Hi all! Happy 20th anniversary to Kingdom Hearts release in Japan! Wow, 20 years! Can you believe it? Here's to many more years of KH adventures in the future!

Now for the story, this chapter is similar to the last one. We won't be seeing Sora's view or his friend's directly today. We'll be seeing more from the view points from a few characters I'll be introducing into the story.

That's all I'll say for now, enjoy!

*NOTE/SPOILER WARNING: It takes place AFTER KHIII*

NOTE 2: Lots of retelling of the experience of "Player" in KHUX, but in Sora's View

NOTE 3: Sora is NOT Player, he's just got similar experiences. Player exists somewhere doing the main story, but they don't cross paths... I Think...

DATE: March 29, 2022

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Chapter 8: Past Meets Present

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[Past - Somewhere In Daybreak Town]

"So you really think this is necessary?"

"Nah, not likely! I can only see so far ahead, but hey, who knows if I'm even seeing the right reality?"

"Huh?"

"Oh never mind, the point is, if anything ever goes off the intended course, this baby right here will put'er all back into place. The world will be right as reign, and none would be the wiser. Say for the few of you and I."

"Until then, what do we do?"

"Why, we wait of course and do our usual activities! Or are you too much of an eager beaver to do that, wanting to leave this place and go off on your own wild adventure, turning away from the responsibilities of the fate of the universe?"

"What? No! You know I don't want to leave town. I gotta keep up my family's legacy. We're the Jacks of the town. We've kept it running and invented new ways for it to keep it going for years to come."

"Right right, your family, jack of all trades and masters of none."

"That's…"

"I'm just messing with ya! You know I appreciate all that you and your family's done! The town would be in shambles if it wasn't for the valiant efforts of those who came before you."

"I know… I just… miss them all…"

"Say no more, I'll make sure not to bring it up again."

"Thank you."

"Oh, by the way!"

"Yes?"

"How's the computer coming along?"

"It's great. The protocol's nearly finished and it will allow passage into the data world to escape, should something ever happen to Daybreak Town. Everyone can be safe and sleep within the program until it deems it safe."

"I gotta hand it to you all, you're just what the doctor ordered."

"Um, thanks…what?"

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[Present - Sometime During Chi]

A few wielders were here in the sewage system of Daybreak Town exploring. It looked like a boy with snowy white hair and another person who was obscured behind the boy. As far as the ones who were watching were aware, they knew they were forbidden from entering this place unless it was for a mission to eliminate heartless. Those missions didn't activate down here often, especially when the two workers were currently cleaning up the gears and giving them their needed attention. These two workers were teens, about the age of 14 and the other 17. They were responsible for the operation of the gears in the clock tower, making sure the sewers and clock gears were in tip top shape. The eldest of the two was a girl, the younger was a boy. They watched as the snow haired boy and his companion stopped at a gear that was close to leading them to the Masters abode. The two talked then soon left together and the ones watching simply shrugged, believing they had come to their senses and realized they shouldn't be there. So back to work they went.

It was nearly evening when they finished their work in the tower. The two were exhausted, a long day's work was finally done.

"Great job today!" The boy had said.

"Thanks, that was tough work! Still, we did complete it. Now we can get back to the more menial tasks." She smiled at him as she ruffled up his hair as he protested that it was getting all dirty. She laughed and the two continued on their way home.

"Hey big sis, think the others made dinner for us?"

"I'm sure they didn't. You know how she is, always holed up in that basement of hers doing her experiments while he's just engrossed in his newest inventions and programs. Though I do look forward to the day he completes another interesting project."

"Yeah, big brother and sister are just like that. But, you never know, they may have made something for us?"

"That would be a nice surprise, but I still doubt you."

"Never know, sis!" The boy made a sound, "Oomph." He had bumped into something, or rather someone. It was a brown-haired boy with really spiky hair. He noticed the boy and offered a hand up. The boy accepted and rose to his feet.

"Sorry big brother. I didn't mean to bump into you." He lowered his head apologetically.

