April 07, 2021:

Hello everyone! Hope you have a nice day!

Now, we go to the next chapter of this story. Last time, the group went to sleep after an intense day. Hikaru and Umi quickly learned the sword techniques of Avan that Alan taught them, even thought he was mostly self-learned and he went by his anime knowledge. It was still enough for him to do them, even if his version was incomplete. Meanwhile, Fuu was starting to teach Alan on how to use the bow, since he was not good at it, which he appretiate.

Then, they meet Ferio, the Swordsman, who followed them because he was lost in the forest. How will he help them?

Also, Alan MAYBE had mess up the still not existant relationship between Fuu and Ferio. Oh well, let's see what happens.

And so, on tho the next chapter.

Hope you like it!


Chapter 007: The Dark Stone of the Forest

The sun was raising in the horizon, a new day in Cephiro just started. A new day of adventures.

Inside the strange egg-shaped building, the redhead, Hikaru, was awake, unlike her two new friends, who were sleeping on the bed. Hikaru always wake up earlier, since she liked to train on the dojo of her family, so she was used to it. Still in her pajamas, she went the bathroom, brushed her teeth and then went to have an apple for breakfast. She will wait for her friends to wake up, so they can continue their adventure.

That is…when she decided to look through a window, and noticed movement outside.

It was Alan, the man who appeared on the flying fish with them. He was training, it seems, as he was doing some punches and kicks, before summoning his Bow, and shooting while he was moving to some trees on the edge of the clearing where they were sleeping. She looked at him with intrigue, and went on to change her clothes, grab an apple and go outside.

As she approached him, she noticed he wasn't wearing his blue jacket, leaving him only with his white sleeveless shirt. That is when she noticed he was fairly muscular.

She shook her head a bit, and approached him.

"Good morning, senpai."

The young man stopped his training and looked back.

"Oh, morning, Hikaru!" He responded energetically. "You sleep well?"

"Yep, I did. What about you?" the redhead asked.

"Could be better, but I had a nice sleep. Just had to chase out a monster that tried to sneak by."

"Eh? We were attacked?" Hikaru asked in surprise.

"No, but seems it was curious. I chase it down and killed it. Seems you didn't realize about it, right?"

"Wow, we didn't. Sorry, we should have helped you."

"I don't think you could…or most important, I don't think it was going to attack you."

"What do you mean?" She asked in confusion.

"When I was away and tried to return, I realized I couldn't feel your energy. Took a while, but managed to do so. It seems like this egg building hide your presence, so not sure if the monster was about to attack you, or attack ME, who was outside."

"You mean…the building hide us?"

"Seems like. Makes sense, as it would be REALLY BAD if a monster attacked while you were in your pajamas, right?"

"I guess…" Hikaru said, before she offered the apple she had in her hand to him. "Here."

"Oh, thanks!" Alan said, grabbing the apple and taking a bite. "Was quite hungry."

"I can imagine. Say, are you training?"

"Ah? Yeah, I was training my accuracy with the Bow. Just got one but I SUCKED at it. Still, Fuu gave me some pointers, so I think I'm getting better."

"Why are you using a Bow if you are bad at it?"

"Well…" Alan said, as he sighed, and Hikaru noticed his mood just went down a bit.

"Something wrong?"

"No it's just… many things have happened lately in my life."

Alan looked at the apple in his hand, and sighed again.

"Just before I arrived here… we had a very nasty defeat." Alan commented, turning to look at Hikaru. "Remember I mentioned the world I arrived before here need 6 Elemental crystals to exist, but they were being destroyed one per one?"

"Yeah, you mentioned in Presea's home." Hikaru responded.

"Well, 4 out the 6 crystals were destroyed, and we were on the temple of the fifth one. There…we had a large battle. So… so many people died that day, 4 days ago. Many of them… died protecting me."

Hikaru stood there, just hearing his story.

"Why?" She asked in confusion.

