Kingdom Hearts: A Whale Of A Time in Gamer's Gaming

The Road So Far…

Sora, Donald, and Goofy are on a quest to stop the Heartless. The Heartless, a race of dark beings, have been invading the worlds and stealing hearts. When the Heartless manage to access the Heart of a world, the world blinks out of existence. Sora’s world was one of these. Sora was chosen by the Keyblade, a mysterious weapon that has the power to lock and unlock anything, including hearts. It also is one of the only weapons capable of combating the Heartless. Sora is on a search for his friends, Riku and Kairi, who were swallowed into the darkness as their world was destroyed. Donald and Goofy are searching for their king, Mickey, who left their homeworld of Disney Castle to figure out why worlds were blinking out of existence. King Mickey is also a Keyblade wielder. The trio have searched among the worlds to find out where their friends have gone and to figure out how to stop the Heartless. The Heartless themselves are being used by a consortium of villains, which includes Hades, Jafar, and Captain Hook. This group of evil is led by the sorceress, Maleficent, who seeks power in the destruction of the worlds. It is she who has found Riku and has begun bending him to her will, sending him off with Captain Hook to find Kairi, who is currently in a state of unending sleep. This group is also seeking out seven Princesses of Heart. These seven princesses possess completely pure hearts that are necessary to open some door. On their most recent stop in Agrabah, Sora and company met one of these princesses, Jasmine. Jasmine was being pursued by the evil vizier, Jafar. She had been hiding with a boy from the streets, Aladdin, but he had gone off in search of something that could help save them. When the trio met Jasmine in an alleyway in the city, Jafar appeared and chased Jasmine, leaving the Heartless to fight the trio. Though they were successful, Jasmine and Jafar had disappeared. In their search, the trio found instead a magical carpet that could fly. The carpet seemed to beckon them to the desert and flew them out to a place in the middle of the desert where they found a boy trapped in quicksand and surrounded by Heartless. The trio did their best to save him, but the Heartless swarm could not be abated. However, the boy did manage to get his arm free. He raised an old lamp over his head and wished to be saved. Suddenly, a giant blue Genie sprung from the lamp and dispatched all of the Heartless before pulling the boy out of the quicksand. The boy introduced himself as Aladdin. He had come here to find a magical lamp that could help him save and impress Jasmine as well as defeat Jafar. As soon as Sora told Aladdin that Jasmine was in trouble, Aladdin and crew whisked away back to the city of Agrabah. At the gates of the palace, the group found Jafar, who had Jasmine cornered. As they approached, Jafar conjured a Heartless made up of Pot Spiders to attack the group while Jafar whisked Jasmine away to the Cave of Wonders, the place where the lamp once resided and where the Keyhole of Agrabah was located. The group defeated the Heartless and took off in pursuit. When they arrived in the desert, they found the cave itself possessed by Heartless. After a tough battle, the group earned their way into the cave. Through many dangerous rooms and underground waterways, the group fought their way through the Heartless to reach the Lamp Chamber, where Jafar had located the Keyhole. Aladdin tried to use his final wish to save Jasmine, but Iago, Jafar’s evil parrot sidekick, had snatched the lamp from Aladdin and gave it to Jafar, who used his first wish to have Genie attack the group. Genie was left with no choice but to comply. Facing down an unstoppable Genie, the group instead chased Jafar around the chamber and defeated him, releasing his hold on Genie temporarily. The group thought themselves victorious and went to wake Jasmine until Jafar managed to ask for another wish: to become an all-powerful genie himself! The group jumped into a newly uncovered chamber below and managed to evade Jafar long enough to take possession of his lamp and seal him away inside, hopefully for good. However, in the fracas, Jasmine was kidnapped and taken away by none other than Riku! With Jasmine gone, there was nothing left to do but seal away the Keyhole. Doing so caused the Cave of Wonders to disintegrate, however, and the group made their escape with the help of Genie and the flying carpet. Aladdin wished to go with Sora and the group to try and find Jasmine, but Sora told him that they would search for her and promised to bring her home. Genie, newly freed from the lamp by Aladdin, said that he would go with the group and help them in their quest. After a brief stop in Traverse Town to visit with Pooh and receive a new summon in Bambi, the trio jump into the gummi ship and set to take off. However, Sora has a gut feeling that they should stock up on new weapons and accessories first, so the crew disembarks at the Traverse Town Accessory Shop…

