Chapter 21: From the Box Seats (doubleux3 . youtube . com/watch?v=FrPtcgrS0sc)

Memo: I know in the game you're supposed to go to POTC world next, but I always thought that was stupid, so we're doing things my way, yo. XD Oh, also, welcome to the third and final ten chapters of this story! Read on. ;)

Nexus' PoV

I don't like people in my face, especially when I wake up. Sora found that out pretty quickly the next day.

"Get out of my face, you cretin!" I shouted when I woke up to his big blue eyes inches in front of me. I turned over quickly, wrapping myself in sheets. He should've known better than to wake me up that early.

"But Nexus, we're going to the Coliseum today!" Sora cried. "We need to check on Hercules!"

"He can check on himself for all I care," I muttered. "Let me sleep."

For a moment, Sora was quiet, and I really thought he was going to leave me alone for once. But instead he ripped the covers off of me and threw them onto the floor. Yelping in surprise, I curled into a ball at the sudden coldness, then flipped over, staring daggers into Sora. He looked scared, and he should've.

"YOU'RE DEAD!" I screamed, jumping up to tackle him. Unfortunately, he dodged me just in time and I missed, smacking my head on his bunk opposite me. "SORA!"

Running like mad, I followed him out into the main control room area, still dressed in yesterday's clothes. He ducked behind the counter, trying to make a getaway, but I saw him and grabbed him by the back of his shirt.

"Ow ow ow!" he shouted as I dug my knuckles into his head, trapping him in a headlock while giving him a dangerously rough noogie.

"Are ya feeling better today, Nexus?" Goofy asked me as he and Donald ate their breakfast.

"Yes, thanks," I replied, beaming while still holding Sora in my clutches.

Donald didn't even say anything, just continued to eat rice balls, which looked pretty good.

"Please let me go!" Sora whined, sounding ready to cry.

I was hungry, and it sounded like I had tampered with his manhood enough.

"Are you ever gonna do that again?" I asked him as if he were a little kid.

"NO!"

"Okay."

Releasing him, I sighed, pushing my hair out of my face. Sora fell onto the kitchen floor, gasping for air.

"Geez," he wheezed, coughing. "Let's hope you never have kids."

I kicked him in the butt, making him fall on his face, then went to make some onigiri.

.........

"Well?" Sora said when we reached the Underworld. It looked gloomy, but there was nothing wrong.

"The coast is clear!" Goofy announced.

"No sign of the Nobodies or the Heartless...for now, anyway," Sora said to himself.

"What's that?" Donald asked, pointing. We looked across the river Styx--yes, it exists--to see a large coliseum lit up in the dark sky.

"The Underdrome," someone replied. We looked over to see Auron, not to anyone's surprise. "Fiends of the Underworld once clashed there--battle after battle. But Zeus didn't like the senseless violence, so he locked the place up."

"How did it get UN-locked?" Sora asked.

"Some fool must have broken the seal," Auron answered.

"What an idiot."

I thought about mentioning the noise I noticed last time we were here, when Sora broke the seal to save Meg, but I kept quiet. Oh well. It's not like we could've done anything about it.

"Hmph," Auron grunted, starting to leave.

"Where are you going, Auron?" Sora asked. "We should catch up!"

"If you need something to do, go help your friends," Auron told him.

Sora pouted, glancing over where Auron was motioning, and there sat Hercules and Meg. When we looked back to Auron, he was already gone, so we had no choice other than to talk to the lovebirds.

"Hey," Hercules said weakly when we reached him.

"Herc! You feeling any better?" Sora said.

"Well...same routine," Meg replied for him. "Wonderboy here thinks his hero days are over. And Phil thinks it's all in his head."

"Gawrsh, Herc. We know you're a hero!" Goofy exclaimed. Hercules didn't look convinced.

"That's right...Blunderboy. How can you mope on a momentous day like today?"

That voice was coming from my favorite villian--no, seriously. Hades was an awesome villian. I think if he had been on our side, we'd have been friends.

"The Underdrome's back, and you are gonna fill the stands," Hades said after appearing in a puff of smoke. "After all, your fans won't settle for anything less than a certified hero."

