I'm sorry. I didn't put the disclaimer in the previous chapter.

Insert humorous comment about the fact that I don't own Kingdom Hearts here.

Chapter 3: The Devastated Garden

On the morning of the next day, Sora and his friends were ready to depart, waiting at the island where the papaou tree was. With nothing else to do except wait for the Gummy Ship to arrive, Sora, along with Riku who had been informed of the promise Sora made to Kairi last night, proceeded to teach Kairi some basic combat skills, such as the usual slashing techniques, along with some defensive maneuvers such as parrying with the Keyblade, and learning when to simply dodge an attack by jumping or moving out of the way. Kairi was tiring quickly though, considering her opponents were both able masters of the Keyblade. Panting, Kairi collapsed onto the sand, dropping her Keyblade, Island's Embrace, (A/N, I just made that up because of its island motif,) beside her.

"I'm sorry." Kairi replied with heavy breathing. "I guess this is tougher than I thought it would be."

"It's okay, Kairi, for your first time against a human opponent, that was pretty good. When I faced Leon when I just got the Keyblade, he tired me out pretty quickly also," Sora replied while lifting Kairi back up off the ground, only for him to trip backwards with Kairi falling on top of him. While being close to the other for each like that was something they both enjoyed on some level, it didn't stop them from blushing, as they were still new at being a couple, and it just so happened to occur right in front of Riku.

"Yeah, Sora wouldn't have lasted as long as he has, if he didn't have Goofy and Donald helping him out a lot in the beginning. He would have been easy pickings for the Heartless. I should know, I faced him a couple times."

"Hey, if I recall, I beat you every time we faced off, with me doing the brunt of the work compared to Donald and Goofy." Sora replied defensively, having stood up again.

"Yeah, yeah. The point is Kairi, Sora and I will be there to help you out until you can fight well like us," Riku replied, figuring he would concede those defeats to Sora simply by waving them off for now.

"And even then, we'll still help you out, because we're friends. Only you will be able to help us out in return at that point."

Sora's and Riku's comments cheered Kairi up immensely. "Thank you guys, I appreciate all your help, and I promise that I will reach a level where I can help you out more than be a burden to you two." And with that she hugged Sora, wanting to be close to him.

"You're never a burden Kairi," Sora said, about to be caught up in the moment when-

"Ahem, I've accepted the fact that you two are a couple now, but please do me, and when they get here, the others, a favor and keep it somewhat low key." Replied a somewhat peevish Riku.

While both were apologizing and assuring that they would tone it down in front of others with their faces blushing, the Gummi Ship along with its passengers decided that this was the right time to appear to pick up the adolescent heroes. Landing softly in the sand, the hatch opened to reveal Mickey, Donald, and Goofy, all in their battle gear from their last journey, and despite the happy faces they put on to greet their friends, their eyes carried worried expressions about what they were about to get themselves into.

Sora immediately rushed forward to greet his two steadfast companions from his two adventures, (plus the one that they couldn't remember,) and engaged them in a big hug. Mickey meanwhile, advanced towards Riku, both happy to see each other, but nodded heads instead, looking into each other's eyes, acknowledging their mutual awareness of more challenges that stemmed from the darkness that they have journeyed into were about to come.

"Hey, the Gummi Ship is bigger than when we last left it above Twilight Town," (2) Sora said as he looked at the renovated vessel.

"Well of course it is," came the replies of Chip and Dale, who had just exited the ship also. "We knew there would be more passengers than just the three of you," he replied looking at Sora, Donald, and Goofy, "So we made it more luxurious to accommodate more people, and even give people some private rooms."

Mickey then spoke up. "As much as I would like to stay and chat, we don't have much time, Radiant Garden is in danger, and it is our duty as wielders of the Keyblade to fight the darkness that has started to appear from their."

And with that, everyone proceeded to enter the newly remodeled Highwind. As the Gummi Ship lifted off into orbit, Sora took Goofy and Donald aside and asked them something while Mickey, Riku, and Kairi were at the controls in the cockpit.

"Is it just me, or is the King looking even more serious than when we went up against Organization XIII?

"You know, you're right about that," replied Goofy.

"Yeah, a few days after we got back, and the happiness of being back home with Minnie wore off, he had that worried expression on his face," Donald replied in turn.

"Uh-huh," Goofy continued, "he looked as though he had forgotten something or other and couldn't shake it off."

"Something he forgot huh? Could Mickey have a better idea of what is happening in Radiant Garden than what he has let on? What could there be besides Maleficent?"

Just at that moment, (and for the author to continue his lame humor of keeping Sora from thinking about things just as it could get juicy,) Riku and Kairi showed up.

"Mickey says we are just about to reach our destination in about a couple moments," Riku said, delivering the news.

"Well, lets get ready to help Leon and the others out," came Sora's reply, a confident look of determination on his face.

"I hope everyone's okay," Kairi said hopefully.

Upon arriving, they exited the Gummi Ship at the market place. But rather the peaceful place it was the last time Sora had looked upon the place, all the shops were broken down, buildings were toppled, fires were burning, and all around, dark creatures, big and small, on the ground and in the air, were everywhere, destroying everything and everyone in their path.

It was a scene of utter devastation.

Sora immediately whipped out the Ultima Weapon Keyblade, and yelled to everyone, "come on, we have to help now."

As everyone summoned their weapons, they all charged straight into the middle of a fierce battle to rescue all that hadn't been destroyed on this ever-restless world.

Author's notes

I had expected this chapter to get further into the chaos of Radiant Garden, but oh well. We'll get some more action next chapter plus some interaction with friends and enemies that are currently on this world. I'm sorry if the chapters are too short. I'll try to update soon, but some reviews might help.

Well, till next time.

The "Prophetic Lion"