Chapter CCLXVIII: The Palace of Alexandra Part X

Looking at him, Nozomi couldn't believe the name that had come from the newly formed man. Staring at him, he was no longer the same quiet slumbering man that she had seen. His brunette hair was gone, it had become ghostly white and long. His skin had become darker too... it was clear he was no longer Terra.

Staring at him as he had spoken his name, Nozomi took a fearful step back as she asked, "It can't be you! You were...!"
"Destroyed?" He finished for her.

The darkness he was emanating was overwhelming, it felt as though everyone was gazing upon a living nightmare! Then as he began to get up, his long blood red cloak trailed behind him as he moved with the click and clack of his newly formed armour.

As he put a foot down upon the marbled floor, everyone else immediately backed away. For quickly all around him, tendrils of darkness began to brim about showing the manifestation of the dangerous force that he held within.

Seeing the fearful expressions that were on all their faces, it was clear Xehanort was enjoying their newly born terror of him. Seeing this he revealed, "That was almost the case, if not for a small fortune."
"What's that mean?" Timbre asked with unease.

Xehanort then gave his explanation, "The masked shadow I used in my joint attack against Terra, Ventus and Aqua, a mere empty vessel with no heart of it's own became my new body."
"Masked shadow?" Nozomi asked not understanding when-!

FWOOSH...

Suddenly a copy from the memory appeared! It was the same as the man with the mask that they'd all seen when Aqua's armour had shown them the memories of the past. His black mask was hiding away his face, his form covered in a black and red lined body-suit, it was chilling to stare at this...thing.

"I hid within it, during the escalating damage that the destroyed Kingdom Hearts wrought with it..." Then removing the masked shadow with a flick of his wrist he explained further, "However during the onslaught, my... or should I say both of our hearts were damaged and in the process, I lost all my memories, I no longer was the Xehanort nor Terra that were once known, but a new entity all together, that even now seeks the ultimate force of darkness that lies within the heart."
Hearing this Nozomi couldn't believe it! This man? No, this monster... he'd survived because of a lucky fluke!? This was just too-!

"Aagh!"

Gasping out of her horror, Nozomi quickly turned her attentions to the one who'd cried out, "Riku!"
Running straight to him as Reeve continued to hold him in his arms, Nozomi took a hold of one of his hands, asking him urgently, "Riku can you hear me!? Can you-!"

"Oh, of course...my former vessel."

Turning as she heard his voice, Nozomi saw again that same chilling smile gracing Xehanort's face. As it did, he continued on to say, "You served me well, after I lost me former shadow, you were a perfect host to hide within... the raid upon Maleficent's former castle and that light, it certainly peeled away my power significantly but now it matters not."
Hearing all this, most there didn't understand what Xehanort meant. However Nozomi outraged realised the agony her precious person was going through was because of him! Angrily she demanded out of him, "What did you do to him!? I want you to make him better right now or else I-!"

"Oh it is not only I that did this to him," Xehanort said, with that he revealed in a smug tone of voice, "It was all thanks to you as well, Seventh Fragment."
Her eyes widening, Nozomi felt her heart sink in seconds as she uttered, "What...?"
"You helped unknowingly in my growth, by gaining the Lachesis Reports and opening them, they freed the chains of my memory... they returned to me like moths to my flame, I grew and grew, until this moment I remembered everything about myself, so..." with those words, Xehanort made a small bow to Nozomi as he told her, "Thank you, for allowing me to return to my full potential and a new powerful body."

Shivering hearing this Nozomi couldn't believe it! This was all her fault? She's the one who-!

"Urgh...!"

Distracted out of her thoughts, she felt Riku tense his hand on hers. As she did, her eyes filled with tears and as they leaked from her eyes, thinking of everything that happened. All she could do was utter sadly gripping Riku's hands with now both of her own, "I'm sorry..."

"Don't utter that load of tripe!"

Suddenly upon her shoulder, Cait sith mad told the newly formed Master of Darkness, "That wasn't the lass's fault! Everythin' that happened up until now was just a whole lost of messy luck for ya!" Then with his fists up gearing himself up, "And I know one think, I ain't gonna let ya break anymore hearts than ya have done!"

