With nobody speaking up about being too hurt, and her not being a Keybearer, Morgan figured whatever they were doing didn't have much to do with her. It wasn't like she had the ability to return their stamina to them, only heal recent damage.

Though, when she looked down at Max she just reached out to put a hand on his head. "Please Max, I am fully capable of walking still, I'm not in that bad of shape. And I don't know how, Princess... like, it is to be carried around but, I'm hardly a Princess at this point. Royalty to a place even Merlin can't reach, with no memory of my land or family or even those close to me." She watched the group leaving for the Second District, with a short "I have a new family now, and even then, I'm not sure what they think of me. But they are all I know... And even still, I can't help but feel like I don't belong. Every one of them wields a Keyblade, except for me."

Motioning for Max to rise and follow her, she headed off with the rest of the group to the Hotel to await the others there.

Once everyone was together again, and Zac came in, she asked the obvious question.

"Well, who is going where from here? I know most of you probably want to rush to find Alias but... the worlds need our- your, help. If the keyholes don't get sealed, then what happened to Destiny Island... will keep happening to worlds everywhere."

Levi looked over the hotel room, seeing the bed and the couch. He briefly lifted one of the couch’s cushions, confirming that it was a futon. As he mentally went over the sleeping arrangement, already resigning himself to sleeping on the floor, he turned towards Morgan.

Her question raised a good point, the Heartless were a problem and they were the only ones to solve it. He didn’t want to be the one to suggest the obvious answer, though. What happened to their home was truly awful, and Levi had made a choice to prevent it from happening again. But they couldn’t be everywhere at once, or rather, no one of them could. Which left one alternative.

The group had only just met back up, and they were still a man down. He sat on the couch for a moment, letting himself relax after the day’s events with a small sigh. It would only be a matter of time before someone else suggested it, so Levi decided to bite the bullet. “... If we split up, we can help multiple worlds at once. Besides, we all know Alias. I’d bet munny that by now, if there’s some way for him to leave that world with his keyblade, he’s found it.” Levi admitted, distressed at the necessary step if it meant preventing another Destiny Isle, but doing he best to hide that.

“No one’s going off alone, though. We’ve all seen what these Heartless can do, going alone would be suicide.” Levi stated bluntly. They were already risking trouble with splitting up at all, so he made clear how leaving alone was out of the question.

Lucian stayed quiet through most of the back-and-forth, still riding the aftershocks of everything that happened. The second Zac shut the door, Lucian finally let himself breathe. Hearing Zac praise them made something warm flicker in his chest. He managed a tired smile. “We’re alive, so… I’ll take that as a win.”

When Morgan asked who was going where, and Levi suggested splitting up, Lucian’s stomach tightened. He didn’t interrupt, not at first. He just stared down at his hands. They had just reunited, and now they were going to split up again?

But he pushed through it.

“If we do split up,” he said quietly, “I want to be on the team going after Alias. I… need to make sure he’s okay.”

He glanced up then, blue eyes a little more determined than before. “But Levi’s right. Nobody goes alone. Not now. Not ever again.”

A long, tired breath slipped out of him. Almost without thinking, he began to sing. A song his mother used to sing to him at night.

🎶A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams, you will lose your heartache
Whatever you wish for, you keep
Have faith in your dreams, and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true🎶

Lucian flinched a little when Hoshi spoke. He looked at her for a long moment, then shook his head.“Hoshi… no.” He said softly. “None of what happened is your fault. The Islands fell because the darkness was too big for any of us. Not because you weren’t fast enough.”

He stood up a little straighter. “And just because I’m a prince doesn’t mean I stop caring about my friends. Alias isn’t ‘just one person.’ He’s family. Just like you.” He furrowed his brows. “I can’t pretend otherwise just because I learned I’ve got some royal title attached to my name.”

“And yeah… if we have to lock worlds, we’ll probably be going in different directions.” He didn’t hide how much that scared him. “But splitting up doesn’t mean we stop being together. Not in the ways that matter. Alias is important to you. He’s important to me too. So if you’re going… I’m going.” He didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t make a big, dramatic claim. It was just a fact.

Zac stood up and said, "You guys are right. We're all gonna have to split up if we want the best chance to push back the Heartless. Having more than one Keyblade going to a world doesn't make much sense, if we can avoid it, since only one needs to actually lock the Keyhole. But, like Levi said, it'd be suicide to send you newbies off on your own. You guys already met them, but over in the next room with Leon and Yuffie are some emissaries from the King who'll be going with some of you and in the other room are Hoshi's new friends. Whoever those six go with, they'll have your backs. We just gotta decide who's going with who. As for me..."

Crossing his arms, he continued, "Like I said, sending more than one Keyblade to a world isn't really efficient and I still have my own things I gotta do. I've been doing this for a while, so I'll be fine on my own, anyway. That said, your companions should all have Gummi ships like mine or else you're all due for one incredibly short journey. I'll exchange contact info with each of them so if you guys need a mechanic or an extra set of hands to knock heads together, I'll be a short call away."

He then looked from Lucian to Hoshi, then to Levi before back again as he added, "As for your goals, other than sealing the Keyholes, you've gotta find this Alias guy, right? There's no reason for both jobs to be separate. If you're meant to find him, all you gotta do is continue on your way and follow your hearts. Finding him will happen naturally over your journey."

That's the only hope that's been driving me all this time, after all.

As the Islanders started to converse amongst themselves, Zac fell silent, watching them all. He had no doubt they were all nervous, if not outright scared, of not only needing to split up, but also of the task ahead of them. He remembered when he first set out on his journey, the trepidation he felt. Unlike everyone else, he didn’t start off with companions. It was just him and Sigrid for a while, traveling from world to world, fighting tooth and nail to prevent the tragedy that befell his own world. Until he met her, he had to figure most things out on his own. I’m glad, though, he thought. If my experience can help these guys out, then everything I’ve been through will have been worth it.

When his gaze moved to Hoshi, it was drawn to the black square she had deigned to sit on. He spent a moment trying to figure out what it was when it dawned on him. Kicking himself for being so focused on the task at hand to notice, having first noticed it on the way to the Keyhole, he moved away from the wall and came to stand in front of her. “Where did you get that? The coat you’re sitting on?” he asked. He seemed almost uncharacteristically serious, his usual easy-going demeanor gone. His voice was low, not because he was trying to be quiet, but because he had to consciously hold back an anger that had suddenly bubbled from deep within. He didn’t want to direct it at Hoshi, who he knew would have no idea just what the coat meant to him.

Levi was off the couch before he realized he was moving. It was that subtle aggression in how Zac moved that set him on edge. Levi was quick to interpose himself, and offered a hand over to Hoshi, as he spoke up. “Hey, why don’t you help me grab some spare blankets from downstairs?” He asked her, trying to sound casual. It’d be a chance to talk in relative privacy, at least. “You can come too.” He said as he turned to Zac, before lowering his voice. “If you can keep it civil.” He softly added on, giving a brief but level look to their savior. He figured it wouldn’t be a necessary reminder, but he’d known Zac for less than two days, and it was better to err on the side of caution.

Hoshi looked up at Zac, blinking tiredly; she had been ready to nod off to sleep before he began his move toward her. If she hadn’t been as worn out as she was, she’d have been on her feet and standing her ground similarly to Levi. “Where did I get what?” she asked, half-slurring her words. She scanned herself and the floor around her before realizing what he was talking about. “Oh… this? It’s--” she was cut off by Levi, who had intervened in the conversation.

“Y-yeah,” she spoke through a light yawn. “Blore mankets… I mean, more blankets wouldn’t be a bad idea.” She pulled herself off of the coat and followed Levi. Being on her feet again forced a bit of extra life into her, and she spoke more clearly as they made their way to a more private corner. “It’s OK,” she whispered ahead to her friend. Once they had gotten out of proper earshot of Morgan and Lucian, she looked at Zac. “I- I got it back on the Islands. Just before the world was lost. Some guy, I’m not sure who… he gave it to me. I mean, he basically dressed me into it, said something about it keeping me safe in the Darkness. Then he threw me into the portal thing that brought me here.”

It was all Zac could do to keep from punching a hole in the wall. He stood there, eyes closed as he got his breathing under control, fighting back an intense wave of anger he hadn’t felt in a long time, muttering, “I can’t believe it…One of them was on the island…So close, but…”

When he was certain he wasn’t going to blow up on Hoshi or Levi, he let out a long, slow breath before saying, “Sorry. Just…some bad memories.” Turning to Hoshi, he said, “He was right. That coat is designed to keep you safe when you travel through Corridors of Darkness. Why he helped you off of the island, I can’t even begin to guess, but if there’s just one thing you need to keep in mind, it’s this: anyone wearing one of those coats is nothing but bad news. He might’ve saved you, but I don’t believe for a second it was because he seriously wanted to keep you safe.”

