Back in Action!
A mysterious train pulled into Twilight Town station with a low whistle, the soft glow of the sun casting long shadows across the empty platform. The blue and gold locomotive, adorned with stars and moons, hissed quietly as the doors slid open, and from within stepped a figure clad in a long, dark cloak. The hood was drawn up tightly, concealing the traveler's face, though two unmistakable round ears poked through the dark material, catching the light of the day.
Without a word, the figure descended from the train and stepped onto the platform, moving with purpose and quiet confidence. The air was still, the faint hum of the train behind him the only sound.
As he exited the station, the cloaked figure paused just outside, his gaze falling on a lone silhouette standing at the edge of the plaza. Silver the Hedgehog stood with his back to the station, his posture tense, though calm, as if waiting for something—or someone.
The traveler approached silently, his steps measured. The breeze tugged at the edges of his coat, but he remained hidden beneath the shadow of the hood. When he was close enough, Silver turned slowly, his sharp gaze landing on the figure.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. There was no need for words.
Silver's gold eyes softened, and he gave a small nod, acknowledging the presence of his old friend. The cloaked figure returned the gesture, the simple exchange carrying with it years of understanding and unspoken trust.
Meanwhile...
Darkness surrounded Sora, thick and unrelenting, as if it had weight. He floated in a void, his mind hazy, his body numb. It was like being stuck in a dream where the world refused to form, where memories blurred together like watercolors on a canvas. But then, through the fog, he heard them—two familiar voices, distant at first but growing clearer.
"Sora! Sora, wake up!"
Donald's voice broke through, followed by the warmth of Goofy's.
"C'mon, Sora. Time to rise and shine, pal!"
Slowly, Sora stirred. His eyelids fluttered open, revealing the soft glow of the capsule around him. He felt weight return to his limbs, sluggish and heavy, but alive. The capsule hissed as it opened, and Sora groggily stretched, still feeling the haze of his long sleep. In front of him, Donald and Goofy grinned, their familiar faces filling him with an overwhelming sense of joy and relief.
"Donald... Goofy!" Sora exclaimed, leaping out of the capsule, a wide grin splitting his face as he grabbed his friends in a tight embrace. He pulled them close, nearly knocking the trio off balance in his excitement.
Donald laughed, though it came out as more of a quack.
"Gah, Sora! Not so tight!"
"Oh shucks!" Goofy added, returning the hug with a chuckle.
As they pulled away, Sora finally noticed something off—his clothes. They were... small. A little too small. He looked down in confusion.
"Wow," Sora muttered, a bit embarrassed. "Guess I must've grown in that pod thing."
Donald and Goofy laughed at the sight, their laughter filling the room like it was the most natural thing in the world. It felt like old times again.
Suddenly, perched on Sora's shoulder, Jiminy Cricket appeared. The cricket yawned and stretched, rubbing his tiny eyes.
"Wow, that was some nap!" he announced feeling drowsy.
Sora blinked, looking down at Jiminy, who hopped to the floor with a little bounce.
"Wait, a nap?" Sora asked in suprise.
Jiminy nodded, brushing himself off.
"I'm guessing we must've been asleep for a while." Jiminy admitted. "Or, I don't think we'd all feel so drowsy…"
"When do ya think we went to sleep?" Goofy asked, scratching his head.
"Uhh..." Donald added, looking just as confused.
Sora tried to piece it all together.
"Let's see… we defeated Ansem, with the help of Sonic and the others..." Sora recalled.
"Yep," Goofy chimed in with a nod.
"We restored peace to the worlds, found Kairi… and then we got Sonic and his friends back home..."
"And after that, we went looking for Riku," Sora continued, his brow furrowing as he tried to remember. "That's right so far... right?"
"Then what?" Donald asked, looking to the others.
Sora paused, the timeline in his mind still fuzzy, but something was off. He glanced at Jiminy.
"What does your journal say, Jiminy?" Sora asked.
