Hey guys! Sorry for the VERY late update! University kinda overtook my life for a while. There was also another reason why this story went hiatus for a little while. This year we had A LOT of new information involving Kingdom Hearts 3 and I've been waiting for the details to see how i can add Charlie and Ryan and maybe a couple of other characters into the story. (Yes there will be other characters!) So I'm really sorry but this chapter is really long so I hope this makes up for it!
and yes, the poll is still going! (the poll is on my profile if anyone still wants to vote!)
Who should Charlie end up with?
Sora: 18
Ryan: 4
Neither: 2
The author should decide!: 0
A Quest to Find Missing Friends Arc
Donald and Goofy had already managed to reach the next floor. Sora and Charlie followed in pursuit. Donald was surprised that the group made it to the tenth floor already. Jiminy thought out loud and shared his concerns: if they walked ten floors, they've lost ten floors worth of memories. The cricket asked the Keyblade wielders' if they wanted to turn back.
"Can't do it… because… that would break an old promise I made." Sora replied.
"An old promise? What would that be?" Jiminy asked curiously.
Sora explained that back on the islands, he promised Naminé that he would keep her safe, no matter what. After she had left, he'd forgotten it. Sora added that he only remembered after he started to forget everything else. It was a promise between just the two of them. He couldn't leave after remembering it, he was determined to keep that promise.
"Is that okay with you, Charlie?" The boy asked.
"I'm with you on this, Sora. I know Kelly can take care of herself, especially with her own Keyblade, but still, something isn't right here and I want to make sure she doesn't get into any trouble." Charlie explained.
Jiminy placed his tiny hand on Sora's cheek and nodded at Charlie. He assured the teens that he, Donald and Goofy understood and were willing to keep going. Goofy and Donald watched Sora and Charlie worriedly, Charlie was right. Something was wrong and the Royal Knight and Court Wizard were sure of it. Charlie noticed their worried faces and decided to change this.
"While there are holes in my memory from our last journey, I remember there was laughter…" She thought.
She ran forward.
"Right!" She raised her arm in the air and turned around with a smile on her face.
"We have a mission, guys! But that doesn't mean we have to be sad and serious about it! We have to keep smiling; our friends are depending on us!" Goofy and Donald joined in on the smiling.
Sora nodded and walked to Charlie's side.
"You're right. They need us to be there for them." While it was only a little, Sora still smiled.
"Even if I have a little doubt, I still want my journeys to be happy ones."
The group moved in unison to the door. Charlie took a deep breath. She looked at Sora and asked if he was ready. Sora nodded, his eyes filled with determination.
"Going through this door is one step closer to our friends."
"Remember to keep smiling."
Sora used his last card and the door opened.
Sora and Charlie arrived in some sort of woods. The two moved forward and found a yellow bear sitting on a log in what appears to be, in deep thought. The bear broke his train of thought as the teens came closer to him.
"What's wrong, little fella?" Sora asked.
"Are you in trouble?" Charlie added as she knelt down in front of him.
"I'm looking for my friends." The bear replied.
"Are they around here? It looks like nobody's here." Sora said as he looked around.
The bear then assumed that if nobody is here then he must be looking for nobody then. Sora repeated what the bear said and the teens looked at each other confusingly. The bear continued and said he must be but they don't seem to be anywhere.
"Wait, is he looking for someone or not?" Charlie thought.
"And all this searching is making my tummy rumble. Hmm… I wonder if there's any honey about. Oh, but if I stop to eat, I shall first stop searching." The bear contemplated.
Sora suggested that he and Charlie search for the bear's friends together. The bear asked if Sora meant nobody. The boy and girl sat on each side of the bear on the log. Sora shook his head no and explained that they would be searching for the bear's friends as they might still be around here.
"Oh, are you looking for my friends, too?" The bear asked.
Charlie giggled at the bear. This was typical Pooh. Suddenly a sharp pain in her head forced her to stop. What was happening? Pooh…. Pooh Bear…. Winnie the Pooh! That was his name! She blinked a couple of times and shook the pain off before looking at Sora and started to listen to the conversation.
"And are they friends who know my friends?" Pooh asked.
"I'm not sure, Pooh. But I know what it's like to miss your friends. So why don't we look together?" Sora suggested as he stood up.
