Aqua arrived outside a beautiful Coliseum with golden gates and tall statues that seemed to touch the heavens themselves. She took in a breath in amazement, forgetting her mission for a few moments.
Suddenly, a strange little goat man ran past her, startling her back into reality. She jogged up to him, about to ask if he was being chased by monsters.
"I can't give those two the slip no matter what I do!"
"Excuse me, are you in trouble?" Aqua asked, tapping him gently on the shoulder.
"Hey! Don't ya know not to-?!" He jumped in surprise before turning to her. He quieted at once seeing her. "Holy hydras…! You have a name, sweetcheeks?"
"It's Aqua…" Aqua answered, feeling a bit uncomfortable at the way he looked at her. "You didn't answer my question."
"Hm?" The goat man seemed lost in her eyes. "Oh, trouble! Er, depends on what you mean, sweetheart."
"Aqua," Aqua repeated firmly.
"Hey, Phil! I'm all signed up, Phil!" A cheerful voice suddenly called, grabbing their attention.
A young man who looked to be a few years younger than Aqua and Terra ran in. Aqua felt a familiar light radiate from him, similar to her own. He was one of the princes of heart.
"Alright, Herc, I hear ya'! Now would you keep it down already?!" Phil hissed, pulling the boy down to eye level.
"Ah-ha! I found him! Tifa, Tifa, I found him!"
A little one dressed in green ran in with a dark-haired girl around Ven's age coming soon after.
"It's you! We've been looking everywhere for the trainer of heroes!" Tifa smirked, crossing her arms. "I'm Tifa, this is Yuffie-"
"You gotta teach Tifa how to be a hero!" The little girl, Yuffie, cried. She clasped her hands together pleadingly. "I'm a great warrior, so I don't need anything from you, but Tifa-!"
"You want to be a true hero too?" Hercules grinned excitedly. "Phil's the best teacher!"
"Quiet down, all of ya'! You're out doing Cerberus with all that yapping!" Phil growled. He crossed his arms then, glaring at Tifa. "Look, kid, I already told ya once before. Two words: student-teacher-ratio!"
That's three words… Aqua thought to herself.
"Hey, wait! I already know how to fight- I don't even need a sword!" Tifa exclaimed, following after him. "Please, I have to learn!"
"Can't you make an exception, just this once?" Aqua asked, hearing the desperation in Tifa's voice. She had either someone or something she wanted to protect.
"I'll make an exception for you, sweetheart." Phil smiled as if this was some grand honor. "I mean, you can sit in and watch me train Herc, let me recite you some epic poetry…"
Aqua was about to roll her eyes and decline the offer when Unversed suddenly surrounded the little group. She quickly summoned her keyblade. "They're here too!?"
Tifa pushed Yuffie to Phil before raising her fists. "I'll show you I can be a hero!"
"I'll help too!" Herc added weakly, doing the same.
"Tifa, let me fight! Let me!" Yuffie whined as Phil dragged her away.
The Unversed tried to chase after the two but the trio blocked their way.
Tifa and Herc punched through the creatures while Aqua shielded them and aided them with magic.
Despite her size, Tifa was able to take down plenty of Unversed, far more than Hercules. Now that Aqua looked, it seemed Tifa had a lot more muscle than Herc did. Was that why he was training so hard with Phil? To become stronger.
The group finished up the Unversed quickly.
"I have my work cut out for me if I'm gonna catch Phil's eye like you two have." Tifa grinned. "Guess I should probably properly introduce myself. The name's Tifa."
"I'm Hercules, but my friends call me Herc." Hercules smiled bashfully.
Aqua nodded to them. "Aqua."
"Alright, alright, I changed my mind," Phil announced then, walking back with Yuffie. "Since the games are coming up, I'll watch both your matches, and then I'll decide which of you I wanna train."
"Thanks! You won't regret it! I'll go sign up now!" Tifa grinned. She and Yuffie ran off to the signup board.
As Aqua watched the two scramble to hold a feather quill, she realized the Unversed were likely competitors in The Games If they were here too. "The Games sound interesting, are there any more spots available?"
"Sorry, honey, the kid just took the last spot. You can have a seat next to me though."
A few more Unversed appeared around them at that, and Aqua had to quickly take them out while Phil hid behind Herc. It was like the Unversed didn't like his advances on her either…
"Since you're sticking with me, that means you're still gonna train me, right?" Herc asked suddenly once they were all gone.
