Mariya slept while on the gummi ship. And when they arrived at Radiant Garden it was early morning. Mariya wakes when they land and gets out of the Gummi Ship and sighs as she looks around the Postern. She laughs when she see's Merlin. "You knew I wanted to talk to you."

Merlin nods. "Shall we?" Mariya asks. She talks with Merlin as she goes into the castle.

Bleach exits the ship, stretching a bit as he walks away. He needed time to himself right now, and where else would be a suitable place than the town? Sure, it's not exactly under-populated, but even so, no one would probably bother him too much.

Axel yawns and walks to Sora's office to turn in his report that he finished a few minutes before they landed. he knocks on the door "Sora?"

"Come in Axel." Sora says. He was looking threw some papers, and he turns to his computer when something beeps. "Got Mariya's report."

---

Mariya shuts her phone after the 'Message Sent' appears on the screen.

"They'll meet you in town Mariya." Merlin says before walking away.

Mariya goes into her room and chnages into a blue dress. She then starts twords town.

Axel pulls out his phone and sends his report "almost forgot that, but can we talk?"

Sora closes the folder. "Of course, shut the door and take a seat."

---

When Mariya enters town and a few kids greet her. Jack and Sally, who arrived moments ago, bow slightly. They then go into a store.

Axel closes the door and sits down" I saw my parents while we were away. but i left that out of the report"

Sora looks shocked. "I see, anything else you left out?" He asks.

---

Mariya hugs Sally and Jack. "Thanks Sally for making my dress."

"Not a problem, Mariya, it's the least I can do for you helping with Halloween, will you be attending this year?"

"I'll see. I might go down to the school this year." Mariya said.

"Alright, thanks again, Princess." Jack says.

Mariya waves good-bye and heads twords the bailey. She stops when her phone dings, she ignores it. She just keeps heading back to the castle.

Axel nods "they gave me a letter for a guy named Dante"

"I've heard that name before, can't remember where, though." Sora says.

---

Mariya stops at the Postern, seeing a man and a woman wearing cloaks. They seem to be trying to find a way into the castle. "Can I help you?" Mariya asks, preparing to send a text to Tron.

The man turns quickly and his hood falls back,  to reveal Darren. Mariya gasps, and prepares to run, but the other cloaked figure puts down her hood. "Please wait...he has changed, Mariya."

"Oh I see, really, and I'm sapposed to believe that?" Mariya asks.

"Mariya I have changed, please listen." Darren said.

"Oh so you can force me to marry you again?" Mariya asked, peeved. Mariya, secretly sends a text message to Bleach.

"I declare peace, then." Darren said.

Bleach stops, the phone in his cloak vibrating as he takes it out and sees the text. He grimaces, then secretly makes his way onto a nearby building top. He walks along the rooftops, staying low as approaches.

Axel looks at him "they said that only he can open it, and that he'll be visiting soon"

Sora chuckles. "Oh one of those. Merlin out did himself with those seals. Might as well sit tight, Axel, they didn't say how soon, so it might be a week until he gets here. I wouldn't know." Sora says. He glances at his computer. He turns his mike on. "Tron, what's going on at the Postern."

"I'm not sure Sora, but Mariya's down there. I'm accessing security camera's now." Tron says.

A moment later Sora's eyes widen. He mutters something. "Get ready to fight Axel, seems Darren hasn't given up yet." He says, before running out of his office, taking the quickest way out of the castle.

---

Mariya rubs her head. "I can pretend I never heard that and can simply walk away. Based on your past crimes you have no right to declare peace."

"You'd really risk war just because I forced you to marry me while I was succumbed to darkness?" Darren ask.

"You also kidnapped me, broke five of my ribs and cracked a sixth one, and attacked two royal knights without cause. I believe that is sufficient." Mariya says, hoping Bleach would arrive soon.

"Is there a problem here?" A grey-haired man in a red coat asks as he enters the Postern. He stands infront of Mariya, despite his hair color, he seems quite young. He was holding a guitar case.

Darren glances at the man. "This is no concern of yours." he said.

"Actually, I can't just sit by why you harass a lady." The man says. he sets his guitar case down gently and draws two guns, one black, one silver. "I suggest you step away."

Bleach takes that moment to make his appearance, leaping from the rooftop and landing next to Mariya. "Something wrong, Mariya?"

Axel jumps out of the window and takes off running through the gate to the postern. Skidding to a stop he looks at Darren and shakes his head "Didn't I already beat you once?". Slowly he walks next Mariya and draws his sword "Stay out of this fight please Mariya"

"Wasn't going to get involved." Mariya says.

Soon Sora appears and glares at Darren.

"He's declared peace, Dad." Mairya says.

Sora holds his head. "Follow me Darren." He says with a sigh.

Darren nods and takes the woman's hand and they both follow Sora.

Mariya looks at the man wearing the red coat as he puts his guns away. "Thanks for the help anyway."

The man shrugs before picking up his guitar case. "So what's with this 'declairing peace' thing?" He asks.
 
"Well, if a villian declairs peace, we have to listen to their negotiations. They cannot be threatened, harmed or arrested, unless they harm or threaten a residient of any world."

The man seems in thought for a moment.

"Well Bleach? Is Darren lying about 'changing'?" Mairya asks.

The man goes to leave but glances at Axel. He takes a picture out of his jacket and smiles before putting the picture away. "You must be Axel." He says. "Name's Dante."

