Chapter 14
Whoo, home stretch!
Blargh, battle scene. I hope it didn't suck. Again, FEEDBACK/CRIT. PLEASE, I BEG you.
And the Terra-abuse begins...
Apologies in advance for the hostage thing. I know how often it gets ranted against in KHFFR but...I hope this is plausible.
The five Nobodies sat openmouthed as Zexion finished. Terra was the first to speak, shock evident in his voice.
"Xigbar- Braig- he was in the Keyblade war? You really…?"
Zexion nodded. "Yes. He was. He must have been trapped in the darkness for so long, hundreds of years passed without him realizing it or being affected by it."
Vexen nodded thoughtfully. "I do remember when he arrived. I don't recall what happened beforehand, but he was sent down to me for first-aid once arrangements for him to stay had been made. He asked me all sorts of questions as to the instruments in the lab, but I never thought much of it."
Xaldin chuckled. "Yes, well, I had him pegged as an odd duck from the moment I met him. This merely justifies it."
Terra stood up, wobbling slightly. "What are we still talking for? Let's go back to the Garden and get him? Lord only knows what Xehanort's done to him by now."
Lexaeus looked sideways at him, frowning. "You're not in much shape to do any sort of rescuing, Terra. Let us fetch him."
Terra shook his head. "No, I…I have to be there. Xehanort, he…he and I have a score to settle, and-"
Lexaeus cut him off. "I'll not have you rush in headlong and injured to do battle with an opponent stronger and in better shape than you. You stay here, Terra. Xaldin and I will take care of this."
Terra made a face, but sat back down obediently. Xaldin stepped forwards, and the two Nobodies opened a portal.
"We'll be back shortly."
Zexion caught Lexaeus's arm. "Wait, Lexaeus, I'm joining you. I…" He frowned. "Just let me come."
Lexaeus sighed. "Oh, very well. Come along, Zexion."
The three stepped through the portal, leaving Vexen and Terra alone in the makeshift lab.
Xigbar was crumpled on the floor of the platform, battered and unconscious. His Arrowguns were several feet from his hands, and Xehanort stood over him, Keyblade in hand, looking thoughtful.
"What shall I do with you now, Braig? I am curious as to your origins, however…you oppose me. And you are a formidable adversary."
He raised his Keyblade. "I suppose I simply must kill you."
"I don't think so, Xehanort."
The old Keyblade master turned to face the Nobodies.
"I see I have company." He looked them over thoughtfully. "Ah. Aeleus and Dilan. The faithful guard dogs. And you have returned as well, little secret-keeper. How interesting. I take it you have come for your associate?"
Both Xaldin and Lexaeus were stunned silent at the revelation of Xehanort's true identity. Zexion wasn't.
"He's not just our associate- he's our friend! And don't think for a minute we'll let you take out one of our own!"
He swiftly moved towards Xigbar's side, struggling to get him into a seated position. He moaned softly but didn't stir.
"I'll watch him, Xaldin, Lexaeus. You handle the old man."
Nodding sharply, the two men drew their weapons and charged. Xehanort smirked and raised his Keyblade, preparing himself for the attack.
The fight raged fiercely, forcing Zexion to retreat to the steps, half-dragging Xigbar. Propping him up against the wall, he turned back to the action below. A violent wind whipped about, carrying with it Xaldin's lances, circling Xehanort as their master danced out of the reach of his Keyblade. Lexaeus stood slightly to the back, creating shockwaves to disrupt Xehanort's movements, and waiting for Xaldin to create an opening for his tomahawk.
Xehanort kept them both on their toes, moving and attacking with the speed and strength of a much younger man.
Finally, Xaldin let his guard down. It was only for a moment, but that was enough for Xehanort to send him reeling. His lances clattered to the ground, the wind dying. Lexaeus moved to intercept Xehanort's second attack, but barely had time to block as Xehanort sent him skidding backwards with the force of the blow.
Xaldin got to his feet, summoning a small gust to knock a lance back into his waiting hand.
"I don't think so. You got lucky once, old man. I won't let that happen again."
