Let's Reimagineer Kingdom Hearts

[Evilgidgit]

You know what, I do love Kingdom Hearts. It is one of my favourite video game franchises, and I adore the combination of Disney and Final Fantasy characters. It has a unique premise, lovable characters, and some of the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard.

And yet, the franchise is fundamentally flawed. The first game, released in 2002, told a relatively simple story, an interesting lore, and you knew who was who. But, as each new game was released (each one on a different console), the story became more and more convoluted, often relying on plot devices, deus ex machinas, and retcons. The motives of specific characters became confusing, and it virtually became impossible to explain the story as a whole.

For instance, the main antagonist, Xehanort, use an overly convoluted method of time travel to gather versions of himself from the past. Yet, in Kingdom Hearts II, Merlin simply whips up a magic door to the past. The series also had a tendency to contradict itself. Nobodies, the creatures created when a Heartless abandons its body, were described as lacking hearts and emotions. But, in Dream Drop Distance, Sora realises that Nobodies do actually regrow their hearts, explaining why Roxas and co. could express feelings.

So, for fun and a little bit of creative writing, I am going to reimagine (or reimagineer) the Kingdom Hearts franchise, witling the long franchise down to a standard trilogy, with Birth By Sleep as a prequel. I will be taking a lot of liberties with the story, changing some things, and removing some characters (after a lot of soul searching!). The main goal is to tell a more easy-to-understand plot, without betraying the essence of the franchise or the characters. I won’t really be commenting on the game play, as that isn’t really why I play these games.

The first change is probably the most important. Master Xehanort, the main antagonist of the franchise, is gone. He no longer exists in my version of Kingdom Hearts. Don’t worry, it doesn’t mean that the darkness-preaching badguy everyone loves is gone. It is just that his older, creepy, finger-wiggling self is gone. He has a new origin story, or rather Xehanort is now just one character, and not thirteen.

In this version, Terra is Xehanort. His full name is “Terra Xehanort”, beginning life as a boy on Destiny Islands, would eventually leave, become a Keyblade wielder, and go down an Anakin Skywalker-esque path of darkness and rage to become a villain. I felt the decision to compartmentalise the badguy is necessary. Xehanort’s Heartless (Ansem) and Nobody (Xemnas) will both show up too

Let’s also tackle the key elements of the lore that need to be established to explain Terra/Xehanort’s goals.

KINGDOM HEARTS: The centre of the universe and source of all hearts, light, darkness, and world. All hearts come from this entity, and return to it when a person dies. It contains immense power over light and darkness, acting as the metaphorical scales of balance in the cosmos. It can appear in many forms, including a heart-shaped moon, or a large set of white doors.

KEYBLADES: The Keyblade is a key-shaped sword which is born from a person’s heart. It has an ability to open and unlock the hearts of people and the worlds, as well as permanently seal them. Not everyone can wield a Keyblade, and we shall keep the rules vague since the games always seemed to do that. A wielder can become a Keyblade Master through various means, most commonly through great acts, or by passing the Mark of Mastery Exam. The first Keyblade, the “χ-Blade”, acts as a counterpart to Kingdom Hearts, serving as its protector and is the only Keyblade that can summon the entity

KEYBLADE WAR: The Keyblade War is a mythological cataclysm that occurred in the Kingdom Hearts universe. It has become the stuff of legend, so no one truly knows how long ago it happened, perhaps 100 years or even 1000 years ago. It is said that the war occurred on the lone, original world, that was destroyed by the war, as many Keyblade wielders battled each other to control Kingdom Hearts. Someone used the χ-Blade to summon Kingdom Hearts, and the entity’s power put an end to all combatants, and destroyed the world. However, the light within the hearts of children survived, allowing new worlds to be formed. The χ-Blade was said to have shattered into twenty pieces, thirteen of darkness, and seven of light. These seven pieces would find shelter within the seven Princesses of Heart, and the thirteen pieces of darkness disappeared.

THE WORLDS: There are many worlds within the universe, most of which are based on Disney films. Originally, there was but one world, which was destroyed at the end of the Keyblade War, though remnants may remain. Most worlds are separated from one another by invisible barriers, but the Gummi Ship technology was created once these barriers began to be infiltrated. A “prime directive”-esque law was used by Keyblade wielders to keep the existence of other worlds secret from one another. When a world’s barrier is destroyed, it appears as shooting stars. Each world has a heart, hidden behind a Keyhole, which can be locked or unlocked by a Keyblade. The Heartless search for the Keyholes in order to devour the worlds’ hearts. The destroyed worlds fall into the Realm of Darkness, but can be restored using Kingdom Hearts.

PRINCESSES OF HEART: The Princesses of Heart are seven maidens who possess hearts of pure light, and are unknowingly the hosts for the seven shards of light that make up half of the χ-Blade. The first roster includes Snow White, Cinderella, Princess Aurora, Princess Jasmine, Belle, Alice, and Kairi. Due to their connection to the χ-Blade, the princesses, in theory, could wield a Keyblade, but Kairi will be the only one to do so. The shards within can seek out new hosts if the princesses are exposed to darkness. The princesses’ hearts could be used to create an incomplete version of the χ-Blade.

MONSTERS: The Kingdom Hearts universe has several types of creatures and monsters that personify various concepts. The Heartless are corrupted hearts, appearing as black, yellow-eyed creatures. Most lack a sense of self, dwell in the Realm of Darkness, and continuously seek out other hearts to consume. Nobodies are the sentient creatures made when a Heartless abandons its original body. Nobodies generally appear as white, inhuman entities, but those who had strong hearts can maintain their original appearances and memories, but lack emotions. The Inversed are black, impish creatures that personify negative emotions, and cause anarchy rather than seek out hearts. And the Dream Eaters exist in the Dreamscape, and can be either benevolent or malicious based on if they eat a person’s dreams or nightmares.

Anyway, Terra/Xehanort’s goal is to, in his view, correct the imbalance between light and darkness in the universe, left out of whack after the end of the last Keyblade War. Through personal reasons that we’ll cover in the Birth By Sleep rewrite, Terra was convinced that light doesn’t always equal good, and believes darkness is just as important as light in one’s heart. He plots to kick off a second Keyblade War, restore the χ-Blade, and summon Kingdom Hearts to reset the balance between light and dark. But, due to the darkness in his heart, Terra wishes to open the Keyholes in every world and allow the Heartless to consume all them all in darkness. After that, Terra will leave the universe to either survive or crumble, in order for the next generation of Keyblade wielders to decide what to do.

So, in others words, Terra is willing to bring about a great change, but will leave the consequences and fate to others. He is willing to become a martyr or a pariah if necessary, but will not intervene if his actions have severe effects on the worlds. Like Anakin abandoning his name and becoming Darth Vader, Terra will so the same and become Xehanort, the Seeker of Darkness.

 

[Evilgidgit]

Kingdom Hearts

The majority of Kingdom Hearts remains the same. The game is near-perfect, back when the storyline and the mythology was relatively easy to follow. In truth, there isn’t much to change here. Sora, Riku, and Kairi live together on the Destiny Islands, dreaming of other worlds beyond their endless ocean. The boys’ interest comes from Kairi, who appeared on the islands several years ago during a meteor shower. The trio plot to set sail on a raft to reach these other worlds, but their home is destroyed by the Heartless. Sora receives the Keyblade, teams up with Donald Duck and Goofy to find Riku, Kairi, and King Mickey, whilst battling Maleficent and her various associates. Xehanort is revealed to be the main villain, wishing to use Kingdom Hearts’ power to swallow all worlds in darkness. Sora blows him up with the power of light, Riku and Mickey become trapped in the Realm of Darkness after sealing Kingdom Hearts, and Sora leaves Kairi behind on Destiny Islands to bring Riku home.

Sora and Riku would be orphans, but wouldn’t make a big deal out of it, or do some surprise parent plot twist. It would just erase whatever happened to Sora’s mum. Seriously, she has one line and we never hear from her again. Did she go a whole year in game canon wondering why there was a boy’s bedroom in the house? Not to mention Sora never once realises his own mother forgot he existed. So, Sora and Riku both live in an orphanage, and are close friends with Kairi, who claims she is an orphan too, despite being adopted by the archipelago’s mayor.

Sora, Riku, and Kairi are somewhat outcasts within their world, as they are dreamers and wish to leave their home to find other worlds across the sea. The islands’ community are very conservative and fantasy-forbidding, similar to Moana’s father, who believes all they need to be happy is on the islands. There is no need to go beyond the sea, for there is nothing there. Sora and Riku have come to resent the adults in their lives, and want to leave, though they do have inner attachments to their home, especially Sora, who enjoys his easygoing life, despite longing for adventure. Riku is a little more complicated, also loving his home, but dislikes the culture of the islands. He doesn’t understand why the world should be so small, and there must be more to life. As he puts it, “This world is too small.” Kairi remains sweet, snarky, and goofy. I think Kairi’s personality was most noticeable in the first game, though she does let Sora and Riku take the lead most of the time. This will change as the story goes on.

Now, as for Xehanort, I would expand his presence in the game a little more. Unless you collect and read all of “Ansem’s” secret reports, the character gets a passing mention once or twice, and then when the big reveal comes that Ansem is the big bad, we’re supposed to know who this lunatic preaching about darkness is, and why his true nature is alarming.

For the rewrite, Xehanort is never referred to as “Ansem” – Xemnas is the only character who steals Ansem the Wise’s name, mostly out of mockery. Where does Sora and Riku’s mindset that there are other worlds beyond their home? From Xehanort. On the islands, Xehanort is a name that stirs up bad memories in the community, being a young man who swore there were other worlds, defying the ways of the islands. His words “corrupted” the youths, Sora and Riku having vague memories of speaking with such a man, and idolise Xehanort. He disappeared around twelve years ago, people assuming he is dead.

