A/N-Yay, another chapter! Guys, it's started! The end! HAHA! The final chapters! (Estimated parts remaining, 8). So read, read and enjoy! (And watch out for spelling errors. :S)
Axel spun his chakrams around experimentally while Xigbar loaded his guns. Xigbar swept a hand in front of him and a series of invisible walls appeared around the Knights. Axel knew it wasn't for the pedestrian's safety. He summoned his fire and the beach turned into a molten battlefield shaped into a square due to the barriers.
"It's been awhile since we sparred," Xigbar recalled.
"Just shut up and get this over with," Axel muttered darkly. He set his chakrams on fire and spun them around. Xigbar scoffed and teleported onto the ceiling of the barrier. He fired a round of darts and Axel blocked them. The darts shattered and Xigbar teleported away to another part of the ceiling to reload. Axel threw his chakrams and missed as Xigbar teleported away.
The elder Knight began warping around the area and shooting off strings of bolts from various directions. Axel summoned his chakrams and tried to block them. He put up a wall of fire around him to stop the barrage. Axel was knocked off his feet as a bolt ripped through the flames and smashed him in his already injured stomach. He slammed into the barrier and dropped to the burning floor. Axel spat onto the beach, blood mixed with his saliva.
Xigbar reloaded his guns with larger clips. Axel moved away from the wall and built up more fire around his chakrams. Xigbar teleported to the center of the ceiling and began to rain bolts onto the younger Knight. Axel threw his chakrams and they revolved around his body, blocking the shots. He channeled his energy and his armor started to smoke lightly. Axel leapt into the air and threw his arms outward. A thin beam of fire shot up from the floor and expanded with a pulse. Xigbar threw his arms up to protect himself as the flames licked against his flesh.
Axel dropped to the ground and he caught his chakrams. Xigbar ground his teeth together and reloaded. He teleported away and sent a bolt at Axel. Axel dodged but the bolt ricocheted off the barrier wall like a rubber ball in a small room. It shot around the space and grazed Axel's side. Xigbar teleported and shot two more bolts. Axel leapt around to avoid getting hit again. He threw his chakrams at one bolt and it exploded. The chakrams soared back to his open hands. Axel summoned a pillar of flame to stop the second but the bolt ripped through it. Axel rolled out of the way but the bolt bounced off the back wall and drove into the space between his shoulders.
Axel was sent staggering forward. He quickly scanned for Xigbar.
"Over here!" the elder Knight taunted. Axel whirled around and was pelted with darts. He gritted his teeth and threw up a wall of fire. Blood oozed from the cuts in Axel's skin. His chest was heaving at the effort of fighting. Axel pushed himself further and channeled more energy.
He waited for the perfect moment for when Xigbar started to reload. Then he threw his chakrams. They soared towards the Knight, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. Xigbar teleported at the last second and the chakrams hit empty space. He grinned as he appeared behind Axel onto to find the chakrams arching in the air towards him.
"What the…?" Xigbar had to teleport away again. "Damn," he growled. He couldn't reload while teleporting and he only had one gun equipped with darts at the moment. Xigbar shot the clip at the chakrams but they tore through the darts. The Knight teleported behind Axel and round house kicked him in the face. Axel staggered and summoned a pillar of fire under the elder Knight's feet. Xigbar was blasted with fire. He teleported away only to get slammed in the chest by Axel's chakrams.
Xigbar's armor cracked but he took the opportunity to reload. Axel caught his chakrams and Xigbar appeared in one of the barrier corners. The elder Knight placed one gun in front of the other and they fused.
"Oh, shit," Axel hissed. He heard a loud click. Then he was slammed backwards as Xigbar sniped him in the chest. Luckily for Axel, he was wearing strong armor or the sniper rounds would have killed him instantly.
Roxas felt his stomach leap into his throat as he watched the fight. 'This was how Hayner died.' He remembered. His fists clenched by his sides. 'I believe in you Axel.'
Axel staggered to his feet and noticed his chest armor was badly cracked. Xigbar reloaded and aimed. Axel sent up a wall of fire to obscure his view. He threw his chakrams so they were locked onto Xigbar again. Axel heard the shot and his leg instantly started to burn.
