Chapter 38

Let the Games Begin!

Riku and Kairi had returned to a world which had felt different from when they had left two and a half weeks ago. After the invasion of Disney Castle, they had spent some time at the castle tending to those injured and relocating them to the town as reconstruction of the castle began with hasty speed. Donald, Goofy and Max had chosen to stay behind to look after Queen Minnie, if only for a week, before they came back to Radiant Garden. Riku and Kairi had also wanted to but Minnie had stressed that she would be fine and the two should get back as quickly as possible to continue repairs on the town.

As they entered the marketplace of Radiant Garden they questioned the numerous workmen and crates in the square. It was certainly suspicious that the already active part of town was engrossed in more activity than usual, especially when the culprits were people that the two of them had never seen before. Riku moved around to one of the boxes and read the name aloud that was inscribed on it to Kairi: "Xanatos Industries."

"Huh? I've never heard of them before. New corporation?" Kairi turned to him but he was already gone ahead, "Riku? Wait up! Sheesh."

"Hey, do you know what's going on here?" Riku asked walking up to one of the random folks walking around the square.

"Apparently the restoration committee made a deal with Xanatos industries for a faster and better redevelopment program for the town."

"When did this happen?" Kairi asked catching up to Riku and the man.

"About a week ago. They've been very fast with starting haven't they? Personally, I think it's a good idea to have these guys around. Them being here means creating more jobs, and that… I desperately need." The man grimaced.

"I think we need to talk to Leon and the gang about this." suggested Riku as he, Kairi and the other man watched the construction workers moved equipment from the crates in every direction while the contractors oversaw the work.

The two Keyblade wielder soon shortly arrived at Merlin's house, walking past the various new machines and equipment that seemed to be crowding the town. Kairi gave a quick knock on the door. As soon as the door opened, the three fairies suddenly flew up to the height of Kairi's face.

"Leon, we're done with cleaning," Yuna said in a sing-song voice. Opening her eyes she took a look at who was actually there then sighed tiredly, "Oh, it's you."

"What do you mean 'Oh, it's you'? How rude." Kairi pushed past the three fairies and into the door looking around. The only ones who were actually in the house bar the fairies were Cid and Yuffie.

"Hey there, so how did the castle go?" Yuffie asked kicking her legs about as she sat on the desk with Pooh's storybook which had once been on that desk now on her lap.

"Didn't Merlin already tell you?" inquired Riku knowing that Merlin had gone ahead the week previously to inform Leon and the others about the situation.

"Yep, but I'd rather hear it straight from the horse's mouth. Is the queen and everyone else okay?"

"They're fine with the exclusion of a few causalities. I expected Maleficent to attack the castle but this soon? Seems like she's pretty confident." Riku guessed.

"Maleficent, confident? Oh please, she's a complete coward!" Rikku nodded her head sharply.

"And that's enough out of you. Don't you have some cleaning to do?" Riku told the confident fairy.

Rikku snarled, "You know you're really starting to get on my nerves, why do you have the same name as me anyway?"

"Trust me, if I had known earlier that I would have been sharing a name with an annoying fairy whose sole hobby is as a no good thief I would have changed it in a heartbeat." said Riku.

"Thief? We are treasure hunters." Yuna defended.

Cid sensing an outbreak of war quickly interrupted, "Yaargh! That's enough out of the bunch of ye. Anyway you guys are no doubt wondering what's been happening around town lately, right?"

"That's exactly why we came over," Kairi confirmed taking a look outside through the window, "Xanatos industries?"

"Owned by David Xanatos. He could put Scrooge McDuck to shame with the mountain of munny he's sitting on," Cid pressed a key on the keyboard in front of him bringing up a picture of the man in question, "His corporation specializes in pretty much everything. From engineering to astrophysics to computing to medicine. You name it, he's got it."

