Disclaimer: The name Selene is the name of the Moon Goddess who is the daughter of Zeus, according to Greek legends.

Author's note: Not much to say here either, so let's just read on.

I only own the rights of Jason, Lyla, and Chancellor. The rest belong rightfully to Square Enix, Disney, Nintendo and Toei.

CHAPTER 25: Olympus Coliseum-Grovyle.

Back with Grovyle...

After travelling through the Lanes Between, both Grovyle and Terra finally arrived in another new world and upon leaving the portal in an empty gap between two buildings once they made sure no one else saw this, the two companions glanced around their new surroundings near the city of Thebes. As the two looked around, Grovyle decided to get used to his new surroundings.

"I'm gonna go look around for a bit. I'll meet you close to the stairs." Grovyle told his companion, gesturing at the stairs leading up to somewhere near the tall mountain.

"Okay. Don't get lost." Terra replied.

"I won't." Grovyle promised, before the two briefly split up to look around for any signs of Jason, Mickey or more worryingly, Vanitas who might be causing trouble for all the two knew.

(~Go for it-KH:BBS~)

So while Grovyle looked around at the new surroundings, added to what was happening, his eyes widened as he saw a young man, looking like a soldier but behind the helmet, the eyes looked like he was no older than fourteen years old and he was fighting against familiar monsters that surrounded him. Immediately, Grovyle rushed in and leaped into the air before using Leafblade to elimate one of the human-sized Unversed that attempted to ambush the young soldier who was none other than Zack who saw his unexpected savior.

"These things are getting on my nerve!" Grovyle grunted at the Unversed while he glared at them, ready to fight.

"Uh, yeah?" Zack nodded in agreement, still stunned, before he shook it off and decided to worry about the weird saving earlier and placed his focus back onto the monsters that surrounded the both of them.

The two then went into battle against the enemies and Grovyle wasted no time in using Quick Attack to both dodge and thrust his entire body right into a couple of Unversed, before slashing and punching at them with Leafblade once more. He was hit in the back by the claws of another smaller Unversed before he whirled around and used Pound Attack downward while sending the Unversed into oblivion. He was then surrounded by three Unversed that took forms of...vases and pottery? Unfazed by the unusual appearence, he used Bullet-Seed attack which destroyed the Clay-Unversed that shattered like normal pottery but still vanished into darkness.

"Energyball!" Grovyle chanted as he energized the ball of green energy before tossing it at one of the larger Unversed that appeared right into the chest, knocking it back. This gave Grovyle a chance to use Quick Attack before clashing against it while dodging two more of the larger bulky Unversed who attempted to crush him but fell short. He did manage to leap into the air and used Energyball again, following it up with Bullet-Seed which destroyed the one he was fighting against and weakened the other two, before they too faded into nothing when Grovyle descended and used Leaf-blade to slice both of them in a X-Sissior like attack.

"Take that!" Zack yelled as he single-handedly slashing at the humaniod Unversed, thrusting down with his sword. He wasted no time in double striking at three other Unversed as well before preforming a rather three short spinning skill with his sword, eliminating the Unversed with ease. He quickly dodge-rolled out of the way when one of the bulker Unversed attempted to knock him down. He then sky-upper-cut the Unversed with his broadsword with ease and leaped into the air before finishing off two Clay-Unversed that tried to get to him but were left stunned when the young soldier preforms this attack and met their demise by his hands...or sword.

Eventually, the duo finished off the Unversed for now and relaxed once Grovyle and Zack knew that the monsters wouldn't be sending anymore reinforcements for now. (~End Go for it!~)

"You're a pretty skilled fighter." Grovyle commented at Zack who puts away his sword.

"Thanks." Zack nodded, before admitting, "I'm hoping I'll be good enough to win the games."

Grovyle blinked in confusion at what the young man had just told him. "Huh? What games?" he asked, clueless. What sort of games was Zack talking about?

(~Olympus Coliseum-KH:BBS~)

"You mean don't know?" Zack asked, surprised. When Grovyle shook his head, the young soldier then told him excitedly, "The "Games" games! To see who's strongest! Came all the way out here to compete against them and fufill my dream!"

