Kingdom Hearts: Simple and Clean

by SoKai4ever

The beginning of an adventure that will change lives, both for the good and the bad. A novelization of the first Kingdom Hearts.

11. Chapter 11

Chapter 11

The trio flew through space like a bullet from a gun. The Gummi ship was set to high speed, as this particular stretch of space was less debris cluttered than others. She was nearly topped out but Donald always held her back a little, just in case of emergencies.

The night before, spent above Halloween Town wasn't Sora's idea of a great time, though they did have fun. A few games were played, but a lot of the evening was spent teasing and ribbing him about this whole Kairi thing. His cheeks felt as if they were going to stay colored crimson and bedtime last night was a welcome haven.

He could just melt into his tiny bed and disappear. Sora protested time and time again, but even he was beginning to feel as if those protests rang hollow. Donald and Goofy did have a point and while Sora wasn't going to tell them any stories that reinforced this idea of he and Kairi having an interest in one another, he certainly still had the memories gnawing at his mind. Sleep did not come easy to Sora that night.

Did he like like, her? He couldn't! Right? This was Kairi they were talking about! They'd been friends for years! Sora couldn't recall ever having a crush on any other girls and he'd certainly never had a girlfriend, but this. This just felt different.

Was this feeling he had for Kairi more than just a strong bond? It certainly felt different than the bond he and Riku shared, as strong as that already was. It felt different than anything in his life. He needed advice. He needed guidance from a parent that he'd never had in the first place.

This was a situation where he'd have to speak to Riku. However, he both could not and would not even if possible talk to Riku about this. The way he'd acted the day before and the day of Destiny Islands untimely demise could only lead Sora to one thing, upon further thought.

Riku did look at Kairi in that way, and he had hoped that she saw him like that too. Or was it like that, at all?

"You sure are quieter than normal." Donald remarked.

"Huh?" Sora asked, lifting his head. "Who? Me? Oh, uh..." Sora sighed, "Sorry."

Goofy turned in his seat, "Aw, gawrsh, Sora. If you're still sore about last night, we're sorry. We were just funnin' is all."

Sora shook his head and snickered, "No, I'm not mad or anything, it's just..." he paused. "Can I ask you guys something?" Donald's eyes were still fixed ahead.

"Sure. What's up?" Sora took a deep breath.

"Well, back on my islands, the day everything went wrong--" Sora was cut off by Goofy, who'd spotted something on the radar.

"Hold that thought, buddy. We got some kinda energy wave headed our way it looks like."

Donald now checked his own sensors, "Aw, you're worryin' about nothing. That's only a cloud of electricity or something. The Gummi ship's armor is built to protect against stuff like this, remember? You know Goofy sometimes I think yo--"

Donald was cut off as whatever Goofy had spotted on his radar was indeed a very serious threat. The entire vessel shook from being hit with a pulse of power, their screens blanked into black mirrors, and the lights flickered off, causing the alarm to sound and the emergency, red lighting to switch on.

"What just happened!?" Sora asked in a panic.

"I don't know! We just lost all systems!" Donald replied. Proving Donald right, the Gummi ship had been completely neutralized and had begun a free fall. Goofy pointed out of the window at something he'd spotted.

"Donald! That world! Try and land there!" Donald silently complied and began steering the now powerless ship toward the world in question.

"Can you see where we're going?" Sora hollered.

"Not really!" Donald replied. Goofy squinted doing his best to try and see a suitable crash landing spot.

"You fellers ain't gonna believe our luck, but I think I see an ocean!"

Sora threw his hands up, "Why is that a good thing!?"

"Veer left a little Donald!" Goofy commanded.

Donald did as told, "Because, Sora! Water is better than ground! Haven't you learned anything when we've landed on worlds!?"

Sora gripped his armrests like a vice, "Oh crap!" He cried as he could now see the approaching sea. It looked choppy!

"Hold on!" Donald quacked as the Gummi ship began to spiral out of control. It hurled toward this new world's surface and yet again, crashed into water with a terrific splash, jostling its crew about.

---

"Oh..." a chorus of collective groans escaped all of their lips.

"Halt, caterpillars..." Goofy mumbled, bonking his head so hard he was in the midst of some kind of hallucination. Sora rubbed at his neck and upper back.

"Oh man..." he groaned.

Donald clutched at his ribs and softly wheezed, "Awww..." Sora slowly cracked his eyes open. The emergency lighting had now also been doused and the alarms has been quieted. Whatever hit the Gummi ship hit it like a freight train.

Sora's vision was a bit swimmy, but he could still see that it was dark in the cockpit of the vessel. He craned his neck around to try and look up through the clear domed top, wincing in pain as he did. What he saw was beautiful, though.

The light was being supplied by the stars above. No, not just any stars. A blanket of them. That many stars in the sky, coupled with the sway of the vessel and Sora knew. They were at sea.

"You guys alive?" He asked. Goofy had managed to come to and shook his head from side to side, his long ears slapping against his head audibly.

"Just about..." he groaned.

Donald meanwhile had sat up, "I can barely see. Where are we?" Sora stood, trying to get his sea legs.

"Well I don't know where we are, but we're definitely on that water you saw Goofy." Goofy still rubbed at his head.

"Why're the lights off?"

Donald sighed, "Shut up, Goofy. Sora c'mon." Donald ordered, staggering toward the galley.

"Where're we going?" He asked.

Donald replied, "This way. There's some flashlights in a drawer in the galley and there's a panel on the floor. I can reach the engine and see what happened from there." Sora nodded, before Goofy produced a screwdriver, handing it to Sora. Stumbling their way around, feeling for walls to help guide them to their desired location, they finally did just that arriving at the drawer Donald mentioned. Opening and rifling through it, Donald muttered various annoyances before finding what he was looking for.

"A-ha!" Donald quacked. With a soft click the galley was suddenly filled with a bright white light.

"Oh. That's bright." Sora groaned.

Donald began to shine it down on the floor, "Yeah, that's sort of the whole point of flashlights."

Sora snickered, "Shut up." Donald handed the flashlight to Sora and began to feel around on the floor. Sora followed the duck's movements and within moments he'd located the aforementioned panel.

"Here we go. Oh, I need a--" Donald was cut off, as Sora handed him the screwdriver. Donald took the tool, "Right. One of these."

'How 'bout a thanks Goofy'? Sora thought to himself. Donald unscrewed the four locks in place, then gently and slowly removed the white panel revealing a nest of wires underneath and what appeared to be a tunnel of sorts. Donald held his hand out as if asking for something and Sora knew what. He handed the light to him and stepped back.

"I'm going in." Donald quacked, before hopping down screwdriver and flashlight in hand. Sora sat back down on the cold galley floor and sighed. The swaying of the Gummi ship, which was entirely at the mercy of the waves, was relaxing in a way. Especially if they weren't marooned out here. That had a way of keeping one's sense of urgency on high alert. Sora could hear Donald's flippers pitter patter along the innards of the Gummi ship and even heard him accidentally bonk his head.

"Aw phooey!" Sora contained a small laugh. His head resting against the back wall, he couldn't see a thing down here. There was no clear ceiling in the galley, so one couldn't even see his hand in front of his face. Sora's thoughts again began to wander.

'So, if I do feel like this about her, then I wonder. Does she--'

His thoughts were interrupted by Goofy.

"Uh, fellers!" He called. "Ya might wanna get up here!" That got Sora's attention.

"Huh? Why?" Sora shouted back.

"There's a big ol' ship out here! And it's headed our way!" Sora once again heard Donald bonk his head, before shouting in pain. The holler was followed by hurried pitter patters and the galley was once again illuminated as Donald crawled back up.

Clicking his light off, he and Sora made their way back up into the cockpit. Goofy was making binoculars with his eyes for some reason and once they'd arrived pointed at the oncoming ship. It wasn't any ship though.

"Quit gawking!" Donald quacked. "That's a pirate ship!"

Goofy took a step back, "Maybe it can't see us?" The ship however kept its speed and even seemed to shift to intercept trajectory. It was headed right for them.

"I think it's gonna ram us! Hold on!" Sora hollered as everyone grabbed ahold of the nearest surface. The pirate ship just barely grazed the floating Gummi ship and began slowing to a stop right alongside it. The force of the waves were enough to jostle the crew and again, knock them unconscious.

---

"And make sure they're alive!" The captain of the Jolly Roger ordered with a brash, yet dignified voice. He'd watched from his prized vessel as the Heartless displayed tremendous power, when directed properly. They'd created a burst of energy so powerful it'd knocked this fancy, new age ship straight from the sky and into the sea. No cannon he knew of could accomplish such a feat, but then again, he didn't know men could fly without the help of pixie dust.

So naturally, he was worried they may have damaged the cargo when pulling alongside. The orders were to keep them alive afterall. For now, anyway. He watched as the odd looking craft was pulled aboard by the Heartless.

His crew, barring a few loyal or frightened members, had all but abandoned ship when the Heartless became involved. They gave most old sea dogs the willys and frankly, the Captain was no different. Yet, he saw a wonderful opportunity in them and their wretched leader. He even saw something to exploit in the brat that he'd been stuck baby-sitting.

Indeed, Captain Hook, the most infamous, cut throat, devious, and cunning pirate in all of Neverland was always looking for an angle to play. Anything could be seen as a tool to be used in achieving his ultimate goal.

Revenge.

If it was the last thing he'd do, he'd have his vengeance against the blasted Peter Pan. One way or another, he would have his vengeance.

---

"Oi! Wake up!" Sora's eyes shot open and his cheek began to immediately sting. He'd been slapped awake by a gnarly looking character. His eyes beady and many of his teeth missing, he was a tall, patchy bearded man who sported a black bandana and a scar over his left eye. He was most definitely a pirate.

"Him wants to 'ave a chat wit ye." He stepped aside and Sora immediately tried to stand and summon the Keyblade, but he had no luck. His legs were weak, but more pressingly, his hands were bound by a tight rope behind his back.

"Huh!? What?" Sora was dazed and his vision was still a bit blurry, but he could tell he was outside. The air was cold here and he could smell the salt from the sea below. He was on the top deck of the ship that'd rammed them, that much he could deduce, but the figure approaching, he still couldn't quite make out in the firelit atmosphere of the deck. That was, until he heard the voice. Riku.

"Hello Sora. It's nice to see you, again."

Sora's head was clearing and with a shake he moaned. He was alone he could also tell.

"Urgh..." he groaned, "Where's Donald and Goofy?" Riku scoffed angrily and waved a dismissive hand.

"They're really that important to you?" He hissed. "More important than old friends? Your best friend? Instead of worrying about those clowns, shouldn't you be asking about..." Riku stepped aside and gestured with his hand to a slumped over, petite figure resting up against one of the ship's masts, "Her?"

Kairi.

Sora was clear headed now.

"Kairi!" He hollered, standing and fighting against his restraints. The pirate from before grabbed at his arm hard. This had to be real. It was really her. She was sitting only a few feet away from him and now all that stood between them were these damn ropes.

"Let me go!" He shouted, whilst the large pirate struggled to get a good hold on him. The pirate kneed Sora's lower back hard, causing him to drop to his knees in pain.

"Ah!" He cried. Riku smirked.

"That's right. While you were off, goofing around, I finally found her."

Sora growled, "What're you talking about, Riku? I haven't been goofing around! I've been..." he paused, before standing again and attempting to kick at the pirate from before.

"Not so fast, boy!" He heard a harsh, gravelly voice order. Now, just to his right and much closer than he'd prefer, stood a tall exceptionally dressed man with shoulder length black curls and a thin, long, well manicured mustache. He wore black shoes with gold buckles, tight fitting pantaloons, a bright red naval coat with bright gold trim and buttons, and a big, red hat with a tall white feathery plume protruding from the top. His eyes were sharp and frightening, yet above all this, he had one truly defining feature. His left hand was missing and in its place was a sharp, silver hook. The other rested on the hilt of an equally ornate and brilliant rapier.