Hearing his courageous words, Nozomi was amazed and uttered, "Cait sith..."

"He's right..."

It was then that Mickey walked forwards, as he did with his golden Keyblade brought forth, he aimed it at the evil being and declared, "We can't let you keep ruining the worlds anymore, we'll finish what Terra Ventus and Aqua couldn't!"
"Your majesty?" Nozomi asked him.

To which the Mouse King nodded to her with a small smile, showing his firm belief and confidence in her.

Her heart racing Nozomi feeling both their courage, it fuelled her own and quickly looking to Riku, she told him quietly, "We'll fix you soon I promise," with that she then gently lay a small kiss on his hand.

Then rubbing her tears away with a hard wipe, she stood forward too and said, "That's right we will! We'll save the friends we lost and after that! We'll make a wholesome world where everyone can be happy again and it'll be something you'll never be able to destroy!"

"Ha! Ha! Ha!"

Surprised Nozomi turned and saw it was Timbre who had laughed, then as his clawed hand rested on her shoulder, she heard him say, "Wholesome? Did you really just say that?"

"What? It's a good word isn't it?" Nozomi asked baffled.

"Cheesy more like!" Zidane said as he couldn't help but laugh too.

Nozomi though quickly became annoyed and pouted saying, "Well excuse me!"
"We will," Timbre told with a smile. However as he turned to Xehanort himself he informed him with a serious expression coming to his face too, "But she's right though, you've gotta be erased! The chaos you've caused has led to way too many tears for my liking!" With that he aimed his spear straight at him.

"Ditto, there's no way I'm gonna lose my pal to a fashion disaster like you!" Zidane added, with that he drew his daggers out becoming ready.

"Couldn't have said it better myself!" Jona said agreeing with her crew mate as she brought her clawed fists up, ready for the fight that was going to come!

Nozomi despite her annoyance was glad to see that they were standing up to him too, she revealed a small smile and-!

SHINE!

Turning she saw that Reeve had lowered himself down and there on the floor, he had placed Riku. However his still body was quickly covered with a glowing yellow glowing protective spell.

Surprised by this, Nozomi was quiet. However it wasn't long before Reeve stood up with his sword and shield ready. Doing this he then declared too, "I concur, you need to be stopped, for at this point you are clearly a deadly threat to my friend and her Highness, I can't let her be revived as long as you're still in this world!" With that he aimed his blade straight at him.

Nozomi smiled brightly at this, in awe of him. However-!
"You got that right you can't! But next time alert me to these things Reeve! If you'd just darn well paid attention I could have stopped this creep in this tracks!" Cait sith added with clear annoyance at his creator.

Feeling a little awkward at this statement, all Reeve could do then was concede and say simply, "Sorry..."
Sighing, Nozomi then told him, "Cait sith this isn't the time to take the wind out of his sails you know?"
"I had to say what was on my mind lass! Cause it's true!" Cait sith told her.

Rolling her eyes, Nozomi then uttered, "Yeah, yeah..."
It was then that Shirma walked over laughing a little awkwardly and she said, "Well, don't worry everyone! I'll be here to support you all so-!"
"Just get that creep already!" Pete cried out, tired of this relaxed awkward atmosphere that was brewing for he told them, "If ya all don't move now! He's gonna pull a fast one on ya all that ya can't-!"

"I already have..."

Spooked, Nozomi didn't get to say another word as-!

SWIRL! SWIRL! SWIRL!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

Suddenly underneath all their feet, came thousands of tendrils of darkness that all began to pull them down into the floor!

Panicked, Nozomi cried out, "Hey! Let go! Get off!" Everyone else was yelling much the same, however none of them couldn't get these terrible things to release their hold upon their bodies!

Everyone panicked as they all fell into the depths of the darkness that had been unleashed, then Nozomi in her struggles saw in her last moments was Riku's still form, underneath the glowing yellow protective spell...

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"Agh!"

Falling hard onto a smooth floor, Nozomi aching uttered mad, "Damn that hurt! What-!"
Then as she opened her eyes, she saw that she was underneath a glass ceiling! Looking above it was a dazzling sight, it was as though she was underneath a glimmering crystal sea, then as she looked around she saw that decorating the walls were many suits of armour with lances at the ready and tall pillars of marble with decorating gold that kept the entire structure in check.

