Chapter CCLXXXIV: The Final Battle Part X
SHINE!
Riku opening his eyes, he looked down to himself and saw the turquoise blue of the Seventh Fragment, finally flow away as it had led him, to where he wished to be.
Looking around himself, he saw that he was within an endless sea of black. There was no light that shone in that place, for a moment he almost thought he'd been submerged into the darkness again. However that wasn't the case, as he felt a hard surface underneath his feet that was the floor, but as he looked around there was no sense of distance. Everything looked the same.
Turning within this dark space, he couldn't help but say, "It's so desolate...there's nothing here!" Then realising this, with some worry, he couldn't help but ask, "Have I really made it to the same place where you are?"
GLOW!
It was then the Broken Heart Shard in his hand reacted, glowing brightly in his hand. As though trying to give him some comfort, to ease his worries.
Surprised seeing this, Riku though couldn't help but smile again, as he told it, "I know, there's no need to worry... I'm you've led me to the right place, but I just wish I knew where-!"
SHINE!
Suddenly in the far off distance, another light began to shine! Startled at fist seeing this illumination, he stared on and saw that its glow, was the same as the precious Shard in his hand. He couldn't believe it, and asked, "Is that the rest of you there?"
GLOW! GLOW! GLOW!
The Heart Shard released a few pulses of beating light in response to his question. As it did, seeing he had his confirmation. Riku felt his heart rush, both in relief and amazement, there was then no hesitation on his part, "Alright, let's go then!" With that he ran on ahead, to get to where he was needed! But as he moved-!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
Something else was moving with life within that dark space, as it trailed after his unwary form...
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Shivering still holding their companion close to them, the glowing blue presence felt utterly hopeless. For in all this time, no-one had come for them...maybe there was no-one who could come to their aid?
But again could she be surprised? With all that power Xehanort had now, he was practically indestructible, a magical Shield that couldn't be destroyed. A Blade that could cut through anything, the ability to see into people's Hearts and minds... he also had the capability to time travel. There was just no normal way for anyone to go against such terrifying powers...
Looking to the figure, who's single still intact hand remained in their own trembling fingers. They told them, "I'm sorry...that I can't stop this... that you're-!"
GLOW!
It was then that their words were interrupted, as they felt something. Turning as they felt this radiance, they saw there beyond their prison, a single light in the dark distance was shining! Their eyes widening, they realised this mysterious marvel was coming closer to them!
Amazed, they asked daring to believe, "Is that...?"
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Getting closer and closer, to the light that was glowing. Looking on, Riku saw that there ahead of him, was a glowing turquoise blue shining structure, with a shine of green, pink and red around it. It looked like a jewelled pod of some kind. Surprised, it seemed similar to the white memory pods that Naminé had fully restored Sora in. As he gazed at it, he asked, "That's-!"
GLOW! GLOW! GLOW!
Feeling the glow of the Heart Shard, there was no mistake! With a nod to its urgent plea, he knew he had to hurry! Running across this dark place, he went to get closer, to finally retrieve who it was he'd been searching for!
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GLOW! GLOW! GLOW!
The prescience looking on, realised there was no mistake! There was a glowing light that was approaching them, but more importantly than that-!
STEP! STEP! STEP! STEP! STEP!
Footsteps! There was someone from the outside world who'd made into this Interfusing Realm of the Fragments! A Smile came to their face and quickly, they looked to their companion and told them, "Listen do you hear that?!"
The figure in their arms didn't respond instantly but-!
STEP! STEP! STEP! STEP! STEP!
As the footsteps came closer and closer to them, the figure's right hand twitched and they uttered, "...Uh?"
Life was beginning to stir within them! The presence smiling felt so much relief. Something was finally turning out well for them! Soon, they'd be-!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
Quickly though, something began to twist and bind around them! Making a horrible sound that chilled the presence to the core! As around them-!
Dim...
The light around them was beginning to be blocked out! With alarm, they cried out, "No! This is-!"
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Running on, Riku was getting closer and closer towards the blue jewel! His heart was beating so fast! He was so close! Finally he'd be able to-!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
Dim...
Suddenly though in alarm, he saw ahead the light of the jewel pod was being blocked off by something! Stopping fast, he saw then what was blocking the light from his sight!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
There approaching him, growing tall with malice were sharp twisting plant shoots, that quickly stormed towards him in a twisting storm! Seeing them coming for him, Riku quickly moved and-!
SMASH!
They impacted the floor! However thanks to his fast agility, they'd missed him and as they did, creepily they crawled up and reared back! All of them ready to launch another attack!
Seeing these twisted plant roots... after a moment Riku realised what they were! As their viscous sharp thorns revealed themselves, and awful dark purple blossoms that they sprouted from, he remembered what they were, "Flowers of Darkness!" Then-!
SLASH!
"AAAGGGHHH!"
He was struck from behind! Grimacing in pain as he rolled over and over, he saw to his dismay there were more that had grown behind him! He was surrounded on all sides! Wiping his lower lip, he uttered mad, "There's no way it was going to be that easy, was it!?"
Then standing up, he moved his right hand to the side and-!
FLASH!
His Keyblade came to his hand and he declared, "Fine! Then I'll cut you all out of the way!" With that, he moved and igniting his powers, as the awful monstrous magical creations came to ensnare him, he finished saying, "I'm not going to let anything get in my way anymore!"
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VOOM!
Meanwhile on the outside of the Interfusing Realm, Xehanort had clasped his right hand around the blue jewel on his left. Doing this, with an angered voice he uttered in his monstrous voice, "You will not interrupt this process!" Then focusing more of his dark power, to give more strength to the curse that was aiding in robbing the Fragment Vessels of their existence. He added, "You will not take what is mine!" However as he continued this-!
"XEHANORT!"
Turning with irritation hearing this irksome voice, it was then-!
"Pulse Bomb!"
BLAST! BLAST! BLAST! BLAST! BLAST!
"Urk!"
Again he was being hit with powers from the pathetic band of heroes who were foolishly trying to stop him! Turning his attentions away from the blue jewel, he instead focused on them and said mad, "Stop getting in my way!"
As they all flew on Scriptium's back, with Sora launching his attack, they all looked to him mad. Then Kairi told him, "No way! We're all here to support Riku in anyway we can! Cause the minute he succeeds-!"
"We're gonna take back the rest of them from ya!" Pete told him mad! With those words, Scriptium feeling their fierce determination, felt her power grow and quickly-!
BLAZE!
She released more of her white hot flames as they made another move past him!
Clenching his teeth angrily, Xehanort knew he couldn't concentrate on both forces at once. So releasing his hold on the jewel, he decided, "I'll rid myself of you all once and for all!" With that he moved and-!
SLASH!
He made a gigantic swing with the King-Blade, however because of everyone's small size. They were able to avoid the blow, along with the rest of their allies!
