Kingdom hearts: Fragment

by kirramagic

(AU KH3) Nozomi living in Bamboo town, one day is sent flying from her world when the Heartless destroy it. Caused by a mysterious mechanical winged individual. She gains a Keyblade and somehow encounters Riku along with King Mickey. From this point on, her true fate will gradually unveil itself as the conflict that started the Keyblade Wars begins again...

279. The Final Battle Part 1

Chapter CCLXXV: The Final Battle Part I

"Riku?"

"Urgh..." Still caught within the grips of sleep, the white haired Keyblader heard someone calling to him. Who was it? Who was-?

"Riku! C'mon you have to get up now!"

It was then that he began to recognise that voice, as he did opening his eyes at last he asked confused, "...Sora?"

For there looking over him with concern was his best friend, then beside him there was the pink dress clad white mage, Aerith. The green eyed young woman's face lit up with relief as she said, "Oh thank goodness you're awake."
Not understanding what had happened to him, he got up though with some aches he then couldn't help but ask, "What happened to me? What-?"

"We don't know," Sora replied looking a little confused, "All I remember is that we came here for some reason, but... me and a lot of the others were knocked out, no-one can remember much of anything." Then with a little hope in his voice he asked him, "Do you remember anything?"

Silent at this question, Riku's immediate was response was to say there was nothing he could think of. But something inside of him stopped him from saying those words, for something inside him was telling that wasn't true, he then had to admit, "I think there is something but..." As he tried to concentrate and think on what it was, there was a dark fog that obscured the images of his memories. As he tried to push through it mentally, putting his left hand to his head, a terrible headache struck that stopped him immediately.

"Riku?"

Hearing Sora's concerned voice again, the white haired Keyblader stopped in trying to force through his thoughts. Instead he shook his head in reluctant defeat and said, "I'll need time to think on this Sora, sorry," then looking to his comrade and the white mage he asked them, "What's happened to the others, are they alright?"

Aerith then said, "Mickey came and got us, myself, Merlin and him along with Shirma have been waking up everyone who's been cursed into a dark slumber in the palace."

"A dark slumber?" Riku asked, then as he did another pang of pain stung within his head.

Seeing this Sora was clearly worried, then taking charge he said, "We better go and join back with the others, Aerith can you guide us?"

Nodding, she told them both, "Yeah sure, follow me." With that she led the way for them as they went to return to the others, who hopefully should have all been restored.

However as they left through the glass archway of the Greenhouse, looking back Riku saw the glass that was scattered all over the floor. As he did he wondered who did that? Was it him or...? Again the pain came which forced him to cease thinking and as he reluctantly did so, he left the broken scene behind to hopefully find some answers as to what was happening.

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Meanwhile back in the red carpeted entrance of the palace, Mickey was waiting with some urgency as Merlin and Shirma continued their urgent healing, "Do you feel alright now, Alania?"

"Mhmm, yeah!" The Arc Summoner replied, then stretching she couldn't help but admit, "But man is this embarrassing! You'd think I'd be more ready for a sleep spell of all things!"

Nodding Shirma replied, "Yeah you and me both but... it was made by a powerful evil fairy, it wouldn't be just any normal sleeping spell."
"True!" The blue haired girl admitted, then getting up she asked, "So is everyone up and with us now?"

Shirma looking over to the older wizard, she said, "I think so, our main group is all here, Balthier's group and Leon along with Yuffie, so other than them the only ones were waiting on now is-!"

"Oh diablos no!"

Spooked, Alania and Shirma turned to see that it was none other than Juan who had woken up too and was clearly...upset.

Alania staring at him had to ask, "What's up with you?"

"Oh! Alania senorita I can't believe I couldn't even land one blow against that bruja despreciable! I'm a disgrace! I wasn't even climbing for my life as a oveja this time!"

Shirma just stared at him blankly while Alania simply sighed and said, "And there you again talking about weird stuff again."
"There, there pal!" It was then that Sazh had woken up finally too, as he did he informed him, "There'll be a next time don't worry!"

