A Look Back On The "What Could Have Been Series (The Prequels) Part 1 (Revamped The Phantom Menace)

Over a year ago, as some of my first posts, I created my own interpretation of what I thought the Star Wars Prequels could have been had they been made with any foresight and acknowledgement of the fanbase George Lucas had prior to 1999.  While these films may sit well with you all, some of the choices and story points that are made in the Prequels are so baffling to me that they actually do require an intense amount of reworking and revitalizing that George clearly had no interest in doing, having removed from play all of the people who questioned him by the end of the Original Trilogy.

But we as fans reserve the right o be able to crave and even recount what we believe the Prequels should have been and how they should have been delivered to us.  I mean, Star Wars shaped the world in a way George Lucas could have only dreamed of in the early 1970's.  We have all been shaped by this series in one way or another.  That is why I am returning to my older posts to not only rework George's ideas, but also some of my own ideas that I had introduced, because I think I was a little too naive to think some of my changes were improvements over even George's work.  So, being a full-fledged adult now, I think I can look at the Prequel Saga with broader eyes and fashion a story that everyone could enjoy and get behind and one that would both add on to the mythos and recapture the mysticism and glory that was the OT.

#1. The Main Character: After studying the films and stories of the Star Wars saga (both EU and main story), I have concluded that for the Prequels to be along the same veins as the OT, the focus of being the Main Character should not have fallen onto Anakin's shoulders, as his characters throughout all three films changes so radically, we cannot get on his side or sympathize with him the way we could with Luke.  That is why the Main Character of the Prequels should have been Obi-Wan, while the entire saga would encompass the rise, fall, and redemption of Darth Vader.  Obi-Wan will be the main character of my telling of this story, so most of what happens will be told from his prospective, though Anakin and several others will still get POV scenes and have their thoughts and reasonings explained to the audience.

#2. The Main Villain: As it was with Obi-Wan becoming the Main Character, the Main Villain will be different from the saga's general villain (which is clearly Palpatine).  While Palpatine will have a major role in this new retelling, the Main Villain role will be given to someone else.  After debating this for quite some time, if Obi-Wan were to become a Main Character in this story, his personal antagonist would have to embody the role of villain Vader does in the OT to Luke.  That is why, as awesome of a villain as he has been in the Clone Wars series and the Prequels, Count Dooku's role will be altered considerably in this retread, allowing him to be a wise and noble Jedi who has been training Obi-Wan for some time, in place of Yoda, who left on a spiritual journey to better understand the Force and will not return until Episode II.  I have selected Darth Maul to be the Main Villain to Obi-Wan's hero, not only because of Maul's missed potential, but also because he could embody the very things Obi-Wan must learn to defeat in himself to better become a Jedi Master.  Meanwhile, Qui-Gon's role will also be altered, becoming Obi-Wan's close friend and confidant who begins Anakin's training and after his death, passes it on to Obi-Wan.

#3. Major Setting Change: The Main Setting of the Prequels encompassed two planets mostly, Naboo and Coruscant.  While I think it's great that we introduce two big new planets, I think of the two, Coruscant is the most important as it is the main hub of the Republic.  Naboo will be replaced with a planet we all are familiar with in Alderaan, which will make us sympathize with the planet being blown away in A New Hope.

#4. The Legacy Revealed: The point of the existence of the Prequels is not just to tell the story of how the Republic fell into shadows and the Empire rose and exterminated the Jedi.  It must also be a personal story for the friendship of Anakin and Obi-Wan, which is created, strengthened and then shattered by the events that will unfold.  Both will deal with a range of personal victories and tragedies, causing both to find themselves on both physical and emotionally opposing sides in a war that would ultimately wipe away their pasts and bring about the rise of the Empire.  We have to be able to sympathize with Anakin and Obi-Wan and their relationships with other people (including Padme and anyone else associated with them),otherwise there is no point in telling this story.

With that said, let's proceed with the title crawl:

For over a thousand generations, the unity between the Galactic Republic

and the fabled Jedi Order had kept peace and justice throughout the known Galaxy.

But during times of peace, corruption shadows infiltrated the peace and began 

to tear apart the seams of unity and democracy all throughout the world, punctuated by the rise

of a movement of star systems leaving the Republic.

As the Alderaan system teeters in it's crucial vote of loyalty or secession, 

the Senate dispatches a small band of Jedi Knights to resolve the conflict peacefully...

We cut to outer space to see a ship flying onto screen, containing within Jedi Masters Dooku and Qui-Gon Jinn, and Dooku's apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi.  While the two Jedi Masters meditate on the brewing conflict, Obi-Wan is excited to test out his own skills as a rising Jedi to solve the problems.  Dooku reminds his apprentice of the importance of the matter at hand, telling him that it is unbecoming of a Jedi Knight to seek out glory and action, even going as far as to recount the days of yesteryear when the forces of Light and Dark clashed almost daily as armies of Jedi battle their long time foes, the Sith.  While Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are confident in the Jedi's victory over the Sith almost 200 years ago, Dooku remains skeptical over the shifting tides of the Force.  

As the ship arrive in the Alderaan system however, we find that the planet is currently under attack, with massive warships looming over the planet.  Qui-Gon tries to pilot the ship through the blockade, but the Jedi's ship gets shot down over the swampy marshlands, hundreds of miles away from the capital city of Naboo.  The Jedi, finding the planet completely overrun by combat droids, 

must seek the refuge of the underwater Gungan City.  While Dooku tries to contact the Supreme Chancellor about the crisis, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan meet with the leader of the Gungans, Boss Nass.  While Obi-Wan tries to force Nass to aid in the repulsion of the combat droids, Qui-Gon persuades the Gungan leader through the power of the Force.  Boss Nass informs the Jedi that it was the Droid Armies led by Viceroy Gunray of the Confederacy and that they intend to capture the heirs to the throne, Bail and Padme Organa, and use them as leverage to force Alderaan to capitulate to their demands.  While Obi-Wan praises his friend for his quick thinking, Qui-Gon sternly reminds Obi-Wan that the Force is not meant to be used to coerce those who do not deserve it.

Meanwhile, in Naboo, the last of the city's defenses fall in battle with the endless waves of battle droids, prompting the King to dispatch his children, Padme and Bail, to Coruscant to beg the Senate to aid in their struggle.  As the palace is captured by the Confederacy, Bail volunteers to fight with his people and sends Padme alone, telling her that if their father fell, they would need both heirs to sign away the planet into the Confederacy.  Padme and a few of her protectors elude the droids and she even shoots down a couple in her way.  As she arrives at the waterway, heavily disguised, a submarine comes out of the water and the Jedi emerge.  She informs them of her mission, to which the Jedi agree to escort her to the Galactic Capital, but not before they must battle a few scout droids.  They find an old worn-out ship to pilot and even manage to elude enemy fighters in space, but the ships old hyperdrive breaks down and forces the ship to land on the remote planet called Tatooine.

Dooku appoints Qui-Gon in charge of Obi-Wan as he sends the two out to find the part their ship needs, while he will attempt to contact the Jedi Council. When Obi-Wan asks Dooku of his real motivation, Dooku reiterates his position.  Padme demands to travel with them, believing if she was to represent her planet as a senator, she needed to be able to mingle with the people.  Obi-Wan mirrors her confidence in their ability to handle the situation.  Qui-Gon advises Obi-Wan to keep an especially close eye on the Princess, as she would be much harder to control as soon as they enter civilization on Tatooine.  Immediately as they enter Mos Eisley, the trio finds an "Astro Circus" being run by a conman named Watto, who highlights his two star attractions, two stunt pilots riding ships they built from scratch.  While the pilots show off for the crowds, Qui-Gon immediately senses the power of the Force in one of the pilots and insists that they remain to speak to Watto after the show.  As the ships land, the pilots are rushed by adoring and loving fans, only to show that the pilots were only boys.  The lead pilot was a husky yet determined former farmhand named Owen Lars, while his partner was the dashing yet restrained Anakin Skywalker.  Watto, having garnered immense funds, offers to pay for everyone to have drinks at a local cantina, but Anakin and Owen are left outside to tend to the cleaning.  Qui-Gon leaves his duo to speak with Watto, leaving Padme and Obi-Wan to converse with Anakin and Owen.

Obi-Wan is a little jealous of all the glory Anakin is receiving, even noting how Qui-Gon was quick to forget what he was sent to the city to find.  Anakin, seeing that Obi-Wan is a Jedi, almost fanboys out on him, telling him he's always wanted to be a Jedi Knight and fight to protect the Republic, but without the means to travel to Coruscant on his own, he could never get there.  Obi-Wan is relieved initially, but even more distraught when Padme tries to convince Anakin to continue to fight for his dream.  To add insult to injury, Qui-Gon emerges from the Cantina with a drunken Watto and tells him that they will spend the night in a hotel so he could continue business with Watto.  As the group heads for the hotel, Obi-Wan contacts his master about Anakin, but Dooku only tells him to keep an eye on Qui-Gon.

