It all comes Down to This (Chapters 107-end)

To any new readers who have come to the blog because you've started reading the fanfic now that it's labelled "Complete" or you've just stumbled across it... lemme direct you to the right-hand pane over there (desktop version) and scroll down to the appropriate sequence of chapters you're on.  I've got chapter numbers up too, so that should help.  Each post deals with a sequence of chapters, and there will be spoilers if you haven't read all in that set.  If you're on mobile, I think you should just be able to scroll down and click on the post you want.

Spoilers below if you haven't read this far.

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I'm clever and put 13 dots.  Anyway.

Well, time to talk about the final things about Zerith's wedding.  Like I'd planned to do two days ago before getting sidetracked.  Yup.

So I decided not to kill Xigbar.  I just... didn't want to do that to the sharpshooter.  It seemed weird, doing that, honestly.  I'd grown attached to Xigbar.  He's amusing.  And, honestly, he's got reasons to want to live.  Is he completely innocent, nope.  But he's just as glad as everyone else to be rid of Xehanort, so that's saying something.  He makes his weird amends by warning everyone at the wedding that Xehanort is coming, then after Xehanort's gone, he leaves as well.

Man though.. okay... I got like SUPER FIRED UP about wedding traditions on different Worlds and I was thinking about it for DAYS.  Way before I'd even written the sequence.  I was thinking about it nonstop and everyone I talked to about it was basically just like "magik, shut up."

The traditions of people being thrown in the ocean, who makes their own dresses, seeing the bride beforehand versus not seeing the bride beforehand, going out and doing stupid things the day beforehand, celebrating the last day as a single person traditions... all that stuff.

I really love the paopu fruit tradition though, and it seems so natural for Destiny Islands to have one like that.  And Kairi's just thinking the entire time Zack and Aerith are planning their wedding that... "They have to do this, well, they don't have to, but they should have the option... I'll just bring a fruit and it'll fit into the ceremony... WAIT THEY DON"T HAVE A SPOT FOR IT!"

That was fun to write.

I imagine that Destiny Islands has very informal weddings.  Like, weddings are just a big party to them.  Where as a place where Rinoa's from, they're more formal and traditional.  And then there's the fairytale weddings of Disney and the simple ones of Traverse Town and the varieties go on and on.  Yeah...

I can't remember why exactly I insisted on having a time skip... maybe just to show the passage of time.  Because I'd had this scene with Xion written forever showing the passage of time and I'd never been able to use it.  So, when I decided that Zerith was going to have a spring wedding, I just had everything else wrap up in the fall.  Then I could do a time skip and some recap and whatnot.

And then we've got the hints to Squinoa's wedding.  Which will happen.  I just probably won't write it, I'll be completely honest.  I haven't really come out and said this yet... but I'm going to be taking a break from fanfic for a while.  I have two or three other writing projects to work on and they all have the prospect of money.  I'll probably write drabbles and one-shots and post them of course, but I don't think I'll be taking on an epic again.  Squinoa's wedding totally happens in my canon, I just may not write it.  (Does that still make it canon?)

For anyone who's confused, Cid and Shera had a private marriage ceremony and left it at that.  Kind of like how you play Dirge of Cerberus and they're married and you're just like "okay" because Vincent doesn't ask too much about it because... well... Vincent.

I remember freaking out about who I was going to have be the justice/officiate of the wedding.  And then it was obvious.  None other than Mickey himself.  Because what says Kingdom Hearts more than Mickey officiating Zack Fair and Aerith Gainsborough's wedding? (While Sora and the gang are in the audience.)

Ah yes, then the real questions.  What about everyone else? Will they eventually get married?

Well, Cloud and Tifa aren't even dating.  They're still both trying to get used to living a life that doesn't involve Sephiroth.  They'll eventually get together I suppose.

Everyone else.. (with the exception of Terra, Aqua, Ven, and Axel) is all still in their late teens.  Marriage is several years off, despite what Destiny Islands thinks for Riku.  (They lead simple lives on the islands and are wholly unprepared to understand the EVERYTHING that the Keyblade Wielders do.)

So Riku and Sora can just joke about it.

HGHSGNGSGHSGDLKJSD:GLKH

The chairs for Angeal and Aerith's parents.

I remember reading something somewhere, a text post or something, about how at Aerith's wedding (if she were to have one) she'd put chairs up for the people who wouldn't be able to make it.  So that's how Angeal and her parents got chairs.

The dream that Aerith had, with Angeal and her mother wishing Aerith and Zack well... that was something I literally cooked up the day before I posted it.  It wasn't in the original draft or anything.  But then I thought of that idea and had to include it.  And I think it wraps everything up very nicely.  The whole last few chapters do.

So, this is Magik, signing off for now.  It's not goodbye forever.  But it's goodbye for now.

Thank you to everyone who supported this endeavor of mine! I'll post updates and probably give you a link to a blog for my (not fanfic) stuff.

More Plotting

So I left off yesterday after some reposting of an old conversation between me and rar.  I thought I might continue what I have of that for your guys' benefit.  Because, honestly, there's a lot of good stuff about how the whole idea for Zerith's wedding came up.  

