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Kingdom Hearts 2
Kingdom Hearts 2
Season 9 Epiode 3 Tom & Andrea are ready to once again tackle the most complicated franchise in gaming with Kingdom Hearts 2! Come along wi…
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Aug. 28, 2024

Kingdom Hearts 2

Kingdom Hearts 2

Season 9 Epiode 3 Tom & Andrea are ready to once again tackle the most complicated franchise in gaming with Kingdom Hearts 2! Come along with us as we meet Roxas, a mysterious new character with deep ties to Sora and his friends. As well as the...

Season 9 Epiode 3

Tom & Andrea are ready to once again tackle the most complicated franchise in gaming with Kingdom Hearts 2! Come along with us as we meet Roxas, a mysterious new character with deep ties to Sora and his friends. As well as the morally ambiguous group known as Organization XIII. We also get to hear about Tom's favorite moment in all of gaming. Come find out why this game is still considered one of the greatest games ever made. 

Thanks for hanging out with us! Connect with us directly on all the things:

Website: www.theothercastlepodcast.com

Patreon: www.patreon.com/theothercastle

Discord: https://discord.gg/YDVUSq5twm

Youtube: @TheOtherCastle

Instagram: @TheOtherCastle

Email: TheOtherCastlePodcast@gmail.com

 

And don't forget - please rate & review us to help grow the show so we can all nerd out together. 

 

Transcript
WEBVTT

00:00:17.143 --> 00:00:21.843
Hello everyone, thinking of you wherever you are, and welcome back to The Other Castle.

00:00:21.843 --> 00:00:23.023
That was so romantic.

00:00:23.023 --> 00:00:24.823
This is The Other Castle, I'm Andrea.

00:00:24.823 --> 00:00:26.043
And my name is Tom.

00:00:26.043 --> 00:00:33.543
Here on The Other Castle, we do the plot, lore, and more behind all your favorite video games from the production, the creation, the release, and the actual game itself.

00:00:33.543 --> 00:00:34.023
Yes, we do.

00:00:34.023 --> 00:00:38.123
And if this is your first time listening to us, you can check us out at our website, theothercastlepodcast.com.

00:00:38.123 --> 00:00:39.883
That's the othercastlepodcast.com.

00:00:39.883 --> 00:00:44.763
It's got all of our episodes, links to our Instagram, our Discord, our item shop, and our Patreon.

00:00:45.043 --> 00:00:49.383
Yes, over on our Patreon, we do monthly episodes, both on and off season.

00:00:49.383 --> 00:00:54.583
You get early access during the season, and only $2 a month with a 7-day free trial.

00:00:54.583 --> 00:00:56.063
That's not too bad for...

00:00:56.063 --> 00:00:57.223
Not too shabby at all.

00:00:57.223 --> 00:00:59.383
For eight quarters!

00:00:59.383 --> 00:01:00.103
Every month.

00:01:00.103 --> 00:01:01.003
Every month.

00:01:01.003 --> 00:01:05.983
Well, anyway, so we are here to talk about Kingdom Hearts 2.

00:01:05.983 --> 00:01:06.983
I'm confused.

00:01:06.983 --> 00:01:07.963
Why are you so confused?

00:01:07.963 --> 00:01:09.583
Because I know it's not the second game.

00:01:09.583 --> 00:01:18.803
We covered Chain of Memories on the Patreon, so it's technically the third game, and they're doing this Final Fantasy stuff, where they're like, it's the second, but it's also the third, and it's like the sixth, but it's also the third.

00:01:19.483 --> 00:01:21.163
It's too much, man.

00:01:22.323 --> 00:01:26.763
Well, it's from the same company, so you can understand why they would have that kind of situation going on.

00:01:26.763 --> 00:01:30.643
Yeah, it's a full go figure, but let me have this.

00:01:32.403 --> 00:01:37.363
Well, the production of Kingdom Hearts 2 began almost immediately after the release of Kingdom Hearts 1.

00:01:37.363 --> 00:01:43.543
That happens so often with these good franchises, where they're like the first one ships and the team turns around and give us back to their desk.

00:01:43.543 --> 00:01:49.463
Yeah, after the release of Kingdom Hearts 1, they did release a final mix version, which we'll talk about here in a little bit.

00:01:49.463 --> 00:01:53.383
It was after the completion of that, that they began the production of Kingdom Hearts 2.

00:01:53.383 --> 00:01:54.503
Okay, gotcha.

00:01:54.503 --> 00:01:59.623
And the goal was to take the things people loved about the first game and polish out those aspects.

00:01:59.623 --> 00:02:01.563
That's a perfect way to approach the sequel.

00:02:01.563 --> 00:02:02.303
I get you.

00:02:02.303 --> 00:02:09.903
Not only that, they wanted to improve upon the areas people had issues with, such as the camera, some controls and the divisive gummi ship sections.

00:02:09.903 --> 00:02:11.183
Oh, you love the gummi ship.

00:02:11.283 --> 00:02:16.023
I love the gummi ship, and so does the creator and director Tetsuya Nomura.

00:02:16.023 --> 00:02:23.103
He wanted the new game to feel the same but different, refusing to reuse any assets or animations from the first game.

00:02:23.103 --> 00:02:31.703
Kingdom Hearts 2 was set to take place a year after the first one, and during development, the team came up with story ideas for what happened during that year in between.

00:02:31.703 --> 00:02:34.763
I know all about it because I'm on the Patreon.

00:02:34.763 --> 00:02:37.303
Yes, that's how Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories was born.

00:02:38.883 --> 00:02:44.143
It was a Game Boy Advance exclusive title that, like Andrea said, we recently covered on our Patreon.

00:02:44.143 --> 00:02:49.683
It introduces characters and concepts that would go on to continue through the entire series.

00:02:49.683 --> 00:02:59.043
The reason they needed to fill in the gap was because the protagonist Sora was going to need to start from level one again, despite being a demigod by the end of the first adventure.

00:02:59.043 --> 00:02:59.683
I totally get that.

00:02:59.683 --> 00:03:05.503
It's such a pain in the ass to be like, how do we reset the skill tree when you've already gotten like way the fuck OP on the last round?

00:03:05.723 --> 00:03:07.343
Right, instead of just building on from that.

00:03:07.343 --> 00:03:08.643
Yeah, definitely.

00:03:08.643 --> 00:03:13.823
For the voice cast of the game, we had many return and several get replaced.

00:03:13.823 --> 00:03:18.503
Haley Joel Osment, Hayden Panatier, and David Gallagher return for Sora, Kairi, and Riku.

00:03:18.503 --> 00:03:19.583
Love that.

00:03:19.583 --> 00:03:27.463
They are joined by series newcomers, Jesse McCartney and Brittany Snow, both keeping with the tradition of hiring working child stars.

00:03:27.463 --> 00:03:29.623
Oh, beautiful soul Jesse McCartney.

00:03:29.623 --> 00:03:31.683
Yeah, exactly.

00:03:31.683 --> 00:03:32.363
Good for him.

00:03:32.363 --> 00:03:33.583
I thought he was a one hit wonder.

00:03:33.583 --> 00:03:35.003
I didn't realize he was like working.

00:03:35.243 --> 00:03:38.303
Well, it was like at the time he was up and coming.

00:03:38.303 --> 00:03:39.803
Okay, good for him.

00:03:39.803 --> 00:03:42.563
They play a couple of new characters that we're going to meet later.

00:03:42.563 --> 00:03:51.523
The Disney cast was once again largely played by their original voice actors, with the exception being the really big names like Danny DeVito, Matthew Broderick and Robin Williams.

00:03:51.523 --> 00:03:52.083
Fair enough.

00:03:52.083 --> 00:03:58.003
They were all replaced by the actors who took over the characters for the television spinoff series of their respective films.

00:03:58.003 --> 00:03:58.983
That makes a lot of sense.

00:03:58.983 --> 00:04:04.483
So those are people that have already played the characters and are canonical in this world and understand the nuances.

00:04:04.483 --> 00:04:05.403
Totally makes sense.

00:04:05.403 --> 00:04:10.123
Yeah, and honestly, they spend more time with the characters than the big name actor does.

00:04:10.123 --> 00:04:11.643
Doing the episodic series.

00:04:11.643 --> 00:04:12.423
Yeah, definitely.

00:04:12.423 --> 00:04:13.163
Yeah.

00:04:13.163 --> 00:04:17.843
Sadly, they also recast a few actors despite their characters returning.

00:04:17.843 --> 00:04:24.123
David Boreanis did not return to play Leon, as he had just gotten cast in the TV series Bones and didn't have the time.

00:04:24.123 --> 00:04:25.543
They ran for so fucking long.

00:04:25.543 --> 00:04:27.863
I totally get why he was like, I'm going to work on that project.

00:04:27.863 --> 00:04:29.083
Right.

00:04:29.083 --> 00:04:31.803
Mandy Moore was replaced by Mina Savari as Aerith.

00:04:32.023 --> 00:04:33.283
I forgot she was in this.

00:04:33.283 --> 00:04:34.563
I think we all did.

00:04:34.563 --> 00:04:37.303
Sean Astin apparently played Hercules in the first game.

00:04:37.303 --> 00:04:38.043
Wow.

00:04:38.043 --> 00:04:38.243
Yeah.

00:04:38.243 --> 00:04:40.383
I didn't realize that until I was researching this one.

00:04:40.383 --> 00:04:41.383
Good for him.

00:04:41.383 --> 00:04:46.063
He was replaced by the OC's Tate Donovan, who was the actual voice of Hercules anyway.

00:04:46.063 --> 00:04:47.503
That almost feels more appropriate.

00:04:47.503 --> 00:04:48.403
Right.

00:04:48.403 --> 00:04:54.023
There was also one more performer I had completely forgotten to mention in the first game who sadly was replaced in this one.

00:04:54.023 --> 00:04:54.883
Okay.

00:04:54.883 --> 00:04:59.783
The voice of the legendary Final Fantasy VII villain, Sephiroth.

00:04:59.783 --> 00:05:00.283
Oh, fun.

00:05:01.023 --> 00:05:08.043
In the first game, he was inexplicably played by Lance Bass from Nsync.

00:05:08.043 --> 00:05:10.303
No, you're lying.

00:05:10.303 --> 00:05:11.563
I am not lying at all.

00:05:11.563 --> 00:05:14.043
That's fucking ridiculous.

00:05:14.043 --> 00:05:17.763
What I would give to see him dressed up as Sephiroth.

00:05:17.763 --> 00:05:18.283
Why?

00:05:18.283 --> 00:05:19.623
Why was he Sephiroth?

00:05:19.623 --> 00:05:21.363
I have no idea.

00:05:21.363 --> 00:05:26.683
I think he was trying to get like some kind of acting thing going or kickstarting a voice career.

00:05:26.683 --> 00:05:28.563
He's like Justin Timberlake was in the social network.

00:05:28.663 --> 00:05:30.963
Let me do one, too.

00:05:30.963 --> 00:05:32.863
And Sephiroth is equivalent?

00:05:32.863 --> 00:05:33.663
I don't know.

00:05:33.663 --> 00:05:35.183
No, that's so weird.

00:05:35.183 --> 00:05:36.023
I think evil.

00:05:36.023 --> 00:05:37.603
I think Lance Bass.

00:05:37.603 --> 00:05:40.423
No, he's American Stint.

00:05:40.423 --> 00:05:41.283
I love him.

00:05:41.283 --> 00:05:42.423
Oh, good for him.

00:05:42.423 --> 00:05:43.603
That's fun.

00:05:43.603 --> 00:05:47.243
Well, needless to say, they waved bye bye bye to his interpretation.

00:05:47.243 --> 00:05:48.243
Shut up.

00:05:48.243 --> 00:05:52.383
Replacing him with Sephiroth's now long time performer, George Newburn.

00:05:52.383 --> 00:06:00.223
After a relatively fast turnaround time, Kingdom Hearts 2 released exclusively to PlayStation 2 on December 22nd, 2005 in Japan.

00:06:00.223 --> 00:06:06.063
Then in March of 2006 in the US, with Europe and Australia seeing it in September that same year.

00:06:06.063 --> 00:06:10.843
It released to critical and fan acclaim, selling 4 million copies in the first year.

00:06:10.843 --> 00:06:20.903
As per Kingdom Hearts tradition, a final mix was released, adding some quality of life updates, as well as new cutscenes to accommodate story ideas they developed after the game's release.

00:06:20.903 --> 00:06:22.443
Minor retconning is what I'm hearing.

00:06:22.643 --> 00:06:23.423
Yeah, definitely.

00:06:23.423 --> 00:06:25.663
That's exactly what it was.

00:06:25.663 --> 00:06:36.843
Over the years, it has been remastered into Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD remix, bringing it up to modern-day console standards and includes all the content from final mix as well.

00:06:36.843 --> 00:06:47.343
Since its release, it has solidified itself as the best action RPG of its kind, and maintains a top 10 spot on many all-time greatest games ever made lists.

00:06:47.343 --> 00:06:49.663
Would you say this is the best in the series?

00:06:49.663 --> 00:06:52.183
Hands down, far and away, no questions asked.

00:06:52.263 --> 00:06:54.103
Oh shit, okay, that's cool.

00:06:54.103 --> 00:07:00.963
Which makes it even more insane that we didn't see its official sequel for 14 years.

00:07:00.963 --> 00:07:02.383
Oof.

00:07:02.383 --> 00:07:06.743
I mean, yeah, though, first of all, licensing nightmare.

00:07:06.743 --> 00:07:07.043
Right.

00:07:07.043 --> 00:07:13.223
It's only gotten worse as we moved farther and farther away from the earlier days of this franchise.

00:07:13.223 --> 00:07:16.143
It's an absolute licensing shit show.

00:07:16.143 --> 00:07:21.863
Second of all, they announced Kingdom Hearts 4 two years ago and haven't said a goddamn thing since then.

00:07:22.303 --> 00:07:24.503
So I'm not surprised at a slow turnaround.

00:07:24.503 --> 00:07:25.003
Right.

00:07:25.003 --> 00:07:29.383
Seriously, I don't know why this series of all series takes so long.

00:07:29.383 --> 00:07:31.863
Yes, there have been a bunch of games in between.

00:07:32.223 --> 00:07:37.583
Oh, well, you're like, well, um, actually, they put out a bunch of dumb shit in different places.

00:07:37.583 --> 00:07:42.503
But it just made everything more complicated once Kingdom Hearts 3 actually came out.

00:07:42.503 --> 00:07:44.203
In my opinion.

00:07:44.203 --> 00:07:47.903
I don't want to like say that's a fact, but I say it's a fact.

00:07:48.883 --> 00:07:50.563
Fuck it, I have no stake in this.

00:07:50.563 --> 00:07:52.383
That is a goddamn fact.

00:07:53.763 --> 00:07:59.943
Well, outside of shameless self-promotion, I do suggest having the first game fresh in your mind going into this episode.

00:07:59.943 --> 00:08:04.943
So if you haven't played the first one in a while, you can go listen to our episode on the OG Kingdom Hearts.

00:08:04.943 --> 00:08:06.863
It's season six, episode two of our show.

00:08:06.863 --> 00:08:08.083
I feel so long ago.

00:08:08.083 --> 00:08:09.903
I know, right?

00:08:09.903 --> 00:08:16.263
Otherwise, it's time once again to get way too emotionally invested in a bunch of 14 year olds goombas.

00:08:17.083 --> 00:08:18.803
That's so creepy to say.

00:08:18.803 --> 00:08:23.283
Because this is Kingdom Hearts 2.

00:08:23.283 --> 00:08:29.343
The game's opening credits are a stunning pre-rendered cut scene recapping the events of the first game.

00:08:29.343 --> 00:08:37.363
Set to this one's theme song, Sanctuary by Hikaru Utada, the same artist who performed Simple and Clean, which was the theme for the first Kingdom Hearts.

00:08:37.363 --> 00:08:38.543
She has such a beautiful voice.

00:08:38.543 --> 00:08:39.543
Incredible voice.

00:08:39.543 --> 00:08:40.903
And I love this song.

00:08:40.903 --> 00:08:43.863
Honestly, it arguably rivals the impact of Simple and Clean to me.

00:08:45.143 --> 00:08:57.483
The cut scene finishes out the events of Kingdom Hearts 1, showing the character Kairi age a few years, and then transitions into scenes from Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories, as Kingdom Hearts 2 picks up after the conclusion of that game.

00:08:57.483 --> 00:09:06.103
Chain of Memories did sell well for a Game Boy Advance game, but selling well for a Game Boy Advance game was still under a million copies in the US.

00:09:06.103 --> 00:09:14.643
That's so funny, because Game Boy was such a juggernaut and moved so many units because it was so revolutionary, and then with the Advance generation, they were like, meh.

00:09:15.783 --> 00:09:26.523
The flashback sections from that game highlight a blonde girl in a stark white room, drawing pictures of Sora and his friends running through Castle Oblivion, the setting of Chain of Memories.

00:09:26.523 --> 00:09:32.783
Fortunately, Chain of Memories is not essential playing, but it really helps to clarify everything.

00:09:32.783 --> 00:09:39.663
The cutscene also features a bunch of characters in long black cloaks battling against Sora, Donald, and Goofy.

00:09:39.663 --> 00:09:44.303
It culminates in Sora entering the white room, interrupting the blonde girl's coloring.

00:09:44.303 --> 00:09:49.903
On her doodle pad, we see an image of Sora floating inside a glass lotus blossom.

00:09:49.903 --> 00:09:56.843
Sora is standing in front of her, and then the glass blossom sprouts around him, encasing him inside.

00:09:56.843 --> 00:10:01.783
Sora goes to sleep, falling backwards into white nothingness.

00:10:01.783 --> 00:10:06.323
He flies over an ocean and lands on Destiny Island.

00:10:06.323 --> 00:10:09.723
Sora and Kairi are shown lying on the beach, holding hands.

00:10:10.703 --> 00:10:13.603
Eyes closed as the sun is setting.

00:10:13.603 --> 00:10:20.023
The camera lowers further, revealing Sora is also holding Riku's hand, who is laying on his other side.

00:10:21.143 --> 00:10:30.763
The music swells, and a person crashes down onto the sleeping trio, falling deep into water, just as Sora did at the outset of the first game.

00:10:30.763 --> 00:10:32.643
But it's not Sora.

00:10:32.643 --> 00:10:34.523
It's a different boy.

00:10:34.523 --> 00:10:40.463
He has blonde hair, and he's wearing an all-white outfit with a red collar over a black shirt.

00:10:40.463 --> 00:10:44.803
He keeps sinking further, eventually riding himself.

00:10:44.803 --> 00:10:49.703
He lands on a stained glass surface, just as Sora had done at the start of his adventure.

00:10:49.703 --> 00:10:57.603
When Sora landed on his platform, it depicted Snow White and the seven dwarves, along with a few other Disney characters.

00:10:57.603 --> 00:11:08.763
This time, it's another side, another story, as the blonde-haired kid lands on a platform depicting Sora, Donald, Goofy, Kairi, and Riku.

00:11:08.763 --> 00:11:13.283
He looks up into the sky, and the scene transitions into a new location.

00:11:13.283 --> 00:11:16.583
It's a dark, dreary beach environment.

00:11:16.583 --> 00:11:18.083
But it's not an ocean.

00:11:18.083 --> 00:11:18.823
It's a lake.

00:11:18.823 --> 00:11:21.183
Motherfucker!

00:11:21.183 --> 00:11:23.243
Why are you like this?

00:11:23.243 --> 00:11:25.003
You fucking hate when I say this to you.

00:11:25.003 --> 00:11:30.003
I'll say this to you just for funsies in the car, and you're like, I'm gonna kick you out right now, and you're gonna walk home.

00:11:30.003 --> 00:11:31.083
I couldn't resist.

00:11:31.083 --> 00:11:31.643
I'm sorry.

00:11:31.643 --> 00:11:32.983
You really could have, but you didn't.

00:11:33.683 --> 00:11:39.243
Big black rocky structures rise out of the lake like so many abstract sculptures.

00:11:39.243 --> 00:11:48.783
A man in a long black leather hooded cloak with metal tassels and a long full front zipper sits on a rock, looking out at the gloomy shore.

00:11:48.783 --> 00:11:53.723
A dark portal appears nearby, and another cloaked person approaches the one sitting.

00:11:53.723 --> 00:11:59.183
The sitting man speaks vaguely, playing the pronoun game, saying, he's been to see him.

00:11:59.183 --> 00:12:00.383
He looks just like you.

00:12:00.383 --> 00:12:06.203
Silently, but with subtitles, the new arrival asks the sitting man who he is.

00:12:06.203 --> 00:12:09.023
The sitting man says that his name is irrelevant.

00:12:09.023 --> 00:12:13.703
Then he turns the question around and asks if the new arrival remembers their true name.

00:12:13.703 --> 00:12:20.703
They think on it, then say, my true name is, but the scene ends before they say.

00:12:20.703 --> 00:12:27.743
Instead, we transition to the sound of Kairi saying, Sora, she's waking Sora up from his nap on the beach.

00:12:27.743 --> 00:12:32.243
It's like we're watching the scene through a shitty CRT TV that is glitching, though.

00:12:32.243 --> 00:12:32.843
Oh, no.

00:12:32.843 --> 00:12:37.223
Like a VHS tape that's been damaged as the screen freaks out from time to time.

00:12:37.223 --> 00:12:40.523
Because this is also just a cut scene straight out of the first game.

00:12:40.523 --> 00:12:44.683
As if the VHS tape had been recorded over, but the old shit is still there.

00:12:44.683 --> 00:12:47.503
I appreciate that you're like, the team did not want to reuse assets.

00:12:47.503 --> 00:12:51.303
Except for this instance, where we put a filter over it.

00:12:51.303 --> 00:12:53.923
Okay, in this instance, yes, they do.

00:12:53.923 --> 00:12:57.323
But we made it a little, we copied homework and we changed it a little bit.

00:12:57.323 --> 00:12:59.083
But in the gameplay itself.

00:12:59.083 --> 00:12:59.443
Got you.

00:12:59.983 --> 00:13:05.523
It shows the majority of the time that Sora spent on Destiny Island in short quick bursts.

00:13:05.523 --> 00:13:11.863
Suddenly the scene ends and you wake as the blonde haired kid, lying in bed in his childhood home.

00:13:11.863 --> 00:13:16.143
You sit up wearing a casual version of the white and black outfit from before.

00:13:16.143 --> 00:13:19.423
You rub your head saying that it was another dream about him.

00:13:19.423 --> 00:13:23.103
You have no idea who he is or why you keep dreaming about him.

00:13:23.103 --> 00:13:26.663
Your thought is interrupted by the sound of bells ringing in the hour from outside.

00:13:27.463 --> 00:13:38.663
You open your window to reveal a bustling little burgh, complete with a whimsical as fuck clock tower, and a train station with a locomotive pulling in as the name Twilight Town appears on screen.

00:13:38.663 --> 00:13:40.903
We are taken to a new location.

00:13:40.903 --> 00:13:50.263
You're in your full outfit now, sitting in a little side-alley kids clubhouse kind of place, complete with a dartboard, a dirty old couch, and wooden crates to sit on.

00:13:50.263 --> 00:13:52.403
With you are three others.

00:13:52.403 --> 00:13:53.843
Original characters to Kingdom Hearts.

00:13:54.983 --> 00:14:00.763
There's a taller blonde boy in camo pants and a vest over a black tank top named Hayner.

00:14:00.763 --> 00:14:06.823
A husky brunette boy wearing a headband and a red tank top that says Dog Street named Pence.

00:14:06.823 --> 00:14:08.463
He's the edgy one.

00:14:08.463 --> 00:14:14.283
And a young girl with brown hair wearing an orange tank top and khaki pants named Olette.

00:14:14.283 --> 00:14:19.643
They're all talking with each other animatedly while you appear to be having a crisis looking at your hands in confusion.

00:14:20.943 --> 00:14:28.403
I love that trope of a friend group where they're like, we have plans, we're children, and one's like, I am having a fucking meltdown.

00:14:29.983 --> 00:14:34.743
The other three are talking about a guy named Cypher, which is a character from Final Fantasy 8.

00:14:34.743 --> 00:14:37.963
Hayner gets your attention by calling your name Roxas.

00:14:37.963 --> 00:14:41.843
Shit is going missing in town and Cypher has beef with your crew.

00:14:41.843 --> 00:14:48.763
So he's going around telling everyone, you guys are the ones stealing stuff, which doesn't sit right with any of you because you're not the one stealing.

00:14:48.943 --> 00:14:50.363
That sucks.

00:14:50.363 --> 00:14:54.263
Hayner says this is the greatest injustice in history.

00:14:54.263 --> 00:14:56.183
And Cypher is going to pay.

00:14:56.183 --> 00:14:57.383
Good.

00:14:57.383 --> 00:14:59.463
You suggest finding the real thieves.

00:14:59.463 --> 00:15:02.183
That's really the only way to clear your names.

00:15:02.183 --> 00:15:07.903
Hayner says that's a great idea and suggests spreading out around town to see if you can figure out who it is.

00:15:07.903 --> 00:15:13.043
Just before leaving, Pentz says, Oh no, our are gone.

00:15:13.043 --> 00:15:16.083
Hayner replies, all of our are gone?

00:15:16.083 --> 00:15:17.663
And no, your speakers aren't glitching.

00:15:17.963 --> 00:15:20.383
There's a blank space where the item in question should be.

00:15:20.383 --> 00:15:24.663
I was so confused for a sec, like, did I break my brain?

00:15:24.663 --> 00:15:28.583
No, all four of you try saying the word and can't.

00:15:28.583 --> 00:15:30.303
The thief didn't just steal the...

00:15:30.303 --> 00:15:32.203
They also stole the word for it too.

00:15:32.203 --> 00:15:33.523
Oh no.

00:15:33.523 --> 00:15:36.283
Hayner's all, well, at least that means Cypher didn't do it.

00:15:36.283 --> 00:15:38.943
No way he could pull off stealing the word as well.

00:15:39.043 --> 00:15:41.343
Honestly, it's the perfect crime.

00:15:41.343 --> 00:15:42.503
You can't even say what got stolen.

00:15:42.503 --> 00:15:45.283
You can't accuse me of shit if you can't even verbalize it.

00:15:45.383 --> 00:15:46.303
Right.

00:15:46.303 --> 00:15:49.483
The four of you agree to split up and see what you can find.

00:15:49.483 --> 00:15:54.943
You head out last and just as you were about to leave, you faint and the screen goes black.

00:15:54.943 --> 00:15:59.323
After all of your friends have left the area, you're like, oh, goodbye world.

00:15:59.323 --> 00:16:00.223
Once you're alone.

00:16:00.223 --> 00:16:01.203
Yeah.

00:16:01.203 --> 00:16:06.283
A deep older man's voice comes over the darkness saying, his heart is returning.

00:16:06.283 --> 00:16:08.023
He'll be awake soon.

00:16:08.023 --> 00:16:10.483
You wake up laying on the ground from having passed out.

00:16:10.483 --> 00:16:12.283
Then get up to go ask people some questions.

00:16:13.443 --> 00:16:16.843
You ask around town only to find out everyone fucking hates you.

00:16:16.843 --> 00:16:19.363
Because I think you're the thief of whatever it is.

00:16:19.363 --> 00:16:21.283
Whatever it is.

00:16:21.283 --> 00:16:27.883
So you gather with your crew and decide to go find Seifer to find out why he keeps telling everyone you're the ones who stole the items in question.

00:16:27.883 --> 00:16:30.543
You arrive in a part of town called the Sandlot.

00:16:30.543 --> 00:16:32.823
It's a big open square where kids go to play.

00:16:32.823 --> 00:16:38.323
Is it kind of like an inside joke that it's called the Sandlot, referring to the Sandlot movie, or is it just called the Sandlot?

00:16:38.323 --> 00:16:40.823
It's just called the Sandlot, and I really wish it was a reference.

00:16:40.983 --> 00:16:42.803
That feels like a missed opportunity.

00:16:42.803 --> 00:16:44.243
Ugh, like you're killing me, Smalls.

00:16:45.863 --> 00:16:50.843
Cipher's friends are there, all of them Final Fantasy characters having appeared in 8 and 9.

00:16:50.843 --> 00:16:56.183
There's a girl named Fu, a no-nonsense mean girl with gray hair wearing a blue tank top.

00:16:56.183 --> 00:17:04.583
There's also a beefy beef kid named Rai, who looks like he might be Maori or something, and he finishes every sentence with, you know?

00:17:04.583 --> 00:17:07.463
I hate when characters have catchphrases.

00:17:09.323 --> 00:17:10.503
A simple one too, right?

00:17:10.663 --> 00:17:13.023
Yeah, like you're not even being that funny.

00:17:13.023 --> 00:17:16.143
There's also a little black mage named Vivi.

00:17:16.143 --> 00:17:19.603
Black mages are a character class in Final Fantasy.

00:17:19.603 --> 00:17:27.963
They've been around since the very first iteration, and Vivi, a character from IX, is designed to look exactly like the very first black mage.

00:17:27.963 --> 00:17:32.663
He has a black nothingness for a face with two yellow eyes floating in that blackness.

00:17:32.663 --> 00:17:33.543
Oh, goodness.

00:17:33.543 --> 00:17:38.823
Wearing a tattered old wizard's hat looking like the Hogwarts sorting hat, complete with a zippered mouth.

00:17:38.823 --> 00:17:39.283
That's cool.

00:17:39.923 --> 00:17:42.283
And he also wears a long blue coat.

00:17:42.283 --> 00:17:45.503
He's a very squat in nature and has a really high voice.

00:17:45.503 --> 00:17:49.223
Vivi is voiced by actress Melissa Disney.

00:17:51.143 --> 00:17:53.243
Gee, I wonder how she got this role.

00:17:53.243 --> 00:17:58.783
Well, her own Wikipedia page says, she claims to be a distant relative of Walt.

00:17:58.783 --> 00:18:01.023
Oh, the allegedly for it.

00:18:01.023 --> 00:18:04.103
Yeah, even her Wikipedia page says it.

00:18:05.163 --> 00:18:09.623
As soon as the trio sees you, they start shouting, Thieves!

00:18:09.623 --> 00:18:13.703
Cypher comes from around a corner, also blonde and wearing a tank top.

00:18:13.703 --> 00:18:18.123
Actually, come to think of it, everyone but you and Vivi are wearing tank tops.

00:18:18.123 --> 00:18:19.163
It's hot out here.

00:18:19.163 --> 00:18:22.223
There are so many exposed shoulders down here at the Sandlot.

00:18:22.223 --> 00:18:24.523
The Sistine Chapel could never.

00:18:25.783 --> 00:18:30.043
Well, to Pence's credit, he's at least wearing a T-shirt under his dog street tank top.

00:18:30.043 --> 00:18:31.923
Oh, that's so Y2K.

00:18:31.923 --> 00:18:33.843
Cypher tells you to give back the-

00:18:33.843 --> 00:18:35.143
now.

00:18:35.143 --> 00:18:36.303
You tell him you don't have them.

00:18:36.983 --> 00:18:41.003
Cypher tells you to get on your knees and beg him to believe you.

00:18:41.003 --> 00:18:41.923
Whoa!

00:18:41.923 --> 00:18:45.583
Okay, so he needs to figure out his dom energy, because this is ridiculous.

00:18:45.583 --> 00:18:47.583
Don't put it on random people.

00:18:47.583 --> 00:18:48.663
Get over yourself.

00:18:48.663 --> 00:18:49.883
Right, not in public.

00:18:49.883 --> 00:18:51.163
No.

00:18:51.163 --> 00:18:53.903
Well, you step forward and drop to your knees.

00:18:53.903 --> 00:18:54.883
Don't do that!

00:18:54.883 --> 00:18:56.103
That's what he wants.

00:18:56.103 --> 00:18:58.263
Hayner says pretty much the exact same thing.

00:18:58.263 --> 00:18:59.383
Yeah, man.

00:18:59.383 --> 00:19:04.463
Lying on the ground in front of Cypher are three nerf-like foam weapons.

00:19:04.463 --> 00:19:06.043
They're called struggle bats.

00:19:07.243 --> 00:19:11.623
struggle is a game where two people beat the shit out of each other with these foam bats.

00:19:11.623 --> 00:19:13.823
Like that episode of The Simpsons where they have foam bats?

00:19:13.823 --> 00:19:14.883
Yep.

00:19:14.883 --> 00:19:18.723
You know, if you take the foam off, it's just a bat.

00:19:18.723 --> 00:19:20.063
Much more effective.

00:19:20.063 --> 00:19:22.723
Nobody comes to that realization here, fortunately.

00:19:22.763 --> 00:19:24.243
Did I not watch The Simpsons?

00:19:24.243 --> 00:19:24.963
No, not yet.

00:19:24.963 --> 00:19:26.263
Come on.

00:19:26.263 --> 00:19:30.523
These three weapons represent strength, defense and magic.

00:19:30.523 --> 00:19:34.843
Just like in the first game's tutorial, you select one that you want to be your focus throughout the game.

00:19:35.783 --> 00:19:40.463
It doesn't make a huge difference which you pick, because with time, it matters less and less as you level up.

00:19:40.463 --> 00:19:41.743
Gotcha.

00:19:41.743 --> 00:19:47.463
This is your fighting tutorial, and it's at the very least incorporated into the actual story.

00:19:47.463 --> 00:19:53.583
Once you defeat Cypher with the struggle bat, Pence pulls out his old school Polaroid camera and snaps a shot of you.

00:19:53.583 --> 00:20:00.083
Suddenly, an all-white, two-legged humanoid flying creature comes in from nowhere.

00:20:00.083 --> 00:20:06.543
It wraps itself around Pence once like a snake, and then takes off down a side alley stealing the camera in the process.

00:20:06.543 --> 00:20:07.583
Oh my god!

00:20:07.583 --> 00:20:15.903
The creature is almost like a heartless, but it's basically the inverse, as heartless are always all black, while this thing is all white.

00:20:15.903 --> 00:20:17.483
He's heart full?

00:20:17.483 --> 00:20:19.123
Not quite, no.

00:20:19.123 --> 00:20:23.523
It also moves erratically, like walking is an improvised dance of some sort.

00:20:24.623 --> 00:20:28.943
The four of you leave Cypher and his crew to chase after the thing that stole the camera.

00:20:28.943 --> 00:20:30.903
The creature goes through a large crack in a wall.

00:20:31.663 --> 00:20:34.123
You follow it coming out to a forested area.

00:20:34.123 --> 00:20:39.263
The white thing flies to the air, zigging and zagging, wrapping around trees like an erratic serpent.

00:20:39.263 --> 00:20:42.363
It comes to a stop just beyond a clearing in the forest.

00:20:42.363 --> 00:20:44.603
There's an old overgrown mansion here.

00:20:44.603 --> 00:20:49.843
The front gate has a giant lock on it with chains, and the creature is standing right in front of it.

00:20:49.843 --> 00:20:54.463
It's very human-like in its shape, with the only exception being the head.

00:20:54.463 --> 00:20:58.903
There's a white inverted heartless symbol on its head, and it has a zipper for a mouth.

00:21:00.403 --> 00:21:06.943
It stands there, unable to stay still, constantly swaying like a hippie to music only it can hear.

00:21:08.403 --> 00:21:12.023
You attack it with your struggle bat, and find it to be completely ineffective.

00:21:12.023 --> 00:21:14.183
You gotta take the foam off.

00:21:14.183 --> 00:21:16.503
Suddenly, the bat turns into a keyblade.

00:21:16.523 --> 00:21:17.203
Oh.

00:21:17.203 --> 00:21:20.483
The classic kingdom key, the silver blade and the golden handle.

00:21:20.483 --> 00:21:21.683
Classic one.

00:21:21.683 --> 00:21:24.343
Now you can kick the shit out of the creature with ease.

00:21:24.343 --> 00:21:25.703
Yeah.

00:21:25.703 --> 00:21:31.463
Once it dies, the keyblade disappears as if it was removed from the matrix fading into pixels.

00:21:31.463 --> 00:21:35.843
In the place where the white thing died, you find a bunch of photographs.

00:21:35.843 --> 00:21:41.563
You gather them and meet back up with your friends in your clubhouse, which you call the usual spot.

00:21:41.563 --> 00:21:46.843
Looking at the pictures, Alette points at one and says, that's a really nice photo.

00:21:46.843 --> 00:21:51.503
Then everyone gasps, with Hayner exclaiming, you just said photo.

00:21:51.543 --> 00:21:52.123
Oh.

00:21:52.123 --> 00:21:53.823
Which is the word that was stolen earlier.

00:21:53.823 --> 00:21:56.003
They took all the photos.

00:21:56.003 --> 00:22:00.823
That white thing had stolen a bunch of photos and even stole the word for it as well.

00:22:01.563 --> 00:22:07.143
This will never happen again throughout the entire course of the Kingdom Hearts Saga.

00:22:09.063 --> 00:22:10.863
Because fuck you, that's why.

00:22:11.883 --> 00:22:14.443
This is a one-time ability apparently.

00:22:14.443 --> 00:22:19.623
It might have something to do with our location, but it's never explained one way or the other.

00:22:19.623 --> 00:22:21.203
That's really funny.

00:22:21.203 --> 00:22:24.843
Looking at the photos, you realize they're all group pictures.

00:22:26.063 --> 00:22:32.323
The only person who appears in every single group is you, which is why everyone thought you were the one stealing them.

00:22:32.343 --> 00:22:33.863
Roxas.

00:22:33.863 --> 00:22:38.243
Pence thinks that the creature was actually trying to steal the real Roxas.

00:22:38.243 --> 00:22:41.603
Painter asks why anyone would steal a bonehead like Roxas.

00:22:42.683 --> 00:22:44.683
I like that Roxas' friends give them shit.

00:22:44.683 --> 00:22:45.283
Yeah.

00:22:45.283 --> 00:22:47.983
Well, the whole group just laughs about it anyway.

00:22:47.983 --> 00:22:52.123
The four of you head off to clear your names when you have a bit of a head rush.

00:22:52.123 --> 00:22:54.143
A voice in your mind asks where they are.

00:22:55.323 --> 00:23:00.463
You ask who they are, to which they shoot back, who are you?

00:23:00.463 --> 00:23:08.163
The screen becomes static, like a broken security monitor, and a lady robot voice says, restoration at 12%.

00:23:10.563 --> 00:23:14.383
We're taken to a scene inside a high-tech computer lab.

00:23:14.383 --> 00:23:22.963
A man sits at a chair wearing a red cloak with red wrappings around his entire head, as if he were a crimson mummy with just his mouth and one eye exposed.

00:23:23.243 --> 00:23:24.583
Or a blood.

00:23:24.583 --> 00:23:26.443
But it's only his head wrapped.

00:23:26.443 --> 00:23:32.583
He's otherwise covered neck to toe in dark clothes with occasional geometric shapes and bright blue.

00:23:32.583 --> 00:23:40.243
He speaks in a deep voice that's very hard to not point out immediately, as they scored a mega star for this role.

00:23:40.243 --> 00:23:41.443
Oh, really?

00:23:41.443 --> 00:23:47.063
The sadly late, but extremely great, Sir Christopher Lee.

00:23:47.063 --> 00:23:48.223
They had a knight?

00:23:48.223 --> 00:23:50.063
A literal knight.

