Chapter CCLXXXI: The Final Battle Part VII

"Give her back to me!"

The dissolving figure, hearing this cry was silent. However one of their hands twitched, as they did they lifted their head and uttered, "That voice?"

"You recognise him, don't you?"

As the blue presence with them asked this question, the dissolving figure was quiet for a moment. However after another moment, they shook their head and replied, "That can't be possible... for this thing never truly existed, how can there be knowledge of another?"

To which as they said this, the blue presence uttered something like a sigh, as they told them, "Sometimes, your stubbornness before could be a great asset." Then once more, they put their hands to the dissolving figures shoulders, as they did they said with exasperation and a strong grip, "But now its completely against you!"

"What're you talking about?" The figure asked.

"I want you to stop this! I want you to remember you did have an existence of your own! You're a full fledged being, with your own emotions, hopes and dreams!" Then they added with certainty, "And you also had a life that was stolen from you! You have your own name, an identity that is yours!"

As this was stated so strongly, the figure looking to the presence asked, "Oh really?"

The presence removed their hands from the figure's shoulders, as they did the question was asked, "Then what is this name that was given to this thing, if you're so certain?"

An unhappy and uncertain expression came to the presence's face, with a hand to their chest. They took a deep breath before opening their mouth to speak again...

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Wuh-PSSSH!Wuh-PSSSH! Wuh-PSSSH!

"YYYEEEOOOWWW!"

"WWWAAAHHH!"

"AAAGGGHHH!"

Thrown off their feet, Mickey, Donald and Goofy all cried out from the pain they'd been inflicted with!

"Guys!" Sora cried out worried, for sadly their comrades hadn't been fast enough to escape as Xehanort's first blows he unleashed! For the King-Blade in his hand had separated into three long sharp crowned whips and had struck them all faster than lightning in a storm of flashing lines of white!

As they ached from the terrible blows, Mickey doing his best to get up uttered, "Geez! That really stung-!"

GLOW!

Suddenly though making it over to them, at terrifying speed came Xehanort and with his reformed deadly blade which glowed with terrible orange power, he was about to unleash another devastating blow upon them all! When-!

"REFLECT!"

SHINE!

CLASH!

Intercepting the blow before it could hurt them, Kairi had rushed straight in and unleashed the powerful defence spell and as she did-!

FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!

Xehanort was hit by the pulses of light that the spell created in retaliation to the force he unleashed, which caused him to grimace in pain as he was thrown back a short distance!

Taking this opportunity, Kairi rushed forwards and quickly she cut into him over and over again with her Keyblade! As she did, she felt her finisher come and she cried out, "Magic Pulse!"

GLOW!

"Urgh!" Xehanort was then hit with a powerful release of glowing magical energy!

As he knelt to the floor, Kairi continued to rush forwards! She had to keep up the offence, they couldn't falter!

"Pretty good," Xehanort spoke then as he got up, Kairi saw he was smirking with amusement as he concluded his sentence, "For a beginner."

She didn't care though for his mockery, she charged on! But-!

"Diablos's Vile Guillotine!"

Suddenly the attack came faster than she anticipated, she got down before it hit her! But-!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

In horror, Kairi discovered from the yells of pain, Mickey, Donald and Goofy got hit instead as they were sent flying away! Looking back with wide eyes, she stopped unable to think of what to do when-!

"Never let your gaze fall from the enemy!"

It was then the Princess of Heart, discovered to her terror that Xehanort had swiftly made his way over to her, and with his free hand, he unleashed another attack,

"Corrupted Luminous Tornado!"

Suddenly a dark pulsating purple tornado emerged and swallowed Kairi in seconds! "Agh!" Gasping from the cutting winds she was being inflicted with, she couldn't move her body against the pulse of this terrible storm! It was-!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

Quickly she was struck again, as the terrible glass swords Xehanort had created had chased after her into the tornado! They had all began cutting into her, along with the terrible wind itself! She couldn't do anything against this agonising barrage! She couldn't-!

"STOP IT!"

"DARK SHIELD!"

Instantly in amazement, she saw before her Riku invade the powerful wind spell and quickly he reflected away each and every blow of the swords! Then-!

"EXPLOSION!"

It was then Sora emerged and diving straight into the mouth of tornado, he struck his Keyblade straight into the base of the terrible winds and on impact with the ground-!

FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!

He produced four flashing orbs of light that quickly somehow dismissed the terrible wind spell!

He breathed in and out hard finishing this, wiping his forehead he uttered, "It's a good thing this armour is giving me a boost like this! Otherwise this spell dismissal could never have happened!"

"Sora!" Distracted from his thoughts, the chosen Keyblader looked back and there he saw his best friend with his treasured one in his arms!

"Kairi!" Running he made his way straight over to them!

As the girl grimaced in pain, she saw her cherished person make it over to her and Riku. She said with some small happiness, "You came?"

As he did he smiled a little sadly, then asked her urgently, "Are you okay?"
"Could be better!" She laughed, however it was clear this was no time for joking as she winced again.

"Hang on!" With that, Sora got out an elixir ready for her, for he had preserve his magic as best he could.

