Notes: This is probably going to be the most boring chapter out of the whole story. This chapter is a lot more light hearted then the others and I actually tried to work in a bit of humor. This is basically my attempt on actually trying to do something with the Disney characters. The next chapter will make up for it though, promise!
I know I say this every time but I replaced the other chapters again. I mainly just fixed some spelling. I just realized I've been spelling Xemnas wrong this entire time. I also changed more of the dialog around in chapter 2. One more thing I used quite a few quotes in here from the game. It's been a while since I played Kingdom Hearts, especially the first game. Cid was the one with the gummi ship right?
Okay so! Thank you so so so much for the reviews!
Kioko Yasu: Thanks so much for offering to beta for me. I read through the chapters at least two times and run spell check but I still don't catch everything. It would be wonderful if you could. Is it okay if I e-mail you? Please let me know.
Chapter 5: Move Along
DIZ forced his eyes open, his vision blurring and he blinked a few times in an attempt to clear it. There was a burning throbbing at the back of his head, his every muscle was ridged with soreness, and his stomach felt as if it wanted to turn itself inside out. All DIZ could do was lie still.
The bandaged man focused on steadying his twisting nerves, taking deep breaths and forcing himself to relax. Slowly his vision stopped swimming, the nausea began to fade, and the lightheadedness lessened, his mind once more able to function, a low groan passed his lips. DIZ felt another's presence beside him then slim fingers on his arm as a hand curled into the crimson red material of his sleeve.
There was a soft and familiar voice. "Are-are you waking up?"
DIZ realized he was looking up at the slate grey ceiling of his lab and he was splayed out on the floor but he couldn't remember how'd he gotten there. His head was pillowed on something soft and up off the cold ground, his sluggish mind recognizing a pale face above his own, wide and glassy blue eyes staring down at him.
"Naminé?" DIZ questioned in a hoarse whisper.
Naminé nodded, her expression one of concern but she looked very uneasy. "Yes, it's me."
The memories of the recently past events came back to DIZ all at once, hitting him hard like a tidal wave. Roxas had been here, asked questions, destroyed his work, and intended to harm the keyblade master. DIZ had tried to stop him when Roxas brought a keyblade down onto his head and everything faded to black. The cloaked man's lethargy changed at once to panic and overwhelming dread as he quickly sat up but only making it to his elbows before the world around him started to spin. Naminé moved swiftly away, distancing herself from him by a few feet, but still kneeling.
"Where's Roxas!?" DIZ shouted, in rising blind alarm and fury.
Naminé lowered her head, looking down at her knees. "He's gone." Her voice as calm as always.
The blonde haired girl's reaction was not helping DIZ. If anything, it was making him more panicked. "What did he do? The keyblade master, did he hurt the keyblade master!?" There was no bite to his words only a frantic need to know.
Naminé was glancing at him, her face expressionless, the cloaked man's reaction not seeming to faze her. She leisurely shook her head. "No, he was going to but he didn't. He just left."
DIZ sighed, instant relief reaching his face. Closing his eyes, he willed his surroundings to remain motionless. He would check on the keyblade master to reassure himself as soon as he was sure he could stand, placing his palms on the ground and helping himself to sit up, DIZ felt something soft brush the tip of a gloved finger, reaching behind him, he pulled a large white towel from up off the floor and in front of his face. It's what his head had been lying on and it was streaked with red spots, feeling the back of his head DIZ found his facemask was still on but the wound had been taken care of, no longer bleeding, and nearly to the point of being healed. DIZ was surprised, as far as he knew Naminé didn't have any healing capabilities.
"You did this?" DIZ asked, holding the towel in his hands. As soon as he voiced the question, he regretted it. Of course, Naminé had done it. There wasn't anyone else in the room. The cloaked man wasn't one to ask about things he already knew and promptly blamed it on the headache.
Naminé didn't reply, watching him silently. Her eyes on him, making him slightly uncomfortable. DIZ didn't try to say anything else to her. It was an unwritten rule that he and Naminé spoke to each other as little as possible. Naminé was nothing to him, a nobody with devastating powers, who he needed for his plan to succeed and that was all. Naminé understood that and she never said anything. It was always Riku that acted as the catalyst between them. DIZ let Riku deal with her and relate information if needed. The silver haired teen never seemed to mind but Riku was gone and Naminé was still staring at him.
"No I didn't, we're not alone." Naminé said so suddenly and so faintly that DIZ almost thought he imagined it.
"What?"
The blonde's eyes flickered downward before she turned her head toward the broken wreckage that used to be several computers. DIZ followed her gaze, eyes landing instantly on a small figure that looked to be waiting patiently. It was hard to see with the dim light of the lab but in the amidst of the shattered computer parts, DIZ could make out a black robe, and large round ears.
In spite of everything, DIZ allowed a small smile to cross his lips at seeing King Mickey. There was something about the mouse king that made everything feel as if would be alright. In his presence, you felt hope and security. The world outside could be raging with a storm and darkness but as long as he was by your side, you'd feel as if you were standing in the brightest light. "My friend" DIZ choked out.
Mickey snapped to attention and was beside him in a moment. DIZ clasped their fingers together and Mickey gripped back just at strong. Neither one of them noticed when Naminé stood up soundlessly, leaving the room.
The mouse king smiled. "Hi ya Ansem"
DIZ gave a genuine chuckle. "You'll never stop calling me that will you?"
Mickey shrugged and his smile broadened. "Call it the right of an old friend."
