Axel leads Mariya to their room and lies her on the bed. "Rest up, you want anything?"

Mariya shakes her head.

Mario arrives in Hollow Bastion as the Gummi Ship lands, and he gets out shortly before Xildus, who returns to his stable shortly afterwards.

Danni gets out and leads the Chocobo's to their stalls before locking them in. SHe then goes into the castle and goes to the library.

Mario soon relaxes in the gardens, happy to be back after his sudden "departure" earlier.

A brown haired teenaged boy enters the Gardens. He looks around before seeing Mario. He goes up to him. "Excuse me, I'm looking for someone, perhaps you know where she is." He says. His heart has no darkness, but there is no Knight symbol on him.

Mario glances at him and looks him over, also taking a brief moment to use the Shadow Sight. Seeing him as clean, he stands. "I'll try my best. Who is it that you're looking for?"

"I'm looking for Dannielle." He says.

Danni leaves the library, carrying a book. She's humming the same lullaby. She smiles at Mariya seeing her. Mariya walks passed her and goes down to the stables.

"Hm? Danni?" he asks, looking him over again. "Hm...are you her brother?" he asks, recalling his earlier conversation with Danni.

He nods. "Name's Tanner. I guess she's finally made some friends." He says, smiling.

Mario nods. "Yeah, she told me about you. Think she was pretty proud to have a brother like you," he says as he begins to lead him toward where he thinks Danni is.

Tanner laughs. "I'm proud to be her brother to. I couldn't ask for a better sister."

Danni goes to her room in the barraks, lying down on her bed, reading the book she got from the library.

Mario soon reaches the barracks and looks for Danni. "Danni? You have a guest."

Danni gets up and goes to her door. She opens it and looks at Tanner. "Tanner!" She says, hugging him. "What are you doing here?"

"Came to visit you, of course." Tanner says.

Mario smiles and decides to leave them to talk in private. He decides to instead look for King Sora.

Sora is asleep in his office, a newspaper over his face. His door was shut, but no 'Do not distub' signs were to be seen.

Mario sees Sora sleeping and ponders whether or not to disturb him. Given that his issue is not too important, he decides to leave him be for now. He returns to the garden, lying down and falling back to sleep.

sora wakes a few moments later and yawns. "Oy." He mutters before walking threw the castle. He see's Mariya petting Sasha. "You missed it." He says, coming beside her.

"Serene told me..." Mariya said, looking disapointed. "Five eggs."

"Sasha understands, you know. You went to help a friend." Sora says. "Who knows what postion this universe would be without our friends. We might have lost the war without them."

Mariya sighs.

Sora sighs. "Hey don't forget some Knights are grraduating tonight."

"I know, I know." Mariya says before walking off. She finds Mario asleep adn laughs. I wonder..... "Mario! Heartless!"

He instantly wakes up. "WHA?!" he yells, summoning Two Becomes One and starting to slash around maniacally. He soon regains his compsure. "Mariya, not funny!"

Mariya laughs. "Oh yes it was." She says, smiling. She giggles. She pulls out a Chocobo's egg and hands it to him. "Something for you for saving my but three times over. Just keep it someplace warm for a day or two and it should hatch."

Mario blinks, surprised by this development as he takes the egg. "Wow. Thanks, Mariya. Speaking of Chocobos, do you know anything about that strange Chocobo who appeared to us in Alagaesia?"

"What strange Chocobo?" Mariya asks, confused. "Oh the one with the cloak...can't say I do..."

"Hm..." Mario ponders as he looks toward the stables. "Wonder what it is, where it came from...and why it seems to know Bleach..."

Mariya shrugs. She sighs. "I don't know."

Axel walks in and goes to Mariya before kissing her. "Sora wants to see you Mario." He says. "Your not in trouble, that's all I can tell you."

Mario nods and goes to see Sora. He soon arrives at his study. "You wanted to see me, Sora?"

Sora nods, and hands him a letter. "I want you to show Xildus the way to Merlin's, where you'll deliver this."

"Xildus?" Mario asks before he jumps, now noticing XIldus next to him. "Oh...okay..." He gives the letter to Xildus, who stashes it into his cloak before they leave for Merlin's.

Outside of Merlin's voices can be heards.

"Danni, the princess isn't sapposed to die for years. You can come home then go back to the proper time." Tanner says.

