Kairi opened her eyes to find herself in some destroyed festival grounds. So much destruction… surely the Nightmares had done this.

"Come on, Saki. Let's find these Nightmares!" Kairi called.

They took on swarms of them, keeping their eyes peeled for any citizens. It seemed everyone had locked themselves away in their homes, at least they were safe there.

Finally, they came across a man wearing colorful clothes and a mask.

"Excuse me." Kairi called, walking up. "Do you know what happened here?"

"It was supposed to be the best party in all of France…" The man began, he looked about to belt out what had happened. "We were supposed to be protected, but alas! Judge Frollo let the demons rampage through our fair city."

Kairi frowned deeply. How could he do that if people were depending on him? "Why'd he do that?"

"Well, we'd just crowned the King of Fools, Quasimodo, when the crowd got terribly violent because of his appearance. They tied that boy down and mocked him relentlessly!"

"That's awful…" The girl whispered in pity. She noticed a nearby wheel covered in splattered tomatoes and various other produce. A rope hung limply from it. That poor man had been attacked…

"Yes, yes. Only the gypsy Esmeralda gave him mercy, and she mocked Frollo for his negligence in front of the whole city. This angered Judge Frollo and he set out a warrant for her arrest. He's obsessed with finding her and any other gypsies, so much that he let the demons run through and destroy everything! He's torturing or locking up any citizens that refuse to assist him."

"What?! That's horrible!" Kairi gasped. She summoned her keyblade in determination. "I have to stop him. Do you know where he is?"

"Last I heard, he was off to the old mill and intended to question the family that runs it."

"Thank you."

Kairi found her way to the mill thanks to the crowd of people she found watching it. She stayed in the very back so no one would see her throw her keyblade to teleport over the river and onto the windmill for a better view. She hung on behind one of the blades, peeking out to see many guards surrounding the place with torches.

Saki shook in fear and Kairi realized she was beyond terrified of the fire. She couldn't blame her, a single flame would disintegrate her after all. "It's okay, girl, you don't have to be here for this."

Saki nodded vigorously in thanks before poofing away.

Suddenly, two men exited the home. The older one had to be Judge Frollo, Kairi could already see the hatred burning in his eyes.

He took a nearby soldier's spear and used it to bar the wooden door before turning to a blond guard who was the captain judging by his golden armor. "Burn it."

"What?" The captain growled, eyes widening.

Kairi covered her mouth in shock. There must be people still inside!

"Until it smolders." Frollo answered unfeelingly, handing a torch to the man. "These people are traitors and must be made examples of."

"With all due respect, sir, I was not trained to murder the innocent."

"But you were trained to follow orders." The judge reminded him.

Just as Kairi was about to extinguish the torch herself, the captain plunged it into a bucket of water.

"Insolent coward."

Frollo snatched a torch away from another guard and suddenly placed it to the mill, setting it ablaze.

"Ah!" Kairi barely had time to leap off as the fire raged up the blades and caught the rest of the house on fire.

She landed only to hear the screams of the family trapped inside.

The captain dove in through a window and Kairi followed suit. He was surprised to see her there but they knew this was no time for introductions. Kairi took the children from his arms so he could kick the door open, saving the family.

Kairi handed the mother and father their children back before she was suddenly grabbed from behind by a guard.

"Throw the girl into the fire once I'm done with this traitor." Frollo hissed softly. "She's clearly a witch with how quickly she appeared. As for you, Phoebus, the punishment for insubordination is death. Such a pity. You threw away a promising career."

"Consider it my highest honor, sir."

Suddenly, the judge's horse gave a squeal when a aimed pebble hit its flank, knocking off its rider.

Phoebus took the chance to punch the guards holding him and Kairi before pulling her onto the horse.

"Get them!"

Kairi looked back to see dozens of arrows fly through the air. The captain kept her under him so she wouldn't get shot.

She suddenly heard a shout in pain and looked back to see the man fall off the horse into the water. "Phoebus!"

The girl dove in after him, the arrows chasing after her. She stayed under until they ceased fire before bursting out for air.

"This way!" She heard a voice call and saw a young woman motioning to her.

Kairi swam, heaving the captain with her until they were able to get him between the two of them.