Qui-Gon gauges Anakin's desires about becoming a Jedi and after a quick test of his reflexes and intuition, recognizes his hunch.  Padme, Owen, and even Obi-Wan have to admit that seeing Anakin this powerful without even the slightest amount of training is almost too incredible to conceive.  Watto, however, sees nothing but opportunity in Anakin and decides to name him the top act in his show and refuses to let him leave his contract.  Qui-Gon then makes a wager with Watto: if Anakin was to win the Boonta Eve Classic (a race across the canyons surrounding Mos Eisley), he was allowed to leave with them, but if they lost, Qui-Gon would remain behind and help Watto with his circus act as the Master to Anakin's apprentice.  Watto sees no way he could lose, though he sabotages Anakin's ship before anything could happen.  Noticing the change, Owen fixes up the ship and helps Anakin as his pit crew and ensures Anakins victory.  Utilizing the massive amount of money won in the race, Qui-Gon buys a new hyperdrive and secures Anakins freedom.  Qui-Gon offers to buy Owen as well, but Owen insists he will remain behind, citing that his family is still here on Tatooine and he would find them in time.  Qui-Gon then officially takes Anakin as his new apprentice.  Padme, though pleased for Anakin, decides to comfort Obi-Wan and tell him that he and Qui-Gon would always be friends, no matter how much time he needed to train Anakin.

Back on Alderaan, the King is executed in front of his people and the Confederacy, led by the ruthless Viceroy Nute Gunray.  Gunray demands Bail sign the planet into the Confederacy, but Bail reminds Gunray of the bylaw that requires ALL of the King's heirs to sign off the Kingdom and should anything happen to him or Padme before the signatures, the Republic will immediately take action.  An enraged Gunray contacts a mysterious figure called Darth Sidious with this information, but Sidious calms his ally and reminds him that he has "him" tracking the runaway Princess and that he will not only bring her back, but wipe out her Jedi Protectors.

Dooku chastises Qui-Gon for taking on an apprentice without the approval of the Council, but the duos argument is cut short by the arrival of a wave of combat droids, led by the devilish Darth Maul.  Maul engages Dooku and Qui-Gon in a duel, while Obi-Wan and Anakin escort Padme safely aboard the ship.  As the Jedi Masters begin to feel fatigued by the onslaught of this surprise assailant, Anakin takes control of the ships guns and fires at Maul, wiping out his droids.  Maul retreats, but places a tracker on the ship as Anakin and Obi-Wan manage to launch the ship into space and back on track to Coruscant.

As the ship arrives on Coruscant, they are greeted by Jedi Master Mace Windu, Minister of the Interior Palpatine, and Supreme Chancellor Valorum.  As the trio is informed of what has occurred, the Chancellor offers Padme the opportunity to speak her part in front of the Senate.  Padme eagerly accepts and is whisked off to the Senate, but not before a heartfelt farewell to her protectors, including Anakin.  Anakin is obviously smitten with the Princess, but Dooku warns him to keep his emotions under control while he is being spoken to at the Council.  While on their way back to the Temple, Dooku recounts to Windu both the discovery of the Dark Jedi and of his inability to locate the famed Jedi Master Yoda, whom had disappeared into isolation several years ago and left the bulk of Obi-Wan's training to Dooku.

At the Jedi Temple, Anakin is praised for his potential, though many of the reserved Jedi Masters begin to question whether he was too old to begin training at fourteen.  While Qui-Gon insists that he would make a wonderful Jedi, Dooku questions his already fueled emotions and warns that many Jedi who allow emotions to carry their thoughts often fall prey to the Dark Side of the Force.  When asked of his opinion, Obi-Wan (simply studying the situation) more or less promotes Qui-Gon as a mentor over Anakin as a potential apprentice, prompting the Council to allow his training.  Obi-Wan confides in Palpatine his jealousy Anakin and Qui-Gon's brewing friendship, allowing Palpatine to give wise council (though he begins to see Obi-Wan as a potential ally)

In the Senate, Padme reveals the plight of her people and the dangerous threat the Confederacy makes on her homeworld and to the Republic as a whole.  But Palpatine quietly warns her that many of the Senators in the Senate have been bought off by the Confederacy and will keep the Republic out of war until it is too late for them to win.  Valorum calls for a vote on whether or not to act on the Invasion of Alderaan, allowing Padme to sigh in relief.  Palpatine again warns her that the vote will likely be split and her planet will succumb before it's too late.  Padme, fearing this as an inevitability, quietly leaves the senate to return to Alderaan.

With her disappearance, the Council appoints Qui-Gon and Anakin with locating her, while Obi-Wan volunteers to aid in the conflict.  The Jedi Master and the two apprentices find Padme on her landing platform, but after Padme gives the Jedi a speech about her determination, they elect to travel with her to resolve the conflict.  As the ship lands on Alderaan, they find the Gungans are already rallying to the defense of the planet, having heard Padme's impassioned plea to the Senate.

With an army at their disposal, Boss Nass leads the charge while Anakin, Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Padme, and her bodyguards fight their way upwards towards the palace to confront the leader of the armed forces on Alderaan.  To their surprise, they find the same Sith Lord from Tatooine, Darth Maul.  With highly powered Magna Guards at his disposal, Maul demands their surrender.  While the Jedi and bodyguards battle the Magna Guards, Padme and Anakin escape down a secret pathway.  When a droid tries to shoot Padme, Anakin takes the laser bolt for her.

With the Magna Guards disposed of, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon engage Maul, but the Sith Lord is once more too powerful for them to conquer.  Obi-Wan is blasted backwards by a Force Push from Maul and is trapped under a fallen pillar, leaving Qui-Gon alone to battle Maul.  An injured Anakin and Padme return to the throne room and find Obi-Wan trapped.  A weakened Anakin taps into his power and allows the pillar to roll off of Obi-Wan.  Obi-Wan darts back towards the fray, but is too late to stop Maul from impaling Qui-Gon.  Enraged, Obi-Wan lunges at Maul, but Maul deflects his arrogance away and prepares to kill him as well.  But as he prepares to finish Obi-Wan, Anakin brings Qui-Gons lightsaber to life and prepares to defend Obi-Wan.  Maul laughs off the threat and engages Anakin, quickly overpowering him.  Given time to recover, Obi-Wan protects Anakin defeats Maul by slicing him in half and blasting him down a chute with a Force Push.  The trio laments Qui-Gons death, including Obi-Wan, whom the dying Jedi Master requests to train Anakin.  Though he is still jealous of Anakin, Obi-Wan agrees.

With the Gungans overwhelming the Droids in Naboo and the Republic's Armada achieving victory over the Confederacy, Gunray retreats the planet and Chancellor Valorum arrives to see Bails coronation as King of Alderaan and inform Padme and Bail of the Republic's declaration of war against the Confederacy.  Padme and Anakin have a fond farewell, as Anakin and Obi-Wan leave to begin Anakins long training as a Jedi Knight.

Meanwhile, in a secret lab, Darth Maul reawakens and discovers his legs have been replaced with mechanical ones.  He then finds his master, Darth Sidious overlooking him and telling him of the news that "The Wars" have begun and that the twilight of the Jedi is upon the galaxy.  While Maul begins to work out his new legs, Sidious begins to ponder what would become of Obi-Wan, his next planned apprentice...

Film Review #115: Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Holy crap.  Were the rumors true?  Is it possible that a good Star Wars movie could exist in this world?  Is it possible that after an abysmal Prequel Saga and endless online flame wars involving the EU and traditionalists who adore the first three, a Star Wars film could be made that is not only good, but made so well it hearkens back to a time long ago when Irvin Kershner directed The Empire Strikes Back?  Was this movie a worthy followup to the Original Trilogy?

In short: HELL YES!  This is almost exactly the kind of movie I dreamed I would see.  Star Wars: The Force Awakens is an absolute delight from start to finish that both draws reference to the original films, while also adding onto a universe and making it more complex.  If this is the kind of stuff Disney and LucasFilm will be doing for the next few Star Wars films, sign me up for the next two!  I'm not even joking!  It's seriously good.

Plot: Thirty years after the Battle of Endor, Jedi Master Luke Skywalker has disappeared and is being hunted down by The First Order (the successor to the Galactic Empire), led by the evil Lord Kylo Ren, along with being sought after by The Republic.  A special map is discovered to show the location of Skywalker, but before the Republic could claim it, the First Order arrives and captures the pilot they believe to have knowledge of the map.  But a droid belonging to the pilot escapes Imperial clutches and arrives at a junkyard where a young woman named Rey lives.
Meanwhile, a stormtrooper dubbed Finn defects from the First Order and meets Rey and the droid named BB-8, but are quickly discovered by their foes and evade capture by stowing in the Millennium Falcon, and are found by Han Solo and Chewbacca, who tell the story of Kylo Ren to Rey and Finn, as Ren was once Luke's apprentice and fell under the influence of the Dark Side.  But all that is put aside as the First Order's dreaded new weapon (envoking Darth Vader's original Death Star), is about to be used to plunge the galaxy back into war, leaving our new heroes with no choice but to stand and fight the oppressors, all while still searching for the missing Jedi Master...

