Three guest rooms were made up, one for each teen. Sora reclined in his bed, sleep a million miles away. To him, everything that had happened today was just a drop in the trauma bucket.

He wasn't expecting to stay the night. So, he didn't bring his pajamas. He almost feared sleeping without them. Yen Sid had promised they'd help with his nightmares, and they had. Now when the heartless appeared in his dreams, he wasn't afraid.

Rather, now he had other things to worry about. The nightmares of fighting had covered up other dreams he should have been having instead. Conversations with people he hadn't met, feelings of things that never happened…he knew some of them were Roxas' memories. But some of the others…he wasn't sure. Either way, sleep was not enjoyable to him anymore.

Especially when he was alone.

Quietly, Sora stole from his bed and crept to the door. He didn't bother to look at his clock, he knew it was some ungodly hour in the morning. He crept into the hall.

The castle was silent and still.

He glanced over to Riku's room, knowing that his friend was probably in a hard sleep. Riku wasn't the type to rest during the day. And with all the running in the woods he did, doubtless he was exhausted.

Instead, Sora snuck across the hall into Kairi's room. She laid in the middle of the queen-sized mattress, dressed in a silk nightgown. The servants had taken good care of her, he supposed.

"Hey Kai? Are you asleep?"

Her eyes opened slightly and glanced his way.

"Sorry if I woke you up, I couldn't sleep." He crawled onto the mattress and laid down next to her. "It's weird, I…I kind of get anxious when I'm not with you. Like…we've been separated on and off for two years now…and now that you're with me…I'm terrified to leave you alone. Especially like this."

He laid on his back, looking up at the bed canopy. "It's stupid. You're a princess and you've gotten to sleep in two castles now. And I'm not counting the dungeon in The Castle That Never Was either. And now…we're going to go to all these different worlds, and I've decided to bring you along, because I hope that you'll get to experience it…but without your heart, you'll never…"

He went silent and turned back over to face her. "Do you remember when we were kids, and the very last time we played Princess and the Dragon?" He smirked. "You were the Princess and Riku and I fought over who got to be the dragon, but he ended up winning. So I became the knight. He placed you 'under a spell' of eternal slumber and said that it could only be lifted if I beat the dragon."

He reached over and fingered her bangs. "And so I fought Riku again, and this time I took it really personal. Then he told me I could only wake up the princess with a kiss. And you actually pretended to still be under that spell. So I kissed you, and it was awkward for everyone."

His voice was barely a whisper as he leaned in a little closer to her. "So in a way, you're the sleeping Princess again, and I'm your knight."

Kairi sighed audibly. A pleasant sound.

"But…the dragon is a little tougher now…and a kiss isn't going to wake you up." He glanced down to her lips and felt his stomach clench. "At least…I doubt it could be that simple. But I also don't want to try that yet…since…well…"

He fell silent, not really knowing what else to say.

"I feel bad, Kai. We were separated for two years…not even able to speak to each other, and now we're together and you can't speak…" he frowned. "All of my friends are important to me. No matter how they change. Like Riku, he's…a lot different now. It's sad, really. But you and I…"

He met her glassy eyes and stared a little deeper into them. "Things will never be the same between us again, will they?"

Her eyes fell shut softly.

"I guess not." He looked away to the window. The moon was bright, it's light piercing the thin curtains. Sometimes, if he stared long enough, the moon took on a heart shape, and terrified him. But for now, it remained a circle.

"Things won't ever be the same. Not for anyone." Then he smiled, and looked back down to Kairi. "But you know, I'm okay with that. It keeps things interesting."

With a tender kiss to her cheek, Sora settled down beside her and found dreamless sleep.

—

He had never been to a ball before. A dance, yes, when he was back at the islands. But never an elaborate, glamorous ball. Sora did his best to tame his hair, and polish up in the former daunting west wing. He wore a borrowed suit from the castle, and if he was honest with himself, felt a little silly. It was almost the opposite of what he had been wearing, since the pants were tight and the shirt was long and loose. High socks adorned his now monstrous calves.

"Ugh, my toes are so cramped in these shoes." He muttered to Riku.

"That's because you've never worn anything smaller than size 50." He snarked back.

"Big talk from someone who has the same shoe size as Goofy."

"Hey, I only wore those to make you feel better about your ugly hobbit toes!" Riku protested.

