All That's Left [Alpha Draft] - Pt 38;

[keybearer]

Chapter 38: No Escape

Riku may have kept a brave face in the company of his friends, but despite his attempts to hone in on the looming threat, his heart still hammered. His skin still tingled, and his Glider wobbled in short bursts. Below, wisps of smoke curled up from between skyscrapers. Shattered windows, cracks, and craters dotted the cityscape. Distant sirens wailed from afar. Helicopters hovered in circles above his and Kairi’s heads.

Of all the times to go without a cloaking device.

A… cloaking device.

Heh. Not that it’d do them any good. That was part of the reason he opted to split up; it’d clear the air and jump right to the root of his unease. Really, it wasn’t Syndrome’s gloating that crawled beneath his skin, clawing and biting and coiling and tugging. If anything, it was inevitable that he’d reach this point. Curse his tendencies to worry endlessly even in the face of danger. A tiny laugh crept from the back of his throat. His Glider shivered again, and a figure coasted toward him from the right.

Kairi.

Her Glider spread over her back like the wings of a hang glider, adorned with flowers. A small platform rested beneath her feet, and a crescent-shaped handle hovered between the wings and the platform. While she draped one arm over the bar, she took Riku’s wrist in her free hand. Though her helmet concealed her expression, he could feel her eyes drilling into his.

“It’s okay, you know.”

His Glider drifted to a stop, hovering in place. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re as transparent as ever, Riku.” Thankfully, instead of keeping it vague, she added, “What Syndrome said earlier… I don’t blame you for worrying. Honestly, it’s been on my mind, too.”

“Heh, right.” He looked down, rubbing his neck. “So, what’s your take on it?”

“Well, I don’t think it was a bluff. Not after what happened before…” Now her Glider shivered and swayed. A sigh followed. “I don’t want to worry you any more than you already are, Riku, but after you left the ship—”

“Right. They honed in on me, and then there’s the camp.” His voice took on a slightly gravely tone, but he pressed on, descending over a nearby rooftop. The reason? Well, a nearby building bore a distinctly circular dent, filled with glass shards and bent metal. “Heh, not to mention Mirage’s warning.”

Granted, there may have been security measures they hadn’t anticipated. Hidden microphones and cameras… While caution had its merits, paranoia served to hinder rather than help. Balance was key in this situation, particularly given the approaching threat.

Her grip on his wrist tightened, and she tipped her head back. “Well, if they are listening, maybe we should give them a message.”

“Pfft. Don’t tell me you’re gonna start calling them names.”

“No, I’ve got more restraint than that.” She clutched the handlebar, her voice growing firmer than before. “We’re not afraid. That’s all there is to it.”

Easy for her to say. Beneath his helmet, Riku’s lips pulled into a strained smile. “Sure. Let’s go with that.”

She gave his hand another squeeze. “I mean, we’re not so scared that we’re gonna let it overpower us.”

“So it’s not just me, huh?”

“Of course not.” She pulled away, following Riku past more rooftops and alleyways. Thankfully, few people appeared down below; perhaps they’d found shelter. Still, her voice dropped to a whisper. “This is too much like Twilight Town…”

A breeze kicked up around them. Flashes of light gleamed down below. Bellows and booms and thuds and such registered solely as background noise. It figured, though. Their home, then Pleasure Island, both the real and Fake Twilight Towns… they’d seen their share of destruction, carrying a sense of powerlessness with it. After leveling one city, it only made sense for the Organization to move on to another. Though Syndrome and Lexaeus’ motives likely differed…

Well, it’d be different this time. They’d make sure of it, even if it killed them.

He would’ve offered comforting words were it not for the situation. The once distant racket grew louder, and far below, a shimmering black orb threw its limbs about. Ice crystals consumed its shell, shattering just as swiftly as they formed. Beams of blue light ensnared distant figures. Riku’s Glider dipped downward, as did Kairi’s, but while they ascended side by side, she flung one of her hands forward, launching a barrage of white orbs upon the Omnidroid’s back side.

“It’s no use!” Riku snapped, lowering his voice the next second. “Magic doesn’t work on it.”

“But I’m not trying to hurt it, Riku! I’m trying to—”

“Get its attention? Well, in that case…” He pointed at the robot, trying his best to take aim. The black projectiles that followed wobbled on their way down. Both sets of Shotlocks clashed with the metallic shell, instantly grabbing Syndrome’s focus. Soon, Kairi and Riku leaped to the ground, Keyblades flashing and reforming as weapons. They took a stand beside Sora and Aqua, alongside the spandex-clad stranger assisting them.

“That’s it!”

The Omnidroid collapsed for reasons unknown, but this only served to quicken their approach. As they descended on Syndrome, Riku and Kairi looked to one another, then charged. Predictably, he unleashed his strange, blue energy; they forked apart, missing the blow by a hair. Once they reached Aqua, they hit the ground. Sora dashed beside them, and while they all slipped into battle stances, Lexaeus hoisted his massive blade toward the sky. The Omnidroid’s legs began to twitch. Its visor flashed from dull red to bright purple. Smoke oozed from its coal black shell.

Syndrome’s laughter was impossible to miss.

However, ear-splitting whirrs soon drowned him out, and the Omnidroid smashed the asphalt below. As it struck the ground, a fiery wave rose above the group like a tsunami. Though they split apart, the earth rattled below, cracking and splitting into gaping crevices. Riku stumbled as he hit the ground, turning on a heel just in time to catch a shower of black and purple fire pouring over his head. A whirlwind kicked up, but just as he prepared to lunge, metal claws seized him, then hurled him over the Omnidroid’s head. He flipped back around, coasting into a glide, but his surroundings flashed to blue.

CRASH.

Shards of glass scraped his armor. Though at first he flew through empty space, he soon smashed directly into a cubicle. Somehow, despite the ruckus outside, a few workers remained. One lady offered a helping hand, which he shakily accepted. Before bolting back outside, he warned them to take cover, but when he plunged out the shattered window, he caught a flicker of blue off to the far left. Fortunately, before Syndrome could grab him, the ice-wielding super slid up behind him, striking him with a blast of pressurized snow and tossing him right into the Omnidroid’s side. Ice crystals crept down his arms, pinning him to its shell, but the robot’s head swiveled around. Unfortunately, a bombardment of dark fire sizzled through the ice, and Syndrome floated free.

While he dusted himself off with one hand, he lazily flicked his finger at the super, catching him in his energy beam. After tumbling behind Lexaeus, Aqua aimed her Keyblade at the sky. In the split second between her shouting out her spell and the subsequent lightning strike, one of the Omnidroid’s feet launched from its legs, firing at Aqua’s face. Gasping, she flung herself out of harm’s way; the claws scraped across the asphalt in vain, and her Thundaga struck the empty space beside Syndrome.

Though Sora and Kairi rushed in for another attack, Lexaeus plunged off the Omnidroid, knocking them back with a wall of flying boulders. Snowflakes gathered on the cracked pavement, forming a giant pile within seconds. It cushioned their fall, but while they hopped back on their feet, the Omnidroid withdrew it legs and launched itself like a cannon ball. Taking Kairi’s hand, Sora dashed through a corridor, meeting Riku around the corner of a nearby building. Though the Omnidroid hurtled toward said building, it stopped abruptly, threw its legs out again, and pounded the road just as Aqua began charging toward Lexaeus.