"Fulfil your dream, huh?" Grovyle thought. While he knew that the dream the young man in front of him was completely different compared to his own dream which is the same dream as Jason's, it was rather nice to have met someone who is also working hard towards the goal in making their dream become reality. Then again, he had learned, back in Castle of Dreams with Terra, that even just believing can make dreams come true in some cases.

He then found himself curious on what dream Zack has, and questioned, "If don't mind my curiosity, but what is your dream?"

Smiling behind his helmet, Zack looked skyward as he placed his hands on his hips, his chest heaving up as he answered boldly, "To become a hero!"

Well, at least that was somewhat easy. Grovyle smiled, saying, "I think your dream is probably easier to accomplish than mine. It'll take time, but one day, I think it'll come true."

"Really?" Zack asked, feeling even more excited.

"Like I said." Grovyle began, trailing off a bit, before continuing with a shrug, "...my dream is far more harder to accomplish, but I won't give up on it." before asking, now curious about the games itself, "So, about these games. Where are they held at?"

"At the Coliseum up ahead." Zack answered, gesturing at the where Grovyle had came from.

The games did sound like a good way to train to prepare for the future trails, Grovyle decided that he could give it a shot. So, after thanking Zack before bidding him farewell, the Gecko-Pokemon made to head to meet with Terra who had just saved another boy with red hair, some kind of white clothes and sandles and just in time made it when the three of them heard another new voice.

"Herc, where are ya? Front and center right now, or I'm tackin' on another 1,000 laps!" The male voice yelled out.

When the boy, Hercules, Terra and Grovyle turned, to the latter two's confusion, it was...a goat-man who came approaching looking for apparently Herc' who cringed, knowing that he'd be in big trouble if he didn't go now.

"Uh-oh. Gotta go." Hercules said apologetically to Terra, "The Coliseum's just up ahead." before waving a goodbye before he took off into the direction to where the goat-man is, adding, "I hope I get to see you fight there sometime!" (~End Olympus Coliseum~)

As Hercules and his goat-man trainer, Phil, were out of earshot, Grovyle stood next to Terra who thought aloud, "A competition... Hmm... I should find out how strong I really am."

"What's this about?" Grovyle asked, though he suddenly felt he didn't need to ask as he sensed that he already knew the answer.

"Something about a competition." Terra replied, before inquiring, "Wanna see if we could enter?"

"Why not." Grovyle shrugged. He had planned in asking anyway, now there was no need. As the two walked towards the stairs, however, he couldn't help but think about the young soldier he met a little while ago. There was something...quite odd about him.

The young teenager almost felt similiar to...'Sailor Moon'.

(~Villians of Sort-KH:BBS~)

At the Coliseum Gates area, a tall man in a black toga with a skull badge, and blue fire for hair on top of his head, blue skin, and sharp teeth, was talking about of the Vestibule, grumbling to himself.

"Geez Louise, one chump after another." He said to himself, very annoyed. "It's like a who's who of decathlon disasters around here." before thinking deeply to himself of an evil plan, considering how this guy was another villian. "All I need is one measly warrior tough enough to give Zeus a jolt of his own medicine."

As he said this, the man then noticed something, or rather, someone or two enter the gates and gaze up at the leaderboards. Gazing at one of them, the tall man muttered, "Wait...Dark, moody, powerful." before grinning, "Yes! He's perfect."

He then muttered as he gazed at the other one, "Not too sure about that lizard, though." before shrugging and decided to give it a shot. He was starting to run out of ideas and he only had somewhat about less than a decade left before he can preform his true ultimate plot.

The two he was gazing at were none other than Terra and Grovyle who were gazing at the leaderboards on the wall next to the entrance they just came from.

"This is it." Terra muttered.

Grovyle looked at so many names on the list and he had to admit, he was very impressed, despite the Unversed also being on the board, which was annoying, but it wasn't anything he and Terra couldn't handle.

"How sad is this." A new voice spoke behind them, causing both Grovyle and Terra to turn to their right, but don't see anyone, before the voice continued, this time from their left as they saw a tall man with...fire on his head?, "Pains me to see it."

"Huh?" Terra blinked.

