A/N: This maaay just be my favorite fight...and it maaay have something to do with sneaking in my favorite character in there somewhere, but it has more to do with just how well I managed to write all the insane stuff that was going on in my head. This was HARD to do, but worth it.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Kingdom Hearts, nor the Disney and Square Enix characters. Please support the original works.


Chapter 10: Disney Town Crashers


Sora tried not to think about the whiplash of crazy he had just gone through. Thinking about the massive pie fight, and the fact that King Mickey's world had literally blended with another, would only distract him from the important task of helping Queen Minnie evacuate her people from the area. While Donald and Goofy patrolled around the large group, Sora stuck close to Queen Minnie in the center, helping her comfort a distraught old chicken.

"Riku and Kairi are in the castle, right?"

Sora nudged his head in the direction of the sleek, sophisticated structure that loomed behind them. It didn't match Disney Town's bright, wacky esthetic at all. In fact, it looked as though someone had taken a bunch of photographs and taped them together into a massive art project that somehow had taken over reality as he knew it.

Minnie nodded. "Mickey trusted them to handle what was on the inside."

"I'm sure they're okay. But I'm also a little worried, especially after those tricky heartless we fought in the square."

Minnie paused mid step. "Heartless? Here?"

"They've never been a problem before?"

The queen shook her head. "Mickey's powers and my light protect our world. We work hard to keep our people happy, to keep the darkness at bay. The people must be stressed indeed if heartless are getting through."

Daisy, who had been walking close behind Sora, spoke. "We're going to need more patrols."

"We'll have to collaborate with reinforcements from Duckberg," agreed Minnie.

"And long term?" asked Daisy. She lowered her voice so that people around them wouldn't hear, waving Minnie and Sora closer so that she could whisper. "We can't care for everyone that keeps popping up. Not forever. We don't have enough resources."

Minnie responded confidently, her voice a reasonable volume. "The sooner Mickey and his team meet with the master, the better. Whatever is happening, we have to stop it at the source."

For the first time, the chicken that had been walking closely at Minnie's side, spoke. "Majesty, is it really a good idea to let the king leave?"

Minnie gave the chicken a tender smile. "Yes, Ms. Cluck. King Mickey is a keyblade master. Only he and Sora, the young man beside you, can solve this problem."

The old chicken snapped her beak closed, giving Sora a sideways glance. Then, carefully, she spoke in a more measured tone. "I trust you, Majesty. I'm just scared about what will happen at home without the king."

"You have my word that I will do everything in my power to make sure my people, and any new refugees that appear, are safe."

The old chicken's cheeks flushed. She inclined her head respectfully and was silent for the rest of the walk.

Teamwork made evacuating the race track easier. Sora, and Minnie guided the elderly to their homes, while Donald and Daisy took turns healing and guarding the remaining civilians. Goofy patrolled, keeping an eye out for heartless. Once the children and elderly was taken care of, the rest of the group was able to enter the town proper. Then they could-

The ground shook.

Bending his knees to keep himself standing, Sora felt his teeth rattle as he looked around, over the frightened expressions of the crowd beside him, searching for the source of the shaking. Something black shot through the sky. Sora's eyes barely caught the dark comet, watching it vanish above the castle by the racetrack. Before he had time to worry about what Riku and Kairi were dealing with inside the castle, another quake threw him to the ground.

While lying on the floor, he saw a pair of armored feet. The boots moved over the shuddering ground, unbothered by the unsteady terrain. Sora barely managed to lift his head. He saw, what seemed like, a suit of armor moving behind a nearby building. Another shake completely removed the strange sight from his mind.

Stabbing his keyblade into the ground, Sora pushed himself to his feet. There was a shout. Then magical glass appeared in the air before him. The ground stilled. Sora turned around, watching Minnie and Daisy. The two women had their hands raised, the glittery pressure of magic flowing out from their palms.

The glass around them shuddered, but Queen Minnie and Daisy concentrated.

"Reflectga!"

A massive ball of glass shaped itself around Sora, Donald, Goofy, and the civilians. The people sighed as they were able to stand on steady ground. Their relief quickly turned into fear. Beyond the magic glass, something huge, midnight black and purple, gripped the roof of a nearby building. A muscular hand, with long, clawed fingers. Sora swallowed hard,watching as a darkside heartless raised its enormous, tentacled heard above the roof. Its yellow eyes locked on him.

Queen Minnie covered her mouth. Then, clenching her fists in front of her cheeks, taking in a breathe so deep that her eyes squeezed shut, she composed herself. When she exhaled, she opened her eyes, pinning Sora, Donald, and Goofy with an expression so fierce that the three friends immediately stood to attention.

"Get that monster out of my kingdom."

"Yes Ma'am!"

Minnie dropped the reflect spell for no more then a second, allowing the trio out of her protective sphere.

"Daisy! We have people to defend."

"Right!"

Knowing the queen and duchess could handle themselves, Sora dashed toward the building the heartless had its hand on. He leapt onto the fire escape, running up to the roof. The darkside turned its face, staring at him when he reached the top. The next second, Sora had to jump to the side as the heartless swiped its hand through the air, trying to grab him. The darkside's other hand came down. It missed Sora, cracking the roof bricks instead. When Donald and Goofy finally made it to the roof, they had to shield their eyes from the dust cloud that had resulted from the heartless' attack.

Calling his friends over, Sora jumped onto the adjacent building.

"We have to get this thing away from Queen Minnie and the others!"

Once his friends joined him on the next building, Sora waved his arms.

"Hey! Over here, blockhead! You want this?" Sora waved his keyblade, using his other hand to point at his chest. "Come and get it!"