DIZ carefully straightened himself until he was sitting up more fully and not leaning so heavily on the ground. Wincing, he took his hand back from Mickey and placed it to his still throbbing head.
Mickey was watching him intently with a worried expression on his face. "I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner."
DIZ lifted a hand for silence and shook his head. "I don't even want to hear of it. This was your fault least of all."
The mouse king folded his arms, looking all the more regretful. "Yes, but still I may have been able to prevent this"
"Do you know what happened then?" The cloaked man asked. "You know what Roxas has done?"
Mickey nodded. "Yes, you've been out for awhile. Ever since I arrived which was about two hours ago. Naminé explained it to me."
The bandaged man's eyes became noticeably troubled, his voice coming out rushed and strained. "My friend, I think Riku may have been killed."
Mickey looked to be in deep thought for a moment as if he was seriously considering it. "Hmmm what happened exactly? Naminé wasn't to sure"
"Roxas did something to him. When I talked with Roxas, he wouldn't go into details but from what I gathered, I doubt Riku survived it."
"But you don't know for sure." Mickey said. "You actually didn't see what happened."
"No" DIZ relented
"Then it's best if we don't draw conclusions for now. Riku's strong. Anything could have taken place. We won't know for certain until we reach him or…"
"Find his body" DIZ said grimly. "If there is even one left."
Mickey sighed. "Well, one thing I know is we won't get anywhere if we think like that."
DIZ let his hand fall from where he'd placed it on his forehead, still feeling a bit unsteady but the pain in his head was starting to decrease. He breathed deeply. "You're right of course."
The mouse king uncrossed his arms, a vague smile coming back to his face. "It'll work out. It always does one way or another." Mickey then glanced to the side and blinked as if he just realized something before proceeding to look around the lab.
"What's wrong?" DIZ asked
"What happened to Naminé?"
"She's probably with the keyblade master." DIZ replied automatically. "She usually goes into his room in her free time although not nearly as much as Riku…" DIZ trailed off at his mention of Riku's name before he quickly continued. "At any rate I do feel in obligation to check on the keyblade master."
"Of course!" Mickey said brightly. "Shall we then?"
DIZ climbed to his feet, placing his hand on the wall for support. The bandaged man faltered a little but was able to remain standing although the effort left him disorientated and gasping for breath. "Just give me a moment to get my bearings my friend. I'm not as young as I used to be."
0o0o0o0
To Naminé memories were like chains. If she closed her eyes and concentrated on anyone, she could see the chain spinning around a person's soul. The chains were blurry and they could pulse with light, darkness, or a mixture of both. Sometimes the links were fused together and it was hard to tell where the chain stopped but Naminé always managed to find a way. They were made up of all different colors. Donald's had been dusky purple, Goofy's was dark green, and the Riku replica's had been as white as the walls in her room at Castle Oblivion. Sora's was the most vibrant of all, a blinding rich gold that shone and glistened above all the others.
The segments of the chains were interwoven and made up a greater whole, each one fragile and affecting the other. If Naminé focused completely on a chain, she found she could manipulate the links, even completely replace or move the connections around. If she wanted, she could sever the links and make them disappear entirely. The more she was made to practice it, the easier it became. She'd nearly destroyed Sora's chain, wrapped her fingers around the delicate bright gold and pulled.
She could still see him in the simulated version of Destiny Islands as he ran to a fake memory of herself, clasping her hand in both of his, promising to protect her. The look in his eyes was of happiness and regret for not finding her sooner. Someone like Sora came around once in a million years. She knew he was only acting that way because she exposed his mind and he didn't understand but when she was finally able to break through to him, really talk to him, to be near him, she'd felt a sheer sense of relief and belonging. Only she didn't have a right to feel that way. That was for Kairi.
It was easy to walk away from DIZ and Mickey as they were too occupied to be aware of her. Naminé was as she described herself 'like a shadow', hardly there, the palest ghost, slipping away and reappearing without hardly anyone noticing. The organization and DIZ disregarded her, even Riku had to an extent. The only one she couldn't escape from was Sora, her thoughts always being wrapped around him. It was not surprising when once more Naminé found herself in his room with her sketchbook clutched tightly to her chest.
Hope felt as if it were lost. Roxas was gone and Sora would continue to sleep. There was no way to tell when or if Roxas would come back and if he did eventually decide to merge with Sora, but judging from his reaction Naminé didn't think it would be for a long time. The blonde haired girl felt split in half. She wanted to be there for Roxas. They were both different from the other nobodies. Naminé hadn't gone through the same things he had but she felt like she could understand him at least somewhat, felt connected to him, knew what is was like to be alone. On the other hand, she couldn't abandoned Sora, wanting so badly for the keyblade master to be alright, for him to wake up, wishing there was anything she could do but without Roxas that was now impossible.
She'd given Sora the choice if he wanted to keep the memories he made at Castle Oblivion or have her restore his old ones. When Sora told her he wanted his old memories back, he barely even hesitated with the choice. She understood but still felt saddened. It had been so hard to say goodbye to Sora and Donald and Goofy, her only friends. They would never remember Castle Oblivion, never remember her, even if Sora promised otherwise.
Naminé felt a cold stinging sensation in her chest where her heart should be as realization hit her. Her attention strayed from Sora to Donald and Goofy, focusing completely on the duck and dog, really looking at them for the first time. At Castle Oblivion, they had followed Sora loyally, protected him with the risk of their own lives and were with him with every step he took, the three of them hanging onto the same strand of dismal hope. Donald and Goofy slept for a year right beside Sora. The duck and the dog were true friends.
