Of Rivalry and Deceit

(For this portion of the chapter and onwards I would suggest listening to Scherzo di Notte from Kingdom Hearts 2 since it really highlights the mood and the effect of this next battle.)

Alan and Nadia soon found themselves once again in Radiant Garden, like the first time they were there, there was a huge army of Viraltroopers of every kind that Alan and Nadia had met and in the same canyon where they fought 100,000 Viraltroopers it was Aranse, but not in an orb form, but rather his original form (way back when in the beginning of this story). Aranse held a sword similar to that of earth's Excalibur and he even had long flowing hair like that of the Nightelves they saw back in Azeroth. And clashing against his sword and might was Obeion, the Dark Traitor. He had a dark sword of his own. It was slim like a Japanese Samurai's sword and it glowed of an evil black aura that chilled even the Viraltroopers around him that cowered and moaned from fear and despair.

As Obeion and Aranse clacked at each other with their swords, Obeion stepped and floated backward many feet and then projected himself towards his foe with great Velocity and Aranse transported himself above Obeion and elbowed him the back, but Obeion intercepted him and tossed him into a large portion of the canyon as he smashed right through the rocks like a meteor. Then Aranse flew back quickly and smacked him hard in his right cheek and Obeion then slashed at Aranse's white clothing as it tore with a load riiiippppp!! Alan then said to Nadia as they watched, "Aranse sure is quite the fighter that's for sure eh?" "Then what are we waiting for? We should be helping him. He's getting the snot beat out of him." Literally saying, Obeion was smacking Aranse's nostrils and his entire body as it bled slowly. Yet before they could react, a portal appeared and so did Tyrannil and Tyra from the portal as well. The red knight Tyra then yelled out as Alan and Nadia shocked listened, "Well well well, if it isn't the pair that killed Grogonopse. I have to say very few people could take him let alone win, but killing him was a big mistake there buddy." "I'm not your buddy jerk. Besides you guys were attacking Nadia and he provoked us. How dare you guys come to us and act like you're saints even when you're not!!" As Nadia listened to this her eyes watered and she began to ponder, 'Oh Alan. Where's that nice boy I met on that first day when I was carrying my heavy books? Please Alan…don't leave me!!' Alan continued, "In fact I'll prove you guys are cowards. Tyra I challenge you to a fight of all fights. Your weapon against my weapon." As Tyra showed his long red rapier from the casing of his hips and Alan summoned his keyblade Tyra then said, "An odd weapon I agree, but I accept. On the condition we fight in Castle Darkhand: We'll settle the score there. In the meantime you can all fight my friend here. He's been dying for a little revenge anyhow." Tyra then ran for the portal as he grabbed Tyrannil's shoulder and said, "You know what to do." Then Tyra disappeared in the portal as it closed shut behind him.

Then Tyrannil took out his sword which was a double set of two Greek swords curved at the tips to create a gripping slash like that of a snake biting into its prey. Tyrannil said as he charged himself up and got pumped, "You two will pay for this insolence." Yet Tyrannil changed into Ryansk as he said, "I want the girl this time. Like Grogonopse I too want a piece of action from this broad. Let's see you take on a master of shape shifting." Nadia then said, "Gladly." Soon enough Alan was watching on the sidelines as a barrier appeared and Nadia was closed off for her next fight with Ryansk. Yet Ryansk disappeared as well as Nadia held out her pink keyblade she looked all around her and kept her stance steady. Then slash a blow to her left leg as a slice came and bashed her. Alan watched in horror as his love began to take an even greater slashing than that of Grogonopse. It was too brutal to even watch let alone even think of in any case. Ryansk then reappeared as Nadia collapsed and he stood over her body with Alan helpless and on the verge of tears. "Nadia!!" Then Ryansk then said grabbing the girl by her head and raised her above him and said, "This is it girly. When I tossed you, I'll use my Snake Slice move, which essentially will pierce each side of your body half way to your liver and rip apart over two pounds of flesh and bone. What's more your precious lover can't do anything to help you either. You two fought for a ridiculous ploy and saved many people we'll give you that much, but for what price? You are on the verge of death itself. Not to mention I see the darkness in the boy as well. You sense he will become like us 'Knights of the Realm' don't you?" Alan heard this and saw tears run down Nadia's face as he asked with tears of his own, "Nadia is this true?" Nadia bit her tongue as she said, "Yes. It is true. I've seen you fight and act like you're a hero Alan. You have helped a lot of people, but you let your emotions get in the way and …. I just can't say it. Maybe I'm to blame for this. If I weren't so stubborn and thoughtless none of this…" Alan then said, "No it's my fault Nadia, all mine. I should've been thinking what was best for you and only you. I let my pride get the best of me. I can see that now and for that I'm sorry. Won't you please forgive me?" Then heard Ryansk say, "Enough of this. I hate sappy teen love anyhow. But don't worry. When I'm through with the girl, you're next loverboy." Then Nadia was tossed and Alan looked away crying all the way and covering his face. Slice!! Then a plop to the ground.

