Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories

Chapter 4: Facing the Darkness

(Madison's) POV:

After taking care of Oogie Boogie in Halloween Town, Riku, Kuro and I start to leave, to head on to the next floor, or at least to find the exit. There is one thing that's been bothering me, however. Some of the cards we got involved being in worlds that Riku wasn't involved in. If the cards we've received are made from mine and Riku's memories, then why were the last four cards we used only involve MY memories?

I'm soon brought out of my thoughts when I hear Kuro barking all of a sudden. It doesn't take long to realize why when another member of Organization 13 appears. I can't tell if his weapon is an axe or a sword, but it does look like a little bit of both, and something tells me that he's definitely not someone we should underestimate.

"That scent...You're another one of those 'Nobodies'," Riku says as we both bring out our swords.

"You've both done well thus far. But to posses your powers, and yet fear the darkness...What a waste," this guy says.

"I am sick and tired of everyone telling us the same thing over and over again. Why can't all of you just shut up!?" I question.

"We do not...fear it!" Riku exclaims.

"I sense that you do. You're also capable of controlling the darkness. Cast away your useless fear. Open your heart. Embrace the darkness," this guys says.

"And if we refuse?" I ask.

"Then you lose both light and darkness--and disappear!"

By saying that last word, this guy surrounds himself by some powerful force. It's so powerful that it nearly knocked me, Riku and Kuro off balance. It practically took all our might to withstand it.

"I, Lexaeus, will not yield to the frail hearts--of a couple of infantile cowards! Now, stop resisting--and let the darkness in!" Lexaeus exclaims.

He then makes the move to attack by swinging his weapon at us. We try to face Lexaeus as best as we can. While Riku would make frontal attacks, Kuro would help him out as support. I also do my part by using some magic spells.

I'm not as great as Donald, but I've at least had time to do some spells that don't just involve fire. It took a lot of work, but somehow, we brought Lexaeus to his knees. Riku, Kuro and I, however, are pretty exhausted ourselves.

"Your finished!" Riku exclaims.

"Don't mock me!" Lexaeus exclaims.

Just as Riku is about to do the final blow, Lexaeus uses his weapon to knock Riku all the way up to the ceiling. His body then falls to the ground.

"Riku!" I exclaim with worry, followed by Kuro's whine.

I try to move to him but am unable to do so. That fight must've taken a lot more out of me than I thought. My legs are too tired to move. I'm practically struggling to stand.

"You both were too much trouble," Lexaeus says, straightening himself.

Dammit! If this is how strong he is, I'd hate to see how strong the other Organization 13 members really are!

Lexaeus slowly starts to walk to Riku's unconscious form. But then something strange happens. Some kind of dark power starts to surround Riku's body. His clothes then change into that dark armor, catching me by surprise. Even Lexaeus is shocked.

All of a sudden, Riku starts to get back on his feet. But something's off about him. The expression he's making right now is not the Riku I know. Then, at the speed of light, he strikes down Lexaeus.