Calm before the Storm

The day was coming for Leon and the others to get ready to assault Hollow Bastion..

Deep down Sora knew that this was a bad idea. Something about a full assault with little to no information minus what Iago was providing felt off to him. Since then Leon and the others had been preparing. Phineas and Ferb sent drones near the location of that world, trying to see if they could get a sense of what they were up against. What they found what was not good.

Heartless, not just the usual kind, but giant Heartless. More warrior type heartless. Hordes of them completely covering the place. If they had any chance, it would have to hold no bars assault on the place with no hope of escape or retreat.

Win

Or

Die

For the last few days he spent it at the Mystery Shack. Strangely Stan's constant asking for him to be an attraction in his shop actually took his mind off the future, except when asked to summon the Keyblade.

Still a skill Sora had not yet mastered much to his dismay.

It was nice though, most of the time, not having to think of what was coming. Although there was a constant tension in the air. Whenever he wasn't at the shack he was with Merlin and Phil, getting a bit more training in as best he could, or sweeping up whatever Heartless he found running around town. This constant grinding would help sharpen his skills in the long run, however he knew that none of it would have mattered compared to what was to come. Donald and Goofy were always by his side during these moments, and it was during these times did they become even more of a team.

Sora was lucky to have them around, the trio had been through so much, what would be one more last grand adventure to Hollow Bastion cause. At least he would have people around them to help.

All that confidence that he had been feeling however would come crashing down, when one day Sora came across Dipper, Mable, Wendy, Soos ,Star, Marco, Donald's nephews and Webby all huddled together. They had a map, some pieces and were chartered around one another. Even Iago and Zazu were hovering over them.

"This plan looks dumb" Iago squalked, "Your gonna get yourself killed"

Zazu nodded, "For once I'm gonna agree with yuh"

Dipper groaned, "Look, it doesn't make that much sense but this is a good strategy, we have Star's magic, and my brains"

"Not to mention my grappling hook" Mabel said with confidence.

Huey shook his head, "Nah, nah...This is a terrible plan we're so spread all over the place, the Junior Woodchuck guide to military strategy says…"

"That thing has military strategy" Wendy said, surprised, "Yeesh wish they had that in my camp"

"Junior Woodchucks are always prepared" Huey proclaimed proudly.

"Until all the plans fall apart and we panic" Louie muttered. "Like they normally do whenever we go on these wacky adventures"

Duey rolled his eyes, "Oh please, a few times"

"Guys, please" Star interjected, "Less talky more military strategy, also maybe I should lead the charge, I actually have some training in this"

"Really? Marco said.

Star nodded, "Yeah, I was trained in military tactics at the age of two…

Everyone stared at Star.

"What? Isn't everyone?"

"Oh boy this really is hopeless isn't it" Marco sighed rubbing his forehead.

"Maybe, but we have to try" Dipper stood up and holding a stick and began directing the pieces. "Okay, so when we arrive, Star use your magic and blast all the Heartless to give us an opening, Wendy you use your axe and go full on…

Wendy pumped her fist in the air, "Ah yeah, there gonna wish they hadn't taken my world"

"I like the spirit" Dipper smiled, "Mabel, Webby, grappling hooks will be needed big time"

"I like this plan already!" Webby smirked.

Mabel nodded, "Me too"

"What's going on" Sora interrupted, finally done listening in, walking up to all of them now, they all seemed surprised to see him, "What's all this"

"We're planning for the assault on Hollow Bastion" Mabel said point blank,

Sora gulped in shock, "What! I-I thought Leon was just taking his gang and no one else. Said it was too dangerous"

"Pfft, I'm not going to stay here when the end of the universe is coming" Dipper protested, "Not after we lost Gravity Falls"

"And Mewni" Star added.

"And when uncle Donald is fighting too" Luey interjected.

"I'm just here for the lols" Soos spoke.

Mabel nodded, "Yeah, we aren't gonna let you fight without us. We're your A team...Well B team more like it because Donald and Goofy are more the A team I guess. In a weird way we are kinda back up, or more the back up to the back up".

"Gee Mabel, thanks for boosting morale" Dipper grunted.

Mabel took it seriously and smiled, "Your welcome"

Sora was speechless as he took a few steps back looking at them as if they were sick. He wasn't sure if he was proud, but he was definitely horrified. They were gonna risk their lives and probably do something reckless. Worst though, they were doing all of this just for him. Because he was the hero inspiring them. Right now he didn't feel very inspiring.

"Guys," Sora said shocked, "D-Don't this because of me, I don't even want Leon to do this, this is my problem"

"But we wanna fight" Dipper said, "I'm tired of sitting around here waiting, we have a chance and even if Leon won't take us, will find a way and get in ourselves"

"I-I uh….."

