MEL
A jolt woke me up in an instant. Sora was inches away from my face.
"Wh-what is it? Is everyone alright?? What's wrong??"
"Nothing the matter we made it to Disney Castle and we wanted to make sure you were alive. You slept for about twelve hours straight."
"Oh… sorry."
"That's fine."
"Heartless didn't come while I was asleep did they?"
"No. Now, come on! Everyone else is waiting in the Disney Courtyard."
"Okay.."
Sora led me down the spiral stairs and out the door to the back of the ship. I stepped onto the platform and was greeted by Chip and Dale. They were about eight or nine inches tall and they were adorable!
"It sure is nice to finally meet you, Miss Melody. we've heard a whole lot about you.." Chip began.
"Yeah! It's quite a pleasure!" Dale agreed.
"No… the pleasure is all mine." I said cheerfully.
I kneeled down and used my index finger and thumb to shake their little paws. Sora grinned as I stood up.
"We'll get to work on the gummi ship, Sora." Chip said.
"I'll see if I can spiff anything else up for you." Dale winked.
"Alright you two….. have fun." Sora said and the chipmunks giggled.
Then Sora led me up some stairs and then we stepped into a beautiful garden with roses and bushes of all shapes and sizes.
"Wait, No! Pluto!" I heard and the next thing I knew, I was slammed into the ground with Pluto licking my face.
"Pluto! You know that's no way to treat a guest…" I heard.
Pluto stepped away regrettably with his tail tucked under him.
"Aww…" I giggled, " I don't mind. It was nice to meet you too, Pluto."
I patted Pluto on the head and his ears perked up and his tail began to swing back and forth ferociously. I wiped off my face and then stood up. I was standing in front of Queen Minnie and Daisey. I slowly got on one knee.
"Oh… it's absolutely wonderful to meet you both." I said with a smile.
They both glanced at each other and then smiled sweetly at me.
"How was the trip?" Queen Minnie asked.
"It was wonderful. Everyone has been very kind and helpful. Donald has also been very sweet and informative." I added.
Daisey looked at Donald and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Aww…" Donald said as his feathered cheeks turned red.
As I stood up and Riku came up to me with a smile on his face.
"Come on…. King Mickey wants to meet you…"
Sora and Riku led me to King Mickey's door. They told me that Axel was already talking to him as well. They were going to follow me in. Riku opened the small door, which was part of a much bigger door. It was perfect for my height, but Riku and Sora had to stoop down to get through. It was a huge and long throne room. I felt my heart pounding a thousand miles per hour. I was excited but mostly nervous. Mickey Mouse has always been one of my most favorite Disney character.
"Psst…. Mel… don't be so nervous…" Riku hissed.
How did he know? Is it that obvious??
Axel stepped away and he had a huge smile on his face. I took in a deep breath and continued to walk straight ahead. I was sure to carry my head high and not to swagger too much like a girl. I could see King Mickey proudly sitting in his throne with a friendly smile and Axel seemed to have a satisfied smile on his face. Soon I was a few feet away. I glanced behind me and found that Riku had his arms crossed and he slowly nodded at me with a smile. Sora put his hands behind his head comfortably.
Wow…. I'm glade everyone else is comfortable…
I faced King Mickey with a confident smile.
"Your Majesty, it's quite a pleasure to meet you. I humbly pledge my allegiance to you and I have to say… it truly is an honor to be here…"
"Aww shucks, Melody. That was put in awfully nice words. Thank you and it's nice to meet you as well. Welcome to Disney Castle, my Kingdom."
I felt my nervousness disappear. Riku and Sora same up on both sides of me and piled their hands on my shoulders. Sora was laughing, but Riku seemed to be congratulating me.
"You were so nervous!" Sora cried in laughter.
"Well, I've never met a King before, much less my favorite Disney character…"
"You did well…. Better than I did." Axel complimented.
"Okay…"
Everyone came in through the small door; Donald, Daisey, Goofy, Queen Minnie and Pluto. Pluto saw me again and dashed forward.
"Oh no! Pluto!" Donald shouted.
He tackled me to the ground again.
RIKU
Sora began to laugh as Pluto backed away and let her get up.
"Pluto doesn't ever jump on people like that. He must really like you." King Mickey said, "Now to start things off….. stay here and rest as long as you like. I know you all have your own rooms in the gummi ship and sleep there if you want…. But if there is anything else I can do for…. Let me know."
I always loved King Mickey. He's a laid back King but if someone begins to mess with the people he cares about or other worlds, he's there fighting for them…. Whatever the odds are.