The real Ansem the Wise is depicted by Leon and co. as a benevolent ruler and scientist, but do comment on his growing obsession with hearts, light, and darkness. He is mentioned as having disappeared when Radiant Garden fell to the Heartless. So, when Sora and Riku come to learn that Xehanort, who they idolised as a figure of discovery, adventure, and freedom, is a manipulating monster obsessed with nihilistic destruction, it comes off as a personal betrayal. For Sora, he is shocked that Xehanort is so evil. For Riku, a man who he trusted and longed to follow, now possessing and controlling his body, leaves him feeling confused, violated, and without a purpose.

In the final battle, Sora, Donald, and Goofy experience vivid flashbacks to a younger Xehanort living on the islands. He was studying the heart, the possibility of other worlds, and eventually finding the Keyhole’s door beneath the play island. He went through it and disappeared. We don’t see his face, but we do know that he didn’t always have silver hair and yellow eyes. Gaining such traits to caused by too much exposure to darkness. Sora confronts Xehanort and asks him why he wishes to destroy all worlds. Xehanort claims he is trying to right wrongs, alluding to his belief that the universe is imbalanced. When Sora reminds Xehanort he once wanted to explore new worlds, not destroy them, Xehanort freezes. This allows Kingdom Hearts to consume him with light.

Kairi’s role would be expanded a little more in the story. For instance, Kairi is aware that she is a Princess of Heart and may have some greater knowledge of the large universe. She knows there are other worlds, being from another herself, and helped Sora and Riku to build a raft out of love. Kairi’s appearances to Sora become more frequent whilst her heart occupies his, and he experiences flashbacks of her childhood, meeting her late grandmother, and how Radiant Garden was consumed by darkness thanks to Xehanort. Kairi fled through the world’s Keyhole, and wound up in Destiny Islands.

This game would be Maleficent’s sole appearance in the reimagining, aside from Birth By Sleep. Maleficent was absolutely wicked in the game, but after her pointless resurrection in Kingdom Hearts II, she didn’t do anything beyond house hunting and making empty threats to just about everyone. And it doesn’t look like she’ll be doing much in Kingdom Hearts III either. Maleficent dies permanently after being defeated by Sora, Donald, and Goofy, revealed to be a pawn of Xehanort and the Heartless all along.

The ending would also be a little different. When Riku and Mickey become trapped in the Realm of Darkness, they are being watched by a figure from afar, actually DiZ. After Sora leaves Kairi behind, she goes down to the secret cave, completes their Paopu fruit drawing, but then moves to the Keyhole door and is able to open it by simply touching it. Pluto’s letter from Mickey is actually read, revealing Mickey and Riku are alive, and they will meet Sora again soon.

And finally, some adjustments to the worlds:

-Traverse Town – absolutely love this world, but it could do with a little more exploration, and a proper sense of community amongst the refugees. I could imagine Sora’s summon characters could live in Traverse Town separately.

-Atlantica – this would be the ONLY time that we visit Atlantica in the franchise. No dumb karaoke gameplay in the sequel. And fix the dodgy swimming mechanics too.

-Neverland – the plot would be the same, but I would actually set it on Neverland rather than strictly within Captain Hook’s ship. The final boss of the world would be the Phantom Heartless, trying to access the Keyhole within Big Ben.

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

I thought it would be a new game set after KH3. Because I thought of a Kingdom Hearts game were the main character is Kairi.

 

[Evilgidgit]

KINGDOM HEARTS II, PART ONE

My interpretation of Kingdom Hearts II is a bit of a handful, combining elements from Chain of Memories, 358/2 Days, and II. There is a lot to unpack and rearrange with this rewrite, since it needs to continue where the first game left off, tell its own arc, and set up both Birth By Sleep and Kingdom Hearts III. There will be at least three playable characters in this depiction of the story – Sora, Riku, and Roxas. The game would have a three act structure. In the actual KHII, Sora revisits each world at least twice, which I feel is a little unnecessary, as the second visit is often a little underwhelming. Instead, Sora, Donald, and Goofy would visit each world for one extended trip.

...

The story begins mere days after the end of the first. Sora, Donald, and Goofy receive a letter from King Mickey, reassuring them that he and Riku are safe, and invites them to meet in a place called Twilight Town. Sora discovers his Keyblade can open portals to other worlds and decides to use it as a shortcut, becoming a little cocky with his abilities.

The trio end up inside the Realm of Darkness, where they are greeted by the members of the Organization XIII – a thirteen-man group of Nobodies, the sentient bodies/souls left behind when a Heartless is created. They wear identical black cloaks, appear to express exaggerated feelings, and have various powers over the elements. Most of them engage the trio in a battle, quickly overwhelming them. Sora notices only twelve members are fighting, whilst the thirteenth merely watches from afar. The leader blindsides Sora, striking his heart with some kind of dark magic. Sora manages to grab the man’s hood, revealing him to be Xemnas, who resembles Xehanort.

The Organization retreats as Riku and Mickey come to the rescue. Donald and Goofy are badly hurt, and Sora faces being lost to darkness, his heart poisoned by Xemnas. DiZ, the mysterious man who rescued Riku and Mickey at the end of the first game, takes command, guiding the group to the peculiar looking Castle Oblivion, his home and laboratory. DiZ wears a robed mask, wearing clothes that protect him from the darkness. Sora is placed in a special machine that puts him in an induced coma, though he will dream. DiZ and his assistant must remove the poisoning darkness and then rebuild Sora’s heart, but it will take time.

Riku would become the playable character at this point, teaming up with Donald and Goofy to aid in Sora’s revival. They meet DiZ’s assistant – Xion. Now, in this reimagining, Namine and Xion are the same character. Xion (i.e. “No. I”) is an artificial human created by DiZ, complete with an artificial heart. As such, DiZ regards her as a Nobody, and should lack an ability to emote. And, yet, she is developing a personality, albeit a timid one. She hides her face under a black hood. Xion possesses a gift to view into a person’s heart and can examine and rearrange their memories. DiZ instructs Xion to heal Sora, though the damage could take well over a year to fix. Sora would be asleep for a year.

Riku despairs, but learns that the process could be sped up with help from a Keyblade from the Realm of Light. Mickey’s is out of the question, since he gained it from the Realm of Darkness, and Riku himself cannot summon a Keyblade due to his corruption. He opts to search the worlds for another Keyblade, accompanied by Donald and Goofy. Their teamwork is awkward at first, but they put their differences aside to save Sora.

The new trio go through three different new worlds – The Big Top (Dumbo), Forest of Seasons (Bambi), and Ohana Islands (Lilo & Stitch), properly establishing Stitch in the universe, whilst Dumbo and Bambi, who were summons in the first game, get their own individuals worlds. Organization XIII only appear within Dumbo’s world, Larxene hoping to exploit Dumbo’s misery and turn him into a Heartless. The sadistic Larxene and flamboyant but manipulative Marluxia plot to take control of Organization XIII through their anonymous thirteenth member.

During the visit to Bambi’s world, Riku witnesses the thirteenth member rescue animals from a wildfire, and then slays Heartless with not one but two Keyblades. Riku and the Nobody work together to put out the fire, Riku noticing the boy moves a lot like Sora. The boy is unmasked, introducing us to Roxas, Sora’s nobody. Riku is startled by his resemblance to Sora, prompting Roxas to flee in confusion.

Riku soon discovers Roxas is Sora’s Nobody, explaining why he can wield the Keyblade, and considers his help in speeding up Sora’s recovery. Though Mickey, Donald, and Goofy are in agreement, DiZ believes Roxas can’t be trusted, since he is with the Organization. Riku discovers Xion resembles a dark-haired Kairi. DiZ admits he modelled Xion after his granddaughter, though he has not seen her in years. Mickey realises that DiZ is noneother than Ansem the Wise – the long lost king of Radiant Garden, and an old friend.

Ansem explains before he met Mickey, he was fascinated by the heart, wishing to understand how light and darkness worked within. He needed to perform research. By chance, the perfect volunteer appeared. Ten years ago, a silver-haired man with amnesia appeared in Radiant Garden. He went by the name of “Xehanort”, and became one of Ansem’s six apprentices, the others – Braig, Dilan, Even, Aeleus, and young Ienzo – becoming the founding members of Organization XIII. Xehanort experimented on his own heart, discovering much darkness inside it. He eventually convinced the other apprentices to embrace the darkness and see how far they would change. Ansem tried to intervene, but Xehanort betrayed him and banished him into the Realm of Darkness. Had he known what sort of man Xehanort was, Ansem would have cast him into the shadows long ago.

Worst still, Ansem’s own pride allowed Xehanort and the others to continue their experiments, implying they used innocent people as subjects, and suspects several members of Organization XIII are amongst them. Still, he cannot allow the Nobodies to go unpunished and wants to get revenge on his apprentices. Mickey warns Ansem that he mustn’t let himself be consumed by darkness. Riku struggles to fight his own darkness, which appears as a spectral Xehanort, tormenting him, though only Riku can see and hear him. Xehanort claims that in the end, Riku will come to rely on his darkness, as it is the only way he can gain true strength.

When Sora’s recovery begins to face the prospect of taking longer than thought, Xion suggests that Sora maybe able to awake with some help. A familiar voice. Riku decides to observe Kairi, who he has not seen for a long time. Somewhat angry that Sora left Kairi behind after promising to look after her, Riku at first assumes Kairi has moved on. When he sees her forlornly staring out to sea, he then assumes she is lonely.

But, Kairi’s true lifestyle becomes apparent when Riku discovers she can open the Keyhole’s door, but deliberately throws herself into danger to lure in Heartless. She has been training to use her powers as a Princess of Heart, but, somehow, can wield a Keyblade. Riku unexpectedly feels a twinge of envy towards her. He informs the others of Kairi’s secrets, but he refuses to get her involved, believing she will be upset if she finds Sora in such a condition. Though, Mickey suspects it is because he is guilty for not returning home.

Xion soon turns out to be a bit of a wildcard. Curious about the girl who looks like her, Xion goes to Destiny Islands and meets Kairi. Though at first shocked, Kairi comes to befriend Xion, learning her grandfather is still alive. At first, Xion remains silent about Sora and Riku, but slowly feels guilty when Kairi tells her about them. Upon learning of Xion’s origins, Kairi suggests she forge her own identity, including a name. Together, they choose on the name of “Namine”. In gratitude, Namine finally spills the beans on Sora, Riku, and the others, and takes Kairi to Castle Oblivion, despite her presence bound to attract the Heartless. Riku has an emotional reunion with Kairi, who is at first livid with him and the others, but comes to forgive him. Kairi also reunites with her grandfather Ansem.

