Sorry about the late update. Was a little busy. Enjoy.
Chapter 10
Sora woke up in the tent at the campsite. He looked down to check his wounds, and, to his surprise, found them completely healed. "Ah it's good to see you are awake" Jane said. Sora yawned as he said, "Yea, I seem to be sleeping a lot lately. What happened though?"
Jane told Sora what happened. When he defeated the Heartless it collapsed onto Clayton crushing him. Clayton didn't survive. Tarzan brought Sora back to the tent and used what she could only describe as magic. It would seem like our friend knows a bit of magic Ventus said. It's possible that he may have picked up the skill after defeating the Heartless Ventus explained. Hopefully you did as well so we can teach you how to heal yourself Vanitas added in. "Tarzan went back to his band after Clayton was defeated. He said when you wake up to go to where you fought Clayton and the creature" Jane informed Sora.
"Wonder what's going on?" Sora asked curiously. He got up and left the tent. Sora was pleasantly surprised to not see any Heartless anywhere. Seems like you beat the leader Vanitas said. This world should be clear for the time being he added. "How in the worlds do you know that?" Sora asked. Trust me... He would know Ventus said. "Something you two wanna tell me?" Sora was wondering about their past. No they both said in unison.
Sora reached the canyon area in no time where he found Tarzan and a large gorilla waiting for him. The gorilla took Sora and launched him over the cliff. The view he saw was amazing. A large waterfall going out into the horizon with the jungle surrounding his view. Tarzan made his way to Sora and beckoned him to follow him.
They found themselves behind the waterfall with a series of cliffs. Tarzan started to climb the cliffs. Sora looked up after him and sighed. 'Can't I get a break for once' he thought. Sora started to follow Tarzan and they eventually made it to the top. Before them was a small dark cave. They entered and Sora's Keyblade summoned itself. Like in Wonderland his Keyblade glowed as it sealed the Keyhole.
"All this work and we never found my friends" Sora said a bit distraught.
"Friends eh oh oh oh ah" Tarzan said pointing to himself. Sora finally understood what Tarzan has being trying to say all this time.
"You're saying my friends are in my heart" Sora said disappointed but smiled at the thought. He and his friends will always be connected.
"Well, it's time I got going Tarzan" Sora said. "Tell Jane I said goodbye" he told Tarzan. Tarzan nodded his head and gave Sora a keychain with a ribbon on it. He left the cave and Sora was also about to leave when Ventus told him to with. Sit down for a moment and come to Dive to Heart so we can teach you cure magic Ventus said. Sora sat on the ground and closed his eyes.
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Dive to Heart
"You're getting better at this" Vanitas commented.
"Is that a compliment?" Sora asked.
"No just an observation" Vanitas responded.
"Alright, Sora I'm hoping you got a cure element from that heartless so you can finally learn cure" Ventus said.
"So do I" Sora responded back.
"Using cure is a bit different then using other spells. The other spells are easier but this requires a bit more concentration and magic to use. Master this though and your fights will be much easier from now on" Ventus explained. "Focus the magic to the tip of your Keyblade and lift it into the air" Ventus demonstrated. "Then let the magic flow down your body and transfer your magic to your body" Sora watched as green leaves floated down from Ventus's Keyblade and shimmer green light around his body.
"Let me try" Sora said. He imitated Ventus's motions and pulled the magic into the tip of his blade. He raised it up and let the energy flow all around him.
"Good" Ventus said. "What do you think?" Ventus asked looking at Vanitas.
"It'll do" Vanitas said.
"When you get the chance try putting that keychain on your Keyblade. It may bring out a different side of you Keyblade. A Keyblade changes forms using keychains. Not all keychains can be used but I'm hoping our experiences with Tarzan will let you use that one." Ventus explained.
"You sure know a lot" Sora said. "Glad I have you to teaching me. I don't know where I would be without you two."
"Better off" Vanitas said to himself.
"You say something Vanitas?" Ventus asked.
"It was nothing" Vanitas responded.
