Chapter 9: The Big Blue House
Goofy stood by the entry way to the big blue house. He was waiting for an answer on his Gummiphone. Just then, it began to ring. He quickly answered.
"Hallo!" said Goofy cheerfully.
"Dad! Where the heck are you!?" cried a worried voice in the other end.
"Maxi! How are ya?" asked Goofy.
"Dad! Everyone here is worried sick! Me and PJ have been going from world to world looking for you. And not just us! The King and Riku are also searching for you and Sora is worried! He texted me like a million times!" said Max, Goofy's annoyed teenage son.
"Sorry Maxi. My Gummiphone wasn't working. What happened was that I landed on a world that needed help. The Horned King had an old friend of mine locked up, and I had to go save him!" said Goofy.
"An old friend? Who Dad?" asked Max.
"It's Bear. He was in a cage, but he's free now. I tried to contact everyone else, but the Gummiphone had no charge." Said Goofy.
"Oh Dad! Anyway, stay where you are! Sora, Kairi and a new kid are headed your way. I just texted Sora where you are." Said Max.
"Gosh. I didn't mean to cause so much worry." Said Goofy.
Max sighed over the phone. "Dad, Sora really was worried for you. Perhaps more than me. He loves you, so if you gets mad at you….. just be patient with him." Said Max.
Goofy smiled. "Maxi…." He said.
"When you get home, I'll get dinner for both of us." Said Max.
"That will be great." Said Goofy.
Just then, a large orange bear came out of the house and met Goofy on the front door.
"Was it your son Goofy?" asked Bear, the owner of the Big Blue house.
"Yeah. My other son is coming too. But…. I sure did cause a lot of worry." Said Goofy.
"You came to rescue me from the Horned King. That means a lot to me you know." Said Bear.
"Thanks for the charger Bear. I really have a lot to talk about with everyone else." Said Goofy.
"You know, call me crazy, but I think I see a ship coming." Said Bear pointing at the sky. Goofy looked up and saw a familiar looking Gummi Ship. He smiled, but braced himself for what was to come.
As it landed, four teenagers stepped outside the Gummi Ship. First there was Roxas, Xion, then Kairi. At last, Sora came out, and helped little Sky out of the ship. Goofy thought this was the kid Max mentioned.
As the group looked at the blue house, Sora saw Goofy from afar. Goofy waved cheerfully and Sora ran up to him.
To his surprise, Sora jumped and hugged Goofy tightly. And then a scream. "Goofy! Where the heck were you?! We've been worried sick! I called Max, PJ, Bobby, Roxanne! Heck, I even called Pete and Maleficent!" cried Sora.
"Well, I have a lot of explainin to do." Said Goofy.
"You must be Sora. And you guys must be the Keyblade Wielders. It's an honor! Welcome to my house!" said Bear.
"This huge place belongs to you?!" asked Xion.
"Not just me. Other friends live here! In fact, why don't you all come in! We got snacks and stories to share. I'm pretty much the reason why Goofy was gone." Said Bear.
Everyone nodded in agreement and Sora couldn't let go of Goofy. "You better have a good explanation!" said Sora.
"I do, don't worry." Said Goofy.
Bear then stopped in his tracks. "I smell something." He said. He then sniffed the air.
He turned and sniffed everyone, until he got to Sky. The poor boy stood there motionless as Bear sniffed him on his head and face.
"Oh, it's you!" said Bear. Sky nodded nervously.
"So, you're the new boy I heard about!" said Goofy.
"Yeah, my name is Sky. Nice to meet you mr…." Sky was looking at Goofy and Bear.
"I'm Bear. Just Bear." Said Bear.
"I'm Goofy." Said Goofy.
"Yeah! It's nice to meet you Mr. Goof! And Bear." Said Sky looking up at the tall orange bear.
"Say, why don't we all go in. You'll like the cupcakes I made." Said Bear. He led everyone in his cozy house and they entered the kitchen.
"That's funny. I thought I put the cupcakes right there." Said Bear.
"Look! A mouse!" cried Xion.
