Motivation is a harsh mistress when it won't give you what you want. Luckily, I got motivated to write out this chapter after reading some Zack x Aqua one-shots.
This chapter has the answer people have been waiting for and it also will have Zack finally make his appearance and to what happened to him. Since it'll be easier to say it here, Zack will basically be wearing what he did in Crisis Core.
Now, on with the second chapter!
-:-
Aqua started to stir. As she opened her eyes, she waited for her vision to clear so she could tell where she was. At first, she didn't recognize her surroundings, but then she realized that she was still at the Olympus Coliseum.
"Ah, what happened?" asked Aqua to herself, rubbing her temples.
"Hey, you're finally up! You had us worried there for a moment, Sweetcheeks," said a voice.
Aqua turned to the source to see that it was a short heavyset half-man half-goat creature.
"Phil?" questioned Aqua.
"At least your memory seems to be okay. So, how's things been?" asked Phil with a lecherous grin.
Aqua didn't get a chance to answer as Phil was suddenly kicked into the wall. The Keyblade Master turned her wide eyes to see that it was brown-haired woman wearing a pink toga-like dress who kicked the old satyr.
"Stupid goat. What are you trying to do, scare her away after she woke up?" growled the woman through gritted teeth. "Now keep an eye on her while I go tell Wonder Boy and the others that she's awake and so help me if you do something perverted…"
The woman then left the room to go find Hercules.
"Who was that?" asked Aqua.
"That would be Herc's wife, Meg. Geez, for a mortal, she sure can deal some hurt," muttered Phil rubbing the bump on his head.
A few minutes later, Hercules, Sora, Kairi, and Riku entered the room, relief on their faces.
"Master Aqua! We were so worried about you," exclaimed Kairi, bring the older woman into a hug.
"What happened back there and whose this Zack guy?" questioned Riku, getting straight to the point. This earned him a slap to the back of his head from Meg and a glare from Sora and Kairi.
"Hercules, what happened to Zack?" asked Aqua, trying to keep her emotions steady. She did not want to have another breakdown like she had.
"Well, it's like this."
-:-
Twelve years ago…
Zack was leaning against the doorframe watching a young Hercules doing some pushups as part of his training.
"I better start on my own training. Won't be able to become a true hero if I just stand here," said Zack to himself.
"Are you sure you can become a true hero?" questioned a voice.
"Wh-What? Who's there?" asked Zack looking around.
He then noticed a single black feather floating in front of him. What Zack didn't know was that feather would be one of the last things he'd ever see again. The young hero-in-training then felt an immense pain in his abdomen. Looking down, he saw a blade sticking into his body. Looking back up, he came face to face with a man in a red coat he didn't recognize; yet at the same time felt he knew him. With that Zack's world went black.
The man was about to leave but was stopped when he heard someone calling Zack's name. Turning the man saw Hercules and Phil coming towards him.
"What did you do to Zack?" demanded Hercules.
"What did I do? Why, I freed him from his foolish dream of becoming a true hero," grinned the man. He then nudged Zack's body with his foot. "Probably a good thing too, seeing as how this boy's hopes were to high to reach. High enough that the crash would be terrible."
Hercules gritted his teeth and clenched his fists in anger. He was about to attack the man, but was stopped by Phil.
"Slow down, kid. There's no way you beat this guy at you level, no matter how strong you are!" exclaimed Phil, trying to hold Hercules back.
"Listen to you trainer, boy. Besides, its not as if you'll never see Zack again. I'm sure Hades would be glad to let you see him in the Underworld. Then again, maybe not!" laughed the man. His laughter then turned maniacal as he and Zack's body vanished from sight.
-:-
When Hercules finished, he saw that Sora, Kairi, and Riku had shocked looks on their faces, while Aqua looked as if she was told she'd never be able to find Terra and Ventus. She tried to hold back her tears, but some escaped from her eyes.
"Hercules, is there anyway to bring Zack back?" asked Aqua, not making eye contact.
"It's possible, but not an easy accomplishment. We'd have to talk to Hades and you'd probably know how that would go," said the son of Zeus.
