Chapter VIII: Symphony of Sorcery
I did a cartwheel in mid-air. The familiar sensation of falling consumed my thoughts. I was completely surrounded by music notes. All I had to do was get 900 prize points before time ran out, which left me with a minute and twenty-five seconds to go.
I ran through a couple of flowers which gave me a few prize points. This place was very pretty, actually. Just then, three Dream Eaters appeared in front of me. "Here we go!" I shouted out loud to myself as I dived at a quicker rate, sending the Dream Eaters flying. They left behind prize points for me.
"Let's see, I've got 220 points right now..." I said out loud to myself as I flew through a hoop. "Whoa! What are those?" I nearly gasped as I ducked under what looked to be lines of music. It was so close I could feel it lift my hood a little, sending a chill down my spine.
As soon as I passed through that field I had collected a laser spin. "What am I going to use this for?" I asked out loud. To answer my question, a flock of Dream Eaters blocked my path. I clicked on the orb and it instantly started shooting lasers at the Dream Eaters.
"Back off!" I shouted.
They quickly disappeared, leaving me to myself. I looked ahead of me, showing a numerous amount of hoops. I bashed my head on the first, sending a current of pain through my body.
"AH!" I yelped as I tried to tumble through the rest, collecting all the prize points I could get.
I finally heard a beeping noise, signifying I had done my job and that the portal was open.
"Wait, what is that?" I asked as I tumbled through a net. "Spider web? ICK!"
I grabbed the webs out of my face as I leaped through the portal, unsure of where I was going to end up next...
I watched in aww as a figure moved magical lights in the sky with just flicks of his fingers. He then brought up a huge wave which moved back into the water gracefully. It looked like it took a lot of strength for what he was about to do next. Then I noticed clouds appearing in the sky. Was he bringing a storm?
A Dream Eater then appeared out of the clouds, and it headed right towards me! I summoned my Keyblade as quickly as possible and prepared to fight. But the Dream Eater didn't slow down one bit.
I felt a large amount of force hit my chest as the Dream Eater came in contact. Reflexively, I clamped my eyes shut and cried out in pain as I felt all air leave my lungs. I felt myself come in contact with the ground. Then everything became blank.
I lifted myself off of the ground and held my head. It still hurt from the incident. I slowly opened my eyes and looked at my surroundings.
"Is this-am I back at Master Yen Sid's tower?" I asked out loud. I stood up and got a better look at my surroundings. "Something seems off."
I turned around, checking to see if Yen Sid was home. But to my surprise, I found Mickey. He looked like he was asleep, but his arms were still moving.
"King Mickey!" I gasped in horror. Had the darkness taken him?
He looked like he was suffering. He made muffled noises often. I took another look, there were two books in this room, and they were glowing with a bad aura.
"Is this what's troubling him?" I wondered aloud. I then summoned my Keyblade and got ready to destroy it. "All right..."
I took a good, forceful swing at the book. But then I felt a large force launch me back. I yelped in shock as my body flew across the room like a rag doll.
I felt winded the moment I touched the ground. What in the worlds was that? I pushed myself up and rubbed my head when I heard Mickey's voice ring out.
"Gosh, is that a Keyblade? Who are you an apprentice to?" He asked. I watched, dumbfounded, as he was talking to me, but...his lips weren't moving... I stood up to get a better look.
"I'm Mickey, the sorcerer's apprentice." He said.
I took another look around the room and pressed my hand to my chin. "Apprentice? Wait-am I in some world where the king was still in training?" I wondered aloud for the second time. "So does that mean this world is sleeping?"
"What's wrong?" Mickey asked, bringing me back to my senses.
"What? Oh, uh, I'm Sora-the, uh, 'prentice of...umm...Hey, listen, Your Maj-" I caught myself and sighed. "I gotta stop that. Mickey-what can I do to save you?"
"Thank you, Sora, but it's no use. A monster's possessed that music. And he's releasing darkness that stops anybody from going in there to fight him. To dispel the darkness, we need a Sound Idea." He explained.
