John
The camera comes upon a rocky cliff face, featureless save for the odd outcropping here or there. Perhaps it was once a part of a particular world, or perhaps this blighted waste was natural to this realm; Nothing appeared to grow here.

A hand crests the edge, and a body pulls itself up the slope to stand upon a flattened plateau. A golden key shivers in anticipation as it points straight ahead, to an ornate door standing by its lonesome in the middle of nowhere, a long flight of stone steps between it and the silhouetted figures.

"Your majesty," A sigh looses from Icidro's lips as he takes in the sight, his voice cracked with weariness and disuse, "We're almost there."
Adam
*Oswald nodded, walking alongside Isidro. He knew the walk would be long, but not this long. He began to wonder how long it has been in the realm of light.*

"Once the door is sealed... How about we find a nice place to rest once we are out if here?"
John
"A nice place to rest...?" Icidro echoes with a weak grin before adding, "Somewhere not so quiet. Can my amigos come too, your majesty?"

Beyond Radiant Garden and Traverse Town being what they were, it wasn't likely they'd find much ease there. And that tower was off the table entirely. Icidro shakes his head with a laugh just barely restrained. Somewhere peaceful, huh...?

"... That'd be good."
Adam
"Of course they can. I'll make sure to have everything set up for all of you."
Latonia
*A massive cut tore through the black sky above. A speed imperceptible, except only to someone faster. The next moment, Brad was falling. His titanic body hit the ashen stone below with enough force to crack it, naked of armor and clearly bruised. But, as a cascade of blonde began to rise, azure eyes turning upward, a smile cracked across that tired face.*

"Cid..." *His voice was soft, wavering, hoarse. Indeed, how long had he been searching for him? How long had he chased this flame?*

*And then he paused, eyes turning first to the Keyblade, and then to Oswald.* "Bunny?"
John
Icidro nods almost absentmindedly to Oswald's words as he follows the path ahead. It was almost over. They just had to wait a little longer, and they could all go back. Wouldn't that be something? The thought had been so far from his mind the journey here, and now that the door was in sight... He wanted it over so bad he could taste it.

Oh, man, when was the last time he had a real meal? The hopes and homesickness he'd kept bottled threaten the pot, teetering on the edge of boiling over.

The sound of metal slicing through air breaks Icidro from his dreamy reverie. Enemies? Already? With an almost automatic response, Icidro turns toward the sound with Keyblade in hand, assuming a ready stance with the blade angled toward—

"... Brad?" Awash with incredulous disbelief, Icidro stares at the figure with something in his eyes. His posture laxing, Icidro can't help but laugh— Giggle, really— At the relief and absurdity of the sight of his friend. Sweeping a hand through his hair half as an excuse to hide his holding his head dazedly, Icidro's gaze flickers toward the 'Bunny' in question before he offers an answer of, "His Majesty."

"What are you _doing here,_ amigo?"
Latonia
*His Majesty? His... Majesty? Brad continued looking at the bunny, questioning his mettle before he remembered his own quandary. He put the thought out of his mind, standing up straight.*

"For you." *His breathing was ragged, but he didn't hesitate.*

*He threw his arms around Icidro, nearly swallowing him in a vortex of muscles. Brad held him tight, and tighter still, squeezing Cid hard enough to take HP off his score.*

"I came here for you."

*A thousand emotions came pouring out at once. Loss. Grief. Fear. Victory. Joy. Security. Safety. Cid was here and he looked like a disaster but he was standing and he was just so happy to see another person and it was Icidro and it didn't even matter that he couldn't face Furo or Sapphire or that he had lost so much already or that there was still darkness pouring off that Keyblade because, because, because... His friend was here and he was standing.*

*Brad tore his bag open, immediately thrusting a toasted tomato basil mozzarella sandwich and a piping hot thermos of something warm and delicious. Whether it was soup or hot chocolate or cider or something else was a mystery, but it smelled divine.*

"When was tha last time ya ate!? When was the last time ya sat down!? Oh, man, yer a real wreck!" *Brad's voice was sincere, full of panic, and yet overflowing with relief.* "When, when I woke up an' ya were gone, an' Sapph told me where ya went, an' that," 

*Brad drifted off, eyes focused on that Keyblade. What happened next was obvious enough- but why had he come alone?*
Adam
"Oh, so you're one of Sir Icidro's friends. Brad, was it? I'm Oswald. I found Sir Icidro while searching for a way out of here, and we ended up going on a bit if a quest. It should be much easier now that you're here. Then we can go home and be safe again."
John
Was that wretched cracking sound Icidro's ribs? Well, at least now he didn't have to pay a chiropractor for a spinal readjustment. Reciprocating the hug as best he can in the moment, Cid has to take a moment to breath between laughter and having all of the air squeezed from his lungs.