She persisted, cloaked in a barrier as she slammed into Lexaeus’ middle. Pressing a finger to his lips, Riku pointed to Syndrome, then at Sora, who cracked his knuckles and nodded. He sank into the shadows and scurried ahead. In the mean time, Kairi leaned toward Riku and whispered.

“So, Shotlocks?”

“Bingo.”

Caught between three attackers, Aqua flipped behind Lexaeus, deflected Dark Firaga shots with a barrier, then lit the street with a fiery explosion. The sounds of coughs and grunts carried across the road. White flickers shone through the smog, parted by the Omnidroid’s spinning claws. Syndrome dived at Aqua, pointing at her back, but the super shot down an icy slope and slammed into his side. Bad idea, as Syndrome ensnared him in his energy field. Aqua glowered at Syndrome, but when he moved to grab her, she leaped into the air. The energy petrified Lexaeus for all of two seconds, and amidst the chaos, Syndrome was left open to the wave of black and white projectiles that followed.

The energy beams faded. Aqua’s body surged with an orange aura, and a magnetic field seized Syndrome before he could retaliate. However, the Omnidroid soon lashed out, spinning like a top with its legs extended, then following the attack up by striking the street. Again, Aqua wrapped herself in her shield, while the super swerved around the shockwave, riding a rapidly forming ice slope. Buildings shuddered as the shockwave struck their outer walls. Windows shattered. Walls cracked. The smell of rocks and soil filled the alley, and Riku immediately spun around. Just in time, too, as Lexaeus smashed the earth, rattling the alley.

Boulders bombarded them at point-blank range. At the last second, Riku shoved Kairi out of the alley. Not that it helped; the boulders smashed into him, knocking him right into her as she tried to turn around. Lexaeus dashed in hot pursuit, pulling his blade back. However, Sora catapulted into Lexaeus’ path, spewing fire in his face. It gave the duo just enough time to dash away before a single swing of his Axe-Sword sent Sora sailing over their heads.

It hardly helped that cars, dumpsters, and even lampposts showered over them.

Showered over them, only to halt over their heads, encased in transparent spheres. Sadly, this failed to prevent spikes of stone from jutting up in their path. Both Riku and Kairi split apart, weaving between spikes as best they could despite the rumbling ground. Before long, Riku abandoned sprinting outright, instead catapulting himself into a series of rapid thrusts. Problem was, Lexaeus kept up his assault at the same time as the Omnidroid. After a fifth dash, it smacked Riku back into the air before he could shift directions, and then, to top it all off, Syndrome grabbed him again.

Tick, tock, tick, tock…

Baa…

Was it Kairi? Sora? Aqua? Unable to move, Riku could only guess, but while the pale aura wrapped around Syndrome, he reached for his wrist, pressing a button. The glow faded that instant. Worse yet, a stone wall erupted around the two, rising high over their heads. In the moments that followed, Syndrome pulled Riku close, giving a low chuckle as he stared into his eyes.

“Oh, by the way, I know what you did. You thought that by coming here all by yourself, you could distract us.” He smacked Riku into the wall with a flick of the wrist. “Well, hate to break it to you, kiddo, but all you did was buy them some time by keeping them off our—”

WHAM.

In a moment of glory, Kairi tackled Syndrome into the ground, pressing one foot against the small of his back and her Keyblade against his shoulder. Sora plunged down behind her, applauding as he approached.

Leaning into his elbow, Riku wheezed out a laugh. “Kairi, you’re a lifesaver.”

“Hey, the only ones who get to give you a hard time are me, Sora, Xiruk, and sometimes Donald.” She winked, but despite being pinned, Syndrome belted out another chuckle.

“Sorry, sweetheart, but it’s not that easy.” In fact, his body soon vanished in a puff of black smoke. Worse, the Omnidroid’s claws smashed through the wall, creating a downpour of crumbling stone, and while Riku tried to run, his legs refused to budge. Blue light encased him and Kairi both as Syndrome took to the air.

Snarling, Sora warped above him, but Syndrome caught him on the way down.

Meanwhile, Aqua cartwheeled around Lexaeus, leaving a trail of afterimages. She warped, slashed, and unleashed alternating blasts of fire and ice, but just like at Syndrome’s base, his body lit up in a golden glow, and he ceased flinching altogether. She withdrew with this change, cartwheeling around one of the Omnidroid’s legs and springing up behind Syndrome in a double jump. She whirled into his back, sending Riku, Kairi, and Sora plummeting, until Sora grabbed their hands and tugged them through a corridor.

Just as they hit the ground, a manhole cover sailed through the air, striking the Omnidroid’s gun and knocking it clear off its hinge. When another truck flew at Riku and Kairi’s side, Bob lunged into its path, grabbed it with both arms, and set it aside. A blurred figure zipped around the Omnidroid’s tremendous form. A force field shielded the ice-slinging super from Lexaeus’ gargantuan blade.

If that wasn’t enough, Goofy’s shield slammed into the back of Syndrome’s head, and though the subsequent lightning bolts unleashed by Donald fizzled out instead of striking their target, one thing became crystal clear: The tides had turned. With so many targets, how could Lexaeus and Syndrome stay focused without falling back on Heartless reinforcements?

…well, if he was more optimistic, Riku might’ve thought that way, but Syndrome continued beaming in the face of all these new adversaries. In fact, he pointed straight at Bob, sending the Omnidroid on its merry way, while he gave a round of slow, taunting applause.

“Wow, did you really think you could surprise me? Come on, splitting up’s one of the oldest tricks in the book.” He swerved away from a blast of incoming icicles, then swept his arms out and started to spin. Again, the group scattered, but despite their best efforts, Kairi, Donald, and Dash still wound up in the crossfire until Sora latched onto Syndrome’s back and started clawing at his cape.

When Bob charged, Lexaeus rammed right into him. The two slammed, punched, sliced, and smashed. In the mean time, Riku kept warping across the battlefield, pursued by Syndrome’s rays. Aqua descended over his head, striking with a pillar of light; the light faded as she landed her blow, but the blunt force still staggered him for an instant. Once he’d steadied himself, he slipped into darkness again, then drifted high above the crowd.

Scowling, Helen scooped up the manhole cover and launched it like a human slingshot. “So, is this what you call heroics?”

He caught the manhole cover and flung it back at Aqua. “No. I’m not that naïve.”

It ricocheted off a barrier, and Aqua mirrored Helen’s expression. “Then what do you hope to gain from this? They’ll never consider you a hero after all this destruction.”

“Heh. Or maybe they’ll blame it all on you. After all, that’s what they did before…” He shrugged his shoulders and waved his hands. “Honestly, I’ve just been stalling for time. I knew you were coming, but if I made it too clear, it’d ruin the surprise…”

The air around him rippled and swirled, shifting to black. A corridor in the making. While Dash zipped toward Syndrome, the Omnidroid slammed down before him, launching a leg, which Bob intercepted.

