Author's Note: This chapter was HARD to write. This story is pretty much just HARD to write. Why do I bother? I mainly am bothering just because I don't want to give up on projects, and I would hate to leave their story unfinished. Anyways, enjoy, and review if you like this. It'll make me feel it's still wroth writing.

...

Mark of a Hero

...

Today, Megara fed us pomegranates like we were kings, and wished us both her luck.

"What's the real reason you're here?" I wiped the fruit juice from my chin and raised a suspicious brow. Beautiful or not, that girl was nothing but one of Hades' loyal minions, and I knew there was a lot of Hades in her. Down to her sharp smile and belittling glare. Her fingers were sharp, and I watched as she hooked on underneath Terra's chin, and made him look at her. He didn't fight her, no, not nearly as much as when Hades forced him to look into his soulless eyes.

I guess Terra might have been naïve to a pretty girl. But I wasn't going to fall for her no-good tricks. Though I had to admit, any other situation, and a girl like that would make me weak at the knees too.

"Oh what's wrong Zack?" She asked, her red lips pulling back into a cruel smile. "Getting cranky being stuck in Hades' little chains?" She let her finger fall from Terra's chin and turned to me, her hand rested on her cocked hip. "If I remember, you used to be all fiery and full of life. What a shame Hades has managed to squeeze it out of you so quickly."

"Not quite yet," I said, throwing her a wink. If Hades had managed to "squeeze the life out of me," would I have been planning a daring escape with Terra? When the moment was right, we—or rather me—would have to put our plan into action, and though I was a little nervous, I was pumped to get out of this hell hole.

"I don't understand what you're doing here in the Underworld," Terra asked Meg, his eyes soft and trusting in a way that he hadn't even looked at me.

"Yeah, and not even wrapped up in chains," I said as I rolled my eyes. How could I not be jealous of the fact that her wrists were free while ours were rubbed raw from shackles and chains.

"What's so hard to understand?"

"This place is filled with monsters and demons, and you're not one of those," Terra told her.

"You don't know a thing about me," Megara said as she patted his cheek and bent down to his level. She was so close, their noses were practically touching, and for some reason, it annoyed me. "Maybe I'm just as dead as all the other dead people around here. But I can't exactly pretend I'm any better than that... thing over there." She pointed to a whimpering, shriveled up red monsters with skin barely stretched over spine, and the most awful bellow I had ever heard. The little green demon, Panic, with the horned head and knife-like fingers laughed as it cracked a whip across it's back.

I winced. At least I hadn't been subjected to that kind of punishment.

"What's your problem then, huh?" I asked, wiggling uncomfortably as my arm dangled above my head, chained to the wall as always. Meg had unchained my other arm so I could freely eat my fruit. Even if we This whole prisoner business was getting old and fast. This pomegranate was likely not even fresh.

"Men like him," Meg said as she gestured a thumb at Terra, who looked genuinely confused. Guys like Terra, aka the "hero" type, were the type of guys who could make women swoon and make men want to be them. I knew Terra could have hundreds of girls falling at his feet, and with that kind of power over the ladies, well, it was easy to let it go to your head. Guys like that end up breaking hearts left and right. So I guess Meg was a girl scorned.

Of course, I wouldn't be one of those guys if I were hero. No way! I'd find a girl...or guy and treat them right. Call me old-fashioned, but I guess I was just a romantic at heart.

"Like me?" Terra asked, not only confused, but looking to be genuinely hurt by her comment.

"Yeah, you got that "heroic" thing going on," and Terra smiled, but as she continued, her words getting less and less sweet and more and more hurtful, I could see his pride breaking.

"I'm...not that kind of guy though..." he said quietly, his head hung. "The only woman I know, her name's Aqua, well she's the most intelligent, strong, honest woman I know. I do care about her. I respect her. She is my best friend after all." He talked with kindness and a smile on his face, and this Aqua girl sounded pretty amazing. And I guess I just hoped that maybe one day, someone would refer to me as their best friend. Right now, that spot was pretty much open, and I was always accepting applications.

"Well, if I were any one of those things that this Aqua girl was, I wouldn't be stuck down here in a deal with the god of the Underworld," she said with a scoff as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"I'd hardly say stuck," I chimed in, scowling at her. "You got Hades wrapped around your finger." I had seen the way he talked to her. It was nothing, if not a mockery of kindness, which was a lot more than what he got. He at least treated her with some dignity, and allowed her to roam the Underworld free to come and go as she pleased. "How you do it I have no idea." I said, and I just considered myself lucky enough to be useful enough to Hades still.

