To Dance with Dragons [Open]

[King Mickey]

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

Good. He's leaving. Mickey watched Kadaj flee through the tunnel with a grim sort of satisfaction. He knew he would run into the silver-haired swordsman again someday. But inevitability did not dampen the king's suddenly lighter mood. He even allowed a smile to break across his face. Since all possible threats had been dealt with, he allowed his keyblade to vanish in a burst of light.

The emperor was now approaching him and greeted him with a bow. Mickey grinned and bashfully waved one of his hands dismissively. "Aw, it was nothin' I wouldn't do for any of my friends." The woman was now bowing, much lower, to him as well and offering very formal thanks. The male fighter soon joined her in this activity. Even though Mickey was a king, he had never been much for formalities. He preferred for people to be comfortable with him, not tripping over themselves to be extra polite and reverent. "I didn't really do much. You two had probably tired Kadaj out by the time I got here, right?"

After adjusting his cloak a little, Mickey turned to leave. This world was saved for the time being, but now it was time to seek answers to his questions elsewhere. Merlin and the others in Radiant Garden might be able to help. "If you ever need me again, the name's King Mickey. Most people just call me 'Your Majesty,' though, if you're that interested in being formal." He turned his head and winked at them. "I'm planning on goin' to Radiant Garden next, and it may end up that I stay there for a while. Not sure, though. But I'm not that hard to pick out of a crowd!" His ears twitched, and he laughed. Then, as suddenly as he had come, he left the throne room, heading for his Gummi Ship.

[Aerith]

A Request

Lanying found herself moving beyond formal respect for this mouse king to actual fondness. He was quirky, at least, a huge contrast to the usual serenity of the emperor. She found that refreshing. But now, he was leaving before she could ask him any other questions. She did have a name now. Mickey. Strange name for royalty. However, as long as he could fight like he had against Kadaj, Lanying supposed it didn't matter what his name was.

When Raen had called her a friend, she had arched an eyebrow in surprise. They had only just met. Though, they had also just been through a very tough ordeal together, so it made some sense to her that they could call each other friends. Once again, she thought about the promise she had made. Even though the world wasn't in danger of being destroyed anymore, curiosity about other worlds urged her to turn to the emperor and bow to him. "Sir, would you forgive me for what I am about to ask of you?"

The emperor's eyes widened by just a small amount, but that was all the expression he needed to convey his shock. "You may ask of me whatever you wish. You have just helped save this world and my life."

Lanying straightened and took a deep breath. "I want to see other worlds and meet new faces. And...discover all that I can about the Heartless so that I can better protect our people."

The emperor smiled fondly. "Go, Lanying. May your travels always be safe. And do not ever forget that your home is here."

She smiled in return. "Thank you. I won't disappoint you." Then, she turned to Raen. "If your offer still stands, could I come with you?"

[Nothingness]

The Journey Continues

"I would be honored to let you come with me." Turning to the Emperor, he gave him a low bow. "I'll make sure that no harm comes to her, I promise." Turning back to Lanying, he said with a smile, "Now, shall we?" He turned around and walked out the main gate with Lanying. He had wanted so badly to see the city and this world that even if it were for a short while, they would take the long way back to the ship. And what the city and world itself had to offer did not disappoint him--it was truly beautiful, and exotic in its own way. Practically the opposite compared to the urban environment of Traverse Town. But, eventually, he knew that he was only stalling the inevitable, and soon took the shortest route back to the ship.

Arriving at the bamboo thicket where he had landed his Gummi Ship, he turned to Lanying and to the world they were about to leave. He felt strangely sad about leaving, but knew that his home was in Traverse Town, and that for now, he was just a traveler. Besides, he could always come to visit again, right? "Lanying will still have to return to this world, anyway. I can stay a little while longer when that day comes, I guess." Strangely, that thought depressed him somewhat, but he shook off the feeling. It was time that they departed, and no amount of sentimentality was going to stop him.

Boarding his ship, they left the world behind, and headed for a new world.