Hercules started to get worked up, but still tired, he relaxed, looking forlorn again.

"I mean, if you're not up to it, you could always just, I dunno, LOSE?" Hades suggested, putting an arm around Herc's shoulders.

"I bet you'd like that!" Sora snapped. Hades looked pissed and started talking fast and gesturing left and right--nothing inappropriate, mind you.

"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 grinned, and he started announcing some big event that I just KNEW we were gonna get dragged into. "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 '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! And I assure you that the 'Great' Hercules will be there. Otherwise...
Hades looked at Meg, and Hercules, getting some spirit back, jumped in front of her.

"You'll never see your girlfriend again," Hades finished, disappearing.

"Lowlife," Sora muttered.

"You're too kind, kid."

*~*~*

"Just talk to me if you wanna enter a tournament," a little green devilish looking thing said.

"His Most Perniciousness is feeling kinda charitable, so don't worry about dying or anything," another fatter, purple-colored creature added. "You should consider yourself lucky! Anyway, I'm handling registration for the Hades Cup. Don't go to Panic for that one!"

"And if that's Panic, then who are you?" Nexus asked, raising an eyebrow.

The creature looked up at her and began to step forward, but it stepped on Panic's spiky tail and wailed.

"Pain," it finally replied. Nexus smirked, slightly amused.

"Sign us up for the Hades Cup," Sora then said, all business.

"You got it!" Pain waddled over to a tier board and wrote Sora's name down, with "and co." after it.

"Who do we face first?" Hercules asked.

Well, it didn't matter. All of the other contestants were Heartless the party had seen before, with Hercules as the exception. But he was useless anyway, not having any will to fight or any energy to want to.

After winning both battles and securing themselves in the finals, it was finally time to celebrate. Sora especially was excited, being so competitive.

"We made it to the finals!" he cheered.

"If we win, we'll all be heroes!" Donald cried.

"Oh, that's why you're so happy," Goofy and Nexus said in unison.

"We can't stay junior heroes forever, you know," Sora pointed out happily.

"I'll try not to mess things up," Hercules said. Nexus rolled her eyes, but Donald stole her words.

"Enough already..." he muttered, and she nodded.

"Look. Over there," Hercules then said.

Hesitantly, they all looked to where Hercules mentioned, and there stood Auron, who they had not seen during the whole tournament.

"He's our final opponent, right?" Hercules asked.

"Yeah," Nexus replied, noticing something different.

"Auron!" Sora cried, waving like an idiot. Auron glowed red for a moment, then turned around, frowning.

"And you are?" he asked gruffly.

"Huh?" Sora raised an eyebrow.

"Auron...?" Donald asked.

"I must defeat you and atone for my crimes," Auron mumbled, walking away.

"Okay...?" Nexus said, cocking her head.

"Hey!" Sora exclaimed, but Auron was gone. "What was that all about?"

"Only one way to find out," Nexus replied, creeping over to the Cave of the Dead entrance. "Let's go."

Nodding, Sora and the others--except Hercules--followed her in.

"Okay, let's review," they heard Hades say. Sora poked his head around, but pulled it back quickly seeing how close Hades and Auron were. Donald started to waltz right in, but Sora pulled him back, too. "State your crime, prisoner."

"I exist," Auron murmured. "That is my crime. It is...inexcusable."

"Ooh, good, very good."

"What's wrong with Auron?" Sora whispered to Donald. "He's never acted that way before."

Instead of answering, Donald only shushed him.

"Okay, so you made one lousy mistake: you exist," Hades continued. "But hey, I'm a forgiving guy. You keep your end of our little deal, and I'm willing to overlook a transgression or two."

"I understand. Defeat Hercules."

"And his meddling friends."

"What?" For a second Auron sounded like his old self again. "No, only Hercules."

"Oh, don't tell me you've forgotten who's in charge?" Hades said, leaning on Auron's shoulder. Placing his hand there, he began to literally suck the life out of Auron, a few small lights quivering around him. Auron groaned in pain. Hades, smirking, summoned forth a small figurine that looked just like Auron.

