Aoi Hyoudou: Thank you for your continued support. It's always great to see readers enjoying the additional scenes and content added to a story. This chapter will probably be Xhäs' final appearance...for now. He will make a few special cameos every now and then moving forward. As for Ash, he will have a slight change in appearance but not much. For those who are wondering, Ash will be the strongest Keyblade wielder at this point in time once the merger is completed. He will obtain a few new skills and abilities along with the ability to dual-wield. Other skills and abilities will be showcased later on. Anyway, enjoy the chapter!

XXVI

Complete at Last

The Keyblade Graveyard stretched out into an unending expanse of rocky badlands, scarred by the devastation of the ancient Keyblade War. The atmosphere was eerily silent, with only the faint sound of the wind stirring the countless Keyblades embedded in the ground—a grim reminder of battles long past. Standing amongst the thousands of rusted weapons, Master Xehanort stood tall, his hands clasped behind his back, eyes closed as if lost in thought, calculating his next move. Behind him, Saïx and Xigbar watched silently, each wearing their own expression of anticipation. Xigbar leaned against a jagged rock, his typical smirk in place, while Saïx glanced between his master and the quiet battlefield, his thoughts hidden behind his cold gaze.

Their attention was soon drawn to a swirling dark portal that formed in front of them. From the inky blackness, Vanitas stepped out, his presence like a shadow slipping into reality. Without hesitation, he strode forward, his visible yellow eye gleaming with satisfaction. "The little problem has been taken care of," he reported, a malicious grin tugging at his lips hidden in his mask. "Xhäs has fallen, just as planned."

Xigbar frowned, crossing his arms. "Gotta say, I'm kinda bummed about that," he remarked casually. "Kid had spunk. I actually liked him." His tone was light, but there was a hint of genuine regret beneath the surface. The Nobody had grown on him, even if he wouldn't openly admit it.

Saïx's expression remained impassive, though his eyes flickered with disdain. He had always had mixed feelings about Xhäs, the original No. XIII. They hadn't exactly seen eye to eye during their time together, and yet, now that Xhäs was gone, Saïx couldn't shake the sense of something unfinished.

Vanitas, however, spat in disgust. "That Nobody was a nuisance," he growled. "Good riddance."

Xigbar raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching into an amused grin. "Heh, seems like Xhäs gave you a harder time than you're letting on, huh? Let a crack in that mask of yours," he teased, his smirk widening as he watched Vanitas bristle with irritation.

Vanitas's eye flashed with fury as he turned on Xigbar. "Watch your mouth!" he snarled, taking a threatening step forward. But before the situation could escalate, a commanding voice cut through the tension.

"Enough." Master Xehanort's voice was calm, yet laced with authority. His eyes slowly opened, and he turned to face his subordinates. "Xhäs was a worthy member of our Organization. He had much potential... a lot of upside." His gaze was distant, thoughtful. "It is unfortunate, but necessary. His fate was always destined to serve the greater plan."

Vanitas sneered but remained silent, stepping back in deference. Xigbar shrugged, still wearing that half-smirk but falling in line.

"Xhäs played his role well, even in defeat," Master Xehanort continued, his voice carrying a note of praise for their fallen comrade. "Now, we move forward. The final stage of our plan awaits." His words hung heavy in the air, and the group stood in silence once more.

Meanwhile, perched on a stony cliff, Replica Xemnas and Replica Ansem stood silently, their eyes fixed on the distant figures below as the conversation between Xehanort and his subordinates unfolded. The wind whistled through the barren landscape, carrying the echoes of Vanitas's report and Xehanort's cold praises for the fallen Nobody, Xhäs.

Replica Xemnas remained still, but a fleeting shadow of grief crossed his usually impassive face. His amber eyes darkened for a moment, a rare display of emotion that didn't go unnoticed by Replica Ansem, who stood beside him.

"What's on your mind, Xemnas?" Ansem asked, his deep voice breaking the silence. His gaze shifted to the former leader of the original Organization XIII, curiosity piqued by the uncharacteristic reaction.

Xemnas didn't respond immediately. He closed his eyes, taking a long breath as though contemplating the weight of his next words. "The fact that the one person I ever considered... a true friend," he muttered, his voice low and laced with something akin to sorrow, "is no longer among us."

Replica Ansem raised an eyebrow at this rare confession. "Xhäs?" he ventured, his tone thoughtful. He knew well enough that Xemnas rarely allowed sentiment to cloud his judgment, but there was something different about this moment—something human.

