Up, Up, and Away

[Reno]

Tells began to eruot all around - fear striking everyone's hearts as the pwoer flooded over them. He was so close... so close... he jabbed his keyblade out, hearing his name being screamed - and then there was nothing.


Mickey, who had been the first to awaken, was standing atop a rock, looking out towards the horizon quietly, cotemplating. He had a bad feleing that he knew - no he was certain of where he was. As the keyblader of darkness, he could feel it. the Realm's heart.

Tidus groaned, feeling rough sand on his cheek. did he fall asleep on the beach again? it weouldn;t be the first time. god that was all just a horrible dream rig- Tidus eyes opened and he gasped. no, it was no dream. "What...?"

Terra stirred when he felt Ven shift against him. He had, at the last minute, scooped Ven up and held him, curling around him to offer what little protection he could. His eyes fluttered open wincing a bit at the strange light the moon cast. "We're... alive?"

Aqua layed near the beach, the waves lapping at the edges of her clothes. she groaned lightly, her eyes fluttered open to see a dark ebach spread before her. She struggled to gwet to her feet and hissed when her shoulder painfully protested. Okay she would just stay put. Good idea.

Donald fluttered awake, his wings flapping a bit, and he looked around. "Wha?!" He stared around, sniffing the air. But it didn;t smell like salt water strangely enough. what was this beach?

Roxas groaned, his eyes opening. He ached all over, a burning like a floor flame centered around his stomach. He looked down and cursed. "Ah fuck..." There was blood seeping through his clothes. Not a lot - but some of his stiches must of broke. It colored a bit of the sand. He shut his eyes, just laying there, shivering,

[Rikugurl]

Axel looked down as he heard Roxas come to. He frowned, pulling the boy softly over to see how he was. Green eyes saw the red in his clothes, making him from. Roxas wasn't going to be able to keep fighting like this. He slowly zipped down his lover's shirt, exposing the bandages that were all soaked with blood and puss.

He knew they was going to hurt... but it would be much better than busting any more stitches or becoming infected. He pushed his hand gently under the bandages and over the open wound. His finger pressed on the wound, making sure his nail didn't get to close. A small burn was pushed down the skin, making it seal tight.


Kairi left Tidus's side as she walked to Mickey. Her eyes looked out at the shallow water. It was as black as black could be. She knew it too... that this was the heart of the Darkness. This pool... it was where everything came from... wasn't it? People's hatred... people's envy... their lust... all those sin sprouted from this pool... wasn't it?

She had figured that Kingdom Hearts was the Heart of the Realm... but this place.... it was stronger... as empty and shallow as it may look. "It's not over..." she whispered as she looked down at the water.


Goody stood, slowly walking to his feathered friend and helping him up. "Gwarsh... I wonder where we are." Obviously not in a happy place.


Ventus winced again as he felt his arm finally, coming in and out of numbness. He slowly looked down at Terra, asking a funny but serious question. Of course they were.... right? He could still feel his heart beat... and these feelings... they were alive.

His good arm wrapped around the other, his hand rubbing Terra's cheek. "As alive as alive can be..." He said softly. His eyes softened but suddenly grew dark as the ground rumbled a bit. Damnit...



From the shallow water further in the distance, a loud heartbeat pressed against the surface, making the black water ripple. Slowly a set of large horns started to come from the depths, the water dripping off of it. No... it wasn't over.

[Reno]

Roxas wgroaned in protest as he was pulled in the other's arms. "A-Axel..." He shuddered as he was pulled in the other's arms. He breathed unsteadily, the pain making his heart race.

He watched Axel frowned down at him, blinking a bit, then his eyes widened automatically knowing what his lvoer was going to do. He tried to say soemthing in protest when he felt the burning pain. His head tossed and he gasped, crying out a few tears slipping down his cheeks; but the wound did seal. He trembled against the other. "F-fuck warn me next time."


Tidus struggled to his feet watching as Kairi left him to go talk to the mouse. He brushed himself off, frowning. Where were they? this almost felt worse then being in riku;s presence.

The poor male's head spun as he attempted to figure out just what the hell was going on.


"you're right." Mickey answered Kairi, looking out at the water sadly. It defineitly was not over.


Donald just shook his head, looking around. "whereever it is, it isn;t a good sign for us." He said, holding his staff tightly. This place felt ominious.


Terra smiled brightly at Ven, covering his hand with his own, but that was when the ground rumbled. his expression fell as he looked up. "fuck." Why did this have to happen? Why...? He just wanted to lvie a fucking normal life now! Just with Ven and Aqua somewhere far away... where they;d never be found again!


Aqua felt the ground rumbleing under her, jarring her body. So much for staying still. She curled her feet under her, struggling to her feet. Her sapear, nearby, was snatched up. She flexed her other hand - finding it wasn;t broken but it still hurt quite a lot.