"The next thing. I'm taking off after I talk to everyone individually. I need to research more on these heartless and who's controlling them now. I know who it is… but I don't know much about him. That's why I've been talking to Axel for so long. We are up against Zexion…"
"Zexion?!" Mel, Sora, and I cried.
"But… he's… but Riku's copy took him out a few years ago. How is that possible?" Mel asked.
King Mickey looked at her in surprise.
"Don't worry, you Majesty. She knows her history. It's a long story, but she knows just about everything. You don't need to worry about filling her in on what has passed. Please…. Continue." Sora explained.
"Golly….. I'm not sure how it's possible….. I guess in any case…. Anything is possible. But that's one of the main things I want to find out. Another thing to watch for…. Zexion is looking for Melody. I don't think he knows we have her in our midst just yet so we have one advantage, but it won't take him long to find out. He can create the illusion of being someone he is not so be careful with whom you trust. I've also been led to believe that he can also adopt the powers of whom he has taken the form of. Everyone needs to keep an eye on Melody and protect her. As much as I would love Kingdom hearts to be sealed away, I don't want you to lose your heart. Nothing is worth that especially once everyone gets attached to you."
We all exchanged glances of mixed feelings. Melody's eyes burnt through mine and my stomach seemed to drop.
MEL
I looked into Riku's eyes and saw all sorts of different emotions. I turned to King Mickey.
"Thank you, your Majesty. So very much."
"I want you to know that once you lose your heart…. It will have to be used to seal Kingdom Hearts because we can't let it fall into the wrong hands. Donald? Goofy?" King Mickey asked.
They both immediately straightened up their stances.
"Your new orders are to protect Melody, as is the rest of you and also take out Zexion."
King Mickey jumped his throne and came up to me. I got down and sat on my knees so we could see eye to eye. He put his small hands on mine.
"Melody, this is for your Keyblade." He gave me a Mickey pendant. "Do you have any requests?"
"I have a few. Will you also give a pendant to Riku for his Keyblade as well?"
"Of course…."
"And… please forgive me…"
I wrapped my arms around him and lifted him into the air as I hugged him.
"Aww…" He chuckled cheerfully.
"Is she allowed to do that?" I heard Axel whisper to Sora.
I also heard Sora and Riku laugh. I gently set him down and he gleefully smiled at me.
"Keep everyone in line and always keep your chin up and smile, you never know who might fall in love with it. Dark times can present dark thoughts, but if you stay to the brighter side of things, good will come out of it. In this universe there are many secrets and mysteries that are yet to be solved. Remember… in the words of my dear friend, Ansem the Wise, Anything is possible. Believe in that saying Melody. It will take you extremely far in all your journeys to come. And also…" He said as he took out his Kingdom Keyblade and touched my shoulder with it, " Now…. Not only are you an official friend and Keyblade wielder of the Disney Kingdom, but your clothes will automatically change with any world environment you come across." Then he lowered his voice to a whisper and came up to my ear, "Also your clothes can change to whatever you imagine them to be. A new twist I added just for you since you have to put up with immature boys this entire adventure." He winked.
"I…. Don't know what to say….. But… Thank you for all your care and generosity."
I stood up as King Mickey walked to Axel. I opened my hand and my Keyblade appeared. I latched King Mickey's pendant to it and examined it.
My adventure begins….. Now….
AXEL
King Mickey walked up to me and poked me with his Keyblade.
"Your clothes will also change to fit any world you enter. Please…. Will you kneel?" He asked kindly.
I did as I was asked. He gently put the Keyblade on my left shoulder.
"Now… you are no longer known for being in the Organization Thirteen, but for being a guardian and a friend to Disney Castle and to Melody, Purest of Hearts."
I stood up and smiled at everyone.
Boy, it sure does feel good to get the Organization reputation out of my heart and off my back.
"Thank you, your Majesty. I wish I would have seen the option ages ago."
"Axel…. I'm sure that it all happened for a reason. Hearts have a strange way of working things… as does Fate."
"Well… thank you for my second chance."
King Mickey smiled then walked to Sora.
I really do wish that I would've met King Mickey before I joined the stupid Organization.
SORA
I got down on one knee. King Mickey gave a smile.
"You know, your clothes have already been given the magic, but I want to thank you for all of you work in the past. You've done very well." Then he began to whisper, "Do me a favor and keep an eye on Melody…. but also on Riku. He needs his friends. He went through a lot to free you from your sleep and then to find you after that. Keep him close to you and your heart. He is one of a kind. Melody and Riku have much to learn about themselves and about each other."