"We still have to try though! Maybe Auron can help us out too!" declared Sora with a determined look.
"Good luck with that, kid. I don't think Hades will even listen to you what with the thrashings you and Sweetcheeks gave him," said Phil.
"I will not let that stop me," said Aqua as she stood from the bed she was sitting on. "Sora, seeing as how you've had experience in the Underworld, you'll be coming with me. Riku, I want you and Kairi to stay here."
"What for?" demanded Riku. "We can be of help!"
"Riku, you heard what Master Aqua said. Only Sora has been to the Underworld, meaning he'll know what needs to be done. They don't have time for us to get used to the Underworld's darkness," said Kairi.
"…Fine," sighed Riku.
"Good. Oh, and Sora?"
"Yeah, Kairi?"
"Good luck," said Kairi. She then gave the spiky-haired boy a small kiss on the cheek. Sora couldn't help but blush.
"Th-Thanks, Kairi," stuttered Sora. Kairi giggled at his reaction.
Aqua, Sora, and Hercules then set out to the Underworld to face Hades.
-:-
Meanwhile in the Underworld, Hades was sitting on his throne and he didn't look happy.
"You're telling that little snot-nosed key wielding brat is coming here?" demanded the Lord of the Dead.
"Kukukuku. That he is. Not only that, but Hercules is on his way with him," said a voice. The person was hiding in the shadows.
"Grr, doesn't that little sunspot have anything better to do than to infuriate me?" yelled Hades.
"They're not the only ones coming though, Hades. Apparently, a Keyblade Master who was lost to the worlds about twelve years ago is also coming here. I believe her name is Aqua. Kukukukuku."
"Hmm, why does that name sound familiar? Ah, of course, the little bluebird. What would she want to see me for though?" muttered Hades.
"Kukukuku. They want you to free the man that my master sent to you that day," grinned the mysterious man.
"So they want the hero wannabe, huh? Well, let's see if they still want him when they meet him again," said Hades giving an evil grin.
-:-
All was quiet when Aqua, Sora, and Hercules entered the Underworld.
"Is it always this quiet?" asked Aqua as she looked around.
"Not really. Usually you can hear cheering coming from the Underdrome, but I guess there's no cups being held at the moment," said Hercules.
"Come on, let's head to Hades' and get Zack back," said Sora, activating the Olympus Stone.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," said a voice.
The three turned around to see a one-eyed man wearing a red coat. Sora and Hercules recognized the man, but when Aqua saw the red coat, she let her anger get the better of her and she went on the attack.
"Rrrraaaahhh!" roared Aqua, drawing her Stormfall Keyblade.
"Master Aqua! Don't!" exclaimed Sora.
Aqua, unfortunately, didn't listen. She kept up her attacks and magic on the man, but the man was able to block each one with his massive sword.
"You need to calm down," said the man.
"I'll calm down when I get Zack back!" yelled Aqua. "You'll pay for striking him down!"
Aqua went back on the attack. It wasn't until Sora got between the two and blocked Aqua's strike.
"Master Aqua, you need to stop!"
"Sora's right, Aqua! That's not the man who killed Zack!" said Hercules, taking the opportunity to restrain the young woman.
"Wh-What?"
"Master Aqua, meet Auron," said Sora. Auron nodded his head in greeting.
"Is there a reason she attacked without provocation?" questioned the monk.
While Aqua regained her composure, Sora explained to Auron what Hercules told him about the man in the red coat who killed Zack.
"I see. I do not know who this man is, but I have seen this Zack a few times here. Hades has him working as a fighter in the Underdrome," said Auron.
Upon hearing that Zack was there, Aqua's eyes lit up a little. But when she heard that he was one of Hades fighters in the Underdrome, the light dulled.
"So Hades has Zack under his control again," said Aqua quietly. "It has to be the only reason Zack would be Hades' fighter."
"Again?" questioned Sora.
"When I first met Zack, he told me that Hades had used the darkness to control him into fighting Terra. Terra was able to free him, but I guess Hades found a way to control him again," explained Aqua, sadness in her voice.