Crossing his arms, he leaned against the wall and added, “I need you guys to promise me something: you ever see anyone dressed like that, turn the other way and run. Try to get a hold of me and I’ll come as quickly as I can. Neither of you or any of your friends are any match for them, right now. And I’ve got a score to settle.”

Initially, Levi was tense, though it lessened slightly at Hoshi’s reassurance. He always got his hackles up when he thought someone or something could be a threat to his friends, it was just part of who he was. Levi relaxed far more, however, as Zac explained himself. And also as he was indirectly assured that Zac wasn’t about to turn on them over a coat Hoshi was given. After a moment, he looked back over to Zac. “Alright.” He ceded, though there was a quiet conviction across his face as Levi led the group to a linen closet he’d seen when they initially made their way to the blue room. “If push comes to shove though, I’m the last one out. It’s just how I roll.” He stated plainly, as he kept his pace down the hall, ending at the closet in question.

“Here.” Levi offered, as he pulled several folded blankets out of the linen closet. One he handed to Hoshi, one to Zac, and took two stacked atop each other himself. “This should be plenty.”

Hoshi took the blanket from Levi and held it close to her chest. All the while she was looking at Zac, who was visibly shaken by the matter of the coat and the people associated with it. She hadn’t known him long, but had guessed him well-traveled and experienced as a fighter… if he was worried about the people that supplied her coat, then she had to take his word that they were too much for her and her friends; she worried for Alias, where ever he was and would go, and hoped he wouldn’t have to deal with them alone. “Weird, though,” she said. “If the guy that gave me that coat was one of these people you’re talking about… should I be more careful then, if they wanted me safe for something? Who even are they?”

Zac nodded at Levi as he passed him a blanket. He knew better than to argue with him, given that he was the same way, but he still said, “Just don’t take any unnecessary risks, then. Promise me that much and that you’ll call me, then we’re good.”

When Hoshi finished talking, he sighed and shook his head. “I’ve tangled with them a few times, but I don’t know much about them. The last time I faced them, I’m pretty sure I went up against their boss…but those memories are fuzzy, at best. Something happened, then I woke up in Traverse Town, alone.” He faced Hoshi, then Levi, and added, “Just stay on your toes. There are things just as dangerous, if not more so, than Heartless out there.”

“Right.” Hoshi fought back from yawning into Zac’s face, and affirmed her agreement with a dutiful nod. She looked to Levi, and then back to Zac. “I um…” She began to speak, but stopped herself. She struggled with her thoughts for a moment before saying. “Thank you for letting us know to be alert… Uh… if you could, right now… I was hoping to talk to Levi about something private.”

Levi turned back toward Zac for a moment, considering for a few heartbeats before speaking himself. “Why don’t you let the others know about these black coat guys? Better they know before everyone leaves anyway, in case there are any chance encounters.” He offered, before his expression became a bit less carefree. “And don’t worry about me. I’m not the type to pull hare-brained stunts.” He commented, giving the topic the severity it warranted, before softening his face a bit. “That’d be this one’s ballpark.” He remarked jokingly, as he turned slightly and tapped Hoshi’s arm with his fist, an ever so slight smirk crossing his face.

Zac smiled at Hoshi and Levi, but it wasn’t his usual carefree grin. It was an attempt, but there was a hint of sadness there. “Yeah, sure. I’ll say something to the others and then I think I’ll spend the night in my ship. With how long I’ve been moving around, I’ve gotten to the point where I sleep better in my chair than in a bed.” With that, the young Gummi mechanic turned around and left, waving over his shoulder at Hoshi and Levi.

As Zac strode out of earshot, Hoshi turned to Levi. She had debated saying something to Zac, but she barely knew him beyond that he was skilled in combat, and his status as a seasoned adventurer and Keyblade wielder. “That guy I was talking about, the one that gave me the black coat… when he was near me I… I felt strange. Like something in my chest was burning and about to burst out. I felt it on the Island, and I’ve felt the same a few times since I got to this world, but I don’t think he’s here… I haven’t seen him at least.”

Levi’s expression turned around to concern quickly with Hoshi’s explanation, as he considered the situation. “Well… it doesn’t seem like he wants to hurt you. From what you’ve said, as dangerous as the guy is according to Zac, he could’ve just left you.” He stated as he analyzed the situation. It was worrying that these people thought Hoshi was important enough to save, but they had enough problems as it was without going and hunting for answers. That could come after they’d found Alias. After a moment to consider, he tensed slightly as he gave his opinion on the matter. “Still, best to watch your back. We don’t know what he wants with you, so it’d be better to be cautious."

The concern Levi had displayed changed to a deadly seriousness, as he reassured his friend, using words he meant with his whole heart. “But if you ever need us, we’re just a call away. We’ll come running to help the second you ask. You know we will.” Levi gently placed a hand on Hoshi's shoulder, intending to comfort her. A soft yet serious smile was on his face as he met her eyes and promised. “Come hell or high water.”

“Right.” It was all Hoshi could do to agree with her friend.

Without further words, the pair returned to their group’s bedroom.

---

And thus, the Denizens of Destiny Islands' journey was set to begin. As each drifted into sleep, they did so with weight of their respective responsibilities settling differently upon each of them...

_{Tags: @Azure Bubbles @IAmTheIsland @Bacon @Daxam @Sadu @mattmanganon}

The Ducks and Goofs rested well after the long day they had searching for keyblade wielders and missing princesses and fighting a large Heartless. Donald and Daisy got a room together, wanting to spend the last night before they parted ways with each other. Max slept outside of Morgan's room. It was mostly so he could protect her from any enemies that might try something while they slept, but it had the added benefit of preparing him for not being able to sleep in a comfortable bed on their journey. They were just lucky that Traverse Town was their first destination. Goofy, on the other hand, decided to get some comfortable rest.

Donald and Daisy woke up early after hearing a knock at their door. It was Merlin looking for Daisy after hearing that she'd be traveling with Morgan and Lucian. He informed her that the friend they were looking for had moved on from Wonderland. He omitted where the information came from because he didn't want them worrying about him being in Maleficent's hands, but did tell her that he was traveling to other worlds on the way to Olympus and that they'd likely be able to meet him there.

Daisy knew that the kids would be excited to hear about this based on how they were talking about Alias. She was glad that the kids had such deep love for each other and that they were able to get through the loss of their home because they had each other. They made her want for her and Donald to have little ducklings of their own even though they often looked after his nephews. Maybe once the worlds were saved from the darkness they could settle down and try.

While everyone was still asleep, Donald and Daisy went to the hotel's kitchen and cafeteria to see no one there so they helped themselves and began to cook breakfast for the party. When they finished the smell of food flowed throughout the hotel to catch the attention of the others.

Lucian blinked in mild shock at the lineup of teams, then again at the munny pouches. For a second he just stared, then hurried forward and picked one up carefully. “Th-thank you,” he said, bowing a little out of habit before catching himself and straightening up. “We won’t waste it. I promise.”

When Aerith and Yuffie left, he looked down at the pouch in his hands, fingers tightening around the drawstring. The weight of it made everything feel more real. He glanced over at Morgan, then at the others, taking in the room one more time. “So… guess this is it,” he said quietly, with a small nervous smile on his face. “Different worlds, different paths. But we’ll come back. All of us. And we’ll bring everyone home.” He tried to sound inspiring and hopeful, but even he wasn’t sure…

—-

Lucian woke to the smell of food drifting through the hotel, warm and familiar. For a moment, he stayed still, staring at the ceiling, letting himself pretend, that he was back on Destiny Islands. That it was another normal morning. That did not last long…

When he reached the cafeteria and saw Donald and Daisy cooking, something in him softened immediately “Oh… you didn’t have to do all this,” he said quietly, though the small smile on his face gave him away. “It smells amazing. Thank you.”

He hovered awkwardly near the counter before heard Daisy talk about Alias leaving Wonderland, about Olympus. Lucian froze for a second. “Olympus…?” he repeated softly. Relief and worry mixed together. Alias was alive. That mattered more than anything. He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “That’s good. That means he’s okay. Or… okay enough to keep going.” Lucian took one last steadying breath and nodded to himself. “Okay,” he murmured softly. “We’ll meet him there.”