Xemnas opened his eyes, staring into the distance, as if lost in a memory. "I wished things had turned out differently. I wonder... if we didn't try hard enough to recruit him to our side," he mused quietly. His voice carried the faintest hint of regret, something that even surprised himself. The loss of Xhäs stirred something deeper within him, something he hadn't felt in a long time—if ever.

Ansem regarded Xemnas curiously. "Is your 'human' side starting to show?" he asked, half in jest but with a genuine interest in what was stirring inside the former Nobody.

Xemnas remained cryptic, his gaze still locked on the horizon. "Perhaps," he said softly.

Unbeknownst to Xemnas and Ansem, Demyx had been eavesdropping on their entire conversation from a nearby hiding spot. His eyes widened at what he overheard—Xhäs, taken out so soon? Demyx hadn't anticipated this; he still had his own plans for Xhäs, and now it seemed those plans had hit a major roadblock. Letting out a quiet sigh, he felt bummed about the whole thing. He wasn't exactly the most driven member of the group, but Xhäs had always been someone Demyx had thought could stick around longer. Still, this development was something his comrades had to know about. Carefully and quietly, Demyx slunk back into the shadows, making sure not to be noticed by Xemnas or Ansem. After successfully sneaking away, he quickly regrouped with the other members: Luxord, Marluxia, and Larxene. He found them gathered in a quiet corner of the barren wasteland. Taking a deep breath, he broke the news.

"Xhäs is gone," Demyx announced, his words hanging in the air like a cold breeze.

Luxord's brow furrowed, his card flipping idly between his fingers as he processed the information. "Perplexing... I had no idea it would come to this so soon." He paused, a hint of sympathy creeping into his otherwise composed expression. "A shame. He was one of our own, after all."

Marluxia remained silent, his piercing gaze betraying little of his thoughts.

All eyes eventually shifted to Larxene, the one who had been closest to Xhäs back during the original Organization XIII. Everyone waited, knowing her reaction would be the most unpredictable. Larxene, however, wore a mask of indifference, though there was a clear tension in the air around her.

At first, she was silent, as if wrestling with some internal turmoil. Then, with a scoff, she spat, "Good riddance to the little traitor." Her voice dripped with venom, but her expression betrayed something deeper. "This wouldn't have happened if he'd just stuck around and gone along with the plan instead of being stubborn." Demyx could see right through her tough façade. He felt bad for Larxene—he knew she was in denial, but before he could say anything, she shot him a glare. "What? Don't look at me like that!" she snapped. "He made his choice!"

Luxord cleared his throat as he spoke. "Why do you suppose Xhäs left the Organization in the first place? He was no fool—he had to have known what walking away meant."

Marluxia finally broke his silence. "Perhaps Xhäs knew about the whole ordeal long before any of us," he suggested, his arms crossed over his chest. "He may have shouldered the burden of that knowledge, knowing it would set him on a different path."

Larxene's eyes flashed with anger, her fists clenching at her sides. "If that's true, why didn't he trust us? Why didn't he trust me?" Her voice cracked ever so slightly, betraying the hurt she still carried beneath her sharp exterior.

Marluxia remained calm. "Perhaps he thought it was better that way. Had anyone else known about Master Xehanort's plan beforehand, 80% of the Organization would have rebelled. And if that had happened, Xhäs would've been dealt with long before now."

Larxene bit her lower lip, her frustration and sadness warring within her. Meanwhile, Demyx felt the weight of it all crash down on him. He'd never thought much about Xhäs being a traitor, but now he saw it differently. Xhäs wasn't a traitor; he'd just been labeled as one—by Xemnas and Saïx—so they could turn the Organization against him.

"Man... Xhäs didn't deserve this," Demyx muttered under his breath, casting a somber glance at the ground.

Radiant Garden

Back at Radiant Garden, the atmosphere was tense as Demyx returned with heavy news. Lea leaned against a stone wall, his arms crossed and his eyes narrowed as Demyx began to explain what had happened to Xhäs. As soon as the words left Demyx's mouth, Lea's face twisted in frustration, and without warning, his fist slammed into the wall beside him.

"Dammit, Xhäs!" Lea growled through gritted teeth. "Why did you have to be such an idiot? You didn't have to do it alone. I could've helped you."

His voice was filled with a mixture of anger and sorrow. He clenched his fist tightly, the weight of his own helplessness weighing him down. Demyx stood nearby, feeling an unfamiliar pang of sympathy for Lea. He wasn't used to seeing the usually composed and fiery Lea like this—vulnerable.

Lea took a deep breath, his eyes softening, but his frustration didn't fade. "He didn't have to shoulder everything himself," he muttered, more to himself than to Demyx. A bitter chuckle escaped his lips as he looked up toward the sky. "Guess I know where Roxas got his stubbornness from."

