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 re-introudce a Final Fantasy character who appeared in the original visit in Hercules' world. Take a guess who it is. Also, it will be the first time Ash will meet Hercules, Hades, Maleficent and Pete who all will make some kind of appearances from here and there. Expect Ash will display his new strength against the Heartless ever since merging with Xhäs. Finally, also expect a Halloween theme skit at the end of the chapter.

XXVII

Olympus

The journey up Mount Olympus had been filled with Sora's constant chatter about Hercules, leaving Ash both intrigued and eager to meet the demi-god hero. As they climbed the Ravine Trail, the scenery became increasingly grand, with sprawling mountains and sunlit cliffs. Finally, the group reached the base of the Ravine, where Sora wandered to the edge of the path, taking in the peaceful scene before shouting out with uncontainable excitement, "Hercules, where are you?!" His voice echoed through the mountains, but there was no reply. Instead, a familiar figure began to materialize in a plume of smoke. A groan echoed, and Hades, the god of the underworld, appeared, his blue flames flaring in annoyance as he muttered to himself about headaches brought on by a certain Wonder Boy.

"Ugh, Wonder Boy... Just the thought of him gives me a migraine," Hades grumbled as his eyes narrowed at the group. His gaze soon fixed on Sora, Donald, and Goofy, and his expression turned sour. "Oh, fantastic... Not you three again."

"Hades!" Sora, Donald, and Goofy tensed, already bracing themselves for whatever the irritable god might throw at them.

But Ash just blinked at Hades with a baffled look. "Who?"

Hades' head jerked up, visibly annoyed, and he zeroed in on Ash with a disdainful look. "Oh, you're new. Did Wonder Boy's fan club pick up a new sidekick or something?"

"Hey!" Sora interjected, defending Ash. "He's not a sidekick, Hades! Ash is a Keyblade wielder, and he's stronger than you think!"

Hades studied Ash with a scrutinizing eye, sensing a powerful presence about him. It was clear that this kid was more than just a tagalong. Though he hated to admit it, there was a strength in Ash that even he couldn't ignore. Stronger than the kid and his two comic reliefs combined, he mused to himself, mildly irked by the observation. "Hmph." Hades folded his arms, the flames on his head flickering in irritation. "Alright, fine, maybe you're not as hopeless as Tweedledee, Tweedledum, and Tweedledumber here," he sneered, nodding towards Sora, Donald, and Goofy, who glared back at him. "But you dweebs aren't getting in the way of my latest little project, so let's see if you can handle a warm-up, hmm?" With a snap of his fingers, Hades summoned the massive form of the Tornado Titan.

The ground rumbled as the towering whirlwind of destruction emerged, whirling with fierce energy. The party tensed, bracing themselves as the Tornado Titan let out a powerful roar, sending gusts of wind towards them.

"Whoa!" Ash tried to stand his ground but could barely hold steady against the fierce wind.

Sora shouted, "Hang on!"

But despite their efforts, the powerful gusts were too much. One by one, the group lost their footing and was swept up by the tornado's force, sent spiraling uncontrollably off the mountainside. They tumbled through the air, helpless against the Titan's winds, and in a matter of moments, they were hurled across the mountain, plummeting towards the city of Thebes.

Hades watched with a mocking wave. "Bon voyage, kiddos! Maybe a little vacation in Thebes will teach ya not to mess with the Lord of the Dead." He paused for a moment, though, as something nagged at him. "Wait… I was just there earlier..." Then he shrugged it off with a dismissive wave. "Eh, whatever."

Thebes

In the bustling city of Thebes, Hercules was in the middle of clearing rubble, muttering to himself about Hades' endless attempts to make his life a little less heroic. Just as he hefted a massive stone, his ears picked up frantic cries growing louder above him. Squinting, he saw three familiar figures—Sora, Donald, and Goofy—plummeting from the sky, along with a new face close behind them. Gasping, Hercules sprang into action, leaping high into the air. In one swift motion, he caught Sora, Goofy, and the unfamiliar kid—Ash—before gracefully descending back to the city's ground level, settling Ash and Goofy on his arms and Sora on his back.

"See? We found him," Sora quipped, trying to play off their rough landing.

Ash chuckled. "Yeah, I guess that's one way to put it, Sora."

Hercules chuckled but his attention was pulled to an angry squawk nearby. He looked over to see Donald dangling by his shirt collar, wedged firmly in the open jaws of a stone lion statue. Arms crossed, Donald huffed in frustration.

