Disclaimer: i do not own kingdom hearts or final fantasy IX or anything in this story, i am just a fan person

The Heart of Gaia

"Where shall we land then guys?" asked Goofy who was also completely astounded by the different sights and sounds.

"Hmm... how about over there? By that ship? It might be some kind of parking space" Sora added putting on the amber necklace, although he didn't seem too sure of himself, there were lots of people gathered around all facing the huge boat shaped ship. "Hey, it looks like something's going on here" he said.

"Maybe it's some kind of event, we should park this a bit further away" said Donald who seemed to be getting a bit worried about all the strange faces turning to look at them, well, he thought, we must look a bit strange to them, its not everyday you see a ship made of gummy parts.

They settled the ship down just outside of the town by some trees so it wouldn't get that much notice, they didn't want to get in trouble when they had just got there. The trio wondered through the towns streets looking at all the citizens and shops, it was so different to everything else they had seen. This place, it seemed so serious, the shops were lined with weapons and armor of different styles and sizes.

"This place must be pretty dangerous if they have weapons like this on the high street" The keyblade master was getting a bit nervous now, perhaps this wasn't such a good idea.

"I don't see any heartless" Goofy pointed out "maybe this world isn't in danger after all" this was a good point, and Sora knew it. The people in Hollow Bastion need their help, he shouldn't be so selfish, this world seemed fine, but he really wanted to see what was going on with that ship.

"Okay, we'll leave, but can we please see what's going on with that ship first? I want to know what kind of world this is" the other two agreed because they were curious too, it was a bit strange how this world formed from nothingness, and all of the towns people were acting as if nothing happened.

"'Will you be my canary' what's that?" asked sora looking at a banner that was fluttering across the ships windows.

"Maybe it's a play" said Goofy pointing at the stage. There were decorations everywhere and everything seemed so lively. The ship was parked right outside the castle, great! Sora thought, we can go talk to the King or Queen and make sure that this world isn't in any danger. He didn't want to leave this world only to find out later they needed their help after all.

"Hey... HEY!!"

The three turned around to find a figure running up to them. Sora pointed at himself at looked at the figure questioningly to make it was his attention the figure was trying to get.

"Yeah you! Who are you?" Sora could see that the figure was in fact a guy, about his own age maybe a bit older, he looked perfectly normal except for the tail he could see swishing side to side from behind this mysterious figure.

"Im Sora, this is Donald and this is Goofy" he said individually pointing out each member of the party.

"Don't you have any manners!" shouted Donald

"hehe... well, I guess I don't" the boy said rubbing the back of his head. "You're not from around here are you?" he added

"is it that obvious?" Sora laughed

"well, you do kinda stick out, im Zidane by the way. Zidane Tribal" he said sticking his hand out, Sora shook it and added "what's going on here anyway?"

Zidane grinned showing that he was just as childish as the keyblade master himself.

"It's a play. 'Will you be my canary' has been acted out in Alexandria for years. And its being shown today, and well... im in it" Zidane explained all of a sudden seeming nervous.

"Wow, your in a play?" Sora shouted

"shhh!!" Zidane whispered clamping Sora's mouth shut and looking around suspiciously. "It's a secret, no one is supposed to know im in it, im trying to surprise someone who I haven't seen in a long time" He suddenly seemed upset so Sora couldn't help himself when he asked with a big grin

"do you like her?"

"I do, I really do. But the problem is, she thinks I've been dead for is it one or tow years now? I cant remember."

Sora thought it might just be him, but you don't usually let people you love think your dead for a long time.

"Is there a reason behind that?" he asked

" haha, it's a long story" Zidane replied obviously trying to change the subject.

"I have time" Sora quipped, he wasn't letting this drop, even if he knew he didn't have time, the people in Hollow Bastion needed them, but he just had to make sure that everything here was okay. Zidane sighed,

"well, a while ago, there was this evil guy called Kuja, he basically tried to destroy the world that we are in now, and a world that is linked to ours, as well as annoying this other guy who wanted to destroy all the worlds, to be honest with you, I don't see anything wrong with this world, but hey, that might just be me. But anyway we defeated him, but I couldn't just leave him to die. I know it sounds a bit strange, but he was kind of my brother. I don't regret going back for him, he helped my friends escape with their lives even if he was dying because of what we did, he still helped them.. I.. I just, I couldn't leave him. Anyway it took me a while to get my energy back up and actually escape from that place, it took me a lot longer than I thought it would but im here now. I just hope she waited for me" he seemed a bit better after finally getting the story out to someone, Sora could feel his anxiety and knew how he felt, would my friends still be waiting for me? It's a question he thought of everyday, but he didn't let it get to him.