The Nobody of Ever After High

by Cloud4012

All Roxas wanted was to exist, once he merged with Sora he thought his journey was over. Now he is pulled into a world where the children of fairy tales can choose their destiny. Will this Nobody finally find what he is looking for and what surprises will this new life have for him? Roxas has faced many challenges, but Ever After High is nothing like anything he's ever faced.

127. Desert Empire

Chapter 126: Desert Empire

Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. First off I want to give a big shout out to Superherotimefan who helped me write this chapter. He really came up with some good ideas for this one. Thanks a lot man. Also I want to say how thrilled I am to see this story now has over 1,000 Reviews! Thanks for all the support guys! You rock! I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.

On the Tempest, everyone was relaxing after the crazy and wild mission in the Storybook forest.

"I can't believe that little bunny Boingo was a criminal." Briar said.

"Neither could we. It was that insane." Duchess said.

"But in the end, we locked that bunny up and all those goodie shops are back in business." Ginger said.

"Feels good knowing you were a big help wasn't it?" Holly asks.

"Yeah it kinda was. Granny even gave me a copy of her snicker doodle recipe." Ginger smiles.

"Ooh those were delicious." Bunny smiles.

"Think you can make some for us sometime?" Goofy asks.

"You bet." Ginger nods.

As she got up to get a snack her mirrorphone beeped meaning she got a text.

Looking at it she saw it was from Rin that read. "Saw you on Blondie's Blog, awesome moves."

"Ooh looks like Ginger has a fan." Brooke said.

"That Rin boy sure does like talking to her that's for sure." The female narrator said.

Little did they know Kitty heard that.

"Meow." Kitty grins getting an idea.

In the back, Cerise was looking at herself in the mirror.

Pulling her hood down, she looks at herself in her wolf ears and smiles.

"While you look better with the hood on I gotta admit. You pull off those ears well." Turning around Cerise saw Ramona lean against the door.

"Better than you trying to rock this." Cerise chuckles.

"Just talked to mom and dad, they were really going off about how much they were blown away by us." Ramona said walking in. "And a few other things."

"Oh yeah?" Cerise asks curious.

"Let's just say one of them was based on your love life situation." Ramona teases.

"Oh no." Cerise said not needing this.

"Yeah I'll leave you to deal with that one." Ramona said as Cerise put her hood on and walked out.

As everyone was eating snacks, Cerise noticed Roxas eating some sea salt ice cream.

"Don't you ever get tired of that?" Cerise asks walking over.

"Not after a mission." Roxas smiles as she took one.

"Roxas, this was by far one of the craziest missions we've done and we've done lots of crazy ones before." Cerise said.

"Even so you and Ramona really stepped up this time. And if I'm being honest…you looked really amazing back there when you took on Resecix." Roxas said.

"She was really into you." Cerise said.

"Yeah well too bad, there's only one wolf girl for me." Roxas smiles.

"Hey Roxas, you think when we get back to Ever After High you and I could maybe go out?" Cerise asks.

"It's a date." Roxas nods.

"Well in that case, I just have one thing left to do." Cerise said.

"What—" Before Roxas could finish Cerise gave him a kiss on the lips interrupting him.

"That's for everything." Cerise winks.

"Anytime." Roxas blushes softly.

In another part of the main room, Ginger was eating some Sea Salt Ice cream for her first successful mission.

"Mmm how does this taste even better after a mission?" Ginger asks.

"It just does." Duchess shrugs when suddenly all their mirrorphones vibrated showing they all got an email.

"What's this?" Sora asks.

"It's from my mom?" Apple said surprised.

"Why would your mom send us all the same email?" Raven asks as Apple opens it.

"Dear daughter, friends, other. Wait what's other?" Briar asks.

"Me." Roxas assumes.

"What? No you're not…" Lea looks to Roxas who narrows his eyes. "Okay maybe you are."

"Just keep reading it Apple." Ashlynn suggests.

"You are all invited to my annual ball, black tie and dresses required. An amazing night of food, drink and dancing. I hope you all can attend, especially you Apple." Apple read.

"Wow, I actually got an invite. You guys really are changing my destiny." Faybelle said impressed.

"Snow White's annual ball, wow what's the reason?" Darling asks.

"I might have an idea." Raven cringed.

"If she thinks this is how she's gonna win me back it's not going to work." Apple said walking out of the room.

"Apple?" Daring calls out to her but she didn't answer.

"Whoa, what's going on?" Sora asks.

"Well…Apple and her mom have been arguing. When Snow White found out about Apple's hands she immediately blamed Roxas and now Apple's angry at her and pushing her away." Raven admits surprising everyone.

"Whoa, Apple?" Ashlynn said not expecting that.

"That's tough. How is she handling it?" Kitty asks.

"Not well as you could see." Raven gestures to the door.

"Man Apple and her mom's relationship is almost as bad you and your mom's used to be. Uh no offense Raven." Briar said.

"None taken." Raven said.

"Yeah well I don't blame Apple for hating her mom. Ever since day one she's hated everything about Roxas. She tried to throw him in mirror prison." Xion said.

"Yeah well Roxas punching her in the face didn't help." Namine recalls.

"Oh yeah I remember that." Sora recalls.

"Maybe Apple needs a nice cup of tea and good friends." Maddie suggests pulling out a teapot.

"I don't think this is a problem we can help with." Hopper said.

"Hopper's right, this is a family issue." Raven said speaking from experience.

"Still wish we could help." Darling said.

---

In the back area of the Tempest, Apple was looking out the window at the stars and sighs.

Taking out her mirrorphone she looks at the invite email her mom sent and part of her wanted to just delete it.

"Man the way Apple is dealing with this." Brooke said.

"I know, she's struggling just like Raven was with her mom." The female narrator said.

She was about to hit the trash button when she felt a tap on her shoulder startling.

Yelping Apple turns around only to see Roxas.

"Easy it's just me." Roxas said holding up his hands in defense.

"Oh sorry Roxas." Apple said as she put her phone with the invite still there.

"You doing alright? You kinda stormed out after your mom's email." Roxas asks.

"I don't know, I'm just dealing with some stuff. My mom she just…makes things so difficult and I just don't understand why she can't accept you." Apple said letting out a frustrated groan.

"Well to be fair the two of us had a really bad start. She tried to make me a criminal, I punched her, I became your Prince Charming and she got furious when she found out you were sharing me with other girls, you couldn't use your hands for weeks, the list goes on and on." Roxas said counting with his fingers.

"Look I know you and my mom don't have the best history but I just wish she would at least try. That's all you ever do." Apple said.

"Some things are just beyond our control. Imagine if you brought me to her ball." Roxas said.

"Well if she doesn't want you there, she won't get me either. Maybe on the night of the ball you and I can have our own magical evening." Apple suggests.

"Wow. You must really love me to go this far." Roxas smiles causing her to giggle.

"Hmm maybe." Apple giggles. "But seriously. I don't want to keep hearing from my mom about how much she hates you."

"But do you really want to push her out of your life?" Roxas asks.

"Of course not, but I-I don't know it's like my heart is telling me so many different things I don't know what to do." Apple admits.

"Well maybe I can help you somewhere along the line." Roxas offers.

"I'd like that." Apple said.

"We'll figure this out but until then." Leaning in Roxas kisses her on the cheek. "Just try and think about it."

"I will." Apple said as Roxas walked out.

As he closed the door she let out a sigh and leaned against the wall.

"That's my Prince Charming." Apple smiles feeling a little better.

That night as everyone slept in their beds, we look to Apple's bed to see her roll over in her sleep dreaming about a memory.

Flashback.

It was a few days after the visit to the Legacy Orchard and she and Roxas were at the Bookball field as Roxas gave her his idea to train her.

"You think I should learn magic?" Apple asks as Roxas walked up to her.

"Yeah, I remember you said you weren't really interested in the whole swords and shields sort of thing but I think Magic is the perfect weapon for you." Roxas said.

"I don't know Roxas, I mean magic is more from Raven's side of the story." Apple said.

"Come on Apple, you can't honestly say you're not a little interested." Roxas said.

"Well maybe...but I'm a Royal. I don't know how to do this kind of stuff." Apple said.

"Well that's what you have me for." Roxas chuckles walking up to her. "The great thing about magic is that you don't need much of this." Roxas said gestutring to his arm muscles. "You just need a little heart and plenty of this." Reaching out Roxas pokes Apple on the forehead.

"Well maybe a few spells." Apple smiles.

"That's what I want to hear." Roxas said standing next to her. "Now this is the first spell everyone learns. Watch me. Fire!" Holding his his hand Roxas launches a small fireball that flew out and blew up the target.

"Whoa." Apple said amazed.

"Now you try. Focus all your magic into one point and release it all at once." Roxas instructs.

Taking a stance, Apple holds her hand out. "Fire!" However from her hand only a small candle flame appeared but fell short not even halfway to the target.

"Try again." Roxas suggests.

After an hour of practice, Apple's candle flame had only grown a little bit but each time she fired it never reached the target.

Panting heavily, Apple sat down exahusted. "Ugh! Why can't I do this?! It's impossible!"

"It's not impossible Apple, it's just hard." Roxas said.

"Maybe I wasn't meant to be a fighter." Apple said when Roxas got down on his knees and lifted her head up so she could look him in the eyes.

"Hey, I'm not giving up on you alright. You wanted me to teach you magic well I'm not stopping until you can. You hear me?" Roxas asks.

"Are you serious?" Apple asks.

"Apple I promise, as long as you need help with magic. I'll be there to help you every step of the way." Roxas smiles.

Smiling Apple stands up full of confidence.

"Okay let's do this. I am gonna make that fireball and I will not stop until I do." Apple said.

"That's what I wanna hear." Roxas said as they got back to training.

Flashback End:

"And he never did give up on her." Brooke said.

"Roxas stuck by Apple until she became one of the Forever After Fighter's best magic users." The male narrator said.

---

The next morning as all of them were either eating breakfast or sitting down they were looking at the World Map to see it was revealing a new world in danger.

Sipping his orange juice, Roxas opens to see the world Icon was huge desert world with multiple castles in it.

"Hmm the Desert Empire." Roxas read.

"Reminds me of Agrabah." Sora said.

"Yeah but this one is a lot bigger than Agrabah." Lea said.

"Count me out, I don't think I could handle this kind of world." Meeshell cringed.

"A mermaid in a desert? Now that is madness." Maddie said.

"And not the fun kind." Courtly said.

"I don't think my beanstalks would work in an area that dry." Jillian cringed as well.

"Still we better head over." Kairi said.

"Man I was hoping to head back to the Twilight Mansion." Donald said.

"Hey Lizzie." Roxas said looking to her. "You think you can do that thing you did for Storybook Forest again?"

"Sure thing." Nodding Lizzie took out her deck of cards and shuffled it around before 10 cards shot out and landed in front of the world icon.

"Let's see joining Roxas and Blondie on the mission are Merida, Riku, Namine, Briar, Raven, Faybelle, Humphrey and…Apple?" Lizzie said surprised looking at the last card.

"Sweet my first mission." Merida smiles.

"You ready for this?" Sparrow asks as Merida grabbed her bow and strapped it to her back.

"More than ready." She grins.

"Aw man can't I sit this one out?" Humphrey asks.

"Come on Humphrey you can do it." Namine said.

"I'd offer to take your place, but I don't think my beanstalks would be of much help in a world like this." Jillian said.

'Alright first mission since the accident. I can do this.' Apple thought determined.

"Dexter, set a course for the Desert Empire." Roxas said.

"You got it." Dexter said finishing his bowl of cereal before heading over to the controls.

"It's rare that a world calls for 4 keyblade wielders." Riku said looking at the icon.

"Think you can handle it?" Cupid asks walking up to him.

"I can, I just hope the others can too." Riku smirks.

"Well look at it like this. At least they know they have you ready to back them up." Cupid said.

"Thanks Cupid." Riku smiles giving her a hug before they eventually arrived at the new world.

---

Exiting the Tempest a bright light engulfs everyone causing Roxas, Apple, Raven, Briar, Faybelle, Humphrey, Riku, Namine and Merida to get long sleeved robe like clothing with armor pads and shoes suited for the desert.

"Whoa what's with this?" Merida asks looking at herself.

"Guess this world thought we needed clothes better suited for the heat." Briar said.

"Well lot of good this does; this place is boiling!" Faybelle said covering her eyes from the sun.

"Funny, Daring said the same thing when we first went to Agrabah." Apple recalls.

"Oh god, I didn't know places could get this hot." Merida pants.

"You sure you're up for this, Apple? You just took off your bandages." Raven said.

"My hands will be fine, in case you're wondering. When I was first learning magic I didn't even have a staff." Apple said.

"Just be careful. We don't want you to make those scars worse." Roxas advises.

Walking through the sand they arrive at a heavily fortressed city but the gate was wide open.

Entering they saw several people, either unconscious or being taken away.

"Well, it looks like something happened here." Riku noted, looking around.

"Big fight, by the looks of it." Merida said when she saw many people in armor taking away other people in robes.

In a clearing they saw a man with black hair, brown armor and looking at a beautiful dagger in his hands. This was Dastan.

"Excuse me." Briar calls out as they walked over.

"Who are you? Not against us, are you?" Dastan asks alarmed.

"No, not at all. We just wanted to know what was going on." Roxas asks.

"And as for who we are, I'm Roxas this is Apple, Raven, Briar, Faybelle, Riku, Merida, Blondie and Namine." Roxas introduced.

"Well, my name is Dastan, a prince of Persia. You're lucky you weren't here earlier. We just captured this city, Alamut. They were forging weapons to attack our kingdom." He explained surprising them.

"Wow, sounds like a story and you stopped them with an army like this?" Blondie asks.

"Just took down the last of them. They had this on them. Quite the design huh?" Dastan asks showing them the dagger.

"Is that one of the weapons they were forging?" Namine asks.

"It must be, but it looks different from what my uncle showed me and my brothers." Dastan said.

"Prince Dastan!"

Everyone turned to see a man with long hair in armor running over. This was Bis.

"Bis, what's going on?" Dastan asks.

"Our men are surrounding the palace," Bis said before he noticed the Forever After Fighters. "Who are these?"

"Just a group of young travelers. Is the battle over?" Dastan asks when suddenly Several Banding Heartless appeared completely surrounding them.

"Guess not yet," Raven said, drawing the Rebellia Blade.

"What are these?!" Dastan said in shock.

"Not friends." Roxas said drawing Fairy Champion alongside Namine and Riku summoned Braveheart. "We'll handle them."

Charging in the three keyblade wielders attacked clashing weapons with the Bandits and knocking them back.

"So brave, you are truly allies of Persia," Dastan said as he strapped the dagger to his belt and drew his sword. "Charge!"

Faybelle summoned Spellbinder, Briar drew her sword and staff, and Merida drew her bow while Apple and Humphrey were in the back with Blondie.

"Okay here we go." Humphrey said summoning his shield and taking out an egg bomb.

As Merida fired multiple arrows at one Heartless it struggles to block them allowing Namine to charge in and slash it destroying it.

Clashing weapons, Namine, Riku and Roxas overpower the bandits and destroy them.

"Thundaga!" Briar holds up her staff and releases a powerful electric attack sending one flying back towards Faybelle who counters with her own dark magic crushing the Heartless in between both magical attacks.

"Wow good thing you aren't from this city, I would have been in trouble." Dastan said when he noticed one coming at Raven from behind. "Look out!" Tossing his sword it impaled the Heartless destroying it.

"Thanks." Raven said when she fired a blast from her Rebellia blade destroying a Heartless about to attack Dastan. "And now we're even."

"Heads up!" Humphrey yells tossing his egg bombs in the air they dropped down on the Heartless making them stagger.

As they clashed Briar and Roxas ended up finding their backs to each other.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Roxas asks.

"Oh yeah!" Briar said as they raised their weapons.

"Rose Dream!" Both yelled creating a storm of rose petals that smashed into all the Heartless launching them into the sky.

"Everyone fire!" Briar yells as they unleashed blasts of magic, arrows, daggers and egg bombs making all the Heartless explode into dark fireworks.

"Now that finale was just right." Blondie smiles.

"Great job everyone." Apple said when she saw one more Heartless charging in for an attack. "Look out!" Apple summons her staff but cringed slightly in pain not used to holding it again.

As the Bandit swings it swords, Apple blocks it and staggers back.

The Heartless was about to attack when Bis sliced it in half destroying it.

"That was close. Are you alright?" Bis asks concerned.

"Um, yes. Thanks." Apple said, now feeling embarrassed.

"Not much you could do." Faybelle retorted.

"Don't make fun of her. She's trying." Roxas glared.

At that moment, horns sounded off.

"Wh-What's that?" Humphrey asks.

"They are taking the palace. This fight is over." Dastan said.

"Come, let us join your brothers." Bis said.

"Only if our newest allies to Persia come along." Dastan said surprising the Forever After Fighters.

"You mean it?" Namine asked.

"Once my brothers hear of what you are capable of, they will gladly welcome you." Dastan smiled.

"Thank you." Roxas said.

"Come on. We mustn't keep Tus and Garsiv waiting." Dastan said leading them to the palace.

Everyone smiled as they followed Dastan and Bis with Apple in the back.

'I can't let this keep me down. I need to show them I can still help.' Apple thought.

---

Arriving at the palace, Dastan made his way to the main room with the Forever After Fighters right behind him.