Though, tbh, I almost wished I'd remembered this whole conversation when I wrote the chapter of Aerith's wedding day, because that first line there is beautiful! Then again, I do like it better where there's some week-before set-up, and the line wouldn't have flowed with all that leading into it.

magik: "it was in a church--Aerith's doing... Zack didn't care (would have married her on the moon for all he cared)" nice, simple... She'd probably settle for Yuffie, Tifa, and Rinoa for the bridesmaids.  Zack would have Cloud, Leon, and I'd think of a third person

rar: shoot since when were there THREE flies?? sorry i just, we had two and killed one but now there's two

magik: they do this thing called breeding. I'm channeling hades, apparently. 

rar: yeah but they're all big and have only been around for this afternoon??

magik: I"M NOT WRITING FOR HIM TOMORROW DARNIT< I"M WRITING CLOUD AND TIFA

rar: I'M SORRY

magik: and sephiroth

rar: THAT'S FRUSTRATING

magik: i need to get in a sephiroth mood

rar: write Hades anyway??? ??? just write it now. go back and do cloud later

magik: no, because then i either A) have to get into Mickey's head or B) have Aqua hover over his shoulder. the time for hades will come. he just needs to hush.

rar: okay, just trying to help

magik: but i need to deal heavily with mickey for that chapter

rar: riiight

FYI: This was the Hades' attack on Disney Castle sequence.  Just for anyone wondering.  I changed Donald/Daisy's wedding into Zerith's wedding very early on into Remnants.  But I am SO SO SO happy with that change.  

This here is some more plotting for the Cloud arc:

magik: hmm... do i want to throw Cloud into Agrabah?

rar: idk? you could

magik: thank you, Tifa, for that line

rar: what line? 

magik: "Cloud, we are wandering around in the desert, and for what?"

rar: stick 'em in Agrabah then

magik: because like, he'd park his bike, and then just start wandering aimlessly, though Tifa knows it's not aimless

rar: how'd they get back to the bike?? he should not lose track of it. just saying, that'd be bad

magik: Tifa can get herself right to it.

rar: goooood point

magik: Cloud just doesn't ask. Tifa's "job" is to go get the bike and save Cloud's butt.

rar: ha yeah 

Because that was before Tifa'd really revealed to anyone that she could form light corridors.  Not that it's a huge deal, but as a point of reference. 

And this upcoming bit was some plot arc that I'd intended on using for Sora.  It kind of made its way in, but not entirely.  

magik: spam you some feels about charrie development: because Sora... Sora's got a darkness problem. not huge, but it's there. because he no longer has so much light in his heart. yup, it's a thing. and while it's not a "problem"

rar: oh yeah, now that Ven's gone

magik: it's a problem in the fact that he has NO IDEA how he's supposed to take care of it, so he has to learn

rar: thaaaaaaaaaaaat's true

magik: and Riku and Kairi have to help him through it, once he admits he needs help. I think it's the only topic he and Kairi fight on, actually. And Kairi... Kairi's learning how to wield a Keyblade, and that's all find and dandy. but then there's Xion, and Xion's just amazing because she's a perf replica

rar: of course

magik: and kairi knows that xion and roxas technically wielded before her and it shouldn't matter, but it does. And Roxas, who just spent a year training and that's all he did. and Kairi's just like... "why can't I be that good?" and then there's Riku... 

rar: (they do have like a year on her tho. both of them. I GET KAIRI'S FEELS I'M JUST SAYING)

magik: shh... it shouldn't matter but it does to her, anyway... but then there's Riku who's kinda just quietly bettering himself

rar: that's Riku for you

magik: he's over most of his demons/skeletons. he's coping. except for when he's not. he and Namine get locked in this "you need to stop being so hard on yourself" thing, because they're both struggling with it. and idk about Roxas and Xion's development at the moment, outside of them wanting to become masters. it'll come to me

but then there's Axel, who gets a double-whammy of character development. first of all, because he's finally coping with everything that involved Isa/Saix, which is huge and major. then he thinks that it's weird that he's included in Sora's friends because, sometimes, he sees himself as the enemy, still. anyway, i'm sorry, did I saw two, i think I meant three... the third one involves Kuin but not in a romantic way, in a "i need to respect you" way, because that whole thing with Xehanort and she has to come to terms with that, and apologize, and realize that she can't do it alone. And Axel can respect her for that

Wow, that was a lot of character talk.  As you can see, a lot of that made it into the 115 chapter monstrosity that is Remnants.  Some of that didn't.  

I never really did deal with Sora's darkness problem.  It came up a bit.  Here and there.  But not overly so.  I think I'd wanted to include it because I knew that Ven was no longer in Sora's heart anymore, and Sora had less light to combat the darkness--plus, Nomura had hinted at stuff like that for KH3.  Well, it didn't make it in to the extent that I'd originally thought it would.  Sure, in my headcanon, he and Kairi probably do argue about it a bit.  I just never wrote it because it never really seemed to flow.  Sora's optimistic and happy, and he wants the best for everyone.  When he worries, it's not because he has darkness problems, it's because he's trying to figure out how he's going to kill four people--all of whom he's killed before and now he has to kill them again.  He's afraid of Xehanort getting one of them and it never once occurs to him that Xehanort'll come for him, too.  At least, not until Xehanort does do that.  

