Belle Of The Ball (Kingdom Hearts 2) in Gamer's Gaming

The Road So Far…

Sora, Donald, and Goofy have awakened from a long slumber. They slept while, unremembered to them, Namine put Sora’s memory back to rights after his battles with Organization XIII within Castle Oblivion. Waking and finding Mickey, they were directed to board a train to the mysterious tower of Master Yen Sid, Mickey’s teacher. Yen Sid informed them of the continued existence of the Heartless and a new threat, Nobodies. The Nobodies were sentient bodies that had been robbed of their hearts by the darkness. The Nobodies were commanded by Organization XIII, the group of the most powerful Nobodies in existence. After giving Sora a fashion upgrade and some new powers, Yen Sid tasked the trio with finding out what the Nobodies were up to, helping Mickey in his quest and, in the end, defeating Organization XIII. Sora met the remainder of the Organization in Hollow Bastion while helping his friends Leon, Aerith, Yuffie, Cid, and Merlin defend the town. Opening a pathway to another world, Sora and crew settled down in the Land of Dragons, where they were reunited with their old friend, Mushu. Mushu, as it turns out, was a guardian for the Fa family and was trying to help the family’s daughter, Mulan. Mulan had taken her father’s sword and armor in an attempt to protect her family’s honor by joining the Imperial Army, under the guise of Ping. Sora and company agreed to help Mulan prove herself. After joining up with the army, the group was forced to prove themselves by completing various tasks set to them by Captain Shang, leader of the rag-tag civilian forces. With Sora’s help, Mulan slowly gained the trust of Captain Shang and the rest of the soldiers. The group made progress in halting the advance of Shan-Yu, leader of the Huns. Shan-Yu made use of the Heartless in an effort to invade and destroy China. His plans gained traction when he entrapped Sora and Mulan within a cave outside of a mountainside village. While the duo fought off the Heartless, Shan-Yu decimated Captain Shang’s troops and burned down the village they had made camp in. After asking Shang to find the villagers who had been displaced from their homes, Sora and company made their way to the mountain’s summit where they faced off against Shan-Yu’s army of Heartless. After a brief skirmish, Mulan felled the majority of the opposing army by causing an avalanche that trapped the Heartless and Shan-Yu beneath it. However, in the effort, Mulan was revealed as a woman and dismissed from the army in shame. Disguised no longer, Mulan was ready to head home when she discovered that Shan-Yu was still alive! With Sora and company offering their help, Mulan made her way to the Imperial city to warn Shang of the approaching danger. Though skeptical at first, the appearance of Shan-Yu himself shot the captain into action. As Shan-Yu made his attack on the city and the Emperor himself, the group distracted Shan-Yu while Shang got the Emperor to safety. In the intense battle that followed, Mulan and Sora worked as a perfect tandem, managing to defeat the mighty Hun leader and save all of China. The Emperor thanked them all and rewarded Mulan with Shan-Yu’s sword, which became a Keyhole Sora used to open the path to another world. With China saved, Mushu and Mulan as heroes, and Shang being prodded by the Emperor to pursue China’s bravest woman, Sora, Donald, and Goofy took their leave, making their way to Beast’s Castle. Eager to see their old friends, the crew disembarked on the new world…

Now…

The trio walks in through the front door of the castle, looking around at the huge, dark entryway lit only by candles. As Donald and Goofy peer into the shadows, Sora wonders what this place is. Donald says that it’s huge. Goofy adds that it’s also kinda gloomy. Sora wondered who lived there. A loud roar sounds out from somewhere in the castle and startles Donald. Goofy, however, asked if anybody else recognized that roar. Sora thought about it a second as another roar sounded out. Sora’s eyes lit up as he realized that it was Beast! Goofy suggested that they should check up on him as Sora spotted a Shadow sneaking across the hall. The trio took off after the Shadow as it passed underneath a nearby door with light streaming from it. Donald poked his head through the door and looked around. Donald wasn’t able to spot the Heartless, but he did see a shining red rose encased in glass. As Sora and Goofy looked around, Donald was drawn to the rose until a Shadow popped up in his path. Suddenly, the trio found themselves surrounded by Shadows. They drew their weapons and attacked the dark beings without mercy. As the trio wasted the Heartless, more and more sprang up in their place. It seemed as if there was no end to the Heartless in the castle and Sora was wearing down, saying that was enough already. Donald yelled out for someone to help them and, in response, Beast came crashing through the door of the room and started wiping out the Heartless. Sora said he was just in time and raised a hand for a high five, but Beast simply swept him out of the way and walked toward the rose. Donald and Goofy were stunned, but were soon knocked out of the way as well. Beast grabbed the case holding the rose and turned, walking back out of the room and leaving the trio stunned. Goofy wondered if maybe Beast had forgotten who they were. Sora figured that, with this many Heartless around, something must be up. Donald rubbed the side of his face and wondered why Beast had done that.

