___
Riku followed Meddy as she walked through the tunnels of Shin-Ra's dungeons. She seemed tense, like she really didn't want to do something.
"Are you alright?" He finally asked. She shook her head as if she had a heache.
"Yeah, I'm fine." They passed the trophy room. Riku stopped, and turned back to look in. There were gun blades, masume's, heartless machines, all sorts of weapons hung on the walls. But what attracted his attention was a plain belt that had 8 knives sheathed in it. He went into the room. "What are you doing?" Meddy whispered. "What do you want?"
"Kelsie's belt. Those are her weapons too. In case I meet up with her, I want her to be able to defend herself." He took the belt down, and wrapped it around his arm. "Now come on. We need to keep moving." They eventually made it out.
"What does Hades want with me?" Riku asked. Meddy conjured up a portal.
"MEDDY! There you are!" Shawn ran up with Genesis flying behind him. "Where have you been?"
"Umm, around." Riku suddenly remembered that Shawn was an elemental.
"Shawn, can you do me a favor?"
"Sure, bud, what is it?"
"I need you to go to Maleficent. You need to convince her to join in the fight against Bahamut, and maybe even the entire Shin-Ra Company itself." Shawn looked tentative for a second, then nodded.
"Why can't you do it yourself?" Genesis asked. His wing folded itself against his back.
"Who are you?" Riku asked.
"Genesis Rhapadosis. And you are?"
"Riku." Genesis looked Riku up and down. So this was his rival for Kelsie's affections. "And apparently Hades has summoned me for a duel. Though why he is using Meddy I have no idea."
"Well, good luck with that!" Shawn said cheerily. "Genesis, you want to come and help convince Maleficent?" Genesis shook his head.
"I'm going with Riku." If I can figure out why she likes him, maybe I can have a chance with her. But I don't like Hades' sudden involvement.
"Suit yourself then." Shawn said, and started his portal. "I'll join you guys later." And his blossom covered him, the disappeared. Riku and Genesis went down Meddy's portal. The both rolled their shoulders as they faced the grimness of the Underworld.
"RIKU!" A female voice cried out. "My Son." A women pushed herself to the front of the dead who were crowding the shores waiting to go across to the afterlife.
"Mom, MOM!" Riku shouted, then ran over to the woman, hugging you fiercely. "I'm sorry. I should have done more to protect you."
"Riku, you did not know.I forgive you." She kissed his forehead. "Now be careful. Great dangers await you. And do not be afraid to harm those you love."
"What?" Riku blinked his blue eyes.
"Don't worry, you'll understand." She ruffled his hair, the only person who could get away with that. "I love you."
"Riku, we must keep on going. Charon's here." Meddy stood by a skeleton like man who stood on a small boat.
___
Ziz flew high above the countryside surrounding the Radiant Gardens, looking at the different people. Suddenly a voice called his name, loudly.
"ZIZ!" He looked down, it was Calypso.
"What do you want, nypmph?" Ziz said as he landed on the ground
"Leviathan, Hades has your descendant." Leviathan looked over in shock.
"We're going." There was no arguing with him when he was like that.
___
Ajani started to limp to the city. Ansem looked at him from within the bushes. He had ditched the Dark suit. If he was going to kill him, he needed to be sneaky. Ansem looked at the elemental glove that Ajani wore. He would take that as his own prize too. Hades hadn't asked for it, so it was his property. Kelsie's face turned into an ugly sneer.
___
"Hello Handsome." Ajani looked over. A brunette stood in his path. "My name's Meg." She looked, Greek. Had he really found another Greek?
"Ajani." He said, reaching out to shake Meg's hand. She started to trace his veins.
"You're very strong." She said, getting close....
___
"I've got it!" Sora shouted. "Roxas, point your keyblade at me!" Roxas would had hit his head. Why hadn't he thought of that? He twisted his hand, and conjured up the keyblade, pointing it at Sora's wrists. The locks unlocked. Sora quickly summoned his and unlocked Roxas. They both unlcoked there doors then went to work on Namine. She stood up as the opened the door.
