Kingdom Hearts: To The Bitter End [Part One]

Knuckles
Astaroth is ready this time for your... unusual tactics, twirling his weapon over his head, bringing it around in a great arc, and smashing you with the side of his enormous axe, the force of the blow sending you flying to crash into the side of the cliff. Not bothering to follow through, he stomps over towards you, holding the splintered end of the haft.
It takes you a moment to realize it, but then you spot that, such was the force of the two opposing blows, the axe snapped clean in half. Tossing it aside, he raws back his thick, tree-trunk like arms, intending to crush the life out of you.

Ventus
"A moment. We don't want to hurry things, we only have the chance to do this once." She says, watching her forces prime their dragon guns and readying their lines. They have not the experience as individuals or units, and have not really been tested. The captains are competent, but not the great men who serve Lu Bu, as either commanders or one man armies. And Lu Bu himself is enough to make any of them awake in a cold sweat, terrified by the mere mention of his name. Though you outnumber them, you do not have all the advantages.
However, if she delays much longer, you risk ceding the initiative. You recognize her caution as a desire to preserve those under her, however if she waits much longer it could spell the doom of all your hopes.

Dawning Light

Seeing her hesitance Ike walks up to her having had experience with commanding forces before. "Mulan I understand that you are nervous and that you do want to be cautious but we need to strike soon. We have the initiative and we will lose it if we do not act soon. Fayt and Knuckles have gone to the frontlines in order to thin thier ranks and gather information. We know that those two alone might not stand agianst the army well. However we believe in them and have faith in them and sometimes, though it may not seem it, that is enough. If you don't believe in your men's ability to fight and protect their homes and country how can they? There are no weak soldiers under and strong and caring commander."

Fayt & Knuckles

Fayt looks up from his position to see how Knuckles battle with Astaroth is going and his eyes widen as he sees Knuckles about to be finished off. Calling up his nearly exahausted reserves in order to pull off one last attack. "DIMENSION DOOR!" He shouts as he uses his magic to create a miniature storm of dark energy around him. He then disappears from his place and emerges from a dark portal behind Astaroth and jabs forward with all his might, stabbing at the creatures core as Knuckles rolls out of the way of Astaroth's strike.

Zhou Yu, Terra
As Achilles charged, the tiny fireball exploded, and for a moment the world was lost amid the burning of crackling flames. It faded slowly, for him to find Zhou Yu rising before him, staff held in two hands. In a flurry, faster than wind, his bo staff met with Achilles' face, knocking his hemet from his head then hitting hard enough with every blow to break his nose, jaw, and finally skull.

Terra holds back for the moment, letting his faster and rather more agile companion start things off for the moment.

Kain
"Locked. What a love of doors these pathetic humans have." The vampire observed disdainfully. Reaching to his shoulder, he draws Soul Reaver and follows the steps down, making his way into the castle.

Marluxia
"Very generous, to offer you the keys to Kingdom Hearts." He says softly, not wanting to push too hard quite yet.

Nameless
He watches another moment, then soundlessly slips down the wall and into the gardsn, circling around her towards the palace.

Scrooge
"Fine! Take him with you! Take him to your place! Take him to school! Take him to the cleaners! But take him away!" He yells, then struts into the ship, starting it with a flick of his wrist, and glaring through the view screen. But he doesn't take off. He's too busy wrestling with his conscience. If he had one regret in his life, it was once putting his money before his family. He'd never do that again.
Even if it meant...
The hatch slowly opens, offering them admittance to the ship. It was all the apology he could make himself offer. "Alright, if you're only going to stand there pining anyway. But he has to work his way. What do you think I am, a millionaire? Mop the floors! You to, boys. You brought him here, but that's no excuse to slack off!"
He then turns to his pilot. "Take her up, nice and slow, Runway!" The big duck nods, flicks a little salute, and pulls the clutch out, taking her into the air.