"My name's Esmeralda." The woman told her quickly. "Come with me, I'll take you two somewhere safe!"

"Quasi? Quasimodo?" Esmeralda called, entering the bell tower.

"Esmeralda?" A young man with a hunched back peeked out to see his friend and smiled. "Esmeralda, you're alright! I knew you'd come back!"

The two embraced tightly.

"You've done so much for me already, my friend. But I need you to do one more thing."

"Yes, anything!"

Kairi took that as a cue to walk in with Phoebus on her arm.

"This is Phoebus. He's a fugitive like me and he's wounded. He can't go on much longer and I knew they'd be safe here. Please, can you hide him?"

"This way." Quasimodo said at once, leading them over to a makeshift bed of curtains and pillows.

While Esmeralda stitched Phoebus up, Kairi walked over to Quasimodo and was about to introduce herself before noticing something. He was crying.

She followed his gaze to see Esmeralda and Phoebus were sharing a passionate kiss and Kairi realized the problem: Quasimodo loved Esmeralda.

They suddenly heard Esmeralda's goat bleat in warning and ran over to see Frollo walking towards the church.

"Frollo's coming, you must leave!" Quasimodo cried, running down and leading them to the exit. "You can get down through the south tower steps."

Kairi shook her head when Esmeralda tried to pull her with. She looked back worriedly, knowing Frollo was on his way. "I have to help him hide Phoebus!"

Saki nodded fervently.

Quasimodo was shocked by thier kindness despite not even knowing him.

Esmeralda nodded in understanding, wishing she could do the same but knowing Quasimodo would be punished if Frollo found her here. "Be careful, my friends. Promise you won't let anything happen to him."

"Promise." The two chorused.

"Thank you."

As Esmeralda dashed away, Kairi grabbed Phoebus before she was suddenly ushered over to a dark spot behind a pillar by three talking gargoyles. "Whoa!"

"Don't question it, kid, just go!" One cried. They must be Quasimodo's friends.

"Hide behind me." The tall one whispered. "I'll shield you!"

No sooner had Kairi sat down then the door swung open, revealing Frollo with a basket of something.

"Oh, Master, I-I-I didn't think you'd be coming-" Quasimodo stuttered but Frollo waved him off, sitting down beside him.

"I'm never too busy to share a meal with you, dear boy. I brought a little… treat."

Quasimodo scrambled to grab their dishes, shattering one in the process.

Frollo smirked knowingly before going back to his usual solemn face as Quasimodo set out their plates.

"Is there something troubling you, Quasimodo?"

"Oh, no!"

"Oh, but there is. I know there is." Frollo whispered. "… I think… you're hiding something."

Kairi shut her eyes in fear, trying not to make a sound.

"What's different in here?" Frollo suddenly asked, rising from his seat. He noticed a small figurine Quasimodo had recently made and snatched it up. "Isn't this one new? It's awfully good… It looks very much like the gypsy girl…"

Quasimodo's eyes widened in fear.

"I know… you helped her escape!" Frollo slammed the figure on the table, knocking Quasimodo out of his seat, dishes shattering around him. "And now all of Paris is burning because of you!"

Kairi covered her mouth so as to not gasp and Phoebus stirred slightly. She peeked over the gargoyle to see Quasimodo cowering.

"She was kind to me, master…"

"That wasn't kindness, it was cunning!" Frollo yelled, shoving the model of the village off the table. He grabbed Quasimodo by the shirt, shaking him.

Kairi was about to summon her keyblade to save her new friend but Quasimodo gave her a look that told her she must stay hidden. Right, Quasi would be in even more trouble if Frollo found them here.

"She's a gypsy! Gypsies are not capable of real love! Think, boy. Think of your mother!"

He seethed for a few moments more before finally releasing the boy, going back to as if he cared deeply despite insulting his charge.

He stabbed through the figure of Esmeralda and set it above the candle's flame before it burned fiercely. He tossed it in front of Quasimodo, not caring if it burned him or not. "I will free you from her evil spell. She will torment you no longer…"

"W-What do you mean?" Quasimodo asked worriedly, watching the man go.

"I know where her hideout is. And tomorrow, at dawn, I attack… with a thousand of the creatures that destroyed the festival…" Frollo smirked as he left, knowing Quasimodo would be desperate to help his friend.

