Chapter 10
Hey, look, the TLS boys are here! :)
Also, flackback will begin after this. A big one. A BRAIG one.
"What were you thinking, Braig?" Xehanort shouted, waving his hands. "You simply let Terra disappear along with the only other person who knows the truth! This will put our plan in peril! Your negligence never fails to astound me!"
"Are you done?"
Xehanort looked slightly taken aback at Xigbar's calmness, but nodded shortly.
"Good. Because I have a question, grandpa. What exactly is this master plan of yours? Because in the years we've been working together, I don't think you've ever fully enlightened me."
"I shall start a new Keyblade War, using Kingdom Hearts combined with my own power. In the ensuing war, I shall reshape the worlds, and rebalance light and darkness."
Xigbar's eye widened in shock and anger.
"A new Keyblade War? Are you insane, you old coot? Do you even understand what that means?"
"Of course I do. It will cause the great Kingdom Hearts to appear, and I can then bring about more darkness into the world, to balance this overabundance of li-"
"Bullshit! You wanna know what a new Keyblade war would really bring about? Death! People will die! And not just one or two- whole worlds will succumb to the darkness! That's thousands of people that'll be gone! And then where will your goddamn balance be?"
"You seen quite incensed, Braig. Is there something I should know?"
"Damn right there's something you should know! I know firsthand the disaster that the first Keyblade war caused! You know why? I was there! I saw people dying by the hundred! And you know what? It's not as cut-and-dry as you think it was! The light didn't just overwhelm the darkness- the darkness almost won! It almost got my world, that's for damn sure! I lost my wife and son to the darkness- I know full well how terrible that war was! I would never be part of another one!"
He stepped forwards suddenly and fisted Xehanort's collar in his hands. "I signed up to your goddamn plan because I genuinely thought I'd get a Keyblade out of it. I thought you'd give me the means and the power to protect what I cared about! So I could prevent what happened to my family from happening again! But all this time, I was working towards the opposite outcome! My new family, the people in the Garden- because of you, I made them suffer! You're gonna pay for that, you son of a bitch!"
Xehanort smirked. "Intriguing. You are from the time of the Keyblade war…I wonder how you've managed to stay alive for as long as you have." He quickly summoned his Keyblade and knocked Xigbar away. "I shall have to investigate further."
Xigbar summoned his Arrowguns. "As if, old man!"
*************
Terra watched in increasing anxiety as the three Nobodies approached him from where they stood near the door. They all looked angry, even the normally infinitely-patient Lexaeus.
"What have you done now, Xehanort?"
Terra winced when that name was used, but the three didn't notice or care.
"I could tolerate you putting that parasite on Saïx. I was willing to overlook your betrayal of us at Castle Oblivion, Xehanort. But this- this is too much! How dare you hurt Zexion? How dare you?"
"Vexen, listen to me, I-"
"The time for listening is over. At this point, you'll only give us excuses," Lexaeus rumbled.
Xaldin stepped forwards, calling his lance back into his hand. "What do you say to simply ending him here and now for his lies?"
Terra's face drained of color. "No- Xaldin, I- Would you please just hear me out? I can explain!"
Xaldin's face hardened. "We've allowed you to manipulate us far too long. No more, Xemnas."
Vexen nodded furiously. "Now, for them it may de different. But I was an Apprentice as well, a scientist alongside you! I was one who you used shamelessly- I allowed you to manipulate me into sending Master Ansem into the Darkness! And that is unforgivable!"
Terra shrank back from the advancing figures. "I'm sorry, I really am! But please, let me exp-"
Xaldin cut him off with a swift right to the face, sending him crashing into a dusty cabinet full of china, breaking tableware and stunning Terra.
Terra sat dazed for a moment until Xaldin picked him up by the collar, slamming him against the wall next to the cabinet.
"'Sorry' is no longer good enough, Xehanort," Xaldin growled in Terra's face. "I'm going to take as much hollow enjoyment as I can from ending you."
Terra was too dazed too reply. Xaldin hefted his lance once more, and prepared to let fly.
"Stop! Stop right now!"
The three men turned to look. Zexion was sitting up on the counter, looking about as furious as possible.
"Are you stupid? Did you even bother inspecting my condition before attacking him? I'm fine! It's merely a bruise! And what's more, he didn't do it!"
Vexen and Lexaeus had the grace to look sheepish, but Xaldin wasn't convinced.
