Merida quickly opened the door and looked out of the room. She could hear her father shouting and heavy footsteps approaching.

'Oh Nessie!' Merida gasped, as she looked around frantically. To her horror, Elinor, in her bear form, went towards the opposite direction. The Merida cursed and she turned to Kairi, Donald and Goofy. 'Try to distract them while I get mom out of here!'

Merida ran after Elinor as Kairi and her two friends met with Fergus, the lords and their warriors.

'What's going on here lass?' Fergus asked. 'We heard a roar.'

'We didn't see anything!' Kairi quickly denied.

Then, they heard a scream where Merida and Elinor headed.

'BEAR!'

'It's Maddie!' Fergus cried. 'COME ON BOYS!'

He led the lords and the warriors towards the scream, leaving Kairi, Donald and Goofy behind.

'Gosh!' Goody said. 'What are we going to do?'

Kairi turned to Donald. 'Do you know any transformation spells?'

Donald opened his beak, closed it and looked crestfallen. 'No.'

Kairi looked around desperately and spotted giant bear skin hanging on the wall. She quickly pulled it off its hanger and turned to Donald and Goofy.

'Donald, jumped on Goofy's shoulders and cover this fur over your bodies. If they're hunting for a bear, they got one!'

'Now where did that beastie get to?' Fergus whispered as he and the lords wandered through the castle. Then they stopped as a huge figure were right in front of them, its giant form casting a huge shadow over the corridor and it was matted with brown fur and dark claws. It was Donald and Goofy with Donald standing on Goofy's shoulders while holding the fur that covered only the back and sides of their bodies and not the front.

'Erm...' Donald said awkwardly. 'Rarr?'

Fergus, the lords and their warriors yelled at the top of their lungs and charged towards them: waving their swords in circles over their heads and brandishing their spears.

'QUACK!' Donald quacked, almost ruining their disguise, as Goofy ran the opposite direction: leading the warriors away from discovering Elinor. Kairi popped out of her hiding place and smiled.

'Good job, boys.' She muttered before heading off to find Merida and Elinor. She did not have to go far until she heard voices in one of the rooms. She quickly opened the door and found Merida and Elinor with the triplets: Merida negotiating with the triplets.

'Fine, a year!' Merida fumed.

The triplets nodded as Kairi stepped into the conversation. 'Donald and Goofy are distracting your father and the others. We need to get your mom out of here!'

Merida nodded. 'The boys will handle that.'

Kairi faced the triplets. 'Can you also help my friends out there?'

One of the triplets held his hands out, expecting something. Confused, Kairi turned to Merida who scowled. 'They are asking for something in return.'

Desperately, Kairi pushed her hands into her pockets until she found what she was looking for: three wrapped candies.

'Here! These are coloured sugar lumps! A specialty from my… Clan.'

Each of the triplets snatched a piece of candy and nodded. They ran out of the room, leaving Kairi, Merida and Elinor.

'Now let's get out of here.'

'RUN GOOFY, RUN!' Donald yelled.

'I'M RUNNING AS FAST AS I CAN!' Goofy shouted back as he turned into a corridor.

Donald and Goofy, with the bearskin still on, were running away from Fergus and the other warriors who thought they were the bear that the warriors heard earlier. Donald and Goofy thought they were done for when they noticed that the group of warriors stopped chasing them as something else seem to distract them.

'Look!' one of the warriors shouted. 'It's over there!'

The mob of warriors ran the opposite direction of where Goody and Donald were. Confused, they were about to find out what was going on when there was another shout.

'There it is!'

The mob turned to another direction. Even more puzzled, Donald and Goofy were about to join the mob when something tugged at the bearskin they were wearing. They whipped around and were relieved that it was only one of the triplets. One of them pointed at they saw another triplet holding a roast chicken and a torch. When he raised the chicken and the torch, it created a giant shadow of a bear. He lowered the chicken but the mob ran towards the opposite direction: no doubt the other brother was doing the same thing.

'That's clever.' Donald quacked as he jumped off Goofy's shoulders.

'A-hyuk!' Goody agreed. 'Why didn't we think of that earlier?'