"Hercules and the other three," Hades declared, still holding Auron's shoulder. "Are we clear?"

"We're clear, Hades," Auron grunted through the pain.

"Lord Hades."

"Lord Hades..." Auron echoed.

Finally letting go, Hades said, "Good. Now go."

.........

"What's wrong, Sora?" Hercules asked as the group watch Auron sail away with Pain and Panic to the Underdrome.

"Auron's in trouble! It's like Hades brainwashed him!" Sora exclaimed, worried.

"He's using some kind of a statue," Goofy added.

"You know something? That sounds kinda familiar..." Hercules admitting, thinking. If it was what he thought, Hades had used it before with Meg. "Hades may be using the statue to hold Auron's free will hostage."

"What do we do?" Donald quacked.

"See if you can find that statue. It's gotta be somewhere in the Underworld."

"Right," Sora said, eager to get going. "I'm on it!"

"Tell me you're not thinking of leaving," Hades said, suddenly appearing. Sora clenched his teeth, glaring. "You've got a match coming up."

"I'll fight Auron in the final," Hercules decided, standing tall. "One on one."

"Oh, you will?"

Hades quickly turned around, looking worried, and started muttering to himself, obviously trying to devise a plan. The others did the same, only a bit less successfully.

"I'll draw things out to buy you time," Hercules told Sora.

"But--" Sora started.

"Just hurry back," Hercules interrupted, standing up straight again as Hades came over. "I know you can do it!"

"Congratulations! You've got a deal." Hades grinned maniacally.

"Thanks," Hercules replied with a smirk.

"On one condition! The Keyblader, here, and his trusty friends have to meet the winner in one final clash, whaddya say?"

"That'll drive the crowd wild..."

"It'd better," Hades snapped as Pain and Panic came back with the boat. "I promised the crowd the event of their afterlives."

Hercules thought it best to say nothing, and instead he sat in the boat, waving as he left for the Underdrome.

"Sucker!" Hades laughed, staring ahead. "You know for me, the rest is smooth sailing."

Nexus' PoV

Okay, so after getting electrocuted and after delving into Auron's memories, we finally got the stupid statue back, and then you know what happened? Dusks happened.

"AAAH!" I screamed, throwing down my keyblade after fighting about two dozen of them. "This is getting nowhere!"

Just as I said that, though, luck proved me wrong. Suddenly little dog Heartless showed up, biting the Nobodies and distracting them.

"Not what I had in mind, but I'll take it!" Sora exclaimed cheerfully.

"We'd better skedaddle!" Goofy said.

Well, I didn't skedaddle, but I definitely busted out of there like there was no tomorrow. The others were right behind me the whole time, and soon we had reached the Underworld entrance again. Pain was standing there, but Panic was gone.

"Ha!" the little guy laughed. "Hercules must be screaming for mercy by now! What?" He looked at us, blissfully unaware. "Did you come to see Hercules lose, too?"

"You could say that," I replied, jumping in the boat. The others followed suit.

Hercules' fight with Auron was still going on when we arrived. Auron cleaved downward with his sword, but Hercules dodged just in time. But then he realized he was right on the edge of the platform, and then Auron ran up and clasped the sword down onto Hercules, who blocked with his hands. He struggled to save himself, even falling down onto his knees. The movement reminded me of last night, and I shuddered.

"Now! Finish him!" Hades shouted, not seeing us as we hid in the shadows. We were like ninjas, just waiting stealthily.

"Auron, no!" Well, Sora went and ruined that.

"Hey, Auron! This belongs to you!" Donald shouted, and Sora tossed the statue into the fighting ring.

"WHA?!" I screamed, looking at him. WHY would he just THROW something that valuable?! He looked confident, though, and sure enough, the statue exploded onto Auron, and he relaxed, putting his sword down. Hercules, relieved, took the chance to catch his breath.

"Nexus. Sora. Donald. Goofy." Auron named us all.

"WHOO! He named me first!" I bragged, poking Sora's side.

"Auron!" we cried, overjoyed.