"If he didn't, then who did? He was standing over you when we got here."
"Oh, you- he rescued me, idiot! He was making sure I was alright! For your information, Xigbar did this when he was trying to kill me!"
The three froze.
"Xigbar did what?" Vexen exclaimed. Xaldin looked livid.
Zexion got up off the counter. "Yes, Vexen. Xigbar tried to kill me. You heard right. He tried to kill me, and the man you just gave a concussion stopped him."
"But why?"
"I was on my way to tell you three when Xigbar caught me, actually. You see, when I spoke to 'Xemnas', he explained everything. It was quite fascinating, actually. And the man behind Xigbar didn't want us finding out. So, he ordered him to take care of it."
Lexaeus crossed his arms, deep in thought. "Everything? What does that mean, exactly, Zexion?"
"It means what it sounds like. He told me everything."
Vexen was the first to catch the meaning. "He remembers? Zexion, do you mean to tell me he's in possession of his memories?"
"I do. And since he's obviously in no shape to tell you," He shot a look in Xaldin's direction. "I see I'll have to do it."
"You see, the man we knew as Xehanort was, in actuality, the heart of one in the body of another. The body belonged to a young man named Terra, who is currently back in possession of it. The heart, and the dominant personality, was, of course, Xehanort. Both were Keybearers, though Xehanort was a master. Xehanort had plans to start anew a Keyblade War, and to use Kingdom Hearts to reshape the balance of darkness and light. But his body had grown too old. So he manipulated Terra, corrupted and used his heart, and when the time was right, claimed his body." He motioned at Terra's limp form, still pinned to the wall by a distracted Xaldin. "As far as Terra knows, after Xemnas's fall at the hands of Sora and Riku, Xehanort's consciousness reclaimed their intertwined hearts from the darkness and created his body once more- leaving Terra's freed consciousness in control of his empty shell."
Vexen gaped. "A…a Keybearer! You're certain?"
"Yes, Vexen. Do you remember when I was small, and the two of us met that young boy in the Garden, the one who appeared similar to Roxas?"
"Yes, of course- why?"
"He was a friend of Terra's. Now, I agree it seems improbable at first, but think for a moment. If that boy, Ventus, was connected to Sora- which is likely- would it not also stand to reason that Terra would be connected as well?"
"I believe you, Zexion. You have a way with sniffing out liars, and if you believe him, it is enough."
"Thank you, Lexaeus. Xigbar as good as confirmed the story, as well, so I see no reason to doubt."
"I have a question, Zexion. If Terra is a Keybearer, does he have his Keyblade? Roxas did, after all."
"No, he doesn't. He told me he's tried constantly, and it never comes. He's of the opinion it simply turned its back once he was consumed by Darkness, unlike Roxas, who was created out of a pure heart and therefore kept his Keyblade. I, however, think it's merely that he's not strong enough to call upon it yet, and it will come when he needs it."
"I see…" Vexen mused, then snapped at Xaldin. "Oh, do put him down."
Xaldin lowered Terra to the floor, then picked him up more gently and sat him on a nearby chair. By now he had recovered somewhat, and was nursing his bruised cheek.
"I apologize for my hastiness, Terra. Perhaps that beast rubbed off on me a bit more than I'd care to acknowledge."
Terra shook his head. "It's fine. I'll be alright." He glanced around at the three of them. "I'm sorry this happened to us. It's my fault for being so weak."
"Nonsense. All of us know firsthand how powerful the Darkness is, and how easily men fall under its sway. You have no reason to apologize. We are all equally guilty, and equally foolish," Vexen said matter-of-factly.
Terra managed a smile. "Yeah, I guess so…thanks, Vexen."
Xaldin cut in, impatiently."I'd like to know where the hell Xigbar is, so I can go beat him to powder for being even more of a fool than we are."
"Last I saw he was still in the Garden with Xehanort."
Zexion put in from behind them, "Though I suggest we leave them be. As it is, I do think Xigbar might just realize the error of his ways on his own."
Terra looked over to him, confused. "What do you mean, Zexion?"
"I saw Xigbar's memories when I created the illusion I used to attempt an escape. I should have known it wouldn't be pleasant judging by his reaction when I threatened to use my powers." He gingerly touched his face. "And if what I saw was the truth, Xigbar will have no more of Xehanort's plan once he becomes fully apprised."
"If what you saw is…come now, Zexion, don't leave us in the dark. What did you see?"