Mew-Two
Nothing. He says, coming out of his trance. We will have to look elsewhere. Come, little ones.

Zelda
"I am princess Zelda of Hyrule, bearer of the royal crown of royalty, the triforce of wisdom, the lord protector of the Gerudo, the Goron and the Zora. First marshal of the kingdoms grand armies, high sage of the lands ancients, and descendant of Link, first Hero of Time.

Mickey
Mickey idly wondered what life would be like if he hadn't heard of the heartless. If someone else held the keyblade he held now; someone else had guided the defense of the worlds instead of him. He could stay in his kingdom, help fix it's domestic and social issues, rather than leaving all of it's runnings to Minny. He, Donald, and Goofy could have fun on occasion, rather than being constantly seperated. Pete might not have left and joined Malificient.

He shakes his head; that wasn't his life, and he shouldn't waste time thinking about it. He smiles, blending in as well as a large mouse can, trying to slip under deck. He needed to find out more information about where the prince and Facilier were. What the newest idiot who thought he could control the Heartless was trying to do here.

HK
Enjoyable threat:Retreat from the Master's allies or I will roast you. Admission:Oh, I was going to do that regardless HK sends a burst of flames at the oncoming Heartless, and, if he had a face, you can tell he'd be grinning.

Wild Flower and Madame Odie
Heh. Gotta admit, things are easier with that robot around. Maybe he can help me move things around the house. Madame Odie merely watches as HK handles the Heartless, content to avoid the fight unless any reached her.

We could help end this fight now. A voice simultanouesly beast-like and angelic pulls out of the young girl's throat, the lack of movement or facial change is almost unworldly.

No point; he's enjoying himself and we can hold back. Personally, I think we need to get to the city if we're going to find Facilier. Fancy a trip?

A city? Most interesting.So many lives skimping about, lost and scared. Yes, a good place. The new voice is gravely and slimy, like a snake is slowly rising out of her mouth with a frog in its own.

A quick 'thump' on the head from Madame Odie and Wild Flower's face returns to normal, lookly slightly woozy.

Mickey
Nobody seems to take note of your odd appearence (which is strange, but happens a lot) and you even exchange a dozen words with said sugar baron and his daughter. Both confirm your assumptions, good people, the money hasn’t changed them.
You make your way bellow decks, passing through the kitchens and storage rooms, the veritable army of servants and waiters who organize things and keep the guests entertained, and the places where everything is prepared.
It’s then you meet Tiana. Slender and beautiful, with medium length black hair, large brown eyes, a dark complexion, and red lips, she is dressed in a close-fitting blue dress and silver tiara, seemingly talking to herself.

HK-47
Bits of the swamp are on fire, smoke is everywhere, craters and steam, and worse things by your line of destruction. Almost everything alive has run the hell away, with the exception of the heartless, most of whom have been taken out by shots from your blaster and the various other bits of weaponry that you carry around with you. A few have guessed your location, but as long as you keep moving it doesn’t do them any good.
A small firefly is following you, perching on your metal chasis whenever you stop moving, even if only for a few seconds.
"I be Ray." It says, in a Cajun accented voice.

Wild Flower and Madame Odie
New Orleans is up the river, past the swamps and marshes. It’s a big city, with wide, paved streets, big buildings, factories, mills, and other signs of progress and development, and industrialization. It’s a big city.
Coming in, you find yourself on the main road, passing street musicians playing jazz and open shops. Neither of you notice the man in black robes leaning against the open gate and watching you enter, his one eye gleaming yellowy.

Scrooge
The boys cheer and race on. Siegfried follows slowly, a little confused. It takes a while to warm up to you, even for the best, and he’s not used to this sort of treatment. Either he’s treated as evil, or a knight and given deference, but either way people are respectful to him. Both your casual disregard for his station and the danger he represents has taken him aback.
The boys do as you asked, finding the cupboard that keeps the supplies and getting to work scrubbing. Siegfried sighs, and joins them with considerably less enthusiasm or skill. He’s cleaned his armor and taken care of his gear, but it’s not the sort of work he’s used to.
Runway takes your ship up and through the barrier, into the corridors between the worlds. A few ships are stupid enough to engage you, but most just watch in awe, at the silver enameled , beautiful ship. The ones that engage you don’t last long.

