Chapter 10: The Phony King

Far from the ruddy shacks of the village, Luxord seated himself at the foot of a long, polished table adorned with flickering candelabras and topped with plates full of steaming hot fish, elaborate salads prepared with fresh, ripe vegetables, and shimmering glasses filled with the finest red wine. Why, compared to the impoverished village with its stockade-filled streets, the castle looked like an entirely different world, what with its crimson banners, its gold-framed paintings, the bags piled in the halls, stuffed with countless coins… Oh, he could go on, listing all the little nuances, but, as a humble guest, he saw no point.

Through luck and the aid of his silver tongue, he'd slipped past the riffraff and quite literally weaseled his way into the prince's good graces. After all, this was a world of animals, and through repeated use of Yzma's brews, he'd taken on a rather… fluffy appearance, to say the least. His face had stretched into a short, rounded snout. His ears had grown rather round as well, while his legs grew stubbier and his body elongated, complete with a long, fluffy tail. His coat, gloves, and boots concealed most of the fuzz, allowing him to keep a somewhat dignified appearance, though at the moment, he wore his hood down, sipping the wine and shuffling his cards while the blundering Sheriff ranted and raved.

They were joined by two others, the first of which was a small green snake with a peculiar gap between his teeth, wearing a red cape and a round, feathered cap. Just an arm's reach from Luxord, a rather gangly lion clad in a fuzzy-collared blue robe watched the Sheriff gesture wildly with a rather flat expression. Atop his head sat a round, golden crown that threatened to slip over his face at any second.

"And that ain't even the worst part!" The Sheriff pounded the table, ears folded back. "Those bandits were usin' some kinda evil hocus pocus, throwin' fire, swingin' around giant keys—"

"Mm, did you say 'giant keys'?" Prince John scooted forward, brows raised, and the Sheriff nodded, folding his stubby little arms.

"Yep! There were two of 'em, and if that ain't bad enough, one of 'em was a young lady!"

The snake, Sir Hiss, shivered, covering his mouth with his tail. "A lady wielding such barbaric weaponry? Good heavens, sire, this sounds serious!"

"It's not the lady we should be concerned with, Hiss. It's the weapon she wields…" Sneering, Prince John set down his glass and turned to Luxord. "She would be one of those… Keybearers, correct?"

"Ah, yes." Luxord shuffled the deck one more time, then drew a small hand of cards. "They're a bit of a nuisance, really. They carelessly meddle affairs of other worlds, bringing chaos, political and social upheaval… As I told you before, they'll likely seek to dethrone you."

"Dethrone me!?" Prince John beat the table with both his fists, bearing all of his pointed teeth. "Those miserable miscreants! If they even dare to set foot in this castle, I'll… I'll send a hundred of my men! No, a thousand! I'll have them cornered, gored, and hung from the gallows!" As he spoke, a black aura surrounded his body, breaking off in whip-like tendrils.

But in the midst of his tirade, the Sheriff gulped and raised his voice. "With all due respect, Yer Highness, these ain't your everyday rogues. Why, they chopped through the Heartless like they were nothin' but twigs."

"W-what?!" In that instant, the aura flickered out, and Prince John sank into his chair, tugging on one of his ears and sucking his thumb. "But that shouldn't be possible! The Heartless are supposed to be unstoppable! Invincible!"

"Nothing is invincible," said Luxord. "The key to victory lies in how you use the cards you've been dealt." To emphasize this point, he lay his cards down face up, revealing a royal flush. "Fortunately, there's no shortage of Heartless, and our adversaries, despite their abilities, are still flesh and blood."

"But must we really rely on the Heartless?" Sir Hiss slithered closer to the prince, leaning toward his ear. "Ever since their arrival, our men have… changed, and I can't be the only one who's noticed."

"Oh, stop hissing in my ear!" Prince John swatted the serpent's snout, then straightened his crown. "But, yes, I've noticed it, and I think it's a change for the better! They're more obedient now, they don't complain nearly as much, and this darkness gives me a sense of power! Power!" He giggled and smirked, and the aura flared once more. "Mm, yes… power, which is precisely what we'll need if we're to deal with these elusive outsiders."