"You see, in this other world, Regno Tenebrae, the 6 Elemental Crystals were created by 12 Golden Warriors, all wielding a Keyblade, 10,000 years ago." Alan explained. "Because of that, Keyblade Wielding Warriors were seen as heroes, protectors of the peace. However, no Keyblade Warriors have appeared in Regno Tenebrae in the last 10,000 years… until…"

"Until you appeared?" Hikaru asked.

"Yeah. So… when the world is on the verge of destruction, when the world is being transformed, and darkness spreads across the lands, how do you think the people would react…when a Keyblade Wielder suddenly appears."

Hikaru realized what he was talking about.

"They will… relay on you."

"Exactly." He responded. "After I started making a name of myself, many people in many towns began to admire me, or at least be surprised that I am the Keyblade Champion, as they call me. And it all feels nice, right? Being the hero, being loved by many, being respected… but…"

"But…?"

"…but what happens… when you keep failing?" Alan said, looking at the trees, seeing how many of his arrows missed the target he drew in one of the trees. "When I arrived, 2 Crystals were gone, with the third one being destroyed in front of me. Then, the fourth one was destroyed too, also in front of me. By then, I was training my hearts out, trying to become stronger to protect everyone, and to save the world."

"…and…did you-?"

"No, I did not." Alan said. "I trained, and become as strong as my teacher. I unlocked a power so big the world shook with the pressure!... but…it was not enough."

"What do you mean?"

"There is another side of being a hero for a world, and that is that everyone sees you as their 'last hope' to save the world. Do you know what that means?"

"That they expect you to save it?"

"Yes, but…who are 'they', Hikaru?"

"…the people of that world."

"Right… so, if you are the last hope to their planet…and you are in danger of dying because you are still weak…what do you think THEY will do?"

Hikaru opened her eyes in surprise.

"Don't tell me-"

"Yeah…and that is what happened." Alan said, clenching his fists. "I am…still weak. And because of that, many people died, trying to protect me. They…placed themselves in front of me, to protect me from dragon's fire. They did it because… they placed their hopes and dreams on me, that they wish I could save the world from evil." Alan said, as he laughed a little. "And… those hopes and dreams… are very heavy, Hikaru."

The redhead stood there, not knowing what to say.

"You want to be a hero too…right, Hikaru?" Alan asked, causing the redhead to look at him. "I hate to break it to you but… it's not THAT easy. Having the weight of everyone's hopes on your back… it's not something a normal person can easily handle."

They stood silent for a few seconds, with Alan still gripping the apple…before relaxing.

"But I have accepted it."

Hikaru raised her head to look at him.

"I have accepted their hopes and dreams." He continued. "Their wishes will become my motivation to become even stronger."

He raised his hand into the sky.

"I made a promise to them. A promise to their graves, a promise to their souls."

"A promise?" Hikaru asked.

"Yes. I promised to become stronger…so I can become the hero they wished I would become. But for that, I need their help. The help of everyone. I am sure even me coming here will allow me to complete that objective. I must be here to learn something, or help someone in here. I know I can't save everyone but… damn, I will TRY and do my BEST to protect everyone!"

Hikaru smiled at this.

"And I will surely help you!" the redhead said. "In everything you need, I will do my best to help you!"

"We will!"

Hikaru and Alan turned back and saw that both Umi and Fuu were out the house, with their own clothes and armor.

"Wha-? Since when were you here?" Hikaru asked.

"For a while." Fuu responded. "We heard you going out, so we woke up and decided to follow."

"Yeah, and we heard all your conversation." Umi commented. "So, Alan senpai, seems you are a rising hero or something."

"Well, it seems like." Alan said, scratching the back of his head. "I mean, I was someone with no motivation, and a very, VERY lack of confidence. But that adventure… it changed me, and made me more confident in myself… also, I became thin."

"You mean you weren't?" Umi asked.

"Nope! I was kind of chubby, and didn't ate very healthy. But 3 months of this adventure and I am a new man."