A small but certain smile crossed the blonde haired girl's lips. Sora needed Roxas to be complete and he needed Roxas to regain his memories but Donald and Goofy didn't. If she could awaken them, she would be able to at least undo some of what she caused, restore some promise. Donald and Goofy would not like having to go on without Sora, but they would learn to accept it. The duck and the dog were powerful and resourceful, maybe they could even find away to delay the inevitable destruction of the worlds that was to come deprived of the keyblade master. Most important Naminé knew if Sora could talk to her, he would want her to do this. Above all else, Sora didn't want his friends to suffer anymore then they had to. Donald and Goofy didn't deserve to remain asleep.
Naminé stepped forward, raising a green crayon to her sketchbook and began to draw. She closed her eyes, focusing hard. Almost instantly, she could see the familiar dusky purple and dark green chains, vibrant and glowing with a radiant force of life. After so long, Naminé spent trying to recover their memories, the chains were close to being whole but they weren't completely there. She wrapped her mind around them, working on speeding up the process, trying to complete the chains and piece Donald and Goofy back together. It was harder then she expected. Their chains were intertwined with Sora's like a thick braid, the colors blending together, all of them having gone through the same experience, that Naminé could barely distinguish them.
She forced herself to concentrate harder, bending the chains and warping them at her will, could feel it working but Naminé had never done something this difficult before and her world was quickly being over come by hazy pain, her head feeling as if it were being torn in half. Still she hung on and only drove herself to purge deeper, not allowing herself to let go, knowing she couldn't afford it. The sketchbook fell from her loosened grip. On it was a scribbled but finished picture of Donald and Goofy. The pain brought her to her knees.
0o0o0o0
DIZ and Mickey had just stepped out of the lab and entered the long corridor when they heard a shrill scream. They quickly glanced at each other, knowing it came from Sora's room and undoubtedly belonged to Naminé. At once, the mouse king broke into a run with DIZ staggering after him. They made it half way down the hallway before the scream came again, lower and more chocked. Mickey pressed himself to run faster.
The bandaged man could only think the worst. He didn't know what he would do if Roxas was back. The concept was doubtful but DIZ was too consumed with adrenaline and apprehension to think rationally at the moment. They reached the room only seconds later, Mickey throwing the door open, DIZ gasping behind him.
Nothing was out of place, still the same, except for Naminé. The nobody was on her knees in front of the three sleeping chambers, hands over her ears and fingers tightly tangled in her blonde hair. Her nose was bleeding, blood running down her lips and dripping from her chin, splashing and staining the white floor, her sketchbook beside her in a crumpled heap.
Mickey ran to her side, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Naminé what's happening?"
It was as if Naminé didn't hear him, her eyes shut tight and gritting her teeth in obvious pain, chanting something that DIZ couldn't make out and didn't want to get close enough to try.
Mickey seemed to figure it out though. Naminé shook her head as if she wanted to say something but she was beyond speech, her actions speaking louder then words when she hastily jerked away. Mickey immediately let her go and turned his head from her, attention instead becoming transfixed on the three egg shaped pods. "Oh" Mickey said softly. "I think I understand"
"Would you mind explaining it to me then?" DIZ asked from his place by the doorway.
"Well I believe she's trying too…" Mickey trailed off as Naminé came out of her abnormal trance.
The change was instant. One moment she'd been clutching her head and the next she looked completely fine as if nothing occurred at all. Naminé stood up from the floor although a bit shakily, reaching for her sketchbook and cradling it to her chest with one arm. The blonde wiped the blood from her nose with the back of her free hand, splattering even more of it onto the floor. DIZ was grateful when no more blood rushed to take its place.
"I'm sorry," Naminé said, her voice strained and a bit breathless. "I was trying to help. That's why I couldn't let you touch me. I had to focus"
Mickey grinned. "I knew it!'
"What were you doing?" DIZ asked.
"I wanted to awaken Donald and Goofy," Naminé said without turning around. "Sora needs Roxas but they don't. I was trying to speed up the process a little."
"You can do that? How?" DIZ questioned doubtfully.
"Because I want it. I put them to sleep and I can undo it at least partially."
"Did it work?" Mickey asked in awe, still watching the cambers. There was no trace that Donald and Goofy were awaking and Mickey's expression was wistful but there was also a fixed hardness to his eyes.
"I-I think so." Naminé said.
"You think so," DIZ repeated
Naminé turned her head towards him. "I'm not sure, I was trying to put their memories back but they aren't supposed to wake up before Sora. I've never attempted anything like this before and the three of them are connected. They share some of the same memories. It was…hard."
Naminé gave a brief smile, closed her eyes, clutched her sketchbook tighter to her chest, and stepped forward. "I'll see if it worked."
Time looked to stop around the blonde haired nobody. There was a thick droning sound and DIZ could see his surroundings become distorted and blur together. The bandaged man couldn't take his eyes off Naminé, knowing what she was capable of, but never seeing her attempt anything before. Naminé was nothing short of a wonder. Then she opened her eyes without warning and everything stopped, all of it lasting no longer then a fraction of a second. Naminé mouthed something in a voiceless whisper and DIZ could just barely read the word on her lips 'awaken'.
There was silence as DIZ, Mickey, and Naminé watched the pods in hesitation, too afraid to make a move. The silence was soon overcome by a large yawn as Goofy stretched his arms over his head, pod disappearing from around him. He landed lightly on his feet, onto the slick floor below, blinking and looking around dazed before his eyes settled on King Mickey.