To which the black clad mariachi gunner replied though still despressed, "Okay..."

Seeing things were practically the same as usual, it was then she turned to look her right. There she saw Merlin had finally seemed to have woken up the Captain of the Royal guard of Mickey's court, who greeted him saying simply, "Well hiya Merlin! Good mornin'!"

Nodding to this the old wizard replied, "And good morning to you!" Though looking up he had to add, "Though we're still within the hours of the night."
Confused Goofy tilting his head asked, "It's nightime?" Then looking to everyone who looked sleepy still he asked, "Did we all have a sleepover here?"
"No you dummy!" It was then Donald spoke, annoyed at his pal he went on to tell him, "We were here on a mission we were here to...!"

Puzzled seeing his feathery friend stop in his rant, Goofy then asked him simply, "Here to do what Donald?"

The blue clad wizard duck was clearly annoyed and had to relent with a sigh saying, "I dunno! But it was something important! That I do know!"

"Was it?" Goofy asked, for he couldn't remember at all either.

"I can assure you Goofy it was, otherwise I wouldn't have come at the behest of the King...though I do admit I wish could remember as well," then putting a hand to his forehead he added, "It is most troubling."

"Gawrsh..." Goofy uttered simply. Then as he sat quietly for a moment, he got up and decided, "Well if we're gonna go and remember we better go and talk to Mick first and see what he knows!" With that he went to go over and do just that.

"Hey Goofy wait up!" Donald cried out, with that he followed after his pal as Merlin was left deep in his thoughts.

Mickey in the meantime was pacing back and forth, his hands behind his back as he tried to get his thoughts together. However still nothing was coming to his mind, he was getting worried. Then looking to a tiny someone who had stayed behind with him, he asked, "Jiminy, have you been able to find anything in your notes yet?"

The small top hatted cricket busy skimming through a few of his journals he had on hand replied, "No not yet! But I'm sure I wrote something down! Just give me a few moments your majesty!" With that he continued his hurried searching.

"I hope you do, otherwise I-!"

"Hey Mick!"

Distracted before his thoughts could dive further into the depths of uncertainty it was then finally Goofy made his way over with Donald tagging behind him. Seeing them come a smile came to his face as he said, "Hey fella's! Glad to see you're up and at 'em again!"
"Yeah same!" Goofy smiled, then as he said this he decided to ask, "So me and Donald can't remember why we came here to this castle place do you have any clues yet?"

As this was put to him, the King had to sigh and admit, "No not yet, though I know it was for something important," then trying to fight the dark fog in his memory he said, "I think we trying to get something...or was it rescue someone?"

"Rescue?" Donald asked.

Nodding Mickey then says, "Yes I think but-!"

"I gotta get out of here!"

Spooked yet again, everyone turning then saw out nowhere seemingly there from the big pair of doors that would lead further into the palace, it was none other than, "Captain Pete!?"

Crying this out in surprise at his appearance, immediately Donald was on guard as he brought out his wand! The rest of the heroes behind him did the same getting ready to battle!

Mickey seeing this though reacted and said, "No Donald don't!" Then turning to the others he told them, "Fella's he's not with Maleficent anymore!"

"Huh?" The magical duck uttered, then looking to his King he asked, "What do ya mean Mickey?"

"He left Malefcient's side! He did it to-!" To what? Mickey remembered that Pete was no longer siding with their enemy but the reason why though...why couldn't he remember something so important?

However not caring for their bafflement Pete was storming forwards and he told them mad, "Get outta my way!"

It was clear nothing was really going to stop the overweight cat captain but then-!

"Pete hold on will you!"

It was then that arriving it was none other than, "Kairi!"

For there indeed arriving on the scene was the auburn haired and blue eyed pink clad Keyblade Master. As she ran forwards she called out to Pete to try and stopped him in his steps as she grabbed on of his big hands, "Look you can't just leave like this! We've got to all know what's going on! I woke you back up so the least you could do is help find the answers we need so-!"

