(One more chapter and then this is finished! I am really happy with how this turned out along with the views! Both on here and Archive! It really means a lot. I cannot wait to see your reactions to the finale. Enjoy!) 

      "Are you sure you can hang on, Chenya?" Trey asked as he helped his friend walk.

"I'll be much better once we help Pina and her mother" Chenya replied tiredly but with determination.

Idia approached the duo Heartslabyul and Chenya. They each gave him an encouraging expression before they left together for the stage.

"Let's get the lead out and save the Vers!" Lea announced with an excited grin.

As for Brain's group, they arrived at the bottom of the World Tree where a bunch of guards were waiting for them.

"Well, at least she's learning from her past mistakes" Brain said with a grin as Ephemer laughed in agreement.

Skuld summoned her keyblade as Ace, Deuce, Jack, Epel, Najma, and Sebek prepared themselves for a fight by holding their magic pens out.

"Alright! Remember!" Ephemer spoke as he took point as the leader, "We only want to knock them out. Do not do anything more to them. Ace, I know you want to, but do not"

Ace groaned at being caught before the fight broke out.

"Brain, you've got your mission. Are you sure you can handle it?" Ephemer whispered to his friend.

"Oh, yeah. This is going to be easy" Brain reassured his leader with a grin and tipped his hat up, "But I believe we need the order to start our missions!"

Ephemer shook his head at his friend before nodding his head, "Ok, everyone! Do not hold anything back! Give it everything you've got!"

"Finally!" Ace shouted excitedly as Jack and Sebek ran on ahead first with Skuld following them.

Deuce, Najma, and Epel were standing with Ephemer and Brain as they slowly made their way to the exits. Skuld let out a hearty laugh before jumping and raising her Starlight Keyblade above her head. She slammed it on the marble floor to blow the guards back with Sebek taking advantage of their distress to cast, powerful, green lightning to paralyze the guards!

"Haha!" Sebek declared in triumph, "You will have to do better than that to defeat one of Lord Malleus' guards!"

A few guards were about to jump him, but Jack transformed into a wolf and rammed his head to knock the guards back.

Sebek scoffed at Jack's help and replied, "I could've handled that myself, you know. Please only help if I ask for it!"

Jack growled at him as Skuld threw her keyblade between them to knock a few incoming guards out before she walked right pass them. They were impressed that she was strong enough to do that before rushing to fight the other guards. Skuld summoned her keyblade back to her as she, Jack, and Sebek found themselves surrounded.

"Jack! Sebek! Follow my lead, please!" Skuld shouted excitedly with both holding surprised expressions.

They were prepared as she took a strong stance. She let out a yell before slamming her keyblade on the marble floor break it and cause the pieces of the floor to be tossed in the air!

"Sebek! Lighting!" Skuld shouted as she cast a few magic spells to make the debris still float in the air and around a large group of guards.

"R-roger!" he shouted as he held his pen and raised it to gather a large amount of lightning, "Yarh!"

He unleashed the lightning to strike the debris. The lighting burst and shocked a few guards, but some were making their way to the exits to warn Miss Ver of their assault.

"Jack! Round them up! We can't have them escape!" Skuld shouted as she pulled Sebek with him.

He howled before running around to ensure the guards didn't leave the area. Skuld counted as the debris were slowly falling in front of her and Sebek.

"Sebek! Jack! Hit the debris back at them!" Skuld shouted in delight as she jumped and smacked one debris at a few.

Jack rammed his head against a few debris to crash it against a few while Sebek transformed his pen into a baton to strike the debris back!

"Aw come on!" Ace exclaimed annoyed, "Why can't we do something like that?!"

Ephemer rolled his eyes before summoning four keyblades. Ace, Deuce, Epel, and Najma turned to the leader of the Dandelions who held one of the keyblades and looked at him. He presented the three keyblades before Ace, Deuce, and Epel. Three of them were surprised and faced him as Ephemer nodded his head.

"Yes!" they shouted as they jumped on the keyblades.

Ace latched onto it, Deuce sat on the one he had, and Epel stood up on his. All three commanded the keybaldes to fly over the guards and cast their magic from above. Ephemer charged forward as he swung his keyblade to knock a few guards out by either using the blade or casting magic. He found himself surrounded and focused before cast a wave of light magic to knock them back.

"He's gonna need cover!" Ace shouted as Deuce cast a cauldron to crash on a few guards.

"Gotta plan?" Epel asked as Ace smirked.

