Radiant Garden
After leaving White Space, the two Aqua's found themselves entering Radiant Garden from the Outer Gardens, walking through the opened gates. The duo stopped and looked around their surroundings, they could see the walls of the towering castle in the distance, touching the pink and orange sky of the world.
"I forgot how beautiful it was here," Aqua Prime said, her tone thoughtful.
"It's a very special world indeed," the other Aqua replied in agreement. "The city of light."
She then looked to Aqua Prime, her expression becoming serious.
"This world suffered so much after we disappeared from the Realm of Light. So many years being corrupted by the darkness, it really took it's toll."
"But, it's recovering," Aqua Prime replied, her tone steady. "Or in your case, recovered."
"Agreed," the other Aqua retorted with a smile. "This world deserves the best, in every reality, in every universe."
Aqua Prime nodded and smiled, but her attention drew to the path ahead, leading to the inner walls of the trapped world.
"Come on," she said, turning their attention to the matter at hand. "Let's keep moving. I know we will have some challenges to overcome before we find the Keyhole."
"Good idea, let's move," the other Aqua agreed.
The two variants began to walk down the stony pathway, but suddenly they stopped and their expressions changed; a slight pain shooting through their heads.
"Ow!" Aqua Prime moaned, her hand moving quickly to hold her head.
"You're feeling this pain too?" the other Aqua asked in confusion, her face showing discomfort.
"It feels like... something is happening?" Aqua Prime muttered, explaining the discomforting pain setting in.
"Me too," the other Aqua revealed. "Like a fragmented memory becoming whole again. A vision becoming clearer through thick haze."
The pain subsided as quick as it arrived, with both Aqua's looking in bewilderment. Aqua Prime's expression was one of bewilderment, whilst her variant rubbed the back of her head, perplexed by the experience they both felt at the same time.
"That was weird..." the other Aqua noted in confusion.
"It was," Aqua Prime agreed. "Especially that we experienced that pain at the same time."
"What did you see?" the other Aqua asked, turning to face Aqua Prime fully.
"It was the Destiny Islands," Aqua Prime revealed, her memories flooding back clearly. "The day we met those two young boys."
"One of them was Riku, and there was that other boy too, right?" the other Aqua questioned, trying to make sense of the memory.
"That's right," Aqua Prime confirmed with a nod. "The boy with brown hair is clearer now, but..."
"But his name is a mystery," the other Aqua answered, baffled. "Are you having the same issue?"
"Afraid so," the other Aqua sighed, conflicted. "Strange right? Both of us forgetting that boy's name."
"It is. We need to understand why we are having these memory issues of that boy," Aqua Prime voiced in concern. "Perhaps, finding the Keyhole and saving Radiant Garden could help us?"
"Then let's get moving then," the other Aqua urged, eager to get going on their mission. "We won't know by standing around here."
Aqua Prime nodded in agreement, watching her variant take the lead. She followed behind, ready to save Radiant Garden and potentially their memories.
As they entered Central Square, the two Aqua's looked to the beautiful flowers and trees, with cosy looking homes surrounding their location. However, it was eerie, the atmosphere was heavy, and the two Keyblade Master's were no fools to this feeling. They both stood in the centre of the square, their instincts kicking in.
"Be prepared," Aqua Prime remarked, her tone steady. "I feel like we will be running into trouble any moment now."
"Right!" the other Aqua exclaimed, her blue eyes scanning the area for threats.
Suddenly, the Central Square's lighting turned crimson, with the sound of the Phantom Ruby's warble ringing out across the area. The Aqua's summoned their Master's Defender Keyblades, they could feel the tension rising. Especially Aqua Prime, she had experienced this before. She looked to the sky, the once pink and orange skyline changed to a dark crimson, suffocating the land below it.
"I'm taking this is the Phantom Ruby's power?" the other Aqua asked, gripping her Keyblade tightly.
"Yes," Aqua Prime responded simply.
As the crimson light around the square began to fade, and the warbling sound stopped, the two Aqua's noticed figures materialising before them. Emerging from the dissipating glow were several sinister, plant-like creatures.
These entities, Vampire Thorns, stood tall. Their forms resembling twisted, carnivorous plants. Dark, thorny vines coiled around their central stalks, and their petals, a deep, blood-red hue, pulsed with an eerie luminescence. At the core of each creature, a gaping maw dripped with a viscous, greenish fluid, hinting at their predatory nature.
The Vampire Thorns swayed menacingly, their thorn-covered tendrils extending and retracting as if tasting the air. A faint, noxious odor emanated from them, causing the Aqua's to wrinkle their noses in disgust.
"What are these things?" Aqua Prime questioned, trying to ignore the smell.
"No idea," Aqua Prime replied, her eyes narrowing. "I've never seen anything like these before."
