Hello again, looks like there will be a few more chapters before the end, officially. Due to the length of this and other chapters following. Sorry about that, so please bear with me.

Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts, Dissidia: Final Fantasy and the Final Fantasy series are all products of Square Enix.

The Sacred Grounds of the Never Should

Sora's group went through the corridor first and emerged at a designated entry point in a vast, unfamiliar landscape. The group took a look at the bizarre-looking valley as they entered.

"So this is where all dimensions that were faded end up..." Kain mussed.

Yuna nodded, grimly"It's almost sad to see all the worlds that were destroyed."

"Yeah, its just awful" Sora murmured.

Tidus squared his shoulders"Well, we're definitely not going to let anything happen to our worlds."

"Right. Well, let's keep a lookout for monsters, we don't know what's in here besides Saxito" Sora stated.

Tyler was quiet for a moment"I sure hope Serenia is okay..."

"I'm sure she'll be fine. Though I am a bit worried..." Sora trailed off.

"Worrying about others. That's real smart there, kiddo. Especially when it's this forbidden dimensional rift, here" said a voice. A middle-aged man having a semi-opened white and green jacket with pauldrons with the Avalon insignia on both sides of the shoulder, red pants with knee pads, he also wore military boots and white gloves. Had Seifer-like but grey-colored hair and silver eyes. He jumped around like a Dragoon and landed near them with a somewhat cocky smile

"What? Who are you?" Sora inquired.

Tidus shrugged"Its probably just another of Saxito's lackeys."

Yuna was puzzed"But didn't we fight all of the Avalonian Generals?"

Cecil frowned"I thought something was off, Lumaria didn't look like he was from Avalon."

"That's because Saxito just hired the guy when you left Weyard. Name's Vata. And you can already guess what kingdom of which I'm a general of" grunted Vata.

Sora nodded"Yeah, we figured as much. You're with Avalon."

Kain silently sized Vata up.

"What business do you have with us, Vata? Did Saxito send you to intercept?" Cecil asked.

Vata flashed them an amused smile"Saxito, let alone Avalon, doesn't even know you're here, yet. Also, I can totally sense that your dragoon friend was casting a spell on me, which is a definite fail in my book." He unleashed thunder breath on the group and jumped away a bit"if ya wanna fight me, you'll have to catch me first!"

Vata chuckled while fleeing and accidently dropped a piece of paper with writing on it.

Sora healed his allies while Tyler went to pick up the piece of paper which read:

day 7

it's been a week since I joined the organization... and already I still can't get over the fact that the boss-man named me Saxito... It feels a bit strange to call me that since I never seen him before. but each time he looks at me... it's almost like he cares about me.

day 9

Ok, I read a book about nicknames, and I found the perfect ones for all the organization members. First one I named Roxas Roxy. Axel, Redhead. Xion, lovebird. Luxord, moneybags. Because, you know, he likes poker. Zexion, bookworm. Vexen, old man. Because why not? He is old. Larxene, meathead, because she's just so easy to pi$s off. Xaldin the windbag. Marluxia the gay man. Saix the 'luna'tic, Demyx the annoying runt. Because for some reason he just pi$ses me off to no end. Lexeus the rockhead... and Raixihk... well... I don't know what to call her. Meh, i'll come up with something for it later. And I'm debating to call the boss-man as is, or mansex. Oh well, I'll think of something later. And lastly, Xigbar the pedosniper.

Tyler was puzzed"Huh?"

"What is it?" Sora asked.

Tyler showed the rest of the group the note. Sora read it and got a confused look on his face"Hm. Is it really the same Saxito we know?"

"Who knows?" Yuna commented.

Kain shrugged"it seems there's more to this general than meets the eye."

Cecil thought for a moment"If we can find him, we'll probably find out what he is up to. Or if he has more of those notes."

"Maybe" said Sora as they headed on further through the Sacred Grounds. The first area the group entered was the betwixed and between area of the world that never was, mixed with the avenue of dreams, with a paradox portal near by.

