- Chapter 29 -
Unwanted Reunion
Riku, West, Lea, Sera, Beat and Mickey returned to the First District, seeing no one around but themselves.
"Where are the others?" West asked.
Riku looked around. "I don't see them."
"Is Sora with them, yo?" Beat asked.
Lea nodded. "We all split up. He went to find Rhyme."
Beat smiled at that. "Good."
"I hope things went okay on his end." Sera said.
"Same here," said Mickey.
"So..." West added, "I guess we wait."
The ground suddenly began shaking, and they heard a loud crash.
"What the?!" Lea shouted.
From the path leading to the back alley emerged a massive armored creature with red eyes. Mickey gasped, recognizing the eyes, and the bizarre heart-like symbol on its chest.
"No..." he said. "It can't be. How is that here?!"
"Mickey, you know what that thing is?" Riku asked.
Mickey nodded. "It's an Unversed. Aqua, Ven, Terra, and I... we fought them twelve years ago. But I thought the one controlling them was gone."
"Apparently not," said Sera. "Let's get rid of it!"
-X-
Sora's group, with Rhyme in tow, were just exiting the post office, finding themselves in the fountain plaza.
"So," came a voice sounding like a deeper version of Sora's, "you found the brat."
The quintet jumped and looked up to see a figure standing atop a nearby building in a black coat, the hood drawn up to hide his face.
"It's him!" Rhyme exclaimed. "That's the boy who was summoning those blue things!"
Sora turned to him, preparing for a fight. "Who are you?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" the boy shot back.
"Yeah," Sora said flatly. "That's why I asked."
"Whatever," the boy said, shrugging. "I'm just here for you and that pretty little princess of yours."
Kairi scowled at that. "We're not coming with you."
"I didn't ask for your permission." With that, the boy snapped his fingers, and more of the blue creatures appeared.
"What are these things?!" Donald demanded, drawing his staff.
"The Unversed. My personal hench-critters," the boy said. "Sic 'em!"
The creatures all charged at them, Sora and the others doing the same.
-X-
Megumi lunged forward, going for a bite attack, but Hikari jumped over it before charging her power into the Twilight Blade, sending a crescent-shaped beam of dark energy at the dragon; it slashed into his snout, drawing blood, and Megumi let out a pained roar.
Max charged in on his skateboard, but Megumi opened his mouth, spewing forth an orange bubble that enveloped him. Bringing his head to the floating bubble's level, Megumi's eyes began to glow, and Max frantically jabbed at the bubble, trying to break free. The bubble popped, and Max dropped down just as Megumi fired twin lasers from his eyes, leaving scorch marks in the nearby wall.
"That was way too close." Max said, breathing heavily.
As Megumi turned to him, Neku raised his hand, charging energy in his hand. "Nexus Ray!" A beam of blue energy fired out, striking Megumi in the wound on his snout Hikari had inflicted earlier.
Shiki tossed Mr. Mew into the air, and he suddenly sprouted claws and split into five clones of himself. They all leapt onto Megumi, slashing and clawing at him; Megumi frantically shook his head, trying to get the cat plushies off of him.
Seeing this, Hikari decided it was time to end it. Raising her sword, it's mixed light and dark aura became more intense, surging with a fiery intensity.
"Take this!" she shouted before darting at Megumi at lightning speed, spinning like a top with her sword outstretched, light and dark energy swirling around her as she whirled around and hacked at the dragon again and again. As she continued spinning, orbs of both light and darkness began swirling around her, and she stopped, thrusting a palm out at Megumi.
"Light and darkness... STRIKE!" The light and dark orbs all slammed into Megumi with considerable force, creating a cloud of smoke (1).
When the smoke cleared, Megumi was back in human form, leaning against the wall and clutching his chest.
"Why... why you..." he managed, struggling to breathe.
"Told ya you couldn't have us!" Shiki declared.
"C'mon," said Hikari. "Let's get back to the first district."
"See ya never, Megumi," Neku said in discontent. "And don't think it hasn't been a little slice of Heaven... 'cause it hasn't."
With that, they left the weakened Reaper leaning on the wall.
"Glad that's over." Max said.
-X-
Sï'Lea, Nixe, Joshua, Aqua, and Ven found themselves surrounded by multiple clones of Mitsuki.
"Jump!" Joshua shouted, and they all jumped out of the way as the clones charged, slamming into one another.