Slinking in the darkness, creeping around the rocks, a dark form made his way towards the beach ready to strike down the fallen and weak. He came closer to the shoreline, hearing the waves and hunkered down, his eyes locking on his targets, hunkering down and ready to strike.

[Rikugurl]

Axel smiled faintly. His heart was still racing... he would have a hard time speaking. He had almost... lost Roxas again. "Sorry..." He whispered before he felt the rumble. He pushed Roxas aside softly before standing up. He walked over to Mickey, Tidus and Kairi, looking out at the water... and the now exposed horns.

Darkness started to fill in around him again. Fuck....


Kairi watched the horns come from the water, that Darkness running through her again. She stood closer to Tidus... but it would he hard having a frightened bodyguard.

She just had to remember what Mickey said... to follow her heart. She was going to need it for this...


Goofy too headed over to the others, watching what was going on. His knees started to shake as he saw the horns, the darkness becoming strong again. They could do this though! With all them here! All they had to do was work together.


Ven pulled away from Terra, getting up, his keyblade coming to his hand. He was about to go to the others when something else caught his ear. A jingling... of a bell. He looked at where the sound was coming from... and in the dark shadows of the area, he could see golden eyes.
"SORA!"


Almost as soon a Ventus yelled out Sora's name, the waves started to come in stronger... but again, it was shallow so not much damage was made. Slowly a very large dark creature arose from the water, towering over them by three floors. It was covered in dark mud but a sudden loud roar made all the mud disappear, revealing the creature's true looks.

It was a bone dragon.
A very... rugged, demon like dragon with a very sharp beak. Black horns arose from its head like spears, only to curve at the top. From its head, very long silver hair fell over the ratty bones. Amber eyes peered down at them like ice, the black sockets making it even more cold.

Only the head and torso was exposed out of the water, its huge arms and black claws extended the pool length. Another fierce roar came from it, making the ground shake again. The amber eyes looked down at the small threat. It suddenly opened it's mouth and a large ball of energy started to form at the tip.

[Reno]

Roxas shut his eyes, resting there, feeling the ground rumbleing under him and feeling utterly helpless at the same time. He wanted to help... His eyes opened, hearing the jingling as well - but that was because it was ten times closer to him.


Tidus drew his sword for the first time, holding it before him.. How did he get himself in this mess? He stood next to Kairi, trying to be brave when he wanted to hide under his covers.

Mickey let the keyblade appear in his hands, standing his ground even as it threatened to crumble under him. This was looking bad.

Donald stood next to Goofy, holding his staff. He was scar edoot - but they had to do this. If they didn;t...

Even still he would have liked to have Sora by their side as well. His eyes narrowed in determination. "We can do this!" he said, both for himself and for everyone else.

Terra stuggled to his feet as well, keyblade snapping in his as well. When the other yelled out he spun, seeing Sora;s form but he wasn't as close as he had thught - though he was still nearby to someone.

The yell drew Aqua's attention and she looked over, seeing the black figure as well. He was crouched like a lepord, his eyes glowing as he stared at his next meal. Roxas was the only one not standing - and even from ehre she could see the blood on his clothes. Guilt warped her mind and before she knew it she was racing forward...

Sora, at Ven;'s yell, knew he had been spotted. He suddenly burst loose, crossing the sand at amazing speeds. Ven couldn;t catch him - too wounded himself to do it, and Terra was far away enough. He pounced, high, ready to fall ontop of the other. roxas was shutting his eyes, waiting for his fate...

Aqua was suddenly in his path raising her spear, swinging it...

Sora reached out for it, knowing the sharp end would not catch him, too close for it to hit him...

The spear glew blue and suddenly morphed...

Sora held his hands get cut and he was thrown back. With a yell the heartless smacked into one of the rocks, hissing in pain, teeth bare as he breathed unsteadily. He looked towards her, confused.

Aqua stared at the weapon in her hands. She could have cried. Ven had Aero Maxim. Terra had gained back Quicksand. and now Tsunami had been returned to her. It was blue, made all of sharp angles and loops like a dolphin's jumps from water - or possibly a dragon's. At the end the keychain was a circle with a star in the middle - like a sand dollar. Her keyblade... She and Terra had gained them back... when they truely wished to protect someone besides themself...

Aqua looked down at Roxas' shocked face. "consider us even?" she grinned, then looked outwards. she had her keyblade, which means...

She pointed her keyblade towards the ocean. Which meant she wasn't going to allow Riku to finish his attack. She prayed her plan would work - or at least distract him. "Regole's Judgement!" A beam shot forth, smacking into the water, and then like a great beast water flew up, wrapping around Riku;s body, hugging him tight. It took shape of a dragon - the same one Riku and Sora had seen back on Dragoon. The head hissed hovering above Riku's head, barely its teeth with had turned to ice.