"Step aside, I need to get to the front. Excuse us." Dastan said as they entered to see two men in armor and an elderly man approaching a woman in white robes covering her face. These were Garsiv and Tus, Dastan's brothers, Nizam their uncle and Tamina the Princess of Alamut.

"Silly songs and scented smoke could do little for you now." Garsiv said pushing away the incense when Tamina pulls out a dagger to try and get him but Nizam stops her.

"I think you'll find there's more to her than that, hey Garsiv?" Nizam teases.

"Quick save." Raven said impressed.

"My uncle fought alongside my father for years. He's used to this kind of thing." Dastan whispers as Tus approached Tamina and pulled down her hood revealing a beautiful face with long black hair that even had jewels braided into her hair causing man of the soldiers to be astounded by her beauty.

"Whoa for a girl in robes she knows how to accessorize." Faybelle said impressed.

"So for once, the stories are true." Tus said causing the soldiers to laugh.

"We know you secretly build weapons for enemies of Persia. Now show us where." Nizam orders.

"We have no forges and what weapons we have you overcame." Tamina said.

"Our spy says differently." Garsiv said. "You can save a lot of pain if…"

"All the pain in the world will not help you find something that does not exist." Tamina interrupts.

"Spoken like one wise enough to consider a political solution." Tus said stepping forward. "Join hands with Persia's Future King."

"I'll die first." Tamina said causing everyone from Ever After to groan.

"Ooh burn." Raven said.

As Tamina looks over to them she notices the dagger strapped to Dastan's side causing her eyes to widen.

"That can be arranged." Tus said as a soldier raised his sword to end her.

"Don't!" Tamina calls out stopping him. "Prince Tus…Promise me, the people of Alamut will be treated with mercy."

Hearing this Tus smiles as he orders the soldiers to stand down and kisses her hand causing the soldiers to cheer.

---

Walking out of the palace, Dastan handed the FAFs some water.

"Here drink up. You can never have enough water." Dastan offers.

"Thanks." Riku said as they all took big gulps.

"What was that back there?" Raven asks.

"Well clearly the princess feared for the life of her people more than herself so she married that guy to keep them safe." Briar said.

"Yeah but then why did she say she would rather die than marry Tus?" Riku asks.

"If you knew my brother you'd know why she said no to marrying him." Dastan chuckles.

"Oh thanks a lot Dastan." Tus laughs walking over. "Am I that unbearable to be around?"

"Only sometimes." Dastan laughs as they hug.

"Who are these young ones?" Tus asks noticing them.

"Friends, got into a bit of situation near the gate during the battle. They saved my life."

"Well then, you all have my thanks and gratitude for saving my brother." Tus said giving them a small bow in thanks.

"Happy to help." Raven said.

"Awfully young to be fighters. What were you doing here anyway?" Tus asks.

"It's kinda what we do sir. We travel all over helping people." Apple said.

"Ah nomads. I can respect that. Dastan they're calling you Lion of Persia because of that stunt you pulled. You've never excelled at following orders." Tus said turning to his brother.

"I have some explaining to do, Tus. I…" Dastan started but Tus stopped him.

"No. No." Tus laughs wrapping his arm around his brother's neck. "No, you have some celebrating to do. There is however, tradition. Since you took the honor of first assault, you owe me a gift, homage." Tus said when he noticed the dagger. "A beautiful dagger." Tus said admiring it.

"He delivered you the city and the princess. I think that's homage enough." Nizam said taking the dagger and handing it back to Dastan.

"I suppose it is." Tus said.

"First dispatches just arrived, my prince. Wonderful news. Your father's interrupted his prayers
in the eastern palace to join us.

"No doubt to commend this on our great victory." Tus chuckles looking at it. "Dastan as a reward for helping you why don't you invite your new friends to our celebration?"

"Seriously?" Briar said as they all smile.

"We can come?" Faybelle asks.

"I think that can be arranged." Dastan smiles before gesturing to Nizam. "Uncle, meet my new friends. They are amazingly gifted fighters."

"Well then I suppose we are lucky you weren't on the opposite side." Nizam said.

"My friends we have time before the celebration how about you use this time to go explore the city?" Dastan suggests.

Nodding all of them got up and walked away.

"Very interesting indivduals." Nizam said.

"You should see their weapons. Very unique swords, kinda look like keys." Dastan said.

"Keys? Are you sure you got a good look at them Dastan?" Tus asks.

Nizam on the other had eyes widen in shock. "Yes the very idea is…unbelievable."

"Seems like Uncle Nizam knows more than he's letting on." Brooke said.

"The only question is what does he know?" The male narrator asks.

---

In town, Raven, Apple and Briar were looking around and saw quite a few soldiers relaxing after the battle.

"Man quite the army. No wonder Alamat lost." Briar said.

"They should count themselves lucky they didn't run into any heartless." Raven said.

"At leas they can fight." Apple said tightening her fist.

"Apple, these things take time." Raven said.

"Yeah soon you'll be your normal magic casting self." Briar said.

"But what if I can't? I thought my hands were healed up but once I grabbed my staff they hurt. What if I have to leave the team?" Apple asks.

"Hey don't you talk like that." Raven said as they turned to her. "Apple you are going to figure this out. You're too tough to let a little hand pain get you down."

"Yeah you just need to get used to holding the staff again." Briar said putting a hand on her shoulder. "And until you do consider me and Raven your support."

"Really?" Apple smiles.

"Best Friends Forever after." Raven said.

Smiling Apple couldn't help but feel much better.

In another part of town, Riku, Merida, Blondie, Faybelle and Humphrey were looking around and among the homes they saw many shops but not a single forge or weapons shop.

"Something doesn't add up." Riku said.

"Yeah, they said this place was supplying weapons to their enemies, but there's not a single forge anywhere." Merida said.

"Heck there are more shrines than shops here. This doesn't look like they could be anyone's enemy." Faybelle said.

"Maybe the forges are hidden somewhere. They did say this place did it in secret." Blondie said.

"They wouldn't have weapons out in the open." Humphrey said.

"Even so, I'm not sure about all this. The Princess herself said they had no forges and I don't think she was lying." Riku said.

"So what you think they attacked this place for no reason?" Merida asks.

"I'm not sure." Riku said.

Finally, Roxas and Namine were in the upper areas looking out to see the giant desert on outskirts of the city.

"So Dastan fights alongside his brother and uncle in wars? Gotta say it sounds nice having family fighting by your side." Namine said

"You think so?" Roxas asks.

"Who better to have your back? Next to having friends, family is the best kind of help." Namine said.

"Hmm yeah…guess you have a point." Roxas said lost in thought when they heard the sound of horses galloping.

Looking down they saw an elderly man in royal robes, white hair and a crown on his head going in the direction of the palace. This was King Sharaman.

"I'm gonna go on a leaf and guess he's the King." Roxas said.

"Good guess, looks like he rushed over here." Namine said.

"No doubt to talk to his family." Roxas said.

"We better go find Dastan." Namine said.

---

An hour later, Tus was riding through the city on his horse when he noticed Dastan showing the FAF's how he got in.

"So as dawn was coming around me and my group scaled the wall like so." Dastan ran to the wall but he only got 3 steps up before falling down onto his back hard.

"Ooh." All of them cringed.

"That's gotta hurt." Brooke said.

"It's the 3rd step that's always the hardest." Dastan laughs trying to shake off the pain.

"Do you all have a minute?" Tus asks climbing off his horse.

"What's going on?" Roxas asks.

"We've uncovered signs of tunnels on the eastern edge of the city. We think this is part of their weapons smuggling. I'm on my way there now." Tus said.

"But you'll miss the banquet." Dastan said getting up.

"You and Garsiv can handle father in my absence. You do have a gift to honor him with?" Tus asks.

"Of course. Bis!" Dastan turns to Bis who was too busy drinking to respond.

"Uh I think the gift has been misplaced." Namine said.

"Luckily I knew this would happen." Tus said as a guard brought over a fancy wrapped robed. "The prayer robe of Alamut's regent. The holiest in Eastern lands, a gift the King would appreciate."

"Wow, looks fancy." Merida admits.

"You fought like a champion for me, Dastan. Glad to return the favor. And you, I know you're not my soldiers but I have a job for you all if you be interested."

"What kind of job?" Faybelle asks as Tus pointed to Tamina being escorted nearby.

"A rare jewel. I ask that you help Dastan escort her and present her to the King for me this evening." Tus requests.

"Sure you really want another wife, brother?" Dastan asks.

"A marriage to the princess assures me the loyalty of her people. Unbound to us, she's a dangerous liability. I need a neutral parties' help that way I know she can't get inside your heads and trick you all." Tus explains.

"I guess there's some truth to that." Merida said as Tus leans in towards Dastan.

"But more than that, if father doesn't approve our union, I want you to end her life with your own hand." Tus said to his brother.

Soon the FAF's and Dastan met up with Tamina and her escorts.

"Hi there." Humphrey said trying to be friendly.

"So, I'm escorted by prince Dastan, the Lion of Persia and children? If you think I'm too innocent to hurt them you're wrong." Tamina threatens and almost immediately Humphrey steps back.

"Wow you really know how to make a first impression. For the record they're my friends. I don't know if you've heard that word. A friend is someone who enjoys your company."

"Ouch." Briar whispers.

"Must feel wonderful winning such a claim for destroying such an innocent city." Tamina said as they walked down the hall.

"Oh, a pleasure to meet you too, princess. And allow me to offer, that if punishing the enemies of my king is a crime, then it's one I'll gladly repeat." Dastan said.

"Then you are a true prince of Persia. Brutal. Without honor." Tamina insults.

"Hey don't talk to Dastan like that, he saved me." Raven glares.

"Yes, thank you Raven. Don't make the mistake of thinking you know me, princess." Dastan said as they arrived at a big door.

"Or us for that matter." Riku said.

"What more is there to know?" Tamina asks.

"Like our names for one." Faybelle said leaning in.

"Yes well forgive me if I'm for introductions in the moment. I just lost my city, and my future in one day." Tamina glares causing a cold chill to go down Faybelle's spine.

"Wait here with Her Highness. If you can manage it. I suggest a hint of humility when you're presented to the King." Dastan said as he and the FAF's walked in.

"That princess has some anger issues. I'm starting to believe she could be evil." Faybelle whispers.

"No arguments there." Humphrey said.

"Think she might try and make a run for it?" Briar asks.

"Got that covered." Blondie showed her mirrorpad revealing Tamina was still in the hall. "Put a camera droid near the door."

"Wise move." Roxas said as they entered to see the huge party going on.

"Wow talk about fancy." Briar said liking this.

Approaching Nizam they see King Sharaman was having a good time.

"I see you've eased Father's anger, Uncle." Dastan said.

"One day you'll have the pleasure of being the King's brother, Dastan. As long as you remember the most important duty you should do fine." Nizam said.

"What is the most important duty?" Apple asks.

"Making sure his wine glass stays full." Nizam said causing them all to laugh.

"I don't think that tactic would work with our parents." Raven giggles.

"No, definitely not." Briar giggles.

"Hmm wonder what would happen if I snuck some into Headmaster Grimm's coffee?" Faybelle smirks.

"Don't you even think about it." Merida said.

"We will stop you." Namine agree causing her to frown annoyed.

"Dang it." Faybelle said when King Sharaman laughs spotting them.

"I am told another of my sons has joined the ranks of great Persian warriors." Sharaman declares as everyone applauds Dastan who approaches his father.

"We missed you father." Dastan smiles hugging him.

"I was praying for you and your brothers Dastan. Family. The bond between family that is the sword that protects our empire. And I pray that sword remains strong." King Sharaman said.

"I was hoping my actions would spare our men any unnecessary losses." Dastan admits.

"A good man would've done as you did, Dastan. Acting boldly and courageously to bring the victory and spare lives. A great man would've stopped the attack from happening at all a great man would've stopped what he knew to be wrong, no matter who was ordering. The boy I saw in that square, was capable of being more than just good, but of being great." Sharaman said causing Dastan to smile.

"Okay now that's an amazing king." The male narrator said.

"Wise, loving, and kind. Dastan is a lucky boy to have a father like that." The female narrator said.

"Well in the meantime, I have a gift for you." Dastan said.

Walking in, Bis held out Dastan's gift with the Forever After Fighters right behind him.

"Some questioned the wisdom of my bringing a boy from the streets into my family. I saw a boy whose blood wasn't noble, but whose character was, a King in spirit." Sharaman said pointing to Dastan causing everyone to cheer.

"Wow, so Dastan wasn't born a royal?" Briar said.

"Didn't see that coming." Namine said.

"What a scoop." Blondie said recording this.

"Thank you, father. May I present, the prayer robe of Alamut's regent." Dastan said as Bis opened it up revealing the robe.

Smiling the King took off his robe so that they could fit the new one on him.

"What can I grant you, in return?" Sharaman asks.

Turning to the FAFs, Dastan gave them the signal to go get her.

"May I present, the Princess Tamina." Dastan said as they brought her in with the guards right behind them. "Tus wishes to make a union with her people through marriage. It is my deepest wish that this win your approval."

"In all my travels, I have never looked upon a more beautiful city, Your Highness." Sharaman compliments.

"You should've seen it before your horde of camel-ridding illiterates descended upon it." Tamina glares causing the FAFs to cringe.

"If I talked like that my mom I got in so much trouble." Merida cringed knowing what she was in for.

But to everyone's surprise the King merely chuckled.

"Clear as you will make a fine queen. But...Tus already has enough wives. You Dastan, might take fewer chances, if such a jewel waited you in your chamber. The princess of Alamut will be your first wife." Sharaman declares causng everyone to applaud.

"Well that went in different direction than we thought." Humphrey said.

"Multiple wives? How do these guys get allowed this stuff?" Roxas asks.

"Maybe similar to how you got multiple girlfriends." Riku teases causing Roxas, Apple, Briar and Namine to blush.

"Well played Faybelle." Merida chuckles as they high fived.

"What do you think Dastan? Wanna get married?" Faybelle asks.

"Uh…" Dastan said speechless causing everyone to laugh.

"He plunges into a hundred foes without thought, but before marriage, he stands frozen with fear, and that's for those who say he's not yet wise." Sharaman jokes.

"I don't blame him." Merida snorts.

"I need a drink." Dastan sighs when they suddenly heard a sizzling noise.

"Ooh what's cooking?" Blondie asks.

Looking around all of them expected a grill or BBQ but in horror, they saw the sizzling was coming from the King's robes.

As the King screamed in agony they tried to get the robe off him but ended up getting burned.

"Oh my fairy godmother!" Briar gasps.

"What's going on?!" Roxas panics.

"Oh, God help us, the robe, it's poisoned!" Nizam gasps.

"Somebody help him!" Dastan panics.

"The robe Dastan gave him!" Garsiv accuses.

"Why?" Sharaman groans in pain.

"Somebody help him!" Dastan begs.

"Seize the murderer!" Garsiv roars.

"Roxas! Grab Dastan and get out!" Brooke yells.

Hearing her Roxas ran over and grabbed Dastan.

"Come on! We gotta get outta here!" Roxas yells.

"Seize them!" Garsiv yells as the guards ran to capture them.

Making their way to the balcony they look to see Bis block the guards.

"Get out of here! Go!" Bis yells.
Summoning their weapons they clashed with the guards.

Grabbing an urn, Tamina swings it hitting a guard in the face before she ran to join them.

"Follow me!" Tamina said.

"Bis come on!" Dastan yells.

However before Bis could follow a guard struck him down.

"Bis!" Apple gasps seeing the man who saved her die.

"Apple!" Reacing out Briar grabbed her hand and they leaped off the balcony and into a fountain below.

"What the heck is this?!" Dastan snaps.

"I can get us out of here!" Tamina said as they climbed out of the water. "You're all going to need my help."

"We'll believe that when we see it." Riku said.

Running to the stables, they scrambled to the horses.

"I don't know to ride a horse!" Humphrey panics when Merida grabbed him and yanked him onto hers.

"Just hold onto me! We don't have much time!" Merida said as they raced out on horseback and into the desert.

"Stop them! Stop the murderer!" Garsiv yells but they were long gone.

"What the fairy tale just happened?" The female narrator asks.

"It got so crazy so fast." The male narrator said.

"I'll tell you what happened, someone just killed the King and tried to frame Dastan for it." Brooke said.

---

That night all of them were sitting around a fire as Dastan walked to his horse.

"I can't thank you all enough for helping me back there. I am forever in your debt." Dastan said.

"Dastan…what happened?" Humphrey asks.

"I didn't murder my father. You were all there. That robe was given to me by my brother." Dastan said.

"So Tus is the reason he's dead." Humphrey said.

"And now he stands to become king." Tamina realized.

"You all have to believe me. I would never kill my father." Dastan begs.

"Relax Dastan we believe you." Roxas said.

"As do I." Tamina said slowly walking past them towards Dastan.

"I promised my brother I'll kill you, if he couldn't have you." Dastan admits.

"Well, the solution would be to kiss me, and then kill me." Tamina said leaning in towards him.

"Wait…" Raven said as they turned around.

"But I have a better solution." Tamina whispers as she appeared to reach for the dagger.

Acting quickly Dastan pushes her back allowing her to grab his sword. "I kill you and your problems are solved!"

Lunging in Tamina attempts to stab him when Raven and Briar block with their swords.

"Oh come on lady! Seriously?!" Raven said.

"I'm starting to see why they invaded your city. You are just the worst!" Briar said.

