Chapter Text
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"Neptune..."
"No...Please...don't go...Noire..."
"Neptune, please wake up!"
"NOIRE!"
Neptune woke up in a jolt, sweat dropping from her features as she looked around the pitch-black void.
"Thank goodness, you're awake!"
"Oh!" Neptune chirped at the sound of the voice. "Heya Histy! Long time, no speak! How've ya been?"
"Very well, thanks to you!" the heavenly voice thanked. "Now I'm out of that dreadful witch's clutches!"
"Really!?" the girl in the parka said, her eyes widening. "Did someone bust you out while we were out there, raising a ruckus?"
"Um, yes" Histy replied. "You did"
"Say wha?" Neptune managed to say, her face turned to one of confusion.
Histoire sighed. "I suppose I haven't explained that part yet either, huh."
"My Nep Senses are telling me that this is rather important, huh?" Neptune said with closed eyes.
"Yes. But I will make it brief for your benefit."
"Oh, cool-eo! So, what's the exposition?"
"Basically, you freed me from Arfoire's clutches, and in doing so, you managed to keep your fellow CPU safe as well!"
"Fellow CPU?" Neptune said slowly, but then gasped. "Noire! Is she okay!? Please, tell me she isn't dead!"
"No need to worry about that" Histy reassured. "She is safe and sound, and so are you"
"Really!? Phew..." Neptune sighed in relief. "Guess someone saved us in the nick of time, huh?"
"Indeed. Your companions are very kind and strong. Especially that beastly one who knocked that Heartless away..." the heavenly voice said with pride. "But back to me. You see, I am sealed away in the tome you've taken. Until the seal's broken, I cannot interact much with the outside world."
"Ooooooohhhh~" Neptune understood. "So, you were inside the tome, huh?"
"In a manner of speaking, yes" Histoire agreed.
"Great!" the girl with the key cheered. "Now all that's left is to free ya like I promised!"
"That would be great..." Histy started. "But not right now"
"Eh?" Neptune said, tilting her head. "Why not?"
"Arfoire is close to her goal" the heavenly voice explained. "If my seal is broken, she will be able to freely abuse my power to her designs. So long as I am sealed, the amount of power she can use from me is limited!"
"What IS her goal, exactly?" Neptune asked. "I know she's trying to take my and Noire's powers, but..."
"That would take a lot of time to explain." Histoire warned. "But know this. She will need both my power AND the power of four Console Patron Units in order to fulfill her goal. Right now, she already has three CPU powers absorbed."
"Three..." Neptune thought for a moment. "Does that mean...?"
"I'm afraid so. It means that she will come for you next, Neptune"
"Go figure..." Neptune complained. "So, what? Do I just bail with Noire or what?"
"That would not be advisable" Histy replied. "She already knows who and where you are. At this stage, it will only be a matter of time until she chases you down"
The girl clicked her tongue. "Good point. Arboire's persistent as a cockroach, after all."
"The only chance for you to fight back against her is with all your friends" the heavenly voice suggested. "Only together can you overcome her great powers."
"My friends, huh..."
"Nep-Nep!"
"Wakey-wakey!"
Upon hearing those voices, Neptune's sight began to blur...
"Huh?"
Hollow Bastion – Great Crest
Neptune slowly opened her eyes to see some familiar figures in front of her.
"Oh!" a familiar doggy voice spoke. "Fellers, she's wakin' up!"
As she yawned and opened her eyes again, she saw six people crowding up on her.
"Oh, mornin' guys." Neptune greeted as she rubbed her eyes. "So, what's for breakfast?"
"Oh, Nep-Nep..." Compa cried as she hugged the small girl. "NEP-NEP!"
"Whoa!" Neptune giggled. "What's with ya?"
"Neptune!/Nep-Nep!"
And then Donald and Goofy joined in on the hugging!
"Wha-" Neptune choked. "Can't...breathe..."
Sora laughed as tears of joy leaked out of his eyes.
IF sighed. "C'mon, guys. Break it up. She needs her space"
Slowly, the three broke off the hug as IF knelt down near the girl.
"You doin' okay, Nep?" the guild agent asked nicely.
Neptune nodded as she streched. "Doin' good. Felt like I slept real good, y'know?"
"No kidding" Sora teased. "You were snoring loudly like you usually do."
Donald sighed. "Good to know some things never changed for her..."
"Hey, I rese-Whoa!"
Neptune was about to complain, but noticed that she's now back to normal.
"I'm tiny and adorable again!"
IF facepalmed. "You only noticed just now?"
"You were glowing and everything when we found you two" Compa reported. "And once it stopped, you were back to the cute Nep-Nep I know and love!"
"Huh" Neptune managed to say. "You know, I kinda missed being tall, sexy and powerful."
Donald and Goofy gulped uncontrollably.
"Don't tell me you know how to transform back into that?" IF grimaced.
"Yeaaaaaahhhhh..." Neptune dragged. "No. I...don't remember how to."