Kairi offers her services to help awaken Sora. She writes her letter for him (the one from the end of KHII), and reads it aloud to him, causing Sora to stir. Kairi then uses her Keyblade to speed up the healing of Sora’s heart, but he doesn’t awaken, Xion assuming that he must do so in his own time. However, she notices something. Before she can identify it to the others, Castle Oblivion is attacked by members of Organization XIII.

Marluxia, Larxene, Vexen, Lexaeus, Zexion, and Axel storm the castle, having been watching it for months, and decided to strike once Kairi’s presence disturbed the Heartless. Riku sends Kairi home, promising to bring Sora back to her. The others defend Sora as the Nobodies invade. Riku goes through a series of boss fights, aided by Donald, Goofy, and Mickey. Larxene dies first, going out the same way she dies in the manga (water and electricity are not a pleasant mix). Riku then meets the silent, stalwart, but dangerous Lexaeus, who defeats him. But, Riku’s inner darkness erupts, giving Riku immense but uncontrolled power. He one-shots Lexaeus, and then kills Zexion by absorbing his energy.

Vexen confronts Ansem the Wise, demanding the return of his artificial heart research, but is impressed upon meeting Namine. Axel enters, mishearing Vexen’s conversation with Ansem as an act of treachery, promptly incinerating Vexen. Axel has no intention of killing the heroes, since none of them would be alive to remember him. Both the dark Riku and Marluxia enter, engaging in a battle. Mickey manages to coax Riku out of his state, and to find a balance in his heart, allowing him to summon a proper Keyblade – the Way to Dawn. Marluxia loses, begging Axel to back him up. Aware of Marluxia’s planned coup, Axel leaves him to die.

On the way out, Axel finds Roxas has appeared in Castle Oblivion. Roxas has lived a monotonous life for almost a year: slaying Heartless and then going to Twilight Town to eat ice cream with Axel. But, he has begun to experience vivid memories that belong to Sora, and he came to the castle to find out why the Keyblade chose him. But, he collapses as he is overwhelmed by Sora’s memories, Axel carrying him out of the castle.

With Castle Oblivion no longer safe, Riku and co. move to Twilight Town, occupying an abandoned mansion on the outskirts of town. The mansion contains hints to the Keyblade War, with hints it may have been home to a dead Keyblade Master, Riku finding a painting of Kingdom Hearts appearing over a wasteland. Ansem designs a simulation of Twilight Town, deciding it is time to awaken Sora before Organization XIII complete their obscure plan. Ansem claims that Sora might not be awakening because of Roxas, who is likely absorbing his memories. Namine confirms this, but worries that forcing Roxas to unite with Sora could be dangerous. Ansem dismisses this, regarding Roxas as a mere mistake that must be corrected. This upsets Namine, who asks him if she was a mistake, though Ansem remains silent. Riku reluctantly agrees to retrieve Roxas.

Meanwhile, Roxas, fed up with his haunting memories and lack of answers, leaves the Organization to find Sora. Axel tries to stop him, but Roxas leaves regardless, upsetting Axel. The events of “Deep Dive” occur here – Roxas and Riku fight some Heartless, then turn on each other when Roxas learns what his fate will be. Roxas claims he has his own heart, which Riku begins to believe in when Roxas starts crying, afraid of fading away. Roxas defeats Riku with his dual Keyblades.

Facing no other choice, Riku calls upon the darkness in his heart, transforms into Xehanort, and knocks out Roxas. Riku hides his face when he returns to Ansem and co., and poor Roxas is trapped in the simulated Twilight Town, convinced he is a normal teenager enjoying his summer vacation. Mickey leaves in disgust, disagreeing with Riku and Ansem’s actions. Donald and Goofy remain to guard Sora. Ansem gives Namine mere days to complete her work on Sora’s heart before Roxas is forcefully reunited with him.

The gameplay turns to Roxas, following the prologue of Kingdom Hearts II, though now about a quarter of the way through the plot. Rather than six rather tedious days, this section is whittled down to about three. Roxas spends time with his friends Hayner, Pence, and Olette, mimicking what he did with Axel, eating ice cream. Roxas begins to experience Sora’s memories again, and develops the ability to wield the Keyblade.

The first day involves Roxas being stalked by Nobodies, stealing photographs and possessions, in an attempt to lure him to the dark edge of town. He manages to summon the Keyblade and fend them off. He is disturbed that no one else can see the Nobodies chasing him. He then meets Namine, who has appeared in the simulation to coax him into uniting with Sora, though she, again, is reluctant to put such a choice upon him. She cryptically tells him he will have to make a choice soon, and gives him a seashell, telling him that it will help him when he needs it.

Whilst having ice cream with his friends, Roxas falls off the clock tower and plunges into darkness, awakening in Sora’s Station of Awakening where he is attacked by a gigantic Nobody. He defeats it, but falls into darkness. He listens into the seashell, hearing the motion of the waves, and is consumed by light back to Twilight Town. He discovers his Keyblade has become Oathkeeper, and is dawns on Roxas that Twilight Town is nowhere near a beach, contradicting his friends’ plans to go to one. He begins to doubt what’s happening around him.

On the second day, Roxas participates in a battle tournament against Hayner, Seifer, and Seltzer. Roxas wins, only for Nobodies to attack him again. Axel appears, and tries to convince Roxas they are friends, only to disturb the boy. Ansem the Wise appears to shield Roxas from the truth until the time comes, and Axel is cast out of the simulation. Returning to the Organization, Axel is warned that unless he brings Roxas back, both of them will be executed.

The third day plays out the same Roxas’ sixth day does in the actual game. The simulation freezes, Roxas regains his memories of his time with the Organization, and finally learns of his true nature as Sora’s Nobody. He discusses with Namine Xemnas’ plan to restore the Nobodies’ hearts using Kingdom Hearts. Namine reveals that the only way for a Nobody to regain their heart is for both them and their Heartless counterpart to be defeated. Such a rare occurrence could allow the original person to return. But, Roxas is unique, since his true self already exists, thanks to Kairi transforming Sora back to normal when he was a Heartless. So what is Xemnas’ true plan for Kingdom Hearts?

In the end, Roxas battles Axel and must say goodbye to him, before confronting Ansem. Roxas calls Ansem out for mistreating people, though Ansem scoffs at Nobodies being people. Ansem goads Roxas into attacking him, and reveals the sleeping Sora. Seeing how Sora appears to have suffered, Roxas finds himself sympathising with the person who would rob him of his existence. Still, he is drawn to the light in Sora’s heart, and ultimately, bonds with him, allowing Sora to finally awaken.

 

[Evilgidgit]

KINGDOM HEARTS II, PART TWO

The rest of the game would return to Sora, Donald, and Goofy as the main focus. Roxas has bonded with Sora, Riku, Mickey, and Ansem battle the Heartless and Nobodies, Namine and Axel disappear, whilst Kairi remains on Destiny Islands, oblivious to what has happened. Sora, Donald, and Goofy meet Mickey, who directs them to speak with Yen Sid to get the lowdown on what is happening. One scene that remains from the actual game is when Sora (or Roxas) cries whilst saying goodbye to Hayner, Pence, and Olette. I really loved that scene and it was a bittersweet farewell for Roxas.

The trio visit Yen Sid, but also encounter Pete here. Because Maleficent is permanently dead in this rewrite, Pete is a solo act. Still, he isn’t a very convincing villain, and so comes off as buffoonish and silly. When the trio insult and mock Pete, he takes it very personally and vows revenge. The one thing about him that is threatening is that he can summon the Heartless. He also has a grudge against Mickey, which will lead to his shenanigans in Timeless River. The trio meet Yen Sid, learn about Nobodies and Organization XIII, and get Sora’s new clothes.

Sora is aware of his injury and time in a coma, but remembers little, apart from Riku rescuing him, and Kairi’s letter, which he carries with him. Though he yearns to go home to see Kairi, he decides to find Riku first to keep his promise. He develops a racially biased attitude towards Nobodies, viewing them as living an impossible existence. While he doesn’t mean to be vindictive towards them, Sora can’t help. He is terrified of the idea of lacking a heart or being unable to feel anything. This changes over time, when he sees how the members of Organization XIII are secretly suffering.

Kairi, meanwhile, is tired of waiting for her friends to come home. With Keyblade in hand, she marches to the door beneath Kingdom Hearts to search for Sora and Riku. Axel appears, intending to kidnap her to lure Sora, hoping he can see Roxas again. Namine and Pluto come to the rescue, taking Kairi to Twilight Town, where she meets Hayner, Pence, and Olette. Kairi hopes to hang out til Sora returns, but Axel pops up. Instead of outright kidnapping her again, Axel instead chats with Kairi, sharing a salty sweet ice cream with her and the others, explaining his goal to reunite with Roxas. Kairi agrees to help Axel, and they, Namine, and Pluto team up to find Sora. Unfortunately, Kairi is captured by Saix, and Axel flees.

Namine finds herself stuck, unable to inform Sora, since he can’t reach The World That Never Was, which exists on the cusp of the Realm of Darkness. She also is unable to find Riku, Mickey, or Ansem, so she takes it upon herself to rescue Kairi.

Sora, Donald, and Goofy traverse the cosmos, visiting various worlds in search of Riku. As stated earlier, the trio visit worlds only once, rather than revisiting for a secondary, less interesting story. Twilight Town, Radiant Garden, Space Paranoids, and Hundred Acre Wood are the exceptions. The remaining Organization members – Xemnas, Xigbar, Xaldin, Saix, Demyx, and Luxord, have a more prominent role in the worlds, trying to create cataclysmic incidents, or powerful Heartless for Sora to slay.

The Land of the Dragons (Mulan): Still follows the plot of the movie. Xigbar is pulling the strings of Shan Yu’s invasion, convincing him to transform all of his Huns into storm China. Shan Yu himself turns into the Storm Rider Heartless, an enormous dragon, but is slain by Sora. Xigbar collects the hearts and leaves without a fuss.

