Chapter 4
Sora lay completely motionless on the sandy ground, tears racing down his face. "I failed Manami and Takeshi... I let Sitoru take them both away from me just like that..." Sora pounded the ground with one of his fists, tears still racing down his face.
"Sora!" Riku shouted, running towards his best friend. Sora sat up in the sand, wiping his eyes before Riku saw. Riku knelt beside Sora. "Are you alright?"
"I'm okay, but..." Sora said, staring up at the sky. The Gummi ship was nowhere to be found and Riku sighed. "I... I failed Manami and Takeshi... I said to Manami after your son was kidnapped that I'd always protect her from evil. I failed her."
"You didn't fail, Sora. You nearly risked your life to save Manami and Takeshi. We'll get them back, I promise. And now I have to go with you." Riku said.
"Why? And who exactly is this boy Sitoru to you for him to be familiar and so very similar in appearance to you?" Sora asked.
"I'm not sure, but I think he's the son I had that was kidnapped from me a long time ago. If he looks and acts so much like me back when I was still a teenager, then I really think he's my son Sitoru." Riku said.
"But why would he even choose to kidnap Manami and Takeshi in the first place?" Sora asked. "I mean, he's just a child. What would he want with them?"
"He didn't even remember who I was back there... He lost his memories of home. Maybe he wants to remember me and everything here on the islands, but he's afraid to." Riku said to Sora. Sora sighed.
"Well, whatever the reason he chose to do this, we have to find Sitoru again and find out where he took my kids." Sora said.
"Good idea. C'mon." Riku said, holding out his hand towards Sora. Sora grabbed Riku's hand and stood up.
"But, Riku... How exactly are we gonna get to where Sitoru went? I don't have a Gummi ship anymore and you can't open a portal." Sora said.
"I have an idea." Riku said, taking out a small communication device.
"What's that?" Sora asked, smirking.
"The King gave it to me after the last time we met up with him, twenty five years ago. He said to me that whenever I needed him or just wanted to talk to someone other than you or Kairi, just press this button and I can talk to him." Riku said, staring at the small device in his hands. "Maybe he can loan us a Gummi ship."
"That's awesome! Call him, call him!" Sora said excitedly.
"Here goes nothing..." Riku pressed the button and began pacing around the island in hopes of a response. "C'mon..."
"You've reached the hot-line of King Mickey." A small voice called through the communicator. Riku's eyes widened. "Who is this?"
"Your majesty?" Riku called.
"Riku?" The voice called again. Riku knew this was the king.
"Yeah, it's me! Hi, Your Majesty! It's been so long, so I thought you weren't gonna answer my call!" Riku said, smiling widely.
"Of course I would, Riku. I just never thought you'd call after all of this time." King Mickey said. "Well, you called, so what's the problem?"
"Well…" Riku began explaining everything that had happened to the king. Sora sat by the shore, listening to everything that Riku was telling the king.
"Manami… Takeshi… I'm so sorry…" Sora whispered, staring up at the sky. Riku walked over to Sora, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey… Mickey said that Donald and Goofy are bringing a Gummi ship over here right now, and then they're gonna have to head back to Disney Castle… But, at least you can meet up with them again. Okay?" Riku said, trying to comfort Sora.
"Alright…" Sora replied. He was really happy he would be able to see Donald and Goofy again, but he was too worried for his children to think about that.
"Hey, they'll be alright. I know it. I haven't seen Manami in a few years, but I know how strong she must be. She gets her strength from you, Kairi, even her little brother though he doesn't know about his inner strength yet." Riku said.
"I hope… Takeshi doesn't know the first thing about fighting, and Manami uses a sword to fight, but I don't have any idea where she got it from." Sora said.
"Maybe Sitoru gave it to her. But he can't create swords. Even I can't. Someone else must be corrupting him into doing all this stuff to convince her that he can be trusted, even though he can't." Riku said.