"You don't?" the boy asked.
The girl in the parka shook her head. "It came so suddenly, you know? I don't have a freakin' clue how to use that!"
Goofy gulped again. "C-Can you try?"
"HUMPH!"
Neptune raised her arms up for a good three seconds, but nothing happened...
"Aaaannnnd nothing!" the girl with the key said, putting her arms down. "See?"
IF thought for a moment. "Perhaps we ought to shelve that idea for now. We should-"
A yawn was heard from nearby.
"What's with all the noise...?" a voice spoke. "Can't a girl get some beauty sleep around here?"
"Noire!"
As the other CPU woke up, she saw that she was surrounded by several people.
"It's you guys..."
"Good morning!" Compa greeted.
"Good to see you doing alright" Sora said.
Noire stared at them for a good few seconds.
"What's with the stare?" IF asked.
"Getting tongue-tied?" Donald teased.
"I-It's just..." Noire said, looking down in shame. She glanced at Neptune for a moment, who only smiled at her. "I don't get it."
"Get what?" Goofy asked.
Noire groaned. "You know what am I now, right!? I was the 'Newtype' that kept attacking you! I hurt you! Even insulted you! And yet, here you all are, worrying about me and treating my wounds."
She then placed her hand on her arm. "How can you guys just...? I expected you to bear a grudge against me, but..."
The party looked to each other for answers...
"Well..." Goofy started.
"It's true that you kept attacking us time and time again..." Donald said. "And you were pretty tough to fight, to boot"
IF crossed her arms as she spoke. "By those alone, we wouldn't be giving you the time of day."
Noire sighed. "I guess that's fair..."
The guild agent sighed, lowering her arms. "But...you weren't that malicious to us. Sure, you were annoying, but nothing we can't handle nowadays"
The other CPU made an incredulous face. "Huh?"
Compa nodded. "I remembered you saying bad things before, but nowadays, I don't think you were a bad person..."
"Yeah!" Sora nodded. "Besides, you kept watch over Riku, even when no one asked you to. I think only good people could do that"
Noire looked at the party in surprise. As she did, a bubbly feeling surfaced deep within her heart.
"This...feeling..." Noire mumbled. "This warmth...What is that...?"
Compa gasped. "Noire, are you crying?"
"Huh?"
Noire wiped her cheek, and sure enough, she felt tears flowing down her face again.
Neptune chuckled. "You've been crying quite a lot today, haven't you?"
"S-Shut up!" the other CPU denied, wiping the tears from her eyes. "My powers were taken and my heart's a mess! I am not having a great day, thank you very much!"
"Here"
Noire looked to see Compa lending a handkerchief, one she took immediately to wipe the tears from her face.
"I-I just had something on my eye and it's hard to get it out, okay!?"
Neptune laughed. "C'mon, Noire. Just admit it!"
"Admit what!?"
She stood up, taking the tome with her as she spread her arms to the party around her.
"That it's fun to have friends to hang out with!"
Noire looked at the party, who only offered smiles to her.
"Friends..." Noire cried. "I...admit...I have been thinking about that for a while now..."
"Noire..." Goofy said.
"I've been alone for as far as I remember..." the other CPU admitted. "Even in this big castle, there was no one I could relate with or speak to casually. The only other person I could speak to is far off the deep end by now..."
"You mean Riku..." Sora guessed.
"But..." Noire continued. "When I was with you all back then, I admit now, part of me wished we could've stayed longer. It was fun, just being able to talk to others like that, so much so that I wished that I could've just gone back to you the first chance I got, but..."
"Your pride as a CPU wouldn't let you, huh?" Neptune continued as she cleared her throat and spoke in a deep voice. "'I'm a goddess! I can't be speaking to mortal weaklings! It is heresy!'"
The twin-tailed girl huffed. "I don't sound anything like that!"
"So" the nurse wondered. "The reason you didn't keep close to us is because you think you shouldn't? That sounds stupid"
"Yeah" Donald agreed. "Very stupid"
The twin-tailed girl groaned. "I know. No need to point out what's obvious already."
IF sighed. "Enough butting in, guys. Just let her finish"
"Thanks..." Noire thanked as she cleared her throat. "Anyway, I know we all got off the wrong foot, but I...I..."
Everyone looked closer to her as Noire's face flushed red.
"Yes?" Neptune interjected, stars glistening in her eyes.
Noire groaned. "Why is this so hard to say!? It's just one question!"
Hearing this caused Neptune to laugh.
"H-Hey!" Noire yelled at her fellow CPU. "This is a monumental moment for me! Don't laugh!"
Neptune stopped her laughter. "D'oh! It's okay. Just say it loud and clear to us! We won't judge!"
Noire looked to the party once more, fighting through her growing anxiety. Neptune, in particular, nodded to her.
She gulped. "C-Can I...Can we...be friends? For real this time?"
The party looked to each other once more, and nodded.
