Chapter XIV: Sora in Toyland.

Back at Hyrule, Sora and friends said good-bye to Link and using the empty summon gem, Sora gave Navi a new home. Link also gave Sora the keychain Triforce of Heart which he equipped by taking the Banana Slammer off. The trio headed back into the Hyrule fields and Luigi called Toadsworth to pick them up. On the way, Sora noticed Majora's Mask on the ground. He picked it up.

"How did this get here?"

"Don't know, don't care." Luigi gulped. "You better put that thing down because it may cause something bad to happen or worse..."

"PUT THAT DOWN!" Called an angry voice. Everyone turned to see the Happy Mask Salesman running at them with an angry look. "I TOLD YOU NEVER TO TOUCH THAT MASK AND NOW YOU SHALL FEEL MY WRATH!"

"Run!" Yoshi cried.

Sora dropped the mask and the three of them ran as fast as they could. On the way Sora ran into Yoshi and Luigi and they all fell over. They got back up and noticed the salesman still on their tail. The Toad Express landed on the field and the door opened. Toadsworth walked out and noticed them running from a very ticked off Happy Salesman.

"Oh, dear." Toadsworth said in surprise. "Hurry!"

The trio quickly jumped for the door and pulled themselves up. The three quickly slammed the door and the Toad Express took off. The HMS waved his fist at them.

"You haven't seen the last of me!" He shouted at the Toad Express. "Next time you won't get off that easy."

The Toad Express arrived back in space and the trio sat down in their seats relieved.

"Scary spaghetti." Luigi sighed. "I saw my life flash before my eyes." Sora and Yoshi looked at him funny. "Well, sort of."

"Told ya he was scary." Sora said. "He puts Cid to shame."

"I don't know Master Sora, never underestimate Cid Highwind." Toadsworth chortled. "He gives me nightmares."

"True." Luigi nodded in agreement. "When's the next world coming up?"

"Not for another two hours." Toadsworth said checking his pocket watch.

"So, kid." Luigi said turning to Sora. "You mentioned something about the Ansem Report."

"Yeah, I found it right after we beat, Ganondorf." Sora responded. He went through his pocket and pulled it out. "Take a look!"

Luigi took the paper and then dictated it. "It says that Ansem was the ruler of a world and he says that in every heart there is darkness. He's trying to find out why this is." He then turned to Sora. "I'm not sure what it means. But I think he was more then just a ruler. He probably was a scientist or at least a researcher who looked through books."

"We should hold onto this and show it to Leon later." Sora said. "But where should we put it?"

"I'll clip it onto my journal." Toadsworth offered.

"Toadsworth, very handy." Yoshi giggled.

"Next order of business is those crystals you found." Luigi said to Sora.

Sora pulled out the crystal, but they then floated out of his hands and rose to the top of the room. It fired two little red and blue lasers that hit both Sora and Luigi but it didn't hurt them but it did leave them stumped.

"What happened to Sora and Luigi?" Yoshi asked concerned.

"Your guess is as good as mine." Luigi shrugged. "But I felt like something happened to my fire and ice abilities."

Sora shot a fire spell and noticed it was bigger then before. Luigi used Blizzard spells to put it out only to discover it was stronger.

"I get it!" Luigi said snapping his fingers. "That crystal some how had the power to upgrade our magic spells. Which means we can perform more powerful ones."

"Is that good?" Yoshi asked.

"Of course it's good kid! With this upgrade the heartless won't stand a chance!"

"Then we should keep our eyes opened for these crystals." Toadsworth said. "They could come in handy."

"I also found a torn page from Wiseman's book." Sora added. "I'll hang onto this and give it to him when we stop by Delfino Island again."

"What about Zelda?" Yoshi said jumping onto Sora's lap.

"I don't know pal, but we promised Link and we'll leave no stone unturned until she is found." Sora said petting Yoshi's head. "So let's just relax for right now."

"Okay." Yoshi nodded.

Yoshi rest his head on Sora's lap and curled into a ball. Sora pet him and looked out the window.

"I felt something weird while we were fighting Ganondorf. I could have sworn I sensed Riku's presents." Sora thought. "But, maybe that's just me."

The group took a nap for the next hour and before they begun another hour of waiting the Toad Express hit something causing an impact and sending everyone flying out of their seats. They all then stood up and looked around.

"What the heck happened?" Sora asked in shock.

"We hit iceberg." Yoshi said.

"Kid, that's the last time I let you watch late night movies with me." Luigi groaned. "We must've hit something!"

"Come, on!" Sora cried. "Let's go find out!"

Everyone rushed over to the windows and looked out. They saw a giant pink box floating through space. Toadsworth gasped upon seeing it.

"If that description Goombario and Master Mario gave me was true then that world must be Shy Guy's Toybox." Toadsworth said looking at the box.

Yoshi clapped his hands. "Ooh, toys! Yoshi love playing with toys!"

"We don't have time for toys kid!" Luigi said angrily to Yoshi. "We have work to do!"

"I take it you know this place." Sora said turning to Toadsworth.

