AN: Ooookay, gonna need ONE MORE chapter here lol! Also kinda...turned into a Riku chapter... xD OOPSY. Brain bug happened, sorry! :D :D I think this is EVERYONE'S story, though, so it's okay! :)
End of AN!
"I really am just another girl."
"Of course you are!" Xion said, smiling at Cognis from her bed. She felt a lot better now, after an Elixer. She could sit up and walk around now (but not too much). Terra had also still said she had to wear the bandages around her stomach for a while longer... She wondered if she was going to have a big scar of her own now, like Kairi? The thought made her feel happier for some reason. She hoped Kairi came back soon so she could show it to her!
Cognis sighed, shaking her head. She brushed at her long fluffy hair locks, pushing them from her face. "I suppose human prejudices and traumas run too deep to change overnight. But I was prepared for that - so I'll endure it."
"You're like Imra. A lot of people in her world are scared of her for stupid reasons..."
"I didn't say they were stupid - in fact, I think their fears are really understandable. Though...on an individual level, it is bothersome."
"They'll stop being scared of you soon!"
Cognis glanced at her. She gave a small smile, blinking her eyes slowly. "Yes, I'm sure they will. I'm hopeful, anyways." She paused and stood up from her chair. "Thank you - for the talk - Xion. it was very enlightening. I think that you and I could be...friends."
"I'd like to be your friend," Xion agreed. She hesitated. "I...know how it is to be lost and confused, and to have no friends. So - I can help you...I mean, I'll try to!"
"Oh, thank you - that's sweet of you," Cognis said softly. She made a small sound like a laugh, then she turned and strode out of the room with her hair swishing behind her.
Xion smiled as she watched her leave. Then she tried to just relax again for a while.
Eventually Imra came to see her!
Xion stared at her friend. Her chest still looked hurt - and it was all burned and black instead of red still, too...
"Imra! Are you okay? Should you be walking around yet? Terra keeps telling me I can't!" Xion exclaimed.
Imra smiled as she came over to sit next to Xion's bed. She looked down at herself, raising a hand to rub at her chest. "I was made to withstand heavy artillery on battlefields, luckily; most of my internal systems are fine." At Xion's confused look, she added, "I can walk around just fine without hurting myself more, don't worry. I'll have to go back to my own world to get fixed, though."
"Oh. That's good?"
"It is." Imra smiled again. Then she frowned. She looked down, putting her hands on her red knees. "Xion, I'm sorry I couldn't help you get your sister's body back. I'm sorry we failed."
"It's OK. I'm sorry you got hurt...You didn't have to come with us..."
"I know. But I don't regret it. That's what heroes do - and what friends do for each other, isn't it?" Imra replied.
"Yes...but- I still don't think you should have come. You just woke up and then you went into a fight and you got hurt!"
Xion stopped, closing her eyes and letting out a sharp breath.
A voice inside her Heart that sounded like Kairi said: You did the same thing!
She blinked at Imra, looking at her friend. "Can you...go to Terra and tell him...to go get Even and bring him here? I need to talk to him..."
Imra nodded as she stood up again. "Okay." She paused. "Who's Even?"
"He's my creator," Xion said brightly and proudly.
"So we need to bring Even here, and Amaya," Terra spoke. He looked to his Master in the throne room. "Do you know where to find her?"
Eraqus gave a small nod. "Yes - I've been to the world she calls home several times now, to see...Xehanort. I can see to her for you."
"Alright. And I can go to Radiant Garden for Even," Terra nodded back.
Eraqus turned and summoned a portal with his Keyblade, departing without another word.
Terra did the same, crossing over to Radiant Garden.
He stepped out of the portal, entering directly into the castle's laboratory.
A dark-blue-haired man turned, caught sight of Terra with a wide eye - then covered the reaction quickly. "Keyblade Master Terra - what brings you here today...?" he spoke in casual tones.
Terra, for his part, did his best to ignore not only the other man's reaction to him, but his own Heart's sudden flicker of recognition in response. "Ienzo - right? I was looking for Even..."
"Is there something wrong with the Replicas?" Ienzo said curiously. And with what Terra saw as genuine concern, as well.
Terra smiled, shaking his head. "Not exactly. Xion is just...having a bit of a tough time right now - coming off a badly ended fight - and she's hoping to speak to him about it, I think."
"Oh! In that case, he should be back-"
"Who should be back from where?" a voice rang out.
Terra turned to see the man he was looking for come striding into the room.
Even stopped, staring at Terra - then his face twisted into a smile. "Master Terra...do you bring good news or bad news this time?"
"A little of both, I'd say," Terra replied. "Xion just got back from a pretty bad fight yesterday, and she wants to see you. She asked me to come and get you."