Zelda
“Splendid, absolutely splendid!” You’re not tall, but you’re chest and shoulders above the short sultan, though he makes up for it by being roughly spherical in body shape. He has an impressive turban with a sapphire and feather, a wide, kindly and fatherly face, and a long white beard. He seems to be somewhat childish, given his enthusiasm and the fact he was playing with toys when you arrived, but that suggests to you that he rules a realm at peace that requires little intervention from him. That or he’s going senile.

Zhou Yu, Terra
Achilles doesn’t even seem to feel the blows, then smashes you in he chest by ramming his shield and shoulder into your chest, sending you flying. Turning, he lifts his gladius and tries to run Terra through.
He’s good with a blade. Far better then you, stronger and faster. In a direct fight, you are outclassed.
Odesyus lowers his bow, apparently unable to get a clear hit in with the fight raging, but his eyes are still watching, face a frown of concentration. He may not be invulnerable or as obviously skilled, but you suspect he’s the more dangerous of the two.

Dawning Light
For a moment, she hesitates, then her eyes narrow and she lifts an arm, letting a silk scarf fall. Drums pound, and the men advance, ringing the enemy and forcing them back. If Knuckles and Fayt successfully halted their advance, then they will be ringed and crushed in the encircling battle, and most likely lose. If not, then they will escape the tightening noose, and smash their power against the city, and either spend their force or take it.
But you can’t wait any longer and give your friends any more time. You have to act now.
Mulan mounts Achilles, and joins the charge.
Then you here thunder. A storm breaks, and it begins to rain, lighting flashing on the horizon. And as a bold hits the ground, for a moment a massive figure on the biggest horse you've ever seen can be seen rearing, a massive, wedge shaped blade held over his head. Then the flash ehds and the figure is gone.

Nameless
As you watch, another figure steps onto the stage. Jafar is a tall, bony man dressed in extravagant clothing, slender and mean. Jafar wears black robes that reach the ground, the shoulders are pointed and connect to a long, billowing black cape with a blood red interior. A red-violet sash is tied around his waist. Jafar has a twisted, black goatee and a faint mustache, as well as grey eyeliner and haughty eyebrows. He sports a distinctive black headdress, seemingly a type of mitre, with a thin, yellow pattern wrapping around the middle, what seems to be a ruby set in the front,
“Princess, how strange to find you here, all alone.”

Marluxia
“Of course not. He just needs me for something. And I’ll allow him to think he has me under control until I find out what.” She replies disdainfully. “Now make yourself useful and earn your keep. Go here." She tosses you a navigation gummi. "And don't let him do whatever he wants to do."

Fayt, Knuckles
"Even in droves, they are still too weak!" He yells, stomping at Knuckles again, then you stab him, and he stops. He shudders once, then collapses, falling apart as he does, until there is nothing left of the king of golems.
There is a flash of darkness, and the rocks of magma that composed his body vanish as though they had never been.

Kain
You make your way into the parlor, to spot a massive hunched shape tearing apart heartless with it’s bare hands. The Beast's appearance is a combination of physical characteristics of wild animals, including a wild boar, wolf, buffalo, bear and lion. He wears a torn purple cape and dark blue pants. It has enormous claws and powerful blows, and looks capable of demolishing a castle wall with nothing but the power in it’s thews.
It turns to look at you with heavy, sad eyes lit by a berserk rage. “Get out!" It roars at you.

