Yeah yeah, I'm still awake. I wasn't actually going into cryogenic sleep, okay?
Like I said last time, that's what Square Enix has done to me with Kingdom Hearts 3. It's already my favorite game of all time, and it's not even out yet.
Anyways, we have a new chapter before us. I've got something interesting this time. This chapter, we're gonna focus on Kirux and only Kirux. Sure, the chapter is a little shorter that way, but I want to try it and see how it's received. Next chapter, we'll go to Xion.
Enjoy yourselves.
Play: Dearly Beloved - KH 358/2 Days
Quick Note: Because why not, right? It's amazing. Don't listen to the remade version of this, the original is better.
The battle had ended hours ago. The day was gone, and the night sky shined above Hollow Bastion.
Where he was hadn't changed since he arrived there, but he was now laying on the ground.
His eyes were closed, as his mind continued to go crazy.
You think at this point, he'd steer away from sad thoughts and think positive, right?
Well, if you agreed, you are wrong.
...
'Things didn't have to be this way. I didn't have to be alone, like I am now.'
'If I never did the things I was told to do, would things actually have been the same?'
'Would the four of us still be friends, and meet up at the clock tower everyday? Would Roxas still be here?'
'The big question I should be asking is this: Why?'
'Why did I do the things I did?'
...
His mind went back to all of the events that led to here. Pretty much, when he started screwing everything up.
Him leaving the Organization, which he saw hurt Xion immensely.
Him bringing Xion to DiZ, which all but started the downfall.
The day he confronted Roxas in Twilight Town, and tried to bring him in.
He remembered fighting Axel, then Roxas, and then Xion. All three of them, on the same day.
Him destroying her, returning her to Sora.
...
'If you think about it, it's all my fault.'
'I'm the one who did all of this, caused our entire friendship to crumble.'
'All that's left is Xion and I, and all I ever seem to do is push her away.'
'Every action I've taken continues to show that the darkness inside me still has significant control.'
'Especially today, when Sora and I fought Saix.'
...
'Maybe I am a seeker of darkness. And...that's the truth.'
Stop: Dearly Beloved - KH 358/2 Days
"Indeed, it is." He heard someone say.
His eyes snapped open, and when he stood up, Xemnas was standing behind him.
"I'm glad you're just now beginning to realize this."
Kirux took a few steps forward, "Tell me the truth. What is it that you want from me?"
...
Xemnas smiled, "Is it not obvious?"
"No, it really isn't. Start talking."
"Let me explain things." A new voice came from behind.
Xigbar.
"You know Kirux, I liked you. You were strong, tough, and reliable. Unlike that thing you call your friend."
...
"That thing is her own person now! Unlike you!"
"See! There's the toughness I mentioned. I liked that about you,"
"But," he continued, "You were just too aware."
"What do you mean?"
"You, unlike the others, were smarter than everyone else. You knew who your somebody was, and what you truly were. The dark shadows that lingered in Riku's heart."
"And that darkness has gone to your own heart as well. As my observations have shown, all you've ever seemed to want to do is make that darkness grow."
"That's not true!"
"Oh, but it is. You can deny it all you want, but that is the truth."
Xigbar waved his hand, "Forget all of that, though. What is it that we really want from you, is that what you asked?"
"Well, to put it simply: We want you, Kirux."
...
His eyes widened, "What?"
"All that darkness you've got built up is just waiting to be unleashed. And, we seem to be the only ones willing to unleash it."
"I know, you're scared of what might happen. Not just to you, but to that little puppet."
Kirux couldn't ignore the fact that they actually remembered Xion.
"Come to think of it, I think it'd probably break her heart. Don't you agree?"
Xigbar was smiling even more. He knew what he was saying got to Kirux, "Don't worry, kiddo. Everything will end up just fine in the end...once you join back with us."
He had his hand out towards Kirux.
...
'I can't believe what I'm hearing.'
'Do they honestly think that I'd ever go back with them?'
'They've got to be delusional or something.'
...
Kirux shook his head, "I think I'm good."
"You do not get a choice." Xemnas said.
Kirux turned towards him, "I'm not a Nobody anymore. I have my own heart now. You told me that yourself."
"A heart of pure darkness, perhaps. But there's no light within you."
"You are nothing, and you always will be nothing."
Play: Link to All - KH Dream Drop Distance
Quick Note: Just going to point out, this track took forever for me to find.
Kirux shook his head. He had had enough.
"Just shut up!" His Keyblade appeared.
Xigbar laughed, "Oh! So you're trying to play the tough guy now, huh?"
