Training in the Battle Simulator, Breaking the Limit! Part 3. Ace's Struggle.

(Aqua-Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep)

Ace was currently walking through the park on his way back to the ship while the others went camping as he thought back to the happy moments he had with Hope, Jexi, David, and everyone else from their groups. "Sometimes I wonder...If I'm worthy enough of this power and Excalibur to help my friends. I can't try to fight everyone's battles for them, like Hope said, I shouldn't overdo it. *sigh*." Ace said to himself as tears poured down his cheeks before he quickly wiped them away. "Maybe using the Battle Simulator will help." He said as he entered the ship and went to the Battle Sim as he started up the monitor and selected no.11: Marluxia as he started up the simulator.

"Marluxia selected as opponent, beginning simulation." The computer said as the arena changed into a large white room with a door at the end where there stood a man with long pink hair in a black cloak holding a scythe as he swirled it around and got into a fighting stance as Ace readied himself with his Keyblade.

VS

MARLUXIA

(Graceful Assassin- Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories)

"Sonic Blade!" Ace called out as he dashed through Marluxia multiple times before knocking him back with the final blow.

"Your heart shall be judged!" Marluxia said as he started warping behind Ace and striked at him before warping to the center of the room and unleashed a flurry of flower petals, dealing damage to Ace.

"Ars Arcanum!" Ace called out as he unleashed a flurry of blows, dealing more damage to Marluxia. "It's over! Strike Raid!" He called out as he threw his keyblade and dealt the final blow.

"Hmph! So you are a hero!" Marluxia said as he was defeated and disappeared before the room was engulfed in a flash of light.

Ace uncovered his eyes as he looked around to see he was standing on a platform in an empty space before looking to see Marluxia floating above him.

"Soon the emptiness will shatter your heart, in this empty world of nothingness!" Marluxia said as he waved his hand behind him and rose petals flurried around as he was now seen riding a large spectre nobody. "As lightless oblivion devours you, drown in the everblooming darkness!" He said as Ace got ready to fight once more.

(Scythe of Petals- KH RE:COM)

VS

MARLUXIA 2ND FORM

"Mega Flare!" Ace called out as he launched a large fireball at Marluxia as it exploded on impact.

Marluxia then charged forward as his spectre crashed into Ace a few times, dealing damage to him.

"Gggh…." Ace groaned as he was bleeding around his face a bit as he held his side in pain. "I...can't...lose...yet...Inferno!" He called out as a giant vortex of fire surged around Marluxia and finished him off.

"Training Sequence concluded, score...90%" The computer said as the simulation ended.

"...Somehow...I managed to do it." Ace said.

"Is there any point in continuing to become stronger?" A voice echoed out.

"Huh?" Ace asked.

"No one will support you. And no one wants to." The voice continued.

"Shut up…" Ace muttered.

"Your bonds of friendship only tie you down. You are nothing but second fiddle to your friends." The voice continued.

"Stop…" Ace said.

"Only your heart is hollow enough to be a demons, just accept the fact you can't protect the people you care about and the outside world is cruel and just." The voice continued.

"STOP!" Ace yelled as he unleashed a burst of light and darkness through the training area before he collapsed to the ground and began crying. "My heart is strong, and my friends will always support me as I support them and I'll prove it as I journey with them."

End of Side Story: Training in the Battle Simulator, Breaking the Limit! Part 3. Ace's Struggle.