Jiminy, still shaking off the drowsiness, pulled out his little book and flipped it open. He scanned the page, but his face fell as his eyes landed on a single, cryptic line.
"Gee… there's only one sentence here. 'Thank Naminé.'" He scratched his head. "Hmm... I wonder who that is."
Sora, Donald, and Goofy exchanged confused glances, none of them recognizing the name.
"Naminé?" Sora said, tilting his head. "Doesn't ring a bell…"
Donald crossed his arms, clearly unimpressed.
"Some journal that is," he grumbled.
Jiminy closed the book with a snap, a sheepish look on his face.
"Well, it's a start," he offered. "But what do you say we find out where we are?"
"Yeah," Sora said with a small smile, the confusion still lingering in his mind, but the excitement of being with his friends once again shining through. "Let's figure out where we are… and what's next."
"Hey fellas, look!" Goofy said, pointing toward a door at the far end of the room. "I think I see a way out."
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get moving!" Donald remarked with determination.
With everyone in agreement and Jiminy hopping back onto Sora's shoulder, the group set off, ready to uncover the mystery of where they were.
After emerging from a shadowy, mysterious mansion and making their way through a tranquil, dense woodland, Sora, Donald, and Goofy stepped into the vibrant heart of Market Street - Station Heights. The transformation was startling—gone was the eerie silence of the woods, replaced by the lively bustle of a town teeming with activity. Townspeople moved about, their chatter mixing with the sounds of busy shops lining the street. The air buzzed with energy as vendors called out from their stalls, and the smell of food wafted through the square. Sora's eyes darted around, taking in the weapon shop, the item shop, and a large noticeboard advertising various jobs for anyone looking for work. The town felt alive, warm, and welcoming.
"Wow, this place is real nice!" Goofy remarked, his eyes wide as he took in the bustling scene.
"Yeah, but we should probably stock up on items later," Donald added, glancing over at the item shop with a thoughtful look. "Just in case we run into trouble."
Sora nodded, though his mind was still trying to get his bearings. He glanced around, feeling slightly disoriented after their long rest and sudden arrival. Before he could fully take in his surroundings, he accidentally bumped into someone.
"Oh, sorry!" Sora quickly apologised, stepping back.
A figure turned around—a creature Sora hadn't seen before, a feline-like being with long ears. The stranger had a small robot strapped to his back.
"Hey, no worries at all," the creature replied with a friendly grin.
Sora blinked, momentarily surprised by the sight of the talking creature and the robot perched on his back.
Goofy tilted his head in wonder, leaning forward to get a better look.
"Well, gosh! Is that a robot?" Goofy asked.
The small, silver robot jumped down from the creature's back, its glowing green eyes scanning the trio.
"I am indeed a robot," it said in a polite, even tone. "My name is Clank, and this is my friend, Ratchet."
"Nice to meet you!" Ratchet said, extending a friendly hand to Sora. "You guys new around here?"
"Yeah, kinda," Sora admitted, shaking Ratchet's hand. "I'm Sora, and these are my friends, Donald and Goofy."
As they exchanged introductions, Ratchet crossed his arms, giving the trio a curious look.
"You guys here for The Struggle?" he questioned. "Sorry to break it to you, but the tournament wrapped up the other day."
"The Struggle?" Goofy remarked, scratching his head. "What's that?"
"Wait, you haven't heard of The Struggle?" Ratchet asked, raising an eyebrow. "It's a big event here in Twilight Town. People go head-to-head with special batons. Though Clank and I weren't in the tournament, we were here for commentary duty. Thanks to Captain Qwark."
"Captain… who?" Sora asked, looking even more confused.
"Captain Qwark," Ratchet said, emphasising the name as if it should be familiar. "You know, 'hero to the galaxy,' loud, obnoxious guy in green tights?"
"Never heard of him," Donald admitted.
Goofy frowned, scratching his head as he chimed in.
"Nope, doesn't ring a bell. Sorry, fellas," he said.
Ratchet's expression shifted to one of disbelief, then to amusement.
