Realm Hearts
chpt.19: Resonance of the Heart
Thing's couldn't possibly get any worse for Roxas and Xion than they were right now. Why, do you ask? Well, let's review what happened in the last chapter. Roxas decides to go explore a world he discovered by accident, without telling anyone about it though he wasn't sure why he wanted to stay quiet about it.
Xion walks in on him and makes him take her along. They explore and find this world in a state of ruin like nothing they could have imagined. And when Xion, under an enchantment of some sort, wrings a bell, it summons a woman named Jadis who's skin was whiter than snow to appear before them. The O-tech's then pick up the presence of the Heartless, leading them to a canyon as big as our world's own Grand Canyon.
Within were Heartless in the thousand, possible even tens of thousands. Suffice to say, there were more than their eyes could ever hope to count. They also learn Jadis once ruled this world and was the one who destroyed it and put it into the state it was in by speaking the deplorable word. She then demanded they tell her about the Heartless, resulting in them calling their Keyblade's forth in self defense.
This action, of course, alerts the Heartless below to their presence and sends them into a frenzy, rushing up the paths and walls of the canyon to get to them, desperate to gain the hearts of the Keybearer's. Now, Roxas and Xion had Heartless in the thousands behind them and Jadis, with wand in hand, standing before them ready to do battle should they refuse her.
Of course, the other Organization members had just arrived and were in route to join them though they did not know this. So, as far as Roxas and Xion knew, they were in some seriously deep...
"Roxas, they're getting closer" warned Xion, feeling the darkness of the Heartless becoming stronger as they drew closer to reaching the top of the canyon and them.
"Yeah, I know" says Roxas, his eyes remaining on the person before them. "But we kind of have a little obstacle before us we have to get around first."
"Well, if you would only tell me what I wish to know, then I would be more than happy to stand aside and allow you lovely children to pass" said Jadis, her wand never leaving its point towards them.
'Yeah right' thought Roxas, knowing she'd likely expect them to explain to her the reason they were wielding giant keys like they were swords next.
"Don't you see the danger we're in? The danger YOU'RE in right now?" shouts Xion. "We have thousands of Heartless coming after us even as we speak. We can't remain here and hope to survive that. There's just to many of them. Even you yourself, no matter how powerful you may be, wouldn't stand a chance."
Jadis snorts at Xion's words, feeling that she was being gravely underestimated by these children. "You little brats" shouts the dwarf, still sitting in his seat in the sledge. "How dare you mock the Queen of Narnia with such disrespectful words."
"Do you really doubt the power I have?" asked Jadis as her wand begins to glow at the tip. "Me, who with but a word laid waste to an entire world. Me who upon eating the golden apple gained the gift of immortality. Do you truly doubt my power?"
"I doubt being immortal will save you" says Roxas who was wondering if immortals were still vulnerable to having their hearts taken and becoming Heartless themselves. Not that he would say this aloud with Jadis before them as they needed her to doubt and relent to the danger they all faced.
"Oh, then I guess I have little choice then..." says Jadis, lowering her wand and making Xion think she had finally seen their reasoning as sound advice. Roxas, on the other hand, knew better and was ready for an attack. "I'll just have to contain you for now and make you tell me back at my palace under more deplorable means..."
And then her attack came.
With a flick of her wand, a wave of ice white magic shot clear, aimed to hit Roxas dead on. But the make Keybearer, on reflex, brought his Keyblade up and blocked the blow. For a second, the Keyblade started to petrify but the stoning effect stopped and was quickly reversed, allowing the blade to become its normal self again, much to the witch's shock as that had never happened before in her eyes.
Not wasting a second, Roxas shoots forward like a dart, swinging his Keyblade fast and hard at Jadis, but the nimbleness had by the White Witch allowed her to jump back into the clear just in time to avoid being hit. To bad though for her she failed to keep an eye on Xion, resulting in her being nailed in the face by a Dark Fire attack that sends her stumbling back and making the dwarf shriek with fear.