"Excuse me? Who are you calling a mouse?!" snapped the little blue mouse on the floor carrying one of the cupcakes.
"Tutter! Did you take the cupcakes?" asked Bear.
"No not just me! Pip and Pop, Treelo and Ojo were here too. They saw the cupcakes and figured it was for us." Said Tutter.
"I'm very sorry guys. It seems the cupcakes are gone." Said Bear.
"No problem. I'm good." Said Sora.
"I love your kitchen! It's so cozy!" said Kairi as she looked around with Xion.
"Your house is amazing." Said Roxas as he sat on a chair.
"So Goofy, where have you been all this time?" asked Sora.
"Oh yeah! It was the Horned King!" said Goofy. Everyone in the room stood silent, even Tutter.
"Do you have to mention that scary thing?" asked Tutter.
"The Horned King was in this world?" asked Sky.
"Sadly he was. He locked me up in a cage and demanded where one of my friends were. I told him I had no idea where my friend was, and he stormed off in a portal. This skeleton person… whoever he is…. There is nothing good in him." Said Bear.
"Who was he looking for?" asked Xion.
"A very dear friend of all of us actually. In fact, she travels to many worlds, giving her light only at night." Said Bear.
"Really? Is she a Keyblade Wielder?" asked Sora.
"Not really. But Light is her power. Her name is Luna." Said Bear.
"Luna?" said Sky.
"Luna is the moon. She is the one the Horned King was looking for." Said Bear.
"The moon? Really?" asked Roxas.
"It is said that Luna was the first Moon to ever be created during the end of the Keyblade War. Children used their imagination to create her." Said Bear.
Kairi smiled. "This reminds me of my grandmother's story." Said Kairi.
"Then you know about the worlds and all that." Said Roxas.
"Yes. In fact, Master Yen Sid used to live here many years ago." Said Bear.
"Really?" asked Sky.
"Yes. He gave me the house to use as a sanctuary for the weary." Said Bear.
"I landed to this world because Bear and I go way back. I came here to give him a Gummi Phone, but when I arrived, The Horned King also got me. I managed to escape, and then I found Bear in the same situation as me." Said Goofy.
"That explains why you were missing. But why didn't you call us?" asked Sora
"The Gummi Phone was uncharged. I was in the cage for two days." Said Goofy.
"Two days!" cried Roxas.
"Thankfully, the Horned King left. He figured maybe he didn't need Luna after all. She is safe thank goodness." Said Bear.
"This is really bad. This world is meant to be a sanctuary, and yet this creature wanted to leave his darkness behind." Said Xion.
"The Heartless cannot touch this world because Luna guards it with her powers." Said Bear.
"That's a relief. That means no fighting." Said Roxas.
"Well, what's going to happen now?" asked Sora.
"We all should rest. And stay a while in case the Horned King comes back." Said Kairi.
"Good idea. Then in the meantime, we should all take it easy." Said Roxas.
"Yes, you all are welcome. Please relax while I make us some cookies." Said Bear.
"I'll help you." Said Xion and Roxas as they got up.
Just then, two otters came out of now where and offered to help. It was Pip and Pop. Then, a lemur with a blue ringed tale appeared and got on Kairi's shoulder. They then started to talk and Ojo, a little bear cub came in to help the others in the kitchen.
Sky decided to wander off and walked towards the living room. Tutter was busy eating his cupcake and then he looked up.
"You want a piece?" asked Tutter.
"No, I'm good thanks." Said Sky.
"Suit yourself." Said Tutter with a big smile as he sank his teeth into the cupcake.
Sky then noticed Goofy and Sora talking. Goofy had his hat down apologizing to Sora. Instead, Sora had his hand on his shoulder and he gave Goofy a hug. They were almost like father and son.
Sky then thought of his father. He was a good man, but he sadly made a ton of mistakes. Sky did miss him from time to time. He walked into the hallway and saw a girl's shadow on the wall.
"Hello! How are you?" said the shadow.
"Hi! I'm Sky. You are…"
"I'm Shadow!" said the girl.