Continuing to ride with Lightning, Hope couldn't help but say, "I think we should have it easy at this point!"
However the experienced warrior told her young charge, "Don't be so sure!"
"Huh?" But it happened quicker before Hope could register as-!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A huge barrage of purple laser fire, furiously came to chase after them all! Scattering about left and right in a huge storm!
Sweating from anxiety at this sight, all Hope could do was hold onto Lightning fast, as the two of them raced through the dark, as the rest of their allies did the same. For they had to survive and distract Xehanort as much as they could, to give their one purple armoured ally, the time they'd need to win!
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SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
Slicing away the sharp thorns that came for him with 'The Way to Dawn,' Riku was slowly making his way forward through this horrible sharp forest! However-!
"Urgh!"
Another of the sharp thorns scratched into him, incurring damage! However despite the pain he was in, he wasn't going to give up! For he had to do this! He needed to make it up to them! For letting them get entrapped into this horrible dark thorned abyss!
With each slicing cut of his Keyblade, he looked ahead and he could see he wasn't too faraway now! Gritting his teeth, keeping the precious Heart Shard close to him, he said, "Hold on! I'm almost with you!" Then-!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
More of the horrible thorns came to rip him apart again! Looking behind, he prepared his counter attack and continued his desperate battle!
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SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
Hearing the desperate sounds of their potential liberator, the presence was quiet. For around them, the thorns had covered almost the entirety of their blue jewel prison. Barely any of their light was escaping anymore, it was haunting for only their blue shine was illuminating the space now.
They were worried and asked, "Can he do it on his own?" For they had no way of knowing, for also looking down to their companion, they couldn't tell how much longer they could last... for still they hadn't reacted much.
Still holding their fragile right hand close to themselves... they knew there was going to be only one way they could help. But if they did, it might mean they'd-!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
FLASH!
Suddenly surrounding them, along the thorns that covered their prison. They began to glow with a viscous purple electrical charge! Their eyes widened with dread as they asked, "This is-!"
ZZZAAAPPP!
Then they unleashed their deadly charge and quickly-!
"AAAGGGHHH!"
"No!" They cried out in distress! For they couldn't imagine was happening beyond their terrible prison!
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TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
FLASH!
"AAAGGGHHH!"
Having been caught by the horrible thorns, as they wrapped themselves around Riku's limbs and body. He was now being subjugated to their terrible powers, that charged straight through him!
As he cried out, they weren't releasing him! He could feel this horrible pulse was slowly but surely paralysing him! If it completely succeeded, it would-!
"No!"
Gritting his teeth, he wasn't going to let that happen! For they'd all come too far. He couldn't lose! He wouldn't! Looking to the jewel that was tightly bound by those horrible flowers, and their thorns, he declared despite the pain, "I won't lose!" Then as he said this, something inside him was beginning to grow, as it did and it pulsed with white power, he declared, "I absolutely refuse!" Then-!
"You won't..."
"Huh?" Hearing this voice, Riku didn't understand. But quickly the power within him swelled and-!
SHINE!
His body glowed all over with white light! As it did, the thorns that covered him, were burned off him!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
The terrible dark tendrils all quickly retreated away, standing back at a distance from him. Riku looking over his armoured form as it glowed with this mysterious white light was puzzled, who was that voice he heard? Who was-!
"It's a wonderful thing, seeing such determination shine in the face of adversity like this..."
Listening to this voice, Riku then saw an image in his head. Of a bright tall older figure who smiled gently to him, with a smile on his face. Dressed in majestic purple robes, his features curtained by his light brown hair and long beard. He heard the man say as he looked at him with his purple eyes,
"Let me help you dispell this terrible dark force."
Surprised to hear say this, it was then Riku felt this helpful power materialise and quickly from behind him, white ethereal swords came! As they shone with light, he could feel a sense of calm confidence come over him. As it did, he looked ahead and said after taking a deep breath, "Okay, let's do this!" Then before he took off and ran, he added, "Thanks old man!"
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
The laughter was warm, and it quickly brought a smile to Riku's face and-!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
As the thorns came to rush at him from all sides, Riku moved with the white blades and his own Keyblade and cried out,
"DIVINE WRATH!"
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
He sliced into each and every one of them, making them all scatter into dark embers as he raced about! He was making sure that not a single one would be left, for he was no longer going to be overwhelmed by this dark power. He was the one that was going to shine in this abyss!
The thorns it was clear, had no chance against all this divine power, as they all began to retreat!
TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST! TWIST!
However-!
GRAB!
Quickly taking a hold of one of these cursed shoots, Riku gripped it tightly in his left armoured hand! Doing this, he felt a new power come forth, and it would be the very ancient mystical art that would finally rid this space of all, of these thorns, so he chanted feeling the warmth of the purple presence,
"Verholy Igniga!"
FLARE! FLARE! FLARE! FLARE! FLARE!
FLARE! FLARE! FLARE! FLARE! FLARE!
FLARE! FLARE! FLARE! FLARE! FLARE!
FLARE! FLARE! FLARE! FLARE! FLARE!
Quickly all the thorns and the flowers of darkness, were being eradicated in a sea of white fire! They cleared the way and gradually, the blue jewel pod with its many shining colours was being revealed again, as one of the most terrible obstacles was finally being cleared out of the way...
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"Verholy Igniga!"
Hearing this chant from within the depths of the jewel, the presence couldn't believe it! For "That spell...!"
Then quickly she saw the thorns around them all were being eradicated! The darkness they were trapped within, was all being quickly burned away, as a calm warm white fire, lit around their prison!
Seeing and feeling this warm radiance, as the dark curse was being burned away. The presence felt a smile come. For the spell, it was one that surely belonged to, "His Majesty... he's come to assist us too!"
Feeling this all around them, the presence who was filled with apprehension before. Felt it melt away and as it did, looking to their crumbling companion, they knew now what they needed to do... As it was now the only way, that they could truly assist in breaking and stopping this horrific Interfusing process, that was robbing the figure and the other Vessels like them, of their existence.
A smile on their face, they leaned down and did the one act, that would surely lead to their salvation...
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Brush...
Glow...!
"Mmm..." Their consciousness returning properly, the figure looking up saw the blue presence move their face away from their forehead, as they released some kind of white magical power into them.
Confused, they asked simply, "What... are you-?"
However the presence shook their head, then they said, "I'm afraid I don't have long to talk now... I'm sorry."
Still baffled the figure tried to ask again, "What... do you-?"
Touch...
The presence put a single finger to their lips, stilling them from speaking. As they did, they told them, "I've given you the last of my power, it's restored you enough to the point you can speak, and think... but-!"
Dim...
Then the presence's blue glowing body, began to fade away, as it did. The Figure was confused. Why did they do that? What was the point of giving them that energy, when they were simply going to be absorbed anyway?