"Stay out of this! This is none of your concern!" Tamina roars swinging her sword but the two girls block her attacks allowing Namine to move in and knock her back with a swing.

"The keyblade?" Tamina gasps getting up.

"Oh so you know what it is? Then consider this your only warning." Dastan said drawing the dagger. "Stand down."

However Tamina wouldn't listen as she charged in to meet them.

As Dastan charges in to counter he ends up pressing the top of the dagger causing it to glow releasing a golden sand.

Looking around Dastan seemed to watch everything happen as if it was rewinding all the way up to when Tamina tried to steal it from him.

"Well, the solution would be to kiss me, and then kill me." Tamina said doing the exact same thing she just did.

"But I have a better solution." Reaching for the sword Tamina swings it. "I kill you!"

However before she could attack him Roxas blocks the attack with Two Become One and Fairy Champion.

"Keyblades?" Tamina gasps when Merida fires an arrow making Tamina jump back.

Moving in Roxas attacks her multiple times knocking the sword out of Tamina's hands and kicks her to the ground.

"You are the worst princess ever!" Roxas said.

Getting up Humphrey hurls an egg bomb at her but Tamina rolls out of the way dodging.

As Roxas charges in Tamina grabs the sword and slashes Roxas in the shoulder area causing him to cringe in pain before falling to the ground.

"Roxas!" Apple screams in horror.

Eyes widening Dastan looks to the dagger and Tamina sees him. "Don't!"

However it was too late and Dastan clicks it again causing time to rewind for a second time.

"Did you all see that?" Dastan asks.

"See what?" Briar asks when Tamina goes for the sword but Dastan stops her.

"Go for the sword and I swear I'll have Roxas bring his keyblades down on your arm." Dastan threatens.

"Keyblades?" Tamina's eyes widen.

"Wait what do you mean again?" Riku asks as Dastan took out the dagger and clicks it but nothing happened.

"You used up all the sand!" Tamina gasps.

"What are you talking about?" Briar asks.

"Two times now this woman has tried to kill me. The first time Raven and Briar stopped her and they called her the worst. The second time, Roxas and Merida attacked her and called her the worst but she slashed Roxas' shoulder." Dastan explains.

"What? But my shoulder's fine." Roxas said looking at it.

"Incredible. Releasing the sand, turns back time. And only the holder of the Dagger is aware what's happened." Dastan realized. "He could go back and alter events, change time. And no one knows, but him."

"Wait, you mean all that really happened?" Namine said.

"That dagger allows you to go back in time?" Riku asks.

"How much can it unwind though?" Apple asks.

"Answer me." Dastan orders.

"You destroyed my city." Tamina glares.

"I get it now." Dastan turns to the others. "Did any of you see any forges around the city?"

"No, not even a weapons shop." Riku said.

"Our invasion wasn't about weapons forges, it was about this Dagger." Dastan said.

"If that dagger was in the wrong hands who knows what could happen." Namine said.

"Wait, didn't your brother try to take it from you when he saw it?" Humphrey recalls.

"Tus asked for this Dagger as tribute, I didn't think anything of it, but now I see. With it, he could change anything. He could change the course of a critical moment in battle, He could foresee the blade of a rival. He wouldn't just be the king, he'd be the most powerful ruler Persia ever seen, greater than even my father! All because of this dagger!" Dastan realized causing their eyes to widen.

"This is getting crazier and crazier by the minute." Blondie said.

"Guys, I need your help more than ever. If we're to keep this dagger safe there's only one person we can ask for help." Dastan said putting his hands together in plea. "I know I can't offer much but as my only friends as allies will you please help me?"

"Like you even have to ask." Roxas smiles.

"We got your back Dastan." Briar nods.

"Until we know that dagger is safe and you're cleared." Faybelle said.

"You are all good friends. Should we succeed I will make sure you will be rewarded." Dastan smiles giving each and every single one of them a hug.

"Oh man, we've seen some crazy time travel stunts but this one takes the cake." Brooke said.

"Of all of them this one is by far the most effective." The male narrator said.

"Wait you all will seriously help him? I thought keyblade wielders were the heroes of light, the noblest warriors in all the worlds." Tamina said.

"We are and that's why we're helping Dastan." Roxas said.

"Not some liar princess who tried to kill us." Briar said.

"Twice!" Merida said holding up her fingers.

---

The next morning, all of them were readying their horses.

"Hang on." Dastan said tying clothes around the horses hooves.

"What are you doing?" Namine asks.

"This will skew the horses tracks. Make it difficult in case we're being followed." Dastan said.

"Where are you all going?" Tamina asks.

"To Avrat, where my father will be buried." Dastan clarifies.

"Wait a second. Currently, you are wanted for the King's murder and you want to go to his funeral?" Faybelle asks not liking the sound of this.

"Nizam will be there. He's the only person I know we can trust. He'll see Tus set me up and help us." Dastan said as they climbed on the horses. "Now step aside princess."

"Every road to Avrat will be covered with Persian troops. Your allies might get by but you won't be so lucky." Tamina warns.

"Which is why we're going through the Valley of the Slaves." Dastan said.

"The what?" Riku asks looking to him.

"Are you mad? No one goes near that wasteland, it's filled with murderers and cutthroats." Tamina said.

"Murderers?" Humphrey gulps.

"So they say." Dastan rolls his eyes. "Come on we need to move."

"So, you're going to leave me here, in the middle of nowhere?!" Tamina whines chasing after them. "Noble Dastan and his band of nomads, abandoning a helpless woman in the wilderness. What does your precious honor have to say about that?"

"Oh so suddenly she's helpless now?" Blondie asks.

"She wasn't so helpless when she tried to kill us." Riku rolls his eyes.

"Alright if any of you can think of any reason that would make me even consider dragging her along." Dastan said.

"If we leave her she'll probably die." Humphrey said.

"I said convince me to bring her along." Dastan deadpans.

"She probably knows more about that dagger than any of us. She might know how to get it working again." Roxas said.

Pausing Dastan looks to them. "If she tries anything none of you hesitate to stop her. Do I make myself clear?"

"Absolutely." They all nod.

"Oh, give me the strength not to kill her." Dastan mutters stopping for her.

As Tamina walks up to him, Dastan sees some strange pendant hidden under her robes.

"See something that interests you Prince?" Tamina mocks.

"Just get on before I change my mind." Dastan mutters helping her up.

"Boy she is something else." Apple mutters.

"Tell me about it. All she does is whine and complain." Roxas said.

"If I could lift my staff." Apple growls.

"This is Blondie Lockes, coming to you live from the Desert Kingdom. It is boiling hot here as we try to navigate through it. Water is low and our love for Princess Tamina is even lower. As we struggle to help Dastan clear his name, our only hope to figuring out this dagger is a stubborn princess who drives us all crazy. Will Tamina make it through this desert? Find out." Blondie records.

"What is that one babbling on about?" Tamina asks.

"Blondie is recording our adventures. She's keeping track of things for us." Namine said.

"Logkeeper huh?" Tamina asks before turning to them. "So I assume if you're here you've come to deal with the Heartless."

"We help those who need it and it just so happens that's you guys." Riku said.

Looking to Dastan they saw he was trying to pour regular sand into the dagger but nothing was happening.

"Without the right sand, it's just another knife. Not even very sharp." Tamina points out.

"Wait is there more of this sand?" Dastan asks.

"Of course not." Tamina said.

"Well how do we get it?" Riku asks.

"Try standing on your heads." Tamina smirks.

"Oh will you just shut up!" Roxas snaps. "If you're not gonna help be helpful then do us all a favor and zip it!"

"Like it or not you're stuck with us so if you want to make it out of this desert then stop being such a royal pain!" Briar said.

"Or we will leave you behind." Merida threatens.

"So, if you can't prove to your uncle how the Dagger works, why on the world would he believe you?" Tamina asks.

"It's not your problem princess." Dastan glares.

"You know you really act like one. Head held high, chest out, long stomping strides. The walk of a self-satisfied Persian prince. No doubt it comes from being told since birth, the world is yours, and actually believing it." Tamina mocks.

"I wasn't born in a palace like you, alright! I was born in the slums! Where I lived if I fought and clawed for it!" Dastan snaps surprising everyone.

"Then how did you become a prince?" Apple asks.

"The King…came into the market one day and…he found me. He took me in, he gave me a family, he gave me a home. What you're looking at is, the walk of a man, who just lost everything." Dastan declares leaving Tamina speechless while the FAFs just glared at her while they went to support Dastan.

"Oh wow, poor Dastan." Brooke said.

"No wonder he's so driven." The female narrator said.

---

Soon, they arrived at the Valley of the Slaves where in front of a stone gate they saw a skeleton.

"Alright team stick close to me. Everyone remember your backstories. If anyone asks, Roxas you are my younger brother, Riku you, Faybelle and Merida are our bodyguards, Humphrey and Blondie you're my advisors, and Namine you're Roxas fiancé and Apple, Briar and Raven are your loyal handmaidens." Dastan reminds.

"What?" Briar, Apple and Raven whined.

"Sounds good to me." Namine smiles.

"Lucky." Briar and Apple growled.

"Can Apple really be a handmaiden? Don't you need good hands for that?" Faybelle jokes when a ball of sand was thrown at her causing her to spit and shake it off her.

"Good enough to do that." Apple smirks.

"And what about me?" Tamina asks.

"What about you?" Dastan asks.

"I don't suppose you bothered to think of a role for me?" Tamina asks.

"Oh right uh…you can be Faybelle's slave." Dastan said.

"Excuse me." Tamina glares.

"Dastan, you are the best." Faybelle smiles while the rest of them snickered trying to hold in their laughter.

Climbing off their horses, all of them gave their horses a rest as they decided to do a little walking.

"I'm desperate for a drop of water." Tamina said.

"Well that's more than we have since you emptied our last canteen an hour ago." Briar said.

"And just fyi, you're the only here who seems to be whining about everything." Merida glares.

"I wasn't born for adventure like all of you. My constitution is much more…delicate." Tamina said falling behind. Reaching to her side, Tamina pulled out a small little sack.

"I think you mean spoiled." Raven countered.

"The wells of Alamat are fame for their clear, cool water." Tamina said.

"Perhaps less time admiring your wells, and more time guarding your walls, and you wouldn't be here." Dastan mocks but got no response.

"Wow Dastan, I think you actually managed to shut her up." Roxas smiles but when they turned around they saw Tamina had collapsed into the sand.

"Tamina!" All of them gasp.

Quickly running back to her Dastan helped her up.

"Tamina wake up." Dastan said.

"Get a healing spell ready." Humphrey said.

"Can you hear us?" Dastan asks when Tamina wakes up and whacks him in the head with a bone knocking Dastan out.

"Dastan!" All of them gasp when Tamina opened the sack blew a blue powder in all of their faces causing them to fall asleep unconscious next to Dastan.

"Yes, Dastan I can hear you." Tamina smirks taking the dagger back.

Standing up she looked to the FAFs who were unconscious at her feet.

"Such a shame. I always hoped when I met a keyblade wielder I would be honored." Tamina said before taking Dastan's horse and riding off.

"Oh she is the worst. I hate her so much right now." Brooke said.

"She took out Dastan and made sure the others couldn't stop her from taking the dagger." The female narrator said.

"She is by far the sneakiest princess I've ever seen." The male narrator said.

A little bit later, multiple shadows loomed over them as they began to wake up.

"Ugh what the?" Roxas wakes up only for a man with dark skin and tribal clothes threw knives down landing at the base of their feet startling them.

"Well you all certainly seem to have wandered far. Do you know where you are?" A scruffy looking husky man with a beard asks. This was Sheik Amar.

"Tamina." Merida growls punching the sand.

"This is so not just right." Blondie said in a huff.

"In the heart of Sudan there's a tribe of warriors, known as the M'Baka. They strike fear into the hearts of all they cross. The M'Baka, are masters of the throwing knife. Wielding blades, said to have been blessed by the Creator, Himself. Their aim is so murderously accurate, they can decapitate three men, with one strike." Sheik said.

"Cute story but we really need to be—" Faybelle was about to grab the knife when Sheik clears his throat.

"No. I wouldn't even bother doing that, if I were you. Do you know why?" Sheik asks leaning in.

"No, I bet you're gonna tell us." Riku assumes.

"Smart boy." Shiek said before gesturing to the tribal man. "This is Seso, he is a M'Baka,
I have the good fortune of saving his life, which means, he is now enduringly indebted to me. So tell me Persian, is there any good reason why I shouldn't tell Seso, to put his next throw a little higher." Gulping all of them looked to see Seso pull out 10 more knives ready to throw.

Pausing Dastan smiles getting an idea.

"Well you know actually…"

Nearby Tamina pulled out the hidden pendant she had around her neck and was about to open it when she heard the sounds of horses.

Turning around she saw Sheik's bandits charging towards her.

Tamina tried to escape when more horses came out blocking her.

Seeing she was corned she turned to see the ones blocking her take off their hoods revealing them to be Dastan and the FAFs.

"Hey remember us?" Merida glares.

"Thought you ditched us huh?" Humphrey asks.

"So this is the one?" Sheik Amar asks.

"Yep this is her." Briar said.

"Yes, you're right. She's not bad." Sheik Amar chuckles before getting a whiff. "She could smell a bit better though."

Holding out his hand, Tamina growls giving the dagger to Dastan.

"Still we have a deal." Sheik Amar said confusing her.

"Deal? What deal?" Tamina asks.

"Payback." Raven said.

---

Soon they were brought to a small cave with Tamina tied up and the others walking alongside Dastan.

"Such a noble prince and kind children." Tamina mocks.

"Such a gentle princess." Dastan mocks back.

"How taken were you all with my fainting act? All eager to rescue the foreign beauty?" Tamina asks.

"Oh shut up." Roxas said.

"It's called caring about others. Something you clearly never thought about doing." Apple glares.

"What kind of keyblade wielders turn a princess in?" Tamina glares.

"The same princess that leaves us in the desert with no horses." Namine glares.

"Don't think about taking the high road for a second." Riku said.

"We wanted to help you and knocked us out." Raven glares.

"What the heck was that stuff anyway?" Humphrey said.

"Sleep powder. A little something, I carry with me just in case." Tamina said.

"Yeah well I bet you wish you hadn't used it all on us." Faybelle said.

"As far we're concerned you deserve this." Briar said.

"And let's face I'd hardly call you a beauty." Dastan said.

"Well there must be some reason you can't take your eyes off me." Tamina smirks causing him to stutter.

Moving in Apple elbows him snapping him out of it.

"I don't trust you and you're not my type." Dastan said.

"I'm not some desperate slave girl. I'm actually capable of voicing my own thoughts." Tamina hisses.

"Trust me, we know." Riku said.

"She'll make an excellent addition." Sheik Amar said.

"What do you intend to do with her?" Namine asks.

"Yes do tell, can't you see how concerned they are?" Tamina asks.

"Give me a moment." Dastan said grabbing Tamina and pulled her over to them. "It's hard for me to admit, but you were right." Grabbing her chain, Dastan pulls out the refill of sand. "I did see what I was looking for."

"So you did know how to fix it." Apple said.

"And the lies and deceit just keep piling up." Roxas said.

"Please you all have to listen to me." Tamina said in a desperate tone.

"When my uncle sees the power of this Dagger, he'll believe me." Dastan said refilling the dagger.

"I know. I haven't been entirely honest with all of you." Tamina said.

"At all." Blondie adds.

"I'm the guardian of the divine covenant. That Dagger is sacred, it was being smuggled to safety when you stole it. If the dagger gets into the wrong hands." Tamina warns.

"I think we've all heard of enough out of you for a while." Dastan said

"Don't worry, we'll take good care of your knife." Roxas said.

"You fellas don't want to miss this." Sheik Amar said leading them to the exit.

"You all don't understand! This is a matter of the gods, not man!" Tamina yells but they all ignored her.

"This is what happens when all you do is lie and steal, Brooke." The female narrator said.

"I wanna say I feel a little bad for her, but I really don't." Brooke said.

"Come on if we hurry we'll see it." Sheik Amar said leading them to a fence.

"See what?" Roxas asks when they noticed a cheering crowd nearby.

Peeking through the fence they saw giant yellow feathered birds racing across the with riders on their backs.

"What are those?" Humphrey asks.

"Chocobo racing." Dastan said amazed.

"Every Tuesday and Thursday. What they lack in beauty they make up for in fighting spirit and speed. And the races are easy to fix." Opening the gate Sheik Amar led them out.

"Where'd you find these birds?" Roxas asks.

"Not easily. Chocobos are very rare, but through clever trade I managed to get my hands on a whole flock of them.

"We've heard all these terrible stories of this place." Riku said.

"The bloodthirsty slaves, murdering their masters? That's a good story, it's well told, ever evolving, but alas untrue." Shiek Amar said.

"But all those skeletons up front?" Briar asks.

"I bought those from a gypsy in Bukhara. I crafted our lurid reputation, in order to fend off the most insidious evil, that's been lurking this forsaken country of ours. You know what I'm talkin' about?" Shiek Amar asks.

"Uh not really." Roxas said.

"Taxes." Shiek Amar said spitting on the ground.

"Taxes?" The FAFs said confused.

"You kids are still young so you don't have to pay them just yet. But trust me, taxes are the worst. Dirty Persians, their armies, their fortresses, their roads, who pays for it all, eh? The small businessmen. You see, that's why I started a little campaign, to spread some false notoriety. Scares them away and lets people like us enjoy ourselves without any taxes breathing down our necks." Sheik Amar said.