---

Lucian looked up when Hoshi sat across from him. He let her finish before responding. “I get that,” he said softly after a pause. “Wanting to fix something yourself… wanting that closure. I’d probably feel the same.” Lucian sighed. “You care about him a lot… And I’ve seen the way he looks at you… I wish I had a boy that looked at me that way.”

Lucian let the words hang there for a second, then immediately looked down at his plate, ears faintly pink like he hadn’t meant to say that part out loud. “I mean… not specifically Alias,” he added quickly, laughing nervously. “Just… someone. Someday.”

He poked at his food absently. “You two have this connection. It’s obvious. And honestly? I think he’d want to know you’re okay just as much as you want to know he is.” Lucian glanced back up at her with a small smile. “So yeah… if going to Olympus helps you clear your head, I get it. I just don’t think you should have to carry that alone. None of us should.”

Levi stretched out on the improvised bed he’d set up for himself on the floor with a couple of the blankets the three of them had grabbed from the linen closet the night prior. The smell of fresh food helped to motivate him, as he sat up and stretched his arms out across his chest one at a time. He looked around, half expecting to be met with his bedroom, or a campsite on the beach, or the floor of one of the others’ places. That all that mess with the heartless and the loss of Destiny Island had just been a long nightmare. But no, the floor of the Blue Room had been his cot, as he looked around the occupied bed and couch, before making his way out of the room. He probably could’ve gone in search of his own room, but he chose to share a bedroom with his friends for one more time.

Unlike he’d been expecting, Levi found himself to be less sore than he’d anticipated. Chalking it up to either the keyblade or Morgan’s magic, though unsure of which as of yet. As part of his brief walk to the source of the delicious smell, Levi swung his right hand out absentmindedly, summoning True Light’s Flight to his hand for a moment. He examined the large silver key for a few more steps, before dismissing the weapon with a thought.

The Munny that had been laid out for them the night prior was a kind enough farewell gift. While he was less than excited to be going out and facing down the heartless with two companions didn’t know, he needed their ship if nothing else. And they had helped him and his friends back in the plaza, so he at least knew he could work with them. The both of them, Donald and Goofy, seemed well-adjusted to this Heartless mess, at least. He could trust experience even if he didn’t know them as well as he would’ve liked to.

Being greeted with hot food once he descended the stairs didn’t hurt, either.

He seated himself with a few biscuits that were covered with a sausage gravy, and a pitcher of water for the table. Levi listened to Hoshi and Lucian passively as he ate, but didn’t involve himself. He just wanted to enjoy being with his friends, and having the certainty that at least most of them were safe.

As much as it was eating at Levi that they still weren’t sure if Alias was safe, he chose to focus on what he could control in that moment. After all, Alias was a tough kid, and he was sure Alias could get himself out of almost any situation he found himself in…

…back on the island. But this isn’t the island anymore. There isn’t a safety net to catch him if he falls. What if he gets caught up in a heartless invasion? If they come in as much force as they tried to take Traverse Town with, can Alias stand on his own?

He didn’t realize how tightly he’d been clutching his utensils until he recognized the slight pang of pain from his fingernails starting to dig into his palms. It brought him back to reality, though. He couldn’t control what Alias was going to do. Just like he couldn’t control what anyone else around him was going to do. What he could control was how he responded to it, so he tucked that fear away, and just silently focused on what was in front of him: A warm meal.

Collab between @mattmanganon & @Eviledd1984

Looking over the strange weapons, Taivas would see a strange pattern inside of it. The sword and shield seemed to be one, custom designed to go together, the shield serving as a scabard for the sword itself. Boldly, he grasped the handle of the strange shield. Instantly, his hand would fail him, no longer obeying his commands as it clamped hold of the shield in a vice-grip. Purple energies began seeping up up the shield into his hand, then up his arm. The thought to simply cut his arm off to prevent this crossed his mind, but his other hand wouldn’t move either. His “Friends” simply stood smiling as they watched the cursed items work their magics on him. Every blink, he would see A terrible eye of untold evil it laughed mockingly at him.

The end of good magic is at hand!
You belong to me now!
OBEY! OBEY! OBEY! OBEY! OBEY!

Taivas was holding the side of his head as he tried desperately to block out the voice. But each time he did this, he felt a sharp pain in his head, as if someone was poking hot needles into his brain. Hearing many voices speaking, some of which were his friends and some of which were unknown, with one of the unknown voices sounding somewhat familiar. But he could not recognize who it belonged to. And despite his efforts to try and block out the influence of the voice, he felt compelled to follow the voice’s commands.

The voice was powerful. Dominating, every other voice and impulse in Taivas’ head being drowned out. Soon, he would find himself kneeling, this shield glued to his hand. In front of him, his friends stood either side of a large throne, a thousand cackling little monsters surrounding him. Finally, 2 voices seemed to become clear:

”It’s incredible, sixteen years and not a trace of her! She couldn’t have vanished into thin air! Are you sure you searched everywhere?" A tall woman sat on her throne, staring at a small goblin-like monster.

Yeah, yeah, everywhere. We all did." It replied in a deep, dark voice, it’s compatriots joined in Yeah, yeah!"

”But what about the town, the forests, the mountains?"

We searched mountains, forests, and houses, and let me see… Ummm… In all the cradles." He smiled, feeling he had done a good job.

”Cradles?" The womans eye twitched with annoyance.

Yeah, yeah, every cradle." He nodded along with all of his compatriots. The woman’s eyes seemed to become almost reassuring, somewhat jovial.

”Cradle? Did you hear that, my pets?” She asked the pair beside her. “All these years, they’ve been looking for a baby! oh, oh, ha, ha, ha!" She began to laugh maniacally.

”Ha, ha, ha!" The minions joined in, not quite sure exactly what was so funny, but they knew enough not to go against what their master was doing. So, if she thought this was funny, then, by gum, it was the funniest thing in the universe.

”Fools! Idiots! Imbeciles!" She exploded in furious anger, sending a couple of green bolts of fire at them. “Oh, they’re hopeless. A disgrace to the forces of evil." She roared in abject fury ”The Dressphere Magics of those 3 have kept the Princess hidden from me for 16 years and i will NOT allow my victory to be undone because of you dunderheads!” She slumped back in her throne, before looking down at Taivas in the middle of the room. “Oh yes, you’re here, aren’t you?” She smiled sinisterly. ”My pets, you are my last hope. Take our newest acquisition. Go, and do not fail me. Find that Prince and find his Princess and make sure their next meeting will be in the mass grave i intend to put them in" She waved her hand at Taivas.

Taivas was listening to the conversation his new master was having with one of her minions. He had a look of disinterest in her berating the creature’s incompetence. His attention was raised when Maleficent addressed him. He was standing and had his head down to avoid her gaze. But looked up at her with a strange glint in his eyes.

” It will be done my mistress.” He said, bowing at Maleficent before running off to complete his task. He hoped to find the princess and prince where he had last left them. Quickly making his way out of Maleficent’s castle and back into the forest. If they were not where he last saw them, then he would need to track their whereabouts.

****

Zen-Aku’s spirit stood outside of the small cabin, watching the surrounding forest for signs of intruders. His eyes watching every subtle shift in the wind, every rustle of critter in the brush. He could hear inside Briar Rose and the fairies were arguing over her new love. Something about how Briar had already been promised by her father, the king, to some prince. All the while Dotty was merrily planning her own wedding now that “That hussy had been given the boot.” He shook his head, this was ridiculous. He was a Wolf. He didn’t guard, he hunted. He should have demanded to go with Taivas to hunt down this “Maleficent” Fairy, whoever she was… But that name stuck with him. He knew he had had dealings with her before. Somewhere in the back of his mind. Had he worked for her? Maybe that was the dark feeling of resentment? In any case, something was happening out there and he didn’t like it. The sun was beginning to wane in the sky. Only maybe a few more hours before it went down. In a few hours, they would be free of this curse, Briar could live happily ever after and they could seal the Heart of the World and maybe go elsewhere.

As the wind picked up, a rustle would blow through the trees above him. Zen-Aku jumped up high and landed on a branch, looking around the canopy for the intruder.

A moment later, Taivas made an appearance. Being crouched down in front of Zen. He didn’t notice Briar Rose or Dotty in the area. It seemed to him that they had gone somewhere. The same applied to Philip, who was a person of interest. Zen-Aku was taken aback by the sudden appearance of Taivas. “Zen, where are Briar and Dotty?” He asked the warrior, studying Zen like a predator watching prey. He assumed they were in some safe area where Dotty could “protect” her. Perhaps he could get any information on Briar's whereabouts from Zen.

