Another Kingdom Hearts fic take that I've been wanting to do. I'm able to boost myself up again to try to make this happen. Thus, this is the revival of the Kingdom Hearts story starring both Sora and Shiro. The only difference is...Sora is a cartoon just like his chaotic twin sister.
This story tells the tale of two little cartoons, a bouncy little mouse, and a cheeky little rabbit, finding themselves in a world of...normality. Taken in by Riku, and a wonderous shopkeeper, these two are made a stain upon this world as...the chaotic duo.
But with the destruction of Destiny Islands, Sora has claimed the Kingdom Key as his own...but instead of appearing in the Dark Realm, its counterpart, the Kingdom Key - D fell into the hands...or gloves of another one, chosen in darkness, Shiro. And now it falls to the Keys of Light, Darkness, and the Between to seal the Final Door before more worlds fall into chaos.
Another Mass crossover fix, the same as A New Destiny, starring Toon Sora and Shiro.
Art of the Toons - Me
Sora Voice Claim - Andrea Leighton
Shiro Voice Claim - Christina Vee
For both Sora & Shiro's design look to the cover page of both this story and Adventures of Darkness. Enjoy.
Far away from that festive land of many toons, we continue our story in the tranquil village of Destiny Islands, home to…one toon. Today…is a special day for the island…or rather, the mainland; a lush yet bustling little village.
"GOIN' OUT, MS. SUSANNE!" A certain cartoon mouse says happily as he leaves his house.
"Alright, Sora, just remember to be back home by dark! AND DON'T CAUSE TROUBLE!" A woman's voice called out from the house interior. No doubt being Sora & Shiro's foster mother. Sora slowly, but surely closed the door behind him as he walked along the grassy green pathway through the village.
As he walks through the bustling village, however, there was just one thing he smelled...
"FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD~" Sora droned out as he noticed how booming the village marketplace was. Colorful faces of all were throughout the place, and the only thing Sora could smell was the sensation of meat and chicken burning on the grey plane of a grill.
"FRESH FOOD HERE, PERFECT FOR THE PREPARATIONS OF TONIGHT'S SUMMER FESTIVAL! GRAB SOME FOOD HERE! WE'VE GOT THE FINEST, SWEETEST, AND WONDEROUS TREATS THAT ANYONE COULD EVER ASK FOR!" The baker called out as everyone throughout the village, mesmerized by the delectable sensation of food as well, began flocking to the bakery.
For, tomorrow is a special day for the Destiny Kingdom
Tomorrow is the Festival of Lā; Better known as the Sun Festival. Tomorrow marks the last day of Summer, and every year, the Destiny Kingdom comes together for one big summer celebration.
The festivities would usually be that of food, games, and entertainment including Chocobo Racing, Blitzball, and many other side activities. And at the final moonlight, the village comes together for the piece de resistance: The Sunset Dance and the traditional Paopu Feast.
Since he arrived on these shores, Sora has always ADORED the festival, and he would always go every year. However, it seems the toon has other plans. Which is a shame though...because if there's anything he loves about the festival, it would have to be the food...especially his most favorite food: cakes, pies, sweets of ALL kind!
Speaking of…it seems the hooded mouse was about to reach his next destination: The pastry shop as he looks to the display table of all the wonderous sweets.
"HEY! I'VE GOT HOT BREAD OVER HERE, KID, AND I AIN'T GONNA HAVE YOUR DROOL DROWN IT!" The Baker yells out from the window as he was looking to the starry-eyed Sora. The mouse was mesmerized to the point of drooling a literal waterfall.
"Now listen ya big-eared…whatever you are. I ain't dealing with your crap today! Not when the festival's comin' so soon. So, either buy something OR PISS OFF!" The baker says as he placed the bread on the window.
Sora soon opens his skirt-pockets…only to sadly see cartoon butterflies fluttering out. The baker clenches his rolling pin in frustration as Sora smiles nervously.
With but a spin, the mouse was adorned in a formal business suit as he presents to the baker his empty skirt pockets.
"I'm afraid Mr. Baker Man, that this transaction cannot be made due to insufficient funds. But if you, by chance procure for me some delicious…delectable pies in an orderly fashion, I'll leave the transaction to my business associates, and we shall withdraw the proper amount for this exchange in a matter of 3 business days. Thank you for your services, my good sir. goodbye." The business mouse says as he sneakily grabbed a bread tray, and took his leave in a sophisticated manner.
A VERY displeased baker, however, immediately caught on and grabbed the businessmouse by the string tail once more, only to glare at him.
"Eheheheh...ehhhhh, perhaps we can make a few accommodations to your liking?" Sora asks nervously. In response, the baker sends him flying to the other side of the market.
"HIT THE ROAD! How Riku & Susanne dealt with you THIS long is beyond me." The Baker yells out as Sora, (back to her normal black & blue clothing), soon slides down a stray palm tree, upside down.
"Grumpy guy, ain't he?" He simply says.
"You sure do know how to bring out the best of him, huh, Sora?" Wakka says sarcastically as he, himself enters the bakery. To which Sora immediately zips to the window.
Inside, he could see a completely new expression on the baker's face when Wakka entered the bakery.
"Wakka! My number 1 customer! I could use some sanity after that big-eared friend of yours." The baker says happily as Wakka chuckles.
"Ah, don't mind Sora. A lil' loopy in the head at times, but he's got heart." Wakka assures.
"THIS GUY GETS IT!" Sora calls out as he's pogoing with his tail to reach the window. The baker simply rolled his eyes.
"Big heart, sure, but a big headache to boot alongside that sister of his. Honestly, I dunno where you found those two. Anyway, what'll it be today?" The baker asked as Wakka slammed a large yellow and blue...shape...of sorts.
"Totally get that, man. And I'm here to collect. Riku's doing something big, after the festival, and I'm in charge of getting the food, ya?" Wakka says as Sora overhears the baker and the boy's conversation as he tilts his head in confusion.
"Right, his cake order. Riku's quite the daydreamer. Give him my regards, will ya?" The baker asks as he presents to Wakka a delectable cake.
"Oooooooh~" Sora's mouth watered again.
"No problem man!" Wakka says as the baker boxed the cake, and Wakka went on his way. The very moment he exits the bakery was the moment Sora was quick to pogo to the orange-haired boy.
"Wakka, WAKKA! Wait up, man!" Sora says as he finally, and reluctantly caught up with the red-haired boy.
"Yo, Sora, what's up?" Wakka asks.
"Listen heheh...uhhhhhhhhhh...you wouldn't mind if I could have a...tasty...delicious...succulent...piece of cake...JUST one...man...it's so heavenly~" Sora says amidst his panting, as his mouth began to drool once again. Wakka, however nodded, denying the boy's request by holding the cake up high so the toon couldn't reach it.
"Save it, mousey. Want somethin' to eat? Get some fruit; it's good for you, brah. Besides, the cake's for the Luau we're gonna have the night of the fair." Wakka says, casually.
"Awww! C'MOOOOOOOOOOOOOON, Wakka, Just OOOOOOOONE slice, PLEEEEEEASE~?" Sora whined.
"My hands are tied here, man. Got a problem? Take it up with Riku." Wakka says dismissively, making Sora pout like the child he is.
"Hmph! Stupid Riku. ALRIGHT, WHERE IS HE!?" Sora says as he took from his Gag Bag a stick of dynamite. Wakka simply raised a brow.
"You can take THAT outta that bag of yours but not a cake for yourself?" Wakka asks, skeptically.
….
"It's the principal of the matter, now." Sora says, smugly as Wakka rolled his eyes.
"He's at home. Try not to give him a concussion, ya?" Wakka asks as he got walking to the shores, making Sora give out an annoyed sigh.