"Wow, that is sneaky and very smart. No one in their right mind would come here with a rumor like that." Humphrey realized.

"This one gets it." Shiek Amar smiles when they heard a horn. "Uh oh we better move."

"Huh?" All of them looked to see everyone running away.

Suddenly the Chocobos came in from around the corner causing all of them to panic and run to avoid being trampled.

"Behold the Mighty Chocobo!" Sheik Amar declares as they joined him in his booth. "I love this! And the tax collectors stay clear of me, and my customers, everybody's happy."

"Yeah assuming you don't get trampled." Riku said making Sheik Amar laugh.

"Come on get the girls out." Sheik Amar said as they looked to see multiple girls including Tamina in dresses and feather hats holding trays with water cups.

"Oh my fairy god mother." Faybelle snickers.

"Wow that is a big step down." Merida snickers as Blondie pointed her mirrorpad at her.

"Recording." Blondie giggles.

"Come on run! Don't walk!" Sheik Amar yells as many men whistled at the girls. "Hey if you drop anything it comes out of your wages!"

"You pay them?" Raven asks.

"What? I'm not a monster." Sheik Amar shrugs.

"Don't touch me!" Tamina said throwing water in a man's face.

"She's a lively one. Where'd you find her?" Sheik Amar asks.

"Uh my brother bought her for me at a Slave Market." Dastan said clapping Roxas on the back "See this one here is getting engaged and they wanted to get on my good side. Traded a whole camel for her when she attacked us."

"Hmm should have kept the camel." Sheik Amar said.

"Yeah no kidding." Namine said.

"Noble, Sheik Amar. We appreciate your hospitality, you run a fine establishment, but if you could give us the supplies we need—" Before Dastan could finish Sheik Amar grabs him by the cheek and looks at him.

"You know something, Persian? You bear a remarkable resemblance to the disgrace prince, who fled after murdering the king." Sheik Amar said causing them to gulp.

Seeing the jig was up, Namine touched her Digivice causing it to glow but thanks to her robes she was able to cover it.

"You don't say…" Dastan chuckles nervously before they quickly turned around and tried making a run for it.

Taking out his knives Seso threw them pinning their robes to the posts stopping them in their tracks.

"Did I ever tell you about the M'Baka?" Sheik Amar asks.

"Yes, you did." Roxas said as Seso walks up to them.

"Eh, nothing beats a good story. Eh, but yours however, trading her for a camel? Please. I mean look at her. And seriously you expect me to believe you're engaged to that?" He asks gesturing to Namine.

"Actually that's not a lie. Namine really is his." Blondie said.

"And Apple and Briar." Raven adds.

"And a few others." Faybelle said.

"For real?" Sheik Amar asks as they nod. "Bring that one up to me."

Seso yanks Roxas free and pushes him towards Sheik Amar.

"So kid what's your secret?" Sheik Amar asks.

"Huh?" Roxas asks.

"Come on, don't leave me in suspense. How does a boy like you get three girls at such a young age?" He teases nudging him.

"Uh…let us go and I'll tell you." Roxas offers trying to fool him.

"Appreciate the attempt but no dice. And as for you, young man, I don't know the story with your party but I do know your brothers offered rewards for you, which frankly between us borders on the obscene. I'd trade my own mother for that kind of gold." Sheik Amar said causing everyone even Seso to pause and look in his direction.

"Seriously? Your own mom? That's not cool." Merida said.

"Yeah I mean I've got issues with my mom but I'd never trade her away for money." Apple said.

"Yeah that's crossing the line." Raven said.

"Makes you wonder how much they're offering for reward." Humphrey said.

"Oh don't look at me like that. None of you knew what she was like." Sheik Amar said. "Take them to the outpost."

Seso grabbed Dastan but ended up pulling out the dagger.

"Nice knife." Seso said causing them all to freeze.

"Uh it's worthless totally worthless." Briar said.

"Yeah that thing can't cut anything." Raven said.

Looking up Tamina saw Sheik Amar being handed the dagger but what surprised her was Gatomon crawling up right underneath him.

"Hmm? Let's melt it down for the jewels." Sheik Amar was about to toss it when Gatomon leaps up and kicks him in the face.

Tumbling backwards Roxas catches the dagger.

"Run!" Roxas yells leaping off the rails just as a racer came down and knocked him off his Chocobo. Grabbing the reins Roxas struggled to take control.

"Easy! Easy!" Roxas said before taking control.

Seeing what he was doing the others broke free and leaped off the rails onto Chocobos.

"Come on Dastan!" Merida yells as Gatomon climbs onto Namine's Chocobo.

"Good job." Namine smiles.

Using this chance Tamina opened the cage and let loose all the other Chocobos and weapons making the crowds go crazy.

"No! No!" Sheik Amar screams seeing all his customers go crazy.

Seso and the others were about to attack when Shiek Amar stops them. "Stop! You might hit a bird!"

"To the tunnels!" Tamina said leading them out with their new rides.

Watching them escape Sheik Amar growls in anger. "I'll get you for this."

After getting Dastan's horse they all made their escape to meet up with Nizam at the King's funeral.

---

Crossing the canyon they look out over a cliff to see a line filled with people heading to Avrat.

"They're all here for my father's funeral." Dastan said.

"Well with a crowd this big sneaking in should be easy." Apple said.

"Not quite, there's only one way in." Blondie points to the front and they saw tons of guards.

"Roxas, I need the dagger." Dastan said.

Reaching inside, he pulls it out for Dastan.

As Tamina eyes it her arm started to move but Gatomon stops her.

"Try and you'll be my new scratching post." Gatomon growls.

"There are at least 100 guards at the gate. We can sneak in but no way you two can get in unnoticed." Briar said looking to Dastan and Tamina.

"Alright princess, if want you to stay closer to this Dagger, you're going to have to help me in the Avrat. All these foreign dignitaries, I'm guessing you know a few." Dastan assumes.

In fact, she did, but to Dastan's unfortunate luck he ended up a being a pallbearer for what was hands down the fattest noble they ever saw.

"Couldn't you have found somebody lighter?" Dastan growls as Tamina handed the man some nuts.

Taking out a nutcracker the noble broke them and ate them.

"The Mugals of the Hindu Kush are noble people, you should be honored." Tamina said as the noble threw his nut shells down on Dastan.

"So honored." Dastan mutters.

"You are despicable." Apple glares.

"Any chance you guys can give me a hand?" Dastan mutters.

"Already got you some help." Raven mutters before looking own.

Under the float covered in robes Gabumon, Gatomon, Patamon, Dorumon, Guilmon, Impmon, Bearmon, Ryudamon, Goblimon and Ryudamon stood right under.

"Alright everyone on three. One, two three." Gabumon whispers as they pushed up causing the noble to bounce slightly taking weight off Dastan.

"Wow, thanks guys." Dastan smiles.

"Just keep moving." Bearmon cringed.

"What are we holding up an entire caravan?" Dorumon asks.

"No, just one guy." Gatomon cringed.

"One guy?" Palmon said surprised.

"Man fatty needs to lay off the nuts." Impmon cringed.

"Just hang on for a few minutes. We're almost to the gate." Apple whispers.

"Dastan where's the dagger?" Tamina whispers.

"You're welcome to search me for it. You'll have to be very thorough." Dastan smirks causing her to growl.

Eventually they made it in and almost immediately they ditched fatso and went looking for Nizam.

Up on the roofs, Dastan, Tamina and the FAFs look to see Nizam and Garsiv entering the city.

"Tus isn't here." Dastan said.

"He must still be in Alamat." Riku realized.

"Tamina, the sand that refills the dagger, there's more of it isn't there?" Humphrey said looking to her but she didn't answer.

"You know if you want our help princess you should actually consider telling us what's going on." Briar said.

"Isn't that what you're doing now?" Tamina asks.

"No, we're helping Dastan. You're just tagging along for the ride." Merida said.

"Yeah you haven't done a single thing to help us since we escaped Alamat." Roxas said.

"I got us out of those Chocobo races." Tamina said.

"After Roxas and Namine got the dagger back and we did all the heavy lifting." Faybelle said.

"Both figuratively and literally." Humphrey said gesturing to the tired Digimon laying nearby.

"Look guys we can mock the princess for her uselessness later. I need to get a message to my uncle." Dastan said.

"I'm on it." Blondie said writing down a note and giving it to a camera droid.

Using her mirrorpad, Blondie flies the droid in towards Nizam before dropping the note in his saddlebag and flying away.

"Good work Blondie." Dastan smiles.

"Alright which ones can help us and who's still tired from carrying the man who weighed more than all of us combined?" Raven asks.

Groaning Gabumon, Gatomon, Impmon and Palmon got up while the other Digimon went back to the Digivices.

"Okay that narrows it down. Roxas, Namine, Raven, you four are with me. The rest of you keep an eye on Tamina." Dastan said.

As they made their way down Tamin spotted a black coat.

"Wait hold on." Tamina said handing it to Dastan.

As she spun him around she caught a glimpse of the dagger.

---

Soon in a small isolated area of the market, Nizam was walking by when he picked up a pomegranate.

"You used to buy those for me, when I was a boy." Dastan said walking out of hiding.

"You used to spit the seeds at Garsiv." Nizam chuckles. "You shouldn't have brought me here, Dastan."

"I had no choice uncle, follow me." Dastan said leading him to a small room where Roxas, Raven, Namine, Impmon, Gatomon and Gabumon were waiting.

"An audience? I thought we were meeting alone." Nizam asks.

"Yes well lately, I've learned having these friends around is very helpful." Dastan said.

"What land do creatures like you originate from?" Nizam asks about to touch Impmon but he swats him away.

"Look with your eyes not your hands." Impmon said.

"Hmm a temper with this one." Nizam said when Raven and Roxas noticed his hands were pretty burnt.

"I didn't kill father, you know I'd never do such a thing." Dastan said.

"Your actions say otherwise." Nizam said.

"We had no choice. We had to get him out." Roxas said.

"Tus gave Dastan that cloak. He was the one who poisoned it." Namine said.

"Dastan." Nizam sighs.

"But he's not here, is he? At his father's funeral, instead he remains in Alamut." Dastan points out.

"Our allies will see our invasion is just, the search for Alamut's weapon forges is important." Nizam explains.

"But they can't something that isn't there." Namine said.

"Tus is after power, that's why he murdered father, and now he searches not for weapons, but for the Sand, that fuels the mystical device." Dastan said but Nizam scoffs.

"Mystical devices? I think you've been spending too much time with these children. They're clouding your mind ridiculous fantasies." Nizam said.

"We're being serious." Roxas said.

"Do you remember after the battle you stopped Tus for taken the dagger I'd won? That dagger is the reason he invaded Alamut." Dastan said.

"This dagger, you have it with you?" Nizam asks.

"I do." Dastan reaches behind and pulls out the dagger wrapped in a cloth.

"Be careful sir, it's very poweful." Raven said when Nizam opens it revealing the nutcracker from earlier.

"Is this some sort of joke?" Nizam asks.

"Tamina." All four of them growl.

"I really hate that princess." Brooke groans.

As Dastan stutters he sees Nizam's hands.

"Your hands are burnt." Dastan points.

"Yes. From trying to pull the poisoned cloak off your father." Nizam said.

"Wait…you weren't in the group that tried to pull it off." Namine said.

"And those burns look too old to be from the party." Roxas said.

"You kids have such wild imaginations. Clearly you don't remember." Nizam said.

However Dastan's eyes widen.

"Is something wrong Dastan?" Nizam asks.

"It's just…Tus is my brother. I can't believe he would do something like this." Dastan said.

"I can't say Dastan, perhaps he never respected you as you deserve, and he saw you as someone he could use." Nizam said.

"Someone to keep his wine glass full?" Dastan asks.

"My service to your father was different. We shared the same blood." Nizam said.

"How many times did father speak of you saving him from that lion?" Dastan asks. "That was his favorite story."

"One of many." Nizam said.

"No, that one was his favorite." Dastan said when Gatomon heard a noise.

Raising her ears she looks up to see soldiers aiming arrows down at them.

"I'm afarid you're speaking in riddles Dastan." Nizam said.

"Look out!" Gatomon yells as arrows rained down but they dodged it.

"I don't believe it!" Brooke gasps.

"We were wrong this whole time! It wasn't Tus, it was Nizam." The male narrator said.

"Wait Dastan!" Nizam yells as they made a run for it alerting every soldier in the area.

"Guys time for an escape plan!" Dastan yells.

"We're on it!" Roxas yells.

"Gabumon digivolve to…Garurumon!"

"Impmon digivolve to…Wizardmon!"

"Gatomon Armor Digivolve to…Nefertimon, the Angel of Light!" In Gatomon's place was a white winged sphinx-like Digimon with huge white wings and sharp claws.

"Whoa, Gatomon." Namine said amazed. "Guess that Destiny Islands Digi-Egg was useful after all."

"Rosetta Stone!" Nefertimon fires multiple stone tablets hitting multiple guards.

"Howling Blaster!"

"Blink Breeze!" Releasing a gust of wind Wizardmon blew many guards away.

"Dastan get on!" Namine said as she helped him onto Nefertimon.

Roxas, Raven and Namine were about to follow when an axe flew in making them jump back.

Turning around they saw Garsiv holding an axe and shield and two high level Persian guards at his side.

"Murderer!" Garsiv yells.

"I didn't kill father, Garsiv." Dastan begs.

"Then God will pardon you, after your head rolls!" Garsiv declares charging in but Raven blocks it with her Rebellia Blade.

"Faith!" Releasing pillars of light, Roxas blasts Garsiv and the guards back.

"We gotta get Dastan out of the city!" Raven said as Namine climbed on Nefertimon while she, Wizardmon and Roxas got on Garurumon.

As they raced through Aravat, multiple guards tried stopping them but the Digimon weren't easy targets.

"Stop them!" Racing in on horses Garsiv and his guards gained on them.

Yelping they drew their weapons and blocked their attacks.

"I thought you loved Dastan! He's your brother!" Roxas said as Garsiv swings his axe at them.

"A brother who murdered family and fled!" Garsiv yells as Roxas blocks his attack.

Looking over Roxas saw a big sign coming towards them.

Mustering up all his strength Roxas pushes back causing Garsiv to smack into the sign face first and fall off his horse.

As Raven, Wizardmon, Namine and Dastan take out the other guards they flew out of the city leaving Avrat behind.

Coming out of hiding, Nizam growls in anger seeing Dastan and the FAFs got away.

---

In an area on the outskirts of the city, Tamina was eager to leave but the others wouldn't let that happen.

"We're wasting time. We have to go." Tamina said.

"We're not going anywhere until Dastan and our friends come back." Apple said.

"Besides, you wouldn't dare leave your precious dagger behind." Riku said.

"Yes…of course not" Tamina hesitates slowly making her way to the Chocobos.

"No…you wouldn't." Briar gasps realizing something.

However right as she was about to leap on one Apple and Briar tackle her into the sand.

"Unhand me at once!" Tamina yells as Faybelle and Merida grabbed her arms, Blondie and Riku grabbed her and Apple and Briar held her down.

"Humphrey search her!" Briar orders as Humphrey moved in.

"Don't you dare lay a finger on me! I will have your head!" Tamina said causing him to hesitate.

Mumbling in fear, Humphrey felt around and pulled the dagger out.

"She had the dagger!" Humphrey gasps holding it up.

Gasping all of them let her go dropping her.

"Seriously? Again?!" Merida glares.

"I had no choice." Tamina said.

"You are the most frustrating princess we've ever met!" Briar groans holding her head.

"Tamina!" Looking over they saw Roxas, Dastan, Raven and Namine riding on Nefertimon.

"So I take it the meeting didn't go well?" Tamina assumes.

However instead of stopping Roxas leaped off Nefertimon and stormed towards her.

"Wait Roxas what are you—" Before Tamina could finish she was met with a punch causing everything to go black.

---

Later that day, Tus was meeting with Nizam and Garsiv.

"Your Majesty, I thought you were staying in Alamut." Nizam said.

"Tell me about Dastan, uncle." Tus said.

"Dastan came to Avrat to kill me, in the market place. I just got away. Garsiv tried to come to my rescue and stop Dastan but those Nomad children from Alamat stopped him." Nizam explained.

"The nomads? Why are they helping Dastan?" Tus asks surprised.

"I don't know but they are all formidable fighters. Dastan is well protected." Garsiv said.

"Tus, my death would weaken your young reign. Dastan hopes to start a rebellion." Nizam said.

"He wants the throne?" Tus asks.

"I fear so, my lord. Putting Dastan on trial would give him a stage for his sedition. My advice would be to avoid a trial. Don't bring him back to Nasaf alive." Nizam suggests.

"That sneaky old backstabber." Brooke growls.

"He lies more than Tamina." The female narrator said.

"Whatever Dastan's crimes, a public trial will best communicate the king I hope to be. Strong, honoring the rule of law. We are not savages." Tus orders.

"You grow more a king everyday." Nizam bows while Garsiv remained tall.

"Dastan must be found and brought to justice." Tus declares.

However Nizam had other plans. If Tus wouldn't allow him to take out Dastan he would go to others to do it.

---

Meanwhile in the desert, as they rode their horse and Chocobos through the sand all of them laughing as Tamina had a nasty bruise on her cheek.