Demyx lowered his gaze, unsure of what to say. He wasn't one for deep emotions, but seeing Lea like this—seeing him mourn the loss of yet another comrade—hit harder than expected. The days of the original Organization, for better or worse, were now just memories, fleeting and distant, with Xhäs gone, possibly on his way to being completed with his other half.

For Lea, the weight of that realization was crushing. "The good old days... they're gone now, huh?"

Land of Departure

Back at the Land of Departure, Ash knelt on the floor, cradling Xhäs' fading body, his voice cracking as he called out desperately, "Xhäs, hang on! Please!" He clutched his Nobody's body closer, feeling it disappear bit by bit. Aqua, Ventus, Sora, Donald, and Goofy stood by, their expressions full of concern, unable to do anything but watch. Xhäs' body shimmered, breaking apart piece by piece like sand caught in the wind.

Xhäs gave a soft chuckle. "Idiot… why're you so worried?" His voice was weak, but his tone carried a calmness that contrasted Ash's desperation. "I'm about to be completed, you know. No need for all this drama."

Ash's breath caught in his throat as he stared into Xhäs' fading red eyes with confusion. "Completed? What are you talking about?"

Xhäs chuckled again, though it was strained. "Just... trust me. Put your hand on my chest. I'll take care of the rest."

Ash hesitated, his hand trembling, unsure if this was the right thing to do. But, after a moment, he swallowed hard and placed his hand gently on Xhäs' chest. Xhäs closed his eyes, concentrating whatever energy he had left. His body flickered, dimming, but before anything happened, he started murmuring names in a barely audible voice. "Axel… Larxene… Naminé… Roxas…" There was a pause, his brow furrowing as he tried to remember a faded memory, "…I'm sorry… but I can't… remember her name."

With a final exhale, Xhäs' body emitted a soft glow that rapidly grew brighter. Ash felt the surge of energy hit him like a wave, his body trembling as the power flowed into him. He gritted his teeth, groaning as the intensity of the light and energy increased by the second.

Sora, Aqua, and the others shielded their eyes, the light growing so blinding it engulfed the entire Land of Departure. "What's going on?" Sora shouted, his voice barely audible over the sound of the roaring energy.

Ash's groans grew louder, his body stiffening under the immense force, until suddenly, there was an explosive burst of light. It swallowed everything, leaving the group momentarily stunned. As the light finally subsided, Ash knelt on one knee, gasping for air, his chest heaving from the intense energy that had surged through him. Aqua, Sora, Donald, and Goofy slowly lowered their arms, their eyes adjusting as the bright glow faded away. There was no trace of Xhäs—just the quiet aftermath and the subtle changes in Ash's appearance.

"Ash! You okay?" Sora called out as he approached.

Ash rose to his feet, feeling the lingering effects of the transformation. His eyes briefly flashed red and auburn before returning to their normal color. He flexed his fingers, feeling stronger than ever, his muscles subtly defined, and his stance a bit taller than before. His messy black hair had grown out, now reaching his shoulders.

Goofy, scratching his head, broke the silence. "Gawrsh, did Ash get taller?"

Donald tilted his head in confusion. "And his hair... it grew longer!" he quacked.

Sora nodded, examining Ash's arms. "Looks like you added some muscle too," he pointed out.

Aqua, however, found herself blushing, her eyes lingering on Ash for a moment longer than necessary. "And more... hot," she muttered under her breath, before quickly clearing her throat. Realizing the group had heard her, she awkwardly corrected herself, "I mean, let's go check him out."

As they all approached Ash, he stared at his longer hair with mild dismay. Holding one of his bangs, he frowned slightly. "Do I look... girly with this?" he muttered, earning a chuckle from the group.

Sora patted his shoulder with a grin. "You're looking great, Ash. Stronger, even. Whatever just happened, it must've worked."

Ash, still trying to process the transformation, nodded slowly. "Yeah... I can feel it. Xhäs… he's gone, but I think he's part of me now."

Aqua, recovering from her earlier fluster, stepped forward, her expression softening. "Ash... whatever Xhäs did, it's clear you're stronger now. But we'll figure this out together."

Ash looked at them with a small smile. "Yeah... let's keep moving. I'll make sure his sacrifice wasn't in vain."

The Mysterious Tower

Back at the Mysterious Tower, the room was filled with quiet anticipation. Kairi, Riku, King Mickey, and Master Yen Sid had been waiting anxiously for Ash, Sora, Aqua, and the others to return from their mission. The air was tense, with everyone on edge, uncertain of what the outcome would be. Suddenly, a dark portal appeared in the middle of the room, catching everyone's attention. A powerful presence emanated from the swirling darkness, sending a ripple of tension through the group. Instinctively, they all got into defensive stances, ready for whatever might emerge.

