It was a strange town, full of buildings rising out of the clear, blue water like some form of aquatic plant. And it was one of many—each little town was made of many small, white homes stacked up on one another to form a large cone. They were all connected by ropeways over the water that separated them, though it was difficult to tell whether that water was a lake or a vast ocean. There were windmills here and there, and waterfowl soared freely through the air beneath an endless sky.
If you looked more closely, you could see older dwellings beneath the surface, perhaps submerged there since long, long ago. At the top of an especially tall town stood what appeared to be a clocktower.
Inside, two boys sat facing each other over a game board while soft light and a gentle breeze came in through the window. One of the boys had black hair and was dressed in white, while his silver-haired companion wore black.
"Have you heard of the ancient Keyblade War?" asked the boy in black as he moved one of his pieces to take one of his opponent's.
"Of course I have," replied the boy in white before moving his piece to capture another.
"Long ago, Keyblade wielders waged a war over the ownership of light," the boy in black clarified. He took his turn.
"Yeah, the Master's favorite story," answered the boy in white.
The boy in black mused, "I wonder what they planned on doing with Kingdom Hearts after making it appear."
The game still continued as they conversed.
"Who knows? I don't get why anyone would initiate a war," replied the boy in white, and his friend put a hand to his mouth and smiled faintly.
"So…you know the Lost Masters?"
"Who?" the white-robed boy asked back straight away.
"They're the ones who started the Keyblade War."
"Never heard of 'em. Where'd you hear about that?" The boy in white regarded the game board thoughtfully for a moment.
"Or...they're the ones for whom the war started," the boy in black added meaningfully.
"I'm not following you."
"You can drop the facade."
"Facade?" The white-robed boy's fingers hesitated over the board.
"'On that land shall darkness prevail and light expire.' A prospective Keyblade Master should know this."
"If you say so," the boy in white said indifferently. It was hard to tell if he truly didn't know, or if he was simply faking it.
"The Gazing Eye sees the fate of the world. The future—it's already been written."
The boy in black looked over at the wall where a special Keyblade with a single eye was hanging on display.
"Really? I'm not so sure about that," said the boy in white as he moved a piece forward on the board. "Besides, who's to say I can't change it? And maybe light will prevail." He claimed another of his opponent's pieces.
"Pretty confident. But things aren't in your favor." The boy in black took a piece, too."Perhaps. But unlike darkness, there is more to light than meets the eye. You might be surprised."
The boy in white lifted his eyes from the board and regarded his friend.
"Oh, I hope so," the boy in black replied, meeting his gaze.
The silver-haired boy in black was Xehanort, and the dark-haired boy in white was Eraqus.
The name of this town was Scala ad Caelum, the stairway to the sky.
Warm sunlight shone upon the two boys.
Back at the Mysterious Tower, the group all stood in front of Yen Sid.
Yen Sid beheld the remnants of the missing Keyblade Master, which rested on the table, next to the skull candle. However, there was still some hope. The old wizard had an idea on how to help Sora regain his lost power of waking.
"In order to defeat Xehanort, there are allies we must gather, acting now to rouse them from their slumber. We have discussed this before, Sora."
The group listened carefully, and Sora remembered the original purpose of the exam.
"Your Mark of Mastery exam was conducted in the hopes that you would acquire the power to wake them. However, the darkness nearly took control of you, and your grasp of your new abilities leaves much to be desired."
Sora's head drooped in dejection. The master was right—because of Organization XIII's plotting, Sora had fallen into a Sleeping World close to the darkness and had been consumed. He didn't acquire the great power he was supposed to.
"Furthermore, Xehanort nearly made you his vessel, and in the process stripped you of most of the power you had gained by then. I suspect you have already noticed this, correct?"
Sora swallowed hard. Donald and Goofy looked over at him with concern.
"Sora..." the two of them said worriedly.
But Sora's head snapped up. "Whatever!" he chirped. "Happens all the time."
Every time he had temporarily lost his powers—back in the Sleeping Worlds, Castle Oblivion, and when he woke in the old mansion—he had eventually made his way back to full strength with the help of his friends. He knew things would work out this time, too.
"Chip and Dale are currently working with the former apprentices, analyzing data that Ansem the Wise provided to Riku, which could offer us a clue to retrieving our friends' lost hearts. I have very high hopes for this data. However, our greatest chance of stopping Xehanort's plan still lies with you, Sora. If you trust the guidance your heart gives, I know we will find all of the guardians of light."
