[Once upon a time, there was a scientist named Ansem the Wise. He still lives now, but his history is what matters here. Ansem got tricked into researching the qualities of the heart. He hoped that he could find answers, could break down the heart into numbers and pieces of information. Sharply defined qualities. In the process, his apprentices were lost, and Ansem himself had to leave behind his life in shame. He let his stark, simple way of viewing matters of the heart lead him to being blind.
Riku knows this story well. Ansem—DiZ—is the same man who kept him focused. Who helped him reclaim his friend. Who ensured that he could see Sora again. And who accidentally brought Riku out of his prison in the body of the man who possessed him, a prison that Riku took on because he knew that he needed the strength to protect what mattered.
What he doesn't know is that he's seeing pieces of that play out here. He may not for a while, or ever—but it's obvious that Markus has slipped further away. Is it because of the hesitation? No, Riku tells himself that isn't the case. If anything, things might be worse. Fitz's return may be more tenuous than absolute, for one thing. His heart is still in danger. (Or would be; Riku assumes as much now.)
He trots closer as Fitz does what he can to bring back Markus. It makes sense if he's an android, but Riku never questions what's happening here. He never doubts the presence of a heart. In order to bring back Naminé, Xion, and Roxas, they needed to rely on data—and he'd seen enough of Tron's world (had known that it was Tron's world) to see that hearts could come in all different shapes. Ways. Existences.
It's because of that that he pieces together precisely why Fitz can't recover his heart. It's not his fault. It's just—Markus likely needs a boost. Maybe it's because of the conditions and circumstances that he does. Riku doesn't know.]
Hold on to him. I think I've got the rest.
[Riku closes the distance and crouches down. His keyblade appears in his hand, and he lifts it up, pointing it at Markus' chest. His eyes focus as a light shoots out of his keyblade into Markus' chest. Moments later, Markus' heart appears in a flash of light. It may not make sense, not scientifically, but his heart looks like the traditional drawing of a heart. Bright, a mesh of gold and silver. It's diminished at first before appearing fully formed. And then it lowers, right back into Markus' chest. Awake. A part of him again.
The bright light from the end of Riku's keyblade fades, and he lowers it soon after. He watches Markus' face, waiting to see if his eyes will open now.]
no subject
Riku knows this story well. Ansem—DiZ—is the same man who kept him focused. Who helped him reclaim his friend. Who ensured that he could see Sora again. And who accidentally brought Riku out of his prison in the body of the man who possessed him, a prison that Riku took on because he knew that he needed the strength to protect what mattered.
What he doesn't know is that he's seeing pieces of that play out here. He may not for a while, or ever—but it's obvious that Markus has slipped further away. Is it because of the hesitation? No, Riku tells himself that isn't the case. If anything, things might be worse. Fitz's return may be more tenuous than absolute, for one thing. His heart is still in danger. (Or would be; Riku assumes as much now.)
He trots closer as Fitz does what he can to bring back Markus. It makes sense if he's an android, but Riku never questions what's happening here. He never doubts the presence of a heart. In order to bring back Naminé, Xion, and Roxas, they needed to rely on data—and he'd seen enough of Tron's world (had known that it was Tron's world) to see that hearts could come in all different shapes. Ways. Existences.
It's because of that that he pieces together precisely why Fitz can't recover his heart. It's not his fault. It's just—Markus likely needs a boost. Maybe it's because of the conditions and circumstances that he does. Riku doesn't know.]
Hold on to him. I think I've got the rest.
[Riku closes the distance and crouches down. His keyblade appears in his hand, and he lifts it up, pointing it at Markus' chest. His eyes focus as a light shoots out of his keyblade into Markus' chest. Moments later, Markus' heart appears in a flash of light. It may not make sense, not scientifically, but his heart looks like the traditional drawing of a heart. Bright, a mesh of gold and silver. It's diminished at first before appearing fully formed. And then it lowers, right back into Markus' chest. Awake. A part of him again.
The bright light from the end of Riku's keyblade fades, and he lowers it soon after. He watches Markus' face, waiting to see if his eyes will open now.]