Riku was quiet as he watched this, he was glad they'd been able to intervene when they had. But if this was what Xehanort had at his disposal now, then-!

SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

It was then everyone turned and saw rushing towards them, glowing with the powers of a Hatazeo spell! Using the terrible wings of glass he formed, Xehanort was propelling himself forwards as he began to unleash the next phase of his horrendous attacks!

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"It's _!"

Tilting their head in puzzlement, the dissolving figure looking to the glowing blue presence asked, "What did you say?"
Seeing this reaction, the presence again had an expression the figure couldn't read. However the tone of voice they used, they could understand was laced with frustration as they said, "I knew it! You can't comprehend it...can you?"

The figure was quiet as they heard these words, then looking down replied, "It appears so."
"It's all because I'm here, within the Fragment's radiance with you... it won't let me say your name, because it doesn't want the Interfusing to be interrupted!" Hearing heightened emotion in their voice, the figure looked to the presence quietly again and it was then, they saw them strike the inside of the pod they were caged in with pained force.

The figure remained silent for a further moment, then they replied concluding, "It shouldn't be disturbed anyway, for the sooner that this thing is absorbed, the quicker peace will finally come for-"

HUG!

Before they could finish that sentence, the presence grabbed onto them again and trembling, they said, "Well I don't! I don't want you to disappear!"

Feeling their desperate shaking, the figure still didn't understand and so asked, "Why?"

"Huh?" It was then the presence looked down to them, with a baffled expression.

"Why be so concerned? The sooner this thing ceases to exist, the sooner you will be freed from anguish as well, wouldn't that be easier for you?"

Again the presence had an expression on their face, that the figure couldn't comprehend. As they reached a hand to their dissolving cheek and asked, "Are you worried about me?"

The figure looked away from their eyes, then doing this they replied, "...Unknown."

"Ha, ha..." Hearing this odd sound, the figure looked up to the presence again as they continued to hold their cheek. As they did, it was then they revealed, "Well the reason I don't you want to disappear is..." With that as they moved their arms around their head and shoulders again, they said, "Because I _ about you, I _ you."

The figure after some moments of logical thought processing asked, "...What did you say?"

It was then then presence moved back and said again with that same odd look, "I _ you."

Puzzled, the figure didn't understand and asked, "That word before, and that one you just used, was incomprehensible, what were you saying?"

It was then the presence's eyes became wide eyed with horror, then after a moment the figure saw them bite their lower lip as they revealed looking at the prison they were in with glaring eyes, "It won't even let me say words that will warm the heart anymore will it...? So no more chains of life will bind you down."

"Warm the heart?" The figure asked puzzled.

However all the presence could do was hold onto them again and say, "Just please! Please don't disappear!" Then strengthening their grip they added, "Please don't!"

The figure didn't reply to this, for it was then-!

SHINE!

The presence shivered clearly in pain as a pink light began to shine around them along with the red, but they didn't utter a word as-!

Crumble...

The figure then revealed, "The Sixth has fused with us... and the right thigh along with the right shoulder are gone..." as the dissolved limbs were absorbed into the glowing jewel that was their corroding prison...

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SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

Screaming in pain as they were all cut into, by Xehanort and his cutting glass wings! Riku grimaced as he rolled over and got up hurriedly!

SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

There he saw their hated enemy had manoeuvred in the air and was getting ready to charge at them again! He needed to intercept him fast! So getting up quick, he saw Xehanort charge at them again! However this time he was ready!

"PROTECT!"

SHINE!

With that the spell activated and immediately he and his friends were protected from the terrible blows that would have hit them again as-!

CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!

They bounced straight off! He looked to Xehanort with anger as the hated man turned and lifted himself into the air. While smirking at him mockingly at his agitated state.

Lifting his Keyblade up, he knew he had to do something! He had to help in whatever way he could or-!

"Urgh!"

Turning back to look behind, he saw thankfully his best friend was getting up! He called out to him, "Sora!"

Disorientated, the spiked haired Keyblader asked, "Riku? What-!"
"You need to get up now!" He told him urgently for then-!

"You're mine!"

"PROTECT!"

CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!

Sora with wide eyes saw Xehanort try to come at them again as he cut into the protective barrier that Riku had set up!

The evil man grinned again as he quickly retreated back with his awful wings and turned about to face them all again, with that still terrible grin on his face!

Seeing the dire situation they were in, Sora again heard Riku say, "Hurry up!"

He nodded understanding the severity of the situation and quickly with his potions he went to heal both himself and Kairi, to help in assisting Riku!

But Xehanort himself staring at them decided on something, "I should make this a little more interesting!" With that he raised his hand as-!

SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE!

Something deadly was created!

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Aching in pain, Mickey asked, "Just what back there sent us-!"

"Firaga!"

KABOOM!

Hearing this cry, it was one that Mickey recognised as he realised, "Kairi!" Then getting up, he saw the battle that was still ongoing between the Keybladers and Xehanort!

The horrible man was still charging in to attack them with his sharp wings! The three were in the centre of the battlefield as Xehanort was still trying to harm them with the King-blade, Kairi had cast the spell to make him back off, but-!

Wuh-PSSSH!Wuh-PSSSH! Wuh-PSSSH!

