AN: Well, here I am, having had a chance to visit and internet hotspot (and was able to bring my laptop along for the ride) so I could both do a quick look on the web and do an update on this story for all my readers out there.

What is my current state, you may be wondering? Living with my brother and his family has already changed me (as has this whole affair I'm currently in) and will likely leave me with a few gray hairs before its over. My new job, while killing my back, legs, and feet, is still paying me well enough to make it worth it in the long run.

Sadly though, my plan on getting back into the game full time (meaning getting moved back out on my own and such) has changed as I've decided to save up some money as a just in case I ever go for an extended period of being jobless again (so I can avoid returning to living with my brother). Currently, it looks like I won't be back in the game till either February or March, depending on this and that.

In the meantime, I will continue to write and update as often as I can. At present, I'm working on chpt.14 through chpt.20 at more or less the same time (doing a little bit here and there on each) with the exception of chpt.17 as that will require me to rewatch Tangled, which I can't do till I'm back in my own place (my copies pack up and my brother's family doesn't have it themselves). If possible, I'll do another update in October of chpt.14 (maybe more if I finish them by then). Till then, enjoy this chapter.

RH

The Organization had been called into a meeting within their massive, circular throne room; each member have taken their designated seat. Roxas and Xion were setting rather comfy close to one another as they shared a seat which was just big enough to fit them both...sort of.

"My friends, you must be wondering why I have called this emergency meeting this morning" comes Xemnas, looking around to see that some were annoyed, some indifferent, and some who looked like they were still half asleep. This was all expected seeing as they had been called in here extra early.

"I'm wondering why I'm not still sleeping in my nice relaxing bed" says Larxene.

"What's wrong? Afraid your lack of beauty sleep will make you look like an old hag or something?" asked Xigbar before laughing at his own teasing of her. Demyx also burst out laughing.

"What did you say?" roared Larxene, ready to leap from her chair over to Xigbar and stab him.

"She's not the only one" notes Vexen, pointing to Marluxia. "Pretty boy over there is probably worried about bags forming under his eyes from this early bird meeting we're having too."

Marluxia simple pulls a rose out from his coat and takes a whiff of it. "I won't deny that. After all, beauty such as mine is so hard to maintain."

Several other members laugh at that. "Enough" yells Saix, making them all stop their fooling around.

"Yesterday, while on her assignment, Xion was attacked by an unknown individual who was wearing the same garments as we do" says Xemnas, making the mood in the room shift into something more serious and focused. "If not for Roxas, we may have lost our female Keybearer in that encounter though the attacker was able to escape."

Zexion looks at Roxas and Xion, asking "Did he say anything about who he is or why he was attacking you?"

Xion shakes her head, then says "No, all he said to me was that though he didn't have anything personal against us, he was still going to hunt us down and destroy us. I don't know the reason why."

Roxas then speaks up, saying "He also said that if we, me and Xion, tried to defend the Organization, then he wouldn't hesitate to destroy us as well."

"This is an unexpected turn of events" says Axel.

"The times can be funny sometimes" agreed Luxord.

Lexaeus looks at Xemnas and says "Your orders on this matter?"

"From this moment forward, all members must maintain a line of communication with each other if sent to the same world. And if approached by another coat wearer who refuses to identify him or herself, then they are to be treated as the unknown and captured" says Xemnas.

"And if capture proves impossible or to dangerous to our existence to do?" asked Xaldin.

"Then eliminate him and bring his remains back. One way or another, we'll get our answers" says Xemnas. "Now then, its time to get to work. Just remember to remain on guard from now on as we're no longer alone out there, searching the worlds."

All the members nod before their chairs automatically lower down, allowing them to step off and head towards the lounge where Saix would give them their assignment's for today. As they walk, Roxas and Xion take a moment to glance at one another, both wondering if they had made the right choice in keeping the unknown coat wearer's name a secret as well as what else he had told them about not trusting the Organization? Could Riku be trusted or were his words right? Only time would tell...

Realm Hearts

chpt.13: Someday You'll Find It

The moment Roxas stepped out of the portal, he found himself falling into a cold a murky body of water. After a moment passes, his head pops up, covered in lily pads and other swampy gunk. He quickly looks around the hot, humid area he had arrived in, seeing nothing but a swamp like environment where ever he looked.