"It will be fun if we looked for our friends together." Charlie smiled as she joined Sora.
"I'd like that, Sora, Charlie."
Charlie stopped for a moment. Her and Sora remembered Pooh and the bear remembered them both. Was it something to do with her sharp headache? Who knows? Sora, Charlie and Pooh continued searching around the bear's house but it still bothered her.
"Sora?" The boy turned to Charlie.
"Uh, do you notice anything… odd?" Charlie asked.
"No… why?" Sora looked around.
"No reason! I guess it's all in my head." She smiled sheepishly while scratching the back of her head.
Sora continued checking shrubs near the house. Charlie watched him closely while Pooh followed him like a lost puppy.
"He doesn't know? He hadn't noticed that he and Pooh remembered each other? Out of everyone, why Pooh Bear?" She thought.
In the short distance ahead of Sora, a shrub rustled. Charlie hearing this, joined Sora and Pooh. A little pig peeked out of the shrub and saw the teens. The pig shivered in fear when Sora and Charlie noticed him. The Keyblade wielders attempted to interact with the little pig but he ran to another shrub.
"Ooooh! Oh no! Oh, dear! Don't mind me!" The pig said anxiously.
"It's okay, we're not going to hurt you." Charlie smiled as she knelt down.
"You're not Pooh's friend?" Sora asked.
"Well, I… Um… I mean, I'm not not Pooh's friend… I'm…." The pig stuttered.
"Hey, take a deep breath and take it easy." Charlie attempted to calm him.
Pooh joined the teens and greeted the pig, known as Piglet. Piglet was happy to see Pooh Bear and explained that he was separated from the others. He was worried and didn't know what to do. Sora concluded that this was the reason why Piglet was so fidgety.
"Piglet, why don't you come with us to look for the rest of our friends?" The bear suggested.
"What? Oh my, I don't know… Ohh… What should I do…" Piglet fidgeted.
"You don't have to if you don't want to." Charlie assured the little pig.
"Guess he doesn't want to come." Sora stated as he, Charlie and Pooh start walking away.
Charlie watched over her shoulder as the little pig contemplated. They couldn't wait for Piglet to make up his mind as all three of them had friends to find. Still, it wasn't right to leave him behind just like that. Charlie felt…conflicted.
"Wait! Please!" Piglet called out.
The teens and Pooh traversed back to Piglet. Perhaps he's ready to join them? Sora asked this but the little pig declined. Piglet admitted that he was still thinking about it but before Sora and Charlie arrived in the woods, he found something in the shrubs and wanted the Keyblade wielders to have it. Piglet handed an orb to Sora. Sora had learned a new spell called Confuse.
The teens thanked Piglet and continued on into a new area of the forest. It was another home but this one had a garden that seemed to grow some carrots. Sora, Charlie and Winnie the Pooh crossed the bridge and noticed a washing line attached to the side of the house. With no one around, the three walked around the house. They entered through a gate and started to head up a hill. Suddenly an orange blur came hurdling down the hill.
"Watch out!" Sora cried.
Sora and Charlie jumped out of the way and the orange blur crashed into Pooh causing the bear to roll back with it. Luckily, Pooh wasn't hurt though as the bear stood up like nothing happened. Sora and Charlie took a closer look and the orange blur turned out to be a pumpkin.
"That was close! Are you okay, Pooh?" Sora asked.
"Yes… I seem to be." The bear replied.
"Are you hurt?" Charlie asked.
The bear shook his head and Sora asked to no one in particular, where the pumpkin had come from. A voice called out from over the hill, the place where the pumpkin originated from, a figure hopped over to them.
"Hello, Rabbit." Pooh greeted the figure.
"Oh, I'm glad you're here! Would you help me sort the vegetables from my garden?" Rabbit asked.
"So the pumpkin was yours…" Sora concluded.
The teens decided it was best for Sora to sort the vegetables out for he was stronger to deal with the heavy pumpkins. While Sora was doing that, Charlie took it upon herself to search around for anymore of Pooh's friends who could be hiding nearby. When Charlie searched around Rabbit's house and found nothing, Sora had finished sorting Rabbit's vegetables and Rabbit said his thanks.
"That was easy!" Sora smiled while placing his hands proudly on his waist.
"Don't get cocky." Charlie smirked and lightly punched his shoulder.
