Chapter 16: Friend like me

A/N: Hello everyone! Sorry for the super long wait but sadly that's how life is. I know it's been a while since I last updated but I was having trouble with this chapter since this is a special one. I promised you all that I would be bringing Genie back for a little tribute for Robin Williams and I wanted to make it special. Even after nearly two years we still miss him. There will never be another human being like him and we'll always remember him in our hearts.

And who saw the new Kingdom Hearts 2.8 trailer?! The Aqua chapter looks like it's gonna be awesome and the unchained X is going to be amazing! Now we just need a release date for 3 and we're all set.

So without further ado let's get on with the story!

Disclaimer: I don't own the Hobbit or Kingdom Hearts, they belong to their respectful owners. I do however own my OC's.

Enjoy!

/

After yesterday's events, everyone decided to rest and relax. Since they were taking shelter within Rivendell it would have been foolish to pass this up. Some of the company rested while others raided the kitchens or trained.

Bilbo on the other hand decided to explore the lavish kingdom that was Rivendell. He had always talked and dreamed of coming here and now that he was here he was just mesmerized.

It was so unlike what he had read and seen in books. It was just much more beautiful in person. This was probably the only updates to joining Thorin's company.

As he look out at the balcony he couldn't help but frown. After all the recent events the company faced he wondered why he was still with the group. It was obvious he didn't fit in with them. He couldn't fight or knew how to use a weapon and all he did was get in the way. Maybe it was best that he left before they got to far away from the Shire.

'I'm sure they won't miss me anyway' he thought.

"Not with your companions?"

Bilbo jumped when he heard Lord Elrond approach him. The elf King looked amused at the Hobbit's embarrassed expression.

"I'm sure i'm not missed by them" Bilbo said without even thinking.

Seeing the elf's frown he sighed.

"The truth is most of them don't think I should be on this journey" he admitted.

"Quite frankly I feel like I should just return home. It's obvious that I'm of no use to these dwarfs so why should I stay?"

Realizing he was complaining to an elf King he quickly shut his mouth and went red.

"S-sorry"

Elrond simply chuckled and patted Bilbo's shoulder.

"I'm sure not all of your companions would feel the same way as you do" he said.

"However you are very welcome to stay here if that is your wish"

With that, he left the hobbit to enjoy the scenery. Bilbo just sighed as he leaned against the railing. He had heard Elves were very wise creatures but it seemed they didn't really know how to cheer people up.

"Some of them would miss me? I highly doubt that"

In his depressed state, Bilbo lost the desire to explore Rivendell. How could he enjoy a pace when the ones who inhabited it didn't even want him here?

/

Reaching one of the many gardens, Bilbo dragged his feet through the grass. He wondered if he should take up on Elrond's offer to stay here. He really enjoyed Rivendell and the dwarfs didn't seem to care if he was with them or not.

'Maybe I should find Gandalf and tell him that I want to go home' he thought.

It was nice that the wizard wanted him to join the group but it was obvious that it wasn't working out.

"Bilbo!"

The hobbit looked up to see Sora and Bifur walking over with a few boxes in their hands.

"There you are. We were wondering where you went off to" Sora said cheerfully.

Bilbo put on a forced smile for the boy's sake. While he didn't spend much time with Sora he knew that he had a kind soul and saw the good in others. No need to show the boy that he had a lot on him mind.

"Just admiring the scenery" he said.

"Oh yeah, I remember you talked about meeting the elves back at your home. I bet this is like a dream come true" Sora said.

"This place is nice even if it's full of elves…just don't tell Thorin I said that" Bifur said.

Bilbo smiled a little at the two of them. They had to be some of the very few souls who didn't mind that he was in the company.

Sora smiled brightly as he held up the boxes he was carrying.

"Are you hungry? Tsukiko brought some bento boxes from our home for everyone to try. Wanna try food that's from a different world?"

Bilbo seemed nervous at the idea of eating foreign food but his stomach seemed to think otherwise. Rubbing his grumbling stomach he decided to give it a try. Hopefully it was more filling then the Elvish food they were having.

Setting everything up on a nearby bench, Sora unboxed everything as Bilbo and Bifur looked on in amazement. Everything was so nearly organized and decorated that the food looked like a work of art.

"Let's dig in before Bombur smells this" Bifur joked.

The trio gathered around the exotic feast that was bestowed upon them. Bilbo was about to dig in but noticed a slight problem.

"Um, Sora? Where are the utensils?"

Sora laughed before he pulled out a bunch of thin looking sticks.

"What the blazes are these? Toothpicks?" Bifur said as he picked one up.

Sora just laughed as he held two of the sticks in one of his hand.

