Chapter 65: Castle of Bygone Fortress
Ky, Noel, Elena, Ken, Max, Tails, Blaze, Shadow, Storm, Grace, Kiyo and Zatch, Lucky, T.J., Zuko, Sly, Bentley, Murray, and Lucas are back in the space area while Sora, Donald, and Goofy return to their Gummi ship.
"Man, talk about unexpected. I thought for sure we were done for." Ky said.
"I couldn't agree more." Elena said.
"I guess sometimes help comes from unexpected places." Sora said.
"Sure does!" Donald said.
Flashback:
In Hollow Bastion the group are surrounded by many Heartless.
"Maybe everything we've done…maybe it was all for nothing. What are we supposed to do if we can't use the Keyblades?!" Sora asked.
"Imbeciles! You can't be trusted to do anything!" A voice said.
"What?" Ky, Noel, and Sora asked at the same time as a dark pool appears under the group and they sink.
In what looks like a black place Ky, Noel, and Sora recover and find the others and they look around.
"What's this place?" Goofy asked.
"My techno map is not determining anything!" Tails said.
"I don't like it here…" Lucas said.
"This might be the Realm of Darkness!" Ky said.
"Maybe! Kairi! Riku!" Sora called.
"Nex!" Ky called.
As the group look around Storm, Grace, and Lucky turn to see something.
"Pika!" Storm said.
"Eevee!" Grace said.
"Yoshi!" Lucky said.
"What?" Donald asked and he sees a hooded black cloaked figure holding what looks like a white box.
"Another Organization member?!" Max asked.
"I've had enough of this!" Ken yelled as he charges at the hooded black cloaked figure who disappears in darkness. "Where're ya goin', bitch?!" Ken demanded.
"Calm down, Ken. What's that?" Elena asked looking down at the white box.
Donald picks up the white box.
"Are ya sure ya wanna open…that?" Goofy asked as Donald opens the white box showing a photo and an ice-cream bar.
Ky takes the photo and gives it to Sora.
"Are those the three people we met at Twilight Town?" Noel asked.
"Yep! It's the gang alright! There's Hayner, Pence, Olette, and, um…" Goofy stops talking as he sees a fourth person who is a boy with spiky blond hair.
"Roxas." Sora said.
"You know him?" Blaze asked.
"No. The name just popped into my head. This is Roxas." Sora said.
"Roxas…where have I heard that name before…? Also, why does he look…familiar to me?" Ky asked.
Donald is about to eat the ice-cream bar.
"Are ya sure ya wanna eat…that?" Goofy asked as Donald eats the ice-cream bar.
"What does it taste like?" Murray asked.
"Salty…no…sweet!" Donald said but then the ice-cream bar starts glowing.
Ky's, Noel's, and Sora's Keyblades appear and the crown symbol appears under them and they are sent to the ethereal place and the ice-cream bar reveals another keyhole and Ky, Noel, and Sora shoot their light beams and unlock the keyhole and are sent back to the black place.
"Not yet! I gotta find Kairi!" Sora said.
"I still gotta find Griff!" Ky said.
Flashback End.
"A photo and some ice-cream… Wonder if they're some sorta clue, and who woulda left 'em for us anyway?" Goofy asked.
"Riku?" Sora suggested.
"Are ya sure?" Goofy asked.
"Just this feeling I got." Sora said.
"Ky and Noel are moving again!" Donald said.
"Hey, what if the Heartless are back again? Ky, Noel, and I can't use the Keyblades…that would only help the Organization." Sora said.
"But, Sora, I think you three have to use 'em. If we don't fight 'em, along with them Black Xetis, the Heartless'll keep on hurtin' folks." Goofy said.
"I guess you're right." Sora said.
Back outside.
"What're we supposed to do now? We just figured out that if we fight the Heartless with our Keyblades, then a heart will be released, and Organization XIII will take those hearts!" Ky said.
"Should we just…give up?" Noel asked.
"No! Don't! I know fighting the Heartless will only help the Organization, but we can't just ignore them attacking everyone, along with the Black Xetis!" Elena said.
"I'm sure we'll figure this out. Let's just keep doing what is natural to us, and we'll be fine." Tails said.
"Thanks." Ky said.
"You two and Sora just trust in your hearts, and do what you think is right." Zuko said.
"You're right." Noel said.
The group go for the next world but then they see Bygone Fortress covered in darkness.
