Whoa. I give you dudes a task and you totally rally with the reviews. I should have offered a bonus chapter a long time ago! ;) Kidding, but I really am happy with the response I got from you guys. Awesome. Let me just say that so far there is a definite dominating couple that you guys want to see, but there is still time to vote. Continue to vote if you haven't thrown in your lot yet. Try not to vote twice. I'm not going to go back to check to see if you've voted twice, but let's work on the honor system here. Scout's honor and all that. So ya, enough of my rambling. Let's get on with the story!

But first, thanks to: The Emerald Shapeshifter, Nierx, Taryn Eithne, NiffStral, Shinimegami7, DieChan, Shukakku the adorable raccoon, ^RiSora_fan^, My-Emo-Sunshine, Wind Kaizer, Twilight Emo Wind Goddess 801, shineb4by, CloudedMirror, Ultima Phoenix, Mirror and Darkling, Sexy-Tacos-Emo-Waffles, A-chan, auPHE, LiteraryMirage, Timothy the paperclip, infinityinmirrors, Twilight-Oblivion, andhearts, Nezrin, whereowhere-is-my-rabbit, LoneBoy7, FlurryDivider, Aindel S. Druida, xLion-Heartx, clemii, Nathali, Dust to Dusk, ramen-is-my-goddess, Silvertails, becoafamu, 73n5Hl, Lightspeed Suzuka.

So many names, and so many opinions! Keep at it dudes! ^^

O

O


Chapter 20


Riku felt his throat tighten in fear as Kadaj got back onto his feet. His fingers clutched around Way to the Dawn as his brother approached. Out of the corner of his eyes, Riku suddenly noted that Yazoo and Loz were beginning to cut away from their own fights, their eyes on him and Kadaj. Riku couldn't spare the time to note their expressions though, he couldn't tell if they were going to help Kadaj or not. Part of him wanted to think that Yazoo looked mildly concerned for his safety, but that might just be hopeful wishing. If it came down to it, he knew his two other brothers would be more loyal to Kadaj.

Kadaj had raised his double-bladed katana, that crazed glint still in his aqua eyes.

Gritting his teeth, Riku held his Keyblade at the ready. "Kadaj! Think about what you're doing! How could you do that to Cloud? You're still his Guardian, you feel the pain too."

Kadaj tilted his head to the side before his handsome features were twisted with a sneer. "Don't you get it? Any pain would be worth it. So long as I kill him I would suffer through anything! Once he's dead I can be free of that damned obligation and reach my full potential. What's a little bit of pain if I can become infinitely stronger?!"

So Kadaj really was set on this. Riku couldn't understand his logic, but that was probably because he loved Sora. He had already accidentally hurt the young prince and that had nearly driven him mad. To actually want to kill your charge, that was inconceivable. Not to mention that Kadaj's blade was now pointed unsympathetically at him.

Adjusting his stance, Riku asked quietly as Kadaj took another step toward him. "Could you really hurt me? Yazoo thought he could, but he didn't have it in him. I don't think Loz could either."

Kadaj chuckled. "I'm not like our brothers. I mean to kill you, and I promise you, nothing will hold me back!"

The only warning Riku received was a flash of his brother's eyes before Kadaj rushed forward. Their swords clashed. Riku saw that Kadaj was twisting his sword to tangle his own up as he had done with Cloud's Buster sword. He countered this by pulling his sword back just in time, switching to another attack as he dodged Kadaj's strike by leaping to the side.

Kadaj was fast though, and incessantly slashing with his sword, strikes aimed for Riku's torso and throat. He was definitely going for the kill. Riku was just fast enough to manage avoid being mortally wounded; as it was, his clothes had tears and many of his brother's blows left shallow cuts along his body. After a few twists and turns, Riku found his back to Leon and Cloud. As Kadaj advanced, he could see Sora fighting from over his brother's shoulder. His blood rushed all the way to his ears; Sora was being overwhelmed with Xemnas' Heartless.

Kadaj attacked in his moment of distraction. Riku knew something like this would happen but still was surprised by the move. His raised defense was too slow but before Kadaj's hit could land Riku found himself shoved out of the way by a massive furry shoulder.

