If we were Together: A year has passed since their separation, and Riku and Sora have grown both in size and in mentality. Sora slept in her chamber regaining her memories while Riku watched over her clouded in the gray spaces between light and darkness.
Author's Note: Sorry it's been so long since I've updated. Reality likes to rear its ugly head and drag me away from my writing but since it's Christmas I figured it was time to give my readers a gift. Happy Holidays!
Chapter 11: Saving Christmas
~Hallow Bastion~
Patty cowered and bowed down holding her head wincing. "Forgive me, Lord Vincent! I've been trying my best to build you that army as I promised but that stupid kid with a key keeps getting in the way!"
"Silence!" Vincent stood above the trembling buffoon his face snarling down. "I could care less about the keyblade wielder. I told you before, Sora no longer concerns me so you can stop playing with that stupid child!"
"I don't understand…" Patty sat up on her knees. "I thought you said you wanted revenge. Isn't the punk girl the one that sent you to your…"
"Oh believe me she will not go unpunished for that. I'll simply have to deal with that matter myself. No, my focus is on the one who thought he could pull my strings. Xehanort, I need my army to battle against him, more I need spies to figure out what he's been planning all this time."
Patty slowly got to her feet dusting herself off. "So uh, what's the plan then?"
"The plan is to leave the keyblade wielder to me. I'll find someone who's more suitable to deal with her childish qualms. In the meantime I want you to go to another world. I sense a dark presence lingering and it could be great fuel to bring out more heartless."
"Great, sure, I'll just uh leave the kid to you then!" She holds up her hands laughing. "I'll just uh be on my way then." Patty turned and quickly made her way out. Vincent snarled in disgust. How had he become reduced to this, giving orders to a buffoon like Patty. He'd once had vicious and authorative minds collaborating with him… it was one of the many reasons he'd been in power so long… but those same fools made idiotic mistakes just as they were reaching their goal.
What was worse was that he'd been betrayed by his partner. The man who had shown him everything there was to know about the Door to Darkness and the seven purest hearts. Now that dream was no longer available for the princesses were once again scattered back to their worlds, and the key bearer protected them with a fierce growth.
No, this time he had to change tactics. He would become the ruler of all worlds, but first he had a rival to defeat, and a new base of operations. This world on Hallow Bastion was overrun by people killing off his heartless army, and it was no longer hidden from view from the likes of Sora and her crew.
"Perhaps I should deal with her myself, afterall." Vincent sneered, flames coating the ground around him and he summoned his power to bring him to a world where he knew the Keyblade Master was close to. "This time, little girl, you shall be my tool and be useful to me."
~Halloween Town~
It had been good to see Aladdin and Jasmine again. Aside from the little bump in the road that was Iago trying to become good, Jafar's lamp appearing suddenly, and Pete wanting to steal it and turn Jafar into a heartless everything went semi smoothly. Heartless were well taken care of by Aladdin and the guards, He and Jasmine were as much in love as before, and even the Genie returned unable to stay away from his "pals" anymore.
So she felt the situation there was safe in their hands and quickly moved onto the next world. Halloween Town. Man did she miss this place. The costume, the atmosphere, sure it was a little scary and spooky but he characters were a riot and Jack Skellington was the KING of Halloween.
There was bound to be fun and adventure, and maybe Jack could give her some information on Riku.
She admired her outfit again. The clothes transforming for the environment giving her a mask, vampire teeth, and pure black garments which included a skirt, long leggings with red ribbons tied on the thighs, boots, and little bat wings poking out of her back… purely costume effect of course. Yeah she decided she LOVED Halloween Town.
"This place looks a little different, but it's definitely Halloween Town, right?"
"Well it sure does look like Hallowee- Wah?" Donald paused in his sentence eying the orange sparkling lights aligned on the wall of an alleyway. That was definitely new. Beside her Donald and Goofy let out a yelp which made her squeak and jump to the side a little, but she smiled and grinned at what it was that had startled them.