"I can see that." Umi said, as she noticed Alan's arms, and how kind of muscular they are.

"And THIS adventure will change you too, girls, in ways you will never imagine"

"I just hope I won't end up buff." Umi said jokingly.

"Ha, don't worry about that! You will grow in other ways."

"Wait…you talking about my chest size, you perv?!"

"What?! I wasn't talking about those!" Alan exclaimed in embarrassment.

"Right. I'm sure you are disappointed we are not like your other female friends, right?" Umi said.

"Hey! Now you are saying other things I am NOT thinking!"

"Right."

"Anyway… Now that you are awake…shall we go?"

"Yes, sir!" The 3 girls exclaimed.

With that, Mokona, used her magic and pulled the house inside her gemstone once more. The 4 humans and the rabbit began to move, continuing their adventure, with Ferio close by behind them, who saw and heard everything about their converstion.

'So... a hero, eh?'


Some hours have passed, and the 4 teens from another world continued walking through the forest, being followed by another young man, this one from this world. Mokona continued guiding them, as she was the one who knew the way to the Spring of Eterna. However, during their time in the forest, they were being constantly being attacked by monsters.

It kind of worked in their favor, as Hikaru and Umi started to get the hang of the new Avan technique, while Alan was getting used to use the Bow, thanks to Fuu's teachings. However, they weren't getting any break, and soon they will start to tire themselves.

"Mokona, what the hell is going on!" Umi exclaimed angrily. "The more we keep walking forward, the more monsters appear!"

"Puu puu puuuuu!" the white bunny responded, as she continued jumping away.

"This is SO tiresome!"

"Well, it is indeed a problem." Fuu commented. "We have been fighting more and more monsters lately."

"It could be a coincidence." Hikaru said.

"Or that damn rabbit is sending us to the den of the monsters." Umi commented. "I wouldn't pass it!"

"No way!"

Alan stood there, thinking a little, and Fuu noticed it.

"What's on your mind, Alan senpai?" the girl in glasses asked.

"Well…" he started. "If more monsters keep appearing, it normally means we are either close to a monster's den-"

"I knew it!" Umi exclaimed.

"- or…we are getting close to the center of the forest, where the effects of this forest is stronger and stronger."

"What makes you think that?"

"…I can't sense anyone outside of this area."

"What do you mean?" Hikaru asked in confusion.

"Girls, I know how to sense the energies of other people, so I know where they are. Like a sonar or detector, but with energy. It's one of the abilities I learned in Regno Tenebrae, and one that I will want to show to you."

"That sounds very useful!"

"It is. However, this forest is messing me up. I have trouble sensing the energies since I entered the forest. Heck, I have trouble sensing the energy of Ferio, and he is not THAT much behind us. And I'm having even more trouble the more we keep going forward, so maybe we are approaching the center of the forest, where the effects are stronger. Not only that, but my energy arrows are getting REALLY HARD to form, as this place is messing my ability to concentrate on my aura. Soon, my arrows will not be strong enough, and will have to revert to the Keyblade."

"So what do you suggest?" Umi questioned, while Alan give it a though.

"Get ready." He responded. "I believe we will find the core soon…and it should be filled by monsters."

The three women looked at each other and nodded, as they knew they had to get ready for anything.


"Y-You have to be kidding me!" Umi said in surprise, as she saw what is was in front of her.

An hour passed by, and the group continued walking. Then, the group arrived at a large clearing, where no trees were. What Umi was seeing was a large, ominous, dark rock, in the middle of the clearing…surrounded by a HUGE number of monsters.

"Welp… we found the center." Alan commented. 'Man, I kind of remember this place but… not exactly. Was this here or I am remembering wrong?'

"Puu puu puuuuu!" Mokona exclaimed, as she began bouncing… towards the area of monsters.

"Hey, wait a second!" Umi exclaimed, comically running to catch and stop Mokona. "You…want us to pass through that, right?"