Without warning, the Vampire Thorns lunged forward, their thorny appendages whipping through the air with surprising speed. The Aqua's sprang into action, both cartwheeling away to safety and gaining distance from the three new foes.
Aqua Prime shot forward, taking on the nearest Vampire Thorn to her. She slashed the plant monster with her mastery, dodging as the creature tried to attack her with vines. Meanwhile, the other Aqua pointed her Keyblade at one of the other Thorns, with the tip of her weapon beginning to show a deep red flame.
"Fire!" the other Aqua commanded, summoning a Firaga spell. The enhanced magic spell shot towards her foe like a rocket.
The Vampire Thorn struck by Firaga recoiled violently, its thorny vines curling inward as the flames licked at its petals. A high-pitched screech, like the sound of steam escaping a broken pipe, erupted from its gaping maw. The creature flailed around wildly, its body burning from the intense heat, but it wasn't done yet.
The other two Vampire Thorns immediately reacted. One of them suddenly slammed its roots into the ground, causing a network of thorny vines to explode outward in all directions.
"Move!" Aqua Prime shouted, cartwheeling backward, narrowly avoiding the web of thorny vines erupting from beneath her feet.
The other Aqua leapt into the air using Doubleflight, flipping gracefully before landing on the stone pathway.
The Vampire Thorn that had been burning managed to shake off the last of the fire, and its body began to glow ominously—a sickly green energy gathering within its petals.
"That's not good," Aqua Prime muttered.
The creature suddenly released a pulse of dark energy—a status spell!
"Gah!" Aqua prime called out, being hit by the effects of the spell. She felt her limbs grow sluggish as her body was encased in a sickly purple aura.
"Poison!" the other Aqua exclaimed. "Hang on!"
Raising her Keyblade high into the air, she quickly cast Esuna, dispelling the poison from her counterpart before the effect could take hold.
"Thanks," Aqua Prime said as she swiftly flipped back into action, blocking a barrage of thorny tendrils aimed at her.
The second Vampire Thorn, the one that had buried its roots into the stone, suddenly unleashed a ranged attack—multiple thorn-covered seed pods shot out of its maw, aimed directly at the other Aqua. She immediately raised her Keyblade, summoning Barrier to absorb the impact. The pods exploded on contact, leaving deep cracks in the cobblestone beneath her.
"These things are persistent!" the other Aqua noted.
The third Vampire Thorn decided to try another tactic—it coiled its thorny body around itself like a spring, then launched forward like a rolling boulder, aiming straight for Aqua Prime. But she was ready. With a swift Side Step, she avoided the charging creature and lashed out with a precise counterattack, slamming Master's Defender directly into the creature's vulnerable maw. A burst of blue light erupted from her Keyblade, and the monster was sent flying back, crashing into a nearby wall of a house.
"We need to finish this now!" the other Aqua declared. She charged up her magic again, preparing an even stronger Firaga Burst.
Aqua Prime nodded, and together, the two Aqua's attacked in perfect sync.
Aqua Prime activated Spellweaver, spinning through the square with elegant, lightning-fast slashes that tore through the first Vampire Thorn. The other Aqua unleashed Firaga Burst, launching a massive flaming explosion that engulfed the second creature entirely, reducing it to cinders.
The final Vampire Thorn, the one that had been flung against the house, attempted to recover—but Aqua Prime leaped into the air and spun downward, slashing through it with one final, powerful strike!
"Farewell!" she called out.
The monster let out a distorted, shrieking noise as it dissolved into nothing. Both Aqua's lowered their Keyblades, satisfied that they had overcome the sudden attack.
"Whatever those things were," the other Aqua said, eyeing the faint residual embers from the battle, "they weren't Unversed, Heartless or Nobodies."
"And if they're here," Aqua Prime added, looking towards the crimson skyline, "then that means the Phantom Ruby is starting to pull in even greater threats, like I've experienced before."
"Yes. Which means we need to keep moving," the other Aqua said, determination laced in her voice. "The longer we stay, the worse this place is going to get. We have to find the Keyhole soon!"
With that, the two Keyblade Masters pressed forward, heading deeper into Radiant Garden. There was no time to lose.
As the two Aqua's ventured into Castle Town, the desolation mirrored that of Central Square. The once bustling streets, now devoid of life, stood silent under the oppressive crimson sky. The eerie warbling sound of the Phantom Ruby began anew.
"Here we go again..." Aqua Prime remarked, her voice tinged with both weariness and readiness.
Before them, four figures materialised from a crimson haze. Clad in dark, imposing armour adorned with the emblem of a foreign empire, these soldiers exuded an aura of authority and menace. Their helmets concealed their eyes, but the malice in their stance was unmistakable. One of the soldiers stepped forward, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Espers detected!" the soldier barked.
"Espers?" Aqua Prime muttered. "What are you talking about?"
"Silence!" the soldier retorted, their tone laced with authority. "Your tricks won't save you. By order of Emperor Gestahl, all Espers must be captured."
