No one's POV
Something shifted in the air as a ball of pure light crashed down in front of Akari and Xion, missing them just by a few feet. The edge of Akari's lip quirked up, knowing that his objective to distract the Organization and help save some of them was carefully being completed. He felt that his master was near by, even if it felt like a small pull of a rope. Dust and dirt covered the whole area. As the dust settled down, a young voice was heard among the brown clouds. "Hands off my friends" the voice said, sternly. Xemnas, surprisingly, gasped at the realization of who hid among the clouds of dust. "It cannot be!" Xemnas said as his heavy voice paused at what he thought was impossible. The dust finally dispersed revealing a cloaked figure, wielding two keyblades. His cloak was black, like those worn by the members of Organization XIII. On his left hand was a silvery keyblade with a sparkling dark blue star shaped tip. Adorned with yellow along the star's tips. Light green wings exalted the blades handle. On his right hand, was the exact opposite, a black keyblade with a blunt tip and dark bat wings adorning the handle. The only material in the blade not tainted black was a bright purple gem connecting both wings. The figure raised his right arm and pulled off the hood that hid his identity. Letting it fall along his blonde locks of hair.
(A/N: Just like the game, imagine the camera view from behind him until his face is revealed)
With it was a face that greatly resembled that of Ventus'. Yet his dark blue eyes frowned towards the members of the Organization. Lea seemed thrilled looking at his friend once more, letting not only a small gasp and a smile loose from his lips, but also his friend's name. "Roxas!" Lea said happily as he saw his long lost friend. Roxas turned his head to the left. Looking past Akari's shoulder and towards Lea. Roxas smiled. (This angered a certain blue haired man with an 'X' shaped scar above his nose. His fist clenched as anger and feelings of abandonment surfaced through). Roxas simply then turned back towards the Organization. "You arrived just at the right time" Akari said. Roxas now turned his head rightward to look at Akari and a hurt Xion. His first thought was to go and help her, but once he saw that this wielder was actually protecting Xion, he relaxed. "Roxas..." Xion said, sweetly yet pained by her hurt leg. Roxas smiled her way before his eyes locked again with Akari. "So your the guy..he showed us, the one keeping the Organization at bay all alone. Heh, I have to thank you for keeping them safe" Roxas said. Akari looked at Xion only to see her showing a shy smile. He knew her leg hurt, but a part of him deep down was glad she was alright. "I didn't know I was already getting some fans" he chuckled, "But really, no need to thank me. Keeping you safe is what matters the most" Akari said, part of his carefree mood coming back after Roxas' arrival. Roxas nodded at his response, refocusing his attention towards the enemies ahead. "This is impossible. Where did you get a vessel?" Xemnas said demanding a response from Roxas. "Same as you" Roxas responded. "Same how...?" Xemnas asked. "Most of the Organization's members— they traveled here from the past as hearts. And you had replicas ready and waiting. One for each of them" Roxas said. "Who told you?" Xemnas asked. "I owe my return to many. Some of them people you knew" Roxas said. Xemnas' face contorted now understanding part of the truth. "Ansem the Wise, Zexion..." Xemnas said. "And others, too. Like my new ally behind me (referring to Akari). It seems you're not as good at winning over people's hearts as you think" Roxas interrupted. "Ah, I see..." Xemnas said, an unsettling smirk forming on his face. "There was one last thing I needed in order to be whole again. A connection. Sora helped me find my way back here... to my friends" Roxas said. "I don't need hearts. I will scatter them all to the winds!" Xemnas said, aching to fight and prove the wielders of light that he was right. "No. You won't. You have fought with my new ally up until now and you have failed. But now, it's My turn" Roxas said pointing his right key towards Xemnas. A frown clearly plastered upon his face.
"No" Akari said from behind him. Roxas looked behind at Akari. "I need you to do something else for me" Akari said. "I appreciate the thought, but what could be more important than fighting these guys head on?" Roxas said, his demeanor unchanged. "Protecting Xion" Akari stated. This took Roxas completely by surprise. Roxas' demeanor changed, from that of a ruthless fighter to that of a concerned friend. 'This guy.. even if the Organization is weakened to a point where we might take them all head on, and win, he is still looking out for the group. Instead of finishing it all, he is more concerned with protecting Xion. It's admirable, but...'
