A Recognition of Shadows

[Rikugurl]

A hand waved in front of him and lit with the glowing, hot light of fire as the group proceeded into the darkness. "I was trying to get him in a quiet manner, so you know... the Spirit wouldn't know we were coming, Terra." Axel whispered as he glanced at the edge of his narrow eyes to look at the brunette. There was a soft chuckle behind them before Ventus whispered in return. "I think he will know anyway. He's a spirit!"
Slowly they descended the small set of stairs that the twins had found a day prior. The light became weaker as they walked further into the darkness until they were finally surrounded in it.

Ventus, a brave guardian, was watching the walls as the flame Axel held flickered, seeing shadows dance around them. It madehim swallow and become anxious, his fingers twitching on his staff, ready for a fight. He knew this had to be the place where Vanitas spent his days as he never saw shadows move this way in the real light. Axel was wise to move his hand about, keeping developing shadows from reaching completion when the light hit them. "Avatar..." He suddenly spoke. "It would be wise if you lit your own flame to cover your flank."
A careful eye watched as Soran called upon his own inner fire to make a ball of flame and moved it behind him and that is when they saw something utmost disturbing.

There was a shadow that was developing. It was large and beastly, his black muscles budging and it's poisonous dark fangs sharp. They only saw it for a split seconds to burn its image into their minds and haunt their nightmares before it was gone by Soran's light. Ventus drew in a gasp but grounded himself when the area was rid of the other shadows that lurked behind them. What would of happened if Axel had not warned them?

As they continued on, they were all startled to see a light coming from around the bend. A hand was placed back, telling the three boys to stay back as Axel and Terra advanced. They were both careful to check around the natural groove of the cave only to see a dead end that was in the shape of a small room. It was rounded and about the side of a bedroom. There was a hole in the roof that allowed the light of day to pour in and land to showcase a single wooden chair. The chair was empty and so was the room. The hand moved to motion the boys to follow and the group proceeded towards the room. Ventus noticed that Soran was looking around more desperately now, trying to find any trace of the Shadow Spirit.

There was a sigh form the firebender as he shook his head, his muscles relaxing. "Huh, maybe this is the wrong---"

"HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!!"

Instantly, everyone looked around, their hands gripping on their weapons or ready to bend at the very first sight of the Spirit but there was still no sign of him.

"Heaheaheaheaheaheaheaheaheah!!!!"

The wicked, spiteful laughter echoed all around them, almost so unbearable that they were about to cover their ears when it stopped. Axel jumped almost a few feet when Terra called, making him look back at the chair to see

Master Xehanort?

Green emeralds widened as the old man sat there with his legs crossed and his head bowed.
"Maste---"
"You shouldn't have come here." A rustic, old voice came from the man. "He wants nothing to do with you. Only the Avatar."
"Like I care? We're all the Avatar's guardians and we'll be here for him wherever he does. What are you doing here? Why did you steal Maipe?" Axel barked the questions, pushing for answers but the man was silent for some time.
"Wherever?" He finally spoke. Slowly the bald man lifted his head and instantly, Axel knew something was wrong as golden eyes pierced through his very soul.

[Reno]

"As if he couldn't hear you?" Terra shot back a little testily, and before yet another fight could break out between them, Ven spoke up. And Roxas added as well, "Yeah Ax, remember the day Ven and I found this place, Soran and Riku had those nightmares and we weren't really loud either. We never even went inside."
"He's a shadow spirit... so, he can probably just follow us by our shadows." Sora said softly as well, his eyes thoughtful. His eyes were troubled though, he too watching the shadows on the walls and it wasn't until Axel told him to make a flame that he realized he should.

When he did, he had to hold back a scream at the sight of the shadow lurking just behind them that disappeared in the light. Roxas was disturbed most of all, seeing as the creature had been just beyond his shoulder, and he placed his hand on Oathkeeper, trying to feel safe with it.

