The gummi ship slows to a crawl as it arrives at its destination. Namine closes her sketchbook and looks over her shoulder to look at the two lovebirds, still sharing the same seat. She sighs,
"Hey. you two. We're here."
"What? Already?" Roxas asks disappointingly.
"What do you mean already? We've flown for at least an hour," says Namine.
"Really?" asks Roxas. Namine nods.
"Wow, time really does fly. . ." says Xion before getting out of Roxas's seat so the two can begin preparing. They both grab a handful of potions and ethers. Roxas turns to Namine.
"Hey, you should grab some too y'know," says Roxas.
"Hm?" Namine looks confused.
"You're coming with us, right?" asks Roxas
"Oh, um. . . Are you sure that's a good idea?" asks Namine.
"I think so, and I'd like to think Xion does too." Roxas turns to his girlfriend, who nods in agreement.
"Oh, okay then," Namine says nervously. She takes a few potions and ethers for herself, before the three gather around each other, and disappear in a flash of light, and with another flash of light, appear in the realm of the underworld, and it just so happens that they may have come at a convenient time.
"Hey." The three look over to see a well-built man in gladiator clothing, and a slender woman in a pink-purple dress.
"Herc! You feeling any better?" asks Roxas
"Well. . .same routine. Wonderboy here thinks his hero days are over. And Phil thinks it's all in his head." Meg explains. She turns to look at Namine. "By the way, I don't think we've met. I'm Megara."
"I'm Namine." Meanwhile, while those two introduce themselves to each other, Roxas tries to comfort Hercules.
"Don't worry Hercules. We know you're still a hero," says Roxas, but just as soon as they finish talking, a familiar voice is heard from a very long distance.
"That's right . . . Blunderboy. How can you mope on a momentous day like today?" suddenly, from a small pillar of black smoke, emerges the god of the dead, and ruler of the underworld, Hades. "The Underdrome's back, and you are gonna fill the stands." says the god of the dead. "After all, your fans won't settle for anything less than a certified hero." Hercules clenches his fist. "I mean, if you're not up to it, you could always just, I dunno, LOSE!"
"I bet you'd like that, Hades," Roxas interjects, glaring at the god.
"Excuse me? Hey, I'm not a selfish guy. I'm not like those high and mighty snobs up on Olympus. I stand for the masses! And have I got a massive idea!" Hades turns around and shows off the massive stadium in the distance. "The games, ladies, and gentlemen . . . are back! Yours truly, Hades- the one and only Lord of the Dead- brings you the ultimate games, to celebrate the re-opening of the ultimate coliseum! We'll finally answer the age-old question: Who deserves the title of Ultimate Hero? These games are gonna settle the debate once and for all! The winner reigns supreme. Of what? You guessed it! The Hades Cup!" Hades turns to face the heroes once again. "And I assure you that the Great Hercules will be there. Otherwise. . ." Hades looks over to the group and takes a particular look at Megara and Namine. Roxas, Xion, and Hercules quickly take a stand in front of them. "Heh, you'll never see them. . . again" Roxas jumps at hades and tries to summon his keyblade, forgetting that he doesn't have one, but it seems to work nonetheless, as Hades disappears into a cloud of smoke.
"Low life!" shouts Roxas.
"Oh, You're too kind, kid." the disembodied voice of Hades says. They quickly to each other, before knowing what they must do. If Hades chooses to threaten their bonds, then they'll take the fight to him.
"Who do we face first?" asks Hercules, as Roxas and Xion take a look at the bracket.
"Let's see. . ." Xion takes a closer look at the board.
"Some group named Spin Strike," says Roxas
"Someone calling themselves Highwind . . ." Namine comments.
"Hey! Auron's in the tournament, too!" says Xion.
"We might have to fight him in the finals, we'd better be careful, he's strong after all."
"He must be some tough hero," says Hercules dejectedly.
"Well. . .He wouldn't call himself that, but he's not evil either," says Xion.
"Besides, you're the only hero around here Hercules," Roxas says.
"Maybe before. . . Now I'm just a-" but Herc is cut off.
"Nope! Shut up! Stop saying that!" Roxas shouts a little. Xion goes with Namine and Meg first and crosses the sickly river below to the Underdrome, as the boat is too small for five people. While waiting for Xion to come back, Hercules asks Roxas something.
"Hey Roxas, I've been meaning to ask. Who's your father?" asks Hercules, seemingly out of nowhere.