Roxas thought to himself. Roxas then stepped backwards, his key still pointing towards the members of the Organization. He walked backwards until he was next to Xion. Her gloved hand instinctively grabbed his lowered left arm. Clinging to him instead of holding on to Akari. Roxas was taken aback by this action, but let it be. A laugh was heard amongst the members of the Organization. Xehanort raised his hand towards Akari. (A/N: Not to attack, just the open hand thing he does🤌🏽). "It's just incredible! Every second I spent seeing you fighting was certain entertainment. For someone to fight the darkness alone, and so efficiently? Hah! Extraordinary! Every single moment that passed, was a decision for you. Every time you fought you had a chance to end the battle you sought to prevent. To stop this fated battle right at its very core. Yet, you didn't. You prevented yourself from crossing the line. Now you have a perfect opportunity, our defeat by your hands in a silver platter, yet you risk it all to save the life of a girl you haven't even met. Truly an admirable and commendable feat..."
"In the end, it will all be the same. 'The darkness shall prevail and the light expire'. What I seek shall be mine..." Xehanort said. "We'll see about that" Akari said. A moment of silence ensued. "What will you have me do?" Roxas asked, his concentration towards the enemy still intact. "Take Xion and regroup with the Guardians of Light. I'll hold them off until I ask for your help. You will not engage them in battle, but you will help with the last piece of this chess game, hopefully before my master arrives" Akari said. "But.. you have been fighting for a while now.. Are you sure you can kept up with them?" Roxas said, concerned. "Yes. I'm sure" Akari said. "You may have been winning against us..boy. But that was when our attention was completely centered on you~" Ansem said. "~Wonder how you will fare against the whole Organization, once we try to go for the same target" Vanitas said, pointing at Xion. Another moment of silence ensued. "Remember when I said, earlier in our fight, that I was going to give it my all? My a hundred percent?" Akari asked. They remained silent.
"I lied" Akari said.
Akari closed his eyes and placed both hands on the hilt of his key. He raised the hilt until it was in front of his heart, the surface of the blade looking straight into his eyes, and then it started.
A fiery red aura formed around Akari, only now there was no sigil in sight. Wind surrounded his feet as energy began to pour out of him. The Organization stepped back, but Roxas and Xion stayed where they were as they felt the aura to be quite warm instead of a blazing heat. The red aura grew around Akari and his keyblade chimed. The wind intensified as it felt as if a vacuum pulled all the air around Akari. The keyblade's silver features began to shake and move. He opened his eyes at his shining key and smirked. He raised his keyblade and yelled "Transform!". His body shined brightly as the light enveloped his body and his keyblade expanded and transformed.
Once the light disappeared, the result brought awe from every set of eyes along the battlefield. Akari's clothes had been purified, every shade of black had turned white. His hair swayed from side to side as a red aura emanated from his body, which now hovered over the ground. His keyblade had split. On his left hand was only a long black blade, from the Keyblade he just wielded. Surrounding him however were the other pieces of the Keyblade, multicolored swords that floated and spun around him. The swords surrounding him were shorter than the one he wielded. Including the long black blade in his hand, Akari had 14 swords at his disposal.
(A/N: Like this. But instead of Sora its Akari with the descriptions previously mentioned)
"Grab Xion and run!" Akari tells Roxas. Roxas nodded and intertwines his arm, firmly, with Xion's. They begin running as fast as they can. "Think you can make it?" Roxas asks Xion, noticing her slight limp. Xion simply nods as they kept running. Xehanort let Roxas and Xion get a small distance away before ordering his chosen to catch them. "Even with this hidden power, now revealed, you won't be able to stop them all. Once they are captured and you are dealt with, the Keyblade War will resume as it was" Xehanort said, as most of the Organization gave haste and followed Roxas and Xion. Only Ansem and Young Xehanort stayed by the old man's side. Akari didn't say a word as he steadily hovered over the ground, the colored swords still dancing around his body.
