CHAPTER 2: Disney Castle

Everyone's feet hit the ground as they landed outside. Enya stumbled and knocked into Sora, who fell into Kairi. Riku stepped to side to avoid the domino effect. He shook his head as he glanced down at the pile of limbs on the grass next to him.

"S-sorry." Enya stumbled to her feet. She looked around in awe. "Wow."

It was beautiful. The castle was of pale marble and the towers reached into the clouds. The garden hedges were bizarre. There were drums and giant leafy teacups. In the center was a tall hedge castle of many colors.

"What do you guys think?" Sora grinned clasping is hands behind his head. Enya and Kairi could only and stare, Riku and Sora grinned. Sora watched his sister as she wandered the garden. He decided it was worth it to bring her along.

"Let's go find the King." Riku suggested striding towards the Castle gates. Sora, Kairi and Enya quickly followed him.

"I can't believe this." Kairi said as she walked along side Enya. The inside of the castle was just as beautiful as the outside. Carved pillars reached to the curved ceiling and large windows were spread along the tall walls.

"Yeah, and if you think you can't believe it –" Enya trailed off as she noticed that Sora had stopped in the middle of the hall. Riku had notice as well.

"C'mon Sora lets go." He called down the hall, Sora didn't move. Riku sighed and walked back, wrapping his knuckles on Sora's head. "Hey, what's up?"

"I just thought of something." Sora said looking confused. "The way we got here, that wasn't normal."

"What do you mean?" Enya said stepping forward.

"Well, usually the worlds had an object already there that forms the keyhole, this time Enya's daggers formed the keyhole."

"We already reopened the pathways." Riku said, folding his arms. "Maybe the daggers are a way to go down the pathways again."

Sora nodded "Maybe."

This made absolutely no sense to Enya. She had a million questions.

"So, who's this King you guys keep talking about?" Enya asked as they continued down the corridor. Sora seemed to refocus.

"You'll see." Sora said as they reached a giant doorway.

The huge lavender door was so large that everyone had to crane their necks all the way back just too see the golden doorknobs. Sora stepped forward and to everyone's amusement only a small corner opened for them. Apparently not everything was as it seemed here. Sora entered and the other three quickly followed.

The room was huge but was completely unadorned. There was nothing except a throne on a platform at the furthest end of the room and a few tapestries. However, what surprised Enya even more was what was sitting in the throne. She gripped Riku's arm as he passed by yanking him to a stop. He looked at her confused.

"What?" Riku asked, looking around.

"What is that, thing?" Enya asked tightening her grip on Riku's arm, "That…thing, in the chair."

Riku looked up at the throne and chuckled, "That's King Mickey."

"But – he's a mouse." She said confused. "A giant mouse!"

"Don't worry; you'll get use to it. Wait till you meet Donald and Goofy." Riku said walking the rest of the way down the hall.

Enya watched him go, and stayed where she was. Get use to a giant mouse, not likely. She shook her head and slouched down the aisle.

"Wonder who Donald is?" Enya thought as she continued to walk. "And what's goofy? She noticed that the other three didn't seem at all perturbed by the giant rodent. On the contrary, they were all acting like they were old friends.

Mickey smiled at Sora, Riku, and Kairi warmly.

"Sora!" he exclaimed, standing and shaking Sora's hand.

"Thank goodness you're here. We need ya to –" King Mickey had finally noticed the fourth teenager. She gave him a crooked smile and a quick wave.

"Sora…" Mickey murmured. "Who's that?"

Sora turned to look at Enya. It accrued to him that Enya and the King had never actually met. "Oh, Your Majesty this is my sister Enya."

"Hiya." Enya said lamely.

Sora glared, and smacked Enya on the back of the head. Enya stumbled slightly from shock. Rubbing the back of her head Enya stared daggers at her little brother.

"W-what was that for?"

"Enya, show some respect. This is the King of Disney." Sora said nodding towards Mickey.

Enya glanced out of the corner of her eye at the mouse standing in front of the throne. She turned and gave a curt, sarcastic, curtsy.

"Your Majesty."

Instead of angering Mickey, Enya's actions made him chuckle. His smile grew and he strode forward to shake Enya's hand.

"Well, and friend (or relative) of Sora's is a friend of mine. It's nice to meet ya." Mickey said. Mickey turned back to Sora. "Donald and Goofy will be glad to see you again Sora."

At that precise moment Donald entered the room from a hidden side door. Donald squawked and did a double take when he saw Sora talking to the King. He ran forward.