Before Donald could shrug, one of the triplets, Hamish, beckoned them to follow him. Donald and Goofy jogged behind Hamish and soon they were in the kitchen: Kairi, Merida and Elinor waiting for them.

'I'm glad you guys are okay.' Kairi said with relief and was about to hug Donald but remembering their argument, hesitated. Donald also hesitated in his hug and it was an awkward situation. Thankfully, two more of the triplets, Hubert and Harris arrived in the kitchen.

'Good job, boys!' Merida ruffled one of the triplets' head. 'Where did you lead dad and the others to?'

All the boys grinned and pointed upwards, indicating to the tallest towers of the castle. Merida grinned and ushered her mother out of the kitchen. She looked over her shoulders.

'Now, I'll be back soon. Go on and help yourself to anything you want, as a reward.'

Merida, Kairi, Donald and Goofy exited the kitchen and closed the door behind them.

'You know.' Donald chuckled. 'Your brothers reminded of my own nephews: Louie, Dewey and Huey.'

'That's nice and all.' Merida replied distractedly. 'Now let's get mom to that witch's cottage and make her turn mom back to human.'

'Erm… Merida?' Kairi looked around. 'Where's your mom?'

They all look around, panicked that they could lose something so big. Goofy pointed out, 'Look! There she is!'

They all turned to see Elinor running out of the gates, giving a female bear roar. Merida ran after her.

'Mom! Come back!'

Kairi, Donald and Goofy followed after her. Despite the darkness, the group ventured deeper into the woods: following the roars and heavy panting of Elinor. After a while though, they lost track of Elinor and were wandering aimlessly in the woods. Merida looked around, desperately.

'Oooohhhh… Where has she gone?' Merida whirled around.

'She could be anywhere right now.' Kairi put in as she tried to calm Merida. 'Relax Merida, I'm sure we can find your mom when morning comes.'

Merida whirled to face Kairi. 'It's that witch's fault! I knew I shouldn't had trusted that old hag!'

Kairi finally snapped it. 'Listen Merida, the witch maybe the one who gave you that magical cake but it was you who insisted that you wanted your mom to change: to change your destiny!'

Merida stopped ranting about the witch and looked at Kairi, her face mounting with fury. 'I did it so I can change me future, me destiny!'

'Then you're being selfish!' Kairi argued. 'You didn't care what would happened to your mom! All you cared about not wanting to marry three boys so you can just ride in the forest and shoot your arrows anyhow you please! Now, your mother is trapped in a spell all because of your selfishness!'

Merida stumbled backwards as if Kairi slapped her. Then she snapped back. 'How dare you? How dare you lecture me about selfishness?'

'I dare because you need one!' Kairi retorted back.

'Erm… girls?' Goofy interrupted before Merida could retort back. 'I think I hear a bear growling. Either that or it's my stomach.'

The two girls stopped arguing and followed Donald and Goofy. Goofy led them deeper into the woods until they found Elinor just standing on her fours: looking at something curiously. The group looked and to their relief, they found the witch's cottage.

'I can't believe it!' Merida gasped. 'We found it!'

'Oh goody!' Goofy clapped his hands together. 'Then I can get a refund! Or better yet, I could change bears! Maybe I buy the twin bears or maybe the smiling bear or the pouty bear or…'

'Merida bought the entire stock remember?' Donald reminded Goofy. Goofy shoulders slumped as the group entered the cottage.

It was empty.

'No!' Merida keep shutting and opening the door: still no changes. 'No! No! No!'

'Merida!' Kairi shook Merida. 'Calm down! I'm sure that there is something that the witch left that could help us… Oopps!'

Kairi accidentally activated something and suddenly a black cauldron appeared in the middle of the cottage. Above it was a ghostly image of the witch. Then it spoke.

'Welcome to the Crafty Carver, home of bear carvings and novelties. I am completely out of stock at this time, but if you'd like to inquire about a portrait or wedding cake toppers, pour via; one into the cauldron. If you like Bedouin garlic, vial two. If you're that red-haired lass; vial three.'

Merida quickly poured the third vial that the image indicated.

