//------------------------------// // The Key to Tricks // Story: May Your Heart Be Your Guiding Key // by SoulboundAlchemist //------------------------------// May Your Heart Be Your Guiding Key By SoulboundAlchemist and MicroMiniMouse feat. GarnetNaturea Chapter 12: The Key to Tricks “...That was a dirty trick, you know that right?” I questioned Lex with a glare as we stepped out of the Tower. “I know, but hey, sometimes you need to fight dirty. Plus I wanted to test what kind of effects I could make my toxins do anyways.” She states with a shrug, hands behind her head as she walked. She had requipped into a more relaxed outfit, the one I remember Levi was first introduced in. We had left the Tower after finding Twilight holed up in the Tower library. Who knew we even had a library? ***Flashback*** “Hey Melissa, any idea where Twi and the rest are?” I asked as we stepped out of the simulator. “Probably in the library,” she replied, adjusting settings on her terminal. I blinked. “We have a library?” “Isn’t this YOUR tower?” Haley asked with a raised eyebrow. “Shouldn’t you know these things?” “Technically it’s Celestia’s Tower,” Melissa commented. “Celestia gave it to Kairi when she showed up.” “Nice, I had Celestia build the guild, and that wasn’t until after I helped save the Crystal Empire.” Lex commented. “I ask again, we have a library?” I asked again, trying to get the conversation back on track. The techie sighed. “Out the door, two levels up. You can’t miss it.” We nodded before stepping out and following her instructions. Heading up, we quickly find the library, and just inside, sitting at one of the tables, was Twilight, Luna and Chirithy, each reading a different book. Twilight’s book on Keyblade lore didn’t surprise me, but Luna and Chirithy reading manga did. My Heroine Academia? Really? “Nice place. It’s no Fairy Tail Archives, but it looked great.” Lex commented, looking at a couple shelves with Dawn and Trixie. “Yeah, I’m kinda surprised myself,” I muttered before turning to Luna. “Where exactly did you find that? Not to mention how is that even here?” “They found it over there,” Twilight said, pointing to the conveniently marked Comic section. “There are spells that allow for the Library to self-update based on the tastes of the residents. Since Chirithy found it, it put that section together.” “Huh, convenient,” I replied. “Anyway, Twilight, I’d like for you to meet Lex, Dawn and Trixie. They’re here to help Haley with her, uh, problem.” “Hey Twi.” Lex mutter almost dismissively, looking through a book on keyblade spells. Dawn just nodded, his unflinching stare unnerving Twi a bit before he went back to his own book on basic keyblade combat. “U-um...hi Twilight.” I rose a brow as I noticed Trixie shyly waving with a blush on her face. Lex smirked at my raised brow and wiggled her own a couple times. “Uh, hello I guess?” Twilight raised her own eyebrow in confusion before shaking her head. “Anyway, I should probably get going. Spike mentioned seeing flyers for a magic show in town. Not sure why he wants to see that.” “Probably a sense of normality,” I chuckled, before what she said processed. “Wait, did you say magic show?” “Yyyeeesss…” The raised eyebrow returned on the purple unicorn. My eye twitched ever so slightly. “Did Spike happen to mention who was doing the magic show?” “Yes, some unicorn called the ‘Great and Powerful Trixie,’” Twilight nodded, rolling her eyes and letting sarcasm color her words as she said the name. Trixie visibly flinched at that, catching our attention as her fur paled into an almost ghostly white. “Oh buck, today’s that day!?” She screamed, beginning to pace around in worry. I groan as I realize the same thing, before an unexpected voice cuts in. “Wanna do something about it?” We turn to the voice and see Chirithy with a grin on his face. “Yes! Anything to stop another me from making the same mistakes I did. The last thing I want is for an Ursa Minor to show up.” Trixie stated, earning a nod from Lex as she closed her book and turned to us. “Then what are we waiting for?” “OK, but what do you have in mind Chirithy?” I questioned with a nod. “Well, why not give her an opportunity to do an actual performance instead of just boasting?” the Spirit said with a grin. “Something involving her illusions, and maybe some of your music?” Lex put a hand to her chin in thought, before smirking, almost evilly. “Well, you’re on the right track