The interesting thing about this was that Taivas could now see him… More importantly he could see him without Dotty singing. “You… You can see me? As i am now?” He waved his hands and watched Taivas’ eyes follow him. “Well, that definitely solves quite a few problems for us. Where are your friends? Did they fall in battle against that Maleficent?” He asked.

“Yeah, of course I can see you, I could always see you. I just didn’t mention it because Dotty wouldn’t shut up. They didn’t make it. When we confronted Maleficent, she easily beat us. I barely got out alive.” Taivas looked annoyed by his question and quickly wanted to change the question. Zen-Aku looked him over. He didn’t look badly wounded. Like someone who had just barely got out of a fight alive. “So where is Briar Rose? Is she safe?” Taivas looked around, wanting to know her location. If he didn’t bring Briar Rose to Maleficent, then he would be in big trouble. And this thought made Taivas quite anxious. His hands were nervously fidgeting behind him, and he was ready to summon his weapons if a fight started.

“She’s safe…” Zen-Aku replied, he could tell he was nervous. “The fairies have taken her to her father for safe keeping. She’ll be at the castle by now. And in a few hours, the curse will be broken” He lied. He mostly wanted to see Taivas’ response. Someone that fidgety and lying wasn’t someone he could trust. He suspected some kind of shapeshifter like the Rinshi that Master Phant had told him of. That would also explain why Taivas could suddenly see him.

Taivas watched Zen carefully as he spoke. In the back of his mind, he thought of how quickly he could get to the castle before the spell was broken. The only issue was whether Zen was onto him and would try to stop him from getting to the castle. “That’s good, where is the castle? I wanna make sure Maleficent doesn’t try to intervene.” A lie he hoped would lead him to the right direction.

Zen-Aku watched Taivas as he asked where the castle was. Being that he had made that one up. He needed to try and force this shapeshifter out into the open “Sorry, can’t tell you. Standard procedure for this kind of thing. If you don’t know, they can’t force you to tell them, or get it by reading your mind. For the moment, i’m gonna keep that to myself.” He said. He sneered a little, this could, in fact, be Maleficent herself in disguise. “I’m not saying i don’t trust you, but i don’t trust what a cold-hearted witch like Maleficent can do. I mean, what kind of pathetic, narcissistic, ugly-hearted creature curses a baby for the most asinine reason.” It was an old trick, but hopefully it worked.

Taivas was getting annoyed by Zen's refusal to give him a straight answer. This was evident by the angry look on his face. “Tsk, damn it, just tell me where the castle is so I can make sure nothing bad happens to Rose.” The blonde moved closer towards Zen. He was ready just to beat Zen to a pulp to get the information he needed. Zen-Aku frowned at the aggressive action.

“Who are you and what have you done with Taivas? Because it’s obvious at this point that you aren’t him. Can I presume i’m speaking with Maleficent, or one of her minions?” He asked. Taivas especially would have known he was an astral projection. His aggressive actions against him would prove futile. He took a great sniff. “You reek of dark magics.” He descended back down to the forest floor, through the tree branch. “DOTTY! BAD GUYS, GET THE MASK!” He howled out.

Tavias, sensing he wasn’t gonna get any answers, it looked like he was gonna have to beat it out of Zen. Summoning his weapons and quickly getting into a fighting stance. In a flash, he closed the gap between himself and Zen. His sword was raised high in the air and was brought down towards his head. Hoping he would be quick enough to catch him unaware and get a free blow on him. Zen-Aku, on the otherhand, simply stood, not dodging, due to him being spectral. As the sword came down on him, he actually was hit, sent sprawling to the floor.

“DOTTY! THE MASK!” He roared out. As he did so, Dotty rounded the corner, lifting the mask high in the air.

“HEROIC SPIRIT OF POODLEWOLF! GIVE ME ABSOLUTE POWER!!!” She yelled, slapping the mask on her face, immediately, the spectral Zen-Aku appeared as, in a flash of dark energies, Dotty’s body disappeared, replaced by Zen-Aku’s. He flourished his Cresant Moon Blade. He looked at the sword that he held in his hand alongside his Keyblade.

“Where did you get that weapon, shapeshifter?” He demanded, adopting a defensive stance. ”You can tell me or i can take it from your cold, dead hands.” He growled.

Taivas’ whole body tensed up as his eyes scanned Zen, wondering what would be the best way to beat him. His face was turning bright red with anger. “Looks like I gotta beat the info out of ya. It’s gonna be nice, cuz then I don’t have to hear that stupid dog talkin' anymore.” Taivas once again used his powers to dart towards Zen. Raising his sword to try to slash Zen once again. “TAKE THIS!!!.” He screamed as his sword was coming towards Zen. As the blade came up, Zen-Aku brought his own Cresent Moon Blade up to block it, only to instead see the Evil Eye open in the middle of the shield, blasting a fireball straight into his chest, sparks exploding from it and sending him flying backwards, rolling a few times, before getting up to one knee. Taivas looked angry that his attack didn’t land

“Your weapons are strong, but end the charade. You aren’t Taivas. Who are you, so i know what to tell your boss when i throw your head at her feet?” Zen-Aku growled, before drawing his knife-flute. A shield was a good defensive weapon. He needed something to deal with it. Getting the Elephant crystal from his coat, he put it in the slot on the knife. “MIGHTY SPIRIT OF THE ELEPHANT!” And the Creasant Moon Blade was replaced with his Elephant Flail. Holding the handle in one hand, he ran his other hand up the chain and began spinning it gently around, keeping the inertia, hopefully he could use this to knock that shield out of his hands. “Answer me.”

“What are you talking about, I am Taivas. And you're gonna tell me where Rose is. Even if I gotta beat it out of you.” He tapped his sword on his shield as dark haze of shadow quickly consumed it. Suddenly, an evil looking eye in the middle of the shield opened, Firing two bolts from the shadow in the shapes of a wolf’s head sword towards Zen-Aku. Zen spun his flail around, deflecting one, then then the other, explosions throwing his cape up in the sudden breeze, but was a little unprepared for the following up attack from Taivas, by shooting four more bolts towards him. Zen-Aku jumped up high in the air, to avoid them, but was a little too slow to notice Taivas closing the distance between them. Once again, going in to slash him with his sword. Zen-Aku wrapped the chain of his flail around the sword to block it, but was completely unprepared for Taivas smashing him in the face with the shield, before firing another blast directly into him. Zen-Aku being thrown backwards into a tree and sliding to the ground. Zen-Aku shook himself off. That hurt, but the battle was still young… But he knew he needed to pace himself. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have the energy to deal with Maleficent. Plus, this was not his body. Dotty only had so much stamina.

“LIE TO ME ALL YOU WANT! I KNOW THAT BOY ISN’T SO WEAK THAT HE’D GIVE INTO A WITCH LIKE HER! SO PATHETIC THAT HE’D ALLOW HIS MIND TO BE TWISTED LIKE A CAT WITH A BALL OF YARN!!!” He roared. Dotty immediately looked around for this supposed cat. “NOW STOP WITH THE GAMES AND TELL ME WHERE THE REAL TAIVAS IS!!!” He once again adopted the defensive stance. He needed to also get answers out of him. If he was able to finish this fake off too quickly… Or gods forbid that it really was some kind of twisted Taivas… Was that witch really powerful enough to control peoples minds? On the otherhand- Quickly launching from the defensive position, he jumped straight towards Taivas, swinging the Elephant Flail so that the ball went straight into his shield, closing the distance rapidly to try and use the shield being knocked out the way to get a good lightning bolt attack into his chest

.“Tsk enough talk, it’s time to end this.” Taivas tried blocking Zen’s weapon. The flail collided with his shield, but didn’t give him the opening he was looking for. Instead, Taivas kept himself hidden behind the shield. Using his sword to slash into Zen’s torso, sparks flying upwards from the upper-slash. Then, while Zen was stunned by his attack, he once again slammed his shield into Zen’s face, Zen falling back. Taivas was getting annoyed by how long the fight was taking and wanted to finish it as soon as possible. The spirit form of Dotty ran up to Zen-Aku.

“POODLEWOLF! YOU GOTTA GET UP!” She cried, shaking him. The concussion from multiple blows to the head wasn’t helping him.

Tavias marched over, putting his hand straight though Dotty and grabbed him by the neck, pulling him up. easily lifting him off the ground before throwing him around like a rag doll. Flinging his body behind him in a show of disrespect. The blonde started moving towards Zen again, lifting his shield and sword close to him. Zen-Aku stumbled to his feet and swung the flail at Taivas, but his body surrounded itself with darkness and suddenly disappeared. Reappearing behind Zen as he darkness covered sword came down towards his head. Sparks flying out as Zen spun around and fell flat on his front.