Given room to think and posed a question, Icidro's expression shifts through several different looks like a chameleon on a bad trip. With a tone to his voice to match, Icidro looks toward the food in wonder, and answers, "... Some time before we left for Radiant Garden. Oh! Gracias, amigo!"

Furrowing his brow, Icidro tears the sandwich in two before offering half to the rabbit— Oswald.

"You need to eat, too, your majesty. You've been down here far longer than I." He urges the toon with an air of dead seriousness— Looking back to his friend as he tears into his own half, however, Icidro sighs before a chime interrupts him.

"... A quest is one way to put it. As a caballero, I couldn't ignore it, of course." He says, glancing down toward the Keyblade hooked loosely to his hip, "But, as your friend, I'm so, so sorry it was so sudden; We had a stern talking-to about that once I landed. Then, I stumbled across his majesty— King Oswald— And we came here, following this one's directions."

"Look, this is it! This is the door, Bradamante! The one that, when we seal it, we've won! No more Heartless!"
Latonia
*Oh God. Oh, God he could breathe. Brad let out a breath he'd been holding since he dropped into this damned place. If he was honest, he could barely process any of this, swimming in a sea of his own relief. Sure, talking to the sword. Sure, the kingly rabbit. Brad's shoulders finally sagged, and he felt his own resolve return to him.*

*They were going to go home and be safe. His eyes turned to the door. Its pristine white shone, almost blinding him in the unceasing sea of darkness. No more Heartless. He and his friends would go home. They'd talk it out, hug, and be friends again and this would all be over.*

*A good old fashioned last quest. They'd beaten the final boss, and at the end of the harrowing road, was their credits screen.*

"We're at the finish line!" *He sounded almost too enthusiastic. His grin had returned, and his mirth glowed like the sun. He held Noblesse Oblige tight- tighter than he ever had before. He flexed his muscles, his tattered clothes still straining against him.*

*Despite the bruises and cuts. Despite all that hardship. They had friends. Friends who would* `help each other up.`

*The blur of a blonde face flashed in his mind. Brad felt it, a raw surge of nostalgia, tinged bitter. Who would've thought this is where he was standing.*

"What do we need to do?" *He spoke, serious enough to turn his tone razor sharp.*
John
"I just need to get this little fella to the Door to Darkness, and hope all goes well." Icidro pats a hand against the golden keyblade at his side, a chime resounding as if it took a chance to confirm his words. Yes, that's the game plan from here.

"Oswald says to expect resistance from the local Heartless, once we get closer."

Moving to take the golden Kingdom Key's hilt into his hand more for support than anything else, Icidro idly runs a thumb over its guard, "How's Furo doing? Sapphire? Are they here with you?"
Latonia
*Brad's face lingered, fixed on the Keyblade. Something inside him called to strike. To sever that Keyblade even if it meant taking Cid's hand at the wrist. And he couldn't ignore the sense that Cid was... Off. As if the fire in his soul burned just a shade more crimson, like a hearth left to linger for too long. But if this meant the end of all this. All this darkness and evil and cloak and dagger could be put behind them. And after so long in this realm of darkness, he was sure his own soul must show the same taint. Especially after what happened at Hollow- at Radiant Garden.*

*But Cid's next question cut far, far deeper than the caballero could've expected. Brad had never been good at hiding his emotions. A visible wince betrayed his feelings, and he maintained a tight grip on his own Keyblade.*

"They're safe on the Mamu." *He answered after a moment.* "When I woke up, Sapph was talkin' ta that green girl. Flora, I think? An' Furo was off bein'..." *He trailed off again, clearly weighed down by something. But he shook his head.* "I left as soon as I heard ya got taken."