"Is that Bygone Fortress?" Ken asked.
"It is, and it's covered in darkness!" Noel said.
"We should do something! C'mon!" Ky said.
The group go for Bygone Fortress and Ky and Noel use their Keyblades to create a light trail and create a light portal and the group follow the light trail and go into the light portal while the Gummi ship lands.
(Bygone Fortress: Town Plaza)
In the plaza of the constructed town the light portal appears and Ky, Noel, and their friends fly out of the light portal before it disappears and Sora, Donald, and Goofy arrive but as they start to move Phantom Black Xetis are moving through the town.
"More Black Xetis?" Sly asked.
"This is not a good sign." Lucas said.
The group then see Horror Haviks moving around the town plaza.
"Not more Haviks too." Donald said.
"We'd better go see Ry and the others. I hope they're okay." Noel said.
"They should be over at their H.Q. at the Residential District." Blaze said and everyone nods.
(Field Theme: Restoring Bygone Fortress)
The group start to move through the town plaza for the Residential District but as they keep going Noel looks up at a roof of a building and there is a figure on the building.
"Who is that…?" Noel asked.
"Noel? What's up?" Sora asked.
"Huh? Oh, nothing." Noel said.
"What were you looking at?" Elena asked.
"I thought I saw something, but I think I'm just seeing things." Noel said.
"That's okay. It happens. C'mon, we gotta get over to the H.Q., and see how Ry and the others are doing." Ky said and Noel nods.
The group keep going and they later go for the next area.
(Bygone Fortress: Construction District)
The group are at the construction site and they make their way for the residential area for the H.Q. to meet with Ry and they later leave the construction site.
(Bygone Fortress: Residential District)
The group arrive at the residential district and they find the H.Q. building and make their way into the building.
(Bygone Fortress: H.Q. Base)
The group arrive at the H.Q. building and find Tsubaki and May watching from the screen and they turn to the group.
"You're back." Tsubaki said.
"Yes. Where's Ry?" Noel asked.
"He, along with Elliot are on their way to the old castle of our original ruler of this world." May answered.
"Count Nago…" Noel said.
"That's right. You guys should hurry over there, if you want to find him." Tsubaki said.
"Sure, but where is the castle?" Ky asked.
"There is a courtyard up ahead over by the Residential District. Find some flowers on the upper part of the area." Tsubaki answered.
"Got it!" Sora said.
"Thanks." Ky said.
"Tell Ry where are on our way." Noel said.
"We will, and please be careful out there." May said and everyone nods.
The group leave the H.Q. and return outside in the Residential District and begin to search for flowers and the upper part of the area and they later find stairs leading to the upper part of the Residential Area and they find some flowers behind a stone gate and the group go through the stone gate to go for the a new area.
(Bygone Fortress: Courtyard Glade)
The group arrive at a courtyard that has a glade of wilted flowers and they start making their way for the castle to search for Ry but as they move they find someone which is a young man with untidy short dark brown hair, has a scar mark on the left side of his face, appears shirtless, wearing a spiked shoulder pad on his left shoulder, red and yellow slacks with loincloths on the back, and a necklace with a cyan stone at the end and is sitting on the ground with his eyes closed.
"Hey, what're you doing here?" Ky asked and the young man opens his eyes and looks at the group.
"I'm meditating. I need to keep my soul at its calm state." The young man said.
"But why here of all things? Don't you know it's dangerous out here? There're Black Xetis everywhere." T.J. asked.
"I'm aware, but I can handle myself." The young man said.
"You wouldn't happen to know where this castle of Count Nago is, do you?" Zuko asked.
"There is a castle not too far from this glade. That might the castle you're looking for." The young man said.
"Thanks." Sora said.
"Yes. Now, I must continue meditating my soul and my mind." The young man said.
"Okay, we'll let you do just that." Ky said.
"See you around." Sly said.
The group continue their way through the courtyard glade and later on they arrive at what looks like an end of the yard and go for the next area.
(Bygone Fortress: Castle Town)
The group arrive at what looks like a castle town which is in ruins and they start moving to find where the castle is and while searching around they reach the end of the castle town and go for the next area.
(Bygone Fortress: Ruined Entrance)
The group arrive at an old and ruined castle and they look around.
"This must be the castle." Noel said.
"Where the hell is Ry?" Ken asked.
"Over here!" A voice called and the group see Ruby, Wiess, Blake, and Yang.