"I don't care for your answers you need from me! I gotta leave and that's that!" Pete declared and with that he told her, "Now get off me!" With that he tried to dislodge her from himself.

Worried about her as she tried to hold on to him, Mickey cried out to her, "Kairi! Be careful there, you might-!"

"Kairi!?"

Then suddenly another familar face appeared! Recognising him, Donald cried out, "Sora!"

The Keyblade Master didn't reply instead he quickly rushed over and holding Pete in place, by pushing his hands against his huge belly he told him, "Pete stop! You can't go anywhere till we understand what's going on!"

"Like heck I will! Stop touching me!" He yelled with that he tried to get his old nemesis off him too!

However quickly seeing that their pal was in trouble, Donald then said, "C'mon Goofy we gotta help!"

"Okay Donald!" Goofy agreed and with that they all did their best to stop Pete from leaving them, as they pushed against him to. The sight was...interesting to gaze on to say the least.

Aerith walking into the space with Riku beside him couldn't help but utter, "Well, seems that everyone has all their enrgy at least."
His head still aching as he walked in, the white haired Keyblader replied, "If that's what you want to call it." However as he looked on at the odd sight he sighed as he said, "If we don't intervene now this'll never stop." With that walking over to the King, he asked him, "You coming your Majesty?"

Nodding the King replied, "Yeah sure of course Riku." With that the duo walked over to see how they could help.

Pete clearly wasn't in the mood for these antics as he was busy trying to get them all to let go of him, he declared mad, "You dolts can all quit this! I gotta get goin'! I gotta get back what's mine!"

"Huh? What've you lost Pete?" Goofy wondered puzzled as he continued to try and stop him.

Stopping his movement in seconds, Pete clearly too was hurting from something that was impacting his memory as he tried to think of them.

Seeing him shudder from pain everyone backed away from him, however this didn't help but undettered he shook his head and declared bringing forth one important item, "I gotta go out there and find that somebody who left me this!"

With that he brought forth...a popsicle stick.

Everyone was baffled at this and were clearly confused as to why that was so important? Goofy staring at it then concluded, "Someone owes ya a new popsicle?"

POW!

"No ya dumb dolt!" Pete then smacked Goofy in the head!

This made the Guardian Knight fall backwards, immediately the heroes looked to their comrade with worry however before they could reprimand him, they heard the overweight former croney say,"I was given this by someone...someone...!" Pete was struggling badly with his memories which wouldn't reveal themselves to him. It hurt... badly and all he could say was, "...Someone I can't find here no more! Someone special!"

Riku hearing this specific word repeated, "Special?" It was then he felt something in his right hand. Bringing the item up to gaze upon, he didn't realise somehow all that time he had been holding something. Opening his fingers, it's then he saw a hair broach, a pink one in the shape of a Sakura blossom made of three blossoms. It had three trailing ribbons,a gentle shade of blue, a creamy yellow and finally a light red. Seeing its golden beads, Riku felt his heart pulse painfully as he gazed at it. For this broach... he'd made it? No, he fixed it... it was for. Wait who? Who had he-?

"Your majesty!"

It was then distracted that everyone turned and there approaching them it was Jiminy. As he came over he spoke urgently as he said, "Your majesty! I found something in my journal! I think it can help us here!"

Surprised Mickey then asked him, "What is it Jiminy?"
The small cricket then said, "Here, I'll read it!" Then with a small cough he recited the words he'd written sometime ago, "Right now, all of us together are journeying through the door of time, we don't know what will be there but surely we'll found out more about the Fragments there!"

At this particular word, Riku uttered, "Fragments?" Inside something inside him move painfully and he heard,

"Could you please try and keep a part of me in your heart?"

Mickey hearing this word ask, "Fragments...?" For that word was familar to him. But why though? Why had he-?

"He took her from me...!"