*He wondered if that were still true. Part of him still hoped that they'd just taken different routes. That Furo and Sapph had thrown themselves into this place right after him. Furo was probably imaging the entire dimension using fancy technology. Sapphire, for all the wariness (and now objective fear) Brad had of her and her darkness, could probably navigate the Realm of Darkness far easier than he could. Maybe if they lingered for just a little longer...*

*Brad shook his head, more to himself than to Cid.*

"We should get movin'. The faster we clean this up, the faster we can get back ta everyone." *Brad looked at his friend, and then to Oswald.* "I've been *Resistin'* Heartless the whole time 'ere. An' one o' those hooded peeps, too." *He neglected to admit she totally kicked his ass.* "What's a few more?"
John
"Oh." Disappointment drips from the word even with the small smile Icidro puts on, "That is good, then. They are safe. I would not wish this realm upon anyone, and I'm fortunate enough to have met two friends along the way as-is."

A laugh rings out, as Icidro takes a few more steps to keep up with Brad— A quick glance goes toward his majesty, Oswald, before Icidro returns focus to his friend.

"I don't see what the rush is, Amigo. I want this done, too, but we're playing the waiting game. It's like the Key told me, the door can only be closed by both sides; I have to stay until its counterpart reaches the door in the other Realm."

"... This is where I belong." He murmurs under his breath, pausing only to pat the keyblade as it chirps at him. Consternation knits the caballero's brow as he looks toward Brad a moment later, "You said, the assassins are here, too? Fine. We'll fight them back all the same, should they try to stop us from our mission."
Latonia
*Brad hadn't brimmed with so much bravado in so long. He was practically marching towards the door.* "Aye aye!" *He laughed as he pumped a fist. He considered Icidro's explanation, and yeah, it made sense. If this was the source of all Heartless, and consequently, the darkness that plagued his and so many others, opening and closing it probably had an extremely overcomplicated and fantastical locking mechanism.

*Brad thought back to their first trip to the Realm of Darkness, his eyes lingering on Noblesse Oblige. Keys that could open any lock, so he didn't have to smash chests like pinatas. Of course there'd be a big door to lock. Duh.*

"Wait, counterpart?" *Brad tried to index his admittedly foggy memory for where he had seen the shape of Icidro's frighteningly cartoonish sword. And he'd seen something just like it on someone else.* "Dado!? Does that mean Dado's comin'!?" *He beamed even brighter now.* "Oh man! I've been worried sick about 'im! I didn't even ask about anyone else when I woke up..." *He sighed, frustrated at his lack of connection to the outside world.*

*Brad slowed, his feet hitting the stone below, as he thought about that. They were sealing the door, right? It had to be sealed from both sides, right? That was how they stop all this darkness.*

*Something began to sink inside him. Still overflowing with bright-eyed, teary hope, he tried to ignore it. He put every single mental process towards ignoring it. But he had to ask.* "But if we close the door..."

"How are we gettin' home?"
John
"Yes, well, he's not coming... _here."_ Icidro says after a moment, amusement coloring his tone, "He'll be on the other side of the door when we close it, amigo. You could check in with him then? Though... I'm not sure about that one, myself."

As bright and cheery as he had appeared a moment before, Icidro falls silent at Bradamante's final question. That weak, tired smile on his face wanes ever so visibly as he chooses to look anywhere _but_ toward Brad. A look gets spared toward Oswald's direction, perhaps, but otherwise...

Icidro couldn't answer him.
Latonia
*The silence was deafening. All that weight that Brad had let go of came screaming back. His heart froze in his chest, and his blood turned to ice.*

"Cid..."

*Brad didn't turn around.*

"Were ya even plannin' on comin' home?"
John
Icidro blinks at that question, and pauses for a bit too long to process what Bradamante meant. Where had that question come from?

"Of course. It's just... I can't stop and turn back now that I'm _here_ of all places. You're more than welcome to head back up, but— I have to stay. Someone has to remain with the Key for when they reach the other side, and it's chosen me."

"You understand, right, amigo? It's my duty."
Adam
*Oswald looked up at Icidro and the sandwich, nodding and grabbing it.*

"Thank you!"

*He began to munch on it, enjoying being able to eat after so long. He listened to the two of them talk for a bit, finishing his part of the sandwich before speaking up.*

"He's right. The moment they reach the other side of the door and we seal it, we can go home. Hopefully, it won't be much longer."
Latonia
*Brad's shoulders sagged. His bravado left him in an instant, and the tip of his Keyblade dipped towards the floor. There was a long pause- the deep, constant rumble of the Realm of Darkness was the only thing that filled the agonizing silence.*

"...An' I'm s'posed ta jus' accept that?"