"My dad? Well, uh. I don't really have one." Says Roxas.
"Oh. . . I'm sorry." Hercules says, rubbing his neck.
"Nah, it's fine. I have Namine, Axel, Hayner, Pence, and Olette. They're the only family I need." Says Roxas.
"And Xion?" asks Hercules.
"Yeah, she's family too. Though in a bit of a different way." Roxas says looking away. Hercules cracks a smile.
"Heh, I see. I hope things work out between you two."
"Thanks, Herc." Says Roxas. "By the way, why'd you ask about my dad?"
"Well, maybe my memories are just hazy, but you and your friends remind me of some people I met when I was younger." Hercules comments. "There was Terra, he was a real hero, He was strong and muscular, he inspired me to keep going. Then there was Aqua. She was looking for Terra, and she too was an incredible fighter, another friend, Zack, even asked her out. Don't know how that went though." Hercules laughs a little. "And then there was Ventus. He was strong, though he looked like he was still being trained." Hercules comments "Me, Zack, and Ventus went through a lot together, he even helped take down swarms of strange creatures called the Unversed, which were kinda like these Heartless that are appearing today." Hercules comments. This catches Roxas's attention.
"Did they use keyblades too?" asks Roxas. And to his surprise, Hercules nods his head. "What happened to them?"
"I . . . don't know," says Hercules. "They all left eventually, saying that they were looking for their friends, probably each other. Then they disappeared," says Hercules. "I haven't seen them in around eleven years."
"Oh. Well, I'm sure they're okay." Says Roxas,
"Yeah, I bet they are." Says Hercules, optimistic. Finally, Xion arrives and the two join her on the small boat, ride towards the Underdrome. Upon arriving, The three are separated into two groups. One simply named "No One" containing Roxas and Xion, and the other one labeled "Hercules", it truly is an enigma who is in the second group. Eventually, the first match begins, it's No One vs Spin Strike, a group of heartless, known for their spinning attack patterns. Roxas and Xion take down most of the heartless with ease, but experience minor trouble against the heartless known as a Morning Star. Roxas casts magic from a distance, It's weak, especially without his keyblade, but it helps distract the heartless while Xion strikes it down.
"Where's a stick when you need one." Roxas comments
"Roxas, stop talking about the stick or you'll lose your hand-holding privileges." From the stands, they hear cheering
"Good job you two!" Namine shouts and waves, alongside Megara. The two-wave back before exiting the Arena.
Upon finishing the first round, the two go back to the waiting room, where they see who is left in the tournament. Looking at them with a smile is Hercules, Over near the back is Auron, who doesn't seem to pay them any mind, and in the far back, they see. . . a man in a black coat. But they're distracted by Hercules
"Hey, looks like it's me against you two." Says Hercules. "Go easy on me, okay?"
"Hah, if anyone needs to go easy next round, it's you." Roxas smirks. Suddenly, a signal is heard, and Auron, as well as the man in the black coat exit.
"Looks like they're going first." Says Hercules. He sighs before turning to Roxas and Xion. "Another guy in a black coat huh? Look familiar?" asks Hercules.
"Hmm, it could be Luxord, Could be Xigbar, maybe even Saix. . ." Xion thinks aloud.
"It could also be Riku," Roxas says with distaste
"Riku? As in Sora's friend?" asks Hercules. Roxas and Xion nod.
"We're not exactly on good terms with him. . ." Xion looks down and scratches her neck.
"More like he's not on good terms with us," Roxas says, his temper showing. He takes a seat and looks away.
"I see. . ." Hercules comments. Suddenly the door on the other side of the room opens and outcomes Auron, taking another seat. It looks like the man in the black coat is gone. The door besides Roxas, Xion, and Hercules opens, and they take that as their sign to head out.
"Let's keep things clean, alright?" asks Xion, to Roxas.