"Boys boys!" Cogsworth pleaded. It seemed like the 'honored guest' title had worn down quickly. "Of course we are very excited to have you two and your lady friend as guests, but I urge you greatly to be on your best behavior."

"Why? It's just a ball with the servants. Everyone already knows how goofy we are."

"I'm afraid it's more then just a quaint get together. One part of the curse was that the castle became unfathomably dismissible by it former occupants. Tonight you shall be presented to them along with the Master."

"Huh?"

"Adam's family is coming back and it will be the first time he's seen them since before the curse."

"Oh..." the boys spoke together.

"The queen passed away in childbirth. His father, struck with grief, travelled all around the world to forget her. All his life, he's been trying to forget his son. And because of the curse, he nearly did. On birthdays the castle would receive a simple page boy who would open the front door and throw a letter inside, stating that the Lords of the castle hoped he was well and would be able to visit next year. The castle's status was checked up on by his Uncle, Lord Gilbert…who was grossly negligent in that regard. We have received word that these two men, along with a hand full of other nobles, will be present tonight for the Master's 21st birthday. So please, I beg you, be courteous."

Sora smiled, "No worries, Cogsworth! I've been around loads of royals. We can handle it."

Riku smirked, "Yeah, remember that one time the Emperor of China called me rude?"

"I mean...you didn't even introduce yourself."

"Introductions!" The majordomo exclaimed. "I forgot to write your introductions!"

"Can't we just introduce ourselves? That's a lot more friendly."

"Friendly? We want the proper etiquette! Most of these people won't even want to be friendly!" He dug through his pockets and found some notecards. "Here, write down your full names and titles and give them to the doorman before entering the Entrance Hall. Make sure you write one for the Mistress Kairi as well."

"Titles?"

"Oh you know, The Duchess of Cambridge, The Duke of Wellington, Regent Prince Adam de Antoine Marie Jean-Baptiste Roger, comte de Saint-Exupéry?" He giggled. "That last one was a test, that's the Master's title."

"No wonder he went by 'Beast'," muttered Riku.

"But we don't have titles like that!"

"Well, then make something up! You're both proud world savers and warriors! Travelers extraordinaire! We are trying to impress! How you are perceived will reflect upon Master Adam!"

"Impress, huh?" Sora smirked a horrible little smirk. "Okay. I can do this."

"Why oh why do I have the feeling I'm going to regret this?"

Sora put his hands on the man's shoulders and steered him toward the door. "You just go on ahead and worry about the rest of the house. You have our word that we'll be on our best behavior and we'll write some very nice and impressive titles."

"Oh all right…" Cogsworth relented. "There is a lot of stuff to tend to…just make sure you get those titles approved by someone in the house!"

"Of course!"

And with that, he was out the door.

"Here," Riku handed him his notecard. "You can write mine, Eager McBeaver."

Sora's fiendish grin curled slightly. "Excellent."

A moment later, Prince Adam paused timidly in the doorway. "Can I come in?"

"Sure," Riku welcomed, leaning against the wall. "You all ready?"

"As much as I can be," He admitted. "I'm not sure what I'm going to say to my father. I…don't even really know him."

Riku sighed, speaking to the floor. "I…think I kind of know what you mean. I haven't been home in nearly two years. Before I left, I wasn't really on good terms with my parents. We fought often, and I got in a lot of trouble. But I just kept pushing them away. There was nothing I would rather do than cast them off completely so I could be free to explore the outside world…but when I got out here, I realized how dark and lonely it can get. I miss them so much now and regret ever fighting with them." He pushed off from the wall and clasped the man's shoulder. "I think the best thing you can do is just tell him you love him and you want to get to know him."

Adam nodded once, sagely. "I think I'll do just that." Then he turned and looked at Sora who was furiously writing something down on a notecard. He'd scratch a line, cross it out, tap the pencil to his chin and then write something else.

"What are you doing?"

"Writing our titles," He answered simply. "Can you approve this?"

Adam took the notecard and gave it a withering glance. "I don't know…I'm still practicing my reading. It's not stellar."

"Even better!"

The Prince read all the words he could. "It's pretty long. But from what I can tell, it's good."

"Excellent."

"What did you put for me?" Riku reached for the cards, but Sora snatched them away.

"You'll just have to find out when you get introduced."

A throat cleared at the door. "Your Majesty, your guests have arrived."

—

In the Entrance Hall, Sora, Riku, Adam stood at the top of the stairs, just out of site from the crowd below. Riku peered around the corner to report. "I see the servants, and there's a lot of other people here too."