Meanwhile, Kairi's apprehensions about Roxas and Xion being amazing do show up, when it comes time for them to take their Mark exam.  But even that worry was lessened because Kairi is reminded that different people are good at different things.  

Riku and Namine do have this "you need to stop being so hard on yourself" for literally everything.  But, honestly, the best interactions between them are when they're dealing with the aftermath of her shattering Marluxia and her throwing Xehanort from her head.  Good, solid, conversations.

Roxas and Xion are quietly adorable on their way to becoming masters.

Ah yes, and Axel and Kuin.  I'll talk about that now.  Sometime during Betwixt/Between, I realized that trying to pair Axel with Kuin just wasn't going to work.  It might have worked in someone's vague crack-fic after AtP had BB never been written.  But Axel being who he is and Kuin being who she is meant that that two of them would never be a healthy relationship.  And I wasn't in the mood to write an unhealthy one.  So I turned them into rivals and acquaintances, who'd never pursue anything romantically.  It felt better that way.  

Also, it let me subtly ship Akurokushi.  One of my biggest OT3s as of late. My final chapter does contain a reference to that.  

I'll continue in another (and probably final) blog about wedding traditions. 

Tifa is Cloud’s light, you can’t tell me otherwise (Prequel ch 70)

Chapter

Tumbl

Okay, so I generally hate having to do separate chapters from different PoV’s, but I figured that this would benefit from it, so I backtracked a tad. 

This chapter starts out before Tifa even arrives in Hollow Bastion, but rather her showing up in Traverse Town and running into Leon.  I decided it was a good idea, as you can tell from my Tumbl. 

You can also tell from my Tumbl that Tifa and Leon were talking all over the place and I had a hard time keeping up.  *rolls eyes* I hate it (and love it) when characters do that.

I really love the dynamic between Leon and Tifa.  Leon just decides that day that he likes Tifa for whatever reason and he’s gonna help her.  And Tifa doesn’t complain.  It’s great, because this turns into a friendship where Tifa can look at Leon in the heat of battle, say “I need a lift” and he uses his gunblade to get her into the air.  I LOVE THEIR DYNAMIC.  Like, they’re a brotp.  End of story.

I also just made a crapton of references (radiant, shrouding dark cloud, and a SoKai reference, all for the win!)

by B-AGT on dA

Then a bit of duplication, except I abbreviated some stuff so it wasn’t a direct duplication. 

Then the end of that sequence, which was already set to be Sephiroth leaving, saying he’ll never be truly gone.  Then Tifa embraces Cloud and demands that he tell her what all has happened, but Cloud is too weak to respond at the moment.  Aerith decides that they should just go back to Traverse Town and deal with things there.

Well, that’s the plan anyway.  But I shan’t say more because spoilers.  Muahahaha.

Teaser Quotes:

“I mean, my teleportation spells sometimes have glitches, but I’m getting pretty good.”

“That’s highly effective.”

“Not my most favorite spell, but yes, effective.”

“Odds Leon managed to cook something?”

“Slim, but possible.”

“Daddy’s gotta take care of these Heartless!”

“Who are you?”
“Nobody in particular.”

Have I mentioned that I love the Piano Guys, seriously... check them out!

Cloud versus Everyone at Home (16)

Link to the chapter: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/9446325/16/What-s-all-Gone-on-Before

I didn't livetumbl for this one, sorry guys.

Anyway, so Cloud versus everyone at home.  It's one of the main reasons why he wants to leave in the first place.  He feels conflicted regarding Tifa's mother's death versus his father's death; he doesn't fit in, partially because he doesn't want to, but the rest because everyone finds him odd; there's a part of him that thinks about getting involved in SOLDIER, but Tifa's talked him out of that one by now; and the rest of him is just craving for adventure.

by *bloodlinev on dA

So he leaves.  He tells his work, his mom, and Tifa.  He and Tifa make promises to help each other in a bind.  The caveat behind that, however, is that one has to KNOW that the other is in a bind.  And, sorry you two, but your hearts just don't have the connection for that.  SoKai can pull it off... Rokushi might be able to pull it off.  Zerith can pull it off because Aerith is special.  But CloTi? just... *sigh*.

Anyway, but this picture is adorable! It's those moments on the water tower (wow, almost typed Clocktower... Days, much?) that I find so endearing.  They're so cute and young.

And, slight spoilers, they're not going to be that way when they next see each other.  I say only slight because something similar happens in FFVII.  Granted, in my canon, Cloud's not going to try and become SOLDIER and then accidentally become involved in one of Hojo's experiments to the point where he thinks he's Zack.  But Cloud's gonna have some stuff happen to him.  Sorry, ya'll.

I used a bit of a different writing style for this chapter, as you can tell by the dialogue.  I didn't use dialogue markers, hoping that it would be obvious who was talking.  It's easier to read through if you assume that Tifa always talks first (unless otherwise noted).  Because, admit it, Tifa does that.

Review Responses:

Archsage! you're back! *hugs* Thank you so much for your kind words and compliments! I'm glad you're enjoying it! It's a blast to write.  I hope I continue to inspire you!

