Another Christmas chapter!
Also, Sweet and Salty Days auditions are still open! DM me if you're interested!
Kingdom Hearts (c) to Disney and Square Enix!
Chapter 24: Merry Christmas
Christmas Eve.
After a great breakfast, they all went to the town square to watch the Christmas parade(1).
Words couldn't describe the magic and joy during that event.
As the group sat in the royal seating area with Mickey and Minnie's family, they all turned to watch a play being put on by the children of the town.
Mickey said the play would be about a big event that happened that year.
The entire town sat down around the stage to watch as a cow named Clarabelle walked onto the stage, smiling. "Merry Christmas! I hope you're as excited as I am for this year's performance. The children have put a lot of work into it. And we're especially excited to have some special guests with us this year." Aqua, Ven, Terra, and the rest of their friends all blushed as the townsfolk cheered and clapped, making everyone blush a little bit. "Now, enjoy the show!"
The crowd cheered as she left the stage.
The curtains parted and a young goose named Honker stood on the stage all dressed up like Master Yen Sid.
"I'd like to tell you a story of courage." He spoke in an obviously nervous monotone, but everyone still smiled. "A story of light verses darkness. And it began with a journey to find a new power. The power to save others."
The curtains parted and the group gasped.
A young chicken, dressed like Donald, stood with a small bear dressed like Goofy(1). Standing next to them was a gray parrot the kids met the day before, B.O.Y.D., dressed in red and black, with his feathers spiked in a way that... resembled Sora.
This wasn't just any story.
This was their story.
They watched these kids act out Sora, Donald, and Goofy going to help Sora find the Power of Waking.
Riku and the others gasped as Mickey's nephew, Morty, came out, dressed as HIM. A little bear walked with him, dressed like Mickey(2). Together they pretended to fight off cardboard Heartless.
And it was so cute.
As Organization members entered the story, the teens recognized some of their new friends they played with the day before. A hummingbird named Violet played Ansem. A duck named Gosalyn played Larxene. Louie played Vanitas. And Morty's twin, Ferdie, played the Riku Replica.
When they watched Sora/B.O.Y.D. rescue Aqua, played by a duck named Webby, Aqua smiled. Remembering that moment as well. Not to mention Webby played her part very well and with lots of enthusiasm.
But this play was more than entertainment, and they all knew it.
This wasn't just a way to show their story. It also showed Sora... in a way where people would remember him.
They'd see who he was.
And B.O.Y.D. played Sora well.
Ven grinned widely as his entrance came, and he saw his friend Dewie playing his part.
Made sense.
Roxas and Ven shared a glance, as that probably meant that Huey was playing Roxas in the show.
Again, made perfect sense.
Axel laughed as he and Kairi entered the scene, Kairi being played by Minnie's niece, Millie. But that wasn't what made him laugh. No, seeing that a duck named Lena was playing him made him laugh.
As the story came to the Keyblade Graveyard, they all stifled giggles at the sight of a very pompous looking duck playing Xehanort(3).
It made his scenes so hilarious that even the ones that should have been emotional or terrifying just made them laugh a little.
Terra smiled back at Naminé as the kids included a little scene of her talking to him and calling out to him, with Millie also playing her and a young chicken playing Terra(4). Something they both knew about, but the others really didn't. Terra did tell Jiminy about it, and said Jiminy could make it public record.
Guess he did.
And he got to see his own redemption played out before him. And he couldn't help but smile. The actor playing him put his whole heart into the role, and it almost made him tear up.
Xion giggled as she came into the scene, played by Melody, Millie's twin.
And Roxas and Ven were right as Huey entered the scene as him.
They watched the battle with Xehanort play out. Even the tragedy of Kairi's death.
They watched Sora defeat Xehanort and leave.
And the curtains closed and Sora/B.O.Y.D. came out again, addressing the audience directly. "I did manage to find and save Kairi. She is safe once more. But to do so, I paid a price and vanished." He looked directly at the group and smiled. "But I know my friends. I know they will find me again. And our hearts are always connected, no matter the distance." He looked around and bowed. "Thank you for joining us to hear our story." He gestured to the group in the audience. "... their story."
The curtain came up and the cast came out and took a bow.
Everyone clapped and cheered, but then turned to look at the group, the cast included, and began clapping and cheering for them.
They all looked around in surprise as Mickey turned to them. "We wanted to honor all of you, your stories, and your sacrifices. Merry Christmas."
"You didn't have to do that."
"We wanted to." Minnie smiled. "You've been through so much, and we wanted you to see how many people you inspire, and the heroes you all are."
Aqua and Terra both wiped their eyes as the outpouring of love and support filled their hearts.