"Sora!" Donald shouted running towards his friend eyes closed in glee. Unfortunately, Sora had neither heard, nor seen Donald and at that moment had taken a step forward. Donald zipped past Sora eyes still closed. Instead, his feathered arms wrapped themselves around Enya's thigh.

"Awww Sora." Donald said, squeezing the horrified girl's leg tighter.

Enya let out a shriek. "Ah! Get it off! Get it off!" She shook her leg furiously. Donald opened his eyes in surprise, but it was too late. Enya kicked out as hard as she could and dislodged Donald from her leg.

The poor duck flew across the room and smashed into the furthest wall. Donald let out a moan, as he slid down the wall, and flopped onto the floor.

Everyone scurried forward. Sora made it to his friend, he flipped Donald over. The ducks eyes rolled comically in their sockets. On the crown off his head a large bump began to protrude.

"Donald!" Sora shouted shaking his friend frantically. "Donald, are you okay?"

Donald's eyes stopped rolling and focused. "Sora, why are there two of you?"

He blinked several times, and the two Sora's blended into one. He stood shaking, wobbling slightly on his webbed feet.

"Are you alright Donald?" Kairi asked concerned as Donald stumbled around, trying to get his balance back.

"Uh-huh." He held his head, trying to make the world stop spinning. He realized that something was missing, he looked around. "Where's my hat."

Enya saw the pointed object a few feet away. She grabbed it and handed it to the giant duck.

"Here you are, sorry about that."

There was a loud creaking noise and everyone turned to see the main door open, a figure stood in the door way. Enya wasn't exactly sure what it was, it certainly was goofy looking. And that's exactly who it was.

"Sora! Riku, Kairi!" Goofy ran to then his armor clanking as he went. He scooped all three into a giant hug. "Grwash, its great ta see ya! Haw-yuc!"

Goofy and Donald we're introduced to Enya and vis-versa. Donald kept his distance from the tall girl. He was rather weary of her, or at least her boots.

Goofy and Donald had the same reaction as those in Radiant Gardens when they heard of Enya's relation to Sora.

Sora, Riku, and Kairi could tell that Enya was annoyed with the fact that Sora had never told anyone about her. Feeling guilty, Sora gripped her shoulder. Enya glanced down at him and he gave her a look that clearly said.

"I'm sorry I never told them."

She sighed and buried her hands deep into her pockets. Enya had a feeling that this was only going to get more and more complicated.

Mickey had returned to the throne once again. Donald and Goofy stood on either side of him, looking important.

"I'm glad you're here Sora." Mickey said his hands clasped together. "We have another problem; I think we made need the Keybearers help."

"What is it your Majesty?" Kairi asked. "Is it Organization XIII and the Heartless again?"

"No, well the Heartless are still a problem but that's not new. The Organization on the other hand, it's like they vanished without a trace."

"Don't worry your Majesty we took care of them." Sora said pounding fist with Riku. "They're gone for sure."

Mickey nodded slowly, lost in his own thoughts. He shook his head looking at the group again.

"That's true; anyways I almost wish it was the Organization." Mickey sighed.

"What do you mean?" Riku asked surprised.

"Well, if it was the Organization I'd at least know what we're up against. This is different."

"Different how," Sora asked curiously, "do you mean it's worse?" He couldn't really imagine something worse than Organization XIII.

Mickey merely shook his head. "Not really sure, ta be honest. Something has been going on for a while. Some really powerful darkness and we've sensed it growin' for a while. But, every time we think we've located it, it fades away. Whatever it is, it's smart enough to avoid being detected long enough for us to find out what it is."

He sighed, leaning back in the throne, his large ears drooping. "I wish we knew what it was. I need ya to help us. I need you five – six." Mickey corrected himself nodded at Enya. She grinned. "I need you to find out what this darkness is, and if it's a threat or not, after all I've been proven wrong about the darkness before."

This time Mickey glanced at Riku. Riku gave a quick nod of acknowledgment.

Oh, and check in on your friends in the other worlds, make sure everything's alright."Mickey looked at Sora. "You'll do it, right?"

Sora saluted. "Of course, your Majesty."

This would be a snap.

"Thanks Sora." Mickey gave a sigh of relief.

Enya had completely given up on following the conversation. Mickey smiled at her confused face. "You should stay here for a while, fill Enya in." Mickey pointed a gloved finger at the wall and a door appeared. Everyone bowed and the four friends went into the next room.

….

As they entered Sora spotted the three good fairies that had helped him before.

