Sora and Riku had both leapt towards Xigbar and Lexaeus respectively. Sora took a vicious swing at Xigbar who warped out of the way and started firing off the red bolts of energy, causing Sora to have to start deflecting them. Sora attempted to use Gravaga on him but Xigbar remained unaffected due to his power over space. Activating his armor, Sora started unleashing Thundaga blasts aimed at the Freeshooter who continuously warped out of the way until finally Sora felt a familiar tingling feeling in his heart and in a flash, entered the Thunder Bolt Command Style. Xigbar finally stopped moving but he had reappeared atop a nearby tower and aimed his gun towards Sora like a sniper rifle. Sora quickly threw up a Reflega just as Xigbar fired a concentrated bolt of energy which harmlessly bounced off the shield.
Sora glared up at Xigbar who warped back down to his level and started firing off a flurry of bolts before finishing with a single blue bolt. Sora quickly batted the blue bolt back towards Xigbar who warped away again but this time, the bolt followed him and hit him head on when he reappeared. Xigbar skid across the ground due to the force of the blow and picked himself up. He stared at Sora silently with his one good eye before aiming his two guns at him again. Sora, instead of attempting to attack, simply started evading and casting reflega to deflect the bolts of energy until finally he felt the power from Thunder Bolt waning and he felt the warm and peaceful feeling of the Light of the Heart Command Style in his heart having built up. He shunted the energy into his Keyblade, becoming enveloped in a clean and crisp white light and surrounded by a simple bubble shield. The onlookers were amazed by Sora's strength when they had the opportunity to look.
"Sora." Kairi said in silent awe as she watched her friend immediately leap into action against Xigbar. She could also sense a strange feeling in her heart, a strange tugging feeling, like her heart was feeding Sora with some of the excess light magic within her heart but she couldn't explain how or why. Sora glared at Xigbar and aimed his Keyblade at the Freeshooter, causing the five pointed star, shaped like Kairi's Lucky Charm to appear on the tip before sending out a beautiful white beam of light towards the Silhouette. Xigbar attempted to warp out of the way but the beam quickly arced around and slammed into him when he reappeared. Xigbar twitched in pain before the beam dissipated, leaving him in a dazed stagger. The shield around Sora immediately disappeared as his Keyblade started to glow with the same crisp white light. Sora reared back the Keyblade before leaping up slightly and rocketing towards Xigbar, leaving a long trail of light from behind it as it flew through the air. Xigbar was too dazed to move and in a bright flash of light, Sora effortlessly cut clean through him.
Sora stood up and turned around to face the Freeshooter as he dropped to one knee with a grunt of agony. Xigbar looked over his shoulder with his good eye towards Sora before he gave a small smirk and a nod as he started turning transparent. He let a small chuckle escape as he gave a small two fingered salute with his hand and finally disappeared for good.
…
Riku lunged at Lexaeus who blocked the youth's attack with his tomahawk. Riku snarled at the towering yet Silent Hero before getting shoved back. Lexaeus let out an enraged roar as he slammed the ground with his tomahawk, causing a massive pillar of rock to shoot up from underneath Riku's feet, sending him flying. Riku attempted to use Dark Firaga on him but nothing happened, the spell didn't cast. Riku slammed into the ground but quickly leapt to his feet, Keyblade raised. Lexaeus roared in anger, creating a massive orange and red hued glow around him that Riku recognized. Lexaeus was invincible in this form. Riku quickly attempted to throw up a Dark Shield but again nothing happened and Lexaeus continued charging. Riku suddenly realized why his powers weren't working…the Cornerstone of Light suppressed all darkness, including Darkness magic and Riku didn't know any magic spells other than Darkness magic. His eyes widened as Lexaeus closed the distance between them and he raised his Keyblade in a defensive posture in a hope that it would stop the attack. Lexaeus was about to bring down his tomahawk on the youth's head when suddenly a massive wall of windblown brown sand blew in from out of nowhere and threw the Silent Hero back to where he had started the charge. The sandstorm disappeared just as fast as it had arrived and Riku looked around in confusion. He heard a strange rattling noise coming from nearby along with the flapping of a cape. He looked to his left and saw, kneeling next to him with both hands on a long brown metal Keyblade with blue guard was a suit of armor almost identical to Sora and Aqua's only noticeably different. He then heard a metallic voice echo on the wind.