"GAH!" he screamed. Axel fell onto one knee. The round had torn straight through his left thigh. Blood streamed from the hole and stained his armor a gruesome red-violet. Axel forced himself to his feet and dispelled the fire wall. Xigbar had teleported to another corner to avoid the chakrams while he reloaded. Axel sprang onto the barrier wall, his feet leaving a trail of fiery footsteps in his wake. He sprinted along the wall and caught his chakrams. Xigbar broke his guns apart and fired a barrage of darts at the red head. Axel blocked them and threw his weapons at the elder Knight.
Xigbar teleported away to the other side of the barrier. Axel pushed off the wall and started to fall. Then a jet of lava burst from the ground and Axel leapt off of it. More jets followed and Axel bounded across them like stepping stones. Xigbar finished reloading and sent a bolt flying. Axel flipped over it and kept going. Xigbar teleported away and fired another bolt.
Axel flipped sideways over the bolt and pushed off a lava fount so he launched towards the barrier wall. He landed and kept sprinting. He threw his chakrams and Xigbar teleported to the ceiling. The elder Knight backpedaled as Axel kept coming after him. Axel summoned his chakrams and fused them together into Bond of Flame. He pushed off the wall and tucked into a forward flip. Axel gathered speed and he turned into a giant flaming circle. He was launched back into the air by a lava fount. He torqued his body so he was flying sideways like a giant disc. Xigbar teleported away and fired a barrage of darts. They shattered harmlessly against the fire surrounding Axel. Xigbar desperately tried to reload in time but Axel broke from his spin and slammed his Keyblade downward into Xigbar's skull.
The elder Knight was stripped from the wall and landed face first into the floor. The molten sand burned his skin. Xigbar screamed and quickly pushed himself off of the sand. Axel dropped to the floor and wavered dangerously. His vision wouldn't stop spinning. Xigbar grinned and snapped his guns together. He fired a shot and it went straight through Axel's chest.
"NO!" Roxas screamed. Sora had to hold him back and the blonde struggled to reach his friend.
Axel blinked and stared down at his chest. Blood dripped from the ceiling of the cavern and poured down his armor. He blinked again. There was silence.
"What the fuck?" Xigbar finally spoke up. Axel wiped his fingers through the floor flowing down his chest.
"No heart," Axel muttered. Then he looked up at Xigbar. "Just my luck." He squatted down and gathered his energy. Then he pushed off the ground and slid over the beach with a trail of fire in his wake. Xigbar dismantled his sniper and teleported to the ceiling to reload. Axel pushed off the ground and soared into the air. His Keyblade slammed into Xigbar's shoulder and sent the elder Knight sprawling. Axel landed on the ground and flinched heavily as pain shot through his leg. He summoned some fire around his flesh to cauterize the wounds in his leg and chest.
Xigbar finally reloaded with his larger clips. He rained darts onto the red head without end. When one gun emptied, he immediately reloaded and kept the onslaught going. Axel leapt around spinning his Keyblade to block the darts.
Xigbar suddenly teleported behind Axel and kicked him in the head again. Axel's brain rattled in his skull and he felt violently ill. He forced back the urge to vomit and tried to focus. His vision swam worse than a fish in the hurricane. Axel staggered and tried to fight close range with Xigbar but his Keyblade only hit air.
The elder Knight cracked the butt of his guns into the back of Axel's skull. Axel went down and the fire on the ground died. He desperately tried to get to his feet. Xigbar fused his guns together and aimed directly at Axel's skull.
"Say goodnight!" he called.
"Axel!" Roxas screamed.
Xigbar fired.
And missed.
"What?!" Xigbar exclaimed. Axel had rolled to the side and leapt to his feet. His eyes were completely unfocused but he was still fighting. Axel charged and swung his Keyblade at his opponent over and over again. Xigbar practically danced backwards to avoid getting struck. He teleported to the ceiling.
"Firaga," Axel muttered. A ball of fire shot from the end of his Keyblade. Xigbar teleported out of the way to reload. As he reappeared, he found Axel was next to him already.
"Fuck!" Xigbar grunted as Axel's Keyblade shattered the man's armor. He teleported away again. He blinked and Axel was already in his face again. Xigbar teleported away and found a series of small fire pillars soaring towards him.