kitten,” “Don’t call me that!” “But just showing her up won’t amount to much. How about, we show her what the real Great and Powerful Trixie of Fairy Tail can do?” “Pop Stars!” Haley yelled catching all of our attention. My eyes widened slightly. “As in the K/DA song?” Haley nodded. “And for once, I can be useful!” She added with a proud smile on her face. I slowly nodded. “That could possibly work…” “Umm...what stars? I feel like I have heard that before somewhere.” Lex muttered, while Trixie was tilting her head. Dawn just kept reading. “Pop/Stars, it’s a Korean and English League of Legends song from back home,” I explained. “It’s extremely intricate, and could potentially only been done with illusions. See where I’m going with this?” Lex’s eyes widen in recognition before she fished out her Gummiphone and searched. “Man I am so glad this connects back to earth. Too bad I can’t call my parents though.” She muttered before finding the video. “Ok, yeah I remember this song. I heard about it from a friend of mine back in college, but never got around to listening to it.” “Can someone please fill me in over here?” Trixie said in annoyance. In response, Lex snapped her fingers and produced two wireless headphones before handing one set to Trixie. “Ok, while you lot do that, is there anything I can do aside from studying here?” Dawn questions in a dead tone as the others watch and listen to the song. “Hmm,” I mutter, eyeing the colt up and down. “What about having him learn Riku’s story?” Luna piped up. We all turned to the young alicorn, eyebrows raised. “We could do that, but why?” I asked. Luna fidgeted for a moment. “Well, he has this… hollow feeling about him,” she tried her best to explain. “Its like he should have an aura of balance, and he’s missing it somehow. I figured that he should learn from his story, since he walked the Path to Dawn.” “A balance between light and darkness,” I caught on as Luna nodded. “Balance…” Dawn muttered a hand on his chin as he put his book away. “That makes sense.” Lex said, leaving Trixie to memorize the video. “I have been trying to think of ways to get Dawn his light and darkness back, but he is easily the most apathetic being I have ever met aside from a literal robot. Going through Riku’s story could be the key to him unlocking his keyblade and his own heart.” “Alright then,” I nodded with a smile. “Why don’t you take Dawn down to the Simulator then Luna. Just ask Melissa to load up Riku’s side of the story from Kingdom Hearts.” Luna nodded with a smile before grabbing the colt’s hand and literally dragged him out the door, his apathetic look never leaving his face. “Now with that out of the way, how about we pull Trixie aside for a little chat…” I smirked. ***Flashback End*** It didn’t take us long to get into Ponyville after that, as we made our way to where Trixie had set up camp. “Why exactly are you dragging me into this?” A disgruntled Twilight glared at me. “We need another person to make sure the spells don’t unravel,” I explained. “Since your special talent is magic itself, you are technically the foremost expert on magic and spells.” “Still though...” the unicorn groaned. “Also we may need you to stop your friends from attacking and by extension, antagonizing this version of me. Trust me, I was merciless with them.” Trixie stated as we caught sight of the crowd. We quickly circled around the crowd to the wagon that the stage magician used as a home, before knocking on the door. “The Great and Powerful Trixie is about to go on so this better be import-” Trixie’s tirade was cut off as she opened the door and saw us. Or more accurately, herself standing there. “W-w-what?” “Long story, but we need to talk to you. Can we come in?” Lex’s Trixie questions politely. The other mare slowly nods and lets us in, before facing her doppelgänger. “Ok what’s this? Some kind of fanfilly illusion spell?” Trixie questions, grabbing Trix’s cheeks and pulling. Trix slapped her hands away with a frown before taking a breath. “Ok, so this is going to sound crazy, but I am a version of you from an alternate dimension. I am a member of the Fairy Tail Guild, and am training to become a powerful wizard not unlike Starswirl the Bearded.” “Ok? So then, why are you here, and stopping me before I can go on stage?” “Well...lets just say things didn’t go so well for me when I performed here and I wanted to stop you from unintentionally causing a ruckus.” “That’s not all.” Both