Chapter 7
Battle Royal
Corisla was bored, anxious, and motion sick and that was never a good combination. For maybe two days, they traveled in the gummi ship and Corisla soon became motion sick. On the verge of throwing up, she was ordered by Donald to stay in her room. She swore that duck just loved giving orders to everyone. She laid in bed feeling just horrible. I didn't help that ship was swerving from Sora and or Goofy shooting Heatless ships.
"I never really imagine you get motion sick."
Corisla sat up quickly. She knew that voice. It couldn't be… Corisla turned to her door. She saw Sophia standing there with a smile. Corisla shook her head and looked down. "You're not real." She then looked up to now see a confused Nightsky.
"Of course, I'm real," said as she entered. "Are you okay?"
Corisla just shook her head. "No, I'm stuck in this small room with a bucket beside my bed. This feels like death," she complained.
Nightsky rolled her eyes a little. "And you call me the princess."
"You are."
Nightsky sighed. "I'll ignore that," she said as gestured her hand for her to move over. Corisla moved a little as Nightsky sat beside her. "Besides, you are not dying. It happens when you use magic for the first time. It happened to me and I think it happened to Donald." Nightsky held of the bottle of liquid that Leon and Barit gave me. "Drink this."
Corisla gave Nightsky a dead serious look. "If I put anything in my mouth, I will throw up."
Nightsky sighed and forced it out to her more. "It's Ether. It increases your ability with magic and helps it settle inside your body too." Corisla looked at her with hesitation but slowly took the bottle from her hand. She took off the top and drank it all. "It should work in a few minutes," she said as stood up. "We're about arrive at the next world. So you should feel better by then." She then started to walk out the door. "Corisla?" she asked not even turning around. Corisla looked at her. "Who wasn't real?"
Corisla frowned. "Nothing, I was talking about my stomach ache." Nightsky gave a slight scoff as she walked down the hall. Corisla didn't know why she saw Sophia but she knew the Nightsky was suspicious and that she was a horrible liar.
"Wow!" Sora and Corisla exclaimed in excitement.
They soon landed on the new world known as Olympus Coliseum. It was huge coliseum with two large Gladiators statues colliding with each other over the entrance of the door. "It's huge! It looks awesome!" Sora exclaimed.
"Gawrsh," Goofy started. "I wonder what kind of world this is."
"It's called Coliseum," Donald replied.
"Coliseums are used for a lot of things," Nightsky explained. "Parties, events, anything."
Sora shrugged as he started walking forward. "It doesn't hurt to go check it out, see if anyone we know is there."
Corisla folded her arms. "You just want to see what's happening inside the coliseum." Sora just gave a grin and ran ahead. Corisla then her rolled eyes. She hated this… she wanted to do the same thing. Corisla started to follow and so did the others "Sora, wait up!"
When they entered, it looked more decorative than outside. The floor was made of marble and so was the room for that matter. There was a furnace a little above the floor burning bright. To all the groups amazement, there was small figure who was half man on the top and had leg goat legs, who had his back turned to them fixing the sign on the wall.
As the group continued to look around, Sora was up the half goat half man person. "Uh?"
"Great timing," he said still not looking to Sora. "Give me hand will ya?" he pointed toward large marble pedestal. "I need ya to move it, I gotta spruce this place up for the games."
Sora shrugged. It didn't hurt to help out they were just looking around. Sora walked over and started pushing the pedestal with no luck.
Corisla and Nightsky turned to hear Sora grunting. They looked to see him pushing pedestal. Two exchanged looks of confusion and then walked to where Sora was pushing. Donald and Goofy noticed too and did the same. Corisla folded her arms. "Do I want to know?" she asked.
Sora continued pushing. "He… asked… me to… move… it." He grunted. He then quickly fell over landing on his butt. "But I can't."
Donald stamped his foot. "We don't have time for that!"
Corisla gave a glance at Donald. "Yes, pushing a pedestal puts two years off the mission," she said with sarcasm. Donald just glared at her. "Besides, he can't move it anyway."
