Chapter Text
...Sora wasn’t completely sure what would happen when he and Riku passed through the light, but waking up in an alley by himself wasn’t anywhere near the top of his list. He slowly rolled over onto his back-
What’s wrong with this sky?
This sky was weird. He could only see a tiny portion between the tops of the buildings, but it was weird. There was a weird shimmer to it. Like how colors looked on soap bubbles.
Where was he?
....I need to figure out where I am. I shouldn’t be here. Riku and I should be home with Kairi. Why didn’t the light send us back? We won.
…Right?
He walked down the alley and heard a lot of noises up ahead. He had to be in a city. No town could make this much noise…
Unless there was a festival going on. Or a party! He couldn’t remember the last time he was able to actually celebrate anything. He had to move on fast after defending Hollow Bastion and after Xemnas…
He had Riku. He didn’t need a big celebration when he finally had his best friend back.
…Where are you? You were right next to me, so you should be here too.
Did something happen?
…Please don’t run away again. You don’t belong in the darkness. You’re good. Good and bright. I know you think you belong there, but that’s not true. You…
You’re like the moon. You shine a light into the darkness. You’re not a part of it.
He paused at an open window. There was a TV inside and lots of papers on the desk close to him. It was kind of a mess like Merlin’s place, but way less homey and warm.
…It was rude to look another person’s belongings and watch their TV, but he needed to know where he was, so hopefully the owner wouldn’t mind! Most places were pretty nice and always liked the help!
...Okay, King Triton was unhappy, but he was the only one! Alice, Aladdin, Leon, Cloud, Beast, Mulan, Jack Sparrow, and so many others didn't mind his work. They were glad to get help with the Heartless!
Sora looked at the papers and his stomach churned. Leon had shown him how to draw battle plans. How to read them. Said it was important to know since he had to fight the Heartless. He flipped through some of the papers and stared at one of the photos. It was an angry creature with strange smoke coming off of it.
...Okay. There are Heartless here! At least I know why I'm here... Wherever 'here' is. Need to find that out.
He set down the papers and looked over to the TV… Which was muted and no subtitles.
Well…
No. Don’t break into the home. Don’t.
He walked away from the window and continued down the alley.
And out into the biggest city he’s ever been it.
Sora hung back in the shadows and stared at the buildings. It was huge. Bigger than Hollow Bastian. Or Agrabah. It… It felt kind of like The World That Never Was. All cold and metal and dark—okay, that was probably because it was nighttime here, but still it counted—and weird. And he really, really, didn’t like that.
…But there was a garden across the way. He looked around and sprinted into the greenery. It was kind of like the garden at Mickey’s castle. Well-manicured and clearly taken care of—not like the gardens that most of his neighbors had. His mom would always complain about people not taking care of their laws. Sora didn’t understand why it bothered her. Destiny Island wasn’t taken care of, but it was still beautiful.
…My room was always kind of mess too…
…
I’ll pick it up when I’m back. I can make it look really nice and clean. Like the rest of the house.
He shook his head and looked up at the sky ... and couldn't see any stars.
What? Why a re they out? Are those worlds asleep? How? We stopped the darkness! Riku and I stopped Xemnas!
...Did I do something wrong? Is that why...
...
No! Don't be sad! That attracts the Heartless. Just... find them and stop them! There's always a villain to stop! I can do it!
With that, Sora started to run. He had no idea where he was going, but there were always people out at night, and someone was bound to help.
…
Like him!
There was an older man sitting on a bench facing a very large and pretty fountain. Sora wondered if Hollow Bastion would soon have fountains like that. Leon talked about that... not a lot, but not a little. He talked about it late at night when Sora couldn't sleep. He was always good for talks like that. Or just sitting and listening. He was busy--probably as busy as the King--but would talk to or listen to him whenever he wanted to. It was nice. Really nice.
"Hi sir! Can I ask you a question?"
“I believe you just did, young man,” the older guy said with a smile.
“Uh-Right! Can I ask another one?”
“Of course, if I may ask one in return.”
“That’s fair!” Sora quickly agreed. “So, do you-”
“Donald! What the heck!”
“You can’t ask people where we are!”
“Why not? We’re lost!”
“World order! People can’t know about the other worlds!”
“But you can be lost and in the same- Ow!”
“No! World order!”
“Young man, are you alright?”
“Uh-Yeah! I’m fine!” Sora smiled bright, and bounced lightly on his feet. He needed to figure it out… but he had to smart. Like Leon and Riku. “I was just wondering… if you knew where a bus station was. Or a train station.”
Buses and trains had maps. He could figure out where to go from there! And with lots of people going to and from places, he could learn more about where the Heartless are and go fight them! It was a perfect plan. All the nice old man had to tell was tell him where to go!
“We certainly do have a few train and bus stations,” the man said thoughtfully. “We have one near here, but it won’t arrive for another half hour or so. The service is slower in the evenings.”
“Oh. Well… that’s a bus stop. And I’m looking the station.”
“Of course, but the main station is far out in the city. It would take you twice as long to walk to. And it is quite late.”
“That’s okay; I’ve been in stranger places at later times!” Sora gave him his brightest smile; surely that would convince him!
“…I believe you, but I would worry. Would you make an old man worry?”
“…Um. No?”
The older man laughed and then shook his head. He had a strange smile on his face. Kind of Merlin. Kind of like Huey, Dewy, and Louie. He really wasn’t sure what to think of it. Or the guy in general.