It crashed down atop him, swallow him whole - his ice 'teeth' acting like normal fangs meant to cut into what he bit - whther it was through flesh or bone.

[Rikugurl]

Axel was too preoccupied on how huge the bone dragon was.... he forgot about things around him.... including his lover. The mentioning of Sora didn't phase him either.
They... they had to defeat this thing.... or.... find its heart somewhere? Look at that thing! There was no way they were going to find a heart in that thing!


Ventus watched in horror as the fast Heartless ran towards.... his brother. There was no way he could make it in time. Right when he was about to call Aero to see if it could baffle him, he saw a glow of blue. Tsunami! His eyes widened. They.... they were all keybladers again.


Kairi gasps as she suddenly saw a ray of light hit the water and it started to morph into a sort of water dragon. Could the keyblade really do that?

The purple energy ball was crunched down as a new threat appeared around the bone dragon. The amber eyes met the ice teeth but no fear ran through them. When the teeth came crashing down, it snagged a part of Riku's beak, making half of it break off and fall into the water.
The dragon roared and swung his head a bit as the missing chunk suddenly turned into a small pack of Neoshadows.

As Riku was getting slowed down, Kairi had to think. Obviously, the strongest people here were the Chasers and Mickey. Roxas would of been too... but he was definitely down and out. The power of Light didn't effect Riku... so she wouldn't be much help and well Tidus... wasn't much help unless he had some hidden strength.

But she had a plan. "Axel, you heal Roxas with all you got, even if it takes a lot out of you. No offense, but at this time we need a keyblade more than fire." Fire wasn't going to hurt bones or water.

She looked at Donald and smiled. "Donald, you try to slow him down as much as possible with your majick. Also, see if you can cast haste on Mickey and the Chasers. Goofy! You're the back up healer."

She then looked at Mickey. "You and the Chasers have to distract and weaken Riku as long as possible." Her green eyes moved to Tidus softly. "And Tidus... you get rid of those Heartless."
She nodded. The plan sounded good.
"And I have to go save Sora."

Now that Sora was wounded, she would have the chance to see if she could break him from the Darkness.
She left their side and rushed to Sora, kneeling down in front of him.
"Sora!" She heard him his but her heart was strong. She had to do this! "Sora... listen to me. You need to break free. This isn't you.. you don't hurt people. Separate yourself from Riku and follow what really counts... your heart."

Her eyes started to shine as she pressed her hand on Sora's chest. "Your brothers and friends are here. They need your help. You promised to keep them safe. And your lover... he needs your help too. He needs you Sora.... he needs the real Sora..."


Goofy puffed out his chest. He didn't have very much majick... but he always carried a ridiculous amount of High Potions with in at all times. He would do his best to keep everyone in best health.


The twilight shown over them as the Neoshadows started to jump towards the large group. They were quicker than normal... probably because it was pure Darkness here. One quickly went after Aqua, seeing that she just showed so much power. Before its claw dug into a bright light appeared and a purple spiky Dragoon appeared in front of Aqua. The spear in its hand threw the Heartless away quickly, watching it explode into more darkness.

The Dragoon hisses as it kept a protective stance around Aqua, getting rid of the Heartless attacking her quickly.


Axel rushed through the chaos, dodging and slashing at Heartless as he soon reached Roxas. He leaned down neck to him and wrapped around him protectively. Give him everything you got... He sighed and pressed his hand gently on Roxas's wound, making it warm and soothing, puring his energy into it.


Vetus watched the chaos and looked up at Terra. "Be careful! I wanna be able to beat the living shit out of you when we're done with this.... Muffin Man." He grinned as he quickly plowed into the fray.

Since Aqua did quite a good job at damaging and distracting, he would also. Aero Maxim was pointed out to the sky instead of the water. A ray of light came from it, blending into the twilight. "Fujin's Misfortune!" A sudden roar came from the sky, the sound of thunder rumbling. A sudden demon like figure came from above, holding a long white bag..

It appeared behind Riku, throwing the bag around the dragons head and wrapped it around its bony neck. It pulled it back, making Riku's head toss back. The ends of the bag opened, making a huge just flow out. The wing blew strongest around Riku's wrist, pushing them down in to the water.
Before the God of Wind was able to snap the dragon's neck, Riku roared and snapped his wrist up, breaking the powerful hold.

The black horns were shook and finally the demon was thrown off but not before more cracks in the bone fell into the water. Now free, Riku's eyes looked furious. Black nails pressed into the water, making electric currents. A claw picked up a matter of water, it dripping black electric as he quickly threw it at the group.

[Reno]

Mickey looked at Kairi, nodding slowly. She made a good leader - but that was whatw as to be expected of a pricness. Maybe Kairi had no kingdom but she could lead her people if she ever got any. He jumped from his rock, looking up at the ghastly form that was Riku. the only way they COULD attack him was at a distance.