"Xion, RUN" yells Roxas, though Xion had already started to move to him a split second before his words escaped his lips. It only took a heart beat for her to get to his side and Roxas took her right hand into his left as they both made a run for it, moving at all the speed their legs could make.
"My queen" cried the dwarf as he hops from the sledge and runs over to the witch who's hands were currently covering her face. "Are you..." He doesn't finish as one of the witch's hands swings outwards and sends him flying back.
Jadis pulls her other hand away, showing her damaged faced though the damage was quickly healing itself, due to her immortality and magic restoring her. "That...those..." she seethed as her mind concocted such horrible things she could and would do to them back at her fortress of ice. Such horrors that even Aslan himself would not be able to make them well again. And then, her anger shifts to curiosity as she recalls something.
"Hm, that key like weapon the boy had. It seems to contain powers within it that also intrigue me much like these Heartless creatures. I shall know their..."
Before she could finish, the first wave of Heartless reached the top of the canyon and made a beeline right towards her. Jadis began cast spell after spell against them but all the spells in the world would not have protected of defended her as they just kept coming and within moments, the Heartless had swarmed her, covering her being like a blanket. The swelling weaved back and forth a few moments before finally tipping and falling onto the ground.
"MY QUEEN" cried the dwarf who was back in the sledge which was somehow repelling the Heartless from boarding it; likely do to the fact Jadis had enchanted it to make sure none could board it unless she gave her consent first.
It looked indeed like Jadis was finished, then a pulse of intense light shown out in the cracks between the Heartless before they were exploded outwards; sent flying by a rather potent and powerful spell unleashed by Jadis who rose up to stand tall again. Any Heartless that had been in physical contact with her burst into nothing while the rest were simply flung back into the swarm of others.
"I see...I understand now" said Jadis, her voice filled with wonder. Being in contact with them had revealed more than she could of imagined. These creatures were hearts, transformed and made ugly and filled with such darkness that it made even she shake with fear. These were indeed worthy beast to have.
As more Heartless came at her, she does a spin while aiming her wand low, making a wave of ice that blast outwards and sends them flying back...well, almost as one Shadow was left stunned on the ground, it's body have covered in ice.
"I think you should do" said Jadis, making another flick with her wand and turning the trapped Shadow into a stone statue of itself. With another wave, the Shadow statue lifts into the air and lands inside the sledge which she waste no time getting back in herself. "Let us leave for now."
"Yes, my queen" says the dwarf as he whips the reigns of the reindeer, sending them racing off away from the Heartless swarm; snow magically forming beneath them to make their movement fast and smooth. "My queen? What of those two who so defied you?"
Jadis was caressing the statue of her new toy so says nothing for a second. Then she speaks, saying "I will deal with them in time just as I will learn the secrets of their weapons in time as well."
Oh yes, she would at that, for nothing would stand between her and her desires. Not Aslan, not those kids, not anyone or anything. A portal opens before the sledge and it passes through with a few Heartless also making it inside before it closes. The rest continue onward, chasing after Roxas and Xion.
"Roxas, we can't keep this up forever" says Xion, already feeling tired.
"I know..." says Roxas, allowing a moment to banish his Keyblade so he could pull out his O-tech, trying to make a portal open. But the device just made a few clicking noises and refused to respond. "No good, there must be to many Heartless nearby. It's interfering with the portal system."
"Then we're boned" said Xion, seeing the outline of the city fast approaching them. "Should we try to hide inside somewhere?"
Roxas considers this, then shakes his head. "Bad idea. The Heartless can sense us by our Keyblade's and even if with don't have them out, they'll still be able to track us now. Plus we'd be at the disadvantage fighting them in such close quarters."
"Like we aren't disadvantaged already?" joked Xion, cracking a grin despite the situation.
