Acquiring a sizable boat to travel the seas, the group joined Celica, with the addition of Saber, as they sailed across the vast seas.
"The breeze feels amazing." Ace said as the wind was blowing his short hair.
"Just be glad we aren't sinking. We got two giants with us." Ty said.
"I'm just surprised this ship is able to hold all of us." David said.
"Me too. Miracles of ship building I guess." Zexi said.
"I can have Bahamut fly some of us if there's not enough room." Ace said.
"I don't think that'll be necessary. Passersby will confuse him for a dragon." David said.
"I'm standing right here." Kokoro said.
"Just calm down. He didn't mean it like that." Lloyd said.
"It was just a suggestion ok?" Ace said until he sensed something approaching them. "We got company."
"Pirates. Of course they'll try to raid us." Jesse said.
"Yar! You trespass on the seas of the Pirate King Barth! For tax...all your valuables and women will do!" one of them said as they laughed.
"Like Hell!" Ace shouted at them.
"Pirate King...now that's a big fat lie!" Luffy said. "Cause that's gonna be me!"
"I'm guessing their 'pirate king' is their head honcho." Kurochi said.
"I don't care. I'm not gotta sit here while some fake calls himself king of the pirates." Luffy said enlarging his fist. "Gum Gum….Elephant Gun!" he said firing it and sinking one of their ships.
"Geez! They've got Luffy riled up!" Ming said.
"Oi, monkey man. If you want a crack at Barth...he's likely hiding near the Pirate's Throne." one of the crew said.
"Of course he wants a crack at him! This guy right here, he's gonna be the TRUE Pirate King!" Rainbow said.
"You speak lies. There is only one Pirate King. You want to prove it, go to the pirates throne."
"Now we have to take a side trip because those pirates egged Luffy on." Genis said.
"Doesn't really matter. I don't mind showing some knuckleheads who they're messing with." David said.
"Agreed." Ace said slamming his fist into his palm.
They soon closed in on two rock formations known as the Pirates throne as Barth waited outside.
"They have a large army with them, captain!" his scout said.
"I do not fear them. For with help from our new partner...we can easily match their numbers." Barth bragged.
"I can see them. Strange...Barth isn't moving from his spot." Lacy said.
"He must be planning something. Does he want us to come at him?" Mustang asked.
"Maybe he's testing us." David said.
"Something doesn't feel right." Aqua said before getting a strange sense. "This sensation. It feels...familiar. Get back now!" she commanded as something rose from the waters. Floating before them was a large mass of red armor with three seperatable parts.
"The Trinity Armor? But...that's impossible. Its one of the Unversed." Roy said.
"That means… Oh no… Not him again!" Aqua said.
(Cue-Pete Dunne UK Tournament Theme-Young and Bitter)
"Well….it really has been a long time, hasn't it….Aqua?" a voice said as standing on the mast was a figure in a black coat with a black mask as well.
"Vanitas!" Jexi said.
"But that's impossible! We all saw Ven beat the living lights outta him!" Ranma said.
"Fate can be funny like that. But I will enjoy snuffing out the light from that little sniveling speck." Vanitas said invoking his keyblade.
"Be careful everyone!" Ace said.
"We know, he's dangerous!" Hope said as Vanitas jumped down. "I was waiting for a chance to punch your mask again, bastard!"
"Aw...little brat still whining about losing two of his previous friends?" Vanitas mocked.
"You shut your mouth!" Roy shouted.
"Oh I remember you. You were one of those pathetic warriors chosen by the kingdoms to try and stop the first organization." Vanitas said.
"I see you're still as mockingly bitter as ever…" Roy said.
"Not really. As I recall, there was one that never showed...Cole McGrath right?" Vanitas said.
"Only because he…" Roy said.
"Was whisked away by Xehanort...so he could enjoy snuffing him out." Vanitas said.
"You're still painfully right as always." Hope said.
"Amazing...you've grown even more annoying." Vanitas said.
"It's one of my issues." Hope said.
"I think I'm done talking with you. I gotta deal with my target." Vanitas said as he charged at Sora only to be blocked by Jesse. "Outta my way."
"No way! I will not stand by as you insult my comrades like this!" Jesse said. "Luffy, go after Barth! I've got this guy!"