Yuna gazed around"What... what is this?

Riku looked at the portal"Some kind of portal... But what..."

"Well, we won't find out just by standing here" said Sora, leading the way through the paradox portal. When they entered, the paradox lead them to what seemed to be a beach, a ruined pier, and destroyed buildings behind them as the wind slowly breezed, smelling of countless death and despair, while the skies were clouded dark, and beach area was covered in twilight.

Sora froze for a moment"Huh?"

"Which world is this?" said Tyler in awe.

Riku inspected the beach"This almost looks like the islands." Sora, Cecil and Kain look around quietly and saw what looked like Taios in the distance, sitting down on the edge of a jetty of rocks, watching the horizon. When they approached him, a teen girl with blonde hair, green eyes, and wearing an organization 13 coat was in his place

The girl sat there in eerie silence for a moment" ... hey."

Tyler walked towards the girl"Uh, hi there."

The girl addressed them with a sad look in her eyes"I can see it in your eyes... it's obvious you all don't trust me... so just say it, already so you can fight me."

Yuna felt a twinge of sympathy"You are afraid that we might hurt you. don't you?"

The girl nodded"Yes... and from I remember vaguely... is that... you're in a place called: Ocean Beach... this is one of the many memories that Saxito holds so deep in his heart."

"So, this is part of Saxito's memories?" said Cecil in wonder.

Tyler shrugged"Looks that way. Who are you, miss?"

"I cant tell you, yet. The chaos prevents me from doing so. All I can tell you is this. Saxito's memories are connected with Taios himself. The mask of deception Saxito wears, hides every bit of sorrow and regret he has ever felt. Even now... His heart is being torn asunder by a being made by the very manifestation of chaos and darkness."

Sora was surprised"Huh...?"

"Are you referring to Xehanort?" Riku asked.

"Are you saying... That Saxito is in pain?" Yuna added.

The girl nodded"Yes he is in pain, Summoner. Though, his heart is in the right place in terms of trying to save worlds... but... it became warped... if you resolve the paradox, I will give you pages of Saxito's journal in the next paradox."

"All right, but how can we resolve this one?" piped Tidus.

"There is a chaotic shadow of a woman that caused both the somebody and the nobody pain in the first place...eliminate that shadow, and the paradox will be resolved in this illusion" the girl explained. The chaos literally consumed her and she faded.

"All right, let's go look" said Sora.

Sora's group start to look around for the shadow until they eventually came to a school in the hills that seemed to the only place that was unharmed, minus the paint being non-existent. And when they arrived at the football field, they saw a beautiful woman who was sitting in the stands. She was wearing Ansem SoD's clothes, had blonde hair, red eyes, and the feeling that you don't want to be near her, despite the beauty.

The woman looked at them"well, it's about time. You all decided to finally take your sweet time to find me here."

"That must be the shadow of the one who caused Taios and Saxito's pain" Sora mussed.

Riku scoffed at her"Don't try to fool us, lady. We're brining you down."

The woman, Mirath's Shadow smirked"... Really? Well, I shouldn't be surprised by this, Riku. I mean, you are attempting to save the complete person who has the ultimate super weapon in his heart, after all." She got up and started floating towards the others as a intense darkness started to distort and warp the illusion into a place that was part of the realm of darkness"Even if this shadow of mirath fades from history, the memory itself of the true mirath will never truly vanish." She then used the power of darkness to create the Demon Destruction Keyblade.

Sora and Riku readied their blades while Yuna summoned Valefor to help with the fight. But Mirath's shadow wasn't a pushover. In fact, it's more to say that she was as tough as Xemnas when Sora was fighting him.

Mirath's Shadow snarled and cast Shadow Flare at the group"Drown in the chaos of my lord!"