"Get ready," Riku muttered under his breath, gripping his Keyblade tightly.

As the silhouette from within the portal became clearer, a figure began to step forward. Riku and King Mickey's eyes widened in surprise and recognition as the figure inched closer, the darkness dissipating to reveal a familiar face.

"Ven!" Riku and King Mickey shouted in unison.

Before anyone else could react, King Mickey rushed forward, his face lighting up with joy. Ven, wearing a wide grin, opened his arms, and the two friends embraced warmly.

"Mickey!" Ven exclaimed, his voice filled with relief and happiness.

"It's been ages, Ven!" Mickey said, his voice trembling slightly from the emotion. "I thought I'd never see ya again."

Sora, standing behind them with his hands behind his head, smiled at the reunion. Donald and Goofy stood beside him, also smiling, happy to see Ven reunited with one of his closest friends. It was a heartwarming moment, one that contrasted starkly with the battles they had just faced.

As the two friends pulled apart, Ven's gaze landed on the older wizard sitting calmly at the head of the room. "Master Yen Sid," Ven said with a respectful bow. "It's good to see you again."

Yen Sid smiled gently, his wise eyes twinkling with warmth. "The pleasure is mine, Ventus. It has been far too long. I'm relieved your heart has once more been awakened."

Ven straightened up, feeling a sense of relief and comfort being back among friends. "Yeah... it feels like a lifetime ago," he said, glancing around the room at the familiar faces, his grin still wide.

Riku, now standing beside Mickey, let out a soft chuckle. "I guess a lot's happened since then, huh?"

"Yeah," Ven nodded, his grin fading slightly as the memories of their recent trials resurfaced. "But I'm just glad to be back... and to see all of you."

Kairi approached Ventus with a warm smile. "Hi, Ven. I'm Kairi. It's good to see you're finally awake," she greeted warmly.

Ven looked at her, his mind flashing back to the times Aqua had spoken about a special girl in the past. Could this really be the same little girl from Aqua's stories? He blinked in surprise, taking a moment to process. "Nice to meet you, Kairi… and thank you," Ven replied with a soft smile, grateful but still a bit in awe that the young girl Aqua had protected had grown into a capable Keyblade wielder herself.

Ash's voice echoed from the opened portal, drawing the group's attention. "Are you sure I don't look like a girl?" His tone carried a hint of unease.

"You're fine! Quit worrying, Ash," Aqua chuckled as she and her student finally stepped out of the portal, which closed behind them.

Riku's eyes widened when he saw Ash. So that was the strong presence we felt earlier… It was Ash? He couldn't believe it—Ash seemed significantly more powerful than the last time they met. Riku's mind raced, wondering what had happened to cause such a drastic change. Ash had his white, soft cloth cape dangling over his shoulder.

Kairi, who also noticed Ash looked different, walked right up to him. Ash flinched slightly, stiffening when Kairi began examining him, her gaze moving up and down, then around him. She gently squeezed his arms, noting the slight muscle he'd gained since they last met.

After a moment, she pulled back and nodded approvingly. "You look more handsome than before, Ash," she remarked with a smile.

Ash's face turned bright red as he stammered, "K-Kairi!" His embarrassment only deepened when he saw Sora glaring.

"Kairi!" Sora protested with annoyance. Riku, standing off to the side, fought back a laugh at Sora's reaction.

Aqua, meanwhile, ignored Sora's jealousy and agreed with Kairi. "I know, right?" she grinned mischievously.

"A-Aqua... please," Ash groaned, feeling the heat rise to his face again.

Not wanting to be left out, Sora stepped in, frowning slightly. "What about me, Kairi?"

Kairi glanced at him playfully and stuck her tongue out. "You're good too, Sora, but it looks like Ash is now better looking," she teased.

"Hey!" Sora pouted, crossing his arms in frustration.

Goofy tilted his head thoughtfully. "Gawrsh, do ya think merging with Xhäs had somethin' to do with Ash's change, Donald?"

"How should I know, Goofy?" Donald quacked in annoyance.

Yen Sid cleared his throat, commanding the group's attention with his calm but curious gaze. He was eager to understand what had transpired with Ash during the mission to awaken Ventus from his slumber, particularly how Ash had grown so strong seemingly overnight. After Ash and the others took their time explaining the events that had unfolded, Yen Sid stroked his long, white beard in deep thought. "I see... What an unexpected turn of events," he mused.