"What the?" Grovyle gapped, wondering what in the world was this tall man. He clearly wasn't human if he had blue skin and blue fire for hair. Something was very wrong with him.

"All that power going to waste." The tall man continued, gazing at Terra who just remained silent, not certain what he was talking about.

Grovyle, his suspicions blaring in his head, questioned to the newcommer, "Who are you?"

The tall man shrugged, before answering smoothly, "Name is Hades, Lord of the Dead, god of the Underworld, yadda yadda, how ya doin'." and before the other two could say anything, Hades continued, "Hey, lemme guess, your friend here is trying to put the kibosh on the darkness inside him. Am I right?" before scoffing, "Of course I'm right. Well, anyway, bad idea."

"Wait, what?" Terra blinked, confused, while Grovyle gave Hades a skeptical look.

"Okay, stay with me here-darkness is inside...everybody." Hades continued, and at the alarmed looks of the two who were shocked to hear that even Hades knew about the darkness, the god continued, "Nothing to be ashamed of. You play nice with it, and darkness will be your best friend. But if you go and get all self-conscious and refuse to face it, the darkness will run over you like a debutante at a toga sale. And then where are you? Nowhere. Now me, I look at you and I see potential."

Terra and Grovyle both looked at each other, before gazing at Hades again who continued to the former, "That's right, kid. You got the potential to conquer the darkness inside you. And I'll even give you some pointers. I mean, believe me, if anybody knows conquering, I know conquering." even though he was lying about some of it. If he wanted to get what he wanted, then he had to lure in the kid who was undeniably gullible.

Grovyle mentally groaned as he listened in the words coming from Hades' mouth, and at the moment, he didn't care of the man in front of him and his friend was a god or Lord of the Underworld, as he thought to himself, 'Great...another Xehanort and Maleficent.' feeling that Hades is not one to be trusted.

Despite feeling supicious, Terra had to admit, this might be what he needed in order to overcome the darkness. Finally he replied, "Well, let's hear it then. How do I conquer the darkness?" while Grovyle glanced up at him, shocked.

Mentally grinning evilly, Hades answered, "Easy. You sign up for the Games." When the other two were about to say something, he quickly added, "I know, I know. "Please, Lord Hades, the Games?" But hey, you would be surprised what you can learn in the heat of battle. And don't worry. I'll be right there to guide you every step of the way. I'm kinda what you'd call an expert in the art of darkness." smiling as he added, "Oh, decide fast. This is a limited-time offer."

Despite feeling that something was amiss, Grovyle finally slumped a little and requested, "I suppose I'd better enter the Games too, right?" (~End Villians of Sort~)

When Grovyle and Terra both followed Hades into the vestibule, they met up near the entrance to the battle arena with the latter waiting for them.

"Time to close this deal?" Hades asked.

"When are you going to tell me how to conquer the darkness?" Terra questioned back, feeling a little impatient.

"Hold your chariot horses." Hades shook his head, as with a flick of his wrist, a a quill and paper appear in a puff of smoke in front of them as he said, "You would not believe the bureaucracy involved with these things." before gesturing, "Names?"

"Terra." Terra answered first.

"Grovyle." Grovyle added a second later.

Gaining the names from the two new competitors, Hades was writing them down on the paper while admitting, "Kinda earthy and warriorly, but all right." before muttering, "Now...height and weight..." gazing up at the two again before looking back at the paper and continued to write something down.

"What's this? "Favorite god"?" Hades was mumbling to himself, scoffing, "Pfft! Come on, "Hades"..." writing down his own name and such before finally, sastified with what he's written, concluded, "There, ba-boom. Easy peasy." before sending the quill and paper away as the two items vanished in smoke.

He then said to the two, "I sense that you're already starting to get all warm and fuzzy with that darkness inside you. It's sweet, really. And hey, by the time you win the final match here...you'll have figured out how to conquer it for good." before appearing behind Terra and placed a hand on the younger man's shoulder, "And don't worry, anything goes wrong, I'll make it all go away. Service with a smile."

Terra couldn't help but elbow Hades away while replying, "I got it." before heading towards the battle arena.