Sora healed the group and countered Mirath's shadow with Strike Raid and a combo. Cecil and Kain pitched in, attacking the shadow while Tidus stood back and used his Blitz Ace technique.

Mirath cackled"hmhmhmhmh. Impressive. But can you handle this?" She started melt into darkness itself and started to morph into a familiar anti-black coat nightmare dream eater.

Riku smirked"That won't help you. I've defeated an Anti-Coat before." Yuna dismissed Valefor and summoned Ifrit while Tidus rushed forward with Spiral Cut. But this time, the anti-black coat was even faster than before. even it was spitting itself into multiple copies, and viciously brutalizing the group.

"Dang, she's tough" groaned Tidus.

"If only we could contact the other teams..." Tyler whimpered.

Sora countered with Rising Sun, while Yuna dismissed Ifrit and summoned Ixion. Kain parried and struck back at the anti-coats. The clones of anti-black coat were about to attack until a buffet spell, destroyed one and stunned all of them!

"Hurry up and beat the crap outta these guys!" Called Vata with a cocky smile.

Sora cut down as many Anti-Coats as he could with Rising Sun while Cecil, Riku and Kain hacked away at their opponents. When they were done, the shadow was nowhere to be seen.

Vata breathed in and out"Welp, she's dead. Honestly, how terribly sucky are you guys?"

Riku scoffed"You shouldn't underestimate us, Sora and I have been through worse".

Sora glanced a confused look at Vats"I don't understand, Vata. Why help us, when you could've just saved Saxito the trouble?"

"Because my friend and think that Saxito is a total prick" Vata replied, arrogantly.

"Friend?" Tyler was puzzled"Who's your friend?"

Vata squared his shoulders"A hell butterfly eidolon that's been sealed here for years."

As if right on cue, A black butterfly flew near vata"So Vata, did you tell them yet?"

Vata shook his head"Asteroth, you know why we can't JUST tell them. Then there would be no point, now would it?"

Yuna was amazed and confused at the same time"That's a Eidolon?"

Tidus was amazed"Whoa, guess eidolons come in all shapes in sizes."

"Well, thanks for the assist, Vata" Sora smiled.

Vata inclined his head"No problem. now, get out of here before this place collapses and compresses with you inside." He then vanished in wind along with Asteroth.

Sora's group quickly leaves the paradox world, ending up back in Dream Avenue. This time, they were past the giant skyscraper that blocked the way to the contorted city. And when they arrived in said contorted city, most of the city was covered in a water-like substance, with a gateway in front of an invisible wall holding the water in place

A familiar female voice greeted them as they entered"Ah, the warriors of Cosmos, Sora and Riku have finally arrived in the sacred grounds... You are all a disgrace to attempt to oppose High Emperor Saxito's true goal... if you are willing to face me in combat... I will be waiting within my realm."

Sora recognized the voice as that of the Water Archfiend"Styx again, huh? That's not particularly a problem."

Tidus grinnedd"Yeah! So, now what? I could probably swim in this water and scout ahead."

Yuna frowned"You may not want to try that, Tidus. That may not be normal water, though it looks like it."

"That's because it isn't" said a voice, Taios had showed up nearby with his team.

Sora turned to address the voice's owner"Taios, how were things from your end?"

Taios shrugged"Lets just say that... We've seen creepy things in here that we will not discuss ever. right... Tina?" He glanced at the half-Esper, who had an ashamed look on her face.

Yuna frowned"Was it that bad?"

Questa squared her shoulders"Unspeakable would be the proper term for it."

"We found some notes on our way, seems like they were about Saxito's past" Tyler piped up.

Ventus was curious"Huh? Let me see them."

Tyler handed the notes to Ventus, who read the notes thoroughly"Whoa, that's kind of unbelievable."

"Okay, let's try not to touch the watery substance to be on the safe side, but we need to figure out what needs to be done to pass through here" Sora said, looking around.

Questa glanced around as well"There may be some sort of contraption, here."