'Princess, I'm off to the Wickerman's festival in Stoneleigh. I won't be back till spring. There's one bit I forgot to tell you about the spell. By the second sunrise, your spell will be permanent, unless you remember these words; "Fate be changed, look inside. Mend the bond torn by pride."'

Merida frowned. 'Fate be changed? Mend the bond? What does that mean?'

'Maybe the witch is saying that there is a way to turn your mother back and return you to your original destiny.' Kairi suggested.

Merida nodded but still looking puzzled. The image of the witch continued.

'One more time, "Fate be changed, look inside. Mend the bond torn by pride." That's it! Ta-ta! Oh, and thank you for shopping at the Crafty Carver!'

The image of the witch disappeared and Merida, wanting more advise, panicked. She grabbed all the vials and poured them into the cauldron, resulting with different messages about the first two options. Donald looked uneasily at Kairi.

'Normally, mixing unknown potions together is an extremely bad idea.'

'I'm going to agree with you on this one.' Kairi said as she saw the cauldron starting to bubble. 'TAKE COVER!'

Elinor quickly grabbed Merida and shielded her away from the cauldron. Goofy brought out his shield and Donald and Kairi pointed out wand and key-blade.

'PROCTECGA!'

They barely threw the shield when the cauldron exploded. When the dust settled, the group were back outside: the witch's cottage turned into ashes and disappeared completely. Thankfully, no one was hurt thanks to the shield that Donald and Kairi magically erected.

It was raining.

The group found a nearby river and Kairi, Donald and Goofy helped Merida built a shelter for the night from whatever wood they could find. With teamwork, they completed the shelter before the rain could get any heavier.

'Whew.' Merida said with relief as they placed the last log in place. 'We'll sort all this out tomorrow.'

Elinor climbed into the shelter and lay down to sleep, her back on the group. Merida and Kairi looked at each other while Donald and Goofy also lay on the ground, fast asleep. Kairi and Merida sat on the ground, hugging their legs to get more warmth against the rain. Once they were certain Elinor, Donald and Goofy were sleeping; Merida spoke first.

'You were right.'

Kairi looked up curiously at Merida.

'I was being selfish.' Merida muttered. 'I only care about changing my fate that I didn't think of the consequences. Now my mom is a bear and we're stuck here, not knowing what to do next!'

Kairi nudged closer to Merida. 'It's not your fault. You were just… Frustrated and angry that your mom was forcing you to marry someone you don't know. People do stupid things when they get upset. And I'm sorry that I argued with you.'

Merida nodded and continued on, 'When I was wee younger, I used to be afraid of lightning storms. Me mum will be always there for me. Hugging me, singing songs to me, protecting me at any danger.' Merida looked at Kairi, fear in her eyes. 'I don't want to lose that part of mum!'

Kairi pulled Merida closed to her and embraced her as Merida sobbed quietly on her shoulders. The rain continued to pound the ground relentlessly.

Morning came as Kairi yawned and stretched widely as the sunlight hit her face. Besides her, Merida also woke up and behind her; Donald and Goofy were still snoring loudly. Merida stretched and yawned and smacked her lips, trying to open her eyes. She looked around the shelter.

'Hello?' Merida asked. 'Where's mom?'

Kairi pointed and they saw Elinor laying breakfast on a man-made table. How a bear did it remained a mystery. Kairi and Merida walked up towards the table.

'Uh…' Merida tried to make sense of it. 'Good morning. So, what's all this then?'

Elinor growled in greeting and continued growling at Merida, trying to communicate.

Merida rolled her eyes. 'I don't speak bear, mom.'

'Why don't we wake up our translator?' Kairi giggled as she gestured towards the sleeping Goofy.'

Frustrated, Elinor mimed with her paws: indicating the bow and arrows on the table. Merida understood.

'Oh!' she removed the bow and arrows off the table and Elinor sat down. She growled at Kairi and gestured towards Donald and Goofy with her head.

'They're fine.' Kairi smiled. 'Donald and Goofy sometimes sleep in.'

Satisfied, Elinor started eating the berries that was on a wooden plate. Merida took a good look at it, plucked one out from the branch and inspected it closely.