What's Bad?: I guess some people could probably have problems with all of the callbacks to the original movies.  I personally didn't (for reasons I'll explain below), but I would be lying if I said this was just a nitpick.  After all, it was one of the reasons people hated the Prequel Trilogy, so it is a viable reason.

What's Good?: I personally believe the callbacks were really interesting in this film.  Unlike such pointless callbacks as Anakin building C-3PO or all of the rehashing of lines ("I have a bad feeling about this"), these callbacks actually have relevance to the movie at hand.  What purpose did Anakin building C-3PO add to his character?  Nothing.  What was the point of those kids utilizing the same makeshift technique Luke trained with in Star Wars?  Nothing.  But Kylo Ren (who can basically be considered a Darth Vader fanboy), utilizes the weapons and ideals Vader used during his lifetime, not knowing the real story behind Vader's life and only looking at him and the Dark Side as mythical over the power of Luke's Light Side.

The acting in this movie is incredible.  Like how people believed Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford would all have careers after Star Wars, I strongly believe that starring as the next generation of main characters has opened the doors for Daisy Ridley and John Boyega to have great careers.  They didn't succumb to stupid dialogue or bland emotionless acting.  I got behind them and actually cared about what happened to them, unlike the Prequel films, where I could give less than a rats ass about them.

The action in this film is incredible, although it is still a little bit too reliant on CGI.  I am happy they actually shot these scenes on actual locations instead of green screens.  The lightsaber fight in this movie does not look obviously choreographed like some of the Prequel fights looked, and the dogfights are definitely worth your time, mostly because of the final reason I like this film.

But there is one thing I could tell was different with this film when compared to something like Revenge of the Sith.  I actually cared about what was going on.  And in case you are thinking it's because I already know Han Solo and Leia, they are not in the movie enough for me to seriously like this.  I'm talking about Rey and Finn, both of whom are excellent characters to build a franchise around.  There isn't any disgusting love dialogue or worthless characters existing for worthless reasons.  There is true humanity in this film more than in any Star Wars film made in my lifetime and it truly made this film worth the wait I've had since 2012.

Overall: The Force Awakens should be a blueprint on how to make a Star Wars film.  While it's not as good as The Empire Strikes Back, it does everything else the saga has been known for while both drawing the exact amount of reference alongside the exact amount of new things that needed to be added.  It has humanity, passion, and a strong sense of imagination meeting reality and will likely bring us all back to a place we all visited a long time ago in a galaxy far far away...

Final Grade: 96 or A 

Film Review #114: Descendants

Ordinarily, I wouldn't review a TV Movie for this site, and I especially hope to avoid any and all Disney Channel Original Movies, because more often than not, they tend to not be original at all and borrow from tired and used cliches that even Hollywood is sick of.  But I chose to make a specific exception for the movie Descendants, which in a fabulous stroke of 90 minutes, manages to demonstrate every single solitary thing that is wrong with not only Disney Channel, but also the Walt Disney Company in general.  Once again, the people involved are on the threshold of a groundbreaking idea, but because of the restrictions they give themselves alongside the poor Disney Channel style acting from the leads and the Villains, combined with mediocre music, extremely odd costume designs, wooden characters, and managed to ruin almost an entire franchise to the point where I almost trashed every thing in my life Disney-related that was involved in this.  It is THAT bad.

Plot: After the marriage of Belle and the Beast (who is still without a name), the couple unites the fairy tale kingdoms of old into one kingdom called Auradon, while banishing the multitude of Disney Villains to a slum-like island to suffer for their crimes without the ability to wield magic.  This prompts four of the Disney Villains to unite: Cruella De Vil, The Evil Queen, Maleficent, and Jafar, all whom breed their children with the bitter hatreds that they have towards all things good and pure.  Their children, Carlos, Evie, Mal, and Jay, are all invited to attend a boarding school by the son of Belle and the Beast, Ben, who hopes to extend an olive branch to the foe's children.  Maleficent chooses to take advantage of the situation and have their children steal the wand of the Fairy Godmother and free the remaining villains from their prison.

The villainous children all attend the school while plotting to steal the lamp and undergo almost every single "High School Movie" cliches, such as the popular boy falling in love with the loner girl (Mal), the pretty girl (Evie) falling in love with a geek, the aggressive teen taking on sporting events (Jay), and the scrawny kid becoming a hero in the big game (Carlos).  The more they interact with the kids at the school (who are all descendants of the Disney Characters), the more the villainous kids begin to question if their parents are worth the effort.

What's Wrong?: Where do I begin?  I guess I have to start with the thing that turned out worst, and that was Mal.  Until the halfway point, Mal was the best thing in this movie.  She was manipulative, took advantage of every situation, and aspired to be as feared and hated as her mother was.  But as soon as she used a love potion on Ben, it all went down hill.  No longer was she the badass girl that could do no right.  Now, she was a Disney Princess who dressed like a goth chick.  She sang songs about not wanting to be bad and wanting to be accepted, falls in love with Ben, and even decides to stand up to her mother.  Why was all of this necessary?

Simple storytelling logic would make Mal out to be someone who didn't want attention and wanted to lurk in the shadows.  Perhaps because she is so defensive, Ben would want to try to lower her defenses and get to know her, but she continues to resist, until having to choose between her loyalty to her mother and her friendships with her new friends.  But instead, we get the typical Disney Princess formula with no twists or turns at all.

I also have to comment on the Disney Villains, all of whom are absolute shells of their former selves.  Putting aside the fact that Cruella De Vil was chosen as a villain over someone like Ursula, Lady Tremaine, Dr. Facilier, or Mother Gothel, all of whom had stories that took place in Fairy Tales, the villains are all shells of their former badass selves.  The Queen is only obsessed with outer beauty, Cruella hates animals, Jafar is greedy, and Maleficent has been watered down so much that she is pretty much just Ursula mixed with that dumb doctor from Phineas and Ferb.  Of all of the villains chosen, Maleficent was probably the LEAST theatrical.  Her lines and persona were more of a Shakespearean angle than a musical theater angle (where Jafar and Ursula could be found), and since this is a musical, shouldn't you pick a theatrical villain over a Shakespearean?  Maleficent singing is comparable to Batman doing a tap dance routine, or Spider-Man being on broadway.

There is also a social problem that I observed while watching this film.  That is this notion that people are just inherently evil and all who are like this deserve to suffer and all the innocent and nice people of the world should be praised and rewarded.  My problem with this is the fact that all of the children and even some of the actual characters who are supposed to represent this notion are stuck up, snobbish, preppy turds that really don't deserve respect.  If this movie could tell me why I'm supposed to root for any of these characters to become good when the people who are supposed to be "good" are stuck up, arrogant, and completely inept, and why I shouldn't root for the bad guys (WITHOUT TELLING ME THAT IT'S JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE EVIL) I would seriously appreciate it.  I cannot bring myself to root for the forces of good because they are what I described above and if I cannot root for the villains for anything outside of nostalgia, who the hell am I rooting for?

Plus, the music is obnoxious.  My close friend Deetzy described this movie to me as "High School Musical meets a Renaissance Faire", and I didn't believe her at first, but it really was.  None of the songs are tolerable by any means and don't even properly represent these characters.  The song "Rotten to the Core" is supposed to describe the little hell spawns as absolutely irredeemable, but we obviously know Disney is not that ballsy.  They can't even do original Classic Disney Songs right.  I swear when they performed that hip hop version of "Be Our Guest", Howard Ashman rolled over in his grave.

The costumes are also distracting, chewing out almost all of the scenery and scenes all the time.  We're unable to immerse ourselves in these worlds because none of our main characters dress like actual humans do.  Seriously, look at those costumes above for a minute.  Would any reasonably minded person dress like that?  This isn't the Mushroom Kingdom, it's a prep school damnit!  Do these kids really evoke the Disney Villain personas so poorly that the feel the need to have them dress exactly like their parents or their parents after overdosing on drugs?  WHY DOES THE QUEEN'S DAUGHTER HAVE BLUE HAIR?  WHY IS MAL'S HAIR PURPLE?  WHY DOES JAY ACT MORE LIKE ALADDIN THAN JAFAR?  AND WHY IS CARLOS WHITE AND HIS MOM BLACK WITHOUT ANY SERIOUS EXPLANATION?  CRUELLA DE VIL WAS THE PASTIEST DISNEY VILLAIN THIS SIDE OF FROLLO, YET SHE'S BLACK NOW?