00:23:50.063 --> 00:23:51.603
A knight of the Kingdom Hearts?

00:23:51.863 --> 00:23:52.263
Yep.

00:23:52.263 --> 00:23:53.363
Wow, that's cool.

00:23:53.363 --> 00:23:59.863
And fun fact, he was the only cast member of The Lord of the Rings to actually meet JRR.

00:23:59.863 --> 00:24:01.163
Tolkien before his death.

00:24:01.163 --> 00:24:01.743
Really?

00:24:01.743 --> 00:24:03.603
Yeah.

00:24:03.603 --> 00:24:06.483
The man in red is not alone in this room either.

00:24:06.483 --> 00:24:09.683
One of those people in a black cloak is in there with him.

00:24:09.683 --> 00:24:11.603
Neither man will be named for a long time.

00:24:11.603 --> 00:24:15.863
So for now, I'm going to call the man in red Sir Lee.

00:24:15.863 --> 00:24:21.623
And I'm going to Hideo Kojima, the guy in the cloak, and call him Cloakman for the time being.

00:24:21.623 --> 00:24:23.843
We love the Hideo Kojima naming convention.

00:24:23.843 --> 00:24:25.123
It's really easy, isn't it?

00:24:25.123 --> 00:24:27.523
Yeah, we love that here.

00:24:27.523 --> 00:24:32.003
Sir Lee is lamenting to Cloakman that the organization has found them.

00:24:32.003 --> 00:24:35.523
Cloakman asks why a nobody would steal photographs.

00:24:35.523 --> 00:24:38.043
Sir Lee says that the nobodies are morons.

00:24:38.043 --> 00:24:39.963
They see everything as data.

00:24:39.963 --> 00:24:43.583
So the pictures of Roxas were the exact same thing as the real Roxas to them.

00:24:45.443 --> 00:24:48.763
Sir Lee says that someone named Naminé needs to hurry.

00:24:48.763 --> 00:24:52.023
It won't be long until the nobodies can foil their plans.

00:24:52.023 --> 00:24:58.163
The scene fades, and we see some cut scenes from the early parts of the first Kingdom Hearts.

00:24:58.163 --> 00:25:01.383
It's like they're being watched on an old CRT TV again.

00:25:01.383 --> 00:25:06.563
It's the portion of the game where Sora met Donald and Goofy in Traverse Town and teamed up with them there.

00:25:06.563 --> 00:25:15.183
I wonder if there is an existing thing that brings FNAF to like this footage of all the old shitty Kingdom Hearts, you know what I mean?

00:25:15.183 --> 00:25:20.223
Just watching them on all these different monitors, and then the animatronic Mickey comes out at you.

00:25:20.223 --> 00:25:21.243
Yeah, right?

00:25:21.243 --> 00:25:22.343
That'd be terrifying.

00:25:22.343 --> 00:25:23.643
It's right there.

00:25:23.643 --> 00:25:29.163
Well, it culminates in the introduction of the Keyblade and Sora locking his first door.

00:25:29.163 --> 00:25:35.363
You wake up as Roxas in your bed at home, freaked out that you dreamed about that Sora kid once again.

00:25:35.363 --> 00:25:39.563
But at least now you have a name for that thing that appeared in your hand earlier, a Keyblade.

00:25:41.383 --> 00:25:44.203
You get dressed and head to the usual spot.

00:25:44.203 --> 00:25:47.223
Just outside, you find a stick on the ground.

00:25:47.223 --> 00:25:50.343
It's a cool fucking stick, so you pick it up and swing it about.

00:25:50.343 --> 00:25:51.783
All kids are exactly the same.

00:25:51.783 --> 00:25:53.083
Exactly, right?

00:25:53.083 --> 00:25:55.283
And you pretend it's a Keyblade.

00:25:55.283 --> 00:25:59.943
Then you toss it behind you, hitting a person wearing a black cloak who was hiding in the shadows.

00:25:59.943 --> 00:26:01.063
Oh no!

00:26:01.063 --> 00:26:04.223
You apologize, but they walk away without a word.

00:26:04.223 --> 00:26:10.783
In the usual spot, your friends are eating some sea salt ice cream pops, which someone hands to you as well.

00:26:10.783 --> 00:26:15.303
Pence asks, Do you guys think we'll always be together like this?

00:26:15.303 --> 00:26:18.023
Mirroring a line Kairi said at the outset of the first game.

00:26:19.163 --> 00:26:23.163
Hayner is like, You know we're gonna grow up, right?

00:26:23.163 --> 00:26:26.183
You know time is linear and we're gonna move forward, right?

00:26:26.183 --> 00:26:29.043
Yeah, it's very unlikely we're gonna be together forever.

00:26:29.043 --> 00:26:32.703
But as long as we think about each other from time to time, we'll always be friends.

00:26:34.283 --> 00:26:37.263
Hayner against Ancy, saying he's bored.

00:26:37.263 --> 00:26:43.003
He wants to go to the beach as summer vacation is almost over, and the friend group hasn't gone once.

00:26:43.003 --> 00:26:47.383
You just need some money to take the train to the beach, and then you can enjoy the rest of your summer.

00:26:47.383 --> 00:26:49.703
You remind him that you're all broke.

00:26:49.703 --> 00:26:51.763
He reminds you that he's smart.

00:26:52.363 --> 00:26:55.723
He explains that there's a struggle tournament in two days.

00:26:55.723 --> 00:27:00.023
If the two of you enter, you'll have double the chances to win the prize money.

00:27:00.023 --> 00:27:00.983
Oh, the struggle is real.

00:27:01.783 --> 00:27:05.843
The prize money still won't be enough, though, as you'll want some spending money, too.

00:27:05.843 --> 00:27:08.763
You want to buy pretzels and watermelon at the beach, after all.

00:27:08.763 --> 00:27:10.023
I'm just gonna go stand at the beach.

00:27:10.023 --> 00:27:11.343
You want beach snacks.

00:27:11.343 --> 00:27:13.483
But watermelon is for closers.

00:27:13.483 --> 00:27:18.923
So you need to do some quick jobs around town and make some extra money, which is the name of the currency in Kingdom Hearts.

00:27:18.923 --> 00:27:19.583
Money?

00:27:19.583 --> 00:27:22.223
Yes, but they use it really awkwardly.

00:27:22.223 --> 00:27:22.883
Really?

00:27:22.883 --> 00:27:29.343
For example, if you ask how much something costs, the person will respond, 1800 money.

00:27:29.363 --> 00:27:30.103
I don't love that.

00:27:30.203 --> 00:27:32.503
Nope.

00:27:32.503 --> 00:27:40.523
After the odd jobs such as putting up posters for the struggle tournament or delivering mail, you raise enough to go to the beach without even needing to win the tournament.

00:27:40.523 --> 00:27:41.063
Nice.

00:27:41.063 --> 00:27:45.343
Which means the prize money will just be yours to split and do as you please.

00:27:45.343 --> 00:27:54.283
While Alette and Pence head off to buy tickets, Hayner turns to you and says that you won't be together forever, so you need to make the most of it now while you still can.

00:27:54.283 --> 00:27:55.763
Hayner's having a fucking crisis.

00:27:56.283 --> 00:27:57.063
Right?

00:27:57.063 --> 00:28:01.983
I know Roxas is kind of fading in and out of consciousness, but Hayner's going through some shit right now.

00:28:01.983 --> 00:28:03.163
Fully.

00:28:03.163 --> 00:28:05.203
And honestly, you catch on to that, you're like, what?

00:28:05.203 --> 00:28:07.663
That is weirdly sentimental coming from you.

00:28:07.663 --> 00:28:10.923
You got to hold his hand and be like, buddy, do we need to have a heart to heart?

00:28:10.923 --> 00:28:13.263
Then Hayner punches you hard in the stomach and runs off.

00:28:13.263 --> 00:28:13.523
What?

00:28:13.523 --> 00:28:14.543
In the stomach?

00:28:14.543 --> 00:28:15.483
In the stomach.

00:28:15.483 --> 00:28:24.403
That's like one of the worst places to get punched, like all the air comes out of you, you double over, just really struggling to come to terms with aging.

00:28:24.403 --> 00:28:26.883
Right, does not know how to process emotions yet.

00:28:26.883 --> 00:28:30.323
Yeah, cannot communicate effectively, but okay, buddy.

00:28:30.323 --> 00:28:33.983
You chase after him but trip and eat shit, face planting on the ground.

00:28:33.983 --> 00:28:36.563
Roxas is having a terrible day.

00:28:36.563 --> 00:28:39.923
That cool fucking stick from earlier lands near you.

00:28:39.923 --> 00:28:42.923
You look up and see Cloakman standing over you.

00:28:42.923 --> 00:28:45.803
He grabs you by the arm and lifts you back to your feet.

00:28:45.803 --> 00:28:49.483
You look at him and ask what he wants, but he doesn't respond.

00:28:49.483 --> 00:28:52.703
Hainter calls to you saying, Roxas, three minutes, let's go.

00:28:52.703 --> 00:28:56.023
You look around and Cloakman is nowhere to be seen.

00:28:56.023 --> 00:29:03.203
At the ticket counter, you search your pockets for the sack of 5,000 money you had, but you can't find it.

00:29:03.203 --> 00:29:04.243
Oh no.

00:29:04.243 --> 00:29:06.303
You say that the man in black must have stolen it.

00:29:06.303 --> 00:29:08.763
And the others are like, what man in black?

00:29:08.763 --> 00:29:12.363
There's a rampant thievery problem going on in Twilight Town.

00:29:12.363 --> 00:29:13.843
Fully.

00:29:13.843 --> 00:29:18.603
You're perplexed wondering what's going on when the sound of the last train departing for the beach can be heard.

00:29:18.603 --> 00:29:20.043
God damn it, Roxas.

00:29:20.043 --> 00:29:22.823
Signaling the end of your beach dreams for today.

00:29:22.823 --> 00:29:27.543
You ended up accidentally spending your summer vacation working and not enjoying it.

00:29:27.543 --> 00:29:29.503
And having nothing to show for it.

00:29:29.503 --> 00:29:31.283
I kind of get why Hater punched him in the stomach.

00:29:31.283 --> 00:29:32.223
Right?

00:29:32.223 --> 00:29:33.303
Preemptively, at least.

00:29:33.303 --> 00:29:35.863
Yeah, it evens out.

00:29:35.863 --> 00:29:42.743
Instead of hunting down the money thief, you all decide to go do something way cheaper, but also extraordinarily dangerous.

00:29:42.743 --> 00:29:43.283
Oh, fun.

00:29:44.103 --> 00:29:53.783
You grab some sea salt ice cream pops and climb to the top of the 100-foot clock tower, where you all sit on the ledge, dangling your legs out into the open air.

00:29:53.783 --> 00:30:00.363
You think hard back to the moment with Cloak Man, and remember him asking you, can you feel Sora?

00:30:00.363 --> 00:30:02.703
Whatever the fuck that means.

00:30:02.703 --> 00:30:06.623
As soon as you remember, the screen becomes static again.

00:30:06.623 --> 00:30:10.123
The lady robot voice says, restoration at 28%.

00:30:11.363 --> 00:30:15.783
Then you hear Sir Lee say, nomine, hurry.

00:30:15.783 --> 00:30:19.603
Back in the computer lab, Sir Lee and Cloak Man are there.

00:30:19.603 --> 00:30:28.223
Sir Lee is sitting at a computer with 11 monitors and 6 keyboards, while Cloak Man stands to the side holding your money back.

00:30:28.223 --> 00:30:33.183
He asks Sir Lee why he couldn't just program a beach instead of robbing the poor kid.

00:30:33.183 --> 00:30:37.023
Sir Lee says it would just be another access point for the enemies, no sense in doing that.

00:30:38.823 --> 00:30:41.363
Cloak Man asks what he's supposed to do with money.

00:30:41.363 --> 00:30:47.543
And Sir Lee laughs, saying that the two of them could always go out and buy some sea-souled ice cream.

00:30:47.543 --> 00:30:51.523
What should we do with this stolen child's money?

00:30:51.523 --> 00:30:53.163
Literally stealing candy from a kid.

00:30:53.163 --> 00:30:55.343
Literally taking it out of their hands.

00:30:55.343 --> 00:30:56.663
What the fuck?

00:30:56.663 --> 00:31:04.903
Then Sir Lee gets serious, saying that anything that comes out of Twilight Town must be kept out of the real world, instructing him to delete the money.

00:31:05.603 --> 00:31:13.843
After another flashback showing more of Sora's adventures, you see an image of a young blonde girl standing in front of a giant lotus pod.

00:31:13.843 --> 00:31:18.843
You ask who she is, but before she can answer, you wake up in your bed.

00:31:18.843 --> 00:31:26.803
If you played Chain of Memories or listened to our Patreon episode on it, you know who the blonde girl is and why she's standing in front of that pod.

00:31:26.803 --> 00:31:29.143
So here's a quick TLDL on her situation.

00:31:29.963 --> 00:31:32.023
Her name is Namine.

00:31:32.023 --> 00:31:34.743
The person Sir Lee keeps telling to hurry up.

00:31:34.743 --> 00:31:40.623
She's a witch who was being held captive in Castle Oblivion, the setting in Chain of Memories.

00:31:40.623 --> 00:31:45.623
She was forced to erase Sora's memories and replace them with false ones.

00:31:45.623 --> 00:31:50.603
One of the false memories she placed was a friendship between herself and Sora.

00:31:50.603 --> 00:31:57.803
To do this, Namine erased all memories of Kairi and replaced Kairi with herself in Sora's mind.

00:31:58.023 --> 00:31:59.263
I hate that.

00:31:59.263 --> 00:32:05.323
After Sora defeated the people holding her captive, she offered to restore Sora's memories.

00:32:05.323 --> 00:32:18.043
To do so, he had to climb into that Lotus Pod thing, which is where he currently is, having his memory rebuilt, which is just a crumb of context as it helps to clarify some of the bizarre shit going on.

00:32:18.043 --> 00:32:19.103
But not all of it.

00:32:19.103 --> 00:32:21.463
It is Kingdom Hearts after all.

00:32:21.463 --> 00:32:23.583
You wake up in your bed once again.

00:32:23.583 --> 00:32:29.143
Out of the corner of your eye, you see Namine standing in your room, but she vanishes when you do a double take.

00:32:29.143 --> 00:32:30.423
Ghost.

00:32:30.423 --> 00:32:37.123
You arrive at the usual spot, where you find a note from Hayner telling you to meet at the train station and not to worry about money.

00:32:37.123 --> 00:32:38.443
It's beach day.

00:32:38.443 --> 00:32:41.643
We're going to get on this fucking train.

00:32:41.643 --> 00:32:43.863
Whether you like it or not, buddy.

00:32:43.863 --> 00:32:47.123
On your way to the station, you see Pence and Ouellette.

00:32:47.123 --> 00:32:49.683
They approach you, but freeze mid-step.

00:32:49.683 --> 00:32:51.043
Not of their own volition.

00:32:51.043 --> 00:32:54.183
It's as if time had stopped, but not for you.

00:32:54.183 --> 00:32:57.563
You rush over to them, but a person is standing in your way.

00:32:57.563 --> 00:32:59.523
It's Namine.

00:32:59.523 --> 00:33:03.603
She greets you, saying that she wanted a chance to meet you at least once.

00:33:03.603 --> 00:33:07.043
You ask what she means by that, and she silently departs in response.

00:33:07.043 --> 00:33:08.543
Oh no.

00:33:08.543 --> 00:33:12.003
As soon as she's out of sight, Pence and Ouellette resume their stroll toward you.

00:33:12.003 --> 00:33:17.503
They want you to join them, but you take off after Namine instead, wondering if she went toward that old abandoned mansion.

00:33:17.503 --> 00:33:19.283
The Blair Witch House.

00:33:19.283 --> 00:33:23.283
While traversing through the woods, you're attacked by a bunch of those nobody creatures.

00:33:24.243 --> 00:33:28.503
You don't have any weapons, so you tear ass out of there and head back into town.

00:33:28.503 --> 00:33:32.183
You run all the way to the Sandlot, where Cipher and his gang are hanging out.

00:33:32.183 --> 00:33:35.643
They see you come around the corner and go, Hey there, chicken wuss.

00:33:35.643 --> 00:33:37.683
Chicken wuss.

00:33:37.683 --> 00:33:38.943
I hate that.

00:33:38.943 --> 00:33:41.563
I love that insult so much.

00:33:41.563 --> 00:33:45.463
Well, you stop because nobody calls you a chicken wuss.

00:33:45.463 --> 00:33:46.963
Is he Marty McFly?

00:33:48.123 --> 00:33:51.703
This allows the nobodies to catch up, and you grab a struggle bat to try and fight them off.

00:33:52.663 --> 00:33:56.923
Cypher and crew do their best to help, but the struggle bats are useless against the nobodies.

00:33:56.923 --> 00:33:58.043
And most things.

00:33:58.043 --> 00:34:00.343
They're covered in fucking foam.

00:34:00.343 --> 00:34:04.523
The nobodies surround them, and time freezes once again.

00:34:04.523 --> 00:34:09.163
But just for Cypher's group, you and the nobodies are still moving.

00:34:09.163 --> 00:34:14.483
From up above on a rooftop, Nominee shouts down to use the Keyblade.

00:34:14.483 --> 00:34:18.843
A nobody comes flying straight at you, so you put your hands up in defense.

00:34:18.843 --> 00:34:24.283
You are instantly transported to the stained glass platform depicting Sora and his friends from earlier.

00:34:24.283 --> 00:34:30.663
You go through a series of battle tutorials, including another chance to pick the focus between strength, defense and magic.

00:34:30.663 --> 00:34:38.743
Culminating in a giant nobody, towering at least 50 feet high, very similar to the heartless version at the end of the tutorial in the first Kingdom Hearts.

00:34:38.743 --> 00:34:40.683
That's too big.

00:34:40.683 --> 00:34:45.203
This tutorial section teaches you how to use QTEs during battles.

00:34:45.203 --> 00:34:54.283
To their credit, the QTEs in Kingdom Hearts 2 are very solid and well animated, making them at least visually impressive for those who aren't fans of that mechanic.

00:34:54.283 --> 00:34:59.043
When you defeat the giant nobody, the platform becomes engulfed in dark energy.

00:34:59.043 --> 00:35:02.803
It starts to drag you down, but a hand reaches out and pulls you up.

00:35:02.803 --> 00:35:06.803
It pulls you out of the darkness and into an all white room.

00:35:06.803 --> 00:35:09.843
Namine is sitting there on a ledge against a wall.

00:35:09.843 --> 00:35:13.523
She introduces herself officially, smiling at you.

00:35:13.523 --> 00:35:16.623
She asks you if you know your true name.

00:35:16.623 --> 00:35:20.463
Cloakman appears and grabs her arm, telling her to stop.

00:35:20.463 --> 00:35:22.083
She knows not what she does.

00:35:22.083 --> 00:35:25.783
And he's been asking her specifically to hurry up on this fucking process.

00:35:25.783 --> 00:35:30.263
It's definitely not introducing herself to Roxas, so you have actionables, girl.

00:35:30.263 --> 00:35:32.343
Get back to work.

00:35:32.343 --> 00:35:35.443
Well, she argues, saying you need to know.

00:35:35.443 --> 00:35:38.063
You yell at the man because he's the one who stole your shit earlier.

00:35:38.063 --> 00:35:39.063
Yeah.

00:35:39.063 --> 00:35:42.843
Cloakman walks over to you in silence, waving his arm as he does.

00:35:42.843 --> 00:35:44.783
A portal opens nearby.

00:35:44.783 --> 00:35:48.723
He lifts you up and yeets you through it without ever breaking his stride.

00:35:48.723 --> 00:35:51.043
Oh, shit.

00:35:51.043 --> 00:35:52.543
Roxas is having a terrible week.

00:35:52.543 --> 00:35:53.203
Oh my gosh.

00:35:53.203 --> 00:35:54.223
Incredibly bad.

00:35:54.223 --> 00:35:59.763
Accused of being a thief, getting robbed, and then getting yeeted into the nothingness.

00:35:59.763 --> 00:36:00.563
Into the void.

00:36:00.563 --> 00:36:00.863
Yeah.

00:36:00.863 --> 00:36:02.723
Also, his best friend punched him in the stomach.

00:36:02.723 --> 00:36:04.923
Like, this sucks for Roxas.

00:36:04.923 --> 00:36:13.963
We wake up, face down on the ground, with Cypher standing over you, having his friends take pictures of him posed as if you were knocked out by his hand.

00:36:13.963 --> 00:36:15.583
That's fucked up.

00:36:17.283 --> 00:36:23.163
It's really just a breath away from South Park putting balls on people's faces and taking pictures while they're asleep, you know?

00:36:23.163 --> 00:36:25.383
Like, that sucks.

00:36:25.383 --> 00:36:32.343
They brag about how they easily scared off those white things because outsiders are not welcome in Twilight Town, you know?

00:36:32.343 --> 00:36:35.283
It's not Twilight Town, it's Sun Downtown.

00:36:35.283 --> 00:36:37.683
I was fucked up to say, I'm sorry.

00:36:37.683 --> 00:36:41.743
While you're talking with Cypher, your friends show up looking for you.

00:36:41.743 --> 00:36:48.103
Hayner sees you acting all chummy with Cypher and runs off angry that you blew off Beach Day to hang with your rivals.

00:36:48.103 --> 00:36:54.283
He's had one mission this entire time, and it's to go to the goddamn beach with his goddamn friends.

00:36:54.283 --> 00:36:56.503
You catch up with them at the usual spot.

00:36:56.503 --> 00:37:01.823
They're eating sea salt ice cream pops, and when you enter the room, nobody offers you one.

00:37:01.823 --> 00:37:04.523
Well, you didn't come to goddamn Beach Day, so you don't get a treat.

00:37:04.523 --> 00:37:11.203
You ask how the beach was, and Alette says they decided not to go because it wouldn't have been as much fun without you.

00:37:11.203 --> 00:37:13.383
Oh, that sucks.

00:37:13.643 --> 00:37:17.903
You say that you can always go tomorrow, which just pisses off Hayner even more.

00:37:17.903 --> 00:37:20.903
Him saying that he already has plans.

00:37:20.903 --> 00:37:23.483
Then you remember that the struggle tournament is tomorrow.

00:37:23.483 --> 00:37:24.523
Oh, dude.

00:37:24.523 --> 00:37:26.443
And the two of you are signed up.

00:37:26.443 --> 00:37:30.223
Hayner storms off upset, and the screen turns to static as he leaves.

00:37:30.223 --> 00:37:34.463
I'm sorry if he didn't be like, let's fucking par for it and just beat the shit out of them.

00:37:34.463 --> 00:37:37.923
The lady robot voice says, restoration at 48%.

00:37:38.303 --> 00:37:42.003
Then we are taken back to the computer lab with Sir Lee and Cloakman.

00:37:42.823 --> 00:37:47.543
Cloakman asks if Namine was made of data, or if that was the real Namine.

00:37:47.543 --> 00:37:50.523
Sir Lee angrily says it was the real one.

00:37:50.523 --> 00:37:52.863
She's hacked into his system and taken control.

00:37:52.863 --> 00:37:55.663
And he specifically asked her to do a different job.

00:37:55.663 --> 00:37:57.843
She has a completely other job entirely.

00:37:57.843 --> 00:38:08.783
No one is doing what anyone wants them to do, you know, like fucking Roxas won't go to the goddamn beach, Namine won't do her goddamn job, everyone is just failing across the board.

00:38:08.783 --> 00:38:14.363
Well, he's not concerned as long as she accomplishes her goal, they don't need to worry about Roxas.

00:38:14.363 --> 00:38:19.763
Another round of flashbacks go by, this time with Kairi at the center of the memories.

00:38:19.763 --> 00:38:23.623
You wake up in bed on the morning of the struggle tournament.

00:38:23.623 --> 00:38:30.083
Down at the Sandlot, a square wooden grandstand has been built in the center to serve as the struggle battle arena.

00:38:30.083 --> 00:38:32.843
The announcer gives the details of the struggle battle.

00:38:32.843 --> 00:38:37.603
The winner will face off against the reigning champion, Setzer Gabiani.

00:38:37.603 --> 00:38:38.703
Do we know them?

00:38:38.703 --> 00:38:49.903
Well, if you'll recall, Tetsuya Nomura was hired on to Final Fantasy VI as an assistant character designer, and a design of his was selected for one of the 14 playable characters in that game.

00:38:49.903 --> 00:38:51.903
Setzer is the character he created.

00:38:51.903 --> 00:38:54.603
Let me guess, gray hair, lots of belts.

00:38:55.723 --> 00:38:57.263
Am I wrong?

00:38:57.263 --> 00:38:59.183
It's his kink, you know?

00:39:01.563 --> 00:39:04.963
We all have those things, you know, you like, you prefer shorts to jeans.

00:39:06.483 --> 00:39:09.083
I love a nice black legging.

00:39:09.083 --> 00:39:09.543
I get it.

00:39:09.543 --> 00:39:11.503
And he's only 27, Setzer is.

00:39:11.523 --> 00:39:15.303
So like, he's just all gray hair though.

00:39:15.303 --> 00:39:16.223
It's fashion gray.

00:39:16.223 --> 00:39:17.883
I think we discussed this in the last one.

00:39:17.883 --> 00:39:19.263
Loves a fashion gray moment.

00:39:19.263 --> 00:39:23.943
Well, he's the only character from the pixel era of Final Fantasy to make it into a Kingdom Hearts game.

00:39:23.943 --> 00:39:24.783
Oh, fun.

00:39:24.783 --> 00:39:27.443
And the pixel era is six and below.

00:39:27.443 --> 00:39:31.383
Also Setzer is 27 and he's facing off against 14 year olds.

00:39:31.383 --> 00:39:32.543
That doesn't feel right.

00:39:32.543 --> 00:39:33.523
At all, right?

00:39:33.783 --> 00:39:36.183
No, nobody bats an eye about this.

00:39:36.183 --> 00:39:41.443
They do bat his fucking head in though, because that's a grown ass man.

00:39:41.443 --> 00:39:44.083
Everyone you expect are registered for the tournament.

00:39:44.083 --> 00:39:52.963
Hayner, Seifer, Setzer, yourself, and one surprise entrant, the stout little black mage, Veevee.

00:39:52.963 --> 00:39:59.703
He's not very agile or much of a fighter, but he absolutely demolished the competition in the prelim somehow.

00:40:00.023 --> 00:40:01.223
Hell, yeah.

00:40:01.223 --> 00:40:05.563
The first place trophy contains four valuable crystal marbles.

00:40:05.563 --> 00:40:07.923
This is literally for all the marbles?

00:40:09.623 --> 00:40:10.103
Fuck off.

00:40:10.103 --> 00:40:12.123
For all the marbles.

00:40:12.123 --> 00:40:16.983
The grand prize for defeating Setzer is the championship belt, like you would see in pro wrestling.

00:40:16.983 --> 00:40:18.543
I love that.

00:40:18.543 --> 00:40:21.583
Unfortunately, your first match is against Hayner.

00:40:21.583 --> 00:40:25.163
You apologize for missing the beach trip, and he's like, oh my god, are you still on about that?

00:40:25.163 --> 00:40:25.883
That's some old shit.

00:40:25.883 --> 00:40:27.063
Don't worry about it.

00:40:27.063 --> 00:40:30.663
Hayner's still gonna fully take out his energy on you right now.

00:40:30.663 --> 00:40:32.503
I know that's some old shit, but I'm still mad.

00:40:32.503 --> 00:40:34.123
Flap, flap, flap.

00:40:34.123 --> 00:40:41.243
You beat Hayner, moving you forward in the tournament, but lowering your group's chances of winning as you knocked out your partner.

00:40:41.243 --> 00:40:44.643
That was bound to happen if you were against each other, in all fairness.

00:40:44.643 --> 00:40:47.063
Vivi and Cypher get paired up next.

00:40:47.063 --> 00:40:50.803
And shockingly, tiny little Vivi beats the fuck out of him.

00:40:50.803 --> 00:40:53.043
Is it a little satisfying to see Cypher get his ass kicked?

00:40:53.043 --> 00:40:54.323
Oh, absolutely.

00:40:54.323 --> 00:40:57.043
Like he's been the biggest prick out of like the mean kid group.

00:40:57.303 --> 00:40:57.903
Totally.

00:40:57.903 --> 00:41:01.903
And Vivi laughs, having just defeated the leader of the gang he belongs to.

00:41:01.903 --> 00:41:04.623
And he's like the little guy, so he's like, haha, fuck you.

00:41:04.623 --> 00:41:07.463
You and Hayner are like, damn, that was crazy.

00:41:07.463 --> 00:41:09.703
You were scheduled to fight Vivi next.

00:41:09.703 --> 00:41:12.843
And Cypher comes to you saying, that's not Vivi.

00:41:12.843 --> 00:41:13.863
Oh no.

00:41:13.863 --> 00:41:14.923
Thrash him.

00:41:16.003 --> 00:41:21.143
Vivi is the hardest battle yet, as he basically turns into Yoda doing backflips all around you.

00:41:21.963 --> 00:41:28.523
The crowd is cheering wildly during the match, and as you go to make the final blow, everything goes silent.

00:41:28.523 --> 00:41:31.503
The people stop moving, and everyone freezes in time.

00:41:31.503 --> 00:41:32.783
All except you, of course.

00:41:32.783 --> 00:41:34.183
Not again.

00:41:34.183 --> 00:41:39.363
Vivi transforms into a nobody, and then more show up in support.

00:41:39.363 --> 00:41:43.263
Your struggle bat vanishes, and is replaced by a keyblade.

00:41:43.263 --> 00:41:47.883
You fight the nobodies, and when they are defeated, you look around at the frozen crowd.

00:41:47.883 --> 00:41:54.063
A single set of clapping hands can be heard, and you turn to see cloakmen cheering you on from the sidelines.

00:41:54.063 --> 00:41:58.883
It's not the same person we've been seeing, as this cloakman has a drastically different voice.

00:41:58.883 --> 00:41:59.763
Oh.

00:41:59.763 --> 00:42:02.163
It's much more upbeat and young.

00:42:02.163 --> 00:42:06.363
He cheers you on, saying, All right, Roxas, fight, fight, fight.

00:42:06.363 --> 00:42:08.003
You look at him perplexed.

00:42:08.003 --> 00:42:11.443
He's like, damn, you really don't remember me, do you?

00:42:11.443 --> 00:42:20.303
He removes his hood, revealing spiky red hair, aquamarine eyes, and a set of purple eye shadow reverse teardrops on his high cheekbones.

00:42:21.383 --> 00:42:23.523
He says, it's me, Axel.

00:42:24.183 --> 00:42:25.883
Got it memorized?

00:42:25.883 --> 00:42:28.003
You look at him in complete bewilderment.

00:42:28.003 --> 00:42:30.183
That name and his face mean nothing to you.

00:42:30.183 --> 00:42:32.003
Didn't have it memorized.

00:42:32.003 --> 00:42:35.243
He says, blank with a capital B, this one.

00:42:35.243 --> 00:42:36.023
Too bad.

00:42:36.023 --> 00:42:40.343
Then he holds out his hands, and two flaming circular weapons appear.

00:42:40.343 --> 00:42:41.663
Oh no.

00:42:41.663 --> 00:42:49.123
They're based on a real weapon out of India called a cockrum, and it dates all the way back to the 5th century.

00:42:49.123 --> 00:42:49.783
Oh shit.

00:42:50.183 --> 00:42:53.383
They're a circle with a razor-sharp outer edge.

00:42:53.383 --> 00:42:59.963
You can use to throw at enemies, or hold via a handle through the center, and use it to punch with razor-bladed fists.

00:42:59.963 --> 00:43:01.663
That's cool as fuck.

00:43:01.663 --> 00:43:08.523
Axel's weapons opt for a spiked outer edge as opposed to razor blade, making them look more like saw blades when they begin to spin.

00:43:08.523 --> 00:43:10.403
That's so cool.

00:43:10.403 --> 00:43:12.343
You tell him to slow the fuck down.

00:43:12.343 --> 00:43:14.163
You don't even know him.

00:43:14.163 --> 00:43:16.143
Why does he want to fight you?

00:43:16.143 --> 00:43:22.983
Axel looks around and says, This place is his creation, so I don't have time to explain.

00:43:22.983 --> 00:43:26.643
You can either come willingly, or I can knock you out and carry you.

00:43:26.643 --> 00:43:30.243
But either way, you need to leave here with me right now.

00:43:30.243 --> 00:43:36.043
Axel has issues with giving context to other characters.

00:43:36.043 --> 00:43:42.283
I think Axel has a fundamental flaw in that he's lacking in communication skills.

00:43:42.283 --> 00:43:42.663
Right.

00:43:42.663 --> 00:43:45.623
Now, you already know Axel because of Chain of Memories, right?

00:43:45.623 --> 00:43:46.463
I had it memorized.

00:43:46.583 --> 00:43:47.243
Right.

00:43:47.243 --> 00:43:52.103
That's one of those areas where this gets a little bit more context if you've played Chain of Memories.

00:43:52.103 --> 00:43:55.543
Otherwise, yeah, this is our full introduction to the character of Axel.

00:43:55.543 --> 00:44:01.883
The world around the two of you begins to warble as the images, the people, and the crowd begin to sway and blur.

00:44:01.883 --> 00:44:05.603
You throw your keyblade down saying, you're sick of this shit and demand answers.

00:44:05.603 --> 00:44:08.523
I was here for marbles, and now I'm in the warble.

00:44:10.823 --> 00:44:14.043
Suddenly, the keyblade reappears in your hand from nothingness.

00:44:15.483 --> 00:44:22.683
Axel looks at you and says, Number 13, Roxas, the keyblade's chosen one.

00:44:22.683 --> 00:44:25.223
You're like, chosen one?

00:44:25.223 --> 00:44:26.943
All right then, let's do this.

00:44:26.943 --> 00:44:28.863
As you lift the keyblade ready to fight.

00:44:28.863 --> 00:44:29.983
Hell yeah.

00:44:29.983 --> 00:44:34.803
After you beat down Axel, a column of binary code appears nearby.

00:44:34.803 --> 00:44:35.403
Oh.

00:44:35.403 --> 00:44:37.703
And Sir Lee appears in its center.

00:44:37.703 --> 00:44:38.243
Oh.

00:44:38.243 --> 00:44:40.063
Teleporting onto the scene.

00:44:40.063 --> 00:44:45.603
Axel throws his cockrum at Sir Lee, but they're blocked by a force field surrounding him.

00:44:45.603 --> 00:44:49.103
Sir Lee tells you not to believe a word Axel says.

00:44:49.103 --> 00:44:51.963
Axel tells you not to let the man deceive you.

00:44:51.963 --> 00:44:57.623
They each start yelling your name, over and over again, blending into one another.

00:44:57.623 --> 00:45:01.023
You put your hands to your head, falling to your knees in agony.

00:45:01.023 --> 00:45:04.723
The sound of the two men shouting, Roxas echoing.

00:45:04.723 --> 00:45:10.103
Finally, you stand and shout, Hainer, Pence, Ouellette.

00:45:10.103 --> 00:45:12.523
Axel and Sir Lee vanish.

00:45:12.523 --> 00:45:15.283
The crowd around you erupts into applause.

00:45:15.283 --> 00:45:19.863
Having just watched you vanquish the shockingly challenging Vivi.

00:45:19.863 --> 00:45:23.803
Vivi looks around confused saying, How did I get here?

00:45:23.803 --> 00:45:26.143
Vivi's like, I'm the little guy.

00:45:26.143 --> 00:45:28.743
Then hobbles away to find his friends.

00:45:28.743 --> 00:45:32.203
Your BFFs surround you as you are declared the winner of the struggle tournament.

00:45:33.223 --> 00:45:40.463
But if you want the grand prize, you still need to face off against the reigning champion, 27 year old, Setzer Gabbiani.

00:45:40.463 --> 00:45:42.743
Yep.

00:45:42.743 --> 00:45:49.683
Just before the final fight, Setzer turns to you and says that, If you could just go ahead and throw the match for him, that would be great.

00:45:49.683 --> 00:45:50.663
Oh my god.

00:45:50.663 --> 00:45:52.883
He promises to make it worth your while.

00:45:52.883 --> 00:45:54.163
He really wants that belt.

00:45:54.163 --> 00:45:56.283
Oh yeah, who doesn't want the belt though?

00:45:56.283 --> 00:45:57.823
You're like, fuck that.

00:45:57.823 --> 00:45:59.783
And you square off against this cocky asshole.

00:46:00.603 --> 00:46:04.963
He's pretty easy, but this is a fight you can win or lose and still continue forward with the story.

00:46:04.963 --> 00:46:06.083
But you wanna win.

00:46:06.083 --> 00:46:08.123
Exactly, right?

00:46:08.123 --> 00:46:15.523
Regardless of the outcome, the four of you end up on the ledge of that clock tower once again, holding the trophy from winning the first part of the tournament.

00:46:15.523 --> 00:46:16.863
Nice.

00:46:16.863 --> 00:46:21.423
You break off the four crystal marbles from the statue, tossing one to each of your friends.

00:46:22.083 --> 00:46:27.343
Damn near killing Pence in the process as he had to reach way too far forward and almost fell off his perch.

00:46:29.383 --> 00:46:33.283
Slightly malicious, but still, it's really sweet.

00:46:33.283 --> 00:46:37.783
They thank you, saying, that's one more treasure the four of you get to share.

00:46:37.783 --> 00:46:43.063
Olette says she brought something to share as well, pulling out a grip of sea salt ice cream pops.

00:46:43.063 --> 00:46:49.783
You stand up excited for ice cream, and trip over your big clumsy feet, falling off the clock tower.

00:46:49.783 --> 00:46:50.403
Oh my god.

00:46:50.403 --> 00:46:52.643
Plummeting to the train station platform below.

00:46:52.643 --> 00:46:54.503
This must be very traumatic for the friends.

00:46:55.103 --> 00:46:59.083
As you fall, the screen fades to static.

00:46:59.083 --> 00:47:06.203
We're next looking at a garden path, where a brunette girl and a short plaid skirt and white shirt is walking down it.

00:47:06.203 --> 00:47:10.163
A voice from behind her says, Kyrie, wait up.

00:47:10.163 --> 00:47:18.803
The voice comes from Selfie, a Final Fantasy VIII character who was also on Destiny Island with Sora, Kyrie, and Riku, dressed in a matching school uniform.

00:47:18.803 --> 00:47:23.443
She asks if Kyrie wants to go to the island, as Titus and Waka are busy playing sports.

00:47:24.503 --> 00:47:30.483
Kyrie declines, asking Selfie if she remembers the other two boys that used to hang out with them on the island.

00:47:30.483 --> 00:47:32.883
Selfie only remembers Riku.

00:47:32.883 --> 00:47:39.163
Kyrie says she remembers a second boy too, but can't remember his face or his name.

00:47:39.163 --> 00:47:47.403
Then the two girls look out over a few hundred yards worth of rooftops, and in the near distance can see Destiny Island, a short boat ride away.

00:47:47.403 --> 00:47:53.183
She swore an oath to herself that she won't return to Destiny Island until she can remember everything about that boy.

00:47:53.643 --> 00:47:56.583
Ironically, there are cave drawings of her and that boy.

00:47:56.583 --> 00:47:58.323
I know.

