Now the Final Battle Begins for Scala ad Caelum
(Music: Demise Battle Intro: The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword)
The Guardians and Academy Students finally burst through the door that led to the top Balcony on the roof.
The sky above them was a bright blue contrasting the dire battle they were about to enter.
The floor beneath them had the same sleek tile pattern like the floors inside with a blue low wall with golden fleur-de-lis patters adorned on it.
A few feet away from them were Vanitas and Baldr. The former cornering the latter near the edge of the roof.
Vanitas stopped advancing towards Baldr and turned his masked head towards the Guardians.
"Well, well, well." He grinned. "Looks like you losers finally showed up...and look who you brought along: Ten of those fools who fancy themselves future Keyblade Masters."
"Hoder!" Baldr cried out.
"Baldr!" Hoder returned.
"It's over, Vanitas!" Ventus snarled. "You're outnumbered one to twenty! Give back Baldr and we'll let you live."
"Do you think I value my life over my Master's mission?" Vanitas taunted. "Not a chance! I'm here to bring out the Darkness that festers within Baldr here and use it to take over this miserable world!"
"But why?" Vor asked.
"Well," Vanitas smirked. "You see, Master Xehanort told me that-"
"You know what, on second thought, don't bother explaining it to us." Ventus cut him off. "We Guardians already know how Baldr possesses the ability to sense what's inside people's hearts and that made him sensitive to Darkness which ironically allowed it to seep into his heart."
Those who didn't know were surprised to hear this.
"That's...actually correct." Vanitas slowly exclaimed before turning to Baldr. "Lemme guess, you told them already?"
Baldr sheepishly nodded.
"Well in any case," Vanitas continued. "After you lot took away TWO of our vessels for the Organization," He pointed to Isa and Terra, "And that reserve vessel." He pointed at Myde. "We needed to fill in the gaps they left behind. When Xehanort informed me of Baldr here and the Darkness in his heart, we agreed he was a perfect substitute for our ranks."
"Well sorry to say." Aqua snarled. "But Baldr's not going anywhere with you."
"We won't let Xehanort use him like he used me and Ven," Terra added.
"You're leaving Scala ad Caelum. Empty Handed!" Ventus snarled.
Vanitas could only snicker.
"So you wanna fight, eh?" He teased. "Very well, I was getting bored of waiting around anyway."
"Just one thing!" Urd called out as she, Vor, and Hermod walked forward.
"Yes?" Vanitas asked, disinterested.
"Bragi..." Hermod spoke. "An Auburn-haired boy our age who likely tried stopping you when you kidnapped Baldr...did you really...did you really...?"
Vanitas looked confused before he understood what the Lowerclassman was saying. "Ah yes, the boy who reminded me of Xigbar. Yeah, I dealt with him. I had to admit he put up a decent fight against me, especially with those other two backing up. Even then, he was still no match for me and they all met a humiliating defeat. Him especially."
The Academy Trio looked down, despair etched on all three of their faces.
Vanitas cackled lowly.
"Ahh, your despair." He smiled. "I will make sure that will be the last thing you feel once I've given you the same fates as he."
But to his surprise. Vor looked back up, her hands clenched in fists and her face scrunched up with cute anger.
"Thanks, Vanitas." She spoke in an innocent voice. "Every reason for us to try and compromise or negotiate with you has flown out the window right now!" (1)
Vanitas was taken aback. "Huh?"
"You killed our classmate...our friend...without a shred of remorse." Urd looked up. Her face calm but fury clearly evident. "And you even have the gall to mock us about it."
"Someone like you, is no better than a Heartless." Hermod growled in a low voice. "And it goes to show...we don't take too kindly to Heartless."
The three turned to the Guardians and Upperclassmen, determination in their eyes.
"Stay back." Urd demanded. "This is OUR fight!"
"What?" Ventus cried. "Maybe you didn't hear me earlier. But Vanitas is really powerful.
"Even so." Hermod spoke. "We have to fight him. Not just to show how strong we are..."
"But for Bragi and Baldr as well." Vor finished.
The three of them held out their hands to summon their Keyblades. Only for their hands to become engulfed in bright lights.
"Woah!" Vor exclaimed before turning to her friends. "Do your hands feel weird?"
"Yes." Hermod nodded. "I feel as if something is granting me power."
"What's going on?!" Urd exclaimed half nervous, half excited.
At once the light surrounding their arms coalesced into...new Keyblade designs.
Vor's Keyblade had a short, white handle and a diamond-shaped, black guard. The top of the guard was decorated by two magenta teardrop-shapes. The tip and base of the shaft were white, while the center was purple. It was lined by three diamond-shaped gaps and black, concave edges. The head of the blade was silver, and the teeth were comprised of three large, magenta, teardrop-shaped spikes with black edges. The Keychain token resembled the teeth, and was comprised of three small, teardrop-shaped spikes that were magenta with black edges. Purple and yellow flowers and yellow stars are emitted when the blade strikes.
The handle of Urd's Keyblade was pale lilac in color and sported two protrusions on either side that curved upward. The guard was comprised of two pale violet spikes that curved downward. The teeth were pale violet and resembled the top half of the Nobody symbol, albeit with two of the spikes being longer than the others. Its Keychain token was rose-colored and had a shape similar to the handle, albeit squashed down.