KKBeckett, Yes, Cloud has left.  *sigh*  As for Tifa following him, you'll see :P  (Spoilers.)

This one's shameless self-promotion.  I made this video a couple of years ago for rar's fanfic otp, Namiku.  Yup.  Check her out if you haven't :P

http://www.fanfiction.net/u/2278897/rarmaster

She would tell you to start with Falling to Pieces, probably.

Ice Cream and Skateboards (67)

image from KH-Wiki.


So, I lost the first draft of this blog because I draft them up in notepad.  Then my computer froze and restarted.  Yup.  Lost it.  I also, thus, lost the notes for this chapter because I cut them and pasted them in here.  And what am I doing now? Drafting this up in notepad.  Yup.  Lesson not learned.  

I remember one of the notes was about Sora being ADD.  He just kept cycling through subjects so ridiculously fast.  Ridiculously.  (Note his conversation with Max.)  Anyway, but I just let it happen because that's who Sora is.  Ooh Shiny Sora.

Another one of the notes was about chips.  At the end when they get chicken and chips.  If I'm right, all of the people in the US assumed some sort of potato chips.  And all of the people in the UK (Cookie, I'm looking at you) you assumed something along the lines of fries.  Think what you will guys, I did that on purpose! *evil grin*

That's all I remember though.  And there's not too much to respond to in the way of reviews, except KKBeckett, I totally know how your friend feels.  *Has same problem with own boyfriend.*

Comparisons Between Couples

Well, something was nagging me in the back of my mind as I was putting together the Zack and Aerith post, so I figured I'd go ahead and do this now while I'm thinking about it.

You see 

and

have a lot in common.  

Cosplays are by Konoe-Lifestream and VandorWolf/twinfools respectively.  

Both have a history.  Sora and Kairi grew up together.  Aerith and Zack met when they were teenagers, but have since grown into a very happy-go-lucky couple like Sora and Kairi are.  And Sora and Kairi have only recently become a couple because Sora took his time getting it through his head that there are these things called GIRLS and... (i won't continue...)

Kairi's going to get more powerful magically.   And can't you just see Kairi as a healer? I mean... it's staring me right in the face.  I don't know about the rest of you.  

And Sora and Zack both have this habit of charging into things and Kairi and Aerith just sigh and follow and Cure them when things get ugly.

The couples have a lot in common.

Similarly,

and

have a lot in common.

Cosplays are by Eyes-0n-Me and KIPPER-love/QueenRachael respectively.  And if I thought finding cute pictures of Namine and Riku were hard... finding cute cosplays is harder.  

Anywho.  These two have so much alike in their fighting styles.  They're histories have a bit in common as well, I suppose.  Neither couple grew up together.  They were more or less thrown together under a set of circumstances and ended up falling for each other somewhere in the process.  Rinoa's homeland was threatened and she needed mercenaries and she found Leon.  Riku and Namine were both responsible for bringing Sora back.  

Leon and Riku are both the type of fighter... not to really charge into things... but to assess the situation, go in, and cream everything else.  Is there really anything else to say in that regard?

Rinoa and Namine don't really get INTO the battle.  They stay off to the side.  I mean, yes, Rinoa will get into a battle if she has to, she has her blaster-edge (and if I haven't said it before, I'll say it again, I wouldn't put it past her to steal one of Leon's old gunblades and use that as well).  Namine has been known to use pencils as weapons when she gets in close.  I'm probably going to get her a knife in the future.  Or Riku will get her a knife... But, when Rinoa and Namine aren't in the middle of things, they're off to the side, casting magic or shattering memories and looking out for everyone else.  (Mainly Leon and Riku...)

Again, there's quite the amount of similarities.

By that logic, you would assume that...

was like

right?

Cosplays by Adellexe/Aiiki and MiciaGlo on deviantArt, respectively.

Well, I suppose.  Sort of.  It would help if Cloud and Tifa were actually a couple.  Because, they're not.  Not yet, anyway.  And I have no idea when that's going to happen, because Cloud's too busy dealing with his darkness to understand anything about relationships.  But Tifa's waiting for him.  Aside from that, I mean, there are still similarities.  Both couples grew up together.  Cloud grew up with Tifa.  Roxas and Xion... well, they kinda grew up together.  Even though they were "born" at the ripe old age of 14 or so.  They were both certainly friends first.  So, there are some similarities.

Xion and Tifa are both horribly stubborn.  They want what's best for others first, before thinking about what's best for themselves.  Tifa would follow (and has followed) Cloud to the edges of the universe and Xion would do the exact same thing for Roxas.  They are both 'in-your-face' fighters.  They don't like taking 'no' for an answer.  They also won't take crap from anyone.  And they'll both beat you up if they don't particularly like the looks of you.

Cloud and Roxas... well, they both have spiky blonde hair.  They can both be moody.  Though... it's hard to call Roxas moody, really.  He's gotten considerably better now that he has a heart.  Though, maybe Cloud will be better once he's dealt with his Sephiroth problem.  He wasn't always a moody kid.  Both boys are certainly strong fighters with powerful swords.  Both certainly care about their friends and will go to great lengths to protect them.  

So the similarities are more than you'd originally think.

And, well, that's all I really have to say.  

SoKai

Art is property of zunifuun on deviantArt.

