Archive of Our Own ^beta

The Keybros (Sora's name for his four "brothers") had accessed the internet using Ralph's arcade game as a base and were now searching for Heartless.

Sora: Wow, this reminds me of the net and Tron- he said, marveling at all the people and things happening on the internet.

Ventus: It's even better than Disneyland- he said, comparing the internet to the kingdom he'd visited.

The research car they used as transportation made a suggestion, which Roxas read.

Roxas: There's a window here. "Access Disneyland"?”- He didn't understand what it meant.

Vanitas: I wonder if it's possible to access other worlds from here?- he asked.

Roxas: Maybe. One of the entrances to the World That Never Was was through a breach in a simulation of Twilight Town.

Sora:Maybe it's the same here! I think I understand how this world works. It's data! Computer data! That's why everything seems so real.

Ventus: Explain it to me better, I don't think I understand.- He asked, and Vanitas just slapped himself lightly in the face and grumbled.

Vanitas: Little brother, what Sora's saying is that we're in a kind of information network made of data. Data we can interact with, right?- he explained, surprising everyone.

Roxas: And here I thought you were just a brute who overdoes it with black clothes.- he joked, praising his older brother.

Vanitas obviously only saw this as an insult and became angry.

Vanitas: Says the guy whose only piece of clothing is a hideous leather coat.- He glared at Roxas.

Roxas: Hey, that past version of you we met in Monstropolis wore the same outfit!

Vanitas: Yeah, but I'm sure he hated it. That old man must have controlled me so I wore that ridiculous outfit.- They began glaring at each other and insulting each other like any pair of brothers while Sora and Ven looked at the search suggestion.

Sora: What do you think? Might it be a good idea?

Ven: I've been to Disneyland before. It's the happiest world of all! I'm sure we'll find something there. Maybe even a new princess of heart.- he said with a smile.

Sora: You're right. And I think it would be good for those two to stop attacking each other. We have to stay alive, the four of us.

Ventus: If it's up to Roxas and Vanny (his nickname for Vanitas), we'll die before we reach the next world.

Sora: Disneyland, here we go! He clicked on the search suggestion but saw that nothing happened.

Ventus: Wait, let me try. - He pressed the suggestion several times until something happened.

Their "car" began to move slowly.

Ventus: See? Sometimes the solution is to rush and press the buttons too quickly.

Sora: I've tried that in video games, it never works.- He replied with a smile as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Their car stopped abruptly, interrupting Roxas and Vanitas's argument.

Roxas: Oh, guys? What happened?

Vanitas: It looks like we're stopped and…—their car starts to turn gray and fall at high speed while the brothers scream and try to hold on to the vehicle.

Sora/Ventus/Vanitas and Roxas: Ahhhrgh!—they screamed.

Roxas: Why is this happening?!

The answer to his question was in the real world, outside the arcades.

Mr. Litwak, the owner of the arcade where the Fix-It Felix Jr., Hero's Duty, and Sugar Rush machines were located, was now fixing an internet problem.

Mr. Litwak: Okay, then, just wait ten seconds and…reconnect the cable to the router. Done.—He plugged the cable back into the internet router, solving the arcade's slow internet problem.

And, unbeknownst to him, saving the Keybros from a much less epic death.

Back on the Internet:

Sora/Ven/Vanitas and Roxas: Arrrgh!-  they continued screaming as they tried to hold on to the car, which, thankfully, resumed its normal speed and stabilized, allowing Sora and his siblings to stand upright.

Sora: Ah...that was like being hit by an asteroid in the Gummi Ship- he said, placing the palm of his hand on his forehead, trying to regain his balance.

Ventus: Or getting hit in the head by Master Eraqus.- He remembered his training and how angry his master would get when Ven disobeyed the rules.

Roxas: Or falling from the top of the clock tower.- He remembered this happening twice, after his fight with Xion and his "summer vacation."

Vanitas: I don't have a situation to compare, but if the "adventures" we have are always like this, I'd rather you leave me out.- he complained, and everyone stood up again.

Ventus: I'm so sick. I think I'm going to throw up.- He continued to look sick, and his brothers only repeated one thing.

Vanitas: No, don't do that. If you throw up here, I'll throw you out of the car.

Roxas: Calm down, Ven, you can handle it!