'Find those at the creek, did you?' Merida asked and Elinor nodded before eating another berry. 'They're Nightshade berries.' Elinor continued eating the berries, not comprehending Merida's point. 'They're poisonous.'

That got a reaction. Elinor panicky spat out the Nightshade berries, grabbed a wooden cup and downed the water: hopefully to wash out the poison. Kairi looked into one of the cups and squirmed.

'Where did you get the water from? They have worms in them!'

At hearing those words, Elinor spat out the water she was drinking. She sat down heavily, defeated. Merida smiled as she stood up.

'Come on.' She then turned to Kairi. 'You better wake those two up. They had enough beauty rest as it is.'

Kairi nodded and ran to wake Donald and Goofy up. 'Come on guys, it's time to wake up.'

She shook them gently until Donald and Goofy opened their eyes and yawned loudly.

'Is breakfast ready?' Goofy asked as he smacked his lips.

'Afraid not.' Kairi admitted. 'We're going to work for it.'

Kairi led Donald and Goofy to the creek where Merida and Elinor were. Merida had her bow and arrows with her. She stretched the bow backwards and released multiple arrows; impaling the fish to the bottom of the river. She smiled and pulled them up.

'Breakfast!'

Elinor clapped her paws and Merida looked at her, teasingly. 'Oh, wait! A princess should not have weapons, in your opinion.'

Elinor just nodded as Merida hold the fish to her. 'There you go. Go on.'

The fish was still alive and flapping its tail. Elinor turned away in disgust.

'How do you know you don't like it if you won't try it?' Merida asked. Another shake of her head from her mother, Merida gave in. 'Kairi, can you cook this fish for her royal highness?'

'Sure.' Kairi said as she took the fish. She, Donald and Goofy quickly built a small campfire. Donald ignited with a fire spell and Kairi speared the fish with a strong branch. She roasted the fish for a while and put it on the plate in front of Elinor.

'Enjoy your breakfast your majesty.' Kairi smiled, giving a small curtsey.

At first, Elinor tried to eat the fish befitting a royal queen but hunger got the better of her. She grabbed the fish in both paws and devoured it with gusto. Elinor looked at Kairi and Merida and pointed at her stomach, telling them she was still hungry. Merida laughed.

'Come on mom, I'll teach you how to catch fish!'

For another hour or so, Merida taught Elinor how to catch fish like a bear while Kairi, Donald and Goofy had their own breakfast. After Elinor had her fill, she started splashing water on Merida.

'Mom!' Merida squealed as she also splash back. Kairi, Donald and Goofy finished their breakfast and Kairi jumped onto her feet.

'Come on guys!' she laughed as she joined Merida and Elinor.

Donald hurried after Kairi while Goofy sat down, rubbing his stomach. 'Isn't it a bad idea to play on a full stomach?'

'Goofy!'

'Coming!' Goofy stood up and jogged towards the creek. All of them had fun, splashing water at each other and bonding together. After they all were drenched, Elinor suddenly walked away.

'Mom?' Merida shouted. 'Come back!'

Merida, Kairi, Donald and Goofy ran after her and Elinor turned around to face them. They stopped in their tracks as they noticed that there was no humanity inside Elinor's black eyes. Elinor eyed them with an alien's view, not recognising them.

'Mom?' Merida asked uncertainly. 'Is that you?'

'I don't think she understood that, Merida.' Kairi whispered.

Elinor stood on its rear legs and raised its paws to strike. Kairi and Goofy immediately jumped in front of the group, with weapons out, to defend against Elinor. Before Elinor could strike, she stopped and fell onto her fours: her humanity returned and recognizing the group. Merida approached her.

'Mom? You changed!' she gasped. 'Like you were a… I mean, like you were a bear on the inside!'

'I thought the transformation will only occur on the second day at sunset?' Kairi asked Donald.

Donald looked uncomfortably. 'Well, some spells may be stronger or it's slowly taking effects. Also, some factors can accelerate the spell: such as… Fear or other human emotions.'

'Then we better changed her back as soon as possible!' Goofy chimed.

'But how?' Merida asked, desperate.