Bleach watches as Darren leaves, and when Mariya asks him, he remains silent for a moment. "...His soul is a bit complex. From what I could see, it was pretty straight before it became incredibly twisted. Even now, it is so badly bent out of shape that I could almost not recognize that it was a soul. And yet, there is evidence that this twisted soul is recovering, returning to its former state. Whatever evil caused his soul to deform is indeed gone. As far as I can tell, he is telling the truth."

Axel nods and holds out the letter "My parents told me to give you this, only you can open it though" he looks to see if Mariya heard him

Dante takes the letter and opens it, and the seal disapears. Dante reads the letter.

Mairya sighs. "Here I was hoping we could just throw him in jail." She mutters before going to Axel. "You know him?"

"Nope, I knew his parents, and his Dad's still annoying." Dante says, putting the letter in his pocket. "We can start yoour training later, right now I'm starved."

"Hm......Bleach, what about him?" Mariya asks, pointing to Dante.

She snaps her fingers as if remembering something. She tosses him Mario's Knight symbol.

Bleach is silent as he analyzes Dante. "Hm...he's harder to read, but as far as I can tell, I can't see anything wrong with his soul." He then catches the symbol. "And what's this?"

Axel nods and looks at Bleach "Mario's old knight symbol" he looks back at Dante "well come on and I'll see if we can get something to eat at the castle"

"You've earned it, and technicly speaking rightfully yours." Mariya says to Bleach. She heads to the Corridor door. "Follow me."

Dante nods, and follows Mariya into the Castle. Once at the kitchen Allissa comes out, a smile on her face. "What can I get you?" She asks.

"A pizza, a soda, and a strawberry sundae." Dante says, as he relaxes in a chair.

Bleach is silent as he looks at the symbol, silent before pocketing it. He then walks after Mariya, lowering his hood for once as if he felt he could really lower it.

Axel walks in to the kitchen after every one and goes to the fridge and grabs some sodas "well I think I'll make a sandwich." He hands Dante a soda "hey Allissa mind if I ask you a question?"

"Not at all, unless it's about papa's secret recipies." Allissa says.

Mariya makes a sandwich and sits down near Dante. Dante glances over and see's Mariya's ring. He whistles. "Wow, congradulations."

Mariya smiles. "Thanks."

"When's the wedding?" Dante asks. A servant girl comes in with Dante's pizza, setting it down. She then walks away.

"In less than a month." Mariya says.

Bleach sets down shortly afterwards, crossing his arms and staring off into space as if he was in deep thought. Knowing him, he most likely was, and most possibly on the topic of Mario's Heartless.

Axel makes a sandwich "how do you know when people walk into the kitchen...I mean even when your no where close you know, it's kinda odd"

Allissa laughs. "Sixth sence I sappose. Besides me and Papa's rooms are near the kitchen, so we can be hear early in the morining to serve breakfast."

Allissa makes a strawberry sundae and takes it to Dante. "Enjoy."

"Thanks." Dante says, finishing his pizza, he starts to eat the sundae.

Mariya takes a sips from her soda.

Bleach remains silent, seeming as solid as stone as he sits there. After about two minutes, he sighs and stands up. "Excuse me for a moment." He then leaves the room, walking toward the Postern.

Axel laughs at Allissa's comment "so uh Dante, whats this training you talked about after reading the letter from my parents"

"Would you excuse us Miss. Allissa?" Dante asks.

Allissa nods and walks out, leaving Axel, Mariya and Dante alone.

"Your dad asked me to train you to control your demon powers. Since he and your mom passed, and I give my depest condolences, I'm the only one who can train you. After all, I'm a half demon." Dante says. He opens his guitar case and takes out Rebellion. "I think I can teach you in less than a month." He glances at Mariya. "Know anyplace good to train?"
 
Mariya nods. "You can go down to the sparring grounds, they should be empty since the accademy's classes are in session."

A knight walks in. "Princess, Dr. Matera wants to see you."

"The vet? Is Sasha okay?" Mariya asks, a little worried.

The Knight shrugs. "She just told me to get you."

Mariya nods. "Axel knows the way to the sparring grounds. I'll come by after I talk to Dr. Matera." Mariya says before leaving.

Axel nods and smirks "this way" he walks out of the kitchen towards the sparring grounds "this is it"

Dante nods. "I'll try not to destroy anything. Lets get started."

Time laps: Day of the wedding Riana(who is still not answering me) hugged Mariya before she posed in her brides maid dress.

"Oh you look so pretty! My baby is growing up." Kairi said.

"Mom." Mariya whined. "Your gonna ruin my dress."

Kairi sighed, and gets Mariya's tiara and puts it on her. "Don't worry about Sasha, we'll be sure she's well taken care of."

Mariya smiled, reminded that her chocobo was pregnant. "Thanks mom." Kairi nods, her crown already on, and smoothing out her green dress. "Sally did an exceptional job with your dress."

"It fits well." Mariya says, spinning.

"Okay enough chit-chat." Sarah says. "Time for traditon."

Kari smiles, and pulls out a necklace. "Something old....and blue too." She says before putting the necklace on Mariya.

"Something new." Riana says, slipping a bracelet on Mariya's wrist.

"And something borrowed." Sarah said before handing Mariya a pair of earings.

Mariya goes to her vanity and puts the earings in. She takes her tiara off and lets Riana put her hair into a bun, leaving two strands to cup her face. Riana then put the tiara back on.

---

Sora adjusts his crown before knocking on Axel's door. Sora breathed deep, feeling his tux was a bit tight.