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Deep Jungle
Sora awoke in the cave ready to go. He quickly made his way outside and summoned his armor. Throwing his Keyblade into the air he hopped on and opened the portal to leave the world. As he saw the Heartless approaching, Sora regretted not practicing combat while on the glider. We should've showed him better flying techniques Ventus awkwardly said. Sora started bobbing and weaving as he made his way to the next world.
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Olympus Coliseum
Riku, Donald, and Goofy found themselves in a big open courtyard. "This place looks rather small" Riku said. It reminded him of Destiny Islands. This world felt small already and he was only there for a few minutes.
"Let's see what's inside" quacked Donald as he pointed at the large doors on the other side of the courtyard. They entered the building and found themselves in a small lobby looking area. The group noticed a man-goat on a stool etching some words onto a stone tablet.
"Um..." Riku said trying to get the goat's attention.
"Hey glad you're finally here" the goat said. "We are almost done preparing for the games. Do me a favor and move that block over there" it said. Riku took one look at that thing and quickly decided he wasn't going to try.
"No way I'm moving that" Riku responded. "It looks way too heavy for me."
"Too heavy!" The goat shouted and turned around. "Ah wrong guy. I thought you were someone else."
"You mean someone around here can move that thing. Yea right. I'll believe it when i see it" Riku said.
"Aren't you a rude one. Anyway the games are about to begin so get outta here" The goat told the group.
"What kinda games?" Riku asked.
"This is the Coliseum. Home of the games. Battles are fought here and Hero's are only allowed to compete. My name is Phill and I run this place" Phill told the three companions.
"Riku here is a hero chosen by the Keyblade" Goofy said while patting Riku's shoulders.
"Please a hero?" Phill sarcastically said. "If... You... Can't even... Move... This block" Phill struggled to say as he attempted to move the block himself. Phill relented and told them, "Alright, so maybe it takes more than brawn to be a hero."
"So let us compete then" Riku said.
"I don't think so" Phill said. Riku glared at him, then turn and left the building. "Dumb kid would've just gotten hurt if I'd let him compete" Phill spoke to himself.
Riku walked out upset. He really wanted to compete to and make himself stronger. Hades told him about it. Although Hades only claimed it was the kiddie pool compared to his arena, a place to practice his skills would be awesome. He looked to Donald and Goofy and simply thought, 'I thought Sora was bad. These two make him look like a master.'
"Rather a stubborn old goat, wouldn't you say?" Hades appeared before Riku and his companions.
"Hmph. You don't say" Riku said a little angrily. "We're leaving this pathetic place."
"Whoa, hold on there, angsty. Wait, let me guess. You want to enter the games, right?" Hades smirked. "Well, then, hey, get a load of this." Hades gave Riku a ticket to enter the games. "It's all yours. Good luck, kid. I'm pulling for you" Hades said with a wink. With that Hades disappeared in a puff of fire. Riku turn right around and wore a big wide grin because now he could shove that ticket right into Phill's face.
As Riku entered the doors to the lobby, Sora finally made it to the world. 'Seriously guys we need to practice fighting on the glider some time' Sora told Vanitas and Ventus. Ventus ignored Sora's complaints because he realized where they were. Oh man we are at the Coliseum Ventus said excitedly. I don't know why you are so excited. This place looks boring still Vanitas said. 'You guys have been here before?' Sora asked. Yea but the last time we were here things looked different Ventus said.
Sora look around and took in the surroundings. He quickly noticed the large doors across the courtyard. He walked toward them a bit intimidated by the size of them. He walked in and saw a goat-man fuming about something. PHILL Ventus shouted in his head. 'That thing's name is Phill' Sora said making an odd face.
"Hi my name is Sora" Sora said walking up to Phill. Phill looked annoyed with him already.
"Great another kid" Phill said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sora said now offended. Don't be so upset... Phill can be kinda grouchy Ventus said.
"Two words. Kids are annoying" Phill said.
"Um... Thats three words" Sora awkwardly said. "Anyway... What is this place?" Sora asked wanting to change the subject.
