Agrabah

As Genie watches as Heartless surrounded Al in the sinkhole, he thinks back to the intense feelings that consumed him the last few days.

Something changed.

No…

SomeONE changed things.

A quick snap of his fingers freed his new master from his current woes.

As a genie, he has phenomenal cosmic power. And due to these powers, he's privy to glimpses of the future. Alternate timelines. He doesn't ever mention this because his masters surprisingly never ask, or it just never occurs to them.

Sora, Donald and Goofy.

They're supposed to be here.

This is just like that young Xehanort fellow all over again isn't it? He mentally rolled his eyes.

A smile sneaked its way onto his face.

No.

The same shenanigans, but different motivations.

Looking to his Master again, he's trying to get back to Princess Jasmine, wanting to rescue her.

Rescue indeed. But for now, she doesn't need rescuing. For now.

So long as she's with Sora, Jasmine will be ok.

But that just Leaves Al, with two wishes left.

Those glimpses of the future showed Al keeping his word to wish for his freedom.

Genie's smile turned more genuine. Al turned out to be a great friend.

But Sora needs all the help he can get.

"Genie?"

"Al… I have a way to help Jasmine. In doing so, you'll need to help a friend of mine."

"Of course! How can I help?"

"You already used up one wish, and have two left. We need to play this smart. I need your last wish for my freedom, and the 2nd wish to help my friends. Something big is going on and they need our help." He trailed off as he stared into the stars.

Al looked up sensing the serious tone of his friend.

Aladdin took a good look at Genie. All that power. Anything he wants in three wishes!

He closed his eyes. He remembered those creatures swarming the city. Everyone was screaming. Some hiding, others attacked only for their bodies to vanish. Meeting Jasmine on the run.

The whole city on lockdown.

Yet Genie isn't looking to the city, but to the stars above.

Something bigger than what's going on here.

"She's not in the city anymore, is she?"

"No."

"...If I do this, will Jasmine and your friend be ok?"

Genie finally looked at him. Hovering down to eye level, Genie put a comforting hand on Al's shoulder. Giving a softer smile, he nodded.

"My friend intends to cause this enemy great chaos. Throwing every wrench in their plans as possible." Grinning as Al chuckled. "One of them is teaching Jasmine how to defend herself and others she cares about. She'll be gone for a while, but she'll be ok. As a genie I'm bound to the lamp and my masters. If you give me my freedom, I'll personally ensure her safety on your behalf."

"Really?! You'll do that for me?"

Genie nodded. "I promise."

"Genie. Thank you."

Nodding, he floated away and crossed his arms with a grin.

"Now, genie. What's YOUR wish?"

~/~

Atlantica

4 Bright lights flashed deep beneath the ocean's surface.

Sora appeared in his usual half Dolphin glory and did a few spins in joy. Laughing a little. Turning back to face the girls, he watched as the sun's refracted rays shimmered among his friends.

Surprisingly, all three girls resembled the normal Mermaids. But at least their scales looked different! (He's not the only strange looking merfolk!).

For Kairi, her black undershirt remained, but tightened resembling a bathing suit.. The only other clothing remaining was her pearl necklace. Her scales were purple like her skort with lighter purple tailfins and hip fins.

For Alice, she had a white top like Kairi with a blue tail like her dress. Her black hair ribbon is gone.

And with Jasmine, she wore a seashell bikini top with transparent cloth for sleeves resembling her normal top with a matching tail. Surprisingly, her headdress and earrings stayed, but her hair came loose.

Yeah… they're definitely from an ocean very far away!

Each of the girls' tails had various hues to their scales for an almost iridescent look.

He chuckled at how very ungraceful they were, yet the ladies still giggled at the novelty of it all.

Soon, he saw Ariel, Flounder and Sebastian swimming their way.

"C'mon Sebastian!"

"Ariel, wait! Slow down! Don't leave me behind!"

As they swam closer, Ariel stopped, but Sebastian continued, but startled at Kairi.

"Relax, Sebastian. They don't look like one of them. Right, Flounder?"

"I don't know, there's something weird about them." The shy fish peeked out from behind her.

