‘Sora. You used to be right here. Why is it that you went away?’
Twilight Town’s clocktower is chiming in the warm glow of afternoon as Sora exits the fairytale familiarity of the 100 Acre Wood. Magic particles cling in the air, leaving a nostalgic smell in his nose as he appears in the square overlooking Little Chef’s Bistro.
At a nearby table, Donald looks up while Goofy finishes his tea.
‘Hey Sora. Gosh, you’re back early.’ Goofy greets.
‘We thought you’d be gone all day.’ Donald agrees.
To be fair, their accusation is not unheard of. Back during their first and second adventures, Sora could spend hours upon hours playing with his friends in the fantastical book.
This time, though, something felt odd. Uncomfortable even.
Pooh had greeted him with much less enthusiasm than was expected, as if Sora were merely an acquaintance rather than the best friends he knows they are.
And then…
‘Pooh told me that he was afraid I’d forgotten him away.’ Sora explains as he takes a seat at the table. He pauses, gathering his thoughts with a furrowed brow. ‘He wanted us to be together forever, and I told him that we already are. But still somehow, our connection…’ Sora trails off, putting a hand over his heart.
He’d felt it. A strange pull, like the unraveling of string. A connection losing its ties.
‘Ah I see you’ve finished with your visit.’ Merlin interjects as he approaches the trio.
‘Yea.’ Sora nods. ‘Hey Merlin, you know about the 100 Acre Wood right? Like how it works?’
‘Well yes.’ Merlin strokes his beard. ‘Why? Is something the matter?’
‘Something happened that made me vanish from Pooh’s heart.’ Sora frowns. ‘I can feel it.’
‘That is rather distressing.’ Merlin says as he takes up the book to examine it with a curious eye. ‘Well, at least the problem seems to have fixed itself for now.’ He hums and turns it around.
Sora cannot help but sigh with relief upon seeing his image once again front and center alongside Pooh, sitting together on their favorite log watching clouds.
‘But do you know what it was, Merlin?’ Goofy asks worriedly.
‘Hm…’ Merlin ponders, his gaze shifting between Sora and the book for a few moments, before a look of recognition slowly comes over his old eyes. ‘Oh, well I say. I suppose I do have a theory.’ He says, his tone suddenly much too melancholic for any of their liking. ‘Sora, why don’t you take a walk with me, lad? I’ve got to be going back to The Mysterious Tower soon anyhow.’
‘Oh. Uh, sure.’ Sora takes the book back from Merlin with a raised eyebrow.
He can only shrug in response to Goofy and Donald’s questioning stares as he trails off after the wise wizard.
For some time, neither says anything, and Sora politely waits for Merlin more than once as the older gentleman grows winded up the steep slopes of Market Street. All the while, Sora can feel his impatience building, and he’s all but ready to tell Merlin that he’s waited long enough before the wizard turns to him with an odd question.
‘Sora, would you remind me how old you are, boy?’
‘I’ll be 16 soon. Next month in March.’ Sora tilts his head in confusion. ‘Why?’
Merlin’s face grows troubled as they reach Station Heights and sit together on the stone steps.
‘Would you take a look at that book with a critical eye?’
Sora tilts his head in question, but does so earnestly, flipping through the pages and leaving magic dust flying and disappearing into shimmers. When nothing is found, he examines the front, running his fingers over the raised image of Pooh and himself, before taking a glance at the back cover, coming up short.
‘Uh, what is it that I’m supposed to be seeing, Merlin?’
‘Take a look at the bottom corner, on the back there.’ Merlin says gently. ‘What do you see?’
Sora has to squint to read the words.
‘For…’ He pauses, struggling to read when realization settles in. ‘For ages 15 and under.’
Sora looks to Merlin, hating the grim expression he sees there.
‘That book is very special. Only one person is allowed inside of its pages at a time. When we first met, oh I just knew it would take a liking to you.’ Merlin hums with a smile before letting his face fall with a sigh. ‘The one it chose before you was a boy named Christopher Robin. This happened to him too, I’m afraid.’ He places a hand onto Sora’s shoulder, the weight just as heavy as his next words. ‘But once he grew up, he and Pooh simply had to say goodbye.’