Again he divided his Keyblade into three long whips that quickly went to strike them all down but-!

"HHHAAAA!"

Sora ran forwards and aiming his Keyblade, he cried out a new technique, "Pulse Bomb!" Purple blasts of pulsating energy escaped from his Keyblade and quickly-!

FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!

The attack was thwarted, stopping it from hitting any of them, but quickly-!

SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE!

A new terrible power came flying overhead and seeing it, he cried out worried, "Fella's!"
For there hanging over all their heads shining with white light were four drone like magical creations that began to charge up with deadly power and quickly-!

BLAST! BLAST! BLAST! BLAST!

The Keybladers all saw the attacks that were coming for them! Immediately Sora ran back and cried out, "Riku!"

His friend nodded to him and-!

"REFLECT!"

SHINE!

Immediately the blasts were stopped! Mickey was full of relief, but he knew he needed to get in there to help them! They couldn't fight on like that forever! So quickly he went to work to try and get his knocked out pals up!

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BLAST! BLAST! BLAST! BLAST!

BLAST! BLAST! BLAST! BLAST!

BLAST! BLAST! BLAST! BLAST!

BLAST! BLAST! BLAST! BLAST!

BLAST! BLAST! BLAST! BLAST!

The barrage of attacks was unrelenting from the light created drones! They wouldn't stop coming, and like the battle with Xemnas they were having to turn in each and every direction to stop any of these deadly white laser blasts from hitting any of them!

Even worse the drones seemed to be multiplying! Riku and Sora were doing everything they could to stop the onslaught as they continually cast together-!

"REFLECT!"

SHINE!

Gritting his teeth as he continued doing this, Riku uttered mad, "This is never going to stop!"

"Just don't give up!" Sora replied back, with that he continued to keep up the defensive with his best friend!

Within the middle of the reflective dome, Kairi keeping a look out was trying to anticipate where Xehanort would be coming from next! She couldn't let him get the jump on them again. But more than that, she wanted to be useful! She didn't want to be just protected, she wanted-!

"Time to say goodbye!"

It was then everyone looked above and quickly there they saw Xehanort above them all, his wings beating rapidly, he had lifted his right arm into the air and-!

FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!

FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!

FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!

FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!

FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!

Countless shards of glass all came together by the pull of some terrible purple power and quickly they blended into a new monstrous creation! Looking on, it was then they all saw forming and turning rapidly in the air were two glowing fragmented glass rings!

Puzzled, they couldn't understand what was going on! Kairi asked, "What's he-!?"

GLOW!

The rings began to rotate at a rapid speed and as they did, it was then they all realised that Xehanort was charging up for an enormous energy attack against them all!

Gritting his teeth, Riku uttered, "He's gonna release something deadly!"

"We'll just stop it then!" Sora declared, with that he rushed to smash the rings to pieces when-!

"Denied!"

"Huh?" Perplexed, it was then they saw Xehanort had descended back down and as he did-!

SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE!

Suddenly his wings came apart from behind him and as they did, he cried out a new technique he'd just modified,

"Kali Torturous Diamond Maelstrom!"

Instantly the glass wings generated fierce and deadly red electricity and as they did, the power grew! Pulsating and became bigger and bigger! Then-!

BLAST!

The attack came charging straight towards them all, as Xehanort's wings became blade-like and rushed down in a storm of red, to incur horrible damage upon them all!

The Keybladers were horrified by this display! But despite the terror, that the swords represented. He'd had had enough of being intimidated! Running forwards he went straight for the charge into the eye of this storm of red!

Sora worried and cried out, "Riku!"

The determined white haired Keyblader launched himself in the air, determined to put a stop to this deadly assault! His need to protect awakened something within the armour, as the red blades came straight towards him! Aiming, he felt this new power unlock as a powerful aura glowed all around him, "Photon Charge!" With that he became fast as lightning and charging straight on into the air, he-!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

He raced here there and everywhere, smashing into each and every one of the red glass blades and as he did-!

SMASH! SMASH! SMASH! SMASH! SMASH!

They scattered into countless shards! As they did, Riku re-directed and aimed again, immediately going for Xehanort himself!

The terrible man smirked though and quickly with the raising of his right hand-!

FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!

FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!

FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!

FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!

The scattered shards of his glass wings turned into many sharp projectiles! Then from these, there emerged countless purple diamonds along side them! All of them sharpened and aimed straight at his attacker! In seconds at their master's command they all moved to slice the Keyblader into ribbons!

However seeing what the evil man was doing, Riku quickly moved! Feeling the support of the armour around him, another power quickly came to aid him and he cried out, "Flame Salvo!"

BLAZE! BLAZE! BLAZE! BLAZE! BLAZE!

BLAZE! BLAZE! BLAZE! BLAZE! BLAZE!

BLAZE! BLAZE! BLAZE! BLAZE! BLAZE!

BLAZE! BLAZE! BLAZE! BLAZE! BLAZE!

With that, a barrage of fiery meteors stormed forth all around him, and they incinerated any shards, and all of the diamonds that had would have come for him! He'd somehow miraculously stopped the maelstrom from coming for him and his friends!