"FIIIIIIIINE, I won't give him a concussion!" Sora says as he makes his destination to Riku's house…with a mischievous smile on his face.
"TWO concussions, however ~" Sora sings, mischievously.
Riku's House
As the bright green grass danced around the mouse's bright yellow sneakers, he simply traverses through the village, and stops at one of the houses before him. He can see a ranch behind this certain house. Clearly, this boy can distinguish this house...to be Riku's house.
Everyone in the Destiny Village knows that Riku's family own a thriving Chocobo Ranch, where the strange yet majestic yellow bird-like creatures live their blissful lives, well fed, and well trained by the herders: Riku's mother and father.
Riku, himself, isn't really one who's oh so interested in the family business. He only goes along with whatever his mother and father asks of him, if it meant taking the Chocobo out for a spin with his friends.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
Speaking of friends, we now cut to a mischievous Sora with TWO sticks of dynamite waiting for an answer from the door. He could only giggle as he was about to light the fuses.
Until…
"I'll take those." A familiar voice says as she snatches the sticks of dynamite out of Sora's gloved hands and simply threw them before he could light them.
"W-HEY!" Sora retorts as he turns around to see a smug-grinned Kairi.
"So, what are we trying to threaten Riku over this time, my friend?" Kairi asks, sarcastically. Sora pouts, once again.
"Cake…" Sora confessed.
"I figured as much when Wakka told me to stop you, without a single shred of context." Kairi says amidst her chuckling.
"Quick to chase after the mouse, huh?" Sora asks amidst his chuckle.
"Nah. I was heading this way, anyway. Riku told me he finished the raft, yesterday. He's just looking at his checklist to see if there's anything he missed while I bring over a few provisions. And where's madcap # 2, today?" Kairi asks.
"Got up early to help out Selphie decorate the island." Sora replies. Kairi blinked in surprise.
"Wow…Shiro getting up EARLY?" Kairi asks.
"I know! Seems like she wants to book it outta here as much as Riku does. Speaking of Riku…" Sora starts as his mouth begins to drool once more.
"Let me guess...cake?" Riku says, on cue, the door in front of them opens, revealing out silver-haired adventurer. Bashfully, Sora can only chuckle.
"What gave it away~?" Sora asks, sweetly.
"A phone call from the baker." Riku says, bluntly.
"At this point, you and Shiro just whole-ass magnets for trouble, huh, Sora?" Kairi asks, smugly.
"Guilty~" Sora sings as Riku rolls his eyes.
"We're eating at the Luau. If you want something, find something around town. I don't trust you around OUR food table." Riku says as he simply smirks. Sora dramatically gasps.
"SUCH DISTRUST UPON THINE PERSON LIKE THIS? HOW, I WEEP!" Sora yelled out, dramatically, as he falls to the ground, dramatically. A thespian in the making, folks.
"You guys are such kids." Kairi only giggled.
"Again, what's your excuse?" Riku objected playfully.
"Heheheh...well you've got me there..." Kairi giggles as she soon got back on topic. "On topic, do we have everything we need for the trip?" Kairi asks as Riku nodded his head yes.
"Yep. With everyone's help, this trip should be pulled off at a hitch. Still..." Riku started as he looked down, pondering. "I don't know why...but I just...think there's something missing for the raft..." Riku says pondering, this as well made Sora and Kairi ponder as well...just what does the raft need now?
"I GOT IT!" Sora says snapping his fingers. Riku and Kairi gained his attention.
"Our raft still needs a name! How about it, Riku? Kairi? What's an adventure without giving our vessel a name?" Sora says happily. Kairi nodded her head in agreement.
"Yeah...I don't see why not! Have you thought about a name?" Kairi asks.
"Yep, I wanna call it-" Sora started but was immediately stopped by Riku.
"Highwind. If you want a name for our raft, then we should call it Highwind. Any objections?" Riku says bluntly. Sora immediately protested.
"W-Highwind? No! That's a stupid name!" Sora retorted. Riku only rolled his eyes.
"And I suppose you've got a better name?" Riku challenged with a smirk. Immediately Sora nodded as he called out his suggestion with such pride and vigor.
"Excalibur!" Sora cried out. Riku tilted his head in confusion.
"Excalibur? You mean that stupid blade from the King Arthur stories? That's a stupid name, dude. Too basic. I say we stick with Highwind." Riku critiqued, but it's clear Sora wasn't having it.
"That story isn't stupid! We're CALLING it Excalibur!" Sora declared.
"Sorry, but it's Highwind." Riku retorted.
"Excalibur!" Sora protested.
"Highwind!" Riku protested.
"EXCALIBUR!" Sora asserted.
"HIGHWIND!" Riku asserted.
"EXCALIBUR!" Sora roared.
"HIGHWIND!" Riku roared
"Guys, GUYS!" Kairi intervened as the boys turned to the auburn-haired girl. "Surely there HAS to be another way to settle this, then to try to rip each other's heads off, don't you think?" Kairi asks. Sora and Riku pondered.
"I've got one." Riku says smiling wickedly as he soon nudged his head to the Chocobo Pen in the backyard. Sora and Kairi immediately caught on. A challenge is about to ensue.
"Chocobo Race?" Riku challenges Sora.
"Chocobo Race." Sora replied, determindly, accepting the challenge. Kairi only chuckled as she soon approached the Chocobo Pen.
"Welp, since you guys are at it again, it's up to me to keep you guys from killing yourselves." Kairi says as the two boys only glared daggers at each other. In case you didn't know, Sora and Riku are...QUITE the competitive types.
A Few Minutes Later
Soon after Kairi tried to get the two to resist the urge to kill each other, Sora and Riku soon stood atop the great hill overlooking the village. They both had two Chocobos in front of them, who were both loyal to each of their owners.
"Alright you two, it's TIIIIME to RACE! The usual rules apply: it's a race through the village to the shores. The first to make it wins! You can take ANY route you want, and you can do ANYTHING to screw up the racers. Whoever wins not only gets the rights to naming the raft, but another reward of the winner's choice!" Kairi explained. Soon, Kairi turns to the toon.
"SORA!" Kairi calls out. Already, the mouse gave a frustrated sigh.
"Yeah, yeah…no tricks, I know." Sora sighs…but Kairi gave a smug grin…for the next answer surprised the mouse.
"WRONG!" Kairi yells out, making the mouse immediately perk up, happily.
"HOWEVER…A few ground rules, because we're not cartoons. No REEEEEEEALY heavy objects falling on Riku's head, no throwing dynamite on Riku, and NO…mallets." Kairi ordered.
"Oh no, not the mallets…" Sora says softly.
"Would it really be a fair race if I was unconscious…or in a coma?" Riku asks, credulously.
"Fine! But I say we double up the rewards to compensate!" Sora protests. Both Riku & Kairi looked at each other…and then to the mouse in intrigue.
"Go on…" Riku muses.
"If I win...not only are we calling the raft, Excalibur, but I'm the Captain! And YOU gotta do what I say through the duration of the adventure." Sora announced as Riku smirked.
"Alright, then. If I win...not only will the raft be named Highwinds, but..." Riku says as he gives out a wicked smirk. "If I win, I get to share the Paopu Fruit with Kairi at the festival." Riku says bluntly, taking both Sora and Kairi by surprise.
"W-WHAT?!" Sora called out in confusion.
"Wait...what?" Kairi says taken aback by Riku's reward.
"How about it, Sora? Winner gets to share a Paopu Fruit with Kairi, at tomorrow night's festival?" Riku challenged.
"H-hold on there, buddy-boy! Don't I get a say in this?" Kairi asks nervously as Riku soon approached her and whispered something to her ear. It seems this is just another of Riku's pranks that Sora knows nothing about. Kairi only giggled after realizing what Riku's trying to do here.
