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risingwinds) wrote2015-07-05 10:34 am
risingwinds) wrote2015-07-05 10:34 am
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tushanshu app
Player Information:
Name: Mega
Age: 23
Contact: AIM - derpisms
Plurk - Dorked
Other Characters Played: N/A
Most Recent AC Link: N/A
Character Information:
Name: Ventus, AKA Ven
Canon: Kingdom Hearts
Canon Point: Post-Neverland, pre-Mysterious Tower
Age: 15
Reference Links: Wiki
Setting: The first thing you should know about the Kingdom Hearts world is that logic need not apply. So please, check your hat at the door, and your disbelief with it. This is gonna get weird.
Ready? Well, then, it's only fair to start at the beginning. The very beginning, in fact, before the events of Birth by Sleep took place.
Long before the zany Disney world hopping adventures, there existed a single world, bathed in the warmth of light. The light was born from Kingdom Hearts, a celestial body from which all hearts are born. All was well until people decided, hey, I want some of that! They forged weapons called Keyblades, based on a legendary weapon called the χ-blade. They waged a grand battle that ultimately ended in cataclysm. Many lives were lost, and the once singular world split into scattered pieces, born from the light within children's hearts. As for Kingdom Hearts, it vanished, cloaked in darkness.
The new worlds were isolated, shielded by unseen barriers, and peace persisted for a time. The present day universe of Kingdom Hearts consists of three realms: The Realm of Light, the Ream Between, and the Realm of Darkness.
The Realm of Light is where the bulk of the series takes place. Here, thousands of worlds drift within the void of space. Each of these worlds is incredibly diverse. Some consists of mermaids and talking fish, others feature white rabbits and talking doorknobs. There are many fairy tale lands with grand castles, princesses, witches and fairies, and even worlds with space ships and towns based entirely on holidays. These worlds all share one thing in common: they each have a heart. Not the blood pumping sort, but a more metaphysical heart made of light and darkness.
The light from these hearts creates the glow of the stars, for in Kingdom Hearts, each star is another world. However, these hearts are not invincible. To access these hearts, one need only locate a Keyhole, which opens a direct path into a given world's heart. When exposed to darkness, these worlds begin to collapse, ravaged by storms that tear them apart piece by piece. As a world dies, its start blinks out, and its remains gather in a place called End of the World, a wasteland near to the Realm of Darkness.
The Realm of Darkness is a much more desolate place, full of bleak, grey landscapes, and creatures called Heartless. Though their name implies a lack of heart, these creatures are born from hearts corroded by darkness, taking on monstrous forms and acting on an animalistic instinct. They hunger for hearts, be they the hearts of people or worlds. During Birth by Sleep, these creatures remain largely in the Realm of Darkness, though they will later wreak havoc on the worlds at the hands of villainous forces.
Within the Realm of Darkness, time is irrelevant. One can spend a decade trapped there and not age a day. However, with constant danger from the Heartless, even the strongest individuals may find themselves on the brink of despair. They may lose themselves in their endless wandering, even if the darkness doesn't consume their hearts.
The Realm Between rests between these two realms. Only a few known worlds exist here, including Traverse Town, Twilight Town, The World that Never Was, Mysterious Tower, and Land of Departure. Of these, Land of Departure serves as a crucial training ground for up and coming Keyblade wielders. It is defended by Master Eraqus and his pupils Terra, Ventus, and Aqua, though its existence is secret to the outside world.
Mysterious Tower is the home of Master Yen Sid, who is a powerful sorcerer and retired Keyblade Master. Throughout Birth by Sleep, Ven, Terra, and Aqua all seek his guidance at one point or another. To that end, he is very revered.
But what are Keyblade Masters? And what of Keyblades themselves, and the χ-blade for that matter?
To start things off, the χ-blade is a weapon born of light and darkness, which is said to unlock the way to Kingdom Hearts. During the Keyblade War, the original χ-blade was destroyed, though series villain Master Xehanort would later take Ventus as an apprentice in order to pursue this weapon. How? Well, he speculated that if equal parts darkness and light clashed, a new χ-blade would form. He would later revise this plan to focus on seven Guardians of Light and thirteen Seekers of Darkness-- essentially, people who skew more toward light and darkness respectively.
Keyblades, on the other hand, were originally man-made weapons, resembling giant keys with the ability to unlock any lock, appear and disappear at will, and take on different forms and attributes when equipped with keychains. The method to their production remains a mystery, but Masters of the Keyblade can pass on their abilities through an inheritance ritual.
The potential wielder takes the Keyblade in hand, and if their heart is strong enough, they will gain the ability to wield a Keyblade of their own. From there, they may study under the Master to become a Master themselves. This is traditionally done through a Mark of Mastery exam, a test of body and a test of heart. However, even those without the official title may pass on the Keyblade if they have a master's skill, as seen by Terra when he grants the ability to a boy named Riku.
Keyblade wielders, be they Masters or apprentices, are tasked with upholding the balance between worlds. It is customary for Masters to take on apprentices, but not required. Xehanort chose the life of a vagrant, though he would later take Ventus under his wing for his nefarious purposes and train Vanitas soon after. Keyblade wielders themselves may also harbor dark intentions, and the weapon is said to bring ruin just as it is said to bring peace.
Keyblades have other uses outside of opening locks and swordplay, however. The Keyblades used by Ven, Terra, and Aqua can transform into a vehicle form called Keyblade Gliders. In these vehicles can still fight, but lack the capacity for specific magic spells. Additionally, Keyblades can open paths tot a place called the Lanes Between, which is the vast expanse of space that houses all the worlds.
Moving on, every complete being in the Kingdom Hearts universe consists of three pieces: a heart, a body, and soul. Much like with worlds, the hearts of people generally contain an equal balance of light and darkness. However, as darkness carries ties to negative emotions, someone with deep rage, resentment, jealousy, or greed may possess a stronger darkness. It doesn't help that darkness often yields great power and a corrupting influence. Those who delve too deeply into darkness may find enhanced strength, speed, and even magical powers, but the more they succumb to it, the greater the darkness' control. Those negative emotions run wild, and if left unchecked, it may consume a heart, transforming them into a Heartless.
But hearts are more than light and darkness. They contain emotions, even memories. A heart can exist on its own without becoming a Heartless, and it may even seek refuge in another vessel. Master Xehanort proves this when he forcibly removes his heart and places it inside of Terra's body. It is a skill inherent to Keyblade Masters, who also possess the ability to split hearts into separate beings of light and dark.