"Pupuu!" Mokona nodded, causing Umi to grab her by the ears.

"You must be crazy! It's impossible for us to fight against all those monsters!"

"I can." Alan responded, causing Umi to give him the stinky eye.

"NOT helping!" she responded, as she returned to the group.

The 4 teens decided to rest a bit, as they began to plan.

"What are we going to do?" Hikaru asked. "Even with Alan senpai, those are WAY too many monsters."

"I say we turn back." Umi commented. "Or we go around."

"We can't." Alan said, as he noticed something of the area. "It seems this area is surrounded by some hills. And they are very close to the center, so the monsters will detect us. If we have to fight our way INSIDE the forest, it will be difficult to face that number of monsters. Same if we meet them on the hills. This open area is better, since we'll have Fuu as a help."

"It's true." Fuu said, noticing the same things as him. "If we are going to fight the monsters, this is the best area."

"So…what are we going to do?" Umi asked this time.

"… Let's ask Ferio." Hikaru commented.

"Hikaru, you shouldn't trust that man." Fuu commented. "We don't know his intentions."

"Clef told us everyone in Cephiro is scared." The redhead responded. "And this place is way worse."

"I understand. However, it seems that man doesn't ever tell the truth."

"What you think of, Alan senpai?" Asked Umi. "You talked with him yesterday, right?"

"Not really." Alan responded. "I gave him the food and that was it all."

"He…didn't said anything?"

"He did say…he wished one of the cute girls would have given him the food instead of me." Alan said, laughing a little, while the three girls were kind of embarrassed of being called 'cute'.

"So he evaded your questions?" Fuu asked. "I guess he should not be trusted."

"I'm not sure about it." Alan responded. "My energy reading may be messed up, but at close distance it works fine. I didn't sense any darkness from him, unlike the monsters or that Alanis woman."

"Alanis?" Asked Hikaru.

"Oh, sorry, Alcyone. Was confusing her with someone else."

"So you didn't sense any darkness?"

"Not at all. Also I don't sense any evil intentions. I can't say if he is someone to trust, but I do know he is not evil."

"Well, that is a bit…better." Fuu commented. "Still, we can't trust him completely."

"But we don't have any other option." Hikaru responded. "Neither Clef nor Presea are here to help. Ferio is the only one who has experience on this forest, so we could ask him."

"That's right!"

Alan and the girls turned to look at the top of a close tree, where Ferio, the swordsman, was standing.

"Seems like you finally need my help!" Ferio exclaimed, before jumping from the tree, landing in front of the group. "I will answer any of your questions about this forest."

"What is wrong with this forest?" Hikaru asked immediately. "Was this a normal forest before Zagato took over?"

"No." Ferio responded. "This forest has always been like this: magic doesn't work and thousands of monsters roam inside of it. That is why even Zagato doesn't come here."

"Zagato is a mage, right?" Alan asked. "No wonder he will not come to a place where all magic is null."

"Yes." The swordsman pointed at the large rock. "And everything points that rock is the one who is causing all of this. It attracts darkness, and it transforms anything that gets close into something worse."

The group looked at the dark rock, thinking of what to do, when Hikaru was the one who responded.

"Let's destroy it!" the redhead said. "Maybe then the monsters will disappear!"

"You must be crazy!" Umi exclaimed. "To do that, we need to pass where ALL the monsters are! They will kill us before we approach the rock!"

"That is why I plan for us to split!" Hikaru responded. "One will take out the monsters, and another will destroy the rock."

"A diversion, eh?" Alan asked.

"Exactly!"

"No way! It's too dangerous!" Umi exclaimed in anger. "There is no way!"

"I'll do it." Ferio commented. "I will distract the monsters, alongside your bodyguard."

"I'm on!" Alan said.

"No." Hikaru exclaimed. "We NEED to do this on our own. If we can't do that, we will not be able to save Cephiro."

"Save Cephiro?" Ferio asked, looking at the redhead. "A few moment's ago, you mentioned Clef. You mean the Great Mage Clef?"

