It wasn't long before the group had appeared on a small island that was home to an equally small priory.
"Wow… I can't believe that actually worked." Hope said.
"I can feel it. This gun is imbued with a strong magic. Any normal person would've lost consciousness at least from the recoil." David said.
"*Groan*" Ace said as he regained consciousness. "What happened?"
"You lost consciousness after summoning Ramuh. Fulgore appeared, but Leo held him back so we could escape." David said.
"I see, I can't believe it happened to me again." Ace said to himself.
"Summons are very powerful beings. You're bound to pass out every once in a while if you're not used to them." Leonis said.
"It's just Ramuh that I'm not accustomed to yet." Ace said. "He is the oldest of the five I have with me so it'll take a while before I can get used to it."
"Weird, it's usually the strongest that gives that kind of problem." Sheena said.
"In any case, we're all safe now." David said, giving the gun back to Ace.
"Thank you." Ace said as Breidablik was absorbed back into him.
"If you're wondering how we got to this island, we used your gun. Heart had the idea to put you in a backpack and have David fire the thing. We couldn't risk taking the gun from your hands, lest you would die." Aqua said.
"Which would've been real helpful if you had just told us that sooner." Mayumi said.
"I couldn't put that burden on you, I am sorry." Ace apologized as he turned away and teared up a bit.
"You just didn't want to be a burden on us. We understand completely." Zexi said.
"Heck, I remember when I was like that when I joined up with you guys." David said.
"Same here." Sectonia said.
"Really?" Ace asked as he turned to them crying a bit. "I'm glad I can call you my friends."
"Believe it or not, I was a rookie hero back then, too. I didn't think I could live up to their level." David said.
"And I didn't think that they would trust me after everything I've done." Sectonia said.
"But you proved yourself to them through your actions, and I want to protect the people I love including you even if it costs me life." Ace said until he saw his pendant glowing again. "What's going on?"
"I dunno. Does that usually happen?" Skull asked.
"I've noticed it glowing whenever he shows strong emotions." Mayumi said.
"So far it's happened three times since I got here." Ace said as his pendant was currently glowing Ice blue, Lavender Purple, Dark Green, and Pinkish Red colors.
"So it must be something linked to his emotional state. Possibly changing whenever he grows closer to us." Robin said.
"Yeah, that definitely seems to be the case." David said. "Ice blue is me, Lavender is Sectonia, Pinkish-red is Kenshin, and Dark Green must be…"
"Shuichi." Ace said
"Ah! Kenshin and mine must've been from when we fought Spinal." Shuichi said.
"You might be right, Ace Detective." Ace said in a playful manner.
"Sectonia must've been from when she fought Sadira." David said.
"And you when you talked with him." Jexi said.
"So how many colors does it glow?"
"So far just four?" Ace said before another color appeared which was Rainbow. "Make that five."
"We can assume that it'll keep going the more bonds he makes with us." Jesse said.
"In that case, we'll just have to make sure he gets more and more comfortable with us." Connor said.
"Yeah...it'll be awesome." Hope said.
"Hope? Is that you?" a voice said as they saw a girl with bright orange hair and dressed in white stand nearby.
"Celica!" Hope said.
"Well, nice to see you here again, priestess." Vashyron said.
"So this is Celica, It's a pleasure to meet you." Ace said as he introduced himself.
"Same here. What are you all doing here?" Celica asked.
"Well, we figured that we'd come see you while we're here. We had to run into some enemies on the way, though." David said.
"I see. Please, come inside." Celica said taking them inside the priory.
"So, you've pretty much been living here ever since Mycen took you away from Ram?" David said.
"Yes. I've been living here as a priestess to the goddess Mila." Celica said.
"I sense a lot of Light Magic in the air here." Ace said as he looked around the Priory.
"Well this is a holy place. This area must be very blessed." Lacy said.
"Well...as of late...there have been word of rising Terrors." Celica said.
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Jago asked.
"Well, very soon I'll be departing this land and heading for Zofia in order to search for where Mila might have gone. I fear she might have vanished." Celica said.
"A pilgrimage, then? Mind if we accompany you?" Colette asked.
"You all defended me during the Outrealm War. Of course." Celica said.
"If we're heading to Zofia, we're going to need some boats. One's probably not enough to fit all of us." Aoyama said.
"We would also need to hire a mercenary in order for us to be able to cross these waters safely. After all, there are pirates sailing these seas." Celica said.
"Yeah, that would be really handy." Kokoro said.
"Do you know where we could find one?" Al asked.
"I plan to check near the Novis Greatport. Maybe at one of the local taverns." Celica said. "I'm bringing three other residents with me. Their names are Mae, Boey and Genny."
"The more the merrier, I'd say." David said.
"I agree!" Ace said.
"Then would you like to accompany me in that case?" Celica asked.