"You…you are the one that I have chosen." The voice said as Riku stood speechless at the armored warrior. Lexaeus had been knocked onto his back but was slowly recovering.
"What?" Riku asked as the armored warrior raised its head towards Sora who was still battling Xigbar at the time.
"Ven must reawaken…Ven must free us." The Lingering Sentiment said. His head then jerked back around towards Lexaeus as he heard the Silent Hero grunting as he stood up. The Sentiment proceeded to stand up, pulling his Keyblade free and entering a battle stance. (Battle music cue: Rage Awakened). Riku attempted to enter his battle stance as well but the Sentiment blocked his path.
"Xe-ha-nort…Xeha-nort…XEHANORT!" The sentiment roared as he lunged forward with his Keyblade raised. Lexaeus hardly had time to react as the sentiment swung at him, but fortunately for Lexaeus, he managed to bring his tomahawk around in time to block the blow but in the process get shoved towards the far wall from the force of the blow. Lexaeus started glowing with his invincible aura again just as the sentiment disappeared and then reappeared for another attack. Lexaeus and the Sentiment clashed with a furious flash of light appearing whenever their blades clashed.
Riku could only watch as the sentiment and Lexaeus battled each other ferociously but he could tell that the sentiment had the clear advantage. The sentiment continued its endless assault until finally Lexaeus's aura of invincibility disappeared and in a flash the Sentiment disappeared only to reappear overhead with a powerful downward blow. It then disappeared again and attacked from the side, then again from another side, and once more from another side until finally it stopped and reappeared next to Riku as Lexaeus stood stunned. He then dropped his tomahawk to the ground beside him and dropped to his knees as he started turning transparent. Living up to his title, Lexaeus, the Silent Hero, remained silent as he vanished for good.
The Sentiment then turned towards Riku and stared down at him. Riku gulped hard before the sentiment looked up and around at the surrounding battle between Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Kairi, against the Dusks. The sentiment drove it's Keyblade into the ground and started glowing with an aura of red energy. In an instant a powerful whirlwind of brown sand swept in and obliterated the Dusks before disappearing as fast as it appeared. By this time Sora had finished his battle with Xigbar and his armor returned to the shoulder piece.
"Whoa." He said in awe at the disappearance of the Dusks. Lingering Sentiment looked down at Riku again. Riku then felt his Keyblade vibrating and emitting a low hum. He raised the Road to Dawn and looked at it curiously.
"You are the one I chose." The Sentiment said in its metallic voice.
"I don't understand. What do you mean?" Riku asked but the sentiment offered no response as it knelt down with both hands on the Keyblade and its head ducked down.
"My liberation is at hand…my redemption…is nigh." The sentiment said as it started to glow again but this time is vanished in a flash of red light, Keyblade and all, into the left shoulder piece. The shoulder piece hovered in the air for a moment before falling to the ground with a clatter. Everyone gathered around in silent curiosity and stared down at the armor piece.
"(Yawn) What's everyone looking at?" A voice asked tiredly. Everyone turned and saw Aqua standing nearby, her blue hair a mess, and imprints on the right side of her face from having used her arm for a pillow. They each gave her a blank glare.
"What?" She asked innocently yet completely clueless.
A Few Minutes Later in the Castle…
"Terra…" Aqua said quietly as she fingered the armor piece in her hand, "…I knew we would see his sentiment again."
"So what does this mean? What do we do now?" Kairi asked. It was just her, Aqua, Sora, and Riku in the throne room. Mickey, Donald, and Goofy were in town checking for any stray Nobodies while Queen Minnie oversaw the preparation of Riku and Kairi's gummy ship with Daisy, Jiminy, Chip, and Dale.
"We can't stay here. Xehanort has proven to us that even the Cornerstone of Light can be circumvented by his minions. But when did he gain the ability to command the Nobodies?" Riku asked.
"It's not Xehanort commanding them…well, not all of him." Aqua said, gaining confused looks from the other three.
