Chapter 9: When Life Gives You Plot Holes, Wield a Keyblade!

Objective: Use the Keyblade to bring Aqua back to her senses! Maximum Effort!

Battle Music: Rage Awakened (Kingdom Hearts Series - Yoko Shimamura)

As the intense and evocative notes of Rage Awakened began to play, Deadpool couldn't help but break the fourth wall once again.

"Well, this is a fitting choice for round two," he said, twirling the red and black Keyblade in his hand. "Yoko Shimamura's work is legendary—about time you threw in one of her masterpieces!"

Aqua, her eyes narrowing with a mix of frustration and determination, watched as Deadpool readied himself for the next bout.

"You are impossible!" Aqua spat, her voice tinged with anger and disbelief.

"Impossible? Nah," Deadpool replied, his tone shifting to something more serious, though still laced with his usual sarcasm. "Improbable? Maybe. But that's kind of my thing—doing the improbable and making it look easy. Now, let's get down to business, Aqua. Time to snap you out of this little Scarlet Witch phase you're going through."

Aqua lunged forward, Rainfell flashing with light as she aimed a powerful strike at Deadpool. He quickly raised his Keyblade, blocking the attack with a resounding clash. The force of the impact sent a shockwave through the air, and the battle was on—a classic Kingdom Hearts, button-mash smackdown.

As they traded blows, Deadpool realised he needed to reach Aqua on a deeper level. The usual banter wasn't going to cut it; he had to remind her of who she truly was before the darkness consumed and corrupted her entirely. Maybe, just maybe, some of her own words from the past would help snap her out of this phase.

Between their clashing weapons, Deadpool started reciting lines from Aqua's past, hoping they would trigger something inside her.

"Aqua, remember the time you said, 'I know it's a lonely place, but you'll be safe. Terra and I will be back to wake you up before you know it.'? Or how about, 'As long as you're with me, I'll always find my way back. Always.' Ringing any bells?"

Aqua's eyes widened for a split second, a flicker of recognition passing through them, but she quickly pushed it aside, her face hardening with resolve.

"Stop it!" she shouted, anger flaring as she struck with even more force.

Deadpool dodged, barely managing to block her relentless attacks. He pressed on, determined to break through.

"And then there was that time you said, 'Never would have thought I'd become my own worst enemy. I've talked to myself a lot since falling into these shadows. But with the phantom, it's as though all of my doubts have gained a voice of their own. She's the weakness in my heart.' You were scared, Aqua, but you fought through it. You found the light even in the darkest of places."

"Stop mocking me!" Aqua screamed, her voice filled with desperation and fury. She was losing control, the memories and doubts swirling within her like a storm.

With a burst of raw emotion, she summoned one of her most powerful attacks.

"Lightbloom!" Aqua cried out, as radiant orbs of light began to form around her, charging with immense power.

"Well, this is gonna suck," Deadpool muttered, gripping his Keyblade tightly. He knew he had to act fast.

The orbs of light began to pulse, growing brighter and more intense by the second. Deadpool could feel the heat and energy radiating from them, and he knew that if he didn't do something quickly, he was about to get a front-row seat to his own incineration.

"Alright, Keyblade, don't fail me now," Deadpool said to the weapon in his hand, hoping against hope that it would respond.

He'd seen enough Kingdom Hearts cutscenes to know that the Keyblade could do some pretty miraculous things, but he'd never actually expected to be wielding one himself, let alone in a fight to save someone.

As the orbs of light reached their peak, Deadpool raised the Keyblade high, summoning every ounce of strength and determination he could muster. He focused on Aqua, not as an enemy, but as someone who needed saving, someone who was lost in her own darkness.

"Come on, Aqua," Deadpool called out, his voice strong despite the fear gnawing at him. "You don't have to do this! You're stronger than this darkness!"

In response to his plea, the Keyblade began to glow, a brilliant light emanating from it as if it were channeling Deadpool's resolve. The light formed a protective barrier around him, just as Aqua unleashed her devastating attack.

The orbs of light shot forward, converging on Deadpool in a blinding explosion of energy. The force of the attack was immense, shaking the very ground beneath them. But the barrier held, absorbing the brunt of the impact and shielding Deadpool from the full force of Aqua's magic.

When the light finally subsided, Deadpool was still standing. He looked at the Keyblade, which was still glowing faintly, and let out a shaky laugh.

"Ha! Holy Crap, it worked!" he exclaimed, relief flooding through him.

Aqua, now drained from the sheer effort of using Lightbloom, stared at Deadpool in disbelief. She had thrown everything she had into that attack, and yet here he was, still standing, still defiant.

"How…?" she whispered, her voice trembling with exhaustion and confusion.

"Because… I'm Batman!" Deadpool declared, his voice brooding and serious, mimicking the caped crusader from that other, far grimmer universe.

Aqua blinked, completely caught off guard by the absurdity of the moment.