The darkside was fast, slamming its hand on the roof, inches behind Sora's heels. He only managed to dodge by jumping to the next building, rolling when he landed. Before the heartless could recover, Donald threw fire spells at its face. Goofy threw his shield and it collided the fireballs in midair, turning into a whirling, fiery saucer that smacked the heartless fight between the eyes. Face burning, the heartless stumbled back.

Sora took this chance, leaping onto one of the darkside's massive arms. The giant heartless shook its forearm, trying to buck Sora off. Instead, it threw Sora up into the air. Big mistake. From above, Sora shot another fire spell that crashed atop the heartless' head. Before the heartless could look up at him. Goofy's shield whizzed by, distracting the heartless, which gave Sora the perfect opening. Using his downward momentum, he pulled his keyblade over his head. Then he spun. Rotating like a buzzsaw, Sora sliced through the top of the heartless head, cutting right through its body. Just before he hit the ground, he stopped spinning to throw an aero spell around himself, to break his fall. Back on the ground, he watched as the heartless crumbled above him.

But the earthquake hadn't stopped. Another darkside was walking toward Sora from further down the road. Before Sora could challenge it, a yelp from above drew his attention. A second darkside had appeared behind the rooftop Donald and Goofy had been on. It held his friends in its fist.

Donald's face reddened, his feathers flying off. "I've had it up to here with being grabbed today! Thundaga!"

The lightning sizzled along the heartless' arms. The shock made it drop Donald and Goofy, but as the two of them fell, the heartless also pulled back its leg. It kicked and Sora cringed as his friends flew, crunching into a nearby building.

Hurling his keyblade at the darkside, Sora didn't wait to see if his attack hit. He ran toward his friends, listening to the smack of his keyblade hitting the heartless behind him. Shockwaves in the ground told him that the second darkside, the one further up the road, was already coming his way. Sora summoned his keyblade back, screaming an aero spell a second before the darkside's fist nearly pummeled him and his friends.

Donald managed to cast a healing spell while Sora defended them and just in time too, because the darkside's claws were breaking through the aero spell's protective sphere. Donald and Goofy got close to Sora, searching for an opening to counterattack as soon as the wind spell broke. The darkside's claw inched closer to Sora's forehead.

The darkside that had kicked Donald and Goofy fell to its knees. It spread its arms, fists clenched. From the heart shaped hole in its chest, dark energy gathered. Too focused on the kneeling heartless, Sora had completely forgotten about the other darkside. Its claws broke through the wind sphere. Black shadows surrounded Sora as the heartless enclosed its fingers around him.

Donald and Goofy turned to free Sora, but they had to quickly shift their attention. The kneeling heartless threw blasts of darkness out from the heart shaped hole in its torso. Missiles of pressurized darkness rained down on Donald and Goofy and it was all the two of them could do to dodge and block.

Sora kicked in the darkside's hold, but the heartless only tightened its fingers. It brought Sora close to its chest, where it too was gathering dark energy. The energy burst. Sora squeezed his eyes shut. The cold touch of darkness fluttered over his face. He heard something that sounded a lot like shattering glass, but he felt no pain. Something warm flew by his nose. Opening his eyes, he saw a sphere of light smash into the darkside's wrist. The darkside swayed side to side, surprised by the sudden attack. Sora tryed not to feel sick as his swerved left and right in the darkside's fist. Luckily, the darkside let him go and Sora plummeted down toward the street. Just before he hit the ground, a sphere of magical glass appeared around him. The spell took the impact, protecting Sora from splattering into the floor, but quickly broke when he rolled right after.

Laying on the ground, Sora pointed his keyblade at the stunned heartless above him. His blizzard spell stabbed into the darkside's chest, making it reel backward. Another sphere of light joined his attack, pushing the heartless away from him. Then, a gloved hand was on his shoulder.

Sora blinked, staring up at Queen Minnie.

"What about the civilians?" he asked as he got to his feet.

"Daisy is taking them to Max in the square. Are you all right?"

"Never better."

"Good."

Queen Minnie slammed her wand into her open palm. Light magic buzzed like a firecracker at the end of her wand. "I'll give you cover. Go take it down."

Saluting, Sora dashed toward the heartless. Behind him, Minnie's skirts fluttered around her as she gathered magic. A volley of light spheres surrounded her. Like a conductor passionately commanding an roaring orchestra, Minnie waved her wand, watching as her light spheres sailed of in every direction, bombarding the darkside's face, its arms, its legs.

Weaving between the darkside's legs, Sora summoned sonic energy from within him, gathering the razor sharp power in his keyblade. Minnie's light spheres lined above him, creating platforms.

Jumping on top a sphere was like bouncing on metal coil. Sora flew. The sonic energy at the tip of his keyblade sharped his weapon and he sliced straight up through the heartless' neck, stopping only when he was floating several feet above its head. Below him, the heartless began to disintegrate. In the air, Sora waved happily at Queen Minnie below.

His smile quickly melted into a look of terror.

A darkside stood behind Minnie, its huge hand about to squash her like a fly. Sora aimed his keyblade at her, desperate to cast an aero spell, but he was not fast enough. The darkside's hand slammed down. Concrete cracked. Dust obscured the street. Sora landed in a brown cloud, screaming for Queen Minnie.

A mouse shaped outline appeared before him. Then came King Mickey's voice.

"That was close! I'm so glad I made it back in time."

King Mickey dashed out of the dust cloud, holding Minnie in his arms. The Queen carefully opened one eye, gasping when she realized who was holding her. She threw her arms around Mickey's neck, giggling.

"Oh Mickey! My hero!"

Winking, Mickey put her down. Then he pointed to the stunned heartless behind them.

