courtings | to light the darkness.

Really...? I've never seen anything like that before. Then, what kind of a weapon do you need? I don't think I'd know how to use anything like that... The best weapon I've got is right here. [ He places a hand on his chest. ]

[At the gesture, Sora realizes that he hasn't made the wrong choice in letting Tenma come along with him. The sight causes him to smile widely.] Well, it's kind of like that. I use a weapon called the Keyblade, but... it's part of my heart, too.

[He extends his hand outward and suddenly the weapon in question appears there, a large key with a small chain hanging off of it.] It's specifically for fighting Heartless, so it works really well.

I see! [ He smiles brightly, at that, and studies the Keyblade in fascination. It's not something he's seen before, but hearing the source of its power is really reassuring somehow. Maybe it's because Pegasus is a bit like that, too. ]

I don't have anything specifically meant for it, and it does sound kind of scary, but I'll do my best. I think that, in doing that, you'll always be answered for it.

[Sora doesn't want Tenma to end up traumatized by any of this, but the boy seems to have made up his mind, so that's that. He'll just have to work that much harder to keep him safe.]

Don't worry, I'll protect you! You can count on that. [The Keyblade disappears as Sora's leads Tenma to where the gummi ship is parked.]

Yeah, thanks. Don't worry about me too much, though. I don't want to get in the way, and I've gotten beaten up plenty of times, so... Besides, I have things I want to protect, too. People are always stronger like that.

You're right about that. So long as your heart is in the right place, you'll be fine! [And they approach the gummi ship!] Why have you bean beaten up, though? [A comment like that isn't one that Sora can just ignore.]

[ Tenma has nothing more to say to that, so he just nods his agreement enthusiastically. And then he sees the gummi ship. ]

Woah, is this it? It's so colorful! I've never seen a ship that looks like this before!

Oh, um! It's kind of a long story, but...

Where I'm from, soccer got in this really messed up state where it determined people's value to society. An organization called Fifth Sector was created to provide relief from it, by saying victory had to distributed equally, and they'd do things like determine the outcome of matches beforehand. It was meant to save soccer, but it just brought the people who loved it pain instead. Playing like that isn't soccer at all!

So, my friends I decided to resist and bring real soccer back. Fifth Sector didn't like being challenged, so they tried to put us in our place, by force sometimes. Once, they even tried to destroy me so I could never play again, but Tsurugi saved me before that happened. I got to return the favor later on. It was pretty tough, and we went through all sorts of things, but eventually our revolution succeeded.

But that's why I'll fight. I won't ever let anyone take that away from us!

[Seeing someone's reaction to a gummi ship is always pretty entertaining, although Sora realizes he was the same way the first time. He's not quite sure how they're going to pilot this thing without Donald and Goofy to help, but... they'll figure it out. Right?

At that point, though, Tenma launches into an explanation about his own world. So he plays soccer? And apparently in his world, it's something that's taken very seriously.]

Wow... I can't believe they'd put you through all that because of something like soccer. It's that important where you're from, huh? [Each world has different values, so it's not so surprising, really.] I'm glad that it worked out in the end! Is Tsurugi a friend of yours?

Of course! Soccer gives you dreams and courage, and helps you get stronger, and besides that, it's a lot of fun! Something like that is really important.

Yeah. He's helped me out a ton, and all of his plays are really incredible. There's been lots of times where I've thought we couldn't have won without him. Everyone else, too. I'm really thankful I've gotten to be friends with so many wonderful people!

So you're all a team? That sounds great! [Sora's grinning as he leads them around to the area where there's a ramp to board the gummi ship.] Some of your friends might still be back there, so we've got to get rid of the Heartless so you can all go back to playing soccer!

Yeah! We can get through anything if we're together, I think.

[ He takes the ramp on in to the gummi ship and finds a place to set his stuff down before looking around. ]

Wow, there's so many buttons... It looks so futuristic. I wonder what this one does?

[ In his enthusiasm he forgets he should probably keep his hands to himself and pokes something at random. Whatever it is, it's a bad choice, as it causes the whole ship to turn over. ]

....!?

[ He presses it again, and the ship rights itself. ]

Uwah, that surprised me... Um, sorry about that, ahahah...

[Before Sora's able to yell out a warning or grab for Tenma's arm, it's already too late.] Agh--!

[It's only from experience that Sora is ready for what's going to happen, and he grabs for one of the seats to keep his balance as the ship spins around. Tenma at least manages to correct his mistake, and in the end Sora can only laugh.]

It's all right. I did that once... Man, my friend chewed me out for that one. [Which still bring up the problem. Is he comfortable enough with the gummi ship to fly it on his own now?]

Glad I'm not alone, then. That's kind of embarrassing.

[ And then something occurs to him. ]

... Say, um. How are we supposed to get there if neither of us knows the way?

[It's a valid question, and Sora crosses his arms over his chest as he thinks it over.] Well, I've always found the way before... We might have to search around for a while, but once we get close, I think your heart will know!

[It's not the most encouraging response, but Sora's never worried too much about the details like that. Things always work themselves out. Similarly, he's sure he'll be able to fly the ship without Donald's help, and so he falls into the pilot's seat and starts everything up.] Make sure to sit down and strap in!

Hmm... [ He tilts his head a little. That's kind of vague, but... Oh well, they'll just have to try. ] Well, I'm sure it'll work out somehow.

[ After that button fiasco, Tenma doesn't need to be told twice to put on his belt and make sure it's secure. He'd rather not go flying himself in the middle of the ride. ]

Let me know if there's something I can help with! I've never done this before, but if you give me directions, it should be fine. [ ... Probably. ]

I'll let you know if I need anything! Usually I have two friends with me so we can trade off, but we'll make it work!

[The gummi ship revs up and slowly eases off of the ground, hovering in the air for a moment as the gate that will let them out starts to open.

Sora grins over at Tenma.] Riding on a gummi ship is pretty fun, so try to enjoy the ride, okay?

Okay, got it!

[ It's hard to not be excited about the new experience, so as the gate opens, he leeeans forward in anticipation. When they do finally get out of Traverse Town, what he sees doesn't disappoint. ]

Ah! This is... This looks like something I'd see at the arcade!

[ He stares out into space some, really engrossed by everything around him. ]

An arcade? Yeah, I guess that's true! [Sora's pretty distracted by steering at this point, since there are asteroids and other things that are in the way, and the last thing he wants is for the ship to take damage and send them plummeting to some other world.]

Keep an eye out for anything that looks like your world, okay? You'll probably know it when you see it! [Sora knows he could recognize Destiny Islands in a heartbeat, anyway.]

Right, I'll keep looking! [ And that he does, although he's really not sure what he's supposed to be looking for... The world is really big, after all. But, he's sure he'll be able to point it out if he sees it. ]

Say, um. What's it like where you're from? This is the first time I've met someone from another world, after all!

Oh yeah? I guess it would be. [Sora smiles, fighting the urge to glance over at Tenma while they talk. If he does that, they'll end up either off course or crashing into something, and that's the last thing they need right now.]

The place I'm from is... pretty simple! It's called Destiny Islands, and it's what you'd expect from some kind of island paradise. It's always sunny there!

Really...? That's kind of nostalgic. [ He smiles. ] I used to live in a place kind of like that, too. It was really sunny and relaxed, and everyone spent most of their time by the ocean. I moved when I was little, though.

Really? I've been to a lot of worlds, and most of them are more fast-paced than Destiny Islands. [Though Twilight Town has its own relaxing quality to it, too...]

Where did you move to? You called it... Tokyo?

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