"True" agreed Roxas, looking to his right and left. Right would send them heading back to the mountain they had arrived at. Left, he wasn't sure where it would lead them. Would the mountain be a safe spot? Maybe even allow them a chance to open a portal successfully and escape this situation?
He had just decided to chance it and starts to turn himself to the right with Xion sensing his decision and following his lead when the ground to the right erupts and a sea of mole like Heartless comes bursting out with other Heartless types following behind them; the sight like seeing a worm or snake rising from a hole.
"Cheese it all" yells Roxas, shifting them to head to the left now in the direction of unknown territory. He feared this way would lead them into a dire situation but what choice did they have in the moment? They had Heartless to the right and behind them and the path before them was to risky.
The Heartless followed after them like blood hounds hunting their prey, relentless and desperate to claim two new hearts; hearts that belonged to Keybearer's. And nothing would stop them from claiming their desired prize.
(with the Organization)
"Geez, what a dump" says Larxene as the Organization comes to a stop within the walls of the city.
"I suppose it has seen better days" agreed Demyx.
"Time can be a very cruel mistress" adds Luxord.
"Who cares about time or what happened here" shouts Axel. "Why are we stopping here when Roxas and Xion are..."
Axel's words are cut short as Saix places a hand on his shoulder, making the flaming red head look at his blue haired friend. "Calm down, Axel." Saix then turns to Zexion and Vexen and ask "What's wrong?"
Zexion looks back at him and says "Roxas and Xion were close by but are now heading northward. If my O-tech is correct, right towards a massive cliff that falls into what may have once been an ocean that has since dried up."
"With thousands of Heartless hot on their heels no less" adds Vexen.
"Those idiots. What are they thinking?" growls Axel. "Why haven't they just warped out of here instead of running around like chickens who have had their heads cut off?"
"Because they most likely can't" says Xemnas, getting all of them to look at him. "With so many Heartless in this world at once and so close to them, the Heartless very presence will interfere with the O-tech and render some of its functions, like the portal system, unusable. Even our O-tech's won't work unless we have a five mile difference between us and the Heartless at their current numbers."
"So we'll have to fight them then?" asked Xaldin as his lances appear in hand.
"At least until we've lessened their numbers to the point we can open a portal and who knows how many we'll have to destroy in order to do that" says Zexion.
"And worse is the fact that with these numbers, even we won't be able to control them all. Not even close to a quarter of them" adds Vexen.
"We should move" says Lexaeus suddenly. "They will need us."
"Yeah, let's go already" yells Axel, already running in the direction the kids were heading towards and the others right behind him.
(Roxas and Xion)
They were both getting tired and their legs were hurting and starting to wobble and slow from the exhaustion. But they kept moving as best they could, even knowing the Heartless were getting closer and closer as they didn't tire as easily. And then, the two Keybearer's came to a screeching halt.
Before them, so close that they had nearly gone over the edge, was an abyss of empty land beyond the sudden drop off. In a way, it was like they had reached the end of the world, except it wasn't obviously. For a moment, Roxas considered the option of jumping, but quickly realized the fall alone would be fatal. Like it or not, they were trapped and there was only one option left open to them.
They would have to fight an impossible to win battle.
"End of the road for us, huh?" asked Xion, looking at him with eyes that already knew the answer.
Roxas fist became tight as he cursed beneath his breath. He then looks back and sees the unending sea of Heartless fast approaching; knowing it would only be a few moments more before they would be here. As the Kingdom Key appears in hand, then shifts into Pumpkinhead for its better reach, Roxas makes his decision.
"Fine then. If they want our hearts so bad, then lets make sure we make them work for it."
"Yeah, it will be our final challenge but one I'll never forget" says Xion, her Kingdom Key appearing in her left hand. "And Roxas..."
Roxas turns to look at her, house mouth beginning to move but is stopped as he feels her lips make contact with his own. For just a moment, the kiss holds and lingers between them before it ends and Xion pulls away with a blush on her cheeks.