"Maybe you should just tell him, you can't," Goofy suggested.
Sora looked almost disappointed. Corisla could tell he wanted to move that pedestal but as she expected he was over it and stood up. "Alright," he said. He then walked past them to half goat half man. "It's way too heavy," Sora explained.
The half goat man stopped what he was doing in shock. "What? Too heavy?! Since when have you been such a little—" He turned to see Sora. He folded his arms looking at his mistake. "Oh. Wrong guy. What are you doing here, kid?"
"We're looking for some friends," Sora explained have you seen any.
"Friends?" He then shook his head. "Sorry, kid I have seen anybody go through. I've busy setting up here."
"What exactly is going on here?" Corisla asked with her arms folded.
"What?" the half goat man exclaimed. "You came here and don't know what's going on?" Before anyone could respond, he jumped down from the stool and walked over to them. "This here is the world-famous Coliseum—heroes only. So I don't have time to babysit. So, run along, pipsqueaks."
Corisla glared making an angry face. "Babysit?!"
Sora did the same except his face was more of angry pout. "Pipsqueaks?
The half goat sighed seeing the kids' expressions of anger. "Look, it's like this: heroes are coming all over to fight ferocious monsters right here in the coliseum."
"Oh," Corisla said, losing her angry expression. "So, its' basically a battle royal."
"Exactly, which means you all have no real reason being here," The half goat man stated.
Donald folded his arms looking proud. "You got heroes standing right in front of you."
Nightsky glared down at Donald. "Donald," he she argued, but he ignored her.
"Yup," Goofy said as placed his hand on Corisla and Sora's shoulder. "These two are real heroes chosen by the keyblade."
Donald stepped up just a proud as ever. "And we're heroes too."
Nightsky glared a little lightly stomped her foot. "Leave me out of it," he angrily whispered, but again she was ignored.
The half gait man looked shocked and then amused. Heroes? These runts?" he started wildly laughing.
"We're not runts!" Corisla stomped her foot. "And stop laughing!"
"Yeah!" Sora stated as he pounded his chest proudly. "We've fought a bunch of monsters!"
Corisla turned to others a bit behind her. Donald was annoyed as Goofy looked a bit more confused and Nightsky had her arms folded looking neutral. She could blame either of the expressions.
The half goat man started calm down as he looked at the group as he walked past the group and started to push the pedestal. "Kid, if can't move this pedestal," he kept pushing but no luck. "You can't call yourself," Corisla placed her hand on her hip as Sora folded his arm. "A hero," he quickly fell over of his butt panting.
The group exchanged looks with each other. "You were saying?" Corisla said with sarcasm.
"Okay, Okay," he said as he stood up. "Maybe it takes more than brawn. I guess it doesn't hurt to see what you can do. The names Philoctetes, trainer of heroes, but call me Phil."
"Well, I'm Sora," He introduced. "And this is Corisla, Donald Goofy, and Nightsky."
Corisla pumped her fist. "And we'll show more that we're more than you think!"
"Fine," Phil countered. "Let me know when you're ready."
"Right," Sora and Corisla said at the same time as Phil walked away.
Sora turned the group. "Alright, guys. Let's go in."
"I'm not going," Nightsky quickly said.
The group looked at her confused and shocked. "What?!" They all exclaimed.
Nightsky folded here arms determined not to. "Nightsky, don't you want to prove that we're heroes?" Sora asked.
Nightsky sighed frustrated. "I do I really do. But I refuse to fight in a battle royal."
Corisla elbowed Nightsky's shoulder with a huge smirk. "Princess, here, is just scared about get her butt whopped."
Nightsky glared at Corisla. "I am not and don't call me princess!" Nightsky then folded her arms. "Besides, I don't want to fight for sport. I don't like it."
Donald stomped his foot inpatient. "Do it," he ordered.
Nightsky glared at Donald. "No, and you can't make me."
Corisla folded her arms. She didn't want force Nightsky but if Phil knew this he might think the worst of them. She had at least get her to show her skills. "Well, this first part is just training. So, you could just do that."
