Tying Knots

[Reno]

Sora, who had been running towards Riku, was stopped by Terra's voice. His eyes widened in confusion, looking up towards the wall which was... slowly... cracking.

His mouth was agape, staring with disbelief, not realize he was suppsoed to start RUNNING now. His arm was yanked and he yelped in surprise, his feet coaxed into a dash. He looked towards Riku but said nothing, saving his breath for the sprint.

The two were quick together, and they were the first two onto the path. They would make it down fine - but riku probably wouldn;t be too happy when he finds out what happened to Ven.


Roxas, who had been nearer to Axel at that point - though he thought secretively, wasn't Ven right behind me, where did he go?, when he heard the cry from the land keyblader. He processed it quickly and was about to start running when he was suddenly yanked UP. "WAH!" He cried in surprise, looking up at a grinning redhead. "Axel?!" He could run on his own!!

NO MATTER HOW SHORT HE WAS!

All the same, because they were already in that psoition and had no time to stop, he drew his arms around the red-head's neck securely. They were the next two to make it out of the area, two steps behind Riku and Sora.

Sora got to run on his own! AND HE WAS THE SAME HEIGHT!

No fair.


Mickey raced across the ground suddenly at the call, not wasting a moment. He could hear in his oversized ears the sound of the rocks crumbling and coming down, the noise much worse to his hearing. Half of his running was spurred just trying to get AWAY from the sound.

He took his place behind Axel and Roxas easily, keeping up without a problem. He might of been short but he was still a mouse - and mice had always been known for their speed!


Fuujin, Aqua and Fran were the next ones to make it out of the path. Aqua, of course, being tugged more or less. Fuujn knew her too well, knew she wouldn;t leave if she didn't know where Ven or Terra was.

She kept looking back though anyways. Ven had been the farthest away! and Terra hadn;t been moving at all! Where did he go?! Fuujin tugged again, urging her to go faster, to ignore it. It wouldn't have mattered. In a matter of moment the path was being closed off more and more. There would be no going back.

But even as she was she thought she heard a faint, very faint scream... Ven?


Donald, who had been right next to goofy - more or less - ran as fast as his short legs would carry him. Like Goofy he wasn;t the faster as the longer-legged humans. But he was faster then Goofy!

But a sudden blast of wind sent Goofy - and subsequently HIM - towards the exit. "WAAAH!" The little duck cried, speeding over ground. his feet landed hard but he still managed to catch himself without falling and just kept running. they were the fifth - and last - group to make it out of there.

Terra and Ven never did.


Terra, from the minute he knew it was an avalanche, slipped into the ground. He knew one thing for certain: Hatori wasn;t just going to sit patiently and wait for them all to make it to safety. oh no, never. He would take the opportunity to attack them mercilessly, use their panic as a distraction and have sand wrapping around their legs to halt them. Unless someone was distracting him.

Terra, who was the leader and had to watch out for his team, took that little job upon his self. Besides he doubted the others even thought of it.

He reappeared behind Hatori, not surprised in the slightest when the other swung back almost immediately. The brunette hopped back to a safer range, growling.

Hatori turned to face him. "What's this? no running? Are you brave... or stupid boy?"

Terra scoffed, angry flaring inside of him - at the same time he felt panic but it wasn't his own. Ven! "No, just smart." What the hell was blonde friend doing?! And then he felt it. A sapping of energy and he stumbled, vision doubling and fearing that maybe the Hatori he was looking at wasn't... the real one.

But then suddenly Hatori took advantage of his weakness and was in front of him in an instant, and felt claws digging into his stomach - and only seconds later being sent back. "WAH!" Terra cried, smacking into a wall. He coughed, blinking away the dizziness. The hit from Hatori canceled away being able to feel the one that was delivered to Ven by the boulder - or at least it seemed to.

Terra contiued to blink until he felt more then heard Hatori coming closer. He looked up a bit baffled at the black male approached him, his look almost... contemplative. Like one a bear got when it was wondering if it was still hungry enough to eat its prey or not.
He gripped onto his keyblade, getting to his feet slowly, standing shakily for a few moments, then suddenly a new wave of pain sent him to his knees with a gasp.

Ven... He thought panickedly, his whole body aching. What did the blonde do...? He wanted to hurry and find the other, but a shadow suddenly blocked out the light, and Terra was yanked up by his hair.


Sora gave a groan, feeling his brother smack into the ground - no matter how far away he was. He nearly stumbled and feel, but a tug from Riku kept him up. From behind he heard a gasp - knowing it was Roxas feeling it as well.

What had happened? His mind was awhirl with fear.

Roxas gasped feeling pain that rushed from Ven, through Sora to him. It wasn't too bad since he was the third medium but it was enough to wind him. It was probably a good thing that Axel was holding him at this point...

Riku, seeming to sense something wrong, gave a yell to head faster towards the river and erveryone doubled their efforts to cover ground more quickly.

Aqua, who had stopped looking back awhile ago, still took notice when Fran seemed to stop. She, donald and Gofoy all glanced back, seeing her start taking arrows to the boulders, destroying them on impact. It seemed like a wickedly insane idea. Fuujin gave another tug and sowly she looked forward again. donakld and goofy did the same...

And no one saw when the woman was finally overtaken and sent from the cliff - over the noise no one could hear her scream.

But the minute she hit earth Sora gave a yelp, stumbling enarly against Riku, his blue eyes wide and seeingly unseeing. his feet still ran mechanically beside the other but everyone saw the sudden black light that shot from the brunette and curved over the edge of the mountain side.

Sora's eyes were wide, seeing no longer the rocks around him but his inner world full of blues, reds, yellows and purples... covered by 12 strengthing barriers... tweleve that kept death away. And one - a pirate flag - snapped to pieces as if made of glass. The blackness swept over the ground, smacking into Goofy's barrier and stopping once more.

Sora blinked away the vision, and looked back... and saw on top of Ven and Terra that one of them were missing. "Where's Fran?!" He yelled over the roar of the crashing boulders.

It was a pointless question of course. If she wasn't BEHIND them she was either buried... or very very hurt.

Sora and Riku were the first to make it out of the path - and to Sora's great relief he saw Ven standing far away, albeit a being shakily, by the river. He was okay...