The main structure of Hermod's Keyblade was a chokutō with a black handle, gold pommel, and gold rain guard. The Keyblade's guard was split into an upper and lower half. Both halves were gold and lined with spikes, but the spikes were more prominent on the upper half. The teeth of the Keyblade were comprised by a gold semi-circle with a turquoise center that was lined by long, gold spikes; the teeth were connected to the main blade by a Nobody symbol. The Keychain token was shaped like a diamond lined by short spikes. Its upper half was gold and its lower half is turquoise, and there is a large, "X"-shaped gap in the center of the token. The gold sections of the weapon resembled flashes of light, while the turquoise sections are reminiscent of green flashes.
The other Guardians and Upperclassmen were in awe.
"New Keyblades?!" Lea exclaimed.
"Cool!" Myde cheered.
"But how?" Vidar asked.
Aqua realized why.
"When Ven, Terra, and I traveled different worlds on our first adventure we made bonds with some of the people there and that gave us access to new forms on our Keyblades. Maybe Vor, Urd, and Hermod bonded with us and that's what allowed them to gain new Keyblade forms.
Both The Wayfinder Trio and the Academy Trio exchanged smiles as the latter group knew exactly who they bonded with to get their new forms.
"What are their names?!" Ventus asked.
Vor concentrated with her weapon before turning back to him.
"The name it's whispering to me is called Crown of Guilt." She replied.
"Mine calls itself, Pain of Solitude." Urd spoke up.
"'Aublade' is the name it speaks to me." Hermod finished.
They were all cut off by Vanitas doing a slow clap.
"Very impressive," he smirked. "You've got yourself some new Keybades, but that won't be enough for you to gain at least an edge over me!"
"They might not." Urd snarled. "But the three of us working together against you will!"
"Bring it on." Hermod added.
"Gladly." Vanitas summoned Void Gear and got into a fighting stance.
The Academy Trio readied their weapons as well.
"Oh, and one more thing before I forget." Vanitas snapped his fingers with his free hand.
At once a wall of Darkness formed around the four Wielders separating them from those around them.
"Just so we're not distracted." He replied.
"Makes no difference to us!" Vor retorted. "You're still going down!"
"Please be careful." Aqua pleaded.
"Don't worry, Aqua." Ventus assured. "They'll be fine."
"We just need to believe in them." Terra added.
Aqua turned to see the other Guardians' assuring smiles and she turned back to The Academy Trio.
[Battle Music: Enter the Darkness: KH3]
Party Members
Vor
Urd
Hermod
Information: Defeat Vanitas and rescue Baldr.
"Let's dance." Vanitas smirked.
Vanitas started by blasting Dark Firaga at them forcing them to disperse. Hermod started by lunging forward and locking blades with him.
"You think that fancy new toy will help you stand a chance against, moi?!" He asked incredulously. "I'll pwn you the same way I did to Braig er, Bragi!"
Poor choice of words for The Ventus Clone.
Hermod cloaked his Keyblade in fire which spread to Void Gear, heating the weapon to the point of forcing Vanitas to drop it and then followed up with a Triple Plasma spell to electrocute the masked boy and send him flying into the wall.
Vor followed up with an aerial slash which Vanitas quickly blocked with a swift re-summon of Void Gear. He then swung up forcing her back.
Vor then used Sparkga to summon crystals of light to shoot him but he warped away before he could be grazed by a singular shot.
"Where did you-" Vor asked before Vanitas reappeared above her and slashed her, sending her flying back with an ice strike.
"Vor!" Ventus cried.
"Too slow." He taunted before he was nailed in the back by a tossed Pain of Solitude.
He turned to see a seething Urd with her hand outstretched. She resummoned her weapon.
He cackled to himself before he lunged at her. They clashed with their Keyblades for a while, trading blow after blow.
They stopped In the middle as they locked Keyblades with vehement glares. Urd held her handle with both hands while Vanitas effortlessly held his with one.
Hermod charged at Vanitas with a battle cry, preparing to strike him down but Vanitas saw this coming and summoned a Monochrome Version of Void Gear (Similar to the one his Remnant Wielded and that it back, locking blades with Hermod behind him.
However, he was only focusing on TWO targets.
Vor charged forward and launched a Flower Shoot that nailed him in the chest while he was distracted and he was sent flying backwards.
"Hah! Payback!" (2) Vor taunted.
Vanitas grumbled as he dismissed the Replica Void Gear. He leaped up in the air and used Dark Thundaga to cause the Academy Trio to slide back as they used their Keyblades to brace against the attacks. As they charged at him he used a Mine Shield spell to set explosives in front of them which they foolishly tripped in the midst of their advance. The explosion sent them flying back.
Seeing an opportunity to finish them off, Vanitas dove underground in a pool of shadow that moved in between the disoriented trio and he leaped up sending them flying with dark fireballs.
"Vor!" Ventus gasped.
"Urd!" Terra Exclaimed.
"Hermod!" Aqua whimpered.
Vor slowly got to her feet and used a Cure Spell before facing down Vanitas.
"What?" Vanitas taunted. "You want some more?"