I have one last thing to gripe about.  This shitty film has something in common with another shitty TV Movie made by another channel: The Fairly Odd Parents: Grow Up, Timmy Turner!  We'll be talking about that festering abomination at some point, but the characters act so over the top and obnoxious, that the main complaint was why on earth was this not animated?  The climaxes of both these movies are so fake and disgusting that I wonder why did they not make these films animated?  Apparently, Disney figured this out and has since made animated shorts that would have made this film at the very least tolerable.  Plus, you probably could have hired those voice actors on the cheap.  Hell, Susan Blakeslee voices Maleficent, the Queen, and Cruella De Vil in most Disney products now, and Jonathan Freeman is STILL portraying Jafar twenty years after he first did,  You could have made it a musical, even a crappy High School Musical, but it needed to be animated for it to have any relevance to the original stories.

What's Good?: Hopefully, it will fade into obscurity and never be mentioned again...

Overall: Disney XD may be slowly turning the corner towards relevancy with big hit TV Shows like Gravity Falls and Star vs The Forces of Evil, but this proved to me that Disney Channel is dead and in need of a seance.  This network once provided people with family entertainment that could be enjoyed by boys, girls, teenagers, and adults alike.  But now, I can say without a doubt that the channel is pandering to toddlers and teenage girls.  No one else would find this remotely entertaining.  And if Descendants is not the perfect metaphor for a fallen star, I don't know what is...

Final Grade: F -

Chapter 11 (RIKU): New Orleans

        Previously in Kingdom Hearts III: Riku began his own journey to once and for all quell the dark forces of Master Xehanort and Maleficent in the hopes of preventing an apocalypse of epic proportions known only as the Keyblade War.  Riku was personally tasked by Master Yen Sid and King Mickey to keep a close eye on his best friend Sora, as they fear Master Xehanort will use him to access unlimited power.  Though he has faith in Sora, he knows from experience how influential both Xehanort and the darkness can be.

       Travelling to his first world, Riku came across a group of galactic peace keepers known as the Space Ranger corp, who struggle to battle the forces led by the Evil Emperor Zurg.  Teaming up with legendary Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear, the duo learned that Maleficent and Zurg had joined forces to corrupt all of the free minds in the Galaxy through the use of an almighty artifact known only as the Unimind.  Buzz learned to trust his new friends and teammates, and together, he and Riku put an end to the evil empire led by his sword enemy...

      Joining forces with his close friend Kairi, Riku next ventured to the nonsensical world of Wonderland to rescue Alice, who had been captured by unknown force and is vital to the protection of the worlds as a Princess of Heart.  Upon locating her, they discovered that the forces of Xehanort had emerged and sought to vanquish the Princesses and unleash insurmountable darkness on the world.  Though he and Kairi disposed of the legendary Jabberwocky, Riku was too late to save the bulk of Wonderland from falling into a void of darkness created by the Heartless.  

      Despite this falure, Riku pressed on to his next world.  Deep in the heart of a jungle, Riku encountered a boy named Mowgli and his protective panther friend named Bagheera.  While Bagheera hoped to get Mowgli to go to a man village for his own safety, the boy proclaimed that he could live in the jungle, even if it meant surviving the wiles of the sinister snake Kaa or the vengeful tiger Shere Khan.  Riku and Mowgli came across a laid back bear named Baloo and after seeing a strong friendship grow between them, he and Bagheera decided it was best he remain with the bear.  

     But Riku's fears began to realize themselves when he encountered a dark being known only as Vanitas, who claimed he was the embodiment of the darkness growing in Sora's heart.  A ruthless battle resulted in Riku's victory, but the mere existence of Vanitas leaves Riku's heart in doubt, even with the assurances of Sora.  Determined to figure this out, Riku seeks the council of Mickey back in Disneyland...

Chapter 11: New Orleans

        Riku's boat arrived back in Adventure Land a few minutes later.  While he was more than certain that Sora was capable of not only fending off the darkness, but also repelling Vanitas or Xehanort, he was still concerned about Vanitas.  He needed to learn more about this sinister new threat that stood in his and his friend's way.
        As he returned towards the entrance to New Orleans Square, he was immediately approached by Mickey, who wore a worried look on his face.  Donald and Goofy, the King's court magician and Captain of the Guard and some of Sora's closest friends, stood by their King's side.  "Gosh, I sure am glad to see you, Riku.  I may need you to hold down the fort, for a while."
        "Mickey, I need to talk to--"
        "Please, Riku.  I need to go check on Kairi and go meet with Master Yen Sid.  Would ya mind looking over everything here?"
        Riku shook his head.  "Wait a second, Mickey.  I need to ask you a few questions."
        Mickey sighed.  "Would ya cut to the chase, please?  I need to get going."
        Riku nodded.  "Does the name Vanitas mean anything to you?"
        Mickey's jaw nearly fell to the neatly paved road he stood over.  "Vanitas?  Where did ya hear that name from?"
        "I didn't hear it anywhere" Riku answered bitterly.  "I fought with him in the Jungle world."
        Mickey shook his head.  "That's impossible.  Aqua and I took care of him when he tried to..."  Mickey cleared his throat.  "Riku, after we get as many of the Princesses here as possible, I need you to find both Sora and Kairi before anything else like this happens.  If something were to--"
        Donald patted Mickey on the shoulder.  "Don't worry, Your Majesty!  We'll take care of Disneyland while you're gone."
        Goofy saluted the King.  "And besides, don't Sora, Riku and Kairi need to go to as many worlds as possible?"
        Mickey sighed.  "I guess you're right, guys.  But I need to go see Master Yen Sid, immediately.  How am I gonna--"
        "What am I, chopped liver?" called a voice from a distance.  Still clad in his former Organization XIII robe, Lea walked onto the scene and addressed Mickey.  "I can handle things around here.  I could use a break anyway.  You go and see ol' Yen Sid, while Riku and the dynamic duo here can go and check on the other worlds."
        "Gosh, I don't know, Lea" Mickey thought aloud.  "Are ya sure you can handle things here?"
        "You worry too much, Mickey" Lea scoffed.
        "And you won't run off if Xehanort attacks?" Riku asked slyly at Lea.  Though he was grateful to Lea for his timely rescue of Sora from The World That Never Was, he still didn't trust Lea, or his Nobody counterpart, Axel.  And Lea hadn't done much other than that to gain trust or friendship from Riku's end.  Yet it seemed, he didn't seem to care one way or another if Riku cared about him.
        "I'm still here, aren't I?" Lea mockingly asked Riku.  "Don't worry about this place.  I'll look after the Princesses and the worlds.  Don't you guys have missions to go on or something?"
        "Don't forget that you aren't a Keyblade Master, yet" Riku reminded the brash rogue.
        "And you haven't been one long enough to doubt me, Riku" Lea snidely replied.
         "Touche."
        "Well, I'm sure you two will figure this out" Mickey chimed in.  "But I gotta go check in with Yen Sid and go see how Kairi's doing.  I'll be back as soon as I can."  With that, Mickey darted back towards Fantasy Land.
         Lea rolled his eyes.  "Sheesh.  What does a guy have to do to get some respect around here?"  Not waiting for Riku or the others to answer, Lea walked away after Mickey.
         Riku sighed.  "Well, I guess I'd better get going, too.  There are still more worlds out there that need out help.  And with Kairi and Sora already busy, I'm going to need to work a little harder for this."
         Goofy nodded.  "Yup and we're coming with ya" he spoke happily.
         Riku shook his head.  "That's not what I meant, guys."
         Donald laughed.  "If Sora is busy, then we need to help you out, Riku."
        "It's what Sora would want us to do" Goofy explained.
        "But I--I mean it's--oh well" Riku sighed.  "I guess there's no arguing with you guys, especially if you run on Sora logic."
         Donald nodded.  "It's not too hard to figure out."
         "Even the King's given up on that" Goofy added.
         Riku looked towards a large poster that hung over one of the doors, advertising for a Mardi Gras parade happening soon.  "That's an oddity if I ever saw one.  Guess that must be the next world.  All I ask is if you guys are going to tag along, try not to slow me down."  Riku hurried off towards the Mardi Gras poster with Donald and Goofy galloping after him.