"Goombario told me about how he and Master Mario had to find a Star Spirt by going through this world." Toadsworth explained. "I told you the stories about how the star spirts guarded the Star Rod and how Master Mario stopped Bowser from ruling our world. But the question is, why is it out here?"

Just then, the top of the toy box opened up and a powerful wind bursted out and began pulling the Toad Express in.

"What's happening?" Sora cried. "Is that thing trying to pull us in?"

"Apparently!" Luigi panicked. "And we must be its dinner!"

"Hang on!"

The pilot tried to fly away but it still sucked the ship in. Just then, the door of the plane flew open and began to suck everyone in. Luigi and Toadsworth tried to hold onto the chairs but the force was so strong that it sucked them both out the door.

"Toadsworth!"

"Luigi!" Yoshi exclaimed. The wind then pulled Yoshi in but Sora grabbed his hand. Yoshi had tears streaming down his face. "Sora! Yoshi scared!"

"Don't worry, buddy!" Sora hollered to Yoshi. "I've got you and I won't let go!" Sora lost his grip on Yoshi and he went flying into the Toy Box. "YOSHI!"

"SOOOOORRRRAAAA!" Yoshi cried as he flew into the box.

Sora did the best the could to hold on but then got pulled towards the door. As he was about to fly out the door when he hit his head on the side of it. Sora fainted from the hard hit and everything went blank. Sora opened his eyes but he was different. He was smaller and younger. He wore a white shirt, and red shorts. He sat up and looked around. He was back on Destiny Island. He could hear a young voice.

"Sora!" Called the voice. Sora turned to notice a younger Riku who wore a yellow vest much like his present day self and blue jeans. "Come on, man! You said you had something to show me, and yet I find you snoozing away like you always do."

"I wasn't snoozing." Young Sora lied. "I was working on a tan."

"Likely story." Young Riku chuckled. "So, tell me what happened?"

The two began walking towards the secret place. Young Riku started laughing at what Sora told him.

"I'm not kidding!" Young Sora snapped. "I saw it with my own two eyes!"

"So, you're saying that there's a monster in the secret place." Young Riku chuckled. "Are you sure? You told me this about a thousand times, and you've only claimed that you've heard it."

"Does it matter?" Young Sora said jumping up down. "I swear I saw the monster!"

"I'll go along with your game then." Young Riku sighed. "So, suppose there is a monster in there...could we beat it?"

"Hey, we're best friends." Young Sora responded. "We can even take down a 15 headed dragon. Let's do it!" He then whispered. "Can you hear it, Riku? It's growling at us with its sharp fangs ready to pounce."

"Just don't get in over your head, and keep quite." Young Riku shushed Young Sora. "We don't want to startle it." The two boys bravely entered the secret area. The place looked exactly the same and not much has changed. Young Riku sighed. "I told you there was nothing in here. It was just the wind blowing through."

"Aw, man. I wanted it to be a monster." Young Sora whined. He then turned to noticed the brown door. "Riku! Look! What's that?"

Young Riku made a puzzled look. "I've never seen that before." He then examined it. "What is this? A window or maybe a door. Beats me."

"So, that's the only thing in here, huh?" Young Sora sighed.

"What did you expect? A playroom?" Young Riku said. "This place is totally boring." He then turned back to Sora. "Sora?"

"Hm? What's up?"

"I've been thinking." Young Riku began. "When we grow up, let's ditch this place."

"Huh?" Young Sora asked in surprise.

"We'll get off this island and go on real adventures." Young Riku said excitedly. "So, we don't need to play these kiddie games anymore."

"That's an awesome idea!" Young Sora agreed. "But until we're older what should we do now in a boring place like this?" The two began to walk away when Sora got an idea. "Hey, you know that girl at the mayor's house that just moved here? She..."

Just then a flash of light went through Sora's mind and the next thing he knew he could see darkness. His cheek felt wet as he opened his eyes. The first thing he saw when he woke up was Yoshi right next to him licking his cheek.

"Yoshi!" Sora laughed. "Cut it out! It's okay! I'm alive!"

Sora sat up and Yoshi hugged him.

"Yoshi glad Sora alright." Yoshi said softly. "Yoshi worried Sora not going to make it."

"Hey, you could have more faith in me!" Sora said a little upset. He then pulled Yoshi away from him. "I'm just glad you're alright." He looked around to notice the room was very large and colorful. He noticed giant toy blocks, teddy bears, red bouncy balls, and a Jack-in-the-Box. "Well, this is odd." He then looked around some more and looked more faster. "Say, where are Luigi and Toadsworth?"

"Master Sora!" Toadsworth called. Sora and Yoshi turned to notice Toadsworth approaching them. "Oh, thank goodness you're awake." He then stopped to catch his breath. "We were all beginning to worry that you didn't pull through."

"Where's Luigi?"

"Knock it off up there!" Called Luigi's voice. Sora turned to see Luigi looking up at a giant present waving his fist angrily. "If you do that one more time..." Just then a block hit him on the head. "Ouch! I said to stop that!"

"Luigi!" Sora called.