Trixie’s turned to Lex as she spoke up. “Trixie and I wanted to show you just how great you could really be with some practice and friends. So, as bad as it sounds...we were going to hijack your show?” “WHAT!?” Trixie snapped before her counterpart laid a hand on her shoulder. “Relax. Remember, I am you. If we go one, the Great and Powerful Trixie will still be performing. Just the one from Fairy Tail.” “And you won’t be causing a ruckus with whatever illusion magic you’ll be doing?” Trix rolled her eyes before sighing. “The reason things got so bad for me before was because I was a braggart. I kept inflating my own abilities and some idiot colts took it literally. Can you honestly tell me you weren’t going to talk about beating an Ursa Major single handedly?” Trixie blushed and rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment, proving the point. She looked to herself before sighing and unclipping her cape. “Alright, I see your point. I may not like it, but the last thing I want is to cause trouble. Besides, I honestly am a little curious about what an alternate version of myself can do. I bet we’re even more great and powerful than I am alone.” Trix rolled her eyes again but smiled as she clipped on the cape before gently taking the hat from the rack nearby. “Well then, I guess it's time for me to show what we got.” ***After 20 minutes of extra prep…*** “Alright, is everyone ready?” I asked glancing around, before noticing someone was missing. “Hey, where’s Haley?” “I’ve always wanted to wear this costume!” Haley said, making us all turn our gaze to where she spoke. She seemed to be wearing an… “An Akali costume?” I questioned with a raised eyebrow. “Really? You used your magic to make a costume, after YOU PUT US THROUGH THE RINGER IN GETTING YOU TO UNDERSTAND MAGIC?!?” “Why didn’t I think of that?!” My gaze shot to Lex as her clothes began to glow, and suddenly she was in a copy of Evelynn’s outfit from the video. She smirked as she looked over herself before nodding. I groaned before turning back to Lex. “Mind magicing me into Ahri’s get up? Tail and ears included?” She nodded with a smirk before a spell matrix appeared beneath me and I could feel my clothes change. Once the light died down, it was done and I was in a perfect Ahri outfit, complete with a crystal-like tail and a pair of ears on the top of my head. I nodded in thanks as I saw Trixie taking a breath before placing her hands on her temples and glowing, before she was in Kai’sa’s outfit herself. “Alright, you girls ready now?” Trixie questions. The three of us nod and get in position. I quickly cast a spell to darken the area around the stage and crowd, before allowing my Music Magic to flow, beginning the song. Hey, hey, hey Hey-hey-hey, hey, hey You know who it is Coming 'round again You want a dose of this Right now It's K/DA, uh! The lights came on with several strobe lights as the background lit up, illuminating each of us one at a time before showing the four of us, in our poses. Haley walked up a bit while the rest of us disappear into thin air with some help from Trixie’s Memory Magic. I'm a goddess with a blade 소리쳐봐 내 이름 잊지 못하게 Loud, loud, loud, loud I could take it to the top 절대 멈추지 못해 내가 끝내주는 Bad gal, gal, gal Haley had her back turned showing her outfit before the light glitched into darkness, showing off the fluorescent glow in the dark designs on her. She vanished and the lighting came back to Lex walking forward with the background of a tunnel. It cut back to Haley nodding before disappearing again. And when I start to talk like that (like that) Oh you won't know how to react I'm a picture-perfect face With that wild in my veins You can hear it in my Growl, growl, growl, growl The image of a metallic, red-eyed skull appeared in the background as Lex walked off and Revealed Trixie sitting with her legs crossed on a seat, nodding along. She smirked as she seemed to shrink back, the background showing her laying back with a small car at her fingertips, her red tinted shades seeming to glow before she pushed the car forwards, the light blinding the audience for a moment. So keep your eyes on me now 무엇을 보든 좋아할 거야 닿을 수 없는 level 나와 대결 원한 널 확신해 We got it all in our hands now So can you handle what we're all about? We're so tough Not scared to show you up Can you feel the rush now? Ain’t nobody bringin’ us I appeared with a calm expression as my voice echoed over the area, my crystal-like tail seeming