"I don't know… He just looked like an ordinary kid when I caught my first glimpse of him tonight… But inside, he's probably just lost and angry, like you were when you thought I had something to do with his disappearance." Sora said.
"It'll be alright. I know now he's safe, and… I just want him back with me. But we have to find out who's causing all of this. I mean... I told Sitoru about the darkness and light when he was still a small child, then all of that had happened. Sitoru was only six years old, and I couldn't save him in time." Riku said.
Sitoru and Riku were sitting on the beach, staring up at the clouds as they did this. Sitoru was now wearing a small black necklace around his neck that his father had given him only moments before. Riku told Sitoru that the necklace was one of his most cherished items, given to him by his father before he died when he was a child.
Promise me that you'll always be strong, even if something should happen to me, Sitoru. Don't ever forget about me. Riku told him.
I promise, dad. I won't ever forget about you, or the things you've taught me in the past. Never. Sitoru replied, smiling widely. Riku giggled and then placed the black necklace around his son's neck, ruffling his son's silver hair a little.
Riku had fallen asleep a few moments later, happy to know that nothing would ever happen to tear his only child from him. But he was very wrong. He was suddenly awakened from his slumber when he heard a cry for help coming from further away.
Dad! Help me! Riku heard Sitoru's voice call.
Be quiet, boy. A woman's voice called out angrily. Then Riku suddenly heard the sound of a slap and then a stifled cry.
No! DAD! DAD!!! Riku stood up and ran towards his son's cry.
Sitoru! Sitoru, where are you?! Answer me! All Riku could hear from there was the sound of evil laughter. Sitoru! Sitoru! Riku's eyes widened when he suddenly saw Sitoru being dragged into a dark portal by a dark figure. Sitoru was hanging onto the paopu tree he adored for his life.
Dad! Sitoru shouted, tears racing down the young boy's face.
Sitoru! Riku drew his Keyblade and raced towards the portal where Sitoru was. Riku grabbed Sitoru's hand and held it tightly in his own as the portal began to close. Just hang on, it'll be alright! I've got you!
You fool. You cannot save him, unless you're willing to take your life for him.
Heartless suddenly began to surround Riku and a Soldier struck him in the back, causing him to lose his grip with Sitoru. NO! The last that Riku could see was darkness.
DAD! Sitoru shouted as the portal suddenly closed shut. Riku's eyes widened as the portal closed shut and Sitoru's black necklace fell out. Riku picked it up and shut his eyes, holding the small necklace close to his heart.
"I lost my only son to the darkness once before… I'll do anything I can in my power to get him back." Riku said, clenching his fist tightly.
"I understand that, Riku. We'll get Sitoru back to the way he was before he was corrupted by the darkness, and we'll save Manami and Takeshi from him too. I promise." Sora said, smiling. Riku nodded and then stared up at the sky and he gasped.
"Hey, look at that!" Riku said, pointing to a ship in the sky coming towards them. Sora looked in the same direction and then smiled.
"Alright! That's a Gummi ship! Donald and Goofy are here!" Sora exclaimed, leaping up from his spot in the sand. Riku stood up and watched as the Gummi ship slowed to a stop and then landed in front of them. A dog and a duck came from the ship.
"Hiya!" The dog called. The duck smiled.
"Donald!!!!! Goofy!!!!!" Sora ran up to the two and pulled them both into a hug, lifting them both off of the ground.
"Sora!!!" The two exclaimed, laughing. Riku walked over to the group as Sora set Donald and Goofy back on the ground again. "Riku!!!"
"It's nice to see you guys again!" Riku said, smiling.
"King Mickey told us that something happened here and sent us to drop off a Gummi. Mind explaining what happened?" Goofy asked.
"I don't mind explaining what happened… My two children named Manami and Takeshi were kidnapped by a boy named Sitoru a little while ago from right under my nose…" Sora said, staring at the ground.