"Sora!" Luigi cried. "Glad to see you're alive and well. You had us worried."

"Thanks, but what the heck are you doing?" Sora responded. "But better yet, where are we?"

Just then another block fell down and Sora jumped out of the way of it.

"Sora, Luigi, Yoshi, and Toadsworth fall out of Toad Express and land in Shy Guy's Toybox." Yoshi explained. "And according to Yoshi's forecasting system it going to rain." Just then a block hit Yoshi on the head. He rubbed his head. "Okay, Yoshi make mistake because it going to pour."

Luigi looked back up at the giant present.

"Who is doing that up there?" Luigi asked angrily.

Just then Goombario leaned over the present. "It's only me, guys!"

"I got worried there for a second. It's only Goombario." Luigi said relieved. He began turning back towards his group but then turned back to Goombario with widen eyes. "Goombario!"

"Goombario! Thank the stars you're alright." Toadsworth said happily. Goombario however walked away with a block in his mouth. "Goombario? Where are you going? Young man! When I say something to you, I need you to respond! Goombario!" He then turned to Luigi. "Why isn't he responding?"

"Because he's a mile away from you already."

"Oh. But we still have to go after him." Toadsworth said. "He holds a piece of the Toad Express that we need back."

"Then let's go!" Sora cried.

World Name: Shy Guy's Toybox

Sora's group along with Toadsworth followed Goombario down another pathway. The next room they arrived in had many toy blocks with little platforms sticking out. Sora noticed Goombario jumping on them and heading to a giant toy boat. The four jumped from platform to platform. On the way Sora found some more Pikmin and a few useful items. Aboard the boat four creatures were on the deck walking around. The first creature was a Koopa who had a blue shell, blue shoes, and wore an orange bandana. The second one was the same flying koopa creature that gave Luigi the letter from Mario before at his house. The third was a female Boo with green colored skin and two red bow ties in each side of her head. The fourth creature was another Boo who had tan skin, and a white moustache. The blue shelled Koopa was walking back and forth around the boat.

"Poor Goombario." The Koopa said. "The little guy has been out there for a long time. Maybe, I should go look for him."

"Relax, Kooper." The Flying one said. "Goombario is a big boy, he can take care of himself. He said he was going to find a way to get us out of here."

"What a relief." The Boo sighed waving her fan. "I can't expect to live in such a childish place like this. I Lady Bow deserve to live in a more damp place." She then handed her fan to the Boo next to her. "Bootler, fan me, my arms are tired."

"Yes, my lady." Bootler said waving the fan.

Just then, Goombario hopped onto the boat with the box.

"Goombario!" Kooper cried. "You're back!"

"Are you okay?" The Flying One asked.

"I'm fine Parakarry." Goombario nodded. "But, I've figured out a way to get us out of here."

"Awesome!" Kooper cried. "We can finally get out of this place!"

"It's about time too." Bow said with a sigh. "I just can't bare this heat! Bootler! Faster!"

"Yes, ma'am." Bootler obeyed.

"So, how can we get out of here?" Parakarry asked.

"This block I found can be used as a source of power." Goombario explained. "If we stick it in at a 90 degree ratio underneath this boat, there's a chance we could make it fly." Bow started laughing. "What's so funny?"

"Boy, you're a crazy little Goomba." Bow laughed. "Do you obviously expect a little block to get us out of here?"

"Has Goombario ever been wrong before?" Kooper said rolling his eyebrows at Bow.

"Well...er...I...no" Bow sighed.

Kooper crossed his arms. "I rest my case then."

"Goombario, is defiantly right about that." Called a voice. Everyone turned to see Sora's group on the boat.

Bow screamed upon seeing them. "How dare you sneak up on me like that? Only us boos do the scaring around here!"

"Sorry." Yoshi apologized. "Yoshi not know."

"Hey, Luigi!" Parakarry said upon seeing Luigi. "Long time, no see!"

"You too, Parakarry." Luigi called back.

"I take it you two know each other." Sora assumed to Luigi.

"He brings us the mail everyday." Luigi explained. "He even brought me the letter from my brother. And Kooper, Lady Bow, and Goombario I met at the celebration party after my brother beat Bowser with their help."

"It was an honor fighting along side your brother." Kooper smiled. He then made a worried look. "Is it true? Did Bowser really take the Star Rod again?"

"Yeah." Luigi nodded. "He's much more powerful then before, but no worries because this kid right here is going to set things right."

Bow floated around Sora. "And who is this enchanting little boy?"

"My name is Sora."

"Well, any friend of Luigi's is a friend of mine." Parakarry said.

"Goombario, how did you get here?" Toadsworth asked.

"Don't get mad, but I snuck aboard the Toad Express while no one was looking." Goombario responded nervously.

"Why did you do that?" Toadsworth asked in shock.

"Because I wanted to find my friends again and I couldn't wait." Goombario responded. "During the trip I fell out of the plane and landed here."

"We've been searching all over for him, too." Kooper said. "So, I guess the toybox sucked you guys in as well."

"Sure did." Yoshi nodded.

"When our world was destroyed..."

