SSFW II - Sixth Round - "Xehanort's Darkness"

[Xehanort - Event Guest]

No you may wonder why the round was so short. I'm going to speed things up around here.

As you made your way off the ship you find yourself entangled in a horrible web of darkness (http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs7/i/2005/253/6/f/Abyss_by_R3veal.jpg). Now you must survive the horrible torments of darkness and disgusting creatures. Every possible danger is realized here.

Eliminations:
Tidus-Shuyin - Samanosuke Akechi
KingdomHeartsFan1990 - Kefka Palazzo
Frogs557 - Goldeneye

Try to escape the horrible darkness,

Xehanort

[VenFan]

Darkness... Blackness... Obscurity... That was the only thing in sight. The dimmed area was an endless void. The farther one walked in there, the farther into darkness one would get. Dark thorns, dark objects... Nothing but darkess and evil. Sanctuary for the evil. Shelter for the malevolent. Haven for the forgotten sins. Was there any way out of such a place? Was it possible that Vent hadn't made it to the next location? Was it possible that this was the location in which those who did not make it were sent? It would only seem logical. The young MegaMan looked around the dreaded, murky area, his trusty BioMetal, Model X, by his side.

"Model X... Where are we...?" Vent asked his BioMetal. Model X took a deep sigh, floating above Vent's head. It looked around the opaque area, unfamiliar with a place such as this. Both Vent and Model X knew not of a place such as this that even existed. The Darkness, to them, was just an element to a fairy tale story book. No... It was real, and they were experiencing this first-hand. "Model X, scan the area. Find out where the heck we are, and if there are any other forms of life out here in this vast, empty place."

"Yes, Vent," Model X replied. "Scanning...." A series of beeps came from the small, blue BioMetal. Seconds had gone by, and eventually, even a few minutes, and still, Model X could not scan a single piece of information on this map. "I'm sorry, Vent, but I can't seem to be able to get a lone detail of this place. Might we be dreaming? No, how silly... I cannot dream. I'm just a BioMetal."

The two would eventually have to get used to this place, for they would remain here for quite some time...

[Xuan]

Arise.

Wake up!

The Darkness will consume you!

No one cares about me anymore.

We'll go together.

The end of Kingdom Hearts lies true Darkness.

Darkness.

Darkness.

The dream was horrible. Terrifying. Uncomfortable. Strange, Riku thought to himself, a cold dread forming knots in his stomach, I had never dream of such horrible things before. Not in my sleep. His eye lids fluttered open to absolutely nothing. Nothing at all.

Nothing, but Darkness.

He struggled. His arms tried to yank and push, pull and stretch, but something was holding him back. Soon enough he discovered that his hands weren't the only part that is immobilised. To say it frankly, he has lost all external functions of his body except for breathing.

But he was choking, choking hard, and coughing madly. Something disgusting, something so eerie and nasty was flowing into his mouth, throat, and within. Coughing only made it worse, it was as if this thing was alive. Darkness, Riku thought, suddenly realising where the heck he is, I'm within... Darkness.

He yanked around once again. It was futile.The tentacles that groped along his body tightened to a point that he let loose a grunt of pain. It wasn't loosing its grip. Riku kept himself quiet and composed. He began to think. One of his great advantages is the ability to think and decide even though under a crisis.

He first tried his Keyblade. The Way To Dawn flashed into his palm, and for a second he thought that the Darkness was retreating, afraid, disturbed. But then they closed in not for his Keyblade but his wielded arm. And then it stab clean through the joint of his bones.

He screamed. Screamed like never tomorrow. Excruciating was but a mere scratch of the true meaning of pain. His mind had enough sense to sent his Keyblade away before it fall from his palm and into eternal Darkness, though.

"There's no escape, dammit... Unless they release me themselves... AAAAGGGHHHH!!!" Multiple razor sharp Darkness sank into his arms, severing the bones and tendons. He could not use his arms now, not until he healed himself, but Riku suspected that if he did so they would do it again, and again, and again. Until he leave this place, he'll have to leave them useless.

"Nngh... This... You gotta be kidding me... What is this place - ARGH!" And they released him as he toppled ungracefully to the floor. His face sank deep though, and he instantly realised that the floor he thought a floor, was actually a jelly pool of Darkness. With his arm useless, Riku struggled desperately to pull his face away as it held him there tightly. It took everything he had to turn around.

He stood up and looked around. Nothing.

"I might as well... start - Nngh! move on... There might just be... an exit - Grrahh!... My hands..." He started to move forwards, his hands swaying uselessly at his side. it felt like two lumps of frozen meat, except that he wasn't cold.

Or is he? His body suddenly felt so cold, so frozen, so... inanimate. He suddenly find himself moving at a snail's pace, each step taking everything and more out of his body.

What is this? He thought, no longer have the strength or will to even speak, Why does my body... feel so heavy... And why did it let me go?

A stabbing pain struck his heart as he fell to the ground, gasping. All the sudden, the Darkness' action made sense now.

"You're inside me... Darkness... inside me... Slowly eating me..." Barely a whisper, but it felt like thunder to Riku as he breathed out the statement. He was dying. Get the Darkness out of his body became a first priority, and after so many encounters with the Darkness he knew what could defeat it.

He forced a smile into his face and whispered, hands clutching his heart, "Even in the deepest Darkness, a Light shines within... SORA! KAIRI!" His whispers escalated into a scream, and suddenly, his body felt okay again.

Light. Free.

Riku ran. He knew it wasn't banished. His heart has purged it away temporarily, but it was still inside his body, waiting, hunting. He needed to get out of here, and quick as well. he stared at his arms.

Ah well, I'll take my chances with those tentacles. He yelled, "Heal!" His arms became usable again.

And the tentacles didn't come back. As Riku pushed forwards, he couldn't help but wonder whether the tentacles let him go because it had given up, or perhaps there was something far more horrifying in the front.

[Chaser's Apprentice]

A dreadful sense of isolation was written along Sakura’s face, frightened and forlorn. The unfortunate one strolled into the blackness with hushed, whispered steps; wandering over her own darkling. It was complete and absolute peace passing through every space in the dark, lowly abode of hers. The absolute stillness of everything made it an absolute quiet; the only movement had been of herself. With an uneasiness, Sakura couldn’t even find her own Clow Cards until they were right in front of her face; and even then they had been tricky to see as she gradually stepped onward, trying to avoid a stumble.

"Don't be afraid, Sakura..." she told herself, and yet, not entirely won over.

[videogame714]

Ratchet was walking around the dark planet, frustrated. They just had to be teleported just as the bullets were about to hit Sakura. "I'll get her... I know I will.." He said, as he walked around.

"Ah, why is it so dark here?" Ratchet asked.
"I actually don't know," Clank replied.
The two then continued walking around, looking for an opponent.

[HappyHeartless]

The darkness came so quick that no living thing could ever anticipate it. One moment Bastila was one with the force, staring at her enemies. The next everything around her just... went out, disappeared. It was like she was momentarily cut off from the force. Then everything was darkness.

Pure reflex made her pull out her lightsaber and activate it, but the yellow glow died out next to the darkness. It made her beloved weapon look dead somehow, yet she felt that it's power was as great as it had always been. The worst part however wasn't how this place felt, but how it made her feel. How it took her back to her days on the Dark Side.

How it took her back to Darth Malak, and the weeks of torture she endured before turning to the dark side of the force.

I must get out or it will consume me!
She could feel the evil it emitted, all the monsters this darkness contained. They would attack, she was sure. And she would endure their attacks, without doubt.

But for how long?

[Chaser's Apprentice]

An aimless promenade proved Sakura lost while a hostile horror is written inward and outward, entwining through the black. Such pristine darkness would otherwise make it illegible, and yet Sakura can read it plainly, struck by the much written fear. She was at a loose end as she scrabbled into the shadows, trying to find anybody to fill in her blanks. At that, Sakura did find somebody…

[videogame714]

As Ratchet was walking, he saw a bright figure, a figure that he would've hit in the last round. He didn't know if Sakura had seen him already, but he took out his, and took aim. He pulled the trigger, and hundreds of bullets came out, some destined to meet their target.

[Chaser's Apprentice]

As Ratchet was walking, he saw a bright figure, a figure that he would've hit in the last round. He didn't know if Sakura had seen him already, but he took out his, and took aim. He pulled the trigger, and hundreds of bullets came out, some destined to meet their target.

Flickers of vibrant glaring guttered passed Sakura as she brawled with the countless shootings fired by an enigmatic adversary, still lingering in darkness. Sakura reeled her wand out from her knapsack that perched along her stunted shoulder, twirling and ringing with her dexterous hands like an untamed pinwheel. “Show yourself…” She said, throwing her words toward nowhere in particular. Sakura couldn’t see, she couldn’t spot her opponent at all through the blackness.

[videogame714]

Flickers of vibrant glaring guttered passed Sakura as she brawled with the countless shootings fired by an enigmatic adversary, still lingering in darkness. Sakura reeled her wand out from her knapsack that perched along her stunted shoulder, twirling and ringing with her dexterous hands like an untamed pinwheel. “Show yourself…” She said, throwing her words toward nowhere in particular. Sakura couldn’t see, she couldn’t spot her opponent at all through the blackness.

