Chapter 20: The Committee and the Chronicler
Before everyone eyes, Tron's image on the computer screen was replaced by an image of a fortyish man. He had blond hair and was wearing a white shirt and goggles. He was also chewing on a toothpick. Upon seeing Sora and the gang, a smile came to his face.
"Well if it isn't the conquering heroes! How ya been?" asked Cid. "We're great Cid. How's everyone over there?" asked Sora.
"Well why don't you see for yourself? Hey everyone! You won't believe who's on the Network!" called Cid to the right.
Very soon, other members of the Radiant Garden Restoration Committee gathered around the screen. Leon, now known as Squall, was the first to arrive along with Yuffie, Aerith and Tifa. In the background, the Gullwings Yuna, Rikku and Paine fluttered around.
"Sora! It's so great to see you all again. When you left to fight the Organization, we all hoped for the best," said Yuffie. "Well, it wasn't an easy battle. But we beat them," said Sora.
"Kairi, looks like you're on board for this adventure," said Aerith. "You bet I am. I'm not letting these guys have all the fun this time," said Kairi.
"I'm guessing the silver-haired one is Riku. Glad to see he's on our side this time," said Squall.
Riku gave a bit of an uncomfortable laugh. He was about to speak up when Sora broke in.
"He certainly is. He spent a little too much time in the darkness. But he now walks, as he puts, the road to dawn Leon. I mean Squall," said Sora.
Squall chuckled and said, "Don't worry. You're not the first. I went by Leon for so long that it's taking some people to get used to calling me Squall again."
All of a sudden, the Gullwings flew right in front of everyone to the screen. "Hey Key Boy! You still owe us for our services!" yelled Yuna. "Yeah! We defected from Maleficent's side to help you battle those Heartless things!" chimed in Rikku. "Just because you saved the universe doesn't excuse you from your debts," said Paine.
"What? But I thought we settled this!" exclaimed Sora. The Gullwings then laughed at Sora's reactions.
"We did. We were just pulling your leg. We're all still learning that a good deed is its own reward. But you really can't buy anything with that," said Yuna.
"Okay you three, get out of the way! Go find something else to do!" yelled Cid. The Gullwings then flew off.
"So how have things been? Sora told me you guys were fixing up the place," said Kairi. "Curious to know how the repairs on your home world are coming, huh?" asked Yuffie.
Yuffie's words struck a nerve within Sora. 'That's right. Radiant Garden is Kairi's original home. I wonder if she'll want to return there when this is over,' he thought with a bit of dread.
"Well, we're pretty much finished repairing the damage from the last battle and people are starting to move back. We've also restored its namesake garden. It's been hard work. But it's worth it," said Yuffie.
"We're also making sure that everyone knows the truth about Ansem the Wise and Xehanort. It wasn't right that everyone believed that Ansem brought the Heartless. But we're making the truth known," said Aerith.
"That's good. Ansem's actions may not have been the most heroic. But I know at the end, all he wanted to do was set things right," said Riku.
"What about Cloud? Has he come back yet?" asked Sora. At that point, the committee's faces fell.
"Oh. He hasn't, huh?" asked Sora. He had been hoping that Cloud had finally beaten Sephiroth and come home to live in peace. But apparently he hadn't.
"We haven't seen him since that he and Sephiroth vanished," said Tifa. "But we're not giving up hope that he'll come back," said Aerith.
"But we really could use his help right now. The Council has told us that the forces of darkness have been stirring again and we've been making preparations for battle. Since this place has a nasty history with the Heartless and the Nobodies thanks to Xehanort, we believe it's just a big a target as one who has a Keyblade," said Squall.
"Wish we could come over there right now. But Master Yen Sid wants us to go where this special Gummi block leads us to," said Mickey.
"You do just that. I'm sure if we need you, you'll come right over," said Squall. "You guys do tend to show up at the right time," said Yuffie.
"Good luck to you all. We're rootin' for you and we hope to see you soon," said Cid. Everyone waved goodbye as the screen went blank.
