Sora expected to find himself wading in some sort of stream the moment he entered the world given his big shoes were already full of water and he heard it rushing down something. When he opened his eyes though, he found himself seemingly back in Yen Sid's tower with water streaming down its was up to his ankles

"Huh? Did Yen Sid wake us up because of some emergency?" He wondered aloud, looking around for his friends. He didn't see them, only Yakumo was by his side, floating on the water like a balloon. This had to still be a dream.

Sora trudged up the tower, water sloshing in his shoes with every step. Once he reached the study, he found Mickey sleeping in Yen Sid's chair, waving his arms around as if conducting something. "King Mickey!"

You're half right, my name's Mickey! A voice responded but Sora had no idea where it'd come from. Who are you?

"My name's Sora. Um, I know Yen Sid, you're his apprentice during this time, right?" Sora asked unsurely.

That's right, though I don't know if I deserve the title, I was trapped in this dream by a dark creature!

"Dark creature? That must be what I'm sensing." Sora realized. He'd thought he'd just caught a chill from the water. His eyes landed on a lonely stand, on its page was a single page of sheet music surrounded by darkness. That must be what was causing Mickey's nightmare.

Ah, wait, wait! You can't defeat it that way! Mickey exclaimed, stopping Sora before he could smash the stand with his keyblade.

"Eh? Then what do I do?" Sora asked in confusion.

You have to get a Sound Idea. You should find one in this score!

On cue, another music stand appeared before Sora. The score it was holding was titled Night on Bald Mountain.

"I'm on it." Sora promised, summoning his keyblade and shooting the score with a beam of light. Music filled the room as he was sucked into the score.

Sora was glad to find himself nice and dry again in a strange-looking forest. Unsurprisingly, there was a group of Nightmares already charging at him.

Yakumo appeared by his side and barked eagerly.

"Time to face the music!" Sora agreed, summoning his keyblade.

A note played with every hit Sora made. Combined with Yakumo's melody, their fight began to sound like a lively song.

Their harmony made the giant flowers bloom, creating platforms leading up out of the forest.

"Oh, cool!" Sora grinned, racing Yakumo up the petal steps.

When they reached the top, the large grass parted to reveal a valley of beautiful blue flowers. With a flourish from the music, the flowers lit up, showing them the path forward into another forest.

This one was full of autumn leaves that fluttered down to create steps and platforms across the shedding trees when they attacked in time together, leading them out of the forest.

Sora and Yakumo slid down a ramp of ice into a pillowy pile of snow.

Once they'd finished off the penguin nightmares, snowflakes landed on the nearby lake. They hopped over, careful not to slip and found the Sound Idea waiting for them.

"There it is!" Sora smiled, summoning his keyblade. The Sound Idea glowed before it flew into his chest, settling safely inside.

Just as he thought he'd be let out of the dream though he heard a cracking before the ice broke beneath him, sending him into the darkness. "Whoa!"

When he opened his eyes, Sora found himself on a high mountain top surrounded by many others. The boy wiped sweat from his brow at seeing the steady streams of lava running throughout them.

He then noticed the young man with silver hair was there on the lip of the crater, looking down at him. "What are you doing here?!"

"I was waiting for you." The man said softly. "I wanted to see why you were chosen as a vessel, do you remember why?"

Sora grimaced. He could think of so many reasons: he was naïve, impulsive, never thinking with his head, those were just the start.

"I'll tell you why." He smirked, leaning forward. "It's because you are dull and ordinary compared to your friends. Both were destined for greatness the moment they were born: Riku with a pure heart and Kairi with a keyblade not given or stolen but forged. Both extraordinary wielders. And then there's you."

"Well, I have a keyblade too!" Sora grunted as if that would prove anything.

"Yes, given to you by a child who's foolishness cost him everything. You receiving the keyblade was just another mistake he made."

Sora's eyes widened. He knew the boy who'd given him the keyblade? Sora had never told a soul, how could he know? "Y-You know that kid?"

"I do. And I know exactly what happened to him: the same thing that happened to you."

"So much stuff's happened to me… How am I supposed to narrow it down?" Sora asked. There were so many strange things involving that boy, he had to connect it all together somehow!

The man didn't answer, he only smiled wider. "There is one quality about you that makes you somewhat remarkable though, one you developed all on your own."

Sora looked up in confusion. "Huh?"

"Your ability to embrace your darkness and resist all others', it's quite unique... But it's utterly useless to us."

"So what, you're going to try and get rid of me?" Sora scoffed. The man seemed to have forgotten he'd taken down Ansem alone and Xemnas with Kairi's help. "Get real!"

"Very well." The man said, his face now serious. "Your abyss awaits."

With that, he disappeared just as lava shot out of the volcano, filling the sky with black smoke.

Out from the smoke came a giant black beast with sharp horns and glowing golden eyes. It gave a roar, stretching out its wings before glaring down at the boy.

Yakumo was flung back by the wind only for Sora to catch him, able to glide since they were in a dream. "Take a break, girl, I got this one!"

After his Spirit was safe, Sora dodged out of the way of shoots of lava as Chernabog sent flaming molten rocks his way. After breaking a few with his barrier, Sora realized he could just do the same with casts of ice.

The chunks of ice flew into the beast's face, leaving it dazed.

"One more hit outta do it!" Sora froze his blade before sending it spiraling into the creature's head.

Chernbog gave a roar before falling back into the volcano that smoked as it burned, sending the world into darkness once more.

When the smoke cleared, Sora found himself back in Yen Sid's tower. He was pleased to find the water was gone.

Great job, Sora! He heard Mickey say. Now let's give that Sound Idea a whirl!

Sora nodded, summoning his keyblade to conduct the Sound Idea.

The Sound Idea turned into light, making a cheerful but incomplete song. It swirled down into the stand but the darkness was still there, only slightly weakened.

That's odd, is one Sound Idea not enough? Mickey wondered.

"Don't worry, my friends are always there to help me out." Sora explained cheerfully. "I can always depend on them to lend me their power! They know what a lazy bum I can be sometimes."

Right on cue, two other pieces of music appeared before joining with Sora's. All together the scores played a lovely song that could make anyone smile.

It floated down to the stand, breaking the darkness around it.

Mickey awoke with a smile before hopping out of the chair. He shakes Sora's hand vigorously. "Thank you, Sora! You and your friends got me out of a real jam! I sure wish I had someone keep on track like you do!"

"Trust me, one day you will." Sora laughed knowingly. "Just don't forget to take some responsibility yourself, alright?"

"Alright! I'll try to be more responsible!" Mickey grinned before realizing he hadn't even finished his chores yet. "Uh, starting now!"

Sora watched with a smile as the mouse scurried down the steps, slamming the door behind him.

It was then that Sora saw the keyhole glowing brightly in the center of Yen Sid's chair. He summoned his keyblade and unlocked the keyhole.

They'd done it! He and Kairi had made it to seven keyholes and woken them from sleep! He couldn't wait to celebrate becoming masters with her and reunite with Riku. That was what happened next, wasn't it?