"It's that Dream Eater I let escape. Okay. Where do I get a 'Sound Idea'?" I asked.
"What? You'll find one for me?" Mickey asked, sounding surprised.
"Of course!"
"Thank you."
"It's not every day I get to do a favor for the king."
"Huh? Did ya say something?"
"Oh, nothing. Long story. So what exactly is a sound Idea?"
"Hmm..."
Another music book had appeared out of thin air and landed by Mickey. "Inside this musical score should be a power that can sweep away any darkness. But you gotta be careful. In between those clefs and notes are monsters-not as strong as the big one, but still pretty strong."
"Got it." I said, then I walked over to the music book and aimed my Keyblade at it, opening a gateway to the world inside. Everything around me now was filled with musical notes and flower petals. It was so bright...
Mickey dragged two buckets in his arms, clearly exhausted from all the work he had been put through. He set them down and wiped the sweat from off his forehead. But something caught his eye. Yen Sid's hat was left on the table. Mickey took a swift look around the place to make sure nobody was around. He then ran at the hat and put it on his head. He began using magic to make lights swirl around the room, causing the brooms to start doing to work for him. He slowly dozed off into sleep.
When Mickey woke up, water was spilled all over the room. He frantically started trying to use magic to fix the mess. And out the window, Spellican had just arrived.
When the light dimmed down, I noticed music was all around. And it looked like a dream, there was clouds and rainbows just about everywhere.
I ran forward, following the path of clouds to wherever they would take me.
I was then confronted my a group of Dream Eaters. As I ran at the Lizard-looking one, I opened my mouth to shout something, but it was drown out by a harmonious tune. Did my Keyblade just...make music? And why couldn't I talk? I felt mute. Meow-Wow was even being more quiet than usual.
As I fought, I noticed these Dream Eaters were quite tough. After the battle I sat down for a break and looked through my items. I pulled out some ingredients to make another Spirit to help Meow-Wow and I out.
But first, I looked to Meow-Wow to check to see if it was okay. It didn't seem fazed so I tossed the items in the air. They morphed into a large cloud, making me squint. I wondered what I had just created. A large Kuma Panda emerged, looking very jolly and happy. I returned the smile and stood up, ready to move on.
I jumped on a platform which held a music symbol. I tapped it with my Keyblade, seeing if it would react. I jumped as I saw it break, revealing a rainbow. Apparently, I could ride it upwards onto the next cloud.
I followed the path, which we were blocked by another group of Dream Eaters. Meow-Wow and Kuma Panda looked at each other. I then watched in horror as Meow-Wow consumed its partner. I tried yelling at it but only music played on. I was then lifted onto Meow-Wow's enormous back as held on as it bounced around on all of the Dream Eaters bellow, defiantly destroying them for good.
Meow-Wow let me off and spat Kuma Panda out. It didn't look offended at all. I laughed silently to myself. The wonders of having friends.
I ducked into a tunnel and watched as the ice carried my feet swiftly through. I felt my body jerk and I was spat out within a matter of seconds. I opened my mouth to let out a yell, but still, nothing was heard.
We moved swiftly through a cave, which lead us into a place that looked like fall. It was very orange all around, the trees were turning colors, leaves were flying and flower petals danced in the wind. This place did seem really peaceful.
When I leaped down the ledge, we were confronted by another group of Dream Eaters.
"They just keep coming!" I mouthed.
Kuma Panda took off first, making a b-line straight through the Dream Eaters. I followed behind, swinging my Keyblade at them and making the sound of drums pounding, sometimes sounding like a harp, as well.
We continued through the scenery, observing everything and making sure the Sound Idea wasn't hidden anywhere.
As I followed the path, I noticed dark walls hanging around with lightning shooting from them. I decided it probably would be best if they weren't touched...
We climbed stairs, which lead to more of a spring-time area. The trees were greener and flowers bloomed just about everywhere.
We followed a dirt path and made it to a ledge. The Sound Idea was there! I walked quickly to grab it, but a voice stopped me in my tracks.
"So easily you sink into the depths of slumber." He said.
