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Chapter Five

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His legs were aching by the time he found them. They were both walking slowly, out of breath. They weren't even talking. Goofy saw him first and he smiled. "Hey, Sora! Glad you, uh, came back for us! Me and Donald here, uh, couldn't keep up with you and Tinker Bell!"

"I'm so glad you two are okay. I'm sorry that we left you behind... I didn't mean to... But, you guys know how anxious I've been feeling, knowing that Merlin could have some information on..."

"..Riku. Yes, Sora, we know how much you've been wanting to find him." Sora smiled at Donald, but Donald wasn't finished. "That's no excuse for leaving us behind!" He glared at Sora who was caught off guard and pointed his staff at the boy. "We're your friends, too, and you didn't seem to care that we got lost!" He waved the staff around while Sora looked down at the ground. "You know, I wonder if you'll just abandon us when you find Riku. Just like you did to him when Kairi came!" Sora's head snapped up and his eyes widened. "You're not a good friend at all! An abandoner is what you are!" With that he stormed off past Sora and into the darkness.

Goofy looked from Sora to the place Donald had disappeared to then to Sora again. He walked up to Sora and reached up to pat the boy's back. "He didn't mean it, Sora." Sora was looking at the ground again. His slightly longer spikes hung over his face, shadowing his expression. "He'll apologize later. You'll see." He patted him again and waited for a response.

He didn't get one.

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Sora trailed behind Goofy who was walking behind Donald. Donald was the leader, for now, who was behind Tinker Bell. Sora didn't really feel like arguing about who got to lead today. His head was still bowed in shame as he thought about what Donald had told him. Well, yeah, Donald did tend to over-react to things, but did he really have to say all that he had said?

Sora wished that Goofy was right… what Donald said wasn't really true... But, he knew it was. He remembered how it used to be when they were younger. He and Riku would do everything together. They went so far as to sleeping at each others' houses every night. They were never apart. If Riku was going to go Christmas shopping, then Sora would go, too. No one was closer than the two boys. They were like left, and right; two sides of a coin.

Then, Kairi came. They were still little, but he remembered. She came from the sky... He thought she was an angel. And, she was so nice... and pretty... He developed a small crush on her immediately. After she came, he couldn't remember ever spending any time with Riku other than competing with him for Kairi. Always trying to be better than the other.

And Sora would always lose. Well, there would be the occasional win when Riku wasn't feeling good or something but, mostly, Sora just lost. It's funny how Sora and Riku would fight for Kairi and Riku would win yet, Kairi developed feelings for Sora instead of Riku. What was even funnier was how Sora didn't really want her... He wanted someone else.

The one person who told him things they had never told anything else. The one person who opened up to him completely.

"Hey, Sora! Look at this!" Sora looked up and saw Goofy pointing ahead. He squinted his eyes and tried to see what Goofy was pointing at, and his eyes widened. There was a giant, blue door with a giant, white snow flake painted on it blocking their path. He came closer, examining the door's surface and setting a hand on it. "What do you, uh, think it leads to, Sora?"

"I think it leads to Merlin's place." He traced the snowflake with his fingers for a moment longer before taking a few steps back and calling forth Oblivion. He held it out in front of him and yelled, "Freeze!" a shot of Blizzaga shot out from the tip of the Keyblade and hit the door.

The door glowed for a moment before the light died down and the snowflake was gone. Sora sheathed the Keyblade again and approached the door. The door lifted up and Sora walked through the entry, Donald, Goofy, and Tinker Bell following close behind.

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On the other side of the door was an odd lake with an even odder fog over it. Everything was shrouded in mystery since one could see nothing because of the fog. About ten feet in front of them was an odd bride made of ice that went in farther into the lake, only a few inches above it. The edges ran off of the bridge, icicles hanging down and touching the water. Snow was falling, too, but it didn't seem to be effecting the bridge's appearance at all; the surface of the bridge was spotless.

Sora walked towards it and set a foot on it. It didn't break under the weight of his foot and he was the heaviest out of the group. "Okay, you guys. It doesn't seem to be breaking but I don't think it'll hold all of our weight. I would glide over it, but I have no idea how big this lake is and how long it would take to get to solid land. So, we'll do this:" He grabbed Donald and set him on the bridge. "You first, Donald! I've seen shows on television where ducks are on ice all the time!"