"No shenanigans aboard my vessel..." he purred with a smile. Sora watched as a few twitchy and dark beings formed on the deck. They came from nowhere and had those all too familiar, beady, dead, yellow eyes.

They were dressed like members of a pirate crew with red bandanas and vests. Most had an eyepatch as well and all carried a sharp, metal saber. Sora was surrounded and shanghaied. And worst of all, the two people he sought most, that he'd been looking for ever since this crazy journey started were right in front of him. One of them didn't appear well and the other had betrayed him in a way he never saw coming.

"Riku..." Sora said quietly, on the verge of tears, "Why are you siding with the Heartless? I..."

Riku smiled and narrowed his eyes.

"The Heartless obey me now, Sora. I have nothing to fear." He spoke with a devilshness the likes of which Sora had never heard come from his mouth. Sora's fear, hurt, and anxiety were beginning to turn to anger.

"You're stupid, man! Sooner or later, they'll swallow your Heart! Can't you see that!?" Riku laughed a humorless chuckle.

"Not a chance. My Heart is too strong." He claimed.

Sora frowned, "Riku!" His oldest and dearest friend seemed like a stranger to him. Again. Though, this time he was even more different than he was inside the whale.

"I've picked up a few other tricks along the way." Riku commented, summoning his blade. He angled it toward Sora. Sora, in turn, watched as the shadows around him began to shift and change. Within an instant he was jolted with shock as directly in front of him rose from an inky pool a shadow. Not just any shadow though. A near perfect copy of Sora. His own shadow.

"What!?" Sora gasped.

Riku smirked, "You can go see your friends now." With that the same pirate goon from before threw a switch and Sora felt the boards beneath him give way. Hands still bound, he entered into a freefall, screaming as he did. Riku's demeanor remained unchanged, yet he frowned. His attention now directed toward the Captain he ordered "Let's get underway, already." The man ground his teeth and snarled.

"And keep Sora away from Kairi until we're ready to land." With that Riku scooped the poor, comatose Kairi into his arms and carried her back to the Captain's cabin. The Captain in question heard the approach of his first mate and most trusted crew member.

"That scurvy brat thinks he can order me around?" He asked aloud, looking down at the portly little fellow. He wore a striped shirt and a red bandana to go with his small reading glasses and blue colored shorts.

"What shall we do Cap'n Hook?" He asked with the most peculiar of voices. Hook held his nose high in the air and scoffed.

"Nothing, Smee! The hold is crawling with those blasted Heartless..." he sighed. "Let them keep an eye the brat and his friends."

Mr. Smee raised a weary eyebrow, "B-But Cap'n. You-know-who is also down there..."

"Shh! Smee. Did you hear that...?" Outside of the usual sounds aboard a ship of the Jolly Roger's size, that is the creaking wood and the crashing of waves below, it was deathly quiet.

"N-No, Cap'n..."

Hook brought his hand to his head, "Oh that dreadful sound..." he moaned. He crouched to place the same hand upon his first mate's shoulder. "Are you certain, Smee? Did I imagine it?" He stood up straight and sighed. That awful sound playing over and over in his paranoid mind. Captain Hook was many things but perhaps most of all, he was downright terrified of something.

Something huge and menacing.

Something that had already taken from him and had an appetite for more. It lurked under the water unseen by most, but always heard in the recesses of the pirate's mind. The ever present and ever so gentle ticking of a beautiful, ostentatious, golden carriage clock.

'Tick tock tick tock tick tock...'

Hook shook with dread and fear as he cautiously looked over the side. It was too dark to see anything and Smee said he hadn't heard it. He was safe. For now. Or, was he?

"Oh my poor nerves..." he groaned.

"It'll be alright, Cap'n. Come along. Let's get you a nice hot cup of tea."

---

"Ya don't say?" Goofy asked.

"Yeah, it was definitely her, guys. I found Kairi!" Sora replied.

Goofy smiled, "Well all right! Let's go up and talk to her, then!"

Sora nodded in agreement, "Yeah!"

Donald quacked weakly, "Sounds great. But first..." he wheezed, "How 'bout gettin' off!?"

Indeed Sora and Goofy had apparently been deposited directly on top of Donald, down in the ship's hold. Sora and Goofy, so caught up in the current events didn't even notice.

"Gawrsh, sorry Donald!" Goofy chuckled as they rolled off of the poor duck. The trio was immediately faced with another obstacle after they were done discussing their next move and being reunited. Their hands were all bound behind them, by tight ropes.

"Hrmph!" Sora groaned through efforts.

"It's no use." Donald commented, "They're too tight. We're gonna have to find another way out of them."

Goofy nodded in agreement, "We need somethin' sharp, don'tcha think?"

Donald rolled his eyes, "Yes, Goofy. I do. Any suggestions?" Goofy frowned and hung his head.

"You rang?" A playful and energetic voice rang out from behind some barrels in the corner. Along with it leapt out a curious sort of fellow. A boy, maybe Sora's age if even a bit younger, dressed in a green tunic, green tights, with a matching green hat atop his head, he seemed bright, clever, and even a bit mischievous. His eyes were sharp and his mouth seemed stretched into a permanent smile. He was equipped with a thin belt that held a sheeth for a small but effective dagger. Especially in this situation. Yet, perhaps most curiously of all, his feet weren't touching the ground! He was floating!

"How ya doin'? Lookin' for a way out?" He asked.

"Who are you?" Donald asked in return.

"I'm the answer to your prayers!" The boy replied, setting down on his slippered feet. He slipped behind the group and with a swift motion, he'd cut the ropes that bound their wrists. The trio stood and rubbed at the sores that the ropes had left. Donald crossed his arms and tapped his flipper, while Goofy was still trying to figure out the floating. Sora was still a bit in the clouds, with all that had happened, so naturally, a deafening silence followed. The boy was not pleased with the lukewarm response.

"Okay, fine. Have it your way." He spat.

Sora was snapped from his fog, "Wait a minute. You're stuck in here too. Aren't you?" Sora asked, raising an accusatory eyebrow.

"Nope!" The boy replied crossing his arms and looking away, "I'm just waiting for someone." As if called upon, suddenly a bright gold ball of dust burst into the hold from seemingly nowhere and began to circle Sora.

"Whoa!" He exclaimed, jumping back.

"Tinker Bell." The boy smiled, "What took ya so long, Tink?" He asked. Apparently it wasn't a cloud of dust at all. It was someone he knew! Sora squinted his eyes and as they began to adjust the being's true form became clear.

It was a tiny woman!

With wings that fluttered like those of a hummingbird! She was dressed in a short, sleeveless, gold dress and wore little slippers with white puff balls at the toe. Her hair was blonde and short, but, Sora couldn't quite make out her face from this distance. A golden cloud of dust seemed to be perpetually around her flying figure.

"Alright, alright." The boy held his hands up defensively. Was he responding to something she'd said? "So, did ya find Wendy?" He asked.

He nodded along, "Hold on, now. There was another girl there too?" That certainly got Sora's attention. His eyes widened as he listened on to this seemingly one sided conversation. "Are you kidding? There's no way I'm leaving Wendy on this stinkin' dingy!" He stamped his foot. Donald too had been watching and he was a bit better at reading body language than Sora was. He got what was going on, here.

He snickered, "She must be pretty jealous." He remarked, pointing at the little fairy. He laughed, but like a flash of lightning the fairy had flown over and swiftly kicked him right in his bill, before flying out of the crack at the top of the hold's door.

The boy in green sighed, "Come on, Tink! He was only foolin'! Open the door!" Sora smirked.

'So he is stuck in here, too...'

The boy turned to face the trio after having shouted out the door, "I'm Peter Pan." He proclaimed. Sora smirked and offered a hand for a shake.

"Sora."

Peter refused to take it, "Okay, we're in this together, but only until we find Wendy. Then you boys are on your own."

Donald rolled his eyes, "Donald Duck. He's Goofy." Peter Pan ignored him and strolled over to the door. He simply pushed it open and walked right out, leaving the trio surprised and shocked. The fairy should did work quietly! And quickly!

"C'mon. Follow me." Peter ordered. The trio slipped out of their short lived prison and into a much taller part of the ship. The ceilings here were twice as high and several crates dotted the landscape. The walls and floors were all still made of weathered but strong wood and in the center of this room stood a thick, tall, wooden pillar that more than likely supported the height. Sora spotted a ladder against the far wall that led up to a ledge.

A torch burned whilst protruding from the wall here and, outside of the swinging, firelit, light fixture that swung from the ceiling was the only light source he could see. It wasn't dark down here, but it wasn't exactly well lit either. He reckoned this was cargo. Though what these pirates were shipping, he figured he'd never know. Peter took a few silent steps forward whilst Sora, Donald, and Goofy followed behind him.

"Where are we going?" Donald asked. Peter turned and shushed the duck.

"Quiet!" He whispered. "You don't want the shadows to hear you, do ya?" As if summoned, several portals of darkness deposited the pirate like Heartless that Sora saw up on deck.

"Rats!" Peter exclaimed, drawing his small dagger from its sheath. Goofy equipped his shield, while Donald gripped his old staff tightly. Sora called forth his new Keyblade and readied for a fight. And boy was it some kind of cool.

Black wrought iron from chain to tip, it was long and light. Even lighter than any of Sora's previous iterations. The meeting of the blade and hilt resembled Jack's bowtie, while the tip was hooked into a shape of a pumpkin. The handle was thicker for an easy grip and the black lobster chain sported a resemblance of Jack's jack-o-lantern head at the end of it, providing the new look with its only splash of color. Orange.

Sora swung at the nearest Heartless, yet was surprised to see this one throw up such a quick block. Still, Sora was too strong and with another downward swing, easily broke through the Heartless' flimsy blade and directly through the beast itself.

Donald blew one to bits with a fire spell and Goofy blocked an attack from another before using its own momentum to sling it around and through a third.

Peter made some sort of sound that resembled a tropical bird call, before driving through multiple Heartless at once with sharp, quick stabs from his dagger. Sora blocked an attack from the only remaining Heartless and Peter stabbed it through the shoulder, vanquishing it as he did.

"See?" He asked. "I told ya! These things are everywhere down here! I guess that old codfish needed more backup than usual." Peter Pan sheathed his weapon and floated upward, toward the ceiling.

"Old codfish?" Goofy asked. Peter floated to the ledge Sora saw earlier and landed.

"C'mon ya dopes." Sora dismissed his Keyblade, while Donald stewed.

"This kid is really getting on my nerves." Sora for once agreed, at least a little.

"He's different, that's for sure. C'mon guys. Let's see where he's going." Sora grabbed the ladder and rung by rung had made it to the top. Donald and Goofy followed and once all had made it to the top they spotted a trail of gold dust that led forward into another room. They figured Peter had slipped inside of it and followed suit.

"You think he's just foolin' around? Or does he actually know how to get out of here?" Donald asked as they entered the next room. It was small, with a hatch in the floor that seemingly led to another cargo hold. The hatch was open, so they once again reckoned that Peter had slipped inside.

"Good question." Sora replied.

Goofy scratched at his chin, "Well, followin' him seems better than wanderin' around down here. Right?"

Donald sighed as he followed behind Sora, down into the next room, "I guess."

The trio clambered down into the room and it was significantly cooler down here. The same wooden walls and floors made up the structure, yet the crates down here were either packed with or around ice. Sora guessed this was the perishable section of the cargo hold.

"C'mon!" They heard Peter order from across the dark and cold room. Sora followed the sound of his voice, using his hands to feel around whilst Donald did his best to follow Sora's lead. Goofy did the same, yet his sense of smell helped keep him tuned it to where his partners were at all times.