"Of course we can!" Sora agreed.
"Do you need to even ask?" Donald snarked.
"Let's be pals, Noire!" Goofy greeted.
"We'd love to have you with us!" Compa cheered.
"It feels nice to have another straight one in our wacky group." IF remarked.
Noire smiled so much that tears are leaking from her eyes again.
"Hey, c'mon" Neptune said, kneeling down in front of her. "Aren't you happy?"
Noire sniffed. "S-Shut up! Of course I'm happy! I'm just..."
She then looked up, her eyes still wet but her smile never left. "Thank you. All of you. I promise I won't let you all down!"
Hollow Bastion – Grand Hall
"Now, Princesses of Heart!" Maleficent declared. "Reveal unto me the Keyhole!"
Within the chamber lies asleep the Seven Princess of Hearts...
Aurora, Princess of the Enchanted Dominion, Maleficent's former homeworld.
Cinderella, Princess of the Castle of Dreams, the Fairy Godmother's former homeworld.
Snow White, Princess of the Dwarf Woodlands, home to an ancient being sealed in the Magic Mirror.
Belle, Princess of Beast's Castle, home to a wealthy prince who was transformed thanks to an enchantress' spell.
Jasmine and Alice, Princesses of Agrabah and a world near Wonderland that were abducted recently...
And lying near the dark passageway is Kairi, Princess of Hollow Bastion, a world once radiant, now turned foul after the Heartless' arrival.
Sealed in stasis chambers (all except for the latter), the princess' hearts were forced to respond to the evil fariy's call, shining a beam of light that guided her to a nearby dark passageway, its shape resembling the emblem found within most Heartless.
"Is it done?"
Maleficent turned her head to see her accomplice, Riku, approaching her. Judging by his appearance, he appears to be enjoying the use of the dark powers that she had awoken inside him.
"Almost" the fairy informed. "Just a few more touches and the heart of all worlds will be ours to obtain!"
Riku(?) hummed. "Is that so?"
He then extended his hand, summoning a Keyblade of his own! It has a red guard, black handle with a sharp edge, and mysteriously, no Keychain.
"Oh?" Maleficent said, not helping but marveling at the sight of such a blade.
But...something was wrong...
The fairy groaned. "Why isn't the Keyhole opening yet!? We have managed to acquire all seven, but..."
She then turned to the unconscious girl behind her, the one the boy was searching for.
"It must be her" the fairy concluded. "Without her heart, the Keyhole will not open yet. But where could it be...?"
Suddenly, they heard a loud roar from the outside.
"I thought you had the intruder handled..." Maleficent scolded the boy, who just shrugged.
"So did I" Riku(?) replied. "Apparently, the creature had help"
"He's right..."
The two turned their heads to see Arfoire, limping into the hall, bruises and cuts surrounding her old figure.
"You're hurt" Maleficent said bluntly.
"Did that goddess do this to you?" Riku(?) asked.
"Hm?" Arfoire hummed, noting something odd about the boy, but shrugged it off for now. "Yes. It appears I underestimated her."
Maleficent sighed. "This is what happens when you do not heed our advice. Now the children will be more powerful than ever."
The witch chuckled. "I wouldn't be so sure."
"Oh?"
"Just because Neptune has awoken to her power, it doesn't mean she knows how to use it" Arfoire said confidently. "Once I recovered here, her power will be mine for the taking!"
The evil fairy scoffed as she walked off. "I shall be the judge of that!"
"Off to face them?" Arfoire asked. "You, the mistress of this castle?"
"Indeed, I am. I have a history of dealing with nascent Keyblade wielders." Maleficent said confidently. "You two will remain here to guard the chamber. We must ensure the Keyhole opens successfully."
Arfoire bowed. "Of course. I am here to honor our agreement, after all"
Maleficent huffed. "Then I will ensure that the purple goddess is delivered to you. Though it may not be in one piece"
Arfoire huffed in turn. "So long as her power remains, what's left of her is none of my concern"
With that last affirmation, the evil fairy set off to deal with the intruders.
"And what of you, boy?" Arfoire asked the other person in the room. "What of your goals?"
"Hmph" Riku(?) shrugged. "It's close. Thought I wonder whom among us will achieve theirs first"
"Is that a challenge?" Arfoire chuckled. "Very well. Let us see where our paths end, 'Riku'"
She then headed off to recover, all the while Riku(?) sneered.
"Play your games for a while longer, fools. Soon, this world will suffer the same fates as yours...to be drowned in eternal darkness."
Hollow Bastion – Corridor (Near Chapel)
"Phew!" Sora sighed in relief. "That was quite the trip, huh?"
"You can say that again..." Compa said, breathing in heavily. "So much...jumping. So much...climbing..."
Noire chuckled. "I get the feeling."
"How can you say that?" Donald complained. "You were able to fly around a lot!"