Donald glanced at Kairi, nodding also at her words. She was smarter then she seemed. She knew how to fight.

Tidus scuffed his boot uncomfortably - but made no comment. He lifted his blade and rushed after the neoshadpws, and began to slice them down one by one. If he kept them away from the primary fighters... that was helping too right?


Sora grimanced at Kairi's touch, the light from her heart trying to invade his soul. he growled fiercely, gripping onto her arm, claws digging into her fragile skin. "You... your the one who said you hated master... i'll kill you." He rasied his other hand, digging the claws into her shoulder, pinning her down to the ground.

N-.... A voice tried toc ry in protest. His eyes narrowed. -op! He shook his head chuckling. "Why would I EVER listen to you? You abandonned him - abandonned us. You were jealous cause you wanted me to fuck you instead of him. you couldn;t accept us so you ran away. Now why, again, should I listen?"


Roxas groaned, feeling the warm light. His eyes opened again and he looked at Axel. "Ax... your gonna waste all your energy... stop." He murmured, trying to reason and plead with the other. The light was warm and comforting, chasing away the pain quickly.

His eyes widened though, seeing black shapes coming for them. "Ax-" He tried to call in warning, but as the heartless jumped on them, tow nobodies stood in their path suddenly. An Assassian and a sniper. They two nobodies shared a glance - as if competeing against one another - before the assiassian went tearing at the heratless with his swords and the snipered warped around, shotting them.

Roxas' brow furrowed feeling as if he should know them. He looked up at Axel. "you can stop Ax... i feel a lot better really."


Aqua got in a stance watching as the neoshadow came for her - when in her shock, she saw a dragoon come to her... rescue? She lowered her blade slightly, then smiled. "Hey thanks..."


Heads turned as Ven's spell took place, power radiating from the ltitle keyblader. It wasn't enough - but it damaged Riku to a point.

"Stop! Haste, Haste, haste, haste!" They heard Donald cry. Aqua was enthralled as yellow light shimmered over her and she suddenly felt... quicker. Magic was thrumming through her soul ."Alright!" she looked up, hearing something like clockwork as the magic swarmed around Riku - like with Sora it didn;t work effectively. Probably even less so but it would take more time to charge up attacks and those simple seconds would be life-saving. but before further action could be taken, Riku throw soemthing at them - and she could see lightning crackling within. Shit that was bad for her. If it hit her she;d be dead in two seconds flat - she WAS a water user. It would probably hurt the hell out of Ven too - wind and lightning were suppsoed to work together, not compete.


""My turn." Terra said, seeing the electricity globbed mass coming for them. He raced forward, stopping closer to the shoreline. Electricity had no influence on the ground - no it got absorbed. He slashed his keyblade in a line across the ground. "Defense." He said, the sand curdled before shooting like a wall - meeting Rikus attack halfway. The eletrcity sparkled across the ground, racing downwards like it was some sort of bridge, before crashing into the ground at Terra's feet, disappating harmlessly.

The sand fell into the ocean, churning there and turning into mud, the remains surronding Riku. Terra wasn;t done. "Alright shitface, let;s see what you got!" He taunted, point his his keyblade forward. the water around Riku began to twirl like a whirlpool, the water a murky color before streams of it shot up, wrapping around Riku's limbs, hardening like steel and cracking the bones underneath=. the momentum from the churning began to tug riku down - trying to make him fall.

[Rikugurl]

Kairi gasped as she felt the dark claws dig into her. However, no Darkness seeped into her body. As she heard Sora's crude words, she could of seriously punch him... but she couldn't. It wasn't Sora talking... it was the Darkness.
"No Sora... you're wrong. I don't hate Riku.... I hate what he's become. And... yes I was jealous... but I would never hurt you. Never. The only thing hurting you now is this Darkness. It's not your Darkness... it's Riku's. Don't let him drag you into this any more than he already has. You don't want to lose your friends.... your promises... you brothers.... your family. They love you Sora... we all do and the only way we can get Riku back too.... is if you see the Light... your Light... and no one else's."


Axel frowned as he heard Roxas. No... she was right. They needed Roxas more than they needed him. Besides... he was losing his lives a bit too easily here. He blinked, seeing the Heartless. He rose a chakram right before two Nobodies appeared. His eyes widened, seeing them fight the Heartless away.

He looked down at Roxas and frowned before looking back at the Nobodys. "Get out of here! Riku can destroy you for good!" He knew they just wanted to help... but he couldn't see Riku eat their souls too.


The Dragoon looked back at Aqua, it's sharp exterior not looking as frightful now they they knew the Nobodies were on their side. It only nodded slowly before attacking more Heartless coming there way.