"Take me to her," Even said instantly, hurrying forward. "Is she all right? What are her injuries? I don't imagine she's coping well with it!"
Terra stepped back, turning and gesturing to the portal. "She's recovering well, all things considered. She was stabbed through the stomach, by a dark sword."
Even looked downright stricken, now. He disappeared into the portal of light in a near run now, rushing past Terra.
Terra looked to Ienzo - a flash of a feeling in his Heart again. He shook it off. "Sorry to cut and run like this. It was nice to see you again," he offered.
The other man gave a nod. "No need to apologize, Master Terra!"
Ienzo probably really meant that, Terra thought wryly. He gave one last nod before turning to leave again.
He strode back into light, and returned to Land of Departure.
As he stepped out again, he saw Ven standing there - with his...friend? Companion? Chirithy. Partner from the Ancient Keyblade War era (Terra still marveled at the thought, even now, about his young friend).
"Hey, Ven," Terra greeted. He looked down to Chirithy, smiling at- her? He hadn't really asked, just assumed - they all had, it seemed. But, on the other hand, Chirithy hadn't spoken up to correct anyone this past day or so, either... "Hi, Chirithy."
He hadn't asked if she had a name beyond "Chirithy" either. Was it a title, or the name of her- species? Well, she responded to it just fine, and even Ven just called her that, too, so...maybe that was alright as well?
"Hi..." Chirithy responded, looking up at him and waving a small arm.
There was something there, but Terra didn't know if it was...
"Hey, Terra, did I just see Even a second ago?" Ven spoke up. "He ran right through here - barely stopped to ask me where Xion was..."
"You did - he's here to visit her," said Terra.
"He looked pretty worried..."
"Yeah," Terra agreed. "He cares about her a lot."
Ven smiled, nodding. He glanced down, then picked Chirithy up, holding her in his arms. "We expectin' any other visitors today?"
"Amaya - the Master went to get her," Terra answered.
"Huh? Amaya? What for?"
"To see about helping Riku get rid of the piece of Xehanort's Heartless still inside him," Terra stated. "She has the ability to extract and manipulate Hearts, so hopefully she can just pull him out of there and be done with it - and Riku can have some peace of mind again."
Ven frowned. Then the look cleared. "Yeah! Hope she succeeds at it."
"Me too, Ven. Me too."
"Hey, I've gotta go back to Imra's world for a bit," Ven said suddenly.
Terra gazed at him in surprise. "Why?"
Ven grinned. "'Cause somebody sorta has to get the Gummiship back before someone finds it. World Order, right, Master Terra?"
Terra huffed. He grinned back at the boy. "Right. Go."
"Got it," Ven said brightly. "Be back before you know it."
"XION!"
Xion startled at the sight of the man as he rushed into the room.
She hadn't expected him to be here so fast - or to be so loud.
She felt more pain go through her body. She clenched her teeth and hissed - then immediately tried to relax again.
"Xion - I apologize for startling you - are you alright? How are you feeling? Have you been adjusting to humanity well enough...?"
Xion closed her eyes and breathed. She opened them again and watched Even as he came closer. He stared down at her for a moment, then he sat down.
"No. I hate this," she said flatly.
Even's mouth opened. His jaw worked silently. Then he closed it again. "Well...all right, then... No one can accuse you of being dishonest with your feelings, can they? Alright, Xion: tell me what you're thinking. Tell me...what's happened."
Xion told him. She told him more than he probably asked for. She started from almost two weeks ago now, when she'd first gotten this new body and gone back to the islands. She talked about all of it - and then, she got to now. To Imra's world. To the cold, to the feelings, to- to- that Darkness girl, and the pain and fear and all of it! And then...
"Sora tried to tell me to stay on the islands, he said- your advice- about taking time to adjust to things- but I didn't listen, but now I think he was right...you were right!" Xion exclaimed, as her eyes blurred with tears. "I made a big mistake! I should have stayed home, I should have- d-done what you s-said! Everything is just horrible, and I hate it all! I hated- the way my Heart felt! It was like it was heavy and squeezing me and my body was just shaking and I did bad things to people that made Ven and Sora really upset and mad at me! I don't know what h-happened to me, I just- they said terrible things about Imra and I wanted to find her so bad!"
