Out of all the complex time travel plot details in KH3D, there's only one I can't seem to wrap my head around: whether Master Xehanort, Xigbar and Saix came from the past or the present.
Every KH Wiki article on the matter says that MX, Xigbar and Saix simply retreated somewhere else while the rest returned to their time periods. Now, I wouldn't have such a hard time believing that was the case if it weren't for this one key detail: the way they phased out of the room was identical to all the other Xehanorts from the past, Young Xehanort in particular, who we know returned to his time period. The main reason for this doubt is the fact that MX himself said, "We are out of time. Neither the union of light nor darkness has been achieved, and we must all return whence we came." See how he referred to himself and his 12 selves this way. That doesn't sound like he said "My past selves must return to their proper places in time while the rest of us just skedaddle" to me.
I suppose the secret ending to the Re:coded HD cutscenes should have clarified the issue once and for all: Braig and Isa were restored to human form, then left with YX to fight Sora and co. But for me, it also raises this question: isn't it possible for their past selves (Xigbar and Saix) to show up in KH3D while their present selves (Braig and Isa) are out running around somewhere else offscreen? Perhaps YX sent their minds back in time to their Nobodies' bodies, just like Sora and Riku did in this game; I don't see any other reason for YX to be there otherwise.
Another line that probably should've tipped me off that these are their present selves was MX's line, "My twelve selves would welcome me here on this day, when I would return a complete person." But there's been quite a bit of debate over how MX would appear in KH3 in light of his Japanese and English VAs' passing. I have this theory that the MX we see wasn't confirming himself to be his restored form, but rather his past self trying to throw the heroes off from finding his true restored form: Terra-Xehanort. It'd be bad for him if they had enough Keyblade wielders to screw up whatever would happen after the X-blade was made, hence why he's targeting the Princesses of Heart.
Now that I think about it, I don't remember what the Ultimania had to say on this matter. Is that where people got the confirmation that MX, Xigbar and Saix are from the present, leaving me to wrack my brain overanalyzing what should be a cut-and-dry solution? Or am I seeing something others aren't? If I can get a solid, definitive answer, then whether I'm right or wrong, I will be eternally grateful.
Every KH Wiki article on the matter says that MX, Xigbar and Saix simply retreated somewhere else while the rest returned to their time periods. Now, I wouldn't have such a hard time believing that was the case if it weren't for this one key detail: the way they phased out of the room was identical to all the other Xehanorts from the past, Young Xehanort in particular, who we know returned to his time period. The main reason for this doubt is the fact that MX himself said, "We are out of time. Neither the union of light nor darkness has been achieved, and we must all return whence we came." See how he referred to himself and his 12 selves this way. That doesn't sound like he said "My past selves must return to their proper places in time while the rest of us just skedaddle" to me.
I suppose the secret ending to the Re:coded HD cutscenes should have clarified the issue once and for all: Braig and Isa were restored to human form, then left with YX to fight Sora and co. But for me, it also raises this question: isn't it possible for their past selves (Xigbar and Saix) to show up in KH3D while their present selves (Braig and Isa) are out running around somewhere else offscreen? Perhaps YX sent their minds back in time to their Nobodies' bodies, just like Sora and Riku did in this game; I don't see any other reason for YX to be there otherwise.
Another line that probably should've tipped me off that these are their present selves was MX's line, "My twelve selves would welcome me here on this day, when I would return a complete person." But there's been quite a bit of debate over how MX would appear in KH3 in light of his Japanese and English VAs' passing. I have this theory that the MX we see wasn't confirming himself to be his restored form, but rather his past self trying to throw the heroes off from finding his true restored form: Terra-Xehanort. It'd be bad for him if they had enough Keyblade wielders to screw up whatever would happen after the X-blade was made, hence why he's targeting the Princesses of Heart.
Now that I think about it, I don't remember what the Ultimania had to say on this matter. Is that where people got the confirmation that MX, Xigbar and Saix are from the present, leaving me to wrack my brain overanalyzing what should be a cut-and-dry solution? Or am I seeing something others aren't? If I can get a solid, definitive answer, then whether I'm right or wrong, I will be eternally grateful.