Chapter 23: Like Father like Son
Vanitas landed on the roof of the Forbidden Mountain, and sat down, The shadow of Axel arrived and he snapped his fingers, only to allow Axel's face to be seen.
"I have a question for you." said Vanitas.
Axel simply scowled at him, but he ignored him. "The Paopu Fruit. What is it exactly?"
Axel blinked in surprise and shook his head. "You wouldn't understand," he said.
"Try me. A talking moon told me about light in the deepest darkness. That is enough to drive any man to lose their marbles." said Vanitas.
"Really? A talking moon?" said Axel.
"Don't play stupid. You saw her too." said Vanitas.
Axel rolled his eyes. "The Paopu Fruit is a fruit that only grows in the Destiny Islands. It's meant to be shared with your loved ones." said Axel.
"What kind of loved ones?" he asked.
"People who were in love would share the fruit. It's a romantic gesture. However, in recent years, the fruit is now used to share with family and friends. It's a popular snack in the islands." said Axel.
"I see. How did this custom originate?" asked Vanitas.
"I don't know. If you were a native of the islands, you might know the answer to that." said Axel.
"Does Sky know?" asked Vanitas.
"You stay away from him. I saw what you did in my shadow form. You kidnapped him and flew with him across Playhouse Disney." said Axel.
"I didn't hurt him." said Vanitas.
"But you took him away. If I was not in this heathen form, I would rip you apart." said Axel.
Vanitas stood up and snapped his fingers. Axel's face was covered again. He then opened another portal and went through with the shadow to another world. He knew Sky and his friends were close behind. But he couldn't afford to have them in the Forbidden Mountain. It was not time yet.
"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Summer to Sky as they found themselves in a new world. They were not sure what world it was yet. They were on the roof of some building, but Summer and Sky were sitting on a bench.
"Is it wrong for me to feel something for my enemy? You know… Vanitas?" asked Sky.
"If you feel anger and hatred, I wouldn't blame you," said Summer.
"But what if you felt sympathy for him?" asked Sky.
"Sympathy? I think that would be a lot to ask. I don't know if I'm ready to forgive him, not after what he did to Axel and you." said Summer.
"Luna said there was a small glimmer of light in Vanitas. Do you think that's true?" asked Sky.
"I wouldn't know how to answer that," said Summer.
"But if there were a chance to change him, to even make him see that what he does is bad…. Is there a way?" asked Sky.
"I don't know. I don't think about that sort of thing. But this I do know. As Guardians of light, it is our duty to take down anyone who threatens the world. If Vanitas wants to go around being a villain, then he must be struck down." said Summer.
"I suppose," said Sky.
"Listen, Vanitas is running out of ideas. He knows we are close behind." said Summer.
Sky nodded and got up. "I know there's a way to help Axel. I know there's a way to free him." said Sky.
Summer held his hand. "I know there is. You know. I know. We all know." said Summer.
The friends gave each other a hug and joined the others.
"Now, what world are we in?" asked Summer.
Roxanne and Red were both exchanging looks and they looked terrified.
"Pete was just here. And he took PJ." said Red.
"What did you say?!" cried Sky.
"How did this happen?!" cried Summer.
"Pete came through a dark corridor, and pulled PJ's hand." said Red.
"Before we knew it, the portal vanished." said Roxanne.
"Great! That's just great! Leave it to PJ to get kidnapped so easily. I expected this from Hewey, Dewey, and Louie. But not him!" said Summer waving her arms in the air.
Sky then felt a funny sensation from his pocket. He grabbed his wayfinder and it was beginning to shine a powerful light.
"Axel…. He's trying to tell me something." said Sky.
"Really? How do you know it's him?" asked Roxanne.
"Our wayfinders have this link… a heart link. His heart is telling me that we need to move on to the next world, where ever it is." said Sky.
"Then we have to go right now! Maybe PJ is going there!" cried Roxanne.
"We need to rescue him too! He's family." cried Red.
"I know guys. We will save him!" said Summer.
"Axel knew something. I think he's trying to tell us something important." said Sky.
He then opened a light corridor and the friends quickly ran to it.
…
"You three stayed behind?!" cried Donald Duck to his nephews, back in Atlantis.
"They had it all figured out!" said Hewey.
"Besides, Roxanne was following them." said Dewey.
"I'm sure she caught up with them." said Louie.
"You three had one job! One job! To take care of Sky! He's your cousin for crying out loud!" cried Donald.
Scrooge intervened quickly, putting his cane down. "Don't be hard on the boys. They faced so much here in Atlantis. You weren't there when Magica threatened all of us." said Scrooge.
Donald rolled his eyes. "Uncle Scrooge. You just had to get involved in more outer worldly business." said Donald.
"World traveling is a new industry," said Scrooge, waving his cane.
"Where did I hear that one before?" asked Donald.
"Where is Goofy?" asked Scrooge.
Donald shook his head. "I had to leave him behind. I think his no good son is involved in all of this." said Donald.