Taios gestured over to a gate ahead of them"That thing in front of the substance. I think it's a gateway from the Dissidia war... All we have to do is touch it and we'll go into it."

Tidus was curious"Hm. Never seen one of those in a while, let's check it out."

Sora went over to the 'gateway' Taios indicated and touched the portal and he vanished in a strange light.

Taios grinned"i call shotgun!" and ran to touch the gateway.

Kain: These things usually lead to some sort of maze within. If I recall correctly, each of those gates had a guardian within, along with other nameless Manikins.

Questa shrugged"We might as well follow them."

Upon entering, the group saw that the maze was unlike anything they've before, it was covered in the water-like substance, yet despite being in there, they could actually breathe the stuff

Taios gasped"Water themed area, fish swimming around like it's no one's business... Yup. We're gonna face a water-based boss soon."

"I'm surprised we can breath in here. Huh, my clothes' magic didn't even turn me into a merperson this time, this water must have some kind of spell on it" Sora analyzed.

Ceodore looked around"Which way should we go?"

"Let's try going forward for a bit. If there are any split pathways, we can always separate to find the exit" suggested Tidus.

Taios grinned and handed over whisper weed"Luckily our machinist king gave me these."

Cecil nodded"All right, let's move. If necessary, we can keep in touch through the whisper weed."

Tina smiled"I'll thank Edgar for you, Taios."

Taios smirked back"Thanks. But right now, we got a fish to fry."

Sora nodded"Right."

Sora and his group start their way forward through the maze, which eventually led to a spot where the illusion manifested into where it was like Ursula's home.

Styx greeted them with a smirk"i am so glad you all made it... and it was somewhat amusing that Tina Brandford would mercilessly r pe all those soldiers while killing them... Kefka must have taught you well. Oops. Was I not supposed to mention it? Well, too bad" she finished as Tina had gone quiet.

Tidus readied his blade"That's enough, what she did wasn't her fault. Not that a tool of Saxito's would care."

Sora readied Kingdom Key"Well, ready to give up, Styx? You're going down."

Sty removed her robes to reveal her "true" form as a beautiful young woman"If we are all going to go all out, allow me to make it the most difficult fight of your after-lives." She then began to summon hoards of undead"If you manage to strike me down, I will return from the Farplane along with Asmodai."

Tidus tainted her"That's what you think!"

Yoran and Questa ready their keyblades and calmly move to engage the Undead Hoard in battle while Tina cast a few offensive spells at their enemies. Yuna attempted to summon Valefor to help with the battle. Sora rushed at Styx with Strike Raid and prepared to cast Thundara.

Styx cackled"I see you lot waste no time in attacking me. I shall drown you all into the sea of souls!" More more of the strange substance started to flood the area.

Taios gasped"Oh, crap, I know what she's doing! This water is straight from the farplane!"

Tidus' eyes widened"What?"

"How can we stop it?" Yuna asked.

Before Taios could say anything, a earth like attack struck Taios from behind as a golem-like monster wearing Asmodai's robes started to attack while Styx started to become a mer-shark

Ceodore quickly administers a potion on Taios while Tina shifted into her Esper form and cast Blizzaga on the golem-like monster. Kain and Ceodore attempt Cross Slash Prime on Styx.

Questa looked around"If this water gets any deeper, we won't be able to fight back for long."

Sora shrugged"Tidus and I could probably still fight if I assume my merman form, but the rest of you might drown."

Taios squared his shoulders"we'll try the best we can."

Sora turned to face the mer-shark"All righty, then. Styx, I have news for you: You're not the only one with an aquatic form. Time to put you on Ice!"

Tyler, Questa, Yoran, Riku and Tina engaged the golem-like monster while Sora invokesd a spell to briefly turn himself into a merman to combat Styx's mer-shark form. Tidus swung his blade at Styx, while Yuna summoned Shiva, as Ixion and Ifrit are no-nos unwater. Tina cast Flare on the Golem monster, while Riku charged at it with a combo.