"Devilish, dude, hehe." Kairi chuckles.
"HEY! EXCUSE ME?! IF THERE'S A PRANK IN THIS, I'M OFFENDED THAT I AIN'T APART OF IT!" Sora yelled out in alarm.
"Don't worry about it, Sora. Riku's got me convinced. It's tiiiiiiiiime to race!" Kairi announced.
"DON'T I GET A SAY IN THIS?!" Sora called out.
"Sure, dude. I mean...I can understand if you're not up to the challenge." Riku taunts, making the mouse's eyes widen. An abundance of emotions rushed around the cream-furred mouse...but mostly confusion. Soon, that confusion turned into determination as he gulped.
"Uh-uh-of course I'm up for the challenge! I-I ain't some kinda chicken!" Sora says as a great big smile soon arises as Riku soon hopped on his Chocobo.
"Well? What're you waiting for? You ready?" Riku asks.
"HELL YEAH!" Sora says determinedly as he hopped on his Chocobo as well.
"That's the spirit, heh. Try not to lose." Riku challenged. Sora, meanwhile gave a mischievous grin.
"I'M winning this race, and I'll be sharin' that Paopu Fruit~" Sora says in his head, mischievously as both racers claimed their reins.
"Alright guys, get ready on my count!" Kairi says, seeing the two immediately ready.
"On your mark...get set...GO!" Kairi cries out as Riku and Sora whipped their reins and dashed off with their Chocobos, with such tremendous speed.
Or at least…one of them.
Taking Riku by surprise…his Chocobo wasn't moving. The silver-haired boy gasped looking at what happened…his Chocobo's feet was completely encased in a block of cement.
"DAMMIT, SORA!" Riku cries out.
"SEE YA AT THE FINISH LINE, RIKU~!" Sora sings as his Chocobo was quick to race out of Riku's yard and through the village. The human only looks at the mouse, smugly.
"He DOES realize that you have a whole corral of Chocobos you could use, right?" Kairi asks, smugly.
"Yes he does." Riku says as he and Kairi looked to the ranch and see…almost every Chocobo's feet were encased in cement. Cartoon logic truly works wonders.
"Clever little mouse, huh?" Kairi asks amidst his giggle. Riku, however…smirked.
"Not quite."
With Sora
"YEEEEEE-HAWWWWWWWWW!" Sora cries out, literally waving a random cowboy hat, as he races through the village at top speed.
Everyone in the market took notice of the albino mouse riding a Chocobo…but simply ignores it because…well that's not anything out of the ordinary. It's never a dull day in the Destiny Village, when Sora or Riku are around.
Meanwhile, the cream-furred mouse only sat back as his Chocobo did his work.
"Awwww, winning this race is gonna be a breeze! I almost feel bad!" Sora couldn't help but say as he relaxed. When suddenly…
"DON'T BE, BECAUSE THIS RACE AIN'T OVER YET!" Riku called out. Before Sora could react,
"WHOA!" The mouse completely looked in surprise to see our silver-haired friend at top speed with a FLYING black-feathered Chocobo. Sora's jaw LITERALLY drops at this.
"W-HUH?! I THOUGHT YOU TOLD ME CHOCOBOS CAN'T FLY!" Sora protests.
"HAVEN'T INTRODUCED YOU TO THIS ONE YET, HAVE I?! SORA, MEET ZURI! SHE HAS A STABLE OF HIS OWN 'CAUSE SHE'S THE ONLY CHOCOBO THAT CAN FLY!" Riku says, cockily as Zuri flew at top speed.
"SEE YA AT THE FINISH LINE, SORA!" Riku taunted as he was inching farther and farther, but Sora didn't give up yet. Sora whipped the reins as hard as he could, as the Chocobo smiled and ran at a faster pace, finally as Sora gained up on Riku.
Soon, Sora, Riku, and the running Kairi soon made it up to the hillside leading out of the village. They can see the shore, where the three can see the islands at a distance.
Their finish line is just at the corner. The showed a determined smile on their face...but soon one of their faces turned from determined...to confused.
Just as he was racing, Sora took his eyes off Riku for just one second...when he notices something just by one of the houses on the side. He saw a peculiar figure...a figure that he has never SEEN in the town.
He can't make out the person's face, at any case, considering he was wearing a brown robe...with a hood, completely covering the figure's face.
"Huh...?" Sora says in confusion.
"SORA, LOOK OUT!" Kairi called out. Sora's attention was snapped back to the road, a log was just in the middle of the road. The mouse didn't have time to react.
"Uh-oh…!" Sora says meekly.
The Chocobo immediately stumbled upon the log in the road, tripping on it, taking Sora down as well. The mouse was barrel-rolled at top speed off the Chocobo and into the sand. Swirls covered the cartoon's eyes and literal cartoon stars swirled around his head.
"Wowie…my head feels spinney~" Sora says, dizzily. Quickly, Kairi rushed towards the mouse, and Riku had Zuri land in front of the two.
"Sora, are you okay?" Kairi asks, as the mouse frantically shakes his head, he arose from the ground, patting the dust off his dress.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine. I just got distracted, that's all." Sora replied.
"Did you get hurt? Did the Chocobo get hurt? Did ANYONE get hurt at all?" Riku asks in concern. It's clear that despite his calm, and collective attitude, he's a pretty caring person...or as Kairi would call him...a big softie.
"You okay, buddy?" Sora asks as he soon turned to the Chocobo. The yellow bird tried to stand up, but its leg went limp. The yellow bird cawed out in pain. Riku soon looked at the Chocobo's leg. It was sprained really badly.
"Oh boy, this one really got it bad from the fall." Riku says in concern.
"Can I fix him? I'm sure I got some tools in my Gag Bag, that'll fix him up in a jiffy…" Sora asks as the silver-haired boy shook his head.
"Appreciate it, dude, but I'll patch him up, myself. DAMN my parents are gonna kill me. There's no way I can hide something like this." Riku sighed.
"We can take the blame with ya, if ya want Riku." Kairi piped up.
"YEAH! I'm the best person to blame when everything goes to pot! It's what pals do, after all!" Sora says, happily.
"That's nice of you guys, but this is my problem. I don't want to get any of you in trouble either. Besides, my parents are always gonna pin the blame down on me, so I might as well face it head on." Riku explained.
"Oh..." Sora and Kairi both said in unison, as they lowered their heads in disappointment.
"I'll probably have to skip out on going to the islands today. I've gotta get this one fixed up, so you guys can go on ahead to the islands if you want. I need one of you to check up on the raft, in case Tidus and Wakka does something stupid." Riku says as he tried to get the limped Chocobo to stand, as he whistled Zuri to come along.
"Alright, Riku, we'll see ya around. I hope you and the Chocobo will be alright." Kairi says before starting to walk away.
"Don't worry about me, we just need to get things ready for the tomorrow's Luau." Riku says as HE began to walk away. Something however about this is only making Sora uneasy and frantic...so he called out to his two friends.
"W-WAIT!" Sora cried out, gaining Riku and Kairi's attention.
"W-w-w-w-what a-a-bout the Paopu Fruit sharing?" Sora asks frantically. Riku and Kairi only looked at each other...before laughing at Sora...or with Sora. Either way, they were laughing.
"W-WHAT'S SO FUNNY?!" Sora blurted out as the two only continued to laugh. Soon, Riku started up.
"D-DUDE! C'mon, you didn't think I was SERIOUS about that, did you?" Riku asks amidst his laughing. That comment seriously had Sora confused as Riku and Kairi only laughed.
"You…weren't?" Sora asks hopelessly.
"Of course not, Sora! It was just a prank. He wasn't actually serious about sharing a Paopu Fruit with me." Kairi cleared up amidst her chuckles.
