Whether it be a contest of equals or a trial of songs, it's two battles to the bitter end!

Also, as a heads up so I don't have to keep saying who's speaking each time:

"This speech type means that Donald is announcing!"

"And this one means Goofy is announcing!"

With that out of the way, let the Tournament continue!

"We've just got word that the next match will be a little different. Both teams have agreed to leave a member out of this battle due to injuries. On a second note, if any of you see Adam the Adventurer, please report him to our Cast Bots."

"Oh? What did he do, Donald?"

"He's the reason they had to leave a team member out of this fight."

"Oh."

Gabriel and Rachel didn't say anything to each other, only giving a nod as they squared up.

"Finally, a worthy swordswoman to clash against," Brooklyn said, Ashoka nodding as she ignited her lightsabers.

"Let's face our magic, Hexside versus Shadow Realm," Amity stated to Lena, the two magic teens powering up.

"For our friends," Kairi said, summoning her Keyblade.

"And our family," Violet added, a force field at the ready.

The bell rang, and both teams were off to battle. Rachel charged forward with Fafnir's Bane, with Gabriel summoning a sword made out of magic to block the attack. The two clashed against each other, with Rachel trying out various elemental blade strikes while Gabriel used every free moment to send a magic blast. "Brooklyn, switch up!" Gabriel called, jumping backwards as the gargoyle switched to fighting Rachel instead.

"Violet, give Ashoka a shield!" Rachel called, the super teen doing as told and giving the Jedi a force field to block an incoming blast from Gabriel.

"Kairi, Lena, Spectral Ice!" Gabriel quickly ducked under Ashoka's assault as Kairi sent and Ice spell out to give Gabriel an improvised slide to get away while Lena summoned multiple balls of light to distract their opponents with.

"You're not the only ones with combo moves," Rachel said. "Girls, time for phase one: Keys to the Kingdom!"

Amity nodded and summoned her abomination, with Ashoka jumping on top of the monster and using the Force to grab onto Kairi. Lena sent more magic their way, but Violet blocked the shots with her shields, giving Ashoka time to pull Kairi close and go in for a stab.

Kairi winced, but gave a small smile. "I won't let my defeat go without a fight." With one last spell, Kairi activated her limit Break, gaining wings and breaking from her hold. Holding her Keyblade high, the girl sent out beams of swirling light that slammed into Amity and knocked her out of the fight. "Win this for me and Jasiri, guys," Kairi said as she finally passed out.

"It's down to three," Rachel noted.

"Then There's no need to hold back!" Lena shouted, going into her Super Sorceress form and rushing Violet, quickly taking the super teen down before anything else can happen. "And that makes three to two!"

Rachel gritted her teeth, then charged up her sword. "Shadow Blade formation!" Her sword glowed black as she pointed it at Lena. The duck gasped as her form dissipated, then cried out in pain as her body was reduced back to a shadow, taking her out of the fight.

"The heck?" Gabriel gasped, only to have to dodge to the side as Rachel went out of him once more.

"Fafnir's Bane can nullify any magic, including magic given a body," Rachel explained as she broke the raven's magic sword. "All you have to do is match the magic type."

Brooklyn continued his fight with Ashoka, managing to knock away one of her lightsabers while also losing one of his own. "Yes, this is the fight I've been living for!" He then looked over to Gabriel as he was being pushed back by Rachel.

"Your friends are your power, but being up close isn't your strong suit," Rachel said. "As long as I keep up the pressure you won't be able to win!"

"I just have to get rid of your sword." Gabriel put up a shield to give him so time to break.

Rachel scoffed. "Fafnir's Bane is unbreakable! It was forged in the fires of a dragon's heart, so only one with the will of a dragon can defeat me!"

Brooklyn's eyes widened at that. He grabbed his broadsword and tossed it to Gabriel. "Gabriel, catch!"

The raven caught the blade, letting his magic flow over it. "But what about you?"

Brooklyn jumped over Ashoka and grabbed her from behind, then activated his gauntlets and let then overcharge with fire. "You know what to do. All your power is within you, and we will always cheer you on!" With a thumbs up, Brooklyn boosted himself into the air and let his power flow, sending out a fiery explosion and eliminating himself and Ashoka.

"Brooklyn…" Gabriel whispered. He dropped his shield and clashed blades with Rachel. While the sword mage was stronger, Gabriel used his magic to make himself more maneuverable, sliding around the arena to stay one step ahead. Eventually the two of them managed to tire each other out, panting with exhaustion on opposite sides of the field.

"Is it over?"

"The two are evenly matched. I couldn't tell you who'd win here."

"Gabriel!" Rachel suddenly shouted. She smiled and pointed her blade at him. "Tell me, what is your wish, truly?"

"I'm giving my wish to Lena, so that she can bring her 'father' back," Gabriel said. "I believe in second chances, as long as you're willing to put in the effort on your part, and Poe de Spell at least deserves the change to meet his 'daughter' one time."

Rachel nodded. "Your will has always been just. Let is clash one last time." Her sword glowed with a rainbow power. "Final Slash Formation."

Gabriel raised Brooklyn's sword, letting Fantasia magic go through it. "The power of music, Sword Style!"