"Sorry kiddo, it won't work that way."
"That's what you think!"
Kirux turned fully towards Xigbar, "My heart is pretty much all darkness, that is correct. But that's okay! I don't need light in my heart, because I get it all from them!"
"Them?"
"My friends, all of them!"
...
"Xion, Roxas, Axel, Namine, and Riku too!"
"I don't need my own light, because the connections I have in my heart give me all the light I need!"
He raised his Keyblade, "My friends are my power, and they always will be!"
...
Xigbar was stunned, his composure was gone.
"Those are just words, you've...you've lost."
He gave up, "Fine. Let's see what this power of yours can do!"
Xemnas had disappeared at that point, meaning nobody was behind Kirux. A portal appeared behind him.
"Go!" Xigbar yelled, and a gust of wind hit Kirux.
"I'll test this power of yours. And when you finally fall, your darkness will belong to us!"
Kirux lost his footing, and he flew into the portal behind him.
...
'I'll fight the darkness. Once I'm free of it, we'll be together again.'
'I promise you, Xion.'
Stop: Link to All - KH Dream Drop Distance
Kirux landed on his back, in the snow.
When he looked back up, the portal disappeared.
He stood up then, brushing the snow off of him, "What is this place? I've...never been here before."
...
He was at the summit of a tall mountain. Down on the horizon, there was a large city.
Entered New World: The Land of Dragons
Play: The Home for Dragons - KH2
Quick note: Lots of Kingdom Hearts 2 music. After all, the story has now gone into the KH2 timeline.
Kirux was confused, "Why would Xigbar send me here, of all the places?"
He crossed his arms, "Maybe this was part of him testing my powers."
"Again though, why here? I don't even know this place. I've been to every world that was open in the corridors, and this was never one of them."
He shrugged, "He probably knew that I've never been to this place. That must be why he sent me here."
...
"He said he was going to test my power, but...how?"
He didn't get to think any longer, because somebody was heading his way.
Someone in a black coat. It wasn't Xigbar or Xemnas, but somebody he recognized.
Even though they had the hood up, Kirux knew.
"Riku?" He said as they got closer to him.
...
Riku stopped next to him, "Kirux? What are you doing here?"
"I...really don't know. I should ask you the same question."
"Listen Kirux. I don't have much time to explain. I can't let Sora find out it's me."
Kirux gasped, "Sora's here?"
"Yes. Now listen closely. You need to go to the city and warn the emperor. One of the dragons of their land has been transformed into a Heartless, and will attack the city soon."
"If you don't get there in time, people will get hurt.
...
Kirux thought it over, and nodded, "Okay. I'll do it."
Riku looked over to the path he had come from, "Sora and his friends are here. I've got to go. Take care, Kirux. I'm counting on you."
Before Kirux could respond, Riku disappeared into a dark portal.
He looked over, and saw Sora and his friends walking up.
...
'Better hide.' He said, and pulled his hood over his head.
He ran off before they saw him.
Stop: The Home for Dragons - KH2
Play: Fields of Honor - KH2
Luckily for Kirux, a whole swarm of Heartless had shown up.
'Now I can escape and not be seen.' He thought to himself.
Unfortunately for him, Sora noticed him running off.
"Hey!" He yelled at Kirux.
...
'Aw great. Here we go.'
...
"You! Quit sneaking around!"
Kirux pointed behind Sora, which only confused him. When he turned around, two Heartless were right in his face.
Kirux took that opportunity to run away.
...
As he ran, he spoke to himself, "Alright. I've got to get to that city."
A massive Heartless appeared in front of him, and lunged it's spear at him.
Kirux dodged it by rolling around it.
"Why are you getting in the way?" He said, pulling his Keyblade out.
Four more Heartless appeared at the first's sides.
...
Kirux went after the initial one first, the others not even bothering to attack him. Once it was dealt with, Kirux defeated the others with one thunder spell.
Unfortunately for him, some Dusks also appeared.
"You too?" He said, running towards them.
The Dusks were hardly a threat for him, but the next batch was.
Nobodies he had never seen before appeared. These ones held crossbows and were floating in the air.
'These must be some of Xigbar's.' He thought.
They may have been different, but they were just as weak as Dusks. Kirux had dealt with all four of them in hardly any time at all.
Once it was all over, he continued to run down the mountain.
He looked back a few times, to make sure Sora and the others hadn't followed him.
They didn't, and neither did any Heartless or Nobodies.
Stop: Fields of Honor - KH2
He finally stopped in the center of a burned down village. He hunched over with his hands on his knees, breathing heavily.