"I can't believe he actually punched you!" Dastan laughs holding his sides. "Roxas you are my new best friend!"

"It's not funny!" Tamina snaps.

"It's kinda funny." Faybelle chuckles taking a picture with her phone.

"What kind of keyblade wielder punches royalty?" Tamina asks.

"Actually Roxas does this kind of thing all the time. You're the second one he's punched in the face." Apple giggles.

"And let's face it you deserved it for tricking us again." Raven said.

"Tamina we are sick and tired of your lies and backstabbing." Roxas said.

"If you don't tell us everything about the dagger right now we will leave in the desert to rot." Dastan threatens.

"You're bluffing." Tamina said when Raven kicks her off knocking her into the sand.

"You really want to test that?" Raven glares.

"My uncle murdered my father for more than just a dagger. If you want to even see the dagger again you are gonna tell us everything." Dastan threatens.

Looking up Tamina saw everyone glaring down at her. She knew that there was no way she could get out of this unless she told the truth.

"Fine." Tamina said holding out a hand.

"Nu uh. Explanation first, then we help you up." Riku said.

Taking a deep breath Tamina looks to them.

"In Alamut rests the beating heart of all life on earth. The Sand Glass of the gods. Long ago, the gods looked down on man and saw nothing but greed and treachery. So they sent a great sandstorm, to destroy all, wipe clean the face of the earth. But one young girl begged the gods to give mankind another chance. Offering her life in exchange. Seeing the purity within, the gods were reminded of men's potential for good. So they swept the sand into the Sand Glass. The Dagger was given to the girl who saved Man. Making her the first guardian. The Dagger blade is the only thing that can pierce the Sand Glass and remove the Sands of Time, but the handle only holds one minute." Tamina explains.

"Wait so what if you place the dagger in the Sand Glass, and pressed the jewel button at the same time?" Dastan asks examining it.

"The sand would flow through endlessly." Tamina said.

"Then you could go back in time as far as you want." Roxas realized causing Dastan's eyes to widen.

"Yes but it is forbidden." Tamina said.

"I know Nizam's plan." Dastan said getting their attention. "When my father was a boy, Nizam saved his life hunting. One day the two princes were stalking a beautiful buck, but they weren't aware of a lioness stalking them. Nizam saved Sharaman. My father told us the story over and over again."

"So Nizam saved his life. What does that mean?" Humphrey asks.

"Nizam wishes to go back in time and undo what he did. Not save my father, let him die. Then he will be king for a lifetime. And my brothers would never be born." Dastan said causing them to gasp.

"And you would still an orphan on the streets." Riku realized.

"We can't let Nizam get that dagger." Briar said.

"Listen, the Sands contained within the Sand Glass are incredibly powerful. Opening the Dagger while it's inside the glass breaks the seal and destroys the Sand Glass, causing it to crack and shatter. The Sands of Time would no longer be contained, and they would carry the gods' wrath with them once more, destroying everything in its path. And all of mankind would pay for Nizam's treachery." Tamina explains.

"Everything?" Blondie asks.

"The secret guardian temple outside Alamut is the sanctuary. The one place where the Dagger
can be hidden safely, the only way to stop this Armageddon. That's the truth, all of it." Tamina said holding out her hand. "Give me the dagger, so I can take it there."

"I can't do that…because I'm coming with you." Dastan smiles.

"Us too." Roxas smiles surprising.

"You're going to help me?" Tamina smiles.

"See what happens when you're honest for once?" Apple smirks.

"Come on we got a lot of ground to cover." Dastan said helping her back onto his horse.

---

As they raced through the desert, they eventually arrive at an oasis for a break.

Going right to the river all of them take big drinks of water.

"Oh man that tastes so good." Faybelle sighs.

"So thirsty." Humphrey sighs.

Suddenly their Chocobos heard a noise.

Chirping they looked up to see one Chocobo with a cloth over his face.

"What in the?" Before they could even process all this tons of bandits came out of the grass and surrounded them.

"Persian!" Emerging from them they look to see Sheik Amar join them. "We parted under certain rush circumstances, I didn't get a chance to say goodbye."

"Sheik Amar good to see you again." Raven said.

"We've been tracking you for days. That riot lasted forever. My beloved racetrack, all washed away like the footprints in sand. See that? That's the only Chocobo left. And no matter your skills as a promoter, you can't organize a Chocobo race with just one Chocobo!" Sheik Amar snaps.

"Uh if you want the other 10 we'd be more than happy to give them back to you." Roxas said.

"Yeah take them, take them all back." Merida said as the FAFs nodded their heads.

"You kids might be freaking geniuses. But that doesn't mean these two are off the hook." Sheik Amar said gesturing to Dastan and Tamina.

They were about to attack when Seso points a knife to Dastan's throat.

"If you all don't want them to die you'll stand down. You may have given me back my racers but those two will give me all the gold I need to get my racetrack back." Shiek Amar said when Seso takes the dagger from Dastan.

"Nice knife." Seso said.

Cringing all of them had no idea how they were gonna get out of this one.

---

Once night came everyone was resting. Since Sheik Amar got his Chocobos back he saw no reason to deal with the Forever After Fighters, he kept them untied, but they still remained close to keep an eye on Dastan and Tamina who were tied up.

Unknown to anyone a man with a turban was controlling several snakes towards the group under the sand. This was Zolm. He watched as the snakes silently slithered in.

Briar and Apple were sleeping together with Roxas until something crawled under their feet. Waking up, they looked down. Roxas's eyes widened when he saw several moving objects under the sand. Looking to Apple and Briar he motioned for them to be quiet as they started to wake the rest of the Forever After Fighters.

"Dastan!" Roxas whispers to Dastan waking him up. "Something's happening."

Dastan looked to see a snake emerging from the ground towards Seso.

Seso watched it rise up while Dastan grabbed a torch. Once it leapt out, he swung it into the fire, causing everyone to wake up.

"Take cover!" Raven yells, cutting a snake in half while some of Sheik Amar's men were attacked instantly.

"What is this?!" Sheik Amar yells in shock.

"Us saving you and your stupid Chocobo business!" Briar said, cutting down more snakes with her sword.

Zolm's eyes widened in shock at what was happening. Hissing quietly, a snake makes its way towards Briar.

"Give me the dagger!" Dastan orders Seso. "There are too many of them! You can't kill them all!"

Apple shrieked as she dodged out of the way of more snakes. Blondie ran to help her, but her Mirror Necklace, recording, was cut off by a snake, almost biting her. Roxas draws Zing Seeker and cuts it in half.

"If I had to guess, Nizam sent them!" Merida yells as she shoots a snake in the belly.

"No kidding!" Humphrey yells using his shield to block the snakes from biting him.

"We hate these things that always slither, so kill them kill them make them wither!" Faybelle blasts several spells before seeing a snake. She looks in its direction and gasps once she sees it about to strike Briar. "Briar look out!" she yells, flying at her.

Briar turns just as Faybelle pushes her out of the way just as the snake lunges. She yelps in pain as the snake falls off, with one of her wings as well.

Everyone looks in shock at what had happened. Faybelle stutters as she summoned her staff, using it to support herself.

"Faybelle!" Briar and Roxas gasp.

Faybelle groans as she sees another snake about to attack Apple. She flies at her and takes the bite again, causing another wing to fall.

"No!" Roxas yells running to Faybelle.

With her remaining strength, Faybelle opens the wings of her staff and releases several dark blasts, destroying most of the snakes. As more appeared, she started to fall, only for Roxas to catch her.

"Is she okay?!" Tamina panics.

"You want to have that death on your hands?!" Dastan yells at Seso, hitting him to the core at the thought of a child dying under his protection.

"Faybelle, hang in there!" Briar yells.

"Roxas… are Briar and Apple… are they safe?" Faybelle stutters weakly.

"Thanks to you, yes." Roxas nods.

"Save… yourself." Faybelle sputters. Her eyes close and her staff drops as her head slumps afterwards.

"NO!" Briar yells.

Looking in horror all of them saw the first Forever After Fighter to fall dead.

"This can't be how it ends!" the Male Narrator exclaims.

"Faybelle!" Brooke cries.

"You can't kill them all!" Dastan yells. "You want to live?! GIVE ME THE DAGGER!"

Seso cuts Dastan free and tosses the dagger to him as he picks up the Mirror Necklace.

As he presses the hilt, a snake lunges at him. Time stopped as Dastan turned back time. Looking around, he saw Faybelle's death reversed, and where the snakes were coming out from. Memorizing it all, he arrived back to the time when the snakes started to attack.

"Give me the dagger!"

Seso tosses the dagger to Dastan as the first snake struck. He caught it with the torch and cut it in half before stomping on another.

As another snake struck, he held his torch so that the fire would go into its mouth. He tossed it aside and set the snake under his foot on fire before seeing the snake about to strike Apple. He tossed the torch at it before throwing the dagger at the snake about to strike Briar and Sheik Amar, just as Roxas, Raven, Riku and Namine cut apart the last of the snakes.

Zolm's eyes widened in surprise at what had happened.

"Persian. How did you do that?" Sheik Amar asks in shock.

"Yeah, how'd you do that?" Faybelle asks.

"Instinct." Dastan walks up to Faybelle and hugs her, surprising everyone.

"Your heart is strong, Faybelle. Don't ever think otherwise." Dastan advises before looking to Blondie, handing her the Mirror Necklace from when the snakes first attacked. "You dropped this before."

"What?" Blondie asks. She feels her neck and her eyes widen to realize she had the Mirror Necklace on. "You used the dagger!"

"So he was telling the truth!" The Female Narrator says in surprise.

"So, what happened to Faybelle?" The Male Narrator asks.

"What happened to me?" Faybelle asks as Dastan cuts Tamina free.

"Before I turned back time, you gave your life for Briar and Apple, despite everything you had said and done before." Dastan answers, shocking her. "As I said, you have a strong heart."

"He's so just right, I have the footage!" Blondie exclaims, seeing everything through her MirrorPad. "I don't remember this happening, but it's all here!"

Apple and Briar look to Faybelle and smile.

"I… guess I would give my life for all of you." Faybelle admits.

"Thank you." Apple smiles.

"You're the best friend ever after." Briar smirks.

Dastan and Roxas smile before seeing Zolm escaping.

"You see that?" Roxas asks.

"What?" Tamina asks.

Dastan's eyes widen. "We have to get out of here."

"Hey uh can we keep what happened here between us? I don't think we need to let everyone know someone almost died. We'll never be able to go offworld again." Faybelle suggests.

"Good call." Blondie nods.

---

By morning, the Forever After Fighters, Dastan, Tamina, Sheik Amar and his men were walking once again.

"What happened last night?" Sheik Amar asked.

"What was with the snakes?" Faybelle asks, still shaken by the news of her death.

"Those vipers were controlled by Hassansins." Dastan explains.

"Hassansins?" Namine asks confused.

"For years they were the covert killing force for the Persian kings, before my father ordered them disbanded." Dastan said.

"So, Nizam must have went behind your father's back and kept them intact." Roxas deduces.

"That would be my guess." Dastan shrugs.

"If one can control snakes, what can the others do?" Apple asks.

"Are we talking about an army of Hassansins?" Briar asks.

"There are only seven of them." Dastan corrects bringing relief to the Forever After Fighters. "But don't think they'll be easy."

"Trust us, we are done with thinking this will be easy now." Blondie said.

"This is a secret government killing society!" Sheik Amar said. "This is why I-"

"Don't pay taxes, we know!" Riku interrupts. "You've made your point about it since you forced us to watch your stupid Chocobo races."

"We can't stop or else they'll find us again." Dastan said.

"Well you can't but we can." Sheik Amar spits as he and his men stop behind the group.

"Oh come on!" Merida groans.

"We can use your help getting to the temple." Tamina points out.

"By crossing the Hindu Kush with the storm blowing?" Sheik scoffs. "You attract trouble like flies to rotten mango."

"Now listen here-" Blondie growls before Tamina walks up to Sheik Amar.

"There is gold at the temple, more than ten horses can carry." Tamina offers causing the rest of the Forever After Fighters grin.

"You know what that means? It's tax-free." Raven chimes in.

Sheik Amar grins. "If you led with that I would not have even argued. Let's go."

"The Hassansins sound like trouble." Brooke said.

"Let's hope the Forever After Fighters can handle them." The Male Narrator says.

Halfway to the temple Tamina starts to take the lead.

"Just over this passage and we shall arrive. And we can stop Nizam." Tamina said.

"This gold had better be worth it." Sheik Amar mutters.

"You ever consider another racing career?" Briar asks turning to him. "I hear camels can ride faster than they can bite your greedy-"

"Stop!" Dastan calls.

"Yeesh sorry." Briar said turning around.

"Thanks, but that wasn't it." Roxas notices what Dastan did and looks around. "There's something watching us."

Everyone draws their weapons before several snake Heartless emerge from the ground, attacking everyone.

Blondie gasps and scans them with her Mirror Necklace. "Slithering Fang. They attack with speed and poison. Best chance to take them is to strike after they attack."

"And when is that?!" Sheik Amar yells.

The Slithering Fangs start to attack, Raven trying to slash one of them with the Rebellia Blade. She misses and another knocks her to the ground.

"Raven!" Briar yells.

She runs over to help, but is cut off by two more as one knocks her crown off.

"Don't let them get the dagger!" Dastan yells.

He slashes the tail of one before the dagger is knocked away from him. He runs to get it, but another Heartless leaps from the ground sending it sliding away. "Someone find it!"

Merida shoots several down before noticing the dagger. She runs to get it, but another Heartless attacks her causing her to barrel roll away.

Roxas draws Heroic Arrow and Fairy Tail Champion, slashing at more of the Heartless alongside Dastan. As Dastan stabs one in the head, another disarms Roxas, leaving him with Fairy Tail Champion.

Looking over, Apple saw Roxas struggle to keep them away.

"That's it!" Apple yells gripping her staff despite the pain. "No! No more! I am not gonna let this pain keep me down anymore! I am done being the one getting saved! It's time I do the saving!"

A bright light engulfs her staff before it changed shape. On Apple's hands a pair of light blue gloves appeared with the Save the Queen headpiece sticking out of both hands.

"No way!" Brooke gasps.

"Apple did a formchange!" The male narrator said.

Looking at her hands, Apple could feel the magic emitting from the gloves that were not only fueling her energy but healing her pain.

"Firaga!" Holding out her hands, Apple blasted a giant fire ball destroying the Heartless with ease.

"Apple…" Roxas said in amazement.

"Get the dagger!" Apple calls out.

"Whoa." Blondie said, recording everything while blown away.

She backs up and feels something sharp under her foot. Turning around she sees the dagger and picks it up. "I got it!"

"Throw it here Blondie!" Dastan yells.

"Okay." Blondie nods. She prepares to throw it when two Slithering Fangs jump at her.

"Constellation Drive: Ursa!" Blondie's outfit turns blue and red with claws on her hands.

Swinging her claws, Blondie slashes the Heartless in half before attacking the others.

"Dark Divide!" Firing multiple dark sphere Riku took out all the remaining Heartless.

Panting heavily Blondie walks over to Dastan. "Here you go."

"Thanks Blondie." Dastan said.

"Hey guys, looks like I don't need protection anymore." Apple said showing her gloves.

"Okay that is pretty cool." Raven smiles.

"Magic gloves. Those fit you perfectly." Briar smiles.

"And I know the perfect way to break these things in." Apple said pounding her fist into her hand.

"Come on we have to hurry if we want to make it to the temple before Nizam." Tamina said

As she led them to the temple look to see it was hardly a temple but a stone cave.

"The dagger will safest in this sanctuary." Tamina said.

"This is it? I was expecting gold statues and waterfalls." Shiek Amar said.

"Ooh that would be cool." Humphrey agrees. "Maybe a fancy entrance with marble columns."

"Yes! That's exactly what a sanctuary should have." Sheik Amar smiles.

Approaching it Tamina turns to Dastan.

"Give me back the Dagger, so that I can take it there." Tamina asks.

"Don't cut yourself, princess." Dastan smirks handing it over.

"Thanks for all your help. Sorry I was a little difficult." Tamina said.

"A little?" Raven raised an eyebrow.

"Try really difficult." Apple said.

"Incredibly difficult." Briar adds.

"Imagine the most difficult person in the world. You were more difficult than them." Faybelle adds.

"I think she gets it." Riku said.

"Either way I greatly appreciate all of your help and thank you." Tamina smiles.

"Hey!" Seso calls out getting their attention. "Here!"

Following him they saw the guardians of the sanctuary dead on the ground.

"What happened?" Merida asks.

"Not long dead, last night maybe. Tortured first. Hassansin." Seso said.

"Nizam knows about this place." Dastan said when Sheik Amar, Humphrey and Blondie ran out from inside.

"More of them inside, all dead." Humphrey said.

"There's no one left alive." Blondie said.

Gasping Tamina ran ahead.

"Wait what about my gold?" Sheik Amar asks.

"Later!" They all said as Dastan ran to catch up with her.

"Where are you going?!" Dastan asks.

"There is only one way to stop all of this. To make sure the Dagger is safe, the temple holds the stone the Dagger came from." Tamina said running up the steps.

"What temple? There's nothing but rocks." Roxas said as he and Blondie followed.

"Tamina, there's nothing here." Blondie said.

"The first thing we learned, if all else fails, put the Dagger back into the stone, the stone will envelop it, pulling it into the mountain, returning to the gods." Tamina said entering a hut where they saw another dead body. "The original promise must be paid."