*Brad's tone was different. Cold, and tinged with a new emotion. Something Brad had never shown- not even to Cid.* "We go through hell n' highwater together. We deal with psycho-horses, evil genies, my eatin' habits, a ton of really evil chicks, one of whom *Stabs* Me an' I still think she's the victim 'ere!" *He turns around, his gaze burning.* "An' it was all okay! Because we had each other! We could do anythin', because we were *Together*, and I-!"

*Brad stops himself. No. Don't cry. This wasn't the time for tears.* "A-an' at the last possible moment, without even sayin' goodbye, you get torn away into this hell place because of a magic sword that was bad news from the start. An' it *Chose* Ya!?" *He was yelling now. He didn't want to yell, but he was yelling.* "That's *Bullshit*, Cid! I don't know a lot about all this! I'm tryin'! But 'the villain's sword chooses ya to be the sacrifice that spends eternity in hell ta maybe possibly save the world' sure sounds like yer bein' controlled! And I know a whole lot about bein' controlled! An' you should too, after-!"

*Another memory of their first trip to this damned place. Of Cid, soaked in ink and drooling pure malice, tearing apart other Heartless with reckless abandon.*

"After everythin' we've been through..." *Brad whispered, before standing up straight. He saw Furo's last message. He saw Sapphire, holding that wicked blade. He saw the succubus. He saw Jafar. He saw Pira. He saw his own friend. A beacon of crimson flame, tinged deeper by the blade in his hand. He didn't raise Noblesse Oblige, even as his grip tightened.*

"There has to be another way." *Brad lowered his head, one last gleam of hope still burning, even as his eyes shut.* "I'm not losin' someone else ta darkness."
John
Confusion meets Bradamante's bluster as Icidro turns to finally meet his gaze after a quick glance toward Oswald. Where was this anger coming from? Bradamante wasn't still feeling the after affects from that Succubus, was he?

A light scoff comes unbidden at Brad's insult toward the Kingdom Key, but Icidro only lifts a hand to try to stop this tirade, "Stop— Stop! What are you even saying?"

"I know the circumstances of my departure weren't the best, but no one here is being controlled— It's my _choice_ to stay here. If it takes me having to spend some time down here to save the universe, so be it! You're making mountains out of molehills, amigo!"

"C'mon, now and _think about this rationally._ This is the _only_ way. You're not losing anyone to darkness; We're winning the fight against it in one fell swoop!"
Latonia
"Some time? *How* Long, Cid? *How* Long are ya gonna be trapped down here? Do ya even know how long it's been up *There!?*" *Brad barked.* "Do ya even know if this'll work!? How is it yer choice!? Can ya really say yer not bein' influenced by anythin'? You've *Seen* What darkness does to people!" *He turned to Oswald next.* "An' sorry ta say, yer majesty, but I can't trust ya much either."

*Brad squeeze the hilt of his sword, enough that it began to bite into the leather of his gloves.* "I am *Sick* An' I am *Tired* Of people actin' like I don't know nothin'! I am *Over* The people I love, the people I would die for, treat me like I'm tha crazy one, when we all *Know* That the darkness is EVIL! You lost everythin' to it! I lost everythin' to it! Every single time I have seen things start to go south, I've stayed my hand, because yer my *Friends!* I can *Trust ya!*"

**"AND YER TELLIN' ME I'M IRRATIONAL!?"** *Brad shouted.* "When *Every time* I've trusted someone, it's blown up in my face!? Agrabah! Hollow Bastion! I've still got half a hole in my chest!" *He brought a hand to where he felt Sapphire's blade cut. Euphoria and agony intertwined as one.* "And now you... Right at the end. Right when it's all supposed to be okay. You just *Disappear.* And I chased you. I chased that one, burnin' star. My amigo. An' you tell me that I can get lost. That it's fine. That I'm not in my right mind."