Personally, I wanted to have something of my own, but I lack SoKai art and am also not in the mood to draw any... *shrug*

Anywho, I wanted to do a post conparing/contrasting all the couples in my fic in an attempt to figure out maybe who was the strongest.

Then I realized that that idea was stupid.  Each couple has their own strengths and weaknesses and it's pointless to pick one that's stronger than any others.

I wanted a picture of Sora and Kairi fighting enemies, however, those pictures are lacking.  If any of you comes across a good one, leave me a link, I'd be happy to see it.  

Anywho, Sora and Kairi (in my fic at least) have the benefit of both being Keyblade Wielders.  Sora's a Master by now.  Sora's a very hack-and-slash fighter (though he knows how to USE magic, typically doing well in the magics ranking in the -aras and -agas.)  Kairi's becoming a hack-and-slash mostly because Sora's the person training her and everyone else around her is more hack-and-slash like anything else.  However, Kairi will be getting lessons from Aerith and Rinoa both on how to more properly use magic, and strong Light magic at that.  

Kairi is the key to Sora's Valor Form.  Not the strongest form, but still, any Drive Form is a boost of power and energy.  He gains double the speed, though loses the ability to perform magic, despite Kairi's high magic propensity.  Sora's strength is highly boosted and all that jazz... (I'll probably go into more depth on this if I ever do a post devoted to just Sora and his Drive Forms).  

Sora and Kairi do have another combo, called Fated Faith.  A primitive version of this combo was seen in All the Pieces, when they were fighting... oh, I think it was the Dragoon.  It's where they link hands and shoot out light attacks.  (Essentially, Faith.)  As they train more, this attack will grow stronger and stronger.  ESPECIALLY after Kairi learns how to use Holy, not just Faith or Pearl.  

Perhaps one of their strongest strengths is the fact that Sora and Kairi have known each other for over a decade.  They know how the other one thinks and behaves and can orient themselves around the other for an almost telepathic-like relationship.  (Not that they are ACTUALLY telepathic.  Sora and Kairi do not possess this ability.)  

Art property of annria2002 on deviantArt

However, the closeness that they have created between each other also becomes their biggest weakness.  It has already been proven that Sora would do ANYTHING, no matter how stupid, for Kairi.  If the roles were reversed, the opposite would most likely prove to be true.  (I say 'most likely' only because Kairi is less impulsive than Sora and might take a few moments to think things through.  However, if Sora were in immediate danger, those few moments would probably go out the window.)  

Kairi's single biggest weakness is actually her inexperience compared to everyone else.  She's the one who spent all of KH1 with a sleeping heart (or whatever you want to call it.)  Then she spent a year on Destiny Islands not doing anything.  Yes, she DID fight a little in KH2, but not a whole lot.  Kairi hasn't had the experience that Sora or anyone else has.  She will get better, but it will take time; just like it took Sora time to get better.  

Also, one of Kairi's weaknesses is the fact that she is a Princess of Heart.  Yes, being a Princess of Heart means that she contains special powers.  However, it also means that she is a target for those seeking to open the door of Kingdom Hearts.  

Sora does not have a weakness of darkness overpowering his heart.  (Sorry for a random transition, but I swear it makes sense in my head... Kairi's heart is pure light....) Yes, Sora does have darkness, but it should not become a problem.  Sora's heart is not in any danger.  Sora's naivety and trusting nature is probably more of a danger to him than darkness overtaking his heart.  Besides, Kairi's his light, and that alone will keep the darkness from overtaking him because he's not going anywhere far without her.  

EDIT: Well, Sora’s got a few darkness issues going on with his heart… but… like… I wouldn’t necessarily call them a WEAKNESS or anything…

I think that's all I have to say.  SoKai is definitely a force to be reckoned with.  Especially when you account for the fact that they are out to protect each other.  (Not that other things don't matter... but still...)

To sum up SoKai's relationship:

Artwork property of annria2002

(I actually reccomend you check out her gallery, it's really good.  So is tenchufreak's.)  

Oh, and three guesses on who took THAT picture.

The Girlfriends

This is a little something I wrote up MONTHS ago.  This is what happens when you let the characters in my head sit down and have tea. 

William, Kat, Alice and Tristan belong to me.  (They were featured in the Magical Meeting chapters!) Everyone else belongs to Squeenix. 

So, cue William, Tristan, Cloud, Zack, Sora, Riku and Leon sitting down and having tea.  (I'm not sure why Roxas wasn't in this conversation... he just wasn't... sorry Roxas...) Then they all start bragging.  Guess what they're bragging about? Their girlfriends.  Yup. 

Tristan: "My girlfriend (Alice) can take people out with her shoes."

Cloud: "My girlfriend can take on a man twice her size with her bare hands."

Riku: "My girlfriend can take down enemies from the inside out."

William: "My girlfriend (Kat) can wrap you up in a ball of your own emotions.  And she can control the elements."

Sora: "My girlfriend's a princess, and she can fight."

Leon: "My girlfriend's an angel."

Zack: "My girlfriend's a goddess."

Yup. So, Zack... wins? Sure... idk... as I was reading this to rar.. she was all like... "Yeah! Sora's won... Kairi's a princess! Oh, okay, yeah, Rinoa wins..." And then I mentioned Aerith... yeah....

