Thanks for the support so far, I'm glad that people are enjoying this little story.

XXX

Sora let out a small groan as he regained consciousness, his body sore but seemingly fine. His eyes shot open as he looked around and saw a girl wearing a ridiculous, white poncho. As his vision began to return, he saw that it vaguely resembled a Moogle from the old stories his mother told. He also got a better look at the girl. "Kairi? Is that you?"

"Sorry, but I'm not whoever this Kairi you think I am. My name is Yuffie," the girl said as she lifted his head. "You hit your head pretty hard, huh?"

"I guess, though it doesn't hurt anymore," Sora said as he began to stand up. "Why are you dressed like that?"

"It's simple, I'm in disguise," Yuffie said with a grin as she threw several small, colorful balls into the air with a wide grin before catching them. This weird girl was very similar to Kairi.

"And you're in disguise because…"

"Because I'm Yuffie! The greatest Materia thief in the world and enemy to all things Shinra!" She said with a proud expression on her face. "Though I think I'm pretty far from home. Do you know how I can get to Wutai from here?"

"This is a lot to take in," Sora mumbled quietly as he leaned against the wall. "I have no idea where I am, my home was destroyed, and I've been found by a strange girl who might be a criminal."

"Hey, I'm not strange!"

"You're dressed as a Moogle for some reason and calling yourself a thief in the middle of town…wait, I think I know what this is. You're one of those LARPers that Mom told me about who have pretend fights in weird costumes, aren't you?" It was then that Sora's expression fell in realization. "Mom, Kairi, Riku…I need to get home now!"

Yuffie was just about to feel offended at the comparison when she noticed his downcast expression. "Hey, don't worry, it'll be alright. I'm sure that we can find some help to get us both back home."

"It's not just that, my home was being destroyed by terrible creatures, and I don't know what happened to anyone else after I was thrown out by a massive monster," Sora finished with a whisper as he fell back, his hands closing around the odd weapon as he held it out again. "Not to mention the group of bad guys who tried to capture me with magic. They could be doing terrible things to the people back home."

"Hey, don't beat yourself up over this, it's clear you're not used to something like this," Yuffie said as she helped Sora to his feet and messed with his hair a bit. "Just breathe in and out. Things look safe here, and there are other people as well, we can find someone to help us both out, okay?"

Sora let out a shaky breath before nodding, then his eyes widened as he grabbed the girl's shoulders and threw them both to the ground in a roll. "Look out!"

"What was that for?!" Yuffie groaned as she stood up, Sora was in front of her with his odd key weapon at the ready as small, dark monsters made of darkness with yellow eyes pulled themselves out of the ground right where they used to be.

"Don't worry, I'll protect you!" Sora shouted as he stood at the ready. He knew he could beat these things with his new weapon, and he wasn't going to let them hurt anyone else! The first one jumped forward, and Sora lifted his blade to hit it back, when a shuriken was embedded in its forehead, followed by two more that caused it to explode into orbs. It was then that Yuffie threw off her cloak, revealing a spunky girl in clothing that was likely too revealing for a teenage girl.

"As I said, I'm the greatest enemy to all things Shinra, and these monsters have no idea who they're messing with!" She declared as she joined up with the younger teen. "Let's do this…I never got your name."

"I'm Sora," he said as he felt a lot better knowing he'd have help. "So, let's do this!"

The two teenagers rushed into battle, Sora knocking away the monsters while Yuffie followed suit, throwing shurikens to help Sora finish them off. It felt good to have some backup, as he finished off the last monster that Yuffie had stunned. "Thanks for the help, Yuffie."

"Well, it wouldn't do to just leave you to deal with these things on your own, right?" The older teen reasoned with a grin. "Plus, I haven't had that much fun in a long time and I'm definitely tagging along with you."

"Wait, why would you want that?"

"Because while I have many enemies I need to defeat back home to protect Wutai, I need to get stronger as well," Yuffie said with a wide grin as she placed her hands on her hips. "And fighting these things is the best way to do that until I get home. Not to mention that weapon of yours is pretty good despite being so bulky."