"Welcome dearies." Flora said warmly. "I see the King sent you here for a little attire fix up."She fluttered over to Sora circling him once and examining the state of his clothing.

"Sora, your clothing seems as powerful as before."

He nodded. Besides, Sora didn't want to go through that process again.

"So that leaves…" The fairies turned to Riku. He folded his arms and shook his head firmly.

"Thanks but no thanks. I'm good." He didn't really care about the state of his clothes.

The three fairies looked rather disappointed but they turned to Kairi. She also shook her head. She would never admit it, but the clothes she wore reminded her of the island, she didn't want to give them up.

"Alright, but at least let us put a spell on your clothing so it will be more powerful." The two friends exchanged a look, than nodded. Each fairy waved their wand and Riku and Kairi's clothes glowed slightly.

"Now you will be able to transform into different magical forms, like Sora. Of course, this only works for keyblade bearers." Flora explained. "But wouldn't you like it if we changed your clothes, just a little bit?"

Again, both of them shook their heads. Flora sighed, but she gave a small gasp when she saw the state of Enya. There were more holes in her vest then material, and her shirt and skirt was splattered with mud and grime. She blushed slightly under their scrutiny.

"No arguing with us about you, deary." Merryweather shook her wand at Enya sternly, and the three fairies advanced on the girl. Enya backed away, slowly hands raised in front of her. She glanced over her shoulder at Sora.

"I thought they were the three good fairies?"

"They are." Sora said grinning at Enya.

"Then, why do they look like they are going to attack me?"

Fauna floated over to Enya and dragged her forward. The fairy began to circle Enya. "Oh, maybe a nice dress what do you think? Perhaps pale pink and maybe a couple of frills here?" Fauna asked, looking at her sisters. They nodded eagerly, but Enya shook her head furiously.

"No, no way." Enya said folding her arms across her chest. "I don't wear pink and I don't wear dresses, especially with frills." She glared at each fairy in turn, daring them to try it.

"Well you can't wear that." Flora said tapping her foot. Enya dropped her gaze, shuffling her feet and fingering a tattered necklace.

"Oh my, that necklace looks terribly old." Fauna said rolling up her green sleeves. "Don't worry; I'll make you a new one."

"No!" Enya shouted gripping the pendant firmly in her hand, backing away. "I don't care about the clothes, I could care less, just don't change this. It's – special to me."

The actual necklace wasn't anything elaborate. The chain was braided white and red strips of material. The pendant was a small piece of white shell, shaped like a teardrop.

"Well, alright." Merryweather said confused, blue wings fluttering.

Enya glanced over her shoulder at her friends. Her outburst had surprised them; Enya felt a wave of embarrassment. Sora and Kairi looked rather confused but it hadn't really bothered them. She looked at Riku. His eyes were wide with surprise.

….

Riku sat on the beach out of sight. He could see Sora and Kairi out on the dock as the sun began to set. He glowered down at them, for some reason it made him feel sick.

"Not spying again are you?" Riku jumped, he turned to see Enya standing behind him. Her arms were folded, looking down at him.

"I'm not spying on anyone." He muttered turning back to the beach. Pulling up his knees he rested his head on them. She sighed.

"If you say so…" She didn't believe Riku for one second, but there was no point in arguing. Enya sat on the soft sand next to him, watching the sun slowly descend. They didn't say anything for several minutes, just watched the waves crashing on the beach.

"You know, it was going to happen." Enya said still not looking at Riku. He stiffened slightly and didn't say anything.

She continued. "Sora and Kairi, I mean. Trust me, I know. I have to listen to Sora, how he talks about her. You've had to notice right? How he looks at her when he knows she's not looking."

She glanced out of the corner of her eye at Riku. He still glared at the water. Enya sighed.

"You're only hurting yourself, Riku."

Riku stood and began to walk away, but Enya caught his arm.

"Riku, look, I didn't mean for it to come out like that, I'm sorry. It's just I know how you and Sora feel about Kairi, and I know how she feels about you and Sora. And – I don't want you to get hurt."

Riku slowly looked down at Enya. Her bright blue eyes stared up at him. He could tell that she didn't want to see him upset. He rolled his eyes, running a hand through his shaggy, silver hair.

"Why were girls so emotional?"

He sat down next to her again. The sun had completely set and the stars were coming out. Kairi and Sora were no longer on the dock.

"Here…" Riku said handing Enya a small parcel. "This is for you."

Enya took it slowly looking confused. "What's this for, my fourteenth birthday was four months ago, your either really early, or pretty late." She grinned.