"Minnie and I will take care of that one," Mickey told Sora. "The other darkside had moved toward the square. Go find Donald and Goofy and take it down."

"Right!"

Sora raced passed the two mice. Before he was out of earshot, he heard Mickey say.

"Do you remember the last time we fought side by side?"

"Why yes. Can we go out for a picnic after, just like last time?"

Mickey chuckled, facing the incoming darkside with his queen. "Of course. I'd do anything for you."

Sora couldn't help but grin as he ran toward the square. His good mood faded quickly. Three more darksides were in the square. Sora saw Goofy, Max, PJ, and Bobby running around, slashing and pummeling the heartless' feet. Donald and Daisy stood side by side, protecting the civilians with a combined reflect and aero spell.

The ducks couldn't cover the cowering citizens forever. Sora waited a few more precious seconds. Once the three darksides were distracted by the knights, Sora charged. Gathering energy from deep within him, he willed his stamina into his keyblade. Just a few feet away from the darkside's, Sora raised his keyblade. Using all his gathered energy, with a mighty leap, Sora rose up behind the heartless' head. Several powerful slashes later, he grit his teeth, funneling more energy into the end of his keyblade.

"Ragnarok!"

A rainbow flower of deadly lasers bloomed at the end of his keyblade. The colorful beams burst, raining down on the darkside's face and neck, exploding on impact. The darkside faded away. Sora landed on his feet and joined Max, Goofy, PJ, and Bobby in taking down the other two.

Howling like a wolf, Bobby stabbed his spear through the darkside's calves. PJ smashed his massive hammer into the heartless' foot, stunning it. Max jumped on his father's shield and was launched up to the darkside's face. His swords blurred as Max rotated in the air, helicopter slicing through the heartless' head.

Only one left.

Sora and Goofy grabbed each other's arms and whirled into a tornado, the force from their rotation sending them up. They spin sliced up the side of the heartless, and once they were in front of its face, Goofy let Sora go and the boy fell toward the heartless, slicing it across its eyes.

When Sora's feet touched the ground, his spine rattled as the floor shook yet again. Looking up, his stomach tilled with ice as he spotted four more darksides stomping toward the square.

"Aw come on!" PJ shouted. "Where are they coming from?"

Regrouping with the other knights, Sora struggled to keep his keyblade steady. Goofy reached into his pocket and handed the boy an ether. Drinking it, Sora felt it replenishing his magical energy, but it did nothing for his exhaustion. Casting a cure spell over himself and his friends, he looked over his shoulder. Beads of sweat were coating Donald and Daisy's feathers. Some the civilians in their protective spell had tears in their eyes.

"No way we can give up now," Sora growled. "Max, you and your group take the two on the right. Goofy and I can take the two on the left."

Though they trembled with fatigue, his friends raised their weapons, ready to jump right back into battle. A second later they froze as an obnoxious voice boomed from the sky.

"I am the terror that flaps in the night! I am the magnificent, animated reboot, that was cancelled too soon!"

Sora spotted the speaker.

On a roof, behind the two heartless on the right, a dark figure sat atop a red motorcycle. With the sun right behind him, his features were cast in a shadow. All Sora could see was the figure's deep purple cape flaring out dramatically behind him, despite the fact that there was no breeze. The speaker's wide brimmed hat covered his eyes, but, when he turned his head, Sora could see a confident smirk on the man's beak.

The duck revved his motorcycle, lifting his head, revealing the purple mask around his eyes.

"I am DARKWING DUCK!"

"Who is that?" asked Bobby, PJ, and Max as this so called Darkwing Duck drove his motorcycle off the roof.

The vehicle rammed its front tires into the face of a nearby darkside. Darkwing jumped off the motorcycle, pulling out a grappling hook from under his cape. The hook flew, looping around the heartless' neck. Darkwing landed on the floor, hopping back onto his motorcycle when it dropped right behind him. He laughed as the heartless tried to free its neck from the grappling hook's wire.

"Struggling is futile! None can resist the perilous plight of my power! Now watch as I, Darkwing Duck, pull this creature to its doom!"

Holding the grappling hook tight, Darkwing kicked the motorcycle into reverse, using its horsepower, and the metal wire, to pull the darkside down on its knees. While Darkwing was busy with one heartless, he didn't see the other darkside creep up behind him and aim a fist at his head.

Suddenly, from out of the sky, a red sea plane flew down, buzzing around the heartless' head, distracting it. A muscular duck in an aviator's uniform waved from the pilot's window.

"I got your back DW!" Launchpad roared from the window from the plane. Then his plane collided with the heartless' back, and several pieces of red shrapnel fell off the heartless, smoke rising up from the point of impact.

Sora jerked, about to run and help, but he was stopped when Max grabbed his arm. "That guy just crashed," Sora protested.

"He'll be fine. He crashes all the time," said Max. He pointed over Sora's shoulder, to the darksides that had been slowly creeping up on them from the left. "We've got to deal with those two."

Turning, Sora noticed that the other two darksides had reached Donald and Daisy's protective sphere. Sora charged with the knights. ready to defend his friends. The ground thundered beneath him, and the entire team stumbled.

"Oh no! What now?" PJ groaned.

Sora searched for yet another darkside. Instead, he spotted what looked like a giant, Frankenstein cat, thundering toward them from another avenue that led into the square. An old duck wearing a lab coat stood on the cat's shoulder. He pointed at the heartless.

"Vat a good boy, Julius! You've come a long vay! Now," the professor adjusted his glasses, "sick 'em!"

Spit dangling from his massive lips, the giant cat roared, pouncing on one of the darksides, pummeling it.