Dawning Light

Ventus shudders as a feeling of dread creeps up his spine. He keeps his brave face on for the troops though as they march into battle. Unbidden his thoughts turn to his companions who still haven't returned. He hoped they completed thier missions, and even moreso he hoped that they were alive. Xianghua heads into battle her head swimming with thoughts of the figures silliouette race through her mind. Soul Caliber gives of a slight glow as it pulses. Xianghua then says, "Yeah, I can feel him to. Nightmare."

Fayt & Knuckles

Fayt breaths heavily as Astaroth finally falls. "Phew, that was a close one." He then takes in Knuckles state, his useless arm and the jagged deep cut on his side that was bleeding out heavily. "Damnit, hang on Knuckles." Reaching into his pack Fayt pulls out a Hi-potion and an ether that Ventus gave him for emergencies. He chomps down on the slightly bitter ether as he force feeds Knuckles the Hi-potion. He then helps Knuckles up as the walk away from the site of destruction.

Kain
"Very well, fool. If it is death you seek, I will not deny you!" He says and draws Soul Reaver. "I would prefer to keep this civil, but no one, not you or anyone else, will stand in my way!!"

Nameless
He remains motionless, watching from the shadows from now.

Ventus, Ike, Xianghua
The enemy lines are falling into order, the front row favoring heavy shields, the second spears, the third a sort of pick-like halberd. None of Lu Bu's pet warlords seem to be present, at least at the moment.

Fayt & Knuckles
You both limp away, making it back behind Mulan's lines where you can take some time to recover. You don't feel like doing that again. Ever.

Kain
The Beast lunges at hm, massive arms crashing down from either side trying to break him in a single move.

Nameless
"It is your birthday tomorrow, princess. Your father will not humor you forever." He says, leanig over her.
She glared defiantly back. "That's none of your business, Jafar." With that she storms out of the garden.
"Oh but it is, princess. It is."

Mickey
Mickey smiles at the dress, reminded of good memories with Minnie, before he shakes his head and moves closer to her, "Hello? Are you talking to me?"

HK47
Introduction:I am HK-47; meatbag. A talking bug. How....amusing.

Wild Flower and Madame Odie
The twosome begin searching the city, Madame Odie searching for any voodoo hot-spots; any place recently used for powerful magic-hopefully not too hard to find; the Shadow man COULD be subtle, but that wasn't too likely in this situation.

HK47
"Dat so?" He says, he's thick accent making his words a little hard to follow. "Yoo can't be from 'round here, or I wood have seen yoo. Wot'te doin' here?"

Madam Odie
It takes you all of five minutes to find 'Doctor Faciler's Voodoo emporium. The door is even decorated with tiki masks and flaming skulls.

Mickey
She starts and turns quickly. She's staring at what appears to be a green bull frog, who holds up his hands. "Hey, friend, I got here first." He says, in a voice smooth and soft as velvet, oozing with raw confidence, and with a hint of a spanish accent, giving them a rich, almost purring quality. It's a voice that should have gone to some god of song.

Kain
He stepped aside, a single, disdainfully athletic move that easily establishes his dominance in this fight. Then he slams his massive sword into the midsection, parting flesh, muscle and bone with a spray of blood. The wavy blade of Soul reaver went in cleanly, but when he tore it out chunks of meat were torn out with it, causing incredible trauma, to both the body and soul.
"Vae Victus." He says to the swaying form of Beast. "Woe to the conquered."
With that he walked past, deeper into the castle, leaving the monster to topple in a pool of his blood.

Nameless
A massive, blunt finger taps the vizier on the shoulder. Nameless glares down at him. He had a deceptively quiet tread for such a large man. "Perhaps you can give me a few answers." He says. His knuckles pop as his other hand forms a massive crushing fist.
"Perhaps. Who am I?"