She then started swimming around them, Sora just rolled his eyes fondly and crossed his arms.

"They do seem… a little different." She finished her circle to face Sora. "Where are you from?"

"We're from an ocean very far away and my friends here aren't used to these waters." He gestured to the girls awkwardly trying to stay upright.

"Oh.. I see. In that case, Sebastian can show you how we swim around here."

Said crab gasped and swam up to her. "Ariel! King Triton will not like this!"

She shook her head.

"Oh don't worry."

"Actually, Ariel? We're here to speak with King Triton anyway. Would you be so kind as to help my friends relearn to swim and then lead us to him, please?"

"What do you need to see him for?"

"It concerns the creatures that are showing up everywhere. I have information that he needs to hear urgently."

She and Sebastian shared a look.

"Okay then, we'll lead you to them. Sebastian?"

And thus started a very strange game of tag with Flounder as Sora just swam around to regain his bearings.

~/~

Traverse Town

Riku trailed behind Donald and Goofy after Disembarking.

He felt very satisfied with what happened on Olympus. For a little while, he truly fought alongside them instead of just bumbling about. It felt great!

That moment after the fight where the trio jumped about celebrating, he couldn't stop grinning from the adrenalin rush.

No wonder Sora spoke so highly of them! They were there with Sora from the very beginning… until the end.

Was this how Sora felt alongside them?

He smiled.

A flash of Sora telling them about Maleficent came to mind. How she convinced him Sora tried to replace him with Donald and Goofy.

That smile turned into a grimace.

Right.

"Riku?" Goofy's voice snapped him out of it. Confused, Donald looked back as well.

Huh, Goofy really was perceptive.

Shaking his head, he plastered on a smile. "It's nothing, just lost in thought."

"Hmmm." Goofy gave him a concerned look.

"Really, I'm ok."

Jiminy jumped on his shoulder. "You know you can talk to us Riku." He encouraged by putting his small hand on Riku's cheek.

"It's just-" He gripped his hands and looked down. "How could I have ever thought Sora would replace me with you guys in that other life?! Argh! Maleficent really messed with my head, huh?"

Donald and Goofy looked at each other in concern before Goofy walked over. He reached out with both hands to clasp his shoulders.

"Riku, look at me."

Eventually, Riku looked up.

"Riku, I'm not gonna pretend to be an expert on what happened the first time. So I'm just gonna tell ya what I know now."

Goofy held his gaze. Firmly, yet gently, he continued.

"You are not that Riku."

"Wha-?"

"You are not him. Do you want to know what I think? I think Sora was right. You do need to see new people. Make friends besides Sora and Kairi. You needed to experience things. And his notebook will help us with all that. I read about a bunch of people I can easily picture as my pal! But you also needed to smile more. After that fight with Cerberus was the first time I recall ya ever smiling! It's a good smile."

Riku just blinked rapidly in shock.

"My point is, I'm starting to see why Sora had you come with us. I'm starting to see why Sora is friends with you."

That had Riku suck in a breath. "What..?"

Goofy patted his shoulder and backed away.

"Hey!" Riku reached out, but Goofy just chuckled and gave him a wave to follow him to the Accessory Shop.

Jiminy just chuckled at Riku's dumbstruck face and hopped back down to his hiding spot in Riku's pocket.

Eventually, he shook his head and followed them inside the shop.

"Pinocchio?!" Jiminy's startled voice snapped them out of it.

For there, hiding next to the counter was a puppet next to a small treasure box.

~/~

Atlantica

Jasmine was having fun!

She hasn't felt this exhilarated in years!

As she chased that silly fish, Flounder? She noticed Sora watching from below. His gaze on all of them. This gave her pause.

After all, before the Heartless showed up, she was swarmed with suitors. Princes from far away kingdoms vying for her hand. She always hated their stares upon her person.

After meeting Alice and Kairi, she feels obligated as the eldest female to be protective over them. Their smiles should be treasured.

A quick glance at him, almost unsurprised if he was the same…

Only to startle at an almost foreign expression on a male: Fondness.

There was no lust, no analytical stare.

Just a gentle smile with a faraway look. She stopped swimming to stare back.