"What do you think?" Hope asked.
"I say we should help." Ace said.
"We were planning to help anyway." Jexi said.
"Fine. I'm in. Maybe I can get some pirate treasure on the way." Jack said.
"Not if I get some first!" Al said excited hearing the word treasure. "I am a Treasure Fighter after all."
"Looks like we're all on board for this one." Sectonia said.
"Thank you...all of you." Celica said.
"Friends never abandon friends no matter what." Zexi said. "Even though some of us are meeting you for the first time."
"That's right so we'll support you every step of the way no matter what." Ace said with a closed eye smile.
After gathering up the three individuals, they made their way to the harbor. But as they arrived, they found it occupied, no Ships even leaving the port.
"What's going on?" Hope asked.
"No ships are leaving due to monsters in the area." one of the sailors said.
"Are they aquatic monsters?" Ace asked.
"Maybe, but if that's the reason ships can't leave port, then we're stuck here until we can prove we can handle it." Shiozaki said.
"Let's go find us a mercenary, then." Eijiro said.
"Where the heck are we gonna find one?" Skull asked.
"We can try the tavern. There are always able hands in those kinds of places." Sectonia said.
"Agreed. Let's head inside." Mukuro said.
Upon heading inside, they saw a rough bunch of individuals inside that seemed very seedy. They soon stopped at a rough looking man with an eye patch and a long sword.
"Who is that man?" Mukuro asked one of the patrons.
"His name is Saber. A Mercenary that specializes with sea transport and pirate defense." they said.
"He could help us with the Sea monster problem." Roy said.
"It's settled then. I've got this." Ty said approaching him. "We need your help getting across the sea, got someone important with us too. Name your price, we can do it. All we ask is that you help us get across the ocean."
"Hmm. A thousand in gold." Saber said.
"A thousand gold? Is that manageable?" Ty asked Celica. "Or maybe you'd like to pay from the vault, Mr. Master Thief?"
"No way! I work hard to steal all of that. But...I suppose I could part with this." Jack said showing treasure from the Magic Enforcers vault.
"Oh. now we're talking." Saber said.
"Aquarius' key stays, though." Lucy said.
"Doesn't matter. All of this is more than enough. You've got yourself a deal." Saber said.
"Jack, can you just give Lucy Aquarius back? She was her family's most trusted spirit." Hope asked.
"I told David I'd consider it, but right now, we've got bigger problems." Jack said.
"He's right. The way to Zofia is packed with monsters and pirates." David said.
"Don't worry about them, you got me. Question is, do you have a ship to sail?" Saber asked.
"We do, but...they're very far off. Plus, they wouldn't let us enter the ports." Hope said.
"I see. Mostly due to the monsters plaguing the town lately." Saber said.
"Then let's get to it than." Mukuro said as they headed out into the town as the citizens were screaming.
"Let's go!" Ace shouted heading to the port with his teammates.
"Wonder what this is all about?" Hope asked.
"Those things likely." Lacy said as strange white creatures were attacking the town.
"Wait...are those…" Sora said. "Nobodies?"
"What are they doing here?"
"Doesn't matter. We have to save those people now!" David said.
The group moved fast in order to battle these white monsters as they moved fast across town.
"Damn Dusks. I don't have any good memories of you freaks." Hope said.
"Hope, let's go for a team attack!" Ace shouted running towards Hope.
"Right now? Alright!" Hope said.
"Holy Lightning!" Ace and Hope shouted as a Lightning bolt in the shape of a cross appeared wiping out some of the dusks.
"Nice work Hope!" Ace said.
It wasn't long before the dust settled as the monsters were gone.
"It's strange. I never expected Nobodies here...or for them to act on their own." Jexi said.
"They're not… Someone brought them here...and I think we have a good idea who." Riku said.
"The Organization...so...they're involved with this too." Jexi said.
"Are one of their members here right now?" Leanne asked.
"If they were, they're gone now." Zoro said.
In the distance, a figure in a black cloak watched as they communicated with someone.
"Apologies, Allen. But it appears they've broken through our little gate." they said.
"Its fine. For now, just leave it to the other two. You are dismissed for now." Allen said.
"Thank you." they said. "Tis a shame. I would have looked forward to our little reunion." they said before noticing a broken yet familiar Ultratech robot approaching. "Ah...so you survived the attack with the beastman."
Fulgore then aimed its weapons at the figure.
"Fine...I'll put you out of your misery. Bloom….Graceful Dahlia." they said making a familiar scythe appear.
Fulgore charged before he was sliced in half instantly. The momentum caused the figured hood to be cast off, revealing the sight of long rose colored hair. It belonged to only one man…
"Well...we may not have met now...but I look forward to our reunion in the future...Sora...Jexi." they said as the figure was revealed as Marluxia.