Ratchet quietly walked over behind Sakura, and when she pulled her staff out, his new plasma cannon was out. As he was pointing it at her back, she said, "Show yourself," so Ratchet said, "I'm right here." He then pulled the trigger, causing the plasma to come out, right on Sakura's back.

[Chaser's Apprentice]

A razor-sharp scorching ruptured over Sakura’s body, pitching her down to the ground. She whiplashes foreword, one hand reaching, and a swarm of darkness pulled her from perched feet to collapsing down to her knees onto the solid ground. Sakura’s elbows crack against it, the heel of her outstretched hand panned downward, coiling into her pain like something broken swallowed by some leviathan, bones crushed and spewed out upon some sea-crashed rock. Her stifled breath tugged at the ache in her chest. Reeling an arm downward, Sakura hoped that her enemy wouldn’t spot her reaching for a Clow Card. She didn’t know what it read or what card it was through the darkness. It blotched at the text to illegibility. “Clow Card, go!” A stroke of serendipity overtook the district. It had been the Shadow Spirit Sakura had beckoned for, and the shadows were everywhere. “You can’t touch the Shadows, but the Shadows can touch you…” Sakura whispered, reiterating a renowned proverb from Kiro, her master. The darkness corkscrewed in air, twirling and churning into mini-whirlwinds. They spilt down to collapse upon Rachet and Clank.

[videogame714]

Ratchet watched as the darkness swirled around and around, and then it started to collapse, right on top of the two. Ratchet ran, hoping that it wasn't still on top of them.

[Chaser's Apprentice]

Ratchet watched as the darkness swirled around and around, and then it started to collapse, right on top of the two. Ratchet ran, hoping that it wasn't still on top of them.

Sakura pitched her arms onward, panning her fingers outward for Shadow’s instruction. The blackness corkscrewed down and out, pursuing Rachet’s getaway. She couldn’t tell where Shadow was headed, although she was certain that its spirit knew.

[UltimaxWeapon]

"Wake up, Sora", said a mysterious voice. "Wh-what", sora looked up and there was no one there. "Where am I now", said sora. He stood up, and there was nothing in site, but darkness. There was no sign of Riku, and there was no site of anyon else. Sora, was once again, alone. On the bright side, the metal block from his arm was gone, and he could once again walk without the pain. "Now, how am I gonna get out of here", sora wondered to him self. He knew that standing in that very spot the whole time would only get him eliminated, so he started walking, to find his friends, or anything for that matter

Walking was finally easy for Sora after the metal block was gone. He now could hold the keyblade in his dominant hand, and knew how to fight these heartless and nobodys. "Slicing the crap out of them won't do much anymore, huh?", sora said to himself. "Well, now I actually have to let them put up a fight", sora said to himself. That was also the first time sora laughed in a while. This whole competition has been a tough road for him. But now he had made it the sixth round, maybe, there was actualy a chance at winning this competition. Maybe a little to farfetched, but this whole competition has been nothing but surprises.

[HappyHeartless]

The darkness came so quick that no living thing could ever anticipate it. One moment Bastila was one with the force, staring at her enemies. The next everything around her just... went out, disappeared. It was like she was momentarily cut off from the force. Then everything was darkness.

Pure reflex made her pull out her lightsaber and activate it, but the yellow glow died out next to the darkness. It made her beloved weapon look dead somehow, yet she felt that it's power was as great as it had always been. The worst part however wasn't how this place felt, but how it made her feel. How it took her back to her days on the Dark Side.

How it took her back to Darth Malak, and the weeks of torture she endured before turning to the dark side of the force.

I must get out or it will consume me!
She could feel the evil it emitted, all the monsters this darkness contained. They would attack, she was sure. And she would endure their attacks, without doubt.

But for how long?

Now the sounds had begun. Screams from her past would echo in her head, some her own, many belonging to others. There were other sounds too, unrecognizable ones.
Monsters lurking in the darkness?
She thought so. But she didn't know. Still all she saw was darkness and even more darkness, not the tiniest bit of light could be found anywhere.
Then something was upon her. She saw it appearing from her right at breakneck speed, bursting out of the darkness as if it was a wall. Then it was around her.

A giant black hand was holding her. She couldn't see it's owner but she could feel him. It.
Slowly it pressed her tighter and tighter together. The only sounds was Bastila's heavy breathing and her bones cracking, but that changed. Bastila opened her mouth, and out came a force powered scream, not only loud, but painful. It was a dark power, and she had used it before even thinking of it.

It worked. The hand released her and she fell to her knees, gasping for air. Her short reprieve was over before it had begun though, as the hand once again shot out from the darkness. This time Bastila rolled to the side, avoiding the painful grasp of evil, and quickly got to her feet.

Then she was running.
Away from her enemy, away from her fears, away from herself and closer to the dark side.

[videogame714]

Sakura pitched her arms onward, panning her fingers outward for Shadow’s instruction. The blackness corkscrewed down and out, pursuing Rachet’s getaway. She couldn’t tell where Shadow was headed, although she was certain that its spirit knew.

As Ratchet was running, Clank began to go into jet pack mode, bringing them up. Noticing Clank's actions, Ratchet took out his gun, and when he was high enough, started shooting below, hoping to destroy the shadow. Fortunately, it did, and Clank lowered the two down, and Ratchet started looking for another opponent.

[UltimaxWeapon]

Walking in a trail of darkness for a few minutes started to get to common for Sora. This has happened to him at least every round so far. It was at this time, that sora wasn't only looking for Riku, but any of his teammates. Then he looked ahead, and he saw one his old friends. It was Ratchet from Midway Galaxy. He hasn't seen him since they first met, but now it looks like they could meet up again. "Ratchet!", screamed sora, trying to catch his teammates attention. Sora started to jog over there, to meet up with his old teammate. "Man, do I wosh I still ha that cyrystal", said sora. He was clearly talking about the crystal from Midway Galaxy, that was used to find his friends and basically take him wherever he asked. Finally, he reached Ratchet, and said, "Remember me?", asked sora.

[videogame714]

Ratchet saw somebody running towards him, and they looked familiar. "Is... is that Sora?" He asked, as the figure started getting closer. "Yes, it is Sora!" He exclaimed. "Hey Sora!" He called out, "over here!"

[UltimaxWeapon]

Finally, sora had found a teammate that wasn't riku or dart. Sora finally reached Ratchet and Clank, but was out of breath. He tried to talk a clearly as he could, "How have you been?", asked sora. Sora also told Ratchet about everything that has happened since the last time they met. Sora also pulled out a little piece of the crystal that he saved from Midway Galaxy. But sadly, the crystal was useless unless all the pieces were together. And Sora was sure that they would be all over the galaxy by now. "So, this is really coming down to the wire now, huh?", said sora. "I think we should get out of here before any heartless or nobodys show up", said sora.

Hopefuly, Rachet knew by now that these heartless and nobodys, weren't your everyday enimies. They were much stronger, and much more difficult to destroy. Sora told Ratchet about what happened last round, and how he had a metal block stuck on his arm the entire round. "My shoulder actually popped", said sora. "We should get out of here", said sora. He took out his keyblade getting ready for any danger that might cross his path. And he was ready to really start this round off, the right way.

[videogame714]

"Wow, you've really had a tough time," Ratchet said after Sora finished talking. "Yeah, I guess we should really get going," He said, as he started walking, but then he saw black and white figures coming out of the ground. "Oh no," He said as he took out his gun, and started shooting the creatures.

[UltimaxWeapon]

"Ugh, here we go", said sora in disgust. The heartless and nobody creatures came at sora, but sora quickly slahed away the heartless and nobody enemies. But they were not dead, not yet. More and more creatures popped out of the ground, attacking Ratchet and Sora. Sora ran around the enemys casting Thunder and Fire spells, to at least slow them down. "It's no use", said sora. "We can't beat them. There's to many", said sora. Sora looked at his drive guage, and saw that it was full. There was no way Sora and Ratchet coulddefeat all of the enimies by themselevs, so Sora had an idea.

"Ratchet, hop on my back when I say so. We're getting out of here", said sora. Jumped back, gettng ready to change forms, while Ratchet was still distracting the heartless and nobodie creatures. "GIVE ME STRENGTH!", said sora as he turned into his Final Form. "Come on Ratchet, we'll fly out of here."

[videogame714]

"What the-" Ratchet said, seeing Sora transform. Thinking that he could ask questions later, he hopped on Sora's back, and they started to fly away. "How did you do that?" He asked.

[UltimaxWeapon]

Sora and Ratchet were flying through the air, watching the heartless and nobodies disapear into the darkness. "I have a feeling, we're not gonna see the last of them, not quite yet", said sora. Sora pointed out a spot that seemed safe and they flew down to rest up for a little bit. He heard Ratchet ask him how he changed forms, "Well, it's my clothes. They're not ordinary clothes, because they have special powers. Sit down, i'll tell you about how I really got my powers.", said sora. He took a seat and Ratchet about why he has the keyblade, why the heartless are always after hm, and why he knew who Xehanort was before this competiton was even thought of. The memories of everthing that has happened to sora in his past adventures have been running through his head for quite some time now, and it gets harder every time. "As you can see, i'm kind of always on a different adventure. I've had this keyblade for two years now, and it's always getting me in trouble", said sora.