Just then, Elinor walked away; this time it was a floating blue cloud.

'A wisp!' Kairi pointed it out.

Elinor jumped on it and tried to catch it but it soon disappeared. More wisps appeared, creating a trail. The group followed the wisps and they past through the woods once again. They finally reached a ruin of a castle, lodging on top of the hill. Once, it may have been bigger and more majestic than Dunbroch but over the years, it had lost its former glory. As the group got closer to the castle, they could see a symbol of crossed axes between a few inches.

'Why did the wisps bring us here?' Merida asked aloud.

'Maybe they're trying to show you how to cure your mom?' Kairi suggested.

They continued to explore around the castle until they got what was the second floor of the castle.

'Whoever lives here', Merida mused. 'They've been gone for a long time… AAAAHHHHH!'

The platform that Merida was standing on weakened and collapsed under her. Before anyone could grab her hands, Merida fell into the castle. Elinor gave a worried roar and was about to jump into the hole when they heard Merida's voice.

'I'm fine, mom! Fine!'

Kairi summoned Destiny Embrace and looked at the others. 'You guys stay here with Elinor. I'll go down just in case.'

Before Donald or Goofy could stop her, Kairi jumped down the hole and landed just next to Merida: giving her a fright.

'Oh Nessie!' Merida gasped. 'What if you killed me?'

Kairi smiled. 'Surely someone as light as me won't be able to kill the daughter of the Bear King.'

'Just because I'm related to him doesn't make me invincible.' Merida scowled as she looked around the castle's halls. 'It's a… Throne Room! Do you suppose this could have been the kingdom in that story you were telling me? The one with the princes?'

'What story?' Kairi asked curiously.

'It was a story that me mum told me when I learnt I was being presented to my suitors. She told me that a king who had four sons ruled this castle. When he died, he left his lands to the four princes: each prince given their own piece of land. With each princes acting as pillars, their kingdom will remain strong and prosperous. However, the eldest prince was greedy and wanted to rule the entire kingdom by himself. Soon, war, chaos and ruins befell the kingdom and looks like it turned into rubble.'

Kairi shook her head sadly. 'Human's greed, it's the same in almost every… Merida, look!'

Kairi pointed at four stone statues of humans. They were alike except for the last one who was taller and was wearing facial hair than the first three statues. According to the carvings, they wore majestic outfits and small crowns; marking them as royalty. Three of the statues were stuck together but the last one was split by a massive crack, separating the tallest statue from the other smaller ones. Merida studied it closely and counted.

'One, two, three… four! The oldest!' Merida gasped in recognition. 'Like… Like the tapestry! The spell! It's happened before!'

Kairi eyes caught sight of the castle's symbol again and something rekindled in her memory. 'Wait a minute! That symbol is similar to the one that was printed on that coin that witch showed us!'

Merida nodded and repeated the witch's words. 'The strength of ten men. Fate be changed. Changed with fate.'

'But that means…' Kairi making two and two together.

'That the oldest prince became…' Before Merida could finish her statement, both girls heard a dark growl behind them. They whirled around and saw a massive bear with matted fur and for some reason, wearing shoulders armor made for humans. One eye was scarred while the alive one was filled with hatred. Its muzzle was filled with sharpened teeth and drool spilling from the mouth: the bear in a rabid state.

'Mor' du!' Merida finished as she jumped backwards and pulled out her bow. Kairi stepped in and deflected Mor' Du sharpened claws. Kairi barely holding out by herself and sooner or later, Mor' Du will break her defense. Merida released more arrows onto Mor' Du's back, who roared in pain. Kairi slashed it muzzle with Destiny Embrace, merely leaving a small cut just above the nose.

Mor' Du rose on its rear legs and roared loudly, slamming its paws into the ground. The slam was powerful enough to send Kairi off her feet and she landed painfully on her back. When she looked up, she was horrified that Mor' Du was towering above her: ready to bring its claws down to swipe Kairi's head off.

'Kairi!' Merida screamed and shot more arrows onto Mor' Du's back. Mor' Du roared in pain and turned its attention to Merida, Kairi completely forgotten. Mor' Du charged towards Merida who tried to get as much distance away from Mor' Du but the demon bear was always behind Merida.