"Bossy, too." Donald remarked.

"You're one to talk." Sora snickered.

"Can it!" Donald quacked.

Reaching a ladder with a lighted room at the top, Sora once again took rung by rung and made it up into the much warmer and brighter hallway above. Donald and Goofy were right behind him and they all spotted an impatient and seemingly irritated Peter waiting for them, tapping his slippered foot.

"Geez, what part of keep up don't you guys get?" His feet left the ground and he began to float forward. Goofy could tell Donald was ready to snap and didn't want to upset their guide anymore than they already had, apparently.

He knew!

He'd ask a question!

That always kept things light!

"So, uh, how come you can fly, Peter?" He asked as they trudged forward, through the creaking ship. Thankfully, that actually seemed to change Peter's attitude.

"Gee, ayone can fly! You wanna try?" He asked with a smile. Sora's eyes lit up and instantly he felt two things inside of him.

Raw, pure, and unfiltered excitement at the prospect of getting to fly and the urge to laugh uncontrollably at the thought of Donald getting to do the same thing!

"Boy would we ever!" Sora replied enthusiastically. "Right, Donald?" Sora teased, smirking.

"Watch it." Donald replied. Peter's feet touched the ground and with that, he brought his fingers to his lips and whistled, as if calling on something or someone. Nothing came.

"Aw, Tink! You're not still sore or somethin', are ya?" He asked placing his hands on his hips and frowning. The golden fairy did indeed show up, however, she wasn't in a cooperative mood. Peter didn't care. He grasped her tiny wings and floated above the trio, shaking her violently as he did. Sora wanted to giggle at the sight, but he certainly didn't want to draw the ire of Tinker Bell, either. Drifting back downward, Peter smiled again.

"Just a little bit of pixie dust and..." Donald wasn't sold. Before Peter could finish he flapped his wings mightily and was even airborne for all of one moment, before coming crashing back down to the wooden floor and sighing.

"I knew it..." he said dismissively. Tinker Bell hovered in front of his bill and mocked laughter.

"...and ya gotta believe." Peter finished. "You'll never fly if you don't believe you can." He clarified. Sora smiled. He liked the thought of it, no matter how far fetched it seemed. Peter turned and readied to keep moving but found that they'd met a dead end of sorts. Donald had stood and smirked.

"What now fancy pants?" Peter didn't acknowledge him, rather simply turning his gaze upward where two silvery mesh grates were imbedded into the ceiling.

"A-ha!"

---

"So, Wendy isn't one of these chosen ones?" Captain Hook asked, standing across from the youth. The youth he'd grown to despise, yet the youth that he was forced to work with.

For now.

This young man thought he was so much better than everyone. And, perhaps he was better than most. But he certainly wasn't better than Captain Hook. Not by a long shot.

However, this little league of villains was running out of players and he knew that. They both knew that.

One by one each of his allies had been eliminated on their own home turf by the Keyblade Master and his little pals. Hook though, held two distinct advantages over his fallen comrades.

The first was that he wasn't unwilling to utilize the resources he was given. The boy, the Heartless, even that horrible old witch. He'd use anything he saw as a means to an end.

Secondly, he did not underestimate the Keyblade wielder. Quite the opposite, in fact. He'd watched him mow down every obstacle he'd faced. But, he knew that the young man's ability was not his own. He knew that the most powerful player in this whole little production was the weapon itself. With that, the Heartless, the power of darkness, and what little, but strong crew he had left?

He'd be unstoppable.

So he'd play along, for now. He'd wait until the right opportunity and when he did, no one would see it coming. Not the silver haired young man. Not the horned witch. Not even that foolish boy, Peter Pan. That's where his revenge would begin. He'd feed that brat to the crocodile himself, if need be.

'The Crocodile...' he thought with a shiver. 'Why did I even think of it...'

"There are seven, supposedly." Riku spoke, breaking Hook from his thoughts. "And Maleficent says, she's not one of them." Hook sneered and waved his hooked hand dismissively.

"And why should we trust her, boy? What if she's lying?" Riku didn't acknowledge him. Captain Hook smiled.

"Did I ever tell you about how we met? No, I don't think I did." He walked around his desk and looked out over the star lit ocean.

"She appeared on deck one day. We'd just suffered another defeat at the hands of that blasted boy and she knew it somehow. She claimed she'd been watching me and admired my ruthlessness. I was ready to make her walk the plank, but then she summoned those blood thirsty creatures of neither man nor beast. Personally, I can't stand the sight of them. But she showed us just how useful they could be, you see? She sicked them upon a poor, innocent village. When we got there, all we had to do was simply take what little the village had. There wasn't a soul left..." he hissed.

Riku had a good poker face, but inside he felt sick. What a horrible story.

"I'm only siding with her so that I can have my vengeance and she's only siding with me, because she thinks she can turn me into a powerful Heartless. I'm no fool." Hook proclaimed. Riku's eyebrow raised.

"Why then is she using you? You seem to be a favorite, even..." Hook sneered. "Haven't you ever wondered? Why she can control them without any of the consequences? Why they only seem to listen to her?" Riku remained silent.

"I'll tell you what I think. I think she's just the Queen on this board of chess. Myself and the others have been the Rook, the Bishops, and the Knights, while the Heartless are the pawns, but doesn't that leave a player, above us?" Hook asked.

"I think she's been given a gift and I think she's just a piece of a puzzle herself." Riku frowned. He'd had enough of this warring in his mind.

"Who?"

The Captain produced a crisp paper from his coat and handed it to Riku. "When she first formed our little group she handed out some literature. She kept most of the pages herself, but we all got one each." Riku scanned the page.

"So, you think he's..." Hook smiled, that awful smile of his.

"Precisely."

Riku handed the page back, "Then that only leaves the King. Who would that piece be?"

Captain Hook chuckled and turned walking back toward his desk, "Why, you boy! You seem to be the most important piece, yet you're utterly useless!" He laughed, taking his seat. Riku's hands balled into fists, but he refused to show any signs the old pirate had gotten under his skin.

Without turning to face him, he ordered, "Hoist anchor immediately. Leave all dead weight behind, including Wendy." Captain Hook ground his teeth, before standing and heading for the pipe in the wall that was used as a ship wide communication device.

"After all the trouble of capturing her? And you've never wondered? Why those seven? What is Maleficent, or the other, planning?" Hook asked, still trying to sow seeds of distrust and mutiny in Riku's mind.

"I don't care." Riku said firmly. He wasn't lying, either. He had one goal here and accomplishing it was all that mattered. "So long as it gets Kairi's Heart back, I couldn't care less." Hook smirked. Ah yes. The girl.

"You're wasting your time. The Heartless devour hearts, boy. There's no getting them back. Trust me. I'd stake me other hand that the little lass' Heart is lost. Forever."

Riku shook his head and replied, "I will find it. No matter what." An uncomfortable silence followed, but Hook wasn't done.

"Maleficent is using that senseless hope you have against yo--"

"Uh, Cap'n?" He heard Smee call from the pipe in the wall.

He sighed, "What?"

"Well, sir, it's the prisoners. They've escaped!" Captain Hook bristled as Smee continued. "What's more, Peter Pan is with them!" Hook's only hand tightened into a fist of rage.

"Blast that Peter Pan!" He hollered. "Alright, Smee! Bring the hostage to me cabin! Hop to it!" He ordered. Riku watched on.

That stupid pirate. He'd never stand a chance against Sora, but he had given Riku alot to think about. For that, Riku wasn't sure if he was grateful or angry. He supposed he'd soon find out.

---

Tinker Bell reluctantly wafted up, into the room that Peter Pan had pointed out to her. She looked forward and just across from the large, wooden door she saw her. The object of her envy.

Wendy.

She was sat in the bottom bunk of a bunk bed with her head in her hands. She was still wearing her night gown and her hair was tied up with a ribbon. What a night this had begun as.

Sound asleep in her bed when that nasty Captain Hook had all but managed to snatch her from it and bring her here, to Neverland, all in the hopes of luring out the ever young Peter Pan. At least he hadn't taken Michael or John.

She hadn't noticed the fairy in the corner, but she most certainly did notice the voice of her friend calling out to little Tinker Bell.

"What is it Tink? What do ya see?" He asked. Her eyes shot open and her head lifted toward the direction of his voice.

"Peter? Peter Pan?" She asked, standing and hurrying over to the grate in the floor. Indeed, it was him!

"Wendy!" He answered. She dropped to her hands and knees.

"Please hurry, Peter! The pirates are milling about, just outside! I'm afraid, Peter!" The young boy in green didn't like the sound of that.

"What? I'll be right up! Just hold on!" He replied, floating back down to the floor. As important as it was to reach her, much sooner rather than later, Sora simply couldn't stand it any longer. If this room was the one that this girl was being held in, then Sora had to know. Was he close? Had he finally been near enough to speak to her?

"Uh, Wendy?" He hesitantly asked.

"Oh! Y-Yes?" She replied, unaware Peter had allies.

Sora swallowed hard, "Is there, another girl in there with you?" His mouth felt dry and his hands felt sweaty. The nagging thought that he'd merely imagined all that happened back on the top deck kept eating away at him. What if he really hadn't seen her, again?

What if Riku's little speech was all in his mind and he was still no closer to finding and more importantly, saving her. Sora just about couldn't stand another near miss.

Thankfully, he wouldn't have to.

"Oh, why, yes. But, she seems to be asleep. Perhaps? I'm not sure, but she hasn't budged an inch!" Wendy replied. Sora's heart immediately tore in two. One half plummeted. She really had lost her heart. She really was in a catatonic, or comatose state and she really wasn't conscious or aware. The other half soared, as Sora had finally found her, really, really found her. And while she wasn't well, that wasn't going to stop him from getting to her.

He knew, really knew that if he could just be with her, he'd figure out how to help her in ways only he could. His mouth stretched into a smile.

A smile that warmed Goofy's and even Donald's hearts, though they too shared a fear that she might never wake up. Even though they'd never met her and still hadn't even seen her.

"Kairi? Kairi!" Sora called and watched as a pale, small hand fell limp against the cold grating.

"Kairi..." Sora whispered and reached his hand up toward hers.

His eyes were glued to it and in the briefest and most fleeting of moments her fingers twitch, ever so lightly. He gasped and smiled. He knew he could get through to her. His joy only lasted a moment and was quickly replaced with dread.

A rustling sound could be heard just above as well as Wendy's muffled screams. With that, Sora watched as her hand disappeared from view, dragged seemingly to the awful pirate captain, or to Riku.

"Kairi!" Sora shouted for a fourth time.

"Dang!" Peter cursed, "We better get up there and fast!" He turned to face the trio before receiving affirming nods from all three. "This way! Follow me." He ordered, before floating into one of the many doorways that peppered the hallway.

There, Peter found their very own ladder and, looking around the wooden room seemed to confirm to him where they were.

"Shhh!" He shushed as the other three entered the room behind him. With the faintest of whispers, he gestured toward the ladder, "Up there. That's the old codfish Hook's cabin. I'll bet they're being taken up there." Sora summoned his Keyblade and gripped it tightly. There was no way he was letting these pirates hurt her.

Or Wendy.

Just then, however, the room was suddenly filled with Heartless. Small shadows and pirate shadows alike, they simply appeared, causing all to arm themselves.

"Crap!" Sora cried. Donald and Goofy shared a look.

Donald smirked, "You two go! We'll catch up and make sure these things don't follow us up!" Sora didn't like running from a fight.

"No way! We got this!" Peter on the other hand had indeed slipped up into Hook's cabin. Goofy bashed through an oncoming attack and blocked another, whilst Donald pierced through two with icicles.

"Sora, don't worry about us, pal! Kairi needs ya way more than we do! Get up there and save your girl!" Goofy hollered. Sora glanced back up at the ladder. He did long to see her, properly and he knew he didn't have much time.