"What the Hell?" Sora muttered. Roxas had stopped struggling and was confused as well. "Roxas, he's fighting like you."
"I can see that, but how?" Roxas wondered. He suddenly felt his energy begin to drain. Roxas felt faint and his knees gave out.
"Shit, Roxas!" Sora called. He knelt next to the blonde to see what was wrong. "Roxas, speak to me. What's going on?" Roxas looked up at the Knight's fighting. He watched Axel darted around the space like a beam of light only he was swathed in fire.
"Our hearts were connected," Roxas recalled. "He's using my energy to win the fight." Sora looked between Axel and Roxas several times.
"If he doesn't end this fight soon, he'll kill the both of you." Roxas felt dizzy and nearly fainted. Sora caught him and held him upright.
"Please hurry…" Roxas murmured.
Axel's Keyblade slammed into Xigbar's exposed chest and drew blood. Xigbar grunted and Axel grappled him, throwing the man into the ground. The barriers around the pair vanished and Axel landed neatly next to Xigbar's battered body. The elder Knight rose shakily and he collapsed again.
"Fuck you," he muttered. Several soldiers swooped down and picked up the Knight. Axel split his Keyblade into his chakrams. Xigbar lifted his head and pointed at Axel. "Don't get cocky. We'll be back." Xigbar nodded to his men and they took him away.
Roxas watched as the Hollow Bastion troops slowly withdrew. He knew Xemnas wouldn't be pleased by this. As the fight ended, he felt his strength come back to him. Roxas shook his head to clear it and got back to his feet. He turned to Axel to see the man had collapsed onto the charred sand. Roxas, Sora, Riku, and Aqua hurried over to the Knight.
"Shit, he's bleeding everywhere," Riku commented.
"Curaga!" Aqua cast. She cast it three more times to help heal Axel to the point they could bring the man back to the medical area. As they were carrying him, Axel's hand grabbed onto Roxas's wrist. The blonde glanced down at him. Axel's eyes were trying to focus.
"Good job, Axel," Roxas muttered with a light smile. The corners of Axel's lips twitched before he fell into a deep pit of unconsciousness.
XxXxX
"I honestly can't believe that actually worked," Sora mused as he reclined in a chair in the medical area. Demyx was picking at a bowl of grits. Seifer had returned Ienzo and the boy was pulled into Roxas's lap on one of the chairs. Roxas's chin sat perched on top of the kid's hair. Aqua and Terra were sitting with Ven. Naminé was sitting on Kairi's bed. Axel lay unconscious as Selphie worked on him. Riku leaned against a support pole with his arms crossed. They had gathered to discuss their next take of action.
"Yeah, they just got up and left," Roxas agreed.
"That's because Xigbar honors his fights," Demyx spoke up. "He might be a sleaze bag and cheat on everything else but he'll honor a dual. Luxord is the same way."
"Was," Roxas corrected. "Sounds like Axel kicked his ass back in Disney Town." Demyx chewed on the end of his spoon.
"Ok-ay then. I'm not sure if I should celebrate or feel bad. Luxord was the nicest of the Knights. That is if you call a slinky pervert nice. He was kind of creepy now that I think about it…"
"At least Axel bought us some time," Riku stated.
"So what happened over at Disney?" Sora asked. Roxas tried to fill them in on the situation. They were relieved to hear the world was spared. Riku pressed his fingers to his lips thoughtfully once Roxas finished.
"Hollow Bastion seems to be getting desperate," he noticed. "Now would be an opportune time to strike. They're low on Knights and their troops are still recovering from the blow they took at Disney Town."
"We still face the problem of the other worlds coming to Hollow Bastion's aid," Aqua brought up. "It's not worth the effort of fighting if we can't even get near the place."
"True," Terra agreed.
"What about using Zexion?" Sora suggested. "The worlds are following Xemnas because he's a powerful King. Throwing a different heir into the picture will shake them."
"That's certainly an option," Ienzo agreed.
"We should contact King Mickey to discuss our next move," Roxas stated. "Is there any way we can set up a secure connection?"
