"When people laugh at Mickey Mouse, it's because he's so human; and that is the secret of his popularity. I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing — that it was all started by a mouse."

— Walt Disney

Timeless River

Chapter 34

Donald landed face first into a black and white world. The once proud mage robes gone and replaced with what looked like an old sailor hat and uniform. Goofy was the same way as he walked to the duck's side and helped him stand. The knight's uniform changing to an old vest and hat. Sora looked at himself and found him in a different appearance. Something he didn't expect either. A long plain black shirt with white shorts under it and old black shoes. His tail was still there and so was his glasses. The mage made a comment about deja vu. Like the two had been here before and he crossed his arms as he tried to link this world and the castle. Seeing as currently, the Cornerstone of Light was now before them. Unguarded and at the center of some ranch like area. Looking back to the door they walked through, he then clicked the worlds and why Donald remembered this place so much.

It was even more confirmed when a different version of Pete came running into view. Dressed as a captain. Even in a panicked state, it was clear he was different. Oh, he was still mean. Proven by how he seemed to be judging every character that seemed to pass by him with a single glance but panicked. It was clear something was taken, lost or he misplaced it and it was very important. Even now, walking toward them he wanted to get answers. It was then they were questioned about two things. A small mouse he guessed was Mickey and then a boat and asked if they had seen either. How one would see boat OFF water was...questionable but they said no. Then they got asked if they had seen any possible threats. While Sora didn't point, Donald and Goofy did. Summoning their weapons to fight Pete. It made the before dark Pete take a fighting stance but then run off. Clearly cowardice was in him even in this time era.

He understood now why Merlin sent them here. This was before the castle was built. Before Mickey and Minnie had a kingdom to rule, a castle to guard the cornerstone. This was before everything in the castle and quite possibly their world got corrupted. The brunet had a feeling that it was Maleficent behind this entire attack. There was no evidence of it, just a hunch. It also the only suspect he had. Why else would she had said "claiming" when speaking about the castle. It just wasn't enough and even then, the fairy herself would need help. Someone to use to make sure they were kept busy. This meant the future Pete was either here or would arrive soon. They had little time and him staring off probably wasn't a good thing either. Pushing his thoughts aside, he saw the two looking at him.

"...sorry what?" Sora asked, seeing as he wasn't sure if they had spoken something to him.

"We are going after Pete to end this and now," the duck said. "If we can take him out here, he won't be a risk to our castle."

"Wait a minute now. I think we would actually ruin the future," The keyblade wielder said. "Look, it is clear we have traveled...pretty far back into the castle's personal time. This is long before it was built and clearly before Mickey was probably crowned king. This means the Pete in this time isn't a threat right now. Yes an annoyance, but not a real threat. The real threat is going to come. The future Pete he becomes is probably helping Maleficent as we speak. We need to make sure that if this is indeed their plan. That this…" He stopped long enough to point at the Cornerstone. "Stays here. If this is taken away, the castle is at risk."

"You watch too much Doctor Who," Donald stated. "This isn't the castle's past Sora. This is just us fixing what Pete has done so lets go fix it."

"By beating him up?" The brunet said crossing his arms. "Great idea. Lets fuck up time even more by making Pete EVEN MORE pissed at us because y'know he just doesn't have enough reasons already." He laughed coldly. "Nope, not enough at all that we ruin his plans for world domination left and right, beat him in every fight. I mean, that is just minor things. Clearly, us beating the shit out of him in this time will be a much better fucking reason!"

"It's better than standing here looking like idiots!" Donald shouted.

"Then go be an idiot," Sora told him walking to a fence and pulling his phone and headset out. "Go right for it. We already got a few people here watching anyways. Go on, go handle it your way and I'll handle it mine."

When the two left, he just apologized to the people around him with a wave and plugged his headset in. The wait game was something he could always play and secretly loved it. It meant so much time away from people. So much time to be left to one's own devices. It was even a chance to recharged depending on where one went to be alone. He did notice some chests and got them. A single potion, an ether and a map of the area and beyond it. The brunet studied the map and from where his friends went, they were heading to the Water Way near the river. Groaning, he shut the map and got off the post. He couldn't wait and realized that they'd probably come running back to ask for his help to avoid causing anymore trouble once they realized their mistake. That and they would feel bad for not listening to his warning, but by now it'd be too late.

When he arrived, his mind wished to mentally slap the two. Captain Pete was on the ground holding his back with one hand and the other on his head. Demanding an explanation as to why the two just suddenly attacked him. Before the two could dig a deeper grave, the keyblade wielder walked over and got the three looking towards him.