"Dude, I don't even LIKE Paopu Fruits. I told you that like a billion times." Riku replied back, completely taking Sora aback by surprise...as he only looked at his chuckling friends bashfully. A fact that Sora has COMPLETELY disregarded for the longest time.
"Hehehehehehehhhh...o-o...I feel sheepish..." Sora says as he literally dresses himself in sheep wool, earning a laugh from all three of them as the sun shines down.
"Alright, alright. It's been fun, guys, but notify my next of kin, will ya? I doubt I'll make this one out alive." Riku says, sarcastically helped the limped Chocobo walk slowly but surely, as the other Chocobo trailed behind.
"Good luck, dude!" Sora called out….as he only gives a sigh. He wasn't so sure what he was feeling…but it's clear there's some on his mind in regards to the Paopu Fruit.
"Y'know…I was kinda hopin' to compromise and…share the Paopu Fruit with the both of 'em. Why be apart of either ONLY Riku or Kairi's life? Why not all our lives be intertwined?" Sora couldn't help but ponder…until he felt a tap on the head.
"HUH!? HELLO!" Sora called out, earning a chuckle from Kairi.
"Sorry about that, I uh…didn't mean to scare you." Kairi confessed as Sora chuckles bashfully.
"Heheh, nononoooo! It's alright!" Sora says, happily.
"I kinda just…wanted to ask you something." Kairi says as she soon approached the cream-furred mouse with a question in her mind.
"What happened back there? I noted that something REALLY got you distracted during the race." Kairi says in concerned, as Sora was reminded of something.
He soon looked around the residential area...but to his dismay there was no sign of the mysterious man he saw. The boy shrugged it off, for it seems the man must've left.
"Eh, it was probably nothin' Must've saw a bug." Sora says in a dismissive tone.
"Are you sure?" Kairi asks.
"Yep!" Sora assures. Kairi shrugged it off.
"Well...okay. If there's something you wanna talk about, just let me know. I'll always be there for you." Kairi says to the mouse in a hopeful smile. Sora chuckles. It's always good to have friends by his side, as he couldn't help but smile as well.
"Thanks, Kai." Sora says.
"No problem." Kairi answers in a polite tone, as the fresh afternoon sun shines down on the two children. You can never forget who your true friends are.
Toontown
"BOTH Kings disappeared?!" Daisy yelled out as we returned to the colorful world of Toontown in the Castle Study, where Donald and the toons we've already met, and more have gathered to speak of a…harrowing predicament.
Both rulers of Toontown, King Mickey Mouse and King Bugs Bunny…have disappeared.
"Now, I can understand King Bugs, but…King Mickey? If HE bolted out without telling even us, then it must be serious." The Steward, Clarabelle Cow says in concern.
"How could this be?" Asks the royal caretaker, Granny as she sits alongside her pets, Tweety Bird, and Sylvester the Cat. Donald bows and explain.
"Well, your Majesty. I was doing my daily meeting when SOMEBODY decided to play dress up." Donald sneered IMMEDIATELY glaring at Daffy.
"DON'T ACT LIKE YOU WOULDN'T, IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE, DONNY BOY!" Daffy exclaims. The Duck Mage rolled his eyes.
"ANYWAY, when I looked, both Kings were gone." Donald reports.
"Goodness, but what about King Bugs?" Asks another caretaker of the castle in a squeaky voice. That squeaky voice coming from none other than Betty Boop.
"Ah, y'know ol' Bugsy. Usually, he goes in and out of Toontown, traveling to other worlds, and not knowing a how to stand still for a single second." Daffy explains.
"Eh, h-h-h-he left last night without a word. I-I thought nothing of it, but with both Bugs AND Mickey gone, i-i-i-i-it-it can't be a coincidence." Porky replies.
"You'd think with a throne room THAT big, you'd at least take an easy peek yourself." Daisy says, sarcastically. Soon scurrying to the King's desk is the castle's…screwiest cartoon character, Screwy Squirrel.
"Now, I dunno about YOU fellas, but seems kinda screwy for BOTH Kings to be gone, doncha think? And I should know! I AM SCREWY!" Screwy exclaims as he slams his head with a mallet while wearing Napoleon Bonaparte's hat.
"And I'm Woody! Ha ha ha HA HA! Ha ha ha HA HA!" Giggles another crazy resident of Castle Toontown, Woody Woodpecker as he was pecking holes into the walls of the castle.
"Ehh…as maddening as they are, they've still a good point. It's not like either of them to leave the castle without at least telling US." Granny replies.
"Is there anything, I say, ANYTHING that either King left in their absence, Donald?" Asks the castle Armiger, Foghorn Leghorn.
"The only lead we've got is a letter from King Mickey, left for Pluto and Taz." Donald said pointing to the sleeping dog and the drooling Tasmanian Devil in mention. It was at that moment the court wizard then handed Queen Minnie the letter.
"I fixed the parts I smudged from drool..." Donald muttered earning a bonk on the head from the Lady in Waiting.
"Don't say that, you idiot!" Daisy whispered. It was at that moment, the Queen then read the letter out loud.
Ahem, Donald, Sorry to rush off without saying goodbye, but trouble popped up that could easily jeopardize ALL of Toontown.
Y'see, your uncle Scrooge approached me last night, on behalf of the Circle. He and many other members can confirm one thing...stars are goin' out, one-by-one. Which means disaster can't be far off. Sorry to leave you fellas, but Bugs and I just had to check it out.
There're two people out there with 'Keys'. One of light, and one of darkness. The Keys and their wielders are far too important to be found in the wrong hands, so I'm sendin' Donald, Goofy, Daffy, and Porky to find them and stick with 'em. Got it?
But don't worry, King Bugs sent three of his trusted friends to lend you two a hand. We need those keys or we're doomed! You need to go to Traverse Town and find Leon. He'll point you in the right direction.
P.S. Would you apologize to Minnie for me? I know that by now I've messed up the morning greeting, but when I get home...I promise I'll set things right...for Minnie, for you guys, and for everyone.
-Sincerely, Mickey Mouse."
"This is terrible..." Petunia muttered.
"I know...I MEAN, LOOK, I SAY, LOOK AT THIS NOTE! The penmanship is abhorred at best! You'd think, I say, you'd THINK, that as a King you'd see such proper etiquette in this letter. Why, it's almost enough to put a grown man to sh-" Foghorn Leghorn rants, endlessly and endlessly.
Having enough, Daisy watched Tom & Jerry bash each other on the heads with frying pans….the duck takes one from Tom…and bashes Foghorn's face in with it.
"THANK YOU, Foghorn. ANYWAY." Daisy says in annoyance.
"That's it?" Sylvester clearly wasn't impressed. "I missed thirty minutes of snoozy time just so we can worry about some stargazing?" Everyone could only glare at the cat
"You don't quite understand the severity of the situation, now do you?" Mrs. Beakley asks, sternly.
"It…just seems like a buncha stars are blinkin' out." Cuphead says, confusedly.
"Yeah. Don't they already do that?" Mugman asks.
"Doesn't seem like a catastrophe to me..." Max says.
"Even the kids are sayin' what I'm thinkin; It's just nothin' more than big ol' balls of air blinkin' out like they always do. I don't see what the cause for alarm's for." Sylvester simply replied.
"WHATTAYA DING DONGS MEAN IT AIN'T A CATASTROPHE?!" Ms. Chalice exclaims.
"Kids, Sylvester, it may not sound bad, but I can speak for all of us and say it's quite a serious thing." Granny says to the black cat.
"And why's that?" Sylvester snaps.
SLAM!
"WAK!"
"PERHAPZ I CAN ELUCIDATE FURZER ON ZIS!" A loud voice announces as the door of the castle study suddenly slams open…right on Donald & Daffy, who are now a pancake against the wall. Another duck, wearing a suit and labcoat.