Ven is one such being, having had his darkness stripped from him when he failed to meet Xehanort's expectations. This resulted in a being of pure darkness named Vanitas and left Ven in a critical state. He lost his memories, and his splintered heart could barely sustain itself. This only changed when Xehanort took Ven to a place called Destiny Islands, where his heart came into contact with that of a newly born Sora, and the two forged a connection to fill the void left by Ven's missing darkness.
In all the worlds, there exist seven maidens of pure hearts, known as the Princess of Heart. They cannot become Heartless, but when brought together, can open the way to Kingdom Hearts. This in turn makes them targets for those of malicious intent.
The body and soul are intertwined. The body being, of course, the being's physical form, and the soul as their life force. A body without a soul cannot live, but when one becomes a Heartless, their body and soul may take on a life of their own, with memories in tact. This being is known as a Nobody, and while many possess warped, inhuman strength, those with strong wills are able to maintain their form, though they lack a heart to provide emotions.
This isn't to say that every being falls into these categories. In Birth by Sleep, creatures called Unversed ravage the worlds. They exist as manifestations of Vanitas' negative emotions and take on a wide range of forms, from small, impish Floods to hulking suits of armor. The Unversed are drawn to the negativity in others, and they often attack in large groups. However, for as wild as they appear, Vanitas ultimately controls them all, and when an Unversed fade, their negativity returns to him. Thus, he can summon them again and again if he so desires.
As the series goes on, vehicles called Gummi Ships are introduced as a means to travel between worlds. They're constructed from chunks of asteroids called Gummi Blocks and act as the safest method for interworldly travel. During BBS, Gummi Ships have yet to exist, but their predecessors, the Star Shards, fill a similar role. These curious rocks are capable of transporting their wielder safely between worlds, but without the proper control, a Star Shard will act erratically, spiriting those who carry them between worlds seemingly at random. The aforementioned Lanes Between are a more secure pathway between worlds, but darkness runs wild in the lanes, and so Keyblade wielders are encouraged to wear protective armor in order to shield their bodies and hearts.
The third and most dangerous method to world travel is through Dark Corridors. These paths are summoned by drawing upon one's inner darkness, and much like the Lanes Between, pose a great hazard to one's heart.
To wrap this up, I'll go over the key players in Ven's story...
Master Xehanort: The primary antagonist for the entire series, Xehanort was once a restless young boy who grew up in the tropical world of Destiny Islands. However, he longed to see the outside world. Eventually, he was chosen as a Keyblade apprentice and trained along a boy named Eraqus. Xehanort is shown to have a strong interest in darkness and forbidden knowledge, having forgone his armor when traveling in the Lanes Between and having delved deep into the history of the Keyblade War in an attempt to reignite it.
He is old and decrepit, but ruthless, intelligent, and downright manipulative. His current goal is to claim a new vessel and use Ventus and Vanitas to forge the χ-blade anew.
Master Eraqus: The mentor of Terra, Ventus, and Aqua, Master Eraqus is tasked with protecting their home, the Land of Departure. Unlike Xehanort, Eraqus believes firmly that darkness is a poison that must be suppressed. He is a firm follower of the light, and while a kindly teacher to his pupils, allows his values to blind him. He plays a supporting role in Birth by Sleep, instructing his pupils and guiding them toward their journeys, but his black and white worldview brews insecurities within Terra, and his fear of the χ-blade prompted him to keep Ven contained in his home.
Terra: Eraqus' oldest pupil, Terra is a kind young man troubled by his inner darkness. He failed to become a Keyblade Master as a result and sought guidance from Master Xehanort. He acts as an older brother figure to Ventus and as the driving force for Ven's adventure in the early parts of the game, as Ven has been told that Terra will become a different person.
Aqua: Eraqus' second eldest pupil, well-versed in magic. She became a Keyblade Master, and of the trio is arguably the most level-headed and mature. She takes on a sort of maternal/sisterly role with Ven, though they've butted heads a few times due to her orders to take Ven home clashing with Ven's desire to continue his adventure.
Vanitas: A being born from the darkness in Ven's heart, though he has yet to realize this. Vanitas is cruel, malicious, and openly taunts Ven on more than one occasion. He is the mastermind behind the Unversed's actions, and Xehanort's goal is to push Ven into fighting Vanitas so the χ-blade may form. He shares Sora's face as a result of his and Ven's deep connection.
Sora: A young boy from Destiny Islands, Sora became connected to Ven when he was still a newborn. Their hearts are intertwined, though Ven has yet to realize this. Though Sora later becomes a hero in his own right, he is presently a carefree child living a normal life alongside his best friend Riku.
Personality: Ven's most obvious trait is his optimistic and energetic disposition. He's friendly, opening up to strangers quite easily, and it doesn't take much for him to form new bonds. In fact, ever since he left Radiant Garden, forming new friendships has been one of his biggest priorities. With a strong sense of right and wrong, he'll stand by someone's side when they need a hand, even if he's only known them for a short time. Some examples include trying to find a way to wake Aurora up, gathering the supplies for Cinderella’s dress, and even making ice cream in Disney Town. He’s a good kid, and so long as you don’t give him a reason to distrust you, then you'll have a friend for life.
However, while his heart has room for a million and one friends, no one will ever take the place of Terra and Aqua. By far, they are the people he cherishes the most. He's known them for as long as he remembers, and they, along with Eraqus, taught him everything he knows today. They supported him when he was feeling down, shared their knowledge of the world, and protected him like any older sibling would. Of the two, he’s most invested in Terra, to the point where he'll blindly leap to his defense. All it took was some taunting from Vanitas, and Ven disobeyed his Master and blasted off into space. If that's not enough, even the slightest possibility that Terra'd harmed others was enough to stike him with doubts. When people belittle Terra, he's quick to spring to his defense, and he even went so far as to call Aqua awful when she called him out on his darkness.
Ven's picked up on a lot of Terra's habits, from body language to his blunt sense of humor. He crosses his arms a lot, teases Zack about his desire to become a hero, acts just a bit cocky when Lea challenges him to a spar. In some regards he's like a little kid trying to mimic an older brother. Still, while his admiration of Terra knows no bounds, Aqua's still near and dear to his heart. She's the kind, nurturing older sister figure. Someone sweet and sincere, who's able to cheer Ven up when he's feeling down. It worked with Maleficent, and even after their argument in Radiant Garden, he was still willing and eager to go with her on her journey until she turned him down. Nonetheless, as the game progresses, he speaks of them both side by side, talking about how their best memories are still ahead, how they'll patch things up. The good luck charms that Aqua made and the wooden Keyblade Terra gave him both symbolize their unbreakable connection.