"I won't be around to give you support now, this next step you'll need to do on your own." They told them, as their blue light continued to dim.
The figure wanted to ask for some clarification, but the stilling finger kept their lips in check. As they did, they heard them say, "You need to remember your identity, your name... for it's your true essence that has the strength to completely stop this Interfusing."
It was then the presence's finger was finally removed from their lips, as it was, the figure tried once more, "Name?"
Fade...
"And don't worry, you won't be alone for long...and I'm sure..."
The figure seeing that the blue presence who had been with them all that time, had completely vanished...
Looking around themselves and seeing they were the only one left, the figure was silent for a moment, before they asked, "Are you...?" However no response came to them, they were alone. Truly now, all alone...
….
Feeling the true emptiness that surrounded them, within the jewel that was their prison. The figure could only look down, they didn't understand that presence at all, saying they didn't want them to disappear. Yet they'd gone and left them behind anyway...
Feeling the isolation and the silence, it was then they said, "So... this must be the emotion they were talking about... the feeling of being alone." For as its terrible cold surrounded them, they looked down and said, "It's so... unpleasant."
Then unbeknownst to them, the last of the thorns had burned away, as it was and the shine of the pod lit the way,
Step, Step, Step, Step, Step,
A new sound reached what remained of their ears, the figure didn't understand it. However it didn't matter anyway, for soon all of it would-!
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Hearing this new strange series of sounds, they looked up and uttered, "What?"
"Hey!"
It was then a new voice came, not understanding what was causing this disturbance, they looked up and asked, "Who is-"
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"Is anyone in there! Can you hear me!?"
BANG! BANG! BANG!
This banging against the jewelled pod, was proving to be most irksome to the figure. They didn't know who was causing this, but if they wanted that incessant noise to stop. It was clear they had no choice but to go closer to the source of the sound.
So carefully, with what movement they could manage with their remaining limb, they went to see what was causing this disturbance.
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"Hey!"
Trying again to get some response from the jewel pod, Riku had banged his hand loudly against its glass-like surface. It was firm, and it was clear it wouldn't break easily underneath his clenched armoured right fist. However he didn't care, he needed to see if who he was looking for, was there. For if they were, then he was sure he could do something!
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Once more, he called out, "Answer me if you can hear me! Just-!"
"Your tone is loud enough..."
Spooked, he stopped and looking on. He saw a shape quietly emerge from within the depths of the turquoise blue jewel pod. As he did, he squinted as he couldn't quite make out what was there. Then-!
"Ah!" He gasped, retracting his hand from the pod, it was then he saw the living presence that was there. He couldn't believe it, there was barely anything left of a person, but yet, still there they were.
For the thing that was talking to him, was simply the upper torso of a body. With a single right hand that floated by their side, which had given them the ability to move.
Looking on at them, he saw that they appeared to be made of something like glass. There were cracks and splinters all over what remained of them, then as he looked to their face. He saw even that too, had terrible damaging lines... seeing all that had happened to them. He couldn't believe it, he asked, "I can't believe it...! It's you?"
"Believe?" They asked, then turning their head to the side curious, they continued, "What can't you believe?"
Riku seeing they were hauntingly unbothered by their terrible state, told them, "All this damage that's been done to your body!" Then putting both his hands against the surface of the jewel pod, he continued on to ask, "What's Xehanort done to you! Why're you...?" He just didn't know how to continue. For this entire sight made him speechless... with horror.
The figure looking at him, then looked to their dissolving state and seeing that they didn't understand, calmly explained, "This is simply the result of the Interfusing."
"The Interfusing?" He asked.
With a nod, the figure explained as they looked at their remains, "Yes, for this Vessel was simply kept alive to house the Fragment. Granting it the life force which would sustain it, so that it would one day, be able re-create the ultimate Keyblade..." Then as it recounted the point of its existence, it explained further as it looked back to Riku, "And now that it is coming back together as one whole, the remainder of this Vessel's body and the other seven are being used, so that the rest of the Fragments will be permanently fixed together, with no risk of breakage."
Listening to this cold logic, Riku couldn't understand why they were behaving this way. Didn't it terrify them at all!? Looking on at them, he summarised what they said bluntly, "So you're telling me your nothing but fuel to it...and now glue to fix it all together, is that it?"
Turning to look at him, the figure didn't understand his agitation and questioned, "Pardon?"
"I'm not going to let this continue!" With that, he drew his hand back and-!
FLASH!
The figure remained quiet, they couldn't see the weapon that Riku had brought forth clearly. But in the next moment-!
SHING! SHING! SHING!
He tried to smash the jewel pod apart, however it was no use. As his sharp blade simply bounced back, with no damage incurred to it whatsoever. Shocked, as he stared this result, he asked, "Why!? Why can't I break it!" Then running back over, he placed his left hand over it and asked trying to feel any dents, "What is this!?"
"That is pointless, needless violence will never be enough to stop this process..." the figure told him, then they added, "It shouldn't be anyway, for this thing never existed in the first place."
Riku hearing them say this, looked to the figure and-!
CRACK!
He looked on with further horror, as a huge splinter fell away from the figure's face! As a chunk of their right cheek fell away, leaving nothing but a dark empty hole! As it did, he then saw that the glittering piece dissolved away and was absorbed into the jewel entirely!
"No!" As he saw this, he felt so much pain inside... for again, his stupidity had only done one thing again, "I hurt you again...I'm so sorry!"
"Hmmm?" Hearing these words, the figure asked him, "You're sorry?" To which they saw him nod, puzzled they enquired, "Why?"
Riku gripped his hand against the surface of the pod and confessed, "Because I'm the reason you're in there, and suffering now," then looking up, to them with a heartbroken look on his face. He added, "It was all my fault, I let him take you and I...I couldn't protected you, when you needed me the most." He added, his grief was overflowing as he said once more, "I'm sorry!"
The figure listening to this, and seeing the painful sorrow he was in, like the blue presence who'd once been with them. They couldn't understand, why they would both cherish such a pitiful object like them, so said, "There's no suffering here," with that they added, as they looked to what remained of their body, "Also there was probably nothing worthy of protection to begin with, for this body is simply a container, you shouldn't hold such grief towards it."
As they said this so matter of factly, Riku staring at them couldn't understand, "What're you talking about? How can you just treat yourself like some object!"
The figure looked back to them and stated simply, "Because that's all this thing is."
Riku hearing this, though still feeling sorrow, immediately became angry and told them, "That is not what you are!"
"No, it is, this thing-"
"Don't call yourself a thing!" Riku angrily told them, with that as they stared at him, he said, "There's no way, that I would be this upset and angry over a mere object! This is not what you are! And I'm sure you were never this way before!"