Quasimodo winced as the door shut.

Kairi helped Pheobus to his feet and the two walked over to Quasimodo.

"We have to find the Court of Miracles and warn them. You two are coming with, aren't you?"

Kairi nodded at once but Quasimodo bowed his head in shame.

"I can't… Frollo's my master, I can't disobey him again…" Quasimodo whispered, still shaken from the encounter.

"She stood up for you!" Phoebus reminded him angrily. "You have a funny way of showing gratitude…"

Kairi knew Quasimodo didn't truly want to abandon Esmeralda so she stayed behind while Phoebus went ahead.

"What am I supposed to do? Swing in and get the girl, save her from the jaws of death and the whole town will cheer like I'm some kind of hero?!" Quasimodo asked, noticing her and the gargoyles' looks. "She's already got her knight in shining armor and it's not me… I'm tired of trying to be something I'm not…"

Kairi frowned, seeing him glance at the smoldering figure. She knew what it felt like to not believe in oneself, to think she wasn't supposed to be the hero of the story, that she had only been pretending. It had never felt more prevalent then when Sora had taken her friends and broke the keyblade on her first journey. If she'd let her fear and despair engulf her, she would've never saved her friends. "Quasi, you can't let your heart be a prison…"

Quasimodo looked at her wearily. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you can't let fear or doubt or any emotion steer you away from doing what's right. If you listen to those, your heart will end up pointing you the wrong way and it'll eventually get you stuck there." Kairi explained, placing a hand to her heart.

Quasimodo thought for a moment before glancing down at the figure. He pulled out a band around his neck that displayed a woven cross and a star, Esmeralda had given him it as thanks for helping her escape earlier.

One of the gargoyles tapped him on the shoulder before giving him his cloak. He hesitated before wrapping it around himself.

Phoebus exited the catarrhal only for the two redheads to hang upside down from the door. "Ah!"

"Quasi's coming to save Esmeralda too!" Kairi smiled.

"Glad you changed your mind." Phoebus smiled to Quasimodo who glared away, still jealous over what he had with Esmeralda.

"Esmeralda said this would help us find her." Quasimodo explained, showing them the band.

"Hmm, must be some sort of code…"

"Or maybe we have to find where to put it?" Kairi suggested, remembering many puzzles where she had to find emblems to slide in an empty slot.

"When you wear this woven band, you hold the city in your hand'…" Quasimodo suddenly whispered, remembering what Esmeralda had told him. "It's the city!"

"What?" Phoebus watched in confusion as Quasimodo pointed to various symbols and strands.

"Here's the cathedral… and the river, and this little stone must be-!"

"I've never seen a map that looks like that!"

"I've been living in the bell tower for 20 years and I think I know what the city looks like from above!"

"Guys! Stop fighting!" Kairi exclaimed.

The men turned to her in surprise.

"If we're going to find Esmeralda, you have to work together." Kairi crossed her arms, knowing how to mediate conflicts after years of experience with Sora and Riku. "Now, call a truce!"

They looked back to each other reluctantly before nodding.

The three found a secret entrance in an old graveyard that led down to a sewer full of skeletons. Saki had disappeared thanks to the torch Phoebus lit.

"Must be the old catacombs…" Phoebus muttered softly. "Cheerful place, kinda makes you wish you went out more often, ay, Quasi?"

"Not me. I just want to warn Esmeralda and get back to the bell tower before I get in more trouble…" Quasimodo whispered.

Kairi glanced around at that, realizing something odd. "Speaking of trouble… we haven't had any yet…"

"What do you mean?" Quasi asked softly.

"Like some Nightmares,"

"Or a booby trap," Phoebus added on.

Suddenly the torch blew out, leaving them in complete darkness.

"…Or an ambush."

The room suddenly lit up, revealing many men wearing skull masks laughing at their foolishness.

They grabbed the three before they could make a run for it, making them kneel.

"Well, well, well! What have we here?" Kairi recognized the man as the one she'd seen earlier in the city.

"Trespassers!" A man called.

"Spies!" Shouted another.

"We're not spies!" Phoebus cried.

