks, faced our heroes and allies in a line, the one that just spoke was in the middle.
"HOW IS IT THAT YOU KNOW OF US?" the Dalek on the middle left, the second Dalek.
"We had secondhand reports of your exploits," said Riku.
"THEN YOU WILL HAVE NO QUALM WHEN WE PROVE OUR PROWESS," said the Dalek on the far right, the fifth Dalek. It raised its blaster at one of the security officers from The Yamato and fired a green death beam.
The officer from The Yamato screamed in unadulterated agony as his whole body was covered by the death energy, his skeleton outlined by the energy. He collapsed to the floor, dead.
At that Yuki screamed in horror, while Kodai shouted in defiance.
"What the…" said a shocked Sora.
"That thing just…it just killed that man," said a horrified Kairi. They knew what they were facing, but were completely unprepaired for the sight of such reckless murder.
"That was completely uncalled for!" snapped Captain Okita as he started forward with his blaster raised, while Kodai also aimed his blaster at the Dakels
"SILENCE!" shouted the Dalek on the far left, the fourth Dalek, as it and the third Dalek aimed and fired their weapons at Captain Okita's and Kodai's blasters, disintegrating them.
"THAT WAS MERELY A DEMONSTRATION OF OUR CAPABILITIES," said the first Dalek.
"NOW YOU KNOW THAT WE CAN DESTROY YOU WHENEVER WE WANT," said the Dalek on the middle right, the third Dalek, "AND WE WILL DESTROY YOU, AFTER WE'VE EXTRACTED ALL INFORMATION WE DESIRE FROM YOUR PATHETIC HUMAN BRAINS."
"I am not human," said Analyzer, "I am a genius!"
"YOU ARE A PATHETIC ATTEMPT AT ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE," said the second Dalek, "HARDLY WORTHY OF HAVING YOUR MEMORY BANKS TRAWLED FOR USEFUL INFORMATION."
"AND THE ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE PROGRAM OF THE LESSER INTRUDER SHIP," said the fourth Dalek, "THAT ONE, WHILE SLIGHTLY MORE ADVANCED, IS BARELY WORTHY OF BEING DIGITALY DISECTED."
"Don't let Sidney hear you say that," said an irate Sora, "she's worth twelve of you."
"A SINGLE DALEK CAN EXTERMINATE AN ENTIRE PLANET!" snapped the fourth Dalek, "WE ARE THE ULTIMATE LIFE FORMS! THE APOTHEOSIS OF EXISTANCE! THE ULTIMATE EXAMPLES OF PERFECTION THE SUPREME POWER OF THE UNIVERSE!"
"If you're so perfect," said Riku, "then why do you have to kill everything that isn't like you? Why murder everything that isn't a Dalek?"
"All life is precious," said Kairi, "everything, from the lowest worm to the largest animals in the air, on land and in the sea deserves a chance to make something of themselves."
"THEY DESERVE TO DIE!" said the fourth Dalek.
"The deserve to choose for themselves!" snapped Kodai.
"SILENCE, HUMAN!" shouted the second Dalek.
"ALL OTHER LIFE FORMS ARE INFEARIOR TO DALEKS AND ARE THEREFORE THREATS TO OUR SURVIVAL," said the fifth Dalek, "ALL THREATS TO OUR SURVIVAL ARE TO BE EXTERMINATED."
"But why?" Shima asked, "why must you hate everything that isn't like you?"
"They can't help it," said Ikura as she, Grekor and Orkal and two lesser Hakonians were 'escorted' into the room by two more Daleks, "Daleks were created to feel only hate, and that hate is directed towards all things not like them."
"You're Hakonians," said Riku, "Like Reddik and the others we've met."
"We're a bit different than those younglings you Keyblade brats faced," said Grekor, "my companions here are a bit older than Reddik and his fellow pups. I myself am in my fourth centaury."
"I wouldn't have thought that," said Ikura, "you struck me as at least 150."
"I've been under a lot of stress," said Grekor, "it shows."
"How long do Hakonians live?" Kairi asked.