Sora nodded once. Seven guardians—and seven princesses. These sources of light had always protected the worlds, and they would need to keep doing so for some time to come.
"But first, you must regain all the strength you have lost. Perhaps it is foolish to expect a complete recovery, but it is absolutely vital you perfect one power—the power of waking, which you failed to master during your exam."
"But...how?"
"There's someone who lost his strength and found it again, a true hero to whom you ought to pay a visit. Perhaps he can point you in the right direction."
The moment Sora heard the word hero, his face lit up. He knew whom that meant, and he briefly mimicked him by flexing his muscles and striking cool poses.
"Got it," he replied with a reverent nod.
"Master Yen Sid..."
Donald took a step forward, and Goofy did the same.
"You can count on us to take care of Sora!"
"I would have it no other way. I put Sora in your hands."
After the sorcerer granted his approval, Sora put his arms around his friends' shoulders. "Donald! Goofy!"
The two beamed at Sora's excitement.
"You can't become a master without us!"
"Huh?" Sora said unhappily. I mean, he's right, but—!
"I never woulda thought you'd fail that exam, Sora," Goofy commented regretfully.
Sora promptly removed his arms from his friends' shoulders. "Hey!"
Donald and Goofy weren't through with their grumpy friend yet, though. "Face it, you're just a half-pint."
"But the three of us together make a whole pint!"
"Pint an' a half," Sora insisted with exasperation. But this was how they always were.
"We'll keep an eye on you!" Donald stuck out his hand.
"Oh, this is gonna be lots of fun!" Goofy placed his own hand on Donald's.
"It's not a vacation," Sora said, but he added his hand, too. The three of them grinned.
"Let's go!" They shared a look, then turned back to face Yen Sid.
"Count on us!"
The sorcerer nodded, and they could tell his hopes for them were high.
Meanwhile, in the Dark World, Riku and Mickey were wearing the new outfits they had received from Yen Sid. Their pants had matching checkers at the cuffs, but Mickey's pants were red where Riku's were blue. Their jackets also had a similar design, complete with hoods for concealing their faces.
Riku kept a cautious eye on their surroundings as he walked slowly forward. He had been down here two times in the past: once when he closed the Door to Darkness, and then again when he found himself here with Sora.
"Do you need a break? We can stop," Mickey asked, turning to Riku when he noticed his comrade lagging behind. Riku seems a little distracted...
"Oh. No. It's just... I've been here. I should know this place. Mickey, does any of this look familiar?"
Mickey's head swiveled back and forth. "Sort of, but the realm of darkness has changed since I was here with Aqua."
"Yeah, it's different from what I remember," Riku agreed. He didn't recognize any of this from his first and second visits. The realm of darkness was huge, though, and any new worlds it had taken could have changed its appearance.
"Usually, I'd just follow my heart, and Aqua would show me the way." Mickey started walking. There was a serious look in his eyes as he gazed off into the distance. "But the closer I get, the hazier our connection feels. Either way, we can't give up hope," Mickey reminded him, turning around.
Riku gave him a nod. "Yeah," he said, following him.
It was easy to let your mind wander in the constant murk of this world, and the two of them continued in silence.
After seeing the same unchanging view for so long, you might start to think it would never end. If Aqua's been lost in here all by herself this whole time, I can only imagine how alone she must feel. Even a Heartless would be a welcome sight.
The sheer loneliness of this place was crushing. But at least Riku had Mickey with him.
Suddenly the landscape opened up, and the sound of waves reached their ears. It was a beach in the dusky gloom. A hazy light hung over the water in the distance. Perhaps it was a setting sun; perhaps a moon.
"This beach..." Riku murmured in spite of himself. He had been here before.
"It's gone," Mickey whispered, and Riku looked at him curiously.
"Huh?"
"I was positive Aqua was here. But now…her trail's gone dim."
"I've been here, too. With Sora," Riku told him. They had arrived here together after defeating Xemnas.
"Really?"
"This is where we found our way back to the realm of light. Hey, maybe Aqua did, too!" Hope began rising in his chest.