"For good luck...and because I wanted to" she says to him, explaining her action just now.
For a heartbeat, Roxas just stands there as his mind processes the feeling of the kiss. He knew how he felt about Olette, but Xion? He had never really thought about it beyond the whole friendship angle they had. But now? "Then let's survive this somehow. No matter the odds and how they're stacked against us, lets survive so we can figure where we go from here."
Maybe there was a love beyond his first?
Xion nods as she brings her Keyblade to the ready as does Roxas. They both knew that waiting till the Heartless arrived would be suicide as they would likely be pushed over the edge by their numbers. So, they charge forward without fear, crying out their battle cries before leaping into the air, coming down within the sea of Heartless; slashing their Keyblade's to and throw as wildly as they could.
Now was the moment legends were born from.
The Heartless were many in type and appearance, Naturally, the most that could be seen were Shadow's. But mixed into this was also armies worth of Soldier's, Large Body's, Red Nocturne, Blue Rhapsody's, Yellow Opera's, Proud Wild's, Invisible's, Angel's, Dark Ball's, and so on and so forth,
Xion, with her medium range Keyblade, tackled the smaller, ground based Heartless as they were more favorable to being within her particular reach. Roxas, meanwhile, with his long type Keyblade in hand, was more attentive towards the fliers and taller Heartless, though they still found themselves dealing with all the different types surrounding them in mass.
Swing, thrust, slash, bash, parry, dodge, spin, duck, and jump; their movements were like a well coordinated dance as they tore through the Heartless. Every now and then, they would take a hit themselves but they pressed on, never losing their focus or their desire to survive this somehow despite the odds against them. And somehow, despite the odds, they were holding their own.
Maybe, just maybe, they could actually survive this, even if their eyes could only see more and more Heartless racing into the battle at a rate even faster than what they were taking them out. If they kept this up and didn't tire out, then maybe they could win this fight after all.
From above him came a ball of fire and ice magic from apposing sides that nearly hit Roxas, who, barely saw them coming at him in time to dodge both attacks though one shoulder was singed and another had a slight inkling of ice upon the coat's shoulder.
Looking Roxas could see the Nocturne and Rhapsody hovering over him, already preparing for another attack at him. Roxas knew he couldn't keep his focus on them with everything else that was going on around him, so he decides now would be the best time if any to test out his newest trick.
While still taking out other Heartless around him, Roxas waited till he saw the fire and ice being released at him, then he swings the Keyblade low to take out a dog like Heartless that was trying to take a nip on his ankles then thrust the Keyblade straight up into the air.
"Aero" he shouts, summoning a gale of visible air that swirls around him like a barrier. The fire and ice attacks get caught within the wind despite it being weak and are sent twirling around, nailing several Heartless that jump at Roxas before being sent flying away; the fire hitting the Rhapsody and the ice hitting the Nocturne, taking them both out.
"Yeah, it really does work" shouts Roxas, losing focus for just a second before nearly being ran through by the sword held by the Invisible, though he managed to recover from his giddiness in time to bring his Keyblade up and block the attack.
Off in her spot a few feet away, Xion performs a Sonic Raid attack on fifteen Heartless at once, then sees the air barrier around Roxas, leading her to yell out so he could hear "Roxas, what's that spinning around you?"
"It's wind; a wind barrier called Aero. It's far from ideal as far as physical protection goes, but it does the job nevertheless" says Roxas, finally pushing the sword weapon away from his Keyblade then sending a Strike Raid out to destroy the Invisible and several more Heartless within the Keyblade's path.
"When did you learn that?" asked Xion, jumping up and over then dodging under a Proud Wild's fast moving claw swipes before piercing its chest, taking it out. "I thought I was the only one between the two of us that knew any magic spells" she adds quickly while moving on to tackle a Deserter.