Looking around she'd never seen this part of the palace and confused she uttered, "Just where have we-?"

"Urgh!"

Surprised she then saw, "Cait sith! Reeve!" There indeed she saw a little distance ahead of her, were the guardians of her lost friend. Immediately she ran to them!

"Darn it! What's that creep doin'!?" Cait sith uttered as he tried to rid himself of the headache that was coming.

"Are you both okay!?" It was then Nozomi made her way over to them.

"Lass!" Cait sith cried out, with that he ran up to her and quickly with a well aimed jump, he landed upon her shoulder.

Pleased to feel his familiar warmth, Nozomi gently patted him with a small smile. However as she looked about she asked, "Where's everyone else? Do you think they-!"

"Guys!"

It was then turning Nozomi saw, "Jona! Timbre!" For then she saw the two Sphynx's were making their way over to them.

"Well I'm glad you honey's are okay!" The rich orange haired Sphynx smiled as she arrived at their position.

"Yeah totally!" Timbre agreed, then as he looked around themselves he said, "But just where have we got to? Why did that X guy bring us here for?"

Reeve grimaced as he finally woke up too. But as he got himself up gradually the knight opened his eyes and at last he saw where they all were. All he could say when he saw the space they were in was one simple word, "No...!"

"What's wrong with you?" Cait sith asked. For he didn't have time to take in his surroundings when-!
"We've got to leave!" Reeve cried out.

"What?" Nozomi uttered confused.

Then Reeve declared loudly, "We all have to go now!" With that he quickly got up and started to run!

Seeing him leave so suddenly everyone was confused, but they had no reason to refuse him so quickly they all chased after him!

Timbre called out, "Hey where's the fire! What-!"

SHUT! SHUT! SHUT! SHUT!

Suddenly for giant doors slammed shut and blocked all the surrounding exits that the group could escape into! Everyone was spooked seeing this, then Jona looking on saw that each of the doors had giant glowing stones embedded in each of their centres. As she saw this she asked, "Why are they lighting up like that? Just what-!"
"Damnit! He's activated it already!?" Reeve uttered angrily.

"Activated?" Nozomi asked him, but before explanations could be given-!

SSSWWWSSSHHH!

"Agh!"

Out of nowhere, orange sand began to pour in the space blinding them all! Everyone quickly covered their eyes! As they did so, Jona asked, "Just what is this!? What's-!"
"He's activated the Tournament spell!" Reeve cried out as the sands built up more and more!
"Tournament? What blasted Tournament!?" Timbre cried out mad as all this sand was irritating his eyes.

"This space we're in, it's in the heart of the palace! Underneath the magics of the crystal above us and in the doors, it can create a space suitable for different environments in combat!" Then stopping to protect himself against a nasty gust of sandy wind, he explained further, "This isn't done unless there's a trial for Knighthood or for public shows of battle! To have it activate like this means-!"
"Means he wants us at a disadvantage is what it means!" Cait sith cried out, then mad with all this sand around he cried out, "That darn creep!"
"Totally!" Nozomi cried out mad. For this wasn't fair on her and the others! But as she thought of everyone, she realised-!

SWISH...

Finally the orange sands died away and everyone looking on, saw that the environment had completely changed! The entire space resembled a barren desert, as orange sands gently blew about. Even the glass ceiling resembled a blue sky, the only things that revealed that they were within the grounds of the palace were the four doors that continued to glow with their magical stones.

However as Nozomi looked about the space, she realised something, "This place! It's just like that canyon back in Aqua's memory! It's-!"

"Yes..."

Everyone was immediately on guard! As they were they saw then that emerging out of the sands, was their dreaded foe. He continued to show that terrible sinister smile as he told them, "I thought it would be the most fitting stage, since it all began in a setting like this..."

Jona though despite her nervousness told him, "Ha! That does sound like something you'd do, you're rather proud of yourself aren't you?"
"But of course!" He responded, then still smiling at them all he revealed, "After all, I caused the most suffering in a terrain like this... and I know I'm going to enjoy all the same that you Vessels will soon go through!"
Chilled hearing him say this, Nozomi felt herself shiver inside and she asked him, "Is that what you're doing to Mickey and the others too now! Where have you put them!? What-!"
"That doesn't concern you now!" Xehanort told her and in another moment-!