"Okay, your Majesty. I will…. I promise." I said as I put my hand over my heart.
RIKU
I quickly sat on the floor as King Mickey came to me. I did that in Castle Oblivion when King Mickey finally came to my aid. I had been alone for so long…. I was just overwhelmed when he stood in front of me. King Mickey smiled at me as I reached over and poked. We both chuckled. It was like an understanding and an inside joke between us, though I'm sure Melody knows what it is about. She had smiled softly at me.
"Don't worry, Riku. You won't be alone on this adventure. You have your friends close to you. Keep them close to you." He touched me with his Keyblade and I knew had put magic into my clothes.
I smiled as he made his Keyblade disappear and then he suddenly hugged me. I was somewhat surprised….. but the King and I have gone through many things together, including darkness. My eyes traveled up to Melody again. Her eyes softened and her understanding smile remained.
"Riku, remember…. You will always be able to see the light, your mind may not know or understand what the light in your heart is, but your heart will know and probably already does. Soon… when you heart realizes what it is…. It will begin calling."
I nodded and then he let go of my neck. Then opened my hand and placed something in it.
"By the request of Melody." He smiled.
I looked at the King with a questioning expression then up to Mel. I opened my hand and found that I held King Mickey's Pendant. It was for my Keyblade.
Now I can replace that evil Heartless symbol.
"Thank you." I said as I smiled at Melody and the King.
I slowly got up and opened my hand. My Way to the Dawn appeared in the palm of my hand. I took off the pendant that had the Heartless symbol and looked at it. I tossed it across the throne room, as far away from me as I could, leaving behind a free sensation. I put on the King's Pendant and then balanced my Keyblade on one finger to examine it. The pendant just seemed to make the blade look like a whole new one. I led my hand away and the Keyblade floated in mid air then vanished.
"Thank you, Mel." I said with a whisper.
She smiled at me and nodded.
"Do you…. or anyone else have any more requests?" The King asked.
"Well….. I have a question… not a request."
"Shoot."
"Will I ever be able to see my world again?" Mel asked.
King Mickey lowered his eyes as he thought.
"I think once you defeat Zexion, everything should go back to normal. Like when Sora defeated Xehanort."
"But…. Your Majesty… when that happened… Sora, Kairi and I were all separated again." I said.
"I guess…. That means that we will have to search for Melody again." The King replied.
"Don't worry, Riku. I'll find you. I'll find all of you, even though the thickest of darkness." Mel said as she walked closer towards us.
"Are you sure you're even going to want to leave your world once you get it back?" Axel asked sadly.
"Yes," She said confidently, "I liked my life back there, but it was too boring for me. I love having friends and having adventures with them. This is my life. This is the life I want to keep."
Everyone smiled at each other and nodded.
"Hah-ha! Spoken like a true Keyblade wielder." King Mickey said.
Melody's smiled broadened.
"Whelp, I best be off I will try to find you once I find new information…. Or if something else comes up. Good luck everybody!"
King Mickey ran to Queen Minnie, pecked her on the cheek and then ran out of the throne room.
MEL
Queen Minnie came up to me and took my hand.
"Daisey… why don't we teach Melody how to use her Glamour?"
"Sounds fun to me…" Daisey replied. "Did you know that there are only a slight few people that even have this power? You should continue yourself lucky! Of course…. I'm a pro and that's why I'm going to teach you…"
Donald slapped himself in the face as he muttered, 'here we go again.'
"Okay… al you need to do is just imagine what you want to look like…. Then make up a way of making it happen…. Like this…"
Daisey closed her eyes then snapped her fingers. Her clothes changed instantly along with her makeup color and everything.
"Okay…" I said.
I pictured hip-huggers with a large belt and belt buckle. Then I pictured a cute black shirt that was see-through around the abdomen area including the back. Also I decided to try something different with my hair. I imagined it all pulled up into a messy bun, except for some of my bangs because they are too short. I also decided I need some mascara and a little bit of silver eyeliner. I felt the magic run through me when I decide that I was just going to wave my hand in front of me. I closed my eyes and then brought my hand up to my face, palm facing me. I slowly brought it down inches in front of my body. A warm wind grew around me and I heard a few gasps. I opened my eyes. I felt as if I had just finished taking a shower and now I'm clean. In fact….. I smelt like roses.
Cool…. Even though I like showers…. I technically don't have to take one…. Or I can take one every five minutes!!