Back then, Sora and I sat here and talked through some things—really important things—and then that letter took us back to the realm of light. Maybe something similar happened to Aqua—
However, Mickey shook his head sadly. "Aqua…has fallen into an even darker abyss—somewhere I can't see her. And I don't think we're equipped to dive any deeper than we are," he said, gazing out over the water.
"So then..."
"I think we need to go back to Master Yen Sid's tower so we can report and regroup."
"But Aqua's still down here, alone." Riku slowly approached the edge of the water and became quiet.
The last time I was here, I had Sora. It was only because of him that I made it out. By myself, I'm sure I would have lost hope and faded back into darkness. But Aqua had no one. Maybe she decided to fade back into darkness...
"What if she's feeling as scared and alone as I felt when I came here? How long are we supposed to keep her waiting in this awful place?" he said, staring out across the sea.
There was agitation in his voice and Mickey walked up alongside him, hoping to ease his anxiety.
But then, as if drawn to Riku, a pack of Heartless sprouted up from the ground.
"Oh no!" Mickey recognized this large swarm from his time here previously.
"What?!"
The pair summoned their Keyblades, but they were already surrounded.
"Riku...be careful. This is the same Heartless that Aqua and I fought back then."
"I got it." Riku tightened his grip on his Keyblade at Mickey's warning.
The Heartless swarmed together in a gigantic black tornado, then went on the attack. They were honing in on Riku in particular. He sprang right into the middle of the mass of creatures and started fighting them off with his Keyblade.
Meanwhile, Mickey used magic to break the horde apart. "It's not over. Be careful!"
"Oh no!" Just as Riku landed on the ground, a wave of Shadows crashed down on him from behind and completely swallowed him up.
"Riku!"
After a short time of Mickey fighting it off, the tornado spit Riku out on the sand and he landed flat on his back. Mickey ran to his side and shook him. "Riku! Are you okay!? Riku!"
But he wouldn't wake up. He wasn't simply unconscious from the blow. He was in a deep, deep sleep.
"Oh no..." Mickey knew he had no choice. If Riku's heart was being dragged into the abyss, there was no time to waste. He pointed his Keyblade at his sleeping friend, and summoned a portal beside him. Then, he disappeared, diving into Riku's heart.
Meanwhile, Sora went to Olympus and reunited with Hercules.
"So, Sora, is there a reason you guys are visiting? I'm guessing it's not just for the cheese and olives," Herc asked, sensing something out of the ordinary.
"Oh yeah!" Sora exclaimed as he remembered his mission.
"It sounds like somebody forgot," Donald teased.
"That's Sora," said Goofy.
"I just…took my time remembering," Sora said back to his friends, then turned to look at Hercules. "Herc, I came here so I could ask you something."
"Ask me?"
"Yeah. Do you remember the last time we were together? You were feeling down and out. Then suddenly you had this incredible power. You were able to jump into the Underworld and save Meg. How'd you do it?"
Sora gazed at his hands. Hercules had once been robbed of his might due to one of Hades's schemes. If Herc had successfully come back from that, and was even able to save Meg, then surely he knew something that could help.
"Hmm… That's tough." Hercules paused in thought for a moment. He remembered that day well. "All I know is that she was in trouble. Suddenly, I wanted to save her with all my heart, but…it's not like I could tell you how."
He did his best to explain his actions back then, but even he wasn't certain what the key to his recovery really was.
Maybe Sora's magic cure to wasn't going to be that easy to find after all. "Oh man." He sighed, dejected.
"What's wrong?" Herc asked.
"All my strength is gone. And also, a really important power I was supposed to gain. That's why I need you—because I was hoping you might have a solution, or something."
"I'm sorry, Sora."
Riku was floating in dark water—an abyss of perfect blackness. He couldn't breathe.
Didn't expect to see you again.
There was a voice, far off in the distance.
"What…?"
He opened his eyes in the water. He couldn't see who was speaking.
This voice—is it…mine? Why am I hearing my own voice?
Why did you even come here?
"Because somebody needs me," Riku answered.
He could sense whoever was there with him wavering slightly.
You don't have the strength.
"Who are you?" he asked.
Me? I'm...
Riku ran out of air before he could hear the rest of the reply. You're—Yeah, it must be you.
Mickey had successfully collected all the pieces of Riku's fragmented consciousness and was now about to land on the circular platform down below. The stained-glass floor was all covered in darkness, obscuring everything around him. The overwhelming tension in the air weighed down on him.