New Party Member: Donald

HP: 45

MP: 120

Friendship: 70
Weapon: Mage's Staff (STR +2, MAG +2)
Armor: N/A
Accessories:
Mystic Earring (MAG +3, AP +4)
Items:
x1 Potion
x 1 Ether

Abilities:

Firagun: Unleash a lethally powerful Fire type attack (Costs 10 MP)

Blizzagun: Unleash a powerful Blizzard type attack (Costs 10 MP)

Thundagun: Unleash a powerful Thunder type attack (Costs 10 MP)

Aerogun: Unleash a powerful Aero type attack (Costs 10 MP)

Zero Gravigun: Suspend all enemies in air (Costs 10 MP)

Stopza: Seize all Time activities in battle for an extended period (Costs 12 MP)

Curagun: Restore all health of opponents and cure them of all ailments (Costs 99 MP)

Magic Boost: Boost the power of all Magic Attacks and Defense Spells

Leaf Bracer: Allows Cure to be cast even while under attack

Shell: Halve the Damage taken by Magical attacks when HP is low

Item Boost: Boost the healing effects of all items on the field

Draw: Draw in nearby orbs

Lucky Lucky: Increase the drop rate or rare items by enemies

New Party Member: Goofy

HP: 50

MP: 100

Friendship: 70

Weapon: Knight's Shield (+2 STR)

Armor: Knight's Armor (+4 DEF, +1 STR)

Accessories: N/A

Items: x3 Potions

Abilities:

Goofy Turbo: Rush at enemies and send them directly at Sora (Costs 10 MP)

Goofy Tornado: Spin around, damaging opponents (Costs 10 MP)

Goofy Charge: Charge forward and stun attacked enemies (Costs 10 MP)

HP Gift: Give Up All MP to give all friends 30 HP

Berserk: Boost Attack when HP is Low

Item Boost: Boost the healing effects of all Items on the field

Second Chance: Ensures 1 HP remains after taking intense damage

Once More: Ensures 1 HP remains after taking damage from a combo

Jackpot: Increases the amount of money dropped by enemies in battle

        To say that the new world Riku and his friends ventured to was a jazzy lighthearted place would be an understatement.  The town seemed to act as if it were one giant party.  Parades of musicians, acrobats, dancers, and even simple villagers marched along and the people in the village took it as business as usual.  Riku could not help but question why the whole village partied as though it was a festival.  

        "This place sure is colorful" he spoke plainly.

        Goofy covered his ears with his hands.  "Yeah, a-hyuck.  And loud too."

        "This place doesn't seem to be worried about the Heartless" Riku remarked, acknowledging how all of the people simply danced away their troubles.  Save for one woman, who hopped off of a trolley and hurried past Riku, bumping into him.  

        "Oh, I'm so sorry" she said in passing as she dashed down the street towards a cafe of some kind. 

        "I guess not everyone has that party life" Donald said as he watched the woman vanish into the cafe.  "But there doesn't seem to be any Heartless here.  Do you think this world really needs us?"

        Riku crossed his arms.  "I've got a question, and feel free to mock me for this.  But what would Sora do here?"

        "Gawrsh, Riku" Goofy scratched his head.  "Where did that come from?"

        "Sometimes" Riku laughed, looking around at the party atmosphere, "I wonder how Sora could just go around to all these worlds and be so cheery all the time.  Does he just enjoy himself like this?"

        "Pretty much" Donald answered.  "He'll take problems seriously, but he would love a place like this."

        "He does know how to let it loose and have fun" Riku grinned.  All this time, I called Sora a slacker and a lazy bum.  Kairi too.  But is this just them enjoying seeing the worlds?  I know I was just like them for a long time.  But now, I can't seem to have too much fun.  

        Riku looked down the street and finally saw what he'd been expecting to see.  A young blonde haired woman and a big well dressed man were surrounded by creatures that lurked on the ground like the Heartless.  "What are they, Daddy?"

        "I can't say, Sugar" the man answered his daughter.  "I just know I didn't approve of no monsters for this year's Mardi Gras!"

         Riku looked to Donald and Goofy.  "Ready?"  When Donald and Goofy gave him a thumbs up, Riku dashed foward and cut through two of the dark demonic creatures, who were cutting off the two local's only escape route.  "Go for cover!  We can handle this!"  

         The man and young woman slipped away and allowed Riku and his friends to take charge.

Defeat All of the Heartless!

        Riku sighed as the Heartless all dissipated.  But before he could enjoy his moment of peace, he was hoisted into the air by the big man and hugged.  "What the--?"

       "Thank you so much, my boy!" the man spoke in a Deep Southern accent.  "Those creatures have started coming out in droves around here.  At least someone can deal with them in time for Mardi Gras."

        "Mardi Gras?" Riku asked, hoping the man would drop him in time for him to breathe again.

        The man looked at Riku as though he were insane and dropped him to the ground.  But then he took another close look at Riku and nodded.  "You must not be from around here, son.  Almost everyone here in New Orleans knows about Mardi Gras.  It's the biggest celebration we have in these parts, my boy.  And each year, yours truly, hosts the party as the Mardi Gras King."

        "Sounds like a lot of fun" Riku remarked.

        "If only" the man sighed.  "We've got our fair share of problems here in New Orleans.  We may be a nice community, but there's still a lot for us to do before the celebrating begins.  And I've got my hands full with my daughter running around and--"

        "DADDY" the young woman screamed, shoving a newspaper into her father's hands. 

        "What is it?  Can't you see I'm--?"

        "But it's a prince, Daddy!  An actual prince here in New Orleans!  Just like you said it would happen!"  Before her father could read the paper, she ripped it from his hands and hugged it tightly.  "Oh, if only I could marry myself a prince!"

        "Darling, I already got you the biggest chateau in Louisiana.  You want a Prince on top of that?"

        "It's Prince Naveen!" the girl argued.  "We've got to get him to come to our party tonight!"

        The man sighed.  "Of course, Charlotte.  I've already spoken with the King and Queen of Maldonia and they think you two meeting is a good idea.  But, it may have to wait, sugar.  With all of these uh--uh--what are these things called, son?"

         "Heartless" Riku responded.

         "With all them Heartless about, it won't be easy to have a party.  I think I might cancel it."

         "Cancel the party?" Donald asked in astonishment.  

         "It's not like those creatures will just go away in time" the man answered.

         "But what about these boys?" Charlotte asked desperately, wrapping her arms around Riku's left arm.  "Daddy, you just saw them taking care of those monsters!  They can come and watch over us!  Please, Daddy?  This may be my one chance to meet my dream prince?"

          The man sighed and looked to Riku and his friends.  "I know this may be a bit crazy, considering we just met, but would ya mind being security to my party?  I can pay you, of course."

          "We need to have an internal discussion" Riku replied, pulling his arm away from Charlotte.  He huddled Donald and Goofy briefly to talk this over.  "We're not considering this, are we?"

          Goofy and Donald looked at each other.  "Well" Donald chimed in, "we don't get to party too much with all that's going on.  Besides, they might need us in case a bigger Heartless shows up."

          Goofy looked to Riku.  "And I'm sure these people are nice."
          Riku sighed.  "I don't know" he whispered.

         Donald snickered.  "Sora would do it!"

          Riku shook his head, though a smile appeared on it.  He rose past Donald and Goofy and looked to Charlotte and her father.  "We'll do it.  We just have a couple of questions for you."
          Charlotte squealed and giddily raced down the street.  Her father nodded.  "And I'd be happy to answer them over some breakfast.  I know this little place down the street that has the best beignets this side of the Mississippi!  And I'll get some for all of us!  It's just down the street boys.  I'm Eli La Bouff."

          "My name's Riku" Riku added.  "This is Donald and Goofy."

          "The pleasure is all mine!  Now, to get us some breakfast!"  Big Daddy La Bouff walked along the street after his daughter with Riku and his friends following.   

           Out from the shadows, a man draped in dark clothing with a walking stick looked out in disgust at Riku and Big Daddy as they walked down towards the cafe.  He wore a top hat with a skull and crossbones emblem and a violet feather sticking out from atop.  "Oh, just great.  No sooner do I get some assistance from the shadows, then in comes some chumps who can defeat them!  The man's shadow came to life and shared the bitter emotions his owner had.  

           "I don't understand what the point of all this is if the Heartless can't even commit one simple act for me.  I thought you told me they'd help, Pete?"

            Out from the shadows where the mysterious man had entered, the big burly assistant to Maleficent emerged, smacking his belly and laughing cruelly.  "Come on there, Facilier!  Maleficent and I promised you'd get all the power you needed here.  If ya need help, why not ask?"

           "Because I can tell those boys are going to be a real problem!" Dr. Facilier sneered.  "They take out Heartless like it's a sport to them!"

          "They've been a pest that needs exterminating for a long time" Pete grumbled.  "Especially the two doofuses.  But the power of the Heartless grows stronger with every place we venture to.  Maleficent is not one who gives up too easily, you know."

         "And how do you expect me to get what I want if they are here at all?"

         "You just leave that loser brigade to me!" Pete sneered.  "You just focus on setting loose all the Heartless we've given you and turning that La Bouff into one, then all the power in this world is yours!"

          Dr. Facilier looked down the street as Riku vanished and grinned.  "I do have a couple of tricks up my sleeves that should give even those chumps a run for their money.  But I got my eyes on a much bigger prize."  Facilier took out a newspaper from his hat and opened it for Pete to see.  The picture atop it was that of Prince Naveen of Maldonia.  