"Probably their families," noted Adam.

"It looks like they're starting the introductions."

Sure enough, the doorman spoke loud and clear. "Introducing The Duchess of Cambridge, Marina de Coup Pans de Lyon."

There was a short applause before the next guest was introduced.

"Alright, so apparently, once all the visitors are introduced, then they will introduce you three and then me. I think they will announce Kairi first."

"Where is she?" Asked Sora, eager to see his friend all gussied up.

"She's in the parlor, Mrs. Potts will wheel her out when she's introduced."

The guests kept pouring in.

"When do we start walking? When they say our name?"

"As soon as they start saying your title, go ahead and start walking down."

Riku added from his vantage point, "wow, that's a bit more than a handful."

"How many?"

"A few…"

"How many is a few?"

"A couple…"

"Give me a ballpark figure."

He sighed, "like thirty."

"I knew this was going to happen," Adam lamented, head in his hands. "I really don't want to go out there."

"Hey, it's okay. We're here, if you need anything, we'll back you up."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah!"

Riku grinned, "I am wonderfully capable of throwing punch on someone and making it look like an accident."

"So you did do that on purpose!" Sora whisper shouted.

"Tidus had it coming!"

Lumiere's voice cut through the conversation. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege to introduce our guests of honor. The household extends our welcome to these three young warriors visiting from a far off world. Without their help, the castle would not have returned to the glory it once held."

"Debatable," Riku muttered.

"The Princess of light, Kairi Shimomura, daughter of Ansem the Wise, the Sage King of Radiant Garden."

There was a humble applause as Kairi was presented on the floor.

"What does she look like?" Sora urged, trying to see over Riku's head.

"You'll see her in a minute! Calm down!"

"Get ready!" Adam scolded.

"The Former Prince of Darkness, Riku Nomura, Pupil to King Mickey Mouse of Disney castle, wielder of the Keyblade."

Riku made his descent down the stairs as people applauded. Despite the opening, the name was pretty good.

"And of course," Lumiere cleared his throat, like he wanted this to be perfect. "The Champion of the Gods, Hero of Olympus, Lieutenant of the Chinese Army, First Mate of Captain Jack Sparrow of the Black Pearl," Sora strolled down the stairs, a glow with pride.

Riku stood at the bottom, rolling his eyes and huffing.

"Advisor to Aladdin; Sultan of Agrabah, Consort of King Simba of Pride Rock, Escort of Princesses, Slayer of Dragons and Monsters, Pupil to Master Yen Sid, Knight of His Majesty King Mickey Mouse of Disney Castle, Captain of the Starship Highwind, Master of the Seven Elements and Master Keyblade wielder, Sora Hikari of Destiny Islands."

The servants went ecstatic. Cheers like none other rocked the castle as Sora cockily strolled down the stairs. The new guests just stared in shock, and a bit in awe.

"How's that for a title?" He snickered.

"Cogsworth is going to kill you."

"And now, if you please, a round of applause for your honorable and humble host, Regent Prince Adam de Antoine Marie Jean-Baptiste Roger, comte de Saint-Exupéry..." applause started as Adam nervously descended the stairs. He waited on the ballroom landing.

"And his beautiful lady," Lumiere smiled as he looked up to the East wing. "Belle."

No title, no family name, just her first name, because that was enough for Adam, so it was enough for everyone else. The servants cheered and sang as the master and mistress of the castle met on the landing, smiling brightly at each other, seemingly lost in their own world.

"Thank you everyone, for attending this wonderful celebration," Lumiere beamed. "Please, be our guest!"

Hired hands, not previously attending the castle opened the doors to the ballroom. Maestro struck up the band and the party commenced.

Now that he had a moment, Sora crouched a bit and took in Kairi's absolute beauty. She wore a deep blue dress with silver trimmings and bows and ruffles. Her hair was curled and pinned daintily. Sora blushed as he smiled tenderly at her. "Wow Kai! You look like a Princess!"

"Should she not?" A woman's voice cut through the moment.

Both Sora and Riku turned to greet a sour looking woman in clothes of grandeur and splendor, pinks and reds of all different shades and hues. All layered together in one big flowery mess. "I thought I'd make my acquaintance to such an esteemed Princess of such an exotic title…but if she isn't actually a princess…"

Sora rubbed the back of his head. "Gee uh, ma'am. I only meant that she actually looked like a princess. Where we are from, we don't wear clothing this rich and fine. And girls don't wear dresses this poofy."

