Revenge/Larxene Sequence Original Drafts (ASASch79-80)

I know I started uploading the Nothing's Fair Rewrite today, and you are probably expecting a post on that, but... I'm doing posts for NFRW every two/three chapters so I'm not spewing one out every day.

You'll get NFRW commentary tomorrow.

Don't miss: The post about Terra's Lingering Will, which anyone playing KH2FM/2.5 should look at (if only to use the trick on other bosses like the Saix Data Replica, who I swear is impossible to beat otherwise)


Revenge/Larxene Sequence Original Concept stuff

The Original Riku-goes-after-Larxene-and-Namine-eventually-stops-him bit (ATRch11-12 correspond)

The Original Revenge Sequence HB Showdown (ATRch16-17 correspond)

The Original Tag for this Sequence (which actually only has posts made after the second draft of the HB showdown OH WELL)

NEW: Liner notes for the "You're Worth More Than Ashes" mix


And while I'm going to talk about those drafts specifically, I'm going to start with:


Initial Concepts for this Sequence (ABUSE MENTION TW)

This idea was actually spurred while I was reading Divergent--or, not Divergent. Whichever one is after it. Insurgent?

One of the characters, Four, (sorry for spoilers but I don't think this is major enough to really?? yanno) is a victim of abuse, and he is forced to work with his father (his abuser) for a while. Well, not work together, but they are on the same side and have to work on the same compound. I think. I might be wrong. It's been two years.

Anyway, there was a scene in Insurgent (pretty sure it's Insurgent) where Four takes and regurgitates the abuse tactics his father used on him and uses them on his father--briefly, for a strike or two, but

I literally had to close the book, put it down, and walk around my house about three times before I was emotionally composed enough to continue. I can't say if it's because I'd already related Four to Riku (I might have, I forget), or what, I just remember I described to myself as "if Riku had used Larxene's medicine on her."

And that stuck with me.

And a couple weeks later, I was waiting in some library for, I think, a free eye exam, and I had my notebook and a scene clear in my mind and I just wrote. I wrote Riku doing that, though with darkness and not lightning bc he can't use lightning and it wouldn't work if he could, and I... I wrote it.

That's how this started.



Chapter 79

This is what I wrote in my notebook, though I may not have quite gotten to Namine showing up, I don't remember. Maybe I did. I'd have to find the notebook again and I don't care that much.

I actually really love this version of Namine saving him, taking a lightning bolt (was it three?) for him, though it didn't end up in the final draft for obvious reasons. (The main one being, as I said, there were more people on scene than I'd originally accounted for and there was no need).

And, obviously, as I think I've said, what he did this time worked. The darkness did hurt her. It did not in the final draft because she was immune to it--something I did not foresee before writing this.

In this draft, it did hurt her. He did not just try to hurt her, to torture her like she did him. He succeeded.

I don't want that to be overlooked.

And I really, really do like this version of the sequence it is good.

NOT THAT THE OTHER VERSION IS BAD. THAT VERSION IS ALSO GOOD.

But, yanno.

I don't really know what to say besides gushing??

I like how Namine resolves this though I really love them arguing in the middle there, and how Namine compares Riku's voice to ice--cold but threatening to break--and how they both fumble but are yelling because they've never argued before and

I like what Namine says to him I like the whole "I'm not asking you to forgive and forget I'm just asking you to let it go" and Riku just "I can't I've tried" a mess about the whole thing

I love this.

It could not have worked in the final draft, because Namine's more antsy, because in the final draft it is about more than just Larxene, and cannot so easily be resolved.

But it's still really good.


Chapter 80

I'm not sure when I decided that Larxene would come after Riku, but I know it was because "well she's still alive and... this is AU so why not?"

Riku seeing her and panicking--because his darkness high has long since fled--was something we kinda got to keep in the final draft, along with him using Vexen as a shield (though it was on accident this time). And we get Vexen protecting him and it's... great.

There was another initial draft where she shows up she corners Riku and Riku loses his blade AND THEN NAMINE SHOWS UP and she kills Larxene but I... I liked Vexen protecting Riku and later the HB gang protecting Riku a lot better, so that's what I went with.

I've talked about this initial draft before, notable because everyone throws protect spells around at each other. And, y'know, I like this version of the scene, too.

But I don't like it as much as the other version, which is so good because Aerith throwing a Holy at Larxene.

I talk about the decision to go with the other draft over this one here.


That's all I have to say!! I hope you enjoy these original drafts, along with the Nothing's Fair Rewrite!! I'm really excited for it and the future of All that Remains.

All That Remains ch20 commentary

I keep meaning (and forgetting) to do a post on it, but here's another obnoxious reminder for #kairineedslove2k15 in the mean time. My posts on the matter are here, or you can support the kairineedslove2k15 blog. Ay.