Ven grinned from ear to ear, but his eyes also looked wet.
As did everyone else's.
"Thank you..."
The cast of kids came down off the stage, running up to the group immediately.
Aqua immediately knelt down to Webby and smiled at her. "That was wonderful!"
"I did a good job? I was really trying to capture your personality and how awesome King Mickey said you could fight!" She punched the air a few times, grinning happily.
"You did great."
Terra knelt down as the chicken came over, looking shy. "Hey, that was great."
"You really think so?"
"I do. What's your name?"
"I'm Clifford(2)."
"Nice to meet you Clifford." He ruffled the feathers on the boy's head, making him smile.
Ven reached down and gave Dewie a high five. "Great job!"
"Thanks! It was a ton of fun!"
"I bet!"
And as the townsfolk gathered around to talk to the heroes, everyone felt their spirits soar.
"See you both soon!"
"Yeah. Merry Christmas!" Riku and Naminé, both holding their luggage and some presents to open the next morning, stood with Mickey in front of the doors to the gummi hanger. They weren't the only ones to leave. Felicity and her family, along with Oswald and Ortensia already left to spend Christmas with their people.
"Have a great time." Riku smiled, looking directly at Roxas and Xion. "And you two, enjoy your first Christmas."
"We will."
The two waved before going into the hanger with Mickey.
Minnie sighed. "Now, let's get ready for supper, so we can all get to bed early. We don't want to make Santa Claus wait to bring us presents."
"Santa Claus?"
"Who is that?"
"Axel! Isa! Have you told them nothing!?"
"There's a lot to tell!"
Ven hopped over to them. "We'll explain everything! Come on!"
"Ok!"
The next morning…
"Wake up!"
Ven frantically knocked on the door of the girl's room until Aqua opened the door. "Come to the throne room! Quick! You've got to see this!"
He bolted back downstairs to stare at the giant Christmas tree, piled high with presents.
His body nearly vibrated with excitement as other people started joining him downstairs.
"Have you had coffee?" Axel laughed as he pushed down on Ven's head.
"No!"
"Could've fooled me."
Once everyone arrived, Axel grinned. "Isa, Terra, we better sort these."
"No kidding." Staring up at the piles of presents, Terra smirked. And after about half an hour of sorting, everyone sat on the floor, presents piled around them.
"Listen to this." Terra held up a note written on gold-leaf paper. "Dear friends, Some of you have missed so many Christmases due to circumstances, and two of you have never had one before, so I added a few extra gifts to make up for it. Merry Christmas. -Santa."
Ven bounced in his seat. "Santa gave us extra!"
"Well, let's open them!"
The sound of paper tearing filled the room as everyone ripped into their gifts.
And that night, the entire population of Disney Town filled the throne room as the Christmas feat commenced.
As the dinner continued, some of the people of the town decided to perform for the guests. Donald and his friends Panchito Pistoles and José Carioca performed a song together. Minnie and her sister Mandy led the room in Christmas carols.
"You should perform, Xion." Roxas smiled. "You know, do your solo from the musical."
"Oh no… no way!"
Aqua stood up. "Actually, I have an idea."
"What?"
"You'll see." She winked before going to Mickey's sister and asking her something. Then she went over to the magical orchestra that sat in the corner of the room, asking them for something as well.
Before she entered the performance area.
"Aqua!" Called Horace Horsecollar.
Everyone cheered as they waited for her to start.
Felicity stood up, holding up her staff as she caused the floor of the performance area to become a sheet of solid, smooth ice and a pair of ice skates appeared on Aqua's feet.
With a nod from Aqua, the orchestra began to play a soft Christmas tune.
The girl's skates slid across the ice. Years of training coming back to her as she glided around, timing to the music as she spun and jumped on the ice.
The breath of the room held still.
…
As the song ended, Aqua stopped, bowing.
…
The breath came back as cheers filled the space.
Smiling happily, Aqua stepped off the ice as Felicity whisked away the ice and her skates.
"That was amazing!"
Xion's eyes sparkled as Aqua sat beside her. "That was beautiful."
"I can teach you if you want. But I know you have a lot to do already."
Xion nodded. "Yeah, but it would be fun."
"Yes, it would."
As the night moved on, the festivities continued on.
And joy never stopped, even as the party wound down.
Footnotes:
(1) If you want the parade details, go check out "Sweet and Salty Days" chapter 33.
(2) Clifford Cluck is an unseen and only named character. He is the son of the classic Disney character, Clara Cluck.
VAs:
Clifford Cluck- Grant Palmer (Lincoln, Grant the Burpin' Burger Employee, Sports Player)