#and the fact that he was awful to max and pj and bobby at first

[sunnyemiii]

I think Roxanne and Bradley would NAWT fw each other for the first little bit 😼

[chikoriita]

The Search for Sora Ch. 2

Read on AO3.org

1 . 2

Kairi began to rethink her decision. Not her mission; never that. No, she regretted brushing off the Gummiphone as soon as Selphie started her lessons. If they were going to do this, they needed to learn everything about the phone. Selphie was the only one on Destiny Islands that could use the thing. She spent the last three days learning with the originals themselves. Chip and Dale guided her through everything and wished her luck. From their experience, Keyblade wielders couldn’t use technology. Kairi could not, for sure. Her only comfort was that Riku was only slightly less lost.

Riku and Kairi sat at a table with their phones in front of them. Selphie stood at the front of the room with a stern face and arms akimbo. “Riku! Why do you not have a passcode for your phone?” Selphie scolded. “You need to keep your phone protected!”

Kairi suppressed a laugh at Riku’s scowl. “What use is that? The phone isn’t leaving my pocket.” He slouched in his chair, crossing his arms.

Selphie dropped her face in her hands. “You need to protect all the data on your phone. It has to stay your own; data can be corrupted.”

“Do you want another Roxas, Riku?” Kairi teased. “You love him so much.” He turned the scowl onto her. Kairi returned a smile. There was no love lost between those two.

Selphie smacked the table between them. “Focus! Next, let’s review tagging. Kairi?” she asked.

“It’s a label that we can track on a post. If we click on it, we can find other pictures with the same tag. We can even check the location through tags.”

“Excellent.” Selphie shot Riku a look and gestured to Kairi. “Emulate her.”

“Get to the point, Selph,” he sighed. Selphie shrugged and turned back to the chalkboard she used to track their lesson.

Kairi patted him on the hand. “Selphie is doing us the favor,” she reminded. Without these lessons, they would be lost when they went out into the worlds.

“I know, but… it feels like we’re wasting time,” Riku said softly. “The King hasn’t given his approval yet.”

She admitted that this worried her as well. Riku had one stipulation: the King needed to sign off on this expedition. After all, King Mickey was the final authority on the world order. For her part, Kairi planned to trample all over the world order to find any sign of Sora. Chip and Dale informed them that the King was off world visiting Master Yen Sid.

“What if he says no?” Kairi asked, her voice barely breaking through. “Are you going to stay behind?”

Riku looked at her. “What do you want the answer to be?”

Kairi turned away. She wasn’t ready for this conversation yet.

Meanwhile, life had returned close to normal for Donald and Goofy. As close as they could after- they were coping. Queen Minnie forced them to rest along with the King. Donald ruffled his feathers at the order, but the Queen would not budge on this. If they did not relax, she threatened them with exile. The threat straightened Donald and his feathers right away. Goofy took to relaxing better than Donald. Today was a day just like the last few weeks. Goofy forced Donald to lay on the soft courtyard grass, and they both practiced relaxation exercises.

“Breathe in. Then,” Goofy exhaled, “Breathe out.” His eyes were closed and his breathing even.

Donald did not have the same level of success. He quacked angrily. “This is useless!” He jumped up from his position on the ground. “What’s the p- WHAT’S THAT?” He exclaimed.

Goofy sat up, alert. He followed to where Donald pointed. A bright light in the shape of a crown, Sora’s crown, pulsed on the wall.

“You don’t think…” Goofy asked.

“It has to be Sora!” Donald cried hopefully. This was the first sign of the missing boy since they saw him fade from Destiny Islands. It was hard to believe how dear Sora became to their hearts over the last two years. Had it only been two years since they met him? The bright boy they met in Traverse Town changed his life beyond anything he knew.

“Gawrsh, do you think the King knows about this?”

Donald shrugged impatiently. “We have to tell him. Sora needs us!” The mage twirled around to find Daisy standing behind them.

“Donald Duck!” Both Goofy and Donald backed away at the scold. “You know the Queen’s orders were clear.”