The figure hearing this, and feeling the anger in their tone of voice, simply tried to explain, "There can never have been a time called before, this thing is-!"
"Then why am I here!" Riku told them angrily, as they looked at their blank expression.
Listening to this simple reason, the figure was quiet for a moment and then asked, "You?"
"Exactly!" Riku told them, with that he explained, "I and my friends, everyone! They've all come to this place to save you, all of you, we've fought the worst Heartless, been nearly drowned in the darkness and faced Xehanort himself!" Then he said with dead certainty, as he looked at the figure, "We're all united by that one wish to get you all back, now you tell me! Do you think that's what those people and myself would do, for some mere things!"
The figure was stilled, for they didn't know how to respond to such strong words... for what they knew of their existence. They simply rationalised and said, "That can't be true... for this thing could never have existed beyond this point, it can't have had a time it wasn't within this pod, it's-!"
"What's this then!" Riku told them, and with that, he brought forth the treasure that had been his one shining star in all that darkness.
GLOW!
The figure seeing this white glowing shard in Riku's hand, was quiet. Then as they stared at this small glowing white glass-like object, as it pulsed with turquoise light... something inside them began to stir. What was it? Sadness? Loneliness? No... it was something else altogether, they didn't understand and asked, "That light... is it?"
"It's yours," Riku told them, then he added with a sad smile, "You entrusted it to me, because we made a promise together... that I'd come for you, to save you from this horrible fate, no matter what."
"A promise?" The figure asked, then as they looked to the mysterious person and then down to the glowing white shard, that throbbed with life. Their life... they could feel it, they realised there was no denying it now, it was all true. That Broken Heart Shard, it was theirs, and...!
Riku looking on was quiet, but quickly with amazement he saw the broken figure within the jewel pod. Was doing one thing, that no mere object could ever do. For quickly from their eyes, started to drip drown glowing white droplets of light. Tears, the figure was crying.
However they themselves, didn't understand this reaction. As they saw their glowing tears float within the depths of their prison, they asked, "What is this... this feeling is? This shouldn't be possible, it can't be, that I-!"
Then quickly they gasped, as this one single word fell from their lips that finally changed everything. The tears immediately fell more quickly, at the realisation of what that one word signified, "I am... I was-!"
With a nod, tears were brimming along Riku's eyes too as he told her, "Yeah, you're a real person, with an identity that's yours... you're the person I came here to save."
Not understanding, the figure asked, "Why? Why would you go so far, for something... no, for someone like me?"
Smiling gently to her with warmth, Riku then told her the honest truth why, "Because, you're one of the most important people in my life...it's because I _ you."
Hearing this one mysterious word again, the one this person was trying to tell her and the blue presence who'd been with her before. The figure couldn't hear that word. Because the light of the Fragment was blocking it out within the pod, making her unable to hear it... but she wanted to know what it was so badly! This wasn't fair! It was-!
CRACK!
Suddenly something cracked! However this time, it wasn't the figure themselves. It was the jewel pod, its surface was beginning to splinter and break!
Seeing this happen, Riku asked, "What's happening? Could it be?" With that as he looked to the figure, no the girl that was inside of there, he wondered if she might know and asked, "Do you know what this is?"
Hearing him ask this question, the girl was quiet... then quickly she remembered the blue presence's words,
"Now you need to remember your identity, your name... for it's your true essence that has the strength to completely stop this Interfusing."
As she remembered her words, she said, "The Interfusing, it's being stopped, because I'm beginning to remember who I am, and they said that... if I remember my name, then it will completely."
Riku could have no idea, who the girl was talking about. But now learning what they needed to do, he said with determination, "Okay, let's do it then!"
"Do what?" She asked him.
"Let's remind you of who you are, let's see if we can remember your name together," Riku told her, feeling some fleeting optimism that caused him to smile.
Seeing him do this so brightly, the girl then remembered what that emotion was too. Then quickly, she too began to reveal the same expression, smiling she said with a nod and happy tears, "Okay! Let's try!" Then-!
CRACK!
Again more of the jewel pod began to break! Maybe the solution wasn't so faraway for them!
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RRROOOAAARRR!
Again racing through the darkness, Vincent found himself being chased by the unrelenting numbers of the Heartless! Angered he turned and aimed, then-!
BLAST! BLAST! BLAST! BLAST! BLAST!
He released more shots from Cerberus! Quickly ridding a good number but-!
SLASH!
"Urgh!"
He missed one and quickly it cut into him, with one of it's terrible blades! Then-!
CRUNCH!
It bit into him too! Grimacing a little, he didn't cry out though. Instead he turned in the air and quickly-!
SLICE!
He sliced it quickly in two, with a strong swipe from his golden clawed left hand and it immediately faded into dark embers.
It was clear, he was slowing, the battle was beginning to get to him and he knew that soon that his chaos form would end. Then as he turned, he saw that the others around him were struggling too, for though they hadn't given up. They were tiring and this in the long term was not going to bode well.
As he started to fly again to get to a better location, he uttered, "Let's just hope we have reinforcements arrive soon or we'll-!"
SHINE!
Suddenly Vincent saw it! The blue turquoise jewel on Xehanort's left hand that continued to hold the King-Blade, the darkness that polluted it had faded! It was beginning to shine with light!
Everyone was startled seeing this sight in this bleak darkness, as it shone, Vincent asked startled, "That's-!"
CRACK! CRACK!
The jewel was beginning to break! Seeing this, Vincent then realised, "It looks like there's some good progress after all!" But-!
"No! You will not be stealing my power!"
BLAZE!
Quickly he saw that Xehanort was going to unleash more deadly power upon the jewel! He was going to interfere again! However with his gun poised, Vincent beat his wings!
SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!
Then quickly, he raced forwards to hinder the monstrous man! But beating him to it-!
"Arising Storm!"
SLASH! SLASH!
Was Lightning who quickly cut straight into his right hand that held that terrible power! Then-!
"ARGH!"
Seeing who'd done this to him, Xehanort enraged, re-aimed his sights and-!
ZZZAAAPPP!
He unleashed this thunderous dark power, trying to hit the female soldier and her trainee! However quickly the two manoeuvred together and they were able to avoid him!
Witnessing their valiant efforts, Vincent as he raced forwards couldn't help but say, "She really does a put a lot of the men to shame."
"You will not escape!"
VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM!
VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM!
VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM!
VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM! VOOM!
Quickly more portals of darkness came forth and as they did, immediately the new Gargoyle Heartless hybrids emerged, and they all chased after the white summon horse, as they went to slice them all out of the air!
Seeing they would need his assistance, Vincent prepared his shot and said, "Alright, time to make up for my poor performance!" With that he charged and called out,
"Chaos Blasting Saber!"
SHINE!