"Couldn't anyone have told me to be mindful of that first step into a new world?" he wonders while trying to find a spot of land he could swim to, finding nothing save for some trees that were growing out of the water.

He sighs, wondering which direction he should start swimming in? Then a thought comes to him. Don't alligators live in swamps? The sudden realization that he could become some hungry gators meal was making him nervous. He needed to get out of the water...fast.

Finally choosing a direction, Roxas begins to swim but stops when he hears a sound in the distance; growing louder and more clear as it approached him. "What could that be?' he wonders, spotting a low hanging tree branch near the water who's leaves could help to hide him, though he hoped there wouldn't be any surprises waiting for him there.

Once he was hidden, he waits and watch's as the source of the sound soon comes into view. It was coming from a frog who was stringing on odd musical instrument in his hands while the small wooden row boat he was in was pushed along by the currents of the watery path. The frog then begins to sing a little song.

Why are there so many

songs about Rainbows

and what's on the other side

Rainbows are visions

but only illusions

and rainbows have nothing to hide

So we've been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

"Wow, a singing frog? Now I've seen it...wait, why am I so surprised by this?" wonders Roxas aloud, recalling he had already conversed with the Cheshire Cat and that rude caterpillar guy back in Wonderland. This frog seemed harmless enough so he decides to ask it for help.

"Hey, excuse me" comes Roxas as he emerges from his hiding spot.

"Hm?" comes the frog, turning to look in his direction. Seeing Roxas approach him, the frog say "Oh, hello there. I didn't know anyone else was out here right now though I have to say you've chosen an odd location to go swimming in."

"Tell me about it" says Roxas, reaching the boat and grabbing hold of the sides with his hands. "Trust me, I didn't plan on taking a swim. It just sort of happened and now I'm not sure where I am or where to go."

"Well go ahead and hop into the boat with me and I'll help you make it back to dry land" offers the frog, putting his musical instrument down and reaching out with his webbed hands to help Roxas aboard.

"Thank you" says Roxas, accepting both the offer and the hand; getting into the boat with the frog and being impressed that someone who was half his size could help him aboard without being pulled over himself. Once he was sitting down opposite the frog, Roxas introduces himself.

"I'm Roxas. Thanks again for helping me, mister...?"

"Nice to meet you, Roxas. My name is Kermit; Kermit the Frog. And no need for thanks. I like helping out people almost as much as I like meeting new people" says Kermit, preparing to grab the oars, turn the boat around, and head back to the boat house.

"I'll do that, if you don't mind" offers Roxas, grabbing the oars first, then placing them in the water.

"Are you sure?" asked Kermit. "I don't mind rowing us back."

Roxas shakes his head, saying "No, that wouldn't be fair. You've already saved me from drowning and being eaten by alligators so the least I can do to thank you for your help is to row the boat back." Roxas then, with a little work, gets the boat turned around and heads it back up the path he had seen Kermit come from.

"Well, if you're sure" says Kermit, getting a nod from Roxas. "Alighty then, though I'm sure you would have been fine swimming around here. The only alligator I know of who lives around here is Bernie and he usually stays away from people. Though it has been a years since I was last here."

"A return trip to your old stomping grounds, huh?" says Roxas whimsically, recalling Twilight Town and his friends there. "That sounds nice..."

"Yeah, I left a year before after meeting a Hollywood agent who was also named Bernie that got me interested in becoming a movie star. So I set out, made some good friends, and fulfilled my dreams. Since then, we've been working on new movie ideas and I decided to come back home for a few days in order to get some inspiration."

"Any luck so far?" asked Roxas.

Kermit sighs, shaking his head and says "Not really. Maybe the others have had better luck."

After a moment of pause, Roxas looks at the instrument Kermit had been playing earlier and ask "What's that, by the way? I've never seen an instrument like that before."

"Oh, this?" asked Kermit, picking it up, getting a nod from Roxas. "It's called a banjo. It's a little on the simple side as far as guitars go, but I like it. Here, wanna try it out?" Kermit then offers it to Roxas.

"Maybe once we get ashore" says Roxas.

"OK then" says Kermit, putting it back down for now. "By the way, why did you come out here for since you said you weren't planning on taking a swim?"