"And when I came to help Sora, I saw Sitoru. I recognized his face easily, because he looked just like me. And I knew that he was my son, but he was being corrupted by the darkness. He was taken from me when he was only six years old by the Heartless and I hadn't heard from him since that moment. He's a Keyblade wielder as well, and that's exactly what made me realize that this boy really was my young son. " Riku said.
"When Riku told me about what had happened to Sitoru then, he blamed me for his son's kidnapping. I told him I had nothing to do with it, but he didn't believe me. Then our friendship drifted apart. Earlier, I felt a dark presence and got worried for my children's lives. When Kairi told me to go and talk to him about this, I was a little afraid because it had been a long time since we had. But because Riku wanted to help my children, he chose to help me." Sora said.
"Gawrsh, I'm really sorry you lost your kids like that, Sora. It must be so hard." Goofy said, trying to cheer his old friend up.
"I'll be alright as long as we can get them back." Sora replied, smiling.
"We will. I promise you, Sora." Riku said, smiling as well.
---------------KH
Manami sat in a small room aboard the Gummi ship, holding the now sleeping Takeshi in her arms safely. She stared at Sitoru driving up ahead, and then glared at him from behind, setting Takeshi down in a small bed before getting up.
"You know… You're nothing but a goddamn lousy traitor, Sitoru. You meant to do this all along because you were working with Maleficent." Manami said angrily.
"I'm working with Maleficent for a very suitable reason, Manami." Sitoru said angrily, still focusing on his driving.
"And the reason would be?"
"I want my memories back. I just want to be able to remember everything I lost. My home… My parents… Even who I really am. I want to remember everything. And Maleficent's the only one who can help me remember all of that. I have no choice…" Sitoru said, staring out into the multicolored sky.
"My father always told me that it's not the past that controls you, it's what you plan to do today." Manami said.
"Your father doesn't matter to me. To Maleficent, all he was is just a pawn of the light. He's weak and hopeless, thinking he can just waltz into her castle, take out his Keyblade and win the battle in a snap." Sitoru said.
"Don't you dare sass my father, you jerk!" Manami exclaimed, throwing a punch. Sitoru held out his hand while driving as well, catching Manami's punch. "What the f-" Sitoru suddenly threw Manami against the wall, letting her slide onto the ground.
"Pfft. Weak…" Sitoru said.
"Sitoru, you'll pay…" Manami said angrily, getting up slowly.
"Oh please, you couldn't beat me … Finally. Go wake up your pathetic little brother. We're here." Sitoru said. Manami walked over towards Takeshi's sleeping form and picked him up, holding him close to her.
"The hell with you." Manami exclaimed angrily as Sitoru slowly walked towards the vast black castle.
"Come quietly or the kid loses his life." Sitoru said, opening the doors.
"You wouldn't dare put a hand on Takeshi!" Manami shouted angrily.
"I said be quiet, you ignorant brat!" Sitoru shouted angrily, slashing Manami in the cheek with his blade. Manami cried out in pain watching blood roll down her cheek, nearly dropping Takeshi in the process. Sitoru put his Keyblade away quickly, thinking that Manami would say something about him wielding one like Sora and Riku could. "And Maleficent hears nothing about me being a Keyblade wielder, got it?"
"Damn you." Manami muttered as she continued to follow Sitoru deeper into the palace. Takeshi began to move in Manami's arms, and his eyes slowly began to open.
"Manami... I had the worst dream. We were sitting on the play islands watching the first moon and some guy named Sitoru started attacking us-" Takeshi began.
"That was no dream, Takeshi... It was all real. And now we're trapped in some giant castle." Manami said.
"I want daddy..." Takeshi said, worried.
"Dad's coming after us, Takeshi. I know it." Manami said to Takeshi, smiling. Moments later, the three came to a throne room and there sat Maleficent.
"Mistress Maleficent, I've done as you asked and brought the girl." Sitoru said, kneeling as he stared up at the woman in black.
"So, this is Maleficent?" Manami asked. Sitoru nodded.