Zhou Yu, Terra
Terra steeped back, shocked at the failure to so much as cut the warrior. Achilles had shrugged of his heaviest blow without flinching. Backing away, he found himself fighting defensively as Achilles advanced on him. The warrior pursued, sensing victory, then realized his mistake. He had, in a single moment, found himself trapped between the two men. Lunging forward, with a single heavy blow, Terra broke his shield and locked swords, and then the strategist, quick as a striking snake and elusive as smoke, pressed his staff up, blocking the soldier's oxygen to the brain and in a matter of seconds the champion went limp.

"You still have to breathe." Zhou Yu notes to the unconscious warrior, then steps over his prostrate form to face the remaining of the pair. Terra steps with him, the two looking like a team.

Mickey
Mickey had met a talking frog with the voice of a god before; he'd had a top hat and cane. While not him, this frog was certainly interesting. Guessing what he was talking about, Mickey responds, "Married. And a Mouse." He shakes his head before continuing, "I'm looking for a prince? Maybe you've met one?" In his experience, talking non-humanoid animals always seemed to have an idea what was going on. The worlds were weird like that.

HK47
Proud Exclamation:Killing Heartless Scum as master commanded.

Madamde Odie and Wild Flower
Madame Odie starts laughing about a lack of subtlety on Facilier's part, as well as a tendency to cater to flashy gimmicks. Wild Flower's eyes shift to red as the raspy voice laughs about the frivilous use of magic in such a way. One thwack on the head later, the twosome open the door, hoping to get a better look at the inside.

Mickey
"Then you are the most fortunate man alive." He says, and sweeps into a bow that was only a tad awkward with his new shape. "For I am Naveen, of Maldonia. And it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my most remarkable gentleman."

Madamde Odie and Wild Flower
The room is full of clutter, most of it strange, all of it dangerous. Masks from far off islands, dolls connected to humans with hair and blood, and pieces that fit to make dark rituals that powered the Doctor's curses and charms.
You could find plenty here. The question was, could you find what you needed?
You see a scuttling shape, and turn to see a shadow blend into the darkness in the murky corners of the room. If he didn't know you where here before, he does now.

HK47
"Ahhhh." It sighs in understanding. "Den yoo want ta follow me then. I show you where de mudderload o' dem be."

Kain
Beast lets out a pained howl, of total agony, but he doesn't die, he simply lies there, yowling in agony.

Nameless
"And you are?" He asks, retaining his cool in the face of what seems an onset of violence. "And are you aware that being here is an offense punishable by death."

Zhou Yu, Terra
An arrow takes Terra in the shoulder, and Odysseus has another one aimed, taunt and ready to go before it's left the air. It occurs to you that he's probably the more dangerous of the two.

Zhou Yu, Terra
Zhou Yu catches the incoming arrow, his hand painful and bloody. Terra stomps his foot, and the earth shakes beneath his feet, then enfolds him, drawing him beneath the earth.

Kain
He only chuckles with dark humor. "You are fortunate, me enemy." He says, stepping over his form and stepping deeper into the castle.

Dawning Light

Seeing the horde before them Ventus says, "Alright guys lets do iiiiiiiittttttt!" He then slams his fist shoulder plate and transforms into his armored form. He then Throws Wayward Wind into the air and it transforms into its hoverboard mode. He then flies high above the army and starts firing into the backwards ranks of the enimies so that his blasts of light would not hit his allies. Ike charges forward with the army and shows that while he is no Knuckles his strength and skill are nothing to sneeze at. He hacks and slashes and uses his increadible Aether move to launch himself into the air and slam down on the enemy unleashing an increadible shockwave. Xianghua uses her jian to swiftly and fluidly move through the ranks of the enemy. Fayt and Knuckles rest at the back of then infantry hoping that thier friends will be victorious.

Dawning light
The sky was shaded purple, a deep, vivid bruise that seemed more then a little ominous. Clouds roiled above, dark and poisonous. They had found the keyhole, and it had slid open a crack. Darkness was pouring into this world. Your only chance was to stop Lu Bu and find out where the keyhole was before it poured into this world like an ocean attempting to warm itself around a candle.
Ventus flies forward, sailing over their heads and felling men with flashes of light. But as he crosses their lines, archers and crossbowmen begin to sight him, and the air fills with black feathered shafts, which clatter against his armor, looking for a weakpoint, the weight and force of them alone enough to slow his advance.