"Well, I...I'm looking for a few things" says Roxas. He then takes a hand off one of the oars, reach's into his coat pocket and pulls out a damp, soggy picture of some the Heartless seen around as drawn by Xion. He hands it to Kermit, saying "It's a little ruined, but still good enough I guess. Have you seen anything like these creatures running around by any chance?"

After a moment of consideration and thinking, Kermit shakes his head and says "Sorry, none of these ring in bells. What are they anyways?"

"They...they're called the Heartless. They're creatures that are born in the darkness, seeking out hearts to snatch from people. They can be really dangerous if left unchecked" says Roxas.

"Oh, I see. So you're a kind of bounty hunter then?" asked Kermit.

"No, no, nothing like that" says Roxas, shaking his head earnestly. "I...I'm just trying to protect people from being hurt by them. That's all."

"That's a pretty noble cause" says Kermit. "I haven't seen them around but maybe one of my friends might have. Once we get back to land, I'll take you to meet them and you can ask them yourself if your up for it?"

"Sure thing" says Roxas.

(a little over an hour later)

"Well, we're here" says Kermit, coming to a stop before a building that looked rather run down.

Roxas looks up at the sign above the door and reads "The El Sleezo Cafe? Are you sure this is the right place?"

"This is where I first met my friend, Fozzie. When I decided to head back to the old swamp, he came here as this is where his career first began...so to speak. Well, lets go see how he's doing" says Kermit before walking forward.

Just as he reach's the door, a man with gray hairs comes flying out, landing in the collection of trash bags that were littering the ground outside. "Hey, are you all right?" asked Roxas, running over to check on the guy.

"Yeah, I'm fine" says the guy. "Word of warning though if you're going inside. This place is home to the meanest, mangiest, scum that live on the face of the earth."

"Then why not complain to the owner then?" asked Roxas.

The man picks himself up, says "I am the owner, kid", then walks off away from his business.

"I see things haven't changed since I was last here" says Kermit. "He said the same thing to me when I first came here, under the same circumstances too. Kind of weird to be honest." He then heads inside.

"What am I getting myself into?" wonders Roxas before following Kermit inside, finding the place filled with many sailors, drunks, and other people who looked like they would slit your throat and rob an old lady blind without so much as a blink. Yeah, this really was a place you'd want to come.

As they make their way through the crowds towards the stage, Kermit says "If a fight happens to break out, just yell out 'There's drinks on the house.' Got it, Roxas?"

"Sure, OK?" says Roxas, confused by what good that would do if a fight really did break out. After some work getting around, they find a table to sit at and wait for Kermit's friend to appear. "Shouldn't we head back stage to talk to him?"

"We'll do that after he does his shtick with the audience. Fozzie will get depressed otherwise" says Kermit.

Roxas nods, then looks around as a woman walks up and drops two menu's down before them. Kermit picks his up and looks it over and Roxas does so as well a few minutes later. From what he could see, there was nothing on this menu that looked tasty, good, or even healthy looking for that matter.

"Kermit, you aren't really planning on ordering anything from here, are you?" asked Roxas.

Kermit looks at him and shakes his head. "Nope, but I want to be polite so I'll act interested. At the very least, we can order the cheapest, least deadly looking thing on the menu."

"Hey sailor, by me a drink?" asked a voice to Roxas left. He turns his head and sees a woman who was dressed in clothes fitting for a place like this.

"Sorry ma'am, but I don't have enough munny on me and besides, I doubt I could buy one for you anyways as I'm underage" says Roxas.

"So am I" says the girl, though she didn't look it. She then turns her attention to Kermit, asking "What about you mister short, green, and handsome? Wanna buy me a drink?" She then reach's out to caress Kermit's face soothingly.

But her hand is suddenly stopped by another, older man who looks at her and says "What are you doing Hilda? I thought I told you never to touch frog's. They'll give you warts."

"Excuse me, sir. But that's just a urban myth" notes Kermit.

"Yeah, what's your point? She's my miss, not yours" growls the man.

"No sir, I said myth. A MYTH" says Kermit, a little more earnestly.

"Yes?" comes a girl dressed in French style clothing who appeared to be named Myth as she assumed someone had been calling her name.