His deadly barrage against the monsters was unleashed and in seconds-!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
He wiped out a huge number and with that, he quickly joined with Lightning and Hope, then together they all continued the fierce battle against Xehanort with the Keybladers!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
As held his hand against the surface of the jewel pod, Riku took a deep breath and said, "Okay, let's try and think about how we should go about doing this..."
Nodding her head, the girl agreed.
Gripping his hand against the surface of the pod he asked her, "So, I've already tried, telling you my name, and certain other words, you said you can't hear them, is that right?"
"Yeah... the presence," then shaking her head, she realised that was wrong now. So she corrected herself and said, "No, the person who was with me before, they said that the Fragment won't let me hear certain words, so nothing will warm the heart and bind me to life... so the Fragment can..."
"Use you?" Riku said, finishing her sentence for her.
The girl nodded again, then as she did this-!
CRACK!
Sadly another piece of her skin chipped away from her face, this time though there was a look of fear upon the figure's face. It was clear now, that with her self realisation returning, that it was going to cause her great distress with the more she lost. For she shivered seeing this terrible dissolving happening to her.
Riku was shaken too, but to reassure her, and to stop her trembling, he said, "Look, it's alright! You're not gone!" With that, he pressed his hands against the surface of the pod harder, and added, "We can still reverse this, I know it! Don't give up, okay?"
Hearing his voice, the girl looking away from the dissolving part that fell from herself. Looked to his hands that were held against the pod. As she did, she felt something move in her... then, putting her one right hand against where he was touching, she told him, "...Okay, I'll try." Though it was clear it was hard for her, as fearful drops of tears fell from her eyes.
Seeing this, Riku gripped his hand against the surface of the pod. This was so frustrating, if he could smash through it right now and get her out, he'd do it in a heartbeat. But that wasn't an option, they had to stop the Interfusing!
So, keeping his eyes on her, he said, "Alright," then thinking to himself, he decided one thing that might help, "Now... I think the best way we can start, is with this." "What?" She asked.
He answered, "What do you think of, when you look at me... is there anything, that stirs inside of your heart when you do?"
"You?" She asked him. Then quiet, as she observed him, trying to answer his question... the first thing somehow that came to her mind was, "White, you have white hair."
Showing a small smile, he replied, "Yeah I do... pretty unique, huh?" He asked her, brushing his hand through it for a moment, to make the point.
"It is," She smiled, then as she looked at it. Something appeared in her mind, another image, a scene that was blanketed with something as white like it, then she asked, "Snow?"
"Snow?" He repeated questioningly.
As she looked at him, something stirred within the depths of her memory, then a single noun came to her lips. Looking to Riku she asked, "Snowball?"
Riku immediately felt a rush in his heart. She did used to call him that, then as the memory re-appeared, he laughed, "Figures that would be one of the first things you'd recall!"
Worried by his reaction, she asked, "Is it bad, that I called you that?"
Shaking his head, Riku told her, "No it's not bad, it was weird when you first started calling me that, I remember... but I guess overtime it's grown on me," then smiling he added, "That's what you did for me too."
As he said this, this the girl asked him curious, "What do you remember about me?"
Surprised that she asked, Riku was quiet as he thought about what memories had remained. Then as he thought to himself, he told her, "Well what I'd like to really tell you, I don't think the Fragment will let you hear it," but being honest he said, "Though, there are some things you might be able to hear, but you won't like them."
As the girl heard him say this, "Well it's better than nothing, so please, tell me what you can."
With a nod, Riku told her, "Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you!" With that taking a deep breath, he took his right hand out and began to count out each trait one by one using his fingers, "You could be totally annoying, you had the bad habit of complaining at the wrong times, rushing head first into things, with no thought whatsoever! Plus at points you never knew when to keep your nose out of others business, and-"
Hearing him continue on and on, the girl in the pod was quiet. She had no idea whatsoever if any of this was true, but somehow deep down. She could feel something growing, it was prickly, it made her lose her smile and she began to grip her one remaining right hand tightly, making a few splinters fall from it.
"Also you used to get lost from us so often, it was a real pain for the King and me trying to find you! You just found trouble so easily that-!"
"You weren't any better!" Stopping Riku dead in his tracks, the girl looking at him said, "I remember that I had to go off and find you guys when I was left on my own, you were just as dumb! Getting caught by others! If it wasn't for me then-!"
CRACK!
Again another sound of breaking came, but thankfully again. It was the pod that incurred the damage! They'd made more progress!
A smile quickly lit Riku's face, then looking to the girl he told her, "Look it's working! We're doing it!"
Losing her anger for a moment, the girl looking at this, then realised this too, "Yeah!" A smile came, though she had to admit looking down, "But I'm surprised that came out of me... I didn't know, that I could feel so intensely like that."
"That was just normal for you," Riku told her. Though warmly he added, "And you just reminded me of something else too."
"What?" She asked curious.
He then told her, "You were the only one who had the nerve to tell me off, to put a stop to me, if I went too far." Then as he looked down, remembering what he could, he continued on to say, "I realise now, that you really helped me more than you'll ever know...or more than I can say."
Surprised to hear this, the girl asked feeling a strange pulse inside her Broken Heart, "Really?"
Riku nodded, then looking back up to her. He said, "Yeah, you did... you were always full of surprises."
Staring at him, as he looked at her so warmly. The girl felt the strange pulse inside her grow stronger, it made her avert her eyes from him. Looking down, then nervously back, she realised after a moment that this sensation was bashfulness. But why though?
Seeing her act this way, Riku remained quiet. Then as he looked at her, he heard her ask after a moment, "...Can you give me an example?"
"An example?" He asked.
"Yeah... of something surprising?" She explained, though it was clear she was still finding it hard to look at him, as she averted her eyes after speaking.
Pausing as he heard this, Riku remained quiet. Then folding his arms, he asked, "Something surprising that you did..."
Seeing him take his hands away from the pod, the girl was quiet. As she stared at him, she wondered if this could help. For she couldn't help but feel her nervousness increase, for even if the conversation was pleasant, if something terrible happened next. She'd-!
GLOW!
It was then the her Heart Shard reacted and quickly it floated out from Riku's pocket. As it did, the two of them stared at it quietly, puzzled as he saw the small treasure, the white haired young man asked, "What're you-?"
SHINE!
The Shard then released some bright light and as it shone over Riku, his eyes widened. Then looking to the girl, who looked on quietly with puzzlement, it was he told her, "I've just been given a small reminder."
"A reminder?" She asked.
With a nod, Riku replied, "Yeah," With that he said gently smiling with warmth again, "Thanks to this little piece of you... and again, you just gave me another surprise." Then he showed the Heart Shard once more to her, letting it's soft white and turquoise glow illuminate them both.
Quiet seeing this small piece of her heart, the girl couldn't know what it was that he was shown. All she could do was watch, as Riku again placed one of his hands on the pod, while the broken part of her, was placed back inside his pocket.
