Chapter XXXV: Reconnect

Ushio stared down the sight in front of her. The shadowy figure atop the horse galloped closer as his sword rose. She quickly summoned her Keyblade as she got into a fighting stance. It didn't take much to realize he meant her harm.

The sword flew by as Ushio raised her key to block. A metallic cling sounded out as the horseman ran pass. He reared his horse, circling back to his target.

A sinister cackle cried out as the headless man gazed at her. Once more, he charged at her. Ushio rolled out of the way as the horse came right at her. Running up to him, she swing her Keyblade only to find his sword repelling the attack. With her attack through, he swiped at her a few times. Ushio barely avoided them as she tried to get some distance.

Observing the enemy, she saw thick darkness swirling around him. The sheer amount seemed to draw Heartless in as Ushio noted Shadows beginning to spring up. She cursed her misfortune.

The Headless Horseman charged her. His horse reared before crashing its forelegs down onto her. She guarded, yet she felt her feet pushing into the ground.

Using her small movement area, she found herself lucky as she spun into the foe. At last, her Keyblade connected with his body. One, two, three hits of the back. Still, he took them no problem. Throwing more strength into her next swing, the strike hit him point blank. As usual, he practically absorbed the damage it would've done.

The Horseman's sword slashed away as Ushio was pushed back. Once more, the horse reared up and brought itself down. Ushio defended against the attack, but the Horseman took the opportunity to strike at her. The girl was thrown back by the attack. Getting to her feet, the Horseman charged. The force of the charge threw her a few feet.

Now injured on the ground, the brunette looked around. The Heartless summoned from the darkness surrounding the Headless Horseman were surrounding her. Her ways of escape cut off, the Horseman charged her once again. Unable to do anything helpful, Ushio squinted as she anticipated the blow.

Yet, the blow didn't come. Ushio felt nothing as she say injured. Wondering why he hadn't gone through with the attack, she opened her eyes.

Seeing what was in front of her shocked her. Out of everything, she hadn't thought this would be a possibility. Standing in front of her, blocking the attack of the Horseman, was a familiar sight. The spiky, brown haired man in black, red, and white took a glance behind himself.

"D-Dad?" Ushio slipped out.

"Sorry we're late. Let us handle this."

Still rearing from the sight, Ushio heard another familiar voice call out beside him.

"Curaga!"

Feeling the healing effects wash over her, Ushio got her her feet as she looked at its caster. Kairi looked at her daughter as she offered a smile.

Ahead of the pair, Sora continued the fight. He pushed back the Horseman as he readied himself. The Horseman charged again, his sword at the ready. Sora quickly dodged and countered with a swift combo of blows. With the Headless Horseman off guard, he prepared his next attack.

"Light!" Sora called out.

A massive pillar of light appeared below the Horseman as it shot upward. The strong magical ability dissipated, leaving the foe injured. Sending the way it would go after that strong blast, the Headless Horseman rode away from the trio and back into the night.

With the threat gone, the three were allowed their moment. After being apart for a while, the family came together in a big hug.

"How did you know I was on this world?" Ushio asked as they stepped back.

"I suppose it was luck." Sora proclaimed. "We just arrived here and noticed the amount of Heartless moving to this area. Then, to our surprise, you were here."

"Still, it's great to see you again, Dad. You too, Mom." Ushio said. "I guess we've got a lot to talk about."

—

The trio chatted as they took off in their Gummiship. Ushio told her parents of her journeys across the many world. She spoke of her adventures in the Tri-State Area, of aboard the Axiom, through the jungles of the Ancient Empire. From the futuristic World of Tomorrow to Game Central and even her stint in the World of Supers until she wound up in Sleepy Hollow.

She listened as Sora and Kairi relayed their tales. Ushio took in the stories of the worlds they'd gone to.

The family laughed as they enjoyed the good time. While there were more dire matters, they all knew they could put those aside for now. In this moment of time, it was a place to reconnect.

—

Kizuna stepped out into a Victorian-age world. The pink haired woman looked around, taking in her surroundings.

"Traverse Town, huh?" she mused.

Having accomplished her task, she was surprised to find this was where she was brought. The place she'd come from wasn't one that was easily left.

"It appears we'll be calling this place home for now." she called behind her.

The other Neo Seekers has tasked her with rescuing a potential ally. It had taken her some time, but she was able to bring him out of his imprisonment.

"So this is part of the outside world." a voice came from the portal.

"Welcome to the wider universe." Kizuna smiled.

From the portal emerged her new ally. The figure was a large, black and blue, winged dragon. An aura of darkness surrounded him.

"So, Mr. Dark Dragon, what's first up on your list?"