I turned around to face whoever had said that. My eyes widened as I noticed it was the boy who had been following me all this time.
"Why are you here?" I asked. I didn't know what I was more surprised about, the fact I could talk, or that the man in the cloak was back.
I summoned my Keyblade just in case he wanted to try anything funny. But he simply looked away from me and held his hand out as to say "Put that away" .
"Beautiful world, isn't it?" He asked, gazing at the flower petals and the land. "Almost like a dream."
"Why are you following me around?" I asked.
"You really haven't caught on? Or are you just assuming it's all part of your little 'test'? I'm not part of the dream. And if you thought I was...then you're softer than they say." He said, catching a flower petal in his hand.
"What?" I gaped.
"But...this will all be over soon." He said darkly, turning to leave.
"Just who are you people?" I demanded.
"Sleep on and we will meet again." He continued to walk.
"Hey!" I shouted. But a gust of wind brought flower petals in front of my vision. He then disappeared right before my eyes.
"What does that mean?" I wondered aloud. But a bright light caught my attention. The Sound Idea was shining brightly, and willed itself towards me. I felt an odd sensation throughout my body as it came in contact, causing me to glow. I smiled as I examined myself, watching the glow slowly fade. I nodded as I knew what I had to do next. Bring it to the king.
I was back at the tower, Mickey's status hadn't changed a bit. I held out my hand and watched as the Sound Idea reappeared in front of us.
"Thank you, Sora." Said Mickey. "I can tell you found us a Sound Idea. Well, I guess we should try and put it to work."
I summoned my Keyblade and started conducting the Sound Idea. It began shining brightly and making faint music. The light then transferred to the music book.
"That's strange...Is one Sound Idea not enough?" Mickey asked.
"Don't worry." I said, placing my hand to my chest. Riku would help us. "I've got a friend out there who will help. He's always picking up the slack for me."
Just then, another Sound Idea appeared next to mine and began to glow. I began conducting again, bringing a beautiful harmony that reminded me of home. The two Sound Ideas began spinning around each other.
"Wow!" Mickey exclaimed. "The sounds are all joining together to make even more powerful music!"
The light then pushed the darkness away from the book. But the music didn't stop, though I stopped conducting.
"Yeah. Two forces are better than one. Right, Riku?" I walked up to the music book. "Okay. Can I get in there to fight that thing now?"
"Yes. But Sora-"
"I'll be fine! See ya in a jiff."
I aimed my Keyblade at the music. I watched as musical notes filled the room. But then, a storm cloud emerged, and I found myself lost within it.
When I came back to my senses, I was outside on a pillar. I looked around and saw Spellican headed my way. He signaled me to follow him, then flew away. I scowled a bit, this guy was annoying.
Spellican left a trail after himself, which I jumped on and skidded after him. I urged my feet to go faster. But I was stopped as Spellican sent purple bubbles at me. "Not fair!" I shouted at him. But he just taunted me and kept going. My chest began to boil. "That's it!"
I skidded as fast as possible, catching up with the stupid Nightmare, which glanced back more often.
I then jumped into the air and tipped Spellican off of his broom, this caused everything around me to shift.
"Whoa!" I exclaimed.
We reappeared in some different dimension. Spellican merely squawked and taunted me. I looked at my surroundings and noticed Meow-Wow and Kuma Panda were back.
"I've had it with you!" I shouted at the hyper active Nightmare, who was gliding around like nothing was going on.
I glided after him and swung my Keyblade, knocking him to the ground. He then decided to summon a sword-saber thing.
"Whoa...how did you-" I was cut off by a shrill taunt of the Nightmare. I then realized he was about to swing. I gasped as I watched the blade come down. But something made my body jerk out of the way.
"Kuma!" I shouted as we both fell over on the ground. Spellican simply threw a hissy fit and appeared on the other side of the arena.
"Nice one!" I said, patting my Spirit on the back.
The three of us hunted Spellican down. As I landed an attack on Spellican, he had hit me at the same time, sending us both flying back. I hit the ground with a thud. Spellican was tougher than I had expected.