"This is the Coliseum. Home of the games. I'm getting tired of explaining this" Phill complained.
Sweet the games have finally begun Ventus said excitedly. Sora you should enter. Maybe you'll see Hercules or Zack.
"So can I enter the games?" Sora asked with the biggest cheesy smile he could pull off.
"Only Heroes are allowed" Phill said. "And pass holders" he begrudgingly whispered.
"I'm totally a hero" Sora said proudly.
"I don't think so kid" Phill said. "Especially with an attitude like that" Phill continued to explain. "There's only one hero these days and it's my man Herc."
Sora summoned his Keyblade. "See I'm a hero as well" Sora said bringing his blade towards Phill's face. He doesn't looked convinced Ventus said. I have an idea. Summon your armor and tell him that you've been training with Aqua, Terra, and Ventus Vanitas said. Why would that work? Ventus curiously asked. He thinks you three are heroes Vanitas said.
Sora summoned his armor and stood proudly before Phill. "Aqua, Terra, and Ventus told me to come here to continue my training" Sora said.
Phill couldn't believe his eyes and ears. "Those guys are still around? Alright kid I'll let you compete. I expect good things from you. Those guys are heroes alright... Well, Aqua and Terra are. Last time I saw Ven he was still wet behind the ears"
"Oh really? Ven was a novice last time you saw him?" Sora was grinning ear to ear at hearing this. The stories I could tell you Vanitas said before getting hit on the back of the head. I was not that bad Ventus said trying to defend himself.
"He wasn't the only one though. Hercules was just starting out back then" Phill said. "Hercules then and now are completely different. Only took nine or ten years for him to realize his true potential."
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Dive to Heart
"Ten years..." Ventus started
"We've been stuck here for ten years" Vanitas said.
"How could've been ten years. Oh man where are Aqua and Terra?" Ventus said.
"Not to mention Xehanort" Vanitas added.
"I don't know what we are going to do" Ventus said. "For now we just have to stick with what we've been doing and hope we get lucky somehow."
"Yea luck... This place is now a prison" Vanitas said to himself
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The Coliseum
"So when are the games gonna start?" Sora asked.
"Turns out there's a tournament today" Phill said. "I gotta say there are some weird entries though."
"Awesome. I'm sure I can handle weird enemies" Sora said.
"I'm sure you can" Phill said with a smile. "So battles are arranged in seeds. Everyone starts on the lowest see of each tournament. There are usually ten seeds but this time around there are only five. The first and second seeds are impressive this time around so be careful." Phill told Sora.
"Sounds easy enough" Sora said dismissing his armor.
"Then get in there you're the fifth seed" Phill said while pointing to the passageway.
Sora walked out onto the field. He saw two sets of stands and a platform in the center. He walked onto the platform and a force field formed around the edges. Four Heartless soldiers and three shadows appeared. "Bring it" Sora said rushing the Heartless. Sora destroyed all the Heartless with only a few swings of his blade. "Too easy" Sora said.
"Not to shabby kid" Phill said.
"Is that all this tournament has to offer?" Sora said cockily.
"Don't get over confident. Besides this is only the opening tournament" Phill said.
"That's cool" Sora said. "Time for the next round" he grinned.
The second round composed of power wilds and soldiers. Sora just grinned at how easy this was. He cast blizzard twice and the Heartless were all destroyed. Sora saw Phill call him over after his fight. He followed Phill back to the lobby.
"So this next fight will proof to be a bit more challenging" Phill said. "Be careful but do me a favor. Win this next round. This guy needs to be taught a lesson" Phill whispered in Sora's ear.
"No problem Phill. This will be easy" Sora said
Sora walked out of the tunnel and onto the field. What he saw next almost had him jumping for joy. Riku was standing there with Donald and Goofy. Sora walked out onto the platform with a big smile.
"Hey Riku it's been a while. I knew you made it off the islands. I've been looking for you and Kairi too" Sora told his friend. "It's good to see the two of you was well" Sora said referring to Donald and Goody.
"Sora, You're in the games as well" Riku said. "So this will be just like home then. Think you can handle us three-on-one?" Riku said grinning.