Kermit looks at Roxas and says "And here I thought that joke was last year too?"

"So it is a rumor that frog's can give people warts then?" asked Roxas. "I recall hearing that one back home though I wasn't sure if it was true or not."

"Yeah, frog's giving people warts is a myth. Toads, on the other hand..."

Kermit's words stop short as music begins to play from a tubby guy wearing shades indoors sitting at the piano. He then announces to everyone "Now, our entertainment for tonight. He hasn't been by here for a while, thankfully, so please give a round of applause for the furry...um, furry, and...always furry Fozzie Bear."

There was only two claps coming from the audience, those being Kermit and Roxas, and a couple of boo's as a bear with light brown/yellow fur, a white tie with red polka dots, and a hat comes walking out to stand at the mic.

"Alright, here I am, back again. So just bear with me until the end, wakka wakka wakka. Did anyone get the pun in there? Wakka wakka wakka, alright" says Fozzie cheerily.

The crowd erupts in boo's, all aimed at the bear. "Is that his idea of comedy?" asked Roxas.

"He does his best" says Kermit in Fozzie's defense. "...even if that best is still bad though."

Someone in the crowd yells out "Where's them dancing girls at?"

"Sorry everyone, but the girls all called in sick tonight. But don't worry, I'll entertain you as much as they would have. Now, let me see..." says Fozzie, ignoring the booing while thinking on what to start off with. "So, do we have any fat sailor's in the audience tonight?"

"What about fat sailors?" comes one such man who looked a little big in the belly as he stands and smashes his drink on the table.

"Um...nothing, sir. I was just asking" says Fozzie.

Roxas looks around the room and says "Kermit, I'm feeling a little nervous here. Look, the crowd's getting pretty ugly now."

"You think the crowd's ugly, you should see the dancing girls" notes the girl named Myth who had come to sit next to them.

"Hey everyone, how about I give you all a little dance number?" asked Fozzie.

The room goes silent for just a moment as everyone looks at each other. In the back of his mind, Kermit thinks these people may be the same ones from last year, or at least a good chunk of them anyways. They then look back at Fozzie and yell as they all charge the stage. A full on fight with Fozzie versus everyone had begun.

"Kermit...help" cries Fozzie as one burly, drunk looking man grabs him, lifts him into the air, then starts swinging him down at the ground.

"Hold on Fozzie" yells Kermit, trying to make his way over to his friend, but is stopped by the hand of a thin looking man covered in tattoo's.

"You with the bear, frog?" he asked.

"I...am?" asked Kermit, knowing this wasn't going to end well.

"Hey boys, looks like we're having frog soup for desert" yells the tattooed man before grabbing Kermit and makes for the kitchen.

Seeing Kermit and Fozzie in danger, Roxas chases the man with Kermit, yelling "Hold on, I'll..."

"Drop that frog" yells another man, stopping the man who was holding Kermit and punching him which allows Kermit escape. This act leads to fighting between the various people here in the bar itself.

Tables were being used as target boards as people were being sent flying into them. Chairs were being smashed atop the heads of others. It was all total pandemonium in here. For a moment, Roxas considered calling out his Keyblade to aid Kermit in saving Fozzie as the frog had hopped onto the back of the man attacking Fozzie, putting him into a head lock that just wasn't doing anything.

Then Roxas recalls what Kermit had told him to do before, should this happen. "Hey everyone, there's drinks on the house" he yells out loud enough for everyone to here him.

In the blink of an eye, the three of them were the only ones left in the room. "Well...that was different."

"Still works every time" chimes in Fozzie, picking himself up off the ground and dusting himself off.

"Fozzie, are you OK?" asked Kermit.

"No problem" says Fozzie, quickly and happily. "That was nothing compared with the responses I got back before I met you, Kermit. Are you OK though? I know you aren't use to stuff like that unless that old timer, Doc Hopper, comes around to try to get you to reconsider your position on his business."

"Let's not talk about him right now, alright?" asked Kermit, not wanting to be reminded of the trouble that man had caused him, even if it did also bring him and the other Muppets together in the end. "Anyways, I want to introduce you to a new friend I met today."

Roxas steps forward and extends a hand. "I'm Roxas. Kermit has told me a lot about you. I...your an interesting guy, mister Fozzie."

