"When Mr. Oogie Boogie says
There's trouble close at hand
You'd better pay attention, now
'Cause I'm the Boogie Man
And if you aren't shaking
There's something very wrong
'Cause this may be the last time you hear the Boogie song!"
"Is he...playing music out of that thing?" Ness yelled as he clobbered a Heartless with his bat.
"Of course he is," Sora deadpanned as he blocked a giant mechanical punch with Reflega. "I remember that song. He...wrote it about himself."
"He definitely seems like the sort who would." Aris dodged an incoming stomp from Oogie's mech before cutting down a Neoshadow.
The heroes had been fighting Oogie for what felt like well over an hour. All of them were starting to get exhausted, but Oogie didn't seem to have broken a sweat. Of course, that was likely because he was fighting with a giant machine.
"Ya know what, scrubs!?" Oogie shouted over the blaring recording of his egotistical song. "I've just about had enough of you!"
His mech reared its burly metal arm, sweeping the ground as if brushing away dust from the top of a table. Motoyasu's party members (excluding Myne, of course) failed to notice in time and were sent flying off into the distance.
"I couldn't agree more, Oogie!" Raphtalia countered as Oogie slammed both arms into the ground toward her. She dodged back and began running up one of the immobilized arms of Oogie's mech, the hands of which had become partially stuck in the dirt. Raphtalia sliced back and forth with her sword, doing massive damage to the metal behemoth.
"That's the way, Raphtalia!" Sora cheered. "Cut it wide open!"
The Keyblade Wielder joined her, jumping at the mech's back and cutting it nearly in half vertically.
Explosions began to rock the giant, forcing Oogie to press a button and launch what looked like an ejector seat out of the mech, saving himself from certain death. He flew off into the distance as the heroes finished clearing out the last of the Heartless horde.
With the defeat of Oogie and the horde of Heartless, the Wave had finally ended. Aris's party had returned to the remote village they had defended and were currently helping everyone get back and get started on reconstruction.
"I think Maleficent and her goons might have some connection to the Waves," Sora reasoned. "Otherwise, we would've ended the Wave when the Soul Eater went down."
"Unless the Waves detect the presence of evil in general, in which case Oogie and the Heartless extended it until we defeated them."
"I dunno..." Sora seemed to doubt Aris's reasoning.
"Just what are the Waves, anyway...?" Loretta wondered aloud. "They're supposed to be world-ending calamities, and as far as we know, their existence extends far beyond that of Maleficent and her underlings. But, if Maleficent really is connected to them somehow...that likely would've made Oogie the true final battle of the Wave instead of the Soul Eater."
Aris groaned. "All these questions, and nothing to answer them."
"But, either way," said Sora, "something tells me we'll have to do a lot of preparation to get ready for the next one."
Silently agreeing, Aris fed some of the Soul Eater's materials to his arm, unlocking new skills and shields for him to use. The so-called Soul Eater Shield looked like it would come in handy later.
A voice roused him from his thoughts. "Erm...Swordsman Shield Hero?"
Ake had arrived on the scene with an unfamiliar-looking knight in tow. The latter was likely a representative sent by King Aultcray.
Aris looked up. "Yes?"
The stranger answered him. "His Highness requires that you report to him in the castle at your earliest convenience. Preferably now."
Aris sighed. His suspicions had been confirmed.
King Aultcray looked away from the crystal ball that had been presented to him. He turned to Aris. "You...did well to quell both the Wave and that...Oogie Boogie character, loathe as I am to admit it."
"I'm just doing my job, sir," Aris said, his voice lacking emotion. He vehemently disliked the king, and had felt this way ever since Myne had framed him for heinous crimes he would kill himself for committing.
"I have a question for you." Aultcray gave him less of a request and more of a demand. "How did you acquire such strength? You are supposed to be the Shield Hero...and yet you possess the ability to wield a sword. Why is that?"
"I'm not sure," Aris replied. "But...I have a few theories."
"Then it is your duty to tell me," Aultcray ordered.
Aris slowly unsheathed the Master Sword for him to see. "This blade is the legendary Master Sword. It was forged eons ago by the gods of my world. It's said that a hero who traveled the sky was the one to temper it using three sacred flames, giving it the form you see now. Its holy light can repel, seal, and destroy any and all evil. And only I may wield it." He sheathed the sword.
King Aultcray thought for a moment. "Hmm...if the sword chose you as its wielder, then it is likely that its decision may be the reason you are still capable of wielding it."
"That is my theory, yes."
"I demand to know more," Aultcray said firmly. "Why did the sword choose you? There is no way it would allow a criminal like you to wield it. You say it was forged by gods, then surely these gods saw your future and knew the crimes you would commit against my daughter Malty."