00:47:58.323 --> 00:48:00.583
There's so much to remind her of Sora.

00:48:00.583 --> 00:48:02.483
Yeah.

00:48:02.483 --> 00:48:06.843
Something about that kid is important, but she just can't remember why.

00:48:06.843 --> 00:48:09.503
Then she hears an unfamiliar voice.

00:48:09.503 --> 00:48:11.023
Roxas' voice.

00:48:11.023 --> 00:48:13.663
Say, Nominee?

00:48:13.663 --> 00:48:17.623
She closes her eyes, and the screen turns to static.

00:48:17.623 --> 00:48:20.643
You are Roxas once again, falling through the air in slow motion.

00:48:21.563 --> 00:48:25.203
In your mind, you ask Nominee, what's happening?

00:48:25.203 --> 00:48:29.063
She responds back, saying that she's not Nominee, her name is Kairi.

00:48:29.063 --> 00:48:32.123
You're like, oh, Kairi, I know that name.

00:48:32.123 --> 00:48:33.743
You're that girl he likes.

00:48:33.743 --> 00:48:34.943
Oh.

00:48:34.943 --> 00:48:40.603
You introduce yourself as Roxas, and she begs you to please tell her that boy's name.

00:48:40.603 --> 00:48:43.343
Then a third voice joins the group chat.

00:48:43.343 --> 00:48:46.563
Sora says, geez, Kairi, you already forgot my name?

00:48:47.483 --> 00:48:49.083
Thanks a lot.

00:48:49.083 --> 00:48:51.563
Then he says he'll give her a hint.

00:48:51.563 --> 00:48:53.603
It starts with an S.

00:48:53.603 --> 00:48:58.643
Through all this, you are still falling in slow motion toward the ground.

00:48:58.643 --> 00:49:04.943
As you come within inches, the scene switches back to Kairi, who is out cold on the dirt road.

00:49:04.943 --> 00:49:09.223
She stands up with Selfie's help and sprints toward the beach.

00:49:09.223 --> 00:49:12.423
She kneels down, putting a bottle in the water.

00:49:12.423 --> 00:49:14.083
Inside is a note.

00:49:14.083 --> 00:49:15.463
Selfie asks what she's doing.

00:49:16.223 --> 00:49:21.423
She explains that she wrote the letter the day before to the boy she can't remember.

00:49:21.423 --> 00:49:27.303
She knows that she made a promise to him that no matter where he is, she'll find him someday.

00:49:27.303 --> 00:49:30.543
Selfie wishes the bottle luck, hoping he finds it.

00:49:30.543 --> 00:49:32.923
Kairi says she knows he will.

00:49:32.923 --> 00:49:34.163
Right, Sora?

00:49:35.463 --> 00:49:38.083
The screen goes to static once more.

00:49:38.083 --> 00:49:41.903
And the lady robot voice says, Restoration at 79%.

00:49:42.763 --> 00:49:44.963
We're making lots of progress.

00:49:44.963 --> 00:49:51.243
Once again in the computer lab, Sir Lee and Cloakman are together, and Cloakman asks, what just happened?

00:49:51.243 --> 00:49:53.643
Sir Lee says it's astonishing.

00:49:53.643 --> 00:50:03.243
Somehow, Namine, talking with Roxas, put him in contact with Kairi, which had an effect on Sora.

00:50:03.243 --> 00:50:06.723
Sir Lee says that Namine is not like other nobodies.

00:50:06.723 --> 00:50:11.423
She has the ability to weave herself into the minds of Sora and his friends.

00:50:11.423 --> 00:50:14.683
Cloakman asks who she's a nobody of.

00:50:14.683 --> 00:50:21.023
Sir Lee says that he won't say unless Cloakman tells him his true name first.

00:50:21.023 --> 00:50:23.323
Cloakman removes his hood.

00:50:23.323 --> 00:50:29.343
Beneath it is a face we've seen before, a sharp face with long gray hair.

00:50:29.343 --> 00:50:36.563
He looks at Sir Lee saying that his true name is Ansem, the big bad that exploded at the end of the first game.

00:50:36.563 --> 00:50:37.903
Yeah, oh shit.

00:50:38.723 --> 00:50:46.123
Sir Lee laughs hard and sarcastically says, It's an honor, Ansem.

00:50:46.123 --> 00:50:49.963
The scene shifts to a tall circular white room.

00:50:49.963 --> 00:50:57.723
Around the edge of the room are 13 thrones, each of varying height from 10 feet to 30 feet tall.

00:50:57.723 --> 00:51:02.383
The thrones are white with ornate nobody symbols carved into their backs.

00:51:02.383 --> 00:51:05.823
Most are empty, but a few have people wearing black cloaks sitting in them.

00:51:06.963 --> 00:51:12.363
People we haven't met yet keep their hoods up, but once we meet them, their hoods remain down from that point forward.

00:51:12.363 --> 00:51:13.403
To unlock them?

00:51:13.403 --> 00:51:14.163
Yeah, basically.

00:51:14.163 --> 00:51:15.403
In the boardroom?

00:51:15.403 --> 00:51:18.583
So far, we've only met Axel from this group.

00:51:18.583 --> 00:51:20.663
He's angry arguing with the others.

00:51:20.663 --> 00:51:22.543
He's kind of baseline angry, though.

00:51:22.543 --> 00:51:23.183
All the time.

00:51:23.183 --> 00:51:25.043
He's got a lot of edge to him.

00:51:25.043 --> 00:51:28.503
He says it's not fair to get rid of Roxas that quickly.

00:51:28.503 --> 00:51:35.703
One of them questions Axel, saying that it's not like him to turn down the chance to eliminate another member of Organization XIII.

00:51:35.863 --> 00:51:39.243
Having already disposed of a few traders amongst them.

00:51:39.243 --> 00:51:41.443
For more information on that, refer to Chain of Memories.

00:51:41.443 --> 00:51:42.723
That's the othercastlepodcast.com.

00:51:45.083 --> 00:51:47.283
Axel says this is different.

00:51:47.283 --> 00:51:49.783
Roxas didn't betray the organization.

00:51:49.783 --> 00:51:52.803
He's locked away and is unable to return.

00:51:52.803 --> 00:52:00.343
The person Axel is arguing with launches a spear at Axel's head, saying he will do as he's told or face the consequences.

00:52:00.343 --> 00:52:03.123
What I would give to throw a spear at a meeting just once.

00:52:06.043 --> 00:52:11.143
The spear buries itself into Axel's throne, slicing through some of his hair.

00:52:11.143 --> 00:52:16.243
Axel never flinches, but recognizes the threat for what it is.

00:52:16.243 --> 00:52:19.843
He'll be turned into a dusk if he doesn't do what he's told.

00:52:19.843 --> 00:52:24.863
And a dusk being that very basic form of nobody that moves like it's dancing.

00:52:24.863 --> 00:52:31.463
Axel confirms that if he can get Roxas to return, then there will be no need to dispatch him, to which the other agrees.

00:52:32.023 --> 00:52:34.743
Doubting Axel's ability to actually bring him back.

00:52:34.743 --> 00:52:35.963
You see, I get that though.

00:52:35.963 --> 00:52:37.523
Axel's a little prickly.

00:52:37.523 --> 00:52:40.443
He's not a soft, charismatic person.

00:52:40.443 --> 00:52:42.443
Right.

00:52:42.443 --> 00:52:46.223
His heart may be in the right place, but his execution rarely friendly.

00:52:46.223 --> 00:52:48.123
His opening move is fight.

00:52:48.143 --> 00:52:50.763
Yeah.

00:52:50.763 --> 00:52:55.683
Finally, you return to Roxas, still falling through the air.

00:52:55.683 --> 00:52:59.783
As you careen into the ground, you wake up with a start safe in your bedroom.

00:53:00.743 --> 00:53:09.583
You are relieved it was all just a dream, but are also confused, wondering which part was a dream and which part was reality.

00:53:09.583 --> 00:53:19.403
Back at the usual spot, Hayner is talking about summer vacation ending in the next three days, and he has zero desire to do the one homework assignment they were supposed to complete.

00:53:19.403 --> 00:53:23.423
They're also not very concerned that Roxas fell out of a fucking tower.

00:53:25.023 --> 00:53:28.863
Well, Alette is mad because the deal was that today would be the day they complete it.

00:53:29.883 --> 00:53:34.123
You interrupt their argument, asking if they remember you falling off the clocktower yesterday.

00:53:34.123 --> 00:53:35.723
Thank you, yeah!

00:53:35.723 --> 00:53:40.863
They look at you confused, saying that if you had fallen off, you'd be dead right now.

00:53:40.863 --> 00:53:43.423
You did slip, but you never fell.

00:53:43.423 --> 00:53:44.783
Huh.

00:53:44.783 --> 00:53:51.283
Hayner returns to the topic of homework and agrees to get it done today, just so he doesn't have to think about it anymore.

00:53:51.283 --> 00:53:55.503
When asking for a topic, you suggest studying all the strange shit going on with you.

00:53:56.743 --> 00:54:02.403
Pence says that the whole town is already going to help you figure that out tomorrow as a thank you for finding those photographs.

00:54:02.403 --> 00:54:03.383
Oh!

00:54:03.383 --> 00:54:08.343
They're going to search high and low for answers about those white things you keep talking about.

00:54:08.343 --> 00:54:12.343
You hadn't heard that, so you run off to buy a round of sea salt ice cream pops.

00:54:12.343 --> 00:54:18.823
While eating, the four of you decide to look into some local urban legends to see if you can discover their true origins.

00:54:18.823 --> 00:54:21.363
Then write about that for your assignment.

00:54:21.363 --> 00:54:26.843
They're called the Seven Wonders of Twilight Town, and the four of you head into downtown to hunt for these seven mysteries.

00:54:26.863 --> 00:54:29.563
There's a great sphinx and pyramids.

00:54:29.563 --> 00:54:31.963
Not the wonders of the world, no.

00:54:31.963 --> 00:54:34.163
Why isn't there a Twilight Town stonehenge?

00:54:35.963 --> 00:54:40.863
Some are innocuous, others have a dark presence causing them to occur.

00:54:40.863 --> 00:54:48.203
But your friends never see the mystical elements, always writing the wonder off as a natural occurrence of one type or another.

00:54:48.203 --> 00:54:53.583
One of the wonders is a mysterious ghost train that comes by from some unknown location.

00:54:53.583 --> 00:54:56.903
It never has any passengers, nobody is driving it.

00:54:56.903 --> 00:54:59.303
It's just an empty car.

00:54:59.303 --> 00:55:08.783
The train eventually passes by and it's a whimsical bluish purple with gold trim and star shaped windows, the smokestack covered by a wizard's hat.

00:55:08.783 --> 00:55:13.423
You can't believe you're seeing it with your own eyes and run to the station to see it up close.

00:55:13.423 --> 00:55:15.143
You run up to it saying, let's go inside.

00:55:16.243 --> 00:55:18.643
Hayner grabs you saying to stop.

00:55:18.643 --> 00:55:20.523
You're going to get hurt.

00:55:20.523 --> 00:55:24.043
You wonder what he's talking about and turn around to see that the train has vanished.

00:55:24.043 --> 00:55:25.223
Oh.

00:55:25.223 --> 00:55:30.363
You insist there was a train there, and that you also have one more wonder to find.

00:55:30.363 --> 00:55:37.343
But the others don't want to hear it, saying that so far all six wonders were bogus, and they'll be lucky to pull a report out of it.

00:55:37.343 --> 00:55:42.943
You ask about the seventh wonder, and they say it has to do with that abandoned mansion, but it's likely not real either.

00:55:42.943 --> 00:55:46.343
You decide to go to the mansion yourself, just to prove them wrong.

00:55:46.343 --> 00:55:53.183
Outside the gate, Pence shows up, saying that he told you the whole town was going to come out to search this place tomorrow anyway.

00:55:53.183 --> 00:56:01.603
Pence tells you that the rumor about the mansion is how even though it's abandoned, there's supposedly a girl in the second story window always looking out.

00:56:01.603 --> 00:56:02.983
This is like in Red Dead.

00:56:02.983 --> 00:56:03.983
Right, exactly.

00:56:03.983 --> 00:56:05.623
There's the ghost princess.

00:56:05.623 --> 00:56:09.743
You look up at the window, where you see Namine standing there.

00:56:09.743 --> 00:56:12.443
She begins to speak to you inside your mind.

00:56:12.443 --> 00:56:13.003
I hate that.

00:56:13.803 --> 00:56:16.023
Bringing you into the room with her.

00:56:16.023 --> 00:56:18.303
This white room is covered in sketches.

00:56:18.303 --> 00:56:23.403
From Kairi eating a paupu fruit, to depictions of Destiny Island.

00:56:23.403 --> 00:56:30.263
One of them shows a blonde boy in a black cloak, next to a redheaded boy in a black cloak.

00:56:30.263 --> 00:56:33.083
You ask if it's supposed to be you and Axel.

00:56:33.083 --> 00:56:34.943
Namine says, of course.

00:56:34.943 --> 00:56:35.683
Your best friends.

00:56:37.383 --> 00:56:42.423
Namine shows you another picture, asking if you know the three figures in it.

00:56:42.423 --> 00:56:45.663
You say, yeah, that's Sora, Donald, and Goofy.

00:56:45.663 --> 00:56:48.863
But you have no idea why you know that.

00:56:48.863 --> 00:56:56.263
Namine explains that a little over a year ago, some shit went down, and she was forced to fuck with Sora's memories.

00:56:56.263 --> 00:57:00.243
Right now, she's putting his chain of memories back together.

00:57:00.243 --> 00:57:02.623
Then he'll be his old self again.

00:57:02.623 --> 00:57:04.883
It's just taking a really long fucking time.

00:57:05.743 --> 00:57:10.423
The problem is, the whole memory restoration is affecting you as well.

00:57:10.423 --> 00:57:14.863
She shows you a picture of you in a black cloak, holding Sora's hand.

00:57:14.863 --> 00:57:17.163
She says that the two of you are connected.

00:57:17.163 --> 00:57:21.723
You are lost and confused, asking Namine to please explain what she's talking about.

00:57:21.723 --> 00:57:23.503
She says that she's a witch.

00:57:23.503 --> 00:57:26.723
At least that's the word a man named Diz uses to describe her.

00:57:27.163 --> 00:57:29.803
Diz, shut up!

00:57:29.803 --> 00:57:32.643
But that's not really what's important here.

00:57:32.643 --> 00:57:35.903
You were never supposed to exist, Roxas.

00:57:35.903 --> 00:57:40.083
You get pissed at her, saying that's a terrible thing to tell a person, even if it is true.

00:57:40.083 --> 00:57:41.443
Truly!

00:57:41.443 --> 00:57:45.343
Suddenly, you're pulled away from being inside the room with Namine.

00:57:45.343 --> 00:57:49.023
Pence is shaking you as you stare off into space toward the mansion.

00:57:49.023 --> 00:57:52.283
He asks if you could see the girl in the window and you point to it.

00:57:52.283 --> 00:57:57.443
Pence looks and says, damn, that's just a curtain moving from a draft.

00:57:57.443 --> 00:57:58.923
Another myth busted.

00:57:58.923 --> 00:58:00.523
Oh no.

00:58:00.523 --> 00:58:04.523
The two of you go back to the usual spot and report about the drafty curtain.

00:58:04.523 --> 00:58:08.463
Olette says that was her guess too, and had already written into the report.

00:58:08.463 --> 00:58:15.103
She tells you that Hayner is at the clock tower, and the three of you go to meet up with him to plan out the final two days of summer vacation together.

00:58:15.103 --> 00:58:20.163
The three of you joke around about the last two days while the scene transitions to a room inside the mansion.

00:58:20.163 --> 00:58:24.323
It's an old dining room with the table having been smashed to pieces.

00:58:24.323 --> 00:58:28.263
Sir Lee is sitting in a chair as if the broken table were his desk.

00:58:28.263 --> 00:58:31.463
Ansem asks why he showed you the train.

00:58:31.463 --> 00:58:35.003
Sir Lee says he felt bad you missed the trip to the beach.

00:58:35.003 --> 00:58:37.843
He asks Ansem if his memories are starting to clear up.

00:58:37.843 --> 00:58:39.663
He confirms that they are.

00:58:39.663 --> 00:58:44.743
Sir Lee explains that everyone who had ties to Sora are having the same experience.

00:58:44.743 --> 00:58:48.203
They had all forgotten him just as he had forgotten them.

00:58:48.203 --> 00:58:58.183
But now that his memories are almost restored, they too are starting to remember their time with him and everything they did, which is why Ansem is having the same experience.

00:58:58.183 --> 00:59:01.243
Ansem asks why Sir Lee is doing all this.

00:59:01.243 --> 00:59:03.723
He responds, Revenge.

00:59:04.743 --> 00:59:10.543
Now that Naminase served her purpose and fixed Sora's mind, it's time to dispose of her.

00:59:10.543 --> 00:59:15.023
Roxas isn't the only one who was never supposed to exist.

00:59:15.023 --> 00:59:20.183
The screen goes to static with robot lady saying, Restoration at 97%.

00:59:21.903 --> 00:59:26.943
This series of first-game flashbacks shows the final moments of Ansem's defeat.

00:59:26.943 --> 00:59:33.623
Including King Mickey Mouse coming to help seal the door to Kingdom Hearts, locking himself and Riku behind it.

00:59:33.623 --> 00:59:39.063
Ending in Sora, Donald and Goofy arriving at Castle Oblivion.

00:59:39.063 --> 00:59:43.643
The scene cuts back to the dark and dreary beach setting, the one by the lake.

00:59:43.643 --> 00:59:48.543
Repeating the line, I've been to see him, he looks a lot like you.

00:59:48.543 --> 00:59:55.083
This time, we get to hear the voice of the respondent, and it's the voice of Roxas asking, who are you?

00:59:55.083 --> 00:59:58.603
The scene shifts to a neon cityscape.

00:59:58.603 --> 01:00:02.563
One we saw in the post-after-credits segment of the first game.

01:00:02.563 --> 01:00:11.363
Basically, recreating the sequence of the blond-haired kid, now revealed to be Roxas, dual-wielding Keyblades and attacking a gang of large, heartless creatures.

01:00:12.623 --> 01:00:18.263
The Keyblades being named Oblivion and Oathkeeper, respectively.

01:00:18.263 --> 01:00:27.543
They are important Keyblades to Sora, as he obtained Oblivion toward the end of Kingdom Hearts 1, and is representative of his relationship to Riku.

01:00:27.543 --> 01:00:35.143
Oathkeeper being a result of the Paopu Fruit Keychain that Kairi had given to Sora once, making him promise to return it someday.

01:00:36.263 --> 01:00:45.223
Roxas encounters a blindfolded and black-clothed Riku in the city square, and gives him Oblivion to help defeat the surrounding Heartless.

01:00:45.223 --> 01:00:49.163
After their defeat, the two fight against one another, Keyblade vs.

01:00:49.163 --> 01:00:51.403
Keyblade.

01:00:51.403 --> 01:00:52.823
It's PvPVE.

01:00:52.823 --> 01:00:55.003
They're like, we're gonna take care of this and we're gonna take care of you.

01:00:55.003 --> 01:00:56.403
Yeah.

01:00:56.403 --> 01:01:01.443
Ending in Riku's defeat, and him asking Roxas why he can wield a Keyblade.

01:01:01.443 --> 01:01:02.423
Yeah.

01:01:02.423 --> 01:01:08.163
Roxas answers by swinging Oathkeeper down on Riku, ending the scene and waking you up.

01:01:08.163 --> 01:01:09.683
That's so badass, though.

01:01:10.143 --> 01:01:14.083
Once again in control of Roxas, rising from your bed.

01:01:14.083 --> 01:01:19.583
You stand and the image of Sora's clothing appears over your legs and feet, then vanish.

01:01:19.583 --> 01:01:21.083
Oh.

01:01:21.083 --> 01:01:25.943
You change clothes and go to the usual spot, where your friends are talking with one another.

01:01:25.943 --> 01:01:30.123
You go to put your hand on Hayner's shoulder, and your hand passes right through him.

01:01:30.123 --> 01:01:31.443
Oh no.

01:01:31.443 --> 01:01:35.483
They run out of the room laughing, passing straight through your body as if you were a ghost.

01:01:35.483 --> 01:01:36.963
Holy shit.

01:01:36.963 --> 01:01:38.623
You find a photograph on a nearby table.

01:01:39.543 --> 01:01:42.823
At one point, it had shown all four of you.

01:01:42.823 --> 01:01:44.803
But now you are missing from the photo.

01:01:44.803 --> 01:01:46.723
Marty McFly.

01:01:46.723 --> 01:01:50.563
Leaving the usual spot, you get surrounded by nobodies.

01:01:50.563 --> 01:01:56.143
Axel appears and tells you that he has these Icky orders to destroy you if you don't come back with him.

01:01:56.143 --> 01:01:57.423
I love him calling it Icky.

01:01:57.423 --> 01:01:59.183
Right?

01:01:59.183 --> 01:02:02.963
You look at him and ask if it's true that the two of you are best friends.

01:02:02.963 --> 01:02:06.403
He says it's true, and he gets excited that it means you remember him now.

01:02:07.543 --> 01:02:12.523
But he wants to confirm that you really do remember, and didn't just find out new information.

01:02:12.523 --> 01:02:16.563
He did just find out new information, does not know this person.

01:02:16.563 --> 01:02:19.403
He asks what the boss's name is.

01:02:19.403 --> 01:02:21.883
You stare at him blankly, and he sighs.

01:02:21.883 --> 01:02:23.563
Bruce Springsteen.

01:02:25.223 --> 01:02:25.943
Different boss.

01:02:25.943 --> 01:02:27.603
Oh, got it.

01:02:27.603 --> 01:02:30.883
Saying he thought it was too good to be true.

01:02:30.883 --> 01:02:35.043
The keyblade appears in your hand, and you battle the nobodies, but not Axel.

01:02:36.183 --> 01:02:38.883
He just stands and watches you.

01:02:38.883 --> 01:02:43.443
After their defeat, he summons his weapons, but freezes mid-swing.

01:02:43.443 --> 01:02:48.603
The voice of Sir Lee surrounds you, saying, Roxas, to the mansion, now.

01:02:48.603 --> 01:02:53.223
You try to call for your friends, because that worked last time, but it does nothing.

01:02:53.223 --> 01:02:55.523
So you run off toward the mansion.

01:02:55.523 --> 01:02:59.483
As soon as you round the corner, Axel unfreezes and watches you run.

01:02:59.483 --> 01:03:02.363
Sad that the Roxas he once knew is truly gone.

01:03:03.843 --> 01:03:09.023
Arriving at the locked front gate of the mansion, you get a vision of Sora using his keyblade.

01:03:09.023 --> 01:03:13.623
So you point yours at the lock, and it releases the chains opening the gate.

01:03:13.623 --> 01:03:16.503
You search the mansion until you find Namine's room.

01:03:16.503 --> 01:03:19.823
Empty, except for all the pictures on the walls.

01:03:19.823 --> 01:03:26.003
You scan them until you find one depicting you, dressed in a black cloak, running.

01:03:26.003 --> 01:03:30.203
You grab your head, remembering a long-lost memory.

01:03:30.203 --> 01:03:34.803
You're back in the neon city, dressed as an Organization member with your hood down.

01:03:34.803 --> 01:03:37.763
You are angry and walking with determination.

01:03:37.763 --> 01:03:43.223
You pass by Axel, who is leaning against the wall, not even acknowledging his presence.

01:03:43.223 --> 01:03:45.363
He asks if you're really going to leave.

01:03:45.363 --> 01:03:47.663
You ask him why the Keyblade chose you.

01:03:47.663 --> 01:03:49.623
You need answers.

01:03:49.623 --> 01:03:53.783
Axel gets angry, saying you can't turn your back on Organization XIII.

01:03:53.783 --> 01:03:57.643
The flashback ends, and you are still in Namine's room.

01:03:57.643 --> 01:03:58.663
This time she's there too.

01:03:59.563 --> 01:04:02.583
You ask her if Organization XIII is good or bad.

01:04:02.583 --> 01:04:04.243
She says she's not sure.

01:04:04.243 --> 01:04:07.823
They are a group of incomplete people, trying to be whole again.

01:04:07.823 --> 01:04:08.943
Aren't we all?

01:04:08.943 --> 01:04:13.143
Some of them seem to have no problem doing bad things to achieve that goal.

01:04:13.143 --> 01:04:17.903
All of them having the same goal, though, to find Kingdom Hearts.

01:04:17.903 --> 01:04:30.283
You ask what that has to do with you, and mid-sentence, Namine freezes, then begins to disappear one pixel at a time, revealing that she was actually a digital copy of Namine.

01:04:30.283 --> 01:04:31.483
Oof.

01:04:31.483 --> 01:04:35.863
Sir Lee appears, saying that you have no right to the truth.

01:04:35.863 --> 01:04:39.163
Nobody's like you don't need answers.

01:04:39.163 --> 01:04:41.763
You're like, what the fuck is a nobody?

01:04:41.763 --> 01:04:45.583
Suddenly, Ansem appears and says, Diz, there are too many nobodies.

01:04:45.583 --> 01:04:47.523
We need to leave now.

01:04:47.523 --> 01:04:49.923
Revealing Sir Lee's name to be Diz.

01:04:49.923 --> 01:04:51.703
So I'm going to call him that now that we have his name.

01:04:51.703 --> 01:04:52.063
For sure.

01:04:53.003 --> 01:04:56.503
A dark portal appears and the real Naminé comes out of it.

01:04:56.503 --> 01:04:58.203
She tells you that it's okay.

01:04:58.203 --> 01:05:00.583
Nobodies are simply half a person.

01:05:00.583 --> 01:05:03.503
Merging with your other half doesn't mean you disappear.

01:05:03.503 --> 01:05:05.603
It means you'll be complete.

01:05:05.603 --> 01:05:08.063
You're like, I'm going to disappear?

01:05:08.063 --> 01:05:09.443
Go back to the disappearing bit.

01:05:09.443 --> 01:05:10.463
I'm confused.

01:05:10.463 --> 01:05:14.043
Diz grabs Naminé and puts his hand over her mouth.

01:05:14.043 --> 01:05:16.083
But she fights him off, shouting to you.

01:05:16.083 --> 01:05:18.103
She says, no, you won't disappear.

01:05:18.103 --> 01:05:19.883
You need to trust her.

01:05:19.883 --> 01:05:23.043
She'll explain it all again the next time you see each other.

01:05:23.043 --> 01:05:26.663
You probably won't know it's her, and she probably won't know it's you.

01:05:26.663 --> 01:05:29.123
But you'll definitely talk about it then.

01:05:29.123 --> 01:05:30.803
Sure.

01:05:30.803 --> 01:05:34.083
We'll make some loose plans for that instance.

01:05:34.083 --> 01:05:40.043
She vanishes along with Diz and Ansem, leaving you confused as fuck about what just happened.

01:05:40.043 --> 01:05:44.683
In the library of the mansion, you find a secret entrance to an underground room.

01:05:44.683 --> 01:05:49.223
Where the mansion is all wooden and old fashioned, this basement is metal and high-tech.

01:05:49.463 --> 01:05:50.223
Oh, cool.

01:05:50.223 --> 01:05:53.403
Exactly like the computer lab Diz and Ansem were working out of earlier.

01:05:54.443 --> 01:06:03.123
Upon finding that computer, you begin to have more flashbacks to your time as a member of Organization XIII, including the time you fought against Riku.

01:06:03.143 --> 01:06:04.183
Oh.

01:06:04.183 --> 01:06:09.283
He asks how you're able to wield a keyblade, and you strike down on him with it.

01:06:09.283 --> 01:06:12.063
He parries, knocking you out.

01:06:12.063 --> 01:06:20.963
Your next shown slumped in the computer lab, with Diz and Ansem talking about putting you inside a computer simulation while Sora has his memories restored.

01:06:20.963 --> 01:06:29.163
Speaking of memories, Diz says he's going to give you a whole new personality when he uploads you into the simulation, so you won't remember any of this.

01:06:30.623 --> 01:06:33.783
Ansem pities you, and Diz says, it's just a nobody.

01:06:33.783 --> 01:06:35.643
Who cares?

01:06:35.643 --> 01:06:42.343
He clicks a few buttons, and your body vanishes into a sea of pixels, uploading you into the Twilight Town simulation.

01:06:43.183 --> 01:06:49.543
The memory concludes and you use the computer that Diz used to send you into this virtual hell.

01:06:49.543 --> 01:06:55.643
You summon your keyblade and unleash your fury into it, destroying the 11 monitors and six keyboards.

01:06:56.663 --> 01:06:59.883
Axel appears, and he is not happy.

01:06:59.883 --> 01:07:08.963
Even though you remember him better now, he doesn't care, saying it's too late, and now he has to destroy you, as Axel always follows orders.

01:07:10.403 --> 01:07:16.063
He summons his weapons, so you summon Oblivion and Oathkeeper, one for each hand.

01:07:16.063 --> 01:07:20.803
After his defeat, you have another memory from that day in the Neon City.

01:07:20.803 --> 01:07:26.683
You tell Axel that if you left the Organization, no one would miss you.

01:07:26.683 --> 01:07:29.163
Axel says, that's not true.

01:07:29.163 --> 01:07:31.283
I would.

01:07:31.283 --> 01:07:36.643
Back in the computer lab, Axel looks at you defeated and says, I'll see you in the next life.

01:07:38.123 --> 01:07:46.943
You tell him you're looking forward to it, realizing you really did just beat the shit out of someone who really fucking cared about you.

01:07:46.943 --> 01:07:52.303
Axel steps into a darkness portal and vanishes, leaving you alone in the lab.

01:07:52.303 --> 01:07:56.803
You search some more and find a hallway containing some large glass bulbs.

01:07:56.803 --> 01:08:03.503
Inside two of them, you see Donald Duck and Goofy appearing to be fast asleep.

01:08:03.503 --> 01:08:06.223
Through the next room, you see a much larger pod.

01:08:06.843 --> 01:08:09.523
It's shaped like a lotus blossom.

01:08:09.523 --> 01:08:12.663
Standing in front of it is Diz.

01:08:12.663 --> 01:08:15.703
He welcomes the Keyblade Master.

01:08:15.703 --> 01:08:19.083
You ask if he means you or Sora.

01:08:19.083 --> 01:08:23.423
He says he's talking to half of Sora, the dark half.

01:08:23.423 --> 01:08:28.983
He needs someone who can move in the Realm of Light in order to destroy Organization XIII.

01:08:28.983 --> 01:08:35.583
You ask him why he's doing this, and he says that he's a servant of the world, which makes you a tool at best.

01:08:36.943 --> 01:08:39.903
You charge at him and slash with your keyblade.

01:08:39.903 --> 01:08:45.823
It passes through him and he apologizes, saying he's just a digital projection here in this simulation.

01:08:45.823 --> 01:08:51.283
You swing on the hologram until you have no strength left, panting for breath.

01:08:51.283 --> 01:08:57.463
Diz teleports to the other side of the room, and you yell out, I hate you so much.

01:08:57.463 --> 01:08:59.383
Diz says you should share that hate with Sora.

01:08:59.383 --> 01:09:00.803
He's way too nice to everybody.

01:09:03.403 --> 01:09:09.283
Diz vanishes, and the Lotus Pod opens, revealing Sora floating in the air inside it.

01:09:09.283 --> 01:09:13.503
You look up at him and say, Sora, you're lucky.

01:09:13.503 --> 01:09:16.963
Looks like my summer vacation is over.

01:09:17.183 --> 01:09:18.883
Oh, that's so sad.

01:09:18.883 --> 01:09:24.203
The scene fades to white as the words Kingdom Hearts 2 appear.

01:09:24.203 --> 01:09:25.903
The end.

01:09:25.903 --> 01:09:26.683
No, they didn't.

01:09:26.683 --> 01:09:27.443
Of the prologue.

01:09:27.643 --> 01:09:29.143
Yeah, okay.

01:09:29.143 --> 01:09:33.143
It's like, there's no way we don't get to play with Donald and Goofy in this game.

01:09:33.143 --> 01:09:37.143
This game hasn't even started yet, Goombas.

01:09:38.003 --> 01:09:46.243
Can you imagine waiting years for this sequel only to spend the first four to six hours playing as a character you've never even heard of before?

01:09:46.243 --> 01:09:49.763
Can you imagine if they reversed the Order of the Last of Us 2?

01:09:49.763 --> 01:09:50.243
Right.

01:09:50.243 --> 01:09:53.443
And then you just start with Abby, like the revolt.

01:09:53.443 --> 01:10:02.103
As confusing as all this may have been and as risky as it was, this prologue has gone down as one of the greatest openings to a video game ever.

01:10:02.103 --> 01:10:03.123
Oh, that's great.

01:10:03.123 --> 01:10:07.483
Because with context, that will accumulate as the story progresses.

01:10:07.483 --> 01:10:16.643
The importance and impact of these opening hours become so apparent that going through it on repeat playthroughs changes everything you thought about it the first time around.

01:10:16.643 --> 01:10:17.643
I love that.

01:10:17.643 --> 01:10:24.063
So whatever you're feeling right now, I encourage you to go back and listen again after you complete this episode and see if it changes your mind.

01:10:24.243 --> 01:10:27.603
Because the risk fully pays off.

01:10:27.603 --> 01:10:31.283
We come back to the game in Twilight Town's train station.

01:10:31.283 --> 01:10:35.523
The ghost train pulls into a spot, but this time, there's someone inside.

01:10:35.523 --> 01:10:37.023
Ghost Passenger.

01:10:37.023 --> 01:10:43.723
The door opens and King Mickey comes out, wearing an Organization XIII black leather cloak.

01:10:43.723 --> 01:10:48.163
The screen goes black and Roxas can be seen standing alone.

01:10:48.163 --> 01:10:51.703
He turns to the camera and says, Sora.

01:10:51.703 --> 01:10:55.823
Then the voices of Donald and Goofy can be heard saying the same thing.

01:10:55.823 --> 01:11:01.003
They're standing outside the Lotus Pod, which is sealed shut, calling out for their friend.

01:11:01.003 --> 01:11:06.123
The pod opens, revealing Sora inside, waking from his long slumber.

01:11:06.123 --> 01:11:08.163
Donald and Goofy are laughing.

01:11:08.163 --> 01:11:14.703
As in the year and change since going into the pod, the classic Sora Red overalls are extremely small now.

01:11:14.703 --> 01:11:15.583
He outgrew them?

01:11:15.803 --> 01:11:19.103
He did, because he was 12, like 13 years old.

01:11:19.103 --> 01:11:22.223
Oh, so puberty hit while he was in his fucking chrysalis?

01:11:22.223 --> 01:11:24.723
Yeah, lucky kid.

01:11:24.723 --> 01:11:26.523
He didn't have to live through that year.

01:11:26.523 --> 01:11:27.523
Oh, buddy.

01:11:27.523 --> 01:11:30.423
Yeah, because, you know, Haley Joel Osmond did too.

01:11:30.423 --> 01:11:32.303
So they had to actually adjust for time.

01:11:32.303 --> 01:11:36.723
That's a clever way of making sure that the voice still matches where the character is at.

01:11:36.723 --> 01:11:38.643
Yeah, he definitely aged up a bit.

01:11:38.643 --> 01:11:42.343
The three of you reunite, along with Jiminy Cricket hopping out from your pocket.

01:11:42.343 --> 01:11:49.383
You run over the things you can remember, saying the last thing you did was set out to find Riku and the king after saving the world.

01:11:49.383 --> 01:11:52.943
Goofy suggests checking Jiminy's journal, and he does.

01:11:52.943 --> 01:11:56.263
It's blank, with the exception of a single sentence.

01:11:56.263 --> 01:11:58.223
Fank nomine.

01:11:59.523 --> 01:12:02.963
You decide to stretch your legs and figure out where you are.

01:12:02.963 --> 01:12:10.403
You search the mansion, and as the player, you realize it's not the same one Roxas was in, as the computer you destroyed is fine.

01:12:10.723 --> 01:12:12.023
Oh.

01:12:12.023 --> 01:12:18.343
Exiting the mansion, you find yourself in a strangely familiar place that you've also never been to before.

01:12:18.343 --> 01:12:21.243
On instinct, you head to the usual spot.

01:12:21.243 --> 01:12:24.843
Inside are Hayner, Pence and Alette hanging out.

01:12:24.843 --> 01:12:27.343
They introduce themselves, and you do the same.

01:12:27.343 --> 01:12:31.123
When they hear your names, they say that someone was just here looking for you.

01:12:31.123 --> 01:12:37.163
He was wearing a black hood so they couldn't see his face, but he had big, giant, round ears.

01:12:38.483 --> 01:12:44.563
They point you in the direction of the train station, and you head there to meet with King Mickey, as you knew it was him based on that description.

01:12:44.563 --> 01:12:46.343
It really doesn't match anyone else in this world.

01:12:48.403 --> 01:12:53.483
Outside the station, a bunch of nobodies surround you, which you've never seen before.

01:12:53.483 --> 01:12:59.583
You attack them, but the onslaught is endless, and having been in a year-long coma, the three of you quickly tire out.

01:12:59.583 --> 01:13:01.483
Yeah, your legs really shouldn't work.

01:13:01.483 --> 01:13:02.483
Right.

01:13:02.483 --> 01:13:03.863
Your muscles have atrophied.

01:13:03.863 --> 01:13:04.203
Fully.

01:13:04.203 --> 01:13:07.323
There's no one kind of rolling you around to prevent bed sores.

01:13:07.323 --> 01:13:09.023
Sora's not in a good place right now.

01:13:09.363 --> 01:13:10.723
Well, he was floating, at least.

01:13:10.723 --> 01:13:11.743
There's no bed sores.

01:13:11.743 --> 01:13:13.203
There's no float sores?

01:13:13.203 --> 01:13:15.923
No float sores, right?

01:13:15.923 --> 01:13:22.843
So yeah, you're back to level one, having forgotten everything you learned in your previous outings thanks to your mind wipe.

01:13:22.843 --> 01:13:28.183
From high up on the clock tower, a cloaked figure appears, looking down on the fight.

01:13:28.183 --> 01:13:37.683
Just as a nobody is about to bear down on your group, the figure leaps from the tower doing a bunch of backflips, and lands, striking down the advancing nobody with his golden keyblade.

01:13:37.943 --> 01:13:39.163
Oh, that's so cool.

01:13:39.163 --> 01:13:42.523
King Mickey bounces around killing nobodies with ease.

01:13:42.523 --> 01:13:47.143
Square Enix wasn't allowed to use Mickey for more than 30 seconds in the first game.

01:13:47.143 --> 01:13:52.843
But since it was a success, they were given carte blanche to do whatever the fuck they wanted with him.

01:13:52.843 --> 01:13:53.763
Hell yeah.

01:13:53.763 --> 01:13:55.703
So they just went ahead and made him a total badass.

01:13:55.703 --> 01:13:58.483
Is this the sequence that we saw at the end of the first game?

01:13:58.483 --> 01:13:59.403
Essentially, yeah.

01:13:59.403 --> 01:14:01.023
That's cool.

01:14:01.023 --> 01:14:03.443
He tells you to be quiet and to board the ghost train.

01:14:03.443 --> 01:14:04.043
It knows where to go.

