CWW- Chapter 2
Last chapter i've got of this one.
Tried to get a Command Style in there, I hope it worked.
Also, OHMYGOD I am SO PROUD of Gen. He just ended up fitting in here SO WELL. Expect much quoting of the Odyssey.
Oh, note: the 'oddly-shaped helmet' is the one in Crisis Core that the Genesis copies wear.
Oddly enough, the games started with little fanfare. Even Phil, who joined the Nobodies in the stands with a young woman named Meg, noted how strange the lack of much of an audience was.
“Yeah, usually there’s hordes of people turning out to see Wonder-Boy punch some monster or other a few times.” Meg added with a chuckle.
Zexion wondered to himself if it had anything to do with the man in red, but said nothing.
After a while, the more boring matches were over, and it was down to Terra and Xigbar- of course, Xaldin noted.
“Where’s Hercules?” Vexen asked.
“Wonder-boy’s in the other block. Whoever wins here’s going to take him on.” Meg replied.
“So he’s won?”
“Not yet, but it’s pretty near a sure thing with him.”
Lexaeus cut them off. “The fight’s starting, you two.”
Terra and Xigbar exchanged a few words, most likely taunts, and then the fight began. While it was quite something to watch, it was obvious from the beginning who would be the victor.
In no time, Xigbar joined them in the stands, grumbling to himself about losing twice to the same kid.
Xaldin laughed and patted him on the back. “Too bad, Xigbar. He’s just better than you.”
“Shut up, asshole.”
Footsteps made them look up.
“Hercules?!”
The demigod smiled sheepishly. “Hey, guys.”
“You- did you- You LOST???” Phil exclaimed, shocked.
“Well, it was a close one, but yeah. There was something weird about that guy, though. Something…familiar. Can’t figure it out, though.”
“Ah, just your imagination, champ. Let’s see how Terra handles it.”
Terra glanced up at them then, and his eyes widened upon spotting Hercules. Hercules waved at him, and Terra gave a slight one in return before turning to face his opponent.
The young man entered the arena from the opposite side, walking slowly and purposefully. He was dressed in all black, and wore an oddly-shaped helmet. A huge sword was strapped to his back, and the ease with which he walked carrying it spoke of his skill.
Terra frowned. He feels familiar somehow. Huh…I wonder why.
He readied his Keyblade and slipped back into his battle stance. Fluidly, the helmeted challenger drew his sword, and blades clashed, throwing sparks like lightning.
As the two fought, Terra began to sense increasing familiarity with the other man’s fighting style. He knew this man.
Frowning, he let himself skid backwards and, with the man’s guard down, cast a Quake spell under his opponent’s feet. He lost his balance, sending him flying a few feet, and his helmet flew off his face and clanged against the back wall.
As the man righted himself, Terra could only stand in shock.
There was Zack- older, and with a new scar on his left cheek, but still recognizable. Though…his eyes were most definitely now normal. They were blank, and dull, and showed no emotion or recognition.
“Zack?!”
In the stands, Hercules stood to get a better look. “That’s Zack, all right. But there’s…something wrong with his eyes. It can’t be Hades again- he’d want to just beat me, not win the whole thing. But who else…?”
Vexen cut in. “Who else is there besides Hades?”
Zexion spoke over Hercules’s list. “A man in red. I saw them together.”
Phil frowned. “Don’t know anyone like that. Coulda been Ares, but that guy never does his own dirty work.”
Meanwhile, the fight had begun again. Zack’s attacks were twice as fierce now that he had his helmet off, and Terra was having trouble getting an attack in edgewise.
Jumping back, he held a hand out, focusing his energy. He felt the magic flow into his Keyblade, sheathing it in flames. Thankful it worked, he leapt back into the battle with renewed vigor.
Zack, in the meantime, had his own ace. Spinning his sword one-handed, it began to glow an angry red. Terra paused a moment, caught off guard. It was blue when we fought last time…
That moment was all Zack needed. Raising his sword high above his head, he slammed it into the ground, sending a blue shockwave racing towards Terra. He raised his Keyblade to block it, but was sent crashing into the arena wall behind him with the force of the strike.
Groaning, he picked himself up, only to find Zack rushing towards him again, blade once more wrapped in red.
Holding the massive sword before him, Zack blurred and vanished. With a sudden burst of speed, he struck Terra repeatedly, sending him to his knees.
Before Zack could strike the final blow, he stopped. Terra looked up at him in surprise, and saw he was shaking his head as if trying to get something out of it.
“Zack, fight it. Whoever it is, fight him. Break free.”
A new voice, arrogant and refined, joined them in the arena.
“And so, you assume it’s that simple, sir Keybearer. Once harm has been done, even a fool understands it, as they say.”
A man, dressed in a cloak as red as his hair, stepped out of the shadows of the entryway. He chuckled at the shouts of confusion, and held up an apple, as pale gold as the sun.
“Dear Zack, do behave yourself. My goddess Eris sends you her love.”
Zack, his eyes clearing, turned from Terra to face the newcomer.
“Genesis…! You bastard!”
He laughed. “Oh, how unfortunate. Zack, it seems I must teach you your manners again, my dear little puppy.”
Zack hefted his sword. “Teach me manners, will you?! You’re the one who controlled me! I’m gonna kick your ass and make you tell me why!”
Genesis laughed, and assumed a fighting stance. “Well then, Zack. Stand clear, put up your sword; let me but taste of blood. I shall speak true.”