"Last week..." says Roxas quickly, cutting down an Air Pirate. "When we, me and you, had that spend a day with the group for bonding reasons..." He takes out the Air Pirate and moves on to a group of cannon like Heartless. "Xaldin taught me before my time with him ended."
"Then when this is over..." says Xion, now taking on a horde of Bandit's. "...you'll have to teach me how to use Aero."
"Deal" says Roxas, smashing in a few Barrel Spider's. He had to admit, they had been doing better than he had thought the would only a few minutes before. At this rate, they would survive this as the Heartless he could see were starting to become hesitant, more careful in launching attacks now.
And then the ground shook from a powerful impact made upon it. Feeling the tremors and knowing that they were becoming stronger and more frequent with each shake; Roxas and Xion looked up to see what was causing it and their faces became pale and their hopes of victory and survival came crashing down upon them.
The Behemoth's had arrived at last it seemed. And behind them, not to far away, were the Darkside's as well. One Behemoth bellowed out a deep, booming roar that made other Heartless before it move away to give it room. And then, this Behemoth charged at the two Keybearer's.
While it wasn't fast and could easily be dodged, the power of its feet against the ground shook the world in such a potent way that it took everything the two Keybearer's had to just stay standing, to say nothing of dodging clear which they managed though this act did cause them to lose their balance and fall and the smaller Heartless wasted no time in taking advantage of this moment.
Within seconds, Roxas and Xion were being buried alive by the Heartless; biting and clawing at the two helpless warriors as their Keyblade's were knocked from their hands and out of their reach. And more were coming to join in the piling.
"XION" yells Roxas, his hand reaching out to her.
"ROXAS" she cried out in turn, mimicking his actions and reaching for him.
In their hearts, they knew it was over for them. It would only be a few more seconds before the Heartless did them in and that would be the end of them both. Would they become Heartless, mindless beings in search of hearts? Would they become Nobodies, seeking the path to Kingdom Hearts to regain what they had lost? They didn't know but knew they would soon enough. But for the moment...
"At least...we'll go together..." says Roxas.
"And our hearts...will be together" adds Xion as their hands finally meet and at the moment the touch came, their hearts beat as one and became perfectly synced with one another. Off, just beyond the swarming sea of Heartless, the Organization had finally gotten close enough to see their Keybearer's.
"NO. ROXAS...XION..." yells Axel as his chakram appear in his hand though he knew he would never reach them in time nor would launching his weapon save them.
And then, it happened, as Roxas and Xion's hand held tight with one another's. A light, shining like the sun, came over them both and it quickly grew brighter and brighter till it was to blinding to look upon. The Organization members stopped, forced to cover their eyes from the dazzling brilliance. But through the blinding light, they could see the sea of Heartless suddenly explode outwards.
And then a sole figure rose up; Roxas with an aura surrounding his body. His Organization coat had changed, now with purple cross like symbols designed into the fabric which hadn't been there before. And there was no sign of Xion that they could see.
"What is that?" asked Marluxia.
Xemnas was stunned, unable to speak for he knew what it was that had just happened; Heart Resonance. The power of Form Change.
Roxas stood perfectly still as the Heartless surrounded him; the creatures of darkness unsure on how to act now as they were feeling weird vibes coming from the heart filled being before them. And within Roxas mind, he was seeing this all and was confused as heck about it.
"What's going on? What happened to my clothes? And where's Xion?" his mind asked.
"Roxas, I'm right here beside you. Can't you see me?" came Xion's voice, sounding like it really was coming from right next to him.
Roxas spins, looking every which way and sees nothing. "No, I'm not seeing you. Just...ME? Wait, how can I be in two places at once? What is going on here?"
He gets an answer, though not one he expected as he suddenly hears a banjo being played followed by an image of a frog sitting in a row boat appears before him. "Kermit? Is that you?"
The Kermit before him was glowing and slightly transparent, like a ghost. He opens his eyes and speaks. "Roxas, no doubt you must be confused by what must have just happened to you and who ever it was you just had a Heart Resonance with."