"That is right." Hikaru expressed. "To save us, he did-"

"Hikaru." Fuu said, getting close to Hikaru to whisper in her ear. "We can't trust him."

"Ah, I see." Ferio commented. "So you plan to rescue Princess Emeraude and save Cephiro, right?"

The girls turned to look at the green haired man in surprise.

"Eh? How did you-?" Hikaru started with confusion.

"Well, I also want to save Princess Emeraude." Ferio responded, gaining even more looks of confusion.

"You do?"

"Why?" Asked Umi.

"You see, it happened a few months ago." Ferio commented, as he began to remember. "I was part of a caravan. I have no parents. My only memories of my childhood is about my teacher showing me acrobatics. One day… we were invited to the castle. I wandered on the castle, and found some very nice objects."

"Ehh?" Umi asked. "Then you sto-"

"I wasn't planning to steal anything." Ferio interrupted her. "I was only curious. But the guards…didn't think so."

"So they captured you." Alan deduced.

"Yes. And they send me to the Princess so she will punish me. However… she spared me. Not only that, she told the guards she GAVE ME those objects. She saved my life!" Ferio said, as he turned back to look at the group. "I will defeat Zagato and save Cephiro!... or not!"

"What? Another lie?!" Umi asked.

"I only want to get out of here, but I can't find the exit. That is why I am following you."

Umi was mad, but Fuu noticed something in Ferio's voice, something that made her doubt.

'Is he… telling the truth?' Fuu though.

"Ok, it's decided." Hikaru said. "I'll let him help us."

"So, what's the plan, Hikaru?" Alan asked.

"Umi and I will distract the monsters, while Fuu and Ferio will destroy the rock."

"Hey! What about Alan senpai?" Umi asked.

"I will help you two." Alan responded. "With the three of us distracting the monsters, it would be easier and safer."

"Yeah, that is ok." Hikaru said. "Let's go!"

"No!" Alan exclaimed, stopping Hikaru. "We are still tired. Let's wait a few minutes, and then we go."

"Eh? But I am not tired!"

"Not you, maybe. But have you asked Fuu or Umi?"

"Eh? Well, I-"

"Hikaru, I understand you want to help. But if you go head on without thinking of what could happen or see if your friends are ok, you'll end up with a disastrous situation."

"I-I see…" the redhead commented, as she looked at both girls. "Sorry, I wasn't thinking of you."

"Don't worry, Miss Hikaru. It's ok." Fuu commented. "But what Alan senpai said is true. You need to take your friends in consideration."

"Yeah! Especially if you want us to fight monsters!" Umi exclaimed. "Look, I am ok and well rested, but you need to think first."

"But not OVER think." Alan said. "Or else you will do nothing. That was a mistake I did many times before I began my adventure. You are ok as you are, just… think a bit of others."

"Got it!" Hikaru said. "So, are you tired?"

"Not me." Alan responded.

"Neither me." Fuu commented.

"Yeah, let's just get on with it." Umi said, sighing in resignation.

"Alright then! Are you ready?" Hikaru asked. "Let's go!"

"H-Hey, wait!"

Hikaru dashed forward, with Umi close by. Alan was about to run, when he turned to look at Fuu.

"Hey, Fuu."

"Yeah?" asked the girl with glasses.

"You can destroy the rock, if you want. You just need to believe in yourself and your skills."

"Eh? What are you-"

"Good luck!" Alan said, summoning his Keyblade and shield, and dashing forward, leaving her alone with Ferio.

"Ah, w-wait!" Fuu exclaimed, but he just dashed forward.

The battle just started.

Immediately, Hikaru jumped into the air and slashed several monsters with her sword. When the other monsters noticed her, they were about to jump on her…when both Umi and Alan arrived, and slashed many of the monsters that tried to attack her.