"Emperor Gestahl?" Aqua Prime questioned, her brow furrowing. She turned to her counterpart. "I've never heard of him. Have you?"
"No, never. Not in my world, nor in New York," The other Aqua retorted, shaking her head.
"Enough of your lies!" the soldier shouted. "Prepare to be subdued!"
Without further warning, the soldiers, Imperial Elites, lunged forward. The Aqua's readied themselves, understanding that these were no ordinary foes.
The battle commenced with a flurry of movement. Aqua Prime parried a swift strike from one soldier, countering with a precise slash that forced her opponent to retreat. Simultaneously, the other Aqua conjured a burst of Blizzaga magic, causing one of the soldiers to stagger as frost crept up his armor.
"These guys are tough," Aqua Prime noted, dodging an attack from one of the soldiers.
"Stay focused," the other Aqua replied, her blue eyes scanning for an opening.
The Imperial Elites coordinated their assaults with military precision, attempting to overwhelm the Aqua's with relentless aggression. But the Keyblade Masters, drawing upon their training and synergy, began to turn the tide.
Aqua Prime feigned a retreat, luring two of the soldiers into a trap. With a swift motion, she unleashed a powerful spell, engulfing them in a vortex of wind that sent them crashing into a nearby wall.
Meanwhile, the other Aqua faced off against the remaining two. She deftly dodged their synchronised strikes, then, with a graceful spin, unleashed a wave of water that swept them off their feet. Before they could recover, she dashed forward, delivering decisive blows that disarmed them.
As the last of the Imperial Elites fell, the Aqua's took a moment to catch their breath. The oppressive atmosphere of Castle Town remained, but the immediate threat had been neutralised. The defeated soldiers began to dissolve into a swirling crimson hue, their forms fading into nothingness—another eerie sign of the Phantom Ruby's influence. Aqua Prime frowned, watching the strange phenomenon unfold.
"Whoever they were, they mentioned an Emperor Gestahl," she mused. "And they clearly saw us as threats."
"Seems like it," the other Aqua replied.
"Also… what are Espers?" Aqua Prime questioned, curiosity evident in her voice.
The other Aqua exhaled, tilting her head slightly.
"I don't know," she admitted, offering a small shrug. "But they sound powerful… and definitely magical. Maybe Gandalf or Doctor Strange would know more about them. Maybe even Dante or Vergil?"
Aqua Prime raised an eyebrow at her counterpart.
"You sure know a lot of magic users, huh?" she mused.
"Well, Dante and Vergil aren't exactly magic users," the other Aqua clarified. "They're more… demonic in nature. But when it comes to supernatural threats? They know their way around them. Also, Yusuke knows a thing or two about these type of things." She tapped her chin thoughtfully before continuing. "If these Espers are supernatural, then Dean and Sam would probably be the best to investigate. Or maybe the Charmed Ones? Even Angel, Tara, Spike and Faith might have dealt with something like this before in their realities."
Aqua Prime shot her a look—half amused, half exasperated.
"You really do have a lot of connections, don't you?" she questioned, intrigued.
The other Aqua simply shrugged, offering a faint, knowing smile.
"It's a big multiverse out there," she admitted.
Aqua Prime sighed, shifting the conversation back on track.
"The Phantom Ruby must be warping reality even further than we thought. It's not just dragging in monsters—it's bringing in military forces from different realities."
"Which means we're not just dealing with mindless creatures. If it can pull in soldiers who think they're still following orders, it could pull in far worse threats," the other Aqua proposed.
Aqua Prime furrowed her brow, her thoughts drifting back to a previous encounter.
"Now that I think about it… when I fought Metal Sonic and those strange ghost-like creatures back in Enchanted Dominion, did they think they were in their own world too?" she mused in thought.
"Perhaps their is something about the Phantom Ruby's power we haven't learnt yet?" the other Aqua pondered. "Like, can it warp one's perception of reality around them?"
"I don't know. But, the more reasons to find the Keyhole and save this trapped world!" Aqua Prime replied, her voice firm.
"Right," the other Aqua said, looking around and then pointing towards a tunnel entrance nearby. "If we head through there, it should take us to the Fountains. Remember?"
Aqua Prime's expression lightened slightly as she nodded.
"Oh yeah, I remember now." She looked toward the darkened path ahead, her Keyblade still in hand. "Maybe the Keyhole could be there. Come on, let's keep moving."
With a shared determination, the two Keyblade Masters pressed onward, the weight of the Phantom Ruby on their minds.
The two Aqua's continued forward, their boots tapping softly against the stone floor as they entered Fountain Court. The grand multi-tiered fountains before them, still retained their elegance, with the water flowing swiftly downwards. The outer stone walls, adorned with creeping vines, framed the serene ambience of the area. Despite the Phantom Ruby's suffocating hold on the world, the beauty still remained.
