"They say that the medal goes not to the winner but to the better man. well were's my medal. I gave it all for this world and now look where I am. I'm not good enough to be in the apprenticeship of the king. I'm not good enough to live. No wonder Kairi went to..."

"Ahhhhh!"

""Riku, Riku. What is it?" Mickey stop the cooking of steak-ums and rushed over to me. "Was it the dreams again?"

"Yeah. BUt this one wan't the sme. Instead of pointing out what I did, it pointed out what I did wrong."

"And you were scared of that?"

I didn't dignify that with an answer.

"It involed Kairi, didm't it Riku."

"Yeah. It said that she desreves o real hero. and that's not me."

"Riku, don't say that. You are a hero and we have millions of people who think so."

"Then why doesn't the only person who matters think so."

"Kairi does think you're a hero."

"Then why is Sora the one who she chose?"

"She didn't technicaly chose anybody. She just fell for Sora becasue he was there for her. You... tried to take her heart."

"But that wasn't me. I was possed."

"Kairi was traumatized. Being in the darkness doesn't give you nice thoughts. She was vaulnerable and felt that Sora was there for her."

I paused. I took in evry word of this conversation.

"And you're stubborn."

"What?"

"Girls throw themselves at you where ever we go. Maybe if you take you mind off Kairi, you'll find yourself less attracted to her."

"Well I love her. She's strong, loyal, beautiful. Not to mention she has the heart of a princess."

Mickey sighed. "Did I ever tell you the time I first met Minnie."

I stopped to think. "I don't think."

"Well it's a fine story. It was back in boating days. My boss was a true jerk. Pete."

"You worked for Pete?"

"Yeah, well I was an adolecence and I needed money. Anyway, I was a boat hand. I wanted money to impress to most beautiful girl in the world: Minnie Weiss, Weiss was her maiden name of couse. So I did all I could to whoo her, but she always fell for Mortimer. Mortimer was an even bigger jerk that Pete, except he was a big coward, too, but you don't know that yet. So when I finally have the money to give her the date she deserved, she goes on a picnic by the docks with Mortimer. I could help but stare in rage and shock. They were getting lovey dovey and kissed a bit. Well when Pete's boat came around, he had a bull named Ringo from Russia for the Timeless River Circus, which I starred in. Well Pete didn't know that Ringo was scared easily, especially of strangers. He charged Minnie and Mortimer. They ran and Mortimer got in his car and drove off yelling 'every man for himself, babe'. Now Pete and I both got instructions on how to calm Ringo. Pete was too fat and lazzy to do anything and the bull had Minnie cornered between the Garage and the Pier Shop. So I ran up to that bull and pulled it's nose ring as hard as I could and stared it in the eyes, then I grabbed his nose till he was fast asleep. Minnie was so grateful, she smooched me and allowed me to take her on a date. So I had all my savings and the money for calming Ringo and gave her the night of her life. We eventually got married and became king and queen of the Disney Castle. So see Riku, All you have to do is save her in her time of need. Don't be A her, be HER hero."

"Don't be a hero... be her hero. That makes sense." Thanks for the story, Mickey."

"Any time."

The silence was interrupted by the landing siren.

"We're entering the Land of the Dragons system!" proclaimed Mickey. "Prepare for landing."