Edits::: As usual, more details, and a few extended scenes. I cleared up Clairy's issue slightly when introduced. All I can say, that boy is NOT who everyone thinks! Next chapter I'm putting more emphasis on the hangar and the evacuation.

Sorry for late update, for some reason, Fanfiction wouldn't let me add new chapters. Then I found out I had the wrong formatting...


Earlier Jack' P.O.V.

When the Giant new Heartless turned to face me, I was scared at first. Who wouldn't!?

But then… I wasn't.

As it looked at me, I saw its' eyes widen. Like it knew me… I-I don't know! But also, it wasn't really scary. And that Soldier looking Heartless? Why was it acting strange?

When it was still standing on that hill, it looked like it was around a long time. Maybe, it acted like this because of that?

~/~

Traverse Town

It was the sound of Maxie and PJ playing as they walked into the Accessory shop, that woke Jiminy. Something about waking up here (not him, someone else) seemed vaguely familiar to his drowsy little mind…

"Jiminy? Is that you?" A voice asked from the other side of the crates. Jack groaned awake as Jiminy stood to attention.

A teenager walked around the corner. He had scruffy black hair, tanned skin and blue eyes. He wore an ivory button up t-shirt with a white collar, a black vest with yellow trim, red pants with intricate blue and yellow diamond patterns down the sides and brown boots. There was an old and worn yellow cap on his head with a blue ribbon and a red feather.

Cradled in one arm was a box and in his other, some bags filled with food.

"Pinocchio!" Jiminy hoped happily on Jacks' shoulder in greeting.

~/~

Meanwhile, on the far side of town…

Riku was waking with a groan. He hasn't felt that overwhelmed by Darkness in a long time. At least he landed on something soft-

Wait.

His eyes snapped open as he was bombarded with memories of the island. The new Heartless, the Giant watching Jack, the storm, that battle royal between it and the Darksides, reaching for Sora…

He bolted upright when he realized he was still embracing Sora in his arms. He pulled back just enough to grab his arms and shake him.

"Sora! Sora, wake up!" Said brunette groaned before slowly opening his eyes. "Sora."

Sora smiled groggily. "Hey. You're here."

Riku clenched his teeth and pulled Sora into his arms. Sora slowly hugged him back.

"At least we didn't get separated this time, right?" Sora tried to cheer him up. Riku just held tighter. "Riku?"

"The last time our island was destroyed… I listened to and sided with the wrong crowd. Last time, I hurt you."

"But that was then." Sora started, then pulled away to look at Riku. The look on Riku's face, it hurt Sora to see him this way. "Now, we're sticking together." Sora grinned while wagging a finger to the silverettes' face. "No matter what!" Riku chuckled a little making Sora smile a little.

"Alright. You win." He planned on staying by his side anyway.

"Now, I don't know about you, but we need some new clothes. I don't think what we're wearing is fit for combat." Sora blushed, causing Riku to blink and look at themselves.

The clothes they wore for the beach were not going to work for actual combat. Especially the lack of armor, or even items! They were seriously underprepared for this. But, then again, they weren't prepared last time either!

"We don't exactly have money to spend though." Sora mumbled.

And then, several Defenders and Air-Soldiers came into view. Riku smirked and stood up, summoning his Keyblade. Sora hopped up as well and joined him.

"Well Sora, ready to get rich fast?"

"Yeah!"

~/~

Just as the Goof Troop left the Accessory Shop; Jack, Jiminy and Pinocchio rounded to corner towards Geppetto's House.

"Father! Father!" The former puppet yelled excitedly as soon as he walked through the door.

"My! What's with all the excitement?" Geppetto was sitting at his workbench with some type of gizmo on the table. Their cat, Figaro, perked up from the bed in the corner and hopped off the bed to greet them. "Ah, Pinocchio! Welcome home my boy. I see you brought guests." He said as he wiped off the grease from his hands on a towel and took off his apron.

"It's Jiminy father! He's returned." He grinned. Jiminy jumped off of Jack's shoulder and on to Pinocchio's.

"Good to see you again. Did you get ahold of Sora?" Geppetto asked.

"Well I certainly did. But first, I'd like to introduce you to someone. Fellas, I'd like you to meet Jackson Alkeno. Sora and Kairi's son."

"But everyone calls me Jack. Nice to meet ya!" Jack extended his hand which Geppetto shook happily.

