On Main Street USA, near Disney Castle, a certain autograph and picture session was in progress, courtesy of the Magical World's Champion himself. Having recently defended his title with success, Logan was more than happy to take pictures and sign autographs for his fans. Of course, his friends of Team Underdog X as well as his five students were present to take part in the event to make it funnier for everyone. "There ya go! Have a nice day," Logan beamed after taking a picture with a fan.
"So that's what it feels like to be a celebrity?" Ben asked after signing an autograph.
"That's the kind of things that must be expected, when you win a tournament and get selected as a Dream Defender," Jim remarked with a chuckle. Sadly, the young space marine didn't get as much attention as his friends due to his movie being mostly forgotten.
"Yeah. That's the most interesting thing to happen to me in forever," Dastan chuckled.
"Didn't you get a new video game recently?" Della asked him.
"Yes, but I'm not in it; they actually replaced me with a new character. Plus, you know only elements from the movie are allowed in the Magical World."
Gray was busy playing some game on his Nintendo Switch, occasionally looking up to sign an autograph or answer a question. He looked over his console and chuckled at Jameson, who was getting as much attention as Logan. Plenty of guests and characters wanted to pat or hug the little black owl. "Somebody help me...," he mumbled.
Logan watched the huge crowd and let out a sigh. "Is something wrong, Logan?" Destiny asked, having noticed the action.
"I'm fine, Destiny. It's just... It feels so weird; I could swear it was yesterday that I had arrived in the Magical World and started learning under Master Yen Sid. And look at where I am now; the Champion of the Magical World for over a year!" the young man explained. "Even after all this time, there's a small part of me that struggles to believe all of this is for reals."
Destiny smiled and kissed her boyfriend on the cheek. "But it is true, Logan. You worked really hard to get where you are, so you have every right to be proud of it. Just like we all are."
"What would I do without the most wonderful whale in the world?" Logan asked with a smile and kissed his girlfriend back.
At this moment, Roxanne, the girlfriend of Max Goof, approached the table of hosts with a crew of MWNN (Magical World News Network), the news channel of the Magical World. "Greetings, Magical World, Roxanne here live from Magic Kingdom, where the Champion of the Magical World, Logan Jindrak, is giving an autograph session with his friends after successfully defending his title for the 14th consecutive time." She approached the man in question. "Logan, is there anything you'd like to say to our viewers?"
"Hi, Roxanne. Actually, yes, there is." Logan faced the camera with a grin. "Hey, Magical World! How's it going? I just wanna say that I'm really proud to be the champion that represents all of you! Winning this has been one of the best moments of my entire life!" he declared, grabbing his title belt and showing it to the camera. "That being said, I haven't lost my thirst for challenge, regardless! I'm more than willing to face anybody who wants to try and take it away from me. As one of my favorite wrestlers once said, if you want some, come GET some!"
"Wow, you sound like you actually mean what you're saying."
Logan froze upon hearing this familiar voice and turned his head to see someone coming through the crowd. A tall man with strong arms, dark brown hair tied into braids, and circle beard, open black vest, red shirt and blue jeans. Black fingerless gloves, a shark tooth pendant and a shark tattoo on his arm. "D-Drake?!"
Team Underdog X gasped in surprise, clearly remembering the man they saw in Logan's memories during the Magical World Grand Prix. Logan's students, however, just gave confused expressions. "Who's this guy?" Ben questioned.
Della turned to look at them. "Well, you remember how, during the Magical World, Logan turned into a Heartless after succumbing to his inner darkness?" Ben nodded. "Well, it's because of a past event with this guy."
"Really?" Grayson asked, before suddenly remembering something. "Wait, I remember Gabriel telling me about Logan once having friends, including one he admired, but then did something that broke their friendship and that's the reason he decided to come to the Magical World. Is it...?"
"Yes, it's this guy," Sprig confirmed, swallowing as he still remembered the last encounter between the two former friends.
"What do you want, Drake?" Logan questioned. Unlike two years ago, the young man did not seem nervous and merely crossed his arms with a curious expression.