"Ew... She's even uglier than dad said that she was." Takeshi said.
"Be silent, you pitiful little ingrate." Maleficent said angrily, holding her staff out as if she were going to hit Takeshi. Takeshi stuck out his tongue at Maleficent.
"Come on down from that throne and make me be quiet, you old hag! I won't take such orders from someone like you!" Takeshi said.
"Insolent little-" Maleficent began.
Maleficent held her staff up into the air and it suddenly began to glow an eerie green. She held it out towards Takeshi and dark magic began to flow from it. At long last, dark magic burst from the staff and towards Takeshi.
"Aah!" Takeshi shouted out, dodging the attack and hiding behind Manami.
"Maybe you oughta learn to hold your tongue sometimes. Mistress Maleficent's no pushover when it comes to dealing with her enemies. Trust me, I know. Be happy she's letting you live for right now." Sitoru said to Takeshi angrily.
"Sitoru, I'm leaving you and the Heartless in charge of these two. I've no desire to care for that pitiful Keyblade master's brats." Maleficent said, summoning Heartless.
"Don't you dare talk about my father that kind of way, you Heartless cunt!" Manami said angrily, about to charge towards the woman. Out of nowhere, Heartless leapt on top of Manami, knocking her over.
"Insolent child, you cannot defeat me." Maleficent said.
"The name's Manami, you old hag!" Manami exclaimed angrily. Sitoru ran towards Manami and then destroyed the Heartless with his Keyblade, putting it away quickly before Maleficent could have a chance to question him.
"Manami, just don't anger her. If she gets really angry, she'll be strong enough to kill all of us, especially because she's much older and a lot stronger than she used to be. I kept screaming for my father when I first came here, and she put me into a coma because of that, and I didn't remember a thing after I woke up." Sitoru said.
"Is that why you kidnapped us in the first place?" Takeshi asked.
"Sitoru, get those two nuisances away from here at once!" Maleficent demanded. Sitoru stood up and nodded.
"Yes, mistress Maleficent. I'll do that." Sitoru said quickly. He stared at the two younger children before him. "You heard the lady, move it."
"Whatever." Manami said angrily, walking off. Takeshi clung to Manami, not wanting to be left with Maleficent. As soon as the three traveled into the next room, a Heartless prepared to attack the trio. "Not gonna happen!" Takeshi quickly leaped into the air, shutting his eyes and slashing the creature down.
"Whoa." Sitoru muttered, his aquamarine eyes wide.
"T-Takeshi, open your eyes!" Manami shouted.
"Huh? What's the-?" Takeshi opened his eyes slowly and in his hands rested a Keyblade with a silver tip and a black handle. Takeshi held the blade up towards him, his own eyes wide as well. "Whoa… It's a Keyblade…"
"Oh, that's just great! So now everyone can wield a Keyblade except for me!" Manami said angrily, walking off. "This is so unfair!"
"Let it go already, it's just a word called fate. Or in this case, destiny…" Sitoru said angrily. Takeshi put the Keyblade in his hands away and followed after his sister. "By the way, pick a room anywhere, just don't go anywhere near mine."
-------------KH
Sora and Riku sat in the Gummi ship along with Donald and Goofy, both of the men deep in thought as they question their relation to why their children had disappeared, each in different ways. They sat in another room while Donald drove the ship.
"I wonder who took Sitoru from me in the first place." Riku asked Sora.
"It couldn't have been Xemnas… Xemnas was killed over twenty years ago, and then Ansem was killed at Kingdom Hearts. So, it couldn't have been either of Xehanort's halves." Sora concluded.
"Think it was Maleficent? You know, we never finished her off the last time we went to other worlds." Riku asked.
"That's true… Maybe she did do it. And you know, she does still have a grudge against you for when you joined her and eventually betrayed her. But she disappeared when we were about to fight Xemnas, so-" Sora began.