The Stop spell wrapped around the dragon, making it more like a Slow spell. Its movements were more stiff but it was still quite powerful. A claw pushed down, making the earth rumble.


Vetus watched as Terra did his part. The water wrapped around the body of the dragon and started pulling him down... but the dragon just snapped it like if it was string. However, more crumbs fell into the black water, making more Neoshadows.

Ven growled. They needed to attack this thing head on with the keyblades... but how the fuck were they going to get over there? He dashed towards his friend, cutting threw the Heartless on the way there. Crystal hearts started to fly into the air, being drawn to Kingdom Hearts that wasn't too far away now.

Before a heart could escape, a claw grabbed onto on and the Dragoon in front of Aqua pushed it into its chest. Almost suddenly, another light appeared and Fujin was back in her apparel that she was in at Traverse. Her blue chakram swirled in her hands as she looked up at the dragon.

She too got the idea that they needed to get closer. But she had an idea. "heeeya!" He chucked both her chakram at the dragon, making the blade stick into the bone. The two weapons were places so that it was like stairs.

Axel watched, noticing that he wasn't the only one with chakrams. DAMN! And he thought he was special. But he got an idea too. They needed more 'stairs' to get to Riku's head. He rushed towards the water, throwing both of his at the dragon. The blades stuck deep over Fujin's. Now it would be easy to jump up there.

[Reno]

Sora stared down at her silently, gritting his teeth,. "You... you dare... you..." He stuttered, feeling his heart beat warmly as her words surronded him.

Sora could see himself falling slowly as if through water. His bodu twisting suddenly to right himself and even though only blackness surronded him he still landed on soemthing solid - like ground. Light suddenly fluttered under his feet and he winced, rasiing his hands - seeing doves fly. He looked down at the pattern under him - recognizing it slowly. Seeing a reflection of himself - without claws or darkness dying his skin black. "This is me." he murmrued. "the true me."

He walked across the patterns seeing the cirlces. "Donald... Goofy... Axel... Roxas" Ven too his mind reminded, "Kairi..." He stopped at the last picture, his throat catching. Because riku's was not lighted like the rest. It was dark - almost compeltely hiding the keyblader of Twilight. He kneeled down, but as he reached for the circle, darkness jumped at him - threatening to overtake him for a third time. He yelped, jumping back in fear. No... no he wouldn;t lose himself again... Riku needed his aid. Wait for me Riku... i'm coming.

But could he really face himself and the things he had done...?


The Assassian and Sniper paid no hed to Axel's words - however they did take notice of what their dragoon companion had done. they shared one glance before doing the same - reaching out for a heart as well.

There were small twin flashes of light. "alright now thats what i'm tlaking about!" The new voice stated, slicing through another heartless.

"and your dressed this time too!" Hayner teased, surprised to find his weapon in hand as well. He stood up next to the other blonde and together they continued to slash through the forces.


Aqua glanced at the dragoon-turned human and smirked. Well well it looked like her savoir was quite a cutie. She chuckled faintly. She watched the other throw her charkrams - imbedded them into Riku's body. Her eyes narrowed a bit in curiosity - soon seeing Axel do the same.


Mickey - who had had no long rnage attacks such as the chasers - suddenly rushed across the beach. "good job fellas!" He prasied. this abttle could not take much longer. He raced across the water and with a mighty leap, jumped onto one of the man-made steps. He was an agile mouse, easily able to gwt from one step to the next even as Riku thrashed.

He landed on the other's shoulder, and slashed his keyblade for one of Riku's very large cheeks.


Roxas was surprised when his lover left his side, but he got to his feet. He breathed uneasily - letting bond apepar in his hands, and watching the events unfold. He frowned, then suddenly began to run as well. His feet splashed into the surf as he did so, jumping without any inhibitions. He landed on the first step, nearly slipping on the emtal. He grimanced. Jumping hurt but h could dela with it. He pounced again and again, soon beside the king. But then he jumped even farther and with a mighty swing brought a hard blow down upon.

Terra watched The king, and then moments later Roxas jump all thew ay up there. Crazy fucks. "What the hell are we gonna do?! Have a party up there?!" He snapped- not likeing the idea of heights. He hated heights if it wasn;t connected to solid ground. airplanes? yeah screw that! Sky diving? Not on your lfie? Jumping on some insanely huge monster that was ready to throw you off? Oh HELL no!

[Rikugurl]

Kairi smiled softly as she could she Sora's face change a bit. He was pausing... she could feel his heart beat now. She was bringing him back.
"Come on Sora... please... we need your help."


Fuu's medium silver hair fell back to her shoulders as she watched the two jump up there. It had worked... and it was even better that the tall one had chakrams of his own.

Slowly a red eye turned and looked into the blue of the woman's she had rescued. "Go!"