"What promise?" Blondie asks not liking this.

"The gods must take back the life they spared." Tamina explains horrifying them.

"Wait so if you put the dagger back…" Roxas starts.

"You'll die." Dastan finished.

Tamina was about to answer when they heard many horses storm in.

Turning around they saw Garsiv and his troops surround them all.

"Stay there! Stay there!" Garsiv orders approaching Dastan, Roxas and Blondie.

"Garsiv please you have to listen!" Roxas said.

"Give me your sword, give me your sword or do you forsake even that honor?" Garsiv growls aiming his at Dastan.

Seeing he didn't want to fight Dastan held it up.

"Please Garsiv there are bodies down there, murdered by Hassansins, on Nizam's order!" Dastan said.

"He's the real traitor!" Blondie said.

"Hassansins no longer exist! You always thought you are so clever." Garsiv said leading them into the hut while Tamina was pulled away.

"Sir, all dead inside Sir, more in the village." A guard said getting his attention.

"Stay there." Garsiv said as he walks to the back to see more corpses. "What in the?"

"Nizam wants me dead, wants me silenced. A trial will be too public." Dastan said as Garsiv turned to them.

"Look I know we didn't make the best first impression but we're telling the truth." Roxas said.

"Garsiv, we are brothers." Dastan said.

"Touching words with my sword at your throats." Garsiv said.

"If we wanted to we could take you down, but we don't." Blondie said.

"You've often questioned why father has been so much time in prayer. Before he died, he told me that the bond between brothers is the sword that defends our empire. He was praying that the sword remains strong. Why would I go into Avrat for father's funeral, when I knew it was so dangerous? Why would my friends risk their lives through possibly suicidal tasks if they didn't trust or believe in me?" Dastan asks.

Stopping for a second, Garsiv looks to his guards and signaled him to leave them.

"Nizam recommended your death, said you might have blackmailed this group into following you. Tus disagreed, ordered you brought back alive." Garsiv said.

"Dastan never blackmailed us. We helped him because he's our friend." Blondie said.

"Nizam wants me dead, and he's hired Hassansins to make sure it happens." Dastan once again tells Garsiv.

"He is afraid, afraid of what Dastan will say and who he might tell." Roxas adds.

Garsiv lowers his sword. "Tell me, brother." He smiles.

Before Dastan or Roxas could say anything, there was groaning noises from outside. Blondie turned her MirrorPad in the direction as Garsiv walked out. The moment he did, several spikes shot down, some hitting him in the chest. Weakly he fell to the ground.

"Garsiv? Garsiv?" Dastan asks running to his brother. He looks up to see more knives being shot down as Roxas and Blondie come out.

"Oh no." Roxas said in shock seeing seven people emerge from the smoke above.

"HASSANSINS!" Dastan yells.

Everyone looks up to see the seven Hassansins leap out. Immediately, the Forever After Fighters draw their weapons and charge at them.

One of the Hassansins starts to shoot knives, the same ones that killed Garsiv. While several of Garsiv's men were shot down, Humphrey deflects them with his shield and throws an egg bomb making it explode near it.

Another Hassansin starts to toss grenades that create walls of fire causing the soldiers to die in flames.

Readying her bow, Merida leaps through the flames and fires.

As a Hassansin with a sword and a clawed gauntlet kills a man, Briar slams her staff onto his back.

He growls, scaring her, before slashing at her with his claw. Striking back with her staff he strikes his sword at her, which she strikes back.

Raven dodges out of the way of a Hassansin with a large sword and summons the Rebellia Blade. The two swing and lock immediately.

Faybelle runs at the Hassansin wielding a large pole axe. Taking out her Spellbinder she swings it at him. The two start to clash while the rest of the remaining soldiers fight off the other Hassansins.

Sheik Amar runs behind a cart, holding a sword in his hand.

As a Hassansin was about to attack him Namine hits him in the back of the head with her keyblade knocking him down a level.

"Hmm I see why that Roxas boy likes you." Sheik Amar said impressed.

Roxas draws Kingsglaive and Strength of 10 Men as Zolm cuts apart one of Blondie's drones as he walks to Tamina. She picks up a sword and charges at him. The two clash briefly before he disarms her, starting to reach for the dagger.

"Hands off!" Roxas yells as he and Dastan charge in and clash with Zolm.

"Protect the dagger!" Dastan yells, throwing Zolm off while Tamina starts to make a run for the temple. Roxas pushes Zolm away keeping him from going any further.

Dastan notices Briar continuing to clash with the bladed Hassansin and runs to them as they lock staff and claw. He kicks the claw up before the two push him back. They continue to draw him away before Apple kicks some dirt at him.

"Tamina!" Apple calls out as she sees Tamina run. She and Namine start to run after her.

"Roxas, Persian! Behind you!" Seso warns.

Roxas blasts Zolm away before seeing the grenade Hassansin about to strike. Quickly he teleports with Kingsglaive and stabs the Hassansin while Briar and Dastan drive their swords into the bladed Hassansin.

Holding out her hand Apple blasts the Hassansin's away with powerful magical blasts clearing a path for Tamina.

"Tamina this way!" Apple said as Tamina ran to them.

Swinging her keyblade Namine slashes away heartless allowing them to enter the temple.

Dastan runs to the dead grenade Hassansin and picks up his grenades. "Here, throw these!" he tells Seso as he hands him the grenades.

"Fire!" Sheik Amar yells as several Heartless appear.

Seso throws the grenades, destroying the Heartless. As he does Raven and the Hassansin with the large sword appear, continuing to clash. The sword Hassansin slams his sword onto Raven causing her to stagger backward. Noticing Seso behind her she ducks as he throws a knife at him but it does nothing. As she and Seso prepare to attack again, Sheik Amar comes out.

"Hey over here! You know what they say about men with big swords?" He grins, bending his pinkie.

Enraged at the insult, the Hassansin slashes at Sheik Amar, breaking his sword. As Riku attacks him, Sheik Amar throws his remaining sword to Seso.

Both Raven and Riku charge in and stab the Hassansin where the knife landed before Seso throws the broken sword at his helmet, finally killing him.

"We got three of them!" Faybelle yells as she pushes away the axe Hassansin. "Where are the other four?"

"Don't know, but we can't let any of them reach Dastan and Tamina!" Riku calls out.

Inside, Blondie, Namine and Apple were watching Tamina as she made her way to the area where the dagger would return to.

"Hey wait for us!" Turning around they saw Roxas and Dastan ran in.

"Roxas." Apple smiles.

"Tamina, let me do it." Dastan said.

"Only a guardian can return the Dagger, Dastan. This isn't something you can do." Tamina points out. "I'm ready for this."

"I'm not." Dastan said looking into Tamina's eyes.

Roxas, Apple, Namine and Blondie smiled as the two prepared to share a last kiss.

But before Tamina could put the dagger back in, a chain whip knocked her out.

"Tamina!" Dastan gasps.

He turns to see the chain whip attack again before slashing it aside. Apple tried to defend herself with her stolen Hassansin weapon but it was destroyed easily, returning to another Hassansin.

"Keep Tamina alive we need her!" Roxas tells Apple and Namine as he draws Kingsglaive and charges to fight the Hassansin.

Apple nods as she and Namine run to Tamina. "Tamina, wake up!" Apple begs. "Come on, wake-"

"Apple look!" Namine points.

Apple looks to see a snake approaching Tamina and gets up. It hissed at her, getting her to back away. Namine summons her keyblade and uses it to keep the snake away when a second came in forcing the two of them to have their backs to each other.

"We don't have the dagger so if we get bitten even once we're goners." Apple cringed remembering the recording of what happened to Faybelle.

Near the entrance, Blondie had tumbled out as Dastan and Roxas flipped away from the chain whip. Luring the Hassansin outside, Merida had joined them firing her arrows while Raven battled the Hassansin who shot Garsiv. The four lured the chain whip Hassansin away, still clashing with him.

Inside, Apple and Naimine fired multiple magical blasts trying to keep the snakes away from Tamina.

"Stay back you!" Namine yells firing a beam of light but the second snake got close to the dagger the area around them began to crumble. Meaning they had a choice. Save the Dagger or save Tamina.

Moving in both of them grabbed Tamina and pulled her out of the way as the snake swallows the dagger and slithers out towards Zolm who was waiting for them.

"That's the guy who attacks us last night!" Namine growls.

"I'm gonna murder him!" Apple growls.

Outside, Faybelle was thrown to the ground by the Hassansin she was facing. Raising her staff, she locked with the Hassansin as he tried to bring his axe onto her.

"Faybelle!" Raven gasps. She was about to run over to help until the knife Hassansin shot at her, forcing her to deflect the knives.

"Out! Enough, out!" Zolm yells to the remaining Hassansins.

The two Hassansins ran off as Briar helped Faybelle back up.

Nearby Roxas and Dastan disarmed the chain whip Hassansin of his sword and kicked him.

However, he kicked them over the ledge where Garsiv lay. Everyone gasped as he leapt down, but Garsiv used the last of his strength to pick up a pitchfork and stab him in the chest. As he fell, Dastan ran to him.

"Dastan, I'm sorry. Save the empire." Garsiv said before his eyes closed.

"Garsiv." Dastan sighs, now seeing his brother was dead.

"First Bis, now Garsiv." Blondie said. "This is so not just right."

"Nizam will pay for this." Merida growls.

Coming out of the temple, Namine and Apple were holding Tamina up on their shoulders.

Everyone noticed their distraught faces and walked over.

"Where's the Dagger?" Roxas asks.

"It's gone." Apple said shocking everyone.

"We had a choice, save Tamina or the dagger." Namine said.

"You should have chosen the dagger." Tamina groans waking up.

"Don't listen to her, you two made the right call." Riku said.

"Protect the Dagger, no matter the consequences, that was my sacred calling. That was my destiny." Tamina frowns.

"We make our own destiny, Princess." Dastan said getting everyone to smile.

"We'll get it back." Roxas promises.

Making their way down the other FAFs were healing themselves while Sheik Amar loaded up on his reward.

"We're gonna need another horse." He smiles.

"Where you all go now?" Seso asks.

"Alamat." Roxas said surprising them.

"Nizam will use that Dagger to pierce the Sand Glass, and he has to be stopped." Dastan said.

"Has to be stopped." Sheik Amar mocks but Seso looks at him with a serious face. "What? No you can't be serious." He whines but Seso nods. "Great, a knife thrower with a conscience."

"Guess even the money grubber has a soft spot for something." Brooke giggles.

"At this point they need all the help they can get." The male narrator said.

"Because this time, time is not on their side." The female narrator said.

---

Making their way to Alamat, they sneak into a laundry area as Tamina ran in.

"Our friends in the palace said that the Persians have broken through to the first level of the tunnels. They will reach the Sand Glass within hours." Tamina said.

"Where's the dagger?" Riku asks.

"Nizam's keeping the Dagger in the high temple." Tamina said pointing up to the highest temple in the city. "But it's guarded by some sort of demon with spikes."

"It must be that long ranged Hassansin that killed Garsiv." Roxas said.

"That one is an expert shot. We'd never get close enough to get a clear shot." Dastan said.

"It's the only thing that stands between us and the Dagger. No man can stand within twenty yards of him and live." Tamina said.

"Some don't need to get that close." Seso said getting their attention.

Making their way to the Temple, Sheik Amar and Seso snuck up covered in robes.

"Spare some water sire?" Sheik Amar asks but a guard just spits water at them.

As they laughed Sheik Amar pulls out a shovel and they whack the guards unconscious.

"Are you sure about this?" Riku asks.

"Head to the meeting spot, I'll get the dagger to you." Seso said as they all nodded.

"You know you might not come out alive." Sheik Amar said.

"I owe them." Seso said.

"But, you are a M'Baka, scourge of the Namibian plain. Me, I'm a slightly dishonorable
entrepreneur, this nobility business is not the cloth we're cut from." Sheik Amar said trying to talk him out of it.

Smiling Seso gives him a hug. "My friend, has anyone ever told you that you talk too much?"

Seeing this Sheik Amar sighs. "See you on the other side."

As Tamina opens the door, Seso sneaks in before they ran off to the meeting spot.

"Wow, I never expected those two to have a moment like that." Brooke said.

"Shows how truly close they've become over the years." The male narrator said.

---

A half hour later, as all of them were waiting by the tree they started to worry.

"Maybe one of us should have gone with him." Briar said.

"No, he said he would get the dagger to us one way or another." Sheik Amar said when suddenly the dagger flew in and pierced the tree right next to them surprising them.

"He did it. He got the dagger." Apple said.

"But where's Seso?" Riku asks.

Immediately Sheik Amar frowns knowing what it meant.

"Have I ever told you about the M'Baka?" Sheik Amar asks.

"Yes you have." Dastan said as Sheik Amar gives him the dagger.

"Your brother better listen." Sheik Amar said. "You kids take it from here."

Nodding Dastan, Tamina and the FAFs ran off to go find Tus.

Sneaking into the palace Roxas, Apple and Dastan watched as Briar, Raven, Faybelle, Merida and Humphrey hid in different areas around the room. Outside Tamina was waiting with Namine, Riku and Blondie.

"Are you sure this will work Dastan?" Roxas asks concerned.

"Tus will listen to me." Dastan nods. "Remember, your friends are not to reveal themselves until Tus stops me."

"What does that mean?" Apple asks confused.

"It will make sense." Dastan said before hearing footsteps. "Get ready."

"Leave me." Tus orders his men as he walks in. The moment he does Dastan reveals himself.

"Hello, Tus." He said getting his attention.

"Dastan!" Tus yells causing his guards to run in.

Firing fire spells, Roxas and Apple make a small wall of flames stopping them in their tracks while Dastan points the dagger to Tus' neck.

"We need to talk." Dastan says.

"Then talk." Tus scowls.

"Alone." Apple corrects.

"Wait outside the chamber." Tus orders his men who hesitate. "NOW!"

Tamina gasps but Blondie calms her down while Riku and Namine ready their keyblades.

"The robe that killed Father was poisoned by Nizam." Dastan said.

"He's the murderer here." Roxas adds.

"Nizam? You're all mad!" Tus exclaims not believing them.

"Who was it who gave you the robe?" Apple questions.

"You trust him, as did I, but Alamut wasn't supplying our enemies with weapons." Dastan explains.

"Nizam lied to you from the very beginning." Roxas said.

"Why would he do that? What could he gain?" Tus questions.

"Beneath the streets of this city lies an ancient force. A container holding the fabled Sands of Time." Dastan explains. "Nizam wishes to corrupt history, turn back time and make himself king."

"Sands of Time?" Tus scoffs. "Heresies! Pagan madness!"

"We've seen its power before." Roxas said.

"Nizam knows its resting place and if we don't stop him the world will end!" Apple pleads.

Tus glares still not believing any of it. "If you're gonna kill me, best you do it now." He spits.

Dastan holds up the Dagger. "This is no ordinary dagger. Press the jewel on the hilt and you will see." He said before motioning Apple and Roxas to stand back. "I should have had the strength to do this before we invaded the city."

"Is he going to-?" The Female Narrator realizes.

"Please no!" Brooke begs.

"What are you doing?" Apple asks.

"What are you talking about?" Tus asks.

"To act of what I know is right, no matter the consequences." Everyone's eyes widen as he kills himself with the dagger.

Gasping Namine and Riku hold back Tamina as she cries before Nizam enters.

"You!" Roxas snarls.

"The soldiers remain out–"

"STAY WHERE YOU ARE!" Tus orders stopping Nizam. He looks to Dastan. "He took his own life." He frowns.

"Then God have mercy on the traitor for he chose the path of the coward." Nizam says.

"You hypocrite!" Apple yells.

"We all know Dastan was many things, but not… a coward." Tus glares. He picks up the dagger and thinks back to what Dastan said.

"Get him!" Raven charges out with the others at Nizam but Heartless appear and overwhelm them.

"This is no ordinary dagger. Press the jewel on the hilt and you will see."

Tus presses the dagger and time stops. His eyes widen as he leaves his body as he sees everything happen in reverse. He took notice of where the Forever After Fighters were hiding before entering his body just before Dastan committed suicide.

"No matter the consequences." Dastan declares as Tus looks to himself in shock. Before Dastan could plunge the Dagger into his heart Tus grabs him.

"Stop!" Tus said before looking to the hiding spots. "You friends can come out now."

"What happened?" Namine said as she and Riku walked in

"A moment ago you died before my eyes." Tus said.

Dastan sighs with relief as everyone reveals themselves. "You pressed it." He realizes.

"Killing yourself was the plan?" Faybelle asks shocked.

"How'd you know I would?" Tus asks.

"Because we are brothers." Dastan smiles.

"So that's what he meant, he trusts Tus with his life." Brooke said.

"That was too close there Dastan." Roxas smirks as Dastan and Tus hug.

"The day before we left our father told me that a true king considers the advice of his counsel but always listens to his heart." Tus advises.

"We would no matter what." Riku smiles.

"You shouldn't have gone so far for me to believe you." Tus says.

"Your majesty, the soldiers tell me that–" Everyone looks to see Nizam entering the room. Seeing the brothers together and the Forever After Fighters he glares. "I see that Dastan has indeed returned."

Everyone gets ready until the axe Hassansin Faybelle fought, known as Ghazab, emerged from the shadows.

"Tus, remember what we told you!" Dastan warns but Nizam uses his sword to slash his throat.