Riku and Kairi walked over to behind Cid and looked at Xanatos' profile on the screen with keen interest. Just as Cid had said, his company pretty much focused on everything. He was also not from Radiant Garden but a different world and had decided to expand his company through Gummi travel. Riku and Kairi were not too knowledgeable on the specifics but as far as they knew the only way to get to certain worlds were through taking routes sometimes blocked by gates. If that was the case then the man had taken a big risk in bringing his employees over. They were also curious to find out as to how David Xanatos had discovered Gummi blocks and why he had decided to transfer at least some of his company over to a different world.

"He sounds okay, I guess."

"He better sound okay. This will be our future from now on kid. Radiant Garden can only go forward from here. You know, some said that going back to the old days would be impossible, what with how the darkness changed the shape of the world and all, but now I'm positive we can do even more than that, we can go further than we ever have before." Cid told them seeming to be full of determination, more than Riku and Kairi had ever seen him.

"Leon's being stubborn about it since he wanted to at least have a part in rebuilding the town in the image it used to be. Cloud doesn't care… as usual." Yuffie mumbled the last part.

"Yeah, he's kinda like you huh Paine?" Rikku remarked in a giggling manner.

"If you know what's best for you, you'll shut that mouth of yours before I shut it for you." Paine said coldly turning around to face the direction of the wall.

"Cloud is Cloud," Kairi said in a matter-of-factly tone. Her last visit to Radiant Garden had introduced her to the spiky blonde who had seemed only interested in chasing Sephiroth at the time. Now that Sephiroth was gone, she had expected some change from the moody adult and whilst that did happen, Cloud had remained just as distant as before, "so where are Leon, Cloud, Aerith and Tifa anyways?"

"Oh they're showing a new guest around." Yuffie smiled innocently.

"And who would that be? Mr. Xanatos?" Riku asked.

"Nope, I know it may be hard to tell looking at the kid but," Cid smiled, "Leon's lady friend."

Luna had felt she had been in this situation before. Her dream involved a familiar dark twisting path which no matter how much she tried to find the exit to, it would always seem as if she hadn't moved much at all. She called out for Sora's name repeatedly though no answer was heard and then she turned around. The man in the black coat had been staring at her for quite some time it seemed. He did not even move a budge when Luna had turned to look at him. Then she took a few steps towards him, her movement robotic almost as if possessed. Her body felt like lead as she was attracted slowly towards that man who had in his gloved hands–

Luna at that point had woken up with a jolt managing to hit her head on the ceiling of the Gummi Ship from where she had currently slept, which had been the top bunk whereas Kupopo had been sleeping on the lower level.

As she had watched Sora walk away along with Herc to go to Olympus, she felt the need to stop him and tell him her dream. He had after all asked for her to let him know when she did have a particularly strange dream. At the same time however, she didn't want to appear selfish and delay their journey just because of a silly dream.

A silly dream… which had felt very real. Were Luna's thoughts. Luna and Meg had spent the next few hours annoying Phil much to their content as well as watching Luna practice her attacks on practice dummies filled up with straw and hay. Luna felt herself getting faster as she jumped from side to side quickly striking the dummies repeatedly.

"You're doing amazing Luna." Meg praised as Luna had decided to quit for the day.

"Ah it was no sweat. I think I might just be good enough to take on Wonderboy." replied Luna confidently.

"I'd like to see you try that. Herc's been training a lot more than you have. Not even Sora could beat him and he wasn't even using his full strength." Phil remarked.

"Ah come on Phil," She wrapped her arm around his neck, "I would never dream of taking on the mighty Hercules alone."

"And that tone tells me you probably would." Phil groaned.

Suddenly Meg's eyes seemed to light up on fire, "Hey, why don't you go it alone Luna? I'd like to see a fight between Sora and you. I'll be rooting for you all the way."

Luna seemed surprised about this idea, but the more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea. It would give her the chance to test her progress in full, she would be able to see where Sora was in comparison to her to give her something to work towards and the match would be sure to appeal to the masses.

"Really? Wait, you're actually considering this?" Phil asked flabbergasted.

"There's nothing wrong about it goat-boy. It was just a suggestion, she doesn't have to take it." Meg rolled her eyes before looking back at Luna.