The Sheriff pressed his palm over his chest. "Well, they better keep their grubby mitts away from me!"

"Fear not, dear Sheriff. So long as you maintain a strong will, the Heartless will have no need to turn on you." Though, frankly, Luxord doubted he would last very long. The Sheriff was little more than a bumbling buffoon, an easy target for such ravenous beasts. "Now, Your Highness, if you wish to be a high roller, I certainly won't discourage it, but bear in mind that a direct strike is a highly predictable play. It could even cost you the game."

Prince John scoffed, and his snout wrinkled. "Then what would you suggest?"

"Timing is key, my friend, and you can learn a great deal from observing your opponents…" Luxord swept his arm over the cards, which glimmered with pale light, stood up straight, and whirled around in a circle. Seconds later, the cards fell into a circular shape, and at the center of said circle appeared a small, translucent image of a fox leading a white-feathered duck, a red haired young feline, a dopey looking dog, a shadowy rabbit, and a silver husky.

Sir Hiss, Prince John, and even the Sheriff huddled around the image, and Luxord leaned back in his chair, hands folded, with a satisfied smile.

Nobody said they had to play fair.

x.x.x

The fox led Riku and the others across fallen logs and over gurgling streams. They meandered past ponds dotted with lily pads and bright pink blossoms, and passed at least a hundred trees. As they traveled, Riku kept turning his eyes to the treetops and down to the nearby bushes. He and Kairi had both dismissed their Keyblades as a precaution, but every few minutes, his fingers would twitch and flex, and he had to suppress the urge to call for his weapon. Luckily, Kairi caught on pretty fast, took his hand, and laughed.

"Relax, Riku. If the Heartless were after us, don't you think they would have attacked by now?"

A small puff of air squeezed out of him, and he stooped forward. "I'm surprised they haven't. This world's practically dripping with darkness..." Granted, that Sheriff seemed to have them at his beck and call, and the lack of Keyblades did give them an edge.

Up ahead, the fox started chuckling. "Knowing Bushel Britches, he probably still thinks you're in Nottingham!"

Donald's beak curled into a grin. "Ha! He doesn't sound very smart. How'd he even become Sheriff in the first place?"

The fox stopped for a moment, sighing and shaking his head. "You can thank Prince John for that. Ever since he took up the crown, the whole kingdom's fallen apart."

Goofy frowned, sending a glance toward the village. "But ain't there a King to keep things in line?"

"Yes and no." He took two steps forward, then looked back at the others. "King Richard is the rightful ruler of this land, but he left quite some time ago on a great crusade, and, as you can probably imagine, his brother used this to his advantage."

"Aw, nuts," said Donald. "That sounds just like what Pete tried to do!"

"Yup! 'Course, he didn't send Queen Minnie on a crusade, and I sure didn't see any opera houses around."

Snorting, Riku held up his hands and raised an eyebrow. "Okay, back up. Who the heck is Pete, and what's an opera house have to do with any of this?" Sora poked his head out of Riku's shadow, staring up at the duo with wide-eyed wonder. He must've been just as confused.

But instead of sharing, Donald tucked his hands into his pockets and shrugged. "Oh, it's nothing serious, Riku."

"Nothing serious?" said the fox. "Well, I've never heard of this Queen Minnie, but a coup is hardly the kind of thing you can brush off in a casual conversation."

"But it was a long time ago! And besides, we already stopped Pete and saved the Queen."

Goofy raised his index finger and added, "But back then she was still a princess, and we were musketeers!"

"Goofy!" Donald's face reddened, and he growled. "They might not even have musketeers here…"

Once again, the fox stopped in his tracks. "Musketeers? Are they some kind of foreign soldiers?"

"Uh… yeah! That's it!" Donald's beak twitched a little, and he thrust out his chest and twirled his staff, probably trying to distract him. "Musketeers are like knights! They protect their kingdom and beat up loads of bad guys."

"And they do it as a team!" said Goofy. "The musketeer motto is 'all for one and one for all,' and it's a pledge we're still followin' even now."

The fox clapped his hands, leaping onto a nearby stone. "And to think the Sheriff branded you as outlaws. Such an earnest pledge deserves respect and adoration! All for one and one for all…" He hopped down from the rock and continued along. "I'll have to remember that one."