"There was a time when we looked forward to exactly 1,000 years of youth and perfect health before death came to claim us," said Grekor, "back when our empire was at its height and our medical sciences kept us at our prime. But those days are long gone, and we are now lucky to live to see 400.
"Forgive me for prattling. Since we're going to die as soon as out 'hosts' are done with us, we might as well be civil. I am Grekor Darkeye."
"Ikura Shadewalker."
"Orkal Bloodsport."
"Nice to meet you," said Sora, "did anyone else from your fleet make it?"
"We were the only ones that didn't get blasted out of the stars on general principle," said Orkal.
"What about those from the Gamilus ships?" Yuki asked.
"They all went down with their ships," said Ikura, "I'll admit, they were loyal to their duty, especially their taskforces' leader, Commander Heinz."
"If we get out of this," said Captain Okita, "I'll send a message to Gamilus about their people's heroic end, they deserved it."
"That's awfully decent of you," said Grekor in a suspicious tone, "considering it was the blue-skins who wrecked your world."
"Just because we're bitter enemies," said Kodai, "doesn't mean we can't show each other honor and respect."
"And when one throws away honor and respect, they are less than animals," said Ikura. She looked at Sora and the others, "you Keyblade Wielders may be the enemies of The Hakonians, but you've had our respect for some time now. Had we met face to face on the field of battle, I would have granted you all honorable deaths."
"That's awfully decent of you," said Riku, "considering that the other Hakonians we've met have done their best to try and kill us."
"Those seven pups you've fought were still immature in the eyes of our people," said Grekor, "a Hakonian under 60 is comparable to a human teenager."
"Sixty years as a kid?" Kodai asked, "not my idea of a good time."
"It's worse for us," said Orkal.
"ENOUGH USELESS BANDTERING!" snapped the third Dalek, "YOU WILL PROVIDE US THE INFORMATION WE SEEK OR YOU WILL BE EXTERMINATED!"
"I've got you information right here," said one of the lesser Hakonians as it gave the Daleks the finger.
"Don't antagonize them," said Ikura, but her warning came too late. The second Dalek aimed and fired its death ray at the lesser Hakonian. He screamed in agony as the death energy flooded his body, illuminating his skeleton briefly. He then collapsed to the floor dead.
Before anyone could react, the third Dalek fired its death ray at the other lesser Hakonian, killing him.
"You monsters!" exclaimed Kairi, "they had surrendered! There was no reason to kill them!"
"THEY ARE NOT DALEKS," said the second Dalek, "THEREFORE, THEY ARE THREATS TO OUR SURVIVAL AND MUST BE EXTERMINATED."
"So that's it, then," said Shima, "survival by destroying everything that isn't like you. You disgust me!"
"DALEKS DO NOT CONCERN THEMSELVES WITH IDLE INSULTS," said the third Dalek.
"There's a lot that you need to learn," said Captain Okita.
"Just what kind of hell hole did you bastards crawl out of anyway?" Kodai asked.
"THAT INFORMATION IS NONE OF YOUR CONCERN," said the first Dalek.
"I'll tell you," said Ikura, "we're going to die anyway, so you brats might as well know. Eons ago in another universe there was a planet called Skaro. On that world there were two races locked in a war that lasted a thousand years. The two races, The Thals and Kaleds, they used advanced weaponry that completely rendered the surface of Skaro uninhabitable due to radioactive contamination.
"Even with their world ruined, the two races still dragged the war on, all because of hate. The Thals hated the Kaleds for their cruelty, and the Kaleds hated the Thals because the Thals weren't a 'pure' race in the eyes of the Kaleds. The two races built underground cities and the war went on and on and on. After a thousand years, they were reduced to using primitive weapons such as machine guns and poison gas.
"But even on a world devastated by radiation, life went on in a way. People on both sides began to suffer mutations brought on by the radiation. The Thals simply banished the mutants to the surface to survive in whatever way the could, while the Kaleds killed the mutants on their side.
"However, there were a few on both sides who saw the mutants as the future of both races, that eventually the radioactive contamination would mutate all Kaleds and Thals. There was one Kaled scientist who tried to ensure the survival of the Kaleds when they mutated, even going so far as purposely advancing the mutations in controlled experiments so that he would know exactly what the mutations would turn the Kaleds into, which happened to be helpless abominations.