Grovyle stayed long enough to speak warningly to Hades, "I'm not sure I can go with your "Service with a smile". I'm only entering to help my friend." before walking towards the battle arena to catch up to Terra, both of them unaware that Hades silently laughed evilly behind them.

Grovyle and Terra both competed against various of Unversed through out the first nine rounds of the Games with the crowd seeing the two new competitors doing extremely well in their first competition before they eventually dueled against each other in which Terra came out as victor, but still admittedly had fun. It reminded both of them of their training years before all of this happened.

(~Sign-FINAL FANTASY VII: ADVENT CHILDREN COMPLETE~)

So when the two returned to the vestibule, the met up with Hades who was waiting for them, and once Terra was ready for the final round, he and Grovyle, who would be seated in the audience seat this time, left once more, Hades couldn't help but grumble at the fact that instead of falling into darkness, Terra instead was really fighting against it and Grovyle's heart was too covered in light.

"Okay...this is not what I had in mind. With that lizard-boy, it makes things more and more complicated." Hades groaned while facepalming himself, before perking up a bit, saying to himself, "But hey, I can improvise. Time for plan beta..."

"Pardon me, comin' through. I'm gonna miss my match." A new unfamiliar voice spoke up.

When Hades noticed the newcommer, it was a fourteen year old young man who is soldier with a helmet on his head. It was Zack and he was now going to compete against Terra in the final round. Zack had heard rumors about Terra and couldn't wait to fight against him. It sent excitement right into his vains.

Unfortunately, Zack was unaware that he was about to get into grave danger.

"Hello, plan beta..." Hades whispered with a grin, before calling out, "Hey kid."

"Huh?" Zack paused in his steps, before turning to Hades who waved at him to come closer, the latter saying, "Over here, c'mere." approaching the young man...

Hades' plan beta was about to be put into motion. (~End of Sign~)

This was another impact on Zack's life and possibly his future in years to come.

Meanwhile, out on the battle arena, Grovyle stood by the side while he gazed at his friend who would waiting for his final opponent, both of them hoping for the best.

'Once I've conquered the darkness in my heart... I'll never fear it again.' Terra thought to himself and he did hope that this was redemption to the misdeeds he caused since his journey began.

'...I hate to say this Terra, but I don't think Hades is to be trusted.' Grovyle mentally said to his friend, even though he knew Terra wouldn't hear his thoughts. Still, he couldn't help but worry for his friend. Not to mention that the Lord of the Underworld was hiding something...something very...sinister and evil.

He broke out of his thoughts when Grovyle's eyes gazed at the arrival of the final opponent and was surprised to see who it was. It was the same young man he helped out in town earlier. The young soldier who unsheathed his sword and took fighting position. Terra stood in fighting position as well, wiping out his Keyblade.

As Grovyle watched the two clash against each other, clashing Keyblade with sword, before Terra rolled out of the way when Zack attempted to thrust at him, he counterparted by clashing against the sword until the younger man left an opening which had the Keyblade wielder slash at him several times before jumping out of the way, but was hit a good number of times when Zack refused to back down, Grovyle couldn't help but think that the two were equally matched despite the soldier only being a year younger than Ven.

But then the feeling he felt earlier stirred up again. However, Grovyle frowned. The feeling was more fuzzy and blurry and he couldn't figure out how or why, but at the same time, something was...within Zack's heart. Something dark and cloudy and...frightingly familiar.

In the end, Terra came out victorous while Zack panted before collasping to the ground, his helmet rolling off and revealing his spiky black-raven hair and blue eyes. Thinking that the match is over, Terra turned his back to walk away now that the games were over, and Grovyle was about to join him, when he noticed something at the corner of his eye and gasped when Zack slowly stood up. To make things more worrying, the teenager's body...was covered in a dark aura as he grasped his sword once more.

By the time Terra sensed dark pressence, he whipped around just time to see the young soldier come running towards him, his eyes looking somewhat blank with a battle cry. His attack was blocked however as Grovyle quickly used Quick Attack to leap in and used Leafblade to block Zack's sword, the two of them struggling to overpower each other. But as they did, for a split second Grovyle's vision blurred and in the young teenager's place was...a young man similiar to age, but turn morphed into a young man about 22 years of age, similiar appearence like an older Zack, but in a uniform of that of a modern day soldier, and he seems...to be in trouble.