"Let's just say," Meg said as she smirked, "I'm as sweet as Persephone and about as faithful as Hera."

...

"Round two!"

It was the darkness again. That damned power Hades had was starting to wear me out. Hades had let us out of our "cages" again to do another bout of training, but this time, I was the on the other hand of that horrible power Hades was able to corrupt us with. Terra was completely lost to darkness, and even if I was weaker in him in regards of physical strength, Terra seemed a lot more accustomed to the darkness than I had ever been.

That look in his eyes was intense. It was like I could see the blood in his veins rushing to the black pinpoint of his pupil. Like he was so set on destruction. I had seen Terra's power, been on the opposite end of his power, but never had I been a victim to it. I could assume that Terra's power rivaled that of the great god of Zeus, and I wasn't afraid to admit that I was close to wetting myself when I saw Terra tighten his grip on his sword and charge me.

"Now let's try this again," Hades called out to us, hands cupped around his mouth like a mega phone. "You, Terra," he paused and I jumped out of the way and managed to avoid Terra's sword by only centimeters, "with the amazing gift of darkness," and I stumbled backwards and fell against the ground, stumbling to my feet just in time to block Terra with my sword, "will pulverize little Zacky here. And you are going to see this fight out to the end. Now, get killing!"

K-Killing? W-why would he want to have me killed? Didn't he need me still for his little plan? "W-wait? Kill? That wasn't part of the deal," I shouted to Hades as I blocked Terra's sword again with my own. "That doesn't make any sense though. If I'm dead, won't I just be back down here? This is the land of the dead."

"Ahh. Details, who needs them?"

I looked at Terra, and saw that look of intensity in his eyes and the way the darkness surrounded him like flames. It kind of scared me a little...how completely different he looked under the influence. But I knew his mind was still there. I could see the way his brows furrowed as he watched me. His jaw was tense, and even though I knew he was trying really hard right now to fight Hades' control, he still let out a cry and charged at me once again.

Oh man...maybe I really was going to die today.

My grip tightened on the handle of my blade, and I tried to prepare myself for whatever Terra—or really Hades—were about to throw at me.

Terra swung his sword with brute strength, and I jumped as fast as a cricked out of the way. I didn't think I'd be able to fight Terra like this. Hell, I could hardly even fight him when he was fighting normally, but there was one thing I could, and that was run. I was smaller and pretty quick on my feet, and I knew if I played my cards right, maybe I could wear Terra out.

Once again, he ran towards me, sword poised and ready and even if it looked pathetic on my part, I ran away. Ran as fast as I could out of range of his sword. He was pretty fast, but that armor he wore must have weighed a ton. Mine, on the other hand, was lightweight.

"Zack, use that sword!" Hades yelled as Terra swung his sword in a horizontal blow, that barely managed to miss my chest.

I ran past Terra, over towards the other side of the arena, and when I looked back, I noticed he wasn't chasing behind me. I grinned, hoping I had worn him out. Great job, Zack! But as I turned around, and before I could even reach the corner of the arena, there Terra was right in front of me. He had managed to use that same teleportation move that I had used when I was under the influence of the darkness.

And I cursed, my boots skidding to a stop, and when Terra swung his blade, it cut through my lightweight, and in turn weaker armor, like butter.

I winced, and stepped back a few feet, just as I held up my sword. I watched Terra, wary of his next move. But Terra just smirked, disappearing again in a blink of shadow and smoke before appearing behind me again. Luckily, because I was on my guard, and I managed to evade his sword once again.

I was getting kind of winded, and I rubbed face with the back of my arm. Sweat and dirt mingled when I pulled my arm away and the baking sun wasn't helping at all.

The odds were not in my favor, but I figured, if I could talk Terra out of this, maybe there was some way I could get out of this without a broken arm.

"Terra! Buddy! You're letting Hades control you like he did me! "Listen, you're strong, right? I know you are. You can fight this!" I held up my sword to block when Terra jumped towards me and when his sword came down against mine, my arms trembled. He was strong, and the force of his blow sent me skidding back. He rushed at me again, swinging at me and our swords collided once again.