"Kairi's in the tower!" She shouted. "This way." The remaining trio went to save Kairi.
__
"Alright.. the coast is clear." Sora peeked at the corridor from around the corner, then motioned namine and roxas to keep moving. "Come on."
"I hope Kairi is alright." Namine said as they continued to run through a very long corridor.
"Well. Can't you just draw a picture of her?" Roxas asked. "Surely make our lives easier."
"Not if we're running I can't." They turned a corner.
"Hey guys. What do you think that roar was earlier?" Sora asked as they turned to another identical corridor. "Where is everyone?"
"Do I look like I care?" Roxas said. "Hey if kairis in the tower...then how come we haven't seen any stairs leading up then?"
Then they all stopped and started thinking.
"Hey, why dont we just use our magic?" Sora suggested.
"Oh yeah..." Roxas facepalmed "You handle the ceiling while I take care of the flight."
"Deal then. FIRAGA!" Sora yelled out as he pointed his keyblade at the ceiling and shot a ball of fire.
Moments later, the part of the ceiling came falling down on the trio scattering them.
"Oh jeez Sora!" Namine screamed after the last of the rubble came down. "Think before you do anything." The blonde witch fumed.
"Sorry guys. My magic is still sort of fuzzy since the memories of Castle Oblivion haven't all come back yet." Sora rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.
"It's no time to yell at Sora for his stupidity." Roxas moved under the newly made hole. "Let's keep on going." Sora and Namine joined him under the hole. "AEROGA!" They floated up to the next floor.
"This is going to take us forever." Sora said. They landed into the fifth floor. "Sort of reminds me of Castle Oblivion."
"Well unless we find some stairs or an elevator, this is the only way we can go." Namine said as Roxas started going through the rooms on the fifth floor.
"Yo guys." Roxas opened a door near the end of the corridor. "What do you think it is?" He pointed at something inside.
After Namine and Sora ran to where Roxas was, they saw a square platform about two inches above the floor and three feet around.
"Not sure?" asked namine as she looked at it. "Don't you know Rox?"
"Not really sure sure but it's the only thing in here so there must be some reason they would leave it here." Roxas went closer to inspect it. After touching it though, he disappeared into thin air.
"Holy..." Sora and Namine said dumbfounded but still ran to the square platform to and was transported to another area.
After opening their eyes, Sora and Namine were shocked to see the redhead Kairi all banged up and barely breathing within a cell made of plastic glass. Roxas was trying to open it with the Two Across Keyblade but to no avail.
"Roxas, anyway on opening it?" Sora askedas they came toward the cell. Roxas shook his head. "Oh.."
"So it looks like everyone else has escaped I see." A piercing, female shrill that came from behind them and they all turned around to see that it was Scarlet.
"Scarlet....what did you do to Kairi!!!" yelled out sora as he summoned kingdom key and roxas brought forth oathkeeper.
"The standard Shin-Ra rules of torture when enemy combatants refuse to hand over information merely." Scarlet said indifferently. "Dehydration, starvation, and torture." She slurred the last word enraging everyone even more. The older blonde laughed.
Then Sora lunged at her but she only dide-stepped him and pressed a button on a remote she took out. Kairi's prison cell was in started to take in water, but at a slow and constant speed.
"How do you think she will last? She surely can not endure it."
"You cold-hearted bitch!" Roxas yelled out as he lunged at her as well and missed her.
"If you find the button that will stop the flow of the water and the button that will open the cell then I'm sure you can save her." She started to walk back to the platform. "Can you do it in time? That is the questioned?" She disappeared.
___
It felt, beautiful. Kairi's rational faculties had temporarily shut down in order to deal with the torture. She thought she was on Destiny Island's again. She felt the water start to brush up against her hair, like it did on the Islands. Her and Selphie used to spend hours hours with their hair in the water just to feel the water move it. She felt it sneak down to wet her shoulders.
"So, what we doing today, Kairi?" Selphie had shown up beside, she looked up seeing the sun and the trees.
"We could go to the market again? Do they still have those pineapples on sale?"
