Part Twenty Five
Transcending Legacy
Galbadia Garden
Upon entering the red Garden Irvine Kinneas felt an odd sense of coming home. He remembered the stark white halls and the blue doors leading into various rooms. The cowboy motioned for the others to follow him down the hallway until they came to a door that led to a staircase. He figured there was one place the Sorceress and her Knights could be and that was the control room.
No one had really known what that room was for but now that the Garden was flying Irvine would bet a year's wages that the Sorceress was telling her Knights how to fly this thing. He told the others about his idea and they agreed. They would head to the third floor control room. Irvine led them into the room containing the staircase and they ran up the flight of steps until they came to the second floor.
Irvine led them out into another corridor that led directly ahead to another door. From his memories Irvine was able to lead the group through the door and out into a large chamber that served as the swimming pool area. They moved around the pool until they came to another door and Irvine led them out into a basketball court on the second floor.
Sora, Riku and Baralai stood together as Squall and Seifer made sure the place was secure. It seemed as if the whole Garden had been emptied prior to the battle going on outside. All that mattered now was getting to Edea and her three Knights. Irvine motioned for them to follow him through another door that led into a white corridor.
Stairs were on the right that led upwards towards the control room no doubt. Irvine led the way up and stopped when he reached another corridor. This one had one other occupant in it. Sora and Riku held out their blades when they caught sight of Xigbar standing outside the third floor door that led into the control room. Squall, Baralai and Seifer stood ready for a fight but it was Sora and Riku who stepped for to battle the scarred Nobody. Xigbar was holding dual guns in his hands and a smirk was plastered on his scarred face. His one good eye promised death.
"We'll take care of him." Riku stated firmly.
"I was waiting for a chance to fight you little dude." Xigbar cocked his head at Sora.
"Enjoy it while you can." Sora gripped Ultima Keyblade.
"Oh I plan to." Xigbar laughed.
"Squall, get everyone out of here now." Sora demanded.
"We'll take care of this guy." Riku grinned at the Gunbalder. "Just make sure the rest of you are safe."
"Best of luck." Baralai nodded.
"Follow me." Irvine whispered to the others. He knew of another set of stairs they could use.
"But what about Sora and Riku?" Seifer questioned.
"They'll be fine Seifer." Baralai promised. "Xigbar doesn't stand a chance against two Keyblade Masters."
"This way." Irvine ran along another small corridor away from Xigbar.
"If the Sorceress is in the control room chances are Saix and Luxord are with her." Seifer pointed out.
"We'll attack her with everything we have. If Sora and Riku are as good as you say then they should meet up with us." Squall said.
"Seifer and I will attack first. Our GFs might be able to weaken her." Baralai suggested.
"Good luck guys." Irvine said as he reached the secondary door and pushed it open.
Meanwhile at the other side of the third floor corridor Sora and Riku stood side by side while Xigbar assessed the situation he was in. He wasn't an idiot. He knew he wouldn't survive against Sora and Riku. Taking on two Keyblade Masters was a suicide mission. Cocking his guns Xigbar grinned then he felt his body floating above the floor.
He was able to walk on ceilings, making for better attack positions. But fighting in a narrow corridor wasn't the best place of battle. Riku raised his hand and unleashed blue energy bolts upon the Nobody. Xigbar grunted when he got hit with the energy but he quickly raised one of his guns and fired at Sora.
The small brunet jumped aside from the incoming bullets then he turned and cast Firaga. Riku grabbed Sora's hand before creating an energy shield to protect himself and Sora from the hail of bullets. Hiding in the darkness had taught Riku some new tricks and he was using these to the best of his ability.
Xigbar planted his feet on the ceiling and began firing at the two Keyblade Masters. Riku cried out when one of the projectiles hit him in the arm. Sora tossed him a Hi-Potion before charging towards the Freeshooter. Leaping up he somersaulted and hot Xigbar with Ultima, forcing the Nobody to fall to the floor.
Riku got up and gripped Way to the Dawn before charging towards the Nobody. Sora was also back on the ground ad he was already fighting against Xigbar. His Keyblade clashed with the dark purple guns and sparks flew across the corridor. Riku ran behind Xigbar and swung his own Keyblade.
The Freeshooter was fast though and he dodged the incoming blow. Sora moved side just as Riku's blade sliced through the air then the small brunet jumped up and brought Ultima down across Xigbar's chest. Riku slashed his across his back and the double attack forced the Freeshooter to his knees. His weapons vanished into darkness in the process.
"You beat me little dude." Xigbar groaned out in pain.
"Are the others with Edea?" Riku demanded. Xigbar looked up at the silver haired teenager and he smiled.
"Why don't you see for yourself?" as his body faded into darkness he let out one last laugh.
"What the hell was that about?" Sora muttered.
"Let's go find the others." Riku grabbed Sora's hand and pulled him towards the door.