Donald slipped on the ice for a moment for before he regained his balance, "Hmph!"-ed, and began walking forward with his bill held up high. Sora snickered quietly before he told Tinker Bell to follow Donald.

After two minutes, Sora could hear the faint sound of Donald's voice coming in through the fog. "I'm over!"

Sora nodded and looked at Goofy. "You go next, Goofy; I'll follow-up the rear." Tinker Bell had already made the journey back to this side. Donald must have sent her back over to lead Goofy over to the other side.

Goofy set a wobbly foot onto the ice and then brought his other one on it. Tinker Bell flew a few feet ahead of him and waited as Goofy made his way over slowly. Baby step after baby step, Goofy disappeared into the fog.

Sora sighed and sat down. He brought his knees up and laid his forehead on them. He really hoped that what Merlin gave them wasn't some sort of wild goose chase. Three years was well over enough. They hadn't gotten any closer to finding King Mickey and Riku then they were after the caught Pluto and read the king's letter.

The letter hadn't said much, but it was enough to give them hope.

Dear Sora,

I know that this whole Keyblade matter is new to you, and it doesn't seem very fair that it's up to you to save everyone, but it's your duty. I know that by the time you have found this, I am already locked inside of Kingdom Hearts. I have been studying Kingdom Hearts for the past year and it still puzzles me.

It is made of light, yet darkness dwells within it? I am certain that somewhere in that darkness is the source of light which creates all worlds. In theory, I believe that if the darkness is locked inside of some sort of place, then we can unlock the light and the heartless will permanently disappear.

This is all in theory, of course.

I know that while I'm in Kingdom Hearts I will try and find that source of light. I do not know what will happen to me when I reach this "source" of light, but I hope that it will lead to the final destruction of the darkness.

Well, tell Minnie that I miss her and love her. Take care of Pluto for me, Goofy. Tell Daisy, Hewie, Dewey, and Louie I said "Hi," and tell Chip and Dale to keep up the good work!

Wish me luck,

Mickey Mouse

Tinker Bell's light brought his attention back to the present and he stood up, taking in a deep breath and regaining his composure.

"Did Goofy make it over all right?" He asked as they walked closer to the bridge. Tink flew around in a few circles making hand motions and moving her mouth, creating soundless words. "That's good."

He set his foot on the ice and was surprised when he found that it wasn't very slippery like ice usually was. It was actually very easy to walk on. And since Donald had slipped, now Sora knew how unbalanced Donald really was. The corners of his lips turned upwards.

Tinker Bell began flying a few feet ahead of him, giving him the light he needed. It felt hard to breathe in the thick fog. The condensed water vapor thickened the air and it almost felt like he was breathing under water. Yet, not so wet.

Before he realized it, he and Tink had made it to the other side and were stepping down onto green grass. Ahead lay a forest—too many trees and thick vegetation.

"Glad you could join us, Sora. Maybe now you can help us figure out how to get to Merlin's house from here." Donald was looking at the forest, his arms crossed over his chest again, eyes narrowed in thought. Goofy had sat down on a nearby boulder and was watching him.

Sora approached the forest and looked into it. There was nothing but darkness and plants. He could hear the sounds of small animals and insects from within but that was it. He turned towards his teammates and grinned, trying to hide is hesitation.

"Well, there's only one thing we can do in a situation like this!" Sora turned again and held his arm out, the Keyblade materializing into his hand.

"And what is that, oh, Keyblade Master?" Donald rolled his eyes.

"I'm glad you asked, Donald the Magician! Now, we go through this!" He didn't wait long enough for protests and instead walked right into the dense forest, Keyblade slashing at the trees and brush around him.

"Wh-what! That's your plan!" Donald's eyes bulged out of his head as he chased the brunette, who was cackling, into the forest.

Goofy jumped off of the boulder and scrambled after his two friends. "Uh, wait up, you guys!" Tinker Bell stared for a moment longer with an annoyed look on her pretty features before crossing her arms and disappearing in a poof of glittery gold fairy dust.

. - . . - .

"We found it!"

Sora had no idea where he was going. But, when he saw the cottage through the vegetation, his face brightened and he started laughing. Even though he was tired, his happiness caused him to run through the brush until he reached the cottage's opening. Donald and Goofy came running close behind him, exhausted, but relieved.

He brought his hand up to knock, but the door opened before his knuckled could hit the surface, and found Merlin smiling down at the trio from behind the wooden door.