He grinned back at her. "Fine, if you don't want it." He took the gift back and pulled his arm back, as if to throw it.

"I want it! I want it!" She grabbed the gift back. As she began to tear the paper, she asked. "So what is this for anyways?"

Riku merely shrugged watching her. "I found it a while ago, and figured you'd want it back."

Enya didn't understand what he meant by that. He was always a mystery. She tore the final end of the paper and a small necklace fell out.

"I remember this." She said holding the necklace up trying to see it in the dim light. The chain was woven red and white material with a small seashell dangling from the end. "You gave it to me for my fifth birthday. I was bummed because Sora got really sick that day and my parents forgot about my birthday. I thought I lost it."

"I found it in the cave a month back, thought you would want it back." Riku said gruffly. Enya smiled as she tied the braided chain around her neck. It was more of a loose choker than a necklace anymore.

"Thanks."

Riku only nodded in response. Enya rolled her eyes slightly and leaned back looking up at the sky. For some reason there seemed to be less stars than usual.

"Well, the rafts should be ready tomorrow. I can't wait to see what's out there."

"Yeah." Riku said looking up at the stars. "We leave early so get some rest. Tell Sora not to stay up daydreaming."

Enya grinned at him as she stood and dusted off. "Don't worry I'll tell him."

"See ya tomorrow."

But that night a storm came that would change their lives, and Enya would not see her friends or her brother for two long years.

….

Sora, Enya, Riku, Kairi, Donald and Goofy all sat around a long table, covered in food. Everyone was eating while Sora tried to explain to Enya what happened to him and the others over the last two years.

It was incredibly confusing.

Sora had gone after Kairi and Riku when they had been separated by the darkness after the storm that had come to Destiny Island. Apparently Kairi was a princess, one of seven whose hearts could be used to open a place called, Kingdom Hearts.

Riku had been taken over by the darkness and had been controlled by a man called Ansem, who really a man named Xenahort, who was Ansem the Wise's apprentice's Heartless. After Sora had defeated Ansem/Xenahort, Riku and King Mickey had stayed in the realm of darkness to seal the door.

Sora explained about Organization XIII, they were a group of nobodies. How Sora had a Nobody named Roxas after he'd been turned into a Heartless, which was completely different from a Nobody.

Enya's mind reeled. She absentmindedly toyed with the edge of her shirt. Enya wore a rose red colored tank-top. A black corset was wrapped around her waist and black arm warmers went up almost to her elbows. Black pants and thigh high black boots completed her new look.

"You've certainly been busy." Enya said picking up an apple. She twirled it between her fingers, she wasn't hungry. She felt sick to her stomach. How had all of this happened while she'd been stuck on the island alone?

"We should decide where to head next." Riku said taking a bite out of a large peach. Everyone nodded in agreement.

"We need to make sure that all the other princesses are alright." Kairi piped up.

"Alright…" Sora agreed. "How about we check in on Alice first? We haven't seen her in a while."

Enya remembered Sora vaguely describing Wonderland. Giant mushrooms and bizarre other plants. And, something about a talking cat.

She shook her head. "Cats don't talk." But as Enya glanced at Donald and Goofy, who were pilling food down their throats, she thought to herself. "Well, ducks, dogs, and mice aren't supposed to talk either."

"That's okay with everyone right?" Sora said looking at everyone. "We'll head for Wonderland first?"

"And after that?" Riku asked standing. Sora shrugged.

"We'll figure it out as we go along."

"Of course." Riku smirked, shaking his head. A bright light filled the room and Enya's daggers appeared again rising into the air to form a keyhole.

Sora stood quickly looking at Enya. "What did you do?"

Enya shook her head looking at the glowing daggers over her head. "I-I didn't do anything." She stammered.

Sora's keyblade appeared. Slowly raising it a beam of energy burst from the tip of the keyblade.

Mickey opened the door peering inside, "What's going on fellas?"

He looked surprised as Enya caught the falling blades and Sora lowered his keyblade.

"I sorry, Your Majesty." Sora walked over to the King. "We have to go."

"Alright," Mickey said shaking Sora's hand. He glanced over at Riku. "Keep an eye on everyone okay? Just check in on your friends, and see if you can figure this all out."

Riku and Sora nodded and walked over to stand next to Enya, Kairi, Donald, and Goofy.

"Don't worry." Sora said to Enya and Kairi. "This landing should be a lot smoother." In a blinding flash of light they all disappeared.