"Twilights spiral!" Taios had invoked his own technique.

Meanwhile, while the troops were preping to attack the warriors, Saxito himself was walking through naughts skyway, Vanitas' image was walking with him. Vanitas' image smirke"See, Saxito? Sora and Taios are doing it again. Destroying your posse. Just like what they did to Chaos, Xemnas and all the others before them.

Saxito shrugged"And as I recall, Vanitas... You're on that list too. Dead as a doornail. Just as you say."

Vanitas' Image let out a twisted smirk"Ahh... But that isn't true anymore. I live on in you. You are nothing more than a puppet, being pulled by my strings. But we can't really both exist in this crowded space for much longer. A mental breakdown is bound to be imminent, soon. One of us is bound to vacate from here. And we both know who that is going to be."

Saxito grimaced"Well, once kingdom hearts is destroyed, you won't control me any longer."

Sora zoomed at Styx and unleashes a combo, following with Bllizaga. Tidus follows up with Spiral Cut.

The golem-like monster staggered, giving Tina a change to attack it with another Flare spell.

Styx snarled"I will not be destroyed like all those other villains were! Asmodai, return them to the void!"

"Uuuuuggghhhh!" Asmodai turnsed invisable as a black substance not only damaged them direly, but harmed Styx as well.

Styx screamed"ARRRGHHH! DAMN YOU!... i will not be destroyed like all those overzelous incompetent morons in the past!"

"Face it, Styx. It's over. You lost" stated Taios.

"NO! I will never admit defeat! All gods and goddesses as well as the realm of darkness needs to be destroyed off the face of existence. They say they desire to aid us, but what does that accomplish in the end? NOTHING! I will destroy you all, and Emperor Saxito will praise my accomplishments!" screamed Styx as she cast Undane Cry 3 times.

Sora healed his allies and countered with Arc Arcanum.

Shiva countered the Asmodai Golem and Styx with Diamond Dust while Cecil sent forth a Radiant Wave attack at Styx, causing her to scream as the farplane substance started to fill the chamber in even more.

"GUYS! we need to use all the thunder-based magic possible! if not, we're gonna be banished to the farplane, and we'll run out of time!" Taios cried.

Tidus was puzzled"Uh, are you sure about that? Water and Lightning don't exactly mix."

"Well, its worth a shot" said Yuna, dismissing Shiva and summoning Ixion.

Sora, Tina, Questa, Yoran and Tyler cast Thundaga on Styx while Yuna pitched in with Ixion's Thor's Hammer attack. Ventus, Cecil, Ceodore, Riku and Kain focused their attention on the Asmodai Golem. And with that, the Golem started to stagger to the point to where it was destroyed, and as a result, weakened the mermaid shark.

"gahh!" cried Styx.

"GUYS, THE FINISHER. NOW!" Taios shouted.

"You're done, Styx!" Sora cried, reverting to human form and attacking with a Ragnarok Combo attack, followed by a Thundaga from Tina. Kain and Ceodore Double jumped while Ixion used Aerospark on Styx.

Weakened, Styx Collapsed while in her mermaid shark form"Ngh... Why? Why do you all persist with serving gods and goddesses? Do you all not realize that they keep you under their leash?"

Yoran grimaced"It would taste a lie to say that all Divine Beings are perfect, but Saxito's genocidal methods are very wrong... And mine, perhaps were too harsh..."

"Spira once worshiped when can be considered a false god, but I won't stop believing in Cosmos" Tidus stated.

Yuna shook her head"Me, neither. Yu Yevon may have been a false god, but that doesn't mean I won't stop believing in doing what is right."

Tyler piped up"Besides, Cosmos is very nice... At least that's the opinion I get, she just does her job as the Goddess of Harmony..."