"Hey, it's okay. Nothing to worry about!" He smiled kindly, but the girl noticed something off in that smile.

"Well, are you okay… um?"

"Oh, I'm Sora!" He smiled a little more happily, but something about his expression didn't feel quite right.

"A pleasure Sora, I'm Eureka and this is my little brother Locke." Locke waved hello to Sora shyly, still a bit embarrassed for bumping into him.

"Nice to meet you!" Sora took a moment to look them over, they were dressed quite similarly to one another. Long blue overalls, a white long sleeved shirt on Locke and a lilac long sleeved shirt on Eureka. On their feet were brown laced heavy duty boots, and sitting atop their heads were blue jeans colored newsboys hats that covered Locke's vivid golden blond hair and Eureka's dark blond hair that looked more brownish. Eureka noticed how he was observing their attire, she could probably guess what he was thinking.

"I can tell, you're wondering about us. To answer your question, no we're not Keyblade Wielders." Sora was surprised, ever since he got here, he hadn't met anyone who actually wasn't one, other than the Moogles of course and those during missions who were familiar faces on other worlds… or other parts of the world? She continued, "Yeah, us non-defenders are a rare breed round here. There's so few of us left now. But hey, you get the pleasure of meeting some original residents of Daybreak Town."

"Original?" That look, whatever was off in his expression earlier, it looked like it had disappeared in place of curiosity.

"Yeah that's right, it's a long story. It'd probably take a long while to explain, but it's getting late." Locke looked up at his sister, she only ever engaged in conversation when she was concerned or when something caught her attention about a person. Guessing what she was about to do next he beat her to the punch, "Say big brother Sora?"

"Locke, right?"

"Yep! Wanna come over and have dinner with us? We were on the way home anyway, so big sis can share some of the town history over a nice meal." Eureka gave him a side glance and a knowing look. She could never get over how observant he was with her actions. Best little brother who could read the room.

"I was actually going to head back to my…" Eureka quickly swung her arm around Sora's shoulders and Locke pushed his back.

"Nonsense, you're probably famished. We'll cook up a nice meal and enjoy. You have to be at least a little curious about this town, right?"

"Well…" Sora noted how firm Eureka's grip was as well as how much Locke was pushing, so he agreed, "Okay. It would be nice to get to know you both better."

"There you go big brother Sora! Now let's go!"

[Time Skip]

When they got to the sibling's home, of course they expected the sight. A darkened home and not a person to be found, the only evidence when they got inside were from a small dish and two coffee cups in the sink. She guessed cousins Sleepy Eyes and Prof didn't eat much. Now those weren't their names, but she just liked teasing them with these nicknames, not like they minded or cared. Once they got settled, the two changed their clothes, cooked a small dinner, then they all sat down and enjoyed themselves.

Sora was enjoying the meal quite a bit, but he was still wondering why the two were so insistent on him coming here. Was it a way to just share their story? Well, since they were all at the table, now was as good a time as any.

"So, what's your story?" Sora was caught off guard by the sudden question from Locke. "I mean, how did you become a Keyblade Wielder here in Daybreak Town? Did you the keyblade choose you? Were you called out here and asked to come live here? So, what's your story?"

"Hey, calm down Locke. We're the ones who invited him here so we could share our story, not the other way around." Eureka laughed.

"Right, sorry big brother Sora." He apologized but also cutely stuck his tongue out making Sora laugh.

"I guess I should ask you back then. What's your story?" He was genuinely curious as he looked to Eureka.

"Wellllll, we've been here pretty much all our lives. Our cousins, who barely come out of their rooms these days could tell you more than I ever could. They remember stuff, and we were mostly raised by them when our parents…" She paused, remembering them fondly before continuing her story again. "Anyway, there was this big event that called away a majority of the abled men and women. It left a lot of children here along with the elders, who at this point aren't around anymore. Most of the children who remained grew up. They either left the town or disappeared. So few of us actually stayed around. A little afterwards, that's when the Master rolled into our seaside town. He got friendly with the village elders and promised to help our town flourish again. Then around that time, he started this project and well, I'm sure your Chirithy told you the rest. Trained the foretellers, forged the keyblades, warriors were either called here or the keyblade chose them. Now you're all living here, learning and becoming defenders for the light for Kingdom Hearts should anything ever happen. That's the short version of the town's history."

