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[It's a video. Terra's somewhere outside of HospiTown by the forest in the background; it's late but not so late where he can't be easily seen. He looks like he hasn't been sleeping well, but otherwise alert.]

Hey there. I don't know most of you and most of you don't know me, so ... I'm Terra. I've been told in some detail we're here to save this place, and I intend to get to it.

['Now', apparently.]

Minervamon said she'd be leaving more detailed information later on, but for now I know we need to find Titamon and find the ARCloner as some first steps. It's a lot better than nothing to work with at all, but this world's a lot larger--

[A lot larger than most worlds he's been to. He can't say that, and continues after a moment of thought.]

--Than I expected. There's a lot of ground to cover. So I'm hoping to find some people willing to do some traveling. ...A lot of traveling actually. And willing to share what they find when they're traveling with everyone else. If anyone out there's got experience with uh, scouting, reconnaissance, that sort of thing, and willing to help, I'd like to hear from you.

[It's pretty clear Terra's not used to doing this sort of thing, it's all pretty awkwardly stated, with a bit of fidgeting here and there too, but he manages to stay pretty calm. This was a thing he was sure would help. Now if he could find enough people willing to help..]

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You wouldn't be dead weight, Terra. You've been on other worlds and know what you're specifically looking for.

[ ah duh? experienced with exploration. they can never have enough of that...

but Sora looks to Vixie with the suggestion. she nods, indicating that she could stay, if that is what it takes. Sora doesn't mind and neither does Ryu... but it doesn't matter if the four of them don't mind. what matters is... ]

If Terra agrees to it, Dorumon. It's all up to him.

[That draws a genuinely amused sounding chuckle.]

I already said even I don't know what I'm looking for. Except for the resources bit, and anyone can do that. Food, water, shelter. Places that look like they might hold a lot of people, or places good to train at. Noteworthy things that might be useful later, or things that look out of place. That sort of stuff.

[Things any sharp-eyed person should be watching for, in a new world. Terra had heard fine that Sora had no teacher, but it didn't sink in exactly how much was absent from his education.]

If you're only doing a fly out from here to where Starmon is and back, then that's not too far or too much for you, is it?

[Maybe it was. Maybe they were insisting because Sora needed more than two digimon to keep an eye on him.

... No. Terra couldn't keep an eye on the people he cared about most, he'd be terrible for keeping an eye on people he barely knew.]

... I don't really think I need a keeper but if it'll make you feel better, it's alright. I'll .. I don't know, feed her dinner or something.

[What do you do with other people's digimon? What did Vixie even eat? Mostly he just had a lot of bread and meat.]

It'll make me feel better.

[ what do you need resources for when you just make friends with the people that are already there? not to mention that he can manage. mostly. Sora shakes his head, a little amused himself. at least Terra actually laughed. a little. that counts for something. ]

It's not too much. I think part of it is just... It's hard to bond with your partner if you're not near them. And, again, without that bond? Might as well kiss evolving and being able to do much of anything goodbye.

[ which means there are things that can be done. work arounds. but this is the easiest by far. ah well... ]

But if you two are okay with it, we're okay too.

[Because even your friends have to eat, out in the middle of the wilderness.]

If they've been watching us since we were born, then Dorumon's been away from me for nineteen years. Another couple of hours won't cripple his development, I promise.

[It might not be kind to Dorumon, but Terra has yet to really see much of a bond beyond necessity. That might change in time, but nothing can force it.. even if his digimon fervently wished otherwise.

It was important to get stronger, as soon as possible, and Dorumon knew it. Without enough strength, they'd never protect what matters..]

Having faith in someone else is important too. I trust him to do this. And I trust you to bring him back safely to me afterwards. Don't worry. Have a little fun with it.

[It's a small consolation to Dorumon, but any is better than none.]

Um, where are you anyway? We're a little bit outside of HospiTown, but not too far.

We're still in town... Just give us like five minutes and we'll catch up.

[ still... they guess that this much is better than nothing. ]

[There's a slow glance around.]

Well, I guess we'll wait here then.

[At least finding them won't be too difficult. They didn't get too far and he'd located a small clearing to begin with, which was ..apparently earlier being put to use for SOMETHING given how much the ground's been dug up and scraped around.