Back in the entrance hall, Sora asked what Donald was looking at. Donald said he knew he had just seen a lady at the top of the stairs, but now nobody was there. Goofy suggested that since Beast was here, the lady must have been Belle. Sora figured that was true and if so, she might know what was going on with Beast. Goofy suggested that they go find her and the other two nodded, so off they went in search of Belle. As they journeyed around the castle, they fought many groups of Heartless that included a new Heartless, the Hook Bat. With a hook attached to both legs, the enemy flew around the area and divebombed anyone it could attack. They also met a familiar foe in the Large Body, a giant fat Heartless that could cause shockwaves and charge their opponents. As they explored the castle, they found treasure chests and puzzle pieces. However, it wasn’t until they climbed to the East Wing of the castle that they found a large door. Sora turned around and shushed Goofy to allow them to sneak up to the door. Inside, a woman’s voice asked what she was going to do. Sora nodded to his friends and pointed to the door. They nodded back and Donald walked directly in front of the door. Sora realized Donald’s intentions too late and could only yell Donald’s name as the duck slammed head first through the door. Or so it seemed. Donald, picking his head up from the floor, asked who had opened the door. He looked up and saw Belle standing in front of him. The beautiful Princess of Heart told him that she was so happy they were here. She picked Donald up and hugged him as Donald struggled. Belle said hi to Sora and Goofy, as well. Donald, dizzy, told Belle to put him down as his eyes rolled around in his head. Donald asked her where Beast was. Belle said that he must be in the West Wing and told the trio that the two of them didn’t talk like they used to. Sora asked if something had happened. Belle seemed confused, but told them yes. She had assumed that was why they were there. Goofy told her that wasn’t the case but said they could still help! Donald nodded and Sora said they would be happy to, since they were already here and all. Belle said that Beast had been acting strange lately. The only ones who might know why were locked up in the dungeon. Belle said she wanted to help them, but… Sora asked who locked who up. Belle told them that Beast had locked up his servants. Donald asked why and Belle admitted that she didn’t know. Sora asked where the dungeon was. Belle said that they could get to the undercroft from the west hall. The dungeon was down there. Sora got it and Belle warned them to be careful. Sora gave her a thumbs up and the trio left to go find the dungeon.

Back in the West Wing, Sora and company searched for a way into the undercroft. The group found their entrance behind a wardrobe that was standing in front of a door. Sora said he had found the door when the wardrobe came to life and scolded Sora! Stunned, Sora stood back as the wardrobe hopped back in front of the door. After a little bit of maneuvering, Sora managed to push the wardrobe out of the way without waking it up, clearing a path into the next room. The wardrobe said that it had just started to get comfortable and asked if it could help the trio. Sora was perplexed at the talking wardrobe at first, but gathered himself and said that Belle needed them to go to the dungeon. The wardrobe was thrilled that someone had come to help her friends. The wardrobe explained that she used to be human before the enchantress had cast her spell. She had been turned into a wardrobe when the prince had been turned into a beast. Donald was surprised that Beast was actually a prince. The wardrobe said that he was, though his behavior had hardly been princely at the time. Sora asked what she meant by a spell. The trio stood entranced as the wardrobe told them that it had been a cold winter’s night and…well, the wardrobe figured that was enough for now. They could hear the rest after they had rescued the others. She figured it would give them something to look forward to. The trio slumped, but the wardrobe told them to hurry as the dungeon was damp and chilly. Certainly no place for a clock. Goofy asked what she meant by a clock. The wardrobe would only say that they would find out soon enough. Sora said that they should get going and went through the door.