"True" Noire admitted. "But I like to be as thorough as possible, so during my patrols, I tend to walk around to get a good look of the layout of the castle. It was quite the jog, you know?"
"But it's thanks to that" Goofy declared. "That we were able to get around as we did, huh?"
The Beast grunted. "Belle should be close ahead, right?"
Noire nodded. "There's one chamber I was not allowed to access. Thankfully, from what I was able to scout out, the way there is a straight shot, so no more turnarounds after this."
"Hmmm?"
"What's up, Histy?" Neptune asked the tome.
"Something wrong?" Sora followed.
"I sense a great evil presence ahead." Histoire informed.
"Which one are we talking?" the boy asked.
"Is it old or...not old?" the girl in the parka followed up.
"It is a bit unfamiliar, so..." Histy answered. "Not old"
"Meaning it's Maleficent" Noire said, clicking her tongue. "She'll be a tough one"
"Are they talking to that tome again?" The Beast asked, crossing his arms.
"Yessy..." Compa groaned. "It sucks that we can't speak with Histy like they can..."
"It can't be helped..." IF sighed. "Their 'CPU blood', as Nep puts it, lets them hear her out."
"At least she can hear us!" Goofy said, looking on the brighter side.
"Okay, but" Donald wanted to point out. "How is SORA able to hear her?"
"They said Histy knows the answer" Compa answered.
"But since we're kinda pressed for time, she'll just tell us later." IF continued. "I do have an idea though"
The Beast snorted. "You seem to know your way around all this magic talk..."
"You sound kinda bitter there..." IF noted.
"Bad experience?" Compa asked.
The large creature-like man hung his head in shame, scratching his head. "You could say that..."
"If it's bad to talk about it, then feel free not to" Compa advised.
"Just don't forget there's people you can rely on now" Noire said, butting in.
"Trying to do the same?" the Beast snarked.
Noire chuckled. "More or less"
"What's up?" IF asked the other CPU. "We moving in?"
Noire nodded, her face turning grim. "We better be careful. Maleficent's no Arfoire in terms of power, but we shouldn't drop our guard around her. From what I heard, she has experience dealing with Keyblade wielders"
"Meaning we have to be really careful..." IF noted. "Especially since we're relying on those two in the front"
Donald breathed in. "Okay! Let's get us an evil fairy!"
Compa nodded fiercely. "It's time we get their world back!"
Noire chuckled. "You all sound confident. Then again, considering how much you've all been doing this, I suppose it's natural"
"Gawrsh, we just like helpin' out folks, that's all!" Goofy noted.
"Helping out folks, huh?" Noire noted with a sigh. "If only I could be so altruistic..."
IF chuckled. "Okay, enough chit-chat. Let's get ourselves pumped! This will be the decisive battle, after all!"
"YEAH!"
In the distance, Neptune and Sora couldn't help but smile at the sight.
The girl, in particular, giggled. "Noire's getting along with everyone so well, huh?"
The boy nodded. "That she does"
Neptune turned to Sora with a wry smile. "Don't worry, buck-o. Your pals'll be alright."
Sora chuckled mirthly. "How'd you figure I was thinking about them?"
It was Neptune's turn to chuckle. "Like, practically all the time, kiddo. How long have we been travelling together, hm?"
"I guess you're right"
Sora slapped his own face, composing himself. "Okay, let's do this!"
With a fierce nod, Neptune and the party set forth to face their next foe...
Hollow Bastion – Chapel
"You have come, as expected!" Maleficent welcomed the party, who barged in with their weapons at the ready! "But you are too late! With the final Keyhole in my grasp, my plans for the worlds will be realized!"
"Oh yeah!?" Neptune fought back. "Well, we're still here!"
"And after coming this far!" Sora followed. "There's no way we're giving up now!"
"We're taking the princesses and this world back!" Noire declared. "Now give it up!"
Maleficent glared at them as she raised the platform she was standing on.
"You poor, simple fools! You think you can defeat me!?"
Her staff cackled with energy and four Darkball Heartless appeared to her side!
"ME, THE MISTRESS OF ALL EVIL!"
Noire clicked her tongue. "That flying platform's gonna be annoying..."
"Not to mention, the Heartless..." IF said, taking note of the Darkballs ready to chomp down their prey. "Okay. Compa, Donald, let's focus on disabling that platform! Sora, Nep, you're on support! Goof, Noire, Beast, we're on defense duty! Once it's down, we go all-out against that witch! Let's bring home the bacon, everyone!"
"RIGHT!"
"You fools think your plans will work!?"
The evil fairy began to cast magic with her staff. "Taste the melting fury of these unholy flames!"
She then casted unholy felfire in front of her as the platform slowly moved forward.
"Move to the other side NOW!"
At IF's order, the party ran over to the other side as the Darkballs gave pursuit.
"How's about a spin!?"
Goofy began to spin around furiously, hitting two of the Darkballs silly with his shield!
"Come here, you..."