"This place is still so beautiful, even if it's trapped by the Phantom Ruby's power" Aqua Prime said, her voice soft yet tinged with frustration.
The other Aqua took a slow breath, letting her blue eyes wander the familiar space.
"You know, I think if we follow the steps and the outer walls, it'll take us to that reactor place," she said, her memories flooding back. "It was where we took on that large Unversed."
"I remember," Aqua Prime mused, recalling the past event. "Afterwards, that's when Terra, Ven and I got attacked by Silver in my timeline."
"Well in my timeline, we got into an argument straight after our fight with that giant Unversed," the other Aqua recollected, her expression shifting.
Aqua Prime turned to face her, sensing a deeper weight in her counterpart's words.
"Because of the Master's orders to follow Terra and bring Ven home?" she mused with curiosity.
"Yes," the other Aqua answered with a nod. "Did that happen to you three also… after dealing with Silver?"
"I'm afraid so," Aqua Prime sighed. "But, things work out… right?"
A moment passed before the other Aqua replied.
"In the end," she said softly. "After years of separation… we're all back together."
Aqua Prime's gaze drifted downward, her free hand pressing lightly against her chest, where her heart should be.
"Must be nice," she murmured. "I yearn for that day—where Terra and Ven return. Plus… getting my heart back, becoming whole again."
The other Aqua hesitated before speaking, choosing her words carefully.
"I don't want to tempt fate or change anything in your timeline… but, things will work out. Just… maybe not in the way they should?"
Aqua Prime lifted her head slightly, her brows furrowed.
"What do you mean?" she asked unwaveringly.
"Our timelines are massively different," the other Aqua explained. "I don't know if you'll go through the same things I went through… or if your path will take another different turn entirely."
"I see," Aqua Prime muttered, her tone somewhat downbeat.
"Timelines and alternative realities are tricky," the other Aqua continued, giving her counterpart a small, gentle smile. "But don't lose sight of the light. The end of the tunnel is near for you… I can feel it."
Aqua Prime looked ahead towards the stone steps.
"I hope so," she said quietly, her voice laced with hope… and doubt.
As Aqua Prime's words hung in the air, a familiar crimson warble resonated through Fountain Court, accompanied by the sinister red glow. The two Aqua's instinctively raised their Keyblades, their senses heightened.
Emerging from the crimson light were two Bombs—fiery, spherical creatures. Their bodies flickered with an inner flame, and their menacing grins hinted at imminent danger.
"More monsters," Aqua Prime muttered, her eyes narrowing.
"Whatever Mephiles is doing with the Phantom Ruby is surely breaking the barriers between realities," the other Aqua remarked, her tone laced with frustration.
The Bombs began to inflate, a clear sign they were preparing to self-destruct. Recognising the threat, the Aqua's acted swiftly.
Aqua Prime cast Blizzaga, sending a chilling blast towards the first Bomb. The icy magic collided with the fiery creature, causing it to shrink and extinguish before it could detonate.
Simultaneously, the other Aqua dashed forward, her Keyblade enveloped in a frosty aura. With a precise strike, she delivered a freezing slash to the second Bomb, causing it to burst into harmless shards of ice.
As the remnants of the Bombs dissipated, the two Aqua's lowered their Keyblades, exchanging a knowing glance.
"We need to stay vigilant," Aqua Prime said, her resolve hardening.
"Let's keep moving. The sooner we find the source of this distortion, the better," the other Aqua replied, her voice assertive.
With renewed determination, the two Keyblade Masters pressed onward, navigating the winding paths and stone steps that would lead them closer to the Reactor.
The two Aqua's stepped cautiously into the Reactor area of Radiant Garden. The vast industrial expanse was a maze of dormant machinery, towering pipes, and metallic walkways. Both Keyblade Masters stopped, sensing it at the same time—a pulse of energy, raw and unfiltered, crashing over them like a sudden wave.
"Something's coming," Aqua Prime remarked, her tone firm. The grip on Master's Defender tightened.
Before her counterpart could respond, the crimson sky above them split apart, a radiant tear in reality itself. A blazing silhouette descended, wrapped in swirling energy that shimmered between hues of pale pink and brilliant white. Their presence was mesmerising… but overwhelmingly hostile.
The Aqua's instinctively braced themselves, taking a step back as the figure hovered mid-air, eyes glowing with an unnatural magenta intensity. Their long, flowing hair, shifting between rose gold and silver, danced with the unnatural force surrounding them.
"I won't allow you to harm anyone else," the mysterious entity said, her voice was calm, almost melodic. However, beneath it trembled an unmistakable fury.
"Wait, what?" Aqua Prime questioned, looking up in confusion.
Without another word, the entity thrusted her hands forward. A violent eruption of energy surged from her palms, a cascade of raw arcane magic surging toward the two Aqua's like a tidal wave.