As they reached further into the tunnel however, that was when they found the empty room; a bedroom? A prison cell? What could this be? Eyes searched around curiously for any clues, somehow none of them stepping inside as if they felt wrong to intrude. Just as they thought there was nothing there though...... the laughter began.

Soran shuddered from head to toe, his eyes wide as he remembered the dream - those eyes boring down into him, the hand pressing against his heart and squeezing out his life. He shut his eyes, forcing them from his mind as he struggled to control the fire, seeing his panic had made it go almost out of control.

And almost lost it again when Terra shouted. They all jumped and looked into the room........ only to see a man that was not there before. The brunnette too recognized him, remembering the picture Maipe squawked at and as the two spoke, his eyes narrowed, feeling a disturbing tingle at the gleam in the man's other eye as he asked if they would truly go wherever for the Avatar. Now... the Avatar could go to the Spirit World freely. But for most other people, going to the Spirit World meant...

Death.

The word invaded their heads like a whisper in the back of their minds, a nagging sort of thing that was hard to ignore.

"Why does he want me?" Soran spoke up suddenly, his eyes suspicious and worried. The spirit... he wanted to darken the world in shadows. Could he, as the Avatar, help him do that somehow? He didn't think he had that kind of power...

[Rikugurl]

Golden eyes rolled, looking at the Avatar who spoke next and he too could feel the piercing, the pressure like he had felt that night on his chest with just the eyes on him. The old man stool, making the group stand their ground. When he did, little scatters of shadows crawled from under the chair, scurrying to find the darkness. "He does not want you. He does not want anyone. What he wants are shadows. All your shadows." The man grinned, a wicked sight for them all. "Every heart has a shadow, young Avatar. It is where your wicked thoughts are stored and the pure power lies. You feel it, don't you? That darkness that speaks to you when you are in your State?"

Ven glanced at his best friend, remembering him saying that he was so close to killing the people who kidnapped Vi. How... how did this man know about it?

"Master Xehanort... what are you talking about? This is madness!" Axel shouted, his teeth clenching at every word this man said. What had happened to him? Terra, Aqua and Riku had said something about him becoming an aid with Vanitas but---
"GAH!" The redhead was suddenly thrown into the nearby wall, shadows quickly wrapping themselves around his neck. The man was quick to act, his white gloved hand reaching out and pressing against Axel's chest. There was a labored gasp as Axel suddenly started to feel the same crushing sensation Soran did that night as he looked into those golden eyes.

A large blast of fire shot out from Axel's hand and threw the elder man across the small room. From the light it made, the shadows around him let go and he gasped for air. The groups attention was on Axel for a moment until they heard the echoing laughter again. Their eyes were back on the old man again only to realize that he was no longer there. Instead it was something a little more frightening. Especially to the Avatar. A frail hand pushed against the wall, helping him get up and as he turned, the golden eyes looked into Soran's.

It was the boy. From his nightmares. His weight was perfect, his eyes spiraled and bright but his hair was one of the only differences as it was black as dusk. His skin was much paler than Soran's as well... most likely because he was never exposed to sun.
"You are truly no fun to play with." There was a pout on his face but it went away quickly. "Why do you not wish to join me? Think of all the rest and sleep you will get. Finally, all those hard questions, all those people in pain, all those voices telling what to do and not do? Let me take your shadow and all your worries and troubles will go away. I think I am a very nice guy to lift these weights from your shoulders to make them my own!"

[Reno]

"Axel!" More than one person cried as the red-head was thrown back, and their was the ssssshink! of a sword being unsheathed, Roxas' eyes blazing. The red-head didn't need any assistance though and some of them had to duck as fire raged past. Roxas hurried to his side. "Axel, are you okay?"

There wasn't much time for conversation though... before someone new appeared before them and it made all of them stare with wide eyes. It was like... Soran's shadow had come to life after all.

As he spoke though, the Avatar's eyes narrowed and he bravely stepped forward. "Are you making an offer? Join you and everything that has ever troubled me will be gone?" The other him grinned sweetly and nodded, the look creepy on his face, and Soran looked away, as if debating it before shaking his head. "And then what?"

