Saying that Sora was uncomfortable would be an understatement. He was wearing borrowed clothes from Ventus; a red jumper with a white short sleeved jacket over it. Sora continued to tug at the puffy pant legs for some relief, but to no avail. The outfit was just a little too small. His undershorts rode up his backside, and people kept slapping his hand away when he tried to pick at it. Not to mention, his sock was falling down in his too-big shoe. He was pretty sure the jumper was picked specifically so he couldn't drop trou when he finally got fed up with wearing clothes.
"Red suits you," Kairi had said when she noticed his discomfort. It had helped, but only slightly.
Currently, they were in the courtyard, having just arrived with the borrowed gummi ship, which they would continue to hold onto until Sora earned his keyblade armor.
He looked around briefly, finding solace in the greenery, no matter how manicured it was.
Then there were brooms. Walking brooms. Living brooms. He stared in shock. It was like something out of a dream, or a far off memory.
He followed the others through the castle, as they were escorted to a banquet hall. A large table was set with all sorts of dishes and silverware, heaps of food and decorations. And there were people talking loudly and quickly. He could barely make out the conversations. Frightened, he stood behind Kairi and tried to hide.
"Sora!" A high pitched voice called out to him.
Still nervous, Sora glanced over to where the voice was coming from, only to find a small creature with huge round ears. He stared in confusion.
"Gosh, you sure did grow up! You remember me though, don'tcha?"
Sora's memory was good, but very selective. He could recall events and faces, but not names or places. This person, he knew. He was certain he did. One that he never wanted to forget.
But the name was just on the tip of his tongue.
There was something about this place that brought a song to his head. And he began to hum it slowly. And then…"M-I-C-K-E-Y…M-O-U-S-E!"
"That's me! Mickey Mouse! Master Eraqus said you can't remember a lot of words right now. That's okay! You're safe here, okay?"
He wanted to believe that was true, but it was all just so overwhelming and different. So instead of responding, he just stayed quiet.
Kairi however, thanked Mickey for his concern, and then rested a warm hand on Sora's arm. "You can trust Mickey. He's a friend, just like Kairi."
If Kairi trusted him, then it must have been okay.
He was then re-introduced to two more friends from his past. A duck and a dog.
"Gawrsh Sora, We sure missed you! How'ya been?" Said Goofy.
"Still getting into trouble?" Asked Donald, though it was mostly unintelligible.
Sora thought for a moment, and then parroted Donald perfectly, blowing air out his cheeks to replicate the quacking sound. "Still getting into trouble?"
Those assembled, besides Donald, burst into laughter.
"Hey! What's the big idea?!" Donald quacked indignantly.
"Hey! What's the big idea?!" Again, Sora parroted him, finding it easier to copy Donald than to copy anyone else.
Kairi, still giggling, said, "I don't think he's the best person to copy if you want to relearn how to speak."
"Oh c'mon Kairi, it's funny as balls!" Ventus choked, as he continued laughing himself silly.
"I don't think it's funny at all!" Donald shrieked, hands on his hips.
"Haven't you ever heard the phrase, 'imitation is the best form of flattery?'"
"Aw, phooey."
"Aw phooey."
"Knock it off!"
When it was time for dinner, Sora was ushered to sit between Kairi and Riku, though he kept his hands under the table, afraid to touch anything. He sat quietly as everyone talked, catching up on all that had happened in the last week. Though most of the conversation was lost on him.
"Wow, Sora! You lived in a tree?" Asked Daisy.
Sora glanced over to Kairi for help, but she urged him on.
"Y-yes…" he nodded. "Big…big tree."
"That's amazing! What did you do when it rained?"
He waved his hands over his head. "Leaves…lots. Stay dry."
"Oh I see! What kind of tree was it?"
He frowned, perturbed to have to repeat himself. "Big tree."
She simply laughed, and the conversation moved onward.
More brooms arrived, with carts of trays of food. Sora could smell it, and buzzed in his seat with excitement.
But, King Mickey stood on his chair and raised a glass. "I'd like to make a toast."
Everyone took their glass and raised it as well, including Sora who looked around to make sure he was doing it right.
"To you, the keyblade wielders. For all your hard work this last year. We still have much work to do in order to defeat Maleficent and banish the darkness, but thanks to your efforts, no more worlds will be lost. And that is an incredible accomplishment. On behalf of all the worlds I visited, thank you. And, I'd also like to welcome home: Sora. Someone very important to our cause whom we've missed dearly all these years. To us!"