"What?" Luigi cried. "Our world was..."

Kooper nodded and everyone put their heads down and Sora's group soon joins in. They did it to honor all those that have fallen but Sora then tried to cheer everyone up.

"Don't worry everyone." Sora said to his friends. "We'll return the worlds to the way they once were."

"That's very sweat of you darling." Bow said. She then kissed Sora on the cheek. "I knew we could count on such a handsome young man. Right, Bootler?"

"Yes, my lady." Bootler nodded in agreement.

"So, what brings you guys out here?" Luigi asked Kooper.

"We were with Goombario when a storm came and separated us." Kooper explained. "We searched all over for him and for some strange reason, the Shy Guy's Toybox that used to be small, now it became a giant world. And it sucked us in here."

During the conversation Goombario could see a figure in the shadows running away.

"What was that? Goombario thought. "It looks interesting. Better go see what it is."

Parakarry walked over to a chair and sat down in it.

"We've all had quite an adventure." He sighed. "But we're glad to be together again. Right, Goombario?" No one answered. "Um, Goombario?"

"There he goes!" Bootler cried.

Everyone turned to see Goombario running off into another area.

"What has gotten in to that boy?" Toadsworth asked himself putting his hands on his hips.

"Yeah, ever since we've been together again, he's been acting really weird." Bow agreed.

"Maybe, he sick." Yoshi assumed.

"It's dangerous out there." Sora said. "We should go after him!"

"That kid is pretty tough, but I doubt he'll stand a chance against the heartless." Luigi said. "Toadsworth, stay here on the boat while Sora, Yoshi, and I go after Goombario."

"Just be careful, Master Luigi." Toadsworth nodded to him.

"We'll stay here and keep watch for anything." Bow said. "I don't want to get my hands dirty today."

Sora's group said good-bye and headed off. The trio followed the path Goombario took and arrived in the next room. This room had a giant train in the middle of it. A mushroom creature was there watching over it. Over by the giant toy blocks they saw Goombario.

"Goombario!" Sora cried. They all ran over to him. "What are you doing out here?"

"I saw something really interesting, so I had to follow it." Goombario responded.

"Come on, let's go back." Luigi said.

"Others worry about Goombario." Yoshi added.

"But I can't." Goombario said stubbornly. "I want to see what it is! Can't you guys understand that?"

"This isn't the time to fool around!" Sora snapped at him. "We can't play games here, not now." Goombario shook his head causing Sora to get angry. "Fine! Be that way!"

Sora began to turn around when all of a sudden he heard a familiar voice.

"What's the matter, Sora?" Called the voice. Sora turned around and gasped upon who he saw. It was non-other then Riku. "I thought you liked games? Or are you too cool to play them since you have the keyblade?"

"Riku?" Sora exclaimed "What on earth are you doing here?"

"Just about to play a game with Goombario." Riku responded.

"Huh? I don't have time to play games with you." Goombario said. "You must have been the thing I was looking for. I'll just be on my way and..."

Riku jumped in front of him. "Not quite. I'm afraid the fun has only begun."

"Listen!" Sora shouted to Riku. "Leave him alone! He didn't do anything to you, and where's Kairi? Have you seen her?"

"Maybe." Riku chuckled. "If you catch us, I'll tell you what I know!" Riku was about to grab Goombario but he jumped back and tried to attack Riku. Riku grabbed his head and laughed. "Pathetic!" Riku then ran off.

"Help!" Goombario cried.

"Goombario!" Yoshi called back. "We coming!"

Before they could move, the heartless appeared out of nowhere. Old heartless returned as well as some new ones called "F-Zero Racers." Little heartless in little cars. Some of the racers tripped our heros but they managed to kick them aside. They finish off the rest of them and began looking around for Goombario.

"Goombario!" Sora called cupping his hands.

"Forget it, Sora." Luigi sighed. "Your so called friend took off with him. Toadsworth is going to have a heart attack!"

"Why Riku want Goombario?"

"I don't know." Sora said sadly. "What has gotten into him?" Sora then made a confident look. "We have to go after them! It's the only way! We'll have him back so fast, that Toadsworth won't even know he's been kidnaped!" He then sighed. "Only problem is we have no clue where they went."

"Kid, no worries." Luigi said cheerfully. "Yoshi here can smell a sent up to 1000 miles. His snout can pick up their sent."

"Uh-uh." Yoshi stubbornly objected. "Yoshi, no do it. It probably dark and scary over there."

"Would you do it for a Yoshi Cookie?" Luigi asked holding up a cookie.

Yoshi thought about it for a second and shook his head. "No!"

"Two?"

"No!"

"Three! Final offer!"

Yoshi smacked his lips together and took the cookies. "Yoshi do! Yoshi do!" Yoshi ate the cookies and he then hugged himself. He jumped into the air and floated slowly back down with his hands on his head. Sora caught him in his arms. "Okay! Let's go!"

The trio began walking when Yoshi picked up something and looks up.

"What is it boy?" Sora asked excitedly. "Is Timmy stuck in the well?"

"They went on Choo-choo train." Yoshi said.