Luna rubbed the back of her neck as she spoke, "Well it's risky but…"

"I think you should do it." A man said loudly standing just outside of the tunnel leading towards the lobby. Their attentions turned to him immediately. The man seemed to have an almost poetic elegance to him, with a pale complexion, a sort of feminine face and long silver hair that fell halfway down to his back. Put simply, he was looking quickly to be the very definition of a drama queen.

"Who are you supposed to be?" Meg looked up and down in disapproval at the man's attire, or lack even.

"The name's Kuja, and my aren't you a feisty young bird." said Kuja to Meg as he walked up to them slowly, seeming to emphasise every step as he moved. Eventually he was standing right in front of them and flipped his hair. Luna wanted to laugh out loud but she had found that her astonishment far surpassed her need to laugh.

"Is there any reason you're-" But Phil was cut off by Kuja who held his hand out.

"That's quite enough out of you," He said before twirling the fingers on his left hand around. Luna, Meg and Phil opened their mouths when they saw that Kuja had pulled a rose out from nowhere, "This is for the young beauty over there. What would your name be my rose?"

Luna blushed at the act, "Wait, what? I- My name is Luna."

"Ah Luna, this rose may symbolize many such things about you. It is up to you whether or not you let it wither and die." Kuja placed the rose in her already outstretched palms before flashing a look at Meg.

"And of course you my dear beauty, what would your name be?"

Meg huffed, "You really can't be serious about trying to flatter me. You'll have to try a lot harder than that to impress me."

"But of course," he turned to Luna, "I suppose I should let you know that Maleficent had ordered me to kill you rose."

"WHAT?!" Luna, Meg and Phil yelled in disbelief, Phil and Meg not doing it so much with the utterance of Maleficent's name as it was the order given.

Luna summoned her Keyblade, clutching the rose to the handle, "Maleficent? That annoying witch who used to annoy Sora and the others? Why didn't she come here herself?"

"Maleficent has her ways. But make no mistake, as do I. There's need to bother with that Keyblade," he raised his hands but Luna kept the Keyblade at the ready, "I wouldn't kill a pretty little thing such as yourself. I want a proper fight my dear rose. So I came here to let you know that I have no intention of fighting with you until the games begin."

"Wait, does that mean-"

"Yes, I will be entering the games. Let us both do our best." Kuja held his hand out for her to shake but instead Luna ignored it. She stood up straight and let the Keyblade disappear in her hands.

"You tell Maleficent that the next time she wants to kill me and Sora, that she should do it herself." Luna said.

Kuja flicked his hair with his hand before smiling, "Understood. Well, I'll be seeing you around then." With that he turned and walked out of the arena just as dramatically as he had come in.

"What an egotistical moron! He was half naked and did you smell the perfume that was coming off of him? I think he dedicated his whole life to collecting Chanel No.5 in his wardrobe set instead of searching for decent fashion sense." said an annoyed Meg pulling a disgusted face.

"I wonder what Maleficent's up to." said Luna unconsciously twirling the rose around between her fingers.

"Maleficent? Who's that?" Phil asked.

"I've never really met her. According to Sora though, she's made his, Donald and Goofy's life a pain." Luna told them.

"When did you first meet Sora? You too seem to connect really well with each other." asked Meg.

"I met him about a month ago. I… was involved in a game, it wasn't exactly a fair one either. But he saved me. I've been travelling with him ever since and it's hard to give a moment when I wasn't with him. I've listened to him talk about his other adventures and the friends he's made. I owe him a lot." Luna finished as she looked down at the rose.

"Sounds like a good friend. Make sure you're there to look after him Luna, not just from others but himself as well. " Meg said.

"Of course, I'll look out for him, I guess…" Luna answered slightly confused. She felt that considering all he had been through, Sora knew more about himself than she did about him, and in a way she hardly even knew much about herself.

Meg sensing some worries placed her hands on Luna's shoulder, "Don't think too hard on it. It'll come to you eventually the same way it did to me."