Drake remained silent for a while before talking: "Last time we were together, I left you lying in the middle of the Sorcerer's Arena, defeated and miserable, like a kid getting a hard-earned lesson. And now, I learn that you won a competition on the Olympus and are now the one representing the Magical World. I can't help but wonder, is that some sort of joke?"
"Hey, isn't that the prodigy guy who worked on Disney's movies for the last years?" a guest mumbled. "And the young man nicknamed "The Prodigy" who has yet to be defeated in a one on one encounter?"
"Yeah, I think that's him!" another guest mumbled. "I wonder what he wants from Logan." Roxanne asked the cameraman to keep filming the encounter.
"It's no joke, Drake. As you said, I won the Hero's Rumble and this," Logan confirmed, showing his belt to his former idol.
"Are you sure about this, Logan?" Drake asked with a patronizing tone. "Are you absolutely positive? Personally, I think you did the only thing you've ever been good at; taking the easy way out. Let me clear things up, ladies and gentlemen; this man you claim to be a champion has once been in the same arts class as me. And you know what he did?"
"He stole one of his friends' work, got caught and then suspended, we all know it!" Sprig suddenly came in. "Seriously, dude, how many times are you gonna bring this up? Just move on already!"
"Oh, I did move on, Sprig, but I know from experience that people never change," Drake affirmed, keeping a silently disgusted stare on his former friend. "What other stories did I hear about you? Oh, right, you kissed a woman without her consent and caused a true mess in Epcot because you had too much fun getting yourself drunk."
Logan threw his arms in the air. "That was my first time drinking! Plus, I made things up with the Madrigal family, and we're all cool now." He crossed his arms and shook his head. "You know, Drake, I really don't understand why you do everything in your power to stay obsessed with my mistakes whilst ignoring all the good I'm busting my back to bring to this world."
"Are you really trying to bring good to this world or are you doing all this just to get praise? Just like when you stole Dante's work in order to get praise from me and our teachers at Disney's formation center?" Drake asked. "All of this could just be a facade. I mean, remember last time we fought and I asked you what made you change from then to the time of your crime? Did you forget what you answered me? It was: 'I don't know'!" He chuckled. "And, going back to what you just said, it's funny how you talk about being proud as a champion and willing to face anyone. Cause last time I checked, you never managed to defeat ME. And I doubt you'd want to try again, considering how it ended, last time. If I were to challenge you again, you'd just run away, like the little coward you've always-"
"SHUT UP!" Everybody jumped and turned to see Destiny approaching the artist with her red face contrasting her blue body. "I'm tired of you always talking like this to Logan! Just who the heck do you think you are?! Yes, Logan did commit mistakes in the past, but he also has done a lot of good, like saving the Magical World from countless threats, including Hex's invasion, rescuing Sora from the Virtual World, protecting Animal Kingdom - THE LIST GOES ON!" The whale shark got into Drake's face. "You know what I think's going on here? I think you're just too afraid to acknowledge that you misjudged him and do everything in your power to sell him short just for it. Well, that's not happening, so GET OUT!"
The place fell dead silent after Destiny's outburst. Even Drake, for the first time, seemed genuinely terrified. "Thanks, Destiny. I'll take it from here," Logan gratefully said and gently made his girlfriend float back before turning to Drake. "Drake, I've always admired you - I still do. Even since I first laid eyes on your work, I knew that I wanted to be like you. You're an amazing guy and I will never think otherwise. However, whether you like me or not, you can't possibly just burst in here and claim that I won the Rumble by cheating without any proof. You know, Drake, after getting kicked out of our old group, I made new friends - the Dream Defenders. And guess what, after they became my friends, I promised to myself that I would never betray their trust by taking the easy way out again." He rubbed the back of his head. "That being said, with all your accusations and lackluster points, I can't deny that you are right about something: I never managed to beat you, or any of our friends for that matter, and I haven't earned your respect either. That's why I got the perfect idea."
"What idea?" Drake asked.
"A match. Let's have a match at the Sorcerer's Arena, like we did, three years ago. But, but, but, not just an ordinary match, this time," Logan said. "To show you how much people have faith in me, I suggest we make this a team match. In two days, you come with nine of your friends, I come with nine of mine, and we have a 10-on-10 elimination tag team match! That way, you'll get to see those bonds I told you I formed and how much they changed me. Win or lose, I WILL show you that the Logan before you is different from the Logan who betrayed your trust."