But while he values these items, Ven isn't really materialistic and shows a surprising level of emotional maturity. True, the charm and the wooden Keyblade are cherished symbols of his friendship, but what really matters are the memories and sentiments behind these objects. This shows in the way he leaves the wooden Keyblade behind and how he calmly encourages 626 when his own Wayfinder breaks. This level of maturity shines in other areas, too, such as the way he calmly talks Snow White through her fears. When meeting new people, he tries to act polite, considerate, and avoid picking fights, even when dealing with more stubborn folks like the Seven Dwarfs. It's when people show blatant malice, insult his friends, or start treating him like a kid that Ven's anger starts to kick in. His moral compass is strong, and while his naivety and inexperience leave him with a simple worldview, he knows when to whip out the Keyblade and start taking things seriously.
He's also generally respectful of authority, accepting when Phil refuses to admit him to the games and taking a more proactive approach by aiding Hercules in his training. He shows the same respect to Yen Sid, yet when it came to his Master, why was he so willing to break the rules? Well, with Ven, his friends and his morals take priority over everything else.
With this in mind, you might think Ven is a pure cinnamon bun, too perfect for this world, a little ray of sunshine with glitter and rainbows. Well, that's not so. For starters, Ven can be downright impatient at times. When told he's too young to understand the meaning behind the stars, he gets huffy, seeking the answer right away. In his trip to Radiant Garden, he nearly brushes Scrooge off at first because he's so preoccupied trying to find Mickey and deal with those pesky Unversed. There are times when he taunts his foes, such as when he calls Maleficent's goons to attention, and when angered, he's prone to arguing and impulsiveness. It's even worse when people hide the truth from him, as it's later revealed that he resented the way Eraqus refused to let him see the outside world.
As mentioned, his friends are a sensitive subject and often cloud his judgment. In general, Ven acts more impulsive when angered, and the clearest example is his first fight with Vanitas, where a few choice words about Terra are enough to send him springing into action. But in addition to anger, Ven has moments of deep sadness, fear, and worry. Just the possibility that his friendship had crumbled was enough to make him withdraw and lose himself in old memories. When he later learns about the χ-blade, he doesn't even hesitate to ask his friends to kill him without even thinking about the consequences or implications. He's got such a big, open heart that other people's problems can sometimes weigh a bit too heavily on his shoulders. When he falls into these moods, it usually takes the encouragement of others to lift him up again.
This isn't to say that Ven is depressed. Far from it, and he always finds a way to bounce back. He's strong-willed, courageous, and persistent to boot.
He also hates being belittled and, as mentioned, loathes being treated like a child. True, he lost his memories, and sure, his friends mean well, but they and Eraqus have coddled him so much without treating him as an equal. That, I think, is one of Ven's biggest desires. To stand side by side with Terra and Aqua, join them on their adventures, and prove his worth. Time and time again, they tell him to go home, yet each time they do simply fuels his desire to continue. The Unversed certainly add some nice incentive.
Curiosity is another driving factor in his life. His room is packed with shelves upon shelves of books, a telescope, and all sorts of exotic decor. This suggests he's an avid reader and has a fondness for strange artifacts in addition to his love of stargazing. Even something as simply as tiny men is enough to make Ven gasp with delight. He spent four years in the same small world, with only three people to interact with. Thus, everything is shiny and new, fresh and exciting, and even small tasks are an adventure in their own right.
That curiosity ties into Ven's overall lack of experience. As he lost his whole life's worth of memories, he's only had four years to recover. So, while he's mature in some respects, there are some areas where he's rather lacking. He doesn't remember having a normal childhood, normal schooling, and certain concepts like romantic love are probably a bit abstract to him. He didn't hesitate to watch over the sleeping Aurora despite the blatant disregard for privacy and personal boundaries, and I'm inclined to believe he's lacking in street smarts in favor for his responsibilities as Keybearer.
He's adaptable and eager to learn, of course, but for as much as he wishes to be treated as one of the adults, Ven's still got a long way to walk on his personal journey.
Appearance:
Abilities: As a Keyblade wielder, Ven is capable of summoning a Keyblade at will. This works great as both a melee and magic-based weapon. He can also transform this Keyblade into a Glider styled after a hover board, allowing him to soar through the air. He's also capable of transitioning into a fully-armored form by touching his pauldron. This armor not only defends him, but shields him from the adverse effects of darkness.
One of his greatest strengths in combat is his speed. Ven is very quick on his feet, and his small size gives him the advantage against enormous foes that lack agility. His reverse-grip Keyblade tailors to his unique fighting style, which utilizes quick combos, and by using abilities such as Dodge Roll and Air Dash, it’s quite easy to evade his foes. On his journey, he’s even picked up the ability to leap to great heights. Thanks to Tinker Bell, Ventus can even glide for long periods of time. Should he reach ground level, he’ll simply hover a few feet above it. Oddly, he can even glide up stairs.
But hacking and slashing alone aren’t all Ventus can do. He may not be as magically oriented as Aqua, but Ven knows a number of spells, from the standard Fire, Bblizzard, and Thunder spells as well as a number of more unique spells, such as Anti Gravity, which pulls enemies into the air temporarily and often confuses them, as well as Magnet, where enemies get sucked into a powerful magnetic field and take damage. Mine Square allows Ventus to plant a field of magic circles that explode when the enemy steps on them, while moves like Sleep, Poison, and Stop force some nasty status effects on his foes.
Two of Ven’s ultimate spells are Tornado and Faith.
While using Tornado, Ven summons a massive gust of wind that he can control. This twister pulls enemies right in and deals them constant damage, so long as they’re trapped. If an opponent isn’t moving too quickly, Tornado becomes a devastating force.
Faith, on the other hand, sends pillars of light at surrounding enemies. This move also heals Ven completely.
Along with pure magic, Ven occasionally mixes magic with his Keyblade moves, such as Freeze Raid, a move in which he hurls his Keyblade at his enemies, freezing them in the process. Just about any elemental spell can be combined with Strike Raid, and this is just a brief example of how magic and Keyblade go hand in hand. Fire Dash allows Ventus to cloak himself in flames and charge at the enemy, and when using Blizzard Edge, Ven’s body becomes coated in ice, as he jumps up and strikes the ground with his Keyblade, creating a burst of ice. These are just a few examples, as going into every command in Birth by Sleep would make this app needlessly long.
By using specific combinations of attacks, Ven transitions into a command style. For example, when focusing on physical combos, he switches into Fever Pitch, where Ven rapidly slashes at his foes with a wide range. Its finisher consists of a quick combo, followed by five pillars of light.