Goofy’s face fell. Donald’s eyes glistened. “But Daisy…” he started. Goofy placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Daisy’s eyes softened. “I understand. Not everything, but I know that Sora is special to you two. Whenever he returns, he will need you safe and sound.” She pulled him into her arms. He relaxed in her arms; if he had to admit, it was the first time since their

Chip and Dale scurried out of the Gummi Garage. “Oh cool! We found one here!” Chip said excitedly.

“What is it?” Goofy asked.

“We don’t know. They’re popping up all over the worlds on the GummiGram,” Dale explained. “Kairi and Riku want to follow them through the worlds.”

Donald perked up. Daisy glared at him and crossed her arms. “No. You are staying here.”

Goofy supported Donald. “Daisy, they’ll need protectors. Riku is still recovering, and Kairi has never gone off on her own. Sora wouldn’t like it if we left them alone.”

She turned on him. “Neither of you understand, do you? You are the captain of the Royal Guard. And you,” Daisy pivoted to Donald. “You are the Royal Magician. You both are needed here at the castle, not on a wild search throughout the worlds.”

The two hunched over at the realization. Daisy softened the glare. “But we have other, younger options around the castle if you really think they need company.”

Goofy scratched his head. Who was Daisy talking about? The triplets were still in Twilight Town building their empire. Scrooge McDuck made a real difference on those kids. Wait, kids… Goofy met Daisy’s eyes with a gulp. Aw, phooey.

In recent memory, the Royal Guards were more of a decorative group than an active battalion. True, if the need arose, they would protect the Castle with their lives. Still, the youngest recruits yearned for something more. Something more along the lines of their fearless leader, rather than their current occupation: an afternoon game of checkers.

“Come on Max, it’s your move,” PJ yawned. “Hurry it up.” He laid his head on his hands, ready for an afternoon nap. Bobby was already fast asleep in the corner. Of the younger guards, PJ was the most studious and, as Max found out over their years of friendship, the most kind. He figured that PJ compensated for the other half of his notorious family. Living in Pete’s shadow would have been hard for anyone, let alone his straight and narrow son.

Max Goof wasn’t thinking about the game, but instead he contemplated the shift in atmosphere. The halls of Disney Castle were quieter these days. No one would say what was happening above stairs, but all the inhabitants knew there was something afoot. It was no coincidence that it happened when his dad returned this last time. For the last couple of years, the only thing the Guard knew was that Goofy and Donald were out protecting the other worlds and the light. Nothing else. Everyone in Disney Castle understood that the inner workings of the court were a secret. Everyone accepted that fact except Max. He needed answers from someone. Too many odd occurrences happened in the last year and a half for Max to just accept what he was told. This was his dad they were talking about.

If only I knew what question to ask, Max thought with a sigh. He picked up a piece to make his move when a voice chimed in, “Why are you guys playing two-dimensional checkers when we could be playing four-dimensional chess?”

“Aaah!” Both Max and PJ yelled. They turned to find their intruder floating outside their window.

Webbigail Vanderquack, the fledgling wizard fondly known as Webby, landed on the windowsill gracefully and smiled. “Come on, you know that I need to practice my magic. Let’s play!” She looked neat as a pin with her pink witch’s hat strapped neatly to her head and her blue dress flared.

Max groaned. She looked like an angel, but he knew better. After four years of living near Webby, he was hesitant to play any games with her. As the ward of Scrooge McDuck and the mentee of Donald, her mind and magic both terrified him. The last time they attempted chess, Webby opened a portal to a different realm, and then Max drew the line at any board games.

“Webby, we’re just looking for a quiet afternoon,” PJ said with another yawn.

“Hmm.” The younger girl tapped her feather to her chin. “I guess that means you’re too tired to hear what happened in the courtyard today then.”

Max sat up alert. “What happened?”

She jumped onto the ground with dramatic flair. “A crown appeared on the courtyard wall. No one knows from where or how it got there. Donald and Goofy think it’s a sign.”

“A sign of what? That we live in a castle?” PJ asked, nudging Max with his elbow.

Max ignored the friendly ribbing. “What do you think it means?” He asked Webby.

The young wizard shrugged. “I was too far away to hear anything other than Donald’s squawking. Daisy forbid us from going there, remember?”