"No, they're called chopsticks. That's the utensil we usually use in my world the most" he explained.

"What's wrong with using a fork?" Bifur asked.

"Nothing, it's just how the islands are. Kinda like how the elves prefer salads over meat" Sora said.

Bilbo held the chopsticks up gingerly, wondering how he was going to eat his meal with these. Sora showed them how to hold them in their hands property and how to tab. The food with them. After a few failed attempts, they managed to grab some food and shoved in in their mouths. Bilbo enjoyed the way everything tasted. The spices mixed in well with the meats while the seasoning on the rice brought out a lot of flavor.

He never realized that something this good existed out of the shire. Thinking of his home suddenly made him sad and reminded him about his place in the company. If he left he wouldn't enjoy new meals like this, but then again if he stayed would anyone really care?

Sora saw Bilbo's sad look and grew concerned.

"You okay, Bilbo?"

The hobbit snapped out of his thoughts and gave the boy a fake smile.

"I'm fine, just lost in thought. These last few days are starting to get to me"

"Aye, I'm sure you would be frazzled from yesterday. Durin's knows that I still am" Bifur said.

"Good think Sora and his lot were able to get rid of those Orcs"

"It wasn't anything really, I know you guys really put up a fight too" Sora said.

Bilbo looked at his food sadly, feeling more useless than before.

"And all I did was run in fear. Just shows how much help I was" he muttered.

Sora looked at the Hobbit sadly. He had heard a few of the dwarfs talk about him during the Orc chase and he couldn't help but feel like they were being unfair. Bilbo had never left his home before so how was he supposed to know how to fight?

Not wanting to see his little friend sad, he came up with an idea to cheer him up.

"Hey, Bilbo? You wanna meet a friend of mine?"

The Hobbit looked confused as Sora pulled out a stone from his pocket.

"Um, is your friend a rock?" Bifur asked.

Sora just laughed and stood up.

"Not quite. Here let me show you"

Summoning his keyblade, he inserted the stone within it and flung the blade up in the air. Fireworks burst from it as smoke erupted from the blade. The smoke cleared away as Genie appeared before them with a cry.

"Oi! Being stuck in that stone gives you such a crick in the neck!" He cried.

He spun his head around to loosen it up and sighed in relief.

"There, that's better. So Sora, what did you need me for?"

He looked at Bilbo and mistook him for Sora since he was standing next to the boy.

"Say, you're a lot shorter than I last remember, either that or I'm getting bigger. Look at me from the side, do I look different to you?" He asked.

He picked Bilbo up and messed around with his feet.

"And what happened to your feet?! They're so big and hairy that they exploded from your shoes!"

Bilbo sputtered, not knowing what to do with this very lively, strange person.

"Now see here!"

"Genie, I'm down here" Sora laughed.

Genie looked at Bilbo then at Sora before laughing.

"Sora!"

He placed Bilbo down and patted him on the head.

"Sorry my hairy, big footed friend, I thought you were someone else"

Bilbo fixed his jacket as he gave Genie an annoyed look.

"Well I've never!"

Sora laughed as he went up to them.

"Sorry about that, he tends to be over excited when I summon him" he said.

"He's one of my summoning companions. Anytime I'm in a pinch and need help I just call for his aid"

"That's right! I like to give the enemies the razzle dazzle treatment!" Genie said.

"Now who might you hairy little people be? I don't think I've ever seen you before"

"Oh, right. This is Bilbo Baggins and Bifur the dwarf. Hikari and I are traveling with them and a few others" Sora explained.

"Is that so?" Genie said.

"Well then, allow me to introduce myself! I'm the ever impressive, the long contained, often mimicked, never duplicate, duplicate, duplicate, Genie of the Lamp!"

Signs and fanfare surrounded behind him as he made his little introductions.

"Blimey" Bifur muttered.

Bilbo was torn between being amazed and horrified at the same time. Why did Sora summon this magical being?

"So what's the big deal Sora? Need me to get rid of some heartless for you?"

Sora shook his head as he gestured to Bilbo.

"Actually I thought you would help Bilbo out" he said.

Bilbo looked surprised at being mentioned.

"W-wha, me? What do I need help with?"

Sora gave him a sympathetic smile.

"You seemed kinda down about what happened yesterday so I thought you needed some cheering up. And Genie is the best person to do that"

Bilbo shook his head frantically, not liking the attention.

"I'm fine, honest. You don't need to summon some creature to cheer me up"

"Oh, lighten up, buddy. When's the last time you've seen a wish granting Genie?" Genie said.

"Any friend of Sora's is a friend of mine. So what can I do to help?"

Bilbo shook his head again.