Lea couldn't hold himself any longer. Lea sprinted towards Roxas and Xion, earning a couple of shouts from the group as they warned him not to go. Lea eventually met with Roxas and Xion. He grabbed Xion's left arm and with the help of Roxas, lifted her up a bit so that they may run faster. Members of the Organization quickened their pace. "Come on! We are almost there!" Lea said pushing forward. Only a few feet away from the Guardians of Light their path was interrupted by Xemnas, Saïx and Terranort, rushing towards them in mid air.
A almost silent "No.." escaped from Xion's lips as she saw Xemnas' pissed off face.
Roxas looked behind and saw that they were getting cornered by the rest of the Organization. He then heard a chime from Akari's direction to see the swords dancing around him spin faster and faster until in a few seconds they disappeared in a flash of light. Xemnas almost had his clutches on Xion until he was struck down by one of Akari's floating sword. Xemnas, Saïx and Terranort were struck down and the rest of the Organization was stopped by the rest of the swords. Xemnas stood up to be meet by the tip of a white blade. The blades moved as if they had a mind of their own. Xion, Roxas and Lea looked at Akari who remained in front of Xehanort. Akari looked back towards them. "Go! I'll take care of them!" Akari shouted at them. They soon ran towards the Guardians of Light. The Guardians of Light opened the way for the three to run behind them, staying safe from the Organization's grasp.
Xion kneeled to the ground softly massaging her hurt leg, Roxas also kneeled but didn't say anything. Lea quickly turned back to look at the Organization and their standstill. "All right. What now?" Lea said, seriously considering what would happen now in the battle. Roxas overheard Lea and walked towards him. Lea turned around and they both greeted with gentle smiles. Soon after they heard sniffling and some soft sobs from behind them. They looked behind only to see a crying Xion. She stood almost straight with her head down, her hands clasped together as tears streamed through her face. Roxas soon went to her side asking if it was her leg. She simply shook her head from side to side as the sobs continued. Lea raised his hand and scratched the back of his neck. "Guess I...shoulda' brought some ice cream" He said looking away to hide the fact that his eyes were building water, like a damn about to burst free. Roxas turned around to reveal puffy red eyes, both him and Xion chuckling at their friend's remark. Lea seeing this couldn't hold his emotions any longer. Gentle streams of tears came from his eyes as he rushed to hug his friends, and so did they. They embraced each other in a hug, now sniffling tears of joy...
They rest stayed silent, letting the newly reunited friends have their moment. Kairi and Sora looked at them and smiled knowing that the three were now safe. The rest watched the battlefield as Xemnas turned around towards the Guardians of Light and growled. "I won't let a floating toy deviate our objective" Xemnas said as he swatted the white blade away from him, only for it to retaliate and hit Xemnas back. The blade levitated in front of Xemnas, a mere inches away from his neck. The rest of the blades resonated with light. the blades radiated a faint light that contorted and formed a lookalike to Akari.
(A/N: Like when Sora needed to collect all of his "Phantoms" in the Final World).
Each lookalike was colored with the energy from their blade. The blades pointed towards each respective member. They all said the same thing as they looked at their targets: "You will leave them alone". All said the same, except Akari himself as he had this stare down with Xehanort. Then the lookalikes disappeared leaving the blades to float on their own. They began their attacks on their assigned targets. As the Guardians of Light watched the battlefield they saw the following: Xemnas, as said before, fought against a white blade. Saïx was assaulted by a blue blade, attacking with the same ferocious nature as Saïx himself. Marluxia could be seen blocking the attacks of a swift pink blade while Larxene evaded the attacks from a lightning fast yellow blade. Xigbar ran away from a sharp purple blade. Vanitas was mercilessly attacked by a teleporting red blade. Terranort was being distracted by an orange blade. Young Xehanort struggled with a cyan blade. Luxord exchanged strikes with a green blade. Ansem floated in the air trying to escape the wrath of a magenta blade. Dark Riku endlessly striked at a golden blade. Finally, there stood Akari in the same position as before. Holding a black blade with a hollow heart shaped area near the hilt. This blade was longer than the rest. Then they noticed that a single bronze colored sword dance around Akari.
