Ch. 3: Halloween Memory

"Is the moon always full here?" Sora asked. Beside him, the tall skeleton nodded.

"That it is. And not only that, it's always a full harvest moon."

"Harvest moon?"

"Yes. You notice how the moon is more golden than white?" Jack pointed a bony finger at the glowing orb in the sky.

"Yeah."

"That means it's a harvest moon. Makes for a good harvest of plants and crops."

"Oh. Well, that's good."

And it was good, even if it wouldn't really help the young Key Bearer in his quest. But after so many problems and trials, it was nice to know that there were still good omens in the world.

In any world.

"You should probably get some sleep, Sora," Jack said now. "Fighting the Doctor's experiment has worn your friends out and I'm sure you must be tired as well."

"Yeah, I guess," the fifteen-year-old admitted. But sleep was eluding him at the present. And rather than be assaulted by Donald and Goofy's snoring, Sora had opted to retreated to one of Jack's balcony windows and just look up at the sky. It was something he'd always enjoyed, even as a young child. The stars had always fascinated him and since learning that stars were more or less other worlds, he now knew why.

"Something wrong, Sora?" Jack had joined Sora on the balcony some time ago, but only now broached the topic of why Sora seemed unable to sleep.

"Well, it's.. it's Kairi."

"Kairi? Oh, you have a lady friend, do you?" Jack grinned knowingly at his friend. "Come now, what's she like?"

"In a nutshell? The most incredible girl in the world. She's pretty, really pretty but, she's also brave and funny and just fun to hang around with."

"Is she now?"

"Yeah."

"So, why the long face? It sounds as if you have some one very special waiting for you."

"That's just it, Jack. Organization XIII has kidnapped her. They trying to use her to lure me to their hideout. I don't care about that; I'm gonna save her anyway. But…"

"But what?"

"But… well, what if I can't save her? What if I'm not strong enough to do that?"

Jack opened his mouth, ready to remind his young friend that if Sora could fight swarms of Heartless and not blink he was mora than capable of saving Kairi. Then he paused. Sora's blue eyes were fogged over with doubt and Jack recalled that Sora was also looking for another friend, what was his name now? Riku, that was it!

And hadn't Sora mentioned that Riku was older than he was?

The Pumpkin King felt sympathy for the Key Bearer flood through him. Sora didn't doubt himself as a fighter; he doubted if he could protect the girl he clearly loved.

"You know, Sora, as the creators of Halloween, I and the other denizens of this town can cross to many worlds, wherever Halloween is celebrated."

"Oh, really?" Sora glanced up at the skeleton man.

"Yes indeed. And I remember, about eight years ago, I fond myself on a string of islands." Jack noticed Sora perk up a bit. He continued.

"I was dressed as a scarecrow and had a flaming pumpkin on my head as a mask as I danced in the town square. There were numerous people there, though most of the little ones hung back. All except one.

"A little boy with spiky brown hair and the bluest eyes I'd ever seen stayed parked in front of the friends he was with. He was dressed as I pirate, if I can recall, and he kept waving his little wooden sword at me. And no matter how close I got, that boy would not run away from his friends. He chose to stay and protect them, even though he himself was unsure of his actions. Does that sounds familiar to you, Sora?"

"That was you?" Sora was staring wide-eyed at the Pumpkin King. Jack chuckled.

"It was indeed. Though I must admit, when you first came to Halloween Town, I didn't recognize you, you've grown so."

Considering that, even now, Sora barely reached Jack's waist, this wasn't saying much, but Sora was clearly pleased.

"Wow. Huh, guess that explains why my mom was a little freaked out. Even she didn't know who you were." Jack laughed.

"A great performance, if I do say so myself. But that point is this, my young friend." Jack laid a hand on Sora's shoulder. "If you can find the strength to protect your friend in the face of fear, than you will find the strength to rescue Kairi and win her heart as well."

Sora's face broke out in a true grin and he nodded.

"Thanks, Jack."

"Anytime, O fearless one," The Pumpkin King replied.

The two exchanged good nights and headed off to bed, Jack trailing behind Sora. The skeleton smiled.

He didn't know Kairi, but already he knew that she was a lucky girl.