The rest of their walk went by without a peep. Sure, Donald's explanation left Riku pining for more, but they'd have plenty of time for that once they dealt with more pressing problems. And, after another few minutes, the grassy path petered out into a bed of rocks leading toward another small stream. A waterfall poured over the top of a short, rocky peak, and the fox led the group through a small gap between the water and stone, ushering them through a short, dark tunnel. As they drew closer to the end, Riku started to pick up on two murmuring voices, one of which made his ears perk and his eyes widen.

"You worry too much. Sure, things have been kinda dicey lately, but ol' Rob's too slick to let a couple a shadows get him down." The voice was low, but with a smooth, silky edge. More importantly, it sounded just like Baloo. Goofy even opened his mouth to comment on it before Donald silenced him with a razor-sharp glance.

Unlike the first voice, the second sounded completely new, and feminine to boot.

"Those shadows are the very reason this kingdom's on its knees!"

"But you know Rob. Sometimes he's gotta fly solo. Makes it easier to sneak around."

A grin spread across the fox's muzzle, and he leaped out of the tunnel, taking a great big bow. "Fear not, my friends. Those beasts will have to steal my heart another day!"

With the fox out of the way, Riku and the others gathered at the edge of the tunnel. Sora squeezed his way past Riku's legs and poked his head outside, while Kairi peeked over his shoulder, Goofy scooped up Donald, and the fox strutted his way toward the two mysterious speakers, a big brown bear and a giant rat dressed in red. Come to think of it, didn't they have wanted posters, too?

The bear moved first, stepping away from a bubbling cauldron and passing a tree decorated with sopping wet clothes and metal pans pinned to the trunk. With a low, rumbling laugh, he gestured toward the fox.

"See, what'd I tell ya?"

"I stand corrected." The rat set down a steaming bowl onto the nearby wood table and made her way over to the duo. "I hope you didn't encounter too much trouble, Robin, even with those beasts prowling about."

Robin waved his hand. "Not to worry, Freya! I managed to slip right under the Sheriff's nose. And better yet, I've found us some allies!" He turned toward the tunnel. "Well, what are you waiting for?"

With nothing to lose, Riku marched into the clearing, stepping aside to let the others pass through. Both the bear and Freya kept their eyes locked on the group as they assembled. But, while Freya kept a relatively straight face, the bear smacked his thigh and let out another laugh.

"Oo-de-lally, you weren't kidding. Where'd you even find these kids?"

Riku shrugged. "Oh, we were just passing through town. No big deal."

"Yep, nothing special." Kairi covered her mouth and giggled. "Though, we did end up starting a riot…"

"A riot?" said Freya. "But you're just children. How could you have possibly—"

"How else?" Riku scooped up a stick, brandishing it like a sword. "We saw trouble and jumped right in."

"But before ya start worryin', we weren't really usin' sticks!" Goofy reached behind his back and pulled out his shield. "Ya see, Riku 'n Kairi got these special weapons called Keyblades! And Donald's a real magician."

"It's true," said Robin. "I saw it myself! They summoned fireballs, lightning, and even slowed those creatures to a halt."

"Then they must be outsiders…" Freya's eyes narrowed, and her gaze drifted past the group, all the way over to the tunnel and to a set of big, glowing eyes. The long rabbit ears and twitching nose, and spiky hair gave Riku no reason to stress. Hopping into the clearing, Sora looked up at the others, then shakily raised his hand and waved.

Grunting, Freya sprung backwards, scooping up a sharp, metal spear.

"Robin, behind you!"

Sora's ears shot straight up, and his eyes snapped shut. He flattened himself against the ground and swerved behind Riku, while Kairi dashed in front of Freya and spread out her arms.

"Wait! He's with us…"

"Then you're controlling that beast?" She lifted the point of her spear level with Kairi's chest, but Kairi stood firmly in place, smacking her hands on her hips.

"I'm not gonna let you hurt him."

"And he's not gonna hurt you," said Riku, and to ease Sora's nerves, he crouched down next to his shadow, keeping his eyes locked on the rat.