"Fly around! Use fire, grass, and water! Let's make it rain magic!" Ace shouted before he turned the keyblade around and gathered fire magic to the tip of his pen.

He waved his pen upward to have fire burst from it and crash behind Ephemer who turned the other way to cast a "Sleep" spell. Deuce let out a cheer before waving his pen downward to make water splash over the guards. Epel let out a hearty yell before waving his pen in a horizontal manner to cast powerful, grass spells to a few others.

"You are crazy!" Ephemer said with a shake of his head and swung his keyblade horizontal to then controlling their keyblades to have them spin around to create a whirlwind.

The three of them shouted in delight with screams as they cast their magic to knock the guards down. Ephemer grinned before separating them and letting them scatter to defeat the remaining guards. Najma pouted that she didn't get a keyblade, but Brain shook his head at her.

"Don't worry" he reassured her, "You're gonna help me"

He and she ran on ahead as Ephemer nodded at them. Ephemer cast magic to knock some guards back while creating a barrier in front of himself for protection. He kept his eyes on Ace, Deuce, and Epel who were too excited about flying the keyblades and casting their magic.

"Hopefully this can be enough time for Brain and Idia" Ephemer said seriously, "I just hope we are not too late"

Brain ran in front of Najma as both were running to the exits of the World Tree. She was confused as to why, but Brain pulled up a screen and summoned the same black vehichle they used to arrive at the World Tree!

"What?" Najma asked surprised as Brain gestured for her to take a step on it.

He took the controls and quickly piloted it to return them to S.T.Y.X. They arrived as they entered the facility and found themselves being greeted by a few guards! Najma was worried, but Brain simply laughed at them.

"Don't worry, because this is where your magic is going to help us" Brain explained with a confident expression as he summoned Master Defender, "Now, place your hand on the handle and think about your magic"

She did as she was told with her eyes flashing a golden light. The Charon robots were approaching them, but neither were afraid. Brain smirked before Najma casted a powerful paralyzing spell from Master Defender. The Charon robots were stunned in place as Brain let out a laugh with Najma surprised.

"Those robots are equipped to deal with our magic" Brain explained simply, "Ah, does it feel good to be a genius? Alright, let's head to the bottom floor!"

They entered the elevator and arrived at the lab areas of S.T.Y.X. Brain rushed to the computers and pulled up a few screens and devices.

"We are up and running!" Brain said in delight.

Najma couldn't understand any of the screens before herself, but she asked, "So, what is your part in this plan?"

"Besides the Shroud brothers, I am the smartest person here" Brain explained as he pulled up a screen displaying the gate to the Underworld, "Idia wants me to make sure the lock is secure. If all else fails, I'll use the keyblade to contain it. Don't worry, I'll make sure you're safe. I created an escape route for you to use by connecting this place to the World Tree"

Najma was impressed and caught off guard by him. Regardless, he pulled up another screen that was linked to the World Tree. He shut down all the cameras and any device that could record anything relating to vision, sound, and the internet. He then made sure no one from S.T.Y.X could interfere either.

"Now, we wait" Brain said calmly, "I hope this works. I don't want another Daybreak Destruction"

"What?" Najma asked worriedly.

"Don't worry" Brain replied, "You don't have the forces of darkness and light trying to destroy each other based on their whims. It is also the job of keyblade wielders to make sure the worlds are safe and help our friends. Which is what we plan to do now"

He flashed her a grin as she nodded her head in understanding. She hoped her friends were safe and carrying out their plans without any issue.

"So, is everyone ready?" Yuu asked as she was holding Grim.

"Oh, yes! I haven't had this much fun in ages!" Lilia said in delight with Silver shaking his head at his father.

Isa looked at Mentha and asked calmly, "Are you ready for this?"

She nodded her head as Malleus and Ortho shared a nod before opening the doors to the balcony. Miss Ver was startled as she turned around and found them standing before her.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded as Malleus glanced at Mentha.

"Helping a common friend out" Malleus answered as the guards stood between him and Miss Ver, "Fae of Maleficence"

Lilia created a barrier with Silver's help to protect themselves and their friends from Malleus' unique magic. Miss Ver realized this too. She quickly created her own magic barrier for protection as her guards fell asleep when the green mist and sparkles descended upon them.

"Do you think your spell can stop me?" she asked in a furious manner.

"Oh, no, Miss Ver" Malleus said in a knowing tone, "My spell was only meant as a distraction"

She turned around and saw Mentha standing behind her with her hands out.