“Well, the bus will be here around thirty minutes from now. So… would you care to join me on the bench while you wait?”
“Sure.” Sora hopped next to him. “Hey, I have another question.”
“Ask away.”
“Did you see anyone else walking around here? I think some of my friends may be here.”
“…I’ve seen a few people around. What do they look like?” The older man was slightly turned toward him.
“Riku is my age! Well, a year older. He’s cool and his hair got pretty long over the year. It’s silver. And he’s buff! Like, tons of muscles.”
“I can’t say anyone matching that description has been by.”
“Oh.” Sora couldn’t help but deflate. But maybe… “I’ve got two other friends. Donald and Goofy. Donald’s got a bit of temper, but still cares about all of us. Goofy is super nice and is like our shield!”
“I certainly have friends who share those personality traits,” the older man replied. “What do they look like?”
“Donald’s a duck and Goofy is a dog. You can’t miss them!”
Donald yelled at him about ‘world order,’ but no one’s ever commented on them being animals before. It should be more than okay! And Sora didn’t like to lie.
“Of course. What colors are they?”
“Donald’s got white feather and wears a blue suit. Goofy wears a green shirt, a vest, and brown pants, and has a little hat. Goofy is taller than Donald.”
“Well, I have to say that I haven’t seen anyone matching that description around here. I am sorry.”
“Oh… Well. It’s okay! It’s not the first time I’ve been alone in a ne- in a place!”
They sat quietly for a minute.
And then Sora hopped up.
“I can still wait around here, but do you mind if I look at the fountain? I want to give ideas to another friend of mine.”
“You’re more than welcome to,” the man softly replied as Sora walked toward the fountain. “Why does your friend want fountain idea?"
“His hometown was known for fountains. They had them everywhere. Fountains and streams that fed into gardens that were all over the town… But then it all got destroyed. They’re trying to rebuild, but it’s taking a long time and I want to help out. I… I can’t always be there, but this is something I can!”
“I think you’re very kind to assist your friend like that. I am sorry his home was destroyed. There is too much violence in this world…”
“It’s getting fixed! We stopped the Heartless, so it’s all good.”
“…Well, that is good to hear.”
“Yeah, we’ve had to fight them a few times—and last time I had to take a thousand on my own—but it worked out for the best! We saved the town from more destruction and now they can really begin to fix it up! They’ve got lots of help with Tron running the computer systems. And with Leon leading the Restoration Committee, it should be fixed up soon!”
“I see. That is good.”
Sora nodded and inspected the designs on the fountain. He tried to think about how Leon, Yuffie, and Aerith—and Tifa if she stayed in the town and didn’t chase off after Cloud—could incorporate it to make everything nicer. But...
He thought about Riku.
About Kairi.
Donald, Goofy, and the King.
Riku and him being on the beach in the darkness made sense. There was no Gumi ship left to take after defeating Xemnas. There was no way for them to leave the World That Never Was. But then there was the light that led them to the beach. And then Kairi’s message appeared. And then another light… It had to be a sign that they were finished. They could go home. So why was he here? In this world? Why were there more Heartless? And Sora wasn’t stupid, he knows that Heartless were always going to be around, but so many in one place… Why hadn’t he come here before? Why now?
No! Be positive!
This world needs help and I can do that! I’ve got the Keyblade. And I’ve gotten better at fighting. I can help and then I can go home! I can find this world’s ocean—every world has one, right? —and send out some messages. I can let everyone know that I’m here, once I’m done… Or I can send them out sooner and Riku and Donald and Goofy and Kairi can help! Then, we can go home.
…I just need to get to the bus station! Or train station!
Sora looked up from the fountain and over to the old man.
“Um. Sir? I’ve enjoyed talking to you, but it’s been a while. Can you point me to the bus stop so I can go and wait for it there? I don’t want to miss it.”
“Of course, let me check the schedule.” He pulled a small device—computer, maybe—and looked at it for a few seconds. He looked down the path as another person walked closer. Sora stood up as another older man appeared. “Nice to see you out, Clarus.”
“It’s a good time for a walk… Regis.”
Regis. That’s a nice name.
“Hello, sir, I’m Sora!”
Regis smiled at him before looking back at the screen and frowning slightly.
“I’m terribly sorry, Sora. There’s been a large delay-”
“Seriously? Uh-not that I’m calling you a liar!” Sora hoped the old man—Regis—wasn’t offended. “Um, can you let me know where the main bus station is at? I don’t mind walking!”
“It’s a very long walk. How about you tell me where you want to go, and I can drive you there? Or Clarus can.”
“…I think Cor would be the best option,” the other older guy said, staring at him.
“The bus station. I need to get to the station.” Poor guy must be losing his hearing.
“Yes, but bus stations take you to places. Once you arrived at the station, where were you going to go? If you tell us, then we can take you.”
“I don’t want to be rude.”
“Not in the slightest. We know this city well.”
“Right… Well, it’s not easy to get to. I can walk!”
“It’s very late now, Sora. It would be better if you were driven.”
Sora opened his mouth again but closed it as every hair on his body stood up. Like in a fight.
…There were people behind him.
His heart raced. He couldn’t move.
…He had to get away.
Had to find Riku.
Stop the Heartless.
Get home.
“I just need to get to the station. Thank you for talking to me!”
He took off at a dead sprint.