Fire Storm activates when Ven focuses on fire magic. In this command style, Ven’s Keyblade becomes cloaked in flames as he attacks, and its finisher hurls a fireball that creates multiple flame pillars. Conversely, Thunderbolt focuses on electric attacks, and its finisher summons many bolts of electricity that rain down on anything in its path. There's also Diamond Dust, which unleashes a flurry of icy attacks.
While using a command style, Ven can reach a level 2 command style as well. Wind spells activate Cyclone, a style where Ventus spins around with his Keyblade. For the finisher, Ven whirls around like a cyclone to hit his foes. When magnet-based, edge, or counter moves are used, Ven uses Wingblade, where phantom swords surround him from all directions. For the finisher, Ven leaps into the air with the blades pointed down and creates a flash of light.
Lastly, Sky Climber activates when evasive or Zero-Gravity moves come into play, allowing Ven to ride on his Keyblade and attack foes at high speeds. During the finisher, Ven heads up high and crashes down with the Keyblade, creating a small twister.
There's another sort of 'magic' that Ven can use, but it's different from commands. When facing enemies at a distance, Ventus often utilizes a technique called Shotlock, where he focuses on numerous opponents at once and unleashes a powerful attack. Here are a few examples of Ven’s Shotlock commands:
Flame Salvo: Rapidly launches a barrage of fireballs at his targets. This was Ven’s very first Shotlock, and while potent, it doesn’t quite match up to the next technique…
Pulse Bomb: Blasts enemies with a series of small explosions that almost always lock onto his enemies. With the right timing, Ven can create about five or six more explosions, delivering heavy blows to his enemies.
Multi Vortex: This is Ven’s strongest Shotlock. When using Multi Vortex, Ven rapidly swings his Keyblade around in order to create enormous shockwaves with the power of wind. With the right concentration applied, Ven can extend the whirlwind.
Photon Charge: When using photon charge, Ven rapidly rushes at enemies, utilizing the power of light.
There’s one more trick Ven has up his sleeves, one that’s a bit different than the rest. Thanks to his good luck charm, the Wayfinder, he has the unique ability to call upon the powers of his friends. By using Dimension Links, or D-Links for short, Ven’s attack styles can change completely. For example, he can pick up some of the command styles from Terra and Aqua, or even some brand new attacks from the people he’s met throughout his travels. D-Links also heal Ventus the moment he uses them. The only downside is that they’re only temporary, meaning that he can’t use them for extended periods of time. Because D-Links involve the connections between other characters, I am more than happy to tone down this or any of his other abilities.
Inventory:
- His Keyblade, Wayward Wind
- Keychains: Frolic Flame, Treasure Trove, Stroke of Midnight, Fairy Stars, Hyperdrive, Sweetstack, Pixie Petal. If you think this is excessive, I'll gladly stick to Wayward Wind. c: These allow Ven to change his Keyblade's attributes to suit certain situations.
- His Wayfinder
- His clothes + armor
- Mickey's Star Shard, presumably depowered or at least nerfed. Normally it warps to random worlds, so I'm more than happy to just keep it a powerless trinket.
- His Disney Town pass
- If permitted, a small amount of munny and a few potions/ethers. I doubt the munny will be of value.
Suitability: Ven would be all over the potential for exploration and adventure. With a heroic spirit, he'd be eager to chip in whenever conflicts rear their ugly heads, and assist in the rebuilding efforts with little hesitation. He's adaptable, used to dealing with the conflicts of other worlds, and as a Keybearer, is able to defend himself when things get rough.
In-Character Samples:
Third Person (Prose):
The Terra you know will be gone forever.
Do as I say and go home.
When I really need you Ven, I know you'll be there...
A lot had happened since he left home. After leaving behind the peaceful life in Land of Departure, Ven found himself thrust head-first into the unknown. And at first, it was great! He got to see new sights, from the winding mines in Dwarf Woodlands to the towering furniture in Cinderella's home. He'd braved a winding labyrinth to rescue a sleeping girl's heart, duked it out with a big, vicious cat, and even soared through outer space. And along the way, he'd formed a wealth of new bonds. When he shut his eyes and thought about it, all the faces of the friends he'd met flickered before him.
Snow White, the sweet, gentle girl who'd found herself trapped in a shadowy wood with her fear looming from all directions. Jaq, the cheery mouse and Cinderella, the girl with big dreams, who managed to smile despite those sick, cruel stepsisters and her slave driving Stepmother. Those three good fairies who showed him the way through Maleficent's lair, Lea and Isa, who he'd barely even known, yet they parted ways with smiles on their faces after an explosive fight that'd nearly crushed Ven's spirits.
That little blue alien who just wanted to make friends, Herc and Zack, with their dreams of heroic deeds. Peter Pan, the Lost Boys, and Tink, all seasoned treasure hunters. Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Queen Minnie, plus all the other friendly faces in Disney Town.
Before, he'd only known Terra, Aqua, and Master Eraqus. Before, he'd only known hours of sparring and starlit nights. His Master kept saying he wasn't ready. That the outside world was too treacherous and that he needed time to learn and grow, but what growing could he have done there that could even compare to his experiences in the outside world?
A small smile tugged at his lips, and he dug through his pocket, grasping his Wayfinder over his chest. For each and every new bond he forged, hordes of twitchy, red-eyed monsters came springing out of the shadows. The Unversed, whatever they were, proved that he'd made the right choice. If he'd stayed behind, who would've guided Snow White through the woods? Who would've awakened Aurora, helped finish Cinderella's dress, guide Herc through his training, and spread smiles wherever he went? It wasn't a matter of ego; this journey wasn't for Ven's sake, it was for the worlds, the people who lived in them, and above all else, his best friends.
The Star Shard had dropped him somewhere new, and there was no telling where Terra and Aqua were, much less if they were even there. Would the Unversed follow? Would darkness reign? Not if he could help it. There was no way he'd throw in the towel!
So, with fire blazing inside, Ven looked to the sky. His journey was far from over.
Network:
[The feed clicks on to show one grinning, blonde-haired teen. He leans toward the camera for a second-- he got the crash course, but he's still adjusting. When he's sure the machine is recording, he takes a step back and waves.]
Hi, I'm Ventus, but you can call me Ven.
[Introductions are important! Better to start there before asking questions.]
This technology's something else! I mean, I've seen some pretty cool things in Deep Space, but it was all stuff like laser guns, low gravity chambers, escape pods... Nothing that'd let you talk to other people like this.
[At least, not that he knows of. Then again, he was kinda busy at the time.
But now he's getting carried away, so he sheepishly rubs his neck.]
Er, anyway, I've got an idea of what's going on now, and I wanna do whatever I can to help! But first, I've just got a quick question... Has anyone heard of the Unversed?