"What?" Aqua asked, her voice tinged with confusion, as she tried to reconcile the seriousness of the fight with Deadpool's bizarre declaration.

Seeing Aqua's momentary lapse, Deadpool knew this was his chance. His white eye lenses narrowed, focusing on the opportunity. With a quick, calculated motion, he leaned back, summoning all his strength and focusing it into a single, decisive action.

He remembered a move from the games, one of Ventus's techniques: Spark Raid. It was a powerful move, and Deadpool figured, why not give it a shot? After all, if Ventus could do it, so could he… probably. He was Kingdom Hearts Jesus after all.

"Bat-a-Rang!" Deadpool shouted, still maintaining the deep, gravelly tone of his faux Batman impression.

With a mighty swing, Deadpool hurled the Keyblade toward Aqua, mimicking the motion of Ventus's Spark Raid. As the Keyblade left his hand, it didn't just emit the usual light of Spark Raid—no, this time it radiated with a powerful red and black aura, matching Deadpool's own color scheme. The energy crackled around the Keyblade, turning the familiar attack into something new, something distinctly Deadpool.

As the Keyblade flew through the air, it left a trail of red and black energy in its wake, sparking and flaring with every inch it traveled. The moment it made contact with Aqua, the impact unleashed a burst of this energy, rocking her with a force she hadn't expected. The energy surged through her, not with the pure light of a typical Spark Raid, but with the chaotic, unpredictable power that was uniquely Deadpool's.

Aqua was sent flying backward, the force of the impact overwhelming her already exhausted state. She hit the ground hard, skidding back several feet before coming to a stop. The sheer force of the attack had momentarily disoriented her, leaving her vulnerable.

As the red and black Keyblade spun back to Deadpool's hand, he caught it effortlessly, marveling at the power he had just unleashed. He couldn't help but grin beneath his mask, thoroughly impressed by the move.

"Wow," Deadpool muttered to himself, examining the Keyblade with newfound appreciation. "Who needs a Vibranium shield when you've got a Keyblade that doubles as a boomerang of destruction? Steve Rogers, eat your heart out."

Deadpool then turned to the reader, breaking the fourth wall as effortlessly as always.

"Love you, Chris..." he remarked, kissing his free hand and placing it on the page in a mock salute.

But reality snapped back into focus as he turned his attention to Aqua, who was struggling to stand after that last attack. Despite the overwhelming force she'd just endured, her determination was still burning strong.

"Aqua, stay down!" Deadpool shouted, slowly walking over to her, his tone carrying an unusual mix of urgency and concern.

However, Aqua's stubbornness and the heart of a true Keyblade Master kept her going. She managed to get to her feet, though it was clear she was weakened—her body trembling with exhaustion. Even as she tried to assume her defensive stance, she faltered, but her indomitable spirit refused to let her give up.

"No..." she muttered, her voice shaking but resolute. "I will not let you and them stop me!"

This was all getting a bit too sad for Deadpool. Seeing one of his favorite Kingdom Hearts characters in such a state, struggling not just physically but emotionally, hit him harder than he expected.

"Ah, geez," Deadpool sighed, his bravado slipping just a bit as he looked at her. "This is like watching everyone die in Kingdom Hearts III—sure, Sora brought them back with the plot device of this fanfic, but still, dark as shit for a Disney game."

"I have to save everything, save everyone..." she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm trying to fix the mess I caused, thanks to their interference."

Deadpool looked to the reader and sighed, breaking the fourth wall as naturally as ever.

"Sorry, folks, I thought we might have a longer fight scene, you know, more Keyblade shenanigans, epic clashes, maybe even some slow-motion shots. But, I think the plot needs to move forward here. Especially with 'them' being referenced and foreshadowed. Maybe in the later chapters, I can show off more of what I can do. Sadly, cut the awesome track, and replace it with one of Yoko's more somber numbers. Maybe, Aqua's own theme? That can really pull at the heartstrings..."

As if on cue, the intense battle music, Rage Awakened, faded out, and was replaced by the gentle, melancholic strains of Aqua's Theme. The mood shifted, the tension in the air giving way to a deep, sorrowful reflection.

[Now Playing: Aqua's Theme - Birth By Sleep]

Deadpool moved slowly toward Aqua, the gentle, melancholic notes of her theme playing softly in the background. He kept the Keyblade down at his side, making sure to show no aggression as he approached her. His usual bravado was subdued, replaced by a rare moment of genuine concern.

"Their influence," Deadpool asked gently, his tone soft but probing. "You're talking about the DMSI, my clients, right?"

Aqua's eyes were filled with exhaustion and pain, but there was also a flicker of acknowledgment as she met Deadpool's gaze. Her once unwavering resolve was now frayed at the edges, the weight of her burdens clearly taking its toll.

"Yes," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Well, figures," Deadpool responded, stopping a few feet away but still keeping his distance. His tone was lighter, but there was an underlying seriousness as he continued. "I did have an inkling they might be on the dark side, especially when I entered that building back in Vancouver. It had none of that 'Disney charm,' you know? No Mickey ears, no whimsical tunes, just a whole lot of shady vibes."