“I’m… I’m sorry, Dotty… I’m not strong enough…” He grunted, trying to climb to his feet.

“POODLEWOLF! YOU GOTTA GET YOUR WIND BACK! COME ON, YOU ALWAYS GET YOUR SECOND WIND!” Dotty cried, tears and snot beginning to run down her face. “HAN!!! STOP BEING POSSESSED!!!” She yelled, running towards Taivas and trying to hug him, but simply phasing straight through him. He slowly managed to push himself up.

“You’ll get your kill…” He growled. “Just let me die on my feet like a warrior.” He said, pulling himself up by grabbing and pulling at the tree he had been thrown against. As Taivas prepared the final strike, 3 lights shot past his head and over Zen-Aku.

"ZEN-AKU! TAIVAS!" Yuna yelled as she appeared. "MALEFICENT HAS BRIAR UNDER HER SPELL! WE CAN’T STOP HER! SHE’S GOING FOR THE SPINNING WHEEL!" Rikku and Paine tapped her on the shoulder and pointed out Taivas powering up for an attack. Taivas was annoyed when he saw the pixies coming in to help Zen. He was sure he was going to win this fight.

"Uhh… Yuni… I don’t think Taivas is interested." Rikku replied.

"We’ll need to give Zen-Aku something that can help him overcome her evil." Paine replied, before the 3 disappeared into their balls of light form, the 3 circled around Zen-Aku,

"THOUGH DARKNESS RISE AND EVIL’S POWER STOKE!" "IF NONE SHALL MEET IT, ITS INFLUENCE SHALL CHOKE!"
"BUT HEROES RISE, FOR JUSTICE THEY GROPE!"
TO SAVE THEPRINCESS, WE GRANTTHE SHIELD OF HOPE!!!

In a flash of light that threw Taivas back a little with the shockwave of holy light pouring into Zen-Aku, he would look back to see Zen-Aku stood with a Mobile Phone in his hand. Zen-Aku looked down at it. Dotty ran up in front of Zen-Aku and pointed at Taivas.

“HAN!!! YOU ARE SO SCREWED NOW!!!” She laughed maniacally. Zen-Aku allowed his hands to flow as he crossed them across his body, then threw them wide

“MAGICAL SOURCE!” He began, pressing 3-3-5 on the phone, before thrusting it to the heavens. “MYSTIC FORCE!” A circle of glowing red magic with strange symbols engulfed Zen-Aku, before a suit of brilliant scarlet, gold and silver armour enveloped his body. A brilliant red and gold shield appearing in his hand, with his own sword in it. “BURNING HEART OF FIRE! WOLF WARRIOR, DEFENDER OF TRUTH” He roared.

Dotty watched with eyes practically aglow at what she was witnessing. Zen-Aku slowly drew the blade and threw his arm wide, a flick of the fire lashing out to the grass, but not burning it. The fire of truth not burning that which was not evil. He then pointed it at Taivas. “Poodlewolf… You really are the coolest!” She cried in awe. Taivas’ annoyance gave way to menacing glee as he noticed that Zen’s fire was reignited. He still had some fight left in him.“Now thing’s just got interesting. Let’s see what you got.” More of the darkness was surrounding his body. His eyes turned even yellower as he rushed at Zen.

“Let us end this…” He growled, also rushing forwards, both of them swinging their blades, clashing with each others blade, Fire erupting from Zen-Aku’s blade as darkness flared from Taivas’. “Don’t fight it anymore. Let me purify the darkness within you!” He growled. The growl was deep, but not angry.

Taivas’ blade was quickly consumed by the darkness around his body. For a brief moment, Zen could see it wasn’t Taivas he was fighting. But instead, there was an older man with white hair, grinning menacingly at him. “Master Org?”” He instinctively asked in a hushed, panicked tone.

The image broke out into a full laugh, before it faded, and Taivas was in his place. “Darkness will consume you and everything in this world. There’s no stopping it.” Both continued to mirror each others movements, as they both raised their shields to smash each other in the face, the pair clashed, fire bursting from the back of Zen-Aku’s Shield, while darkness burst from the back of Taivas’.

“Truth will always burn brighter than darkness. Whoever you are that has consumed this boy’s mind, give him back, before I burn you out of him.” Zen-Aku seemed confused by what he was saying. This wasn’t like him at all. He NEVER spoke like this. Was he, too, possessed? Or was this whole “Defender of Truth” thing bringing out the real him?

As Zen-Aku looked around at the swirling fires of darkness and hope desperately battling for dominance, he couldn't help but feel something welling up within him. For a second, Taivas would see A handsome young man stood in Zen-Aku's position.

"I know your pain..." He said as music seemed to burst from the shield itself as they began to launch another series of strikes on each other, attempting to disarm or destroy the other. With each clash, Zen-Aku's voice changed, from the gruff demonic voice to a softer, more gentle voice of the man Taivas saw inside.

"The path of hate is a dangerous track:
You take one step and it's hard to turn back.
It pulls you along and though it seems wrong, it feels right.
Don't you see, this path you're on leaves a permanent mark.
It feels good at first, then it slowly turns dark.
With each passing day you’re further astray from the light.
Suddenly you lose your way
And lose the thread,
Lose your cool, then lose your head.
Every loss is harder to excuse.
Then you'll see you'll lose your faith and lose your soul,
Till you lose complete control
And realize there's nothing left to lose –
Nothing left to lose."

As they clashed swords, Taivas would see the flames form into two figures dancing, a man and a woman, their friends gathered around, but as his own darkness surrounded, the the man reached into it and was consumed, before banishing the darkness around him. The friends and woman gathered around and wept as they they were forced to destroy the man whom the darkness had claimed. As they clashed swords again, Zen-Aku, or at least, the being inside of him made its bid for Taivas' soul.

"Taivas, I have seen what happens when you try to harness dark powers beyond your control. Willpower, Love, Friendship, none of them are enough to anchor you from going down the path of villainy as you reach into that dark chasm to pull out power, FIGHT THIS CREA-

But he was cut off as Taivas pushed back and they were forced to trade steel as they continued to battle for their ideology:

"IS THAT WHAT YOU THINK OF ME?"
"The path I am on is a path paved in black.
I'm taking that road and I'm not looking back.
Each twist and each turn
Leads straight where I'm yearning to go.
Yes, it's true; my path is dark, but I see where it ends:
The villains will fall as my power ascends.
Despise me; that's fine.
I'm taking what's mine, even so –
Not like you.
You lost your nerve; You lost the game,
But you and I – we're not the same.
I'm not lost, this fate was mine to choose –
So I chose to lose my doubts and lose my chains –
Lose each weakness that remains,
Now that I have nothing left to lose –
Nothing left to lose,"

This time as they clashed, the darkness and fire seemed to intertwine to show Taivas as a being of fire, surrounded by all of his friends from Destiny, likewise, the flames dancing as it showed their exodus and separation, before Taivas reached into the darkness and pulled a sword out to use to keep his friends safe.

"You've all your friends to hold onto-"

"I only want my rightful dues!"

"Listen, please!- Looooooooooooooose?"
"You’ve lost your grip and lost your mind-I’m not gonna Looooooooooooooose!"
"All's not lost – don’t be so blind!I Refuse!"
"Cut your losses; drop the I.O.U.'s!I Refuse!""
"I lose no tears and lose no sleep!Oh Chooooooooooose!"
"What I want I'll take and keep!It's time for you to choose!"
"You can't stop the turning of the screws"

A tear rolled down the face of the man under the Wolf Warrior helmet as he struck the evil sword out of the way with his sword, spun around, backhanded the shield away, using the momentum of the spin to raise his sword high. "IN THE NAME OF HONOUR! BLAZING STORM SLASH!" Swinging the sword around, he sent a wave of fire straight at Taivas, the fire seeping into his body, bolts of red lightning dancing across his skin and into his very heart, extricating the darkness that held him, he saw the white haired man again give him a sneer, before finally disappearing. Taivas fell to his knee's, grimacing, the slow realization of what happened dawning on him. "It is done" Zen-Aku slowly sheethed the sword back into the shield as the red armour faded from him. He reached up to his face and pulled the wolf mask off, turning back into Dotty with a swirl of black energies.

"Now... I have... Nothing... Left... To lose..." Taivas groaned. Dotty skipped over to him and patted him on the shoulder.

"Well, i don't know about you, but i think we made a real breakthrough here. All's well that ends well." She patted her hands off.