"Heart Resonance?" asked Roxas.
"What is that?" came Xion's voice, again like it was from right next to him.
Kermit continues and says "I knew I wouldn't be there to explain in person so I left this impression of myself within you when I gave you the gift which I hope you remember so you would know what has happened. Heart Resonance is the power of Form Change; when we combine our power with another and become one in body, mind, and the heart. This was the power I was also talking about to you before; the power I couldn't tap to fight the Dream Eater's because of my world and my friends being caught in Slumber with only me being the one who was awake."
"Form Change will make you stronger, the degree of which is determined by both yours and the person you resonated with ability. This form is temporary to use it wisely. Now, I will feed into your mind all that I know about it. Good luck, Roxas. Until the day we meet again in the waking world..."
And with that, the image of Kermit fades and becomes a ball of light that moves forward and merges with Roxas. In an instant, who knew what it was he needed to know about this power; about this Master Form he had been given. And so to, it seems, did Xion.
"Roxas, this feeling is incredible. Like we're a whole new person."
"Yeah. Now let's use this power to survive this battle and return home" agreed Roxas as the real him on the battlefield finally opened his eyes, then held his hand out and summoned forth a Keyblade, one that neither he or Xion had ever seen before.
It was long, longer than even the Pumpkinhead Keyblade. It was like an double long type or something. And it was very stylized in its design, gold and silver with touches of ruby red and sapphire blue mixed into the handle which read upon it 'Ultimate Weapon.'
"Amazing" said Roxas with a bit of Xion's voice mixed into his. He could feel the power coming from this Keyblade and knew it was unlike anything he had ever felt before from any of the others. There was no longer any doubt within him. He...no, THEY would win this battle now without a doubt.
By now, the Heartless had gotten over their fear or hesitation or whatever it was that had stayed them for the last few moments as they charge at Master Form Roxas who, in turn, looks at them with a look of pity.
"Let's see how this little baby handles" says Master Form Roxas, swinging the Ultimate Weapon outwards, he slashes through the closest Heartless like they were butter. But what he didn't expect was a wave of light being released from the Keyblade that sent flying through the air, cutting through dozens more before the wave faded from existence.
"Amazing" says Master Form Roxas. What else could this Ultimate Weapon do? Well, there was only one way to find out as he leaps into the air, spinning as he does this, then comes crashing down into the sea of Heartless, destroying them in numbers anyone would have said was impossible to achieve.
And off to the side, the Organization could only watch in awe and wonder as Master Form Roxas took the Heartless to school. Axel, especially, was speechless with his mouth hanging open in wonder.
"Wha...wha...what is going on here?" he finally managed to get out.
"Isn't it obvious?" asked Demyx. "Roxas is kicking some serious a..."
"Where's Xion?" wondered Larxene, breaking into Demyx's words. "You don't think...?"
"She and Roxas have somehow merged" said Lexaeus.
"How is that even possible?" asked Marluxia.
Zexion and Vexen looked at one another, then Zexion says "There is no scientific reply we can give to anyone. But listen..." They all do, hearing Master Form Roxas's battle cries and realizing they could hear Xion's voice mixed in with his.
"Somehow, they merged together into one being as noted by the weird change to his coat" finished Vexen.
"Is it permanent" asked Luxord.
"We've never seen anything like this before so who can say?" was the reply, from Zexion.
"Shouldn't we go down there and help him...I mean, them?" asked Axel, having finally recovered from his shock over what it was he was seeing.
"They seem to be doing well enough without us" says Marluxia. "Besides, I have a feeling we'd only be getting in their way at this point anyways."
"Marluxia is right" says Saix. "We'll remain for the moment and observe but will jump in should it be needed of us to do so."
During this entire go between, Xemnas had kept his quiet, watching as Master Form Roxas tore through the Heartless with such ease and skill it made him grin. He had heard of this power; Form Change but he had never thought it would be so potent and effective. But now he knew what it could unleash and that made his plans for these two all the more worth it in his mind.