Sora: Relax, we're getting there. Remember, the happiest world among worlds.

Everyone tried to calm Ven down in their own way, which worked.

Ventus: Okay, I'm fine. I'm fine.- He calmed down as everyone approached the "Oh My Disney!" website while they listened to a familiar song.

Roxas: Let it go, let it go…-he began to hum with a smile on his face.

Sora: I love this song.- he said as he began to hum along with Roxas.

Ventus: I like it. It's really catchy.

Vanitas: I hate you all and I want to shoot Dark Firaga in my ears.- he complained, once again killing his brothers' positive energy.

Roxas: Oh, stop it. It's a good song. Although, I'm pretty sure it's not Elsa's voice.- he said.

Ventus: Elsa? Is she one of the Princesses of Heart?- he asked, still a little unsure about the "hierarchy" surrounding Kingdom Hearts and the light.

Sora: One of the new ones, yes. And she's Roxas' girlfriend.- he said, as Roxas only blushed and looked embarrassed.

Roxas: She's not my girlfriend! We're just friends. Were we together for a long time? Yes. Is she the most amazing, beautiful girl I've ever met? Yes. But she's not my girlfriend.

Sora: Oh. I get it. You're like Kairi and me.= He remembered his friendship with Kairi, who was also a princess at heart.

Ventus: Wait, isn't Kairi your girlfriend?- He asked. -It's just that you guys are always so…

Vanitas: Cheesy? So disgusting it makes you want to...roll your eyes in anger?— He was going to say "vomit" but was afraid of bringing back Ventus's craving.

Ventus: I was going to say united. You two look at each other in such a specific way. Like you'd go to the ends of the earth for each other.

Sora: I'd go to the ends of the earth for any of my friends, Ven. Riku, Donald, Goofy. You guys, and even Vanny.— He smiled at Vanitas, who just grumbled and looked away.

Ventus: Hmm, I don't know. I still think there's something there. But I guess that's a problem for later.— He shrugged and smiled.

Roxas remembered seeing Vanitas very "close" to Rapunzel when they passed through Corona.

Roxas: You know, I think Sora and I aren't the only ones who are close to princesses. I think Vanny has something to add to the conversation.

Sora: Really? Tell me, Vanny. - He smiled, curious to know more about his brother.

Vanitas: Hmm, that's not important. - He tried to dodge the question, but Roxas wouldn't let him.

Roxas: Oh, stop. I saw how you looked at Rapunzel. You, "darkness incarnate," are afraid to admit you have a crush on a princess? Really? - He glared at him, and Vanitas looked ready to summon his Keyblade and wipe that smile off Roxas's face.

Ven and Sora just saw this, stared at each other, and shrugged with a forced smile, sensing their brothers would fight again.

They arrived at "Oh My Disney," and Sora took the opportunity to avoid any more fighting.

Sora: Cool! We're here! Let's go! They might have sea salt ice cream here.— He caught Roxas's attention, who just continued on with some excitement. Vanitas relaxed his posture before getting up and heading with his brothers to "Data Disneyland."

Ventus: I think Roxas hit a nerve, huh?- he joked, smiling.

Vanitas: Want to fight me to the death again, little brother?- he threatened, but Ven just ignored him and smiled in response.

Ventus: Hey, you came from me. I'm the big brother here.- he replied and just moved on.

Sora: I wonder if all trips to Disneyland are this chaotic…- he thought, followed by the Keybros.

They walked to the lobby and were impressed by the layout of the place.

Sora: Wow…it's like all the worlds are here in one! It's like…

Ventus: When all the worlds we visited were still one.

Sora: Look, it's Buzz and Baymax!- he pointed to his friends.

Sora and Ventus were impressed and smiling, happy to see a place where all their friends were together.

Roxas: That's really cool. I bet Xion would like that…- he spoke quietly, and none of his brothers heard. Except Sora, who gave his brother a friendly pat on the back and a small smile, trying to cheer him up.

Sora: Relax, we'll bring her here someday. - he encouraged Roxas.

Vanitas: Man, this is terrible. It's so crowded and the music is so loud! - he complained.

Ventus: Stop it, Vanny! This is even better than the Disneyland I visited years ago. We just need to find a food stand. - Sora didn't even notice what Ventus said because he was petting Eeyore the donkey.