Even eyed her in silence, blinking at her. He sat back slowly, putting his hands in his lap. "Yes, Xion, it sounds like you had your first experiences with the human emotions we call anger and hate. Possibly even rage. The emotions in your Heart triggers the response by your body - a flooding of chemicals, like adrenaline, or the increase of testosterone. The fight or flight response. It's meant to put you in the 'right' state to prepare for a stressful or dangerous situation...though it can also misfire at inappropriate times or moments. And constant stress and turmoil can also cause degradation of emotional control, and irregular outbursts...which can have negative consequences for those around us. Yes, if you had heeded my advice in the first place, you would have been able to ease into it all, to learn to manage it all properly and safely, while in a safe and peaceful environment. You certainly did yourself no favors by running off into these chaotic, dangerous worlds like this instead!"
"I'm s-sorry...but I- I'll go back, now," Xion choked out. "I understand now. I decided...I want to go back to the islands. I can't- all of this is too..."
"Too much?"
"Yes..."
"Well, realizing you've made a mistake, and choosing to rectify it, is something to be praised," Even said quietly. "Too many emotional, simple-minded fools out there in the World are far too proud to do so. To admit to an error, to step back and look at it from another angle, or to just erase it all and start over again. Or, far worse: they keep running into the same wall, pushing themselves on and on, destroying themselves in the process. But a scientist...has the intelligence and maturity to self-reflect, to analyze a problem, and then find the solution. They check their answers. Emotions have their place, no doubt, but stubbornness, arrogance, or ego can prove to be real hazards. I'm incredibly relieved to see that you, my little assistant, do not have those flaws."
Xion smiled at him...then she frowned and looked away.
"What is it, Xion? If you're still feeling some kind of guilt or regrets over your emotionally-charged actions, let me tell you that it is fine. We all make mistakes - even scientists. No one is perfect. However-"
"I d-don't want to be just your a-assistant..."
"What?"
"I know you keep saying...you wouldn't be a good parent, but you did make me! You're my parent, and I'm your daughter, so why won't you ever call me that?"
Even stared at her, shocked. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back, letting out a long breath. Then he opened them, looking at her again. His mouth was curved and tight. "I wasn't- aware that that was something that was even troubling you, Xion...I didn't know- that was something you- wanted from me..."
"I...it's not? I don't know?" Xion said slowly. She looked away, confusion inside her now.
"Well, i...suppose - strictly speaking - factually...yes, you are my- d-daughter of sorts. If that is a title you'd- prefer to be called by, I can certainly see about...making an effort. But even I'm not perfect, Xion. Far from it. I've told you."
"I don't care. I just want you."
"Then I will...do my best for you, of course. Now, is that the extent of the emotional burdens you were looking to unload onto me, or is there more you'd like to say?"
Xion looked at him. She gave a small smile. "I think that's everything...?"
"Good, then." Even coughed loudly and stood up. He straightened his coat. "Don't hesitate to ask for me again - and don't disregard my advice again, either."
"I won't!"
"I believe you...ah...ahem- ehm...d-daughter?"
Xion beamed. Then she stopped. She looked at him with nervousness rising in her Heart.
"What now...?" Even asked, eyeing her.
"You were the one who gave me the advice...and you're a really good scientist, and you know so much about Replicas and - me - in the first place..." Xion started. "So...logically wouldn't the best place for me to be to- adjust to these...experiences...wouldn't it be at Radiant Garden? With- with you...?"
Even swallowed loudly. He looked away quickly. "T-that- that is...well reasoned, yes, Xion...I suppose you're correct. It would be more to your benefit to simply remain...nearby to me, if you have further questions or- difficulties. And Radiant Garden is a peaceful enough world again, these days, if a bit rough around its edges. Barring any ancient dark spirits intruding with stolen bodies, that is..."
"So...can I stay with you? Just for a while? Please? I'm really well behaved! Kairi even got mad at me for it, because I didn't want to just- disobey- well..."
"Your adoptive father, yes," Even said quietly, raising a hand and waving it. "I've watched you about the lab, Xion. I know full well how good you are at behaving yourself. You've proven yourself to be an excellent scientist, and a keen, studious young girl."
"So can I?"
"I'm honestly not quite sure I'm up for the task of taking full responsibility for your- care like that," Even replied slowly. "Not to mention I have my hands full already with managing Kana. A-And I'd still need your- adoptive family's permission. I can't well just steal you away with no word or warning. It would be irresponsible and, quite frankly, suspect in the eyes of others. And scientists are responsible. So, we'll go to your islands and ask first. If the answer is yes, I will be glad to have you closer to me for a short while...but I make no promises about the quality of your experiences. Understood?"
"Yes!"
Far below the castle, Riku sat down on the shores of the vast lakes at ground level, that ran around and between the tightly clustered mountains, and on out into the open fields of grass and hills.
He took in the scents, the wind - the voices of Sora and the other kids playing around together in the waters. Time traveling Keyblade wielder kids...those old friends of Terra's Master...and Xehanort.