Remaining silent, she listened on and heard him next say, "I was reminded of ages back, when we travelled to the city of Paris, to Notre-Dame, when we encountered the Gypsies for the first time in the Court of Miracles."
Feeling wonder hearing all these new terms, the girl asked him, "What was the Court of Miracles?"
"It was a place where the Gypsies hid away, from the persecution of the evil man Frollo... we found refuge with them." Then as he said this, Riku letting the memories come back, he revealed, "And on that night, you went out somewhere on your own."
"On my own?" The girl asked, then as she tried to think of this. Nothing came back, feeling sad, she couldn't recall this. She looked back to him and asked, "Where did I go? What was I doing?"
Looking at her, Riku then told her as the images came back, "You went further back into the old catacombs, where there was a broken level up in the ceilings, over a huge expanse of water...it was there you were told you could see the stars."
Hearing this particular word, the girl asked feeling another strange pulse, "The stars?"
"Yeah," Riku replied, then he explained, "You said, he would be looking at the same thing as you were... you did it, because you wanted to feel he was there with you."
Listening to these words, the girl could feel that this was the truth. Something was aching inside of herself, something was missing... someone she wanted to be connected to, so badly.
She asked him, "Who was the person?"
Looking to her, Riku then said, "Your _."
Again, the Fragment wouldn't let her hear that precious word. Sadness came over strongly again, biting her lower lip, the girl then said, "...I can't hear it, that word," This inability was so frustrating, that she said, "I want to know what it was so badly..."
Hearing her say this, he saw her tense her remaining right hand tightly. Tears came to line her eyes again, as they did. He hurriedly told her, "Look it's alright! I can tell you another way, don't cry! It's alright!"
Gasping, trying to keep calm. The girl looked to Riku and stared at him, clearly longing to know more with sad pain in her eyes.
He couldn't let her remain that way, so he tried again, "It was the person who raised you, they took care of you... when everyone else left you alone, they were the one person who told you to be strong."
Surprised hearing this, the girl asked, "Strong?"
Nodding, Riku continued, "Yeah... I remember that you said that, you admired them, that you wanted to be just like them, to be someone that people could count on when you were needed by them... to be reliable."
Hearing these words, the girl asked, "That person...was?" Then suddenly within the dark recesses of her memories, images quickly lit up within her mind.
She saw a strong tall figure in her mind. Robed in red, strict, they were intimidating when you first encountered them. But... he was so graceful, full of respect and dignity, and his warm hand on her head, as a child. It was the most reassuring warmth she'd ever first felt. Remembering him, as she thought of him, lifting her into his arms with a smile as they laughed together, the girl uttered with more tears beginning to fall more strongly from the warmth that bond was created from, "My...Master!"
CRACK!
Again the jewel pod had another break! Looking at this, Riku realised as he saw it's barely intact state, "You did it! Do you see that! You-!"
However he stopped, as he saw the girl again was in tears, her right hand couldn't hold them back. As she continued to sob, she said, "I can't believe it... how could I forget him! When he was-!"
The distress of losing that precious memory, was overwhelming to her. Seeing her in pain like this, Riku though did his best to comfort her and said, "Look! It's okay! You remembered him again right now! It'll be alright, I promise you!"
As she shivered hearing him say this, the girl looked up, and seeing Riku doing his best to comfort her. She heard him say, "You'll have it all back, all of your memories, it'll be okay..." Then he added, "Now come on, be strong, that's what he wanted you to be right?"
Hearing him say this, the girl was quiet. Then remembering her Master's words, she nodded and doing her best, she wiped her tears away. Though it was clear it was a struggle with only one limb there to help her do it.
This hurt Riku, but again with him stuck on the other side of her prison, the only reassurance he could give was through words. He remained quiet as he waited for her to calm down...
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
SLASH!
"AAAGGGHHH!"
Horrified, Shirma and Aerith along with Zidane felt Ruby fall in the air! Having been harmed by another of the Heartless!
As he did, Zidane angered took one of his daggers and cried out, "Why you!" With that he leapt into the air and-!
SLICE! SLICE! SLICE! SLICE!
He struck straight into it! Determined to make the monster pay for hurting their ride and friend!
As the giant red robin continued to fall, Aerith knew she had to do something! But with this last act, it would mean that-!
RRROOOAAARRR!
Quickly more of the horrible monsters came to strike them down! But before they could impact them-!
"Protect!"
SHINE!
Shirma had quickly come to their aid! Using her white protection spell she thwarted the monsters attempts to harm them! As she did, Zidane flew on down to finish them off, but now Shirma was preoccupied, she couldn't be the one to heal Ruby.
Aerith knew there was no other choice, so focusing her white magic she cried out, "Full Cure!"
SHINE!
Quickly her spell came, and in seconds it healed Ruby's injuries in moments! As it did, she heard the red bird ask, "What was I-!"
"Ruby!" Getting his attention, Aerith told him, "You need to get flying again! Hurry!"
Puzzled he asked, "Fly?" Then-!
SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!
SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!
SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!
SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!
Quickly the horrible sea of Heartless appendages were rising up again to drag them into the dark abyss below!
Seeing this, Ruby panicked and cried out, "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" Then quickly he moved-!
FLAP! FLAP! FLAP! FLAP! FLAP! FLAP!
Re-adjusting himself he rolled and immediately flapping his wings for dear life, he avoided the horrible grasps of the monsters that were waiting to drag them all down!
As he breathed in and out from the mad rush, he cried out, "That was way too close!" Then looking back to the healer who saved him, he said, "Thanks Aerith! You really saved my tail there!"
"No problem," But sadly she had to admit, "But I don't have any more magic to do a big save like that again... if anything else happens then I-!"
"Not to worry!"
It was then suddenly-!
"Whoa!"
That Zidane came back again, landing hard on Ruby! As he did, he grinned and told them, "I'll be the one to shield you guys now, I can't let cute girls like you wear themselves out to the breaking point!"
Annoyed, Ruby though told him, "Don't go breaking my back doing it! You're a heavy monkey!"
"Sue me!" Zidane joked and quickly, both Aerith and Shirma laughed. For despite the dire circumstances, they could all at least-!
CRACK! CRACK!
It was then they all saw that Xehanort's cracked jewel incurred more damage! It was clear as they looked on, that it wouldn't be able to take much more!
RRROOOAAARRR!
But none of them had the time to concentrate on this, for again more Heartless were after them! They had to endure and survive, just as the rest of their allies did! For the only hope for any kind of victory, was to remove the power of at least one of the Fragment's in Xehanort grasp!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It took a little bit, but finally the girl had calmed down. As she did, Riku asked her, "Are you okay?"
She nodded and replied, "Yeah... sorry," she finished with a small sniffle.