"Cosmos isn't perfect herself... In fact, to an extent, I hate gods and goddesses, too. But trying to kill innocent lives... No more. We will fight for what's ours, and if we fail? Well, there are worse things than being killed. At least Styx, we wouldn't end up like you, running away from your problems" stated Taios.

Styx started to fade completely with the illusion fading back to normal"No matter... I'm going to die and return to the void where the original Emperor first resided... Farewell Warriors of Cosmos... May your conquest of the destruction of Bhunivelze be bloodied and battered." Right as she faded, another page of Saxito's journal was revealed.

Riku was surprised"Huh, yet another page of Saxito's reports."

Sora went to pick up the fallen page and began to read:

'Day 12
I found out something terrible after Xemnas let me be the leader of castle oblivion and the gay man was finally killed by Sora, and Hikari and Riku killed off Ansem, Kyo, and Sarah... Raixihk was a seeress... There was something fishy about the whole kingdom hearts making me complete thing... I knew it. It was all a lie. I hacked into Xemnas' files and they aren't for helping to complete nobodies. They were for turning them into his puppets! We have to run away, now!

Day 29
I feel a bit strange... Why am I... Forgetting? Is it because Raixihks seeress powers? I'm trying to remember what happened...'

'Day 30? 24? 86... I don't know.

My memories are starting to go crazy... I-... I think I killed someone...oh god... I murdered a child! Oh wait, that child was murdering an entire population in a place called: New York City. But seriously, my memories are starting to make me feel weird...Damnit Mirath. Why do you have to ruin everything?'

Sora finished reading It"Hm."

Tidus rolled his eyes"Whoa, that's even more messed up,"

"Hikari... And Raixhk... Taios, do you know someone called Hikari? I can't really tell for sure based on the names by themselves, but I think this 'Raixihk' mentioned in these reports is the Nobody of someone called Hikari" Sora said.

"And how would it help to know our enemy's history? We just keep finding these notes for no apparent reason" Ceodore said, confused.

"Ceodore, there is no such thing as no apparent reason... And as for Hikari and Raixihk... the somebody I met when I was in the dark margin beach place when I couldn't remember who I was. But when i met Raixihk, I remembered a little bit... and she started to have a crush on me... which was strange... It was only when I met Namine' I remembered a lot about who I was, my home, almost everything... I think I know who's messing with Saxito's head" explained Taios.

"Who?" Ventus asked, curious.

Taios let out a grimace"Your darkness, Ven. Vanitas."

Tyler was confused"... So, Vanitas is still around, then?"

Ventus shrugged"I'd be lying if I said I didn't hope Vanitas was gone for good after I almost sacrificed my heart to destroy him."

Sora squared his shoulders"Maybe we'll find out more as we go along. Besides, we need to keep going through this place to find Saxito and defeat him, anyway."

Tina nodded"no matter the circumstances... we need to stop him."

"Alright. we have two more bosses we have to worry about. Baugauven... and... I don't know who. I know it sounds cliché', but with the common tropes that I've witnessed over the years, it's a bit obvious with me" said Taios.

Sora nodded"All right, let's keep going." They continued past the contorted city and finally made it to Memory Skyscraper.

A familiar pink haired man was ahead, leaning on the door of said skyscraper"So. Thought I was dead, right?"

Taios facepalmed"Seriously!? YOU?!"

Lumaria smirked"Yes. Me. You know, I always thought my revenge would taste sweet if it was cold. and it is."

Sora was shocked"How did..."

"Lumaria... Never thought you would want to serve a genocidal madman like Saxito..." Yoran remarked.

Questa grimaced"Well, apparently, traitors like Lumaria can't be trusted."

Yoran shrugged"Not so surprising for mercenaries and assassins, however. Their loyalty has always been to the highest bidder. But still, they can be quite fickle."

Sora readied himself"I don't get how you survived, Lumaria. But we're taking you down if you're going to get in our way."

Lumaria smirked"oh no. You aren't going anywhere. Because you'll be having the most fun facing against the card versions of the dead organization 13 members. Zexion, Xigbar, Larxene, and Luxord."

