Chapter 16 (RIKU): Eternal Enemies

Chapter 16 (Riku): Eternal Enemies 

        The streets of Thebes were teeming with Heartless, far more than they had been before.  Riku and Lightning disposed of them easily enough, but Riku recognized a pattern as he and his new partner made their way through the city towards Mount Olympus.  He noticed that in every world he had been to so far, be it Star Command, Wonderland, Wild Jungle, or The Bayou, the more Heartless and enemies that sprouted out, the closer to a powerful enemy he was.  Despite his confidence in putting Hades on ice if need be, Riku was still secretly harboring doubt about his ability to match Caius in power.  He had only been in his presence once and the power he had while relaxed and collected was unyielding.  Few he had ever come across had his kind of power.  Xemnas came to mind and had it not been for Sora, Riku knew he would have been slain by the former leader of Organization XIII.  But the power Caius had was different.  The power he emanated was while he was still calm and not ready for battle.  Xemnas had reached that level when Sora and Riku had provoked him enough.  The same could be said for the Xehanort he battled a few months before during his Mark of Mastery exam.  He too was powerful, but only when pushed to his absolute limit did Riku actually manage to worry about his chances.  

        Neither Riku, nor Lightning talked much during their trek down towards where they expected Hades and Caius to be.  Riku chose to respect his new ally enough to not cause her to lose focus.  Somehow, he felt Lightning was the one being here that could beat someone like Caius.  Lightning, conversely, was still hoping Riku would have second doubts about fighting him and allow her to battle her old foe herself.  But when he kept pace with her, she knew he was there for the fight of the century.  

       No longer able to keep quiet, Riku finally asked the question that had been bugging him since he'd met this mysterious warrior.  "So, how do you know Caius?"

      Lightning stopped in the middle of the street as Riku completed his question.  Riku stopped and looked back.  The face Lightning wore was one Riku had never seen.  It seemed tainted by years of woe and war, misery and might, beauty and pain.  She stared into blank space, her eyes haunted by the countless times she had battled the demonic monster.  "Lightning?"

     "Caius Ballad and I have known each other for many years.  We've been foes almost as long as we can remember.  Hundreds of battles and wars over the years have caused us to bring havoc onto thousands of worlds.  Yet no matter how many times we defeat one another, we keep coming back to ensure neither Darkness nor Light retains complete control.  Why Caius has come to this world at this time, I am not sure.  But I can assure you, Riku, he will not hesitate until he comes into contact with the greatest powers this world offers."  

     Riku nodded.  "Was he always like this?"

     Lightning shrugged.  "Some say, in days long ago, he was happy.  He served under the goddess Yeul over a hundred years ago.  Whether he loved her or not was not clear, but I know Yeul loved him.  But she could see his pain and he could see hers.  She longed to be free of the realm she was forced to rule and Caius was willing to do anything to do it for her.  Even wipe out entire universes for her."  

     "This goddess had him destroy worlds?"

     "No.  But she did condone it.  In fact, no matter how many times he would prove to others how cruel and evil he was, Yeul would sweep it away.  Her heart was too pure for her own good and the evil he unleashed consumed her and the world I was protecting."  

      "And you want to get back home?"

      "I belong where I am needed" Lightning explained.  "I haven't had a home for some time.  Homes are for those who can afford the luxury of one.  Of course, that doesn't mean I don't have anyone I care for."  

       "Who?"

       "My sister" Lightning answered.  "Of course, we haven't been close for some time.  That's because I know so long as Caius and the dark powers he brings and allies with are still standing, my battle won't end."  

       Riku lowered his head.  "Oh.  So that's why you want to fight him alone."

       "Hm?" Lightning asked, confused by Riku's response.  

       "For a while, Lightning, I was like you.  I thought that the battle to destroy the darkness was mine and mine alone.  No matter who wanted to help me, I wouldn't let them.  Protecting the people I care about was a mission I've felt I needed to have since I was a boy.  But then, I learned something I should have known all along.  It's the same lesson I hope I can teach you before you go off and fight Caius for another eternity."

       "And that is?"