Cognis sat down on his right with a little huffing sound.
Then he heard the heavy sound of someone else sitting down to his left.
"They look like they're having fun," Cognis spoke, first to break the silence.
"Why don't you go join them?" Riku said.
"And ruin this hair and dress? I don't think so."
"Whatever," Riku muttered, turning his head aside. He shifted his posture, feeling his arm bump against cold hard metal. He shook his head and cleared his throat. "So...Imra...right?"
"Yes?" came the girl's voice. Casual. Friendly enough.
"You're really a robot or something?"
"I am."
Riku nodded. "...That's cool."
"You think I'm cool?"
Riku shrugged. "Sure. Robots are cool, aren't they?"
"Most people on my home world don't think so," Imra replied, with a laugh. "I'm happy to hear it's different on other worlds."
"Yeah...well, it might just be a 'me' thing," Riku went on, with a small laugh of his own now. "Most people hate and fear Darknesses, too - but I've got her hanging around like this...and I don't mind it too much." He nodded vaguely to his right.
"No one here has seemed to care about what I'm made of," Imra said. "Not Sora, not those three other kids, not Xion, not Ven...not even Master Terra, or his Master, either. It's...been surprisingly nice, this past day here. It was like that in Traverse Town, too, for the two years I spent there after my world fell to the Heartless. At this point, I've already thought about just leaving my own world behind. Why shouldn't I, if there are better ones out there that I can go to? Places where I can be free to live without being afraid of getting hunted down, or shot at, or captured and shut down...? They succeeded once already. It was Xion, and Sora and Ven who saved me from that yesterday. Here in these worlds, with all of you, I'm more than just a runaway, broken machine."
"If you want to do that, then do it," said Riku. "People do it all the time, right? Move to a new place for a better life, or a job, or whatever? New city, or a new island...so why not another world? It's the same thing. I wouldn't judge you for it or anything. Who cares? Do what's best for you, you know? What makes you...happy and all. Gives you peace. I said something similar to a friend of mine before - a girl who lives in a pretty bad place of her own, like you, I guess. I meant it then, too."
"Thank you, Riku," the girl responded, quiet and thoughtful.
"Uh - yeah - you're welcome," Riku murmured, flushing.
"You shouldn't be embarrassed by being kind to someone," Cognis said. "It was sweet - and legitimately wise advice."
"Shut up..." Riku told her firmly.
Cognis sighed loudly. "You'll never be a hero at this rate. If you can't even-"
"Hey, I didn't ask!" Riku snapped.
"...No, I suppose you didn't. I'm sorry," came Cognis's quiet, subdued tones.
Riku sighed now too, putting a hand to his face. "Just...I'M sorry, alright?"
"I'll accept the apology - this time," Cognis replied. "Let's just let it be-"
"Riku!" Terra's voice suddenly called out, as new footsteps pattered across the rocky, dirt shoreline.
Riku got to his feet, turning. "Yeah? What?"
"Why don't you come here and I can introduce Cognis to someone."
Riku took a breath, turning and looking down to where he knew Cognis was still sitting. He reached out with his senses - and found the second Heart next to Terra's. It was bright, strong, glowing with light...but also swirling with a good amount of "visible" darkness.
"It's okay," Terra's voice spoke again, firm. "I already explained to her about Cognis. She was honestly more receptive to it than I'd thought she would be, all things considered."
"Are you sure?" Riku questioned, taking hesitant steps forward.
"I'm sure," Terra stated.
"Is she sure?" Riku pressed, turning his face in the direction of that other Heart. He took a step to the left, putting himself in front of Cognis, his fist clenched at his side.
"In my lifetimes now," came the woman - Amaya's - familiar voice. "I've met and befriended many, many people, from all different worlds, and cultures, and who came in all different shapes, sizes, and forms. Not just humans, or even others that shared an organic form. I've seen Hearts grow in the most unexpected, but perhaps, the most simplest of places. Inside worlds of data, inside a children's doll or toy. Most of them wouldn't even be considered 'real' by others, regardless, because they were projections of a book, or data on a computer, or figments of a dream plane. But I considered them all as real as myself. Because I believe that as long as you have a Heart, you can think, and you can feel, just the same as anyone; we're all the same, in that regard. At our cores. Where it truly matters.
"I've known the Darknesses to show emotions and irrationality, just the same as any of us, as well. They've shown rage, and hate, and cruelty, and even fear and panic. And if they are capable of experiencing negative emotions, then it follows that they must be capable of feeling positive emotions too: joy, love, compassion, and even empathy. Across these worlds, across time and history, and the multiple lifetimes of memories I have inside of me, I've never known one who ever did show that other side of a Heart's emotions. But I would like to think that...given enough time, on enough worlds, throughout all of history...somewhere, at some point, one did.
