Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-

Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage- is the ninth installment in the Kingdom Hearts series, and is included in Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue. It is rendered in and is exclusive to the PlayStation 4.

This game's story is an epilogue to Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep and a prologue to Kingdom Hearts III. It is connected to Kingdom Hearts χ and chronicles Aqua's continued journey through the Realm of Darkness.

Story
Luxu stands alone in the Keyblade Graveyard. With Master Xehanort's keyblade in-hand, he watches silently as Kingdom Hearts appears in the sky.

A century later, at the Mysterious Tower, Yen Sid tells Riku, Kairi, and King Mickey they must rescue Terra, Ventus, and Aqua. Mickey reveals he last saw Aqua in the Realm of Darkness:

''Aqua learns time does not flow in the Realm of Darkness by exploring the remnants of Castle of Dreams. In the remains of Dwarf Woodlands, she defeats the Phantom Aqua, a ghostly copy of herself. Aqua chases illusory versions of Terra and Ventus through the ruins of Enchanted Dominion, and she learns Xehanort is trying to find the Chamber of Waking as she is pulled deeper into the darkness. Aqua is found by King Mickey, and the two Keyblade Masters team up to help Sora and Riku close the Door to Darkness so they can save the worlds from the Heartless. When the Demon Tide attempts to attack Riku, Aqua sacrifices herself to keep it at bay. Plunged even further into the darkness, Aqua vows to help anyone else she encounters there. She watches as the worlds are restored and finds Ansem the Wise at the Dark Margin.''

Having learned the role he unknowingly played in sealing Aqua's fate, Riku demands to know why King Mickey kept it secret. Yen Sid explains this was done to prevent Sora from attempting to rescue Aqua, and he reveals a safe means of entering the Realm of Darkness has been found. Riku and Mickey receive new garments made by Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, and they depart to find Aqua and return her to the Realm of Light. Meanwhile, Kairi is instructed to train under the wizard Merlin so she can become a Keyblade wielder.

A short time later, Donald and Goofy reunite with Sora, who returns to Mysterious Tower after a prolonged absence. Sora is tasked with learning to retrieve lost hearts by Yen Sid, and he is told that almost becoming Master Xehanort's vessel has stripped him of many powers. Yen Sid reminds Sora of Hercules, who once lost and regained his godlike strength, and the Keyblade wielder departs with Donald and Goofy to pay the hero a visit.

Aboard the Gummi Ship, Sora and friends wonder how they will travel to other worlds, as the lanes between them have been resealed. Suddenly, Goofy remembers an old saying of Yen Sid's: "May your heart be your guiding key". Using his heart, Sora successfully opens a path to Olympus Coliseum.

Gameplay

 * When the player assumes control of Aqua, she starts off at level 50.
 * The Command Menu lacks a "Summon" option.
 * Shotlocks return from Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, as does the Focus gauge.
 * Aqua can cast Firaga, Blizzaga, Thundaga, and Curaga. Each of these spells consumes MP.
 * The MP gauge returns and functions as it did in Kingdom Hearts II. Picking up MP balls now shortens MP Recharge time.
 * Magic affects the surrounding environment.
 * There are many shortcut menus. These can be scrolled through via . Magic and Items are listed separately.
 * Aqua can use Situation Commands.
 * Command Styles return as a type of Situation Command.
 * Flowmotion returns from Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. Aqua can only use Rail Slide.
 * The player can customize Aqua's appearance by using accessories and palette swaps unlocked through the completion of various Objectives.


 * King Mickey serves as a party member in the Depths of Darkness.
 * Once it is unlocked, Teleportation allows Aqua to revisit locations through the use of Save Points.

Worlds
Playable
 * Dark World
 * Castle of Dreams
 * Dwarf Woodlands
 * Enchanted Dominion
 * Destiny Islands

Cutscenes
 * Keyblade Graveyard
 * Mysterious Tower