Back down in the battle, more Heartless were falling to the Ultimate Weapon and both Roxas and Xion figured they had taken out over half by now as the numbers were beginning to decrease rapidly and they could start to see patches of the ground they had been unable to see before.
Then they feel the rumble as several of the Behemoth's came at them, intent on bringing them down with their superior size and strength. "Wanna tangle with us, big guys" says Master Form Roxas before charging at them with full speed. "Then we'll happily give you that."
Master Form Roxas came in low against the nearest Behemoth, slashing it its legs and causing it to topple over on itself. He then leaps up and slashes anothers face, getting the eyes and blinding it which causes it to go out of control and crash into the first, downed Behemoth. One mighty swing of Ultimate Weapon a second later and both are destroyed.
Another comes at him, bringing its heads down low in an attempt to run him through, but he instead jump spins into the air and lands on its head, cutting the Keyblade into its flesh and running up along its back before leaping again from the other end as the third Behemoth is destroyed and lands on the head of the last Behemoth, who then goes bucking like crazy, trying to knock Master Form Roxas off.
Master Form Roxas uses one hand to grip onto its horn to maintain his place upon it while lifting the Ultimate Weapon high into the air. "You want me off?" he asked before letting go and leaping into the air. "Then how about I take a stab at this..." he yells, bringing the Keyblade into a new position and stabs it down into the head of the Behemoth with all of his strength behind the action.
The Heartless freezes in place and, for a moment, just stands there before burst of light begin blasting from its body then it explodes and an intense shock wave of light races out, taking out most of the remaining Heartless from being hit by the wave.
As Master Form Roxas lands on his feet, he's forced to dodge quickly to the side, nearly being hit by an attack from a Darkside, of which there were three along with a handful of lesser Heartless remaining. Though he was beginning to feel tired, his tightens his grip on his Keyblade and charges at them, ready to end this fight once and for all.
"It's time to end this" he shouts, darting and swinging his Keyblade at all the remaining lesser Heartless to take them out, leaving only the three Darkside's on the battlefield. One fires a black flaming ball at him which he bats back at it which knocks it off balance. Another tries to swat him like a fly but he responds with a dodge while slicing the hand off then racing up the arm and slicing through the head, taking it out.
He then jumps at another and thrust his Keyblade outwards while spinning like a drill, going through the Darkside's upper chest and destroying it as well, leaving only one left. He lands on the ground and goes to move but loses his balance as he begins to feel tired and dizzy and the last Darkside takes advantage of this and grabs him, lifting him into the air while squeezing him with all of its might.
For a second, it looked like it might have won but Master Form Roxas channels all of his power and breaks free, leaping into the air from its hand and slicing downwards, cutting the last Darkside in half and winning the battle. He lands, huffing and drained, having beaten all of the Heartless somehow.
But he knew he wasn't done quite yet though. There was still one final thing he needed to do.
"Keyhole of this world" shouts Master Form Roxas as he raises Ultimate Weapon, at an angle, and points it to the sky. "I command you to appear before me from where ever it is you reside." And, to the shock of the watching Organization members, the Keyhole appears in the sky, willed to do so by the Keybearer's command.
"And now, Keyblade in my hand and Keyhole of Charn, combine your powers with my will..." shouts Master Form Roxas as the Ultimate Weapon begins to glow. "...so that this world of Charn...WILL BE HEALED!" And then a beam of light shoots from the Keyblade, locking the Keyhole in the sky.
Immediately, the whole of Charn is enveloped with light as everyone feels a sudden energy come rushing through the ground and the sky. This fades after a moment though and Master Form Roxas looks around till he sees something sticking out of the ground; a flower had started to grow which makes him smile. And then the Form change wears off and Xion appears right next to Roxas, who collapses onto the ground from sheer exhaustion.