VOOM...!

Suddenly within his right hand emerged a weapon, a Keyblade! However this one was sinister and dark! It was mostly black and grey in colour, with pulsing red lines, but terrifyingly in its centre of the end blade and the middle of the hilt were two fiery orange eyes, that resembled Xehanort's.

Looking at it, internally Nozomi knew it's name somehow by instinct, 'Annihilation.' Then as soon as she realised it's name-!

BURN!

Xehanort ignited it's terrible power and as he did, he told them all, "But don't worry! When I collect your Fragments, you'll fall into the same abyss as their lost souls!" With that he proceeded to attack them!

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"HHHAAAA!"

SLASH!

Moving swiftly with his knives in his hands, Zidane cut away into a horrible Heartless that was coming their way! As it faded away into black ashes, he cried out, "Just what is happening here!"

KABOOM!

Destroying a group of the terrible creatures with his own Keyblade, Mickey responded, "I dunno! But one thing's fer certain we need ta fight our way out of here!"

For Mickey himself, Zidane, Shirma and Pete who continued to carry Hari in his arms. They had all been sent into a terrible dark dimension! The Heartless were around them everywhere in the abyss and the darkness was so poignant, you could taste its bitterness in the air!

Pete was shivering, holding Hari closely to himself! He couldn't let these terrible things touch her! But more than that he knew-!

"Agh!"

"Zidane!" It was then that Shirma ran over to tend to the aching Zidane who'd been struck by another Heartless that was in a blind spot to the monkey thief. As he ached horribly from the pain, Shirma using her healing light looked to their new comrade and asked him, "Pete can't you control them? Can't you make them stop!?"

As she asked this of him, the overweight former villain told her, "Don't ya think I would have by now!?" Then-!

SLASH!

"Agh!"

Another Heartless came for him! It tried to immediately slash into him with its terrible claws! However he'd somehow managed to jump out of the way of it's oncoming deadly attack.

He shivered in fear as he gazed at it's hollow yellow glowing eyes. The only things he could attack them with would have been his fists, but if he rested Hari on the ground she would be-!

"Captain Pete!"

SLICE!

In seconds Mickey came to the aid of his former boss and quickly he destroyed the Heartless that had tried to come for him! Seeing he'd done his job, he asked him, "Are you okay?"

Not knowing what to say, all Pete could do was give a rapid nod.

Mickey had an expression of relief, however becoming immediately serious again. He turned ahead and told the small party, "Okay fella's let's keep going! We gotta push on through all this!" With that he ran forwards to rid more Heartless out of the way of them all.

As the Mouse King led the way, the healed Thief and White Mage ran forwards to intercept the Heartless, as they all fought to gain their way out!

Then Pete rushing after them, continuing to hold Hari close to him. He whispered to his accomplice, "Hari c'mon! Ya gotta get up now! Ya've gotta!" With this desperate prayer uttered. He chased after the heroes as they continued their trek into the dark abyss.

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BLAST!

Xehanort had already begun his terrible onslaught against them! He unleashed powerful blasts of fiery red that quickly decimated the surrounding space that the four of them were upon!
Running fast Nozomi carrying Cait Sith with Timbre beside her, after separating from Jona and Reeve, the lot of them hid behind a tall sand dune. As they did so, the pink haired Sphynx couldn't believe the situation they were in! Angered he uttered to Nozomi mad, "Just where the heck did that old coot get all that power from!?"

"It must be Terra's power he's using or a combo of all he's gained throughout this time! I don't know-!?"

BLAST!

Again Xehanort unleashed another series of blasts of terrible power! As he did these lines began to burn brightly with terrible red ominous power that reached high into the air!

FLARE!

Feeling the terrible radiance from the red flames that were cutting off the floors they could stand upon, Nozomi looking on at the man's back didn't know what to think or feel. She was shaking, everything inside of her was telling her to run! To get out of that space! He was beyond dangerous...!

"Come now Vessels, aren't you going to give me some entertainment?"

Nozomi shivered hearing this. Timbre she could feel was much the same as the fur of his tail bristled and stood on end from fear.