"Riiight…" Luna played along just for the sake of it. Meg's comforts that she would find the answer in time really wasn't that comforting at all, it just made her more curious, "You know what? It's about time I take a break anyway. Now I need something to eat. Who's with me?"

"Why did you let them get aaaa-waay?" Pete looked around multiple times in disbelief as he criticised Kuja's lack of action. He had returned from his fruitless escapades from Wonderland and already given the bad news to Maleficent. Suffice to say, she wasn't pleased at all and had considered blowing up in anger even though Pete had tried to justify the lack of a princess by saying that it was not his fault. He had considered it cowardly of Xanatos to leave him by himself to face the brunt of the evil fairy's anger especially when Xanatos had been placed as leader, though of course Xanatos had felt that his priorities were more important claiming that the Keyblade was something of great interest to him.

"Please do not spit. That is quite disgusting you know." Kuja said prudishly while fanning himself. Pete had no idea why considering it wasn't even that hot down in the Underworld.

"Still, you're a worse screw up than me. You had the chance to take 'em but ya didn't and you ran away instead." Pete mocked childishly.

"I must agree with Pete though his own performance was hardly one to admire," Maleficent showed no emotion as she spoke trying to control her temper, "Why did you not kill the girl when you had the chance?"

"That's quite simple. All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players," Kuja addressed poetically in front of an invisible crowd, "And what better a stage that the games itself? There the audience will witness the most spectacular match they have ever seen, and then be surprised by the twist ending. These Keyblade wielders are hardly immortal, though I do question the ability of the people they face."

"Hey, what's that supposda mean?" Pete growled angrily.

Kuja gave a smirk, "Exactly what it implies. All it takes is to push exactly the right buttons and one has already won. You have no such right to criticise my methods when yours have failed to work many a time."

"Ooh, burn. Okay, I like this guy. A little too flamboyant for my tastes but I can deal with that." Hades gestured to Kuja. He had just recently returned from Mt. Olympus.

"If you've seen what they can do you wouldn't be saying that." Pete argued with Kuja.

"From what I've seen of one of them. I'm not impressed. I think my magic can beat hers at least." Kuja replied honestly.

"Her? You mean the new girl travelling with Sora? Luna, was it? From what Abraxas has told me it seems the poor soul has lost her memory." said Maleficent.

"Why would it matter to me? When I'm done with her, her memory won't be the only thing she loses." Kuja laughed.

"Then that leaves that other twerp, just how are you gonna deal with him huh?" Pete asked triumphantly knowing that Kuja wouldn't be able to beat Sora.

"The rose is the key of course. Not even Sora will be able to drown out the loss of a friend. His anger will cause him to make mistakes and then he will fall." Kuja answered.

"You make it sound as if it's so easy. By all means, try but I wouldn't underestimate those Keyblade wielders if I were you." Maleficent said calmly seeming to find some humour in the Kuja's determination.

"And just in case you fail which is pretty likely, heh heh. Time for plan B!" Hades rubbed his hands together and looked into the green pool of harvested souls in his basin in the middle of the room.

"Right, because that worked last time." Pete shook his head before laughing.

"Ha ha ha, laugh all you want but I'm telling you now. He was just the tip of the iceberg. Wait until you get a load of these guys…"

Sora quickly jumped off Pegasus and bolted straight through the gates into the coliseum entrance. The first thing he noticed was that it was quiet, which was surely normal. There didn't seem to be any unusual activity in the area decreasing slightly what seemed to be butterflies in Sora's stomach. Still Sora kept his guard up waiting for Hercules to catch up with him before proceeding through the door into the lobby.

"Sora!" Sora had heard Luna's voice before seeing her face as he was met with the force of her throwing herself onto him.

"Come on Luna. Lay off for a second so I can breathe." Sora blushed as he clumsily stood and let her hug him.

"You were gone for so long. Meg told me Herc usually returned in around a few hours so I got a little worried as the hours went by." Luna said quickly letting go of him.

"Woah, okay first of all calm down. Second of all, it was a few hours. The only reason we didn't come soon was because of… added weight," he lied before continuing on, "Finally, I'm the one who should be worried. We met Hades and from what he was saying it sounded like you guys were in danger."