"But Mom nearly died in Alageasia!" Danni objects.

Before Mario can move, he is suddenly picked up by someone and carried into Merlin's, along with Xildus. Tanner's demon form shuts the door behind them and locks it before standing infront of it. "How much did you hear?" He growls.

Mario quickly breaks away, breathing in before pulling out Two Becomes One for defense. "Enough to know something's up!"

Xildus also breaks away, but surprisingly, he pins Mario down with a sudden motion with Winner's Proof.

"HEY! What are you-"

Xildus pecks him on the head to make him shut up, then points toward his head to tell him to think.

"..." Mario then takes a moment to think. After a moment, he blinks. "Wait...are you two..."

"Axel and Mariya are our parents." Danni says. "That's why I told you not to get close to me. I could leave any day and I didn't want you to find this out."

"..." Mario is silent for a moment. "Pardon my silence, but my mind is just blown. First off, the fact that you two are their children. I mean, it's no surprise that they're going to raise a great family. Second, the fact that MARIYA AND AXEL ARE GOING TO DIE?!"

Xildus quickly pecks him on the head to keep him quiet.

"No...just Mariya. A member of the Fallen Angels wanted revenge for the execution of Lucas nad Lexi, so they killed Mom." Danni says, looking sad.

"They would have killed Dad too if he hadn't grabbed us and ran off using his demon powers. He still blames himself." Tanner says.

"When I got older I went to Merlin and begged him to send me back in time to save her, but something went wrong and I ended up just after they married." Danni says.

"Indeed. Although I don't know what could have gone wrong with one of my spells." Merlin says.

"Hm...okay, tell you what: how about I try to help out? First off...Xildus, is it? Could you please let me up?"

Xildus nods and gets off.

Mario gets up, working out his neck. "Nice takedown, by the way. Getting back on topic, the issue here is that there is a chain of events here that led to where things stand. The start of this chain seems to be when Lucas and Lexi were executed. Let's start there and figure out the details behind it and also if it can be prevented. After all, if they don't get executed, the Fallen Angel won't have revenge."

"But if they aren't executed they can get out and kill all of the Royal Family and then me and Tanner won't exist." Danni says.

"Although, the high security jail is impossibe to get out of, if they were to break out they would have done it by now." Tanner says.

Mario gives a nod. "If that's not the solution, though, the next step would be to take out the Fallen Angel before he has a chance to take the revenge...but then, the rest of the Fallen Angels might react in turn and exact revenge themselves...crap, this is difficult..."

"It's impossible...isn't it?" Danni asks, looking as if she were going to cry.

"No, it's not..." Mario mutters. "Just need to find the right place to intervene...hm, maybe wait until the actual event when things go bad, then jump out and get the guy AFTER he tries to kill her but BEFORE he does. In other words, catch him in the act and get him for attempted murder as opposed to actual murder. But, a mistake could screw that over, and it might just turn the other members against us...although then again, if he's the only one who wants revenge, he could be opposing the other members anyway, and any action we take would be alright in the eyes of the other members...or am I looking too far into the future?"

"No I think you got a point there. There weren't others with him when he killed Mom." Tanner said. "Maybe he has some relation to Lucas and Lexi like he's their boss or something. Merlin?"

Merlin seems to be thinking. "I think you may have a point. According to Sora the Fallen Angels are a small group. There are only a dozen or less of them."

"So its not much of a problem if we need to tale this one out." Tanner says.

"Hm..." Mario thinks more. "My main concern, though, is that for it to work, we'd need to CONFIRM that he is working independently of the Fallen Angels when he plans and performs the murder. And to do that, we'd have to check with the Fallen Angels themselves. Not an easy thing..."

"Well we know when he kills her: The day me and Tanner start the Academy." Danni says.

"As for confirming it...one of us could infletrate their headquarters and find him. He's about our age now if he's even in the Angel's yet." Tanner says. "And accordind to the rules, all we have to do is get permission from Merlin."

"You have my permission." He says with a smile.

"Problem is we don't know where their hiding." Danni says.

Mario is silent before he looks to them. "Well, I know someone who might know. Two someones, in fact. It might not be easy, though...and we might have to make some sacrifices..."

"Alright....what do you have in mind?" Tanner asks, his demon form disapearing.