Sora: Even Pooh's gang is here. - his smile grew wider.

Roxas: And find some clue that might lead us to a possible Princess of Hearts, Heartless, or Organization XIII.

Vanitas: And they say I'm the spoilsport. - he smiled arrogantly, and Roxas just looked at him with mild anger.

Roxas: I'm just reminding you that we have priorities. We have to sort this all out. Then we can enjoy our time with these people.

Vanitas: And then you can go back to not kissing a pretty Princess of Heart because you're such a coward.- He interrupted Roxas, who nodded without thinking.

Roxas: Yes...wait, what?- He glared at Vanitas, while the other smiled arrogantly.

Sora: Look, it looks like there's some kind of line for questions. Let's see if he has any clues.- They joined the very short line and saw who the questions were for.

Groot: I'm Groot.- the host replied, surprising the brothers.

Ventus: Is that a talking tree?- he asked.

Vanitas: Yes, and it seems like it's stuck on one sentence. Are you sure this is a good idea?

Roxas: We're out of things to do. Vanellope's out of sight, and we have to gather as many clues as possible.

Sora: Maybe it's worth a try. We don't always have to understand the same language. Hearts understand emotions equally.- He stepped forward and spoke to Groot into the microphone.

Sora: Hi, good morning. I'm Sora, and these are my brothers, Roxas, Ven, and Vanny.

Vanitas: My name is Vanitas!-  he complained, but Sora just ignored him.

Sora: We're looking for a specific type of girl. A woman, perhaps. Do you know anyone like that? You know, someone with a pure heart, perhaps magic, and, most likely, who sings often? Maybe she's in danger.

Groot: I'm Groot.- he replied, and Sora just nodded.

Sora: Okay, thanks. He said, "Sora, you seem like a young boy  full of determination and spirit, and your brothers seem to share your values. Whatever your quest, I root for your success. And your goal is near."- He did a Groot impression, speaking with a super epic voice.

Roxas: Did you understand what he said?-  he asked.

Sora: I told you, hearts resonate with the same language.-  he said confidently.

Vanitas: Okay, heart expert. Where should we look?—Just as Sora was about to speak, Ventus pointed to the stage next to Groot.

Ventus: Uh, I think it's right there.—They saw a stage with countless princesses surrounded by fans.

Vanitas: Holy shit. There are about forty of them there!—he pointed.

Sora: I never thought I'd see so many princesses together in one place since my fight with Ansem.—He had bad memories.

Ventus: How are they all together here at the same time? Wouldn't it affect the order of the worlds?

Roxas: Maybe it's because, like that Data Sora, the princesses in this world are also made of data. But it's just a theory.

Ventus: Great, let's go talk to them.

Roxas: We better stay calm. It could be dangerous to draw too much attention here. And we can't scare the princesses. We've seen enough to know that several of them have magic.

Sora: Come to think of it, isn't it strange that the Heartless or anything else hasn't shown up here? It's too much light for one place.

Vanitas: Maybe it's so much light that it ends up blinding the darkness and pushing it away.

Ventus: What a nice thing to say.

Vanitas: No, that's how I feel. There are too many lights in this place and I'm almost blind.- he explained.

Roxas: Let's think of a plan. We have to talk to them calmly and explain things to them.- They started walking, but they bumped into some Stormtroopers.

Stormtrooper: Hey, what are you doing here?- he questioned them.

Roxas: We're just fans, you know? Our little brother here really likes all this, and we're big fans too, so we wanted to hang out a bit.- He hugged Ventus sideways.

Ventus: Hey, I'm the oldest of us all.- he explained.

Stormtrooper: Okay, enough. You're coming with us. - He said but Vanitas just went ahead and ripped the Blaster from the Stormtropper and tried to shoot but the shot ended up, somehow, ricocheting and hitting the wall.

Roxas: I thought it was weird  these guys had such a bad aim. The Empire has terrible quality control.- he said, and Vanitas threw his blaster at the Stormtrooper's helmet, and the Keybros ran.

Vanitas: Maybe we should use the Keyblades.

Sora: This place is small, someone might get hurt.

Roxas: Then let's use whatever we can find.- He spotted an item display and saw what appeared to be a red glove with web patterns that read "Web-Shooter."