Now…

Before heading out, the trio decided to make a stop inside the Accessory Shop. Inside the shop, the group discovered a small, wooden puppet with an accessory sitting nearby on the floor. Jiminy Cricket jumped out of his hiding place and hopped up to the puppet. “Pinocchio?” The puppet popped up his head. He said hi to Jiminy. Jiminy asked him what he was doing with the accessory. The wooden boy told him it was a gift. Suddenly, his nose grew a size bigger. Jiminy chided the boy for lying, telling him a lie like that would just grow and grow, plain as the nose on his face. The boy promised he would not lie again as long as Jiminy was around. Jiminy then asked the boy where Geppetto was. Pinocchio claimed that he did not know where Geppetto was. Jiminy promised Pinocchio that the group would search for Geppetto. With that, the group returned to Agrabah and set off to the starboardside world.

The trio flew along, evading the Heartless gummi ships and destroying the enemy and other obstacles where they could until, out of nowhere, a giant figure appeared. It looked like…a whale? In space? Donald cried out, asking what it was. Sora exclaimed how huge it was. After a few moments of staring it down, the whale flew off. That is when Jiminy chimed in, telling the group that they had just found Monstro, a vicious whale from his own home planet. Donald suggested leaving the area, but Monstro suddenly reappeared in front of the ship and flew straight at it, opening his gigantic maw and swallowing the ship whole.

The scene shifts back to Destiny Islands, but in this scene, Riku and Sora are children once more. As they walked along the catwalks around the island, Sora claimed to have heard a noise that came from some gigantic monster. Riku seemed a bit hesitant to believe such a tall tale, but Sora insisted he was telling the truth. As they made their way to the hidden cave, Riku posited that even if a monster existed, did Sora really think he and Riku could beat it themselves. Sora, confident as even, insisted that they could. A noise from within the cave got their attention once more. Sora told Riku to listen and he could hear it growling. Riku told Sora that they had to be careful and the duo slowly eased their way into the cave. Inside, Riku pointed to the ceiling and shook his head. He told Sora that it was just the wind coming through the cave that made it sound like there was a monster inside. Sora groaned, wishing that it had been a monster, but then something further into the cave got his attention. As they got closer, they noticed that there was some sort of door in the back of the cave. In any case, it wouldn’t open. Riku had told Sora that the cave was boring and then told him that they should promise that, when they grew up, they would get off of the island where they would go on real adventures. Sora seemed to agree, though he seemed disappointed that there weren’t any real adventures they could go on now. As the scene begins to fade out, we hear Sora commenting how there is a new girl that just appeared at the mayor’s house, asking if Riku had heard about that yet.