"Guys..." he said softly.

"Quit your lollygaggin' and get goin'!" Donald quacked, incinerating a nearby Heartless. Sora smirked.

"Okay! See you guys in a minute!" He called as he began to climb the ladder. Donald and Goofy were surrounded, standing back to back, but if fighting this hoard off meant helping their friend, they'd fight to the death if necessary.

"Ready, Goofy?" Donald quacked.

"You betcha!" Goofy replied, before both hollered and began swinging and casting with abandon.

---

Sora arrived in the captain's quarters and immediately noticed a stark difference here. Firstly, it was the first part of the ship he'd found to have windows and they were everywhere here. Half of every wall was just that. Windows.

To his left was a comfy looking bed and to his right was a large desk and chair. This room also featured a warming fireplace and several lanterns on the wall.

Pumpkin Keyblade in hand, he turned and spotted what he feared most. There Riku stood, back against a door and staring directly into his eyes. Sora furrowed his brow and gripped his blade tighter.

"Riku." He said softly. His dearest friend held the gently sleeping Kairi. Sora moved forward, ready to put an end to all this nonsense when Riku simply stepped backward and into a dark portal of sorts. Sora was ready to charge in after him, but was intercepted by the most strange of things.

His own shadow, from before!

He leapt back with surprise and took a battle stance. An inky black all over, this shadow version of himself sported those awful dead, yellow eyes of the Heartless. It summoned its own Keyblade, which was just a dark version of the original motif Sora had found it in, and readied itself for a fight.

Sora slowly began to circle his shadow as it did he. He wasn't exactly sure how to proceed and he wasn't given any more time to think about it as the shadow lunged forward with a strong swing.

Sora blocked it and the meeting of Keyblades sent shockwaves down his arm. The loud clang was equally as alarming, causing Sora's ears to ring as he took a step back. The shadow was on the offensive however and swung again, this time horizontally. Sora parried his swing and stabbed forward, but the shadow was quick, easily leaping backward.

Sora was hesitant, which was proving to be costly. This was tough though. How do you fight yourself, afterall?

The shadow swung again, but Sora rolled this time and swung at its legs. It lifted them high into the air with a jump and stabbed downward at him, thankfully missing. Sora stood again and used his momentum moving forward to slash at the shadow, but it simply blocked the attack again, with another resounding clang.

'Damn.' Sora thought. 'It knows every move I make.' He figured, before having to parry an attack.

Taking a step backward, he lulled the shadow into a false sense of power and side stepped a big, yet sloppy swing. He used his quickness to swing diagonally, but the shadow rolled away from that attack as well. Sweat began to pour from Sora's brow before he angled the Keyblade toward the shadow and cast a fire spell.

This it dodged too, causing the ball of flames to burst through one of the many window pains and dissipate in the night air. Sora went on a tear next, swinging hard not once, not twice, but three times from different directions. The shadow dodged one attack, blocked another and parried Sora away with the final, nearly knocking his Keyblade away from him.

Sora wasn't finished however, as the shadow began its counterattack, Sora parried the first swing hard and slashed vertically hard. He'd swung so hard in fact, that he'd shattered the shadow Keyblade into two and readied to drive his shadow self through.

Just as he attempted the final blow, the shadow sunk into the boards and vanished. Sora stood confused, before sensing a presence behind him. He turned and swung, finally destroying it.

Or so he thought.

The shadow had multiplied and now the room was full of shadow Soras! He swung through another and slashed at another, before rolling away from a punch of a third. He drove that one through and still while on one knee sliced another into nonexistentence.

He stood and swung behind him, before dismissing another and now he was only down to three. Yet, one seemed different.

It was twitching and almost animalistic, with claws and even fangs. It rushed him, on all fours no less, and Sora barely had time to side step its rabbid attack. He vanquished another more subdued version and blocked an attack from a now once again Keyblade wielding one.

He heard the rustling of the faster one and jumped, anticipating its strike at his legs. Finding his feet on solid wood again, he parried an attack from the other and finally managed to end it with a hard slash. Now he only had the crazed one to deal with, but boy was it a doozy to deal with.

It circled him, like a predator circled its prey and Sora never let it leave his sight. That was, until it sunk into the floor. Sora assumed it'd try the same bit and turned swinging behind him. It wasn't there, however.

Sora paused, before correctly guessing just where it had resurfaced. He once again rolled away from an attack, only this time it was from the ceiling. The shadow landed after its failed attack and that would be the last mistake it ever made as Sora swung down hard finally destroying the last one.

He took deep breaths, over and over, before collapsing to one knee. His rest was short lived however, as from an only now noticed second hatch in the room, he heard a voice. Peter's voice.

"C'mon Wendy! Wake up!" Dismissing the Keyblade, he jogged over to the hatch and climbed down into the twin room of the other he'd left before entering the captain's cabin.

"Peter!" He called.

The young boy didn't turn, but only adressed his pixie friend, "Not now, Tink!"

Sora rushed to his side, "Everything okay?" He asked.

Peter shook his head, "I don't know. Look, this is as far as I can go. I've gotta help Wendy. The top deck is through the door in the captain's cabin." Peter scooped the unconscious Wendy into his arms and floated up, into the aforementioned cabin. "Good luck, Sora. You and your friends are gonna need it." Sora couldn't believe this kid.

"Uh, thanks, I guess." He said with a roll of his eyes. Wait a minute though. His friends! "Oh crap!" Sora exclaimed, before kicking the door in this room open and rushing into the hallway.

There, he'd found them. Donald and Goofy. His friends, locked in brutal combat with a dwindling number of Heartless. Sora called on the Keyblade once more and attacked an offending pirate Heartless who was ready to slice a nasty cut into Goofy's back. Donald froze another pair, whilst Goofy bashed in two of his own.

"Hey, guys!" Sora called, blocking an attack.

"Sora!"

"Sora!"

They replied in tandem.

"You okay?" Goofy asked.

Sora smiled, finishing another, "For the most part. You guys?" Donald zapped a Heartless into extinction.

"Just dandy! Where's Kairi?"

Sora cast a blizzard spell of his own, destroying two more, "Riku got her! I'll explain in a minute!" The next few minutes were filled with intense fighting in the long hallway of the Jolly Roger. Goofy bashed, Donald cast, and Sora swung, until it was just them standing, breathing heavy and exhausted.

"Th-That all of them?" Sora asked. Goofy wiped his brow and dismissed his shield.

"I think so."

Donald did the same with his staff and sighed, "I hope so."

Sora took a seat and Donald and Goofy slumped down as well. They shared a few moments of peace, before hearing footsteps below. The pirate crew was looking for them.

"We better get moving." Sora groaned, standing and helping Donald up.

Goofy too stood, "Where to, though?"

Sora gestured to the room with the ladder that led to the captain's cabin, "Peter said the top deck is through the captain's cabin. I'll bet the Gummi ship is there." Donald nodded.

"Probably. Let's go." With that the trio headed up into the cabin and headed for the door that led outside.

Sora shoved it open and was met with quite the sight. It was dark, suggesting that it was still the same night and cold out on deck. The sea was getting choppier and the ship was moving now, as evidenced by the flapping sails high above them. The most alarming thing on deck wasn't the Gummi ship that rested at the bow, but the crowd that greeted them.

The same nasty pirate from before that had tied Sora up, the captain's little first mate, a plethora of Heartless, both saber wielding and airborne versions, and the horrible Captain Hook himself. He smiled at the sight of them.

"Quite the codfish, that Riku..." he began, stepping forward toward the heroes. All armed themselves, which didn't seem to faze the old pirate in the slightest. He even nodded, as if this was all going to plan. What was he up to?

"Running off with that girl and without even saying goodbye? Just how close were you two supposed to be, again?" Sora stepped backward.

How'd he know they were friends? Had Riku been talking about his life before the islands disappeared with them? Like he had with Donald and Goofy? Were they really his friends?

"Run off where? Tell me where he went!" Sora demanded.

Hook turned and began to pace ever so slowly, "To the ruins of Hollow Bastion. Where Maleficent resides, son." He stopped and turned to face them again, "But, you won't be going there." He gestured back to their heavily guarded Gummi ship. Smee handed Captain Hook the lantern he'd been holding and Hook held it high, producing his bargaining chip. His ace in the hole. He'd captured little Tinker Bell. Sora gasped.

"Unless you intend on leaving your little pixie friend to die?" Sora growled, and held his Keyblade tighter.

"Not a chance!"

Hook smirked, "Ah, Ah, boy. I wouldn't recommend it." He warned, holding the lantern over the side of the ship. Sora sighed. He watched as the Heartless began to close in on them.

"What're we doing here, Sora?" Donald asked with a sense of urgency.

"I-I don't know!" Sora replied.

Hook still held the lantern over the side, "You've got to the count of three to drop your weapons." He demanded.

"One." Sora stared into the old pirate's eyes. He wasn't bluffing.

"Two!"

Sora relented, "Alright! We'll do as you say." He sighed, dropping the Pumpkin Key with a clatter. Donald and Goofy shared an uncomfortable look. "Just do it, guys. He'll drown poor, innocent Tinker Bell in a cage if we don't." Sora said firmly.

Hook scoffed, "She be far from innocent. And besides, I'm a lot of things, Keyblade Master and good isn't one of them. Lucky for you, practical is. Hand over the Keyblade and I'll spare all your lives." Hook offered. Sora's fists tightened into balls.

"Be glad I'm merciful, boy. Unlike these horrible creatures." The captain commented, referring to the Heartless. Sora took an apprehensive step back still unsure of what to do. Captain Hook raised an eyebrow.

"Which will it be? The Keyblade, or the pl--" He was cut off as the faintest of sounds began to fill the air. It could only barely be heard over the wind and the waves by all but one. Captain Hook could hear it loud and clear. His eyes widened and he began to shake all over. Sora noticed, he was visibly afraid.

Bone chillingly afraid.

"N-No. It can't be. Not now. Not now!" He shrieked, finally drawing the courage to look over board.

"It is! Smee! It's him! The Crocodile what took me hand!" Indeed, just below the deck at the ship's water line swam along a massive beast.

A reptile of epic proportions, ancient, mean, and chocked full of teeth with an accompanying 'tick-tock' of a clock he carried inside his big belly. He was back to torment the old pirate and he was hungry. He licked his chops and smiled up at him.

"Smee! He's back for me other hand!" Hook hollered, passing the lantern to his first mate quickly and haphazardly. "I can't! I can't stand the sight of him! Go away! I can't stay here! Deal with this, Smee! Get me that Keyblade!" Hook ordered, charging past everyone and into his cabin. A loud lock could be heard after he entered.

"A-A-Alright Cap'n!" Smee replied, holding the lantern and directing his attention to the trio of adventures before him. "W-W-Well. Y-You heard the Cap'n! It's the plank with ye! Now walk! You first, young man!" Smee ordered. Sora liked his chances against this clown and began to hatch a plan. The Keyblade still laid at his feet, but Sora left it and slowly began walking toward the long diving board that hung off ship.

"Sora!" Donald quacked. Sora didn't acknowledge him, until he made it to the tip of the plank. It was then that his eyes met his friends.

He winked and smiled.

Goofy cocked his head to the side, whilst Donald stamped his flipper in irritation. Sora slowed his breathing down and closed his eyes. Gone were the menacing Heartless and the nasty pair of pirates. His thoughts were all he needed. He smiled.

'And ya gotta believe.' He recalled Peter Pan's tips for flying.

He'd already been sprinkled with pixie dust and if it helped him and his friends out of this jam, whilst helping him find and save Kairi? Then he believed. He believed with all his Heart.

