When Darkness Turns to Light

Ticket to Trouble

Recappy From the Last Chappy: "Since you know what he looks like, you can keep an eye out for him. But now, go to sleep. You should be rested and well-alert for tomorrow." She closed her eyes again.

He rolled onto his back and used his arms as an extra pillow, sighing. She had sounded so distant talking even about her brother-no excitement when hearing about him, either. Perhaps making her feel closer to them would be tougher than he thought. "Night."

"Yeah. Night."

Chapter Ten: Ticket to Trouble

From the shadows of a den just outside the Coliseum's Arena, the tense Hades watched as Sora, Donald, and Goofy took out the last of the Heartless within the battleground. The three made cries of victory, excited to be going onto the next round; the crowd cheered with them. Sora twirled his Keyblade and hoisted it onto his shoulder coolly, about-facing in a complacent manner.

In the dimly lit den, what was not revealed by sunlight had a little light brought to it by Hades' hair. The blue flame burned more plainly then before, a reflection of his embarking apprehension. "That little punk is your next opponent, okay? Now, don't blow it," he demanded imperatively. His arm swept in front of himself in a no-nonsense manner. "Just take him out."

Leaning against the yellow brick wall was the young man Hikari had mistaken for Naruto; he was entered in the games under his true name of "Cloud." His left hand hung from his belt as he opened his eyes, lifting his gaze from the ground to Hades. With little expression, he looked toward Sora, unimpressed. "The great God of the Underworld is afraid of a kid? Sorry, but my contract says-"

Hades' fire spread from his scalp to along his shoulders, growing with his fury, and turned yellow against his currently red skin; he leaned back and flailed in exasperation. "I know! You don't think I know? I wrote the contract! I know it says you're only required to kill Hercules in this tournament." He pointed at Sora but glowered at Cloud; his fire calmed diminutively, and he reverted to his normal hues. "But you've gotta fight that kid to get to him. Come on."

In the Arena, Phil appeared to be giving Sora a few pointers, or lecturing him; the latter was more likely since the brunette scratched the back of his head, as if he were discomfited. Hades continued calmly, "Hey, it's like that old goat says-Rule Eleven: It's all just a game, so let loose and have fun with it!" He mimed punching.

Cloud continued regarding Sora.

"I mean, a casualty or two along the way is no big deal, right?" he chuckled.

The blonde did not respond, dropping his hand from his belt. He lifted himself away from the wall and left the den silently. Hades glanced after him, side-long. "Geez. Stiffer than the stiffs back home." He held his chin. "Still . . . suckers like him are hard to come by."

His snicker was nearly eclipsed by a deep, sinister growling.

[{X♥X}]

The image of Cloud departing from the den and Hades still standing within was reflected in lavender-white, no-pupil byakugan eyes lent to Hikari by one of the summon gems dangling from her bracelet. Above them was a hardened brow as she watched him enter the Arena.

She was in the Coliseum seating with Akamaru on her left side, barking his support, whereas Jiminy sat on her right shoulder, cheering with the crowd. Her byakugan eyes were deactivated as she fingered her shuriken holster. I don't like this.

Far below in the Arena-a concrete area with four Greek columns in the corners-Sora stood with Donald and Goofy on the right. On the other side, Cloud held his giant, raggedly bandaged heavy sword with seemingly little effort.