"come in" Axel says finishing up with his tie. turning he smirks "need to lose some weight?" he says jokingly

Sora laughs. "I think so." He laughs. He takes a royal symbol out of his pocket. "Merlin made it this morning. Welcome to the family."

A second later the Royal symbol appears on Axel's knight necklace, and the Knight symbol disapears, going to Sora's hand. "So was one day without Mariya torture?" Sora asks, refering to yesterday when Riana and Kairi took Mariya to Destiny Island for the day.

---

"Common, Riana, Sarah, lets go." Kairi says.

They nod and all leave the room,  going to the small ballroom. Kairi goes in and welcomes the few who could make it.

---

Mariya shuts her suitcase. "All packed." She says with a relieved sigh. She looked outside to the garden.  A few birds flew around, chirping happily.

Axel shakes his head " nah i was busy all day" he sighs thinking about the day  before "i spent half the day try to tie my tie the right way and the other half trying to calm myself down"

Sora chuckles. he glances at his watch. "You better get to the small ballroom." He says, heading out. He heads to Mariya's room.

Mariya left her balcony and went to the door after someone knocks. "Oh hey Dante."

"Wow......looking good." Dante says.

"Thanks." Mariya said, smiling.

"Came to say good-bye, my work here is done." Dante says. He hands Mariya his busness card. "Ever need me again give me a call."

"Your not sticking around for the wedding?" Mariya asks.

"Sorry, gotta get home."  Dante says, before heading to the Gummi Ship bay.

Sora comes then and smiles. "Look-"

"Don't even start, mom already crushed my spine." Mariya jokes.

Sora laughs and hugs her. He walks into her room, shutting her door. "Your not going anywhere until I get my dance."

Mariya laughed a bit. "Fine." She says, and goes to her small stereo, and puts a classical CD in, and plays Claire De Lune. Sora brings her over and starts dancing with her.

Axel nods and heads for the ballroom wondering what Mariya will look like in this dress having only seen her in a dress twice before

Sora sighs when the song ends. "Alright then, lets get going."

Mariya nods and puts her arm around Sora's and they begin yo go to the small ballroom as well.

---

Riana is outside the small ballroom, tossing her small bouquet of red roses. She smiles when she see's Axel. "Hey, they're all waiting."

Sarah was inside already, smiling. Riana and Mariya look so beautiful.

Axel nods "you look nice" he says before walking inside the ballroom. Once inside he looks around at everybody before walking to the front to take his place

Darren sat beside Cassandra [the woman he came with], smiling at her. She smiled back and kissed him, unaware that Axel entered. Belle, Evan, and David all sat together, Belle smiled at Axel, but seemed to be nervous at Darren's presence. Sarah smiled at Axel to, thinking of his face when he saw Mariya.

---

Mariya and Sora arrive at the ballroom's doors and Riana hands Mariya a bouquet of red and white roses. She then fixes the hem of Mariya's train. "Perfection."

"Didn't expect anything less, Riana." Mariya joked.

Moments later Riana enters the small ballroom, slipping threw the door quickly. 'Cannon in D' starts to play and Riana begins her decent down the asile. She smiles at everyone, and takes her place beside the alter. The doors open and everyone stands to look at Mariya, besides Riana, who keeps her eyes on Axel to see his reaction.

Sora smiles, as does Mariya, who makes sure she doesn't trip over her dress [front, back] as Sora walks her down the asile.

Axel smiles when Mariya walks inside and looks at Darren nervously for a second

Darren still has his eyes on Cassandra. He whispers something to her before he kisses her again. She giggles and looks down at the ring Darren gave her. Sora and Mariya reach the alter then.

The preist clears his throat. "Who gives this woman to be wed?" He asks.

"I and her mother do." Sora says before hugging Mariya. He then puts one of her hands in Axel's. He then sits by Kairi, holding her hand, remebering their wedding.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here....

One hour later

"Do you Axel take Mariya to be your wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward as long as you both shall live?" The Priest asks.

Axel nods " I do" he smiles

"Do you Mariya take Axel to be your husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward as long as you both shall live?" The Priest asks.

"I do." Mariya says, her smile widening.

"If anyone here has any reason these two should not be wed, speak now of forever hold your peace." The Priest says.

Mariya looked at Darren in her periferal vision, but he continued to sit, unmoving. She breathed out, relieved.

Axel smiled knowing the best part of standing for an hour was about to happen

"Yeah, I have a few."

Standing on a wall of the ballroom, looking down over all the guests and the two to-be-weds with yellow, unblinking eyes, is Mario's Heartless, and if he had a mouth, he would be smiling. "Her heart is not hers to give away, because it's already mine!" At that moment, several dozen Heartless swarm the pavillion as hundreds more begin to infiltrate the town.

Sora immediatly summons his keyblade and stands infront of Mariya.

"Kairi get Mariya out of here." Sora says.

Kairi nods and takes Mariya out of the ballroom.

"You'll have to get threw us." Sora says, attacking Mario's heartless.

Axel looks at Sora "I'll go with them, the could be more in the castle"

Mario's Heartless quickly blocks Sora's attack with his Shadow Blades. "Your kingdom will fall, Sora."

Heartless then appear inside the castle, going after Mariya and Kairi.

"Go Axel we can handle it here." Darren says, attacking Mario from behind with his sword.

"We'll see about that." Sora says, attacking agian.

