Riku, Denahi, and Ajay stood before Persophone in her garden. There was nothing but flowers, nature and woodland animals dancing around her. She stood up with a kind smile and walked towards the boys.
"You three look like strong young men. Tell me, have you three been in many battles?" she asked.
"Unfortunately many." replied Riku.
"Not much." said Denahi.
"I just started my journey, my lady. But I have been trained to become a worthy Keyblade Master in the future." said Ajay.
"Good, because we are going to need your help. Snow White is in mortal danger. Her wicked stepmother, Queen Grimhilde has returned from the bottomless depths of Hell to bring nothing but chaos in the world. My Husband intended to keep her locked up forever, but she escaped." said Persophone.
"How did she get away?" asked Riku.
"Darkness. That is all I can say." said Persophone.
"Of course. Why am I not surprised." said Denahi.
"The Mirror could have been responsible. The Queen called it a spirit." said Ajay.
"Yes. The Mirror. It was created to lure people to their deaths but why he brought Grimhilde back, I'm not sure." said Persophone.
"Where is Snow White now?" asked Riku.
"In the clutches of my Husband unfortunately." replied Persophone.
"Figured." said Riku.
"Who is your husband? Perhaps we can reason with him to let Snow White go, whoever she is." said Denahi.
Persephone blinked her eyes in surprise. "You don't know who Snow White is?" she asked.
"I'm actually from another world." replied Denahi rather proudly. Riku slapped his forehead. Ajay chuckled under his breath, but Persophone looked as if she understood.
"I see. Well, she is one of the Princesses of Heart. Special maidens that have the power to protect the worlds, next to the Keyblade Wielders." said Persophone.
"She's a big deal huh?" replied Denahi.
"Then why does your Husband have her instead of Grimhilde?" asked Ajay.
"My Husband is the lord of the dead himself. He is known as Pluto or Hades." said Persophone.
Riku felt like he was punched in the stomach. He couldn't believe what he just heard. "Pardon me, but what was that name again?" asked Riku.
"Pluto. In some realms, he is known as Hades." said Persophone.
"Then, you are from another world too." said Riku.
Persephone smiled. "My Husband comes in many forms. He is originally from Olympus. But I was born here in the Dwarf Woodlands. You see, our world has our own lore too you know. Dwarfs from ancient times helped make this world what it is today." said Persophone.
"I'm confused. Are you saying that you are not really from around here?" asked Denahi.
"I hate to interrupt this history lesson, but we do have a Princess to rescue." said Ajay.
"You mean the Queen." said Denahi.
"Look who's paying attention." said Ajay smiling.
Riku folded his arms and looked at Goddess with confusion. "So what is it you intend for us to do? You want us to go to the Underworld to save Snow White? Or do you want Grimhilde to be dealt with?" asked Riku.
"That's right. Why did you bring Grimhilde into this?" asked Ajay.
"Snow White is the key to stopping her." replied Persophone.
"How do we go to the underworld?" asked Denahi.
Riku shook his head. "It's in another world. We have to travel far from the Wayfinders guide." said Riku.
"Oh you don't need to go to Olympus to get to the Underworld. You see, my Husband has a summer home here in this world." said Persophone.
"He does? Geez, that's breaking the laws." said Ajay.
"My Husband is not a fan of laws." replied Persophone.
A portal was opened, and the boys went inside a long hollow hallway to reach the Underworld. "This is a pain." groaned Riku.
"I'll say. We didn't exactly come here to save people." said Ajay.
"But I admit, it's interesting to see how these worlds have different laws in time and space." said Denahi.
"I'm surprised you are not troubled by all this. Normally, people would have an existential crisis after learning what's out beyond our homes." said Ajay.
"Back home, the Spirits have their own world. We are split between the spiritual and the physical. Plus, I was always taught there were worlds within worlds. Such as bees when they work for honey, or the animals that live and breathe in the forests." said Denahi.
Ajay nodded with agreement. "That makes a lot of sense."
Just then, Riku stopped them on their tracks. The boys listened in and they heard a conversation. A very loud conversation between Hades and …. Snow White?
"You cannot keep me in here forever! Your wickedness will never keep me here." shouted a young woman's voice. It was very high pitched, but with a warm and fuzzy feeling. The boys poked their heads slightly from the wall to see Snow White herself holding what appeared to be a sword decorated with diamonds and facing against Hades.
Hades was not exactly as Riku remembered him from the past. Hades looked very pale, with a black goatee and wearing red and blue tights, the style of this world. Hades may have taken this form to hide from under the watchful gaze of the world's light. But the only thing Hades still had was his tongue. He spoke exactly as Riku remembered.
"Listen sweet cheeks. I'm just trying to use you as a ticket to take Grimhilde back here. After I lock that old biddy up with the other dead beat stepmothers, then I'll let you go. Free as a dove." said Hades.
"You want Grimhilde back here?" asked Snow White. She lowered her guard slightly, but she didn't budge. "How did she escape?" she asked.
"Her meddling boyfriend came to rescue her. The Magic Mirror as he is known." said Hades.
"You mean that horrible man that lured Grimhilde to darkness. How cruel. Then why don't you do something about it? You're the supposed Lord of the Dead are you not?" asked Snow White.
"Listen sweet thing. Your demonic stepmother will sense me a mile away. That Mirror of hers sees all that happens in the land, except here. I'll use you and she won't have a choice but to appear." said Hades.
"Where does that leave me then?" asked Snow White.
"I don't know. Maybe she gets you before I get her perhaps? But that's okay. I'll get two for the price of one!" said Hades.
"You despicable monster!" cried Denahi coming out of the shadows. He pulled his spear, stood in front of Snow White, defending her and pointed the tip of the spear towards Hades's chin.
"The heck are you?" cried Hades.
"You are going to use this poor girl as bait?! You're a coward!" cried Denahi.
Hades then fumed with anger and he grew massive. His blue and red tights were gone, replaced by a long black cloak. His skin turned blue and his head was set aflame with red flames.
"YOU DARE INSULT ME!?" he cried.
Riku got out and summoned his Keyblade along with Ajay. They both quickly hit Hades and he tumbled backward to his chair.
"Run for it!" cried Denahi to Snow. He pulled her hand and they ran out. Ajay and Riku stood their ground against the angry Hades. He got up slowly and looked at Riku with instant shock and recognition.
"Well if it ain't the emo brat! So you turned to the good side eh? Stupid kid. Face the wrath of the big cheese of the underworld!" cried Hades.
Riku hit Hades on the face and Ajay blew an ice spell from his Sleeping Lion Keyblade. Hades was frozen in place and the boys ran for it.
After they ran, Persephone herself appeared and thawed out her husband.
"I told you that I had this under control dear. With Riku and his cohorts out there, they will bring Grimhilde back to you and you will lock her away." said Persophone.
"Plotting behind my back again?" asked Hades.
"Please. I do it all the time. And I'm doing you a favor." said Persophone, folding her arms.
"Well this plan of yours better be worth it. If Grimhilde doesn't come back and fix the count of souls in the Underworld, then I'll go after her and set the world aflame!" cried Hades.
"But the people and the animals!" cried Persophone in horror.
"You'll recreate them! You are the Goddess of Spring are you not?" asked Hades, gesturing with his two fingers.
Persephone nodded in despair and Hades began to laugh hysterically.