"Guys, I think it's time we headed out. We've got worlds to save," said Sora. Everyone immediately turned around and began to head for the door.
"Wait! You can't leave yet! My assistant hasn't come with the portable database you need to take," said Ludwig.
"Sorry, Ludwig. I don't think we can wait any longer. The worlds are in danger and we have to get going," said Goofy.
But before they could leave, they heard the door open up behind them. Accompanying it was a voice saying, "The Keybearers and the King are going to love this portable version of the Universal Database."
A new face had entered the computer room. This one was a short-beaked crane dressed in a pink shirt, a black vest and blue pants. He also wore a yellow straw hat on his head. Upon being viewed by the party, he seemed surprise.
"Oh! You're here already! Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Gyro Gearloose, Professor Von Drake's assistant," said the crane.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Gyro. I'm Sora and this is Riku and Kairi," said Sora.
"Seems we're going to be doing a lot of introducing on this adventure," said Riku. "Yeah. But it's the first step to making a new friend. And I bet we're going to make lots," said Kairi.
"I know who you all are. A friend of yours told me," said Gyro as he pointed to the top of his hat. Immediately, someone very small leapt from the top of it and landed on the floor. Sora smiled as he saw who it was.
"Jiminy!" he exclaimed. "Hello, Sora. And greetings to Riku and Kairi as well. I don't suppose you have room for a chronicler on your journey," said the cricket.
"Of course! You've been with us for our past adventures, we wouldn't dream of leaving you out. But won't this take you away from your duties as Pinocchio's conscience?" asked Sora.
"Nope. He'll be fine without me. He's been doing pretty well on his own since becoming a real boy," said Jiminy.
"He became a real boy? That's great news!" exclaimed Goofy. "Indeed it is. It happened while I was on our adventures together. I'm so proud of him," said Jiminy.
"Well, we're glad to have you aboard, Jiminy," said Mickey. "Yeah. It'll be nice to have someone closer to my size on this trip," said Tinker Bell.
Pluto immediately lay down on the ground. Jiminy understood the gesture and leapt over to the dog and boarded his back.
"Oh Your Majesty! I've got something for you," said Gyro as he walked over to Mickey and handed him something.
It looked like a small rectangular laptop computer the size of a pencil case. Mickey opened it up revealing a screen and a keyboard.
"Ah you managed to finish it in time, Gyro," said Ludwig. "Yes. I just had to make a few minor adjustments. But it's ready to go," said Gyro.
"So this is a portable version of your Universal Database, is it? We'll be able to access all the data on the worlds?" asked Riku.
"Well, just the worlds that have been covered in Jiminy's journal and those that have been researched by Chip and Dale. It would be a big help if you could fill in the blanks on your adventure," said Gyro.
"We'll do that, Gyro," said Donald. "Yeah. It'll save Chip and Dale the trouble of researchin' a world that we've already been to," said Goofy.
"I'll continue to take notes on our adventures. The rest of you can type them up on that gizmo. I guess I'm just an old-fashioned cricket," piped up Jiminy.
"In addition, it can function as a communication device. You'll be able to call up Tron and he can link you here or to Radiant Garden. Communication is important in these difficult times," said Ludwig.
"Thank you so much for giving this to us. We'll use it well," said Sora. "I know you will. And I must say, it's an honor to do something for the heroes of the universe," said Gyro.
"All right, everyone. It's time we headed off. Worlds are counting on us and let's not leave them hanging. Onto the Gummi hanger," said Mickey.
The three teens, the mouse, the duck, the two dogs, the cricket and the fairy headed for the doors of the computer room while Ludwig and Gyro waved goodbye. They had learned much from their visit with the two birds of science. Now it was time to go to the Gummi hanger and depart on their adventure.
Author's Note: Didn't expect Gyro Gearloose, didn't you. And you won't be expecting who Chip and Dale's replacement's are. No flames if you don't approve please! Read and review! Still requesting requests for Disney cameos!