Hikaru, Umi and Alan started to fight the huge number of beasts, with some ease, especially after the training the 2 girls had in the last few hours, and Alan's experience helped them. However, they were STILL a huge number of monsters, and they were easily being surrounded.

"We're surrounded!" Umi exclaimed.

"No anymore!" Alan exclaimed, as he tossed his Keyblade like a fresbie to one side. It began cutting monsters like it was a flying saw, creating a path. "Let's go!"

Alan dashed forward, followed by Hikaru and Umi, as the two girls slashed more monsters while Alan summoned his Keyblade again. They were now dashing away, trying to force the monsters to chase them, so they will leave the dark rock alone.

And they managed to do so, as all the monsters began chasing the 3 teens, leaving the rock unprotected.

"That's it!" Ferio exclaimed. "Let's go!"

"Right!" Fuu responded.

Fuu and Ferio began to run towards the rock, with the intention to destroy it. They approached it, with Ferio being closest to it, as he ran faster than Fuu, which will allow him to destroy it first. However, at that moment, Ferio began to feel… weird.

"W-What? What's is going o-?!"

He didn't stop, as a strange force began to overwhelm him, and pulled him towards the rock. Fuu, who was behind him, stopped when she saw this.

"W-what's going on?" Fuu asked, as she wanted to approach him.

"Don't get closer!" Ferio exclaimed, as he stuck his sword on the ground, to keep himself from being pulled by the rock. "Something is wrong!"

"F-Ferio! Your legs!"

The green haired man heard what Fuu exclaimed and looked at his legs, noticing they were starting to turn into stone.

"D-Damn it! It's not a simple rock!" Ferio exclaimed, as the rock's energy keep pulling him closer. "It doesn't just attract monsters: it transforms ANYTHING into monsters!"

The sword was not enough. The strength of the rock's energy kept pulling Ferio towards him, his sword only delaying the inevitable.

"Ferio!" Fuu exclaimed.

"Destroy it!" the swordsman exclaimed. "Destroy the rock with one of your arrows!"

"That's impossible! It's WAY too far away! An arrow will not be able to destroy it!"

"Hear me! Cephiro is a world ruled by the will and the strength of the Heart. If you believe that your arrow will do it, it WILL destroy the rock!"

'If I believe it will do it…my arrow will destroy it?' Fuu though, as she pulled an arrow from her quiver and pointed at the rock… and then give up. 'There is… no way-'

"Don't give up! You just have to believe in yourself!"

That caused Fuu to remember what Alan just told her before.

"You can destroy the rock, if you want. You just need to believe in yourself and your skills."

She looked at her friends, and noticed that Hikaru, Umi and Alan were being surrounded again by many monsters. She looked at them, especially at Alan…who looked back at her. Their eyes meet…and he nodded.

'I…can do it…' Fuu though, as she looked at the rock with determination. 'I believe… I can do it!'

And with that… she prepared her bow…and let lose her arrow.

The arrow flew fast, surrounded by energy of her will and, in a second, it hit the dark stone in the middle. Several cracks formed on the rock, and it began to glow, sparks of energy surrounding it. Suddenly, the rock began to fall down, hitting the ground hard, as the energies of it suddenly dispersed.

Meanwhile, Hikaru, Umi and Alan were surrounded again by monsters. Alan was still ok, but both girls were already tired, something normal since they just started their adventure.

"I-I can't fight anymore!" Umi exclaimed, as she landed on her butt, exhausted.

"We can't give up!" Hikaru responded, as she was still on her feet, but she was getting really tired.

Alan looked at the girls and then at the monsters. He looked at them with determination, as he clenched his fist, grabbing his Keyblade firmly, and placing his shield in front.

'I need to protect them until Fuu-'

He couldn't finish that train of thought, because suddenly, all monsters stopped and began to glow… and then transform back into… normal animals.

Well, as normal as unicorns, small dragons, and somewhat cute gargoyles can be.

"Eh? What?" Hikaru asked, before she smiled. "Yeah! Fuu and Ferio did it!"