"Maybe." Selphi sat up, and started to pluck the petals of a flower. "Where do you think we'll be when we're older. Riku's always talking about other worlds, and how they are out there."
"Well, I'm not from around here." I wonder who my family is? Kairi thought.
"Well, how about we play castle! I can be a queen and you can be a princess."
"Why am I ALWAYS the princess." Selphie stuck out her tongue.
"Because We're pretty sure I'm older than you. Plus we can get Sora-kun to become your Princess." Kairi splashed Selphie, her cheeks reddening in embrassment.
____
Roxas and Namine opened several dark portals trying to make a grand sweep of the room. Sora tried to follow the pipes on the ground. The water was rising and in her weak state she was floating, like a body. Like how she looked at Neverland. Where was Riku when you needed him. Oh.
"Wait! just open a portal into the room!" Roxas tried, but it didn't work.
"There's something blocking it."
"Namine, quickly draw a lock to whatever is blocking magic from entering." Namine sat down, and started to draw. Kairi's feet didn't rise anymore. Namine drew quickly. Her own existence was on the line here.
"FINISHED." the best lock she could draw looked weird, like it required four keyblades. THe two masters looked at eachother. Roxas pulled out Oblivion and Oathkeeper. Sora took out Ultima and Kingdom Key. They both did little swirly motions and pointed their keyblades at the lock. As soon as it unlocked, Namine opened up a portal and grabbed hold of Kairi. She opened a portal beneath her feet. The two girls fell through. They heard clapping. the three and Kairi who was starting to pull herself back turned around slowly. Scarlet stood there.
"Very nice. I never thought you could do it that quickly. I should have remembered Namine's reality altering powers." Namine hugged her notebook to her closer as Sora shifted his grasp on Kairi.
"What do you want?" Sora yelled.
____
"Just help beating the Bahamut." Shawn was trying to convince Maleficent to temporarily switch sides. Normally he would flirt with the girl, but Maleficent did not look like a girl who liked to be wooed. "Radiant Gardens will go Kaput if you don't do something."
"And how would my interaction or not influence the battle. And why did you come here anyway?"She commanded. Maleficent did not ask. She currently stood in front of Shawn and was actually an inch or so taller than him without the headdress.
"I kind of came on Kelsie's orders. And you are the most beautiful, powerful dark fairy in this world." Maleficent preened in a near by mirror, he did have a point. Wait.
"Why couldn't the Tia Dolma come herself?" Shawn sighed. She was a smart cookie this one.
"I think she's trapped in the underworld. And I know you're thinking 'when the cats away, the mice will play' but this is your home. This has been your base of operations for years. You have history here, and research. But it will all be destroyed. Oh! I'm sensing something..." He stumbled back, really getting into his act. He struggled with an invisible force.
"Stuff it." Maleficent ordered. "As the most powerful Dark fairy I know that you fake your act." Shawn sighed.
"You kidnapped Brad right from the Restoration Committee's noses. You've so far haven't been attacked by Shin-Ra. maybe because they're scared of you. Now with that Bahamut around..." He was trying to flatter her, hopefully it would work.
"How did it come?" Maleficent grinned, revealing perfect teeth under her green skin. She knew the answer.
"Genesis made Kelsie summon it." Maleficent sat down and stroked Diablo. Shawn waited with baited breath.
"Fine. Come with me. I'm going to need room." She climbed a staircase.
"Whereya going?" Pete appeared by a corner, carrying a dead...something for Diablo.
"I have business to do, Imbecile. In the meantime gather all the research into the Room."
"Which Room, oh! That room." Pete shuffled off, Diablo following the food.
"When this is done, get on my back." She said.
"What?" But Shawn didn't need to ask again as Maleficent raised her arms and took a from of a gigantic dragon.
____
Rude and Reno were busy watching several mysterious figures claimed to be suspicious by the local villagers aiding a anti-Shin-ra group called the World Re-Genesis Organization, whose goals by official Shin-Ra records were to spread political and social chaos in the univsrse. They had approached and opened the door to the abandoned warehouse and entered inside seeing a man with a white wing sprouting from his back wearing a matching set of black shirts and pants
Rude stated from what he saw from his binoculars, "Targets have entered the building. Confirmed now that the strangers judging from their uniforms are from Re-Genesis. Although I recognize a couple of them as SOLDIER."