Aqua's eyes narrowed slightly, and despite her exhaustion, she managed to infuse some steel into her voice.

"Then why did you decide to work with them?" Aqua questioned, her voice stern and demanding an answer.

Deadpool sighed, rubbing the back of his neck in a gesture that conveyed both guilt and resignation. It was clear he wasn't proud of the situation he found himself in.

"Sadly, as I said earlier, money talks, and rent's due," he admitted, his usual bravado slipping as he spoke. "Plus, they dangled the carrot of my own Disney+ show... I mean, who wouldn't want to see me in glorious high definition, breaking the fourth wall for six to eight episodes? So, yeah, there's that."

Aqua's gaze softened slightly, but the disappointment was still evident in her eyes.

"You sold yourself for that? For what, money and fame?" she asked, her voice tinged with sadness and disbelief. The weight of her words cut deeper than she probably realized.

Deadpool let out a sheepish laugh, trying to shrug it off but finding it difficult in the face of Aqua's disapproval.

"Oh no, not really," he replied, his tone more genuine. "A Disney+ show is neat, sure, just to mess with Ryan's scheduling and piss him off... but let's be honest, I've got enough billions at home after the success of Deadpool and Wolverine. The truth is, I came here to save my 13th favorite universe from going to utter shit."

He paused, his gaze growing more serious as he looked at Aqua, who was still processing everything.

"Knowing you, one of my favorites in this condoled mess of storytelling, was going down a dark path... I had to see what the hell was going on here."

Deadpool gestured around them to the shattered remnants of the Land of Departure, once a place of hope and learning, now reduced to ruins by the darkness that had seeped into it.

"Look at this place, Aqua. This isn't just about some paycheck or a TV deal. This is about saving something that actually matters—a universe that's brought so much to so many people, even if it's convoluted as hell."

Aqua's stance wavered, and she dropped her somewhat defensive posture. The weight of the situation finally broke through her resolve, leaving her looking defeated. She knew the mess she had caused, but there was a reason behind it—one that had driven her to such desperate measures.

"I didn't mean for this to happen," Aqua admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was trying to save Sora…"

Deadpool took a cautious step closer, the usual bravado in his tone softening as he felt the sorrow emanating from her. The darkness that had been swirling around her seemed to calm, if only slightly.

"Want to explain to me—and the folks reading this—what happened?" Deadpool asked gently, a hint of his usual playfulness still present, but tempered by genuine concern. "Perhaps a cool flashback? You know, with some dramatic lighting and emotional music?"

Aqua hesitated for a moment, but the sincerity in Deadpool's voice, combined with his odd yet comforting humor, encouraged her to open up. She knew she couldn't keep this burden to herself any longer—it was time to let someone in, even if it was someone as unconventional as Deadpool.

She took a deep breath, her eyes glazing over slightly as she prepared to recount the events that had led her to this point.

"It all started after Sora disappeared," she began, her voice carrying the weight of her memories.

FLASHBACK

The world materialised into the ominous landscape of the Realm of Darkness. Aqua, alongside Terra and Ventus, were searching desperately for any clues that might lead them to Sora. The three Keyblade wielders combed through the shadows, their hope dwindling with every fruitless search.

"We searched the Realm of Darkness," Aqua narrated as they watched the memory unfold. "We hoped to find some trace of Sora—anything that could tell us where he had gone. But there was nothing… just endless darkness. We returned to the Land of Departure, empty-handed and disappointed."

The scene shifted to their return, where they were met with the harsh reality that all their efforts had yielded no results. The weight of their failure was palpable.

"But then," Aqua continued, "Kairi returned from her own journey, and she told us something that stuck with me. After Ansem the Wise and his team dove into her memories, she explained how Sora had used the Power of Waking, not just to save us when we faced Xehanort and his Thirteen, but to save her… after she was killed by Xehanort."

The flashback now showed Kairi recounting this to Aqua, Terra, and Ventus, her voice filled with the same awe and sorrow that Aqua had felt.

Deadpool, standing beside Aqua in the memory, couldn't help but interject, "So, you figured if Sora could use the Power of Waking to save Kairi, you could use it to bring him back? Neat idea, but super risky. I mean, isn't the Power of Waking like… a plot device that has more questions than answers?"

Aqua paused, looking at Deadpool with a mix of confusion and curiosity.

"Plot device? Questions? What do you mean?"

"Well, from where I am from," Deadpool explained with a shrug, "the Power of Waking is kind of like that thing Nomura—basically your God—came up with to move the story along. It's powerful, but man, does it come with some serious fine print."

"Nomura?" Aqua echoed, the name foreign to her.

"Yeah, yeah, don't worry about it. It's a whole meta thing. Just know that messing with the Power of Waking is like trying to bend the rules of reality. Not exactly a walk in the park," Deadpool said, motioning for her to continue.