Alan sighed in relief, as he dispelled his Key and Shield. He turned to look at where the other were, and saw how Fuu was trying to help Ferio, who was on the ground.

'Well, I guess it all end well.' Alan though, as he saw how both looked at each other. 'And hopefully, their relationship will bloom from this.'

"Ahhh, I'm exhausted!" Umi exclaimed. "I can't walk anymore! Alan senpai! Please carry me!"

"What do you think I am? Your servant?" Alan asked.

"Aww, come on! Can't you see a lady need help?!"

"Whatever." Alan said, as he and Hikaru began to walk away.

"Hey! Don't leave me alone! Heyyyy!"

As they were walking towards Fuu and Ferio, Alan noticed something in his aura, something that made him stop. He looked at his right hand, and began moving his fingers, as if feeling something.

"Something wrong, senpai?" Hikaru asked when she noticed he stopped moving.

"I can…sense my magic power returning." He responded.

"Eh? Really?"

"Yeah. Not only that, I sense that whatever is messing up with my detection skills is receding."

"You think it had to do with the rock?"

"Most likely. If that rock was the source of the monsters, it's probably the main reason why magic doesn't work. We'll have to wait but, if it does, we'll be able to use magic soon."

"Wow! That sounds great!" Hikaru exclaimed.

"Is it?" Alan asked, wondering if they did the correct thing. "Sure, the place is filled with monsters…but we probably just destroyed the only safe haven from Zagato on Cephiro."

"Really?" Umi asked, as she stood up and walked to chase them. "I don't consider a forest full of monsters be a 'safe haven', especially when the people can BECOME monsters in here."

"Well…you DO have a point." Alan said. "Anyway, let's go with Fuu and Ferio, and rest a bit."

"Right!"

The teens regrouped and walked away, to rest in a better place. After a while, they continued on their journey.


Several hours have passed after they destroyed the rock and it seems they were right about it being the source of all monsters, since they didn't meet ANYONE after that. The rest of their travel was very smooth and calm, as even the forest FEEL different from before.

After several hours, the sun was about to set in the horizon…and they saw the end of the forest. As they looked into the horizon, they rested for a bit, and began to talk.

"Aww, I though Ferio will come to us to Eterna." Hikaru commented sadly.

"I only wanted to find a way to get out of the forest." Ferio commented, looking at the sunset. "It's obvious we'll go our separate ways after this."

"Well, it was fun to have you with us for a while." Alan commented.

"Really?" Umi asked.

Ferio didn't said anything. He just turned to look at Fuu and began walking towards her. Hikaru, Umi and Alan saw how both teens looked at each other, before the swordsman took something from his pocket.

"Here, I will give you this." Ferio said, as he took Fuu's hands and placed a strange object on it.

"Eh?" Fuu asked, as she looked at the strange object.

"Wish something to it, and it will be granted."

Alan saw this and smiled.

'Well, this is going according to the story.' He thought. 'Now, she will accept it and-'

"Sorry, I can't accept this."

'...wait, what?'

Alan blinked in confusion, as he saw the events unfold.

"What do you mean? I am giving this to you." Ferio asked.

"I know but… I can't accept it. Not now." Fuu responded.

'Wait, WHAT?!' Alan though after seeing it. 'This is NOT supposed to happen!'

Ferio looked at Fuu, and then turned to look at Alan, who looked back at him.

"I see, so that is the reason." Ferio commented.

"Eh? What do you-?" Fuu asked in confusion.

"Don't mind it. I still want you to have this." Ferio said, closing Fuu's hand over the object. "Give it a though. If you still don't want it, give it back when we see each other again."

"Eh? But I-" Fuu started, but at that moment, Umi interrupted.

"Hey! Why you only give Fuu a gift?!" the blue haired girl asked in anger. This caused Ferio to turn around.

"Because she is the one I like the most!" Ferio exclaimed, causing Fuu to blush madly.

