||Episode 2: Traverse Town||

*A Walk in Andante*...[Traverse Town]

The gummi ship landed in the middle of a forested area. It was far enough from civilization that the low droning noise would not draw toward them any unwanted attention. To keep it from being discovered by residents of this world, then coming up with a fair disguise was a must. Donald assigned Goofy with the task of concealing their ship with broken shrubs and other objects around the area. Upon finishing the minor bit of work, the duo walked out onto an old path leading to a town. There was some housing outside the stone walls, where some people lived.

Donald, Goofy, Jiminy, and Pluto all passed by the brick buildings and approached the world's main entry. A large, golden sign sat above the large gates, informing them that they had arrived at the right place. Traverse Town, First District was what it read. Donald again took the lead, taking his accomplices through the gates into the district. Surprisingly, in spite of it appearing to be so late at night, there were many people out and about. Men, women, children, and families together all around. Some were eating at a casual cafe while others shopped around.

"Um..." Goofy scratched his head as he looked around at the bystanders. There were so many of them, but they were supposed to be looking for one man who might have been among the crowds. "Uh, Donald? Which one of 'em do ya suppose is Leon?"

Shifty-eyed, Donald scanned the numerous faces around them in response to Goofy's inquiry, though he failed to give an immediate verbal answer. There was a note to go along with the King's letter, telling them about what this Leon man looked like. Although, it wasn't as descriptive as Donald was hoping. He has a scar on his face and wields a big sword. A lot of guys had scars on their faces, was Donald's thought. Any one of them could also have a big sword, he thought about it again. No picture was provided to give them a better idea about who they were looking for.

"Grr..." Donald grumbled aloud. Stomping in a random direction, he led the way toward a set of stone stairs. "He's not here! Let's go check around the other districts."

"Well, okay," Goofy nodded, following after Donald. They were on their way to the Second District, when Goofy noticed something peculiar happening. A prompting brought him to tilt his head back so that he could see the starry sky above. That was when he saw it, the abnormal blinking of one star in particular. There was a warning from the King that mentioned the signs of a world's demise. This happened to be one of them. Pointing his finger up at the star, Goofy gave a word of caution to Jiminy and Donald. "Look, a star's goin' out!"

"Huh?" Donald paused, somewhat irritated that he was being prevented from moving onto the next place to begin their search. He turned around, noticing his comrade pointing at something in the sky. Curious, he looked up and saw the unique phenomenon. There was a bright flash of light, and then that star was gone. It blinked out just like the King said was happening. "Whoa! Come on, let's hurry. Um... Let's check around here one more time."

And so they did. Donald, Goofy, and Jiminy walked all over with Pluto in search of Leon and the one who had the key. But, there was still no sign of either in all of the First District. It was beginning to get on the nerves of Donald Duck, who walked with his arms folded across his chest. He wore a pout as he stomped back toward the stairs going up to the shopping area.

"Where's that key..." Donald grumbled out loud, scanning the area with his eyes. Practically all of the residents were gone now. Maybe an hour or two passed when the busy folks started to leave for their homes. "It's gotta be around here somewhere."

"Maybe we should go ask Leon," Goofy suggested. They were about to go around the right side of the Accessory Shop when Pluto went off in the other direction with his nose sniffing the ground. Goofy noticed the yellow dog wandering away, so he stopped to observe. "Uh, Donald. Ya know, I betcha that..."

"Aw, what do you know, you big palooka?" Donald interrupted him, waving his hand. He walked on in the direction he thought was best, ignoring Goofy after that.

"What do I know?" Goofy thought for a moment, believing Donald to be right. He decided against following Pluto into the alleyway. "C'mon, Pluto!"

*Music End*

間

Pluto was onto something. His nose was strong and caught a strange scent during his roaming of the town. He was certain that it was leading him down the right path. The others weren't following him, but Pluto knew he could trust his nose to find them if needed. For now, this mysterious smell drawing him in needed to be investigated. It was so strange that it had suddenly appeared. Pluto had an idea that it might be something of great importance, more than his master's friends might realize at the moment.

The yellow dog's nose bumped into something. A big shoe sitting in the middle of the dark alley, and it was attached to a foot and leg. He sniffed it all over, then looked to see who the shoe belonged to. That scent he caught also originated from the unconscious body Pluto was examining. A boy with brown hair and red shorts. Sora.

He was still alive, but it seemed like he was unconscious. Doing the best thing he thought was right, Pluto licked the boy's cheek to try and get him up.

"Mm..." Sora was stirring, much to Pluto's delight. "What a dream..."

Back to sleep he went, but not on Pluto's watch. A pair of large paws slammed into Sora's chest and woke him up immediately. Realization struck at the same time, snapping Sora back into reality. He looked around and gasped for air. His bright blue eyes beheld the strange alley he had been slumped in for however long.

"Waah! This isn't a dream," Sora blurted. He staggered to his feet and rubbed his aching head. "Where am I? Hey, pup, do you know where we are?"

Pluto's ear lifted when he heard his name being called out again. It was Goofy's voice. Of course, before Sora could get anything out of the dog, Pluto ran off for where the others had gone. Sora was left behind in the alley to figure things out for himself. He sighed and walked out to the main part of town. That was where he experienced a great shock.

"This is totally weird..." Sora mumbled. "I'm in another world! I wonder if the others are here."