Goofy straightened himself at once and saluted. "Your majesty!"
Mickey didn't have time to reply as there was another loud yawn and Donald fell forward. The duck's landing wasn't as graceful as Goofy's and he stumbled a little before he regained his footing, looking around in much the same way Goofy had although a bit more confused. "Goofy…your majesty… wait….what?"
Both Donald and Goofy took in the faces of DIZ and Naminé, two people they didn't recognize. They were in a strange all white room that they didn't ever remember coming into and the only thing familiar was their king, only the last time they saw King Mickey he was being locked behind Kingdom Hearts along with Riku. Donald and Goofy along with Sora had started out on another journey to find Mickey and Riku. Now the mouse king was standing before them real, solid, and unharmed.
"Hi fellas" Mickey laughed with a vaguely nervous air. "Looks like I have some explaining to do."
Goofy touched a finger to his eye and wiped away a tear, grinning widely before he ran over to Mickey, hoisting the mouse up into the air by his waist, and hugging him close to his chest. "I'm so happy you're alright your majesty!"
"I am too. It's wonderful to see you Goofy" Mickey chuckled as he patted Goofy's shoulder. The dog squeezed tighter and nuzzled his face against Mickey's overly large ears.
"Say" The mouse king breathed. "Do you think you can put me down now? Oxygen is starting to become a problem."
"Oh, right sorry" Goofy said with his unique laugh before setting Mickey gently back on his feet.
Donald however did not seem amused and was staying his distance. "Not that I'm not glad you're here your majesty but aren't you supposed to be in Kingdom Hearts? What's going on?" The duck then pointed over to DIZ and Naminé. "Who are they? And where is Sora?" His voice came out impatient and somewhat annoyed.
Goofy scratched his head, looking blank. "Oh yeah, where is Sora?"
"Look behind you" DIZ said speaking for the fist time since Goofy and Donald had woken up.
Donald and Goofy didn't question him and they both turned around, staring straight at Sora's pod. The brunet was drifting, no expression on his face but he was calm and peaceful, eyes closed and softly breathing. Sora was asleep, dead to the world as always.
Goofy was staring at the keyblade master opened mouthed, looking as if he was trying to blink back tears. He wasn't doing so well. "What's…wrong with him?"
Donald walked forward and placed a hand on the gel like surface of the pod. "Sora…?" The duck questioned and paused for a moment, gazing up at his sleeping friend, eyes then narrowing as he kicked the sleeping chamber hard. "Sora wake up!" The keyblade master didn't stir. Donald tried again, this time hitting the pod with a fist. "Sora wake up! This is no time to be sleeping! Wake up!"
Getting no reaction, Donald turned angrily to the king. "Why won't he wake up?!"
Mickey sighed heavily. "I'm sorry fellas. Ya have a right to be angry. It's a really long story but I'll tell you everything that I can."
Goofy turned his head toward the king, wanting to reassure Mickey that whatever happened they would find a solution. Instead, his eyes skimmed over Naminé and he found himself attentively looking at her. The nobody had moved so she was standing a few feet behind the mouse king, her back against the white wall, looking as if she wanted to blend in with it, her face turned away and shadowed by blonde hair. "Gawrsh, I don't think I've ever seen you before but you seem awfully familiar. Have we met?"
Naminé turned her head to look at Goofy's face. Leave it to him to ask her something like that. The dog was oddly observant sometimes. She felt guilty. His eyes were hopeful and processed an innocence to them. Goofy and Donald had fought their way up Castle Oblivion's winding staircase with Naminé slowly breaking them apart the entire time. She could still see the duck and dog's relived faces when they met her and their confusion when she explained what was going on, she remembered Sora, Donald, and Goofy all wore the same trusting expression before she put them to sleep. "No" She muttered. "No, you've never seen me before in your life."
Naminé looked toward the doorway and away from Goofy, remaining motionless for a few seconds before she stepped away from the wall and quickly but silently left the room.
"Was it something I said?" Goofy asked.
"Who cares" Donald said while tapping his foot. "I'm ready for that explanation now."
Mickey looked torn. The explanation would take a great deal of time. There was a lot to cover. Some of what had happened was dark and the mouse king wasn't sure if he wanted to voice all of it out loud but with everything Donald and Goofy had been through they at least deserved to know what happened. "Well, first let me tell you about the nobodies…"
DIZ sighed, not caring for an explanation and not feeling it was his place to listen either. He would wait for King Mickey and hastily decided to follow Naminé, needing to talk to her about what they intended to do now. She wasn't far, just outside of Sora's room and in the corridor.
"Shouldn't you be with King Mickey?" Naminé asked without looking up.
"I'm not really one to want to hear the story again."
"You're leaving after this. Aren't you?" Naminé questioned. "There is nothing left for you here anymore."
"You're correct in that sense." DIZ said slowly. "My plans have failed. Roxas destroyed my work. The last thing I want to do is start again. Yet I have little choice but to try and pick up the pieces. However, Roxas didn't ruin everything. I still have my machine. I may be able to salvage the project."
Naminé remained silent. DIZ tilted his head, studying her thoughtfully. "What do you want to do Naminé?"
The blonde haired nobody glanced up at him in surprise, a sense of gratitude shinning in her eyes. "What do I want to do?" She repeated.
DIZ nodded. "Yes, is something wrong?"
"No, it's just no one ever asked me that before. Everyone always decided for me or told me what to do. Thank you for asking. It means a lot to me."