"Maybe there was doubt, or a circumstance that led to one finding an unexpected joy, or attachment, or love, or caused them to feel regret or remorse toward their victims. To show compassion, or empathy - if not sympathy, at least. As long as a being has a Heart, they can always feel, and they can always choose. Even the worst, most unlikely of individuals. That path is always open to them, waiting for them...even if they would never take it. We humans are that way, in all our worlds and our histories, and the terrible things we've done to each other - so why would Darknesses be any different? At least, I'd like to believe that. That every sapient individual...has the capacity for good, for change."
Riku let a quick breath go, nodding slowly. "So - if you ever came across one like that...you'd- really just let them be? I mean, you'd...give them a chance?"
The woman's soft laugh came to his ears, surprising him. "Are you forgetting that I am the woman who raised one of the most terrible human beings this World has ever seen? I don't give him a chance because he's human - I give him the chance because I want to believe he's capable of taking it. Even in face of a Darkness, I'd be the World's worst hypocrite to not give that same chance to one of their kind...if an individual did exist who proved to be different from the rest I've known."
"You really mean that? It's not just all talk?" Riku said sharply.
Silence, again, for a moment. "Yes. I mean it." The woman didn't sound offended or anything by his tone. Just like she'd...taken it in stride. Seriously considered the question. "If I ever found a Darkness like that, I'd be willing to hear them out, and give them the chance to prove themselves. But I can say with full confidence that I never have...until today, apparently."
Silence. Again. It stretched on for a long minute of time. Then another.
"I hope you mean that," spoke Cognis. He heard her rising to her feet behind him at last. He felt her soft, human form brushing against his backside. She was standing way too close. "It's not a picnic, being surrounded by people who'd like to destroy you on sight. In fact it's been really stressful..."
Amaya moved forward, slowly, her footsteps light on the ground. She stopped again; she was right in front of him and Cognis now. "I'd sacrifice my own life to save others in a heartbeat - but never someone else's. Especially not a child's. Or someone who hasn't done anything wrong. You're Cognis, then?"
"Yes. And you're the woman with a long track record of destroying people like me," spoke Cognis, subdued. Reserved now. It was the strangest thing to hear from her...
"Only because they presented themselves as clear threats and dangers to everyone else around them," Amaya responded, simple. "We didn't even know they were there, until they showed themselves to us and told us what they did. What they intended to do. So, why don't you tell me, Cognis: what do you intend to do?"
"Mainly, to keep living," Cognis replied. "But, beyond that...I only want to keep doing what I've been doing, with Riku: I want to help and protect people."
"I've never met a Darkness that wanted to do anything but hurt people. Why are you different?" Amaya asked, in a voice of genuine curiosity. Interest. And hope...
"Because Riku is different. His Heart, the way he looks at darkness. And because his strongest, most ingrained desires, thoughts, and emotions during the time of my birth played a part in shaping me and mine. I'd imagine it's the same for all of us Darknesses, when born in a human Heart. I can't speak for the Ancient Darknesses - but for me...that was how it worked."
"And when were you born?"
"Almost two weeks ago, now."
"Why do you want to help people? Only because you inherited Riku's desires? Or is there any real sense of sympathy, or empathy, or compassion inside your Heart? If you're only following a script, or going through the motions, we have to all ask ourselves what happens when you decide to stop - when you tire of it, or find that doing something else feels better. As I told Riku, truthfully: I'd like to believe even your kind are capable of the same things as the rest of us...but your kind has never given me an indication of that. But if you, personally, could...I would like that very much, Cognis. I'd like...to have my hopes proven right."
Riku turned his head, taking in the "sight" of Cognis in the darkness. Darkness on darkness... He wanted to hear her answer to this as much as Amaya did. Because he hadn't thought about it, himself...
For a long time, Cognis was silent, however. Motionless. Then, finally, her head moved - tilting to one side. And her voice came.
"I think that my behavior and sense of morality does mostly stem from Riku's influence, yes - but...whenever there's been someone in need, I have felt an...urgency to be the one to do so. And whenever I have helped someone, gone through the efforts, I have felt something else inside of me. This feeling, I'm not sure I have a name for it. It isn't the same as Riku's emotions; I don't know whether it's happiness, or empathy, or something else. But, I do think that it feels...rather pleasant."
"And what will happen if this feeling ever stops?" Amaya said. "If the high of emotion becomes less and less, over time? If the pleasant sensations of saving a life ever wane? If you grow bored of it, tired of it? Even we humans experience burnout, exhaustion, frustration. Do you have any other desires besides that? Any inclinations? Any ideas for a future? For your place in the World in general? In society? Will you live peacefully, or not? What will you do, Cognis?"