Fozzie takes his hand and they shake. "Nice to meet you too. And don't worry about calling me mister. Feels and sounds weird to hear it be said."

"Gotcha" says Roxas.

"Roxas here is looking into some oddities and I was unable to help him. Maybe you might be able to, Fozzie" says Kermit, getting their attention.

"If he's a friend of yours, then how can I say no" says Fozzie to Kermit, then looks back at Roxas who shows him the picture of the various Heartless seen up till now by him or Xion.

"So, any of these look familiar to you or have you seen anything with this emblem imprinted on their bodies?" asked Roxas.

"Hm?" says Fozzie, scratching his chin. "Sorry, can't say that I have. I'm sure I'd recall seeing anything that looked weird like this."

Roxas sighs a little, then smiles. "Maybe that means this world is safe then?"

Kermit gives him a curious look, knowing Roxas likely didn't mean to say that aloud and was likely unaware that he had too. "Hey, what about asking Gonzo?" offered Fozzie.

"Gonzo?" asked Roxas.

"Another in our groups of friends" explained Kermit.

"Yeah, him. He's the biggest weirdo we know..." says Fozzie, with Kermit quickly cutting in and saying "He's the only one we know."

Fozzie nods, then says "If anyone would know anything about weird creatures, it would be him. Come on, the car's outback." And with that, Fozzie leads them out the door and around to the alley way where he was parked. As they walk, Roxas hears talking and looks up to see everyone had gone to the roof, taking the drinks on the house bit a little to literally. He had a feeling that was common in this world.

"I still can't believe you bought back the old Studebaker, Fozzie" says Kermit as he and Fozzie get in the front and Roxas in the back.

"Of course I had to get it back, Kermit" says Fozzie as he turns the car on. "My uncle said he'd kill me if I didn't..."

(sometime later)

Roxas opened his eyes, finding he had fallen asleep shortly after they had left the El Sleezo. He hears the sound of singing, realizes that it was coming from Kermit and Fozzie, singing about how they were "Moving Right Along."

"Hey guys, how long was I out for?" he asked, worried that it might be getting close to going back time.

"Um...you were asleep?" asked Fozzie. "No wonder you've been so quiet, wakka wakka."

"Sorry Roxas, I was to busy reading the road map and making sure Fozzie was heading in the right direction to have noticed either" adds Kermit.

"No problem" says Roxas. "So, are we almost there?"

"If we didn't get lost, then in about fifteen minutes" says Kermit.

The next fifteen minutes were quiet ones. Well, as quiet as they could be when you had a bear and a frog singing songs. But soon enough, they arrived at an old dilapidated church with a bus sitting outside, one that had been done up in a crazy series of rainbow colors.

"Looks like the whole gang's here, Kermit" says Fozzie, then getting out of the car.

As they walk towards the church, Kermit looks back and says "This place use to be home to our friends, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem; a band along with their manager, Scooter. Gonzo, along with Rowlf, Honeydew, Beaker, and Miss Piggy should be here as well so you'll be able to ask them all."

"Alright..." says Roxas, thinking that if no one else here in this place didn't recognize the Heartless images, then he'd call it a day for this world. But the church doors suddenly burst open and a panicked looking chicken comes running out.

"Hey, its Camilla. Wonder what's wrong?" says Kermit.

"Maybe someone ruffled her feathers the wrong way, wakka wakka" joked Fozzie.

"Fozzie..." groaned Kermit as Camilla reach's them and starts squawking up a storm. "Slow down, Camilla. I don't understand..."

"Something must be wrong inside" says Roxas, fearing that the Heartless had shown themselves. He runs forward and enters the church.

Pushing the twin doors hard to open them, Roxas finds chaos before him. At the center of the room was what appeared to be a giant bell with a female like form growing from the top of it. Around this creature were more Muppets; some trying to attack it, some trying to hide, and some that were acting weird...well, weird for them anyways.

"Wait Animal, that's not working" yells Floyd to his furry band mate who had managed to jump onto the creatures back and was trying to bite it with little success.

"Don't worry guys. The Great Gonzo will take it down" comes the weird looking creature of blue/purple fur coloring. Gonzo looks back at Rowlf and adds "Light me up."