With a small laugh, he told her, "Don't worry, you don't need to apologise." Then looking to her, he said, "Now come on, let's try and see if we can finally remember your name."
"Yeah, okay," She replied.
They were then quiet again for a little, until Riku asked her, "So, you remember your Master now right?"
The girl nodded in response.
Riku then enquired, "And you can hear the word now?"
Again another nod and the girl said, "Yeah, I have more of a clear image of him... it must be a powerful memory, if its left me in tears like this."
"It would be, he was very precious to you after all." Riku told her.
"Yeah..." then as she felt this mysterious warmth, she couldn't help but ask, "I wonder what you call this feeling, this one that brings so much warmth and light..."
Riku looking at her, became a little sad himself as he said, "I would tell you what it is, but the Fragment won't let you hear it."
The girl became sad too, as she agreed, "Yeah, you're right."
However this wasn't the time to be too sentimental, so Riku decided to ask, "But putting that aside for the moment, do you remember any moments with him that might help, anything to do with your name?"
As he asked her this question, the girl was quiet. Then as she looked through what was left of her memories... she felt there might be something, so said, "I think maybe there was...but, what was it?"
Seeing her struggle as she held her hand to her head, Riku asked her, "Is something wrong?"
The girl was trying to focus, as she did. She said, shaking a little, "I was... we were, we were both doing something together... but I can't...quite remember what it was."
Hearing this, Riku asked her, "What kind of thing was it you were doing?"
Shaking her head, the girl replied, "I don't know... it was..." Then focusing, she tried to grasp what images she could, "We were? We were outside together, in the gardens of the Dojo...it was in the afternoon and, I had something in my hands and him too."
Hearing this, Riku asked her, "What was that thing?"
Concentrating, the girl described the object, as best she could, "It was green, no... red? It looked like half a moon, with black bits in it...?"
Listening to this description, Riku at first couldn't understand what on earth, it was? But as he thought on it, he remembered again that night in the Court of Miracles near that lake. He realised quickly what it could be! His asked, "Was it... a watermelon?"
Puzzled hearing this noun, the girl asked, "A watermelon? What's that?"
Riku was silent for a moment, then choosing his words, he did his best to explain, "It's a fruit, it's mainly watery and juicy, it's sweet in flavour, something special you can eat in the Summer time." Then as he looked to her, he told her with a smile, "It was your favourite, you always tried to eat it, if there was some around."
Listening to this, the girl asked, "The special fruit... in the Summer time?" As she said this, she finally gained the proper knowledge and imagery to form the key that would let the precious replay...
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Mmm! This is so good!"
Sitting next to her precious Master in the garden of the Dojo, the girl was tucking straight into the juicy red fruit that was in her hands. Having see it be cut right in front of her, by some amazing knife skills by her Master, in the kitchen. There was no way she wouldn't enjoy this, so she ate away with excited vigour.
Ting! Ling! Ling!
As the old weather chime, echoed gently, being blown by the wind. It was one of the nicest sounds in the the world to her, especially when-!
"You've got juice and seeds all over your face."
"Hm?" Puzzled the young girl looked up and-!
Wipe...
"Mmph!" The girl's face was wiped, until there was no juice nor seeds left on her cheeks and chin.
Puzzled, as he removed his hand with the yellow kitchen towel in it, he told her, "You must slow down when you eat, otherwise you'll leave a mess behind, I have told you to be mindful haven't I?"
The girl was quiet as she heard this, then after a little bit she replied, "Yeah, I know... it's just, this is the first fruit of the season, and I?" It was clear she was unsure of how to speak her thoughts, but after a little bit. She managed to finish her sentence, "...I got too excited, because I get to eat with you now, Master."
Ting! Ling! Ling!
The girl looking down to her fruit, licked her lips. She was hungry, but also now she wasn't sure if she'd ruined the mood. Was she-?
Stroke...
Surprised, she looked up and there she saw with amazed eyes that her Master was stroking her head. As he did, she heard him say gently, "I'm glad I get to eat with you too." Then removing his hand from her head, after a couple more gentle moments, he took a bite out of his own watermelon slice too.
As he did, the girl watched him quietly as he chewed. Then as he finished his bite, she heard him say, "It has been too long since we've done this, I need to make more time for us, so I can do this with you again."
With amazement, she asked him, "You want to do this more with me, Master?"
"Of course I do!" He told her with a small laugh, then looking at her gently he added, "After all, you are my precious charge."
Blinking at her young age, she didn't understand what that last word meant. But she brightened and smiled. Then with that the two of them continued to eat for a little in peaceful silence...
After a bit, the girl then remembered, "At school, we're learning to write and read now."
"Are you?" He asked her.
Nodding, she said, "Yeah, I learned from Wairu and Elena that each name has a special meaning to it when you write it down in words."
"That's true they do," Her Master told her, with that put his hand to his mouth as he quietly removed a seed that had found its way inside.
Looking ahead into the sky, the girl continued on and said, "Wairu told me that his name means River God, and Elena said that hers is Shining Light, we're gonna learn to write our names with characters, that show their meanings and..."
Hearing her pause, her Master looked down to her. As he did, he asked gently nudging her to continue, "Do you find the idea troubling to do?"
Shaking her head, the girl answered, "No, it's just... I don't know the meaning of my name, I don't think I was ever told it." With that looking up to him, she asked, "Master what is the meaning of my name?"
He was quiet and then he laughed clearly amused, as he replied, "Of all times you want to ask..."
The girl simply stared up, unsure of what was so funny. However after a little bit, he answered, "Well, Hikaru, your Mother, and Makoto, your Father... they decided that your name would mean beautiful hope."
Amazed she repeated, "Beautiful...hope?"
Nodding, her Master looked down and explained, "Yes, because you were their hope, they wished that you could shine beautifully and live your life to the full, despite whatever hardships would come your way."
Hearing the meaning of her name, the girl couldn't believe it! Her Mama and Papa had wanted that for her? Looking down to the watermelon and thinking of the mess she'd made, she wondered if she could really do that? Uncertain, she asked, "Can I really be like that for them?"
"There's no reason for you to doubt," As he said these words, the girl looked up to him again, then she saw Auron, smiling down to her. As he told her with warmth, "You already shine with hope, and I know you have a unique shine, that is very beautiful, Nozomi."
As these strong words of certainty were given to her, the girl was quiet. However quickly she brightened and smiled happily! She quickly told him, "Master, thank you! I love you!"
The older man laughed and it was clear he felt very much the same, with that the quiet summer afternoon continued, as he explained next what his name meant to her and how she should prepare for her coming lessons...
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
As the memory came back in full, the girl then repeated the words that Auron had told her so long ago, "Beautiful hope..."
Hearing her say this, Riku was quiet for a moment. Puzzled her asked her, "What?"