Max's jaw dopped, watching as the giant cat started a wrestling match the heartless. "He did it. Professor Von Drake actually trained Julius."

Goofy nodded approvingly. "Well, there really isn't much the Professor can't do once he sets his mind to it."

There was a triumphant howl coming from behind them. Sora turned around to see that Darkwing Duck had somehow tied up the last two darksides in his grappling hook, much the same way the way a hunter would hogtie a wild boar. He was standing atop his captives, hands on his hip, shouting to the sky.

"You fiends made the mistake of taking on a true hero! Nothing can stop Darkwing Duck! Let's get dangerous!" Without warning, Darkwing began punching the heartless below his feet. Right behind him, was the pilot, Launchpad, completely fine despite his plane exploding just a few minutes earlier. Launchpad cheered.

"Yeah, you tell 'em, DW!"

Sora smiled as he lowered his stance. Taking a deep breath, he charged at the tied up darksides. With Max, Goofy, Bobby and PJ right behind him, the team absolutely wrecked the heartless Darkwing had wrangled. By the time they finished the heartless off, Julius had completely obliterated the other heartless.

It still was not over. Several more darksides joined the battle, and even with Darkwing and Julius' help, they couldn't hold back the attack forever. Donald and Daisy's strength finally gave out. The fighters gathered around the citizens, defending them from five more darksides.

Sora was gasping, barely able to stand on his feet. Minnie and Mickey even joined the battle, but the army of darksides didn't seem to slow down. Sora couldn't remember the last time he had fought this many at once, not even when he and Riku had been trapped in the realm of darkness after defeating Marluxia.

Seven more darksides appeared, and, after taking them all down, Sora's keyblade nearly slipped from his hands. And there were still more heartless on the way. Sora counted up to thirteen more darksides before he gave up. All around him, Max, Bobby, Goofy, Mickey, Minnie and PJ could barely stand. The civilians' hearts were as good as lost.

Something soft, like a snowflake fluttered down onto Sora's nose.

The heartless stopped. Slowly, they turned, facing away from the square, toward the racetrack. An explosion of bright, white light burst up from the ground, piercing the sky. The light stretched into a dome, its radius spreading wider and wider, covering the roads, the town, the sky, in a sweet, spring breeze. Red and gold rose petals danced in the air.

Sora felt the light wash over him, and all of his exhaustion and pain were swept away. The heartless fell apart like burning paper as soon as the light touched them. The powerful, soothing energy fluttered over everything, bathing the world in glittering light for a few glorious seconds. Sora stood still, feeling a familiar feeling, hearing a cheeky giggle ring in his ears, and he couldn't help closing his eyes and smiling.

The light faded.

Everyone in the square stood in utter silence for a few moments, waiting for another darkside to appear. None came, and slowly, a chorus of rowdy cheers erupted in the square. Mickey lifted up Minnie, spinning her around. Civilians ran around, thanking their defenders, the royals, each other, screaming at the top of their lungs, happy to be alive. Darkwing Duck absorbed all the praise thrown his way, his smug grin widening with every compliment. A few nervous civilians even tried to give Julius their thanks. Professor Von Drake nodded at Julius, and, using a singer finger, the big cat gave a gentle pat on the head for those few people that dared to come near him.

Once the joy had passsed, the royals took care of the people, while Sora and the knights patrolled the perimeter, just in case. Donald and Daisy recovered after a few ethers, and took on the task of healing the civilians. Once everyone was settled, Minnie and Mickey gave thanks to Launchpad, Darkwing, Professor Von Drake, and Julius.

"All in a day's work for a hero," boasted Darkwing.

"I really owe ya," said Mickey. "You didn't have to come with me and the professor. Don't you have your own town to defend?"

"When trouble calls," Darkwing held his cape over his beak, "I will be there."

"Is that true, Mr. Darkwing?" asked Minnie, coming forward from behind Mickey.

Darkwing bowed. "Just Darkwing, Majesty. And yes. I fear no danger." He chuckled. "It's in my catchphrase." He twirled, letting his cape flare out. When he stopped, he put his hands on his hips and proclaimed proudly, "Let's get dangerous!"

Queen Minnie rewarded him with a polite giggle. "If that's the case, would you temporarily make your base in Disney Town? I could use some extra defense, especially since the king and his team will be leaving soon."

Darkwing snapped his fingers. "No doubt to solve this insidious infestation of monsters at its source. You have made a wise choice, Majesty. I, Darkwing Duck, shall lend you my considerable services in your time of need."

Launchpad came to stand at Darkwing's side. "Yeah, and I'll join ya, DW."

"What about Mr. McDuck and Duckberg?" Mickey questioned.

"Naw. Mr. McD has the best security money can buy. Besides, the monsters only seem to be showing up here."

The ground thundered as Julius came to sit by Queen Minnie and King Mickey. The big cat put his paw on the ground. Using Julius' massive arm like a slide, Professor Von Drake slide down to the ground, fixing up his lab coat when he landed. He bowed to Queen Minnie.

"Mr. Launchpad's observation is correct. Ve must gather more data before ve can be sure, but so far, heartless have only shown up in the area around the castle."

Mickey crossed his arms. "They must be attracted to all the light here. Professor, is there any way to predict the heartless' appearance as well as that of new people or worlds?"

"Certainly," Professor Von Drake proclaimed. "Vat a fascinating area of study. Ven you told me that the vorlds are crashing together, I couldn't begin to hold in my excitement. It vill take time and research, but I believe I can come up vith a system to detect if any new people or vorlds are going to crash into ours."

Minnie curtsied. "Thank you so much Professor. Knowing that you'll be looking into this will surely help Mickey feel more at ease on his quest."