"Well, there was this one guy who appeared. He seemed to know Maleficent but, he spared me." Luna explained feeling her denim skirt pocket for the rose.

"Huh? Why would he do that?" asked Sora.

"He said something about wanting to fight me in the games. He was probably also after you is my guess."

"I'm guessing this Maleficent has bad news written all over her." Phil joined in on the conversation.

"Pretty much and what's worse is I bet you she knows where the King- I mean Mickey is," Sora corrected himself abruptly, "Anyway Luna, forget about her for a sec. Guess who I met up on Mt. Olympus?"

Luna waited for the answer patiently, but when she saw that Sora wanted her to play the guessing game, she huffed in mock annoyance, "Oh don't you do this to me Mr. Keyblade Master. Out with it!"

"Aw and you say I'm not fun," Sora grinned before continuing, "You remember that girl we saw a week ago? Her name is Yeul."

Luna's mouth was left hanging open as she pulled a face of half-surprise half-amazement, "Oh you are kidding me. So she's actually there? What did she say?"

"Oh you're not going to believe this…"

"Really? You're talking to the girl who has met a talking doorknob, saved a bunch of puppies, helped to stop an arranged marriage and has travelled across the stars with many more to go. I think at this point I'm about ready to believe anything." Luna said giddily.

"Right, then Yeul's a seer who can see into the future." Sora told her waiting for her reaction. As he thought, her face had contorted into a half-laugh and half-confusion.

"Okay, maybe I do find that kind of hard to believe," She eventually regained herself and looked across the room, "See into the future? And make prophecies and things like that?"

Sora nodded, "I didn't believe it myself at first, but then I know that if time travelling can be accomplished, then so can this I imagine."

"Time travel?" Expecting her confusion, Sora explained the time he had gone back in time to when the construction of the castle had begun. He also explained Xehanort's reunion of his twelve other selves through means of time travelling though noticed Luna's disappoint when he added that you couldn't change anything through that means of time travel not to mention you had to leave your body behind.

"Sounds like it would be fun to go back in time." Luna sighed. Sora could understand why she had wanted to do it and he knew given the chance, he would probably take it as well.

"I hear you on that one. Anyway, Yeul couldn't fit on Pegasus so we had to come here without her." Sora explained.

Herc gave a brief clear of the throat before starting, "Let me try and ask my father again. I doubt he'll resist especially if you and Yeul are there, what do you say?"

"Thanks Herc! You're the best." Luna beamed ecstatically.

"So how's your training going so far Luna?" Sora asked changing the topic completely.

"Oh, that's right! I've been thinking Sora and…" Luna twirled around to stand in front of him, "I'd like to take on the games by myself if you don't mind."

"What? Why?" Sora asked though he felt he already knew the answer.

"It's just that I feel like the only way I can truly test out my abilities is if I go it alone. Not saying that I don't want you around but I want to see how far I can go by myself. I also, if I get the chance, want to fight you." Luna replied seeming to glance back and forth between him and Meg as she spoke.

As Sora listened to her reason, his subtle smile grew into an overwhelming chuckle causing Luna to raise an eyebrow in response, "It's just that I remember when I wanted to challenge Herc, I asked Donald and Goofy to sit out of the fight because I wanted to prove something to myself," Herc also chuckled as Sora referred to the time he challenged Herc solo, "Of course you can Luna and fighting you does seem like an exciting thing to do anyway. I can't wait to see what happens when you're not holding back…" Sora paused for a second, "I'll still beat you anyway." He added quickly.

"Oh you wish." Luna retorted in a similar manner.

Sora pulled down an eyelid and stuck his tongue out, "Race you to the arena!" With that he turned on his heel and sprinted off down the tunnel.

"Hey, that's no fair." Luna complained following behind in an effort to catch up to him.

Meg watched as the two headed off for the arena with a sincere look, "Kids. Look at them, so full of life. I wish I could have enjoyed life as much as them back then."