"Hold on, I've got you," Hercules reassured, setting the others down and striding over.

Moments later...

"Good to see you guys again, though I wasn't expecting such a, uh… dramatic entrance," Hercules chuckled.

"Neither were we!" Goofy said, scratching his head.

Sora's grin widened at seeing Hercules again, but he quickly realized introductions were in order. "Hey, Herc! This is Ash," he said, gesturing to his new friend. "He's a Keyblade wielder too!"

"Any friend of Sora, Donald, and Goofy is a friend of mine. Put it here," Hercules said warmly, extending his massive hand for a handshake. Ash reached out, but as soon as their hands met, he winced slightly as Herc's strength unintentionally squeezed his hand a little too hard. "Oops, sorry about that," Hercules said with a sheepish chuckle, pulling his hand back. "Guess I still have a habit of forgetting my own strength."

"N-No worries, Hercules," Ash reassured him, massaging his wrist with a grin.

"You can call me Herc for short, Ash."

As they chatted, Sora's gaze wandered over the city, noticing rubble and some distant smoke from smoldering buildings. "Uh, Herc… what happened here?"

Hercules let out a sigh, crossing his arms. "Take a wild guess."

It didn't take the group long to narrow down the obvious culprit.

"Hades," the group said in unison with a flat tone.

"Bingo," Hercules confirmed with another sigh. "He's been up to his usual tricks, sending all sorts of trouble. It's been one disaster after another."

"Well, that's what we're here for!" Sora said confidently.

Hercules smiled warmly at Sora's enthusiasm. "Thanks, Sora. I could use the extra hands right now. Why don't you and the others spread out across the city? Some of the citizens might still be in need of assistance."

"Got it, Herc!" Sora replied, with Donald and Goofy nodding in agreement.

Ash also nodded. "We'll make sure everyone's safe," he promised.

"Then let's get to it," Herc said, pointing towards different areas of the city. "Sora, you and Donald can check the east side. Goofy, Ash, you take the west side. And I'll clean up the rest of the mess here. And remember—if Hades has sent more trouble our way, stay alert."

With a nod, the group split up, each heading towards their designated area of Thebes.

With the group split up into different parts of the area while Herc handled cleaning some mess, Ash and Goofy decided to separate to cover more ground. The city was far larger and more confusing to navigate than they anticipated. As Ash strolled through the west side, he suddenly heard desperate cries nearby. "Help! Someone help us!" a little boy shouted, his voice trembling with fear.

The Keyblade wielder's heart raced as he rushed toward the source of the cries, only to find two kids in Greek robes cornered by a pair of unfamiliar Heartless. These new foes bore shadowed faces and jagged visages. Dark-skinned Air Soldiers floated ominously above, their modified aviator caps covering the upper halves of their faces. Shiny-rimmed goggles glinted in the light, and a propeller atop their caps whirred softly, helping them hover menacingly. The Air Soldiers wore thick black pants, emblazoned with an inverted brown Heartless symbol at the knees, and bulky brown boots with blue and gold toes.

"Get away from them!" Ash shouted, summoning both the Oblivion and Oathkeeper. He was about to sprint forward to engage the Heartless when a blur of pink rushed past him, catching him off guard. "Whoa!" Ash exclaimed as he turned to see a young woman with wavy rose pink hair cascading over her left shoulder and striking pale aqua eyes. She wore a white sleeveless coat with an ankle-length red cape attached to the left side of her back, and her light brown miniskirt featured a burgundy leather detachable pocket.

Without hesitation, she drew her gunblade from the case hanging off her belt. "Stay back!" Lightning commanded, eyes locked on the Heartless. With a flick of her wrist, she unleashed a flurry of attacks, slicing through the Air Soldiers with deadly grace.

Ash stood back, momentarily speechless as he watched her dispatch the Heartless effortlessly. One moment they were looming over the kids, and the next, they were scattered shadows, defeated by Lightning's skill. Once the last Heartless fell, the two kids rushed to Lightning's side, their faces lighting up with gratitude. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" the little girl cried, clinging to Lightning's leg.

"Head somewhere safe, okay?" Lightning instructed, her voice firm yet gentle. The kids nodded, darting off in the opposite direction.

After the kids left, Ash dismissed his Keyblades and cautiously approached Lightning. But before he could even greet her, she pointed her gunblade at him with a sharp gaze.

