Shadow Stalker and Dark Thorn
The Shadow Stalker is a boss from Kingdom Hearts II.
Bearing a close resemblance to Darkball Heartless, an enemy from Kingdom Hearts, the Shadow Stalker is the third boss of Beast's Castle. Called upon by Xaldin to capture Belle as a last effort to turn Beast into a Heartless, the chandelier-like creature attacks Sora and his friends by possessing the windows, pillars, chandelier and floor of the castle ballroom. Upon being defeated, it transforms into the Dark Thorn. When merged with the floor, it attempts to devour its foes. Sora can avoid this by staying in motion and jumping. When merged with the window, the Shadow Stalker creates a surge of dark power along the floor, which leaves safe spots to stand on. When merged with a pillar, it attacks with a fierce slash attack. To defeat it, deplete the possessed object's HP Gauge and use the reaction command to force the Shadow Stalker out of the object.
Journal Entry
A Heartless that attacked Belle in Beast's Castle.
It jumped around on the floor, pillars, and chandelier of the ballroom, creating mayhem.
Strategy
The key to fighting the Shadow Stalker is taking advantage of the few moments it is vulnerable. In the very begining of the fight, you do not have long to attack it, so make your move quickly. After the chandelier attack, you have an excellent opportunity to realease it and then immediately use Beast's Limit. After you knock it out of a pillar, you have a few seconds either to use a Limit or use Valor (you must already be in Valor Form, as there is not enough time to change into it and then attack). When the worst happens, you'll get another chance with Mickey. I'd suggest charging his Drive ALL THE WAY and THEN fighting the Shadow Stalker - reviving Sora once you are on the brink of death. As Mickey jumps higher than Sora, he is the only character capable of dodging the walls of fire that shoot out of the chandelier. Once you are playing as Sora again simply repeat thesteps listed above. The real challenge of this fight depends on the difficulty level - as the difficulty varies greatly depending on it. On Easy, you may defeat it without dying once. In Proud Mode you will most likely have to try a few times and use Mickey atleast once, either on the Shadow Stalker or Dark Thorn.