"Of course." Roxas smiles and looks towards Hercules, who smiles and nods. Roxas and Xion stand on the opposing end of the arena from Hercules. With a horn blaring Xion dashes at Hercules and slashes at him with the blunt end of her Kingdom Key. Hercules catches her blade and uses it as leverage to spin her around and throw her at Roxas. Roxas catches her but is sent sliding back, nearly falling over the edge, the two get up and retaliate, Xion stages to the left and prepares to attack Hercules from the side. Hercules prepares to defend himself when Roxas casts a thunder spell. Hercules is struck by the lightning. . . but he's not even phased. Roxas knew he wasn't the best spell caster out there, but this caught him and Xion off guard. Hercules grabs hold of Xion's keyblade yet again and pulls it out of her hands. Before she can rematerialize it in her hands Hercules hits her with the handle of her blade in the stomach, knocking her back over the edge. She manages to grab ahold of it and hangs on. Hercules widens his eyes, thinking he went too far, but Xion takes advantage of this and reaches out to Roxas, who's on the other end of the arena. She manifests her keyblade and throws it over to him, while she tries to focus on not falling.
Roxas catches the keyblade and dashes at Hercules. Hercules prepares for another slash when Roxas instead jumps back and aims the keyblade at him, before casting blizzard spells repeatedly. Hercules dodges the spells as best as he can before dashing and punching at Roxas, Roxas blocks the low jab with the keyblade but is met with an uppercut. Roxas loses his balance and falls over the edge. But Hercules grabs his leg just in time. Suddenly, the bell rings, and the crowd cheers. Hercules is declared the winner. Hercules helps Roxas back onto the platform before they help Xion. They leave the arena.
"I knew you had it in you Herc!" Roxas cheers as they walk through the halls.
"Yeah! I'm sure You'll be able to win against Auron." Xion adds on. Herc smiles and rubs his neck. Hercules makes his way to the waiting area where they rest between matches, and waves goodbye at the two, he turns to enter the room when they hear a voice.
"Ah ah ah. I have a better idea." the three quickly turn to see the lord of the dead at the end of the hall. "It's the final round, people want a show. So, how about this. You three, become one large group, and face the mighty Auron in the final battle!" Hades says Triumphantly. "We can call it, the zeroes versus the hero!"
"What's your game Hades?" asks Hercules defiantly.
"There is no game, well besides the one you're partaking in but that's it. Just some fun for the audience, what do you say?" The three look at hades skeptically but agree. "Great! Just wait for the game to start, and the finals will begin," Hades turns and walks away, before stopping and looking over his shoulder saying one last thing. "Oh, and don't forget who's on the line?" Hades smiles wickedly before disappearing into a cloud of smoke.
"Hades. . ." Roxas grumbles. The three enter the waiting room and wait. Eventually, they're given the signal and enter the arena. The crowd goes wild as the main event begins. Roxas, Xion, and Hercules, Versus Auron.
"Let's keep things clean, right Auron?" Asks Xion.
"Hmph, and you are?" Auron scoffs The They look on in confusion at their old comrade, but they don't have time to talk. Auron readies his blade and the zeroes prepare for battle themselves. The wait and the sound of a horn blares in the background, and the fight begins. Auron puts up an incredible fight and manages to keep up with the three. Suddenly things get worse though. Auron stabs at Xion, who blacks the attack and is knocked back a bit, he slashes and parries the blade into the stadium, before leaping and preparing to take her out while she's vulnerable. When Roxas jumps in the way and is engulfed in red energy. He enters Valor Form and pulls out Oathkeeper and Oblivion, blocking the attack.
"Auron. . . What's gotten into you-?" There's no response. Meanwhile, Xion hears the voice of Namine in her mind.
"Xion! I have your keyblade! Quick! Summon it!" Says Namine frantically.
"No, something's wrong with Auron. He's not acting like himself." Xion is engulfed in a yellow energy, before entering Master Form, and drawing Missing Ache and Pain of Solitude. "Maybe you can look through his memories and see if there's something wrong. And maybe you can find a way to fix it." Xion says, before aiding Hercules and Roxas in the battle against Auron. Namine sighs and closes her eyes, focusing on Auron. It takes a moment, but she sees something. It's fuzzy, but she sees a memory of Auron. . . and Hades. Hades takes some sort of energy from Auron and entraps it in a doll. . . the memories stop there.
"He's being controlled," Namine says out loud, albeit a bit quietly.
"Huh?" Meg turns to her
"His memories stop forming after Hades took something from him. I think Hades is controlling him" Says Namine.
"That would explain why he doesn't recognize Roxas and Xion, and why he's trying so hard to kill them. . ." Meg says, eyes wide. Namine closes her eyes and focuses on talking To Roxas and Xion.
"I think Auron's being controlled by Hades," Namine informs them.
"What!? How can you tell?" asks Roxas. Namine explains how she peered into memories and what she saw.