Xehanort slowly lifted both hands and clapped. He laughed as he saw his Organization struggle against an enemy that wasn't truly there. "Well, well my boy. You keep surprising this old man's expectations. Such extraordinary feats! My mind..ponders with your presence. My boy I must ask.. who are you, truly? Are you the precious light, fated to be found after the Keyblade War?... No. No light would indulge rage onto themselves, no light would dance with darkness. The question taunts me, it drags me down into an unknown abyss. It is as if the answer were right in front of me..yet as far away as the other worlds that illuminated my nights on that desolate island so long ago..." Xehanort said, looking at the sky once he said the last part. Reminiscing upon past memories. "When young, I knew that my existence was not meant to be wasted on living the same day over and over, like a well trained pet. Ever since the dark road appeared in front of my eyes, I sensed where I was supposed to go, and what I was supposed to do. I was meant to take matters into my own hands in order to unlock the secrets of the Keyblade War! After my essence was split in order to make thirteen vessels, this goal was within the grasp of my hand... Forgive me my boy, but you must be dealt with once and for all. As much as your alluring mystery calls for me, destiny must always arrive. Fate must always intervene so that true greatness can be achieved". Akari simply stared at Xehanort with a tired gaze. Xehanort summoned his keyblade. Akari sighed and turned his back on Xehanort. "How low you have fallen into his little trap. HIS war, after all that's happened..." Akari said before swiftly motioning his right hand backwards towards Xehanort. The brown colored blade swiftly attacked the old man, Xehanort simply smiled as he blocked and amused himself fighting the "ownerless" blade.
Akari teleported amongst the battlefield, appearing and disappearing every few steps, until he was face to face with the rest of the Guardians of Light. The aura adorning his body in a red glow. Hovering slightly in the air. His black sword still in hand. When he arrived his eyes met with the sight of Lea's reunion with his friends. Lea, Roxas and Xion had embraced each other long enough to let go, they're eyes regaining the bit of strength they had. Lea looked towards Akari and noticed his red glow and the sight of the battlefield field. He ignored the battlefield and looked at Akari. "Thanks for the help man..really..." Lea told Akari, and Akari simply nodded his way. Akari's eyes then met with Aqua's gaze before looking at Sora. "You guys ready to help?" Akari asked. Sora's face brightened with excitement. "You mean we can help you?" Sora said. Akari nodded. "Alright!" Sora said along with Ventus and Roxas. "Huh..?" Ventus and Roxas said looking at each other the approached each other. "You look just like me.." they both said at the same time and almost the same tone, pointing at each other. "How?!" They asked each other. "We can probably explain that later" Akari said. "Right.." Sora said, scratching his head knowing that this was going to be a LONG story for later. "What do you need us to do?" Riku asked taking the initiative. "Alright. First order of business is that you mustn't engage in direct confrontation whatsoever, it could start the Keyblade War and this..would have all been for nothing" Akari said kind of seriously. "But, wouldn't fighting against them now, while they are weakened, be the best plan of attack?" Riku asked. Akari lowered his gaze to the ground. "No..the price the Keyblade War demands is too high..." Akari said, glancing towards the graveyard of keyblade from warriors past. "It always is... and there are hearts worth saving. Whether they be from a friend, or an enemy" Akari said. The group stood silent until Aqua approached him. They looked at her and then at him. "Then ,please, tell us what do we need to do to put a stop to this conflict" Aqua said, her gaze serious and determined. A small smile escaped Akari's mouth before he continued to explain the plan. "My goal here is not only to distract the Organization until my master arrives, but it is also to save two people. My master didn't tell me who these two were, he told me I would feel it. One was Xion, even if it took me a while to realize it. The other person is.." Akari said. "Terra.." Ventus said realizing what Akari meant. "Yes. Terra is our next objective and the reason why I'll need your help. You see, earlier when I went to get him.. I felt something..."