"Who are you?" she demanded with narrowed eyes.

Ash lifted his arms up defensively. "Take it easy. I'm not your enemy," he reassured. Lightning raised an eyebrow, but kept her weapon aimed, studying him with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. Her gaze lingered a moment on his young, slightly matured features and innocent expression, though she quickly brushed aside any wandering thoughts.

"Who are you, kid?" she asked again.

Ash let out a small sigh, a frown tugging at his lips. "I'm Ash. I was helping Herc clear out the area and make sure the people in the city were safe."

At the mention of Hercules, Lightning's expression softened, and she slightly lowered her blade. "Herc? You mean Hercules, right?" Ash nodded, which prompted her to sigh. "To think he sent a kid to help out." Ash's frown deepened, but he kept silent as she sheathed her gunblade, slipping it back into her belt holster. "Well, kid, if you're friends with Hercules, just stay out of my way. I don't have time to babysit while I'm looking for someone."

"Who are you looking for? Maybe I can help," Ash offered sincerely.

Lightning shot him an icy glare. "That's none of your business." She turned and began walking away, but Ash called out.

"Wait!" She paused, her back still to him. "What's your name?"

Lightning hesitated before finally muttering, "Lightning." She then continued walking, leaving Ash watching her retreating figure.

Suddenly, he noticed a fallen pillar teetering above her, a chunk breaking free and plummeting towards her. "Lightning, look out!" he shouted.

Lightning looked up, eyes wide as she saw the debris barreling down. Acting quickly, Ash summoned one of his Keyblades and hurled it at the pillar. The blade sliced through it with ease, splitting it in two before the pieces crashed harmlessly to the ground on either side of Lightning.

Lightning blinked in surprise as Ash hurried to her side. "Lightning, are you okay?" he asked.

She straightened, offering a rare, small smile. "I'm fine," she replied calmly, then added, "Thanks, kid, for watching my back."

Ash grinned. "Well, since it's a little dangerous around here, I should tag along—to make sure you stay in one piece while you're looking for this person."

Lightning raised an eyebrow, giving him a look as if he'd suddenly sprouted a second head. But she surprised him by chuckling, then flicking his forehead lightly.

"Ow, hey!" Ash rubbed his forehead, shooting her a glare. "What was that for?"

Lightning scoffed at his reaction but replied, "Nothing. Just keep an eye on our rear while I take point," she instructed, moving ahead with a brisk pace.

Ash grumbled, but quickly fell in step beside her, ready for whatever lay ahead.

For a while, Ash and Lightning walked in an awkward silence until Ash finally cleared his throat, bringing up a topic that had been on his mind. "So… about that person you're searching for," he began, glancing at Lightning.

She sighed. Lightning wasn't the type to share her personal life with strangers, but after Ash had saved her, she decided he could be trusted. "Serah," she replied.

Ash blinked, unfamiliar with the name. "Who's Serah?"

"She's my younger sister," Lightning said, her tone softening slightly. "We were together not too long ago, but we got separated in this city. Hercules was supposed to help me look for her, but he got sidetracked with his hero duties," she groaned. "He reminds me of another idiot I know."

Ash raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the mention of this "idiot" but decided not to press it. "I'm sure you'll find your sister, Lightning," he said encouragingly.

"I hope so," she muttered, her gaze turning ahead.

Just as they continued, a dark portal suddenly appeared a few feet in front of them. From it stepped a familiar duo—Maleficent and Pete. Though Ash hadn't encountered them before, he sensed immediately that they were up to no good. He and Lightning instinctively readied their weapons, and Pete's gaze fell on Ash.

"Well, well, would ya look at that!" Pete sneered. "Another one of those Keyblade losers. You think he's one of Sora's light-bearin' pals, Maleficent?"

Maleficent eyed Ash's dual Keyblades with mild interest before scoffing. "If he is, it hardly matters," she replied, her voice dripping with disdain. "These Keyblade wielders pop up like weeds, and they're just as easy to dispose of."

Ash clenched his Keyblades, holding his ground. "Who are you?" he demanded.

Maleficent only laughed at his insistence, dismissing his question. Pete, however, looked at Maleficent, scratching his head. "Hey, maybe the kid knows about that black box. The clues we got from Hades led us on a wild goose chase!"

"Don't be foolish, Pete," Maleficent snapped, casting Ash a contemptuous look. "This little Keyblade brat wouldn't know a thing of value." With that, the pair turned back toward their portal. Maleficent paused, casting a dark glare over her shoulder. "Consider this a warning, boy—stay out of our way, or you'll regret it."