"Thanks, it's a Keyblade…I'm not sure how I knew that," Sora rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. This didn't stop him from pointing the weapons at the orbs and sucking them inside, feeling a bit refreshed, though he noticed as Yuffie also seemed to perk up. "We should probably go see if anyone else needs help or can tell us where we are."

"Sure thing, partner!" Yuffie said before grabbing Sora and dragging him out of the alleyway, not bothering to question why her money pouch suddenly felt heavier. Questions for later.

The pair rushed out onto the street, barely dodging aside as a cart rolled through. An unbelievably fat man was at the reigns, snapping them before waving at the pair with a wide grin as he slowed down. "Apologies for that, I didn't expect to wind up here so quickly when I saw the portals open. Might the two of you be able to help me find the market square so I can set up shop?"

"I'm sorry, sir, but we just arrived here as well," Sora said to the large man, trying to hide his surprise. "I'm sure it's somewhere nearby though, mister…"

"There is no need for apologies, young man. I am simply a humble merchant seeking to hawk my wares to those who seek to purchase them. Though, perhaps heading towards that odd castle will provide some answers as to how things have gone so far down…hill…" the merchant said as his eyes fell on Sora's Keyblade, his eyes seeming to grow in realization. "Where are my manners? I am the Duke, a humble merchant of anything a hero like yourself may want. Weapons, ammo, medicine, and other useful things for you and your companion if you have the proper payment."

"Well, thank you, sir, but-"

"It is no issue at all if you'd like some assistance or to sample my products, you need only ask," The Duke declared as he looked them over, reaching into his wagon and pulling out some potions. "Here you are, something perfect to help you on your adventures. I will need to look through my inventory for more items that suit your style, but I'm sure we can come to some kind of agreement-"

"Hold on, you're not making any sense!" Sora stressed out as Yuffie grabbed the health potions, her eyes sparkling in joy at free items. "I'm not some kind of hero, I'm just a kid with a weird weapon. I want to get home to help everyone I care about!"

The Duke's expression was one of confusion before realization once more crossed his face. "I see, so you're a new Wielder, things really have changed while I've been away. Well then, we'd better keep moving to see what the situation is here. Hop aboard, young ones!"

Both of them let out a yelp as they were scooped up by the Duke and set on the roof of his carriage before they were off again, speeding down the many streets of the mostly abandoned town.

"I thought you haven't been here before, but you seem to have an idea of what's going on," Sora noted as he gripped the roof, though he couldn't help but grin at the speed they were going.

"Well of course, much like my old friend and another old acquaintance of mine, I've done my fair share of traveling across the Lanes, visiting multiple worlds. You wielders and other heroes are often my best customers!" The Duke said before frowning. "Though I've taken a bit of a vacation in the meantime, and it appears like things have changed drastically. Though at least none of those daft Unversed are causing us problems this time!"

It was no sooner that he said that before several more monsters jumped from a nearby roof and onto the carriage. Yuffie and Sora got their weapons ready, while the Duke was quite surprised. "Well these are certainly new, and I appear to have spoken too soon. Would you both be a dear and clear them for me?"

Sora acted first, slamming his Keyblade into two of them and launching them off the cart where they smashed against the cobblestone, while Yuffie pelted the remaining few with shurikens. They were able to finish them off before even more jumped onto the carriage.

"It would seem we're in quite a spot of bother here. Would you both please move aside?" The Duke asked as he reached behind him for something. Neither of the teenagers thought to argue as they jumped to the edge of the cart, keeping their balance as their fat compatriot pulled out a very big revolver. He leveled it at the monsters, blowing them away with ease and avoiding the possibility of damaging his wares. "There we go, hopefully, that will be the end of them for now."

"Why do you have such an awesome gun?!" Yuffie shouted as she sat down, her ears still ringing from the shot.

"It belonged to an old friend," the Duke said with a mournful sigh before placing it back in the cart. "Oh look, more people. It appears like we've found ourselves a gathering place."

Sora and Yuffie looked at the gathered groups in the middle of a large clearing, filled with all kinds that neither had seen before. Mostly it was all the people who looked like they were mixed with animals or wearing really out-of-date clothes. Were they also stranded here after escaping from other worlds?