Chapter Wise

Read ATRch20 here

ATRch20 tag

Magik's side is in Remnants ch78, written from Xion's POV, and not only touches on things that Riku tuned out (again), but also has something relevant to Vexen. (Along with epic stuff goin on with Terra.)

hold me close from rarmaster on 8tracks Radio.

This is in no way related to the chapter, or to FtPverse at all, but have a RokuShi mix I'm super proud of!

All that Remains ch19 Commentary

Update wise:

The BBS page has been updated with more accurate / coherent information concerning how BBS fits into the FtPverse series and what changes have been made vs KH canon.


The ASAS page is new, and has navigation for ASAS based on scene placement within the series. It's fairly useful if you're looking for a specific scene, or if you were confused about what went where, (though you shouldn't have been).



Chapter wise:

Read ATRch19 here

ATRch19 tag on tumblr

Remnants ch76 is magik's side, which is semi-important for parts of the convo that my side missed (due to Vexen tuning things out, much like Riku did in the previous chapter)


I'm too lazy to find a playlist, so take a look at the Break Time command in BBS because. I'm so glad it exists?? ((Feel free to turn the sound off, the guy is just explaining how to get it it was the only video with all three of them))



The reason this chapter is up later than magik's (again) is because I was getting these commands and doing some post-game KH2fm stuff ((still can't get through the damn cavern of remembrance *shakes fist at sky*)).

Anyway

Actual commentary time

ATR ch18 commentary

I'm going to make this coherent as possible and not blab at extreme length about my new goal for 2015--or I won't blab at extreme length in this post, I'll blab later

I've started a new project for 2015, which is #kairineedslove2k15. I'm hoping to make the tag trend on tumblr, though I'd love for it to trend on other sites as well. (I just... don't use any of those other sites..... and am not sure how to go about making one only for kairi appreciation)

Anyway, like I said, I won't go into length about the project in this post, it deserves its own--but check out my kairi appreciation 2015 tumblr blog, eh?


Chapter Time!!! Yes already

Read chapter 18 here

ATR ch18 tag

ATR Larxene sequence tag

Magik's side, which is from Axel's POV, and is actually of some interest because it's more than a paragraph related to this sequence is here at Remnants ch73.
((JK her other chapters are of interest it's not just this one))

music d from rarmaster on 8tracks Radio.

This is a collection of music I basically listened to non-stop while writing this sequence, but I was waiting until this chapter to post it.

((Though, I actually had another set of creepy video game tracks but..... they didn't work so well together in an 8tracks mix so..... that playlist never got posted))

Anyway, actually, you should probably read magik's side of this, because in my side Riku's too busy with other things to pay attention to the battle so you get only a ~vague summary~. Magik's side will give you an actual look at it.

Also I'm cackling over what Axel thinks about Vexen.

All That Remains ch17 commentary

I'm not sure if I ever made a post about me playing Kingdom Hearts 2?? Well, I have been, and I'm nearing the end of the game!! Of course, since this is Final Mix, I have a lot of post-game stuff to get to, but, yanno!

Me livebloggin kh2fm can be found here, if you want it.

you're worth more than ashes from rarmaster on 8tracks Radio.

This playlist probably goes best with the first half of the sequence (chapters 11-14ish) ((if not goes best with the initial draft of the sequence laughs whoops)) buuuut better to have it late than never

This was severely inspired by this post

Which is wonderful

And so relevant to this sequence

Also, if you want the image on tumblr as a graphic (((mmmmmade by me!!!))) then it's over here

I've been waiting to post the sequence tag for fear of spoilers, but I'm pretty sure we've hit the point where there are no future chapters to be spoiled!!! So, here is the sequence tag for this sequence!

Read ATRch17

ATRch17 tag

All That Remains Chapter 16 Commentary

Read it here

ATR ch16 tumblr tag

I forgot to mention with chapter 14 - Remnants chapter 68--the first scene--is relevant to the crossover/Larxene/Revenge sequence, so be sure to check it out!

Fun fact about this chapter! This chapter, or, the scene at the end of it ((Larxene vs the HB gang)) is the scene that made magik decide to make this sequence canon. Before this scene, it was nothing more than an.... actually incredibly elaborate AU that I'd been tossing around for myself, and LOVED TO DEATH but knew since it would inevitably end in Larxene's death and that was for MAGIK to decide and not ME I couldn't consider it canon.

But after this scene she was just like "Yeah. Let's do it." and I was REALLY really REALLY excited.

This is also my favorite chapter of the sequence.


I'm sure I have a ton of playlists I can post, but, today, have another song:


It's a really neat remix of Imagine Dragons' "Who We Are".

Now, time for other chapter notes:

ATR ch13 commentary

I wouldn't call this chapter my favorite chapter of the sequence but I do definitely love it a lot because of Reasons which I will get to in a few paragraphs.