Sora was interested, learning about the town and just how long it stood gave him a better idea of his situation. He was curious about something she mentioned though, "So Keyblade wielders are pretty new then?"

"I never really paid too much attention, but I guess so. I was probably only seven or so when the Keyblade was around and the foretellers began their training. I don't think they started this whole union thing until I was... fourteen? So it's been about seven years of training or so, Meaning three years total since warriors like you have been around."

Locke deadpanned, "Big sis, I thought you said you didn't pay attention. You basically calculated when it first started and how long they've been in town."

She raised her hands in defense, "I didn't Locke! I just remembered it like tha-"

"Cal~cu~lator! Ab~a~cus!" Locke teased and she glared sharply at him. He didn't really care, he was just happy that he had won over her since she couldn't think of a good comeback.

"You're annoying you know that?" Locke just smiled cheekily at his sister who sighed in defeat and turned back to see Sora who was now laughing at the exchange. Though the two noticed as his smile faltered and his gaze focused on the table. With better lighting, she could now see the look in his eyes. He was longing. Those were the eyes of someone who misses something and someone. Those same eyes were the ones that she sees from Locke when he looks at the portrait of their parents, the same eyes from Prof when he stops tinkering with his gadgets and pauses, the same of Sleepy Eyes when she thinks no one is looking at her in the basement and she begins to cry. These were even her own eyes, when she looks at herself in the mirror and compares the features she shares with her parents. He was longing for home, for everything to be right again, for things to be as they once were.

"Sora?" Locke quietly called. This caused Sora to look up at the boy and stare, before shaking it off and returning a small smile.

"You're sad, aren't you?"

Instead of denying it or questioning what he meant, he simply looks away, eyes not focused on the young boy anymore. As much as Eureka wanted to intervene, she felt Locke was better at addressing the observations. He always seemed to know just the right things to say, especially when she least expected it.

"You remind me of big sis and my cousins and me sometimes." Sora looked up as Locke continued, "I never got to know my parents like them, but I often wish I could have. When I see you, you act almost the same way. You miss them, don't you."

It wasn't a question that Locke asked and from what she could see from Sora, he understood as well. Sora returned to his small smile and spoke, "I guess it was obvious, huh?" The two nodded and Sora began to explain, "Well… I was just thinking about my friends. It was around this time several years ago, we had an adventure that separated us. I ended up thinking about them and what they could be up to now? I thought, we'd be able to relax when we finally finished our adventure, but things ended up happening and I did something. That something ended up separating me from them and eventually landed me here. I thought I'd be okay with it when I left, I was even prepared to face my consequences. But…"

"It's been too long and you wish you could see them again." Eureka finished for him and he nodded.

"I bet they're worried about me. Riku and Kairi, they're probably doing everything in their power to bring me back home." Sora laughed dryly, "But I don't think they'd ever expect to find me here."

Eureka didn't really like how he sounded. It was almost like he was resigned to the outcome. "Sora!" She looked determinedly at him, "You can't give up hope. I'm sure you don't believe that. Your friends could come here, maybe not today or tomorrow, but someday. It may take longer than you hope, but they'll find you or you'll find them first! It's a big world out there and it's not all explored yet. If your friends really are as you said, they're doing everything they can just to see you again. So hold on to hope, believe your friends will come through!" Locke nodded making noises of approval showing he agreed with his big sis.

Sora blinked, words dropping onto him like rain water washing away his doubts. Eureka was right, Riku, Kairi, Donald, Goofy, King Mickey, everyone, they would be finding a way to him. They were as stubborn as he, they wouldn't rest till they were all back together, home. He let doubt take shape again, just like back in the game. He had almost given up, again. It was hard fighting these thoughts, but this friendly reminder from his new friends Eureka and Locke really helped him.