Aqua, still slightly perplexed by Deadpool's explanation, continued her story.

"As a Keyblade Master, I knew I had the power to perform the ability, but it was difficult. I spent hours, days, weeks, and eventually months trying to harness it. It was exhausting, and I was beginning to lose hope. But then… they came."

The flashback shifted to a scene where Aqua was approached by shadowy figures—agents of the DMSI. They weren't alone. Standing with them was a woman with an air of authority—Evelyn Cross.

"They told me they could help," Aqua continued, her voice tinged with regret. "Evelyn, she… she encouraged me to keep pushing, to keep using the Power of Waking. She said it was the only way to bring back Sora. And I… I believed her."

The memory showed Aqua, worn and tired, continuously pushing herself to use the Power of Waking, while the DMSI agents watched from the shadows, offering subtle encouragements that kept her going.

Deadpool, unable to resist, quipped, "Ah, like that episode of What If...? when Doctor Strange tried to save his love by messing with time, only to find out he was breaking an absolute point. Risky, dangerous, and doomed to fail. Classic case of good intentions paving the way to, well, you know…"

"What?" Aqua replied, looking at him, baffled.

"Never mind, just MCU stuff," Deadpool said, waving it off. "But seriously, pushing the Power of Waking like that—no wonder things started going sideways."

Aqua nodded, her expression filled with regret.

"The more I used the power, the more unstable everything became. I started to lose control… of myself, of the magic… and the universe began to fracture. But I kept going, because I thought… if I could just bring Sora back, it would all be worth it."

The flashback ended, the mist of memories dissipating as the two of them returned to the broken Land of Departure. Aqua's shoulders slumped, the weight of her actions heavy on her.

"And now… I don't know how to fix it," Aqua whispered, her voice cracking with the sorrow that had been building up for so long.

Deadpool, peering through the white eye lenses of his mask, could see the despair etched on Aqua's face. She had been pushed to the brink, manipulated into believing she could achieve the impossible—only to find herself lost in the darkness she had tried so hard to fight.

"So, you were fooled into an educated wish?" Deadpool questioned, trying to piece together the situation in his own peculiar way.

"An educated wish?" Aqua asked, her confusion evident as she looked at him.

"Yeah, you know," Deadpool began, leaning on his usual brand of humor to soften the blow. "You thought you had all the knowledge, all the power, and with just the right amount of push, you could make the impossible possible. Like wishing upon a star, except instead of Jiminy Cricket showing up, you got Evelyn Cross and her goons feeding you false hope."

Aqua considered Deadpool's words, and despite the odd analogy, she understood exactly what he meant. The weight of her actions pressed heavily on her, and she felt the sting of regret more acutely than ever.

"I thought I could fix everything, make it all right again. But instead, I made it worse."

"And by worse, you mean putting the universe in a blender, dialed to Sam Raimi?" Deadpool quipped, trying to lighten the mood. But the humor quickly faded from his voice as he continued, his tone becoming much more serious. "I kid, huge fan Sam, don't hate me, but in all seriousness, did this overuse of the Power of Waking make Terra and Ventus disappear?"

Aqua's expression darkened, guilt washing over her like a tidal wave. She had feared this question, and the answer that came with it.

"Did they end up like Roxas, Xion, and the rest in Twilight Town? Sent to places unknown?" Deadpool asked, his voice more probing now, pushing her to confront the reality of what had happened.

Aqua's eyes filled with tears as she struggled to find the words.

"Yes… they're gone," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I thought… I thought I could bring Sora back, that I could use the Power of Waking. But instead, I pushed too far. Terra, Ventus… they vanished. Just like my friends in Twilight Town. I don't even know where they are… or if they're safe."

The confession hung heavily in the air, the enormity of her mistake crashing down around them. Deadpool, seeing the anguish on her face, softened his approach.

"You know what..." Deadpool said, his tone suddenly shifting, anger bubbling beneath the surface. "Screw Cross, screw the DMSI, and screw the Disney+ show!"

Aqua looked at Deadpool, startled by his outburst. He became animated, beginning to pace around, his frustration and anger evident.

"You were tricked into this bullshit by those pen-pushing, soul-sucking, reality-bending corporate overlords!" Deadpool ranted, his words becoming more colorful and inventive as his anger grew. He kicked a piece of rubble, sending it skidding across the broken ground. "They took advantage of your desperation, of your good heart, and turned it into this twisted mess!"

In his frustration, Deadpool hurled his Keyblade away from him. But, true to its nature, the weapon boomeranged back to his hand, sticking to him like glue.

"Oh, just fuck off, would you!" Deadpool shouted, glaring at the Keyblade with a mixture of frustration and disbelief.

He turned to Aqua, who was taken aback by his outburst, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Aqua, tell me," Deadpool continued, his voice a mix of desperation and irritation as he held up the Keyblade like it was some sort of cursed artifact, "how the hell do you get this thing to stay gone? I mean, I appreciate the whole magical boomerang vibe, but right now, it's more clingy than an ex who still thinks they have a chance!"