Kairi and Mariya keep running, going down to the accademy. Knights notice all the heartless and begin to attack them.

Axel rushes through all the fighting swinging his sword to clear his way of heartless before catching up to Kairi and Mariya "I believe your knight in shining armour has arrived" he says with a smile

Mario quickly blocks both Sora and Darren's attacks, quickly breaking away so he isn't pincered. Immediately, he forms several dark orbs in his hand and fires them at the two.

Sora manages to dodge but Darren is hit. He grimances. He then smirks a little. "Cassandra please get to safety." Darren says.

Cassandra nods and leaves the ballroom.

---

Mairya hugs Axel.

"Keep her safe, I'm going to help Sora." Kairi says, before running off.

Mariya watches the knights fight off the heartless, so none get near her or Axel.

"Your Majesties!" A knight shouts. "Behind you!" Mariya turns and gasps seeing a few Neoshadow's leaping at her and Axel.

Suddenly rapid gunfire sounds and the Neoshadows are destoryed.

"Sheesh, no wonder I have such a headache." Dante says, putting his guns away and drawing rebellion.

Axel smirks and nods at Dante "was wonderin' when you'd show up" he points his sword at a group of Neoshadows "my turn" he sent a blast of demonic energy at them taking out half the group and knocking the rest of them away

Mario continues to fire dark orbs before switching to a different tactic, snapping his fingers to cause a Dark Thundra to crash down around him before shifting toward Sora and Darren.

Sora and Darren barely manage to dodge the attacks, just then Kairi enters and attacks Mario. Some Knight enter and join in the battle as well.

---

Mariya summons DragonHeart and swings it a large group of Neoshadow's, destroying them. "I thought you were leaving." She says to Dante.

"Change in plans." Dante says, destroying the remaining Neoshadow's. "This seemed more fun then going home. Common, lets get you somewhere safe."

Mariya nods, and follows Dante to the Garden.

Axel walks out last making sure they were not being followed

Mario quickly blocks all attacks, using each Shadow Blade to cover two of four sides. "Four against one?" he asks, seeming to smirk. "I know I'm evil, but this is pretty unchivalrious for knights. I suppose I'll even the odds then." In a flash, he leaps into the air, Wyvern wings sprouting from his back like in Alagaesia as he radiates with a dark power. "Now we fight." He swoops in, both Shadow Blades at the ready as he fires several Dark Firas at Kairi and Darren while he targets with his Shadow Blades Sora and the knight.

Sora knocks the attack on him away but takes Kairi's. He grinances. Kairi glares at Mario. "The Knights are doing their duty." She asay before attacking again.

Sora looks slightly hurt, but yet he attacks Mario without hesitation. Darren leads some people out of the Ballroom, nodding to Sora as he goes to help outside the ballroom.

---

Mariya sits on a bench next to a bush of roses.

"What a headache." Dante says, sitting on another bench.

"Tell me about it." Mariya mumbles.

---

"Kairi go find Bleach, now." Sora said, blocking Mario from attacking her.

Kairi nods.

Axel looks at Mariya "and we didn't even get our kiss" he smirks

Mario laughs as he blocks every attack. "If you think he will make a difference, you've already lost." He then uses not only his Shadow Blades but also his wings as forms of attack, occasionally casting a bit of Dark Fira or Dark Thundra to keep them on their toes.

Kairi nods and runs out of the room, and starts searching for Bleach. "I just wanted her out of here. But I have a question: Why are you attacking me when Mairya is the one your really after? After all her heart is a better prize for a heartless than mine."

---

Mariya goes to Axel and puts her arms around him. "I know, we could have been in Palm Beach by now relaxing on the beach." She says.

"What's so special about Palm Beach?" Dante asks.

"Its a vacation world where no Heartless ever appear, Merlin is even unsure why." Mariya says. She then smirks, looking at Axel. "We could make Dante go get the Priest so we can have our kiss."

Dante glares at Mariya. But before he can object the Priest enters, threw some hidden door. "There will be no need to fetch me...I fled when I saw the heartless, for I don't know how to defend myself from them. There is a secret corridor in the ballroom and in lots of other places that your father discovered, all lead to places where no heartless can gather."

"Oh, those....those are sapposed to be used for emergencies, nothing else." Mariya says. "By the way Dante, I forgot to ask....if your a half demon yourself, why do you hunt other demons for a living?"

"Not all Demons are like me and Axel, Princess, some come to the 'Overworld' with dark intentions." Dante says, his face neutral.

"I see." Mariya says.

Axel nods "like how Mario used to be and how Bleach is now" he cracks his neck " think you could teach me how to use those someday" he points to ebony and ivory

Mario seems to smirk. "Yes, she is my target, but that doesn't mean I'm going to get my hands dirty."

Suddenly, Heartless swarm into the room in which Mariya is in, consisting of many Neoshadows, Wyverns, Defenders, and Fat Bandits. They immediately move to try and capture Mariya.

"Go Mariya!" Dante says, shooting at the heartless, blocking her from the Heartless. The Priest grabs Mariya's arm and pulls her into one of the secret passageways. Her dress tears as a Neoshadow tries to snatch her. Dante blocks the doorway.

---

Sora gets serious now, and strikes at Mario with all his best shots. "You lowlife." He snaps.

---

Kairi continues her search, fighting Heartless on the way.

Axel draws his sword and starts hacking at the heartless trying to clear a way for the priest and Mariya to escape"these guys have horrible timing"

"Perhaps, but you forget, Sora, I'm a heartless." Mario states, getting hit by a few attacks.