The noblewoman narrowed her eyes slightly. "I see. I am Madam Vivian Antoinette, Duchess of Corsica. Prince Adam is my nephew." She held her hand out delicately.

Sora took it and shook it with warmth. "Nice to meet you! I'm Sora! This is Riku and this is Kairi."

She smirked, withdrawing her hand. "That's how you introduce yourselves? How…civilian."

Riku mentally tagged in to this boxing fight of wits. "Our culture is much different then you're used to, and we apologize. We experience so many different types of cultures in our travels, we find it best to keep it simple."

"I see," The woman stated, placated.

Sora took note of the guests making their way into the ballroom. "Well, we should join them. Ready Kai?" He stooped and scooped her up. Automatically, her hands draped around his shoulders.

Aunt Vivian sneered at the sight. "Is it also…proper to hold a lady like that in public where you're from? Are you married?"

"They might as well be," Riku quipped.

Sora blushed. "Ah, no we—we aren't. But uh, as you can see by her chair. Kairi is unable to walk on her own."

"Is she also unable to speak of her own accord? It seems odd that a servant would be answering for her."

Sora's eyes widened, not sure how to respond to such a rude response in a way that wouldn't embarrass Cogsworth or Adam. He simply looked to Riku. Sometimes he had better tact.

This moment was not one of those moments.

"Look lady, Sora and I are decorated warriors and master swordsmen, and we deserve way more respect than you're giving us now. I would have thought you'd be a little bit more polite in front of Princess Kairi, Duchess. And no, she can't speak either. Very rude of you to point that out."

The woman laughed a haughty little laugh and unfurled her fan. "I merely wanted to see what types of people you were, since you seem to be well acquainted with my dear sweet nephew."

Riku folded up Kairi's chair while Sora started up the stairs. "I hate to be the barer of bad news, but you make a poor first impression."

—

Meanwhile, Adam and Belle were approached by two older men. He knew them, but he wasn't prepared for how much older they appeared.

"Father, Uncle," Adam greeted calmly and genuinely.

His father, King Reginald, smiled and shook his head with a look of disbelief. "You look so much like your mother."

Adam looked away shyly, unsure of how to respond. He still wasn't used to looking like a human in the first place.

"So, please tell us about this lovely lady." His uncle changed the subject.

"Oh! This is Belle, she's my uh…we are…"

"Adam has been courting me." She curtsied politely.

The duke and king shared a knowing glance. "She's very lovely," Reginald praised. "How were you acquainted? As far as I know, you were never the social type, Adam."

"Uh…well, she was my guest."

"Adam was very kind to let me stay here while my father was away. You see, my father is a world famous inventor and he is well travelled to show his inventions to scholars."

The king nodded with enthusiasm, "sounds like a very smart man!"

"And Belle is very educated as well," Adam added. "She's read over half the books in the library since she started staying here."

"Charming, beautiful, and smart! My boy you've seem to found the perfect woman!"

Adam beamed.

"But if she is so well learned," his uncle interjected, "why did she not take care of the house hold or go with him? I'm just curious."

Adam swallowed. He was never very good at lying. Especially when he could just drop, 'because I said so!' and people would listen to him.

"Well, your excellency, I was being relentlessly pursued by a hunter who wanted my hand in marriage. And sought out your lovely castle as a sanctuary for a just a little time."

"A hunter?"

"Yes, a man that was unafraid to kill any animal just for praise. He kept them all as trophies. He didn't know how to read and he spent all his free time drinking beer."

Adam scowled, hating the man even more.

The duke laughed, "sounds like an utter buffoon! You did well to seek out help."

"So when's the wedding?" The King asked.

At that, both Adam and Belle blushed heavily. "Well, the courting is only a recent development…" Adam cleared his throat. "That is, I do love Belle, and I would love to marry her, but I need a little time to get used to the idea."

"Belle! There you are!" A man hustled into the group. "I saw you go into the ballroom and then I got lost in the crowd—this castle is so big, I still can't—Oh dear, am I interrupting something? I'm terribly sorry." Maurice looked up at the gentlemen gathered.

The king barked out a laugh and held out his hand. "It's quite alright, monsieur…?"

He shook it warmly. "Maurice, just Maurice. I'm Belle's father. And you are?"

The man laughed. "King Reginald VII, at your service."