"Well, don't be sorry. Honestly, you're lucky you haven't met him. He's… uh… kind of a handful," Ratchet affirmed.
Clank gave a nod of agreement as he added, "He does tend to be rather… boisterous."
"So, where is this Qwark now?" Sora asked, glancing around as if expecting this 'Captain Qwark' to pop out at any moment.
"No idea," Ratchet admitted with a shrug. "He wandered off somewhere after the tournament. Clank and I are heading off soon, so if you run into him, send him our way, alright?"
"Sure thing," Sora said with a grin, giving the Lombax a thumbs-up. "We'll keep an eye out for him."
Ratchet and Clank exchanged a quick glance before Ratchet offered a friendly wave.
"Good luck with… whatever it is you guys are doing," Ratchet said. "I hope you find what you're looking for."
"You too!" Goofy called out, waving as the duo began to walk off.
The group watched as Ratchet and Clank disappeared. Sora turned to Donald and Goofy, feeling a bit more lighthearted after the encounter.
"They seemed nice," Goofy said, smiling.
"Yeah, but we better be on the lookout for that Qwark guy. He sounds like trouble," Donald moaned, folding his arms in dismay.
Sora couldn't help but chuckle, the idea of meeting the self-proclaimed 'hero to the galaxy' sparking his curiosity.
"If we run into him, I'm sure we can handle it," Sora said with his usual grin of determination.
Jiminy Cricket hopped out from Sora's hood, landing gracefully on his shoulder.
"Well, from the looks of things, we're in a place called Twilight Town," he pointed out, surveying their surroundings.
"Sure seems like it," Donald replied, scanning the busy streets.
"We oughta keep lookin' around, fellas. We might just find another clue on where we're supposed to go," Goofy suggested with a smile.
With a shared nod of agreement, the trio pressed forward, their eyes sharp for any new leads—or maybe a loud 'hero' in green tights.
Sora, Donald, and Goofy wandered the streets of Twilight Town, eventually finding themselves at the entrance to a hidden alleyway. They exchanged glances, then headed inside. As they entered the small hideaway, they found three kids—Hayner, Olette, and Pence—sitting around, bored.
Sora's eyes scanned the cozy hangout, the faintest flicker of recognition crossing his mind.
"You know," Sora mused aloud, "the more we've walked through this town, the more I think I've been here before."
"Really?" Donald asked.
"Gawrsh, Sora, you've never told us that before," Goofy chimed in with his usual thoughtful tone.
Sora frowned, his hand resting on the back of his head.
"Hmm... I guess I must've imagined it," he remarked.
At that moment, Hayner noticed the group, a defensive look crossing his face.
"What do you want!?" Hayner asked, sounding a bit annoyed.
Sora blinked, caught off guard by the hostility.
"Uh, nothing. We were just wondering what was back here," Sora replied.
"Well, now you know. This is our spot," Hayner declared.
Pence, always more approachable, spoke up.
"Umm... you're new around here, right? I'm Pence."
"Yeah, I'm Sora," Sora said with a nod.
Pence's introduction was followed by Hayner, who gave a quick nod.
"Hayner. Nice to meet you, but we've got stuff to do, so... catch ya later."
With that, Hayner stood up and walked out, clearly not interested in hanging around.
Olette, on the other hand, smiled warmly.
"My name's Olette. Hey, did you finish up the summer homework yet?" she questioned. "Independent studies are the worst, huh?"
"Homework?" Sora asked, blinking in lost confusion.
He glanced back at Donald and Goofy, both of whom shrugged in confusion.
"What are your names?" Pence inquired.
Goofy was quick to answer, his usual friendliness shining through as he gestured to his friends.
"Oh, sorry! I'm Goofy, and this here's Sora and Donald."
"Hey there," Sora added, giving Pence and Olette a friendly wave.
Olette tilted her head slightly, her expression curious.
"Sora, Donald, Goofy... you know, we just met someone who was looking for you," she advised.
Sora's interest was immediately piqued.