Sora huffs, and keeps attacking.

---

Mariya pants, stopping to breathe in the corridor.

The priest fans himself with his hand. "Are you harmed, Princess?" The Priest asks.

"No, but my dress got torn though." Mariya says, sighing.

---

"Yea." Dante says, shooting at the heartless. Suddenly, his demon form appears in a flash. "Go and get that kiss and get out of here, we can handle things here."

Axel laughs "like I could do that Mariya'd kill me if I left you guys here"

Mario slides back, and attacks Sora with a strong swing of his keyblade, which Sora is barely able to block. Common Kairi, hurry. Sora thinks.

---

"I think she'd understand." Dante growls.

Axel nods "if you say so"he turns and runs into the corridor after Mariya

The battle rages on in the ballroom. Neither side seeimng to be turning to victory.

---

The Priest stand s before Mariya when he hears footsteps. "Prepare yourself, Princess."

Mariya stands straight and gets ready to run, but looks relieved when she see's its only Axel.

Axel smiles "I dont see why a little apocalyptic battle has to stop us from getting married"

"Good point." Mariya says. "Not even a torn dress. Its a pity, though, Sally worked so hard on it."

The Priest clears his throat. "Where was I?"

"After the 'I do's'." Mariya says.

"Ah yes, I now pernounce you husband and wife, you may kiss your bride." The Priest says, smiling.

Axel smiles and kiss Mariya deeply

Mariya closes her eyes, and wraps her arms around Axel. At last. She thinks, smiling during the kiss.

Axel breaks away and smiles "now I think our honeymoon is in order" he draws his sword "after we clean things up here"

"If I may, I sujest you leave Radiant Garden, no offence, but it is you they are after, Princess, you going back and fighting is not a good idea." The Priest says. "I beleieve just ahead on the right a corridor appears and should take you to the Gummi Bay."

Mariya sighs. "He has a point, and I'm not used to fighting in a dress." She then gets out her phone and texts Sora.

---

Sora knocks Mario back and pulls out his phone, and blocks Mario's attack as he reads the message, and texts back. 'GO!' before hitting send.

---

After a moment a chime rings from Mariya's phone. "Dad agrees with the priest. We'll be safe on Palm Beach."

"Comel, I'll lead you to the Gummi Bay." The priest says.

"I don't want to go either, but they can handle this. There's more Knights here then anywhere else in the universe. They can handle this." Mariya says to Axel, holding his hand.

Axel looks at her".......ok lets go" he starts to walk

Mariya follows him and waves to Chip and Dale. "Your things are all packed Princess, Riku got them here before the chaos."

"Huh, so that's where he was...."Mariya says before getting in the Gummi ship, nearly tripping on her dress. Once Axel was in, Mariya takes off.

{Mariya to Palm Beach}

Axel laughs slightly seeing her in a dress

{Axel to Palm Beach}

Sora smirks, hearing the enigines of a gummi ship. "Seems your prize is gone." Sora says, attacking again.

Mario listens as well as he hears the Gummi ship fade away, but then he seems to smile. “You’re mistaken; she wasn’t my true target.”

Suddenly, a wall of darkness shoots up around the courtyard in which they stand, and when the curtain parts, four Darksides are standing in a circle around them.

“What a crowning achievement it would be to claim the heart of the king of Radiant Garden,” Mario says with a smirk. “Or perhaps it’s ex-king now? No matter; it is still a golden prize. Now, let’s dance, shall we?”

Before he can make a move, however, Mario is forced to quickly dodge as one of the Darksides takes a sudden fall, its spot filled by a pair of Twilight Thorns that, until recently, had not been there before.

Simultaneously, Nobodies begin to appear throughout the castle, fighting back against the Heartless masses and assisting the knights. Mario’s Heartless feels these disturbances, and he comes to an immediate breakthrough. “Well, Bleach has joined the party, has he? Humph! I’d like to see him try to stop me this time, though.”

“As you wish.” In the blink of an eye, Bleach appears from behind Mario, thrusting a clenched fist into the back of the Heartless.

Mario lets out a terrible scream as he staggers forward, electricity crackling through his body as his form shifts constantly between the Wyvern, the Neoshadow, and the Shadow. “What…what did you do to me?!”

Bleach smirks, lowering his hood. “Your knight necklace. Hurts more when it’s crammed in your back, doesn’t it?”

Mario grimaces, the electricity dying down as his form stabilizes in the Shadow stage, and as the Darksides begin to fall to the Twilight Thorns, he reduces himself to a shadow on the ground and quickly disappears into darkness.

Heartless begin to stream into the courtyard, but with a swipe of his hand, Bleach summons some Sorcerers that immediately defend them with magic cubes. “Sorry I’m late,” Bleach states. “The Nobodies I sent on recon never returned, so I had to look into it myself to find out what Mario was up to. Didn’t find out, though, until he after began the assault.”

"Just go, we've got it handled here." Sora says, attacking a heartless.

Bleach nods and disappears into one of his corridors of darkness.

Mario regains his form outside of Radiant Garden just outside in the outskirts, in a small arena-like area where, years before, Sora had fought Demyx. "Son of a submariner! I'll get that sly Nobody! Once I get this necklace removed from my back, I'll jam it down his throat."

"You won't get that chance."

Mario pauses, turning to see Bleach standing there, having just exited a corridor of darkness. "So...you're here to stop me for good, I presume? Fat chance. I'll finish you off here and now and conquer this world for the darkness!"