"I do believe this is where we'll part ways, for now, my new friends," the Duke said as he pulled to a stop. "If you have need of my services, just come by my shop. Oh, and one more thing. I know you have a lot of questions, but I'm sure you will have your answers with time. In the meantime, I believe this will be quite helpful."

Sora caught the small item the Duke tossed him before looking it over. It was a keychain shaped like an antler, which he instinctively attached to the end of his Keyblade. "...Thanks?"

"No need to thank me, it's but a small remnant I found on my travels that I believe will be far better in your hands," the Duke said as they clambered off the truck. "Oh, and miss ninja, please return the flasks. Those are a dear heirloom to me."

"Hehe, sorry about that," Yuffie said as she placed the flasks back in the cart. "I kind of thought they were more potions."

"Nothing of the sort, they held the pieces of my friend's daughter before he restored her," the Duke said with a hint of melancholy as he helped them off of the cart. "Though he's been gone for a long time, I believe he's in a far better place now. He certainly earned it."

"Thank you, Duke, for helping us get here," Sora said as he held out a hand.

"It was my genuine pleasure to help you, young man, you heroes are great for business!" The large man said with a jovial chuckle before taking the reigns again. "And it's The Duke, no other names are needed."

With that, he rode off, making for an open spot where he could set up shop, leaving the pair on their own.

"I guess we need to go talk with people if we want to help you get home, and figure out what all this Keyblade business is," Yuffie said as she stretched. "So, are you ready to go, partner?"

Sora took a deep breath before nodding. If he could get answers, that would be good, right?

As they walked through the crowd, a figure in a dark hood observed them, their eyes falling on the key that hung from Sora's back. He grinned, knowing that he had found the one his bosses wanted. He gripped the Dark Mirror shard in his hand as he felt the power of Darkness begins to envelop him before holding back.

No, not yet. He needed to wait for them all to gather before striking. Then he'd have his revenge on Tank and Max for ruining him!

XXX

"Is it ready?"

"Why sure it is, but I can't begin to guess where it'll lead. It's a bit of a gamble on where you end up, but those new-fangled communication devices should be more than enough to help us pull you back at a moment's notice if you signal us."

"Thanks, McGucket. I know it was a lot asking you to come back here after…"

"Think nothing of it," the mad scientist prospector said as he shoved some tools into his overalls. "After what you and your sister did for me, helping you on your journey is the least I can do."

"Helping "us" on our travels, you mean," a voice filled with pretensions from a historied family said from behind them as they turned to look. The boy let out a sigh at the familiar blonde hair, dressed in a purple jacket and skirt. Though he'd be remiss to admit the pulse rifle on her back did look quite nice on her. "You're not going alone."

"Paz, we talked about this-"

"I don't care, Dipper!" Pacifica said as she leveled a glare at him, but she let it soften. "You've been a mess with the invasion going on and I know you can't think straight if you go traipsing through the multiverse to find your family. You need someone watching your back, and that will be me."

"I don't want to risk you getting hurt," Dipper began, only for Pacifica to point to the gun on her back which was a bit worn from use. "Touche, but we need every person here to help with the defense in case of another attack from either."

"Don't worry, Dipper, we'll keep an eye on things here," Wendy shouted from nearby. Her battle ax lay nearby as Soos tinkered with it.

"Yeah, dudes, and with all the new people who came through the portal, we've got plenty of help," Soos said with a smile. "We can take care here so you can save them."

Dipper let out a sigh as he looked over his friends, they were not going to budge. "Fine, but if anything happens…"

"We'll call you at a moment's notice, don't worry," Wendy said with a nod. "Now go get them back."

Dipper gave her a nod before turning back to the portal and making sure he had everything. The grappling hook was slid into the holster beneath his jacket, a laser pistol on the opposite side, and he had several handyman tools alongside some knuckle dusters in his pockets. As he pulled on the lumberjack hat, he glanced at the table with the weapon that helped him defeat those shadowy monsters that attacked and grabbed the hilt of it. A key-shaped weapon made no sense, but he wasn't going to turn it down. Especially as he stepped through the portal with Pacifica close behind.

"Why am I blue?!"

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