Ash narrowed his eyes, calling out with a defiant smirk. "What's wrong, afraid of a little challenge?"

Maleficent scoffed, stepping through the portal. Pete gave a mocking wave. "Later, losers!" he snickered before vanishing.

"Wait!" Ash called, sprinting forward, but the portal closed just before he reached it. He stood there, frustrated, replaying their conversation.

"Black box?" he muttered. "What's that, and why are they looking for it?"

Moments later...

After their intense confrontation with Pete and Maleficent, Ash and Lightning continued patrolling the city, focused on helping citizens still trapped under the rubble left by Hades' attack. They worked seamlessly to lift large chunks of debris, while Ash used his Keyblades to clear the way. Together, they rescued a group of elders, a few more kids, and a couple of families. After freeing one family, the young daughter ran up to Ash, eyes shining with gratitude. She stood on her tiptoes, giving him a quick peck on the cheek. "Thank you, mister!" she chirped before running back to her parents.

"Um, uh..." Ash's cheeks instantly flushed, and he stammered, scratching the back of his neck in surprise. Lightning caught his reaction out of the corner of her eye, flinching slightly in surprise herself. But she quickly shook her head, a small smirk forming on her lips.

"Guess you're getting popular here, kid," she remarked dryly, a hint of amusement in her tone.

Ash chuckled sheepishly, still feeling the warmth on his cheek. "I guess so," he replied, rubbing his neck.

"Hey, Ash!" called a familiar voice. Ash and Lightning perked up, glancing over to see Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Hercules rushing towards them.

"Hey, guys!" Ash greeted, relieved to see his friends.

"The city's mostly cleared of the mess Hades left behind," Hercules informed them, wiping a bit of sweat from his brow.

"That's good to hear," Ash nodded. "We were just finishing up over here."

Sora's gaze shifted to Lightning, noticing her scowl as she eyed the new arrivals. "Oh, hey, who's she?" he asked cheerfully.

Lightning's icy glare met his. Ash took the hint, stepping in quickly. "This is Lightning," he introduced.

"Lightning, huh?" Sora blinked, glancing between her and Ash with a mischievous grin. "I'm telling Aqua!"

Ash gave Sora a flat stare. "What? Why?"

Sora laughed, but Lightning's piercing gaze shifted to Hercules. "Hercules," she growled under her breath, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

"Lightning," Hercules acknowledged, keeping his tone respectful as he met her gaze, sensing her lingering frustration.

Goofy tilted his head, noticing the tension. "Gawrsh…you two know each other?"

"Let's just say I was promised some help, but Hercules here decided saving the day was more important than sticking around to help me find my sister," Lightning muttered, crossing her arms.

Hercules raised his hands defensively. "I'm really sorry, Lightning. I had to keep Hades from causing more trouble here."

"Hades sure likes stirring things up wherever he goes," Goofy observed with a sympathetic nod.

At the mention of Hades' name, an all-too-familiar sinister laugh filled the air. Hercules clenched his fists and shouted, "Hades, show yourself!"

"Missed me already, Wonder Boy?" Hades taunted, stepping into view on a nearby pillar. But he wasn't alone. Bound and gagged beside him was a young girl with pink hair and a familiar, tear-stained face. Her attire—a red plaid-pleated skirt, a white sleeveless shirt, and black thigh-high stockings—struck Lightning like a thunderbolt.

"Serah!" Lightning cried.

"Let her go, Hades!" Hercules demanded, anger flashing in his eyes.

Hades smirked, pretending to consider. "Hmm...what's the word I'm looking for, Wonder Boy? Oh, right. No."

"That's not fair, Hades!" Sora growled.

Hades let out a mocking laugh. "Fair? Newsflash, Key brat—I'm the Lord of the Dead. Fair isn't in my vocabulary." His gaze fell on Lightning, his smirk widening. "And as for you, Miss Pinky, try not to get too attached. After all…" His smirk twisted into something dark. "Catch her if you can!"

Without warning, Hades shoved Serah off the edge of the pillar.

"Serah!" Lightning screamed, reaching out as if she could somehow stop the fall.

"Hades, you monster!" Hercules growled, bolting forward in a desperate attempt to save her. But she was falling too fast.