He pulled away from Riku's grip suddenly, looking around - and closer by he saw some of the boulders that had fallen - and a familar sheen of dark skin. He jumped ontop of the boulders, quickly making his way over to the mostly hidden pirate, standind over her. "Fran?!" She looked... out of it. He fell to his knees by her side, scared for the woman. "Curaga!" He called, the green magic wrapping around her warmly. "Hey come on we... we still have to bring you home." A promise was a promise in his mind.


Terra grunted as he was pulled to his feet by his hair, eye-level with the other. He was closer to Hatori then he probably ever had been, and for a split, earth-shaking second he thought he was staring into a mirror. He gasped in fright, tearing away from the other violently, feeling some of his hair come loose.

The black haired male laughed lightly, something gold glinting around his neck - uunnoticied by the younger until now. A... chain? "Your like a fucking rabbit." Hatori snapped cruelly, the voice sending shiver coursing down the other's spine once more.

Terra shook, growling, then suddenly slipped back into the rock behind him. He could feel the others now. they were safe at the bottom of the mountain. He climbed from the ground at the bottom, nearby the river and on aboyt ten feet away from Ven. He walked the distance left to the blonde. "Are you okay?" he asked the other, looking him up and down worriedly. A cry from Sora drew his attention momentarily, and he saw the brunette crowding around someone... in the boulders. Terra's heart beat in fear. "Who...?" "Fran?!"


Hatori walked to the edge of his ledge, noticing the avalanche had come to an end. He jumped from to the next one, the one that had previously been there battlefield (now demolished) and wlaked to the edge of that one as well, looking down. He smirked happily at seeing the damage. His traitor was nevermore.

OOC: i'll be home 6:30 your time my love~ wait for me! *nuzzle*
oh and PAGE 15 WHOO!!!

[Rikugurl]

Riku stopped running as they reached the base and the sound of the boulders stopped. It was dusty by the river and there were still people's clothes hanging out to dry. It seemed that once the people heard the ground shake, they ran off to their homes. Perhaps avalanches weren't far too few.

However, he saw Sora leave his side and was about to follow when he felt a bit strange. Like... something was missing. For the first time in a long time... he felt... well... complete? But he knew something had to be wrong with that feeling. He shivered and suddenly looked at his hand. Way to Dawn! It must of gotten lost in the avalanche! He swung his hand, hoping it would come to him... but his hand was empty...


Axel placed Roxas down as they reached the bottom. Oh damnit! Why did there have to be water down here!? His green eyes widened as he heard something though.
"Fran!?" He looked behind him, seeing everyone coming down and stopping... but the dark skinned woman was gone.

He frowned and ran pass Riku towards the pile of rubble where Sora was. He pulled at some rocks, trying to clear the way. He frowned as he saw a limp body against a rock with Sora hovering over it.


Goofy panted as he reached the bottom. That was quite a rush! He looked up at where the battlefield was before and rubbed his head under his hat. He suddenly jumped when he saw a dark figure look over the edge. "GWASRH!"


Fuu was happy when they finally reached the bottom. She looked behind her now... and noticed that the trail was now blocked by the rocks that had fallen. Her red eye narrowed as she noticed that they were missing someone...


Ven leaned over Aero Maxim and panted a bit, shaking from the impact... and for some reason... his scalp hurt like a bitch. He blinked when he felt someone come close but he knew who it was. Tired blue eyes looked up, some blood coming from his lip and bruises on his face. "Yea.... I'm fine.... but Way to Dawn, it's back at the base now. I had to grab it before Hatori did."

He sighed and looked down, knowing that now Riku was in great danger. Maybe they should transport him back to Destiny... but then Sora would be in big trouble too. Suddenly a warm green swirl went around him. "Ventus!" He blinked, feeling the blood stop dripping and his body feeling much better. He looked back, seeing that Goofy had thrown him a High Potion.

Smiling, he nodded at the dog but frowned as he heard Sora's cry. Someone was hurt?? He dashed towards the scene, looking over Sora's shoulder slightly then to his side. He felt someone else coming to his side. Riku. He felt his heart quicken in speed... not wanting to tell them the bad news... especially not at a time like this.


Fran, who was laying against a rock was very limp. Her ears that were always perked and ready for action were now flat on her head like a loppy eared bunny. She was bleeding and bruised from head to toe and even parts of her limbs looked crushed. The green majick wrapped around her warmly... but nothing seemed to happen.

Aquamarine eyes darkened as he looked down at her. Slowly he held out his hand and placed it one her chest, above her heart. "Hyper Healing." A purple glow wrapped around his arm and into her chest.

Amber eyes opened slowly, but closed again. They slowly opened once more and looked up at Sora and the others around her. Everyone was so fuzzy... and she couldn't feel a thing. "Ah..." She tried to speak and her eyes lowered a bit. "I-if you... e-ever me-et a s-ky pirate... n-name B-b-balthier... te...tell him t...that I-i lef--t t-his wor..ld fi..fighting." She leaned on the bolder more before a limp finger pointed to a pouch that was connected to her high heels.

Riku's eyes saddened but saw the notion and slowly reached down for the pouch. When he was opening it, her foot slipped and he looked up. She had become completely limp again. She was.... gone. He grew a fist but started to open the pouch again. He reached two fingers in... and slowly pulled out a ring. His eyes studied it. It was unique and very different from any ring he had ever seen... but he knew right away... it was a wedding band.

His eyes widened as he looked back at her. "Ut! Fran! Fran wake up! We'll bring you back to him!" He reached out and started to shake her... even if he knew deep in his heart she was gone. They were... married... he... he couldn't imagine.... Sora... "Fran! Come on!"

OOC: I might not be on because my body is so sore. It's that amazing time of the month. TAT I'll do my best to get on at some point!

[Reno]

Ven's movement spurred Terra into motion and he rushed after the blonde. God damn it this was bad. this was exactly what he was trying to prevent!!

He jumped beside his friend, gasping as he gazed upon the mangled body of... Fran. It shook him hard, and he bowed his head, shutting his eyes, feeling guilt well up inside him almost instantly. If he had just...


Roxas sighed as he was put down, but then suddenly Axel was gone from his side. His brother had yelled. Roxas looked up in alarm, and soon Riku had taken off as well. He blinked slowly, before hurrying after the two, but because of space issues he stayed off from the boulders, staring as Ven, Terra, Sora, Axel and Riku crowded around... a fallen warrior. Fran.