Mickey looked out over the damage. Some the buildings had crumbled under the heartess' attacks, other had managed to scrape by with a few holes. There were pot holes all over the roads, and steaming piles of rubble all around him.

Mickey faced his wife. "Are you sure about this? There so much to do here. Those heartless really did a number on the town. I don't want to leave you."

"I'm sure Professor Von Drake, Darkwing, Bobby, and PJ can make up the difference."

"But we barely took down the heartless. If it weren't for that blast of light," Mickey paused. "Say, did that light come from the fields? By the race track?"


Sora walked across the bridge of the dark castle. He stared up at the high towers, rubbing his arms from the winter-night chill. To think that, just a few minutes ago, he had been walking in spring sunshine. Ariel's oceans combining with the seas at Destiny Islands was one thing, but a whole castle, with a completely different time of day, and season, crashing into King Mickey's world was a whole other level of, "what is going on?"

Mickey, Donald, and Goofy followed Sora as he walked up to the double doors that led into the castle. A low, forbidden groan escaped the door as Sora pushed it open. Entering into a spacious and luxurious foyer, Sora had only taken two steps indoors when angry barking reached his ears. Something small and fast came to nip at his ankles. Sora hoped from one foot to another as a small dog-no, a footstool?-ran around his feet, jumping like an enraged terrier barking at the mailman. Summoning his keyblade, Sora used it to guard his legs from the dog, somehow managing to deter its attack, making it switch targets.

Donald yowled when the footstool stomped on his flipper. He hopped up and down, while Goofy backed away from the little dog. Mickey grabbed one of the the footstool's tassels and tried to pull the dog away, but the footstool would not be stopped, barking furiously at the trio.

"Intruders!"

Sora's jaw dropped when he spotted a tiny grandfather clock running in his direction. Hopping right behind the clock, was a porcelain, tea kettle with a face!

The grandfather clock pointed harshly at Sora, his clock-hand mustache sticking straight up. "Young man! Explain yourself! You trespass in my master's castle without so much as a knock?"

Sora put up his hands, but his gesture of peace was ruined when he couldn't swipe the excited smile off his face. "I didn't mean to enter without being invited. Also, cool, are you really a talking clock?"

Said clock's eyes widened, and he stomped his foot. "My name is Cogsworth, young man!"

Mickey, having finally given up on calming down dog-footstool, come forward.

"Excuse me, Mr. Cogsworth, I am King Mickey. The world outside your castle is my home. I only want to find out what happened to my friends. I sent them here to investigate."

Cogsworth cleared his throat, giving Mickey a once over.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

By this time, the tea kettle finally caught up to them. She nudged Cogsworth with her handle, scoffing.

"There's no need to be rude to our new guests."

She whistled, and the footstool dog finally stopped chasing Donald and Goofy around the foyer. With a low growl, the footstool went to stand by the teapot's side.

"Now then, dears," began the teapot, "these friends of yours, would you mean Riku and Kairi?"

Sora nodded. "Are they deeper in the castle?"

Cogsworth turned to the teapot, waving his handle arms in annoyance. "Mrs. Potts! We can't just trust every wayward intruder?"

"They seem like nice boys to me. Besides, didn't the master mention a young man with a key, that helped him when he was searching for Belle?"

Cogsworth turned to Sora, raising an eyebrow at the keyblade in the boy's hand.

"Now then," Mrs. Potts continued, "to answer your question, yes. Riku and Kairi went with Master and Belle into the west wing, to investigate the library."

"Belle?" Sora felt his chest light up. "The Beast lives here? Awesome! I can't wait to-" Sora slammed his palms into his temples, his mouth stretching into a wide frown. "Wait a minute, the last time Riku met the Beast, they were enemies."

Mrs. Potts giggled. "Oh, I think your friend Kairi managed to smooth things over." Her expression saddened. She nodded at Mickey. "I have a favor to ask, Your Majesty."

"Yes?"

"The Master forbade us from following him into the west wing, but he and the others have been gone quite a while. And just a few minutes ago, a blast of white light lit up every room in the castle. Would you please go check on them?"

"Of course. That was our objective from the start. Which way do we go?"

Mrs. Potts led them to the set of stairs at the end of the entrance hall. They climbed to the top a landing that split into two sets of stairs, one to the left and one to the right. Mrs. Potts pointed, with her spout nose, to the left.

"Just quick warning," Ms. Potts said. "The last time anyone entered the west wing, it was covered in darkness. We weren't able to see anything when we entered."

"We'll be careful," Sora assured her.

As the party entered the hall, weapons raised, they waited to cross into a void of blackness. Yet, the further they walked, no sign of heartless or darkness greeted them. An immaculate, high vaulted ceiling with bronze and golden accents, hovered high above them. The walls were painted in gold, with intricate trims and framework to add a dramatic flair to the castle's baroque style.

Sora's feet padded over a deep red carpet. Normally, silence would fill him with unease, but for some reason, he didn't feel the incoming threat of heartless, nor did he even want to hold on to his keyblade anymore. The atmosphere was relaxed and oddly familiar, like the lazy days he'd spend on the beach at Destiny Islands. Even his teammates, including King Mickey, put away their weapons.

Turning a corner, all of Sora's good vibes fled him, to be replaced by hot fear. He ran across the room, stopping in front of a set of stairs. Riku stood there, carrying an unconscious Kairi in his arms. Sora grit his teeth at the sight of her ghost white face.

"What happened? Is she okay?"

"Relax," Riku let out a low chuckle. "She's fine. Just tired. Her last attack drained all her energy."

"What attack?" Sora looked around the brightly lit room, searching for residual signs of heartless.