Sora sighed"Organization XIII is getting redundant."

Yoran shrugged"Let's make this personal, shall we? Lumaria, I cannot deny that I overestimated you, but now you will join Arlene in the Farplane. Don't think I don't know what happened to her on Roak."

Lumaria smirked and summoned his scythe"Heh, bold words."

Riku scoffed"Get serious, Marluxia, you couldn't even beat Sora at Castle Oblivion."

"Lumaria... please for the sake of breaking the cycle of stupid people who want to kill themselves. Just stop. Because we all know that Styx was killed by us. And before you say anything about: "oh I can do better!" please, we all know that people like you who are a-holes, always end up dying anyways" Taios nearly begged.

Lumaria smiled with amusement"Well, then. I'll just have to careful when killing all of you, now would I?"

"Enough is enough. I don't like killing others, but I guess if you're not going to listen, its your choice" Sora said.

Lumaria snarled"Shut up and die, Sora!" He tossed his scythe at Sora, who jumped backwards and darted forward with a counterattack. Lumaria blocked, teleported and summoned a barrage of thorny roses.

Taios grimaced"... guys? Ultimara, now. We need to use it before he starts to summon his mech again."

Cecil was concerned"Are you certain you're able to try that again, Taios?"

Questa deflected Lumaria's barrage with reflect as she said"Ultimara is a potent technique, that can take a lot out the user."

Yuna shrugged"Well, I suppose we should try."

Sora cast Blizzard on Lumaria before addressing Yuna, Cecil and Taios"All right, let's do it."

The duo began to give Taios a lot of holy energy while Lumaria was doing his limit break

"Prepare!" Lumaria snarled as he was floating in the air and created 3 small fissures.

Taios pointed his blade at the man"It's time for your end." He fired the small ball of condensed light as the momentum of gravity kept the assassin in place. But as soon as the condensed light hit Lumaria, distortions of chaos, as well as holy explosions did not mix well... and he was still alive!

Lumaria cackled as a holy aura literally emitted from him as darkness started to consume the area into Marluxia's final area"hmhmhmhmhmhmhm. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA AAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Your hopes are doomed to the darkness"

Taios groaned"Ngh... oh crap... he was ready for us..."

"Don't get cheeky with us, Lumaria" Yoran stated.

Questa braced herself"We best rethink our tactics."

Cecil shifted into Dark Knight form and unleashed a wave of Darkness at the Assassin. Ceodore and Kain followed up with Cross slash prime. Lumaria avoided the wave, but is caught off guard by the band attack. Lumaria snarled and summoned another thorny deluge before swinging his scythe at Yoran, who blocks with his blade.

"The beginning of the end! OMNILASER!" Lumaria fired directly at Taios, bombarding him with countless barrage of hits

Taios fell to his knees"AAAARRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!"

Yoran fired a Holy Spell at Lumaria before darting forward with a combo. Questa cast Cura on Taios before rushing at Lumaria with Strike Raid. Tina stepped back and started casting a Flare Spell at the Assassin.

Lumaria smiled with amusement"You know what. I enjoy this petty struggle... but i will have you all, this time. For real. Scatter now to oblivion! Whirlwind of the void!" HE blasted the party with a wind that knocked out thier weapons and items.

Tina collapsed for a moment.

Ceodore groaned"Now what...?"

Yuna addressed the half-Esper"Tina, let's try our own brand of power."

Tina nodded"Right..."

Yuna summoned Shiva to attack Lumaria with her ice magic"Time for some girl power"

Tina got back up and cast Flare at Lumaria.

Tyler analyzed the situation"I have an idea... Lets do a trinity limit!"

Ventus ruffled Tyler's hair"That ought to do the trick."

Sora nodded"Okay, let's do it."