"You're done enough, Mario," Bleach states. "Today, I will end this, and the two will again become one."

Mario laughs in response. "Draw your blades."

Both immediately draw their Keyblades, and with a storm brewing overhead and the invasion going on in the background, they clash.

The fight continues up in the ballroom, The nobodies and knights seeming to be winning.

Bleach and Mario continue to clash, taking to the air as their duel continues.

Suddenly, Mario lands a hard blow on Bleach, causing him to flinch before he is knocked down into the ground and disarmed.

Bleach coughs as he clutches the spot, having been struck in old wounds that had not healed fully. When he recovers his senses, he sees that Mario is holding a Shadow Blade to his throat.

"Good bye, Nobody," Mario states as he pulls back to make the final blow. Suddenly, he stops. His eyes are wide as he slowly glances down to a Nobody tendril that had pierced his chest and, from what he could feel inside him, clutching the necklace.

"Good bye, Heartless," Bleach states before the tendril squeezes.

Instantly, the shock spreads through both their bodies, and as Bleach tries to bear the pain, Mario screams uncontrollably, and after a full ten seconds, his form begins to destabilize further. With one last, angry shrill, he explodes in a cloud of darkness, the storms overhead parting immediately and the twilight shining through.

Heartless all over Radiant Garden immediately become disarrayed, looking like they had lost their heads as they immediately begin to flee for the comfort of the darkness. The Nobodies, their jobs done, leave through their corridors of darkness.

Back where Bleach and Mario fought, Bleach is on the ground, badly charred and barely alive. In front of him, Mario's heart floats, ready to be taken.

Sora sighs and see's Kariri enter. He kisses her gently. "Stay." He says before heading to the Bailey.

Bleach groans as he slowly rises, looking up at the heart. "...Finally...it's all over..." he mutters before slowly attempting to stand. After standing, he stumbles toward the heart, his body beginning to break up.

Sora opens the door in the wall and looks around.

Bleach hears the door open and looks back. "Oh, Sora, it's you. Something wrong?" he asks, his body breaking up a bit faster.

"Besides you nbreaking up, no. I was hoping to arrest Mario...but it seems I can't...." Sora says.

Bleach is silent before nodding. "Just know two things, Sora, before I leave. One, I knew that this would most likely be my last battle, whether or not I won. That's why I have entrusted instructions to the Nobodies. For the time being, you can consider them allies of the crown...at least, unless someone else takes charge. Two, even once I am gone and Mario is back, try not to be too hard on him. It was the Heartless that did it, but not Mario himself. I thank you for your help, and good bye." With that, Bleach turns to the heart, taking it in hand, and presses it into his chest. He then disappears in a burst of light, and when the light fades, the cloaked figure collapses. However, within that cloak is not Bleach but a very human Mario, clutching the necklace.

Sora sighs asnd picks up Mario, beginging to carry him back to the postern. Once there he accesses the walkway to the prison. Inside he puts Mario in a cell, along with the rights of arrrest written on paper. He closes the cell door and goes into the castle.

After an hour, Mario stirs, then rises. "Oh...my head...what happened?" He soon grows aware of his surroundings. "...Why the heck am I in jail?" At that point, he notices the paper, takes it, and reads it. "...Wha? But...wait...no..." Mario then slumps back into his cell, in disbelief.

"Hey, don't do the crime if ya can't do the time." Lucas says from the cell next to Mario's.

"But I didn't do a crime!" Mario states. "There must be a mistake! I was at Palm Beach, fighting Bleach, and-" He then blinks. "Wait, didn't I die?! What the heck?! How am I alive, then?!"

"Obvioiusly not. You had to do something serious to end up in max." Lucas says. "There was quite a rucus not to long ago. Was that you?"

"Couldn't have been. Sure, I can't remember anything after Palm Beach, but I'd think I'd know if I had done something terrible," Mario retorts, checking the bars to see how sturdy they were. Escape was the first thing on his mind, but given his position, it would be his last option if whatever this was did not end in his favor. After determining the cell as being solid, he sighs, knowing that he would be here for a while. "Do they serve any good food down here, at least?"

"Eh, it's alright, mediocre." Lucas says. "Hey Lexi, you up?"

"I was napping." Lexi says, annoyed. She was on the other side of Mario.

"Lunch is soon." Lucas says.

"Not that hungry. Plus, not a big fan of that food." Lexi says.

"What's wrong with my daughter's food?" A mans voice says as he enters. He slides trays of spagetti and meatbals threw the bars, not looking at anyone. Theres nothing on the traty that cxan help with escape. The man looks at Mario before he leaves though. He glares before leaving.

While spaghetti and meatballs was previously a favorite meal of Mario's, the strong glare he received from the man made him lose his hunger. "...I'm in pretty deep, it seems..." he mutters before crossing his arms, then noticing something off. "...Hey, how long have I been wearing this?" he asks, raising his arms to display the Organization cloak.

"You were wearing it when Sora brought you in." Lucas says. "He seemed injured."

"Odd..." Mario comments as he looks the cloak over. "This looks like..." He then blinks. "Bleach's cloak?! What. But. How...this makes no sense!" After a moment, he feels around in the pockets and finds a few things. "Hm?" He removes a sack of munny and a small note that reads:

Good luck.

"Good luck?" Mario inquires.

"Lot of good that'll do you." Lucas says.