"We're friends of Esmeralda!" Kairi insisted but they were all quickly gagged by colorful handkerchiefs.

"Don't interrupt me!" Colpin hissed with a smirk, leaning to them. "…You're very clever to find our hideaway. Unfortunately, you won't live to tell the tale!"

They were dragged deeper into the Court of Miracles to a lively market place full of colorfully-dressed people.

"Gather round, everybody! There's 'good noose' tonight!" The man announced as nooses were placed around their necks. "A triple hanging for you all to see! Two of Frollo's loyal spies: his captain of the guard and his loyal hunchbacked minion! And, how very unfortunate for the miss that accompanied them, but if Frollo doesn't spare our young, we will not spare this loyal one!"

The crowd cheered as he walked over to the lever but just then, a voice yelled out.

"STOP!" Esmeralda cried, running to the stage. She looked to Colpin in anger. "These are not spies, they're our friends! These two warriors are the ones that saved the miller and his family, and Quasimodo helped me escape!"

"Well, why didn't they say so?"

"We did say so!" The three chorused as Esmeralda untied them.

"We came to warn you guys!" Kairi explained, walking forward. "Frollo's coming!"

The crowd gasped in fear.

"He says he knows where you're hiding and he's attacking at dawn with a thousand creatures!" Phoebus added.

"Then let's waste no time. We must leave immediately." Esmeralda announced to her people over their panic. Thankfully, that got everyone to start packing their things and fleeing the place.

Esmeralda helped the three off stage and quickly embraced Phoebus. "You took a terrible risk coming here. We may not exactly show it, but we're grateful."

Phoebus smiled but then noticed Quasimodo looked upset out of the corner of his eye. He quickly directed her attention to them. "Don't thank me, thank Quasimodo. Without his help, we'd have never found our way here."

"Nor would I!"

They turned in shock to see Frollo smirk as the Nightmares and guards surrounded them and the gypsies. He'd never known where the Court was, he'd merely followed them!

Kairi, Esmeralda and Phoebus were held back while Quasimodo stared in horror, realizing what he'd done.

"After 20 years of searching, the Court of Miracles is mine at last." Frollo hissed, walking to them. Quasimodo cowered away when he was pet on the head. "Dear Quasimodo, I always knew you'd someday be of use to me, you lead me straight to the gypsy girl. And look what else I've caught in my net: the brave Captain Phoebus along with the heathen wretch who assisted him."

"No!" Quasimodo screamed but the guards already caught him. "Master, please! Please, don't hurt them!"

"Yes, they will all burn quite exquisitely…" Frollo smirked as if he didn't hear him before turning. "As for him, make sure he never leaves the bell tower again."

Kairi struggled uselessly as wood was piled around her and Esmeralda's stakes. Frollo had placed the older girl on a stage while Kairi was forced to watch. She gave a muffled scream in anger as Frollo walked past her to Esmeralda. "Ah, ah, ah, you'll wait your turn."

She looked over to see Phoebus locked in a wooden cage while Quasimodo had been chained to the top of the bell tower so he could watch as his friends were dragged to their doom. She flexed her hand but couldn't summon the keyblade thanks to her hands being bound. All she could do was struggle in vain.

"The time has come, gypsy. You stand upon the brink of the abyss. Yet even now, it is not too late…" Frollo whispered as Esmeralda stared in disgust. "Choose me… or the fire."

There was a moment of tense silence before Esmeralda spit in his face, making the crowd gasp in shock.

Frollo glared before raising the torch for the crowd to see. "The gypsy will not recant. It is my sacred duty to send this unholy demon back where she belongs!"

He touched the torch to the pyre, lighting it up. Esmeralda gave a gasp in fear as the fire roared.

"NOOO!"

The crowd and Kairi looked up to see Quasimodo pulling harder and harder. The tower began to crumble and the bells rang loudly til he was finally able to break free. He rappled down the building before pushing off, swinging over the crowd.

Kairi gave a happy yell in encouragement as he ripped apart the ropes holding Esmeralda. He fought off the guards before running back up the cathedral.

He lifted Esmeralda high in the air, showing as he screamed for her safety: "Sanctuary! Sanctuary! Sanctuary!"