"Why, Sora's your father? Well goodness, you definitely take after him don't you." He declared warmly which caused Jack to go bashful.

Jack remembered Geppetto and Pinocchio from his daddy's stories. Especially what happened with Monstro the Whale. His favorite part was when Monstro sneezed them out in the end.

"Um… Mr. Geppetto, sir? Have you seen daddy yet?"

"Oh?"

"That's right!" Jiminy interrupted. "Sora's home world was destroyed by the Heartless earlier this evening. We woke up here when Pinocchio found us in that alleyway next to the Accessory Shop."

"Oh dear! I do hope you're alright. But, to answer your question: I'm afraid not." Jack looked down. "But! I'm sure he's ok. Right, Jiminy?"

"He's right, Jack. I'm sure both your father and," He had to chuckle, " 'Unkie' Riku… are around here somewhere."

"Yeah! They said they would!"

"Well, why don't you try looking around town. But be careful, there's a lot more people than usual lately. But be sure to come right back. I have more than enough room here for you to stay, and I'm sure Pinocchio could use some company as well."

"Father~!" Pinocchio groaned. Geppetto merely chuckled.

"When you get back I'll start dinner. We have some leftovers from lunch I'm sure you'd enjoy."

"You don't have to go to so much trouble-" Jack started waving his hands in a panic.

"It's no trouble at all. Besides, I owe you're father a great deal. Not only did he get us out of Monstro, but he also brought Pinocchio back to me. Rescued him from that awful Heartless that captured and almost killed him. If Sora hadn't gotten there in time…" He looked away. Then with new resolve, looked at Jack. "He is my son. My whole life. And he's here, safe and sound because of Sora." Pinocchio then stepped closer to his father and hugged him.

"Oh Father…"

Jack could only stare in awe. "My daddy did all of that…?" He whispered.

Pinocchio pulled back a little and looked at him. "C'mon, I'll help you look for him."

Geppetto reluctantly let go. "Be safe you two! Jiminy, keep an eye on the will you?"

"Of course!"

After leaving his bags next to the bed, together they walked out the door.

~/~

"That's what you get, you big palooka!" Donald shot a burst of flame at yet another pickpocket, setting their pants on fire causing Donald to snicker along with the kids, after Pete aggressively took back what they stole.

"This is really bad, right dad?" Maxie walked up next to Goofy.

They were currently in the Second District. Goofy remembered the old clubhouse Leon and the others used, but couldn't remember where it was. They were going to use it as a place to stay until they got things sorted.

They heard Yuffie's voice off in the distance somewhere. Goofy told Pete that after they found it, he was going to find her and see if they can coordinate, or at the very least, let her know what happened and see if they can get a ride to Radiant Garden.

But with so many refugees, all the homes and motels were filling up fast. They can only hope that it's still vacant.

~/~

After walking through the giant double doors to the Second District, Pinocchio and Jiminy were being the responsible lookouts and let Jack run ahead a little to take in the sights. At the same time, the Goof Troup just walked through the door below to the back alley behind the motel.

Pinocchio took up the tour guide role.

Jack climbed the railing a little to see over the fountain, Pinocchio walked next to him (with an arm behind Jack for safety, just in case) They looked over the to see the amazing view.

"That's the motel, over there is the Gizmo Shop. Down there belongs to The Dalmatians. Did you know that there once used to be 99 puppies living there?" Jimminy spoke from Jacks' shoulder.

"Whoa! Really?!" Jack exclaimed in wonder.

"That's right! I remember." Jiminy sat down on Jack's shoulder. "Leon asked us to look for them along the way during our first adventure. We kept finding them in little groups on various worlds in the strangest of places…" Jiminy mused.

"Wow…"

"C'mon, let's go try the Third District." Pinocchio suggested. Jack nodded and hopped down.

As the walked along the right heading towards the ramp, the crowd suddenly went crazy.

"Heartless!" Someone screamed, causing everyone else to panic more.

"Hey watch it!" Pinocchio yelled. But the crowd was so thick, it was almost too easy to lose a small child. "Jack! Jack, where are you?!"

After losing sight of Pinocchio, Jack went towards the nearest wall so he wouldn't get trampled. But that's when he saw it.

The Soldier Heartless from the island, watching him as the crowd backed away like a ripple. Some climbing the walls and stands to get away.