"I've learned a lot since that night on the islands Riku. I'll win just like before" Sora said confidently.
"Not this time" Riku said back. Riku smiled as he summoned his Keyblade. Donald brought and his staff and Goofy readied his shield.
"Wow. You have a Keyblade" Sora said surprised at his friends weapon.
"This is why you won't win this time" Riku said.
"Riku, I hate to do this to you but..." Sora started as he summoned his Keyblade. It was no longer the Kingdom Key but the Jungle King.
"Let's see who's is better" Riku said while dashing towards Sora.
Sora locked blades with Riku. They were evenly matched when Sora was struck by fire magic on his side. Sora went sliding on the ground and Goofy charged and pinned him to the ground. Sora used blizzard to knock Goofy off him. Sora jumped to his feet and Riku was already swinging his Keyblade at Sora. Sora jumped back and saw another fire spell coming at him. He countered using blizzard and a thick steam cover the field.
'I have to get rid of those two before I focus on Riku' Sora thought. The steam cleared and he spotted Goofy away from Donald and Riku. Goofy saw Sora coming and was able to block his attack. Sora stumbled back due to the recoil. He recovered in time to parry Riku's next attack. He then disarmed Riku and slammed Riku into the ground. Goofy charged at Sora again knocking him off of Riku. Sora recovered and noticed Riku running for his Keyblade. That's weird Ventus said.
Sora decided not to hold back anymore. He used multiple fire spells to knock out Goofy. He then rushed Donald but not before he could cast cure on Goofy. Sora did a quick couple of combos on the duck to knock him out.
"DONALD" Goofy shouted rushing Sora. He bashed his shield over and over again knocking Sora onto his feet. Sora flipped Goofy off of him and Riku tried to finish off Sora. Sora dodged rolled and casted cure. 'That shield is getting annoying' Sora thought to himself. "Freeze" Sora shouted as he used blizzard to pierce Goofy's shield. Goofy staggered and Sora rushed in to finish the job. With Goofy and Donald knocked out it was just Riku and Sora left.
"Wow you've gotten better Sora" Riku said.
"So have you" Sora responded back.
"I prefer a one-on-one with you anyway" Riku told Sora.
"Same here" Sora said.
"Then what are we waiting for" Riku said.
Riku jumped into the air and brought his Keyblade hard onto Sora's Keyblade. Sora grunted under the force. He was more worn out then he thought even after using the cure. He rolled away and waited for Riku to come to him. Riku used a fire spell on Sora but it didn't look like a normal fire spell. It came out black and purple. Sora blocked the spell with his own fire spell. Riku was also starting to get tired. Although he hadn't been hit, he was tired from chasing Sora around. Sora noticed Riku was getting tired so he decided to use his best attack.
As the two friends were fighting Hades was talking to a man in the shadows.
"Do you see the kid with the spiky hair?" Hades asked. "He's your competition. If you go up against him next kill him"
"My contract only says I have to kill Hercules" the man said.
"I KNOW WHAT THE CONTACT SAYS" Hades said flaring up. Now calm, "I wrote the contract, but to get to Herc you have to go through him."
"The god of death afraid of a kid" Cloud scoffed.
"Look just get it over with. Hey, it's like that old goat says: Rule 11: It's all just a game, so let loose and have fun with it!" Hades said excited. He then whispered, "I mean, a casualty or two along the way is no big deal, right?"
They started to watch the fight again.
"Let's go" Sora shouted as he used strike raid to finish off Riku. Riku attempted to block the attack but he fell on his back as he was hit by the attack.
"I can't believe you beat us so easily" Riku said as they left the arena.
"It wasn't that easy" Sora said trying to catch is breath.
"Where's Kairi?" Riku said.
"I... I don't know" Sora said distraught.
"I thought she was with you that night" Riku said disappointed. "Well, I'm sure we will find her. We are here after all" Riku smiled.
"Yea you're right" Sora sighed. "At least we found each other."
"You should travel with us. Two Keyblades are better than one" Riku proposed.