Beast’s Castle (Beauty and the Beast): The plot follows what happens in the game, with Xaldin trying to make the Beast give in to the rage in his heart by kidnapping Belle and stealing the enchanted rose. Belle foils Xaldin’s plans, and he is destroyed by Sora and co.

Olympus Coliseum (Hercules): Hades summons Auron from the dead to be the figurehead for his planned takeover of Mount Olympus, but Auron has no interest in doing so. Hades then brainwashes Auron into battling Hercules as a distraction to unleash the bloodthirsty Hydra upon the coliseum. Hercules loses faith in his abilities. Sora, Donald, and Goofy sneak into the Underworld to destroy the idol Hades is using to control Auron. Together, they convince Hercules to be the hero he is, and they defeat the Hydra. Auron then returns to the afterlife. Demyx’s appearance remains, there is look for any potential hearts to corrupt, but he also tries and fails to reconnect with Roxas.

Agrabah (Aladdin): No changes, though how about make the boss fights against Jafar a bit more exciting. He’s a genie for goodness sake, or have him transform into his snake form.

Halloween Town (The Nightmare Before Christmas): Remains mostly the same, but Oogie Boogie is resurrected by Lock, Shock, and Barrel instead of Maleficent, and he doesn’t suffer from random amnesia. While Jack flies off to deliver Christmas presents, Oogie kidnaps Sandy Claws. Sora, Donald, and Goofy convince Jack to return, and the boss fight against Oogie involves him merging with Sandy Claws’ magic sack, allowing him to manipulate all of his powers, and turns his reindeer and sleigh into Heartless.

Timeless River: This world follows the same basic story – Heartless invade Disney Castle, but are destroyed by the Cornerstone of Light. Merlin appears, revealing to Sora that the Cornerstone has existed long before Disney Castle was built. He even open a door to the past to demonstrate, but Pete uses the door in an attempt to alter the past so Mickey never becomes king. Sora learns Pete was once a steamboat captain, and Mickey was his apprentice. Mickey protected Minnie and the Cornerstone of Light from a dark entity which he defeated and banished. It is a surprise twist, this dark entity turns out to be the present Pete, drawn into a rage caused by Sora and co. Upon being defeated, Pete realises he himself caused Mickey’s rise to heroism. He fades into darkness, despite the trio trying to save him.

Pridelands (The Lion King): Pete is absent from this world, which follows the movie’s plot. Demyx reappears in lion form (imagine the fan art!) to aid in Scar’s campaign. When Scar dies, Demyx transforms him into a shadowy heartless, and the final boss would be Sora and Simba battling the Scar Heartless across the burning Pride Rock.

Port Royal: Would be the same mostly. The story would begin prior to the Black Pearl attacking the port, so the trio meet Will, Elizabeth, and Captain Jack Sparrow earlier. Other characters like Commodore Norrington, Governor Swann, and Mr. Gibbs would appear to make the world feel a little more populated. Luxord steals several medallions from the chest of Cortes, but due to being a Nobody, he is unaffected by its curse. He sends his Nobodies to scatter the coins across the Caribbean, and utilises the Grim Reaper Heartless to turn the pirates into Heartless. However, the plan goes wrong when he finds the curse turns the men into bizarre skeletal Heartless caught between two forms. The player does not fight Barbossa, but instead battles the Grim Reaper Heartless.

The Battle of Radiant Garden continues, though Demyx does not die here. Sora learns that Xemnas is creating an artificial version of Kingdom Hearts from all of the Heartless he slays. So Sora admits he would be willing to let Xemnas do this, if it meant helping the Nobodies to feel again, he can’t let the Organization continue to harm others. He also learns Kairi has been kidnapped, and makes it his priority to rescue her. He hopes to find access to The World That Never Was, learning through Ansem’s research that a portal in a world between light and darkness could be found.

We also learn Cloud Strife’s backstory and his relationship with Sephiroth. It will be revealed that Cloud was a test subject of Xehanort when he was experimenting on hearts. Cloud’s darkness was so strong that it materialised as Sephiroth, and his light materialised as Tifa Lockheart. Cloud wants to be rid of Sephiroth, reminding him of his mistakes and own dark past, which we may revisit in Birth By Sleep. Cloud and Sephiroth fight, with help from Sora and Tifa, and Sephiroth fades away, but vows to never just become a memory. Cloud and Tifa leave in order to find a lost friend (i.e. Zack Fair).

The third act follows the game’s finale, but with some changes. Sora follows Roxas’ path, and Donald and Goofy finally admit to all that happened whilst he slept. Sora now knows that Roxas is his Nobody, instead of being randomly told by Riku, and better comes to understand Axel’s actions once his heroic sacrifice comes. Sora and Roxas still fight, but Sora fights entirely in defence whilst Roxas rages at Sora for the pain he has unintentionally caused him. Sora wins the fight, but does not harm Roxas, instead embracing him and apologises. Roxas realises Sora is a good person with a good heart, which he bonds with again.

Whilst Mickey finds Ansem the Wise and prepare to transfer the artificial Kingdom Hearts into his unique data machine. The trio scale the castle in search of Kairi. Namine and Riku rescue Kairi from her cell. Demyx, Kairi’s guard, decides to hide to avoid Saix’s wrath, only to run into Sora. After being insulted again, Demyx drops his façade as a fool, and engages the trio in battle, raging at Sora for his cruelty and taunts that Nobodies lack hearts. After Demyx is beaten, he shows genuine signs of sorrow, and asks Roxas why he betrayed them, before fading away to darkness. Sora is visibly frightened by what he witnessed, further confusing his views on Nobodies.

Riku, Kairi, Namine, and Pluto are confronted by Xigbar, who tries to trick Sora into thinking “Xehanort” has captured Kairi. But, the savvy Kairi reveals Riku’s identity, and Xigbar gets his butt kicked by the heroes. Sora, Riku, and Kairi have an emotional reunion, and Sora is rather taken aback upon meeting Namine.

Ansem the Wise’s machine malfunctions, unable to contain the power of Kingdom Hearts. Our heroes appear, shortly followed by Xemnas, who mocks Ansem’s foolery for trying to control hearts. Ansem expresses guilt and regret for his actions, seeing how Sora’s friends, Roxas, and Namine suffered under his regime, but can only apologise. His machine erupts, and Ansem only manages to say “I love you, and I’m sorry,” to his granddaughter Kairi, before the machine explodes, taking Ansem with it. He is permanently dead, and won’t turn up in the Realm of Darkness for Aqua to find him. Death should actually mean something in Kingdom Hearts.

Riku is returned to normal, and find Kingdom Hearts has been severely damaged. A swarm of Heartless appear, but out of the blue, Pete comes to the rescue. After vanishing into darkness, he found himself in The World That Never Was and hid from the Heartless and Nobodies. Though plotting to make a noble sacrifice and stall the Heartless, Pete being Pete, acts all boorish and boastful, claiming “the boat boy king” needs to rely on his old captain to save him. Mickey is actually genuinely thankful, but Pete ushers the heroes on before he starts getting blubbery.

The confrontation with Xemnas is mostly the same, but when he fuses with Kingdom Hearts, Xemnas claims he still feels nothing and admits he hates the emptiness he has felt since becoming a Nobody. He decides to use his newfound powers to drag the entire Realm of Light into the Realm of Nothingness, snuffing several stars (i.e. worlds) out. The gang fight Xemnas, but Namine is injured during the boss fight. Her artificial body collapsing, Kairi absorbs Namine’s heart into her own, allowing her to live. Xemnas is defeated, only to draw Sora and Riku into the Realm of Darkness, leading to the spectacular final boss of the game.

Sora and Riku destroy Xemnas, and wander the Realm of Darkness til they come to the dark coast. The two have a heart-to-heart, admitting they were jealous of one another – Riku towards Sora for his laidback attitude, and Sora towards Riku for being better at everything. Riku admits Sora is better at making friends and being good, whilst Sora compliments Riku’s intelligence. Sora finds Kairi’s letter in his pocket and reads it aloud, causing the Door to Light to appear, his connection with Kairi once again saving his life. The duo step through it and find themselves back on Destiny Islands, finding Kairi, Donald, Goofy, Mickey, and Pluto (along with Roxas and Namine) waiting for them.

In a final scene after the initial end credits, Mickey and Yen Sid speak about Xehanort’s defeat. Yen Sid breaks the bad news that with the defeat of both his Heartless and Nobody, Xehanort will likely return, with the intention on completing his true goal to acquire Kingdom Hearts. He asks Mickey to summon Sora, Riku, and Kairi to his tower, to undertake the Mark of Mastery Exam and become Keyblade Masters – “It is time everyone knew the truth on who Xehanort is, or, was.”

In the secret ending, we see glimpses of the Keyblade Graveyard, an injured Aqua cradling a frozen Ventus in her arms. She gazes up to an enormous mount, where a familiar, silver-haired man stands amongst scattered armour. He raises an arcane Keyblade to the sky, and summons Kingdom Hearts, which appears as a shining blue and golden moon. A younger-looking Mickey appears, observing the event from afar, and summons his own Keyblade.

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

So I guess 358/2 days, Birth by Sleep, and Recoded are next.

 

[Evilgidgit]

So I guess 358/2 days, Birth by Sleep, and Recoded are next.

Birth By Sleep only. 358/2 Days isn't of importance, since Xion/Namine are the same character, and Coded doesn't happen.

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

As for Dream Drop Distance, Fragmentary Passage, and Union?

 

[Evilgidgit]

DDD will become the first act of Kingdom Hearts III, Fragmentary Passage may occur in some form, and X Union Whatchamacallit will be canon.

 

[Evilgidgit]

BIRTH BY SLEEP, PART ONE

And now we come to probably the trickiest part of this rewrite. Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep is the prequel to Kingdom Hearts. Because Master Xehanort is now no longer canon in this reimagining, major parts of the lore have to be overhauled. As said at the start of this rewrite, Terra is now the one and only incarnation of Xehanort. He is not possessed by a creepy old man with vague motives. Now Terra becomes Xehanort the same way Anakin Skywalker becomes Darth Vader, going down a path of darkness and destruction, but may or may not redemption.