Mario is silent before pocketing it, getting a few ideas for later. He then takes the tray, beginning to eat his meal as he has nothing better to do.

Hours pass and A knight comes down and opens Mario's cell. He puts shackles on him. "Follow me." He says.

Mario is silent before nodding to show that he understands and follows.

The Knight takes Mario to the interigation room. "The King will be with you shortly." With that, the KNight leaves, ocking the door behind him.

Mario sighs and looks around, analyzing the small room. He wasn't looking for a means of escape, though; he was just bored and wanted to find something to occupy his attention.

Sora enters in a few moments, caring two file folders, both filled with papers.

"...Well, this confirms two things," Mario states. "One, you're going to explain to me everything that went on in this gap in my memory. And two, I'm in deep trouble."

"Yup." Sora says, sliding the case files to Mario. "Mariya isn't to happy with you."

Mario takes a few minutes to look through the case files, reading every word. "....Damn...it just doesn't seem real...but it all makes sense...so let me fill in the rest of the gaps. The fact that I'm wearing Bleach's cloak means that he survived our duel on Palm Beach and later slew me and united with my heart. In addition, he was the good guy all along."

"Yes, though its hard to believe." Sora says. "I should also add that you kept Xamira's true identity from me."

"Honestly, I was a bit shakey on that," Mario states. "I mean, sure, I realized that she was Mariya's Nobody, but at the time, I didn't really think much about it, nor could I explain it. I think she also wanted me to keep it a secret anyway, and, well...I promised her." He is silent before speaking. "...What happened to Xamira?"

"We think she's in hiding. There is no sign of har anywhere. She might be at the World That Never Was, but we haven't searched there yet." Sora says.

Mario is silent, but something seems to be nagging him. "...What will you do to her if you find her?"

"Keep her away from my daughter, of course." Sora says. He gestures to the files. "So, nothing here is ringing any bells?"

Mario is silent as he looks over the files again. "...No...the last time I saw her was at Palm Beach before...well, you know. After that, I'm sure you would have better ideas where she is."

"I see." Sora says. "You have two options, serve time in jail, or have a trial and maybe if your lucky, you'll get a lesser punishment."

Mario is silent as he considers this. "...Well, the way I see it, one way or the other, people will probably hate me, so I might as well go with some dignity and show my face in a trial."

"Very well, your trial is in five days." Sora says.

The Knight comes back in, and takes Mario back to the cell. Inside the cell, an envelope was lying on the floor. On the top was: Mario. It was sealed with a royal smbolsticker.

Mario blinks when he sees the letter, taking it and opening it to read.

Dear Mario. The note begings. It was in Xamira's writing. By now, you probably know I faded away. But you know where to look for me. Before I faded away, I saw many futures. All lead you here, to prison, weather Bleach succeeded or not. But I know he did. I'm not sure what other futures will come to pass or not, but I hope the trial goes well. I know your innocent, as does Sora. Keep out of trouble, okay? Your Friend, Xamira.

Mario is silent after reading the letter, and after a moment, he sits down, a small tear escaping his eye as he lets the full impact of it all crash down.

Lucas sighs. "Man this bites."

Mario does not respond to Lucas in any way, lost within his own thoughts.

Time Skip: The trial

Everyone who was a witness to the heartless attack id gathered in the courtroom, besides Mariya and Axel. A knight enters and everyone turns. Three Knigts were escorting Mario to the courtroom.

Mario allows the Kngihts to lead him, not saying a word and giving no struggle as he sits where he is supposed to.

Kairi and Sora enter at last, and sora takes a seat. "The trial of Mario Soloman vs. Radiant Garden shall now begin." He says. "Lets make this quick, my head hurts. Mario please take the stand."

Mario nods, following the order and taking the stand.

"How to you plead?" Sora asks.

"Not guilty," Mario responds.

Sora forces himself not to smile. "Alright then, your tetimony."

Mario gives a nod and turns. "Ladies and gentleman of the court, I am here today because of the events that happened five days ago, when a Heartless leader led an assualt upon Radiant Garden. This Heartless caused tens of thousands of munny in property damage, and while, thanks to the quick efforts of the Royal Knights, no one was severely injured or claimed by the Heartless, it nevertheless caused a great stir that now brings us to where we are now: the persecution of this very Heartless leader. However, therein lies the problem: we are not persecuting the Heartless; we are pursecuting the person to whom that Heartless belonged. When a person is claimed by the Heartless, the one becomes two: a Heartless and a Nobody. Two entities who act and react in different ways than those of the whole they previously formed. Should the two unite into one again and the Heartless had previously killed a person, should the person, now reborn, be charged with murder? It was not his hands that committed the felony but those of the Heartless. My statement is that I, the accused, stand before you as the innocent aftermath of a union between good and evil, and because I didn't commit, you must acquit."

Darren, who is among those gathered nods, agreeing. Sora waves, dismissing Mario. He was smiling in his mind. He looked at the list. "Darren, your up next." Darren stands, and nods at Mario befoe taking the stand. "I know what it's like to be possesed by a heartless. Many of you remember that I tried to force Princess Mariya to marry me. Heartless possesions are like any other: You do things you would never normally do. I would have never had persued Mariya in the first place. I knew her feelings for Axel and I would have respected them, but the darkness in me ignored her feelings. If Cassandra had refeused my proposal, I wouldn't of pursued her further. The heartless had full control over me. I was not responsible for my actions, and neither was Mario."