When Grovyle's vision returned to reality, he grunted before shoving the young soldier back while shouting, "Stop it! The match is over!"

As Zack panted and grunted, almost in pain, Terra, while relieved for the close call, couldn't help but think that Zack wasn't a push over, wondering what has gotten into him.

As though reading his thoughts, Zack grunted, shutting his eyes as his body was now shaking, "It's not...me..."

"What?" Grovyle and Terra both gapped, wondering what Zack was talking about.

"I'm not...doing this..." Zack wheezed while trying to fight off against the dark aura that was taking over his body, as he had realised that the tall guy he met earlier had tricked him and now was somehow using his body with some kind of dark magic. He felt his heart screaming in pain, and it terrified him.

Seeing this was enough to trigger an awful memory in both Grovyle and Terra as the former gasped in horror, "He's being controlled!"

"Just like...!" Terra cuts himself off, remembering how Maleficent controlled him with her magic back at Enchanted Dominion...how she used him to steal Aurora's heart while he had no control of that at all. But then...how was-?

Just then Hades appeared next to Grovyle and Terra, grinning evilly, "Huh? So, what do ya think? You like my new super-warrior? See-right here, this-it's the power of darkness. Coulda been yours. Still could, if you open up to it." he said to Terra who's eyes widened in realization while Grovyle glared heatedly at the evil God, now both of them realising the full truth.

"Hades!" Terra exclaimed angrily once he realised that Hades was using his own dark magic to control Zack's body while having attempted to do the same to Terra himself. The Keyblade wielder then declared, "You were just playing me! The darkness...will never have me!"

(~Verge of Assault-CRISIS CORE: FINAL FANTASY VII~)

"Help me..." Zack grunted, pleadingly, starting to lose control of his body again, "You've gotta...set my heart free..."

"Don't worry! We'll save you!" Grovyle told him, standing into a fighting position long with Terra as both of them knew that the only way to save Zack was to fight him so that they can free his heart from Hades's power of darkness while the said lord disappeared into smoke.

Both of them quickly dodged the controlled Zack's sudden new Dark Teleportation attack as the young soldier preformed a sudden rapid-fire series of teleporting slashes while the darkness surged and clashed harshly against the two before he leaped into the air and attempted to dive-bomb at them. Grovyle and Terra once again leaped out of the way as Zack landed while the ground shook, sending out a shock-wave. While Terra wasn't skilled in speed like Ven was, he did jump high enough to dodge the shock wave while Grovyle leaped higher into the air and then twirling and spinned around before he used Leaf-blade to knock Zack back into the podium where he screamed out in pain, before he recovered and rushed forward and clashed against Terra who blocked the sword slashes with his Keyblade.

Zack then swinged his sword at Terra, nearly slicing his head off before rushing foward and attempted to thrust his weapon at him, but was blocked when Terra quickly casted fire at the younger man's chest which knocked him back again before switching targets when Grovyle used Bullet-Seed that rained down when the gecko-Pokemon leaped into the air once more, hitting the young soldier multiple times before he used the Dark Teleportation again and this time appeared in the air while Grovyle landed on the ground.

Under Hades' control, Zack then held up his sword and then a portal appeared out of nowhere, where multiple meteors came raining down at the duo who leaped out of the way while Terra realised that Zack was using a Meteor Spell, a destructive spell that is hardly because it was too dangerous. While regretting this decision, Grovyle knew what had to be done. So he leaped into the air again and this time used Energyball attack and tossed at the younger man who couldn't block it due to using the Meteor Spell and was hit by the attack, causing him to fall down to the ground but managed to flip in the air and land safely on the ground.

While Zack again clashed against Terra who pushed him away, the latter then summoned his D-Link and quickly used Ven's D-Link while tossing his Keyblade at Zack like a Boomarang via borrowing his friend's ability. The Keyblade hit Zack twice before returing to it's owner who then flared up Thunderaga which shocked Zack who then leaped out of the way before he could get hit again, but was starting to slow down, and deep within his chest, Zack could feel his body and heart starting to return to his own command, the dark magic slowly fading away. He then realised that it was working. If Terra and Grovyle could pull this off, then Zack will be free. He just had to trust in the two who were fighting him in order to save him.