Axel watched too but his eyes grew wide as he saw Roxas jump up there. "Roxas!" He called, seeing the other wince. Damnit... if they came out of this live, he knew they were both sleeping for a week!


Ventus looked up at Terra, seeing that he didn't budge yet. "Come on! Grow some balls you bitch!" Ven called as he quickly jumped up. The wind at his feet made it extremely easy to get up the 'steps' and onto the other side of Riku. He too slashed his keyblade into the dragon's cheek, gripping hard to the handle as the bones moved.


Riku's eyes were becoming red now, feeling the power of all the keyblades in him. Another roar escaped as he shook his head wildly. Suddenly black ball of energy started to shoot from the water and started to hit his own body, trying to push the bladers off. They also started to rain down at the shore.

A large claw swiped around the beach aimlessly, trying to get someone.

[Reno]

Sora's eyes shook uncertainly. He shook his head down at her. "Kai..." A roar brought his attention towards the fight. He looked over, towards were the keybladers had all joined together to fight off his crazed lover. He felt anger spark him. how could they hurt master...

No... no how could Riku hurt us. His own voice shot back. R-Riku... he fell... we fell... we need to... we need to come back...


"Yes ma'am!" Aqua saluted, before taking off, passing Terra. "coward!" She laughed, her keyblade skimming over the water so that it spun around it. she jumped upwards, getting up the stairs easily enough, joining Mickey's side because he was smaller and it was easier to manuver around him then around ven thsat crazy fuck.


Terra grit his teeth. "God i'm gonna die. I HATE YOU BOTH!" He roared in fury, chasing after the chasers. He was the last to follow up the chakram steps, his sense of balance more sound because of his element. He pounced on top of the head, joing Roxas. He figured the closer he was to the horns the more likely he had a chance to grab onto something if they fell. Don't. look. down.

together all five keybladers began to slash and hack, some yelling in fury - others just struggled to stay on as riku began to attempt to throw them off.


There were screams on the beach as they ran away from the claw attacking them - Donald and goofy jsut barely managing from being hit. Tidus looked up, his eyes wide, seeing the hand going for him with no chance of escape. In a desperate attempt to save himself, he ran towards the sweeping hand, swinging powerfully towards it.


Sora watched all this with quiet fascination, not noticing the neoshadows beginning to surrond him and Kairi. Sor ahad not yet claimed her heart - they wanted it now.

[Rikugurl]

Kairi looked around, having a hard time doing so for she was still under Sora. She bit her lip as she looked back at the yellow eyes creature. Slowly she pulled her arms away from him as he was too busy watching Riku. She wanted to look to... but she had to keep focused on Sora.

Slowly her fingers reached up gently, taking the collar's tag. It jingled slightly as she pulled the clasp off and slowly... took it off his neck.


Fuu frowned as she saw Aqua leave but quickly rushed to her partner and... chicken wuss. She no longer had her weapons so there was no way she could defend herself now.


Luckily, Axel wasn't defenseless. He threw fire towards the incoming army of Heartless. He did see Tidus become trapped though and frowned. A blast of fire flew at the claw, making the bone somewhat hot and not to strong. Tidus's blade had a much easier time going through it.


Now with all five keybladers on his head, Riku waved his head all over. More roars escaped as more balls of energy passed around them. The dragon suddenly fell forward and shook itself, as if it was a wet dog, trying to shake the five off.

Ven yelped as he swung his keyblade hard into the bone, making it stick tight. He held onto the handle, quickly loosing his footing and slide off the shoulder. He dangled back and forth as the dragon shook.

When Riku pulled back up, Ven got his footing once more but yelled in pain as an energy ball hit his back. It stunned him for a moment, burning the back of his shirt out. DAMNIT! He was already burned enough!
He growled, pulling his blade from the safe spot and suddenly flung it into one of the black horns.

A horrible cry came from Riku, making his claw and a half (since Tidus ripped through it) bang on the water. The water rose as a powerful wave on energy blew up towards the attackers.

"AHHH!" Ventus could feel the energy rush through him, soaking up his energy.
"Ven!" A familiar voice cried and green rings wrapped around him, making his wounds and energy heal.
"Mickey! Roxas! Aqua! Terra!" The views of green swirled around him as the rest of the party was healed.

"The horns! Attack the horns!"

[Reno]

Sora gasped, feeling the collar around his neck leave him, The chain rattled as Kairi set it aside, the hollow bell ringing it's last. He looked down at her. "K-Kairi..." He said this time, blinking furiously, the yellow in his eyes slowly starting to recede.


Seifer was shotting away like the trigger happy fool he was, only slashing as they came close enough. hayner shook his head, smacking more and more away.

Tidus blinked, but thanks to Axel's help he was still alive. He hurried to the red-head's side believeing in safety in numbers.


"Waaah!" Roxas cried, lodged his keyblade into riku;s skull hard, grabbing the edges of the broken bone to keep from following off. He called up an ice spell when the dark balls came to close - knocking them away.