"There's another way to save the worlds. There has to be. An' if there isn't, I'll cut a path to a new one." *Brad took on an unfamiliar stance. He held Noblesse Oblige at shoulder height in his right hand, taking a wide sideways stance.* "I'll save ya, Cid. I'll save ya,"

["And I'll save everyone."](<
Tony
```Defeat the Sovereign Astray!```
John
"I'm telling you you're irrational because you ARE irrational! I won't let you stop me, Brad. Not when we're at the finish line."

Drawing his fingers down the length of gold, sparks fly from the gentle carress. Icidro arcs the keyblade to his side as flames engulf the 'blade,' as if having drawn it from an ethereal sheathe. Smoothly, following the formal training he received during his absence, Icidro assumes a practiced stance.
** **

[Brad, it burns a deep, rich black.](<

** **
"Come, then. Let us come to an understanding the only way we know how."
Ernest
```Defeat the Hero of Darkness!```
Adam
"Wait no! B-brad, Sir Icidro! Stop this!! You can't hurt each other like this. This fighting, these negative emotions, will just bring the darkness even more! It is easier to be manipulated by the darkness here when you give in to emotions like this!"

*As he was talking, he would feel a rumble. He summoned his keyblade, ready to break into the fire arena and stop the fighting, however darkness appeared from under him and a Tide of Darkness grabbed him. The many, many, shadows would carry Oswald off, leaving the 2 to fight while Oswald dealt with this danger to all three of them...*
Latonia
```PARRY LOG:
- CRESCENT
- CHARGE
- COUNTER HAMMER
- HORIZONTAL SLASH
- STRIKE SHIFT
- ARS ARCANUM
- TRIPLE RUSH```
John
Ah. That was too real. Icidro was at a loss as to what to say next now that their spar's vibe has shifted so greatly. This wasn't just airing out greivances anymore, was it? Goddamnit it, Icidro wasn't the level-headed one— Eyes scanning Bradamante's face, Icidro's mind races. What would Furo say in a moment like this?

*'This is stupid!'* Most likely, but that didn't really help. A sadness enters Icidro's heart, unbidden, but it was welcomed readily. No, Furo wouldn't like this, would he? Taking those emotions into himself the more he thinks of his friends, Icidro stumbles with a light smile, embracing them to shake the red out of his sight.

A heart beats somewhere, far, far away. Hand held to his chest, Icidro clenches his fist as his own aches more than the wounds of his flesh. The fire arena burns down, flames spluttering out— He didn't want to do this anymore.

Icidro bows his head and takes a deep breath.

"What's happened to us, amigo? We're ones who ride the storms, weathering through life together, no matter rain or shine." Icidro says quietly, the words wistful and bittersweet, "Friends argue, yes, but not like this. We don't do this. We don't resort to violence, especially not with each other."

"I know it's too late for me to say this, but I'm sorry."
** **
Mary
?Use-item Heartbinder
Latonia
`PHASE 2: 1/5`

*Brad felt it, then. As a moment of quiet lingered on the battlefield. Surrounded by destruction and boiling heat. What... Were they doing? He wanted to feel angry. He wanted to keep fighting. Something deep, deep inside of him screamed to continue. As though finally, everything held back and everything unsaid could be unleashed, in one big explosion of conflict and frustration. But this was his friend. This was Cid! One of the people who found him upside down in a trash can, and had nursed him back to health and taught him the ways of the world. He had come here, ready to die for his amigo, and Brad had done more damage than any monster could have.*

*He didn't respond to Cid. He lowered his head, biting back a genuine whimper. He just wanted to go home. He wanted to go home and sit on his bed with Cid and Furo and Sapphire and he wanted to make popcorn and they'd watch an infinite amount of bad movies from infinite stars and everything would be okay and here he was throwing punches at the people he cared about the most because he couldn't stand to lose that again, and-*

*"I'm sorry."*

*Brad's eyes flashed upward, but it was too late.*

`[HP] 3046 - 1316 - 1329 = 401`

*Brad screamed in agony as he felt electricity burn in his veins. Black sparks flew, violet energy coursing through him and charring him in an instant. He tried to move, to get away, but again, Cid moved too fast. Five fingers wrapped themselves around him, the crushing weight of the darkness threatening to turn him to powder. He tried to yell, but the air was forced out of his lungs. He felt his bones begin to creak, as Cid levelled the Kingdom Key at his face.*

