A dark portal opens in Twilight Town, at the far edge of the Station Plaza, and out steps Mario and Xildus. The portal disappears as Mario takes a deep breath. "Okay, Xildus, we need to find and destroy the Heartless here. Sora also said that you might want to take a look around and familiarize yourself with this place. Never know when an errand might pop up."

Xildus nods, but he was familiar enough with this place: Twilight Town. His first glimpse of a world beyond the Castle That Never Was. It was here where he saw his first sunset, had his first ice cream, met his first friend.

Mario, meanwhile, walks down toward the Station Heights, keeping an eye out for Heartless.

All seems quiet, the children running around and playing wiht one another, the struggle field however, is empty, as if it's being avoided.

Mario is silent before he goes toward the field, Xildus going off on his own to explore the town some more. He reaches the Sandlot, glancing around as he tries to assess the area.

Just then a few Striped Aria's appear, and attack Mario.

Mario quickly summons Two Becomes One, blocking their attacks and striking back.

The Aria's attack, but then some Gambler Nobodies appear and attack Mario as well.

Mario quickly defends himself, rolling out of the way as he grimaces. "Better decrease their numbers..." Mario then rushes in, slashing at several of the Striped Arias and grabbing one that he had weakened. He then attempts to explode it and absorb it as his hand glows a bit.

The Aira Mario grabbed explodes and is absorbed, and some Aria's retreat, afriad. The Nobodies stay and attack.

Mario quickly dodges the Gamblers and attacks the fleeing Heartless, either attempting to destroy or absorb them before turning his attention to the Gamblers and attacking back.

The Aria's are soon defeated and one Gambler is defeated as well, the others continue attacing Mario, one throws a dice at him.

Mario blocks the dice and parries, striking at the Gamblers and trying to save at least one to absorb. When he has an opening and has it adequately weakened, he lunges for one to absorb it.

The Gambler is absorbed, leabing no more Gamblers at the Sandlot. One must wonder why Nobodies showed up on a Heartless Mission.

Mario takes a moment to catch his breath before Two Becomes One disappears. "Hm...strange. Nothing in the description about Gamblers...might want to let Sora know about this. So..." He now looks himself over. "I absorbed a few Striped Arias and a Gambler. What kind of crazy powers does this get me?" He pauses, and after a while, he frowns. "Hm...not feeling any stronger...guess it takes time." He walks toward the Tram Commons now, wanting to see if there were any other Heartless or to at least reunite with Xildus.

No heartless are to be seen, so maybe those were the only ones.

Mario shrugs and looks around. Soon, he finds Xildus. "Hey, Xildus. Mission accomplished."

Xildus looks to him and nods.

After a moment, Mario has a strange notion cross his mind. "Hey, want to get some ice cream before we head back?"

Xildus is silent before seeming to smile a little. He nods.

Mario smiles a little as well. "Alright then."

---

Mario and Xildus are soon sitting at the top of the clock tower, overlooking the town, watching the sunset, and eating sea salt ice cream.

Mario takes in the sight as he takes a bite, and he smiles. "You know, Xildus, I know this is probably Bleach talking, but...I really do enjoy spending time with you."

Xildus is silent, smiling under his cloak. He takes another bite.

"...Maybe we can do this every day," Mario states, looking to him. "What do you say, friend?"

Xildus now cannot hide the smile, lowering his head in a more desperate effort.

Mario gives a small chuckle and continues to eat his ice cream. "Yeah..."

Down below, kids can be seen playing in the sandlot, sparring with one another.

Mario looks down at the Sandlot, a bit happy that he had done his mission. "...Well, let's head back then, shall we?"

Xildus finishes his ice cream and nods. He hops up, creates a portal, and steps through.

Mario finishes his ice cream and also steps through. The portal then closes.

{Mario and Xildus to Radiant Garden}