"Basically, we ask Lucas and Lexi," Mario states. "After all, they are members of the Fallen Angels. Who else would know but them? Trouble is, they might not talk unless we do something, like free them or something. To an extent, I think I can at least vouch for Lucas a bit. One of his charges was my murder, I think, and clearly, I'm not dead...that reminds me, what are they executed for? Surely, they're not executed for a few thefts, a break-out attempt, and a supected murder?"

"We can't tell you." Tanner says. "It's something meant to happen in the future, unlike Mom's death."

"Merlin only agreed to send me back because Mom wasn't sapposed to die, no one was infact, the Fallen Angel member was saposed to fail." Danni says.

"Hm...a temporal distortion, then?" Mario asks with curiosity. "Would be easier to understand how to approach this if I knew in better detail what happened...wait, aren't you all threatening to unravel time? I mean, you are from the future, and if you two are here in the past, telling me all this...what guarantee is there that this won't disrupt time within itself to the point of a temporal collapse?"

Silence.

"...One problem of having Bleach as your Nobody: sometimes, logic makes it too complicated."

Danni laughs. "Merlin?"

"Actually no, since the Fallen Angel succeeded, time redid itself and Dannielle was meant to come back and save Mariya, as was Tanner." Merlin says.

"As for Lucasmaybe we can fool him into thinking we want to join the Angels." Tanner says

"Hm, alright," Mario states. "But be careful. Try not to mention me, either. I'm the one who turned him in, so he's pretty sore at me, as is Lexi. I'll also try to help when I can. Heck, maybe I can get you access to the dungeons and make sure that you're not disturbed while you're down there."

Tanner nods. "Alright then." He says. "Well we can do this soon. After all, we can get into the maximum jail easy."

Mario nods. "Alright...now, Xildus?"

Xildus nods and removes from his cloak the letter for Merlin.

Merlin takes the letter and reads it. "Ah yes." He says before grabbing a package from his table. He gives it to Xildus. "That's for Sora. He's not expecitng them yet so why don't you show Xildus around."

"How about we get some Salty-Sweet ice cream to celebrate our breakthrough?" Danni asks.

Tanner smiles. "Alright then, lets go." He says, smiling.

"Mind if I come?" Mario asks. "Wouldn't mind having someone salty sweet."

Xildus is silent, and underneath the cloak, he is faintly smiling.

They nod and walk out twords the marketplace, pushing each other. Once their they get four sea-salt ice creams. Danni gives one to Mario and one to Xildus before taking a bite of hers, Tanner does the same boefre going behind the shops(where you first enter and sits on the wall, looking at the castle. Danni sits next to him.

Mario sits next to Danni, and next to him sits Xilldus.

Mario takes a bite of his sea-salt ice cream. "Mmm...salty, but sweet. It's wondrous!"

Xildus also takes a bite, and while he doesn't show it, he enjoys it. As he eats his, he begins to remember...

Darkness. His existence has no meaning, nor does it mean anything to anyone else. Life is void in this place, save for him perhaps, and no light reaches him in this place.Darkness...

Suddenly, there is a light. The seal had been broken. Someone had come for him. Was it the Organization? No...he is dressed as one of them, but he is different. He is a Nobody, yes, but even then, he seems to have more heart than any of the others. He seems surprised...but what does he want?

He is soon led through a portal, to a new world. Where was this? A clock tower? A sun set? A place he had only heard of. Twilight Town. The figure disappears for a moment. Should he run? It seems safe enough. But if he meant harm...he returns. He has something. Ice cream. He gives it to him. After a hesitation, he takes a bite. Salty, but also sweet. Peculiar.

As they sit on the wall, one phrase stands out from amongst all the words said before: "I'm Bleach, and I will be your friend."

Xildus is silent as he stares off, seemingly lost in thought.

Danni sighs, eating her ice cream. "I like seeing them happy."

"I do too, but you can't forget why we're here." Tanner says. He sighs. "So Mario anything you want to know about yourself? That much we can tell you."

"...Not really, actually," Mario states. "As interesting as it would be to understand the future, I think it'd be a bit more interesting to not see it coming."

Danni laughs, as does Tanner. "So I guess you told Mario about your demon powers." He says, glaring at her.

"He would have figured it out. He saw me slip out when I was in my demon form in Alageasia." Danni says.