"Oh, hello, boys." The duck says to the flattened ducks.
"Oh, hiya, Professor Von Drake!" Goofy guffaws.
"Eh I-I-I didn't think you'd leave your observatory." Porky inquires.
"Who do you zink approached ze Kings about all this? Und now zat you have been informed furzer, I feel it is time I reminder you all of WHY zis is a bad zing." Von Drake says as he skitters across the room, where he placed on the table a strange tablet.
With a simple press of a button, and Betty Boop turning off the lights, the dark study illuminated in a shimmering cyan glow as the small cube on the table activated and projected a holographic image of a map of the sea of stars. Ooohs and Ahhs can be heard throughout the study.
"Yes, yes, my genius is very telling, is it not?" Von Drake boasts.
"Your arrogance is the one that's telling…" Daffy mutters.
"You're one to talk." Donald barks back.
"Y'know I WOULD add my two cents in…but it would be a LOOOONG chain." Woody adds…literally holding two cents.
Soon, Von Drake takes from his pocket a stick, as he points to the stars of space.
"Ahem, as you all know, zere are worlds outside of our own solar system. What I'm sure you didn't know…is zat EACH star in ze sky in fact houses a single world quite different from ours." Von Drake explains.
"Wait…WHA?!" Cuphead says in surprise.
"All of them?!" Mugman exclaims.
"Eyup. Every single one." Ms. Chalice answers.
"Sufferin' succotash…" Spits out Sylvester. "EVERY sthar in the sky is in fact another world!?" He exclaims as each word he utters equals a rain of spit throughout the room.
"Yeah, Sir-Spitz-a lot…" Von Drake says, wiping the spit off his face.
"How could you not know, Putty Cat?" Tweety asks.
"IF THERE'S INTERDIMENSIONAL SPACE TRAVEL, I WOULD'VE BEEN THE FIRST TO KNOW!" Sylvester retorts.
"I doubt it." Tweety mumbles.
"In fact, it's those worlds that gave inspiration to the Magic Kingdom. It…wouldn't be so successful if the King didn't open the barrier for everyone." Minnie explains. Soon, Cuphead & Mugman looked to Ms. Chalice.
"Did you know?" Cuphead asks.
"'Course I did. I've been around longer than ya think." Ms. Chalice boasts.
"And ya didn't tell us because…?" Mugman asks.
"You didn't ask!" Ms. Chalice says sweetly. Meanwhile, Mrs. Beakley approached Donald in regards to…other news.
"You might have noticed that we are lacking a few…ducks in a row, Donald?" Mrs. Beakly inquires, to which Donald frantically looks around in realization.
"Beakley, no. NO." Donald says, frantically as Mrs. Beakley simply nods. "Oh, C'MON! NOW!? OF ALL TIMES?!" The toons only looked at Donald, confusedly.
"Uh…Donald, is there something you'd like to share?" Minnie asks.
"D'ohhh…it's just that, Uncle Scrooge has a thing for taking the boys and Webby out on these insane adventures. But the fact that he's taken them OUTSIDE of Toontown, especially when apparently things are goin' bad for the worlds is just….GAAAHHHH!" Donald says as he gives out a heavy sigh.
"Now, Donald. At first, I would admit that I would think the same. However, throughout our adventures, I've come to realize that…the boys and Webby truly have grown into such capable Magicians. All three of them." Mrs. Beakly assures.
"The Master insisted that they would be ready to view the outside world. Which is why he has taken them to Traverse Town to assist with Gyro and the Resistance to keep everyone safe." Duckworth explains.
"Hmph…fine. BUT SCROOGE SHOULD'VE AT LEAST TOLD ME BEFORE TAKING THE THEM!" Donald retorts. Both Beakly and Duckworth simply looked at each other…and then to the duck in a deadpanned glance.
"Would you truly say otherwise even if he did?" They both ask in unison.
"NO!" Donald was quick to respond…but immediately doubled down. "I mean…well…t-that's to say…"
"Hey, Donald? I get that family's important and all…BUT THE BUSINESS AT HAND HERE?" Daisy intervenes.
"Zat's right! Zis is quite serious! Stars going kerplooey, means only one zing!" Says Von Drake.
"Poof!" Taz exclaims comically, as he wakes from his slumber. Following that was a cackle coming from the rabid Tasmanian Devil.
"Worlds are disappearing…" Betty Boop finishes in worry.
"All those in favor of not liking ANY of this, say I," Screwy says raising his gloved hand.
"I." All the toons aside from the Queen say in unison.
"But how could a world just…DISAPPEAR?" Max asks?
"I don't know, Max. But if this continues, then who's to say Toontown won't be next?" Minnie asks. Everyone only looked at the Queen in dread.
"Even with the Cornerstone of Light protecting the world, there's no guarantee just how long that protection'll last." Daisy adds.
"Then, it looks like we've no choice but to trust King Mickey and Bugs." Granny inquires.
"Gawrsh...I sure hope they're okay..." Goofy says concern.
"We're all gonna die…" Droopy Dog says, droopily.
"No kiddin'" Sylvester whispers as Daisy soon steps up.
"Donald, Goofy, Daffy, Porky, we're all counting on you." Minnie says as everyone, soon turned to the ones on the job. Donald, Goofy, Porky…and the sleeping duck Archer. Porky soon noticed and glared at him…
Immediately punching the duck hard on the arm. With a snort, Daffy awakened from his slumber.
"HUH!? WHA?! I'M AWAKE!" Daffy exclaims. Daisy pinched the bridge of her nose in agitation.
"Oi…Daffy." She sighs.
"He's not the only one I'm worried about…" Donald muffled, before shaking his head and reverting to the topic at hand. "In any case, your Highness, you've got nothin' to worry about. We'll find the King, and this 'Key!'"
"Eyup! You can count on us!" Goofy assures.
"YOU BOTH CAN FEAR NOT, YOUR HIGHNESSES! THIS DARING QUARTET SHALL SEE THIS DANGEROUS TASK TO ITS END!" Daffy asserts.
"Daffy…you were asleep. Do you even know the task?" Clarabelle asks.
"NOPE! BUT WE'LL SEE IT TO ITS END!" Daffy retorts, as most of the toons in here sigh in frustration.
"He's got the spirit, but his head's kinda like a wet noodle." Woody Woodpecker says to the audience.
"Eh, don't worry…I-I-I'll deeded-eded-ed-ed-fill him in on what's going on." Porky assures. "B-b-b-b-b-but he's right, your Highness. We'll find the King and this K-k-Key." Queen Minnie smiles.
"Thank you. All of you." Minnie says kindly.
"Can we come, dad?" Max asks motioning to himself, Cuphead, Mugman, and Ms. Chalice.
"YEAH!" Cuphead cheers.
"Can we? CAN WE? CAAAAN WE?!" Mugman pleaded.
"I think you'll fine that I've got some…SHARP intuition when it comes to the outside world~" Ms. Chalice muses as she summons her spear.
"Aw, I'm sorry, kids…but ya can't come. I don't wanna put ya in harm's way, and I don't think Elder Kettle would appreciate that either." Goofy says cautiously.
"Aww…" The 3 cups droned in unison.
"B-but what about you?!" Max pleaded out.
"Don't you worry, Maxie, I'll be back, in no time. Once I'm back I'll train to be a strong knight like me, and when you're ready, we'll go world by world together!" Goofy assured as Max only chuckled nervously.
"Clarabelle?" Goofy starts, but immediately, the cow knew what he was going to ask.
"Ya want me to take care of Maxie? D'awww you don't even have to ask for that. You all be careful out there." Clarabelle assures her sweet and goofy sweetheart. Max can only sigh as his father approached him.
