The final chapter of Steamboat. Wow, how long has it been since I've been able to finish something with multiple chapters? I hope you've enjoyed the ride. I'm thinking of writing a shorter piece concerning Donald and Daisy in the KH verse, so it could be something you want to keep an eye out for. Thanks for sticking with me.

This time, Mickey was early for the steamboat. So early in fact, the boat had not arrived yet, and the King sat on the dock, staring down at his own reflection. These trips now had longer and longer gaps in between, with all of his new duties and responsibilities. But when the mouse looked at himself in the water, he didn't see any kind of king, or ruler, or even someone grown-up. He just saw a frightened, hurt little boy.

The coronation, while late, had gone off splendidly. Mickey had been crowned, and Yensid had gone on some long, winded speech that the mouse could barely remember. He'd been too busy looking over the crowd for any sign of Minnie, hoping that betrayed look of hers had vanished. Alas, even her uncle wasn't there, and Mickey had been forced to fake a smile for the rest of the occasion. After the party had ended, Yensid had pulled him aside, and the first of many long talks began.

Mickey told his mentor everything that he thought was essential, and yet put many holes in his explanation of the Heartless. A part of him hoped that the less he talked about it, the sooner he'd forget about it, and maybe it would just have ceased to exist all together. More scheduled trips to Radiant Gaiden were made, and although Xehanort still chilled him, Ansem just seemed more comforting with each return. Important discussions over other worlds and matters of the heart easily melted into who could eat their Sea-Salt ice cream the fastest, and the hilarious brain freezes that followed afterwards.

Mickey continued to stare at himself, lost in those memories of the past few weeks, when a high pitched sound struck his ears. Puzzled, he looked to the beginning of the dock, where it touched the town, and the sound got louder as it was coming closer. This particular sound he was used to, and knew what it meant. His royal and loyal knight, Goofy, was carrying his baby son, Max, in his arms. The king found himself smiling, despite the child's cries. Goofy walked right up towards his king, and then sat beside him, legs dangling over the edge, and Max began to settle down.

"Here to rat me out to Yensid?" Mickey asked, leaning back and resting on his hands.

"Naw. 'Sides, you're a mouse, not a rat." Goofy answered, ignoring or not even noticing Mickey's small chuckle at the slip up. "Just thought Max here could use a little fresh air."

"He's getting bigger every day." The mouse glanced over at the baby, who was now content with his own little game of 'Reach For Daddy's Ear.' "How's the missus?"

"Good." By now, the trio of friends – Mickey, Donald, Goofy – had a word system when it came to Goofy's wife, ever since she had gotten sick after delivering Max. 'Good' meant 'stable', alive for another day, and that the topic needed to change. But Mickey had already been depressed when Goofy came, and was unsure of what to talk of next. Silence came between them, except for Max's babbling, still trying to bat at the elusive long ears of his fathers.

Yet Mickey did manage to come up with something, pulling his feet up. "I miss this."

"Miss what?" Goofy looked over at him, ears swinging and out of reach again.

"Hanging out with my friends." He sighed, hugging his knees. "Everything before I became King… even before I had to be a prince. I wish I could just go back to when I couldn't even leave the palace."

"You don't mean that." The knight shook his head, and Max almost seemed to growl I frustration as the ears were out of his grasp again.

"Sure I do. Why wouldn't I?" He huffed a little, indignant.

"'Cause back then you didn't know Minnie." Goofy wagged a finger at his friend, and only stopped when he saw the King's cheeks begin to dye pink.

Now Mickey wouldn't look at him, embarrassed, and still hurt. "Yeah, well… she hates me now." He mumbled. "Almost makes me wish we never met."

"Almost?" Goofy asked, but didn't get a response. "Come on, Mickey, you think no one ever fights when they're in love?"

Mickey's face went even redder, and he could feel it. "I… I don't know if she loves me."

"The way she was kissin' you, I'd bet all of my Munny on it." Goofy smirked, and now his best friend was the darkest shade of tomato he'd ever seen. "Why don't you go and see her?"

"What if she doesn't want to see me?" Mickey groaned, now throwing his hands up in the air at his frustration. "What if she doesn't want the royal life? What if she was just kissing me to thank me?" With that, he got on his feet, walking up and down the dock, making up all kinds of What Ifs, each one worse than the last, and a good majority went over Goofy's head. He even went into tangents about Ansem and Xehanort, despite knowing that was supposed to be a secret, and it was obvious he was feeling anxiety over more than just his feelings for Minnie.