The bump had unbalanced Riku and he fell to the ground as Leon rammed into Kadaj, clawed paws gripping Kadaj's black outfit and throwing him to the ground. Riku scrambled to his feet as Leon roared right in Kadaj's face. His powerful jaw then latched onto Kadaj's shirt and tossed him to the side. He must have sunk down to the skin because when Kadaj caught himself and regained his balance Riku could see blood trickling from the ripped shirt. Kadaj though, didn't seem to notice, a grin on his face as he slashed at the massive great cat. There was a splatter of blood but Leon ran through it, claws flashing as he tried to tackle the silver-haired man again.

They dodged each other; sword and claws striking. Riku had just decided to go to Sora when his attention flew back to his brother's fight as Leon let out a pained snarl. Leon's shoulder had been cut, the blood beginning to mat the thick, brown fur. The lion only looked more enraged but stumbled on his feet, muscles straining to regain control as Kadaj swung his double katana again.

Riku tisked then flew to the lion's aid.

His sword clashed with his older brother's, the metallic ring a distinct change of sounds. Kadaj scowled and threw his weight into his weapon. Riku's shoes dug against the upturned courtyard dirt as Kadaj slowly forced his knees to the ground. Their swords sparked as they ground together and Kadaj's expression was darkening as he began to loom over Riku.

Riku could see the murder in Kadaj's near-identical aqua eyes as they darted across his own features; Kadaj was looking for a weak spot. He was actually calculating how to kill him. The thought sent a ripple of fear down Riku's spine but at the sound of dirt crunching under boots beside his head, he had to tear his stare away from his dangerous brother.

When he glanced to the side to the source of the noise, he was shocked to see Loz standing only a short distance away. Yazoo was right behind their larger brother. They weren't running to Riku's aid, but neither did they appear eager to help Kadaj. Loz, ever the childish one even at his current age, had an expression of confusion on his strong face. It was impossible to read Yazoo's thoughts from his expression, but the way that he was gripping his gun. His trigger finger was moving to and from the trigger, betraying his inner turmoil.

They didn't know who to help. They weren't completely as far gone as Kadaj, maybe they weren't yet comfortable with the idea of killing someone of their own blood.

Kadaj seemed to notice that Riku's attention was no longer on him. His eyes flashed over to where Riku was looking, narrowing as he peered through a curtain of silver hair. "Loz! Yazoo! What are you doing, standing there? Get back to the fight!"

"…Kadaj." Loz's voice was hesitant but Yazoo stepped in for their brother with his usual calm allure.

"Father wouldn't appreciate it if we killed baby brother, wouldn't you agree, Kadaj?"

Kadaj scowled, a black aura beginning to form around his body. His voice was loud and cracking at points. "I don't care what Father thinks. If he was too weak to come here and claim his rightful destiny, than I have nothing more to do with him!" He had definitely lost all composure and sanity. The Kadaj that Riku knew would have never disobeyed their Father. Maybe the fact that Sephiroth had refused to come back really had disillusioned his brother.

With a sharp laugh, Kadaj turned his eyes back to Riku. "I'll kill him if I want. He's just like Father, too weak to join the right path!"

Riku felt his blood run cold as Kadaj wrenched his sword free from their stalemate. Shit, Kadaj was moving too fast, his brother was serious and he really was going to die. He fell back, heart pounding in his chest as he threw his sword arm up to block whatever blow was to come. The other hand flew back to support his weight and in the process landed on…fur?

Riku craned his neck back just in time to see Leon leaping over him. The lion easily cleared him, a great paw batting the sword to the side as if it was a fly before Leon whipped around again. There was a splatter of blood as claws caught Kadaj's sword arm as Leon drove Kadaj back, back to where Cloud was.