"Now, doncha worry, Maxie. I'll be back before ya know it!" Goofy says happily.
"IF we survive, that is…" Daffy sighs.
"Eh, I-I guess now, in the meantime, we should wait for these 'Special team of toons' King Bugs sent out, huh?" Porky asks.
"Eyup! A-hyuk! I wonder who these elite toons'll be." Goofy says aloud.
When suddenly…
KNOCK-KNOCK!
"Oh! That must be them!" Minnie says, happily as Foghorn comes to open the door. He opens the door only to see that…no one was there. Everyone couldn't help but look at the empty halls, confusedly.
"Huh…that's odd," Minnie says in confusion.
"What is?" A voice asks.
"That no one's at the door, of course. Quite curious. We would assume that it would be the three other toons the King mentioned in his letter." Granny inquires.
"Toons that the KING sent?" A female voice asks.
"Boy, you'd think that they'd make a more professional entrance if the King sent them in," A third voice says.
"I know right? Doesn't seem like they're doing a pretty good job," The first voice says casually.
"Well…that we can agree on-OH!" Minnie says in realization as she and the staff took notice of 3 completely new toons standing right behind them. 3 young toons with black & white fur, and shining red noses.
The eldest black & white toon. He was adorned in purple poofy trousers with a flowing leather cape behind him. Strapped around him are scrolls & lyrics, while in his gloved hands…is a lute.
The middle child. He was a mage adorned in a blue robe with a matching blue tunic. Atop his head is a bright red mage's cap. In his gloved hands a purple spellbook with the shimmering red & gold WB plaque on the cover.
Finally, the youngest child. She was adorned in a pink dress under her magenta cloak. A flower crown rests atop her head and in her gloved hands a shimmering silver dagger. Resting behind her is her mahogany bow.
"WAK!? WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA? WHO'RE YOU THREE!?" Donald demands, yet the children were clearly unphased.
"C'mon, Donald, didn't you read the last paragraph?" The youngest asks as she looks to the audience. "Dumber than advertising, am I right?" Soon, the eldest of the three steps up.
"The Cavalry HAS arrived, ladies and gentlemen! Coming live to you, on behalf of ol' King Bugsy, We're the Warner Brothers!" The eldest of the three announced.
"AND the Warner Sister." The youngest of the three replies.
"I'm Yakko." The eldest child says with a strum from his lute.
"I'm Wakko!" The middle child says as he sticks out his tongue and levitates his spellbook.
"And I'm…." The youngest child starts…immediately flinging her dagger in the air. She closes her eyes, held out the tip of her gloved hand, and says…
"Princess Angelina Contessa Louisa Francesca Banana Fanna Bo Besca the Third." The child says as the dagger fell into the tip of her gloved finger, the MOMENT she finished. As if she knew the dagger would land at that moment. "But you can call me Dot.' She finishes.
"Can we call ya Dottie?" Mugman asks playfully, earning him a sharp dagger pointed at his big blue nose.
"Try it, you'll die." The youngest Warner threatens.
"Noted," Mugman said, bashfully.
"Talk about theatre Kids," Sylvester sneers.
"Like you'we one to tawk, putty cat~" Tweety sings.
"Oh, shut up!" The cat hissed.
"Sylvester, Tweety, enough." Granny says, making the two pets grow silent.
"We three are special Toons, requested to be on this ship by King Bugs, himself. Talk about importance, huh?" Yakko explains.
"YOU? Talk about desperate for Bugsy to send a few kids on this voyage." Daffy huffs.
"Hey, at least we've got something YOU don't~" Yakko sings.
"Oh really? And what's that?" Daffy challenged.
"Taste," Wakko pipes up.
"Cuteness~" Dot continues.
"And we aren't accident-prone, that's for sure," Yakko quips, earning a glare from the archer.
"HEY, I FIND OFFENSE TO THAT!" Daffy objected to which the Warners gasped dramatically.
"Et tu, Daffy Duck?" Dot asks, dramatically.
"Yeesh, what is it with people wanting our fence?" Yakko asks, casually.
"Aww, c'mon, guys! There's always room for sharin' ain't there?" Wakko asks, and with a glow from his book and the flickering of pages, a white picket fence appeared, hovering above Daffy. To which the fence falls on him.
"I thank you for the generosity…" Daffy says meekly.
"Those three, I say, those three're from the same cloth as King Bugs," Foghorn says casually. Donald only sighed, knowing that a headache comes his way.
"Well, since everyone's with us, with your permission, your Highness, we'd best get going," Donald requests.
"Oh!" Minnie piped up. "Before you depart, Donald, I had ALMOST forgot. One of our guests found someone who was looking for us. They said he was a Chronicler. He should be taking a nap in the drawers, wait a moment." Minnie says as she walked past Tom & Jerry's incessant fighting and grabbed something from the drawer.
"Did you sleep well?" Minnie asked…whatever was in her palmed hands. She opens her gloved palms revealing a cricket adorned in a suit, gloves, and a top hat.
"Aside from the banging from…those two, yes! I've slept quite well, your Majesty. Thank you for the hospitality." The cricket says kindly.
"Eh, a-a-a-a cricket?" Porky asks.
"A chronicler," The cricket replies as he bows to the group. "Cricket's the name. Jiminy Cricket, at your service! King Mickey asked of me to be the Chronicler of your journey. It certainly is a pleasure meeting you all!" The cricket introduces.
"Well, hop aboard muh hat, Jiminy, and we'll be ready to go." Goofy says kindly as he bowed his head for Jiminy. Being the cricket he is, he hopped a massive hop atop of Goofy's head.
"With everything taken care of, guess that means it's time to go, huh?" Daisy asks.
"Und, it's off to ze lab with me. I'll keep a sharp eye out on ze other worlds in case more go KER-PLOOIE!" Professor Von Drake inquires. Finally, Minnie steps up.
"Donald, Goofy, Daffy, Porky, and the Warners. We hope for your safe return." Queen Minnie says. "Please. Do EVERYTHING in your ability to help both Kings. The fate of all of Toontown rests in your gloves and hands."
"Alright then! Bye, Queen Minnie! And bye to you Daisy, Woody, Max, Clarabelle, Screwy, Cuphead, Mugman, Ms. Chalice, Granny, Betty, Silvester, Foghorn, Droopy, Tweety, Goofy, and Daffy!" Wakko said as the male duck and the pig was suddenly taken aback at what the middle Warner said. Soon the two finally noticed Goofy, and Daffy who saluted them by Minnie's side.
"YOU'RE COMING, TOO!" Donald and Porky scowled in unison as they dragged the cowards out of the Castle Study.
"ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT! Sheeeeesh!" Daffy says, reluctantly.
"Worth a try, huh? A-hyuk! Goofy says casually.
"Good luck, everyone...you're our only hope." Minnie says to herself. Watching as her only hope along with Taz, and Pluto leave the library.
Destiny Islands
"Woooooooooow~" A familiar voice chimes out as Kairi looks in awe at what she is currently looking at. As she traverses through the shores, where the raft is anchored, she took notice of how festive the place is looking. She's really entranced by the Tiki settings used in the shoreline, as party balloons, confetti, and favors are spread in every way throughout the shores.
For, tomorrow is a special day for the Destiny Village
Tomorrow is the Festival of Lā; Better known as the Sun Festival. Tomorrow marks the last day of Summer, and every year, the Destiny Kingdom comes together for one big summer celebration.
The festivities would usually be that of food, games, and entertainment including Chocobo Racing, Blitzball, and many other side activities. And at the final moonlight, the village comes together for the piece de resistance: The Sunset Dance and the traditional Paopu Feast.
Ever since she was taken in by the Mayor of Destiny Island at a young age, Kairi has been to countless ceremonies as his guest of honor. To this day, she remains enamored by the festivities.