And then what? Why, then he would never have to worry again! To feel pain or remorse.
"Then wouldn't I be dead?" The monk spoke back wisely and before his double could answer, he continued. "Vanitas. That is life. All things can't just be good or easy. The monks told me... only through trial and error, only through suffering and pain, do we learn to understand our fellow man and ourselves. Besides... without myself, I can't be there for the good either. I can't make friends, I can't laugh.... I can't find love."

[Rikugurl]

There was a pause before the black haired boy shook his head. "Do you think the monks are the only wise one, Avatar Soran? Don't was all want to believe what is told to us? Does not a child believe their parents until they realized the truth for themselves? Did you ever think that the monks were wrong? Have you not forgotten that their ways of life are weak because of their views? They almost all died once, didn't they and still they have not learned so much!"

There was a chuckled, making Soran and Ventus growl at the mockery of their teachings. Before they could protest though, the boy continued.

"Those things you list are not good either. Friends; they hurt you more than anything because they are so close to your heart. If they hurt, you suffer. If they leave, you suffer. If they betray, you suffer. Same with a lover, isn't it? That worry, that fear. It will never outdo the bad things when it is peaceful. Even laughter can be hallow. All things come to an end but it is never death that you speak of. Besides, what are you so afraid about death for? Don't you get reincarnated? Won't you come back as an Air... oh wait. That's right." He paused, his golden eyes becoming more wicked. "You are an Air Nomad Avatar."

"That's not true! He's from the Fire Nation! He's an orphan!" Axel corrected but the shadow Spirit only shook his head. "Really? What false knowledge is that from? Certainly no book I have ever seen." His gaze went back to Soran, giving him the eerie smile again. "I rule over all the shadows. I knew you when you were born. I knew your mother and your father. I know what happened to them. I know... so many things. Everything that casts a shadow has a story..." Vanitas trailed off, his eyes becoming empty for a moment until they narrowed. "And no one.... understands... or thinks twice about them!"

Everyone tensed as the sound of the Spirit echoed through the cavern and into their hearts.
"I.... want to make sure.... everyone will notice shadows. No longer will they be a second thought. No longer will they be used for amusement in children's hands. I... I will show people just how important shadows truly are! WITH OR WITHOUT YOUR HELP!"
"AAAAAAAAAH!!" Ventus cried as a claw grabbed onto his ankle and pulled him down, making him hit the cave ground hard. "HE--------" He was drowned out as a swarm of shadows fell over him, pinning him to the ground and bringing him into pure darkness.

As the group focused on him, there was another chuckled and a dark opening appeared by Vanitas. The Spirit turned and quickly walked through.

[Reno]

Soran grit his teeth as the other spoke badly of his people, his eyes narrowing. Yes, it was true those closest to you could cause you the greatest pains - but they could bring you the greatest joys as well. It was a balance, just like everything else in life. A balance that this spirit just didn't understand.

His eyes widened however when the other told him that he claimed to know his origins. Whether to believe him or not was another matter entirely. As he spoke, he seemed to get increasingly enraged, until the whole cave seemed to shake with his fury. And then he attacked again.

And this time...
"VEN!" Came the calls of the group as the teenager was thrown down and submerged under the darkness. Terra's eyes widened in horror but Soran put a hand on his chest, telling him to stay back. The Avatar quickly dropped into a crouch, bringing both his hands over to his left side as flames grew before he sliced it forward, a sheet of flame bursting from his fingertips over the blonde's body. The light was powerful and when the flames dispersed, Ven was revealed, eyes wide and body shaking. Terra dropped next to him, dragging him up into a comforting embrace.
"Ven... it's okay, you're alright." Came the soothing voice.

Soran watched them for a moment before turning and spinning around, his eyes narrowed and ready to shout - when he found the bedroom again empty... but a dark door had revealed itself. He didn't hesitate as he ran forward... and straight through it.

