DISCLAIMER: I don't own Kingdom Hearts unfortunately...but I finally own a PSP!!!

Chapter 6

Terms of Alliance

When Mickey returned through the portal he found that Donald and Goofy were already in the war chamber with Prince Adam next to them. The report he received from his two friends was that apparently Adam had prepared a force before they were ready to leave and had joined the duo on their Gummi Ship in order to come to Radiant Garden. And that gave Mickey and idea. There wasn't much time to think on it however since there was a huge puff of blue smoke in the room that caused everyone to cough and at the same time there was a large Keyhole shaped portal that opened up. Aladdin, Jasmine, Iago, Abu, Carpet, Genie and a number of palace guards appeared in the war council room, with Sora emerging from the portal. He acknowledged Mickey's presence but was unable to do much more than that before three more portals opened behind him with the other four members who had led the defenses emerging in behind them.

Juthias and Sikaru arrived together, looking very disheveled from their battle but nonetheless very whole. Granted, Sikaru looked worse than Juthias with a number of burn marks on his clothing, namely the navy blue jacket he wore over his shirt of similar color. Juthias' own brown attire looked significantly better in comparison, but he had been out in the field for months. Riku himself was completely fine though his hair looked a little dirtier and there were flecks of dirt peppering the complexion of his face. Kairi looked the best at least, having only fought one Keyblade wielder that had ended the battle. Thankfully, as Mickey would soon find out, none of them had encountered Onyx.

Sora ran to Kairi and quickly gave her a hug. All of them then quickly gave their reports. For the most part, all of the defenses went very well. Sora told them that he had defeated his Keyblade wielders in battle and Kairi had only needed to take on one. Sora beamed proudly when his best friends from Disney Castle told their harrowing story about the duel with the lone Keyblade wielder at Beast's Castle. Mickey's report was very short, as he knew they had more pressing matters to deal with. Riku's report was also fairly simple. One of his wielders fell to his blade and the other one fled out of cowardice. Juthias' and Sikaru's news had to be the worst. While Wonderland had been well protected, both of the traitors they had been sent to deal with their had escaped. Regardless, Sora and Mickey were still happy with the news. Sora then turned to ask Leon about how things were here in Radiant Garden to find he wasn't there. The mystery of his disappearance was soon answered.

"Mom! Dad!" came the unified voices of both Gentai and Demora as they ran up to their parents from where Leon was leading them into the room. Jeanette came in slowly behind them and ran up to her parents. Sora and Kairi both turned to face their children who ran into their arms. Despite being eleven already they valued heir parents' love and hugs more than anything in all the worlds. This was often compounded by the fact that they could be wiped away from existence at any moment. Sora hugged his daughter while Kairi hugged Gentai and they remained that way for a moment.

"They told us about the attack at school…" Gentai said, a slight amount of worry in his voice. "We we're worried."

"Gentai was more worried than I was." Demora said haughtily and Gentai threw her a scathing and disbelieving look. "I know you would come out on top!"

"Please…" Gentai said with a wave of his hands. "You asked to be excused from the classroom when you heard and I had to stay in order to take notes for you." Demora glared at him. Their usual argument had started again. Demora wanted to prove she was the stronger one but only when she had been the weaker one in the situation. Sora and Kairi laughed, and in fact many people in the room laughed at the exchange between the siblings. But no one laughed louder than Riku, which was a laugh that both the fraternal twins recognized. They turned around to face the visage of their father's best friend.

"Uncle Emo!" Demora announced to the room at large and everyone, even the usually emotionless Leon and Cloud, laughed loudly. Riku grimaced as the two kids ran up to him and gave him a hug. Riku returned the gesture affectionately. It was moments such as this that made him feel that perhaps one day he would be able to love again. Sora's kids were two of the things that made him truly happy when he thought of them, trapped inside the world of politics and generals. Sora smiled at the sight of this occurrence and Kairi wrapped her arms around Sora as well. But Sora broke the contact and faced the king.

"Well, what now Your Majesty?" Sora asked, seeking guidance from the tiny mouse king.

"Gee Sora…this is your show don't ya think?" Mickey told the young king of Radiant Garden. Sora put a hand to his chin and thought about this. "I mean, you were the one who formed the Parliament of Worlds. So whatever we do is under your command." Mickey paused for a moment as silence pervaded the room. "Though I would suggest possibly building up an army."