Riku, who had been listening intently, couldn't shake a lingering feeling that something didn't quite add up. "Something seems off, though, Master Yen Sid," he spoke up, drawing the wizard's attention. "When Sora and Roxas finally reunited, Sora didn't go through a drastic change like Ash has. Maybe he got more annoying, but nothing different," Riku added with a teasing smirk, throwing a playful jab at his best friend.

"Hey!" Sora shot back, his face scrunched into a frown as he glared at Riku.

Yen Sid remained composed, responding calmly, "I do not know the answer, Riku. Perhaps young Ash here is more special than we realize." He turned his eyes back to Ash, studying him carefully.

Ven, who had been silent, chimed in with curiosity. "What could be more special than being a Keyblade wielder… and being the prince of his own world?" Ven asked, half-joking, though there was genuine curiosity behind his words.

Yen Sid nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed, that is something to consider. However, until we know the true reason behind this transformation, we should not concern ourselves with it too deeply. For now, it is important that we focus on the present matters at hand."

Kairi's attention shifted to Ash, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. She wondered aloud, "Do you feel any different besides your appearance after reuniting with your Nobody?"

Ash paused, considering her question. He hadn't really thought about it, but now he was curious too. As he studied himself, a faint voice echoed in his mind—Xhäs' voice. It instructed him to close his eyes and hold out his hands. Ash hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and did as the voice suggested, closing his eyes and extending both arms forward, focusing his mind.

In an instant, to the shock of the group, both the Oblivion and Oathkeeper Keyblades materialized in his hands, gleaming with power.

Sora and Riku exchanged wide-eyed glances, each thinking the same thing: "Don't they belong to Roxas?"

Meanwhile, Donald, Goofy, and King Mickey were thoroughly impressed. "Gawrsh, two Keyblades!" Goofy gasped.

Mickey nodded, his eyes sparkling. "That's no small feat," he added with admiration.

Yen Sid, although typically reserved, allowed a flicker of surprise to show in his expression. "Remarkable," he murmured.

Aqua, standing tall and proud, grinned. "That's my student," she said with pride, her eyes gleaming as she watched Ash masterfully wield the two powerful Keyblades.

Then, the faint voice of Xhäs spoke to Ash again, instructing him to merge the two Keyblades and forge an even greater weapon—the ultimate Keyblade at his disposal. Taking another deep breath, Ash concentrated, and as he did, both the Oblivion and Oathkeeper began to glow with brilliant light. In a sudden burst of radiance, the two Keyblades fused together, forming a single, magnificent blade: the legendary Ultima Keyblade. Its ethereal glow cast light across the room, stunning everyone present.

The group stood in awe, their jaws dropping at the sight of the legendary weapon. Yen Sid himself, usually composed, looked slightly taken aback. "The Ultima Keyblade…" he muttered, astonished. "Only a select few are worthy to wield its power."

Donald, Goofy, and Mickey were equally amazed. "Wow, the Ultima Keyblade!" Donald squawked, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Goofy, scratching his head, added, "Gawrsh, not many folks can pull off somethin' like that."

Sora, on the other hand, crossed his arms and huffed, visibly jealous. "Ash gets all the cool stuff," he grumbled, earning a headshake from Riku, who couldn't help but smile at Sora's childish antics.

After a moment, Ash released his concentration, and the Ultima Keyblade split back into the Oblivion and Oathkeeper, returning to their original forms and disappearing.

After Ash displayed the power of the Ultima Keyblade, Master Yen Sid turned the group's attention to their main objective. With the looming threat of the True Organization XIII and the search for Terra still hanging over them, he issued his instructions to the group.

"Kairi," Yen Sid began, his voice calm but firm, "You will continue with your Keyblade training. It is crucial that you hone your abilities further."

Kairi nodded in understanding. "Yes, Master Yen Sid."

"Riku," Yen Sid continued, "You and King Mickey will continue to monitor the movements of the True Organization XIII. It's important to remain vigilant for any signs of their activity."

Riku gave a quick nod, while King Mickey, ever serious, added, "We'll make sure to stay on top of things, Master Yen Sid. They won't catch us by surprise."

Yen Sid then turned his gaze to Aqua and Ventus. "Aqua, Ventus—your task is to search for any clues regarding Terra's whereabouts. His safety remains a priority."

Aqua and Ven exchanged looks, both clearly eager to begin their search for their missing friend. "We'll find him, Master," Aqua said resolutely.

Just when it seemed like the meeting was about to conclude, Yen Sid focused his attention on Ash. "As for you, Ash... now that you've demonstrated the ability to wield the Ultima Keyblade, it is imperative that you resume your journey to sharpen your skills. You possess great potential, but there is much more you can learn on the road ahead."