His face was so close to mine and the look he wore was pretty intense. His teeth were gritted, but in his eyes, I could see the internal struggle he must have been having with himself. He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head, and I realized I might have been getting through to him.

"Come on, Terra. Remember our plan?" I said, my voice hushed so that Hades wouldn't hear me over on the sidelines. "Remember, huh? You got to fight this. You're strong."

He looked back up at me, and I was hopeful. Very hopeful that I had finally gotten through to him. But he narrowed his eyes and reared his weapon back and swung down with enough force that it knocked my sword right out of my hands.

Guess it hadn't been working, I thought as I stared at Terra with eyes wide and a slack jaw.

He struck me with his fist, knocking me back against the floor, and when I reached up to touch where he had struck, I felt the warmth of blood. I spit red, and let my tongue run over the coppery welt on my mouth. And I sprang to my feet as quickly as I could and ran towards my sword.

"You're never going to become a hero like this, just saying." I said, only inches away from my sword before Terra teleported again to the side of me, and knocked me down against with his sword.

I landed against the dirt, and felt a sharp pain in my shoulder when I landed on it. Ah, I guess that was pay back for what I did to his shoulder. How he was still fighting me like this with a messed up shoulder was beyond me.

"Yeah! Now that's what I'm talking about!"

"Put a sock in it, Hades!" I yelled as I shot him a glare. The same razor sharp smile that I was starting to get really sick of.

And in those few seconds I wasn't paying attention, Terra took the opportunity to attack me again. I grunted as he struck me with the hilt of his sword that made a dent in my armor right above my ribs. That would definitely be a bruise later, and I was just thankful I was so thin. If I wasn't, my armor would have pierced right through my skin.

I hissed in pain and crawled away from him. I side-eyed my sword still laying on the ground, and as fast as my feet could lift me, I stood up and ran towards it. Made it! I grabbed it, but didn't even have the chance to use it when Terra hit me again, knocking me chin-first against the hard ground.

Gods, that hurt, I thought as I got to my feet again and rubbed at my throbbing face. I could taste the flavor of copper in my mouth, the blood thick in my mouth. He was kicking my ass, and I was more banged up than I had been even during that last fight. My ribs, my face, my shoulder were all killing me, and I was running out of energy. But I knew this couldn't be it. I wouldn't let it.

For a while, the fight went on with me dodging and evading all of Terra's attacks, or at least as much as I could. Terra managed to knick me a couple times, and by now there was blood mingling with the sweet on my face. I couldn't do this much longer. Even I had my limits, and I knew I was reaching them, and fast.

"You can't keep running Zack!" Hades yelled out again. Oh yes, I can, I thought, as I jumped again, but landing on my knees when my ankles grew weak and trembled beneath me.

And that was when Hades intervened, and I watched as chains created from shadow and darkness shot out from the earth, and wrapped around my left wrist. I looked down, my heart racing as I realized Hades was intending to trap me, so that Terra could deliver the final blow.

I was screwed. If I had a chance before, there was no way in hell I had one now.

Terra closed in on me, and his taller body blocked out the sun, shadowing me in a way that was scarily fitting. I could see the intensity in his jaw-line, in his eyes, and I never thought it'd end like this. No friends, no claim to fame, and by the hands of this guy, who I had thought was a true hero. No, never thought it'd end like this...but I still had some hope.

I tried to do what I could, and swing my free hand still clutching my sword like mad. It was all I could do when I was trapped like this. I was on my knees, left hand constrained, and no momentum to strike. And I guess the odds still weren't uneven enough, because I was suddenly pulled down to the ground by a chain that wrapped around my neck, nearly choking me.

I reached up with my hand, desperately trying to pry the chains from around my neck, but it was no use. I was trapped and helpless, and there was Terra, ready to strike.

"Terra, don't do this," I tried, and I wasn't one for begging, but I was kind of desperate now. I winced when I saw him raise his sword. "Come on, don't let Hades win," I said quietly, "you'll be trapped here forever."

I flinched, ready for the blow that was undoubtedly about to come. I knew if Terra went through with this, then this would be it. I would be done for. And I wouldn't even have anything to show for it.

I was no hero.

"Do it, Terra!" Hades yelled. "Let's see some slice and dice!"