       "Just because you think you're stronger alone" Riku explained, "you become even stronger when you have people beside you.  If there's anything that lazy bum Sora taught me, it's that lesson.  And he's been through more than almost anyone else I know."  Riku looked up to the sky.  The winged stallion Hercules had been riding soared overhead towards Olympus.  Behind him, flew two armored figures riding Keyblade shaped vehicles.  "Looks like the Battle of Olympus is about to turn in our favor."  

       "Then Caius is not there" Lightning insisted.  

       "Wouldn't he be in the middle of the action?"

       "You can feel the immense aura of light coming from those riders, yes?"

        Riku closed his eyes.  The light Sora, Kairi, and Hercules emanated was incredibly strong.  Perhaps stronger than it had ever been with just Sora and Kairi.  "That power spike is incredible!"  

        "It is said, on the isle where Hercules trained, that someone's power is heightened to an extraordinary level.  He hoped to keep this power to ensure he kept both the worlds of the Gods and the people safe.  I have reason to believe your friends have also been granted that power."  Lightning closed her eyes, trying to hone in on the presence of darkness around Mount Olympus.  "Should Caius be involved in that battle, if we intervene, he would know it would be a losing one.  He will allow Hades to be done in on his own.  He will observe the battle and seek out the greater darkness."  

        "A greater darkness?"

        "Of course" Lightning answered plainly.  "The only reason I could track Caius this time was because of this new spike in dark power here.  I thought it was Hades at first.  But I was wrong.  There is another here, with more dark power than he could possibly have."  

        "Xehanort" Riku said quietly.  

        Lightning flashed a quick grin.  "Then I believe you and I are indeed in this together.  Should this Xehanort and Caius join forces, the dark power they unleash on this world and all others would be devastating.  We have to find them!"  Lightning put her hand on Riku's shoulder.  "Can I trust you to fight with me?"

        Riku nodded.  "Nothing will stop me from it!"  

        Lightning looked towards the Town Square.  "That power is coming from there.  We have to hurry!"  The two warriors sprinted down the road towards Town Square and what both knew could be their defining moments of war.  

        The two warriors slid to a stop in the middle of the Town Square.  Both anxiously looked around for their foes.  But they were not in immediate view.  But both could feel the tremendous power coming from the square.  Riku and Lightning studied the buildings, until Lightning spotted one of their targets looking down on them from a balcony.  "So you're the one with all of that power!"  

       Riku spun around and saw the last face he hoped he would ever see again.  "Master Xehanort!"  

       Xehanort wore an icy smile as he studied the two warriors below him.  "Interesting.  Very interesting.  I expected at least one of you to be involved in the battles in this world.  And yet, here you two are, seeking out those who are the real dangers of this world and all the others."  

       "Why even come here, Xehanort?" Riku demanded.  "There's nothing you seek here!"

       "That's where you are wrong, my boy" the old Keyblade Master coyly replied.  "If I am counting correctly, there are three Guardians of Light here and one of the Seven Pure Lights.  Correct me if I am wrong, Riku."

        Riku clenched his fists.  "If you even lay a finger on Sora or Kairi--"

        "I do not mean to intervene personally" Xehanort assured his foe.  "Then again, there are almost thirteen of me running around.  So, you never can be too sure, now can you?"

        "Xehanort!"

        Xehanort called forth his own Keyblade, a black and soulless weapon.  "I do not seek quarrel with the ordinary boy or the princess.  Instead, I intend to see just how well the little king and my dear old friend Yen Sid have trained their brightest charge.  You could have been great, my boy.  But you allowed that little brat Sora to intervene.  And now, everyone in this world will suffer the consequences!"  Xehanort launched a ball of darkness into the skies above Thebes.  The ball exploded with intense force and morphed into a gigantic ball of darkness.  The same kind of ball that had exterminated almost half of Wonderland.  

         "No!"

         Xehanort sneered.  "So, I take it you are acquainted with these masses of energy.  When the presence of darkness becomes too immense for one world to handle, the world will eventually collapse in on itself thanks to this.  These, Riku, are what the Heartless used to destroy those worlds a few years ago.  And they have returned for one purpose: to swallow this world in darkness and allow me to continue my goals in peace!"  