Still, Dorumon and Terra wait as they said they would, one far more fidgety than the other. The digimon didn't like the idea of being seperated. But maybe it was about trust. He could trust Vixie to keep Terra safe, or at least chase him into town, if something happened..]

[ not too long at all. Sora and Vixie are on dragonback, circling the sky within a few minutes. it's not hard to spot Terra and Dorumon. Ryu gradually descends, but Vixie has a few knots in her stomach.

she is confident in her abilities, make no mistake. the Renamon has a plethora of attacks and techniques to choose from. Ryu, who has another level of evolution on her, will not allow anything to happen to Sora. so there is no danger there either. what bothers her is how Terra may react to what she has to say... if he presses for that at all.

but all of that can wait. as she slides off, helping Sora down in the process, HE is just grinning and waving. ]

That's gotta be a record.

[The two on the ground are definitely alert, as Ryu and his passengers are watched nearly as soon as they're even in view, nevermind heard. Dorumon's senses are sharper, but it doesn't take Terra long either.]

... I really hope when I digivolve I can fly.

[It's a touch wistful, as Dorumon fans his tiny wings as wide as they'll get. There's no lift at all.]

If not, we'll find some other way to let you fly, don't worry.

[Everyone has dreams. He straightens up as they land however, studying Sora and his partners with thoughtful interest. He had the last time too, but this time is more to think about.]

Hey. That was definitely faster than it took us to get out here.

He's even bigger when he goes Ultimate.

[ Sora looks up at Ginryumon and grins. the dragon has enough sense to smirk and let it show. he then brings his claws up to give Dorumon a ruffle. ]

For all we know, you could have bigger wings in your next stage. Why, Kotemon went from having none at all to having huge ones as her Champion form.

Flying shaves so much time off of everything. Really, it does.

You can go that far, huh?

[Good to know. They haven't even tried for a digivolution yet; when it happened it happened. But Ultimate was definitely a step up from what Dorumon was even thinking of. It's hard not to edge away from those huge claws, but it seems the now much smaller digimon is certain he won't be hurt. Not on purpose.]

I hope so! I like the ground just fine, but I'd like to be able to fly somehow! ...And also maybe see what's at the bottom of the sea. ... But I don't think I'll be able to do both, and Terra wouldn't be able to come to the bottom of the sea ... ..I'll stick with flying!

[Dorumon is going to take this opportunity to give Ryu a thorough looking over. He's fairly certain he'll never be a ginryumon himself, but how many chances is he going to get to really see one without having to probably fight??]

Yeah. I miss having my glider. You really don't realize how useful a keyblade is til you can't use it anymore. ...So hey, you want us to stay here to find us again easier, or back in town?

[It's going to be a little odd having Sora's partner around instead, but ... well, it's no different than swapping friends for a bit.]

Don't say that, Dorumon. There is always the possibility that you might achieve both, even if your partner can't join you.

[ the digital world has seen weirder. for now though, Ryu leans down a little, to make it easier for his new passenger to get on. Sora is just likely to take the tail route as per usual. the sliding is only for a bit of fun. ]

I dunno. Sure it's useful and I'm glad to have it over not, but I'm sure you'll manage. [ Sora sticks out a tongue. ] Go wherever you want. Vixie can show you how you can tell us where you are.

[ Vixie nods, confirming this. like putting a dot on a map! ]

If he can't come, instead of just not wanting to, then I don't want to. It's not the same if you can't share it.

[It seems just that simple to Dorumon, but then again there's a whole lot of digimon that attached to their Chosen. ..Well at least one of the two had a good idea of how this is supposed to work.

He doesn't take the easiest route available; he has claws! He knows how to use them! And very carefully, treating Ryu as if he were a particularly delicate mountain to conquer.]

Hey! I have been managing. But I wouldn't be stuck on the ground if it wasn't encumbered. We'd already be flying around, and I'd be able to carry Dorumon, instead of eventually the other way around.

[..At least Terra's put some thought into bringing his partner with him! Small victories, small victories.

The idea of being able to track them is interesting, though. He's going to have to figure that out.]

Huh. Okay.

[ Ryu chuckles, swinging his tail around to push Dorumon up. Sora grins and joins not much later, taking his rightful spot on the digimon's back. the comment about carrying Dorumon has Sora smiling softly. ]

Just teasing you, Terra. You're already doing a lot better than some people.

