I hope the fact that this update is longer will overshadow the fact that I haven't updated in forever. So sorry! I've been really busy with school and stuff. And it might be a little while until I get the opportunity to update again, but never fear! I still know what I'm doing. Yep.
My thank you's: NinjaSheik, Clarissa Avila, phantombullets240, celtic-roses, pandabearmusic, Amara Natsumi, Vanisha Tigerseye Stride, Catalyna Cullen, Lumen, Monkeychicklet23, Chocoboco, ArkAngel, RedQueen, and Cynderfrost Mistress of Evil. You're all amazing!
This one's the one most of you have been waiting for. Because you-know-who is BACK! Read on and REVIEW! :)
In an instant, Xigbar leapt back up to the high balcony and started sniping at Sora and Vilixa from above with his Arrowguns. Sora moved in front of Vilixa and deflected every laser bullet back at Xigbar's scope, until finally the small sound of glass shattering filled their ears.
"Clever little sneak," he grunted, teleporting himself down onto the battle ground.
He rained bullets down on all of them, Vilixa just barely managing to roll out of the way in time. She tried her best to use her Keyblade to block Xigbar's shots, but she knew that she was the weaker one compared to Sora--that meant he was going to go after her first.
Xigbar paused for a moment, drawing in energy as a blue-green light started forming around the tip of his guns. He let the shot go, a homing missile that was aimed straight for Vilixa. It came down on her and she somersaulted out of the way just in time.
But it wasn't over yet.
The shot just ricocheted off the ground and came back for her, chasing after her every time she managed to dodge it. Sora tried to help destroy the missile, but Xigbar started coming after him, leaving him unable to help her.
Vilixa's breathing was ragged and she fell to her knees. She braced herself for the impact of the missile, squeezing her eyes shut. But it never came.
When Vilixa opened her eyes again, she saw Goofy sprawled out in front of her with a huge burn mark across his back.
"Goofy!" she cried. "Are you okay?"
"Gawrsh," he groaned. "I think so." He tried to sit up, but immediately flopped back down again. She delicately uttered a Cure spell over Goofy before turning to face her former superior. Fury rose in Vilixa's eyes and she got to her feet with her Keyblade in hand.
"Sora!" she yelled out. He looked over at her and nodded. The two Keybearers leapt high over Xigbar's head, summoning energy into their weapons. Then in a flash, together they slashed at Xigbar a dozen times with their Keyblades glowing a furious red.
In seconds, Xigbar was down on his knees, unable to keep the air in his lungs.
Sora clenched his Keyblade, trying to even out the adrenaline that was coursing through his veins. "Why did you call me Roxas?" he demanded.
Xigbar let out a dry laugh as he started to fade into oblivion. "Wouldn't you like to know..."
As his body disappeared, Sora yelled out, "Hey, hold on!" It was too late. Xigbar was gone.
Donald tugged on Sora's arm. "Sora, it's Kairi!" he declared, pointing up at where she was fighting off the Heartless with a Keyblade that resembled a flower garden.
"Come on," Vilixa said, waving for the others to follow. "This way."
Vilixa rushed the others up the stairs to where she knew Kairi and Riku were. It didn't take long until the two of them stood before them, a bit worn out from battle, but still living and breathing as they all remembered.
"Kairi!" Donald called from behind. "You were great!"
"Oh?" she turned and beamed when she saw the entire group standing there. She laughed a little and flipped her hair over her shoulder. Sora walked over to her with a blush creeping up on his face.
"You are different, Kairi," he said. "But I'm just glad you're here!"
"None of you came home, so I came looking for you," she said softly.
He sighed indignantly. "I'm sorry." His apology was swiftly cut off by Kairi nearly pouncing on him, wrapping her arms around his torso in a tight hug. Vilixa watched from the back and smiled.
"This is real," she mumbled against his skin. Sora looked taken aback at first, but soon relaxed and hugged her back. Donald and Goofy high-fived each other and grinned.
From about eight feet away, Riku opened a portal and turned to walk inside. Vilixa immediately ran over to him and gripped onto his hand. Quiet enough so that only he could hear her, she whispered, "Please stop running away from him."
"Wait, Ansem!" Sora said, stopping Riku in his tracks. "I mean, Xehanort's Heartless...I never thought for a second I'd ever see you again. Just thinking about all the things you did makes me really mad. But...you saved Kairi, right? I have to be thankful for that. So...thanks."
"Riku, don't go!" Kairi called out, coming over to him as well.
Sora, Donald and Goofy all gasped, jumping back in surprise. "What?" Sora stuttered. "Kairi, what did you just say?"
She turned to Sora and repeated, "Riku."
"I'm no one," Riku grunted. "Just a castaway form the darkness."
Kairi looked back at where Sora stood there, slack-jawed. "Sora, come here. Say something to him."
He approached hesitantly, unsure of what to do. He glanced at Vilixa, and she gave him a small, reassuring smile. She and Kairi placed Sora's hand on top of Riku's.
"Close your eyes," Kairi said. "You'll understand."
