Chapter 10
The Millennium Falcon flew in space, in the void between the stars. All that those on board could hear were the hum of the engines as Han navigated the ship. They were not going to any specific destination, only getting away from Coruscant. Other ships had left as well, escaping the attack of the Heartless. But still many more were left behind.
Han sat in the piltot's chair on board the Falcon but then switched the automatic pilot on. He headed back to where everyone was sitting.
In the cramped space sat Leia, Luke, Mara Jade, Jaina, Sora, Donald, Goofy, and the droids. It was very quiet, very tense. After just barely escaping with their lives, but having seen so many others lost, it was hard to find anything to talk about.
"Well, this is a fine mess." Mara Jade said suddenly.
"Mara, please, don't-" Luke turned to his wife, trying to get her to stop."
"Don't what, Farmboy?" Mara asked impatiently. "I don't really know what's going on, but just sitting here doing nothing isn't going to get anything done."
Luke was about to say something, but stopped himself.
"I agree with you, Mara." Leia added in. "None us really do know what is truly going on here. At least, not all of us."
They all looked at Sora, Donald, and Goofy.
"Sora," Leia began. "Are you sure you have told us everything you know about the Heartless? Is there anything that you have not told us yet?"
"Uhhh…" Sora mumbled uncertainly, looking at Donald and Goofy. "I really want to tell you, but I can't."
"Sora," Leia said soothingly. "It's ok. You can tell us anything you need to."
Sora looked down at the floor of the Falcon.
"Sora," Donald said. Sora poked his head up to look at the talking duck. "You can tell them everything."
"Really?" Sora asked, surprised. "Alright then. You see everyone, I did tell you all I know about the Heartless, but I did lie about some other parts."
"Like what, Sora?" Asked Luke.
"Well, I did say I wasn't from around here, but the truth is, I come from a completely different world."
"Well," Han said. "what kinda world do you come from? Dantooine? Bakura?"
"No, no." Sora said. "Not a world. I have never even heard of those worlds before. Like I said, I really am not from around here. It's difficult to explain, but, I come from another universe."
Sora stopped a moment to let everything sink in.
"I'll explain everything." He continued. "I guess to start with, the place I come from, my home, are called the Destiny Islands."
Sora continued to tell the Solos and Skywalkers everything, about how the Heartless came to his world and destroyed it, about meeting Donald and Goofy, about the stars and the worlds, the Princesses of Hearts, Riku, Kairi. About everything.
When he was finally done, no one knew what to say. It was so much, knowing that there are so many other worlds and beings out there. The universe was already huge as it is, with countless of unexplored worlds. And now there are even more worlds out there, with countless lives all hanging in the balance.
"Wow, kid." Han said. "That's a pretty impressive story."
"But it's true!" Sora said.
"Easy, kid," Han said." I didn't say I didn't believe you, just that it's a lot to take in."
"Yeah, I know." Sora said.
"But, Sora," Jaina started. "I still have a question. Before, when we were fighting that creature, you said something about me being in your 'party' now. What does that mean?"
"Whenever Donald and Goofy are with me," Sora began. "They are in my party and are permanently in it. Whenever we have met someone new in a new world, they also join my party permanently. But when we are separated from each other, the party is broken and we are alone until we meet back up. When I left with you to go outside, Donald and Goofy were still connected with me, but when that creature came, they were separated. But since you were there, you were able to join my party, and you still are."
"But," Jaina said. "I still don't understand how I was able to hurt the Heartless that time. I thought you said only the Keyblade can kill the Heartless."
"It can," Sora responded. "But when someone is in my party, they share the power of the Keyblade with me, letting them kill the Heartless also. At least, that's how I think it works. Also, other people who have the power of the heart can kill the Heartless, like my friend Riku. "
"So, what your saying is, now I can kill Heartless?" Jaina asked.
"Yes." Sora said simply.
"Great." Jaina said enthusiastically. "So Dad, where are we going now?"
"Well," Han said. "Hopefully somewhere that's safe, but I don't know where that could be if those Heartless can appear everywhere."
"Sora," Luke said. "You said that the Heartless can track you through the Keyblade, and when it's not with you its harder for them to track you, right?"
"Right." Sora said. "Because of its power, they can track it and my heart. Why do you ask?"
"Well," Luke continued. "If we're going to find someplace safe, maybe we should separate it from you."
"But-" Sora started.
"Wait, let me finish." Luke said. "By separating it from, they won't be able to track it or you. Or at least for a time. And during that time, we can prepare for when they come back."
"Well, I guess that
makes sense." Sora agreed. "But what will we do in the
meantime?"
"I've been thinking about that." Luke said.
"Donald and Goofy can stay with the Keyblade, if that is alright
with you two?"
"Sure." Donald said for the both them.
"So Donald and Goofy can go with Han and Leia, while they watch the Keyblade. Mara, could you go with them also?"
"Sure, Luke." Mara said to her husband.
"And Sora, you, Jaina, and Artoo can accompany me back to Yavin 4." Luke said
"And what shall I do, Master Luke?" Threepio asked.
"Threepio, you have the most important job of all." Luke said. "I need you to stay with the others and record everything Donald and Goofy say."
"Of course, sir." Threepio said with pride in his voice.
"Great," Han said. "Goldenrod gets to come with us."
"But, Luke," Leia said. "Why Yavin 4?"
"Because Leia," Luke said. "Sora is about to through some serious training."
"What do you mean?" Asked Leia.
"I am going to train Sora in the way of the Force."