           

Chapter 10 (KAIRI): Proving Yourself

Chapter 10: Proving Yourself

        Kairi burst through the doors leading to the main hall of the King's Palace and found a tall thin man with a monocle cowering in fear and surrounded by four Large Body Heartless.  "Oh dear!  Where are those infernal guards?"

        Kairi jumped past the man and angled her Keyblade into a defensive stance.  "Take cover, sir!  I can handle them!"  

       "But you're just a child" the man called to her.

       "Run while you can!" Kairi reiterated, blocking a punch from one Large Body with her blade.  The man reluctantly nodded and ran into the shadows.  Kairi focused her attention on the Large Bodies and her focus became pure.  

       

Defeat All of the Heartless

Battle Theme: Dance to the Death

GET BONUS:

Kairi Learned Shock Surge

        As Kairi disposed of the last Heartless, the man hurried to her side.  "Please, you must help us.  A man in a black hood has infiltrated out castle and absconded with the Prince and Princess.  If anything were to happen to the Prince or Cinderella, the King would have my head."

       Kairi shook her head.  "You'd have more to worry about if Cinderella gets hurt, I can assure you that.  Where are they?"

      The Grand Duke pointed up the staircase towards the ballroom.  "The hooded man has sealed himself and the others in the ballroom, with monsters and all sorts of terrors at his command.  Please!  You must rescue them!"

     Kairi nodded.  "Of course!"  With that, she dashed up the steps towards the ballroom.  

     As she made it up the staircase, she found the way into the ballroom had been sealed by some sort of wall with a Heartless emblem on it.  Kairi was about to use her Keyblade to open a path, but the wall began to shake violently and rattled the young warrior senselessly.  She tumbled backwards until she fell from the stairs and towards the ground below.  But she quickly triggered her armor and summoned her windsurfing equipment and flew all the way back to the top.  Still clad in her pink armor, Kairi now stared at a goliath monster.  The wall was no wall at all, but the shell of a massive tortoise-like Heartless.  It roared and shot streams of fire at Kairi as it saw her.  

Boss Battle: Torturous Fortress

Shell HP: 600

Leg HP: 50

Leg HP: 50

Leg HP: 50

Leg HP: 50

Head HP: 350

Note: The Heartless is immune to all Fire and Fire based attacks!

Battle Theme: Shrouding Dark Cloud

Get Bonus: 

Kairi: +5 HP

        The massive Heartless fell to the ground and combusted into a mountain of flame, but Kairi had no time to relish in her victory.  She surged with incredible speed on her windsurfing equipment until she shot into the heart of the ballroom.  As she tucked and rolled off her windsurfer and disengaged her armor, she found Cinderella and Prince Charming trapped in the corner by Xemnas.  The Prince defiantly stood to defend his wife, but Xemnas merely grabbed him and hurled him to the other side of the room.  

      The former leader of Organization XIII sneered as he approached the Princess of Heart.  "How I have waited to begin the purge of the light.  How close we come to our day of union..."

      "You're going to have to wait a bit longer, Xemnas!" Kairi shouted, drawing the dark man's attention.  

      "I thought you had gone hiding like a rat" Xemnas mocked.  "No matter.  One Princess of Heart is a victory.  But two is something else altogether!"  Xemnas called forth his ethereal blades and turned from Cinderella towards Kairi.  But before he could reach Kairi, a beam of light shot from the blue and blasted Xemnas towards the wall.  Xemnas slammed into the wall with a loud thud, but he floated down to the ground gracefully.  

       Kairi was shocked by the turn of events until the beam of light shined brightly and the silhoutette of a mouse with a Keyblade appeared.  "Mickey?"

      "Glad I got here just in time" Mickey proclaimed to Kairi.  "I just knew something fishy would happen."  Xemnas landed on the ground as Mickey pointed his own weapon at him.  "Xemnas!  What makes you think you can do these kinds of things to our worlds?"

      "It is what we are destined to do" Xemnas explained.  "Here, in the perpetual planes of light and darkness, we are to rise and gather to forge the great weapon of destiny.  When the lights in the hearts of all children perishes, we shall waken to see a brand new world forged by the fires of the Keyblade War.  Where I failed long ago to gather power for Kingdom Hearts, I will not fail again!  No longer will the forces of light and dark be enemies.  Once we have fought the great war of our time, we shall forge the X-Blade and bring an end to this wasted millennia."

      "As if we'll ever let that happen!" Kairi shouted.

      "You three are in no position to argue otherwise.  And I don't see Sora or Riku coming to your rescue anytime soon.  Here, in this shallow empty room, you shall see the full power of the darkness!  Only then, shall the true extent of our plans be revealed!"  

      Mickey turned to Kairi.  "Take Cinderella and get out of here!  I can handle Xemnas long enough for help to come." 

      Kairi looked desperately to Cinderella, who along with her Prince, had vanished behind a secret staircase behind the King's Throne.  Kairi shook her head.  "I am your backup, Mickey!  We have to fight, together!"

      Mickey was about to argue, but Xemnas struck first, causing the mouse king to block quickly with his weapon.  "Then let's team up!"  Kairi raced forward and thrust her weapon forward, causing Xemnas to vanish into thin air.  He reappeared above them both and hurtled down with his ethereal blades, but both Keyblade warriors dodged the strike.  As they regained their composure, they watched as the ruthless Xemnas called forth all of his dark power and surround the ballroom in shadows.  

New Party Member: Mickey

HP: 75

MP: 120

Friendship: 60

Weapon: Star Seeker (STR +5, MAG +1)

Armor: N/A

Accessories:

Master Ring (+5 HP, +5 STR, +5 DEF, +5 MAG)

Items:

Mega Potions x2, Mega Ethers x2

Abilities

Illumination: Launch Fireworks at enemies, stunning them

Faithcharge: Send out an volley of energy balls

Sea of Light: Bathe the entire area in light, causing great damage to enemies

Curagun: Replenish all HP of all allies and remove any negative ailments

MP Hastega: Magic reloads at an incredible rate

True Mastery: All Attacks do 50% more damage

Item Boost: Boost the potency of items on the field

Second Chance: Ensure 1 HP remains after taking critical damage

Once More: Ensure 1 HP remains after taking damage from a combo

Boss Battle: Xemnas I

HP: 900

Battle Theme: Disappeared

GET BONUS:

Kairi Learned Once More

Kairi +10 MP

Mickey: +15 HP, +20 Friendship

        Xemnas grunted ruthlessly as he clutched at his wounded shoulder.  "You will regret this action, guardians of light!"  With that, Xemnas vanished into the shadows.  Assured he was gone, Mickey turned to Kairi.  "Are you alright?"

        "I was fine all along, Mickey" Kairi exclaimed.  

        "I worry, Kairi" Mickey sighed.  "Without Sora or Riku to look after you, I can't help but want to be there to bail you out.  Call it "overprotectiveness" if you want, but I call it friendship.  I would want to know you and the boys have my back if I need it just like they know I have theirs."

        "I think Kairi did a splendid job" Cinderella chimed in, returning from the secret tunnel behind the King's throne.  "Though, truth be told, I wished her worthiness had been proven in other circumstances."  

        The Prince bowed to Kairi.  "Our kingdom is indebted to you for your bravery, Kairi."

        "Thank you, but I couldn't have done it without Mickey."
        Mickey turned to Cinderella.  "Did Kairi tell ya why we're here?"

        Cinderella nodded and turned to her Prince.  "I'm afraid I'll have to say goodbye for a little while."

        The Prince was taken aback by the comment.  "What?  But, where are you going?"

        "So long as that man and his creatures can get into the castle here, my friends believe I would be safer in another world.  Surely you understand?"

         The Prince sighed, but quickly regained his calm demeanor.  "Very well.  I suppose I will hold down the fort until you return.  Then we can return to our plans for a second honeymoon."

          Cinderella beamed.  "I'd like that very much" she added, before kissing her prince.  

          Kairi turned to her side to see the Fairy Godmother appear.  "There is something I don't get.  The Prince is sad that they're separating, but he'd rather think about their reunion before their separation.  Is that what true love is?"

         The Fairy Godmother smiled and patted her on the head.  "My dear, I'm afraid you will have to discover your own true love in order to understand.  Cinderella and the Prince found each other because their dreams guided them towards one another.  Perhaps one day, you too will find your Prince Charming."

         Kairi nodded.  "Somehow, I think I already have" her face reddening as her thoughts drifted to Sora.  

Kairi Obtained the Dreamweaver Keychain

STR: +2, MAG +4)

Ability:

Increase the Amount of Time Used in Limits

Forged a D-Link with Mickey

Chapter 9 (KAIRI): Taming Lucifer

Chapter 9: Taming Lucifer

       After what seemed like hours in Cinderella's pocket, Kairi finally felt herself being plucked out of the pocket and found herself in another room.  A huge king sized bed covered only a third of the entire content of the room.  There were large mirrors, huge doors leading to closets for the Prince and Princess, and even a special mirror in near the entrance of the room for Cinderella to get ready for all of the socialite gatherings the King made her and her husband appear at.  