Watching this, Syndrome’s smirk grew and grew. “Anyway, I’ve got places to go.”

Kairi mounted her Glider again. Riku promptly followed suit. In fact, they plunged right into that corridor as it started to shrink away, passing from the city to pitch blackness, then to grassy lawns and white picket fences.

Compared to the chaos in the city, a refreshing tranquility fell over the cul-de-sac. Songbirds tweeted cheery tunes. Flowers swayed against the gentle breeze, but knowing Syndrome, this likely wouldn’t last. The choice of location was too suspicious to ignore; this was the same neighborhood where the Parrs lived, and while they were off fighting the Omnidroid, one member of their family remained unaccounted for…

Jack-Jack.

The realization made Riku whip toward the direction of Bob’s home.He waved to Kairi, who nodded in turn. The two prepared to blast off, but an explosion of rocks smashed them from behind, knocking them clean off their Gliders and sending them skidding across the sidewalk.

Shouldering his Axe-Sword, Lexaeus lumbered toward the duo. “A bold move, Keybearers, but what would you have done if this were a trap?”

“We’d figure something out.” But rather than counterattack, Riku sprung back onto his Glider and rocketed into the air. With a soft gasp, Kairi mimicked him, climbing higher and higher.

Lexaeus lowered his weapon and chuckled. “You’re very perceptive.” However, Riku and Kairi refused to humor him any longer, finally taking flight.

However, a deep rumble soon sounded from below, enough to pull Riku’s focus from the path ahead to the empty air behind, except it wasn’t empty anymore. Towering pillars of land gushed up, and Lexaeus leaped across these budding plateaus, firing off another boulder barrage. Yelping, Riku rocketed up, narrowly missing one of the projectiles.

“Are you kidding me?!”

Thundering closer, Lexaeus breathed an empty laugh. “Do you expect all your foes to go easy on you?”

More rocks followed. Just what he always wanted. Thankfully he expected this time, thus he swerved much quicker, while a magnetic sphere flashed behind them.

“I just don’t see the point,” Riku said as he continued weaving about. “I thought you guys wanted hearts, so why fight us directly?”

“I wish to see the Keyblade’s potential for myself.” And though the Magnega spell seized some of the boulders, he warped past it, then launched his Axe-Sword at the duo. Kairi deflected it with a predictable barrier, but kept a distance, as did Riku. Glider-based combat was still too new to them, and Lexaeus’ titanic strength remained a threat.

“But haven’t you gotten a taste of it already?” said Kairi, ducking as that blade flew at her neck. Lexaeus caught it on its way back, then dashed across the empty space, ramming into her chest and knocking her Glider upside down. She clung for dear life, then rammed in retaliation.

He flew back, catching himself on another rocky pillar and rubbing his cheek as he landed. “I have, but Syndrome hindered your abilities before, and there was too much chaos in the city for a focused fight.”

In place of boulders, he fired enormous stone spikes. Was this all just a game to him? Oddly, some of the rocks passed the two Keyblade wielders, crashing into each other and exploding in their path. Below, a figure clad in black and white knocked on the door to a nearby home.

Squinting, he looked down just long enough to catch Syndrome’s wild red hair. Another figure—a skinny, teenage girl stood next to the half-opened door. As they drew closer, Riku started to descend. The voices became clearer.

“You’re my replacement! Thank heavens you’ve come.” She paused, staring at his suit. “…What does the S stand for?”

“For… sitter.” Pausing, he glimpsed over his shoulder, then, grinning, he stepped aside. Not wanting to risk crashing into a civilian, Riku screeched to a stop, and the girl doubled back. Sadly, Syndrome took advantage of the situation, snatching Riku as he ceased moving. Kairi slammed into him, knocking him out of the way, but just as the air around her shifted, she got caught in his place. Riku soon followed, trapped just like before.

The girl gawked, rubbing her eyes and shrieking. “You mean there’s more of them?!”

Sighing, Syndrome looked her in the eye. “Look, Kari, I’ve got this all under control, so why don’t you call it a day?”

“R-right! I’ll go. Just forget I was even here…” Blowing an exasperated sigh, she scrambled outside, throwing herself into a nearby parked car. As she pulled from the driveway, Syndrome turned around, bashing Riku and Kairi into the garage door three times in a row. He pulled his arms back, then shifted from the house toward the opposite end of the street before he swung his fists forward.

As they came closing in on a picket fence, Riku flipped upright, body shining blue of its own accord. At the same time, Kairi broke from the momentum with a stream of wind, propelling herself alongside him. Syndrome raised his index fingers like pistols. Grinning, Riku flashed behind him, striking him between the shoulders. He stumbled into a minefield, and while his feet failed to light it up, the Pearl spells that struck the ground triggered an explosion that flung him toward the roof.

On his way, he snatched up two garbage cans and slammed them into Riku and Kairi. They hit the pavement, but Magnega spells ripped the cans off their backs and tossed them back at Syndrome. He floated to the right. The cans crashed into the roof, their contents spilling over the front stoop. At the same time, Lexaeus crashed into the earth so hard, the sidewalk rippled and threw Riku and Kairi closer to the house. Digging their Keyblades into the ground, they came to a halt, light pillars slamming into Lexaeus, while Riku started warping across the battlefield, slicing and pounding and ramming into both foes.

Midway through Dark Aura, Syndrome broke from Riku’s onslaught of slashes and smashed the Keybearer straight through a wall. A boulder shattered Kairi’s latest barrier. The two of them flew over the couch slid across the kitchen floor. Silverware clattered and clinked against the tiles. Plates and bowls broke into millions of pieces. Heavy footsteps drew closer. Purple sparks gathered at Syndrome’s fingertips, and while the two fighters hopped to their feet, he hurled shelves, chairs, dishes, and tables through the now confined space.

In a last-ditch attempt to shield themselves, Riku and Kairi fired off twin whirlwinds, while Kairi wrapped them both behind a barrier. In spite of this, the floor kept trembling. Potted plants, the couch, even the TV sailed at them, and while yet another Magnega spell saved the Parrs’ belongings from certain destruction, the two Keyblade wielders bolted down the hall rather than fighting back.

They ducked into one of the rooms, walls lined with newspaper clippings, magazine covers, trophies, ribbons, and other trinkets to honor Mr. Incredible. Keeping his Keyblade aimed at the door, Riku waited and listened, and Kairi tip toed behind him, speaking in a hushed tone.

“I get it now. He must be after Jack-Jack…”

Wincing, Riku nodded. “Then we’ll just have to—”

The door didn’t just open; it flew straight off its hinges, and Syndrome barged into the room, palms gleaming with blue flames. Rather than strike at Riku and Kairi, however, he fired at the surrounding furniture. Streams of water whipped at the projectiles, and Riku lunged for a spinning slash. Syndrome, snickering, floated aside, allowing Lexaeus to smash Riku up against the wall.