"It appears that the target is a former member of Lazard's SOLDIER guys." Reno took the binoculars off his eyes and turned to his partner Rude. "Shin-Ra is in general dissarray."
"Lazard's having difficulties managing SOLDIER. President Shin-Ra I wouldn't be surprised if he considers eliminating Lazard."
"Lazard?" Rude nodded his head which gave Reno a strange look. "Come on dude, Lazard you actually think is behind all those SOLDIER betraying Shin-Ra? The guy's a saint practically..Who would want to snuff Lazard off?"
"I know Reno. But it's President Shin-Ra decision for now if Lazard is snubbed, at least we know he isn't the only Department Head to declare utter Rebellion againist the Shin-Ra president.
"Rebel? Well no surprise, genius. We heard Lazard and the others."
"Ever since Genesis had been spotted at Twilight Town with the Tia Dolma and Xehanort's Heartless. Things I admit have been hectic. Even most of the Department Heads whom we met don't trust in Shin-Ra and left it. Maybe they decided to catch on and follow Genesis' message of change."
"Reeve, Lazard like I mentioned, Palmer....and Verdot along with Hollander." Rude said.
Reno laid his back againist a large rock and crossed his arms.
"Ohhh.." He let out a sigh. "I now know where my loyalties stand now after this." Maybe Shin-Ra should fall or at least go under some new management, perhaps Lazard? He stood up and took out his staff looking back at the village. "Has Zack arrived yet from the house of the missing SOLDIER Angeal?" Rude shook his head.
"Not yet......he should be here soon."
___
Zack was walking through the lush, fertile Banora dumbapple-filled fields of Banora Village. He was on orders by Director Lazard of SOLDIER and Director Verdot of the Intelligence Department known affectionally as the Turks along with Reno and Rude to scour the villagers of any essential information regardening the status of two First Class SOLDIERs Genesis Rhapsodos and Angeal Hewley, one missing and one considered a marked man by the tyrannical regime of Shin-Ra.
He had already asked many townfolk along with Angeal's mother but they all say that he's here, but not at the moment. Zack was looking over at the rolling hills watching the sun begin to set, the first day of this five day long mission had ended with no results on his part. How Reno and Rude will chastise him for his inefficency and mock the Director's favoritism over the porcupine-looking haired SOLDIER. He couldn't contact Lazard for a transfer due to him disappearing and all SOLDIER units moving onto the Destiny Islands....wherever the hell that was.
"Oh." He slowly rested his head on the ground. "Damn it. No results coming from anybody today in the village so far." A smile formed on the young man's lips, "It looks like Reno and Rude aren't going to let me down with this. Probably already making fun of how inefficent SOLDIER and how Lazard picked me over some other SOLDIER."
Staring into the sun, seeing what appeared to be white feathers descending from above.
"Angeal, where the hell could you be right now? How come do I feel as if you're alive right now yet it seemed impossible for you to survive that attack. If only I had some help..."
You called for help?
"Huh? Who's there?"
Zack immediately stood up and turned around to see a man, probably slightly older than him...probably late 20's to early 30's with silky, silver hair that extended past his shoulders. The man had greenish-blue mako-powered eyes and wore a black SOLDIER uniform and held tightly in his arms, a long katana. Zack could immediately recognize that the stranger was a member of SOLDIER First Class due to the color of the uniform, yet never could identify him. Perhaps he was new, perhaps....after all most SOLDIERs other than him had deserted or were killed by Genesis.
Zack took out his hand, "Looks like Lazard decided to send me some help after all from SOLDIER on this mission. You must be new in SOLDIER, the name's Zack. Surprised that someone new could easily rise to First Class." The man smiled and took Zack's hand.
"My pleasure to meet you Zack. The name is Sephiroth. Sephiroth Crescent."