"The fact that you're both Axel's children is also a pretty weighty clue," he whispers, not sure who else might overhear.

"But you didn't know that til now." Tanner says, finishing his ice cream already.

Danni shoves him jokingly. "Pig."

Mario gives a small chuckle. "...Something hit me. You can't discuss other stuff about the future with me, but you can talk to me about future me? Why's that?"

"Well that way you don't interfere with other's fates. We can do stuff to Lucas and Lexi cause they led up to Mom's death." Danni whispers. "With you it'll happen wheather you know or not."

"Hm..." Mario then continues to eat his ice cream, seeming to be in thought. He soon finishes his ice cream.

Xildus finishes his as well shortly afterwards.

Danni finishes last. "Hey I won another ice cream." She says, looking at the 'Winner' written on the stick.

Mario looks at the stick and smiles. "Hey, congrats."

Danni smiles. "I'll save it for after our mission succeeds." Danni says.

Tanner sighs. "Common you two, time to get back to the castle."

Mario nods and hops off the wall, Xildus following him. "Alright, lead the way."

They nod and walk to the castle together. Danni sighs as they enter. Tanner sighs to, nervous about seeing Mariya and Axel.

Mario goes with them, but upon entering the castle, Xildus takes detour to go deliver the package to Sora.

Xildus soon reaches the study, offering the package to Sora.

Sora takes the package. "Thank you Xildus." He says. "Give this to the caretakers in the stabels will you?" He asks, smiling.

---

Mariya and Axel are in the Garden together. "Axel I've been thinking. What do you think about having our own family?" Mariya asks, leaning on him.

Axel smiles. "Maybe someday, but we're just into our marriage, it's to early."

"I know, I was mentioning it for the future." Mariya says with a smile. She stands. "I'd better go get ready. Hopefully I'll run into Mario." She mutters, leaving the garden.

Xildus nods and goes down to the stables to deliver the package.

Mario continues to walk with Danni and Tanner, en route to the dungeons.

Mariya see's Mario and stops him, letting Tanner and Dannielle walk off. "Mario I need you to report to the small ballroom at five, alright? No excuses."

Mario blinks. "Huh? But-um, that is, is there a reason?"

"Becuase those are orders." Mariya says before walking to her room.

When Mariya leaves Danni popps out. "I don't think your in trouble." She says.

Tanner nods, agreeing.

"Yeah, but I don't like how I don't know why I'm needed there," Mario states with uncertainty. "For now, let's get to the dungeon and do what we can. Hopefully, Xildus can get back in time to switch with me so I can see what's up when five rolls around."

Xildus reaches the stables and finds the caretakers. He then gives them the package.

One of them reads it. "Ah alright then. You go relax Xildus. You did well." She says, petting him a bit.

---

"I'm sure everything will be fine. If needed me and Danni will take care of Lucas and Lexi.

Mario nods and continues with them toward the dungeons.

Xildus nods, but he goes off, heading toward the dungeons to reunite with the others...his friends.

They arrive at the Dungeon and open the doors to it and go to Lucas' and Lexi's cells. "We'll watch, you go on Mario." Danni whispers.

"They won't talk to me," Mario states. "I did bust them, after all."

"Right sorry forgot." Danni whispers.

Tanner walks off to Lucas's cell. Once there he leans on it, smirking. He then begins trying to convince Lucas he's on his side.

Mario, meanwhile, guards the entrance to the prison, keeping an eye out to make sure no one else enters.XIldus soon comes to take over. Mario nods and goes toward the small ballroom as Xildus begins guarding the prison.

Mariya is already at the ballroom, wearing a nice shirt and skirt. She adjusts her tiara. Some trainee's are in the ballroom conversing with one another.

Mario reaches the small ballroom and sees Mariya. "Hey, Mariya," he says. "What did you need me for?"

Mariya smiles. "A few people think you've earned your Knighthood back. I wanted to ask if you feelt the same." She says.

Mario blinks, a bit surprised. "Well, I'm honored."

Mariya smiles. "Go over by the other Knights then. We'll be starting soon." Mariya says.

Mario nods and goes over to stand by the others.

In a few minutes Sora enters, Kairi beside him and the Knigths stop talking and take a seat in the chairs that were provided.