"Nothing has ended! While you've been fighting, Briar is going for the spinning wheel!" Yuna berated.

"Awwww, do we have to save her? I'll take good care of Philip for her!" She laughed.

"DOTTY!!!" Zen-Aku roared at her. Dotty was taken slightly aback by that. Zen had yelled at her before, but he clearly looked shaken by what had happened.

"OoOoOoH!" She shook her hands. Ok, Mr Grumpy-bumpy-pants!" She then grabbed Taivas by the hand. "Come along Han, we gotta save the world... Again!" She chirped.

Sitting silently as everyone else discussed their plans, their hopes, their wants to find Alias, their worries for what might happen. She stayed quiet, not saying any more than she already had, feeling as though this wasn't her subject to be a part of. Her thoughts turned inward, as everyone else faded away into muffled noise, and eventually silence.

She had been told more today than she had known since she woke up on that island. And yet, she felt that she had more unanswered questions than ever. While before she wanted to know who she was, and where she was from... now she had the answers to those questions, and that meant nothing.

She was a Princess? Princess of what, of where. Camelot? Where was that, what was it like? How could she be royalty of a place she couldn't even remember. Loss of memory or no, surely something should have come back to her by now.

By time she came to from her own thoughts, the room had gone completely quiet, and not just because she was zoning out. She was the last one awake, at least for the moment. She had just been sitting in a corner, but now she pulled herself up, and quietly walked out. Not to leave, not exactly, but to a door leading to the balcony.

Going out and shutting the door behind her, the town was just as quiet, but in its own different, natural way. with her back to the wall she slid down, slumping into a corner, and stared at the lights still lighting up the sky. A city of people who had lost their homes, refugees fleeing the darkness as it consumed everything in its past. People who had nowhere to go, no more place to call home. And here she was, a supposed Princess, and no different than any of them. No home, no place to belong. She wasn't sure what she should do. She didn't have a keyblade, and despite being told she was once some powerful magic user, helping others in just one fight had exhausted her. Did they really need what amounted to a novice mage accompanying any of them? She didn't have one of those Keyblades. Was it really any of her business to fight the Heartless? Or would she just end up getting in the way.

She thought to the words she said earlier, about how they would all face the darkness together. But was it just empty words, meant to spur them on in the moment? Thinking back even further, she thought about the statue she saw. Lancelot. Something about it felt so familiar, the name, the armor, the face... it probably wasn't a perfect replica, but it still felt like someone she knew... it almost brought back memories... almost.

But sitting there, with no past, an uncertain future, she leaned her head on the railing, putting her arms around her knees, she closed her eyes, and eventually fell asleep. And all she dreamed of, was a large room filled with a bright white light, a field of white flowers around a gravestone sitting beneath a tree... and snow, falling and covering everything around her. A dream of nothing that she would understand when she woke. The same as all the rest.

Levi

---

Levi enjoyed the peace for as long as he could while he ate his breakfast, however there was only so long he could put off the inevitable. He knew it would only be harder to convince himself to leave the longer he stayed, so after a few more moments, and one last glass of water, he stood from the table. “Why not meet up at the colosseum? Just to check in, make sure everyone’s alright. We know Alias seems to be headed there, and it lets us make sure nobody else is in trouble.” Levi recommended as he stood, then looked over the two of them one more time. Morgan was either asleep or elsewhere as far as he knew. Unfortunate, but if any of them would be fine, he assumed it’d be here. What he’d initially assumed to be delirium aside, she had a good head on her shoulders. Good enough to keep her from getting in over her head, at least. Hopefully, coupled with the others' strong hearts, they’d all be fine.

Levi gave a sad smile as he started turning to leave. “Well, it’s getting to be about that time. I’m gonna go get some supplies before I go. I’m sure I’ll see you all around.” He said, trying his best to keep his composure and keep it quick. He never did like goodbyes, especially when the threat was present that he’d never see the other person again. He was confident he would see the others again, though. He had to. If they got hurt, because he wasn’t there to protect them…

“Just… stay safe. Please.” He finally said, before departing the hotel, firm in his resolve. He was going to make sure Alias was safe. If that meant taking the brunt of everything these worlds could throw at him to ensure the others could track him down, and to keep the worst of it off their backs, then so be it.

---

Levi hefted his fattened wallet as he walked down the boulevards of Traverse Town, now being able to see the beauty in the place’s asymmetry. In truth, the way multiple worlds and peoples were all woven together to create this haven felt wonderful. While Levi missed the islands, missed home, now that he wasn’t out of his mind with fear and wandering a city completely unknown to him, he was much more capable of taking in it’s awkward beauty.

He eventually came to a halt before the same moogle who had sought to sell him potions and supplies earlier, greeting the floating creature with a wave. “Did you find who you were looking for, kupo?” The friendly floating fuzzball asked as Levi approached, to which he nodded. “Most of them, and we least know where the last one is.” He replied, to which the moogle nodded, causing the pom-pom atop it’s head to bounce back and forth. “That’s good to hear, kupo! Now, how can I help you today, kupo?”

Levi found himself walking towards the entrance of the first district not long after, with the loops he’d left on the straps of his makeshift rucksack now holding potions and a couple of ethers, for quick access in an emergency. “Hold on there! Yer one of the lads with a keyblade who fought the heartless down in the third district, ain’t ye?” The voice that called after him was unfamiliar, but Levi turned towards the voice with the strong accent to find another duck-person, this one dressed in a fine blue suit and a top hat, walking with the help of a cane.

“How’d you guess?” He asked calmly to the duck-man, who just gave him a friendly smile as he replied. “Why, half of Traverse Town knows about it, and the other half’ll know in the next day or two. But I’m getting ahead of meself. Scrooge McDuck, richest duck alive.” He said with an almost theatrical bow. That introduction alone, however, told Levi that this Scrooge was a businessman of some kind, and likely wouldn’t have been talking to him if there wasn’t some purpose to it. Levi nodded, and waited for the duck to get on with whatever he was about to say.

“I’ll tell ye what, lad. I figure ye plan on puttin’ that keyblade of yers to good use. So, why don’t ye go do that, and I’ll make sure ye don’t empty out yer pockets in the process.”

“And why do you want me to be doing that?” He asked, as if he wasn’t planning on saving any worlds that needed it anyways. Scrooge simply raised an eyebrow, before placing his hands at his hips (or at least what Levi assumed to be his hips). “Why, you savin’ worlds is good for everyone. And it’s always a good investment to save people.” He said in a tone that was almost a little patronizing, but Levi was still a little uncertain of the duck’s real reasoning.

“Uh huh. A businessman, randomly offering to fund someone to go save worlds out of the goodness of his heart. What’s your angle?” He asked pointedly, to which Scrooge almost looked hurt for a few moments. Then, the duck sighed and shrugged. “Alright, fair enough. Consider it an investment, then. Fer every world ye save, that’s another market I can work me way into, or one I’m in that doesn’t get destroyed, and more profits to be had. You get rich, I get richer, and lives get saved. Everyone wins!” He stated, as Levi pretended to think about the offer for a moment. But in all fairness, if someone was freely offering to subsidise him for saving worlds, that was something he’d gladly take.

“Alright, on one condition.”

“Name it.”

“I’ve got a few friends of mine doing the same thing. You willing to extend that reward out to them?”

“Why of course! I jes’ need to know who I’m writin’ me checks to.”

“Mister McDuck, you have yourself a deal.”

Zac sat in his cockpit, watching the main screen as he ran some final diagnostics to ensure his ship was ready to fly while he munched on his breakfast, that being a simple granola bar. He never ate much in the morning (at least, he was sure it was morning. The perpetual night sky over Traverse Town made it tough to tell), especially before flying. Leaving an atmosphere was always a bumpy ride and he didn’t want to deal with an upset stomach so early.

As he sat in his ship, his mind began to wander back to the islanders who were no doubt getting ready for their own adventures. Part of him thought he should at least go back and wish them luck, but he figured he should leave them be. It would be quite some time until they saw each other again and he didn’t want to intrude. “Wish I could’ve at least given them some more tips,” he muttered past a mouthful of granola before shrugging. They had already been through the destruction of one world and helped save another one right after. “They’ll be fine. Besides, I can’t give them all the answers. Sometimes, it’s better to figure things out yourself.”

He glanced back at the empty seats behind him and sighed softly. Part of him had been hopeful at least one of the islanders would have joined him. He had been on his own for so long and he missed having someone to talk to that wasn’t his ship, someone that could hold a conversation. Someone to watch his back. But, he had to admit, their plan made sense. They could save more worlds if they split up and not only was he the most experienced out of everyone, but for the time being, he was most likely the strongest. If anyone would be fine on their own, it was him.