Sora stepped backward and gently hopped off of the plank, down toward the gaping maw of the Crocodile's jaws. Donald and Goofy shared a confused look, before summoning their own weapons. Donald summoned a thunder spell, electrocuting multiple Heartless, while Goofy blocked an attack from the burly pirate from before and sent him careening off the side with a scream.

Smee took cover and dropped the lantern, subsequently breaking the glass and allowing Tinker Bell her freedom. Donald blew another to smithereens and Goofy bashed through an offending Heartless before it got the chance to slash at Donald.

"Where's Peter Pan?" Goofy asked.

"Forget him! What happened to Sora!?" Donald replied. Goofy's eyes glanced to where the Keyblade should've been, yet, it wasn't there.

Wait.

It wasn't there! Which must've meant--

Donald watched as a nearby Heartless was vanquished with an icicle. "Freeze!" He'd heard Sora call, from high above. His eyes were drawn skyward and in the starry night, there he flew! Sora!

"Wak!?" Donald quacked. Sora smirked down at his friends and sliced through an airborne Heartless. Goofy blocked another attack and was just as shocked to see Sora flight worthy.

"Heya, pal! Way to go!" He cheered. Sora slashed another, but his eyes caught something else in the night sky. A streak of green.

Peter Pan?

The boy who'd never grow up stabbed through several flying Heartless, howling that signature call of his as he did.

"Peter!" Sora called and watched as he floated alongside him.

"What? You really thought I'd leave you and Tink behind? No way!" He smiled, before diving down onto the ship's deck. Sora was pleasantly surprised. Perhaps he wasn't so selfish and childish. He was certainly immature, but not bad or rotten to his core. Maybe just a little flighty.

Pun intended.

Sora too dove down on deck and landed. His feet touching the wood felt more natural, but boy did he feel his weight again once he did land. He narrowly dodged an attack from a Heartless blade, but was relieved to watch it dissipate as Peter stabbed at its back.

Goofy was becoming surrounded, just by the sheer volume of the monsters, but Donald had cast an excellently timed wind spell, shielding everyone from any unblocked attacks, for a little while anyway. Donald also cast a strong thunder spell and essentially neutralized the Heartless' air support.

Thankfully, Sora nor Peter were themselves airborne at the moment the electricity surged through the air. Goofy expertly tossed his shield into several sword carrying Heartless and Sora even managed to deflect it back to him with a well timed swing. They shared a smug smile between them, before Sora lifted into the air once more.

He surveyed the deck and took note.

There was only a handful of Heartless left. Their sloppy method of spawning and trying to overwhelm them with sheer numbers was no match for the skill and ability of Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Peter Pan. He lifted the Keyblade into the night sky and summoned the strongest thunder spell he could manage.

With a terrific crack, bolts of lightning shot from the sky and zapped the remaining Heartless into oblivion.

"Whoa!" Peter exclaimed, before glancing up at Sora and clapping his hands.

Donald too smiled, "Atta boy!" He cheered whilst Goofy jogged over to greet the descending Sora with a pat on the back.

"Nice goin'!" Peter said, shaking Sora's hand now.

"Hey, it was nothin'..." Sora said modestly, dismissing the Pumpkin Key. Donald and Goofy did the same with their weapons, before all attention was directed toward the door that that led to the captain's cabin. The Jolly Roger's captain called out, from within. Apparently he'd heard the fighting die down.

"Smee?" He asked. His first mate was out cold after having been bonked on the head during the chaos. "Is it gone? Please tell me it's gone!" He hollered from within. Sora was ready to respond with something clever, or smart ass, but Peter held up a hand and giggled silently. His ability to mimick sound was truly miraculous as from his mouth came the odd and seemingly impossible to duplicate voice of the called upon Mr. Smee.

"Aye, Cap'n! He's gone and the prisoners too! Walked the plank, every last one of 'em!" Peter responded.

With that he stepped to the side and awaited Hook's predicted response. Sora too took cover and Donald and Goofy slid behind some barrels. With that the elegantly dressed pirate shot forth from the door excitedly.

Confusion took over his elation almost immediately as he saw no one out on deck. That confusion turned to pain and anger as he felt a sharp stab at his lower back. Stumbling forward and grabbing at his wound he growled and armed himself with his long, thin rapier.

"Blast you, Peter Pan!" He hollered, turning the blade on his assailant. Peter dodged the big swing and giggled. Sora ran to his side, whilst Donald and Goofy too came out from their cover.

"Now it's your turn to walk the plank, ya salty old codfish!" He smiled and readied his own dagger. Hook's eye narrowed and he sneered before swinging hard down at Peter Pan. The boy easily dodged another attack and flew into the air. Hook was fast though and without missing a beat swung his long rapier at Sora, who wasn't ready for the attack.

He brought the Keyblade up horizontally to block the swing, but the pirate captain was surpsingly strong for his thin build. It nearly knocked Sora to his knees, but thankfully Goofy barreled into Hook with his shield, knocking him off balance.

Hook was forced to reestablish his footing, but once again his superior speed and strength allowed him to slash at Goofy. As big and tough as the dog Knight was, even he was thrown backward by the might of Hook's sword and unfortunately slammed head first into the main mast knocking him out cold.

Donald was ready to cast a cure spell on him already, but was cut off as a large Heartless spawned behind Sora, ready to slice. Donald cast a fire spell toward it defeating it while Sora blocked another strike from Captain Hook. Donald redirected his attention to his old friend when suddenly he felt a presence behind him.

His eyes shot to where the first mate of this ship had been lying. He was no longer there.

Donald turned already swinging his staff but was too late. Mr. Smee, as inept as he seemed had managed to clock the Mage over the head with a club. Donald saw white, then black as the smack was enough to also incapacitate him.

Thankfully for Sora, Peter Pan still flew high above, though he was busy dealing with a few flying Heartless. Sora rolled away from another attack and only now noticed Smee dragging the limp Donald to the side, ready to chuck him over board. Hook was still on the offensive though, so Sora had to try and slow him down.

He thought, for only a moment before he too floated up above the pirate and quickly descended, causing his foot to collide with Hook's head, hard. It knocked him to the ground in pain, which was all the time Sora needed to fly over and scoop the just tossed overboard Donald into his arms.

"Huh!?" Smee was surprised and watched on as Sora flew the snoozing Donald higher up onto the ship and placed him safely down next to its wheel.

Gripping the Pumpkin Key tighter he watched with a smile as Peter had been busy doing the same with Goofy.

"Ya ready?" Peter asked, gently setting Goofy down.

"You know it." Sora replied as they both took flight and landed back where Hook was standing prepared for a fight alongside the shivering Smee. Peter drove forward with his dagger and began to engage in one hell of a fencing match with Hook. Their blades were like a flurry as they quickly clanged together over and over, while Sora turned his attention to Smee.

"N-N-Now you stay a-a-away from me, y-y-ou scoundrel!" Smee ordered, backing up. Sora slung the Keyblade over his shoulder and smirked.

"Get outta here, will ya?" He asked. Smee nodded his head and quickly ran past him and into the captain's cabin hollering words of encouragement to Hook as he did.

"Go get 'em, Cap'n! Run 'em through, Cap'n! Send 'em to Davy Jones, Cap'n!" Sora snickered, before looking back at where he knew Peter and Hook had been fighting. Only, they were gone!

Sora still heard the colliding of metals, yet it was coming from above him! He looked up and watched as Peter flew ever higher and Hook, mad with bloodthirsty vengeance and a lust for power followed on, climbing the rungs of the mast with his hooked hand and swinging his rapier with his other hand.

Sora dismissed the Keyblade and he too began to ascend the mast, right behind Captain Hook. Apparently though, the Heartless weren't having that. Sora felt a cold hand grab at his ankle and yanked him down to the deck. Sora slammed down onto the wooden surface and groaned, before having to roll away from a vertical slice down toward him. He summoned the Keyblade and blocked another attack, before stabbing through another one and vanquishing a second after dodging another attack.

Meanwhile, Peter had made it to the top sail of the Jolly Roger and Hook was right behind him.

"Come back here, you coward!" He hollered.

Peter's blood boiled, "Coward!? No one calls Pan a coward! I'll fight you with one hand behind my back!" Hook smiled as he too made it to the thin wood that made up the top sail.

Both balancing precariously, Hook held his rapier out in front of him the tip angled toward Peter Pan.

"Man to man? No flight?" He asked. Peter had been challenged and he wasn't the type to back down.

"Man to man. No flying! Now fight, codfish!"

Hook swung hard and went on the offensive, his usual tactic, "With pleasure, you insolent child!" He hollered. Sora sliced through another Heartless, but was trying to keep his eyes on the sparring pair above him. He was worried about Peter, afterall.

His distraction proved costly, as a Heartless sliced at his back, drawing blood.

"Ah!" He cried trying to swing through the pain. Like music to his ears though, he heard one of his favorite things to hear nowadays. Donald's voice.

"Thunder!" The duck called and zapped away the Heartless that were proving to be Sora's immediate danger. Sora blocked another slice and watched as Goofy's shield ran through the beast and into another across the deck.

"Hey, guys!" He said with a smile.

"Sorry about that!" Donald quacked, before they found his side.

"Look, fellers!" Goofy said, pointing out over the ocean. Sora and Donald ran to the side and saw a small lifeboat rowing away fast. It was crewed by Mr. Smee and the few remaining pirates of the Jolly Roger.

Evidently, their Captain's blind need for revenge had proved enough for them to abandon the ship and he, himself. They'd had it.

"Hah!" Donald laughed, "Look at the cowards! Running away!" Sora too laughed, before he heard another loud clang far above.

"Oh crap! Peter Pan!" Sora again began to climb the ship's mast, whilst more Heartless materialized on deck.

Donald cast a wind spell around the trio before calling up to Sora, "Sora! Why're you climbing! Can't you fly!?" The Keyblade Master felt, frankly, stupid. He shook his head and let go, once again feeling the weightlessness of the pixie dust's magic.

"How is that something you can forget!?" Donald asked.

Sora smiled, "Shut up! You're just jealous!" He laughed, before heading to Peter Pan's aid. Donald and Goofy began keeping the Heartless at bay, whilst Sora floated to the top. He'd gotten there, just in time too. Peter was nearly ready to fall.

Sora landed behind Hook, but man was that old pirate fast. He swung behind him, whilst Sora narrowly avoided it. Hook simultaneously kicked behind him, causing Peter to fall and grab onto the sail with his hand.

He'd lost his dagger in the meantime and now it was Sora's turn to duel the horrible Captain Hook. Sora was only barely managing to block hard blow after blow as Captain Hook began to back him into the same position he'd had Pan in moments ago.

Hook sliced horizontally and had swung so hard, he'd actually managed to knock the Keyblade from Sora's hand. It fell, crashing into the water and Sora found himself now on his backside, propping himself up on his elbows.

His eyes met Hook's and in that moment he swore he saw that same dead, yellow look of the Heartless. Hook wasn't one yet, but his Heart had been completely eclipsed with hate and revenge. He'd crossed a point of no return and he was now willing to murder anyone, armed or not. His voice was low and almost that of an animal's growl.

He chuckled, "Well, well. Prepared to die, boy? Say your prayers..." Sora was scared.

Really scared, as he shakily responded, "C'mon, Captain. I-I can't even fight back. You're just gonna kill me? W-What happened to practicality?" He swallowed hard, as Hook took one final step forward.

His rapier's tip found Sora's throat and he smiled, "I'll enjoy taking your friend's lives, but how I wish you could be alive to watch me do it..." He snarled and raised his sword above his head, ready to run Sora through.

Sora screamed and held a hand in front of him, closing his eyes tightly. Yet, he felt no pain.

No sharp stab, no smell of his blood pouring from his sliced open throat. He slowly opened one eye and saw Hook in the same position, but visibly trembling. He'd heard something and Sora saw something. Still hanging from the sail, Peter Pan was making some sort of sound and his amazing mimickery had possibly saved the Keyblade Master's life.