"Yeah…I thought of that too." Sora said, furrowing his brow a bit. Kairi looked at him concernedly for a moment before Sora seemed to have struck gold in his mind. "I suppose we should-" But the final words of his sentence never came out, for at that moment a green pillar of flame erupted in the room, not damaging any of the equipment but somehow bringing a much worse sign. Even before the flames faded away, all six Keyblade wielders in the room summoned their respective Keyblades to their hands and there was a large clatter as many other people in the room retrieved their weapons. They all hurriedly did this because they knew that green flame meant only one thing: Maleficent was back.

Sure enough, as the flames receded they found the towering and still imposing form of the Mistress of All Evil. As Mickey stared up at the pallid faced sorceress, he at last understood the slight rush and brush of darkness he had felt in Enchanted Dominion. Maleficent, still clad in her ebony and purple robes of night looked, if anything, worse than she had twelve years ago. There were large begs around her eyes and her face was even more pale than it had been when Sora had last seen her. And yet, to all around, they still knew her as a threat for she stood with an air of authority around her. Everyone stared at her as she entered in with a small smirk on her face. Riku was the first to speak at last.

"Maleficent!" Riku spat loudly. Maleficent turned towards him and the two children who were cowering slightly behind him. "How did you even get in here?"

"Riku, how wonderful to see you again." Maleficent said, not answering Riku's question but smiling at him all the same. Riku didn't bite at the bait and held his Keyblade up a little more. She chuckled a bit. "Might I remind you that this castle was once mine…I know its halls, and I knew His Majesty's path." Mickey gave a gasp as Maleficent nodded her head towards him.

"What do you want here?" Riku asked as he felt the presence of Gentai and Demora quickly leave from behind him to join their parents. Maleficent, however, had no chance to answer before Demora spoke up in all her cheekiness.

"Hey…Gentai, I think that's the hag." Demora said in a little more than a whisper, referencing the dream that they had both had recently. Maleficent seemed to pick up on this and turned sharply to the two twins.

"Who are you calling a hag?!" Maleficent yelled in all fury and her arm lifted up, becoming wreathed in green flame. Sora stepped in front of them with a very set look on his face, with Kingdom's Crown held in front of him.

"Watch what you do to my children Maleficent!" Sora yelled loudly and Maleficent's eyes widened with shock. Clearly, she had not known of Sora's children. Sora knew this wouldn't be enough to convince Maleficent to stop and so he added at the end, "May I remind you that there are more than enough people here who would love to personally finish you off." He glinted his eyes at Maleficent and she retreated with a smile, the green flames disappearing and the green orb on top of her staff dying down.

"No matter…I did not come here to harm you regardless." Maleficent said with a small bow. Riku wasn't convinced.

"What should stop us from running you through right here and now?" Riku asked viciously and Maleficent cocked her head slightly towards him. She sighed loudly.

"It's really quite simple. What I call for is an alliance between the two of us." Those words were followed with silence. It seemed as if the very foundation of sound was gone from the room; no, as if the very air had gone from the room. Was Maleficent truly here to seek aid? Or was it to trick them? "We have worked thrice before, you remember?"

"Those were only because they were for our mutual benefits." Kairi said scathingly and Maleficent nodded her head. "Nothing long lasting."

"That is true, of course. However, we live in times where forming a lasting alliance would be mutually beneficial to the both of us." Maleficent said. Nobody in the room said anything but Maleficent began to pace around a bit. The others backed off, at least willing to hear her out. "You know of Onyx of course…but perhaps you do not know what he plans to do."

"And what exactly is that?" Sora said, almost demandingly, and Maleficent was more than happy to oblige.

"Twelve years ago, I was wounded and broken. Before I had the chance to recuperate all but the deepest darkness disappeared and that was broken down into nothing. I took refuge away from the worlds. Then…Onyx went looking for me." Maleficent paused at this moment, as if steeling herself for what she was about to say. "Onyx wishes to find a way to bring back the darkness. With that he will rule all worlds."

"Why is that such a bad thing for you?!" Riku said in an antagonizing tone. "You love the darkness so it would just refuel your insane desire to take over the world."

"You misunderstand. In my weakened state, if I were to accept darkness it would destroy me. And as for Onyx ruling all the worlds…well, I cannot have that you see." She gave a small chuckle here and turned to face Sora, staring into his eyes. "I would rather see the worlds in the hands of you people than in the hands of one such as Onyx and…Onyx wishes to destroy you all. And if he does I cannot take revenge on you myself."

"What are you even proposing?" Sora asked, wary of the witch, and yet slightly willing to trust her.