"That doll. . . If you get that doll, you might be able to free Auron!" exclaims Xion.
"Great Idea Xion!" Roxas replies.
"What should I do?" Namine asks.
"Take my keyblade and search the underworld!" Xion Exclaims.
"But wait- what if I-" Namine worries, but Xion interrupts.
"Just do it Namine! Believe in yourself!" Xion replies.
"We'll drag this fight out as long as possible. Says Roxas. Namine sighs and cuts communications. Before getting up and looking at Meg.
"Be careful, okay? I have to go." Namine says. Meg looks at Namine and nods.
"Don't worry, I can take care of myself," Meg smirks, Namine smirks back and races out of the stadium, and back to the underworld entrance. She enters the cave of the dead and looks around.
"This is where they fought Cerberus. . ." Namine notes, She keeps moving but doesn't let her guard down. She runs through the twists and turns of the cramped cave and makes her way to the inner chamber.
"And this is where I first found out about that idiot Demyx." Namine remarks. "Wow, it really has been a long time since we've started this journey huh?" Namine thinks aloud, looking back on her times with Roxas and Xion, before shaking her head. "Geeze I need to stop talking to myself," Namine says, she begins to run deeper into the cave. When she suddenly experiences an incredibly painful headache. Her head pounds as she clutches her skull and falls to the ground, blacking out.
Namine opens her eyes and pickles herself up from the sandy ground below. She looks around and finds herself on a floating island with wreckage of a raft in the middle. The destruction makes it hard to tell, But Namine recognizes this place from Sora's memories. It's the destroyed form Destiny Islands took after falling to the darkness. Suddenly, a laugh is heard from behind her, she turns around and leaps back, as a corridor of darkness forms on the opposite end of the island, from which a man in a relatively thin man in a black coat emerges. By process of elimination, it doesn't take long for her to know who it is.
"Zexion," Namine says coldly. The man in black removes his hood, revealing his blue hair and eyes, or rather, eye, as his hair is done in such a way that only one eye is visible. He slowly tosses a large tome with three nobody symbols into the air, it floats in front of him as he does a swiping motion, opening it up. Namine readies the keyblade and prepares for battle. She's not confident in her abilities, but she has no choice. She dashes at the Zexion and slashes at him, he attempts to dodge but fails and gets caught in a myriad of, albeit sloppy, slashes. He's knocked back and manages to escape Namine's attack range. He floats back, away from Namine, before opening up and casting some spell. Green thorns swirl around and bind Namine before a large book appears and crushes her. Namine screams from the pain and struggles. But her bindings and the crushing force are overwhelming. She struggles to breathe as she slowly closes her eyes.
"Roxas. . . Xion. . . Help. . ." She struggles to say, but she knows they can't help her. But while they don't hear her plea, someone else does.
"Don't give up!" A familiar voice yells. Suddenly something slashes away and destroyed the books, before cutting her bindings away. She opens her eyes and gasps, she nearly falls over before being caught by her savior. His silver eyes and blindfold are unmistakable. She's worked with him for so long before this after all.
"Riku!" Namine exclaims, She gets back on her feet and grabs Xion's keyblade. Around them swirl many books in the air.
"He's hiding in one of those books." Says Riku.
"Then I guess we'll have to find him," Namine says Readying the keyblade. Riku nods and the two split up. They hack and slash at nearby books. They explode into smoke and torn pages without much effort. Finally, however, Namine strikes a stray book. Suddenly a red barrier is formed around it as a shriek of pain is heard and a black silhouette of Zexion appears.
Namine continues to slash at the barrier as Riku converges on her location. He casts a Dark Firaga spell and sends a myriad of purple fire to the book, the barrier shatters, and Namine slashes through the book. Zexion screams and the books disappear in a flash of light as Zexion falls to the ground. Riku sends more dark fire his way as Namine dashes toward him. The fire swirls around Namine before she dashes and makes a stabbing motion, mimicking a technique she's seen Roxas perform many times. The fire converges on Zexion before Namine stabs right through him. Zexion screams from the intense pain before Namine Pulls out the keyblade and jumps back, allowing Riku to slash away at their foe. Namine joins in and they manage to dish out a ton of pain before Zexion escapes the clash and casts the spell once more, entrapping Namine and Riku in a prison of dark knowledge.