"Maybe she didn't die back there after all… Maybe she took down all of the Heartless, and took Sitoru away from me to raise him to be a regular pawn of the darkness just like I was." Riku said, staring at the ground. He reached in his back pocket and brought out the pendant he had given Sitoru right before the boy was kidnapped.
This pendant belonged to my father when I was a child. And he gave it to me to signify courage and determination, something that you have. And so I pass this to you. Don't ever forget who you are, even if you have no memories in your heart. Can you promise me that, Sitoru?
I promise, dad. I won't ever forget about you or what you've taught me, that's for sure! Sitoru took the pendant from Riku and tied it around his neck, smiling as he did this.
"What's that for, Riku?" Sora asked Riku, referring to the small black pendant in his best friend's hand. Riku glanced up, coming out of his daydream.
"Oh, this? My father gave it to me when I was a kid, a few years before he died… I gave it to Sitoru the day that he was kidnapped, and it fell off when he was dragged into a dark portal. I've kept it with me since then, hoping I'd see him again." Riku explained. "He promised me that he wouldn't forget me, but he didn't know that he'd be taken away from me… He doesn't have any idea who I am…"
"Good thing you did keep it, because now you know he's still alive and well. The only thing we have to worry about is whether or not he still remembers you. If he doesn't, then help him to remember. Like how Namine helped me remember Kairi." Sora said.
"Good point… But… His memories were only lost in the first place because he's being corrupted by the darkness. If he truly gave in, he wouldn't even be walking around without wanting to steal somebody's heart." Riku said. "He must still have some light left in him, and Maleficent wants to take the remaining light from his heart somehow."
"Manami never mentioned even knowing about him to me or Kairi, so she must be part of the reason Sitoru still has some light inside of his heart. Maybe he's in love." Sora said, staring at the ground.
"Maybe you're right. I mean, if they hadn't met, then Sitoru would've probably done as Maleficent asked him to and opened his heart to the darkness a long time ago." Riku said. "Trust me, I would know. It happened to me once before."
"Sora, Riku, we've arrived at Disney Castle!" Donald called out. The two men exited the room at the sound of this call.
------------KH
Manami and Takeshi sat in a small white room, the only white room in the entire castle, thinking of a way to try and escape the castle while questioning Takeshi's destiny as the newest Keyblade warrior.
"I don't trust any of this. It's weird how one day I'm entertaining my folks and the next, I'm a Keyblade wielder." Takeshi said angrily, staring at his Keyblade.
"It's destiny, just like dad earning his Keyblade when he was my age. But I still question why the Keyblade would choose a six year old with no fighting experience over a fourteen year old that wields a katana." Manami said.
"Hey, Manami… If I'm the next Keyblade master, wouldn't that in some ways make you a princess of heart?" Takeshi asked.
"Oh please… Why would I of all people be considered a princess of anything? Besides, my heart's not nearly as pure as our mother's is." Manami said, soon turning her attention to a small salmon colored sketchbook resting on the nightstand next to her. She picked it up and then stared at it.
"What's that?" Takeshi asked.
"This was Namine's sketchbook when she was about my age… She used this sketchbook to draw pictures that created fake memories and make dad forget all about mom and many other memories, such as his friends from other worlds. She used it in a place called Castle Oblivion and this is what caused dad to sleep in a pod for a year, until Roxas fused with him and woke him up." Manami said.
"How do you know that? Mom and dad never mentioned anything about Castle Oblivion or Namine's memory rearranging sketchbook to us. He didn't mention hearing Roxas to us, either." Takeshi said.
"I… I dunno. I guess I just knew about it." Manami said. In truth, Manami didn't know about any of the information she had given Takeshi until she first laid eyes on Namine's sketchbook. There was a knock on the door.
"Whoever it is at the door, come on in." Takeshi said cautiously. Sitoru opened the bedroom door and glared at Takeshi.
"Hey." Sitoru said.
"What the hell do you want, Sitoru? We're busy." Manami spat.