Riku, despite his overwhelming desire to follow the battle, ran instead over to Sora. There was no time for gawking when his charge was left fighting alone. Only a few seconds had passed since Riku last set eyes on Sora but in that time the crown prince had started to have been overwhelmed by the black shadows of the Heartless. Hacking through the creatures as fast as he could, adrenaline pounded in his veins as he watched Sora being dragged under one of their waves. Just as Sora was about to disappear beneath them, Riku blasted the remaining Heartless still between them with a burst of black magic then grabbed onto the collar of Sora's silver and white outfit. It was the first thing his fingers had wrapped around but served its purpose as Riku threw his weight into pulling Sora up, catching the younger spirit with one arm as the prince stumbled back up. The light magic Sora was emitting still burned his skin, but not so much now.

That final form, effective as if may have been to have helped Sora so far, really was taking its toll on his body. Sora's face was pale and sweaty, his eyes slightly glassy as he looked up at Riku. He seemed breathless for a moment then broke into a wide smile. "Riku! You're alright!"

"But you're not-!" Riku cut himself off to throw up a Dark Shield as four Heartless jumped at them simultaneously. As they scratched at the opaque shield, blackened forms darkened further so that their eyes were the only thing which distinguished them apart, Riku looked back at Sora. "I might have healed but if you don't drop this form, you'll be too exhausted to defend yourself."

The two Keyblades hovering at Sora's sides trembled in the air a little as Sora's light flickered, the prince's face scrunching up as if he was considering the option. "But, I, I need to keep fighting. We're not done yet."

"Let me help you. Let the Final Form go and let me be your second sword. I'm here now and I'll protect you. You don't have to do this on your own."

Sora stared up at him for a second with his large blue eyes then gave a little laugh that sent a warm shock down Riku's spine. "I guess that's what you're here for, right?" He closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around Riku's torso. "Alright." His eyebrows furrowed, eyes still closed as he seemed to fall into a deep concentration. Riku watched as slowly, the intensity of the light around the prince faded. His clothes regained their colors almost as if being painted as he released his Final form, the two Keyblades disappearing in showers of light. It was certainly an amazing sight to see and when Sora opened his eyes again he was back to normal.

Seeing a bit of fatigue in the gaze as well, Riku readjusted his grip on his charge, looking back only once to the Heartless still clawing at his shield. Fractures were beginning to appear along it; it was only a matter of time before they broke through. "Are you going to be able to fight?"

"I think so."

Riku knew that Sora was more tired than he was letting on, but he was in no position to say anything considering the fact that he had been seriously wounded not a few minutes ago. So he only gave a nod instead and dropped the shield just as a Heartless managed to dig its claws through the opaque energy. He was going to let Sora fight, but he wasn't going to take his eyes off of his charge for a single second. It felt good though, to be alongside Sora again.

Meanwhile, Leon and Kadaj were locked in a vicious fight. Though both were proficient fighters, Kadaj with his speed seemed to be slowly getting the upper hand. As a lion, Leon had more power in every blow, but although his reflexes were quick enough to take down any normal opponent, Kadaj was just too fast. Leon let out a pained growl as Kadaj managed to cut his left forearm, the scratch relatively shallow but still matting his rich brown fur with blood as Leon twisted around to face the silver-haired spirit again. Kadaj flicked his bangs from his face as Leon released a rumbling roar then jumped.

In mid-leap, Leon transformed from animal to human, the shift fluidly turning claws to Gunblade as Leon struck down hard. Kadaj leapt backward just in time to avoid being hit, the dark spirit's body crackling with black magic. The energy flowed down to the double-bladed katana, turning the steel black as Kadaj sneered.

"Do you really think you, such a dirty and disgusting creature, would really be able to defeat me?!"

Panting, Leon's stormy eyes caught something off to the side before he lifted his Gunblade level. "I'm not the one who needs to fight you."

Kadaj's eyes widened as he heard movement from behind, the grind of metal against dirt as a sword swept off the ground.

Riku was a few Heartless away from reaching Xemnas, the other dark elemental was summoning his own weapons, when he heard Loz and Yazoo cry out. He couldn't help but turn his head, they were still his brothers after all.

Then it felt as if his heart stopped beating.