Lumaria was occupied trying to dodge Tina and Shiva's attacks while countering as best he could, only to find that Sora, Tyler and Ventus did the only weakness that he failed to realize"Damnit ... at least i died doing the things i loved."

Tyler, Ven, and Sora cast a spell at the same time, performing their limit"LIGHT!"

A powerful light attacked Lumaria with tremendous force, Lumaria screamed as he his body, heart and soul was olbiterated entirely while rose petals gently blew around. Reality returned to normal... but with everyone exhausted, and the items and weapons were scattered around the memory sckyscraper, they stopped to rest

Tidus gasped"Hoo, boy, I'd say that Lumaria and Arlene will be having an eternal hot date in the Farplane, now."

Yoran nodded"Saxito's defenses are indeed formidable. Fortunately, we should have enough supplies to last us the rest of the way."

Tyler paused for a moment"Think Aqua's group is having any luck finding Serenia?"

Sora smiled"I think they have it covered."

Taios panted with an exhausted look"I guess I really underestimated him... I mean, I expected it eventually... But-"

"We all did, Taios. But you tried to take one for the team. And you deserve to rest" smiled Ventus.

Cecil nodded"We all do. We'll continue on when we're all ready to go."

Kain, Yoran and Questa stood guard while the rest of their companions rested up.

At the Altar of Naught, Rinoa was chained to the altar. Saxito slowly approached with a look of sympathy"Hello, Rinoa... I'm really sorry that i have to do this... but there is no other alternitive."

Rinoa glared at Saxito"What I'd like to know is why I was kidnapped. In a fair fight, I wouldn't have lost to you, at all."

Saxito just smirked"You familiar with the time witch that caused time compression, correct?"

Rinoa slowly nodded"Yes, but I'd rather forget about her."

Saxito smiled"Yeah, I'm gonna make use both the dawn and twilight crystals to make you go crazy to the point to where you will cause time compression to happen... and when it does... bye, bye kingdom hearts... As well as every god and goddess in existence. All of them will be destroyed and the multiverse will finally be free of their tyrannical rule, forever."

Rinoa clenched her fist"How could you... I won't let you use my powers for your selfish wishes!"

Saxito shook his head with a smirk"Rinoa, it doesn't matter if you refuse or not. All gods and goddesses need to be eliminated either way. They cause more harm than good to us mortals. The murders and domination that i'm doing? They are just tiny potatoes in comparison to the horrid acts that gods and goddesses themselves portray in order to justify that they are even more selfish than I am. I'm only evil because there is no other way to stop them and xehanort!"

Rinoa frowned"All that, just to... Wouldn't it have been better just to work together with Sora and the Warriors of Harmony? They won't just stand by and let you do this. I know that Squall, Sora and the others will eventually find their way here. Cosmos isn't evil, you must realize that."

Saxito sighed"I know... But there is no way to safely remove her strings of control that Bhunivelze put on her. And if I'm to die in the process of kingdom hearts destruction, so be it. And before i forget...it's ironic to see that your relationship with squall is weak at best. i mean, really? having sex with seifer just to make squall jealous? how shallow can you get?"

Rinoa frowned in confusion"What do you mean? Seifer and I just dated that one time!"

"Yeah, and just to make Squall jealous. Course, he could be secretly gay" Saxito taunted with a smirk.

"What are you talking about? Squall would never cheat on me, nor I on him!" The sorceress refuted.

Saxito smiled"Oh, i'm not doubting it... but you have to admit that he believes that giving you everything you could ever want... I mean, after all... You can't deny that you will become the very thing you hate."

Rinoa hesitated"I... guess I have nothing more to say to you."

"Of course you don't... Now, then. you'll have to excuse me, future Ultimecia. I have an errand to run. Be right back" Saxito smirked as he used a dark corridor to teleport away.

Okay, got the next chapter set up. Again, its going to be a few more chapters than I thought, but oh well. I hope you still enjoy this. Please feel free to review if you'd like. These last few chapters will be action-packed from here on in.