Clouded Advisor
Chapter 4: One Final Push
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts or any of the characters involved except Guardian T. Twilight
"Who's your friend?" Riku asked as he nodded toward Twilight.
"Guardian T. Twilight, at your service," they said with a bow.
"Twilight's helped us get this far," Sora explained.
"Really? Why's that?" Riku asked with suspicion.
"It's also a long story. Suffice to say I need Sora's help, and I thought if I helped resolve this issue with the Organization then Sora would be more inclined to help me."
Riku shrugged, "As long as you're not here to harm him or anyone else."
Twilight shook their head.
"On the subject of harming. These portals," Twilight pointed at the two remaining gateways, "Likely, they lead to the sanctuaries of the remaining Organization members. If you look at the icons you can see they match the weapons of those you've faced thus far."
Sora nodded as they pointed out the icons, "You're right. This looks like the weapons used by that guy back there," Sora indicated an icon nearby.
"Two portals means two more obstacles to get through. I propose we split up again. I'll handle one, you four handle the other. We'll reconvene and proceed when the door's open."
Twilight pointed to the top of the slope where a magic seal protected the doorway out.
"Sounds like a solid plan to me," Riku replied.
"You're sure you're up for that?" Sora asked, "After fighting off all those Nobodies by yourself back there?"
Twilight smirked, "I think you're not giving me enough credit."
Sora went to respond, but Twilight put a hand on his shoulder.
"Trust me. This is the fastest way to get this done."
Sora hesitated for a few more seconds before Riku spoke up, "They have a point. The faster we deal with the stragglers the faster we get to the end of this."
Sora looked at him, then sighed. "Right."
The group divided up at their respective portals.
"See you on the other side," Twilight called.
Sora nodded before watching them step through the portal.
Twilight emerged on a large section of the outer wall. Up above, a massive yellow heart loomed in the night sky, and a thin green line was shooting toward it.
"Seems Answer and the King have already begun their plan," they said.
"And it's high time we deal with all of these intruders in our castle," A voice called to them.
Twilight spun around, summoning their glaive as they saw a portal open. A blonde man stepped through, grinning wickedly at him.
"Luxord I presume?" Twilight asked.
"Good trick, you know my name but I don't know yours?"
"Twilight will suffice."
"Well Twilight, perhaps you'd be interested in a little game?" Luxord asked, cards appearing in his hand.
"I think we're both a little strapped for time to be playing games right now," Twilight replied.
"Ah, but that's the point. We can both save time with this game," Luxord told him.
Twilight scoffed, "Very well."
Luxord's grin widened before he disappeared behind a wall of cards. Twilight's eyes flicked back and forth, watching the sliding walls of cards for any sign of Luxord's attack. At the last second, he emerged from behind one of the cards, diving straight for Twilight with a massive card held out like a blade. Twilight lifted their weapon and caught it on the handle.
"Not bad," Twilight told him before pushing him off.
"But you'll have to do better than that against me," they said.
Luxord cocked his head, "So it would seem."
Twilight lifted a hand as light began to stream down their arm and into the palm. They fired a blast of light at Luxord who disappeared again.
"You'll have to be less obvious about it when you go to shoot me," Luxord taunted.
Twilight sighed before raising their other arm. Darkness gathered down it this time as they planted their palm on the floor. An ink-black pool quickly spread out from them to encompass the floor.
"What's that?" Luxord asked.
"A trap. Set foot in that and it's game over," Twilight told him.
"You're bluffing!"
"Are you going to check that for yourself?" Twilight asked.
Luxord scoffed as he appeared from behind another card. Twilight reacted instantly, the pool of darkness began swallowing Luxord, forcing him to teleport again.
"I warned you," Twilight said as Luxord appeared on the archway above the door back into the castle.
"A cheap tactic, but one that won't help either of us get out of here any faster. I can just fight you from up here while you're stuck-"
He was interrupted as a blast of light slammed into the wall next to him. His eyes widened in surprise as three more followed suit.
"What? But you were so slow to fire those before!"
Twilight grinned as they released another barrage, "Something you should know about me. My powers are dependant on maintaining the balance between my Darkness and my Light. With all this Darkness on the ground, that leaves plenty of Light to use."
Luxord attempted to teleport again but was too slow as a blast of Light hit him in the chest and slammed him into the wall. He fell to the ground where the Darkness began to consume him again, his body dispersing at the same time.
"Well played," Luxord told him.
Twilight nodded at the compliment as they stood up. The darkness retreated into their shadow as the beams that ran down their arms faded. Luxord disappeared, leaving Twilight alone on the platform for a few seconds. They sighed before jogging back through the door and appearing in the Graveyard as Sora's group emerged from the other portal.
"Everything go ok?" Sora asked.
"No problems on my end," Twilight told him.
The group looked up as a sound echoed from the sealed door. The magic protecting it faded, revealing the passage.
"Looks like we're almost to the end," Riku said.
"One final push then," Twilight said as they stepped forward.
"Think you can keep up?" Riku asked.
"I should be asking you that," Twilight told him.
Sora grinned before stepping to the front and leading them through the door.
"Get in line."