Sora's group headed over to the clerk who was playing a Gameboy Advance.

"Stupid spikes!" The clerk said angrily. "Mega Man should get some special boots for those darn things." He then looked up noticing our heros. "Oh, customers!" The clerk stood up and put his Gameboy down. "Greetings, gentlemen. Looking for a ride? Well, we've got one." He then noticed no train on the tracks. "It was here a second ago."

"Are you telling us that someone took off with the train?" Luigi asked the clerk.

"Exactly!" The clerk panicked. "That's what I get for brining my stupid Gameboy. I need to pay more attention."

"Did a boy with white hair come by here a minute ago?" Sora asked the clerk with hope.

"Well kid, he wasn't paying attention!" Luigi shouted at Sora. "So, what did you expect? Sure?"

"We have a monitor that keeps track of where the train goes." The clerk said. "I'll go take a look." The man looked under his desk and gasped. "That's odd! I can't detect the whereabouts of the train."

"Maybe, Riku run it off track." Yoshi assumed.

"How's that possible?"

"Well, since the population of the toy box has grown, we had to build another area." The clerk said. "The silver area. We're in the early stages of building and we even started the track there."

"So, I'm guessing he ran it off the track then." Sora assumed. "Which way is it?"

"That way!" The clerk said pointing right.

"Come on, guys! We have no time!"

The trio jumped off the platform and followed the train tracks.

"Maybe, I should have warned them that we never got rid of General Guy over there yet." The clerk said to himself. "Nah, they probably wouldn't care. Back to my Mega Man game."

Sora and the gang followed the train tracks until they reached two tracks that separated. Yoshi pointed right and they headed down that way. Two minutes later they arrived at the end of the track and noticed the crashed train.

"This terrible!" Yoshi exclaimed.

"That kid has lost it!" Luigi added.

"We don't have time to stick around and stare." Sora said. "We have to find them!"

The trio headed off into the silver area of Shy Guy's Toybox. While making their way through, the heartless attack. Sora's group easily disposed of them including the F-Zero ones. There were many hard to reach areas that took all three of them to get onto and all different roots. On the way Sora found more Pikmin and another torn page. At some points our heros got lost through the mazes of rooms and at some points they went through a door and came out the other end where there would be no ground. So they fell down (with Luigi falling first). Finally, Yoshi picked up a sent and led them to another room. Meanwhile, Riku had Goombario locked in his arm as they arrived in the next room which had a giant Jack-in-the-Box. Goombario struggled but then remembered something.

"Why didn't I think of this in the first place?" Goombario thought with a sigh.

Goombario bit Riku's arm causing him to scream and release Goombario. The little Goomba quickly ran into the next room that was passed the Jack-in-the-Box. Riku groaned.

"Brat."

Just then Bowser appeared behind him.

"What's going on here?" Bowser growled at Riku. "Weren't you just on the Egg Carrier a second go?"

"I was." Riku muttered. "But I had to find Sora again."

"Why do you still care about that runt?" Bowser asked Riku in shock. "Don't you realize that he deserted you for the keyblade and his Mushroom Kingdom buddies? I have been through this with you a hundred times already and yet, it hasn't sucked into that thing you call a brain."

"Least, I have one." Riku muttered.

"What was that?" Bowser shouted at Riku.

"Nothing." Riku responded. "I was just messing with him a little bit. I don't care about him at all."

"Sure, sure." Bowser chortled sarcastically. "Listen buddy, I'm going to give you a word of advise and then hightail it out of here and then you better get your act together and follow. We have to go after your girlfriend sometime next year, so listen up. The darkness in your heart grows and the heartless are looking for a feast. So, if I were you I'd be careful."

"Mind your own business!" Riku snapped at Bowser. "I can take care of myself!" Bowser grumbled his way back into his dark portal. Just as he left, Sora and his friends entered. Riku sighed "Oh, great. Just when I thought things could get any worse."

"Riku!" Sora cried to him. "What happened to Goombario?"

"Your friend got away from me but I'll be going after him." Riku said.

"What are you thinking?" Sora asked angrily. "Why are you doing this? This is totally wrong!"

"Funny." Riku scoffed. "I was about to ask you the same question. Why do you like running around and showing off that keyblade of your's?"

"What?"

"Do you even want save Kairi?" Riku asked pushing Sora's buttons.

Sora restrained himself from attacking Riku as he heard that question. "What the heck's the matter with you? Of course, I want to save Kairi. I should ask you that! You're the one who's been acting weird!"

Before Riku could respond, everyone heard Goombario scream.

"Seem's like your friend is in trouble." Riku said.

"Thanks for pointing that out, Eienstein!" Luigi sighed with sarcasm. "He's in trouble! Come on you three!"

Yoshi and Luigi headed to the next room. The two rivals stared at each other and then nodded. They followed Luigi and Yoshi into the next room. It was a empty room and nobody seemed to be around. Just then, our heros heard stomping sounds. They all turned to see entire army of little creatures wearing masked marching up towards them. In the middle was a giant white tank and tied up on the side was Goombario.