Sora, Charlie and Pooh continued to the next area. The area consisted of a lone, tall tree with a small log next to it. Tied to the log were three balloons.
"I wonder what these balloons are for?" Sora voiced his curiosity.
"I think I have an idea. Hey Pooh, are you still hungry for honey?" The bear nodded while he rubbed his belly.
The teens agreed that Sora will take the balloons and fly up the tree with Winnie the Pooh on his back. Meanwhile, Charlie will be fighting off the bees. Charlie stretched her arms, summoned her Keyblade, Sora grabbed the balloons and with the help of Charlie, he managed to stand at the base of the tree without flying away.
"Ready?" She asked.
"Let's go! Race you to the top!"
Charlie let go and Sora started rising up in the air. She leaped from branch to branch and swatted the bees out of the way. She watched the boy and the bear gaining height and popping balloons. She jumped higher as Sora and Pooh stopped for the bear to eat some honey. She smiled.
"You can't stray away from someone in need can you, Spike?" She whispered.
Charlie managed to hop to the highest branch in the tree and Sora and Pooh Bear followed after. The three of them spotted an owl who was surprised to see them. All of them made their way down the tree to speak to the new character. The owl asked the bear if he was okay.
"Oh yes, Owl. I found it rather fun." Pooh replied.
"Maybe you could use a balloon to look for your friends." Sora suggested.
However, Owl explained that serious problems could happen when you arrive at your destination. Sora and Charlie looked at each other with confused looks but turned back to Owl to find out more. What did he mean?
"Once you find your friends, how do you get down to them? You see, a balloon goes only where the wind blows. Which is usually up! What if you saw your friends, but the wind kept them just out of reach? I'd rather have to keep looking for my friends, then find them and not be able to reach them." He explained.
"For some reason, I feel like this was directed at Sora and I. Still, if you rather keep looking and never find them then how much longer will you keep that hope? The hope that keeps you going?" Charlie thought.
Sora agreed with Owl and Charlie was surprised by it. Owl added that it was best to find Pooh's friends on foot as it would be exciting to find a friend where you least expect it. Pooh nodded and admitted that's how he felt when he stumbled across some honey. Owl encouraged him to continue looking with optimism.
"Thank you, Owl. That's what I'll do. My tummy is anxious for me to find that honey." Pooh said farewell to Owl.
The teens laughed at the bear's antics. Sora and Charlie reassured Owl that they'll make sure they'll find Pooh's friends which pleased the owl. In return, Owl had given the boy the ability to learn a new spell: Firaga Burst before Owl flew away. Charlie waved him goodbye and took a deep breath.
The three of them continued down a path and stepped deeper into the woods. They entered a small opening and found four large tree trunks with a tiger like figure jumping between them. The tiger spotted and jumped down to greet the trio and called to them.
"Say, how would you like to bounce with me?" The tiger offered.
Sora and Charlie looked at each other and shrugged. The tiger jumped between the logs and what Sora, Charlie and Pooh Bear had to do was to copy hm. It seemed easy at first, however, the tiger's jumps were getting too quick for the trio and they struggled to keep up. In the end, the trio managed to copy the tiger successfully and the tiger was impressed.
"Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo! Not bad at all!" The tiger complimented and Pooh joined the conversation.
"We were just trying to bounce like you, Tigger." Pooh added.
"I'm surprised you could keep up with me." Tigger smirked.
"Well, I can bounce with the best of them, now!" Sora smiled.
"Me too!" Charlie added.
Tigger continued to smirk and challenged the teens to copy him once more but this time, Tigger added flips and multiple bounces as the teens stared in awe. Tigger returned them with a big smile on his face. The teens hung their heads low and admitted defeat to the tiger. Tigger assured them they don't have to copy him as bouncing is all about fun when you do it your own way.
"'Cause I'm Tigger, and you're Sora and Charlie!"
Tigger called out his recognisable call before jumping away. Pooh called back to the tiger and assumed Tigger had dropped something. Tigger turned back to the trio and claimed he had found it while bouncing in a tree and offered to the Keyblade Wielders as I would hold him down and bounced off again. On closer inspection it was a recipe to assist with a summon card.
Sora, Charlie and Winnie the Pooh explored the rest of the clearing before travelling down another path and entered a more swamp like area. The three of them continued and came across a well. Sora commented on how blustery the wind was coming from it. Sora had an idea.