Magik's side (this time from her Namine's POV) is over in Remnants ch67

She got all sappy about how she's happy to be a part of this and I can only happily reaffirm that I'm so glad we got to do this and while this isn't my favorite chapter for being a Great or Exciting part of the sequence or whatever, it does cover something really close to my heart, so....

weren't meant to be from rarmaster on 8tracks Radio.

I.... I'm always really embarrassed to admit how bad I've got it for RepliNami but GOSH if it wasn't my first KH ship it was definitely my first "I WILL SHIP THIS TIL I DIE" ship and ugh I'm

I don't want to ramble too much about this mix right here because I'm actually going to a break down of this mix in my next post (in fact, here is a link to the next post with me babbling) but to put it simply: RepliNami is probably my favorite ship and I'm so so so glad we got to develop it to this point in FtPverse---that they got a happy ending, even if it was not with each other, and there's really no bitterness left between them.

I'm glad FtPverse exists IF ONLY to have developed my favorite ship that far

Granted, I understand that currently this mix is more resolution than the chapter was, but I know that she says they've changed and moved on, and while his feelings haven't been touched yet, I know how Riku feels in response. She says it and he looks at her and he agrees without a moment's hesitation. "You're right. We're different now. I may still love you, and I may always love you, but I'm willing to let you go."

Sighs.

Read ATR ch13 here

ATR ch13 tag

MERRY UPDATE (ATR ch12 - FINALLY)

Magik got settled down so updating is back on track!!!

GOSH I love this sequence so much I LOVE IT SO MUCH

Magik's side of this (from her Riku's aka Real Thing's POV) is over at Remnants chapter 63---and I have to say it was absolutely stellar this time and made me Feel Things. It's so good. This sequence is so good.

This mix is also so good:

veneforis venetisarium from winnix on 8tracks Radio.

It's a Gravity Falls mix for "Bill Cipher possessing Dipper Pines" and is literal perfection in it's ties with the themes and style of Gravity Falls---it's also not bad for this sequence, but most any "creepy" music can be considered good for this sequence

((Top songs from this mix for this sequence are definitely Bloody Shirt and Lose Your Soul, perhaps because they're creepy and upbeat at the same time which is good for this battle-which-isn't-exactly-a-battle. I also like those songs a lot. That cover of Get Lucky gave me chills tho
That in mind, if you want reading music for this chapter, I will suggest one of Bastille's "Other People's Heartaches" albums every time hands down without hesitation--I was jamming to Part 2 before I pulled up this playlist))


Before I forget: I wanted to say I watched the Coded movie the other day and it's really good, like, better than the Days movie a thousand times over (which is kinda sad because I certainly like Days as a game more than I like Coded, and Days the Movie deserved the same love they put into the Coded movie....)
I mean, the pacing of Castle Oblivion was kinda shit, but Data Roxas made up for it he always has

Also: I posted some FtPverse related oneshots that involved Ven and Aqua during this past week and made a post on it---the Aqua one features her being overleveled and superpowered and was actually a really fun oneshot to write, and you should probably check it out if you haven't already!!

Anyway!

Read ATR ch12

ATR ch12 tag

HI WELCOME TO MY FAVORITE SEQUENCE (ATR ch11)

This is the Big Crossover Sequence I have been talking about for a bit, and I'm sure it's obvious why I'm so excited about it--if it isn't clear in this chapter, it certainly will be later.

Magik's side of this chapter (written from her Kairi's POV) can be found here, in Remnants ch61

Obviously, you don't have to read it to know what's going on, at least concerning my side and ATR's plot as a whole. Sure, you'll be missing some details (like about a certain nort), but those details are not relevant to ATR, they are relevant to her Remants.
We wrote it this way on purpose, so that readers who aren't fans of both our fics can get the Important Plot (and this is Very Important Plot) without having to entirely put up with a crossover

I mean, it's still a crossover, and that can't be changed. But, we don't have to redirect you to Can't Escape to read it and understand what's going on, and risk readers not understanding our own separate plots because they didn't read it.

Fantastic.

Perhaps f*k off's too kind from rarmaster on 8tracks Radio.

I know I've already posted this playlist, but I'm posting it again because I was listening to it while editing this sequence (I wrote it before starting ATR, so I had to go back and check for continuity stuff) and it made me really emotional about Riku

I also want you to keep in mind that Riku is only 15, has only been alive for a little over a year, and is for all intents and purposes, still a child

I want that knowledge, along with the weight of his actions, to sink in.

Of course, I'm not saying what he's doing is okay. I'll be the last person to say that. But I think the fact that he's only 15 adds a little more gravity to this situation, and I want you to keep it in mind because I remembered that and it absolutely ruined me.

What is the point of writing fic if I only ruin my own emotions, and not those of my readers, too?

Read ATR ch11

ATR ch11 tag