"Is Ry in the castle?" Noel asked.
"Yeah, and he and Elliot are investigating it for something that can be useful for trying to restore this world back to how it was." Ruby said.
"There are also five people, who are also trying to help them." Blake said.
"Five people?" Ky asked.
"Are they in the castle too?" Tails asked.
"Yeah." Wiess answered.
"Okay. We'll go in, and find them. Thanks." Elena said.
The group make their way into the old and ruined castle.
(Bygone Fortress: Hallways)
The group arrive at the castle hallways and make their way through them while climbing upstairs taking them to different parts of the castle and later on they find a door and they open it leading them to a different area.
(Bygone Fortress: Nago's Chamber)
The group arrive at a chamber and while looking around they find many books around and they see what looks like a picture and it has a man wearing royal robes and with him is a woman also wearing robes and is carrying what looks like a baby with pink hair, and with them are two girls and one has dark violet hair while the other has dark orange hair.
"Gawrsh, this hasta be this Count Nago's room." Goofy said.
"And I'm guessing that man in the picture is Nago himself." Ky said.
"But who're they with him?" Sora asked.
"I'm guessing that's his wife, the countess. I think her name is Rachel." Zuko said.
"Wait…yes. It must be Countess Rachel, the woman that was forced into marriage with Faust." Noel said.
"And the baby in the picture must be…you, Noel." Ky said.
"It would make sense… I am their daughter." Noel said.
"But who're those two girls?" Elena asked.
"Those must be Rixla and Millia. They're…my sisters. They were both blinded by darkness, and followed Faust's evil ways." Noel said.
"But where's Ry?" Bentley asked.
"Is he not here at all?" Donald asked.
"You there!" A voice called and the group see what looks like a woman with white hair and wearing a purple revealing outfit and gold arm armor.
"Uh, who are you, and what are you doing here?" Kiyo asked.
"Silence! Where is the sword?" The woman asked.
"What sword?" Max asked.
"The sword with demonic powers that feasts on souls. It is wielded by an evil knight." The woman said.
"Oh, I know what you're talkin' about! You're not gonna…" Ken was cut off by Noel.
"We don't know." Noel said.
"Hmph! Then I must search elsewhere. If you're lying to me, you will answer to me." The woman said as she leaves.
"Why the hell is SHE after Soul Edge?" Ken asked.
"I don't know, but she can't know." Noel said.
"I see you've made it." A voice said and the group see Ry.
"Ry." Noel said.
"You said you were looking for something?" Ky asked.
"Yeah. Something that should help us put an end to the Black Xetis, and help us make Bygone Fortress back to how it was before it was taken over by Faust and the Fearmongers." Ry said.
"But where is it that could help?" Lucas asked.
"Here." Ry said as he reveals what looks like a lever and pulls it making a wall come down revealing a hole on the wall.
"A secret entrance?" Shadow asked.
"Where will this lead?" Sora asked.
"Just follow me, and you'll find out." Ry said as he goes into the hole.
The group follow Ry into the hole and it leads them to a different area of the castle.
(Bygone Fortress: Secret Chamber)
The group arrive at a different chamber and look around.
"You're now in the secret Nago used to be in. It's been here ever since, before he met his demise, and before Faust and the Fearmongers commandeered this place and this world." Ry said.
"But where's this thing that's gonna help out an end to the Black Xetis?" Ky asked.
"There is an entrance that will lead to a very special place that only Nago, and his family are allowed to enter. Before dying, Nago cast a spell that only his wife and daughter, who was not corrupted by darkness would be allowed to gain access to that place." Ry explained.
"And I'm guessing that daughter is me, since Rixla and Millia were both used by Faust." Noel said.
"That's right. Now, you're the only one, Noel, with Countess Rachel dead, and now Rixla and Millia are defeated, you have the power to enter the secret place." Ry said as he points at something which is a light yellow beam. "That beam there will lead you to where you will find the very thing we need for our mission." Ry said.
"I see…" Noel said.
"All Noel has to do is just use her power to open the way? That doesn't sound so hard." Sora said.
"Are you up for this, Noel?" Zuko asked.
"Yes. If we're gonna find something that will help restore Bygone Fortress to its natural state, or something even greater, then I'll gladly play that part." Noel said.
"Glad to hear it. Good luck." Ry said.
"So, this place will lead me to a very secret place where somethin' awesome will be found?!" A voice asked and appearing is Odium.