"I'll talk to Wakka," Riku commented. "I'm sure we can set something up. We don't have the best technology here but I'm sure he can rig something together." Riku stood up straight and excused himself from the group. They waited upon his return in relative silence. Aqua went to help Selphie with Axel's injuries by casting curaga a couple more times before she ran out of energy again. Demyx gave up on his food and set it aside.
When Riku returned twenty minutes later, he brought Wakka with him. The man was loud and boisterous with a strange arching haircut. Wakka asked for Roxas to come with him and Riku. Ienzo tagged along because he wanted to speak on his brother's behalf.
They were brought into town to a small computer at the town hall. Wakka set up a connection and they waited for someone over in Disney to reply. Roxas noticed it was the computer Seifer had contacted him. They were connected and Roxas requested they speak with the King. It took at least thirty minutes of patient waiting before Mickey came on the line.
"Roxas, good to see you. You took off before we had a chance to thank you and Axel," Mickey started. "How's Axel holding up? Minnie said he suffered from a serious concussion."
"He's in the medical tent," Roxas responded.
"Good Heavens, is he alright?" They could hear Pluto whine in the background.
"Xemnas sent one of his Knights here to nab Ienzo. Axel challenged him to a dual and managed to squeak out a win but he's gravely injured. We have people working on him now."
"If he needs anything, please let me know."
"We appreciate your help. We actually called to determine our next course of action. Xemnas's Knight honored his dual and Hollow Bastion left without taking Ienzo."
"Surprising but a short lived victory we'll use to our advantage. We need to rally the worlds. It's time we end this war once and for all. Xemnas cannot live any longer. He's destroyed too much already and taken far too many lives. I suggest we attack Hollow Bastion now while they're still licking their wounds."
"We were thinking the same thing but first we need to weaken the alliances of Hollow Bastion."
"Agreed. As I recall, Minnie mentioned something about another heir."
"That's right. You remember Ienzo, yes?" Ienzo pressed his face into the camera with Roxas's.
"Ah yes. Hello again."
"Hi," Ienzo greeted quietly.
"Ienzo is the younger brother of Zexion. Zexion is next in line for the crown. His parents were anointed the position from Queen Maleficent and they were murdered after they were ejected from the court. Either Xemnas knew they were the heirs or someone else found out and tried to put an end to the line," Roxas explained.
"A bit of political sabotage, eh? That might work. Since I'm planning to declare war on Xemnas on his home front, we have to make this a public spectacle. Nothing is going to be kept in the dark. During that time I'll work some magic to try and sway Xemnas's allies to rethink their allegiance."
"Alright. When do you plan on announcing this?"
"Early tomorrow. Try and gather what forces you can to help in that amount of time."
"King Mickey?" Riku interrupted. Roxas leaned out of the shot so Riku could see the King face to face. "Destiny Islands will stand with you on the battlefield." Mickey smiled softly.
"Thank you, Riku. I will be honored to fight with you. Until tomorrow." Mickey signed off and the connection went dead. Roxas turned to Riku.
"I'll head back to Traverse Town and rally who I can there," he stated. Riku nodded and clasped Roxas on the shoulder.
"Good luck. We'll meet you in the air." Roxas nodded and returned the gesture.
XxXxX
The TVs crackled to life and the image of King Mickey dressed in his finest clothes appeared. Queen Minnie, Donald, and Goofy stood behind him. The King walked up to the edge of the balcony and looked out at the people.
"My friends, comrades, and allies," he began. "As many of you may already know, my home was attacked yesterday by Hollow Bastion. It was a merciless gesture. Today, I stand before you and ask for your hearts and minds to listen. To embrace. To act. To decide. How long has it been since you last tasted peace? For me, it has been over twelve years. For other worlds, it has been thirteen, fourteen, or even longer. When will the oppression end? How long must we stay under foot before our voices will be heard?
"Look around you. How many friends have you lost to the wrath of battle? How many family members died without saying goodbye? Who remains standing amongst your band of comrades? So few. So very few. I have also tasted the vile pain that is this war. My people are my family. Each wound to their flesh is a direct cut to my heart." Mickey clasped a fist over his chest and bowed his head. "They even tried to kill someone I cared for. Someone I care for like a son. Seeing him linger on the edges of death tore at every fiber of my being." Mickey raised his head.