But this year…she won't be GOING to the festivities. For tomorrow night also marks…her great expedition.
"Do ya like it? Tidus and I have been REALLY going out on decorating the place! Since this'll be our last time on the island, we thought we would make this a celebration we'll NEVER forget." Selphie explains as she approached the auburn-haired girl.
"It's beautiful~" Kairi says.
"It sure is! I'm glad you like it. Shiro really pulled all the stops on this one." Selphie says pleasantly. Soon Selphie suddenly began to look around and noticed something missing...well...three somethings.
"Say uh...where are Sora and Riku?" Selphie asks.
"Well, Riku's busy with a Chocobo mishap. So he can't come today. And Sora? Well…I don't really know. We separated after we went ashore." Kairi says as she simply shrugs it off. Soon, she herself asked a question.
"Where're Tidus & Shiro?" Kairi asks.
"Tidus is on the same boat as Riku. He can't come cause he's too busy preparing the food for tomorrow night's Luau. Shiro's doing some exploring in the cave." Selphie says as Kairi tilts her head in confusion.
"The cave?" Kairi asks.
"Yep! There's a secret cave just at the base of the tree on the beach. She thought there'd be something cool in there. If Shiro's there, then I'm guessing Sora went to find her." Selphie hypothesized.
"A secret cave at the base of the tree...I think I know what you're talking about...it used to be Sora and Riku's hideout..." Kairi says as she distinctly remembers a memory of that cave.
The Cave
"Captain's log: Day one of excavation," Sora says as he explores the cave. Atop his head, a hardhat with a crimson hairbow on it, and in his gloved hand, a recording device. He seems to be recording his thoughts.
"It has been 0.0 hours since I stepped foot in this cave." The mouse says as she then breaths in. "The ozone of musk remained the same. On top of that…I have reunited with my dearest sister!" The mouse says as he motions to Shiro who only rolled her eyes.
"Must be having loooots of fun with that recorder, huh, bro?" Shiro asks, sarcastically. Sora only ignored her as he continued recording his thoughts.
"Today's exploration shall take me to the secret hideout. – or so Riku called it. – The search for mushrooms presses on as I delve deeper and deeper into the cave." The mouse monologues, dramatically.
Soon he enters the very base of the cave. A small cave clearing with moss covering the land, and the scent of mushrooms and dew.
In the center of the clearing...a door. A door with no keyhole of any kind.
"No sign of intelligent life, here." The rabbit quips. Soon enough she scanned her surroundings.
Throughout the cave walls are scribbles. Scribbles of chalk created by him, Riku, and Kairi. As Sora & Shiro walked through the cave, the rabbit could only look around with a whirlwind of emotions.
Meanwhile, Sora spotted it. The one thing he entered the cave for: Mushrooms just by the door. "Bingo!" He whispered as he scampered forth.
"Captain's Log: mission successful." The mouse announced as he simply threw away the recording AND the hard hat, as he grabbed a handful of mushrooms. He placed them in his Gag Bag and took his leave.
"Alrighty, Shiro, let's skedaddle! We've probably got Kairi worried, huh? Sora says as he soon turns to his twin sister.
She was…uncharacteristically quiet. It seems she's merely gazing upon the door in the center of the cave. The door…with no knob or keyhole.
"Funny…" Shiro simply says as Sora only looks at her confusedly. "Almost seems like just yesterday Riku found us…huh, Sora?" Soon, the mouse joined her.
"Yeah…I wonder if he still has that big ol' bump on his head..." Sora says rubbing his head earning a chuckle from the little cream rabbit.
"So…we're really doing, this, huh?" Shiro asks without so much as looking at the spiky-haired toon.
"Seems like it! We're gonna cast off tomorrow night. Just who knows what we'll find? We may even find out just where we came from." Sora inquires.
"What if…we WEREN'T welcomed?" Shiro asks finally turning to the mouse. Sora only tilts his head in confusion.
"Whaddaya mean?" Sora couldn't help but ask.
"Think about it, Sora. We're on this island here for a reason, doncha think? Maybe…we were sent here cause either we…or I did somethin' wrong, or the other cartoons probably think they'd be better off sendin' me away?" Shiro asks.
"What makes you think that?" Sora asks, softly. Shiro's ears only flopped, sadly.
"Dunno. I'm more of a troublemaker than you are. So…who's to say that we're outta…wherever the hell we came from because of me? After all, I'm always a screwup…" Shiro asks as tears began to form.
With a warm and caring smile on his face, the little mouse simply puts a shoulder on the little rabbit.
"Shiro…I dunno why we're here, but just know that whatever it is…there's no way you're the cause. And even if you are, then…what the hell do I need to be mad about? You're my sister. A smart, kind, and caring person with an imagination greater than even me. I mean, yeah, you do tend to go overboard on the crazy sometimes, but so do I. And I wanna bet that other Toons are, too." Sora replies, gently. Shiro only gave a small smile.
"Since when the hell did you get so wise?" Shiro asks, cockily. The mouse could only give a big ol grin.
"I always know what I'm talking about when it comes to my friends & family!" Sora says happily With tears in her eyes, the little rabbit couldn't help but give her little brother a hug.
"Sora…thank you. I dunno how we got here, but…you, Riku, Kairi, Tidus, Selphie, Wakka…you fellas are the best thing that came out of it."
"You'll never be alone…Shiro." Sora replies as the two hugged.
Soon, enough….their moment was interrupted.
"I've come to see the door to this world." A deep...and chilling voice echoes in the cave startling the two. Completely paralyzed in fear, Sora scanned the cave for that voice.
"W-WHO'S THERE?!" Sora yelled out in fear. The mouse was only shaking and shivering in fear, as he heard footsteps grinding the cave sand.
"Really? We were kinda havin' a moment here!" Shiro says, unafraid…reading to beat someone senseless with her mallet as the chilling voice only continues.
"This world has been connected. Tied to the darkness. The world in which we walk...will too lose its light. Soon to be completely eclipsed." The chilling voice says.
"SHOW YOURSELF! I-I-I-I'M NOT AFRAID!" Sora says trying to be brave. Shiro simply blinks.
"Your uh…legs say otherwise, bro." Shiro simply says noticing the toon's legs are shivering like no tomorrow.
"S-SHUT UP!" Sora asserts.
"It is the same as all worlds that had vanished." Soon...the figure reveals itself...well sort of. His face completely shadowed.
Shiro only looked at the man, confusedly, while Sora immediately recognized that figure.
"Yeesh, I've heard of tall, dark, and gloomy, but this is ridiculous." Shiro says to the audience.
"Say…you're the wise guy that costed me a race! I LOST THE RIGHTS TO EXCALIBUR BECAUSE OF YOU!" Sora yells out, clearly agitated. The hooded figure heeded no mind to Sora. Rather…he was interested in Shiro.
"My…such a…visceral amount of darkness…trapped within such a tiny, inky, vessel. You both remind me of those meddlesome Kings." The hooded man says to the two…who only looks at him confusedly.
"Kings?" Shiro asks.
"There aren't any Kings in this plain old town." Sora says as he shrugged.
"You both are too…naïve to understand what lies beyond the door..." The shrouded man says.
"What lies beyond the door...does that mean you're from another world? So...that means...there really ARE other worlds out there, right? RIGHT?" Sora asks...hoping for a clear answer from this man...rather than cryptic gibberish.
"There is so very much to learn...you understand so little." More cryptic gibberish...but it seems it was used as an insult. Shiro narrowed her eyes, and challenged his gibberish.
"Ah, now there's the rub." Shiro pipes up as she leans on the door so casually.