Still, his controlled body once twirled around and around and managed to slash at both Grovyle and Terra who both cried out when they ended up having not so steep cuts in their arms from Zack's sword. Fortunately, Terra used Curaga to heal both himself and Grovyle who counterattacked by using Quick Attack and followed it up with Leaf-Blade, slashing at Zack's chest which he knew was where the poor teenager was being controlled the most. With a pound attack from Grovyle, Zack was knocked right into Terra's range, and the said Keyblade wielder rushed over and slashed a final slash with his Keyblade while secretly using his power right at Zack's heart, the beam of light hitting the younger man's chest as he cried out while shutting his eyes tight and then...he no longer felt the dark magic or control in his heart.

(~End Verge of Assault~)

As Terra leaped back while Grovyle joined him, Zack, finally back to normal, dropped his sword from his weak grip and collasped to the ground, exhausted, but thankfully still alive. The crowd, unaware of what just happened, all went wild and their cheers roared while confetti fell in celebration despite that Grovyle wasn't meant to be at the battle, but at this point, no one cared. He and Terra glanced around in confusion.

"Forget it. It looks like I bet on the wrong dark horse." Hades grunted in anger while turning red(literally) at this while he reappeared near the other entrance. "That kid doesn't have what it takes to handle darkness. And what's with this lizard!? Next time, that imp of a dinosaur is gonna pay!" before disappearing in smoke, furious that not only Terra, but now Zack had no chance in handling the darkness and very angry that Grovyle had got in his way.

While aware that Hades was behind them, Grovyle and Terra both knew that chasing him down was a waste of time. Instead, they turned their attention to Zack who was starting to push himself up, so the two approached him.

"Are you alright?" Asked Grovyle, concerned.

"You gonna make it?" Terra added.

Zack, feeling back to normal, looked up and nodded, "Yeah. I'm finally free." then he looked around, but noticed that Hades isn't around. "Where is-"

"He's gone." Terra answered.

Frustrated by his own weakness and how Hades controlled him, Zack pounded at the ground angrily, "Man, how could I let a guy like him control me? I'll never live it down."

Terra then held out a hand, and helped Zack up to his feet. "Thanks," the latter said, then muttered, "Um..." for he realised he didn't know the older man's name.

"Terra." Terra introduced himself.

"And we've met before. My name is Grovyle." Grovyle added.

(~A Date with Fate-KH:BBS~)

Zack, while recongising Grovyle, smiled in return, thanking both of them, "Thanks, Terra, and thanks again, Grovyle." before introducing himself, "I'm Zack."

He then squinted his eyes while carefully examining Terra, thinking before smiling and coming to a conclusion, saying, "Yup. Definitely. Terra, you're exactly what I pictured a hero would be." before adding at Terra's confusion, "Not the way you look... There's something else about you."

Grovyle couldn't help but chuckle, "You're really fond of heroism, aren't you, Zack?"

"Well, can you blame me?" Zack replied while standing up straight, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head, before becoming confused when Terra turned away.

"Well, I'm no hero. Trust me" Terra told the younger man, almost sorrowfully. He wasn't a hero, not with what he did in other worlds.

"You kidding?" Zack asked, smiling while Terra turned back to him, as the former continued while gesturing at the crowd, "Listen to those cheers, man. You don't get to decide if you're a hero or not. They do. And they've already made up their mind."

True to Zack's words, the crowd chanted at not only Terra's name, but some of them also chanted Grovyle's name in cheering, which surprised the two travellers greately. "Whether you like it or not, you're their hero. Grovyle's their hero too." Zack continued, before giving Terra a friendly tap on the shoulder, concluding with a thankful smile, "And mine, too." (~End A Date with Fate~)

He then sighed in disappointment, remembering how Hades ruined his chances for a fair fight, muttering, "It's too bad. I really wanted to fight you fair and square."

It surprised Zack when Terra returned the friendly tap on the shoulder, as the latter said assuringly, "Maybe someday, Zack."