Mitsuki let out a roar, and lunged forward, sending another clone charging forward at Aqua. Aqua cartwheeled to the side to avoid it, before throwing her Keyblade at the real Mitsuki. It slammed into her head, leaving her dazed as Aqua called her Keyblade back.
Shaking her head, Mitsuki scowled and darted forward, slashing at Sï'Lea, who quickly summoned her shield to repel the assault. Closing her eyes, Sï'Lea focused and performed the Windcutter technique, creating a powerful whirlwind that send her flying back. Nixe immediately dashed in, sending Mitsuki flying into the air with an Aerial Slam before jumping up and smashing her into the ground.
Mitsuki roared and attacked with clones again, but Ven rolled out of the way and threw his Keyblade at her with Wind Raid, the Aero-guided Keyblade striking her multiple times before Ven recalled it.
With Mitsuki dazed and on her last legs, Joshua pulled out a cell phone and typing something into it. Everyone looked up, and then jumped back as a red-colored car fell on top of Mitsuki, crushing her.
"Um..." Nixe managed, "where did that come from?"
"Oh, just something I do." Joshua said flippantly, waving his cell phone around.
The car faded, leaving a defeated Mitsuki laying there in human form.
"Bad kitty." Ven taunted as he dismissed his Keyblade. Mitsuki scowled, glaring at them.
"Go back to Shibuya, and leave us alone." Joshua ordered.
With that, he turned and walked away, the others following him.
-X-
Back in the fountain plaza, Sora and the others had managed to defeat the Unversed, glaring up at the hooded boy.
"And now it's your turn." Sora told him.
"You'll have to catch me first." the boy retorted, turning to go.
"Hey!" Kairi called out. "Don't run away like a sniveling coward just 'cause we whipped your monsters' heinies."
"Who said I was running away?" the boy questioned. "I'm just moving to a larger arena with some more contestants."
With that, he took off.
"Don't let him get away!" Donald shouted, and they gave chase.
-X-
Lea slashed at the armored creature, igniting his Keyblade for extra damage. Not giving it a chance to breathe, Riku and Mickey joined hands and drew their Keyblade, firing multiple orbs of light and darkness at the Unversed.
Beat charged in, riding on a skateboard and grinding it on the Unversed's face. It reeled back with a roar, tire tracks on its face. At that, West decided to go for broke.
"Breaking my limit!" she shouted, tossing her knife at the beast and slicing its shoulder. Much to the others' surprise, the knife began moving on its own volition, slashing at him seven more times before West jumped up and caught it, a pale green glow surrounding her before she charged at the monster with lightning speed, hacking at him six more times. "Later, you meanie!" she screamed as she charged forward and drop-kicked it in the chest, sending it flying back to slam into a wall (2).
Before the monster could get up, Sera surrounded herself with a flaming aura and jumped into the air before coming down and slamming her palm into the ground. A massive pillar of fire shot up from below the Unversed and engulfed it, burning the creature to a crisp. It slumped back, fading away.
"Whew..." Lea breathed, wiping his forehead. "That was tough."
"Stop him!" Sora's voice sounded suddenly.
They all whirled to see a boy in a black coat running from Sora's group, with Hikari and Sï'Lea's group arriving around the same time. The boy jumped onto the old shop building, looking down at the others.
"And here you all are." he boasted with a laugh. Aqua and Ven gaped at that, recognizing the voice and laugh.
"No... NO!" Ven shouted, hoping against hope he was wrong. "It can't be!"
Vanitas laughed again. "How long has it been, Ventus? Twelve years?"
He dropped his hood, and everyone gasped in shock at the sight of Sora's own face, but with black hair, yellow eyes, and a villainous smile.
"W-what the hell?!" Neku let out.
"What is this?!" Sora demanded. "Who are you, and why do you look like me?!"
Vanitas chuckled, looking at Ven.
"Why don't you tell 'em, Ventus?" he asked. "After all, I did come from you."
All eyes turned to Ven, and he sighed.
"He's right. Vanitas is me." he confessed. "The dark side of my heart."
"W-what?!" Riku said. "How is that possible?!"
"It's a long story, and Ventus can tell you all about it." Vanitas told them. "Well, except for Sora, Kairi, and Nixe. I'll tell 'em later, when they're in the dungeons or after Xehanort has brought Sora and Nixe into our ranks."
"Never!" Kairi declared.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Vanitas mocked. "Did you think you had a say in the matter?"
"They'll never go with you, Vanitas!" Aqua swore.
"We'll see." Vanitas summoned more Unversed, and gestured to the heroes. "Get 'em!"