"I'm sorry Captain. They weren't thinking straight and mistook you for another. If they can make it up to you in anyway, please tell me and I will see to it that they do so post haste," The brunet said with the charm of a gentleman.

"This guy knows how to treat a captain!" Pete shouted. "I lost my Steamboat and I am sure that...pesky mouse took it from me. If they can find that then I MIGHT forgive them." He held his head at his own shouting. "My back...my head. You bozos hit me too hard."

"I will do all I can to make sure they return your steamboat Captain Pete," The brunet said with a nod. "Alright boys. We head this way."

He led Goofy and Donald away. As much as he'd love to go back to where the Cornerstone was at and guard it, they got into a bind. A serious one and he couldn't just leave them to it. Not after getting them partially out of the grave they dug with the smallest of changes to time. Granted, it would alter how Pete in the future would see them. It had its bonuses but so much would go wrong now if the future version came here. He just hoped it wouldn't actually happen now because they couldn't spare anyone to guard the one item that kept the entire castle and its world safe.

'So much for the Wait Game' His thoughts groaned as they arrived at a small beach line with the river next to it.

The steamboat wasn't there though. He found two chests and a wall that said it led up to Cornerstone Hill. It made him relax knowing that there was a way back up there. Donald didn't appear happy about what Sora did but Goofy did look confused. Even asked him how he managed to charm over someone like Pete who looked ready to just shout to the world's end at them for such an attack. It was easy to calm Donald enough with a single hand out to let him speak. Stating that part of his way to avoid long unneeded shouting in his direction was to literally charm the hell out of the angered or irritated person. Once calmed and seeing reason, he could walk away with a promise that they'd have a better day now. Granted it...never was a sure thing to work on anyone but it worked to get Pete to let him literally volunteer the two to find the Captain's ship. Plus, avoid an entire session of wasted time being yelled at.

Once done explaining it, they returned to the top of the hill. There they said a floating window of sorts near the door that led to their time. It was just floating. Even as Goofy and Sora stood before the strange thing and let Donald pull a piece of rope on the side. They watched the curtains pull part and reveal at first glance a movie of events. Events BEFORE they arrived in the world where Heartless stood before four doors with gates open to what Sora guessed were locations or at least different parts of this time era. Once the Heartless went in each one, they disappeared. Just as they arrived in this time as well. When it was over, Donald tried to replay the scene to understand it better but pulling the rope did nothing.

Sora turned though and saw the four floating doorways behind them and near the Cornerstone. Now it made sense, the window wasn't that. It was a way for this world back then to show what happened before they arrived. Which meant, while they were busy getting Merlin and talking, that at some point and it was a guest, they'd see what Pete and Maleficent were up to. They had to find more of them to piece this puzzle together. Otherwise, it would only be speculation and theory work. He didn't prize himself as smart enough to say this person did so and so enough. It was usually gut feeling and it wasn't enough to just go on that. This meant though that they'd be traveling through each door to search for these movie like theatres. Piecing together what they could show and then it would give him the evidence to know who did this all.

They looked towards the first door...gate thing and walked through. Landing on a platform high above the ground. Construction workers around them hard at work on what he theorized to be the castle itself or at least part of it. From this vantage point, it was a sight. The town back then had charm and he wished he could see the future version of it. He bet it was quite different but still held the charm and bright color the future castle had. Taking in the wind from the height, he heard Goofy shout watch out. With a quick pivot, he looked and watched Hammer Heartless fall onto the platform. It shook under their feet. A sign to end the battle or possibly fall, be launched or be launched and then fall. Since the trio didn't want to risk any damage to the possible being built castle, they chose to fight it out. It was only stopped by the great timing of King Mickey swinging a single Hammer Heartless right over the railing. He landed high above them and ran off. It was a great start to the battle too and gave them the upper hand.

Allowing Donald and Sora to use magic to clear any Hammer Heartless that appeared and Goofy to take care of the original few that had arrived. A lot appeared after they beat the first wave, making it feel more like Diablo 3 as they kept trying to ruin the castle around them. Irritating the royal mage and pissing the brunet off for being so annoying but when the last was gone. It was gone and no more arrived. Leaving the battered but recovering warriors a moment's reprieve. The king did come back but Sora backed away and let Donald take the really powerful handshake Mickey had. With a wave, he was gone and Goofy grabbed their attention. Well Donald's first since Sora was watching Mickey in the far back helping another. He finally looked and saw another one of those...floating theatres. Another piece could be added was his only thought as he walked to Goofy's side.