Then it turned and walked away like a normal person. It was heading down the alley that led to the Third District. What's worse, Jack saw giant yellow ribbons floating above the rooftops behind the Gizmo shop. And Jack really hoped it wasn't that new Heartless from the island. The ribbons were heading to where the Soldier was going.

And Jack had no idea on what to do, and Pinocchio's voice was getting further away.

Should he find Pinocchio? Or follow the Soldier and see what it's up to?

Jack clenched his fists in frustration.

On one hand, if he went back with Pinocchio, he would be safe long enough to see his daddy and Unkie Riku again. They would be together again! But also… This particular Heartless didn't give any signs of being dangerous to him. All they do is stare at him before turning and walking away. So he's safe. Well, for now atleast.

It's decided. They haven't hurt him yet, so for now, he's gonna be ok.

Jack took a deep breath and ran after it.

~/~

Back in the First District, Gummi Hangar, Cid was with several volunteers getting the 12 Gummi ships operational. Cid was on the Shera, his personal Gummi Ship, putting in the last settings in the console before launch when he looked down the dock and saw a very familiar Gummi Ship parked at the end. One he worked on himself for a certain group of pinheads who knew nothin' about Navi-G Gummi's. He reached for his Communicator.

"Hey Yuffie, we got company! And you're not going to believe who." He grinned as he lit a cigarette.

~/~

In the Kingdom Ship, Chip N' Dale were taking a nap when a beeping sound woke up Chip. Chip groggily looked for the source and saw an incoming message.

"Dale! Dale wake up! It's Cid!"

~/~

Jack opened the door to the Third District as quietly as he could while peeking over his shoulder. It's clear. Looking back through the crack, he saw a little girl walk to a door on his left where a giant window made it so you can look inside.

She looked about the same age as him. She had long blonde hair, green eyes, pale skin with freckles. She had what looked like pilots goggles on her head. She wore blue overalls that looked too big and the legs were rolled up several times, a white tank top with lace and brown boots that also looked a little big.

She had to jump a little to reach the doorknob. Her tongue was sticking out a little in concentration.

His eyes widened in awe at the sight.

Soon, she managed to open the door and walk through. A moment later, she screamed. He quickly ran to the door and peaked inside. That Solder Heartless was standing above a collapsed boy, a little older than Pinocchio. The girl hid scared next to the door.

"Pssst! Hey!" He whispered to get her attention. She looked up in shock and saw him put a finger to his mouth and wave her over. She nodded.

The young man's body disappeared to the darkness as the Soldier just held his heart, staring at it. It then looked up, towards Jack.

Jack then gulped and walked in. The girl clinging to his arm.

"What are you? And what do you want?" He yelled over to it.

In reply, the Soldier looked between them and the Heart. Then, turned fully towards them and held up the Heart.

"I think it wants you to have it." She whimpered a little as she whispered in his ear.

"But… why?"

Just then someone scoops them up from behind and carries them outside as someone threw a shield at the Soldier and missed. It flipped and portaled away with the Heart.

Outside.

Pete set them down on the steps in front of the door leading down to the square. Maxie and PJ close behind. Goofy angrily storms out of the house, but then stops at the sight of the boy when he sees the crown shaped hair tie.

Jack turns around to face goofy and smiled happily. "Are you Goofy?! And you must be Donald! …Right?"

"And you are..?" Donald glares confused.

"Well, I-I'm Claire. But everyone calls me Clairy." The girls shakily says while sitting on the steps.

"I'm~ Max! And this here's PJ and Pistol!"

"Nice to meet ya" Pj greeted and Pistol waved excitedly. Clairy giggled and waved back a little shy.

"I'm Jack. If you're Goofy, then that means you know my daddy!"

"Well… I am Goofy. May I ask who your father is?"

"Yup! His name is Sora!" He grinned.

Goofy dropped his shield in shock.

~/~

Pinocchio ran through First District.

Rounding the corner behind the Accessory Shop, he ran into someone.

"Oh! Sorry about tha- Leon!" Pinocchio grinned.

"What happened?" Leon tried to calm him.

Pinocchio pointed to the door. "We got separated."

"What? How did you get separated from Gepetto?"

Pinocchio shook his head. "No! Father is fine, he's at the house. I mean from Jiminy and Jack!"

"Jack?"

~/~

Goofy and co made it back through to the Second District.

Pete was carrying Clairy who was still in shock over seeing that mystery boy die by the Heartless. They assumed he was trying to rob her as mugging people is common here now. The boys tried to cheer her up, but so far, only Jack came the closet to getting a smile out of her.