"Apologizes Miss Ver, but I must do this" Mentha spoke calmly, "Sweet Scent"

Miss Ver quickly tried to cover her mouth, but she could feel her throat becoming dry. She was frustrated as Ortho let out a happy cheer.

"The plan is working! We will be able to save Pina!" Ortho cheered warmly with a blue flash of light as everyone remained on guard.

"Save my daughter? You? Do not make me laugh! Spring Forth!" Miss Ver exclaimed as she took control of her vines and struck Ortho off the balcony!

Yuu tossed Grim to Silver as she rushed to stand behind Ortho and tried to stop him from falling. Miss Ver let out a frustrated yell as she put more effort into her spell and knock both freshmen over the balcony!

"ORTHO!/YUU!" Grim and Silver shouted in worry as Malleus ceased his spell and ran towards them.

"Malleus, don't!" Lilia shouted as Malleus jumped off the balcony!

Ortho tried to activate his thrusters, but he couldn't fly. Yuu wrapped her arms around him as they prepared for the impact, but Malleus used his magic to teleport behind them. Carefully and quickly, he wrapped his arms around the freshmen and teleported them to the floor level of the World Tree. Ortho was the first to react and hover over them.

"Ah! Are you both ok?" Ortho asked worriedly.

"I think so" Yuu answered as she caught her breathe and gazed at Malleus, "Are you?"

She was still wrapped around Malleus' arms and placed a hand on his chest as he groaned and sighed in relief.

"Yes, Child of Man, I am fine" Malleus reassured her before pressing his head against hers, "Though, we have other things to worry about. I hope the others can take care of the rest. We should head to the stage, but first, Ortho, did you record Miss Ver?"

"I did. My big brother's assumption was correct" Ortho answered strongly, "We should be prepared"

"Understood" Malleus said as he picked himself and Yuu up, "The others up there know what to do. Let's go"

They departed from the World Tree and went to the stage.

"Phew" Lilia said as Isa, Grim, and Silver faced Miss Ver who was stunned at what had transpired.

Mentha took her chance again and cast her spell to make Miss Ver's throat dry! She held her throat as she gazed at her employee. She slowly backed away as Lilia pulled Silver and Grim back with Isa standing in front of them with Lilia.

"Well, Miss Ver, I do hope you realized that you attacked the heir to Briar Valley" Lilia informed her with a smirk, "But I believe we can return the favor. Isa, are you prepared?"

"Duly, Vanrouge" Isa answered as Lilia covered his claymore with magic.

Isa then swung the enchanted claymore on the floors to break it! Miss Ver let out a scream as she fell, but she didn't fall to another floor. Instead, she found herself trapped in the ruined floor!

"Apologizes Miss Ver" Lilia spoke with a grin, "But this is for the best. My video game buddy didn't deserve this and I plan to help a friend of my future king. Thank you and please relax!"

Lilia turned his heel to face them and hold his hand out. They placed their hands on his before teleporting out of the World Tree to arrive at the stage.

"It is almost time" Pina whispered in worry as she found herself standing in the center of the stage with her hands shaking at her sides, "Deep breaths, Pina, Deep breaths. Everything is going to work out"

She looked around herself and found a few Charon guards around it. When it would be time for her to perform, a magical barrier will appear around her and the stage. She thought about the spells and knew which one she had to perform.

"Please hurry, Idia, Ortho, everyone" she pleaded before shaking her head, "If it comes to me, I know what I will do. It will be scary, but I can and will do this"

She held her hands out with her magic flowing throughout her body as she prepared herself.

"We're almost there, almost there" Idia whispered as he, Lea, Trey, Cater, and Chenya were running to the stage as fast as they could.

They turned a few corners and found themselves before the stage with a few Charon robots present. Idia was shaking a little as Lea stood between them with his keyblade in hand as Trey, Cater, and Chenya were behind him.

"Ok, there's about five of them, but that should be enough" Lea commented as he glanced to Idia, "Get going. We've got this"

Chenya pulled himself off Trey and prepared for a fight while Trey and Cater held their magic pens. Idia nodded as he ran away from them and to the stage. A Charon robot flew right at Idia, but Lea chuckled before snapping his fingers to create a wall of fire between the robot and Idia.

"Sorry, but that's not gonna happen" Lea said with a smirk, "If you wanna get him, you have to go through us first. Boys! Bring the heat!"

"Split the Cards!" Cater chanted as he created four copies of himself to scatter and cast magic.

Chenya quickly disappeared and jumped on another one as Trey cast recovery spells to them. Lea summoned charkmarkers and threw it at them with a laugh.