"You're not fighting alone on this one. I'll help too!" Ace said as he drew Muramasa Masamune.
"You really plan on fighting me? Hmm...that horn. Trinity Armor. Attack the brat." Vanitas said as the Unversed went for Ace. "I can claim two prizes in one day. Ven's life...and that strong magic."
"Just try if you can, punk!" Ace said. "Rising Phoenix!"
Ace charged into the air engulfed in flames as he cut into Trinity armor only for it to separate into three parts.
"If that's how you want to play, fine." Ace said as his pendant began to glow as small traces of Fire, Ice, Earth, Lightning and Stars floated around him.
"Crow Style: Nocturnal Wing!" Jesse called.
"Not good enough!" Vanitas said quickly countering the strike. "That technique...zodiac sword style right?"
"How would you know?" Jesse asked.
"I've been regaining my senses after being gone for so long. One of my prey was a master who knew that exact style." Vanitas said.
"What are you trying to say? You killed him, didn't you?" Jesse asked.
"I don't think it even needs to be said. You already know the answer." Vanitas said.
"Jesse, just-just calm down, man! He's not worth it!" David said.
"So it's true…" Jesse muttered.
"Yeah...it's true. I struck him down in cold blood." Vanitas said.
"Don't lose your cool, Jesse! Vanitas thrives on getting under the skin of anyone, and capitalizing on mistakes!" Lemon said.
"I know that! It...it doesn't make it any less agonizing." Jesse said.
"Good. Now let's see how far that hatred takes you." Vanitas said ready to fight once more.
"Not good, Vanitas has already instilled his tactics into Jesse. This is bringing back bad memories…" Lemon said before seeing Rainbow seething in anger. "Rainbow?"
"Tell me something. Before you two fight...I wanna know. That monster...he's on this world too isn't he?" she demanded.
"If you mean Xehanort...yes. He's here too." Vanitas said.
"Good. Now I can finally take revenge for Terra!" Rainbow shouted.
"I'll delve into that later, but for now." Jesse said.
"Keep your head straight, Jesse. He'll tear your psyche to shreds if you give him the chance." Aqua said.
"Got it. Thanks, Aqua." Jesse said.
Meanwhile Ace was currently dealing with the Trinity Armor as he sang a familiar tune.
"~Sing with me a song, of Birthrights and Love, The Light scatters to the sky above~." Ace sang as he unleashed waves of the elements around him at the Trinity Armor completely destroying it.
"Heh...please." Vanitas said as another Trinity Armor took its place.
"What… how did he?!" Maya said.
"The Unversed aren't natural creatures. They all come from him!" Jexi said.
"In order to end this…. We must take down that man." Jago said.
"But Jesse's coming in a little too hot on him. We're not getting a chance to butt in." Petra said.
"And it looks like Luffy's taking care of the pirate problem." Lacy said. "He's already beaten Barth!"
"We just gotta…" King said before they heard a snap as they looked to Jesse and Vanitas as Jesse was on the ground with his broken sword.
"You never...had a chance with me. You're weak." Vanitas said.
"Damn you… One of these days…" Jesse said as David caught him.
"As a reward for killing time, I'll let you live. Maybe you'll end up killing yourself trying to get to me." Vanitas said before walking away and vanishing in darkness.
"Smug little bastard…" David said. "You okay, Jesse?"
"Yeah. I'll be okay… But man… It's not like me to get reckless like that." Jesse said.
"It's Vanitas's style of fighting. He gets under your skin…" Hope began.
"It isn't that. I could feel it as they fought. Vanitas isn't the same as last time. He's gotten much stronger." Jexi said.
"Well if he's got a real body now, why was he after Sora? He's not Ven."
"Actually...there's something we've been meaning to share with you guys in private." Jexi said.
It was later in a private room where all but Sora, Donald and Goofy were attending as those three were searching for people on the island.
"Ven isn't gone. When we were at the World that Never Was...we learned that...Ven's heart is sleeping inside him." Jexi said.
"There was something that Vanitas said earlier that was bothering me a bit." Ace said.
"This isn't about you, Ace. You really mean that?" Aqua asked.
"Yeah. Xemnas and Braig confirmed it for us." Pit said.
"Actually...I can too." Riku said.
"Riku?" Hope asked.
