IC: Ye big ol' plot-exposition post!

[hahahailtotheking]

[In this thread: The Kingdom Hearts cast cabin. The situation: Mickey Mouse and Aqua discussing what's been, and what is to come in their craaaazy lives. Of course, if anyone else wants to use this thread to have their characters duly informed, don't hesitate to tag in! The exposition-party is hereby open to all you little heart-kids!]

Comments

[adawningoath.livejournal.com]

There was one more world card - after I got out of the Destiny Islands copy, Ansem started acting up again... but that time, Mickey was there in person to help me.

He said - the card had found him, in the realm of darkness, and guided him to the castle. I still dunno why - at the time, I'd never been to that world. When I went into the card-world it created, it wasn't anyplace I recognized.

... But there was someone I recognized. Wanna take a guess who?

[amasteredoath.livejournal.com]

Master Xe--Ansem, Seeker of Darkness?

[adawningoath.livejournal.com]

Yyyyup. There was the usual spiel, submit to the darkness, blah blah blah, but the thing was...

His scent wasn't right either. I didn't know who he was... but he wasn't Ansem. I'd know Ansem's stink anywhere... and I wasn't smelling it on this guy.

Turned out, it was DiZ. He'd been disguising himself as Ansem at least part of the time I was coming up through the castle - prodding me along, so I'd fight. Fight the darkness, and fight Ansem.

[amasteredoath.livejournal.com]

You don't think he was trying to manipulate you too?

[adawningoath.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know he was. He's a jerk. But he wasn't my enemy. And he must've been friends with Mickey for some reason.

Anyway, he said he had a choice for me to make. That I was... special, balanced between light and darkness. He wanted me to go meet Naminé, learn more, and then choose.

[amasteredoath.livejournal.com]

*doesn't like the sound of that*

Choose what?

[adawningoath.livejournal.com]

He didn't tell me. I had to go meet Naminé first. So, I did.

[pauses for a moment, a melancholy look passing over his face. but he's still raw enough from talking about Destiny Islands - Aqua can hear about the Replica later.]

...As soon as I met her, I realized it wasn't the first time. She'd been the one who saved me, in the light. She smelled just the same.

And... Sora was there, too. The real Sora. He was asleep already - to get his memories back.

[amasteredoath.livejournal.com]

So, it wasn't Kairi? It was Naminé?

...right, because the Organization was trying to use him.

[adawningoath.livejournal.com]

Right. Although... you could say it was Kairi, in a way.

[he nods]

The choice I was supposed to make... was whether to let her use her powers to lock my memories if the darkness. Kinda like what she was doing to Sora's memories of what happened in the castle. If she did that, I'd forget all about Ansem... I'd be just the way I was before. And Ansem would be sealed away, never to control me again.

All I'd have to do would be to sleep, and trust in Naminé.

[amasteredoath.livejournal.com]

But you choose not to.

[adawningoath.livejournal.com]

The whole time... I'd been running from the darkness. The Organization, the Replica, even Ansem - they were all right when they said I was just running away. Sure, Naminé's plan might have worked, and it would've been nice not to have to worry anymore... But in the end, wasn't it - wasn't it still just running away?

If there's one thing I'd learned, it was that fearing the darkness is just another way of letting it control you. I was done running.

[amasteredoath.livejournal.com]

So rather than give yourself the opportunity to live with the light, you've chosen to accept your decision. Even if that meant you had to live with your darkness forever?

*not sure what to say about that, really*

[adawningoath.livejournal.com]

I didn't get rid of Ansem completely, even when I fought him in Castle Oblivion. He might not even be entirely gone now - but if he's there, it's such a faint trace that I can't tell.

The darkness in my heart is still there. But now it's my darkness. The darkness that showed me the way when I was lost, and gave me the power to help my friends.

It's a part of my heart... nestled side-by-side with my light.

[amasteredoath.livejournal.com]

*hmmm :|a*

[adawningoath.livejournal.com]

... so, that's what happened.

[amasteredoath.livejournal.com]

*stays quiet for a long while, thinking of the exact right words to say*

*she seems to have decided, and puts great weight to her next question:* Where do you think your path will take you?

[adawningoath.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping... it'll take me to the dawn.

[amasteredoath.livejournal.com]

*soft smile*

Alright.

[adawningoath.livejournal.com]

Y'know, I think... maybe I ought to thank you.

[amasteredoath.livejournal.com]

*wasn't expecting that!*

Thank me?

[adawningoath.livejournal.com]

[little laugh]

Well, I mean... I know all you did was make the place, but without what happened there... I dunno where I'd be.

So... thanks.

[amasteredoath.livejournal.com]

*laughs a little, reaching for your cheek* You've really grown a lot in these ten years.

I should thank you too. All of you. Everybody here has given me reason to hope.

[adawningoath.livejournal.com]

[--facetouching, wut. from someone who is not my girlfriend!!! ... it's okay though you're mom-y enough I can relax]

... If we have anything to say about it, you'll have more than just hope.

[amasteredoath.livejournal.com]

Speaking of the future, can I ask something of you Riku?

[adawningoath.livejournal.com]

Sure. What is it?