Glancing from Freya to the others, Robin held up his hands and slowly pressed forward. "Now, there's no need for hostilities! Yes, the lad looks like one of those monsters, but he hasn't given me so much as a scratch."

"And that ain't all," said Goofy. "Sora's Riku and Kairi's best buddy, and he's been all kinds of help on our journey."

Kairi looked away, brushing her hand against her shoulder. "It's true that he's a Heartless, but he only became one so he could save me."

Sora slowly poked his head up, but his ears folded back, and he kept his eyes to the grassy ground.

"Aw, I think ya scared him, Freya." The bear let out a gruff laugh, patting her shoulder. "C'mon, I doubt Rob would lie about something like this."

"True..." Freya slumped over, lowering her weapon. "He had the perfect opportunity to attack, yet failed to take the initiative."

Shaking her head, she turned around and seated herself on a great big barrel. "You'll have to forgive my suspicion, but the last time someone visited from another world, he brought the darkness with him."

A faint hint of a smile tugged at Kairi's lips, and she joined Freya on the neighboring barrel. "We understand. The truth is, we're used to stuff like this."

"Yeah. Kinda comes with the territory." Especially when they'd been at it for so long. For a split second, Riku turned to look at the sky, but black clouds obscured all points of light, making it impossible to see the sun, the moon, or any stars. "This isn't the first place that's been hit by the Heartless. We lost our home almost two years ago, and we aren't the only ones."

Robin gasped. "Were you the only survivors?"

Riku bit his tongue, grimacing as he fought back a shudder. "We don't know. When the islands disappeared, all three of us got separated. If anyone else made it, they probably got scattered, too." But he'd heard that some people just… vanished, way back when he first started his journey. Their friends, their families… there was no telling what became of them, and with realization sinking its teeth into his skin, his whole body grew numb.

He shook it off the next second, forcing a laugh and a shrug. That was one moldy can of worms better left in a dumpster. "Anyway, what was that about an outsider?" He already had his suspicions, but better to hear it straight from the source than to jump to conclusions.

The bear slouched, clasping his hands behind his back. "Man, who goes talkin' about all that heavy stuff on an empty stomach? I say we worry about all that darkness once we've had us some grub."

"Well said, Little John!" Robin set down his quiver and plopped down on a rather large rock. "Come along, friends. The soup's hot and there's plenty to go around!"

A spicy scent drifted on the breeze, making Riku's mouth water and in no time flat, Robin began passing out bowls and cups. One by one, they stepped up to the pot, while Little John dished up a red broth packed with chunks of chopped carrots, peppers, potatoes, and onions. Soon they all gathered by the fire, pulling the barrels and rocks into a circle surrounding the flickering flames. After a few minutes, Robin cleared his throat and confirmed Riku's suspicions by describing a weasel in black who'd taken up residence in the castle. And, while Riku'd never met any weasels before, he and the others connected the dots quick enough and offered an explanation.

They described the nature of Heartless, the way they preyed on people's hearts and how the Organization used them to lure people down dark paths. Jiminy even popped out of Donald's pocket again and passed his little journal around, and Robin, Freya, and Little John all gathered together, flipping through the pages and exchanging whispers and gasps. Eventually, Robin passed the book back to Jiminy, and the three returned to their seats.

Little John leaned forward, pressing his hands against his thigh. He looked down, shook his head, and breathed a short, hushed laugh. "Man, I knew those Heartless guys were bad news, but this really takes the cake."

Freya sipped her soup, then set the bowl in her lap. "Still, I applaud you for being so forthcoming."

"Well, it's not like we can hide it anymore." Donald's words came out in a moan, and he started to sag. "I used to hate meddling, but I don't think we can keep secrets with the Organization around."

"He's not kidding either." A smirk briefly flashed across Riku's face. "Back then, he probably would've told us to keep walking, find the Keyhole, and hit the road. But times change."

"I know that well." Freya leaned back on her palms, crossing her legs and looking up at the sky. "This kingdom used to be such a peaceful place, but since Prince John took the throne, it's wasted away. The castle was once a symbol of righteousness, but now it's nothing but a hive of villainy." Her words were hot with passion and disdain. It was a far cry from Robin's more casual description.