‘What!? But that’s awful!’ Sora abruptly stands up, shaking his head. ‘Merlin, that can’t happen to me too! I don’t ever want to lose my friends!’
There was no way Sora could accept this. He and Pooh had a bond like no other, and the 100 Acre Wood… it reminded him of home. Of the bees and honey gathered in the backyard from his mother’s beehives. Of the vegetables growing in his grandparents’ garden, and the many silly adventures he, Riku and Kairi embarked on as children.
It was an escape he needed when being a keyblade wielder became too much. A guilty pleasure he regressed into just to be a kid again. Just Sora.
He couldn’t bear to part with it.
‘There has to be a way to stop this, right?’ Sora all but demands, holding the book tightly in his arms.
‘I’m afraid it is the very nature of that book.’ Merlin says while getting up and dusting off his clothes. ‘I’m terribly sorry, Sora.’ He sighs and turns to leave as a train whistle sounds.
Sora can’t muster any response, his heart on his sleeve and in his throat as Merlin walks away.
‘Keep it with you until the time comes.’
Over the next few weeks, Sora is determined to find a solution. He called Master Yen Sid and Ienzo, but neither of them had any good advice. Donald and Goofy were much the same, having never heard of a world with an age limit.
‘Wait, maybe not an age limit, but we do know one that never ages.’ Sora says one day while they’re climbing up the chilling mountaintops of Arendelle. ‘Neverland! I could go there and-’
‘Sora that won’t work.’ Donald shoots the idea down real fast. ‘You’re not from that world.’
‘Yea and even then, you’d have to leave sometime.’ Goofy says, causing Sora to slump against a nearby snowy rock. ‘You’ll grow up no matter what happens.’
‘Don’t say that…’ He mumbles and sits down in the snow, his despair more uncomfortable than the cold nipping at his skin. ‘This isn’t fair. I don’t wanna get older.’
Unbeknownst to him, Donald and Goofy share a look, neither of them knowing how to comfort their dearest friend.
Everything eventually comes to a head just a week before Sora’s birthday. He has been visiting the 100 Acre Wood every other day now, and while his friends are always ecstatic to see him, Pooh is the only one who can tell that something is wrong.
‘Will you come with me after lunch Sora?’ Pooh tugs at Sora’s jacket while they are sitting at Rabbit’s dining table. ‘I want to show you something.’
‘Okay, sure Pooh.’ Sora immediately agrees without a second thought, before their attention is quickly stolen by Rabbit and Tigger’s usual squabble over bouncing collateral.
Once finished with their meal, Sora is surprised when Pooh declines Roo’s innocent inquiry to join them.
‘But where are you going? I wanna come too.’ Roo frowns.
‘Say, you’re not going to some secret bouncing spot without us, are ya?’ Tigger accuses.
‘No.’ Pooh says. ‘I’d just like to show Sora something special.’
‘Special? But why can’t we see?’ Lumpy asks.
‘Now now, it isn’t very nice to intrude on their time together.’ Kanga says as the voice of reason. ‘Maybe Pooh will show you next time.’
‘If it’s the place I’m thinking of, then it’ll be quite a journey. Best to run along now.’ Owl hums.
‘Just don’t keep Sora out there too long, Pooh.’ Rabbit calls from the doorway where he’s begrudgingly sweeping up Tigger’s mess of broken pots.
‘Can get dark and gloomy real fast on the way back.’ Eeyore concurs while Piglets nods.
‘Y-yes. Do take care.’
Sora tilts his head, looking between the older friends of the 100 Acre Wood. They obviously know something that the younger ones don’t.
Before he can think any further on it, though, Pooh grabs Sora by the hand and sets off down the path behind Rabbit’s house.
And so, the two of them set off deep into the wood, hand in hand.
‘Where are we going?’ Sora eventually asks, noticing that the trees are growing thicker, the path unbeaten and the forest silent. Before long, they’ve gone farther into the book than Sora has ever dared to before and come across a little river and well-worn bridge.