The way he told his story really explained why he's so connected with Riku. They have been best friends as far back as Sora can remember. And this is why, Sora doesn't want to loose him, especially not to the darkness again. Sora's shoulder still hurt him a bit, but as healing really fast. And then Sora rememberd hearing footsteps back at the ship, that sounded like someone with a suit of armor on. "Ratchet, have you ever of a guy named.......Terra?", asked sora.

[videogame714]

"Whoa, that's cool," Ratchet said as Sora told him about his clothes. And then he went into detail how he acquired the Keyblade, and how much trouble it has caused him. "You have had a lot of ordeals," He said as Sora finished. But then Sora mentioned a person named Terra. "Sorry, I've never heard of him," He said.

[UltimaxWeapon]

Sora looked around for a while and said, "The funny thing is, niether have I. But somehow I knew him back at the spaceship", said sora. Perhaps he was hilucinating from the pain, or maybe this Terra guy is someone Sora should pay more attention to. Sora tried to remember where he might've seen someone that looked like him, so he tried to remember what he looked like in his vision. "He had, a helmet with horns coming out, a gold and blue armor suit, a cape, and a really wierd weapon that looked like a keyblade." Nothing was clicking. He couldn't remember a time where he had met someone who looked like that.

All of a sudden, sora remembered something. "Wait......was it-", sora stopped. "AH! My head!" sora was screaming in pain. Flashbacks were going through his mind like crazy. And he started saying wierd things, like, "The lost two", "Memory of Xehanort", "Keyblade Wars", "Birth By Sleep", and then the pain stopped. What he saw the same three soldiers the last time he had a horrible head pain back at the spaceship. "What.....happened?" sora asked. Before he had that hrrible head ache, it sounded like he knew who this Terra person was. But now, he has no memory of it, and once again forgets who this person is.

[4thkeybladeholder]

The amount of darkness was unbelievable. It was just as what happened with his opponent on the ship, like the same place. Perhaps it was the same place. He had walked aimlessly around, unsure of what he was doing. The feel of other warriors appearing made him feel less alone, but he knew that wasn't exactly a good thing, for they were his enemies as well.

Waiting, for the darkness to end. Waiting, for the light to reveal itself. Waiting, for this entire competition to end. He was waiting, waiting, and waiting, but he had no real sense of how long he would have to wait. Until the time came that he would not have to wait, he knew he could only fight, as hard as he could, until the end.

With this thought in mind, the Holy Paladin Cecil walked on, knowing that bloodshed would once more happen by the end of this new world, however empty it was.

[HappyHeartless]

Bastila didn't know how long she had been running. The screams grew stronger and the face of the man who once tortured her to the brink of insanity grew clearer. This darkness was too much for her, and she was slowly loosing it. Everything bad that had happened in Bastila's life grew clearer and soon she would have no good memories left.

She kept running. Trying to escape her problems, trying to run away from the pain. It was starting to seem futile.
Then she came to a sudden stop as she nearly ran into a familiar face. Before her stood Cecil. It was enough to chase away the fears for now. She wasn't alone anymore. She was so relieved that a grin spread across her face, and she stretched her hand towards Cecil, ready to beg for help as soon as her breath settled.

What she didn't realize, was that in Cecil's eyes she must've looked both insane and threatening.

[4thkeybladeholder]

Lost in thought of future battles, Cecil hadn't noticed Bastila until she was closer than he would have liked. In surprise and defense, he took out his sword fast, in a defense position already. The darkness around him made the air press tighter, making him feel even more weary of people than ever before.

[HappyHeartless]

Lost in her own relief she nearly ran head first into Cecil who was ready to cut her to pieces if she came too close. Before this happened she managed to stop, and take a few cautious steps backwards. Her first reflex was to pull out her lightsaber, the second was to place herself in a defensive position. Without even thinking about it she had done the same as Cecil and initiated the fight.
She cursed her blindness as her feelings had overcome her.

[4thkeybladeholder]

As a Paladin, and a King, he noticed something was wrong with the girl. Although, that could always be a trick, which he had to prepare for. She was obviously ready to fight, so that was all they could do. He felt like a pawn here, and he had to fight her.

Without saying a word as he would have before, he gently swooped in, starting with the simplest of movements, his sword arching towards the left, ready to cut her horizontally through the stomach.

[HappyHeartless]

Before Bastila could speak up he had attacked. Her exhaustion and current state had slowed her, and she could feel her hand shaking as she brought up her lightsaber. Cecils sword struck it dead on, and despite it being a basic attack she stumbled slightly to the side. A dumb sign of weakness, but she couldn't help it. Not now.

Again she noticed his blade as she had done last time they fought, how it seemed like a normal blade yet refused to show any damage from hitting a lightsaber.

She hated feeling so helpless, and in her mind she knew she didn't have a choice. She had to fight back, and hope for a chance to retreat. Lazily she spun her lightsaber and struck upwards to the point where Cecil's arm connected with his shoulder.

Her attacks had lost all their grace.

[4thkeybladeholder]

Cecil had a questioning look in his eyes as he registered her movement, dragging his sword over to block it quickly, catching it on the bulk of his blade, narrowly missing the hilt and his fingers.

The close contact was to much for him at the moment. Bringing his foot up, he attempted to kick her back, letting his foot spring forward. Still, his eyes were questioning, if not simply curious. What was wrong with her?

[videogame714]

Sora looked around for a while and said, "The funny thing is, niether have I. But somehow I knew him back at the spaceship", said sora. Perhaps he was hilucinating from the pain, or maybe this Terra guy is someone Sora should pay more attention to. Sora tried to remember where he might've seen someone that looked like him, so he tried to remember what he looked like in his vision. "He had, a helmet with horns coming out, a gold and blue armor suit, a cape, and a really wierd weapon that looked like a keyblade." Nothing was clicking. He couldn't remember a time where he had met someone who looked like that.

All of a sudden, sora remembered something. "Wait......was it-", sora stopped. "AH! My head!" sora was screaming in pain. Flashbacks were going through his mind like crazy. And he started saying wierd things, like, "The lost two", "Memory of Xehanort", "Keyblade Wars", "Birth By Sleep", and then the pain stopped. What he saw the same three soldiers the last time he had a horrible head pain back at the spaceship. "What.....happened?" sora asked. Before he had that hrrible head ache, it sounded like he knew who this Terra person was. But now, he has no memory of it, and once again forgets who this person is.

"Sora!" Ratchet exclaimed as Sora started screaming. "What's wrong? Sora!" He then heard Sora muttering words like "Memory of Xehanort," "Keyblade Wars," and "Birth By Sleep." Sora then started to regain control. "Sora, what happenend?"

[HappyHeartless]

The kick came straight towards her stomach, and what once seemed like an attack easy to sidestep, now seemed unblockable. The blow struck her hard and all air went out of her as she fell helplessly to the ground, her lightsaber went spinning out of her arm and bounced away in the darkness, landing out of her reach.

Despite her difficulties she got up again, slowly but steady. She refused to be defeated like this, though it seemed hopeless. As a last effort she focused force in her hand and sent a blow towards Cecil, knowing that he had seen this attack before, and that if he avoided it things wouldn't look too good.

[4thkeybladeholder]

Instead of trying anything with movement, he drew power from himself, letting his Light protect him as well it could. Before it grew hard and solid, the attack came through, breaking it and hitting him enough to cause bruising. His armor protected him as well, but it dented and dug into his skin. It hurt, for the most part.
Stepping back, he danced around as he tried to regain his balance. Looking forward past his arm, he watched her as he took in her rather odd fighting style. It wasn't as powerful as before. Was it the constant battling that had gotten to her? True, they were tough. Something else seemed off to him. Pushing it away, he moved forward again, not rushing into combat.

[HappyHeartless]

It struck!
Bastila misread her hit, and thought that Cecil actually hadn't been able to dodge her attack, instead of actually taking it head on.
With new gained confidence she rushed forward, forgetting about her lightsaber, attacking only with the force.

When she was getting pretty close to Cecil, she sent a burst of force to her feet and surged forward, straight towards Cecil. Her fist tightened as she pulled it back, ready to punch.

[4thkeybladeholder]

This time, he was taking the offense. His Light was building up in his other arm, while his sword was off to the side. As it started glowing with an aura of charged holy light, he flexed once to feel it's power, and stared at Bastila dead on, daring her to punch him.

Satisfied, he breathed in deeply, held his ground, and let his punch spring out with as much power as he could give it. She had extra momentum, but he had pure strength. Would they be matched?

[UltimaxWeapon]

"Sora!" Ratchet exclaimed as Sora started screaming. "What's wrong? Sora!" He then heard Sora muttering words like "Memory of Xehanort," "Keyblade Wars," and "Birth By Sleep." Sora then started to regain control. "Sora, what happenend?"

Sora was dazed and confused, and his head was still in pain. "I, I don't know", said sora, still dazed. He tried to regain himself, and then tried to think about what he was talking about. "So, you don't know who Terra is either?", said sora. The thought that sora had before was completely gone. It's like it never popped in his head. The more he tried to think, the more pain got. He decided that thinking wasn't going to help get any better, "lets just forget about it", said sora. Sora told Ratchet what he saw, about the thre soldiers, thousands of keyblades, and even Xehanort. He was really curious about who the biggest soldier was. The one with the golden suit, and the odd keyblade. "Could that have been Terra", sora asked to himself.