Once he regained himself, he spoke, "Riku said that the Heartless will attack the city soon. I've got to hurry."
He walked off.
...
...
...
In time, he did find his way to the city. The main square was completely empty, which worked well for him.
Out of nowhere, the ground shook heavily.
"Oh no," he said, and looked back towards the mountain. He could see a massive figure appear from the mountain top.
"No!" He said, and ran to the palace. He burst the main doors open with his shoulder, and did the same thing with the second set.
...
When he did, the two men inside were both stunned.
"Please. I have an important message for the emperor."
The armored man shook his head, "No. Nobody is allowed anywhere near the emperor!"
"This is urgent. If you don't let me speak, there won't be an emperor anymore."
The man didn't listen again, and drew his sword.
Kirux shook his head, "Suit yourself."
...
He disappeared, then reappeared behind the man. He put his hand out, where a burst of energy was emitted. The man went flying back down the steps.
"Don't say I didn't warn you." Kirux said, then he turned towards the emperor.
The emperor clearly did not look happy to see him, but Kirux ignored his look.
"Sir, I'm afraid I have grave news."
...
'What was it again?'
'Oh right. The dragon Heartless.'
...
"I'm afraid somebody has turned one of the dragons of your lands into a Heartless. It's on it's way to the city as we speak."
The emperor considered what he said, "I shall have my troops prepared immediately, if what you say is true."
"Don't bother."
The emperor seemed confused.
Kirux smiled, "The situation has changed. Three wise guys have already arrived. They'll take care of it."
"Are you sure?"
"Trust me. I know they will."
Kirux turned to leave, "I must be going now."
As he walked past the man he sent flying, he spoke, "Sorry, by the way."
Kirux left the room.
...
In the long hallway, he saw some people he didn't want to see.
Sora and his friends had all shown up, and they were surrounded by Nobodies.
But Kirux didn't really care about them.
Xigbar was running out the door, on the other side of the hall.
...
'If I want to get some answers on this test of his, then I'll have to follow him.'
...
He ran down the hall, somehow getting past Sora and the rest without them noticing him.
When he opened the door, they finally did notice, but it was too late.
Play: Organization XIII - KH2
Xigbar was standing there, smiling at Kirux.
"Alright, start talking! What kind of test were you talking about?"
"You were always the curios one, weren't you?"
"Don't ignore the question!"
"Well, I wanted to see how determined you are on fighting your darkness. And as far as I can tell, you seem pretty committed."
"You really must hate the darkness inside your heart, don't you?"
"Of course I do! All the darkness has ever done is make me turn on the ones I care about."
"I...feel like I'm my own worst enemy."
...
"Funny. I don't think the darkness is what told you to abandon your girl and leave the Organization, now did it?"
Kirux wanted to respond, but didn't.
Because he was right.
"You see! Silence! You constantly blame the darkness on your actions, but you know that it's not one-hundred percent guilty."
Kirux didn't know what to say.
"Don't you get it know, kiddo? You're a being of darkness. There is no point in fighting it, because no matter what you do, it will continue to grow."
"You are hellbent on completely destroying it, just so you can be with her. But it isn't going to work."
Xigbar put his hand out, "The only way to overcome it...is to join back with us."
...
Kirux had his head down.
He wanted to respond, but he couldn't find any words.
Xigbar had shut him down, pretty much.
...
"No," he said.
"I'm not gonna stop fighting. I promised her that once I have complete control over the darkness inside me, we'll be together again."
"You can say whatever you want about it growing, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna just give up."
His Keyblade appeared, "No, I'm not gonna give up. Not while I have the Keyblade."
...
Xigbar scoffed, "As if the Keyblade would pick a wimp like you."
He summoned a portal to Kirux's right, "Then continue your fight."
"Be a good boy now!"
Xigbar disappeared.
...
...
...
Kirux noticed the Heartless flying towards him.
"Better get going."
He ran through the portal, just as Sora and the others appeared outside.
"How is he progressing?"
"Just fine! In no time, the darkness will have grown enough to completely control him."
"Soon, we'll be able to bring him back in."
"Which by the way, you never explained to me what you plan to use him for."
...
...
...
"We're going to use him against the girl."
"No way. You're gonna make the two lovers fight. I like it."
"Their relationship does not matter. All that matters is that Kirux continues his fight against the darkness in his heart."
"His next excursion will surely bring on his demise."
Stop: Organization XIII - KH2
Dun dun dunn! Suspense!
Hope you liked it. Next time, we'll see how Xion is doing!
Until then!
-Broncozfan623