He startled as he refocused, and gave an awkward wave with one hand with the other reaching back to scratch his head.

She felt a small laugh come unawares. Shaking her head, she swam on.

He just gets more mysterious as time passes.

And then Ariel is screaming as strange aquatic Heartless close in on them.

Ariel, Sebastian and Flounder hide and tell them to do the same.

But Sora merely reaches out, and in a flash a strange weapon appears in hand. Kairi (awkwardly) slowly swam to his side and repeated the gesture as another strange blade appeared in hand.

They grinned at each other.

"I'll let one or two pass, you haven't quite got the hand of swimming yet."

She giggled. "Yeah, sure. Good luck!"

He grinned and charged forward.

In the corner of her eye, Jasmine saw Ariel peek out from hiding to check on them.

Looking back to Alice, the little girl swam to Jasmine and grabbed her arm to steady herself.

"Here." Jasmine adjusted their hold so they were more steady.

"Thank you. Oh! I do hope they'll be alright!" Alice gripped her tighter as she watched the duo.

Jasmine was about to reply, but the skirmish held her tongue.

Sora was graceful underwater. Was he using magic?!

When she was a child, she remembered watching thunder flash across the night sky sometimes with her mother.

They were far away then.

But now, she had goosebumps from how close there were as they streaked all around them, aimed at those monsters.

In the palace there were torches and small fires to keep warm at night.

But his flew across the water, incinerating its targets. The heat makes the ocean feel almost like bath water!

His magic was dangerous, but awe inspiring to watch.

Reluctantly switching her gaze to Kairi, the difference was almost night and day. Where he was clearly comfortable, she was nervous and unsure. But determined.

Kairi kept flicking her gaze to Sora, trying to copy but failing.

A lone Heartless made its way to her and Kairi took a deep breath and focused.

A very small burst of fire lit from the tip of her blade.

Alice cheered.

The flame sizzled out a foot from the creature.

The two girls winced.

Almost.

At the last moment, she blocked its spear.

Sora then dolphin kicked to her side and in one swipe, took it out.

Looking around, they noted that was the last of them.

In a flash, Sora hugged her tightly.

"You did it! I saw that you cast a fire spell! Was that from watching me?"

She just nodded numbly. He just grinned wider.

"Here! Let me show you how to do it properly. I'm so proud of you!"

The girls relaxed as his cheer seemed contagious.

Ariel and co quietly came out of hiding to watch the spontaneous lesson as Sora excitedly guided Kairi through it.

A few scorch marks on the walls later, Sora and Kairi high-fived. "Keep practicing, you'll get there."

"Thank you, Sora."

Nodding, he just kept smiling before facing the others. "Ready to head to the palace?"

It took a while, but eventually, they made it to the Palace. The girls were getting more comfortable and secure in Sora protecting them, doing their best to remember every scrap of advice he aimed at Kairi. Both Alice and Jasmine were eager to get blades of their own!

And then there's Ariel.

The mermaid was very friendly and asked many questions. Sora just laughed, glad that they were hitting it off.

As yet more creatures swarmed them, a blast from ahead destroyed them in one shot.

"That was too close!"

A new voie cut in. Ariel grinned and swam towards the voice.

King Triton, gripping the Trident as he sat upon his throne.

"As long as I have my Trident, I will not tolerate those creatures inside this palace!"

Ariel swam closer. "Daddy!"

"Oh, Ariel!" She flinched at his tone. "When will you listen? It's dangerous out there!"

"Um…"

"Strange creatures lurk outside." As his gaze swept over them.

Sebastian cleared his throat. "Behold. You swim before the ruler of the seas: His majesty King Triton."

"And who are they?"

"They helped us fight off those creatures!" Ariel spoke up.

"They don't look familiar."

Sora swam forward, taking charge. "Your majesty, my name is Sora. These are my friends: Kairi, Alice and Princess Jasmine. I am a Keyblade wielder sent to provide aid to your world."

"You what?!" He boomed.

"It has come to my attention that you are also aware of other worlds through unknown means. As such, you should hear what I have to say."

"Oh, really? And why should I believe you?"

