"Don't assume your dreams are just fantasy. If you can imagine a world, believe in it…and dive in."

-Early promotional material for Kingdom Hearts 3

I've been having these strange thoughts lately…

"Sora, I believe in you. You won't give up."

"May your Heart be your guiding key."

"Look for the Light in the Darkness."

"Inside people's memories, I can live forever."

"On that fated land, a great war shall transpire. Darkness will prevail and the light expire."

"The three of us will always be one."

"I've become a part of their heart, just as they've become a part of mine. My friends are my power... and I'm theirs!"

"All for one and one for all!"

"Alright, my name's Sora. I'll go with you guys!"

"Let me keep you safe."

Is any of this for real, or not?

Fantasmic!

An Original Character's Story

By the Poor Sap Advocate

Chapter 1: Main Street USA

Danielle Scott knew she was dreaming. This had to be a dream. It was too unreal not to be.

She was standing at the bottom of the ocean. She knew that's where she was, for some reason. Not like she could see it for herself. It was pitch black around her. The air was heavy, but it was air, not the salt water she would expect.

So much to do, so little time…

The voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. It was not a voice she recognized, but it felt familiar, like an old friend she had not spoken to in a long it. It was comforting, in an odd way.

Take your time. Do not be afraid.

Dani tapped the floor below her with her foot, testing for sturdiness. When she felt something solid, she stepped forward. Light erupted beneath her, causing her to squeeze her eyes shut. Wind blew around her, and the sounds of rustling feathers swarmed around her. Birds? How? Why? Where did they come from?

It took a moment for the glare to die down, or at least for her eyes to adjust. When she opened them again, she found herself standing on a large platform of stained glass. Most of the pieces were blue, carved intricately with faces Dani did not know and places she did not recognize. The centerpiece was of a boy, probably not much older than herself, with a mess of brown hair and dressed in reds and blacks.

Now, step forward. The voice said. Can you do it?

What did that mean? Dani felt her eyebrows furrow together. But all the same, she took one step forward.

Alright, now you've got it! The voice praised.

Dani felt her fears ebb away. This dream was going to be easy!

The Seven Hearts are still missing. The Door is still shut.

The platform rumbled for just a moments. Three stone platforms rose out of the glass, phasing through it as easily as air.

Power sleeps within you. If you give it form, it will give you strength.

As the voice spoke, a beam of light illuminated each platform. One formed into the shape of a sword, the other the shape of a shield, and the last the shape of a staff.

Choose well. The voice said.

Dani was not quite sure what she was choosing, but she felt herself gravitate towards the sword.

The power of the warrior. Invincible courage. A sword of terrible destruction. Is this the path you seek?

Dani nodded. Just as quickly as it had appeared, the sword vanished in her hand, the pedestals receded into the ground.

You've obtained the power to fight. Now, how will you shape your power?

More pedestals surrounded her now, four this time. Each one held a different kind of sword. She saw one that was a brilliant pearl, a dark hematite, a brilliant gold, and a stunning silver. But then she looked at the swords more carefully.

"Is that a key?" She asked.

The Kingdom Key. A weapon forged in the Light. Light exists in everyone, but sometimes it needs the right key to let it out. There are still seven hearts to save, and they need your light, your hope, your determination. Adventure is at your fingertips; what dark corner of the world will you fill with your Light? Is this the power you seek?

Well, it was a strange shaped sword, but it was still a sword. And looking around, none of the others looked like they would be much better for her. Dani nodded.

You've gained the ability to go beyond your limits. Use this strength to protect yourself and your friends.

The platform cracked under her, and Dani felt herself fall.

Hanna Scott also knew she was dreaming. But she had no idea what could have provoked such a dream. This went far beyond nightmares of giant monsters or showing up to school naked. This dream felt simultaneously far too imaginary and far to realistic, giving her both a sense of ease and unease at the same time.

Choose well, said the mysterious voice.

What did they want her to choose? She looked around. Three pedestals were raised, each holding a different type of weapon.

"Wait, are you expecting me to fight something?" She asked nobody, begging that not to be the case.

Nobody said nothing, which was rather rude of them.