01:14:05.103 --> 01:14:08.583
Then he hands you a sack with 5,000 money in it and takes off.

01:14:08.583 --> 01:14:10.043
This is an excellent interaction.

01:14:10.043 --> 01:14:11.383
Right.

01:14:11.383 --> 01:14:12.743
Here's a train and some money.

01:14:12.743 --> 01:14:13.443
Have fun.

01:14:13.443 --> 01:14:14.343
Yeah.

01:14:14.343 --> 01:14:19.303
You all hope that really was King Mickey, figuring it must be seeing as he had the king's keyblade.

01:14:19.303 --> 01:14:20.083
It could have been Dumbo.

01:14:20.083 --> 01:14:21.383
We saw Big Ears, right?

01:14:21.383 --> 01:14:23.003
That's true.

01:14:23.003 --> 01:14:24.583
But they were rounded, not pointy.

01:14:24.583 --> 01:14:25.623
Yeah.

01:14:25.623 --> 01:14:29.623
You figure wherever the king is sending you will likely have Riku there too.

01:14:29.623 --> 01:14:31.983
So you ask Donald and Goofy to come along with you to find him.

01:14:32.263 --> 01:14:34.723
And they're like, what else did you think we were going to do?

01:14:34.723 --> 01:14:38.163
The king told us to get on the train, so we're getting on the train.

01:14:38.163 --> 01:14:47.563
As you're about to board, Hayner, Pence and O'lett arrive, saying something came over them, and they felt the need to come see you off at the station, even though they just met you.

01:14:47.563 --> 01:14:55.943
You pull out your money sack to buy the tickets, and O'lett freaks out saying she has an identical one, pulling hers out of her pocket.

01:14:55.943 --> 01:14:57.563
The Twilight kids don't understand.

01:14:57.563 --> 01:15:04.043
They just feel like if they missed a chance to say goodbye to you, it felt like they were missing a chance to say goodbye to an old friend.

01:15:04.043 --> 01:15:06.043
Oh, they feel the connection in the air.

01:15:06.043 --> 01:15:06.683
Yeah.

01:15:07.823 --> 01:15:12.423
Tears begin streaming down your face, and you don't know where they're coming from.

01:15:12.423 --> 01:15:17.163
But you say you understand what they mean, even though you really don't understand what's going on.

01:15:17.163 --> 01:15:18.843
I burst into tears in places.

01:15:18.843 --> 01:15:20.663
I kind of get that.

01:15:20.663 --> 01:15:21.903
I'm medicated now, so.

01:15:21.903 --> 01:15:23.063
Feeling a little emotional.

01:15:23.063 --> 01:15:24.023
Yeah.

01:15:24.023 --> 01:15:30.963
You hop on the train and depart from Twilight Town, hoping you'll be back someday to visit these familiar new friends.

01:15:30.963 --> 01:15:34.963
Your train departs and enters a spatial void just outside of town.

01:15:34.963 --> 01:15:36.123
I love when trains go there.

01:15:36.123 --> 01:15:36.803
Right.

01:15:36.803 --> 01:15:38.643
Taking you to Walt knows where.

01:15:38.643 --> 01:15:39.723
Shut up.

01:15:39.723 --> 01:15:46.943
Standing on a hilltop in Twilight Town, Axel, Namine, and Ansem are discussing their next move.

01:15:46.943 --> 01:15:53.243
Axel reminding them that they're all nobodies and don't really exist, so there's nowhere for them to go.

01:15:53.243 --> 01:15:55.723
We don't really have a plan because we might not be real guys.

01:15:56.543 --> 01:16:00.143
Namine says that she does have somewhere she wants to go, if possible.

01:16:00.143 --> 01:16:02.183
Is it the art store so she can get more doodle pads?

01:16:02.183 --> 01:16:04.183
Yeah, she's all out of them.

01:16:04.183 --> 01:16:06.883
Ansem tells Axel to take Namine and run.

01:16:06.883 --> 01:16:08.743
Diz wants her dead anyway.

01:16:08.743 --> 01:16:11.343
They both helped him so much at Castle Oblivion.

01:16:11.343 --> 01:16:12.743
He owes them one.

01:16:12.743 --> 01:16:16.403
Axel opens a darkness portal saying he doesn't need to be told twice.

01:16:16.403 --> 01:16:22.723
Namine thanks Ansem and she steps through the portal with Axel right behind, leaving Ansem alone on the hilltop.

01:16:22.723 --> 01:16:25.223
The ghost train arrives at the base of a tall and crooked tower.

01:16:25.963 --> 01:16:30.003
Once you step off, the train vanishes and you laugh nervously saying there goes our ride.

01:16:30.003 --> 01:16:30.723
No.

01:16:30.723 --> 01:16:37.043
At the base of the tower is a character that did not appear in the first game, and it almost seems criminal that he didn't appear until now.

01:16:37.043 --> 01:16:44.063
It's one of Disney's most infamous of all villains, having faced off against many characters across different franchises, including Mickey Mouse himself.

01:16:44.063 --> 01:16:44.863
Oh.

01:16:44.863 --> 01:16:50.823
A vile, evil, mean character known simply as Pete.

01:16:50.823 --> 01:16:51.563
Shut the fuck up.

01:16:53.463 --> 01:16:55.183
Now, I'm not a Disney adult.

01:16:55.183 --> 01:16:56.863
I'm not a Disney girl.

01:16:56.863 --> 01:16:59.343
I'm not a Disney person.

01:16:59.343 --> 01:17:00.803
Who the fuck is Pete?

01:17:00.803 --> 01:17:02.603
Wait, does Pete own the dragon?

01:17:02.603 --> 01:17:03.843
No, that's the different Pete.

01:17:03.843 --> 01:17:11.883
So Pete is the big, round antithesis to Goofy, appearing as Goofy's asshole neighbor and Goof Troop in the Goofy movie.

01:17:12.943 --> 01:17:14.043
Oh, I see him.

01:17:14.043 --> 01:17:14.683
Okay.

01:17:14.683 --> 01:17:15.263
Yeah.

01:17:15.263 --> 01:17:15.443
Yeah.

01:17:15.443 --> 01:17:19.423
He originated in the very first Mickey Mouse short ever made, Steamboat Willie.

01:17:20.023 --> 01:17:21.603
He goes back to Steamboat Willie.

01:17:21.603 --> 01:17:23.083
He predates Donald Duck.

01:17:23.083 --> 01:17:24.523
He predates everybody.

01:17:24.523 --> 01:17:27.483
He made his debut with Mickey Mouse.

01:17:27.483 --> 01:17:27.783
All right.

01:17:27.783 --> 01:17:28.563
So they're day ones.

01:17:28.563 --> 01:17:29.603
Got it.

01:17:29.603 --> 01:17:34.203
He's trying to break into the tower saying, rumor has it, a powerful wizard lives here.

01:17:34.203 --> 01:17:39.463
If he can turn the wizard into a heartless, then he'll have a wizard heartless that he can control.

01:17:39.463 --> 01:17:45.203
For some reason, without ever turning to see you, he goes into his entire master plan.

01:17:45.203 --> 01:17:46.663
He's a Bond villain.

01:17:46.663 --> 01:17:53.303
He's going around world to world, turning people into heartless, recruiting soldiers for his good friend Maleficent's army.

01:17:53.303 --> 01:18:02.463
Sorry, I forgot to mention, not only is Pete evil, he's also so fucking stupid, Sora says he can't even tie his own shoes at one point.

01:18:02.463 --> 01:18:04.083
And not in a mobility sense.

01:18:04.083 --> 01:18:07.023
He's just a dumb dipshit who's evil for the sake of being evil.

01:18:07.023 --> 01:18:08.303
Yeah.

01:18:08.303 --> 01:18:14.443
Pete finally turns around to see who is behind him and freaks out seeing Donald and Goofy, asking what they're doing here.

01:18:14.443 --> 01:18:19.503
Goofy explains that Pete used to live at Disney Castle, but he was banished for being an asshole.

01:18:19.503 --> 01:18:20.043
Good.

01:18:20.043 --> 01:18:26.083
Pete laughs saying that Maleficent rescued him from banishment and then recruited him to be the leader of her heartless army.

01:18:26.083 --> 01:18:31.703
You and the others laugh hearing that he's working for Maleficent, knowing you killed that bitch a long time ago.

01:18:31.703 --> 01:18:35.543
Pete goes, oh, so you're the ones who did it.

01:18:35.543 --> 01:18:38.623
Then he calls upon his heartless minions to attack you.

01:18:38.623 --> 01:18:44.843
After you defeat them, you get Pete to disclose more information, as he has no fucking ability to keep a secret.

01:18:44.843 --> 01:18:50.323
You ask about the wizard in the tower, and Pete says, it's old Yen Sid, which is Disney spelled backwards.

01:18:51.883 --> 01:18:52.683
Is it heavy handed?

01:18:52.683 --> 01:18:55.303
Like, is it literally the logo just flipped in reverse?

01:18:55.303 --> 01:18:56.723
No, it's two words at least.

01:18:56.743 --> 01:18:57.963
Okay.

01:18:57.963 --> 01:19:01.423
Donald flips out, saying, Master Yen Sid lives here?

01:19:01.423 --> 01:19:07.183
He runs inside excited and goofy explains that Yen Sid taught King Mickey everything he knows.

01:19:07.183 --> 01:19:08.363
Of course he did.

01:19:08.363 --> 01:19:13.303
Pete calls back after you followed Donald inside that he's probably already a heartless anyway, but good luck.

01:19:13.303 --> 01:19:14.843
He's like, you're metaphorically heartless.

01:19:14.963 --> 01:19:16.183
Whatever.

01:19:16.183 --> 01:19:18.263
Donald is pissed at the number of heartless here.

01:19:18.263 --> 01:19:21.643
It's like closing the door to Kingdom Hearts didn't do a damn thing.

01:19:21.643 --> 01:19:25.023
You eventually make it to the top of the tower to Yen Sid's office.

01:19:25.023 --> 01:19:30.943
Yen Sid is revealed to be the sorcerer from the Sorcerer's Apprentice sequence in the classic animated film Fantasia.

01:19:30.943 --> 01:19:41.043
If you're unfamiliar with Fantasia, you're likely at least aware of the Sorcerer's Apprentice portion as it's the one where Mickey puts a wizard hat on his head and turns a bunch of mops into living beings and floods a castle.

01:19:41.043 --> 01:19:41.343
Yeah.

01:19:42.083 --> 01:19:49.223
Donald and Goofy bow very low, showing great reverence for Master Yen Sid, while you on the other hand stand tall saying, hey there.

01:19:49.223 --> 01:19:50.503
Hey buddy.

01:19:50.503 --> 01:19:55.223
Yen Sid asks if you've seen the King lately, and you say yes, but didn't get a chance to talk to him.

01:19:55.223 --> 01:19:56.303
He's like, great.

01:19:56.303 --> 01:19:59.443
So I get to give you your next mission.

01:19:59.443 --> 01:20:00.703
You go, mission?

01:20:00.703 --> 01:20:03.503
But I wanted to find my friend Rico and go the fuck home.

01:20:03.503 --> 01:20:10.343
He knows, but says that the only way you can ever return is to go on this mission, because if you don't, there won't be an island to go home to anyway.

01:20:10.763 --> 01:20:14.503
And this is your responsibility as a small, teen boy.

01:20:14.503 --> 01:20:20.483
Well, you are the chosen wielder of the Keyblade, so you are the one who will open the door to the light.

01:20:20.483 --> 01:20:25.303
You ask about the door to Kingdom Hearts that you closed, asking why there are still Heartless running around.

01:20:25.303 --> 01:20:29.243
He says that you stopped an influx of Heartless from flooding the worlds.

01:20:29.243 --> 01:20:34.263
But as long as darkness exists in the hearts of people, then the Heartless will always find a way back.

01:20:34.263 --> 01:20:39.143
Goofy's like, cool, that just means we have to eliminate all darkness in every person's heart throughout the universe.

01:20:39.363 --> 01:20:42.663
You're going to be the champion of light and the herald of darkness.

01:20:42.663 --> 01:20:44.163
Oh, no.

01:20:45.823 --> 01:20:53.643
Yen Sid then goes on to explain the Heartless, saying that if someone such as Donald were to succumb to the darkness, he too would become one.

01:20:53.643 --> 01:21:03.383
If someone who is strong of heart and will becomes a Heartless, meaning not everyone, then they will sometimes leave behind what is called a nobody.

01:21:03.383 --> 01:21:09.663
It's an empty husk that sort of lives and acts of its own accord, much like a Heartless, just the opposite.

01:21:09.663 --> 01:21:10.643
They don't really exist.

01:21:10.643 --> 01:21:17.983
They don't have real feelings or a heart, but they like to pretend they have hearts and feelings to trick others into trusting them.

01:21:17.983 --> 01:21:19.183
So don't be fooled by them.

01:21:19.183 --> 01:21:20.643
I think that's just a narcissist.

01:21:20.643 --> 01:21:22.783
Right.

01:21:22.783 --> 01:21:28.163
You will mostly encounter dusk type nobodies on your adventure, as most hearts aren't that strong.

01:21:28.163 --> 01:21:33.383
But there are other nobodies out there that are near impossible to distinguish from a regular person.

01:21:33.383 --> 01:21:37.723
The strongest nobodies have formed a group called Organization XIII.

01:21:37.723 --> 01:21:40.803
They can control the dusks and other lesser nobodies.

01:21:40.823 --> 01:21:41.923
Oh.

01:21:41.923 --> 01:21:49.003
Even though you encountered them in Castle Oblivion, you don't remember much from that time, so you don't recall ever meeting someone from Organization XIII.

01:21:49.003 --> 01:21:53.443
Sora got a factory reset, so it's reasonable that a few things slipped his mind.

01:21:53.443 --> 01:21:54.743
Oh, his mind is fucked.

01:21:54.743 --> 01:21:55.983
Yeah.

01:21:55.983 --> 01:22:03.863
King Mickey is currently trying to figure out what the organization's ultimate goal is, by going world to world, fighting heartless, and trying to find more information.

01:22:03.863 --> 01:22:04.043
Yeah.

01:22:04.923 --> 01:22:10.763
Yen Sid says it's time for you to depart, but before you go, your clothes are too tight.

01:22:10.763 --> 01:22:12.303
You look crazy.

01:22:12.303 --> 01:22:15.123
Yeah, you're gonna need some more appropriate traveling gear.

01:22:15.123 --> 01:22:19.883
He sends you into the next room, where you find a trio of fairies any fan of Sleeping Beauty will recognize.

01:22:20.663 --> 01:22:24.123
So, Andrea, you knew Aurora was Sleeping Beauty.

01:22:24.123 --> 01:22:25.423
Who are the fairies?

01:22:28.403 --> 01:22:32.103
Green, blue, and pink.

01:22:32.403 --> 01:22:35.583
That is, Flora, Fauna, and Merriweather.

01:22:35.583 --> 01:22:36.423
It's cultural.

01:22:36.423 --> 01:22:37.203
Yes.

01:22:37.203 --> 01:22:43.543
They make you some new duds, telling you that these new clothes have some special abilities that will unlock while you're on your journey.

01:22:43.543 --> 01:22:46.423
These women don't work well together traditionally.

01:22:46.423 --> 01:22:47.583
No, they do not.

01:22:47.583 --> 01:22:51.763
It took them an entire day to make a bad cake.

01:22:53.703 --> 01:22:55.323
A total failure of a cake, right?

01:22:55.323 --> 01:22:55.603
Yeah.

01:22:55.603 --> 01:22:59.683
I don't have a lot of faith in them settling on a teenager's outfit well.

01:23:00.583 --> 01:23:08.963
Well, the three argue over the best look for you to wear, blasting you with their wands over and over again while you stand there taking it, changing colors.

01:23:08.963 --> 01:23:17.463
You tell them to get on with it, and they do one final swish together, leaving you in your far cooler black, gold, red and gray outfit.

01:23:17.463 --> 01:23:20.983
These new clothes give you the access to drive abilities.

01:23:20.983 --> 01:23:22.283
Oh, you can drive now?

01:23:22.283 --> 01:23:23.083
No, not a car.

01:23:23.083 --> 01:23:25.163
Okay, because you usually have to be 16.

01:23:25.163 --> 01:23:31.583
While in battle, you can eliminate one of your companions, which changes based on the ability you want to use.

01:23:31.583 --> 01:23:40.003
In doing so, your fit changes colors, and you gain a bunch of new abilities for a short period of time, making you far stronger and more capable.

01:23:40.003 --> 01:23:46.043
Abilities include dual wielding keyblades, floating through the air, or having immense magical powers.

01:23:46.043 --> 01:23:47.363
That's sick.

01:23:47.363 --> 01:23:48.483
But be careful.

01:23:48.483 --> 01:23:52.603
Overuse can turn you into a feral ass, heartless version of Sora.

01:23:52.603 --> 01:23:56.383
It'll fuck up bad guys, but you have very little control over what you can do in that form.

01:23:56.723 --> 01:23:58.183
Oh, bummer.

01:23:58.183 --> 01:24:02.783
As you are getting fitted, a raven is watching you from a window sill high up in the room.

01:24:02.783 --> 01:24:05.043
It takes in the scene and flies off.

01:24:05.043 --> 01:24:06.163
Uh-oh.

01:24:06.163 --> 01:24:09.463
Now that you're dressed, Yen Sid calls you back into his office.

01:24:09.463 --> 01:24:12.503
Floating outside his window is your trusty gummy ship.

01:24:12.503 --> 01:24:20.743
Yen Sid explains that the gummy ship will need to find new paths to the different worlds you'll be visiting, saying that heartless and nobody's alike are trying to do the same.

01:24:20.743 --> 01:24:23.243
So you'll be fighting them while flying between worlds.

01:24:23.243 --> 01:24:23.783
That's cool.

01:24:24.543 --> 01:24:29.283
Honestly, I said I love the gummy ship stuff in the first game and it's only better in the second.

01:24:29.283 --> 01:24:37.803
Still divisive to many as it feels so out of place with the rest of the game, but it's honestly such a nice break from the relatively repetitive nature of the game itself.

01:24:37.803 --> 01:24:40.263
And for me personally, it's a highlight of the franchise.

01:24:40.263 --> 01:24:45.803
You love that though, like the thing you love the most about Dave the Diver is that there's different kind of ways you can play the game.

01:24:45.803 --> 01:24:48.363
So I think you just like variety in a title.

01:24:48.363 --> 01:24:49.143
I think I really do.

01:24:49.143 --> 01:24:52.303
I said the same thing about Stray and how each hour is different from the last.

01:24:52.303 --> 01:24:52.523
Yeah.

01:24:53.583 --> 01:24:56.443
The three of you jump in the gummy ship and take off.

01:24:56.443 --> 01:25:00.363
But inside the tower, the raven returns to the three fairies.

01:25:00.363 --> 01:25:03.383
It's carrying a giant black cape in its claws.

01:25:03.383 --> 01:25:05.763
The fairies panic, saying it looks familiar.

01:25:05.763 --> 01:25:08.363
Then one says, is that Malif?

01:25:08.363 --> 01:25:11.503
But another stops her, saying, that bitch is like Freddy Krueger.

01:25:11.503 --> 01:25:14.523
If we remember her name, she comes back to life.

01:25:15.723 --> 01:25:18.123
Also, what would you give for Freddy Krueger to enter this franchise?

01:25:18.123 --> 01:25:20.683
Oh my God, right?

01:25:20.683 --> 01:25:21.563
Of all the horrors.

01:25:21.803 --> 01:25:23.483
Kingdom Hearts, Nightmare Edition.

01:25:23.483 --> 01:25:24.903
Oh, that'd be great.

01:25:24.903 --> 01:25:26.443
The third says, it's too late.

01:25:26.443 --> 01:25:28.883
We already remembered Maleficent's name.

01:25:28.883 --> 01:25:31.823
At that, the cape begins to stand.

01:25:31.823 --> 01:25:38.643
The fairies run off to tell Yen Sid as Maleficent forms, reborn, laughing that incredibly evil laugh in the tower by herself.

01:25:38.643 --> 01:25:39.643
Oh, she's so good.

01:25:39.643 --> 01:25:48.043
This also solidifies the Coco lore and mythology that once you are forgotten, you don't exist, and they remembered her into existence.

01:25:48.043 --> 01:25:49.323
Yeah, that can happen.

01:25:49.323 --> 01:25:50.223
Coco confirmed.

01:25:50.863 --> 01:25:57.563
Back on the Gummy Ship, the only path you see open is to a place you've been to before, Hollow Bastion.

01:25:57.563 --> 01:26:03.163
It was one of the final worlds where most of the final fantasy characters and Kairi were originally from.

01:26:03.163 --> 01:26:09.423
Since you saved the universe, it has become a nice little town with shops and a big sprawling canyon that surrounds it.

01:26:09.423 --> 01:26:13.843
In the distance is a castle, where Pete is seen sneaking around looking for Maleficent.

01:26:14.123 --> 01:26:15.043
Fucking Pete!

01:26:15.043 --> 01:26:18.383
Trying to confirm if what you said about her death is true.

01:26:18.383 --> 01:26:22.603
In town, the three of you explore a bit, not recognizing the new layout.

01:26:22.603 --> 01:26:28.923
You decide to go visit Leon and the others to see how things are going, seeing as you find a few heartless almost immediately.

01:26:28.923 --> 01:26:33.723
You wander around and fight some nobodies, eventually running into your old friend, Yuffie.

01:26:33.723 --> 01:26:38.543
She says that Leon and the others are at Merlin's house working on some new projects.

01:26:38.543 --> 01:26:41.643
You enter a house where you find a few final fantasy characters working together.

01:26:42.363 --> 01:26:54.263
There's Aerith, Leon, and the Sid from VII, with Sid being a character name used in every single final fantasy game except the first, which is why I need to specify in his case.

01:26:54.263 --> 01:26:56.503
They welcome you back saying, it's crazy.

01:26:56.503 --> 01:27:00.303
Up until a couple of days ago, nobody remembered you at all.

01:27:00.303 --> 01:27:04.423
Then all of a sudden their memories all came flooding back at the same time.

01:27:04.423 --> 01:27:07.823
Sid's like, were you guys in cold storage or something?

01:27:07.823 --> 01:27:10.863
You guys all just blush sheepishly because like, yeah, kind of.

01:27:11.143 --> 01:27:14.323
Yeah, we're in a chrysalis of memories.

01:27:14.323 --> 01:27:17.323
You ask if they've seen Riku and the King and they say no.

01:27:17.323 --> 01:27:18.943
They need your help in the meantime.

01:27:18.943 --> 01:27:25.723
They're the members of the Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee, and there's an obvious heartless and nobody problem going on around here.

01:27:25.723 --> 01:27:29.583
Merlin shows up and gives you your honorary membership card since you'll be helping them out.

01:27:29.583 --> 01:27:30.703
Is it a legitimate card?

01:27:30.703 --> 01:27:32.143
It's an actual card, yeah.

01:27:32.143 --> 01:27:34.063
I love that they have merch.

01:27:34.063 --> 01:27:38.083
He's also disappointed you forgot how to do magic, but promises to help you relearn everything.

01:27:38.083 --> 01:27:40.203
Naminé, come on, you got to get the fun shit too.

01:27:40.523 --> 01:27:41.443
Yeah.

01:27:41.443 --> 01:27:43.883
Leon asks you to join him on a balcony.

01:27:43.883 --> 01:27:46.843
From there, you can see Maleficent's castle in the distance.

01:27:46.843 --> 01:27:51.823
It has a moat surrounding it, but the moat isn't full of water or even lava.

01:27:51.823 --> 01:27:56.423
It's a sea of mostly black with little yellow dots speckled throughout.

01:27:56.423 --> 01:28:02.863
A moat of millions of heartless, moving as if a body of water.

01:28:02.863 --> 01:28:09.143
Leon says it's hard to restore Hollow Bastion when he's competing with that, but now that you're here, he's sure it won't be too hard.

01:28:09.763 --> 01:28:13.783
You explained that Pete is the one who recruited all those heartless, and he's an idiot.

01:28:13.783 --> 01:28:14.903
Yeah.

01:28:14.903 --> 01:28:20.843
The real danger is a group called Organization XIII, as they're the ones who control the nobodies.

01:28:20.843 --> 01:28:23.823
And they're not only smart, but cunning too.

01:28:23.823 --> 01:28:26.683
As if summoned, a couple nobodies appear.

01:28:26.683 --> 01:28:31.683
You draw your keyblade as a group of them surround you, Leon fighting by your side for the first time ever.

01:28:31.683 --> 01:28:41.043
After the fight, you hear voices laughing at you, saying how bad you are with the keyblade, saying someone with more capable hands would do a much better job.

01:28:41.043 --> 01:28:43.423
Everyone's got something to fucking say.

01:28:43.423 --> 01:28:44.823
Yeah.

01:28:44.823 --> 01:28:46.143
Everyone's got a fucking opinion.

01:28:46.683 --> 01:28:49.983
Whoever said that, they're a Redditor or some shit.

01:28:49.983 --> 01:28:51.303
Neckbeard.

01:28:51.303 --> 01:28:54.783
You call the disembodied voices cowards, telling them to show themselves.

01:28:54.783 --> 01:28:55.803
Hell yeah.

01:28:55.803 --> 01:29:05.123
High up on the top of a large stone wall, six portals appear and organization members of all shapes and sizes appear with their black hoods over their heads.

01:29:05.123 --> 01:29:06.183
You're like, good.

01:29:06.183 --> 01:29:09.143
Now that you're all here, we can kill you.

01:29:09.143 --> 01:29:12.083
They laugh and vanish, leaving one behind.

01:29:12.083 --> 01:29:15.663
He's got a bit of a Beach Boys surfer accent as he taunts you.

01:29:15.663 --> 01:29:21.843
You tell him to shut up and fight, but he laughs saying, wow, he used to give me the exact same look.

01:29:21.843 --> 01:29:24.683
You tell him that saying really random stuff isn't going to psych you out.

01:29:24.683 --> 01:29:25.123
Now let's go.

01:29:26.583 --> 01:29:29.863
He says, okay, then disappears into a portal.

01:29:29.863 --> 01:29:33.963
Suddenly, your Restoration Committee member card begins to glow bright.

01:29:33.963 --> 01:29:37.623
It floats into the sky and becomes a giant keyhole.

01:29:37.623 --> 01:29:40.263
You use your keyblade to unlock it.

01:29:40.263 --> 01:29:44.063
This allows you to now access other worlds via the Gummi ship.

01:29:44.063 --> 01:29:46.743
The first game had you locking the doors.

01:29:46.743 --> 01:29:49.123
This game has you opening them.

01:29:49.123 --> 01:29:52.383
Lots of opposites as nobodies are also the opposite of the Heartless.

01:29:53.983 --> 01:30:02.643
In the Organization's Throne Room, the members reconvene to discuss their encounter with you, saying they're astonished at how young the Keyblade Master is.

01:30:02.643 --> 01:30:12.023
The one in the tallest of the thrones takes over the conversation, saying that if the Keyblade Master has embarked on a new journey, that it's the Organization's job to make sure it's one he will remember.

01:30:12.023 --> 01:30:15.263
We're now entering the Wonderful Worlds of Disney portion of the gameplay.

01:30:15.263 --> 01:30:17.543
It's really a shame they didn't use the Upkot Ball.

01:30:17.543 --> 01:30:18.103
Yeah, right?

01:30:18.103 --> 01:30:19.483
Oh, that would be so good.

01:30:19.483 --> 01:30:20.923
It's already around Portal.

01:30:20.923 --> 01:30:21.543
Come on.

01:30:22.543 --> 01:30:32.203
Each world being a different Disney property, once again, they mostly follow the major plot points of their respective movie, with some minor changes made to accommodate Sora and the Heartless.

01:30:32.203 --> 01:30:42.003
But there's not a lot of overarching plot relevance to these worlds, so I'll be skipping over most of what happens on them, as they're basically side quests to get you back onto the main storyline.

01:30:42.003 --> 01:30:44.343
Yeah, and the grind, I get you.

01:30:44.343 --> 01:30:46.343
Yeah, it's a lot of grinding.

01:30:46.343 --> 01:30:53.403
For example, the first accessible world is Mulan's, which is wild because that story takes place in real China.

01:30:53.403 --> 01:30:55.283
Yeah.

01:30:55.283 --> 01:30:56.883
Yeah, they're trying to defeat the Huns.

01:30:56.883 --> 01:30:58.843
Yeah, exactly.

01:30:58.843 --> 01:31:01.083
They did a whole song and dance about it.

01:31:01.083 --> 01:31:08.103
It picks up after she's already started posing as a man in order to enlist in the army, and then basically follows the movie's plot from there.

01:31:08.103 --> 01:31:15.143
Her dragon companion, Mushu, knows you as he was a summon in the first game, so you've worked together before and he vouches for you with Mulan.

01:31:15.143 --> 01:31:21.923
There is a funny moment too where Goofy just flat out goes, so like you're a girl pretending to be a boy, right?

01:31:21.923 --> 01:31:24.043
Sees through her shit immediately.

01:31:24.043 --> 01:31:26.003
And you and Donald both go, what?

01:31:26.003 --> 01:31:27.103
You're a girl?

01:31:27.103 --> 01:31:27.803
Stop.

01:31:27.803 --> 01:31:29.803
I think that's trans inclusive.

01:31:29.803 --> 01:31:31.283
I don't know.

01:31:31.283 --> 01:31:31.983
They say that?

01:31:31.983 --> 01:31:34.123
No.

01:31:34.123 --> 01:31:42.423
Also, Ming-Na Wen did reprise her role as Mulan, but Eddie Murphy did not as playing Donkey paid way more than playing Mushu.

01:31:43.803 --> 01:31:47.343
But like I said, it's mostly the same story outside silly moments like that.

01:31:47.503 --> 01:31:52.763
And I don't need to recap it for everyone, as all those movies are available on Disney Plus, then you can watch them anytime.

01:31:52.763 --> 01:31:53.683
Stop plugging Disney.

01:31:53.683 --> 01:31:54.863
They don't need more money.

01:31:54.863 --> 01:31:56.163
I just don't want them to sue us.

01:31:56.163 --> 01:31:57.843
So I want to plug them as much as I can.

01:31:57.843 --> 01:31:58.123
Yes.

01:31:58.123 --> 01:32:00.383
Thank you, Disney.

01:32:00.383 --> 01:32:05.743
After wrapping up with Mulan, you check out Beast's castle where he and Belle are having some issues.

01:32:05.743 --> 01:32:07.183
Marital issues.

01:32:07.183 --> 01:32:10.383
Beast is being a dick having locked up all his employees.

01:32:10.383 --> 01:32:10.923
Why?

01:32:10.923 --> 01:32:11.423
What?

01:32:11.423 --> 01:32:11.663
Yeah.

01:32:11.663 --> 01:32:13.603
And Belle doesn't want to deal with his attitude.

01:32:13.603 --> 01:32:17.323
Are his employees in their human form or are they still like teapots and shit?

01:32:17.523 --> 01:32:18.863
They're all still in their teapot era.

01:32:18.863 --> 01:32:20.123
Okay, got you.

01:32:20.123 --> 01:32:27.223
An Organization member named Zalden is also filling Beast's head with lies about Belle trying to steal or destroy the rose.

01:32:27.223 --> 01:32:31.863
All in an effort to turn Beast into a heartless and thereby a nobody they can control.

01:32:31.863 --> 01:32:38.903
Once you tell Beast what Zalden has been doing to him, he quickly overcomes the brainwashing and joins you for the rest of the pretty standard finale.

01:32:38.903 --> 01:32:39.443
Cool.

01:32:39.443 --> 01:32:43.503
Resulting in a heartless boss battle and you opening another lock to the next world.

01:32:43.503 --> 01:32:50.923
You tell them to let you know if they hear from the Organization, Riku or King Mickey and head back to the Hollow Bastion as Merlin has something he wants to show you.

01:32:50.923 --> 01:32:56.703
For some reason, they decided to bring back the Hundred Acre Woods for some more adventures with Winnie the Pooh.

01:32:56.703 --> 01:32:58.263
You hated this level last time.

01:32:58.263 --> 01:32:59.523
I hated it last time.

01:32:59.523 --> 01:33:01.503
I hate it this time.

01:33:01.503 --> 01:33:02.943
Do you not like Winnie the Pooh?

01:33:02.943 --> 01:33:05.723
I don't have any issues with Winnie the Pooh in general.

01:33:05.723 --> 01:33:08.483
This game makes me have issues with Winnie the Pooh.

01:33:08.483 --> 01:33:09.243
Okay, fair enough.

01:33:09.243 --> 01:33:11.063
It's just this iteration.

01:33:11.223 --> 01:33:14.743
Yeah, Merlin found his storybook and was trying to preserve it.

01:33:14.743 --> 01:33:18.683
Then some heartless attack your group, ripping pages out and running off with them.

01:33:18.683 --> 01:33:28.383
It's slow, it's boring, and it takes the whole game to complete as you need to find torn pages of Pooh's book scattered across the different worlds that then unlock more terrible mini games in his world.

01:33:28.383 --> 01:33:30.543
The Pooh stuff is everywhere and you gotta fix it.

01:33:30.543 --> 01:33:33.223
Yeah, fuck Winnie the Pooh in tigger 2.

01:33:33.223 --> 01:33:40.083
I say all that only to follow up with, it's still somehow only the second worst world in Kingdom Hearts 2.

01:33:41.023 --> 01:33:43.983
With as much disdain as you have in your heart.

01:33:43.983 --> 01:33:46.183
You're like, it still beats this other shit.

01:33:46.183 --> 01:33:51.543
The worst being Atlantica from The Little Mermaid for reasons we're gonna go into later.

01:33:51.543 --> 01:33:52.703
Oh, okay.

01:33:52.703 --> 01:33:59.443
Fortunately, neither world is necessary to beating the game and you can completely skip them with zero consequence.

01:33:59.443 --> 01:34:00.183
Nice.

01:34:00.183 --> 01:34:05.283
However, one place you can't skip is the Olympus Coliseum from Hercules.

01:34:05.283 --> 01:34:12.323
For some reason, Hercules seems to be the only Disney franchise immune to the Kingdom Hearts formula of repeating the same story from every movie.

01:34:12.323 --> 01:34:13.083
Oh, okay.

01:34:13.083 --> 01:34:17.083
It always gets its own original story using the characters from the Hercules franchise.

01:34:17.083 --> 01:34:18.143
That's pretty cool.

01:34:18.143 --> 01:34:21.003
In this iteration, you don't land at the Coliseum.

01:34:21.003 --> 01:34:23.483
You land inside an underground cave.

01:34:23.483 --> 01:34:26.983
Or I guess a better term would be Underworld Cave.

01:34:27.003 --> 01:34:29.483
Oh, we're gonna see Hades, aren't we?

01:34:29.483 --> 01:34:36.063
You meet Meg and she tells you Hercules has been working overtime in the Coliseum as Hades is sending an onslaught of challengers.

01:34:36.843 --> 01:34:40.603
So you decide to travel through the Underworld to tell him to knock it off.

01:34:40.603 --> 01:34:46.803
Pete is here too, working with Hades to try and defeat Hercules, so he turns into a Heartless and Pete can recruit him.

01:34:46.803 --> 01:34:51.483
But Hercules keeps winning, and soon the Underworld is going to be standing room only.

01:34:51.483 --> 01:34:55.963
So Pete suggests sending in someone who is already dead.

01:34:55.963 --> 01:35:00.243
Hades is like, damn, it's actually a really good idea.

01:35:00.243 --> 01:35:09.403
The problem with that idea for the gamer though, is that it's a gigantic, massive, monumental spoiler for the game Final Fantasy X.

01:35:09.403 --> 01:35:10.783
Oh, bummer.

01:35:10.783 --> 01:35:14.523
So I apologize to anyone who hasn't played it, but was planning to.

01:35:14.523 --> 01:35:15.503
You've had your time.

01:35:15.503 --> 01:35:16.303
Yeah.

01:35:16.303 --> 01:35:27.703
Hades summons an older man with salt and pepper hair and a big scar across his right eye, likely in his early 50s, who has one arm in a sling and his other holding a 10 foot sword over his shoulder.

01:35:27.703 --> 01:35:28.783
That's so fucking cool.

01:35:29.163 --> 01:35:32.763
Canonically, he's 35, but he looks far older.

01:35:32.763 --> 01:35:38.163
He's also one of the most badass motherfuckers to ever come out of a Final Fantasy game.

01:35:38.163 --> 01:35:41.523
The unsent one himself, Orin.

01:35:41.523 --> 01:35:45.563
Andrea, I know that means nothing to you, but I promise to those who know this is a big deal.

01:35:45.563 --> 01:35:46.843
I'll act surprised.

01:35:46.843 --> 01:35:48.263
Okay.

01:35:48.263 --> 01:35:49.543
Thank you.

01:35:49.543 --> 01:35:56.483
Hades says he has a job for Orin, and Orin says that this is his story, and Hades isn't a part of it.

01:35:56.483 --> 01:35:57.843
Hades tells him to watch his tone.

01:35:58.123 --> 01:36:00.303
He's the lord of the Underworld after all.

01:36:00.303 --> 01:36:03.723
To which Orin responds, no wonder no one wants to die.

01:36:04.803 --> 01:36:06.123
I like that he's a prick.

01:36:06.123 --> 01:36:08.543
Immediately, Orin tries to kill Hades.

01:36:08.543 --> 01:36:09.223
That's what's up.

01:36:09.223 --> 01:36:11.403
And you enter the room as they're fighting one another.

01:36:11.403 --> 01:36:14.003
And they're like, come on, Zagreus is going to do this in the next game.

01:36:14.003 --> 01:36:14.463
Calm down.

01:36:14.463 --> 01:36:16.383
Yeah.

01:36:16.383 --> 01:36:23.663
Orin fights at your side, but Hades is in his kingdom, and he has the ability to prevent any damage to himself while you're in his kingdom.

01:36:23.663 --> 01:36:28.943
So you all escape the Underworld, kiting Hades along, hoping he'll follow you and have a fighting chance.

01:36:28.943 --> 01:36:32.663
But Hades shuts the door to the Underworld, trapping you inside.

01:36:32.663 --> 01:36:37.803
Sending in his most faithful and loyal servant, the three-headed good boy.

01:36:37.803 --> 01:36:39.103
Oh, mother fuck you.

01:36:39.103 --> 01:36:41.223
Cerberus.

01:36:41.223 --> 01:36:43.783
Well, Orin's like, yo, I really want to fight Cerberus.

01:36:43.783 --> 01:36:45.003
Fuck you.

01:36:47.963 --> 01:36:49.363
Settle, settle, settle.

01:36:49.363 --> 01:36:49.963
I'm good.

01:36:49.963 --> 01:36:54.623
While they fight, you use the keyblade to unlock the door to the Underworld, then head back to help Orin.

01:36:56.003 --> 01:37:02.503
After beating him down, you run through the door, shutting it behind you, and stick your tongue out at Cerberus as it closes in his faces.

01:37:02.503 --> 01:37:02.863
Good.

01:37:02.863 --> 01:37:04.243
Tease the dog.

01:37:04.243 --> 01:37:10.703
Hades had seen all this go down from his throne room and asks Pete if that keyblade can really unlock any lock.

