SPOILER WARNING, Aqua/The Seven Lights Discussion

[SuperstarSaga08]

Since Aqua is now a seeker of darkness, does that mean what Mickey said in DDD is now irrelevant about his three friends being Guardians of Light. I mean Ventus is still unknown, but if he falls (Which I'm guessing he will), Who are the three that will take their place.

 

[Alja]

I mean... she isn't. It's not proof she is. She could be

a) a seeker of Darkness
b) just succumbed to the Darkness (this is questionable but would explain her change of wardrobe) but is not associated with Xehanort
c) some kind of Phantom Aqua that either took form again and runs around the RoD or the materialized guilt Mickey and Riku have for leaving Aqua behind and not coming for her sooner.

So by no means is she confirmed as a Seeker of Darkness just yet. It's basically the same as the "Sora has green eyes" discussion. Could be, but it's definitely not confirmed yet.

 

[Sephiroth0812]

I mean... she isn't. It's not proof she is. She could be

a) a seeker of Darkness
b) just succumbed to the Darkness (this is questionable but would explain her change of wardrobe) but is not associated with Xehanort
c) some kind of Phantom Aqua that either took form again and runs around the RoD or the materialized guilt Mickey and Riku have for leaving Aqua behind and not coming for her sooner.

So by no means is she confirmed as a Seeker of Darkness just yet. It's basically the same as the "Sora has green eyes" discussion. Could be, but it's definitely not confirmed yet.

Exactly, we know neither the actual circumstances nor the context yet so stating it as if it is fact is just jumping to conclusions.

And to be honest, I'm kind of sick of the BBS characters being treated as complete doormats and just playthings for Xehanort, so I certainly do hope it turns out to be either not the actual Aqua or if it is the real deal it is only a short interlude.

 

[ROKU-SHI]

I think it could be Phantom Aqua from 0.2 playing tricks. She said the the Rod is full of hallucinations so idk.

If she really is possessed, and if Ventus doesn’t make it to be a guardian, likely three would be Roxas, Xion and Namine.

 

[Michael Mario]

There is a certain irony to this situation: if Aqua was the one Master Xehanort was referring as belonging to him in response to Mickey's list of potential Guardians of Light near the end of DDD, that would imply that Terra isn't one of the Seekers of Darkness. The one guy no one- not even myself- thought would be saved before the final battle might be the only one of the BBS trio who'll be a Guardian of Light from the get-go... Unless they prevent Ventus from being Norted by "Quaxa" by arriving at the nick of time or something.

It's... actually kind of fitting in a way. Terra as the Lingering Will promised Aqua and Ventus at the end of his episode in BBS that he'd set things right. If "Quaxa" is real and Terra is free, he'll get to live up to that promise.

 

[Sephiroth0812]

There is a certain irony to this situation: if Aqua was the one Master Xehanort was referring as belonging to him in response to Mickey's list of potential Guardians of Light near the end of DDD, that would imply that Terra isn't one of the Seekers of Darkness. The one guy no one- not even myself- thought would be saved before the final battle might be the only one of the BBS trio who'll be a Guardian of Light from the get-go... Unless they prevent Ventus from being Norted by "Quaxa" by arriving at the nick of time or something.

It's still possible that while his heart might have been freed Terra's body is still under Xehanort's control.

Ventus would actually be in a similar situation since as long as his heart doesn't get extracted from within Sora (and we know from DDD and the trailer with Vanitas that Ven's heart is now awake and active) the only thing Xehanort could get his hands on is Ven's body.

That would however not be a "norted Ventus", just Xehanort commandeering the body alone because the actual Ventus, his essence, is with his heart and that is (so far) still safe within Sora.

Speaking of DDD though, the last scene shows Ventus' body smiling from his heart feeling Sora's happiness with the Dream Eater spirits despite the heart itself not being present in the body.
If Ventus can somehow remote control his body there might be a sort of surprise in store for Xehanort, even if Ven's heart only uses the "remote" to spy on Xehanort and his goons through the eyes of his body acting as a vessel.

 

[Michael Mario]

It's still possible that while his heart might have been freed Terra's body is still under Xehanort's control.

Ventus would actually be in a similar situation since as long as his heart doesn't get extracted from within Sora (and we know from DDD and the trailer with Vanitas that Ven's heart is now awake and active) the only thing Xehanort could get his hands on is Ven's body.

That would however not be a "norted Ventus", just Xehanort commandeering the body alone because the actual Ventus, his essence, is with his heart and that is (so far) still safe within Sora.

Speaking of DDD though, the last scene shows Ventus' body smiling from his heart feeling Sora's happiness with the Dream Eater spirits despite the heart itself not being present in the body.
If Ventus can somehow remote control his body there might be a sort of surprise in store for Xehanort, even if Ven's heart only uses the "remote" to spy on Xehanort and his goons through the eyes of his body acting as a vessel.

True; that is a possibility and what I was pretty sure happened before this revelation. Master Xehanort did come back in his own body, though, so it all depends on whether it was Terra or Aqua he was referring to.

