(no subject)

[wavesinherheart]

[There's a moment of silence before Aqua actually speaks up. The topic at hand isn't really one that she can say she's looking forward to. Not with people already less than fond of Xehanort as things stand. But it's something that needs to be said, and so she takes a deep breath and begins. Nothing'll get done if she doesn't at least manage that.]

I know most people probably aren't going to like hearing this, but there's something you all need to know. Xehanort is... the body he's in right now isn't his. He possessed one of my friends a long time ago.

[A very long time ago, if she's right about how many years have passed since she last saw Terra.]

And... I know he's going to need to be defeated at some point, but Terra might still be in there somewhere.

Comments

[defrostedpride]

Of course. Because otherwise everything would be too easy, and we cannot have nice things.

[unrecovered]

I think this is the only time that I'll ever agree with you.

[Stop the presses, hell has frozen, etc.]

[wavesinherheart]

We did try to defeat him. It just... didn't quite work.

[defrostedpride]

C+ for effort. [Not that he has any room to talk.]

[If she is from before, then...] So you're saying that the Xehanort I kn--became acquainted with was not physically Xehanort at all? What does he look like, when he doesn't look like people's friends?

[sailorlaughter]

Ooooh! I know how to fix that!

...oh. But I guess the Elements aren't here. And neither are the rest of the girls. So maybe that wouldn't work, sorry...

[wavesinherheart]

The Elements?

[sailorlaughter]

Yeah, the Elements of Harmony! They're really good at frying evil and stuff! [And cleansing quasi-demonic possessions, but Princess Luna's case is now strictly a secret, and one she doesn't know Aqua knows.] But they take all six of us to use, plus our necklace things, and I didn't bring mine with me.

[eternalfrolicbond]

[Lea totally understands this.]

He got one of my friends too. We'll get 'em back, don't worry.

[wavesinherheart]

I really hope so. Terra deserves better than that.

[eternalfrolicbond]

Isa does too. But don't worry, we'll fix things.

[raisethemoon]

He is spreading? [Oh son of a griffon it's contagious]

Private to Aqua

[skysmirror]

[Oh no.]

I knew he'd targeted some of my friends, but...

[So Xemnas might not have even had the real Xehanort's face. That's something to think about.]

Private to Xion

[wavesinherheart]

[Aqua doesn't know Xemnas, but odds are it's actually Terra's, plus or minus some growing up.]

Yours too?

[colorbymemory]

[Have a sympathetic Namine.]

I'm so sorry. We'll do the best we can to help him.

[Promises can't be made, but this is good to know so they don't miss a chance.]

[wavesinherheart]

That's all I ask.

[Private]

[dork_of_keys]

[Sora debates a long time on this, both for even replying and for making the thread private.

What he has to say offers a lot of hope, but at the same time he's worried that he might be unnecessarily getting her hopes up. It's been a long time and who knows what time even has to do with it? But, it feels wrong not to let her know that she's likely on the right track.]

I think he definitely is still in there. That... happened to Riku. Briefly. And he was able to break free. With some help.

[Private]

[wavesinherheart]

I think we're going to need a lot more help with Terra.

[trademark_skull]

[Well that... kind of tragic and all, but..]

What does this Terra guy look like? [Because, if he's here and someone's seen him..]

[wavesinherheart]

He's not here anymore.

[unlucky_hero]

[This was all still really new to him, but there had to some way to help.]

Something's ought to bring him back, as long as he's not given up on.

[wavesinherheart]

I don't think he'd give up. But it's been a very long time, by now.

[lessabrasive]

How exactly did he come to 'possess' this Terra?

[wavesinherheart]

I... don't know. Not really. I wasn't there when it happened.

[salvagedlight]

[Thankfully Ven has heard this before. And having it happen to him? He was able to accept it, take it in, and process it. It also helps that he... well in hindsight pretty clearly saw the steps of this process laid out before him. Xehanort and Vanitas drawing out both him and Terra, deliberately leading Terra on, that growing darkness that had led to so much trouble... Terra's still his hero, but Ven's much less starry-eyed about him now. And, emotionally, more mature and ready to handle this.]

We'll get him back, Aqua. Terra's going to help us himself. [Just wait and see.]

[wavesinherheart]

[Aqua nods at the comment. It may be hard to truly believe that everything is going to work out well, but she isn't about to leave Terra in Xehanort's hands if she can help it.]

Right. Even if he doesn't know it yet.