Sora told Ratchet that they needed to start moving out. They were both rested and it was time to find a way out of this world.

[HappyHeartless]

As Bastila surged forward her sight was nothing but a blur. Unable to spot Cecil's attack in time, she hit it head on, and as her hand broke when faced off to the pure strength her mouth formed in a silent scream. She stumbled backwards, gripping her right arm tightly with her left. The pain was excruciating.
Not wanting to show weakness she quickly dashed forward again and spun around once, sending a heel kick towards the right side of Cecil's head.

[4thkeybladeholder]

As the attack came, it was to late to do anything against it but try and lift his arm. Dropping his sword out of pure attempt to save his head from getting crushed, he shot up his arm, his wrist catching the kick hard. His wrist crunched as it slammed into his head, making him stumble and fall over.
Without hesitation to try and get back on top of the fight, he lifted both hands, ignoring the horrible pain that came with lifting his now broken wrist, and used pure Light to try and give him any time to get back up. His power lashed out in a flash, whether it hurt or not even he didn't know just then.

[HappyHeartless]

She saw the flash of light as it was rising from his hands, but Bastila didn't look away. She welcomed it.
Light...
It seemed like a small piece of heaven after all the darkness she had been through, but unfortunately, not looking away was a grave mistake. It scorched her face and blinded her eyes, but she managed to dodge some of the damage by hiding her face in her hands. She fell to her knees, desperate to get her sight back.
In this state she grew desperate, and put her hands to the ground and called on the power of Force Lightning.
Electricity flowed through the ground, surging towards Cecil and at the same time, hurt Bastila.

[KH2_FinalSora]

Darkness...eternity...

Dart never dealt well with the shadows, with any type of darkness..not since the Black Monster. That demon of a creature, she killed his family and destroyed his home...

And she had decived him, becoming one of his friends, following him on his journey to kill the darkness that had taken everything he loved away from him. But...he had gotten over that long ago.

But...this was different. The eternal darkness that he was in now, that was different. This...this seemed like..

"Death..." He muttered, as his eyes flickered open. "I must have died..." Yet, his body ached beyond anything he had ever felt before. His left arm was on fire, and he glanced over to it. It has started to heal, probably from the Divine and Red-Eyed Dragoon powers.

So I'm not dead... He smirked. That's great news...

The strange darkness was eternal to him. He felt as if he were floating in a stream on nothing, falling down eternally. Yet...

He landed. Dart suddenly landed on solid ground... and there were things around him, screams of terror and the smell of burning. He was back in the village of Neet, his hometown that was destroyed long ago...

And standing in front of him, a woman shrouded in darkness...the power of the Dark Dragoon. This was Rose...

Dart raised his sword, It's impossible...nothing, not even magic can bring back the dead. He rushed forward, ready to strike down the dark illusion, only to be blasted back by a powerful blast of energy.

"Foolish...trying to protect the Moon Child?" Rose laughed, her voice shrouded in a strange dark aura.

"Shana..." Dart muttered, "You're trying to kill Shana..."

Rose raised her blade, "Die..." She channeled dark energy forward, and whispered, "Demon Gate...."

A dark portal opened behind Dart, a portal leading to the realm of true death and decay. There would be no return from the black oblivion that awaited him.

Dart turned around, gazing into the portal. This...this is the worst you can do? He laughed, "This is the worst you can bring? The darkness here cannot hurt me..." There was fire in his eyes, and determination in his soul.

"You can't stop me."

[4thkeybladeholder]

Cecil had enough time to draw one more breath before the lightning surged into him. Metal plus Lightning? Bad idea, it seemed.
It shocked him at first, making him jump into the air. It scorched his feet through the metal, making it heat up fast and hot. As he collapsed back onto the ground, he wished he could massage his feet, but couldn't.
Being a Paladin and a retired Dark Knight, he took pain in stride, so he got up as fast as he could, wincing at the pain. His heart was beating irregularly, he knew it. It would be smart to take a break, but he didn't. Leg's shaking slightly, he balanced himself on both feet, switching from foot to foot from time to time. He couldn't give up, but at the moment, he couldn't attack that well.

[HappyHeartless]

She heard noise. Metal banging around, so she knew that she had hit him. But the electricity had hurt her as well, and her feet was shaking uncontrollably.
My hand... My feet... My eyes...
She was begging for him to be seriously hurt too. She slowly got up and focused force to her ears to enhance her hearing. She lifted her left arm up in front of her, ready to attack while listening intently to Cecil's movement.

[4thkeybladeholder]

His legs were shaking to much. Over to the side, he recognized what was his sword. At that moment, it was something to use for balance. Dashing to the side as fast he could without stumbling over, he grabbed his Legend Sword and put the point down into the ground. Using it for more support, he stared at his opponent. His hand was useless at the moment. His legs weren't good enough for running and defending. Any attack would take him off the ground and make him fall.

That left his Light, and quick sword slices. Armed with that knowledge, he did what he could only think of doing. Slashing forward, a blade of Light sped forward, and he sluggishly followed it, ready to pierce the girl straight through the heart.

[HappyHeartless]

Bastila heard him. The rustling of his armor. His blade hitting the ground. His feet trampling towards her.
She had one chance, she braced herself ready to sidestep him at the last moment and try to punch him in the throat and cut off his air.

The steps was coming closer. She heard his metal boots stomping the ground.
There!
She quickly stepped to the right, but then her left foot failed. She stumbled forward and her head exploded in pain as she felt something large and sharp penetrate her body, missing her heart by just a few inches. It went straight through.
She could feel her hot blood pouring down her stomach and feet, bathing the ground with it's crimson color. She gurgled as blood flowed up her throat.

Her sight was recovering, but it was too late. As she fell backwards she could faintly see the shape of Cecil, standing before her.

[4thkeybladeholder]

The need to check was useless. Cecil knew it was over now, after such a stab. He hated this part, and to provide less pain, he held the sword so she wouldn't have to deal with it being pulled out, or have to lift the sword.
"You were a great fighter," he said, honoring his opponent as best he could. "This was a forced battle, though. I am sorry I had to do this."

The feel of blood on the metal of his blade made him feel odd, like it always did. Such a sword was for demons, not humans. Spilling blood was against everything A Paladin was for, if the blood wasn't evil.

Finally, he took out his blade, wincing as he felt it slide out. Regardless of what he had seen before, in his new state of mind he hated it.

Praying that monsters would not come and disgrace her remains, he moved onwards, walking away with his back straight and his sword dripping dark red blood.

[HappyHeartless]

The darkness was becoming even darker as Bastila lay on her back, listening to sound of Cecil moving farther and farther away. Then he was gone.
As if by some dark sinister joke her eyesight was returning quickly, and she was forced to just lie there in her own blood, watching the darkness as her body was drained of life.

It was too much to hope for that her blood wouldn't attract anything though. She heard it faintly first, then clearer. Not only one, but many dark forces was emerging from the darkness around her. Drawn by her blood, eager to taste flesh. The first monster reached her and stood straight above her. It's twisted eyes stared right into her face, mocking her.

So this is how my end would be...
Her life flashed past her eyes. The screams had returned. Darkness was once again consuming her.
Revan... I'm sorry.
The only love she had ever felt and she would never feel it again. How could this be? No. It couldn't be. One of the monsters was sniffing her now, she could feel it. It's dark thirst, again this brought her torturer to mind. The man who had brought her to the dark side once. The man who had made her feel a pain she had thought impossible.

But she had been brought back. Revan had saved her, and now she would never see him again.
I... I refuse to die...
Images flashed before her again. More dark monsters was creeping around her, looking for a feast. She hated them, she hated them all. She hated the paladin. Cecil. Her anger was rising steady now, and despite her blood loss she could feel power coming to her.

Malak was right. Why should I refuse the power that can be mine? I'm not done living yet. And I'll have my vengeance versus those who anger me!
One of the monsters now took the first daring step, but Bastila barely felt the pain as it's fangs sunk deep into her thigh. She felt the force again, and as her anger was at it's peak it flowed out of her and penetrated the beings around her. They screamed in pain, and Bastila laughed maniacally as their life force flowed into her.

Within seconds the monsters was silent, and as they all fell to the ground Bastila stood up.

"Power is mine once again!"
She spoke with unmistakable greed, darkness had consumed her, and once again she had taken the path of the dark side. I was wrong Revan, and so was you. Bastila walked to her lightsaber and picked it up. A dark, crimson glow had surrounded her, and while light seemed to fade in the darkness, this glow actually merged with it.

"Now... I believe I have an old friend to slaughter" she simply stated, then broke out in laughter once again.

((OOC: Yes, now a Dark Jedi and the change is permanent. ))

[Xuan]

((Aw man, how come Darkness always prevails over Light?))

It has been one helluva rollar coaster ride for Riku even though he's walking in a straight line. His vision was useless because of the complete Darkness around him. They're so ink black that Riku wished that he could draw a new colour for Darkness.

But that wasn't the reason he stumbled, staggered, fell and toppled. Despite the increasingly confusing world in front of his eyes as Darkness makes everything go merry-go-round, it was the attack to his heart the main cause of his fall. Riku's heart is strong and his Light is protecting him, however with each strike from the foreign Darkness that circles his heart, his strength wither a little. He knew that soon, soon enough.