Aqua, trying to process Deadpool's unorthodox reaction, took a moment before answering.

"You have to focus, Deadpool," she explained. "The Keyblade responds to your will. If you want it to disappear, you need to calm your mind and concentrate."

"Calm my mind?" Deadpool echoed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Sweetheart, I don't do calm. I do explosions, sarcasm, and inappropriate comments."

Aqua's gaze softened slightly, despite the bizarre situation.

"Just try. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and think about the Keyblade vanishing."

Deadpool gave her a dubious look, but seeing no other option, he reluctantly complied. Closing his eyes from behind his mask, he took a deep breath, attempting to clear his mind. For a moment, the tension in his shoulders eased, and he focused on the idea of the Keyblade disappearing.

He felt a subtle shift, and when he opened his eyes, the Keyblade was gone.

"Hey, it worked!" Deadpool exclaimed, blinking in surprise. "I actually did it!"

Aqua smiled faintly, relieved that something had finally gone right.

"See? It's all about focus," she said.

"Thanks, Aqua. Maybe there's hope for me as a Keyblade wielder yet," Deadpool replied with a smirk hidden behind his mask.

But his grin quickly faded as he returned to the more pressing matter at hand.

"But seriously, Aqua, we're going to take down Cross and the DMSI. They're the real villains here, not you. You just got caught up in their twisted game, and I don't stand for that kind of Mickey Mouse customer service," Deadpool said, his tone becoming more animated, his frustration bubbling back to the surface.

Aqua raised an eyebrow, still trying to keep up with Deadpool's unique brand of logic.

"Are you saying we go after them?" she asked.

"I'm saying I'm going to go full Deadpool from the comics on them. No more playing nice," Deadpool replied. "Plus, I am a black belt in Karen, and I fully intend to speak to the manager. So either Cross coughs up her boss's contact info, or I'm dialing up Bob Iger myself. Somebody's gotta answer for this mess, and I'm not leaving until I get satisfaction."

Aqua couldn't help but let out a small, incredulous laugh at Deadpool's determination.

"You're serious about this, aren't you?" she asked.

"Dead serious," Deadpool replied, giving her a sharp nod. "They messed with the wrong universe, and they messed with the wrong hero. We're gonna find Cross, and when we do, I'm going to file the most epic complaint ever. Heads will roll—metaphorically and literally."

However, before Aqua could reply, a stern voice cut through the air like a knife.

"That is enough, Mr. Wilson..."

Deadpool groaned, his shoulders slumping in exaggerated frustration. Aqua's eyes widened at the familiar voice. They both knew exactly who it was.

"Oh great," Deadpool muttered, breaking the fourth wall once again. "Here comes the shift. I can practically hear the soundtrack changing—yep, there it is. Nice and sinister. And if I'm not mistaken, that's Master Xehanort's theme from Birth By Sleep. Classic bad guy vibes."

Aqua's heart pounded as she turned to face the source of the voice, her dread growing as the music seemed to echo the dark presence behind them. Deadpool, however, seemed more annoyed than anything.

Turning around, they both saw Evelyn Cross emerging from the shadows, flanked by a group of agents—agents of the DMSI.

The agents looked like something out of a dystopian sci-fi flick. Their uniforms were reminiscent of the TVA Minutemen, but with a few notable differences. Instead of the TVA's brown and orange tones, these uniforms were a sleek, ominous black, with dark blue accents that glowed faintly in the dim light. Their helmets were streamlined, covering their faces entirely, with visors that emitted a faint, eerie blue glow. Strapped to their backs were weapons that looked unsettlingly similar to the TVA's prune sticks, but with a more brutal design—sleek, sharp, and clearly capable of more than just erasing someone from existence. These were tools of enforcement, designed to instill fear and maintain control.

"Oh look, here she is," Deadpool remarked sarcastically, gesturing toward Cross and her goons with exaggerated enthusiasm. "It's Agent Scully and the Wish version of the TVA! Look, they even have their own budget prune sticks. How original! What's next? Are we going to see their Dollar Store Kang variant?"

"Stand down, Mr. Wilson," Cross said coldly. "You've done your part. We'll take it from here."

"And what do you mean by 'take it from here,' Crossy?" Deadpool asked. "What's your big plan? Why paint Aqua as the big bad of this fanfic, huh? What are you and your goons hiding?"

Cross sighed, as if indulging a particularly annoying child. But the glint in her eyes hinted at something far more sinister.

"You really want to know, Mr. Wilson? Fine. You've proven yourself persistent enough to earn that much. This was never about Aqua being the villain. She was merely a tool, a means to an end."

"Oh, let me guess," Deadpool interrupted, holding up a hand, cutting her off with his signature irreverence. "You're about to monologue like every Kingdom Hearts villain ever. Real original, Jean Milburn. But go ahead, give us the 411. The evil plan, why Aqua, and why throw me into this mess? At least it's not all light and darkness, right? Please tell me it's not about light and darkness."