"Maybe the next time we meet." Grovyle added with a smile, to which Zack, feeling better already, chuckled.

From this point on, the trio had become friends.

(~Theme of Crisis Core "Dreams and Pride"-Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII~)

As Grovyle and Terra exit the Vestibule to prepare to leave Olympus Coliseum, the former paused in his steps, knowing that there was one thing he had to do before he could leave as he felt that it was very important...for someone to know.

"Something wrong?" Terra spoke up, as he noticed that his friend had stopped.

"It's just...there's something about Zack I sensed earlier today." Grovyle began, almost reluctantedly, "Not a bad thing. More than anything, I think he shares a similiar personally to Ven. But there's something else...perhaps similiar to Sailor Moon."

"Why do you say that?"

In truth. Grovyle didn't really know, and he wished he did. Instead, he shrugged and said to his companion, "I'll meet you at the bottom of the stairs. There's something I gotta do first."

"Right...?" Terra muttered, confused but shrugged it off, and walked way to head to the exit of the Coliseum...just as Zack approached Grovyle who turned to face him.

"So uh, Grovyle. What's goin' on?" Zack asked, confused on why Grovyle wanted to talk to him.

After a moment, Grovyle spoke what he had sensed and what he has learned today, "When you said how people decide whether one's a hero or not, it got me thinking. I've heard that some people died after doing something heroic, like sacrificing themselves to save others they care about." before smiling as he thought about how he first met Jason, "I've once saved someone when I was young, and he and I became best friends ever since."

"Wow." Zack muttered, "That's pretty heroic. So you saved someone who was in trouble?"

"He was attacked, Zack."

"Nice excuse!"

The two of them laughed at this comment, before settling down and this allowed Grovyle to continue, "But for some reason, when Terra and I saved you, I was struck with some kind of vision as I blocked your attack." explaining on the image he saw in Zack's place briefly, "I can't pin point what it was, but, I saw someone quite similiar, almost exactly the same, having gone through struggles and such to protect those he cares about. He died, but was then brought back to life to have a second chance. I once heard that some people who were given second chances in life are gifted with a third chance by being reborn, but without memories of their past until some kind of incident triggers those memories."

"Never heard of that before." Zack thought while placing his hands behind his head, before admitting as he had listened to Grovyle, "You know, you kinda sound like my old friend, Angeal, who left about three weeks ago on an adventure." he thought again, before realising, "Come to think of it, Terra kinda reminded me of him too." as he lowered his arms to his sides.

"And you reminded me of someone else who shares a similiar personally." Grovyle admitted in return, referring to Ven while unaware that the said boy had already met Zack earlier. "Perhaps it was a coincedince."

The two were silent for a moment, as Zack placed his hands onto his hips, thinking this through, before asking, still slightly puzzled, "...And, what exactly does that have to do with me?"

"Let's just say, you were able to commuicate despite being controlled by darkness." Grovyle replied, and he knew it, because he had lived in a world of darkness in the future, one that he hoped to change into a better place where time returned. "Your heart and mind possibly matches that of the one I saw in the vision." before shrugging again as he said, almost sheepishly, "But then again, I have no clue on what I'm talking about either. Sorry to confuse you."

Zack was still confused, but he did accept the apology greatly, and finally said, "Okay...well, thanks anyway." to which Grovyle nodded. (~End Theme of Crisis Core "Dreams and Pride"~)

While both Grovyle and Zack were having a conversation, Terra waited for the former back in town, while thinking about what happened and couldn't help but notice how Zack was much like Ven in personality. Still, he could remember how he ignored both of them and now felt bad for not listening. Maybe he should patch things with Ven and Aqua once things had settled down.

As Terra gazed at his orange Wayfinder that Aqua gave them the night before the Mark of Mastery, he promised himself that he would set things right with his best friends.

So, once Grovyle met up with him, the two once again set off to their next destination. But in the next world they would be arriving in, Grovyle would disappear something that could possibly change his fate as well as Jason's, while the situation for their friends in the present would only get more dangerous than ever.

A/N: Like before, we return to Jason and Mickey in the next chapter where Jason will encounter an old enemy while Mickey will meet an enemy that will continously clash against him and others in the future. See you real soon!