Goofy nodded seeming to understand Corisla. "Sure, and when we're done. You can just watch us, okay?"
Nightsky thought for moment and sighed defeated. "Alright, only training, and if guys do make it, I won't be there, understand?"
Sora nodded. "Alright, let's go," he said as they walked to toward Phil with a less than happy Nightsky.
The group entered the arena. They were sent into destroy a bunch of barrels. Phil set up. Donald, of course, wanted and went first. He destroyed in with magic mostly using thunder and fire. He's time was 1:40. Phil said it was pretty good making Donald so proud.
It was then Goofy's turn. He pretty much destroyed the barrels by throwing his shield as well as bashing them with it. He's time was 1:20. Goofy looked like he didn't honestly care but more that he enjoyed the training.
It was then Sora's turn. Sora seemed to rely more on his speed and strength and it worked for him. He sped through it. He's time was 1:10. He so proud of this time. He couldn't take that goofy grin off his face.
Corisla slowly stepped into the arena. "Alright, kid," Phil yelled. "You ready?" Corisla nodded. "Go!" he yelled.
Corisla summoned her keyblade and sprinted off. She destroyed only three barrels by using same tactic as Sora. She wasn't fast, but ever since she had the keyblade she was stronger… maybe wasn't just her sword skills. Corisla quickly ran to a barrel and side kicked it and the barrel flew and slammed a bunch of barrels. Corisla smirked and used not only keyblade but her body.
Corisla panted as she destroyed the last barrel. "Alright, that's it!" Phil yelled. Corisla slowly walked over to the others who were standing behind Phil. "Nice work kid, about a 1:00 on clock."
Corisla pumped her fist. "Alright," she turned Sora with smirked and l leaned against keyblade as she leaned against her keyblade as if she was leaning against a cane. "Best time so far."
Sora sighed defeated. "Aw, man," he said.
Corisla smiled and walked over to Sora and jumped on him from behind and hugged him around his neck. "It's only natural," Corisla said. Sora chuckled as he playful shook her off.
"Alright, kid, are you ready?" Phil asked. Sora and Corisla turned to see Nightsky standing the arena. Nightsky nodded. "Go!"
Nightsky sprinted forward and lifted her hands and they glowed. She pushed and pulled the barrels but she also kicked them.
Corisla and Sora looked amazed. They both had seen Nightsky fight but never really payed attention to what she did, but this was much different.
"Why can't you do that?" Corisla asked as Donald more at of curiosity than anything.
Donald turned to Corisla a bit annoyed. "We're don't have the same magic."
"What do you mean you don't have not the same?" Sora asked.
Before either Donald or Goofy could answer, Phil yelled excited. "Great work! 40 seconds on the clock!" Sora and Corisla looked amazed as Nightsky walked out of the arena. She looked neutral just satisfied she completed. "Alright, that good," Phil said as he walked past them back into the lobby.
"Wow, Nightsky," Sora said.
"Yeah, nice work princess," Corisla said with arms folded.
Nightsky just nodded with the same neutral look. "Umm, thanks, I'm going back to lobby," she said as she walked out.
Corisla turned to Donald and Goofy as the two came beside them. "You said her magic was different."
Goofy nodded. "Yep, Nightsky has special magic when the King found her and she can push and pull things and when her hand glows they are as tough as nails."
"Oh," Sora said in understanding. "So that's how she knows the king."
Corisla just watched Nightsky walk away. For Corisla, that small amount of information just made her question the strange sorceresses more.
Phil folded his arms as the group stood in the lobby. "I gotta admit, you guys aren't half bad."
Sora chuckled as he placed his hands behind his head with a grin. "I guess, we're headed for the games."
Corisla pumped her fist. "Yeah, sign us up."
"Afraid not," Phil said quickly.
Sora and Corisla looked shocked at him. "Huh? Why not?" Sora asked/
"Two words," Phil said as he held up to fingers. "You guys ain't heroes."
"Come on!" Sora argued as Goofy was counting on his fingers as Nightsky watched as Donald looked annoyed as well as Corisla.