[He hasn't seen any, but he figures it's worth asking. Never hurts to be careful!]
Name: Mega
Age: 23
Contact: AIM - derpisms
Plurk - Dorked
Other Characters Played: N/A
Most Recent AC Link: N/A
Character Information:
Name: Ventus, AKA Ven
Canon: Kingdom Hearts
Canon Point: Post-Neverland, pre-Mysterious Tower
Age: 15
Reference Links: Wiki
Setting: The first thing you should know about the Kingdom Hearts world is that logic need not apply. So please, check your hat at the door, and your disbelief with it. This is gonna get weird.
Ready? Well, then, it's only fair to start at the beginning. The very beginning, in fact, before the events of Birth by Sleep took place.
Long before the zany Disney world hopping adventures, there existed a single world, bathed in the warmth of light. The light was born from Kingdom Hearts, a celestial body from which all hearts are born. All was well until people decided, hey, I want some of that! They forged weapons called Keyblades, based on a legendary weapon called the χ-blade. They waged a grand battle that ultimately ended in cataclysm. Many lives were lost, and the once singular world split into scattered pieces, born from the light within children's hearts. As for Kingdom Hearts, it vanished, cloaked in darkness.
The new worlds were isolated, shielded by unseen barriers, and peace persisted for a time. The present day universe of Kingdom Hearts consists of three realms: The Realm of Light, the Ream Between, and the Realm of Darkness.
The Realm of Light is where the bulk of the series takes place. Here, thousands of worlds drift within the void of space. Each of these worlds is incredibly diverse. Some consists of mermaids and talking fish, others feature white rabbits and talking doorknobs. There are many fairy tale lands with grand castles, princesses, witches and fairies, and even worlds with space ships and towns based entirely on holidays. These worlds all share one thing in common: they each have a heart. Not the blood pumping sort, but a more metaphysical heart made of light and darkness.
The light from these hearts creates the glow of the stars, for in Kingdom Hearts, each star is another world. However, these hearts are not invincible. To access these hearts, one need only locate a Keyhole, which opens a direct path into a given world's heart. When exposed to darkness, these worlds begin to collapse, ravaged by storms that tear them apart piece by piece. As a world dies, its start blinks out, and its remains gather in a place called End of the World, a wasteland near to the Realm of Darkness.
The Realm of Darkness is a much more desolate place, full of bleak, grey landscapes, and creatures called Heartless. Though their name implies a lack of heart, these creatures are born from hearts corroded by darkness, taking on monstrous forms and acting on an animalistic instinct. They hunger for hearts, be they the hearts of people or worlds. During Birth by Sleep, these creatures remain largely in the Realm of Darkness, though they will later wreak havoc on the worlds at the hands of villainous forces.
Within the Realm of Darkness, time is irrelevant. One can spend a decade trapped there and not age a day. However, with constant danger from the Heartless, even the strongest individuals may find themselves on the brink of despair. They may lose themselves in their endless wandering, even if the darkness doesn't consume their hearts.
The Realm Between rests between these two realms. Only a few known worlds exist here, including Traverse Town, Twilight Town, The World that Never Was, Mysterious Tower, and Land of Departure. Of these, Land of Departure serves as a crucial training ground for up and coming Keyblade wielders. It is defended by Master Eraqus and his pupils Terra, Ventus, and Aqua, though its existence is secret to the outside world.
Mysterious Tower is the home of Master Yen Sid, who is a powerful sorcerer and retired Keyblade Master. Throughout Birth by Sleep, Ven, Terra, and Aqua all seek his guidance at one point or another. To that end, he is very revered.
But what are Keyblade Masters? And what of Keyblades themselves, and the χ-blade for that matter?
To start things off, the χ-blade is a weapon born of light and darkness, which is said to unlock the way to Kingdom Hearts. During the Keyblade War, the original χ-blade was destroyed, though series villain Master Xehanort would later take Ventus as an apprentice in order to pursue this weapon. How? Well, he speculated that if equal parts darkness and light clashed, a new χ-blade would form. He would later revise this plan to focus on seven Guardians of Light and thirteen Seekers of Darkness-- essentially, people who skew more toward light and darkness respectively.
Keyblades, on the other hand, were originally man-made weapons, resembling giant keys with the ability to unlock any lock, appear and disappear at will, and take on different forms and attributes when equipped with keychains. The method to their production remains a mystery, but Masters of the Keyblade can pass on their abilities through an inheritance ritual.
The potential wielder takes the Keyblade in hand, and if their heart is strong enough, they will gain the ability to wield a Keyblade of their own. From there, they may study under the Master to become a Master themselves. This is traditionally done through a Mark of Mastery exam, a test of body and a test of heart. However, even those without the official title may pass on the Keyblade if they have a master's skill, as seen by Terra when he grants the ability to a boy named Riku.
Keyblade wielders, be they Masters or apprentices, are tasked with upholding the balance between worlds. It is customary for Masters to take on apprentices, but not required. Xehanort chose the life of a vagrant, though he would later take Ventus under his wing for his nefarious purposes and train Vanitas soon after. Keyblade wielders themselves may also harbor dark intentions, and the weapon is said to bring ruin just as it is said to bring peace.
Keyblades have other uses outside of opening locks and swordplay, however. The Keyblades used by Ven, Terra, and Aqua can transform into a vehicle form called Keyblade Gliders. In these vehicles can still fight, but lack the capacity for specific magic spells. Additionally, Keyblades can open paths tot a place called the Lanes Between, which is the vast expanse of space that houses all the worlds.
Moving on, every complete being in the Kingdom Hearts universe consists of three pieces: a heart, a body, and soul. Much like with worlds, the hearts of people generally contain an equal balance of light and darkness. However, as darkness carries ties to negative emotions, someone with deep rage, resentment, jealousy, or greed may possess a stronger darkness. It doesn't help that darkness often yields great power and a corrupting influence. Those who delve too deeply into darkness may find enhanced strength, speed, and even magical powers, but the more they succumb to it, the greater the darkness' control. Those negative emotions run wild, and if left unchecked, it may consume a heart, transforming them into a Heartless.
But hearts are more than light and darkness. They contain emotions, even memories. A heart can exist on its own without becoming a Heartless, and it may even seek refuge in another vessel. Master Xehanort proves this when he forcibly removes his heart and places it inside of Terra's body. It is a skill inherent to Keyblade Masters, who also possess the ability to split hearts into separate beings of light and dark.
Ven is one such being, having had his darkness stripped from him when he failed to meet Xehanort's expectations. This resulted in a being of pure darkness named Vanitas and left Ven in a critical state. He lost his memories, and his splintered heart could barely sustain itself. This only changed when Xehanort took Ven to a place called Destiny Islands, where his heart came into contact with that of a newly born Sora, and the two forged a connection to fill the void left by Ven's missing darkness.