And when Terra raised his arms above his head, and his sword glistened in the sun, I shut my eyes and turned away, waiting for the sting of the sharp sword.

"Don't stop now, Terra. Let the darkness rule you!"

And instead of feeling a sword to the heart or gut, I didn't feel anything. No hit, no punch. I only heard the clang of metal, and when I looked up, Terra was clutching at his face, hissing through his teeth as he fell to his knees.

"No," he gritted out, shaking his head and burying his face into his palms. I saw his fingers dig into his hair, and he was breathing heavily, gritting his teeth and I couldn't even begin to explain how relieved I was to see him fighting. Actually fighting. And not me this time! And I wanted to cheer him one when he yelled out a resounding "No!," and in one swift movement, grabbed his sword and threw it at Hades.

Of course, Hades teleported out of the way, and appeared right next to us. And the darkness seeped away from Terra's body, and when he looked at me. I could see the guilt in his eyes. There was no reason for him to be guilty though, he had fought the darkness. I knew he had it in him.

And even if this was all very heart-warming, I still was trying to pry this chain away from around my neck. I could hardly breathe.

"I can't believe this. I can't believe this," Hades said, his blue hair a wild burst of red and angry flames. "You had the chance to end this kid! I even helped you. But you're just weak," he said as he prodded Terra in the chest. "You just couldn't let yourself open up to the darkness. You already got enough darkness in you, kid, why won't you just let go?"

"No, I won't. I never will. I may have darkness in my heart, so what? I'm strong enough to beat it."

And the chains disappeared from my wrist and my neck, and I was able to breathe again.

"Hades!" Terra yelled as he pointed a finger at Hades, a different kind of rage in his eyes. I grasped at my neck, and felt like warning Terra that he ought to find a way to control his anger, or else it'd get him in trouble. "Let's make a deal!" He said, his knuckles once again tightening white around the hilt of his blade as he slid his feet apart and buckled at the knees.

Hades smirked in jest and his long fingers cupped his own chin at thought. "You want to make a wager aye?" He said, laughing as he pursed his lips and pondered the idea. I could only cross my fingers and hope that Terra could talk Hades into a distraction. And if he managed to then that meant the plan was on.

Though I wasn't sure why Terra would pick now of all times to set his little plan into action. I had, after all, just had the pulp beaten out of me thanks to Terra himself.

"Yeah! I do!" Terra yelled, eyes set in a furry, almost looking as crazed as Hades himself. "You like deals right? Let's fight, you and me!"

"Mano-a-mano, huh?" Hades asked, biting back a laugh.

"That's right. If I win, you let Zack and I go free."

"Ha, okay, and if I win?"

"If I lose..." Terra hesitated, and I glanced up at Terra as I struggled to stand. My arms shook from the strain, and my legs felt like jello. How was I expected to sneak through the Underworld like this? There were monsters, Hades' demonic dog Cerberus, and worst of all, Meg. How was I expected to fight them off?

"If I lose...you let Zack free and I'll stay here forever. And promise to fight for you without any hesitation." I could hear the uncertainty in Terra's voice, and I knew even Terra himself wasn't sure of his ability to beat Hades in a fight. Hades wasn't one for being fair exactly, that was how he tricked me down here in the first place.

"Alright, deal," Hades said as he extended his hand out for Terra to shake, and even though Terra was reluctant, he let himself shake on it, and once they did, I knew it was up to me to make sure Terra wasn't stuck in the Underworld forever. The fact that he was even willing to give up his freedom for my own was a lot and just proved his selflessness.

"Alright, now give me my Keyblade."

"What? You tryin' to schmooze the god of the Underworld here? Rule number one Terra: Never make deals your ass can't cash! And rule number two: be specific! You never asked for your Keyblade."

Terra was worried. Was it possible for him to beat Hades, or even stick out a fight long enough for me to get done what needed to be done, without that Keyblade he always talked about. Luckily, we had been planning on this, which was why I was supposed to go search for it.

"F-Fine," Terra said quietly, but there was determination in his eyes. There was strength and he had to be certain of himself. Right?

"Let's do this!" Hades yelled as he rubbed his palms together and sent my near-limp body flying against the concrete of the Olympus stands. I winced, groaning out in pain, but I knew no matter how dizzy I felt, no matter how weak I felt, I had to find Terra's Keyblade. For my freedom and for his.