Noire taunted one of the Darkballs in front of her, goading it to attack her.
"Wait for it..."
As it was ready to chomp her down, it was suddenly punted into the wall by another Darkball!
"Weak!"
One thrown by the Beast in his fury!
Noire flipped her hair in celebration. "Nice work!"
The Beast grunted as two more of the Darkballs bore down upon them.
"That platform's not going down!" Compa said, blasting it with numerous shots of differing elements.
"There has to be a specific trick to this..." Donald thought for a moment.
"Well, you better come up with one quick!" Sora warned as he cast another Aerora on them.
Seeing Maleficent raising her staff again, Neptune quickly yelled. "The evil lady's about to fire off another spell!"
Donald groaned. "When in doubt, try everything until something works! FORCE!"
In his frustration, he ended casting a Graviga spell at his target, which instantly forced the platform down!
"You fools!"
"It worked!" Neptune cheered. "Nice one, ducky!"
"Okay!" Noire said, joining the support team. "Let's get her!"
Sora nodded, and the three charged straight at the Mistress of All Evil.
"Stay away, you fools!"
"I don't think so! LACY DANCE!" Noire launched a kicking attack!
"DELTA SLASH!" Neptune follows up with a triple-electric slash!
"ARS ARCANUM!" And Sora finishes with a light-charged combo technique!
The three Keyblade wielders (though Noire is stuck with her rapier without most of her powers) unleashed their techniques at the witch, forcing her to flee into an untouchable orb!
"Hey!" Neptune complained. "Get back here!"
"Get down, you two!"
Hearing Noire's warning, the two jumped off the platform, which ended up moving back to the center of the chapel!
"She's going for another round!" IF shouted. "Everyone, pull back!"
As everyone retreated, the witch reappeared from the orb, cackling loudly for all to hear!
"Now you fools shall taste my wrath!"
Upon her declaration, four Wizards emerged near the evil fairy as electricity cackled from her staff.
"Come hither forth, o evil lightning!"
Summoning a swirl of energy above her, she sent a veritable lightning storm down the area! The Wizards around her then did the same, maintaining the thunderstorm sent their way.
"Lightning..." Compa complained. "Why does it always have to be lightning!?"
"This is bad!" Goofy bemoaned as he protected his head with his shield.
"And it's about to get worse for the lot of you!"
Not about done yet, Maleficent continued to cast magic, this time summoning a portal behind her.
"METEORS OF HEAVEN, UNLEASH THINE FURY!"
"EVERYONE, HUG THE WALLS!"
The party did as the guild agent instructed, hugging the nearby walls tightly as several meteors began to burst forth from the portal.
"A-HAHAHAHAHA!"
Sora clicked his tongue. "How do we get close to them like this!?"
Compa suddenly moved a bit to her side, dodging a sudden zapping "At this rate, we'll either get smushed or zapped or even both!"
"Simple!"
Everyone turned to IF, who was smirking in confidence.
"Hm?"
Maleficent noticed the group was talking to themselves. However, from the abundance of energy cackling around her, she couldn't overhear their plan.
"What are those fools planning? Hmph, no matter..."
She then summoned another portal behind her, ready to unleash more meteors against them.
"BEHOLD THE POWER OF THE MISTRESS OF ALL EVIL!"
"Here she comes..."
As the meteors rained forth, IF was busy counting in her head...
"Three...Two...One...GO!"
The party charged forth once the meteors had decreased in number, with the royal captain leading the guard with his shield.
"You will never touch me again! Come out!"
Tapping her staff, two Defenders suddenly appeared in front of the party...
"STEP ASIDE!"
But the Beast lunged forth, sending the two guardian Hearltess reeling back.
"Time for your treatment!"
Compa followed up the assault with two Poison Agents, reducing the Defenders to naught but shades...
"Now!" IF shouted. "Aim for the casters!"
Donald, hearing the order, cast another Graviga on the platform, sending it down!
"Not this again!"
With the platform downed, Goofy, IF, Neptune and Sora dealt with the Wizards in short order.
"Time to go flyin'!"
"HEAVEN DEMON!" A ten-hit combo!
"CROSS COMBINATION!" A seven-hit combo!
"STRIKE RAID!" A singular weapon-thrown attack!
Knocking the Wizards off the platform (and out of existence) the Thunderstorm cloud above dissolved into nothing, leaving the evil fairy open for attack.
"You fools!" Maleficent shouted in defiance. "Don't think you've won!"
Not hearing any of this, Noire launches her attack. "FALL SLASH!"
The attack sent Maleficent back, knocking her off the platform, and backed into a corner.
"I've underestimated you..."
She then conjured a dark portal, fleeing the scene to recuperate.
"Hey!" Neptune shouted at the disappearing fairy. "Get back here!"
"She ran off..." Sora complained, slinging his Keyblade on his shoulder. "Now what?"
"What else?" Noire said. "We go after her and finish this!"