Kairi hummed, rocking in place and kicking her feet. "Is that why you guys became outlaws?"

"Of course!" Robin leaped onto one of the rocks, gesturing wildly as he spoke. "When fear runs rampant, someone has to stand up and fight the tyranny of the wicked! True, we live the lives of rogues, but we only rob those who can afford it, and we spread the wealth to the poor."

Heh. Some might argue that theft was theft, but who were they to judge? Aladdin got his start as a thieving street rat, and by now, he was probably getting all geared up for a royal wedding. And given what Riku'd seen in town, those people probably needed all the money they could get. So, while he didn't chime in just yet, he looked to Robin with an earnest smile. Better yet, Sora'd finally pulled himself completely out of the shadows, and he looked up at the fox with a sparkle in his eyes. His mouth took on a small O shape, and he scribbled a little note.

'And they call you a bandit? That's so not fair!'

"Alas, life isn't always fair, my friend. Those in power make the laws, and stealing from royalty is a feat best saved for the bravest, most daring souls!"

"Or the most foolish." Freya sent Robin a small smirk, which sent him teetering back.

"Oof! If words could kill…"

"Words can't, but weapons can. Fortunately, I've no reason to turn my spear on you."

Riku slid forward, one eyebrow raised. "Let me guess, you're saving it for the Prince."

For once, Freya actually laughed. "I'm saving it for all those who cast a shadow over this land. If that means turning my lance on the crown, then so be it."

"But ain't there anyone else to help ya fight?" said Goofy, and Little John heaved a great sigh.

"Most people are too scared to try. And with all those spooky shadows, who can blame 'em?"

"The odds are stacked against us. The Prince and the Sheriff have numbers, weapons, and a veritable fortress on their side, while we're left with these woods as our only safe haven." Turning her back on the others, Freya slung her spear over her shoulder. "The other Dragon Knights are not here to uphold King Richard's honor, so it falls upon us to keep the people's hope alive."

Kairi slid down from her barrel and slipped in front of her. "Well, maybe we can even those odds."

"I have full confidence that you will," said Robin, and he launched an arrow right at one of the tree trunks. "In fact, I believe we can put on the greatest performance this kingdom's ever seen!"

Little John leaned over Robin's shoulder. "And just wait'll ya see the look on old P.J.'s face!"

"I can see it now, Johnny!" The two burst out laughing, and for some weird reason, Robin stuck his thumb in his mouth and started tugging on one of his ears.

While the two had their laugh, Donald set down his empty bowl, grabbed his staff, and pointed it at the tunnel. "Well, what's the hold up? You show us to the castle, and we'll teach that prince a thing or two!"

"What, and barge in there without a plan?" Riku gave him a dry look, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. "Face it, there's no way that Sheriff's keeping his mouth shut."

"And we did blow our cover," said Goofy. "Even goin' into town's gonna be tough."

"Oh, that's noting a simple disguise won't fix!" Robin reached for his chin, lips pursed and brow tight. "With a couple of uniforms, you two would fit perfectly with the Prince's soldiers. The rest of you could probably get away with peasant clothes, though Donald may want to refrain from speaking for a while."

"What?!"

Donald's outburst sent Kairi into a short fit of giggles. "Face it, Donald, your voice is one of a kind."

"Hmph." He turned around, arms crossed and beak turned up and started muttering to himself, though Riku could only guess what he was saying.

Still, even if Robin's suggestion seemed feasible, there was one small problem. "And where are we gonna get those uniforms?"

A tap on the shoulder pulled Riku's focus over to Sora, who cracked his knuckles and wore a broad, cheeky grin. I think I know where to start.

x.x.x

Sora poked his head out of the bushes, digging his claws into the soil and squinting at the clusters of cottages in the distance. His rabbit ears twitched, and he sniffed the air, grimacing when he picked up a thick, sour stench. His back arched, and his fur stood on end. Pressing his palms flat on the ground, he sprung outta the bushes and barreled straight into town. Along the way, his eyes scanned the area, in case any shadowy creeps still lurked nearby, but as he ducked behind buildings and zigzagged down the street, all he found were posters pinned to tree trunks and walls, piles of hay and lopsided wheelbarrows, and signs nailed into every other house, advertising more tax sales.