In the next room, the trio found a large stone door and Sora thought this must be the dungeon. Donald approached the stone door and stuck his ear up to it until, to his surprised, the door came to life and became a Heartless. Donald backed up and then ran away as the door tried to punch him. The door attacked with the help of other Heartless, such as the Hook Bats, while also punching and using spells of its own. Sora and company attacked the door and held off the other Heartless, finally doing enough damage to knock the dark spirit out of the door, allowing them to attack it directly. Activating his Valor Form, Sora went on a spirited attack and managed to end the threat of the possessed door, once and for all. The spirit tried to escape, but simply dissolved into darkness, leaving the trio to examine the door itself. Donald asked if they though the dungeon was past this door. Goofy said they needed to set the servants free. Sora agreed and led the trio onward. After checking Jiminy’s Journal, Sora found out that the floating statues they had fought were called Gargoyle Knights and Gargoyle Warriors. The possessed door was called a Thresholder and the spirit possessing it was called, surprise, a Possessor. After checking the journal, the trio went through the door. In the dungeon, the trio found nobody around. Donald wondered why there was nobody to rescue. A voice asked if somebody had said “rescue”! Another voice told the first to keep quiet. It might be THEM. An older woman’s voice that they looked like nice boys to her. Donald and Goofy looked at each other, very confused. Goofy said that they were nice. They were their friends. Sora added that Belle had sent them to find the prisoners. Suddenly, a clock, a teapot and teacup, and a candelabra hopped off the nearby stools and came over to greet the heroes. Sora kneeled down and introduced himself, Donald, and Goofy. Donald, overcome with curiosity, jumped forward and picked up the clock. The clock said not to touch him. He was self-winding! Donald shook the clock instead, marveling at the talking clock. Sora, speaking to the candelabra, said that he was glad they were okay. The candelabra said it was them who was overjoyed to see the heroes. Goofy asked if somebody had put a spell on them, as well. The clock said yes, it had been the enchantress. The teapot explained that on one cold winter’s night, an old beggar woman came to the castle and asked for shelter. The clock explained that their master, however, had turned the woman away, all because of her appearance. Goofy said that was awful and the candelabra agreed, admitting that the prince had been spoiled and cruel. The teapot continued, explaining that the old woman had told the prince not to be deceived by appearances. Still the prince would not take her in. The clock said that the woman’s ugliness melted away to reveal a beautiful enchantress. The teapot said that the woman turned the prince into a beast, a shape she found fitting for his cold heart. To further punish him, everyone else in the castle had been enchanted too. Goofy asked if there was anything they could do to help. Donald suggested that they should capture the enchantress. The candelabra said that wouldn’t work. They knew what needed to be done, but with the master out of sorts… Sora agreed that Beast had been acting weird. The teapot said that it almost seemed as if Beast had forgotten how to trust others. The clock asked if they thought he had been turned into a Heartless. Sora said if the Heartless were a part of this, it was a good thing they were there. Donald said they should go find the Beast and the candelabra told them to follow him. He knew a shortcut. The trio took off after him and back into the last room. In the upper part of the room, they found Cogsworth, the clock, standing by a couple suits of armor that were blocking an exit. Asking him for help, Cogsworth commanded that the armor allow their guests to pass. The suits of armor snapped to attention and pulled to the sides of the door, allowing the group to pass. The teapot, Mrs. Potts, the little teacup, Chip, the candelabra, Lumiere, and Cogsworth all passed through the exit, follow close behind by the trio.