[Flashback]
Akari had arrived atop a stone mound which overlooked a plain, barren, field. In the very center of the field was Terranort, in his right hand was a keyblade that seemed to be the same as Xehanort's. He outstretched his left arm forward, controlling a Dark Figure. The Dark Figure seemed to be choking a man in a peculiar bronze armor. "Be gone!" Terranort said, applying more pressure to the armored man's head. Akari then teleported above the Dark Figure and sliced down to his arm, separating it cleanly off. Terranort jumped back as his Dark Figure disappeared into ash. "Who are you?!" Terranort demanded, rage pouring out of his voice. "Oh shut up!..." Akari said, in an angry tone. "You dare..Insult me?!" Terranort said as he rushed Akari, who blocked a couple of times before hitting back and pushing Terranort away. This, of course, angered Terranort even more. 'How can this person be stronger than me?!' He thought to himself. Akari glanced at the man in armor only to notice that the armor was...hollow? Something or someone was powering it up as a body. Akari wondered if this armor was connected to Aqua and Ventus. He then felt it, the connection between the armor and said people. "Help me..." Akari said. The armor "looked" at him, not only looking at his keyblade, but acknowledging his presence. "Help me protect them..." Akari told the armor. In the armor's visor appeared a glimpse of two figures, Aqua and Ventus. "Aqua...Ven..." the armor repeated, seeing their reflections in its mind. Terranort attacked once more only this time, Akari appeared besides Terranort as he ran and punched Terranort in the jaw with his right fist. Akari then continued with an onslaught of swings and strikes. The armor looked at the abilities being displayed by the young figure in front of him as he handled Terranort on his own. Its gaze left from Akari's actions. Its mind lingered on the flash of memory he had of his long lost friends. It looked back up to Akari, who was finally pushed away by Terranort. Terranort grew an evil grin and slightly raised his left hand, making his fingers dance at the tune of his dark desires. The Dark Figure flew from the ground behind Akari and reached for him. "Really?" Akari told Terranort as he turned around to slice at the Dark Figure. The armor saw that Terranort launched his assault, aiming to plunge his keyblade right through Akari's back. "Protect..." the armor repeated as he saw Terranort getting closer at incredible speeds. "Protect..them!..." the armor said before leaping in between Terranort's blade and Akari's back. As Akari defeated the Dark Figure, he heard the shattering of metal, to look behind and discover that the armor had been destroyed by Terranort's attack. "No!" Akari shouted as he swung his key at Terranort, making him step back. As Terranort stepped back, Akari's blade sent forth a burst of light energy, sending the thirteenth member of the Organization flying back. Akari kneeled to touched the armor hoping to save the essence inside. That was until he noticed something.
'Wait a minute.. this armor only had rage inside until its final moments. A lingering will of the person that once used it. That means his heart is still out there! But where...?' Akari thought touching the disappearing pieces of metal. Terranort got up, hurt by the blast, and once again used the same trick of using his Dark Figure to restrain Akari from behind. The Dark Figure grabbed ahold of Akari, squishing him in his, big, dark hands. Terranort laughed as he radiated darkness. The grip on Akari's body tightened. Akari chuckled. "Is that all you have?" Akari taunted. Terranort snorted softly and made the Dark Figure tighten its grip. That's when Akari felt it. 'Wait..is that..his heart..' Akari asked himself as he then smirked and laughed. "What's so funny?!" Terra pry asked annoyed. "You have no idea how you just helped me you muscle for brains!" Akari said, which only made Terranort want to get rid of him even more. Terranort growled as an aura of darkness showered his body. He expanded the range between his arms and smirked. "Darkness awaits you!"
Terranort said, pushing his hands forward as he sent the built up darkness at Akari. The darkness surrounded the wielder, until it exploded in light. Hints of red aura were displayed around Akari. "WHAT?!?!" Terranort shouted, outraged by this. Akari gave him no moment to recover as he appeared behind Terranort and grabbed his hair.
"Unhand me you fool!" Terranort shouted, without noticing they had traveled to another part of the Keyblade Graveyard..