Vor charged forward, but to Vanitas' surprise she raced past him to Urd and Hermod and used cure spells on them.
"You're just wasting your energy." Vanitas growled as he charged at them.
Vor and Urd tossed their Keyblades like boomerangs to trip him and he fell down.
"Shall we finish this, girls?" Hermod asked.
"Yep." Urd nodded.
"Yes." Vor smirked.
They charged at the Masked Boy with lightning speed.
Vor started by using Balloonga to send Vanitas flying into the air before leaping up after it and following up with a Holy spell to rush pillars of light at him.
Urd used Magnega to drag him down before using Ice Barrage to send him back before he hit the floor.
Hermod concentrated before coating his Keyblade in bright jade energy slashed at Vanitas rapidly, gales of energy departing from the blade and nailing the Masked Menace.
All joined up and raised their Keyblades skyward their tips glowing with Red (Vor), Blue (Urd), and Green (Hermod), orbs of energy.
The Academy Trio screamed as they thrust their blades forward as spells of Gleaming Fire, Frigid Torrents, and a Lightning-infused Cyclone blasted rapidly from their weapons (3) knocking Vanitas back as he screamed. Defeated.
[Battle Music Ends]
Vanitas lay beaten on the floor as Vor, Urd, and Hermod stared down at him with stern faces.
Vanitas groaned as his mask began to crack...again, allowing the Academy trio to get a good look at his face.
"What the hell? You look nothing like Ventus." Hermod spoke in a mixture of surprise and disdain.
"It's complicated," Both Ventus and Vanitas spoke in unison.
"And well that's this mask ruined," Vanitas grumbled.
"Honestly that's the least of what you deserve." Urd snarled. "We could kill you right here and now but that won't bring Bragi back now, won't it?"
"So we're going to let you flee before we actually do." Vor glared.
"Fine," Vanitas snarled as he got up and dispelled the barrier. "I guess I'll be on my merry way. NOT!"
He spoke with such ferocity that everyone jumped back.
The Masked Boy warped to where Baldr was and faced him down, hatred surging through his tone.
"Now, I'm only going to say this once; Give into to the Darkness in your Heart and CRUSH THESE IDIOTS!"
"N-no." Baldr whimpered.
"You leave my brother alone!" Hoder charged at Vanitas only to be repelled with a Dark Firaza Spell.
"Hoder!" Baldr cried as he reached out for her, only for Vanitas to grab his wrist.
"You don't belong with her." he sneered. "You don't belong with ANY of these idiots. You may feel comfortable around their light but in truth, your heart is nothing but Darkness. Just give yourself up to it and leave everyone and everything else behind."
Baldr looked really frightened as he panted rapidly his shadow seemed to grow and surround him.
"I...I can't..." He whispered.
"You can and you will." Vanitas snarled. "You can't resist the Darkness within you. Light cannot exist without it, didn't this school teach you that?"
"That's enough Vanitas." Ventus growled as he walked forward.
"Yeah, Leave him alone." Terra added.
"Please, stop using him for your games." Aqua snarled as she and Hoder walked up.
Vanitas got an idea.
"Look at them." He gestured his free hand over to the Wayfinder Trio. "They oppose the light yet they've fallen to Darkness at one point or another. If it happened to them, it will happen to you!"
"We only fell to darkness due to your Master's manipulations!" Terra retorted. "And because he possessed me!"
"And you possessed me!" Ventus added. "Plus! I can't even fall to Darkness because You're a clone of me made entirely of my separated Darkness!"
"And I only fell to Darkness due to being corrupted by Ansem through my Negative Emotions while I was trapped in the Dark World." Aqua retorted. "But we shared one thing in common with those incidents: We all came back fine!"
"Baldr!" Terra cried out. "It's OK. I know how scary Darkness can seem. But if the three of us survived it...so can you."
Baldr looked unsure about this, his shadow began to form dark purple flames. He began to breathe rapidly with fright and tears formed from the corners of his eyes.
"Baldr! I was once like you!" Aqua exclaimed. "I-like my master-feared Darkness and it lead me to do some..." She looked at Terra and Ventus with a guilty frown. "Questionable things." She turned back to him. "But I've changed and learned that Light and Darkness are tied to neither good nor evil alone. It all depends on the person who uses it. So if you do have darkness in your heart then try using it to help us!"
"But...I.." Baldr whimpered.
"Don't listen to them!" Vanitas retorted. "If they really knew what type of Darkness rested within your heart, they'd turn on you! They'd-"
He was cut off by a Pearlza spell.
Baldr looked up and saw it was Hoder who cast it. Her Keyblade outstretched.
"Baldr," Hoder spoke solemnly. "Everything Ventus, Terra and Master Aqua have taught you...It's the same things they taught me: We don't have to fear what's unique about us. I know I've helped hold fear yours for so long...and I'm sorry." Hoder continued, "But I've seen the progress you've made by trying to open yourself up to others. And I'm very proud of you!" She smiled. "So please, don't fear yourself. Not anymore!" (4)
Touched by his sister's encouraging words, Baldr began to soften up, his rapid panting stilled as he wiped away his tears.
With a firm movement, he pulled his wrist away from Vanitas as his shadow receded.