"What's the use in tryin' to dictate how little we know if we can't figure it out, ourselves?. Can't understand somethin' without learnin' it, am I right?" The rabbit simply interjects in-a-matter-a-fact tone. The man only chuckles.
"Yeah…YEAH! That makes sense!" Sora says happily.
…
"You have no idea what the hell either of us are talking about, do you?" Shiro simply asked the spiky-haired mouse.
"Nope!" Sora replies, obliviously.
"Is that what you think?" The man asks Shiro in an amused tone.
"What, you think I'm gonna be lectured on a burlap sack on what it means to LEARN?" The rabbit retorts.
"By all means, prove that theory. At the end of the day, one who knows nothing...can understand nothing." The man says...as he disappears into the shadows. The rabbit simply blinks. While Sora was angry.
"YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO LAY ON THICK, LIKE THAT!" Sora roared out.
"Yeesh, the nutjob sounds loonier than me," Shiro simply says.
"SORA!" A familiar voice called out, making Sora stiffen in surprise. The boy soon turned around to see Kairi, who looked at both toons with a quizzical look.
"Greetings!" Shiro and Sora say in unison.
"Is everything okay? I heard you guys in the cave just...talking and yelling." Kairi says as she got on one knee, in concern. The toons simply smiled.
"Ah, just thought about something that got me heated. But now that I'm cooled off…" Sora says as Shiro presents to Kairi a handful of mushrooms.
"Mushrooms, signed, sealed, and patented for delivery!" Shiro says as she suddenly wore a mailman's uniform.
"Oh, perfect, thank you!" Kairi says happily as she took the mushrooms. The auburn-haired girl was soon suddenly presented with a clipboard by Sora who as ALSO wearing a mailman's uniform.
"Sign here," Sora said sweetly. Confused, Kairi took the pen and signed.
"And here?" Shiro says as Kairi signed again.
"And here…and here." Sora says as Kairi provided once again, another signature.
"Oh, oh, and could you sign here, too?" Shiro says as she then points at Kairi's forehead. Obliviously, the auburn-haired girl signed.
Immediately, she knew what was going on, and gave the toon a stern glare. To which, the mouse and the rabbit giggled like the mischievous gremlins they are. Kairi simply rolled her eyes as she smeared off the markings.
"Alright, alright, you guys had your fun. But the sun's going down, and Selphie's sailing home. That being said…Shiro, you wouldn't mind if I talk to Sora alone, would you?" Kairi requested. Sora didn't know what she wanted to talk about, and Shiro simply shrugged.
"I mean don't expect to think I won't be spyin' hehehe!" Shiro says mischievously as Kairi only sighs.
"Can't be helped with you, I suppose. What about you, Sora? Are you okay with it?" Kairi asks.
"Sure!" Sora says happily.
"Then it's settled! Now, let's get outta here. This place gives me the creeps. Kairi says as the three began to take their leave out of the cave.
Unbeknownst to them, the shrouded figure in brown returned to the cave...looking at the door like crest, standing in the middle of the cave.
"One who knows nothing...can understand...nothing." He echoed...as something soon formed in the center of the crest...a golden...keyhole? What could this mean?
The Docks
"Just one more day, Sora. The Luau...the Destiny Festival...and the day that everything's gonna change for us...for all of us." Kairi says as she was blissfully looking at the sunset.
"Yep...I just wish it didn't have to come so quickly...Not sure all…ready for the whole Adventurin' biz. At least not yet." Sora sighs.
"You will, eventually. I'm sure of it." Kairi motivated as Sora simply sighs.
"Yeah...I guess." Sora sighs, but he didn't lower his head...and he was sad either. As he looks at the burning sunset, he just having a harder time than anyone to grasp at the fact that something big is about to come. Soon...Kairi spoke up...but on a different subject.
"Y'know...Riku's changed, Sora." Kairi simply says, as Sora only looks at the girl in confusion.
"How so?" Sora asks.
"Well..." Kairi says...as she soon droned in thought. Perhaps there's something Kairi knows that Sora doesn't know...or understand, as the auburn-haired girl only looks down, completely lost in thought.
"You okay?" Sora asks. The girl was soon snapped out of thought and spoke up.
"I'VE GOT IT! Sora, how about WE go out on an adventure? Just the two of us? Let's just take the raft, forget everyone else, and just go!" Kairi declared as Sora was suddenly taken aback by what she's saying. It's madness.
"W-what?! But why?! I-I mean, tempting offer, and I wouldn't really say no to it, BUT WHY!?" Sora blurted out in surprise. A mischievous smile curls her lips.
"Hehehehe, kidding, I'm kidding!" Kairi giggles. Sora only looks at the girl in bewilderment.
"Yeesh, if anyone's changed, it's definitely you, Kai. Maaaybe Riku's right, and I HAVE been a bad influence on ya." Sora says mischievously.
"Maybe..." Kairi answered. She soon continued.
"Y'know, I was...a little afraid at first. I...just didn't think I was ready to set off, like you. But you know what? I...think I'm ready now. Because no matter where I go, or what I see, I know I can always come back here...right?" Kairi answered as Sora nodded his head.
"Of course!" Sora answers.
"That's good..." Kairi says as she soon lowered her head in thought. She soon turned to Sora, as the spiky-haired toon turned to her, as well.
"Sora...don't ever change." Kairi simply says. The mouse tilts his head in confusion...but for Kairi's sake, he shrugged it off and promised her.
"I'm only a toon, Kai. There's no changin' me." Sora answered. She spoke not a word as soon rose up from the ground, as the wind blew through her hair. She was simply smiling, as she watched the bright ocean blue...and the view of her mainland.
"I just can't wait. Once we set sail, it'll be great." Kairi says.
As promised, watching the entire scene unfold from behind the bushes…was Shiro. Who could only cry such comical and cartoon-like tears as she whispers out…
"They're so cute together~" Shiro coos. Soon enough she washed away the waterworks and gazed upon the golden sky as well…taking in that tropical air.
"I am gonna miss this place…but Kairi's right. No matter how far I'll be away from this damn place, I'll always find a way back…kinda fitting how this place…is called Destiny Island, huh?"
"Maybe this whole…destiny thing's the reason we were brought here." The rabbit could only say to herself as another day passes by…on Destiny Island.
At Night
The glistening of the sun has been replaced with the radiance of the moon as the nightfall plagues the mainlands of Destiny Islands. Although the streetlights illuminate the paths, the village is fast asleep. Not a single utterance has been heard.
All except for the hillside.
At the very top of the hill, the moon shines down upon an army. An army rising from the deepest darkness. Familiar creatures with shadows for pelts, and pale glowing gold eyes.
Towering them is a gigantic mechanical construct. A purple cyborg-like creature with monkey-like features. The creature has shining red eyes, and a metallic facemask resembling that of a rhino's horn.
Finally, there came a man, standing pridefully in front of the creatures. The leader.
A man adorned in glistening in a silver and gold coat of armor with gemstones on his gauntlet, arms, and waist. The man shrouds himself in a glistening silver helmet with sharp horns. Piercing from the shadows of inside are eyes as yellow as the shadows. His purple cape flows in through the wind…as he looks at the island in disgust.
"Yes, a world awaiting its end. Go forth, my Heartless. Snuff out the light in this foolish land. Meanwhile, I shall find the Princess." The knight says as he raised his hand out…and summons a wisp.
"A simple flint…is all that it takes to lure a mouse, out of its cage…and into its trap." The knight says as he summons in his shimmering gauntlet a glowing green ball of fire.
"Will-o-Wisp. A fragment of the shooting star, burning a brightly as the majestic sun. Go forth and guide the Princess to her destiny." The knight says to the green whisp as it shoots up into the Destiny night sky.
"We must act fast. Soon…the Princess…AND this world will be ours." The knight says in a dangerous tone.