"That scientist was called Davros, and he was quite possibly the most brilliant scientific mind that ever lived, or maybe the most demented, maybe both, for only a mad scientist would willingly do what he did.
"Davros created a mechanical travel suit for the mutants that the Kaleds would become. This travel suit would protect its occupant from all manner of harm and give it a weapon that could kill any living thing. He called his creations Daleks, which happens to be an anagram for Kaleds.
"Davros also gave several more 'gifts' to his Daleks. Aside from the nearly invincible travel suit, he reprogrammed the minds of the mutated abominations. Each Dalek would be a genius in the sciences, but all emotion would be removed, making them beings of logic.
"That is, all but one emotion was removed; hate. Davros made his creatures feel only hate, hate towards all life forms that weren't like them, and also the desire to destroy those life forms, for all other life forms were to be seen as threats to the survival of The Daleks.
"We learned all of this when The Daleks tried to conquer the old Hakonian empire. They underestimated our dark magic and they lost. And now we've underestimated them. I guess turnabout is indeed fair play."
Ikura glared at the five Daleks, "you might as well kill my comrades here and now, for when Maleficent hears that we've lost two Hakonian armadas and a hell of a lot of Heartless, as well as the Uridium, we'll be lucky to still be sane after she's done with us."
"Uridium," said Sora, "is that the weird element you've been looking for?"
"Maleficent discovered a Synthesis recipe for an item that can control Nobodies," said Grekor, "Uridium is the primary ingredient in the recipe." he glared at The Daleks, "and when Maleficent finds out that you interfered in her affairs, she'll show you why she is the mistress of all evil! She will come for you, and then you will know the true meaning of fear."
"DALEKS DO NOT FEAR ANYTHING!" said the third Dalek, "DALEKS CONQUER AND DESTROY!"
"DALEKS CONQUER AND DESTROY!" shouted the other Daleks.
"There's a few things I don't understand," said Riku, "why are you using The Heartless to do your dirty work?"
"WE ARE BUT A HANFUL OF DALES THAT SURVIVED THE LAST GREAT TIME WAR," said the fifth Dalek, "NEARLY EVERY DALEK WAS DESTROYED BY THE INFERNO IGNIGHTED BY THE DOCTOR. WE SURVIVED THE INFERNO, AND THEREFORE ARE SUPERIOR. BUT WE ARE ONLY A FEW, AND THE HEARTLESS PROVED TO BE TOO PERFECT A RESOURCE TO PASS UP."
"HEARTLESS ARE AS CLOSE TO PERFECT AS DALEKS," said the first Dalek, "WHEN THE TIME COMES THEY WILL BE DISCARDED BUT FOR NOW THEY SERVE US."
"If you're so superior," said Ikura in a taunting manner, "how come you're among the last of your kind? How is it that every time you Daleks crossed paths with The Doctor, he always emerged victorious, while you are reduced to a handful, barely strong enough to rebuild."
Ikura looked at Sora and the others, "The Daleks feared The Doctor so much that they gave him a nickname; 'The Oncoming Storm.'"
"We've heard about The Doctor," said Kairi, "but who is he?"
"That's the thing," said Ikura, "only The Time Lords know the true names of each other. And The Doctor is the last of The Time Lords. They all died with The Daleks in the last battle of the war. They sacrificed their own world, Gallifrey, to wipe out their mortal enemies."
"The Time Lords," sneered Grekor, "so called guardians of time. They had powers of the mind the likes of which you Keyblade Wielders could only dream about. They had mastered time travel and were nearly immortal. They could have been the rulers of all of existence, yet choose to remain in their ivory tower of a world, observing events as they happen and seldom interfering."
"The Doctor was an exception," said Ikura, "a renegade who desired to live, truly live, by traveling through time and space, experiencing history as it happened and sometimes being the cause of historical events. I almost admire him, if he weren't the cause of the old empires' final collapse."
"How'd he'd do that?" Kodai asked.