"What?" Vanitas exclaimed.
"No, Vanitas." Baldr glared. "I won't do as you say and hurt my friends! I'm me...even if there's darkness in my heart, I know I can control it and there's nothing you can do about that!"
Vanitas growled in irritation before softening with a smirk. "Well then it's a good thing that before I departed Master Xehanort provided me with this thing."
"What?" Baldr asked.
He held out his hand and he summoned in it; The Keyblade of Heart that Riku wielded when he was possessed by Ansem.
"Is that?" Ventus asked in disbelief.
"Why, yes it is brother." Vanitas smirked. "The Dark Keyblade with the power to unlock people's hearts. Funny how you remember it from being within Sora."
Vanitas turned Baldr and thrust the Keyblade into the White-Haired boy's chest, causing him to fall to his knees screaming as Dark Red, Blue, and Purple miasma began to seep out from where the Keyblade Stabbed.
"NO!" Aqua, Ventus, Terra, and Hoder cried.
"BALDR!" Vor, Urd, and Hermod screamed.
They charged at Vanitas to stop him and save Baldr, but The Masked Boy summoned Void Gear to repel with with a Dark Thundaga spell.
Vanitas plunged the point of the blade deeper into Badr's chest as a Dark Aura began to surround him.
Baldr continued shouting in pain. Tears were pouring out of his shut eyes, his teeth were gritted and his hands were clutching his head.
"Now, open your heart, surrender it to the darkness! Become darkness itself!" Vanitas boomed.
With one final scream, Baldr was shrouded in the enlarging Dark Aura which began to take on a new form.
When the Aura receded, everyone could see exactly what form of Darkness had formed.
Its face was black with yellow eyes, it had a serrated jawline and wore a white helm with a dark gold crescent and a black, spiky ring. The front of its helm featured an emblem also present on Hoder's clothes. Its torso was a white chestplate with golden markings and the Heartless emblem emblazoned on it. It had two silver pauldrons with twin horns sticking out of them, and it wore a red, tattered cape overflowing with darkness alongside a black ribbon hanging from its back. It wielded twin swords with hooked tips and several notches on the blunt of the blade placed parallel to its torso with the heart-shaped notches over the Heartless emblem. It was called the Hringhorn.
"It...It's more beautiful than I could have ever imagined." Vanitas spoke in faux amusement.
"Brother?!" Hoder cried out. "What has he done to you?!"
"Don't worry!" Ventus assured her. "Once we defeat him it should bring him back to normal!"
"Trust us!" Aqua smiled determinedly.
"O-Ok." Hoder nodded.
"Then we fight!" Terra declared.
Ventus summoned Ultima Weapon (BBS), Terra summoned Chaos Ripper, Aqua summoned Brightcrest, Lea summoned Flame Liberator/Bond of the Blaze, Mickey summoned Kingdom Key W./Star Cluster, Minnie summoned Royal Radiance/Crown Unlimit, Oswald summoned Classic Tone, Ortensia summoned Skull Noise, Vor summoned Crown of Guilt, Urd summoned Pain of Solitude, Hermod summoned Aublade, The Upperclassmen summoned their Wayfinder Keyblades, Isa summoned the Dichotomy Claymore while Myde summoned the Sanctuary Sitar.
"I'm a little spent from the last battle." Vanitas groaned. "But this thing here should be able to finish the job for me."
"Hringhorn!" He turned to the Dark Creature. "Attack!"
The Hringhorn drew its two blades and got into a fighting stance.
[Battle Music: Calamity Ganon (Phase 2): The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild]
Party Members
Ventus
Terra
Aqua
Lea
Mickey
Minnie
Oswald
Ortensia
Isa
Myde
Vor
Urd
Hermod
Assistants
Hoder
Vali
Vidar
Vala
Heimdall
Helgi
Sigrun
Information: Defeat Hringhorn.
Aqua and Hoder started the attack by doing a double slash against the Giant Darkness Creature, It slightly slid back as the giant blades blocked most of the attack. Aqua then summoned several ice crystals above her head and sent them shooting toward the grand creature. Vor, Urd, and Hermod followed up by springing up in the air with their Keyblades raised before doing a three-way slash across the Hringhorn's head.
The Hringhorn retaliated by firing a laser through the ground that sent people scattering left and right.
"Damn." Helgi cursed.
"Keep at it!" Vala insisted. "We can defeat it if we work together!"
Everyone nodded.
Hringhorn drew its Blades and swung them releasing several slashes of darkness. Everyone either jumped, blocked the attacks or swiped back against the energy slashes.
Minnie and Oswald used shotlocks to attack it from a range while Mickey used a Bloody Bounce to deal damage while Ortensia used a Biding Strike to immobilize it momentarily. Vali cast Poison on it while Vidar followed up with a Meteor Spell, Terra dodged a laser attack, and used a Quake Spell to harm it with boulders while Vala cloaked her Keyblade in ice and tossed it to deal ice-based damage to it. Ventus cast Exo-Spark to stun the Hringhorn's face while Sigrun used Balloonza to send it flying with explosive balloons. Once it hit the ground Heimdall used a Barrier Surge to rush the enemy while Helgi used a Meteor Crash to toss his Keyblade at the Hringhorn amidst a slew of Meteors. Myde fired several Exploding Water Balls from overhead using his Sitar. Isa charged his Claymore up with Lunar Energy before charging and slamming the enemy while Lea followed up with Ars Solum and then Crawling Fire.