"Tick-tock-tick-tock..." Captain Hook slowly and painstakingly began to turn around.

"H-How..." he murmured to himself. His gaze finally fixed behind him, he felt instant relief. There was no crocodile!

Wait.

There was no crocodile?

"Wha--?" He began to ask, but was cut off as the green, slippered feet of Peter Pan came crashing into his gut, whilst he hollered that signature shout of his.

Sora watched as Hook was forced off of his feet and entered into a freefall off of the highest mast aboard his ship. He turned to watch as Hook screamed and flailed, before crashing into the cold water below.

Peter laughed and pointed down at him, "Watch out, ya old codfish! I think your friend is hungry!" Sora felt a bit queasy at the thought.

Did he really mean..?

Captain Hook resurfaced and began frantically looking from side to side. He'd lost his signature hat and his clothes were soaked through.

"No! No!" He cried, looking for any signs of the beast. Donald and Goofy meanwhile had defeated the Heartless and they too looked overboard down at the pirate.

"Pan!" He called, splashing in the water wildly trying to clamber back aboard. Yet, it was no good. There was no purchase on the side of the Jolly Roger. He couldn't get back up, without assistance.

"Pan, you've got to help me! You can't just let it eat me alive! Help me!" He begged.

Peter Pan simply grabbed at his sides and laughed, "Why would I help you?" Sora didn't like this. He watched as Hook splashed and panicked and he felt the oddest sensation. He felt compelled.

To save the rotten old sea dog.

He wasn't sure why, but something just felt wrong about this whole thing. Watching him be eaten alive seemed wrong. It was like a voice inside of him. Sora didn't even know where it came from, but it came from deep inside and it sounded like someone.

It sounded like her.

"Sora? Don't ever change."

He remembered what he'd said.

"Anything, for you." It wasn't a hard ask.

Sora couldn't change who he was, even if he tried. It wasn't in his nature. He was good. He took flight suddenly and without warning, flew down toward the water. He neared the Captain and reached out with his hand.

"C'mon! Take my hand!" Hook's eyes met his and Sora saw the genuine terror in them as Hook's hand collided with Sora's. Sora pulled and pulled, but Hook was dressed as such that the weight of his clothes and gear being pulled from the water wasn't as easy as all that!

Especially what with Sora having nothing to plant his feet on, for leverage.

"It's no use! You're too weak, boy!" He answered back.

"Sora!" Donald quacked, pointing ahead. Sora's eyes shot upward and that's when he saw it. The crocodile had surfaced and it was headed straight for them.

Thankfully, they were close enough that Goofy had an idea.

He stood at the very edge and grabbed ahold of Donald's ankles and flung him over the side, holding on tightly.

"Huh? Goofy, what're you do-- WAK!?" Donald flung his arms about, before getting the general idea. He began reaching for Sora's waist, but he was just a bit too far away.

Peter, however, flew down to grab at Sora's waist instead, whilst Donald grabbed at his ankles now, as Goofy had done for him.

"Why're you doing this, Sora!?" Pan asked.

Sora shook his head, "Just pull, guys!" Goofy did as such and using his leverage on board he pulled and pulled with all his might. The mixed species chain of heroes had done it and Hook was now being pulled up, safely away from the jaws of the beast.

"It's working! It's working!" He cheered.

Goofy pulled Donald aboard, whilst Donald pulled Peter aboard. Peter was pulling Sora aboard, who still had his hands wrapped around Hook's wrist. Sora in turn finally pulled the old pirate aboard, who was taking deep, ragged breaths. Sora quickly stepped back and felt the large hands of Goofy patting his back.

"That was something else, Sora. You sure are one special person." Sora smiled up at him, his hands on his knees as he too took some deep breaths.

"Thanks..." Donald even was mightily impressed with Sora's act of kindness, even for someone who was as rotten and evil as Captain Hook.

Pan, on the other hand couldn't believe he'd just helped take part in the rescuing of his nemesis, but in all actuality he'd only helped in order to save Sora. Producing his dagger, he angled it down at the sopping wet and still horrified Hook.

"Alright, Hook! These bunch of fools saved your life! Now, say 'thank you!', and that 'you're a codfish!'" Hook looked up at Peter Pan and still shook all over.

"Thank you. I'm such a codfish..." he grumbled.

"Louder!" Peter demanded.

"Thank you! I'm such a CODFISH!" Hook shouted as Peter's dagger neared his throat. Satisfied he'd shaken the pirate as hard as he could, Pan sheathed his weapon and turned his back.

"Now, we're gettin' outta here and I better never hear or see from you again. Are we clear?" Sora watched in amazement as Hook stood, quietly and humiliated.

"We're clear, Pan. You take my hand from me, you steal my gold, and you turn my crew against me, but you win again." His eyes turned to meet Sora's. "As for you. You're quite the hero, boy. Here. For saving me. It's the least I can do..." Hook pulled a small present, neatly wrapped from his drenched coat and offered it to Sora.

Stepping forward, Sora noticed it had a page atop it and noticed that parchment was familiar. It was the same paper as the others. It was one of Ansem's reports!

Sora tentatively took the present and the paper. He scanned the page, before pocketing it and giving his gift the once over. It was a white box, with a red ribbon. Donald and Goofy watched on warily, with the former even noticing the most peculiar of glints in Hook's eyes. He didn't like that look.

"So it's true." Sora said softly. "You've all been in league with Maleficent. What is she planning?" Sora asked. He too noticed that almost far away and dead look in the captain's eyes.

He flashed a toothy smile, "I honestly don't know, boy. Though, none of us ever will, I suppose." He snickered. It was only now that a slight ticking had become audible.

The present.

It was a bomb.

"Look out!" Peter hollered, before kicking Hook back off board and snatching the present from Sora's hands. With expert speed, Pan tossed it overboard as well, down toward the now crazed and laughing Captain Hook. Not a moment too soon at that, as just a second and a half later, the gang were knocked backward slightly from a huge explosion below.

"Whoa!" They all exclaimed, as a cloud of smoke bellowed into the sky from just off deck.

"What just happened?" Goofy asked, trying to stand.

"That old codfish! He tried to kill us and even after you saved his hide! Why did you do that, Sora!?" Peter chastised, crossing his arms.

Sora hung his head, "I..."

Donald too stood, grabbing at his lower back as he did, "Because, Peter Pan..." he groaned, "Because he's good. He's a kind, caring, and honest young man and if sees someone hurt, unarmed, and in need, he'll help. No matter what."

Goofy nodded along, "Hear, hear, Donald. That's our Sora!" Donald and Peter's eyes met, before Peter simply looked away, his nose high in the air. Sora meanwhile was once again, touched.

"Donald, I..." he smiled softly, "Thank you." Donald didn't respond, he only smiled.

Everybody walked to the edge and looked over to find that there was no trace of Captain Hook in the water. Nor of the Crocodile. Sora could only assume the worst.

There was, however, a hole in the side of the ship that was taking on water. It wasn't gonna sink for a few hours, but it'd go eventually, so it was probably best if they got a move on and soon.

"So, Sora, what happened with Kairi? Riku got her?" Goofy asked.

"Yeah, I guess he went to someplace called Hollow Bastion?"

Donald quacked, "That's what the pirate said. I guess that's our next stop, then."

Goofy scratched at his head, "Well, sure, but what about Kairi? If she's really lost her Heart--"

Donald stamped his foot, "No way. Right, Sora?"

The Keyblade Master meanwhile, was still busy looking down into the water. His thoughts raced, yet the slightest of smiles stretched across his face.

"I can't believe I really flew..." he sighed. "Wait 'till I tell Kairi! I wonder if she'll believe me? Probably not..." he chuckled. Sora could already hear the conversation in his head.

'It was the coolest thing! I was on this pirate ship and fighting Heartless and pirates! And I was flying!'

She'd giggle and playfully push his arm, 'Flying? Yeah right!'

He'd laugh, 'For real!'

Peter's voice snapped him from his reverie. "Maybe you can bring her to Neverland sometime? That way I can get a proper introduction and we can all have some fun without these stinkin' pirates around to spoil everything."

Sora nodded, "Yeah! Anything is possible, so long as you believe. Right?" Peter Pan smiled, whilst Donald and Goofy pondered it themselves. If anything was possible, could they maybe fly, too? Sora's hands tightened into fists of determination.

"I'll find you, Kairi. I know I will. I swear it." He said softly.

He looked up into the night and grinned, "There's so much I wanna tell her. About flying, about the pirates, everything else that's happened too. And..." he trailed off, much to Donald and Goofy's amusement.

'And what, Sora?' They'd shared that thought with a silent giggle.

Suddenly, the familiar golden dust of Tinker Bell filled the immediate air around the gang. She'd hovered in front of Peter Pan and began to say something to him, though it was clear by now, only he understood her, clearly anyway.

"Huh? That doesn't make any... Oh! Really? The clock tower? Why there?" He asked. Sora, Donald and Goofy all cocked their heads to the side in confusion.

Peter suddenly seemed nervous, "Trouble? But, I left Wendy there! Oh no! Fellas, c'mon!" He ordered, taking flight. Sora lifted off the now sloped deck as well. The Jolly Roger was beginning to list to port and hard.

"Where are we going?" Sora asked.

"And what about us? And the Gummi ship!?" Donald quacked. Sora glanced over at the vessel.

"Guys, take her up and follow us! You don't need pixie dust! We've got the finest ship ever made!" Donald glanced back. He was the slightest bit embarrassed.

How had he not thought of that!?

He refused to respond and began jogging over to the Gummi ship, whilst Goofy laughed, "Thanks Sora! We'll follow your lead, Pete!" Peter Pan began to fly, higher and higher, followed by Sora and Tinker Bell. Sora could hear the Gummi ship starting up and knew it wouldn't be far behind.

"So, where are we going? And what's wrong?" Peter Pan kept flying, ascending high into the clouds.

"The clock tower! Tink says something is up there! Just follow me!" He ordered. Sora nodded and with that, they took off flying as fast as both could manage deeper into the clouds.

---

Sora flew inside the clouds and smiled at the sensation. It was like being a bird! The clouds whipped by and before he knew it, he, Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, and presumably the Gummi Ship were now in a different night sky.

The moon was large and prominent here, yet the blanket of stars was gone. Drawing immediate attention was the large, well lit clock tower that Peter spoke of. It was ornately built, and massive.

The clock's four faces were all brightly illuminated and the stonework was unrivaled. Sora had never seen any structure like it. He also, had never seen such a major metropolis as the one they now hovered high, high above.

A city of buildings and roads, it was lit by several thousands of lights and a river ran through it, only gapped by a large bridge.

"Whoa..." Sora said softly, as he admired the empire below. The buildings varied in height and seemed to stretch on as far as the eye could see. It was quite the sight, especially for an islander, like himself.

Speaking of which, it was significantly colder here, than the ocean they'd been on previously. Which was cold enough!

Sora shivered, especially this high up, but followed right along behind Peter as they neared the impressive clock tower.

"Wendy? Wendy!" Peter called, to no response.

Sora too hollered out for the young girl, "Wendy! Hello?" Again, there was no response, yet, the wind blew just then.

An even colder chill wrapped itself around Sora and Peter pulled his dagger from its sheath.

Sora summoned the Keyblade, "What?" He asked Pan.

Peter shook his head, "I don't know, just..."

Sora nodded, "I know. That feeling. We're not the only ones here, are we?"

Peter Pan shook his head, "I don't think so. Do ya see anything?" He asked. Sora's eyes scanned the cold, dark sky, before they landed upon one of the clock faces.

It was ticking, ever closer to the witching hour...

The minute hand finally fell upon midnight and the large bells housed inside the tower began their little chime.