From across the hall, a baby’s cry broke out. Dark flames began to spread even as Kairi worked to drench Syndrome’s assault. In doing so, she left herself open. Riku knew this, and so he darted in front of her, rattling the room with a Quake spell of his own to block the way between heroes and villains.

Though a stone barricade sprouted, Lexaeus smashed it within seconds. He stormed closer, throwing his blade and forcing the two down to their knees. “How does it feel to be cornered again?”

“It’s just as great as it was before.” Riku spat his words, ribbons of darkness coiling around his body. He passed through a portal, landing further down the hall, close to the sounds of Jack-Jack’s cries. Something flashed from within Bob’s room. Smoke billowed out, and Kairi flipped out the door, setting more mines as she made her landing.

They exploded, and shards of rocky shrapnel pounded at their helmets. Lexaeus charged down the hall, backing them close to the wall. Riku warped above his head, striking his skull, but Lexaeus latched onto his leg, tore off his helmet, and threw him back at Kairi.

“It’s surprising, actually. I expected you to demand answers by now.”

Pressing a hand on Riku’s back, Kairi nudged him upright. “Well… would you even give us those answers if we tried?”

“Heh, why not?” said Syndrome, folding his arms. “I mean, it’s all too convenient, isn’t it? We tracked your ship, found your hiding spot, heard all about your little diversion…”

Lexaeus nodded. “I also know that you are working with DiZ and that your friends have rifled through Ansem’s study… ”

Riku froze, stiffness claiming him from head to toe. His arms bent, his shoulders drew up to his cheeks, and his eyes became fixed to their foes, unable to look away. “But… how?” Tracking was one thing, and sure, Mirage hinted that they’d been listening, but to what degree? And for how long? What did this even mean?

Unfazed, Lexaeus continued. “You have collected information on Zack Fair, are working with a young man named Ringabel, and are residing within Yen Sid’s tower. At the moment, Roxas resides elsewhere, and the puppet has left your side. In addition, King Mickey is attempting to seal Keyholes on his own.”

Judging by the scraping metal against the floor, Kairi had shuffled back. Her voice grew strained. “No… There’s no way you could learn all of that! The tower’s supposed to be…”

“Safe?” said Syndrome. “Well, I couldn’t tell you about other worlds, but nothing’s safe from the Organization anymore.”

Riku beat the wall with his fist, knees and hands shaking. “Then… How? How the heck do you know so much?” His voice cracked, his breathing grew light. Short. Just tiny gasps.

He had to know. He had to know. Dread crept through his veins, educing them to ice. Again, the Sheriff’s warning echoed in his mind. He should’ve kept fighting, but the longing for closure kept him pinned in one place.

Syndrome hovered closer. “Do you really wanna know?”

“Just tell me!” Riku snapped, his words an explosion. Kairi grabbed his hand, but her hold was noticeably shaky.

“Heh.” Syndrome shook his head, exploiting the situation by grabbing the two in his energy again. “Well, I hate to break it to you, Riku, but it’s all your fault.”

x.x.x

That stupid robot refused to call it quits. In fact, it just launched itself down the road like a bowling ball again, forcing the group to dive off the street into alleys and around corners. Dash bolted ahead of everyone else, tugging his cheek and sticking out his tongue. The robot sprung over him, but a force field from Violet stopped it in its tracks. It kept pounding and pounding. Bristling, Sora slammed into it head again, dashing in circles. It refused to lift its claws. Was it scared of hitting itself? If so, then he must’ve be on the right track.

The force field cracked, then vanished. Bob dived under the robot’s belly, holding it up long enough for the kids to escape. He stretched all the way up to his tip toes and started to lift it off the ground until its claws flew at his side, grabbing him and flinging him toward a lopsided building. Eyes buggy, Sora opened a corridor behind him, sending Bob from his collision course back toward the ground. Frozone zipped toward him, catching him in his arms, but the impact sent the two sliding toward the edge of the ice. He managed to keep his balance, and Bob plunged from the frozen slide right into the robot.

As it toppled onto its back, mines lit up beneath it. Smoke flooded the area. In the time it took to get back on its feet, Aqua whistled and waved to the others before hopping over the cracks in the road and diving into an alley. The whole group rushed after her until the Omnidroid slammed upright again, and as its shockwave bowled the group over, swarms of Neoshadows crawled outta the cracks.

Grasping his chest, Donald wobbled to his feet and beat the ground with his staff. “Gah! Why’d it have to bring more Heartless?!”

“Must’ve wanted to even the odds,” said Frozone, firing off icicles as the Heartless made their approach.

He managed to skewer a couple of the Heartless, but they just kept coming as the Omnidroid continued striking the street. This time, Aqua and Violet blocked the waves with combined barriers, and Sora warped up to a nearby rooftop, claws glowing green. A small mob of Heartless dived at Dash when the barriers vanished, but Helen smacked them back with elastic fists, and Sora dropped down, clawing through their backs.

“Now that’s more like it!” said Dash, and he zoomed into the thick of the swarm, ducking and swerving around those giant claws. He started punching and kicking at lightning speed, but his fun ended as soon as the Omnidroid ripped a couple of lampposts and swung them down at the group. Grimacing, Sora shoved the kid back, then sank into the ground.

A bunch of white orbs blasted holes in the Heartless swarm. From out of sight, Aqua shouted to Bob.

“Do you know anything about this robot?”

“Oh, I’ve got firsthand experience.” He punched an incoming car out of the way. “Look, we can’t stop this thing with magic or brute force. The only thing strong enough to beat it’s—a”

“…Itself?”

Another shockwave blew in. More force fields spread. Bob gawked at Aqua and said, “How’d you guess?”

“Whenever Sora landed on its shell, it refused to strike him directly. Its attacks always stopped at the last second.”

Rubbing his neck, Bob let out a laugh. “Must’ve remembered how I beat it before.”

Well, well! Sora flashed him a grin. If that was all it took, then… He froze for a moment, gulping. Sure, the Omnidroid was a problem, but what about Riku and Kairi? Was it fair to leave them alone? What if they needed backup, too?

Lightning flashes pulled his focus back to the issues at hand. Taking Donald on his shoulders, Goofy bolted toward a toppled car, and Donald blasted them over the top with a small whirlwind. As they rushed at the Heartless, Donald looked over his shoulder.

“In that case, forget the Heartless! We’ll keep ‘em busy.”

“Yup! My shield’s no match for that thing’s armor anyhow!”

The cracks spread further. More cars, trucks, and dumpsters followed. Teeth clenched, Violet threw up her hands. Force fields spread over their surroundings, reinforced by Aqua’s barriers. Moments later, Aqua leaped from the alley and called out to her.

“Violet, do you think you can keep supporting us with your barriers?”

“Well, I can try.” She took a deep breath, narrowing her eyes and spreading her arms.

“Just be careful, sweetie,” said Helen, catching a falling car and firing it like a human slingshot. It struck the visor, staggering it for a few seconds. Just enough time for Frozone to slide in and create another ice rink beneath its feet.

Meanwhile, Helen swung herself from lampposts, and launched herself from windows. The Omnidroid’s claws followed, but instead of hitting the mark, they smashed through windows and walls. Flexing his claws, Sora flickered onto its arm, then lunged away when it tried snatching him. Once again, it stopped its attack at the last second. Just what’d it take to make it hit itself?!