What if he couldn't live up to his father's expectations? What if he brought his beloved kingdom to ruin? What if looking into these other worlds really was just asking for trouble? What if, by bringing Minnie into his life, he'd just put her into more danger? What if, what if, what if?

The questions appeared to be endless, until Max began to cry again. Startled, Mickey almost tripped over his own feet, staring down at his friend and the son. Goofy calmly began to cradle the little life in his arms, giving Mickey time to calm down on his own, with small breathes of agitation. When Max began to settle down, Goofy looked to his superior, waited for a minute, and then cocked his head to a side. "Well?"

"… Well what?" Mickey blinked, anger dissipating at the strange question.

"What if those things did happen?" He asked, one shoulder shrugging with his confusion. "Then what?"

The mouse fumbled with his hands, trying to gesture… nothing, as he couldn't think of a response to that. He tried to think, but nothing came. He dreaded possibilities, but hadn't thought of realities. He was so afraid of what could happen that he hadn't been able to just face what was to come regardless. But Goofy's imagination never reached quite so far – perhaps a blessing, in that it made him more positive to the here and now, and not panic so much about things beyond his control. How could Mickey hope to try and change his future into something more positive if he kept focusing on all the bad paths one could take?

So instead, Mickey put a hand on Goofy's shoulder, a mix of gratitude and exhaustion. "You've got a lot of faith in me, don't you?"

"Sure do." Goofy beamed, nodding vigorously. "Always have, always will." He shifted his body to try and free one arm – Max only made a momentary fuss- to pat Mickey's hand with one of his own. "I think you'll be a great king, 'cause you're already great at being Mickey Mouse!"

It might have sounded like nonsense to anyone else, but to Mickey, it was a flood of relief. Though titles had changes and times were cut, he still had his friend's unconditional love and support. No matter what happened, that would never change. The hand on the knight's shoulder now turned into a light hug around the neck, foreheads knocking against each other. "Aw, Goofy." He mumbled, body shaking as he felt Goofy's chortles. "What would I ever do without you?"

"You aint ever gunna find out." The Knight said, with such vigor in his voice that it sounded more than a promise – as if it was sheer fact, and to Goofy, it probably was. Loyalty, combined with friendship, was a force that was more powerful than any of the fears Mickey had been envisioning. However, he took a break, as he frowned, speaking to himself out loud. "I am gunna wonder what you're gunna do without Minnie, though."

Mickey pulled back, baffled by the sudden change in tone and topic. "Whaddya mean, Goofy?"

"I just mean when she leaves tonight. Her Uncle Monty decided it was time to hit the road and see a new place. Heard about it when I was walking out with Max." Another pause, and then a snap of his fingers. "Now I remember, that's why I was goin' towards the boat dock! Gwarsh, I just plum forgot." He gave a few 'A-hyucks' over his little error, which promptly stopped when he saw the horrified look on his king. "...Oopsy-daisy."

"Tonight?!" Mickey all but yelled, grasping the air in his pain. "She… she can't leave! I haven't… What if-" He quickly cut himself off before that sentence could finish, remembering the audacity of it all from mere moments ago. He grabbed Goofy's hand, shaking it hard. "Thanks a ton, Goofy… but can you do me a favor? When the boat comes, please, tell it to wait for me and a guest!" Before he could get Goofy's affirmative, he ran off towards the town, an idea blossoming.

The knight watched his friend leave, and then stood up, holding Max with both arms. He looked down at his baby. "Oh, I aint gunna forget this time… but just in case, do you think you could remind me in a few minutes?"

Monty counted the coins in his hand before placing them on the counter, and the owner of the lodge thanked him. He walked outside, his niece trailing behind him, and only when did the door close behind her did he turn to face her. "Now, sure you got everything?"

"I've got my ukulele, and my sheet music." She answered, holding up her instrument case and the tattered note paper. "And you've got all of our clothes in your suitcase?"

"Sure do." He held it up for confirmation, but then his face turned soft. "… Are you absolutely positively sure you wanna go with me, Minerva?"

Another time, she'd groan at the name, and remind him it was Minnie. Now she didn't even seem to care, just nodding and casting her eyes away. "I don't know if there's any reason for me to stay."

"You're awfully fond of that boy, don't you lie to me." He stooped down on one knee, touching her cheek to make her face him. "You wanna toss it all away 'cause he's some fancy king?"