Surprised hearing these words, Mickey turned to look at Riku and there he saw soemthing he had never seen in all the time he had been with him. There before everyone they saw tears pouring from his eyes as he said shuddering, "I let him take her...I-!" However he could't finish his words as he gripped the hair broach with both hands and held it against his agonised heart as the sorrowful pain of loss took hold of him...

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VOOM...

Appearing from within a portal of darkness, Xehanort came to his chosen destination having left the Kingdom of Alexandra using a combination of his darkness, the Seeker and the Wish Timer maker that was no longer limited as it was connected fully once more.

Looking above himself he smiled as he saw the ethereal golden glow of Kingdom Hearts above him. The one Maleficent had been gathering together for her own purposes, as he looked above he couldn't help but utter, "It's beautiful."

Then with those words he walked forwards to get closer to his prize, then he looked over himself. The dark black armour he had worn before had been replaced with a white coloured one with gold engraving lines, with a crowned shape neck guard. Behind him what gently drifted with the wind was a golden yellow coloured cape. Then on certain points of his armour were eight coloured gems, orange, dark blue, purple, red, yellow, pink, light blue and finally green. That glittered with pulsing light showing there was life within them.

As he gazed upon himself, he couldn't help but say, "This armour... it must be the same as the Warrior of Light once donned." Then as he stood underneath the giant glittering spectacle that was Kingdom Hearts. He brought his hand forth and-!

Glitter...!

Within his right hand appeared a Keyblade. However it was not the one he had wielded before, Annhilation. Instead it was a new one.

The ultimate Keyblade that had been sought after eons ago. It had intertwining lines of all colours both light and dark melding and interchaning together, creating a sharpened golden blade that's crossbar looked like brillaint sharp shining star that led to the handle that had a jewelled keychain behind it. There was no question that this blade had tremendous power within it!

As he looked at his prize he couldn't help but continue to say, "Though I'm sure he never imagined that this would all be wielded by a Master of Darkness like myself!" With those words he then pointed it to Kingdom Hearts and in another moment-!

SHINE!

A beam of light emerged from it's end and quickly it entered into that brillaint treasure in the heavens, as it did the evil man uttered, "Now to create the door that will lead me to my Destiny!"

As he continued to focus his power though, inside he again heard those irritating voices that were the hearts that were still connected to the Fragment's he'd taken. Irritated he uttered, "So noisy...!" However he ignored them and continued to advance the next step of his plan...

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Staring at his pained sight, everyone was shocked. Then quickly Kairi and Sora rushed over to their friend crying out his name simultaneously, "Riku!?"

Looking over him with terrible worry, Kairi asked him, "What's wrong! What did you mean by that before?"

Sora too needed to know as he asked, "Yeah what did you mean by 'her' do you remember who-!"

Shaking his head, his heart in agony Riku said, "I can't remember her name! It's escaped me...!" Then as he glimpsed what little imagery he'd been able to steal back from the horrible dark fog, he said, "But... her voice! I can still hear it, it's weak but...I remember Xehanort! He did this... he took her from me! I couldn't stop it! I-!"

However looking at his pained friend it was clear that it was the truth, Riku could never fake emotion like this. For this person to reduce him to tears like this, this 'her' must have been someone truly precious. If Xehanort had done this, Sora was going to make sure he-!

"It appears your will is strong..."

Hearing this new female voice, it spooked everyone. As it did they looked around trying to see who'd spoke but before anyone could ask any questions-!

GLOW...!

Suddenly shocking everyone they saw before them a light shine brightly, it was light blue in colour and gentle that gradually took on a physical shape. Though it was somewhat transparent almost like a ghost.

As everyone stared on this figure, it was female in appearance and it smiled at them sadly and short coloured blue hair, donned in the armour of the Chasers.

Most there didn't recognise her, Riku, Kairi and Sora definitely didn't but then stepping forwards, Mickey spoke, "Aqua... it's you!"

"Yes, it is." The Apparition responded making a small nod.

Sora was surprised and asked the Mouse King, "You know this person your majesty?"

Mickey then said, "Yeah we all saw her down in the burial chambers with-!" However his hurt then too as he was being denied images of the past too.