Corisla frowned as her face started to turn red more anger now than annoyed. "What is going to take to prove we can do it?"
Nightsky just looked up from Goofy, who just stopped counting. "By the way, that was four words," she commented.
Donald stomped his foot as he turned to her. "That's not the point."
"Look," Phil said stopping the conversation between the group. "You wanna be real heroes. Start by learning this spell." Phil snapped his fingers. Suddenly Corisla and Sora felt something flow through them with a spark. "It's thunder spell. It's a tough spell, but unless you get an entry pass, I ain't letting, you runts, participate."
Corisla stepped forward ready to charge at Phil. "Now, wait—"
"Come Coris," Sora said as he started walking out. "Let's go," he said sounding almost defeated. Corisla frowned but followed the defeated Sora out as did the others.
"Well, that could have gone better," Corisla said sitting on Coliseum steps. The other stood outside looking just as defeated except for Nightsky. Sora sat beside Corisla as Donald was passing impatient while Goofy stood beside Nightsky.
Nightsky looked to Corisla. "I'm perfectly fine."
Corisla just glared at her. "Of course, you are princess." Nightsky just glared back, sick of the nickname.
"Gawrsh," Goofy started. "Sure might have been fun to try though."
Donald stopped and turned to the others. "It's not for fun. It's part of our mission."
Nightsky raised her eyebrow in disbelief. "Yes, I'm sure the king entered a battle royal for information," she said sarcastically. Donald said nothing ignoring her.
Sora folded his arms. "It's just," he started. "I wanna prove I can do this," he said.
Corisla looked down. She wasn't going to lie felt the same way. They lost their home, friends, family, and they couldn't even protect Alice. Now they can't even prove that they are strong enough to fight in battle. She couldn't light the room when Sora could. She wondered if the keyblade made a mistake.
"A rather stubborn old goat, wouldn't you say?"
The group turned as Corisla and Soar stood up to see a man with blue skin and fiery hair wearing a black toga standing there. "Who are you?" Donald asked.
The man started to walk towards them. "Whoa, hold on there, fuzz boy. I just happened to drop by when I heard. You want to enter the games, right?" He then held out his hand. "Well, then, get a load of this." Suddenly in puff of blue fire there was a gold ticket. "Ta-da."
Sora quickly took the pass from his hand. "A pass?" he questioned.
Nightsky raised her eyebrow suspiciously. "And you're just giving it to us?"
The man just shrugged. "Hey, that's just the kind of guy I am," he said as he started to walk away to the gate. "Good luck. I'll pulling for ya, little shorty," he said then disappeared as soon as he exited the gate.
Goofy looked to Sora who was examining the ticket. "Sora, are gonna use the pass?"
Sora nodded. "Sure, why not?"
Nightsky placed her hands on her hip. "He wasn't exactly the guy, who gives people things. Right, Corisla?" Corisla scratched the back of her head as she chuckled nervously. Nightsky sighed bit annoyed. "You are not serious?"
Corisla sighed. "Okay, I'm not blind unlike Sora."
"Hey!" Sora objected.
"The guy's hair was on fire," Corisla countered to Sora. "But this pass is the only way to get into the games," Corisla argued to Nightsky.
Nightsky sighed in defeat seeing nothing was going to change their minds as she then followed the others back into the coliseum.
"How'd you get this?!" Phil asked surprise as examined the ticket that Sora gave him.
"Can we enter the games?" Sora asked avoiding the question. Corisla could understand why. It wouldn't be in their favor to lie or tell how they go the pass.
"Well," Phil sighed. "I guess so. You do have the pass, but your startin' in the preliminaries."
Corisla folded her arms with the proudness. "That's fair."
"But you guys start anything. I'm going to explain the rules," Phil started to explain. "This pass is good four-member team."
Nightsky raised her hands as if she was surrendering. "I'm not even going to compete."
Phil just hummed in response. "The games are one-and-done battles. You lose just one round and you're out, got it?" The group except for Nightsky nodded. "Alright, the games start in two hours. Be your toes we got real weirdoes in this. So, watch yourselves," he warned and then walked into the arena, most likely to set up.