"I have to talk to you for a moment about something important, Manami. Alone." Sitoru said sternly. Takeshi stared up at his older sister with worried eyes, still having no ounce of trust for Sitoru.
"Don't worry, I'll be alright on my own." Manami said.
"Holler if you need me, and I'll come running to help you. Know that, sister." Takeshi said, holding out his Keyblade towards Manami. Manami nodded, stood up and walked out of the door, leaving the young boy in the bedroom by himself.
"What did you have to talk to me about?" Manami asked Sitoru, shutting the door behind her. Sitoru started walking off. "Sitoru-"
"Follow me. This isn't a good place to talk. Your brother would be listening at the door, and then Maleficent has Heartless all over the castle on guard duty. If they caught me talking to you, then they'd warn Maleficent of this action. And who knows what she could do if she found out I was associating with the enemy." Sitoru said.
"Oh… Alright…" Manami said, following Sitoru. The two walked outside of the castle walls, sneaking past many Heartless to do so. Manami stared up at the castle, then at Sitoru. "How did you figure out where to go? That castle is HUGE!"
"I've done that kind of thing long enough to know exactly which paths to take." Sitoru walked towards a small, dark ocean, sitting down and letting the waves clash against his feet. Manami sat down next to him and sighed.
"What did you have to tell me?" Manami asked.
"I wanted to tell you something… Manami… There's a reason why I kidnapped you and your brother. Maleficent told me to do so, but I never would've done it if not for what she told me in the past."
"What did she tell you?"
"When I was small, she took me away from the Destiny Islands and erased my memories of home when she put me into a coma for six weeks…"
LET ME GO HOME! I WANT TO BE WITH MY DAD! I HATE IT HERE, LET ME GO BACK HOME! Sitoru shouted out angrily, tears racing down the young boy's face as Maleficent held him in her arms.
Be silent, you insolent little brat! Maleficent said angrily, throwing Sitoru to the ground. Your father doesn't want you anymore. He never has.
You liar! My father loves me more than he loves himself! He told me so himself! He wouldn't abandon me, let alone leave me with an old hag like you! Sitoru was suddenly thrown to the ground and knocked unconscious.
You pathetic child…
"When I woke up again, I couldn't remember anything but my name… Not even my father…" Sitoru said. "And when Maleficent told me about you and your family living on the Destiny Islands, I didn't have any idea my father missed me. Maleficent had told me that my father wanted me gone for good, and she basically saved me."
"What kind of father would want his child dead?" Manami asked.
"That's exactly what I thought to myself at the time… When I asked Maleficent that, she said that he was an alcoholic, which is why he wanted me dead. I thought she was lying at first, but then she showed me an orb that showed my father in the club shortly after I had left. I thought he was moving on in life…" Sitoru said sadly.
"I'm sure that wasn't what your father had intended, Sitoru. He was probably just upset, because I remember my dad was swearing at himself because your father blamed him for your disappearance." Manami said. "Anyways, what happened next?"
"I then owed Maleficent my life because of what I saw happening and by what she had told me. I believed every word. I didn't find out she was lying to me until after I saw my father again today and saw the way he looked at me… He was even crying..." Sitoru said, tears falling from his eyes. "I deceived my own father…"
"It wasn't your fault… You were young and deceived for all the wrong reasons." Manami said, suddenly pulling Sitoru into a sideways hug. Tears streamed down her face as well. Sitoru put a hand towards his face and wiped the tears away.
"You have no reason to cry for me, Manami…"
"I can cry for you if I want to, you're my friend. Even if you did turn against me, you're still my friend." Manami said.
"You shouldn't even trust me… It's my all fault that I'm even in this mess. If only I hadn't passed out when Maleficent attacked me… Then I probably would have gained enough strength to defeat her and return home without the Keyblade coming to me…" Sitoru said. "Wait! If she finds out I'm wielding a Keyblade now, she'll kill me!"