From the sounds of it... it didn't look good.


He heard the others stopping nearby - knowing it was Goofy, Donald, Aqua and Fuujin, all staring upwards as well. silence had depended on them, as thick as the death surronding them.


Sora stared at the bunny-earred woman as she fell limp for the last time, tears filling his eyes. "Fran...?" he murmured, reaching out for the woman, touching an ear experimentally, expecting it to twitch like it had not too long ago...


Laughter from an over-exberant red-head and a seemingly drunk blond echoed from one side of the table, the muscian and the pyro getting along like they'd been the best of buds for eyars.

A second blonde, lover to the pyro, groaning in agitation and smacking both over the head, sending the fire-dstarter into a fit of whines and the blonde into small yelps of pain.

Farther away, close to the corner of room, A pretty silver-haired female with an eyepatch was making the acquaiuntance to a blue wolf. The sister of said wolf stood happily between them, shamelessly introducing each (with a few embaressing details to spare).

Sitting atop the counter, protectively stationed in front of his plate of muffins, was a brunette who looked fierce enought o kill if anyone dared try to take his food. his long-time blonde friend, who could have been twins with the punishing one near the singer and fire dancer, was at the moment removed from the scene - showering and the cause of why everyone was hudled in the ktichen. Rock music from the bathroom was blaring loudly, maybe the kitchen the quietest place on base - inretroscept it wasn't very much.

A duck and dog were, admittedly, still on the floor, trying to catch up on more sleep despite the racket. Many admired their versatility.

Across the table from the rowdy group was a brunette, famous for his bright smile, was lovingly pressed close to a silver-haired male, eatting cereal almost carelessly. He laughed every few moments as he watched the antics play out around him, while his lover beside him had a soft smile on his features.

And finally a dark-skinned female sat, nearby to the brunette, bunny-like ears protruding from her head. they fascinated many - including the brunette himself.

Curiosity got the best of him and he snaked a finger out, poking an ear. It twitched and he drew back, chuckling.

"that tickled." the bunny-like woman complained, rubbing her ear.

The brunette grinned. "Sorry, I just wanted to make sure."

"As sure as I'm a pirate, there ears are real!"

"Are other people from your world like you?" The brunette asked - kindly even though it came out rudely.

She smiled mysteriously however. "Maybe."

"Ah!" The brunette said, pointed accusingly. "Don' t do that! Now I need to see it! Riiiku! We have to go to Fran's world when we find it! And see if there are bunny people!" He shook the male beside him, looking excited.

"They're aren't pets Sora, don't even think of taking one home." The other said amusedly.

The brunette, Sora, pouted. "Kay..."

The music suddenly cut off. Ven was done with his shower. Many sighed in relief. But Fran seemed contemplative, almost sad.

"If we find it." She said ominiously.

"Of course we will!" Sora said determinedly, turning to face her. "Even if we have to search every star in the galaxy I promise you Fran we'll all make sure you get home!"

But the ear didn't twitch in response. Fran didn;t move at all. The brunette shook, water falling down his cheeks, seeing his lvoer trying to shake her awake. He was dimly away of the ring - a wedding ring...

His hand slipped down, over her chest, over her slowly stilling heart. He shut his eyes, trying to concentrate... trying to find the woman's inner world... and save her life. Come on please Fran... He begged, trying to transfer his own borrowed energy to her. At least half of it.

But would it work? Was her broken body going to be able to stabilize and withstand the many hours of pain ahead? Was he strong enough to survive on half the barrier he started with...?

Would... her body... even accept them?


Hatori watched from above, laughing creully as they crowded around the dying woman. "I should have killed her long ago. she turned out to be so useless."

Roxas' temper flared for real this time and he turned looking up at the man. "Shut up you fucker!" Yeah maybe he was learning a little too many cursed words from his twin.

Terra growled upwards at the man. "What the hell is wrong with you?!Don't you know anything about comradeship?!"

"It doesn't exist for us boy." The atterian snapped back, smirking gleefully. He was LOVING this.

[Rikugurl]

Riku blinked as he saw Sora's hand cup over Fran's heart. He looked up at his own husband and frowned slowly. What was he planning on doing?

Axel stopped watching as he heard Hatori. He growled and looked up at the said man, his green eyes ready to kill. "And they called me a Nobody when I had no heart! What the HELL are you then!?" His fist barred, ready to have his fire attack the man... but they weren't ready to fight him... not if Sora had an idea to get Fran back into action.

Ven growled as he looked at Hatori.
He moved away from the rocks and walked over to the bottom of the cliff where the man was standing above.
"You're so full of SHIT!" He called out. "I know an Atterian who has compassion! I know an Atterian who loves! You're just making fucking excuses to make youself fucking feel better because you have no friends or family that LIKE YOU! You're alone and you just blocked your heart out!"

Goofy blinked at the blonde but nodded. He had seen Terra cry... and even hold on to the blonde close before. He seemed to be very caring... even if they had some... swearing problems.


The group stopped though when they noticed something. Sora was gone.
Riku looked back, feeling an odd power next to him and stared at the empty spot. "S.. SORA!?"


On a very small piece of land was a single tree. The world... was not full of blues or yellows or purple. It was just black and white. Above, some flying wooden ships passed through the black and white and ended back into the darkness that was surrounding it.

Under the colorless tree, a woman sat. Long white ears protruded from her colorless hair. They twitched when they heard something on the grass. Footsteps. She slowly looked up, seeing a familiar figure standing over her. The darkness that was swallowing up this world was coming quick.

"What are you doing here little man?"

[Reno]

Roxas growled a bit, nodding along with Axel's words. They had been some of the baddest of the bad... but... he hadn;t seen an evil like Hatori since... Xehanort himself. And he had never even met the reak one but Terra, Aqua and Ven confirmed that yes indeedy even with a heart the bastard was one insane fucker.

Terra looked up looking towards his best friend. "Ven..." He whispered. Man if the situation had been different he would have been sweeping the other up in a hug - fuck how unmanly it was or how... weird.

