Chapter XXXVII: Traversing Around

Staring at the person in front of her, Ushio was a bit taken aback. The green and black spiky haired boy in red jacket and jean shorts had just been a dragon a few seconds ago. Despite what she'd encountered in her journey up to that point, things still found a way to surprise her.

"So, what's your name?" Jake asked.

"I'm Ushio." she responded politely. "And thanks for helping back there."

"It's no problem." he said. "Really, it was a stroke of luck for me. I was looking for the Dark Dragon and just happened to find him then. Plus, who'd had thought I'd run into someone like you."

"Someone…like me?" Ushio puzzled.

"Yeah, your key thing and all. Before I came here, Gramps told me that if I should ever stumble onto someone with a Keysword in the other world that they should be able to help."

"Actually, it's called a Keyblade." Ushio corrected. "But I understand what you're saying. If that other dragon is teamed up with the Neo Seekers and controlling the Heartless, he's definitely up to no good."

Having settled on introductions, Ushio had one last thing on her mind.

"So, what's with the whole transformation thing?"

"Well…" Jake trailed off. "It's not really something I let get out. Where I'm from, it's a secret to most people. However, given the strange circumstances here, it seemed okay. Just don't tell anyone else, got it?"

Ushio nodded her head.

"I come from a long line of dragons. Most of us are able to change between human and dragon form. We're kinda the protectors of the magical world." he explained.

—

"Not going to chase after them?" Kizuna said as she leaned against the hotel's wall.

"There's no need." the Dark Dragon stated. "The American Dragon will crawl back here in an effort to defeat me and given the situation, the Keyblade wielder will follow. I need simply to allow the rest of my power to come back to me before we take off."

"Then I leave this up to you. I have a few side things I need to deal with."

With her work in the town done for now, Kizuna disappeared in the Corridor of Darkness.

"Soon, the Dragon will feel my wrath for the defeat I suffered." he proclaimed as he gazed over the Heartless swarming beneath him.

—

With a slash, another Heartless faded away. Try as the low level Shadows might, they stood no chance against their opponents. Ushio swung her Keyblade at the Heartless as Jake in his dragon form fought them off beside her.

"Looks like all the stronger ones are still gathered over in Sixth District." Ushio commented. "It's going to be a pain when we arrive."

"It'll be no sweat." Jake proclaimed. "These fools are no match for us two. The Dark Dragon will be the problem."

"Got any suggestions to take him down?" Ushio asked as she brought her Key down on another foe.

"From my experience, he's gotten stronger each time I've faced him. Honestly, last time we beat him, it was only because the place we were in was sealed away."

"That's not good." Ushio replied as Jake's tail whipped away the Heartless approaching her. "I guess we'll just have to combine our strengths and try our best."

"Yeah." Jake nodded. "We'll do it together."

—

Sneaking back into the Sixth District, Ushio and Jake peered around the corner to observe their foe. A thrall of Heartless gathered below as the Dark Dragon stood on the building in preparation, observing the growing shadows.

"Are you ready?" Jake asked.

"Yeah." Ushio replied.

Grabbing onto her, Jake flew the pair onto the hotel's roof. Landing on the building, they prepared for the coming fight.

"Ah, the American Dragon and Keyblade wielder. You've come back to meet your doom." the Dark Dragon smiled.

"Someone sounds all doom and gloom still. Does he ever get tired of this?" Ushio remarked.

"Not really." Jake said.

"Heh, you mock me, but I recall you running not long ago." the Dark Dragon spoke. "This time, you won't get away. Your defeat will be the start of my campaign and when I return to my world, I will reign supreme."