If it weren't for the smoke slithering outta the chimneys and the orange flickers from inside the windows, he'd think it was a ghost town. But on the upside, at least he didn't have to hide.

With nothing to see, Sora kept on running, charging deeper and deeper into town. Before long, a massive, grey wall rose up from behind the rooftops. Several towers poked up from behind the wall, some with pointed spires resembling witch hates and others with wide, flat tops with tiny figures pacing about. Eventually the ground came to an abrupt stop at the edge of a wide, round steam. To the right, he spotted a wooden drawbridge pressed up against the wall. That left just a few options: swimming, jumping, or warping.

Piece of cake.

Rubbing his hands together, Sora took two big steps back and then crouched back on all fours. His tail wiggled and his ears swiveled forward, picking up sounds of thundering stomps, clanking metal, and grunts and growls from inside.

"Man, this really takes me back," said Ven, and unlike earlier, his words came out light and energized. He even laughed! "It's been a while since it was just the two of us, huh? Sneaking into a castle, slipping past guards…"

Digging up dirt on the bad guys? Sora's smile stretched wide, and he shifted in place. Hey, maybe we can do what Robin Hood does and steal some of the prince's gold!

"But don't you think we should get in there first?"

…Right. Sora scratched the back of his neck, and he shrugged. Well, good thing I'm a rabbit. I bet I can get over that wall in one jump!

Which was exactly what he planned to do, until he heard something pitter pattering its way in from behind. Ears drooping, Sora peeked over his shoulder and spotted a tiny figure scurrying his way, clinging to his top hat with one little hand.

"Sora, wait up!" Jiminy shouted, and all Sora could do was stare. Just what was he doing out here? And how'd he even keep up with those short little legs? Sora's cheeks inflated, then deflated, and he stuffed one hand into his pocket.

Before he could even grab his pen, Jiminy hopped onto his shoulder, panting and heaving. "Now, I know what you're probably gonna say! You can handle this by yourself, it's just too dangerous for a cricket like me… Well, I know that, and that's exactly why I wanna go."

But he wasn't alone! He had Ven. And even if Jiminy was small, it wasn't like he could melt into the shadows the way Sora could. He wanted to point all that out, but his arms refused to budge, and Jiminy continued talking.

"Ya gotta understand. It's my job to keep a record of this journey, so if you're gonna be spyin' on the prince, then I wanna be right there with ya."

"I don't see a problem. He's so small I bet the guards wouldn't even notice!"

Yeah, but… What if they did? Jiminy couldn't fight. All he had was a book and an umbrella. It'd be better for Sora to put his foot down, say no, and send Jiminy back to the camp, but for some reason, he scooped up Jiminy in his hand, set him in his pocket and, throwing caution to the wind, he bounced right over that wall, landing in a shadowy corner.

He was quick to pull Jiminy out of his pocket, set him down, and then meld himself with the shadows, because up ahead, he spotted a herd of rhinos stomping back and forth. Shining suits of armor covered their big, beefy torsos, patterned with the Heartless emblem. They carried halberds in their gauntleted hands, and their eyes were solid yellow. And, just like machines, they kept repeating the same movements, pacing forward 'til they met each other in the middle, then flipping back around. A quick glance around revealed about a dozen, and several smaller figures marched on the roofs of the nearby towers.

Poking his hand out of the ground, Sora pointed toward a wooden door just a short jog away. Nodding, Jiminy zipped ahead of him, sliding under the legs of two of the rhinos and pressing his back flat against the door. Sora followed suit, sliding into the rhino's shadows and scooting closer to the door. Once the rhinos turned their backs, he popped up, shoved the door open, and squeezed inside.

They wound up in a narrow hall, lined with gold-framed paintings depicting a scrawny lion in a gold crown way too big for his head. Suits of armor stood between the paintings with swords, halberds, and maces clutched in their gauntlets. If the hall were empty, Sora would've grabbed a few of the suits, and sent them straight to camp. Unfortunately, a pack of those scraggly, wolf Heartless wandered up and down the hall in two single file lines. One line carried bows, arrows, and quivers on their backs. The other line wielded spears.