As the others fought the Unversed, Ven charged forward, clashing with Vanitas himself.
"Why go to all this trouble, Vanitas?" Ven demanded. "Why go after Sera?!"
"The blind girl?" Vanitas replied as their blades clashed. "No reason. I was bored, and she was there. A helpless victim to mess with."
Ven scowled, kicking Vanitas back. "You heartless freak!"
Vanitas chuckled, standing up and dusting himself up.
"You just don't get it, do you, Ven?" he asked. "If I'm heartless, it's because you are. If I'm selfish or cruel or evil, it's because you are! I didn't just spin myself out of the ether. I wasn't just spawned by the Master. I. Am. YOU!"
"No!" Ven shook his head furiously. "I'm nothing like you!"
Suddenly, a blast of fire knocked Vanitas back, and the others turned in surprise to see a furious Sera, fire surrounding her fists and hair.
"You cruel little brat!" she shouted. "How dare you speak to anyone like that!"
"What the-?!" Vanitas let out before a fireball struck him in the chest.
"Your auras are so different! There's no way Ven is like you!" Sera went on, approaching him. "He's kind and gentle! You're cruel and pained! And one more thing..."
She charged him, igniting herself before slamming him into the wall.
"I may be blind, but that doesn't mean I'm helpless!" she shouted.
The others wisely stood back and watched as she attacked Vanitas. He knocked her back, but she leapt after him, surrounding herself in a flaming tornado. Vanitas recoiled, covered in burns as she approached him.
"I'll admit your tougher than you look." he remarked, before drawing his Keyblade. "But let's see how you handle THIS! Hydro!"
A wave of water splashed over Sera, knocking her back and putting out the flames. She pulled herself up, drenched.
"I... I can't see..." she managed.
Vanitas smirked and approached her, but Lea charged in and kicked him back.
"Back off!" he shouted, as Kairi and West ran over and helped Sera up.
"Looks like water stops your powers." West mused.
"Rock breaks scissors. Water douses fire." Sera replied. "And that includes my use of fire for sight."
Lea runs over, picking Sera up bridal-style. "You did good, honey. We'll take it from here."
He carried Sera a safe distance away and set her down.
"Thank you, darling." Sera said with a smile.
"Aw, looks like the girl's all tuckered out." Vanitas taunted.
"But we're not!" Sora declared.
Ven charged him, crossing blades again.
"How did you come back?!" he demanded. "You should be inside my heart!"
"The Master brought me back, of course, after Sora slipped away." Vanitas replied. "Due to our... connection, I was in a coma just like you were. When your pals went to Castle Oblivion and woke you up, I woke up too."
"Then I'll have to merge with you, to stop you from hurting anyone else!" Ven declared.
"Dream on!" Vanitas retorted. "How about I merge with you?! Then we'll see how you like being trapped inside somebody else!"
"Never!" Ven shouted. "I won't give you control!"
Vanitas shrugged. "Then it seems we're at an impasse."
"Who said I was giving you a choice?" Ven asked.
Vanitas scowled, glaring at him.
"No! I'm never going back in your heart!" he swore. "You're weak! You're soft! You're a loser!"
"I know the difference between right and wrong!" Ven declared, giving Vanitas a dirty look. "Unlike certain people."
"Hmph." Vanitas scoffed. "It's not that I don't know the difference. It's just that I couldn't care less."
"You're insane!" Sora shouted. "And we'll stop you!"
"Well, c'mon then." Vanitas made a "bring it" gesture at Sora. "Let's see what you're made of."
Sora charged at that, crossing blades with him.
"You're going down, you fake!" he shouted.
"Could a fake do this?!" Vanitas jerked forward, slamming his forehead into Sora's nose and drawing blood.
Sora recoiled, rubbing his nose. "I'll show you!"
Vanitas slashed at him, but Sora ducked, grabbing his arm and judo-throwing him over his shoulder. Vanitas hit the ground on his back.
"...Ow." he let out, before Sora pinned him down underfoot, pointing his Keyblade at him.
"I suggest you stay down." he warned.
Vanitas smirked, and Unversed suddenly tackled Sora to the side, allowing him to stand up.
"I'll admit your good," he mused, "but not on my level."
"Dirty cheater!" Sora cursed.
"You call it cheating." Vanitas replied. "I call it winning."
He snapped his fingers, and they heard a yelp. Everyone turned in shock to see Unversed clutching Rhyme, handing her to Vanitas.