"When I dove into Sora's heart to free him, I saw a replica of our island. On it, I met several people. Roxas, Xion...and someone who looked like Roxas, which I guess was Ven." Riku said.
"But what did he mean by horn? That seems to be the part Ace was fixated on." David said.
"If I had to guess...he was probably talking about that gun Ace uses...the one that summons." Riku said.
"I heard him talk about my power too, calling it and Ven's heart a "Prize"." Ace said.
"That's because Vanitas is crazy for power. He's one of those types that would do anything to get stronger." Zephyr said.
"Usually people who obsess over power like that are weak themselves. But after running into Copernicus, I'm not sure if that applies to Vanitas." David said.
"It's more likely the real Organization wants it. Not just him. Summoning powerful monsters like that would be beneficial to them." Leonis said.
"That being said, what was your deal, Jesse? You're usually calm when you fight with your techniques, but when he mentioned he killed the master of the Zodiac Sword Style...you went wild on him." David said. "Was there something about his death that affected you that badly?"
"David, it's a painful moment for him. You shouldn't pry into moments like that."
"No, it's alright. I figured it was going to come out sooner or later." Jesse said. "It was...a little while ago. Throughout my training, I was...not the most focused of his students. I was a foreigner who had just moved in at the time...I didn't think there was any way I'd fit in. But...as time went on, he taught me the best way to learn the techniques was to channel those animals and fight like I was like them. With each session, we grew closer and closer. But...one day, after school… I was on my way to the shrine when I saw something I couldn't believe… The shrine was decimated, and my master was lying on the floor, in a pool of his own blood…"
"Say no more, Jess. we get it." Ross said.
"I didn't know you had that kinda loss with you. I'm sorry, Jesse." Gemini said.
"We may have not known each other for awhile but I feel the same way losing people close to you." Ace said. "But know that we'll be there with you every step of the way."
Ace's pendant glowed as he looked to see the Color Black appear on one of the spots.
"Its black this time. I wonder why it's that color?" Starlight asked.
"Maybe it has to do with his Crow style?" Ace said.
"Or maybe it's the color that best associates with him. I mean, he's pretty much always wore black except for that one time." Mayumi said, remembering Gran Tesoro.
"Maybe but they could also be based on your abilities." Ace said.
"That would make sense if that was the case." Mayumi said.
"Still, if Jesse wants another shot at Vanitas, he needs a new sword." Zelos said.
"Of all the times for Kurogane to not be here. He's already forged himself to Rokurou's blade." Oscar said.
"Actually...there might be something Jesse could use just as well." Aqua said.
"I would be happy to lend him mine." Ace said as he handed Jesse Muramasa Masamune. "Please use it wisely, it's yours now."
"Ace… you sure? That's your sword. Swords are an extension of one's body." Sakura asked.
"I appreciate it, but I cannot accept something so precious to you." Jesse said.
"It is alright. My brother said that my sword should be wielded by those with Heart and Spirit, and you have both." Ace said. "You need it more than I do."
"Uh...I'm certain that means way too much to accept." Jesse said.
"As I was about to say...I know something that could work." Aqua said reaching into one of the bags as she pulled out a familiar keyblade.
"Wait. Is that…" Jexi said.
"Wayward Wind...Ven's keyblade." Aqua said.
"Are you sure? I mean, does Jesse even have the potential to wield a Keyblade?" Leonora asked.
"I've seen what he can do and I really think he can. Vanitas came from Ven. So in a way...when you do fight again...it'll be like Ven's fighting with him." Aqua said.
"I believe in Jesse as well. He shows kindness and heart to the people he cares about." Ace said.
"Aqua, everyone. Thank you." Jesse said as he accepted Wayward Wind. after a few anticipative seconds, the Keyblade didn't disappear.
"It...actually accepted him." Riku said.
"I can't believe I did it…" Jesse said.
"Please...use it well." Aqua said.
"I'm so happy think I could cry…." Rarity said.
It wasn't long before Sora, Donald and Goofy returned with three soldiers named Valbar, Leon and Kamui who joined the group as thanks for dealing with Barth as they set sail once more. Jesse stood on the helm of the ship looking at the blade in his hands.
"Ven...I know that one day...I'll have to return this blade to you. But...until that day comes...I'll fight with your power...and take him down." Jesse said. "And when it comes...I look forward to meeting you."