"Why those little--Ugh, prisoner!" Hades snapped from his throne, which looked like a good view. Pain and Panic were with him, looking terrified. "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 sneered, picking up his sword. "This is my story, and you're not part of it."

Roaring with anger, Hades burned with fire and teleported near us onto the platform. Hmph. His fire was weak.

"That's it! This game is over. I've played by the rules so far," Hades yelled. "Okay, I confess! I was hoping Wonderboy would lose, but it was still a fair fight. C'mon, is that really so wrong? Huh?"

"Really? A fair fight?" Sora said, causing us all to snicker.

"Laugh, laugh, laugh all you want!" Hades tried to imitate our laughter in a whiny voice. "Because the laughing is about to stop. Wanna know why? Because now we're gonna play by my rules."

With just a snap of his fingers, Hades opened a big gate, and soon we heard a scream. Next thing we knew, Meg was sitting there, suspended on a batch of clouds right over the River of Death. Fab.

"Meg!" Hercules cried.

"Hercules!" Meg cried back.

"Hey, I warned you right at the get-go," Hades declared. "You don't compete, you lose the girl."

He snapped his fingers once more, and Meg fell.

"No!" Hercules screamed, running to the edge. "Meg! Hang on!"

Hercules followed her right in, and Hades even checked to see if it was true. I was amazed that he would be that dedicated. It made me jealous.

"Looks like Wonderboy has dropped out of the standings," Hades told us as the stone gate behind him closed.

"Well, that was the way to go," I admitted, crossing my arms.

"Well, you've still got us to deal with!" Sora snapped. I gasped, laughing.

"Um, no. I did NOT sign up for this," I stated. "I am not fighting."

"Nexus, c'mon!" Sora begged me, trying to pull me over, but I backed away.

"I'll watch, but I'm not fighting. There's no way I'd survive."

Looking around, I saw the narrow path to Hades' chair, and I followed it up, sitting down.

"Hello, boys," I said, smirking.

"Hello, Your Highness," they replied. I grinned.

"It's Nexus, but I could get used to that, too."

Sora and the others started to fight Hades, but I could tell that they weren't landing a solid hit anywhere on him. As long as he was red like that, he was invincible. After all, it was HIS underworld.

Sora finally backed off, frowning.

"We can't win," he said angrily.

"How come?" Donald whined.

"Because it's his Underworld," Auron said, echoing my thoughts. Huh. Good guy.

"Gee, then how do we beat him?" Goofy wondered.

And that was exactly why I wasn't down there. I mean, Axel never had to know about this, right? Right.

Hades was about to attack, when I saw the stone door open again. No one was there.

"That's weird," Panic hissed, sounding just like he was supposed to: panicked.

"I think a true hero should be able to help."

"No way!" the three of us sitting out shouted as Hercules appeared, glowing gold again like the first time I met him.

"But...you..." Hades growled, confused.

"I owe you one, Hades," Hercules said, walking toward them. Pegasus flew down immediately, standing by his master's side. "I didn't hesitate to give my life for Meg's. And then, I remembered: a true hero is measured by the strength of his heart." He put Meg down next to Pegasus, wanting her to get on. "I'll never forget that again."

"Just no more crazy stunts," Sora said, grinning.

Then Hercules murmured something to Sora, and whatever it was, it must've been funny, because his grin broadened even more. Pegasus whinnied, then flew away with Meg.

"What is so funny, you imbeciles!" Hades screeched. "How dare you get a happy ending! How DARE you!"

"Phew, I'm glad I'm not down there right now!" I said out loud.

"Yeah, it doesn't look too hot," Pain agreed.

"Haha, I can't help but disagree. It it Hades we're talking about."

Panic giggled. I sighed.

"I dunno. I can't help thinking this would probably be more fun if I was drunk."

Apparently I'm a hilarious drunk, but let's not talk about that...yet.

"Sorry, miss, we only serve non-alcoholic beverages due to risk of fires," Pain said.

"Understandable."

As I sat like a queen up there, watching, I thought of last night, and I started to worry.

If something happens like that again, I told myself, I might not make it through. Ansem always said there'd be a day when we'd destroy each other. It was almost last night.