*Brad stood alone in the conceptual space. A place that had, for so long, held no solace. Only agony and suffering awaited him, drowning him in the abyss of his very soul. And yet, it was where his heart remained. The memories, the bonds of everyone he held dear... They all intersected where he stood.*

[*He bowed his head, and began to summon his will.*](<
Ernest
Icidro's body falls limp as [beads of light pour freely from his form, rising into the air like bubbles caught in a gentle wind](< He cannot respond to Bradamante.

**"Ici.. Dro? Where... Going?"** The key's voice repeats, as if not comprehending.
Latonia
*Brad took one hand off Noblesse Oblige. He heard it. Cid's plea. The sound of the Kingdom Key hitting the ground. He felt Cid's head come to rest on his shoulder. Brad slowly, slowly, reached a trembling hand up. Every part of his mind, body, and soul, screamed at him. Don't open your eyes. Don't acknowledge the sensation of liquid rolling off his sword. Run away. Run away and never think about this again.*

*Gingerly, he put his hand on the back of Cid's neck. All the tension he was constantly carrying, a wound-up mote of flame always running to and fro, now so utterly relaxed. He squeezed, as if trying to coddle his friend. Even bare fingertips, slick with wounds, could feel the last wefts of warmth fading away from him. No matter how many times Brad willed away the ice on his fingers, he never felt it return.*

*It was a trickle, first. Then a surge. Cracks formed as Brad tried so desperately to hold onto who he was just moments ago. But it was gone. There was no going back now. Blue eyes finally opened, and he saw it, then. The teeth of Noblesse Oblige pointing skyward, white steel dyed a brand new color.*

*He was silent. He dismissed Noblesse Oblige, letting Cid fall into his arms. Brad grit his teeth, putting a hand over the wound.* **"Curaga."** *He willed the wound to mend itself. His veins screamed, and he tried again.* **"Curaga."**

**"Curaga. Curaga. Curaga."** *He chanted, each one pouring agony into his wounds. But he had nothing left. He had spent everything trying to save Cid. And now...*

"No," *Brad tried to force a laugh.* "No! That was a great match! That was amazin'! Y-Ya didn't tell me ya could fight like that, lizard boy!" *His voice cracked as he lowered Cid to the floor.* "C'mon. I know yer tired! But them's th-the rules! I won! That means yer gonna come home, an' we're gonna f-figure this out." *He stared down, a broad smile plastered on his face.* "Furo's super mad, y-yanno. He told me off somethin' fierce when I left. I-I'm sure he'll get over it, though! You know how he can be when he's mad, h-heh."

*There was no answer.*

"I-I mean, really! What's he get outta nursin' his wounds on the Mamu!? You'd think a real chick w-woulda straightened 'im out. Now he's got two! An' he still wants to act so uptight. But he's probably tha only one who could figure this door stuff out."

*There was no answer.*

"Sapph too. She's been messin' around with the darkness s-so much. I-It still really scares me. But maybe she's got a hold on it now! If it's about light an' dark, th-then we've got both in spades, I guess!"

*There was no answer.*

"S-still exhausted, eh?" *Brad stood up, gently nudging Cid with his foot.* "C'mon! I-I didn't hit ya that hard! What happened ta th-the great Icidro Arturo e M-Mondragon?" *He put a hand to his head, totally not to nurse his killer headache.* "Ya take one L, an' now yer jus' l-...L-layin' there..."

*There was no answer.*

*Brad's entire body was trembling. His mind screamed, his thoughts pulled in a dozen directions, and yet he remained frozen. He balled his hands into fists, delivering a second, much harder kick.*

"C-C'MON! Get up, ya big baby!" *Brad spat, feeling the anger next.* "The Cid I know, I could barely touch! The Cid I know took skyscrapers t' the face, an' got up with a smile! I get yer embarrassed, but this ain't like ya at all!" *He growled.* "Yer gonna get up an' go home, an'...An' we're gonna... We're gonna..." 

*Brad's eyes moved to the Kingdom Key, still sitting there. Something tugged at his heart. A voice? No, not quite. It was like an impulse. Something tugged, ever so slightly, at the darkness in his heart.*

*Brad had tirelessly fought to keep the shadows at bay. He'd pushed himself to the absolute limit, finding every way under the sun to keep his darkness isolated and imprisoned. Meditation, magic, seals, everything he could do to keep himself from caving to that impulse. He had dedicated himself to locking it all away, so he wouldn't hurt anyone with it. So he **Couldn't** Hurt anyone with it. And time and time again, his attempts had failed, and yet again, something clawed at his ribcage.*