Cait sith was nervous too, however he didn't lose his courage as he told them in a harsh whisper, "Lads, we don't have time for speculatin'! We gotta find our way out of here and do it fast!"

"How're we supposed to do that!?" Timbre whispered.

"Plannin'! Obviously!" Cait sith told him.

"What can we do though?" Timbre asked him, with that he continued on to say, "We've lost half our forces and we don't have as much firepower as that creep!? We're practically spent here! We-!"

KICK!

"Ou-!"

Quickly though Nozomi covered Timbre's mouth! Stopping his cry of pain in seconds that Cait sith caused him from kicking him in the face! They couldn't be discovered!
Cait sith though not caring for quitters though told him, "We ain't got time for mopin' like that lad! Our lives are on the line here!"

Annoyed herself, Nozomi then told him, "Obviously Cait sith but don't just-!"

"Where are you all?"

Shivering as they heard him call out for them again in a sinister playful tone, everyone stood statue still! As they did, they heard the terrible Master of Darkness say, "If you keep me waiting like this, I'm going to have to let you play with some of my Heartless!"

At this decree no-one liked the sound of that at all! For that was one obstacle they didn't need hindering them while trying to deal with his terrible destructive dark power! For one wrong move would mean they-!
"You still won't come out?" Again there came no response to his summons.

Everyone waited quietly wondering what it was he would do next. They didn't need to wait long though as Xehanort then said, "Alright, well to build this suspense you're keeping me in, I'll count down from twenty and when the last number arrives, be prepared to meet my Heartless!"

In seconds everyone was terrified and Nozomi with her eyes wide uttered, "He can't be serious!"

But unfortunately for them all, the deadly countdown began as Xehanort then said with enjoyment in his voice, "One, two, three, four..."

As his countdown continued, Cait sith knew they had to act fast! So he said, "Alright lads! We ain't got much time! So here's me proposal!" With that the fast discussions began on what they could do to thwart the Lord of Darkness and hopefully all get out of this alive!

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Still struggling against the vast legions of Heartless that kept coming at them from all sides, Zidane was beginning to sweat from tiredness and he demanded loudly, "Where's that damn exit!"

Mickey was beginning to tire too, but he kept trying to bolster everyone to move forwards, "C'mon fella's we can't quit! We do that and we'll be swallowed by the Darkness whole!"

Shirma nodded firmly and with that she kept up her aid with her white magic.

Seeing their struggles though, Pete hated this! He hated feeling so helpless at not being able to assist once more.

All he could do was hold his accomplice close and whisper to her, "Hari c'mon! Ya gotta wake up! Otherwise if ya don't, we're all gonna be toast here!"

There was no way to know if she could hear his words, but still his desperate prayer was all that he could offer!

However unbeknownst to him, the young woman in his arms...something within was beginning to activate...!

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"Hari..."

Hearing this summon, the young woman internally began to stir... as she did, quietly she opened her green eyes and saw that she was in a darkened space. It literally was a pocket of nothingness...

She wasn't spooked nor confused, for the lock in her heart would not allow her to feel such stimulus. However this didn't stop her from asking into the space, "This is...?"

"No Lachesis..."

It was then hearing this voice again, Hari was able to recognise it. As the red light it echoed from, came to stand before her, it took a physical form.

Looking at it fully formed itself, there was no surprise upon Hari's face as she recognised the figure that emerged before her. The shoulder length crimson hair and eyes, her white lab coat and sinister smile. She called her the one thing she had always known her as, "Mother..." For there before her was the spectral red glowing form of her creator and tormentor, Rosso Crimson...

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Nearby having listening to the countdown themselves, Reeve and Jona heard Xehanort continue on to say from a nearby dune, "Ten, Eleven, Twelve..."

"We're getting near to the deadline, huh?" Jona spoke quietly feeling just as on edge as her fellow hider.

"Yeah we are..." Gripping his hand on his sword, Reeve couldn't begin to imagine what Heartless Xehanort was going to unleash on them!
"Do you have any idea how we should go about beating this creep?" Jona asked him, gripping her own claws as she got ready to attack.

"Not right now! But we don't have much time to think of anything! We've got to be careful otherwise-!"