This feeling...it's fear!
Without wasting time, a dark hazy figure materialized on the platform. As it gradually became more solid and distinct, the king could tell it was wearing a familiar dark outfit. It was also wielding a familiar Keyblade—the Way to Dawn.
"Riku!"
The young man looked just like Riku, but this wasn't Riku. It was Anti-Riku.
"No... He's overcome with darkness..."
"You're afraid of the dark! The darkness inside you still frightens you, no matter what you say. But I'M different. I embrace the darkness. I can make it do whatever I want."
"And what of it?" It was Riku's voice all right. "With darkness on my side, I have all the power I need! I can do anything I want." He summoned a large ball of darkness in his hand and shot it at the king.
"Ahhh!" He yelped as he was caught off guard and slammed onto the floor.
"Ahahahaha! You like it?" His laugh was extremely vicious—so uncharacteristic of the Riku Mickey knew. "It's so exhilarating. You really ought to try it out." He finished his taunt with a cruel smirk.
Mickey was confused. "I don't want to fight you! Riku, you don't need the power of darkness anymore. The two of us—we walk road to dawn, remember?"
But Mickey's pleading wasn't getting through.
"Road to dawn?" He briefly glanced down at his Keyblade. "Hah! Screw that! I'm done with taking the middle road and running away like a coward! It's time I stopped waffling and embrace what I really want! I'm not afraid of the darkness!"
A dark aura surrounded him and he regarded Mickey with disdain.
"Riku..."
"And what about you? You're so full of it."
"W-what do you mean?"
"You know as well as I do that you're not sitting on the fence, walking the road between. You've already chosen a side—the side of light. Isn't that right?"
Mickey was at a loss for words.
"Then what does that make me? A guardian of light? Don't make me laugh! I'm tired of holding it back and hiding it! I'm ready to embrace my TRUE self! This is who I REALLY am! I'm the REAL Riku!"
I know that's not true. This isn't the real Riku. This is just the weakness in his heart being given a voice of its own. It's his shadow. If I can just defeat him, I think Riku will wake up.
Mickey finally summoned his Starseeker Keyblade, having found the determination to fight his dear friend.
"What!? So you're going to destroy me now that you've seen the REAL me!? You can't accept who I REALLY am!?"
Although uttered by his shadow, they must have reflected some repressed feelings of the real version.
Mickey remembered what Riku's request of him was back in Castle Oblivion.
"There's no point in doing this if I can't do it on my own. But I do need a favor. If Ansem is the victor, he's going to enslave me. If that happens, use your powers to destroy—"
"O'course! I'll be right there to save ya!"
"That's not what I promised and you know it! I'm gonna save ya!"
A fierce battle ensued, and Mickey emerged the victor.
"No! How could this happen? I didn't have...the strength..." The cracked Way to Dawn fell out of his hand. Anti-Riku fell forward into the puddle of darkness as it swallowed him up.
"Riku!" Mickey tried to reach for him, but it was too late. He disappeared into the dissipating whirlpool.
After the darkness was gone, Riku's station of awakening was fully cleared, revealing a beautiful indigo portrait of him and all those close to his heart. Even Mickey was there.
"I have to go in after him." Mickey pointed his Keyblade down at the floor, opening one last keyhole—this one leading to the innermost depths of Riku's heart.
After being engulfed by a bright white light, Mickey found himself standing on a floating islet, in what appeared to be the eye of a tornado. The sky was darkened and everything was in ruins. Pieces of wood were strewn about on the sand and also circling in the air. In the devastation, all that could be heard was the sound of howling winds.
"Is this...the Destiny Islands?" It looked similar to when he came here with Aqua, back when it was consumed by the darkness.
Just then, Mickey spotted Riku—this time in his old attire—staring out into the distance. His back was turned, but Mickey rushed over to him. "Riku!"
"This is all my fault. I did this." Riku's voice was weak and tiny—the complete opposite of Anti-Riku's.
Mickey knew that Riku opened the door to darkness. But he didn't think it was fair for him to shoulder such a heavy burden. "You didn't destroy the islands, Riku."
Riku was unconvinced by that response. He knew it wasn't true.