"ENOUGH USELESS WORDS!" snapped the fifth Dalek, "YOU HAVE INFORMATION WE DESIRE, AND YOU WILL GIVE IT TO US OR BE EXTERMINATED!"
"You're going to kill us anyway," said Captain Okita, "Why should we answer any of your questions?"
"BECAUSE YOU ARE HUMAN," said the first Dalek, "AND HUMANS HAVE WEAKNESSES THAT CAN BE EXPLOITED. MOST OF ALL IS YOUR COMPASSION. YOU CANNOT BARE TO WITNESS SOMEONE IN PAIN."
"ACTIVATE AGONIZER RAY!" said the second Dalek.
Just then Yuki was surrounded by a purple light that hummed loudly. She then screamed in agony and collapsed to the ground, thrashing about as the purple light tormented each and every cell in her body.
"No!" shouted Kodai.
"Stop it!" said an outraged Kairi, "you're killing her! I can sense it. If you keep this up, she'll die!"
"YOU HAVE PREDICTED CORRECTLY," said the first Dalek.
"Stop it," said Kodai in a defeated tone, "I'll…I'll tell you whatever you want to know about The Yamato, just stop hurting Yuki!"
"No!" gasped Yuki as she struggled to stand up despite the pain, "don't you tell them anything, Kodai! Captain, don't let Kodai tell these monsters about The Yamato!"
"INCREASE AMPLITUDE!" said the second Dalek. The humming of the pain light got louder and Yuki collapsed again, screaming with fresh agony.
"Stop it!" shouted Kodai, "I said I'd tell you!"
"AND YOU WILL," said the first Dalek.
"RELEASE AGONIZER RAY," said the second Dalek, and the pain beam stopped. Yuki gasped in relief and passed out, while Kodai, Analyzer, Shima and Captain Okita rushed to her side, followed by Sora and Kairi.
"She's alright," said Kairi as she used her magic to check on Yuki, "it's like she's big hit by a stun gun. Her body's energy has been drained, but I can fix that," she then used her healing magic that soon got Yuki back on her feet.
"Now I definitely believe in magic," said an amazed Yuki.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Kodai asked earnestly.
"Like I'm ready to take on all of Gamilus," said a smiling Yuki.
"THE YOUNGER FEMALE HUMAN POSSESSES ABIILITIES UNKNOWN TO OUR DATA BANKS," said the third Dalek, "THIS MAY PROVE TO BE A THREAT TO OUR SURVIVAL."
"AGREED," said the first Dalek, "EXTRACT THE INFORMATION."
"ACTIVATE AGONIZER RAY," said the second Dalek.
Before anyone could react, Kairi was surrounded by the purple pain beam. She gasped in shock but didn't fall down. Her face was twisted in pain, but she held firm against the vile beam, "you'll have to better than that! I won't submit to you metal monsters!"
"Let her go!" shouted Sora, "stop it now!" He and Riku were about to summon their Keyblades, but Grekor stopped them.
"They'll kill you at the first sign of aggression," said Grekor, "I'm afraid your friend is on her own here."
"THE YOUNGER FEMALE HAS A STRONGER CONSTITUTION THAN PREDICTED," said the second Dalek, "INCREASING AMPLITUDE."
The energy of the pain beam went up and Kairi gasped as her torment got exponentially worse, but she didn't fall to the ground and she didn't scream. Not aloud that is. In her mind she was screaming, and Sora and Riku could hear her mental agony, and so could two others.
…One Minute Earlier…
In the corridors leading to the elevator, Tess and Aiden were moving invisibly in order to avoid detection. Tess held onto Aiden's hand as they crept towards the elevator.
"I don't feel any different," said Aiden as he and Tess crept through the corridor, "are you sure we're invisible?"
"Absolutely," said Tess, "and we'll both be invisible, so long as you keep hold of me, and I keep hold on my emotions. If I get upset, I'll lose control and the enemy can see us."
"I'll be sure to not say anything that'll upset you," said Aiden.
"You do that," said Tess, "just don't get any ideas, just because we're holding hands."
"What are you talking about?" Aiden asked, "we're holding hands in order for you to make me invisible, why would that give me ideas?"
