Kingdom Hearts: Destati

[Merlin326]

lol, you're the only one who had a chance to react to that. anyways, i will take a look at your story.

with all due respect,
Merlin326

[All-Star Gamer]

Glad you're alright pal.
.........

[Merlin326]

okay, so im going to post this before i head off to bed for the night. can anyone guess where i based the title from?

this chapter will be the last time our mysterious stranger appears before revealing his identity. we will also revisit the Morph that Xando found beneath the castle.
***************

Fragmented Tale the 6th
Right after Part III Ch 1
“Did you ever dance with the devil in the pale moon light?”

It was midnight now. Xando sat on his bed and gazed out the window at nothing in particular. After his story, they had eventually decided to turn in for the night. The others were likely asleep by now, but he was unable to sleep. Whenever he closed his eyes, he saw that horrible scene again. The scene where Colette died.

Suddenly, he felt another presence in the room. He turned, but no one was there. Unconvinced, Xando jumped from his bed and surveyed the room. There! Hiding by the closet was a hooded figure, one Xando remembered well. Noticing that he was no longer unseen, the figure spoke, inside Xando’s head.

You have spotted me.

“We meet again,” Xando said, “what brings you here?”

How far are you willing to go?

Xando stopped for a moment, puzzled. “What do you mean by that?”

I think you know…

“Humor me then,” Xando said, “pretend I don’t understand what you’re speaking of.”

Your vendetta. How far are you willing to go to see it through?

“Whatever it takes,” Xando said bitterly, “I WILL avenge Colette.”

Even if it means putting your new friends in harms way?

“Don’t pretend you know me, mysterious one,” Xando said, “I don’t have the luxury of friends.”

I am sure Sora, Riku, and Kairi would say otherwise. You are just trying to fool yourself, Xando.

Xando looked away from the figure, unable to speak.

I understand the rage within you, Xando. It gives you great power. But if you let it, it will destroy you

Xando looked back up to the figure. He saw the grief in his eyes, and the hidden rage.

… As it did me.

And with that, the mysterious figure vanished into thin air, but not before giving some more advice to Xando.

Go to the Room of Awakening.

And then he was gone. Xando took the advice and grabbed his sword, leaving quietly so no one would notice his leave.
-------
It only took about half an hour for Xando to make his way to the castle. Once there, he made his way to the secret room beneath the castle where the first Project: ENDLESS had taken place. In the room beyond was the final creation of the project, well sealed by numerous computers and containers. The mysterious figure was already there.

Xehanort will try to free this creation. After your… heroic rescue of Sora, he has decided to make clones using the real thing instead.

“But I changed the passwords when I came here two years ago,” Xando replied, “I doubt he could guess it.”

Codes and ciphers won’t stop him. If he cannot figure out the code, he will just destroy the doors until he gets there. Or else blackmail you into telling him.

“There isn’t anything to blackmail me with,” Xando answered coldly.

you continue to fool yourself, Prince of Shadows. But you can’t fool me. You care for Sora and his friends, even if you refuse to admit it. It would be for the best if you change the codes back to what it was and take the creature inside here with you, and hide it somewhere safe.

“I don’t know how you can make such claims about who I consider friends,” Xando said, “but I see your point about taking the thing in there with me.”

So Xando entered the codes and released the seals on the creature within the cylinder. Inside there was a pedestal, with a small, black sphere resting on it.

“This is it?” Xando questioned, “This is what Xehanort’s after?”

Do not be fooled by appearance. The sphere is but the final seal on what is within. Be careful not to break it, for if you do, a horrible monster will be released to the world.
---------------
Xando walked back to the house, the black sphere hidden in his cloak. He had parted ways with the stranger and decided he would carry the sphere with him until he found a suitable hiding spot. He would tell no one of what he had found; it was better if they didn’t know.

However, his journey did not go uninterrupted. Halfway back, a figure stopped him.

“You have something that my master wants,” the dark soldier said, drawing a Keyblade, “I’m going to take it back.”

“Valzog,” Xando breathed, “and just what do I have that Xehanort wants?”

“Master Xehanort desires that black sphere you’re carrying,” Valzog answered, and then added, “I saw you head towards the castle, and Master Xehanort told me you would likely try to make off with it. Hand it over now, and your death will be swift and painless.”

“You play your cards well,” Xando admitted, pulling out the sphere, “there’s just one problem…”

“And that would be?”

Xando smiled and pulled out his sword and simultaneously throwing the sphere at Valzog, “I have no
intention of dieing today!”

Valzog caught the sphere, but this left him open to Xando’s charge, which shoved him back, and grabbed the sphere out of his hands.

“So we do this the hard way, then?” Valzog gasped.