Sora and Kairi were amazed! They smiled with delight! Riku did it! He'd-!

"Shadow Star Rays!"

Suddenly a new barrage came as haunting dark stars of darkness came straight for him! But-!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

He scattered them, sending each and every blow away from him! Angered he demanded, "Is that all you've got!?"

Smirking Xehanort then replied, "No att all!" As-!

SLICE! SLICE! SLICE! SLICE! SLICE!

SLICE! SLICE! SLICE! SLICE! SLICE!

SLICE! SLICE! SLICE! SLICE! SLICE!

SLICE! SLICE! SLICE! SLICE! SLICE!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

As the broken wings that should have been destroyed, had instead reformed once more behind him, and each one cut straight into him! Making him plummet to the ground in agony as he became the victim of countless sharp red cuts!

"RIKU!?" "RIKU!?"

Hearing his friends call out for him, Xehanort smirked coldly, as he again was reminded of the past. Looking on, he couldn't help but say quietly to himself, "You behaved just like Terra then... who was so hopelessly pathetic in wanting to protect others!"

Sora caring for Riku with Kairi after he hit the floor, hearing these heartless words, shouted to Xehanort, "Don't you call him pathetic!" Then pointing his Keyblade up to him, he told him, "You're the one who's truly pathetic!"
Curious at this insult, Xehanort asked, "I pathetic?" Then he asked him, "How so?"

Sora told him his thoughts, "Because you don't even fight us with your own strength! Riku fought you with his own strength and stopped you! While you just use and steal powers from others! You're nothing but a worthless abuser!"

Kairi it was clear felt much the same, as she looked up to Xehanort with angered eyes too, after giving Riku the care he needed with an elixir.

"You're ones to talk," Xehanort answered, for then he revealed, "For didn't you all steal the armours of the Chasers? Just so you'd have a better chance against me?"

Hearing this, it was then Kairi stood up and said, "No! We didn't steal these powers!" With that feeling the strength of Aqua's armour around her, she felt she was speaking for these mysterious relics as she said, "We were gifted them, so we might help grant the wish that their previous users had," With that she pointed her own Keyblade at him and declared, "And that is to stop you!"
Chuckling at these foolish impassioned words, Xehanort then said, "Fulfilling the wishes of pathetic ghosts, you all really are too soft..." Then-!

SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

He flew up and standing behind his charging glass rings, he told them, "Well you can become the same as them! As I blast you all into oblivion!"

GLOW!

It was then the terrible attack was beginning to reach it's peak! It was now getting ready to fire upon them all and it's hit radius was gonna be massive!

Kairi and Sora had their Keyblades ready again! As they did, she asked him, "Do you think Reflect will be enough this time?"

Shaking his head, Sora was honest as he replied, "I don't know?" However he added, gripping his Keyblade tighter, "But I'm not giving up, I refuse!"
With a nod, Kairi agreed and said, "Same, I don't want to either!"

"Fella's!"

Turning, it was then that they both saw arriving. That it was none other than, "Mickey, Donald, Goofy! You're okay!"

Hearing Sora cry out for them, pleased the King smiled. However this wasn't the time for pleasantries! So looking up, he stated, "Yeah but we won't be, if we don't act!"

"Yeah, I'll say!" Goofy agreed, for looking up at the thing that was about to fire, he said, "That's gonna really sting if that smacks us!"

Feeling a little awkward, Kairi stated, "I think it's gonna do worse than that, Goofy!"

"I won't let it!" Donald cried out, for he was ready!

"Yeah, because we're gonna unleash a real old technique, one I haven't used in a real long time!" Mickey revealed.

Surprised, Sora asked him, "An old technique?"

Nodding, the King added, "Yeah, it can be done with four sometimes but-!"

SHINE!

Xehanort had his attack ready! Knowing this, Mickey said, "But five is the ideal number! C'mon fella's, let's do this together!" With that everyone banded together and as they did, he declared, "Aim straight ahead!" They all did and quickly-!

"Ultima Disintegrating Cannon!"

BLAST!

The terrifying and blinding attack of empowered light came straight for them all! Waking up then, Riku was disorientated for a moment as he lifted himself up. However feeling the heat and radiance from the attack, he looked up and saw what was coming! They wouldn't get out of the way in time! They couldn't-!

GLITTER!

Suddenly around him and the others, came a glowing yellow circle that had intricate lines that had formed into that of a star! This strange energy felt warm and gentle somehow, but it was powerful. He could feel it throughout his being!
Then looking he saw that each of his friends was glowing with a different aura of coloured light. Sora's was red, Kairi's pink, Donald blue, Goofy green, and finally the King's was yellow. As all this energy combined together, they cried out the unified attack,

"Radiant Stella Quintet Blast!"

GLEAM!

With that the combined powers of all five allies, the multicoloured and blinding beam struck through Xehanort's attack and-!

SMASH!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

It destroyed the rings he constructed and had struck him straight through and-!

KABOOM!

He was engulfed in a powerful explosion of white light, and twinkling stars that rained down in countless directions everywhere!

"Whoa!" Riku couldn't believe the sight he witnessed! It was beyond words of incredible! Then looking to his friends who lowered all their weapons, all smiled to him. All of them pleased that it worked and full of relief.

