Sora, Donald and Goofy followed Poppy away from Branch's bunker and back into the village. "So do you REALLY know everyone?" Sora asked, speeding up to walk next to her.

"Yep!" Poppy replied, skipping.

"All the kids?" Donald asked.

"Yep!" Poppy repeated.

"How long have you known everybody?" Goofy asked.

"Uh..." her skipping slowed down to a walk, "I think about since I was twelve?"

"Twelve?" Sora asked. "That's...impressive honestly!"

"Really?"

"Yeah. I barely know everyone back in my home town but look at you, knowing all of these Trolls' names since you were young!" Sora threw his arms in front of him, towards Poppy. "Oh! That reminds me! I'm looking for my friend, Riku. Have you seen him?"

"I haven't heard anyone named Riku," Poppy admitted. "What's he like?"

"He's rude, has white hair, taller than me-"

"Probably always will be," Donald said.

"And doesn't smile much. Last time I saw him was in my hometown. He-err-wandered off...and I haven't seen him since. We were going to leave to explore."

"Aww, that sounds fun!" Poppy said, smiling at Sora. "I haven't seen him but he sounds a little bit like Branch." She giggled. "Sorry, no luck."

"Dang, I really thought he would've come here," Sora mumbled.

"Sora," Goofy whispered, "I've been meanin' to tell ya, this world isn't in King Mickey's territory."

"Huh?" Sora whispered back.

"This world isn't supposed to be here," Donald said. "It doesn't belong to King Mickey. This world is out of his range."

"So...I'm not supposed to be here?" Sora asked.

"Nope," Donald said. "So we could go-"

"We can't leave!" Sora whispered. "We have to help her! We can't just let her friends get eaten!"

"That's right, Donald!" Goofy agreed.

"I know, I know," Donald said. "I was just saying."

"What's you guys talking about back there?" Poppy asked.

"Nothing," Sora said.

they walked in silence for a little bit. Poppy, feeling awkward, began to hum a little, the song she sang in the beginning of the day before the party, and skip ahead some. Sora walked behind her, with his hands behind his head. "She sure is in a happy mood," Sora stated.

"She has been for a while," Goofy said.

"I wish I had that optimism," Donald said.

"You'll get it!" Sora said. "Just look at me!"

Donald, and Goofy giggled. "Aah!" Poppy screamed. "What is that?" Sora ran to catch up to her. In front of Poppy is a dark blue-grey fuzzball with bright green limbs and antennae, black, glittery eyes, and crooked teeth sticking out of its mouth. "Is that...?" Sora started.

"Heartless!" Donald said.

"What?" Poppy asked.

"They are creatures that don't have hearts," Sora explained.

"What?" Poppy asked. "That's horrible!"

"Stay back, Poppy!" Sora warned. "We got this!" Sora's Keyblade appeared in his hands. It's smaller and lighter than before and covered in fuzz, including the metal bit. "Why is everything covered in fuzz?" Sora questioned.

"No time for questions!" Donald replied.

"We have to protect Poppy!" Goofy stated.

"Right!" Sora agreed.

More fuzzy Heartless materialized, including some Soldiers, now with leaf armor, who are also covered in fuzz. Sora, Donald and Goofy moved the Heartless enough to make a clearing for Poppy, who took the chance and ran through. "She's safe!" Goofy called.

The trio finished off the Heartless, Sora meeting up with Poppy afterwards, his Keyblade vanishing. "You okay?" Sora checked.

"Yeah, thanks," Poppy replied. "Where did they come from?"

"No clue," Sora replied. "But I got you covered when any more show up!"

Poppy giggled a little. "Thanks." Sora smiled. "Lead the way!" Poppy continued to lead the group, avoiding large boulders and jumping over sticks.

The trio defeated more Heartless along the way, some fuzzier than others. One Heartless took the form of a large, red flower, with a dark blue stem and jagged leaves. Another took the form of a large butterfly with large dark yellow lips, bright pink and blue wings, and bright blue, curly antennae.

"These Heartless keep getting funnier and funnier!" Sora laughed.

"Almost halfway there!" Poppy cheered, pointing ahead. "Now we just follow this trail and it should take us straight to Bergen Town!"

"'Almost halfway?'" Sora moaned. "Aw! Come on!"

"This is going to take a while," Donald admitted.

"Plus, Poppy seems vulnerable," Goofy said. "If these Heartless keep appearin', we're gonna have a lot on our plate." Sora sighed heavily. "It's okay," Sora said, pumping his fist and smiling with determination. "We can do it! We've helped plenty of others! No point in stopping now!"

"That's the spirit!" Donald cheered.