"I...don't know," Cognis stated, in a quiet voice. "I haven't thought about it."
"Think about it now. Try. Tell me."
"How should I know?" Cognis said, exasperation filling her voice now. "I was only born over a week ago, wasn't I? I suppose I'd do whatever my curiosity led me to do."
"And that would be...?"
"Whatever things people usually do!" Cognis retorted, irritated. "Living in a house, watching sunsets, eating ice cream - swimming and fishing and surfing. Learning and discovering. Trying on clothes and makeup. Singing or dancing! I'd make some sort of life for myself, I'm sure! As long as it was with Riku...I'm sure it would be very pleasant - and peaceful, yes. I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to harm anyone. What would be the sense in that, anyways, when people like yourself, and Master Luxu, would come and destroy me for it immediately? You'll probably destroy me anyways, simply for being! And Riku along with me!"
Riku felt his face heating up at her passionate words - at what she'd said about him. He shifted uncomfortably on the spot, and took a little step to the side away from her.
"I won't destroy you," Amaya said quietly, after a moment's silence. "If you truly mean all of that, then I don't have a reason to. If you mean what you've said...then I am willing to give you a chance to prove it - Cognis. And I'll defend you from anyone else who isn't willing to do the same, as well."
"Do you really mean that?" said Cognis, a sharpness to her voice.
"I promise you that I do...if you can promise me, first."
"Hm...alright. Yes: I promise that my intentions are honorable, good, and peaceful. Even if I stopped helping people, I wouldn't turn to hurting them. That would go against any sensible, reasonable sense of self-preservation for myself. But, as well...it simply wouldn't be right. Harm for harm's sake? Cruelty and sadism? That's just wrong."
Amaya made a soft noise. A surprised noise. Then her voice came, warm and quiet. Earnest. "Then I promise you."
"Excellent. What now?" Cognis said, in a mix of blase and sarcasm.
"Now I need to do what I came here for - to see if I can help you with your problem, Riku," the woman's voice spoke - directed at him now.
Riku swallowed, trying to relax his hands at his sides. "Can you?"
"It should be simple enough: find his Heart's fragment inside of you, extract it, and destroy it. But I'd hope...he'd go peacefully at this point."
Riku couldn't help the scornful laugh that rose up in him then. "Somehow I doubt he's going to just live and let live here."
The woman sighed quietly. "Yes...that's what I'm afraid of, too. Skill with a sword, or physical strength mean little in matters of the Heart, of Light and Darkness. I have the ability to extract and transfer Hearts, but I don't have the Power of Waking; if he resists my attempts from the outside, I can't just go inside and try to attack him at the source - to weaken him and drag him out directly. That would be a lot more effective...but..."
"I won't get my hopes up," Riku said.
Silence.
"Well, if you're ready to do this...everyone else should go up to the castle. Just in case," Amaya stated.
"Right," said Terra. He called out to Sora and the others - to Imra, and Cognis - telling them all to clear off.
Cognis was the only one to refuse. Riku probably should have seen it coming.
Terra and Amaya both just took it in stride.
The breeze flowed across the water, it brushed at clothes and hair, filling up the silence now, with Sora and them all gone.
It was just Riku, Cognis, and Terra and Amaya.
When the woman summoned her Keyblade, Riku tensed. He sensed it, perceiving the blade as a glowing, concentrated shape of light. The woman raised it up before her, aiming it at Riku. A light flashed at the end of it, and a beam of energy shot out into Riku's chest.
Almost immediately in response, darkness surged in Riku's Heart - encasing him in an aura - as he felt a burning, tearing feeling go through it!
"Agh!" he exclaimed, hand going to his chest with a gasp.
The feeling got stronger, pulling, ripping, BURNING-
"Infernal woman!" a strained, deep voice erupted from Riku's mouth, layered over his own and uncontrollable. "Do you really think you can rip me from this body- so easily...? This body is mine, this darkness is MINE, and YOU are nothing but an intrusive...weakness! I am so deeply nestled into this boy's Heart...that I..."
As another burst of pain tore through his body, Riku fell to his hand and knees, his fist striking the ground. It was just like before- he couldn't even- get control of himself again...! WHY?
"Tear me from this boy's Heart if you can! But what will be left of him after you've succeeded?" said Ansem, through Riku's gritted teeth. "The damage you'll have done to him...will eclipse anything I could have! So- by all- means...continue this fight with me, woman!" He threw back his- Riku's head, giving a loud and wild, crazy laugh. "Perhaps he'll end up like poor Ventus - muhahahaha!"