The scene fades back in on Sora lying on the floor of the…whale’s mouth, I guess. Sora came back to consciousness to find Donald and Goofy standing a few feet away, marveling at their new surroundings. Goofy asked Sora if he was okay. Sora asked the two what they were doing and where they were. Suddenly, an item came flying out of nowhere, landing at Sora’s feet. Goofy told him that he was pretty sure the giant whale, Monstro, had just swallowed them and that, for today’s weather, to expect showers. Another item dropped onto Goofy’s shield as he had it raised over his head for protection. Heavy showers, Goofy commented. Donald yelled up, asking who was tossing down these items. Suddenly, Jiminy’s old pal, Pinocchio came into view, searching through a treasure chest. Pinocchio called down to the group and Donald seemed disappointed until he realized that it was in fact Pinocchio who had just appeared within the whale. Jiminy called up, trying to get Pinocchio’s attention, but the little wooden boy just walked off. Jiminy told them to follow the boy, so Sora and group took off after him, making their way through the debris that littered the oral cavity of the giant whale. As they made their way farther back into Monstro, the group came upon a ship where Pinocchio was found standing next to an old man. When the man asked what it was Pinocchio had found, the boy told him that it was something that they could use to get out of there, referring to the man as his father. The man seemed skeptical, but just then, Sora and crew climbed the side of the ship. Seeing the gummi block that Pinocchio had found, Sora told him that indeed, he could use that block to make his way out of the whale. Sora then asked Pinocchio how he had ended up inside Monstro, but then the old man walked toward the group, realizing the whale had swallowed them too…yeah…I would assume they aren’t astral projecting themselves in here old guy. Jeez, if only Bill Engvall was around too, he would have a sign at the ready. Anyway, the old man introduced himself as Geppetto, Pinocchio’s father. Geppetto told the group that when he and Pinocchio got separated, Geppetto searched all over for him before finally being reunited, then commented how the group seemed to know Pinocchio quite well. While they talked, a figure with gray hair that looked awfully familiar ran back farther into the body of Monstro. Geppetto, meanwhile, hoped that Pinocchio had been a good boy in his absence. The trio exchanged glances, but chose to leave out how they had found Pinocchio in Traverse Town. Geppetto commented that they all had been on quite a journey, and wondered if Pinocchio felt the same, but the little wooden boy had disappeared. The boy himself had followed the figure farther on into Monstro. Geppetto told the group that he had told Pinocchio not to wander off inside the whale, but acknowledged that Pinocchio was sometimes a naughty boy. The group promised to go retrieve the boy before starting the search around Monstro. Just inside Monstro’s Chamber 1, the trio found Pinocchio seemingly playing hide and seek. They told Pinocchio to come back with them as Geppetto was worried about him and that this was no time for games. The group turned around and started back out when a voice called out, saying that he thought that Sora liked games. Sora spun back around and came face to face with Riku once more. Riku asked if Sora thought he was too cool for games now that he had the Keyblade. Sora, surprised and puzzled, asked Riku what he was doing there. Riku claimed he was just playing with Pinocchio. Sora got angry, saying that Riku knew he meant he was talking about Kairi before asking if he had found her. Riku, still feeling playful, told Sora maybe he had, but he would have to catch him and Pinocchio to find out what he knew. Sora wasn’t interested in playing games, but Riku grabbed ahold of Pinocchio and took off anyway. The trio gave chase, making their way farther back into Monstro. Before they had gone a few steps, however, they were attacked by a new Heartless. According to Jiminy, this one was called a Search Ghost. These Heartless had glowing eyes they used to locate their prey and had the ability to warp around from one place to another. Sora and company still managed to make quick work of this evasive Heartless and took off in pursuit of Riku and Pinnochio.