**"You..."**

*Fine. The darkness wanted to come out and play? So be it.*

**"I'LL KILL YOU!"**

*Brad moved at a speed unimaginable. He snatched up the Kingdom Key and immediately took to the air, Cid's lingering lights forming stars as Brad tore past them. He couldn't remember moving like this. Brad didn't even try. The only thing in his thoughts were the peaceful expression on his friend's body, and an all-consuming rage. Brad slammed into a floating rock above, shattering it in an instant. Stone shards exploded outward, as waves of black essence poured off his body.*

"All I wanted was ta protect everyone! All I wanted was everyone ta be happy!" *Brad screamed, bringing the Keyblade down with immense force into another stone outcropping.* "Why does everyone have to give up!? Why does everyone have to give up on *Me!?"* *Tears flowed freely, even those dyed ebony as Brad's maelstrom of emotion grew.* 

"I try! An' I try! I fight an' protect an' I do everythin' I can!" *He held the Kingdom Key by the shaft, pounding the head of the blade into ashen rock over and over.* "I trusted everyone! I believed in them! Because yer supposed ta trust yer friends! If ya just believe in each other, ya can do anythin', right!?" *Brad shot off in another direction, leaving a trail of red light behind.* "But none o' that fuckin' matters, does it!?"

*Brad jumped to another platform, driving the teeth of the Kingdom Key straight into a wall. And then, with monstrous strength, he twisted. The weapon creaked as its metal cried in pain. But Brad didn't hear it, overwhelmed by his own rage.*

"Time an' time again! I have lost *Everythin'* An' *Everyone* Ta the darkness! My home! My friends! My allies! My life! An' in spite of everythin', I believed! I fuckin' *Believed* In all of this! That maybe, jus' maybe, it would all work out! An' I've only ever lost more!" *Finally, the Kingdom Key tore itself free of the stone, just in time for Brad to catch the blade with his bare hand.* "An' what do I get!? Rejected! Hurt! Abandoned by tha people I gave up everythin' fer, jus' because I had the audacity to say 'this isn't workin'!"

*Brad landed back in front of the Door, his eyes burning hot and his aura deeper than black. This time, he laughed for real.* "Isn't that funny!? Isn't that ironic!? Why don't ya laugh, if yer whole goal was ta take everythin' from me!?" *He wailed, fresh tears still staining his clothes with shadows.* "Poor Brad! Always doomed to fail right at the finish line! An' ta make it my own-fuckin'-goddamn-piece-of-shit fault? Ohhhh, bravo! If this were a tragedy, I'd rate it five stars!"

*Brad froze, as his eyes locked on the pristine white of the Door before him.* "No." *He said.* "That ain't right. I'm jus' collateral damage." *Brad's grin grew wicked. He aimed the tip of the Kingdom Key at the Door.* "That's what ya want, right? Yer tryna close tha door. That's the whole reason..." *His eyes turned to Cid. And his smile widened further.* "I get it now."

*Brad walked over the resting Cid, planting one foot on either side of him. The Kingdom Key found itself thrust towards Cid's chin, just as the caballero had done to Brad.*

"Look at him. Don't he look peaceful? Don't he look free o' all this, now that yer all alone?" *Brad sang, raising the teeth so they met his eyes.* "Remember that. You failed. You couldn't protect him. You held him back. You *Always* Held him back." *His smile never broke.* "An' now, he's gone. It's all yer fault. A sword's duty is ta protect its wielder, an 'ere ya are, stripped of everythin'."

"If you can use my eyes, then I want this ta be the last thing ya see."

*Brad wrapped the fingers of his off-hand around the teeth of the keyblade. And then, with the same force he'd used on Cid's wrist, he squeezed. With one slow, low breath, he slowly lowered his elbows. In a perfect, inverse mirror of Brad's terrifying grin, the Kingdom Key began to bend. The steel screamed. The magic waned. He could feel the resistance- as though the weapon itself was trying to hold itself together. Poor thing. It was probably in so much pain.*

*It only took a little more, and then, in three places, the last hope of all worlds turned to shrapnel.*