"What do you mean?" Sora asked.
"Have you noticed that whenever we face Xehanort himself, that he always sends Nobodies after us? Why not Heartless? Why not send them instead?" Aqua asked as the three pondered in silence until finally…
"Darkness…" Riku said, "…The struggle between Terra and Xehanort's hearts negates their power and makes it where he cannot control the Heartless because their two hearts push it into a sort of, neutral area, allowing him to control Nobodies instead of Heartless."
"That's exactly what I was thinking Riku." Aqua said as she pocketed Terra's armor piece.
"Then, what about when we first saw Xehanort on the islands? He seemed almost insane." Kairi said as Sora realized this too.
"Hey yeah. Then when we ran into him in Radiant Garden, he was all evil and such like usual. Then in Twilight Town, Terra was in control." Sora said.
"I imagine it has to do with the hearts that are around him at a given time. He's probably surrounded by hearts filled with darkness such as Maleficent or that Emperor guy we ran into in the Bayou. Being around them must give Master Xehanort's own black heart a sort of boost, allowing him to maintain control. But in Twilight Town, a world in between light and darkness, Terra must have used all his strength to temporarily overpower Xehanort's heart to try and give us a warning." Aqua explained.
"It makes sense. So what would happen if he were in a world of light?" Sora asked.
"Terra would be able to exert much more control, but not for long. Terra succumbed to the Darkness before Xehanort possessed him, so there is a noticeable stain on his heart that weakens his connection to the light. Xehanort holds that advantage over him in his being a heart of pure darkness." Aqua said as Sora nodded understandingly.
"Then what are we going to do to keep Riku and Kairi safe?" Sora asked as Riku tapped his chin.
"It won't be easy. No offence Kairi but outside this world, your heart would draw Xehanort's attention." Riku said as Kairi looked down at her hand and summoned her Keyblade for a moment.
"Radiant Garden would be the best option. There are plenty of people there who can keep Kairi safe from harm. Leon, Lightning, Tifa, Snow…just about everyone." Aqua said as Riku nodded.
"And I'll be there." Riku added.
"But what about you two?" Kairi asked, motioning to Sora and Aqua.
"What about us?" Aqua asked confused.
"You're putting yourselves in danger and yet you're more concerned with me than yourselves." Kairi said as Aqua sighed and Sora put a hand on her shoulder.
"Kairi, I have to become a master. I have to put things right. I have to restore Ven and Terra. We have to do this for the worlds." Sora said as Kairi looked at him and sighed.
"I just…Mmm." She said before looking away bashfully. Sora didn't notice but he did absently reach into his pocket and was fingering the Paopu fruit inside.
"Sora, we know what you have to do, and we're rooting for ya." Riku said, giving his friend a friendly punch on the shoulder.
"Thanks Riku, and once all this is over, I'll come back and teach you everything I've learned." Sora said with a smile.
"You better because I don't much relish the fact that I'm stuck relying on darkness magic while you're off getting stronger. Mark my words Sora; I'll get the better of you eventually." Riku said with a challenging smirk which Sora returned while crossing his arms. Aqua couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the two friends. It reminded her of the fun times she spent with Terra and Ven all those years ago. They then heard the doors to the throne room open and shut. They turned to see Mickey, Donald, and Goofy approaching them.
"No sign of any more Nobodies, so I guess we're all good to go with the Million Dreams Celebration." Mickey said excitedly as the four looked at each other.
"I'm afraid that we can't really afford to stick around, Mickey. We've got to get going." Riku said as Mickey sighed, a little crestfallen but he gave an understanding nod.
"Donald, Goofy, make sure the gummy ship is ready for takeoff, on the double." Mickey ordered, causing the two to stand at attention and salute simultaneously.
"Yes sir your majesty!" they replied in unison before turning and running back out the door.
"Kairi, as a Keyblade Master, it is my sworn duty to escort you to Radiant Garden…and it would also be my honor and pleasure to do so." Aqua said as she activated her armor, minus the helmet, and gave a polite curtsey.
"You don't have to do that for me, really." Kairi said bashfully.