Evelyn Cross, unfazed by his sarcasm, raised an eyebrow at the "Jean Milburn" reference but otherwise ignored it. She took a step closer, her cold demeanor unwavering.

"You're right about one thing, Mr. Wilson. This isn't about light and darkness—not directly, at least. This is about control, about ensuring the future of a universe that has become far too convoluted for its own good."

Deadpool crossed his arms, leaning slightly toward Aqua as if to emphasise the absurdity of the situation.

"So, no heart-to-heart about the balance of all things, then? No waxing poetic about the eternal struggle between good and evil? Man, you're missing out on some prime villain material."

Cross continued, her voice icy and methodical.

"This universe has spiraled out of control, thanks to years of convoluted plotlines, unresolved character arcs, and the increasingly complex nature of its lore. Nomura's vision, while brilliant, has become an unsustainable mess," Cross declared with cold detachment.

Aqua's expression grew more stern as she tried to process everything. The weight of Deadpool's somewhat serious quips and Cross's cold explanation pressed heavily on her already fragile state of mind. The Keyblade Master was struggling to make sense of the situation, feeling like the ground was slipping out from under her.

"What... what are you talking about?" Aqua demanded, her voice trembling slightly as she broke her silence.

The confusion and fear in Aqua's eyes were evident—everything she thought she understood was unraveling before her.

Deadpool, sensing where this was headed, felt a surge of urgency. He knew Cross was about to twist the knife even deeper, and that could push Aqua to a breaking point. He couldn't let that happen.

"Cross, don't go there," Deadpool interjected, his tone uncharacteristically serious. He stepped slightly in front of Aqua, as if to shield her from the incoming blow. "I don't think we need a potential 'House of M' situation on our hands here."

"Aqua," Cross replied coldly. "This isn't a simple story about light and darkness anymore. You've been living in a world where the lines between hero and villain are constantly blurred. But the truth is, you were never in control of your fate. None of you were. Your entire existence has been manipulated, rewritten, and overwritten—"

"Shut it, Gillian!" Deadpool barked, his voice laced with both anger and desperation. "You've said enough. You're just messing with her now, and that's not going to end well for anyone."

But Cross was relentless, her voice a cold whisper as she continued.

"Think about it, Aqua. All those years you spent trying to save your friends, to fix the mistakes of the past, stuck in the Realm of Darkness… it was all for nothing. Every choice you made, every battle you fought, was just a part of a grander scheme—a narrative that was never yours to control."

"You're lying…" Aqua snapped back.

"Am I?" Cross countered smoothly. "Or am I just telling you the truth that you've always suspected? That your story—your very existence—is nothing more than a construct, designed to serve the whims of those who pull the strings?"

Deadpool, seeing the cracks forming in Aqua's resolve, knew he had to act fast.

"Aqua, don't listen to her. You've fought too hard, come too far, to let her tear you down now. This might be a messed-up universe with a ton of plot holes, but you're still the hero here. And heroes don't give up."

Aqua's eyes flickered with doubt, the weight of Cross's words pressing down on her like a heavy fog. But Deadpool's voice, steady and defiant, cut through that fog.

"You're not just some pawn in their game, Aqua," Deadpool insisted. "You're the freaking Keyblade Master who took on the Realm of Darkness for over a decade, and lived to tell the tale. Don't let this twisted corporate villain rewrite your story."

Cross, seeing her manipulation falter, narrowed her eyes at Deadpool.

"You're only delaying the inevitable, Mr. Wilson," she taunted.

"And let me guess, Cross, the delays to Kingdom Hearts IV, all lies, right?" Deadpool shot back, his white eye lenses narrowing suspiciously. "You're plotting more than just delaying and canceling, aren't you?"

"Very good, Mr. Wilson," Cross replied with a sinister smirk. "Maybe you're not as stupid as we first thought."

"Delaying?" Aqua questioned, her resolve still shaken, her voice filled with confusion.

"Margaret Thatcher over there told me that due to your actions, you were breaking everything," Deadpool explained, his tone softening as he tried to tread carefully around Aqua's fragile state. He didn't want to push her too far, but he also needed to know the truth. "But I've got a feeling there are some more sinister intentions behind all this."

Cross's smirk widened, her eyes glinting with a cruel satisfaction.

"Indeed. Your instincts are correct, Mr. Wilson."

"And let me guess, you named this 'clean-up' mission something rather dull and boring," Deadpool interjected, trying to maintain his usual irreverent tone. "I don't know, Operation Phoenix or Project Kick Start? Predictable and lame."

"Close, Mr. Wilson," Cross replied teasingly, her voice dripping with condescension. "We have named this, Project Rebirth."

"Damn, I was so close..." Deadpool muttered, turning slightly to Aqua. She frowned at Deadpool's comment, her expression a mix of confusion and frustration. Deadpool shook his head and then turned to face Cross again. "Still... It's a predictable name. You guys really need to work on your creativity. I hear ChatGPT can help with that."