"Nothing, really. I'm fine, honest"

Sora went up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I know you feel a little put out about that Orc pack yesterday but you shouldn't. You did more than enough helping us"

"That's right! You saved us from being eaten by those trolls" Bifur added.

"If you hadn't stalled them would have been their dinner"

"Goodness1 You saved my friend from being eaten?!" Genie exclaimed.

Bilbo blushed as he nodded.

"W-well, yes I suppose" he said.

Genie smiled and shook Bilbo's hand, which resulted in the Hobbit being swung around like a rag doll.

"Thanks a bunch buddy 'ol pal! I don't know what I would do if anything happened to my friend Sora!"

Bilbo's head spun when he was finally placed on the ground. What was it with this Genie where he had to man handle him all the time?

"I-it was nothing really" he stuttered.

"Of course it's something! I owe Sora big time for helping me out and since you helped him that makes you good in my book" Genie said.

"Tell you what? To show you my appreciation, I'll grant you one wish"

Bilbo looked up at Genie skeptically. Clearly his head was still spinning and he was hearing nonsense.

"A wish?"

"That's right! I used to grant wishes to whomever own my magic lamp. But now that I'm a free Genie I grant them to whomever I want and you my little hairy friend are the winner!"

Bilbo looked confused as he slowly backed away from Genie. He was starting to have enough of his antics and it was very much creeping him out.

"I'm not sure I understand"

Genie laughed whole heartedly, liking this little hobbit.

"I like this guy, Sora. You make some funny friends"

He snapped his fingers and magically placed Bilbo on the bench.

"Well Mister Baggins, I don't think you quite realize what you got here. So why don't you just ruminate whilst I illuminate the possibilities"

He suddenly went up to Bilbo and did a little number.

'Well Ali Baba had them forty thieves

Scherizadie had a thousand tales,

But mister you in luck,

Cause you have a brand of magic never fails.

You got some power in your corner now,

Some heavy ammunition in your camp.

You got some punch, pizzazz, yahoo and how,

See all you gotta do is rub that lamp,

And I'll say: Mister Baggins, Sir. What will your pleasure be?

Let me take your order,

Jot it down,

You ain't never had a friend like me,

No, no, no.

Life is your restaurant,

And I'm your maitres

C'mon whisper what is is you want,

You ain't never had a friend like me.

Yessir, we pride ourselves on service,

You're the boss,

The king,

The Shah!

Say what you wish,

It's yours! True dish,

How about a little more Baklava?

Have some of column 'A'

Try all of column 'B'

I'm in the mood to help you dude,

You ain't never had a friend like me,

Wha ah ah oh my

Wha ah ah oh no

Wha ah ah ha ha

Can your friends do this?

Can your friends do that?

Can your friends pull this out there little hat?

Can your friends go, 'poof'?

Well lookie here?

Can your friends go, Abracadabra, let 'er rip

And then make the sucker disappear?

So doncha sit there slack jawed, buggy eyed.

I'm here to answer on your midday prayers.

You got my bong fide, certified.

You got a Genie for your chare de affaires.

I've got a powerful urge to help you out

So whatcha wish? I really wanna know

You got a list that's three miles long, no doubt,

Well all you gotta do is rub like so-an oh,

Mister Baggins, sir, have a wish or two or three,

I'm on the job, you big nabob,

You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend,

You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend,

You ain't never!

Had a!

Friennnnddd likeeeeee meeeeeeeee!

Wha ha ha!

Who ha ha!

You ain't never had a friend like me!

When the number ended, Sora was clapping while Bifur and Bilbo looked dazed from the little show.

"So what'll it be, Mister Baggins?" Genie asked.

Bilbo looked up at Genie skeptically.

"You mean to tell me you can grant any wish I want?"

"You finally catch on, huh?" Genie laughed.

"That's right, I can grant any wish you want. However there are a few rules that need to be followed"

"What rules?"

"Well for starters, rule 1: I can't kill anybody"

He pretended to cut of his head to prove a point.

"So don't ask. Rule 2: I can't make anyone fall in love. Rule 3!"

He turned into a zombie like form, creeping everyone out.

"I can't bring people back from the dead. It's not a pretty picture, I don't like doing it! But other than that you can wish for your hearts desire"

Bifur looked excited for his Hobbit friend.

"Blimey! You could wish us to be in Erebor! We wouldn't have to worry about traveling months on end!"

Sora whacked the dwarf upside the head and gave him a stern look.

"This is Bilbo's wish so he can decide what he wants to come true"

He gave Bilbo an encouraging smile. He had a feeling Bilbo would be pressure to do something that he didn't want to do and he didn't want to see that happen.