The Hringhorn nearly reared back from all of these injuries as everyone began to corner around it.
The Hringhorn drew its blades once more and began to swing them.
Vidar and Helgi sprang over one sweeping blade and slashed at its chest rapidly until they were forced back by a laser strike. Heimdall and Vidar locked blades with a second but alas their Keyblades were no match for the Monster's larger blades and they were forced back. Hoder, Vala and Sigrun charged forward with their Keyblades, Hoder fell back while Vali and Sigrun continued forward, the latter two girls looking at each other and nodding as they split up. Sigrun leaped up high with her Keyblade while Vali slid behind it with her weapon ready. The Hringhorn saw this coming, drew both its weapons, and locked its blades against both their weapons. With his arms distracted, Hoder sprang up in the air and fired a beam of light from her Keyblade, but Hringhorn channeled its laser to counter against it. With Sigrun and Vali pushing back against it the Hringhorn strengthened its laser attack on Hoder and Blade strike to send them all flying back. Hringhorn used its laser attack one more but Mickey and Minnie used Reflecga together. The creature began to slash against their barrier rapidly with its swords causing it to crack. Oswald and Ortensia rushed up for support but the Hringhorn swept his blade low and knocked the four toons off their feet before shooting them back with its laser.
"NO!" Vor, Urd, Hermod, and Myde raced back to tend to the four toons.
"Guys!" Isa cried as he turned around in shock. Left open to the Hringhorn's open blades, preparing to slice him up.
Lea noticed this.
"ISA! Look out!" he screamed with utter fear. He charged forward as fast as his legs could carry him and shoved Isa out of the way taking the full brunt of the slashing blades.
Lea screamed as his body was bombarded with large blade slashes and dark energy surges. He was sent flying back and he hit the ground in pain.
"LEA!" Isa screamed. His fear turned into anger as his head snapped towards the Hringhorn.
His eyes began to glow bright yellow as he stood up seething with every breath. His 'X' scar became more jagged and bigger and he became engulfed in a blue aura. His Claymore's size increased and he let out a roar of pure, unadulterated fury.
"Oh, that thing just poked the bear." Aqua winced, Remembering Saïx's berserk form back at the Castle that Never was.
"What's going on?" Vor asked.
"I dunno." Helgi replied. "Is this normal with Guardians?"
"With him it is." Mickey explained. "It's his Berserker Mode. He enters full power when he becomes angry."
"Well let's just hope it's enough to turn the tide against that beast." Vala pointed out.
Everyone watched as Isa charged at the Hringhorn. Slamming and slashing his Claymore around the Hringhorn, leaving large blue shockwaves where he struck. The Hringhorn was being overpowered, its laser strikes were effortlessly dodged and sliced back and the blades were repelled with each swing.
"Damn. He's super strong!" Heimdall exclaimed. "He might actually win this thing!"
"Oh yeah we almost forgot to mention there's also a limit on how long he can keep that form for." Oswald pointed out.
"Wait. what?" Vali quickly spoke.
Sure enough, Isa was in the middle of performing a Downward Strike when his blue aura started to flicker and his face slowly returned to normal.
"Wh-N-no! Not now!" He cursed under his breath.
Seizing its chance, The Hringhorn forced him back with a Laser Strike causing him to slide across the ground near where Lea was.
Everyone gasped.
"Finish them." Vanitas grinned.
[Music: Zelda's Awakening: Breath of the Wild: Before the Creepy Choir Portion]
The Hringhorn slowly moved over with its blades ready to slice Isa and Lea's weakened forms down.
"Lea! Isa!" The Guardians exclaimed.
Myde could only stare in frozen horror at what was about to transpire.
Suddenly, without thinking, he bolted towards the Hringhorn where Lea and Isa were.
"MYDE!" Ventus cried.
"What are you doing?!" Terra exclaimed in horror.
They rushed forward but Aqua grabbed their shoulders, starting to realize what could be transpiring.
"Wait. I want to see this." Her eyes shone with intrigue.
Myde sprinted towards Lea and Isa nearly tripping but catching himself.
"No...no..." He whispered frantically as he hurried towards Lea and Isa.
As the Hringhorn raised its blade and was in the middle of swinging it down when Myde jumped between him and its victims. His right hand outstretched.
"NO!" He shrieked.
At that, a flash of Bright Blue energy formed in his right hand, blinding the Hringhorn and causing everyone else to shield their eyes. (5)
When the light died down, there, in Myde's hands...was a Keyblade!
It had a black handle with a black spike in its pommel and a peculiar guard. The left half of the guard was light blue with a small, black section near its base, rectangular, and connected to both ends of the handle, while the right half was black, curved outward slightly, and did not connect to the bottom of the handle. Its shaft was light blue on its left half and regular blue on its right half. The head of the blade was blue and formed a large hook that curved to the left. Its teeth were comprised of three curved spikes lining the outer edge of the hook. The Keychain token was a blue five-pointed star with a small, circular gap in its center.