"Nope! My face is sillier!" Maxie challenged. He pulled his ears up, crossed his eyes and warped his mouth.

Pete felt a suspicious shaking from her in his arms.

"No uh! Mine is!" Jack held his hands to his cheeks and moved them up, tilted his head to the side and grinned. Then switched to sticking his tongue out.

Clairy did a valiant job for a 6 year old in not smiling. Pete chuckled. Even Donald and Goofy were getting a kick out of this.

"Hey! What about mine!" PJ whined.

"Alright, that's enough you guys." Donald interrupted, walking backwards. He then bumped into Goofy who stopped walking. "Wak! Goofy!? What's the hold up?"

Donald then looked around Goofy to see the fountain.

With the Keyhole visible.

"WHAT!?"

From high up above, something crashed down to the ground behind them in front of the Gizmo shop.

"Uh oh!" Goofy grabbed his shield.

"Alright kids, go scram! Up that ramp towards the door, see?" Pete set Clairy down as whatever it was started to rise again.

"Is that Armor?" Pj asked.

Yup, the Guard Armor.

"Ready Goofy?" Donald asked over his shoulder. "Pete?" Pete walked to his other side as he made sure the kids were safe.

"With your permission, how 'bout I summon some ah, 'reinforcements'." Pete asked, looking over at them both.

"You mean Heartless." Goofy stated.

"I don't see any Keyblade Masters around, do you?"

The Guard Armor started to reconnect its limbs. Head falling from the sky moments later.

And then, Donald noticed something being thrown towards the head; taking it out in one hit. It was a sword that twirled in the air (not breaking it's flight when it hit the head) and impaled the ground mere feet from them.

"I know that Keyblade anywhere." Goofy stated confidently .

It was Riku's Keyblade.

Said silverette resummoned his blade and, with a series of lightning fast moves, took down the rest of the Guard Armor in moments. He landed gracefully in front of them.

From behind, the kids were cheering for him. He gave them a mock salute with a smile, not really looking at them.

His change of clothes consisted of keeping his black and yellow sleeveless top, a black and red leather jacket with what looked like shoulder pads, dark blue pants with a couple blue and red belts with a yellow or silver buckle, a pair of black and white sleeveless gloves and a pair of red boots with black straps around it. And a necklace. (The very same that Jack gave him earlier that day. Or was it yesterday now?)

Riku stood up and looked at them. A loud crash got their attention as Riku sighed.

Several Darkside's, a few more Guard Armors, Trick Masters, Dark Thorns, Pot Centipedes and dozens of other powerful Heartless were seen moving around them all around town. There even appeared to be a Twilight Thorn with lesser Nobodies around it. There was a few Trick Masters farther back in the distance, setting various buildings on fire and toppling them with their fire sticks (?). Dark thorns and various forms of Stealth Sneaks scaled the buildings. And a Pot Centipede that stretched several buildings and moved more slowly to sneak up on it's prey.

Riku faced them. "Aren't you guys a sight for sore eyes. We could really use some help. Feel up for it?"

"We?" Donald asked hopefully.

Riku merely chuckled and pointed his thumb back over his shoulder where a Darkside fell atop the Gizmo Shop with the giant Heart flying away. A figure leapt across the rooftops before jumping high over them and landed just behind Riku.

Sora's change of clothes consisted of his usual style. Going from red, then black and blue from the last adventure, now royal blue and a deep purple. There were hints of red and white here and there. The only thing that really stood out was an extra necklace beside his chained crown that matched Riku's.

"Sora!" The trio yelled happily.

For a moment, Riku felt jealous of the happy greeting. But all things considered, he doesn't blame them either.

"Donald! Goofy!" Sora bounded towards them in a group hug. Pete and Riku stood aside feeling like third wheels.

"Daddy! Unkie Riku!" Said duo looked up. Over the fountain, with a visible Keyhole, was Jack and three other kids waving at him.

Sora and Riku stared happily with a huge weight lifted off their shoulders.

"Is he really your son?" Pete asked.

"Yeah… He's mine." He smiled, lifting his hand up and waved as Jack waved with both excitedly.

Then, the kids gasped and backed away. The grownups all turn around to see that they're surrounded, the Pot Centipede taking up most of the rooftops.

The duo looked at each other and nodded. Sora looked back. "Donald? Goofy?"