"Go on, Bilbo. Ask Genie what you want"

Bilbo looked at Genie in wonder. He could have any wish he wanted granted. This was too good to be true.

'Maybe I can wish to return home? Nah, that's too easy and this is something I need to deal with Gandalf. Perhaps I can wish for the company to be less grumpy and be more accepting towards me? Then again I'm sure not even a wish could change those stubborn dwarfs'

Taking a deep breath, he decided on something that he had been thinking about the whole day.

"I wish I could be of better use to the group I'm traveling with. Maybe if I became a better fighter then they would accept me better"

Sora and Bifur looked at him sadly.

"Bilbo you shouldn't wish to change yourself. You're fine just the way that your are" Sora said.

"That's right, lad. Why would you want to wish that?" Bifur asked.

"Well it's obvious I don't fit in with the group" Bilbo said sadly.

"I can't fight, I've never traveled before and I don't know how to defend myself against Orcs or Heartless"

"Then we'll teach you how to fight" Sora said.

"Not everyone is born a natural fighter, you shouldn't beat yourself up over that"

"Yeah, and you saved us from being eaten by the trolls" Bifur reminded.

"None of us thought to stall for time"

Genie wrapped an arm around Bilbo's shoulder.

"Bilbo, buddy, you shouldn't change yourself to make friends. Real friends see you for who you are, not by what you can or can't do. Take me for example, I made friends who saw me for being me, not by because I can grant them wishes"

He gestured towards Sora and Bifur.

"You have friends here who like you just the way that you are. Now why don't you wish for something that reflects you? Not by those around you"

Bilbo looked at Sora and Bifur. He didn't realize there were others besides Hikari who liked him and enjoyed his presence. There were others who liked him because he was himself, who didn't care that he wasn't a fighter.

Closing his eyes, he thought of something that he had been thinking when they started this journey. Something that reflected on himself but also of his friends.

"I…I wish that the company and I will be safe on this journey" he said.

"After seeing what could have happened yesterday,I don't want to imagine what we'll face in the future. I would never want anyone to get hurt on this trip…even if most of them think little of me. That is my wish"

Genie smiled brightly at that.

"Now that's what I call a wish" he said as he cracked his knuckles.

"One protection wish, coming right up!"

With a snap of his fingers, Genie cast a spell that would protect the company on their quest for Erebor.

"See? This is why we like you the way that you are. You always think of everyone else" Sora smiled.

Genie stifled a yawn as he stretched.

"Sheesh, all that fun and wish making really drained me. Think it's time I headed back and called it a day"

Sora nodded in understanding, knowing that summoning magic tended to get to the summons.

"Thanks again for your help, Genie. I'll call you if we ever need help again"

Bilbo looked up at Genie hopefully, feeling sad that he was leaving. He was starting to like the strange fellow even if he was a little out there.

"Do you think we'll ever see you again?" He asked.

Genie shrugged nonchalantly.

"Maybe, maybe not. But even if we never see each other again, I'll still be here"

He went up to Bilbo and pointed to his chest.

"Even if I'm gone, I'll always be here when you need me the most. All you have to do is think about me and all the fun we had and everything will be alright"

Bilbo placed a hand over his heart, feeling the warmth that welled up inside it.

"Well then, kitties, it's been a blast! Let me know when you want to have some more fun!"

With the Genie disappeared in a cloud of colorful smoke. Bilbo looked at the spot Genie once was with a thoughtful look on his face. Who would have thought that there were characters such as him out in the world? He would have never known that if he stayed back in the Shire.

Thinking about his home, he decided to give this journey one more chance. If he was able to meet people like Genie, then he wanted to see who he would meet next. And he wanted to prove to the company that he had a place with them.

"Come on, Bilbo. Let's finish our meal before it goes cold" Sora said

They all sat back down and enjoyed their meal together.

While Bilbo still had some doubts about traveling with everyone, as long as he had friends like Sora in the group then he was looking forward to how the rest of the journey will be.

/

A/N: And there you have it. Hopefully this was a touching tribute and also a touching chapter. I know in the extended edition Bilbo was having doubts about staying and feeling belonged in the company so I thought Genie would be the perfect person to cheer him up.

Next time Bilbo interacts with one of our other Keyblade wielders. Who will it be? Will it be Hikari? Riku? Or God forbid Ankoku? You'll just have to find out next time!

This chapter is dedicated in loving memory of Robin Williams. He always managed to put a smile on our faces when we were down and could always make every conversation he had memorable. Even when he was internally struggling, he always put everyone first and made sure they were okay and smiling. He'll be missed greatly and there will never be another human being like him. He was one of a kind just like Genie and we'll never have another friend like him.

R.I.P Robin Williams

Ja ne