Also true; although saying that Ventus might be Norted was more poor wording on my part. The idea of Ventus being able to spy on Xehanort through his empty body should the worst-case scenario come to pass is an interesting one I hadn't thought about... To be perfectly honest, I'd rather Ventus's empty body not get possessed by a shard of Xehanort's heart, but if Aqua is a Seeker of Darkness, that is a real possibility. I said that it would be ironic if Terra was the one saved before the final battle, but it would be even moreso if Ventus was as well since Aqua was presumed to be the relatively easy one.

 

[Sephiroth0812]

True; that is a possibility and what I was pretty sure happened before this revelation. Master Xehanort did come back in his own body, though, so it all depends on whether it was Terra or Aqua he was referring to.

Also true; although saying that Ventus might be Norted was more poor wording on my part. The idea of Ventus being able to spy on Xehanort through his empty body should the worst-case scenario come to pass is an interesting one I hadn't thought about... To be perfectly honest, I'd rather Ventus's empty body not get possessed by a shard of Xehanort's heart, but if Aqua is a Seeker of Darkness, that is a real possibility. I said that it would be ironic if Terra was the one saved before the final battle, but it would be even moreso if Ventus was as well since Aqua was presumed to be the relatively easy one.

Indeed, because his own body is where Xehanort's heart naturally belongs.
I also wouldn't put too much weight in Xehanort's ramblings as he likes to troll and mislead people.

Blank Points is still canon as far as we know and therefore Aqua was still normal without any Nortitis when she met Ansem the Wise on the Dark Margin, which takes place after KH II ergo during Re: Coded.
This means that IF Aqua is actually possessed by Xehanort (and to such a strong degree already) it has to happen in the time period between/during Re: Coded and Dream Drop Distance.


Hah, you can believe me that I don't want Xehanort to get his dirty abusive hands on Ventus' body either, yet if this "Nortqua" is the real thing and Aqua didn't manage to seal her memories away before Xehanort's influence took hold, he may have now indirect access to the Chamber of Waking through her.

Fact is the chamber cannot be accessed without Aqua, so Sora and the others cannot reunite Ven's heart and body/soul on their own.
If Aqua's truly possessed by Xehanort they also cannot take her anywhere with them as Xehanort could spy on them through Aqua's eyes the entire time, just like Young Xehanort explained in DDD that Ansem SoD witnessed events through Riku's eyes during his possession of him.

In order for them to keep Ventus' body safe continuously, they would need to take out Nortqua somehow and work on neutralizing the Xehanort piece within her.

Due to my belief that Xehanort cannot really be decisively defeated as long as his spread out heart fragments still remain where they are, the good guys need to find a way to expel Xehanort pieces from within vessels anyways so maybe Nortqua will be used as an example case for it.

---

I'm not even too sure if the "fated clash" between the 7 vs 13 is actually the true final battle, as in it might be only the opening round and in the actual final battle we will still get all the good guys united on the same side against Xehanort instead of being forced to fight for him.

 

[Smithee]

Exactly, we know neither the actual circumstances nor the context yet so stating it as if it is fact is just jumping to conclusions.

And to be honest, I'm kind of sick of the BBS characters being treated as complete doormats and just playthings for Xehanort, so I certainly do hope it turns out to be either not the actual Aqua or if it is the real deal it is only a short interlude.

Yeah, I'm still clinging to all that for now.

 

[Zettaflare]

So according to the Orchestra trailerMickey and Riku apparently return back to Yen Sid's tower empty handed That might have been the actual Aqua.

 

[~Kairi~]

Yeah, I'm still clinging to all that for now.

I am holding on to that for now too.

As much as I love when stories take unexpected turns, I have to say this is one I really do not want.
The Wayfinder Trio have been through enough, especially Aqua. Give them a break.

 

[KeybladeGuy]

So according to the Orchestra trailerMickey and Riku apparently return back to Yen Sid's tower empty handed That might have been the actual Aqua.

Please... please no... don't let that be the case... ;n;

 

[Smithee]

It is the Realm Of Trollness -- I mean, Darkness -- after all.

Illusions practically grow on trees there.

 

[Michael Mario]

Indeed, because his own body is where Xehanort's heart naturally belongs.
I also wouldn't put too much weight in Xehanort's ramblings as he likes to troll and mislead people.

Blank Points is still canon as far as we know and therefore Aqua was still normal without any Nortitis when she met Ansem the Wise on the Dark Margin, which takes place after KH II ergo during Re: Coded.
This means that IF Aqua is actually possessed by Xehanort (and to such a strong degree already) it has to happen in the time period between/during Re: Coded and Dream Drop Distance.


Hah, you can believe me that I don't want Xehanort to get his dirty abusive hands on Ventus' body either, yet if this "Nortqua" is the real thing and Aqua didn't manage to seal her memories away before Xehanort's influence took hold, he may have now indirect access to the Chamber of Waking through her.

Fact is the chamber cannot be accessed without Aqua, so Sora and the others cannot reunite Ven's heart and body/soul on their own.
If Aqua's truly possessed by Xehanort they also cannot take her anywhere with them as Xehanort could spy on them through Aqua's eyes the entire time, just like Young Xehanort explained in DDD that Ansem SoD witnessed events through Riku's eyes during his possession of him.