After a bit the Knights all get off the chairs and kneel. Mariya and Kairi then proceed to Knight each one, Kairi giving them their symbols. Mariya comes to Mario last. She places her keyblade Mario's left shoulder. "I, Mariya, Princess of Radiant Garden, " She moves the keyblade to Mario's right shoulder now. "name thee Mario, a Royal Knight." She says before Kairi puts on the necklace. Dragon Heart disapears. "You may rise." She says, smiling.

Mario nods, smiling, and rises.

"Congradulations all of you. You'll recieve letters assigning you to your teams tomorrow." Sora says.

The Knights leave then, laughing to themselves.

Mario nods, thanking them before returning to the dungeons to check on Danni and Tanner.

Danni and Tanner leave the dungoen. Tanner was smirking.

"Well?" Mario asks once he rejoins them.

Xildus also looks toward them, curious as well.

"Lucas told us where they were." Tanner says. "Of course we're not going to obey his conditions."

"He wanted us to let him and Lexi loose." Danni whispers.

"As I figured," Mario states. "So where are they? Or should we discuss this elsewhere?"

"We can talk in my dorm room." Danni says before heading to her room. Tanner follows.

Mario also follows. "...One more thing. Eventually, someone will ask about what we're doing. After all, Tron has cameras everywhere, and Sora or someone will know where we have been. Questions will be raised, and likely, I will be their target. So, how much should I reveal, if anything?"

Once in her room Danni shuts the door. "Well if Sora asks..."

"I think you should tell him that we're from the future and we're here to stop someone from dying that's not saposed to. We can't reveal who though." Tanner says. sitting.

"As I thought," Mario states. He sits down in a chair as Xildus stands beside him. "So what's your next move?"

"Well I guess me or Tanner's going to go to the World that Never was...." Danni says.

"I'll go." Tanner says. "Technicly speaking I'm not even a Knight."

Danni nods.

"The World That Never Was?! That's where they are?" Mario inquires.

Xildus suddenly perks up, seeming surprised.

Danni nods. "Yea seems like one of those 'It's so obvious you feel stupid after you find out' things, right?" Danni says, shaking her head.

"No, more like I'm surprised Bleach never knew...or maybe he did...not sure," Mario states.

Xildus is silent before he suddenly opens a portal of darkness in front of them. He then nods toward it, hinting them that it is a portal to the castle.

Tanner sighs and hugs Danni. "Be careful." He says.

"I know, I know." Danni says, hugging him back.

Tanner lets Danni go before stepping into the portal.

{Tanner to The World That Never Was}

Xildus nods, then closes the portal. Now, it was up to Tanner.

Mario is silent. "So what now?"

"We wait. So...Danni says.

"So..." Mario repeats, not sure of what to do either.

"Read anything good lately?" Danni asks.

[Hours Later]

Tanner enters Danni's room, to see Danni dealing playing cards. "I'm in." He says before crashing on the bed.

"Oh, Tanner," Mario says, picking up his hand. "How did it go?"

"Well when I got half way in they attacked me, then made me fight their best member...." Tanner says, sounding exasted as he trails off. "and after a few other fights they accepted me in."

"Alright," Mario says, sounding eithe rlike he didn't care or he didn't doubt the outcome. "So, have you begun scoping out the guy who's going to do it?"

"Yea...he's still looks as cruel as the day of the act." Tanner mutters.

Danni sighs and takes two cards from her hand, putting them down and taking two from the deck. She puts them down. "Three pair."

Mario takes his turn, then grumbles as he lies his hand down. "Squat. So...what's the plan for now?"

"Well, what can we do? I mean I can't take him out I mean he hasn't even a reason to kill her..." Tanner says, trailing off.

Mario looks at him. "Consider this. What will you do now that you have a way to this guy? I don't mean kill him; I mean learn about him. Find out his intentions, see what kind of person he is. Maybe when the time comes, he'll ask you to accompany him, all the better to stop him. Or, although I doubt it will happen, you could get close enough to him to convince him to not attempt to kill her. Basically, you have an in, and that opens up many possibilities."

"Well Dante taught me alot when I got my training. I learned that when you fight a person, you also learn about him. It so happens he's one of those I fought. He' ruthless, once he has a reason to do something, he'll do anything to get it done, and he does it alone." Tanner says.