Figuring, they might be able to cut Riku off, instead of pursuing him directly, the group made their way into Chamber 2. Fighting their way through more Heartless, Sora found a chest that held a Cottage item, but no Riku or Pinocchio. With their way back high above their heads, the trio made their way next to Chamber 3. The first exit the trio tried led them back into Chamber 1. Making their way back into Chamber 3, they explored around a little more, finding a couple of chests, one of which held three more dalmatian puppies. Thirty-three down, sixty-six to go! This time, the trio took a different exit that led into Chamber 2. Inside, the group fell onto a high ledge. After finding yet another chest, the trio found a new exit, this one taking them to Chamber 5. The trio fought off more Heartless, including a new one called the Barrel Spider. Similar to the Pot Spider from Agrabah, but in barrels, the Barrel Spider was a tough customer, but took care of itself as after a few hits, they would explode. Though they could see ledges higher up in the room, they could not access them, and so moved on to the only exit, which led to Chamber 6. In Chamber 6, the trio came upon an exit that led back into a different part of Chamber 5. After fighting some Heartless, the trio found a couple of more treasures, then took another exit, this one leading back into another part of Chamber 6. After a brief scuffle with the Heartless, Sora opened a nearby chest that held three more dalmatians. Thirty-six down, sixty-three to go! Using a nearby barrel, Sora managed to reach one ledge high above the floor. On it was another chest, this one holding a Torn Page. Guess we will be visiting Pooh again in short order. Returning to Chamber 5, the trio finally made their way through a previously unused exit, one which led into Chamber 4. Inside Chamber 4, Maleficent showed up behind Riku, asking why it was Riku still cared about Sora. After all, she reasoned, Sora had all but abandoned Riku for the Keyblade and his new companions. Riku told her that he didn’t care about Sora. He was just messing with him a little bit. Maleficent remained unconvinced and told Riku to beware the darkness within his heart as the Heartless could prey upon it. Riku told the evil sorceress to butt out. Entering the room, Pinocchio sprinted along, followed closely by Sora and company. Pinocchio sprinted right past Riku and farther into Monstro. Sora, still angry, asked Riku what was the matter with him. Did he not realize what he was doing? Riku turned on him, telling Sora that he was about to ask him the same thing, accusing Sora of only being interested in running around and showing off the Keyblade. Riku asked if he even wanted to save Kairi. Sora said he did. Suddenly, from behind Riku there came a scream. Riku and Sora both turned to the sound. Pinocchio was in trouble! With a jump, both Riku and Sora’s group ran toward the sound, entering the Bowels of Monstro. The group and Riku found Pinocchio trapped inside a giant, cage-like Heartless known as the Parasite Cage. Riku asked Sora if he was up to battle. Sora nodded and all four attacked this new threat. Kinda reminds me of the enemy Link fought inside the giant fish in Ocarina of Time. Coincidence? Maybe… In any case, Sora decided to call up Genie. Sora tossed his Keyblade up in the air. When he caught it, it started shooting out beams of light before coughing up a huge cloud of smoke from which Genie emerged. Genie returned to the ground, giving Sora a high five as the two struck at the Heartless. After doing some significant damage to the Parasite Cage, Genie whisked off. Sora, deciding to call on another ally, lowered his Keyblade toward the ground and flung his arm forward, casting a ball of light forth from the Keyblade. The ball landed on the ground and the light dispersed, revealing Bambi, who pranced around Sora and nuzzled up to his hand before prancing off into battle. Bambi marched around, dropping magic restoring bubbles for Sora and Riku as they pressed the attack on the cage. Bambi left the battle and the group of four continued the attack until finally, the Parasite Cage was defeated…at least for the moment. The Heartless attached itself to the ceiling and spit Pinocchio out into a hold in the floor. As Pinocchio fell, Riku ran and dove into the hole after him. With no other option but to follow, the trio followed suit and dove into the hole themselves. The group reemerged on the prow of Geppetto’s boat. The water within Monstro’s mouth receded as a result of the battle. On the other side of the beached boat, Geppetto called out for Pinocchio. Riku stood on a ledge up above holding the little wooden boy. Geppetto pleaded for Riku to give Pinocchio back to him. Riku told him sorry, but he had some unfinished business with the puppet. Geppetto told him that Pinocchio was no puppet, but was instead his little boy. Riku conceded that Pinocchio was indeed unusual. After all, not many puppets have hearts. He wasn’t sure, but he thought perhaps Pinocchio could help someone who had lost theirs. Sora approached and asked if Riku was talking about Kairi. Riku snapped at him, asking why he cared before turning and walking away. Distraught, Geppetto offered a chest to Sora. He told the group that he had planned on saving the chest for later, but it might do them some good. Sora agreed to use the contents to help save Pinocchio. Opening the chest, Sora was endowed with the High Jump ability, which he could use to reach heights previously unattainable. With a new ability learned, the group set off in search of Riku and Pinocchio once more.