Donald looked up at the evil Atterian, his eyes narrowed. He doubted race had anything to do with it - just like Venw as realizing. Xehanort had been human and had shown just how evil they could be... yet he had met thousands others who were just as kind and sweet as could be. His majesty would know what drew evil out in people... better then he would.

Mickey glared up at Hatori, and for such a little being he appeared quite fierce. He was worried by just how much this man reminded him or Xehanort - and then some. There was something a little darker about this one. Okay a lot darker.He was a murderer thick and thin... that was for darn sure.

Aqua couldn;t help but quirk a smile when she ehard Ven. He was right definietely about Terra... They had been friends for so long... and the brunette had shown no sign of ever betraying them or hurting them. He had just wanted friendship... and people who cared for so, so long. She was about to snappingly add something... when a ripple of strange magic swept over them and all eyes were drawn back to where Sora was - or at least where he had been.

He was gone!


Hatori looked down at Ven, his look impassive as the boy ranted and raved. What a foolish kid. He hoenstly believed half the crap he spit out? Atterians - love?! Ha. He thought of a too-sweet woman with a fake smile and a young power who gave off the air of a important destined future.

His eyes drew away when the ground shfited and suddednly one was gone. He looked towards Fran, seeing that the brunette keyblader had... deported? Where did he happen to go? He looked around suspiciously, expecting an attack from the back - unless the little coward had run ha!


Sora, shutting his eyes and concentrating hard - felt it as he was suddenly sucked in. He nearly yelped in surprise, tumbling over black ground, before getting to his feet. He looked around...

He wodnered if it was supposed to be black and white? He could see pirate ships above and creeping darkness all around. Then he saw her - black and white herself. He probably was too in that case (felt like Timeless River all over again). In this inner world no pains of her physical body could be seen or even felt. after all if was just a subconcious recalling of yourself, not a physical.

How he got here... he wouldn't ask. Keyblade master powers. He stepped over to the woman, smiling when she acknowledhedhim. "I'm here to save ya. You didn't seem like a quitter to me." He knelt down by her, wrapping her in a surprise hug. He was just so happy to see her! "I think you wanna find this Balthier yourself and tell him that." He said, pulling away with a grin. Then he looked around. The dark was close - but not unfightable. It was never unfightable. In this deepest darkness a light always shined.

He placed his hand down against the ground, energy rushing across the ground and formed in a great big circles, staving off the darkness. Death swept art the barrier but it refused to budge even a little.

[Rikugurl]

Fran blinked as she was pulled into a sudden hug. No... she had never met anyone quite like Sora before. Slowly she stood and looked down at him, then saw the barrier. Her eyes soften in a way, though it was hard to tell in the colorless world.

She turned to the brunette and shook her head. She pointed to the barrier and sighed. "This strength is not your own, little man. It will not hold forever." She placed her hand on Sora's shoulder and smiled. It was the first time that Sora had seen it. "Death isn't a bad thing... nor is it a sad thing. Not where I'm from. It's the circle of life you know? I've already lived 172 years... I've lived my life out well."

She looked up at the ships passing by and smiled more. "You see... where I come from, my race is called Viera on my world. We lived strict lives.... the women and men living on a whole different parts of the woods... but the men controlled our every move. We were just there to breed more or less."

She sighed and crossed her hands. "I didn't want it. I was a wild child and always got into trouble. I fought my way out and traveled through the woods and mountains... all by myself. I had become a traitor to my people... but I wasn't going to waste my long life on a pointless one. When I finally came across a hume town... the had no idea what I was... and thought I was some kind of witch or something. I was arrested and put in a jail cell. Then I was tried at a court, a judge wasn't sure on what to rule... so he said he would sleep on it."

"I was put into a cell for the night, it was cold and damp but I kept my pride. Oddly enough, the judge walked down my lane and looked through the bars at me. He knew I wasn't an animal... that I shouldn't be behind caged bars. He set me free and I asked him why his change in heart. He said he was fleeing this town and taking to the skies. He never wanted to be a judge... he really wanted to be an actor... but a sky pirate seemed like his new fancy. He took me with him."

She looked back at him and smiled. "I spent the rest of my life with him on his airship. Our world got into a war and we were able to help some people bring it to a peaceful end. We were rewarded by as pirates, we didn't really take it." She closed her eyes and sighed. "So... you see, my life has already been lived to the fullest... I could of died many times but didn't. It wasn't my time.... but now... it must be. It's not such a bad thing Sora..."

[Reno]

Sora looked at her as she told her story, surprised tos ee the smile. It made her look a lot kinder and rpettier. she should do it more often...

He listened to her story queitly and with much wodnerment. She was really that old? Wow. 172 years... and ready to give up? Pff, if he lived to be 500 he wouldn't be willing to give up ever. Not anymore at least.

"Your life isn't finished." Sora eyes bright. "You know... I met a pirate a lot like you except he was selfish and duid everything he could to save his neck even though he was in his forties and was public enemy number one. His name was Jack Sparrow and he spent half his life drinking I'm pretty sure - what a life. But it makes him happy... if not a little crazy."

The brunette smiled. "I'm only Twenty-six... and when I was dying I was ready to say goodbye to life too and I'm like a seventh of your age. I'm a hero - heroes don't get to live normal lives. I've spent my life fighting since I was 13 and I really don't think it'll ever end. I probably won't even live as long as I'm hoping to."

He smiled wider. "But thanks to everyone I... and Riku too... we pulled through." He looked at her. "And even if you think you've done it all theres no way you could have. Theres still so much of... not just the world but the universe to see! If I could live as long as you - I'd give up teaching right now and me and Riku would start traveling everywhere!" He nodded determinedly. "And... Fran you can't tell me you don't want to see your husband again. He's waiting for you. You desereve to go home. After all that Hatori's done to you, you're just gonna let him win?"

He knew the last line would get to her the most. Who wanted to let the bastard win? Especally not someone who had been kidnapped and treated like a pet and finally... left behind.

He held out his hand to her, his fingers still drumming with energy he'd be willing to give. He had enough to spare. they just had to take out Hatori in this fight and his own energy would return. "Won't you come back?" he inquired.

[Rikugurl]

Fran blinked as she listened and slowly smiled. She reminded him of herself when she was much younger; always wanting to see the world. However, this boy wanted to see the whole universe! What a goal. She nodded as her eyes looked down. He was right... she wasn't going to let Hatori take her life... he had already taken so much.