Roxas: To make it work, say 'Go Web”.- he said, and some of the Stormtroopers ended up caught in Spider-Man's webs. -I like that.

Sora: Come on, let's run while we still can.- They ran and saw Vanellope running from Stormtroopers too.

Vanellope: Guys!- She caught their attention.

Sora: Vanellope, what happened?- they asked.

Vanellope: I think I pissed off some spacemen.

Ventus: What a coincidence! So did we.-  he said, a little nervous.

The five looked around and saw they were at a dead end.

Vanellope saw a door and had an idea.

Vanellope: Everyone, hold on to me.- Sora and Ventus held hands with Vanellope while Roxas and Vanitas held on to their shoulders.

Using her Tilt power, she teleported everyone into a Room.

Inside the princesses' dressing room:

Vanellope: Tilt!- she said as she and the Keybros entered the dressing room and startled the princesses, starting with an uncomfortable silence.

Ventus: Oh, hi?- he greeted them with a forced smile, and then they all became aggressive.

Cinderella broke her heel to use as a weapon, Elsa was about to summon ice, Mulan drew her sword, Rapunzel had her frying pan in hand, and… well, they all looked ready to fight.

Vanitas: Geez, if they had that much of violence level, our lives would be so much easier!- he complained as the brothers shielded themselves in a circle, back to back, each with their Keyblade in hand.

Sora: Do we really have to do this? I'm not comfortable fighting princesses. Some of them are my friends.

Roxas: Mine too.

Ventus: Same for me.

Vanitas: Okay, okay. Let's be rational. Listen, we don't want any trouble, we just want…- Before he knew it, Rapunzel hit him in the head with the frying pan.

Rapunzel: Take that!- Vanitas fell to the ground, rubbing his head in pain.

Vanitas: Damn it! I forgot the damn frying pan. - He saw his brothers trying to hold back their laughter and got angry. - I'm not going to get screwed alone. Hey, abominable Snow Queen! Roxas said your song is terrible and your voice is agony to listen to.

He said to Elsa, pointing at Roxas.

Roxas: I didn't say that, that's a lie. For no strange reason, I think your voice is beautiful. - He tried to explain, but the situation was so tense that it only seemed to worsen the princesses' aggression.

Vanellope: Hold on, we can explain! I'm a princess too, guys.

Anna: Wait, what?

Vanellope: Princess Vanellope Von Schwitz, you know, from the Sugar Rush" she explained, and the princesses let their guard down a bit.

Pocahontas: Okay, but what about the four of them?- She pointed to the Keybros, while Ventus helped Vanitas up.

Sora: We're just adventurers from another…

Roxas: Website. From another site. We just took advantage of our break to come and see how everything is going…

Rapunzel: Wait, oh, right. It's promotional week. You know, Kingdom Hearts 3.- She said, and all the princesses nodded.

Sora: Do you know about Kingdom Hearts?

Mulan: Yes, the video game. Some of us have already been there. It's very nice to meet you, Sora. Right?- She took his hand to shake it.

Sora: Oh, right. Nice to meet you in person too... Mulan. - He looked embarrassed but said hi to everyone. - Oh, you might know my brothers. Roxas, Ven, and Vanitas.

Snow White: Wasn't Vanitas a villain? - She asked.

Vanitas: It's just an act, relax. I swear I won't poison anyone. - Ventus punched him lightly on the shoulder to remind him not to say something like that.

Ventus: Don't piss them off again, man. Want to get hit in the head with another frying pan? - He whispered.

Roxas: We're sorry about the intrusion, seriously. We were looking for some "heartless" or anything suspicious. You know...

Ventus: To use in the opening show or something...

Vanitas: To fight, yes.

Sora/Roxas/Ven/Vanitas: (We're terrible at improvising...) - they thought.

Vanellope: So, things are calm.

Pocahontas: Wait, we still need to clarify what kind of princess you are. - She pointed at Vanellope as her hair somehow flew.

Roxas: Where's that wind coming from? - He whispered to Ventus.

Vanellope: Wait, what?

Rapunzel: Do you have magical hair?

Vanellope: No.

Sora: Well, my hair doesn't get wet underwater, so...

Roxas: Mine doesn't either.

Ventus: I think my hair stays normal, too.

Vanitas: I think mine does, too.