"Really? Who?" he asked.
Pence nodded as he chimed in.
"Yeah, he seemed like he was in a big hurry. He had a black coat on, so I couldn't see his face, but he had these big, round ears."
Donald's eyes widened, and he nearly leaped out of his feathers.
"The King!" he said loudly.
"Where did you see him?" Sora probed.
"At the station," Pence replied. "He was headed that way last we saw him."
"The station! Thanks!" Sora said, his excitement bubbling up.
Just as they were about to leave, Donald remembered something and quickly turned back.
"Oh, wait! Before we go... have you guys seen anyone called 'Qwark'?" the duck asked.
"Yeah, his pals Ratchet and Clank are lookin' for him," Goofy added.
Olette and Pence exchanged glances before Olette laughed.
"Oh, Captain Qwark? He's been celebrating his Struggle tournament win around town the past few days," she explained. "He could be anywhere by now, probably worse for wear if you know what I mean."
Pence chuckled before he chimed in.
"Yeah, but we'll let him know Ratchet and Clank are looking for him if we see him."
"Thanks, we appreciate it," Sora said with a grateful nod.
Olette gave a little wave as she and Pence turned to leave.
"Well, we'd better get back to our assignment. Good luck with your search!" the girl exclaimed.
"Later!" Pence added, waving to the group.
As the two locals left the hangout, Donald's face lit up with excitement.
"Oh boy! The King's tryin' to find us!" he exclaimed.
"Yeah, we'd better get to the station—fast!" Sora responded with enthusiasm.
With that, the trio bolted out of the Usual Spot, eager to finally reunite with King Mickey and uncover the next part of their adventure.
Sora, Donald, and Goofy hurried through the streets of Twilight Town, the excitement of reuniting with King Mickey driving their steps. However, as they entered the Sandlot, they were met with an unexpected sight.
Standing in the middle of the open space was a towering figure clad in a ridiculous green spandex suit with a massive championship belt around his waist. In one hand, he held a comically oversized green Struggle hammer, which he waved around dramatically as he boasted to a small group of uninterested townsfolk.
"Citizens of Twilight Town! Behold, the greatest hero in the galaxy! The one, the only, Captain Qwark!" He flexed his muscles with exaggerated enthusiasm, showing off his belt. "Champion of the Struggle! Defender of worlds! And all-around handsome guy!"
Sora blinked in confusion, exchanging glances with Donald and Goofy.
"Uh… Is this the guy Ratchet and Clank were talking about?" Sora asked, scratching his head.
"Looks like it," Goofy added with his usual easygoing tone.
Donald crossed his arms, unimpressed.
"He's not what I expected," the duck muttered.
Qwark noticed the trio approaching and immediately strutted over, puffing out his chest like a peacock. He eyed them up and down, clearly not recognising who they were, but his ego demanded he make a grand introduction anyway.
"Ah! You must be my adoring fans! Come to bask in the glory of the great Captain Qwark!" He thrust out his massive hammer in a dramatic gesture.
Sora took a step forward.
"Actually, we were—"
Qwark interrupted, not really listening.
"Oh, I know what you're going to say! 'Captain Qwark, how do you stay so heroic and handsome at the same time?' It's a gift, really, but not everyone can be as naturally talented as me."
Sora's brow furrowed as he tried to speak.
"Uh, that's not—"
"Or maybe you want to know about my training regimen!" Qwark continued, flexing his arms again. "Lots of hero squats, hammer swings, and looking really good while doing them!"
Goofy tilted his head, trying to be polite.
"Actually, Ratchet and Clank are looking for you," he explained.
"Pfft, those guys? Always following me around, trying to live up to my greatness," Qwark declared with a wave of his hand. Then, turning his attention back to Sora and the others, he squinted in exaggerated thought. "But you three—what are your names?"
"My name is So—" Sora started, but Qwark cut him off before he could finish.
"Oh, let me guess! I'm great with names!" Qwark said confidently. "You are… Soren, right? No, wait! Stan! Oh! And this must be your pet duck… Daffy, right?"