Phil snorted. "I said what I said. You were just the closest person to defend me."
"But-!"
"You wanna be a true hero, Herc? Then you're gonna have to go out there and show me everything I've taught you so far is gonna pay off." The goat-man grunted, trotting away.
"Phil…"
He paused, not looking back. "Oh, and no more training sessions for a while… Wouldn't be fair if I helped you and not him."
Aqua walked up, not knowing exactly how to cheer him up. She had to deal with a lecture or two every so often but her master had never threatened to replace her like this, it must feel horrible. "Want me to help you train?"
"Ah, you do that for me?!" Herc asked in astonishment.
"If that's alright.."
"Yeah! I saw you fight, you're, like, a master!"
… I wish.
"Haaah!"
Aqua stumbled back thanks to her guard against Hercules. She wiped the dust from her face and smiled. Training with him reminded her so much of Ven, his determination, his energy, even the little nickname he had. Ven probably wouldn't train like this again, not the way he was acting on this journey.
She felt someone's gaze and turned to see Phil. He hurriedly ran off when he noticed. He didn't seem to be watching her, he was watching Herc. It seemed he missed training him.
"The games are about to start…" Hercules realized, and he glanced at the sky since this world didn't have clocks. "I better get to the lobby."
As the two walked, Aqua couldn't hold back the question. "Why do you want to be a true hero, Herc?"
"Huh? Well, my father's Zeus, the king of the gods up on Olympus…"
"You're a god?!" Aqua gasped in surprise. "I had no idea!"
"No, no, I'm a mortal," Herc reassured her with a laugh as they walked into the lobby. "When I was a baby, someone took me from my parents and stole my godly powers… Becoming a true hero is the only way I can restore my godhood and join my father on Olympus."
"So that's why you're so eager." Aqua realized, clasping her hand to her chest and glancing at the gleaming trophies. Poor Herc, he's been through so much…
Herc turned to her with a smile. "Yeah. So, what brought you here?"
"Oh, I'm… on a quest to save my friends. A powerful person from my past is after them… and I have to find her before she finds them." Aqua explained softly.
"And I thought my mission was tough! Well, you were already amazing fighting those creatures! After all the training today, you're bound to be strong enough to take her down!"
"I wouldn't be so sure. A master like my friend… A true hero like the people Phil's trained… they're the ones who would be able to take her down no problem..."
"There's no reason to be nervous, Aqua. You're already a true hero in my books!" Herc chuckled, scratching his head.
"Thanks, Herc."
The Games of the west bracket had begun and Phil, Aqua, and Yuffie watched with great anticipation.
Yuffie cheered for Tifa, of course, but Aqua couldn't help but encourage them both. A strong light like Tifa ought to have a good motive to become a true hero.
According to Phil, the east bracket was already being torn through by a bright young upstart, whoever faced that kid had to be on their game.
After Herc won the west bracket semi-finals, it seemed he and Tifa would be facing off for both the title and the teacher.
"You did great out there! I'm so proud of you, Herc." Aqua smiled, walking up to him.
Hercules turned from Phil, who apparently couldn't hold back from giving a few pointers despite saying he wouldn't play favorites. "Ah, thanks, Aqua! Couldn't have done it without you!"
"Looks like you don't need me anymore, should I go tell bright eyes the good news?" Phil snorted in jealousy.
"No way! Of course, I need you, Phil! You're the best mentor I've ever had! Uh, no offense, Aqua."
"None taken." Aqua smiled sadly. Why does he look up to me like a teacher? All I did was train with him like I do with Ven and Terra. If anything, we trained each other.
"'Bout time you realized," Phil grumbled, stalking away. It seemed he didn't spare any energy on flirting with Aqua now that she'd stolen his pupil. Aqua was rather relieved.
Tifa and Yuffie jogged in after Phil left. Yuffie won the race they'd silently declared and smirked up at Hercules. "You're facing Tifa in the finals, so you got no chance!"
"Hey, don't put words in my mouth, rascal." Tifa laughed, ruffling her hair. She offered a hand to the boy. "In all seriousness though, I want you to promise we'll still be friends after the match."
"Yeah, of course! Promise!" Herc smiled, shaking it.
Aqua wished Ven and Terra could've made that promise before their fight. But, it's not like they wouldn't be friends again soon… right?