"Almost there! Almost there!" Idia whispered as he ran up the stone steps and tripped to fall forward onto the stage.

He picked himself up, gasped, and crawled to the stage as he shouted, "PINA!"

She gasped and turned around to see him on the steps, "Idia?! What are you doing here?!"

He picked himself and was relieved to see that she didn't perform the spell yet.

"Stopping you from making a decision you can't save state on" Idia explained as he swiped his hand in front of himself, "What are you thinking? This isn't ok!"

"I didn't want you to be alone in there" she confessed as her hands were in tight fists, "You shouldn't have to be alone anymore. You've suffered enough! I won't let you suffer alone!"

Idia's eyes were wide as he took a step back. He smiled softly at her and how much she cared for him.

"Pina. I'm not alone anymore. I've got you, Ortho, Azul, Vil, Malleus, Lilia, Lea, Brain, and so many others" Idia spoke with a laugh, "I am still finding it hard to believe that a gamer like me even has so many people in my corner! Without their jeers and fears too! So, please, don't worry. I am not alone anymore, I promise"

He smiled softly at her as she felt some relief from his words.

Idia took another calm breathe before asking, "You didn't want to do this, did you? You haven't told your mother everything, have you? About your friends at RSA and our relationship, right? I understand the reasons, but that's who you are. You love interreacting with others different from you. You love being outside and seeing what the world has to offer. You enjoy video games as much as gardening. You have a drive for learning history and practicing your magic. You complete any task before you and help others in need. I admire that in you. You are willing to see the good in everything and in life. Not many of us can do that"

She began to cry. Everything Idia was saying was true. Although it pained him to see her cry, he had to be the one to speak. He wasn't done either. He wanted to make sure her feelings were loud and clear for her mother to see, hear, and understand.

"That should be it" Lea said as he defeated the last Charon robot and waved to see Malleus, Yuu, and Ortho coming towards them, "Hey! How did it go?"

"Better than we expected' Malleus answered until he turned to the stage to see Idia speaking with Pina.

Ortho wanted to fly up there to help, but Yuu pulled him back and shook her head. They simply stood behind them to watch and listen as Lilia's group arrived and followed their example.

Idia took another breathe in and continued, "Your selfless to the point where you hide your own wishes and desires. You will inherit the World Tree just as I will inherit S.T.Y.X. Neither of us feel prepared for it, but we know we have to do it. You didn't hesitate to learn more about the company and what you can do to support it. You always did what you can for others without asking for anything in return. Sometimes, I have to get you to be selfish and enjoy something you enjoy"

She wiped her tears away as she let out sobs. She couldn't hold it back anymore. She was keeping this in and trying to do whatever anyone asked of her, including her mother. She was shaking as she finally let her tears fall and cry.

"And you did all of that with a smile on your face" Idia spoke softly as his voice began to rise without him even realizing it either, "You even did this when I tried to shut you out of my life. You never stopped. Letter after letter, text after text. You were always there and wanting to help. I cannot thank you enough for that, and now, I won't let you be quiet anymore. Proserpina, Pina, my player 2, shout it out! Shout out your desires! For once in your life and many more to come, be selfish!"

She raised her head and faced him. He held a worried expression, but he still had a comforting smile.

"I...I..." she spoke in a shaky voice before shaking her head and letting out a yell!

Everyone was surprised to hear her yell, but Idia released a breath he didn't even realize he was holding in.

"I don't want to do this!" Pina cried out as tears still fell, "I don't want to hurt you, Idia! I love you! I love my friends! I love being with them, Ortho, and everyone! I want to play video games with you! I want to read more history books! I want to practice my magic more! I want to do so much more than the company! I want to live my life and experience more than the tree! I love my mother, but I want to live my life!"

She took a step forward, surprised at everything she confessed. She believed it would make her feel awful, but she felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulder. She was crying, but she felt so much relief. She could breathe even though she was huffing with tears falling from her face.

"Better, Pina?" Idia asked with a gentle expression.

"Yes, thank you, Idia" she replied happily as she let her tears fall without a care.

He held his hand out to her and said, "Then, let's go together and tell your mother everything. I won't leave you to face it alone. We are doing this together, Proserpina"

She smiled warmly, nodded her head, and ran forward with her hand reaching for his. She and he were close to reaching for each other until the magic barrier burst and knocked both away from each other!

"Big brother!/Ver!" Ortho and Malleus shouted with worry.

Idia and Pina fell and picked themselves up in utter horror to see the magic barrier in place with the only solution to perform the rite if they wish to remove it.