___
Ziz flew above the city, holding Calypso. Leviathan had a determined look on his face Nothing was going to happen to HIS descendant. Calyspo struggled.
"You don't like heights?" Ziz taunted slightly.
"I don't like heights taller than a ships mast!" She yelled back. She had magic, but her powers as a sea nymph would not work here. And after Hades veiled threat to take back Davy Jones she didn't want to bring him. What if he captured Will? That would be bad too. Then unable to fulfill his duty he would turn into a sea creature like how Davy Jones used to look. Or the souls of those who died at sea would spend eternity Beyond the Edge of the World. Ziz shifted positions so he could land. He heard too roars. One was from a Bahamut, the other was new. He faintly heard Shawn scream. He looked up, Dragon Maleficent was attacking Bahamut with the Restoration committee. She breathed green flames onto the gigantic deformed dragon that dwarfed her own form. Calypso started to pull items out of a small pack she wore on her dress.
"Help defeat that monstrosity, then bring me Ale."
"You want a drink when you're not going to fight?"
"NO! Not the drink, the ex-Nobody. He belongs to me since I turned him back into a somebody, and I have a job for him." She pulled something out. "For your battles." It was an herb. "This is seaweed from the Beach Beyond the Edge of the World. If you rub it onto a living person, they are banished there. If you rub it on the dead, they are brought back from the dead. It only works once, so don't waste it. And you can only collect it when you travel to Beyond the End of the World which happens rarely, do I make myself clear?" Her accent only made what she said scarier. Ziz nodded. "Leviathan, I am working for freeing your descendant, and because of your close ties..." She lit a candle that she put on the ground. She whispered something to the flame, and Leviathan took a corporeal shape. "For as long as that candle is lit you will have a physical form. But I can not relight that candle and I have no spares. Do your work quickly." Leviathan nodded, then slapped Ziz on the back.
Just like old times, friend Ziz grinned at Leviathan's comment.
"Behemoth" the third of the old keyblade masters turned to look at the voodoo empowered sea nymph. "I give you another power. You can see ten seconds into the future. Warn Leviathan and Ziz to protect them." she made a mark of an eye on hte ground as she said this. "As long as this symbol is here, you will see into the future, now GO!" the three took flight, Calypso taking care that the drafts did not extinguish the candle. She sat down again, and started to make a symbol in the ground like a very large octagon with a star in the middle. She drew arcane symbols on the ground, muttering enchantments under her breath.
___
"So much for spartan traing." Ajanifinally limped his way to the entrance of the Gardens.
"Ajani. You're alive." Ansem said as he imitated Kelsie's personality as he came out from the entrance.
"I thought you were with Genesis." Ajani sensed a dark aura flooding out of her. "How did you even escape?"
"I tricked him into thinking that fell for him." Ansem said with a smile as he thought to himself how easy this deal is. "Then I took him out and came back here."
"Hmmph." Ajani limped up to ansem and ruffled kelsie's hair. "Alright then, let's look for everyone else." He started to limp toward the city entrance.
"Okay." Ansem said as he summoned his double-sided souleater and started walking up to the unsuspecting spartan warrior prepared to land the final blow, but stopped soon as Ajani stopped.
"Kelsie. How is Ansem doing? Megara, why are you still here?" He asked as Meg stepped out from behind a tree surprising ansem as he hid his weapon.
"I'm under contract with Flame Boy." Meg said still standing under the tree. "You of all people should know that."
"I suppose, but excuse my behavior when I ask you to leave again." He said still standing in the same spot with his eyes closed. and after he opened them again, she was gone. "So kelsie, are you gonna answer my question or not?"
"Yeah, he's doing alright." Ansem tensed up. "Just being just as annoying as ever." He took out his weapon again and striked, but instead of chopping ajani's head off, his weapon was blocked by ajani's spear.
"So Ansem, what do think you're doing now? To think I would fall for that? Surely you jest."
___
Turn to your right! Behemoth shouted. Ziz and a slightly clumsy Leviathan flew to their right, dodging the rubble.
"COME HERE, I'LL MAKE IT ALL GO AWAY!" It was Ale, throwing his Chakrams at the nobodies.