She looked back at him and then at his hand.
"Won't you come back?"
She looked back up and her eyes widened a bit, seeing Balthier standing where Sora was... holding out his hand.
She smiled again and slowly took the hand that was give out to her.


Riku felt a burst of energy next to him... and then out of him. He winced a bit, feeling energy leaving him. He looked up, blinking and saw Sora again. Wha.... where had he gone?? Before he could ask, a glow wrapped around Fran and her wounds seemed to clear up a bit and the parts that seemed smashed came back to life.

Her amber eyes opened and she looked up at Sora and Riku with a slight smile. The ring was what caught her eye. "I'll take that..." She said softly as she took it from Riku's hand and slowly pushed it on her ring finger. She wasn't suppose to wear it in battle... but this was a specially occasion. She needed... his strength with her.

Slowly she stood and wobbled a bit on her high heels but took her bow proudly. She looked down at Sora and smiled. "Thank you, little man."


Axel looked back and smiled happily. Sora did it again! Damn... why couldn't Roxas be that awesome at times? Na, he was awesome! But his green eyes looked up... seeing that Hatori was now gone.


Why had he given them all that time to re cooperate?

[Reno]

Sora smiled when Fran took his hand, and transferred the energy willingly. The barriers around them were fortified five times over the first - and within his own inner world five more broke. Darkness swarmed into it slammed into Axel;s barrier, the flames licking and keeping it back.

Riku probably felt the effect too - it made him slightly dizzy. Thats why when he was suddenly out of the woman's inner world he didn't notice at first. But he and Riku would be fine. they had theirs, Ven, Roxas and Axel still backing them up.

Sora blinked, then smiled as Fran seemed to get better before hie very eyes. He got to his feet with her, Riku soon standing as well. The other looked very inqusitive, but there was no time for questions and answers.

Everyone;s wodnerment at Sora's feat was quickly dispersed when they realized no one had been watching their opponent, and all eyes turned back towards the cliff...

Hatori was gone. He was on the move.

Terra tensed but... the atterian wasn;t movijng through the ground. He would have felt that.


"you amaze me keyblader."

Everyone turned around, staring across the river to where Hatori stood, looking smug. how had he gotten there? No one was really certain.

The red-eyed man stared at Sora. "your left to die, come back, end up saving some worthless animal's life all in vain." His eyes swept across everyone. "you're all finished." He rasied his hands, energy drumming off his form. "Demons from all corners of the world, shatter and devour... take what is truly yours!"

Everyone tensed, by now used to those god damned demon spells. But this one... was much more terrifiying. Terra felt the ground rumble under his feet, felt the air change, and felt a chill run down his spine.

From the clouds in the skies, electrical beast rained down, landing to the left of them, blocking the path back up the mountain sides. From where Hatori stood, water demons were creating - and from the trees bark and leaf monsters. In the shadows of those treees... became shadow demons. they climbed together over the river towards the group. From the right light began to take shape and form into light demons (wow what a oxymoron), there power shining out as if they would burn. And from above...

Terra glanced back, eyes widened. "Uh Ven..." He called. "you might want to move away from the wall!"

From above... monsters made of the fallen rocks had been created... but they had friends. Friends made... of ice. Ice from the snowy mountain tops and Ven's worst nightmare.

[Rikugurl]

Riku frowned as he noted that Hatori was gone... but no one called out where the man might of gone. That was when everyone turned around. His aquamarine eyes grew dark as he listened to the cold words. He growled and made a fist but suddenly was pushed away.


"Who are you calling an animal!?" The dark skinned woman sounded hysterical. "You should take a look in the mirror!"
She stopped though when she felt the world start to rumble. Frowning, she looked around, seeing beast of all elements spring all around her. She growled as her bow suddenly turned into the two swords.

One slammed into the earth, making it crack again. It cracked all the way towards the water beast and suddenly vines arose. They whipped into the water, absorbing them in.


Axel's eyes dashed over to see the leaf and bark creatures. He grinned as his chakrams suddenly swirled. "BURN BABY, BURN!" Fire emblems started to appear under the wood and leaf and fire shot up, burning them instantly.


Ven looked over at Terra but then up. The boulder monsters shot down from the cliff... but it was the ice ones that caught his attention. His eyes widened as they started to fall towards him and he seemed.... frozen in place. Before the monster could land on poor Ven, a fire ball hit it full force, turning it to water instantly.
It splashed down on the blonde and he became drenched. "OH FUCKERS!"

He growled and soon he started to rip through the rock monsters.


As Axel started to melt the ice monsters, Fuu whipped up some strong winds, blowing the water over, making the land mist. Some water hit the electricity creatures and shorted them out.


Riku's eyes were on the light creatures. His hand pointed out at them as black auras wrapped around them. "Dark Break!" Darkness slammed into the light, pushing it out of existence.


Goofy remained in the back and fled when the creatures got too close.

[Reno]

The vine demons gave a roar, burning up instantly. Roxas smirked in pride. that was his Axel!

The wind dispersed of the water ones seconds later.

Aqua rasied her keyblade, and with her and Fuujin's combined forces of water and wind, they used to water from the water demons to completely de-electrify the electricity demons.

Terra raced to Ven's side, intending to drag the other away - but instead got drenched as well. He sputtwered, shaking his head. "Well... okay." He heard Ven;s violent curse and nearly laughed, jumping after the rock creatures as well, useing his own spells to turn them into harmless sand. together he and Ven got rid of them in a flash.

Mickey, seeing Riku needed no help, and Donald, keeping to his mage skills, kept to useing fortifiying spells, on the others, keeping up their magic with ethers and kept up their defense with protective spelling.

Sora's eyes narrowed at the shadow demons, shotting forward, holding his keyblade up high. Even the loss of all that energy didn't stop him from being the firece fighter he was. "Come on!" he called.

Roxas, seeing him, chased after his brother. He was getitng clsoer to the demons, but Hatori as well. not a very smart move.

Fenrir and Oathkeeper came down on the creatuers resepectively, the light shining off both dispersing of them easily.
Together the two tore at them without even really trying. Roxas just worked on using Oblivion as a defensive keyblade rather then a fighting one. It would only aid these creatures at this point.