In order for them to keep Ventus' body safe continuously, they would need to take out Nortqua somehow and work on neutralizing the Xehanort piece within her.

Due to my belief that Xehanort cannot really be decisively defeated as long as his spread out heart fragments still remain where they are, the good guys need to find a way to expel Xehanort pieces from within vessels anyways so maybe Nortqua will be used as an example case for it.

---

I'm not even too sure if the "fated clash" between the 7 vs 13 is actually the true final battle, as in it might be only the opening round and in the actual final battle we will still get all the good guys united on the same side against Xehanort instead of being forced to fight for him.

The timeline of Aqua's corruption is definitely confusing. Between Re:coded and 3D is really quick for her to have become a Xehanort vessel, and unless it was just symbolic, Aqua was also shown in 3D's secret ending to be okay. I don't think Xehanort was lying when he said he had another of Mickey's lights as his vessel, but you're right in that he might be using exact words for trolling purposes.

It is possible that, while having Aqua as one of his vessels opens the path to the Chamber of Waking, Xehanort can't make a proper vessel of Ventus until he's awakened. That might explain why Vanitas was aggressively demanding Sora to give Ventus's heart to him (provided he wasn't acting on his own)… Although, that's assuming that Aqua was already a vessel by 3D: if she's new, then Xehanort has all of his 13 Seekers of Darkness and Ventus is only good as a backup.

Even if expelling all of the pieces of Xehanort's heart from his vessels isn't necessary to defeat him, it's likely that the good guys under his thrall at least will be liberated from his influence. "Quaxa" would be a good example for sure.

Yeah, the clash between the Guardians of Light and the Seekers of Darkness is probably just the first phase of the final clash. My personal theory for KHIII's ending is that Xehanort does succeed in getting the final prophecy fulfilled and even gets his hands on Kingdom Hearts... But, for all of his contingency plans and gambits that let him get around whatever setbacks our heroes caused him in the past, his arrogance leads to him disregarding factors that could potentially undermine his efforts as being irrelevant (mostly friendship and bond stuff he'd consider tools) that allow him to be defeated in spite of everything. All of the heroes being able to participate in the subsequent phases of the final battle in some way is likely to be a part of that.

Please... please no... don't let that be the case... ;n;

Well, the good news is that since Sora is still in his KHII outfit in that scene in the trailer, Riku and Mickey probably haven't left for the Realm of Darkness yet. Doesn't really answer anything as to whether "Quaxa" is real or not, but at least we don't know for sure whether Riku and Mickey will return empty-handed.

 

[KeybladeLordSora]

So according to the Orchestra trailerMickey and Riku apparently return back to Yen Sid's tower empty handed That might have been the actual Aqua.

They return empty handed and Mickey's smiling.

I'm scared of the mouse.

 

[Alja]

They return empty handed and Mickey's smiling.

I'm scared of the mouse.

To be honest, it looks more like Riku and Mickey escorted Kairi to Radiant Garden, got dressed and got back to Yen Sid to meet Sora who either just arrived (thus making it play in between 0.2 before Sora leaves for Olympus Coliseum) or returned from Olympus Coliseum to get his new clothes.

I can't believe that a) Mickey would be smiling and b) that they'd find her, fight her AND return so quickly.

 

[sdr27]

Can't Sora use the Master's Keeper if someone guides him through CO and get ven that way? Why does Aqua have to get Ven exactly?

 

[Alja]

Can't Sora use the Master's Keeper if someone guides him through CO and get ven that way? Why does Aqua have to get Ven exactly?

Because she is the only one able to guide him. It's her maze and she is the only person in the worlds able to walk that maze. I assume that the room doesn't show itself for anyone besides her (Axel searched Castle Oblivion up and down and found nothing).

 

[KeyToDestiny]

To be honest, it looks more like Riku and Mickey escorted Kairi to Radiant Garden, got dressed and got back to Yen Sid to meet Sora who either just arrived (thus making it play in between 0.2 before Sora leaves for Olympus Coliseum) or returned from Olympus Coliseum to get his new clothes.

That makes absolutely no sense.

 

[Sephiroth0812]

That makes absolutely no sense.

It makes more sense than Mickey grinning like he just won the jackpot in the lottery despite Riku and him returning from getting their asses handed to them by a Xehanort-empowered Aqua.

One has to remember that Mickey, feeling guilty about not being able to save the TAV trio from their grim fates already in BBS itself, was about to hand Yen Sid the Star Seeker Keyblade in the BBS credits and quit being a Keyblade Wielder altogether.

In DDD Mickey too expresses again his regret at not being able to save Aqua, Terra and Ventus, getting increasingly upset when Xehanort proceeds to add insult to injury and openly mock his victims to his face,

If he really has to witness now the suffering going even deeper by Aqua ending up in Xehanort's grasp (and likely dooming Ventus by proxy as well) he would certainly not march into Yen Sid's tower with a big smile plastered over his visage.