The three-tone beep from the main console, signifying that the diagnostics were finished, brought Zac out of his self-pitying thoughts. He looked at the screen and nodded. “Green all across the board,” he said before popping the last bite of his granola bar into his mouth. He crossed his arms and sat back in his chair as he thought about his next move. He could always just hang out in Traverse Town until someone called him. His search had gone cold some time before his crash landing, after all. Besides, he earned some time off, right?

That didn’t sit right with him however. Why should he sit around when the newbies are off doing all the work? Even if they didn’t need him right away, there had to be something he could do to help them out. Leaning forward, he closed out the diagnostics window and opened another containing star charts. His ship was equipped with a long-range passive scanner, enabling him to get the rough coordinates of worlds as he flew. As far as he was concerned, it was a life-saver, otherwise he would have gotten lost a long time ago.

A quick search and he had the coordinates for Olympus. “Even if their friend isn’t there, yet, I can at least check things out and make sure the world's still there for them to meet up,” he muttered to himself as he primed his ship for takeoff.

As Sigrid began to lift into the air, Zac looked out of the canopy at the rooftops of Traverse Town. “You guys all stay safe,” he said, directing his words not only at the new Keyblade wielders, but also at his friends who made Traverse Town their home. He fastened his seat’s harness and took off, his ship roaring into the perpetual night above.

The trip to the castle was not a lively one. Luckily, the fairies were able to magic them up some mounts for their valiant charge. Taivas and Zen-Aku were both trying to come to terms with what had happened back there. Taivas by the fact that the evil fairy witch had toyed with his brain like a ball of yarn. Zen-Aku with the revalation of who that man was that came out when he began singing. He looked down at the Shield of Hope as he floated next to the large bird Dotty was riding with all of the gusto of a proper knight. "THIS IS SO COOL! WE DON'T HAVE GIANT CHICKENS WHERE I COME FROM!!!" She yelled as the valiant birds charged through the thicket and towards the castle, the pair of Chocobo made a great leap straight up onto the top wall.

"COME ON, SHE'S THIS WAY!!!" Yuna yelled. Vaulting down from the Chocobo who let out a loud Kweh! before the magic creating them faded, Dotty and Taivas sprinted across the wall, the party bellow providing perfect cover from what they were doing, heading towards main castle. Making their way in through one of the guard entrances, they followed the 3 fairies up to a bedroom, Taivas booting down the door taking some frustration out on it, as they looked around, Payne pointed to the missing fireplace.

"She's gone in there, hurry!" The pair set off again at a run, the dark passage lit by the light of the fairies.

"Touch the spindle..." That evil voice wafted through the air.

"BRIAR! NO!!!" Taivas roared out as he quickly climbed the stairs, his knee's screaming in agony by this point, but he had been fooled by that witch once, he wasn't going to compound that defeat.

"TOUCH IT I SAY!" The voice came again. Finally rounding the corner, Briar was reaching her hand towards the spinning wheel, without missing a beat, Taivas summoned his Keyblade and made and almighty leap towards the spinning wheel. But it was too late. In a flash of evil green magics, Taivas was thrown against the wall as the others watched in horror, Briar slumping down on the ground. In a flash of green flames, she appeared... Maleficent. "You poor simple fools. Thinking you could defeat me? ME! the mistress of all evil!" She growled "And you, Taivas, i had such high hopes for you... But instead you chose poorly." She let out an evil grin as she looked at Briar slumped on the floor. "And look at your precious princess!"

"Listen here, Hag!" Dotty yelled. Maleficents eyebrow went up and she looked at the puppy. "I don't get a tupney about that trollop, but you killed someone my future husband cares a lot about, ya hussy! Now put 'em up, because me and Poodlewolf are gonna knock your blinkin' block off! HEROIC SPIRIT OF POODLEWOLF-" Maleficent sighed as the child reached for the mask. She then looked down at Taivas who had just stumbled to his feet. She let out a shrill cackle, before disappearing in a puff of green flames. "GET BACK HERE YA SCAREDY CAT!!!" She screamed. Taivas slumped in the corner, watching over Briar's body. Rikku flew over to Taivas.

"Don't worry, she's not dead. She's just... Awaiting true love's kiss." She patted him on the shoulder.

"Does she have a lover? Like, someone who would..." She looked around at the others who stared at the child with mild disbelief. "Ooooooh No. No. NO!" She cried. "SHE ISN'T HAVING MY PRINCE!!! PHILIP IS MINE AND WE'RE GONNA KISS AND WE'RE GONNA TURN BACK INTO DOGS AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE 99 PUPPIES AND WE'RE GONNA LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER!!! JUST LIKE GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-NANNY AND GRANDAD DID!" Zen-Aku stared at her again. "OK! FINE!!! But just the 1 kiss and then me and Philip live happily ever after!" She replied. Taivas got up and made her way to Briar's side, picking her up in his arms, before carrying her back to her room in the tallest tower, the others following. Taivas lay her down on the bed and looked at the others.

"Where is Philip?" He asked the Fairies. The three looked nervously at each other, but then in a flash of light, a vision appeared.

Inside of Maleficent's Castle, her minions drank, ate and danced merrily. The 18 year long plan having come to fruition. Maleficent sat atop her throne, grinning and stroking her crow. "What a pitty Prince Philip isn't here to enjoy the celebrations..." She giggled. She then reached for her staff and pulled herself to her feet. Looking at the crow, she laughed again "Come, let us away to the dungeon to cheer him up." Walking slowly through her castle, she made her way to the dungeon, before opening the door and stepping in to see Philip chained to the wall. She put on a voice of faux sympathy. "Oooh, come Prince Philip, why so melancholy? A wonderous future lies before you. You, the destined hero of a charming fairytale come true." Waving her hand over her staff, she showed him a vision.

"Behold, King Stephan's Castle. And in yonder topmost tower, dreaming of her true love, the Princess Aurora... But see the gracious whim of fate, why, tis the self-same Heroic Maiden who won the heart of our fair prince but yesterday! She is indeed, most wonderous fair. The gold of sunshine in her hair, lips that shame the red-red rose. In ageless sleep she finds repose. The years roll by, but 100 years to the steadfast heart are but a day." She showed him wasting away to become nothing but an old man, gray hair and beard dripping down to his belly. "And now, the gates of the dungeon part and our prince is free to go his way. Off he rides on his noble steed, a valiant figure, straight and tall, to wake his love, with love's first kiss. And prove that true love conquer's all!" She threw her head back in an evil cackle, as Philip strained against the chains to try and throw a punch at her. She instead walked back to the door, grabbing the crow. "Come, my pet, let us leave the prince with these happy thoughts." She walked out, Philip still struggling against his bindings.

The vision was cut off as Taivas cracked the stone wall with his fist. "We CANNOT let her win." He growled.

"But..." Yuna sighed. "She's so powerful. We threw everything we had at her and it did nothing."

"We don't need to fight and kill her... We just need to free Philip. If he can deliver true love's first kiss, then the curse will be broken and her plan falls to pieces." Taivas replied.

"And then me and my prince can ride off into the sunset together with him in my big, strong arms!" Dotty laughed. "I love the sound of that, what's the plan?"

The Party stood before Maleficent's castle. To spare the people of the party, YRP had cast a mass sleep spell to send them all into a deep slumber alongside their princess. There would be no help from them, but also, hopefully, no damage would befall them either. The 3 fairies quickly surrounded Dotty and with a flash of light, she suddenly perked up.

"That should give you the strength to let Zen-Aku fight this final battle in your body, after that fight earlier." Rikku smiled at her.

"Alright, we get in, we free Philip, we stop for nothing. Avoid the witch if we can... Philip getting to Briar is the primary objective, anything else is moot." Taivas stated.

"You can count on us, Han!" Dotty pumped an arm, before slinging the mask off her back. "HEROIC SPIRIT OF POODLEWOLF! GIVE ME ABSOLUTE POWER!" She yelled, slamming the mask into her face and with an explosion of dark magics, Zen-Aku stood in her place. He looked down at the Shield of Hope he held in his hands, before walking to Taivas.

"Boy..." He nudged Taivas, who looked at him. "I think that, right now, if anyone needs the power of Hope on their side, it's you. I'll be relying on the Elephant Flail for this." He held out the shield. Taivas looked down at it, immediate flashbacks in his mind to that evil weapon Maleficent had forced him to weild. This didn't feel right... But he understood the power within that weapon. Anything that could tip the scales in their favour. Taking ahold of the shield, he didn't draw the sword, instead summoning his own Keyblade in his free hand. The pair, flanked by the fairies began making their way up the winding ridge that led to Maleficent's castle.