"Not surprising if this Zack is dead. Hades is easily able to control anyone who is dead or weak," said Auron.
"Zack is not weak," growled Aqua.
"I never said he was," said Auron as he started walking forward. "If you wish to see your lover again, I suggest you follow me."
Aqua's cheeks heated up when Auron referred Zack as her lover. Unsure if he was serious or not, she followed after the monk. Sora and Hercules followed not far behind.
"Hey, Herc. You've known both Aqua and Zack from back then. Was there anything really going on between them?" whispered Sora.
"Well, Zack did say he asked Aqua out on a date before she left and that she was blushing and all flustered by it, but other than that, not much happened," replied Hercules.
Sora just nodded his head and said no more after that. He decided to just keep quiet about the subject until he got more information on it.
-:-
"So I'm finally getting some worthy challengers today?" questioned a man with spiky black hair as he looked over at Hades with a bored look.
"You got it, kid. Now you'll really be able to show off your power," smirked Hades.
"You make it seem like I've been holding back all these years. I've got news for you, Hades. I never hold back, no matter who I'm facing," replied the man with a wicked smirk. "By the way, who am I facing?"
"You'll be facing a kid by the name of Sora and that idiot, Jerkules."
"Anyone else?"
"Yeah, but why spoil the surprise?" grinned Hades.
-:-
In the gondola, rowing to the Underdrome…
"So we're just going to go straight into the Underdrome?" questioned Sora.
"Yes," responded Auron.
"No offense, Auron, but that doesn't really sound like a good idea," said the young Keyblade wielder.
"That may be, but Hades most likely wouldn't listen if we were to go directly to him. This is the only way we'll be able to free Zack," replied the monk.
"…Okay then," said Sora.
Entering the Underdrome, the four warriors were met with ominous silence. It wasn't until a pillar of fire erupted a few feet in front of them was when the man they were looking for appeared.
"Hmm, so aside from the kid and Zeus' son, I'm also going to be fighting an old man and a woman. Geez, Hades, some surprise."
"Zack!" called out Aqua.
"That's my name, though I usually go by Dark Zack nowadays. You know, you look familiar, woman. Have we met by chance?" questioned Dark Zack, a wicked grin on his face.
"You don't remember me? Its me, Aqua," said a saddened Aqua. 'What has Hades done to you?'
"Aqua? Oh, that's right! You're the one who beat both Hades and the Ice Colossus! Hade is still pretty steamed that he lost to a woman," laughed Dark Zack. It wasn't the same laugh that Aqua remembered.
Aqua quickly looked over Zack to see how much he really changed over the years. Zack was now much taller than her. Maybe by a head. He was also more muscular than the last time she saw him, but he wasn't as muscular as Hercules. His hair seemed to be longer and his eyes glowed a bright blue. With his face, he no longer looked like the teenager she met, but he now had a more defined structure to his face and the X-shaped scar on the left side of his face made him even more handsome in Aqua's mind.
Aqua mentally shook that thought out of her head. Now was not the time for such things. She had to free Zack from the darkness that Hades has over him.
"So tell me, which of you will be my first opponent?" questioned Dark Zack, letting a dark aura start to surround him.
Before either Sora or Hercules had a chance to say anything, Aqua stepped forward. Auron just looked on.
"I'll be your opponent!" declared the Keyblade Master.
"But Master Aqua!" exclaimed Sora.
"Are you sure you can do this on your own, Aqua? Zack was pretty strong to begin with. Who knows how strong he's gotten over the years," said Hercules, worried about his friend.
"I'm sure. I failed at saving Terra and Ven, but I will not fail at saving Zack!"
"Terra? Hahaha, I remember him! Too bad you'll never see him again. From what I heard, he was taken by the darkness when some guy named Xehanort took over his body and heart," taunted Dark Zack as he drew his blade.
"H-How do you know of that?" questioned Aqua, looking at Zack with wide eyes. The others seemed to be intrigued by this as well.