The chime indicated that it was a new day on the calender and slowly but surely, the largest of them rang.

Twelve times.

Each one sent another shiver down Sora's spine and his blood began to run cold. Just what was up here with them? And where the hell were Donald, Goofy, and the Gummi ship? Or Wendy?

That was when Sora spotted it.

Something had just appeared directly in front of the huge clock hands. A cloaked, hooded, figure floating, with long arms and big claw like hands. Peter too had spotted it.

"Hey! Who're you? How'd you get up here?" The figure remained still, it's coat flapping in the now whipping wind.

Sora flew alongside Peter, "What should we do?" Pan frowned and like a bullet from a gun, shot down toward the figure, coming face to face.

"Say! I asked you a question! Who are-- Wha--?" Peter had tried to yank the figure's hood off, but it suddenly grabbed at his wrist and gripped it tightly. Inside the dark hood, Peter only saw two, dead, yellow, beady eyes and from within came a cold, low, howl.

Peter shrieked, causing Sora to fly forward too and swing at the figure's hand. Yet, something happened to Sora that hadn't happened yet. It was perhaps the least expected thing to happen to him yet, and that was saying something.

The Keyblade simply went through its arm. It didn't severe, the being didn't dissipate. It merely turned to stare into Sora's eyes and boy was it a frightening sight.

Sora felt his breath catch and with that, the hooded, robed figure flung Peter aside. Thankfully, he remained afloat, but he was out cold and now the spectre had its hooks in Sora. It grabbed at his shoulder and readied to howl again, but Sora was more prepared. He closed his eyes and ducked, swinging again.

Again, unfortunately, it was no good. This thing, whatever it was, ghost, Heartless, or something else entirely, was impervious to the Keyblade. Sora grunted in frustration, while the phantom vanished.

Within a split second is appeared behind him and grabbed at his skull with one large ghostly hand. It squeezed his head so hard that Sora's vision began to fade. He could hear the horrible wail it emitted and he could feel the air leaving his lungs. One near death experience was enough for a lifetime, but here Sora was on his second today!

Even though his vision was leaving him as his lungs ached for life giving oxygen, he managed to catch a glimpse of something golden. It was Tinker Bell.

From her shot forth a terrific illumination of golden light and when it collided with the beast, it roared backward in pain, dropping Sora and grabbing at its own head. Sora took a few deep, ragged breaths and coughed, before gripping the Keyblade tight and turning.

He watched as the phantom shook violently, but it wasn't defeated just yet. It seemed to gain its composure, before locking back in on the Keyblade Master. Sora held the Keyblade up to defend himself, but was again shocked to see the specter recoil in pain.

From behind him a fireball had been launched from one Donald Duck. Apparently, the Gummi ship had landed during the initial chaos on a ledge that jutted out from the clock tower.

Donald's fire magic seemed to effect it. Sora knew he wouldn't be able to hear him, so he just waved his thanks to which Donald and Goofy returned. His eyes now fixed back ahead, he angled the Keyblade toward the reeling ghost and cast his own blizzard spell. He watched with satisfaction as the icicles ran it through, obviously causing it tremendous pain.

That was it, Sora reckoned!

Magic!

This thing hated magic! He felt that same lovely sensation of being in a wind tunnel, next. Donald must've been busy providing support magic. Sora's eyes shifted to where he'd last seen Peter Pan and he was simultaneously relieved and sorry to see that he still floated unconscious, in the same spot.

He hadn't recovered, but he hadn't fallen to his death, thankfully. Donald's wind spell was well placed, because admist Sora's distraction, the phantom had closed the distance between it and Sora and had tried to grip his skull again. The wind however, held its hand at bay, while Sora looked up in surprise. He frowned and cast a fireball of his own, but much to his dismay, it simply passed through it.

"What the--?" Sora didn't understand!

In that moment the phantom shattered through his protective shell and its ghostly claw found his neck this time. With a squeeze, it began to steal Sora's breath again with that awful howl. Sora could see icicles passing through it without so much as a flinch and knew that Donald had cast a blizzard spell of his own.

Yet, now, even magic wasn't working! Sora's free hand tried to grab that revenant's wrist, but it simply passed through as well. This thing could inflict pain on him, but he could only hurt it at select moments! How unfair!

"Uh, that didn't work, pal!" Goofy warned.

Donald angrily replied, "I know! Hang on!" Donald closed his eyes and appeared deep in focus.

"Donald! That thing! It's really hurtin' Sora!" Goofy hollered. Donald took a deep breath and smiled.

"Thundaga!" He shouted and with that, the empire below was briefly illuminated as an absolutely enormous thunder bolt shot across the sky connecting with the phantom of the clock tower.

Thankfully, the electric surge stopped there and did not zap Sora into a fried Keyblade Master. He was simply once again let go and dropped slightly as he watched the spirit writhe and twitch in pain. The crack of thunder was ear splitting and briefly deafening. Sora could really only hear his own thoughts, but he watched as a flash of gold once again appeared behind the ghost.

Another illumination of light cascaded into it and after the assault was through, Sora looked upon the barely still intact figure.

Its robe was tattered and its eyes were still glowing that bright, yet somehow dead, yellow. It shook, violently, before turning its hooded head, ever so slowly, to gaze upon him. It seemed to emanate a low hiss. Which turned into a blood curdling shriek, which hurt Sora's sensitive hearing that he'd only just regained, as it shot forth toward him, its ripped cloak flapping in the wind.

Sora gripped his Keyblade tight and as the phantom neared sliced diagonally, from his left hip up toward his right shoulder. He felt no resistance and once again figured that it was immune to the Keyblade. Oddly, he also felt no pain.

With a twist of his hips, Sora turned and saw the phantom in the throws of death. It'd been the strongest Heartless, if it even was that, he'd faced yet and it had certainly been amongst the most frightening. It seemed to split in two and as one half withered away into nothingness, the other half, the half with the eyes, once again turned to gaze upon its destructor. It almost looked through Sora and another chill ran down his spine. Its last moment was one of defiance.

A strong wind blew and with it, the phantom cast a dark fire.

Not toward Sora.

Toward the defenseless Peter Pan. Sora flew past the disintegrating form of the ghost as fast as he could, trying to intercept the flame of darkness, but he just wasn't quick enough. Thankfully, Goofy was one hell of a shot.

His magically coated shield had been thrown with such precision, that it managed to clash with the spell at just the right moment, destroying it in a clash of light and darkness that was so stunning it appeared like a firework in the otherwise quiet night.

"Whoa..." Sora sighed, before looking over at his companions and giving a fist pump of approval. He flew to Peter's side and coincidentally he was just coming to.

"Huh...?" He wondered aloud, rubbing his head.

"Peter! Peter, you alright?" Sora asked.

"What happened?" Pan sat up, now floating right side up.

"That ghost or whatever. It got its claws into you and screamed or something. It nearly killed us, but Donald and Goofy saved our skins." Sora explained.

"What was that thing?"

Sora shrugged, "Beats me. But it's gone now. We're safe. All of us."

Peter suddenly shot forth, "Wendy! Where are you Wendy?" He called, landing on one of the pedestals of the clock tower. From below him, where some archways were carved into the tower, just above the clock faces he heard the voice of the scared girl.

"Here, Peter Pan! I'm here!"

Peter descended to her level and grinned at the sight of her, "Oh man. I thought that thing might've gobbled you up or somethin'."

She giggled and shook her head, "No, though it was quite frightening! I hid inside when I saw it milling about outside."

Peter sighed, "Guess I should've dropped ya off back home."

Wendy looked down into the city, "Well, if it's not too much to ask, I'd like very much to go back there. It is devilishly cold up here." She shivered. Sora meanwhile had landed and found his companions. They exchanged high fives and Sora couldn't help but sing their praises.

"You guys rock! I thought we were goners! That thing was spooky, huh?"

Donald snickered, "Yeah, yeah. We save your tail again and what do we get? Another pat on the back."

Goofy chuckled, "It sure was spooky, Sora!" Sora was ready to give Donald a hard time, like usual, when Tinker Bell flew directly in front of his face.

"Huh? Tink? What's up?" He asked. The diminutive pixie with a bad attitude gestured down to his hand and without Sora's beckoning, the Keyblade burst into it.

"What?" He asked, looking down at his weapon. "What about the Keyblade?" Tinker Bell seemed to sigh as if frustrated. She flew even closer allowing Sora to truly see her face. She was actually very pretty! She pointed back out in the open and flew in that direction.

She waved her little arms as if to say, "C'mon! Out here!" Sora shrugged and raised a quizzical eyebrow before lifting off of his feet and nearing her location. She pointed with her teeny fingers at the clock face. Sora was still confused.

"Yeah, it's late. So?" Tinker Bell shook her head and placed it in her hands. Sora wasn't sure why, but he felt stupid.

"I'm sorry...?" He more asked than said. The pixie tried to grab at his wrist and yank him down, closer to the clock face, but only Sora following along made it possible. With that, they now floated before the large clock. It was then that Sora finally got what she was trying to do.

The Keyblade began to tingle in his grip. He knew that feeling, all too well. Within a moment a massive shape of a Keyhole appeared over the clock face and Sora smiled. He raised the Pumpkin Key high and with both hands pointed it toward the Keyhole.

The same beam shot forth and that wonderfully satisfying sound echoed throughout the enormous time piece. Sora looked back up at Donald and Goofy, all three sharing affirming nods. They'd done it again.

Another world was safe.

---

Riku was struggling to breath. Traveling through the Dark Realm without any assistance or protection was taxing on most and he was no different. The ice cold feeling, the suffocation of it, the endless dread that one felt. If even only for a moment, using Darkness to travel the worlds was no easy task. Especially when carrying someone so dear to him.

There she laid, upon the pedestal that only a little while ago the now enormously fractured league of villains once watched the Keyblade weilder and his allies. She was still out cold and breathing so softly it was almost hard to tell she was. Kairi was somewhere between life and death and nothing Riku did seemed to pull her from that realm of neutrality.

Riku's breathing was still heavy and labored, but at least slowing down somewhat. He was on all fours and just across the pedestal from him stood the horned witch. Her very presence dropped the temperature of the room and the sight of her alone was beginning to revolt Riku. He couldn't help but think back on Hook's words.

What was she planning? Why was Riku so important? Did she really have any plans of helping Kairi, at all? Or was she merely a tool to be used in securing Riku's cooperation?

The latter felt more and more real, the more and more time he spent with Maleficent. The torches burnt on the wall, providing some light and the stain glass ceiling above allowed what little light the sun could provide on this broken world in.

"It was reckless to bring her all the way here without at least using a vessel. You could've taken theirs." Maleficent said with a horrible grin. "Remember, relying too heavily on the powers of Darkness could cost you your Heart, my son." She warned.

Riku was about to reply, but was cut short by a bone chilling sound. From all the way outside, they both turned after hearing a loud, deep, and angry roar. It sounded like it came from a massive animal, who was thirsty for blood and hungry for flesh. It resonated throughout the chamber and it should've scared both Maleficent and Riku to death, yet, it didn't.

They'd become so crazed, so entrenched in Darkness that it was merely an opportunity for a fight.

Riku smiled, whilst Maleficent spoke, "A castaway. Though his world was consumed by Darkness, his Heart was not. It is far too strong, evidently."

Riku turned, "You know him?"

Maleficent smirked, "I know of him. When we took the Princess of Light from his castle, he followed her here, through sheer will. He is a remarkable specimen, but fear not son. You too made it out of your dying realm, to this very same world. No harm will come to you. The rage that burns within him can only be surpassed by your own power. Your own fury."

Riku looked away, before finding her eyes again, "My power?"

Maleficent nodded, "The untapped strength that lies within you. I believe it's time you awakened that power, my son."