DIZ let her words sink in, feeling a bit regretful and nodded slowly before he spoke next. "What is it then?"
"I want to go after Roxas but I don't want to leave Sora. So I think I'll stay here with Sora for a while. Then maybe eventually I can see Roxas again" Naminé answered quickly.
"It's a noble sentiment even if I don't agree with it. I will not try to persuade you otherwise. It is your choice."
DIZ and Naminé fell into silence as they waited for Mickey, Donald, and Goofy to leave Sora's room. There was no more to say until then. DIZ wasn't sure how long they stood in that hallway for but it didn't seem important. It could have been a few minutes or an hour until King Mickey stepped out from the white room. When he did, he was alone, Donald and Goofy nowhere in sight.
"We've reached a decision," Mickey said with a smile.
"As have we" DIZ added.
Naminé gave an anxious glance to the mouse king. "You didn't tell them about…"
Mickey shook his head with a wink. "Castle Oblivion? Nope, not a word."
Naminé couldn't help her instant relieved smile. "Thank you"
"Yep, that's why I came out first because I wanted you to know that. I only explained what was necessary. That's best for now" Mickey gave a short cough, clearing his throat. "All right fellas you can come out now!"
Donald and Goofy walked out of the room a second later. Goofy looking confused and tired while Donald just looked upset and slightly angry, saying something unintelligible under his breath.
"It's hard to believe so much has happened huh Donald?" Goofy asked.
The duck plopped himself heavily on the ground. "I can't believe we've been asleep for a whole year. It must be why I'm so tired. If that makes any sense"
Goofy nodded, wordlessly agreeing, sagging against the wall, and leaning on it more heavily then he intended. "Yeah, I know what you mean, too much time spent without being able to move around. That sure was the longest nap I've ever taken." The dog said with a slight laugh.
Donald smirked. "You're telling me, I've got places that hurt that I didn't even know I had."
"The plan?" DIZ asked, his voice neutral.
"We're going to Hollow Bastion" Mickey affirmed
"Yeah" Donald cut in "To talk to Cid about the gummi ship."
DIZ frowned. "The gummi ship?"
Donald sighed looking agitated. "We lost ours. What do you expect? With all the worlds, we…or rather Sora crashed the thing into and how were we supposed to keep track of it when we've been asleep for a year? We have no idea where it is!"
"Our poor gummi ship" Goofy said sadly.
"I'm sure we'll get it back again fellas." Mickey countered with a mischievous grin. "Until that time we'll just barrow Cid's. I'm sure he won't mind… too much."
Goofy gave a wide smile. "Then we're going to help out Sora! We're gonna help out as many worlds as possible. We can find new pathways for when Sora wakes up."
"Well that's the thing." Mickey said, looking a bit hesitant. "It's not certain that Sora will wake up."
"Then what will we do if that happens?" Donald snapped. "We're short a keyblade master. Goofy and I can't seal worlds. We might be able to prevent the heartless from taking them over for a time but without Sora there's not much we can do."
"It doesn't seem right leaving Sora here" Goofy admitted, trying to keep the sadness from his voice but the effort only making his statement come out empty.
"I'll be with him" Naminé said, looking up with an expression of defiance and sincere honesty. "I'll protect him with my life."
Goofy glanced at her, meeting her gaze. "We have met before. Haven't we?"
"You're better off not knowing" Naminé answered solemnly.
"Oh, well it's okay" Goofy said. "After traveling around with Sora, I don't mind a bit of mystery" Goofy lifted a hand to his face and tapped his head. "And if you say we're better off not knowing. Then we're better off not knowing. "
"Speak for yourself" Donald mumbled.
"Are ya sure there's no way to wake Sora up?" Goofy added quickly.
"We've been down that road." DIZ said, in a hard tone that was mixed with remorse. "It ended in failure."
Mickey sighed. "Maybe it wasn't meant to be."
"Your majesty!" Donald nearly shouted. "How can you say that?"
Mickey seemed as if he was prepared for the question and answered automatically. "Well as you know, as long as Roxas and Sora are separated, Sora will continue to sleep. Roxas was created from Sora and he is alive in Sora's place. It wouldn't be right to force Roxas to give himself over. Ans-" Mickey paused, quickly catching himself in front of Donald and Goofy. "I mean DIZ and Riku already tried that anyway. There may be a chance that Roxas will eventually come to terms with this but if he doesn't. So be it. What we need to do now is protect the worlds to the best of our ability. We have to band together and continue from where Sora left off. It may seem hopeless but it's not. There is always a light in the darkness and I for one will keep fighting for it."
"So will I" Goofy said, voice cheerful again.
Donald crossed his arms. "Yeah. Yeah"
Mickey looked expectantly at DIZ. "What about you DIZ?"
The cloaked man took a breath, appearing worn but there was a sense of strength and purpose shinning through his eyes. "I wish to confront my one time apprentice. As you, know my friend. I've spent years studying the functioning of the heart. After everything, I have arrived at one conclusion. The heart is incalculable. My own insolence of this has brought chaos to the worlds. I have no choice but to try and correct it."
Mickey froze, dreading where DIZ was headed. "You mean…?"
"Yes, Xehanort or rather Xemnas now, is my responsibility. I do grieve for what he has become. He was the foolish apprentice of a foolish man. Roxas at least left me with my machine. When Xemnas makes his move the least I can do is to try and stop him. Even if it is only to delay him."
"But your machine. It's unstable" Mickey's voice wavered faintly.