Hatori watched the team tear at his creatures, not very surprised at how quickly it was accomplished. But Roxas and Sora had gotten close. Close to the river that is - and that made him happy. He slipped under the ground.

Roxas pated, knowing it was time to mvoe back. "Sora - we gotta get ou-"

Sora sensed something suddenly and he cried out a warning. "Roxas!"

Roxas cut himself off, tensing and looking around wildly, expecting Hatori to come out at him from the front or back, holding one keyblade defensively in back, the other in front.

There was no way anyone could of known he was going to coming from UNDER him.

A sharp pain in his leg made Roxas cry out and suddenly his leg was being yanked out from under him, flipping him upside down. Hatori had jumped from the ground like a snake striking from an abandonned hole. he grabbed onto Roxas' leg and, using his momentum, jerked Roxas upwards. He held on then swung him like a pendulum, then flipped him in a wide arc, slamming him back first into the ground.

Roxas gave a short cry as he felt his body flying, unable to get his bearings and then suddenly he was smacking into the ground, winded and stunned. He coughed and was disgusted when he felt blood in his throat. Fuck he musta broken something bad!

Hatori aimed a foot downwards for Roxas' chest, intending on breaking all of his ribs and getting rid of the blonde once and for all, but Sora glided over the distance slicing Fenrir hard for the other. The Atterian expected it and jumped back, leaving roxas be.

Sora landed in front of his brother. "Roxas? Are you alright?!" the brunette said, a bit panicked as he stood in front of his brother.

"Nngh..." the blonde groaned, trying to roll onto his side but it didn't work out like he wanted to. He coughed. "I'm fine." Sora looked like he was going to reply - maybe with a healing spell, but never got the chance.

Hatori made a sharp hand movement and suddenly from the river streams of mud shot out, wrapping around both brothers... and dragged them into the river.

Sora shivered as cold water wrapped around him, struggling against mud that was a lot like steel. Beside him... Roxas wasn't even able to move. He didn't seem to be unconcious though...

An electrical demon that no one had seen - high up on the mountain, came charging down suddenly, jumping for the river. If it hit, both boys would be electrocuted to death - if they didn't drown first.

[Rikugurl]

Axel stopped as the last ice creature turned into water. He suddenly yelped in pain as he felt Roxas hit the ground. His own blood spurt from his mouth as he felt something inside hurt. He groaned but shook it off.

Goofy had seen Roxas get hit... but he was too late to cure him with a high potion. He looked at Axel though.... and wondered. "Axel!" He called, a green flow going over the pyro. The taste of iron left the tall man's mouth but he wasn't all to worried about that. Roxas was in danger!

He growled as he suddenly dashed towards the part of the river they were in. He looked up, seeing the electric beast and threw a chak at it. The electricity was attracted to the metal and coiled up.... but if he touched hit, his arm was gonna look like Ven's and if it hit the water. He noticed his mistake right away...

An arrow hit the chakram though and it went flying into a nearby tree, making the tree spark and go aflame. That was taken care though by Fuu's wind.

Axel took a glance at Fran then headed towards the black haired man. "That's it!" He cried as he jumped into the air. He slammed back into the ground, his chakram hitting it dead on and fire flew up violently.


Ventus growled as he pushed his keyblade through the last boulder. He looked around, the wet blonde spikes sending drops on the ground. "SORAN! ROXAS!" He cried as he suddenly left Terra side and headed towards his... brothers. With Axel's attack, he rushed to the other side of the river and held out his keyblade for either one to grab a hold of.


In the mix of confusion, Fuu sent out her own chakrams into the air. However, the wind made them turn and go around Hatori, only to come back towards his back.

[Reno]

Roxas shviered as the cold water surronded him, already running out of breath because the move had been so unexpected he hadn't had time to take a deep one. He shut his eyes, knowing Sora was beside him and probably having the same problem.

suddenly he felt a little of the pain go away. He blinked his eyes open, moving a bit, grimancing. It still hurt as all fuck. Sand was wrapped around his middle and arms, leaving him almost completely immobile. He couldn;t have struggled away if he wanted to.

Sora beside him had his legs and right arm tangled, leaving his keyblade useless. He was waving a hand frantically at the water, trying to get away - to freedom.

Then suddenly the sand began to clench down and both boys gave a cry that was swallowed by water.


Donald, seeing Axel's plan, called out, "Firaga!" and added flames to the others attack.

Hatori looked unfazed by two's attack, waving a hand to bring up sand, dousing the flames immeditaely with sand. Hwe smirked at the other, sending the ground under the pyro up and sent him flying.

Aqua, who had noticed what had happened as well, saw the boys go into the water. They were roped under there! She left Fuujin's side, racing after Ven, seeing as the blonde stuck his keyblade in the water.


Sora grimanced, the sand cutting into his body rather fiercely, blood making the water change color. He saw the keyblade and desperately grabbed on, not really taking notice of whose it was. Roxas beside him flailed weakly. He couldn;t grab it and Sora only had one hand!


Aqua stopped by Ven's side, making a slicing motion with her keyblade and the sand was suddenly cut through violently, freeing both boys. Sora grabbed onto Roxas' arm securely. nce Ven had brought them to the surface both boys were spluttering water and bleeding. Aqua leant over, heaving Roxas from the river first, laying the trembling and hurt blond onto the ground while Ven helped Sora out.


A stone wall behind Hatori's back suddenly was upchucked to protect him and there was a clang and two chakrams were sent flying.

Mickey dashed across the ground, slashing towards the other, but Hatori dodged back, kicking the little mouse away fiercely and disappeared into the ground.

No one knew where he was going at first, then suddenly Aqua turned, crying out for Terra.

The brunette knew though. He lifted his blade, catching Ultima deftly, but it didn;t help. He got a glimpse of red eyes as raw pwoer exploded from the keyblade and he flew back hitting the ground hard with a grunt. Terra rolled, getting back onto his feet almost immediately, his legs shaking a bit.

"You, Terra, don't understand anything." Hatori snapped suddenly. "You don;t even have a fucking CLUE! You can;t even remember that you should know me."

There was... a pause suddenly over the battlefield. Terra and Hatori were staring each other down quietly, then suddenly, the brunette questioned, "what... are you talking about?"