"It's not that!" She cried, now holding onto her items like they were life support. "I wouldn't care if he was the richest or poorest man in the world… but why wouldn't he tell me who he really was?"

Monty let go of her, but didn't relent just yet, leaning in closer. "Didn't you have your own secret?"

She bit her lower lip at that. Of course, her spells of white magic, how could she forget? But she had legitimate reasons to hide that! But did that mean Mickey's reasons weren't? She hadn't even shown up for work ever since she realized who he was, and in one way, it could be seen that she was avoiding him and not giving him a chance to explain himself. Yet, as she thought of her own defense, he hadn't come searching for her to give his own side of the story either. "It's different." She said weakly, fighting back tears.

Monty sighed, moving to stand up straight again. "Youngin's in love are the stupidest people."

Surprised, and rather angry, at statement, she stamped one of her feet. "Uncle Monty! How can you call me stupid?"

Her uncle gave a wry grin, teeth flashing. "I said you were in love too, and you didn't deny that."

Minnie sucked in a breath, cheeks as red as the bow on her head. There was a rational argument to that somewhere, she believed… she just couldn't find it. Monty just gave a loud guffaw at his victory swinging around his suitcase in the direction he planned to leave in.

A rush of black met the suitcase, causing it to pop open, along with a stumbling yelp. Once again, clothes scattered all around, and once again, Mickey Mouse was on his back before the duo, thinking but not saying 'Ow'.

"Speak of the devil." Monty remarked, although he did appear irritable about his damaged suit case all over again.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry!" Mickey instantly jumped to his feet, but didn't bother to pick up the clothes this time, and grabbed Minnie's hands. "Listen, I know you're all ready to leave, and I know I should've told you, but… but you can't go, not yet! There's one more thing you have to see!"

Minnie stared at their hands together, and then tried to look to her uncle for an answer, but he was too busy repacking their things. Words took their time coming to her lips, as she noticed how desperate and frightened her friend looked. Though a part of her was still upset with him, she found she couldn't outright refuse his request. Heaving another sigh, she nodded to him. "Well, all right… but what is-"

"Great!" Without letting her finish, Mickey picked up the girl, ignoring her shrill cry of surprise, cradling her into his arms as he had seen Goofy do to Max, and sped off in the direction he'd come from. A few pages of Minnie's sheet music flew away as the run continued, but neither one seemed to notice or care.

Monty caught one as it flew to him, reading it over. His niece loved to write songs, usually based on fairy tales she had heard when she was younger. They were mostly silly mushy things, about true love, so it was with great amusement that he hummed along to this certain page.

"Someday, My Prince Will Come."

Thankfully, Goofy had stalled the boat, although he couldn't recall why he was stalling in the first place, and the two mice were able to get on board. Mickey managed to thank Goofy before the steamboat took off, and there were only three members on board – Mickey, Minnie, and the irritable cat captain – Paul, Percy, Pete, something like that- that Mickey never paid too much heed to.

As the boat slowly made its way around the river, the mice stayed at the back, watching the water flow underneath. The girl mentally admitted that it was a beautiful ride, full of quiet serenity. The view of the town from there was amazing as well, almost able to capture it in her hand. But the best sight of all was the boy beside her, who would catch small glimpses at her, and then immediately turn away when he was caught, with a shyness that she found adorable.

When words were finally made, they were accidentally at the same time. "I'm sorry."

They looked at each other, and found smiles gracing their faces, creating great liberation. "I should have told you who I really was." Mickey tried, but Minnie shook her head in disagreement.

"I shouldn't have cared about that." She replied, laying her ukulele and music down on the floor. "You didn't think any different of me when I told you about my powers… I should have treated you the same way."

"So, does that mean you'll stay?" Mickey asked, with far more excitement than he intended. He noticed, and leaned away; a little self-conscious about how anxious she could make him. Forget about her magic, her pretty looks alone were enough to cast a spell of power over him.

"If I have a reason to stay." She whispered, taking tiny toe steps towards him, hands now behind her back, clasping each other nervously.

At first, the answer seemed obvious to Mickey. He kindly took a hold of one of her arms, pulling her in closer, and puckering his lips for what he hoped for was a pretty big kiss. Though, as continued to bend forward, he wondered if it could really beat the heated kisses they had the first time, after she'd been attacked by that Heartless.

That memory made him stop, which disappointed an also puckered-up Minnie. It wasn't that he didn't want to kiss her… she just deserved something more.