"ALE!" Ziz shouted, landing on the ground, then impaling a heartless.
"Looking for me?" Ale responded, throwing a flame pillar.
"Yeah, Calypso is looking for you." Leviathan struck down a Nobody.
"Well, why shoudl I go, OW!" His chakrams disappeared as he grabbed his neck. "I forgot about that." her referred to the crab tattoo that marked him as her property. "Where is she?"
"2 blocks east, 5 blocks north." Ziz beheaded a nobody behind him on Behemoth's suggestion. Ale nodded and ran off.
He arrived at where Calyspo was, she stood by a very large octagon with a candle on each angle.
"What are you doing?"
"Do you want to save Kelsie?"
"I do, but it's not like I have much choice here." Calypso stepped to the side and motioned for him to stand in the circle. "What are you doing?"
"I'm separating your heart and your soul from your body."
"WHAT!!"
"That is the only way for you to go to the Underworld. Don't worry. You belong to me, not Hades, so you should be safe. Once you are down there, you will completely regain your nobody powers." And she started to chant. When she finished, Ale felt very light headed. he started to faint, and he slowly descended down, his vision started to fade, but the last thing he saw was brown rock floating past him.
unh He groaned, and started to sit up. He rubbed his head, and noticed he was wearing his Organization XII outfit again, he ran his hand through his hair and noticed he was missing a large patch that would normally cover up Calypso's tattoo. He heard some odd singing and groaning. He stumbled to his feet. As he walked around, he caught sight of souls that flitted out at the corner of his eye.
"Hello?" He called out. "Is anyone here?" He heard a very familiar laugh. "Larxene!" She sauntered out from behind a pillar.
"Looking for someone?" She asked, pulling her hand across her hair.
"Kelsie Nielson. What are you doing here?"
"Well, I am dead. And if you are looking for the Tia Dolma, you still have more to do." She laughed again, and faded out in front of him. Axel, for that was his form now, eventually made it to an empty beach where a skeleton run boat stood in front of him.
"I'm looking for Hades. Calypso sent me." He said, turning his head so the boat man could see his tattoo. THe man nodded, and motioned for him to get inside. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence Axel finally asked a questin. "Who are you?"
"Charon, boat keeper of Hades, Pits of Tartarus, the Fields of Elysiumand the River Styx."
"It's a nice job," Axel asked uncomfortably. "How did you get it?"
"The Gods made me."
___
Cloud and the rest of the Restoration Committee tried to kill the Bahamut SIN Dragon. Aerith was using the Curaga spell on every member of the Committee in order to replenish their fighting spirit and tried to maintain her distance from the Heartless Bahamut. Cid and Barret were together in a modified Shin-Ra gunship shooting the Bahamut as it tried to retreat to its self made home of the ruins of Radiant Garden's Shin-Ra HQ. Vincent and Shelke had deserted them fleeing to god knows where, Squall was right by Cloud's side holding the unconscious body of Yuffie.
"We need help. We can't fight on anymore!" Cloud as his body slumped down onto the ceiling. He looked up at Leon. "We have to retreat."
Leon shook his head and laid Yuffie on the floor. "We can't. I promised to myself that I cannot use my real name until I make up for my actions." The Gunblade began to glow a bright yellow and increase in its length, "I will not make that mistake again! We must fight on!"
"You're right!" Cloud immediately stood up holding his sword with much difficulty. "I can't go on any more. Radiant Garden is supposed to be where I would marry Tifa in two months...now I can't do that." He looked at the three winged men slashing their Keyblades at the dragon,."Who are those guys? Are they member of SOLDIER's Project Jenova G?" Squall shook his head.
"They are Keyblades Lords from the past coming to help us save our world from complete destruction." He held the Gunblade on one of his shoulders and flashed a smile. "It looks like they need a hand. After all I can't trust that witch Maleficent. You coming Cloud?"
"Not now." Cloud said. "I have to make sure Teefs is alright. She is.." Leon smirked.