"Gawrsh Sora. Do you even have to ask?" Goofy grinned. Donald stood beside him, staff at the ready.

"Let's go get em!"

Sora looked back at the kids. "You guys stay there! This'll only take a minute!"

"Kay!" Jack yelled as he told the others to get down, but then reappeared to peak over the rails. Riku grinned.

"Let's do this." Sora got into his battle pose, followed quickly by the others. Then ley charged.

~/~

Back in the First District.

Geppetto was really worried about his boys. And to make matters worse, he heard that there was a whole army of Heartless just past those doors. Pinocchio came back earlier feeling guilty and terrified. He came to tell Geppetto what happened and on how he ran into Leon.

As he went to go help in the search again, they saw everyone running towards the Hangar doors to the Gummi ships. Smaller Heartless were seen above the roofs and sneaking in from the alleys.

After grabbing Figaro and Jack's bag, they ran to the railing next to that mailbox and saw all the elderly and children backed to the doors as the adults and able teens took down any Heartless that came close.

"I'm scared father."

"I'm scared too. Come on lets get down there."

As they ran down the steps they saw Yuffie on the front line who cleared a path for them.

~/~

Cid sighed relieved that all systems were now in the green.

"Alright! Sound off! Whose green?" He bellowed over the Comm. systems across ships.

GREEN!

GREEN!

GREEN!

Wait… and~ GREEN!

Almost… wait! Nope, false alarm. We're GREEN!

All green here, Mr. Highwind! Mr. Arrow! Ready at your post! A woman shouted. Aye Captain! A male's voice shouted in the distance.

GREEN!

GREEN!

GREEN!

GREEN!

All set here Cid! Dale yelled happily then a banging sound. Ow… what was that for?

We're GREEN! Chip corrected.

Cid nodded satisfied, but also worried about that false alarm. Some of these volunteers only glimpsed at a Gummi ship so he spent the past week cramming every scrap of knowledge he could into them so these ships could fly.

"Yuffie! You're clear to open the doors!"

"Roger that!"

~/~

As the Trick Masters and Stealth Sneaks (nearby) were finished off, Sora finally took a moment to figure out the Keyhole problem. He looked back to see the others taking down the other Heartless:

Donald easily taking down a smaller Pot Centipede (Using the pots for target practice) while also getting the best of a Dark Thorn. Goofy was handling a Guard Armor just fine, but was having some difficulties with several Stealth Sneak's staying invisible. Pete was tag-teaming with Riku against a Darkside and a few more Dark thorns. The larger Pot Centipede staying on the roofs, waiting.

These Heartless just keep coming.

Looking ahead, he looked at Jack and Jack looked at the other kids then back at Sora with a thumbs up. Sora nodded then focused back on the Keyhole.

Donald was knocked over towards him by a Dark Thorn, and landed next to him.

"Is it worth it? Sealing the Keyhole?" Sora mumbled. Donald shook off the dirt then faced him.

"I'm not to sure either Sora. According the King, this world might as well be lost. Refugees are appearing on Radiant Garden instead of here."

"Yeah, Jiminy explained that as well." He stared at it for a moment then turned to take in the surroundings.

Other than the sounds of combat, the town was growing too quiet. All the houses were dark and the only voices were from First District. And the crowd there was small...

He looked up, the rate of stars blinking out slowed down. So, whatever invasion was happening, at least it's almost over. For now.

"I guess…" Sora started. He noticed indications that everyone was listening to him as they fought.

"Daddy!" Jack interrupted. Sora whipped around to face him. Jack was standing on top of the railing and used the fountain to steady himself. "I found out earlier that Yuffie, Cid and Leon are here! They have a dozen Gummi ships getting ready to take off! If.. If this world really is lost! Then- then the least we can do is buy time for them!"

Then the girl came up and joined him. "He's right! I saw several grownups volunteering to help out too! One of 'em told me earlier that they should be done by dinnertime! And that was a while ago! So anytime now! ...Right?" She looked at Jack.

"Right!"

Sora nodded. "You're right." He faced the others. They all took a moment to nod in agreement. "Let's give them as much time as we can!"

~/~

Yuffie was helping the refugees get on the ships. All the ships were pre-programmed to head to Radiant Garden so they made a plan.

Most of the children were to go on one ship, so that the others can focus on defense to protect them. That and most of the ships were, unfortunately, small. There was two ships that were big and that was the Shera and the Legacy.