The hardest part of writing this new outline for the prequel is how to go about with Terra beginning as a stubborn Keyblade wielder who relies on darkness a little too much, to a scheming manipulator who wants to destroy the universe to prove a theory. So, Xehanort will be undergoing some slight personality changes to tie everything together a little more. Terra isn’t an amoral mastermind, but would evolve into a character who has lost faith in others, and believe that the responsibility of bringing about change, good or bad, must fall upon his shoulders. When Xehanort splits into his Heartless and Nobody, his Heartless carries his obsession with darkness, whilst Xemnas held on to his better qualities, including any potential regret and guilt he hid.

Aqua remains mostly the same, being a kind, motherly, and sincere woman who is perhaps the most virtuous character in the series after Sora. But, she needs to have an edge to her. Aqua is now an elite Keyblade wielder, or a “blueblood”, who comes from a long line of Keyblade Masters, and teacher’s pet to Master Eraqus. But, Aqua is a humble girl, making her popular with Terra and Ven, though there is some tension, since Terra had to work hard to get where he is, whilst Aqua earned her position through some inheritance and her status.

Aqua is also pro-light, sharing Master Eraqus’ belief that darkness should not be relied on, and can corrupt someone. Aqua thus has a very black and white view – light equals good, and darkness equals evil. She lectures Terra on relying on darkness, rather than trying to help him, or understand one’s darkness.

And Ventus is pretty much the same. He’s a more peppier version of Roxas (literally) and shares Sora’s values and temperament. He does have a degree of amnesia, but only for a certain moment that he can’t recall. He also rarely expresses negative feelings like anger or jealousy, and grows sad unexpectedly. As you may know, Ventus lacks darkness in his heart, stripped away by Master Xehanort and used to create Vanitas. In the rewrite, Ven has lost his darkness, but it was removed by someone else. This lack of darkness explains why Ven’s Keyblade is so weird, and why he wields it differently from others. Vanitas serves as the main antagonist in the new version of Birth By Sleep.

Birth By Sleep takes place twelve years before Kingdom Hearts. The new story begins with Ven floating in darkness, traumatised by some sort of experience, and fears sinking into darkness. A passing heart comes to the rescue, actually Sora’s, and Ven is allowed to survive. He awakens in the Land of Departure, on the eve of Terra and Aqua’s Mark of Master Exam. Aqua produces her trio of lucky charms for her friends. Terra dreads the exam, convinced that Eraqus will fail him, but his friends try to encourage him.

The next day, the trio assemble for the Mark of Mastery. Eraqus is overseeing, but Yen Sid is present to act as a secondary judge. He is accompanied by a young Mickey, an inexperienced king and Keyblade wielder. Due to his speed, magical prowess, and reputation, Mickey comes off as a little cocky, and will have to grow into the noble leader he is in the present.

Terra and Aqua’s exam commences. They must show off their skills with magic, and then have to duel one another. Terra grows frustrated during the exam, and ends up relying on darkness to fight Aqua. Eraqus stops the battle, declaring Aqua the winner, and names her as a Keyblade Master. But, the occasion is soured when Eraqus humiliates Terra, lecturing him on using darkness, and instead should rely on light. Yen Sid speaks up, reminding Eraqus that a true Keyblade Master must balance light and darkness in his heart, and not rely on one side more than the other. When Eraqus views Terra’s belief that darkness isn’t an automatic sign of corruption as an insult to his teachings. Terra gets mad and attacks Eraqus, scarring him. Yen Sid intervenes, dismisses Terra, and lectures Eraqus on his own prejudice.

Aqua and Ven are left hurt by both Terra and Eraqus’ actions. Ven speaks with Terra, promising to be there for him if he needs him. Aqua appears and gets into an argument with Terra about his actions, but while regretful, Terra stubbornly refuses to apologise. He shares his knowledge of the legendary Keyblade War, believing the universe’s balance between light and darkness tipped in light’s favour, darkness unfairly rejected. Eraqus and Aqua rely on light too much, and Eraqus’ bias blinds him. Aqua disagrees, leading the two to argue, upsetting Ven. Both unintentionally baby him, believing he is not ready to undergo their level of Keyblade training.

Ven sulks, and meets Mickey. They discuss their lot in life, Mickey having a restrictive training regime under Yen Sid, mostly due to an incident with his master’s sorcery hat. Ven wants to prove to his friends that he isn’t someone to be mollycoddled. After Mickey leaves, Vanitas suddenly appears out of thin air, mocking Ven, and pushes him to prove his worth by striking out on his own. Ven rather impulsively decides to do just that.

He eavesdrops on Eraqus and Yen Sid speaking with Aqua, Terra, and Mickey, warning them that strange dark creatures, the Unversed, have appeared on other worlds and must be slain. Ven decides to get a head start and flies off using his armour. Terra gives chase straight after, while Eraqus has to ask Aqua to bring Ven home, and keep an eye on Terra’s reliance on darkness. Before leaving, Aqua tells her teacher that Terra isn’t as weak as Eraqus believes. Mickey, lacking his own armour, uses a magical item called a Star Shard to travel between worlds, but his lack of experience sends him careening across the stars with no direction.

Instead of Terra, Aqua, and Ven having their own individual storylines, the three appear together as a party and can be rotated for who the player controls. Terra specialises in strength but is weak at magic, Aqua is the opposite, and Ventus balances everything out. The party can gain additional guest members in the worlds.

As for worlds, Dwarf Woodlands (Snow White), Castle of Dreams (Cinderella), Enchanted Dominion (Sleeping Beauty), Disney Town, Destiny Islands, Radiant Garden, and Olympus Coliseum remain the same. Vanitas continuously appears to Ven, tormenting him as being weak and clingy, but also to Terra, advising him to embrace the darkness. Terra ends up spending more time around the villains than heroes, and causes a lot of problems which he doesn’t really realise, and Aqua has to fix them. Mickey pops up every now and again to lend a hand.

There would be a couple of new worlds – The Jungle Book was meant to get a world in Birth By Sleep, but it didn’t happen for some reason, so it gets included. The world’s storyline would follow that of the movie, with the Unversed transforming Shere Khan into one of their own for a final boss. The Sword in the Stone also gets its own world to tie Merlin into the larger story. The final new addition would be Atlantis: The Lost Empire, a fantastic world that would provide a lot of exciting action, a potential underwater level, and a dogfight on steampunk flying fish!

 

[Evilgidgit]

BIRTH BY SLEEP, PART TWO

In Radiant Garden, the trio of heroes encounter a young Kairi, Ansem the Wise, Braig (Xigbar), Dilan (Xaldin), Even (Vexen), Aeleus (Lexaeus), Ienzo (Zexion), Isa (Saix), and Lea (Axel). Aqua and Ven confront Terra on his actions, and they have another falling out. Terra tries to justify his actions, but finds that he can’t in there eyes. But, the three do agree that Vanitas must be stopped. Though Terra believes there is nothing wrong with using darkness, but using it for evil is not acceptable.

Terra stomps off to vent some steam on some Unversed, but runs into Braig, who goads the young man into unleashing raging darkness. Terra ends up wounding Braig, leading to his facial scars and eyepatch. Braig claims that Terra has a lot of potential, and the scene fades to black, but we hear the distinct sound of a Keyblade being summoned.

After a couple more worlds, our trio find Destiny Islands and decide to spend a little time there, though Aqua is eager to get her boys back home. She has done little to try to understand Terra’s reasoning for using darkness, unable to see beyond her own prejudices. And Ven is becoming increasingly distant, haunted by Vanitas’ words that half of his heart is empty. Aqua meets a young Sora and Riku, who became enamoured with her, both boys vowing to save her should they need her.

Helmet head shows up to rattle Ven’s cage some more, but Ven is having none of it and fights Vanitas. Terra and Aqua join the fight, but Vanitas unleashes a dark aura, and badly injures Ven. Terra demands to know who Vanitas is and why he hates Ven. Terra manages to damage Vanitas’ helmet, prompting the Unversed’s master to unmask himself. Instead of resembling an evil Sora, Vanitas resembles a dark-haired Ventus.

Vanitas reveals he is the personification of Ven’s removed darkness. He grabs Ven just as everyone else does, showing Terra and Aqua a flashback. It was Eraqus who extracted Ven’s darkness a couple of years ago. Eraqus experimented with Ven’s heart is a blind attempt to create the χ-Blade, the legendary weapon that can summon Kingdom Hearts. But, Ven’s darkness was insatiable, and threatened to consume Ven. Eraqus then removed it, creating Vanitas by accident, who fled. Ven was so traumatised by the experience, he fell into a temporary coma, and forgot the incident.

The trio are shocked. Terra rages, whilst Aqua is left in denial about it. Vanitas tells Ven that they will finish what Eraqus started and will forge the χ-Blade from their heart, summon Kingdom Hearts, and swallow the universe in shadows to pay for their suffering. Terra’s own aura explodes with darkness, sending Aqua flying into the sea. He grabs Ven and flies off to confront their master, whilst Vanitas retreats. Mickey lands and rescues Aqua. Learning what has happened, Mickey rather foolishly tries using the Star Sign to chase Terra, but instead transports himself and Aqua to Yen Sid’s tower. There, Yen Sid explains what the χ-Blade is, and the legend of the Keyblade War, confirming it is true, and there is a ruined world covered in thousands of discarded Keyblades.

Terra and Ven arrive in the Land of Departure, and have an explosive confrontation with Eraqus. For once, their teacher does not justify his actions, but instead condemns his own arrogance, believing he could harness the χ-Blade and achieve the impossible, but only harmed Ven. Terra berates Eraqus on obsessing and damning darkness, yet relied on it to do wrong, but Eraqus claims he changed his views, darkness only bringing pain and chaos. Terra comes to believe that light is more vile than darkness, and that all people who use it cannot be trusted. Ven is horrified by Terra’s revelation, asking if he and Aqua count. Terra claims they can be “saved”, but Eraqus.