01:37:10.703 --> 01:37:12.983
Pete confirms, which gives Hades an idea.

01:37:12.983 --> 01:37:15.483
He's gonna go break into a bunch of mailboxes.

01:37:17.323 --> 01:37:22.263
No, the Underworld has its own Colosseum, but Zeus locked it up centuries ago.

01:37:23.343 --> 01:37:31.003
Maybe if they trick Sora into unlocking it, they can have tournaments of their own down here in the Underworld, or they can rig the games however they want.

01:37:31.003 --> 01:37:38.263
Now, if you remember back to our episode on the game Hades, Meg or Megira was a character in that game as well.

01:37:38.263 --> 01:37:42.443
That's because Meg is a Chthonic god, meaning she belongs to the Underworld.

01:37:42.443 --> 01:37:44.423
Oh, I love that word, Chthonic.

01:37:44.423 --> 01:37:51.743
In the Disney version of the character, she escaped the Underworld to be an ally to Hercules, but she's still partially beholden to the Underworld.

01:37:52.443 --> 01:37:57.063
And Hades decides to try and use her as a lure to get you to open the Underworld Coliseum.

01:37:57.063 --> 01:37:59.403
And that's the gospel truth.

01:37:59.403 --> 01:38:06.983
You head back to Hercules while he's between matches, and he tells you there's a magic stone that the gods of Mount Olympus used to negate Hades' protection spell.

01:38:06.983 --> 01:38:11.423
He offers it to you warning that Hades is still really powerful even with the stone.

01:38:11.423 --> 01:38:15.243
But when he goes to fetch it, the Olympus stone is missing.

01:38:15.243 --> 01:38:18.423
A guard's saying they saw someone in a black hood running off.

01:38:18.423 --> 01:38:22.363
Hades appears telling you that he kidnapped Meg and took her to the Underworld.

01:38:22.363 --> 01:38:26.663
But he also submitted the dreaded Hydra to go up against Hercules in the Colosseum.

01:38:26.663 --> 01:38:34.223
So he can either go rescue Meg or protect the Colosseum and its spectators from total destruction by staying and fighting the Hydra.

01:38:34.223 --> 01:38:38.683
Hercules asks if you would go after Meg while he stays back and fights the Hydra, to which you agree.

01:38:38.683 --> 01:38:40.383
Go get my girlfriend.

01:38:40.383 --> 01:38:43.423
In the Underworld, you find the person in the black hood.

01:38:43.423 --> 01:38:46.703
They pull it back, revealing a young guy with a Gen Z mullet.

01:38:48.203 --> 01:38:49.623
He looks at you calling you Roxas.

01:38:50.623 --> 01:38:56.183
When you question him on why he keeps calling you Roxas, he pulls out a card and starts reading.

01:38:56.183 --> 01:39:00.023
If the subject does not respond, use aggressive force.

01:39:00.023 --> 01:39:01.183
Uh-oh.

01:39:01.183 --> 01:39:04.723
He sighs because he hates violence and isn't much of a fighter.

01:39:04.723 --> 01:39:09.143
After you defeat him, he dips out through a portal saying, come back to us, Roxas, we miss you.

01:39:10.243 --> 01:39:12.183
You're like, what was that guy's deal?

01:39:12.183 --> 01:39:16.783
But at least he left behind the Olympus Stone, so now you can fight in the Underworld more effectively.

01:39:16.783 --> 01:39:20.463
You find where Meg is being held and disable the lock keeping her captive.

01:39:20.463 --> 01:39:26.443
Hades shows up saying, that was easy, and thanks you, leaving you to fight Pete and some heartless.

01:39:26.443 --> 01:39:29.003
After some fighting, everyone escapes.

01:39:29.003 --> 01:39:34.083
Hades appears alone saying, you should probably check on that Hydra Hercules left playing dead back up top.

01:39:34.083 --> 01:39:35.163
Uh-oh.

01:39:35.163 --> 01:39:38.803
You get there, and the Olympic Coliseum is completely destroyed.

01:39:38.803 --> 01:39:39.883
Oh shit.

01:39:39.883 --> 01:39:41.383
Reduced to rubble.

01:39:42.403 --> 01:39:44.403
Hercules collapses in defeat.

01:39:44.403 --> 01:39:48.823
You kill the Hydra for real this time, along with the help of all your Grecian friends.

01:39:48.823 --> 01:39:55.843
Hercules thanks you for the help, and agrees to let you know if Hades does anything else stupid, or if the Organization or King Mickey show up.

01:39:55.843 --> 01:39:59.263
You unlock the next path, and board the Gummi ship.

01:39:59.263 --> 01:40:08.923
Meanwhile, in Disney Castle, Queen Minnie is in the Royal Library reading, when Chip and Dale come running in saying there's a problem in the Hall of the Cornerstone, and she has to come quick.

01:40:09.623 --> 01:40:13.223
She enters the hall and sees dark, black, thorny briars everywhere.

01:40:13.223 --> 01:40:14.323
Oh, shit.

01:40:14.323 --> 01:40:18.503
She sends Donald and Goofy a distress signal, asking for them to come help.

01:40:18.503 --> 01:40:24.063
Disney Castle was supposed to be a playable world in the first game, as data miners have found the map in the game's code.

01:40:24.063 --> 01:40:24.923
Oh, cool.

01:40:24.923 --> 01:40:27.043
But for whatever reason, it was scrapped.

01:40:27.043 --> 01:40:31.743
This is a really cool original Disney Zone, as it's not attached to any specific film or series.

01:40:31.743 --> 01:40:35.083
It's just a general Disney area featuring the House of Mouse characters.

01:40:35.083 --> 01:40:36.503
That's great.

01:40:36.503 --> 01:40:40.823
You enter a topiary garden, and it's just littered with Heartless.

01:40:40.823 --> 01:40:45.563
Donald and Goofy are shook because this place is supposed to be sacred and safe.

01:40:45.563 --> 01:40:49.583
You fight your way to the Queen's quarters, where she has hidden herself away safely.

01:40:49.583 --> 01:40:54.903
Donald and Goofy introduce you to Minnie Mouse, and she says she's heard all about you in the King's letters.

01:40:54.903 --> 01:41:00.343
But Heartless showed up so suddenly, she didn't have time to warn the rest of the inhabitants of Disney Castle.

01:41:00.343 --> 01:41:05.063
She tells Donald and Goofy to go make sure everyone is safe, while she takes you to the Hall of the Cornerstone.

01:41:05.763 --> 01:41:08.703
The Hall is underneath the Throne Room in a hidden basement.

01:41:08.703 --> 01:41:15.323
It contains the Cornerstone of Light, an object that Disney Castle was built over in order to keep safe.

01:41:15.323 --> 01:41:20.783
But something has happened, and darkness is overtaking the Hall, dimming the light of the Cornerstone.

01:41:20.783 --> 01:41:25.463
Donald and Goofy join you in the Hall as you inspect the vines overtaking the room.

01:41:25.463 --> 01:41:29.263
The Queen says it has to be the work of someone truly evil.

01:41:29.263 --> 01:41:32.683
A green flame appears and Maleficent manifests inside the room with you.

01:41:33.003 --> 01:41:35.123
You rang?

01:41:35.123 --> 01:41:35.943
Good for her.

01:41:35.943 --> 01:41:37.403
She's like, I know my branding.

01:41:37.403 --> 01:41:38.663
I know what I'm wanted.

01:41:38.663 --> 01:41:40.583
She's just sitting in the corner, just waiting for somebody to say her name.

01:41:40.583 --> 01:41:41.743
Yeah, she's like, they're coming up on it.

01:41:41.743 --> 01:41:43.783
They're going to figure out if someone fucked up and it's me.

01:41:43.783 --> 01:41:44.283
Come on.

01:41:44.283 --> 01:41:45.103
Yeah, this is close enough.

01:41:45.103 --> 01:41:46.303
I'm going.

01:41:46.303 --> 01:41:47.483
I love her.

01:41:47.483 --> 01:41:51.863
She greets Queen Minnie saying she's been castle shopping and thought this one would be perfect.

01:41:51.863 --> 01:41:53.803
That's such a cunty opening too.

01:41:53.803 --> 01:41:56.563
Oh, gosh, she's cool.

01:41:56.563 --> 01:41:59.163
It's just a little too bright for her taste.

01:41:59.163 --> 01:42:01.383
So she's going to make this room as dark as possible.

01:42:02.243 --> 01:42:04.103
Hope she doesn't mind.

01:42:04.103 --> 01:42:08.663
Donald tries to attack Maleficent, but she's just a projection and isn't really here.

01:42:08.663 --> 01:42:12.243
She vanishes laughing saying she can't wait to move in.

01:42:12.243 --> 01:42:17.723
Minnie asks you to go back to Hollow Bastion to see if Merlin knows anything about the dark thorns Maleficent has summoned.

01:42:17.723 --> 01:42:19.763
See if he knows how to expel them.

01:42:19.763 --> 01:42:23.783
Which you do very quickly, returning to Queen Minnie almost instantly with Merlin in tow.

01:42:23.783 --> 01:42:25.763
I want Prince Philip to show up.

01:42:25.763 --> 01:42:27.623
You know, like he's dealt with this before.

01:42:28.443 --> 01:42:32.263
You'd think he'd be the primary like source of truth on this.

01:42:32.263 --> 01:42:36.843
Like if Aurora is taking a nap or whatever, grab her man's because he's fixed this.

01:42:36.843 --> 01:42:37.983
He's not doing shit anyway.

01:42:37.983 --> 01:42:38.823
Yeah, what else is he doing?

01:42:38.823 --> 01:42:41.023
He's a fucking prince and his dad's alive.

01:42:41.023 --> 01:42:43.283
Cognitively, the kings are still around.

01:42:43.283 --> 01:42:45.863
Like he's not, he's like the Prince Harry of it.

01:42:45.863 --> 01:42:50.143
Like he doesn't have to step in yet, you know?

01:42:50.143 --> 01:42:54.083
Well, Merlin says the power is coming from the distant past and he doesn't understand it.

01:42:54.843 --> 01:42:57.923
So he opens a doorway to the distant past.

01:42:57.923 --> 01:43:00.803
You step through into the river of time.

01:43:00.823 --> 01:43:01.963
Oh.

01:43:01.963 --> 01:43:08.943
It's all black and white, has film grain over it, and the sound is muffled like the very first Disney cartoons.

01:43:08.943 --> 01:43:14.783
Even your character animations here are different, as you are drawn in the same rubber hose style animation as those early cartoons.

01:43:14.783 --> 01:43:15.603
That's cool.

01:43:15.603 --> 01:43:19.983
With Donald and Goofy each receiving their original designs from each of their first appearances.

01:43:21.223 --> 01:43:24.043
Pete is here as well, but in two versions.

01:43:24.043 --> 01:43:34.543
As you have the Pete from Steamboat Willie running around, as well as Pete from Kingdom Hearts, trying to set up those dark thorns here in the past, so that Maleficent can take over Disney Castle in the future.

01:43:34.543 --> 01:43:35.583
That's too many Peets.

01:43:35.583 --> 01:43:37.823
It is way too many Peets.

01:43:37.823 --> 01:43:45.363
You can also run into the silent era Mickey Mouse here as he cheers you on through the level, but he never speaks and just shakes your hand from time to time.

01:43:45.363 --> 01:43:46.483
That's cool.

01:43:46.483 --> 01:43:54.363
In this world, you have to fight through a few classic Silly Symphony shorts with you ultimately saving the Cornerstone of Light and Disney Castle along with it.

01:43:54.363 --> 01:43:59.583
From there, you head out to visit the rest of the Disney world available to you in the World of Color.

01:43:59.583 --> 01:44:06.003
One of the most unique worlds to join the Kingdom Hearts universe is Port Royal from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

01:44:06.003 --> 01:44:08.363
Oh, I was like, the fuck is Port Royal?

01:44:08.363 --> 01:44:10.003
It's a live action film.

01:44:10.003 --> 01:44:10.663
Yeah.

01:44:10.663 --> 01:44:13.623
They made everyone look as lifelike as possible.

01:44:13.623 --> 01:44:14.263
Oh.

01:44:14.263 --> 01:44:16.483
Except Sora, Donald and Goofy.

01:44:16.483 --> 01:44:18.703
I was just thinking like, please tell me it's a real duck.

01:44:20.003 --> 01:44:24.063
And they put a little hat on him and he's real cranky and he's like, I'm a sailor.

01:44:24.063 --> 01:44:32.223
No, they're three brightly animated cartoon characters in completely different light and shading than everyone else.

01:44:32.223 --> 01:44:33.683
Is it jarring as fuck?

01:44:33.683 --> 01:44:34.843
This part's a little jarring.

01:44:34.843 --> 01:44:41.103
They fixed it in Kingdom Hearts 3 very well, but this one, it's still just like cartoon characters in a real world.

01:44:41.103 --> 01:44:43.203
And then there's just like Johnny Depp in Orlando Blue.

01:44:43.203 --> 01:44:46.383
And you're like, well, clearly you don't belong here.

01:44:46.663 --> 01:44:55.323
I mean, obviously, they didn't get Johnny Depp, Jeffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, or Keira Knightley to reprise their roles, but the replacements are all very adequate.

01:44:55.323 --> 01:44:56.363
We'll call them adequate.

01:44:56.363 --> 01:44:58.203
They got fucking Sir Christopher Lee.

01:44:58.203 --> 01:44:59.063
Like, that's kind of weird.

01:44:59.063 --> 01:45:02.563
They couldn't get Orlando Bloom to leave him a voicemail of lines, you know?

01:45:02.563 --> 01:45:03.963
At least Jeffrey Rush.

01:45:03.963 --> 01:45:05.283
What else is he doing?

01:45:05.283 --> 01:45:13.063
It also offers some cool changes to combat, as when you're battling the cursed pirates, you can only damage them when they step into the moonlight and become skeletons.

01:45:13.063 --> 01:45:13.683
That's cool.

01:45:14.803 --> 01:45:17.523
Pete's here, too, trying to get a bunch of pirate heartless on his team.

01:45:17.523 --> 01:45:19.503
I feel like he would love a pirate heartless.

01:45:19.503 --> 01:45:20.583
Yeah.

01:45:20.583 --> 01:45:27.423
But other than that, it's a pretty direct rehash of the first Pirates movie, repeating entire scenes from the movie almost beat for beat.

01:45:27.423 --> 01:45:30.783
Having to do a parlay both in battle and in the story.

01:45:30.783 --> 01:45:31.663
Yeah.

01:45:31.663 --> 01:45:39.383
One of the scenes earning Kingdom Hearts 2 its use of alcohol label as Barbossa chugs a bottle of wine in his skeleton form, spilling it all over himself.

01:45:39.383 --> 01:45:42.043
That's such a great thing that they do in the movie.

01:45:43.083 --> 01:45:44.203
You kind of can't not do that.

01:45:44.203 --> 01:45:48.583
I fully assumed you'd be like, and then Sora has to find out where all the rum is gone.

01:45:48.603 --> 01:45:49.983
Oh my God.

01:45:51.363 --> 01:45:52.463
But this is more appropriate.

01:45:52.463 --> 01:45:53.003
I get it.

01:45:53.003 --> 01:45:54.543
Way more appropriate.

01:45:54.543 --> 01:45:59.803
It also features Jack Sparrow shooting a gun at Barbossa, killing him.

01:45:59.803 --> 01:46:01.963
Somehow still rated E for everyone.

01:46:01.963 --> 01:46:03.923
Okay.

01:46:03.923 --> 01:46:07.683
Since we're already talking water worlds, let's get the worst one out of the way.

01:46:07.683 --> 01:46:08.443
Let's dive in.

01:46:09.103 --> 01:46:12.903
Atlantica, home of Ariel, of The Little Mermaid.

01:46:12.903 --> 01:46:14.883
This isn't even a real map.

01:46:14.883 --> 01:46:21.363
As everyone hated the swimming so much in the first game, they eliminated 99.9% of the gameplay here.

01:46:21.363 --> 01:46:22.463
Hell yeah.

01:46:22.463 --> 01:46:28.843
Instead, Atlantica is home to the worst rhythm game I've ever played in my life.

01:46:28.843 --> 01:46:29.103
Okay.

01:46:29.103 --> 01:46:32.023
Now you are naturally good at rhythm games.

01:46:32.023 --> 01:46:32.583
Thank you.

01:46:32.583 --> 01:46:36.543
I've seen you do incredibly well, S-tier shit on Guitar Hero.

01:46:36.543 --> 01:46:39.123
You had a very long run doing Beat Saber.

01:46:39.123 --> 01:46:45.063
I know you have the dexterity for it, so I take that very heavily when you say, this one fucking sucks.

01:46:45.063 --> 01:46:49.063
You'd think the music of The Little Mermaid would lend itself to a rhythm game.

01:46:49.063 --> 01:46:49.543
Yeah.

01:46:49.543 --> 01:46:55.063
But they only used two songs from the soundtrack and then wrote a bunch of originals.

01:46:55.063 --> 01:46:55.743
No.

01:46:55.743 --> 01:46:57.363
For the other songs you have to play.

01:46:57.363 --> 01:47:00.783
And spoiler alert, they're fucking terrible.

01:47:00.783 --> 01:47:05.503
Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote a rap for fucking Scuttle in the live-action Little Mermaid.

01:47:05.503 --> 01:47:06.923
Is this kind of on that level?

01:47:06.923 --> 01:47:08.263
It's way lower than that.

01:47:08.263 --> 01:47:09.623
Somehow.

01:47:09.623 --> 01:47:13.463
As a fan of rhythm games, this was offensively bad.

01:47:13.463 --> 01:47:17.183
As much as I hate the Winnie the Pooh section, this is far worse.

01:47:17.183 --> 01:47:25.123
And I refused even set Finn on Atlantica when I play this game today, hoping it gets taken over by the Heartless because fuck that world.

01:47:25.123 --> 01:47:26.663
You just want to see them all become sushi.

01:47:26.663 --> 01:47:28.323
They can all die.

01:47:28.323 --> 01:47:34.623
On the other hand, one of my and most fans favorite worlds is Halloweentown from The Nightmare Before Christmas.

01:47:34.623 --> 01:47:36.503
Well, that's just because you're so goth.

01:47:36.503 --> 01:47:43.543
Already acquainted with Jack, he greets you with a Merry Christmas, saying that this year's Halloween is going to have a splash of Christmas to go with it.

01:47:43.543 --> 01:47:45.143
Of course, that's his whole deal.

01:47:45.143 --> 01:47:47.903
He invites you to join him on a visit to Christmas Town.

01:47:47.903 --> 01:47:52.103
He wants Sandy Claus to give his blessing on a Halloweentown Christmas.

01:47:52.103 --> 01:47:57.343
It's a really cool way to revisit a world that never got a sequel or TV series or anything else to lean on.

01:47:57.343 --> 01:47:59.943
It just went with a different part of the story than the first game did.

01:48:00.343 --> 01:48:07.003
What I would give for an open world Nightmare Before Christmas game, where you could go into every single holiday's world.

01:48:07.003 --> 01:48:07.703
It's criminal.

01:48:07.703 --> 01:48:08.943
We haven't seen the other worlds.

01:48:08.943 --> 01:48:10.283
I just want to go to St.

01:48:10.283 --> 01:48:14.483
Patrick's Day World and see all the gold and the shamrocks.

01:48:14.483 --> 01:48:18.703
I want to go to Easter World and eat all the candy and the eggs, you know.

01:48:18.703 --> 01:48:19.863
I want to go to Arbor Day.

01:48:19.863 --> 01:48:21.183
Look at some trees.

01:48:21.183 --> 01:48:22.383
Look at some trees and shit.

01:48:22.383 --> 01:48:23.463
Yeah.

01:48:23.463 --> 01:48:26.323
Well, now here we go to Christmas World only.

01:48:26.323 --> 01:48:31.863
Here you walk into a workshop where you see a man in a big red suit and long white beard.

01:48:31.863 --> 01:48:33.323
Hades.

01:48:33.323 --> 01:48:34.343
No.

01:48:34.343 --> 01:48:36.063
Oh wait, no, I know who this is.

01:48:36.063 --> 01:48:38.003
You know who it always is?

01:48:38.003 --> 01:48:39.603
It was Comstock the whole time.

01:48:39.603 --> 01:48:41.243
No, it's fucking Santa Claus.

01:48:41.243 --> 01:48:42.383
Now it's Santa?

01:48:42.383 --> 01:48:46.623
Because you said, and I quote, We need more games with Santa Claus in them.

01:48:46.623 --> 01:48:47.523
When did I say that?

01:48:47.523 --> 01:48:51.163
I finally set you up to correctly guess Santa Claus and you went and did this instead.

01:48:51.163 --> 01:48:51.743
I give up.

01:48:51.743 --> 01:48:52.763
Take a bio shot, everyone.

01:48:52.763 --> 01:48:54.223
It was Comstock the whole time.

01:48:54.223 --> 01:48:55.783
Honestly, just for that, we're done with Christmastown.

01:48:57.323 --> 01:49:00.223
Christmas is canceled, everyone.

01:49:00.223 --> 01:49:01.083
All right, here.

01:49:01.083 --> 01:49:06.323
Locke, Shock and Barrel are the bad guys this time working with Maleficent and you have to save Halloween Town Christmas.

01:49:06.323 --> 01:49:08.083
You're so upset right now.

01:49:08.083 --> 01:49:12.703
It's too bad, too, because you get a special goth as fuck black Santa Claus outfit and everything.

01:49:12.703 --> 01:49:14.663
Goofy's a reindeer, Donald's a snowman.

01:49:14.683 --> 01:49:15.803
It's fucking adorable.

01:49:15.803 --> 01:49:16.763
That sounds so great.

01:49:16.763 --> 01:49:23.923
But no, now the audience will never know how Maleficent resurrects Oogie Boogie from the dead so he can kidnap Santa in order to transform him from Santa Claus into Santa Heartless.

01:49:25.143 --> 01:49:25.683
Damn.

01:49:25.683 --> 01:49:30.303
It's okay though, because you do save Christmas in the end, and it doesn't really have any impact on the actual story anyway.

01:49:30.303 --> 01:49:31.003
I fixed it.

01:49:31.003 --> 01:49:33.243
You're welcome, everyone.

01:49:33.243 --> 01:49:36.143
Same goes for the pride rock world of Lion King.

01:49:36.143 --> 01:49:40.763
It takes place during adult Simba's story just before returning to defeat Scar.

01:49:40.763 --> 01:49:45.963
The coolest aspect of this level being you get to transform into a lion yourself, and can move really quickly.

01:49:45.963 --> 01:49:47.283
That's fucking sick.

01:49:47.283 --> 01:49:49.803
Overall, there's not a lot of diversion from the movie story.

01:49:49.803 --> 01:49:56.563
It's just add some Heartless to the mix, but it's a really solid section of the game otherwise, and a nice change up to the usual gameplay.

01:49:56.563 --> 01:50:05.143
We also get to go to Agrabah, this time playing through the events of Disney's first ever straight to video sequel, Return of Jafar.

01:50:05.143 --> 01:50:15.283
It's cool in that you at least get a big zone to fly around on the magic carpet, but it's otherwise nothing special in a pretty straightforward stop Jafar and unlock the next path kind of section.

01:50:15.283 --> 01:50:19.163
The final stop on your tour of the worlds is a return visit to Twilight Town.

01:50:20.223 --> 01:50:24.803
As soon as you arrive, Vivi runs by saying there's trouble in the sandlot.

01:50:24.803 --> 01:50:26.363
And it's really Vivi this time, right?

01:50:26.363 --> 01:50:27.343
It's really Vivi this time.

01:50:27.343 --> 01:50:28.363
Okay.

01:50:28.363 --> 01:50:29.543
It's some Heartless.

01:50:29.543 --> 01:50:34.603
So you fight them off, eventually meeting an Organization member who says he's looking for Axel.

01:50:34.603 --> 01:50:38.183
He's gone rogue and is no longer working towards the Organization's best interests.

01:50:38.183 --> 01:50:39.463
Oh, shit.

01:50:39.463 --> 01:50:45.363
He warns you that Axel will stop at nothing to turn you into a Heartless and not to trust him.

01:50:45.363 --> 01:50:51.183
He vanishes through a portal and then Pence approaches you saying that you just missed Kairi.

01:50:51.183 --> 01:50:51.983
Oh, fuck.

01:50:51.983 --> 01:50:53.783
She was here looking for you.

01:50:53.783 --> 01:50:58.163
But then some dude with red hair showed up, telling her that she should leave that to the big kids.

01:50:58.163 --> 01:51:01.083
And then he grabbed her and carried her off back through his own portal.

01:51:01.083 --> 01:51:02.143
Oh, God.

01:51:02.143 --> 01:51:03.003
You're like, cool.

01:51:03.003 --> 01:51:07.303
So Axel has Kairi, which means she's alive and out here looking for you.

01:51:07.303 --> 01:51:09.683
But she's kidnapped, so there's that.

01:51:09.683 --> 01:51:13.943
You unlock the path back to Hollow Bastion and head straight to Merlin's house.

01:51:13.943 --> 01:51:18.663
There are Heartless and nobodies everywhere as the town has gotten more overrun since the last time you were here.

01:51:18.863 --> 01:51:20.163
Ah, shit.

01:51:20.163 --> 01:51:24.523
On the way to Merlin's house, you run into Final Fantasy VII's Cloud Strife.

01:51:24.523 --> 01:51:25.983
He's just wandering around.

01:51:25.983 --> 01:51:29.183
Being all broody and stoic off in a corner.

01:51:29.183 --> 01:51:33.363
He says that he's chasing down his darker half, a man named Sephiroth.

01:51:33.363 --> 01:51:35.983
Who used to be Lance Bass.

01:51:35.983 --> 01:51:37.183
For no fucking reason.

01:51:37.183 --> 01:51:38.003
For no reason.

01:51:38.003 --> 01:51:39.323
I love it.

01:51:39.323 --> 01:51:43.703
You ask what he looks like, and Cloud says he's got long gray hair and carries a big sword.

01:51:43.703 --> 01:51:45.043
And he's tearing up my heart.

01:51:45.043 --> 01:51:48.263
You're like, that describes 90% of Tetsuya Nomura characters.

01:51:48.523 --> 01:51:49.843
You'll need to be more specific.

01:51:49.843 --> 01:51:53.063
You know we're in a Final Fantasy title, right?

01:51:53.063 --> 01:51:56.683
You promised to keep an eye out for him and continue on your way.

01:51:56.683 --> 01:52:04.603
Nobody's at Merlin's house, and there's a note saying they're located a lab deeper into Hollow Bastion, on the road towards Maleficent's castle.

01:52:04.603 --> 01:52:07.563
On the way, you run into Aerith.

01:52:07.563 --> 01:52:13.163
She says they found Ansem's computer, and the king is here messing around with it to see what he can learn.

01:52:13.163 --> 01:52:18.583
All three of you are excited to finally see King Mickey again, and maybe get some answers about where Riku went.

01:52:18.583 --> 01:52:26.803
Aerith points you in the direction of the lab, which is so far around a corner and down a hill, that there's no earthly way you could see where she was pointing.

01:52:26.803 --> 01:52:28.483
She just kind of vaguely gestures.

01:52:28.483 --> 01:52:29.703
Yeah.

01:52:29.703 --> 01:52:33.083
But you head inside and find yourself in a circular office.

01:52:33.083 --> 01:52:36.503
It's been long abandoned having been ransacked over time.

01:52:36.503 --> 01:52:39.343
Books scattered about and cobwebs growing.

01:52:39.343 --> 01:52:42.763
On one of the walls is a portrait of Ansem, looking young and strong.

01:52:44.103 --> 01:52:49.363
Leon appears out of fucking nowhere while your back is turned, and you ask him where the king is.

01:52:49.363 --> 01:52:53.623
He says you'll get to see him soon, but in the meantime, follow him.

01:52:53.623 --> 01:53:01.503
Putting his hand on a wall, a panel disappears, and behind it is a very high tech hallway, similar to the computer lab Diz was using in Twilight Town.

01:53:01.503 --> 01:53:02.603
Cool.

01:53:02.603 --> 01:53:05.143
You find yourselves in a different computer lab.

01:53:05.143 --> 01:53:10.303
This one with a single giant monitor as opposed to a bunch of smaller ones.

01:53:10.303 --> 01:53:16.783
You know nothing about computers, and start bashing your fists into the keyboard, demanding answers.

01:53:16.783 --> 01:53:18.263
I love that for him.

01:53:18.263 --> 01:53:21.903
From above, a visitor comes falling down on top of you.

01:53:21.903 --> 01:53:22.363
Oh?

01:53:22.363 --> 01:53:27.703
It's my all-time favorite Disney character, Stitch, from Lilo and Stitch.

01:53:29.283 --> 01:53:32.643
He dances on the keyboard, causing an alarm to go off.

01:53:32.643 --> 01:53:35.283
We've only abused this piece of machinery.

01:53:35.283 --> 01:53:36.403
Entirely, right?

01:53:36.403 --> 01:53:39.143
Between factory reset Sora and an alien.

01:53:40.103 --> 01:53:43.563
In fact, a voice warns you not to touch the computer anymore.

01:53:43.563 --> 01:53:47.463
So Donald dives after Stitch, touching the computer a whole lot more.

01:53:47.463 --> 01:53:48.723
This is really Donald's fault.

01:53:48.723 --> 01:53:49.603
Perfect.

01:53:49.603 --> 01:53:52.943
Leon tells you to watch out, but it's too late.

01:53:52.943 --> 01:53:57.903
A light shines down on your party, and you each disappear one pixel at a time.

01:53:57.903 --> 01:53:59.143
Including Stitch?

01:53:59.143 --> 01:53:59.823
No, not Stitch.

01:53:59.823 --> 01:54:00.843
Stitch gets away.

01:54:00.843 --> 01:54:02.363
Good for him.

01:54:02.363 --> 01:54:10.263
You get sucked into the computer, where you have to live out the 1980s techno-sci-fi, weird-as-fuck live-action movie, Tron.

01:54:10.263 --> 01:54:12.083
Why is Tron in this?

01:54:12.083 --> 01:54:14.243
I have no fucking clue.

01:54:14.243 --> 01:54:18.083
I have never understood the love for this franchise.

01:54:18.083 --> 01:54:22.363
I don't understand why it is.

01:54:25.223 --> 01:54:27.563
Why does it exist at all?

01:54:27.563 --> 01:54:34.643
See, like, they've gone, like, hard Disney, obviously, Disney, Disney Renaissance, and, like, the animated Princess series, and then Tron?

01:54:34.643 --> 01:54:36.383
And then Tron is thrown in here.

01:54:36.383 --> 01:54:39.563
But, you know, it's about a guy that gets sucked into a video game.

01:54:39.583 --> 01:54:41.463
Ah, OK, I see you.

01:54:41.463 --> 01:54:44.503
I will admit, the light cycle section is pretty cool.

01:54:44.503 --> 01:54:46.143
But, like, the rest of it, I don't get.

01:54:46.143 --> 01:54:48.383
Disney's trying so hard to make Tron a thing.

01:54:48.383 --> 01:54:50.703
I know, and yet not trying at all.

01:54:50.703 --> 01:54:54.803
Well, they put in a ride in Disney World, right?

01:54:54.803 --> 01:54:55.623
Yeah, they did.

01:54:55.623 --> 01:54:56.683
You're on the bike.

01:54:56.683 --> 01:54:59.723
Half-assing it the whole way through this franchise.

01:54:59.723 --> 01:55:04.583
They haven't put out a Tron movie in 15 years, but they're like, hey, guys, remember this?

01:55:04.583 --> 01:55:11.843
You know, it's not like it's one where they're churning sequels out, like trying to do a web series or like comics or any other pieces of media.

01:55:11.843 --> 01:55:14.523
They're really just like, hey, guys, we still have the rights to Tron.

01:55:14.523 --> 01:55:20.623
Do you want a little bit of Tron in very small amounts in weird touch points, but not movies anymore?

01:55:20.623 --> 01:55:21.723
Well, there's a new one coming.

01:55:21.723 --> 01:55:22.223
There is?

01:55:22.223 --> 01:55:22.983
Yeah, there's a new one.

01:55:22.983 --> 01:55:24.143
There's a trailer for it.

01:55:24.143 --> 01:55:27.783
Oh, doesn't look terrible, but also just I don't understand.

01:55:28.143 --> 01:55:29.143
It's so late.

01:55:29.143 --> 01:55:33.323
Like it's the third movie and it's like still following the fucking franchise anyway.

01:55:35.043 --> 01:55:35.703
How do you really feel?

01:55:36.483 --> 01:55:45.543
Well, the biggest change they make to Tron here is that the Master Control Program operates the Hollow Bastion Defense Systems and it's going haywire corrupted by the Heartless.

01:55:45.543 --> 01:55:46.743
Classic Tron shit.

01:55:46.743 --> 01:55:47.163
Right.

01:55:47.163 --> 01:55:54.483
Otherwise, it's once again a bit of a reimagining with you being the person sucked into the video game world, leaving out the movie's actual main character.

01:55:54.483 --> 01:55:55.603
The Tron?

01:55:55.603 --> 01:55:57.783
No, Tron is here and he is a character.

01:55:57.783 --> 01:55:59.203
I thought Tron was the name of the game.

01:55:59.203 --> 01:56:00.263
I don't know shit about Tron.

01:56:00.263 --> 01:56:02.543
I saw the one with Olivia Wilde and Daft Punk.

01:56:02.543 --> 01:56:03.603
I don't fucking know.

01:56:03.603 --> 01:56:04.003
Nope.

01:56:04.003 --> 01:56:05.483
The name of the game is Space Paranoids.

01:56:07.663 --> 01:56:09.183
It's as confusing as Kingdom Hearts.

01:56:09.183 --> 01:56:10.403
Don't worry.

01:56:10.403 --> 01:56:11.363
I'm going to sit this one out.

01:56:11.363 --> 01:56:12.983
Okay.

01:56:12.983 --> 01:56:14.443
I'll be back.

01:56:14.443 --> 01:56:19.323
Well, the character Tron himself is the computer's internal IT guy, essentially.

01:56:19.323 --> 01:56:25.523
The files you need are in this computer, which will give you all sorts of info on the organization as well as the Heartless.

01:56:25.523 --> 01:56:31.383
After all, the user that Tron works for is a man named Ansem the Wise.

01:56:31.383 --> 01:56:36.963
In order to regain control of the system, Tron needs a password that only Ansem the Wise has.

01:56:36.963 --> 01:56:40.643
So you exit the computer to see if you can find it in his office somewhere.

01:56:40.643 --> 01:56:45.283
You tell Leon the situation, he's like, damn, you guys killed Ansem a while back.

01:56:45.283 --> 01:56:47.443
This could be a dead end.

01:56:47.443 --> 01:56:49.463
As dead as Ansem.

01:56:49.463 --> 01:56:53.743
Searching his office, you remove the portrait from the wall to reveal a bunch of writing.

01:56:53.743 --> 01:56:55.643
There's always some shit on the back of a painting.

01:56:55.643 --> 01:56:57.263
We should hide shit behind our art.

01:56:57.263 --> 01:56:59.423
Right, we really should or we shouldn't.

01:56:59.443 --> 01:56:59.583
Oh.

01:57:00.683 --> 01:57:05.883
The most legible of it all, mentioning something called the door to darkness.

01:57:05.883 --> 01:57:09.423
A voice from behind goes, did somebody say door to darkness?

01:57:12.543 --> 01:57:15.563
Have you been waiting for that?

01:57:15.563 --> 01:57:16.923
I love that.

01:57:16.923 --> 01:57:21.863
They're instantly recognizable as it's King Mickey himself wearing an organization cloak.

01:57:21.863 --> 01:57:23.663
Thank you for not doing the voice.

01:57:23.663 --> 01:57:24.983
I did a completely different one, right?

01:57:25.163 --> 01:57:25.523
Yeah.

01:57:25.523 --> 01:57:28.603
Oh, did somebody say no?

01:57:28.603 --> 01:57:30.303
I don't want to get sued.

01:57:30.303 --> 01:57:30.903
I feel you.

01:57:30.903 --> 01:57:34.803
There are some lines that just sound very silly coming out of these voices.

01:57:36.243 --> 01:57:39.603
He tells you the password is the name of the seven princesses.

01:57:39.603 --> 01:57:43.143
Leon heads off to figure out the order they're in while you chat with the king.

01:57:43.143 --> 01:57:43.463
Yeah.

01:57:43.463 --> 01:57:44.343
Are there spaces?

01:57:44.343 --> 01:57:45.563
Are there capitals?

01:57:45.563 --> 01:57:49.263
Are we doing some numeric symbols in place of certain vowels and shit?

01:57:49.263 --> 01:57:50.463
Come on, man.

01:57:50.463 --> 01:57:53.863
He says that with the information in the computer, you'll be able to track down Ansem.

01:57:54.863 --> 01:58:01.543
You say that you've already defeated Ansem, which Mickey responds, I guess I have some explaining to do.

01:58:01.543 --> 01:58:04.763
Leon interrupts saying you figured out on his first try that Tron is waiting for you.

01:58:04.763 --> 01:58:06.263
What the fuck?

01:58:06.263 --> 01:58:09.343
Wait, can we have Leon be a part of the IT team too?

01:58:09.343 --> 01:58:10.423
He should be, right?

01:58:10.423 --> 01:58:12.623
He should be working with Tron or some shit.

01:58:12.623 --> 01:58:14.663
Like, he's very good at this.

01:58:14.663 --> 01:58:15.743
Mickey tells you to go ahead.

01:58:15.743 --> 01:58:17.023
He'll be here when you get back.

01:58:17.023 --> 01:58:18.663
Then he'll explain everything.

01:58:18.663 --> 01:58:22.103
Go do this other shit, and then you can have the lore as a treat.

01:58:22.103 --> 01:58:28.323
Back inside the computer, you have to fight your way to Tron, who is being held captive by the Master Control Program.

01:58:28.323 --> 01:58:33.663
When you rescue him, he asks why you didn't just email the password to him, and you're like, what's an email?

01:58:35.403 --> 01:58:36.643
I fucking hate it here.

01:58:36.643 --> 01:58:39.163
This rescue could have been an email.

01:58:41.383 --> 01:58:45.343
I am traumatized and corporate, motherfucker.

01:58:45.343 --> 01:58:50.523
After defeating the MCP, you explain to Tron that Ansem didn't give you the password.

01:58:50.523 --> 01:58:51.703
You just kind of figured it out.

01:58:52.643 --> 01:58:56.163
That's because Ansem is the bad guy.

01:58:56.163 --> 01:58:58.583
Tron says he figured that out.

01:58:58.583 --> 01:59:02.743
Ansem was the one who reprogrammed the master control program to be an asshole.

01:59:03.883 --> 01:59:08.323
Tron insists Ansem wasn't always a bad person, but that he became that way.

01:59:08.323 --> 01:59:14.163
The Ansem that reprogrammed the master control program, that wasn't the Ansem that Tron knew anyway.

01:59:14.163 --> 01:59:20.863
In the end, the door to darkness reference that you found earlier is just the name of the folder Ansem keeps all his top secret shit inside.

01:59:21.263 --> 01:59:22.583
Oh, wait.

01:59:22.583 --> 01:59:24.223
This dumb, dim shit.

01:59:24.223 --> 01:59:25.263
You're supposed to label...