As the trio entered the stone hallway beyond, Sora asked how they got out of there. Lumiere said that escape would not be that easy. The door leading to the other side was sealed by some sort of contraption. Sora asked what kind of contraption he was talking about. Cogsworth told him to watch and jumped up to grab hold of a lever that lowered a lantern filled with billowy darkness. Lumiere told them that if they could light all the lanterns in the passage, the secret door would open, but as they could see, the lanterns were already burning with an enchanted flame. He told the trio that they would have to put out the enchanted flames to allow him to light the lanterns properly. Goofy asked why they couldn’t just throw water on them, but Mrs. Potts said that wouldn’t do the job. However, if there were to use the power of light… Sora suggested that he could try using his Keyblade. He held out the Keyblade and the dark fire disappeared, allowing Lumiere to light the lantern properly. Mrs. Potts told them that there was only three lanterns left. If they worked together, they could have the door open in no time. Sora said it would be a piece of cake. Lumiere told him that it wouldn’t be so simple, however. After all, they couldn’t expect Cogsworth to hang from that handle forever, could they? If Cogsworth fell off, Sora would have to talk to Cogsworth to lower the lanterns once more. Sora said they would give it a shot. Sora ran through the hallway, destroying boxes that blocked the path of Mrs. Potts and Lumiere while gathering a few treasures and puzzle pieces along the way. Finally, after a few minutes, the three of them managed to relight all of the lanterns. After they were lit, Sora asked if they were all set. Lumiere said that the secret door should open now. Goofy looked around, but told them he didn’t see any secret door. Cogsworth said there was no need to worry. They just had to push the block in the wall that stuck out. Sora walked over and pushed the block in, lowering a section of the stone wall in front of them. Lumiere said that he needed to go check on the rest of the castle. He feared his absence had been too long. Sora warned all of them to watch out for Heartless. Cogsworth, before waddling off, told them that Beast’s room was at the very end of the West Wing. He said that he would go on ahead and wait for the trio. With a path now clear, Sora, Donald, and Goofy moved on as well.

Inside the room at the end of the hall, the trio found Beast. As he stood, hunched over, near the window of his room, a voice said that it was time that he dealt with Belle. One of the Organization’s members stood over him as Beast stared at the rose. He told Beast that Belle was scheming to take everything that he had. This castle, his precious rose, and then, his life. He told Beast to trust no one, to feed his anger. Only anger would keep him strong. Beast told him that he’d had enough of strength. There was only one thing he wanted. The cloaked man asked what. To love, and to be loved in return? Who could ever love a Beast? Beast spun around and roared at the man. Just then, the man noted the group standing by the door. He told Beast to look at them. They were Belle’s accomplices. The cloaked man barred the door and the rose off from the group before disappearing into a dark portal. As they approached Beast, Sora said hi, but Beast simply roared out, knocking Donald onto his backside. Cogsworth tried to speak to his master, but Beast attacked and forced the trio into action. Beast slashed at the group and charged, but Sora and company’s masterful fighting, along with Cogsworth’s repeated attempts to speak to his master, finally broke through the spell on Beast. After the fight, Beast asked Cogsworth what had happened. Cogsworth sputtered over his words, afraid to draw his master’s ire, but Donald told Beast, flat out, that he had put everybody down in the dungeon. Beast couldn’t believe that he had done such a thing. Sora asked who the guy in black was. Beast shot straight up and said Xaldin. Beast told them that he had come from the darkness and used his anger to control him. He had taken all of Beast’s sorrow, sadness, and pain, and turned it into rage. There was nothing he could do. He had no longer been able to see the truth. Goofy said that must be why he threw all his friends down into the dungeon. He did it do make sure he didn’t hurt them, right? Beast wondered if that was it. If he had really done it to protect them. Goofy said sure. They knew that Beast was good inside. Cogsworth agreed and said they had all seen how kind Beast could be. After all, Belle could see the goodness in his heart, even though Beast had yet to… Beast remembered Belle and sunk. He had mistreated her and been so selfish. Sora said that Belle hadn’t said anything about all that. Beast said that she would never tell anyone of his cruelty. She was too good. Cogsworth told them that was the problem: Beast judged himself far too harshly. Sora asked why Beast didn’t just go talk to Belle. Beast hesitated, but Sora told him there were no excuses. The trio would even go with him to talk to her. With Beast now joining the group, all of them left Beast’s room and headed toward the East Wing to speak with Belle.

