#and if you recognise him from twewy

[greetings-inferiors]

If you don't know who this character is you don't have the right to complain about kh3's story

me arguing with people about kingdom hearts

[eternal-dawn15]

First of all I'm gonna preface this with the admittance that I have not played NEO TWEWY yet so if any of this is addressed in that game then please don't spoil it. Also this is just me rambling so I'm gonna repeat myself a lot.

One of the problems in the first game that is never really addressed is that Neku was ready and willing to kill Shiki to come back to life. She begs him to spare her ("Please don't kill me") and his only response is "I have to". Neku is cold, calculating, and self-centred to the point that he would rather kill his partner under the instruction of untrustworthy reapers than spend a week in the Reapers' Game. If Mr Hanekoma hadn't stepped in, I have no doubts that Neku would have gone through with it and killed Shiki, erasing himself in the process.

In the anime this event loses its meaning; Neku is possessed by noise and doesn't know what he's doing, evidenced by his confusion and remorse following the event. In many ways, it is far easier to forgive and forget what happens. In the anime Neku is generally cares much more about those around him; he shows compassion and a willingness to cooperate with others much earlier on in the week, and as such, it wouldn't make sense for him to willingly kill Shiki. It makes sense for the narrative the writers chose in the anime.

In the game, whilst Shiki quickly excuses Neku's attempt to kill her, it leaves a sour taste in your mouth. Neku tried to kill her of his own free will, and he shows no remorse for what happened, only anger at the reapers for tricking him. No matter how much he opens up to Shiki and his friends after the event, Neku's actions stick with the player. We are the only ones who know Neku's thoughts and feelings, the only ones who know what he has done.

Neku is a bad person.

Not because he's an introvert, not because he doesn't trust others. But because he tried to murder Shiki.

This is very important in the second week, when we meet the very person who murdered Neku. Joshua is annoying, speaking of death nonchalantly in a way that angers Neku. The hypocrisy is stifling and seems to amuse Joshua. They are both killers; Neku has no right to take the high ground. Neku's reaction to finding his killer is visceral anger, whilst Shiki's reaction was compassion and forgiveness. Joshua and Neku are paralleled in many ways- Neku is Joshua's representative after all- but their willingness to take lives is an approach that is rarely considered. Joshua killed Neku, yes, but he did so because he truly believed Neku was the key to winning the fight for Shibuya. Neku merely tried to kill Shiki for his own selfish gain.

The player can forgive Joshua for what he did to Neku by the end of the game, but Neku cannot. Perhaps in a way, this is because Neku recognises that what he himself did was unforgiveable. Perhaps it is easier to blame a God than to blame himself. Perhaps he is clinging on to the fact that he didn't technically kill Shiki. Perhaps he must forgive Joshua to forgive himself.

I used to wonder why Joshua chose Neku to represent him in the game. Sure, they both believed that the people were too egotistical to ever understand each other, that differing values and beliefs prevented people from ever truly caring for each other, but beyond that, they have little in common. Neku's journey of self-discovery brings their ideals and beliefs further and further apart, to the point where Joshua has to sacrifice himself to give Neku a reason to keep playing ("But Neku, I thought you couldn't afford to lose this game? Give up on yourself, and you give up on the world").

Even when we find out that Joshua didn't sacrifice himself for Neku, that he killed Neku and forced him into the game, it's hard not to forgive him. Joshua cares about Shibuya and its people, he cares about Neku, and his benevolence is what allows Neku and his friends to be reborn again. He is a morally ambiguous ethereal being who has chosen to spare the characters we have grown to love. When we see him stood by Mr H, watching Neku and his friends meet up in the RG, Mr H comments that Joshua seems jealous of them, and we are reminded of Joshua's loneliness. Why should Neku get his happy ending and not Joshua?

Neku tries to kill someone, shows no remorse, and yet is deemed worthy to return to life by Joshua. Joshua forgives him. Neku does not.

The game tries to redeem Neku for what he has done and yet villainise Joshua's actions, and it leaves the player with a sense of injustice, of unease.

Because under it all, Neku is still a killer.

The end :)))

[voicefromthecorner]

40. Shibuya’s Wide Enough

Original Song: The World Was Wide Enough

To decide the fate of Shibuya and the Composer of the city, Joshua challenges Neku to a duel that he can’t refuse.