If she was going to fight anything, Hanna decided, it was better she go for the actual weapon and not the shield (which was marginally useful) or the stick with a mousehead on it (which was marginally not).

The power of the warrior. Invincible courage. A sword of terrible destruction. Is this the path you seek?

"I don't want to destroy anything." Hanna said.

The voice did not listen. The sword disappeared from her hand in a flash of light.

You've obtained the power to fight. Now, how will you shape your power?

Four more pedestals rose from the ground. Three of them held different types of swords; one did not. Hanna looked at each of the swords, but one gave her pause. Was that just a giant key?

The Darkside Kingdom Key. A weapon forged in the Darkness. But do not let that deceive you. Both sides exist in everyone; you've know that since you were young. And both sides will be needed to close this Door. The world is made of both Light and Darkness. If you have the strength to control the Darkness, then you can protect what matters.

Hanna did not seek any power. But still…the power to protect what mattered to her did appeal to her. She gave a hesitant nod.

You've gained the strength and wisdom of the masters. Use this strength to protect yourself and your friends.

"Wait, my friends?" Hanna asked. "Where are they?"

Her answer came in the form of the sound of breaking glass. The platform was shattering. Hanna froze as she fell.

Kaitlyn Williams knew that she wasn't dreaming. There was a difference between lucid dreaming and hallucinations. And this...she didn't know what this was. It was somewhere in between. And she did not know what to think of it yet.

Choose well. The voice told her.

But they gave her no other information to go off of. Was she supposed to be fighting something? If so, what? That would play a large role in her decision-making process.

Maybe there was a trick to this, Katie thought. If she did not know what she was going to fight, then maybe the best thing for her to do was defend herself.

She reached for the shield.

The path of the guardian. Kindness to aid friends. A shield to repel all. Is this the power you seek?

'Kindness to friends' and 'repel all' sounded good! Katie nodded, and the shield vanished from her hand.

You've obtained the power to fight. Now, how will you shape your power?

Four more pedestals rose out of the stained glass platform. Two were empty, two held swords. They were both strange-looking, although Katie did not know enough about swords to properly explain why. One was a bright white with a hilt made to look like angel wings, but Katie was more drawn to the dark black sword with gothic designs covering it.

Oblivion. The rules of this world never made sense to you. What good is a game if no one can win? It is time to change the rules, plunge destiny into oblivion. Only you can do that. What are you willing to do to keep those you care about safe?

Is this the power you seek?

"Sure?" Katie asked. What a weird way to describe a sword.

That seemed to be a good enough answer.

You've gained the ability to face your fears. Use this strength to protect yourself and your friends.

Katie yelped as she felt the ground fall under her.

Penny Anderson-Luna knew she was dreaming. But that's all it was: a dream. She should not take it too seriously. She should not be getting this annoyed at a mysterious voice that would not answer her questions.

Choose well.

"Why?" Penny said. "What am I choosing here?"

The voice did not answer.

"Fine, whatever." Penny said. "I'll just sit here and not choose."

Then the dream will never end.

Well, that was at least the first straightforward answer she had gotten all night. It was the only real answer she had gotten. So Penny decided to treat it seriously. She reached for the closest pedestal, not caring what was on it.

The Power of the Mystic. Inner Strength. A staff of wonder and ruin. Is this the power you seek?

"Fine. Whatever." Penny said.

You've obtained the power to fight. Now, how will you shape your power?

Four more pedestals rose. Penny imagined that, at some point, there was supposed to be an actual choice. But only one pedestal held anything.

Oathkeeper. Was it wrong to make a promise that you could not keep? To protect the people you care about may seem like impossible, but you are not one to break your promises. Keep your Light burning strong, let your oath fuel you, and you will find you way once more. Is this the power you seek?

She took the sword in her hands. If given the choice, she probably would have chosen this one anyway.

"Okay. Let's just get this over with." Penny said.

You've gained the power of the mind. Use this to protect you and your friends.

Dani knew that the stained glass under her had shattered, and she had fallen. But she did not remember the fall, or the landing, or how she ended up on the beach.