I don't think thats a real Keyblade... Or at the least it isn't his Ventus said.
That fire spell he used was infused with darkness Vanitas added.
I know he's your friend but don't trust him Ventus said.
"So... Uh... Where did you get your Keyblade?" Sora asked.
"The story behind that is a long one" Riku started but Phill came along.
"Time for the next round kid" Phill told Sora.
"Guess you tell me when I come back" Sora said.
Sora walked though the tunnel. Donald and Goofy finally recovered and rejoined Riku. He started to leave when Goofy asked, "Don't you wanna see Sora's next fight?"
"Nah. I'm sure he'll win. Besides we have to find your King and my friend Kairi. We can't waste our time playing games here" Riku said as he went through the doors leading to the Gummi ship.
"If you say so" Goofy said.
"Come on Goofy. It's his decision and he's right. We need to move on from this world" Donald quacked.
Back at the ring Sora found himself against a swords man with a large sword. He had blonde spiky hair and wore a red scarf. His sword was covered in bandages. Sora just stared at that sword. He couldn't believe that guy could hold it. Please Sora it isn't the size but the technique Vanitas said. He kinda reminds me of a guy named Zack. Even dresses like him and has a similar sword Ventus said. 'Was he hard to fight?' Sora asked. He was training when I met him but he was a great fighter Ventus said.
"That's a really big sword" Sora told his opponent. His opponent just stared at him and ready to fight. Sora was even more intimidated now.
"Hiya" his opponent yelled as he darted at him with is large sword. Sora tried to block it but was knocked back by the force. He became wide eyed when he realized the amount of power this man had. The man turn around and charged his blade again rushing at Sora. Sora was hit this time and he hit the wall of the ring. Sora saw the swords man in the air ready to drive the blade into him. Sora was able to get up and rolled out the way.
"Cure" Sora shouted. This was by far the toughest fight he's had. He was unsure if he could win. Sora took a deep breath and gripped his Keyblade tightly. "Could you at least tell me your name. Mine is Sora" Sora told the spiky haired man.
"Cloud" he responded.
Cloud jumped in front of Sora and used cross slash on him. All three hits landed and Sora was on the floor in pain. He forced himself to get up. Sora had three large cuts on his body: two on his chest and one on his right arm. He focused his magic and used cure to close the wounds. Sora was breathing heavily now. He was afraid of Cloud. Come one Sora don't be afraid Ventus said. You're only as strong as your heart is. Fear will cripple your heart and you will fall along with it Ventus continued.
Sora refocused himself. He realized he's been letting Cloud make all the moves. Time to go on the offensive. Cloud rushed Sora to try another cross slash. Sora parried all three hits with his own combo. He then countered Cloud and sent him staggering a few steps. Now was his chance. He used strike raid. Cloud was quick enough to dodge the first to blows, but Sora was able to predict where Cloud was going. Sora's last few hits made it to his mark.
Cloud fell to one knee. He used his sword to pick himself back up. Cloud again rushed him at blinding speed. Sora dodged it. Cloud started repeating the move and Sora was able to dodge all of them. Cloud looked like he was getting tired. He then jumped into the air hoping to strike Sora. Sora now was able to read his movements and dodge rolled. Cloud lodged his sword into the ground.
Sora quickly reacted and Cloud tried to pull his sword out the ground. Sora slapped Cloud away with a horizontal slash. Sora then used Strike raid to stagger Cloud onto the floor. Sora now brought his Keyblade to Cloud's throat.
The earth began to rumble as a large three headed dog came out of the gates in the Coliseum. Hades could be seen walking away as he said, "Oh, right, there was one rule I forgot: Accidents happen."
Cloud went for his sword as Sora was distracted. Hercules showed up and sent Sora back to the lobby. Sora didn't wanna go.
"Kid I got two words for you. RUN" Phill shouted. Sora obeyed, but Cloud stayed behind to help fight Cerberus.
Back at the lobby Sora looked for Riku, Donald and Goofy. When he couldn't find them he walked up to Phill who looked worried.