"Beast and I were attacked by a big heartless and an army of smaller ones. Belle and Kairi combined their powers to protect us, and the resulting blast somehow burned away all the heartless in the castle."

"So," said Mickey, coming closer, "that's where that powerful blast of light came from."

Riku wobbled.

"You okay?"

"Just a little tired," Riku told Mickey. "Seems as though even small fry heartless are getting stronger. Beast and I were completely blindsided right before Kairi and Belle protected us."

Sora looped his arms under Kairi's knees and across her back, carefully lifting her from Riku's hold. He stepped back, allowing King Mickey to come forward and cast a healing spell on Riku. Looking down at the slumbering girl in his arms, Sora wondered about her powers as a princess of heart. Back in Hollow Bastion, the six other princesses were able to keep whole legions of darkness back. He shivered as he remembered the intensely strong spell Jasmine had helped him cast back when the two of them had obliterated Jafar in order to save Aladdin.

So, when two princesses of heart combined their strength, the light pulse they created was strong enough to wipe out the heartless in this world and the one nearest to it? Just like the darkness, there was so much about the light that Sora didn't understand.

Do not be tempted by the light.

Sora stiffened. Where had that thought come from? Not only that, he had the strangest feeling he had heard that warning before. Somewhere, in his dreams. Donald and Goofy jolted him out of his thoughts. The duck patted Sora's thigh, while Goofy put a hand on Sora's shoulder.

"Don't worry. I'm sure she'll be okay after a nice long nap. Look, she's smiling."

In her sleep, Kairi snuggled her cheek against Sora's arm.

Donald chuckled. "You two are so adorable."

With his hands too full to cover his face, Sora could only look away from Donald. "Would you knock that off?"

"Shh!" Donald clicked his teeth. "You'll wake her up."

Too late. Kairi's eyes twitched. Squinting, she tilted her head back, looking up into Sora's red face. Groggily she said, "Sora? If this is a dream, please don't wake me up."

If Sora's face was red before, it was absolutely on fire then. Trying not to look at Donald and Goofy's knowing expressions, Sora moved closer to Mickey and Riku, listening as the pair of them exchanged stories of what had happened. When Mickey described how Belle and Kairi's light had obliterated all the heartless out in Disney Town, Riku's didn't seem surprised.

Gesturing to the hall around them, Riku said, "This place was filled with a thick darkness before. All kinds of heartless were lurking in here, using the blackness as a cover for ambushes. Even the weakest shadow seemed even more powerful in here."

Mickey nodded. "They are getting stronger. The darksides in the town gave us such a hard time, we had to call for backup."

"When Kairi and I were trying to save Sora," Riku continued, "we used the keyblade to unleash her own heart. The entire space around us light up with her light. It doesn't surprise me that her combined power with Belle could extend all the way outside of this castle."

Sora's mouth opened. "Wait? She pulled out her own heart to save me? You never told me that?"

Riku shrugged. "I know. I told her it was crazy, but she was that determined to save you."

Looking down into Kairi's sleeping face, Sora felt a mix of concern and an even more intense respect then he had ever had before.

"I didn't do anything," said Kairi, slowly opening her eyes, "that you didn't also do for me."

The group surrounded her.

"Don't talk," said Riku. "You should take it easy."

Kairi yawned. "I'll be okay. Put me down. I can walk."

Slowly, Sora lowered Kairi's legs. She leaned against him for a moment, but was able to keep herself standing.

"You sure you don't need more rest?"

Kairi glared. "Do I have to poke you?"

Riku stepped back, hands up. "No ma'am."

"I saw your attack form the outside," said Sora. "That was amazing. What did you do?"

"Holy spell," Kairi croaked. She swallowed, trying to get water into her dry throat. "Happens when my friends and I combine powers." She rubbed her eyes, trying to rub away the sleepiness in them. "But I've never done one that powerful before, and I can't control it by myself. Belle and I were so worried about Beast and Riku, that it just sort of happened."

Finally standing straight, Kairi looked around. "Speaking of, where is Belle?"

Riku pointed up the stairs behind him. "Beast took her up there."

Walking over to pick up an old book from the floor, Kairi said, "Then let's go talk to her."


"Ahyuck! It's so nice to see ya. Even if the castle fell on the race track, I'm still grateful to meet old friends."

Belle smiled as she shook Goofy's hands. She then bent down to give Donald a big hug. The duck flailed his arms for a second before giving up and letting the embrace happen.

Sora and Kairi hung back by the door that led back into the hallway. They stood in the Beast's room. The entire area was one big mess. A broken bed sat in one corner of the room, ripped up furniture was thrown about all over the floors, and slashed paintings decorated the walls. The only unharmed item was the single, marble table that sat right in front of a pair of glass doors that led out to Beast's balcony. On top the marble table was a glass dome. Floating inside the dome, was an ethereal rose. Its pink glow would have been the only thing that lit up the dark room, if it weren't for the fact that Lumière stood in the center of the space, nervously watching his master negotiate with King Mickey.

Beast and King Mickey stood before the rose, having a meeting, one ruler of a castle to another. Riku stood close by, behind Mickey, silently giving him support. Belle, having finally caught up with Goofy and Donald, made her way toward Sora and Kairi.

"It's been a while, Sora."

Sora bowed. "Sure has. I'm glad you got back to your world safe. Though," he shrugged, "looks like things got a little crazy again, huh?"

Belle touched the back of her hand to her lips, hiding her smile. "Yes, but I'm always up for adventure in the great, wide somewhere." She reached out to hold Sora's hand. "I never got the chance to thank you for helping Beast back in Hollow Bastion."