Kadaj was standing stock still, dark red blood beginning to trickle from his mouth. Somehow Cloud had managed to sit up and stab Kadaj from behind. Riku's horror increased as Kadaj somehow managed to pull himself off of Buster sword and turn around, revealing Cloud. The wolf spirit's face was twisted into an expression of extreme pain, undoubtedly sharing his Guardian's pain, but it was also firmly set. His brother, even as he stumbled, lifted his double-bladed katana and loomed over Cloud. He was still putting up a fight, determined, it seemed, to give the last blow.

But Leon wasn't going to allow Cloud to take another hit. Riku could only watch as Leon growled and aimed his Gunblade before letting off, one, two, three shots straight into Kadaj's chest. Yazoo and Loz hadn't even had the opportunity to come to their brother's defense as he fell, but ran to his side as he collapsed to the ground.

Suddenly Riku felt a sting in his mind and twisted around to see that Sora had broken through to Xemnas and that the two of them were now clashing swords. Shit. There was no time to think about Kadaj. His other brothers could tend to him but right now, it was Riku's job to protect Sora. Biting his lip and smothering all concerns for his brother, he rushed forward to Sora, channeling all his grief to anger as he targeted Xemnas. His anger spiked along with his horror as Xemnas managed to grab hold of Sora and threw him up into the air.

Riku cried out as he watched Xemnas transport in a black ball of energy up into the air as well, brandishing his two energy blades as he flashed around Sora's falling form, slashing from all sides. Sora was attempting to fight back with his Keyblade but it was obvious that he was getting beaten up. Riku was at a loss at to what to do when Xigbar suddenly appeared, the Captain of the guards grabbing onto Sora as he shot off five arrows toward Xemnas. A second later, Xigbar appeared beside Riku, handing Sora off before he shot off back into the air to catch Xemnas as the dark elemental fell.

The two of them battled in midair, flashing into the air every few seconds, red blades swinging and arrows shooting out in every direction. After two minutes of viciously rapid fighting, Xemnas called a Dark Orb into his palm, and when Xigbar appeared, threw it at his face. Xigbar reeled back, distacted long enough for Xemnas to slam the broadside of his blade into his chest. Riku paled, calling out as he saw the spirit's body convulse under the blow before Xigbar vanished. Then, Xemnas turned his attention back to the two younger spirits below.

Not a second later, Xemnas' red glowing blades were coming down over Sora. In one motion, Riku twisted Sora behind him intercepted them with his own Keyblade. The force of the two swords nearly sent Riku to the ground again but he willed himself to remain standing. So close to Xemnas, he could feel Xehanort's Heartless rearing in some back corner of his mind, trying to regain the dominance which Sephiroth had destroyed. But Riku wasn't going to let that happen. With a growl, he reset his grip on Way to the Dawn then pushed forward against Xemnas' blades, throwing the other elemental back a step.

Xemnas scowled then leapt back into the crawling mass of Heartless and threw out his hands. His red-energy swords extended before he suddenly threw one out. It flew like a solid pole, turning end over end. Wincing, Riku threw up a Dark Shield. The red energy hit and shattered it on contact. Riku was forced to throw up his Keyblade. There was a flash of red light as the two hit and the red blade disappeared only to reappear in Xemnas's hand again.

Riku turned back to Sora, expression stern. "It's time to end this, Sora."

Sora, serious for once, nodded. He bit his lip then took half a second to squeeze Riku's free hand. Riku felt some of his anger leave; it was literally as if Sora was soothing the grief with only a touch. In fact it was more soothing than a kiss would have been in this situation, more understanding considering what had just happened to his brother.

The touch lasted only half a second but it was all Riku needed to gear himself up for the fight at hand. When Sora broke forward into a run, Riku followed right at his shoulder. Sora was glowing like a star in the night sky as he dove into the mass of Heartless, apparently confident so long as Riku was at his side, able to remain strong though tired because of Riku. They easily cut through the Heartless, racing toward Xemnas.

Before they reached the leader however, Xemnas smirked and lifted his hand and suddenly they were surrounded by pure darkness. It was almost as if they had been lifted into another dimension, even the ground was completely black. Immediately, Riku grabbed Sora and pulled him close, only able to see the other because he was faintly glowing still. Sora looked up at him with wide blue eyes as both held their swords ready. "What just happened?"