01:59:25.263 --> 01:59:26.883
Here's how you hide part on your computer.

01:59:27.243 --> 01:59:31.543
You write like taxes or receipts or like to be filed or some shit.

01:59:31.543 --> 01:59:33.323
You know, like that's a classic thing.

01:59:33.323 --> 01:59:35.203
I'm not even inventing that, you know?

01:59:35.203 --> 01:59:36.903
I'm not groundbreaking.

01:59:36.903 --> 01:59:39.923
This dumb sack of shit isn't even...

01:59:39.923 --> 01:59:42.603
He's just labeling it, this is plot relevant.

01:59:42.603 --> 01:59:45.063
Like at least put a fucking password on it.

01:59:45.083 --> 01:59:46.803
Hide it from the desktop.

01:59:46.803 --> 01:59:49.443
Everyone in here is not tech savvy and it's driving me crazy.

01:59:50.343 --> 01:59:54.023
And I'm sure it's making Tron even crazier, cause he's like, that's my whole fucking deal.

01:59:54.023 --> 01:59:58.263
Yeah, this guy labels his files like a fucking nerd.

01:59:58.263 --> 02:00:04.023
Tron sends you out of the computer, letting you know he changed the password to the much easier Sora, Donald and Goofy.

02:00:04.023 --> 02:00:06.123
Oh, I didn't say password.

02:00:06.123 --> 02:00:12.963
If any of you dorks out there listening are using that as your password, I suggest changing it because I just broadcast it to a whole bunch of people.

02:00:12.963 --> 02:00:13.623
No, don't.

02:00:13.623 --> 02:00:16.043
Honestly, you deserve it at this point.

02:00:16.043 --> 02:00:17.023
They're going to get your whole...

02:00:17.163 --> 02:00:18.783
Google Drive, baby.

02:00:18.783 --> 02:00:24.003
Back in the real world, Leon accesses the Door to Darkness folder and then leaves it open for you to peruse.

02:00:24.003 --> 02:00:25.303
I hate that, that's hard.

02:00:25.303 --> 02:00:34.663
I'm not over the fact that there's a folder labeled Door of Darkness, probably next to like screenshots, memes, fucking receipts to be filed.

02:00:34.663 --> 02:00:36.183
I hate it.

02:00:36.183 --> 02:00:40.203
King Mickey went into town to fight off some Heartless, so he goes to fetch him.

02:00:40.203 --> 02:00:43.323
You search for a minute getting zero answers to your questions.

02:00:43.323 --> 02:00:45.443
So you start punching the keyboard angrily.

02:00:45.443 --> 02:00:45.643
Yep.

02:00:46.223 --> 02:00:51.303
It pulls up a file on a man with long golden blonde hair and a blonde goatee.

02:00:51.303 --> 02:00:56.103
Very clean looking like a college professor wearing a white suit and a red scarf around his neck.

02:00:56.103 --> 02:01:00.223
I've never seen someone with a goatee and thought, they're probably a professor.

02:01:00.223 --> 02:01:01.263
This guy just looks it.

02:01:01.263 --> 02:01:01.783
Okay.

02:01:01.783 --> 02:01:03.783
I usually think magician.

02:01:03.783 --> 02:01:09.363
You have no idea who he is, but King Mickey walks in and goes, oh great, you found a file on Ansem the Wise.

02:01:09.363 --> 02:01:10.223
Oh.

02:01:10.223 --> 02:01:14.623
You literally pick up Mickey and drag him to the other room to show him the portrait of Ansem.

02:01:15.943 --> 02:01:19.823
He's younger than the guy in the picture and has gray hair.

02:01:19.823 --> 02:01:24.163
Every aspect about these two men are completely different.

02:01:24.163 --> 02:01:27.563
Mickey's like, oh right, I was just about to explain before you left.

02:01:27.563 --> 02:01:29.703
Ah yes, the plot of the game.

02:01:30.823 --> 02:01:38.523
So finally, Mickey explains and retreated to some flashbacks of big moments we've had with Ansem over the course of the series.

02:01:38.523 --> 02:01:43.703
Mickey says that the guy in the portrait is definitely the guy you fought and defeated.

02:01:44.803 --> 02:01:48.883
But the guy you fought and defeated wasn't a person.

02:01:48.883 --> 02:01:50.063
He was a heartless.

02:01:50.083 --> 02:01:52.503
Ah, farts.

02:01:52.503 --> 02:01:56.543
Also, his name was never Ansem.

02:01:56.543 --> 02:01:59.483
He just ran around telling everyone it was.

02:01:59.483 --> 02:02:00.643
An impostel.

02:02:00.643 --> 02:02:03.643
Yeah, you're like, great, we defeated an impostor.

02:02:03.643 --> 02:02:07.403
Mickey says, yeah, but he still needed to be stopped.

02:02:07.403 --> 02:02:12.163
That doesn't negate that he was being a dick though, so you did the right thing.

02:02:12.163 --> 02:02:13.423
Not the guy you thought it was though.

02:02:14.663 --> 02:02:22.343
Ansem the Wise should have all the answers, like who the fake Ansem really was, as well as the organization's plans.

02:02:22.343 --> 02:02:27.543
There is Ansem the Wise, then Ansem the Wise Ass, and we killed Ansem the Wise Ass.

02:02:28.803 --> 02:02:31.143
Goofy says, hold up, hold up.

02:02:31.143 --> 02:02:37.883
If the fake Ansem was a heartless, then does that mean there's also a nobody of him running around too?

02:02:37.883 --> 02:02:39.283
Oh, the math is math-ing.

02:02:39.563 --> 02:02:44.703
Mickey says, yup, and he is the leader of Organization XIII.

02:02:44.703 --> 02:02:46.383
Le gasp.

02:02:46.383 --> 02:02:52.163
Mickey tells you that he's met both versions, and they felt like they were basically the same asshole.

02:02:52.163 --> 02:02:58.683
He was heartless and a shell of a band regardless of whoever I was speaking to in whatever form.

02:02:58.683 --> 02:03:06.023
You ask the king if he knows where Riku is, and Mickey turns away, unable to even look at you, saying he can't help.

02:03:06.023 --> 02:03:07.323
Oh no.

02:03:07.323 --> 02:03:12.423
You tell him that you think the organization may have kidnapped Kairi, and Mickey fucking loses it.

02:03:12.423 --> 02:03:22.603
He goes, okay, I was going to find Ansem the Wise, but I realize I've been selfish and have been asking you to do literally all the work, and I haven't helped you once.

02:03:22.603 --> 02:03:24.803
So I'm going to help you find and rescue Kairi.

02:03:24.803 --> 02:03:25.403
Good.

02:03:25.403 --> 02:03:27.843
She is one of the princesses of heart after all.

02:03:27.843 --> 02:03:28.963
Oh.

02:03:28.963 --> 02:03:31.103
Suddenly the whole building shakes.

02:03:31.103 --> 02:03:33.983
So you run outside to see what's going on.

02:03:33.983 --> 02:03:38.423
Outside, armies of heartless and nobodies are battling one another.

02:03:38.803 --> 02:03:40.163
Oh, shit.

02:03:40.163 --> 02:03:47.423
Maleficent and Pete leading the charge, with the evil witch telling the heartless to kill the nobodies.

02:03:47.423 --> 02:03:51.643
Pete points out that the nobodies are winning and runs away just as you arrive on the scene.

02:03:51.643 --> 02:03:52.783
Oh, God, he's so annoying.

02:03:52.783 --> 02:03:54.763
I can't wait to kick him in the dick.

02:03:54.763 --> 02:04:01.103
Since you are the enemy of both, Maleficent vanishes, telling the heartless to focus on you instead, knowing the nobodies will do the same.

02:04:01.103 --> 02:04:03.263
The enemy of my enemy is not my friend.

02:04:03.263 --> 02:04:10.343
The enemy of my enemy are going to fight each other and then gang up to fight me and Mickey Mouse.

02:04:10.343 --> 02:04:15.303
King Mickey runs ahead to help the rest of the resistance against the invading heartless and nobodies.

02:04:15.303 --> 02:04:18.563
On the way to catching up with him, you run into Sephiroth.

02:04:18.563 --> 02:04:23.823
You tell him Cloud is looking for him, so he tells you to let him know he'll be in the same spot waiting for him.

02:04:23.823 --> 02:04:27.403
You catch up to Leon fighting some heartless, along with Aerith.

02:04:27.403 --> 02:04:31.323
Slashing your way through the hordes of enemies with your allies by your side.

02:04:31.323 --> 02:04:33.763
You're in a canyon area on the outskirts of Hollow Bastion.

02:04:34.623 --> 02:04:37.323
It's the path they're taking to invade the town.

02:04:37.323 --> 02:04:41.203
So you're fighting through it backwards, carving a path through them.

02:04:41.203 --> 02:04:44.943
At the end of the canyon is a large and empty open area.

02:04:44.943 --> 02:04:49.743
Marching through it are the millions of heartless you saw forming the moat around Maleficent's castle.

02:04:49.743 --> 02:04:51.223
Oh shit.

02:04:51.223 --> 02:04:57.283
We see shots of your allies battling the heartless, teaming up in pairs like Yuffie and Aerith.

02:04:57.283 --> 02:05:02.243
Even Stitch gets in on the action, pulling his laser pistols out and fucking up every heartless in his path.

02:05:02.523 --> 02:05:04.543
In his defense, he just loves fucking shit up.

02:05:04.543 --> 02:05:05.723
Oh, he absolutely does.

02:05:05.723 --> 02:05:08.543
He doesn't really care what side he's fighting for.

02:05:08.543 --> 02:05:10.943
He just wants to get his blasters out.

02:05:10.943 --> 02:05:17.343
The scene culminating in my personal all time favorite moment in any video game period.

02:05:17.343 --> 02:05:18.623
Wow.

02:05:18.623 --> 02:05:26.143
Cloud Strife and Leon, also known as Squall Lionheart, the main characters of both Final Fantasy VII and VIII.

02:05:26.143 --> 02:05:32.403
Two people who have never met before this point in any game, stand back to back.

02:05:32.403 --> 02:05:38.763
Cloud with his six-foot signature buster sword, and Squall with his equally large gun blade.

02:05:38.763 --> 02:05:47.043
They're standing on a narrow path, mountain on one side, cliff on the other, and hundreds of heartless closing in on them from either path.

02:05:47.043 --> 02:05:54.083
The camera spins around them like they're in a fucking Michael Bay movie, showing off just how outnumbered the two are.

02:05:54.083 --> 02:05:57.743
Speaking over his shoulder, Squall asks, you think you can handle this many?

02:05:58.883 --> 02:06:03.043
Cloud responds, it might be tough if one more shows up.

02:06:03.043 --> 02:06:08.763
Squall laughs and says, then that'll have to be the one I take care of.

02:06:08.763 --> 02:06:12.243
Cloud finishes with, oh what, you're fighting two?

02:06:12.243 --> 02:06:17.483
Then the two kick off one another and charge at the oncoming heartless, slaughtering them all.

02:06:17.483 --> 02:06:18.743
Oh, that's so fucking cool.

02:06:18.743 --> 02:06:24.163
For a Final Fantasy fan, this was our Avengers assemble moment.

02:06:24.163 --> 02:06:26.643
This was the most ambitious crossover in history.

02:06:27.323 --> 02:06:33.643
I got a scene with Stitch, Cloud and Squall kicking fucking ass together.

02:06:33.643 --> 02:06:34.443
That's what's up.

02:06:34.443 --> 02:06:39.843
I genuinely never felt that way again until I heard the words, Avengers assemble back in 2019.

02:06:41.343 --> 02:06:48.243
It's a scene that doesn't last very long, but my God, did it hit every fucking happy button I had and still does to this day.

02:06:48.243 --> 02:06:49.163
That's beautiful.

02:06:49.163 --> 02:06:50.823
I love hearing about your favorite moments.

02:06:50.823 --> 02:06:52.363
This is so great.

02:06:52.363 --> 02:06:58.983
Mickey joins you by your side and tells you that Leon and the others have this battle handled and tells you to go find Kairi and Riku.

02:06:58.983 --> 02:07:01.103
They must be here too.

02:07:01.103 --> 02:07:05.003
You protest saying this war is way more important right now.

02:07:05.003 --> 02:07:10.043
Mickey orders Donald and Goofy to take you away from here and to go find Kairi and Riku.

02:07:10.043 --> 02:07:15.003
Donald tells you to be a good boy and do as you're told, with a nice big wink to go along with it.

02:07:15.003 --> 02:07:17.003
Through that ridiculous fucking voice too.

02:07:19.063 --> 02:07:23.443
I can't do it obviously, but it's even worse than that.

02:07:23.443 --> 02:07:28.623
You keep saying these great epic things with Donald and Goofy and it's like, oh, well, don't forget Sora.

02:07:28.623 --> 02:07:36.623
You know, I appreciate that you're like removing that because it would take me out, but it's kind of taking me out right now to think about.

02:07:36.623 --> 02:07:42.843
With Mickey's back turned, the three of you charge into battle, apologizing and saying you hope he can forgive you.

02:07:42.843 --> 02:07:46.083
Mickey smiles knowing he can't stop you.

02:07:46.083 --> 02:07:49.303
You encounter the same organization member you met in the underworld.

02:07:49.303 --> 02:07:54.083
This time you defeat him entirely as he fades into nothingness and dies.

02:07:54.083 --> 02:08:02.723
King Mickey catches up as the guy is fading, and he looks pissed, then says it looks like you'll need some more help out there on the battlefield, and agrees to join you.

02:08:02.723 --> 02:08:04.783
The four of you head toward the next fight.

02:08:04.783 --> 02:08:10.563
When high up on a canyon wall, a heartless blows a chunk of boulder off the rocky hillside.

02:08:10.563 --> 02:08:14.623
Goofy looks up and sees it's heading right toward Mickey.

02:08:14.623 --> 02:08:20.863
He yells, look out, pushing Mickey out of the way, and taking the two ton boulder straight to the fucking dome.

02:08:22.563 --> 02:08:27.983
Goofy goes flying and smashes into a wall head first at high speed.

02:08:27.983 --> 02:08:29.443
Oh shit.

02:08:29.443 --> 02:08:31.923
You all run over except for Mickey.

02:08:31.923 --> 02:08:33.403
He can't believe what he just saw.

02:08:33.403 --> 02:08:34.423
He's like shell shocked.

02:08:34.423 --> 02:08:40.843
The full weight of what happens when you give one of your best friends the job title of head of security.

02:08:48.056 --> 02:08:50.436
Donald yells at Goofy, saying he has to get up.

02:08:50.436 --> 02:08:52.976
He's the king's captain.

02:08:52.976 --> 02:08:55.016
But it's no use.

02:08:55.016 --> 02:08:56.896
Goofy isn't moving.

02:08:56.896 --> 02:08:59.276
He's not even breathing.

02:08:59.276 --> 02:09:01.716
Goofy is dead.

02:09:01.716 --> 02:09:03.796
What the fuck?

02:09:03.796 --> 02:09:10.476
King Mickey's hands shake uncontrollably and ball up into fists of rage.

02:09:10.476 --> 02:09:17.256
He turns to look at the war raging a few hundred yards away with fury in his eyes, saying, They'll pay for this.

02:09:17.256 --> 02:09:18.296
Mickey says this.

02:09:18.296 --> 02:09:20.076
Mickey Mouse says this.

02:09:20.076 --> 02:09:21.496
Oh, you'll pay for this.

02:09:21.496 --> 02:09:23.016
Ha ha.

02:09:23.016 --> 02:09:26.496
He throws off his cloak, revealing a red jumpsuit underneath.

02:09:26.496 --> 02:09:30.936
It's like when you see a girl take her earrings off and you're like, God damn it, now I got to fight.

02:09:30.936 --> 02:09:33.256
Yep.

02:09:33.256 --> 02:09:38.336
He holds out his hand, making his golden keyblade appear, and he runs off to take out his aggression.

02:09:38.336 --> 02:09:39.596
Hell yeah.

02:09:39.596 --> 02:09:42.596
Donald fucking rages.

02:09:42.596 --> 02:09:48.336
Letting out a noise of pure anger, I don't think the voice actor has ever had to perform for Donald before.

02:09:48.336 --> 02:09:49.056
That's sick.

02:09:49.056 --> 02:09:51.316
Chasing after the king.

02:09:51.316 --> 02:09:57.256
Looking down at poor Goofy and wiping away a tear, you leave him there and chase after Donald and the king.

02:09:57.256 --> 02:09:58.996
What else can you do?

02:09:58.996 --> 02:10:03.216
You run through a few more canyons, killing Heartless along the way.

02:10:03.216 --> 02:10:08.616
Mickey and Donald are found in a cave just before reaching the giant open area of the war itself.

02:10:08.616 --> 02:10:11.336
The three of you take a moment to be sad about losing Goofy.

02:10:12.476 --> 02:10:19.576
When suddenly, from behind you hear, Hey, fellas, and see Goofy, alive and well, smiling that big stupid grin of his.

02:10:19.576 --> 02:10:20.456
Motherfucker!

02:10:20.456 --> 02:10:23.536
Yeah, you can't kill Goofy.

02:10:23.536 --> 02:10:26.316
They wouldn't let Goofy have a sword.

02:10:28.036 --> 02:10:36.716
They specifically said Goofy can only use a shield, which he ironically didn't use for this part.

02:10:37.116 --> 02:10:38.936
Well enough, at least.

02:10:38.936 --> 02:10:41.596
Yeah, you're not gonna kill fucking Goofy.

02:10:41.596 --> 02:10:48.596
There must have been some contract stuff that Disney made Square Enix sign that said Goofy can't be fake dead for more than two minutes.

02:10:48.596 --> 02:10:50.956
They do not let that fake out sit with you for long enough.

02:10:50.956 --> 02:10:54.496
Okay, so they immediately backpedal.

02:10:54.496 --> 02:10:58.516
They really didn't want you to put down the controller and like cry or have an emotional moment.

02:10:58.516 --> 02:11:01.716
They're like, no, no, no, no, no, we promise it's okay.

02:11:01.716 --> 02:11:03.236
We're so sorry.

02:11:03.236 --> 02:11:06.736
He's like, come on, guys, I get hit in the head all the time.

02:11:06.736 --> 02:11:08.776
Motherfucker, my name is Goofy.

02:11:08.776 --> 02:11:11.436
You don't get to be named Goofy without brain damage.

02:11:11.436 --> 02:11:12.836
I'm fine.

02:11:14.276 --> 02:11:17.136
Donald hits Goofy in the shin, angry for making him worry.

02:11:17.136 --> 02:11:22.676
He got hit by a boulder, so Donald's reaction to seeing his best friend alive is to assault him.

02:11:22.676 --> 02:11:24.356
Yep.

02:11:24.356 --> 02:11:26.356
It's like R2D2 and C3PO.

02:11:26.356 --> 02:11:29.056
All right, man, I get it.

02:11:29.056 --> 02:11:31.736
But now that the four of you are together, you rush out to the battle.

02:11:32.616 --> 02:11:38.256
When you get there, the Heartless Army has stopped, and they're all just standing still.

02:11:38.256 --> 02:11:42.176
High up above on a canyon wall, a cloaked person appears.

02:11:42.176 --> 02:11:48.176
He removes his hood, revealing the face of the fake Ansem's nobody, the leader of Organization XIII.

02:11:48.176 --> 02:11:49.896
Oh, shit.

02:11:49.896 --> 02:11:59.616
Seeing his face, Mickey suddenly has a memory come to him, and he flashes back to a conversation he had with Ansem the Wise a long time ago.

02:11:59.616 --> 02:12:05.496
The two of them were in Ansem's office before it was destroyed, having some sea salt ice cream pops.

02:12:05.496 --> 02:12:06.916
A delicacy.

02:12:06.916 --> 02:12:15.236
Ansem the Wise is telling King Mickey how glad he is that he and Mickey have been able to conduct so many successful experiments in their research into the Heartless.

02:12:15.236 --> 02:12:22.776
But they were both worried about the stability between worlds, afraid that their research is what's causing the Heartless to spread.

02:12:22.776 --> 02:12:28.616
Knock on the door is heard, and the fake Ansem walks in, dressed in the shirt he was wearing in his portrait.

02:12:29.916 --> 02:12:34.576
He asks Ansem's permission to continue on with an experiment he has been working on lately.

02:12:34.576 --> 02:12:40.576
Ansem forbids him, saying that the door to the heart of all worlds must not be tampered with.

02:12:40.576 --> 02:12:42.536
I would agree.

02:12:42.536 --> 02:12:46.616
Probably don't fuck with the portals to other worlds.

02:12:46.616 --> 02:12:53.696
The imposter tries to argue, but Ansem the Wise says, Xehanort, you need to stop and focus on something else instead.

02:12:53.696 --> 02:12:55.556
We're adding a Xehanort to this?

02:12:55.556 --> 02:12:56.056
Yeah, we are.

02:12:57.076 --> 02:12:58.356
Man, I need a chart.

02:12:58.356 --> 02:13:00.196
I need a fucking whiteboard.

02:13:01.316 --> 02:13:03.236
We got a couple Ansem's going on.

02:13:03.236 --> 02:13:07.656
There's the full suite of Disney characters, which again, I have a very like passing knowledge of.

02:13:07.656 --> 02:13:10.436
I don't know all their names, but I kind of recognize them.

02:13:10.436 --> 02:13:14.116
So auditorily, it's a little tricky to keep track of.

02:13:14.356 --> 02:13:15.196
I need to write this down.

02:13:15.256 --> 02:13:17.516
I need a book to doodle in.

02:13:17.516 --> 02:13:21.976
As per usual, Brian David Gilbert has done a polygon video on all of this.

02:13:21.976 --> 02:13:23.456
We will drop that in the Discord.

02:13:23.456 --> 02:13:24.376
It is perfect.

02:13:25.636 --> 02:13:29.136
With that, Xehanort excuses himself.

02:13:29.136 --> 02:13:33.736
Back in the canyon, Mickey says he recognizes him now that he's seen him in person.

02:13:33.736 --> 02:13:35.776
He was Ansem's apprentice.

02:13:35.776 --> 02:13:47.396
A man named Xehanort, the leader of Organization XIII is Xehanort's nobody, meaning the person you defeat in the first game was really his heartless.

02:13:47.396 --> 02:13:49.836
You can see why this all gets really confusing, I'm sure.

02:13:49.836 --> 02:13:51.276
Yeah, God bless you for doing this.

02:13:52.056 --> 02:13:55.756
But honestly, the only thing that has changed is the person's name.

02:13:55.756 --> 02:13:58.396
Everything else about them and what they've done is still true.

02:13:58.396 --> 02:14:01.956
That's the excuse catfish give when they're fucking caught, Tom.

02:14:03.356 --> 02:14:06.136
My feelings were you for real, just my photos were fake.

02:14:06.136 --> 02:14:08.076
Yeah.

02:14:08.076 --> 02:14:14.536
But it doesn't matter right now, as the heartless army around you begin to move again and advance.

02:14:14.536 --> 02:14:20.776
Mickey chases after Xehanort with Donald and Goofy, as you are left alone, surrounded by the heartless.

02:14:21.656 --> 02:14:26.636
Kicking off a battle where you have to kill literally 1,000 enemies.

02:14:26.636 --> 02:14:27.776
And you have to kill all of them?

02:14:27.776 --> 02:14:32.896
Who all appear on screen at the same time with zero lag.

02:14:32.896 --> 02:14:33.756
That's cool.

02:14:33.756 --> 02:14:35.856
This is so early for this kind of adoption.

02:14:35.856 --> 02:14:38.716
Like, it's still a selling point for games in the last few years.

02:14:38.716 --> 02:14:43.816
Like, that was a selling point of Days Gone that you could fight that many enemies all at once to have their own AI.

02:14:43.816 --> 02:14:46.316
This is really cool and very innovative for the medium.

02:14:46.636 --> 02:14:52.376
It was a technological marvel for the time that rivaled anything anyone had ever done prior.

02:14:52.376 --> 02:14:53.216
Absolutely.

02:14:53.216 --> 02:14:55.256
It was such a marvel.

02:14:55.256 --> 02:14:59.616
They used this sequence as their demo at E3 prior to its release.

02:15:01.096 --> 02:15:06.136
I know this because I was invited to the E3 where this sequence was being demoed.

02:15:06.136 --> 02:15:07.896
Oh, that's cool.

02:15:07.896 --> 02:15:12.436
I got hired to be a cameraman by a guy who was making a student film documentary about E3.

02:15:12.876 --> 02:15:13.536
Oh.

02:15:13.536 --> 02:15:19.636
He hired me because I had quote unquote experience with E3, having gone to it twice as a child with my dad.

02:15:19.636 --> 02:15:20.496
That's not...

02:15:20.496 --> 02:15:21.356
Yeah.

02:15:21.376 --> 02:15:22.476
Sure.

02:15:22.476 --> 02:15:23.256
Yeah, man.

02:15:23.256 --> 02:15:27.476
So I got a chance to try it out before its release while I was on the job as a cameraman.

02:15:27.476 --> 02:15:32.596
Fun fact, the guy that hired me did go on to direct a pre-Disney Marvel movie.

02:15:32.596 --> 02:15:33.436
Oh, shit.

02:15:33.436 --> 02:15:38.176
But it's one of the biggest train wrecks in the history of comic book movies, so we're not going to talk too much about that one.

02:15:38.416 --> 02:15:39.456
Oh, no.

02:15:39.456 --> 02:15:43.516
I actually never even got to see the documentary either as I wasn't a classmate of his or anything.

02:15:43.516 --> 02:15:47.716
I was just a random job I scored, and I don't think it ever released Beyond School.

02:15:47.716 --> 02:15:49.756
Oh, but that'd be fun if you found it.

02:15:49.756 --> 02:15:51.116
I would love to.

02:15:51.116 --> 02:15:59.816
So yeah, you use some QTE moves to help make the battle a little easier on you, but it's an incredible moment after a series of incredible moments.

02:15:59.816 --> 02:16:09.516
Honestly, every step of this War on Hollow Bastion is expert storytelling and gameplay, each complementing each other the way those elements should.

02:16:09.516 --> 02:16:13.456
After your victory, you catch up to Donald Goofy and the King.

02:16:13.456 --> 02:16:16.916
Mickey is just confronting Xehanort as you join them.

02:16:16.916 --> 02:16:21.576
Mickey calls to him and Xehanort goes, Oh my God, I stopped going by that name ages ago.

02:16:21.576 --> 02:16:23.256
Don't deadname me.

02:16:23.256 --> 02:16:26.496
You tell him to stuff it and tell you where Riku and Kairi are.

02:16:26.496 --> 02:16:32.516
He's like, I don't know who the fuck Kairi is, but as for Riku, you should really be asking the King here about Riku.

02:16:33.556 --> 02:16:34.556
God damn it.

02:16:34.556 --> 02:16:37.576
Can we all have a fucking all hands meeting?

02:16:38.696 --> 02:16:43.176
You just put the questions on the board, get the answers, because what the fuck is this?

02:16:43.176 --> 02:16:49.196
Mickey tells Xehanort to stop, but he steps through a portal, which Mickey dives into right behind him.

02:16:49.196 --> 02:16:51.376
You got some explaining to do, Mickey.

02:16:51.376 --> 02:16:56.456
It's gone by the time you try to do the same, and the two of them vanish together.

02:16:56.456 --> 02:17:01.176
By now, you've made it to just outside Maleficent's castle, and it's silent.

02:17:01.176 --> 02:17:02.496
No heartless, no nobodies.

02:17:02.696 --> 02:17:03.216
Nothing.

02:17:03.216 --> 02:17:04.556
Too quiet.

02:17:04.556 --> 02:17:10.496
You wonder what's going on, and Axel speaks from behind saying, you walked right into the organization's trap.

02:17:10.496 --> 02:17:15.176
Xemnas planned the whole time to get you here, so you could kill a shitload of heartless.

02:17:15.176 --> 02:17:17.196
You're like, who the fuck is Xemnas?

02:17:17.196 --> 02:17:19.216
Okay, I was wondering, I was like, which one did I miss?

02:17:19.216 --> 02:17:19.896
God damn it.

02:17:19.896 --> 02:17:21.616
There is Stitch, Xenomorph.

02:17:21.616 --> 02:17:23.856
I'm getting lost in the sauce over here.

02:17:23.856 --> 02:17:29.096
Axel says that Xehanort's nobody is going by Xemnas.

02:17:29.096 --> 02:17:30.396
Got it memorized?

02:17:31.596 --> 02:17:34.216
He finally said the thing.

02:17:34.216 --> 02:17:36.456
I've been waiting for him to say the thing.

02:17:36.456 --> 02:17:41.836
But also, is this relevant to put a name change on this character?

02:17:41.836 --> 02:17:42.356
Yes.

02:17:42.356 --> 02:17:42.716
Oh, it is?

02:17:42.716 --> 02:17:42.936
Okay.

02:17:42.936 --> 02:17:48.636
It was like, this feels a little superfluous just to be like, nah, I'm going by a nickety name now.

02:17:48.636 --> 02:17:50.736
Like, all right, man.

02:17:50.736 --> 02:17:54.556
Put on a fucking hello, my name is badge because I'm having trouble tracking.

02:17:54.556 --> 02:17:58.416
Goofy asks for more info on why Xemnas wanted you to kill a bunch of heartless.

02:17:59.656 --> 02:18:05.116
Axel says that every heartless that gets killed with the keyblade releases the heart.

02:18:05.116 --> 02:18:08.716
The Organization is collecting those released hearts.

02:18:08.716 --> 02:18:12.696
So every heartless that you kill is helping the Organization achieve their goals.

02:18:12.696 --> 02:18:14.896
And you've just been farming them for them.

02:18:14.896 --> 02:18:16.756
You just killed a thousand of them.

02:18:16.776 --> 02:18:19.436
Oh, farts.

02:18:19.436 --> 02:18:24.496
Looking him over, you realize that he matches the description you got from Pence about the guy who kidnapped Kairi.

02:18:24.996 --> 02:18:25.976
Oh, shit.

02:18:25.976 --> 02:18:27.736
He says, that's a bingo.

02:18:27.736 --> 02:18:29.536
The name is Axel.

02:18:29.536 --> 02:18:30.876
Got it memorized?

02:18:30.876 --> 02:18:32.376
Oh, he said it twice.

02:18:32.376 --> 02:18:36.276
You ask where Kairi is, and he sags his head in a defeated fashion.

02:18:36.276 --> 02:18:38.936
He says, look, so about Kairi.

02:18:38.936 --> 02:18:43.896
But he's interrupted as another member of the Organization appears, making Axel vanish.

02:18:43.896 --> 02:18:45.336
Oh, god damn it.

02:18:45.336 --> 02:18:46.516
Poor Sora.

02:18:46.516 --> 02:18:50.176
Sora is just like, please, I am begging for a crumb of context.

02:18:50.176 --> 02:18:54.056
And then every time someone's about to help, they vanish into a portal.

02:18:54.196 --> 02:18:55.396
Right.

02:18:55.396 --> 02:18:58.196
The member that appeared is named Saix.

02:18:58.196 --> 02:19:02.496
Honestly, there are so many members and only a few are important enough to name anymore.

02:19:02.496 --> 02:19:09.636
Saix is the last one that actually needs a name, so I'm going to be leaving the rest unnamed going forward as they're pretty interchangeable with the exception of a few.

02:19:09.636 --> 02:19:10.676
Okay.

02:19:10.676 --> 02:19:14.836
Saix tells you that Axel will be punished when he is caught, not to worry.

02:19:14.836 --> 02:19:17.176
Because Axel has been a turncoat.

02:19:17.176 --> 02:19:21.336
You ask about Kairi and he says, she's in their custody and is unharmed.

02:19:21.336 --> 02:19:24.756
You asked to be taken to her and he says, you need to prove how much she means to you.

02:19:24.756 --> 02:19:25.476
Oh my God.

02:19:25.476 --> 02:19:27.036
Look around, dude.

02:19:27.036 --> 02:19:29.436
Sora was just a happy beach kid.

02:19:29.436 --> 02:19:29.676
Right.

02:19:29.676 --> 02:19:31.376
Okay.

02:19:31.376 --> 02:19:33.896
All of this is because of the Keyblade finding him.

02:19:33.896 --> 02:19:35.356
And now he's on this adventure for Kairi.

02:19:35.356 --> 02:19:36.456
Don't make him prove it.

02:19:36.456 --> 02:19:37.596
He has.

02:19:37.596 --> 02:19:41.736
Well, you dropped to both knees, pledging your allegiance to the organization.

02:19:41.756 --> 02:19:45.436
Oh, I would have just been like, we shared a fruit once, man.

02:19:45.436 --> 02:19:46.876
There's wall art about it.

02:19:46.876 --> 02:19:47.396
Okay.

02:19:47.396 --> 02:19:49.056
We're friends.

02:19:49.056 --> 02:19:50.856
Saix laughs and still says no.

02:19:51.596 --> 02:19:53.436
But it's nice to see how far you're willing to go.

02:19:53.436 --> 02:19:56.336
Oh, that's, that sucks.

02:19:56.336 --> 02:20:02.156
Instead, he summons a grip of Heartless, telling you to keep on killing them, help them achieve their final goal.

02:20:02.156 --> 02:20:10.816
With enough hearts, they can open the door to Kingdom Hearts, where the nobody members of Organization XIII can be reunited with their own hearts at long last.

02:20:10.816 --> 02:20:12.936
Would that be the worst thing?

02:20:12.936 --> 02:20:13.476
Who knows?

02:20:13.476 --> 02:20:14.596
Not many say at the beginning.

02:20:14.596 --> 02:20:17.036
Some are willing to do really bad things to achieve those goals.

02:20:17.176 --> 02:20:17.576
That's true.

02:20:17.576 --> 02:20:20.276
So if they, their ha and their kha come back together.

02:20:21.736 --> 02:20:25.616
In my blurring lines, it's a crossover game, so I don't know where the boundaries are.

02:20:25.616 --> 02:20:26.776
It's so hard.

02:20:26.776 --> 02:20:30.496
Honestly, the parallels are really strong between this and Death Stranding.

02:20:30.496 --> 02:20:31.216
I'm not gonna lie.

02:20:31.216 --> 02:20:32.796
Okay.

02:20:32.976 --> 02:20:38.556
It's difficult to see where the actual boundaries of the title are, but okay, I get you.

02:20:38.556 --> 02:20:42.736
Yeah, some of them can get really fucked up if they get back to full power.

02:20:42.736 --> 02:20:47.716
From behind you, Maleficent appears saying, excuse the fuck me?

02:20:47.716 --> 02:20:48.376
Oh my god, that's right.

02:20:48.376 --> 02:20:50.616
We're on her lawn having this conversation.

02:20:50.616 --> 02:20:56.156
Kingdom Hearts is my dominion, and the Heartless are mine to control.

02:20:56.156 --> 02:20:59.436
She summons more and has them surround Saix.

02:20:59.436 --> 02:21:05.716
In response, Saix calls upon some dusk nobodies who quickly stomp out the Maleficent's minions.

02:21:05.716 --> 02:21:12.336
Maleficent raises her arms, creating a wall of green flame in front of you, keeping you away from the battle.

02:21:12.336 --> 02:21:22.016
She says, not to misunderstand, she will have her revenge on you yet, but for right now, she's buying you time to figure out a way to kill these nobody fucks once and for all.

02:21:22.016 --> 02:21:23.316
She's so devious.

02:21:23.476 --> 02:21:25.256
You gotta respect it.

02:21:25.256 --> 02:21:26.476
You're like, go to hell.

02:21:26.476 --> 02:21:28.956
I don't take orders from you.

02:21:28.956 --> 02:21:34.456
So instead, you watch Maleficent get surrounded by nobodies, and she screams out.

02:21:34.456 --> 02:21:39.496
The flames die down, and the nobodies move, showing just her cape lying on the ground.

02:21:39.496 --> 02:21:41.196
Yeah, Maleficent can turn into a bird.

02:21:41.196 --> 02:21:42.136
That's canonical.

02:21:42.136 --> 02:21:42.656
And you know what?

02:21:43.696 --> 02:21:46.476
Birds can fly, bitch.

02:21:46.476 --> 02:21:49.356
Saix laughs and summons a bunch of heartless.

02:21:49.356 --> 02:21:50.176
You're like, what the fuck?

02:21:50.176 --> 02:21:52.676
Why do you control the heartless and the nobodies?

02:21:52.676 --> 02:21:53.996
That feels unbalanced.

02:21:53.996 --> 02:21:57.756
He says that with Maleficent gone, they're following the strongest person here.

02:21:57.756 --> 02:22:02.196
Then he teleports away, thanking you for all your help killing the heartless.

02:22:02.196 --> 02:22:04.196
Jesus, poor Sora.

02:22:04.196 --> 02:22:06.776
Again, factory reset at the beginning of the game.

02:22:06.776 --> 02:22:08.476
Fuckin, he's so alone.

02:22:08.476 --> 02:22:09.776
He doesn't know where any of his friends are.

02:22:09.776 --> 02:22:13.336
He's just with his new coworkers who, again, have lived a whole year without him.

02:22:13.336 --> 02:22:15.516
So there's inside jokes he's missing.

02:22:15.516 --> 02:22:15.876
Right.

02:22:15.876 --> 02:22:20.236
He hasn't had a fucking popsicle and God knows how long he misses his palpoo fruit.

02:22:20.236 --> 02:22:24.936
He hasn't seen his mother since he was 12 years old.

02:22:24.936 --> 02:22:28.276
And now he's being puppeted by rival organizations.

02:22:28.276 --> 02:22:30.256
And it's just this poor fucking kid.

02:22:30.256 --> 02:22:33.056
He should be in the club is what I'm trying to get at.

02:22:34.296 --> 02:22:39.136
You get attacked and defend yourself, releasing more hearts to the organization.

02:22:39.136 --> 02:22:41.136
You're like, fuck, what am I supposed to do?

02:22:41.776 --> 02:22:43.096
There's no good alternative.

02:22:43.096 --> 02:22:44.656
What, do you just get your ass kicked?

02:22:44.656 --> 02:22:45.316
No.

02:22:45.316 --> 02:22:49.236
It's my job to kill the heartless, but doing so is helping the bad guys.

02:22:49.236 --> 02:22:53.896
So you go into pure defense mode, blocking hits, but never returning them.

02:22:53.896 --> 02:22:57.936
In your mind, you think, what am I supposed to do if I can't use the Keyblade?

02:22:57.936 --> 02:23:05.476
In response, the voice of Maleficent says, imbecile, I really have to do everything, don't I?

02:23:05.476 --> 02:23:11.696
I love also her energy that she's so fucking sick of everyone she's ever interacted with.

02:23:11.696 --> 02:23:15.956
She's like, I'm so much goddamn smarter than all of you and I hate you for it.

02:23:15.956 --> 02:23:21.776
The scene turns white and we're taken to a mountain's ledge on the other side of the battlefield canyon.

02:23:21.776 --> 02:23:25.456
Leon and Cloud are looking out at Maleficent's castle in the distance.

02:23:25.456 --> 02:23:28.676
They see the bright white light coming from it, scaring Leon.

02:23:28.676 --> 02:23:29.716
Oh no.

02:23:29.716 --> 02:23:31.456
Cloud tells him to relax.