Ash nodded, but before he could respond, Aqua stepped forward. "Master Yen Sid, I'd like to accompany Ash on his journey. I could help guide him and—"

Yen Sid interrupted with a raised hand. "I understand your concern, Aqua, but I believe your presence would serve as a distraction—both to Ash and to yourself. Your mission is to find Terra. I sense your emotions, and while your intentions are noble, your focus must remain on your true objective."

Aqua's eyes widened in protest. "That wouldn't happen! I could handle both—help Ash and continue the search for Terra."

Yen Sid's expression softened, but he remained firm. "I do not doubt your abilities, Aqua, but you must trust in Ash to walk his own path. And you must walk yours."

Before Aqua could respond further, Sora stepped forward. "Master Yen Sid, if it's alright, I'd like to go with Ash for one more adventure before I return to my own training." He smiled confidently at Ash, clearly excited about the idea of traveling together again.

Donald, however, wasn't as thrilled. "Hey! You didn't ask us first, Sora!" he quacked angrily, crossing his arms. "I wanted to go with the King!"

Goofy didn't mind too much. "Gawrsh, I don't mind either way. It'll be fun to help Ash out!" His nonchalant response earned him a swift kick to the shin from Donald, causing him to yelp in pain. "Ow!"

Yen Sid paid no mind to Donald and Goofy's squabbling and instead pondered Sora's request. After a moment of silent consideration, he nodded.

"Very well," Yen Sid said. "Sora, you may accompany Ash before returning to your training. However, this will be your last foray together for the time being. You both have your own paths to follow."

Sora beamed with excitement, giving Ash a thumbs-up. "Looks like we're going on one more adventure, buddy!"

Ash smiled back. "Yeah! Let's do it!"

Donald, though still grumbling, finally gave in. "Fine, fine... but if something goes wrong, don't say I didn't warn you!"

Goofy chuckled, rubbing his shin but still eager. "Shucks, it'll be just like old times."

Aqua, still not entirely satisfied with Yen Sid's decision, crossed her arms and pouted, her cheeks puffing up in frustration. "Fine… but the next time I'm available, it's my turn to join Ash on his journey!" she declared.

Her sudden outburst caused everyone in the room to sweatdrop. Sora scratched his head with a sheepish grin, while Ash chuckled nervously. Donald and Goofy exchanged awkward glances, and even Yen Sid raised an eyebrow at Aqua's unusually assertive demand.

"Uh, Aqua..." Ash started, trying to hold back a laugh. "You got it, next time for sure."

Sora shrugged, leaning over to whisper to Ash with a smirk, "Looks like you've got yourself quite the Master, huh?"

"S-S-Shut up!"

Space

As they soared through the vast quiet of deep space, Sora, Donald, and Goofy rode in their Gummi Ship, trailing Ash, who now donned his sleek Keyblade armor, complete with a cape that fluttered in the cosmic winds. Riding atop his Keyblade glider, Ash moved gracefully ahead, scouting their path. The stars glimmered all around them, and the journey was tranquil—until Ash's high-tech visor beeped, alerting him to a new discovery.

The visor's display zoomed in on a massive world coming into view. A towering mountain loomed ahead, crowned with a golden gate suspended high above the clouds. Ash's visor identified the world as Olympus. It was unfamiliar territory for him. Ash quickly activated his communicator, trying to radio the Gummi Ship behind him.

Inside the ship, Sora fumbled with the controls, struggling to figure out how to answer. "Uh, how do you—?" Sora muttered, pressing random buttons, getting frustrated.

Goofy leaned over and tapped the correct button. "Gawrsh, Sora, let me get that." He answered the call, smiling. "Ash, is that you?" Goofy's voice came over the radio.

"Yeah, it's me," Ash responded, his voice slightly muffled behind his visor. "My visor picked up a world up ahead. It's called Olympus. Looks like that's where we're headed."

At the mention of Olympus, a wide grin spread across Sora's face. His mind immediately raced to thoughts of a familiar hero. "Olympus? That means we're going to see Herc again!" he shouted, excitement bubbling in his voice.

"Herc?" Ash repeated, sounding puzzled as his visor displayed no further information on this "Herc" character.

"Don't worry, Ash," Sora reassured him with a grin. "You'll like Herc. He's a hero!" Sora's enthusiasm was infectious.

Donald chimed in as he corrected, "A true hero!"

"Not junior heroes like us," Goofy added, which earned him a sharp glare from Donald.

"Goofy!" Donald grumbled.