*Brad relished it. His heart throbbed. His arms trembled. His body shook and he could barely hold back the raw euphoria. He swore he could hear agony from the sword, as though screaming from behind a dozen walls. If this was how the darkness had felt all along... Why had he fought so hard? He threw the fragments on the ground, before delivering a stomp that cracked the ground below. And another, and another, until three pieces became seven, and then thirteen. It was a shame that long-eared rat wasn't around to see it.*

*And then there was silence. The cold, unfeeling silence as Brad stood over the fallen pieces of the Kingdom Key. And... Cid. Having finally run its course, Brad's emotions began to subside, until there was nothing left. Simply Bradamante Charlemagne du Chaesbaergar-Wythfrais III esquire, and two bodies.*

*Did that even accomplish anything?*

*Brad fell to his knees, still not quite grasping the gravity of the situation. He could only stare at Cid, and the pieces of the Kingdom Key. Two lives, taken away. Brad didn't know what happened when someone was killed by a keyblade. He knew Heartless were freed, and the same probably went for other dark beings. But Cid was flesh and blood. And the sword... Did the Kingdom Key have a heart, too? Where did they go when they-?*

*Brad realized he hadn't asked himself that question in so long. Something he pondered for ages, gazing up at a twinkling sky. Now it seemed so far, and so foreign. The weight of it all came crashing down, threatening to shatter him. He had just killed someone. The blood on his hands was not his own. The steel that littered the floor, it hadn't belonged to him. And the body that lay unmoving, was someone he loved.*

"I-." *Brad's words caught in his chest, as nausea swallowed him. New tears began to flow, now crystal clear. His ears rang, and his body quaked.* "What have I... Done?"

*His mind searched for an answer, but he feared the truth too greatly. He had only been defending his home. He only wanted to protect his peace, when over and over, it was stolen from him. After trying so many things, when trust and communication and tactics and everything else had failed, he had tried to fight. And it had destroyed everything.*

*Brad found Noblesse Oblige in his hands.*

"WHY!?" *Brad screamed towards the sky.* "WHY!? WHY, WHY, WHY!?" *His words were wracked with grief.* "WHERE IS IT!? WHERE IS THE PLACE THAT I FOUGHT FOR!? WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT I TRUSTED!? WE'VE SUFFERED FOR SO LONG! ALL BECAUSE THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A REASON FOR IT ALL!" *He sobbed, bringing his off-hand to cover his face.* "WAS ALL OF THIS FOR NOTHING!? WAS ALL OF OUR PAIN, ALL OF OUR MISFORTUNE, WAS THERE NO POINT TO ANY OF IT!?"

*There was no answer.*

*That was it, then. There was no light at the end of the tunnel. No sacred place where they could be free. He didn't ask for much. A small home in an out-of-the-way town, where he and his friends could live and love and eat good food and sleep somewhere warm. And all his fighting against the darkness, all his hope for that promised land, had been snuffed out. And Brad's own hands extinguished that flame.*

*Brad saw his own reflection in Noblesse Oblige. Azure eys met his own, and he saw it. The truth of all things. The nature of the worlds. The failings of everyone who was supposed to protect them, and the discord sewn by their own frightened hearts. Where their light had shone, darkness had blackened it. As long as shadows hid in the hearts of men, there would be no peace.*

"Fine." *Brad spoke, still biting back a whimper.* "If darkness is loss, then I'll cut out loss. If darkness is ta fear, then I'll tear through fear. If darkness is ta be, then I'll carve out a new state of being." *He turned Noblesse Oblige over, holding it in a reverse grip.* "If there's no freedom, then I'll sever our chains. An' if there is no salvation," *Brad clasped the grip of Noblesse Oblige with two hands. And for the second time, he found himself leveling a blade at his own body.*

"It will be born by my hands."
Erin
*And so, a single twinkling light began to rise.*
Anthony
*Unaware of the shadow that followed it.*
Joseph
"This seems to be the place..."

The hooded figure would speak and walk out of the corridor of darkness, pulling the hood up over his head and looking around. He could easily tell that there was a long and drawn out battle here but didn't care too much about it. He walked around for a moment until he saw Icidro's body and lightly kicked it a few times. 

"And here it is... Off you go."

Kneeling down, he would pick up the corpse by the collar and tossed it through the corridor of darkness and back into the Lab.