"K-K-K-King!?" Maurice fell down to his face on the floor. "Your Highness! I'm so so sorry, I should have…I've never seen you in person, and I wasn't expecting…"

"Sir, please rise. Since it seems like we're going to be in laws in the future, there's no need to be so formal."

"In laws!? You're Adam's—"

"He's my son, yes," The king smiled.

Maurice stood on shaky legs, staring between the group. "Oh what have you gotten me into, my dear?"

"Oh darling!" A shrill voice beckoned. The duke turned to greet his wife, Aunt Vivian.

"There you are Viv, where did you waltz off to?"

"I went to speak to the honored guests, the two young men and the princess. Aren't you going to introduce me?"

"Oh yes, of course you remember Adam, and this is his Beau, Belle. And her father, Maurice."

"Ah, yes." The woman smirked, "The girl without a title or even a surname." She snapped her fan.

"Vivian," her husband scolded.

Aunt Vivian gave her a cold stare. "So how did you end up here? I'm sure it's a…riveting story."

"Oh it is!" Maurice responded. "You see, it was a dark and stormy night—!"

Belle put a loving hand on her father's shoulder. "Now dad, I'm sure Adam wants to get caught up with his family. We can tell them the story later, alright?" And she steered him toward the snack table.

"But Belle, don't you think that's important for them to know?"

"They don't know about the curse," She explained. "Cogsworth told me that his family just felt compelled to stay away. I do think they need to know about the curse but…not right now. Not tonight."

Maurice nodded. "I understand, and I'm sorry."

"Nothing to apologize for Papa." She kissed the top of his head.

"If you don't mind," he began, his eyes searching the room, "I'm going to see if Mrs. Potts would like a dance."

Belle giggled as he headed out into the fray. She proceeded into the room as guests and servants alike greeted her. Then, off in a corner, she saw the boy from Hollow Bastion sitting in a wheelchair, looking at a strange rectangular device.

She approached him quietly. "Now, I could have sworn you were the friend that could walk."

Riku startled up from his seat. "Oh no, that's not me…um, I'm just taking pictures." He held out his phone so that she could see the images of the dancers taking the floor. One such image was of Sora waltzing with Kairi in his arms. Belle looked to the floor and saw him. He looked much more elegant in the photo. But he was happy, as Kairi had her arms draped around his shoulders and rested her head against his chest.

"Are you jealous?" Belle asked, a little bluntly.

Riku huffed. "You know, if you had asked me a year ago, I would have said yes without a doubt. But now I'm just sad."

Belle turned her sympathetic gaze to Sora. "He seems to care a lot about her."

"He loves her. He cares about everyone he meets, but he loves her. Did you know he took out his own heart for her? And because of her, he regained himself from a heartless."

"I remember." She smiled softly. "I remember waking up to Donald screaming for him. I remember mass panic as everyone left the great hall. But where were you?"

Riku looked down in shame. "That was after I lost my body to the darkness. Ansem had taken control of my body and there was nothing I could do to stop it."

Belle looked back at him. "Now everything makes sense."

"How so?"

She smiled at him. "Several times in his travels, Sora visited our castle. He was looking for you each time. I could only wonder why. But now I know that the you I met back then wasn't actually you."

"In a way, it still was." He sighed. "Before this whole thing started, when the three of us still lived on the island, I confessed to Kairi that I had a crush on her. She was really nice about it, but she told me that her heart belonged to someone else. I asked if it was Sora and she said it was. From that day on, I did everything I could to prove that I was better than him. I even teased him in front of her. In the end, when it mattered, I took a short cut to try to save her, and ended up bringing ruin to myself." He crossed his arms, "when I kidnapped you, I had a major attitude problem. Since then, I've been severely humbled…and I'm sorry for what I did. It must have been traumatic."

"Scary, yes." She affirmed. "But I wasn't harmed, and adventure never hurt anyone."

He grinned. "In fact, I think it helps."

Belle raised her hand out to him, "I would like to have a word with Sora, do you think you could help me out there?"

He bowed, "of course, m'lady."

Riku and Belle danced out to the couple lost in their own little world. She tapped gently on his shoulder. "Excuse me sir, may I have this dance?"

Sora looked between her and Riku and nodded. Kairi raised her arms out so Riku could take her.

"Just so you know, I have two left feet."

"That's alright." Belle grinned.

They awkwardly danced in the crowd of servants. "You're so stiff," She chuckled.

