Chapter 10 - Olympus Coliseum 

"SO," Everly started, looking at the ship. "This is the Gummi ship?”

Sora chuckled as he led Everly aboard the Gummi Ship. “Yeah, it’s not much to look at, but it gets the job done.”

Everly stepped inside, her eyes scanning the interior. The controls glowed with an array of colors, and the seats were a mix of functionality and comfort. She ran her fingers along the edge of the console, her lips quirking into a half-smile.

“Not bad,” she admitted, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. 

Donald quacked. “No touching the buttons!” 

Wasn't planning on it.

“Soooo,” Sora began as he leaned against the wall, his Keyblade resting beside him. “What's been going Evy, the last I saw you were.you were..”

Ever diverted her attention away from the topic. “Oh, uh you know, just…busy. Nothing biggie.” She shot him a playful grin.

Sora raised an eyebrow, but didn’t push. 

“Enough chit-chat!” Donald snapped, flapping his wings for emphasis. “We need to get moving! There’s no time to waste!”

Isn't he friendly?

Everly hesitated for a moment, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. She had grown stronger, and Leon had even told her that she was capable of handling things on her own now but she didn't want to feel like a burden. “I don’t know…I don’t want to get in the way.”

“Come on, Everly.” Sora said, “You won't get in the way.”

Her resolve wavered at his words. She glanced at Sora, then at Goofy, who nodded encouragingly. Finally, she looked at Donald, who was tapping his foot impatiently.

“Fine,” she said with a sigh, crossing her arms. “I’ll come with you. But don’t expect me to be a damsel in distress, I can rescue myself.”

Sora grinned, slinging his Keyblade over his shoulder. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

~~~~

As the ship glided through the endless expanse of stars, Everly decided to take the opportunity to explore its interior. To her surprise, the inside was far more spacious than the exterior. The corridors were bare yet welcoming, leading to numerous rooms. She passed by barracks, a small kitchen, and eventually found herself in a cozy study lined with shelves brimming with books and scrolls.

Running her fingers along the spines of the books, reading the titles etched into them; star charts, stories from the past the list goes on.

"Hello." She heard a voice from behind.

Ever spun around on her heel only to see nobody. "Huh?"

"Down here."

She looked down at the desk to see a small green cricket in a fancy suit staring up at her.

“Uh… hey there,” Everly said, unsure if she was seeing things.

The cricket gave a little hop and landed on the table, its legs making a soft clicking sound as it moved “Your Sora's sister Everly, yes?

“Yes,” Ever said. “And you are?”

He took off his top hat and bowed in a very gentlemanly manner. “Cricket’s the name. Jiminy Cricket, at your service.”

The girl nodded. “So are you part of the crew?”

Jiminy straightened, adjusting his tiny jacket. “Indeed, I am! I keep track of the journeys, help out when I can, and most importantly, I’m here to make sure Sora and his friends stay on the right path. “I’m also a bit of a moral compass, you could say.”

Hmm..a cricket with a moral compass. Interesting.

~~~~

Wow. Everly thought to herself as they broke through the clouds and drifted toward the massive, imposing structure of what seems to be a Coliseum.

As the ship landed outside of the gates, the door slid open, Sora led the way, followed by Goofy, Donald, and Everly.

The first thing they saw was the massive statues of warriors standing tall at the entrance of the Coliseum, their stone faces fierce with their swords drawn out.

The crew went inside the building and into a small lobby area lit by torches, the first thing they spotted was a creature who looked half-man and half-goat with horns. A Satyr, perhaps?

“Umm..” Sora started but the creature cut him.

“Good timing.” He said without turning while working on a sign with rules on it. “Give me a hand, will ya?” Everly opened her mouth to speak but she was also cut off. “Move that pedestal over there for me?” He pointed over to a big rocky pedestal. “I gotta spruce this place up for the games.”

“Uh, ok.” Her brother replied, unsure. He jogged over to the pedestal and attempted to push it and it wouldn't budge. He sent Everly a pleading look for help 

The girl sighed and proceeded to help him, she placed her hands onto it. “On my count, one-two-three push!”

She and Sora pushed using all their might, their muscles straining against the unyielding stone.

Everly gritted her teeth as she pushed again, harder, her muscles straining with the effort. "It's not moving," she muttered, glancing over at Sora. "This thing must weigh tons.”

“No kidding.” He said through his gritted teeth. He stopped and trudged back cover to the creature. “It's too heavy. “ 

The creature froze mid-motion. “What?! Too heavy?!” he shouted in disbelief, his voice filled with irritation as he turned, his arms flailing. “Since when have you been such a little—” His words faltered and died in his throat when his eyes landed on Sora. “Oh, wrong guy. What're you doing here?” He hopped down, his hooves copping against the floor as he advanced towards us. “This here's the world's famous Coliseum – heroes only!” Donald backed away. “And I got my hands full preparing for the games. So run along pip-squeaks.”

Everly gawked, not amused by the name calling. “Pip-squeaks, really?”

The creature turned to me and put his hands on his hips. “Look, it's like this. Hero's are coming from all over to fight ferocious monsters right here in the Coliseum.” He explained, pacing the room. 

Donald crossed his arms, glaring. “You got hero’s right in front of you.”

Goofy stepped and placed his hands on Sora's shoulders. “Yup. He's a real hero chosen by the Keyblade.” His words made Sora smile.

“And we're hero's too.” Donald pointed at himself.

The creature began laughing. “Hero? That runt!”

So rude.

“What's so funny? I've fought a lot of monsters.” Sora questioned, annoyed with his attitude.

“Hey, if you can't even move this-” The creature tries to be tough by moving the pedestal, which obviously didn't move of course. “You can't call yourselves..a hero!” 

Everly crossed her arms. “What does that have to do with anything?” 

He glared at me again and dropped to the floor in a huff. “Okay, so it takes more than a brawn.” He got up. “Well, well, let's see what you can do. This trial is tough. You got what it takes?” 

“Yes.” Sora responded with confidence followed by a nod.

~~~~

The Satyr they learned is named Philoctetes otherwise known as ‘‘Phil” led them out the arena outside of the Coliseum and had barrels set up everywhere.

Everly, Goofy and Donald stood at the sideline while Phil explains the game plan to Sora. “Alright kid, the rules are simple: all you have to do is bust all the barrels in thirty seconds. Got it?”

Everly sat down on the first row of the stands and watched Sora in action as he skillfully took down barrels one after another.

He managed to get them all within five seconds. 

“Good job Soso.” Everly smiled going up to him and gave him a high five.

“Thanks sis.” Sora smiled, nervous scratching the back of his head.

Phil walked up to them quite impressed even though his expression didn't show it. “Not bad! For a beginner, that is. You know, you ain't bad kid.”

Sora chuckled then crossed his games behind him. “Looks like I'm headed for the games.”

 “Afraid not.”  

This time it was Sora's turn to gawk. “What? Why not?!”

Phil held up two fingers. "Two words: You guys ain't heroes."

Everly was about to point out that it was actually four words, but she decided to keep it to herself.