CHAPTER ELEVEN

"I see you, too, wield a Keyblade." Maleficent said to Aqua, narrowing her eyes on Rainfell.

"How do you know about the Keyblade?" Aqua said.

"A source of power... A key that opens the hearts of men, of entire worlds... and allows one to obtain anything and everything. Such a power I find most fascinating."

"Too bad you'll never get that power!" I said, summoning Ultima Weapon.

Aqua bowed her head. "Terra... did he really...?"

"Yes. Now, my dears, would you like to assist me, as well?" Maleficent said.

"Never!" Aqua and I cried, striking our battle stances.

Maleficent narrowed her eyes on Aqua. "I see, Xehanort was right. You are a most stubborn girl."

"Master Xehanort?! How do you-?" Aqua said.

Maleficent turned her beady eyes to me. "And you... He hasn't mentioned the likes of you... I get a feeling that you don't even belong in this picture. It seems you need time to consider my offer. Fortunately, I have the perfect place."

Maleficent's staff glowed and she slammed it against the ground. Darkness erupted underneath me and Aqua, and we cried out as we fell into it.


Aqua and I landed on our feet in a dark and dank dungeon. We stood up straight and were surprised to see someone else with us. He sat on a large stone bench. He was a handsome man, wearing a black, long-sleeved shirt, a gray tunic, and black pants. Chains attached to his wrists kept him connected to the wall.

"You're the man Aurora met in the forest." I said. "Her dream come true."

"Who are you?" the man said.

"I'm Hallie."

"My name is Aqua." Aqua said. "We were caught in a trap set by Maleficent. Why are you here?"

"To prevent me from breaking the witch's evil curse. I was to meet the most beautiful girl at a cottage in the glen, but now my true love lies in an eternal slumber... and only I can break the spell."

"You mean Aurora." I said.

"You must really love her." Aqua said.

"Is what you said true?" Flora said as the three fairies floated up to us.

"Yes. Maleficent told me." the man said.

"Oh, Prince Phillip! It's you!"

"Prince?" I said. I summoned my Keyblade and slashed the chains off of Phillip.

"Thanks." he said, standing up and rubbing his wrists.

"Now, Phillip, the road to true love may be barred by many more dangers which you alone will have to face." Flora said.

"I'm going with you." Aqua said. "There's something I need to know, and Maleficent has the answer."

"Me, too." I said. "It's time Maleficent got put in her place."

"Yes, of course, dears." Flora said. "Now, come along. We must hurry to Aurora."


With Phillip and Aqua at my side, we escaped the dungeon and made our way up through the castle. We paused and I looked at the strange glowing walls. I heard the sound of wings flapping, and a raven floated over us. It threw its head back and let out a loud caw. The walls crumbled, and hoards of guards charged at us.

"Again?" I mumbled, summoning Ultima Weapon.

This group was as easy as the first group I fought earlier.

"We've got to get out of here." Aqua said. "Stay sharp! There could be guards everywhere."

I nodded, and she, Phillip, and I made a break for the exit. Guards on the ground and above us appeared. Those on ground level came at us with their weapons, while the ones above on ledges threw giant boulders at us.

"Look out, Hallie!" Aqua cried as she swung at a guard.

I looked up to see a guard heave a boulder over and fall down towards me. I fell down on my back and launched my feet into the boulder. A shield of Relfect appeared, and the rock bounced off it, at the same time performing a kip-up to hoist myself back up to my feet. The boulder flew back up and barrelled into those up on the ledge. Most of them stumbled over and fell to the ground.

"Let's go!" Phillip called.

Aqua and I followed him outside the castle, down the Forbidden Mountain, and through the forest to Aurora's castle. Purple lightning rained down, and giant thorns grew around and draped over the bridge. We stopped and brought out our weapons as Maleficent appeared.

"Maleficent! What did Master Xehanort tell you?" Aqua said.

"Such a pity, child, that you don't have Terra's gift for obedience." Maleficent said. "Nor can you see how easy it was for him."

"Terra would never do anything to help you!"

"Quite the contrary. He fully embraced the darkness within himself."

"Stop lying!"

"Why don't you ask your friend, Hallie, for the truth?" Maleficent looked to me with a grin. "After all, she witnessed firsthand the awakening of Terra's darkness."

Aqua gasped and her blue eyes flew over to me.

"See for yourself! The true power of darkness!" Maleficent cried as she glowed green. She grew large and took on the form of a giant, black dragon.

"True light overpowers true darkness!" I said.

Dragon Maleficent stood up on her hind legs before bringing her front legs down, creating a massive shock wave. Aqua and I jumped in the air and slashed at each of her wings. She let out a roar and whirled around, making us vulnerable to her flailing tail. It smacked into us, and we cried out as we flew over the edge.

"Aqua!" I cried as I shot my hand out. I gasped when I felt a hand grip mine. I looked up to see Aqua dangling above me, gripping the side of the bridge.

"Hang on!" Aqua groaned. She swung her arm to the sides a few times, creating momentum. "Now!"

She swung her arm as hard as she could, sending me up into the air. I performed a full twisting layout in the air before I landed back on the bridge in a three-point landing. I ran to the side and helped Aqua back up. We summoned our Keyblades back to our sides and charged at Maleficent. Dragon Maleficent shot a blast of green fire at us. We jumped back, and the fire created a barrier between us and Phillip.

"No!" Aqua said.

We watched Phillip swing aimlessly at Dragon Maleficent's head. Flora, Fauna, and Merriweather appeared.

"All together... Now sword of truth, fly swift and sure... that evil die and good endure!" Flora chanted.

The three fairies flicked their wands and Phillip's sword glowed. With a grunt, Phillip chucked his sword at Dragon Maleficent. It flew in the air and impaled her chest. She thrashed around as darkness and green fire consumed her. Her dragon form and the thorns disappeared, and the castle returned to light.

"You did it, Phillip!" I said. "Now, go!"

Phillip glanced back at us and nodded. He ran towards the castle. Maleficent, back in her normal form, groaned and stumbled towards us, a hand clutching her chest.

"It's the power of true love that defeated you." Aqua said.

"I will not be defeated by something as insignificant as love." Maleficent spat.

"You don't even know the first thing about it." I said. "Your heart is nothing but a shell of darkness."

"Try all you want, but you'll never defeat a heart filled with light." Aqua said.

"Perhaps... But remember one thing- as long as there is light, there will be darkness!" Maleficent said. "And in time, many more will be drawn to it. Then, they will all belong to me!"

Maleficent disappeared in a blaze of fire. Her evil cackle lingered in the air. Aqua turned her blue eyes to me.

"Terra didn't..." Aqua said. "...Hallie? It can't be true."

I avoided her gaze and bowed my head. That was all the answer she needed. She gasped quietly.

"I'm sorry, Aqua." I whispered.

I turned around and ran back into the forest.