And here's three of three. Lots of fun here folks. We have the Original Six! Yay!
Ah, um, minor BBS spoilers here, sorry.
Oh my god writing Disney characters is hard! But I really like how Phil came out.
Oh, yeah- the first one who guesses who the two mystery men are gets an internet cookie (and a mention next chapter!) Though most people probably will.
Oh, yeah number two- *bows* I apologize for the Terra fanservice here. I just really wanted to write that.
The six exited the portal into the courtyard of Olympus Coliseum.
Terra smiled softly. "I haven't been here in a while…I wonder how Hercules and Zack are doing?"
Xigbar laughed. "I heard Hercules is some big-shot hero now."
"Really? So he did make it…that's good."
Zexion motioned towards the entranceway. "There aren't any unusual goings-on, terra. Are we leaving, or is this going to be a social visit?"
"I'll say hello. It has been eleven years, after all."
They headed inside the vestibule, Terra in the lead. The room was smaller than Terra remembered, but the same trophies lined the wall- although he noticed some now said Sora- and the same chubby satyr bustled around, grumbling.
"Phil."
He didn't respond.
"Phil!"
Oh, whaddaya want? Can't you see I'm busy prepping for the Games? If you wanna sign up, I got two words for ya- come. Back. Later."
Terra chuckled. "That was three."
Phil spun around in annoyance. When he saw Terra, his eyes widened.
"Wait a- Terra?"
At his nod, Phil grinned and ran to greet him, grabbing his hand.
"Man I haven't seen you in ages! I almost didn't recognize you! New look? Well, doesn't matter- you gotta enter the Games! Herc's gonna flip when he sees you!"
Terra took a step back.
"Phil, I'd love to, really, but I-"
Xigbar cut him off. "He'd love to. Wouldn't you, Terra?"
Terra sighed in defeat. "Oh, all right. Sure, Phil. I'll enter."
He paused and glanced back at Xigbar, then smirked.
"Only if my friend Braig can sign up, too."
Xigbar groaned. "Son of a...Fine, if you want me to kick your pansy Keybearing ass, I will."
Phil laughed. "You got it."
Just then, Hercules ducked through the doorway.
"Phil, what's all the- Terra?"
"Hercules?"
Hercules grinned. "It is you, Terra!"
He moved forward, and Terra was lifted off the ground in a huge bear hug.
"It's good to see you, Terra! It's been a while, how are you?"
Terra laughed. "I'm well enough, Hercules. Can you put me down?"
Hercules grinned and set him down.
"Hey, Herc! He's entering the Games! Well, he and the tough guy in the eyepatch."
Hercules looked them over, impressed.
"Well, I think I might have to consider worrying."
The three of them laughed. After a moment, Terra glanced over at Phil.
"What about Zack? Is he entering?"
Hercules sighed. "Afraid not. A while ago, he disappeared, and no one's seen him since."
Terra looked surprised.
"He…disappeared?"
Phil nodded. "Crying shame, really. Kid had potential. Bit of a skirt-chaser, but what can ya do?"
Terra frowned and crossed his arms. "Well, maybe he'll show up if he hears I'm entering."
"Who knows? Maybe. He always wanted a rematch."
Terra nodded. "Hey, Phil? Can I borrow the arena for a bit? I'm a little rusty, and I want to warm up."
"Sure thing, Terra."
Once Terra had gone –and Xigbar had followed –he turned his attention to the others, namely Xaldin and Lexaeus.
"You two want to sign up? We could always use more fighers."
Xaldin and Lexaeus exchanged looks. "No, thank you. As much as we would like to, I think we need to let Terra and Xigbar fight on their own. They have something to work out between them."
Before Phil could continue, Vexen cut him off. "Nor will Zexion and I be participating. We are intellectuals, not fighters."
Phil looked disappointed, but nodded. "All right, then. I gotta finish setting up, but you guys should head up to the seats. Your two are in East block."
As they headed to the seats, Zexion lagged behind a little, taking his time examining his surroundings. As he passed an entryway into the West block, he caught a glimpse of something, and stopped to look.
A tall man in red stood in the hallway, his arm draped over the shoulder of a young, black-haired man. The young man's eyes were shadowed, and he simply stared at the floor. The man in red leaned in close, whispering in his ear.
Before he looked up, Zexion had caught up with the others, filing the scene away in the back of his mind.
When the six got to the seats, Terra and Xigbar were still sparring in the arena. Both of them had shed their coats, and were fighting shirtless.
Xaldin leaned back, watching Terra fight. It had been one thing to watch Xemnas fight with his ethereal blades, but to watch Terra wield his Keyblade was something else entirely. Xemnas had been quick and efficient, preferring to fight from afar and confuse his opponents with trickery before going in for one fatal blow. Terra was the polar opposite. He fought up close and personal, keeping the fight strictly physical. He was never far from his opponent, and showered them with powerful blows.
"When he's serious, it will be something to see," Lexaeus noted, just as impressed.
After a few more minutes, Phil came outside, and called them over. After a minute, the three went inside.
Vexen smiled. "Well, this will be an interesting fight indeed."
Zexion settled back in his seat, smiling inscrutably.
"Definitely, Vexen. Definitely."