"There he is!" Sora shouted.

"Thank goodness you guys are here!" Goombario cried happily. "Be careful! You're in the presents of General Guy. He's the leader of the Shy Guy army."

"General who?"

All of a sudden another creature wearing a tan General type hat popped out of the top of the tank.

"That's General Guy boy!" The creature said. "How dare you bring this pipsqueak onto our territory! You must be working for the enemy!"

"We don't mean any harm Mr. Guy." Luigi began.

"That's General Guy you maggot!" General Guy snarled at Luigi. "Men, fall into position!" Half of the Shy Guys fell down. "I meant line up you dimwits!" The Shy Guys and the Shy Guys on stilts all stood into lines. General Guy grabbed Goombario and slammed him into the tank.

"Well, looks like we have to fight them." Luigi groaned. "This guy doesn't know how to think."

Sora drew his keyblade ready to fight. Riku walked up next to him with his sword.

"Hey Riku. Do you think you're up for a fight?"

"Hm. You're not going to be able to win this one without me." Riku snickered. "Without me you're nothing!"

"We'll see about that!" Sora cried.

"Attack!"

Luigi and Yoshi attacked the Shy Guy army head on. Yoshi ate the ones on stilts and spat them out at the other ones. Luigi encountered ghost ones who couldn't be damaged by his magic, so he sucked off their masks and then absorbed them in. Sora and Riku slashed through a fleet of the Shy Guys. General Guy fired a bullet bill at the boys but they rolled out of the way. Riku charged at the tank with his sword and stabbed the left side of the tank causing it to spark. General Guy pushed some buttons causing the tank to stand on it's bottom wheels. Riku's mouth widened upon seeing the tank.

"Since when do tanks do that?" Riku gasped in surprise. The tank goes down and was about to hit Riku when Sora dived in and rescued him. "Sora! You saved me!"

"Of course I did you idiot!" Sora replied. "You'd do the same for me!"

"How could he still care about me?" Riku thought in shock. "This must be a trick!"

"My turn!"

The tank charged at the boys but Sora had his keyblade ready. Sora ran at the tank with his keyblade out. The tank was ready to fire when Sora quicky stuck his keyblade into the hole of the tank. The tank exploded causing it to break down. General Guy slammed his fist onto the controls.

"Shoot!" He said angrily. "That little maggot burger is good. But not good enough!" He pushed a button on the controls causing the tank to transforms into a fighter plane. The plane took off into the air and dived at Sora.

"One word: unexpected!" Sora gulped.

The plane's wing knocked Sora over and he went flying into the toy blocks. The plane flew back into the air and began shooting fireballs at the area. Luigi and Yoshi ran over to help and Luigi sucked the fireballs in. The plane charged at our heros again and both wings knocked Luigi and Yoshi over. The plane was about to take off into the sky again when Riku jumped on it and got in General Guy's way.

"Get off me you, fool!" He cried. "We're going to crash if you keep that up."

"That's the whole point." Riku groaned. "What am I suppose to do? Just let you kill us!"

Riku stabbed one of the wings which caused it to lose balance. "Sora, attack it now!"

"Right!" Sora shouted getting his keyblade ready.

The plane came down to Sora's level and then he slashed the right side of it. It crashed into the ground and was spinning out of control. In the process, it sent Goombario flying and Riku jumped off just in time to catch him.

"Oh, no!" Luigi cried. "He's got the kid!"

The plane crashed into the ground and General Guy was also sent flying from his plane. A group of the Shy Guy soldiers ran over to help him.

"Sir?" One of the soldiers asked. "Are you alright?"

"I'm find, you worthless piles of crud!" General Guy shouted angrily at his troops. "We need to regroup and think of a new plan to get those little punks. And when we get back to the base, a thousand push ups."

"Aw!" The soldiers moaned.

The Shy Guys all ran away and General Guy shouted at Sora. "I'll be back! When someone makes a fool out of me, they shall not be allowed to live!"

"Sore, loser!" Yoshi growled.

"Wow! He's one tough cookie!" Sora commented "But with Riku around..."

"Don't mean to burst your bubble kid, but Riku just took off with Goombario." Luigi interrupted.

"Where they go?" Yoshi asked looking around.

"Down that pipe over to the right!" Luigi answered.

"Riku." Sora said softly.

"Well, don't just mope there kid!" Luigi shouted at Sora. "We have to stop Riku!"

"Okay!" Sora nodded.

The trio headed for the pipe and they all jumped down it. To their surprise, they landed right on top of Toadsworth back on the toy boat.

"Master Sora! Master Luigi! Yoshi!" Toadsworth groaned. "Where did you come from?"

"Well, it all started when Yoshi was egg..."

"He means right now, Yoshi." Sora chuckled.

"We just wanted to drop in on you." Luigi laughed. There was dead silence. "Oh, come on! At least I tried this time."

"Okay, I'll admit." Sora sighed. "That was a little funny, but you could do better."

"Ha!" Luigi laughed. "I think my jokes are finally looking up."

"That's good Master Luigi, but I am getting a spinal injury down here." Toadsworth groaned.