"Even if I die in the effort to preserve the status quo, I will not let these worlds fall to Onyx." She spat out the Keyblade wielder's name like poison. "Your defeat will come at my hands…or none. I will not betray you should you form an alliance with me but think…alone we are as nothing. But together, we can do the impossible and preserve the status quo that all villains and heroes have in these worlds."

"Form…an alliance?" Sora said, hanging his head slightly and staring at his feet. How could he do that? After all that Maleficent had done…perhaps what she was planning to do. And yet, could they survive the storm if they did not form an alliance? Maleficent sighed loudly, forcing Sora to snap his head back up.

"I understand that this is difficult for you. That is why I will give you until tomorrow morning to come to your decision. When the sun has fully risen from beyond the horizon I shall return with Pete to this very room." Maleficent said and she began to disappear in green flame. "I pray you make the right choice!" And with a cackle and a flash, Maleficent was gone from the chambers. The Keyblades vanished from their wielders' hands and many others put their weapons away. Sora then walked off silently from the room. No one made a move to follow him, knowing that this was his decision to make. A few moments later, Hayner, Olette, Kairi, and all their children made their way out of the war room followed by Mickey, Juthias, Sikaru, Donald and Goofy. Riku was about to leave but Leon called him back.

"Riku!" Leon called out and the silver haired thirty five year old faced him with arched eyebrows. "You have a message from the generals. I'll put it on the viewing screen." Riku nodded curtly and faced the large viewing screen in the room. The image on the screen wavered slightly for a moment before showing five generals on the screen: Antonio, Melissa, Cristophe, Marcus, and Donato.

"What's up you guys?" Riku asked with a smirk. "Last I checked I was busy and I left Antonio in charge. What's the need to contact me?" Antonio was the first to speak out of the entire group.

"There's been a massive Unbirth attack on Halloween Town." Antonio said gravely and Riku nodded his head. Melissa jumped in the fight very soon after this.

"It's the worst that's ever hit there. We have no one stationed on site either so we need to send somebody. Only problem is that it's so bad that-" Riku cut Melissa off quickly with a wave of his hand.

"I get the picture, Melissa." Riku said. "We need to send a general then…Antonio, take an apprentice and go sort out the problem. Return to face as soon as you're finished though." Antonio nodded and quickly bowed out, leaving the remaining generals in the room.

"What of leadership of the Order?" Donato asked, hoping to make sure the Order was safe and secure.

"Melissa, you're in charge. I don't want anything to happen while I'm gone. If I need you guys, I'll call you but don't call me." Everyone saluted and soon after all three of Christophe, Marcus and Donato left the room. Melissa however, remained.

"Something's wrong…" Melissa said quietly. "Even over this transmission I can tell…even if the other generals can't." Riku sighed heavily.

"I'm afraid that the situation has recently become much more serious." Melissa gave him a strange look and he stared her right in the eyes. "Let's just say I found the person we were looking for but in much different circumstances than I thought." Melissa's eyes widened and Riku knew that she understood what was going on.

"What do we do about it?" Melissa asked, hoping that their leader would be able to give some sound advice. Riku looked at her squarely.

"We ride it out. I don't think she's planning anything nasty…but it's difficult to know for sure." Riku told her and she nodded. "Keep an eye on Cothius. There's no telling what he's planning. Remember Melissa, no matter what feelings get in the way, we're at war." With those final ominous words, Riku cancelled the communications and leaned against the large round table in the room. He was tired and could hardly believe that a day ago he was worried about Sikaru's arrogance. What was next?

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Sora was pacing around the courtyard garden in the castle of Radiant Garden. He had a decision to make that only he could truly make. Maleficent had done damage to the worlds; perhaps more than anybody save for Gentai. She had killed Edge twelve years ago, had incinerated Agradar and, had Sora not stopped her, she would have done so much more. And now she was here offering allegiance. Somehow, Sora knew that she held no treachery in her heart. Her power had lessened so much that she was weak and broken…so what would be the harm in it? Sora wanted to kick something thinking about it but thought better of it and was glad he did when there was a soft call from the entrance to the courtyard.

Sora turned to the door that led into the courtyard and saw Gentai standing there, looking in on his father. Sora looked into his son's eyes and saw a blossoming hope and innocence in those eyes that he wished he had. He also saw kindness and a sense of fear. Did he really want his son to live in darkness? If what Maleficent had said was true about Onyx bringing back the darkness then that would be what would happen. Maleficent had said that alone they were weak but together as one they could defeat Onyx was that true. Gentai ambled over to his father and they both sat down on a bench in the garden.