"This." Hatori reached up, bringing the the gold chain Terra had seen earlier. It was... a necklace with some circular pendant on it. He curled his claws around it, snapped it off then threw it at Terra.

Terra swept out a hand, catching it.

"Look in it. I dare you."

The brunette paused, trying to keep one eye on Hatori and on onthe... epndant in his hand - but since he only HAD one eye he looked at the pendant. It was Atterian made jelwelry. A locket. A simple circle with a design like a bulls-eye on it. The Atterian symbol of earth.

Aqua looked back, then, seeing the look on Hatori's face, realized it all in one heart-splitting second. Hatori knew. he fucking knew!!! "TERRA DON'T!" She cried, as loud as she could.

But it was too late. Terra stuck his fingernails into the locket and snapped it open... and stared. At one side... was his mother. At the other... him. barely even five. "What... what is the... meaning of this?" He stuttered.

"Why boy, don't you get it. I know you're not THAT incredibly stupid. You're my son."

Terra fell into silence, his mind slowly shutting down, refusing to believe it. His heart beat in wild panic and no dobut... Ven was feeling it too. His vision blurred, whther it was from tears... or rage he wasn't sure. "That so...?" he started calmly. He gripped the locket hard, nearly crushing it in his fury and he looked up - focusing on something that had bugged him all his life. "And where the fuck WERE you!" He pointed accusingly at his... his... dad? "Where the fuck did you GO?! We were all alone, mom was DYING! She... she lied on that hospital bed... crying for someone for five days!! didn't you fucking CARE?!"

"ah, so you did forget." Hatori mumbled, taking a few steps forward, making Terra take some backwards. "You want to know where I was? Okay just remeber you asked for it." He grinned and everyone knew this news... was even worse. "I was there. Until you were five. The last day i spent on Atterian grounds was with a beautiful woman with a wonderful fake fucking smile who had a five year old brat with brown hair. And i took that smile and made it disapepar. Forever." He started to chuckle darkly. "Leaving her five year old son to dance around for the rest of his miserable life without a friend to his name."

Terra dropped the locket.... then his keyblade. The keyblade disapepared within him, the locket just lay upon the floor, forgotten. Terra seemed to have gone into... a sort of trance.

"mommy!" Terra cried, just as the door clicked open, revealing his mother laying on the floor, dead still. He rushed to her side, crying. "mommy, mommy!! wake up!" He looked up, seeing a dark figure in the window - not recognizing him for who he was. "Help!"

The back was facing him, but slowly, the man looked over his shoulder, red eye gleaming from behind black locks. His grin was manical... and then he was gone.

"no... no" Terra whispered at first, his voice getting louder with each repeatition. This man... was the reason... "No... No... no no no No NO NOOOOOOOOO!!!!" Terra was screaming, gripping onto the sides of his head, fingers curled into his hair. Silent tears were running down his face as he screamed, and red energy was streaming from his feet, feeling dark and dangerous... and downright terrifying. Though the connection Ven could feel it. Terra's heart was snapping closed again - not permenently... but it was attempting to protect it's holder, just as his mind was slowly shutting down, pushing away all rational thought. Terra was losing it.

And there was nothing anyone could do but watch in horror, seeing the red energy getting stronger. Each time the red light passed in front of Terra's eyes... the eyes glowed golden.

[Rikugurl]

Axel growled at the sight that his majick was no use when it came to hitting Hatori. He should of known this by now! DUH! He quickly dashed away from the mess and hopped over the river.... probably higher than he needed to but he didn't want to take his chances.

He rushed to Aqua's side and looked down at Roxas. He was all wet and wasn't looking all too good.
"Roxas! Sora!"
Green swirls ran over them both as Goofy called out their names. Axel smiled as he saw some color come into his lover's face
"Let's hope that you don't get a fever too now~"


Ventus pulled Sora out and laid him on the ground too. When the green swirl went around his brother he smiled. "Hey, stop playing in the water huh?


Fuu growled as she heard her chakrams go astray. Great. She quickly rushed off to get them as Aqua headed over to the boys. She was starting not to like her choice of weapon so much anymore. They were becoming more of a nuisance than help.


Fran's ears perked as she saw Hatori disappear. She quickly made an arrow and guided it with the glow. It ended up by Terra. She was about to pull it when everything stopped. Her eyes widened and the bow lowered. What...? This demon... had a son? It took all kinds....


Ven's eyes widened as he watched what was going on. He could also feel what was going on too... His heart started to pound faster... and it ached at the same time. Soon, it started to get unbearable. It felt like it was being crushed from the outside and it had no where to go. It was trapped and hurting move every second.

Almost as a mirror, when Terra gripped his hair, so didn't Ventus. Since Ven was already on his knees, he just leaned his body over, shaking his head violently. His heart was beating harder and faster and the pain was going. He tugged at his hair more and suddenly, his body arched. Golden eyes peered up at the blue sky as he held onto his heart. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!"


Riku watched all from afar and slowly his eyes narrowed. "Get away from him!" The silverette yelled as he suddenly dashed towards the black hair man. He clenched his teeth as he ran, feeling the wind whip through his hair. Darkness circled around his feet as he suddenly pulled his hand up, as if he was ready for Way to Dawn to appear.... but.... a keyblade did actually appear.

And when it did, Riku disappeared. All of a sudden, time seemed to stop. Out of nowhere, a hum came and a black blade smacked into the side of Hatori, making him fly off and hit a fallen rock hard. So hard that he went through it. Ocean eyes glared through silver hair as a black ball of energy was pushed from his other hand and into where Hatori had fallen.

Inside Riku's head, he heard a whisper as he looked down at this new keyblade.
Twilight Requiem
The name sent shivers down his spine and the feeling of his soul tugged once more. It was a Soul Eater keyblade... he could tell because it had a moving and blinking eye on the handle like Soul Eater and Way to Dawn had. It was black with glints of light, the same shade as a twilight morning.

At the top, there was a crescent moon that was also black and faded with light. In the middle... was a hour glass. The chain it held was most shocking. It was... the exact charm he had on his necklace that Sora had given him. He slashed it and it hummed again. He could feel his power and speed increase dramatically. This must of been what they and ultimate weapon. Riku had finally gotten his.