      Cinderella plopped Kairi on the table that sat below the mirror and gently opened the drawer.  Asleep in a bed made from yarn and buttons, a mouse in a red cap snored quietly.  He yawned and rubbed his eyes before addressing either Cinderella or Kairi.  As he finally pulled himself out of the dresser, he turned to Cinderella.  "Flinderelly!  Good morning!  Time for Jaq Jaq?  Gotta flurry!  Gotta flurry!"

      Cinderella laughed to herself before stopping the mouse.  "Relax, Jaq.  I do need your help, but if your still sleepy..."

      "Jaq Jaq make a time for Flinderelly" the mouse rejected the offer.  

      "Have you seen the Fairy Godmother's wand?" Kairi asked.  "She's lost it and it's the only way for me to reach my normal size again."

       "This is Kairi, Jaq" Cinderella explained.  "She's a friend from a far away kingdom."
       "Kai Kai?" Jaq asked.  "Always helpa friends of Flinderelly."  The mouse scratched his head for a moment before answering.  "Rucifee!  Rucifee has it!"

       "Figures" Kairi rolled her eyes.

       "Oh, that cat!" Cinderella groaned.  "I keep trying to teach him the error of his ways, but he just won't listen!"

       Kairi raised her eyebrow.  "Wait, you know that Lucifer is in the castle?"

       "Of course I do" Cinderella explained.  "I brought him here.  I thought that if I could raise him better than my stepmother and stepsisters did, that he would change.  But I guess some pets never do change."  

       "Jaq Jaq a fine Rucifee!" the mouse shouted, preparing to hop off of the dresser.  Cinderella caught him before he could.  "No?"

       "We need to remember that Lucifer, be he a bad cat or not, is still a part of our family" the princess reminded the mouse.  "I will find him and we'll be able to sort this mess out before something else happens."  Cinderella turned to Kairi.  "I will be back shortly.  Please don't run off."  The princess then turned and left the room.  

        As Cinderella shut the door, Kairi sighed.  "So much for trying to please The King.  I go off on my first real mission of consequence and I've shrunk to the size of a mouse."

        "Jaq Jaq helpa Kai Kai too?" the mouse asked.

        "I don't want to get you in trouble, Jaq" Kairi insisted.  

        "Kai Kai needa Jaq Jaq!" the mouse argued happily.  

        "But what can we do?"

        "Flinderelly not know where Rucifee hide!  But we do!  Rucifee hide in kitchen!  Takes a food from a cooks!  But monsters scare him!"  

        "Monsters?" 

        "Flinderelly calls them Heartless."

        "Then I think you and I can help each other" Kairi replied eagerly, calling forth her Keyblade.  "I have the power to defeat them.  Cinderella doesn't even know it yet!"

         Jaq looked in awe at the Keyblade.  "That'sa like Ven Ven's!  And Aqua's!"

         Kairi scratched her head.  "Ven Ven?  Aqua?"

        "Friends of Jaq Jaq and Flinderelly!  Terra too!  All good friends!"

        Kairi shrugged.  "I guess the Keyblade really has been around for a long time.  Come on, Jaq!  Let's go teach that cat a lesson or two!"  

        "Gotta flurry!  Rucifee hides when monsters come!"

        "Got it!"  Kairi slid down the dresser and followed Jaq into a mousehole near the door to the main hall.  

         No sooner did Jaq and Kairi emerge from the bedroom, did several heartless surround the duo.  As the mouse shook his head in worry, Kairi stood in front of him.  "Let me handle this!"  Kairi lunged forward as the Shadows prepared to move.

Defeat All of the Heartless!

Battle Music: Tension Rising

Get Bonus:

Kairi Learned Faith Guard

       Kairi moved her hair away from her viewpoint and finally put her Keyblade away.  "It's alright, Jaq.  Lead the way."

      "Zuk zuk, Kai Kai!  Zuk zuk!"  The mouse continued down the path, with Kairi tailing him.  

       Kairi and Jaq quietly crept through the mouse hole in the corner of the kitchen and looked inside.  In the center of the room, lay the fattest, laziest cat Kairi had ever seen.  Trapped under his paws, was the Fairy Godmother's wand.  

      "I guess that's Lucifer?" Kairi asked bitterly.  

      "Bad cat cat!" the mouse shared in her bitterness.  

       Kairi walked over to the huge cat and tugged at the wand, but it would not budge.  Frustrated, Kairi called forth her Keyblade and shot a bolt of lightning at the cat.  Flustered, the Cat stumbled to his feet and looked around for his attacker.  When he saw Kairi, he growled bitterly.  

       Jaq, seeing Kairi's danger, pushed over the broom in the corner that hit the cat in the head.  Despite Jaq's noble intentions, Kairi remained still.  "Give me the wand, Lucifer!"

        The cat growled angrily and slammed his paw down near Kairi, hoping to intimidate her.  She fell back and rolled her eyes.  "I guess we're doing this the hard way!"  

Boss Battle: Lucifer

HP: 450

Battle Music: Rowdy Rumble

Get Bonus:

Kairi Learned Blizzard

       The massive feline seemed eager to pounce once more upon Kairi, but ultimately fell onto his side with the Fairy Godmother's wand rolling out towards Kairi.  As she picked it up, she turned to the cat.  "You know, Lucifer, I'm sure Cinderella could have thrown you out at anytime.  But she sees that there's some good in you.  Why can't you show Cinderella the same kindness she shows you?  If you don't change, I can't see how she'd keep you in the house."
       "Kai Kai no reacha Rucifie" Jaq chimed in from behind the fallen broomstick.  "Rucifee mean!"
       The cat hissed and rolled onto his back.  Kairi stood in front of the exhausted cat and glared at him.  "Lucifer!"  Frustrated, she grabbed the cat's whiskers and rolled his head to the other side.  "Listen up, cat!  You're going to stop bothering Jaq and Cinderella and learn to be a good cat, or so help me I'll turn you into dog food!  GOT IT?"
       Frightened, Lucifer nodded and bounded out of the kitchen.  Kairi nodded contently.  "Perfect.  Now, let's get me back to my rightful size!"  But before Kairi could relish in her victory, she and Jaq found themselves surrounded by a wave of Heartless.  Kairi gasped and summoned her Keyblade.  "Not again!"

        Defeat All of the Heartless!

        Kairi sighed as the last Heartless vanished into nothingness.  "It's going to be extremely hard to fight like this."

        Jaq came up to Kairi's side.  "Not worry Kai Kai!  Fairy Godmother fix this just like she fix Flinderelly's dress!  Zuk Zuk?"

        Kairi rolled her eyes contently.  "Alright, Zuk Zuk."  

        "Let's get back to Flinderelly's bedroom!"

         Jaq and Kairi found the bedroom empty save for the Fairy Godmother, who sat on the bed with a worried look on her face.  Kairi hopped onto the bed to get her attention, dropping the wand on the mattress in the process.  "We have the wand."

        The Fairy Godmother put her hand over her heart and smiled.  "Oh thank goodness you two are alright!  I was getting worried."  She plucked the girl into her hands and waved the wand.  In one fell swoop and a flash of magic, Kairi was restored to her original height.  

        Jaq scurried up the mattress and called to Kairi.  "Kai Kai big like Flinderelly!" 

       Kairi nodded, but her eyes remained fixed on the Fairy Godmother, who's worried glance now focused on the ballroom which was visible from the tower window.  "But we're not safe just yet.  The darkness is still penetrating these walls.  And should something happen to Cinderella--"  Before she could finish, the castle shook violently.  Kairi grabbed ahold of the bed frame while her mouse friend bounced around on the bed.  

        "What the--"

        "Flinderelly?" 

        The Fairy Godmother looked out towards the entrance to the castle, where a hooded figure commanded hordes of Heartless to enter the castle.  "Oh dear!  Cinderella is in danger!  We must find her before those creatures do!"

        "Where is she?"

        "She was looking for you two.  She was headed for the ballroom where the Prince and Grand Duke are."

        Before waiting for more, Kairi bolted out the door and dashed down the hall to rescue Cinderella from the darkness she knew was there to destroy her.  

  

Chapter 8 (KAIRI): A Little Magic

Chapter 8: A Little Magic

        The Prince Charming Carousel in the heart of Fantasy Land shined like the morning sun as Kairi approached it, her heart brimming with anticipation of Mickey's trust in her completing a mission to rescue a Princess of Heart on her own.  She eyed each of the horses and carriages, which were handcrafted by the finest artists and craftsmen Mr. Disney had at his disposal.  Kairi chose one of the white stallions with a golden saddle before finally climbing aboard.  But the ride did not start when she attempted to work it.  She looked around for Mickey or someone to fit the bill and fix the ride, but realized no one was within radius to help her.  

