"What do you mean there's no such thing as a flying elephant?" asked Sora piloting the Gummi ship to land.
"An elephant can't fly it has nothing of any way to fly. It's too heavy and too big" explained Andi
"So your telling me from all the stuff you've seen. You don't believe a baby elephant can fly?" asked Sora
"Not even a baby elephant can fly" answered Andi as they got out of the Gummi ship.
Sora shakes his head scratching the back of his head. As they head to Beast's Castle
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Belle is preparing for a night of ballroom dancing in her room. She hums to herself as she finishes putting on her dress.
"I hope tonight goes well." said the Wardrobe
"So do I. But I wonder why he's so nervous?" asked Belle
"The master does have his shy side, you know" replied the Wardrobe
XXXXXXXXXXX
Sora, Andi, Donald, and Goofy enter the castle and see the Beast pacing in the Entrance Hall, wearing a fancy suit.
"Hey there!" greeted Sora as Donald looks around.
"No Heartless and no Nobodies!" announced Donald
Andi looks at the three of them completly oblivious on what is going on. She sighs shaking her head
"I think they're close, though..." said Goofy
"Better watch out!" warned Sora smiling
Beast sighs in frustration looking at them. "What are you so mad about?" asked Donald
"Why are you here?" asked Beast little harshly
"The Nobodies' world has to be out there somewhere. We're looking for a way in" explained Sora
"Hymph." said Beast as Belle walks down the east staircase. "Tonight is very important." as Beast walks up the stairs and meets her at the entrance to the Ballroom. They bow to each other. She takes his arm, and he leads her into the Ballroom.
"Uh, maybe we came at a bad time" suggested Goofy
"You think?" asked Andi sarcaticly
"Well, there's only one way to find out" replied Donald as he runs up the stairs.
"Donald!" yelled Sora as they have no choice but to run after him. The Beast and Belle walk to the middle of the Ballroom and stare into each other's eyes.
"Now then, Monsieur, Mademoiselle. Please, enjoy the evening." said Lumiere as they notice Sora, Andi, Donald, and Goofy by the door.
"And of course, our honored guests are welcome, too."
"Welcome indeed."
Belle is surprised and hugs the Beast close. Beast looks up at the railing above the dance floor. Sora runs further into the ballroom and turns around to see a cloaked man standing behind the railing.
"The Organization!" announced Sora
"You don't know when to quit." said Xaldin
"Oh yeah! We'll show you!" replied Donald
"Get out!" growled Beast leaving Belle and runs toward Xaldin. Belle glares, "Not tonight!" she said. Xaldin snaps his fingers and several Dragoon Nobodies appear. The Beast runs and swipes through them with a roar.
"I've come to take something you hold very dear." announced Xaldin as Beast lets out a loud bellow.
"Yes. Let your anger grow..." as Xaldin disappears, leaving the Nobodies to take care of them.
"Beast! We have to get rid of these guys first!" said Sora snapping Beast out of it. They fight the Nobodies. The castle staff quickly hurries Belle out to the balcony away from the fight.
XXXXXXXXXX
"Where's Belle!?" asked Sora looking around the Ballroom
"Over here!" yelled Belle
"Whew, she's okay."
"Guess Xaldin didn't take anything after all." said Goofy as Beast realizes something and races out of the Ballroom.
"What's wrong?" asked Sora as Belle quickly runs after him. "Belle? What's with them?"
"Maybe Belle isn't the only thing precious to the Beast." said Goofy
"The rose!" said Andi as she realizes what Beast was after; Sora, Donald and Goofy look at her.
"You know that rose that he keeps in his room. He was very protective of it the last time we were here" explained Andi
"Let's go find out c'mon!" said Donald as they hurry to the Beast's Room in the West Wing, where the Beast is pacing around the room. He roars and slams the floor.
"What's wrong?" she asked walking closer to him.
"Please, calm down!" she asked and Beast swing to face her, she holds up her hands. "Calm down!? You just had to have a party, didn't you? Don't you see what's happened?" growled Beast
"Hey. What's with you?" asked Sora
"The rose... My rose..." whimpered Beast
"What, that? He took it?" asked Sora still not understanding why the rose meant so much to him.
"But surely, you can find another rose..." suggested Belle
"Silence! You don't know anything!" yells Beast as he swipes slightly at her. Sora stands between them; "That's not fair, Beast. Don't take it out on Belle. It's not like she stole it!"