Master and student battle one another, Eraqus breaking Terra’s Keyblade and orders him to yield. Terra suddenly summons a new Keyblade – the Gazing Eye Keyblade (i.e. Master Xehanort’s Keyblade). His darkness bubbling, Terra rages and strikes down Eraqus. The dark blast of energy knocks Ventus out. Terra, using the Keyblade, casts his home into the Realm of Darkness, and retreats with Ven as the Heartless emerge to devour the world.

Yen Sid senses something has happened, and uses magic to determine that Eraqus is dead and the Land of Departure has fallen to darkness. Aqua immediately guesses Terra is responsible, she and Mickey setting off for the Keyblade Graveyard.

There, Terra has set Ventus down and is approached by Vanitas, who notices Terra’s eyes have turned yellow. Terra is disturbed by this, but claims it doesn’t matter. Having lost faith in others, Terra believes only an immense shift between light and darkness can bring about change. He shares his views with Vanitas about how the Keyblade War caused a universal imbalance, and darkness has been corrupted by the light’s cruelty. He intends on correcting it, even if it means becoming a pariah. A new generation of Keyblade wielders should pick up the pieces and decide what becomes of the worlds afterwards, those uninfluenced by light and darkness, and to look at the universe fairly, just like what happened after the Keyblade War ended.

With a little persuasion, Terra allows Vanitas to merge with Ven and form the χ-Blade. The union of two hearts made purely of light and darkness should be able to create such a tool. Still, if the plans fails, Terra opts to have a back up plan. Vanitas asks Terra if he is willing to sacrifice Ven for his goal. Terra sadly looks to the unconscious Ven, and claims that he would understand. The universe is a lot bigger than two people, even their friendship. Still, as he leaves to secure an alternate plan, he fondles the lucky charm Aqua gave him. Perhaps he is having doubts.

In a brief scene, we see Terra visiting a young Riku on Destiny Islands and passes on the right to wield the Keyblade to the future hero. Of course, Terra’s future plans for Riku are not pleasant. Terra also meets Sora and tells the boys that there are other, bigger worlds beyond their “prison of an island”, encouraging them to not only believe in such places, but to reach out and find them. Both being very young, Sora and Riku have a simple conversation with Terra. He tells them how he has to leave the islands because people thought too small and didn’t want to imagine bigger dreams and lives. Now, he has to do something that could be for better or for worse. The boys don’t understand, but Sora tells Terra that whatever happens, he should make sure he has friends to help him. Terra leaves without a word.

Aqua and Mickey arrive in the Keyblade Graveyard and are quickly attacked by Vanitas. They fend him off and find Terra atop a mountain with Ven. They argue back and forth about Terra’s actions and plans, but also how Eraqus was wrong. Aqua does not condone her master’s sins, but believes he meant well afterward. She refuses to let Terra go down such a dark path, one where she won’t be able to reach him. Terra believes Aqua has chosen Eraqus over him, and they get into a fight, along with Mickey.

Ven wakes up and witnesses Terra and Aqua’s fight. He tries to intervene, but has to fight Vanitas. Ven is entangled in Unversed, and Vanitas forces them to merge, engulfing both in a pillar of light. Terra, Aqua, and Mickey pause their fight to watch in awe. Braig shows up, now sporting an eyepatch, and smiles with what looks like relief.

Aqua abandons her fight with Terra to check on Ven, but finds he wields the χ-Blade, and Vanitas is in the driving seat. Terra and Mickey fight, whilst Aqua has to fend off both Ven and Braig, who claims to be an “observer” and put Terra on a path that needed to be filled. Terra beats Mickey using darkness, forcing Aqua to once again confront her friend. She asks Terra how far he is willing to fall to prove that he is right, claiming he is being selfish. Terra denies this, once again justifying his actions as necessary. The universe must be put back into balance, and a small sacrifice is necessary to do it. Terra claims even a secondary Keyblade War might be necessary to accomplish it.

Aqua has to suppress her sorrow, and instead rises as a Keyblade Master, vowing to stop Terra, even if it means killing him, though she lacks true commitment behind her words. Vanitas uses the χ-Blade to summon Kingdom Hearts and raises the weapon to command Kingdom Hearts’ will, and cover the worlds in shadow. But, he suddenly resists, or rather, Ventus is resisting from within.

Within Ven’s heart, Ven and Vanitas battle. Willing to sacrifice himself for his friends, hoping Terra can be saved, Ven uses the χ-Blade to stab himself in the heart, freeing it. Vanitas falls into the abyss as Ven transforms into light, his heart flying away to parts unknown. The χ-Blade explodes, consuming Ventus. Aqua and Mickey leap to save him, but are sent flying. Terra watches on in horror as his plans fall apart and Kingdom Hearts disappears. But, he lets the light consume him, his eyes never leaving Ven and Aqua.

Aqua awakens within Yen Sid’s tower, finding Mickey and a motionless Ven are with her. Mickey finally got the Star Shard working, transporting them to safety. Fearing Terra and Vanitas will target Ven again to recreate the χ-Blade, Aqua decides she has to hide Ven, but learns his heart is missing. Afterward, she will search for Terra and bring him to justice.

Aqua takes Ven to the ruins of the Land of Departure, using Master Eraqus’ discarded Keyblade to transform the world into Castle Oblivion, hiding Ven in a secret chamber only she can enter, promising to return to wake him up once she knows Terra has been stopped. Outside, Aqua finds Terra waiting for her, but he isn’t the same man she knew. He now has silver hair, yellow eyes, and a dark complexion, completely consumed by his own darkness. His exposure to the Realm of Darkness has all but snuffed out any light in his heart.

Terra brands Aqua as a traitor. She tries to reason with him once again, alarming him when Ven’s heart has been lost. Terra blames Aqua, but she instead blames him for trying to use and sacrifice Ven for a deluded purpose. He has lost his way in darkness, and for all his talk about how it wasn’t as bad as it was, he has all but been consumed by it. Aqua doesn’t deny her own failure to help him, but now, will put an end to it.

The two get into a Keyblade duel, Aqua tackling Terra down into the darkness and blindsides him with a magic memory spell, knocking him out. The two begin to drift down into the Realm of Darkness. Unwilling to kill her friend, Aqua instead hopes he can find peace and start a new life somewhere, though the cost paid is his memory. Giving Terra her Keyblade, Aqua opens a portal of light and uses the last of her strength to throw Terra through it.

Terra is found in Radiant Garden by Ansem the Wise and Braig, and when queried by his name, Terra identifies himself as Xehanort. Aqua, unaware of what happened, allows herself to descend down into the dark, and apologises to Ventus, promising to wake him up.

That is where the game would end, save the epilogue. We cut to Yen Sid’s tower in the present, revealing Sora, Riku, Kairi, Donald, and Goofy have been listening to a tale being told by Mickey and Yen Sid. Mickey concludes that he became a Keyblade Master after, but failed to realise that Terra was Xehanort until it was too late, the Seeker of Darkness performing inhuman experiments to unlock the secrets of the heart. He regained his memories, and split his heart in two, creating his Heartless and Nobody, as well as Organization XIII. But, now that both of his other selves were slain, Xehanort has returned anew and will likely resurrect his plan to create the χ-Blade. Yen Sid suspects he will search for Ven once again, or may target others who have strong hearts. His methods will reveal themselves in time.

The reactions are mixed. Sora is particularly distressed that all of their hard work to stop Xehanort was for nothing, and wonders why such a man would cause so much pain. Riku asks Mickey why he didn’t try to look for Aqua. Mickey admits he did for years, but had no such luck. Sora wants to save her, but Yen Sid explains that Sora has had little resistance built against darkness, and instead suggests Riku and Mickey should find Aqua. Sora should instead focus on finding Ven, or rather his heart. They know Ventus is in Castle Oblivion, but not where his heart is.

Yen Sid announces Sora and Riku will undertake the Mark of Mastery Exam and become Keyblade Masters. Kairi asks what she will do, jokingly stating she’s likely had more Keyblade experience than either boy combined. Yen Sid surprisingly agrees, but states Kairi needs more battle experience before she can undertake the exam. Though a little irked, Kairi agrees to undergo tutelage with help from Merlin. But, she won’t be the only one to be taught, for she will have a companion, who she will meet a little later. Sora and Riku agree to undertake the exam.

In a final scene, we see Ven’s heart flying through darkness. But, it is drawn to a light and discovers Sora waiting for him, allowing Ven to seek refuge in his heart – revealing Ven and Roxas are the same person.

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

This is great, but I felt that Deep Space, and Kairi holding Aqua's keyblade at Radiant Garden are missing.

 

[mharrington]

I'm guessing that "358/2 Days" and "Dream Drop Distance" are gone? If so, you should come up with ways to bring back the latter's levels (all of the former's levels have been used before from KH1 and 2), particularly Prankster's Paradise (a world themed to "Pinocchio") and Sorcery In Symphony (a world themed to "Fantasia"). I would put Prankster's Paradise in KH2, but renamed to just Pleasure Island. Why the name change, I don't know, but that's what I would do.

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

I'm guessing that "358/2 Days" and "Dream Drop Distance" are gone? If so, you should come up with ways to bring back the latter's levels (all of the former's levels have been used before from KH1 and 2), particularly Prankster's Paradise (a world themed to "Pinocchio") and Sorcery In Symphony (a world themed to "Fantasia"). I would put Prankster's Paradise in KH2, but renamed to just Pleasure Island. Why the name change, I don't know, but that's what I would do.

Evilgidget said Dream Drop Distance is act 1 kh3.

 

[mharrington]

Evilgidget said Dream Drop Distance is act 1 kh3.

Does that mean that "Prankster's Paradise", "Symphony In Sorcery", etc., will be mixed into KH3?

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

Yep

 

[mharrington]

Here's an idea for the music for the Dumbo level:


Of course, the music sounds rather depressing for how downbeat it is, but perhaps you could liven it by speeding up the tempo somewhat?

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

Funny story Mharrington in my idea of a Kingdom Hearts fanfic Kairi actually goes to Dumbo's world.