[FLASHBACK END]
"Ever since I felt that..it.. I knew that it was the key to bringing back your friend. So, here's the plan" Akari said as they all grouped together to hear his plan. "We need to separate this dark version of Terra from the rest. Now that I have them cornered and you are all here to help me, I'm sure this will work. I will weaken Xehanort's hold on Terra's body and then I will send him your way. Once I send him to you, I will not be able to help any further. I may be going all out to fight the Organization, but I must make sure to hold on as much as I can. The nine of you must work together in order to bring out Terra's heart" Akari's explained. They remained silent, hearing his every word as a law to abide by. "You three will stay here, you must prevent him from trying to reach the others" Akari said signaling Sora, Riku and King Mickey. "You four will go to the back, prevent him from escaping. Don't worry, in his weakened condition he will be easier to handle" Akari said, signaling Kairi, Xion, Roxas and Lea. The last sentence sounding like his normal caring self. "You two. You are the people closest to him, so you'll be in the middle, closer to him. You must guide his heart back home." Akari said, signaling Aqua and Ventus. A new hope brightened their eyes. Akari's shoulders slumped down a bit and then he looked at the both of them. "Are you sure you are up for this?" Akari asked, kindness pouring out of every word he said. They all knew this was genuine, so they smiled and nodded, some more excited than others. Akari's posture returned to being a strong one. "Right. Be ready, this won't take long..." Akari said, before turning around and walking back to the battlefield. The Guardians of Light soon ran to their positions before being interrupted by Akari's voice again. "No attacking, only blocking!" Akari warned, still thinking about the Keyblade War. "Right!" some of them like Sora, Roxas and Kairi said, while the others nodded.
Akari soon traversed the battlefield until he was behind Terranort who still struggled against the floating orange blade. Akari stealthily prowled around him, waiting for a chance to strike and before he knew it, it appeared. Terranort was being pushed back by the orange sword, giving Akari the opportunity to walk behind Terranort and attack him by surprise. Akari raised his left arm and swung down. Instead of cutting Terranort, Akari simply hit the back of his head with the black sword's pummel. Terranort began to stumble as he mumbled his pain. Akari grabbed Terranort's white hair, with his free hand, and disappeared out of sight. He appeared back with the Guardians of Light letting go of Terranort. "WhAt iS tHe MeAnInG of..?" Terranort asked groggily. Akari placed his right hand solidly behind Terranort's back, facing towards his heart. "If you're in there, fight! Stand up and fight for your friends! So that you may be with them again! And please..forgive me for this..." Akari said. Akari stepped back and turned around, swinging his left arm across his body and to the side, like throwing a coat in the coat rack.
Few seconds later, Terranort's body suffered an attack summoned by Akari's blade. His body shook as the hits from the blade landed all at once. Akari looked up to notice he faced opposite to the battlefield and disappeared for the battlefield. Terranort body still shook as the invisible cuts from the blade landed. His body stopped. He stumbled and looked to the sky. He let out a pained scream as the excess in darkness left his body in a pillar of pitch black energy. Terranort's body numbed until he fell face flat to the ground.
Aqua and Ventus instinctively vanished their keyblades, but did not rush in to help him. Hoping to make sure he was truly knocked out. Silence overtook the Guardians of Light as they saw that his body didn't move. "Terra!" Aqua and Ven both shouted as they rushed to his side. They kneeled on the ground besides him. Aqua grabbed Terranort's left arm, covered in shoulder armor, and Ventus grabbed his right shoulder and helped her get him up. Still in their knees, they saw that Terranort kneeled up and groaned from the pain. The sound of Terra's voice filling their ears with hope. "Aqua... Ven..." Terra's voice said. "Terra, please..." Aqua said, sternly, yet concerned for her friend's safety. Terranort began to groan more in pain, a pit forming in his stomach. His head tilted forward. "Come back... Terra!" Ventus pleaded. After hearing his pleas, Terranort grabbed his head with both hands. Gripping it tightly as he felt himself loose control. Trying to force the darkness out of himself. Aqua and Ven stood and back away a bit as they say their friend struggle. Upon this moment of struggle, Sora let out his voice. "Terra! Your friends are here!" Sora said. Terranort gasped for air as the pain and ringing in his head worsened. The pain was too much and he couldn't hold it. Like a damn with too much water, he let it flow. His head jerked up into the air as he let out a pained scream. Purple chains soon surrounded all of the Guardians of Light, wrapping them in their cold embrace. They shouted in surprise as they were all pulled into the air, the chains tightened their grip on their bodies. All nine struggled with the chains.