"This isn't happening!" Hades cried, clutching his heart. Sora took a final swing at him, but Hades teleported away. I couldn't see where.

"It's...not over...yet..." he groaned, then yelped, and I heard a splash.

"Ooh, that sucks," I said, grimacing.

"He's gonna be pissed when he gets out of there!" Panic shrieked.

"You mean, IF he gets out of there," Pain said with a sly smile.

"'If'...'If' is good."

*~*~*

"What'cha gonna do now?" Donald asked Auron when they were outside the Underdrome again. Nexus had rejoined them, cheering like an idiot.

"I lived my life defending others," Auron said. "But now...there's no one left to protect. Maybe...it's time I shaped my own story."

"Yeah..." Sora agreed. "You deserve it, Auron--after everything you've been through."

Chuckling, Auron then said, "I suppose I should thank you."

"Not at all," Sora insisted, proud.

"Fine."

The four slumped at the irony as Auron turned around. Sora recovered quickly.

"I mean, sure, you could thank us a little..." he mumbled.

"You should say what you mean," Auron said, turning back to them. "I guess I could spare a few words. Thanks for meddling."

Slumping again, Nexus recovered this time.

"Well, that was a few words," she sighed, watching Auron walk away.

They met their other friends up in the Coliseum, standing under the moonlight.

"Thanks again, guys!" Hercules exclaimed. "You're the best."

"Excuse us for meddling..." Donald quacked, looking away from the lovers.

"Aw...sounds like somebody's feathers are a little ruffled," Meg said, but Donald only glared more. "I'm kidding. Thank you, Sora, Nexus, Donald, Goofy."

"So where you guys headed next?" Hercules asked Nexus. She shrugged.

"Ask that one," she replied, jabbing her thumb at Sora. "He's, unfortunately, in charge."

"Aw, you know..." Sora began, grinning mischieviously. "You two lovebirds seem to be getting along just fine without us hanging around."

Jumping, Meg and Hercules stepped away from each other, still smiling.

"Yeah, we gotta go," Donald said.

"Uh-huh, before we start meddlin'," Goofy chuckled. "A-hyuck!"

"Right," Sora agreed.

"Are you turkeys trying to put me out of a job?" Phil suddenly shouted, walking over. Nexus rolled her eyes. "If you keep acing every challenge, Champ, who am I gonna train?"

"Aw, you can't abandon me now, Phil!" Hercules cried. "I gotta be at the top of my game in case Hades shows up again."

Suddenly Donald jumped in front of Phil, getting right up in his face.

"Hey, are we true heroes yet?" he asked enthusiastically.

"Yeah!" Sora joined his feathered friend. "C'mon, Phil, how 'bout it?"

Pointing to himself, Sora put on his best "I'm-a-hero-so-come-get-some" face while Phil simply stroked his goatee.

"Lemme see now..." Phil muttered. "Well, you're not wise enough..."

Donald and Sora glared.

"Not quite...seasoned enough..." Nexus laughed at Donald's reaction. What a pun.

"Okay, okay, we get the hint!" Sora snapped.

"Look, kid, it's not my call!" Phil exclaimed.

"Aw, phooey," Donald muttered.

"Course if it was, you'd have no problem. I'd make you all heroes, in a heartbeat!"

Sora and Donald exchange glances, then looked at Phil again.

"Really?" Sora gasped.

"Say it again!" Donald insisted.

"On second thought, if those are your true 'hero' faces, you still got a lotta work to do," Phil said, walking away. Donald walked alongside him.

"Hey, what do you mean?" he quacked.

"Go away!" Phil shouted, running. Donald chased him. Seeing this, Sora followed them.

"Phil!" he whined.

"Leave me alone!"

"See that?" Meg suddenly asked Hercules.

"Well, whaddaya know..." the hero replied. Sora had to know, so he stopped and turned around, looking into the sky.

"YES!" he cried, watching the stars form his image in the sky. He pumped his fist into the air. Nexus laughed at him.

"I didn't even try," she bragged, hands on her hips, admiring her mirror image.

Scowling, Sora pushed her over and ran back to the ship.