Chapter XXIV: Sweets and Secrets

Having reached their destination, Ushio and Ralph walked through the candy based environment. The sugar setting seemed calm as no one else seemed to be around.

"So, how do you know this place?" Ushio asked the man as she followed his lead.

"I spent some time here. Went on a life changing journey. Met someone important to me." Ralph replied. "That's part of why I rushed over here. If those things are attacking the arcade, I want to make sure she's safe."

"You two, look out!" a sudden voice called out.

"They're coming this way!" a second joined in.

The pair watched as two doughnut looking policemen ran by. Following close behind, a quartet of floating macaron appearing Heartless and three Blox Bugs chased after them.

"Looks like we'll have to cut the chat short." Ushio said as she turned towards the enemy.

The girl slashed at the Bitter Macarons as Ralph threw his fists into the Blox Bug. While the cops had run from the seven enemies, Ushio and Ralph found little difficulty in dealing with them.

"T-thank you." the eclair shaped one said.

"Hey, you two." Ralph said as he approached the pair. "Mind telling me exactly what the situation is?"

"Of course." the circular shaped one answered. "You and the girl helped us last time we had an issue. In fact, it's kinda related to that."

"Wait, what happened last time?" Ushio asked.

"Oh, you don't know?" the eclair jumped in. "We had a problem with someone game jumping and taking over our game. However, that's all behind us now. Or rather, it should be."

"Yes. Tell them all about it." someone added. "Revealing how despite their frantic attempt, I still found a way to remain."

The four turned to find an older looking king standing next to two Berserkers.

"Turbo!" Ralph called out.

"Glad you remember me after all you did to me."

"But how? You got destroyed outside your game."

"That would be our doing." a new voice joined in as a portal appeared nearby. Stepping out, a familiar grey haired man stared at them.

"Genex." Ushio glared back at him.

"I'm glad you remember." he replied. "To answer your question, it's was all there in the code. As true with anyone, his interactions with everyone left marks on them. It was through your memories that bits of him stayed in the source code. From there, the powers of darkness was able to reconstitute him enough to stand here."

"And don't think I've forgiven and forgotten everything." Turbo said. "I'll have my revenge on both you and the glitch girl. And as luck would have it, it seems that I have the key bearer I need right in front of me."

"You…need me?" Ushio asked.

"Of course." Genex responded. "The unfortunate aspect of his revival limits him to remain trapped in this game, forever a bug in its programming. Yet, the power of your Keyblade would allow him to free himself from such restraints."

"So, why do you play nice and give me your little key?" Turbo gestured.

"I'm not handing it over." Ushio replied. "What do you say, Ralph? Should we take them down?"

"I've been waiting for you to say it." he answered.

"Such a shame." Genex shook his head. "Though I suppose you'll get some enjoyment from this response."

"True. Let's see how they like my little games." Turbo smiled.

With a snap of Genex's fingers, the ground beneath Ushio and Ralph began to sink. The pair struggled as they sank lower and lower as blackness filled their vision.

Opening her eyes, Ushio found herself in a large arena. Above, a few balconies decorated the walls with Turbo standing on one, still in his King form. She glanced to her side to see Ralph regaining his senses.

"What is this!?" Ushio shouted up to the enemy.

"My dear, don't you know what's in at the moment? Everyone loves a good coliseum beat down of their foes. So, last chance. If you hand over your key, only Ralph has to go down."

"You think I'm going to betray him and just hand this over to you." Ushio made a show of pointing her Keyblade at him.

"Shame." Turbo replied. "Now, bring out the champion!"

A loud rumbling could be heard as Blox Bugs poured in overheard. Hitting the ground, they began to form together into a massive, vaguely humanoid, beast.

"Well, Ralphie boy, let's see if you can 'wreck it'."

The Blox Behemoth lumbered towards the pair as they prepared to fight. If there seemed to be one thing on their side, it appeared the Heartless was slow.

Ushio charged the foe, striking its broad torso. Her quick strikes were accompanied by the pounding of Ralph's fists. The two struck it time after time as it kept going, winding up an attack of its own. With its giant hands, it smashed down on the ground as a shockwave shot out. Jumping to avoid the shockwave, Ushio was surprised to see the enemy's fist headed right towards her. Unable to block or dodge, she was sent flying from the hit.

Coughing as she got to her feet, she saw the Heartless punching Ralph towards her direction. With a thud, he hit the ground.

"Ralph!"

"I'm…fine." he said, despite the damage.

"Oh boy, look at you struggling. How delightful." Turbo called out from above.

The pair panted as they looked at the approaching Heartless. Despite their earlier barrage of attacks, it seemed unaffected. As it lumbered over to them, a rope made of red licorice fell down.

"Huh?"

"What's this?"

Looking up at the rope, a person in a green hoodie descended.

"You two, climb up." she called out.

"Kid, you're okay!" Ralph cried out to her.

"What!?" Turbo exclaimed at the sight. "You, get her."

Following his order, the Blox Behemoth swiped forward and cut the rope. The girl fell before being caught by Ralph.

"To think everyone I wanted just showed up for me. Revenge certainly is sweet."

The three were cornered by the massive Heartless. With no way out, Ushio prepared to fight again.

"Any plans to get out?" Ralph asked.

"I guess we'll just have to keep fighting." Ushio replied.

"Actually, I might have another." the other girl said. Hopping onto Ralph's back, she looked to Ushio. "Alright, you need to grab hold. Once you do, Ralph, I need you to run directly at the wall."

"Wait, you want us to run into a wall!?" Ushio went wide eyed as she grabbed onto Ralph.

"Wait, you mean…"

"I'll try." she answered.

With the Heartless swinging its fist back, Ralph started his short run. Ushio watched as the wall got closer and closer until a weird sensation flooded her. A static electricity shot through her system as she felt her body jump forward. Before she knew it, the trio were outside the walls of the coliseum.

"We did it!" Ralph shouted out.

"What did I tell you." the girl snuggly responded. "I knew we'd made it."

"Umm, I believe you said 'I'll try'." Ushio corrected.

—

Staring in disbelief, Turbo grew angry.

"So close!" he said. "That's it! No more mister nice guy!"