'Damn it!' Akari thought to himself as he appeared in between the Organization and the Guardians of Light. The red aura around his body intensified as the attacks upon the Organization became stronger, faster, more accurate. A single chain tried to wrap itself around Akari. It launched towards his hips. "Oh no you don't!" Akari said as his right hand reached behind him, catching the chain and wrap it around his arm. "Come on Terra! Wake up!" Akari shouted as his left arm pointed towards the battlefield. He had to hold the line, hold them off from rescuing their fellow darkness. The Organization attacked in a frenzy, like a shoal of piranhas. "Terra!" Ventus and Aqua called. "You have to fight the darkness!" Sora shouted at Terranort as he struggled with his chains. An ominous purple energy surrounded Terranort's body. His body rose from its knees as now only his right hand covered his face. Under his hand an evil smirk grew. "You'll never be able to break these chains. They're our bonds" Terranort said, lowering his hand. His low voice returned as well. He waved both arms around as swung the Guardians of Light around the air like a puppeteer controlling his puppet's strings. "You have no power over me!" Terranort said, proudly, swinging his arms around. The chains moved through the air like the tentacles of a Kraken playing with its prey. He laughed hearing the grunts and groans from the Guardians of Light. "Stop, Terra!" Sora shouted. Akari's grip on the chain hugging his arm tightened. "Fight it! Protect them!" Akari shouted. Terranort did not pay him nor Sora any attention. "Please, stop it!" Sora shouted, pleaded. Terranort stopped flapping his arms around and raised a now knocked out Aqua and Ventus. The chains separated the two. "Farewell" Terranort said as he raised his hand slightly. The chains moved and raised Ventus and Aqua high above the ground. "No!" Sora shouted.
Akari looked back and and saw the dreadful sight. The chain in his arm wrapped him even more, as his concentration dwindled. Now curling up from his wrist and elbow to his forearm. He looked at the battlefield. Cursing himself by being in this position. "Why?! Wake up damn you! They are your friends!" Akari shouted, a single tear fell along his cheek. The chain around his arm loosened until it only covered his black arm bands.
Back with Ventus and Aqua. Ventus looked weakened, his head looked down towards the floor. "Terra... I kept my promise." Ventus muttered. Two tears fell onto the cold embrace of the chains. Terranort let his arm fall and soon after, the two fell as well. Sora and the others, except Akari, looked in horror as they saw Aqua and Ventus plummet to their doom. Akari shouted feeling the chains move. The chains relaxed and just before Aqua and Ventus hit solid ground, the Dark Figure rushed from behind Terranort and caught the two. It flew higher, protecting Aqua and Ventus in its right hand and holding its shackles on the other.
Terranort gasped in fear as he looked behind him, finding the lack of a shadow. His shadowed pet, his dark protector was no more. He looked back at the Dark Figure and clenched both his hands and teeth. The Dark Figure extended its left arm and clenched his fist, breaking the chains that imprisoned the Guardians of Light. Sora and the others fell to their feet and looked at the Dark Figure's actions. It got lower. It gently laid Aqua and Ventus on the ground. "How?!" Terranort asked, snatching the Dark Figure's attention. It clenched its fists and looked at its former master. Terranort prepared for an attack. "You fell to the dark~" Terranort said until a shadow appeared behind him. From it emerged the Dark Figure who quickly rushed and grabbed Terranort's head with one hand. Silencing him. The Dark Figure growled in desperation as it used its other hand to scratch at the tendrils that extended across its mouth, forming an X. Sora noticed it's behavior and continued to observe. Finally the Dark Figure ripped through the tendrils surrounding his mouth and breathed, calming itself down.
"One day..." the Dark Figure began to say. The voice was familiar.. "I...will...set...this...right..." the Dark Figure said. It extended its arm out, still clutching unto Terranort's head. "One day...I will set...this right... I will return to this land..." The Dark Figure said. Terranort opened his eyes, seeing only through his right eye as the Figure's hand blocked the rest of his face. He looked upon its former protector and recognized the voice and the silhouette of the man, shrouded in light. "and protect...my friends!" The Dark Figure finished. Revealing the silhouette of the man known as Terra.
The hollow hole on the Dark Figure's chest began to shine.