On the way to Belle’s Room, the group ran into a new Heartless called the Lance Soldier. Apparently, the soldier and his lance don’t get along well, so it made for easy work for the group. After some fighting, the group managed to make it to Belle’s Room, only to find the wardrobe there. Donald told her that everybody was safe now. The wardrobe thanked them for their help. Beast asked where Belle had gone. The wardrobe said that she had left in a hurry. Something about going after a man in black. Beast roared out in surprise and horror, wondering why Belle didn’t do as she was told. The wardrobe turned her back on Beast and warned him that he should watch his temper. It was Belle’s spirit that made her so special, after all. Sora suggested that they better go find her. As they reached the Entrance Hall, the group could hear Belle warning someone, saying that they would be sorry. Beast yelled out for Belle, asking where she was. Belle yelled back that she needed help and that she was in the Ballroom. Inside, Belle ran the length of the Ballroom and escaped out the giant doorway, safe from harm, but a huge Heartless covered in chains drenched the ballroom in darkness and attacked the group. With a combination of Sora and Beast’s Howling Moon Limit attack and Sora’s Valor form, the group made short work of the enemy…or so they thought, until it broke off its shackles and be a giant Heartless beast before their very eyes. Sora continued on in Valor form for awhile, but when returned to normal, took another shot at the charging, invisible Heartless with Howling Moon, finishing the Heartless off for good. After the battle, the group began to celebrate their victory, but a voice said that they shouldn’t celebrate just yet. The group turned around to find Xaldin behind them. They rushed the Organization member, but Xaldin disappeared into a dark portal, leaving the Ballroom empty once more. Beast wondered what Xaldin wanted here and Sora guessed that he was with Organization XIII. Sora asked if Beast had ever heard of Nobodies. He explained what they were, and what the Organization was. Goofy, of all people, figured out their plan. Organization XIII must have planned to turn Beast into a Heartless so that they could get his Nobody and take control of it. Belle reentered the Ballroom, happy that Beast was alright. Beast ran up to her, so happy to see her okay, but then he slumped. He apologized for the way he had been acting. He hadn’t been himself. He hoped he hadn’t done anything to hurt her and asked for her forgiveness. Belle said that she knew Beast hadn’t been himself and that he didn’t have to apologize. Then she scolded Beast as he shrank back. She said that she’d hoped he had changed just a little bit and wished he could start trusting her. On the outskirts of the Ballroom, Lumiere said he was afraid time was running short. Sora asked what he meant. Lumiere asked if they remembered the rose from Beast’s room. Cogsworth said that if Beast could learn to love and earn love in return before the last petal fell, the spell would be broken. Sora asked if they thought Beast would make it. Mrs. Potts said that they believed so. Goofy said that he thought so too. Sora said he hoped they were right. Suddenly, the Keyblade appeared in Sora’s hand. The rose acted as the totem that opened the Keyhole of Beast’s Castle, allowing Sora to open the path to yet another world. Beast asked what had happened and Donald told them that the gate had opened! Belle asked if they had to go. Sora said that they did and Goofy told them no more arguing. Beast and Belle looked at each other and Beast turned away, embarrassed. Lumiere told the trio that the servants would see to it. Mrs. Potts told them to take care and Cogsworth told them that they were welcome there anytime. Sora told them that if they heard anything about Riku or the King, the Heartless, the Organization, or anything at all, just to let them know. With that, the group said their goodbyes and Sora learned the Cure spell.

Back in the Gummi Ship, the group noticed that the ship had started to move all on its own. Goofy said it looked as if they were headed towards Hollow Bastion. As the trio landed, Sora wondered what was up. As they rounded the corner near Merlin’s house, they found the front door wide open and a group of Soldier Heartless came out and disappeared. The trio ran into the house to find Merlin on the ground and everything knocked about. Merlin said they had sure taken their time. Goofy asked if it had been him that summoned them. Merlin said that it was, but it seemed he had used too much power in doing so and was overcome by the Heartless. Sora asked what was going on. Merlin said he had stumbled across something in the Zero District. It was Pooh’s Storybook! Merlin said that he knew Sora was a good friend of Pooh’s and that was why he had summoned him. When he did, he had been attacked by the Heartless. Of course, he had fought back with some powerful magic, but he feared the book would become damaged. He told them to wait a minute, since Leon and the others would need to hear this too. Merlin said he would go find them and would be back in a jiffy. Sora, meanwhile, wondered how Pooh was doing. When Donald suggested that he could find out, Sora agreed to it wholeheartedly. Goofy tried to reason with him, but Sora said to just cover for him for a second before sending himself into the pages of the book once more. As he wondered if Pooh was home, Sora made his way toward the house and on to his next adventure…