Beast puts a hand to his forehead.
"I'm sorry" apoligized Belle
"You don't have to apologize." said Sora
"But..." protested Belle as Beast looks away; "Belle... Sora... I want you to leave the castle."
Belle doesn't know what to say.
"Look at me. Look. This is what I am. When you first got here, I tried to change" explained Beast as he looks at his hands. "But I was only fooling myself. I can't be any different. I'll always be a beast. So, I should live like a beast. With no one, alone. Goodbye, Belle."
"You can't mean that..." said Belle trying to hold back the pain. Beast says nothing further. Belle reaches a hand out to him.
"I think he's mind's all made up." said Goofy to Sora
Yeah." agreed Sora as Belle turns away. "Look, Belle. Leave this to us. If we can get the Beast's rose back, he'll calm down" said Sora trying to cheer her up. She nods, turns to look at the Beast one more time, then leaves. Mrs. Potts, Cogsworth, and Lumiere are in the West Wing. Belle waves solemnly at them as she walks by and down the stairs.
"Poor child..." said Mrs, Potts as Sora, Donald, and Goofy meet with them.
"How could it have come to this?" asked Cogsworth
"And they were so looking forward to this evening..." replied Lumiere
"Now, now-no need to be so sad. Once the rose is back safely, this will all be over." said Mrs. Potts
"What's so special about one rose, anyway? asked Sora crossing his arms
"If the master can love and be loved in return, the spell will be broken. We'll all be human again" explained Cogsworth
"Yeah. You told us" said Donald
"But there is a time limit. He must find his true love before the last petal falls from that rose" commented Lumiere
"Ah, but that is not all... Over time, caring for that rose has become a cherished part of the master's daily life" continued Cogsworth
"It's as though all his hopes and dreams are tied to that single bloom..." said Mrs. Potts
"Poor Beast! Then we have to get it back" said Sora
"Please do!" replied Mrs. Potts
"We can't without the Beast, though. If it's that important to him, he's got to do it himself." said Sora as Andi, Donald and Goofy nod. They return to the Beast's room.
"Hey, Beast" greeted Sora
Beast sighed "Leave me alone" he said solemnly
"C'mon, you need to hear this. You used to be fearless. You would have given your life to save Belle. Don't you know what that meant to us? You gave us all courage. Hmph, maybe you should have kept some for yourself. I mean, are you really gonna throw your happiness away? The rose is your only hope, isn't it? Well, it's the only hope for Cogsworth and the others, too. So, don't throw away your last chance. Remember what it was like before Belle lived here?" asked Sora as Beast remembers.
"See? You can't give up. Not now." smiled Sora
"I know one thing."
"What?"
Beast turning around to them "This castle belongs to me. Xaldin will never be welcome here." he growled; Sora, Andi, Donald, and Goofy nod. They return to the Entrance Hall.
"So, Beast...you came after all." Xaldin stands high at a stained-glass window, holding the enchanted rose.
"You had me worried. I was afraid you'd given up for good."
"What do you guys really want?" asked Sora
"...Kingdom Hearts" replied Xaldin as he takes off his hood.
"When Kingdom Hearts is ours, we can exist fully and completely. So you see, Beast-that's why we need your Heartless AND your Nobody!"
They fight the group of Nobodies that appear. Xaldin floats down from the high pedestal. He looks back at them and leaves through the front door. The four walk to the Courtyard. Goofy looks up and sees Belle on the balcony outside her window.
"Huh?" said Goofy
Belle sighs and looks to the Courtyard. She sees Sora, Andi, Donald, Goofy and the Beast, and gasps, about to head back inside. She looks to the spot on the balcony next to her.
"Is that..." said Belle as she picks up the rose and calls down to them,
"Look! It's the rose! " exclaimed Belle as she shows them as Beast looks up. A gloved hand covers her mouth. She struggles against Xaldin, but he holds her firmly.
"Belle!" yells Beast as Xaldin grabs Belle, who's still holding the rose, and jumps from the balcony. Andi swings her Keyblade out at Xaldin. Blocking it with a gust at wind he has it swing back at Andi. Sora gets in front of Andi with his keyblade blocking it. As Xaldin lands at the Bridge.
"Hurry!" said Sora as he runs ahead with the group. Andi retrieves her keyblade and follows them to the arc. Running through the arc, Beast shoving the door open with his shoulder. The stars glimmer in the night sky, as Beast runs ahead down the Bridge towards Xaldin and Belle. He stops as he gets nearer.