to glow as I sang along. The beat bars appeared in the background before Haley appeared again, the lights darkening to show her bright design with a leaking spray bottle, before she looked up, posed and the background showed a red eastern dragon, and the lights come on, showing all of us. Down, down, down, down, down, down They could try but we're gonna wear the crown You could go another round Round, round, round, round, round, round Wish you luck but you're not bringing us down We go hard (hard) 'til we get it, get it We go hard (hard). We so in it, in it We pop stars (pop stars), only winning, winning now Ain't nobody bringing us down, down, down, down The crowd was going wild as the four of us danced on stage, several jaws being picked up off the floor as they applauded. The lights went out for a second as the white teeth design on Haley’s mask appeared and she took Center stage. Hey! You ready for this? (let's go!) See 언제든지 내 모습 magic 단 한 번에 내가 잡어 절대 기죽지 않지, uh! Pow-pow 네가 뭘 알아 견딜 수 없어, 원해도 원하는 게 얼굴에 보여 I'm trouble and you're wanting it I'm so cold When I move that way, you gonna be so blown I'm the realest in the game, uh Her mask moved along with her own as she actually rapped, acting their attention, and a few of the more attentive of the audience saw a darkened silhouette of Trixie nodding behind her. Lex appeared a couple times next to Trixie with her verses before they both come front and center with her verse. Say I'm on fire with a blade You're about to hear my name Ringing in your head like, whoa The area darkened again before lighting up and letting me take over, the crystal tail behind me rising and splitting into nine like a flower. I snapped my fingers, letting a red ruby heart fly out and covering the stage as it darkened yet again. So keep your eyes on me now 무엇을 보든 좋아할 거야 We're so tough Not scared to show you up Can you feel the rush now? Ain’t nobody bringin’ us The background showed several floating cubes and cylinders in some kind of space before Haley appeared again with her spray can and slammed it on the ground, creating a smokescreen for the four of us to come back to the front. Down, down, down, down, down, down They could try but we're gonna wear the crown You could go another round Round, round, round, round, round, round Wish you luck but you're not bringing us down We go hard (hard) 'til we get it, get it We go hard (hard). We so in it, in it We pop stars (pop stars), only winning, winning now Ain't nobody bringing us down, down, down, down Twilight and her friends couldn’t take their eyes away from the spectacle that was our performance, watching all the magic in the air move and work in perfect unison. She glanced over to this worlds Trixie who was nearby, and their eyes met. Trixie’s wide eyes conveyed a single message. ‘I can’t do this.’ Oh, 난 멈추지 않아 Oh, oh, we go hard Oh, oh, we pop stars (stars), stars (stars) Ain't nobody bringing us The four of us appeared one after the other before the background lit up with a white circle, illuminating us all as we danced, before darkening and showing off each of our own fluorescent designs, before we all appeared next to one another Ain't nobody bringing us Down, down, down, down, down, down They could try but we're gonna wear the crown You could go another round Round, round, round, round, round, round Wish you luck but you're not bringing us down We go hard (hard) 'til we get it, get it We go hard (hard). We so in it, in it We pop stars (pop stars), only winning, winning now Ain't nobody bringing us down, down, down, down. The crowd erupted into applause and cheering as the magic finally died down and the four of us could catch our breaths, Trixie looking over the crowd with a smile as she laughed a little. “Been a while since I heard this sound.” Trixie muttered loud enough for us to hear her, letting her illusion vanish and letting her reappear in her cape and hat. Lex walked up and pat her on the back with a smile of her own “Holy crap they’re amazing!” Rainbow yelled to her friends, the group all nodding in agreement. A roar from the Everfree Forest cut through the applause, silencing the cheers, and causing me to pale. “Crap, that sounds like a Heartless, and a big one at that,” I called out. “Haley, you and the Element Bearers evacuate the town, Lex, Trixie and I will handle this.” I then turn to my Trixie, tossing her a yellow orb of magic. “Use this to support us, it's called Music Magic. Just