World of Hearts: Linked as One (Book 1)

2-6: The Promise of Tomorrow

Rei felt a disturbance just now. It was coming from outside. She headed outside and noticed what looked like a black orb just floating about outside the dorms.

'W-When did this orb just appear?' Rei thought. "Guys, you may want to see this!"

Homura went outside with Madoka, Gohan, Yoh, Maka, and Tokoyami. They all looked at the black orb. It was about the size of a boulder.

"Now where did this huge sphere come from?" Gohan asked. "I've never seen anything like this."

"Just... what is this thing?" Madoka asked. She looked at Rei. "Hino-senpai, how long has this been here?"

Rei looked at Madoka. "I guess from the moment I felt a surge in negative energy." She looked at the sphere as some of the others started coming out.

"Whoa! That thing's huge!" Luffy said as he stretched his arms out to emphasize how big the sphere was.

"Well, that wasn't there before," Baki said. "How did it get there?"

"That idiot..." Maka turned to see Megumi come out, looking tired and annoyed.

"Do you know what's going on?" Maka asked. "I can sense Kizuna is in there along with Yujo, they seem to be alright."

"It's a Domain Expansion," Megumi said, looking at the orb.

"Wait, you mean he perfected his domain expansion?" Nobara asked. "Man, he managed to do it."

"Huh... so that's what it looks like on the outside..." Yuji said.

Those words caught Homura's attention. "Domain Expansion?"

"It's a barrier technique that is the pinnacle of jujutsu," Megumi said. "It's essentially a sorcerer's personalized pocket dimension. Once you're caught inside of it, getting out is damn near impossible."

"So it's like a cage..." Edward said. "How does it work?"

"It requires a lot of cursed energy to form and maintain the domain," Megumi said. "The barrier is just the first part. The artificial environment is constructed in the user's image after the barrier is formed."

"So it's a pocket dimension protected by a barrier that is then shaped by the user's inner thoughts..." Sarada said. "But why would he go so far as to use something like that?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Bakugo spoke up. "He wants a rematch."

"Talking from experience?" Shoto asked.

"Got something to say, Icy-Hot?" Bakugo growled.

Yang looked at Bakugo and rubbed her chin. "Wait, you mean he wants to fight Kizuna again? After the walloping he took?"

"He's always had a competitive streak," Nobara said. "But this? This is something else."

"Hmm..." Maka began to ponder. 'Just what would motivate him to take such measures? No... could it be?'

—

Kizuna was trying to wrap his head around all of this. He had his keyblade ready. He didn't like the smug look Yujo was giving him. Yujo pointed his keyblade at Kizuna.