"Wow! A talking shadow! Now I've seen everything!" said Sky.
"That's good! I'm much better than any shadow you probably have seen." Said Shadow.
"Yeah, that's for sure." Said Sky.
"You know, it's almost nightfall. You should meet Luna. She's probably on her way here." Said Shadow.
"Really? I can talk to her?" asked Sky.
"Of coarse! Bear talks with her all the time. She loves to talk. Go meet her yourself. She is very loving and sweet." Said Shadow.
Sky nodded and walked upstairs to the attic. There, he saw a balcony and stepped outside. The sun was setting with a jolly chuckle and then a large beautiful moon appeared in the sky.
It was Luna herself, smiling upon Sky.
"Why hello Sky." She said with a gentle and motherly voice.
"Your Luna? Wow… It's nice to meet you." Said Sky.
"And it's nice to meet you Sky. You have been chosen by the Keyblade to save the worlds I hear." Said Luna.
Sky didn't know what to answer. "Y-yes. I am." He said.
"Wonderful. It is a joyous moment when a Keyblade Wielder is chosen." Said Luna.
"Luna, may I ask you something?" asked Sky. Luna nodded.
"There's this scary king that was looking for you. Do you know about it?" asked Sky. He wanted to know more about this. Why the Horned King was interested in a moon and why spread darkness.
Luna smiled and nodded.
"Yes I have. The Horned King. He is sadly someone who intends to do harm to the worlds." Said Luna.
"But why? Why does he want to spread darkness?" asked Sky.
"You see Sky, sometimes people like the Horned King decide to follow their heart's desires, and sadly it takes them on a path that will eventually lead them to ruin." Said Luna.
"The heart's desires? But the heart is good." Said Sky.
Luna sadly shook her head.
"The Heart is a wonderful creation. A gift we all have. Even I have a heart. But sadly, not all hearts can be filled with warmth and comfort. You see Sky, you are old enough to know just how dangerous the world can be." Said Luna.
Sky nodded in agreement.
"Hearts store a lot of feelings. Our thoughts, our memories, our families and friends, even our wishes. And that is where the danger is. Sadly, there are people who follow the wishes they have in their hearts, and if they don't safeguard it, as I mentioned before, the heart can lead to ruin." Said Luna.
"It's true. Our hearts are like that, but is it really wrong to follow our heart?" asked Sky.
"Ultimately it all depends on you Sky. You choose. If there is a wish you know is good, like say, to protect your loved ones from danger, then you must use now only your heart, but your conscience, your mind, and your common sense. You must think before you act and be prepared for anything that can cause a heartache." Said Luna.
Sky shook his head. "This talk… it's making me feel sad." Said Sky.
"This is the reality in which we all live Sky. But, not everything is dark and gloomy. There is always a fragment of light in our hearts. And if we make the right choices in life, and beware our own hearts, then the future will look very bright." Said Luna.
"Then what can I do Luna? If my heart can lead me to do something bad, what must I do?" asked Sky.
"You must safeguard your heart first, and think of what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones from the darkness. Avoid negative emotions and focus on love and your family." Said Luna.
"Safeguard my heart?" asked Sky.
"I have deep faith in you Sky. I know you will become a very good Keyblade Wielder indeed." Said Luna.
Sky smiled. "I don't understand anything Luna. But… if I'm to be careful with my heart, then I'll do it." Said Sky.
"There you are Sky! Everyone is having cookies." Said Bear as he got into the balcony.
"Hello Bear." Said Luna.
"Luna, it's good to see you again." Said Bear.
"Luna was telling me something important. About safeguarding my heart." Said Sky.
"That is very wise. Only the wisest Keybalde Wielders protect themselves from greed, temptations and negativity." Said Bear.
"You know what she's talking about?" asked Sky.
"I do. I was told the same thing a long time ago. And it's an important lesson." Said Bear.
"Say Bear, why don't we all sing our goodbye song? Sky will sing along with us." Said Luna with a warm smile.
"Song?" asked Sky. Bear smiled. "Yes. It goes like this…." He said.