"You! Get out of my castle, now!" Ordered Beast
"With pleasure, but I'd rather travel light..." said Xaldin looking towards the rose and to Belle.
"What shall I leave behind? Belle? Or the rose?"
Beast growls. Belle looks worried.
"Belle!" Beast begins to run. Andi smiles by the Beast's choice. Catching Xaldin off guard, Belle elbows him in the stomach and grabs the rose. She runs past the Beast, Sora and the others.
"Good one, Belle!" Praised Sora. Beast charges at Xaldin and swipes at him with his claws. Xaldin leaps backwards out of the way. He throws up his hands creating six small pillars of dust. Lightning thunders through them. Xaldin releases his arms and the dust clears, leaving six naginata. They teleport into the air above him. He catches two in each hand, and creates a wind tunnel that holds the other two.
"Where's the fun in this?" Asked Xaldin smiling as they fight a cruel battle against Xaldin.
"Is this the end?" Xaldin is shoved back, his six staves sharp in the ground. They disappear in shafts of white light. Xaldin screams in agony and fades away. Andi looks away holding her Wayfinder in her hands.
Afterwards, the castle staff arrives. Belle hands the rose to the Beast
"Here. It's yours again." Said Belle as Beast takes it.
"Belle..."
"I know. You want me to leave the castle." Interrupted Belle looking down sadly.
"What matters is... You weren't hurt by Xaldin...You're safe. And...I'm very grateful to you...for bringing the rose back to me. Thank you."
Belle smiles "It's the least I could do. You've been good to me. And you didn't have to be."
Beast places the rose on the ground; "Listen, Belle..."
"Yes?"
Beast is having a hard time forming words, and he glances at the group.
"Say it!" Said Sora
"Go on!" Said Lumiere
"C'mon!" Said Donald
"You can do it!" Said Mrs. Potts
"We have confidence." Said Cogsworth
"Tell her" said Andi
"Don't be bashful, now." Said Goofy. The Beast looks back at Belle.
"Belle, I'd like you to stay...With me...Please?" Asked Beast. Belle smiles and holds her hand out. The Beast understands and places a hand on her waist and around her hand.
"I will." Replied Belle making Beast smile.
"Maestro-music!" Said Lumiere As Beast and Belle start to dance as the music plays. Beast twirls her.
"Hey, did you see the look on Belle's face when she grabbed that rose?" Asked Sora putting his hands behind his head.
"Yep, she sure was havin' fun, all right" replied Goofy
"She is rather unique, isn't she?" Commented Lumiere
"Always ready for a little adventure" said Mrs. Potts
"The two of them do seem made for each other" commented Cogsworth.
"Yeah, they sure do!" Agreed Sora as he glances at Andi who was having a hard time with a smile on her face holding on to her wayfinder. Removing his hands from his head he looks at Beast and Belle as they continue to dance. Sora, Andi, Donald, and Goofy say their goodbyes and they return to the Gummi Ship.
"You ok?" Asked Sora looking at Andi.
"Yeah. Just missing someone" replied Andi
"Who?" Asked Sora
Andi looked at him with a small smile twisting her wayfinder in her hands; "Just someone"
Sora looked at her confused, scratching his head.
"Sometimes you remind me of him" said Andi looking towards the window; feeling her cheeks getting a little red.
"Who?" Asked Sora again.
"I...his name is...I don't remember his name. I was suppose to meet him at the Twilight station before I was attacked" replied Andi half lying to Sora
"You think you'll remember?" Asked Sora
"Yeah. I remember things about him. So maybe I'll remember his name" said Andi.
"Hey, everybody! I'm picking up a strange reading" exclaimed Chip
"Are you sure? Let me see!" replied Dale
"Look-it's all cloudy and kinda fuzzy" explained Chip
"Prob'ly just a glitch"
"I don't know..."
'Please be ok...Roxas'
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Author's Notes: You guys have been so patient and I love that you guys are wanting to see this finish through! I'm so sorry how MIA I've been life gets busy for sure and trying to make myself spend if I have 15 minutes to work on a chapter then complete a full chapter then I'm going to spend 15 minutes at it so I can get this story done. I will complete this story guys I will promise you that! As we get to the end of this journey I can't wait to get into more stories going!