"I did destroy them. I was selfish and cast all my friends and family into darkness. I just...wanted to go somewhere else. Somewhere other than here. I'm no different from Xehanort. I even took on his appearance. It was a reflection of who I really am on the inside. I don't deserve to wield the Keyblade. Or be a guardian of light."
It was clear that Riku was still in a lot of pain. Although peace had returned to Destiny Islands, he had never truly forgiven himself for what happened that day.
I had no idea he was still suffering like this.
Riku may have been in a dark mood that day. But Mickey didn't actually think he was the one who drew the Robed Figure to his world. There had to be something else going on that night. And that was when it hit him.
"Wait—you know this place, Aqua?"
"Yes. I visited once, and I met two boys I considered passing the Keyblade on to. But because Terra had already given one of them the power, I didn't."
Now, I get it. This is Riku's memory of the day the islands were lost to darkness. This is where Xehanort's Heartless possessed him. But...it's also the place where Riku met Terra and inherited the Keyblade from him.
Mickey slowly shook his head. "No. You're wrong. It wasn't your darkness that attracted the Robed Figure to Destiny Islands, Riku. It was your light."
Riku slowly turned around to face Mickey. Before his eyes, Riku changed from Young Xehanort, to Ansem, then back to Riku again. "...What?"
"I just know it. Terra's heart is what led him here that day. Because he remembered meeting you—the boy he passed the Keyblade to."
Riku was stunned. Is that really true?
"Yup, I'm sure of it! You didn't invite Xehanort into your heart, Riku. You invited Terra. He just happened to bring Xehanort along with him."
When it was put that way, it sounded like Terra's heart must have sought refuge in him, the same way Ventus's heart sought refuge inside Sora. Terra was drawn to Destiny Islands because of one young islander's particularly strong light. And perhaps he was looking for that same little boy on the night of the storm.
"I think it was because of him that you became so strong."
Riku closed his eyes and put a hand on his heart.
I promised Terra that I would find him, and he would teach me how to protect those that matter to me. I guess I did find him, after all. He was here with me the whole time...
Mickey noticed that Riku seemed relieved. Suddenly, he remembered something.
"Denizens of light... Why do you hate the darkness?"
"Aw, we don't hate it. It's just kinda...scary. But the world's made of light AND darkness. You can't have one without the other, 'cause darkness is half of everything. Sorta makes ya wonder why we are scared of the dark."
"It's because of who's lurking inside it."
All this time, he's been terrified of the darkness inside him—of Ansem's shadow.
"His eyes couldn't lie."
"And just who were you trying to fool, huh?" Huhhh?
"Myself."
He's been lying to himself that he's not. Suppressing that fear until it got buried deep in the shadows of his heart.
"There's nothing to be afraid of anymore, Riku. Now, let's head back. We gotta save Terra and the others." Mickey was looking up at Riku, smiling brightly and extending his hand.
Riku smiled widely and took it. "Yeah."
The king pointed his Keyblade at the sky and summoned a Sleeping Keyhole.
Side by side, hand in hand, the two friends floated upward and disappeared into the white light.
Riku was sinking. Sinking deeper and deeper.
That pitch-black darkness would surely swallow up everything...but a ball of light appeared above him.
This light...
"Riku!"
That voice...
It was different from the one before, but still familiar.
I've heard it before... Wait, that's right... I remember now...
"Listen close. The light'll never give up on you. You'll always find it, even in the deepest darkness!"
The ball of light glowed brighter and brighter. And then the light outshone everything.
"Riku... Wake up... Riku!"
Riku eyes opened gradually as Mickey called to him, and he saw the king looking at him with worry. He sat up.
"Are you okay?"
"Where'd the Heartless go?"
"I got more than half of 'em, and the rest vanished. But they spit you out first," said Mickey.
"Light within the darkness..."
"You and me, we've seen it. The welcoming light far beyond the Door of Darkness—the light of Kingdom Hearts. It'll show you the way. So please don't give up. Believe in the light. That's a request from my heart."
Riku pressed down on his temple. His head still hurt a bit. "That voice... That was you."
"Yeah," the mouse said with a small laugh.
"Thank you," he said a bit timidly.
"Aww, gosh, Riku."
Riku smiled; his face indicated that the king had truly touched his heart. However, as his head became less foggy, he asked with concern, "Oh! What about you, Mickey? Are you all right? You had to use the power of waking on me, didn't you?"