‘This is the enchanted place.’ Pooh says as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. He grabs a stick and plops himself onto the side of the bridge to draw waves in the water.
‘The enchanted place.’ Sora repeats, looking around at the lush grasses, trees, bushes, and flowers. He takes a deep breath, feeling the fresh air in his hair and against his face as he goes to join Pooh, leaning against the railing and watching the shapes in the crystal-clear water.
‘It’s always good for thinking.’ Pooh hums.
‘Think think think-ing?’ Sora asks jokingly.
‘Yes, I suppose so.’ Pooh smiles, before the two of them lapse into silence for a moment. ‘Sora, might I trouble you for what is on your mind?’
‘On my mind?’ Sora asks while taking up a stick of his own to poke at some lily pads.
‘Yes. You seem… sad.’ Pooh says. ‘Much more sad then how I get when my tummy rumbles and there’s no honey.’
Sora wants to laugh at his friend’s comparison, but finds it hard to do so as Pooh looks up at him with such an earnest expression.
‘Pooh,’ He starts with a sigh and a slump against the wooden fence. ‘If you found out that you had to leave your friends forever, what would you do?’
Pooh hums with a tilt to his head.
‘Well, I suppose I would ask them never to forget me. That’s what all my other friends did.’
Sora blinks in shock and turns to Pooh.
‘Your… Other friends…?’
‘You see, some of us don’t remember them. Our friends that come from outside.’ Pooh explains, his tone neutral as if he were merely talking about the weather. ‘But I do. They always ask me not to forget them and say that they’re sorry they have to grow up and go away.’
‘Pooh…’ Sora’s eyebrows upturn.
‘But I tell them I won’t forget them when they go away.’ Pooh says and turns to look at Sora. ‘I won’t forget you either, Sora.’
‘But how can you just be okay with that?’ Sora asks, his tone hurt. ‘With us never seeing each other again?’
‘Well, I used to be very sad.’ Pooh admits. ‘But then a very dear friend of mine said that I wouldn’t have to go anywhere to always be with him.’
Sora’s blinks and his face softens, remembering that night on Starry Hill.
‘I think,’ Pooh tosses his stick into the water and watches it sink under the bubbles. ‘Even if we say goodbye, the memories will always be worth remembering.’
‘But…’
‘It’s okay, Sora. Besides, everybody knows you’ve got a lot of very important things to do now.’ Pooh turns to him with a smile. ‘You really couldn’t stay, back when we were helping Rabbit with the harvest, but you did anyway.’
Sora can’t even think of what to say to that. He knows he has been growing busier and busier. First with the Mark of Mastery Exam, and now with multiple worlds to look through, figuring out how to free Roxas, and gaining the power of waking. Not to mention finding Aqua, Terra, and Ventus. Really, it was no wonder that the free time he used to have is simply no longer there.
Even now, when he was purposely trying to make time to visit the 100 Acre Wood, he still often struggled to find the opportunity.
Sora looks down at the water, his face twisted with guilt. He hates this. Growing up. There’s no time for all the things that brought him so much joy. No time for things that always seemed so important.
‘I’m sorry Pooh.’ Is all he can say.
Pooh taps him on the arm, and when Sora turns to look, Pooh only has his little yellow arms wide open. A silent invitation for a hug.
Sora gladly takes it.
Whether Sora likes it or not, the day before his 16th birthday comes soon enough. He spends the day bouncing with Tigger, Lumpy and Roo, planting seeds with Rabbit and Gopher, listening to Owl’s stories, building a stick house with Eeyore, making a cake with Kanga, and blowing up balloons with Piglet.
Once his friends heard it was his birthday, there was no stopping the celebration, and Sora cherished every moment, taking endless photos at every turn.
Goodbyes must eventually be shared, however, and one by one his friends retire for the evening, until it’s just Sora and Pooh alone atop Starry Hill under the moonlight.