Mickey and Aqua both stabbed their keyblades into the junction where shoulder met neck, holding on for their dear lives.

"Ven!" Terra yelled, eharing him scream. He grit his teeth in anger, rushing towards the other end of the skull, looking down at him. thats when Riku began to shake even more and he grabbed onto the horn for support.

"right!" They all intoned hearing Ven's call. He had found the weak point. Roxas and Terra were both in the best positions and they ran to opposite ends of Riku's skull, hacking away again and again.

Aqua looked up at roxas and they shared a quiet glance, then a smirl. "water!" Aqua calling, the water swirling around her she shot it upwards.

"Ice!" Roxas said, and the water turned into ice shards, embedding themseleves hard into Riku's horns.

Mickey threw his keyblade - smacking into the areas that the ice had already wounded.


The neoshadows around Sora suddenly jumped. Sora gasped, leaning over the other, his ehad buried into Kairi's shoulder... and light suddenly burst around them violently. The shadows were destroyed upon impact.

"Heal." Sora whispered warmly, the green magic floating voer Kairi's form, healing the wounds he had caused. He lifted his head, smiling though it was sad. "Thank you Kairi." he kissed her cheek, before he was on his feet, running down the beach, heart thrumming with light even as his soul pulsed with darkness. Ultima had come back to his hands - trusting it;s master once again.

"Light," He cried - the magic shimmering across the dark beach -extracting hearts from every heartless it touched. Sora reached the edge of the beach, and with one happy thought he took off - and up. He didn;t need the steps - in this world he could fly. He came face to face with the monster - the demon that had been hiding within his lover for much, much too long. "RIKU!" he yelled.

"Sora?!" Roxas was the first to yell, looking towards the... the hovering brunette. He was himself again!

Mickey smiled. He knew Kairi could do it.

Aqua whistled, seeing the shimmering sparkles that surronded Sora - as if light was always borne to be with him, just like riku was always borne to be with darkness. what a pair.

Sora didn't want to fight his lover - it had been hard enough the first time. But... he kenw what he must do... when it came down to it. He looked at the terrible red eyes of the dragon;s face. Ironic how alike he was to Malificent... able to turn into soemthign terrible like this. this was what the darkness did to him - did to THEM. "Riku... stop hurting them. they're our friends! Please... i don't want to hurt you again."

[Rikugurl]

Kairi blinked as Sora came close, feeling his warmth. She closer her eyes, feeling the warmth wrap around her as her small wounds healed. When he rushed away, she slowly sat up and then got to her feet. She watched the battle from afar, her heart starting to hurt.
Something told her... that... there wouldn't be a happy ending to this.

But... she was happy that her heart was actually this pure to save someone from the Darkness. She never really believed that she was a princess... but now... she kind of did.


Ven grit his teeth as he started to hack at the horn, hearing Riku cry and cry more, trying to pull them from his head.

When Mickey's keyblade hit the horn, it shattered from the ice. Black frozen matter fell into the shallow water, making strong Heartless appear only to be destroyed instantly from the Light.

A loud roar bellowed from the dragon's bony throat. It's head swung back and again the five had to hold on tight. That was when Sora appeared, right as he put his head level again.

"Sora!" Ven looked back, seeing his brother. Kairi did it! But he didn't have time. One horn was gone... it was his and Terra's job to get the last one.


The red eyes turned amber again as it focused on Sora. The eyes were wild though, black smoke was streaming from his broken horn. Another roar was unleashed as he quickly snapped at Sora in front of him with his half beak, not hearing a word Sora had to say.

A horrible sound came from the back. The last horn fell. Riku had lost a lot of power from losing Sora's Darkness. The black horn fell into the water, making a huge splash. More stronger Heartless appeared but were quickly eliminated by the fighters on the ground.

That was when the ground shook again and the bone dragon started to sink back into the water. He raged his head everywhere, making the scene dramatic. Ven slashed his keyblade into the skull again but it broke right through. "SHIT!" He was quickly thrown off the dragon as he raged around.

He fell into the water violently... but it was nothing he couldn't handle... he's fallen from higher places. He winces, coughing as the water splashed over him.

The chakrams flew out of the bone, moving straight down to the beach. Axel blinked, seeing one head right for him. "Watch out!" He called as he pushed Tidus aside, feeling a blade rip through his leg. "DAMNIT!!" WHY WAS HE ALWAYS GETTING HURT!?
He winced as he looked down and quickly pulled his own chakram out of his leg. He took the other from the ground and both disappeared as he looked up at the dragon being swallowed.


As the other keybladers were thrown off violently, Fuu saw Aqua heading for the ground quick. She knew she would land on her back... and that was no good. Quickly the silverette dashed away from her friends and into the shallow water. Her red eye watched the woman fall and quickly jumped under her before she hit the ground, catching her.