"The blood line will be cut off. There would be no more dark Keyblade wielders. Balance will fall within the worlds." Manami said. "Wait… If Maleficent's against my father, and if she found out that Takeshi had a Keyblade while we we're still out here… She'd want to kill Takeshi to get to my father!"
"She really would do that sort of thing… We've gotta keep Takeshi away from Maleficent long enough for your father to come, or she'll win." Sitoru said, standing up.
"Wait!" Manami said. Sitoru turned to face her. "Tell me something… When Takeshi and I were talking, I saw Namine's sketchbook and knew everything in the past that had happened between her and my father, even though my father didn't remember that himself. Tell me why I knew that even though he didn't."
"Manami, you have the gift of remembrance. You know some things that others don't from the past that were never explained. You may even know some of the things that can happen in the future before others." Sitoru said.
"I didn't even like knowing about my father's past, and now I know I have the power to determine the past and the future…" Manami muttered.
---------------------KH
Sora stepped out of the Gummi ship and glanced around the area where he now was. It was full of many Gummi parts and blocks, so he knew that this was where the Gummi ship was first made. The Gummi Hangar.
"Man, it's been ages since I've set foot in Disney Castle…" Sora said, smiling.
"So, where's the king?" Riku asked Donald and Goofy.
"He's probably in the library. He's expecting you two." Goofy said.
"Then what're we waiting for? Let's go meet up with him! I want him to be surprised when he sees how much we've grown up since we last saw him!" Sora said, walking off. Actually, he was RUNNING off.
"Sora, wait up!" Riku called, following after his best friend. Donald and Goofy went in the opposite direction, splitting up. However, when Sora ran into the castle, his huge smile quickly faded into a frown. The castle was being overrun by Heartless.
"Oh shit…" Sora said to himself. Riku ran up to Sora.
"Hey, Sora, why'd you stop-" Riku began. Then Sora pointed to the marauding Heartless up ahead and Riku's eyes widened. "Oh no… That's why…"
"We've gotta take these guys down and find the king." Sora said, summoning his Keyblade and running towards the Heartless. They were instantly defeated when Sora slashed them all away. "Well, are you coming or what?!"
Riku summoned his Keyblade and ran after Sora, slashing Heartless along the way. "So, where exactly is this library?" Riku asked.
"If I can recall correctly, the library is in that last room up ahead." Sora said, pointing to a nearby room. Riku nodded and then ran ahead towards the door, defeating Heartless as he made his way to the room.
"Man, if there's a ton of Heartless just in the Disney Castle, imagine what it'll be like when we arrive at Maleficent's castle. It must be total chaos for Sitoru to have to live with her." Riku said to himself. He opened the door to the library, Sora close by.
"I heard what you said, and stop worrying about what's happening. Let's just see if we can talk to the king, find out where Maleficent's castle is so we can go there, save my kids, and possibly figure out how to restore Sitoru's memories of home from there." Sora said. Riku shrugged.
"I can't be worried for my son's life after I just found out he was still alive? You're acting really worried about Manami and Takeshi." Riku said.
"Well, I- You do have a point…" Sora said.
"There's the king, at his study." Riku said, walking over to the mouse at the desk. "King Mickey?" The king glanced up and his mouth dropped open.
"Riku! You're here!" The king said, leaping out of his seat.
"And Sora." Sora said, waving nervously to the king. The king nodded, smiling. "It's been so long, it's great to see you again, Your Majesty."
"Great to see you both too. I believe you're here for a very special reason?" King Mickey asked. Riku glanced over at Sora, and the brunette stared at the ground, upset. King Mickey stared over at Sora and frowned. "What is it, Sora?"
"Well… That's exactly why we came here, Your Majesty. My two young children Manami and Takeshi were kidnapped by a young boy with silver hair. And Riku believes that this boy is his lost son, Sitoru. We also think that Maleficent is corrupting the young boy with the darkness to get at us both for revenge from the past. We need to know where they are and take down Maleficent before she kills my children." Sora said.