I would be out of energy, out of Light, out of strength, and fall into this eternal oblivion... I must get out of here. He thought to himself, The Way To Dawn so nearly winking into his hands. But he resisted it. He knew that if he should use it, he might be attacked again and since everything around him, perhaps even the air he breathed in is Darkness, that would be truly unwise.

"Nope," he muttered to himself, an angry frown etched on his features, "I won't use it until it is necessary... Woah!" He immediately leaped back when he saw something flew past his front. The Way To Dawn winked to his right palm, a hint of irony for his user has just vowed not to use it unless necessary. Absolutely necessary.

But this is absolutely necessary, Riku spoke in his heart. And he was right. Any Players would've made a sound by now when they crossed path. Even Riku gave a little shout of surprise. This thing however... Too quiet. Stealthy.

Deadly.

The Darkness around him began to ripple. He could feel that it was pratically writhing and moaning because of the Keyblade's presence. To cause such discomfort to the Darkness, Riku felt... happy. Happier than ever since he's been here. And so he looked around, searching for the enigmatic creature as he turned around -

"Oh my god!!!" He was so frightened that he jumped a full ten feet away, too scared and distorted to talk. What he saw was the most horrible face he has ever seen in his life. As if those zombies aren't enough! But what scared him most was not its ghastly features... No.

"No... It couldn't be you... Right, Sora? No... You couldn't have, there's just no way!" Riku's words came, barely a whisper, a fear fully exposed and now his heart is trembling.

That face looked awfully like Sora's.

But it isn't him! Sora would never fall to the Darkness! Never! Riku thought to himself, a little more composed and angrier now. The Sora he knew was too powerful for Darkness to consume him, too happy, too cheerful...

And too good. He simply doesn't deserve to get corrupted by Darkness.

He screamed angrily and sure to the mysterious shadow, Keyblade glowing with Light, "You are not Sora. Go away before I destroy you once and for all!"

And it was gone, just like that. No traces of it ever been there before.

[4thkeybladeholder]

Cecil stopped after another long bout of walking, feeling his feet ache with the shock of that lightning force and the constant metal rubbing on his skin. Never before had he worn his armor for so long, even in battle. It was absurd.
He looked at himself, seeing just how damaged he was. Sighing, he took to using his white magic, which he hadn't used this entire time.
Gently, he began to cast Cure 2, handling all of the larger points of damage. Soon enough, he switched to Cure, allowing himself the luxury of getting rid of the bruises.

[KH2_FinalSora]

Dart's eyes fluttered open. Where am I now? He was lying on the ground again, and...there was a man standing over him. The man had bright silver hair, and a black shirt with silver lines, and black pants.

The man was holding a powerful sword that radiated with energy...the Dragon Buster. It was a mystical blade, one used to slay the Dragons of old...and it was used to kill his friend, Lavitz.

Dart leapt up, growling, "Lloyd..." He raised his blade, ready to strike, but the man was gone.

"Wha-" A sharp jab of pain struck him in the back, and he yelped in pain. He quickly spun around, expecting Lloyd, but...it wasn't him. No...it was far worse.

The original figure still remained, but most of it was disfigured, transformed by darkness. Dark tendrils waved out of his arms, and his hands were demoninc shadow claws. He had no legs, and was instead slithering across the ground witha large tail, almost like a snake.

But Lloyd's face remained...

"Dart...you remember me, no?" He laughed maniaclly, and lunged towards Dart, "You remember the fear? You will DIE!"

[UltimaxWeapon]

Thoughts kept going through the mind of Sora, about what had happened back there. He felt like the darkness was slowly consuming him. Something hadn't felt since his last journey. This man named Terra was the only thing that Sora was thinking about. He had no clue who he was, and why he kept getting these flashbacks about him. He figured he was somehow connected to Xehanort, since this all started back at his ship, and he was even in some of those flashbacks. Sora was also curious about who the young boy was who looked like Roxas.

"Maybe it was Roxas? It couldn't be.", said sora.

Sora's mind was slowly being eatin' away by the darkness, and these memories. But then again, how can you have a memory if you don't remember it? He had never met this man in his whole life, but for some reason, he now seemed like Sora has known him his whole. Sora knew that the only one who could answer these questions, was Xehanort. So then Sora's next objective was to find Xehanort, and ask him these questions.

But then again, that might not be the easiest thing to do. Xehanort is the original form of what Xemnas and his heartless used to be. So obviously, he was just as consumed by the darkness as his other two forms. And he would not want to anything with the keyblade master, other than kill him. Sora was in a rough situation, but was ready to do whatever it takes to get some answers. The only way to see Xehanort, was to win this competiton. The only thing on Sora's mind now, was winning. He was going to prove to the gaming gods that he was the top fighter, and was the true warrior of the keyblade.

[Roxas 1994]

In the dark void of empty nothingness, the metallic hunter couldn’t help but allow his body to descend deeper into horrible abyss below his fragile body. His whole being seemed to be in jeopardy at the time, and the warrior’s will was slowly being crushed beneath the tremendous ‘weight’ the darkness shed. His hollow body was slowly growing darker and darker, and signs of aggression were beginning to form in his energetic soul.

Axl’s heart, the supreme power of his will, also started to sink into a pool of darkness. His body was, without a doubt, beginning to turn hollow itself. All the actions he commanded were denied. His weary body was drained of all its physical and mental energy.

“Where am I?” Axl’s stern voice stated, his heavy eye lids were still covering the majestic gaze the Hunter longed for. “Am I dead?”

In the Reploid’s blurry, imagined view, there was no brilliant light at the end of his destined path. All of his strength seemed to disintegrate into the deep air that surrounded his small, metallic body. All of his emotions seemed to ease into a giant hole in his lowly soul. The only hint of life was the lasting, overwhelming feelings of depression and loneliness. His mind, his being, seemed to erase into the desolate haze around him.

A multitude of different thoughts and determinations were the only thought that would pass the glimpse of Axl’s soul. In the past, he had created several oaths, and most of them had come into existence by his own will. Now, with each passing moment, all of the promises in his structure seemed to sink into the dark abyss below.

[Xuan]

His strides grew heavier with each step. Despite the protection of his Keyblade in the external and the Light within his heart as internal protection, he was growing weary. Strain was eating him up, literally. The attack on his heart was begin to increase in frequency. Apparently, the Darkness in his body also felt his strength weakening.

"I... won't... give up!" Riku gritted his teeth and pushed on. He remembered the day how he clung on to Sora for support. The endless miles of walk in The World That Never Was, with only the two of them left.

And still Sora hold on to him, never let go.

Riku smiled.

He suddenly saw a familiar figure in front of him. His body grew rigid with tense, but it wasn't an apparation of some sort. At least, he cannot confirm that yet.

Axl.

[UltimaxWeapon]

It seemed like something was calling sora, something that was showing him the way to his destiny. He felt like something, or someone was cheering him on, telling him to go after what he really wanted. And he wanted victory. Sora quickly turned to Ratchet, "Sorry Ratchet, but I need to go off on my own on this one. Until we mert again", said sora. Sora turned back around and took a few steps back, "I'm coming for you, Xehanort", sora then turned himself back into Final Form and flew up high into the sky, so high t seemed like he was almost next to the gaming gods themseleves. Sora looked out in front, and had only one thing to say, "Now it really begins", and sora glided at the speed of light.

Flying through the air, now alone. But this time, sora fet like he had a more important goal. Then he started to think, "Maybe Riku has an idea of who Terra is", said sora. Then he saw something. It looked familar, like one of his teammates. It was Axl. Sora glided down back to the ground and changed back into his normal form, and walked over to his teammate. But then he saw someone who he really needed to see. "Riku, Axl, it's me Sora", he said walking to his friends.

[Xuan]

"Sora?" Riku spun around, bewildered at the turn of events. The Way To Dawn was poised menacingly, ready to slash down in case it is another of those horrible nightmares.

But it was not. It's really Sora! I could feel it! Finally smiling, he recomposed himself and looked at him coolly, "So, our hero has finally woke up eh? Nice nap?"

[UltimaxWeapon]

"Very funny", said sora as he walked to Riku. Sora knew exactly what he wanted to ask him. About Terra, and why he was getting all of these flashbacks. He also told how much he needed to win this competiton to get face to face with Xehanort. "As you can see, I haven't been having a very good time since we last saw eachother", said sora. The darkness was slowly consuming with every second that passed, and he felt that Riku was the one he could talk to about the darkness. He had been consumed by the darkness on sora's first journey, when he was working for the heartless. Luckily, sora was able to defeat him, and save him from the heartless, but not the darkness.

"So, do you have any idea who Terra is, and why i'm getting these flasbacks?", said sora.

[Roxas 1994]

The warmth of several presences filled the restless soul that was slumbering inside Axl’s metal frame. The Hunter tried his best to force his blue body to follow the multiple commands he had stored inside his computerized system, but his efforts were futile. His body, his inner being, denied any actions the Reploid ordered. Without the light that had once dwelled inside the robot's heart, the darkness was going to take over his sanity. Without his light, Axl could not conquer the evading void that was slowly developing inside his hollow structure.

“I can’t do this by myself,” The Hunter whispered to himself. “I don’t have the strength to fight any more.”

