Chapter 9
Hoo boy, things are getting REAL, here.
Xigbar was still standing in the exact same spot when Xehanort came down the stairs carrying the unconscious Zexion.
"Braig!"
Xigbar didn't respond. Stepping somewhat closer, Xehanort threw Zexion's limp form across the platform, knocking into Xigbar with a thud.
"Finish it. He's still alive, and as long as he is, there is a risk of discovery."
"No. I…I won't kill him. You do it, if you want him dead so bad."
Xehanort's eyes narrowed. "What's this? You were supposed to have killed him hours ago. Can I not trust you to do anything right anymore? Do it. Our plan does not take into account any foolhardiness on your part."
Xigbar looked down at Zexion. He'd never noticed before…how much he looked like her.
Shaking it off, Xigbar reached down and picked up his gun, cocking it at Zexion's head. His hand trembling, he prepared to take the shot.
Before the deed was done, a portal opened, startling both men. Before either could react, an ethereal blade knocked the gun out of Xigbar's hand, and Terra skidded across the platform, the other blade pointed at Xigbar's chest, his free hand holding Zexion to him.
"So now you kill defenseless kids, Braig? I didn't think you were that bad yet!"
Xigbar growled. "Shut up, Terra! You don't know anything!"
"I know I'm still perfectly capable of taking out that other eye of yours, even though we're both handicapped. It would be pretty damn ironic, too, considering we're where I took out the first one."
"Go to hell!"
Terra snorted, and then caught sight of Xehanort. "You!" he shouted angrily. "I'm going to kill you! What did you do with Ven?"
Xehanort remained unfazed. "So, Terra, I see you have lost possession of your Keyblade. How intriguing."
Terra hissed in fury. "It's your fault I lost it, Xehanort!"
Xehanort, still tranquil, summoned his own Keyblade. "I daresay you're no match for me without one, Terra. Why don't you simply surrender now?"
Terra stood up, still holding on to Zexion. "There's no way I'm giving up, Xehanort. Not with what's at stake. Aqua is still lost, somewhere in the darkness. I have no idea what's happened to Ven. And I have eleven Nobodies to protect, because it's partly my fault they don't have hearts. I may not have my Keyblade, true, and that may bring me no end of difficulty, but there is absolutely no way, no how, I will ever give up and let you win!"
A portal opened behind Terra. "Don't think this is over. I have to take care of Zexion, but I'll be back for you, Xehanort. I swear it."
He turned towards Xigbar. "And as for you. Thank you for not killing him, Xigbar, but you're still on the wrong side. Think about what Xehanort is really after."
With that said, Terra slipped through the portal and back to the World That Never Was.
Quietly entering Vexen's lab, Terra gently laid Zexion down on a table. "Hang on, Ienzo. I'll get you some bandages and fix you up."
Turning, he suddenly found himself face-to-face with the business end of a floating spear. Behind it stood Vexen, Lexaeus, and Xaldin. All looked furious.
"Um…” Terra gulped. "Hello?"