*I don't own Kingdom Hearts, The Polar Express, or any of their characters
Four Keyblade Wielders were flying through the space separating each of the many worlds out there in the universe, commonly known as the Lanes Between. While ordinarily this would be nothing of note (beyond the fact that they were Keyblade Wielders)… each of these four was very special in their own way.
The male wearing red, silver, and gold armor was known as Sora, a rather happy-go-lucky fellow. Whenever his armor was off, he could be instantly identified by his spiky brown hair and his blue eyes. He was special not only for saving the worlds at least twice, but unbeknownst to him he had at least three others sleeping within his heart (although one was starting to stir… but that's a story for another time). His Keyblade was known as the Kingdom Key, and when it was in glider form he rode it similar to how people ride skateboards.
The female wearing pink, gold, and silver armor was called Kairi, a blue-eyed red-head who was kind to almost everyone she met (excluding those who could be classified under 'villain'… but even then, she was not as harsh as some people would be) yet never afraid to speak her mind. Her Keyblade was called Destiny's Embrace, and its glider form forced its rider to take up a position similar to water-skiing. Kairi was special not only for being the love-interest of Sora (which was definitely returned- it was obvious to all but Sora and Kairi, to everyone's amusement), but for also being one of the Seven Princesses of Heart- the only seven beings throughout the entire universe who could truthfully claim that they had no darkness in their hearts.
That claim certainly couldn't be borne by the male in the simple silver and black armor, who also happened to be the tallest of the four. Riku, however, had finally found a way to use the darkness in his heart (which was greater than it should have been, thanks to the actions of certain individuals… however, that's a story that has already been told) as a valid weapon for the realm of Light to the point where he was considered to be in the direct center of Light and Darkness… the silverette with striking turquoise eyes called his path the road to dawn. Oddly enough, his Keyblade (which, when in glider mode, bore an odd similarity to a motorcycle) was called Way to the Dawn. He was the one who had been through the most (except for maybe Sora, and even then that was up for debate), and the two best friends were the only ones within the group to have earned the title of Keyblade Master.
Finally, there was the female clad in purple, silver, and black armor. While the previous three had all been childhood friends back on a world known as Destiny Islands, Heavyn Lee had only recently been inducted into the group. She had actually come from a planet called Earth, where the adventures of her three friends had been recorded into a series of videogames (and yes, she had been a die-hard fan). However, there was no doubt that her role was one of great importance, now. For she, and she alone, was the chosen wielder of the X-blade. When the purple-eyed ravenette had an unexpected meeting with one who she had only known as a character from said videogames, she had been drawn into the adventure of a lifetime. It had only been when Heavyn placed herself between Kairi and a Heartless, however, that she had gained the only Keyblade that could unlock Kingdom Hearts… and what a surprise that blade had turned out to be for her. With the ability to talk and connect minds, along with other powers that the blade itself hinted at, the X-blade had not only became her weapon- it had become a true friend. Its glider form looked oddly like a Segway… however, Heavyn didn't care (but, then again, she had a secret fondness for Segways).
Anyway, as the four Keyblade Wielders flew through the Lanes Between, each of them were keeping an eye out for one of the many worlds that existed throughout the universe. Sure enough…
"Guys, to the left!"
Upon hearing Kairi's cry, the other three promptly swung their heads towards the indicated direction. Soon, they saw what she had seen- a world was within sight.
"Should we check it out?" inquired Heavyn, noticing that it wasn't one of the five Fragment Worlds that she needed to visit to further understand her abilities and role as the X-blade Wielder.
"Why not?" responded Riku, "After all, we should make sure that the Heartless and the Unversed haven't thrust that world into chaos."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" said Sora enthusiastically, speeding off towards the world.
As the other three followed him, the X-blade asked amusedly, "He'll never change, will he?"
"No," Kairi giggled, "But then he wouldn't be the Sora we know and love!"
"True dat!" came Heavyn's cheeky reply. At this, Riku bust out laughing, unable to argue with either of the girls' statements.
Pausing in front of the world, Sora turned his head towards his approaching friends as he asked, "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," came the simultaneous response as the others also paused in front of the world. Together, the four friends studied the world, experience telling them that the world's outward appearance gave a hint as to what might await them upon landing.
The world seemed to be divided into two parts, with a town that gave off the feeling of sleep on the bottom half and a town filled with bright lights and excitement upon the top. Bridging the two towns was a train that circled between the two. However, it was the crowning jewel of the top town that filled the four teens with excitement. It was a giant Christmas tree, one whose magnificence was pretty hard to beat… and that could only mean one thing (well, at least to one person…).
"Christmas Town! Aw man, I can't WAIT to show you that Santa's real, Riku!" cried out Sora excitedly.
Looking closer, Riku immediately interrupted, "Wait, Sora… I don't think this is Christmas Town."
"Huh? What do you mean, of course it is!"
"I think Riku's right, Sora… I mean, if this is Christmas Town, then why are the buildings of a different style?" interjected Heavyn. "Plus, was there a train like that one back at the Christmas Town you knew?"
Looking back at the world, Sora soon saw what they meant, filling him with dismay. "Aw, man… so, no Santa?"
