As not-Riku predicted, Sora took to bonding very well. He made his own dream eater, making a buffed up Meow Wow with extended vitality, thanks to the potion not-Riku gave him.
"Wow, you're letting me have it?"
"You'll need it more," was all he said.
As not-Riku figured, Sora was enamored with the pudgy little rascal. He… she… "they"? Were a little silly for him, but Sora loved the little goofball.
"I'll call you… Rolly." He decided. "Cuz you roll around so much!"
Not-Riku burst into snickers. He had wondered what Sora would have actually named his dream eater, but that sounded right for him. Simple guy, simple mindset. "That's perfect." He said.
He brought all the dream eaters together, showing Sora how they all liked being pet in different areas, and they bopped around happily.
"Man, this is a lot." Sora sighed, and let his head hang in exhaustion. "I don't know how I'm gonna remember all this."
"You'll get the hang of it," he assured. But Sora just looked so depressed, he gently ruffled the top of his head to try to help him feel better. "But you're doing great!"
Sora looked at him with surprised, wide eyes. And not-Riku thought maybe he was surprised he was being nice to him. Until he remembered he was touching him, and not-Riku released him as he had a mini-heart attack. Oh god oh god oh god too familiar, too familiar, reel it back!
"So anyway here's the rest of my treats," he said hurriedly, bringing out three. "You should try them."
"Oh wow!" Sora gushed as he took them. "Really? Thanks!" He picked one up to examine it. "They look delicious!" He said, and then bit into it.
Not-Riku burst out laughing as Sora made a disgusted face. He forced himself to swallow, and not-Riku cracked up, doubling over from laughter.
"Wow, these are, um, interesting," Sora grimaced again as he looked at the bitten cookie. He tried to pull up a smile. "What flavor is this? I've, uh, never had it before!"
Not-Riku had finally managed to get some air, tears in his eyes as he held himself up. "Those are dream eater treats, Sora!" He finally gasped, pointing to the creatures milling about idly. "They're for the dream eaters!"
"What?!" He balked, already turning pink. "But you said to try them! Why didn't you tell me!?"
"I meant try giving them to them! I didn't think you would actually eat them!" He managed to get out before cracking up all over again, falling to the ground as his strength left him.
Sora fed them as not-Riku had to struggle to get his bearings, trying to practice corralling them and calling them to where he wanted them to go. He went to petting them, eagerly making them hop and chirp happily. He was at it for a bit, and then after a moment, he glowed. "What?!"
Not-Riku sighed with relief. He had been worried it might not work. "You've bonded with them. They must have given you a stat boost."
"What? They made me stronger?"
"Yes. Dream eaters will gift you abilities based on how much you've bonded with them. After you unlock- erm, sorry, after two different ones give you the same boost, it will stay with you even after they've left."
"No way!" Sora breathed, and he picked up the wriggling prickle-mane happily. "Thank you!" He said to it.
Not-Riku smiled fondly.
Knowing what he did now, Sora was eager to become friends with all of the dream eaters. When Not-Riku showed him he could play games with them too, he was ecstatic.
"No way, I wanna try!"
'Figured you would.'
Not-Riku had already tried it out, so stood back to let Sora play after explaining the rules. He watched him and the dream eaters darting back and forth across the plaza, smacking the balloons to each other with gusto. Not-Riku always figured he'd be happy with a dog if he had one. He was active, and exuberant, he was just the type to be thrilled with a little buddy. He had joked that Riku would be more of a cat person in comparison, but after thinking about it, not-Riku realized he would prefer dogs too.
He could feel his heart sinking slowly as he watched Sora moving around happily. It wasn't him he was looking at, but someone else that he remembered. He would have been so happy with his dog…
'Man, I really did a terrible job, didn't I? Sorry, Sora.'
After the game, the dream eaters cheered with Sora, and the keyblade wielder began to glow. He jumped, staring down at himself as the his body gently flashed a few times, until it finally left him in silence.
"Whoa! I feel so much stronger!"
Not-Riku laughed. "Yeah, I've been leveling them up while you were asleep. If they've given you the stats, it means you've bonded with them now. This should make your fights a little easier." He walked to join him again. "There's one last thing I need to teach you about. Do you know what flow motion is?"
"Nope. Never heard of it."
Not-Riku grimaced. So Joshua had been right after all. "It's… here, let me show you real quick."
Sora gasped in awe when not-Riku demonstrated it. He swung around the pole, bounced off the walls, and sailed about until he zipped up the rail in a trail of light and energy. "Whoa!"
"You can do it almost anywhere," he said as he landed in front of him again. "Even on some larger dream eaters. It will make fights and getting around a lot easier. Give it a shot."
And he did. Sora eagerly copied him, zipping about the plaza structure, and even the second level, practicing jumping between walls. The timing was the hardest part of course, figuring out how to quickly change direction mid jump was no easy feat, but he at least got the basic concepts.
"Did I do it?" Sora asked him.
"Mostly, yeah," he said. "You'll get the hang of it. You're an athlete, so it will come easy for you."
"Huh? Wow," Sora said. "No one's called me an "athlete" before. I like the sound of it." he grinned, lacing his hand behind his head. "Makes me sound cool."
He smiled, but stepped back. "Okay, now start walking and try calling the dream eaters to you. See if they follow."
He darted off to be close to the door connecting to the third district. He called and waved his hand. Rolly followed him instantly, and the other dream eaters looked between Sora, and not-Riku questioningly.
"Go on," he urged with a soft voice. "Go with him." And by habit he snapped his fingers and pointed to Sora.
They wagged a moment in confusion, followed his finger, then headed towards the one calling them, hopping along to their destination. When they joined him, Sora greeted them with a hug and eager ruffle, making them chirp. Not-Riku finally relaxed. He had fixed everything, and it was all as it should be. He could rest easy knowing that, and at least end this dream on a happy note.