Aryon was the first to awaken as Goofy followed shortly after. In all honesty the blue haired teen was quite shocked he'd managed to get this far from being choked nearly to death by Shan Yu, practically body slammed by Pete, almost had his arm bitten off by Hydra etc etc.
His thoughts were soon cut short as the ship begins to rumble and shake violently, startling even Sora awake and he was quite the heavy sleeper mind you. Next came a loud boom followed by the ship slowly making its decent.
"Home sweet home." Donald exclaimed, unbuckling his belt.
Aryon whistled in approval. "Nice. You guys have a place to land Gummi Ships?"
"Yup!" Goofy said excitedly.
Sora and Aryon stared in awe as they look at their new surroundings. The fact that the two were actually leading almost made Aryon laugh out loud realizing they had really no idea where they were going.
"Hello!" a voice said. Aryon looked down by Donald and Goofy's feet, seeing two chipmunks that wore mechanic aprons, all smudged in oil.
"Chip! Dale!" Sora exclaimed getting down on his knees to greet them. Aryon did soon after.
"Oh yeah! Queen Minnie wants to see you right away!" Dale, the chipmunk with the red nose stated.
"We shouldn't keep her waiting then, let's go," Sora said with a grin. He opened a door that led into the most beautifully decorated garden Aryon had ever seen. Every bit of it was neatly trimmed and the flowers were pressed to perfection. Flowers of every color in the world graced the path they walked. "You guys live here?" He asked in awe.
"This place is massive!" Aryon grinned. He began hopping on a circle shaped plant or an oval one with Sora chasing him not too far from behind.
"Hey now's not the time to goof off!" Donald chastised the keybarers as they laughed running around the garden.
"Aww look at 'em Donald. Just let them have a bit o' fun." Goofy reasoned.
"Just wait until we're actually in the castle." Sora whispered as Aryon grinned like the Cheshire cat himself.
Man. I wish Kairi, Syao, Riku and Levi were here…Levi's a garden guy himself. This would be like heaven for him
"Look out!"
Goofy's concerned voice caused him to snap out of his little daydream as Heartless showed up. Aryon almost trembled as the ground beneath was practically covered in a black sea of Shadows-ones he called the little ant like Heartless creatures. He and Donald fended off as many as they could while Sora and Goofy ran up the small steps to the left urging them to follow.
Inside the castle, the Heartless swarmed along running down the red carpet. Aryon panted heavily doing all he could to keep up. Some of the Heartless however latch onto Aryon's legs having formed a rope link of sorts. His eyes widen, clawing and scrambling at the floor managing to shake a few off his leg but five more were still latched on.
Then there was burning.
A terrible, terrible burning around his ankle. The Heartless were gone and a panicked Sora, Donald and Goofy raced towards their friend. "Aryon! Aryon…Oh man. Oh I-I'm so sorry! I didn't…Your ankle…"
"Fine. I-I'm fine…Sora. I can stand up-."
"Are you sure dear?"
Aryon looks up as a guilt ridden Sora picks up Aryon with Goofy's help, at the sight of a female mouse before them. She was dressed in a pink and white frilled gown. A gold crown could be seen placed atop of her head. In a gloved hand she held a healing potion, offering it to him.
Aryon would have said 'no' but the pain was becoming more unbearable by the minute. Nodding his thanks does he drink the green liquid. The burn mark gradually vanished as if it had not been there at all.
"Thank you. Your majesty." He bowed out of respect.
They were soon led into a large room white room. Many pictures of King Mickey were along the walls and Pluto's dog bed-now empty was right beside the desk. Sora hadn't looked at Aryon all the while since the accident, in which Aryon smiles assuring at him. Sora gives a faint one in return.
Donald coughed loudly, catching their attention to see Goofy already bowing. "Oh!" Sora cleared his throat-he and Aryon quickly doing the same.
"Sorry, Your Majesty," Donald said, hitting Sora on the head then moving to do the same to Aryon.
"It's alright." Queen Minnie giggled.
"Queen Minnie this is Sora and Aryon." Goofy introduced.
"Well it's lovely to meet you Sora, Aryon." Minnie said as she bowed her head. "I've heard much about you both: You've worked hard defending the worlds and keeping everyone protected. You hold much courage and wisdom."
Sora stood up properly placing his hands behind his head. Aryon gave another grin, shifting his feet. "Thanks! Ow!" Aryon exclaimed after Donald kicked him in the ankle.
"Mind your manners you two!"
Minnie cleared her throat, "I have called you because darkness has surrounded the castle completely. I ask for your help, because no one else knows about this in the castle, so we must warn them." Her voice was fretful by the time she had finished speaking. Obviously concerned considering how huge the castle was.
"All right then! What are we waiting for?" Sora said as he was about to run out the doors.
"Wait a minute Sora. Do you even know where you're going?" Aryon chastised him.
"O-Oh. Right…"
"I will stay here then, with the queen," Jimeny's voice sounded from Sora's pocket as the green cricket whom aided Pinocchio in the past flew out.
"What do you want us to do your majesty?" Aryon questioned the Queen.
"I need you both to help me go to the Audience Chamber. We must hurry," she said with urgency.
Sora and Aryon nodded, this time giving the proper greeting. Sora opened the door for Aryon and Minnie to pass. Jiminy was back in Sora's pocket. The doors they had just passed earlier were blocked by some kind of force that Minnie had created to keep the Heartless from getting inside.