This time, it did show Maleficent with her back to someone. She was calling them an idiot and by her tone, meant it as a very cold insult to whoever had failed her. Stating that they failed at every turn and that because of him their plans were foiled by them left and right. Then looked and went on saying that they couldn't even take a single child down. When she fully turned, she went on and added in that with his failure, he could have never taken over or even manage his own henchmen without sniveling his way back home. The person looked away and then back to see she had gotten closer. Once again calling him worse, promising that he would have no place as her henchman, no chance at succeeding in his life and would be worthless until his times end. It made the trio pity whoever she was raking over and hoped that it would make them turn over a new leaf and show her that they weren't worthless and helped the good guys win against her. Even then, with the guy or girl watching her walk away. Slowly even as if making them take in her cold retreating form, she looked back when reached the door long enough to call them a useless imbecile.

"That's rough," Goofy commented.

"Yeah, no should ever be ridiculed to that level," Sora sighed, hands now in his pockets. "Not even a villain underling."

They were about to have more pity on them as they kept watching her walk away. Clearly not happy and being silent as if thinking or judging their life choices. Then...they spoke. It was Pete. The future Pete which, while still made them pity him, groan. He stuttered out buts to her but got nothing but a cold shoulder. Clearly this guy never did learn what it meant to be on the better side of life he was still thinking on sticking around the cold fairy. Even as it ended and the curtain fell. All three just held their heads. So, it was clear. They were dealing with Pete and Maleficent. The who was filled in and painted in bold for them. It was now How and When since they already knew Why. They had to find more of these things still. The trio just hoped they could before their plan came to be.

They returned to the Hill and sighed in relief. The Cornerstone was there still. They turned to the next door and walked through. Landing in the same town as in the book Gilligan's Island, the novel he once read, but updated with a cannon tower. It made him walk over and giggle as the tower. It looked like a toy for giants to knock down but a weapon for tiny people to use as defense. It was cute and he enjoyed looking at the details until Mickey's panicked shaking, arm flailing and pointing made him look. Following the direction to see Heartless in planes now with Hammer Heartless around the town. Pulling his swords out, he ran at the Hammers first. Slicing through them and leaving the planes to Goofy and Donald. All of them doing their best and using the cannons even to stun any Heartless long enough to take them down and keep the entire town scot free of any broken and broken houses. It was nice to have some success in their line of work too. Making the trio congratulate the other as Mickey once again ran over to shake hands. Sora this time used Goofy as a shield and had his hand and arm shaken before the king ran off once more.

"Why won't you let him touch you?" Goofy asked Sora.

"...I don't...know the king that well," The brunet said as Donald pointed out the movie theatre once again. "I can't even talk to Minnie yet."

"That's right, you and him met only twice now. Once when you sealed Kingdom Hearts up and the second in Twilight Town," The captain of the royal guard smiled as his friend fidgeted with his crown necklace.

The royal mage made them look up as he grabbed the rope and pulled. Pulling the curtain apart to have the screen start playing. Once again it was back to where it left the future Pete off. Staring at where the evil fairy once stood. Speaking with a whine fill tone as he muttered that she didn't have to go that far and say what she said to him. Was that a conscious way of him stating he knew he was stupid but didn't want to be called on it? Sora kept his thoughts at bay as Pete then confessed next that he knew he messed up at times, he knew he had failed her on multiple levels to where she wasn't happy with his skills but he wasn't useless. It made the brunet suddenly happy to hear that Pete knew he was somewhat of an idiot, if not most of the time. It got quiet and Pete then looked up. As if dreaming of better days and started up the a sentence to how he had started out and sighing happily as if it were great memories to him. Even saying he missed the days of old and wished he could go back, sniffling as if he were crying while repeating the same sentence over and over outloud.

Once again, they felt pity towards him but couldn't back him. He picked this life. He picked to be a villain under her. They weren't going to hold a grudge but they weren't going to back up his life choices. They kept focusing on the screen as a bright light flashed RIGHT behind Pete. It made him turn and a door like the one they entered was there! So that's how they got access to this time! It was Pete saying he would give anything just to go back! He even walked to the door and opened it. Starting what sounded like had found the steamboat he once owned back then. It ended though which left even more worry but only one question now. They had the Who, the Why and the How. It was When. When did they plan to strike? Was Pete here already and in the middle of the plan already since these looked INTO the past and not in the future? Instead of waiting, they left and returned to the hill. Relieved to the bright Cornerstone in its spot still. The heroes relaxed and looked to the next door and then back to it. The Heartless had to be cleared out but the cornerstone was at risk.