pick a song, sing it, and the magic will do the rest.” “B-but I-” “Just do it Trixie.” She turned to her counterpart as she summoned her Keyblade. “Like you said before, we’re a lot better than you were alone. Let this be the proof.” “Well said.” Lex said, summoning her own Keyblade. By this point the square is mostly empty, and we could easily hear the rumble as the Heartless approached. And then, we caught our first glimpse of it. A Khopesh. Two of them. “Dammit,” I growled under my breath. “It’s the Kurt Zisa.” The Kurt Zisa appeared as a six-armed beast, with a brown and black segmented body and a golden head that bears a strong resemblance to a cobra head. It wears a white sleeve trimmed in gold on each arm, a white tunic with puffy gold sleeves over it’s oddly-shaped upper torso, and white, gold-and-turquoise trimmed pants on its lower body; around its waist is a brightly colored sash in turquoise, decorated with bright orange tassels and a gold apron bearing the Heartless Emblem. Its feet appear to be clad in gold and brown shoes at first glance, but the toes are curled into fierce hooks that point down towards the ground. Each arm ends in three sharp segmented talons. “This is not gonna be easy,” I growled out. “Trixie, hang back a bit and focus on magic strikes, Kairi and I will charge in and keep it’s attention off you.” Lex stated, the mare nodding” I sighed. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but one of the first things that thing does is cast a Silence spell, negating all magic until we destroy the magic orbs that appear in its hands…” “Damn, well, are the orbs susceptible to magic damage?” Trixie questions. “I don’t know. Even if I did, it wouldn’t matter, the spell wouldn’t even make it before it puffs out of existence,” I explained. “They need to go before we can use magic.” Trixie took a breath before nodding, placing a hand on her temple as a red spell matrix appeared behind her. “Then what are we waiting for?” “Memory Make: Downpour of Ancient Wisdom!” We caught on and jumped as the spell lit up, sending the three of us flying towards the Heartless. “Trixie, what are you waiting for?” I call out. “Pick a song!” The azure mare nods and thinks for a moment as we key by, hearing as a guitar and drums begin. ‘No Limits huh? Perfect.’ “Whoa whoa whoa whoaaa Oh, we’ll get stronger! Whoa whoa whoa whoa” Trixie let herself fall a bit before us, allowing Lex and I to rush forward and begin to attack. The heartless quickly moved into a stance, waving its khopeshes around as a field surrounded it. “Quick, target the hands, maybe we can disrupt its attacks!” I shouted to my companions. “Hey! Mr. Pain! Bring it! Bring it! I’ll never let you do as you like I will get stronger than you I’ve already made up my mind to be so!” Lex nodded and dodged to the left as it swung around, before retaliating with a triple combo and bouncing back again. She then let her Keyblade fly with a Strike Raid before jumping back, while I shot it with ice shots. Unfortunately, while our attacks did connect, it wasn’t enough to disrupt the attack, as two purple orbs formed in its free hands. “Crap!” I cried in anger. “Forget what I said before, go after the orbs!” “I was always born a dreamer Letting my heart lead the way The more challenges that block me Make tomorrow exciting” “Memory Make Blade of Frozen Black Lightning!” A bolt of black electricity with a blue outline went over my head and straight into one of the orbs, freezing it solid as Trixie jumped after it and wailed on it, before jumping back as it shattered into pieces. “Ice Make Ice Geyser!” Lex followed her example and froze the other one before going through a couple combos on the orb with her weapon. “This is not good.” Trixie said from behind us. “Eh Yo! Come my way, show me whatchu got, Mr. Pain! No – no – no – no you know there’s no stopping me! I was never fit for losing” I grimaced, gripping my Keyblade tighter as I rush in, hacking away at the left orb. To be honest, that probably wasn’t one of my best ideas, as a smirk seemed to appear on the Heartless’s snakey face before it backhanded me away. “I gotcha.” Lex muttered, flying into the air and caught me by the back of my outfit before I could fly too far away. “Thanks Lex,” I groan in pain as I gather my bearings. “RAISE A FLAG Even if scars fill every inch of my skin RAISE A FLAG I know my friends ’ll fight until end … by my side!” “Hey a little help here!” Trixie