"Soran, wait!!"

[Rikugurl]

"Soran!" Ventus cried as well and he didn't have to ask Terra to follow him because they were all racing after their friend. None hesitated as they passed through the darkness, feeling the bone chilling coldness it held. When they passed through, they realized that they were no longer in the cave... or even in the Fire Nation. It was Terra who could recognize it as the Great Divide. What they were doing up here didn't make any sense to any of them but a wicked laughter made they remember why they were here.

"HEHEHEHEHEHEHEEHHEHEEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!!!"

Everyone looked to see Vanitas on a taller structure of earth, his palm raised to the sky where dark clouds started to block the moon like it had when they were attacked in the Norther Water Tribe. "Save your words, Avatar for I do not wish to hear them. Words, unlike everything else, do not hold shadows therefore they are of no importance to me!" When his hand came down, he moved them in a way that looked as if he was... BENDING!?
His foot came down and suddenly rocks started to jut up sharply towards them.

"He can bend!?" Axel cried, their fears coming true as they quickly dodged the attack. If he was mocking Soran's shadow than did that mean he---
"Wait!" Ventus cried as the rocks stopped and suddenly disappeared. "It's.. it's just shadows!" Vanitas was mocking the elemental powers by creating their shadows.

[Reno]

It was hard NOT to know the greatest canyon in the Earth Kingdom - or the world in general. If things had not been so serious, Terra would of been struck breathless. It was like see the work of the Earth Spirits, a beauty untamed and vast. But instead he found himself dodging... rocks?! "Shit!" He snapped, only for Ven to cry... that they were only shadows!
"Shadows?! Well what the fuck do we do about that?!"

Soran already had a plan though.

A glider snapped out suddenly and two tanned hands gripped the front bars and with little hesitance Soran ran, taking off into the air. He flew up and around Vanitas in a low, swooping circle, much like a ferret-vulture. There eyes watched each other, prey and predators both. "Venitas!" Soran called, "We don't have to fight! You just need to stop what you are doing! Can't you see the world you envision will only crumble?! Without light there is no darkness - there are no shadows!!"

[Rikugurl]

Ventus was unsure what to think for advice. He knew that shadows shouldn't of been felt but he and Axel both felt the chilling power of it under the Spirit's hand. These shadows hurt and you could definitely feel them. "I...I DON'T KNOW!" He called but quickly looked up when he saw Soran soar over the Spirit.

Golden eyes watched the boy, frowning as the words filled his head. "Blah, blah! Who are you trying to convince because it's not me for sure! Come on, Avatar Soran, join me and together, we can stop everyone's suffering! Isn't that what an Avatar is suppose to do!?" He laughed, his arms suddenly moved over his head, creating a stream of darkness before pushing his palms out. The darkness lashed out at the glider and even though it was nothing but shadows it burned a wing of the flying staff as if it were truly fire.

"Come on!" Ventus called, rushing up the passageway toward the two. His staff twirled in his fingers before hooking up, sending a strong slash of wind at the Spirit but before it could hit, a dark wall appeared, almost like an earth shield. Well... Ventus knew how to take down one of those. "HEYA!" He called, his staff coming down strong to send another wave, crushing it but only to get a shot of darkness sent towards him. A ball of wind wrapped around him to protect him but this wasn't 'fire'. This was "GAAAH!!" The boy cried as he was sent back, getting drenched.

[Reno]

"Not like that!" Soran cried back, but called out as darkness swept towards him. He tried to avoid it, but heard the crackling of the wing to let him no he failed. With a cry and a wing broken, he came flying down but he spun his body, and wind swept up around him. Even one wing down he was able to land on another large pillar of rock successfully. He spun his staff, letting it close before throwing it aside. It could help him no longer.

He took a few steps back before running forward and leaping from the pillar towards Vanitas, wind whipping up around him to give him a good push and he shot his fist forward, flame blasting out towards the spirit.