Riku screamed out as fresh agony ripped through him, his hand clawing into his chest-
The glowing blade dropped, and the beam of energy evaporated.
The pain faded almost instantly; the dark aura receded.
Riku gasped with relief, his shaking hand curving into the dirt below him. He let his head drop, free and in control again.
"Are you alright? I'm sorry," Amaya spoke quickly, starting forward now. Her voice full of sadness and guilt, and doubt-
Riku's Heart roared; his hand flashed up, and a blast of Dark Firaga exploded against the woman's chest!
He watched that Heart fly backwards, a light fading into the dark distance - heard the noise of pain and the thud on the dirt. The clatter of a Keyblade.
"Riku!" Terra's voice called out. "Fight this - you're stronger than him. You've done it before, you can do it again. I know you can - you know you can!"
"I- can't-" Riku gasped heavily, screwing his eyes shut against the pain. The tight, unyielding nature of his every muscle and bone, rebelling against him... He was rising to his feet, his fists shaking at his sides - couldn't stop himself!
Darkness pooled at his feet, tendrils rising up around him, encasing him...
Behind his back rose a solid, dark shape - a broad-shouldered, large Heartless with a hole in its chest and long antennae. No legs, but powerful arms, with hands bigger than his own torso! The monster let out a low rumbling noise behind him, and then those huge, powerful hands were laying themselves onto his shoulders. A dark, heavy, cold weight...
"This boy...belongs to ME!" the deep voice yelled out in triumph, in malevolence, reverberating on the air itself.
"Xehanort!" Amaya's voice came, suddenly and sharply, calling out. "Let him go!"
"Stop interfering! YOU have no power over ME!" the man shouted back at her.
"XEHANORT-" her voice came again, rising and hard.
"My NAME...is ANSEM!" the words burst from Riku's mouth, shaking and rageful. A pause, trembling lips, and then...a wide grin split Riku's face. "But if you insist on wielding this BOND against me...then I will respond IN KIND!"
Darkness exploded out of Riku, and visible, solid chains of crystalized darkness were flying forward!
Terra leapt back - Amaya, to the side, her Keyblade rising-
The dark chains wrapped around Terra, lifting him up and slamming him down!
The other chains encased Amaya's Keyblade, ripped it from her grasp, and then surged around her! Multiple layers enveloped her, squeezing at her - her voice echoed with pain and shock - and lifting her high into the air. Suspending her there!
"Hahahahaha! You weak-Hearted fools! You see how little you mean to me?! You cannot control me, you cannot manipulate ME! I have no pathetic human Heart to lose to sentiments, to resurrected little friends, or to mentors and mothers! They are remnants of a worthless Heart that failed to achieve its goals! An old man who faltered at the end - swayed by the pretty words and face of some juvenile woman of scattered dreams and far-off memories! Your existences are superfluous to mine, your presence only drags me down! But I will not allow this weakness to continue festering! I will CUT IT ALL OUT! I am stronger, purer, a superior being! I am everything HE failed to be! And I SHALL PROVE IT!"
The darkness swirled up around Riku, smothering him, freezing him...pulling him down...
Into that pool...
Those strong, dark hands pressing down on his shoulders, finger wrapping around his whole neck...
Squeezing...choking...
Riku closed his eyes, falling further into it all, letting it just...
What was the point, anyways?
In fighting?
He'd fail again. He'd lose.
He always did...
Against Kairi, and Sora, against Nightmares, against his own self...
...We really need to work on that confidence.
Huh...?
What was...that other voice...?
Obviously, it's ME. Who else would it be?
Riku opened his eyes, jerking his head against the hands, the finger crushing his throat. Cognis? How can you be talking to me like this again? That would mean you're...here...but if you're here, then you're not out THERE anymore. And if you're not out there-
You needed help, so I came back to you.
What...? So you just- you just gave up that body...? Threw it away?! Just to- I don't even know if I can do it again for you...What if that was your only chance?
Hmph. Ventus was able to do it twice; I'm sure you still have one more form left in you to give me. Not that that was my foremost concern when I made the choice.
What WERE YOU thinking...?
That I'm YOUR only chance. Now, stop moping, and let's stand up and get ourselves out of this.
C-Cognis...
He almost wanted to blurt out the sappiest, Sora-esque thing and just flat out tell her it was sweet, or- or something, that he was just so-
You think I'm sweet? Well thank you. I think you can be really sweet as well, when you want to be, came her sudden, soft tones. Soft, warm...humorous. We'll have to work on that, too.
Back to reading my mind again, huh? I can't say I missed THIS.