"You sure about this?" asked the brown fur dog.

"Of course I am. I thought you know how I think by now" says Gonzo confidently.

"Your funeral then" says Rowlf, shrugging and lighting the fuse to the cannon Gonzo was in. A moment later, it fires but Gonzo doesn't exit it, instead stays placed inside with plenty of smoke now covering him.

"Oh yeah, I forget this was the trick cannon" says Gonzo embarrassed.

"Maybe music will soothe the savage beast" pondered Dr. Teeth. "What do you think, Scooter?"

"Well, it's worth a shot" says the glass's wearing manager to the Electric Mayhem band.

"Oh, I hope we can capture it alive. I so want to study it" comes the voice of Bunsen Honeydew, a green face old man type who also wore glass's, despite not having any see-able eyes on his bald head. His assistant, Beaker, beeps out his agreement.

"Forget that. I'll show you how we deal with a monster like this back home" yells Miss Piggy, dressed in karate garb before leaping at the creature to use her brute force power to take it down.

The creature, seemingly annoyed with all of this, gives out a siren like cry from its mouth while the bell part of its body chimes, releasing visible sound wave that hits the remaining Muppets, also effecting them and causing them to start acting weird.

"Whoa, what is that thing?" says Fozzie and he and Kermit finally join Roxas inside the church.

"Guys, stay back" says Roxas, calling out his Keyblade. "I'll deal with this Heartless."

"It isn't a Heartless, Roxas" comes Kermit suddenly, making Roxas look back at him.

"Wait, it isn't? Then what is..." Before Roxas could finish his sentence, the creature targets them and unleashes another series of sound waves at them. Though it was to fast to dodge, Roxas finds he wasn't being affect by the attack. Neither was Kermit it seemed. But Fozzie...

"Yeh syug, tahw tsuj deneppah?" asked Fozie, his voice sounding all weird.

"Fozzie? What happened to him..." asked Roxas.

"It's the special power that creature has, Roxas" says Kermit, stepping up to join him. "It can use sound waves to reverse everything a person does. Their words are reversed, they walk opposite the direction they intend to go, and they don't even know it's happening either."

"Seriously" asked Roxas. He then looks back at the creature and says "What is it?"

"It's a Dream Eater, Roxas. A Nightmare class to be exact. I call it Reversa-bella. I've been fighting against it for a long time and have had no success in defeating it, thus continuing this never ending dream."

"Wait Kermit...I don't understand" says Roxas.

"I'll explain it all after we defeat this guy. Before, I was unable to handle it because I'm not strong enough alone to win. But with you here now..." Kermit stops long enough to hold his hand out and a Keyblade appears in it. "I know I can bring this dream to an end."

"A Keyblade..." Roxas shakes his head, reminding himself that an explanation will come later. Right now, they had something to do. "Let's do this."

"Remember, its reversal power won't effect us like the others, but it can still stop our attacks should we get caught in the wave." Kermit then leaps at the Dream Eater, swinging his Keyblade at it.

Kermit's Keyblade was green in color with the guard in the shape and style of a lily pad. The key chain hanging from it had a little mini Kermit like face and the reach was small. The Reversa-bella tries to hit Kermit with its waves, but the small frog nimbly dodges them, then lands a smack upon its shoulder.

Roxas comes in low, aiming his attack at the bell like body, Kingdom Key strike fast and hard against the metallic surface and creating some interesting chimes as well. He then notices the metal ball at the center of the bell was glowing. "That has to be it's weak point" he says aloud , going for a strike.

Reversa-bella unleashes a new sound wave at the last second, making both Roxas and Kermit fly back away from it. "Man, that sucker's hard."

"Now you know why I haven't defeated it yet" says Kermit. "Physical strength just isn't my forte."

"But I do think I found its weak point. It I can distract the head, you can go low and attack the inside of the bell. Shatter the chime and it should fall" says Roxas.

"If you're sure, then lets do it" says Kermit. Roxas then switch's the Pumpkinhead and goes for the head, striking fast and hard as much as he could. The Reversa-bella tries to counter with sound waves, but finds itself before confused due to Pumpkinhead's special ability.