"I'm not sure." Riku's eyes narrowed as he scanned the area, all of his senses heightened as he looked for any changes, and signs of attack. Suddenly, red energy blades appeared all around them. Riku gasped as he felt Sora tense next to him. There was no way he would be able to protect Sora from all of them. He could feel his face drain of all color as he conjured a Dark Shield, knowing it would do nothing against the many blades as they began to spin, rushing together to create a glowing, geometric dome around them. The spinning increased until it all became a bright blur before the first blade flew out toward them.

Riku grimaced as it shattered his shield.

Two other blades flew out from opposite directions. Riku knocked the first one off its course as Sora took care of the other but when he heard a rush of air around them, Riku knew that they were in trouble. Suddenly all of the blades were coming at them like deadly rain from all directions. Riku swung Way to the Dawn and kept twisting the sword. At his side, he felt a flood of warmth, twisting his head to see that Sora had turned back to his Final Form.

The Prince's two Keyblades whipped around them and knocked the red blades back at rapid speed, light flashing each time contact was made until it seemed as if they were in the center of a firework show. Red blades still managed to slip through the cracks though, and these Riku batted away now that Sora was unarmed while his blades provided the basic defense. He found himself twisting every which way, throwing himself in front of the incoming blades whenever he saw them coming. If his sword didn't deflect them then they hit his body, searing his skin or leaving bloody scratches as they skipped over his body. One in particular got him hard across the chest, cutting across his already tattered vest and scraping across his chest before he managed to dodge fully out of the way.

Just when Riku thought he couldn't take anymore, the red blades stopped falling. Sora took the opportunity and a flash of light burst out from him, blinding Riku but also cutting through the dark world they had been thrown into.

When he next opened his eyes, they were back in the courtyard and the battlefield. Immediately after he took sight of their surroundings, Riku spotted Xemnas and ran at him. Xemnas, looking more smug, was already armed again. Just as they were within close-distant range, Sora came up side by side Riku, sparing him a strained smile before gliding forward.

Xemnas met both of them at once, blocking Sora's extra Keyblade with a Dark Shield. He disappeared in a black orb, appearing in a flash behind Sora. The prince just managed to guard against the attack. Riku swept after Xemnas, expression dark as the three of them began a dangerous sort of unpredictable dance. Xemnas wasn't pulling any punches, fighting to kill as he flashed all around them. The Heartless too were still there and troublesome, their claws grasping for any part of their bodies which remained still for too long.

After Xemnas disappeared yet again, Riku gasped as he found himself rammed in the back with one of Xemnas's blades. He fell forward, knees hitting the ground hard. A flash of light out of the corner of his eyes let him know that Sora was moving in for support but a moment later, Sora fell down onto the ground next to him, Xemnas's heavy chuckle filling the air.

With a start, Riku lurched toward Sora. He picked him up in his arms to find that the crown prince was covered in sweat, his breaths slow and shallow as the color slowly bled back into his clothes, light once again fading as he let his Final form go.

"The little fool ran out of energy, wasting it as he was."

Riku turned to see Xemnas walking calmly over to them. He pulled Sora tighter into his arms and leaned the other's head against his shoulder, the spiky brown hair brushing against his cheek. The Prince really had run out of energy, Riku could somehow feel how exhausted Sora was without even having to see the other's expression. Riku was scared for his charge, especially because he could feel Xehanort's Heartless stirring again. It was a horrible sensation, knowing that creature might be able to regain control of him again if he came too close in contact with Xemnas. Sora grabbed Riku's sleeve as if he felt his anxiety, trying to speak through panted breaths. "I'm…I'm okay. Just, give me…give me a few seconds…"

Xemnas' eyes narrowed and he threw out one of his hands. A red blade appeared from his palm. "Your Majesty, I'm afraid that you are not going anywhere. You see, you and your Guardian are part of an outdated system. In my new world order there is no place for weak rulers. The strongest survive and that is why we superior beings can come into power. Jenovan, you had such potential, but you have disappointed me up until the end. Despite your fine pedigree, you will have to be killed too. Such is the cost of rebellion."

