From Floors 7 to 10, Sora can choose to visit Atlantica, Neverland, the 100 Acre Wood, and Hollow Bastion in any order. This is assuming he's visiting them in the order he does in the first game.
The next world Sora, Donald, and Goofy find themselves in is none other than Hollow Bastion, the penultimate destination of their previous quest. As soon as they approach the foreboding castle, they hear voices. Rounding the corner, the trio finds the Beast and Belle, who are in the midst of an argument. It turns out that Belle is living in the castle with a witch. Beast says he came to rescue her, but she tells him to leave. When they try to ask Beast about what happened, he simply says that no one could love a beast like him.
Proceeding through the castle, they find Belle in the library. There they find out that Belle was kidnapped by the witch. She says that she really does love Beast, but she can't show her true feelings. Before she can say any more, the bookcase begins to open, so the trio goes to hide. The witch steps out to greet Belle. She turns out to be none other than Maleficent. She reveals to Belle that she knows of Beast's visit. When she asks Belle why she didn't accept his offer for help, the princess responds by saying that she knows that Maleficent is trying to lure them into a trap. Maleficent says that she will make Belle beg for help before transporting herself away with the princess. Sora and the gang resolve to go save her.
In the castle foyer, Maleficent has Belle backed up against the fountain, trying to bait her into calling Beast, but she refuses. She prepares to hurt Belle, but Sora interrupts. Before they can fight Maleficent, Beast shows up, much to Belle's disappointment. She tells him to leave, which both Jiminy and Beast interpret as contempt for him. Beast explains how being shunned by others is punishment for his selfishness. Beast continues to tell Belle that he became even more selfish after his transformation, at least until meeting Belle, who warmed his heart. Despite Belle's warnings, Beast decides to take her with him, declaring it to be his final selfish act. Maleficent is surprised that Beast's heart is so pure, so she decides to take him instead of Belle. She throws a magic spell at him, but Belle leaps in the way. Her heart is taken, and it floats away. Maleficent is surprised, but she accepts Belle as a substitute. Realizing that Belle's heart is still pure, she says that her cruel words were not her true feelings. Maleficent confirms that Belle loves Beast before vanishing. Following the Heartless, Beast teams up with Sora, Donald, and Goofy to find Maleficent.
The group arrives at the chapel, the same place where they fought the real Maleficent during their first adventure. There, the evil fairy reveals that she needs a pure heart to sustain her dark magic. The reason Belle acted cruel was to prevent herself from being pure enough for Maleficent to use. Despite her efforts, though, Belle wasn't able to hide her true feelings in the end, allowing Maleficent to take her heart. She also reveals that the reason she told Beast all this was to make his love for Belle grow stronger, allowing her to take his heart as well. Maleficent transforms into a dragon but is ultimately destroyed by Sora. Belle's heart is returned, and she is restored to her original self. Belle apologizes for the way she acted. Beast, too, apologizes for doubting her love. As the two embrace each other, Sora, Donald, and Goofy move on.
Back in Castle Oblivion, Sora, Donald, and Goofy meet Vexen for the first time. He tells Sora that he was the one responsible for reuniting him with Riku. Sora comes to the conclusion that Vexen is responsible for Riku being corrupted again, and he demands that the scientist tell him where his friend is. Vexen refuses to tell him and attacks. Sora fights well, but after the battle, Vexen reveals that he was merely fighting so he could look into Sora's memories. Vexen pulls out another World Card, stating that it comes from the memories on the "other side" of his heart. He hands the card to Sora before disappearing.
Meanwhile, Axel is telling Marluxia that Vexen could pose a threat if he tries to eliminate Sora, since the Organization needs Sora for their plans. Marluxia gives Axel an obvious order, but he asks him to clarify what the order is. He responds by stating that he must eliminate the traitor, to which Axel responds: "No taking that back later," implying Vexen isn't the only traitor he plans to destroy. Back downstairs, Sora and the gang are wondering what "the other side of his heart" really means, and where the new card will lead them...