The sad expression upon the female Knight's face deepened as she said, "Yes, you all arrived at the last resting point, where I, Ventus the King and formerly Terra rested..." Though she added, "But sadly our comrade has been taken, like all of you who have lost those who were the Vessels."

Zidane who'd been recovering with his shipmates remembered Aqua too in that chamber and as he heard these words, his head hurt too. Then as pain spread in his heart too he looked to the rest of his crew and they much too had the same tormented expression.

Even the ARCS were the same, especially Serah who looked to Snow sadly. All she could do was hug him for comfort as he felt the pain too as did the rest of his team.

In fact everyone in that space, the Nobodies and the heros of the Radiant Gardens all of them grimaced in some form or manner, as they all did Riku then knew this phenomonen wasn't something that they were all imagining, he inquired Aqua, "What's happened to us all? Why don't we have any memory of them?"

The Knight looking to him, then closed her eyes and revealed, "The Fragment's that were within the cores of their hearts, sustained them and gave them life, however when the Interfusing began with them being Unlocked, being removed from their Vessels... they are now combining with their original parts, becoming the Ultimate Keyblade that was once wielded by the Warrior of Light himself."

Sora hearing this asked, "The Warrior of Light?"

With a small nod, Aqua opened her eyes and explained, "The most powerful and some believe the First Keyblade Master who ever existed within all the words... he defeated the First Master of Darkness of Garland with that blade who wished to poison everything with darkness."

"Poison everything? How was he supposed to do that?" Kairi asked her filled with concern.

Aqua then explained, "By breaching the core of all living things, the realm of Light which is locked behind the Door of Light itself... it is the gathering point of all the hopes and dreams throughout all of existence, I suppose to put it simply it is the place where people's will to live dwells."
In awe trying to imagine something so incredible, Kairi though felt herself shudder though as she realised one thing, "So if that core was to be poisoned by darkness... it would mean every living being would-!"

"They would succumb, they would have no will to fight... nothing to stop them from bowing to the wishes of another who wishes to sieze control." Aqua answered.

"That's what Xehanort has been after all this time!?" Sora cried out, horrified by this event ever occurring.

"I believe so, when he was within his original form he was obsessed with the Myths of Garland and the Warrior of Light... I think he wanted to do what Garland could never achieve which is total domination of everything, bathing everything in his darkness." Aqua explained as everyone understood fully then what Xehanort truly wished for.

"We have to stop him then!" Riku said, his determination growing fierce.

Aqua then said, "You must hurry though, for with each passing second the more each Fragment begins to fuse with it's counterpart the more they will abandon the Hearts that once housed them."

Hearing this, Riku feeling then urgency fuel him asked the female Knight, "What will happen then?"

She revealed the horrible truth, "They will ceased to exist entirely, every single last trace of them will vanish from this world including what small chains of memory are left within all of your hearts."

As he heard this, Riku knew instantly he didn't want that and it was clear no-one else there did either! He didn't want to forget the voice that was within his memories! Looking to his right hand and seeing the pink hair broach in his hand, he declared, "We've got to hurry!"

"Yeah! We gotta stop Xehanort!" Sora added, burning with the same determination Riku was.

Kairi agreed with a nod as she added, "We can't let him take over everything!"

"Wait!"

Hearing her call out to them, everyone turned and then they saw Aqua again. As they did, they saw that her transparent body was glowing again, as it did quickly her form began to break down. As it did, everyone became worried for her, Kairi cried out to her, "Aqua!"

GLOW!

But it was too late though as her transparent human form vanished and instead it was replaced with a bright glowing blue light, then from either side of her came two others. A white one and yellow.

Seeing them the Keybladers were confused, but then they heard the Female Knight tell them, "Please, use our Chaser powers to aid you so we may all let the sins of the past final rest..."

GLOW! GLOW! GLOW!