Donald's feathers puffed up, and his face turned bright red with frustration.
"It's DONALD!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the Sandlot.
Qwark laughed it off, waving his hand dismissively.
"Right, right! My bad! Anyway, I don't have time to chat right now. I've got fans to entertain!"
The hero struck another ridiculous pose, flexing as though an invisible crowd were watching.
Just as Donald was about to lose his temper, Ratchet and Clank arrived at the entrance to the Sandlot, shaking their heads in unison.
"Hey, Qwark!" Ratchet called out, jogging over to the group. "Time to go, 'Champ.' You've been 'entertaining' long enough."
"It appears your… presence is no longer required, Captain," Clank added in his usual calm and polite tone.
Qwark threw his arms up in frustration.
"Oh, come on! I was just getting started!" But the look on Ratchet's face made him pause. With a reluctant sigh, he muttered, "Fine, fine. Duty calls elsewhere."
As Qwark began to saunter away, he couldn't resist throwing one final, grandiose pose over his shoulder.
"You haven't seen the last of Captain Qwark!" he boomed, waving to nobody in particular.
Ratchet shook his head with an exasperated sigh.
"Sorry about him, guys. He's harmless, just… well, you've seen for yourselves," the Lombax mocked.
Sora, Donald, and Goofy laughed, the tension from moments before easing.
"No worries," Sora said, smiling. "Thanks for helping out."
Ratchet gave a small, appreciative smile in return, but something seemed to cross his mind.
"Oh, by the way, Sora, a silver hedgehog was asking about you guys earlier."
Sora's eyes widened in surprise.
"Wait… Silver? Silver's here too?!" he exclaimed.
"Where did you see him?" Donald asked, his excitement matching Sora's.
"At the station," Ratchet explained. "I'm pretty sure he's with someone that looked important—had big, round ears."
"That's the King! We've gotta get to the station!" Goofy exclaimed with urgency.
"Thanks for the heads up, Ratchet, Clank!" Sora replied with a eager nod.
"Yeah, take care!" Donald added, already turning to head toward the station.
"You too," Ratchet said, waving as Sora, Donald, and Goofy hurried off.
As they disappeared from sight, Ratchet looked over his shoulder to Clank.
"You know, that Sora reminds me of someone," Ratchet remarked.
Clank tilted his head slightly, his robotic voice thoughtful.
"He does indeed," the robot agreed.
Sora, Donald, and Goofy made their way to Central Station, eager to reunite with King Mickey and Silver. But as they reached the plaza outside the station, they were suddenly surrounded by strange creatures—the Dusks. The eerie beings writhed and contorted, their movements smooth yet unnatural, emerging from the shadows as if the darkness itself had come alive.
"What the heck are these things?" Sora exclaimed, summoning his Keyblade to his hand. "They don't look like Heartless!"
"I don't know, but they sure don't look friendly!" Donald replied, summoning his staff, ready for a fight.
Goofy raised his shield high, his protective instincts kicking in.
"Watch out, fellas. These critters look like trouble," he warned.
Without warning, a Dusk lunged at Sora. Sora reacted just in time, swinging his Keyblade and deflecting the attack. The creature recoiled but didn't retreat.
"They're fast!" Sora grunted, dodging as another Dusk slithered behind him. He spun around, sweeping his Keyblade in a wide arc, knocking it back.
Donald cast a fire spell, the magic crackling from his staff and hitting a Dusk.
"Take that!" he shouted, but his magic wasn't as powerful as it used to be. The Dusk merely recoiled, barely singed. "Oh, come on! My magic is not at full power!" he complained.
Goofy blocked another Dusk with his shield, knocking it away.
"We've been outta practice too long, fellas!" he warned as more Dusks circled them, their unpredictable movements making it hard to gauge where the next attack would come from.
"We can take them! Stay close!" Sora called out, swinging his Keyblade again to fend off another attack. But no matter how many they knocked down, more Dusks appeared, swarming in like an endless tide.