"I never did such things," Aris retorted. "But...if you really want to know why the Master Sword chose me..." he smirked, knowing he was about to put his plan to humiliate Aultcray into action, "...then kneel before me and beg." He pointed to the ground.
"In Hyrule," Aris continued, knowing he was lying but failing to care, "it was customary for people to kneel in reverence and acknowledge their ignorance when asking to be enlightened about something. So I expect you to do the same. Now, beg."
"You...heathen!" King Aultcray signaled to his guards, who pointed their weapons at Aris.
Aris scoffed. "Oh, please. You know very well that, as I am now, I could just kill everyone in this room and walk out of here like nothing happened. I certainly wouldn't mind at least being able to kill you," he pointed at Aultcray, "even if I wouldn't get away with it."
"Y-You're bluffing!" Aultcray stuttered.
Aris drew the Master Sword again. "Try me."
The guards looked nervously at one another. Aultcray ground his teeth angrily.
Aris narrowed his eyes at the king. "I'm willing to cooperate with you until the Waves are over and this world is at peace. After that, we're through. You'll never have to see me again, and vice versa. For now, though...I expect you to stay out of my way."
He turned and left as if he wasn't surrounded by guards holding swords in his direction. His boldness surprised those guards and angered the king.
"I know..." Aultcray seethed, "I'll have those little friends of yours pay for your crimes instead and-"
He was cut off when Aris suddenly turned around, summoning a throwing shield that he threw at the king, landing it not far from the monarch's head.
"Do whatever you wish to me," Aris said, his voice harrowing death. "But if, for even a single moment, you so much as consider harming my friends...you will die where you sit - on your throne of lies."
The shield stuck in the wall disappeared in wisps of green energy, returning to Aris's mechanical arm as he left the throne room.
He exited into the banquet hall, descending a small set of stairs when he passed a black-haired noblewoman in a pink gown. He ignored her until she suddenly spoke to him.
"You handled that well this time, I daresay," she said.
Aris stopped in his tracks.
"Your efforts have become impossible to ignore, Swordsman Shield Hero," she continued. "For better and for worse." She held up something...a three-pronged pendant. Aris recognized the symbol as that of the cathedral in the capital city. "I daresay that you should exercise great caution from here on out, sir."
She deposited the rosary into his hands before leaving without giving Aris a chance to respond.
"Ah, Melty!" King Aultcray greeted his younger daughter with a warm smile. "You're home at last! What can I do for you, dear?"
Melty didn't reciprocate the pleasantries. "I heard you spoke with the Swordsman Shield Hero earlier."
Aultcray's smile faded.
Melty continued, "And I also heard that you were quite hostile toward him. Father...if you continue to be at odds with the Swordsman Shield Hero, we may lose our means to fight the Waves...and you know how badly that would threaten the safety of Melromarc. Please...for everyone's sake...try to reconcile with him."
Aultcray slammed his fist into one of the armrests of his throne. "You expect me to reconcile with that utter charlatan!?"
Melty seemed a little startled.
Aultcray relented. "O-Oh, sorry, dear...I am not angry with you."
Melty sighed. "Why...Why do you hate him so much...?"
"I..." Aultcray's face took on an expression of sorrow for something long lost. "If...If I let him and that Demi-Human do as they please, I...I'll lose my family again."
"Father...?"
"Being defiant again, Melty?" a pompous voice interrupted.
Malty had returned from...something or other.
"With Mother away," said Malty, "Father's word is law. He is king, after all. Even we princesses cannot overturn his commandments. Even if you may not understand, Melty, I assure you that Father's decisions are for the better - every single one of them." She started patronizing her much more mature younger sister. "I know you're at the age where you still want him to baby you, but you really should learn to hold back a little. Take it as a word of advice from your older sister."
"As much as I appreciate your concern," said Melty with a calm smile, "this has nothing to do with you. After all, I want the best for our country, as well. And it is my job as crown princess to see that our country benefits however possible." She turned to her father with a quick curtsy. "I'll be taking my leave now."
"Man, I can't believe you actually threatened the king and got away with it!" Erhard laughed. "Most people would've been thrown in the slammer!"
"In my defense, he started it," Aris sighed.
"So..." Erhard changed the subject, "Class Upgrades. What's your plan there?"
"Class Upgrades?" Aris seemed confused.
"You see that little asterisk next to your party's level numbers?" Erhard explained. "That means you've reached your level cap and can't level up until you get a Class Upgrade. And once you do get one, each of you can choose a certain 'path' to unlock different skills and abilities when you level up in the future."
"Then how do we get Class Upgrades?" asked Sora.
"You'll need a Dragon Hourglass to do it," said Erhard, "but...with Aris being a bit of a social pariah here, I doubt they'll let you use the one in Melromarc."
"Then where can we find one we'll be able to use?"