       "How can I get to Cinderella if the gate to her world isn't open yet?" Kairi shouted in frustration.  It was only then that she noticed the small keyhole wedged into the heart of the carousel.  Near the keyhole, it looked like a little mouse statue was hauling a key towards it.  Dumbfounded by her own ignorance, Kairi flicked her hand and summoned her Keyblade and with another flick, used the power of light to trigger the ride.  

       The ride started slowly, ringing out the classical chime of "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes", until Kairi began to notice the scenery changing.  The village and subsequent rides of Fantasy Land were being replaced with curled archways and a magnificent palace that loomed over the carousel.  Kairi enjoyed the ride, but knew that time was still not on her side at the moment.  She needed to find Cinderella before Maleficent or Xehanort could intervene.  

     Her horse bucked one last time, allowing Kairi to slide off and walk into the courtyard of Prince Charming's castle.  Within seconds of her descent from the ride, the carousel vanished into the light. 

     The moonlight brought a peaceful yet gentle mood about the palace courtyard and showed no signs that anything was amiss.  "So far, so good.  Let's just hope it stays that way."  Not wanting her words to come back and sting her, she walked her way towards the Palace.  

        

        No sooner did Kairi place her foot on the last step leading towards the palace, then a squad of familiar dark beings surrounded her and danced in the darkness.  Kairi nodded.  "I didn't expect this to be easy!"  Without waiting a second, she summoned her Keyblade and leapt forward.  

Defeat All of the Heartless!

        Kairi lowered her Keyblade as the last Heartless fell into the shadows, sighing with relief.  But her sigh was not loud enough to drone out the clapping that sounded off behind her.  Kairi looked down the staircase to see a man in a black robe looking up at her and clapping.  He spoke to Kairi in a deep and threatening voice, one Kairi was all too familiar with.  

       "I had thought Mickey and Sora would be more protective of their little pet project" he sneered at Kairi.  "No matter.  It will make my job far easier."  

       "Xemnas?" Kairi asked, shocked by the sudden resurgence of the former leader of Organization XIII.  "But, Riku and Sora destroyed you!"

       The man threw back his hood and revealed the evil silver haired face Kairi remembered from The World That Never Was, grinning at his new target.  "I did not expect a wielder of the Keyblade to be as naive as Sora, but once again, the Realm of Light proves me wrong.  How could you think I wouldn't have returned?  I am a part of Xehanort, after all."

       "You guys do have a knack for showing up unannounced and unwelcomed!" Kairi snidely replied.

       "Such bravado" Xemnas chortled.  "Lest you forget we have spread your little army thin across many worlds already.  Sora and Riku are in no position to rescue you should you fall prey to my power.  And I do have a score to settle with them.  If neither of them could have been bothered to come and ruin our plans here, I will have to settle for the next best thing!"  Xemnas reached out for Kairi.  Kairi lurched away and drew her Keyblade up to her face.  

      "I've grown stronger!" Kairi warned.

      "Do you honestly think we've been sitting around at the same time?" the dark figure chuckled.  "How amusing.  Perhaps it's time I put an end to this little game of words and showed you exactly why Sora and Riku fear the dark as much as they do!"  The cloaked man raised his hands towards the sky.  Balls of dark energy appeared in the sky and loomed over Kairi.  Xemnas scoffed and pointed towards his target.  The dark energy rushed at Kairi wit incredible force.  

      Kairi closed her eyes, and angled her defense.  But before the blows could rain upon her Keyblade, a soft voice echoed in the Courtyard.  "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo!"  Kairi felt herself being absorbed by the light and within seconds, could no longer feel the dark presence of Xemnas looming near her.  When she opened her eyes, she found herself sitting on a chair.  It took her a brief moment to understand just how large the chair she sat in was.  She looked behind her.  The chair was enormous, towering over her.  But it wasn't just the chair.  The entire antechamber was incredibly huge.  

      "What happened to me?" Kairi asked.

      "The power of light, my dear" a voice spoke to her.  Kairi looked across the room and saw a woman in a periwinkle robe sitting in the chair opposite her.  She looked at Kairi with fondness.  "Though I think my magic can be a bit too strong sometimes.  But it should keep both you and the rest of the Castle safe from that wicked man."

        "Thank you for rescuing me" Kairi answered graciously, "but who are you?"

        "I'm Cinderella's Fairy Godmother" the woman explained.  "I help those who are unable to help themselves.  Many years ago, I gave Cinderella a little help in making her own dreams come true."

        "That sounds wonderful" Kairi answered.  "But do you still look after Cinderella now, even when her dreams have all come true?"

        "Not all of Cinderella's dreams have come true, my child" the Fairy Godmother answered sorrowfully.  "And one of Cinderella's wishes is a thing I cannot grant by myself.  It will require some courage and the powers of the Keyblade."  The Fairy walked over to the miniature guardian and scooped her up in her hands.  "And that is why you are here, Kairi."

         "You know about me?" Kairi asked.

         "Of course" she laughed.  "Not only did Cinderella tell me everything about her adventures inside that castle of Hollow Bastion, but I first learned about you from Sora.  Merlin the wizard and I taught him much about magic, but his entire motivation was to see you again."

         Kairi beamed.  "And he got his wish.  If I may, what is Cinderella's wish?  Because I need to find her to talk to her on behalf of King Mickey.  Maybe I could grant it and talk to her."  

        The Fairy Godmother reached into her sleeve for her wand, but fuddled around when she couldn't find it.  Kairi hopped out of her hands as the airy fairy searched her whole dress robe for her wand.  "I would be able to tell you, but it seems my wand has disappeared."

       "What does that mean?" Kairi asked.

       "Until I can find the wand" the Godmother frowned, "I cannot find Cinderella or make you your normal size again, Kairi."

         Kairi sighed.  "Well, I guess this will have to do for now."

        "The wand must be somewhere here in the Castle.  I bet Jaq the mouse would know.  He is a friend of Cinderella.  If you find him, you are sure to find both my wand and Cinderella.  Would you please look look around while I search in here?"

        Kairi rolled her eyes.  "Alright, I'll give it a shot.  But I don't know how much ground I can cover when I'm only this tall."

        "Bless you, child" the fairy cheered.  "As soon as I find my wand, we can try to see what we can do to fix up Cinderella's last dream."  

         Eyeing a mouse hole near the massive doors, Kairi nodded.  She slid off the chair and hurried along the path.  

         But before she could climb into the mouse hole, the Fairy Godmother called to her.  "One thing, child.  There is a cat on the loose in the castle.  Be sure to look out for Lucifer."

         "Alright" Kairi called back, sliding into the mouse hole.  

           Kairi climbed out of another mouse hole and found herself standing atop the railing of a massive staircase.  She looked as far as she could, but found no sign of Jaq the mouse.  As she was about to return into the mouse hole, she noticed the door to the chamber open and saw a young woman with blonde hair walk into the room and begin to climb the stairs.  She hummed to herself a song as she walked past Kairi.  

          "Cinderella!" the miniature warrior called.  "Cinderella!  Over here!"

          The woman turned at the sound of the name and looked to the rail.  She gasped when she noticed how small Kairi had become.  "Kairi?  Oh my goodness."  She hurried to the rail and scooped her up into her hands.  "Are you alright?  How did you get so small?  And what are you doing all the way out here in my world?"

          Kairi sighed.  "To answer your questions, in order: I am not alright as you can see.  The Fairy Godmother's magic shrunk me down to this size but since she's lost her wand, I can't grow back.  And I'm here to bring you to King Mickey."

           "King Mickey?" Cinderella asked.  "But why?  Does he think I'm in danger here?"

           "Master Xehanort and all of his dark friends are running around the worlds" Kairi explained.  "The King has Sora, Riku and I going around to worlds and stopping him while also bringing you all safe and sound to his castle.  Xehanort can't get there."

             "Oh dear" Cinderella answered sadly.  "I'll have to alert the Prince to my departure, along with my friends.  And we should get to work on your size problem as well."

            "The Fairy Godmother thinks that Jaq might have a clue to where it is" Kairi continued.  

            "Jaq?" Cinderella asked.  "But that will never do.  He's been in my chambers the whole time.  He sleeps there until we can make sure Lucifer doesn't go after him.  They've been at odds for years."

            "You know Lucifer?" Kairi asked.

            "He was my stepmother's pet cat" Cinderella sighed.  "I took him in here after I was married, because I believed he would change if treated better.  But he still tries to eat my mice friends.  Since then, we've been trying to get him out of the palace, but he keeps finding ways in."

             "Can you take me to Jaq?"

             Cinderella smiled.  "Of course I can.  But you'll have to travel in my pocket.  Jaq told me the mouse holes are filled with Heartless.  I wouldn't want to endanger you with travelling in there."  Cinderella slid Kairi into the pocket of her apron and continued her walk up the stairs.  Kairi poked her head out of the pocket and looked around for Jaq, while also muttering to herself about no one's inclination to trust her to carry out a mission.