yelled, dodging away before disappearing into a mirage and appearing a little ways away. “Incoming!” The Heartless actually looked over to Lex as she flew in. “Solid Script Slice!” The kanji for Slice appeared behind her Keyblade, cutting through some of the orb like a hot knife through butter. “Shining brightly, there is a new world Wanting for me, but I can’t make it Unless we fight as one – NO-LIMIT holds us back!” Unfortunately, the orb was a lot tougher than it looked, since it seemed to hold together pretty well instead of dissipating like it would if destroyed. “Damn, this thing is a lot tougher than in the game!” I growled out, before I see the Heartless leap into the air, spinning in a circle and flying towards us. “Incoming!” I shouted as I leap over the attack. Lex lit up her wings again and took to the air while Trixie paused for a brief second to cast a spell on herself. “Memory Make Rainboom Burst!” The mare suddenly ran away with a rainbow trail behind her, managing to easily avoid the large Heartless as it seemed focused on her. It then changed its attack pattern to be more wheel like as it flew towards us, forcing me to roll to the side. “It’s in our hands, we’ve gotta grasp it And take a stand, aim for the future NO-LIMIT holds us back!” “Keep an eye on it when it does this attack, it likes to switch between a wheel and a disk!” I called out as I got to my feet. Lex and Trixie both nodded while they were running and flying, before the heartless finally stopped and landed again. “Whoa whoa whoa whoaaa Oh, we’ll get stronger!” I quickly run back towards the heartless, only for it to start spinning its khopeshes around it like a shield, forcing me to cast a Reflect spell… Only for it to fail, allowing one of the spinning weapons to clip me and throw me back towards Lex and Trixie, a cry of pain leaving my mouth as I clutched the gaping wound on my side. “Cure!” Trixie yelled as a green glow enveloped me, mostly focused on my wound as it closed quickly. “Damnit! You are really annoying with those things!” Lex yelled in frustration before stomping her foot, red sparks traveling along the ground before it burst up into a pillar, sending the heartless onto its back. “You’ll only get one chance to knock out those that block you And prove that you can’t be stopped! We just keep going – Going – We do what we can! For the battle up ahead – We will fight to the end!” Digging my Keyblade into the ground as I pull myself back up, my eyes widened. “Was that thing hurt by Alchemy?!?” “Huh, didn’t expect that. I was just trying to catch it off guard.” Lex admitted, before smirking as she got low to the ground. “Alright then, how about this?!” Lex clapped her hands and slammed them onto the ground, causing the ground beneath the heartless to both rise and sink into a massive hole. “That won’t hold it for long.” I “They say it’s nothing more than luck But they’re just star-struck! (you know!) Let’s show em how we can break the limit -” “Trixie, we need a different song!” I called out, cutting off the music. “Something that’ll help improve our physical capabilities instead of our magical!” Trixie nodded before a guitar started to strum, followed by the rest of the instruments. “We’re walking through a haze, it’s a crowded maze of apathy and rage But what’s the point of this? If we stay any longer, our dreams will fade away” I grinned as I clapped my hands together, before pounding the ground with my fist, creating spikes that jutted into the left hand orb. “I’m done with trying to achieve what I left behind. It is better to redefine what I live for. The past is gone. My friend, it’s feeling like the old days, but I’ll be damned if I let my absence of innocence ever hold me back!” Lex and I shared a grin before we rushed forwards while Trixie closed her eyes for a second. “Memory Make Night of Shooting Stars!” The bolts of light and electricity slammed into the Heartless, staggering it and allowing Lex and I to rush in and simultaneously combo it. The two of us jumped back quickly as it recovered and tried to counter, hissing in anger. “The sin inside me will always be oppressing Cannot ignore this unbearable suffering I’m sick and tired of feeling as a victim, what am I waiting for now?” The orb we had struck began dissipating as I clapped my hands again, this time creating a large cannon. “Fire in the hole!” I shouted, firing at the second orb, where upon striking its target, it