"Yeah, Sora, you kinda inspire us" Mable said, "I mean all the stuff you've done, can't help but want to stand by you a bit. Let's face it Sora, your slowly becoming a living legend, if you actually pull this off you'll be the hero who saves the universe. Heck even me and Dipper haven't done that, and we've been through some weird stuff back home".

Dipper shrugged, "Well, I would have done this even without you to be honest. I mean someone gotta do it"

Sora didn't know what to say, he just walked away leaving the others just staring at him for a few moments. Quickly he rushed to the front of the shack and stood by the porch look outside. He rubbed his forehead as he felt pain near his cranium.

"Sometimes I wish the Keyblade had never come to me"

"Yeah the kid is stubborn too" Sora turned to see Stan sitting on the bench with a bear in hand, "Sorry did I spoke yuh"

"No sir" Sora sighed leaning against the rail of the front porch.

Stan frowned, "Look uh, kid...Do you wanna talk or um, something"

Sora was taken aback, this was first time Stan had actual said anything to him genuine beside work related money issues.

"It's, it's nothing-" Sora said again being quite, "Nothing you can help with"

Stan rolled his eyes, "Yeesh your like my brother Stanform, always thought he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Look kid, I get it, I don't like the idea of you putting things in the kids head. But I know it's not your fault. If I were granted with some mystical mumbo jump powers….Well I'd probably do something stupid but that's beside the point. Point is...Point is kid I don't know what you gotta do, but just do whatever your like...Heart tells you or whatever"

"Well...Thank you " Sora said

Stan frowned, "Still kid...Sometimes...Sometimes I fight gotta be hashed out before being able to move forward, um...Actually, I was gonna give you something for the big epic battle and what not" He went inside for a few moments before coming out holding out what seemed to be some sort of metal bracelet, "These are some old knuckle plates I used to have back in my wrestling days, I want you to have them"

"Me?" Sora said taking them.

"Yeah, they can come good in a fight, I know yo I got that magic Key thing. But eh, you never know right"

Sora looked at the gift for a moment and then at and smiled, "Thank you ...It means a lot really"

-000-

Needing a place to sit down and be alone Sora tried to find solace in the Gummi Ship. Thankfully Donald and Goofy were in town getting supplies and Chip and Dale were with Cid working on the Gummi Blocks.

The main dock was empty, this would allow Sora to just sit down and relax.

He leaned on the chair and closed his eyes, enjoying the silence. His thoughts going from one place to another. Riku to Kairi, the Heartless, Maleficent. His friends, his family.

Suddenly all that went away, a small creeping beep sound echoed around him. He began to slowly drift off into sleep ...Sleep, and into a strange darkness.

Falling, falling into darkness.

No, not falling, gliding, he was gliding somewhere, and not into darkness now. But towards a light, a large beam of light. It began to grow brighter and brighter, it's brightness almost blinding. Until finally he was completely engulfed by the light.

When it faded, Sora saw himself floating above some sort of large library. For a moment he had no idea where he was? That was until, he saw a little girl, running towards a eldearly woman sitting on a chair. Taking a closer look, he saw the girl had a very familiar shade of red hair, and blue eyes.

"K-Kairi?"

The little girl ran to the elderly woman looking happy, "Tell me the story Grandma"

"Again?"

"Yeah, yeah…"

Her grandmother smiled and nodded, "Very well...How did it go again...Oh that's right ...Long ago, people lived in peace and bathed in the warmth of the light. Everyone loved the light. Then people began to fight over it. They wanted to keep it for themselves. And the darkness was born in their hearts. It covered everything and the whole world disappeared...But small fragments of light survived. In the hearts of children. With these fragments the light the children rebuilt the worlds. It's the world we live in now. But the true light sleeps in the darkness. That's why the worlds are still scattered, divided from each other. But someday a door to the innermost darkness will open. And the true light will return. So listen to children, even in the deepest of darkness there will always be a light to guide you. Your heart will shine with its power and push the darkness away. Do you understand Kairi"

With that her grandmother vanished leaving the young Kairi alone.

Sora was unsure just what was going on, until the light once again came before him causing him to go blind

Opening his eyes Sora woke up finding himself back in the Gummi Ship unsure of what had happened.

"Kairi" Sora muttered, "did you call me?"

Suddenly a small beaming came from the Gummi Ship's main control panel. Slowly Sora got up and activated it, a screen appearing before him, a familiar looking teenage goof popped up in front of him.

"Dad" Max called looking for his father, "You there dad?"