Sora's breaths were coming in ragged gasps as he fought, sweat dripping down his brow. His arms were growing heavy, each swing of the Keyblade taking more effort than the last. Donald, too, was struggling—his spells weaker, his magic flickering out as exhaustion set in. Even Goofy was having trouble keeping the relentless enemies at bay.
"They just keep comin'!" Goofy shouted, his shield barely holding against the onslaught.
Sora felt the fatigue in his body, his energy draining with each passing second.
"There's too many of them!" he called out, desperately slashing at another Dusk that lunged for him.
"I don't know how much longer we can keep this up!" Donald admitted with an anxious tone.
As the Dusks closed in, Sora, Donald, and Goofy were knocked backward, landing hard on the ground. They struggled to get back on their feet, their energy spent, as the Dusks loomed over them, ready to strike.
One Dusk lunged at Sora, who raised his Keyblade in a last-ditch effort to defend himself. But just as the creature was about to strike, it froze in mid-air, caught in a glowing green aura.
"What the—?" Sora muttered in confusion, looking around in disbelief as all the Dusks were suddenly suspended in the same eerie light, unable to move.
Then, with a swift motion, a hooded figure dropped down from above. Moving with lightning speed, they sliced through the Dusks with a single stroke of their golden Keyblade, obliterating the enemies in an instant. The plaza fell silent, the danger gone as quickly as it had appeared.
The heroes stood up slowly and stared in awe at the cloaked figure. The figure's face was hidden beneath their hood, but two unmistakable round ears stuck out from the dark fabric.
"Your Majesty?" Donald asked, his voice full of awe.
Before they could say more, another figure floated down from above, descending gently to the ground.
"Silver!" Goofy exclaimed, his face lighting up in recognition.
Mickey held up his hand, signaling for quiet.
"Shh! You gotta board the train and leave town!" he urged, his voice firm but caring.
"But…" Sora began to speak, but was cut off by Silver.
"Trust Mickey. The train knows the way," Silver interjected, his voice was calm and steady.
With a nod, Silver handed Sora a small pouch of munny. Sora took it, his mind still racing with questions.
Before they could ask anything else, Mickey dashed off toward Market Street, disappearing into the distance with speed only he could manage. Silver levitated upwards, then shot across the sky like a streak of silver and green light, vanishing from sight.
Donald and Goofy exchanged glances, excitement bubbling up inside them.
"The King... Silver… they're okay!" Donald beamed.
"Was that really them?" Sora asked, trying to process everything that just happened.
"Yep! I know it was them!" Goofy affirmed confidently.
"Now we know they're okay!" Donald added.
Sora nodded, determination returning to his heart.
"If the King and Silver are here, that means Riku's here too!" Sora exclaimed.
"And Shadow!" Goofy chimed in.
"They've gotta be!" Donald agreed.
"Well, I'm gonna go look for Riku," Sora said with excitement in his voice, his eyes lighting up. "Then he and I can go back to the islands together. Kairi's there, waiting for us!"
Goofy, ever curious, tilted his head.
"What about Shadow?" he asked.
Donald waved his hand dismissively.
"Oh, I'm sure Shadow's off doing his own thing. He was always so mysterious," the duck added with a shrug.
Sora grinned, remembering the brooding hedgehog's elusive nature.
"Yeah, and who knows—maybe Sonic's out there looking for him too," he said, almost amused at the thought.
"Does that mean Sonic could be close by?" Goofy pondered out loud.
Donald shook his head, though there was a hint of fondness in his voice.
"Who knows with him? Sonic's always on the move, zipping from one place to another."
"I s'pose you're right. That blue blur's as fast as they come," Goofy replied with a warm grin.
Sora smiled at his friends, his heart lighter.
"What do you say, guys? Let's stick together for one more journey," he suggested.
Donald and Goofy exchanged a knowing look and nodded to Sora's idea.
"So... where do we go again?" Sora asked, scratching his head.