"Have we not forgotten about Radiant Garden, the beloved world of light? They were massacred for something they did not understand nor did they possess. Twilight Town, the second world of light, was destroyed for the sake of a statement." Mickey swept his hand out to the side. "This CANNOT go on any longer. As of this day, I declare war on King Xemnas. I will not rest until that man is destroyed for the crimes he committed. He will not be shown mercy.
"I ask for you all to stand united with me on the field of battle! This is one battle I cannot fight alone. Find it within your hearts the strength to fight, the will to live another day, and the hope to see your loved ones again tomorrow. With this, we will take back the peace we once longed for!" There was a roar of cheers from the people of Disney Town. Mickey waited until their cries died before he continued.
"Some of the worlds side with Xemnas and his quest to quell the oppression in the worlds. But I ask you this: how can you stand beside a King who spilt blood to reach the throne?" There was a long pause of silence. Mutters could be heard from the people below the balcony. "But how can that be? Xemnas was chosen by Queen Maleficent! WRONG! She chose someone else from her court to rule Hollow Bastion but they were murdered before they could take the throne. But they were not alone. Their son remains alive but he hangs by a thread. Queen Isa nearly killed him out of cold blood when he tried to avenge the suffering of his younger brother. They tortured the boy and, to my utter distaste, Isa raped the boy."
Cries of protest roared from the people below the balcony. Mickey held up his hand for silence. A hush fell over the crowd. "Those who stand with Xemnas, how can you not see the evil he holds in his hands? His twisted wife? As I speak, Xemnas wishes to kill off the last two heirs to the throne so he remains the "true King". I will not allow this to happen! Xemnas!" Mickey called, pointing to the camera. "Be ready. I am coming for you. We will take back your kingdom and put someone who is worthy of wearing the crown on the throne." Mickey lowered his hand and his face hardened.
"So, until we meet in the final clash, let us shed blood for all of the worlds!" Mickey pounded his shoulder and his armor materialized. "Let us raise Hell to those who wish to destroy us!" Mickey unsheathed his sword and held it high. "And let us fight united one last time! FOR THE TRUE KING!"
The crowd went ballistic. Cheers were mixed with cries for battle. As the TVs returned to their programing, many screens were left unwatched. Armor was dawned. Steel was sharpened. Worlds stood united and answered the call to battle.
For King Mickey.
For peace.
For the end of Xemnas.
XxXxX
"We're making our approach," Chip called over the intercom. Mickey's G. Ship took the lead of the many Disney ships following him. Dale started to set up communication between other world ships. Donald and Goofy stood ready behind their King. Minnie, dressed in a plated gown with a fitted plated top, stood by her husband. Pluto sat by their feet. The lab wore various metal plates and pouches filled with medical supplies.
"Roll call!" Dale called over the intercom. Worlds started to call in from their lead ships. Mickey felt his heart glow with pride with each world that answered. There were even a few worlds that had once been sided with Xemnas. The intercom crackled and he heard a chuckle.
"Destiny Islands reporting in!" Wakka called. Mickey grinned. The entire Militia had shown up for the fight. Sora, Riku, Demyx, Ienzo, and Seifer were on the lead ship.
"Totally!" Tidus agreed. Tidus was flying with Selphie, Terra, Aqua, Naminé, and Axel close by. A few more worlds reported in before Mickey felt a smile tug at his face. "Hey!" Tidus shouted and he could be heard getting shoved aside.
"Don't count us out," Axel remarked. Mickey nearly burst out laughing. "Radiant Garden is here to represent too. Don't let us down guys!" Tidus reclaimed his headset and shoved Axel away.
"Traverse Town!" Rikku screamed into her headset.
"Calm down," Paine snapped.
"She's just excited," Yuna defended.
Rikku had Cloud, Cid, and Tifa with her along with other soldiers. Paine had Leon, Yuffie, and the newly put together Sephiroth mixed in with the rest of her soldiers. Yuna had Merlin and the remaining Traverse Town soldiers.
Mickey was pleased as the intercom quieted. Many worlds had decided to show up. He paused when he heard the intercom spark to life one last time.