Kermit, meanwhile, positions himself inside and sees the chime. Leaping up, his swings his Lilly-pad Keyblade as hard as he can. The first hit doesn't work, the second makes a crack appear. Three more hits add even more cracks, and then...the chime shatters.

The Reversa-bella cried out as its body breaks apart and explodes, leaving the victor's to celebrate. "Kermit, we did..." Roxas words are cut short when he finds everyone freezing in place save for himself and Kermit.

"Confused, huh?" asked Kermit.

"I think I can think of a ton of questions to ask" admits Roxas, walking up to stand before his amphibian friend.

"It all started...well, I'm not sure how long ago it was to be honest. A man came to our world, talking of Hearts and doors and other such things, like the Heartless. He asked me for help. I agreed as that's the kind of guy I am but he was just using me because of my Keyblade. When he realized I wasn't strong enough for his needs, he left. But not before weakening the door of this world."

"For months, I search with my friends; trying to find the door. Then she came, the woman in black who used our world as a testing ground for her Heartless summoning power. We battled hard but it wasn't good enough. We finally found the Keyhole, but it was to late. The damage had been done. I was left with no other choice. I used my Keyblade to send this world into Slumber with only me remaining awake and knowing the truth."

"What is a Sleeping world then? And what about that thing? A Dream Eater you called it" asked Roxas.

Kermit takes a moment to think about this, then says "A world that Slumbers is a world that nearly fell into darkness. As a fellow Keybearer, I'm sure you know about what happens if Heartless are left unchecked, allowed to run rampant in any world for to long."

"Yeah, I do" says Roxas.

"Well, in some cases, the world will instigate a fail safe before it can be plunged into the darkness, instead choosing to enter Slumber. In this, it will be protected from any and all Heartless attacks. Down side is though is that the world will need an external force to help it awaken again."

"As for the Dream Eaters? They are the denizen's of the realm of Slumber. There are two types, Spirits and Nightmares. Spirits are good Dream Eaters, working to safe guard the world so its barrier can heal and can then one day awaken. Nightmares, on the other hand, try to keep the world from healing and wish for it to remain in slumber so they can continue to feed of the dreams of the sleeping people."

"I see. Then how does one wake a world in Slumber?" asked Roxas.

"You find the Keyhole of Sleep and release it, much like how you'd visit the door of the world in the form of a Keyhole as well" says Kermit.

"Great, another thing to find then?" groans Roxas, thinking he likely wouldn't be able to leave till it had been found.

"Actually, I already have it with me" says Kermit, pointing to the banjo strapped to his back. "I found it easy enough, but that Nightmare kept appearing every time I tried to seal it and stopped me. Of course, it would appear as well even if I didn't if I went long enough. But now, thanks to you, I can finally unseal this sleeping world so my friends can finally wake again."

"I'm glad I was able to help" says Roxas cheerfully.

"Just so you know, the moment I do this, you'll likely find yourself back in whatever world you had just come from. Though it may be a while, I'm sure we'll meet again one day" says Kermit, extending his hand out to Roxas.

"Yeah, I hope so to" says Roxas.

"Oh yeah, before you do leave. I want to give you something" says Kermit as he pulls his banjo off and sits on a pew. He then waves his free hand and makes another appear in Roxas hand. "Come, sit next to me."

Roxas nods and sit, then ask "So, what is it..."

"I want to give you the power I have. A power that allows one to become stronger by adding the power of another to them. It was this power that could have aided me in stopping the Dream Eater, but due to my friends being trapped in Slumber, it was impossible."

"So, what do I do?" asked Roxas.

"Just play the banjo like I do and the rest will take care of itself" instructs Kermit before strumming the strings. "Just listen and feel the music. If our hearts can find the proper resonance, then the words will come to you." Roxas nods, then Kermit leads them into the duet.

Why are there so many

songs about rainbows

and what's on the other side

Rainbows are visions

but only illusions

and rainbows have nothing to hide

So we've been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me

For Roxas, it was weird. As he listened to Kermit play, he began to feel a connection forming between him and Kermit. He couldn't explain it, but it did felt as if their hearts were connecting somehow. And the words of this song. They were as clear as day to him within his mind. Mimicking Kermit's banjo playing as if he himself was a seasoned pro, Roxas sings the next verse of the song.