Down blow, everything was becoming chaos as the four attempted to fight off the elements. Terra looked back, seeing the blonde take a fall but other then being water-logged, he was alright. He grit his teeth and glared forward, looking up the pillar where Vanitas was. "Oh, come on!" He growled in aggravation.

He slid to a halt suddenly, turning his body sideways his hands went behind his, putting his wrists together so his palms extended outwards from each other as if mimicking a lily flower and his fingers curled naturally. His muscles trembled as he twisted his hands to point forward and the earth shook as a crack developed in the tall structure Vanitas stood on the earth trembling and breaking under his feet.

[Rikugurl]

As Soran's fire soared down at the Spirit, Vanitas's hand shot up and a jut of darkness came from the earth, blocking the fire instantly before the hand pushed out, making the darkness 'break' and hit the Avatar as if it was solid rock. It was enough to distract him so he was not ready for the rocks to give way under him, falling into the crevasse below. The group tensed, wondering if he would appear again but it wasn't him who came from the darkness around. It was the rest of the shadows. Yellow glowing eyes peered at them all over and none of them could see the larger, developed creatures but thousands of the smaller and medium kinds.

"UGH!" A fist punched out and another palm pushed by it, making two large spiraling ball of fire shoot out towards the shadows, turning them into dust easily. To his horror though, the space quickly filled with more. This was bad. Really bad. "Soran! Get down here and help!" Axel commanded, knowing that fire was the only way they could get rid of these things without the sun and covered moon. For what seemed to be forever, Soran and Axel shot out long ranged fire attacks, keeping the shadows at bay while the other three were thinking of some sort of plan. Did Vanitas call up these creatures just to wear them out?

"What it... TERRA!!" Ventus cried as he saw yellow eyes behind his lover, knowing the trick well. The Spirit came from underground. Before a cold hand could reach out for the earthbender, he was pushed away with a gust of wind but he easily twisted and landed on his feet. With a snap of his fingers, all the shadows disappeared. His hand came out and in it formed a beautiful sword that had wisps of darkness coming off it. "I don't like playing games where I am outmatched. Time to bring it up a notch." He swung the sword and they could all feel the cold wind on their faces. "If this touches you, you shall loose that piece of your shadow. You will see how important a shadow is when you lose yours!"

A battle cry filled their heads and instantly, the Spirit and Roxas shot after each other, meeting each other in a tight deadlock. "Too bad you could not of spent more time with your twin as you grew up, Roxas. Just think, you will be able to spend all the time you want when your shadows are mine!"

[Reno]

"Ah!" Sora cried, seeing the rocks flying for him and he whipped up a blast of wind, but even still one hit him right in the stomach. And it hurt too, just like a real rock! "Ooof!" He called being thrown back at a wall of rock. He whit it hard and coughed but some rock shifting underneath his hands and jutted out, becoming a purchase for him to hold onto. He wasn't sure if Terra did it or, in his state of panic, he had But he took the breather - until he heard Axel's cry.

His eyes widened at the teeming darkness, before his legs angled behind him and he SHOT from the rock flying right overhead. "ALRIGHT!" He whipped up a wind and suddenly spun like a wheel, and with a blast of flames became encased in his own fireball. He crashed into the field of darkness moments later, fire whipping up high, but Sora had to spring out of the way as more took it's place. He landed next to Axel and the master and student shared a glance, before they started to work their bending together, trying to hold back the shadows.

But things only got worse when Vanitas attacked the other three of their group. But it wasn't until the sword appeared that Roxas' eyes gleamed. Finally, something he could do!
"YAH!" Came the cry and he shot forward over the ground, the sounds of blades clashing. He looked over their stalemate into those yellow eyes, both fingers curled around his hilt. "Shut up. I'm with him now and that's all that is important." He leaned his weight forward and yanked upwards, throwing the spirit back before holding Oathkeeper out in front of him, the white blade gleaming. "I'm the best swordsman in this world! You should feel lucky to have met me!" The blonde boasted, "I can take on any bender - even a bender of shadows!"