"This is what my heart is telling me to do. If Xemnas succeeds in creating his empire it will only be one of darkness and ignorance. I won't allow that to happen. Even if it means my own destruction." The bandaged man said firmly.
"DIZ…" Mickey trailed off.
"It is what I must do. I can only hope you will forgive me, my friend after all the trouble I've caused."
Mickey looked conflicted, wanting to intervene but not knowing if it was his place. The mouse king paused before he finally relented with a slump of his shoulders. "I understand DIZ but there's nothing for me to forgive you for."
DIZ smiled grimly. "Then it's settled."
Mickey looked up, glancing at DIZ, then at Naminé, and finally Donald and Goofy. "So it is and I'll help you DIZ, in any way I can."
"Thank you" The cloaked man said, voice brimming with gratefulness.
"So how about it guys," Mickey said with a forced smile as he extend his arm outward with his palm facing up.
Donald and Goofy returned the smile as they place their hands on top of King Mickey's. DIZ and Naminé looked lost before Donald turned to them with an expectant look. "Well, come on we don't have all day."
Naminé stifled laughter as she placed her hand softly on top theirs. DIZ still uncertain but soon followed suit with another glare from Donald, his hand looking awkward on top of the pile, larger and covered with thick wrappings.
"All right" Mickey said loudly. "Everyone, one for all and all for one!"
0o0o0o0
It wasn't long afterwards when Mickey, Donald, and Goofy arrived in Hollow Bastion. The duck and the dog remembered Hollow Bastion as falling apart and being overrun with heartless, the land degraded and parts of the sky either cracked or missing, leaving only gray shadows. There had been a seeping chill in the air, the whole world feeling alive with misfortune, deprived of life, dangerous, and ridged. Donald and Goofy had wanted to escape from it as soon as possible.
King Mickey had told them Leon and the others were able to leave Traverse Town and
move back to Hollow Bastion, had said Hollow Bastion changed but failed to mention how much. It was as if it was another world entirely. The land was still rocky in parts but now mostly solid and whole and the chill was completely gone with the sky back to its natural color. There was still a large amount of debris but also several buildings, what was once barren land, now swarmed with life. Hollow Bastion had a long way to go but it wasn't anything compared to what it had been.
King Mickey was used to it by now but Donald and Goofy were looking around in wonder. Donald whistled. "Wow" The duck basically spoke for them all.
Goofy was still staring, not bothering to look over at Donald. "Gawrsh, Hollow Bastion sure does look different now. "
Donald nodded. "I hope Leon and the gang are doing okay."
Goofy gave a quick shrug. "Well, I guess we'll find out soon enough. We do have to find Cid after all."
"Yep, You'll do fine fellas" Mickey said in a high-spirited voice. "Just make sure not to overdue it on heartless and nobodies until you get your strength back."
Goofy turned to look at the mouse king "You're leaving again aren't you?"
"Sorry, this is where I get off."
Donald crossed his arms with a frown, torn between sorrow and anger. "But you just got here. We just found you."
"I know" Mickey sighed before he quickly covered it up with a smile. "But hey, you know me I've got a kingdom to check on, a Riku to find, a DIZ to help, and an organization to stop. Then after all of that I think Pluto is still running around lose somewhere."
Donald walked over to the king, finally giving into the sheer relief he felt at waking up and finding Mickey was fine. He threw his arms around the mouse's shoulders in a tight embrace.
"Don't worry we'll stay in touch. I promise no more disappearing acts." The mouse king said as he returned the hug.
"Yeah" Donald mumbled, hanging on for a moment more before letting go. "We'd better."
King Mickey stepped back, smiling apologetically and calling fourth a portal. "Remember to have faith in yourselves just like I do. Stay strong and stay true to Sora." Mickey called out before he stepped into a ring of blue, purple, and black. As quickly as Donald and Goofy were reunited with their king, he was gone again, the duck and dog finding themselves alone.
"I wish I could do that," Donald said, eyes locked on the spot where Mickey had vanished.
"Huh? Do what?"
"Travel through portals" Donald replied. "It would really make things a lot easier."
Goofy started to walk onward in leisurely even strides. "C'mon Donald we better get going."
The duck hurried to follow. They walked in silence for a minute before Donald spoke. "This doesn't feel right without Sora."
King Mickey hadn't explained much, mostly telling them about the nobodies and Organization XIII and that they'd been asleep for a year but not going into details on how it happened, claiming it was in the past and best left forgotten. The mouse king explained that Sora needed a nobody named Roxas to be complete, Roxas who was Sora's other half and without him Sora would sleep forever, which put all the worlds in grave danger. Riku had teamed up with DIZ and attempted to capture Roxas but evidently did not succeed and was once again missing. Donald and Goofy were also told no one would be able to remember Sora until he awakened, but again Mickey didn't elaborated on why.
Donald and Goofy knew they were for another long journey and that they needed to help the worlds in anyway they could. It was apart of their mission, what Sora would have wanted, what they themselves wanted but leaving Sora was the hardest thing they'd ever done.
"I know what you mean." Goofy said wistfully.
"Yeah well, we were assigned to help out the keyblade master. Now Sora's not here and we are looking for Cid so we can use his gummi ship. This whole plan is nuts and we really shouldn't have left Sora!"
Goofy scratched his head thoughtfully. "Guess we have a new mission now."
"I still don't like it."