Even Cid had to admit Ms. Amelia was good. The children were in good hands.

The Legacy didn't have much in way of weapons yet, but that one cannon on the deck. So everyone else had to have training on the weapons on the other ships. On the Legacy, the woman named Lilo volunteered to man the cannon and she was a good shot during those few times they practiced. She claimed she had a good teacher in the form of her pet dog.

Cid had to double take on that statement while she just grinned.

In the distance, Yuffie managed to get to the top of the Accessory Shop to look at the damage the Heartless are causing. She grinned big time when she saw a very familiar trio taking them out with ease and she could see Leon gradually making his way over.

Down below she saw the doors to the Second District open, and in came a group of kids who quickly shut the door behind them.

One of the boy looked around frantically.

Yuffie jumped down to them. "You guys aren't supposed to be out here alone. You could've gotten hurt!"

The human boy looked at her, sized her up (which confused her) then grinned. "Are you Yuffie?"

"Why yes. Yes I am. How do you know?"

"Because of my daddy. He's out there fighting the Heartless."

"What?!"

"Listen. My daddy is Sora-"

"Sora?!"

"-YES! Now listen!"

"Ok, ok. Easy."

"Look! My daddy is out there buying you guys time to get everyone on those ships! And they're losing! They're not even bothering with the Keyhole 'cause of what King Mickey said. I-I'll have them explain it. But still! Traverse Town is unstable and no longer worth saving anymore. So get everyone out of here!" He screamed all in one breath leaving him panting.

Yuffie stood there in shock. "What..?"

No longer worth saving. Traverse Town is lost. Losing.

Yuffie shook her head to focus. "Understood. I'll get everyone on board. Come here." She grabbed his hand and walked them to the railing. "See those ships past those doors"

They nodded.

"See that big one in the middle? That's the 'Legacy'. All children are going on that ship, while everyone else are going on the others. Every other ship will be focused on protecting the Legacy. We plan of having Sora's ship take point to clear a path because his is the most capable of taking out a vast amount of ships with ease."

'Got it! Clairy, I want you ta take the others to that ship. I'm gonna go back and tell daddy-'

"No, I will." Yuffie interrupted. "It's no longer safe out here. You guys go to the Legacy. I'll go tell your father. No arguments. Go!"

They hesitantly agreed and ran towards the crowd. Jack stopped at the top of the stairs. He looked back over her shoulder as she started to run in the opposite direction.

"Yuffie!"

She stopped in front of Geppetto's.

"Tell daddy and Unkie Riku that… I'll be brave. I'll use what I learned from his stories to get them home. Ok?"

Yuffie smiled with pride, even though she could see him shaking and doing a valiant effort in not crying.

"I will."

Jack nodded and hopped down the stairs, tripped at the bottom and then ran to catch up with his friends.

~/~

Cid listens intently as the headcount comes in. And it's not looking good. If you compare these numbers to where it was a week ago…

It's already 2/3 smaller.

Cid slammed his fist down. Until he heard Yuffie's excited voice over the Comm. And something about Sora.

"Sora?" He whispered. "Sora! Yuffie! Comeback! What did you just say?!" He turned up the volume on the Comm on his consol.

"It's Sora! Donald, Goofy, Pete and Riku! They're all here! They're buying us time fighting the Heartless! They're kids have just boarded the Legacy! Get everyone on the ships NOW!"

Cid sighed relieved at the first good news he's heard in years. Sora's back. But…

"Yuffie? What's wrong?"

"There's too many Heartless. From what they told me, King Mickey theorizes that because of the lack of refugees these past few years, Traverse Town started to close off. And now, with this invasion, all refugees are waking up at Radiant Garden instead. The town is closing itself off Cid! Sora just told me that the Keyhole is no longer worth resealing." Her voice somewhat filled with static due to interference from somewhere.

"Now wait just a god dammed minute! What… just what are you saying?"

"Cid. Traverse Town is lost. We're out numbered and outmatched. There's a new Giant Heartless that Sora and Riku witnessed taking down FOUR Darksides with ease and a Soldier Heartless ordering it around or something. Whatever is going on I know this: This might very well be the last time we'll see this place." He could faintly hear her starting to cry.

Traverse Town. His home for over two decades. Doomed to be yet another star blinking out of the night sky. He looked up to the view screen with the First District still visible through the doors.

A passing volunteer, who wasn't even trying to focus on her work when she heard what Yuffie said. They all heard her. She looked at her captain and saw him crying in shock as he gazed through those doors.

