I Believe I Can Fly (Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories) in Gamer's Gaming

The Road So Far…

As Sora, Donald, and Goofy make their way higher and higher through the corridors of Castle Oblivion, the mysteries become deeper and the answers more elusive. The trio had initially arrived at the castle in search of their friends, Riku and King Mickey. However, as time has passed, Sora’s purpose seems to have shifted as, while climbing the floors of the castle, memories of a long lost friend have returned. A girl named Namine, an artist who was once a denizen of the Destiny Islands, is captive within the walls of the castle, held by the enigmatic and dangerous Organization. So far, three of it’s members have been revealed: Axel, master of fire and wielder of dual chakrams; Larxene, master of thunder and wielder of knives that double almost as claws; and Vexen, whose weapon and powers have yet to be revealed, but who acts as the true scientist of the group and seeks to test Sora. Recently, in a twist, Sora also managed to find Riku, who attacked and verbally bashed Sora for forgetting about Namine. However, because of the nature of Castle Oblivion, Donald and Goofy believe that Riku has just forgotten about the depth of their friendship. King Mickey, however, is still nowhere to be seen. While the list of questions grows longer, with very few answers revealed, as the trio climbs higher and higher, they seek more answers on the eighth floor of the castle, where Sora has used the Neverland world card to take yet another trip through the worlds of his memories…

Now…

Sora, Donald, and Goofy arrive in Neverland within the holds of Captain Hook’s ship. Sora, having forgotten much about his previous journeys, wondered where they were. Goofy commented how the floor was unsteady and swore that he could hear the ocean also, figuring that they must be inside a ship. Sora suggested that they needed to find a way out, but wondered which way they should go. Suddenly, a fairy appeared out of nowhere and flew right up to Sora’s face. Sora asked the fairy who she was, but she just spun around and flew off. Jiminy suggested that she was just trying to help them. Goofy thought Jiminy was right, so the trio followed the fairy out of the room, receiving both the Key of Beginnings card and the Glide ability, allowing him to soar through the air. Sora began fighting through groups of Heartless which included his first encounters in Castle Oblivion with both Pirates and Air Pirates. Sora finally managed to reach the room’s only other exit, a door in the east. Using a Moment’s Reprieve card, Sora progressed through the door. The room contained three exits besides the one Sora had come through: north, east, and south. Sora decided to progress south first, using a level 2 Looming Darkness card. Sora fought through the waves of Heartless only to find that there were no other exits in the room, so he retreated to the Moment’s Reprieve room and took the east exit, using a level 2 Meeting Ground card to progress. Fighting through the Heartless revealed one exit, a special door, but this one required the Key of Guidance card, so Sora had no choice but to retreat to the Moment’s Reprieve room once more. With all his other options depleted, Sora finally made his way north, using a level 2 Almighty Darkness card to progress. In the next room, Sora fought his way through groups of overpowered Heartless to find two exits. The one to the north was a standard exit, but the one to the east led to the Key of Beginnings room, so Sora sacrificed the necessary cards and proceeded into the room.

Sora, Donald, and Goofy were led into the aft of the ship by Tinker Bell. Sora felt that all the rooms were beginning to look the same. Goofy wondered if they were just going in circles. Donald made it clear that he didn’t believe Tinker Bell had turned out to be much help, causing the fairy to fly around his head in anger. Goofy pointed out that Donald had made her angry when a voice called out to the fairy from behind, telling Tink that she wasn’t supposed to bring pirates with her. A boy in green descended from the ceiling. Sora rushed him, but the boy told him to stay back. Donald wondered what the boy was going on about. They weren’t pirates. They were only there because…well, Donald wasn’t sure why they were there and asked Sora. Sora was just as confused and asked how he was supposed to know. Sora asked Goofy if he had any ideas, but poor Goofy was just as blank as the rest of them. However, the boy realized that their confusion meant that they couldn’t be pirates, as pirates wouldn’t get lost on their own ship. Besides, they were dressed funny. Sora, lightning quick as ever, deduced that they must be on a pirate ship. The boy confirmed his suspicions, telling the trio that they were trapped inside the Jolly Roger, ship of Captain Hook. Donald figured that if they were trapped, it meant the boy was too, but he told Donald not to be silly. Nobody could capture Peter Pan. He was just laying low until it was time to spring his plan. Goofy asked him what his plan was. Peter told them that the pirates had kidnapped his friend, Wendy, and he was searching for her, but there were alot more pirates on watch than he expected, so he had sent Tink to look for a way around. Sora thought he knew what Tink had in mind. If they all made enough noise, they might be able to distract the pirates. Tink happily flew around Sora, confirming her plan. Sora figured they could work together until they got above deck. Peter agreed, even though he was perfectly capable of saving Wendy himself. Peter flew off, leaving the group to question if he had any manners whatsoever. With that, Sora received the Key of Guidance card and was returned to the Almighty Darkness room. Remembering that the Key of Guidance room was south east of his current position, Sora returned to the Meeting Ground room and went to the door in the south, sacrificing the necessary cards to proceed into the Key of Guidance room.