Not that I'm saying this is canon... though, I mean, it's all true.  Alice has knocked people unconscious with her shoes, Tifa's... Tifa... Namine can do her thing with the memories, Kat has, on ONE occasion, wrapped someone up in a ball of his own anger and then left him there.  Kairi's a princess, Rinoa is, for all intents and purposes of this conversation, an angel, and Aerith's a Cetra... which is basically a goddess.

So... yeah...

OHMYGOSH.  Link.  With Zelda being the Goddess Hylia in Skyward Sword and all.  Link ties Zack.  Woohoo!  (Not that I’ve ever written for Link before… but *shrug* I just thought of it because I’ve been having Skyward Sword feels lately—the soundtrack will do that to you)

On the Couples and their Darkness Levels

There are a TON of different pairings/couples in my KHverse.  What's amusing is the differing levels of darkness within any individual couple.  And, I'm posting about it because it's interesting.

First, the obvious one, Sora and Kairi.  Both have incredible amounts of light in their hearts.  Kairi contains no darkness whatsoever.  Sora has a little bit more darkness now that Ven is gone, but he's completely in-check when it comes to his darkness.  There is a SMALL possibility that I may play with Sora's darkness growing, but I mean, if I went too horribly far with it I might as well just be writing rar's story, so I'm not going there.  This is why their combo is called Fated Faith and is completely light-based. 

The next one in high lightness is Zack and Aerith.  Aerith has only the TINIEST bit of darkness inside of her.  Zack's is under control and not causing problems for him.  They don't have any epic combos together, but I mean, both of them are pretty darn powerful.  (Zack isn't the strongest magically, especially compared to Aerith, but he's all for the brute-force hack-and-slash.)  The reason why they don’t particularly have any combos together is BECAUSE they have such different fighting styles. Aerith is mostly magic with a little bit of melee, Zack is all melee with magic when he has to.

Anyway, Next comes Roxas and Xion.  Roxas has got a lot of light, but nothing when put up against people like Aerith and Kairi.  Xion's a replica with her heart built pretty neutral in light versus darkness.  She was originally put together like that by a Nobody who couldn't know the workings of a heart if he tried.  Her next design took on that essence to keep Xion's personality intact.  They can bust out light-attacks pretty quickly though, like Event Horizon and Call of Light.  

The one in perfect neutral balance is Squall and Rinoa though.  Well, they're at least in the middle of all the couples.  Though Rinoa has to maintain complete neutrality because of her Sorceress Status and Squall has to uphold her to that.  They can bust out both light and dark combos (holy vs meteor etc.) with no negative effects.  They are a force to be reckoned with.  I mean, come on, chain-casting Angel Wing and a Lionhearted Renzokuken on the side? You're dead if you're on the receiving end of that.  (Ultima Weapon, anyone? I could probably kill Omega with that too if I went and tried.  (It's on my list of things to do.)  That’s how I did it.  (Well, actually, I think with Ultima, I had Angel Wing going and then he killed Rinoa and I had a Limit lined up for Squall and I just got LUCKY and got Lionheart.))

Then, it's honestly a question of who's dealing with least darkness: Riku, Terra, or Cloud?

Riku's surprisingly dealing with the least.  Even though you could argue that Tifa has more light than Namine, Cloud CERTAINLY is dealing with more darkness than Riku to make up for it.  Riku will still have problems with his darkness.  He tries to keep it in check, but there are times when the power gets the better of him and he starts to slip.  Namine does her best to keep him in check and he's grateful for it.   Namine, on the other hand, it quite light.  She was formed from Kairi's heart which is pure light.  The only thing that can contain darkness is the data that was built into her to make up for her Nobody status.  In no way is Namine innocent and darkness free.  However, she's in check with herself--just a tad guilty and mopey sometimes.  Regardless of their (Riku and Namine’s) darkness levels, they're still ridiculously powerful.  I mean, just look at their Limit Decompression! And, I’m working on getting them a combo too.  (It’s coming up in a chapter that I haven’t written yet, but I’m in the sequence at least!)

Next comes, well, probably Terra and Aqua. Yes, I'm shipping them.  Or, I intend to.  They're not anywhere near a couple yet.  But, I figure they will be eventually.  I like Tequa better than Venqua.  They're closer in age.  Granted, this is a couple I haven't particularly explored all that much.  Terra's dealing with darkness moreso than Riku however, considering he was possessed by Xehanort for way longer than Riku was.  Aqua's pretty neutral and in check and she'll do her best to keep Terra in check.

Cloud and Tifa are at the bottom.  Cloud's got way more darkness to deal with, considering his is a physical manifestation of it.  Yay.  Once Sephiroth is gone, things'll probably change, but, Sephiroth has to die first.  And that's gonna be a while.  Tifa is a very bright person and is just what Cloud needs to help him.  However, he needs to learn to listen a bit more.

So, where do Axel and Kuin fit on this? Well... heheh... probably right after Squall and Rinoa now that I'm looking at it.  Kuin fights for the side of light, but in no way does that make her heart completely pure.  She's a flexor like Rinoa, as explored in the Magical Meeting chapter.  Axel is... well... heheh... far from completely light.  He's got his own darkness to deal with, though it's more in check than Riku's but less in check than Leon’s. 