"Oh, um, hi-Max" Sora said nervously, seeing the young Goof's expression dim.

"Oh, hey" Max frowned sighing, "Where's pop?"

"He's in town"

"Ah"

Utter silence.

Sora knew that Max didn't like him. Always got this sense of ickiness from the young Goof. Now that they were alone, perhaps it was time to finally talk it out. He had definitely been thinking about it throughout his journey. Perhaps now would be a good time then ever to finally just talk.

"Max" Sora said biting his lip in instant regret.

The young Goof looked up confused, "What?" He said coldly.

"Do you, do you hate me?"

Max seemed taken aback, "What? No? I don't even know you, that's a dumb question"

"It's okay" Sora said twiddling his hands nervously, "If you do, I'm kinda getting used to people not liking me these days"

Max groaned rolling his eyes, "I don't hate you, I know what dad has to do is very important and I know he's doing it to protect me but-" he stopped.

"But?" Sora continued, "But you want to be with your dad since...He's your dad?"

Max just seemed unsure, he too seemed nervous.

"I know he's all you have" Sora said getting a bit closer to the screen, "Believe me, it's the same with my mom, I'd feel the same way if my mom was with someone"

"Yeah well my dad is" Max snapped, "My dad, is with you and I...I should be there too, and if anything happened to him….

"I'm sorry"

Again the silence returned.

Max still looked conflicted, "Ugh...Why are you so nice"

"Sorry?" Sora shrugged, "I mean, not like your trying to kill me?"

"Look-" Max interjected, "I know...I know you have to do what you have to do, and dad...Dad's gonna do, what he's gonna do no matter what. That's what I love about my dad, he's loyal to a fault"

"He is" Sora said agreeing, "He's been one of my best friends through all of this"

"Yeah, so you have to make sure he's safe okay" Max said, this took Sora for a loop, "If your this big hero my dad thinks you are then you have to make sure he's safe so he can come home"

Sora blinked and then nodded, "I get it Max, I will...I promise"

"Good," Max said, "Um...Good luck"

With that Max clicked off, Sora would have to remind Goofy he called. So now he had another thing to worry about. He knew though that if he was going to go it alone that Donald and Goofy would find a way to come with him. So perhaps...Perhaps he should really just bring those three.

All for one and one for all.

-000-

A few hours passed before Cid installed the Gummi Ship nava computers necessary to get them to Hollow Bastion. Sora had use that time to train up and practice for the mission to come. Leon was readying everyone to go, they would prepare for everything. Yet Sora for all the good intentions of his friends and allies would not allow them to get hurt on his behalf. So thus he prepared other plans.

Looking out from the First District he saw Cid leave the gate were the Gummi Ship was park, and head out. Most of first District was thankfully empty because of the little incident with the Jolly Rodger, making it easier to get through without being detected.

Once far enough Donald and Goofy followed Sora down the main parkway and out the first gate in a rush.

Sora looked out the main gate to make sure a Fireside girl or one of Phineas and Ferb's drones were running around before heading out. His stomach churned slightly knowing that what he was about to do was dangerous, death defying. But he would not allow everyone to sacrifice themselves just for him. If they all died because of him, then the resistance would be destroyed and any hope for defeating the Heartless would be crushed.

"Okay guys get the engine ready we head out now, I'll look ahead just to make sure."

"Right!" Both agreed as they headed into the ship.

"Sora! Are you sure we should do this?" Donald asked as they rushed to the Gummi Ship. "Maybe we should follow Leon's plan."

"And let them die because of me-no way!"

He could not allow himself to be the only linchpin of hope left in the world.

Once everything seemed clear Sora turned to head on the ship, but before he could get even an inch on the ramp a puff of smoke appeared as two very familiar mentors appeared both looking incredibly miffed by the situation.

"Merlin! Phil." Sora muttered chuckling nervously. "Ah hey how are you doing."

"What you up to champ?" Phil said tapping his foot on the ground. "Not thinking of doing anything stupid are you."

Sora froze. "Um-well uh ...Look I don't mind I'm not going to let them get hurt because of me I have to go and do this myself. So please, just let me do this, I know I'm not trained but I have to try."

"Can you summon your Keyblade?" Phil asked bluntly.

"No but I-"

"This is a dangerous time Sora." Merlin cut in before he could finish. "Darkness already tempted you once, you were lucky a bright lite protected you. But it will again."

"Don't think we weren't watching kid and we ain't talkin bout those crazy spy robots." Phil said shuttering. "Man those things are weird."

"I know I know!" Sora said looking desperate. "But Kairi is there waiting for me and so is Riku, and my mom ...mom…." Sora stopped for a moment but quickly regained focus "I'd rather have the others be around to stop the Heartless even if I can't."