The green haired man began to run away, but when he passed besides Alan, he looked at him, and said something only he could hear.

"Won't lose to you!"

"Ah?!" The Keyblade Wielder asked in confusion.

With that, Ferio continued running, getting away from the group. Hikaru and Umi looked at each other, before they turned to look at Fuu, whose face was completely red, feeling like she was being judged by her two friends.

Meanwhile, Alan just looked at what just happened in confusion.

'Well…at least it is STILL following the story of the series. Man, for a second I was scared that Fuu will not reciprocate his feelings. At least I don't have to worry about that.'

Unbeknownst to him, he WILL have to worry about that, as Fuu looked at the object in her hands, then at the back of the retreating Ferio...

"Because she is the one I like the most!"

…and then at the back of the Keyblade Wielder.

"This is why you are great, Fuu. Really smart and cute too."

She couldn't help but blush even more.


Back in Zagato's castle, his second in command, Innouva, looked at the mirror where he and Zagato were spying the group of people from the other world. Since they entered the forest of Silence, they couldn't see them… but now, they were able to do so.

"Sir, the Forest of Silence now appears on the mirror." Innouva commented in some surprise. "What could have happened?"

Zagato looked at the mirror, and noticed the 3 girls and the boy at the edge of the forest. As he saw them, he grunted in discomfort.

"They are still alive." Zagato commented.

"Told ya you underestimated the Keyblade Champion."

Behind them, the young sorcerer known as Exolan, walked towards them.

"Seems like that forest couldn't stop them." He commented, his voice sounding a bit pedantic. "How unfortunate. What do you plan to do, Lord Zagato?"

The Dark Priest stood silent for a while, before he closed his eyes and give it a though.

"Alcyone wants to fight them." Zagato commented. "So… let's allow her to meet them again."

"Very well, sir." Innouva commented, before turning to look at Exolan. "You go with her, and analyze the situation."

"You don't want me to interfere?" Exolan asked with intrigue.

"Do not test us, mage. We still don't trust you. You have to PROVE yourself first."

"Haha, I understand. Very well, I will go. Will be interesting to see…how strong that Keyblade Wielder has become."

With that, Exolan disappeared, leaving the two alone.

"Magic Knights…Keyblade Hero…" Zagato said, as he began to think of plans to try and face them. "This…won't be as easy as we though…"

End of Chapter 7


Chapter 8 Preview:

Umi: Hi! It's me, Umi! We approach a town, but it seems the people do not trust us at all. Well, that means we need to- ACK!

Hikaru: Umi! What's wrong?!

Alan: The hell?! This spell... it was way stronger that I remember!

?: Good to see you again, Magic Knights!

Don't miss the next chapter of The N-Warriors: Parallel 001: Alcyone's Revenge.

Alan: You think I will let you get them?!

Alcyone: That is why... I have something for you, Hero.

Alan: What are you talking abou- ACK!

Hikaru: Senpai!


Author Notes:

AND DONE! So, what do you think?

This chapter was a bit light, as it followed mostly the story of the episode from the anime, the only main thing added was the first part, the talk with Hikaru and Alan, mostly to show how being a 'hero' is not something as easy as it seems, and how he was changed because of it.

About the chapter itself, well, the forest was being corrupted by a dark stone, transforming all animals into monsters, and cancelling the use of magic. But with that gone, all of those effects dissapeared. The Forest is free...

Now, Ferio went on his own, not before telling Fuu he likes her. But, unlike the original series, Fuu is conflicted because of the other young man in their team. Right now, Fuu's feelings go mostly to Ferio...but Ferio is not with them always. Alan is, so... will they change? Will something happen? Will Fuu fall in love with Alan, when Alan himself likes the Fuu/Ferio ship and is trying to put them together? you'll see... in the next chapters of this fic!

Now...what will Exolan do?

Anyway, hope you like it. Next week, hopefully, I will update the main fic, and see what else we can do.

See ya in the next time!

-SaiyanX logged off!-