 

[Evilgidgit]

KINGDOM HEARTS: UNCHAINED UNIONS (X), PART ONE

Unchained Union (aka Kingdom Hearts χ) is the earliest point in the timeline of Kingdom Hearts, taking place before and during the events of the Keyblade War. It would serve as an overall backstory and spine to the narrative, and shed some light on the Keyblade War and core concepts in the lore. It would also set up some future subplots for Kingdom Hearts III and beyond. This would not be a video game, but rather a special movie, unlocked after beating Birth By Sleep.

Long ago, there was only one world that existed within the Realm of Light, surrounded by darkness. The light of Kingdom Hearts shone brightly upon the land, and from its divine magic came the ability to summon Keyblades. These Keyblades were drawn from a person’s heart, and could be crafted based on their true self. A perfect Keyblade wielder would balance light and darkness within their heart – and then, they could earn the title of Keyblade Master.

Perhaps the first Keyblade Master was a man simply known as the Master of Masters. His name was either forgotten, or stripped from history. Some say he was the first Keyblade wielder, granted the gift by Kingdom Hearts. But, no one had seen the Master’s face, not even those closest to him. No one knew what he looked like, only he was an incredibly intelligent if somewhat eccentric, even childish man, who knew many secrets about the world and Kingdom Hearts. Perhaps he even knew how to summon the χ-Blade, or controlled it. He rules from Daybreak Town.

One thing was for certain, the Master of Masters had a particularly unique gift. One of his eyes had an ability to gaze into the near future. So accurate and intricate was his Gazing Eye, the Master was revered as a prophet, and wrote his knowledge down in the coveted Book of Prophecies, though he kept in his private chamber, and only shared his secrets with his six apprentices. Each was given a copy of the Book of Prophecies, allowing them to understand the burden their master bared.

Each apprentice would become known as the Foretellers, and five of them organized large groups of Keyblade wielders called the Unions. The Master instructed the Foretellers and their Unions to collect Lux, pieces of light that are created by Kingdom Hearts, allowing the Keyblade wielders to grow stronger and resist darkness. The Heartless exist during this era of fairy tales, but are considered the equivalent of bogeymen, and few believe they are real.

The six Foretellers are:

IRA, Foreteller of the Unicornis Union, a serious-minded, reliable, and dutiful young man who was born for leadership, but is somewhat uncomfortable in such a role, despite his strong sense of duty. He lacks charisma, so his leadership can come off as ineffectual, but his kind nature makes him popular. He specialises in fire-based magic.

ACED, Foreteller of the Ursus Clan; a hot-headed, boisterous, but thin-skinned man, Aced possesses a strong will, but is easily offended. Aced hides his own anxieties behind a wall of bravado, often teased by his fellow Foretellers. He prefers actions to words, but is smart enough to analyze things than make snap judgments. He specialises in thunder magic.

INVI, Foreteller of the Anguis Clan; a prudent, sincere Keyblade Master devoted to the Master of Master’s words, Invi is a stickler for rules. Willing to follow the Master’s guidance with absolute conviction, Invi will defend her beliefs without a second thought. Though she’d prefer to take a neutral stand, Invi is undeniably opinionated, even if she hides it. She specialises in water and ice magic.

GULA, Foreteller of the Leopardos; a quiet, intelligent young man, Gula prefers solitude to the companionship of others, but ironically has the biggest Union, due to his popularity. He comes off as aloof and sarcastic, but has a loving heart, having a close friendship with Ava. He is very open-minded and the only one who has questioned the Master’s teachings. He specialises in gravity magic.

AVA, Foreteller of the Vulpes Union; the youngest of the Foretellers, Ava is sweet, idealistic, and warm, and whilst coming off as naïve, she isn’t as delicate as she appears. Ava is very popular, easy to make friends with, and has a strong sense of right and wrong. She is close friends with Gula, and the one who brought him out of his shell. Ava specialises in healing magic.

LUXU, the sixth Foreteller, Luxu is the most mysterious of characters, and is particularly shy, hiding his face from others and really can only speak when around the Master (who does most of the talking anyway). Still, he is developing a rather dry wit, and possesses interest in the world around him, especially what lies beyond Kingdom Hearts.

The movie introduces us to our protagonist, a young new Keyblade wielder named Ephemer, who is to be assigned to one of the five Unions. Whilst collecting Lux, Ephemer wanders a little too close to the darkness, and encounters a Heartless. Overwhelmed, Ephemer is frightened but manages to destroy the Heartless. His effort is witnessed by Master Ava, and a rather energetic girl named Skuld, who Ephemer has a crush on. Ava welcomes Ephemer into her Union. His achievement quickly makes Ephemer popular, but proves that Heartless exist. Ava appoints him her official assistant, allowing him to meet the other Foretellers, and even the Master of Masters, who Ephemer finds uncomfortable to be around.

The Master gathers the Foretellers and reveals his latest creation – a Dream Eater, or a Spirit, a creature that dwells within the realm of dreams and sleep, and is directly connected to a person’s heart. He gives the Dream Eater, which he names “Chirithy”, to Ava, promising that every Keyblade wielder shall have one. But, he warns that a Spirit may becomes a Nightmare, which means their master’s heart has been corrupted by darkness.

Ephemer and Skuld participate in collecting Lux, but the Heartless are more common then they feared – a little too common. The two encounter what looks like a Nightmare. They try to catch it, but it evades them. They meet other Keyblade wielders – the floral enthusiast, Lauriam, who we recognise as a young Marluxia, a polite if snake-eyed man, and his timid sister Strelitzia. They also encounter a hooded person, known only as the “Loner”, who hides his face, keeps to himself, and only has his own Dream Eater for company. Though Lauriam warns Ephemer to steer clear of the Loner, Strelitzia thinks he is just lonely.

Meanwhile, the Foretellers receive some disturbing news from the Master, who has edited the Book of Prophecies with a new ending, their own copies magically changing. The final chapter of the book warns of a cataclysmic event, the Keyblade War, where Keyblade wielders will clash for light. But, darkness will consume all, and the light will be extinguished. While the Foretellers believe this war can averted, the Master is convinced that the war is inevitable, and a dramatic change will occur in the universe.

One by one, the Master speaks with each apprentice, and assigns them roles to fulfil in the future, and admits that he will soon “fade”. Ira is to succeed him as leader of the Foretellers. Aced must support Ira, but if he feels he is failing as a leader, can replace him. Invi is to act a mediator between the other Foretellers and play a neutral role. Gula is to study the Book of Prophecies and decipher its secrets. Ava is to ensure that there is a surviving light after the Keyblade War. We do not see Luxu’s meeting, but when he exits, Ava sees that he is very shaken up. And just like that, the Master of Masters vanishes. Luxu disappears shortly after.

 

[Evilgidgit]

KINGDOM HEARTS: UNCHAINED UNIONS, PART TWO

Some time has passed since the Master of Masters disappeared. Ephemer and Skuld once again encounter the Nightmare, who summons a Darkseid Heartless. They defeat it with help from Lauriam, Strelitzia, and the Loner. Ira presents the captured Nightmare to the other Foretellers, and concludes one of them is a traitor, their heart corrupted. The passionate Aced immediately defends himself, believing Ira’s belief is too thin, as any Keyblade wielder in any Union could have been corrupted. When Ira decides to stick to his view, Aced, Gula, and Ava leave.

Ira confides in Invi that the Book of Prophecies never mentions a traitor, and fears such suspicions could lead to the Keyblade War. Invi opts to keep an eye on each Foreteller’s Unions, effectively creating a spy network. She asks one Keyblade wielder, Blaine, a shady, rebellious sort, to act like a virus and uncover any potential traitors in the Unions.

Aced forms an alliance with Gula, believing they should be united rather than suspecting each other. Gula agrees, but Ava declines. Invi catches them in the act, and staunchly opposes their alliance, since the Master forbade such partnerships between Unions. Ava decides to begin fulfilling her assignment.

Ephemer senses a growing darkness amongst the Unions, and Lux is starting to become less common, whilst Heartless and Nightmares are. Ephemer is horrified when he finds Skuld is accompanied by a Nightmare. When she acknowledges this, Skuld is consumed by darkness and begins to turn into a Heartless. Ephemer kills the Nightmare, and tries to save Skuld, who admits she has lost hope now that the Foretellers are beginning to distrust one another. Aced and Gula appear to slay Skuld, but Ephemer stops them. He confesses to Skuld his feelings towards her, drawing her out of her darkness and restores her. In an awkward conversation after, Skuld thanks Ephemer for saving her, but lets him down gently.

The two are approached by Ava, who invites them to join a new Union she is forming, nicknamed the Dandelions. She tells that they must not fight in the Keyblade War, but instead must survive to continue the battle against the darkness. She asks Ephemer to recruit other potential Dandelions, while she tries to unite the other Foretellers to prevent the war.

Gula decides to cut ties with Aced, believing their alliance is pointless after all, likely only weaving more suspicion from Ira and Invi. Aced suggests that they must defy the Master’s teachings in order to save the world. Blaine overhears this conversation, and informs Invi. Enraged that Aced would even think of betraying the Master’s teachings, Invi attacks Aced. Gula watches the battle, and just as Ava arrives, he makes Aced into a scapegoat, accusing him of being the traitor, claiming their union was a rouse to expose Aced. Ava believes Aced should be allowed to defend himself, and demands proof from Gula and Invi of his alleged treachery.

Tempers run high, leading to a spectacular Keyblade battle between Aced, Invi, and Gula. Union members flock out to watch the battle and begin to turn on each other. Aced injures Gula, causing him to drop what resembles a page from the Book of Prophecies. Reading it reveals the Master knew there would be a traitor in the Unions, and had privately assigned Gula to identify and kill the traitor, and was instructed to only trust himself. Gula is now in the firing line as Aced, Invi, and even Ava call him out on hiding this information. They could have worked together instead of distrusting each other, but Gula knew there was a traitor and did nothing to stop them.