        Riku called forth his Keyblade.  "Not if I stop you first!"

        "Therein lies your problem."  Xehanort waved his hand and allowed Caius to emerge beside him.  Caius and Lightning locked eyes before he leaped from his balcony and stood mere feet from Riku and Lightning.  

        "Caius!"

        "It appears we have met again, Warrior Goddess!"

        Lightning drew forth her Gunblade and stood beside Riku.  "You will not drag this world into your depths of madness!"

        "And I will not stand for a world where your light and the light of the Keyblade are one and the same!"  He called forth the forces of darkness and summoned his sword, which had a piercing eye of dark power.  He swung the blade down on the street, causing the earth to tremble.  "How I have longed to make the power of the Keyblade my own.  And now, I shall see it's true power unleashed in battle."  

         Riku and Lightning angled their weapons into a defensive position.  Caius swung his blade furiously, causing a tremendous gale to sweep the two warriors into the air.  Caius moved swiftly, bashing and smashing on Riku's defenses.  Riku blocked quickly and remained on guard, but lost his defense when Caius utilized a pulse of dark energy and fired it at Riku's weapon, causing the Keyblade to fly from his hands.  Gathering dark power, Caius launched his fist at Riku, knocking him to the ground and causing an indent as he landed.  

        "Riku!" Lightning shouted, lunging forward and blocking Caius's killing blow.  "So, even after all this time away from home, you actually do have a heart for others."

         Riku called his Keyblade to his hands as Lightning and Caius locked blades.  As it's grip fell into his hands, Riku swung upwards, missing Caius by inches.  The dark warrior leaped backwards as Lightning helped Riku to his feet.  "Are you alright?"

         Riku nodded.  "Yeah.  He just caught me off guard."

         Lightning looked to Caius, who began to call upon the dark powers in both his own body and the brimming darkness above him.  "Stay strong, Riku."  Lightning and Riku prepared for the complete onslaught of his dark power.  

Boss Battle: Caius Ballad

HP: 1000

Battle Theme: Abyssal Chaos

GET BONUS:

Riku Learned Overdrive 

+10 MP

Lightning: +30 HP

+40 Friendship

        Riku and Lightning put their blades together and began to call upon their combined light.  Caius recovered from his defeat in time to see their growing power.  "How pathetic.  Even when they had the initiative, they still need to prolong defeat!"  

       Riku and Lightning looked at each other as the immense power began to make their arms shake violently.  "I never knew the Keyblade had this much power."

      "It only has this much power if I hold my friends true in my heart" Riku answered.  

      Lightning nodded.  "When the time is right, we have to use all of this power to defeat him once and for all!  If we fail, it's over."

      "No, Lightning!" Riku argued.  "You need to get home to see your sister!"

      Lightning gasped.  "But how will you defeat Caius?"

      "That power we're combining" Riku reasoned.  "I need you to add it to the Keyblade.  If we give him this power, I'll be able to send him somewhere he won't come back from."

      "That much power could kill you!" Lightning warned.  "You can't!"

      "Lightning!" Riku yelled.  "I need you to trust me.  Put your sword away and pass the power into the Keyblade!"  Lightning tried to speak again, but decided against it.  In a flash of light, the Gunblade in her hands vanished and her hand fell upon Riku's and the Keyblade.  The weapon began to shine with incredible power.  

        "That power!" Caius exclaimed.  

        Sensing what was about to transpire, Xehanort snarled bitterly.  "You fool!  Get out of there!"

        Caius rolled his eyes at Xehanort's warning.  "If this is truly your power, Keyblade, give it to me!   I will not allow you to be weakened by their power!"  Caius lunged forward.  

       With Caius's impulsive action, Riku unleashed the full power of the Keyblade on his foe.  Lightning shielded her eyes from the immense light.  As the power unleashed itself on Caius, the two could hear his violent yells as the power consumed him.  "NO!  Yeul!"  