"Maybe after we get the gummi ship we'll be able to drop by Disney Castle, if only to see how everyone's doing." Goofy said with a half forced cheerfulness to his voice, doing his best to pick up Donald's spirits.
The dog's efforts did not go over how he hoped as Donald shifted his eyes, looking taken back and weary. "Oh no!"
"What?" Goofy asked.
"I'm not going back there! Oh no no no" Donald's voice hitched, coming out panicked.
Goofy didn't understand Donald's reaction and scrunched his eyes in thought before understanding quickly struck him. The dog gave a toothy grin. "Daisy?"
Donald shuddered. "She's going to be so mad. I'm staying away from that place forever if I have to."
Goofy chuckled. "It's can't be that bad."
"Yes, it can!"
Goofy was trying to think of a reply when he heard a high pitched but familiar shriek. Both Donald and Goofy jumped, quickly looking around trying to locate the source of the noise but coming up empty.
"Hey up here!" A girl called from a low stone ledge just overhead. She had short hair, the color of mud, a small brown top held up by leather straps, and black shorts. She was waving enthusiastically.
The girl jumped down from the ledge with a flip, landing easily and neatly on her feet before running over to Donald and Goofy, reaching them in merely seconds, slightly winded but completely ecstatic. "It's you! I knew we would meet again!"
"Yuffie!" Donald and Goofy shouted in greeting at the same time.
Yuffie placed a hand on her hip and smiled broadly. "The one and only."
"Shucks Yuffie it's great to see you." Goofy grinned. "How is everyone?"
"They're just great! How about you two? It's the weirdest thing everyone just started to remember you a little while ago and then suddenly here you are. Where have you been all this time? What's been happening?"
Donald tapped his foot, looking a bit irritated. "You do see there are only two of us here don't you? Shouldn't you be asking about Sora?"
Yuffie blinked and her jaw tightened in thought. "Sora? That name seems really familiar. Like I've heard it somewhere. Who's Sora?"
Goofy turned to Donald. "She won't remember until Sora wakes up Donald. Remember what King Mickey said?"
Donald didn't look convinced, glancing at Yuffie who seemed even more confused. "Fine, in that case you know SORA the keyblade master. He stopped the darkness, saved all of the worlds, and restored Hollow Bastion."
Yuffie ran a hand through her hair, somewhat uncomfortable. "Really? I thought that was you guys."
Donald shook his head. "I wish but no it was most definitely Sora."
"Well" Goofy added. "We did help but yeah it was Sora."
Yuffie flicked her wrist, dismissing the issue and turned around, motioning for Donald and Goofy to follow. "Hey! C'mon, I'll show you around. Everybody's working on stuff over at Merlin's house."
"We need to talk to Cid." Donald said as he and Goofy quickly followed the brown haired ninja.
"Okay! Don't worry he's there too. Just follow me." With that, Yuffie picked up her pace, forcing Donald and Goofy to practically run to keep up with her.
The three of them arrived at Merlin's house in no time with Yuffie just about throwing the door open. Merlin's house hadn't changed much, still small and cluttered with books and other various things, lighting dim and the colors of the room were made up of different shades of grays and browns but the atmosphere was warm.
There was a large computer against a wall where Cid was hunched over, typing frantically away, the blonde haired man seeming oblivious to everything. Leon and Aerith were standing directly behind, watching silently. All three turned around to stare at Donald and Goofy when Yuffie closed the door with a soft click. "Look who I found!" Yuffie said happily.
Aerith was the first to react, giving a dazzling smile, eyes brightening as she clasped her hands together, long chestnut ponytail swaying behind her. "I'm so glad to see you. We missed you!"
Cid rested an arm over his computer chair. "Would you look at what the cat dragged in?" He said with a chuckle.
Leon stared up at them from across the room, grunting but not saying anything.
"So this is it" Yuffie said cheerfully. "Meet the Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee!"
"Hey guys" Goofy said. "It's great to see you're all doing well-"
"Yeah, it is but we need to ask Cid a favor." Donald cut in.
Cid arched a golden eyebrow. "Ask then."
Even Donald was put off by Cid's penetrating gaze and he swallowed nervously before he spoke. "You see we're in a jam and we need to kind of…borrow your gummi ship…"
Cid scowled, profound lines in his weathered face visibly creasing. "Why do you need mine? Did you lose yours or something?"
Goofy nodded "Yep."
"No" Cid said shortly. "Not with what I've seen you two put yours through. Plus I don't want to give it up with the worlds all in disorder right now. There's no telling when it might come in handy."
"We're not the ones who kept crashing ours!" Donald said, voice frustrated but there was also a warm undertone to it. "That was Sora!"
Goofy looked up with expectant eyes, not the least bit deterred by Cid's reaction. "Please Cid we really need it."
The blonde haired man propped his elbow up on the back of the computer chair, resting his chin in his palm. "Why? For what? Where have you been all this time?"
Donald folded his arms and answered easily. "What else would we need it for? We need it to help the worlds. You said yourself they are in disorder. As for where we've been. We were sleeping."
Cid blinked, not convinced. "You were sleeping for over a year? Where in the heck were you sleeping?! In cold storage?"
Both Donald and Goofy looked uneasy. Goofy shuffled his feet. "Ahhhh…"
"Give them the ship Cid" Leon cut in, irritated and tone hollow.
Cid glanced sharply at Leon who had yet to move. "Since when do I take orders from you?"
Leon shrugged, not answering the question. Instead, his slate gray eyes drifted over to Donald and Goofy. "Where's the other one?"