[Xuan]

Riku heard what Axl said, and it would seemed that this reploid was faring more badly than Sora did. He promptly answered before turning to face Axl, "Sora, I had no idea who Terra is, and what flashbacks are you talking about?"

He stared at the reploid. His life was virtually drained from its looks, and his heart seemed to be hollow. Such is the effects of Darkness when you're in it for too long.

Far too long.

He held Axl's shoulders and shook him slightly. He then spoke gently, "What is it, Axl? Having trouble?"

[UltimaxWeapon]

Sora looked glum, now knowing that he had to explain these flashbacks that do nothing but bring him pain and confusion. "These flash backs, they're of these three soldiers. One with a blue hair, one that looks almost identical to roxas, and then the other one has a golden suit of armor, with a strange looking keyblade", said sora. He told riku that all of these soldiers held keyblades, and were aparentely at war with Xehanort. "I think the tall one with the wierd looking keyblade is Terra, but i'm not sure", said sora.

Now that sora knew that Riku also didn't know who Terra was, the only person sora could turn to, was Xehanort. He was the only one Sora saw in any of the flashbacks, so he obviusly knew who these three soldiers were, and why the flashbacks keep happening to sora. There was no doubt in sora's mind that the flashbacks would happen again, so he really needed to pay attention for when it happens.

Sora also noticed Axl, who was trying to talk to him and riku. "You alright, Axl?", said sora, as he walked over to Axl.

[Xuan]

"Xehanort?" Riku submerged himself in thought. According to Ansem's Secret Report which Sora gathered, Xehanort was found in Radiant Garden by Ansem the Wise. He lost his memory.

A war between Xehanort and three soldiers? I never heard any of this, and DiZ... Ansem The Wise never said anything about a war, so he couldn't have know it, which probably mean it's quite some time ago... A war with weird Keys... Could it be...!

"Keyblades? Those weapon they're using are Keyblades? But... How could there be... more Keyblades? Xehanort's using one... did he use one, Sora?" Riku's face was contorted in immense worriness. If Xehanort could use Keyblades, even though he didn't know whether there are more out there...

This ain't going to be good.

[UltimaxWeapon]

The one thing sora didn't want to do, was remember thse horrible flashbacks, but now it almost sounded they were finally getting somewher, so Sora tried to remember. "I don't i've had a flashback that really gets a good shot at Xehanort. But with the little time I did see him, you can tell he has a keyblade", said sora. After he said that, his heart dropped. Now we knoew Xehanort is not only in these flashbacks and obviously knows something about it, but he also wields a keyblade. Like Riku said, this isn't gonna be pretty. Sora clinhed his fist and looked at riku with a smirk, "We've taken down bigger enemies than this little school girl. Come on Riku, Axl, lets go take him down", said sora.

[Xuan]

"I won't be too sure about that." Riku's face was grim, very grim. He suddenly fell to the ground, the Darkness that slipped into his body striking his heart again, but he courageously stood up again, gritting his teeth, a furious refusal to give up his heart to the Darkness.

He quickly continued, hoping that the Darkness would obstruct Sora from seeing his condition, "If Xehanort could use a Keyblade, we would have nearly no chance of winning. You may defeated Xehanort's Heartless single-handedly, but it took everything from the both of us to defeat Xemnas."

He stared around before continued, "We need Axl. And everyone else we could find on our side. It would take everything we got to defeat Xehanort."

And then he was silent. He know that even with every Player united, they would have next to no chance of defeating Xehanort.

We couldn't even bring down Hades, even with the girl's help. This... is bad.

[UltimaxWeapon]

Sora looked at riku, it seemed like he had lost hope all together. Maybe he needed to realize everyone has their weaknesess. Hell, even in the flashbacks the soldiers lost, but it was to Xehanort. "Riku, after all we've been through, I think we can take him down. We just need stradegy, and like you said, every member from our team.", said sora. Sora looked over Axl, who hasn't said a word since sora arrived, and said, "How 'bout it, Axl? I'm sure Megaman has shown a few tricks since the last SSFW, right?" Sora also told Riku that Ratchet isn't to far behind either. Sora was just with him not t lobg ago, and can find him pretty quick.

Sora rememberd one other person, one he hasn't talked to in quite sometime. He looked up at riku, and said, "We need Dart."

[Xuan]

"We'll find him. But not here." Riku said no more. He seriously needed a rest, and this spot, with his friends, he cannot find another safer place. Maybe he could try purging the Darkness inside him.

And so he sat down and turned towards Sora, "Sora, look after me okay? I'm going to rest a while. Whatever that happens next, which I'm not sure at all, do not panic."

And he closed his eyes, meditating.

[UltimaxWeapon]

Sora looked at riku as he slowly fell asleep. He needed it, after all he's been through. Sora looked over at Axl, who still hasn't said a word since sora got here, and he was just standing over in the same spot. Sora decided that maybe he's been thinking to much, and he needed a rest. A rest from all this talk about taking down Xehanort, and winning this competition. Team Sony has been very good to sora since this competiton has started. He's made tons of friends, and enemies. Some are still here, fighting for their spot in the game gods. And then there are some, who aren't as lucky as the rest of us, and have been terminated, like Ishida and Roxas. But now it's really coming down to it.

Five remain, and five are gone. Sora was happy to make it into the top five, but at the same time sad, knowing that his friends are still gone, and he was away from his home once again. But now, he feels that he actually has a meaning for being here, something that he feels will finally complete his story for good.

He also knew that what Riku had told him, was indeed true. Taking down Xehanort, would far more hard than taking down Xemnas, or Xehanort's heartless. And even with all five of the Team Sony members going at him, this will still be the toughest battle that sora has ever done. After watching the way he easily took down the three soldiers in his flashbacks, he could only imagine what will happen to him or one of his friends. But he also knew, if he never got to Xehanort, then he will never know who Terra is and why these flashbacks keep happening. "I'm noy only gonna meet him, i'm gonna beat him", said sora.

[Xuan]

((You'll never know it in the future either, cause Xehanort-Event Guest won't care about it, and the answer to your question is a big inverted C and one dot.))

With his friends around him, for the first time in Riku's adventure, he felt safe. During previous battles, he was always alone. Sometimes Sora might join in the excitement, but Riku wasn't used to a companion. They are the strongest together, but Riku stubborn attitude to operate alone was what that's been bugging him since the day their journey started.

But, he thought with a slight smirk on his face, That is just the way I am. Just can't change it.

He took a look at Sora and Axl.

And he stared into his own heart. Strong, radiating energy and full of Light. However, the foreign liquid of Darkness now surrounded it, encaging it and slowly eating through the protection of his Light. But since Riku was so busy trying to find a way out, he never really bothered to purge the Darkness for it is everywhere. Why try to get it out when the ones around you could just swamp him and choke him with Darkness?

"It's not the same now. I have my friends to guard me, and I will get you out of me." And with that, he closed his eyes and began to gather all his energy. He slowly focused his thoughts to his Light, but he couldn't seemed to grasp it.

Why?

Not getting the reaction he needed, he began to drift across the stars of his memories. His days with Sora and Kairi, running along the beach; his days where he betrayed his friends but was saved by their sheer determination; the moment he turned into something he hated for the ones he loved; and the joy he felt when they were finally reunited.

And he continued to hold on to Riku, carrying him across the world of nothingness despite the fact that Riku felt unworthy, and that he should be left to die. Despite the fact that Riku once betrayed him, hurt him and left him to face his own problems.

He continued to hold on.

The strangle hold of Darkness began to loosen its grip. However it was fighting, Riku could feel it. Pain shot through his body as he began to shiver, trying his best to control himself and not scream outloud. It was throwing stabs after stabs to his heart, trying to sink itself deep and win the war once and for all. To claim Riku as one with the Darkness.

Promise us that you'll always come back.

I promise.

His Light was winning. His heart vibrated once with such intensity that Riku felt that his head was smacked against a gong, the resonation of a scream for freedom. But it was still there. He needed just a little bit more of strength to purge it out. Riku was trying to vommit it out, but still it clung on, not letting go. He begged himself, Just a little more of strength! He screamed in his heart, Just a little more heart!

And then, he remembered.

Even in the deepest Darkness, a Light shines within. And even under the strongest Light, a speck of Darkness formed its shadow.

Riku finally realised that in his struggle against this foreign Darkness, he had forgotten his own power of Darkness. Or should he say that he refused to use it. He was afraid that it might amplify the power of Darkness and swallow him whole.

But Light and Darkness co-exists together. Without the both of it, one cannot casts its true strength within. And so Riku grabbed hold to his Darkness. The Darkness of his past. To face it bravely and not running away.

Soul Eater joined The Way To Dawn.

"Urrggghhh!!!" It was ugly, but Riku finally vommited the Darkness out of him. With one step of his foot, he crushed it as it let loose its last sigh.

Now he could really rest. And he did.

[videogame714]

It seemed like something was calling sora, something that was showing him the way to his destiny. He felt like something, or someone was cheering him on, telling him to go after what he really wanted. And he wanted victory. Sora quickly turned to Ratchet, "Sorry Ratchet, but I need to go off on my own on this one. Until we mert again", said sora. Sora turned back around and took a few steps back, "I'm coming for you, Xehanort", sora then turned himself back into Final Form and flew up high into the sky, so high t seemed like he was almost next to the gaming gods themseleves. Sora looked out in front, and had only one thing to say, "Now it really begins", and sora glided at the speed of light.