Inside, Peter stumbled upon Wendy, who seemed relieved to see him. Peter told her that he had come to rescue her with his three new Lost Boys. Peter told her it was time to get off the ship and go exploring. Wendy, however, had a different idea. She was feeling homesick and wanted to head home to London. Peter couldn’t understand why she would want to do that, when it meant growing up and missing out on adventures. Wendy understood all she would need to give up to go home, but she wanted to return home, just the same. Peter was mad that he had come all this way to rescue her and she didn’t even care if she saw him again. Wendy told Peter that he didn’t understand, but Peter was hearing none of it and told her to rescue herself because he was leaving. Sora called after the boy, but he was already gone. As Wendy mourned Peter’s departure, the trio wondered what they should do next. Goofy suggested that they should just wait until they got up on deck to think of what to do next. Donald wasn’t sure that made any sense, but Sora realized there was going to be trouble no matter where they went. Sora turned to Wendy and told her to hang tight while they went and created a distraction. Wendy told them to be careful. Goofy said that perhaps Peter would change his mind and come back if Wendy were to stay put. With that, Sora and company left the room and Sora receive the Key to Truth card. Sora found himself back in the Looming Darkness room and headed north, through the Moment’s Reprieve room and the Almighty Darkness room, taking the northern exit using a level 3 Guarded Trove card. Sora fought through the groups of Heartless that were blocking the path to the room’s treasure, finally managing to reach the chest, which held the Teleport sleight. Sora then took in the room’s three other doors: west, north, and east. Sora decided to head west first, using a level 4 Tranquil Darkness card to proceed. In the southern part of the room, Sora found a door that required a Key to Rewards card, which Sora still happened to have handy. Sora gave up the card and proceeded into the next room. Sora made his way up the nearby staircase to the treasure chest, which held the Thunder Raid sleight. By using a Thunder magic card and any two attack cards, Sora could hurl his Keyblade at enemies, inflicting Thunder damage. With the treasure in his possession, Sora returned to the Guarded Trove room and proceeded east, using a level 4 Strong Initiative card to progress. However, after defeating the Heartless, Sora realized that there were no other exits from the room, so he retreated back to the Guarded Trove room, once more, and made his way north using a level 4 Martial Waking card. Sora sorted out the groups of Heartless and finally made his way to the one door remaining, the east door, the Key to Truth door. Sora gave up the necessary cards and made his way into the next room.

Through the door, Sora and company found themselves, finally, on the deck of the ship. The trio was relieved to finally be outside. Suddenly, a voice shouted from behind them, yelling at them for stowing away on his ship. It was Captain Hook. The one-handed pirate figured that they were friends of Peter Pan. The group huddled together, trying to decide if that was true or not. Donald and Goofy certainly didn’t seem to think so. Even Sora couldn’t figure out a way to defend the boy. Captain Hook snapped, angry that they were ignoring him and plotting behind his back. He accused them, once more, of working with Peter Pan. Sora just shrugged and figured Hook had his mind set. Either way, Sora told him that they were leaving his ship and Wendy was coming with them. Hook told them to think again and pointed to the port side of the ship where Wendy was set to walk the plank. Sora yelled out to her and tried to run to her aid, but Hook cut the group off and told them that if they caused him trouble, Wendy would be forced to jump. Hook said that he would prefer not to do that, as he needed Wendy to bait Peter Pan. A voice called out from above, saying that he would just have to take the bait then. As Hook looked on in shock, Peter drifted down in front of Wendy, protecting her from Hook. Hook yelled that today was the day Peter would pay for taking his hand. Hook charged at Pan and Wendy, but Pan swept Wendy into his arms and flew off the side of the plank. Hook balanced precariously on the end of the plank, trying not to fall in the water and managed to catch himself. He hurled threats at Pan and charged the group, who drew their weapons and prepared for battle. Hook attacked with his sword and with explosive packages. Sora attacked with a combination of Keyblade attacks, some help from Peter Pan, and a well timed Ars Arcanum attack to finally defeat Captain Hook. Sora was rewarded with the Hook enemy card. After the battle, Sora thanked Peter for helping them out. Peter said it seemed as if they could use his help, but that the trio had handled themselves pretty well. Peter then turned to Wendy and asked if she was positive that she wanted to go back to London. Wendy was sure. Peter admitted that he was afraid that she would return home and grow up, first forgetting what it felt like to be young and then forgetting him altogether. Wendy told Peter that she could never forget him. Peter said that she may think that now, but gradually, her memories would begin to slip, one little bit at a time until, at some point, there wouldn’t be a single memory of him left. Sora told him not to believe that. Memories, even important ones, wouldn’t come back to a person whenever they wanted them to, but that doesn’t mean that they were gone, simply sleeping. When the right trigger came along, the memory would awaken and could be remembered. The memories in the heart never went away. Sora was sure of it. Peter could see the truth in that. He said that he always figured that everybody who left Neverland eventually forgot about it, and him, but Peter had a feeling that Wendy and the trio were different somehow. He said that if Sora said they would meet again, Peter would believe him. With that, Peter swept Wendy into his arms once more and made ready to leave for London. He said goodbye to Sora and company, saying he would be waiting to see what Sora looked like all grown up. Peter, Wendy, and Tinker Bell all left for London, but Tink turned back and flew up to Sora. Sora asked her what was the matter. Tink flew around and dropped a card for Sora, the Tinker Bell summon magic card. Donald was surprised, figuring Peter wasn’t such a thoughtless guy after all. Suddenly, a moogle dropped on Donald’s head out of nowhere. Goofy laughed, wondering if that was another gift from Peter as Donald laid there and huffed. Finally, Sora found himself back in another Conqueror’s Respite room. Sora, realizing that anything could be waiting for him back on the eighth floor, prepared his deck before exiting Neverland.

