TRAVERSE TOWN - SANCTUARY FOR THE VICTIMS

Traverse Town layout: This place is divided up into 3 main districts, aptly named First, Second, and Third District. There are also some nooks and crannies, which you'll find yourself exploring throughout the game.

FIRST DISTRICT - MEETING CID

You're going to go through an introduction scene and then Sora will find himself in a back alley. Go straight, then turn right out of the alley to the square of First District, and you'll get a little overview shot of the safe part of town.

Meeting Cid: You need to talk to Cid first, so go to the Accessory Shop. It is through the double doors at the top of the stairs from the lower square in First District, with a sign above it that says "Accessories". Banter around with Cid as you tell him about Riku and Kairi and then go out. Go up the stairs on the right side of the shop (right side as you face the shop doors) and hang a left turn, then a right turn and you'll find yourself in front of these huge double doors. These lead to Second District. Go through them.

SECOND DISTRICT - MEETING LEON

Welcome to Second District: There will be a very short cut scene and you will then be allowed to fight. You're going to end up battling a lot of the little bug dudes (called Shadows), but it's actually a good thing. This is the only time you will really get to level up before another major battle. Just circle around and check out the area. Don't wander too far, as you are only one out of a supposed party of three. Don't lose a lot of HP if you wander around Second and Third District, and don't go back to First District unless you want to proceed forward with the game or you've killed all the Heartless that you can. Going into the First District will lead to the next story sequences.

Back in First District: Ok, after you're done leveling up in the other sections, go back to First District. What's this? There are Heartless here, though this place is supposed to be secure. You have to kill all of the little Heartless groups; there are three. One in front of the door to Second District, One down the first set of steps, and another at the platform in front of the Accessory Shop. There are a couple of other groups hidden in the area, but if you just want to get going then finish off the three groups and go back into the Accessory Shop. Don't try to short cut killing these guys, as that will get you nowhere in the story. After your done, go to Accessory Shop and talk to Cid. He'll give you some advice. SAVE and exit the store.

Leon: Upon exiting Cid's place, Leon will show up and you will battle! Don't worry if you lose - it won't end the game. If you win, the following story sequence is slightly altered than if you lose. But wouldn't it be cool if you could win? Here's how:
First of all, stock all your potions into your items slots on the menu before you fight. He's pretty hard, so you'll need them during the battle. Leon has two basic strategies, long and short range attacks. Long range consists of his shooting a fire bullet at you out of his gunblade. This is actually your best opportunity to strike, as it is easy to avoid. When you see the fire gathering around his body, start running towards him. Jump when he releases the fireball, neatly avoiding it and putting yourself in the perfect position to attack. Do a combo if you can and jump out before he slashes you. Back away and use your potions if you get hit. The important thing to remember is all that training with Wakka, Tidus and Selphie. Also remember that Leon's gunblade has a long reach to it. You can use the arena of First District to your advantage, since it is a big open space to fight in. Repeat this technique until you beat him, and there you go.

Waking Up and Conversations: Here you finally get to learn what the hell is going on in this place. Sora will wake up in a room, where he meets Yuffie and his attacker Leon. The room you're in is the Green Room inside the Hotel of the Second District. Donald and Goofy are with Aerith in the Red Room next door. Basically, there will be a long explanation of the events and story, followed by a surprise attack by the Heartless. Leon will tell you to go after the big source of the Heartless (he says don't worry about the small fry) but you can battle the Shadows and Soldiers (the tin-head Heartless aka the "small fry") to level up before going on to the boss. Once you feel ready, go to Third District for the next big battle: the boss fight.

THIRD DISTRICT: GUARD ARMOR BATTLE

Boss Battle - Guard Armor: HP: 700, EXP: 110. This is the first time you'll be able to join up with your Disney sidekicks. This battle will be hard if you don't focus on the right parts of the body first. There are 5 separate parts. The hands are the first main weapon of the Guard Armor, and then the feet, and finally the torso. You want to avoid the spinning hands and just keep hitting the center torso. By doing so, you end up hitting (or countering, and earning Tech Points) everything else too. Just be careful of the hands spinning attack and getting stepped on, or you will find yourself dead. Back away and use Potions if you have to, while letting Donald and Goofy take over for a few moments. Don't leave them alone too long though! Sora is the strong character. Once you defeat the Guard Armor, you earn a Brave Warrior ring. Equip this after the fight.

Your Minions: After this you'll be formally introduced to your partners in crime, etc. etc. Donald gives you Fire, your first magic ability. Goofy gives you the Dodge Roll ability, which will definitely come in handy for battles to come. Be sure to equip it and learn how to use it.

Bells and Whistles: Once you have finished talking, you can go learn about Trinities, and hunt for the Postcards. First go to the Blue Trinity in front of the cafe in First District. It's the open area with chairs and tables and candles on top. There will be a blue mark on the ground. Goofy will point it out. There is also a red cylinder looking thing with a hat, labeled "Mail" located next to the stairs leading up from the square to the Accessory Shop. Go examine that and you will learn about the 10 Postcards. See where the Trinities and Postcards are in Traverse Town in the "Obsessive" section of this website.

Conclusion: After everything is said and done, go pick up some supplies, but don't waste munny on too many accessories. Get Goofy and Donald their weapons first, then Potions after. Stock up on Potions because none of your party can cure yourselves. Take this time to also learn about the "Customize" option, and using shortcut buttons for your magic spell. Once you've equipped everything, go back to Third District. You'll find that the Heartless have disappeared for the time being. In Third District, go to the big door leading to First District, and Examine the keyhole beside it to unlock the door. Now you can use this door as a shortcut back to First District. From there, go to World Exit in the First District. This will bring you to the first Gummi Ship instructions, and you will fly onto the next world.

End: Traverse Town - Part I.