It swatted Bob away, sending him sailing past bursts of fire, lightning, and Graviga domes pinning the Heartless in place. Somehow, he flipped back on his feet without even a scratch and scooped up something small and white.

“Syndrome’s remote!”

Sora’s eyes lit up, and he snapped his claws. Of course! How’d they forget something so huge? If they could press the right button, then—

The Omnidroid disappeared. Mechanical whirrs and clicks sounded from above, and a huge, black blur dropped directly over Bob. Sora tackled him, knocking him outta the way and flattened himself at the last second. The remote went flying. The cracks in the road spread further. The tremors made Donald and Goofy stumble into one another, while Helen latched onto a lamppost, Frozone’s ice ramp shattered, and Aqua flipped over the shockwave.

Emerging from the shadows, Sora scooped up the remote and warped onto a rooftop, waving it back and forth, The Omnidroid blasted another foot at him. Sora dived down and passed the controls over to Bob, who pressed one of the buttons, knocking the Omnidroid’s leg from its socket. The foot returned to one of the intact legs, and Bob tossed the remote to Sora when it swiped for a counterattack. He caught the robot’s wrist and held it in place long enough for Sora to dash away.

He warped all over the street, up on roofs, down on the sidewalks, clinging to walls. However, Omnidroid responded by rattling their surroundings and knocking Sora off balance. Streams of Dark Firaga surged from its palms.

“Hey, Heartless guy! Lemme see that!”

Sora looked back. Three Magnega spells held Heartless and vehicles in place. The Omnidroid flickered away again. Brow creasing, Sora flung the remote over to Dash, who barreled across a nearby lake. Again, the Omnidroid crashed down, spewing flames over the road. It stopped after a few seconds and warped away again, crashing into the water in front of Dash and kicking up a huge tidal wave. A tidal wave that crystallized into snow and cushioned him as he landed. Barreling past Sora, Aqua charged at the Omnidroid as it returned to shore. Her cartwheels left afterimages in her place. The robot struck them one by one.

This bought Helen enough time to stretch clear across the road. Predictably, it stumbled right over her and crushed the nearby Heartless into smoke. Off to the side, the remote started floating on its own and skittered toward Frozone, who wrapped an icy wall around the toppled machine. With so many people working together, maybe they’d finally turn this around.

But Riku hadn’t come back yet. He could’ve slipped through a portal at any time, and if that was the case, then it must’ve been serious. And Lexaeus was no pushover! Sure, beating the Omnidroid was important, but so was…

Aqua pulled Sora aside, pulling a barrier around them as she knelt before him. “Sora, it’s all right. If you’re worried about your friends, then go to them. I think we have the situation under control.”

But…

“Aw, c’mon! There’s a whole team of superheroes here! They’ll be all right.”

Metallic shrapnel scattered in bright orange flashes. The ice wall shattered. Rising shadows continued slashing, lunging, and diving. Even so, the others kept going. They’d keep going, too; he knew that, and besides, wasn’t this all second nature for them? Aqua was right. Even if he left, they’d finally turned things around.

x.x.x

WHAM.

It was his fault?

CRASH.

But how…?

THUD.

What did they do?

SLAM.

What did they do?!

After being repeatedly tossed around like a ragdoll, Riku crashed through another bedroom door. He lay flat on the floor, coughing and gasping. Kairi pulled him back to his feet, spreading green light over his body.

“Riku, don’t listen to him.”

“But it’s true.” Lexaeus pounded the floor. Despite the lingering pain, Riku tumbled away, ramming into the Nobody and delivering three slashes before he swatted him back with his weapon’s blunt side. “We have been tracking your every move. Listening to your conversations… No matter where you go, we are watching you, and you cannot escape it.”

“Why?!” Riku charged again, spewing Dark Firaga, Dark Volley, and Blizzaga spells all at once. He hacked across incoming boulders. Struck the floor and unleashed a shockwave that forked across the hall. Lexaeus vanished. His blade smashed Riku’s spine, sending him toward the floor, but Riku caught himself on his palms and retaliated with a kick to the gut.

This was reckless, but he didn’t care. It had to be a lie. An exaggeration! It had to. It just… had to…

It…

“You’re not gonna tell us how, are you?” Kairi’s words came out weak, more like a squeak than proper speech. “It’d give too much away. This is…”

“Inescapable, lest you abandon your comrade. In fact, I advise you to do so.”

“No!” Three subsequent waves of pillars crashed into Lexaeus, shoving him into a wall. “Even if it is true, I could never abandon Riku! We’re a team. We’re…”

“You’re being impractical. Don’t you realize that by keeping him close, you leave your plans open to our prying eyes and ears?”

“Can it!” Dark Firaga flew into his face, though he deflected the flames with his weapon. Nonetheless, Riku rushed in for another attack, but Syndrome grabbed him midway there, smacking him against the ceiling.

“Heh. I’d listen to the big guy, if I were you. From what I’ve heard, you already let the Nobodies flatten one world, and that’s ignoring all the worlds you failed before.”

“I don’t care!” Kairi’s voice trembled, rising in volume as she lit the hall with waves of Pearl spells. “I’m not losing him again!”

Syndrome’s energy flew her way, but she pulled up a barrier. The light deflected, striking Syndrome instead. He lingered in the air, where Riku slammed into him repeatedly. The light flickered out, and he blasted Riku away. Lexaeus dived after him. Riku teleported into the kitchen. When Lexaeus charged, Riku broke into Dark Aura, despite the close confines and the shattering dishware. He didn’t care. It was too much. Too much! He knew it was coming. He’d had a hunch this whole time…

But even with his past suspicions, the truth still skewered his heart like a sword.

Syndrome’s voice carried from across the hall. “Really? So you’re gonna give your enemies the upper hand just because of one guy?”

“Because I know we can still pull through!” She growled her words. Flashes of white and blue caught Riku’s eye before incoming boulders blocked his view. He ducked, then slashed, then warped behind Lexaeus. Strike Raid sliced him between the shoulders, but Lexaeus whipped back around and made chase. The babies cries grew louder and louder. Bookshelves, doors, dishes, and knives sailed through the house, flung by Syndrome’s ridiculous tech.

Despite this, Kairi managed to break away, meeting Riku in the living room… or what was left of it, anyway. Dents and holes in the walls allowed the faint rays of the sunset to shine into the dark. Smoke rose from piles of rubble glimmering with blue embers. Lexaeus remained still. Syndrome slipped back into the hall, probably after Jack-Jack, and while Riku should’ve pursued…

His feet refused to comply.

Kairi removed her helmet, locking eyes with Riku. He looked away.

“Hey… it’s okay. I’m here for you.” She didn’t sound so sure. Riku couldn’t blame her.

“Your confidence is almost touching,” said Lexaeus. “But make no mistake; I can see you’re trembling. It’s subtle, but there. You’ve clutched your necklace—a sign of discomfort. You worry just as he does…”

Her response? A sharp blast of wind, which pushed him back, but not too far. The surrounding shadows shifted. Yellow eyes met Riku’s, and from out of the darkness, Sora dived at Lexaeus, clawing at his face.

