The Sceptre and the Kingdom is a Spanish comic book that was distributed by GAME named El Cetro y el Reino as a pre-order bonus for Kingdom Hearts. It consists of 12 pages which tell an alternate story of Kingdom Hearts.
Plot[]
The story opens when a Nobody-like creature with wings and a helmet similar to those worn by Soldier Heartless appears at Disney Castle to steal the legendary Fairy Sceptre. After narrowly avoiding Goofy, the figure disappears with the Sceptre. With the Sceptre, the figure will use it to uncover the Sword in the Stone and bring Great Britain under its rule. Minnie alerts Donald Duck to summon Sora and Riku. Using a spell, Donald tries to send them to where the figure went, but the spell fails and they are instead sent to Paris, the world based on The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The dup abruptly bump into Judge Claude Frollo, who designates them as witchcraft-practicing outlaws to be arrested and burned at the stake. Sora and Riku run for it, unaware that they are being watched from above.
During the escape, Sora and Riku come by a gypsy woman named Esmeralda, who helps them escape Frollo. Once away from Frollo's watch, she introduces them to her friend Quasimodo, a resident of Notre Dame cathedral. Sora thinks that they may be able to find a door back to their own world. Quasimodo's gargoyle friends take them to the world's door, which opens a door to Britain.
Once in Britain (the world based on The Sword in the Stone), Sora and Riku find the figure, who uses a magic attack at them, but a boy named Wart throws water underneath the figure, causing it to slip, giving Archimedes the chance to take back the Sceptre. With the weapon safe, Wart and Archimedes get Merlin to return Sora and Riku to Disney Castle, and they return the Sceptre to its rightful place.
Trivia[]
In the story, Donald is depicted as being capable of transporting himself and others to different worlds via his magic, whereas the games show him relying on Gummi Ship transport.
The Sword in the Stone and the world based on it has yet to make an official appearance in the series.
Curiously, there are many themes used in this comic that would later be incorporated into Kingdom Hearts II, such as the design of the mysterious creature which greatly resembles a Nobody, and the idea of a world opening a door to another, like Disney Castle revealing a door to Timeless River (although they are essentially the same world, making the door more of a time machine than a portal).
Sora is only accompanied by Riku, rather than by Donald and Goofy, who stay in Disney Castle. This is also the main theme in Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, which focuses only on Sora and Riku.