Thinking quickly, Ash summoned Oathkeeper, throwing it into the air as it transformed into his glider. Leaping onto it, he took off at full speed, gliding towards Serah. The wind whipped past him as he urged the glider faster, closing the gap in seconds. Finally, just before she hit the ground, he caught her safely in his arms.

"I got you, Serah!" Ash reassured, holding her tightly as the glider swooped back up.

Below, the group cheered, and Lightning breathed a sigh of relief, whispering, "Thank you, Ash."

On the pillar, Hades' flames erupted in anger. "No! You meddling little brat! You ruined everything!"

Ash quickly undid Serah's bindings, carefully peeling the tape off her mouth. The moment she was free, Serah surprised him with a warm hug, nearly making him lose his grip on the glider's controls.

"Thank you, Ash," she whispered gratefully, holding him tight.

Ash blinked, feeling a blush creep up. "Uh... you're welcome," he replied, trying to focus on steering. "Hang on tight, okay?"

Meanwhile, below, Hades watched his initial plan crumble but smirked. "Alright, so Plan A's a bust," he muttered, then flicked his fingers. "Time for a little 'Plan B'—Heartless style." He gestured, summoning a new Heartless, one he didn't usually like using. "Come on out, Water Core," he sneered as the creature took form.

The Water Core was an eerie, dark, spherical Heartless with piercing yellow eyes and a sinister blue mouth. Aqua cracks shimmered across its body, leading to a small blue horn on its head, and it sported menacing claws and bat-like wings. Jagged spikes of water extended from its underside, dripping ominously.

Sora, Hercules, Donald, and Goofy squared up, watching the creature's unusual appearance with wary eyes.

Hades chuckled. "This one's a little enhanced thanks to yours truly. It's more powerful than the usual Heartless, so good luck, chumps!"

Hercules didn't wait, charging forward with a powerful punch aimed at the Heartless. But to his shock, his fist went right through the Water Core's watery form, leaving him off-balance. "What?!" Hercules stumbled, his face a mix of surprise and frustration.

Hades laughed, crossing his arms smugly. "Oh, that's rich! Nice try, Blunder Boy!"

The Water Core let out a guttural roar and raised its claws, summoning a column of water around Hercules. It hardened into a prison, submerging him, bubbles rising as he struggled for breath.

"Herc!" Sora rushed forward, wielding his Kingdom Keyblade. He swung at the water prison, but his blade sliced through it like empty air. He didn't have time to process it before the Water Core unleashed a barrage of homing water projectiles at him. Sora managed to deflect a few, but several hit him, sending him crashing back.

"Sora!" Donald and Goofy scrambled forward. "Fira!" Donald cast, launching a fireball, but the Water Core dodged with eerie grace, then swiped at Donald with a clawed arm.

Goofy jumped in front, shield raised. "Back off!" he shouted, blocking the attack. But the impact was powerful enough to knock both him and Donald off their feet.

Lightning clicked her tongue in frustration, drawing her Gunblade. "Let's see what this thing's got," she said, slashing at the Heartless in a blur of motion. Her attacks barely left a mark as the Water Core's form shifted around her strikes. With a frustrated huff, she leapt back, firing rounds from her Gunblade, but each bullet passed through harmlessly, leaving only ripples.

"Great…" she muttered, narrowing her eyes, realizing brute force might not be enough against this Heartless.

Watching his friends struggle against the Water Core below, Ash noticed how its watery body seemed impervious to their attacks. A sudden idea flickered in his mind. Somehow, he felt certain that he could perform a move that might temporarily stun the creature, leaving it vulnerable for a follow-up spell.

Ash glanced at Serah, her arms still wrapped around his shoulders from the earlier rescue. "Hey, Serah," he called over the rushing wind, "Do you trust me?"

Serah blinked, but she nodded. "I... guess so?"

He grinned. "Then hang on tight."

Before she could protest, Ash guided his glider downward, diving towards the Heartless. Serah clung to him, her grip tightening as they plummeted towards the towering creature. "Y-You're crazy! We're going to crash into it!" Ash ignored her cries and shut his eyes. Suddenly, his entire body began to glow, an intense light radiating from within him.