[But not as good as others. He knew it. Which might be why he doesn't say much to that, just a brief bow of the head. There's always room for improvement. Always more rope to hang oneself with.]

Well, we'll see you in a bit then. Be careful.

[Dorumon's careful to find some small niche in Ryu's armor to work claws into and hold on; he didn't think he'd fall off, but it's better to be sure!]

We'll be back soon! And I'll tell you if we see a meat bush!

[ and Sora gives a little wave as Ryu leaps into the air. ]

You be careful too! Both of you!

[ he might want Terra to be okay... but Vixie is an important person to him too. Sora and Ryu both don't want anything to happen to her, not that they think anything will.

all the while, the third partner smiles and raises a paw to bid them farewell. ]

There is no such thing as a meat bush. He knows that, right?

[Dorumon's never been flying before! So it's certain even if Terra's not there this is going to be really neat. Not as neat as it could be but still fun! He lets go just enough to mirror Sora's wave as best he can manage.

Terra just watches, bemused.]

He insists they're real. Fruit bushes, berry bushes, meat bushes. I've seen stranger. Maybe they are out there somewhere. I just don't tell him that, it gives him something to insist on.

[In other words, Terra was obstinate just to be obstinate.]

Vixie, right? Did he pick that out for you, or did you pick it yourself?

Like fruit in the shape of stars?

[ she can't help but smile at that. perhaps these bushes do exist somewhere. just not here... not that she's seen. ]

We picked it out together. When I was brought to him, I wanted a name. Sora threw out a whole list of them and I picked the one I liked best.

Compared to meat growing on a bush, a star shaped fruit isn't that weird is it? What made that fruit odd was what people say it can do. Who knows if it's really true though.

[He'd seen them, not so long ago. There hadn't been the time to put the legend to the test, and he almost regretted it. When would he be able to return there? Ever?]

I guess that's a good way to do it. Dorumon doesn't seem interested. Might as well sit down, they could be gone a while. It's quiet here, as far as I can tell.

[Terra's not standing on ceremony, it seems, content to settle between clumps of torn earth and reach for one of the hard metal spheres Dorumon had earlier produced and spat out. It's bounced thoughtfully in one hand. Like a small cannonball, really.]

We're not there, are we.

[He sounds thoughtful.]

I don't think it's necessarily the fruit, but the heart that makes destinies intertwine...

[ but that's just her thoughts and her observations from watching Sora as she has. Vixie joins Terra in sitting down, acknowledging that they are going to talk. she takes a deep breath. time to see how this plays out. ]

Yes and no. For the last ten years or so, no one really knows for sure where you three are. Aqua and yourself are somewhere Sora and his friends have yet to reach, not that they are not trying...

[ she purses her lips for a moment. then takes the plunge. ]

Ventus, on the other hand, is a lot closer than you think.

Maybe. Some bonds aren't so easily broken even without a fruit or a charm.

[A charm. He still had his. Kept it with him, on his person, at all times. Even after Dorumon figured out how to store Ends of the Earth inside the devices they were given, he kept that with him. It was a childish comfort, but a comfort nonetheless.

Unbreakable bonds.

The metal sphere is set down as Vixie speaks. He knew the digimon said they 'watched' their Chosen for years. She should know everything Sora had seen and done then. So why weren't they there, helping? Aqua was at least a Keyblade Master. If entire worlds were falling to Darkness, they'd have to respond.

Ten years. Wasn't there only a ten year gap between them? What could possibly have--

Xehanort.

They don't stop him. They musn't. There were no other threats grave enough to stop all three of them in their tracks.

There's little sign of Terra's thoughts save how his brows pull together slowly, a frown forming.]

I can make some guesses. It might not be worth trying to--

[He cuts himself off, and shakes the thought off. No point in voicing that.]

What do you mean, 'closer than I think'?

Don't try to guess, Terra. The enemy has always been ten steps ahead, implementing time travel and everything to ensure that everything falls into place as he sees fit.

[ the way she speaks right now is entirely different. even her usual friendly demeanor is more... subdued. serious to the point of being sobering. there are times that she recalls that even Sora had to be like this. times that things must carry on in this manner. ]

When Sora was still young, there had been a heavy weight on his chest. Riku told him that perhaps someone out there, beyond their world needed his help. To open his heart and listen. A heart responded, but it wasn't their first meeting. This time that heart asked if it could stay there, with Sora's, as it slept.