"Coward!" Hikari shouted. "Let her go!"
"Sure." Vanitas agreed. "As soon as Sora and his girlfriend agree to come with me."
"Sora, no!" Rhyme shouted. "Don't do it!"
Sora looked uncertain, and the thought of him giving himself up to this monster was more than Rhyme could bear. Turning and grabbing Vanitas' hand on her shoulder, Rhyme sank her teeth into Vanitas' hand with all her strength.
Vanitas screamed in pain, releasing Rhyme, who ran back over to Sora and the others. Looking over his hand, Vanitas scowled to see blood welling up from the bite mark on his hand.
"Nice going, Rhyme!" Max cheered on as Vanitas glared at her.
"Why, you little..." Vanitas growled.
"I suggest you leave before we take you out." Riku warned. "You can't take us all."
Vanitas looked over the group, then nodded slightly.
"Fine." he said, opening a dark corridor. "But I'll be back."
He walked into it, and Beat quickly turned to Rhyme. "You okay?"
Rhyme nodded, and Sora turned to Ven and Aqua. "So... what's that guy's story?"
Ven sighed, and explained the situation. How he wasn't the apprentice Xehanort hoped for, so Xehanort used his Keyblade to forcibly extract the darkness from his heart, resulting in the birth of Vanitas. He also outlined how Vanitas resembled Sora because when Sora was first born, his heart linked with Ven's damaged own, saving his life. By the end, everyone was in shock.
"That's... wow." Sora managed.
"Yeah." Ven agreed. "It's crazy."
Sora turned to Rhyme, smiling.
"That was a gutsy move back there." he remarked.
"I was desperate." Rhyme admitted. "The thought of you giving yourself up to that creep made me so mad."
"Well, thanks for that." Sora said.
Suddenly, Rhyme's beanie lit up, glowing. Realizing what this meant, Riku drew his Keyblade.
"I got it." he said. The light shot into the sky, forming a Keyhole shape, and Riku fired a beam from his Keyblade, unlocking the Keyhole.
"Well, it's time for us to go." Mickey declared.
"Already?" Rhyme asked.
"Sorry." Sora said. "But the Reapers should leave you alone."
Neku smiled slightly. "Thanks, guys."
"Hey, no problem." Sora replied. "We're friends, right?"
Neku nodded in agreement, shaking Sora's hand.
The Lanes Between
Later, the Highwind flew through the Lanes Between.
"I can't believe it." Ven groaned. "Vanitas is back... I just can't get rid of him."
"Why didn't you tell us about him before?" Riku asked.
Aqua sighed. "We thought he was gone for good. But we beat him before, we can do it again."
"So, are we going home now?" Sera asked.
"Well... we could go to another world first." Sora suggested. "So you two could spend time together."
Lea smiled at that. "Sounds good. How about Twilight Town?"
"Works for me." said Sera.
Sora quickly set a course for Twilight Town, and Ven turned to Sera, wondering something.
"Sera, I need to ask you something." he began. "When you scanned Vanitas' aura, you described him as 'pained.' What do you mean by that?"
"Well, my aura can see what's really inside a person." Sera explained. "While he still had lots of hatred within him, I could sense so much pain... he was emotionally damaged and sad. I don't condone what he's doing, but he's suffered a lot."
They all thought it over.
"I... didn't know." Aqua let out. "From the sound of it, he's just as much a victim of Xehanort as the rest of us."
"Some say that behind every victim is a villain, but that doesn't excuse their actions." Riku mused. "Sounds like Vanitas is that way."
"Maybe we should offer him help." Sora suggested.
"I don't know, Sora." Hikari admitted. "He's been through a lot, yes, but once you've fallen that far..."
"We should at least offer." Sora insisted. "He might not take it, or we might get him thinking. He could come over to our side one day."
"Maybe." Kairi said.
"I still have some doubts, guys." Hikari went on. "Vanitas may have suffered, but he's still a being made of pure darkness."
"We won't know unless we try." Aqua decided. "For now, let's just get to Twilight Town."
Murmurs of agreement sounded throughout the ship.
"Sera, I'll have to take you to the clock tower, when we get to Twilight Town." Lea decided. "You'll love it."
Sera smiled at that. "I'm sure I will."
Author's Note:
(1): Hikari's Limit Break: Twilight Falls
(2): West's Limit Break: Broken Creation.
Well, another one bites the dust. As usual, I apologize if the fight scenes are a bit lacking; I'm not too good at them.
Anyway, please R&R. Until next time!