The Water Core noticed their descent and let out a guttural roar, swinging its massive clawed arms at the oncoming pair. Just as it struck, Ash's eyes snapped open, his pupils flashing red. In a fluid motion, he leaped from the glider as it dissolved back to its original form, and two Keyblades—Oathkeeper and Oblivion—flared into his hands, both emitting a brilliant light. With a sharp exhale, Ash crossed the Keyblades in front of him in an X formation, releasing a powerful energy blast. The X-shaped projectile rocketed downward, colliding with the Water Core in a blinding burst of light and sound. The ground beneath the Heartless trembled, cracking under the immense impact, as the blast ripped through the creature's watery form, slicing it apart.

Sora, Donald, Goofy, Lightning, and even Hades looked on in shock as the Heartless staggered back, roaring in pain as pieces of its form wavered, torn by the impact.

"What?!" Hades shouted, his face a mix of anger and disbelief. "That's impossible!"

Ash landed gracefully on the ground, Serah still clinging tightly around his shoulders, her face a mix of awe and shock. Without hesitation, he raised both Keyblades, their tips pointed towards the sky. "Thunder!" he yelled. A bolt of lightning shot down from the heavens, striking the Water Core with pinpoint accuracy. The Heartless convulsed, its body sparking and writhing in agony. "Fira!" Ash continued, launching twin fireballs from each blade. The fiery projectiles slammed into the Heartless, erupting in a massive explosion that shook the city of Thebes.

Bbbooooooooommmm

When the smoke finally cleared, the Water Core was reduced to a flickering shadow, letting out one last weakened roar before it dissolved into nothingness.

Ash lowered his Keyblades as he looked at the place where the Heartless had stood. Serah slowly released her grip, staring at him in stunned admiration.

"That… was incredible," she murmured, unable to hide her awe.

Ash chuckled, his usual grin back in place. "Guess that idea worked out after all."

The watery prison trapping Hercules finally dissipated, releasing him to the ground. Hercules collapsed to his knees, coughing up water as he took in desperate gulps of air.

"Herc!" Sora sprinted over as he knelt beside his friend. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice full of concern.

Hercules took a few more ragged breaths, then managed a raspy chuckle, giving Sora a reassuring thumbs-up. "I'm fine," he croaked, flashing a tired grin. "Nothing a hero can't handle."

Sora sighed in relief, patting Hercules on the back. "Good to hear, big guy."

Hades, watching from the pillar, scowled. "Ugh, heroes and their clichés. Don't get too comfy, kids—this isn't over!" With a snap of his fingers, he vanished in a burst of blue flames.

"Serah!" Lightning dashed over to her sister and immediately pulled her into a tight embrace, her usual stoic demeanor softening as she held her close. "I'm so glad you're safe," she murmured.

Serah giggled, returning the hug with a bright smile. "Claire, I'm fine. You worry too much," she replied playfully, making Lightning roll her eyes but smile all the same.

On the sidelines, the guys couldn't help but watch the heartfelt reunion, and Donald let out an appreciative quack. "Aww…" he cooed, touched by the sisterly bond.

Goofy scratched his head, glancing at the group. "Gawrsh, maybe we should give 'em a little space."

"Good idea," Sora nodded, stepping back. Hercule, still recovering from the battle, straightened up and looked around.

"Hades'll be back," he said firmly.

"And we'll be ready for him," Sora reassured.

Hercules nodded, glancing towards the city in the distance. "But we should make sure he didn't leave any more surprises for the people of Thebes."

"Right," Sora agreed.

With that, Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Hercules started off, leaving Ash to follow. He was about to join them when he heard a voice call out from behind.

"Hey, wait!" Serah called, waving to get his attention. Ash paused and turned, a bit surprised as the Farron sisters approached.

"You're Ash, right?" Serah asked with a warm smile. "Thank you again for everything."

Ash rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "It's no problem at all, Serah."

Serah chuckled, and before he knew it, she leaned forward and planted a quick peck on his cheek. Ash's cheeks immediately turned red, and he stiffened in surprise. Lightning, too, flinched, her eyebrow twitching as she watched the exchange.

Serah noticed their reactions and giggled. "Relax, Claire, I'm not going to steal him. I have Snow, remember?" she teased.

Lightning folded her arms with a slight huff. "I didn't ask."

Serah flashed her sister a playful grin before looking back at the blushing Ash. "That's a thank you," she said sweetly, "And also, just so you know, Claire is single."

"Serah!" Lightning growled, her face flushed as she shot her sister a glare.

Moments later...