02:23:31.456 --> 02:23:35.596
Those three have a talent for surviving literally everything.

02:23:35.596 --> 02:23:42.096
A beam of light shoots off into the sky and Leon follows it with his eyes saying, see you soon.

02:23:42.096 --> 02:23:48.436
In the Organization's throne room, Saix relays that Sora now knows the truth about killing Heartless.

02:23:48.436 --> 02:23:53.716
This will make Sora more difficult to control when the time comes to open the door to Kingdom Hearts.

02:23:53.716 --> 02:23:59.456
So Xemnas tells the remaining members to go out and make Sora's life a living hell.

02:23:59.456 --> 02:24:01.856
So he's forced to keep killing Heartless.

02:24:01.856 --> 02:24:04.116
Put people in danger, especially his friends.

02:24:05.696 --> 02:24:07.436
Yeah, we don't want him to be at full power.

02:24:07.436 --> 02:24:08.056
No!

02:24:08.056 --> 02:24:09.916
Fuck that.

02:24:09.916 --> 02:24:15.096
Back in Hollow Bastion, we get to see what happened with that bright white light.

02:24:15.096 --> 02:24:18.476
Maleficent sucked you into the realm of darkness to save you.

02:24:18.476 --> 02:24:23.016
While in the black void of that realm, you call out for Riku and Kairi.

02:24:23.016 --> 02:24:28.196
Instead of them, you see a hooded Organization member holding a white box.

02:24:28.196 --> 02:24:31.136
You run to him, and he vanishes, leaving behind the box.

02:24:32.416 --> 02:24:38.336
Inside, you find a single sea-salt ice cream pop, as well as a photo.

02:24:38.336 --> 02:24:39.616
He's been wanting a popsicle.

02:24:39.616 --> 02:24:40.836
He's deserved it.

02:24:40.836 --> 02:24:48.376
It has hainer, pence, bolette, and a fourth kid wearing black and white with blonde hair.

02:24:48.376 --> 02:24:52.016
You look at the picture and say that his name is Roxas.

02:24:52.016 --> 02:24:56.816
You have never seen this person before, but you know with certainty that this is Roxas.

02:24:56.816 --> 02:24:58.696
It's kind of like when you see a picture of Lady Gaga.

02:24:58.696 --> 02:25:04.156
Even if you don't know what she looks like, you're like, that person's definitely named Lady Gaga.

02:25:04.176 --> 02:25:08.996
Using your keyblade, you unlock the realm of darkness so you can get back to the gummy ship.

02:25:08.996 --> 02:25:13.876
There, you wonder about that picture and why you know who this Roxas kid is.

02:25:13.876 --> 02:25:18.376
You also worry about the fact that killing Heartless helps the organization.

02:25:18.376 --> 02:25:22.516
But Goofy tells you that the Heartless hurt people, so you don't really have a choice.

02:25:22.516 --> 02:25:23.156
Yeah.

02:25:23.156 --> 02:25:25.776
You still need to do your one job.

02:25:25.776 --> 02:25:32.156
You decide to go check on all your friends in the different worlds to see if their Heartless problems are getting better or worse.

02:25:32.156 --> 02:25:36.096
Worry that the organization is going to make things much harder now.

02:25:36.096 --> 02:25:39.256
You go back out to the different Disney worlds that you've already visited.

02:25:39.256 --> 02:25:45.036
Each one with a sliver of extra story they managed to squeeze out, giving you a chance to grind before heading into the final chapters.

02:25:45.036 --> 02:25:47.776
So you essentially do two laps through the Disney worlds?

02:25:47.776 --> 02:25:48.536
You do, yeah.

02:25:48.536 --> 02:25:48.776
Okay.

02:25:48.776 --> 02:25:53.496
So this game where they specifically said in their mission statement that they were not reusing assets.

02:25:55.216 --> 02:25:56.216
Not from the other game.

02:25:58.296 --> 02:26:00.656
But within the same game.

02:26:00.656 --> 02:26:03.556
It's a little padded, but you do need to grind.

02:26:03.556 --> 02:26:05.896
Honestly, you'd need to be high level for the ending.

02:26:05.896 --> 02:26:07.636
I just appreciate the irony.

02:26:07.636 --> 02:26:12.976
Each world has a different organization member they are causing trouble luring you in to kill Heartless.

02:26:12.976 --> 02:26:17.896
They all remove their hoods and introduce themselves, eventually engage in battle with you defeating them.

02:26:17.896 --> 02:26:21.176
All of them with the exception of one.

02:26:21.176 --> 02:26:25.936
In Mulan's world, the member you square off against never speaks or removes their hood.

02:26:26.996 --> 02:26:34.436
When you fight them, the weapon they use you've only ever seen wielded by one other person, as it's a keyblade.

02:26:34.436 --> 02:26:37.976
That person being Riku.

02:26:37.976 --> 02:26:41.616
But the mystery person runs off before you can ask them any questions.

02:26:41.616 --> 02:26:48.376
You do encounter a different member here as well, but the Emperor of China confirms that Riku had been here too.

02:26:48.376 --> 02:26:51.716
Saying the person he met with was very rude, and you're like, it was Riku.

02:26:53.936 --> 02:26:56.176
That's my friend!

02:26:56.176 --> 02:26:57.776
He's a dick!

02:26:57.776 --> 02:27:03.516
You wonder why he's working with the Organization, but table that thought for now while you check on the other locations.

02:27:03.516 --> 02:27:11.096
You can also now visit the Underworld Coliseum, where there are challenges you can complete, but very little in terms of additional information.

02:27:11.096 --> 02:27:16.736
Or if you want to torture yourself, complete Winnie the Pooh's side quests so you no longer have to worry about that silly old bear.

02:27:17.956 --> 02:27:22.856
I feel like there's no way you can be that fucked up in Winnie the Pooh World.

02:27:22.856 --> 02:27:23.756
I get Hercules.

02:27:23.756 --> 02:27:25.536
There's arenas, there's gladiators.

02:27:25.536 --> 02:27:30.036
There's some inherent violence that you could bake into the gameplay element of it.

02:27:30.036 --> 02:27:32.176
But what the fuck is Eeyore gonna do?

02:27:32.176 --> 02:27:37.536
Just be extra sad and be like, oh, Rabbit needs to get some fucking carrots.

02:27:37.536 --> 02:27:39.136
The Heartless are hiding the carrots.

02:27:39.136 --> 02:27:41.816
There's no way to fuck that one up to be dark.

02:27:41.816 --> 02:27:43.636
No, there's no Heartless in Winnie the Pooh World.

02:27:43.636 --> 02:27:44.216
Oh, okay.

02:27:44.216 --> 02:27:47.416
So it is just everything you said without the Heartless part of it.

02:27:47.416 --> 02:27:52.196
Okay, so it truly is just like, let's go chase the red balloon, I guess.

02:27:52.196 --> 02:27:53.516
That is part of it, yeah.

02:27:53.516 --> 02:27:55.036
Stop.

02:27:55.036 --> 02:27:57.936
I was trying to think of the dumbest shit imaginable.

02:27:57.936 --> 02:27:59.636
You nailed it in one.

02:27:59.636 --> 02:28:01.956
All right, I win.

02:28:01.956 --> 02:28:06.676
Well, doing so will take you to Hollow Bastion anyway, as that's where his book is being kept.

02:28:06.676 --> 02:28:11.296
When you land, you find out that the master control program has gone rogue once again.

02:28:11.296 --> 02:28:12.196
God damn it.

02:28:12.196 --> 02:28:15.056
And it's turning the town's defenses against its citizens.

02:28:15.056 --> 02:28:17.756
So you have to head back into the computer to help Tron fix this shit.

02:28:18.096 --> 02:28:19.916
Leon should be on call for things like this.

02:28:19.916 --> 02:28:21.776
He's very good with computers.

02:28:21.776 --> 02:28:22.936
Way better than Sora.

02:28:22.936 --> 02:28:24.156
Right?

02:28:24.156 --> 02:28:28.956
You digitize back inside, ultimately replacing the MCP with Tron himself.

02:28:28.956 --> 02:28:29.376
Oh.

02:28:29.376 --> 02:28:31.296
Knowing he'll always keep the town safe.

02:28:31.296 --> 02:28:32.816
And like what else was he doing?

02:28:32.816 --> 02:28:40.456
Back on the outside, everything has returned to normal, with the town security systems online and the heartless population under control.

02:28:40.456 --> 02:28:48.156
Tron sends you a message saying that he found an old blueprint of the original design of Hollow Bastion, and offers to use it to restore the town to its former glory.

02:28:48.556 --> 02:28:49.836
To which you agree.

02:28:49.836 --> 02:28:53.536
He enlists the help of some magic rain to instantly transform the town.

02:28:53.536 --> 02:28:56.076
I love when a magic rain is used in anything.

02:28:58.336 --> 02:29:02.236
Leon looks out at everything getting repaired, saying he just remembered.

02:29:02.236 --> 02:29:05.556
Hollow Bastion wasn't the original name for this place.

02:29:05.556 --> 02:29:09.476
Merlin is like, yeah, I've always wondered why the name was so depressing sounding.

02:29:09.476 --> 02:29:12.816
Hollow Bastion meaning basically empty refuge.

02:29:13.776 --> 02:29:15.756
It is a bummer, you know?

02:29:15.756 --> 02:29:22.456
But now this magic rain has made everything bright and beautiful, the complete opposite of a Hollow Bastion.

02:29:22.456 --> 02:29:26.216
So everyone agrees to change the name back to its original one.

02:29:26.216 --> 02:29:27.716
Radiant Garden.

02:29:27.716 --> 02:29:30.456
I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't that.

02:29:30.456 --> 02:29:40.076
With Radiant Garden restored to its former glory, you head to Twilight Town to see what you can figure out about that photo of Roxas with his friends outside the mansion you came out of when you escaped the Lotus Pod.

02:29:41.096 --> 02:29:45.476
Just outside the open gates, you find Hayner, Pence and Ouellette knocked out.

02:29:45.476 --> 02:29:46.136
Oh, shit.

02:29:46.136 --> 02:29:48.856
Lying on the ground at the spot where the photo was taken.

02:29:48.856 --> 02:29:50.896
You wake them up, asking what happened.

02:29:50.896 --> 02:29:54.076
They say they were looking for Kyrie when they were attacked by nobodies.

02:29:54.076 --> 02:29:56.296
You're like, why were you looking for her?

02:29:56.296 --> 02:30:00.036
Hayner goes, you know you're not the only friend she has, right?

02:30:01.636 --> 02:30:03.236
She has friends that go to other schools.

02:30:03.236 --> 02:30:04.796
She has her camp friends.

02:30:04.796 --> 02:30:05.816
She's a popular girl.

02:30:05.816 --> 02:30:07.256
She's really cool to hang out with.

02:30:07.256 --> 02:30:08.236
Yeah.

02:30:08.236 --> 02:30:15.576
They tell you that they came to the mansion because they're starting to think there might be a pathway to an alternate version of Twilight Town here.

02:30:16.416 --> 02:30:21.056
The proof is that money bag you're carrying around that is identical to the one that Olette has.

02:30:21.856 --> 02:30:25.556
She made that bag herself from scraps of fabric.

02:30:25.556 --> 02:30:28.076
There's no reason for two of them to exist.

02:30:28.076 --> 02:30:28.896
Interesting.

02:30:28.896 --> 02:30:29.596
Okay.

02:30:29.596 --> 02:30:36.596
You also have one of the crystal marbles from the struggle tournament in the bag, and they have an identical one still attached to the trophy.

02:30:36.596 --> 02:30:37.256
Oh, shit.

02:30:37.836 --> 02:30:45.076
Since the mansion is the only mysterious place in town, and there are nobody surrounding it, they figure this must be where the gateway is.

02:30:45.076 --> 02:30:47.236
Honestly, good detective work.

02:30:47.236 --> 02:30:47.456
Right.

02:30:47.456 --> 02:30:49.396
It's a solid path to follow, right?

02:30:49.396 --> 02:30:51.296
Yeah.

02:30:51.296 --> 02:30:55.416
They ask how you even got the pouch, and you explain that King Mickey gave it to you.

02:30:55.416 --> 02:30:57.816
They say, see, it all makes sense.

02:30:57.816 --> 02:30:59.696
You stare at them for a full five seconds ago.

02:31:00.596 --> 02:31:01.656
It does?

02:31:02.856 --> 02:31:05.696
Again, Sora's been through a lot.

02:31:05.696 --> 02:31:09.896
I think everyone should just be a little more patient with Sora as he pieces things back together.

02:31:09.896 --> 02:31:10.576
Okay.

02:31:10.576 --> 02:31:18.456
He had to relearn math, talking, reading, writing everything in the last year while living inside of a lotus.

02:31:18.456 --> 02:31:19.396
Okay.

02:31:19.396 --> 02:31:20.976
His brain was in a blender.

02:31:20.976 --> 02:31:21.236
Yeah.

02:31:21.236 --> 02:31:22.396
Give him a fucking break.

02:31:22.396 --> 02:31:25.436
Let's not knock him for being a little slower on the fucking draw.

02:31:25.436 --> 02:31:32.036
There are a lot of things that it takes Sora a long time to figure out that the gamer definitely figures out long before he does.

02:31:32.036 --> 02:31:32.316
Yeah.

02:31:32.316 --> 02:31:33.216
I'm not jumping the gun.

02:31:33.216 --> 02:31:37.996
I have a theory going on, and I assume we're coming towards the third act of it.

02:31:37.996 --> 02:31:42.256
I'm not going to spoil it, but I don't want to ruin things for Sora.

02:31:42.256 --> 02:31:53.656
To explain what they mean, they say if shit from there can show up here, then maybe stuff from here can end up there, like Kairi, and that's why they can't find her.

02:31:53.656 --> 02:32:01.156
Nobody's surround the area, and as if he was summoned when you said his name, King Mickey shows up to help you kick their asses.

02:32:01.156 --> 02:32:04.876
You will be too distracted to ask me more questions, so I'm here to help.

02:32:04.876 --> 02:32:13.256
He says he found out that ants on the wise snuck into Organization XIII headquarters and has been sneaking around in disguise for a while.

02:32:13.256 --> 02:32:16.496
You tell him that's great, because you found Kairi.

02:32:16.496 --> 02:32:20.396
Mickey goes, that's great, but why are you here?

02:32:20.396 --> 02:32:23.016
Shouldn't you be going after her the fuck?

02:32:23.016 --> 02:32:31.076
Goofy explains that you think Riku may have given you a clue to come here, believing that mysterious person in the void with the white box was him.

02:32:31.076 --> 02:32:36.536
Mickey keeps saying a few variations of, I'm so glad you think Riku's okay.

02:32:36.536 --> 02:32:38.396
What the fuck?

02:32:38.396 --> 02:32:39.896
I don't like that language.

02:32:39.896 --> 02:32:44.956
Yeah, you pick up on the strange phrasing of, glad you think Riku's okay.

02:32:44.956 --> 02:32:46.676
I'm sorry you feel that way.

02:32:46.676 --> 02:32:49.156
That's the same line of questioning we're into.

02:32:49.156 --> 02:32:50.436
Oh no.

02:32:50.436 --> 02:32:57.716
You ask him to tell you what he knows, and he once again turns away, unable to look at you as he says, it's not for him to say.

02:32:57.736 --> 02:32:58.776
Oh.

02:32:58.776 --> 02:33:02.456
You ask why not, any stammers that he made a promise.

02:33:02.456 --> 02:33:07.436
You're like, so Riku is okay, because you made a promise to him, didn't you?

02:33:07.436 --> 02:33:14.876
Olet bends down and asks King Mickey if Riku was the one who gave in the pouch, and then made him promise not to say anything.

02:33:14.876 --> 02:33:19.196
Mickey is frustrated and goes, come on guys, please don't make me break my promise.

02:33:19.196 --> 02:33:22.556
The mouse does not fucking play when it comes to an NDA.

02:33:26.676 --> 02:33:30.116
You're like, fine, whatever, let's go find Kairi.

02:33:30.116 --> 02:33:32.696
Inside Mickey says you need to locate a computer.

02:33:32.696 --> 02:33:35.316
That should be able to take you to the other Twilight Town.

02:33:35.316 --> 02:33:37.236
The other Twilight Town.

02:33:37.236 --> 02:33:41.536
From there, you should be able to find a way to the realm of darkness.

02:33:41.536 --> 02:33:45.236
You're like, oh, you mean the place where I last saw Riku?

02:33:45.236 --> 02:33:47.676
Mickey goes, Sora, come on, I made a promise.

02:33:47.676 --> 02:33:55.836
He's blinking like fucking Morse code at him, like, I am begging you, I will get sued if I fuck this NDA up, man.

02:33:55.836 --> 02:34:01.996
When you get to the computer lab Diz was using, Pence hops into the chair and taps away saying he's got this.

02:34:01.996 --> 02:34:03.716
But there's a password.

02:34:03.716 --> 02:34:09.556
You're like, the only clues we have are the picture and the sea salt ice cream pop that Donald ate almost immediately.

02:34:09.556 --> 02:34:15.496
We could also just try the word password because honestly, that works more often than you'd imagine.

02:34:15.496 --> 02:34:16.676
Actually, Mickey goes, that's it.

02:34:17.256 --> 02:34:20.876
Anson the Wise loved sea salt ice cream.

02:34:20.876 --> 02:34:23.276
It's kind of everyone's favorite treat in this world.

02:34:23.276 --> 02:34:24.616
The only treat in this world.

02:34:24.616 --> 02:34:26.356
Yeah.

02:34:26.356 --> 02:34:33.096
With the password entered, Pence digitizes you, Mickey, Donald and Goofy into the virtual world of Twilight Town.

02:34:33.096 --> 02:34:37.616
The only difference when you arrive being the computer terminal is now destroyed.

02:34:37.616 --> 02:34:42.996
Seeing the destroyed machine, you have a flash of Roxas beating the shit out of it.

02:34:42.996 --> 02:34:49.196
Through a door that had been previously locked back when you were Roxas, you find the portal to the realm of darkness.

02:34:49.196 --> 02:34:55.676
Inside, you find yourself in a sort of ethereal tunnel with a similar portal at the far opposite end.

02:34:55.676 --> 02:34:59.176
You walk toward it and get ambushed by nobodies.

02:34:59.176 --> 02:35:01.996
You fight with everything you have but they keep coming.

02:35:01.996 --> 02:35:07.196
You get tired and start panting when you hear Axel's voice say, keep moving or you'll succumb to the darkness.

02:35:07.196 --> 02:35:07.756
Oh shit.

02:35:08.036 --> 02:35:13.076
He shows up, Cochran's blazing, and helps you kill the surrounding nobodies.

02:35:13.076 --> 02:35:20.436
Axel gets his ass beat pretty hard during the fight and tells you that, yes, he kidnapped Kairi, but it was for her protection.

02:35:20.436 --> 02:35:22.236
It was a good kidnapping.

02:35:22.236 --> 02:35:25.016
Saix then kidnapped her from him.

02:35:25.016 --> 02:35:30.056
So now she's being held hostage by the organization and you need to go save her.

02:35:30.056 --> 02:35:34.656
He says the name Saix again and then asks, got it memorized?

02:35:34.656 --> 02:35:35.856
Okay, so now we're up to three.

02:35:38.636 --> 02:35:43.936
A thousand more nobodies surround the two of you, and Axel says he misses the days when they were on his side.

02:35:43.936 --> 02:35:47.236
You ask if he has any regrets and he says, not at all.

02:35:47.236 --> 02:35:49.156
Watch this.

02:35:49.156 --> 02:35:53.976
He throws his flaming weapons and they begin to spin around him faster and faster.

02:35:53.976 --> 02:35:57.896
He throws his arms wide, creating a massive explosion of fire.

02:35:57.896 --> 02:36:02.816
When the smoke settles, there's nary and nobody in sight except Axel.

02:36:02.816 --> 02:36:05.096
I would open with that move everywhere I went.

02:36:06.356 --> 02:36:07.716
That's so fucking cool.

02:36:07.716 --> 02:36:12.376
Well, he's lying on the ground, slowly fading into nothingness.

02:36:12.376 --> 02:36:15.216
You run up to him and he tells you to go find Kairi.

02:36:15.216 --> 02:36:17.616
He put everything he had into that last move.

02:36:17.616 --> 02:36:19.456
Oh, I get why he doesn't open with that now.

02:36:19.456 --> 02:36:20.416
All right.

02:36:20.416 --> 02:36:22.776
He apologizes for what he did to Kairi.

02:36:22.776 --> 02:36:26.076
And you tell him he can apologize to her himself when you find her.

02:36:26.076 --> 02:36:31.296
He laughs, saying his heart just wouldn't be in it, since, you know, he doesn't have one anyway.

02:36:32.976 --> 02:36:34.636
You ask why he did all this.

02:36:34.636 --> 02:36:36.236
Why did he turn against the Organization?

02:36:36.236 --> 02:36:38.916
Why all the chaos and confusion?

02:36:38.916 --> 02:36:41.976
He says he was just trying to see Roxas again.

02:36:41.976 --> 02:36:45.896
He was the only person that ever made him feel like he actually had a heart again.

02:36:45.896 --> 02:36:50.136
Having met you, he says you make him feel almost the same, actually.

02:36:50.136 --> 02:36:52.016
Oh, friendship.

02:36:52.016 --> 02:36:59.436
With his dying breath, he tells you that Kairi is in the castle dungeon and to go to her, as he opens a portal for you to pass through.

02:37:00.276 --> 02:37:02.736
The princess was in the other castle.

02:37:04.636 --> 02:37:06.736
The Other Castle.

02:37:06.736 --> 02:37:10.556
Taking what little he had left, he fades away once and for all.

02:37:10.556 --> 02:37:11.556
Oh, shit.

02:37:11.556 --> 02:37:12.436
Is he for real, Dad?

02:37:12.436 --> 02:37:13.396
He's for real, Dad.

02:37:13.396 --> 02:37:15.436
Oh, damn.

02:37:15.436 --> 02:37:16.536
Yeah, that's the end of Axel.

02:37:16.536 --> 02:37:18.716
That's why he's like, I need you to memorize this shit.

02:37:18.716 --> 02:37:20.876
I am not long for this world.

02:37:20.876 --> 02:37:22.456
Oh, poor Axel.

02:37:22.456 --> 02:37:28.016
Through the portal, Mickey rejoins the group, and the four of you enter the world that never was.

02:37:28.476 --> 02:37:29.036
Oh.

02:37:29.036 --> 02:37:34.136
It's that neon city we've been teased ever since the post-post-credit scene in the first game.

02:37:34.156 --> 02:37:34.736
Yeah.

02:37:34.736 --> 02:37:39.356
The one where Roxas and a blindfolded Riku fought a bunch of Heartless together.

02:37:39.356 --> 02:37:47.196
Centered over the city is a big-ass castle floating high above it all, with a heart-shaped moon highlighting its silhouette.

02:37:47.196 --> 02:37:53.376
You tell Mickey that Kyrie is in the dungeon of that castle, and Mickey says we'd better hurry.

02:37:53.376 --> 02:37:56.036
I do love that King Mickey is along for so much of the game.

02:37:56.036 --> 02:37:56.536
This is cool.

02:37:57.176 --> 02:38:02.276
But he does tend to fuck off a lot during travel sections, then reappear for cutscenes.

02:38:02.276 --> 02:38:05.156
Well, he has a private jet, and he's not.

02:38:05.156 --> 02:38:10.596
You have the gummy ship, that's still kind of like a mainliner cruiser situation.

02:38:10.596 --> 02:38:13.076
He's got a gummy bullet train.

02:38:13.076 --> 02:38:16.896
Very rarely does he help out in a fight, which sucks because he's an excellent fighter.

02:38:16.896 --> 02:38:19.176
Yeah, he does the fucking Yoda flips and shit.

02:38:19.176 --> 02:38:20.176
Yeah.

02:38:20.176 --> 02:38:24.156
In the city center square that held the Roxas-Riku fight, rain begins to fall.

02:38:25.356 --> 02:38:29.296
Nobodies surround you and cut you off from Donald and Goofy.

02:38:29.296 --> 02:38:33.356
Suddenly a portal appears and a cloaked figure steps out of it.

02:38:33.356 --> 02:38:37.456
They hold out their hand and the Keyblade Oblivion appears.

02:38:37.456 --> 02:38:39.056
They rush at you and attack.

02:38:39.056 --> 02:38:46.136
As you block their blow with your own Keyblade, the moment your blades connect, the two of you are transported away.

02:38:46.136 --> 02:38:50.816
You appear on the stained glass platform from the tutorial section across from the hooded figure.

02:38:52.076 --> 02:39:00.296
They're now holding both Oblivion and Oathkeeper, kicking off one of the most difficult boss fights in the series.

02:39:00.296 --> 02:39:02.116
Dual wielding fucking Keyblades?

02:39:02.116 --> 02:39:03.216
Dual wielding Keyblades.

02:39:03.216 --> 02:39:04.836
That's cool as shit.

02:39:04.836 --> 02:39:11.496
The only fight to rival it really is Sephiroth, which is an optional boss fight entirely basically just there for bragging rights.

02:39:11.496 --> 02:39:12.536
It's Sephiroth.

02:39:12.536 --> 02:39:16.316
But this one, 100 percent required.

02:39:16.316 --> 02:39:20.056
During the fight, you realize it's not Riku you're fighting and ask him to confirm.

02:39:21.036 --> 02:39:22.996
He says, no, he's not.

02:39:22.996 --> 02:39:25.716
But he defeated Riku once.

02:39:25.716 --> 02:39:27.476
The two of you continue to battle it out.

02:39:27.476 --> 02:39:30.096
Keyblade Master versus Keyblade Master.

02:39:30.096 --> 02:39:32.816
He asks why you were the one he chose.

02:39:32.816 --> 02:39:39.436
Leaping high into the air, he sees you standing on the stained glass platform between images of Riku and Kairi.

02:39:39.436 --> 02:39:43.196
Giving him clarity, he says, ah, now I see.

02:39:43.196 --> 02:39:50.696
He lands down on you and starts fucking wailing away, each hand furiously throwing blow after blow with his keyblades.

02:39:50.696 --> 02:39:58.956
Your only defense being your own keyblade as you hold it over your head with both hands, as the assailant beats you down until you fall to your knees.

02:39:58.956 --> 02:40:00.036
Jesus.

02:40:00.036 --> 02:40:04.416
He finally smacks your keyblade from your hands, and you dive after it.

02:40:04.416 --> 02:40:10.336
Just before you grab it, he drives his own into the hilt, pinning it to the ground.

02:40:10.336 --> 02:40:15.196
You reach out at your keyblade, which makes it disappear from the ground and appear in your hand.

02:40:15.476 --> 02:40:16.376
Nice.

02:40:16.376 --> 02:40:21.016
This catches the other guy off guard, and with a final blow, you cut him down.

02:40:21.016 --> 02:40:22.216
Hell yeah.

02:40:22.216 --> 02:40:29.756
He drops his keyblades, and the scene fades to another time entirely, just outside the mansion, where the gate is locked.

02:40:29.756 --> 02:40:33.036
Roxas stands, having been on the ground.

02:40:33.036 --> 02:40:40.236
An Organization member enters the scene, saying he knows why you're here, seeking answers and a purpose, promising to give both.

02:40:40.236 --> 02:40:45.616
Waving his hands, the name Sora appears in the air in front of Roxas.

02:40:45.616 --> 02:40:56.856
The letters begin to spin around him, rearranging themselves until S-O-R-A becomes R-O-A-S, with a giant X appearing in the center.

02:40:56.856 --> 02:41:03.676
Looking up into the hood, Roxas sees the face of Xemnas, the leader of Organization XIII.

02:41:03.676 --> 02:41:07.776
So this gives us like the naming convention for all the Organization members.

02:41:09.076 --> 02:41:14.296
So Xemnas is Ansem rearranged with the letter X in it.

02:41:14.296 --> 02:41:15.616
Put an X in it, okay.

02:41:15.616 --> 02:41:25.136
So all these different names that you've seen, Axel, Saix, Xehanort even, they are all different names with an X added to it.

02:41:25.136 --> 02:41:27.936
So Xehanort is just no heart with an X.

02:41:27.936 --> 02:41:31.776
You know, that's the same naming convention for MySpace scene kids.

02:41:32.856 --> 02:41:36.996
So you do a lower case X and a upper case X, underscore.

02:41:38.396 --> 02:41:39.096
Roar.

02:41:39.096 --> 02:41:40.296
Yeah.

02:41:40.296 --> 02:41:46.016
And then some sort of a literated version of your name, like, I don't know, Anarchy, Andrea, whatever, it's fine.

02:41:47.496 --> 02:41:55.216
The scene flash forwards a few months, and Roxas is sitting in his organization uniform on the ledge of the clock tower in Twilight Town.

02:41:55.216 --> 02:41:56.896
Axel is there with him.

02:41:56.896 --> 02:42:00.616
The two discuss nobodies and whether or not they actually have hearts.

02:42:00.616 --> 02:42:08.816
Roxas says it's not like we can just cut each other open and find out, but he says he knows Sora will find the answer because they're the same person.

02:42:08.816 --> 02:42:20.596
Handing Roxas a sea salt ice cream pop, Axel wants to talk about the day they met and asks if Roxas has still got it memorized, because he sure does.

02:42:20.596 --> 02:42:27.276
The two of them sat right here and did the same thing they're doing now, had some ice cream and watched the sunset.

02:42:28.556 --> 02:42:35.796
Roxas says he'll miss it all, but it's time to go meet up with Sora, hoping he'll see his friends again someday.

02:42:35.796 --> 02:42:39.616
Roxas begins to fade and tells Axel to take care.

02:42:39.616 --> 02:42:44.496
With a tear rolling down his cheek, Axel says, Right back at you, buddy.

02:42:45.596 --> 02:42:52.376
Back on the stained glass platform, the person you were fighting pulls their hood back, revealing themselves to be Roxas.

02:42:52.376 --> 02:42:55.396
He turns to you smiling and says, You make a good other.

02:42:56.716 --> 02:43:03.876
The scenery around you changes again, bringing you back to the city square, where Donald and Goofy are by your side once more.

02:43:03.876 --> 02:43:07.316
They say you vanished and they were left alone to kill a bunch of nobodies.

02:43:07.316 --> 02:43:12.056
You tell them that Roxas told you he defeated Riku, and Donald says, Don't be ridiculous.

02:43:12.056 --> 02:43:14.476
Nobody can defeat Riku.

02:43:14.476 --> 02:43:19.036
Goofy says that if Roxas was wearing a cloak, it means he's part of Organization XIII.

02:43:20.136 --> 02:43:24.116
So he was probably lying to you about defeating Riku to fuck with you.

02:43:24.116 --> 02:43:31.576
While your group figures out how to get inside a floating castle, we get a scene of Kairi being held in a cage by the Organization.

02:43:31.576 --> 02:43:39.736
A portal appears in the corner of the room, and Namine peeks through telling Kairi to follow, saying she needs to trust herself.

02:43:39.736 --> 02:43:43.376
Namine reaches her hand through the portal, and Kairi takes it.

02:43:43.376 --> 02:43:52.496
This causes a massive light to appear between their hands, and from outside, you can see it shining through the castle walls showing you where they are.

02:43:52.496 --> 02:43:57.436
Using your keyblade, you create a bridge to the castle saying you're on your way.

02:43:57.436 --> 02:44:04.556
Back with Kairi and Namine, they're running through the castle when they're confronted by Saix and some guard nobodies.

02:44:04.556 --> 02:44:08.496
From behind, someone in a cloak backstabs the guards, killing them.

02:44:08.496 --> 02:44:09.416
Oh shit.

02:44:09.416 --> 02:44:10.936
Namine says, thanks, Riku!

02:44:10.936 --> 02:44:11.676
Oh shit!

02:44:11.676 --> 02:44:13.356
You can take it from here.

02:44:13.356 --> 02:44:14.696
Kairi's like, hold up, Riku?

02:44:15.916 --> 02:44:21.036
Riku and Saix battle, and Saix vanishes through a portal escaping the fight.

02:44:21.036 --> 02:44:27.316
Kairi tells Riku to remove his hood, and when he does, Xehanort's who we see instead.

02:44:28.396 --> 02:44:34.096
The scene cuts back to you running through the castle looking for Kairi when Saix gets in your way.

02:44:34.096 --> 02:44:38.536
He points at the heart-shaped moon, saying that it's the Organization's doorway to Kingdom Hearts.

02:44:38.536 --> 02:44:41.616
Just one last round of heartless killing, and it'll be complete.

02:44:41.616 --> 02:44:42.136
Oh shit.

02:44:42.636 --> 02:44:48.756
Snapping his fingers, the room fills with heartless, and you're like, what the fuck are we supposed to do?

02:44:48.756 --> 02:44:51.436
We have to feed the heartless fucking moon shit now.

02:44:51.436 --> 02:44:52.576
God damn it.

02:44:52.576 --> 02:44:54.876
From up above, you hear your name.

02:44:54.876 --> 02:44:58.276
Kairi is there on a balcony, and she says to hang on.

02:44:58.276 --> 02:45:02.676
She dives off the balcony, performing a full blown superhero landing onto the deck below.

02:45:02.676 --> 02:45:03.756
Still a story above you.

02:45:03.756 --> 02:45:04.676
Holy shit.

02:45:04.676 --> 02:45:07.636
Only to get swarmed immediately by heartless and overpowered.

02:45:07.636 --> 02:45:09.416
God damn it, Kairi.

02:45:09.416 --> 02:45:11.256
With a slash, the heartless are defeated.

02:45:11.556 --> 02:45:13.376
Oh, okay, Kairi.

02:45:13.376 --> 02:45:17.236
Riku's Xehanort is there, pulling her back to her feet.

02:45:17.236 --> 02:45:20.416
He hands her a keyblade of her own, saying to take it.

02:45:20.416 --> 02:45:27.396
Holding it in her hand, she slashes it through the air, saying, this time, I'll fight, and charges into battle.

02:45:27.396 --> 02:45:29.356
Hell yeah.

02:45:29.356 --> 02:45:36.496
In another part of the castle, King Mickey is battling his way through when he finds a group of nobodies surrounding a downed body.

02:45:36.496 --> 02:45:42.516
After killing them, Mickey approaches it to find Diz, the man all in red who was voiced by Sir Christopher Lee.

02:45:42.516 --> 02:45:43.516
Oh shit.

02:45:43.516 --> 02:45:54.336
He has a big-ass machine with him, and he stands up, removing his red bandages as he does, revealing long blonde hair and a blonde goatee, the face of Ansem the Wise.

02:45:54.336 --> 02:45:56.036
The Professor.

02:45:56.036 --> 02:45:59.756
He greets the king, saying, it's been a long time, old friend.

02:45:59.756 --> 02:46:03.116
Mickey is pissed at Ansem for not involving him sooner.

02:46:03.116 --> 02:46:09.276
Ansem says that Xehanort was his apprentice, so he felt responsible when his nobody Xemnest took over the organization.

02:46:09.276 --> 02:46:13.776
Sorcerers and their apprentices are always fucking trouble in these worlds.

02:46:13.776 --> 02:46:15.756
Maybe they should switch to internships.

02:46:15.756 --> 02:46:18.656
Maybe an apprentice is too close for comfort.

02:46:18.656 --> 02:46:26.456
Plus he really wants revenge as most of the organization is made up of former employees who stole his research and claimed it as their own.

02:46:26.456 --> 02:46:28.996
So I think he's got some structural issues here as well.

02:46:28.996 --> 02:46:29.756
Oh yeah.

02:46:29.756 --> 02:46:32.016
Maybe an admin could have helped with this.

02:46:32.016 --> 02:46:33.076
He wasn't a good boss.

02:46:33.216 --> 02:46:34.376
No.

02:46:34.376 --> 02:46:38.736
Mickey Mouse says that his contract states he cannot assist in revenge storylines.

02:46:38.736 --> 02:46:41.296
He is all about the contracts, which I really love.

02:46:41.296 --> 02:46:43.336
He's like, I will not cross an NDA.

02:46:43.336 --> 02:46:48.196
I have very strict instructions to be clear on exactly what I'm allowed to do and not do.

02:46:48.196 --> 02:46:54.656
Like this might be minorly reflective of the actual behind the scenes partnership between Square and Disney.

02:46:54.656 --> 02:46:55.376
I love it.

02:46:55.376 --> 02:46:56.336
Ansem says he knows.

02:46:56.336 --> 02:46:59.076
Riku told him all about how powerful Disney lawyers can be.

02:47:05.116 --> 02:47:06.416
Fuck me.

02:47:06.416 --> 02:47:10.996
Ansem tells Mickey that Riku is likely joined back up with Sora, Donald and Goofy.

02:47:10.996 --> 02:47:14.596
Here we find out what happened with Riku.

02:47:14.596 --> 02:47:24.276
He left King Mickey because he was struggling with the fact that Xehanort had possessed him during the events of the first game, and he could still feel him inside trying to break free.

02:47:24.276 --> 02:47:28.176
Mickey suggested finding Ansem the Wise, so Riku set out to do so.

02:47:29.376 --> 02:47:36.376
When he found Ansem the Wise, he was tasked with finding Roxas, saying it would help wake Sora from his slumber.

02:47:36.376 --> 02:47:42.636
He had to travel to the Realm of Darkness to find Roxas, and got his ass handed to him when the two fought.

02:47:42.636 --> 02:47:48.496
Riku realized he needed to succumb to the darkness if he wanted any hope of beating Roxas.

02:47:48.496 --> 02:47:55.976
Since the darkest part of his life was during the time he was possessed by Xehanort, his appearance changed, and that's why he looks the way he does now.

02:47:56.516 --> 02:47:57.496
Interesting.

02:47:57.496 --> 02:48:03.296
When he finally captured Roxas, he had forgotten who he was and was going by Ansem.

02:48:04.696 --> 02:48:09.276
It impressed Ansem the Wise, seeing how far Riku was willing to go to save his friends.

02:48:09.276 --> 02:48:14.136
With time, he regained self-awareness, but was left trapped looking like Xehanort.

02:48:15.236 --> 02:48:23.636
Mickey says that when he saw Riku again after the change, he made Mickey promise never to tell Sora what he went through, knowing the guilt Sora would feel.

02:48:24.716 --> 02:48:29.836
Anson the Wise says that he has ruined a lot of lives seeking his revenge.

02:48:29.836 --> 02:48:36.136
It's time to set things straight and do right by these brave children fighting for the lives of literally everyone in the universe.

02:48:36.136 --> 02:48:37.376
Yeah.

02:48:37.376 --> 02:48:40.496
Back with Sora, you reach Kairi and Riku.

02:48:40.496 --> 02:48:44.816
Finally, the three friends reunited after so much time has passed.

02:48:44.816 --> 02:48:48.796
Kairi says that you never came home, so she came looking for you.

02:48:48.796 --> 02:48:53.036
And she wraps her arms around you, squeezing you tighter than you've been squeezed in ages.

02:48:53.296 --> 02:48:56.176
Oh, this hug has been a really long time coming.

02:48:56.176 --> 02:49:03.816
Watching this embrace, Riku opens a portal and goes to step through it, always uncomfortable when you two are getting flirty.

