Editing Shadow Stalker and Dark Thorn

{{game|KH2|FM2}}

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{{tab|o-info|360px}}

{{tab|Shadow Stalker}}

{{Character

  |jpname=Dark Stalker

  |KH2EXP=0

  |KH2loc1=Beast's Castle

  |KH2enc1=Episode 1

  |KH2LV1=13

|KH2phys=×1.0

  |KH2fire=×0.5

  |KH2bliz=×0.5

  |KH2thun=×0.5

  |KH2dark=×0.5

  |KH2neut=×0.5

  |KH2reward='''When a chandelier or pillar is reduced to 0 HP'''<br>MP prize (1) ×10, MP prize (3) ×5<br><br>'''When Release is used'''<br>Drive prize (1%) ×10, Drive prize (3%) ×5

{{tab|c}}{{tab|Dark Thorn}}

{{Character

  |jpname=Black Thorn

  |KH2EXP=0

  |KH2loc1=Beast's Castle

  |KH2LV1=13

  |KH2phys=×1.0

  |KH2fire=×0.5

  |KH2bliz=×0.5

  |KH2thun=×0.5

  |KH2dark=×0.5

  |KH2neut=×0.5

  |KH2reward='''Sora:''' Max HP +5, [[Retaliating Slash]]<br>'''Donald:''' Max HP +4<br>'''Goofy:''' Item slot<br>'''Beast:''' HP +35

The '''Shadow Stalker''' and its true form, the '''Dark Thorn''', is a [[Pureblood Heartless]] that is found in ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''. It is one of the bosses at [[Beast's Castle]].

The Shadow Stalker is summoned by [[Xaldin]] after his first attempt to turn the [[Beast]] into a Heartless failed. While [[Sora]], [[Donald]], and [[Goofy]] were speaking with the [[Beast]], the Shadow Stalker chased [[Belle]] down to the ballroom, where she called for the Beast's help. Sora, Donald, Goofy, and the Beast arrived just in time to see Belle escape the Heartless out onto the balcony. The Shadow Stalker then turned from her to the party. Similar to the [[Possessor]] Heartless that resided below, the Shadow Stalker possessed the room itself, using the windows, pillars, chandelier, and floor to attack Sora and the Beast.

However, when it is driven from the walls, its chains are released and it transforms into the monstrous Dark Thorn. In this new, powerful bestial form, it attacks the party ferociously with furious attacks and its ability to become invisible. Sora, however, is able to use the very elements that the Heartless had recently possessed to beat it into submission. The Heartless fades back into darkness, and Xaldin leaves the castle to reform his plan.

The Dark Thorn is a massive creature with black skin. Its entire body is wrapped in teal thorns, possibly a reference to the Beast's rose, and both of its wrists and ankles still have manacles on them. The chains on its arms are broken, but the chain connecting its feet is not. Like many other Purebloods, the Dark Thorn has a heart-shaped hole in its chest. The Heartless has a large, red, toothy maw and beady, glowing yellow eyes. While it is muscular and has large hands and feet, it also has rather thin limbs. Each of its limbs sports three digits with long, red claws. The Dark Thorn also has two enormous, orange horns and a massive, orange mane. According to Nomura, the Dark Thorn's design is based on the ''Final Fantasy X'' version of {{ff|Ifrit}}.

==Strategy==

The Shadow Stalker shares the same ability as the Possessor Heartless: it can possess and animate any inanimate object. When in desperate need, it cocoons itself and transforms into the ferocious Dark Thorn. If it possesses the pillars, stay towards the center of the room to dodge its initial attack before closing in on the pillar it inhabits. If it possesses the windows, run far away from them, preferably behind the pillars. If it possesses the floor, jump immediately after the area below Sora glows. When the Shadow Stalker possesses the chandelier, jump to avoid the shockwave it causes, and take care to run in a tight arc to avoid the energy beams it will fire. Once Sora has depleted the HP of the chandelier or pillars, the "Release" [[reaction command]] will appear. The Shadow Stalker will fly out of the object it was possessing, releasing [[Drive orb|Drive]] and [[MP Orb]]s. Take this opportunity to bombard the enemy with attacks. Sora can unleash a [[Limit]] at this time if he can survive [[MP Charge]] or has an [[Ether]] handy. This process will continue until victory is obtained.

The battle with the Dark Thorn requires notably less strategy than the Shadow Stalker and is more of a straightforward assault. As the Dark Thorn, the Heartless is more agile and erratic, attacking enemies with its claws and sometimes using the chandelier to hit opponents. It can also summon Possessors to attack Sora and can turn invisible to elude foes. Note that it can still be targeted while invisible. However, the Dark Thorn is more agile when invisible and the fight becomes much easier when the invisibility is lost following the use of the "Step Vault" Reaction Command, during which Sora will jump onto the chandelier, and, following another command, lower the chandelier and swing it about in circles, hitting the Dark Thorn and rendering it visible. Following this assault, the battle becomes considerably easier, as the boss moves more slowly.

In both battles, [[King Mickey]] has a chance to appear to revive Sora should he fall. In ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'', the Dark Thorn is more likely to counter if attacked continuously.

;Shadow Stalker

{{Atk|col=3|{{nihongo|'''Darkness Surge'''|闇の波動|<br>Yami no Hadō}}|Dark|x1.0|X|Waves surge forward from the hidden windows.}}

{{Atk|col=3|{{nihongo|'''Chandelier Attack'''|シャンデリア攻撃|<br>Shanderia Kōgeki}}|Neutral|x1.5|X|Drops the chandelier on the floor.}}

{{Atk|col=3|{{nihongo|'''Flamethrower'''|火炎放射|<br>Kaen Hōsha}}|Fire|x1.0<br>Hit 2+: x0.25|X|Chandelier spins around and lets loose flames.}}

{{Atk|col=3|{{nihongo|'''Swallow'''|飲みこみ|<br>Nomikomi}}|Physical|x1.5|X|Swallows Sora after shedding light on the floor.}}

{{rc|{{nihongo|'''Release'''|リジェクト|<br>Rijekuto|lit. "Reject"}}|—|—|Can be used immediately after the Shadow Stalker hiding in chandelier or pillar reaches 0 HP.<br>Drag the Shadow Stalker out of the chandelier or pillar.}}

{{rc|{{nihongo|'''Step Vault'''|ステップライズ|<br>Suteppu Raizu|lit. "Step Rise"}}|—|—|Can be used against the Dark Thorn when it is invisible.<br>Sora uses Dark Thorn's back to leap onto the chandelier.}}

{{rc|{{nihongo|'''Catch'''|キャッチ|<br>Kyatchi}}|Neutral|x1.5|Can be used after using Step Vault.<br>Sora drops the chandelier to the floor, trapping the Dark Thorn.}}

{{rc|{{nihongo|'''Pendulum Round'''|スピンロール|<br>Supin Rōru|lit. "Spin Roll"}}|—|—|Can be used after using Catch.<br>Catch the Dark Thorn in the chandelier's spin, forcing it to become visible.}}

{{rc|{{nihongo|'''Slingshot'''|ターンリベンジ|<br>Tān Ribenji|lit. "Turn Revenge"}}|Physical|x4.0|Can be used when tossed by Swing Around.<br>Grab the pillar, spin around its axis and counterattack. If the Dark Thorn was invisible, it is forced to become visible.}}

{| class="video"

! Shadow Stalker & Dark Thorn – ''Kingdom Hearts II''

| {{#widget:YouTube|id=tly-d99SnMY|width=320|height=240}}

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