The sun was setting on the island, the splash of waves and calls of birds setting the peaceful mood as the orange gleam reflected back onto the island and its inhabitants. Perched on a tree was Riku, watching the sunset quietly. He was soon joined by Sora, who walked over and leaned against the tree near him. "Nothings changed huh?" Riku started, remarkingly.
"Nope. Nothing will." Sora replied, a small smile spreading on his face.
"What a small world."
"But part of one that's much bigger."
After the long trails they had faced, it was refreshing to be back. "Hey Riku… what do you think it was- the door to the light?" Sora asked, Riku sliding down from his spot on the tree.
"This." Riku looked to Sora and pointed at his heart, smiling warmly.
"This?"
"Yeah, it's always closer than you think."
The two where soon joined by there friend Kairi, though the look of urgency on her face made Sora feel a tad worried. "Sora! Riku!" Kairi halted, holding up a bottle. Inside was a bundled up slip of paper with a mickey emblem sealed on it.
"It's from the king!" Sora realized, taking the bottle and retrieving the sheet of paper. It was a letter from the king.
"What does it say?" Riku questioned curiously, prompting him and Kairi to get closer so they could read it as well.
I know it feels so sudden, but there are things coming. Trouble brewing. Sora, Riku, Kairi, the truth behind the keyblade has found its way through so many people and now I know it rests in your heart.
Sora, you are who you are because of those you have met and helped, but now there are others in grave danger.
I ask of you to return for this next journey, to fight the darkness once again. The door is opened, and it's up to you to end the bad for good.
-mickey
The three starred at the letter in silence a moment after they viewed it, thoughts running through their heads. "What does it mean?" Riku finally spoke up.
"I-Don't know. It doesn't sound good though…." Sora concluded, sustaining a uneasy feeling.
The Gummi ship had arrived shortly and picked up the three. While the letter was vague, the ship had brought them to Disney Castle; a large white with marvelous design that spanned from many different things. It was the home of the King and some residents. The three exited from the ship hanger upon landing and made there way to the courtyard. "Ah-Hyuck! There here!" Goofy and Donald appeared, rushing over to the trio and embracing them in a surprise hug.
"Hey you guys!" Sora laughed happily, beaming.
"Good to see you." Riku chuckled, caught off guard by the hug but accepting of it.
"Aww you guys!" Kairi giggled and pulled them closer.
As the group laughed and smiled, King Mickey slowly arrived at in the courtyard and watched the scene for a minute, laughing with a smile of his own. "Hiya gang, good to see yeah again!" Mickey greeted them, now in front of the group. Hearing the voice of the king, Sora, Donald, and Goofy, split apart in comedic fashion; standing straight and saluting the king. Kairi followed suite, doing a curtsy. Riku was the only one who hadn't made a gesture, chuckling at the formers. "Loosen up a little would yeah?" Riku and Mickey laughed a little, earning evil, playful glares from the trio of Sora, Donald, and Goofy; Kairi had started giggling.
"So, King Mickey, what's going on?" Sora asked afterwards.
"I'm glad you ask Sora, come with me." The king's cheerful attitude soon resumed to a firm one, the topic of danger being no laughing manner.
King Mickey lead the group into the castle and through the halls until they had reached his usual quarters. Inside was extra chairs, brought in for them. With everyone seated in short time, Mickey took a breath and began to brief them on what was going down.
Sometime before the events that transpired, Mickey had been summoned by Yen Sid. What Mickey thought would be just a check up and recap of prior events was something else. A new adventure, a new threat, in the making. Behind his desk, Yen Sid listened to Mickey's report with his eyes closed, stroking his beard. "We may be closer to finding Ventus's heart after all!" Mickey beamed. While the news was exciting, Mickey could sense on his face that there was something else troubling him. "...You didn't summon me here for this." Mickey realized. "Master, what's wrong?"
"Mickey, as you know Ansem and Xemnas have been dealt with. But in the process of dueling them, another threat has been building up. One that we've been aware about for sometime."
"I don't get it. Who is this threat?" Mickey inquired.
"Maleficent." Yen Sid's now opened eyes stared upon Mickey.
"Maleficent?!" Mickey perked up.
"Yes. From what i've gathered, she is on the prowl. Building up a new army. Tell me Mickey, are we ready for that?"
"Not by ourselves, no."
"Then we must bring Sora back. Riku as well. We mustn't waste time."
The initial reactions to what Mickey had told them wasn't very happy. "Maleficent? That quick huh?" Sora was surprised yet eager to jump back into action and stop her. "How do we know it's her though?"
"It's Maleficent, you know what she's capable of!" Riku scowled, the thought of her bringing back dark memories. He was mainly being contained by Kairi who held his hand to comfort him.
"Good point." Sora nodded slightly, feeling bad for Riku.
"Yen Sid has yet to tell me everything, but I trust his word. He was serious about this." Mickey answered, reassuring them.