Kairi might’ve called his name, but if she did, it didn’t register. Green flashes followed. Then purple. Sora flew backwards in the air, but dived back down. He eyed Riku before dashing in for another attack. Riku tried shaking himself out of his daze. He followed Sora. Rammed Lexaeus three more times. Boulders scattered, blocked by a barrier. Something white zipped over their heads just as the barrier receded.

The air grew white hot. A blinding flash followed, coupled with a BOOM. Rubble rained over the heroes’ heads, seized by a Magnega spell, but flames now smothered the entire living room. A gaping hole replaced the ceiling. Though Kairi and Sora struck the flames with water and ice, Lexaeus charged yet again.

Riku and Kairi blocked his way, he warped past them, instead flying at Sora. That blade swept at his chest, but Sora ducked, then dashed behind him, clawing at the back of his coat and lighting it up. Lexaeus rolled across the floor, then grabbed Sora by the neck, pounding him into the floor. Riku smashed into his back, clubbing the back of his head.

Syndrome snagged them both before Kairi could form another barrier, slamming Sora against the piles of rubble, the floor, the kitchen counter, and more. He relinquished his hold when Riku jabbed at his ribs, but Lexaeus pounced at Sora yet again.

Sinking down, Sora skittered beneath him and evaded the stalagmites that erupted in his place. His eyes darted around the remains of the room before he scrambled out what remained of the front door and whistled to the others. Hesitating, Riku gazed down the hall. If they left, what stopped Syndrome from grabbing the baby? But then, if they stayed, the whole house could collapse. Was that… their intention? To box them into a corner? To force them into helplessness?

Squeezing his eyes shut, Riku followed Sora’s lead. Together with Kairi, they gathered on the cracked sidewalk. In the moments that followed, Sora scribbled a messy note.

‘What’s going on?!’

“They got me.” Riku wheezed a little laugh, pitch rising and dropping. He clutched his armored chest. “They know, Sora. They know everything! They’ve been spying on us this whole time, and—”

“Look out!” Kairi shouted just in time for the three to barrel away from another descending bomb. She shielded them again, deflecting metallic shards, pipes, and other debris. A black smear took the place of the former car. When the air cleared, the trio stormed toward the house again; outdoors, they put other homes a risk. No matter what, they were trapped.

Lexaeus greeted them as they drew near. Steadying his breathing, Riku floated away from the ground, charging into Dark Aura again. He struck repeatedly, knocking Lexaeus back bit by bit before warping behind him and dragging his Keyblade’s teeth down his spine. The flash of Holy assaulted Lexaeus from the front. Purple lightning struck his skull. Claws dragged down his teeth and neck until Lexaeus grabbed at Sora, forcing him to warp away again. Swatting Riku and Kairi away, Lexaeus pursued. He sliced at Sora. Sora sank again. Sora slashed, and Lexaeus parried. They repeated this again and again until rocks scattered and sent Sora flying back.

“Heartless, it is time for your retribution…” He rushed into the ruined kitchen, blasting jagged rocks at Sora and forcing him to sink again.

“Leave him alone!” Kairi hacked at his back, slashing up, down, diagonally, all around. A barrier shielded her when he tried smacking her back. Riku was half-tempted to join the fray himself, but he lingered by the hall, far too quiet given the circumstances, and when Sora rushed at Lexaeus again, his Axe-Sword smacked his face, knocking him straight into the remains of the refrigerator and leaving a noticeable dent.

Even so, Sora cracked a twitching smile. Don’t worry about me, Riku. I can take this jerk…

Riku flinched, shutting his eyes and clamping his jaw in a vice. The stubborn side of him yearned to keep fighting. Lexaeus was with the Organization. He was one of the ones spying on them. He deserved it…

Yet if he could spy, what stopped the others? Would it matter in the end? They still needed to stop him, but he wasn’t the one potentially holding a baby hostage. Someone had to check, lest they let Syndrome sneak away. So, burying his growing fury, Riku turned toward the hallway.

At the same time, Kairi shouted, “Hea—” Something struck her, and her shout became a yelp. Another THUD followed. Riku kept walking forward. Another CRASH, and he refused to look back.

He opened each door to find empty rooms until, at last, he spotted Syndrome hovering in place with a sleeping baby nestled in his arms.

How he longed to wipe that smug smirk off his face.

But Syndrome refused to relinquish his hold on the kid. He cradled Jack-Jack, eyes glinting in the dark. “Careful. You wouldn’t want to hurt the baby…”

KER-SLAM.

“Sora!”

Riku bristled, half-tempted to turn back. “You know, for a guy who wanted to play hero, you’re really doing a lousy job.”

“Oh, I know, but I’m past the point of caring.” He patted Jack-Jack’s head. “Besides, your pals and Mr. Incredible ruined my future… I’m just repaying them in kind.”

His lips curled back, and he bared his teeth in a snarl. He could feel his hands shaking. If it weren’t for Jack-Jack, he would’ve gladly launched an attack. The racket from outside continued. Even from several rooms away, the floor vibrated ever so slightly.

“Heh. Pathetic. You’re not even gonna try?”

If he could figure out a way to do it safely, sure; as it was, he found himself looking from Syndrome to the hall again. Only briefly, however, as a figure smashed through the wall, sending Riku on a collision course with the floor.

Lexaeus loomed over him, grabbing the fallen figure off Riku’s back. When he saw Sora’s body hanging limp in Lexaeus grasp, he thrust his feet forward, knocking Lex off balance. Sora hit the floor, eyes closed but chest heaving light breaths. Kairi barged inside, gaping at the sight.

But Sora’s claws twitched. His eyes blinked back open, and he gave a silent cough. Instantly, Kairi knelt beside him, shielding them both, though the glassy plates flickered; her magic reserves must’ve run low. While he watched his friend, Riku stepped behind the barrier; if Syndrome tried any funny business, he’d just catch himself again.

Yet, for some reason, Sora gawked at his hands. He patted his cheeks, tugged at his hair, bumped his head against the wall of the barrier. Instead of crouching on all fours, he stumbled upright, stretching his arm out for a moment as if trying to grasp something. It was enough to halt the villains’ efforts; for the next few moments, they watched Sora’s odd antics. His cheeks puffed up, and he looked to the floor, scooping up a busted pipe that’d blown in with the crash. He swished it around, holding it in a reverse grip…

“Wait.” Riku squinted, watching Sora shift his position. He arched his back, spread his feet apart, and pointed to the barrier before shaking his head. Suddenly, a realization hit. “Are you… Ven?”

He nodded, gesturing to the barrier again. Frowning faintly, Kairi dismissed the shield. The moment the barrier fell, Ven spun like a top, thrusting the pipe over his head. A blinding flash overtook the room. Bluish-white columns spread all around him. Clutching Jack-Jack, Syndrome blasted a hole in the ceiling and flew out of range, but Lexaeus skidded back into the doorway, shielding his eyes all the while. Riku took this opportunity to ram into him all over again. Kairi hammered him with a frenzy of slashes and spins, and Ven followed this up by whipping up a violent whirlwind—no, a tornado, which not only tore Lexaeus from the floor, but swept up the lingering debris and smothered him all the while.