"Through various means, I somehow gained the ability to travel back in time two years from my death at the hands of a renegade Keyblade Master named Xehanort."

They gasped.

"You're from the future?!" Ariel asked excitedly.

"You died?" Flounder whispered.

"Yes." Sora looked down briefly, before looking at the king. "As for why we're here, I give two reasons. 1) to seal the Keyhole in Ariel's Grotto to stop the Heartless from invading altogether."

"The what?!" He yelled.

"What's that?" Ariel asked.

"There's no such thing!" Triton cut in.

"Yes there is." Sora interrupted, arms crossed. "Since you know of other worlds, you should be aware that so long as it remains unsealed, those creatures will just keep coming in a never ending swarm until they attack everyone until there's no one left. Then, when they DO find the Keyhole, they'll corrupt it until this world literally shatters, gets swallowed by shadows and implode on itself until just chunks remain floating in the ocean between."

King Triton was too stunned to argue. The others looked horrified.

"Unless, you let me do my job and seal the Keyhole so that doesn't happen and we'll be on our way. You and your people will remain safe." Sora concluded.

King Triton slowly sat back, hand to his face as he was deep in thought.

Wearily, he faced the young man. "And the second reason?"

"In the time I have known your daughter, she has shown a strong interest in the outside world. My friends here are also coming along to join me. I am going to train them how to defend themselves so they will never be taken advantage of ever again like they were in the future. Ariel herself was repeatedly taken advantage of from Ursula."

At that Triton suddenly felt his age. That witch!

"There will be more joining them, but I intend to give them all Keyblades as well. By giving them and your daughter a Keyblade, not only will they be able to properly defend themselves, but Ariel can safely travel to other worlds for herself. See what's out there." He finished with a smile at said princess.

Ariel looked like she might burst, but kept quiet not wanting his answer to be negative and insist on keeping her near.

King Triton sighed. "Leave us, I need to speak with my daughter in private. Please go seal the Keyhole and return, afterwards."

Sora bowed. "Yes your majesty. Ladies?" He beckoned them to follow.

Reluctantly they looked back to the princess.

With a small hopeful, he shooed them off. Eventually they swam off to catch up with Sora who waited for them.

Silently, they followed him to a small entrance blocked by a rock.

He gripped it and heaved it aside.

The girls slipped inside and he pulled it shut behind him.

At the end of the tunnel, the girls slowed in awe of all of Ariels treasures.

"From what I gathered from the last time, Ariel was always fascinated by the human world above the surface. Sometimes their ships sink and they crash nearby. Ariel and Flounder explored them and started a collection."

Sora lazily swam around, actually taking a good look at the grotto's contents.

Alice, ever curious, swam in every direction trying to take in everything.

Jasmine just swam in a circle from the middle of the open area, looking up so she could see the suns' rays from above.

Kairi remained silent. As she found a small blue jewelry box.

"Kairi?" Sora swam next to her.

"Do you remember how we tried to build a raft to see outside worlds?" She spoke softly.

Alice and Jasmine shared a look, but kept quiet.

"Yeah? But then you came back and questioned why we didn't use boats." She gave a weak giggle.

He just nodded, wondering where this was going.

"You were talking about boats sinking in a storm and it made me think. What would have happened to us? If we actually went on the raft or a boat… and a storm hit?"

"Oh…" They were quiet.

~/~

As Riku lay unconscious, he had a dream. He dreamed he was older. He was having a beach party on the Island with Donald and Goofy. There were others there too. But he hasn't met them yet.

Near the end of the dream, he stood at the shore, watching two people sit on the Paupu tree.

He already knows it's Sora and Kairi.

She starts crying.

And Sora disappears.

And he wakes up to Donald yelling and Goofy trying to shield himself from falling objects.

Groaning, he looks up to see Pinocchio peek out from a chest.

Riku's dream was the end of KH3.

The music box was Athena's from Little Mermaid 3:

"Oh, the waves rolls low,
And the waves rolls high and so it goes,
Under this bright blue endless sky
Waves try to measure
The days that we treasure,
Waves ''Hello'' and waves
''Goodbye''..."