"We did it" he says, his voice filled with relief. "We actually did it..."
"Yeah, we really did" agreed Xion, also feeling drained but not nearly as much as Roxas as she kneels down beside him. "And the best part is we did it together."
Roxas turns his head to look at her and nods. "Yeah, together..." he agreed.
"Guys, behind you" comes Axel, shouting as a Neo Shadow, the last Heartless left in this world, rises from the ground to attack them. There was no way for Roxas to defend them as he couldn't move. He was barely even still conscious and there was no time for the Organization to act to save them.
SLASH
The Neo Shadow goes rigid as its body fades, having been sliced in half by a Keyblade. As Roxas falls into unconsciousness, he sees Xion standing over him, having been the one who sliced through the Heartless. But something was off. She was holding her Keyblade in her right hand, not her left. And furthermore, it was different than the one she normally had. Was it just his imagination? He was asleep before he could figure it out.
"Xion, Roxas" yells Axel as he reaches them first. By then, the Keyblade in her right hand had vanished and Xion was back to kneeling by Roxas, checking on him. "Are you guys all...?"
"We're fine, just..." she doesn't finish as she suddenly collapses herself, laying on top of Roxas also having fallen asleep as a result of the heart resonance.
As the others arrive, Xemnas says "That fusion they underwent has likely left them drained to the point they passed out. Let us let them sleep for now and return them to their beds. After today, they have earned a good rest..."
Xion awoke later that day, stilling feeling drained but was otherwise fine. Roxas, being the one who did the physical actions, would likely remain asleep until the following morning, or so Vexen and Zexion believed anyways. And while normally, Xion would have stayed by his side till he had woken up, she didn't this time as her mind had something else eating away at her thoughts and she was now standing alone within Never Was Castle's highest point.
"Did I really summon a new Keyblade?" she wondered aloud to herself, opening and closing her right hand over and over again. Should she try to summon it? For some reason, she felt uneasy.
"So, you have finally started to awaken" comes the voice from Xemnas from behind, making her jump then spin around to look at him as he approached her. "I admit I was beginning to wonder if you would ever awaken or not."
"And what does that mean?" asked Xion.
Xemnas smiles at her, then says "Come with me and all will be made clear. And at last, for you, the truth behind everything shall become known as it was always meant to be."
Xion didn't want to go, didn't trust him. Something in his tone and the way he was looking at her warned her that if she went, something would happen and she would never be the same. But then, to her shock, her body began to move forward without her mind instructing it to do so; almost as if her body was being controlled by Xemnas. What was going to happen to her and what would she learn?
She didn't know it then, but what was about to happen would change everything forever. And her relationship with Roxas would never be the same when he was done...
to be continued...
AN: Sorry for the delay, especially when I said last chapter that I would get this out soon seeing as it was part 2 of a 2 part chapter storyline (expect more of these types of chapters during the second major arch of the series which begins in chpt.21). I had planned on releasing this chapter back on Friday but something happened that I wasn't expecting to happen.
My job with Scholastic's came to an end which I was expecting seeing as I was just a seasonal and all, but not until at least mid-December, not the first Friday of November. I was rather depressed the rest of the day to be honest while Saturday, Sunday, and Monday were all spent with me putting in more job applications all around where I live. I would being doing that today as well but its super cold outside and my brother felt I should wait till tomorrow when its warmer (according to the weatherman) to go finish up my run around town.
I luckily have enough money to get one of my two medical bills paid off and as soon as I get a new job, the other shall be dealt with (here's hoping it get one soon over waiting 4 months like I did before) then I can finally get moved out of my brothers place and back into living on my own. If I can get back to work by the end of the month (or should I say before then end of the month) and if my second medical bill is what I'm told it will be, then March is the earliest I can expect to be getting back into my own place.
So, when will I release chapter 20? Expect it by Friday at the latest, unless something else happens that makes me need to focus on other matters. Look forward to it as everything will change with this chapter.