Flying through the air, now alone. But this time, sora fet like he had a more important goal. Then he started to think, "Maybe Riku has an idea of who Terra is", said sora. Then he saw something. It looked familar, like one of his teammates. It was Axl. Sora glided down back to the ground and changed back into his normal form, and walked over to his teammate. But then he saw someone who he really needed to see. "Riku, Axl, it's me Sora", he said walking to his friends.



"I hope we meet again!" Ratchet exclaimed as Sora flew away. Ratchet then continued to walk, looking for an opponent. Nobody seems to be here, he thought, looking around.

[4thkeybladeholder]

Silence captured Cecil as he spoke not a word after the battle that had occured. Except for his armor, which still clanked loudly, and his heavy breathing that came from the feel of stifled Light, he did not make a sound. The darkness before him seemed endless, and he was nothing more than a foreign presence here. Gruesome monsters resided in this Darkness, but he did not, and could not. They belonged, and he didn't. He was happy for that.

Once more lost in what he was thinking, he didn't realize two other's were near, their power gently showing itself to him. As he noticed them finally, he stopped, hand on his sword tightening.

Would he fight again? The choice was a hard one to make, at least, at some other point. For some reason, Cecil had no problem choosing this time around. He would fight whatever came his way, whether it was honorable, or not.

[Roxas 1994]

A soft voice slowly echoed throughout the dark system that slumbered inside the weary, metal structure known as Axl. Even as time passed, his hibernating condition did not improve for the better. He should no sign of mobility in his weary movements. But, even if his body was trapped inside a dark prison, his computerized mind was still rushing with tremendous thoughts and multiple situations that had happened in his adventurous life.

So many thoughts were rushing into his mind at one moment, but there was one that had always stuck out the most. Just like mere moments before, several oaths he had created in his life span were the only thoughts that were in his hollow heart. But, as each passing promise crawled past his mind, a new, overwhelming sensation warmed in cold, numb small frame. Each memory held a greater power in his life, and each memory his mind would reminisce past gave a new light.

“All my friends,” Axl muttered under his solemn breath. “All my friends are counting on me. I made too many promises to just turn into scrape! I refuse to just crawl away and die! And I refuse to die!”

With each oath that past through the Hunter’s stubborn mind, the new sensation, the better feeling, warmed his cold body parts. His weary determinations, his will, would not allow his existence to end. He would not allow his promises, his connections, to crawl away into the hollow void below his being. Now, finally, a brilliant array of lights shined at the end of his destined path. And the amazing power of light seemed to cast the darkness that surrounded his energetic soul.

A heavy feeling slowly took control of Axl’s metallic eyes and with this feeling if exhaustion, the Reploid quickly opened his eyes. His vision was blurry and disturbed, but a mere blink of his eyes sharpened his gaze. To his surprise, the same nothingness he had once brawled with surrounded his being. This new realm felt cold and was shattered with darkness.

[4thkeybladeholder]

One of the beings was awakening. Armed with this knowledge, Cecil began to prepare himself for a surprise attack, building up his power in his hand for a quick attack, if necessary. The heavy feeling that came with lugging around his Holy Armor was nothing compared to what was filling his mind.

It felt as if he had to fight, and when he fought, his mind wasn't as heavy. It was his escape, now, until this ended. Then what would happen? Pondering it as he walked on, he then ignored it, and not simply because he couldn't answer it. It was because it hurt to think about it.

"My next opponent will fall at my hands... I will honor their life," he said quietly, sure of what he had to do now. He walked on, towards his new found enemy.

[Roxas 1994]

The young warrior quickly took in a deep breath, trying his best to seal his collected nerves inside his body. The long struggle with the darkness that surrounded his inner core, his soul, started to shake the young gunner. He no longer wore the odd emotions of depression and sadness, but now he carried the burden of mixed emotions. The expression of happiness was branded on his physical appearance, but the surge of a slight fear rattled his bulky armor. The Hunter was truly engaged in a serious enigma.

Then, as the mere moments past along the hollow void, a new obstacle was caught in Axl’s gaze: another warrior. A small sensation of aggression started to erupt from the metal structure. His warrior instincts were starting to reappear in his actions, so the brilliant act of aggression was normal for the boy. His passion for fighting was unmatched in his own realm, but still, he never grew a passion to shed the fowl crimson liquid he despised. He was never the cruel and disturbed.

“What do you want?” The Reploid stated, his back turned the Holy Knight. “For some strange reason, I have a feeling you want to fight. I hope I’m wrong.”

[KH2_FinalSora]

Dart quickly deflected a blow from the Shadow Lloyd, and tried to follow up with a quick slash of his own. The powerful dark creature was too fast, and instead, knoced Dart back a few feet with a hit to his stomach.

Augh... Dart groaned, holding his stomach. He's too fast... Lloyd shot forwards again with a barrage of attacks, streaming left and right constantly at a speed that Dart could never hope to follow.

The red-clad warrior grunted with every strike that hit him, yet he blocked out the pain. He had to...if he didn't, he would be useless. The dark creature realed back, ready to launch a powerful blow at Dart, but...

Dart eyes widened, An opening!? He quickly shifted his weight, and lunged forward with a quick jab. Lloyd wasn't expecting the strike, and howlied in pain as the blade sank into his shadowy flesh.

"Now to finish this!" Dart felt an aura of power surround him as the Red-Eye Dragoon Armor flamed up to protect and aid him. The flames from his armor surged into his blade as he quickly channeled a powerful spell...

"Final Burst!" Dart's wings, which had just formed, burst into powerful flames, acting as his propultion. "You're finished!" Dart surged forward, peircing his enitre body, which had been transformed into a flaming ball of energy, through the shadow creature.

Dart skid to a halt, letting his armor fade. He looked behind him, where only 30 feet away, his enemy was writhing in pain. "I won..." He sheathed his blade, sighed, and moved on...

[Yellow Flash]

(OOC: Wow, I wasn't enlinmated!!!)
Naruto looked around he wasn't on the ship anymore. Actually he didn't know where the heck he was, everything was dark. Wait! was he in the darkness. "I can't see a thing" He said to the fox in side of him. "I know this darkness" The fox said. "It is sought of like the darkness in side of me, and those dark creatures are competly made of darkness.

"So can we fight them?" Naruto asked hoping. "No, darkness, cannot fight darkness. However, I can protect you from them." Suddenly Naruto was 1 tailed and a giant red charkra shield was aound him. "This shield will stay, as long as you don't fight. SO get out of here quickly."

[Roxas 1994]

A sudden surge of divine plasma radiated from the inner core that was slumbering inside the metallic pistol the Hunter held tightly. One of his green eyes was closed while the other was open. This small tactic usually helped his graceful aim, but something was wrong with his body. His silent nerves kept shaking his fragile body. The senses of sadness and depression brought a new sensation: fear. This feeling of fear held a slight grip on the metallic warrior’s being, which stopped the aggressive boy from thinking. His thoughts were clouded in a thick haze and his body seemed to react only through the sudden urge of fright.

With every passing second, his nerves wished for his index finger to pull down the solemn trigger of the dangerous weapon. The uncollected warrior longed for the new sensation to be buried inside his body. But, even in fear, a tighter grip of majestic honor stood its ground in Axl’s heart. The gunner refused to fire at the Holy Knight.

”I don’t want to fight you,” The Reploid spoke; his gaze was now attached to a new sight. “Besides, I have to go.”

Another strange power surged through the small body of the boy, triggering the warrior instincts that were once held inside his powerful heart. A new power was calling for his presence, and a lust of curiosity had always led the robot to unthinkable, brilliant destinations.

[Yellow Flash]

Naruto wlaked through the darkness, looking for someone, anyone. He could see now, as soon as he had turned 1 tailed the charaka that was around him enabled him to see. "Where is everyone?" Naruto asked himself , and if in answer to his question he saw a young boy in front of him about his age. He lowered his shield and looked at the boy. 'And oppoent?' He thought. "HEY!" He yelled 'Who are you and which team are you on?"

[Roxas 1994]

A cold chill ran down Axl’s metal spine as a voice echoed around his being. As he lifted up his stern face, a small figure came into his view. A boy, about his age, stood in front of his presence. A big, red tail existed behind the boy, but it wasn’t an ordinary tail, and the young warrior realized that during his first glance. The new opponent had a different spirit to him. In Axl’s mind, it seemed almost childish. Of course, that was only the metallic warrior’s opinion.

“My name is Axl,” The Reploid spoke; his eyes were now locked onto the existing presence of the boy. “And to tell you the trust, I have no idea what team I’m on. I didn’t even know we were assigned teams.”

The weapons that were once held tightly in the Hunter’s hands were no longer tensed. For some strange reason, the presence of the weird boy seemed to cast away the sensation of fear that was dwelling inside the robot’s energetic soul. He no longer felt the strange urge of being hollow, which made a small sigh of relief pass his lips.