And he has been with Sora this entire time. He still is, though Sora does not remember him.

[In that case he doesn't have to guess. If Xehanort's been planning all this out, and neither he nor Aqua were fighting ten years later, then in a little while longer, no more than a year, they're out of the conflict.

Just like Master Eraqus. Aqua and Terra weren't necessary to those plans, but Ven..

Vixie is stared at blankly, though there's no real telling if it's even her he's seeing, or if his mind is busy filling in other memories and other people.]

Ven's ... heart? He has Ven's heart? How is that possible?

[Terra's been jerked around, manipulated and baited into the wrong conclusions, the wrong actions so many times, he's not sure if it's the truth or another deception. Why would she lie?]

If that's true, why hasn't he given it back?

Sora is a very special person, Terra. He very easily opens his heart to others and, more often than not, hearts respond in kind. Ventus chose Sora's heart as a place to rest. They have a much stronger connection than you can know... Ventus himself said that Sora had given him a second chance...

[ she reaches over to tap on Terra's hand. to get his attention. to look at her. ]

I don't know what happened that night. What I do know is that Sora would have to find the place where Ventus physically sleeps to return his heart. I know that Sora would. He has returned a lost heart at the risk of losing his own before... But perhaps Ventus isn't ready to go back. Just like Sora is unknowingly there for him, he has protected Sora as well.

[Sending Dorumon off and then having this conversation was probably incredibly unwise. The darkness would utilize any negative emotion it found, and enhance it, deepen it, use it as the very fuel Xehanort would have urged him to use not so long ago.

And his control is dubious at best. Dorumon had talked him out of it once already, but he's not here now. And irrational annoyance and jealousy of all things seethes up before he struggles to repress it. That kid and one of his best friends, one of only two he had left, had a connection stronger than he could know? So they die, and they're just replaced--

He jerks his hand away when Vixie reaches out to touch, expression gone distinctly hostile. Some people resort to biting, scathing retorts, but Terra isn't one to settle things verbally when sufficiently agitated.

This time, at least, he realizes what he's doing before he can follow through with the impulse that rises. He hadn't before, and others had paid. It was irrational, and he knew it. He had nothing to be jealous over, nothing to be angry over.

Perspective.

They're gone. Himself. Aqua. They fail. Ven survives. Maybe not all of him, but some part of him, that brilliant shining heart, still survived. If he was alive then ... then their failure wasn't total. Xehanort couldn't have won, not completely, and most importantly of all

Ventus survives it. Maybe not in his own body. Maybe not awake. But he was alive. Whatever nightmare scenario was coming, he'd get out of it.

Nothing is actually said for a while. While tempers are easy to set off it's much harder to throttle them down, fight back the unwanted darkness and bottle it back up as best he could. Vixie hadn't done anything but tell him. When he speaks finally, his tone is remarkably steady.]

Then ... I'll have to be satisfied with that. He'll be alright, even if we're not there. He's a tough kid, tougher than people think.

[Not Sora.]

If someone's tearing up the worlds, then one heart floating by itself would ... be in a lot of danger. He's probably safer this way. He'd always been a sleepyhead. Only Ven could take a ten year nap.

[ Vixie isn't prepared for the steady tone. she had expected yelling. telling her that she is spouting nothing but lies. heated anger and perhaps needing to take a few steps back. but this... this she doesn't know if it is a good thing or not. ]

I... I have no doubt of that. He would have to be tough surviving something that could send his heart sailing to seek another one out.

[ but that isn't really what she had been wanting to get at. she swallows, needing Terra to hear this. ]

Terra. Whatever happened then might not be able to be undone. But that doesn't mean you failed anything. You still protect them both, in a way. Your choice in picking Riku as a successor is critical. Without him, without your sound decision, Ventus and Sora would be lost. Riku is also a Keyblade Master with a very special ability - the ability to wake up a sleeping heart.

I didn't want to tell you this to discourage you. Or to burden you needlessly. I thought that you should know this, even if Sora does not. You should know that where they are now wouldn't be possible without you. I wanted to tell you that so you could cling to it and know that while maybe the darkness may feel like it's suffocating, that you helped bring light to worlds that would have, otherwise, have been lost forever.

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