"Reeve! Jona!"

It was then arriving quickly in the direction it was none other than, "Cait sith!?" Reeve cried out in surprise.

Seeing him come their way, Jona immediately worried for her little brother, "What's going on!? Is Timbre and Nozomi okay!? Has he-!"
"No questions!" Cait sith said stopping her in her tracks! Then seeing he had their full attention on him, the crowned cat then said, "Look! This is the plan that's been cooked up! Now listen!" With that he began his fast explanations as Xehanort was beginning to finish his countdown.

"Seventeen, Eighteen, Nineteen..." Then with a grin on his face, he clicked his fingers and-!

VOOM! VOOM! VOOM!

Three Heartless form emerged! However these ones were different to the norm, they were clearly dangerous as they were darkly blue and spiked all over with red glowing eyes. Their opened jaws revealed their sharp teeth that oozed with slimy drool.

Chains hung all over them too and as their claws lay on the sandy ground, they gripped against it tightly. This revealed they were itching to move at the command of their Master! They wanted to devour and destroy.

It was clear Xehanort wasn't going to hold them back and in seconds-!

SNAP!

He clicked his fingers and in moments the Heartless all took off and went to hunt down the four Vessels who were in that space with him! He then declared the game had begun with the simple phrase, "Ready or not! Here I come!" With that he ran forwards after his wolves!

They hadn't moved too far or long when-!

"Blizzazeo!"

In seconds the sandy floor beneath the Heartless was turned to ice as they were damaged by the ice crystals that began to grow!

Xehanort though only continued to smile and said with satisfaction, "So at last you show yourself?"

It was then the Heartless who were frozen from the spell all broke free of the icy bindings and growled angrily as the person who cast the spell came forward! It was none other than Nozomi!
"The Seventh...so it's you is it?" Xehanort asked her with amusement.

Nozomi didn't respond to this, instead she ran and quickly-!

GLITTER!

Nozomi called upon her Keyblade and in seconds-!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

She cut into each and all of the wolves who came running at her! These things were dangerous! There was no doubt as Nozomi jumped and leaped out of their dangerous way! Then as she fought them and felt her power begin to glow, it finally ignited and as she took off in seconds-!

"Astral Aerial Smash!"

She dove down and in seconds she dispatched each and all of the Heartless in one foul swoop! Quickly they all disappeared into dark ashes and as they did so-!

SHINE!

Nozomi looked to her armlet and saw it shine with power! She realised, "It's time!" With that she smacked it's embedded gem and in seconds, her whole body shined and quickly her entire form was encased in armour! She'd reached finally the right stage to use it!
Amazed to see she was within it, she cried out with a small smile, "I did it! At last I-!"

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

Shocked Nozomi saw that Xehanort of all things was applauding her!? She stared at him perplexed.

"It's so sweet, seeing you transform into a Chaser," Xehanort said. Then as he gazed at her form, he continued on to say as he made his observations, "I suppose Rosso's Reports allowed you to go through a more extreme process of the Mark of Mastery, otherwise you wouldn't be able to hold the form you have now."

"Mark of Mastery?" Nozomi asked, for that was the second time she'd heard that term now. She had no idea what it meant but she had no time to enquire as-!
"Though in your case, even if you have been recognised as a Keyblade Master by it, those were still merely artificial trials... how suitable for one who is so near to non-existence like yourself." Xehanort told her with that still as ever sinister smile on his face.

Nozomi became soured in seconds hearing this, then gripping her Keyblade tightly she told him, "My existence isn't something to scoff at nor trials I and my friends have been through! Whether I'm a Vessel or not, you're not going to have en easy time with us!"

"Oh won't I now?" Xehanort asked her in his amused tone.

"No!" Then as her eyes rested on him, she quickly smiled as-!

RUN! RUN! RUN! RUN!

"What-?" But it was too late for Xehanort to react as-!

POW!

"Argh!"

Immediately Jona punched him straight in the back glowing vibrantly all over with her orange power! As her power pulsed straight into him, Jona smiling with her own pleased smile told him, "Hope you like to play hard to get sir!" Then quickly-!

POW! POW! POW! POW!