The beach was completely empty; no people on the sand, or surfers on the sea, or seagulls on the shore. There were no boats or beach chairs that would have shown people being there before. Off in the distance, Dani could see a lifeguard station, and a playground. She knew that playground. She knew this beach. This was the beach they used to go to all the time as kids. But she had not been here in years. Why here? Why now?

The door will not open just yet. The mysterious voice said. First, why don't you tell me a bit about yourself?

In a flash of light, a person appeared in front of her. She had to have been the same age as Dani, with short black hair and dressed in all black. Her eyes were as blue as the sea, but they seemed…off. Not quite focusing on Dani. Not quite focusing on anything.

"What is it that is most important to you?" The girl asked, her tone neutral.

"Uh…" Dani stammered. "Do you want my name first, or…"

The girl did not say anything. Her gaze remained unmoving.

"Okay, uh…" Dani had never really thought about it before. "My friends, I guess."

"I see." The girl said. "So what, then, would you do if they were put in danger?"

"Huh?" Dani said. "Well…I would stand up for them, of course!"

"But you would not want to make sure they were safe first? What if they were hurt?" The girl said. "Or, what if it was an enemy you could not face? If your friends really were what you valued most-"

"Hey." Dani warned. "I care about my friends. And we can face anything together."

The girl did not look convinced. But then again, she did not look like she thinking about anything.

"One more question." The girl said. "What is your favorite flowre?"

"What?"

The girl said nothing.

"Uh…irises?"

"I see…" The girl said. "Then your journey will begin at midday. If you can keep a steady pace, if you remember to protect your friends, then you will come through just fine."

"Wait, what does that—"

Like rain washing away chalk, the beach and the girl faded from view. Dani was back on a stained glass platform.

Hanna knew exactly where she was. It was the playground she, Charlie, and Dani used to play at as kids, just a block away from where they used to live. She knew the tree where she would sit down and read while Dani and Charlie played pirates Before, she knew the swings she and Charlie would play on After. But she did not know why she was here.

The door will not open just yet. First, why don't you tell me a bit about yourself?

Hanna yelped as a figure appeared in front of her. It was a boy, perhaps no older than her, with a mess of blond hair and dressed in blacks and whites. But the way he stared at her, eyes stormy like the sea…it was clear that there was nothing behind them. No thoughts, no emotions, nothing processing.

"What is it that is most important to you?" He asked, his voice steady and unemotional.

"What?"

The boy did not say anything else.

"Uh, well, my friends, I suppose." Hanna said. It was the honest answer, even if she felt like a fool for saying it.

"You suppose?" The boy asked. "Well, then, what do you suppose you will do to protect them?"

"Uh, well…I…" Hanna swallowed hard. It was hard to talk about yourself, especially when you were not sure if you believed what you said. "I always make sure they're okay, and I listen to them, and I make sure they're doing their homework—"

"But how do you protect them?" The boy asked. "If they were put in danger, what would you do?"

"What are you talking about?" Hanna asked.

"Would you stand up? Or would you run away?"

"I—uh—"

"One more question." The boy said. "What is your favorite flower?"

"W—what does that have to do with anything?"

"What is your favorite flower?" The boy asked again, his tone not changing.

"Lilies. Who cares?"

"Your journey will begin at midday. If you can keep a steady pace, if you remember to protect your friends, then you will come through just fine."

The boy vanished, as did the park, and Hanna was left with more questions than she answered.

Katie found herself right at home. She was surrounded by rolling hills and expansive fields, perfect for families who wanted to grow their own food or raise their own animals, and Katie had worked hard to help her neighbors with said gardens and barns. But the grass here was still and dry, and there were no animals in the distance.

The door will not open just yet. First, why don't you tell me a bit about yourself?

In a flash of light, a figure appeared before her. He was already strange enough, with a mess of black hair, amber eyes, and wearing a strange black suit. However, what grabbed Katie were his eyes, how they seemed to be both empty and full of pent-up rage at the same time. It was honestly kind of impressive.

"Can you teach me how to do that with your eyes?" She asked.

"I'm here to ask you a few questions." He said, voice unnaturally calm.

"Oh…okay."

"What is the thing that is most important to you?"

"Oh…I guess I've never thought of that."

The boy did not press her while she considered it.