"Are you kidding?" Sora rigorously shook Belle's hand. "He was the one that helped me. I should be thanking him."

Belle turned to look over her shoulder, giving Beast a secret smile. "There is something sweet, almost kind in him, at times."

Mickey and Beast nodded to each other. They turned, facing the rest of the room's inhabitants.

"Beast has agreed to open his castle to all the new residents that pop up in Disney Town from here on out," Mickey explained.

Belle beamed at Beast. "That's wonderful!"

The big creature rubbed the back of his neck. Clearing his throat he said, "It's the least I could do." Beast looked past Mickey, nodding at Riku. "I don't like being indebted to others, least of all you, but you defended me from that large heartless. I owe you this much at least."

Riku shrugged. "I guess that's as close to forgiveness as I'm going to get. I'll take it. Thanks Beast."

As Beast inclined his head, Mickey raised his hand, catching the big creature's attention.

"We can talk more about the details later. For right now, I'd like to go inform my people that the castle isn't a threat."

Slowly, the party exited Beast's room. Sora and Kairi hung by the exit, waiting until Riku joined them. Mickey, Donald and Goofy walked out, and Sora, Riku and Kairi were about to follow, but were stopped when Belle called out.

"Kairi, may I talk to you for a moment?"

The three friends stopped, and Kairi came forward, tilting her head curiously. "What is it?"

"I thought you should know this. Remember back in the parlor? I mentioned that I had a strange feeling right before my world crashed into King Mickey's."

Kairi nodded. "Right. You said the feeling wasn't darkness."

"It wasn't. It was light."

Unconsciously, Sora, Riku and Kairi stepped closer together.

"That can't be right," Sora whispered.

"It makes no sense," Riku added.

Belle stood tall, determination shining in her brown eyes. "At first, I thought I had a mistake, but, after Kairi and I combined our powers, I was sure. I don't understand what that means, but it might be useful on your journey."

"Thank you."

Carefully, Kairi extended her hand. When Belle grasped it, the tingle of light passing through them made her realize that Belle was telling the truth. Still, she couldn't help but wonder. If Belle had felt a surge of light, where had it come from?


Beast's aid only solved one of Mickey's problems. As he led the party back to the square in Disney Town, Mickey mumbled to himself. Riku was able to make out a few words. He quickly figured out that Mickey was making contingency plans for his kingdom. Something about doubling security, and how he hated to ask them for help. Still, it sounded as though Mickey was finally giving in, to leave Disney Town, but he wasn't happy about it, grouching about what could happen to Minnie, now that heartless had, for the first time ever, entered his kingdom.

Entering the square brought a few surprises. Queen Minnie, Daisy, and Max stood under the gazebo, speaking to a fat cat and an old duck. Riku wrinkled his nose. Even from where he was, the could feel a slight tingle of darkness coming off that old cat. Everyone had some darkness in them, except the seven princesses of heart. Normally, it was easy to ignore, but that cat had more then the average Joe. Riku instantly disliked him. As they got closer, he heard bits and pieces of the cat and duck's conversation.

"Listen here, Scrooge. Of course I will give Her Majesty the private security she wants, but, you more then anyone should know such services come with a price," the cat was saying.

"And I hear you, Lord Pete," the old duck snapped back. "And I'm saying that my security can do a better and more affordable job then your guards!"

"Do not listen to this old fool, Majesty. He's not a noble. Just your run of the mill business man. What good could his security do?"

"Aye, I am a business man. I started from nothing and now I am the richest duck in the world. You were born with a silver spoon in your fat mouth and you barely do anything lordly except be served by servants. How much of your security follows the same lax efforts?"

Lord Pete sneered, bending down so that he looked into the duck's eyes. "My men know real loyalty, unlike some hired fools."

"Gentleman," Daisy's tone may have been light, but the warning in her voice wasn't.

Both debaters quieted, allowing the duchess to speak.

"I believe Her Majesty requested both of your help?"

The old duck growled. "Majesty, I will provide all the security for free! You deserve so much better then a lord that will demand payment for shoddy work."

"Don't listen to him. I'm prepared to give you a ten percent discount for all my guards. I'll even add Lord Mortimer's private force among them."

Max, who had been silently watching the argument, finally spoke. "So we're paying ninety percent? You're being cheaper then Scrooge, and that's saying something. Queen Minnie, we should just take Mr. McDuck up on his offer and be done with it."

Queen Minnie made a show of thinking, letting out a long, quiet, "hmmm." Finally, she said, "Well, logically it makes sense to take Scrooge's offer. After all, there are no drawbacks."

Lord Pete put up his hands. "Now hold on there, Majesty."

"I would hate to deprive you of your much loved guards, Lord Pete. But you've made your point clear. You are under no obligation to help me, of course."

"Aye, tis a shame a noble can't be trusted to do what's expected of him," added Scrooge McDuck.

"Why you!" Lord Pete leaned back, straightening his tie. "No one doubts my nobility. Majesty, take my guards, free of charge. And you." He growled at the duck. "One day, I'll add all your businesses to my collection. Good day."

The big cat lumbered off. When he had left the square, Queen Minnie, Daisy, Max, and Mr. McDuck all laughed.

"Thank you, Mr. McDuck. I would have never convinced him without your help."

Scrooge leaned forward and kissed the back of the queen's gloved hand. "Of course. I always enjoy roughing up that ruffian. Now then, you can expect my guards here by tomorrow morning. And about our deal?"

"I'll have the royal funds delivered to you by tonight," said Daisy. "Only forty percent of the full price. Are you sure that's all you want? We were planning on giving you the full fee if you could help us trick Pete into giving us his army at a lower cost. And you got him to agree without a payment plan." Daisy leaned her head back. "You really are a business tycoon."