‘Thanks for today.’ Sora grins from his spot on their favorite stargazing log. ‘I had a lot of fun!’
‘I’m glad.’ Pooh smiles.
Before long they lapse into a companionable silence, simply watching the stars twinkle overhead as the hours fly by.
‘I’ll have to go soon.’ Sora says once the moon is high, his tone heavy.
‘I know.’ Pooh replies, though neither of them moves.
‘Pooh…’ Sora says, catching the bear’s attention. ‘I’m really… gonna miss you.’ He struggles to say around the lump in his throat. ‘This place… it’s…’
‘I know, Sora.’ Pooh says, pulling the boy in for a hug. ‘I’ll always be with you.’
Sora can feel tears streak down his face, hanging onto his dearest friend until time eventually tears them apart.
‘I promise.’
Life continues on for Sora without the 100 Acre Wood. He, Donald and Goofy spend weeks venturing across worlds both old and new. While they find multiple opportunities to strengthen their weapons and expertise, still they find no clues on how to unlock the Power of Waking.
The failure weighs heavily on Sora as they head towards their usual hotel in San Fransokyo, feeling about ready to collapse into blankets.
‘Ugh, it’s so late. I’m heading to bed.’ Sora announces as his feet drag underneath him against the sidewalk.
Donald and Goofy don’t respond to his lighthearted complaining, however, causing him to raise an eyebrow. They’ve been acting weird for a few days now; distracted, staying up late, and dodging questions.
‘Okay, what’s going on with you two?’ Sora abandons his thoughts of sleep for his curiosity.
‘Well…’ Goofy shares a look with Donald. ‘Actually, we have somethin’ to show ya.’
Sora raises an eyebrow.
‘What?’
‘You’ll see.’ Donald says with a smile and nods towards the green circle glowing on the ground nearby. ‘It’s in the Gummi Ship.’
Sora gives Donald and Goofy a long, suspicious look.
‘Okay?’ Sora eventually complies anyway.
All is normal upon first glance but as he looks in the cockpit, he catches sight of a familiar book lying atop the driver’s seat.
‘Guys…’ Sora starts. ‘How… why did you bring this here?’ He asks with a heavy sigh. ‘I mean, it’s not like I’m not happy to see it but…’ Sora trails off, sadness growing in his eyes as he picks up the book.
Something, though, causes him to pause. The feel of the book is different in his hands, as if it now carries a denser magical essence than before.
Last Sora saw it, the fantastical picture on the front had converted back to its original blank slate. But now, though, as Sora flips it over to the cover, a new picture shines brightly there; small nostalgic images of fond memories spent together with Pooh, as well as a hidden, new memory that has yet to occur in the corner.
Sora stares at it for far longer than necessary, trying to piece together the meaning of its significance.
‘Wait…’ He trails off, and curiously turns the book over again, nearly dropping it in the process. ‘Wait a minute! It says… it says…’
There, written neatly in cursive, was the phrase:
For All Ages
‘Sorry it took a while, Sora.’ Goofy says, gathering the boy’s attention. ‘Me, Donald, Merlin, Master Yen Sid, and Ienzo had to spend a lot of time figuring it out.’
Sora can only stare, speechless, as Donald takes the book from his trembling fingers.
‘Say Hi to Pooh for us!’ Donald smiles, and Sora can only watch in disbelief as the book is held open with a flourish and nostalgic magic envelopes his entire being.
‘Sora!’
‘Howdy there, Sora.’
‘Guys look, it’s Sora!’
‘Yay my favorite bouncing buddy is back!’
‘Let’s bounce right now Sora!’
‘Oh, this is splendid!’
‘Good to see you again Sora!’
‘We sure missed you.’
‘I-I’ll say!’
‘Sora. Would you care to do some stoutness exercises with me?’ Pooh asks while they’re sitting upon their favorite log, watching clouds roll by.
‘Actually Pooh, I had an idea.’ Sora turns to him with a smile. ‘What do you say I bring a friend over? One you haven’t seen for a long time. I bet I could find him.’
‘I think I’d like that very much Sora.’
End
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