"She's pregnant isn't she?" Cloud nodded at him and he laughed. "You can go Cloud, I always wanted to be a uncle anyways once in my life. Get out of here then, you and Tifa. I think the Keyblade Lords have it covered."
"Thanks.."
___
Since after Ajani blocked Ansem's death blow, he could do nothing else caused by his unhealed body. In his dark form, Ansem continued to beat the spartan warrior to death.
"What's wrong Ajani?" Ansem smiled as he kicked ajani in the chin knocking him to the ground. "Is the power of darkness too overwhelming for you? How your brother Leonidas frowns in shame?" Ansem laughed.
"Never did have a sense of honor, Ansem?" Ajani said as he got up and spat out blood. "You try and take advantage of people through their weak spots."
"Very perspective spartan, but I have a deal with Hades this time." He said after he stopped laughing. "Now then its time for you to die and join kelsie in Taratus. Come on out, my friend Isa!" Ansem's Heartless Guardian sprouted out of Kelsie's back and spoke to ajani as well.
"I should thank you for freeing me from within this girl's heart as well."
"The pleasure is mine." Ajani stood straight up. "Except you tricked me into doing it."
Then the Guardian grabbed Ajani and started to crush him.
"Well it was easy."
All Ansem did once Ajani was caught in the Guardian's death grip was watch as the Spartan warrior struggled less and less as the seconds passed by. Ajani finally stopped all struggling, Ansem let out a triumphant laugh. But was cut short as ajani's elemental guantlet let out a huge amount of light, forcing the Guardian to let go as Ansem stepped back, shielding his eyes. After the light finally receded, Ansem opened his eyes and is shocked to see Ajani fully healed.
"Impossible." Ansem shouted still shocked and started to step back more in fear. "This can not happen! I murdered you!"
"That is for you to ponder." He brought the guantlet to his face. "ACTIVATE! GAIA'S RAGE!" From the wrist, a lance-like sword emerged with the colors; red, blue, brown, and white made up the energy blade. "Even I don't know the true power of this guantlet. Crafted by the servants of the Titaness of the Earth Gaia." With a blink of the eye, Ajani striked and landed a few feet behind Ansem.
"NOOO!" The Guardian yelled as it disappeared. Ansem slumped to the ground in shock.
"Now then. Ansem." Ajani said as he turned the guantlet off and faced Ansem. "I have a deal with you and I'm sure you'll love it."
"What is it?" said ansem in a defeated tone.
"I'll give you my body and heart if you promise to leave Kelsie and her body alone for good." Ajani spoke calmly. "You'll get everything I have including my max guantlet."
"I accept the terms. What do you get out of this?" Ansem said suspiciously.
"I have a few things to discuss with Hades but I'll be back."
And with that said, Ansem left Kelsie's body completely removing any physical evidence of him ever being there. Now within his new body, Ansem watched as ajani's soul left to the underworld.
"His loss then." Ansem smiled as his original body came back and he started to laugh maniacally. "Let darkness once again pour through the worlds as my original self did in the Great Calamity!"
___
Riku wandered through the tunnels of Hades and Tartarus with Genesis by his side. The two followed Medusa as she walked through the barely distinguishable tunnels. Screams echoed as various occupants were tortured according to what they did in life. The two noticed Meddy had gotten ahead, so they sped up to keep close to her. Meddy soon arrived at large stone door. She knocked.
"Come in!" Meddy opened the door, and Riku saw Hades lounging on a stone throne. "Well, if it isn't Kelsie' BF's. So tell me, what are two young men, with their WHOLE lives ahead of them, doing down here in Tartarus. It's not a pleasant place to visit. Although maybe one of you will stay." Genesis reached down for his sword. Riku laid his hand on his arm.
"Not now. And this is his real, he can do what he wants." Riku whispered. Speaking loudly he turned to Hades. "Where is Kelsie."
"All you had to do was ask." He stepped to the side, revealing her strapped to a wall. "She's a fine prize. We only get Ex Elementals down here." Riku roared with rage and jumped over the war table to attack Hades. Hades ducked, then caught him by his clothes. "Now, I am not an insensible man. If you can beat Kelsie in a fight, then I will set her free along if Ansem does not kill Ajani. If he does, well I promised her body to him so tough luck there Kels." Riku's heart went out to her, she wasn't moving, how much had they put her through.