And... yeah... that's the couples and darkness levels.

I realized something about the couples...

All the pictures contained herein are from one of the KH Mangas.  The SoKai picture I believe is from one of the Reverse/Rebirth chapters of the CoM Manga (rar, correct me if I'm wrong).  The Namiku Picture IS from the CoM Manga and the Rokushi picture is from the Days Manga.  (I did edit out some white space in between them though.)

I was writing something the other day and I couldn't help but notice the differences between all the different pairings that I write for my fics.

My SoKai is almost like a relief to everyone (myself included) that Sora FINALLY got it through his head that he can, in fact, tell Kairi that he does like her.  Kairi knew from (at the very least, the beginning of my fic, if not before—probably before.) that she liked Sora.  However, she just chose not to say anything to him for fear of him not returning the affection/not wanting to be the first to say anything.  Therefore, now that they are together, they're like, the perfect happy couple.  They obviously love each other, they'll tease each other, they don't excessively make out with each other in public; instead, they'll hold each other's hands, they'll watch out for each other, he'll bring her over for dinner, she'll bring him over for dinner.  Riku and Roxas will tease the heck out of them.  They're cute, they're happy.  Both of them are Keyblade wielders and both are very powerful (well, Kairi's getting there) and will eventually make a very kick*** team.  They’re the ones that you see dancing at the school dance completely oblivious to the world around them for one song, then laughing with all their friends the next.  Sometimes, it’s a little awkward to be around them because you’ll feel like a third wheel, other times, it’s not.  It’s like, just happy-making (to use a Westerfeld term) to see them be around each other.  (At least, when you’re not just face-palming how oblivious they can be sometimes)

 

Namiku is special.  Namiku has always been special. Rarmaster and I talk all the time on how you can never underestimate the power of the Namiku (or, for short, just them (accompanied by a little hand-flick to generalize where they are)).  When I write one of them in a scene, it’s fine.  Like, for instance, Namine will be having a completely rational conversation in her head and then Riku shows up and, all of a sudden, her thoughts just go pshew! and they’re only half-coherent.  Riku’s pretty much the same way.  They’ll make contact with each other in a scene and they’re thoughts will just go exploding into fluff and I have to yell at them to focus.  Namiku is like, a bi-polar couple.  They’ll be incredibly fluffy one minute, then really down-to-earth the next.  Both of them are too smart (and too powerful) for their own good.  They bicker, too.  Yet, they’re not an unstable couple.  They’re honest and upfront with each other.  They’re not afraid to tell the other what’s on their mind.  They have yet to actually kiss, but when that scene comes, well, yeah… *ignores their fluffiness* They protect each other very effectively.  They’re also the ones where if something happens to one, the other’s gonna go on a murderous rampage.  Yeah, that’s Namiku.  And I feel like this paragraph isn’t doing them justice…

Compared to the other two pairings, Rokushi is very quiet and subdued.  Like, I’ll be writing and Namiku will make it very obvious that they are a THEM.  SoKai does the same thing, just in different ways.  (Though, Namiku seems to want to make it more obvious than it actually is.  Go figure.)  Rokushi, on the other hand, is just simply, quieter.  Like, if you were to look at them, you’d just guess that they were really good friends.  But, yet, they share many moments together in private.  Both of them are very private people I suppose.  They’re also the most competitive of the pairings.  They’re the two that you will see sparring to better themselves one day, and to compete with each other to see who is better the next.  Both are very efficient on their enemy destruction. Then, looking deeper, you realize just how much Roxas cares for Xion and vice versa.  He will quietly come up behind her and put his arms around her and tell her how beautiful she looks.  She’ll come up to him and slide her hand into his and then they’ll stay like that for several minutes before they realize that there’s something else to be done.  THEY are the couple that you’ll never feel like a third wheel around.  (Though Axel begs to differ).  There is less tension between them now that all the feelings are out in the open.  Because of all the stuff that they have done for each other already, they are quite the unstoppable force.  

Character Corner: Sora

Name: Sora

Age: 16

Weapon: A vast array of Keyblades.  Currently he uses Oathkeeper as his main one.  Though other Keyblaes like two Become One, Oblivion, Bond of Flame, Wayward Wind and Lost Memory have been seen recently.  **During Drive Forms, Sora takes on not only his own Keyblade, but the Keyblade of the other Wielder.  Wisdom form is natrually exempt because Namine does not wield.

Quote: "There's something about you that I just don't like.  And my hunches have hardly been wrong before.  Maybe it’s because I know I’ve fought you before because that’s what Kairi said.  Maybe it’s because, somewhere, deep down inside of me, I remember exactly who you are and I don’t like you.  Or maybe it’s because I don’t like seeing Namine scared like that.  Whatever way it ends up being, I don’t think we’re leaving without a fight."


The Light-Hearted Keyblade Master.

Sora is still as light-hearted and easy-going as he always was.  He has a habit of throwing himself head-first into any problem presented to him.  He is always willing to help a friend, even if he just made the friend five minutes ago.  That hasn't changed about him, even since becoming a Keyblade Master.  