In the end, they had no choice but to go through the next door. It took the three to a burning building. Wobbling like a person at the top to the left and to the right. Fire all over the place with sirens but no cars or signs of others trying to put the fire out. The only person that joined them was King Mickey who despite trying to put a flame out made it jump towards him like magic and scare him off. It was sweet but it was clear the king had no skills at this moment in time. Easily forgiven as they got ready to fight this magic flame and any Heartless that attracted and boy...it attracted them. Like a moth to flame, many came around and got some good hits in. Even the Shadow Heartless, minor shadows were able to pin each one at some point and scratch the hell out of each one. Drawing blood as they were shot off. Neither had time to heal either so they were feeling the effects from the other battles before this too.

"Is there any spell you know Sora?" Donald asked Sora as they now stood back to back between four car Heartless.

"One, but it will drain me pretty hardcore," He said. 'And I might pass out after with how weak I am.'

"We'll cover for you then. Please use it," The royal mage asked.

"Give me time then," He said going between them and pulling out the paintbrush.

It was a makeshift wand thanks to him enchanting it but it would do just this once then break on him since it wasn't meant for this powerful a spell he was about to cast. As his two teammates kept the car Heartless at bay, he chanted a prayer of sorts for his magic to bless the entire area around him. To cleanse it of all evil and its touch, whether it be magic or foul spirit. Then once his brush had gathered the power, he held it up and casted called "columns of Light" which sent columns of light that extended around each source of evil. Then expanded to blind them all and purify the building and take away the fire created by evil. His paintbrush as he guessed disintegrated and Goofy caught him before he fell to the ground.

"That work….for ya?" Sora asked, laughing weakly.

"It was amazing," Goofy commented. "Just lean on me as we look at what Pete is up to okay?"

It wasn't like the brunet could do anything else. He was far too weak to probably stand on his own. Hell breathing hurt and he no longer had a way nor could risk another powerful light spell to help should the need arise. Mickey ran over and shook Donald's hand since he blocked the way to Sora and ran off once more. Allowing the mage to walk over to the floating movie theatre and pull the rope. Pulling the curtain apart and starting the screen up once more.

This time, the cold fairy was back which meant Pete had run to get her and then brought her back to the doorway and showed what it did. Giving her access to the one thing she was currently trying to get in the future. The castle in all its glory was now at risk and so was the cornerstone now that she knew it was unguarded in the past. She even found it fascinating to know to see this. Then again, any villain would think the same thing right? Plus, like Sora, she caught on that it lead to the past. Stabbing at the who didn't catch on right away and only made worse when Pete nodded and said it was strange to see such a thing like it. This meant...Pete had caught on before them as well. Furthering stabbing the blade of "you were stupid" into his friends but it didn't seem to bother them too much. He shook his head clear and focused on the screen.

The evil fairy instantly yelled at Pete to not gawk or stare at the door and think of a plan. He had a feeling it would be more like listening to her form a plan and then send him to complete said plan for her. He was a henchman though so...villainy 101. It got quiet as Pete did start to think but it was broken by Maleficent. Stating that she was going to give him one more shot at redemption. This meant she had an idea for him to go through as some test and he was right as she went from looking at him to back at whatever the door led to. While she thought, he thanked her. Hands clasped towards her happily as he told her to count on him and then ask what she had in mind for him. She merely remained quiet and then spoke about the cornerstone. This meant...the door they had also led to the hill but if that was the case. Why wasn't it in plain view on the hill? Was it because it was open? No, that couldn't be it.

It would mean they could see them just as much as the fairy and Pete could see them. So...it was magically hidden then but how? Voices made the worried thoughts scatter as more of the plan was talked about. She spoke of taking extra caution but it faded out before they could find out what she had in mind. Instead of hanging around, Donald and Goofy got Sora back and thankfully still found the cornerstone there. It allowed a reprieve and a chance to regroup. Sadly, Sora was in no condition to go through the next door at all. He tried to stand on his own and fell. Goofy barely catching him by the arm to lessen any other damage to take. The two leaned him against the actual stone and tried to think of what to do. Going back would waste time they didn't have and it was already wasted by standing here.

"You'll have to leave me here," The brunet said sadly. "...I can't stand so fighting is off for me. Get the Heartless cleared out but...hurry back."

As the two left, Sora leaned back and smacked the cornerstone. Wishing it would actually recharge his light magic since it was so powerful. He heard steps and looked to see the future Pete looming over him.

"It's time for a little boat ride ya brat," Pete smirked at the weak brunet.

'Shit' Sora's thoughts cursed.

Damn this took forever! *massages fingers* its done though. Super long chapter...all for you guys.