"You okay dad?" Gentai asked of his father and Sora nodded with a smile. Who was he kidding? He had never been one to think things out. It had always just been a constant state of doing things and reacting to the world around him. If things got into his head…he failed. That was always how it was. "Oh, you just looked worried." Sora ruffled his son's hair.

"I'm all right….just thinking." Sora said with a smile before he noticed that Gentai looked nervous about something…and Sora thought he knew what. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing…nothing's wrong…" came the hastened reply from his son and Sora gave him a disbelieving look.

"No, you're agitated. It's about Jeanette isn't it?" That caused the eleven year old to squirm slightly. "You really like her, don't you?" Gentai nodded sheepishly. "Well, no dating till your fourteen and…" Sora's words trailed off and Gentai looked at his father confusedly. Sora's mind was racing…His son, his daughter. All he wanted was to protect them. As twins they had always been able to face their shared nightmares because they were together, connected by their hearts. And maybe…just maybe that was what it was meant to be. Because together and connected they could defeat the darkness and keep their children the way they should have lived. Sora smiled brighter and hugged his son before dashing off into the castle, whooping with joy.

"Typical dad…" Gentai sighed out as he watched the figure of his father shrink away. The next morning, after Gentai, Demora, and Jeanette had been sent off to school everyone was gathered in Sora's war chambers to await the arrival of Maleficent and Pete. True to her word, when the sun had finally fully risen she arrived in the room along with Pete.

"Well, Sora, have you reached your decision?" Maleficent said with a glare in her eyes. Sora nodded solemnly and Maleficent's eyes glinted, indicating that she wished to know the Keyblade Master's answer.

"We will form an alliance. Because two hearts are stronger than one even if one is made of darkness." Sora said and Maleficent nodded. "But we won't continue with a deal if you show any kind of treachery. To that end, we'll allow you a council of villains that will meet with a council of heroes. Together, I think we stand a chance against Onyx. I don't know about this 'preserving the status quo' but we won't allow Onyx to rule the worlds."

"Very well then, Sora. I shall visit many worlds and build an army of villains to fight alongside our forces." Maleficent said. "What do you plan to do?"

"That's a good question." Kairi said with a glance to her husband. Sora grinned. He punched in some controls on the table and a hologram shot out of it in the shape of the star map. The star map began rotating around and Sora, Kairi, Riku, Mickey, Leon, Pete, and Maleficent gathered around it.

"We're gonna start by building up an army by going to worlds that aren't part of the Parliament and finding heroes, and villains mind you, to join us in our war." Sora said with confidence, already assuming the role of leader.

"That sounds all well and good…but how will we get to all the worlds?" Riku asked sarcastically and Sora glared at him. Mickey however, was able to pipe his thoughts in.

"Don't worry about that, fellas! I'm gonna go to the Interstellar Academy and have them send out ships before I get goin'!" Everyone nodded at Mickey but Sora had an opinion to voice.

"Sounds good, but I don't like the idea of going alone. I'll take Donald and Goofy and go to this world here." Sora pointed at a small world labeled as Notre Dame on the star map. Donald and Goofy nodded behind the king, to indicate their approval. "They're not part of the Parliament…and come to think of it, I don't think they've ever been contacted."

"What about Radiant Garden?" Leon said, approaching the table upon hearing the words that Sora would be leaving once more. He leaned over and stared at Sora as Riku began to examine the star map along with Kairi and Mickey.

"It's still in your charge. I know Hayner and Olette aren't here but they can take care of Gentai and Demora while we're gone." Sora said authoritatively. "I hope we aren't gone for long but I can't control time. You can handle things, right?" Leon nodded.

"I'll go here with Juthias and Sikaru." Riku said pointing to another world that hadn't been affiliated with the Parliament of Worlds but was marked as visited. Sora nodded but Maleficent took this moment to put her own two cents in.

"If you would Riku, I believe it is only fair that one of my own travels with you. Pete shall accompany you." Maleficent stated and Riku scowled. He didn't like the idea of having to deal with Pete but he nodded his head and accepted it. "Very well…that is all I have to say. Try to bring villains with you and I shall go my own way. I shall know when it is time to meet." Before anyone else could stop her, she disappeared. Now it was Kairi's turn to make a statement.

"I'll go here." Kairi said, indicating a world similar to the one Riku was visiting, and Sora nodded.