Xemnas raised his energy blade. Riku threw himself on top of Sora, ready to take the hit when he heard Xemnas shout in pain. He quickly lifted his head to see Xemnas clutching a bloody right hand, eyes widening when his saw a bullet wound in the middle of the spirit's palm. He glanced to the side, expecting that Leon had come to their rescue. But instead, it was Yazoo standing a few yards away. The silver-haired spirit's expression was deadly as he lowered his gun. "We have already lost one brother, and I will not tolerate the death of another. This was not what we expected at all, and not worth the pain. Loz and I are taking Kadaj and going back to Father."

Riku's eyes widened. "Yazoo, take Kadaj to Aerith! She's in that pocket of dirt against the wall. She can heal him!"

Yazoo's eyes softened as they fell on his youngest brother, betraying some of his grief. "He's already gone, Riku…"

Riku's voice caught in his throat. He momentarily fell limp, heart pounding in his chest. Sora's fingers tightened around his shirt as Riku tried to collect his thoughts. Then he glanced up at Xemnas, who was still clutching at his wound. Realizing the opportunity even through his grief, Riku fumbled for his sword.

Sora saw his movements and reached for his own sword which was a few inches from his fingertips. Riku noted this and tightened his arm that was wrapped around Sora's waist, the two of them silently conspiring. Then, at once, they sprung forward. Xemnas raised a Dark Shield which momentarily stopped the Keyblades. But Riku and Sora pressed harder. The shield suddenly fractured, a hairline crack rippling out like glass before it shattered.

Their Keyblades went through the broken shield. Riku swore that he felt his sword sink through the first layer of clothing before Xemnas disappeared underneath their force in an orb of black magic. Riku tumbled forward from the momentum, scrambling to catch Sora as the other boy nearly dropped to his feet. He whipped his head around, anxious to find Xemnas as the Heartless around them sunk back into the ground and disappeared.

He finally spotted him halfway across the courtyard, his front bloody. He was with Saix, who had a firm hold on his master to support him as they headed for the palace doors. They were trying to make an escape. Gritting his teeth, Riku adjusted his hold on Sora. "Hey, get back here, coward!"

Xemnas didn't spare him even a second glance though and slipped back into the palace. Riku wanted to go after him, but he couldn't with Sora so weak in his arms. He looked around for anyone else able to go after the Superior only to see that everyone else was in shambles as well.

Groups of people were scattered across the torn up courtyard. Demyx and everyone in a fifty foot radius around him were soaking wet and covered in mud, including Zexion who just now revealed himself. The violet-haired spirit looked disgusted but seemed uninjured, which was more than what could be said for Larxene and a handful of guards nearby. Xaldin was trapped against the wall by a large slab of jutting earth, Lexaeus having finally gotten the upper hand though leaning heavily on his giant tomahawk as he towered over Axel and Roxas. Axel had the younger prince set firmly in his lap and was in the process of rolling up the small spirit's pant leg, slowly revealing a series of nasty red scratches which only could have been inflicted by Saix.

Leon and Cloud were decidedly out of commission. Well, Cloud was. Aerith had just now snuck out of the bunker and was tending to her eldest son, but Leon looked like he had no intention of leaving. He was holding Cloud up, the lion spirit's face buried into the other's shoulder. He was holding him tight, fingers woven into the wolf's blond spikes. Xigbar, Marluxia, Vexen, and Namine were nowhere in sight, but Riku had a feeling at least the latter few were still hopefully in that earthen bunker.

He had to let Xemnas go then. For now. He was set on this until Sora pushed his arm. Riku looked down to see those blue eyes staring up at him with earnest seriousness. "I'll be fine, Riku. Nothing's wrong with me except for the fact that I'm tired. The fight's over. I can make it over to Cloud or Roxas, but you should go after them. He's injured. Capture him if you can, for me. We can't just let him go."