"I'd recommend Siltvelt or Shieldfreeden - preferably the latter." Erhard pulled out a map and laid it out on the counter in front of him, pointing to Shieldfreeden's location. "Its population is mostly Demi-Humans, but they welcome humans with open arms. Siltvelt is...different. You know how this country practices Demi-Human slavery, right?"
Aris nodded.
"Siltvelt is the opposite. There, Demi-Humans rule and humans are kept as slaves."
Everyone winced.
"Okay, definitely not a good idea to be going there," Ness noted.
"Now, hold on," Erhard chided. "Siltvelt worships the Shield Hero - he's basically a god to them. So...if you do go there...you might get yourself some special perks."
"I'll think about it." Aris was lying. He'd already decided on Shieldfreeden.
"Man, Erhard works quick," Ness mused. "We got on the road in not even fifteen minutes!"
Erhard had prepared some gifts for them - at least one thing for everyone.
Aris had received an additional accessory for his shields, which, according to Erhard, could do tons of useful stuff.
Raphtalia had received a brand new sword, as well as a magic-based sword that worked on enemies without a corporeal form.
Loretta had received a rapier for her to use in the event that her blasters were either broken or missing.
Filo had received a pair of gloves that granted her the strength of someone four times her size, which Erhard had said would probably allow her to pull the wagon even in her human form.
Sora had received a magical bangle that increased his attack power and magic pool.
Finally, Ness had received some modifications for his bat - consisting of lightweight metal plating on one side for additional damage.
Jiminy Cricket spoke from Sora's hood. "Well, gosh, with all these new weapons and whatnot, you bunch will be able to take on the world!"
"All thanks to our friend, the blacksmith," Aris said, smiling. "Sometimes I worry he's too generous."
The party had set up camp. Loretta was cooking dinner over the fire with help from her brother.
Meanwhile, Jiminy wrote in his journal.
After some careful observation, I've noticed that, if there's one thing Aris loves doing more than anything, it's traveling, he wrote. I can't say I blame him. I enjoy it myself. Judging by the... Jiminy briefly struggled to come up with a suitable word, incidents that he's had to endure, something tells me that Aris feels free when he's on the road.
The sound of a horse-drawn carriage suddenly approached. Jiminy pocketed his journal and pen before disappearing into Sora's jacket.
Aris sighed before getting up to see Melty arriving on the scene.
Ness, however, was much happier. "Mel!" he cheered, running to see her.
Melty jumped out of her carriage and into the arms of her longtime friend. Filo joined in and the three youths shared a group hug.
Melty then broke away from the hugs and approached Aris.
Aris didn't mind Melty. To be frank, she was the only member of the royal family he could even tolerate, let alone trust. But he had a sinking feeling in his gut - something told him that whatever Melty was about to say would be something he wouldn't like.
Sure enough, that was exactly the case. "Swordsman Shield Hero," Melty said curtly, "I'd like you to return to the castle and meet with the king once more."
"Sorry, but no," Aris replied.
Melty sighed, looking away for a moment before turning back to look at him. "I know you dislike him, and I really don't blame you, but I want you to at least try to make amends with him."
"I said no," Aris said more firmly.
Melty hesitated. "We need your help to stop the Waves. And...you wouldn't exactly be as well off as you are now without the financial support you got from the king."
"With all due respect," said Aris, trying to maintain composure, "your father barely gave me anything. And I'm only going to put up with him until the Waves are over. Melty...I like you, and you're the only member of the royal family I can trust. But I'm not going to even bother with the king, since he clearly wants my head on the end of a spear - probably Motoyasu's."
Melty looked down for a moment. Ness glared at Aris.
"Why do you two have to keep fighting like this!?" Melty shouted. "A Hero and the king can't be fighting amongst themselves! I won't allow it! Not when the Waves are happening and the whole world is at stake!" She turned to Ness. "Ness! You agree with me, right? Filo? Raphtalia? Sora?"
"I mean..." Ness paused. "...your dad did kinda not like me when I first showed up at the castle..."
Melty tugged at her pigtails. "Look, all I'm asking as that you try to make amends! I'm not saying you have to succeed! Otherwise...well, Mother really won't be happy!"
Aris muttered, "You're no different from your father." Wait, he suddenly thought. Her mother? Her mother won't be happy?
"Will you just say something already!?" Melty exclaimed.
Aris did not. He was instead shifting his focus to the knights behind Melty. They stood in a line in front of their horses and Melty's carriage. One of them held a crystal ball.
Aris's jaw clenched. He felt something. Something very familiar.
The same feeling he felt when he first caught Malty talking to Maleficent.
One of the knights drew his sword.
Melty didn't notice. She was saying something when Aris suddenly pulled her behind him and blocked the knight's sword.