He too couldn't help but feel the same way, then looking up. It was then they saw the charred and damaged form that was Xehanort as he slowly descended from the sky, his wings broken with huge cracks as they splintered with each movement.

Grinning, Sora then told him, "Who're you going to make into ghosts now then, huh?" With that he added, "You had no chance against our power, it's only through working with others, that we all truly shine! You'll never have that kind of power!"

"Ha...ha...ha...ha!"

Everyone surprised by this laugh, Xehanort released was unnerving to hear. Was he losing his grip?
"You know, just then you sounded just like him!" Xehanort revealed, staring at Sora with an evil grin, he told him, "Just like his Majesty, he used to say words so similar to yours in battle and in the court, that it made me sick!"

No-one responded to this, for they didn't know what he was intending to do. But quickly he acted as he called upon a little something he had set up earlier, "And just like him, I'm going to punish you for your foolish naivete!"

"What!?" But there was no time for anyone to act as-!

"Deadly Diamond Calamity Steps!"

With that he turned, and immediately the powers of the Seventh Fragment activated, creating a massive pool of darkness upon the ground! It all flowed out from a menacing patterned diamond shape that spread across the dusty battlefield, all of it having been set within the turning steps he had made when facing them earlier with his glass wing attacks!

As their enemy took off into the air again, the heroes all became horrified at this floor of darkness that was surrounding them, Sora cried out, "What is this!?"

But that was all he could say as-!

BLAST! BLAST! BLAST! BLAST! BLAST!

"AAAAGGGGHHHH!"

SHATTER! SHATTER! SHATTER!

They were all struck with the most devastating assault that could be incurred! It was so powerful that the protective visors they wore were broken, shattering into pieces exposing their faces! For the pool was firing off blasts of pulsating dark power, that was draining all of their strength and magic!

Kairi gasping from the pain, felt something else spread terrifyingly throughout her as she cried out, "My body's going numb! I can't move!" It was clear everyone else was suffering the same effects as the dark power seized hold of them! They wouldn't be able to fight at all soon!

Horrified feeling this drain and the paralysing effects of the darkness, Sora cried out, "No!" Then-!

"Sora!" "Sora!"

He turned and there he saw, reaching his hands out towards him it was none other than Donald and Goofy, they wanted to lend their strength to him again! He nodded to them and quickly-!

GRAB!

They all grabbed a hold of each other and-!

SHINE!

His body glowed all over with white power as he entered his Final Drive Form! As his armour became white in colour but powerful as once more, the Oathkeeper and Oblivion surrounded him, batting away the darkness that tried to seize hold of him!

Gritting his teeth, he saw Xehanort grinning menacingly down at him from above. As he did, he gestured for Sora to come to him. Angered, the Keyblade Master flew straight into the air and-!

STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!

CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!

Gasping, seeing the desperate attacks Sora was trying to unleash against their enemy. Riku was gritting his teeth, trying his best to fight the draining effect of the darkness that was around them! But even with the aid of the armour, it could only do so much... gasping, he uttered against the paralysis, "So...ra...!"

Using his Keyblades desperate to strike Xehanort, Sora found that he couldn't somehow! Not a single blow of his was getting through his defence! But how!? There was just-!

"No way this can be!"

It was then he became shocked, as Xehanort finished the thought he had for him. He looked to Sora smugly and then revealed, "Anything is possible, when ones wields the King-Blade! Your thoughts are open to me, with nothing to protect your eyes from my all seeing gaze!" For in that moment he was using the power of the Sixth, to read the Keyblade Master's mind, as his eyes glowed with an eerie pink around his irises.

Sora paused for a brief moment, but then he declared, "I don't care!" With that he charged forwards, for they had to win! People were counting on them, they had to stop the Door of Light from completing! If this monster opened it-!

GLOW!

It was then his armour seemed to react to his desperate wish for victory, as he glowed with that mysterious white-green power! As he did, he felt a new power be born and he cried out,

"Multivortex!"

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

With that he slashed here there and everywhere to strike Xehanort down! As he moved, he knew that even if his enemy knew where he was going to strike, he couldn't avoid him completely with this agility! As he saw him grimace, it was then Sora felt the power of the wind climax and-!

BLAST!

He spun rapidly in the air and a glowing tornado spread everywhere, that would blast everything around him with the unbridled power of the wind and light! He was sure Xehanort as he was pushed back would have no chance against this! He would-!

"HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!"

Hearing this loud burst of mocking laughter, Sora tried to look to where Xehanort had been sent to! Where had he-!

SWOOSH!

"Was that truly your best?"

That voice, Sora then realised with terror he was behind him! But before he could move to evade or have his Keyblades stop him-!

SHINE!

"Feel the wrath of the King!"

Xehanort glowed all over with dark blue power, and moving his hand-!

BLAST!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

Sora was struck with a horrible dark magical power he'd never experienced before! It seemed to freeze his very soul as it struck him all over and then-!

BLAST!