Ike charges into the breach in the wake of his shockwave, smashing through the lines where Ventus already weakened them like a juggernaught, every swing of his great sword accounting for three men, reaping souls with every beat of his heart. The men form a wedge behind him, and the enemy lines buckle and break, taking you through their front lines after your friend. A few officers spur their horses towards you with the intention of intercepting, while others ride either side of the lines, doing what the can to maintain order and cutting down any man who dares try to flee. Three of them close in on you at once, each on brown horses and bearing swords and dressed in armor far superior to that of their men. There is a wild look in their eyes, a look that mirrors those of Lu Bu himself. Mad ambition has consumed them, and the darkness has taken root in their souls. They are barely more then Heartless now.

Xianghua follows behind him, cooly and smoothly accounting for the men he missed, when a chain wraps around her arm and pulls her aside, it's links twisting deep and tearing through clothes and flesh. She is brought staggering into the chaos of battle, and looks up to face Diao Chan. She is beautiful. Her skin is creamy white, smooth as silk and clean, yet with a subtle, enticing strength. Her hair falls in gentle midnight waves about her face, and her figure is as fine as any woman could wish for. You've always been aware of your own beauty, though not particularly vain, but beside this woman it's impossible to feel anything but plain and awkward. With a dancers grace, she steps aside and kicks you under the chin, flooring you onto your back.

Fayt and Knuckles are feeling better, and while far from at peak they both think themselves able to at least support their friends in this battle.

Colosseum
Odysseus rolls along the buckling ground, missing your spell, then standing to snap off two simultaneous arrows in the same, fluid movement. Before you can retaliate he hits the ground at a sprint, circling you and keeping the pinpoint shots coming in, while giving you no chance of targeting him.
He's fast and smart, too smart to let either of you corner him, and to good a shot for you to ward him for long. It's almost supernatural, how his arrows seem to unerringly seek his targets, their arcs bringing them driving against the two of you like a lethal rain.

Kain
You take the key from around his neck, and return to open the double doors. They open to a long and sweeping grand staircase that leads to both wings of the castle; going straight ahead takes you into the magnificent Ballroom, all marble and gold and velvet curtains, a chandelier with a thousand sparkling lights, and beauty everywhere you look.

Nameless
"That would be the question." He replies, releasing the vizier, and tucking his thumbs into his wide leather belt, his blunt fingers sinking into the grooves supplied by the contours of the human spine wrapped around it. "Why am I drawn here. Why do I recognize things? And what did I leave with the peddler for me to find?"

Zhou Yu
The strategist is unlucky, dodges a second too late, and the arrow hits him in the shoulder, directly in the old arrow wound he received at Chi Bi. The pain is intense, and he staggers back, nearly losing his footing. Perhaps he would have, if Terra hadn't been there to support him.

An expression of rage, pure and simple, flicks across his face, and with a jerk tears the barbed arrow from his flesh with a spurt of blood. Then he's running, to quick for the strategist to dodge, leaping to present a harder target, and, still holding the arrow, drives it into the other strategist's shoulder and out the other side.

Kain
"So, perhaps you were not but a savage after all." He comments dryly. He has been an emperor, and if his realm was not as majestic as this, it had a dignity and strength, and raw power, that this could never match.

"Hear me!" He roars all of a sudden. "The master of this castle has been broken at my feet. He shall be in mourning for himself, and his kingdom. And he shall be in mourning for you as well if you continue to hie from me!"