Who said that every wish would be heard
and answered when wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that and someone believed it.
Look what it's done so far

What's so amazing that keeps us star gazing
and what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me

Kermit gave him a nod as he finished, then quickly joined Roxas in continuing the song.

All of us under its spell

We know that it's probably magic

(Kermit)Have you been half asleep

and have you heard voices?

(Roxas)I've heard them calling my name

(Kermit)Is this the sweet sound

that called the young sailors

(Roxas)The voice might be one and the same

(Kermit)I've heard it too many times to ignore it.

(Roxas)It's something that I'm supposed to be

(together)Someday we'll find it,

the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me

The song finished, Roxas found he and Kermit were now glowing with a mysterious light. Kermit nods at him, then press's his hands against his chest for a moment then pulls them away, a ball of light having appeared in his hands. He then press's the ball against Roxas chest and for just a moment, Roxas feels something warm and empowering wash over him. Then the light around them fades.

"What did you give me?" asked Roxas.

"You'll find out in time, just like I had to do when I was given the power. Don't worry though. When the time comes, you'll understand it all" says Kermit reassuringly, then placing his banjo on the ground followed by summoning forth his Keyblade again.

The banjo now glows, releasing a light that shoots into the sky and forming a rainbow colored keyhole. Kermit aims Lilly-pad at the rainbow keyhole; a light releasing at the target and making an unlocking sound as they connect. The the keyhole fades, the whole world begins to glow brightly.

"Well, it's time for this world to finally awaken from her long slumber" says Kermit, taking a moment to look around as the scenery around them shifted and changed.

"Will we ever meet each other again, Kermit?" asked Roxas as the frog himself began to fade away.

Kermit looks back at him and smiles. "I'm sure we will someday. And if you ever need any help, I'll be there along with that rainbow connection..." Kermit then holds his hand out, offering it to Roxas who returns the gesture, both shaking as the world finished fading around them...

"...And that's what happened" finished Roxas, looking at Xemnas to see what his reaction would be.

"Hm? Most curious. I have heard of there being sleeping worlds out there, but never have I nor anyone else here encountered them before. Most fascinating. And what happened to you next?"

"I was surrounded by light for a moment, then I found myself waking up inside a twilight corridor. I tried to reestablish a portal to Kermit's world, but it wouldn't open" said Roxas.

"Likely do to the world still needing time to fully awaken. And even then, the portal coordinates may not be valid between a dream state and the waking state as well" explained Xemnas.

"I hope I can go back there again someday" says Roxas absently to himself as his eyes drift off to look at a nearby window. "I feel there's more I could learn from him..."

"Perhaps in time" says Xemnas. "By the way, I apologies for not alerting you to the existence of sleeping worlds, even if I believed them to only be a legend. Not doing so was..."

"Don't worry about it. I know now, that's enough, right?" said Roxas.

Xemnas gives him a smile "Indeed. Now, go rest for now. You've earned it."

"Like I haven't rested enough as it is" joked Roxas, getting a chuckles from the leader. "But all the same, maybe a little more won't hurt me." And with that, Roxas excused himself from the room.

An hour later, he was sitting at the fake clock tower with Xion and Axel, having related to them his adventures in the sleeping world. "So Roxas, how do you know you aren't asleep now?" asked Axel.

"Who knows? Maybe we're all asleep and just waiting for our own personal awakening" says Roxas.

"If this is a dream, then I hope I never wake up" says Xion, getting the two boys to look at her. "After all, I'm happier here."

"Agreed" said Roxas.

"I'll second you both there" agreed Axel.

They look back out over the fake expanse of sky and Roxas decides to share it with them. Turning back, he pulls the banjo out as he had found it with him when he had woken up before and had decided to keep it as a reminder of his meeting with Kermit. Axel and Xion watch him as he strums the strings a few times, then begins to play.

"Why are there so many songs about rainbows..."

to be continued...

Statler and Waldorf, two cranky old man sat in their chairs, having finished watching the show. They turn and look at each other.

"You know, that's the worst thing I've ever seen on TV" says Statler.

"Yeah, paint drying and grass growing is more interesting than this stuff" agreed Waldorf.

The two old Muppets then start laughing at their own words, like they always did after giving a review of something they had just seen.