Kairi suddenly felt her ropes and gag fall away as Frollo demanded the guards storm the cathedral. She turned to see Saki and grinned. "You came to save me even though you're scared of the fire! Thanks, Saki!"

Phoebus broke of the cage, rallying the crowd. "Citizens of Paris! Frollo has persecuted our people, ransacked our city! Now he has declared war on Notre Dame herself! Will we allow it?!"

"NO!" The crowd screamed and started freeing the gypsies.

Kairi was about to help them when she heard the cathedral doors slam open. "Oh no!"

She was about to run up to the cathedral when a giant Nightmare suddenly appeared. It looked like one of the many gargoyles guarding Notre Dame with wings colored like the stained glass of the windows.

Kairi summoned her keyblade in a flash of light. "Here I come!"

While Kairi fought the monster below, Quasimodo and Frollo were having a fight of their own. The hunchback managed to grab his friend after seeing she was still alive and tried to hide by hanging off the ledge but Frollo quickly found them.

"Leaving so soon?" He smirked, smashing the sword down on the gargoyle they were clinging to. After a few more narrow escapes, Quasimodo shoved Esmeralda out of the way before Frollo could kill her.

"I should've known you'd risk your life trying to save this gypsy witch, just as your own mother died trying to save you…"

"What?" Quasimodo whispered in shock.

"Now I'm going to do what I should have done 20 years ago!" Frollo yelled. His cape grappled around Quasimodo, pulling him off the catadral and leaving him barely hanging on. Unfortunately for Frollo, the cape tugged him off as well, leaving him to dangle as Quasimodo held onto it tight, not wanting the man to die despite everything he'd done to him.

Esmeralda grabbed Quasimodo's hand while Frollo swung over to another gargoyle.

"Hold on… hold on!" Esmeralda panted after seeing Quasimodo faint due to the smoke. Frollo gave a chuckle, climbing up before raising his sword above the woman's head.

"And he shall smite the wicked and plunge them into the fiery pit!"

Suddenly, the stone beneath him cracked, causing him to slip. He grabbed onto the gargoyle once more only to see the monster growl at him with glowing red eyes, all the gargoyles had Quasimodo looking after them, including the. It cracked off entirely, sending Frollo into the fiery pit below.

"Quasimodo…" Esmeralda whispered, his hand slipping as her strength failed. "Quasi!"

He slipped from her grasp.

"NOOO!"

Phoebus grabbed him just in time, he'd been climbing up the cathedral to help them. He pulled Quasimodo up and before he knew it, the man was embracing him, grateful he'd save his life and never showed him any cruelty. Phoebus was a true friend, there was no doubt about that.

Esmeralda suddenly ran in as they parted, hugging Quasimodo tight.

When she was done, Quasimodo gently took her hand and placed it into Phoebus's, knowing the people with such beautiful hearts deserved to be together. The two passionately kissed.

By the time Kairi reached the roof, Esmeralda and Phoebus were walking away hand in hand. Quasimodo watched them happily.

"Quasi-" She wanted to check if he was alright.

"Kairi, thank you for what you said. You were right. The walls Frollo put around me weren't the ones holding me back, it was my heart that was the true prison."

Kairi smiled in understanding. Fear, sadness and doubt would no longer keep Quasimodo hidden from the world, he was truly free now. He walked out into the world, unafraid.

"Oh, doesn't that sound familiar?" A familiar voice suddenly said.

Kairi turned in shock to see the man with silver hair who'd been following the trio through every world.

"You didn't know? That's right, your heart is a prison too…" Another voice laughed, this one sounding slightly familiar but Kairi couldn't place where. She gasped in fright when another black coat appeared before her. They reached out a hand, curling it slightly as if trying to lure her to them. "This is so agonizing…! Just how long must I wait for her to break free of it?!"

Kairi felt a pang of fear and shock hit her even though she'd never met this woman before. "What are you…?"

But the two were gone, they'd vanished as quickly as they'd come.

The girl placed a hand to her chest, grief overwhelming her, thinking of the only person she knew of in her heart. She'd never thought that Naminé might feel literally trapped in her heart… My heart's a prison… is that really true?

The keyhole appeared in a blinding flash of light. Kairi unlocked it from memory, her mind far away from the task at hand.