Bear and Luna then began to sing the warmest song Sky ever heard. It was melodious and full of comfort. And it went something like this.
Hey this was really fun.
We hope you like it too.
Seems like we just begun
When suddenly we're through
Goodbye, goodbye, good friends goodbye.
Cause we know it's time to go.
But hey, I say, well, that' OK
Cause we'll see you very soon, I know
Very soon, I know
Goodbye, goodbye, good friends goodbye
And tomorrow, just like today
Goodbye – today
The moon, the bear, and the Big Blue House
We'll be waiting for you to come and play
To come and play, to come and play
Bye now!
And with that, Luna smiled very brightly and floated into the sky, illuminating the night with her light.
Sky watched and began to shed tears softly. He knew this song well. His father sang it for him before bedtime.
"Let's go Sky. You need to rest up for tomorrow." Said Bear softly. Sky yawned and nodded as he and Bear walked downstairs to join the others.
Everyone was asleep in the living room. Goofy was in his trusty sleeping bag on the floor, Xion and Kairi were on the couch and Roxas was sleeping close to Goofy's side. Sora was asleep on the floor, but close to the kitchen. Sky was thinking where he wanted to sleep when Tutter appeared.
"Why don't you sleep next to your Dad?" asked Tutter.
"Oh, he's not my Dad. He's my friend." Said Sky.
"Really? I thought he was your Dad. You were close to him." Said Tutter.
"Is there anyplace I can sleep. Bear is on his swing reading a book and I don't want to bother him." Said Sky.
"I'd invite you to my house, but it's small. Pip and Pop live outside with Treelo in the pond next door. You can ask them." Said Tutter.
"That sounds way too cold to be in." said Sky.
Sora then woke up a little. "Sky? What are you doing up?" he asked softly.
"Sorry. I'm just not sure where I can sleep." Said Sky.
"You can sleep next to me. My bag is large enough." Said Sora. Sky nodded and got into the sleeping bag with Sora.
"G'night." Said Sora.
"Hey Sora?" asked Sky.
"What?" asked Sora, a little annoyed.
"I spoke with Luna." He whispered.
"You did?" asked Sora.
"Yeah. She was cool. But she said something that made me think." Said Sky.
"Tell me about it in the morning." Said Sora.
"She said that I needed to safeguard my heart. What did she really mean by that?" asked Sky.
Sora yawned.
"Well… our hearts can make us think of bad things. Like trying to be first at everything, taking over the world, that sort of thing." Said Sora.
"Luna made it sound important." Said Sky.
"I'll tell you more about it in the morning." Said Sora.
Just then, Bear turned off the light in the living room and went to his own bedroom.
"It's so dark." Whispered Sky.
"It's night. Of coarse it is." Said Sora.
"Sora?" asked Sky.
"What?" replied Sora.
"How old are you exactly?" asked Sky.
"Really dude? I'm 19." He replied.
"Cool." Said Sky as he closed his eyes. He then opened one eye and saw Sora turn his back on him.
Sky closed his eyes again and slept.
Until he had a bad dream. He really bad one. He woke up with his eyes wide open and poked Sora's back.
"What is it this time?" asked Sora.
"I had a bad dream." Replied Sky.
Sora turned around and faced Sky.
"Dreams pass. You'll have a better dream when you sleep again." Said Sora.
"I'm scared Sora." Said Sky worriedly.
"Don't be. We are in a safe place and nothing will harm you here. Luna's light is protecting this world. We are fine." Said Sora.
Sky then hugged Sora tightly. Sora felt uncomfortable, but hugged Sky back.
"Get some sleep." He said softly.
"Good night. I love you." Said Sky.
Sora's heart skipped a beat. "I love you too." Said Sora.
"You know what's funny. Tutter thought you were my Dad." Said Sky drowsily.
"He thought what? How old did he thought I was?" asked Sora.
Sky didn't respond. He was deep in sleep. Sora kissed Sky's head and closed his eyes.
"A Dad huh? Wait until I tell Kairi…" he said as he slept deeply as well.