Elsa: Do you have magical hands?

Roxas: (So beautiful...) - He was mesmerized by Elsa again, and Vanitas slapped him on the neck.

Vanellope: No.

Sora: Look, we all have magic, right?

Vanitas/Ventus/Roxas: Yeah.

They agreed, but it wasn't that unusual.

Cinderella: Do animals talk to you?

Vanellope: No.

Sora/Vanitas/Ventus/Roxas: Yes. - They spoke to Mickey, Oswald, Donald, and Goofy almost constantly. Not to mention the various talking animals they met.

Snow White and Sleeping Beauty: Have you ever been poisoned? Or cursed.

Vanellope: No. - She seemed to grow more terrified with each question.

Sora: Actually, yes. I even fell asleep for a year.

Roxas: I think I was poisoned by some Heartless.

Ventus: I was asleep for 10 years until recently.

Vanitas: ...I'm fine. - That's all he said.

Rapunzel and Belle: Kidnapped or enslaved? - They asked with almost frightening excitement.

Vanellope: No! Do you want me to call the police?

Sora: I think that happened to me. - He remembered being controlled by the organization during his master test.

Roxas: Yeah, me too… - he remembered his first 358 days.

Ventus: Xehanort… - he remembered his time with his former master.

Vanitas: Again, I'm fine.

Snow White: Have you ever received a true love's kiss?

Vanellope: No, jeez!

Vanitas: These three? Neither. - He teased his brothers for never kissing anyone.

Roxas: Do you understand why I fight with him so much?

Sora/Ventus: Yes…

Rapunzel: And the most important question: Do people think all their problems are solved because a strong man showed up?

Vanellope: Yes! she shouted.

Sora remembered Riku, Ventus remembered Terra, and Roxas remembered Axel.

Sora/Ventus/Roxas: Yes.- they agreed.

Vanitas: No.- he said.

Princesses: She's a princess.

Vanellope: Good. And I think the boys need therapy.- She held Sora's hand lightly to comfort him.

Sora: We're fine. We have friends to support us.- The princesses smiled at Sora's answer.

Roxas: Yes, like it or not, it's the responsibility of being a Keyblade wielder.- he said.

Meanwhile, the princesses were looking at Vanellope's dress.

Cinderella: I love your dress. I'm going to order one just like it for my little mice. For all of us.- she said, and then all the princesses looked at the boys, who didn't understand why.

Vanellope: Oh, guys? I think this is your cue to go out so the girls can change.- she whispered, and the boys understood.

Sora: Oh, sure, sorry..

Roxas: Sorry for the panic again.

Ventus: Let's wait outside, call us when you want to talk again.

Vanitas: And, if possible, come less violently. - They left, closed the door, and began to wait outside.

A few minutes later:

Vanitas: This is terrible. Rapunzel only takes five minutes to get ready.

Roxas: Elsa takes two minutes. She makes her dresses out of ice.

Ventus: Wait, does she get naked if it gets too hot? - he asked. - Like, doesn't the ice melt?

Roxas: No, she... - he stopped talking and began to think.

Vanitas: He must be thinking about Elsa naked... - he whispered to Sora, who just scolded him with a slight look of disappointment, shaking his head with narrowed eyes.

Vanitas: What?

Stormtroopers: Look at them! - They pointed their blasters at the brothers.

Sora: I knew we forgot something.

Ventus: Girls, will it take you a long time to get ready? - He knocked on the door.

Vanellope: About five minutes.

Sora/Ventus/Vanitas and Roxas: Damn. - They said.

Ventus: Wait, there's no one around. In other words, no holding back- The brothers smiled at each other.

The fight lasted about 30 seconds:

https://imgflip.com/gif/a50dnx

I kind of tried to put this gif to show the fight but I couldn't 😅

Everyone used shotlocks and magic, so it was pretty easy.

Unfortunately, this had repercussions outside the internet.

When a preteen girl logged into the Disney website, the only thing she saw was a screen full of glitches, as if the site had crashed.

Now, the brothers were waiting among several fallen Stormtroopers.

Ventus began tapping his Keyblade on the ground, creating a beat.

Ventus: MC Ven.- he hummed and continued the beat, with Vanitas lightly tapping the wall with his Keyblade, Sora doing the same, and Roxas finishing by slamming his two Keyblades together.