"Hey It's Zero! How have you been boy?" She watched the ghostly pooch circle around smiling and panting happily at her as he guided the way down the alley and into the square. Everything looked a little different now, things were festive, a little too much so for Halloween, and in front of the big fountain was a large ramp newly set up. "I wonder what that is for."
The sound of jingling bells breaks the silence of the night. Her eyes darted around and she spotted Jack coming down from the sky atop a makeshift sleigh with a garbage can and coffin for the seat and eight skeletal reindeer dashing through the sky. It was a new twist one that caught Sora off guard.
Jack landed with a silly grin on his face getting up out of the sleigh to greet them. "Sora, Donald, and Goofy, welcome back and Merry Christmas!"
Had the Pumpkin King flipped? "Merry Christmas?" Sora questioned stepping up to him with a bemused face. "Don't you mean Happy Halloween?"
"Oh of course," Jack said with almost a sighing expression. "Halloween greetings from the Pumpkin King!" He launched a face that startled her.. a glimmer of Jack's scary features returned, but something was off as if his heart just wasn't in it.
"Is something wrong Jack?"
"You'll have to forgive me, I'm in a Christmas mood." Jack held his heart taking in a deep breath his moves always poetic and exaggerated. Sora was too busy watching him move she almost didn't catch what he said… all she caught was "Sandy Claws?"
"I think he means Santa Claus." Goofy tried explaining when Sora gave a questioning glance to her friends.
"Aren't these decorations wonderful?" Jack said with pure admiration and pride in them. Sora glanced at the skull laced holly, and the orange-red lights strung up all over the square. "This year Halloween is going to handle Christmas too." He paused, "oh but I must go see Sally. She's working on something no self respecting Sandy Claws can live without."
"A Halloween Town Christmas…" Sora gave it some deep thought as her eyes continued to glance at the differences. It was all a unique perspective, a dark and creepy christmas with toys meant to frighten rather than make laughter, decorations more dangerous and sinister looking than wreaths and twinkling lights… and all the bones and skeletons added on even more to the creep factor. Still it sounded cool, something she could imagined some of the boys on her island would enjoy. So despite the trembling bones of her friends beside her she gave a nod. "Wanna go check it out?"
They hung their heads in failure, knowing it was pointless to argue with Sora when she'd made up her mind she was interested in something. So they followed Jack to Dr. Finkelstein's lab. Sally wasn't around but the good doctor and his three mischievous assistants Lock Shock and Barrel were all in the midst of creating some sort of machine. The three trouble makers carried a large piece of machinery toward the platform where the rest of the pieces were.
In the background Sally finally joined the group watching with a heavy heart as her doubts and wonderings about this entire event kept playing over and over in her head. Sora gave her a side glance wondering what could possibly be weighing so heavily on her mind that gave her that kind of expression.
"Imbeciles! You ruined my experiment!" Dr. Finkelstein shouted at the three as they ran off past Sally and back out into the square. Seemed some things never changed. Lock Shock and Barrel were always up to no good no matter who they were with.
"Sally, did you finish it?" Jack asked approaching the makeshift doll girl. "I want to show my good friends."
"I'm sorry, Jack. I need a little bit more time." Sally said with a deep sigh of regret. She hung her head.
"Oh, that's okay." Jack assured her patting her shoulders. "Just as long as it's ready for Christmas." He walked past her then remembering his guests turned to Sora, Donald and Goofy. "I need to go get Sandy Claws right away. Wonderful to see you again. Goodbye for now!"
With that he left. Sora's mind was too wrapped up in "Sandy Claws" that she missed half of what the others were saying. She remembered being a little kid at Christmas so excited for Santa Claus to come to her home and filling the house with gifts.
Her daydream of eggnog, and gingerbread was quickly interrupted by Jack suddenly reappearing. "Are those strange looking fellows in the town square with you?"
"Huh?" once again confused Sora snapped Christmas out of her head a moment. "What fellows?"