In all the worlds, there exist seven maidens of pure hearts, known as the Princess of Heart. They cannot become Heartless, but when brought together, can open the way to Kingdom Hearts. This in turn makes them targets for those of malicious intent.
The body and soul are intertwined. The body being, of course, the being's physical form, and the soul as their life force. A body without a soul cannot live, but when one becomes a Heartless, their body and soul may take on a life of their own, with memories in tact. This being is known as a Nobody, and while many possess warped, inhuman strength, those with strong wills are able to maintain their form, though they lack a heart to provide emotions.
This isn't to say that every being falls into these categories. In Birth by Sleep, creatures called Unversed ravage the worlds. They exist as manifestations of Vanitas' negative emotions and take on a wide range of forms, from small, impish Floods to hulking suits of armor. The Unversed are drawn to the negativity in others, and they often attack in large groups. However, for as wild as they appear, Vanitas ultimately controls them all, and when an Unversed fade, their negativity returns to him. Thus, he can summon them again and again if he so desires.
As the series goes on, vehicles called Gummi Ships are introduced as a means to travel between worlds. They're constructed from chunks of asteroids called Gummi Blocks and act as the safest method for interworldly travel. During BBS, Gummi Ships have yet to exist, but their predecessors, the Star Shards, fill a similar role. These curious rocks are capable of transporting their wielder safely between worlds, but without the proper control, a Star Shard will act erratically, spiriting those who carry them between worlds seemingly at random. The aforementioned Lanes Between are a more secure pathway between worlds, but darkness runs wild in the lanes, and so Keyblade wielders are encouraged to wear protective armor in order to shield their bodies and hearts.
The third and most dangerous method to world travel is through Dark Corridors. These paths are summoned by drawing upon one's inner darkness, and much like the Lanes Between, pose a great hazard to one's heart.
To wrap this up, I'll go over the key players in Ven's story...
Master Xehanort: The primary antagonist for the entire series, Xehanort was once a restless young boy who grew up in the tropical world of Destiny Islands. However, he longed to see the outside world. Eventually, he was chosen as a Keyblade apprentice and trained along a boy named Eraqus. Xehanort is shown to have a strong interest in darkness and forbidden knowledge, having forgone his armor when traveling in the Lanes Between and having delved deep into the history of the Keyblade War in an attempt to reignite it.
He is old and decrepit, but ruthless, intelligent, and downright manipulative. His current goal is to claim a new vessel and use Ventus and Vanitas to forge the χ-blade anew.
Master Eraqus: The mentor of Terra, Ventus, and Aqua, Master Eraqus is tasked with protecting their home, the Land of Departure. Unlike Xehanort, Eraqus believes firmly that darkness is a poison that must be suppressed. He is a firm follower of the light, and while a kindly teacher to his pupils, allows his values to blind him. He plays a supporting role in Birth by Sleep, instructing his pupils and guiding them toward their journeys, but his black and white worldview brews insecurities within Terra, and his fear of the χ-blade prompted him to keep Ven contained in his home.
Terra: Eraqus' oldest pupil, Terra is a kind young man troubled by his inner darkness. He failed to become a Keyblade Master as a result and sought guidance from Master Xehanort. He acts as an older brother figure to Ventus and as the driving force for Ven's adventure in the early parts of the game, as Ven has been told that Terra will become a different person.
Aqua: Eraqus' second eldest pupil, well-versed in magic. She became a Keyblade Master, and of the trio is arguably the most level-headed and mature. She takes on a sort of maternal/sisterly role with Ven, though they've butted heads a few times due to her orders to take Ven home clashing with Ven's desire to continue his adventure.
Vanitas: A being born from the darkness in Ven's heart, though he has yet to realize this. Vanitas is cruel, malicious, and openly taunts Ven on more than one occasion. He is the mastermind behind the Unversed's actions, and Xehanort's goal is to push Ven into fighting Vanitas so the χ-blade may form. He shares Sora's face as a result of his and Ven's deep connection.
Sora: A young boy from Destiny Islands, Sora became connected to Ven when he was still a newborn. Their hearts are intertwined, though Ven has yet to realize this. Though Sora later becomes a hero in his own right, he is presently a carefree child living a normal life alongside his best friend Riku.
Personality: Ven's most obvious trait is his optimistic and energetic disposition. He's friendly, opening up to strangers quite easily, and it doesn't take much for him to form new bonds. In fact, ever since he left Radiant Garden, forming new friendships has been one of his biggest priorities. With a strong sense of right and wrong, he'll stand by someone's side when they need a hand, even if he's only known them for a short time. Some examples include trying to find a way to wake Aurora up, gathering the supplies for Cinderella’s dress, and even making ice cream in Disney Town. He’s a good kid, and so long as you don’t give him a reason to distrust you, then you'll have a friend for life.
However, while his heart has room for a million and one friends, no one will ever take the place of Terra and Aqua. By far, they are the people he cherishes the most. He's known them for as long as he remembers, and they, along with Eraqus, taught him everything he knows today. They supported him when he was feeling down, shared their knowledge of the world, and protected him like any older sibling would. Of the two, he’s most invested in Terra, to the point where he'll blindly leap to his defense. All it took was some taunting from Vanitas, and Ven disobeyed his Master and blasted off into space. If that's not enough, even the slightest possibility that Terra'd harmed others was enough to stike him with doubts. When people belittle Terra, he's quick to spring to his defense, and he even went so far as to call Aqua awful when she called him out on his darkness.
Ven's picked up on a lot of Terra's habits, from body language to his blunt sense of humor. He crosses his arms a lot, teases Zack about his desire to become a hero, acts just a bit cocky when Lea challenges him to a spar. In some regards he's like a little kid trying to mimic an older brother. Still, while his admiration of Terra knows no bounds, Aqua's still near and dear to his heart. She's the kind, nurturing older sister figure. Someone sweet and sincere, who's able to cheer Ven up when he's feeling down. It worked with Maleficent, and even after their argument in Radiant Garden, he was still willing and eager to go with her on her journey until she turned him down. Nonetheless, as the game progresses, he speaks of them both side by side, talking about how their best memories are still ahead, how they'll patch things up. The good luck charms that Aqua made and the wooden Keyblade Terra gave him both symbolize their unbreakable connection.