Riku escapes with ease and dashes to Namine's aid. Namine manages to pry her keyblade behind her bendings and cut through them, freeing her from her prison. Riku stops and smirks before suddenly the two are enshrouded in darkness. They stand in front of a lone book, and it begins to teleport around under three colored lights that come from seemingly nowhere.
"There seems to be no pattern to this. . ." Riku says, annoyed that the book moves to fast for him to reach and slash at it. But Namine gets an idea.
"Eight. . . nine. . . ten. . ." Namine counts. Riku looks at her confused. "Eleven. . . twelve. . ." Namine counts the number of times it's teleported. Finally, it teleports one last time. "Thirteen!" shouts Namine, Grabbing Riku by the hand and dragging him to the book's location. They make it to the book just in time as a shield is erected as a multitude of meteors fall from the sky. The two turn to the book and quickly take advantage of the situation, they slash and stab it at it before it disappears in a flash of light again, revealing Zexion and the destroyed destiny islands once more. Namine charges and slashes at Zexion, before jumping back and allowing Riku to have his fun. Finally, the two come together and stab through Zexion at the same time, finishing him off as he disappears into a cloud of darkness. With Zexion gone, Namine turns her attention to Riku.
"Riku how did you." Suddenly she's cut off, as the two experience incredible pain in their skulls, and they collapse. Namine slowly opens her eyes to find Riku above her, and that she's resting on his lap.
"Uhh! Riku- um." She suddenly gets up and turns away to hide her face, which is turning pink. She manages to collect herself, before turning to face Riku. "Riku, What're you doing here?" asks Namine.
"I saw you running from the coliseum with that keyblade. So I wanted to see what's going on." Riku explains.
"You were at the coliseum?" asks Namine. She thinks for a second, before it all clicks. "You were Highwind, weren't you?" asks Namine. Riku nods.
"Hades was scheming something, so I came to investigate," Riku explains. "I wasn't expecting to find you guys though. . ." Riku adds on. After a moment of silence, A dark corridor forms behind Riku, he turns to take it, but Namine grabs his hand.
"Wait-!" Riku looks over his shoulder to look at her.
"Why not help us?" asks Namine. Riku looks away.
"I- I can't trust those two," says Riku coldly. "I just want to save Sora as fast as possible. Even if it means sacrificing something, or someone else."
"Riku. . . I know you think what happened is your fault, but it's not." Namine explains. "You weren't in control of what happened, and neither was I," says Namine. "We both did awful things to him, but we were taken advantage of Riku. I know it's hard not to blame yourself, to hate yourself for every waking moment. . . But you have to forgive yourself Riku, or things will only get worse for everyone." Riku looks at her, before looking away.
"I'm sorry Namine. . . What I did wasn't like what you did. I nearly ruined way more than just Sora's life. . . I have to do this myself. . ." Says Riku. Pulling his hand away from Namine and entering the dark corridor, before closing it. Namine reaches out as if she could bring him back, but she lowers her hand and her head, before sighing and turning to where she's supposed to be going.
Namine walks through the valley of the dead and looks up to see The abode of Hades. She runs up to the entrance, slaying any heartless that threaten her. She runs up the stairs and enters Hade's chamber. The room is empty, and in the middle, she sees a small doll that resembles Auron. "Bingo-" Namine smirks. She runs up to the statue and grabs it, but before she can turn around and leave, the painful sensation of electricity courses through her. Strange voices come from the doll before the electricity stops. She clutches the doll as she puts her other hand on the table, trying to support herself and stop herself from dropping to the floor.
"Guys. . . I'm coming to help." Namine says between gasps of breath. Suddenly, she hears a strange sound and turns around to see six dusks approaching her. "Dusks. Namine steps back and grabs Xion's keyblade while clutching the doll. Namine puts all of her strength into her swings as she's attacked by the dusks. She takes one out, and then another, before getting hit from behind and knocked to the ground. She turns and sees the four dusks leaping at her, preparing to take her out. Namine flinches and puts up Xion's keyblade and her other hand into the air as if it'll protect her from the swarm of nobodies. Suddenly, however, a flash of light fills the room and the painful shriek of dying nobodies fill the room. When Namine opens her eyes, she sees something incredible.
