Sora looked out the window upon Traverse Town's First District, a pensive expression across his face. So much had happened in such a short amount of time.

He thought back to that night. How was it possible that all this trouble happened so fast? Just hours before he'd learned from Leon and Yuffie what the Heartless were, that they were attacking and taking out worlds, and that he was the Keyblade's new chosen wielder. He thought the surplus of information was overwhelming… but then he remembered his Island. What had happened it? What had happened to all the beautiful trees, the glorious beaches, and all of the amazing people? His thoughts were then drawn to his best friend… the words that had come out of his mouth, how the darkness enveloped him completely, and the horrible look in his sea-green eyes. That certainly wasn't the Riku the spikey-haired brunette knew so well. But if it wasn't Riku that stepped unblinkingly into the darkness… who was it?

He shook his head, trying not to dwell on such dark thoughts. His eyes slid shut for a moment and envisioned his favorite sight: a pair of bright violet eyes. Could it really only have been a day ago that he was sitting side-by-side on the beach with Kairi? As he pictured her playful smile and how her hair would blow softly in the wind, he smiled…

Sora was gone for a moment in his own personal paradise—just him and a certain red-head sitting on a pier— when a faint cough shook him from his trance.

He looked around at his not-yet-familiar surroundings: the empty fireplace sitting lonely to his left, the chairs waiting to be occupied in the back, and the small munny register that was currently being maintained by a tall, goggle-clad man—the source of the cough. The blonde named Cid was the first person Sora had met when he'd awoken in this strange new world.

"Somethin' on yer mind, kid?" he asked nonchalantly. Cid was a very relaxed character, with a lack of manners that would have appalled Sora's overly-respectful mother. This, of course, only made Sora enjoy his company more. Sora shook his head.

"Nah… just thinking about everything that's happened. It's still so strange to me."

"Well, if you expected this to be easy you're sure as hell in for a surprise!" Cid called as he counted the day's munny. "None of this will ever be easy, and believe me I know what it's like to lose your home." He gave Sora a knowing look then went back to sorting out the register.

Sora took these words in silence as the door to the accessory shop opened, revealing his new found companions. Goofy was tall, affectionate and, well, goofy. He always wore a smile on his face and love in his heart. Donald, on the other hand was short, stubborn, and unwavering. Though Sora had only just met him, he was sure that Donald would be the 'stern hand' of the trio and would certainly keep them on task. The 'task' being to search for the elusive King Mickey and Sora's missing friends. His heart gave a squeeze at the thought of Kairi, but he was quickly pulled out of that thought.

"Well, we're all stocked up on items and the Gummi ship's fired up and ready to go. Did you take care of our accessories, Sora?" Donald asked in his quaky voice, looking over at Cid.

"Yep, just waiting on you two," Sora replied, though he still appeared slightly tense. Goofy and Donald, it seemed, both picked up on this.

"Hey! What did I say about sad faces! None of that, now!" he quacked loudly- making Cid in the background smash his hand on the register with a thunderous, "Yee-ouch!"

Goofy was much more subtle in his approach to cheer the boy up. He quietly (and with a smile) stated, "Don't worry, Sora. We're sure to find 'em. Don't you go and give up hope!"

Goofy's thoughtfulness and Donald's sharp reminder pulled Sora out of his slump. He smiled at his new friends.

"You're right! I know we'll find them, and your King. After all," Sora summoned his Keyblade and the three of them looked at it appreciatively, "We have this to lead us!"

The three of them turned to leave when Cid suddenly called out to Sora.

"Hey… take care of yourself, kid." Sora smiled, gave him a quick wave and moved towards the door. Before walking out, however, Sora used his new found 'fire' spell and sent flames into the empty fireplace. The small shop instantly became more cheerful and relaxing—just like Sora now felt.

…

As the door to the shop swung shut, Cid looked up once more, with a smile playing at his lips.
I've got a feeling we're going to be just fine, he thought as he finished counting up the days' munny.