"I wonder what other tricks that evil fairy has up her sleeve..." Compa wondered.
"Well, it can't be any worse than what she just unleashed upon us now, right?" Donald wondered.
IF sighed as she facepalmed. "Ducky, please don't jinx it..."
Hollow Bastion – Chapel Ruins
After a quick break to recover and reenergize, the party followed Maleficent into the portal, leading them into the same area where Neptune and Noire fought their fierce (and hopefully last) battle.
In front of them is an exhausted Maleficent and a freshly-recovered Riku, wearing his dark outfit.
"Do you need some help?" the boy(?) asked.
"Riku!" Sora called out to his best friend.
"Hold on..." Noire said, eyeing Riku(?) cautiously. "Something's wrong with him..."
"Tell me about it!" Neptune shouted. "That outfit's so old-fashioned! 2/10!"
"I don't think that's what she's talking about, Nep-Nep" Compa snarked, judging by the facepalming twin-tailed CPU.
The Beast grunted. "She's right. His stench has gotten worse since we last met"
"You mean he hasn't bathed in weeks! Blegh!" Neptune groaned, pinching her nose. "Don't tell he didn't wash off all the whale funk from last time!"
"I believe he's referring to the stench of darkness, not his body odor, Nep" IF replied.
"Oh" the girl in the parka simply said. "Still reeks though"
As the conversation died down, Noire noticed something on the silver-haired boy's hand.
"Wait. That weapon on your hand..."
"Is that...?" Donald continued.
"Yes, a Keyblade" Riku(?) confirmed. "But unlike any of yours, this Keyblade unlocks the door in people's hearts."
He raised his arms...
"Allow me to demonstrate..."
...and then stabbed his accomplice with it!
"BEHOLD!"
Maleficent gasped as she felt the bladed pierce her chest, dark energies swirling within her like a vortex!
"Now, open your heart! Surrender it to the darkness..." Riku(?) declared. "Let it become one...with darkness itself!"
As soon as he finished his declaration, he pulled his weapon back, vanishing as he does so.
"Riku!" Noire called out in vain.
"This is bad..." IF clicked her tongue. "The dark energy within her is going stir crazy!"
"Could she be unleashing her final form!?" Neptune shouted.
Maleficent cackled as the dark energy overwhelms her. "This power...How long have I last felt this rush of energy! Darkness...THE TRUE DARKNESS!"
Once the energies around her dissipated, the evil fairy has transformed into...
"A MOTHER-NEPPING DRAGON!?"
...a large, menacing, black dragon to be precise!
"This would be so cool..." Sora commented. "If we weren't actually fighting this thing right now..."
The transformed fairy roared, summoning large wisps of unholy felfire around her in a circle!
"Take cover!" the guild agent shouted as the party scrambled to the nearby thorny areas.
"Okay, how do we deal with this?" Neptune asked around. "Any ideas?"
"I got nothing" Sora bemoaned, weathering another felfire attack with his Aerora. "You?"
Noire groaned, observing the dark dragon. "Let's try hitting her for now. Hopefully, we'll figure out a weakness as we go."
The two Keyblade wielders nodded.
"Still, we've got all this fire to deal with..." Sora noticed.
Neptune chuckled, bringing out a Summon Gem. "Good thing we got someone who can deal with castle fires!"
The boy smiled. "Good idea! I'll get some help too!"
"Well, make it quick!" Noire beckoned. "I don't think our friends will last long underneath all that felfire!"
"Summon..."
"Grant us courage!"
Meanwhile, IF and the rest of party are scrambling away from the emerging felfires.
"They're comin' right for us!" Goofy shouted, keeping his shield up.
The Beast roared as he swatted more of the felfire away, burning his claws in the process! "We need...ugh...a plan of attack!"
IF groaned, sweat building up from her head admist the heat and stress. "I'm working on it!"
Meanwhile, the dragon began to inhale heavily.
"It's going for a breath attack!" Donald shouted.
"Not on our watch!"
The party then saw Neptune coming at them, at the back of a...
"HOLY FLYING ELEPHANTS!"
Yes, Compa, a young elephant using it's large ears as improvised wings.
"Alright, Dumbo!" Neptune called to the young elephant. "Splash these fires good!"
Heeding the summoner's call, the flying elephant then unleashed a stream of water from their trunk, dousing away the fires around and shooing off the transformed Maleficent for good measure.
"The fires are going away!" Goofy cheered.
"That witch is getting splashed up too!" Compa followed.
"Well, if it works, it works" IF shrugged. "Now we gotta pile on the damage!"
"Wait, first we need a quick fix!" Donald then channeled healing magic onto his staff. "CU-"
Only to be sprinkled with a familiar set of dust.
"Huh?" The duck then noticed his burns fading away. "Oh..."
"Was that a pixie?" the Beast wondered as a small flying light danced around them.
The light then snapped to the Beast and bounced up and down in front of him.
"Not just any pixie!" Compa answered. "That's Tinker Bell!"