Riku smiled. He wasn't sure about her still, but he did like the sound of being even more powerful.

Even stronger.

Better than Sora.

With that Maleficent angled her staff toward Riku and within moments he began to feel that same sensation. A burgeoning strength and a valor from deep within. His hands tightened into fists and he watched as his veins coursing blood, protruded from his arms. He felt as if he could lift this whole castle, run through any object, or crush anything with his might. He felt unstoppable and it was addictive. He felt as if he could finally channel all of the negative and dark emotions he'd carried with him his entire life into something powerful. Immensely powerful.

The hatred, the anger, the envy, the sense of uselessness or helplessness. The bitterness of his parents untimely demise, the poisonous envy he felt every time Kairi looked at Sora.

Every goddamn time.

The way she looked at him, it only ever stoked the dark burning rage and jealousy that he battled every day. Riku was finally losing that fight, for good, yet he'd never felt better.

He knew now that he'd only ever needed to succumb to these emotions. Dear God how strong he was now.

"He'll come for her, you know." Maleficent claimed, breaking Riku from his trance.

"Good." He replied coldly, "It'll give me a chance to settle things. For good." Maleficent turned and a knowing smile stretched across her vile face.

"Alas," she began, "no real harm may befall the Keyblade Wielder. I still need him..." she sighed.

Riku's eyes widened, "No!" He shouted in response, "You don't need him! You have me! I'm the stronger one!"

Maleficent turned again to face him, "Yet, you are not the chosen one."

Riku stomped his foot defiantly, "I will be! When the Keyblade is near, It'll recognize my power! It'll abandon him for its true Master!" Maleficent couldn't help but smile again. How wonderfully everything was coming together.

"Perhaps. Perhaps not. I'll offer you the chance. When you meet again, if the Keyblade yields to your strength, then you may do with your oldest and dearest friend as you wish. If not, then you'll bring him to me, subdued, but not hurt. Is that understood?" She asked.

Riku nodded, "I'll bring you the Keyblade. As its rightful Master." He said firmly.

Maleficent gestured toward the door, "Excellent. Then perhaps you should go and ensure that our guest isn't disrupting things any further. By the time you've settled that, perhaps the Keyblade Master and his friends will have arrived."

She emphasized the word 'Master', if only to get further under Riku's skin.

Riku turned and began to leave, "I won't let you down..." he growled as he exited the chamber and made for the entrance. Maleficent meanwhile pulled a crisp paper from her robe and began to read, again. How many times had she read this report?

Countless.

She could recite every word. It served as a reminder that everything would be worth it in the end. The uneasy and fraught with betrayl alliances she'd made, the capturing of princesses other than Aurora, and even the destruction of her own world and her magnificent abode there.

Oh how she loved toying with the inhabitants of her own realm, but now, she had the chance to truly rule over all. She'd be unstoppable and she'd be ruthless. No world would be safe, no innocence would remain and any Light would be snuffed out brutally and methodically.

She'd finally sit atop the universe in her rightful place as the Queen and Empress of the new Dark Dynasty. She was so close and nothing would stop her now.

Nothing at all.

---

Tinker Bell watched with pure fury as Peter floated alongside the casually strolling Wendy. Just who did this girl think she was? To try and keep Pan's attention solely for herself. She had some nerve.

"Peter, are you really going back to Neverland?" What a stupid question.

"Afraid so." Peter replied, "But we can see each other, any time! As long as you don't forget about Neverland, that is." He floated closer and their hands touched gently. Tinker Bell visibly sighed in frustration.

Sora, Donald, and Goofy watched as well, but it was Donald who noticed Tinker Bell's jealousy. He began to laugh, but quickly gripped his bill shut when she turned to face him.

Peter Pan apparently had noticed as well, "Oh boy! She's gettin' steamed again!" He laughed, setting down on the ledge. Peter approached Sora and smiled, "It was nice fightin' alongside someone, for once. Promise you'll come back?" He asked.

Sora nodded, "You betcha." Tinker Bell floated alongside the pair and deposited a charm in Sora's pocket and something else in Pan's hand.

"Huh? What's this?" He asked. Sora, Donald and Goofy recognized it instantly, however.

"A gummi!" They all exclaimed.

"Gummi? What?" Peter asked.

"Our ship. It's made out of a bunch of those blocks!" Donald clarified.

"Oh. What's it worth to ya?" Pan asked, mischievously. Sora rubbed the back of his neck and checked his pockets.

"We don't have much, but, I guess we could give you some munny?" Peter Pan laughed and handed the Gummi block to Sora.

"Aw, I'm only teasin'! You guys are my pals and I'd never cheat my pals." Sora smiled, pocketing the Gummi block.

"Thanks, Peter. You're alright." He smirked.

Peter returned the smirk, "Sure. You guys better get goin', though. I didn't like the look of that guy who ran off with your girl."

Sora frowned, "Yeah. He's an old friend." He sighed.

Donald produced the keys for the Gummi ship, "Don't worry, Sora. We'll save her."

Goofy agreed, patting Sora's back, "We sure will, pal!" Sora's head hung low, but his lips stretched into a grin.

"Thanks guys." The Gummi ship was up a few flights of stairs and Donald had already unlocked it.

"You guys take care!" Peter called as he scooped Wendy into his arms and readied to take her back home. With that he flew down into the sprawling city below and Sora, Donald, and Goofy all climbed the stairs inside the clock tower and boarded their vessel. It lifted off of one of the clock tower's highest ledges and shot upward back toward the space that it had been ripped from many hours ago.

And what an eventful few hours they'd been for Tinker Bell.

She floated to the very top of the tower and watched as they left. Captain Hook had finally been dealt with, once and for all. The Keyblade Master had finally shown and fulfilled his destiny here. The Keyhole had been locked and her world was safe. All was well. For now, anyway.

Tinker Bell had no choice but to silently root for the heroes, because they simply had to succeed. Even now as she watched them leave, she also saw another star fall. Time was running out and fast. If they didn't, it didn't matter if her world's Keyhole was locked. If that young man, Riku, and his crowd won, then no world would be safe.

That filled Tinker Bell with a sense of worry, but still. She liked the Keyblade Master. She expected more than a young man, only a couple of years older than Peter, but she did notice something special in him.

As his companions had said, he was good. His skill, talent, drive, passion, and everything in between were all commendable, but she suspected that his good nature would prove to be the defining factor in whether or not they'd win. If there was one thing she'd come to understand, it was just that. The only way the bad guys could win, was if the good guys quit.

That was one thing she most definitely did not see in Sora. One ounce of quit.

---

Sora ran a hand through his hair as he read the next Ansem report. The one Captain Hook had given him, right before trying to blow him and everyone on board the doomed Jolly Roger to smithereens.

What a 'codfish', Sora thought with a snicker. He liked that barb. It was fun to say. His eyes read, from left to right:

Simply astonishing! Today I had a guest from another world. He is a king, and his vessel is built of the material that composed the meteors. He called the pieces "gummi blocks". It seemed that my opening the door has opened a path to interworld travel.

We talked for countless hours, but one story in particular caught my interest: that of a key called the "Keyblade". The Keyblade is said to hold phenomenal power.

One legend says its wielder saved the world, while another says that he wrought chaos and ruin upon it. I must know what this Keyblade is. A key opens doors. It must be connected to the door I have opened.

Sora's eyes widened and his breath caught in his lungs.

A King? Gummi blocks?

"Guys!" He hollered, standing and stepping into the galley, barefooted.

Donald was just finishing up dinner, "Yeah?"

Sora laid the paper on the table, "I think your King knew this Ansem guy!"

"What!?"

"What!?"

Donald and Goofy asked at the same time, with Donald scooping the page up and reading it himself.

"Wow!" He quacked, handing the paper to Goofy.

"Ah-yup! Sure sounds like the King!" He said with enthusiasm.

Sora stretched his aching limbs, "What're we waiting for then? Let's get this Gummi block back to Cid and see where else we can go! Who knows? Maybe the King will be at this Hollow Bastion place!" Sora exclaimed. Donald nodded, whilst Goofy stood.

The trio made their way up into the cockpit and assumed their spots. With a few throws of levers and a few pressing of buttons, all was functional. Thankfully, the burst of energy from before hadn't damaged systems too badly. Nothing Cid couldn't fix, anyway.

"Next stop, Traverse Town!" Sora said excitedly. The Gummi ship's engines whirred and the rockets were suddenly ablaze. They were headed back at nearly full speed.

"Say, guys." Sora watched his screen.

"Yeah?" Donald asked.

"Why couldn't we just go straight forward from that Neverland place? I mean, Hollow Bastion couldn't be far, right?"

Goofy and Donald shared an uneasy look. They knew how badly Sora wanted to just take off for Kairi, but ultimately flying blind in space was almost a suicide mission. Besides, the Gummi ship needed a tune up and they were low on supplies.

Goofy began, "Well, Sora, remember when we got the first navigation Gummi?"

Sora nodded, "Sure."

Donald continued, "They upgraded our radar enough to know the direction of the next worlds we flew to. If we just fly forward from Neverland, we might hit Hollow Bastion, sure. We'd more likely just fly on forever, though and ultimately, get lost. Then we'd be no use to anyone. You understand?" Donald asked.

Sora nodded again, though disappointment was evident in his voice, "Yeah, I get you. I guess I just..." he trailed off.

"We know, buddy. We know." Goofy replied.

"We will save her, Sora. I promise." Donald quacked, eyes still forward.

Sora smiled, "Thanks guys. We'll find your King too. I promise." A pair of worlds they recognized had flown by and they were even nearing Aladdin's world when suddenly Goofy's keen sense of smell picked something up.

"You fellers smell that?" He asked.

Sora now noticed it as well, "Yeah. It's like something burning, right?"

Donald's eyes shot open, "The pasta!" He hollered, standing from his seat and heading back into the galley.

"Uh-oh!" Goofy said with a chuckle.

"Aw put a sock in it ya big palooka!" Donald quacked, before Sora saw his chance. He'd wanted to fly this thing ever since he first saw it.

Carefully standing whilst Donald and Goofy tended to the burnt pot in the kitchen, he made his way to Donald's seat. He took it and smiled as he grasped the wheel. He sighed and a large part of him toyed with the idea of turning her around and blasting full throttle forward. More than a large part of him. Almost all of him.

He wanted nothing more than to see her again. To save her. Every moment she spent away from him, in her current state, he hated. Yet, the practical part of his mind still rang loud and clear.

Donald and Goofy knew much more than he did about space travel. He knew they were right and he knew they needed to stop in Traverse Town first, but that didn't change the way he felt. Fighting his own nature, he simply drove the Gummi ship further forward, still heading back to Cid and the gang. He knew he'd see her again and soon, but any moment that wasn't right now wasn't soon enough for him.

"Why didn't you turn the stove off!?" Donald chided as he and Goofy reentered the cockpit.

Goofy scratched his head in confusion, "Uh, I thought that was your responsibility, Donal--"

"Can it!" Donald's eyes finally fell upon Sora in his seat. "Wak!? What're you doing!?" He hollered, much to Sora's amusement.

He tried to answer without laughing, "Flying the ship."

"Are you crazy!? You'll kill us!" Donald screamed as he ran over to the pilot's seat.

"I think he's doin' a pretty good job there, pal!" Goofy remarked.

"Have you lost it too!?" Donald asked.

"Aw c'mon Donald! Just lemme fly back to Traverse Town! We're almost there!"

Donald stamped his foot and shook his head, "Nooo!"

Goofy patted Sora's shoulder, "I say we let him fly!" Donald was absolutely steaming at this point.

"Mutiny!" Sora hollered with a laugh.

"Why I oughta..." Donald rolled up his sleeve...

"Ow!"

Sora rubbed his sore head the whole way back. Perhaps most unfortunately, from the confines of his chair.