She unleashed a fast flurry of blows against the nefarious man and then as her own power built-!

GLOW!

Her legs began to glow brightly with orange power and in moments-!

KICK! KICK! KICK! KICK!

Jona unleashed the full force of her power against Xehanort! This immediately sent him flying and in another second-!

KABOOM!

"Urgh!?"

Xehanort impacted a tall dune of sand faraway and as he did, Jona smirked and told him, "How do ya like me now?"

There came no instant response, but after a moment both Jona and Nozomi heard the sinister man say, "Very much so...!"

Shocked, Nozomi and Jona couldn't believe that Xehanort could even speak after those heavy blows! But in another second he stood upright and as he dusted the sand away from his new body, he said, "I'm glad to see the First Fragment hasn't lost it's radiance..." Then as he looked to the two shocked girls, he told them, "Now it's my turn!"

FWOOM!

Immediately he took off and in seconds he was on top of them again, scared Nozomi cried out, "Jona!?"

For Xehanort was aiming straight for her! In his hand was a ball of dark energy that was burning with power and it was clear he was going to aim straight for her abdomen! With that same terrifying grin still on his face he asked her, "You ready to enjoy this!"

Jona had no time to react to this as-!

SHINE!

Suddenly a glowing yellow shield emerged, barring Xehanort's attack immediately! As it did, the Master of Darkness asked, "This is-!"

"AAAGGGHHH!"

It was then that Reeve went to intercept him! But quickly spying him from the right corner, Xehanort avoided the oncoming blow completely! Flipping through the air, he smiled and said, "Good attempt Fifth Fragment! However you won't-!"

SLICE! SLICE! SLICE! SLICE!

It was then that lances came flying forwards! They all sliced into Xehanort in moments! Striking him straight in all of his appendages! He grimaced as he finished leaping back.

There he saw before the older female Sphynx was her younger brother, who stood before her protectively and immediately the four long lances that he sent to intercept him, went straight back to their Master and were now floating around him.

Seeing this, Xehanort then laughed, "The Third, but of course...!" With that he moved with some pain to stand back up again.

Jona felt relief she'd been spared by any pain, then told her fellow Sphynx, "Thanks little brother!"

"It's fine!" Then trying to keep his confidence high, Timbre told her, "Besides, I'm the only one who's gonna give out your punishment later! When we meet back up with the captain and our crew!"

Laughing Jona couldn't help but roll her eyes as she uttered, "Oh of course you are!"

"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"

Chilled again to hear that laugh, everyone was on guard as Xehanort fully stood upright again! As he did, smiling he couldn't help but comment with amusement, "So the lot of you have all decided to band together, huh?"

Staring at him, Nozomi had no idea what he'd do next! But quickly-!

"Lass!"

Surprised it was then she felt familiar warmth again on her right shoulder, it was none other than, "Cait sith!"

He nodded at her call, then seeing her Knightly form he told her, "Good ya were able to get back in that shell! I'm sure that's gonna help us to-!"

"You're all so sweet aren't you?"

Distracted, everyone turned again and to their horror. The damage that had been incurred upon Xehanort's form all faded quickly away as his health and power was restored by wisps of Darkness that flowed all over his body.

As he did this, fully restored to his terrible glory he told them, "Working together to try and take me down... well, it's only right then I gift your enthusiasm!" Then quickly-!

VOOM! VOOM! VOOM!

VOOM! VOOM! VOOM!

VOOM! VOOM! VOOM!

VOOM! VOOM! VOOM!

Everyone was shocked to see even more wolves had appeared! As they did, Xehanort then told them all, "There! Three each for all of you here!" Then as the horrible creatures all growled with hunger and rage, "Now let's start properly!"

With those words he rushed forwards and quickly all his Heartless Wolves rushed straight after him! He was coming for them all!

Immediately everyone around Nozomi went to intercept the wolves and Xehanort himself! Seeing them all do this, the female Keyblader went to do the same and as she did, Cait sith told her, "Alright lass remember! Most of the chips are gonna be on ya! You got the best chance to dispatch this creep! Use all the tricks you've learned on him!"

With a firm nod, Nozomi responded, "I will!" With that fearsome battle against the Vessels of the Fragments and the Lord of Darkness began!