He gripped it tighter, embracing it's power. Along with strength and speed... he grew a new feeling. The power to manipulate time. He could remember when he had fallen that every time someone attacked him, time would slow down for him to react to it. He wondered if this keyblade had the same effect...

He looked down at Terra and frowned, seeing how red the glow was. About to put his hand on the other's shoulder, he was shot back from the power. He growled as he got his footing and just watched, hearing Ventus behind him going through the same thing.




Far away from the battle, a blue haired man suddenly shifted. Golden eyes slowly opened and a moon was still shining down on him. His wounds... were almost healed thanks to the rays of moonlight.

Slowly his head moved to look over at a blonde hunched over the bed. Even if he was sitting down, his body was limp and a snore came from him. Slowly, long nails reached up and tugged at some long blonde stands that came from his horrible haircut.

[Reno]

Roxas coughed somewhat, continuing to expel water, At Axel's voice he opened his eyes, grinning weakly, but feeling much better when the heaking was spent on him specifically. "You know you would love to pamper and sickly me."

Sora laughed a bit at Ven's words, nodding. The blood on his legs stopped flowing so much, but he stayed laying down for a few more moments, trying to catch his breath.

Around them Hatori continued to move... and soon the incident with Terra happened drawing everyone's attention.

Sora looked up, his eyes widened. Son... wait so that meant Hatori was Terra's... No way! That was just too crazy!! Terra started to yell, and so did Ven. Sora sat up quickly, reaching out for his brother. "Ventus!" He cried, worried, seeing the other's yellow eyes. Shit, Terra's angry was going straight to the other... just like when Riku fell and... took him with him. "Get ahold of yourself!" Yeah like that was gonna work.

He saw Riku charged out of the corner of his eye, and heard a yell as Hatori - not expecting the attack - was it and sent crashing into the rock wall. "Riku!" He blinked, seeing the new keyblade... he though he had felt something strange. Hadn;t he felt Way to Dawn disappear not too long ago? What was that?

Sora nearly jumped as Ultima landed right in front of him. A few inches further back and that could have hurt... He looked at the blackened keyblade, slowly reaching out and curling his figners around the blade. It glowed white and like poisonious syrup, the blackness fell away, pooling and burning into the ground, revealing the beautiful white, blue and yellow keyblade Ultima truly was in all its intricate genius. He felt much better having it back in his hand.

He looked past his blade and saw his husband trek up to the crazed brunette, unable to get any closer because of the power wafting off Terra. It was strong... very strong. He looked back towards Ven who was getting more wild by the second and slowly reached a hand out for him. "Ventus...?"


Mickey's ears flattened at the yelling, knocking that whatever was happening to Terra... and Ven was not good news for them. He wanted to tell everyone to clear out, but didn;t know what to expect. Terra wouldn;t hurt them would he...

or was he... in this state unable to discern from friend or foe?


Donald cowered a bit at the strong magic and evil spark it sent across the world, the land trembling lightly under his feet. Understandably the other was angry... very angry but... didn;t he have to go crazy now?! Bad timing anyone?!


Roxas groaned, looking up at all the yelling. the power was making the ground shake under him, his body rattling painfully. His mind was trying to wrap around all the yells and words. Terra's dad was Hatori? that was... really fucked up... and now Ven was screaming. Shit, what the hell?


Hatori gave a snapped cry, not even able to detect Riku, Ultima spinned from his hand and embedding in the ground nearly right in front of Sora and Ven. It was like time had stopped for just a mere second... And he was in the rock, blood coiling down his side. That he hadn't expected. He licked his lips, tasting blood in his mouth. Maybe he should take Riku next.


Terra fell to his knees, breathing hard and yelling as loud as he could, voice breaking. He didn't even notice Riku get close or when he got pushed away. All he knew was pain. Agonizing, slow, burning pain. He wanted it to stop... and to make it stop he had to eliminate the problem. The problem... his father. The red energy wrapped around his body, seeping back into him. the power was still so fierce that little electric bolts jumped over his skin. His eyes were wide and yellow, staring towards the ground if it had all the answers.

He hissed under his breath, hands slowly coming away from his head, revealing long claws. He bared his teeth, showing off the new fangs. He looked up slowly, staring straight at Riku, but not really seeing him.


Aqua groaned a bit, feeling Terra and Ven's combined energy rocking the ground, sending familar sparks down her spine,. she shut her eyes tightly. It was Xehanort's experimentation... That and Terra's own Aterrian energy that shook across to them. The combined forces made her own body respond, wanting her to change too... she had pushed it so far back thanks to Fuujin though. Aqua's blue eyes were slowly being overtaken by yellow. She wouldn't lose her rationality - not like she used too.

but Ven and Terra would be uncontrollable and destructive. To anyne around them. She rushed forward suddenly, running towards Terra. "Get out of here!!" She yelled towards Fuujin and Fran, Donald and Goofy, Axel and Roxas, Riku and Sora, and Mickey. They'd be in danger if they stayed here...

The person she needed to calm down was Terra. If she didn;t probably Ven wouldn't come to his senses either. "Terra!"

The brunette's head slowly turned in her direction growling, swiping his claws at her once she got close enough. Aqua grimaced as they dug into her shin, backing up a few steps. "Get lost." the land keyblader snarled. He obviously wasn't himself - he didn't even realize who he was looking at.

"Fuck Terra calm the fuck down!" She snapped crudely. he had a dangerously scared feeling that... this wasn't the full Atterian transformation.

"They walked like humans and turned into demons without warning. Claws and fangs and… I don’t really know. Grotesque creatures." That's what Terra had said...

Terra just growled again, turning his head away, yellow eyes zeroing in on Hatori. He stood slowly.

Hatori just lounged against the rocks, smirking as if he had triumphed. He didn't seem afraid of the male who faced him but why would he? He was the more experienced Atterian.... he kenw all the tricks and knew just how to counter them. Plus he had rationality on his side.

And Atterians... "We were so fucked up back then… that we even took out our own." Terra was walking straight into a trap!


"nn...." The little guitarist mubmled, feeling a faint tug. He stirred, eyes fltutered open and yawned, his hair getting tugged more. He blinked learily, looking down at the blue-haired male and smiled tiredly. "Awake finally? How do ya feel?" He asked curiously.