"I didn't say that," Heavyn replied. "However, we can't exactly dismiss the possibility."
Upon seeing Sora's bowed head, Kairi soothed, "Well, Sora, there's only one way to find out if this world has Santa…"
"Let's go visit!" added the X-blade.
As Sora straightened his head, the others could literally feel the excitement starting to once again radiate from their upbeat friend. "Well, then, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
"Right!" responded the other three. Together, the four sped off into the world.
"Um… where are we?" Riku asked as he glanced around.
The other three shrugged as they, too, studied their surroundings, which were… oddly empty. Surrounding the four Keyblade Wielders was nothing but a snow-covered plain, lit only by a subdued sunset.
"I dunno," answered Heavyn as she spun in place, hoping to see at least some sort of indication as to what world they had landed on. "And to be honest… it's kinda freaking me out."
"Plus, it's really cold!" Kairi added as she started to rub her bare arms. Everyone in the group immediately felt pity for the red-head, for out of all of them her outfit was the one that was the least suitable for cold weather (which had been no big deal on most worlds… however, Heavyn suspected that Kairi would mentally made a note to at least buy a jacket whenever the group returned to either Twilight Town, Radiant Garden, or Destiny Islands- she knew for a fact that the first two, at least, had jackets that would withstand the craziness that was a Keyblade Wielder's life, and Destiny Islands of course would have Kairi's favorite store).
Sora, in a chivalrous gesture, moved to take his jacket off of his shoulders in order to give it to the poor Princess of Light (to which Heavyn had to restrain a squee- she still didn't know why those two hadn't made any attempts to further their relationship to beyond friends already), however before it even went past his elbows suddenly he was interrupted by something unexpected.
A loud whistle pierced through the air, making all four jump with surprise.
"What the…" Heavyn started before suddenly a light appeared in the distance. Together, the four studied the newest addition to their surroundings, all of them confused as to what it could be… especially when it seemed to be getting bigger. The loud whistle suddenly pierced through the air, along with a faint chugging sound.
It was the X-blade who connected the dots when suddenly it inquired, "Wasn't one of the features of this world a train?" Comically, the four humans' eyes widened when the light finally dawned.
"Aw, snap!" shouted Heavyn.
Sora cried out, "To the left!"
As one, the four dived towards the left- and just in time, for ten seconds after they had done so, the train sped over their previous position… then suddenly slowed to a stop.
Standing back up, Kairi wondered aloud, "Why did it stop?"
Riku only shrugged his shoulders as the rest of them managed to stand up as well.
"All aboard!" a voice suddenly cried.
All of the Keyblade Wielders turned towards the voice. Standing next to the train was what had to be the conductor, and he was looking rather impatient.
Cupping his hands around his mouth, he shouted, "Well, are any of you supposed Keyblade Wielders coming? We have a lot of pickups this year, so we need to get going!"
Four jaws dropped upon hearing that statement. Walking towards the conductor, Kairi was the one to ask, "How did you know we were Keyblade Wielders?"
"Why, the big man himself told me," came the answer.
"The big man?" inquired Riku as he and Heavyn shared a confused glance.
"You know, Santa."
"SANTA?!" cried Sora excitedly, pumping his fist with triumph. "YES! I knew that Santa had to be on this world, too!"
Chuckling, the conductor remarked, "I'm guessing you're Sora, huh?"
"Yep, that's him," responded the X-blade, appearing in Heavyn's hand.
Jumping slightly with surprise at the sound of the X-blade's voice, the conductor soon gathered himself as he turned towards the spiky-haired Keyblade Master. "I was told to give you this message: 'I am not the Santa you met in Christmas Town.'"
Confusion filled Sora's face upon hearing the message. "Wait, what does that mean?"
"Beats me," the conductor shrugged. "Maybe he can tell you more once we reach the North Pole… which we can't get to while we're standing around here. We need to get going if we're to make it to the North Pole on time!"
"Wait, so are you implying that this train goes to the North Pole?" inquired Riku.
Oddly enough, it was Heavyn who spoke next. "Don't tell me… this the Polar Express?!" she breathed as she looked towards the train with an increasing amount of wonder and awe filling her face.
Smiling, the conductor replied, "Yes, ma'am, this is indeed the Polar Express!"
Heavyn promptly squealed with excitement, to the confusion of her three friends who couldn't understand her excitement. Seeing this, she explained, "I've always wanted to ride on the Polar Express, ever since my mother read me the story back when I was a kid!"
"Well, then hurry up and get on!" ordered the conductor impatiently. "The Polar Express has never been late, and I intend to keep it that way!"
Needing no further encouragement, the four Keyblade Wielders promptly climbed on board (Heavyn led the way by practically bounding onto the train), with the conductor close behind. As soon as all five were safely on board, the Polar Express started to move once more.
A/N: So, I decided to post this story as a X-mas treat to all of you who are still loyal fans of 'The X-blade Wielder' even after all this time- and yes, I WILL be buckling down on the next chapter of 'The X-blade Wielder' as soon as Christmas is over! In the meantime, though, please enjoy a ride on the Polar Express!