Aqua watched the match, her eyes centered on the two bright beacons of light that were Tifa and Hercules. She suddenly heard familiar faint whispering that slowly lured her to look up to the stands opposite them.
She was there. Adar stood out in the crowd and the world seemed to slow as they met eyes, or what Aqua assumed to be her eyes under the veil. About time you noticed my loving gaze, my princess. There's no need to chase me when I'm always seconds away, protecting you from all the false love these people give you…
False love..? So that was why the Unversed always appeared when Phil was flirting, when she'd gotten close to Snow: Adar controlled them.
If you care for me so much, why aren't you letting us meet again? Aqua narrowed her eyes.
Adar smirked. Because it isn't time yet. Once it's time for you to love me, then I'll let us meet again. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, even though it pains me to stay away!
I will find you again and make sure you can't hurt my friends or anyone else!
With such selfless love for others, I expect nothing less from my pure light! The dark woman vanished with a giggle, taunting her even more. I do love your radiance… Let me help you nurture it.
Suddenly, screams filled the arena as Unversed appeared at the entrance gates, clawing to get into the match and attacking the innocent civilians.
"No!" Aqua gasped in worry, leaping down onto the arena. She raced past the two competitors, leaving them stunned for a moment before realizing what was happening.
"Uh, I forfeit the match!" Herc announced to the arena, racing to help his new friend.
"Huh…? But that means I won…" Tifa muttered in shock. She had been honestly pretty worried she'd lose facing Herc but now… "Ghaa, no time to think on it, I have to help out too!"
Adar watched in pain on top of the gates as the two lights, Hercules and Aqua, vanquished her Unversed, forcing a smile through it. Aqua glowed brighter and brighter by the moment, making Adar's heart flutter in anticipation. "That's it, Aqua. You just keep being a good little hero and our destiny will wait as your reward…"
After the stern talking to Master Xehanort had given her, she knew better than to approach Aqua again until it was time. What was she to do in the meantime? Watching her like this was torture, she had to do something else…
Ven was off limits too thanks to Xehanort's plans, but Terra… he was only the backup plan. Once she and Aqua completed their destiny, he wouldn't be needed anymore. With that logic, what was to stop her from fighting him within an inch of his life so he'd be an easy target in the end? Absolutely nothing. She vanished once again.
The Unversed were finally defeated, leaving Aqua and Herc panting for air.
"Y-You had to throw the match for me, I'm so sorry…" Aqua whispered, guilt engulfing her. Now Herc would never become a true hero, at least not by Phil's training. Was this what Ven felt like after the Mark of Mastery? No wonder he couldn't stop apologizing.
Herc shook his head vigorously. "No, no, don't apologize. It was completely my decision."
"I'm here!" Tifa suddenly called, running in. She slid to a stop before crossing her arms. "Huh. Looks like you didn't need my help."
"Sorry, Tifa." Herc laughed. He then realized quickly. "Wait, you threw the match too?"
"Who won then?" Aqua asked.
"I left first so it was probably Tifa."
"No, no, I took longer to react, it should be you."
Phil interrupted them by shoving between the two. "Hey, I didn't say I'd teach the winner. I only said I'd watch the match and decide."
"So, that means Tifa won either way, right?" Yuffie asked hopefully, leaning against her friend.
"Look, kids, being a hero means having more than having muscles and durability, you have to have a good heart and care about people too. Which you both do, clearly." Phil regarded them both. "However, one of you cared faster, and that makes all the difference."
Aqua nodded. Master Eraqus had taught Terra and Ven the exact same thing the moment they were old enough to truly understand: a keyblade master couldn't be reliant on their physical strength alone, in the toughest trials, only their heart would truly endure. That was before he had gotten much stricter about reigning it in, according to Terra, that only began the day he got his scar…
Tifa looked disheartened for only a moment before perking back up again. "Right. Maybe all we need is our hearts to face the darkness… Congratulations, Herc."
"Thanks." Hercules smiled.
"I better get going, I'm going to miss the finals if I hang around too long!"
Aqua watched Tifa and Yuffie walk back into the arena and wondered what darkness she spoke of, could it be she sensed something Yuffie and others from her home didn't? Was that why she was here?
The woman debated asking but seeing the two's invisible but present light grow in each other's company, she knew whatever darkness they faced would be defeated. There was always a way.
She summoned her glider before taking off into the next world, unwittingly leaving the East bracket's finalist behind her.