If history indicated anything, Max knew that Goofy and Donald were about to embark on some crazy adventure without telling anyone. Not this time though; Max was going to put his foot down. His dad was not going to leave Disney Castle without giving him the answers he searched for.

He grabbed his shield and stood up. “Hey Peej, can you hold down the fort?” He got a soft grunt from his soon to be asleep friend. Max figured that was enough affirmation and turned his attention to Webby. “Wanna go snoop around and find the truth?”

If he wasn’t on her side, the smile on her face would have sent chills down his spine. “What are we waiting for? Let’s go!”

Sunsets felt incomplete without Sora at their side, but everyday without fail, Kairi and Riku spent the twilight hour at the beach. Kairi was adamant that if he returned on his own, this would be his first stop. Riku let her believe what she needed, and together, they waited on the paopu tree. She appreciated his thoughtfulness, especially today. The King finally received Riku’s message and replied promptly.

-I’m coming ASAP to DI.

The wait was agonizing. The message came through an hour ago, and she wanted to pull out her hair in anticipation. What was taking him so long? How far away had the Mysterious Tower moved?

“Are you two sure about this?” The King’s voice came from behind them. Kairi nearly fell off the tree in shock. When had he arrived? Riku helped her down, and they faced King Mickey together. He wore a somber expression, the same one that he wore the day Kairi returned. “I don’t want your hopes to shatter if you don’t find anything.”

“Mickey,” Riku started. Kairi cut in before he had a chance to continue. “If anything, this is my only hope. He’s out there somewhere, and he’s sending us a message.”

Mickey nodded. “You’re willing to leave everything to go find him, aren’t you?” He asked softly.

She shook her head. “Not everything. Not Riku.” She smiled at her friend. “We both want to find him. It’s only fair you allow him to travel with me.”

The King laughed. “Riku never needed my permission before. I remember a time when he went and took a different form to find Sora,” He pointedly said to Riku.

“I matured since then,” Riku said indignantly.

“You’re a Master now. You are free to traverse the worlds as you see fit.”

“And the world order?” Kairi asked.

Mickey took a minute to ponder the subject. “If Chip and Dale are correct, which they usually are, the world order is no longer so restrictive. After all of Sora, Donald, and Goofy’s meddling, the order was shattered long ago. Besides,” he paused, then said, “All the worlds were one, once upon a time…” He trailed off.

His words struck a faint memory. “The age of fairytales,” Kairi murmured.

Mickey nodded. “The worlds may not be ready for this knowledge however. If you choose to go, at least attempt to keep the order. It will not be easy.”

Riku agreed. “At least we’ll have Donald’s magic to help us blend in.” From what Sora told him, Donald was the last true believer in the world order. He ensured that they fit into every world they visited.

Mickey wore a sheepish grin. “Actually, Donald and Goofy are under mandatory leave, by order of the Queen.”

Kairi’s face fell. Not only would their journey be harder without them, but she looked forward to getting to know them better. Sora spoke highly of the pair.

He must have seen the sad look on her face because not one second later, he patted her on the shoulder. “Don’t worry Kairi! Chip and Dale informed me that Daisy has come up with a backup plan.”

She punched the air in excitement and turned to Riku. “Are you ready to find him?” Kairi asked, but didn’t find him beside her.

Riku returned to his spot against the tree and looked out to the horizon. “The first time I left the islands, I gave up everything to leave. I thought that you and Sora were with me.” He scoffed. “What a fool that kid was. And now we’re separated again. You were right Kairi.”

“About?” She prodded softly, moving closer to him. Mickey waved goodbye and left the teenagers to their conversation.

“We’re going to be the ones to save him.” He pulled her close with an arm around her shoulder. They watched the sun set one more time and futilely hoped that Sora would once again drop out of the sky to return to them.

“How are you doing that?” she asked him.

The other star pulsed in return. “I’m focusing all my energy into my memories.”

“Do you think they’ll find the connection?” Her star twinkled.

“If it’s my fate, then every step is one closer to home.” His star twirled among the clouds of this world, waiting for his light in the darkness.

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