"I'm just not used to dancing!"

"Well, at least you aren't looking at your feet. It took Adam a long time to figure that out."

"To be fair, we aren't really dancing…just swaying in a circle."

"I don't mind."

"So…what's the Beast—er, Adam up to?"

"He's talking to his family in the grand hall. I don't think his Aunt likes me."

"Oh you mean—," He pitched his voice high and made it overly proper. "Aunt Vivian?"

"You met her?"

"I was roasted by her. Riku and Kairi too! Some people are just awful."

"I've dealt with worse," Belle assured. "But, I've been meaning to ask you, I just haven't been able to since you got here…what is wrong with Kairi? If I recall, she didn't have any problems before."

Sora looked away in sadness. "Well, you remember Xaldin, right?"

Her nose flared. "Did that awful man do this?"

"Not quite. He was a part of a group of Nobodies called Organization XIII. Their leader ripped Kairi's heart out and shattered it. Riku and I are trying to find a way to restore it, since Kingdom Hearts is unstable without it."

"Oh goodness! Is there anything we can do to help?"

"Actually…" He moved his hand to his pocket. As he did, there was a loud knocking at the door.

A hush fell over all the servants as they stopped dancing. Even the band stopped playing music. The guests looked around confused as nearly everyone looked to the door.

The knocks repeated.

Lumiere hurried from the ballroom and down the steps to get the door, but Adam was already heading towards it. As Belle and Sora reached the bottom of the steps, they heard Aunt Vivian scoff. "Answering the door himself? That's a servant's job!"

Adam adjusted his coat and opened the door with a welcoming air.

Lumiere paled next to Belle. "It's her."

An ugly old woman stood at the door, her knotted hands clutched a rotting cane. Her blind eye staring right into Adam's soul. Though she never said so, he believed that she would return one day to test him.

Persistent rain pelted down on the stairs behind the woman. He couldn't recall if it had been doing so when the guests arrived not long ago.

"Good evening, madam," he greeted, a nod of his head.

"Please," she begged. "Spare an poor old woman from the cold? I have but a rose to offer in return."

"That's very kind of you, please come in." With a sweep of his arm, he gestured inside. "We are in the middle of a celebration, please enjoy the music."

"That's alright, what I'd really love is a warm bed for the night."

Cogworth hurried up to Adam in a hushed panic. "All the rooms are full, and I know that our…distinguished guests would be…put out if your offered their room away."

"Then the parlor," Adam decided. "We'll have a nice fire in the parlor and you can sit in my chair."

Everything finally clicked in Sora's mind and he joined the conversation. "Bea—er Adam, me, Riku, and Kairi have to get going tonight, so if you want to offer one of our rooms, that's fine."

"Ah! Thank you! There we go, a nice warm room for you ma'am!" He called back to the assembled crowd. "Is Mrs. Potts here?"

The housekeeper hurried down the steps to the Master. "Yes sir, I'm here sir."

"I'm so sorry to ask this of you on your day off, but could you personally attend to our guest?"

"Of course, Master." She curtsied.

"I've had just about enough of this!" Aunt Vivian exclaimed. "Treating this woman—this peasant with so much curtesy! It's…well, it's disgraceful."

Adam cleared his throat. "Aunt Vivian, you don't understand."

"Oh I understand plenty! While we were gone, you resorted to rubbing shoulders with dirty commoners! You bring shame upon this family!"

The beggar woman looked at Adam, and smiled slightly. "Are you going to let her boss you around in your own castle?"

"You! You do not speak unless spoken too!" Vivian snapped. "Adam! This is a complete and utter embarrassment. If you will not do something about this, then I will."

"Vivian, this is my castle now, and whoever needs refuge will get it. You must understand—"

But the woman was so lost in anger that she would not listen to him. "Guards! Anyone! Get this woman out of here!"

The old beggar woman narrowed her eyes. "Do not be deceived by my appearance. Things are not always as they seem."

The resounding slap sent the crowd into silence. A maid sobbed.

"Get out." Vivian snarled.

Instantly, the room was overtaken by a bright light. The old woman rose into the air and showed her true, beautiful form. Vivian fell to her knees in fear.

"Anger and hate will get you nowhere." She proclaimed, raising her hands. "This is what happens when you let it fester!"

Prince Adam seized up instantly, pink magic surrounding him.

"Oh no!" Belle cried. "Please don't!" She looked to Sora. "Please do something!"