This song. This song, after ages of just having two and a half Hamilton parodies lying around and eventually getting my creativity kickstarted by Wait For It, this song was the next song I wrote, the one I had wanted to write for the longest time and I consider it the point of no return. After writing this song, I was dead set to write more and that desire snowballed into everything I’ve done here, until today. I consider it to be probably my favourite of the adaptations I’ve done, probably tied with the next one.

From the moment the very idea of Hamilton and TWEWY crossing over was an inception in my head, I was thinking about how both stories end in a duel followed by an optimistic monologue of sorts. As with many songs I wanted to do, I was a little unsure that I’d be able to cover everything that happened here and I was afraid of messing it up, so I actually wrote this one backwards. I skipped to adapting the end of the duel, since I knew who would be saying what parts and roughly what they’d be saying there. From there I worked backwards, line by line, until this was done. And overall, I’m really pleased with the result.

I praised this event before because of how ambiguous it is and I recognise that, while I tried to retain that as much as possible, this does probably make Joshua more sympathetic than he ought to be and definitely lets us inside his head more than the game ever did. But I was working with what I had and I want to convey the emotion of the song as much as the story, so I rolled with it. At the end of the day, I don’t believe any of it is too out-of-character or disjointed from the story and I like the way it sounds.

This is, of course, far too in-depth an analysis of a fan-made musical parody of the ending of a video game, but I’ve had this in my head all year and I’m glad I’m finally getting it out. Hope you’ve enjoyed the ride! We’re almost home!

First Song: Neku Sakuraba

Previous Song: The True Composer

Next Song: Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Writes Your Story

Index

Transcript:

[COMPANY] One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine

[JOSHUA] There are ten things you need to know

[COMPANY] Number one!

[JOSHUA] The Conductor has failed in his designs My friend, Megumi Kitaniji resigned as—

[JOSHUA AND COMPANY] Number two!

[JOSHUA] The four of us were left alone Neku, Shiki, Beat and he who sits on the throne

[COMPANY] Number three!

[JOSHUA] I saw Sakuraba staring at me in pain I wish I could tell you what was happ’ning in his brain This boy has achieved my angelic pursuits

[COMPANY] Most disputes die and bear no fruit! Number four!

[JOSHUA] I lock his friends in position I'm here to change the world, that is my mission I couldn't have succeeded without Neku's ability I decide to give my proxy one last opportunity

[COMPANY] Five!

[JOSHUA] I didn't acknowledge this at the time But he was—

[JOSHUA (NEKU)] Reeling from the shock (Reeling from the shock) When I died, until (When you died, until) I—(I—)

[COMPANY] Six!

[JOSHUA] I provide a gun for him to employ To duel for Shibuya, to save or to destroy

[COMPANY] Seven!

[JOSHUA] Confusion time, he makes a plea But I've already collected his entry fee

[COMPANY] Number eight!

[JOSHUA/NEKU] No chance to negotiate Make a decision; it's the battle for Shibuya's fate

[JOSHUA] On my count, our guns will fire But strangely Neku seems to have no desire I tell him he has to take deadly aim It’s him or me; the world will never be the same I had only one thought before the duel: There can only be one Composer to rule

[COMPANY] Number nine!

[JOSHUA] Look me in the eye, aim no higher Summon all the courage you require Then count:

[COMPANY] One two three four five six seven eight nine Number ten counted! Fire!—

[NEKU] I've imagined death so much it feels more like a memory Is this where it gets me, on my feet, sev’ral feet ahead of me? I see it coming, do I run or fire my gun or let it be? No help from Beat, or from Shiki Josh, my trusted friend, my enemy Maybe the last face I ever see If I throw away my shot, is this how you’ll remember me? What if this bullet is my legacy?

Legacy. What is a legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see I wrote some notes at the beginning of a song someone will sing for me Shibuya, you great unfinished symphony, you sent for me! You let me make a difference A place where even loner ignorants Can leave their fingerprints and rise up I’m running out of time. I’m running, and my time’s up Wise up. Eyes up. I catch a glimpse of the other side 777 leads a rock band chorus on the other side My friend is on the other side He’s with Sota and Nao on the other side Megumi is watching me from the other side Teach me how to say goodbye

Rise up, rise up, rise up Shibuya My world, it's our time I’ll see you on the other side

Always trust your partner...

[JOSHUA AND COMPANY] He drops his pistol to his side—

[JOSHUA] Wait!