"Hm..." Mario is silent before he lays down his hand. "So, here's my question: when is the execution? To me, it seems like nothing else can be done until that happens. And to me, it also sounds like that's some time away."

"The execution takes place a year before we start the accademy." Tanner says.

"Hm...so that's some time away...guess I'd better find something to do, then..." Mario says with a sigh. "Excuse me for a moment." He stands and leaves, walking down the hall, now wondering what he could do to pass part of the seemingly infinite time.

Danni sighs, as does Tanner. "I like seeing them together, you know. I barely have any memories where they share that look to one another." Tanner says.

"I know, they worry about us to much." Danni says.

---

Few Knights roam the halls, not paying attention to anything but where they are going.

Mario is silent before he heads up to Sora's study. Maybe an assignment would help pass some time.

Sora is going over some paperwork, and looks up to see Mario entering his office. "What can I do for you Mario?" He asks, putting down the papers.

"Hey, Sora," Mario says. "Would you happen to have any assignments or missions available? It's kinda been a bit slow, and it wouldn't hurt to travel a bit."

Sora nods and takes out a few file folders. "These might help, these ones are more your level. Pick any one you want to check out. They're solo missions so choose wisely."

Mario nods and takes the files, reviewing each one in turn.

Sora waits, reading reports now. "Mario...do you know anything about Dannielle?" He asks.

"Hm? What about her?" Mario asks.

"Nothing really, it's just I often see gaps in her reports and I wonder if it has to do with where she came from or not. She didn't say much when she first came here." Sora says.

"Can't say that I know the answers," Mario says as he sets down the files, save one. "I think I'll pop over to Twilight Town and take care of the problem there, if that's alright."

Sora nods. "Would you mind taking Xildus? I want him to get familiar with the worlds. If he's not up to it after that extra scoop of food and those few treats I understand."

Mario gives a nod. "Sure. I'll report back once I'm done." He then leaves Sora's study, heads down to the stables where XIldus has just finished eating, and after Xildus opens a dark portal, he steps through, followed by Xildus.

{Mario and Xildus to Twilight Town}

Sora resumes looking over the reports, still a bit bothered over Danni's.

{Hours later}
Danni had fallen asleep on her bed, and Tanner was in the library, looking at the pictures of Mariya and Axel.

A dark portal soon opens, and Mario and Xildus step out. They nod and part ways, Xildus heading to the stable and Mario to Sora's office.

Mario reaches the study and nods. "Mission accomplished," he says. "Several Striped Arias were in the Sandlot, all of which were disposed. However, some Gamblers also appeared. Not sure why."

"Huh....odd." Sora says. "Well done then. You can go, and thanks for taking Xildus along."

Mario nods. "No problem, although I think he had been there before. A fragment of memory I have from Bleach...it was him and Xildus in Twilight Town once before."

"Eh then he got some excersise." Sora says, sighing. "Something I should do. I've been behind this desk to long..."

"But if we didn't have such a good leader running the operations, then nothing would get done," Mario says with a smile before leaving.

"I'm stil getting to fat for my own good." Sora mutters.

---

Mariya and Axel are sitting close to one another in the Garden. Mariya was awake but was leaning against Axel with her eyes closed.

Meanwhile Dannielle still sleeps while Tanner whips a tear from his eye. He shuts the album and leans back in the chair.

Mario soon returns to Danni's room. "I'm back," he says. "Did I miss anything?"

Danni wakes, her hair a mess. "Not really." She says sleepily. She puts her head back on the pillow. "Tanner left before I fell asleep. Think he went down to the library..."

"I see," Mario states, sitting down. "...Tell me, since you're from the future, you know how my powers develop, right?"

Danni sits up and pulls her hair back. "Yea." She says, nodding. "What do you wanna know?"

"What happened after I absorbed several Striped Arias and a Gambler?" Mario asks. "As in, what powers do I get?"

"Umm....I think you got some kind of time powers I think." Danni says.

"Time powers?! Really?!" Mario asks with a bit of excitement. He then looks at the ceiling fan. After a moment, he points at it. "Stop!"

The ceiling fan stops, but the spell is much more powerful than a simple Stop.

"Huh...Stopga...that's just awesome...anything else, though?"