Everyone gasped.
"W-what?!" Vanitas exclaimed in shock.
"Myde!" Aqua cried with joy. "You got your Keyblade!"
Myde looked at it with amazement.
"WOAH! I did!" He gasped before rejoicing. "I DID IT! I UNLOCKED MY KEYBLADE!"
"But how?" Ventus asked. "What was the Key."
Myde thought for a bit before noticing Lea and Isa.
"I guess I just wanted to protect the people I care about." He replied. "I was so scared I was going to lose Lea and Isa that I just...acted outside of what I usually do."
"Well regardless of that," Terra added as The Academy Trio walked forward after they finished tending to the wounded. "I think THIS may be the thing that turns the tide. No pun intended.
The others chortled at this.
"So what's its name?" Vor asked.
Myde replied. "The name it whispers is called: Abyssal Tide!"
"Call it what you want!" Vanitas shouted. "It's still not going to help you in battle!"
"Let's see about that." Myde retorted as he readied his weapon.
The Wayfider Trio and Academy Trio Re-summoned their weapons with determined smirks on their faces.
"Finish them for me!" Vanitas ordered the Hringhorn. "Leave none of them alive!"
[Battle Music: With Power Awakened: Hyrule Warriors Age of Calamity]
Party Members
Myde
Aqua
Hermod
Terra
Urd
Ventus
Vor
Information: Defeat Hringhorn and drive the Darkness out of Scala ad Caelum.
Myde Started by leaping up and slashing Abyssal Tyde against the face of Hringhorn. The Hringhorn retaliated with a laser strike but Aqua was quick to the rescue and formed a forcefield with her palm. Ventus leaped forward and used a Transcendence spell to send the Heartless flying while Terra leaped up in the air, cloaked himself in electricity, and rushed the Hringhorn to send it flying back down.
Myde then used Waterza to drown the Hringhorn in a harsh torrent of water before following up with an Ars Arcanum Technique. Hringhorn opened its blades up again but Hermod used Stopga to immobilize it while Vor and Urd slashed at it left and right with their Keyblades before charging them up with fire and Ice respectively before delivering a strong blow.
The Hringhorn recovered with immense displeasure and lunged at the Seven of them, spinning around whilst swinging its blades like a sharp tornado. Everyone held up their blades to repel against the attack though they were sliding back with some of the lighter members even being knocked back.
"Let's end this right now!" Ventus shouted, to which the others agreed.
"Ven!" Vor cried out. "Let's team up!"
Ventus smiled. "Gladly!"
Ventus used an Aeroga spell to send the Hringhorn flying. Vor leaped up and rode the tornado upwards to the Hringhorn.
"Wheeeeee!" She cheered,
As she neared her enemy she drew her Keyblade and slashed it all over as she floated a corkscrew-like fashion.
"It's over!" Ventus cried.
"Nice knowin' ya!" Vor taunted.
After she was done she hovered above Hringhorn momentarily with her Keyblade raised over her head, then she covered herself in an orb of light and slammed into its head forcing it back down to the ground.
"Did I do great?" She asked Ventus.
He nodded. "Outstanding, and a combo move like that warrants a name, What should we call it?"
"Cyclone Crash!" Vor shot her hands out for emphasis as she leaped in the air with joy.
"Hey, Terra! Wanna team up?" Urd asked.
"Why yes!" Terra smirked.
Terra plunged his Keyblade into the ground allowing boulders to shoot up and damage the Hringhorn while Urd followed up with Waterza to mix water with the Boulders to blind the Hringhorn in mud. Both Wielders leaped up in the air. Chaos Ripper's tip glowed with a violet aura and Pain of Solitude with a golden one.
"Want some?" Terra taunted,
"Make your peace!" Urd shouted.
They slashed their weapons down dealing massive damage to their enemy.
"That was amazing!" Urd exclaimed.
Terra nodded. "What do you want to call that move?"
Urd thought for a moment. "Blinding Eclipse!" she smiled.
Hermod rushed toward Aqua.
"Lady Aqua." He smiled as he extended his hand. "May I have this dance?
"You may." Aqua smiled as she took his hand.
The two of them spun around, both on one foot, one of their hands intertwined with the other's, their free hands holding onto their Keyblades.
As they danced a flurry of Ice Crystals appeared above them and so did a cloud of crackling lightning.
"Farewell!" Aqua shouted.
"Better you than me!" Hermod added.
They stopped twirling and shot their Keyblades up with both hands.
The Ice Crystals and several bolts of Lightning shot past them and bombarded the Hringhorn.
"Nice moves!" Hermod complimented.
"Thanks." Aqua smiled. "What do you want to call that combo?"
Hermod put a hand to his chin before replying: "Electric Elegance!"
Myde then raised Abyssal Tyde and created two Water-like Duplicates of him. They raised their Keyblades and created several pillars of water that rammed Hringhorn in from all sides.
With it on its last legs, everyone formed a circle around it.
"Let's finish this, Together!" Myde told the others.
"I'm with you!" Aqua agreed.
"Let's do it!" Ventus smiled.
"We're right behind you!" Terra added.
"Yay! Teaming up!" Vor cheered.
"I promise this will HURT." Urd grinned.