Goofy turned to Nightsky. "Are you sure you don't wanna fight in the arena?"
Sora smirked. "We'll gladly trade Donald in for you."
"Hey!" Donald protested.
Nightsky shook her head. "I don't fight for sport including these games," Nightsky smiled. "But I will cheer you guys on."
Sora smiled. "Thanks," he said.
Corisla just gave a sneaky smirk. "Always wanted to see princess cheering me on."
Nightsky quickly frowned. "You other hand, I hope doesn't make it past the first round. Second, stop calling me princess!"
Corisla couldn't help but start laugh causing Nightsky to just look more irritated.
Two hour passed and the games began. The coliseum seats were filled to the brim with people ready to see great fights. As the games began, Sora and others started the first round. The weirdoes in the game turned out to be none other than the heartless. The games soon turned out to be more of a normal mission, but no one could deny it was kind of fun. Corisla could swear she heard Nightsky cheering over the audience. After 3 rounds, the group came back at that the edge of the arena a bit exhausted.
Nightsky smiled at the four. "You guys, did great."
Sora scratched the back of his head with a tired smile. "Thanks."
Corisla sighed as she stretched. "Who knew the heartless could enter the games?"
Goofy thought. "Do you think they did it on their own?"
Donald folded his feathered arms. "Of course not, don't be ridiculous."
Corisla stopped stretching and started to think aloud. "Then who sighed up the heartless?" she questioned aloud.
Before anyone could saying anything else about the lesson, Phil came up to the group. "I gonna admit. You guys aren't heroes but you ain't doing too bad. It was lucky you came to me for training."
Corisla folded her arms a bit irritated. "When was that? After you tried to kick us out the second time."
"Alright, wise mouth," Phil said. "I've be wrong before, but you haven't won the games yet."
Suddenly a young man walked passed the ground towards the arena. He had high collar that cover half of his face. He's clothes were dark and ripped along dark red ripped cape that flowed in the back. He had spiky blonde hair and serious blue eyes. He and gold claw like thing that covered his hand. He then looked to the group as he walked past. To be specific, the man was intimidating.
Nightsky looked to group a little concerned. "Don't tell me you're going to be fighting against him."
Sora shrugged. "I guess so."
Phil folded his arms seeming to notice the young man too. "Something tells he'll be a tough one to beat. Boy, I wish he was here to see this. He loves this stuff."
"Who?" Sora asked.
"Hercules!" Phil exclaimed. "He's a hero of ever I saw one. I should know; I trained him myself. Too bad, he's visiting his father."
As Phil was talking, Corisla turned to see the if the intimidating man was there, but he was nowhere. Corisla just knew the guy wanted more than the trophy.
"Those two punks are next opponents, okay?" Hades said as he gestured to Sora and the others as the completed the seventh round as the boy leaned against the wall. "Now, don't blow it. Just take the two out then smooth sailing."
The boy, known as Cloud, only gave a quick glance to the arena. The two kids didn't seem that tough so why was Hades worried about the two. He scoffed a little. "The great god of the underworld is afraid of two kids," he said emotionless. "Sorry, but my contract says—"
"I know!" Hades snapped as his flamed hair flared up. "You think I don't know I wrote the contract!" Hades took a deep breath started again. "I know it says you're only required to kill Hercules in this tournament. But those brats are going to the semi-finals. So, you have to fight them to get to him."
Cloud didn't say a word but glanced back at the two kids talking with their friends as the girl was laughing jumped on the boys back with arms around his neck. He scoffed again as turned back to Hades.
"Hey, it's like that old goat says," Hades started again. "It's all just a game so let loose and have fun with it. I mean a casualty or two along the way is no big deal, right?" Cloud just pushed himself off the wall and walked away to the arena. Hades frowned as the boy disappeared faded from his site. "Geez. Stiffer than the stiffs back home," Hades the gave a wicked smirk. "Still suckers like him are hard to come by."