"I accept." His voice cracked.
"Wonderful!" Hades shouted. Genesis noticed him sweep something into his robe. "Charon!" The skeleton in the boat rowed up, in the boat was Axel.
"Riku? What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to save Kelsie. What are YOU doing here?"
"Same thing. Hades, I come under dictates from my master Calypso the Sea Nymph former Tia Dolma that you are to release Kelsie Nielson, current Tia Dolma, because you have unfairly imprisoned her." Hades listened, then threw some fire at Axel. Axel made a small motion with his hands and the fire went behind him. "My Nobody element was fire."
"Well, tell that witch of a master that Kelsie is MY property as god and Lord of the dead. She, being a Nymph of the Sea although voodoo elevated, has no power over here. The most she can claim is some resurrection and she used up most of her favors for that. Now, onto battle!"
Everyone spent an uncomfortable and close boat ride to a coliseum. Riku took up a position on one side with Way to the Dawn, Kelsie stood there, fists raised. He felt horrible about this. If she was under Hades control she was really going to try to kill him, but he didn't want to take down someone unarmed, especially when he held her weapons.
"Kelsie, here's your knives." She nodded. "Thank you Riku." She said, and bound the belt around her waist. Axel and Genesis waited on the sidelines.
"I don't think that's Kelsie." Genesis confided to Axel. Axel nodded.
"From what I heard, Hades has the power to bind people's wills to statues."
"That's what he took!" Genesis whispered. "I need to grab it." Axel grinned, and pointed up. A flame appeared on his pointer finger. As Genesis slipped around, Axel set some nearby curtains on fire.
"WHAT! Extinguish those flames!" Genesis crouched behind the throne. He could see something in the fabric that swept across his chest. "Begin!" Hades shouted, and settled back to enjoy the fight. Kelsie used her red knives first, the same ones she used on Ansem. She swung, trying to catch an edge of his arms so she could catch one of his veins. While Riku used Way to the Dawn, he didn't really want to hurt her. But he continued to swing, at least to save his own life. The two went back and forth, and Kelsie scored a blow that drew blood.
"ALRIGHT!" Hades shouted, and the statue slipped. Genesis caught it before Hades could. Voices flowed through his mind.
This would be my first.
Heartless? Riku, I know I just met you, but are you trying to put a fast one over me?
Pianist here Ms. Darbus
I don't like it here, Riku, I don't like how bloody these pirates are.
I should have done something. We were in a BATHHOUSE! That's where I should have been my best now so many people have died.
SEA MONSTER, STARBOARD SIDE!
Calypso, what are you doing here?
I AM NOT THE TIA DOLMA!
Stop hurting my friends.
Fine, I accept it. Now will you bug off?
Na na na na na you are the music in me
There's more to life when we listen to our hearts, and because of you I've got the strenght to start
TROY'S NOT SINGING WITH SHARPAY!!
Do you regret it?
"Brad, I've got a job to do."
Go away Ansem.
I WILL NOT SUBMIT!
Riku I love you Genesis looked at the small statue in his hands.
"AXEL!" HE waved it. Hades hit him, but he held on tight.
"GIVE IT TO RIKU TO SMASH!" Axel was fighting off several harpies. His chakrams were out. Riku wasn't having an easy time of it. Kelsie seemed determined to kill him. Genesis aimed as Hades lunged, and threw the statue. Riku jumped up and grabbed it. he stopped. Would it kill Kelsie? His mother's words came back him.
"Don't be afraid to hurt those you love." Riku threw it on the ground. A blue blur merged with the thing about to kill Riku. The thing stopped, and then stood still. When it turned back to look at Riku, tears were in her eyes.
"Riku!" She threw her arms around him. He hugged her back.
"NO!" Hades shouted.
"YES!" she retorted. She threw a knife so it hit him in the shoulder. "Now I want my body back."
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