"Yeah, I'm fine thanks to the new gear. But...your Keyblade..."
The king was looking at the weapon in Riku's hand. It was fine before, but after he dove inside Riku's heart and fought his shadow, the tip of Way to the Dawn—the Keyblade he had used all this time—had snapped off.
"I'm sorry."
"Right," Riku agreed firmly, then planted the broken Way to the Dawn in the sand. "Can't use this Keyblade anymore. Might as well leave it here...for the other me."
Yeah, for the other me— My shadow. The weakness in my heart. He can have that piece of junk. I don't need it anymore.
Mickey glanced up at Riku curiously. "But..."
Riku looked so resolute.
I'm done bottling everything up. My heart's not a prison anymore.
"I remember my first time here. I was so scared. But that all seems like another life." Not much time had actually passed since his last visit, but still. Riku seemed reborn—like a brand new person. "Now, my doubts and fears are gone. If anything, I feel exhilarated. And it's not because there's darkness in me—I know too well what that rush is like. This is different."
Riku placed and a hand on his chest and closed his eyes for a moment. He remembered the boy he had been when the darkness had nearly taken his heart.
Light and darkness will always be two sides of the same coin, so all that matters is to keep myself from swaying toward the shadow again. Darkness exists in everything, but it won't tell my heart what to do.
"And it's not adrenaline, either," he continued. "I know Aqua needs us...I'm in control now. It's because you're with me this time." He finished his little speech with a smile.
Mickey returned the smile and shook his head. "It's not me. I think it's because you've finally found inside you that special strength to protect what matters."
"What?"
"Sometimes you care so much for somebody that other feelings disappear. And then, there's no room for fear or doubt."
"Is that it? 'Strength to protect what matters'..." Riku looked down at his right hand as a faint memory from his childhood came back to him. "It reminds me of a promise I made."
"To who?"
"Just someone I once met. Can't tell."
By his playful response, Mickey realized that there was no one else Riku could be referring to. "That promise must've been what bound you and Terra together. And it still does, to this day."
Riku nodded. Though it had grown more and more hazy over the years, it was one of his most precious memories. And it was the key to awakening a new power.
"No more borders around, or below, or above, so long as you champion the ones you love."
For a long time, I've been so jealous of Sora. But...I was the kid he chose. He appeared to me that day because he remembered meeting me all those years ago. Back when I was still that idealistic little kid. I guess deep down, I'm still that same person.
Riku curled his hand into a fist. The strength of heart required to face his own inner self was now made manifest. A new Keyblade appeared in his hand. A beam of light shot forth, and a white door appeared over the water exactly like the one that appeared when Kairi's letter washed up on shore.
"Whoa! Riku!"
"It's...the door to light. Come on. Let's go back."
Mickey was beaming. "Right!"
Riku returned his gaze to the horizon beyond the sea.
Mickey walked up alongside him. "I know how you feel. But Aqua... She's like Sora."
"What?!" Riku exclaimed. Of all the things he was expecting to hear, it wasn't that. You're telling me the master who saved me back then has her head in the clouds like him...?
Mickey hurriedly added, "No, no, no... Strong like Sora!"
"Okay… Good. Then I guess she's gonna be all right. Sora could fall into any darkness and swim his way out." Riku returned his gaze to the horizon beyond the sea.
"Besides, we won't be long."
Riku and Mickey put the sea behind them and made their way back to the realm of light.
And now the trio returned to the Mysterious Tower after their visit with Hercules.
"I see... You could not regain your lost power of waking," Yen Sid mused gravely.
But Sora and his smile were unfazed. "Aw, no biggie. I still learned a lot." I learned about protecting what matters—the people you love most.
Donald and Goofy were also smiling next to him.
"Regardless, Sora, you will need the power of waking."
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
"We're back, Master!" Riku and Mickey entered the chamber.
Sora, Donald, Goofy, the king, and Riku were happy to see one another again.
"So, how did everything go?" Mickey asked eagerly.
"...It was a big disappointment," said Donald quietly so Sora wouldn't hear.
Mickey replied, "What a shame. But, honestly..."
"We didn't fare any better," Riku finished for him.
"Did ya manage to find out where Aqua is?" Goofy asked.
Riku and Mickey shared a look of chagrin, and the king nodded sadly.