You'll just have to get used to it again.
Riku smiled, a warmth fluttering in his Heart, batting back the coldness, forming a small space in there... "Yeah," he said, aloud, clear. Confident. And...elated. "I will-"
Darkness rushed up around him, batting at him and burning him, smashing into him in waves-
Then it all exploded outward, rippling out into the void.
And then the void took shape and form.
A great expanse of solid dark matter.
Ground, walls, a ceiling.
Twisted, sinewy tears and holes littered the walls around Riku, like some kind of cage.
The giant Heartless behind him suddenly let him go, and vanished into melting darkness.
Riku turned, free now again, extending his senses in confusion...
He didn't need them to sense the man's emergence.
Ansem- Xehanort's Heartless, rose up from the floor, into shape and form himself. The one Riku was familiar with. Not the powerful, imposing man of silver hair...but a vague figure shrouded in a robe.
Riku "saw" the robe now, though, for the first time in his life.
It was no different from the dark mass inside it: it was made of pure darkness, shaped to mimic the appearance of a robe.
Behind the robed figure, the large Heartless rematerialized with a roar, spreading its arms as dark fires rippled around it in an aura.
Suddenly, a dark, humanoid form shimmered to life next to Riku. A familiar one, with an aura of dark, intense flames all its own.
"Riku: raise up your blade," Cognis's voice came, firm, right next to him.
Riku "gazed" at her, then turned his head toward Ansem and that other Heartless... He breathed out - breathed back in - and brought up his hand with a flash of light, conjuring Rainfell.
"That's interesting..." Cognis spoke again, suddenly, with a little hum.
"What's interesting?" Riku said, baffled.
Cognis's form shrank down to nothing...and then reappeared behind Ansem - facing the large Heartless.
The Heartless dropped its arms and turned in the air toward her, a low hissing noise escaping its mouth. Its great head suddenly...bowed?
Cognis tilted her head up at the creature in response.
Ansem turned, the hood of his robed form bending and shifting. A vague arm rose up to "point" at her. "What are you doing...?" his smooth, worried voice came. His robed head tilted, next, to look at the Heartless. "You're mine to command, not hers."
"Oh? Really?" Cognis responded mildly. "Because I was under the impression that you are just a human at Heart, whereas I...am True Darkness. Why should any creature of the dark recognize your authority over mine?"
"Silence, parasite," Ansem said coldly. "Consume her - and then destroy the boy's Heart, so that I may take it for my own and-"
"Destroy him."
The powerful Heartless immediately turned, and backhanded the robed figure across the face.
Ansem flew backwards across the caged arena, slamming into the wall - and bursting into a broken, tattered cloud of darkness and hanging matter. "W-WHAT? That is- impossible. I am...a Heartless myself! I am the only one with thought and will! I am the one who commands them, I lead and direct them over all others!"
Cognis laughed. "Apparently not anymore."
The Heartless surged forward across the ground, gliding toward Ansem, with hands of swirling, large, fiery energy balls.
Ansem's form burned away, and he became the short-lived visage Riku knew from before - from fighting him at Radiant Garden, when he'd had that Nysa girl's body under his control. The silver-haired man in the long coat. He raised a hand, and yelled out, sending a blast of dark energy to meet the Heartless.
The creature took it in the face, the energy vanishing, drifting back and raising its arms with a screech to block the attack.
"I wonder." Cognis said, almost at random, to herself. Then she glided forward, toward the Heartless...and then disappeared into it?
A sharp aura of energy glowed around the Heartless - and then it twisted out of the way of Ansem's attack and flew forward again, gliding along the edge of the stream of energy. It vanished in a cloud of darkness before reaching Ansem - then reappeared beside him. A dark hand raised, and an intense light flashed to Riku's senses, overwhelming them.
Ansem staggered to the side, gasping. He whirled to face the Heartless, blasting out with twin energy projectiles.
The Heartless evaporated - reappearing above him, slamming down on him with both hands glowing with an intense aura of power!
Ansem vanished in a flicker of air, reappearing a few feet away, his arms held rigid at his sides, fingers curved into claws. "What is-"
"That's how she did it, then," Cognis's voice echoed.
The Heartless vanished in a dark cloud once more...and reappeared next to Riku.
He turned sharply, raising his weapon-
"Don't worry: it's just me," Cognis's voice came again. Came from the Heartless itself?
"What? Are you...inside that thing?" Riku said warily.
"Yes. Are you ready to fight now? We'll do it together."
Riku hesitated. Then he nodded, turning back to Ansem and raising his blade up horizontally - level with his eyes. He extended his free hand, burning it with dark flames.
"Yeah. Let's do this - together!"