Sora did as he was told, and so did everyone else. The four of them stood there together with their eyes closed, and in the darkness, they could all see Riku's true self. Vilixa bit back a smile as she looked up at Riku's sparkling aquamarine eyes.
They all opened their eyes again and Sora was at a loss for words. "It's Riku," he finally managed to say. "Riku's here..." He fell to the ground as tears started streaming down from his face. "I-I looked for you."
"C'mon, Sora. You've got to pull it together," Riku sighed, his old voice coming back.
He shook his head, the tears falling faster. "I looked everywhere for you!"
Riku just sighed. "I didn't want you to find me."
Sora frowned. "Huh?"
"But it was him that was helpin' us, wasn't it?" Goofy questioned.
"Yes," Vilixa answered. "Riku was the one who helped Sora wake up. He fought Roxas and lost...that's why he had to assume the body of Xehanort's Heartless."
Sora rose to his feet. "You knew about this the whole time, Vilixa?"
She bit her lip and nodded. "I'm sorry Sora," she lamented. "I don't blame you if you're mad at me."
He shook his head. "I...I can't be mad at you," he said finally. "All you were doing was keeping a promise to a friend. I can't get mad at you for that."
"I was starting to worry that you guys were never going to catch on," Riku mused. "Sora never did pick the brightest friends."
Vilixa cleared her throat. "You want to retract part of that statement?"
He nudged her playfully. "No."
"What do you mean by that?" Donald quacked, clearly insulted by Riku's joke.
"Donald," Vilixa sighed. "You're only proving his point."
"Why didn't you let me know that you were okay?" Sora pressed.
Riku tensed. "I told you...I didn't want to be found. Not like this...I couldn't. I fought with Ansem. With...Xehanort's Heartless--and it invaded my heart, and I won. But to use the power of darkness, I had to become Ansem myself."
"Does that mean you can't change back?" Kairi asked fretfully.
Riku shrugged his shoulders. "This battle isn't over. And until it is, I still need the power of darkness."
"Well then, let's finish it," Sora concluded. "You're still Riku. No matter what." He turned to the others. "So, how 'bout it? Think we can handle one last rumble together? The King's waiting!"
"Yeah, let's get going!" Donald agreed.
Sora and Riku walked ahead together with Donald and Goofy. Vilixa stayed back a little bit with Kairi. She glanced over at her and noticed how carefully she was studying her face.
"Is something the matter?" Vilixa asked uncomfortably.
"You look different, Liv," Kairi responded. "Your hair...it's redder."
"I'm not--" Vilixa stopped herself, sighing aloud. "It's complicated. I'm not the Livia you remember from your past."
"You're not?" she asked, confused. "Then...who are you?"
"My name's Vilixa now," she said quietly. "I'm a Nobody."
Kairi gasped. "You mean...you're one of them?"
"Yes and no," she stated uncomfortably. "I gave up my heart to save Sora from Ansem when he took over Riku's body. And when I was nothing but a lifeless puppet, the Organization took me in. I was one of them...collecting hearts for their ultimate project, following orders as best as I could. But then one day, Riku found me again."
Kairi smiled, urging for her to continue.
Vilixa took in a deep breath and carried on. "He saved me from the Organization. I'm my own person now--at least, I'm as much of a person as I can be without a heart. But the Organization isn't all bad. I had friends, and I lost them all. Even though Nobodies aren't supposed to be able to feel, I still remember how it used to be."
Kairi patted Vilixa on the shoulder. "Well," she grinned, "no matter what, you're still my family. Cousins 'til the end."
Vilixa let out a small laugh. "I guess it couldn't be more true," she chuckled. "I've been to the end and back, and we're still standing here."
They kept walking, the boys still ahead of them by about five to seven feet. Then Vilixa felt the urge to speak.
"I wish I could have what you and Sora have."
"What?" Kairi blushed. "What are you talking about?"
Vilixa smiled to herself. "You know...love."
Kairi's face now matched the colour of her hair. "Is it really that noticeable?"
"I'm a being that exists even though I shouldn't," she replied. "My entire existence up until I met Sora was to get hearts for the Organization so that I could feel again. And even though I cared for my friends and Riku, I can't love them. I want to, and I remember what it's like, but without a heart, there's only so much pretending that I can do."
"We'll find a way to get your heart back," Kairi said firmly. "That's a promise."
"I believe you," Vilixa responded. "After all, you are a Princess of Heart."
The group neared another balcony where they could see Kingdom Hearts in the sky. A beam of light was hitting the heart-shaped moon, seeming to be sucking hearts from it.
"What's what?" Sora asked.
"It's the King and DiZ--I mean, Ansem the Wise," Riku corrected himself. "They must be higher up. We'd better hurry."
The group took a few steps forward, but then a portal opened, separating Sora from everyone else. Luxord emerged from the darkness, that same smug grin that Vilixa remembered so well dancing on his face.
"Sora, be careful!" Vilixa shouted out as huge cards popped up from the ground and started circling them. It didn't take long for Sora to become shielded from view, and then for the darkness to overtake them completely.
Review please! Riku's back now :)