Sure enough, the newly-acquired pixie from Neverland has arrived to assist them with her healing dust!
"It's no flight" IF mused. "But I'm feeling a little better already thanks to this!"
"Guys!" Sora called to them as he and Noire approached them. "You all okay?"
"We are now, thanks to you and Tink" the guild agent thanked. "Now that we're safe and good to go, let's press the attack!"
"RIGHT!"
But the dragon roared as she started to snap her jaws in a frenzy, threatening to bite all who stood in her way!
"You won't stop us!" Donald boasted as he conjured magic from his staff. "THUNDAGA!"
"C'mon, Goofy!" Compa called out. "Let's teach this bad fairy a lesson!"
Goofy nodded as he grabbed a hold of the nurse's giant syringe!
"RAAAAAHHHHH!"
The Beast lunged forward and held Maleficent's down, the draconic witch trying in vain to break free!
"Keep her there, Beast!" IF ordered as she imbued her qatars in flames. "FLAME SOUL SLICE!"
"I'll help!" Sora declared as he threw his Keyblade against the witch's head. "STRIKE RAID!"
"I'll go too!" Noire shouted as she neared the dragon head. "TRI-COLOR ORDER!"
Maleficent roared in pain as she bore through the party's combined assault!
"All-righty!" Compa shouted as she and Goofy readied their Combination Skill! "Let's wax her, Goofy!"
Goofy nodded fiercely as the two bucked back. "CHARGE!"
The two charged, injecting the dragon head with 13 CC's of pain! (may not be the accurate amount but hey, damage!)
"TASTE OUR GOOFY TREATMENT!"
Feeling angry, Maleficent roared, knocking the Beast off her as she summoned several orbs of felfire across the arena, which then scattered around and lit the whole arena in felfire.
"Aw, come on!" Neptune complained, still flying atop Dumbo who is now dousing the new flames. "We just put those out!"
"This is bad!" the guild agent bemoaned. "Everyone, regroup!"
Not wasting this chance, the dragon then fired a breath of felfire against the party, which surrounded them in a fiery circle of doom!
"And things just got worse!" Sora complained. "Any way out?"
Goofy tried to pry the flames open with his shield, but nearly burned his hand in the process. "Not one here!"
The Beast tried swatting the flames, but had no such luck either. "Can't even claw through this!"
IF groaned as she felt sweat dropping around her fast. "Where's Nep!? Maybe she can douse the-"
"OOF!"
But her questions were answered when said girl dropped down to the ground near them, the flying elephant nowhere in sight.
"Let me guess" Donald snarked. "Your MP ran out?"
Neptune giggled nervously as she stood, answering that question.
IF facepalmed. "This is not good..."
Maleficent roared as more orbs of felfire emerged around the arena, all poised to strike at the defenseless party!
"I don't know about you" the Beast replied. "But I'm not seeing a way out of here..."
"We're dead!" Compa shouted. "So very, very dead!"
Noire groaned. "Don't give up! Didn't you all face worse than this!?"
"But what can we do!?" the royal captain wondered.
Sora tried to rack his brain for ideas, but with the stress of the situation, he's coming up empty.
Maleficent roared again as the orbs then dispersed against the party!
Neptune yelped, raising her Keyblade as she ducked for cover. "JUST STOP, PLEASE!"
As the Stopra magic erupted from the girl's Keyblade, the flames around them and even the dragon herself halted, their movements rendered completely inert!
"Whoa..." Sora gasped in amazement.
"She stopped?" Donald quacked. "Just like that!?"
"Huh?"
Neptune looked up to see the evil dragon rendered completely still. "Wow. Didn't know how OP this spell is! No wonder this stopped appearing in most games..."
"Enough side commentary!" Noire shouted. "That witch is wide open! Let's hit her now before she moves again!"
IF nodded. "Right! And if she moves again, we'll just cast another Stop on her!" She then raised her right hand as she pointed against the transformed fairy. "Everyone, throw everything you've got at her! Leave her with nothing!"
"I'll start us off!" Donald declared as his staff is lit with flames! "FIRAGA!"
The fireball landed a direct hit and the dragon didn't flinch! (more like it couldn't, since she's still under the effects of the Stop spell)
"Goofy, with me!" IF called the royal captain as she ran towards her target.
"Roger-dodger!"
"I'll go too!" The Beast shouted, joining the assault!
"ASCENDING DEMON!"
"FALL!"
The combined assault dealt devastating damage against the time-frozen Maleficent!
But it wasn't enough as the evil dragon roared, signifying the end of the Stop spell!
"She's moving again!" the Beast shouted.
"Not on my watch!" Compa declared as she aimed her syringe right at the dragon. "STOP AID!"
Once the launched projectile landed it's hit, the dragon's movements were halted again!
"Nice!" Sora cheered. "I'm moving in!"
The boy charged forth, closing the distance as he launched an aerial combo!