While Xion's keyblade is still in one hand, in her other is a shimmering gold keyblade, with a paopo fruit keychain, a blue streak on the handle, and a red one near the tip of the blade. She doesn't have time to gawk at it though, more nobodies begin to crawl from the window and into the room. Namine stands on her feet and prepares for battle. Kingdom key in one hand, and Auron's doll and her new keyblade in the other. She embraces her new destiny, and attacks. . . or at least, that's what she planned on doing, but suddenly Heartless drop from the top of the window and begin attacking the nobodies. Namine stands there dumbfounded. "Well, that's not exactly what I thought would happen, but I'm not complaining." Namine smiles and runs out of Hade's chamber. She makes her way back to the Underworld entrance, before taking one of the boats to the Underdrome.
Roxas and Xion hang from the ledge as they try and crawl their way back onto the arena. Hercules rolls out of the way of a slash from Auron. He steps back but finds himself at the edge of the arena. Auron performs an overhead slash and Hercules grabs the blade from its sides. Auron pushes harder and harder, forcing Hercules onto one knee.
"Now! Finish them!" shouts Hades Auron begins pushing the blade as hard as he can, it moves ever so closer to Hercule's face when Namine finally rushes to the Arena entrance.
"Auron! No!" shouts Namine. Auron turns his head to look. "Take this! It belongs to you now!" she holds up the doll and throws it at him. As it approaches him it explodes into many light particles that reign upon him, suddenly, Auron opens his eyes wide, finally coming to his senses. Hercules lets go of the blade as Auron stops pushing on it. He drops the tip of his blade to the ground beside Hercules.
"Thank you. . ." Auron says as he begins to help Roxas and Xion back onto the arena
"Why that little-" Hades's frustration shows as his body and fire turn red. "Prisoner! What happened to our mutual agreement? I can give you a clean slate, but you gotta work with me."
"Maybe you didn't hear me. . ." Auron turns to face Hades. "This is my story, and you're not part of it." Hades turns angrier as the fire on his head turns orange and grows. He disappears in a pillar of fire, before reappearing in the arena in a small explosion. "That's it! This game is over. I've played by the rules so far. But that changes now!" Namine runs by her friends' sides.
"A fair fight? What a joke, you were cheating this whole time!" Says Namine.
"Oh, I'm not cheating. . ." Hades growls. "Because now, we're playing by my rules." Hades snaps his fingers, and a door behind him opens, revealing a pit filled with a swirling green substance. This pool is at the end of a long river in the underworld, known as The River Styx. suddenly a puff of smoke appears in the stand, and meg disappears, reappearing in another puff of smoke right above The River Styx, the only thing keeping her away from it are bindings made of smoke and fire.
"Hercules!" shouts meg, as she struggles as hard as she can to get out of the bindings.
"Meg!" Hercules shouts.
"Hey! I warned you right at the get-go. You don't compete, you lose the girls." says Hades. "I would've taken the other one too, but she's a bit more. . .annoying than anticipated," says Hades.
"Oh, I'm so flattered," Namine says with anger and sarcasm.
"You're welcome," Hades says sarcastically. He snaps his fingers one more time and the bindings holding Meg into the air disappear, and she falls into the River Styx.
"No!" Hercules yells. He sprints and jumps into the River Styx after her. Hades smirks and turns to face the four.
"Looks like Wonderboy has dropped out of the standings," Hades says with a smirk.
"Well, you've still got us to deal with," shouts Roxas. Hade snaps his finger and closes the door to The River Styx before teleporting to the other end of the arena from them.
"Oh, yeah. This is gonna be good." Hades's body and fire turn red and orange as he swipes away at the heroes, they attack but none of their strikes or magic have any effect on the god of the dead.
"Hahahahahahaaa!" Hades laughs
"We can't win like this." Says Namine.
"Why not? We have the Olympus stone with us." Says Roxas
"Because it's still his underworld," Auron responds.
"How do we beat him?" asks Roxas. Hades grins and prepares to attack when a loud crashing sound is heard. He turns and his eyes open wide as he sees the door completely crumbled. Suddenly, Hercules lands on the floor behind hades, who jumps back towards the arena's edge.
"I think a true hero should be able to help." Says the Hercules. He glows with a golden aura as he holds his beloved, who is very much alive. "I owe you one, Hades. I didn't hesitate to give my life for Meg, and that's when I remembered: A true hero is measured by the strength of their heart." From the sky lands a white horse with wings and a blue mane, Hercules's faithful steed, Pegasus. He sets down meg who climbs onto Pegasus and flies off, giving everyone one last smile before leaving.