The two ran at each other and clashed, their faces getting close to each other as their will to win was put to the test. Gabriel closed his eyes and poured all of his magic into the attack, his body faintly glowing as an aura formed around it.

"Wait…" Rachel said, eyes widening as the aura formed into a serpentine shape. Quickly she looked down to see Gabriel's necklace was shining the brightest. "Huh, so that's what it means…"

With the sound of shattering glass, Fafnir's Bane broken into pieces as Gabriel pushed through, slashing down Rachel in one attack. The sword mage smiled as she fell down, but Gabriel caught her hand to keep her standing. As she faded away, Gabriel let out a gasp of air as he fell to the ground onto his back, throwing a fist into the air.

"Yeah, I did it, Jasiri," he said. "Wow am I tired."

The crowd cheered at the amazing fight they had witnessed, with Donald and Goofy hooting and hollering along with them. "AND TEAM DREAM KEEPERS WIN WITH A TOOTH-AND-NAIL BATTLE TO THE END!"

[***]

Aria sighed as she had been unable to find Adam, but it was time to focus on her battle. The princesses at her side, they faced down Aline and her cats. Once the bell rang…

"Moana, let the ocean rage!" A wave of water rushed in and swept away all the cats, even catching Dinah off-guard and washing her out before she could teleport.

"Fall to my song!" At the same time, the princesses all fell asleep, though Aria covered her ears to block out the song. Aline sighed. "You still resisting, girl? Just go down so that I can meet my destiny."

"Aline, you aren't entitled to everything you want," Aria pleaded. "Please reconsider going after revenge." Music started as Aria let her music flow. "Believe me, I know that it might seem like a good idea, but you're making a mistake!"

Aria:

The path of hate is a dangerous track

You take one step and it's hard to turn back

It pulls you along,

and though it seems wrong it feels right

Aria held out a hand to Aline as she sang.

Don't you see this path you're on leaves a permanent mark

It feels good at first, then it slowly turns dark

With each passing day

you're further astray from the light

The wind swirled around the two girls as Aline turned away from Aira.

Suddenly, you lose your way and lose the thread

Lose your cool, then lose your head

Every loss is harder to excuse

Aria quickly got in front of Aline as she continued to sing, her words becoming music notes that swirled in the wind.

Then you'll see you'll lose your faith and lose your soul

'till you lose complete control

And realize there's nothing left to lose

Nothing left to lose

Aira grabbed Aline's hand. "Aline, listen to me: acting like a villain isn't the answer!"

"Is that what you think I am?" Aline scowled, throwing Aria's hand away as she started to sing.

Aline:

The path I'm on is a path paved in black

I'm taking that road and I'm not looking back

Each twist and each turn

leads straight where I'm yearning to go

Some of Aria's music notes became dark as they were swayed by Aline's singing.

Yes, it's true, my path is dark but I see where it ends

My rival will fall as my power ascends

Despise me, that's fine

I'm taking what's mine even so

Aline looked away, but her face became firm as she pointed at Aria, rising up with magic.

Not like you, you'll lose your nerve, you'll lose the game

And you and I, we're not the same

I'm not lost, this fate was mine to choose

Aria shielded herself with her lyre as the notes started to attack her.

So I chose to lose my doubts and lose my chains

Lose each weakness that remains

Now that I have nothing left to lose

Nothing left to lose

Aline used her magic to make an image of Gabriel appear, then reared back a fist to punch it, only for Aria to hold her hand back.

Aria:

You have so much to hold onto

Aline threw Aria aside.

Aline:

I only want my rightful dues

"Listen please!" Aria pleaded as the music swelled around the two, going into a duel duet as the storm swirled around them.

Aira (& Aline):

You've lost your grip and lost your mind

(Lose? I'm not gonna lose!)

All's not lost, don't be so blind

(I refuse!)

Cut your losses, drop the IOUs

(I refuse!)

Even though Aria was giving it her all, Aline's hatred of Gabriel was starting to overpower the song.

Aline (& Aria):

(Oooh choose!)

I lose no tears and lose no sleep

What I want I'll take and keep

(It's time for you to choose!)

Both:

You can't stop the turning of the screws

Aria reached out her hand to Aline, only for the siren magic to get to her finally, sending her into dreamland. "Let this be a reminder that I will never, ever change my goals," Aline said darkly."

Aline:

Now I have nothing left to lose

She walked away, hair covering her eyes as she left to prepare for the final battle against her self-imposed rival.

Author's Note

It was an all-out battle to the end, with each side losing members, but Gabriel stood victorious. Rachel saw something special about Gabriel's dragon necklace as Fafnir's Bane shattered, so be on the lookout for what that was all about.

As for Aria versus Aline, they both quickly got rid of their party members into order to have an epic duet to decide who would move on. The song in question this time was "Nothing Left to Lose" from Tangled: The Series, and please go listen to the song because it's really epic!

That just leaves Gabriel and Aline to finally face each other in the next chapter. No intermission, just straight to the fight. But it does feel like there's still something else going on, especially with Ditto still out and about. Guess we'll have to see where that goes next time…