"You're a Princess of Heart; we would be ignoring our duty if we didn't escort you." Sora said as he too summoned his armor without the helmet, causing Kairi to giggle and turn a deep shade of crimson.
"Riku, you'll have to ride with her." Aqua said as Riku rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, I guess being unable to summon a Keyblade Rider would kinda take the wind out of one's sails." Riku said with a shrug.
"Don't worry, Riku. You'll learn to do it one day." Mickey said as Riku smirked.
"Thanks Mickey. I appreciate it." Riku said as Donald and Goofy returned.
"The Gummy Ship is all ready your Highness." Goofy reported.
"You're good to go!" Donald added.
"Well come on everybody, let's go!" Sora said as they ran for the Gummy Ship Hanger.
Elsewhere…
"Pete you incompetent fool! If I needed someone to be a total and complete blunder, then I can honestly say that I have one…YOU!" Xehanort spat angrily as Pete trembled before the dark lord.
"How very tragic that you must deal with such worms that do little more than lay there." Emperor Mateus said from the shadows as he entered with Gabranth behind him to his right.
"Speaking of worms…" Xehanort mumbled to himself.
"My apologies for my tardiness but I was dealing with some matters in my own world recently and it ate away my time. I'm sure it won't happen again." Mateus said in his oily tone as Xehanort glanced at him and walked past the Emperor towards the central table where Maleficent stood watching the glowing magic sphere. Within the sphere was an image of a Kingdom Model Gummy ship accompanied by two armored warriors on their Keyblade Riders on either side of it as all three flew off towards Radiant Garden.
"It makes no difference Mateus." Xehanort said dismissively.
"Once the Princess of Heart is ours, then collecting the remaining Princesses won't be as difficult." Maleficent said as an evil smirk swept Xehanort's face.
"Mateus, I think I know what you can do to secure your place at my side." Xehanort said as he turned towards the Emperor.
"And that would be?" Mateus asked with an arched eyebrow.
"I know the training methods that the late Keyblade Master, Eraqus, used to train his pupils and inevitably they will arrive at one of the worlds under your domain…the Mirage Arena." Xehanort said as Mateus pondered.
"A very interesting thought. I happen to have three or four prisoners of my own kept there and forced to fight in continuous matches until their inevitable demise. Do you wish for me to do the same to those two Keyblade wielding fools?" Mateus asked as Xehanort tapped his chin.
"If you use them as bait, they will most certainly draw those two in but you will need some extra help in dealing with them." Xehanort said as he turned towards the shadows where Sephiroth stood with his arms crossed while leaning against the nearby wall.
"Sephiroth, we could use your talent with a sword for this one, if you would be so kind." Xehanort said as Sephiroth stood up and approached them silently.
"What's in this for me?" Sephiroth asked as Mateus smiled sinisterly and aimed his scepter at the glowing sphere over the table causing it to become cloudy for a moment before dissipating and revealing an image that made Sephiroth smirk sinisterly.
"Impressive. Keeping him captive is not easy. Looks like I'll be able to help out after all." Sephiroth said as Mateus smirked and turned to leave with Gabranth in tow.
"Then I shall await your arrival within the arena." Mateus said as he and Gabranth disappeared into the shadows. As soon as they disappeared though, Xehanort turned to Sephiroth.
"As promised, I have delivered that which you seek unto you, now you need only keep your end of the bargain." Xehanort said as Sephiroth gave an acknowledging nod.
"He won't even see what hit him until it's too late." Sephiroth said as he walked off into the shadows after Mateus.
"Excellent." Xehanort said slowly as he put his hands behind his back with a dark smirk. Maleficent was smiling as well.
"All according to plan, milord?" Maleficent said as Xehanort approached the table.
"Very much so. Pete…you must be ready to act at a moment's notice." Xehanort said as the still cowering Pete nodded frantically.
"Y-y-y-y-yes sir!" he whimpered as he started backing away slowly.
"And Pete-…" Xehanort growled causing the henchman to freeze mid-step, "…-Don't fail me again."
With that Pete scrambled away in fear, leaving the two villains to their scheming.
End Chapter 23.