Even down one sword, the blonde moved gracefully, compensating for the loss surprisingly well, despite the mishap yesterday. Oathkeeper swung to his side as he fell into his stance before rushing forward, their blades swinging, meeting, parrying, clashing. The sound of it was odd, the ring of Oathkeeper clear and true like solid metal, but the blade Vanitas held was nothing but hollow and dull, like an empty shell.

[Rikugurl]

"Roxas!" Ventus cried in pure worry as he saw his twin fighting one on one with the Spirit. Did spirits really work like this? Why did this just seem so wrong? The idea of them fighting like this was as empty as the darkness itself.

"Ha! YA!" The Spirit wasn't a bad swordsmen himself, faltering some but making up with quick bouts of darkness to parry Roxas's blows instead. There was a shiny grin over his face, his golden eyes sparking with excitement. "UGHA!!" He called once more before they locked and was ready for the movement this time, pushing off and stepping back some. "Heheheheehehehee, you're not so bad for a second-rate son~" He taunted, making the blonde freeze. "Ah? Did I find a sore spot?" He chuckled again, waving his sword around. "Did you forget that? Have you forgotten? You didn't tell your brother everything did you?"

Ven's eyebrow rose, frowning as he glanced at his brother. Was this a trick too?

"You didn't tell him how your father boasted that his one twin was a great bender and his other did nothing but play with sticks all day? Just because you found your brother doesn't take all the darkness away in your heart. That first night when it rained. How you hated him so. You suffered as he had a fine life and friends. Don't lie to yourself that it was that easy to forget~"
"Roxas...?"

[Reno]

Roxas didn't think of anything as he swung and attacked, ducking and dodging blows when they came for him, knowing that a swipe of that sword, even the tiniest nick, would be the end of him. No one stepped in, afraid too risk Roxas's life. So no one moved, and they all just watched, eyes glued to the two as the swords play heated up. But they were all ready, all prepared to strike whether it be with earth, wind, or fire if Roxas happened to falter.

And he did, but not in the way anyone expected.

"Hah!" Roxas called, pushing back again but the shadow was prepared and backed off himself. Roxas stumbled a little from the misplaced force but was quick to right himself and hop away in case of a slinging sword was coming down for him. It wasn't but he grew caustious as the other started to laugh and then-
'second-rate son.'
And then blue eyes went wide as the other spoke the words that had been haunting him for months, coming back to him when he least expected it. Every failure was like a slap in the face, and his father's words came back, ringing in his ears like a bad song. No matter how far he ran, it was always there. It's all he ever heard when Axel doted on Aqua; it's all he knew when he saw Ven and Sora's bond; it was all he ever thought whenever he lost a match.

"Well if Ven were here-" Roxas snapped, holding two wooden swords in his hands, the field clear except for him and his father. his training grounds - he had skipped on his chores yet again.
"Well he ISN'T HERE! Instead we're stuck with you, some second-rate son!" Sirocco snapped. "When are you going to learn to stop hiding behind your brother and take your own responsibilities!"

He heard the other dimly still talking, holding his sword almost mechanically, his grip slack. The shadow's words stabbed his heart, opening up the old wounds that hadn't even begun to heal.
"Roxas...?"
But it was that voice, the soft, pleading voice of his brother, that drew him back to attention. He wished he could tell him it wasn't true... he wished he could tell his own heart that too. Fingers curled around the hilt, lifting it up again and he glared at the spirit, furious. "I never forgot." He hissed, angry tears welling at the corner of his eyes but only one fell, tracking silently down his cheek. "But the problems my father and I have between each other are our own and no one else's. That is why I never told Ven. I never planned on leaving that night..." He said, speaking now to his brother, even though he kept a trained eye Spirit. "We got in an argument; we were angry. I don't know if he meant it... but it had been enough to make me leave. I wanted to prove to everyone it wasn't true."