"Hm… Do you have any leads?" King Mickey asked.
"I told you everything that I know or think that I know. I just want my kids back and unharmed by Maleficent. Riku only came along with me because now he knows that his son is alive. We were in a nine year long feud after his son was taken from him because Riku blamed me for that." Sora said.
"Although when Sora arrived at my doorstep pleading for help, I'd said I'd help him for his children. That was when we saw Sitoru taking Manami and Takeshi, and I easily recognized him even though it had been nine years since I had last seen my son." Riku said. Sora nodded in agreement.
"I see… Well, perhaps we can track down Maleficent's kingdom using a Gummi ship moderator." King Mickey said. Sora grew confused.
"What do you mean?" Sora asked.
"I have a special Gummi ship in this kingdom that allows you to track down the world you wish to visit. I can loan it to you." King Mickey said.
"Really?! Thank you so much for this, King Mickey!" Sora said, lifting the king off of the ground and hugging him tightly. King Mickey was shocked by this act, but started smiling instead.
"Uh, Sora…" Riku began, giggling. "Don't kill him."
"Oh! I mean, uh… Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty." Sora said, setting the king back on the ground and dusting him off. "Excuse me for my action."
"It's quite alright." King Mickey said, giggling. The king summoned his Keyblade and headed for the door. "Come along now, we have some fighting to do if we're gonna head back to the Gummi Hangar and obtain your new ship."
"What about Donald and Goofy? What will they do?" Sora suddenly asked.
"They have to remain here and watch over the kingdom alongside me, especially while the Heartless are around." King Mickey said.
"Oh… Yes, Your Majesty…" Sora said, a little disappointed that he couldn't see his friends for very long.
Moments after battling the Heartless, the group arrived in the Gummi Hangar. The king walked over to a small door. "This is it. Behind this door is the Gummi ship with the moderating tracking device."
"Thank you." Riku said quickly, putting his Keyblade away. The king opened the door and there stood a black and red Gummi ship, much larger than Sora's old Kingdom model used to be.
"This is the Gummi Highwind Level Ten, much stronger than the previous Gummi modules. Now… I warn you of this ship now…" Sora stared at the ground as Mickey began to explain the dangers of driving the new Gummi, dazed out.
Manami, Takeshi… Don't be afraid. I'm coming for you. You don't have to worry about Maleficent coming after you or anything. Just be calm and wait for me.
Daddy, is there really a such thing as other worlds? Manami told me that they really do exist out there, but I wanted to know if you would tell me the truth about them. Then four year old Takeshi asked.
Yes, there are such things as other worlds, Takeshi, but they have been sealed away for many years. They were sealed away even before you or Manami were born. Sora replied, smiling. Takeshi smiled back.
Daddy… Have you ever been to another world? Takeshi asked.
Uh, well… No, I haven't really been to them… I've heard about them, though, and that's why I know so about them. Sora lied. He couldn't tell his youngest son about his past adventures in other worlds yet. Takeshi would probably run off at the mouth to his friends and tell them of his secret.
Oh, well… Thanks for telling me the truth, daddy. Takeshi said, running off. Sora sat down on the couch, putting a hand on his forehead.
Great, I just lied to a four year old…
"Sora! SORA!!!! If you don't snap out of it, I swear I'm gonna knock you out!" Riku shouted out angrily, shouting in the man's ear. Sora shook his head, quickly snapping out of his daze.
"Huh? Sorry…" Sora said.
"You heard what the king said before you dazed out, right?" Riku asked.
"Uh, yeah, every word he said." Sora lied.
"Alright then, let's go. I've got the keys." Riku said to Sora, walking towards the Gummi ship. Sora gulped and then followed Riku towards the Gummi, confident. They had some business to take care of.
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Sora: That sort of explains why Sitoru attacked Manami and Takeshi... All he wants is to get back to Riku.
Riku: -Stares at the ground- Sitoru....
Sora: :(