Back in the eighth floor hallway, Sora found Riku walking towards the stairs to the ninth floor. Riku, sensing his presence, said that he thought he had told Sora to go home. Sora told him that he wasn’t leaving until he had rescued both Riku and Namine. Riku told him that he couldn’t remember asking to be rescued. Sora reminded him that Kairi was there, waiting for them both to come home. Riku spun around and told Sora that he was the one that forgot. Riku had told Sora at the door to Kingdom Hearts to take care of Kairi. Riku told him to give it up, he wasn’t going back to the islands. Sora told him that it wasn’t just for Kairi. What about the rest of their friends? Riku told Sora that he had already forgotten about those losers. Sora had finally had enough and drew his Keyblade. Riku asked Sora if he could remember what all of their friends looked like. Sora said of course he rememb- … Until he realized the couldn’t quite remember them all. Riku chuckled. He told Sora not to feel bad, that was what the castle did to a person after awhile. Riku continued towards the stairs, but stopped. He told Sora that it was a good thing that he was forgetting. He would forget all the useless stuff and remember what really matters: protecting Namine. Nothing else mattered. As Sora slumped, he remembered the days that he and Riku had spend practicing fighting on the beach, wishing for those days to return. Sora found some resolve to bring his old friend back and, preparing to fight, told Riku he was going to jog his memory. Riku moved faster and had a few more powerful attacks, but Sora managed to fight him back and finally conquered him once more. Sora stood tall above as Riku was driven to one knee. Riku told him it was too bad. No matter how many times Sora fought him, he still wasn’t going to remember a thing. Sora said that they should quit fighting and go help Namine together. Riku snapped that it was just like Sora trying to worm his way into his heart. Sora was taken aback, wondering when he had ever forgotten that. Riku continued to yell, not really surprised that Sora had forgotten that too because Sora never cared. Riku spun around and ran up the ninth floor stairs. Sora, after the conversation, learned the Magnet Spiral sleight.

Meanwhile, in another part of the castle, Axel appeared out of a dark portal near a blonde girl sitting in a chair. He walked up to her and asked her if it hurt watching Sora and Riku fight all because of her. Axel told Namine that she had his sympathies from the heart, but not to waste her time. Nobodies like him could never hope to be somebodies. Back with the trio, Sora looked more down than ever. Donald and Goofy followed close behind, looking concerned. Sora couldn’t understand why he and Riku were fighting when they both wanted the same thing. They may have argued about stuff in the past, but nothing like this. Goofy suggested that it may just be because they cared about what happened to each other. Sora had hoped so too, but maybe Riku didn’t. Donald told him not to give up. Sora and Riku were friends. They were tied together. Sora, Riku, and....and… and Donald couldn’t quite remember the girl’s name. Jiminy pointed out that their memories seemed to be fading fast and told Sora that they needed to hurry. Maybe just talking to Riku would help. Sora figured he might be right. After all, the three of them were never apart. Sora, Riku, and…Namine. Sora checked his deck once more and made his way to the ninth floor world door, pulled out the card for Hollow Bastion, and raised it in front of the door, opening a portal to yet another world from his memories…