"Not sure." Danni says. "In the future you write in a journal alot. You dropped it once and it so happens you write what powers you thougth you got from which heartless or nobodies. I think you wrote something about Time gates or something." Danni shrugs. "I was curious what you were writing about."

"Hm...I'd ask for the journal, but then, I feel that would be sort of cheating. But, I'll consider recording those," Mario says with an appreciative smile. "Thanks." He then leaves.

In the courtyard, he stops, pausing before making an attempt. He focuses on creating a time gate, but instead, he is surprised to find a dark portal forming instead. "Huh, guess I can make those now," he says before glancing around some more. In a corner of the garden, he notices a strange oddity in the air. After a moment, he uses his Shadow Sight to analyze it, and to his surprise, there seems to be a glittering waiver in the air in that corner. Curious, he tries to open a portal there. A portal opens, but instead of being black, it is a bright green. "Hm..." Mario is silent before stepping into the portal, stepping across time.

A little girl is in the courtyard, humming a tune. She has black hair that goes down to her shoulders and she looks to Mario, blue eyes starring. So this must have been Danni, much younger. "Mario!" She says, running over to hug him.

Mario blinks, not expecting the hug as the green portal closes. "Hey, Danni," he says. "You act like you haven't seen me in ages!"

"I always like seeing you Mario." Danni says, giggling. "Who else plays with me when Mamma and Daddy are busy?"

"Mamma and-" It then snaps in place for Mario. "Ohhhh...I must be in the future, then...which means the time portal works! Imagine that!"

Danni lets Mario go. She seems much smaller then Mario thought...then again...wasn't Mario taller?

Mariya enters then, wearing a purple dress. She smiles. "There you are." She says, leaning down to hug Danni. Her hair is longer and she looks as if she's in her late 20's. "Show mommy your keyblade again."

Danni smiles and summons her keyblade.

Mariya smiles wide. "That's my girl." She says.

Mario looks at Mariya, a bit shocked. "Yeah...this is definitely the future...time travel rocks."

Mariya looks up at Mario. "Oh Mario." She says, standing. She picks up Danni. "Feeling better I guess."

"Um...yeah," he says, stratching his head as he reasons that he is suffering from an illness or had been. "Turns out I just needed some fresh air, so I just took a walk around this morning and, well, there you have it."

"Good, then I guess you can come with us to drop the twins off at the accademy afterall." Mariya says.

Mario nods."Alright then," he says as he follows her. Logically, he should turn around and go back through the time portal. After all, this wasn't his time, at least not yet. However, he knew what day it was: the day that the twins went to the academy, or the day before. If this was the case, then Mariya's murder was to occur very soon. This could be a chance to stop it now.

"Thanks Mario." Mariya says, putting Danni down. A moment after Danni runs off. She smiles. "She's so eager for tomorrow."

Mario gives a nod. "Yeah, so am I," he says. "Tomorrow will be a great day, indeed."

Mariya sighs, and turns to go, going to find Axel.

Mario is silent before tailing Mariya, wanting to keep an eye on her.

Axel see's Mariya and smiles, barely looking any different then he did when Mario last saw him. He wraps his arms around Mariya. "How's my queen?" He asks before kissing her.

"Great, you?" Mariya says, smiling.

"Better, now." Axel says, smiling wide.

"Oh you." Mariya says, before Axel lets her go.

"The twins ready?" Axel asks.

"Quite eager." Mariya says, laughing.

Mario remains hidden, not wanting to expose himself yet. If the offender was in waiting, it would be better to surprise him and catch him before he can commit the act.

The whole day passes by without incident, as does the night. In the morning Mariya's holding Danni's hand as she waits for Axel to come with Tanner. She looks for Mario.

Mario, who had been keeping watch all night, stifles a yawn as he approaches. "Hey, girls," he calls out. "Not late, am I?"

"Nope we're still waitng for Axel and Tanner." Mariya says, smiling.

Mario nods and takes a look around. Today was the day. "Hopefully, nothing will go wrong."

"Hm?" Mariya asks.

"Mario, can you play wiith me after school?" Danni asks.

Axel and Tanner enter then. Tanner hugs Mariya. "I don't wanna go momma."

Mario looks to Danni and smiles. "I'd love to, Danni, but I have something important to attend to. I'm sorry, but I'll take tomorrow off to play with you all day! How does that sound?"

