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[ There's a bit of static as a PORTAL is turned on, clearing up at the seconds go by, image showing a shock of blond hair. Once it seems that things are figured out and the screen is clear, two nearly identical blond boys appear in a familiar eerie white chamber, possibly looking worse for wear but alive and that's what should matter most, right
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She can't reply. Instead, all she does is place the PORTAL down in front of the mirror without even thinking about it so she can cover her face with both hands as the tears began to silently fall.
If she could... she would do whatever it took to save them both--anything to save them from Xehanort and Vanitas. It's just how she is. Then there is reality blaring in her face that it's impossible, even with all her time magic, to travel back and fix the wrongs she committed. All the lies to protect them, the words left unsaid.
How could she tell him when the truth was this painful? How could she even begin explaining? It's just all too much, even with the familiar burn of Rainstorm in her right hand in remembrance that she was still chosen of the Keyblade and nothing would change that. Even now, when her body is so very far away in a hostile Realm. They still saved her...]
Terra and Ven are all I have left. T-there's no way I-!
[-Was that a red-eyed Heartless that just rammed into her body's exploding barrier? Not like she noticed, but...]
...I can't lose them again.
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Though he can only say this because this is his only chance to live his life, the last chance. Because he knows that should he ever leave, there wouldn't be anything for him in his future. Still, that doesn't mean Aqua should wallow in her guilt too deeply and keep thinking of those "what ifs" and all other possibilities that could happen.
But when she suddenly places her PORTAL in front of somewhat familiar mirror, he can't help but watch, blue eyes widening at the images he's seeing.
This must be part of her story, the one that he doesn't know about, the reason why she had to do what she did. But just where is she? He doesn't recognize the location, it's hard to see after all, but he does recognize the figures that's surrounding her. He knows them all to well, having to fight them off more than once during his time within the Organization. Is this it then? The Realm of Darkness that he's heard but never seen? ]
Aqua... [ pause, he's still taking in the images he's seeing. ]
What-- what's happening to you? Why-?
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She will be talking to Ven soon, and there will be even more tears before forgiveness can happen, but there will be talks. Because just like the mirror shows...
This may be her last chance for a "normal" life for a long while, too.
The image of her continues fighting, alone in the darkness and showing just how much she's capable of on her own, even in the opposing element. Light and Barrier magic swirl around her just as easily as flame and ice like an intricate dance as she's literally fighting for her right to exist.]
...I took the fall for Terra. [That's what she saw, at least. Trying to pick herself up, and failing.] I saved his body from this nightmare, but fell because I didn't have the strength to get us both out.
[If only she had known just how much harm it would create...] This is why I can't return for Ven back home.
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[ Watching her fight, continuing to fight for her life in a place that reeks nothing of darkness, he can't imagine how hard it is for her. But hearing it from her, he guesses he can a little bit. The tone of her voice, the underlying emotions that are there, it's not hard to guess at all.
And maybe because of that, Roxas can forgive her for not being able to return for Ventus.
Because fighting the darkness in any form isn't easy. Didn't someone tell him before? The Heartless are especially attracted to those with a Keyblade and she obviously has one. That's why they're attacking her so relentlessly, tirelessly. He remembers the days of heart collecting, his main duty along with the other things the Organization told him to do. But again, he can only imagine what Aqua has to do when she's in the very center of Darkness itself. ]
I'm sorry. [ It's said quietly, almost too quietly and it'll be a wonder if she hears.
He can't take back the bout of anger he felt at her (and at Terra), but this is the least he can do. After spending days with Ventus and helping in picking up whatever pieces he could, it's probably still not enough and knowing that kind of hurts. But. Roxas knows that the only people who can keep his practical twin together is her and Terra. They've known him longer, after all, been through all the things he's seen and much more.
Besides, he's just a Nobody, incapable of emotions much less understanding them. Never mind the supposed "heart" he could have. Either way, he's still a Nobody, not meant to exist but is anyway. She'd be able to understand Ventus' emotions much better than he could. ]
I just- [ pause, then shaking his head again ] I just wish that it didn't have to be this way.