Alan collapsed to his knees and punched the ground as he yelled, "Why why why? She never deserved this. I love her. Why?" Then a tap came to his shoulder and instead of a yellow armoured hand it was a gentle female hand instead. He turned and looked up as he saw a smiling girl in a pink dress covered with her golden armour in the same way when they fought Pyraine's snake on Earth looking and laughing gently at him, but in a good way. Alan blushed a bit and asked, "You heard all of that huh?" Nadia nodded and said, "I love you too Alan." Then she raised Alan up from the cold ground and pressed his body to hers and in a flash…they kissed. Alan held Nadia's hair and head as Nadia pushed her hands against his broad rippling armour. Her eyes were relaxed and closed and Alan desperately tried to dry his tears as they snuggled gently and after a brief smooch came back to reality. Yet it was hard to. Alan and Nadia were calmed by each other, comforted by each other and soothed so much, they could barely concentrate. Ryansk with what little energy he could got up and in futility crawled to Nadia only to collapse at her left leg and said, "You think you've won, but you really haven't. This isn't over. While you guys were…'cough'… dealing with me…'haugh'…Aranse and Obeion were still duking it out. I hear that one of them got injured badly. A curse on you…I declare…that one day you shall meet your end of your days…'cough'…mark my words…you shall…meet your… e-e-n-n….d-d!!"

Ryansk collapsed and dissolved away. Even his swords disappeared as well. Alan then took Nadia's hand and ran off quickly as they saw Obeion collapsed and wounded at his left arm and Aranse standing, but his clothing badly torn up. Alan and Nadia cheered as Aranse looked and smiled at them and said, "It is done my children. The Viraltroopers from this world are gone once more and I have Obeion on his feet and wounded. Any last words, before I kill you traitor?" Obeion then said ripping a smoke grenade out and tossed it in the air, "Yes…Bye bye!!" It exploded and as Alan and Nadia cleared the smoke with the keyblade's abilities, Obeion was gone. Then Alan and Nadia slowly explained their ordeals to Aranse as he listened in awe and troublesome pity. "While I agree you were rash and irresponsible Alan…" Alan bowed his head in a sign of sheer disapproval. "…I have never been so proud." Alan then raised his head and Aranse said in a delightful voice, "You risked all that you could for this girl and the universe Alan. You should be proud as well. For the first time since the Great War of Wars I have seen an honest warrior and a true fighter. I only wish I was in better conditions." Aranse then coughed up some blood as Alan gasped and said, "Oh no!! Please don't…I couldn't bear to lose either you or Nadia Aranse!!" Nadia then responded and said, "Don't leave us Aranse!!"

"I'm sorry children. I don't know how much longer I have. I can help you deal with Obeion and the Knights of the Realm still, but these wounds that Obeion left me with are fatal. His sword was poisoned and there isn't a cure. Only thing I can hope for is that either the 'other side' will be kind to me as I pass on or that my body adapts to the poison and eradicates it. Forget about me though children. You must deal with the 'Door to Sorrow.' Go!! I shall be safe here. I shall recover here and meet you all again when I do." Alan summoned a portal as he stared back with Nadia running in as Aranse flew his hand in the air and yelled, "Go!!" Then they went through it and ran onward to the next world, fearful of the next tragedy to befall them.

(Sad and thought provoking this is. As I have stated here, love knows no bounds obviously and Alan has shown his true colours now as has Nadia. I won't give away the ending, but expect it to be sad and happy as well as mysterious since it has ties to that of the Perfect Trio believe it or not. More to come so stay tuned.)

(Next Time: The Prince and the Pauper.)

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