Riku bit his lip but nodded, unable to disobey a direct request. Gently, he set Sora down, kissing the prince's forehead before he ran off toward the palace. He knew that Xemnas and Saix couldn't have gotten that far ahead; Xemnas really had been badly hurt, they would have had to move slowly. Riku himself wasn't in top shape, covered in cuts and slashes and bruises, but he certainly was better off than them. Way to the Dawn was resting comfortingly in his hand as he jogged through the palace halls. A trail of dirt and specs of blood led him passed inner courtyards and the throne room and other closed doors.

Riku suddenly realized that he was being led toward the infirmary. Having a better idea what was going on, he picked up his speed, turning the next corner to see the hem of a black cloak disappearing into the infirmary doors. When he ran to the doors, he reached it just in time to see Saix and Xemnas stepping into the fragile-looking artificial portal.

"Hey! Get back here!"

Saix glanced back at him with eyes full of hatred just as they vanished into the swirling black portal. Growling, Riku ran after them but stopped short of actually stepping though the gateway. With no animal spirit alongside to guide him, it would be impossible for him to chase after those two. But they had just gone to Destiny Islands. He had to go get Namine.

Turning around so fast that he nearly tripped over his own feet, Riku ran back outside, back to the aftermath of the fight. By the time he exited the palace, more people were beginning to pick themselves and their comrades up off the ground from both sides. There seemed to be an uneasy and confused truce, though Riku could see that Aerith had enlisted Demyx, Zexion, and Axel in starting to round everyone together, taking control of the situation for their side.

He took only a moment to note that Sora was safe and with Roxas before he hurried to the far side, to where the earthen bunker was leaning against the wall. When he reached it, the interior was as dark and dusty as he remembered, and it took a moment for his eyes to readjust. When he finally could see however, he saw Marluxia standing not a few feet in, the flower spirit's face calm and almost meditative. As if feeling Riku's gaze, Marluxia cracked one eye open. "Has everything finally settled out? Took long enough. I'm sick of staying here under the dirt. It's doing nothing to help me dry out after that water god's irritating attack."

"Yeah, it's done. Go out if you want," Riku took a step into the shadows, noting that Vexen was crouched in the back, leaning over a reclining figure. A step further revealed that figure to be Xigbar, who looked well-beaten, his face sporting a long gash on the cheek below his eye-patch. "Are you okay?"

Wincing, Xigbar rolled his head over to grin at him through his grimace. "Hey, little dude, I'm doing awesome. Better than those punks who went up against me anyway. That run in with the boss-dude really gave me a run for my money, but it'll take more than that to get rid of me! Ah, man, Vex, quit touching things, you're only making them worse!"

Vexen rolled his eyes as Xigbar tugged his bleeding arm out of the doctor's grip. "Honestly, Xigbar. You're such a child when it comes to treatment." Apparently he had resigned to his position as captive if he was helping their side. Perhaps he just couldn't help but look after a person who had just recently been on his team.

"That's 'cause I don't need any of your doctor mumbo-jumbo. I let things take their natural course, heal on their own."

"And that's how you lost that eye."

Riku snorted at their argument then looked around the space, pausing for a moment before he asked. "Where's Namine?"

"Oh," Marluxia pushed himself away from the curving dirt wall. "One of your brothers came and took her away. The larger one, with the short hair."

"Loz?!" Blood chilling, Riku ran over to Marluxia and grabbed his collar. "And you didn't try to stop him?"

"He ran in and out before I even knew what was happening. All I saw was a blur of silver hair. Besides," Marluxia huffed. "It's not my problem if she was taken or not. I am only your captive after all."

Riku tisked, brows furrowing before he dropped Marluxia and ran back out into the courtyard. If his brothers had taken Namine back with them that meant that there was no one who would be able to take him back to Destiny Islands. Sure, he could hope that his brothers and father would take care of Xemnas and Saix, but he didn't want to take that chance. He had to go back. His eyes fell on Leon, the only animal spirit he knew who was healthy enough to move. He set his mouth in a firm line; he definitely was going to go back. It was just a matter as to how he was going to drag Leon away from Cloud long enough to take him back.


O

O