"Twilight Town," Roxas said quietly. "You have the Twilight Guard's support." A large G. Ship passed over Mickey's with the Twilight Town crest on the side. Roxas was co-piloting with the only pilot to reach Traverse Town alive. On the Destiny Islands ship, Seifer smiled.
"Like the golden sun," he muttered. He shifted and his Twilight Guard armor clanged gently.
"Alright, looks like we have a full house," Dale commented. Chip steered the G. Ship around the mass of others waiting for the King's arrival.
"Who knew so many would answer the call…" Mickey mumbled to himself. He went to the front and borrowed Dale's headset. "Alright, this is it. This is what we've been waiting for. Take a good look at your comrades. Some of them might not make it out today, but fear not! Their deaths will not be in vain! Pilots! We are putting our trust into your hands. Bring us to the barren lands. From there we will press out way into the lower grounds of the castle and finally Castle Oblivion. Do not rest until this fight has been won! I believe in each and every one of you! Now fight!"
Mickey had to move the headset away from his hear to avoid going deaf. The war cries and roars of battle sounding from the worlds was earth shaking. Mickey returned the headset to Dale and gripped the back of the pilot's seat.
"Take us down," he ordered.
"Roger!" the twins shouted. The ships began to merge on Hollow Bastion. Enemy G. Ships swarmed into the air and gun fire boomed from the world's surface. Mickey's grip tightened as he watched several of his ally ships falling. The worlds fought back and a sky battle ensued. Mickey watched as the Twilight Town ship took the lead, drawing the most fire. Bullets ricocheted off as a thin halo of light surrounded the ship.
"I need everyone on my tail!" Roxas shouted into the intercom. Ships flocked behind the large carrier to avoid getting blown to pieces. Mickey's ship followed. They passed through the atmosphere and their ship was buffeted by an explosion.
"Hold it together," Chip muttered under his breath.
"Yuna, on your tail!" Rikku cried.
"Got him!" Paine shouted.
"Nice one!" Rikku exclaimed.
"Whoa!" Wakka hollered. "This is getting crazy, ya?"
"Just fly the ship," Tidus replied flatly.
"On the left!" Yuna called. Dale leapt from his seat and hurried to an upper hatch in the ship. A turret rose out of the top and he rained bullets on incoming G. Ships.
"Remind me never to do this again," Rikku stated.
"Grow some balls, Rikku," Paine replied.
"Awh, you're no fun! Haha! You deserved that you little fucker! No one hits my ship and gets away with it!"
"You're so eloquent," Yuna said sarcastically.
"Roxas, what's going on?" Dale asked
"Give us a minute," Roxas replied.
"Path is clear," Roxas's pilot stated.
"Fighters, clear the ground! Make it rain!" Dale ordered. Fighter G. Ships dove from the sky and began bombing the enemy soldiers waiting for them.
"We need a landing zone," Tidus remarked.
"No, really?" they could hear a muffle voice of Axel reply.
"Stop hanging over me! It's distracting!" Tidus protested.
"T-minus two minutes to landing," Roxas called out. The ships were rocked as more explosions buffeted the sides. They barrens had fewer mortars to raise Hell on the G. Ships but the ships were still getting picked off. A fighter swooped down and bombed one, opening up an area for the allies to land.
"Be ready to depart!" Dale called. "Keep ground time minimal. Pilots, we need you back in the air as soon as we can."
"Roger!" a chorus replied. The Twilight G. Ship pulled its nose up and they landed onto the ground. Many of the smaller ships followed suit. Mickey's group leapt off to the broken ground. G. Ships lifted back into the air as soon as they dropped off their passengers. Roxas's ship remained grounded. Mickey ran over and the bay door opened. Roxas hopped out and nodded to the King.
"Glad you could make it," Mickey greeted.
"Set up base here. We have a gift for you," Roxas replied. He turned as the cargo of the ship was being rolled out. Mickey's eyes widened.
"Mortars? When did you get those?"
"Seifer and Leon did some collaborating."
"I see. We'll put these to good use. I need everyone to help set up a mini base camp and I need all heads of command there in ten minutes for briefing."
"Sir!" Roxas saluted. Mickey nodded and headed off. Roxas relaxed and took a deep breath.
"Alright Xemnas. Let's end this."
A/N-Musical Muse: Passion-Utada Hikaru (own nothing)