"Max? Really? No one has seen him since that fiasco at King Mickey's hearing." said Scrooge as he grabbed a small glass of water and took a sip. The three duck nephews were listening in on the conversation as Donald spoke in a whisper.
"Goofy can get hurt. I want to protect him." said Donald.
"That is noble of you dear nephew, but frankly how are you going to take care of him if you are hiding secrets?" asked Scrooge.
"That's beyond the point." said Donald.
"You're conspiring with the Caballeros again. And you are coming to me for some help and advice. Is there something on your mind?" asked Scrooge.
"Join us Uncle. Join me and my allies and we can take down Maleficent, Max and Vanitas." said Donald.
Scrooge shook his head. "Magica is with them. And may I remind you that we are in no position to make choices. We need King Mickey's support as well as that of the Keyblade Wielders. Have you spoken to Sora?" asked Scrooge.
"Sora will tell me to wait and to stand my ground. So will the King and Riku." said Donald.
"And for good reason. You will get hurt if you face those monsters alone." said Scrooge.
"I handled monsters before." said Donald.
"You have. But you were never alone. You, Sora and Goofy fought TOGETHER. If you work alone on this, you will fail." said Scrooge.
"I got the Caballeros. They got my back." said Donald.
"Yes, but what if they get hurt? They have never fought powerful foes like Maleficent or Vanitas. A few Heartless maybe, but never a wizard or a witch." said Scrooge.
Donald folded his arms. "Now what?" he said.
"Talk to Sora," said Scrooge. Donald nodded. He felt like he had no other choice. He was not going to make it alone after all.
In a small chamber room in the newly built palace for Queen Kida, Donald put out a holoprojection in the center of the room and called for Sora. It was a matter of time before he answered.
"Donald! I'm so happy to see you!" cried Sora cheerfully. Donald waved at him nervously.
"You look okay. Have you been eating right?" asked Donald.
Sora nodded. "Kairi has me on some Paopu fruit diet. I'm getting tired of it. Just once, I would like to eat an actual hamburger!" said Sora.
"I can imagine." said Donald.
Sora watched Donald's worried face and kneeled down, to Donalds' level and height.
"I know what happened at the islands and I know that Sky is out there. But don't blame yourself Donald. There was nothing you could have done." said Sora.
"Your son is out there and because of me, he could get hurt. And now… Goofy will get hurt. I'm getting worried." said Donald.
"Do you remember many years ago, when we were in Traverse Town, getting our Gummi Ship's navigational system updated by Cid? Before going to Hollow Bastion? Do you remember how worried and sad I was that I couldn't find Kairi?" said Sora.
Donald nodded. "You were 14 at the time. You were very young. "
"I asked you guys how you didn't seem worried. King Mickey was missing and you guys didn't look sad. You guys told me to believe." said Sora.
Donald smiled. "I remember. We told you to keep your chin up."
"May I ask you to do the same for me? Keep your chin up Donald. We will get through this. In fact, can we meet here in Radiant Garden?" said Sora.
"What?" asked Donald.
"Get the Caballeros to come. And Scrooge too. Riku is planning an all out attack on Maleficent's castle. We have two moles inside the place, and they have been giving us the scoop." said Sora.
"No way! Who are they?" asked Donald.
Sora smiled and blinked one eye. "You wouldn't believe it if I told you."
Kronk was sending messages with his Gummiphone. He was telling Riku all he knew. The entrances to Maleficent's fortress, the people she spoke too. Everything inside. Behind him, the Bowler Hat man appeared, looking at all directions.
"We have to be careful with Maleficent's stupid bird. It follows everyone." said the Bowler Hat Man.
"Even if the bird found us out, it's probably late anyway. Riku and the other guardians are going to attack the castle tomorrow." said Kronk.
"T-tomorrow?! Are you sure? What about Max?!" cried Bowler Hat Man.
"Pete sent him away to do something," said Kronk.
"Pete? He's in on it too?!" cried Bowler Hat Man.
"I don't really know." said Kronk.
"Are you serious? Does Pete know?" asked Bowler Hat Man.
"No. I'm sure he doesn't know we are spies for the forces of good and all that." said Kronk.
"You are so chill about it! If Pete tells Maleficent about this…. She could block all the entrances and she will be ready for the attack!" cried The Bowler Hat Man.
"Easy. Easy. It's okay. There won't be any issues. Besides, if something were to happen, Riku will come save us." said Kronk.
The Bowler Hat Man laughed. "You think that guy will rescue us? He kicked our butts in our respective worlds!" he cried.
"Can you lower your voice? The whole castle practically has open holes and stuff like that." said Kronk.
The Bowler Hat Man tried held on to his stupid hat and Kronk put down the phone.
"Riku's got everything under control." said Kronk.
"Riku? You mean the famous Riku. The same Riku that almost took over the world with Maleficent. That Riku?" said Bowler Hat Man.
Kronk nodded with a smile. "That Riku."
"How did Yzma do it?" asked Bowler Hat Man.