KINGDOM HEARTS 3.6 Part XLIX: Seven of the Intermission-Part 2:
As Roxas is seen elsewhere, meanwhile, in another World entirely...are seen the trio of Ventus, Terra and Aqua themselves.
The three have undergone slight changes in order to make up on their missing decade of life:
Ventus is seen in a similar appearance to that of Roxas but both with his hairstyle parted the opposite end and spotting a Lighter blonde coloured hue in comparison to Roxas' Darker blonde. He wears a jacket fully based on Roxas' original appearance but still sporting motifs of The Land of Departure's symbol upon the jacket, along with his Keyblade Armour activation piece still present from his last outfit. He now wears a green coloured headband in order to both signify his growth as an individual and show his new differing tastes in certain things.
Terra is seen with a completely new appearance and colour scheme, spotting jet black colours overall compared to the brown colours used before. His outfit is meant to be seen as a combination of Young Eraqus and Young Xehanort's clothing during their time as Keyblade apprentices so very long ago. Still sporting his Keyblade Armour activation piece but now on both arms instead of one, also wearing a pair of crimson coloured fingerless gloves. He is seen with a small X shaped scar upon his left cheek and wears a red coloured bandana in order to just like Ventus both signify his growth as an individual and show his new differing tastes in certain things. (The bandana is a reference of the design not used in Kingdom Hearts Coded) Finally, Terra is again also seen with both black and white coloured strands at the tips of his hair, to symbolise Master Eraqus and Master Xehanort's respective influences upon the young man.
Again finally for Aqua, in recognition of being the only Keyblade Master among the trio, she has taken over Eraqus' position as the new Master and overseer of The Land of Departure. Like Kairi she has grown out her hair but unlike the former, she does not wear a ponytail. Like Master Eraqus and Terra before her, Aqua adopts elements of a Samurai appearance into her own. She wears long Light blue coloured, sea patterned flowing arm sleeves and a navy coloured Hakama. She no longer sports her Keyblade Armour activation piece and also wears a white coloured ribbon upon her head in order to just like Ventus and Terra both signify her growth as an individual and show her new differing tastes in certain things. (The ribbon is a reference to another blue haired Character named Seishiro Tsugumi from the Manga and Anime series Nisekoi. I figured I would experiment a little with this design).
Together, Ventus, Terra and Aqua now overlook an all brand new "Keyblade Academy" at The Land of Departure, to recruit more potential Keyblade wielders in case of a major dire threat such as Master Xehanort's previously. They are just starting the academy and have yet to officially begin it's lifespan-Ventus and Terra are seen hanging up a sign by the giant front entrance with Aqua instructing them both how and where to hang it.
It is at night-time and the three friends are still busy with preparations. "...Ugh! come on Aqua! aren't we done already!?" says Ventus, calling out to Aqua, struggling to keep the sign steady. "Come on Ven, you should know better. When Aqua has her mind on something, she won't stop until she does it right." says Terra, also struggling to keep the sign steady but in comical fear of Aqua does not show it. Aqua however, recognises Terra's wavering and replies with a slightly annoyed expression "Hey, just what do you mean by that Terra?" says Aqua.
Terra is caught out by Aqua, just as Ventus loses strength in his arms, accidentally letting go of the sign and both he and Terra fall over towards the ground in a comical manner as a result. Aqua then pouts "Oh come on you guys! you want this Keyblade Academy to become a true ideal, don't you?" says Aqua. Ventus, regaining his footing replies "Oww...of course Aqua. We want to honour the Master's wishes just as much as you do." says Ventus, followed up by Terra saying the words "Ven's right. Even if we take our time about it, we WILL get it done Aqua, count on it." says Terra, forming a victory fist, declaring his intent to honour the both spirit and will of Master Eraqus.
"...Heh, I guess you're right." says Aqua, happy to see her friends eager and ready. Just then "Ah! look you guys! a shooting star!" says Ventus, noticing a nearby star. "Come on Aqua, Ven. We don't want to miss this." says Terra, getting up off the floor. "Right!" says both Ventus and Aqua in unison. Following their missing decade +, Ventus, Terra and Aqua have resolved not to miss a single star shower, wanting to make up for all of the time lost to them.
They head to their signature meeting place, watching the stars above in the sky fall down. "...It's still been so long...I can't believe we're able to watch the skies altogether again..." says Aqua, curling her arms around her legs. Ventus watches on with both of his arms laid back and Terra with one arm over one leg. "Yeah...it's been way too long..." says Ventus. Terra says in reply towards his friends "We faced the Darkness...and we came out on the other side. I am thankful and grateful...that I am able to be here with you two, after..." says Terra, gripping his hand back and forth, thinking about how he was once corrupted by the Darkness.
"Don't even go there Terra, I won't let you." says Aqua, facing Terra up close and personal. Terra is unable to look Aqua in the eye, to him it was because of how beautiful she appeared towards him. Aqua was wondering why Terra was looking away until Ventus speaks up "Terra...Aqua. It doesn't matter how much the Darkness has influenced us...I think we should all remember that we were able to benefit from something during our previous journey to fight it." says Ventus in a mature tone.
"Ven?" says Terra, a bit confused by what Ventus means. "What I mean is...it's true we can't wipe away the slate clean...but...it's because of the Darkness that we met all of our friends." says Ventus. Aqua is surprised by how grown up Ventus is acting but nevertheless agrees with him, replying with the words "Yeah...you're correct, Ven. I...hated being in the Realm of Darkness for all that time...but, I never lost hope. Not once and that? that was because of you, Terra and everyone else. You spurred me on, even when there were times I was close to losing myself." says Aqua, recalling her time as "Anti-Aqua".
"...I can't say that my experiences were of any pleasurable times..." says Terra, recalling Master Xehanort, himself as "Terra-Xehanort", "Ansem" the Seeker of Darkness and Xemnas. "But I won't deny that I was able to gain a new kind of strength from all that...a new strength...to protect all of my bonds and the two of you with." says Terra. His reply surprises Ventus whilst causing Aqua to blush, taking that meaning as another thing entirely. Suddenly, a meteor shower follows upon the lone shooting star afterwards.
"Wow!" says Ventus, looking with glee upon the falling stars themselves. "...Let's never be apart again, okay, you guys?" says Aqua, also looking towards the stars. Ventus and Terra agreeing with one after the other saying "Yeah..." and "Agreed..." respectively.
Half an hour later, upon the stars having faded away. Everyone returns to the castle but not before Ventus senses something afoot. He turns around, just wondering what it is. He couldn't tell exactly...but he could tell that it was something-something...sinister.
To be Continued.