Sora and the others noticed Ash, Serah, and Lightning catching up. Sora smirked, waving them over. "It's about time you showed up," he teased, but then paused, noticing Ash's flustered expression. "Hey, are you okay, Ash? You look a little—"

"I'm fine!" Ash cut in, his voice a bit louder than intended, which only made Serah giggle, while Lightning looked equally annoyed by her sister's antics.

Sora blinked, then shrugged and turned his attention to Serah and Lightning. "Guess what, Serah, Lightning," Hercules began, grinning as he approached them. "Sora, Donald, and Goofy agreed to take you both back to Radiant Garden."

"What, really?" Serah's face lit up as she looked at Sora, Donald, and Goofy, who all nodded in confirmation. "Thank you so much!" she squealed happily.

Ash gave her a baffled look. "Wait… Radiant Garden?"

Serah turned back to Ash with a sheepish smile. "Oh, that's right. Guess we never told you. Claire and I are originally from Radiant Garden."

"Really?" Ash said, surprised, as he looked between the sisters, who nodded in unison.

Sora, grinning slyly as he decided to add his own twist. "And you two won't believe this, but Ash here is also the prince of Radiant Garden."

Both Serah and Lightning's eyes widened in surprise, looking at Ash in awe. "What, really?!" Serah exclaimed.

Ash scratched his head, smiling awkwardly as he confirmed it. "Yeah, it's true… kind of a long story," he muttered.

Serah grinned and shot a mischievous look at her sister. "Well, Claire, now you have to go on a date with him."

"Serah!" Lightning hissed, her cheeks turning pink as she shot her sister an exasperated glare.

The Captial - The Empire's throne room

In the grand throne room of the Empire's Capital, a young boy with green, shoulder-length hair braided along the sides sat upon the imperial throne, his green eyes sharp but curious. He was the Emperor, though his youth was evident. Beside him stood his advisor and acting Prime Minister, a rotund, elderly man named Honest, whose steely gaze and smug smile rarely wavered. Both waited with anticipation for a special guest rumored to come from another world.

The tension in the room spiked when a royal guard stepped forward, bowing slightly as he addressed Honest. "Prime Minister, our guest has arrived."

Honest's smile widened slightly as he raised a hand. "Send them in," he ordered, voice carrying with authority and a hint of excitement.

The massive double doors at the far end of the throne room creaked open, revealing a mysterious figure cloaked in the signature black coat of the Organization. Each of the figure's slow, deliberate footsteps echoed through the chamber, sending an uneasy ripple through the guards who lined the grand hall. With every step forward, the figure's face remained hidden beneath a shadowed hood, masking their identity and intentions. The guards tightened their grips on their weapons, their eyes fixed on the stranger, poised to strike at the first sign of hostility. Finally, when the visitor was just paces from the Emperor, Honest raised a hand, bringing the figure's advance to a halt.

"All right, that's as far as you go," Honest barked. "State your name and purpose for requesting an audience with the young Emperor. And it better be a good reason, or else…"

The guards inched closer, their blades drawn and ready. A low, amused chuckle echoed from under the hood as the visitor slowly reached up, pulling it back to reveal a young man's face with piercing golden eyes and a smirk that seemed to challenge the room itself. Young Xehanort let out a dark chuckle. "My name… is Xehanort," he announced in a calm tone. "I've come to discuss a matter that may greatly interest the Emperor of this world."

The Prime Minister's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Xehanort's every move. "And what exactly does a stranger like you have to offer us?"

"Oh," Xehanort smirked, his gaze sharp and calculating as it moved from Honest to the young Emperor. "Knowledge, power, and… a blade that can unlock countless secrets within your world."

The young Emperor's curiosity flickered, though he masked it behind a neutral expression, looking up at Honest as if to gauge his advisor's reaction. Honest remained silent for a moment, his calculating gaze locked onto Xehanort, considering the proposition.

"Very well," Honest finally replied with a sly grin. "We'll hear what you have to say… for now."

First off, I hope you guys enjoy your Halloween :) And second, that's right I'm reusing another world from the original story. Even if the upcoming visit's just going to serve as a filler within the KH3 arc, you will get to see some Esdeath goodness. Also, originally, Olympus was supposed to be a two-parter visit but I was like the heck of it. If it didn't even serve a major role in KH3, why even bother with it and drag it out, right? And at least you got to see Lightning and Serah again who were also from the original story. Lightning is still my Final Fantasy crush because she's a bae w

Extra scene: Happy Halloween

Radiant Garden was abuzz with excitement for its first-ever Halloween festival, with citizens and even Moogles dressed up in an impressive array of costumes. Over at Merlin's house, the Restoration Committee had embraced the Halloween spirit, each donning a unique look.