His best friend is Riku.  Though the two boys have competed since they first met each other, they are quite close and would do anything for the other.  His other close friends include Donald, Goofy, King Mickey, Namine, Xion, Axel, and his other persona: Roxas.  Roxas and Sora separated shortly before the Battle of Castle Oblivion where Xehanort was defeated.  This happened right after Ven was released from Sora's heart and right before Xion was recreated.  After the Battle of Castle Oblivion, Sora's heart was quite empty compared to the hearts it once contained.  

Though Roxas is his other persona, easily noted by the fact that the two boys have no qualms about poking fun at each other, it is not Roxas that Sora is closest with in heart.  That person is Kairi.  Sora largely ignored his feelings for Kairi, writing them off as nothing more than just caring for a friend.  That is, until she was thrown off a cliff by a Xehanort replica and Sora dived after her without a second thought. despite having no idea how he is going to save her.  Both of them are ultimately saved by a well-placed dark corridor formed by Axel and Sora then promptly shoves six Keyblades through the Xehanort Replica's gut.  Sora and Kairi have been boyfriend and girlfriend since the Battle of Castle Oblivion, where Sora almost off-handedly asked Kairi if she would during a giant Dragoon battle.  It was also after that fateful battle that the two of them shared their first kiss, which led to silent applause and relief from all of their friends.  It is no secret that Sora would do anything for Kairi to keep her safe.  

Generally speaking, Sora cares about all of his friends and would bend over backwards to keep them safe.  

Sora's heart still has quite a lot of light in it, though he has begun to notice as of late that there is darkness creeping inside.  Currently, Kairi and Roxas are the only two who are aware of his problem, but both of them are quite determined to keep him from falling into darkness.  The only reason why Sora has yet to tell Riku is because he is afraid of what Riku will say.  But given Sora's history of such a light heart, even a bit of darkness creeping in cannot stop him from fully utilizing light attacks.  

Character Corner: Kairi

For the moment, I'm just using shots from the game.  I'm not too thrilled with my artwork of them anymore (especially since they've changed in my head since the end of AtP).  I will probably (when I have time) re-render them.  I was thinking about doing it digitally.  Anyway...

Name: Kairi

Age: 16

Weapon: Before her Destati: Oathkeeper.  After her Destati: Destiny's Embrace.

Quote: "Remember how I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up? Ever? How I always gave the lame answer of a teacher or a nurse because I just never knew? Well, the Worlds have given me a job, and I don’t need to go to school to do it."

The Princess with a Keyblade.

Kairi grew up quite a bit since Destiny Islands first fell into darkness.  Upon Sora and Riku leaving to take their Mark of Mastery Exam, Kairi insisted on going with, not wanting to be left behind any longer.  Granted, until she had her own Destati, she had to borrow Sora's Oathkeeper in order to fight, but that didn't slow her down.  She also learned magic and combos and spent quite a lot of time trying to catch up to Sora and Riku in their abilities.  All the while, she did not mention to anyone her feelings for Sora.  She knew that she liked him, but didn't want to be the one to make the first move.  Unbeknownst to Kairi, she is the reason why Sora fights.  

While this is all going on on the outside, Kairi also has quite a bit going on on the inside.  Inside her own head and heart, she held conversations with her other persona: Namine.  Namine is possibly more determined than even Kairi, and sometimes, Namine can be seen through Kairi.  The two of them are almost like sisters, and are described as being so to Kairi's adoptive parents.  It is actually because Namine was inside of Kairi's heart that Kairi could not summon a Keyblade.  However, Kairi did not realize this, and Namine only hazarded a guess about it.

After Kairi and Namine are separated, Kairi experiences her Dive into the Heart at the first large Heartless she comes in contact with.  After her Dive, she can weild and summon a Keyblade of her own: Destiny's Embrace.

Kairi can utilize attacks purely made from light due to her Princess of Heart status.  This will eventually translate to her becoming a good "white mage" and healer.  She has minor healing abilities, more than even she knows about.  She does not know the extent of her magical abilities, but she is certainly making an effort to learn all of her abilities.  Currently, she is honing in on her Light Attacks and Holy magic and everyone is giving her an excuse to practice.  

In regards to her and Sora's relationship, one of the most crucial moments was during the battle with the last Xehanort Replica, where Kairi was shoved off a cliff.  Sora jumped off after her and almost told her his feelings for her.  However, she silenced him, telling him that she already knew.  It wasn't until after both Kairi and Namine and Sora and Roxas are separated that Sora and Kairi confirmed their feelings for each other.  During the final battle with Xehanort, Sora asked Kairi to become his girlfriend in the middle of a battle with some Nobodies.  After that final battle, they are prompted by their friends to kiss.  When they do, everyone silently applauds. 

Now Sora is Kairi's trainer for Keyblades.  Sora even trains her in magic, but accepts that sometimes, she needs to go seek the help of people like Aerith and Rinoa, who are professed mages, not hack-and-slash fighters.  However, though he may be her trainer, he is her boyfriend first, and she does not hesitate to remind him of that.

Kairi is still very much a Princess of Heart.  Now she just also has the ability to wield and has the focus to hone in on her magical abilities.  She is quite the promising fighter.