However, tempting as it was to continue fending off Lexaeus, Syndrome continued to ascend. Someone had to pursue, so Riku tossed his Keyblade up, hopped on his Glider, and rocketed up into the sky. As he soared, a group of figures tore through the house. The red uniforms and distinct blue hair made their identities all too clear.

“Hey, they’re just in time!” Riku’s body froze again thanks to that cursed energy. Syndrome snickered, then swooped down, tightening his hold on the baby with his free arm.

But on his way down, something smacked into his head. A familiar red ship rippled into view, and Goofy poked his head out the window.

“A-hyuck. Ya looked like you could use a little help!”

Though he fumbled the baby, Syndrome snatched the Highwind in his clutches, and Riku for good measure. “You know, you really shouldn’t have exposed yourself.” Flinging them aside, he continued his descent just as Bob and Helen sprung onto the rooftop.

“Syndrome!” Bob’s voice boomed, and his face grew wrinkled and red. “You put our son down, or so help me…”

“Heh, or what? If you try any fast ones, you risk hurting your precious son…” He patted Jack-Jack’s head, and his little eyes slowly cracked open. “Don’t worry. I’ll be a good mentor. I’ll be loving, supporting, encouraging. Everything you—”

“Aw, shut up!” Donald called, steering the ship straight at his back. Though Syndrome floated out of the way, Jack –Jack burst into tears, sobbing and shrieking, and wailing away. This only served to make Syndrome tighten his hold. He tried flying up again, but Riku and the Gummi Ship formed an aerial barricade until he parted them with his energy again.

Far above them, a jet black ship shaped like a manta ray hovered among the clouds. Syndrome blasted toward the plane, but on the white, Jack-Jack’s body burst into flames, making him stop and shriek.

Was that kid a super the whole time?

Needless to say, Helen and Bob’s jaws dropped. Both Dash and Violet scampered around the house to watch, while flashes of light continued shining from the hole in the roof, and the continued thuds and slammed hinted at Lexaeus’ lingering presence. Ignoring his comrade, Syndrome continued to climb, though Riku and the ship kept diving at him, forcing him to drop down, then shoot back up, then down, then back up. Jack-Jack’s body turned from fire to shining metal, and Syndrome dropped like a brick.

“Bob, throw something!” Helen cried, her voice frantic and eyes wide.

“I can’t! Not without hitting Jack-Jack…”

Growling, Riku swerved around Syndrome again and wrapped his arms around his neck. Though Syndrome fidgeted and squirmed, Jack-Jack’s body turned blood red, and he sprouted horns and fangs, shifting from innocent child to devilish beast.

He began clawing and biting and beating Syndrome with his fists. Riku’s hold on Syndrome tightened, and he called out. “Guys, I’ve got him, but you’re gonna have to hurry!”

Another one of the walls crumbled to pieces. Lexaeus slid across the grass. Aqua, Kairi, and Ven plunged after him, striking with Keyblades, light pillars, flaming tornadoes, and more. Where before Lexaeus’ body glowed, the aura faded. He shielded himself with a rising rock wall, but he stood with a hunch, panting heavily.

“Lexaeus, do something!”

Syndrome’s cries fell on deaf ears. With a husky laugh, Lexaeus summoned a corridor. “No… I know when I’m outmatched.”

Jack-Jack crawled down Syndrome’s legs, snapping off one of the rocket thrusters, and while Syndrome jabbed Riku’s chest with his elbow, the armor shielded him, and he latched even tighter. Below, Helen gasped.

“You could throw me…” With a single kick from Syndrome, Jack-Jack started to drop. “Bob, throw me!”

He flung her immediately, and she clutched her baby in both arms. The snarling, demonic form receded, and he turned back into a giggling infant. After jabbing one last time, Syndrome finally broke free, and he zigzagged up to his jet, clinging to the metal as he made his landing.

“This isn’t the end of it! I will get your son eventually. I’ll get your son!”

Scowling, Bob turned around, grabbed a nearby car, and lobbed it at the ship. The vehicle blazed past Riku and the Highwind, slammed into the nose of the plane, and exploded upon impact. The ship tipped back, and Syndrome flew toward the propellers. He flailed his arms, tried pulling himself free, but though he struggled against the current, his cape snagged on the turbine.

Riku pried his eyes away as Syndrome’s body jammed the propeller, and the rest of the ship went up in smoke. He dived into the Highwind’s open door just as the plane exploded with a tremendous BANG!

A purple force field wrapped around the Highwind. A second barrier shimmered below. The Parrs embraced as the remains of the plane slammed into the shield…

But once the smoke faded, they all heaved a sigh of relief.

The ship coasted to a stop beside the remains of the Parr residence. For a few moments, everyone stared at the wreckage before them. Then, with a tired smile, Kairi dashed up to Violet, while Helen clutched her shoulder.

“Vi, you did it! That was incredible…”

“Atta girl,” said Helen. “I knew you could pull it off!”

“Oh, well… I don’t think I could’ve done it without your encouragement.”

“Aw, come on!” said Bob. “You’re a natural.”

“Still, that was incredibly close,” said Aqua, brushing soot off her face. “Riku, why didn’t you warn us about this? I would have gladly accompanied you, and I’m sure the same holds true for any one of us.”

“I…”

Ven held up his hands, slipping in front of Riku. After a second, he pulled out Sora’s notebook and wrote with noticeably neater handwriting, ‘I don’t think they would’ve had a chance. Lexaeus was barely giving ‘em room to breathe! Besides, weren’t you guys busy with the Omnidroid?’

“Right…” Riku sighed, smoothing his now frazzled hair. “How’d that go, anyway?”

“Well,” said Aqua, “it was—”

Before she could finish, the smoke finally cleared, and a little boy on his tricycle stared at the entire group. He rubbed his eyes, and a grin flashed across his lips. “That was totally wicked!”

x.x.x

The halls of Syndrome’s stronghold rang silent. Silent, save for the slow pounding of Lexaeus’ footsteps. His coat was in tatters. He bore gashes, cuts, burns, and so much more. He continued to pant as he dragged himself through the stronghold. Had he lingered any longer, he surely would have died…

His pride had told him to continue fighting, but for what purpose? It was not as though he could kill the Keybearers. The Heartless was at best a potential captive, but with… Ven’s surprising awakening, he knew it was futile. Moreover, Syndrome had failed to become a Heartless; his caution in regards to darkness was sensible, but inconvenient nonetheless, and yet…

Shelves upon shelves of machinery surrounded him. Conveyor belts turned in a constant rhythm. Even if Syndrome had met his demise, there was still much to gain from their alliance. Thus, hordes of Dusks flooded the base, ordered to carry the remains of Syndrome’s work back to the castle. Slumped against a wall, he let his eyes fall shut for a few seconds. Soon, he would RTC. Xemnas would surely appreciate his findings regarding Ventus…

But then something changed. A cadence of steps closed in, and he lifted his head. Upon opening his eyes, he came face to face with a black-coated figure, far shorter than he, with a peculiar Keyblade in hand. Red and black patterns ran down the shaft. Her faint curves suggested a young woman hid beneath the hood…

The woman charged, forcing him away from the wall. He called for his Axe-Sword, but she charged again, bludgeoning him over the head, slashing at his wounded chest, assaulting him with flames and metal spikes. Though he tried launching boulders in retaliation, she sliced through the stones. Though a corridor started to rise, it flattened abruptly, and two more cloaked figures strode into view.