The trial continues, some Knights pleading thier cases. At noon, Sora slams the hammer. "Alright, I've heard enough. Jury, you ma-"

"We've already have our verdict, your Majesty." The head Jury woman says.

"Very well, your verdict?"

"We the jury, fin Mario Soloman, not guilty." She says.

Mario smiles, relieved that he was released. "Gotta thank Bleach for rubbing off onto me," Mario mutters to himself.

Sora nods and unlocks Mario's handcuffs. "You'll have to earn your Knights Symbol back, if you want it." He says, as the room clears.

Darren and Cassandra leave the room together, and soon leave for their home world.

Mario is silent after he hears Sora's offer. "...That is a difficult question to answer, your Majesty," he finally replies. "For the first time in my life, I'm normal; no Heartless transformations at dusk and dawn, no constant fights for my life...on one hand, I have the freedom to live a life that I couldn't have had, but on the other, my whole life has been a struggle against not only the Heartless but who I am, and to give that up...I think what I'm trying to say is that I would like some time to consider your offer."

"I understand. If you plan on leaving, I'll give you a gummi ship." Sora says. "If you stay, the room you stayed in hasn't been cleaned out yet."

Mario nods and leaves, walking to the Bailey and looking out over the area. He had to come to a decision about what he wanted to do now that the nightmare was over, and it wouldn't be an easy one.

All is quiet in the town. Everything was nearly fixed, the town members were working fast. Birds flew around and chirped happily, and other animals ran about.

Mario is silent as he observes this all go on. After a moment, he sighs. "Bleach, you saved my life from the darkness," he quietly mutters, "but what did you have in mind for the time after?" After ten minutes of silence, he leaves the Bailey and goes to see Merlin.

Merlin was napping on a chair, light snores come from his mouth. He coughs and wakes and see's Mario. "Ah welcome Mario. What brings you here?"

"..." Mario is silent at first, then speaks. "I just need some advice...if you were given a tough decision, between a life of peace or war, and you've spent your whole life doing the latter and now have a chance to do the earlier, which would you choose?"

"A life of war and peace both don't last forever. peace can turn to war, and war to peace." Merlin says. "Both can last for days, weeks, months or years, but eventually one leads to the other. Some are able to live a life in peace for all their life, uneffected by war. I cannot tell you what to decide, only you can."

Mario is silent after hearing this, and after a minute, he smiles. "Thanks, Merlin." He then leaves, returning to the castle.

Merlin smiles before putting his cap over his eyes and returning to his nap.

Mario soon reaches the castle and begins to look for Sora.

Sora was in the library, looking at a photo album. He had printed out an image from the Security camera's of Axel and Mariya sharing threir first kiss. He shuts the Album and puts it on a bare shelf. He took out another album and looked at a picture of him, Kairi, Mariya and the Strikers all sitting together in the garden.

Mario soon finds Sora in the library and approaches him. "Sora? I've reached a decision."

Sora looks up at Mario. "Alright." He says, and waits. He looks like he's a bit sad.

Mario is silent before he continues. "I thought for a while on this, and what it came down to was that this is perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a chance to finally have a normal life. An opportunity at peace." Mario pauses for a moment. "When I asked Merlin for advice, he told me something that made me think even more about it. Whether I choose war or peace, neither will last forever. Peace can become war, and war can become peace. While they can last for days, weeks, months, even years, one will eventually be replaced by the other. Most people go their whole lives without seeing war, a true life of peace. But it is because there are people such as the Knights who are there to turn war into peace. Peace might not last forever, and war might stretch on forever, but what I believe it comes to is that the true war is lost when we stop fighting. That is why I have decided to stay."

Sora nods. "Very well. There's a bit of goings on at Destiny Island." Sora says, tossing Mario a trainee symbol. "You can head out when your ready."

Mario nods. "I'm on it, but ah...there's a bit of a problem...basically, I've lost all my powers. Keyblades, shadow powers, magic, everything. Most likely because I'm not a Heartless anymore. Nothing comes when I try to beckon something, and I'm not sure if it's just temporary or permenant."

"Welp, then follow me." Sora says, hearing to the armoury.

Mario nods and follows him, brushing off the Organization cloak that he is still wearing.

"I think you should take that off." Sora says before enetering the armory, passing the two knights who were guarding it.

"Maybe," Mario states. "Not sure what I would do with it, though. It was Bleach's, and simply discarding it would kinda be disgracing of him after all he did."

"Keep it if you want, but that doesn't mean you should wear it. It doesn't....look good." Sora says, before he motions to the vast amounts of weapons they had in the armoury. "Take your pick."

Mario nods and takes off the cloak, folding it and putting it under his arm as he browses the selection. "Hm...something lightweight, easy to wield, swift like a blade, hits harder than a broadsword..."

Sora simply waits, something on his mind.

After a while, Mario soon selects a lightweight sword that also has a hilt built for defense. In addition, the curve of the blade would make it easier to swing the sword and slice his enemies. "This seems good."

Sora nods. "Are you familiar with fighting with non-keyblade weapons?" Sora asks.

Mario gives a nod. "Grew up with my Shadow Blades. Never used anything else."

"Fighting with a sword is not all that different." Sora says. "As I said, you can go when you feel ready."

Mario nods, giving a few test swings. "Not too different at all. Think I can leave now."

Sora nods and goes back to the library.

Mario, with sword now in a sheath, goes to the Gummi Hangar, gets a gummi ship, and rides the autopilot toward the Destiny Isles.

{Mario to Destiny Isles}