Danni looks disapointed. "Okay." She says.

Mariya smiles before heading down to the accademy, holding Danni's hand along the way. Axel follows, Tanner behind him. Once at the accademy Mariya hugs Danni and Tanner.

"Love you mamma." Tanner says.

"I love you both." Mariya says.

So this was it. Looking around, it's hard to see where the assassin is, but something can be seen around the corner sticking out. A gun? Then the gun moves and aims for Mariya.

Mario sees the gun, and instantly, he goes into action. "Stopga!" he yells, attempting to freeze the gun and, if possible, the assassin in time before rushing over toward the place where he sees the gun.

The asssassin tries to move the gun and see's Mario. He mutters something before running off, twords Radiant Garden's Cemetary.

Mario rushes after him, summoning Two Becomes One as he chases after him. "Stopga!" he yells, trying again to freeze the assassin in time.

The assassin is frozen, grimancing. "Let go of me." He mutters.

"No chance," Mario says. "For the attempted murder of Queen Mariya, I place you under arrest."

"You can't proove that." He says, sneering.

"A gun frozen in time, aiming directly where Queen Mariya was at the time in question. Still feeling cocky?" Mario asks.

He glares. "Arrest me then, but more may come, and she's bound to die one of those times." He says, smirking.

"Don't get your hopes up," Mario responds. "I know you're acting independently of the Fallen Angels. You're the only one who has taken action to murder Mariya, and records reveal that the others are not in support of your actions."

The Assassin looks surprised. "How do you know that?" He asks.

"Here's a secret," Mario states. "I come from the past, where agents from the future told me all about Mariya's assassination. So I came here, to the future, to stop you."

"Thanks, I'll be sure to mention that in court." The Assassin says.

"No one will beleive you." Axel says, appearing.

Mario glances to Axel. "Ah, Axel, good to see you...or should I refer to you as 'Your Majesty'? I assume that Mariya is safe?"

Axel nods. "Once I heard the gun fall on the ground I got Mariya and the kids to safety." He says, glaring at the Assassin. He seems to be holding back from punching him.

Mario smiles and nods."Good...I assume you also heard that last part as well..."

Axel nods. "Thank you Mario, Riku was right. You are the best choice to replace him when he retires." He says with a smile. "If it weren't for that...Mariya would be dead right now."

"Yeah, I realize that," Mario states. "Truth is, Mariya did die the first time around. Tanner and Danni came back to the past, though, and told me everything some time before I learned how to use my time powers. An experiment with them brought me to this time period, and since I was here, I thought I'd go ahead and resolve everything at the source...I really replace Riku?" he now asks, clearly surprised.

Axel nods. "Your the perfect man for the job. Who else can see inside someones heart and see if they have dark intentions?" Axel asks. "Besides, Riku wanted to go back to Destiny with Kairi."

Mario gives a nod. "Alright...well, if you have things under control now, I think I'd better head back. This isn't my time period, after all." He now turns toward the corner of the garden and opens the portal, watching as the green opening is created. He looks back to Axel. "See you soon." He then steps through.

Back in the present, he comes back out of the portal, panting as he looks back, the time portal closing. "Well...let's see if anything's changed." He now heads toward Danni's room.

Danni and Tanner are gone, no where to be seen. Then again if Mariya never died, they had no reason to come back to the past.

"...As I thought," Mario says with a sigh.

Xildus walks into the room and looks at Mario, looking a little sad.

"...Yeah...they're gone...the future has been corrected..." Mario says, a bit bummed himself.

Xildus looks toward the room as well, seeming to miss them as well.

Mariya comes down. "There you are Mario. Dad has a mission for us, common." Mariya says before turning around and going back to her father's study.

Mario is silent before nodding, following her toard the study with Xildus following.

Once all there Sora sighs. "A new world has appeared. Called Sleepy Hollow. I wouldn't recomend taking Xildus unless you can disguise him as a horse." Sora says.

Mariya giggles.

Mario is silent before nodding to Xildus, who nods back and leaves, probably to return to the stables. "Alright then, I'm ready to go."

Sora nods. "You can go." He says.

Mariya and Axel nod. Mariya opens a Light Portal and stps threw, Axel following.
{Mariya and Axel to Sleepy Hollow}

Mario follows them into the portal.

{Mario to Sleepy Hollow}