"Let's bring the pain!" Hermod yelled.
They Plunged, Abyssal Tyde, Brightcrest, Ultima Weapon (BBS), Chaos Ripper, Crown of Guilt, Pain of Solitude, and Aublade into the ground as a seal of light formed beneath them. Said seal was surrounded by multicolored crystals.
"LIGHT!" They all cried as a pillar of light erupted from beneath the seal, finishing the Hringhorn off for good.
[Battle Music Ends]
The Seven Guardians moved back towards the rest of the group as they all watched the Hringhorn dissipate within a black aura revealing an unconscious Baldr.
Vanitas walked up before them and did a slow clap.
"Wow. Congrats." He spoke with pure bitterness. "You actually managed to undo everything I worked hard to do with shaping this kid into a Darkness Machine. I'd normally fake being impressed but right now, I'm very pissed!"
"Good." Ventus smirked. "It's kinda what we do to villains like you."
Vanitas closed his hands into fists and he snarled furiously. "I could finish you all off right here and now!"
"No, Vanitas." A familiar voice echoed around the area. "That's enough."
It was at that moment that the Guardians all gasped in shock while the Academy Students showed concern.
"That voice." Vor slowly spoke up. She nervously turned to the Guardians "Was that?..."
Aqua nodded grimly. "Yes. It was."
"What's he doing here?!" Ventus growled angrily. "It's only been a week since we encountered him and yet he's already here."
A Dark Corridor appeared and Master Xehanort walked out with a sinister smirk on his face.
"Master Xehanort!" Vanitas exclaimed. "Why are you stopping me from dealing with these pests?!"
Xehanort narrowed his eyes. "Vanitas, we've already done what we came here to do; unlock the Darkness in Baldr's heart. Now that's accomplished we do not need to linger here any longer. Collect the boy and return to the Castle That Never Was."
"Yes, Master." Vanitas nodded as he advanced toward the unconscious boy.
"Don't you dare hurt him!" Hoder shouted as she charged at Vanitas.
But Xehanort fired a Dark Firaga spell from the palm of his hand to nail her in the stomach and sent her flying back.
"Hoder!" Aqua cried as she rushed to the White-Haired Girl's side.
Everyone else angrily turned their attention to Xehanort, and to their surprise, he spread his arms out, looked at the sky, and took a relaxing breath.
"Ah. Scala ad Caelum...my old home. It's so good to be back."
"What are you even doing here?" Terra harshly demanded.
"Shouldn't you be planning for the Keyblade War in your Castle?!" Myde snarled.
Xehanort turned to Myde.
"First of all I am, but the appearance of these new worlds led me to observe your work in them from afar, and second of all, I wished to pay the world I grew up training in a small visit."
The Guardians narrowed their eyes as the Elderly Master continued.
"And Third of all, I would like to congratulate you on unlocking your Keyblade Power. Honestly, I didn't think you had it in you to get it, and so soon nonetheless. I see now that I made a critical error in relegating you to a reserve vessel in my Organization."
"Yeah. Thanks." Myde sneered.
"Xehanort?" Urd asked as she, Vor, and Hermod walked forward, uncertainty etched on their faces.
"I-is that really you?" Hermod asked.
Xehanort's wicked smirk melted into one of surprise and genuine nervousness.
"Vor...Urd...Hermod." He spoke slowly. "It's...been a while. And yes...while it is at least 78 years from this time, it is still me, your old friend, in the flesh."
"The Guardians of Light told us that you're a villain in their time..." Vor sadly piped up. "That you're starting another Keyblade War...that you hurt Ventus, Terra, Aqua and so many others..."
"And that you killed Eraqus." Urd added.
"Is...all of that true?" Hermod asked.
To everyone's (Namely The Wayfinder Trio's) surprise. Xehanort looked down with genuine guilt and shame.
"Yes..." He sighed. "It is."
"But why?" Hermod asked. "Why are you doing all of these terrible things? And what can you hope to gain from this?"
Xehanort looked at them grimly and explained.
"I've always been curious about the tale of the Keyblade War and sought to explore it. Something the me from your time will do after his time here has passed. It is said that ruin brings about creation, so I wondered what would happen if another Keyblade War did happen. Thus, that's when I set my sights on recreating that war by having my Organization and Seven of the Guardians clash. And once the light has been snuffed out, the X-Blade and Kingdom Hearts will be mine to control."
"But you're destroying all of these worlds to do so!" Urd pointed out. "Please! Think about what you're doing!"
"I have thought 78 years about this," Xehanort replied. "Darkness and light are meant to be in balance, yet the tyranny of this false light had destroyed much of the darkness and shifted that balance. But with the X-Blade and Kingdom Hearts, I can make a true balance between worlds."
"Fool!" Aqua snarled. "The only balance you're making is one over the bodies of innocent people!"
"Such sacrifices are inevitable to achieve one's goal," Xehanort replied. "Besides, once I create a new world, nobody will have to be taken from anybody because of a side of either light or darkness. Least of all, the people you care about."
He turned to The Academy Trio who were baffled and appalled beyond measure.
His mind returned to the moments where Urd and Hermod were devoured by the Darkness within a Dark Corridor, then to when a Darkness Possessed Baldr killed Vor (along with Vali, Vidar and Vala) then Xehanort finally being forced to kill Baldr.