He shot forward suddenly, stabbing forward. A blade rose, they clashed. He swung twice more - slash, slash - and Vanitas danced just inches out of the way both times. The look in his eyes was the same one he held for Ven when they fought their match and he found himself losing. Wild and furious. "Is this how you plan to win Vanitas? By delving into our hearts secrets and tearing them out? What a shameless lack of honor you have! You wanna know whose really second-rate?" He snarled carelessly, as he kept coming for the other, Roxas' skill knocking him back further sand further, "You are! A spirit banished from his own home! How pathetic ARE YOU?!"

[Rikugurl]

Golden orbs widened at the insult the boy threw at him, parrying each blow that came down towards him. It seemed like he wasn't the only person who knew deep, dark secrets of the heart. How had he known? Vanitas didn't enjoy the taste of his own medicine, feeling the hatred of the very spirit that brought him onto the mortal plane. "UUUUUUUUUGH!!!" A heavy swing sent Roxas back but being as trained and skilled as he was, Roxas shot forward, his sword slashing onto the other, making it fly out of the Spirit's hand.

A gleaming weapon of handmade master craft pointed at the Spirit who only gave him a sympathetic look, though their eyes matched in wild rage. "Then I suppose we are the same. Both of us have been cast away in the shadows or a better, greater being. If anything, you should be more understanding of it. Come, join me and it will fade away. You can forget." Some words rang out over the battle friend and Ventus took a deep inhale when the tip of the shimmering blade pierced through the chest of the Spirit.

Darkness burbled and bled from the wound but the Spirit did not falter. His golden eyes only glowed brighter and became almost hypnotizing. He took a breath, some of the dark liquid passing his lips as if it was truly blood. Vanitas didn't say a word but a haunting feeling came over the blonde when he realized this 'blood' was making its way across the blade, covering the steel with the darkness like a thick tar. It continued to climb and climb, reaching the handle and soaking onto his fingers. Roxas struggled to pull away but like tar, it wouldn't come off, only stick to him more.

"ROXAS!" Axel cried, realizing that his lover was in trouble and both his hand lit up with flames. They shot out as he punched the air, each one larger than the other as it looped around Roxas's side to come in at Vanitas but with his hands free now, he moved them and counter attacked with shadow water, putting them out. The gobs of darkness thickened and flowed faster, quickly overtaking the blonde warrior. It was enough to keep him on the ground, unable to acquire his sword or to stand on his feet. The Spirit moved away, the 'blood' following as he did, though Roxas was stuck in his place.

Another waterbending move sent a large typhoon after the rest of the group, making them run for cover. "AXEL!" Ventus cried, knowing that fire could counteract it if it was powerful enough and he knew Axel was one damn powerful firebender!
"Got it!" He called, his hands coming out and about to move when---

SCRATCH!!

"UUGH!!" The redhead arched his back as a small shadow creature ripped it's black claws across the warrior's flank, disrupting his attack and was suddenly taken over by the 'water'.
Before any of the others could see or help with the fate of the redhead, a wall of stone shot between Terra and Ventus, the wall circling the air master to the point that he was trapped.
"HAAA!" The boy twisted and shot some air towards the rocks but with such little space, he couldn't make a powerful enough wind orb. A flick of his wrist sent out his glider out... only to be broken on the walls. "Ah!" There was a muffled cry and Ven turned to the direction. It was Terra!

Terra... who was now trapped in a dark whirlwind. No amount of blockage from the earth kept the winds from whipping around him, making bits of earth knock him down, bruising his skin. He couldn't even sink below the surface for a hardened circle of darkness prevented him to his escape.

And now, the Spirit was walking towards the Avatar; the only one left standing. "How long did that take? It seems that it is that time where you and I face each other alone. Do you truly wish to do this? It would be much easier just to let me take your shadows. Your fears, your fright, your uncertainty. This is the last time I ask you nicely, Avatar. And don't worry... your snake friend guardian will soon join you so you won't be lonely at all."