"You're talking like you're an old woman. You still have a lot of life left in you." Herc placed his hands on her shoulder allowing her to lean her head against his hand.

"I think I might be becoming one with the way I keep worrying about you and your fights wonderboy."

Arriving at the Coliseum, Luna shared with Sora the contents of her dream. Sora listened in closely as she broke down the dream and gave her own thoughts on it bit by bit.

"And you've had this type of dream before? Without the man in the black coat. Well, let's not worry about it too much, it's just a dream. Maybe you're just worried is all, you have been training a lot recently. It's not like it's real right?" Sora comforted her.

"That's what they usually say before they find out it is real." Luna joked but inside hoping that Sora had not actually jinxed her luck.

Sora and Luna did not have to do much before they would encounter Yeul again. Apollo had personally visited them on his chariot to inform them that he would bring Yeul to watch the games. They could wait for the inevitable meeting though. They did have training to do after all. Through the days, Sora and Luna practiced their magic and defensive skills with Sora having Luna prioritise her dodging skills rather than her guarding skills. Luna continued her training in the morning alone by going on jogs through Thebes and back. The occasional Heartless that popped up disrupting the town was also an additional way of staying on top. Eventually Luna, found herself getting sore and decided to take the rest of the days off until the tournament started biding her time by having fun with Hercules, Meg, Sora, Jiminy and Kupopo.

This left Sora by himself to mainly continue with practicing his own Gravity spell, which he was not too good at. He had been able to replicate a larger area of field to trap enemies in before when he had first started his journey but after he had woken up in the pod in Twilight Town had forgotten most of his magic. He had never tried to relearn Gravity until a few months ago prior to the defeat of the thirteen darknesses. Even then, he had relied on it very little and certainly wasn't as good with it as Aqua or Riku.

In the coming days before the tournament, Sora had also demonstrated the Reflect spell to Luna though he certainly did not expect to teach her it in time. For one, it was one of the most complicated spells he had learned. He could barely hold his up for a second before letting ago and he knew that he would need to go over the spell with Aqua when he saw her again. For now though he had told Luna to focus on making her curative magic more effective so she wouldn't have to waste potions.

Indeed Sora was so preoccupied with focusing on improving his own magic, that he hadn't noticed that the day of the games were finally upon them. By noon, Sora could hear the cheers and yells of the crowd as he sat in the lobby along with Luna.

"Okay, you two are in different divisions. Sora, you're A-block and Luna is B," Phil explained walking back and forth in front of them, "That's the best way that you'll face each other. As long as you win all you're matches, you'll eventually meet in the finals. Of course then after one of you win you fight Herc, capice?"

"Understood. So what's the competition like?" Luna inquired.

"The usual." Phil said flashing Sora a look of sympathy.

"Ah, Heartless." Sora answered for her.

"Why would Heartless want to enter the games?" A chuckle of surprise escaped Luna's mouth.

"No idea, but at least it gives us the chance to clear up some of Heartless roaming about in the area." Sora said getting up and stretching.

"There's also that other guy. I wonder which division he'll be in." Luna stated referring to Kuja.

"It's starting. Remember, especially you Luna, don't push yourself too hard. Know when to retreat and then come back when you're ready. It's time to see what you can do from all that training. Most importantly, two more words of advice for both of you: Don't die on me!" Phil finished as the cheering of the crowd became louder.

Sora was first. Giving Luna a reassuring look, he walked off down the tunnel. The tunnel split off into different directions which would lead to the different ward where Sora would fight. Sora followed the signs and turned left at the next split pathway. The tunnel seemed to twist and revolve around the coliseum itself. Sora had never been down this way before but as he emerged to the cheering of the crowd, he found the size and shape of this partition of the arena to be an exact replica of the other one.

Sora played to the crowd and waved with glee. He had never admitted it to Donald and Goofy, but he did enjoy the atmosphere presented at the Coliseum. He could only hope that Luna didn't have stage fright.

"You're all going down." Sora grinned as the first round of Heartless appeared. Summoning his Keyblade, Sora slide dashed into the Soldier Heartless before taking out the other Heartless with a few slices of the Kingdom Key.