He was struck again with that same power, which sent him flying into the dark void that was the sky above! As he gasped from the pain-!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

He was cut into, over and over again by Xehanort's glass wings that had all come away from their master, becoming blade like again, they all charged straight into Sora! Cutting into him with a viscous red and orange glowing power! It was clear he was completely helpless against this relentless onslaught!
Seeing him in this state from the dark depths of the ground below, Kairi felt tears come to her eyes. As she wanted to help him, reaching her hand up to the torturous sight above, she wanted to get him out of that, to-!

"Urgh!"

But it was no use, she had no strength as the darkness was taking any power she had away from her. She could only utter his name sadly, "So...ra...!"

Sora's body had reached his limit and quickly-!

FLASH! FLASH!

Goofy and Donald fell from him, as his Drive Form came undone, as they plummeted down below! Sora's body was following behind them but-!

"How weak!"

POW!

"Agh!"

Gasping breathlessly, Sora's eyes widened as his middle was struck into by Xehanort with a punch! Then-!

POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!

He unleashed blow after blow upon him! The evil man smiled sadistically at his agony with each impact, as he told him, "So much for believing in the powers of yours allies!" Then he quickly moved beneath his victim and unleashed one last deadly technique upon the poor boy,

A pulsating round transparent barrier formed around them, trapping them both within a yellow and red, dark tainted power! Then quickly his hand came into contact with Sora's chest, and with a smile as his victim looked to him helplessly with angered eyes, he uttered the terrible attacks name.

"Agonising Dark Tearing Cradle..."

SHINE!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

Mickey aching looked up, as Donald and Goofy lay around him. There he saw that Sora was being assaulted with terrible red blasts within the depths of the barrier, as it struck him and he tried to escape it, he was unable to as the powers of the Fifth Fragment prevented the horrible space from being broken!

Seeing this horrific sight and being unable to aid him, made his own heart feel like it was breaking, he uttered against the terrible darkness that was draining him, "So...ra!"

It seemed to last an eternity before-!

VOOM...

The attack finally ceased and as the barrier faded away, Xehanort had Sora by the neck and as he looked to him with a victorious smile on his face. He was silent...until he told him finally, "It's over!" Then turning he moved with him and threw him down to the ground hard with the orange power of the Second Fragment which-!

SMASH!

Caused Sora to impact into the ground hard, sending debris everywhere and then-!

STAB!

"Urgh!"

Xehanort faster than lightning moved and with the King-Blade struck straight into Sora's body making a horrific damaging power spread throughout his entire being, before he moved again and-!

KICK!

Struck him with a dark empowering kick, aided by the power of the Seventh Fragment. The young man didn't move as it was clear, he was beyond getting up now, as he gasped in the distance with laboured pained breaths...

Smiling at this sight, it was then Xehanort moved his hand and finally...

VOOM...

He got rid of the darkness that was upon the ground, as he did seeing that victory was his, he stated, "That was just barely entertaining..."

SHINE!

Then looking up, the sight that he wanted to see had come into being. For ahead in the darkened distance between the two enormous pillars of stone, with the white light shining over its enormous structure. Was the Door of Light, enormous and majestic, bathed in pristine white with gold engravings all over it. Its tall stained glass panels over looking the mystical entry way, revealed countless images that changed and morphed, showing it was linked to all living Worlds throughout the cosmos. Its mysterious powers ready to be awakened as an enormous shape, emerged from within the centre of its white panels, that was decorated with lines of gold waiting for the King-Blade to open it, its Keyhole...

"Now to claim what's mine..." Xehanort smiled, with that he went to take a step forward!

"Wait!"

"Hm?" Puzzled, Xehanort turned around and there he saw amongst the party of fallen heroes, was the young man he had once used as Vessel for himself. Looking at him, he was surprised as he said, "So? You're still forcing yourself to stand up?"

Gasping, Riku was doing his best to keep going. He was drained but still determined he said, "This... this battle, it isn't finished!" With that he pointed at him and told him, "Now c'mon! Let's go!"

….

"HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!"

Shocked, Riku couldn't believe him! Mad he demanded, "Why are you laughing!?"

Finishing this loud release of amusement, Xehanort then told him, "Why do you think? It's because it's so amusing, that you think you can still win, when none of you ever had a chance to begin with!"

"There's always a chance as long as we're alive! Nothing's ever truly lost until-!"

"Full Cure!"

SHINE!

Riku then saw to his terror, as Mickey did too who began to stand up with his comrade, that Xehanort used the highest level of healing one could have! It completely removed any and all damage that the Master of Darkness had been struck with, during the course of the whole battle!

As he stood before them, fully revived and shining in his golden and white armour. He told them all the awful truth, "As I said, you had no chance, I was merely playing with you all throughout the entire battle, all of you were just there, as a way to kill time for me." With that stroking his right hand that held the jewel that housed the Fifth Fragment, he told them, "I could have chosen simply to have the Shield defend me all the way through this, with no damage done whatsoever, but that's no fun is it?" He smiled to them as he finished.

Gritting his teeth, Riku couldn't believe the levels of power Xehanort now had at his disposal! They really didn't have a chance now did they!? As he closed his eyes feeling the frustration and horror sink in, it was then he heard-!

"Now it's time for me to open the Door of Light!"