"You're not going alone." Sora said and Kairi was about to protest but Sora silenced her. "No arguments, we all travel in groups." Kairi grimaced but agreed and called Mulan over, who readily agreed to help Kairi in her quest. Mickey then indicated his world which Riku had mentioned the Order had presence on but agreed because they were merely there as trainees in magic there.

"So then, I'll get goin' to the Interstellar Academy fellas!" Mickey said and Sora nodded. He walked over to a small drawer and pulled out five handheld consoles that were block and had many buttons on them. He threw them to the leaders of each party.

"Take those. They're communicators. They already have each of the frequencies downloaded so feel free to use them if you need them." Sora said and everybody left in the room nodded. "As for transportation…take the extra large Gummi Ships so we can transport multiple people." Everybody readily agreed to that.

"Then let's move it!" Pete said triumphantly and Riku rolled his eyes. Without a word, that group headed out. Kairi quickly gave her husband a kiss on the cheek and a hug and after Sora assured her that he would be fine, she left with Mulan and Mushu.

"All right, let's get going!" Sora said to Donald and Goofy cheerily. "I call captain's chair."

"Awww, phooey. I call shotgun!" Donald yelled and Goofy just sighed. Sora saluted to the king as he shut down the star map and the trio made their way out of the room. Mickey smiled and summoned his Keyblade. He then opened a portal to where he knew the Interstellar Academy would be.

As he arrived into the entrance of the Interstellar Academy at Montressor Spaceport it was to find many cadet officers milling about. As soon as some of them saw him they bowed immediately but Mickey waved it off and immediately called for one of them to get Admiral Amelia. Moments later, Amelia arrived with another younger man right behind her. The younger man looked familiar to Mickey but he couldn't quite place him.

"Your Majesty, what an unexpected surprise." Amelia said, bowing elegantly to Mickey. "How can I help you today?"

"How ya doin' Amelia…it's sure been a while." Mickey said cheerfully even though he knew this wasn't the time for gab. Amelia nodded, but being the spacer she was, realized there was a time and place for everything so Mickey got down to business. "Look, I don't know if you fellas here have heard but there's trouble brewin'."

"What do you need from us here at the Interstellar Academy?" Amelia asked sincerely and Mickey had an answer ready.

"I need you to send out your fleet. Onyx isn't on to you yet so I need you to go round to a bunch of different worlds and get an army of heroes to bring back to Radiant Garden." Mickey said and Amelia immediately acknowledged that she would happily oblige. But Mickey had another thought on his mind. "In the meantime, I'm headin' to a certain world and I need someone to go with to help me out."

"Someone who's dependable, honest and trustworthy, I presume?" Amelia said with a twinkle in her eye and Mickey nodded. "I know just the man. Captain Hawkins, you will accompany His Majesty." The man from behind Amelia stepped out and Mickey now fully recognized him.

"Jim Hawkins!" Mickey announced happily and Jim nodded. Granted, Jim was very different from how he looked before. His hair was cut now rather than tied in a ponytail and he looked very clean. Granted he was dressed in clothes that seemed to be field-working clothes and were similar to the old clothes he wore. However, holstered to his side was a plasma blaster. Gone was the look of the seventeen year old delinquent with no role model to the look of a twenty nine year old role model. Apparently he had led several successful ship fights against the Unbirths and had been ranked to Captain as a cause of it. Mickey was happy to have Jim along, even on such a dangerous trip.

After a short conversation about sending a lieutenant called Vance to Radiant Garden to prepare the forces and a brief mention of Doppler and Amelia's married life with him, the admiral departed to put the orders into action. In the meantime, Mickey and Jim headed off to the Interstellar Academy's space bay in order to take off on a Gummi Ship to their visiting world. The search for an army had begun.

Author's Note: Whew…that's a lot for one chapter. Sorry if it was choppy but I wrote this at ten last night. Yes, the alliance is formed as promise and we move out of phase one into phase two. My two important characters, though not exactly stressed here are actually Mulan and Jim Hawkins (which is ironic because their also the only two Disney characters without lines this chapter). However, Jim is more important than Mulan. Let me explain something regarding Gentai since I've had queries put towards me. Gentai had to go crazy in the last installment because otherwise he wouldn't have sacrificed himself and put light in everyone's hearts thus breaking Maleficent's power. Now, I need a good name for the Incredibles world but I'll just say that Hunchback is up first and you have a while to come up with it. It may take me a while to write that chapter though since there's a lot I need to do for it. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please REVIEW since it's a simple action that people seem to have a hard time doing and by reviewing you may save a continent from collapsing. In any case, please review and Dare to Be Silly.