"Don't you date on your world?" Tess asked.
"Of course they date on my world," said Aiden, "what's that got to do with holding hands?"
"A boy and a girl don't hold hands casually unless they're going steady," said Tess, "at least on my world that is."
"My world got over that inhibition long ago," said Aiden, "what else is holding back those on Metamore? Not kissing until the third date?"
"Fourth actually," said Tess, "there's a whole collage of small rituals that a boy and girl go through to express their feelings for each other. We send letters and exchange all sorts of gifts, and then the parents of the couple have to give their blessings before…"
But then Aiden gasped in pain and collapsed to the floor. Tess released her invisibility and knelt beside him, "what happened?"
"It's Kairi!" Aiden gasped, "they're torturing her!"
"How do you know that?" Tess asked as she helped Aiden up.
"We're psychically linked," said Aiden, "we can hear each others thoughts. I can feel her agony."
"Wait," said Tess, "I…I can feel it as well…They're hurting Kairi, she's in so much pain! We've got to hurry!" With that they ran for the elevator.
"You let Kairi go right now!" shouted Sora, "Or I'll take you all apart!"
"SILENCE!" shouted the fourth Dalek as it aimed it's blaster at Sora and fired a stun blast, knocking him down, "FURTHER INTERFERENCE WILL BE MET WITH EXTERMINATION!"
"You can't reason with Daleks, you dummy," said Orkal, "face it, your girlfriend is done for."
"No!" shouted Kairi as she fought against the pain, "I'm not giving up! I will not give in, especially to these rusting tin cans that can't even begin to imagine what love us! Give me your best shot, you ugly pepper shaker sons of bitches! I can take anything you give me and throw it right back at you!"
"THE YOUNGER FEMALE IS BEING UNCOOPERATIVE," said the first Dalek, "SHE IS NOT WORTH OUR EFFORTS. EXTERMINATE HER!"
"I don't think so," said a vicious voice. A demon with three eyes, pale yellow shin and elongated limbs that ended with claws appeared in the room. It aimed it's hand at the source of the pain beam and shot a blast of dark magic at it, destroying the emitter and freeing Kairi. She gasped with relief and collapsed to the floor, but Sora caught her before she hit the ground.
"I wouldn't want the goods damaged when I deliver her to the boss," said the demon.
"What the hell…!" exclaimed Kodai, "what is this thing?"
"It's a demon," said Riku, "and unless I'm wrong, it's one of the demons that's been looking for something throughout the realms of light."
"Indeed," said the demon as it eyed Kairi, "and I've found half of what my fellow demons are looking for."
"You've been looking for one of the Keyblade Wielders?" Gerkor asked.
"Specifically this one," said the demon as it pointed at Kairi, "she has what my master needs. Maleficent can acquire an item that my master also desires, but what he really needs is a Keyblade Wielder who is also a Princess of Heart."
"What are you talking about!" Sora exclaimed, "why do you want Kairi!"
"That's none of your business, little boy," said the demon. It looked at the Dakels, "I'll just take what I need and leave you to your fun." it advanced towards Kairi.
"STAY WHERE YOU ARE!" shouted the fourth Dalek, "INTERFERENCE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!" it aimed and fired a stun blast at the demon, but it took the blast like it was a love tap.
"As if you can stop me, tin pot," said the demon. It then shot a beam of dark magic at the offending Dalek, but it's personal shields negated the blast.
"ACTIVATE HOLDING CELL!" said the first Dalek, and the demon was surrounded by a blue force field. It touched the energy barrier experimentally and found it couldn't get out.
"An interesting force field," said the demon, "I doubt that this will hold me long though."
"YOU WILL STAY WHERE YOU ARE," said the second Dalek, "UNTIL WE DEAL WITH THE HUMANS."
"Excuse me," said Ikura, "we're not human over here."
"THE HAKONIANS WILL BE DEALT WITH AS WELL," said the third Dalek.
"If you're going to destroy us," said Grekor, "at least destroy that pile of pig vomit over there first," he pointed at the demon.
"Why should I die at all?" the demon asked, "let alone before a filthy Hakonian?"