Drake remained silent, running his gaze across the crowd that stared and intently waited for the answer, before looking back at Logan. "You know what? That's a great idea. As a representant of Disney Studios, I am willing to show my good will and give you the benefit of the doubt. If you can really find nine people willing to fight by your side, then I'll be there at the Sorcerer's Arena. See you in two days. Oh, and Logan?" He gave a serious glance. "Try NOT to cheat, this time." And with that, he walked away.
After this confrontation, Roxanne immediately talked about the upcoming match that had just been announced in front of the camera. Logan's friends approached him. "Hum, Logan? Are you certain this is a good idea?" Della asked.
"Yeah, remember how things went up after your last match against him?" Destiny carefully reminded him.
"Don't worry, guys; this time, it'll be different," Logan assured with a smile. "It's not about revenge or trying to prove my worth to myself anymore. It's just about getting closure and possibly change my old friends' opinion once and for all." He looked at them. "We're gonna do this match in good will and sportsmanship; not anger and toxic rivalry."
Logan's friends all smiled, happy to hear that. "Awesome! So? Who are you gonna pick for your team?" Ben asked.
"I'll think about it; I have two days to make my decision."
Logan knocked at a hotel room's door, taking a step back and smiling when he saw Gabriel opening. "Hey, Logan! What's up?"
"Hey, Gabriel, nice to see ya," Logan politely said, exchanging a bump-fist with the Dream Keeper. His expression quickly changed for a serious one, however. "Did you watch the Magical World News Network today?"
"I did. So you're gonna go up against Drake again?" the raven asked, to which Logan nodded a yes. "I don't know if that's a good idea, Logan. You've already proved you deserve to be a Dream Defender and Dream Keeper; you don't need to fight your old friend again."
"I know; it's just that I want him to see how much I've changed since our last encounter." Logan placed his hand on Gabriel's shoulder. "Don't worry, Gabriel; I'm not gonna let what happened last time happen again; this time, win or lose, I'll leave happy and with no negative emotions, you have my word."
"... Okay then, if you say so, I trust you," Gabriel nodded with a smile. He then rubbed his wings together. "So, I suppose you came to ask me to join your team? I'd be more than happy to help you guys with-"
"Actually, I wanted to ask you to stay out and just come to cheer my team on."
Gabriel blinked his eyes in surprise. "Really? Why?"
Logan rubbed the back of his head. "Cause I know Drake; he'd say that the only reason I won is because the great hero of the Magical World was there to do the heavy lifting for me. That's why I prefer forming a team with my other friends, but I'd still like you to come and cheer us on. Is that okay with you?"
The raven nodded with a smile. "Of course. Even if I can't participate, I'll always be there for my friends. Do your best out there, Logan."
"Will do. See you in two days." Logan turned and started to leave before stopping. "Oh, by the way, the name of my team will be the Fellowship of Dreamers."
Author's note: Yo, guess who's back, everybody get down! *chuckles* It's good to be back to writing this story after so long! If you guys want an update on what I did since publishing the last chapter, I'm currently in the middle of my second cegep session, I finished KH2 Final Mix on critical, but decided not to go for the Platinum (seriously, Mushroom 8 was too stressful for me!), I got the platinum for Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando, I went to see Kung Fu Panda 4, and I tried to catch up to One Piece, getting to episode 830...before Crunchyroll decided to make premium subscription an obligation if you don't wanna get stuck with the Japanese dub and 15 minutes of ads for every episode, which made me choose to stop there.
It's now time for something you guys have been waiting to see for years; the rematch between Logan and Drake. If you guys don't remember, Logan and Drake fought all the way back to chapter 5 of this story, which resulted in Logan losing his self-confidence and falling to darkness in TheDragonSaver's 'Magical World Grand Prix'. Well, I've made you wait long enough; it's time for the rematch! This time, it's gonna be a 10-on-10 team match, in which Logan will team up with 9 of his friends. Which ones? Stay tuned for the next chapter to find out!