On a previously unreachable plank, the trio found a blue trinity mark which, when activated, rewarded them with a Cottage and a couple of potions. Higher up, they found a chest that contained a gem called the Watergleam. Sounds like a new summon to me. Keeping in mind to talk to the Fairy Godmother when returning the Torn Page, Sora continued searching. From high above, the trio spotted a green trinity mark on top of Geppetto’s boat. Activating it helped them find yet another chest, which held a mythril shard. One final chest that the group found high up held three more dalmatians. With a flick of his wrist…er, wing maybe…whatever. Donald magicked the puppies home. Thirty-nine found, sixty left to find. With the exploration of Monstro’s mouth complete, Sora and crew found an exit above the one that led into Monstro’s chambers, this one leading into the giant whale’s Throat. Climbing up along some platforms and fighting Heartless along the way, the group made their way into Monstro’s Stomach. Inside, Riku waited with Pinocchio. Sora yelled at Riku to let Pinocchio go. Riku claimed that perhaps a puppet that had lost it’s heart to the Heartless could be the key to saving Kairi before suggesting that the two of them join forces to save her. Sora got into fighting position, however. Riku was incredulous that Sora would chose to fight him over a puppet that had no heart instead of helping him save Kairi. Sora claimed that heart or no heart, at least Pinocchio still had a conscience. Riku seemed confused, but Sora told him that if he could hear it, he would hear it telling him that Riku was on the wrong side. Riku seemed disappointed and told Sora that Sora had left him no choice. Jiminy, meanwhile, had run over to check on Pinocchio. Pinocchio told Jiminy that he wasn’t going to make it…when suddenly, he nose grew to a new size! Pinocchio realized he had fibbed without meaning to and figured he would be okay. Just as Riku and Sora were about to fight, the Parasite Cage dropped out of nowhere right between Riku and Sora. Riku took the chance to escape through a dark portal while Sora refocused on the renewed enemy before him. Pinocchio escaped back through a doorway with Jiminy as the fight began. Though the Parasite Cage busted out some new moves, including swinging it’s entire body at the group and spewing out a noxious gas, and even though the floor was covered in acid, the trio’s constant attacks felled the giant Heartless for good. As the Parasite Cage collapsed, a giant heart was released from within. Sora called out for Riku, but Riku had once more disappeared. The fight with the Parasite Cage taught Sora about the power of time, granting him the new spell, Stop. The scene fades back in on Riku aboard a ship, staring down at Kairi’s sleeping form, apparently sans heart. Riku compared Kairi to a lifeless puppet now. Maleficent concurred, telling Riku that her heart must have been taken by the Heartless. Riku asked what he could do to restore Kairi. Maleficent told him that there were seven maidens of the purest heart, known as the Princesses of Heart. Gathered together, they could open the door to the heart of all worlds. Inside lay untold wisdom which could help Riku find a way to restore Kairi’s heart. With that, Maleficent granted Riku the power to control the Heartless. So…he is somehow okay with being able to control the very beings that stole his friend’s heart and destroyed his home. Ah Riku, the very definition of stupidity and ignorance. I mean, really? Who in their right mind would be that dumb?

Back with Monstro, all the fighting stirring up his innards caused the giant whale to let out a mighty sneeze, expelling the trio in their gummi ship. Donald and Goofy hoped that Pinocchio and Geppetto were okay while Sora brooded over what had happened to his friend. The group decided it was time to make a quick trip back to Traverse Town. Sora mused that his magic may be just as good as Donald’s now. Donald scoffed, saying that wouldn’t happen in a million years. Goofy supposed it would be a good time to visit Merlin and train up. Meanwhle, Chip, one of the gummi ship’s mechanics, told the group that a tournament was currently being held at the Coliseum. With these new pieces of information, the group set off to Traverse Town once more…