Dawning Light

Ventus sees the horizon of Darkness and immeadiatly knows what he has to do. Tucking his body in tightly to prevent him from showing any weakspots as he flies off to where he can sense the highest concentration of Darkness. Ike looks at the three horse mounted soldiers as the strike simultaneously at him. His eyes then become sharp as thier attacks seem to slow down. He then lashes out with what appears to them lightning speed his great sword striking horse and rider as one, his body weaving around the attacks. When it is over Ike's sufficiently named 'Counter Attack' technique has knocked down the riders and thier horses. He then tries to behead one while he is down. Xianghua as she lands on her back immediatly flips onto her feet with speed and grace that while is below that of Dao Chan is no less impressive. She holds her Jian in a ready position as she tries to figure out a way to try and take down her opponent. It is then that Fayt acts from the sidelines. He uses a symbological buff spell called Angel Feathers. The spell increases one allies Attack, Defence, and Speed. Xianghua feels this boost and now with more confidence than before moves with improved speed in an ultrasonic stab attack. (Think the 'Gatoutsu' from Rurouni Kenshin)

Xianghua
Diao Chan skips back, spinning her smiked chain around to gain momentum, it whipping and lashing in a pattern of death that would flay you if you stepped anywhere near. In the hands of anyone but a master it's a weapon more dangerous to the weilder then it's enemies. But in the hand's of Diao Chan, it's a shield and a weapon and eveything else all at once.

Kain
No reply. You need to work on your threats delivery. Like when you have an audiance.

Ike
You slay two of them, but the third mannages to throw himself back in time, then lunges forward, attempting to stab you're lower torso. The line has broken, and behind you all is chaos as it degnerates into individual combat. You catch only brutal glimpses.

Nameless
"Could you be more specific?" He replies, stroking the curl at the end of his goatee.

Zhou Yu, Terra
You win.
Next fight, Cloud versus Metaknight.

Dawning Light

Ike brings his sword forward to block the attack as he kicks out with his left leg attempting to throw his enemy of balence and then slashes at him in an attempt to end the fight so he could take out more troops. Xianghua on the other hand is having much more trouble. Seeing no other way to try and hit her slippery opponent she attempts to stick out her sword in the chains path to have the chain entangle and wrap itself around the sword. She then attempts to pull as hard as she can with her enhanced strength to pull Diao Chan toward her and then kick her as hard as she can in the chest.

Sora
He ran through the flames of his childhood home, smoke and sobbing making his breath catch in his chest. It couldn't be. It couldn't be. It couldn't be him. Surely the witnesses had seen wrongly. He rounded a corner, and was confronted with his worst nightmare.
"You can never really go back." The figure said, silver hair blowing in the wind. "What once was in you reach is now gone forever. Die, rot and perish. The world shall move on without you."

Dawning Light
Ventus flies into the eye of the storm, to find the center of the darkness leaking in. The towering form of Lu Bu stands atop a rocky crag, laughing madly. His chest is still torn open, and black smoke drifts from it, a tremendous hole where his heart should be. The tremendous wedge shaped living blade is held loosely in his right hand, and his eyes blaze with madness. His rage and hate had transformed him into a heartless, and the sword had only made it worse.
Seeing you, he swings the blade, and the blackness deepens around him, forming thorny tendrils that wrap around you with crushing force, attempting to smother the light within you.
Ike drops the officer and takes him out permanently for good measure. The man was alive, but his heart was so clouded he was scarcely more then a Heartless. The soldiers seem disenhearted by the death of their commanders, but continue the press, trying to bring you down with weight of numbers.
Xianghua manages to catch the blade, but whatever she might look like, Lu Bu's lover was no dainty flower. Diao Chan wraps the chain around her forearm then her bicep, pulling it taunt, and using leverage to instead try to rip the sword from your grip.