The trio of Keybladers were given no time to react as each orb of light raced to each of them! The yellow light that was Ventus's armour came to rest within Sora, then Aqua's blue light flew to Kairi and finally, the King white light entered Riku's heart!
As it did he gasped, then he saw faint images that were some of the memories of the former King and he could feel it, the man's sorrows at his inability to save his Court, to save his allies... the wish to save everyone.

Riku putting his hand to his chest very much felt the same, however he whispered to the former Ruler, "Don't worry...I'll succeed for you, I promise!"

Then as he said this, his body along with his friends glowed brightly with radiant power! As they all did, quickly their forms all became donned with an incredible sight, they now all donned within Chaser Armours!

Looking down at themselves and each other, none of them could believe this sight! It was-! However the colours that they were in quickly changed!

Kairi's blue colour was quickly replaced with pink, with lines of silver and lilac about it making it strong but gentle in appearance as a white cape dropped from her shoulders, showing her position as a Princess of Heart.

Sora's yellow armour became a strong red colour which was a reflection of his determination, with lines of yellow and white spreading about him and as they did, a black cape fell from his shoulders showing the heavy burden he had to bear as his role as a Keyblade Master.

Then Riku's armour changed from mainly white in colour, to purple which was a reflection of his deep sadness but with lines of gold and white it revealed his own determination to outshine the regret, as a red cape draped behind his shoulders.

Looking on as this transformation occurred, no-one could quite believe it! It was incredible, so much so that Goofy had to say, "Wow! Nice new duds you got there buds!"

"You're telling me!" Sora laughed, however knowing this was serious. He coughed and said, "But anyway! We all better get out of here! If we wanna stop Xehanort and get back who it is we've lost, we gotta hurry!"

Kairi hearing him say this giggled and said, "Looks like you're becoming more mature by the second!"
"Hey! I've always been mature!" Sora told her annoyed.

However Kairi only smiled more, but then turning around. She looked Riku, he looked sad as he continued to gaze at the pink hair broach in his hands, as he did so she asked him, "Riku?"

Shaking his head though, he said, "It's okay, I know we can do this!" Then putting his hand to his chest as it hurt with the pain of loss still he added, "We'll save those we've lost!" Then gripping his hand around his treasure, he added, "I'll make sure, because I promised!"
Kairi revealed a small smile, glad that he had the determination to go on. For unlike before when she was merely a hostage, she could now aid him and Sora, she was going to do her best for them!

"You ain't goin' on yer own!"

It was then Pete spoke up, as he did he told the newly made Chasers, "I can't rely on just you dolts to bring me back whoever! I'm goin' with ya!"

Before Sora though could joke though with him about this, it was then the others all in that space declared the same.

"Yeah! I'm gonna wipe out Xehanort too! He's gonna pay for taking what's ours!" Zidane declared!

"Same! Nobody takes a member of the ARCS! I won't let them!" Snow added, showing his resolve as Leader.

"Us too! We need to bring back those who brought us all together!" Odyeux said, speaking for himself and the rest of the Nobodies the gang had saved on their journey.

Mickey was glad and then said, "Now this is what I call comradely!" With that, he told them all, "C'mon fella's! We need to get back to our own time so we can get started on our rescue mission!"

With those words, everyone began to leave however as the Mouse King began to pass his old boss. He realised something, reaching into his pocket he said, "Hey Captain Pete?"
"What?" The large former lackey said, clearly annoyed at being stopped in his tracks.

The Mouse King then revealed the item he had and told him, "Here, I reckon this might be useful to ya!"

To which he gave over the Stun Light he had found over to him.

Pete was confused and asked looking from it to the King, "What's this supposed to be for?"

"Self defence I think..." Mickey said, however he didn't know what made him think that unaware he had been present when the device had been given to its original owner Kagi. But still he said, "I just felt it would be best with ya, that's all."

Not understanding him, all Pete could do was shrug and with that he put the light in his pocket and with those words the heroes all made their exit towards the Door of Time, leaving no trace of their presence as Merlin fixed the broken space with his magic.

Very soon they would all be facing the greatest battle none in the worlds could ever imagine...