As Dotty's spectral form floated next to Zen-Aku, she looked at the fairies. "Girls. I think our boys are gonna need a bit of pep in their step." She pumped her fist in the air, the 3 fairies looked at each other and nodded, before in a brilliant flash, all 4 of them floated in Songstress gear.

As Piano music began playing, Paine looked up. "C-Minor. Put it in C-Minor." She ordered as the music then restarted om the lower key. Dotty in a puff of magic turned back into a dog, still wearing the dressphere.
"Where have all the good men gone? And where are all the gods?
Where's the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds?
Isn't there a white knight apon a fiery steed?
"every night i toss and i turn and i dream of what i need..."

Zen-Aku grabbed the marble from a pouch on his belt and slammed it into the knife. "MIGHTY SPIRIT OF THE ELEPHANT!" the knife transforming into the Elephant Flail.

"HIT IT!" Yuna yelled. Maleficents minions slowly made their way to the castles ramparts and looked down at the charge, one of them running to ring the alarm, but Paine pointed her microphone at it and a spectral clock appeared around the pig-creature, stopping it instantly.

"OoooooOooooOOOOOooooh!

With a mighty leap, Zen-Aku threw himself into the air and twirled, before sending the flail, turning the stalwart defensive structure into a shower of splinters that sent Maleficent's minions running. Quickly followed by Taivas landing on the shield with a roll, before slashing at a nearby minion, sending it spiraling into darkness.

"I need a Hero! I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night!
He's gotta be strong and he's gotta be fast
and he's gotta be fresh from the fight!"
"Fresh from the fight!"

As minions started surrounding them, Taivas brought the Shield of Hope to bare, pointing it at the crowd between him and the entrance to the tower where Maleficent kept her prisoners. The eye in the middle of the shield opened and a beam of light blasted a horde of minions to pieces.

"I need a hero! ^Oooooooooooh I'm holding out for a hero till the morning light!" ^{Hero till the mornin'}
He's gotta be sure and it's gotta be soon
and he's gotta be larger than life! larger than life" ^Oooooooooooh

Rolling over Taivas using the shield to hold his weight, Zen-Aku spun around, launching the Elephant Flail straight at the door, smashing it to pieces again. Finally, the weapon Master Phant gave him was really coming into its element. They set off at a run as Taivas slashed at the minions that tries to dogpile them... He wanted to call on the dark magics he had learned, but right now... He wasn't quite sure about that... Rushing up the stairs, Zen put his weight into Taivas' back as Taivas held the shield up, the pair using it as a battering ram to push through the hordes desperately trying to get up the stairs to stop them. Minions flying off the stairway and smashing into puffs of black smoke as they hit the floor bellow.

"Somewhere after midnight in my wildest fantasy
Somewhere just beyond my reach, there's someone reaching back for me ^{Someone reaching back}
Racing on the thunder and rising with the heat
It's gonna take a Superman to sweep me off my feet!" ^Oooooooooooh

Finally making it to the top of the stairs, the pair rushed towards the cell door and looked in. Philip was still there. "Get up, Prince, your maiden needs you." Zen ordered. Taivas quickly performed the unlocking spell with his Keyblade, the locks to the door and Philips manacles springing open. As Philip opened the door, Taivas handed him the Shield of Hope.

"You'll need this more than i will." He said, Philip pulled the shield up his arm and drew the sword, smiling at his compatriots.

"Thank you, my friends." He replied. Dotty's spirit floated around his head, blowing him a kiss. Philip looked rather confused by this, but quickly decided not to dwell. Rushing back to the stairs, they looked down to see another horde rushing up. Philip pointed to a hole in the wall, rushing over they looked down to see a pile of rubble they could slide down. The three jumped and slid down.

Up where the mountains meet the heavens above
Out where the lightning splits the sea
I could swear there is someone somewhere watching me
Through the wind and the chill and the rain
And the storm and the flood
I can feel his approach like a fire in my blood ^{Like a fire in my blood! Like a fire in my blood! Oooooooooooh}

Reaching the bottom of the wall, the Fairies quickly conjured Spectral mounts for each of them. A Motorcycle for Zen-Aku a brilliantly shining gold Chocobo for Taivas and a Brilliant white, robotic Unicorn for Philip. Each of them landing perfectly upon their mounts as they began their escape.

Making their way out, Minions pushed boulders off of the gantries to try and impede them, but Zen-Aku was quick to draw the Cresent Moon blade and with one slash, the rocks were reduced to pebbles. As they made their way out, a flash of green magics repaired the drawbridge to cut them off, but Taivas was on it. "STOP FOR NOTHING!!!" He roared, slashing at the chains holding the bridge up with his keyblade, his blade sliced expertly through them, like a hot knife through butter. The drawbridge smashing down to allow the trio's escape.

Riding through the countryside and towards Steffan's castle ^Herooo! hoofbeets, birdfeet and rubber pounding the dirt as they flew towards destiny. But a great roar of anger could be heard over the horizon. Dodging lightning bolts, the trio did their best to keep ahead of the witch. Then they heard it over the music.

"The Forest of Thorns shall be your tomb!
Through the skies of a fog of doom!
Now go with a curse and serve me well!
'Round Steffan's castle, cast my spell!"

"I need a Hero! I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night!
He's gotta be strong and he's gotta be fast
and he's gotta be fresh from the fight!"
"Fresh from the fight!"

As they crested the hill, they spotted a black fog descend over the castle and turn into a forest of rose-bushes with razor-like thorns. As they neared it, they began hacking their way through the dense thicket. Taivas watched as Zen-Aku's Cresent Moon Blade, a weapon forged from the darkness that he himself came from seemed to be having a hard time cutting through, as opposed to Philips blade, forged from the very fires of hope itself seemed to practically melt through the evil vines. Focussing on his Keyblade, he managed to begin cutting with ease as well. Finally making it a bridge over the moat surrounding the castle, Philip set off at a charge on his unicorn, Zen-Aku and Taivas hot on his heels. Juggernauting their way towards the open drawbridge, in a flash of briliant yellow, purple and green magics, she appeared before them, a face of purest fury.

"I need a hero! ^Oooooooooooh I'm holding out for a hero till the morning light!" ^{Hero till the mornin'}
He's gotta be sure and it's gotta be soon
and he's gotta be larger than life! larger than life" ^Oooooooooooh
"I NEED A HEROOO!!!"

Throwing her arms wide, she began channeling all of the magic she seemed to be able to pull from this land. "NOW SHALL YOU DEAL WITH ME, OH PRINCE! AND ALL OF THE POWERS OF HELL!!!" Exploding in a burst of pure black magics and green fire, she ascended into the atmosphere before them, her body becoming scaley, the snout elongating with terrible sword-like teeth, wings of sackcloth that beat a terrible hurricane and claws of the fingers of death. A great dragon stood between them and the castle. The cackle of utter cruelty flickering from that terrible, yellow, snake-like tongue.

"Go, Philip, we'll deal with her. Taivas roared, steadying his steed.

"I cannot just abandon you, my friends." He replied.

"It's not abandoning. If you deliver that kiss, she's finished. What happens to us is inconsequential!" Zen replied, reving the engine. The 3 fairies adopted their fully human forms, striking their pose.

"Y!"
"R!"
"P!"

"IT'S SHOW-TIME!"

"Well, what do you know? The 6 of you may present something of entertainment?" The dragon chuckled, before letting loose a torrent of green flames towards them.

@IAmTheIsland

After everyone had split up and seemed to have gone their separate ways, Launchpad stayed long enough to reminisce with Donald about old times. Leon silently sat listening to them. As everyone began moving to go their own way, Launchpad spotted Hoshi. Grabbing Leon under his arm, he ran straight over to her. "Hoshi! Me and Leon have been talkin' with my old pal Donald and he thinks it'd be a great idea for us to come with you and your friends. Just to make sure you're safe. There's a lot of nasty things out there, not just Hollows. Point is, i think we need to come with."

Leon from under Launchpad's arm looked up to their ally. "Things you wouldn't wish to meet in your worst nightmares..." He said, sullenly. Everywhere he looked... That dragon... He shuddered a little.

"Hey, buddy-" He lifted Leon up so they were face to face. "You coming down with a cold or something?" He asked. Leon stared at him deadpan. Launchpad then turned to Hoshi and tucked Leon under his arm again, giving her a Salute."Just tell us which way to go and we'd follow you straight into the Hollow Bastion!"