[Yellow Flash]

"Hmmmmm" Naruto said "I guess some of us were told, and some wern't. But for some odd reason, I feel the need to fight you." Naruto looked back at the tail producing from his bottom from the fox. "Oh the tail?" He said when he saw Axl looking at it. "Well, that's a story to long for now, by the way the names Naruto." Naruto looked around but couldn't see anyone else around. "So, you ready to fight?" He asked getting into a fighting position as he smiled. (OOC: sorry mate, got to go....proberly be back in a hour or so....so can we finish this latter?)

[Roxas 1994]

At that moment, as soon as this Naruto character uttered the horrible word ’fight’, the grip the Reploid once held returned. His hands tightly tensed around the handle of his light-weight pistol, putting a tremendous weight against the shinning metal of the weapon. His will seemed to clash with his oaths. His mind would not allow his oath to go unspoken, which made the Reploid reminisce about his past encounters only mere realms ago.

The hatred for bloodshed erupted from its confinements, making the fragile boy keep his wondering gaze to the sight of the floor. The dreadful images of multiple stained realms filled his computerized system. Each realm was stained with the same crimson liquid. And each time the fowl liquid reached the surface of each realm, the crimson color could never be cast away. Every crimson mark revealed a dreadful, horrific story behind it.

“I guess you don’t want peace, huh?” Axl spoke, a fearsome desire burning deep in his divine emerald colored eyes. “Fine, I’m ready to fight you.”

[Yellow Flash]

Naruto looked at Axl, as he stared at the floor. "Is something wrong?" Naruto asked. But was soon distracted as soon as Axl said "I'm ready?" Naruto smiled. "Finally a worthey opoenet. Defend you self!" He pulled out his trench knife's and began running at Axl, at faster speeds then normal. (Thanks to the fox.)

(OOC: Sorry it took longer then I thought.)

[UltimaxWeapon]

Everything seemed like it was finally coming together for sora. He now had his friends, and now was detirmend to win this competiton, not only for his team, but for himself. They say your teenage years are the greatest years if your life, it's a time where rebelion kicks in, hormones, peer pressure, etc.. For sora, his teenage years have been far from glamorus. When he was only fourteen, he went off onto his first journey to defeat the heartless, and then he found this strange castle called castle oblivion, but once he walked in, he woke up from a year long slumber. Then he once again set off on another journey at the age of 15, and finally returned to his island. But now, here he is again, once again in the darkness, fighting for his life.

These strange flashbacks kept coming back to sora, and thoughts of them were endless. Xehanort was in those flashbacks, and it seems like fate has come for sora to confront Xehanort, for good. That team sony's newest goal, to win the competition, and get some answers. Sora has been trying to tell himself that he shouldn't be relying on people anymore, but now, he needs them more than ever. Dfeating Xehanort and eliminating the competiton is nothing that one living being can do all by himself. Teamwork has been the most important thing for sora ever since the day he left Destiny Islands to start with. With Riku by his side, and Dart, Ratchet, and Axl not far behind, there was nothing that could stop team sony from winning this competiton for good.

Sora turned around to check on Axl, because the last time he saw him, he had not moved since Sora arrived. Riku was still sound asleep, but what sora saw of Axl, was shocking. He was about to fight someone, it looked like it was that Naruto kid. Naruto, the one person that reminds sora of Minato the most, who was the one back in the first round that sora will never forget. Sora ran over to Axl to help him, because if they really wanted to win this compettion because they worked together, then they better do it. Sora dashed over to Axl and said, "Axl, wait!", screamed sora as he ran over to his teammate. Naruto was running after him with trench knifes at full speed. Sora wanted to help Axl, so he pulled out his all mighty keyblade, and charged Naruto.

Chasing him down and ending a series of blizzard and thunder spells at his opponent, coming right for Naruto's body. "Stay back, Axl", said sora. "THUNDER THUNDER THUNDER!" Lightning bolt came from the sky and struck the battle field. Sora didn't want to take any chances that Naruto was still ok, so he sent out another series of Blizzard attacks as well. "BLIZZARD BLIZZARD BLIZZARD!", screamed sora. Ice chunks came directly at Naruto's head, ready to strike.

[Yellow Flash]

Everything seemed like it was finally coming together for sora. He now had his friends, and now was detirmend to win this competiton, not only for his team, but for himself. They say your teenage years are the greatest years if your life, it's a time where rebelion kicks in, hormones, peer pressure, etc.. For sora, his teenage years have been far from glamorus. When he was only fourteen, he went off onto his first journey to defeat the heartless, and then he found this strange castle called castle oblivion, but once he walked in, he woke up from a year long slumber. Then he once again set off on another journey at the age of 15, and finally returned to his island. But now, here he is again, once again in the darkness, fighting for his life.

These strange flashbacks kept coming back to sora, and thoughts of them were endless. Xehanort was in those flashbacks, and it seems like fate has come for sora to confront Xehanort, for good. That team sony's newest goal, to win the competition, and get some answers. Sora has been trying to tell himself that he shouldn't be relying on people anymore, but now, he needs them more than ever. Dfeating Xehanort and eliminating the competiton is nothing that one living being can do all by himself. Teamwork has been the most important thing for sora ever since the day he left Destiny Islands to start with. With Riku by his side, and Dart, Ratchet, and Axl not far behind, there was nothing that could stop team sony from winning this competiton for good.

Sora turned around to check on Axl, because the last time he saw him, he had not moved since Sora arrived. Riku was still sound asleep, but what sora saw of Axl, was shocking. He was about to fight someone, it looked like it was that Naruto kid. Naruto, the one person that reminds sora of Minato the most, who was the one back in the first round that sora will never forget. Sora ran over to Axl to help him, because if they really wanted to win this compettion because they worked together, then they better do it. Sora dashed over to Axl and said, "Axl, wait!", screamed sora as he ran over to his teammate. Naruto was running after him with trench knifes at full speed. Sora wanted to help Axl, so he pulled out his all mighty keyblade, and charged Naruto.

Chasing him down and ending a series of blizzard and thunder spells at his opponent, coming right for Naruto's body. "Stay back, Axl", said sora. "THUNDER THUNDER THUNDER!" Lightning bolt came from the sky and struck the battle field. Sora didn't want to take any chances that Naruto was still ok, so he sent out another series of Blizzard attacks as well. "BLIZZARD BLIZZARD BLIZZARD!", screamed sora. Ice chunks came directly at Naruto's head, ready to strike.

Naruto smilied as he ran straight at Axl, sure his attacks were going to hit. Well he was sure, until Sora came in from nowere and started attacking him. "Oh damn It!!!!!!" Naruto yelled, he barely had time to put up any defences, and had to reley on the fox. Having only a split second left before the THUNDER hit. "FOX!!!!!!!!!" He screamed, and suddenly his charakra shield from before shot up, defelcting all the THUNDER and BLIZZARD shots.

"Few, that was close." Naruto beathed heavliy as his shield went down, it had taken a lot out of him and he wasn't sure if he could fight two people now. "Nothing for it, but two tailed.' He said as he turned two tailed and got most of his engery back.
http://www.leafninja.net/images/bijuu/Kyuubi-TwoB.jpg

[Roxas 1994]

A nerve of embarrassment quickly engulfed the energetic soul inside the metallic frame. He did not wish for an unfair fight, and the honor that was slumbering in his lowly heart would not allow a false deed to go unrecognized. His computerized system held awkward ways, but it consisted of good components. Now, at this moment, it seemed that the young boy inherited some of his mentors ambitions, and that included his supreme lust for an unspoken peace. It just took an otherworldly power for his weary eyes to see his same ideals.

“Stand back, Sora,” The Reploid stated, his radical determinations still burned in his metallic eyes. “Just stand back and let me handle this fight by myself.”

In a swift movement, the Hunter quickly maneuvered his arm to his waist, drawing up his sturdy metal pistol. His grip around the metal handle was tense, but his nerves were not the cause for the intense hold. His lust for a magnificent brawl seemed to engulf his fragile body. His aggressive tone had once again struck his body, making the boy raise his pistol. A brilliant radiance radiated from the inner core of the weapon, which gave a signal that the dangerous piece of metal was ready to fire the divine laser beam that was trapped inside.

[Yellow Flash]

Naruto looked up, it seemed this boy had some sense of honor. As Naruto looked up again, he saw the boy's gun was ready to fire. "So you ready now?' Naruto asked, as he started foumulating a stradgey, as soon as that gun fired he would dodge it with his speed. And come around behind Axl for a counter attack with his trench knifes. Now he had a plan he waited for the laser to fire.

[UltimaxWeapon]

Sora glanced at the metallic frame, and respected his desicion. He didn't want to make the fight unfair, and even though teamwork was going to be the new stradegy, Axl wanted Naruto for himself. Sora knew that Axl could take him down easily, and he knew how good of a fighter he really was. So sora slowly nodded his head, and took a few steps back, and let Axl finish the fight, alone.

"I understand. Just make sure he never sees round seven, Axl", said sora.

Sora walked back to Riku, as he was still sleeping. He was defending his friend incase someone else atacked. And would surely be sora's fight. Defending his friends is something that he was always prepared to do, and that's why the keyblade has chosen him. Sora has a big heart, and strong one at that. Fighting for honor, respect, and defense, was part of his everyday life. And sora has been tracking down Riku ever since they left the island again. But it was Axl's time to fight. So sora, sat down with the keyblade in his grip, and watched over Naruto and Axl, fight it out.