Elinor, who saw everything, poked her paws through the hole and roaring: indicating Merida to grabbed her paw. Donald and Goofy were shouting encouragement as well. Merida quickened herself and jumped into the air. Mor' Du swung his right paw to stop her…

… Only to be shot by a ray of light and slammed into the wall. Kairi, who was still on her back, managed to point Destiny Embrace at Mor' Du and before it could kill Merida, Kairi shot an arrow of light into him. Merida caught Elinor's paw and pulled her out of the castle. Donald and Goofy appeared at the hole.

'Come on Kairi!' Donald cried. 'Get out of there!'

Kairi nodded but before she could get onto her fours, the throne room started collapsing. Kairi looked at where Mor' Du slammed into the wall: there was a massive crack that reached up the ceiling. Now stones were falling and the castle was crumbling. Kairi looked up at her two friends.

'Donald, Goofy, get out of here!'

'No!' Donald shouted. 'We're not leaving you!'

'It's too late!' Kairi cried. 'If you guys stay, then we all be buried here alive! Don't worry! I will find a way back! I promise!'

'Kairi…'

Donald's sentence was cut short as rocks now blocked the hole. More rocks fell and a pillar was falling onto Kairi. Kairi closed her eyes and whispered two words as the pillar slammed into her and more rocks covered her body.

'NOOOOOO!' Donald quacked as Kairi's body was covered in rocks. He wanted to go in there but he was pulled away by Merida.

'Come!' Merida said urgently. 'We better get out of here before we become Mor' Du's dinner!'

'We can't abandoned Kairi!' Donald shouted as Goofy helped Merida to pull Donald from the castle and into the forest.

Merida shook her head. 'We're not abandoning her. Once we're certain that Mor' Du is no longer there, we will search for her.' She gulped before she completed her sentence. 'Dead or alive.'

Kairi opened her eyes and darkness greeted her. She pushed her hands upward, pushing off rocks and dust away from her. With what light was left in the throne room, Kairi stood up: wearing the Dragon Armor that was gifted to her by the guardians of Dragon's Belly Cave in the Land of the Dragons.

Kairi looked around the throne room and when she was certain that Mor' Du was gone: she clicked her fingers. The Dragon Armor vanished as Kairi summoned Destiny Embrace. The key-blade lighted up and shone in the throne room. Kairi narrowed her eyes to find another way to escape. Finally, she spotted a tunnel that led deeper into the castle.

Having no alternative, Kairi walked down the tunnel. She had only been walking for a short while when she found a room strangely intact despite the castle's collapse. Kairi carefully looked inside the room to make sure that there were no nasty surprises waiting for her. Certain there were none, Kairi stepped in: only to be surprised.

In the middle of the room was a blade stuck into the floor. The blade was iron-grey coming out from an iron bear's mouth. The handles were similar to that of a key-blade. Already surprised that there was a key-blade cemented into the floor, Kairi's surprise mounted as she spotted a blue dinosaur with orange stripes on its back: crouching before the key-blade.

'Krocken?' Kairi gasped.

Krocken raised his head over his shoulders and smiled. 'Oh good.' He said in his usual dryness. 'You survive the fight. It was a good thing that my cousins gave you the Dragon Armor. For once, you're putting it to good use.'

'I barely know you for your caring sides but thanks.' Kairi walked forward until she too was next to Krocken. 'Is Mor' Du dead?'

Krocken shook his reptilian head. 'No. Over the years, the darkness collected inside of him like moths attracted to a lamp. He became even more powerful and menacing than that meddling witch ever anticipated. I doubt throwing rocks at him will kill him or', he smiled: back to his sarcastic-self again. 'That pathetic arrow of light you shot at him with. However, Mor' Du is long gone and he is roaming the forest once again.'

Kairi glowered at Krocken's insult but said nothing. She changed the subject. 'What are you doing here and whose key-blade does that belong to?'