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[If Roxas wishes that things didn't turn out this way, then how does he think Aqua feels--let alone Terra and Ven, too? Three friends so closely woven together by fate and forcibly torn apart and sent to their individual hells. All she wanted was to be sure they were safe.
Yet her wish is what helped to tear them all at the seams.
If Heartless are attracted to the Keyblade, think about just how much more attracted to one whose heart shines with mostly light. It's really her hope that's keeping her body alive and fighting. Without it, she wouldn't have lasted so long--wouldn't still be continuing on no matter what surrounds her. She wouldn't smile, wouldn't have hopeful tears...
It didn't matter if she heard the apology or not, what counts is that it still hung in the silence that follows the two simple words and the following sentence. ...Nor does it matter what Roxas is. As far as she was concerned, he's still a person and their friend. Strange aura or not, she still cares for him as much as her other friends.]
I know. [She shakes her head, trying to pull it together for his sake.] -but there's nothing we can do to change it.
I just- I just hope my actions in the Dark make it easier for those still in the Light.
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It's kind of funny. Something like him worrying about other people, worrying about what sort of condition the worlds would be like if the darkness hadn't been maintained as it is. Worrying at all. But he's always been told that he's a special case, his birth not exactly a normal one either (which reminds to ask Sora about that) since he can wield a Keyblade. It should have been impossible for a person without a heart to do it and yet he can.
But he doesn't know much more, still doesn't remember much more than the small bits and pieces he's managed to uncover from within that room. And even then there isn't much. The Organization had been very good at keeping him in the dark about things, so good at pulling strings and he just playing along like the puppet they made him out to be. At least until he cut his own strings.
So, he can't give any sort of reassurance to Aqua, telling her that her efforts aren't for naught simply because he doesn't know.
That doesn't mean he's not going to try to get her to see the now, where she's really needed. ]
Look, I know that there isn't much you can do to change what's going to happen, but. That's not something that's going to happen here and now.
[ He's heard this speech from Axel so many times, still needs to hear it once in a while. ]
You're here, so why not live in it?
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Those words, though... With all the bad news she's gotten the past few weeks, she can't help but cling to that tiny spark of hope; they are true, after all. It's just been so long since she's been able to give an honest smile, she's almost forgot what it's like. Being the one in charge, cleaning up the messes her friends left behind, protecting those most important to her and failing for the most part... She's been dwelling on it, probably far too much lately.
At least she defied Xehanort's plans by not dying.]
...You're right. It's just strange, thinking back and then finding where I am now. [Suddenly, she feels so much older than eighteen.]
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[ He can only guess what she's feeling, probably much worse than what he's experiencing right now. But he can't do much more than this- offer what he knows or has heard from others because it seems like she needs it. Coming to this place is strange by itself, but learning that the city seems to warp timelines makes it even weirder.
But he knows she's strong and she has her friends to help her now, right? She's not alone anymore, not currently fighting in that darkness. If anything, this is a new start, just like him and Axel and Xion. A chance to live. ]
You don't need to keep thinking about it, but. You don't have to forget either.
[ Says him who always thinks about his past because he doesn't want to forget anymore than he has. ]
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Keep the light burning strong.
She can't do that if she's sitting around moping now, can she? 'Man, I'm a wreck...']
...and keep moving forward, even if the path ahead is unclear. [Oh, Roxas. Don't you dare forget even more or she will flick your forehead silly. Kind of kidding, but the sentiment remains.]
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[ His own path has been unclear for a long time, almost all of his existence, the only thing made clear for him are orders to collect hearts and that he's the only one (besides Xion) that could do it. "The Keyblade's chosen one." Everyone tells him that that's all he needed to worry about, never explaining, giving vague reasons that he didn't understand. Just focus on his task.
And in a seemingly instant, he loses everything he knows, questioning his existence and determined to get the answers that no one had been willing to give. Only to fall and told that he's not meant to exist at all, to return to Sora where he belongs- disappearing forever.
But a second chance, a time to live on. He's going take advantage of it, and since Aqua is here, she should too. Not by herself, but with Ventus and Terra and everybody else. ]
But you're not gonna be alone. Everyone's walking it with you. [ He'll need constant reminding of this too, to not forget that this is real and they're alive and that he's no longer alone. ]
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