But while he values these items, Ven isn't really materialistic and shows a surprising level of emotional maturity. True, the charm and the wooden Keyblade are cherished symbols of his friendship, but what really matters are the memories and sentiments behind these objects. This shows in the way he leaves the wooden Keyblade behind and how he calmly encourages 626 when his own Wayfinder breaks. This level of maturity shines in other areas, too, such as the way he calmly talks Snow White through her fears. When meeting new people, he tries to act polite, considerate, and avoid picking fights, even when dealing with more stubborn folks like the Seven Dwarfs. It's when people show blatant malice, insult his friends, or start treating him like a kid that Ven's anger starts to kick in. His moral compass is strong, and while his naivety and inexperience leave him with a simple worldview, he knows when to whip out the Keyblade and start taking things seriously.
He's also generally respectful of authority, accepting when Phil refuses to admit him to the games and taking a more proactive approach by aiding Hercules in his training. He shows the same respect to Yen Sid, yet when it came to his Master, why was he so willing to break the rules? Well, with Ven, his friends and his morals take priority over everything else.
With this in mind, you might think Ven is a pure cinnamon bun, too perfect for this world, a little ray of sunshine with glitter and rainbows. Well, that's not so. For starters, Ven can be downright impatient at times. When told he's too young to understand the meaning behind the stars, he gets huffy, seeking the answer right away. In his trip to Radiant Garden, he nearly brushes Scrooge off at first because he's so preoccupied trying to find Mickey and deal with those pesky Unversed. There are times when he taunts his foes, such as when he calls Maleficent's goons to attention, and when angered, he's prone to arguing and impulsiveness. It's even worse when people hide the truth from him, as it's later revealed that he resented the way Eraqus refused to let him see the outside world.
As mentioned, his friends are a sensitive subject and often cloud his judgment. In general, Ven acts more impulsive when angered, and the clearest example is his first fight with Vanitas, where a few choice words about Terra are enough to send him springing into action. But in addition to anger, Ven has moments of deep sadness, fear, and worry. Just the possibility that his friendship had crumbled was enough to make him withdraw and lose himself in old memories. When he later learns about the χ-blade, he doesn't even hesitate to ask his friends to kill him without even thinking about the consequences or implications. He's got such a big, open heart that other people's problems can sometimes weigh a bit too heavily on his shoulders. When he falls into these moods, it usually takes the encouragement of others to lift him up again.
This isn't to say that Ven is depressed. Far from it, and he always finds a way to bounce back. He's strong-willed, courageous, and persistent to boot.
He also hates being belittled and, as mentioned, loathes being treated like a child. True, he lost his memories, and sure, his friends mean well, but they and Eraqus have coddled him so much without treating him as an equal. That, I think, is one of Ven's biggest desires. To stand side by side with Terra and Aqua, join them on their adventures, and prove his worth. Time and time again, they tell him to go home, yet each time they do simply fuels his desire to continue. The Unversed certainly add some nice incentive.
Curiosity is another driving factor in his life. His room is packed with shelves upon shelves of books, a telescope, and all sorts of exotic decor. This suggests he's an avid reader and has a fondness for strange artifacts in addition to his love of stargazing. Even something as simply as tiny men is enough to make Ven gasp with delight. He spent four years in the same small world, with only three people to interact with. Thus, everything is shiny and new, fresh and exciting, and even small tasks are an adventure in their own right.
That curiosity ties into Ven's overall lack of experience. As he lost his whole life's worth of memories, he's only had four years to recover. So, while he's mature in some respects, there are some areas where he's rather lacking. He doesn't remember having a normal childhood, normal schooling, and certain concepts like romantic love are probably a bit abstract to him. He didn't hesitate to watch over the sleeping Aurora despite the blatant disregard for privacy and personal boundaries, and I'm inclined to believe he's lacking in street smarts in favor for his responsibilities as Keybearer.
He's adaptable and eager to learn, of course, but for as much as he wishes to be treated as one of the adults, Ven's still got a long way to walk on his personal journey.
Appearance:
Abilities: As a Keyblade wielder, Ven is capable of summoning a Keyblade at will. This works great as both a melee and magic-based weapon. He can also transform this Keyblade into a Glider styled after a hover board, allowing him to soar through the air. He's also capable of transitioning into a fully-armored form by touching his pauldron. This armor not only defends him, but shields him from the adverse effects of darkness.
One of his greatest strengths in combat is his speed. Ven is very quick on his feet, and his small size gives him the advantage against enormous foes that lack agility. His reverse-grip Keyblade tailors to his unique fighting style, which utilizes quick combos, and by using abilities such as Dodge Roll and Air Dash, it’s quite easy to evade his foes. On his journey, he’s even picked up the ability to leap to great heights. Thanks to Tinker Bell, Ventus can even glide for long periods of time. Should he reach ground level, he’ll simply hover a few feet above it. Oddly, he can even glide up stairs.
But hacking and slashing alone aren’t all Ventus can do. He may not be as magically oriented as Aqua, but Ven knows a number of spells, from the standard Fire, Bblizzard, and Thunder spells as well as a number of more unique spells, such as Anti Gravity, which pulls enemies into the air temporarily and often confuses them, as well as Magnet, where enemies get sucked into a powerful magnetic field and take damage. Mine Square allows Ventus to plant a field of magic circles that explode when the enemy steps on them, while moves like Sleep, Poison, and Stop force some nasty status effects on his foes.
Two of Ven’s ultimate spells are Tornado and Faith.
While using Tornado, Ven summons a massive gust of wind that he can control. This twister pulls enemies right in and deals them constant damage, so long as they’re trapped. If an opponent isn’t moving too quickly, Tornado becomes a devastating force.
Faith, on the other hand, sends pillars of light at surrounding enemies. This move also heals Ven completely.
Along with pure magic, Ven occasionally mixes magic with his Keyblade moves, such as Freeze Raid, a move in which he hurls his Keyblade at his enemies, freezing them in the process. Just about any elemental spell can be combined with Strike Raid, and this is just a brief example of how magic and Keyblade go hand in hand. Fire Dash allows Ventus to cloak himself in flames and charge at the enemy, and when using Blizzard Edge, Ven’s body becomes coated in ice, as he jumps up and strikes the ground with his Keyblade, creating a burst of ice. These are just a few examples, as going into every command in Birth by Sleep would make this app needlessly long.
By using specific combinations of attacks, Ven transitions into a command style. For example, when focusing on physical combos, he switches into Fever Pitch, where Ven rapidly slashes at his foes with a wide range. Its finisher consists of a quick combo, followed by five pillars of light.
Fire Storm activates when Ven focuses on fire magic. In this command style, Ven’s Keyblade becomes cloaked in flames as he attacks, and its finisher hurls a fireball that creates multiple flame pillars. Conversely, Thunderbolt focuses on electric attacks, and its finisher summons many bolts of electricity that rain down on anything in its path. There's also Diamond Dust, which unleashes a flurry of icy attacks.