Krocken sighed, genuinely sad this time. 'That, my dear girl, belongs to a key-blade wielder like you. Red-hair, freckles, absent-minded, strong, determined, rebellious… Well, the list is long so I'll skip to the main point. She's the bravest and trustworthy girl this world had ever seen. The Light blessed her and she was given a key-blade to help her defend her home against the Heartless and other menace. Among the other key-blade wielders, who I considered pompous idiots, she was one of the few people who makes me smile and forget the terrible things I had done in my past.'

'You?' Kairi asked in disbelief. 'Smiling and happy?'

Krocken smiled at the memory. 'She also made the best apple cider in the country.' He smacked his lips as if drinking the alcohol. 'An idiot but a friend nonetheless.'

'What happened?' Kairi asked gently.

Krocken sighed. 'Ten years ago, she was making her apple cider while I was just basking in the hot sun in one of those summer days. Suddenly, there was a disturbance in the forest. Without hesitating, Mariana summoned her key-blade and charged into the forest. I was just behind her and to my horror, her lifeless body was flung backwards and she just lay in front of me: her eyes lifeless and her face with surprise on it. Then a demonic roar resounded throughout the forests before that beast retreated deeper into the forest.'

'I'm so sorry.' Kairi said.

Krocken nodded and continued. 'After burying her at her favorite spot, I buried her key-blade, Bear Princess, here. Ten years had passed and I'm not too sure, which is worst: losing a girl who you consider a friend or not drinking the best apple cider anymore.'

They stood there in silence for quite a long time before Krocken broke the silence. 'I guess you can take Bear Princess if you want.'

Kairi looked at Krocken, not hearing properly. Once the words settled in her head, she asked. 'Wouldn't it be disrespectful to the dead?'

Instead of being sarcastic, Krocken said seriously. 'Mariana may be dead but Bear Princess yearned for revenge for her master's death. For ten years she waited for someone worthy to wield her. Maybe that someone is you. Plus', he gave a reptilian sneer. 'I think it's about time you get a stronger key-blade instead of always relying on that flowery one of yours.'

'Hey!' Kairi could not take it anymore. 'This "flowery" key-blade defeated many Heartless and helped me pass the tests the Guardians set me!' She breathed heavily to calm herself down. 'Is it really okay if I carry Bear Princess around?'

Krocken dipped his head. 'If you're worthy.'

Kairi looked at Bear Princess and at Krocken before coming to a decision. She strode forward until she was standing right in front of the key-blade. As a Princess of Heart, Kairi could sense the dormant powers of the key-blade. She reached and closed her right fist around the handle. She closed her eyes and mustering as much strength as she could, she pulled.

Bear Princess easily slid out of the ground, making Kairi stumbled backwards. She stabled herself and was surprise at Bear Princess' changes. The handle was now golden with bear fur covering the top and the iron bear head turned to gold. The blade turned from grey to white and at the tip of the key-blade was a double-sided key's tip: the standard feature of all key-blades.

Kairi marveled at it as Bear Princess returned to its former glory. Kairi could sense the elegance and sophistication befitting a princess but at the same time had the strength of ten men. Kairi swung it with ease: it was light. Kairi pointed the blade towards the ground and struck: creating a massive crack between her legs.

'Cool!' Kairi said. Impressed that a weapon with a gentle name can inflict so much damage.

'Well.' Krocken said as he stood up. 'Before you kill us both, I'm going now.'

Kairi stopped marveling the key-blade and turned to Krocken. 'You're leaving?'

Krocken shrugged. 'Well I'm done here: I paid my respect to the dead and I've given you a new weapon. Now you have a chance against Mor' Du and even the Horned King. I'll see you soon. Good luck.'

With that said, Krocken left the room and before Kairi could stop him, he vanished.

'Unbelievable!' Kairi fumed as Bear Princess disappeared in her hands. 'He could at least show me the way out!'

No sooner had she uttered the words, light hit her and she shielded her eyes. She looked through the gaps between her fingers and to her surprise; there was light at the end of the tunnel.

'Either I'm lucky or this is Krocken's doing.' Kairi muttered and then smiled. 'Thanks, Krocken.'

With a smile of hope, Kairi walked towards the light and she soon found herself back in the woods: the castle's ruins not far where she was standing.