As Sora and Kairi doubled back to Wonderland after dropping off Riku. She couldn't help but wonder.
"Sora? How come we're not going to Hollow Bastion to see Maleficent? Why the rush to Wonderland?"
"Its because, what happened to Alice is all about timing. When me, Donald and Goofy originally arrived, they had her on trial before the queen in a bizarre sort of court. The queen blamed her for the Heartless assaulting her and tried to have her executed."
"WHAT?"
"Exactly. If that wasn't the case, I'd have no problem with us going by the plan normally. I even gave Riku my Keyblade to practice with because there's still plenty I can do without it."
"I see. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"In this situation, no. The queen is just outright insane; it's a headache reasoning with her. Basically, I'm just going to kidnap Alice myself, explain what's going on and go from there. Actually, there is something you can do."
Mind whirling about the mad queen, she perked up on something she can do.
"Remember how the communicator works?" A nod. "Good. This button is the teleporter. How we get on and off the ship. When I give the signal, I want you to beam us up. Together or separately. But always her first. When she gets here, can you calm her down?"
She nodded eagerly. But, he just-
"And Kairi… I'm not putting you on the sidelines. The queen really is nuts. I'd feel more comfortable with you getting more practice in than just diving right in like I did. The only reason I let Riku go is because Donald and Goofy learned just as I did. They experienced everything with me. With you, it's different." He turned to look her in the eyes.
"The entire point of this is so you and the other Princesses aren't defenceless. The amount of times you were taken and unable to do anything is…" He closed his eyes. He still can't unsee her dying by Xehanort's hand.
"It'll be okay. I'll work hard so it won't happen again. And if it does, I don't want you to worry about me. I'll be ok." She tried to reassure him. He did give a small smile though. "What about Riku, what will he do? I take it there's a reason you sent him with Donald and Goofy?" She teased.
His smile turned into a smirk.
"Well… You see he's just so stubborn, and in the future, he's so serious." He started to dramatically act out different faces. She started to giggle at his antics. "He really needed to lighten up. After all, 'This boat runs on happy faces'!" He jerked his thumb in the general direction they left the Kingdom.
"Sora!" She shrieked through her laughter.
"And you can't get much more silly than Donald and Goofy." He grinned. "I almost feel bad for him. Almost."
She hit his head but kept laughing.
~/~
After Sora beamed down, she was alone on the ship.
She stood there, gazing out into the stars.
Eventually, she hugged herself and allowed herself to cry.
~/~
Deep Jungle
Meanwhile, Riku was arguing with Donald about directions. In his defence, he is still reeling about the fact that his friend is a war hero from the future who literally died and woke up two days ago. And then to learn about his side of the story…
Well.
He's definitely avoiding Maleficent like the plague! Don't even get him started on Ansem…
He does feel guilty taking it out on Donald.
Now if only this giant cat would stop chasing them! Is he supposed to use the Keyblade?
A gun shot rang out, scaring said cat away.
Oh, yeah, he looks suspicious…
...circus of clowns!?
~/~
Wonderland
Soon after landing, Sora had a sneaking suspicion that Riku was nearing his breaking point.
He shrugged, at least he didn't crash the ship or arrive after arguing with Donald!
Anyway.
Alice.
Taking a moment to enjoy laying down and slowly falling. He looked up to see various pieces of furniture stuck to the walls or just floating.
Chuckling, Wonderland was always a strange place.
Doing a flip, he landed with far more grace than last time.
Now where's-
Que the hysterical White Rabbit screaming about how late he was.
Bingo.
Bypassing the talking Keyhole (making a mental note to come back for it) he continued on. He went to the table and drank the potion to shrink. He continued on.
As he approached the court, the Cards parted.
"Court is now in session!" The White Rabbit declared.
"I'm on trial? But why?" Alice herself questioned.
"Her Majesty, the Queen of Hearts presiding!"
"This girl is the culprit! There's no doubt about it!" She banged her fists on the table before her. "And the reason is, because I say so that's why!"
"That is so unfair!"
"Well have you anything to say in your defence?"
"Of course!" Alice countered pointing to the queen. "I have done absolutely nothing wrong!" She then crossed her arms. "You may be queen, but I'm afraid that doesn't give you the right to be so… so mean!"
"Silence! You dare defy me?!"
Honestly, if he wasn't scared for her, he'd be enjoying this show!
"The court finds the defendant… guilty as charged! For the crimes of assaulting and attempted theft of my heart!"
"No no! Oh please!"
And thats my que.
"Hold it right there!" I calmly charged in beside Alice.
"Who are you? How dare you interfere with my court!" The queen screamed in outrage.
"Names Sora. I'm here to tell you she's not the one you're looking for."
"Thats nonsense. Do you have any proof?"
It was nonsense trying to find said proof!
I simply crossed my arms. "Do you have proof it was Alice?" I countered. "After all, someone assaulted you, I'd be hard pressed to forget something like that. Or... is it simply that you are unable to capture the real culprit, that you went after someone you can to save face?"
She twitched. "You…! You-!"
"I rest my case. Alice is innocent." I grinned and winked to said girl. She looked very relieved. Facing the queen again, I started to walk off the podium. "Well be on our way. Come on Alice."
Nodding, she followed.
The queen then ordered the cards to "Off with their heads!"
One moment we were surrounded, the next we were on the ship.
"Thanks, Kairi!"
Alice just looked around in confused wonder.
~\~
Back In Deep Jungle, Goofy was off to the side with Jiminy.
Arms crossed, he observed Riku.
Just last night, he learned of everything that happened for the next two years.
It should be Sora here, not Riku.
But…
Sora's right as well.
Riku does need help. Sora is holding the burden of outsmarting a formidable foe comforted by a predictable series events to bring about another war.
He and Donald were there with Aqua at Yen Sids before the last one.
He's not dumb. He wouldn't be captain of the royal guards if he was. And, according to Sora, he even was the one to notice things even the rest missed.
Earlier, Sora pulled him and Donald aside to explain why Riku is with them.
Riku went through a lot of trauma, and was constantly battling Ansems' Darkness as well as his own.
Sora just wants Riku to smile more. To not feel like he's no longer Sora's best friend (which Maleficent definitely took advantage of when Sora joined their group). Sora wanted to encourage Riku making new friends and experiences.
Sora even took the time last night to write down brief descriptions of each world they went to last time in the event Sora is unavailable for a while. So they can pick and choose to give them all the best course to both train with the Keyblade, but also personal experiences with the friends he made last time.
Thankfully, Sora asked Chip n Dale to work on the Gummi Phones in their spare time.
Sora is truly looking out for them.
Sora asked him and Donald to be there for him like they were for him.
Donald was still skeptical over the whole thing, but he readily agreed. He may have just met them, but the look on Sora's face as he told his story couldn't be faked.
The journal said not to trust Clayton as well as the Keyhole location. Also a few symbols equaling to "heart" "friends in our heart." Whatever that means. But its part of this world's summary, so he'll find out eventually.