02:49:03.816 --> 02:49:13.456
You stop him, saying, Hey, Ansem or Xehanort's heartless or whatever, I know I'm supposed to hate you, and I don't really understand why you're back from the dead.

02:49:13.456 --> 02:49:17.636
But thank you for saving Kairi and keeping her safe.

02:49:17.636 --> 02:49:21.036
Without a word, Riku continues toward the portal.

02:49:21.036 --> 02:49:24.656
But Kairi grabs him, saying, Please, Riku, don't go.

02:49:24.656 --> 02:49:27.876
You, Donald and Goofy are like, Hold the fuck on, Riku?

02:49:27.876 --> 02:49:37.556
And as we know from the ancient texts, when you walk away, you will not hear me say, Please, oh, Riku, don't go.

02:49:37.556 --> 02:49:40.096
And now we're just shitting all over that.

02:49:40.096 --> 02:49:41.836
I guess this is the game of inverses.

02:49:41.836 --> 02:49:43.136
Yep.

02:49:43.136 --> 02:49:47.256
Kairi brings you over and tells you to take his hand and close your eyes.

02:49:47.256 --> 02:49:49.716
When you do, you see Riku in his place.

02:49:51.116 --> 02:49:57.916
You fall to your knees, sobbing, saying you searched a dozen worlds looking for him.

02:49:57.916 --> 02:50:07.016
Riku's voice now comes from the Xehanort body, saying he was avoiding you, staying just out of reach, not wanting you to see him like this.

02:50:07.016 --> 02:50:10.896
But it's also how he was able to string you along and get you this far.

02:50:10.896 --> 02:50:17.236
He says that he still needs the power of darkness for the coming fight, so he'll be remaining in this form for the time being, possibly forever.

02:50:17.236 --> 02:50:17.736
We'll see, though.

02:50:18.836 --> 02:50:26.436
While you all catch up and formulate a plan, King Mickey and Ansem the Wise set up the big-ass machine Ansem was carrying around when Mickey found him.

02:50:26.436 --> 02:50:32.716
He says it'll drain the hearts Sora released out of Kingdom Hearts, preventing the Organization from opening it.

02:50:32.716 --> 02:50:37.156
Ansem says he has no idea what it'll do other than that, but it's worth a shot.

02:50:37.156 --> 02:50:40.256
It fires up and shoots a laser beam at the moon.

02:50:40.256 --> 02:50:45.036
You and your friends see the beam, and Riku says it must be Ansem the Wise's machine, telling you to follow him.

02:50:46.176 --> 02:50:52.296
You have to fight a couple of Organization members on the way, including Saix, who calls you Roxas when you approach.

02:50:52.296 --> 02:50:57.116
You tell him that's really getting old, so you fight Saix and finish him off once and for all.

02:50:57.116 --> 02:50:57.516
Good.

02:50:57.516 --> 02:50:58.436
Really handed to him.

02:50:58.436 --> 02:50:59.596
Like, dude.

02:50:59.596 --> 02:51:05.256
After the fight, you ask Riku why everyone keeps calling you Roxas.

02:51:05.256 --> 02:51:09.696
He says it's because Roxas is your nobody.

02:51:09.696 --> 02:51:16.496
Back when you turned into a Heartless to save Kairi during your first adventure, it created your nobody Roxas.

02:51:16.496 --> 02:51:23.376
Xemnas found him, gave him his name, and realized he could use a keyblade since he's your nobody.

02:51:23.376 --> 02:51:28.556
Riku thought fighting him would help wake you up, but Roxas kicked his ass.

02:51:28.556 --> 02:51:32.536
So he got stronger and confronted Roxas a second time.

02:51:32.536 --> 02:51:37.216
This takes us back to the fight between Roxas and original recipe Riku in the city square.

02:51:37.216 --> 02:51:40.536
Riku loses his keyblade, but Roxas still can't land a blow.

02:51:41.576 --> 02:51:45.396
To which Riku says, Come on, Sora, I thought you were stronger than that.

02:51:45.396 --> 02:51:49.396
Mirroring what he said to you in the first game that gave you the strength to win in the final battle.

02:51:49.396 --> 02:51:54.736
Out of Roxas' mouth, Sora's voice says, Look who's winning.

02:51:54.736 --> 02:52:00.876
Roxas is shook, knowing he didn't say anything, and that wasn't his voice.

02:52:00.876 --> 02:52:05.316
Riku is like, damn, you really are his nobody.

02:52:05.316 --> 02:52:11.976
Roxas becomes enraged, attacking Riku with everything he has, eventually landing a serious blow.

02:52:11.976 --> 02:52:15.656
Riku stands, saying he's been left with no choice.

02:52:15.656 --> 02:52:20.396
He'll need to unleash the darkness within, even if it means it will change him forever.

02:52:20.396 --> 02:52:28.176
With a voice cracking scream, Riku transforms into Xehanort in front of Roxas, and manhandles him with ease.

02:52:28.216 --> 02:52:29.096
Holy shit.

02:52:29.096 --> 02:52:34.116
Finally taking him captive and turning him over to Ansem the Wise.

02:52:34.116 --> 02:52:40.596
Back in the castle with current day Riku, he tells you that in the end, he probably never even had to fight Roxas.

02:52:41.656 --> 02:52:46.496
We probably could have just had like a conversation, but we went this other route.

02:52:46.496 --> 02:52:49.736
He was already quitting the Organization when the fight started.

02:52:49.736 --> 02:52:54.016
Riku says he thinks it's because he found out about you and wanted to meet.

02:52:54.016 --> 02:52:56.136
You're like, damn, same.

02:52:56.136 --> 02:52:57.896
I would want to meet him too.

02:52:57.896 --> 02:53:02.276
Riku points to your chest, indicating that Roxas is right there with you.

02:53:02.276 --> 02:53:06.936
Back with King Mickey and Ansem the Wise, the machine they're using is beginning to overload.

02:53:07.756 --> 02:53:14.256
Ansem laughs, saying he was an idiot to think any machine could contain the vast amount of information contained within a heart.

02:53:14.256 --> 02:53:21.156
He tells Mickey that this thing is going to blow, but he needs to stay and make sure it keeps working up until it can't any longer.

02:53:21.156 --> 02:53:27.816
You finally arrive, and Ansem says it's up to you now, and that he hopes Roxas can hear him, wishing you all luck.

02:53:27.816 --> 02:53:33.296
Before you can leave, Xemnas appears, saying, who the fuck is messing with my Kingdom Hearts?

02:53:36.696 --> 02:53:40.196
Ansem and Xemnas have a master and apprentice talk.

02:53:40.196 --> 02:53:45.576
Ansem saying Xemnas was the fool apprentice of a fool master.

02:53:45.576 --> 02:53:54.016
Xemnas thanking Ansem for his research, saying without it, the Heartless would never have been created, and Kingdom Hearts would never have been discovered.

02:53:54.016 --> 02:54:00.596
But all of this is just a distraction, as Ansem was just buying time as the machine continues to overload.

02:54:00.596 --> 02:54:05.276
He tells Riku that he knows what to do, and apologizes to King Mickey.

02:54:05.276 --> 02:54:15.856
With a final farewell, the machine explodes, evaporating Ansem the Wise with it, and raining hearts back down to the city streets below, where they form into the Heartless they once were.

02:54:15.856 --> 02:54:17.476
Magic rain.

02:54:17.476 --> 02:54:21.316
Waking up from the blast, you rush over to Riku, who was nearest to it.

02:54:21.316 --> 02:54:24.936
He stands up in his real body, as Riku with a blindfold.

02:54:24.936 --> 02:54:26.136
His back?

02:54:26.136 --> 02:54:30.056
He removes it, and you ask why he was ever wearing it to begin with.

02:54:30.056 --> 02:54:38.156
He says he couldn't bear to see his own face, ashamed of everything he had to do to save the day, and never wanted to risk seeing it in a reflection.

02:54:38.156 --> 02:54:41.216
You're like, that's fucking weird and pretty dumb.

02:54:41.216 --> 02:54:44.576
You had friends that could have helped you, you just chose not to ask.

02:54:44.576 --> 02:54:47.676
Hey, dipshit.

02:54:47.676 --> 02:54:48.896
Fucking text me.

02:54:48.896 --> 02:54:50.816
We grew up together, my guy.

02:54:50.816 --> 02:54:53.076
I will listen if you talk to me.

02:54:53.076 --> 02:54:59.776
Yeah, there's more strength in asking for help than there is in struggling, because you don't know or won't accept your personal limitations.

02:54:59.896 --> 02:55:00.576
That's perfect.

02:55:00.576 --> 02:55:03.316
That applies to so much.

02:55:03.316 --> 02:55:05.436
Just put that on a fucking cross-stitch pillow.

02:55:05.436 --> 02:55:07.296
Like, that's our new live laugh love.

02:55:07.296 --> 02:55:12.196
Just because something isn't easy doesn't mean it has to be hard.

02:55:12.196 --> 02:55:13.216
Exactly.

02:55:13.216 --> 02:55:18.356
Riku throws off his black cloak, leaving that dark part of his life behind him once and for all.

02:55:18.356 --> 02:55:19.836
Yay!

02:55:19.836 --> 02:55:21.016
Back in his casuals.

02:55:21.016 --> 02:55:22.056
Casuals!

02:55:22.056 --> 02:55:24.456
Saying the final boss is up ahead.

02:55:24.456 --> 02:55:27.836
Xemnas is the only Organization XIII member still alive.

02:55:28.816 --> 02:55:30.856
Let's go end this.

02:55:30.856 --> 02:55:38.736
Before you do, Kairi points out that the newly reborn Heartless are flooding the castle, pouring in through the windows and climbing towards you.

02:55:38.736 --> 02:55:40.736
From the windows to the walls.

02:55:40.736 --> 02:55:46.876
Suddenly, Maleficent and Pete appear, saying they'll handle the Heartless and for you to go stop Xemnas.

02:55:46.876 --> 02:55:48.936
I forgot about them, but that is very convenient.

02:55:48.936 --> 02:55:50.776
So thank you, Maleficent.

02:55:50.776 --> 02:55:53.756
Your entire group is like, what the fuck is going on?

02:55:54.816 --> 02:56:01.036
They all know she and Pete are obviously up to some other shit, but they're like, we don't have the fucking time to undangle that.

02:56:01.036 --> 02:56:02.336
Let's take the win.

02:56:02.336 --> 02:56:05.756
To which Maleficent says, she gets to keep this castle when it's all over.

02:56:05.776 --> 02:56:06.696
Now get going.

02:56:06.696 --> 02:56:08.816
It's a property move!

02:56:09.836 --> 02:56:10.596
There it is.

02:56:10.596 --> 02:56:13.476
See, my girl is about her bag.

02:56:15.796 --> 02:56:20.956
She said, no, dead ass, I'm going to have to clean this up anyway, because this is where I live now.

02:56:20.956 --> 02:56:28.076
She was such a villain in the first game, and the second game is her researching real estate and fighting off the people that are there.

02:56:28.076 --> 02:56:29.776
She's on House Hunters.

02:56:31.896 --> 02:56:33.136
I love this for her.

02:56:33.136 --> 02:56:40.036
And she's just like, and I've got this dumb dipshit over here, who's just a brute for the force of being a brute.

02:56:40.036 --> 02:56:40.476
I don't know.

02:56:40.476 --> 02:56:45.676
I told him he could live in the dog house out back, but honestly, you're in my yard.

02:56:45.676 --> 02:56:46.556
Get the fuck out.

02:56:46.556 --> 02:56:48.716
You're fucking up my grass.

02:56:48.716 --> 02:56:52.396
Mickey Mouse says that she and Pete are doing what their heart tells them is best.

02:56:52.636 --> 02:56:54.956
We're just to get the bag.

02:56:54.956 --> 02:56:56.876
Let's not argue and just take the win.

02:56:56.876 --> 02:56:57.816
Absolutely.

02:56:57.816 --> 02:57:04.556
On the top of the castle, Xemnas is yelling into the void that Kingdom Hearts is ruined and he has to start all over.

02:57:04.556 --> 02:57:08.796
He turns as you enter the scene saying, it's time for you to go collect him some more hearts.

02:57:08.796 --> 02:57:15.636
Three Keyblade Masters, Mickey, Riku and yourself point your keyblades at him refusing.

02:57:15.636 --> 02:57:18.576
He asks why you hate the darkness so much.

02:57:18.576 --> 02:57:22.996
Mickey says it's not that you hate it, it's just scary.

02:57:22.996 --> 02:57:27.736
Plus, the world is made of both light and dark, so we need to maintain that balance.

02:57:27.736 --> 02:57:31.056
Makes you wonder why we're scared of the dark in the first place.

02:57:31.056 --> 02:57:36.956
Ximnas asks, what's the difference between someone who wants to live in the light and one who wants to live in the dark?

02:57:36.956 --> 02:57:43.096
If both are required and you still choose the light, then why shouldn't he be allowed to choose the dark?

02:57:43.096 --> 02:57:45.636
You say because nobody's aren't even real.

02:57:45.636 --> 02:57:47.876
They don't have hearts, can't feel anything anyway.

02:57:49.016 --> 02:57:51.616
He's like, damn, touche.

02:57:51.616 --> 02:57:53.856
Guess we have to fight them.

02:57:53.856 --> 02:57:59.356
This kicks off a long string of battles against Ximnas, as this is a square enix we're talking about.

02:57:59.356 --> 02:58:03.756
So we need about 14 to 20 phases for this final boss.

02:58:03.756 --> 02:58:05.876
I exaggerate, but it is nine.

02:58:05.876 --> 02:58:07.136
Jesus.

02:58:07.136 --> 02:58:13.696
First, it's 1v1 in the city square, with you and Ximnas fighting up and down the side of a nearby skyscraper.

02:58:13.696 --> 02:58:19.356
Ximnas using two red lightsabers without ever referring to them as such, even in sound effect.

02:58:19.356 --> 02:58:22.636
He's just Darth Maul for one phase of the boss battle.

02:58:22.636 --> 02:58:24.956
They are fully fucking lightsabers.

02:58:24.956 --> 02:58:26.776
Fuck yeah, Darth Maul.

02:58:26.776 --> 02:58:33.096
After the first phase, Ximnas manages to open the doorway to Kingdom Hearts by force and hides inside.

02:58:33.096 --> 02:58:38.096
Being Keyblade Masters, you have your own way of getting in and follow behind.

02:58:38.096 --> 02:58:48.796
Mickey stays behind, leaving it up to you, Riku, Donald and Goofy, to defeat Ximnas, who starts throwing entire fucking office buildings at you.

02:58:48.796 --> 02:58:50.096
Buildings!

02:58:50.096 --> 02:58:54.556
There's a ton of QTE moments through this fight, making it gigantic and epic.

02:58:54.556 --> 02:59:00.816
Honestly, there are very few games that have the same level of satisfying gameplay as a maxed out Sora.

02:59:00.816 --> 02:59:01.836
Oh, I love that.

02:59:01.836 --> 02:59:14.536
If you are 99th level with all the best weapons and movesets the game has to offer, you are at godlike levels of power as you literally fly around, dodging and destroying everything in your path.

02:59:14.536 --> 02:59:21.416
Xemnas even calls on the powers of each organization member you've fought, stealing their attacks to use against you.

02:59:21.416 --> 02:59:28.476
But like I said, maxed out Sora is a fucking beast, and you eventually overpower Xemnas, making him fade away like all the others.

02:59:28.476 --> 02:59:31.496
No more special than any other nobody.

02:59:31.496 --> 02:59:33.996
The castle begins to shake beneath your feet.

02:59:33.996 --> 02:59:36.916
Enriqu goes to open a portal, but can't.

02:59:36.916 --> 02:59:40.636
Nikki says he no longer belongs to the darkness, so he can't use those portals anymore.

02:59:40.956 --> 02:59:43.456
Your access got revoked, my guy.

02:59:43.456 --> 02:59:48.616
Suddenly, a portal appears anyway, and an apparition of Namine appears in front of it.

02:59:48.616 --> 02:59:49.616
Oh, shit.

02:59:49.616 --> 02:59:56.996
Mickey runs right through her, unable to see her saying that he has no idea where it came from, but there's no time to question it, beckoning everyone to enter.

02:59:56.996 --> 02:59:57.576
Take the win.

02:59:57.576 --> 02:59:59.016
Let's go.

02:59:59.016 --> 03:00:05.056
You, Riku and Kairi stay behind a moment, and Kairi says thank you to the spectral Namine.

03:00:05.056 --> 03:00:09.216
Namine turns to you and says, see, I told you we'd see each other again.

03:00:10.356 --> 03:00:12.936
You're like, I've never seen you before.

03:00:12.936 --> 03:00:15.056
Bitch, you are new, but okay.

03:00:15.056 --> 03:00:21.836
But then Roxas speaks out of you, saying that he didn't expect to recognize her when he did see her again.

03:00:21.836 --> 03:00:26.776
A spectral version of Roxas steps out of you, so he can be with Namine one more time.

03:00:26.776 --> 03:00:30.296
This must be fucking horrifying for Sora.

03:00:30.296 --> 03:00:32.756
Sora's like, I am exhausted.

03:00:32.756 --> 03:00:35.556
I just fought a bunch of crazy shit.

03:00:35.876 --> 03:00:36.916
I am so physically tired.

03:00:36.956 --> 03:00:39.296
I still have so much to go and run towards.

03:00:39.296 --> 03:00:44.656
And then a ghost expires out of him and talks to the other ghost.

03:00:44.656 --> 03:00:45.816
Holy shit.

03:00:45.816 --> 03:00:50.156
They talk about how they both thought nobodies were doomed to never be whole again.

03:00:50.156 --> 03:00:56.756
But these two were lucky and got to meet their original selves, getting to merge with them once again.

03:00:56.756 --> 03:01:02.956
The two ghostly nobodies turn to you and Kairi, saying that anytime you two are together, they'll be together.

03:01:03.956 --> 03:01:07.156
Revealing Naminé was Kairi's nobody all along.

03:01:08.796 --> 03:01:11.176
The only other girl in the entire story.

03:01:13.356 --> 03:01:17.496
Kairi says, Well, Sora and I will be together every day.

03:01:17.496 --> 03:01:19.236
Right, Sora?

03:01:19.236 --> 03:01:23.156
You're like, oh, yeah, of course, every day.

03:01:23.156 --> 03:01:25.816
We're going to split the fucking fruit, okay, guy?

03:01:25.816 --> 03:01:30.596
The two of you reabsorb your respective nobody, becoming whole once again.

03:01:30.596 --> 03:01:33.296
Riku says not to worry, you're still you.

03:01:33.296 --> 03:01:37.016
You're actually more you than you've been in a while.

03:01:37.016 --> 03:01:42.416
Kairi steps through the portal, which closes just before you and Riku can enter.

03:01:42.416 --> 03:01:42.916
Oh shit.

03:01:42.916 --> 03:01:46.896
Leaving you two stranded on the castle's roof.

03:01:46.896 --> 03:01:53.756
Suddenly, the entire place turns to a bright white, as Xemnas has one more trick up his sleeve.

03:01:53.756 --> 03:01:55.096
Motherfucker!

03:01:55.096 --> 03:01:58.876
And it gets really weird from here out.

03:01:58.876 --> 03:02:00.576
This is where it starts to get weird?

03:02:01.056 --> 03:02:06.616
A nobody dragon comes flying in from nowhere.

03:02:07.996 --> 03:02:09.716
Hold on, just wait.

03:02:10.776 --> 03:02:22.476
Riku dives off the side of the castle and lands inside a motorcycle style spaceship that happens to be nearby.

03:02:22.476 --> 03:02:24.356
None of those words are in the Bible.

03:02:24.356 --> 03:02:27.956
The spaceship also has a side car that you can stand on.

03:02:28.476 --> 03:02:32.156
You have to ride bitch in the magical space bike?

03:02:32.156 --> 03:02:33.836
Are you fucking kidding me?

03:02:33.836 --> 03:02:43.356
Like you're a whimsical dog on a road trip with goggles on, just sitting in the side car of a motorcycle spaceship as you fight the nobody ghost...

03:02:43.356 --> 03:02:45.536
I'm out.

03:02:45.536 --> 03:02:49.756
The logic of this fight just isn't fucking there.

03:02:49.756 --> 03:02:52.076
You have to shoot lasers at the dragon.

03:02:52.076 --> 03:02:55.416
Obviously, that's the best way to attack dragons is via laser.

03:02:55.676 --> 03:03:03.396
And it's not even like a gummy ship battle, which would make sense and would have been in world with the already established rules and commands.

03:03:03.396 --> 03:03:06.816
So they've introduced a new kind of ship here.

03:03:06.816 --> 03:03:12.536
This in the third act towards the very back part of the game is when they're like, you know what we should do?

03:03:12.536 --> 03:03:14.016
Introduce new kinds of...

03:03:14.476 --> 03:03:16.696
What the fuck?

03:03:16.696 --> 03:03:24.036
They introduce completely different style of aerial combat that you have to learn during the final battle in the heat of the moment.

03:03:24.296 --> 03:03:28.996
This is when the original form of Forloka was still being sold in stores.

03:03:29.016 --> 03:03:35.416
And it was the caffeine, the guarine or some shit, and the alcohol that was sending people into the hospital and shit.

03:03:35.416 --> 03:03:40.556
This is the fuel that powers whatever the fuck ship is happening here.

03:03:40.556 --> 03:03:45.036
Yeah, Square Enix had a keg of sparks in the office or something.

03:03:45.036 --> 03:03:48.596
Tom, as soon as you said that, I could taste it on my tongue.

03:03:48.596 --> 03:03:52.836
Oh, it tastes like nickels and old Fanta and malt liquor.

03:03:53.376 --> 03:03:58.676
Oh, God, I feel like my tongue is turning orange just because you said sparks.

03:03:58.676 --> 03:04:02.516
You're invoking something bad in me.

03:04:02.516 --> 03:04:10.736
Oh, and that's, yeah, I 100% feel like that was on tap and it's been replaced with like one of those like black iced coffee kegs now.

03:04:10.736 --> 03:04:12.356
And they're like, hey, man, we had to...

03:04:12.356 --> 03:04:13.096
Keurig.

03:04:13.096 --> 03:04:16.676
Yeah, it's just a Keurig now because they've all aged out of that phase.

03:04:16.676 --> 03:04:17.736
From keg to Keurig.

03:04:17.956 --> 03:04:21.936
Yeah, that's what growing up is like, you know.

03:04:21.936 --> 03:04:27.656
Oh, I love this fucking game, but there's just some shit that just I just can't sometimes.

03:04:27.656 --> 03:04:28.536
You just can't.

03:04:28.536 --> 03:04:29.576
That's all I'll say about it.

03:04:29.576 --> 03:04:31.576
And you are a long term fan.

03:04:31.576 --> 03:04:37.076
You've played most of the entries just with certain restraints around consoles that you haven't picked up.

03:04:37.076 --> 03:04:38.816
Like you truly love these games.

03:04:38.816 --> 03:04:41.656
And you said this one is the best one in the franchise.

03:04:41.656 --> 03:04:43.416
One of the greatest games ever made.

03:04:43.416 --> 03:04:46.656
This has your favorite moment in video gaming, period.

03:04:47.076 --> 03:04:49.316
And there are some moments where it's just, oh, fuck me.

03:04:49.316 --> 03:05:01.596
And now you have to describe to me, you riding bitch in a space bike fighting a dragon with the power of friendship and lasers.

03:05:04.616 --> 03:05:06.456
Oh, yep, it's almost done.

03:05:06.456 --> 03:05:06.976
Don't worry.

03:05:06.976 --> 03:05:07.856
God damn it.

03:05:07.856 --> 03:05:10.736
It turns out Xemnas is piloting the dragon from the head.

03:05:10.736 --> 03:05:11.536
Obviously.

03:05:11.536 --> 03:05:13.656
So you land there and fight him once again.

03:05:13.656 --> 03:05:16.116
Is this a mech or is he just sitting on top of a dragon?

03:05:16.536 --> 03:05:18.656
So he's in like a knight uniform.

03:05:18.656 --> 03:05:19.796
Oh, what a dork.

03:05:19.796 --> 03:05:20.796
Yeah.

03:05:20.796 --> 03:05:25.256
When you and Riku land, Xemnas transports you to a new realm entirely.

03:05:25.256 --> 03:05:27.476
A gray and white void.

03:05:27.476 --> 03:05:29.816
Xemnas is now wearing a new cloak.

03:05:29.816 --> 03:05:34.276
This one is black and white with ornate designs across it.

03:05:34.276 --> 03:05:38.976
He says that if light and dark are eternal, then nothingness is as well.

03:05:38.976 --> 03:05:42.836
Since he doesn't exist, that means he too is eternal.

03:05:42.836 --> 03:05:43.836
God damn it.

03:05:44.796 --> 03:05:47.616
You're like, no, it doesn't mean that at all.

03:05:47.616 --> 03:05:49.756
We went over this with your heartless already.

03:05:53.856 --> 03:05:56.556
I like Sora just going, no.

03:05:57.696 --> 03:06:01.216
In fact, we're gonna kill you like we did him just to prove you're not eternal.

03:06:01.216 --> 03:06:02.956
Fuck yeah, get him Sora.

03:06:02.956 --> 03:06:09.336
Finally, the conclusive battle begins with Riku by your side at long last.

03:06:09.336 --> 03:06:11.656
Laser beams surround the two of you.

03:06:11.656 --> 03:06:12.456
Fucking lasers.

03:06:12.516 --> 03:06:20.936
And with lightning speed, you both deflect every single last one of them and display that would make an army of Jedi proud.

03:06:21.596 --> 03:06:22.076
It's wild.

03:06:22.076 --> 03:06:27.476
There are a ton of Star Wars references here in this final section, and it was before Disney bought Star Wars.

03:06:27.476 --> 03:06:28.656
They were seeding something.

03:06:28.656 --> 03:06:31.556
You know, those conversations start a long time in advance.

03:06:31.556 --> 03:06:43.336
Well, this was all just actual homage, which the Final Fantasy series has done plenty of times over the years, having named many people after Star Wars characters, such as repeated uses of the names biggs and Wedge particularly.

03:06:43.336 --> 03:06:45.396
And obviously, Sephiroth the Hutt.

03:06:45.396 --> 03:06:47.956
Right.

03:06:47.956 --> 03:06:54.656
With the final team up, you and Riku defeat Xemnas for real, and he disintegrates into nothing.

03:06:54.656 --> 03:06:58.216
Riku is beat from the fight and needs your help getting out.

03:06:58.216 --> 03:07:01.016
He apologizes while he's slung over your shoulder.

03:07:01.016 --> 03:07:05.016
He always treated you like he was better than you at, well, everything.

03:07:05.016 --> 03:07:06.536
You're like, it's cool.

03:07:06.536 --> 03:07:07.536
I always thought you were better too.

03:07:09.416 --> 03:07:15.116
You step through a doorway made of light and walk out onto that dark and dreary beach along the lake.

03:07:15.116 --> 03:07:19.316
Riku collapses, and you drop with him to help him back up.

03:07:19.316 --> 03:07:22.496
Riku looks around, saying he kind of likes it here.

03:07:22.496 --> 03:07:25.496
He always felt more at home in the dark anyway.

03:07:25.496 --> 03:07:27.556
You tell him you'll stay too.

03:07:27.556 --> 03:07:34.876
If light and dark need to coexist, then maybe the two of you should stay in the realm of darkness, to make sure it doesn't become too dark.

03:07:36.016 --> 03:07:39.756
Besides, Kairi and the others will keep the realm of light safe.

03:07:39.756 --> 03:07:42.856
Riku asks for a hand getting down to the water's edge.

03:07:42.856 --> 03:07:47.056
The water lapping at least sounds like back home on Destiny Island.

03:07:47.056 --> 03:07:51.176
Riku apologizes again for his superiority complex.

03:07:51.176 --> 03:07:58.256
Because truthfully, he's always been jealous of you, and how you're able to just follow your heart and do whatever you think is right.

03:07:58.256 --> 03:07:59.236
Him?

03:07:59.236 --> 03:08:03.256
He's always looking for someone else to guide him, and second-guesses himself constantly.

03:08:04.416 --> 03:08:08.636
You're like, damn, and here I was wishing I could be more like you.

03:08:08.636 --> 03:08:09.676
Silly me.

03:08:09.676 --> 03:08:13.516
Riku says he's got one thing that you will never have on him, though.

03:08:13.516 --> 03:08:15.176
Having a friend like you.

03:08:16.316 --> 03:08:22.316
As you both sit on the silent and still beach, a glass bottle bumps into Riku's leg.

03:08:22.976 --> 03:08:28.976
He opens it, pulls out a note and hands it to you, saying he thinks it's for you.

03:08:28.976 --> 03:08:32.076
It's the note Kairi placed in the water, hoping you'd read it someday.

03:08:33.536 --> 03:08:38.816
You read it out loud, saying, thinking of you wherever you are.

03:08:38.816 --> 03:08:46.016
You read the note, seeing Kairi in your mind as she talks about setting out on an adventure across worlds to find you once again.

03:08:46.016 --> 03:08:49.796
When you finish reading the letter, a bright light appears.

03:08:49.796 --> 03:08:56.176
You say it's a doorway back to the realm of light, and you grab Riku's hand, guiding him through it.

03:08:56.176 --> 03:08:58.216
Another ocean scene appears.

03:08:58.216 --> 03:09:03.616
This one, a bright gold and orange sunset, with blue waters and perfect weather.

03:09:03.616 --> 03:09:07.596
The two of you appear as falling stars, crashing into the sea.

03:09:07.596 --> 03:09:11.496
You both surface, pushing your wet hair out of your eyes.

03:09:11.496 --> 03:09:15.276
Looking around, you worry that you're far from land.

03:09:15.276 --> 03:09:24.736
Then you hear Sora, Riku, off to the side, and you turn to see Kairi, a few yards away, waving from the shores of Destiny Island.

03:09:24.736 --> 03:09:28.376
You swim to her as Hikaru Utada's sanctuary begins to play.

03:09:29.636 --> 03:09:35.696
Before you reach her, Donald, Goofy and Mickey tackle you and Riku, excited to see their friends.

03:09:36.776 --> 03:09:42.756
Eventually, they realize they're standing in the way of the reunion you want more than anything else.

03:09:42.756 --> 03:09:44.656
And they step aside for Kairi.

03:09:44.656 --> 03:09:50.776
From your pocket, you pull out the Paopu fruit keychain you promised you'd return and hold it out.

03:09:50.776 --> 03:09:55.336
Smiling at her, you become Roxas, finally making it to the beach.

03:09:56.636 --> 03:10:00.196
Smiling at you, Kairi becomes Namine.

03:10:00.196 --> 03:10:06.476
As Sora and Kairi once more, you look at her while you fight back tears and say, we're back.

03:10:07.516 --> 03:10:10.256
She holds out her hand and says, you're home.

03:10:10.256 --> 03:10:11.716
Fuck me.

03:10:12.856 --> 03:10:17.516
You take her hand, the two of you holding the keychain between your palms.

03:10:17.516 --> 03:10:20.056
The screen cuts to black and the credits roll.

03:10:21.076 --> 03:10:21.816
For real.

03:10:21.816 --> 03:10:23.936
For real this time.

03:10:23.936 --> 03:10:33.396
After the credits, you and Riku sit on Destiny Island, talking about how small it all feels, and how big everything else out there is.

03:10:33.396 --> 03:10:40.316
No longer wandering like you did as children, now knowing and experienced as slightly older children.

03:10:40.316 --> 03:10:41.896
Still a teenager.

03:10:41.896 --> 03:10:46.516
Content with the quiet life, having had enough adventure for one lifetime.

03:10:46.516 --> 03:10:51.336
As if on cue, Kairi comes running up holding a bottle with a note in it.

03:10:51.336 --> 03:10:52.236
Uh-oh.

03:10:52.236 --> 03:10:55.736
The note inside has King Mickey's seal on it.

03:10:55.736 --> 03:11:01.056
The three of you read it together, ready to leave the quiet life behind one more time.

03:11:01.056 --> 03:11:08.296
Not realizing, it will be another 14 fucking years before we would finally get Kingdom Hearts 3.

03:11:08.296 --> 03:11:10.236
Their entire lifetime span.

03:11:10.236 --> 03:11:11.876
It picks up right here.

03:11:11.876 --> 03:11:12.596
Oh shit.

03:11:12.596 --> 03:11:14.036
From this fucking moment.

03:11:14.036 --> 03:11:16.696
Okay, so Haley Joel Osmond, 14 years older.

03:11:18.056 --> 03:11:21.516
A 35 year old man comes back to play a 14 year old.

03:11:21.516 --> 03:11:26.136
Hey Kyrie, I want to share that fruit with you.

03:11:26.136 --> 03:11:29.956
It sucks too, because apparently Hayden Pannister did not get a phone call.

03:11:29.976 --> 03:11:30.436
Really?

03:11:30.476 --> 03:11:31.436
Yeah.

03:11:31.476 --> 03:11:32.796
Oh, I love her.

03:11:32.796 --> 03:11:34.836
She did get replaced in the third one.

03:11:34.836 --> 03:11:42.196
There is another secret post post credits cut scene, like in the first game, setting up what we thought would be Kingdom Hearts 3.

03:11:42.196 --> 03:11:53.456
But this shit went into them like mobile and other handheld exclusive games instead, taking us back in time to the Keyblade Wars from a century prior, which set everything that happened during Kingdom Hearts in motion.

03:11:53.456 --> 03:11:54.036
Oh shit.

03:11:54.036 --> 03:12:00.936
Introducing a dozen new characters and abandoning not all but a vast majority of the Disney elements.

03:12:00.936 --> 03:12:03.136
What if it was mostly Final Fantasy though?

03:12:03.136 --> 03:12:03.756
Yeah.

03:12:03.756 --> 03:12:05.696
Okay.

03:12:05.696 --> 03:12:10.676
But as if this game wasn't confusing enough, what came next is where things get really complicated.

03:12:10.676 --> 03:12:17.916
And quite frankly, I don't think a lot of it is worth getting into, as they're all just attempts to back the plot into the story of the first two main series games.

03:12:17.916 --> 03:12:19.096
Gotcha.

03:12:19.096 --> 03:12:28.796
I will say that Kingdom Hearts 358 over two days for the DS was really fun, telling the full story of Roxas and Axel's friendship, showing just how awesome that pairing can be.

03:12:28.796 --> 03:12:33.276
Oh, if you guys ask really nicely, maybe I'll give you Kingdom Hearts 3.

03:12:33.276 --> 03:12:34.636
You have to be very polite.

03:12:34.636 --> 03:12:35.596
No bullying.

03:12:35.596 --> 03:12:37.596
No bullying allowed.

03:12:37.596 --> 03:12:41.376
For now, Goombas, that was Kingdom Hearts 2.

03:12:41.836 --> 03:12:43.336
Yay.

03:12:43.336 --> 03:12:52.016
So I want to ask you, Andrea, as someone who has not played either, what was more confusing, this or Death Stranding?

03:12:52.016 --> 03:12:53.496
Oh, this.

03:12:54.816 --> 03:12:55.816
This.

03:12:55.816 --> 03:12:57.856
Most, and I'm going to tell you exactly why.

03:12:57.856 --> 03:12:58.296
Why?

03:12:58.296 --> 03:12:59.596
Naming conventions.

03:12:59.616 --> 03:13:00.076
Really?

03:13:00.076 --> 03:13:02.436
It was so easy to follow in a Hideo Kojima game.

03:13:04.676 --> 03:13:06.076
Sam Porter Bridges.

03:13:06.076 --> 03:13:08.996
He moves shit around and he's the bridge to the future and the past.

03:13:08.996 --> 03:13:10.176
Blah, blah, blah, blah.

03:13:10.176 --> 03:13:11.896
Roxas is Sora.

03:13:14.016 --> 03:13:15.296
And that's where it starts.

03:13:15.296 --> 03:13:16.316
That's where it starts.

03:13:16.316 --> 03:13:18.376
Xehanort, Xemnas, Ansem.

03:13:18.376 --> 03:13:19.036
Gesundheit.

03:13:19.036 --> 03:13:23.836
Like, the naming conventions period is what's fucking me up.

03:13:23.836 --> 03:13:30.136
That's why I'm like, I'm going to make a nice drawing and have you grade it based on accuracy.

03:13:30.136 --> 03:13:31.376
You know, it's difficult.

03:13:31.496 --> 03:13:32.176
I do.

03:13:32.176 --> 03:13:34.876
I did cry more during Death Stranding for what it's worth.

03:13:34.876 --> 03:13:35.976
That's fair.

03:13:35.976 --> 03:13:39.136
But I do really love the themes of friendship in this.

03:13:39.136 --> 03:13:42.516
And, you know, the music slaps so fucking hard.

03:13:42.516 --> 03:13:43.856
It's incredible, isn't it?

03:13:43.856 --> 03:13:45.136
Yeah.

03:13:45.136 --> 03:13:50.176
Well, anyway, Goombas, if that was your first time listening to us, thank you so much for joining us.

03:13:50.176 --> 03:13:55.216
If you want to keep on listening, make sure you like, subscribe, leave comments, all the different things you can do.

03:13:55.216 --> 03:13:56.536
That's the othercastlepodcast.com.

03:13:58.056 --> 03:14:05.156
Yes, you can go to our website, the othercastlepodcast.com, where you can also sign up for our Discord, our Patreon for just $2 a month.

03:14:05.156 --> 03:14:07.576
We have monthly episodes over there as well.

03:14:07.576 --> 03:14:12.416
Speaking of the Patreon, that keeps us ad free thanks to patrons like you.

03:14:12.416 --> 03:14:57.296
So we want to give a shout out to all of you, starting with Lil Brimstone, Landon, Anurban, Matthew, Zan, Autumn, Alex, Sid, Jutsu, Mozart, Tamiya, Hippity Hoppity Cthulhu on your property, Ian, Danny Boy, Zyra, Ari, Big Cat Pediacs, Chase, Alfredo, Micolaj, Teramec, Amber, Berserk Panda, QM1993, Damien, that Chonky boy, AJ porting to the bridges, I wonder what game you like, Paul, Omar, Aaron, Cerise, Unuseful, Molly, Krisha, Mollymauk, Jackie, Jacob, Ellen and Steamed Hams from Albany.

03:14:57.296 --> 03:14:58.636
Thank you all so much.

03:14:58.636 --> 03:14:59.756
You keep the lights on.

03:14:59.756 --> 03:15:03.656
You keep this show going in ways that other people aren't.

03:15:04.816 --> 03:15:06.856
But we appreciate anyone who's made it this far.

03:15:06.856 --> 03:15:07.676
Thank you so much.

03:15:07.676 --> 03:15:11.116
Again, the links to everything are on the othercastlepodcast.com.

03:15:11.116 --> 03:15:12.616
That's the othercastlepodcast.com.

03:15:12.616 --> 03:15:16.116
As well as within the show notes of wherever you're listening to this.

03:15:16.116 --> 03:15:17.516
And thank you so much.

03:15:17.516 --> 03:15:18.016
We adore you.

03:15:18.656 --> 03:15:20.696
And this is Tom and Andrea reminding you.

03:15:20.696 --> 03:15:23.396
Just be friends and fucking talk to each other, man.

03:15:23.396 --> 03:15:24.316
I don't know.

03:15:24.316 --> 03:15:27.256
And don't skip the cutscenes.