Gula escapes the fight, but is gravely injured. Ava comes to his rescue, taking him to a secluded spot. Unfortunately, Invi finds out where they are and informs Ira of the lost page. But, when Ira comes to confront Gula, he instead asks for the page to study it, and spares Ava and Gula. Upon awakening, Gula claims he thought it would be better to act alone, never once considering how vague the lost page about the traitor was. He believes things have got completely out of control since the Master of Masters disappeared. Gula plots to gather enough Lux to summon Kingdom Hearts, hoping it will bring the Master back. He will defy his Master so much that it will force him to return. He asks for Ava’s help, but she refuses.

Ava then confronts Invi on ratting Gula to Ira. Invi instead reveals that she knows Ava is secretly recruiting Keyblade wielders from across the Unions to a secret cause, and training them in an underground vicinity. Ava confirms this because it is what the Master told her to do. Invi is startled by this, and for the first time, questions her Master’s words. Why would he sew distrust between the Foretellers and Unions? She fears that perhaps it was never the Foretellers who were lost to darkness, but the Master himself long before. Maybe he wants the Keyblade War to happen and bring about change. Regardless, Invi believes the war will happen, and advises Ava to keep her Dandelions safe.

Ira finds Aced, and apologises for distrusting him. He has come to a similar conclusion as Invi has, believing the word of a traitor would cause suspicion and fuel his own paranoia, and lead to the Keyblade War. Ira suggests that the sixth Foreteller, Luxu, may have some answers. He has been missing since the Master left, and they do not know what his task was. He may even be the traitor. The duo agree to find him, though Aced implies he thinks someone else might be the traitor.

Ephemer and Skuld recruit and train Keyblade wielders in an underground area, though some are beginning to question Ava’s methods. Lauriam, Strelitzia, and the Loner have been recruited. Strelitzia encourages the Loner to join in with the others, and asks why he is so, well, alone. The Loner claims he has a lot of darkness in his heart and fears getting close to others would get them hurt. Strelitzia says everyone has light and darkness, but its their choice on which they rely on. Encouraged, the Loner finally removes his hood and is revealed to be noneother than Ventus. Ventus comes off as lacking self-confidence, but becomes more open to the idea of having friends.

Ava goes to check on her Dandelions, only to spot Luxu atop Daybreak Town’s clock tower. Confronting him, Luxu proclaims that the time for the Keyblade War has come. Ava asks him what his role was. Luxu summons the Master’s Keyblade, which we recognise as the Gazing Eye Keyblade that will be passed on to Terra. Luxu explains the Master gave him the task to merely observe events as they unfold, but to make sure his Keyblade survives and is passed on to an apprentice. Ava asks what is so significant about that Keyblade, but Luxu points out that she has bigger problems.

He points across town to a rocky wasteland in the distant. There, a dark storm is raging, accompanied by a sprinkling of light. It looks like Gula has summoned an army of Heartless by gathering a large quantity of Lux. He is plotting to summon Kingdom Hearts. Luxu rings the clock tower’s bells, announcing that the Keyblade War has begun. The Unions gather and the Keyblade wielders march onto the battlefield. Ephemer tries to get the Dandelions to stay put, but most storm off to fight for the light. Reluctantly, Ephemer and Skuld go to join the war.

It is natural chaos in the war, with Keyblade wielders fighting each other blindly, fighting over grudges, past slights, clashing ideals, or just trying to stay alive. There are no Unions anymore. People begin falling to darkness and transform into Heartless. Lauriam watches the battle with disgust, commenting how people drop like petals, coming to believe the Keyblade should be controlled by a select few. He is separated from Strelitzia during the battles. She comes across an injured Invi, who hands over her copy of the Book of Prophecies for safekeeping.

When Invi leaves, Strelitzia decides to leave the Keyblade War after finding her brother. However, she is ambushed by an unseen assailant and murdered, her Book of Prophecies stolen. Lauriam never finds out what becomes of his sister. Ventus loses his Dream Eater when it takes a killing blow, fading away, but promises that they will see each other again in another lifetime.

Ephemer and Skuld make a beeline for the mountain Gula stands on, believing summoning Kingdom Hearts would be wrong. But, Aced leaps in and battles Ephemer, believing that he is actually the traitor, mostly based on his presence when Skuld nearly turned into a Heartless. Ira appears and defends Ephemer, finding it ironic that Aced is now pointing fingers. The two Foretellers clash, which ends with Ira mortally wounding Aced. As Aced lies dying, Ira compliments his friend on remaining loyal to his morals. But, Ira himself succumbs to wounds and collapses. Invi appears to comfort him, sending Ephemer and Skuld onwards. Ira tells Invi that Luxu might be the traitor, or there was never one at all. Invi shares her view that perhaps the Master himself was corrupt, but realises Ira has died in her arms.

Ava, convinced that Luxu knows what is going on, confronts him. Luxu again explains the Master gave him his Keyblade to pass on to an apprentice. Ava guesses the Keyblade has the Master’s gazing eye within, allowing it to see the future. Though left ambiguous, Ava suspects that the Master planned all of this in order for the Keyblade War to occur, so he could see the future through his Keyblade. But, if so, then where did he go and why? Ava decides that her Master should not see the future if it means more people will suffer. Luxu is quicker, and runs her through with his Keyblade.

Ava collapses, but Luxu decides to tell her one last secret, his Master giving him a secondary task. He pulls out a large black box, sealed with thirteen locks, and with the title “χ-Super”. In a flashback, the Master tells Luxu he must never open the box, but must keep it is safe at all costs. Luxu asks what is in it, the Master whispering the answer in his ear, but we do not hear it. Luxu is alarmed, even frightened by what is in the box, but promises to never open it. Luxu tells Ava that what lies in the box would either bring about great joy or destruction, not that she will live to see it. Now, all that is needed is for Gula to bring Kingdom Hearts and the future, as foreseen by the Master, will be completed. After that, it is up to Ava’s Dandelions to choose the path, if they survive the war. Luxu leaves to watch events unfold from afar.

Ephemer and Skuld find Gula slaying Heartless, hoping enough kills and the Lux will give him the strength to summon Kingdom Hearts. Having studied the lore of Kingdom Hearts, Skuld tells him it can’t be accomplished without the χ-Blade. A flock of Neo Shadows appear, forcing the three to fight them. Ephemer is injured, forcing Skuld to use her magic to heal him. Just then, Ava clambers her way up onto the mount, having used her healing spells to close her wounds, but needs a proper healer.

Collapsing in Gula’s arms, she tries to whisper to him what Luxu has planned, but her strength leaves her. Instead, Ava tells Gula to let his heart be his guiding key, and falls still. Gula rages in grief, unleashing the darkness in his heart. That and the light in Ava’s heart combine, and summon the χ-Blade. Gula calls forth Kingdom Hearts and commands it to bring back the Master of Masters to resolve things. Instead, Kingdom Hearts unleashes a flood of darkness, consuming all in its path, snuffing out all light in the world. Then, the world shatters. Kingdom Hearts vanishes into darkness, and the χ-Blade shatters into twenty pieces, thirteen of darkness and seven of light.

Gula awakens in darkness, and hears an unknown voice talking to him. Gula expresses guilt for what he has done, and now Ava, and all he cared for are dead. The voice soothes him, promising that he will see Ava again, though he may not recognise her. Their hearts are forever connected. The voice tells Gula in his next life, he can do better, be drawn to the hearts of others, and he will be able to open the door to light. Gula is consumed by light, his heart floating away to rejoin Kingdom Hearts.

Ephemer awakens within a dark abyss, but is drawn to a lone light. It belongs to a wooden, ramshackle building. Inside, he finds Skuld, Ventus, Lauriam, and Chirithy. Chirithy explains she managed to draw their hearts into the Realm of Dreams, but it is only temporary. They are alive, but where and when, she doesn’t know. She passes on a message from Ava, telling the Dandelions that they are the lone survivors of the Keyblade War, and now it is their task to see that the light is protected. The Book of Prophecies may contain hints for what lies beyond the Keyblade War, or they can follow their own paths. Chirithy remains in the Realm of Dreams, and see that the new world being created will serve for those who lack their own.

Ephemer awakens in a rainstorm, finding he is within the wrecked ruins of the Keyblade Graveyard. It is a portrait of a wrecked world, Keyblades lie everywhere, and the landscape has been distorted by the war. Ephemer despairs and cries, but is relieved when Skuld, Ventus, and Lauriam appear. Each have recovered copies of the Book of Prophecies, Skuld giving one to Ephemer. They are unexpectedly joined by a fifth survivor – Blaine, who claims he sat out of the war on orders from Invi, and was made a Dandelion by her. Skuld says only Ava selected Dandelions, but Ephemer welcomes Blaine, glad to have another Keyblade wielder on the team.

Believing that they must bring back the light, the five combine their Keyblades to quell the darkness, allowing light to return, and begin the processing of creating the many worlds. As the familiar theme of “Simple and Clean” plays, stars begin to appear across the dark sky, beginning the new era within the Kingdom Hearts universe. Luxu watches this and quietly comments that a new chapter has begun. He leaves, dragging the black box with him.

Ephemer takes the role of leader, and asks his friends what they want to do now. Skuld suggests they should find a way to stick around long-term and make sure that another war doesn’t begin, and they should look for the pieces of the χ-Blade. Ven and Lauriam agree, whilst Blaine silently flicks through the Book of Prophecies. Ephemer declares that whatever the case, they should do it together.

We slowly move in on Ephemer’s face til we are zoomed in on his eye. He blinks, and we cut to some time later, his face now wrinkled and old. But, recognise this face and slowly pan out revealing that Ephemer has grown up -- to become Master Yen Sid.

Yen Sid is awoken from his memories by Mickey, telling him that Sora and Riku have gone ahead with their exam. Yen Sid tells Mickey that long ago he and a group of Keyblade Masters were tasked with defending the worlds of light, and wonders if he has failed. He took on the role of a teacher and an observer, growing immensely powerful with sorcery, but passed his title and Keyblade onto Mickey. Mickey asks what happened to Yen Sid’s friends, to which he claims that “most of them are around”, and looks out the window sadly.

Suddenly, Donald and Goofy burst in a little worse for wear. They wearily tell Mickey and Yen Sid that something has happened to Sora and Riku.