There were six total, and while they could've slipped past them, Sora sprung out of his hiding spot and shoved one of the guards against the wall, flinging green fireballs at its buddies. They retaliated by launching arrows, forcing Sora to duck and dash across the floor. The arrows pierced the walls, ricocheted off the armored suits, and struck one of the paintings right in the eye. More flames blasted the wolves' pointed snouts, and he threw his feet forward, kicking two of them in the stomach. Swords swung at his chest, neck, and shoulders, and he fought back with teeth, claws, and an explosion purple sparks, ripping off helmets, chest plates, and boots as he tore through his targets.

Eventually, the hall cleared. A few stray swords and bows lay flat on the floor, and once Sora had pushed the stolen armor into a neat little pile, he scooped up the weapons and shoved his spoils into a dark corridor. When the portal closed, Jiminy gave a short, soft applause, and the two continued down the hall, until they stumbled upon a dining room with a long, wooden table, glimmering chandeliers, and more paintings spanning the walls.

Sora and Jiminy exchanged a glance, then dashed under the table. While Sora flattened himself again, Jiminy shimmied up the legs of one of the chairs and dug out his journal. Sliding just a little bit to the right, Sora peered up and saw a weasel dressed in a familiar black coat with his hands full of cards. The lion from the paintings looked over the cards with one finger pressed to his chin, then scooped up a card, looked it over, and passed it back to the weasel.

"Hmm…" The weasel shut his eyes, breathing in slowly. "I see… something red. A heart. Yes, a heart of gold… Oh, and better still, a golden crown! You drew the King of Hearts, correct?"

"Yes!" The lion jumped up, bringing his paws together. "A perfect guess for an oh so perfect card. Luxord, you truly are amazing."

"Why, thank you, Your Highness." He took a bow. "Now, Hiss, would you like to join the game?"

The snake scratched his head with his tail, then sighed. "Oh, all right. I suppose it's all in good fun." He slithered down Prince John's arm, coiling his tail around another one of the cards. In all of two seconds, his eyes popped wide open, and then his face twisted into a dry, irritated sneer. "Really? Of all the cards…"

"Ah, but wait! You don't want to give it away." Still, Luxord took the card back anyway, then chuckled. "Hmm… I truly wish that this was a jest, but it would seem you've drawn the Joker."

Prince John roared with laughter, waving one of his paws. "Oh, Hiss! You silly serpent! That card's a perfect fit."

"Silly serpent?" Hiss shivered and groaned. "Well, I think that's enough games. We've got a very big day tomorrow, sire, and we can't waste the whole night with silly parlor tricks."

Prince John patted Hiss' head. "Mm, yes, yes, I know! Tomorrow is when the real games begin…"

Luxord stacked his cards, setting them flat on the table. "I'm looking forward to the whole affair. Poker and rummy are all well and good, but when the arrows fly and the excitement builds, I'm certain we'll be in for a treat."

"Oh, yes," said Hiss. "Especially if you-know-who appears…"

Prince John steepled his fingers, and a crooked smile stretched across his face. "He will. After all, our lovely Maid Marian will provide the perfect prize for the repulsive ruffian."

Luxord leaned back, shifting in his chair. "Well, we'll have to wait and see if fortune smiles upon us. Until then, I bid you both goodnight."

The two left the dining hall and vanished around the corner, leaving Luxord alone with his cards. Both Sora and Jiminy waited for about two minutes, but instead of doing anything shady, he just spread out his cards and began playing a game of solitaire. That was probably all they were gonna get out of him.

So, Sora and Jiminy continued their way through the castle, passing through the halls into a grassy garden, filled with bushes dripping with dew, a few stray trees, and a small net of some kind, like a volleyball net, but closer to the ground. A tower stretched high above the walls, and its one window shimmered with light. Though faint, he could make out two voices speaking to one another.

"Oh, Klucky, I just don't understand what's happening anymore. Won't that weasel ever leave?"

"I've got a bad feelin' in me feathers. That scoundrel is up to something, m'dear, and I think it's high time we found out what."

Sora crawled toward the tower, stopping only when Jiminy leaped onto his shoulder.

"Hmm, doesn't sound like they're with the Prince. Maybe we should take a closer look!"