"My dog, maybe? And my mom and my sister too. And my friends." She said. "So I guess the people that are close to me. And the dogs."

"So, friendship?"

"Yeah, that's a better way to put it!"

"So, then, what would you do to protect your friends?"

Another question Katie had never had to think about before.

"Well, what happened?" She asked. "Are they in danger? From a person, or from, like, a car-wreck? If you want me to answer honestly, you need to give me some more information."

"It is good that you can think about the situation." The boy said. "But, couldn't you also use that time to make sure they were safe?"

"I guess I—"

"One more question." The boy said. "What is your favorite flower?"

Finally, a question she didn't have to think hard about!

"Sunflowers!" Katie said. "See, we're growing some over there…but I guess this place is just a dream—"

But the boy did not seem to care.

"Your journey will begin at dawn." He said, just as neutral as when he started. "As long as your light is still shining, your journey should be a present one."

"Okay. Cool."

Katie thought for a moment.

"So does that mean I have to wake up early or—"

The scene, the boy, faded away, and Katie was left staring at a door.

The street should be fuller than this. There should be people running to and fro, shops and vendors open, chalk messages written on the pathways. Penny once read that the human mind cannot actually visualize written language in a dream, but she had plenty of dreams with people at least.

The door will not open just yet. First, why don't you tell me a bit about yourself?

A person appeared in front of her in a flash of light. He was a young boy, at least as old as she was, with a mess of blond hair and dressed in dark greens and greys. He did not seem too expressive as he stared her down, even as she glared back.

"What is the thing that is most important to you?" He asked.

"What kind of a question is that?" She shot back.

The boy said nothing, still waiting for her to play this silly little game.

"Well, I guess…" She trailed off, mumbling. All of a sudden, she did not feel too sure about her answer. "You can't replace people, you know?"

"You think people are most important, but you're unwilling to say that?" He asked.

"Hey, that's rude—"

"What would you do to protect them?" He asked.

"W—protect them from what?"

Once again, the boy was silent.

"If you want an answer, you'll have to give me a little more information than that!" She snapped.

"Does that matter? If you think your friends are most important to you, won't you do whatever it takes to protect them?"

Penny thought to snap back, but nothing witty would come to her.

"One more question." He said. "What is your favorite flower?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

The boy did not answer.

"Uh…" It would help if she could name one flower. Flowers were more Hanna's thing. She knew roses, and she knew daisies, but those seemed too generic. What was the name of that vine outside of her house, again? "Morning glories?"

"Your journey will begin at dusk." The boy said. "The road may be rough ahead, but you must keep your light burning strong."

"Wait, what does that mean—"

She did not get a chance to finish her question. The scene in front of her faded away.

The closer you get to the Light…the Darker your shadow becomes…

The stained glass staircase seemed to stretch on forever, but Dani never really felt tired as she climbed it. She had felt like she was at the bottom of the ocean when this dream started, but now she felt like she was getting closer to the surface, ready to breathe fresh air again.

Dani stepped onto another stained glass platform, but she did not look down at the design. Instead, she was focused more on the people already on the platform.

"Oh!" Dani said. "Uh…hi!"

She wasn't expecting to meet anyone else in this dream, let alone her friends. But there they were, all staring at her, like she had any more idea what was going on than she did.

"So uh…" She started. "You all are dreaming, too, right?"

She did not get her answer. Dani felt the ground shake under her, and fell onto her back. The platform had tilted sideways, and she slid towards her friends. Her sister managed to catch her before she got too close to the edge, and Penny helped pull her to her feet.

"Hey guys…" Katie said, voice shaking. "What is that?"

Dani followed her gaze, and came face to face with a monster.

But do not be afraid. You hold the mightiest weapon of all…

Author's Note: This is probably the cringiest and most self-indulgent thing I've ever written, but I don't care, I love writing this and I love these characters.

I originally wrote and posted most of this under the title Simple/Clean, with the plan to have it be a three part series. I finished the first part, but I struggled so much with the second part that I ended up retooling the entire series. Not to mention, the actual Kingdom Hearts 3 came out while I was working on it, which meant that I had to change my plans around that. But then people actually started to talk about what happens in Kingdom Hearts 3…and I got creative.