"I wonder…"
Sora jumped and the wind shot the boy high in the air!
"Sora!" Charle called.
Charlie looked up and ushered the bear to follow after her. Charlie jumped first. She yelled as she was hurled up in the sky. Sora managed to grab her arm with one hand and grabbed Pooh with the other, Charlie gulped.
"I have a bad feeling about this…"
"Come on, it'll be fun! Just think of it like a game!" Sora smiled.
Charlie looked worryingly at the boy as the wind stopped holding the trio up. Her eyes widened as they began to fall. Sora laughed as they fell but Charlie's fear stopped her from saying anything at all and closed her eyes. Suddenly giant tree trunks and boulders were being hurled at them. Sora barrel-rolled them at the way. Once the obstacles were cleared, the three of them landed safely in the marsh with a small thud.
They all stepped out and saw a little joey in a blue jumper in front of the well.
"Hello there, Roo. What are you doing here?" Pooh greeted.
"I was so busy looking for Tigger, that I was blown away by the wind, and fell down here!" Roo explained.
Pooh assumed that Roo got stuck but that wasn't the case. Roo continued in explaining that he was waiting for Tigger so that the both of them could ride the wind together and if this was the place the tiger would ride the wind then this is where the joey concluded Tigger would be here.
"But what if he doesn't fall here?" Sora asked.
"Hmm… yes, if Tigger rides the wind, his bounces might bounce him even further away." Pooh theorised.
"And that would be a bigger problem, won't it?" Charlie added.
Roo admitted that he was getting lonely and tired of waiting for Tigger. Sora suggested that maybe instead of waiting, he could be looking for him. Roo agreed and started to hop along but returned briefly to give Sora something and returned to his search. Sora nd Charlie looked at the card briefly and it was a mega-ether! Sora placed it in his pocket.
Sora, Charlie and Pooh continued to search for the remainder of the bear's friends. They climbed up and found a donkey. Perhaps this was another friend they found?
The donkey muttered out loud that he had lost his tail again. Sora asked if the donkey knew where he had lost it, Pooh wandered off and claimed he had found some honey! However, in doing so, many bees became angry and starting swarming them! Sora and Charlie summoned their keyblades and swatted away the bees. As they bees surrounded the bear, Charlie panicked and quickly placed a pot of honey on his head! It worked but Sora looked at her strangely.
"Sorry! I didn't know what to do!"
Eventually the Keyblade wielders shooed all the bees away. Pooh was so happy that he could finally get some honey, that he didn't see where he was going and ran into a tree. Suddenly a tail fell from the tree and landed in front of the donkey. Pooh held his head in pain and the donkey walked over to him and said his thanks. Pooh was confused as to why Eeyore the donkey was thankful in the first place.
"For running into that tree and getting my tail for me." Eeyore explained.
Pooh admitted he was only trying to escape the bees and to keep up with Sora and Charlie. Either way, Eeyore was still thankful. Sora and Charlie admitted that they were only just getting rid of the bees in the first place and finding the tail was just a mere accident. Unfortunately Eeyore came to the conclusion that nobody would help him on purpose but in the end the donkey was grateful. Pooh said that he was welcome and the donkey gave the teens a little gift. The teens felt bad as they hadn't gone out of their way to help him in the first place but Eeyore was still determined to give it to them. The gift turned out to be an Elixir card and the donkey trudged off.
The trio left the marsh area and made their way to the edge of the woods. In the clearing, was a lonely log. The three of them stared into the distance. Sora concluded they couldn't go any further without leaving the woods.
"So Pooh, wasn't it more fun looking for friends together?" Sora asked.
"Oh yes, Sora. I was. And I would like you both to have this. Thank you for helping me."
Pooh then sat down and claimed he walked so far that he needed a little rest. Charlie giggled. She wasn't surprised as the bear has little legs. Then, Pooh's train of thought changed to honey. The teens realised this was it and they had to say goodbye. Sora explained they had to go to look for their friends. Pooh wanted to help but the teens said it was okay and that the bear should stay here.
"You mean… This is goodbye?" Pooh asked.
"It can't be!" Charlie thought.
"No way! We'll always know where to find you, right Charlie?" Sora replied.