"To us!" The group sang together.
Sora watched as everyone clinked their glasses together in celebration, and then decided it was safe to do the same. Without warning, he slammed his glass into Riku's, shattering both of them.
Sora yelped out in fear at the sound and Riku's recoil, and then began to cry.
"It's alright!" Mickey packed quickly. "Accidents happen!"
A pair of brooms were quick to clean up the mess and get new glasses for the boys. Sora, still feeling ashamed, sat on his hands and refused to touch anything, even when the food was presented.
The assembled dug in, not noticing Sora's plight until Kairi spoke up. "You okay?"
He said nothing, but stared at his plate and licked his lips.
Rick nudged him, getting his attention. Then he took a fork in his fist, and brought it down to stick into a piece of broccoli. "See? Easy."
Sora grabbed his fork, just like Riku showed him, and went to stab an olive. It rolled away, and he struck again and again, missing continually, until he stabbed right through the plate with a crack. He moaned in frustration, pushed away from the table and laid on the floor.
"Aw, gee Sora, there's no reason to be upset." Said Goofy. "Why, I think you're doing' just fine! I break plates all the time!"
This was of some comfort, and Sora returned to his seat, as the brooms cleaned up his dinner. He wasn't that hungry anymore, but another serving was placed in front of him.
Again, Riku nudged him. When Sora looked over, he made a great show of setting his silverware down. Then he scooped up some mashed potatoes in his hand and ate it.
Kairi saw, and did the same with a handful of peas.
One by one, those around the table switched from fine dining, to eating like toddlers. Sora was immensely thankful, and dug into his own food.
After dinner, the group retired to the library.
"I just want to thank you guys again for all your hard work," Mickey said as they got comfortable among the couches.
"Your Majesty, it wasn't that hard. Sure, there were days that actually felt like we were struggling and doing work, but other days sort of felt like a vacation." Said Terra.
"Yeah," agreed Ventus, "it was cool to travel all over the place."
Mickey smiled, "well, I'm glad you guys had fun out there too. Most people your age aren't fighting to survive everyday, and some go without ever being in a fight at all! So, a thanks is required." Then he stepped over to his desk. "Now, I have a favor to ask. I have the royal Chronicler here, and I would like to document everything you guys can recall from your travels. Facts about the worlds, people you encountered, everything and anything you can think of. I know it's a lot, and we won't get through it today, but it's a start."
"I wrote down everything I did in a notebook," said Kairi. "It's back at the Land of Departure, but I can bring it next time."
"Great!"
"Where is the Chronicler?" Asked Terra.
"Over here!" Called a voice from on top of the desk. "Cricket's the name, Jiminy Cricket at your service!"
Sora was particularly interested in him, coming close to the desk to stare at him. He'd never seen a talking cricket before.
"I'm very fast at taking notes, so you all can take turns sharing stories, and I'll record it all!"
"Terra, let's go first." Urged Aqua. "After all, we were the first ones to see Maleficent in The Underworld."
"Right, so let's start there. Are you ready Jiminy?"
As they began their story, Mickey nudged Riku. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure, what's up?"
"Come with me." He beckoned to the door.
In the hall, the two travelled next door to Mickey's private study. A small room, with much fewer books. There was a desk with two chairs in front of it, both occupied. A desk lamp was on, as well as a fire in the fireplace. Overall, the room may have been much more cozy than the library, but tonight, it just felt dark.
Perhaps it was the presence of two very powerful individuals that made the room feel forbidding.
"Oh, Master Yen Sid, Ansem the Wise. I didn't know you were here." Riku said as Mickey closed the door.
"I'm sorry we were unable to greet you sooner. We took dinner here in the study, as there is much to discuss." Answered Ansem.
"About what? And why only me?"
Yen Sid stood, offering his seat. "Because, there is a traitor in our midst, and you are the only one we can trust at this time."
That was startling. "Me? Only me? What about Kairi! There's no way—"
"Kairi is not a Master, so she will not be burdened with this information."
"I...I guess...but I still find it hard to believe that Terra, Aqua, or Ventus could be traitors..."
"They are not suspects either."
Riku frowned, now thoroughly confused. "Perhaps you should explain everything to me..."