"Move!" Aqua Prime shouted, cartwheeling away just as the impact obliterated the spot she had stood on moments ago. Her counterpart did the same, flipping backwards to safety.
The Reactor area shook violently under the force of the attack.
"She's attacking us!" the other Aqua confirmed. "I don't think we can talk her down!"
Aqua Prime's eyes narrowed as the dust settled, revealing their mysterious assailant still hovering above them.
"You're fighting the wrong people!" Aqua Prime called up to the powerful entity.
The figure descended slowly, her gaze burning into them.
"The wrong people?" she repeated, voice dripping with disbelief. "You stand with Kefka!"
"Kefka?!" Aqua Prime asked, her tone laced with confusion.
"We don't know anyone by that name!" the other Aqua added, her tone serious.
The entity raised a hand, energy crackling at her fingertips.
"I will not fall for your tricks," she spoke, her tone solemn. "I will not let you harm anyone else."
"I don't think she's going to listen to reason," the other Aqua admitted, preparing to fight.
Aqua Prime tensed, raising her Keyblade into a defensive stance.
"Then we'll have to knock some sense into her," she declared with determination.
The air grew heavy once more. The battle had begun.
Unknown Entity
Battle Music: The Decisive Battle Theme Remastered - Final Fantasy VI
A powerful shockwave rippled across the Reactor floor as the mysterious entity surged forward, her eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. She moved with unnatural speed, hovering just inches above the ground, before launching herself at Aqua Prime with devastating force. Aqua Prime barely had time to raise her Keyblade, blocking a rapid flurry of strikes that sent sparks flying in the dimly lit arena. The impact shook her arms, her boots grinding against the floor as she was forced back.
"Stay out of my way!" the entity commanded.
She extended a single hand, arcs of violet energy crackling to life at her fingertips. A moment later, a searing blast of raw magic erupted from her palm, forcing Aqua Prime to cartwheel away just in time to avoid being engulfed.
The explosion detonated behind her, sending metal debris scattering across the battlefield.
"She's fast!" the other Aqua called out, springing to action.
With a swift slide across the arena, she pointed her Keyblade forward—a glowing ring of blue light forming at its tip.
"Take this!" she declared, her tone forceful.
A barrage of luminescent water spheres shot forward; each one spiraling toward the airborne warrior like guided missiles.
The entity twisted her body through the air with unnatural grace, dodging the attack entirely before retaliating with a flick of her wrist. A streak of green energy burst forth— a powerful Wind Slash, cutting through the space between them with blinding speed. The other Aqua barely had time to raise a barrier, her shield shattering on impact as she was forced back from the sheer force of the blow.
"You serve Kefka, don't you?" the entity spat, hovering above them, her aura burning like a flame. "You try to deceive me—twisting the world into your own sick image! But I won't let you harm the children!"
"What are you talking about?!" Aqua Prime shouted, trying to make sense of the words. "We're not working for anyone! We don't even know who Kefka is!"
"Lies!" the entity roared, her voice a mixture of rage and heartbreak.
The entities entire body radiated with unknown energy. She lifted her hands, summoning multiple orbs of fire that burned a golden hue, each one crackling with unstable power.
"BURN!" she hissed, her voice full of distain.
The orbs detonated mid-air, sending a cascade of fiery projectiles raining down upon the battlefield.
Both Aqua's reacted immediately. Aqua Prime spun her Keyblade, casting Thundaga, a bolt of lightning splitting through the air, intercepting a portion of the attack before rolling aside. The other Aqua twisted mid-air, summoning Thunderstorm—a rapid-fire burst of thunder-infused strikes, dispersing the incoming flames around her.
Yet, the moment their feet touched the ground, the entity was already upon them again.
With a sudden dash, she closed the distance, slamming into Aqua Prime with a blazing punch, sending her skidding backward across the floor.
"AH!" Aqua Prime cried out in pain.
The other Aqua barely had time to react before the entity's hand shot toward her like a lance, grabbing hold of her arm, before hurling her into the air.
"Gah!" the other Aqua cried out.
The entity then vanished in a flash of energy, reappearing above the airborne Aqua, her fist burning with raw magic.
"You will NOT hurt them!" she uttered, her voice full of resolve.
She swung downwards with a devastating strike, aiming to send the other Aqua crashing down with explosive force. But before the impact could land, a glimmering light erupted from below.
Aqua Prime had recovered juts in time.
"Prism Rain," she commanded, her voice firm.
Beams of multicolored light exploded into the sky, colliding with the entity. The shockwave of energy sent all three warriors flying apart.
The entity recovered almost immediately, her breath heavy, but her determination unwavering. Her eyes flickered, confusion dancing across her face for the first time.
"You fight… like Espers…" she muttered, her voice strained. "But… you're not them? What are you?!"
Aqua Prime stood her ground in her defensive stance.