"Record time I think, heh." Sora rubbed under his nose and smirked before holding his Keyblade up to the crowd.

Back at the lobby, Luna was standing by the entrance of the tunnel, awaiting Phil's go-ahead. Sora had been gone for fifteen minutes already with Luna having no doubt in her mind that he was doing amazingly well, especially if Heartless were involved. Now, her mind turned to Yeul.

Where is she? Didn't that Apollo guy say he'd bring her around today? Luna turned around and walked over to the other door. Opening it, she peered out scanning the area for signs of the girl but she saw none.

"Looks like it's your turn. Do me proud okay?" Phil said loudly as he came back from the tunnel. Luna closed the door and nodded before walking past Phil and down the short tunnel. Compared with Sora, she only had to keep heading straight before she saw a bright light up ahead. With the dark tunnel behind her, she proceeded onto the arena's paved floors and looked at the crowd around her. She figured one of the best chances of getting through the tournament was to play to the crowd's appeasement in the preliminary rounds which would hopefully end up encouraging motivation.

"Yeul!" Luna eyes widened as she quickly caught sight of the familiar girl sitting at the bottom of the stands to her left. She walked over and gave a smile at the girl who smiled back although rather shyly.

Hearing a sound all too familiar to her, she turned around in time to roll out of the way from a Large Body's jumping shockwave attacked. The crowd gave a chorused gasp of 'ooh' from the close call.

"Oh come on, I didn't even know the match had started. Darn Heartless just can't wait to be taken out." She growled to herself before she set off on a sprint with both arms behind her and her head forward. She dodged the oncoming projectiles of fire and lightning bolts that were sent at her before slicing through Red Nocturnes and Yellow Operas responsible, she turned on her heel and jumped backward casting Gravity on the Large Body. A small spherical field appeared from the Heatless' body, and while it did not flatten it as she had expected, it did slow the Heartless down considerably to the point where it seemed to be moving in slow motion.

I'll definitely need to work on that. Luna made a mental note before dashing in and repeatedly creating a ring of fire around her to take out the Large Body.

The crowd cheered with approval and Luna wasted no time giving the crowd the best smile she could possibly muster. Surprisingly, she found the smile to be genuinely happy rather than forced. The next two following matches were the rest of the preliminaries which Luna easily handled. She ended up walking back down to the lobby with a broad smile on her face, one that could not so easily be restrained. As she walked into the tunnel she stopped and stared at the man in front of her, and he stared back. He had a mysterious air about him and his possessed a strange calmness about him that seemed to make Luna trust him. His eyes were half obscured by silver rimmed and blue tinted sunglasses though his unchanging and simple smile told Luna that he wanted to talk to her.

"Nice weather today, isn't it?" The man said eventually throwing Luna off guard, "The name's Auron. I'm a… friend of Sora's."

"Auron, so you're the one Sora was talking about. Also how did you know I knew him?" Luna questioned Auron.

"I didn't. You just confirmed it for me. The best I could do was guess since you two wield similar weapons," Auron told her before walking up to her. He eventually stopped to the side of her, "I look forward to fighting you."

"So you're-" Luna stopped mid-sentence and watched as Auron closed his remaining eye, gave a slight chuckle and then walked off towards the coliseum arena.

"What's the deal with that guy?" Luna eyed his back as he walked off before shrugging and continuing on to the lobby.

Hurray for the most awesome villain *cough* of all time, Kuja! I actually had not expected to put him in here but we needed a rather poetical character to fill the annoying jrpg character role and who better than monkey boy himself, except here he doesn't actually have a tail. Also, possibly an Auron fight? o.o

Also Xanatos expanding his corporation into Radiant Garden makes me think of some vs thread I once read: Who would you rather work for? Xanatos Industries, Stark Industries or Wayne Enterprises? I personally would pick Xanatos Industries since they look like they'd treat their employees right.

Next time, Olympus Coliseum comes to its conclusion, Yoichi Wada gets fired and I'm a happy camper. Come on Square, you can do better.