One of the many reasons I'm so fond of KH2 is that it seems to have the best grasp about friendship in the series. The scene that stands out the most to me is when Hayner, Pence, and Olette try to stop Axel from abducting Kairi, even though they've just met. Then, when Sora says that they didn't have to do that, Hayner angrily replies, "Sure we did! Kairi's our friend too!" And Sora concedes, because he can see the truth in that: Friends help friends in need. Were they necessarily successful in the assist? Not really, but what matters is that they tried, because they wanted to help, and it would be almost mean to tell them that they can't.
Also consider all of the characters that partner with Sora as he goes through the worlds. Most of them aren't much of a match for the Organization or the Nobodies, but they tag around with Sora because they have things at stake too, and Sora doesn't want to tell them that they can't. He doesn't tell Mulan to take a back seat because she'd be in his way: he helps her become the best she can be and realize her hopes of becoming legendary. He doesn't stop Phil, Meg, and Pegasus from getting involved with the Hydra because he knows that they want to partake in trying to save their home as well. At no point does Sora really try to tell anyone to stay behind, because he knows that there is more at play than just winning the day: the people who he is friends with have things they want to accomplish too, and seeing that, he welcomes their contributions to the cause.
Which brings us to Birth By Sleep.
Continuing the Olympus Coliseum example, Aqua winds up fighting Hades and the Ice Titan. Anyone fighting a God and a Titan is likely to be in over their heads. But Zack is there, and he wants to help, and for many reasons. Not only is Aqua his friend, and he doesn't want to see her get hurt, but he's undergoing some serious bruises to the ego, and wants to redeem himself as a potential hero. To get involved in this fight would mean a lot to him on many levels.
And Aqua essentially tells him not to bother, because she's got this one.
Near the end of the game, Donald and Goofy learn that Mickey is in danger, and naturally, they want to help him. After all, he's their best friend, and what's more, it's their job.
And Ven tells them not to bother, and Yen Sid backs the motion.
Even the final boss battles seem to emphasize one on one duels, rather than working together to try and achieve a common goal.
It's also worth noting that there is no longer the opportunity for Disney characters to take the field when you go adventuring. They are no longer allowed to help on the quest, and are shunted to the sidelines while the main characters do all the heavy lifting on their own.
There seems to be a shift in what is expected of friends in the series. According to BBS and beyond, it isn't so much about friends helping friends as it is about posturing and trying to do everything yourself. That somehow, unless you wield the keyblade, your help isn't necessary. It's more about aesthetics than heart.
One of the many reasons I'm so fond of KH2 is that it seems to have the best grasp about friendship in the series. The scene that stands out the most to me is when Hayner, Pence, and Olette try to stop Axel from abducting Kairi, even though they've just met. Then, when Sora says that they didn't have to do that, Hayner angrily replies, "Sure we did! Kairi's our friend too!" And Sora concedes, because he can see the truth in that: Friends help friends in need. Were they necessarily successful in the assist? Not really, but what matters is that they tried, because they wanted to help, and it would be almost mean to tell them that they can't.
Also consider all of the characters that partner with Sora as he goes through the worlds. Most of them aren't much of a match for the Organization or the Nobodies, but they tag around with Sora because they have things at stake too, and Sora doesn't want to tell them that they can't. He doesn't tell Mulan to take a back seat because she'd be in his way: he helps her become the best she can be and realize her hopes of becoming legendary. He doesn't stop Phil, Meg, and Pegasus from getting involved with the Hydra because he knows that they want to partake in trying to save their home as well. At no point does Sora really try to tell anyone to stay behind, because he knows that there is more at play than just winning the day: the people who he is friends with have things they want to accomplish too, and seeing that, he welcomes their contributions to the cause.
Which brings us to Birth By Sleep.
Continuing the Olympus Coliseum example, Aqua winds up fighting Hades and the Ice Titan. Anyone fighting a God and a Titan is likely to be in over their heads. But Zack is there, and he wants to help, and for many reasons. Not only is Aqua his friend, and he doesn't want to see her get hurt, but he's undergoing some serious bruises to the ego, and wants to redeem himself as a potential hero. To get involved in this fight would mean a lot to him on many levels.
And Aqua essentially tells him not to bother, because she's got this one.
Near the end of the game, Donald and Goofy learn that Mickey is in danger, and naturally, they want to help him. After all, he's their best friend, and what's more, it's their job.
And Ven tells them not to bother, and Yen Sid backs the motion.
Even the final boss battles seem to emphasize one on one duels, rather than working together to try and achieve a common goal.
It's also worth noting that there is no longer the opportunity for Disney characters to take the field when you go adventuring. They are no longer allowed to help on the quest, and are shunted to the sidelines while the main characters do all the heavy lifting on their own.
There seems to be a shift in what is expected of friends in the series. According to BBS and beyond, it isn't so much about friends helping friends as it is about posturing and trying to do everything yourself. That somehow, unless you wield the keyblade, your help isn't necessary. It's more about aesthetics than heart.