Chapter 9 - Reunited

THE SUN HUNG LOW IN THE SKY, CASTING A WARM GOLDEN GLOW OVER THE SMALL ISLAND. Sora, Everly, Riku, and Kairi were gathered on the sandy beach, lost in their own world of imagination. The salty breeze tousled their hair as they ran around, laughter ringing out like music.

Kairi, with a flower crown perched on her head, stood proudly on a makeshift throne built from driftwood and shells. “I am Princess Kairi, the ruler of this island!” she declared, her voice bright with excitement.

“Long live the princess!” Everly shouted, jumping into the air as if celebrating a great victory. She clasped her hands together, a smile lighting up her face as she looked at her brother, Sora.

Sora raised his wooden sword high, a serious expression overtaking his youthful features. “I shall be your brave knight, Princess Kairi! No evil shall threaten your kingdom!” He thrust the stick forward dramatically, pretending to fend off imaginary foes.

Riku leaned casually against a palm tree, a smirk on his face. “And I’ll be the clever prince who saves the day. But I need a quest!” He lifted his stick, pretending it was a sword, and pointed it at the horizon. “What do we need to find, Your Highness?”

Kairi put a finger to her chin, pretending to think deeply. “The magical treasure hidden in the Cave of Wonders!” she exclaimed. “But beware of the wicked witch who guards it!”

With a cheer, Sora and Everly rushed to Kairi’s side, ready to protect their princess. “We’ll find it!” Everly declared, her voice filled with determination. “Together!”

“Onward to adventure!” Sora shouted, leading the charge toward the rocky outcrop where the cave awaited them.

As they ran, the world around them felt enchanted. The waves danced in rhythm with their hearts, and the laughter of their friendship filled the air. The thrill of adventure coursed through them, making them feel invincible.

Sora woke up on the Gummi Ship. He blinked a few times to clear his head, the familiar hum of the ship calming his racing thoughts. He could feel Goofy and Donald moving about, making preparations for landing.

“Hey, Sora, you okay?” Goofy asked, looking back with concern in his eyes.

“Yeah,” Sora replied, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “How long until we land?”

“Just a few more minutes,” Donald said, his tone serious. “We’ll be in Traverse Town soon!”

As they descended, Sora tried to shake off the remnants of the dream. He thought about Everly, hoping she was safe and sound.A soft sigh escaped his lips as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. 

~~~~

The trio wandered through the district, stopping by the usual spots. They visited the item shop run by Donald’s three nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie. The young ducks greeted them enthusiastically, their shop stocked with potions, ethers, and other essentials. Sora couldn’t help but smile as they bickered playfully over who got to ring up their items.

“Come back anytime!” Dewey called as they left, his cheerful voice trailing behind them.

With their supplies replenished, Sora, Goofy, and Donald headed toward the 2nd District. 

~~~~

As they entered the district, Sora immediately felt the shift in atmosphere. The lively chatter of the 1st District faded into an eerie quiet, save for the faint sound of a fountain trickling in the distance. Shadows stretched unnaturally across the plaza, and Sora’s instincts kicked in.

“Stay sharp, guys,” he said, summoning his Keyblade with a flash of light.

Donald and Goofy followed suit, their staff and shield ready. They moved cautiously through the square, their eyes scanning every corner for movement. It didn’t take long before they heard the familiar crackling sound that signaled the arrival of Heartless. Sora spun around just in time to see several Shadow Heartless slink out of the ground, their eyes fixed on the trio.

“Heartless!” Donald shouted, already casting a Thundara, taking out a cluster of them.

“Let’s go!” Sora charged forward, Keyblade flashing as he swung it in a wide arc, taking down two Shadows with a single strike. “Take that!”

 Goofy moved in sync with him, using his shield to bash another Heartless into oblivion.

The battle was quick but intense, with Heartless appearing in waves. Sora lost himself in the rhythm of the fight, his movements fluid and instinctive. 

When the final Heartless dissolved into a wisp of darkness, Sora lowered his Keyblade and let out a relieved sigh. “That wasn’t so bad,” he said, looking at his companions. 

“SORA!” Donald pointed behind.

“Behind you!” Goofy added.

Sora turned sharply, his Keyblade ready to strike, but before he could act, a flash of light pierced the air. The shadow froze mid-leap, the glowing arrow lodged in its chest. It dissolved into darkness, leaving only silence in its wake.

“What was that?” Sora muttered, lowering his Keyblade slightly, his heart still racing.

“Up there!” The duck squawked, pointing toward the rooftops.

Sora followed his gaze and saw a figure perched on the edge of a building, bow in hand. The figure leapt down with practiced grace, landing lightly on their feet. As they stepped into the dim light of the district, Sora’s breath caught.

“Everly?” he said, eyes wide in disbelief.

She smirked. “Well, well, if it isn’t my brother and his crew,”

His sister stood before him, her new appearance radiating confidence. She wore a sleek black leather jacket and outfit that seemed built for combat, complete with fingerless gloves and a silver chain that hung from her waist. A crystal bow rested in her hand. Her hair, longer than he remembered, the ends of her hair streaked with purple and pink galaxy colors, her expression was sharp and focused.

“Nice reflexes, Soso,” Everly said with a smirk, her voice calm and teasing. She slung the bow over her shoulder, standing tall. “You’ve still got it.”

“Evy!” Sora stepped toward her, his Keyblade vanished in a burst of light. He gave her a hug. “What’s with the new look?”

She chuckled, adjusting the collar of her jacket. “I figured it was time for an upgrade. Plus, this gear makes it easier to move around when taking down Heartless.”

Goofy scratched his head, stepping closer. “Gawrsh, Everly, you’ve changed a lot since we last saw ya.”

Donald quacked, folding his arms. “Yeah!”

“Is that yours?” Sora asked.

“Yep!” Everly replied, her voice filled with excitement. “This bow is specifically designed to defeat the shadows. Each arrow is infused with light energy, making it way more effective against the Heartless.”

Sora stared at the weapon, awe creeping into his expression. “That’s… incredible,” he said, his voice soft. 

Her smirk faded slightly, replaced by a serious look as she fumbled with her necklace. "It's nothing, I just want to learn how to defend myself that's all.”

“Evy?” Sora pressed.

Ever shook her head. “There's no time to explain here, not when they are still around.” She glanced around the shadowy district, her grip tightening on the bow.

Sora nodded, sensing the urgency in her tone. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of worry for his sister. She was stronger, no doubt, but there was something in her eyes—a weight she hadn’t carried before.

“Lets go to the Gummi ship,” he said firmly.