Donald and Goofy jerked their heads up, Goofy's face breaking out into a happy grin. "Sora? You mean you remember Sora?"
"Sora? " Leon repeated slowly as if the word was a foreign concept. The burnet was silent as he considered the name for a moment. "No, but I remember the last time we met you had a keyblade wielder with you. That's all. No name, no nothing. Still I know there was someone else. The chosen one right? The savior of the worlds."
"Yeah, that's Sora!" Donald said proudly before letting his eyes fall half closed, and continuing very solemnly. "He's still sleeping and we don't think he's going to wake up for awhile but until that time it's our duty to take up from where he left off."
"Then this is for Sora" Leon said stonily. "Cid give them the ship."
Cid looked to be at a complete loss, cloudy blue eyes turning thoughtful as he rubbed his chin, trying in vain to make sense out of all of this. Then Yuffie piped in. "Aww c'mon Cid I know the gummi ship's like your baby but stop being so stubborn. It's not good for you. Squall's right. Just let them have it."
"That's Leon," The burnet corrected automatically.
"Alright fine" Yuffie chirped. "Leon's right."
"Think of it this way" Aerith said joyfully. "Nothing worse can happen and we should do what is in our power to help them."
Cid sighed, defeated. "Fine, I'll let you have it under three conditions."
Donald and Goofy quickly glanced at each other, Donald turning his head back to Cid to meet his face with confidence. "Sure, no problem. Name them."
Cid stuck a finger in the air for emphasis. "First Hollow Bastion's has a problem. We've got heartless and nobodies like some sort of disease. You help us clear them out."
Goofy gave a thumbs up. "You've got it!"
Cid nodded, holding up another finger. "Second, you're only borrowing it. I want it back." Cid then lifted his last finger. "Third, there's no way you're going alone. Leon goes with you."
Donald and Goofy blinked at that, more then surprised and not knowing what to say. However, they weren't half as taken back at Leon. The burnet flashed blazing eyes at Cid. "Hell no! Why me?"
Cid shrugged. "Why not?"
"Because…Get Cloud to do it."
"Look I don't care who goes." Cid said gruffly. "Just as long as it's someone."
"I'll go!" Yuffie shouted, raising her hand in the air and nearly hopping off the floor.
"And Hollow Bastion? Weren't we working to restore it. To something better even" Leon said coldly.
"We'll still be here for Hollow Bastion." Yuffie supplied. "We'll just help Donald and Goofy too."
"I like that idea" Aerith said. "Maybe we can take turns going. Some of us can help Donald and Goofy with the worlds while the rest of us stay here and work on Hollow Bastion." The flower girl's eyes then glistened wetly, her voice soft and strained. "Besides I don't think there will be much left of Hollow Bastion if we don't help them. And we're doing this for him, for Sora… Right Leon?"
Leon stalked over to the door without answering, walking around Donald and Goofy and opening it. "I'll tell Cloud." He said in a clipped voice without turning around as he promptly stepped outside, slamming the door behind him. A couple of pictures on the wall rattled.
"Don't worry" Aerith's face lit up with a small smile. "That was just the Leon way of saying he agrees."
"Thanks guys" Goofy said genuinely. "Without Sora the worlds are going to need all the help they can get."
"We can check up on Sora too." Donald added. "We can show everyone here where he is and that way at least one of us will be able to see Sora everyday so he'll never be alone." Donald lowered his voice so only Goofy could hear. "Even with you know who there."
Goofy nodded. "Sounds great Donald. You know we could never just abandon Sora."
"So that's it then." Yuffie said. "Now all we have to do is wait for Squall and Cloud to come back."
Aerith walked over to Donald and Goofy, pulling two white cards from her white and pink dress, handing them to the duck and the dog. "Oh! Here I forgot I had these on me. I thought you may want them."
Donald and Goofy flipped their cards open and looked down at them. They read 'Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee Honorary Member' in large bold black print. Donald looked up at Aerith. "Wow membership cards!"
"Thanks Aerith" Goofy said.
The flower girl smiled. "You're welcome."
Over from his computer chair, Cid loudly cleared his throat. Everyone in the room turned to focus their attention on him. "Aren't you forgetting something Donald and Goofy?"
The duck and the dog blinked. Goofy placed a hand to his forehead in thought before comprehension shone on his face. "Right the heartless and nobodies"
Donald nodded firmly. "Lets go get them Goofy! I don't know about you but I think a fight is the perfect thing we need to get our strength back."
"Just like old times" Goofy replied as he brought out his sword and shield. "I'm right behind you Donald." The duck readied his staff and the two of them raced out the door.
Yuffie was continuing to bounce on her heels, looking torn for a moment before she seemed to make up her mind and chased after the dog and the duck. "Hey wait! I want to help. I'll come too!" The ninja rushed past and out of the door, making it slam for the second time.
There was a warm rush of air as Merlin opened the door only seconds later with a very perplexed expression on his face, raising a long bony finger, he pointed just a little ways past himself. "Was that just Donald and Goofy?"
Aerith tilted her head, the pink ribbon that held her ponytail back slipping over her shoulder. "Sure was."
The old wizard's eyes brightened. "That's splendid! How are they?"
"Well their good for the most past." Aerith replied. "But some things came up and we have a change of plans now."
Merlin stroked his long gray beard. "Oh, Really?"
Aerith didn't have time to reply as there was a thud over from the computer. Cid had turned back to the computer screen and his head was resting against the keyboard, the blonde man running his hands through his short hair. "I think I need a cigarette," He muttered.