Riku's eyes widened as he opened them, that was one thing that they couldn't have happen! But how were they to stop him! What could they-!

"Xehanort wait!"

Surprised Riku turned and saw the King speak up, as he did and he looked at the evil man with a serious glare, he heard him ask, "Why are you doing this!? Why do you want to open the Door of Light so badly!? Do you want to just rid people of their will and control everyone throughout the Worlds with Darkness!?"

"Wills?" Xehanort asked him, then turning to look to the Mouse King, he was quiet as he looked into the small rulers mind with the Sixth Fragment. Then realising it as he read him, he smiled as he said, "So you believe in old fairy tales of what happened in the past is it, with Garland? You think I simply want to copy him?"

Quiet as he heard this, Mickey thought and then asked, "That's not what you want?"

"I will admit it's partially true, I will indeed rid people's will to resist the Darkness... however I have no interest in control," Xehanort finally revealed.

"You don't...want to control everyone?" Riku asked him, confused.

"No, not in the slightest..." With that the evil man looked to them with the most serious gaze they'd ever seen. There was no malice, no sadism, just the truth as he said, "I simply want to grant true peace that's ever lasting."

Perplexed, Riku couldn't understand! Staring at him, he was about to ask, but someone else spoke for him, as she said, "What...what do you mean?"

Shocked, it was then Riku saw that even Kairi had now got up. Using her Keyblade to prop herself up on her knees, she looked to Xehanort exhausted but determined too to get answers as she asked, "How're you...supposed to do that...by doing... all of this?"

Xehanort then explained, "I was once long ago in the belief that peace and harmony could be obtained if both Light and Darkness were in complete balance with each other, then there would be no need for battle, that's why I followed his Majesty in the past in his beliefs, trying so hard to believe as well that things could change for the better."

Everyone remained quiet as they stared at Xehanort and he paused, studying them with the Sixth Fragment. Donald and Goofy gasped as they too were beginning to stir too.

Xehanort then continued, "However, as time progressed nothing ever changed, people still fought each other causing unspeakable agony everywhere, over and over again, trying to gain the Light, fighting for supremacy, with one force always trying to outshine the other...that unrelenting greed was so ugly, fuelled by the desire for the Light and its so called miracles!"

It was then everyone saw that Xehanort's body began to exude Darkness again, clearly fuelled by his rage as the images of the past began to come into his mind. As they did, he told them all, "I had experienced that turmoil in my own youth, my whole family was nearly wiped out because of that greed, and those who were left...that need to keep living made them suffer."

"Suffer?" Kairi asked feeling a terrible chill inside.

"Yes... that hope for better and change, it kept them all moving, trying to keep us alive against the hunger and strife..." Then remembering the precious few, he had called family with pained smiles on their faces, he said as a look of something that looked like sadness came, "But it was futile, that change never came to save us... and the only time peace ever came for them, was when the darkness finally came to claim them, lulling them into the sweet embrace of oblivion."

Hearing him say this so gently chilled everyone to the core, it was then they were beginning to understand what Xehanort truly wanted...!

"I saw it happen time and time again, as the years progressed, no matter what we did, no matter how much we all fought for better and change, it amounted to nothing... because people can never truly free themselves of their need to outshine each other!" Then his anger boiling again as he thought of his Majesty in his youth, when he had him became friends, which only led to more false unfulfilled promises, Xehanort then said, "That was when I realised in my twilight years, that even that youthful wish for balance could never be granted..."

Everyone remained quiet again as Xehanort became quiet again and as he did, it was there in the distance, a hand twitched as they too were beginning to awaken...

"That's when I researched and discovered in the ancient archives within the libraries of the Palace of Alexandra, about what Garland had wanted and his methods in bringing peace and the Fragments that were born from the process," Then remembering when he had made his discoveries, Xehanort mused and added, "But in his case, he wanted to control people's wills so that they wouldn't fight any longer, so the Kingdom of Light and his dear Princess Sarah wouldn't fall to ruin... I suppose it was easier, to make him into a pathetic obsessive villain, rather than understanding his plight of wanting to grant peace for his people."

"Control...of any kind like that...will never bring anyone... real peace!" Riku told him with some pain in his voice.

"Indeed," Xehanort said in agreement, then he told them all, "The only way for true peace, is this one and only way I concluded, that is to rid that need to fight and with that gone, I will destroy the Light itself forever!"

With a shiver, Kairi asked him, "You want to destroy the Light within Kingdom Hearts itself?"

Xehanort's smile then returned and he confirmed this, "Yes, and once that light is dead and gone, people will no longer have anything to fight over anymore... true peace will be finally obtained when one of the two forces truly dominates all?"

Hearing this, Riku told him, "You're insane!"

"Oh am I?" He asked.

Mickey then said, "Yeah, all that you'll be doin' is condemning people to suffer slowly till they die! People can't survive without the Light! If it's not there, then-!"

"There will be no suffering," Xehanort countered, with that he revealed, "The only thing that will cause you pain then, will be that so called resistance, you all still hold, but once I rid you of even that... you'll all fall peacefully," With that he stroked his left hand that held the Seventh Fragment and said, "Just like the Vessels themselves, they're experiencing the same, they're all going peacefully with no pain whatsoever..." with that he told them with opened arms, "I am the one that will grant you all that sweet oblivion and true harmony, that only the more peaceful of the two forces can give, the Darkness itself!"