When they entered the control room they saw Seifer and Baralai with their summoned GFs. The Phoenix was fighting off Luxord along with the GF known as Leviathan. Baralai's Guardian Force was a large sea serpent with aquamarine coloured scales and ruby red eyes. The serpent conjured a wave of water that crashed towards the Sorceress and her two other Knights. Luxord gritted his teeth when Axel tossed a fireball at him and he was sent flying across the spacious room. Sora and Riku ran towards Saix just as the Luna Diviner made his way towards Squall.
"I've been waiting for this Sora." Saix grinned. He conjured up his weapon. "I'll make Xemnas proud."
"We'll send you to him soon enough." Riku challenged.
"We shall see." Saix charged towards Sora and Riku.
Squall could honestly say he never fought an enemy like Luxord before. The guy could manipulate time for Hyne's sake. Seifer drew up Hyperion and charged towards the Sorceress. Axel was stalling Luxord as best he could along with Leviathan while Baralai cast Protect and Shell on the group. Squall saw Seifer making his way towards the Sorceress and he felt his heart beat out of fear. Moving past the Gambler of Fate he ran to stand beside his blond rival. Edea smirked at the two before standing up from her throne.
"So the two SeeD dare to challenge me?" she questioned silkily.
"We know who you are Edea." Squall said thickly.
"And yet you still wish to fight me." She laughed.
"The Edea I knew wouldn't become this kind of monster." Seifer held up Hyperion as he spoke.
"Edea is no longer here dear boy." The Sorceress laughed. "But you shall die this day."
"We'll see about that." Squall challenged.
"The show me your power." The Sorceress raised her hands.
Seifer and Squall broke away from each other and went to opposite sides of the Sorceress. She waved her hand and cast a Firaga spell on Squall that hit the Commander in the chest. Seifer cursed loudly before tossing a Hi-Potion to the fallen brunet right before the Sorceress cast a Blizzaga spell on the scarred blond.
Baralai saw what was happening and he used his magic to cast Shell on the two rivals. The Sorceress scowled when her Blizzaga attack bounced off the blond man. She cried out when she felt Squall's blade cut into her lower body and she turned to claw at him with her elongated nails. Squall dodged the attack but the Sorceress used a Thundaga spell on Seifer.
The Shell surrounding his body managed to lessen the attack and Squall used this moment attack the Sorceress. His blade cut into her upper torso and she let out a hiss of pain. Saix and Luxord were still being held off by the others. She was on her own as of now.
No matter it was time to get rid of this feeble host anyway. When Seifer ran towards her the Sorceress raised her hand and cast Waterga on the blond man. Seifer fell to the ground just as Squall came to stand beside him and her cut into the Sorceress. Howling she fell to the ground and breathed harshly. Looking up her golden eyes narrowed at Seifer and then she smiled.
"Fool...you'll make a good tool." She snarled. Before Seifer or Squall could move the Sorceress reared back and she screamed. Black smoke escaped from her mouth, nose and eyes.
"What the fuck is that?" Seifer yelled. His eyes widened when he realized the smoke was going towards Squall. "Shit Squall look out!"
Squall didn't have time to react. Seifer shoved him away from the Sorceress just as the smoke reached him. He tried to close his mouth and eyes but it did no good. The smoke seeped into his nose and skin. He felt it burning his flesh and his innards. He wanted to scream but he couldn't even move. From the other side of the room Riku saw what was happening to the blond. Acting on instinct Riku ran towards Seifer and reached out to pull him away from the black cloud.
"Riku!" Sora screamed as thick tendrils wrapped round Riku's arm and pulled him close.
He tried to pull away but the smoke shot into his mouth. He heard Sora screaming moments before his body started burning up. Riku fell to the ground, his head near Seifer's the blond man was lying on his back, his jade eyes unseeing and before Riku fell into the darkness he saw Seifer's eyes changing colour and shape. Instead of jade green his eyes were now golden with black hourglasses for irises. As they both fell into oblivion they both heard one name...Ultimecia.
"Let's go. Ultimecia has gotten what she wanted." Saix called to Luxord. The two Nobodies vanished into dark portals.
"Riku..." Sora ran to his fallen friend. "On god no...Riku talk to me." Sora pleaded as he cradled Riku's head.
"Seifer." Squall approached the prone blond and he knelt down beside him. "Roxas...take this." He held out a red orb that had been lying near Seifer's head.
"What is it?" the small blond was still shocked from recent events. What the hell had happened to Seifer and Riku?
"I think it's Axel. The red head had vanished from the fight as soon as Seifer was attacked by the smoke. " Baralai said. "Whatever that smoke was it pushed Axel from his mind."
"Axel..." Roxas held onto the red orb as if it were the most precious treasure in the world.
"We need to get out of here now." Squall barked. He put Lionheart in its sheath then bent down and picked up Seifer. Irvine took hold of Riku while Baralai grabbed Hyperion.
"Riku." Sora felt hot tears falling from his eyes. "Please wake up."
"Oh Hyne..." a soft voice whispered. "What have I done?" turning around Squall set his eyes on Edea and when she looked at him he found himself staring into blue eyes full of guilt. "Ultimecia...she's taken them."