"We're trying to save this world! You're the one who attacked us!" she remarked sternly.
"Because you are here to harm us!" the entity countered grimly. "I've held back long enough!"
The other Aqua took a deep breath, readying herself for another clash.
"Whatever she's been through… she really believes we're the enemy," she shouted to Aqua Prime.
"Then we don't have a choice," Aqua Prime said grimly. "We have to stop her, before she destroys this place... And us!"
The entity lifted her hands once more, a new arcane spell forming between them.
"You don't understand," she remarked, voice filled with desperation and fury. "I have to protect the children of Mobliz… no matter the cost."
Then, she thrust both hands outward, and a searing white pulse of energy erupted from her body, disrupting the battlefield itself. The crimson sky above flickered violently, as if momentarily breaking apart, revealing fractured glimpses of another world—one of ruin and despair.
"Did you see that?" Aqua Prime asked, eyes flickering to the sky for only a second.
"I saw it," the other Aqua confirmed, keeping her Keyblade raised. "It's like the entire world around her is breaking down."
"She's strong," Aqua Prime admitted. "If she was ever a hero, then something is forcing her into this madness."
"Then we'll have to bring her back to her senses!" the other Aqua declared, her tone firm.
Their words were drowned out by the sudden howling of wind—the entity had vanished once more, reappearing instantly above them, her hands glowing with deep emerald light.
"Tornado!" she commanded, and in an instant, a massive cyclone materialised.
The Aqua's were lifted off their feet as the winds howled, pulling them in violently. Shards of metal, broken pipes, and debris were flung everywhere as the Reactor's architecture cracked under the force.
Aqua Prime forced herself into a spin, flipping mid-air and twisting her Keyblade in a defensive motion.
"Thunder!" she called out.
A massive bolt of lightning, Thundaga, split the sky, piercing the eye of the storm. The energy dispersed the gale just enough for her to break free, landing hard on her feet.
The other Aqua wasn't far behind, but instead of fighting against the winds—she moved with them.
With precise agility, she spun within the cyclone, using its force to propel her upward towards their enemy. The entities eyes seemingly widened in surprise. The other Aqua vanished from view for a split second—then reappeared behind her in an instant, slamming her Keyblade into her back!
"AHH!" the entity cried out in pain.
The attack sent the entity flying downwards, crashing into the metallic floor with a devastating impact. The ground shook, cracks forming beneath her body.
"That was risky," Aqua Prime remarked, shooting a glance at her counterpart who landed beside her.
"It worked, didn't it?" the other Aqua replied steely.
A groan echoed from their opponent as she forced herself up, staggering slightly. Blood-red energy flickered across her form, her movements beginning to slow.
"Kefka's tricks… they won't work on me…" she spat. "You won't take them away! I can't hold back!"
"She keeps mentioning this Kefka… whoever he is, she really believes we're with them," Aqua Prime remarked, her tone serious.
"It seems she's been through something horrible," the other Aqua noted, her grip on Master's Defender tightening. "I can feel it in her heart. Even if she's lost in this madness… her soul is screaming for help."
The mysterious foe let out a sharp breath, the glow around her beginning to pulse wildly, as though she was seemingly losing control of her magic.
"Looks like she's on the ropes," Aqua Prime said, stepping forward. "This is our chance—if we can—"
Before she could finish, her variant suddenly stepped ahead of her confidently.
"Wait, what are you—" Aqua Prime asked, looking to the other Aqua in confusion.
"Oh, you'll see," the other Aqua responded cryptically.
A surge of pure light erupted from the other Aqua's form. For a moment, the world was silent. But then, a shimmering orb of white-hot magic began forming at her Keyblade, flickering like a dying star—then burning bright with raw, unfiltered energy.
The entities eyes widened, sensing the power immediately.
"That spell…!" she muttered in disbelief.
Aqua Prime's own breath caught in her throat, realising what her counterpart was about to do.
"Wait! You're casting—"
"Ultima!" the other Aqua cried out, her tone filled with absolute power and resolve.
The very air around them seemed to bend, drawn toward the blazing sphere of destruction. The orb expanded rapidly, its light growing impossibly bright, before launching forward like a celestial cannon blast from Master's Defender.
The entity barely had time to react. She threw her arms up, trying to summon a protective veil, but the sheer magnitude of Ultima was unstoppable.
The spell struck her dead-on. The explosion was instantaneous, swallowing her in a blinding, white-hot light. A bloodcurdling scream tore through the area as the overwhelming force of Ultima ripped through her form, shaking the very Reactor itself.
The ground cracked. The air itself trembled. Aqua Prime struggled to keep her footing, raising a hand to shield herself as the blazing aftermath of the attack burned into the sky. The entire world around them shook violently, the metal around them groaning under the sheer force of the impact.
"Such power…!" she stated, her voice nearly lost in the storm of energy.