"That's what my name means... beautiful hope, that's my name, it's-!"
CRACK!
The jewel pod was reaching it's limit, however Riku didn't care nor the girl as she finally remembered the treasured name that had been given to her, by both her parents and that she came to treasure greatly because of her Master, "My name is Nozomi!"
Feeling a jolt in his heart, Riku repeated, "Nozomi?" Then quickly-!
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
The jewel couldn't fight the will of the Vessel to live anymore-!
SMASH!
"Agh!"
"Urgh!"
Jumping back, Riku gasped asking, "This is-!"
SHINE!
Then suddenly within the glass-like surface of the jewel pod, a single shape began to leak forth with light! It was a shape he and her knew all too well, it was the shape of a Keyhole!
Seeing it, the girl asked, "That's-!"
"It's the way to stop it!" Riku didn't hesitate! He moved and quickly-!
FLASH!
There in his hand emerged his Keyblade! Seeing the weapon, the girl looking at it, felt she knew it, it was the one-!
"YOU WILL NOT TAKE WHAT IS MINE!"
Shocked, Riku became agitated and he practically spat out his name, "Xehanort!" But he didn't hesitate, he moved and-!
ZZZAAAPPP!
"AAAGGGHHHH!"
Horrified the girl saw that the one who was going to free her, was quickly struck by terrible black lightning! As he fell backwards-!
SHINE!
Quickly the Shard he had been keeping safe, had been ripped away from his being and-!
"Agh!"
Gasping, the Broken Heart Shard was absorbed straight into the jewel pod! As it was, it quickly was returned to the broken girl's body! As this happened-!
GLOW!
An awful eerie light shone all around the pod! The Interfusing was starting up again and as it was, quickly the dark blue line of the Second Fragment was coming to permanently join with her, so the Fragment's would completely finish their union!
Grimacing in pain as he sat up, and seeing this horrible process starting up again, Riku saw with terror, the dissolving state of the girl had recommenced! It was swiftly removing every last atom of her that existed! She was in clear agony as she shivered from the horrific process!
"No!" He couldn't let this happen! He absolutely wouldn't! Getting back up fast, he moved to get in closer, with his Keyblade aimed he went to use it again on the Keyhole, but-!
ZZZAAAPPP!
"Agh!" He was being pushed back by this horrible dark power! It wasn't going to let him get in its way! But he didn't want to give up! He couldn't! As he pushed himself forwards, he aimed and-!
SHINE!
He released the power of Unlocking from his Keyblade! However as the light entered the critical point, he saw though with the black lightning it'd weakened his light! It wasn't enough to turn it!
"No! Why now?!" Panic was spreading through him! He had to do something! What could he-!?
Then realisation hit him! He knew what to do! Looking to the pod, he tried one last desperate tactic!
The girl shivering against the pain of the dissolving, felt the entirety of her left side had been take away! It was hopeless now, there was no way to stop the Interfusing any longer, she was going to be absorbed completely, she'd never be able to-!
"HEY!"
Hearing his voice, she looked beyond her horrible prison. There she saw him still trying to save her, with that glowing weapon. As she did, she heard him cry out,
"Don't give up! Remember! You have this power too!"
Her eyes lighting up with puzzled amazement, she asked, "I have-?"
"Hurry!"
As the desperation in his voice reached her, the girl felt compelled by something within the depths of her broken heart. That mysterious overpowering warm emotion, that had been growing in strength all this time. It moved her remaining right hand out and-!
FLASH!
A Keyblade came to her hand too! As it did with widened eyes, she uttered, "This is my-!"
GLOW!
Then to her terror, she saw the Second Fragment join with her pod! She couldn't let it take her! So moving with her Keyblade, she aimed and quickly-!
SHINE!
At last her own light of Unlocking raced out too! As it did, and both their powers entered the Keyhole! Quickly a new sound echoed out!
CLICK!
In seconds as this sound resounded everywhere, it was then-!
SMASH!
The jewel pod was at last smashed to pieces, and its shattered remains were sent raining everywhere! As it all was-!
SHINE!
The girl was bathed in blinding white light. Her Keyblade vanished and what remained of her poor glass-like body, fell weightlessly through the disintegrating space, she was breathless as a tidal wave of memories, overwhelmed her! As each and every treasured moment started to return to her, she turned her head, and there she saw racing through the now weightless space. Through the sea of broken glass and glittering light, was the one person who came to mean so much to her!
As he came toward her, he shouted out her treasured name, "Nozomi!"
Then reaching her own hand out, tears came to her eyes, as she cried out, "Riku!"
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SMASH!
"AAAGGGHHHH!"
Everyone on the outside, hearing this almighty sound, saw the blue jewel on Xehanort's left hand smash to pieces! As it did, quickly they all then saw falling through the air, it was, "RIKU!"
For there as he continued to ride upon Scriptium with the others was Sora's best friend! But as he fell, there was something that was held tightly in his arms, no-one could quite make it out at first. But-!
SHINE!
Suddenly from within the King-Blade, a bright turquoise blue light began to shine! As it did, the weapon in Xehanort's hands shook violently, but no-one could understand why, when-!
SMASH!
The blue light smashed itself out from the weapon, it quickly raced towards Riku like a glittering blue comet and-!
GLOW!
From the spectacle as it made contact with him and the mysterious object in his arms. A shape began to form, from countless shards of white and turquoise blue glass, that turned about rapidly. Quickly as they re-constructed themselves, a body was formed of flesh and blood, it was a female figure. Dressed in a white waistcoat, a black tube top and dark blue shorts, with long black arm gloves and whose legs were covered by white veils that were held down by gold beads, on either side of her trainers.
Everyone was wide-eyed with amazement! For that girl, she was-?!
But Riku already knew who she was, as she finally formed again with her dark black hair blowing around in the wind. It was finally as the light died away, that she opened her eyes, where he saw her familiar lilac irises.
As they looked to him, she looked puzzled. But quickly they shone with recognition and quickly they lined with tears of happiness, as she smiled with relief.
He was much the same as he looked up to her, and despite the danger they were in, it didn't matter as he held her close to himself and she held onto him just as tightly. For finally, they were together again.
Holding onto him, feeling all of her existence finally being returned to her with the Fragment coming to lie within her Broken Heart, Nozomi understood at last what this warmth was. It was as strong and gentle as the arms that held her. It was the very thing all that time, that she wanted to feel again, the warmth of Love...
Realising this, it was then she remembered when she'd been trapped in the jewel pod with the blue presence. With her memories fully returned, she knew then who she was and what she'd been trying to tell her all that time,
"I care about you, I love you."
As she realised this, more tears fell. Then she whispered in her heart, hoping it would reach the person who'd cared and helped her throughout that dark abyss, 'Aqua... thank you!'