Riku
The flight to Radiant Garden didn't take as long as Riku thought it would, and was surprisingly uneventful, considering what new dangers lurked in the shadows now. However, he was thankful for the reprieve as he set the Gummi Ship down in the hangar, and exited the ship. The former Hollow Bastion looked far different than Riku remembered it, now bustling with life and moving towards repair from the darkness wrought on it years ago. Perhaps this was more how it looked in its prime. The streets were surprisingly free of Heartless, considering that this was the place where darkness had erupted all those years ago, but perhaps that was thanks to the fully functional defense grid now working with the city. Nevertheless, he followed the path until he reached a little house in the corner of the street: Merlin's House.

Tuatha De Dannan
Nobunaga and his party depart, heading for Traverse Town, in the hopes of finding Yen Sid.

Dawning Light

Ventus narrowly avoids the tendrils aiming for his body but they hit his board causing him to have to go into a tumble roll and comes to a stop at his feet. Knowing that Lu Bu's strong attacks could be his undoing Ventus casts the Aero spell to defend himself. Gripping the handle of his reverse-wield keyblade tightly with the barrier of wind surrounding him he runs forward at Lu Bu his armor clanking as he swings.
Ike meanwhile looks around at the surrounding soldiers. As they start advancing on him he takes his sword and hefts it up into the air. Flames then gather around the edge of the blade. He wait until the last minute and the flames around the become super condensed and the soldier have gathered around him closely. He then plunges the blade of the sword into the ground headfirst. There is a large outward explosion of flames as Ike monumental Eruption move commences.
It is only thanks to the enhanced strength granted to her by Fayt's spell that her sword is not jerked from her hand. Instead she manages to force a stalemate. Seeing as she won't be able to win this on her own Knuckles decides to join the fray as he tightens his gloves and runs forward and attempts to launch a wicked haymaker into Diao Chan's back.

Scrooge
Though Runway's navigational skills left something to be desired by his two passengers, and the three young ducklings, he still managed to get them to the land of New Orleans within about half an hour, and floated around the world, looking for a place to land.
Scrooge, meanwhile, is relaxing in a spar filled with money, hands thrown back behind his head, top-hat perched jauntily atop his balding head, quacking contentedly under his breath with a hint of scots lengthening the vowels.
When at last Runway begins to lower the ship, Scrooge gets up, and begins the process of replacing his velvet smoking jacket and shoes. There was a time for force, and a time for a more subtle hand. It was knowing when to use both that had made him so very, very rich.

Zelda
She curtsies a foot, lowering her eyes slightly, then offers him her arm. Strictly speaking she should lean on his, but given their respective sizes instead she lowers it and walks into his throneroom with him. She had decided to err on the side of deference, she was a guest, and men like this were often susceptible to buttering up. Besides, there was really no need nor reason to be impolite.

Cloud Strife
The man who walked calmly into the ring had spiky blond hair, with deep blue eyes that almost seemed to glow in the lighting of the room. He wore an entirely black outfit with one long sleeve covering his arm, and black gloves covered his hands. And he held an enormous blade lightly in one hand, that was almost as big as he was.
"Lets get this over with." He says darkly, rolling his shoulders. "I don't have long."

Zhou Yu, Vincent, Terra
"I do not trust this. The Lord of the dead is planning something, and I mean to find out what." The golden pointed shoes and claw were the first things to catch any onlooker's eye. Those metal-plated claws spoke of danger enough without gazing at the weapon hidden just out of normal sight. The black leather and crimson cloak he wore served as a stunning contrast to his alabaster skin and midnight black hair. He looked lethal.

Terra nods. He's not really feeling this, and intends to find out what is going on by any means left to him. "Agreed. I'll lead you to the underworld."

Zhou Yu nods as well, putting down his staff and picking up the massive black blade. "By all means. Lead on." He says quietly, stretching a little before sheathing the blade at his hip and straightening his robe.

Metaknight
The small warrior faces Cloud levelly, his golden hooked blade held securely in his hands. "I can assure you, this will not take long at all." He replies, setting into a ready stance. "Begin."

Nameless
"Then what good are you to me?" He asks, tightening his grip until he feels bones grind beneath his grip.