Don't you see? I'm doing this for you, for us!" He pleaded. "And you can join me." He extended his hand to the Academy Trio. "Together we can unlock Kingdom Hearts and bring a true balance of Light and Darkness to all worlds...together."
"But you killed Eraqus." Vor whimpered. "Who's to say you won't do the same to us?"
"Eraqus was simply a sacrifice." Xehanort tried to assure her. "You won't have to be! Just trust me, this is all for us to be together in my ideal world. We won't have to be apart anymore!"
Vor had her hands over her mouth, her eyes shining with tears. Urd was shaking her head, her face a mixture of anger and disbelief and Hermod had his eyes closed and his head bowed.
The three of them backed away from Xehanort as if he were some monster.
"My friends..." Xehanort softly spoke... "Please."
His friends, while they didn't take their eyes off of him, didn't say a word as they made their way back to the Guardians.
Xehanort's hurt look turned to disappointment. "I see. I knew this would be the outcome, yet I am still disappointed. I supposed in the end, I am on my own."
"Enough of this!" a voice boomed out.
A Corridor of light appeared and Master Odin walked out holding the Master's Defender Keyblade.
The Wayfinder Trio noticed this and while they were momentarily shocked, this diminished as they suspected Eraqus had likely inherited this Keyblade from Master Odin.
"Ah, Master Odin." Xehanort smiled. "It's been a long time."
"Leave this world or I will purge you from this world myself."
"Oh, Master. Is that really the way for you to speak to your own student?" Xehanort taunted as he summoned the Gazing Eye Keyblade.
Odin examined the evil elderly man and sensed the Heart inside of him before looking at the Keyblade in the stranger's hands.
"Ah. So the Guardians were right. You are Xehanort; many years from this era." He spoke solemly. "It seems you've passed the Mark of Mastery and inherited the ancient Keyblade that was entrusted to my Academy."
"That I have." Xehanort smirked. "And I've gotten myself a little year-long ambition that I will see through, no matter the cost."
"Yes, I've heard." Odin sighed. "The Guardians here implied such. To think this is who one of my top students will grow up to be in the future. It really pains my heart to see how far you've fallen, or rather how far you WILL fall, Xehanort."
Xehanort's face turned grim. "I will do what has to be done to see this world purged of false light. And if that means bringing Darkness into the world...then so be it."
"We will NOT allow that to happen!" Mickey shouted. "We will stop you, Xehanort. All of us combined! Unless you want to end this right now!"
Xehanort
"Lucky for you, I'm not in the mood for another fight." He replied. "I'm all but exhausted from the one I had with the rest of your team."
All eyes turned to the Guardians.
"'Rest of'?" Heimdall asked.
"It's a long story." Ortensia told him. "But this Era wasn't the only one that opened up, another one did and the other half of our team went to handle it."
"Indeed." Xehanort called out as they turned back to him. "I had just gotten back from dealing with them before coming here to say all that I needed to say." His face turned to his former friends. "Even if they weren't willing to listen."
"Come Vanitas, grab Baldr, and let us depart."
He opened a corridor of Darkness behind them and Vanitas slung the unconscious Baldr over his shoulder before walking through.
"N-no." Hoder scrambled to her feet to try and save him, but she was too winded and exhausted from the battle and earlier blow from Xehanort that she collapsed to the ground.
Vanitas turned to notice this before scoffing and walking to the portal but stopped to see what Xehanort had left to say.
Xehanort turned and addressed the glaring Ten Academy Students
"I said this to the allies The other half of the Guardians have gathered from the other era, and I will say it to you: You lot are more than welcome to join in this little war, but in comparison to them, you all are just more pawns that I can easily knock off the board." He turned back to the Guardians, "No matter how many allies you bring, nothing will stop me from getting what I desire." Xehanort said.
"We WON'T let you get away with this!" barked Terra.
"Alone we may not stand a chance." snarled Aqua. "But I know that together, we can put an end to you!"
"What she said!" added Ventus.
Xehanort could only laugh at this.
"You may try, but in the end, you will fail. As I mentioned before at the Valley of Peace and what I said to the rest of your Guardians, your journey will only get harder from here on out. Even with every advantage you have, darkness will prevail and the light will expire." Xehanort remarked as he and Vanitas departed through the corridor with Baldr as the Guardians, Students, and Odin glared after him.
Hoder reached her hand weakly after them as she slowly began to lose consciousness.
"Baldr..." She groaned. "Bal..dr."
Her hand dropped to the ground and the world around her went black as everyone else gathered around her.
To be continued...
Up Next, The Guardians of Light wrap things up in Scala ad Caelum and depart with new allies on their side.
Review and I'll see you soon.
(1) Persona 5: Yusuke Kitagawa condemns Madarame.
(2) The Powerpuff Girls Twas the Fight Before Christmas: Blossom vs Morbucks.
(3) The Amazing World of Gumball: Gumball, Darwin and Anais attack the Awesome Store
(4) Steven Universe: Unleash the Light. Hessonite vs The Final Boss (ft George the Prism)
(5) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Zelda unlocks her sealing power.