"Typical of Sora.." Donald snarkily remarked, laughing under his breath.
"Seriously? What do you mean by that?" Sora gave Donald a glare, shaking his head.
"Now, now, we should report to Yen Sid for further instruction." Mickey advised.
"Okay, but uh, where is his tower this time?" Sora asked next.
"Wherever it needs to be." Mickey simply, and vaguely, replied. "Just follow me. The Gummi ship will guide us."
"Count me in!" a new voice chimed in, one of familiarity. Flying down onto the table with his tiny umbrella was Jiminy Cricket. "Hey fellas, off on another adventure?"
"Yep." Sora nodded.
"Oh boy, can't wait to write about this one." The cricket smiled, hopping onto Sora's shoulder. Mickey and the others got up and started walking towards the hanger. Sora stayed behind with Riku and Kairi to exchange some words. "Are you okay?" Sora started, looking to Riku.
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me, let's focus on the bigger threat."
"Your right, best not to distract ourselves. Riku can handle this, he's a big guy." Kairi giggled and Sora joined in, earning a amused smile from Riku. "Though, I wonder what role i'll play." Kairi brought up.
"It must be that keyblade you possess." Riku reminded her.
"Hey, cool! You could become a keyblade wielder like me and Riku!" Sora bursted excitedly.
Kairi held her hand out and spawned the keyblade in her head, looking it over and then swinging it softly through the air. "You think so?"
"We know so, right Riku?"
"It's not too far fetched." Riku agreed, enjoying the idea himself of Kairi joining them. Also feeling a tad anxious, both towards the news and towards Kairi being brought up into something dangerous like the things ahead.
The group reached the hanger and where welcomed by Chip and Dale who had set up there things already. "All set for travel!" Chip chirped, saluting the group.
"Ah Huh! All fixed up and everything!" Dale confirmed.
"Will one fit us all?" Sora asked.
"We made some adjustments and added additional features, such as more seating!" Chip nodded. With Mickey behind the wheel, the party got boarded the ship and set off. A few minutes of banter and other vocal activity later, Mickey had stumbled upon the tower and made the landing. In similar fashion, Sora, Donald, and Goofy saluted Yen Sid, Kiri did a courtesy, and Riku and Mickey just watched in amusement.
"I apologize for calling upon you all on short notice, but as Mickey has already told you, Maleficent has reappeared on our radar. From few sources me and the three fairies concluded that she has been plotting another invasion of worlds- maybe even with a new army. Having familiarly with her dark magic the best, the fairies have conducted a scan and found traces of said magic lingering around. Sora, I want you, Donald, and Goofy, to get a start on this. One lead has been found at Radiant Garden. The others will be found by a new charm the fairies have made for you."
"Alright. We won't let you down." Sora declared, following his companions into the other room to meet with the fairies.
"As for you Riku, had things not been so sudden I would've kept Sora here with you but for the time being you will train with Kairi. The more keyblade wielders, the better."
"Master Yen Sid, I respect your decision but I think i'd be much better suited going out and getting a start on this too." Riku objected.
"While I find your skills to be exceptional enough to lead a quest like this, Sora has more experience. There is room for improvement in both of you, but in this short notice Sora will be best fit for tackling this. Once you have trained some more, picked up more attributes, you can join him. For now, Kairi will need your support as will the rest of us if we are to stop Maleficent."
Riku opened his mouth to say something but closed it soon after, not saying anything further.
"Master, do you think I'm ready for this..?" Kairi asked, doubting herself slightly.
"You have potential Kairi, with the proper lesson you too will be on the path of greatness. I believe in you." Yen Sid reassured her.
"Thank you." Kairi sighed, easing up.
"So you guys discovered she was up to something?" Sora wondered as Merryweather clipped the charm necklace around his neck.
"Oh yes Sora, there is nothing quite like her energy. No amount of darkness can disguise that." Flora insisted.
"It was only a matter of time before she would try something like this again!" Fauna grumbled.
"This charm will lead you through your journey Sora, it will be capable of finding her marks." Flora told them.
"Thank you, you three. I promise to knock that witch down." Sora thanked them with a determined grin.
"You be careful now." Fauna smiled.
"Don't let her magic fool you!" Merryweather chimed.
"You can do this Sora, Donald, Goofy. We're counting on you." Flora tipped her head.
Sora, Donald, and Goofy hopped back into the Gummi ship and took off towards Radiant Garden. "We're gonna see Leon and the gang again guys! Isn't that awesome?" Sora took the wheel this time around.
"Ayhuck! Sure is!" Goofy agreed.
"A-huh." Donald nodded.
"I wonder what they found. Let's not wait for that." Sora took off and they were off!
A strong mist rolled through the land of the Hundred Acre Wood. The usual activeness of its residents was dimmed down, as none where heard from. It seemed the place was empty, abandoned, except for one courageous bear. Standing outside their door, Winnie the Pooh sighed, "Oh bother…"