"You know the reason, you murdering bastard!" spat Grekor. He then looked at the Daleks, "he killed a friend of mine not too long ago. Alright, he wasn't so much a friend, more like a respected rival…well…a hated rival, but if anyone had the right to kill Trakino, it was me, not a demon."
"That particular Hakonian was in my way," said the demon, "he tried to stop me from gathering information that my master needs, and that Hakonian failed. My comrades have all the information they need," it eyed Kairi, "and here is half of what we need," it looked at The Daleks, "if you would just lower this foolish force field, I can take the girl and be on my way."
"You're not going anywhere until I've destroyed you, demon!" snapped Grekor.
"SILENCE!" snapped the fifth Dalek.
"I will not be silent!" snapped Grekor, "I have every right to speak my mind!"
"As do I!" said the demon, "if you're going to kill anyone, kill everyone except for me and the girl. She's coming with me, no matter what."
As Grekor, the demon and The Dakels continued their three-way argument, Sora felt a presence force its way into his mind. He didn't even have a chance to defend himself as the psychic voice of Grekor reverberated through his head.
:Do not make any sudden moves, Keyblade Wielder. I am speaking to you telepathically:
:I hear you:, said Sora, realizing that the Hakonian wanted to talk, for if he was going to attack him, then Sora would be dead by now, :but how can you talk with your mouth and your mind at the same time?:
:It's easy to learn to hold two different conversations at once,: said Grekor, :But that's beside the point. If any of us, Keyblade Wielders or Hakonians, are going to survive this, you and your companions will have to make the first move.:
:Why?: Sora asked, :You know more about The Daleks and that demon than my friends do, and I'm not even got to guess at how little Captain Okita and the others from The Yamato know.:
:It's true that my comrades and I have vast knowledge of both demons and Daleks,: said Grekor, :but The Daleks know of us as well. They countered our weapons, which most likely means that they must have adapted to our dark magic as well as our technology.
:However, I'll wager 100 bars of Gold Pressed Latinum that The Daleks have never seen anything like a Keyblade.:
:And they haven't seen our kind of magic before,: said Sora, :but why are you helping us?:
:Because The Daleks are the enemy of all life,: said Grekor, :and even bitter enemies have to unite to defeat a greater enemy. But don't get any ideas about peace between you brats and my people. If we get out of this alive, we'll be right back where we started.:
:I understand,: said Sora, :so, do Daleks have any weaknesses?:
:Just one,: said Grekor, :The Eyestalk. That electronic eye is the only means of visual stimulation for the mutated monstrosity inside the travel machine. Take out the eye and the creature is blinded, and when blinded, Daleks tend to go out of their minds with fear, even so far as recklessly firing their death ray at even their comrades.:
:So when we blind one of them,: said Sora, :we all have to take cover and hope for the best.:
:All the while trying to get out of the way,: said Grekor, :the other Daleks will try to eliminate their compromised comrade as soon as possible, then they'll come after us for the kill. But you'll have at best one chance to blind one of them. Once they realize you and your comrades have hidden weapons, they'll restrain you like that demon and you'll be helpless. So you'd better make your shot count, it'll be our best chance of staying alive.:
:Right,: said Sora, :blind them, take cover, run like hell and most importantly, don't miss. No pressure.:
:What are you saying to that Hakonian?: Riku asked, : I can hear you two talking, but he's got some sort of mind shield. All I've been hearing from you was nonsense.:
:It's like that Grekor guy doesn't trust the rest of us,: said Kairi.
:I'm going to try something that'll get us out of here,: said Sora, :when I do it, take cover and be ready to run like you've never run before.:
:Right!: said both Riku and Kairi.
:We'll help as well,: said Aiden, while Sora could feel Tess give a mental nod of agreement.
:Aiden? Tess?: Sora exclaimed in his mind, :I told you two to stay with the ship!:
:Sidney said she's be able to get both The Intrepid Heart and The Yamato free whenever you and the others are ready,: said Aiden, :And Tess wouldn't stay put. I tried to stop her, but she insisted.:
:Where are you?: Riku asked.