Sora and the other finally reached the final match the boy, they now knew as Cloud from the announcement, stepped up with his large sword wrapped in gauze. Corisla wasn't going to lie that the guy looked intimidating, but being scared now was going to help them win. Besides, they could take him.
Before any could do anything, the boy sped forward with a dark aura surrounding him. They group just barely avoided him causing them to scatter. Sora was closer as the started swinging his keyblade, but the boy blocked them. Cloud soon turned the attacks with great speed that Sora could barely avoid them.
Corisla looked to see Sora struggling. She quickly turned to Goofy. "Goofy!" Corisla yelled as she pointed to Sora.
"I got 'em!" Goofy yelled and threw his at Cloud.
Cloud seemed to notice as he and quickly moved out of the way causing Sora to the move out of the way. "Thanks!" Sora yelled.
Corisla then run up to Cloud and swung her keyblade at Cloud with Donald beside her. But this time instead of blocking like before Cloud, Cloud quickly avoided the two and jumped in the air and plunged his sword downwards. Corisla and Donald barely avoided the sword, but the dark blast of energy blast the two back. Corisla stayed on the ground as she winced in pain as she grabbed her burned arm.
Sora quickly held up his keyblade before Cloud could attack again. "Thunder!" he yelled. Before Cloud could respond, he was struck by the lightning. He stunned for the a little. Goofy quickly threw his shield again. This time hitting Cloud.
Corisla quickly got up and quickly attacked Cloud striking Cloud with her keyblade and then gave a quick kick to his side.
"Fire," Donald yelled as fire shot of his wand. Corisla quickly moved out of the way and the fire ball hit Cloud.
"You guys got 'em!" yelled Nightsky from the stands.
Cloud finally recovered and dark aura seemed to the surround him. He quickly jumped in the air and plunged his sword downward to the ground again. Everyone was able to avoid the blade but this time the blast was larger and hit all of them and they all fell to the ground. Donald and Goofy were more dazed as Sora and Corisla were weak on their knees. Cloud quickly swung his sword at the two. Soon Sora was hit and slide to the ground struggling to stand up fully. "Sora!" Corisla yelled panicked. Cloud took that moment and hit Corisla as she ended up on her knee.
Sora still struggling to be able to attack him. "Corisla!" he yelled.
Cloud was about to strike. Corisla held up her key to block it but Corisla looked Cloud's sword were just inches away from touching her keyblade. Cloud lowered his sword. Corisla lowered her key in shock as Sora and the others ran to her side as Sora arrived first. Cloud stood up straight. "This was not part of the deal," Cloud muttered. "And I won't do it, whether Hades wants me too or not."
"A deal?" Sora asked.
"What deal?" Corisla asked.
Before Cloud could respond, a loud crash rang through the arena. The arena was soon filled with terrified screams. The group only looked around for a few seconds till Sora saw a large black shadow hurling through the air in their direction. "Cloud!" yelled Sora.
But before Cloud could react, the three-headed dog slammed its paw into Cloud's body, pinning him down to the ground as it snarled. It's red eye glared at Sora and Corisla as black smoke filled his mouth as the audience started screaming and running out of the coliseum.
"Sora! Corisla!" Donald yelled behind the dog.
"Get out of the way!" Goofy yelled.
But the dog quickly reared back and opened his jaw ready to rip the two kids apart. Suddenly some darted past the two kids and the hit the dog causing the it to get thrown across the arena and loudly crashing to the wall.
"Herc!" shouted Phil from the arena.
The strong looking man looked back but only slightly. "Phil, get them out of here!" he yelled.
"You heard him! Get out of there!" Phil yelled to group.
Donald and Goofy quickly ran out. Corisla grabbed Sora's arm and pulled at him. "Come on," Corisla urged. Corisla looked back to see what Sora saw: Cloud unconscious on the ground. Corisla quickly looked back to Sora and pulled him harder. "Sora! Come on!" Sora quickly let himself be dragged as Corisla and Sora were the last to leave.
A/N: Yes, I know I am super late but I haven't gotten any review either so we're even. Hope you enjoy!