"You know the ones who wanted to destroy Halloween AND Christmas…" Jack thought a moment. "What were they called again… Heartless?"
On red alert Sora's eyes narrowed and she step forward. "They're definitely not with us, but Donald, Goofy and I can get rid of them for you…" okay she did her best to hold it back. "Then we can go see Santa!" She let out a girlish giggle doing a little dance in place. She earned disapproving looks from Donald and Goofy and she quickly cleared her throat.
"First, the heartless of course! Let's go get 'em!"
She ran out headfirst. She was too excited about Santa Claus to really concentrate much but luckily for her the keyblade attacks were becoming second nature by now. All she could really think of was quickly defeating them so they could move on and go see Santa with Jack. She wondered what the big man was like… was his fat and red like all the stories said? Or was that all just rumors? Did he really have a snow white beard? What about his workshop… and the elves?
She all but danced into the forest with glee her eyes twinkling when they spotted the Christmas Tree shaped door. She ran right for it , but Jack halted her there stepping in front to give a proper introduction. "Beyond this door is a world filled with wonders by which you've never seen. Everything was so new and exciting…"
Sora was about to pop… her feet danced her hands clenched in front of her and she wanted so desperately to beg. Her big blue eyes were so big it was a wonder they didn't just pop out of their sockets. "Come on, Just open it already!"
Excitement bubbled as Jack obeyed and opened the inside. Sora didn't hesitate she did a running jump inside.. and let out a gasp as she was sent tumbling through the portal and face first into snow.
She tried lifting herself off but felt the heavy weight of Donald and Goofy landing on top of her. She grunted at the weight but quickly tossed them off to get a full eye view. "Coool!"
"Quack?" Donald gazed curiously then too shared Sora's impression of the wide land of snow and glittering lights. They were atop a long hill of fresh powder snow that was cold to the touch and yet she didn't shiver or go blue when she touched because she was so warm with the thrills of being in the same land as Santa Claus. She got to her feet gasping a little as she looked down at herself.
"Hey my costume changed!" Instead of her Halloweentown get up she wore a black and white Santa outfit with a skirt and coat with white fluff cuffs and hems, and even a cute hat atop her head. Her boots were curved like elf shoes making her grin and giggle and turn around in a quick little girlish spin. something about this place just made her feel giddy and girly all over.
Donald and Goofy's attire changed too from the Mummy and Frankenstein mesh to the Snowman and Reindeer attire. They were all Christmas-ized… except for Jack who calmly strolled across the snow in his usual black and white pinstripes. Then again he WAS supposed to be the Pumpkin King.
As they made their way down the hill Sora took her time walking in, admiring every inch of the structures. All the lights and decorations brought a little flutter to her chest that made her want to squeal inside. She saw the merry go round and without much thought began to walk right to it but jolted back as heartless appeared suddenly in front of her.
"What? Here Too?" She pulled out her keyblade narrowing her eyes. "No way! you're not messing with Santa's house!" She attacked, the toy shaped heartless bouncing around or drilling underground using their little quirks to their advantage. The Jack in the Box was teh toughest of the group, bouncing around and switching heads so it would either lash out with scythe arms or aim a pop gun at her head.
She called Donald forward pushing his magic abilities on the box to keep it occupied while she twisted her blade in continuous cycles until it broke apart. She landed on the snow and gave a quick "whew" before glancing around to make sure there were no more heartless lingering.
"Christmas is in Big Trouble!" Donald said urgently.
"Gee we can't let anything bad happen to Christmas." Goofy agreed.
With the guys finally on board the Santa train Sora turned back to Jack to take lead. They made their way into Santa's house.. nervousness joining the excitement as she took a deep whiff smelling chocolate and cookies. A quick sideglance and all her childish dreams became a reality.
He was exactly as her imagination described, white beard and all. He sat at his desk calm and happily checking his list. She took a few steps forward and stalled when his eyes lifted and met hers. Her heart did a little jig inside her chest when he smiled in her direction and gave a little laugh.