Ash, still adjusting to this lighthearted dynamic between the trio, nodded from behind his visor, though a bit unsure. "I-I see…" he muttered. He wasn't entirely certain what to expect, but if Sora was this excited, it had to be something special.

Olympus - Mount Olympus

Within Mount Olympus, Hades, Lord of the Dead and ruler of the Underworld, was pacing back and forth, frustrated by his endless failures to defeat Hercules. "Wonderboy," as Hades often sneered, was a name that still grated on his nerves every time he thought about it. The flames atop his head flickered wildly with irritation as he contemplated his next move.

"I swear, that overgrown Boy Scout is going to regret the day he messed with me," Hades muttered to himself, clenching his fists. "But how to finally squash him once and for all…"

Before he could dive any deeper into his scheming, a swirling dark portal materialized in the open behind him. Hades rolled his glowing eyes with a dramatic groan as Pete and Maleficent stepped out, uninvited as usual. "Oh great, it's Tweedledum and Tweedle-Witch. Look, whatever you two are selling, I'm not buying. So if you could just—"

"We're not here for you, Hades," Maleficent interjected, her sharp voice cutting through his dismissal. Her green eyes gleamed as she stared him down. "We seek something much more valuable—a special black box."

Hades raised an eyebrow and stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Black box, huh? Black box… Black box..." He paced a little more, murmuring to himself before pausing as a thought struck him. "Wait a minute… are we talking about the black box? You mean the one Zeus hid somewhere in this world?"

Maleficent exchanged a glance with Pete, her curiosity piqued. "Zeus, you say?" she asked, her voice laced with intrigue.

"Yeah, yeah. Big guy, white beard, thunderbolts for days." Hades waved his hand dismissively, but his fiery blue hair flared brighter as he continued. "Years ago, Zeus locked away some super-powerful box—who knows what's inside it? But I'm betting it's not the kind of thing you'd want falling into the wrong hands… or claws, or whatever you two have."

Pete rubbed his chin, grinning. "Sounds like the box we're lookin' for, boss!"

Hades glanced at Maleficent, unimpressed. "So, let me guess—you want me to show you where Zeus stashed this thing?"

Maleficent smirked, her fingers resting lightly on her staff. "If it is indeed the same black box, your cooperation would be most appreciated, Hades. Lead us to it, and perhaps we may overlook your… past failures."

Hades laughed, the flames on his head flaring into an amused blaze. "Oh, I like you. So, what's in it for me, huh? You think I'm just gonna go around helping you without a little something in return? Maybe you take out Wonderboy while you're at it? That'd sweeten the deal."

Maleficent's eyes narrowed as she considered his offer. "Very well. If the black box is what we seek, I'll allow you the satisfaction of dealing with Hercules, unhindered by our interference."

Hades grinned widely, his sharp teeth gleaming. "Now we're talking. Follow me, folks. Let's go find this 'little black box' of yours. And hey, maybe I'll finally get rid of Wonderboy in the process."

First off, I hope you didn't mind Ash getting the Ultima Weapon Keyblade right after merging with Xhäs. If Ash's going to be presented as the strongest Keyblade wielder, he needs all the requirements to be one. Also, I hope you guys don't mind Sora, Donald and Goofy tagging along with Ash for one more visit. Originally, I was going to have Ash travel alone for a bit but after many suggestions to keep the story a little fresh, I decided to go with that idea for now. Another thing, do you think I should do a brief sneak preview of upcoming visits like I did with Olympus? It kinda gives you an idea of what to expect.

Extra scene: A good old memory

Lea stood in the quiet streets of Radiant Garden, the place he once called home before the darkness took him and transformed him into Axel. The air was crisp, tinged with the scent of autumn as the sun dipped below the horizon. It reminded him of the golden hour in Twilight Town, a place where he had spent countless afternoons in his Nobody form, hanging out with his friends on the edge of the Clock Tower. Sea salt ice cream, quiet conversations, and the occasional laughter were some of the few comforts they had in that in-between existence.

He sat down on a stone bench, pulling out a familiar blue popsicle from his coat. The same flavor they all used to share after missions. His fingers felt cold against the ice cream as he absentmindedly stared at the sunset, a reflection of the many sunsets he had watched over the edge of that Clock Tower. It wasn't just Roxas and Xion—no, Xhäs had been there too. And Larxene, though she never came willingly. The memories flooded back, and for a moment, Lea allowed himself to drift into the past.

The rhythmic ticking of the Twilight Town clock tower served as a background hum, a constant in their strange little lives. Axel—Lea, back then—stretched lazily, lying back with one arm behind his head, his legs dangling off the edge. Roxas sat beside him, legs crossed, silently nibbling on his sea salt ice cream, while Xion, the black-haired girl who so strongly resembled Kairi, leaned forward, watching the fading sunlight with a thoughtful expression.