"Ha...ha...!"

Turning, it was then everyone saw to their surprise and fast relief, that there walking over with pain though, as he ached using his Keyblade to pull him forwards, it was-!

"Sora!" Making her way over to him, Kairi just as pained smiled though, despite the terrible situation they were in.

He smiled to her gratefully, then looking back to Xehanort he told him, "You really are stupid! Just because you're in despair, doesn't mean you have the right to drag everyone else down with you! Your idea of peace is just death itself!"

Xehanort though didn't care and told him, "Think of it what you will, for it will always be the truth, that none of you can escape from it..."

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

Then suddenly before anyone knew it, there across the ground came countless Heartless! All of them littering the ground and running, crawling, scurrying passing by the Keybladers! Seeing them all, wide eyed, Mickey cried out trying to keep his balance as the rest of his comrades, "Hey! Whoa! What's happening!"

Xehanort smiled and told them, "They've all come to help me grant my desire!" Then as they all passed him, they fell into the darkness that was behind him and in seconds-!

SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!

SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!

SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!

SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!

SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!

SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!

SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!

SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER! SLITHER!

From the depths of the darkness that surrounded the Door of Light, countless numbers of dark clawed arms reached up and latched onto its white panels, like disgusting living spider webs, all of them ready and waiting to devour the sacred treasure that lay beyond the Door itself!

Seeing this horrific sight everyone was chilled to the bone! Then before anyone could move or do anything-!

"Now," It was then they all looked to Xehanort himself again and as they did, they saw the Master of Darkness tread backwards and as he did, he hung over the edge of the depths of that turbulent and ugly sea of living dark tendrils. As they did, no-one knew what he was going to do, what-!

"Let's see if you're light of hope, can survive against this embodiment of the Darkness of death, you will now all bear witness to!" With those words said, with a smile on his face-!

FALL...!

Xehanort fell backwards and as he did, seeing him go, Riku with horror knew that if he went, he'd never get who he was looking for back! She'd be-! "No!" He ran forwards to try and do something, anything, when-!

VOOM!

It was then a massive dark shape was born from the depths of that Darkness! Looking on with horrified eyes with Donald and Goofy looking on, they saw an enormous Darkside Heartless! But this one was a colossus as compared to any others that had come before it! It flexed its hands in and out, as it looked at its massive body.

Then as it looked down to them all, it stopped for a moment before-!

SWIRL! SWIRL! SWIRL! SWIRL! SWIRL!

SHINE!

Its dark body moved and morphed, then quickly a more a human face emerged from the changes, and quickly its dark body was coated in a white armour that they were all terribly familiar with! Then this terrible monster looking down at them with its glowing white eyes, with a victorious smile on his face, as his majestic self shone in that dark space. Everyone realised this colossal monster, with the white armour that held the jewelled Fragments within its shell, was none other Xehanort himself!

As he stared at them all, the monstrous man then told them all,

"Now to grant you mercy..."

With that it moved its giant left hand forwards and quickly-!

SMASH!

"AAAGGGHHH!"

Everyone collapsed onto the ground and quickly-!

VOOM!

A massive flood of Darkness bled out of the ground, as it did, no-one had time to move as-!

SWIRL! SWIRL! SWIRL! SWIRL! SWIRL!

SWIRL! SWIRL! SWIRL! SWIRL! SWIRL!

SWIRL! SWIRL! SWIRL! SWIRL! SWIRL!

SWIRL! SWIRL! SWIRL! SWIRL! SWIRL!

SWIRL! SWIRL! SWIRL! SWIRL! SWIRL!

Dark tendrils came and quickly began to pull upon all their bodies, to drag them all into the terrible depths! Horrified, Sora cried out, "No!" Then-!

"Sora!" Hearing her, the Keyblader saw to his horror, Kairi being dragged down! Fast and desperately, he tried to push his way through this terrible sea to get to her and pull her out! But it was no use as-!

VOOM! VOOM!

They were both swallowed up! Seeing this, Donald and Mickey cried out, "Kairi! Sora!" But it was too late for them as well, as-!

VOOM! VOOM!

They too were taken! Horrified seeing this, Mickey cried out, "Fella's!?" But-!

VOOM!

He was taken as well! Riku shocked cried out, "Your Majesty!" But there was nothing he could do! Feeling the chill of the darkness swallowing him, all he could do was reach his hand up desperately towards the light turquoise blue, that he knew that was upon Xehanort's left hand but it was no use as-!

VOOM!

He too was swallowed and seeing this, the monster that was Xehanort smiled. Then turning around, he walked forwards as his hordes of Heartless surrounded him and quickly-!

FLASH!

The King-Blade now enormous like himself came to his left hand, then quickly it glowed with white power and as it did-!

SHINE!

A light escaped its end and with it, Xehanort in his monstrous form began the process of opening the Door of Light, as he did, he declared, "Now it shall be all mine with the hand of the King!" For soon the everlasting peace of oblivion that he so sought after would be realised...