"No!" Apple yells as she runs to Nizam, but he uses the pommel of his sword to knock her to the ground while Ghazab knocks Dastan down and prepares to bring his axe down. This action prompts the other Forever After Fighters to charge but they stop when Nizam aims his sword at Apple.

"No, a moment." Nizam interrupts as he looks to Tus. "Poor Tus, so eager for the crown." He mocks while Dastan tries to use the Dagger only for Ghazab to trap his arm to that Nizam could take it from him. "And you, Dastan, always charging in, so desperate to prove you are more than something that king scraped of the street." He smirks. "What a glorious mess we are."

Roxas charges in and swings the Dagger out of Nizam's hand and into his.

"One that can be cleaned easily." Roxas glares.

"So Dastan was right. You do wield a Keyblade. Sharaman spoke highly of your people." Nizam says. "Hand that over and I will let you all live."

"How about I use the remaining sand to let Tus be the judge?" Roxas threatens as he places his thumb over the jewel slightly surprising Nizam.

"Zolm also says you hold dear affection for this girl." Nizam smirks as he aims his sword at Apple's neck.

"Roxas, press it!" Apple yells scared out of her mind while trying to be brave.

"And that she has problems with her hand like me." Nizam adds as he uses his sword to slowly press against Apple's gauze. "Shall we make her an amputee?"

"Try anything and I will make sure to run you through in the new timeline!" Roxas snarls.

"Each passing second is a moment you lose someone." Nizam says.

"Roxas use it!" Dastan yells.

"You can't save Tus in the time we argue and you can't save your girlfriend now." Nizam threatens, pressing his sword onto Apple's hand causing her to squirm. "What will it be, boy?"

Roxas pauses when Apple got an idea. "Roxas give it to him." She said getting his attention. "We have too many good memories, like our first magic lesson."

Eyes widening Roxas realized what she meant.

"Here. Take it." Roxas tosses the dagger to Nizam but when he was distracted Apple held out her hand.

"Fire!" Burning Nizam's robes he lets go of her and Apple kicks him back. "My hands may hurt but unlike you I learned how to fight through it."

Nizam growls when he notices the dagger by his feet.

"Cute speech but I still have what I want. It seems the bond between brothers is no longer the sword that defends our empire." Nizam smirks as he walks away. "Kill them."

Ghazab lifts his axe but Faybelle whacks him and slams her Spellbinder onto him.

"No you don't!" Faybelle spits. She breaks and separates Spellbinder, making a sword and shield. She pushes Ghazab to the window as Tamina charges in with a sword.

Dastan gets up and throws his own sword into Ghazab's chest. Still standing, Faybelle thrust her own sword into him, killing him.

Tamina looks to Ghazab and sees something on his hand. Pulling off his glove her eyes widen to see it was a mark like hers.

"He was one of us. He was the priest of the temple." Tamina realizes surprising everyone. "That's how Nizam discovered the existence of the Sand Glass."

"He corrupted the guardians." Merida catches on.

"We are no longer pure." Tamina frowns.

"We must hurry." Dastan says. He looks to Tus and closes his eyes so he could rest in peace.

"Nizam won't get away with this." Roxas vows.

---

Following Tamina, she led them down a passageway.

"The guardians built passageways underneath the city, a secret access to the Sand Glass. If we move fast enough, we can get there before Nizam." Tamina said brushing webs aside to reveal a locked passageway. "Do you mind?" She asks looking to the keyblade wielders.

Nodding Riku summons his keyblade and taps it unlocking the secret passage.

Making their way down, they see a corridor at the end of a room filled with sand and a few stones.

"That will lead us down to the Sand Glass chamber." She points.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Merida was about to run to it when Tamina stops her.

"But there is only one safe path." Tamina said.

"Bet you guys wish you had these." Flapping her wings, Faybelle started flying.

Bending down, Faybelle wiped away some sand to reveal a small symbol.

Stepping on it, small puffs of steam shot out in a pattern revealing the path.

"Follow in my footsteps. Nothing can touch the surface, other than where I step." Tamina said.

"Single file everyone." Blondie said as they slowly followed Tamina down the narrow path.

Suddenly they heard a rumbling from above.

Gasping they look to see a rock drop down.

"Catch it!" Roxas yells as Faybelle caught it before it hit the ground.

"Phew, that was close." Faybelle said when a small rock bounced off her stone and hit the sand near Dastan, Roxas and Riku.

And almost instanly the ground underneath the three of them broke into a giant hole.

"Run!" Tamina yells as led the rest of them to the corridor.

Tumbling down into the sand, the three of them slide down it as the sand plummeted down towards the edge.

Panicking the three of them thought it was the end when they noticed a small entry just on the other side.

"Roxas glider!" Riku yells.

Nodding Roxas threw his keyblade turning it into his board allowing the three of them to clear the gap and land on the small entry while all the sand fell into the pit below.

Making it to the entrance, Tamina and the rest of the Forever After Fighters turned around to find them.

"Roxas!" Apple called out. "Are you guys okay?!"

"Yeah, we're fine!" Roxas called out, drawing Hand of Fate. "Go on! We'll find another way around!"

"And hurry!" Riku yells.

"Come on!" Dastan called out but the moment he turned to walk a trapdoor opened beneath him.

"Dastan!" Roxas yells.

Landing on his feet Dastan looks up and gasps seeing the Sand Glass in front of him.

"Roxas, Riku get down here!" Dastan called out. "I found it!"

"Guys, you'd better hurry!" Roxas called out.

"If Dastan is there, Nizam can't be too far behind!" Riku calls out.

"Come on!" Tamina called out to the others. "The rest of the path is clear from here!"

Roxas and Riku landed from the trapdoor and joined Dastan. Before they could move, however, Zolm appeared with a sword and slashed down at them.

Dastan draws his sword and clashes with Zolm.

Roxas attacks as well, only for Zolm to summon his snakes with several Thorned Snake and Luna Bandit Heartless. He cut one away before drawing Pirate King.

Moving in Riku slashes all of them away before moving in. "Wisdom Drive!" Riku said as his outfit glowed blue and magic enveloped his feet.

Sliding around the sand with ease Riku fired barrages of dark balls from the end of his keyblade hitting the Heartless with ease.

"Constellation Drive: Orion!" Roxas said as his outfit turned crimson and navy and a shield appeared over his left hand. Spinning around, he slammed at several Snake Heartless, causing them to fade away. Two snakes bit him, but due to the Constellation Drive, he wasn't affected. He backflipped and slashed them before slamming down, sending more of the Heartless flying.

Tamina, Apple, Raven, Merida, Briar, Faybelle, Blondie, Humphrey and Namine ran down the tunnels as they collapsed behind them.

Looking to the side, Merida sees a torch being thrown down from a pulley.

"Nizam!" Merida gasps as she took out her arrows and shot at him, but he took out his sword and deflected it.

"Hurry!" Namine called out.

"I'll get that mongrel!" Merida growls before continuing to run.

Roxas continued to fight off the Heartless and the snakes before Riku charges in clashing with Zolm.

As the two clashed blades, Dastan punched him to the side.

Zolm tried to counter when Roxas fires a blast of light leading to Zolm being trapped in between three warriors.

Zolm managed to parry their attacks before a Snake Heartless knocked Roxas in the gut, almost knocking the wind out of him.

Moving in Riky fires multiple magic blasts at him but Zolm deflects the attack before hurling a snake at Riku's legs making him tumble.

As the snake lunged at him Riku struggles to push it back before slicing its head off.

Zolm used this opening to push the other two against the wall, aiming his swords at them.

Everyone arrived and gasped at what was happening. Though Roxas and Dastan were holding well against Zolm, he summoned two snakes from his cloak, ready to bite down at them.

"Roxas!" Apple yelled. She clenched her fist and ran forward with Tamina as well. "Constellation Drive: Peacock!"

Apple's outfit turns to all red with a hawk-shaped helmet, peacock wings on her back and boots shaped like condor claws.

Dastan and Roxas struggled to push Zolm away from them, but the snakes started to draw nearer until one of them lunged. Just then, Apple ran in and grabbed the attacking snake with her powered up gloves while Tamina took the other. Together they drove the snakes into Zolm's eyes, causing him to scream before Apple slashes him with his own sword.

Using this chance to free himself, Dastan pushed Zolm off the ledge, sending him to his death.

"Whoa!" Briar said in amazement.

"Way to go, Apple!" Raven cheered.

"Well, it looks like she can take care of herself after all." Faybelle admitted.

Blushing at each other, Tamina and Dastan leaned in and kissed while everyone just looked at them with smiles.

"About time." Merida smirks.

"Now? Nizam is about to turn back time!" the Female Narrator exclaimed.

"Well, she earned this." Brooke points out.

"Think I can get one?" Apple asks.

"After we beat Nizam. Unlike them we have our priorities figured out." Roxas said.

Tamina smiles at Dastan and looks to sees Nizam making his way to the Sand Glass. Everyone narrows their eyes and runs after him.

Landing his pulley near the sand glass, Nizam was about to approach him when Roxas, Riku and Namine swing in with their keyblades.

Ducking Nizam narrowly dodges Namine's slash before running along the rocks.

Leaping in Riku and Roxas slash Nizam making him skid bac.

"This is why I hate children." Nizam growls drawing his sword.

"Nizam!" Dastan yells as he draws his sword. "You murdered your family. Sharaman was your brother!"

"And my curse." Nizam scowls.

"That's it!" Raven blasts Nizam fires at Nizam but he deflects it.

Leaping in Apple and Briar fire magical blasts forcing him to dodge.

Landing near Humphrey, Nizam raises his sword but Humphrey blocks it.

Rolling behind a rock, Humphrey throws an Egg Bomb into his pocket causing it to explode making Nizam stagger back.

Using this chance, Dastan leaps in and pushes him against the wall disarming him.

"It's over!" Roxas yells.

"I looked up to you." Dastan says but Nizam takes out a hidden dagger and stabs Dastan with it before knocking him to the ground.

"Dastan!" Tamina yells.

Roaring in anger Faybelle, Blondie and Merida join in.

Firing lasers, arrow and magic they fly in forcing Nizam to dodge and weave before stopping near the Sand Glass.

"I never understood why my brother brought trash into the palace." He spat. "Enjoy the gutter Dastan. It's where you and your friends will stay under my reign."

"Nizam!" Roxas growls as he and Dastan got back up.

Suddenly a large rock fell causing everyone to scatter around the Sand Glass

"Tamina let's go!" Namine calls out as she and Blondie lead Tamina to the Sand Glass.

"Nizam!" Dastan calls as Nizam gets back up. "Don't use the Dagger to undo your past! You'll unleash-"

"Unleash what?! Wrath of the Gods?! Hell itself?!" Nizam yells angrily before kicking Dastan down causing him to hang from a ledge.

"Hell is where you're going!" Apple yells throwing a rock at him..

"And you've earned that wrath already!" Faybelle spits.

Tamina picks up the Rebellia Blade and aims it at Nizam. "Don't do this." She warns.

Reaching up Dastan grabs Nizam's foot to try and stop him.

Moving in Nizam grabs Tamina as she drops the Rebellia Blade and throws her over the edge,

"Tamina!" Roxas yells.

He runs to save her but Nizam clashes with him.

Rushing over Dastan grabs Tamina's hand as she is about to fall.

"Stop him! If the Glass shatters the world dies with it. It's not my destiny… it's yours, it always has been." Tamina said.

"Hang on!" Running over Faybelle and Merida tried to help.

"I was wrong. You are all true fighters and I'm sorry it took me so long to see that." Tamina said before looking to Dastan. "Let me go."

"We won't!" Merida said.

"Let me go." Tamina begs.

"I'm not letting you go!" Dastan yells.

"I wish we could have been together." Tamina frowns before looking to everyone else. "May your hearts be your guiding keys."

"TAMINA!" Everyone yells as Tamina releases herself from Dastan's grasp, dropping to her death.

Nizam knocks down the Forever After Fighters and takes out the Dagger.

Everyone gets back together as Humphrey takes out his MirrorPhone.

"Dexter, Ginger, put up the shields!" Humphrey yells.

"Forget the shields! Fly out!" Roxas yells. "This World is lost!"

"We're not leaving you!" Ginger argues.

"Then put the shields up, and may our hearts be our guiding keys." Roxas says as they all approach Nizam.

"No!" Dastan yells but Nizam stabs the Dagger into the Sand Glass.

Moving in Dastan reaches for the pummel when the sands of time were released almost knocking everyone off their feet.

"Hang on!" Tying a rope to her arrows, Merida fires allowing each of them to grab one and hang on.

Outside at the Tempest everyone watched as a large sandstorm started to come in.

"Shields up!" Lea yells.

"Come on, Roxas!" Sora yells.

The sandstorm started to destroy everything as Dastan and the Forever After Fighters struggled to take control of the Dagger.

"All together!" Dastan yells.

Everyone placed a hand or finger onto the handle while Dastan grabbed it and pulled with all their might before pulling the dagger out.

However as soon as they did everyone was sent flying into the storm around them. As soon as they were gone the sand started to slowly settle. Zooming out to see the Sand Glass forming into the handle of the Dagger.

Dastan was now back in Alamut admiring it with the Forever After Fighters behind him.

All around them were the soldiers and people of Alamut. Snapping out of their trances everyone looked around.

"What… what happened?" Apple asks.

"I think Maddie would have a madness overload." Raven says in shock.

Still stunned Briar takes out her mirrorphone and calls the Tempest. "Hey guys. This is gonna sound weird, but… how is everyone? Anyone hurt?"

"What are you talking about?" Ginger asked.

"How long have we been gone?" Faybelle asked.

"You all left like 20 minutes ago." Kairi said surprising everyone.

"We did it." Blondie said in shock.

"You saved the World already?" Donald asks.

"I'll call you back." Briar said hanging up before looking to Dastan. "You do remember us, right?"

"Roxas, Apple, Raven, Briar, Faybelle, Blondie, Riku, Namine, Humphrey, and Merida." Dastan said pointing to each one. "Did we really-"

"Prince Dastan!" A familiar voice calls out.

Gasping they turn around to see Bis run to them.

"Bis?" Apple gasps.

"Our men have surrounded Alamut's palace." Bis informed them surprising them. "The battle's over." He said before looking to the Forever After Fighters. "Who are these?"

"Allies of Persia, and it's not over yet." Dastan realized.

Looking Roxas and the Forever After Fighters they all nodded before they sprinted to the palace.

Summoning their Digimon they ran alongside them.

"What's going on Roxas?" Gabumon asks.

"No time to explain!" Roxas said.

"We have to hurry!" Apple said.

"Apple where did those gloves come from?" Patamon noticed.

"No time!" They all said as they turned a corner.

"Wait!" Dastan yells as he and the Forever After Fighters run through the crowds of Persian warriors.

"Stop! Stop!" Briar yells as Nizam rode his horse faster to the palace.

"Roxas! Nizam knows! Look!" Brooke calls out alerting him.

Looking up Roxas spotted Nizam making his way to the front.

"Nizam!" Roxas points.

"Nizam was with us!" Blondie realizes.

"He's gonna try and stop us!" Humphrey gasps.

"Stop!" Dastan yells until he and the Forever After Fighters reach the front beating Nizam to it. "Brave warriors of Persia, we have been deceived into attacking this holy city!" He announces confusing everyone.

"Alamut has no weapon forges!" Roxas yells.

"Dastan! Have you gone mad?" Tus scolds.

"Probably, who are those children?" Garsiv asks looking at the FAFs.

"I cannot stand silent in the face of treachery. This war was set up by one trusted above all us. Our uncle Nizam." Dastan declares.

"He is a traitor!" Raven announces.

"Dastan has fought hard today, perhaps too hard." Nizam announces. "And he seeks to imitate his brothers by adopting these idealistic children. What he needs now is to get out from under this burning sun, to rest and gather his wits. And the children to bed!" He mocks causing everyone to laugh.

"The weapons you found are forgeries!" Roxas calls out.

"There are no weapons here, Uncle, and you know it!" Dastan points.

"And this spy who intercepted them was hired by you to provoke the attack on Alamut!" Apple points.

"What is this? Victor's remorse? You yourself led this attack, brought us great triumph!" Nizam argued getting everyone to cheer.

"I should have never led the attack. I knew in my heart it was wrong." Dastan said as he walks up to Nizam. "It will never be you. You will never be king, you don't have the heart. You will die in the shadow of a great man."

Nizam almost pulls out his swords in anger but stops himself.

Raven and Dastan smirk as she aims the Rebellia Blade at him.

"Do it, we dare you." Raven tautns.

"Get him down from there before he makes an even bigger fool of himself! And chain those children!" Garsiv orders as some soldiers walk up to them.

"Tus, before we left for war, Father said that a true king considers the advice of his counsel but he always listens to his heart." Dastan recalls shocking Tus.

"Father and I were alone. How could you know that?" Tus asks.

"He's right. He knows us and he knows what we're capable of." Tus said.

"Just listen to your heart." Namine said.

"They defy your order, lead the attack and want to turn back. Tus take measure here." Nizam said to which Dastan nods.

Everyone stands back waiting for what Tus would decide on. He looks back and forth from Dastan to Nizam before coming to a decision.

"The spy knows the truth. Find the spy and bring him to me! We'll wring it from him!" Tus orders.

Everyone leaves, but Nizam, knowing his plans have been ruined, draws his swords and attacks Dastan. He turns and slashes back before several soldiers appear.