:Right next to you,: said Aiden, :I got to tell you, it's weird being invisible. I can see all of you, but you can't see or hear me or Tess. She says to tell Riku she's sorry.:
:Tell her I said we'll talk when this is over,: said Riku.
It was then that Grekor abruptly changed the three-way argument between Hakonians, demon and Daleks, "I'd just like to get one point clarified before we continue going around in verbal circles," he looked at The Daleks, "just how is it that you mutants gained control over The Heartless anyway?"
"I'd like to know that also," said Sora, sensing that this was the distraction that Grekor was going for.
"WE AQUIRED DIMENSIONAL TECHNOLOGY THAT ALLOWS US TO OPEN RIFTS TO THE SO CALLED REALM OF DARKNESS," said the first Dalek.
"You mean you stole it from someone you murdered," said Kodai.
"REGUARDLESS, THE TECHNOLOGY IS OURS," said the first Dalek, "FROM THERE IT WAS A SIMPLE MATTER TO CONTRUCT A DEVICE CAPIBLE OF EMITING A TELEPATHIC WAVELENGTH THAT HEARTLESS RESPOND TO."
"So they do respond to telepathy," said Grekor, "we only believed that those with darkness in their hearts could control them."
"YOU PATHETIC HAKONIANS HAVE NO RESPECT FOR TECHNOLOGICAL PERFECTION," said the second Dalek, "ALWAYS RELYING ON EMOTIONS TO GIVE YOU POWER."
"I'd love to continue this debate," said the demon, "but my comrades are waiting for me to deliver the prize." As if it were taking a walk in the park, the demon stepped out of the confinement field, "the girl is coming with me!" It started towards Kairi again.
"STAY WHERE YOU ARE!" said the fourth Dalek. It fired it's death ray at the demon, but it just shrugged the death ray off.
"Who's pathetic now?" the demon asked in a taunting manner.
"MAXIMUM EXTERMINATION!" shouted the first Dalek. The second and fifth Daleks fired their death rays at full power yet the demon acted like they were nothing.
"I am a creature of a different sort of darkness," said the demon, "nothing derived from technology can hurt me!"
"Then how about this!" shouted Aiden as he and Tess appeared in the room. The both rushed at the demon and tackled it.
"INTRUDERS!" shouted the third Dalek.
"ENOUGH!" said the first Dalek, "EXTERMINATE THEM ALL!"
"Exterminate this!" said Sora as he summoned his Keyblade and threw it at the second Dalek. The Keyblade cut right through the eyestalk. The severed piece of machinery hit the floor at the same time Sora caught his Keyblade.
Almost instantly after it was blinded, the second Dalek went wind, mindlessly moving around in jittering motions, waving it's arms around randomly and shouting, "VISION IMPARED! I CANNOT SEE! MALFUNCTION! MALFUNCTION!" it then fired it's death ray at a random direction, hitting a nearby computer terminal.
"Everyone take cover!" shouted Sora. He, Riku, Kairi, Donald, Goofy, Aiden, Tess, Captain Okita, Kodai, Shima, Yuki, Analyzer, Orkal and Grekor ducked as the out of control Dalek kept randomly firing its death ray.
"Now what?" Kodai asked.
"We try to get out of here!" said Sora, "everyone head for the door!"
"MALFUNCTION! MALFUNCTION!" shouted the second Dalek as our heroes, allies and villains crawled across the floor towards the door while barely avoiding random death ray blasts.
"THE PRISONERS ARE ESCAPING!" said the fourth Dalek, "STOP THEM!"
"YOU WILL BE EXTERMINATED!" said the fifth Dalek as it got in front of Sora and aimed its death ray at Sora.
But then the blinded Dalek shot its death ray at the fifth Dalek. The blast melted through the armor of the travel machine and hit the mutated creature inside. It died with a horrible scream.
Another random blast hit the door and blew it open.
"Run for it!" shouted Sora as everyone got to their feet.
"ELIMINATE THE LOSE CANNON!" said the first Dalek as it and the fourth Dalek shot their death rays at the blinded second Dalek. It died screaming in agony.