Tifa struck a powerful pose, dressed as Chun-Li from Street Fighter. "Cloud, how do I look?" she asked, striking a playful pose.

Cloud, who was reluctantly dressed as Ryu, sighed, adjusting his headband. "You look... ready to punch something," he muttered, eyeing Tifa's enthusiasm.

Aerith, glowing as Cinderella, grinned at Cloud. "Come on, you're perfect for the role, Cloud. Ryu's just as serious as you are!"

Yuffie was practically bouncing around in her Naruto costume, shouting, "Believe it!" and throwing fake shuriken in every direction. Leon dodged one with a smirk, crossing his arms. "Remind me why I'm here as Leon Kennedy?"

"Because we forced you," Yuffie said with a cheeky grin, nudging him in the side. "Come on, you two are like twins!"

Lea, who was dressed as the Joker, cackled, "Leon Kennedy, Leonhart... it's almost poetic." He gave a wild grin and added, "You just need to practice your brooding!"

Across the room, Cid was shifting uncomfortably in an oversized baby costume, complete with a pacifier around his neck. His scowl deepened as he gnawed on his toothpick, shooting Yuffie a dark look. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, why don't ya?"

"It suits you, old-timer!" Yuffie teased, making a goofy face at him. The group chuckled as Cid grumbled under his breath, muttering something about "darn kids."

Riku, dressed as Vergil from Devil May Cry, smirked at Sora, who had gone the classic route as a pirate. "Typical, Sora," he said, crossing his arms. "Did you even think about a costume?"

Sora just grinned, adjusting his hat. "Hey, pirates never go out of style!"

Kairi giggled from behind Sora, dressed up as a zombie princess with realistic, creepy makeup that made her look surprisingly undead. "Besides, the classic look works on him."

Aqua, who had decided to channel Jeanne D'Arc from Fate/Grand Order, looked elegant and fierce, her costume complete with a mock armor piece and staff with a flag attached. "I think he looks like he's ready for adventure," she said, smiling.

Finally, Ventus entered the room, dressed as Shaggy from Scooby-Doo, a laid-back vibe radiating from his costume. "Like, Zoinks, guys, I'm here!" he said, doing his best Shaggy impression, which had everyone laughing.

But Sora soon noticed that someone was missing. "Wait… where's Ash?" he asked, looking around the room. The group glanced at one another before a shy squeak came from one of the rooms down the hall.

"Ash, are you hiding in there?" Aqua called.

"No way!" Ash's muffled voice replied. "This costume is way too embarrassing…"

"Oh, come on," Lea teased. "How bad could it really be?"

Inside the room, Ash groaned. He could practically feel the heat radiating from his flushed cheeks, all thanks to Cid's big mouth. Apparently, the girls had heard about something Ash wore on a past visit, and they'd been eagerly waiting to see it for themselves. He grumbled, blaming Cid under his breath.

Sora knocked lightly on the door. "It can't be that bad, right?"

Ash muttered a reluctant sigh, then finally stepped into the room. His costume was the white belly dancer outfit he'd worn during his visit to Gerudo Town with Link and Riju—a flowing, jeweled ensemble that left his arms and midriff exposed. His face was hidden behind a veil, thankfully concealing the deep blush that spread across his cheeks.

An awkward silence fell over the room as everyone took in the sight, eyes wide. Lea, Ven, and Sora exchanged glances, fighting back snickers, while Riku, Cloud, and Leon just stared in disbelief.

Cid smirked but quickly covered it with a cough. "Didn't think you'd actually wear it, kid," he muttered, dodging Ash's sharp glare.

Just as Lea opened his mouth to make a smart remark, the women in the group burst into excited squeals, rushing over to Ash with starry eyes.

"Oh my gosh, Ash, you look adorable!" Aerith gushed, clasping her hands together. "Why didn't you show us this sooner?"

Tifa nodded with a big grin. "You're even cuter than we imagined!"

"Absolutely charming!" Aqua chimed in, trying to stifle her laughter as she took a few pictures. "For… research purposes, of course."

Ash's blush deepened, practically glowing through his veil. He awkwardly scratched the back of his head, completely overwhelmed by the attention. "I… I think that's enough pictures," he mumbled, looking around for an escape.

But the women just cooed more, making Ash silently vow to kill Cid for this.