Ignoring his jab, Cross turned her attention back to Aqua, her expression devoid of any sympathy.

"Project Rebirth was designed to cleanse this universe of its excesses. You, Aqua, were the perfect candidate to initiate that reset."

"Why me? Why use me, influence my use of the Power of Waking, just to make me the destroyer of this universe?" Aqua demanded.

"Because you are the strongest, Aqua," Cross replied. "Your desperation to save your friends, your willingness to sacrifice everything, made you the ideal candidate. We needed someone with immense power, someone who could wield the Power of Waking to its fullest potential—and then push it beyond its limits. You, in your misguided quest to bring Sora back, provided the perfect means to our end."

Aqua's eyes filled with tears as she absorbed Cross's words.

"You manipulated me… used my love for my friends… to destroy everything I fought to protect."

Cross nodded, completely unrepentant.

"You were a tool, Aqua. A means to an end," she taunted. "We needed to destabilise this universe, to push it to the brink of collapse, and you were the key to achieving that. Your connection to the Power of Waking, your ties to the hearts of others—it all made you the perfect catalyst for our plans."

Deadpool, seeing Aqua's devastation, stepped forward, his voice laced with anger.

"So, you're saying you used her—pushed her to destroy everything she cared about—just to hit the reset button on the whole universe? That's low, even for a corporate suit like you, Cross."

Cross shrugged, her expression indifferent.

"The Kingdom Hearts universe has become unsustainable. The storylines, the characters, the endless cycles of light and darkness—it's all too convoluted. A hard reset is the only way forward."

Deadpool shook his head in disbelief as he responded.

"And you think you can just wipe it all away and start fresh? You think people will just accept that?" he asked.

"People will accept what we give them, Mr. Wilson," Cross replied coldly, her smile sharp and knowing, as if she was fully confident in her power.

"Sweet Mother of Walt Disney, Cross, do you know how much Aqua, and this universe mean to people?" Deadpool exclaimed, his eye lenses widening in mock disbelief.

DP could feel the righteous indignation building up inside him, and there was no holding it back now.

"Let me break it down for you," Deadpool continued, his voice rising with intensity. "You think people are just going to sit back and let you erase everything? Do you know how many copies of Kingdom Hearts III were sold? How much the franchise makes Disney? After thirteen freaking years of waiting, fans finally got their hands on the third installment, and you think they're going to let you hit the reset button like it's no big deal?"

Cross's expression remained impassive, but Deadpool wasn't finished. Even Aqua, who was trying to understand her own existence, wanted to hear what else the merc had to say.

"We had to wait so long," he ranted, pacing back and forth as if the sheer frustration was physically propelling him. "And what did we get in the meantime? Spin-off titles with mechanics that drove us up the wall—like that stupid drop mechanic! Seriously," Deadpool turned to look around, even addressing the DMSI agents directly. "That was frustrating, am I right, TVA wannabes?"

A few of the agents, despite themselves, nodded in agreement, but quickly straightened up as Cross shot them a withering glare, forcing them back into obedient silence.

"But we also got some gems!" Deadpool continued, his voice passionate. "Like 358/2 Days, which, despite the confusing title, was a tearjerker. And Birth By Sleep—where I got to play as my favorite character, Aqua!" He gestured dramatically to Aqua, who stood silently, still processing everything. "The fandom is huge! This isn't some Sony-level reboot of Spider-Man; this is a franchise that people love, even with all its faults and convoluted plot holes!"

Cross waited patiently for Deadpool to finish, her expression unreadable.

"Are you done, Mr. Wilson?" she asked bluntly.

"Not even close, Lily Bart," Deadpool shot back, calling her by yet another random, yet oddly fitting, literary reference. "And besides, who signed off on this hard reboot? Big Bob? Nomura, God himself? Janet in finance? Who, Cross? Who's the one calling the shots here?"

Cross's cold smile returned as she prepared to answer, but Deadpool cut her off before she could speak.

"Because if this wasn't signed off by the big cheese himself—Bob Iger—or the mastermind behind all this madness, Nomura, then I'm calling BS! This franchise has been through enough, and I'm not letting you mess with it just because you think it's gotten a little too complicated!"

Cross's smile faded slightly, replaced by a more calculated expression.

"The decision was made by those who understand the bigger picture, Mr. Wilson. Those who know what's best for the franchise and for the company as a whole."

"Oh, so some shadowy boardroom full of suits who wouldn't know a Heartless from a Nobody decided to wipe the slate clean, huh?" Deadpool replied. "Yeah, that's what I thought. You know what happens when you mess with something people love? They revolt. And trust me, Cross, you don't want to see a Kingdom Hearts fandom revolt."

Cross remained unfazed, but Deadpool could see the slightest flicker of doubt in her eyes.