Since she was working communications between ships. She silently passed along what she heard.

~/~

Sora and co retreated to the first district.

The Heartless just kept coming…

Sora and Riku landed on the roof of the Accessory Shop. Yuffie and Leon landing next to them moments later. Leon caught up to them shortly after redoubling their efforts. They took a moment to see the surroundings. Most of the buildings were now dark, covered by Heartless. Not a sound was heard.

Sora looked to the ships and could barely make out Jack and his friends on the deck of the Legacy. Leon told him of the arrangement of the ships and he agreed. The Kingdom is the most prepared ship when taking on Heartless vessels and could easily clear a path.

"Ready Riku?" He asked sadly.

"I don't think I'll ever be ready. But… Let's go. Jack's waiting for us." He reached over and grabbed Sora's shoulder, trying to comfort him. Sora smiled.

"Yeah. Let's go."

~/~

The Launch.

Amelia. Mostly feline in appearance and bearing. She is her late teens and just out of (her worlds equivalent to) Highschool. Her brown hair in an intricate up 'do, but rapidly coming undone and she's getting frustrated with her bangs when it keeps falling in her face. She's wearing a torn and ruined blue dress due to the Heartless crashing her graduation after-party. She's NOT a happy camper.

Mr. Arrow has a lot less … 'muscle?' than his future self and is finally out of his 'scrawny' stage. He's less formal in his rarely used casual wear. Jeans, boots and a red muscle shirt with a strange necklace of a strong metal variety.

The volunteers were:

A young woman with long black hair in a strange red and black uniform carrying a type of gun similar to Stitch's. Her name is Lilo.

A teen and his little sister. Actually, he told her to join the others so he could work. She huffed and grudgingly left. He had short brown hair, brown eyes and pale skin. White shirt with a brown shawl of some kind, his tan pants were torn above the ankles above his ankles and tied to his legs by string and brown shoes. His name was Jackson.

Another boy, a woman named Wendy vouched for. Claimed the Heartless attack was so traumatic, he repressed most of his memories. He was dressed in hand me down clothes Wendy must've given him in their haste to get out, and he spaced out a lot. His name was Peter. Wendy's daughter, Jane is also here but is still too young and was ushered to join the other children.

The last volunteer was a boy similar in age to Peter but younger slightly. He was still in his pajamas. He had short brown hair with a small braid in the back with blue eyes. His name was Jim.

There was a small group of children that was reported to be the last of them. One of them, a small human boy was under extreme protection. His safety is top priority. When she asked why, she quickly understood.

During her stay here, the Restoration Committee spoke of Sora, Donald and Goofy like one would family. Those three really saved… everyone! On a multitude of worlds. They were heroes. Even now, they're out there, risking their lives in buying them time to escape. The LEAST they could do is keep their children safe.

She briefly looked up and saw the man young Jack resembled. Sora had his back to them alongside Riku, Leon and Yuffie. Darksides, Guard Armors, and soo… many large Heartless as far as the eye could see between buildings. Too many. They really were out numbered. And out matched.

She faced Mr. Arrow with as much courage as she could muster.

"Well, are we ready to raise this creaking tub, Mr. Arrow?"

"My pleasure, Captain." She still blushes at the title, still not convinced she deserves it. Then, he yelled over to the volunteers. "ALL HANDS TO STATIONS! LOOSE THOSE SOLAR SAILS!"

The boys climbed the riggings to the masts and unleashed them. The sails extended and fanned out. Lights spread from the base of the sails and the ship began to rise.

The young children were against the rails watching the launch of all these ships. One by one, all the Gummi Ships ignited their engines, turned on their lights. Their systems all coming online. Docking procedures being disengaged along with the clamps holding them in place let go at last.

"Engage artificial gravity!" Amelia yelled over to Lilo who happened to be running past the device. The children giggling and laughing and getting higher in the air. She nodded. As the device powered on Lilo went to the weapons station and sat in the chair connected to the cannon.

The heroes dashed, sprinted and super-glided to the doors. Sora, Riku, Donald and Goofy went to the Kingdom while Pete went to the Shera with Leon and Yuffie. Once they were in and one final look through the doors. A Guard Armor went reversed, powered up it's chest/cannon, fired and destroyed the Accessory Shop.

"TAKE HER AWAY!" Mr. Arrow yelled at last.