"I've been expecting you." Sora's smile widened. "Come, come! You three look exhausted! Come in for a cup of tea." The magician stood to the side, allowing the brunette and his friends come inside. Merlin led them to a small table and sat them down around it.

Little tea cups scooted themselves in front of the tree, followed by a sugar cup, spoon, and a teapot. The tea poured itself into the cups, followed the cup of sugar and the spoon which started adding spoonfuls of sugar to the cups.

"Tell them when you've had enough," Merlin instructed as he situated himself in his chair.

"When." Sora smiled at the cup and brought it to his lips.

"That's, uh, when. Thanks!" Goofy downed the cup of tea in seconds.

"No sugar." Donald watched the spoon add sugar to his cup. "I said no sugar!" The spoon continued adding. "When!" He shouted. The spoon and sugar cup scooted away.

"Archimedes, come out and greet our guests!" Merlin looked up at a coo-coo-clock on the wall and waited for the little door to open.

"I don't want to. Go away, Merlin!" Came a voice.

Merlin waved his hand at the clock and then brought his attention back to his guests. "Don't mind him, he got caught out in the storm last night and he's been grumpy all day."

"Um... Merlin, we're here for the information about Kingdom Hearts…" Sora set his cup of tea down and looked up at the magician.

"Ah, yes, let's get down to business." He nodded, understandingly. "Well, you need the Keyblade that Riku had. The one that opens doors, of course." Merlin nodded, and took a sip from his own tea.

A drop of sweat slid down the side of Sora's face. "Uh, Merlin, that's it?"

"Well, yes, unless you want me to go into details."

"We do," Donald confirmed.

"Well, the only way to get that Keyblade is to find it's origin."

"Uh... that's great, Merlin but, we don't know where the thing came from. All I remember is Ansem just having it when we fought him back at Hollow Bastion." Sora picked his cup back up and took another sip, his eyes never leaving Merlin's face.

Merlin felt the young man's eyes on him, yet, he didn't look back. He somehow knew that if he did he would grin like the Cheshire cat, and he didn't think Sora would appreciate that one bit. "I know this, Sora. But, Ansem didn't just pull it out of thin air, now did he?"

"Probably not," Sora sighed, setting his elbows on the table and resting his chin in his hands.

"This is hopeless… isn't it?" Sora's eyes lowered in disappointment and Goofy's head bowed. Donald's arms crossed over his chest and he shook his head sadly.

"Giving up already?"

Sora's head snapped up, remembering Riku's words: "Giving up already? Come on, Sora. I thought you were stronger than that."

Merlin knew the effect of his words on Sora and had done it purposely. "There is a way, I assure you. You shouldn't give up this easily. If you do, then that just puts three years of search to waste."

"But… How?" Sora shook his head, looking down at the table's surface, trying to think of a way to find out what Merlin was precisely thinking.

"I can't tell you; you'll have to figure it out on your own." Merlin sat back, smiling at the three.

"Gah! I'm going to go wait outside; this is aggravating me!" Donald stood up and stomped his way out of the cottage.

Sora, in the meanwhile, rubbed his temple, trying to think of a possible way. "The dark Keyblade was made of…" His eyes narrowed in concentration before they widened in realization and his head snapped up, his eyes immediately meeting with Merlin's. "It was conceived from the hearts of the seven princesses of heart!"

Merlin grinned and clapped his hands. "Correct!" He watched, in amusement, as Sora stood and pumped his fist in the air. 'Still so childish…' he thought, before clearing his throat. "I have already gathered the princesses. They are all at Hallow Bastion, waiting for you in the Chapel." Sora nodded. "Go there, and good luck."

Sora smiled at Merlin and nodded once more. "Thanks, we're going to need it…"

With that, Sora stood, took one last sip of his tea, and then strode out of the cottage followed by Goofy. Merlin watched with glittering eyes and a smile on his wrinkled face. Archimedes poked his head out of his clock and watched the two walk out and then looked at Merlin.

"What's wrong with you, are you stretching your mouth or something?" He asked sarcastically.

"No, just watching a man fulfill his destiny."

. - . . - .

Waahhh gomen for not having updated in so long ;; I've just been really busy with my school work and such x.o; just went through some troublesome times so yeah… don't expect the next chapter to come out quickly either ; Oh, and I tried adding a little more dialogue nod I know I'm not very good when it comes to it x.o;; So! Review please! wags tail … I'm hungry ;;