"HOH!" An Aerial Sweep from the ground.
"YAH!" Downward slash!
"HURRICANE BLAST!" A vertical spinning finisher to end it! "Neptune! Noire! She's all yours!"
"Right!" Noire called, her rapier filled with energy. "Ready, Neptune!?"
"At once, Noire!" Neptune answered, readying a large spectral sword behind her. "Time for our Assault Combo!"
"Right! TORNERAID SWORD!"
Noire unleashed her attack against the dragon...
"32-BIT MEGA BLADE!"
...and then Neptune drops her large spectral sword against the dragon in quick succession, adding to the damage!
"RAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
The dragon's pained roars echoed the area, but still it stands.
"Oh poo!" Compa moaned. "That wasn't enough!?"
"No..." the Beast started. "But it's swaying..."
"That means we dealt a lot of damage with those." IF noticed. "We just need a little more and she's fairy toast!"
"Then let's finish this!" Donald declared.
"Yeah!" Goofy agreed.
"Oh, hands of time" the guild agent chanted. "May your movements be halted and this witch along with it! TIME STOP!"
As a pillar to Stopra magic erupted around the dragon witch, her movements were then halted once more, leaving her open to attack!
"Compa!"
"Right here, Donald!"
The duck readied his magic, enhancing the nurse's syringe with magic power.
"EAT THIS! TREATMENT BLASTER!"
The ensuing beam attack hit the dragon square in the head!
"Time your attack with mine!" IF shouted to Noire as the two charged forth!
"Roger!" the twin-tailed girl answered as the two split up to the sides
"I'm tagging in, too!" Neptune chirped in as she moved in from the center.
All three then jumped right at the still dragon...
"HEAVEN DEMON!" A ten-hit attack!
"FALL SLASH!" A swing with numerous slashes!
"CRITICAL EDGE!" A heavy-hitting attack!
...and struck at her with a combined attack, leaving her reeling as she was freed from the Stopra spell!
"Sora!" Noire called. "She just needs one more!"
"She's all yours, buck-o!" Neptune cheered. "Land the last blow!
"Right!"
The dragon reared her head to face the boy chosen by the Keyblade, who is now floating in the air, channeling energy onto the tip of his Keyblade in a collection of raw energy.
"Ragnarok..."
The orb expanded and expanded, until...
"GO!"
...it exploded, unleashing several laser beams of raw energy against the transformed dragon!
"RAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"
As the last of the beams hit her, the mighty dragon fell down to the ground as she and the thorns across the area began to disappear in a wave of felfire.
"Did..." Noire gasped for breath. "Did we do it?"
"I think so" IF said, observing the dragon fading away, leaving only the evil fairy's massive cloak behind.
"Well, that takes care of that!" Donald cheered.
"But that took everythin' we had..." Goofy bemoaned. "I'm feelin' pooped..."
Tinker Bell, who was still going around, started to dim.
"You've done enough, Tink" Sora told the pixie. "Thanks for keeping us safe"
The pixie smiled as she nodded and faded away, happy to help out in a big battle like this.
"Stay sharp!" the Beast warned everyone as he sniffed out something bad. "We're not done yet!"
And right on cue, Riku(?) appeared before them again.
"So, you have dealt with the evil fairy" Riku(?) said. "I suppose congratulations are in order."
"Riku..." Sora called out again.
"Still, to think that she would end up consumed by the darkness within her despite her own warnings" Riku(?) remarked, stepping on the fairy's coat as it faded away "How ironic"
"Hey!" Noire called out. "She was your ally! How could you be so...disparaging!?"
"She was nothing but a tool, fallen goddess" Riku(?) replied. "A pawn of a much larger scheme in the making. She has long served her purpose, and so will all who worked with her...starting with that wretched witch"
He then vanished into the Dark Corridor once more, chuckling sinisterly all the while.
"Hey, uh" Neptune started as she chugged a Hi-Potion. "Is it me, or is he...?"
"Yeah" Noire answered, drinking a Potion. "Something's wrong with him."
"He was acting rude before" Donald noticed, using up an Ether. "Now he's just...downright villainous."
"Hmmmmm" Goofy hummed. "Do ya think he might'a been possessed by someone?"
"That's a possibility" the Beast guessed as he crossed his arms.
"Then if so..." IF thought aloud as she drank the last of her Potion. "Who could it be?"
"It can't be Arboire" Neptune guessed. "But...who else fits the profile?"
Compa then turned to the tome hanging on Neptune's pocket. "Do you know, Histy?"
"I do not know either" Histoire chimed in. "However, I can tell that whatever being possesses that young man holds a very strong surge of darkness, far more than what Arfoire or Maleficent can muster"
"So, the true villain makes their appearance or whatever, huh?" Neptune said as Noire relayed Histoire's guess.
Sora, however, wasn't paying attention to the conversation. His gaze remained still on the spot where his best friend(?) once stood.
"Riku..."