“Indeed. But tell me, Valzog…”

Valzog looked up at Xando’s eyes. They were full of hatred and vengeance.

“… Did you ever dance with the devil in the pale moon light?”

And then he charged at Valzog, ghost swords flying in front of him as a shield. Valzog somersaulted out of the way, as the flying swords carved a path of destruction. Xando turned and locked blades with Valzog. Xando jumped back and flung fireballs at the dark soldier, who merely swatted them away with his sword.
Xando readied his sword again and charged right at Valzog. After exchanging blows for several minutes, Valzog backed away.

“You’re much stronger than you appear,” he admitted, “just what are you?”

And then he was gone, vanished in a corridor of darkness.

“I’m not really sure myself anymore,” Xando said to himself. He sheathed his sword and continued walking to the house.
****************

as you can see, Xando still refuses to accept the fact that he has friends. but a more pressing question: what exactly is the thing sealed within the black sphere? within the next few chapters, the answer becomes known... and a hundred more questions will come to mind.

with all due respect,
Merlin326

[All-Star Gamer]

Xando is in serious denial. Isn't he?

[Davy Jones]

Once again, your writing prowess astounds me. Herr Merlin should win some sort of award...

The Most Bally Flippin Awesome Story Award, wot!

[nojerom_14]

holy crap i'm missing out!!!!!!!!!!!
good chaptersssss!!! and tale.

[Merlin326]

denial, well thats one way of looking at it. for his character, i basically took Cloud from Advent Children (as far as personality flaws at least) and molded it into something i could use.

Xando is unwilling to let himself become friends with anyone ever again so he wont have to feel the pain of when they die. for anyone who has had someone you cared about die, you know just how it feels. unfortenetly, Xando is the type of person that takes death very badly. and it's even worse since he saw her murdered with his own eyes. he will never completely get over Colette's death.

on another note: does no one know where i got the title from? here is a hint: fictional character: Jack N.

with all due respect,
Merlin326

[R0ad H0g]

Das un good chapter Herr Merlin! Did the Joker from Batman say the quote by any chance? (If I'm right its because I googled it)

[Merlin326]

you have guessed correctly, R0ad H0g. it was indeed the Joker from the Batman movie (the one with Tim burton as director and Jack Nickleson as Joker) that gave this quote. apparently he said it to all his victims (batman also says it to him int he climax, right before punching him in the face).

in other news, the next chapter i estimate will be up Friday.

with all due respect,
Merlin326

[All-Star Gamer]

Great chapter man. Keep it up!

[Haku]

Late once again, but otherwise I really enjoyed this chapter.

[Merlin326]

Chapter 2
His World

For an entire week, Sora trained with Riku and Kairi to get his combat skill back. 2 years really can do a number on your fighting talents. Xando would watch and offer the occasional tidbit of advice.

After a week, Sora was back to his old self combat-wise. However, after watching Xando train by himself, Sora was curious how good the Prince of Shadows was. Finally, he decided to challenge the 20-year-old prince.

“Hey Xando,” he said one day, “Care to spar?”

Xando stopped swinging his sword and glanced at the young hero.

“You sure you want to spar with me? I think you may be surprised just how powerful I am.”

“I’m not going to get stronger unless I take on someone better,” Sora answered.

Xando smiled slightly, and then called Riku and Kairi over. “You three against me,” he said.

“That doesn’t seem very fair,” Riku said.

“I know,” Xando answered, readying his sword, “you three don’t stand a chance.”

“Don’t hold back,” Sora warned.

“Never do.”

And then he charged at them, scattering the group

“If you put the time in, I'll put you to the test," Xando added.

Xando then fired fireballs at the trio, forcing them on the defensive. Sora charged forward and tried to slash the prince, but Xando merely jumped out of the way and backhanded Sora, sending him flying into a wall.

“If you want to test me, you need to bring your best,” Xando said calmly, and then sidestepped Riku’s thrust and kicked his feet out from under him.

Sora threw his Keyblade at Xando, but he merely grabbed it by the hilt and flung it back at Sora, knocking him down. Kairi threw blasts of ice at Xando, but he merely created a wall of fire around him, melting the ice before it reached him. As Kairi charged up another ice spell, Xando fired a thunder spell. Water conducts electricity, so Kairi got a surprising shock, no pun intended.

As the sparring continued, Sora noticed some things about Xando. When in battle, Xando was in his own little world. Xando was like a running man: in his world, more was less.

Sora used reflect magic to block Xando’s small army of ghost swords, but the continual beating forced Sora to lose his concentration and the barrier shattered. Riku charged at Xando, who fell backwards. He then used Riku’s momentum, coupled with a push of Xando’s feet, to sent Riku flying into a wall.

In his world, where life was strong.