While using a command style, Ven can reach a level 2 command style as well. Wind spells activate Cyclone, a style where Ventus spins around with his Keyblade. For the finisher, Ven whirls around like a cyclone to hit his foes. When magnet-based, edge, or counter moves are used, Ven uses Wingblade, where phantom swords surround him from all directions. For the finisher, Ven leaps into the air with the blades pointed down and creates a flash of light.
Lastly, Sky Climber activates when evasive or Zero-Gravity moves come into play, allowing Ven to ride on his Keyblade and attack foes at high speeds. During the finisher, Ven heads up high and crashes down with the Keyblade, creating a small twister.
There's another sort of 'magic' that Ven can use, but it's different from commands. When facing enemies at a distance, Ventus often utilizes a technique called Shotlock, where he focuses on numerous opponents at once and unleashes a powerful attack. Here are a few examples of Ven’s Shotlock commands:
Flame Salvo: Rapidly launches a barrage of fireballs at his targets. This was Ven’s very first Shotlock, and while potent, it doesn’t quite match up to the next technique…
Pulse Bomb: Blasts enemies with a series of small explosions that almost always lock onto his enemies. With the right timing, Ven can create about five or six more explosions, delivering heavy blows to his enemies.
Multi Vortex: This is Ven’s strongest Shotlock. When using Multi Vortex, Ven rapidly swings his Keyblade around in order to create enormous shockwaves with the power of wind. With the right concentration applied, Ven can extend the whirlwind.
Photon Charge: When using photon charge, Ven rapidly rushes at enemies, utilizing the power of light.
There’s one more trick Ven has up his sleeves, one that’s a bit different than the rest. Thanks to his good luck charm, the Wayfinder, he has the unique ability to call upon the powers of his friends. By using Dimension Links, or D-Links for short, Ven’s attack styles can change completely. For example, he can pick up some of the command styles from Terra and Aqua, or even some brand new attacks from the people he’s met throughout his travels. D-Links also heal Ventus the moment he uses them. The only downside is that they’re only temporary, meaning that he can’t use them for extended periods of time. Because D-Links involve the connections between other characters, I am more than happy to tone down this or any of his other abilities.
Inventory:
- His Keyblade, Wayward Wind
- Keychains: Frolic Flame, Treasure Trove, Stroke of Midnight, Fairy Stars, Hyperdrive, Sweetstack, Pixie Petal. If you think this is excessive, I'll gladly stick to Wayward Wind. c: These allow Ven to change his Keyblade's attributes to suit certain situations.
- His Wayfinder
- His clothes + armor
- Mickey's Star Shard, presumably depowered or at least nerfed. Normally it warps to random worlds, so I'm more than happy to just keep it a powerless trinket.
- His Disney Town pass
- If permitted, a small amount of munny and a few potions/ethers. I doubt the munny will be of value.
Suitability: Ven would be all over the potential for exploration and adventure. With a heroic spirit, he'd be eager to chip in whenever conflicts rear their ugly heads, and assist in the rebuilding efforts with little hesitation. He's adaptable, used to dealing with the conflicts of other worlds, and as a Keybearer, is able to defend himself when things get rough.
In-Character Samples:
Third Person (Prose):
The Terra you know will be gone forever.
Do as I say and go home.
When I really need you Ven, I know you'll be there...
A lot had happened since he left home. After leaving behind the peaceful life in Land of Departure, Ven found himself thrust head-first into the unknown. And at first, it was great! He got to see new sights, from the winding mines in Dwarf Woodlands to the towering furniture in Cinderella's home. He'd braved a winding labyrinth to rescue a sleeping girl's heart, duked it out with a big, vicious cat, and even soared through outer space. And along the way, he'd formed a wealth of new bonds. When he shut his eyes and thought about it, all the faces of the friends he'd met flickered before him.
Snow White, the sweet, gentle girl who'd found herself trapped in a shadowy wood with her fear looming from all directions. Jaq, the cheery mouse and Cinderella, the girl with big dreams, who managed to smile despite those sick, cruel stepsisters and her slave driving Stepmother. Those three good fairies who showed him the way through Maleficent's lair, Lea and Isa, who he'd barely even known, yet they parted ways with smiles on their faces after an explosive fight that'd nearly crushed Ven's spirits.
That little blue alien who just wanted to make friends, Herc and Zack, with their dreams of heroic deeds. Peter Pan, the Lost Boys, and Tink, all seasoned treasure hunters. Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Queen Minnie, plus all the other friendly faces in Disney Town.
Before, he'd only known Terra, Aqua, and Master Eraqus. Before, he'd only known hours of sparring and starlit nights. His Master kept saying he wasn't ready. That the outside world was too treacherous and that he needed time to learn and grow, but what growing could he have done there that could even compare to his experiences in the outside world?
A small smile tugged at his lips, and he dug through his pocket, grasping his Wayfinder over his chest. For each and every new bond he forged, hordes of twitchy, red-eyed monsters came springing out of the shadows. The Unversed, whatever they were, proved that he'd made the right choice. If he'd stayed behind, who would've guided Snow White through the woods? Who would've awakened Aurora, helped finish Cinderella's dress, guide Herc through his training, and spread smiles wherever he went? It wasn't a matter of ego; this journey wasn't for Ven's sake, it was for the worlds, the people who lived in them, and above all else, his best friends.
The Star Shard had dropped him somewhere new, and there was no telling where Terra and Aqua were, much less if they were even there. Would the Unversed follow? Would darkness reign? Not if he could help it. There was no way he'd throw in the towel!
So, with fire blazing inside, Ven looked to the sky. His journey was far from over.
Network:
[The feed clicks on to show one grinning, blonde-haired teen. He leans toward the camera for a second-- he got the crash course, but he's still adjusting. When he's sure the machine is recording, he takes a step back and waves.]
Hi, I'm Ventus, but you can call me Ven.
[Introductions are important! Better to start there before asking questions.]
This technology's something else! I mean, I've seen some pretty cool things in Deep Space, but it was all stuff like laser guns, low gravity chambers, escape pods... Nothing that'd let you talk to other people like this.
[At least, not that he knows of. Then again, he was kinda busy at the time.
But now he's getting carried away, so he sheepishly rubs his neck.]
Er, anyway, I've got an idea of what's going on now, and I wanna do whatever I can to help! But first, I've just got a quick question... Has anyone heard of the Unversed?
[He hasn't seen any, but he figures it's worth asking. Never hurts to be careful!]