promptly exploded, throwing the Heartless back, leaving it stunned as the second orb dissolved. “Now’s our chance!” I yelled, running in to attack its head. “Your magic should work again!” Lex grinned as she flew into the air before taking a deep breath. “Rirīsu! Kurenjinguraito no shīru! (Release! Seal of the Cleansing Light!)” Her gold highlights suddenly began to glow as both eyes became white with a gold sclera, her wings on her back becoming white and gold. “Fairy Cannon!” An orb of holy magic appeared in her hands before she launched it down, striking the Heartless in the head. “Tryin’ te write down the words as I feel them But can I separate the truth from what is fiction? Can’t escape, no more turning back now! This is reality!” “Memory Make Vibrant Flashing Blaze!” A torrent of blood red and bright orange flame engulfed the Heartless’s torso, Trixie’s magic causing it to stagger back. “Kairi you’re up!” “Sonic Blade!” I called out, charging at high speeds towards the Heartless’s head. After the attack connected, it jumped back on its feet, conjuring an orange force field around it, as it started firing fireballs at us at high speed. “Within the night sky, the rest of our short lives, never resting in complacency (This is my wish) If we are to have dreams, then there’s no such thing as safe and sound.” “Don’t let that force field fool you,” I called out after singing an echo to the song. “It looks like it could repel magic, but it only repels physical attacks. Hit it with enough magic and it’ll break! Thundaga!” As I finish my explanation, I call lightning down on the barrier. “Memory Make Shrine of the Storming Wind Fang!” Several cyclones appeared around the Heartless, the twisters slamming into the barrier as Lex flew directly above its head. “Here goes. FairyLight Downpour!” Several beams of gold magic attack the barrier from above, causing it to shake a bit as the twisters continue their assault. “We have no place to call home. Wasting time and we’re wasting our lives, trying to fix what can never be changed Nostalgia’s comfort, it disappears into a “now“ fury.” I could see cracks starting to form on the force field, as I charged up an attack. “Heart of a Princess!” I screamed as I flew into the air, trailing a number of magical orbs that crashed into the barrier, exploding on contact. “I must apologize. This pride that’s inside me always telling lies. Like I am in control, of the things that were not ever my burdens to hold.” “Is that it?” Lex questions, floating down to us as Trixie and I regroup. “No,” I growled out. “One more big attack and that force fiel - LOOK OUT!” I screamed as I pushed Trixie out of the way of a small circle of tornadoes manifesting where she was originally standing. “I carried everything back then, and I will carry everything that’s within my reach Though I know that, it’s killing me.” “Shit!” Lex cried as one appeared beneath her as well, sending the two of us flying into the air and then slamming us onto the ground once gravity took hold. “Yup, I’m going to be feeling that in the morning.” “Tell me about it,” I groaned in pain. “Curaga,” I called, casting the strongest version that also happened to be an area of effect spell, getting us all back on our feet. “You got any big magic you can use to finish that force field off?” “I breathe, gotta let the anger pass over me so I can communicate what I am feeling I close my eyes!” “Well, I do have a couple, give me a sec. Tojiru. Kurenjinguraito no shīru. (Close. Seal of the Cleansing Light.)” Lex shining transformation deactivated as her seal closed before she took a breath and menacing look overtook her features. “Ririsu! Ikari no yami no shīru! (Release! Seal of the Wrathful Darkness!)” Lex gold stripes suddenly darkened into a sickening black as both her eyes turned blue with a black sclera, her wings becoming dark and batlike. “Tell me why, why they must repeat lies? Saying we’re friends but they’ll never know what’s inside My heart, burning with a malice for all the sly deception” “Cover me!” Was all the warning she gave before she flew up again and snarled down to the heartless before cupping her hands, purple and black magic appearing between them. Trixie nodded and cast Swords of Frozen Black Lightning again, earning the Heartless’s attention before running around, leading it on a wild chase. “For every falsehood that’s trying to perpetuate You take a step further from the world you decorate