"Now Sora!" Akari shouted as he felt Terra's heart rise from the depths of darkness. "Right!" Sora summoned his keyblade and pointed it towards Terra. "Terra! Now!" Sora shouted as a beam of light shot from his keyblade towards Terranort's back. The Figure let go of Terranort once it saw the beam hit his back. The Dark Figure concentrated and let out the imprisoned heart within it. The body of the Dark Figure disappeared and the ball of light fleeted straight into Terranort's body. The fusion of the two released a bright golden shine, the two reuniting back as one.
The light dissipated and Terra fell to his feet. He looked at his hands. Letting out shocked breathes of amazement and relief. His fingers moved as he felt his body once again in his control. He gasped and turned to Aqua and Ventus. He ran towards them as they still laid on the ground. "Aqua! Ven!" Terra called out. Aqua hearing the voice of his friend slowly got up. Terra rushed to Ventus' side as he noticed he didn't respond to his call. He wrapped his arms around Ventus' head and slowly raised him up. Aqua gasped seeing her friend back to his old self. "Terra..." she said. "Is it you?" Aqua asked, knowing that other times, this hasn't been the case. She crawled to his side and looked at both Ventus and him. He raised his head. "Yeah. You and Ventus never stopped lighting my way back" Terra said, holding on to his tears. She smiled at him as her eyes watered and small, gentle, tears streamed from her eyes. She chuckled at his words, relieved to hear him say them. Knowing that it was him, was like a heavy burden had been lifted from her heart. Ventus groaned from under both of them. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at Terra. "You're here..." Ventus said, a smile growing on his lips. "I heard you. I heard you too Ven..." Terra said, his tears finally escaping his tough exterior. "You found me, just like you promised.." Terra said, his eyes now reddened and a few tears rolling down his cheeks. On their knees they looked at each and chuckled and laughed softly. Terra wrapped his arms around his friends and thanked them. They hugged him back.
Sora smiled at this. Sora then heard a thud from behind him and Riku's voice saying: "Sora look...". Akari had fallen to one knee and began to breathe tiredly. His black blade giving him support. Sora ran to Akari. "Are you okay?!" Sora asked as he was about to help him up. A sniffle was heard, only for Sora to notice a single tear on Akari's face. "They're safe..they're safe...I finally saved three..." Akari said, half dozed off and the other half feeling relief. It was then that Sora felt something emanate from Akari's heart. A heavy burden that his heart has carried. It was as big as the.. 'No..that can't be right..' Sora thought to himself. Akari wiped his tears with his free hand and grabbed onto Sora. "Thank you Sora. Really. The three of them need rest. Sora, you and the others look after them" Akari said as he stood up and slowly walked towards the heat of battle. The red aura around him getting smaller, dwindling. "No, wait" said a voice. Akari looked behind him only to see Ventus up front. "I'm going too!" Ventus said. "No, Ven. You need to rest, you need to rest with the others. That's what he wants. For us to make a mistake that will benefit him in battle. He wants a war. Put innocent lives in danger" Akari said, about to turn again. He suddenly felt a hand wrap around his right wrist. The other hand was smaller, thinner. He looked back to see Aqua with Terra close behind her. "Please. This power you're using is clearly taking a toll on you. Let us help you, rest.." Aqua said. The gentle way her voice sounded in his ears actually made him consider it for a solid second or two. He smiled at her, a small yet genuine smile. "I-It's alright. I can feel he is pretty close by.. but, I have to do this. I have to hold them off, just a bit longer. After that.. maybe I'll rest for a whole day, haha" Akari sweetly let out. He gently tugged away and began walking again. Terra looked at Aqua and noticed she looked concerned. "Hey" he called out to Akari. Akari glanced back. Terra looked at Aqua and motioned his head forward. Telling her to say what she wants to say. "Thank you..from all of us.." Aqua said, a little shyly. Akari chuckled. "My pleasure.." Akari said, letting out another smile. Aqua felt at ease after hearing him. Akari walked forward. Slowly. The last thing they heard from Akari's mouth were the words: "Must..save..more..."
(A/N: Next post will be the end for Chapter 1. For this "chapter" I wanted to relive some of my favorite moments from KH3, with such emotional and beautiful scenes. I hope your enjoying the story so far)