Neverland

While we fly through space we come across a giant flying whale trying to eat us, thankfully we’re able to avoid it. We see a world completely comprised of water so we pass it over. The next world is situated atop a large pumpkin. Goofy says it may contain something interesting. “Not fucking likely.” I respond. Donald tells me I’m too picky but we move on anyway.

Several hours of travel later we come across another world. We enter it and spot a pirate ship floating on a large body of water. We decide to split up, explore their ship, and ask for directions. Standing on the bow of the ship I hear a familiar voice. “I didn’t think you would come, Sora, but it is good to see you again.”

“Riku! You have no idea how happy I am to see you!”

“Instead of being happy about me you should be worried about her.” He steps aside and reveals Kairi. I’m choked up. It’s been so long since I’ve seen her beautiful face. But something is wrong she’s lying motionlessly against the mast. Her eyes are open but her face is blank. “K-Kairi! You found her.”

“That’s right. While you were off goofing around, I finally found her.”

“How can you say that? I wasn’t goofing around!” Was I? I definitely wasn’t putting all my energy into finding her, that was for sure. I want to run up to her and tell her everything will be alright but I’m stopped by a man in a red coat, with a hook for one hand. “Not so fast. No shenanigans aboard my vessel.” It seems he can command Heartless. “Riku, are you siding with them?” I ask.

“The Heartless obey me now, Sora. Now I have nothing to fear.”

“But, don’t Heartless, like, eat you or something?”

“Not me, my heart’s too strong. I’ve learned a few new tricks as well.” He sticks out his hand, palm towards me, and summons a shadow. It looks just like me. I’m shocked and appalled. “You can go see your friends now.” I suddenly blackout.

I wake up in some kind of holding cell with Donald and Goofy. Goofy motions toward me but I don’t reciprocate. I don’t really have the energy, not anymore.

“Ahem! What are you guys doing, standing around?” A voice came from a stack of barrels and out jumps a boy in a green outfit. “Who are you?” Asks Goofy.

“I’m the answer to your prayers.” Again, not fucking likely. This guy seems like he’s really up his own ass. The three of us give him a look of doubt before he speaks up again. “Fine, have it your way.” He crosses his arms and looks away from us, like this guy has reason to pout. At this point a yellow light starts flying around and stops in front of his face. Upon closer inspection I can see the yellow light is being emitted by a small fairy. “Hey Tink, did you find Wendy? Hold on, there was another girl?” Apparently he can communicate with her telepathically or- wait. “Did you say there was another girl?”

“Yep.” Then Kairi is still on the ship. “Ok, in that case we need to get out of here.”

“I was thinking the same thing. Tink, if you would.” The fairy flies through the spyhole and unlocks the door. I look at him expectantly. He clears his throat again and extends his hand. “I’m Peter Pan.”

“I’m Sora.” I go to shake his hand but the dick pulls his back.”We’re in this together but only ‘til we find Wendy.” If this guy didn’t just help us I’d be tempted to punch him in his dumb face. While searching for the girls Pan starts floating randomly, which prompts Goofy to ask how he can fly. “Anyone can fly, with a little bit of pixie dust.” I could practically see the dollar signs in Donald’s eyes at the sound of that. “Could we have some of that pixie dust?” He asks hopeful.

“Nah.”

“Aww.”

We enter the next room and Pan’s fairy tries to get his attention when we hear a voice above us. “Peter? Peter Pan?”

“Wendy!” We look up and see a girl looking down at us through a grate in the ceiling. “Please hurry, the pirates are coming!”

“I’ll be right up there, just hold on.” While I know Kairi is here I need to know if she’s ok. “Wendy, right?” I ask the girl.

“Yes?”

“Is there another girl in there with you?” She looks up before answering. “Why yes, there is, but it’s like she’s asleep. She hasn’t moved a centimeter.” I can see someone’s hand on the other side of the grate. That must be her. “Kairi, can you hear my voice? Kairi please!” Nothing happens at first but after a few seconds I could swear her hand moved! It’s such a relief to know even if she is comatose the old Kairi I know was still in there somewhere. We then hear Wendy gasp and Kairi’s hand slides out of the frame. “Wendy!” Pan cries. “Hey, let’s get up there!”

“Right!”

We climb ladders until we reach the captain's quarters. I look around and spot Riku holding Kairi in his arms. “Riku wait! Let’s talk this out.” But he doesn’t wait. He walks backwards out the door behind him, keeping eye contact, while my shadow emerges from the ground in front of him. I’m disappointed Riku wouldn’t let us hash this out like he would have back on the Islands. Kairi was right when she said he had changed. And I’m the one that’s gonna knock the sense back into him! I clutch my Keyblade and we begin fighting the shadow Sora.

After the tough fight I notice Pan isn’t with us anymore, not that I really care. I charge out the door Riku exited and meet the man in red again. “Where’s Riku?” I ask.

“That disrespectful boy? He ran off with the girl, didn’t even say goodbye.”

“That figures. Where did he run off to then?”

“The ruins of Hollow Bastion, where Maleficent resides.” I look to Donald. “Do you know where that is?” He shrugs. “Then we gotta go.”

“No you don’t, not unless you intend to leave your pixie friend.” He holds up a lantern that’s trapped the fairy. I feel bad for her, I had to come up with a plan. “I’d hardly call us friends. This is Pan’s problem.” The man in red looked dumbfounded. “Well I uhh.” I take this moment of confusion to shoulder charge the man. Causing the lantern to fall to the floor and the door to fly open. “Donald, Goofy, let’s get out of here.” We hurry back to the gummi ship, still parked alongside the ship and we take off in search of Hollow Bastion.