Kairi began flinging fireballs at Xando, but he conjured a wall of water to douse them. He then ran, grabbed Kairi by the arm, and flung her into the ceiling. Riku launched a dark fireball, but Xando batted it aside with his hand and charged at Riku. Sora was still fending off the ghost swords.

In his world, life was an open book.

Sora charged at Xando, ghost sword right on his tail, and somersaulted over him. Both Sora and Riku jumped out of the way as the ghost swords charged right at their master. Xando, though, merely gestured with his hand, and the ghost swords changed direction and flew towards Riku. Riku began to run from the incorporeal weapons and Sora engaged Xando in melee. Kairi finally hit the floor and struggled to her feet.

In his world, where one is all.

Sora locked blades with Xando, who punched him with his free hand in the stomach. Sora doubled over in pain and Xando turned toward Kairi, who had finally gotten to her feet. He charged at her and locked swords, while using his free hand to charge up a fireball. Kairi responded by taking a deep breath and used her magic to empty the area near them of air, turning it into a vacuum. Without air, the fireball winked out. Xando, who had managed to get a breath in before all the air vanished, jumped back and
flung a wave of energy from his sword.

In his world, he never feared the fall.

Kairi barely dodged the wave, but the maneuver put her right in the path of a fireball Xando launched. With no time to move, the ball hit Kairi dead on. Riku, who had managed to fend off the ghost swords thus far, and Sora, who had recovered from the blow, charged together at Xando in an attempt to team up against him. Xando smiled and dispelled his ghost swords.

In his world, life was just a game he played.

When they were nearly upon him, Xando purposefully dropped his sword. He then turned to a side so the duo would pass right by him, and he grabbed them by the collar of their shirts. He then spun them around once and flung the two right into a wall, and conjured some ghost swords to pin them there.

In his world, where compromise does not exist.

Xando then turned to Kairi, who was just recovering from the fireball. He launched several bolts of lightning, which Kairi barely dodged. While continuing to throw lightning bolts, Xando charged with sword in hand. Kairi managed to throw ice bolts while dodging, but Xando deflected them with his sword with ease. Riku and Sora were still pinned down by the ghost swords.

In his world of worlds, every step meets the rest.

Xando was nearly upon Kairi, and they locked swords. He then dropped his sword, jumped back, and fired a blast of wind, knocking Kairi off her feet. Xando ran, grabbing his blade as he passed it, and leapt at the fallen Kairi. She jumped to her feet, sidestepped the blow and prepared to counterattack. However, before she could begin to swing, he felt the cold metal of Xando’s sword against her neck.

“You are dead,” he said emotionlessly, then sheathed his sword, “we are done for now.”

He dismissed the ghost swords pinning Riku and Sora, who fell to the ground immediately.

“You’re… much… stronger than I thought,” Kairi panted. All three of them were exhausted from the ‘sparring’ but Xando didn’t seem anything more than slightly worn.

“I’ve had much more experience in battle than you three put together,” he said, “you can fight a few hundred Heartless, I know how to engage several thousand alone. I also know how to judge the situation in milliseconds and calculate the most likely to succeed strategy based on an opponents strengths and weaknesses.”

“But still,” Sora breathed, “to be so strong for such a young age. You only about 3 years older than me and Kairi, but you fight like you’ve been training for several years.”

“I have been training in combat since I could walk,” Xando said, “and I have learned swordplay since I was strong enough to hold one.”

“You’ve had a lot of training,” Riku commented.

“The training is nothing,” Xando said, “the will is everything.”

Then he added, noting their questioning faces, “The will to act.”

Xando then unleashed a wave of healing energy, revitalizing the trio instantly and bringing them back to full strength.

“Care to try again?” he said, pulling out his sword.
************
a chapter that shows a bit more of Xando's strength, as will as a little more info on his character. even with 3 on 1, Xando is unbeatable.

next chapter, we will introduce a new evil. a powerful being of sheer darkness. a mortal form for hatred and evil. and a shadow of a past hero.

Aloz.

with all due respect,
Merlin326

[nojerom_14]

oh that was goooood. revealed a different side of Xando if you asked me. more character was brought into it and man is he a heck of a good teacher

[Merlin326]

Originally Posted by nojerom_14

oh that was goooood. revealed a different side of Xando if you asked me. more character was brought into it and man is he a heck of a good teacher

and a heck of a good fighter. truth of the matter is, he was toying with them. if he wanted to, he could have beaten them all quite quickly. he has a natural love of combat, in a sense. all the chaos, all the excitment; he's more at home in battle. he uses it as a way to temporalily forget his pain.

this chapter actually has referances to two things. one a video game, the other a movie.

with all due respect,
Merlin326

[Haku]

Another great and well thought out chapter, well done.