"You imbeciles!" Hades shouts. "How dare you get a happy ending! How DARE you! Hades's rage only grows. "That does it!" yells Hades. He charges at the heroes who manage to dodge his attack, before Hercules gives him the strongest punch he has, his gold aura disappears, but knocks hades out of his burning state, making him vulnerable to attacks from everyone. The four shred Hades with their many blades. The god teleports around and tries to escape the attacks, but the five warriors are more than capable enough to keep up with him. Hades Creates a massive pillar of fire where he stands, forcing the heroes away as his anger burns hotter and hotter. Hercules envelopes himself in the gold aura once more and creates three balls of light, Roxas, Xion, and Namine hit the orbs with their keyblades and sends them straight to hades knocking him back and making him vulnerable once more. Xion casts the strongest thunder spell she can muster as Roxas, Namine, Auron, and Hercules rush in to finish the job With the thunder reigning down, and the myriad of heroes attacking Hades with everything they have, it's not surprising that Hades falls. He teleports away and nearby the River Styx.
"This. . . isn't over. . . I'll be back!" Hades exclaims
"And we'll be ready for you," Namine responds. Hades lowers his brow and grumbles, before disappearing in a cloud of smoke, and this time, he doesn't reappear. After taking a breather, Auron turns around and prepares to leave.
"Hey, Auron. What're you gonna do now?" asks Roxas.
"I lived my life defending others. But now. . . there's no one left to protect." Auron says slowly. "It's time I shaped my own story."
"Yeah. . . You deserve it, Auron- after everything you've been through," says Namine. Auron smirks and laughs a little.
"I suppose I should be thanking you," says Auron.
"Heh, not at all," says Namine.
"Fine," Auron responds bluntly. Namine and the gang are taken aback by this.
"I mean, sure, you could thank us a little. . ." Namine says embarrassingly.
"You should say what you mean." Auron remarks. "But, I guess I could spare a few words." He turns to face them. The three junior heroes look at him with anticipation. "Thanks for meddling." Auron smiles before turning away
"What-! What's that supposed to mean?" asks Roxas. Auron only laughs a little before walking away.
"I guess I should be thanking you too," says Hercules. "Where are you guys going next?" asks Hades.
"Hmm. . . I don't know," says Roxas
"We're still looking for a friend of ours," says Xion.
"Well, wherever your friend is. I'm sure they're doing fine since they have such strong heroes for friends." Hercules remarks. The three smile. They say their goodbyes to the hero before raising their six keyblades to the sky and disappearing in a flash of light.
The three heroes reappear in the gummi ship in a flash of light and Roxas and Xion revert back into their regular forms, exhausted, but able to stay standing.
"Here, this belongs to you," Namine says, handing Xion her keyblade, which she takes and dematerializes.
"Speaking of which. . . you have a keyblade. . ." Roxas says, taking deep breaths. Namine smiles and nods.
"I didn't even know I could but. . . When I needed it most, it came to me." Namine says.
"That keyblade. . . it looks familiar." Xion comments.
"Yeah. It's the same as Kairi's" Says Roxas. The two look at Kairi, realizing what this means.
"Are you-?" Roxas asks. Namine nods
"Since Kairi's a princess of heart, she couldn't become a heartless or a nobody." Namine explains."So her heart went to Sora instead. But when Sora sacrificed himself to free Kairi, he was able to become a heartless and nobody, meaning you and I were able to take form." Namine goes on "You awoke in twilight town, and were found by Xemnas, while I awoke in Castle oblivion, in a strange room."
"Do you remember anything from when you woke up," asks Roxas
"I remember wandering around a lot, almost like a zombie," says Namine jokingly. "But I do remember seeing someone in the room I woke up in." Says Namine
"Who was it?" asks Xion
"I don't know. Those memories are. . . hazy." says Namine "But there were three throne-like chairs, and the person sat in the center. . . I think they were sleeping." says Namine.
"Is that all?" asks Xion. Namine nods.
"Well, that's fine." Says Roxas. "What matters is that you've grown, and now you don't have to stay cooped up in the ship all day." Says Roxas. Namine looks at him and smiles, before laughing, the other two join in.
"Yeah. . . you're right," Namine says.
"So, where too now Namine?" asks Roxas, motioning towards the terminal. She goes to the terminal and types away
"Let's go where this all started. . . Twilight Town" she finishes typing and takes her seat, Roxas and Xion do the same. The ship blasts off, and they watch as they pass by stars, each one being its own unique world in someplace far away. A world they may one day explore, together.