"Thank you, Eureka, Locke. I needed that." Sora's smile was genuine, the most real they'd seen him smile all night. The two accepted his words and smiled.

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As the night went on, the trio finished their dinner and moved onto dessert. Locke served some star shaped sugar cookies they purchased from Starlight Café the other day. They were really delicious and the three engaged in more conversation. Instead of talking about the town, they got to know each other a little more. They shared their favorite and least favorite things, laughed at silly stories they were willing to share about each other, and just enjoyed the night of conversation. Eureka had glanced at the wall as she saw the time, it was getting really late and thought that they should call it a night.

"Ah, it's almost curfew, will you be okay getting back to your place Sora?"

"Yep, I think I'll make it back in time Eureka."

"Thanks again for agreeing to come."

"Thank you for having me." He bowed his head a little as he thanked them.

"Well Sora, I really want to know more. You should come back and meet my other big sister and brother, my cousins. They're mostly in their rooms, but I think I can convince them to come and meet you."

"I can't wait to meet them too, Locke. I really want to see those inventions you said he makes." Sora's eyes sparkled in excitement and expectation while Locke looked proud on his cousin's behalf.

Eureka shook her head, "I doubt they'd even leave their rooms. But if you can get them to come out, I'll treat you all to a cake from the diner." Locke's was now fired up accepting the challenge, "Deal big sis!"

"Anyway, Locke, go wash the dishes, I'll walk Sora out." Locke said bye to Sora and left to do his duty. Eureka led Sora to the door and they stepped out. He was looking tired, but at least he wasn't looking sad like before. "Sora, before you go. I just wanted to say thanks again."

"Hey, I'm glad I came."

"Next time, remind me to share the town's story. I never did give you the long version." They laughed at that.

"Yeah, but even if I didn't get it, I got to know you both better."

"Too true." She paused, looking thoughtful, "Hey, Sora?"

"Yeah?"

"Remember, don't lose hope. I'm sure, they'll come back. Your friends, they sound like they're the kind who never give up. You'll miss them, you'll be a sad little, and that's okay. But don't let that light fade, keep it strong. Believe they'll come to see you soon."

There was a content smile on Sora's face, he really felt her words, "Thank you."

She watched as Sora waved goodbye and claimed he was going to come visit again soon. She did the same saying they were both looking forward to his visit again. She watched him go until he could no longer be seen on the street. Once he was out of sight, she went back into the house ready to call it an evening and be well rested for the tasks to come. After all, they needed to do their part to keep the town up and running. Until that time came, they'll continually do their part, enjoy the days as they go by, and be ready to face the end.

TBC

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So this one is a little different from last chapter also slightly out of order, since we've reached the Player's portion of exploring the sewage/bell clock tower with Ephemer. From what it looked like, the scene was either late spring or early summer. I'm just guessing. So it's been a couple more months for Sora since arriving here, getting closer to a year now.

For Eureka and Locke, I've created a bit of backstory too for these characters. Since I named them, you'll definitely be seeing them again in other chapters, as well as properly meeting the cousins later. They'll be important in the long run. They're feeling similar to Sora but also differently. I guess I just wanted someone Sora could confide these moments to other than Chirithy. They'll probably be unlocking more of Sora's stories as well as them revealing their own. We'll see where I go in future chapters and what direction I end up taking this.

Oh, before we go, I want to say thank you James Riemer for your review. I got so surprised since you're the first to leave one on this story here! I'm glad to share a Sora in Daybreak Town story that you were looking around to see! Thank you so much! Also thank you to those who favorite, follow the story, and read it! I appreciate it! You're all amazing!

Yep, that's all of my go with the flow chapter this time! Hope you enjoyed Sora's Daybreak. If you have any ideas, suggestions, questions, or any comments for this story, feel free to let me know. Thanks again for reading! Happy Anniversary Again! :D