"Sorry, Toadsworth." Sora apologized getting off. "You alright?"

"We can't worry about that now, Master Sora!" Toadsworth panicked. "We have a crisis!"

"Goombario!" Called Kooper.

Everyone turned to see Goombario, Parakarry, and the Boos all out on the edge of the boat. Sora's group joined them and they all gasped to see Riku holding an out cold Goombario.

"Let him go!" Parakarry called to Riku. "What has he ever done to you?"

"That's right!" Bow added. She then turned to Bootler. "Bootler, protest for me!"

"You bully!" Bootler said. "Let the poor boy go!"

Riku chuckled. "Would to, loved to, but can't. I have some unfinished business with this mushroom."

"You can take it up with us then." Kooper cried bravely.

"You're not the one I need shell boy." Riku sighed. "I'm amazed. I can sense a special heart coming from this kid. It's so rare for a living creature to be born with this type of heart. He might be able to help someone who has lost their heart."

Sora was in shock upon hearing what Riku said. "A-are you talking about Kairi?"

"Even if I am, does it matter?" Riku shrugged. "You don't care about her!"

"I do." Sora said very softly. "Riku."

Riku ran off with Goombario and Parakarry flew after him. Riku smacked Parakarry aside and he crashed into Kooper.

"Are you guys alright?" Luigi asked in shock.

"Yeah." Parakarry groaned standing up. "That guy packs a wallop."

"What we do?" Yoshi asked.

"We need to go after them!" Toadsworth cried. "I won't let Goombario be killed by that madman!"

"Problem." Sora said. "I can't jump that high."

Parakarry flew over to his mailbag and pulled out a badge. "You can use this, Sora." He threw the badge to Sora who caught it.

"What is it?"

"A High Jump badge." Parakarry said. "When you equip this, you'll jump way higher then you did before."

"Gee, thanks." Sora smiled.

"We'll stay here again." Bow said. "I would do it myself, but I don't want to get dirt on me."

"Boy, she is some help, huh?" Luigi sighed.

"And I shall come this time." Toadsworth announced. "I need to help!"

"Just be careful, Toadsworth." Kooper said with caution.

"No worries, Kooper." Toadsworth chortled. "I used to be a powerhouse. But when you get old, you lose those thing."

Luigi rolled his eyes and headed off. Sora followed and then Toadsworth jumped on Yoshi's back and followed as well. The new badge impressed Sora as he jumped onto the area Riku took off. Luigi was a natural at jumping, so it was no problem. Yoshi used his strong legs to gain some extra jumping height to keep up. They arrived in the next room where more heartless attacked. Sora and Luigi attacked with everything they've got but there were too many. So, they ran right for the top of the room where another pipe appeared and sucked them in. They arrived in a smaller version of General Guy's room where they saw Riku looking down at a fainted Goombario.

"Riku!" Sora called out to him. "Let Goombario go!"

"I can't!" Riku said sadly. "His heart may hold the key to rescuing Kairi's heart. He's already lost one to the heartless." Riku then turned to Sora. "Sora! Let's put our differences aside and join forces to save her."

"What?"

"If you want to save Kairi just as bad as I do, then you'd team up with me." Riku offered. "Come, on! It's the only way!"

"Sorry, Riku." Sora rejected readying his keyblade.

"What?" Riku said with a surprised look. "You'd rather fight me? Over a Goomba who doesn't have a heart?"

"Listen Riku!" Sora began. "Heart or no heart, at least he has a conscience."

"Dude, you have got to lay off the Disney movies." Riku said raising his eyebrow.

"I'm serious!" Sora snapped. "You can try and listen, but you'll never hear it. However, I can hear it! And it's telling me what you're doing is wrong. You're hurting these innocent people, just to get Kairi back. You can't sacrifice other people just to get what you want."

"If that's the way you want to play, then fine!" Riku said angrily. He then drew his sword. "You've given me no choice."

Meanwhile, Toadsworth ran over to Goombario and bent down to him.

"Goombario! Please wake up!"

Goombario weakly looked up at Toadsworth. "I'm sorry, Toadsworth. I'm not going to make it. I've been acting strange because I missed my family when I had to move away and even now. I'll be in a better place soon"

"Please!" Toadsworth said beginning to cry. "I don't want to lose you. You were such a good student." Toadsworth cried and a tear fell onto Goombario. He began glowing and then he opened his eyes fully and sat up. "Goombario?"

Goombario looked at himself. "Well, my physical status appears to be normal. I guess, I'm going to be okay after all."

Toadsworth picked him up and jumped for joy. Sora's group smiled upon seeing them both happy. Riku on the other hand was disappointed. All of a sudden, everyone could hear marching. They turned to see General Guy and his troops marching in. Riku took the opportunity to leave through a dark portal.

"Great." Luigi moaned. "And I thought I could relax."

"Didn't I tell you?" General Guy chortled. "I never let the enemy get away. So, I'm back to destroy you little punks with my entire army, while I deal with you in my new giant robot." He jumped onto a cockpit and sat in it. The robot had giant arms and legs. It had missiles on its arms and gun boxes on the shoulders.