Her arms wrapped around the other woman as she pulled her away from the scene, holding her protectively.


Soon enough, the bone dragon was swallowed back into the water. The dark waves soon became calm again.

[Reno]

OOC: Ah i'm SO sorry my internet like DIED last night,. Had to call charter and everything.

It's too late. He had changed back too late. Sora couldn;t help but think - his ehart breaking as he looked at the other.

His head shot up, glancing at Ven when he heard his name called. He would have smiled at the other, if Riku moving forward hadn't caught his eye again. "Ri-AH!" He flew back, barely dodging being snapped to pieces. "RIKU!" He cried in both shock and pain. "Please..." He pleaded but it went unheard.

The sound of snapping bone made Riku cry and Sora's heart break. The horn snapped off thanks to Terra and Ven;s efforts. He could feel the dakrness seeping out of his loer and it made him shvier with a bit of fear - how had he had that much? how had he never noticed? Did sharing a soul make him blind?

"V-wha!" Terra screeched, holding onto the broken edges of Riku's horn as he was tossed. Oh god he did NOT want to fall. "VEN!" He screamed as the other fell.

And then... he lost his own grip. With a very unmanly scream he fell. god he HATED heights! He shut his eyes until he hit water. He spluttered, swimming to the surface - and instantly rememebred Ven only had one arm. He stroked quickly, appearing next to the blonde;s side. He grabbed his good arm, slinging it over his shoulder, offering some much needed support, bringing him back to land.


tidus gave a cry as he was pushed out of the way. "H-Hey!" He looked towards the other in panic at his pained yell, seeing the blood. "A-Axel." He waved his arms. "Ah Sorry!" He looked around frantically for help. Axel was bleeding for God;s sake!!


Aqua squeaked, as she was thrown, unable to even correct herself. She was gonna hit on her back and hit hard. She grimanced, shutting her eyes and waiting for an impact-

That never came. Instead she was caught in someone's arms. She gasped softly, her eyes opened and looking up at the face of her savoir - for the second time today. "My, My you do have to tell me your name." she murmured fondly, smiling brillantly.


"Riku!" Sora cried, watching the ... monster that was his lvoer begin to... to... die. Tears gathered in his eyes - but the yells of the other keybladers was drawing his attention. He flew forward, desperately trying to help someone - anyone.


Roxas gave a cry, slipping from the skull. Oh... this was going to HURT. He grimanced, about to draw his arms around his middle to try and protect his already damaged stomach -

When a hand caught his arm. He looked up, relieved. "Sora."

The brunette gave a shaky smile, blinking when a second weight was added to his back. "Hey Rox..." He looked back.

"don;t mind if i steal a lift do ya pal?" Mickey said with a sad smile.

"Not at all..." Sora whispered softly. As one, the three keybladers looked down seeing as what was left of Riku disappeared into the waters. It was over.

Riku... was over.

"Gimme your other hand." Sora said softly, his face a mask of emotionlessness.

Roxas looked up, but lifted his other hand, clasping it with Sora's. With a soft, lilting glide, Sora flew them the rest of the way to the beach - where everyone else had either already made it too or had been all along.

Mickey jumped from his perch when it was an apporpriate height, and then Sora carefully set Roxas. He didn't set down himself though. He circled the group in a wide spiral, flying around them. "curaga" he murmrued, the light going over everyone, healing their wounds, kissing away their pains, starving off their exhasution. the cut on Axel's leg stemmed it bleeding, it's pain less pronounced. Donald felt some of his vitality returning after much magic use. The burns upon Ven's back cleaned up nicely. The weariness creeping upon the others disappated, along with the aches and pains from that meteor attack and from being thrown around, losing their hearts etc, etc.

Sora still did not set down though. He flew across the ocean over where Riku's demonic form had disappated - eyes searching desperately for some sort of sign. Something shimmering under the surface caught his eye. Something silver. his heart stopped and with a movement that was a mix between aa water kick and an aerial move, he dived into the ocean, unable to ehar the cries of the others.

He swam quickly, going deeper and deeper into the calm waves, reaching out for silver -

His hand closed around it and he held it above himself, towards the moonlight that broke the surface, his heart choking up. It was Riku's Twilight necklace.

He held it to his chest, looking around frantically, his lungs pleading for him to resurface. Riku? Nothing but a dark ground, blue nothingness, and a white moon above. Riku! Pain struck his heart, twisted his soul, burned his respiratory system. No... Riku just couldn't be!

RIKU!!! God... please no... If his eyes weren't already wet, he knew he'd be crying. I love him... why... why did this have to happen?

Air bubbles escaped his lips and he knew if he wanted to keep from drowning, he would have to resurface right now. Sora started to kick his legs weakly.