"We hafta board the train!" Goofy explained.
"Oh, yeah," Sora laughed, embarrassed but excited.
"C'mon!" Donald urged, and with that, the trio ran towards the station's station entrance.
The trio stepped inside the station, looking around for the train they needed to board. As they scanned the platforms in deep concentration, the familiar voice of Hayner called out from behind them.
"Hey, Sora..."
The group turned around to see Hayner, Pence, Olette, Ratchet, Clank—once again strapped to Ratchet's back—and Captain Qwark, walking up to them.
"Oh hey!" Sora greeted them with a smile.
"What are you folks doing here?" Goofy asked, tilting his head.
"We thought we'd see you off," Ratchet explained with a grin.
"And it seemed like the right thing to do," Olette added with a soft smile.
"Ah, that's really nice of you," Donald replied, clearly touched.
Captain Qwark, never one to miss an opportunity for a dramatic speech, stepped forward, puffing out his chest. With all the confidence in the world, he addressed the group.
"Steven, Douglas, Gombey..." Qwark began, his voice booming.
Hayner facepalmed, and Pence sighed.
"Umm, that's not their names, Qwark," Hayner interjected, shaking his head.
"Not even close," Pence added with a chuckle.
Qwark blinked, momentarily thrown off. He turned to Ratchet and Clank for assistance.
"Uh, what were their names again?" he asked.
"Oh, for the love of..." Ratchet groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Sora, Donald, and Goofy, Captain," Clank confirmed.
"Right, right! Sora, Donald, and Goofy!" Qwark resumed with his signature enthusiasm. He struck a pose, clearing his throat as if he was about to deliver the most important speech of his life.
"Sora, Donald, Goofy," he began dramatically, "you are about to embark on a journey of incredible peril. The kind of journey only true champions face. Champions, much like myself," he said, pausing for effect as he pointed to his championship belt and posed proudly.
"Uh-huh," Donald sighed, clearly unimpressed.
Goofy stifled a laugh, while Sora smiled awkwardly, not quite sure how to respond.
Qwark continued, completely oblivious to the group's reactions.
"Though you may not be as legendary as I, Captain Qwark, the Struggle Champion Extraordinaire, I can see that you have the heart of true heroes. Now, you may face dangers, terrifying enemies, and probably a few people who don't quite get your names right—"
"No kidding…" Donald muttered, rolling his eyes.
"—but fear not!" Qwark exclaimed, thrusting his fist into the air. "For with your bravery, your strength, and your remarkably small duck companion—" Donald fumed again, but Qwark carried on, "—you will prevail! And when the day is done, you will be victorious... just like me!"
Pence whispered to Ratchet, "Is he always like this?"
"Yep," Ratchet whispered back, sighing.
Olette stepped forward, offering Sora and the group a genuine smile.
"Good luck, guys. Wherever you're headed, I'm sure you'll do great," she said with enthusiasm.
"We hope to cross paths again someday," Ratchet said with a smile.
"Hopefully sometime soon," Clank added.
"Thanks, Olette, Ratchet, Clank," Sora said gratefully. "We'll do our best."
Suddenly, a soft ringing echoed through the station, signaling the final call for the train. The air was thick with the weight of parting, and everyone felt it.
"You should hurry and get your tickets," Olette suggested, her voice tinged with urgency.
"Right," Sora replied, stepping up to the nearby teller. As he reached into his pocket and pulled out the Munny Pouch, something caught Olette's eye.
"Wait a second..." she murmured, pulling out an identical pouch from her own bag. "Look at this."
"They're the same!" Goofy exclaimed, blinking in surprise.
Olette nodded, her brow furrowed.
"Yeah... exactly the same," she clarified.
Sora glanced between the two pouches, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. But after a moment, he shrugged it off and turned back to the teller.
"Three tickets, please," Sora said.
The teller handed him the tickets, and as he turned back to Donald and Goofy, a strange feeling settled deep in his chest.
"I can't help feeling like… we won't see this town again," Sora admitted, his voice softer now, tinged with uncertainty.