"DO NOT LET THEM ESCAPE!" shouted the first Dalek as Sora and the others ran into the hallway. It, the third and fourth Daleks fired their death rays, hitting the remaining security officers from the Yamato.
"Elevator, now!" shouted Sora. They all ran too the end of the hallway and reached the elevator. The doors opened and everyone rushed in.
But then two more Daleks appeared in the hallway and fired their death rays. One blast hid the doors as they closed, but the other hit Orkal in the chest just as the doors finished closing. He shouted in agony as the death rays energy coursed through his body, highlighting his skeleton.
"Orkal!" shouted Ikura. He fell back into her arms, but was still alive, barely. His skin turned ash gray and was beginning to show cracks all over.
"I…never thought…I would die like this…" gasped Grekor as his skin continued to crack, "I…always wanted to…die in battle."
"Isn't there anything that can be done to help him?" Yuki asked.
"No," said Grekor gravely, "he's all but dead now."
"They won't get away with this," said Tess to Orkal as she held his cracking hand, which was beginning to flake off, "I swear that The Daleks will answer for this murder. Justice will be served."
"I never…was partial to justice," said Grekor as more and more of his body fell off in crumbling bits, "but thanks…anyway." He closed his eyes and his whole body crumbled into dust.
Ikura stood up and brushed the dust that was Orkal from her clothes, "alright, that does it," she said in a grave tone, "I'm going back up there and I'm going to kill every last one of those bastards!"
"You're crazy!" said Shima, "you saw what those death rays can do."
"I'm faster than I look," said Ikura.
"I also have unfinished business with the Daleks," said Grekor, "and that demon."
"But why does that demon want Kairi?" Sora asked.
"I have my theories," said Grekor, "none of them are ideas you'll find pleasant."
"What's the least unpleasant idea?" Kairi asked cautiously.
"That you've been chosen as a sacrifice to a S class demon," said Grekor, "and that your blood will feed that S class demon and allow it to break through the dimensional barriers into the realms of light so it can usher in a new era of chaos."
"That's the least unpleasant idea?" an exasperated Sora asked.
"It's better than the idea that your girlfriend has been chosen to bare the spawn of an S class demon," said Grekor.
"I so did not need that idea in my head," said a nauseated Kairi.
"Exactly," said Grekor, "so if you wished to retain your humanly virtue, run like you've never run before. And if you see any more demons, keep running."
"And what of you?" Captain Okita asked, "don't you fear such creatures?"
"Damn right we do," said Ikura, "but we've got other things to worry about, like what Maleficent is going to d to us when she finds out we've lost not only our entire armada, but the Uridium we mined."
"Why did you join with Maleficent in the first place?" Riku asked.
"It's complicated," said Ikura. The elevator then reached the lower level and the doors opened, "well, it's been fun, but my comrade and I have unfinished business to attend to."
Grekor then used a spell that forced Sora, Riku, Kairi, Donald, Goofy, Aiden, Tess, Captain Okita, Kodai, Shima, Yuki and Analyzer out into the corridor.
"Before you go, Keyblade Wielders," said Grekor, "if you see my grandson, tell him I said Klaatu Barada Nikto."
"What?" Sora asked.
"Klaatu Barada Nikto," said Grekor, "my grandson will know what you mean."
"Who's your grandson?" Kairi asked.
"You've met him already," said Grekor. Just then the elevator doors closed.
"What the hell was that about?" Kodai asked as he, Shima and Captain Okita drew spare blasters they had hidden.
"I have no idea," said Sora. Just then the hallway leading back to the two ships was filled with Heartless, "but we've got bigger things to worry about!"
"THE HUMANS ARE INSUFFERABLE!" shouted the third Dalek.
"THEY WILL ALL BE EXTERMINATED!" said the fourth Dalek.
"THIS WHOLE UNIVERSE WILL BE EXTERMINATED," said the first Dalek.
Just then the demon got up, "not everything in this universe. I will take the girl with me, and nothing in creation will prevent it!"
The end of chapter 8.
Next chapter sees our heroes and allies fighting their way back to their ships, leading to the final battle against The Daleks. Who will survive Reviews will be rewarded with cake and pie. See you next time!