"I want you to stay." He began, letting go of her am. "I want you to stay here for the rest of our lives. I want to always be at your side, to talk to you about everything and anything, and… and I can't promise you those things." Dejected, he walked a few inches away from her, using the wide space of the boat as a platform for a speech he was making up right from the top of his head – or, better yet, his heart.

"I've been to places that are showing signs of troubles. I've seen things that make me afraid for the future, and I don't know if there are things I can do to prevent them. I have to keep secrets from the people that mean the most to me. And these secrets… I'm sure they'll all come out one day, and when they do, the darkness will come."

Yes, this he was certain. The Darkness, this was inevitable. The doors would continue to weaken, Xehanort would continue his experiments, and this combination would lead to a downward spiral of danger. He was certain there was even darkness in his own heart, festering and fighting, and that it may never truly leave him.

"But I also believe… in the light."

He faced her with that, his beliefs bringing bravery, and conviction. Rejection or reunion between the two, either one, he would face it head on.

"Darkness and light will always be together, and it's because of the light that… I want you to stay. No matter what the darkness brings, I will always try to bring the light. As long as you're all right, as you're happy and safe, I can keep moving forward. I won't ever stop trying to make this world a better place, and to do whatever it takes to protect you. No matter what happens, I will always come back to you, and I will only just love you all the more."

That last part alarmed himself. He hadn't planned on using that all mighty 'l-word', and yet it had come so easily to him. He cleared his throat, trying to shoo away the sudden shyness that the word had brought. "I… I need you to be here. It's like… every time I go to this boat, I'm searching for something. I was looking for something that would take me and accept me, without needing to know I was a prince, or a king. My friends… they knew who I was, and what I would become. I know they will be there for me, but…"

He trailed off, and then wearily chuckled. "I'm not making any sense at all, am I?"

Minnie didn't react right away, still being affected by his words. Some things had worried her, but there was no denying the sincerity of it all. No doubt the monster that had attacked her in the gardens was connected to what he was saying, and if what Mickey was saying was true, then that was just the beginning of the danger. There was a risk to her life staying here… and yet. She had left with her Uncle for the sake of the adventures in his stories. From day one of entering this kingdom, there had been a whirlwind of her own adventures here.

Here was a chance for her own story to begin.

"I am afraid of that darkness." She spoke, unfurling her hands behind her. "And I wish I could understand everything that's going on. But…" Her hands now reached out to him, and he took them. "My feelings for you are bigger than those fears and wishes. I'll stay."

This time, there was no hesitation in the kiss that Mickey gave her, fast and strong and hoping to convey everything he couldn't make the words say. The passionate frenzy that the two had in the garden wasn't here, but rather a tender hush, just the docile act of lips touching, and hands holding. Nothing more was needed, and when it was done, she rested her head against his shoulder, allowing him to put his arms around her in a comforting embrace.

Except as long as the darkness was coming… she had to ask. "I know you said there were things you couldn't promise me." She talked softly, eyes closing as she gave a little brush of cheek to cheek. "But… can you promise me that you will always come back to me?"

She felt one of her hands being raised, and Mickey pressed his lips on it. "I promise," he swore, "I will always come back to you. No matter what."

There was a shout of steam emitting from the top of the boat, ready to go around the river one more. The captain initially thought of booting off the lovebirds, as he always did to people who stuck around after the first go, but, he supposed, he could make an exception just this once. From where they were, the town didn't seem to move, and the world was timeless.

"Are you sure you don't want to take a break, your majesty?" The young boy asked, running a hand through his silver hair. The two had been walking for what felt like hours, and though his own body was able to handle it, he had a faint concern for his small companion.

"No thanks, Riku." Mickey replied, pulling the hood of his coat over his head. He recalled younger days, when he was visiting Ansem and his apprentice, and finding small blueprints for an interesting piece of fashion, black robes with zippers. He had snuck it away to make it for himself, that mischievous growing smaller but never quite dying. He felt it looked better on him anyway.

"If you're sure." Riku came up to his side, giving him a once over, just in case. Who knew that a creature so petite could hold such power?

"I'm sure." The mouse kept his eyes ahead on the path before them. He had reminisced long enough and there was a long journey ahead, full of darkness and light. "I made a promise."

So they continued forward, and although Mickey did his best to concentrate, there was an idle, fleeting thought, to imagine his wife on that timeless river.

The End.