"Why not?" Donald asked, tilting his head in confusion.
"You're thinkin' too much, Sora," Goofy added, grinning with reassurance.
Sora chuckled softly, the tension easing as he looked between his two friends.
"Yeah, you're right," he agreed with a smile. "Okay, let's go!"
Donald and Goofy nodded in unison, ready to board the train.
"Bye!" Sora called, waving to the group. Donald and Goofy gave cheerful waves as well.
Just as they were about to step onto the train, Hayner's voice rang out from behind them.
"Hey, Sora! You sure we haven't met before?" he asked.
Sora paused, a slight frown crossing his face as he thought about the question.
"Positive. Why do you ask?" Sora replied.
Hayner scratched his head, his expression thoughtful as he spoke.
"I dunno. Just feels like it…"
Sora smiled, but as he did, a single tear unexpectedly rolled down his cheek. Startled, he brushed it away quickly, his confusion mirrored by the concerned looks from his new friends.
"You okay?" Olette asked gently, stepping forward.
Sora wiped the tear away, a small, nervous chuckle escaping him.
"Y-yeah. I don't know where that came from," Sora admitted.
Hayner chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood.
"Pull it together, man," he teased.
Sora nodded, smiling warmly at the group one last time.
"Right... See ya," he said, waving as the train doors closed behind him.
As the train began to pull away, Sora gave one final look back, waving again as the distance grew between them.
On the platform, Ratchet and Clank stood beside Captain Qwark, who had been unusually quiet during the farewells. Naturally, that didn't last long.
"Farewell, Stora, Daniel, and... Goblin?" Qwark boomed, striking a dramatic pose and completely butchering their names once again.
"Sora, Donald, and Goofy," Ratchet corrected with an exasperated sigh, facepalming.
"Right, right! Farewell, my brave companions!" Qwark continued, throwing a grandiose salute as the train pulled out of the station, his heroic pose looking just as absurd as ever.
Sora, from inside the train, couldn't help but laugh softly at Qwark's antics, though a strange sense of sadness still tugged at his heart.
After finding a seat on the train, Sora took out the Munny Pouch once again, staring at it with a strange sense of longing. The weight of the pouch seemed heavier now, as if it carried more than just currency. Inside, nestled snugly, a blue crystal ball shimmered, catching the light from the setting sun.
He held the crystal up, turning it slowly in his hand, watching as it reflected the warm rays streaming through the train's window, casting soft, fleeting patterns across the cabin.
"You know..." Sora began, his voice quieter than usual, trailing off as he gazed at the crystal.
Donald, now seated across from him, tilted his head curiously, sensing something was off.
"What's up?" the duck asked, his voice laced with concern.
"I'm... sad," Sora admitted. His words hung in the air, heavy with emotions he couldn't fully grasp.
Donald blinked, caught off guard by the confession, but was quick to offer reassurance.
"We'll be back," he said, his tone firm and comforting.
"Yeah," Goofy chimed in, flashing his signature easygoing smile. "We can visit Hayner, Ratchet, Clank, and those guys again."
Sora nodded, though the feeling still lingered, deep and unshakable. He leaned back into his seat, holding the crystal close to his chest. As the train continued its journey, the sun began to set, casting the world in a warm golden glow. Twilight Town slowly faded from view, the rooftops and streets vanishing into the horizon.
It felt like the end of something important—more than just a town, more than just a summer. But Sora couldn't quite put his finger on it. There was something deeper, a connection he couldn't fully understand, a bond left behind. Yet, it lingered in his heart, even if he didn't know why.
And with that - Sora, Donald and Goofy are back in action! Another chapter down!
Thanks for being patient on this chapter, I have been away from writing.
I hope you have enjoyed. Thanks again for all the favourites, follows and reviews.
The next week will be looking at getting Sonic Colors: Heartless Horizons up to date. But, I will be working on the next chapter when I have some downtime.
Again, thanks for your patience and all the support.