As they finished, Vanellope opened the door, interrupting the boys.

Vanellope: Guys...the princesses are ready...what were you doing?

Ventus: Uh, drumming and singing a little.-  he explained as his brothers tried to regain their composure and reentered the dressing room.

Sora: Yeah, looks like you're okay. Good for you.

Vanitas continued walking but tripped over Rapunzel's hair, who was sitting on the floor, eating donuts and using her hair as a pouf.

Rapunzel: Oh, sorry. I tend to leave the ends lying around. Do you want one? To make up for the frying pan on your head.- She offered Vanitas a donut. He accepted with a slight smile and sat down next to her.

Vanitas: Meh, why not? My brothers have given me worse injuries.

Roxas saw Elsa making milkshakes with her powers and became interested.

Elsa smiled at him and offered him a cup.

Elsa: Do you want one?

Roxas: Oh, yes. Sure, please.- She handed him the milkshake and he tasted it. -Very good. Almost as good as sea salt ice cream.

Elsa: What is this?

Roxas: It's something from my hometown. It's an ice cream that's sweet but also salty.- They started talking, and Ventus and Sora followed Vanellope to the beanbag chair in the center of the dressing room.

Vanellope seemed to be talking about something involving music with the princesses.

Vanellope: Wait, so if I look at something important, I'll start singing and a song will start out of nowhere.

Elsa: It has to be important. In my case, it was an ice mountain.

Snow White: I like to look at the well.

Moana: I look at the ocean.

Cinderella: Soap bubbles.

Sora: I like watching the sunset on the beach with my friends.

Roxas: I watch the sunset while eating sea salt ice cream.

Ventus: I like watching the stars at night with my friends too.

The princesses and Keybros looked at Vanitas.

Vanitas: …and again, I have no answer.- he said indifferently.

Anna: And what do you sing about?

Sora: We didn't sing.

Roxas: We just enjoyed the scenery.

Ventus: Yeah, but you guys have heard any music playing in the background.

Sora: Now that you mention it, I sometimes hear it now that it sounds "simple and clean."

Ventus: Me too...

Roxas: I sometimes hear a soothing voice singing something like "Sanctuary."

The Keybros and the princesses looked at each other and then laughed at the strangeness of the situation.

A few minutes later:

C-3PO appeared and alerted the princesses.

3PO: Princesses, the "Which Princess Are You" quiz will begin in 5 minutes.

Rapunzel: Well, back to work. It was nice meeting you, Princess Vanellope and Keybros.

Vanitas: That's not our name.

Ventus: But it will be," he said confidently.

Sora: Let's come back here sometime. Oh, I'll bring my friend Kairi.

Ventus: I think Aqua will like it here.

Roxas: It'll be good for Xion and Naminé to make more friends.

Vanellope and the boys left the dressing room but were caught by Stormtroopers again.

Roxas: Oh, c'mon! They were all taken to the Disney Center Stage, where they stood in front of a huge audience. Behind them was a screen filled with images of their adventures, like a video game called "Kingdom Hearts 3."

Ventus: Look, we're famous, he said as he surveyed the crowd.

Sora: Yeah, wait until I tell Riku. Wait, I've always wanted to do that. Stage diving! He jumped off the stage, and the fans carried him to the door.

Ventus: Wait, let me try too. The fans once again carried Ventus to the door.

Roxas: Meh, sounds cool. He crowd-surfed, as if on a skateboard.

Vanitas: I'm not walking to the door. He crowd-surfed, as if using Keyblades.

The boys were now resting.

Sora: That was cool. The four of us and a bunch of our friends from other worlds, together.

Ventus: Imagine if every day was like that.

Roxas: That would be really cool.

Vanitas: But it's impossible. Even if I don't care, we have to maintain order. The worlds will fall into chaos if they find out about each other's existence. But… you know, it doesn't matter. We're here, we know that. And I know that, somehow, there will always be a reason for us to meet up and do something crazy like this between worlds.

Sora: He's right. We'll always be together. No matter where we are. Our hearts connect us. To our friends, and to you, brothers.—everyone, even Vanitas, smiled at Sora's words.

Sora: (I just hope one day I can make us all live together. Like when all the worlds were still one…)—he thought.