"Well hello everyone, did you come to see if you're on my nice list?" Santa asked politely. He was kind and sweet as the stories had all said were true. She stepped forward her cheeks flushed and her hands gripping at her skirt nervously.
"Your name?" Santa leaned in and asked.
"Oh, It's Sora, sir." She nearly fumbled with her words and she touched her chest trembling a little. This was incredible, this was exciting…
"Well, according to my list Sora, 7 years ago you told everyone you didn't believe in Santa Claus. Oh My, that is unfortunate."
This was a disaster. She couldn't believe she forgot such an important element. Her hands went to her head and she let out a little groan as the flashback hit her fast and hard.
~Flashback~
Sora sat at her desk, her winter slippers in the shape of rabbits on her feet, her hair pulled back in a stubby ponytail as she painstakingly wrote in crayon her yearly letter to Santa Claus.
"What are you doing?" Riku walked over nibbling on a cookie from the plate Sora's mother had given him when he walked in the door. "We're supposed to go out treasure hunting today remember? Don't tell me you forgot."
"I didn't forget, I just gotta finish something first." She glanced over sniffing and grinning as he held out the plate of Christmas cookies to her. She snatched one up and took a big bite with a giggle.
"What could be so important that you're wasting our daylight time?" He stood on his tip toes to peek over her shoulder and frowned at the "Dear Santa" in big red letters across the top of the page. It would figure. Sora was always such a Christmas kid, Starry eyed, big smile on Christmas Morning going all gaga over gifts Santa brought her.. pissed him off. "That's a waste of time you know"
"Huh?" Sora's attention diverted and she glanced at him confused. "What do you mean?"
"It figures you'd be the only kid left on our block who still believes in Santa Claus." He leaned on the desk taking another bite his face a little sour expressed. "When are you gonna grow up?"
"Oh come on, Riku, if there's no Santa Claus then how do you explain all those gifts I ask for suddenly appearing under the tree on Christmas Eve?" She pouted at him.
"Easy, your parents wait for you to write this stupid letter, they read it, find out what you want, and go get it for you. It's their cheat way of figuring out what kids want for Christmas."
"That's stupid, they should just ask." She put her crayon down and slumped into the back of the chair. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't believe in Santa Claus."
"Easy…" Riku grabbed her hand and pulled her off the chair. "I never get what I want for Christmas."
Her eyes widen big as saucers. "You don't?"
"Nope, My dad told me straight up that he can't afford to play Santa Claus anymore. So I should grow up and like the gifts that I'm given."
"Yeah well newsflash Riku, your dad's a jerk." Stills he gripped his hand not liking his sad expression. "You really don't believe in Santa Claus?"
"No," he looked down at their linked hands leading her downstairs. Sora bit her lip looking at the half written Santa letter in her hand and she sighed. She pulled her hand out of his grasp long enough to start tearing the paper up. Riku let out a sound of protest but it was too late she was already tearing away and tossing the pieces on the ground.
"Then I won't either."
Riku paused at the bottom of the steps watching her rip up the letter. There was a little tug in his chest from watching it. "You don't have to stop just because I don't believe."
"You're right, I don't." She tapped her foot pretending to be a bit annoyed as she slipped out of her slippers and started pulling on her shoes so they could go outside. "I'll tell you a secret though, I find I like doing things betters when I do them with you, Riku." She grinned at his shocked face. "So even if Santa isn't real we can have a great Christmas together, right?"
~End of Flashback~
She suddenly went to the floor her face bright red and she held her cheeks whining. Donald and Goofy look to her concerned.
"What's the matter, Sora?" Goofy asked.
"I go to think of Santa Claus and Christmas and I end up with that embarrassing memory in my head!"
Damn you Riku!
Making Christmas, Making Christmas is so fun! Too bad the Holidays are over… Happy New Years everyone!
Next Chapter: Vincent's Scheme, Axel's Determination