Nizam throws the weapons of the Hassansins to the ground and darkness surrounds them, turning them into Hassansin Heartless.
"Get em!" Roxas yells.

"Gabumon digivolve to…Garurumon!"

"Impmon digivolve to…Wizardmon!"

"Patamon digivolve to…Angemon!"

"Palmon digivolve to…Togemon!"

"Guilmon digivolve to…Growlmon!"

"Goblimon digivolve to…Ogremon!"

"Bearmon digivolve to…Grizzlymon!"

"Ryudamon digivolve to…Ginryumon!"

"Dorumon digivolve to… Dorugamon!"

"Gatomon armor digivolve to…Nefertimon the Angel of Light!"

As the 10 Digimon and FAFs glare the Hassansin Heartless they tried to overwhelm the Forever After Fighters but due to having fought them before they knew how to get the better of them.
Leaping in the Setam Heartless fires his spikes at them but Humphrey raises his shield to block them.

"Fist of the Demon King!" Ogremon yells throwing a fist of darkness.

Rolling out of the way Setam was about to counter when Humphrey throws an egg bomb knocking it back.

As the Heartless Ghazab swings his axe, Briar and Blondie dodge it.

Getting up Blondie fires multiple lasers at it before Grizzlymon rams into it.

Skidding back Heartless Ghazab clashes with Briar as she swings her sword at it but the giant axe overpowered her.

"Briar get back!" Togemon said charging in. "Needle Spray!" Togemon yells firing multiple needles at him making it cringe in pain.

Drawing his scimitar, the Heartless Gool clashes with Riku and Growlmon who block his slashes.

"I'm not letting these things get the better of me again." Riku said pushing back knocking it down towards a lower area.

"Pyro Blaster!" As Growlmon fires a giant fireball, Heartless Gool slashes it in half when Riku dives down and slashes him knocking him to the ground.

Flicking his whips, the Heartless Hassad was keeping Merida, Ginryumon, Faybelle and Dorugamon at bay.

Drawing her bow, Merida fires at him knocking a whip out of its hands.

"Cannonball!" Before it could get its weapon Dorugamon blasts it with a giant metal ball sending it smashing into the wall.

Faybelle swings her staff but Heartless Hassad flicks his other whip wrapping around her leg and swings sending her crashing into the Digimon.

Grabbing his other whip, he continues his attack on Merida who tries to block with her bow.

"A little help please!" Merida said.

"Metal Armor Blade!" Ginryumon fires a spear forcing Heartless Hassad to leap back.

Drawing his arm blades, Heartless Tamah clashes with Raven and Wizardmon as both swing their weapons clashing with it sending sparks flying.

Leaping back, Heartless Tamah fires blades from his wrist shooter.

Holding out his hand Wizardmon deflects the attacks with a barrier.

"Time to switch it up don't you think?" Wizardmon suggests.

"Oh yeah." Raven nods.

"Electro Squall!" Wizardmon said firing balls of electricity.

Holding out her hand Raven fires blasts of darkness hitting it dead center.

At the top area, Heartless Nefrat was throwing dark exploding grenades down at them causing them to scatter.

"Nefertimon!" Namine said as she leaped on her back and flew up towards it.

"Cat's Eye Beam!" As more grenades rained down, Nefertimon fires beams from her eyes destroying them.

Leaping off, Namine swings her keyblade down hitting Heartless Nefrat making it tumble back.

Finally, Roxas, Apple, Angemon and Garurumon were staring down the Zolm Heartless.

"You ready to take this guy down?" Roxas asks.

"For so long." Apple nods.

Charging in Zolm Heartless flicks his snakes at them.

"Hand of Fate!" Angemon yells.

"Howling Blaster!" Garurumon said as they both blasted the snakes to ashes.

Using this opening Roxas and Apple fired blasts of magic making him stagger back.

Swinging his keyblade, Roxas slashes Zolm Heartless.

"I'm not gonna be your stupid snake chow." Roxas growls.

Recovering it hurls dark snakes at him when Apple got in front of him.

"Aeroga!" Apple holds out her hands and she blasts the snakes away.

Flying in Angemon swings his staff but the Zolm Heartless blocks with his sword and knocks him back.

Moving in, Zolm hurls snakes at them but Garurumon pulls them onto his back before they could get bitten.

"This is a sneaky one." Garurumon said.

"Oh believe me we know." Apple said.

Racing right under Namine and Nefertimon, they were flying around avoiding Heartless Nefrat's grenades when one flew in and exploded knocking her to the ground.

"Namine!" Nefertimon gasps.

Drawing a dagger, the Heartless attacks her but at the last second Namine rolled out of the way.

Swinging her keyblade she knocks the dagger out of its hands before kicking it in the chest making it stagger back.

Getting up, Namine knew she had to end this.

"Valor Drive!" Namine said as her outfit turned red and in her hands Fairy Champion and Swan Song appeared.

Charging in Namine slashes the grenades away.

"Roseatta Stone!" Nefertimon nails him with a stone tablet allowing Namine to leap in and slash him causing him to disappear into darkness.

Down below near a bridge, Humphrey and Ogremon were hiding behind his shield as the Setam Heartless fired multiple spikes at them but were deflected.

"Humphrey we're not gonna beat him like this." Ogremon said.

"I know, just keep moving back. I have a plan." Humphrey said.

Grabbing Humphrey's shoulders with one hand and using his club in his other hand the two of them moved back through the bridge towards the other side.

Seeing it couldn't get a shot at them, the Heartless charged in after them.

Humphrey and Ogremon were about to make it to the other side when the Setam Heartless fires three spikes grazing them making them fall out of the opposite end.

As the Setam Heartless moved in for the kill, Humphrey took out every Egg Bomb he could hold.

"Now Ogremon!" Throwing his club, Ogremon knocks the Setam Heartless under a bridge.

Before it could recover, Humphrey threw the bombs right over the bridge.

"This is for Seso!" Humphrey yells as all the bombs go off causing tons of rubble to come down on the Setam Heartless crushing it into darkness.

Hopping on Ginryumon and Dorugamon both Merida and Faybelle race around the Hassad Heartless who flicked his whips trying to knock them off.

Flicking one with all his might it hit Merida in the shoulder causing her to cringe but at the last second she grabs the whip before he could pull it back.

Before the Heartless could respond, Faybelle grabbed the other whip.

"Around and around you go!" Merida said as they ran circles around the Heartless tying it up with his own whips.

Coming to a stop, Merida draw her arrow and Faybelle coats it with dark magic.

"Ready? Aim." Faybelle said as Merida drew bow and readied herself. "Fire!"

Firing her arrow it pierced the Heartless right through the head causing it to disappear into darkness.

"A Bullseye. Nice shot." Faybelle whistles impressed.

"Thank you." Merida smiles.

Clashing weapons, Briar used her sword and staff to repel Heartless Ghazab's strikes. When he pulls his axe back Briar rolls out of the way as he slammed his axe down crushing the ground where she was.

"Blizzaga!" Before he could move Briar blasts ice at his feet freezing him.

It tried to get free when Togemon came up from behind and grabbed it stopping it from breaking free and hurting it with its sharp cactus body.

"Nowhere to run now." Blondie said from above.

Controling her camera droids they flew in and fired multiple lasers causing it to flinch in pain. "Now Grizzlymon!"

Charging in, Grizzlymon growls as darkness surrounds his claws.

"Black Bear Claws!" Swinging his claws, Grizzlymon slashes the Ghazab Heartless allowing Briar to move in and stab it through the chest causing it to explode into darkness.

"How cool was that Blondie?" Briar asks as they turned to her.

"Just right." Blondie smiles.

Nearby the Gool Heartless swings his scimitar at Riku who dodges the attack.

"Dragon Slash!" With a glowing elbow blade, Growlmon swings it at him but the Heartless blocks with his scimitar and knocks Growlmon away.

Turning its attention to Riku, the Heartless attacks but Riku blocks the attack.

"Dark Splicer!" Disappearing in a flurry of quick and poweful attacks Riku slashes Gool knocking it towards some rubble.

"Pyro Blaster!" Releasing another fireball it crashes into him causing Gool to explode into darkness.

"Nice shot." Riku smiles.

"Thank you Rikumon." Growlmon smiles.

"It's just…ugh we'll deal with this later." Riku said.

Running nearby, Raven and Wizardmon trying to outrun the Tamah Heartless as it shot blades at them from the rooftops but at the last second Wizardmon yanks Raven to safety.

"Okay you're good with a weapon, but let's see how you handle some magic." Raven said as her eyes glowed purple.

"Blink Breeze!" Releasing a powerful gust of wind, Wizardmon blasts the Heartless off the roof and sliding down towards the ground.

Thrusting her hands forward Raven blasts the Heartless into the wall with a dark blast.

"Let's end this." Holding out her hand, the Rebellia Blade appears in it.

Grabbing it, dark magic surrounds the blade coating it in a purple aura.

However the Tamah Heartless wasn't going down that easy. Readying its arm blades it slashes Raven knocking her to the ground.

As it lunges in Wizardmon blocks with his staff.

Gripping her blade, Raven swings it up knocking the wrist blade and staff out of both their hands.

Using this opening Raven stabs the Rebellia blade through its chest causing darkness to pierce through the heartless destroying it.

"Wow, that was pretty risky." Wizardmon said helping her up.

"Hey if Apple can step up her game, so can I." Raven smiles.

Speaking of Apple, she released a Thundaga trying to blast away the Zolm Heartless.

Making quick precise movements it dodges her attacks and readies his sword.

Flying in Angemon grabs Apple pulling her to safety.

As it looked up it didn't notice Roxas summon Hand of Fate in his other hand. Swinging it Roxas stuns the heartless allowing him to nail multiple quick strikes before delivering a powerful one sending it crashing backwards.

Zolm tried to counter attack when 8 attacks flew in forcing him to jump back.

"You guys miss us?" Turning around Roxas and Apple saw the rest of their friends backing them up.

With all the other Hassansins taken care of the Zolm Heartless was the only one left.

It hissed and released several snakes.

Raising their weapons, Roxas, Raven, Riku, Namine, Apple, Faybelle and Briar all charged up for one huge attack.

"BLAZING STORM!" Firing a powerful fire attack it easily overwhelmed the snakes and destroyed the last Hassansin Heartless.

Panting heavily all of them were getting tired when they heard the sound of swords clashing.

Looking up they saw Nizam and Dastan were still going at it.

Roaring in rage, Nizam slashes at Dastan but he blocks and disarms him.

Nailing him with a powerful strike Nizam lands across from the FAFs with Dastan leaping down to meet him.

"You had everything a man could ever dream of. Love, respect a family. But it was never enough for you, was it?" Dastan asked.

Thinking it was over, Dastan got up and turned around.

As Apple was about to join up with him she noticed Nizam pulled out a knife.

"Look out!" Apple holds up her hands and blasts Nizam in the hands causing him to drop the knife as he screamed in pain.

"My hands! It burns!" Nizam screams.

"Yeah it always does at first, but you get used to it." Apple said before blasting him with a gust of wind allowing Tus to move in and stab him.

Looking in shock, everyone saw Nizam fall to the ground dead.

Everyone cheered for Dastan as Tus and Garsiv patted him on the back. The Forever After Fighters smiled and walked up to him as well.

"I'm sorry for what I said about you. Who are you exactly?" Tus asks.

"Allies of Persia, your highness." Roxas bows and so do the rest of his friends.

"We're not done yet. I believe we owe the princess an apology for this attack." Dastan said.

Tus nodded and led everyone inside.

"Do you think she remembers too?" Merida asks.

"I don't know." Dastan said.

---

Inside all of the Persian Army were presented before Princess Tamina.

"Princess of Alamut. I was misled to attack your city. Forgive me, Your Highness." Tus said. "Let me try to make amends. It would be to our mutual advantage, that our nations be united by a bond stronger than friendship. Marriage." He said surprising the Forever After Fighters.

"Again?" Apple asks.

"Some things never change." Briar mutters.

"Your marriage to one who is both conqueror and savior of your city, Dastan." Tus said surprising Dastan. "Royal blood or not, he's every bit a son to our father. Every bit a brother to Garsiv and me. The true Prince of Persia."

Everyone applauded as Tus and Garsiv led Dastan up.

"Get up there before I take your place." Garsiv teased.

"Hello, Princess it's customary to accompany a proposal with gifts but, uh… I was surprised and unless I'm unprepared." He cringes causing the Forever After Fighters to chuckle. "I've nothing for you, save… that which is already yours." He presents the Dagger surprising Tamina as he knelt down. "And… the credit to my 10 friends. I would have never discovered the plot without them, and this city would be no more without them as well."

Tamina looked down. "Walk with me, Prince Dastan, and your allies of Persia." She said.

Tamina led everyone to the field outside. They looked to the flowers with amazement before she turned to them.

"How can I trust the man who breached the walls of my city?" She asks.

"He is no longer the same man who breached them, your Majesty." Roxas said.

"That's a short time for a man to change. It sounds as if you've discovered something here." Tamina said surprised.

"What might that be?" Dastan asked.

"The new spiritual awareness."

"A destiny."

"Yes."

"I believe we make our own destinies." Dastan said.

"And us too, with respect." Apple said.

"You have an unfortunate lack of curiosity." Tamina rolls her eyes.

"One of my many flaws." Dastan smirks.

"Please don't mock me." Tamina glares.

"I hardly think we know each other well enough for that, Princess, but I look forward to the day that we do." Dastan holds out his hand to Tamina.

Tamina smiled and held his hand. As they did, a light formed in Riku's hand.

Dastan and Tamina looked as from the light came a Keyblade, the body forming Dastan's sword with a dagger at the end, Seso's knives as the guard, the Sands of Time as the chain and the Dagger as the keychain.

"What a Keyblade!" Raven said impressed.

"Looks like that grand rewind we went through." Apple smiles.

Riku looks to the Keyblade and smiles. "Grand Rewind. I like it."

Holding up Grand Rewind to the sky, the Dagger reacts to it. Shooting a beam of light Rikuseals the Keyhole for this World.

"Might I also introduce Roxas Twilight and the Forever After Fighters? A Keyblade Wielder." Dastan said surprising her.

"There are stories about the Keyblade. It is an honor to meet you all." Tamina smiles. "I thank you and Prince Dastan for saving Alamut."

"Thank you, your Majesty." Apple said.

"But now that the crisis has been resolved we must leave." Roxas said.

"After all this time you're leaving?" Dastan asks surprised.

"Let's just say that our job is complicated." Faybelle shrugs.

"Well if you ever choose to stop by, know that you're always welcome." Dastan smiles.

"Thanks Dastan." Roxas said as Dastan leans in.

"Hopefully you don't have to punch this one." Dastan whispers causing them to chuckle.

"In that case, may your hearts be your guiding keys." Tamina said.

Everyone smiled and left. As they did Tus and Garsiv bowed to them. They bowed back and made their way to the Tempest.

"Now that was a great adventure." The Female Narrator said.

"Life is mysterious with things like this." The Male Narrator said.

"Well you know what they say. It is said some lives are linked across time. Connected by an ancient calling that echoes through the ages." Brooke said.

"Very wise, Brooke. Very Wise." The Male Narrator said.

"You know, Apple, I was wrong about you." Faybelle smiles, confusing Apple. "At first, I didn't think you had what it took to help ever since you burned your hands."

"Glad to hear the support." Apple rolls her eyes.

"But look at you. You took down the head Hassansin and helped bring down Nizam. Guess I underestimated you." Faybelle smirked.

"We're lucky to have you back with us Apple." Namine said.

"We sure are." Roxas said as he patted Apple on the shoulder. "Wait until we tell everyone what really happened. You really showed you had what it took out there."

"Yeah it was just a spur of the moment thing, I saw Dastan in trouble and I just did what I thought I could do." Apple said before realizing something. "Just like with Cinderella."

"Let him give you the praise this time." Raven smirked.

"You were just right out there." Blondie smiled.

"You might be able to help out just yet." Roxas smirked.

Apple blushed. 'Guess I was able to prove myself after all.' She thought to herself as everyone made their way into the Tempest. It soon took off and left the World.

Up on the Tempest, Apple was sitting down looking at her email when she heard a knock at the door.

"Can I come in?" Roxas asks.

"Sure." Apple nods as he sat down next to her.

"How are your hands?" Roxas asks.

"All healed up thanks to my new weapons." Apple smiles holding them up.

"You really are the toughest princess I've ever met." Roxas said causing her to giggle.

"So what's up?" Apple asks.

"Two things. One, this is for saving me back there from Zolm." Leaning Roxas gives Apple a kiss on the lips making her feel very happy.

"Ooh what's the other thing?" Apple asks hoping for another.

"Apple, there's something important I want to talk to you about. Your mother's ball." Roxas said getting her attention.

"It's okay, I won't go. I'd rather spend the night with you." Apple said.

"Well that's the thing. I want you to go to your mother's ball." Roxas said.

"You do?" Apple said not expecting this.

"After dealing with all the craziness in this world and how families can tear each other apart I realized something." Roxas said.

"What?" Apple asks.

"I realized I have something important I need to do." Taking a deep breath Roxas turns to her. "Apple White, will you bring me as your date to your mother's ball?"

"What?!" Apple gasps.

"What?!" The other FAFs gasp.

"What?!" Brooke and her parents gasp.

This world had a ton of insane and crazy surprises but needless to say what Roxas just did topped it all.