"You're underestimating the power of the fans, Cross," Deadpool warned, his voice lowering to a more serious tone. "This isn't just a game to people. It's a part of their lives, a world they've invested years into. You're not just erasing data—you're erasing memories, connections, stories that matter. And if you think they'll just accept that, you're dead wrong."

A tense silence hung in the air as Deadpool's words settled over them. Aqua, feeling the weight of what was at stake, looked to Deadpool with a newfound sense of determination. She wasn't going to let Cross destroy everything she loved—not without a fight.

Cross, sensing the resolve between Deadpool and Aqua, narrowed her eyes.

"You may have the fans on your side, but that won't be enough to stop what's coming," Cross affirmed coldly. "The process is already underway. This universe will fall, and there's nothing you can do to stop it."

But before Cross could continue, Aqua broke her silence, her voice steady and filled with conviction.

"No... There is always a way!" she said, her courage returning.

Cross opened her mouth to retort, but Deadpool quickly jumped in, throwing his hands up in excitement.

"Yes, yes! Let her cook! Here comes a true hero monologue about light, friendship, and not giving up on the ones we love—Kingdom Hearts style, baby!"

Aqua, drawing strength from Deadpool's encouragement, stood tall and began her speech.

"I've walked through darkness, faced my own worst fears, and fought battles that seemed impossible to win. I've lost friends, seen worlds fall into despair, and questioned my own strength. But through it all, I've held on to one thing—the belief that there's always light, even in the deepest darkness. This universe is more than just data or a story. It's a connection—a bond between hearts. And as long as that bond exists, there's hope. I won't let you take that away. I will fix this universe and save everyone, even if… even if I'm not real."

Deadpool, unable to resist, jumped in with his own brand of encouragement.

"You are as real as I am, Aqua! And trust me, I'm a wise-cracking Canadian who's had to endure endless Van Wilder jokes, starred in Green Lantern, and somehow managed to marry Blake Lively. If I'm real, you're definitely real!"

Aqua couldn't help but smile at Deadpool's words, the absurdity of his statement somehow grounding her in the moment. She turned back to Cross, her resolve unshakable.

"This isn't over, Cross. We won't let you erase everything we've fought for."

Cross's expression darkened, her frustration evident as she realized that her words had failed to break Aqua's spirit.

"Foolishness," she spat. "You're fighting against inevitability. This universe was doomed the moment it became too complicated to control."

"Complicated? Sure," Deadpool interjected, with a mischievous grin under his mask. "But that's part of the charm, isn't it? The twists, the turns, the unexpected plot holes that somehow lead to the best moments. You don't just throw that away because it's messy—hell, I live in messy! And I love every minute of it!"

Aqua nodding in agreement, with Rainfell materialising into her hand.

"We'll find a way to stop you, Cross. No matter what it takes," Aqua declared, her voice unwavering, her resolve as solid as any Guardian of Light.

"And we're gonna do it with style, banter, and maybe even a banger from Yoko. Maximum effort!" Deadpool chimed in, sheathing Bea and Arthur with a flourish.

DP attempted to summon his new Keyblade, but it seemed the weapon was still holding a grudge from earlier when he told it to "fuck off." The stubborn blade refused to materialise.

Cross, sensing the steely determination radiating from both Aqua and Deadpool, signaled her agents to prepare for battle.

"Then let's see if your resolve can stand against the power of Project Rebirth!"

The DMSI agents moved forward, forming a tight line of about ten to fifteen soldiers, each one poised to stop Aqua and Deadpool in their tracks.

"So, Keyblade Master," Deadpool said, glancing over at Aqua with a mischievous grin from under his mask. She stood tall beside him, her Keyblade shimmering with light. "Shall we slay?"

Aqua met his gaze, a confident smile forming on her lips.

"Let's show them what real heroes can do," she said with confidence.

The two of them readied themselves, standing side by side as the agents closed in. The anticipation was palpable, the air thick with the promise of an epic battle.

But just as the tension reached its peak, Deadpool couldn't resist turning to the reader, breaking the fourth wall with his signature flair.

"Look, I know what you're thinking—'DP, just go over the word count! We want to see you and Aqua team up. Maybe Aqua will even drop a swear!' But, alas, we've got to save some of the good stuff for the next chapter. Trust me, it's worth the wait. Cliffhangers are like a fine wine—they just get better with time."

And with that, the scene held its breath, leaving the readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the next chapter where Aqua and Deadpool would finally unleash their combined might against the forces of the DMSI. The battle was about to begin, and it was going to be legendary.

WN: So, you must be wondering, why is Deadpool making meta jokes about Gillian Anderson? Well, I thought the character of Evelyn Cross could be brilliantly portrayed by Anderson herself. The idea of her bringing that cold, calculating demeanor she mastered as Scully into the role of a complex villain in this story just seemed like a perfect fit. Plus, let's be honest, she would make an awesome villain for future Disney or MCU movies. Her ability to command the screen with subtlety and intensity would add a new layer of depth to any antagonist role.