"Heh, some guy who looks like a clown mentioned it to Hades a while back. He also mentioned that due to the actions of the kid over there," said Dark Zack, pointing his blade at Sora. "You'll never see Terra again as his Nobody was destroyed."
Aqua had heard enough. She wasn't exactly sure what Zack was talking about, but she would get answers later. Right now, she had to save Zack.
She drew her Keyblade and charged forward, swinging her Keyblade. Zack was able to block it with his own blade and was able to block every other swing she sent.
"This is all you've got? I'm somewhat disappointed!" said Dark Zack, letting false sadness in his voice.
Aqua quickly jumped back and performed a Firaga spell, shooting the fireball at Zack, but the possessed warrior blocked it with his blade. Aqua took this chance and, using her speed, was able get in close before Zack could retaliate. She quickly did an upward slash, striking Zack across his chest.
"Gaah!" cried Dark Zack in pain.
He staggered back, gripping his chest.
'How is he in pain like that? If it was Terra who attacked him, it would be understandable, but my strength is nowhere near Terra's level,' thought Aqua, staying on guard as she watched Zack. 'Could it be something else causing this?'
"Th-That key. Something about it just annoys me. Looks like I'll just have to destroy it!" declared Dark Zack.
"Whoa! Hold it, kid. Time out."
Another pillar of flames appeared but this time it was Hades who stepped out of the fire. The four warriors got on their guard.
"Hades!" exclaimed Sora.
"Let Zack go!" exclaimed Hercules.
"You know, I would, but why would I get rid of my best fighter? Wouldn't be very smart of me, would it?" said the god.
"Hades, if you don't let Zack go, I swear I'll…" stared Aqua.
"You'll what, Bluebird? Look, how about we make a deal? If you can actually defeat my warrior, then I'll set him free. No strings attached."
"You expect us to believe you?" questioned Sora, glaring at the god.
"But if my warrior defeats you," said Hades, ignoring Sora's question. "Then you become my servant like the kid here."
"Since when am I your servant?" questioned Zack.
"Quiet, kid. I'm doing business here," muttered Hades, giving Zack a small glare.
"If it means to free Zack, then I accept!" declared Aqua, her determination and resolve unfaltering.
"Great! And to be fair about it, I'll even give you a day to prepare for the battle. So be here by this time tomorrow or else you forfeit your life over to me. Until tomorrow…" said Hades as he and Zack disappeared in puffs of smoke.
The four left the Underdrome and were making their way back to the entrance to the surface when Sora spoke up.
"Master Aqua! You can't be serious about this, can you? Its obvious that Hades has something up his sleeve!"
"I know, Sora, but I have to do this. As I said earlier, I failed Terra and Ven, but I will not fail Zack. I am a little worried about how Zack reacted when my Keyblade made contact with though. I've never seen anything like that," said Aqua.
"It is possible that it could be the darkness, not Zack, that was in pain from the contact," pointed out Auron. "I will take my leave and see if I can gather any type of information or weaknesses on Zack that could be useful."
With that, the sword-wielding monk left the group.
"I wonder… I wish Master Eraqus were still around. He would know the answer to my question," said Aqua.
"If you need a question answered, why not ask my father, Zeus? Its possible that he might know the answer you're looking for," said Hercules as the three exited the Underworld.
"I suppose it's worth a shot. Very well. Sora, go and tell the other where I'll be so they don't worry."
"Right," said Sora. He then took off to find the others.
Hercules let out whistle and from the sky flew down a white winged horse with a blue mane and tail. Hercules got onto Pegasus' back and then helped Aqua on.
"Alright, Pegasus! To Zeus' Temple!"
With that, Pegasus took to the sky. Holding onto Hercules so she wouldn't fall, Aqua had one thought going through her mind.
'Don't worry, Zack. I will free you from Hades' control. I promise.'
CHAPTER END
-:-
I can probably already feel the backlash from the Zack fans. Don't worry though. This wouldn't be much of a Zack x Aqua story if Zack remained evil. Next chapter will have the Zack "boss fight" so stay tuned.
Though it might be obvious, cookie to whoever can guess who the two mystery men in this chapter were. They'll play a big role in this story.