Adam's body was engulfed in light, as beams burst forth from his fingertips.

Sora drew his keyblade, but stood still, unsure of the right course of action.

"Steady your hand Keyblade wielder, I am not your enemy," The enchantress claimed.

A horrendous roar shook the castle and the once handsome Prince was reduced to a Beast once more. He turned, snarling at his family.

The king took a step toward him, holding out his hand. "Adam…"

The enchantress lowered herself to their level and placed a hand on the Beast's arm. "This is the product of your cruel, sad, sickening and hateful hearts. I once thought he was a spoiled, selfish, and wicked child. I now realize that he was merely a victim himself, of gross negligence and poor role models. These last ten years, he will never get back, and it's all your fault." She addressed the King, the Duke, and the Duchess.

The King was the first to act, in a way that no one would have ever expected. He ran to Adam and threw his arms around his son and wept. "Adam! My sweet little Adam! How cruel and foolish I've been!"

"Father?" The beast hated the gruff noise that was his voice.

The king looked up to him. "By god, you still have her eyes." He clenched his eyes shut, pained. "Every time I looked at you, it hurt so bad. You took my wife away, but are the only thing I have left of her. And I chose to push you away and ruin your life. I know I can never make it up to you, but I will do everything I can to make up for it. I'm so sorry, could you ever forgive me?"

The beast hugged him back. "All I wanted was for you to love me."

"Oh Adam, I did. I loved you so much…but I didn't know how to show it. Anything would have been better than what I did. We'll start a new, is that alright?"

"Yes…that sounds perfect."

The duke approached him guiltily. "I don't think I was much better. Your father asked me to watch over you, and I did a poor job. I have no excuse."

The Beast clapped his shoulder, causing him to stumble. "You tried. And that's okay. It didn't help that I was awful to you."

"I've long forgiven you for anything you did, my boy." The duke assured.

The enchantress looked at the assembled and smiled. "Forgiveness is the mightiest sword. And with it, your hearts can be purified." Then she turned her eyes upon the duchess. "But some hearts are so consumed by darkness, that they cannot be redeemed." She raised her hand and a pink light surrounded Vivian, who still sat frozen on the ground. "You who have mocked and scorned others, who has pointed fingers and carelessly flung insults. You will have silence for the rest of your days. Nevermore will you sing your praises or defend your actions, and no one will stand up in your place. For you have damned yourself to a life of scorn and hatred as you have delivered it. There will be no redemption for you, for you have not learned this lesson yet." And with that Vivian's voice turned to dust.

"Vivian!" The Duke cried, running to her.

The Duchess finally snapped out of her trance and hurled every insult and swear she could think of. But it all remained unheard. Then, she hugged herself and cried.

Finally, the Beast spoke. "What must I do to turn back into a human?"

The enchantress graced him with a smile. "Through Belle's love, and your love for her, your curse has been lifted forever. This form is for you to use as needed. I sense great danger in the future, and thought it might be of use to you."

The Beast closed his eyes, and went still. Slowly, his form melted back into a human, as if there was never any change. Belle threw her arms around him in relief.

"You passed my test, young prince. And now my presence is no longer needed."

"Wait!" Sora called.

She met his plea.

"Please, Kairi lost her heart." He gestured over to the girl, still in Riku's arms. "I hoped that you would know a way to regain it?"

The enchantress floated closer, examining him. "There is no magic in this world or any other that can regain a princess's lost heart."

Sora felt his stomach sink into his shoes.

"However, the item in your pocket holds the key."

He pulled out the heart shard. "This?"

"Yes, follow your heart and it will lead to hers." And with that, she finally disappeared.

Once the staff realized that they weren't going to be cursed again, the celebration continued.

Adam and Belle joined Sora, Riku, and Kairi.

"So that's what you're looking for?" Belle glanced at the crystal.

"Yeah, it's a heart shard of a past Princess of Light."

"Well, there's going to be a lot of changes happening in the castle in the coming month. We will keep an eye out for one," Adam assured.

Sora nodded, "I appreciate it. Stay safe you guys, I didn't really like the warning the enchantress gave."

"I'm not too sure about that either," Belle confessed.

"Only a fool would try to harm anyone in my castle."

"Your Beast is showing." Riku smirked.

Sora clapped his hands, "Well, we have to get going. It is a long flight back to Hollow Bastion. But first, I'm going to get more of those little wienies for the road!"