“M…Mar—”

Lightning struck his skull five subsequent times. Knives, sliced across his neck. Shrill cackling assaulted his ears. He fell to one knee, vision blurring while the room started swaying.

“N…no.” His voice was hoarse. Already, his sin started peeling away, giving way to wisps of smoke. “Have you… no honor?”

“Oh, please.” Her face… Larxene’s face was difficult to read. A smirk? A taunting smile? She spoke with a bubbly tone regardless of her expression. “You have the gall to ask if we have honor when you’re in league with the Organization?”

“Remember this, Xion.” Marluxia draped his arm over the puppet’s shoulder. “Though this man may look pained, he is the enemy. If you are to save the worlds, you must be his executioner…”

“I…” She shivered, held her breath, but soon trudged closer. “This is for what you did to Twilight Town!”

One final blow, and Lexaeus collapsed on the floor. His eyelids grew heavy, his body numb. His sin continued peeling away into smog.

So this was how it ended, not in a blaze of glory but in a pitiful heap. With this realization, he gave one final chuckle.

“Forgive me, Zexion…”

x.x.x

After the battle, the group returned to Edna’s, where the Parrs and Aqua recounted the Omnidroid’s defeat. The specifics of the conversation were lost to Riku. He heard bits and pieces, like how they snatched the remote, turned the Omnidroid against itself… Frankly, he probably would’ve loved to listen in under normal circumstances. Had this been any other victory, he’d be laughing and cheering alongside them.

But could they really call it a victory?

Off to the side, Dash and Violet chatted with their parents and Edna.

“So, where’re we gonna live now?” said Dash.

“Oh, don’t you worry about that!” said Edna, flicking her pointer stick. “You and your family are welcome to stay here as long as you like! In fact, I’ll see to it that you’re treated like gods!”

“Uh… that’s nice,” said Violet, “but we don’t need special privileges.”

“No? But you have saved the city! Your family is finally reunited in the face of adversity…”

“And pig-headedness,” Bob added. “But really, there’s no need to go all out for our sakes. You’ve already done more than enough.”

Shaking his head, Riku turned away from the Parrs. He hid his face beneath one of his palms and massaged circles on his forehead. The rest of the conversations were just muddled background noise until someone tapped him on the back.

“Hey, Riku! Why the long face?” When he looked up, he found Bob looming over him. Though Riku tried smiling, his lips failed to budge from the perpetual frown that’d claimed him.

“Sorry. Just got a lot on my mind.”

Aqua settled beside him, resting her hands on her lap. “Did something happen during the fight?”

“N…” No, he couldn’t lie. They deserved to know. “Yeah. I… found out how they managed to track the ship. Heh, figured a lot out, actually. Connected the dots…”

“Well, let’s hear it,” said Helen, joining Bob behind the chair.

He gripped the fabric of his jeans, squeezing his eyes shut. “Look… I don’t want to trouble you guys. It doesn’t really affect you.”

“So?” said Violet. “It still affects you.”

“I… fine.” He looked around the room, watching as Donald and Goofy joined the gathering. Edna soon followed, while Kairi fidgeted in her seat, Slumped against a wall, Ven ran a hand over the back of his head.

“To put it bluntly, the Organization’s been tracking me. They’ve been using me to spy on us… and they know all about our plans.” The sounds of gasps and scratchy quacks made him sink deeper into the cushions.

“But that’s impossible!” said Donald. “The tower’s protected by Yen Sid’s magic, and nothing gets past him!”

“That’s true,” said Aqua, “but they may not be spying directly.” She squeezed Riku’s shoulder, looking him dead on. “Did they explain their methods? Do you have any idea how much they know?”

“…No, and pretty much everything. They know about DiZ, they know about Ringabel, they know about our work in Hollow Bastion! Lexaeus said they can see and hear everything that happens around me…”

“So, can’t you just get rid of whatever’s tracking you?” said Dash. “I mean, if it’s something like one of spy cameras…”

Edna wrinkled her nose and crossed her arms. “I doubt it’s that simple, darling.”

Goofy smacked his hands on the back of another chair. “But there’s gotta be some way to fix it! Couldn’t we ask Yen Sid for ideas? Or maybe Merlin, the Fairy Godmother—”

“What’s the point?” Riku abandoned his seat, storming across the floor. “You’d think they would’ve noticed, but no one’s batted an eye. Heck, I bet the Organization’s listening right now and having a good laugh…” His voice grew sharper with each word. His arms hung rigid at his sides, and he glared at his feet.

Stepping before him, Aqua reached for her hips. “Riku, I know this is troubling, but we will find a solution.”

“Sure, but they’ll know as soon as we find it.”

“That shouldn’t matter! If we don’t at least try, then they’ll have won.”

Soon, Kairi joined Aqua beside him. She leaned in, lifting his chin. “Riku, c’mon. We’re not going to abandon you. I meant what I said before…”

“I know, but…”

Breaking from the wall, Ven hustled over to Riku, clearing his throat and scribbling a note. ‘Guys, stop! We can’t fight over this. Aren’t we supposed to be a team?’

“Ah… that’s right.” Aqua lowered her gaze, hands folded over her waist. “Ven, this isn’t like Radiant Garden. We’re all still in this together.”

“Now, hold on,” said Helen. “Did something happen between you two?”

“Yes. We fought, and there were some words we exchanged that I wish I could take back.”

“But you’re right, Aqua. This is different, and I’m not trying to pick a fight.” Riku gave a half-smile, but continued moving until Kairi intercepted him.

“Then what is it, Riku? What’re you trying to do?”

“Kairi…” His breath hitched, and he turned away. “I wish I could say I was okay. Heck, I wish we could keep pushing forward like this, but I’ve already made enough selfish choices…”

His words pulled Aqua’s focus back to him, and she covered her mouth. “Riku, you aren’t…?”

“…I have to.” But if he lingered, they’d just keep protesting. If he hesitated, he’d lose his conviction. The Organization would keep leeching off their conversations. All their efforts would be in vain…

“No you don’t!” Kairi took his hand, tugging him back. “Maybe I’m being selfish this time, but please. Stay with us.”

He held his breath for a moment, shut his eyes again, and pulled her into a one-armed hug. “I’m sorry… The last thing I want’s to hurt any of you, but that’s exactly why I have to leave.”

He stepped back. Darkness swirled at his feet. Kairi, Donald, and Goofy rushed at him, but he continued to back away.

The last thing he heard before the corridor shut was his friends calling his name.

TO BE CONTINUED