"Afraid those two can't handle that monster" Sora asked.
"I just don't understand where Cerberus came from" Phill said. "I didn't see Herc with his weapon either."
"What!" Sora shouted. "I'm going in to help"
"No way kid. You'd just be in the way" Phill told him.
"How can I be a Hero and compete if I don't help?" Sora told Phill. He went through the tunnels back onto the field. He was exhausted and wasn't sure how he would handle Cerberus.
When he got onto the field he saw Hercules with Cloud slumped over on his shoulders. Cerberus was back Herc into a corner. Sora rushed to his sides and told Hercules he would handle the rest of the fight. Hercules nodded and ran to get help for Cloud.
Sora summoned Jungle King and his armor. Cerberus arced his back and spewed dark energy onto the field. Sora was forced to dodge roll constantly as the three-headed dog chased him around. The dark energy finally dissipated and Cerberus planted his feet firmly to the ground. Sora turned to face the beast. Cerberus started snapping at Sora and Sora began to attack the dog's heads. The dog grabbed Sora by the arm and tossed him like a rag doll.
Sora landed in the stands and rolled down them. He forced him up and took a fireball to the face. The explosion sent Sora reeling towards the wall at the top of the stands. Sora was barely standing when he casted cure. Cerberus sent a volley of fire balls this time. Sora blocked one. Sent back another and was struck by the final one. Although Sora was hurt again, Cerberus was now dazed.
Sora went in for some quick combos before Cerberus recovered. Cerberus was back up and used dark energy again. Sora again was forced to run around the field. When the attack stopped Cerberus used his fireball attack again. Sora dodged the first one, blocked the second, and sent back the third. Cerberus shook his heads from the shock.
Sora charged his Keyblade and used strike raid. Cerberus used his fireball attack to counter Sora. It was useless because Sora's attack cut right through the fireballs. He landed all five hits of strike raid. The attack was too much for the demon dog and it fell.
Sora dismissed his armor and fell to his knees breathing heavily.
Sora dragged himself through the tunnel going into the lobby. When he got there he used cure. Hercules was smiling and Phill's jaw was dropped.
"Good job kid" Hercules told Sora.
"Thanks. He was not easy to bring down. That field is a complete mess" Sora said.
Holy hell he got huge Ventus said.
"You must be Hercules" Sora said grinning. "Phill was talking about how you used to be when he was first training you."
"Did he now. What did he say?" Herc said eyeing Phill.
"Just how wet behind the ears you were" Sora said and smiled.
Hercules laughed. "I was a kid back then. I didn't know what it took to be a hero" he said.
"What does it take?" Sora asked.
"If you have to ask then you aren't ready to know" Hercules said.
"Okay" Sora sighed. "What about the games?"
"There won't be any for a while. We have to clean up and do repairs. Check back sometime later" Phill said. Sora turned and left. "I still can't believe that kid beat Cerberus"
"Just between you and me... I weakened it before the kid jumped in" Hercules said.
"Our secret" Phill winked.
Outside Sora saw Cloud sitting on the stairs with his head hung low. This guy and his emo act is starting to annoy me Vanitas said. What about you. Besides you've only seen him for a few moments Ventus said. Sora walked up to him.
"I tried using the power of darkness" Cloud said.
"Why did you do it?" Sora asked.
"I lost my light. Hades said he would help me it" Cloud responded.
"I'm looking for my light too" Sora said.
"Are you now?" Cloud said. "Let me show you something." Cloud demonstrated how to channel energy into his sword and release it. Cloud was teaching Sora how to use sonic blade. "Once realized you can recycle the energy several times to rush your target. Timing is important though" Cloud said.
As he walked away Sora called to him, "How bout a rematch sometime. Fair and square no dark power"
"I think I'll pass" Cloud said while shacking his bangs out of his eyes.
See what I mean Vanitas said.
You're just as cocky Ventus sighed.
Sora got on his glider and decided to head back to Traverse Town. He needed to resupply. To many close calls the pass couple days. He also wanted a place to rest for once.