Sora waited for Jiminy to slip back into his pocket, and once he did, he barreled at the foot of the tower, sank his claws into the bricks, and began skittering up the wall. Soon enough, he reached the window sill, but froze when a figure poked their head out the window, clenching his teeth and holding his breath.

At the last second, he zipped out of sight. He waited there a few seconds, eyes fixed on the chubby chicken peering outside. She wore a light blue dress and a matching cap with a thin cloth tail that reached her shoulders. She leaned over the window sill with a scowl, looked back and forth, and after a few seconds, she wandered back inside.

"Doesn't look like there are any of those creatures about. If there was ever a time to start lookin'…"

"I'd ask Prince John about it, but I'm sure he's already gone to sleep. And I can't see Luxord being any more forthcoming than he has before."

"Ah, you leave that weasel to me, dearie! By the time I'm through with him, he'll wish he'd never brought in those monsters."

The other woman sighed. "It's the monsters I'm worried about! Can't we at least wait until tomorrow's tournament?"

The chicken paused. "Well, I doubt he'll be pullin' any fast ones in public. Perhaps you're right."

For the next few moments, the tower was silent, save for the sound of crackling from inside. While Sora hovered below the window, Ven finally chimed in.

"I think Jiminy was onto something. They sure don't sound happy about the Heartless…"

Then maybe we oughta say something.

It was risky, since he was still a Heartless and all, but wouldn't they be happier if they knew they had allies? He'd already spooked Freya, so if it happened again, no problem! At least he'd know what he was getting into.

But knowing didn't make it any easier. As soon as Sora poked his head in the window, the chicken leaped out of her chair with two knitting needles in hand, while the young fox girl shrieked and dived into her bed. The chicken stomped toward the window, jabbing her needles at Sora's neck.

"Back, you ghastly creature! I'll not let you lay a single claw on milady!"

"Wait!" Jiminy hopped out of Sora's pocket, hands held up. "We aren't here to cause trouble!"

The chicken stopped, gazing down at Jiminy. "What's this? A wee little cricket?"

"Jiminy Cricket." He tipped his hat. "Pleased to meet ya!"

The chicken huffed, waving one of her needles. "And how do we know we can trust ya?"

Sora tightened his grip on the window sill and grabbed his notepad with one hand. Shifting his weight into his elbows, he pulled himself into the room and wrote, 'We're friends with Robin Hood! You guys know him, right?'

The chicken laughed, lowering the needles. "There's not a soul in this whole kingdom who doesn't know of him. Isn't that right, Marian?"

"Oh, yes!" Marian slid out of the bed, hands clasped over her heart. Now that she'd stopped hiding, Sora gave her a quick once over and noticed her long, purple dress and a matching cap that covered her hears. "Why, Robin and I grew up together, and we were really quite close."

"Ah, no need to hide it, dearie!" The chicken leaned toward Jiminy and winked. "She's been carrying a flame for him since they were wee children."

Carrying a flame? That meant only one thing: love! Or at least a crush. Just thinking about it brought a smile back to his face. 'Well, is there anything you wanna tell him? Me and Jiminy are gonna be heading back soon, so we could always give him a message.'

"Why, how generous! Perhaps you're not a monster after all." The chicken stepped back, setting her needles on a nearby nightstand. "Well, what do you think, dear?"

"Well…" Marian paused, threading her fingers together. "If it's not too much trouble, could you tell Robin about tomorrow's archery tournament? I'm supposed to give a kiss to the winner, and it just wouldn't be the same without him."

Jiminy nodded, jotting a note in his journal. "Say no more, miss! We'll let him know right away."

"Bless ye!" The chicken patted Jiminy and Sora's heads, and just this once, Sora didn't bat her hand, pout, or complain. Instead, he gave them both a salute, just to prove how serious he was.

Now that they had a plan, Sora and Jiminy waved goodbye, plunged out of the tower, and scrambled back over the wall. His lips got stuck in an unwavering grin, and he marched back to the forest with his chin up and his eyes shining bright. They might not've learned much, but at least they had a lead! And best of all, they'd get front row seats to a real archery tournament.

And c'mon. How cool was that?

TO BE CONTINUED