A final shockwave erupted outward, like an aftershock of destruction, scattering the remaining magic into glimmering embers across the battlefield of the Reactor.
And then... Silence. The glow faded, the oppressive weight of battle lifted.
The mysterious entity lay motionless, the ethereal glow around her flickering weakly. Her body trembled, her breathing ragged, but she was still alive.
Aqua Prime let out a slow, cautious breath, lowering her hand from her face. The battle was over, but something about this felt… off.
She turned her gaze toward her counterpart—only to see her swaying unsteadily, her body trembling from exhaustion.
"That… took a lot out of me..." the other Aqua panted, her voice weak, shoulders rising and falling heavily with each breath.
Aqua Prime's blue eyes widened slightly before she rushed forward, catching her counterpart just in time before she collapsed. She steadied her, keeping her upright.
"Since when… could you cast Ultima?" Aqua Prime asked, her tone laced with disbelief and intrigue.
The other Aqua let out a breathless chuckle, smirking tiredly as she leaned into her counterpart's support.
"Since New York," she admitted, her exhaustion evident.
Aqua Prime exhaled, shaking her head.
"Impressive… but reckless," she replied with concern.
Still holding onto her counterpart, she raised her Keyblade into the sky, a soft, warm glow enveloping her weapon.
"Heal," she commanded caringly.
A wave of green light flowed from her Keyblade, washing over the other Aqua like a rejuvenating tide. Her fatigue melted away, the strain in her muscles vanishing as the magic restored her completely.
The other Aqua took a slow breath, rolling her shoulders as newfound energy coursed through her body. She stood upright, no longer needing assistance.
"Thanks," she said thoughtfully.
"No problem," Aqua Prime replied with a small, knowing smile.
The air between them settled, the battlefield finally silent.
RANK: S
The two Aqua's moved slowly, cautiously, towards the fallen warrior. The colourful, shimmering aura that had once surrounded her flickered weakly, then finally vanished, leaving behind only the woman beneath it all. For the first time, they saw her as she truly was.
She had mint-green hair, cascading loosely over her shoulders, strands sticking to her skin from exhaustion. Her red dress was clung to her frame. A pair of red, worn boots and matching wristbands completed her appearance.
A soft groan escaped her lips as she weakly shifted, trying to push herself off the cold floor. Her arms trembled, struggling to support her weight.
She barely got to her hands and knees before her strength gave out, her body shaking as she clenched her teeth.
Aqua Prime's expression softened. No matter what had just happened, no matter what had controlled her—this woman wasn't their enemy.
With a slow, steady motion, Aqua Prime raised her Keyblade, the tip glowing with a soft, soothing green light.
"Heal," she said, her voice soft and caring.
A gentle wave of green magic pulsed outward, washing over the fallen warrior in a calming embrace. The warmth of the spell seeped into her skin, easing the tension in her muscles, restoring her breath. The woman let out a small gasp, her fingers twitching slightly as the pain began to fade.
The other Aqua watched carefully, standing beside her counterpart, though her grip on her Keyblade remained firm, still wary of what might happen next.
The mint-haired warrior slowly lifted her head, her eyes half-lidded, still processing what had just happened.
"…Who… are you?" the woman questioned, her voice slightly horse.
"I'm Aqua," Aqua Prime introduced, her tone kind. "And this is also Aqua."
"Wait... there are two of you?" the woman asked, slowly getting to her feet.
"Yes," the other Aqua replied, her tone slightly defensive. "But that's not important right now. We want to know who you are, and what was that form you were just in?"
The woman finally got to her feet and straightened up, she gave off a heavy sigh before explaining.
"My name is Terra Branford," she said, introducing herself. "And that power you saw me in was my Esper form."
"Esper?" Aqua Prime pondered, placing her hand on her chin. "We heard that term being used earlier."
"What is it exactly?" the other Aqua asked.
Terra closed her eyes for a moment, taking in a slow, measured breath. The warmth of the healing spell still tingled through her limbs, bringing her some relief, though her heart still ached with confusion and lingering tension. When she reopened her eyes, the two Aqua's were watching her carefully, neither hostile, but both clearly waiting for an explanation.
"Esper…" Terra murmured, rolling the term over in her mind, as if making sure she could still say it. "It is the power of my kind. The power of my blood."
"Your kind?" Aqua Prime questioned, tilting her head.
"Yes. Espers are magical beings of incredible power. They can change forms between their human-like appearance and their true, primal selves," Terra explained, her tone sombre.
"And you're one of them?" the other Aqua asked, intrigued.
"Sort of. I'm half Esper," Terra admitted after a moment, her voice softer now.
"And that form you took… the one we fought..." Aqua Prime questioned, gesturing Terra to answer.