The teens looked at each other for a moment. They both knew they keep their friends in their hearts but… this isn't real, this is Castle Oblivion. Which means…
"If we don't forget…" The teens said sadly. Pooh suddenly stood up.
"Don't worry, Sora, Charlie. You can count on me. Even if you forget Winnie the Pooh, I won't forget either of you."
The teens both said their thanks and headed for the exit. Charlie stopped and waved goodbye to the bear and Pooh waved in return. She refused to be sad. Pooh's words gave her hope that in one day, they will see each other again. Maybe that's what's pushing her forward to finding Kelly again. Whether it'll be a pleasant reunion or not, it didn't matter. Charlie caught up with Sora and looked at the departing gift Pooh gave them and it was a summon card: Bambi. They both left the woods.
Back in Castle Oblivion, Sora, Charlie, Donald and Goofy continued forward. Suddenly, a Corridor of Darkness appeared and a man with long, blond hair and emerald eyes stepped out. He, too, was wearing a black cloak like the others. The gang readied themselves.
"Who are you!?" Sora asked.
"You come for a fight?" Charlie threatened.
"I am Vexen. I have come to collect your debts, Sora, Charlie."
"Debts?" Charlie thought.
"A debt? Sora, Charlie, do you guys owe somethin' to this guy?" Goofy asked quietly.
"Come on, of course not." Sora shook his head.
"Goofy, since when do I owe anything to anyone?" Charlie scoffed.
Vexen smirked. He explained that the teens did in fact owe him for reuniting them both to their former friends. Sora's and Charlie's eyes widened as they quickly glanced one and other before returning their gaze to Vexen. The man in the black cloak clarified that it was him that brought Riku and Kelly to the Keyblade Wielders.
"Then… you're the one… You're the one who's been controlling them! What have you done with Riku and Kelly?!" Sora demanded.
"Kelly… Is he the one that's stopping you from joining me?" Charlie thought.
"I see no need to give you information about where Riku and Kelly are, After all-"
Vexen summoned a shield with ice.
"-Why trouble you in your final hour?"
The teens were transported into the same arena they had been fighting other villains wearing the black cloak in. Sora and Charllie summoned their Keyblades, ready to defeat Vexen. Both teens filled with anger and determination as Vexen stood across from them with shield in hand and smirk plastered on his face.
Vexen hovered to the side, eyeing his prey. Sora quickly stacked attacks card performing Sonic Blade. As Sora lunged at Vexen, Charlie casted Firaga at the villain. The Sorceress remembered that if ice is Vexen's element, then fire must be his weakness! Vexen blocked Sora's noral attacks with his shield and the villain retaliated with a pillar of ice, hurting Sora.
"Sora, fall back!" Charlie ordered.
The boy nodded and ran the opposite direction. While Sora was finding a Cure card in his stack, Charlie stacked a Fire card and two Attack Cards, performing Fire Raid. She flung her Keyblade at Vexen as her weapon was engulfed in flames. Sora had finally healed himself and managed to stack a Sleight. Sora charged his keyblade, lifted it in the air and stomped and the ground shook, causing Charlie to wobble.
Vexen was slowing down. However, he had one more trick up his sleeve. He targeted Charlie and freezed her on the spot! She couldn't move! Sora stacked Ragnarok. He floated in the air, aimed his weapon at Vexen and shot rays at him! Charlie managed to break free of her frozen tomb. She stacked a Mega-ether, Megalixir and a Hi-potion card. She placed a hand on her chest, raised her Keyblade high, casting beams og light down on Vexen by performing Holy. Vexen cried out in pain. The fight was over.
"As I expected, you aren't ones to die easily." Vexen smirked.
"As if I'd ever lose to you!" Sora retaliated.
"Admit it you just got your butt kicked!" Charlie scoffed.
"I wouldn't be so sure. Did you even notice? I was delving deep into your memories as we fought. And here… Look what I found." Vexen held up a card.
Vexen explained it was a card crafted from all the memories locked in the other side of their hearts. He threw the card at Sora before disappearing in a Corridor of Darkness. Sora caught before running after Vexen but it was too late. Vexen was gone. Charlie caught up with Sora and the studied the card together.
"Memories… in the other side?" Sora and Charlie glanced at each other.
Memories from the other side of BOTH of their hearts... Hmm... x