"Yoshi have bad feeling in gut." Yoshi gulped.

"No kidding." Luigi said.

"Riku!" Sora cried.

"Kid, let's take care of these guys first!" Luigi shouted to Sora.

Deciding not to worry about Riku now, Sora got ready to fight. Goombario and Toadsworth both ran out of the room leaving the trio to fight.

"Attack!"

Sora and his friends charged at the Shy Guy army with full power. But before they could attack, the robot tripped on a giant crayon and fell right on the entire army.

"Ooh." Yoshi groaned in disgust. "That going to leave big boo-boo."

"My army!" General Guy cried. "Curse this piece of equipment! I'll have to do it on my own!"

The robot got back up and fired it's hands at the trio. It punched Luigi and Sora back into a wall. They both jump to their feet and rejoin Yoshi who was dodging some dodge balls, which General Guy fired. Sora deflected one of them right back and it hit the robot causing it to fall. Surprisingly, the robot jumped back up onto it's feet and sent a roundhouse kick, knocking everyone into a pile of teddy bears. They got up and charged at the robot again. It fired its fists again but this time Sora was ready. He jumped over the attack and rode on it. As the arm flew back Sora jumped onto the cockpit of the ship and stabbed the controls.

"Take this!" Sora shouted.

"Get off!" General Guy yelled.

The General pushed a button causing an electric shock on Sora. He flew back and hit the ground. He jumped back up and slashed at the leg causing it to fall. The robot hopped around on one leg and sent a mighty kick at the trio. They fell back again.

"We can we beat this thing!" Sora shouted in anger standing up. "I won't let him get in the way!" Sora screamed as he charged at the robot.

"What's eating him?" Luigi asked in surprise.

Sora was still angry with what happened with Riku. He began slashing everywhere at the robot and he caused overloads to it.

"My robot!" General Guy cried. "It's overloading! But a general must remain strong!" Another part of the robot began to exploded. "Okay, I think I've been beaten! Time to scream like a sissy and run!" He screamed like a girl and ran out of the robot as it fell down and exploded.

Sora panted as he saw the explosions. Yoshi patted Sora on the back.

"Take deep breath, Sora." Yoshi said softly. "It over now. Sora won."

"Kid, I know you're upset about your friend but we can't worry about that right now." Luigi said warmly. Just then, the whole toybox began shaking. "This place is going to blow! Run!"

Luigi and Yoshi ran for it while Sora looked around the room calling for Riku.

"Riku! Riku, where are you?" Sora called.

"Come on kid!" Luigi called to Sora.

Sora sighed and then nodded to Luigi. The trio quicky ran out of the room and arrived back into the main room with the boat. Toadsworth waved the group over to the Toad Express and they escaped just in time. The toybox exploded and toys went flying all over the place. Pounding the ground and piled up all over the place. The clerk at the train station looked up to notice the mess.

"Not again." He sighed. He then stood up. "Well, better get the broom."

The man walked off to get a broom. Back aboard the Egg Carrier, Riku finally found Kairi but was not too happy to see her. Due to the fact that she was lifeless and pale as a ghost. Riku sighed very sadly and Bowser looked over him and put his big hand on his shoulder.

"So, it's true." Riku said sadly. "She's a lifeless puppet now, right?"

"Afraid so kid." Bowser said. "Taken by the heartless, no doubt.

"This is ridiculous." Eggman grumbled.

"What was that?" Bowser asked Eggman suspiciously

Eggman chuckled nervously. "I said...who wants pancakes?"

"I'd love some." Bowser said excitedly. "But after, I have work to do." Eggman sighed with relief as Bowser turned back to Riku. "Sorry, but I wasn't expecting this to happen to her."

"I'll do anything to get her back!" Riku said with confidence. "Please! Isn't there anything we could do?"

"Well..." Bowser began. "There is one way."

"How?"

"There are seven babes with the most purest heart." Bowser explained. "As the proper folks would call them; the Princesses of Heart. When they are gathered together, a door will open to the heart of all worlds."

"Heart of all worlds?" Riku asked in confusion.

"What is this? An echo in here? Of course the heart of all worlds!" Bowser growled. "Untold wisdom rests within there. I'm sure there will lie something you could use to find Kairi's heart. I swear it!"

"Then, I'll find the princesses." Riku offered. "Anything to save Kairi."

"Good!" Bowser nodded. "And I shall now give you a really cool gift." Bowser took out his star rod and tapped it on Riku. "Behold! The power to control the heartless!"

A glowing green energy surrounded Riku as he felt a great power rushing through his veins. As the power dimmed down, he turned to Kairi and talked in a really low voice.

"Soon, Kairi." He whispered. "Soon."

Riku walked away as Bowser looked on with an evil grin.

"Now for those pancakes." Bowser said rubbing his hands together. "Eggman! I want my pancakes!"

Eggman laughed nervously. "Well...you...see...uh..."

"I said now!" Bowser screamed. He then chased Eggman around the room demanding pancakes.