Part 71: Day 354: Truth

5 days left.

Music: Sacred Moon


It's time for another session of

Do we know where she is?
"It," not "she." Xion is just a Replica...a puppet.







Replica whatza?



The goal was to duplicate the Keyblade wielder's memories, and through them, his powers-thus making them our own. Vexen oversaw the project at Castle Oblivion. However, our efforts were severely derailed by his unexpected demise. And this particular Replica-the one we called Xion-came to form an identity of her own.
That caught us off guard. If anything like that happened before, no one at C.O. ever reported it.
Did they, Axel?



So basically everything in this game is partially Axel's fault. Even more than we initially thought.

Fortunately, the puppet has no means of dashing our plans now, even if she has learned to pull her own strings. Still, she knows our secrets. We need to shorten her leash... And perhaps tighten it.
You don't mean-
Axel.
Seeing as how she escaped on your watch, the onus is on you to capture her and return her here. I am willing to overlook any nicks or scratches. Just ensure she still functions on arrival.

Does Xemnas even know that Saix tried to trick Roxas and Xion to kill each other?

Why you would allow a deserter back under our roof... She should be eradicated.
"Deserter" is hardly the term for a broken specimen who wandered out from under the microscope.
Axel, you have your orders. Dismissed *teleports*
Bring her back? It's sheer madness... *teleports*
All this time, I've been talking to a puppet... Intense. *teleports*
So now we just sweep it all up? Heh... As if. *teleports*

Goodbye, Xigbar. You are one of the best part in this game.

If only the whispers at the top of the ladder carried to the bottom rung...
Axel.
Those orders were absolute.
...... *teleports*
Still here, Roxas? Proceed with your mission.
Xion is one of us.
A puppet, one of us? Don't be absurd. Count the seats. When have we ever been more than thirteen?



That still leaves the question of how they made those chairs in the first place, though.





You think?

You're not really gonna do what Xemnas says?
I have to, or else I'm not safe here either.
Well...could you at least try not to hurt her this time?
That's up to her. Roxas... Xion is dangerous.
Dangerous how?
Have you got all your strength back?
Not yet... How long have you known about her?
......
You knew al this time, and kept it from me?
...... *goes through the portal*

Great job explaining things, Axel



For our next mission, we'll have a special guest: Curaga!



Time for our final round of asking around.

Take this, Roxas. I hope it helps you play your role. (Obtained: Rune Tech ++)
I just hope luck sees fit to allow us both to carry on with our roles.

Goodbye, Luxord. You're so unmemorable you basically don't exist in the movie.



Goodbye, Demyx. And screw you for helping us the least



I'll supply the Adamantite. You find the Combo Tech+ on your own. Fetch the result here when you're done.



I don't know how useful this thing is. I never actually used it.

You've finished. This is your reward. Take it. (Obtained: Luck Tech)
Hmph... Things have taken a vexing turn of late.

Goodbye, Xaldin. Your relationship with Beast is one of the few reason this game exists.



Don't worry, we'll still see Saix later.



This is our final mission in Agrabah. The objective might look special, but it's actually just to go to the Lamp Chamber.

It's also the final briefing we're going to see in the story.

Music: A Day in Agrabah
Music: Arabian Dream






Potion.



Hi-Potion. Apparently Loudmouths also appear here, so we can get Gear Component D from here instead of the mission with Xion. There's much fewer of them here, though.

We're obviously not getting that badge right now.



Luck Tech. We actually have to kill all Heartless in this area. It's just this one Aerial Master and a few Scarlet Tangos, so it's no big deal.





Music: Vim and Vigor




Land Armor is just like the other armor Heartless.



It has the usual attacks, including the shockwave from Clay Armor.



Hi-Potion and Adamantite.



So, Curaga. It restores the HP of everyone inside the circle. Here's a few problems:
1. The restore area is very small
2. Unlike Cura, you can't use magic while it's active (this applies to all other magic too, so Cura is the exception here)
3. It's harder to synthesize than Cura

So, yeah. Don't use Curaga. I'm just showing it off for completion's sake.

Music: A Day in Agrabah
Music: Arabian Dream


What am I doing? Getting worked up over some device. Like I've got any clue what the Organization even uses it for... Everything's a mystery. They didn't even tell me about Xion. Hmph, the biggest mystery is me-the idiot who keeps doing everything he's told.



Ah, our final "Mission Complete".



There's an Invisible that appear after completing the mission. It has more HP than fucking Dustflier.

We defeat it, get the Shield Tech++ (which are extremely rare), and go back to the portal.



There's nothing there for me. How can I keep working for them if they're gonna leave me in the dark? What am I saying... This isn't about them, or Xion. It's about me. Whatever "me" is.



Have I got anything left? Any place I really belong?
Any friends...I still belong with?



*Roxas goes through the portal*

Video: Mickey and Riku-Ansem
Music: Strange Whispers


Oh, hi, Mickey. How nice of you to finally appear in day 354 out of 358.



Oh, there's a guy in front of Mickey. He removes his hood.



Hello, Kingdom Key D. How nice of you to appear for 15 seconds.



Hello, Ansem. Not sure what you're doing here, but hello nonetheless.







Especially considering that you're here for only 5 seconds.

Video stops here
Music: Riku




Gosh, have I been worried about you! Where've you been all this time?
Searching, for a way to conquer the darkness within me-while we wait for Sora to awaken.

More importantly, where have YOU been all this time? Mousing around with Minnie and Daisy?

For a second there, you looked just like...well, you know...
You don't have to worry. I'm getting the hang of keeping the darkness under control.
That's great to hear. But, you said that Sora hasn't woken up yet... Did something go wrong?
There's a reason the Organization has been quite since our battle at Castle Oblivion-and it's not because we weakened their numbers. What they did to Sora back there-the point wasn't just to take his memory apart. They went out of their way to make it hard to put back together.
Gosh, I guess that explains things.
It's almost like they're trying to buy some time...
Exactly. They want Sora's memories which means Namine isn't the only one picking up the pieces. And as long as they've got their hands on Sora's most precious memories-the ones of Kairi-I don't think Sora will recover.
Well, then you have to let me help! Maybe I could get the memories back!

Oh good, maybe Mickey could do more things to actually warrant his appearance in the box art...



Of course not.

Maybe you could do me a favor, though.
Sure. Just tell me what you need.
I have to face one of the Organization's members soon.
I might not survive the fight. And if I do, it might only be because I gave in to the darkness.
That means you're the only one who will be there for Sora, Donald, and Goofy-the only one who can guide them when they awaken.
Don't say that, Riku.
Promise me, Mickey. You have to be there for our friends.
Of course, Riku. I promise.

Notice how nowhere in the promise does it say to hide what happened to Riku. That means that the only reason Mickey doesn't tell Sora about Riku is because

Also, goodbye, Mickey. You only appear in this one scene, but you leave enough impact to.

Music: Crossing the Finish Line


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