Merlin still remain skeptical. "It is you and your abilities the forces of darkness want. A Keyblade is a powerful thing and in the hands of the forces of darkness they would have a great advantage. That is why your friends will suffer as a consequence I'm afraid."

"But I-"

"Sora please." Merlin pleaded. "I don't want darkness to take hold of you like it did the others, or worse, have you become just like Xehanort. Corrupted by it's malice. You are a good soul and one that could easily turn. The brighter the light the darker the shadow"

"Exactly" Phil walked up to him now. "You still ain't trained, and if you go in we may never stop Maleficent and the mess that Xehanort left us."

"I'm not letting anyone sacrifice themselves for me, and Riku and Kairi-they're already in trouble. This is something I have to do" Sora said standing firm now. "To many people have made a fuss just for me- I wanna show them I can do this. They need to be okay in case something bad happens. Maybe one day another Keyblade Master better than me will show up and save everyone."

This gave Merlin and Phil quite a shock as they each looked at each other inquisitively. However both knew that there was more going on than Sora's self sacrifice, sincere as it might be.

"Better?" Phil asked raising an eyebrow.

Sora nodded. "Yeah better than me-trust me I know a few people who are."

Merlin sighed shaking his head. "Sora if you think your friend Riku is more powerful than he is not. Darkness is not stronger-evil is not stronger. Believe me, my boy, having someone else take on the challenge will not change everything. Know that whatever happens you will have to face him again. And you must defeat him. It can only be you, no one else can. He is your friend."

"Trust me kid, a lot of the so called better Keyblade Masters didn't last much longer against great evil either." Phil added.

Sora looked as if the color had left his face now he stumbled for a moment and looked down. "I-I know I'll leave to face him again-but i'm going to try and save him too. I have too."

"Woah." Phil's eyes widened. "That's uh-you are taking this a lot better than I expected. Call me impressed kid"

Merlin sighed "Just be careful Sora, Riku is most likely greatly corrupted by the darkness. Don't go in expecting his journey back to the light to be easy if even possible at all."

"Someone has to believe in him." Sora said quite sternly.

Both Merlin and Phil seemed taken aback, as Sora just looked at them with the look of determination. A fire in his eyes, one that both elders knew they would not easily extinguish nor should they. For that fire would be helpful in any battle against the darkness and would guide Sora's heart through thick and thin.

It was then that they knew they must let them go.

Nodding Sora turned and headed back up on the ship is revved up the engines activating as it began to power up. He climbed up the staircase to the main door only to hear the sound of the elderly wizard one more time.

"Sora-don't give into hate-that leads to Darkness."

Phil nodded knowing that he was not going to stop him. "That Riku kid is strong and Maleficent is stronger-remember what we taught yuh, it's gonna help."

"I will! And I'll come back, I promise."

"Remember kid-" Phil spoke once more. "Go the distance."

Sora nodded. "Right. I will."

With those final words Sora rushed up to the Gummi deck and for once sat in the center seat. Donald felt it was appropriate now. Grateful Sora took the controls and prepared the ship for flight. Chip and Dale weren't even on board. It would just be the three of them. No more, no less.

As he looked down at Traverse Town one more time he saw Merlin and Phil looking up as the ship prepared for take off. He hoped that he could come back to Traverse Town one day. He hoped he would be alive to see it. Yet no matter what he would do this, he would take on Maleficent and her villains, the Darkness once and for all.

He would not fall to darkness, he would not become another Xehanort.

With a long sigh Sora looked out into the stars with one thought on his mind. "Riku ...Kairi ...I'm coming".

Suddenly Sora got up and looked out into the stars.

"Don't worry Sora, will rescue your friends" Goofy said

Sora sighed, "Yeah ...My friends...But what about…."

A sickening dread washed over him for a moment but she shook his head. Sadness turned to determination. Looking up, his eyes were strong and had fire. A sternness that hadn't been there from the start, but now was slowly coming into fruition for the first time.

Donald and Goofy looked at one another unsure.

"Sora?" Donald said looking unsure

Goofy raised an eyebrow, "About what Sora? Are we missing someone?"

Sora took a deep breath, remembering something that his friend Aladdin had told him all that time back in Agrabah.

Sora

This is my moment

To change

To make a wish

Say a prayer

I made a promise

And this time I'll keep it

This time

I swear

AND!

Someday and soon

I'll make you proud of your boy

So don't look back

Cuz the boy that you knew

Isn't there anymore

And Mom those dreams that you had for me

I'll make sure that they happen I guarantee

Mom I will try to

Try to

Hard to make you

Proud of your

Boy