"Curaga!" I called out, bringing me and my Spirits to full health.
The battle raged on like this for hours on end. When suddenly, he leaped back into the air and summoned his broomstick. Next thing I knew, I was following his trail again.
"What is the point of all this?" I panted, picking up speed.
Spellican just chuckled to himself and moved even more quickly. When I got close enough, Spellican tried to toss a row of bubbles at me. But this time, I grabbed on to his broom stick, sending us crashing down to the ground.
I watched as Spellican slowly faded away. Then he was gone. Finally. So that must mean the others in Traverse Town are safe now...
Kuma Panda had decided to stay in this world, he'd taken quite a liking to it. And I didn't mind. I waved him Goodbye, and prepared to leave.
The area around me then morphed back into the Tower. Music still filled the air. And Mickey was back to normal. He danced happily on the table and removed the hat he was wearing.
"Thanks, Sora!" He said. "Don't know what I woulda done without ya!" Mickey held a hand out to me. I grinned and took his hand in mine, shaking twice. But Mickey quickly let go in surprise.
"Oh no! The water!" He shouted. "I'm in big trouble if I don't fetch it!"
Mickey ran to the door in a hurry. But he stopped before opening it and turned to face me again. "See ya real soon, Sora!"
"Yeah. You know it."
He then left me on my own.
I heard a noise. It came from about the hat Mickey had been wearing. I looked to see a Keyhole. I guess this was the end of my test. I summoned my Keyblade and aimed it at the bright light. It was time to head home!
Everybody sat in silence. Goofy's eyes trailed the room, looking back and forth between Yen Sid and the king. As well as Donald, who did the same.
Mickey finally broke the silence. "Master Yen Sid. Gosh, do ya think he'll be able to do it?"
"It's clear you cannot teach a cat to bark. But Merlin and the three good fairies are aiding him in a place that's more...temporally flexible. My hope is that he can at least learn to wield it. He certainly has fire, so I suppose it depends now on how strongly it burns." Said Yen Sid, stroking his beard.
"Oh..But what about Sora and Riku?"
"Well, if we are running on the assumption Xehanort knew what we were planning, then he still would need to have been there-back in the very place and time when the Destiny Islands were lost to darkness. Otherwise, Sora and Riku would have been beyond his reach."
Goofy began to think harshly, bringing his hand to his head.
"Gee, do you really think it's possible Xehanort could have planned things that far in advance?" Asked Mickey.
"No, as a matter of fact, I do not." Said Yen Sid.
"But what if he did the same thing as Sora and Riku did, and he jumped through time?" Asked Goofy.
"For that to work, a version of himself would have had to exist at both source and destination. Not even Xehanort can transport his whole body across vast reaches of time." Yen Sid said.
Mickey gasped in horror. "Oh... Oh no. I remember-Xehanort did give up his body. It was a version of him that was possessing Riku."
Yen Sid's eyes popped wide open in shock. "No! It cannot be. Could he be that cunning, possess that kind of foresight?"
"If it's all right with you, can I go help Sora and Riku out?" Asked Mickey.
"How? You cannot enter the world of a dream. Where will you go?" Yen Sid asked.
"If Xehanort really is behind all this, then they won't stay in the dream worlds forever. Eventually, they're gonna reappear somewhere that we can go reach 'em. And we can even probably guess the place. Follow the hearts, and you'll find the way. That's something Master Aqua told me once." Said Mickey.
Yen Sid nodded.
"King Mickey..." Said Donald.
"We're goin' too." Goofy said, finishing what Donald was going to say.
"Aw fellas, you're my best pals. But this time, I really do need to go it alone. The dangers are greater than anything we've ever faced before. If something were to happen to Sora and Riku and me-why, you'll be the only ones left to keep this world safe." Said Mickey.
Donald and Goofy sighed in defeat.
"Mickey, I was not able to locate Sora, but I sense Riku's presence in the realm between. Trust your heart, and I know you will find him." said Yen Sid.
"Thank you." Mickey said. "I promise I'll bring them both back safe and sound."