"Another boring mission," Roxas grumbled between bites, the edge of the ice cream starting to melt. "You'd think they'd give us something more interesting than just taking out Heartless all the time."

Axel chuckled, his signature smirk in place. "That's life in the Organization for ya, kid. At least we get this," he said, raising his ice cream like a toast. "Can't beat a good sunset and some sweet ice cream after a day of mindless work."

Roxas didn't seem convinced, but Xion smiled softly, nodding in agreement. "It's peaceful," she added. "It almost feels like we're real people here, just hanging out."

Axel's eyes softened at that. He'd never admit it out loud, but moments like this were what kept him going. In the Organization, everything felt detached, like they weren't supposed to feel, but here, in this little sanctuary of theirs, he almost felt alive. Almost.

"Oi, Axel!" A familiar voice broke through his thoughts. He turned to see Xhäs approaching, his long black coat fluttering slightly in the wind as he walked towards them with a cocky grin. "You're always hogging the best spots, huh?"

Axel raised an eyebrow, sitting up slightly. "Hey, we got here first, buddy. You snooze, you lose."

Xhäs laughed, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah. Move over." He shoved himself between Axel and Roxas, though he tossed a playful wink at Roxas, who just sighed in mock frustration.

"And look who's finally tagging along," Axel teased as he noticed Larxene following behind Xhäs, a scowl on her face. She was, as usual, not happy to be here. She only ever showed up because Xhäs somehow managed to convince her, despite her complaints about "wasting time with losers."

"I can't believe you dragged me here again," Larxene muttered, arms crossed, glaring at the group as if they had all personally offended her.

Xhäs smirked, handing her an ice cream. "Come on, Larxene. You love it here. Don't even try to lie."

She shot him a glare sharp enough to cut through steel but took the ice cream anyway, muttering something under her breath. Axel couldn't help but chuckle. It was always like this. She pretended to hate being there, but deep down, they all knew she'd stay. The five of them settled into their usual spots, watching the sun dip lower and lower. For a moment, there was silence, broken only by the sound of ice cream sticks cracking and the distant buzz of the city below.

"You know," Xhäs started, breaking the silence, "Sometimes I wonder what it'd be like if we weren't Nobodies. What we'd do if we were... real people."

Axel looked over at him, blinking in surprise. Xhäs wasn't the type to get all philosophical. That was more his thing. "What, getting sentimental on us now, Xhäs? Didn't know you had a heart in there somewhere."

Xhäs gave a small laugh, but his eyes were serious. "I'm just saying… if we weren't stuck doing Xemnas' dirty work, we could be out there—living. Maybe even… I dunno, making choices that actually matter."

There was a moment of stillness as the others considered his words. Even Larxene, who usually dismissed these kinds of conversations, seemed thoughtful for once.

"I'd probably still be eating ice cream," Roxas said, breaking the tension. His comment earned a round of laughter from the group.

Axel grinned, clapping Roxas on the back. "That's the spirit! No matter what, we always come back to this, huh?"

"You mean sitting here doing nothing?" Larxene muttered, though there was less venom in her voice than usual.

"Nah," Axel replied, stretching his arms behind his head, "I mean being here—with you guys. We're more than just a bunch of Nobodies following orders. We've got our thing going."

Xion smiled softly, glancing at Axel. "Our own little piece of freedom."

The wind picked up slightly, rustling their coats, but they stayed in place, savoring the moment. They didn't need to talk much after that. Words felt unnecessary when the sunset painted the sky in hues of gold, orange, and pink. It was their unspoken ritual—a time to be more than what the Organization expected them to be.

"Maybe someday…" Xhäs murmured, his voice barely audible over the wind. "Maybe someday we'll get out of this."

Axel looked at him, surprised by the melancholy in his tone. "You really believe that?"

Xhäs smirked, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I've got hope. More than you, probably."

Axel scoffed, though he was smiling. "Yeah, maybe you're right."

Lea snapped out of his reverie, the ice cream stick now bare in his hand. He stared down at it, a lump forming in his throat as the memories faded. They were gone. Roxas, Xion, Xhäs—all of them were gone. And Larxene, well, she had been lost too, in a different way.

He stood, tossing the empty stick into the nearest trash bin and pulling his coat tighter around himself as the evening chill settled in. "They're gone… but not forgotten," he whispered to the air. A part of him would always stay on the edge of that Clock Tower, with the people who had made him feel something when he was nothing.

Maybe, someday, he'd find a way to make peace with those memories.