Reality, as well as contentment, will always be out of reach” I switch to my Ever After Keyblade, activating Mirage Staff as well, before creating a bunch of doppelgangers, confusing the Heartless in where to attack. Trixie followed my example as she made several mirage clones of herself, making the Heartless think it was surrounded by well over a dozen of us. It began recklessly slashing away, destroying several illusion copies before Trixie and I got a very strong sense of dread. “To the night sky, I scream out my crimes, trying to will away this guilty plea (I’m on my way) If we are to have dreams, then there’s no such thing as safe and sound.” “Uh oh.” Was all the mare said before suddenly running and taking cover. I looked up as I heard a clap, and see Lex with her hands before in a prayer stance. “Experience damnation. Grimoire….Law.” “We have no place to call home. You take the time, and I thank you for trying to understand this mess I’ve made of me. (This is my wish) Be friend or foe I, welcome anyone who tries to challenge me!” I am pretty sure I blacked out or something, because as soon as the last syllable left Lex mouth, a dark aura surrounded everything, blocking out my vision and hearing. But I could feel, and what I felt was bad. It was almost like all of my own sins, all of my fears and insecurities had come to life within me and was trying to break out. The feeling only lasted for a second or two, but I won’t be forgetting it anytime soon. “I am searching for the next door, opening for me a path to the truth Sometimes we don’t write our own story, and we can’t erase what’s written within Open your eyes, open your eyes!” After a bit, I could see and hear again as I saw dark purple tendrils of magic slamming against the Heartless’s barrier in the darkness, before finally the barrier gave out and light filtered back into the area. “Alright, hit it with everything you’ve got! We’re almost done!” I cheered, charging forward, firing off beams of light at the target, since I was still using Mirage Staff. Lex nodded as her Keyblade-turned-suitcase transformed into a giant serrated scythe with several odd designs on it. She waved her hand around with some odd signs before slashing forwards, several purple circles of magic appears around the heartless. I jumped back as I recognized the spell. “Amaterasu Formula 25!” The circles suddenly glowed before a large sphere of dark magic surrounded the Heartless, slashing and tearing it apart from within the sphere. “Wasting time and we’re wasting our lives, trying to fix what can never be changed So, take this damned life, and lead me to where I can start over. I’ll let go of all this pain!” The Heartless staggered back to its feet, summoning its orbs again. “Nope!” I shout, clapping my hands onto the ground and creating spikes that destroy the orbs almost as soon as they appear, throwing the Heartless to the ground once again. “Into the night sky, I scream out my crimes, trying to will away this guilty plea (I’m on my way) If we are to have dreams, then there is no such thing as safe and sound.” “Trixie!” Lex called, the mare nodding as she ran from her cover, before dispelling her Keyblade and placing both hands on her temples. “Memory Make….Wrath of the Star Beast!” Behind Trixie a large spell matrix lit up, before a form began to appear. I am pretty sure my eyes were going to pop out once I realized what it was. Trixie smirked to herself as she stood atop the head of a freaking Ursa Major, the beast was easily twice as big as town hall on all fours with light purple and yellow fur. It roared before charging and tackling the Heartless to the ground and then proceeded to rip and tear at it. “We have no place to call home. You take the time, and I thank you for trying to understand this mess I’ve made of me. (This is my wish) Be friend or foe I, welcome anyone who tries to challenge me!” As the song ends, I leap over the Ursa, before slamming my Keyblade into the Heartless’s head, killing it. The three of us pant and lean against one another as we caught our breath, the large heart from the Kurt Zisa floating into the air behind us as we made our way back to town. Once we made it to town, we saw Haley and the others coming out of hiding to greet us. Haley just looked at the three of us, then over to the destroyed area of our fight before smirking. “Well….that was a thing. Good job girl! Now….who wants some ice cream?” “Goddamit Haley.”