Douglas
*Otoka began to ascend the staircase. He looked over his shoulder to see if Dado was following him. When he noticed Dado also enter the tower, he spoke softly.*

"This isn't going to be easy. If we had more time, I would have liked to go more in depth with everyone's skills, and tailor specific scenarios to their abilities, so everyone had a chance to shine. I think your dinosaur friend had it the most rough back there. Make sure you keep an eye on him."

*He scratched the back of his head as he walked.*

"However, I'd also like to give you something special of your own."

*He reached the top of the stairs and turned to face Dado. He held out what looked like a summon gem that was greyed out. It missed an emblem that signified its purpose, and instead had a crack running across its surface.*

"I'd like you to take this for the final battle, seeing as the rest of the lot got something that doesn't quite help you."
Robert
"Wait, Gursht is coming with?!" *Dado is alarmed. He's clearly not ready. He barely knows what a Heartless is; they can't drag him into such a dangerous fight yet.*

*When offered the gem, Dado reaches out to take it and examines it. He frowns.*

"Is it broken? Most of these that I've seen are a lot more... Vibrant."
Douglas
*He held a hand up at Dado's initial shock.*

"It's up to your strategy meeting whether or not he decides to go. I was more of stating that Gursht seems to need the most support, mentally at least."

*He lowered his hand and shrugged.*

"Not many know this of me, but what caused me to finally hang up my Keyblade and title of master was when my son was lost to the darkness... I never stopped looking for him. I tried to get a scientist to create a gem that might be able to summon him back to me, but in the end, the gem was only good for summoning what was essentially the ghost of my grief."

*The man's face saddened. He definitely had been holding this close to his chest for several years.*

"But, I have no use for it anymore. It may not have worked as I intended but, it still functions as a typical summoning gem. It will give you an increase in certain powers, as well as containing an ability that would consume the gem on use."
Robert
*Dado holds the summon gem tenderly. Otoka wouldn't have offered it if he didn't think it necessary, so he'll use it, but...*

"I'll bring this back intact." *His face bears a look of resolve. He's not about to destroy something so emotionally important for a boost in battle. If it comes down to it, he'll find another way.*

"After we get back, the first thing I'll do is give Gursht the support he needs. Master Mod had a... *Hands-off* Approach, for the most part. I don't..." *He pauses, choosing his words carefully.*

"I think giving new Keyblade wielders direct guidance and support is the way to go. I won't let him fall through the cracks."
Douglas
"Do as you see fit."

*He said with a light smile, before he continued to the door.*

"No doubt, you'd make an excellent master some day."

*Otoka opened the door to where Aria was resting and entered.*
Raymond
*The two had walked in and seemed to have caught Aria just as she finished putting on her battle gear. She noticed the door opened and just stared for a moment before speaking.*

"I'm not the only one who feels a presence far in the darkness, am I?"
Robert
"Yeah. I've been having trouble sensing that stuff ever since Fiora, but even I felt it. Is that... Pira?"
Douglas
"I felt it as well... But more importantly."

*He furrowed his brow at Aria.*

"You still think you're going out there after taking a hit like that?"
Raymond
"Master, I must help them. That presence *Must* Be Pira and it is clear they are about to make their final move."
Robert
*Dado watches the exchange silently. If she can help, that'd be great, but between the three of them, he reckons Otoka knows best.*
Douglas
"How fit are you to battle? If you die out there, the next generation of keyblade wielders will be lost. There are not enough masters left to be risking our lives so fervently."
Raymond
"....Okay.."

*Aria sighs and stands down, opting to take a seat.*

"Is everyone else ready? Are there any need of supplies? Once the fight starts, you won't be able to restock on anything until it is over."
Robert
*Dado counts on his fingers: Xion, Eve, Cavall, Nilus.* "We could use Four Elixirs and Four Kupo Coins, just to make sure everyone's stocked up. I've already got mine."

"Gursht won't be coming. He needs more guidance before he can do something like this."

"Also..." *He looks grim.* "Master Aria, Mr. Otoka... When I went to Traverse Town, I got targeted by someone possessed by darkness. Had Xion and Cavall not arrived in time... I don't think I'd be here."

"I also met my Inaxuma. My dark half. He wanted to recombine with me..."
Douglas
*Otoka sighed a breath of relief. At least all these years passed made her less stubborn than she used to be when younger...*

"I also supplied them all with an item that could let them borrow the power of a guardian of light, but they can only use it once."

*He put his hand to his chin and tilted his head. He actually didnt even think about it before now but... Dado's heart was unusually full of light.*

"Inaxuma? I'm unfamiliar with that name."
Robert
"Inaxuma is the dark half of..." *He sighs.* "My friend, Ikazuchi. Ika died during the raid on Hollow- er, Radiant Garden. His Heart went back to Inaxuma."

*He chooses to omit the part about having the opportunity to save him and choosing not to. That's a conversation for another day.*
Douglas
"Hm... A dark being that is the counter to this Ikazuchi fellow."

*He thought for a moment, then hit his fist on his palm when he got the idea through.*

"He about yay tall, black hear with a red streak, piercing yellow eyes?"

*He would go theough the motions, raising his hand to about Ika's height. Running a figner through his hair where Ina's classic red streak is, pointing at his eyes when he mentioned them.*
Robert
*Dado's face scrunches up.* "Yeah, that's him. He also kidnapped my friend on her birthday." *He inclines his head towards Aria.* "Fiora," *He specifies.*
Raymond
"What?!"

*Aria spoke up, hearing all of this.*

"Well i'm glad you're safe and didn't get hurt... But you chose not to recombine with your darkness. Did you kill them?"

*She then stopped and backtracked.*

"And taking a step back, we cannot stop Gursht if they wish to go with you to fight. That is their choice to fight. They also seem to have more experience than they first expressed. When I talked to them, they had fought heartless before. They only didn't know what they were or called."
Douglas
"I said the same thing similarly. It would be better to ask directly if he wishes to go or not, if he got told not to come but shows up anyways, that could mess up some plans, majorly. I see the potential in the... In Gursht. He just needs some friends to back him up."