"O-Odium…!" Noel said shocked.
"Not you again!" Ken yelled.
"Get lost! You won't have what you want!" Ky said taking out Dawn of Hope while the others prepare to fight.
"Hehehehehehe! You're a riot, ya know that! I'll just use the little bitch to unlock the way for me, and then I'll kill her!" Odium said but just then something strikes at him. "Ow!" Odium yelled as he gets knocked back to a wall.
"Huh?" Noel asked and the group see five hooded black cloaked figures.
"Organization XIII?!" Sora asked.
"Hold on! Look!" Ky said pointing three weapons which look like Keyblades and another weapon that looks like a sword.
"Could they be…?" Noel stops talking.
"Oswald!" Max said.
"Sonic!" Tails said.
"Princess! Mario!" Zuko said.
"Fulgur!" Ky said.
"Who?" Donald asked.
"You bastards AGAIN?! Why can't you stay outta my way?!" Odium demanded.
"We have no intention of letting you have your way!" One of the hooded black cloaked figures taking off the hood revealing to be Fulgur.
"You're not gonna bring this world down to the darkness as it already has!" The second hooded black cloaked figure said revealing to be Oswald.
"If ya think you're gonna win this, ya got another thing comin'!" The third hooded black cloaked figure said revealing to be Sonic.
"You and the Brotherhood will never succeed!" The fourth hooded and black cloaked figure said revealing to be Peach and the fifth figure reveals to be Mario.
"It is you!" Ky said.
"Hell NO! I'm takin' what's MINE!" Odium yelled as he unleashes shadows.
(Battle Theme: Sinister Shadows)
"Noel, hurry! Use what Nago has done to unlock the way!" Peach said.
"Okay!" Noel said.
"We'll hold them off for you!" Ky said as he and the others attack Odium.
"Noel, to unlock the way, you should attack the mystical crystals with your Keyblade!" Ry said.
"Got it!" Noel said.
Noel starts attacking three mystical crystals with Radiant Salvation and after enough attacks the crystals release magical energy into the light yellow beam.
"Good! Now, go for the next three crystals and harness their magic power for the beam!" Ry said.
"Okay." Noel said.
Noel goes for the three crystals and starts harnessing their magic power into Radiant Salvation but Odium tries to attack but everyone else keeps attacking him allowing Noel to continue to harness the magic power of the mystic crystals until she has harnessed enough magic energy into her Keyblade and sends the magic energy into the light yellow beam.
"It's done." Noel said.
"Good work. Now, use the portal to go to that place, and find the item we need. Hurry!" Ry said.
"No!" Odium yelled as he unleashes a shadow hand to try and grab Noel.
"No you don't!" Ky yelled as he and Sora both slashe at Odium with Dawn of Hope and Kingdom Key.
"Piss OFF!" Odium shouted as he pushes Ky and Sora away from him and they get knocked back to Noel and the three get sent into the light yellow beam.
"Ky!" Elena yelled.
"Sora!" Donald yelled.
"It's okay. They're with Noel now. I'm sure with those two with her, things will be fine." Ry said.
"No, no, NO!" Odium yelled as he tries to go for the light yellow beam but Fulgur unleashes light chains from Sky's Volt holding Odium.
"I wouldn't if I were you!" Fulgur said.
"Get LOST!" Sonic shouted as he uses his Keyblade known as Super Sonic to unleash a giant blue whirlwind and send Odium back from the chamber.
"It worked!" T.J. said.
"He's coming back sooner or later." Blaze said.
"We'll be ready for him, along with any other Brotherhood member." Lucas said.
"Now we should wait for Ky, Noel, and Sora…was it?" Peach said and Donald and Goofy nod.
"I have faith in them. They will succeed." Fulgur said.
There you go! New chapter done! I hope you enjoyed this! I am SOOOOOOOO SORRY for not being able to update! School has been keeping me busy, along with other crap that has been keeping me from writing! I hope this was worth the wait. Next time, Ky, Noel, and Sora arrive at what seems to be a very different area, where they encounter the very same white cloaked man Ky recognizes, and also attempt to find what's needed for Bygone Fortress. I'll see you all in the next chapter! Take care, and goodbye for now! Don't forget to favorite, follow, and review! Bye!
One more thing! Be SURE to check out my new poll on my profile page that asks about what to write next for my KH story series! Be SURE to check it out and vote on that poll! Thanks! See ya until next time!