      When the light cleared, all that remained of Caius was his sword, which dissolved into the darkness.  The Dark Ball of energy above the two also began to collapse in on itself until it vanished into nonexistent.  The two warriors of light let out cheerful laughs before falling to their knees in exhaustion.  Riku and Lightning eyed each other briefly before their eyes fluttered shut.  

        "Guys?  Are you alright?"

        Riku stirred slightly as he felt himself being shaken awake.  Riku pushed himself to his knees.  Hercules sat beside him on his knee.  Megara stood beside him with Pegasus whinnying beside Lightning.  Riku recognized Meg instantly.  

        "Meg?  You're alright!"

        "After you told Wonderboy I was in trouble" Meg grinned, "he and his friends came to find me immediately.  But enough about me, Riku.  What about you and your friend here?  What happened?"

         Riku looked to Lightning, who was being nudged up by Pegasus.  "We almost didn't make it."

         "After we stopped Hades" Hercules explained, "we saw what was happening here.  We hurried over here as soon as possible.  My father felt an incredible presence of darkness here, but it's gone now."  

         Riku waited for Lightning to fully recover.  "Well?  Is he gone?"

        Lightning closed her eyes and felt for the darkness in the world.  Her eyes opened slowly and she breathed calmly.  "Yes.  He is gone.  At least for the moment."  

        "And so is the darkness in the sky" Meg added, pointing towards the skies above, which had become light blue once more with the sun shining brightly.  

        "Well, whatever you two did" Hercules applauded, "you helped stop the darkness from overtaking the city.  I owe you guys one."

         "The pleasure was ours" Lightning replied.  "To be honest, I was afraid for a minute that we wouldn't be able to do it.  But if I know Caius, he will be back.  Therefore, until he does return, I will remain here in Olympus."  

         "I could always use some help keeping Hades in line" Hercules answered eagerly.

         Lightning flashed a grin.  "I would also like to test the great Hercules in battle.  From what I have heard, he is said to be legendary in battle."

         Hercules was flustered by the challenge.  "Well--I--uh--I'd love to battle you.  Although we may have to wait for the Coliseum to be rebuilt."  

        Meg put her arm on Herc's and matched Lightning's grin.  "The way I see it, you don't think you can beat her."

       Hercules looked from both girls and anxiously looked to Riku for help.  Riku decided to jump in.  "I'm sure a fight between Lightning and Hercules would be just what the city needs after all of this.  Make sure you fight when I get to see it though."

       Hercules nodded.  "Can do, Riku."  

       Riku looked towards the balcony where Xehanort had stood and believed he saw him again, but the figure vanished into the darkness.

Forged a D-Link with Hercules 

Riku Obtained the Conquerer's Chain Keychain

STR: +6

MP: 0

Ability:

Boost the Power of Combos in the air.

        As Hercules and Meg took off on Pegasus, Lightning turned to Riku.  "What happens for you now?"

       "I highly doubt either Xehanort or Caius really died in that blast" Riku remarked woefully.  "I know you want to take on Caius here again, which is why I need to find Xehanort before he causes anymore damage to other worlds."  

       "Was what you said true, Riku?  About gathering the strength of others?"

       "Every word.  You saw it for yourself when we beat Caius."

       Lightning nodded.  "The power of the Keyblade is a mystery to me.  As is the power and function of the heart.  I've never been able to see it's true purpose, even when my own sister fell in love."  Lightning drew something from her pocket and handed it to Riku.  "This was a keepsake of my world.  The power it will grant you is great.  Wield it the same way you've wielded the Keyblade." 

       Riku took the item from Lightning, who turned on her heel and walked down the streets of Thebes again, but not before turning back and laughing faintly.  "I look forward to seeing you in action again, Riku.  Perhaps this time, we can both quell the darknesses that haunt us."  

       Riku nodded.  "Good luck, Lightning.  I hope you find your sister again."

       Lightning kept her back to Riku as she finished.  "Claire.  My birthname is Claire."

      "Then I hope you find your sister...Claire."  

Forged a D-Link with Lightning 

Riku Obtained the Legion of One Keychain

STR: +4

MAG: +4

Ability:

Sacrifice Magic Reload Speed to Raise Attack Power