My clothes looked exactly how I imagined it. I was so excited. I could get new clothes whenever I wanted. All I'd have to do it take these off and imagine more. In that pattern I'll have more than a closet full of new clothes and shoes!
"Excellent! No bad… for a beginner… I would've picked a dress though…" Daisey began. "Here… let me pick you out a dress…."
I quickly looked at Sora and gave the expression of, 'Save me! Do something! Hurry!'. He got the message instantly and cleared his throat.
"Whoa! Look at the time! Mel, Riku, Axel? We had better head out. We've got lots of worlds to visit…"
We began to walk back down the throne and Daisy and Queen Minnie looked up at us.
"Oh…. You're leaving so soon?" Queen Minnie asked.
I sat on both knees in front of her.
"Yes, your Majesty…. But thank you for welcoming me to this wonderful Kingdom." I said with a small smile.
She smiled back and twirled one of my strands of hair from the side of my face.
"I'm very glad to have met you Melody, Purest of Hearts."
"Hah. You make me feel like a princess when you say my name like that…" I giggled.
Minnie glanced over at Daisey who was too busy talking to Donald, Goofy, and Sora.
"In my book…" Then she touched the top of my head, "You are a princess…"
I smiled and raised my hands to where she poked me. I felt a pointy tiara on my head. Queen Minnie put her finger over her lips and nodded towards Daisey.
"She's no the only one that can do Glamour." She giggled.
I smiled and then hugged her.
"Thank you so much. I'm going to miss you."
"Melody…. you can't lose your heart if you give it to someone special. My heart belongs to Mickey and he always keeps it safe. You should remember that."
"I will."
We finally went down to our gummi ship. Chip and Dale told us a few new that was added. We said our thanks then loaded up into the gummi ship. As soon as the door closed and we departed from King Mickey's Kingdom, I sighed. We were all in the main room. Sora was steering , Donald and Goofy were setting our next coordinates and Axel and Riku were both watching me.
"Thank goodness…. Sora…. I owe you one…." I said with relief.
"Nope…. You don't owe me anything…. I got to see your face when Daisey said it." He laughed.
I noticed that I still had Riku's blindfold tied around my wrist.
I guess I can't change the things that were given to me.
Not that I wanted to, anyway.
"So Sora. Where are we going to next?" I asked.
"Well… I think we should go check up on Simba…"
"Really?!"
"Yeah… and last time we were there, I was a …"
"Lion…. And Goofy was a turtle and Donald was a bird that could fly…" I finished.
"Oh… yeah…" Sora said sheepishly.
"It's okay…. Bit I wonder what we would look like as lions…"
"Yeah…" Axel said excitedly.
Riku shrugged as he summoned his Keyblade once again.
"So…. What does it feel like?" I asked.
"What does what feel like?" He asked, looking up at me.
"Having a Keyblade that bares the symbol of King Mickey himself?"
"Oh…." He said as he looked over his Keyblade again, "I feels… different."
"Is that a good thing?"
"Yeah…. I-I think it is…" He said with a smile, "Thanks again. That was something you didn't have to.."
"I know Riku…. But it's the least I could do. Besides it's something to remember me by."
"Don't talk like that, Mel." Axel said. "The King said so…. You have a chance."
"That chance doesn't look too great."
"Come on, Peaches. How can we be happy if you're not happy?" Riku said.
"Yeah… if you get bummed out then so do we.." Axel agreed.
"Remember, Melody. The King did say anything was possible. He learned that from Ansem." Donald reminded.
"Yeah…. I guess."
"Hey Sora…how much time do we have?" Riku asked.
"At least 14 hours… why?"
"Plenty of time to make something." Riku smiled.
I never would have guessed that Riku liked to cook. It just doesn't seem to fit his personality nor his outer appearance.
"Make what?" Axel wondered.
"Oh…. I don't know… what's your favorite dessert, Peaches?"
"I love cheesecake…. But you probably have never heard of it…"
"Nope… come on let's go make one." He said cheerfully.
I really liked it when he was cheerful. It's not something you see very often. Even in the game he's not cheerful very often, except in the beginning of the first game and toward the end of the second. He laughs because of a face Sora made at him near the end of the second game. It was a cute little scene, but to see it all in person is a different story. His voice is a bit deeper than the voice in the game….. but they sound somewhat similar. I guess all the voices sounded somewhat similar…. That would explain why they put 'authentic over voices' on the back of the case.
"Um… okay. How about we make two so that everyone can have more than their share."
"Alright. Let's migrate to the kitchen."
"Where is the kitchen?" I asked.