"It's an awakened state, where my form becomes… unstable," Terra replied, her tone filled with guilt for attacking the two Keyblade Masters. "That power isn't something I use lightly. I only unleash it when I have no other choice. I'm sorry you had to witness that."
"Because you thought we were your enemies?" the other Aqua probed, her tone slightly defensive.
Terra exhaled deeply, before bowing her head slightly.
"I'm sorry to have caused you all this trouble," she replied, her voice sincere, filled with regret. "Something happened in my mind… I was seeing you both in a different light. Like shadows or monsters." Terra shook her head. "I don't know why. But I can only apologise for my actions."
"Shadows and monsters?" Aqua Prime mumbled to herself, deep in thought. Was the Phantom Ruby truly messing with people's minds and perception?
Silence hung for a moment before Terra's curiosity finally caught up with her. She turned her gaze around, scanning the towering pipes and massive machinery, surprisingly still intact despite the battle they had just endured.
"A question for you both, if you may?" she said. "Where exactly am I?"
"You're in a place called Radiant Garden," Aqua Prime explained, before pointing upwards to the crimson, swirling sky, which still pulsed unnaturally above them. "Thanks to the Phantom Ruby."
Terra's expression darkened slightly at the mention of that name.
"Phantom… Ruby?" she muttered, her tone perplexed.
She looked towards the sky, her eyes narrowing as unease settled into her chest. Something about it felt… wrong. Like she could still feel its presence, even if she couldn't see it directly.
"It's a powerful artifact being used by a being called Mephiles," the other Aqua explained, her voice steady but laced with irritation.
"I see… this is all confusing," Terra sighed, her mind racing.
The other Aqua stepped up beside her, offering a reassuring nod.
"We can explain everything back in White Space," she said calmly.
"White Space?" Terra asked in confusion, turning her attention to the other Aqua.
"Best you wait and see. We can talk more there," the other Aqua replied. "But first we have to find the Keyhole."
"The... Keyhole?" Terra mused, even more confused.
Just then, a strange hum filled the air, with a light outline flickering into existence nearby, pulsing with radiance and warmth.
"That's the Keyhole," Aqua Prime revealed, thankful for it to appear so quickly.
Stepping forward, Aqua Prime raised her Keyblade toward the floating symbol. A beam of pure white light erupted from the tip of her Keyblade, connecting with the Keyhole in an instant.
A deep locking sound reverberated across the world—a sound that resonated through the very air, as if the fabric of reality itself had just sealed back into place.
The crimson sky above them began to vanish, fading away like an illusion. The unnatural distortions disappearing, and soon, the golden-pink hues of a peaceful Radiant Garden returned.
Terra gasped. She turned, looking around in astonishment.
"Wait… what just happened?!" she exclaimed.
Aqua Prime lowered her Keyblade with a satisfied smile.
"I've saved this world. It was trapped between time and space—caught in the Phantom Ruby's distortions," she explained.
The other Aqua nodded approvingly as she spoke.
"Come on, let's get back to White Space. I'm sure Silver, Orbot, and Cubot are waiting for updates."
"Who?" Terra asked cautiously.
"Friends," Aqua Prime revealed. "I'm sure they will have a lot of questions on who you are and what you are doing here."
"Alright," Terra replied with a nod. "Perhaps I can explain more."
"We have questions of our own also," the other Aqua retorted. "But let's get back, then we can find out more."
And with that, the three warriors turned together, walking side by side, as they searched for their way back to White Space.
Another chapter down. Another trapped world saved.
Thanks for being patient on this chapter release. I have been dealing with some things my side, which I will address shortly.
I thought it would be fun to throw in some enemies from Final Fantasy VI, including Terra Brandford. I've just recently got into FF VI and I'm loving it. Apologies if some terminology is off, but I wanted to add Terra into the story. From what I have played and watched, the FF VI story is really hooking me in.
For context, this variant of Terra comes from after Kefka destroyed the world, when she found herself in the village of Mobliz. This will be explained in later chapters. But this also means the Imperial Elites come from an earlier point in time during the events of FF VI.
Also, Maria is coming soon. Finally!
I have changed the Aqua of my Fanfiction Timeline to Aqua Prime, whilst Aragon's will still be called the other Aqua for now. I have a plan for when things come together. But this also means more fun references to Aragon's story - Collison of Universes.
So, I need to make you all aware of a few things. Due to some personal things and studying on a course - I will be taking some time away from Fan Fiction writing going forward. I will be releasing the Kingdom Valley and Reunion chapters soon, but this will not be released as quickly as anticipated. I will also be releasing Speed v Survival's last few chapters all at once also, but again, this won't be a quick thing. I need to concentrate on finishing my course and assignments. But, this gives me time to reflect on the Blue Blur Saga and where the story is going. Things can be better and I want to fix these errors.
Apologies on this news, but I hope you can understand my reasons.
The next two chapters of this story will be released soon, but I can't give a time frame.
Thanks
H