Scrooge bowed at her compliment. "It's a small thing I can do for Her Majesty. She did let me use the gummi hanger last year."

"Then it's settled," said Minnie cheerfully. She turned to Max. "I'll have Scrooge and Mr. Darkwing take over. You should be free to head out with Mickey on his mission now."

"R-really?"

"Yes. And I'll speak to Jiminy Cricket when I return to the castle, so that he can prepare to join Donald and Goofy."

By now Mickey and the others had reached the gazebo. When Minnie told him that she had negotiated some extra security, Mickey's aura relaxed. He held his wife's hands. "You are amazing!"

Donald came forward, snickering. "That'll show that old cheapskate."

Goofy shrugged. "Well, at least the town gets extra protection."

"Yes," said Mickey, "and now we can prepare to go meet Master Yen Sid."

Donald quacked. "The master summoned us? When?"

Mickey explained about Kairi's letter. Riku, Sora, and Kairi took turns explaining all they had seen and done. Once everyone was up to speed, Mickey gave Donald and Goofy orders to go prepare the gummy ship and get provisions. Max was told to prepare himself for his journey. Minnie, Daisy, and Scrooge McDuck went back to the castle to finalize their business deal. Mickey's last orders to Sora, Riku, and Kairi, were to patrol the town, just in case.

"And make sure to take in the sights while doing it," Mickey laughed. "You three could use a break."

"Um, Your Majesty," Kairi began, "do you even know where we are going? Master Yen Sid's letter didn't specify a location."

"'Meet me where the sun never sets,'" Mickey recited. "I know which world he's referring to. Better go tell Chip and Dale to get the gummi ships ready."

Mickey walked off. The second he was gone, Riku turned his heel and walked toward a road that led out of the square.

"Where are you going?" Sora and Kairi asked.

"To get a churro."

His friends chased him. "I want a churro! Riku, wait up!"

"Hold it," Riku reached out and put his hands on Kairi's shoulders.

He turned her around, pointing, beyond the gazebo. Max hadn't left the square just yet. He was leaning against one of the buildings, talking to Bobby and PJ. From a distance, Riku could hear them saying their goodbyes.

"Wasn't expecting to take down giants right after the world's biggest food fight," said Max. "Wonder what else is out there."

"Yeah, bro-oh! It was mag-nif-i-cent!" Bobby howled.

"I'm going to miss you, Max," said PJ.

"I'll be back. Hold down the fort until I do."

After a round of secret high-fives, Bobby and PJ walked off. Max was finally alone. Riku started to push Kairi across the square. She dug her heels in the ground, resisting.

"No churros for you. Not until you're done apologizing."

"But it's hard," Kairi whined.

"Trust me, I know that more then anyone. But we're going on a mission together. You'll have to do this sooner or later," Riku replied.

"What if he's still mad at me?"

Sora grabbed Kairi's hand. "Don't worry. We'll be right beside you."

"You won't ditch me to get some bro churros while I'm busy begging for forgiveness?"

"Not a chance," said Sora.

Kairi finally stopped resisting. Riku let go of her shoulders. When they reached Max, Kairi let go of Sora's hand. She cast a nervous look over her shoulder, to make sure her Sora and Riku hadn't left. The boys gave her a thumbs up.

Kairi waved at Max. "Uh, hi. Can I talk to you?"

Max nodded, facing Kairi. "I need to talk to you too."

Kairi blurted out one word after another, so fast that Riku had to tilt his head to make sure he was hearing her right.

"I'm so sorry! I never should have left you behind in Hollow Bastion! I was so worried about Sora, I didn't think, but it still wasn't fair, and I could have pulled you in with me, or at least told you where I was going before I found that door or-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Max put up his hands, interrupting her. "Okay, stop! You don't have to apologize. I should be the one saying sorry for giving you the cold shoulder. If it were my dad or Roxanne on the other side of that door, I would have done the same thing. Sure I was a little hurt and worried when I was left behind, but I can't be mad at you for wanting to protect your friends."

Kairi sniffed. "So, we're okay?"

"Of course we are." Max unhooked one of the swords at his belt. "Here," he held out the scabbard before him. "I had this made for you. I've been carrying it around, testing it out. I did plan to give it to you once you finished your training, but, well, you know the rest."

Kairi grabbed the weapon. "This is mine? Really?"

"You're going to need something other then magic to help you fight."

"What about you? Don't you need two?"

"I have a spare."

Kairi threw her arms around Max. When they broke apart, Sora took a step forward to inspect Kairi's new weapon. She pulled the blade out of its scabbard, breathing out a sigh of awe when the sword was finally free.

"Cool," said Sora. "It has stars carved into the steel."

"Not steel," said Max. "Specially made alloy from Chip and Dale. I don't really know what's in that metal, but it's durable and light weight."

"Nice," said Sora, giving Kairi a friendly tap with his elbow. "I can't wait to see you fight. Oh, and also, we've got to team up to take Max on."

Kairi was quiet for a second, and then she giggled. "You mean break his duel wielding winning streak? I'm game."

"You'll lose." Max's tone was bored, but it didn't match the excitement dancing in his aura.

"I'd like to take up that challenge too, but can we do that later?" asked Riku. "I really want a churro."


Jiminy's Journal

Darkwing Duck (First Appeared in Darkwing Duck, 1991): A self-proclaimed superhero that lives in Disney Town. Though he's arrogant and loves attention, Darkwing is not afraid of danger, hence his famous catchphrase. He and Launchpad have a bumbling partnership that oddly works out perfectly when taking on the baddies.