"Not even a hint?" added Donald.
Riku began to elaborate. "We know Master Aqua made it as far as the beach that Sora and I once visited, but that's where her trail ends."
Apparently, the situation was more dire than they had realized.
"All traces of her vanish into the great abyss…beneath the realm of darkness," Mickey added.
"She's gone?" Donald asked weakly.
"No. Sora was dragged into the abyss during his exam. And I went in after him. So, I think if we can get someone that was really close to Aqua, and they make the dive, they could reach her down there." Riku clearly believed there was some way to save her.
But Mickey only shook his head. "I'm not sure who's even left to ask. Ventus and Terra aren't here."
As long as they were unable to locate Ven and Terra, Aqua would never return to the realm of light. And unfortunately, they had no means of tracking down either of them.
"Their teacher, Master Eraqus, would have been another possibility, had Xehanort not mercilessly struck him down." The sorcerer's gaze lowered just the barest amount—a rarity for him.
Sora was the one who broke the silence. "I'll save her." Everyone in the room turned to him, surprised by his forcefulness. But he couldn't help speaking up—the feeling had welled up so suddenly, squeezing his heart tight. I will save Aqua.
"You can't!"
"But, Sora, that's gonna be super hard, since you don't have the power of waking."
Donald sounded a bit annoyed, and Goofy merely worried.
"Huh? Sorry... I have no idea why that just popped out." Sora scratched his head, also confused by the sudden surge of emotion.
"Well, it was pretty convincing."
"Yeah, better not let us down."
Mickey and Riku smiled.
Sora affirmed with a nod of his own.
Yen Sid stared hard at Sora, deep in thought. He had something very important on his mind, but held his tongue for now.
Mickey stepped before the sorcerer, and Riku did the same. "We got hit pretty hard in the realm of darkness. If it weren't for these clothes, I'm not sure we woulda made it."
"In that case, rendezvous with Kairi and Lea. They are continuing their training under the tutelage of the wizard Merlin. The three good fairies should be there as well. I would like you to deliver these for me." Yen Sid waved his hand, and two cases appeared on his desk, one red and one black. They were of a different size and color from the ones the sorcerer had given Riku and Mickey for their journey to the realm of darkness. "They are the same as the ones I gave you. Special vestments to shield Kairi and Lea from the darkness."
"We got 'em." Riku and Mickey each took a bag.
"What? No fair! What about my outfit, Master?" Sora cut in.
Donald was quick to admonish him. "Sora, don't bug him like that. It's inconsiderate."
However, the sorcerer was merely amused. "Settle down. I have new clothes for you, too, Sora. A gift from the good fairies." Yen Sid held out his hand, and one more suitcase appeared on the desk.
Sora beamed. "I knew you'd come through for me. Thanks!"
Donald seemed disappointed that he and Goofy didn't get cool new clothes, too.
"These are no ordinary garments, Sora. Like before, they have very special powers, so it took extra time to prepare them. In addition, there is a special gift from Chip and Dale inside."
"Cool. Okay!" Sora replied gleefully, shifting the big bag from his shoulder to his back.
"Now, you are all ready to proceed," the sorcerer announced just as a diminutive figure hopped onto his desk.
"Hey, wait! Don't forget about me!"
"Jiminy!" Sora and his friends exclaimed.
The dapper cricket had been their constant companion on all their previous journeys. As always, he had his top hat and umbrella. "Every journey worth goin' on needs a cricket to keep track of it. And I can't let ya start this one without ol' Jiminy Cricket by your side." Jiminy swept off his hat and bowed.
"Good. Now, to mark the beginning of a new journey, I wish for you to have this, Sora." With another wave of Yen Sid's hand, a bangle set with a purple stone appeared in Sora's hand. It was engraved with the symbol for Spirits— residents of the Sleeping Worlds who ate nightmares.
"Okay?"
"That is a Heartbinder. Think of it as a good luck charm made just for you. You have a gift, Sora, for connecting with others, and this makes that gift stronger."
Sora clutched the Heartbinder tightly and nodded.
"It's time to go!" Mickey cried, and everyone stood at attention and bowed.
Sora, Donald, and Goofy strained their ears to hear something.
Goofy was right—Yen Sid was definitely whispering a certain phrase:
"May your hearts be your guiding keys."
"See?"
They all shared a look and smiled.