"You continue to underestimate me, Dilan."
Xehanort disappeared. Xaldin and Lexaeus's eyes widened, and they looked around, confused, until they heard Zexion scream in pain.
Turning towards the steps, they saw Xehanort holding Zexion by the arm, Keyblade pressed to his throat.
"I am not above taking hostages, guard dogs. Lay your weapons to the side, or I will finish the task Braig failed to complete."
Zexion struggled against Xehanort, fury evident. "You bastard! I am not a hostage! I refuse to be a hostage! Let me go!"
Xehanort simply remained neutral, pressing his Keyblade closer to Zexion's neck.
"Well? I'm waiting. I am a patient man, but I will only wait so long."
Before either man could comply, a blast of flame slammed into Xehanort's side, knocking him off balance and causing him to release Zexion. A moment later, Terra came hurtling out of a corridor, plowing shoulder-first into the Keyblade master. Vexen followed hurriedly, kneeling next to Xigbar when the coast was clear.
Xaldin and Lexaeus reflexively stepped back as the two tumbled onto the platform. Terra leapt to his feet first, quickly forming a Firaga spell in his palm.
"Xehanort, I'm going to kill you!"
Xehanort got to his feet leisurely. "Really, now? You don't look well, Terra. Are you sure you're in any shape to fight me?"
Terra growled in fury. "Don't patronize me, Xehanort!"
Xaldin and Lexaeus quickly made their way to Zexion and Vexen. Vexen looked up sheepishly as the other two approached.
"I apologize. He insisted I let him."
"It happened, Vexen. I didn't doubt it would. Now tell me, what is his condition?"
Vexen frowned. "Well, Xaldin, you gave him some bruises, but nothing too serious. I'm personally more concerned with his other injuries."
"Other injuries?" Zexion asked. "When I spoke to him in his room, he had a slight limp, but his injuries looked merely superficial."
"Yes, well, running around like a fool in the realm of Darkness for several days will take its toll, both physically and mentally. Because of that, he is in much more pain than he lets on."
"And still he pushes himself?"
"Apparently. His desire to defeat Xehanort borders on an obsession, and he'll endure any pain to see the feud to its conclusion."
Zexion frowned. "Idiot, he'll kill himself."
Lexaeus, watching the fight, crossed his arms. "I'm more concerned with the fact he hasn't manifested his weapon."
The others turned. Indeed, while Xehanort fought with his Keyblade in hand, Terra hadn't brought forth his ethereal blades. All he was doing was throw spells at him with increasing ferocity, while running away from Xehanort's blade.
Xehanort seemed to notice all was not right as well.
"Terra, you have not summoned your weapon. Are you not taking this seriously?"
"Shut up! I'll summon it if I want to!"
"Or is it that you cannot?"
Terra's only reply was to charge at him in rage, casting a Thundaga spell. The two collided, and Terra was easily overpowered. Xehanort knocked him back, and hefted his Keyblade to send him over the edge of the platform.
As the blade was about to hit home, a flash of sparking light leapt out from Terra's hand, stopping Xehanort's blow from connecting. When the light died, Terra held his own Keyblade, and fresh determination appeared on his face.
"It's back, Xehanort. Now we can fight as equals."
Xehanort stepped back. "No, Terra, this fight is over for now. But I will return to tie up my loose ends."
He opened a portal, and stepped through. Terra leapt after him, but skidded through the faded corridor. Cursing, he turned back towards the others.
"Is Xigbar alright?"
Vexen nodded. "He's quite a mess, but he'll live."
Terra sighed. "That's good to hear." He held out his Keyblade. "And I have this back, too. I guess it was a good idea to follow you, Lexaeus…"
Xaldin saw him falter, and was down the stairs to catch him as he lost consciousness.
"Fool. I hope this means you won't be running around attempting to pick fights half-conscious anymore."
Xaldin picked Terra up, and motioned to Lexaeus, who promptly scooped up Xigbar.
"Let's get these two patched up, and figure out what to do next."
Vexen opened a portal, and the three stepped into the Skyscraper's foyer.
What greeted them was something extremely unexpected.