As the trio walked inside Aryon's eyes widened at the sight of what appeared in his mind to be at least a dozen Bolt Tower Heartless swarming all around.
"Oh no! They've gotten past the barrier!" Minnie exclaimed in horror.
"Aryon and I can take 'em on!" Sora said punching the air with determination.
Aryon shook his head. "I believe we may have to take a different approach Sora…"
"Any ideas then?" Sora questioned, taking his keyblade out.
Aryon thought for a moment. Looking at the Heartless swarm before glancing back at Minnie then at the far side of the room. "…We should go along the sides. Staying close to the wall."
"Excellent idea!" Minnie agreed.
"Lead the way then."
Aryon tossed Sora a haughty look at the smirk that graced his face but proceeds to try and lead Minnie along. For some reason the Heartless had not been paying attention to them-until they were closer to the throne that is. Sweat trickled the side of Aryon's head, quickening his pace as did Sora.
Closer…
Closer they got.
"RUN." Sora suddenly hollered out, taking Minnie in his arms racing for the throne with Aryon right beside. They made their way across the hallway, fighting against the Heartless and protecting Minnie all the while.
Queen Minnie approached the throne. After placing her hands on the throne the entire room lit in a blinding white light in which Sora and Aryon cover their eyes unshielding them after it's all over.
The Heartless were gone as well.
"The room below is called the 'Hall of the Cornerstone.' Our castle has always been safe from worlds that are evil thanks to the Cornerstone of Light which we keep down there." The Queen told the duo.
"The Cornerstone... of Light?" Sora said.
They followed Minnie into a once bright room that was now covered in thick, black dark thorns. In front of the room was a bright glowing orb in the middle. "This is the castle's cherished Cornerstone." Minnie said. "But look. The thorns... They must be the work of someone very evil. I wonder what this could mean..."
Aryon had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach, already having a feeling as to whom could have done this. A flash of green fire could soon be seen. An all too familiar dark queen emerges, looking as wicked and vile the last they saw of her.
"Maleficent!" Donald and Aryon both cry out.
"Well, well, well. What have we here...? If it isn't the wretched Keyblade holder, and his pitiful lackeys!" She sneered.
"What?! Now you're gonna deal with me!" Donald cried. But all he did was pass right through the dark queen.
"All in good time. I promise you'll be able to partake of my vengeance. But you must be patient." Maleficent said.
"Just what are you doing here, Maleficent!?" Minnie said.
"Oh Queen Minnie: You're looking radiant as ever," Maleficent bowed. "I'm here on a property venture. I want this castle for my own. However, it's a bit too "bright" for what I have in mind. I suppose I'll just have to fill every room with my personal touch of darkness."
"You'd better stop right now if you know what's good for you!" Minnie shouted after Maleficent was shocked by the light from the Cornerstone.
"Ooh, how frightening. Very well, I'll stop..." Maleficent said. "Just as soon as the castle belongs to me!"
She disappeared in a green flame with her manic laughter echoing all around.
"What a hag." Sora grumbled out.
"You said it." Aryon agreed.
"Nothing like this has ever happened before." Minnie said. "I looked through all the records in the library, but I couldn't find a single clue."
"Ohhh! We should go ask somebody who knows lotsa stuff that ain't in any book!" Goofy said.
Aryon crossed his arms over his chest. Trying to think as to who could possibly know such information when his eyes light up. "Merlin! I bet anything he would know."
"Yes! That's perfect!" Queen Minnie said. "Merlin just might know something about this mess. Let's ask his advice!"
"Let's head back to Hollow Bastion." Sora said.
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxox
They finally reunited with the old wizard again explaining everything that had been going on at Disney Castle. "Where? Inside the castle?!" Merlin said after Sora told him Maleficant had returned.
"Yes!" Aryon replied. "And there's a ton of Heartless also!"
"Oh, dear..."
Donald rambled on about the problem. There was a poof. Soon they were all back at the castle in the Cornerstone of Light room. "Perhaps, I'd better just see for myself." Merlin said. Donald crossed his arms. Merlin examined the Cornerstone. "Mmm-hmm... interesting..."
"What's going on Merlin?" Aryon asked.
"Not good my boy…not good at all. I'm afraid it's far too serious."
He turns and clears his throat. Not too long after does a silver door appear out of nowhere. "My boy, that is a gateway to a special world. Someone in that world is responsible for what's going on in this castle. Of that, I'm certain." Merlin said.
"We knew we could count on you, Merlin!" Goofy said.
Sora walked closer to the door. "We should go than!"
"Wait a moment! The perpetrators must be stopped, of course. But there's something else to do first. Somewhere in that world, there should be another door that's identical to this one. I believe our enemies are utilizing that door. As long as it remains open, the castle will be in grave danger. Aryon, Sora. You must lock that door with your keyblade's." Merlin explained.
Sora and Aryon give the man a nod. "Understood."
"Now, one more thing. You're heading into a very special world." Merlin said. "While you're there, the nature of that world may tempt you to do something dark. You must resist that temptation at all costs!"
Sora and Aryon blink in confusion looking at one another. Something dark…what could he mean by that? "You'll know soon enough. I have faith in you, my lads!" Merlin said.
"We won't let you down!"