I strike him right between his ribs He falls to the ground; there are tears in his eyes His friends cry out his name in despair I stop and think

There is silence in the streets He didn't shoot me; he could've tried And so

[JOSHUA AND HANEKOMA] Hanekoma and myself/yourself—

[JOSHUA] Just smiled in his eyes as he died

Death doesn’t discriminate Between the sinners and the saints It takes and it takes and it takes I've been left to ruminate On every picture it paints and It paints him in all that he faced When Sakuraba kept his gun by his side He proved that he was willing to die Should I let him pay for it?

To survive, or to pay for it?

Am I the villain in this history? Am I too young and blind to see? Neku has changed The city's changed The world is wide enough for both Shibuya and me The world is wide enough for both Shibuya and me

[brainy-storm]

J for Their Hearts Rust Every Evening, M, N, R, Z

M: Got any premises on the back burner that you’d care to share?

Oooh plenty! Well one that I thought of a while ago was writing what I thought Brainy’s involvement in the Supergirl show was going to be like, before he got promoted to a regular character.

Another idea is a collection of letters that the Legionnaires slip under the door to Brainy’s locked lab while he’s gone on Earth (in the SG verse). Second collection idea are just unrelated one-shots/drabbles on comic Legion friendships + ships.

N: Is there a fic you wish someone else would write (or finish) for you?

So, I love reading crossover fics so another one that involves Brainy would be amazing. Now, a crossover I’d like to see? It’s usually a ‘I didn’t know I needed this until I read it’. Though, DC internal crossovers could be cool too….more cartoon Legion x Young Justice TV…or just reboot Legion with Young Justice TV. (uhhh so I like Young Justice TV crossovers too haha). people rarely finish crossover fics and that is a real shame

R: Are there any writers (fanfic or otherwise) you consider an influence? 

Garth Nix books were my life as a kid, so I’d say I got some influence from his writing when I first started out, probably, especially his Keys to the Kingdom series. Fanfic wise, I started off writing in the ‘TWEWY’ fandom on ff.net so my still-active writing influences are ‘Chronic Guardian’ and ‘Aviantei’ from that site and they continue to influence my writing.

Z: Major character death–do you ever write/read it? Is there a character whose death you can’t tolerate?

Yeah, sure I do! Plenty! Though, not necessarily where the plot surrounds a major character death, but yeah if it’s done for plot purposes. Also, yes I’d write it hahaha. Hmmm…nope, I don’t have characters for whom I couldn’t tolerate their character deaths. (In fanfic, and depending on context, though)

J: Write or describe an alternative ending toTheir Hearts Rust Every Evening’.  

Under the cut~.   (tagging Winter too in case she’d like to see this ;D  @winterskywrites )

The ride back on the time bubble is comparatively smooth this time, though the landing back in his lab is a bit shaky.

There’s that distinct pain in his head again and he can already feel his thought-tracks start to cross each other. He tries to ignore it.

He gave permission for his lab to be used, yet there is still a bit of unease when he stumbles out of the bubble to find that it is not precisely as he has left it. It’s also not empty.

“Well isn’t that K-K-K curious.” The voice speaks Interlac but Brainy does not recognise the insectoid. “Were you conducting an extended experiment with the Time Cube, professor?” The sentient peers at him with big dark black bulbous eyes.

“No, I haven’t, Professor Cicadia,” replies the professor. The man regards Querl suspiciously. “Who are you?” 

“I am Brainiac 5,” he answers. He does recognise this man. Rond Vidar, a fellow researcher, who Brainy has interacted with before. “What are you doing in my lab?”

Cicadia and Rond exchange a look of puzzlement. 

Don’t they recognise me - oh.

Querl realises that he hasn’t turned off his image inducer, which he does so now. 

This does not create the reaction he desires, as the two look even more confused and apprehensive. 

“He wears the symbol of the original Brainiac,” Cicadia mutters. 

“Indeed...” Rond eyes the symbol on his forehead. “And he claims to be Brainiac 5. Blue as he may be.”

This is becoming odd, most people should recognise him; the Legionnaires don’t have secret identities like in the 21st century. They’re covered extensively in public reports, so most citizens of the United Planets should know what he looks like. Yet they don’t seem to.

“Yes, I am Brainiac 5. Querl Dox. This is my lab.” He hears his voice tremble. This is not something he expects to have to explain after a sickening journey through time. He lifts his hand to show his Legionnaire ring for good measure. “Where are the other Legionnaires? Civilians shouldn’t have access to my lab. Unless the current Legion leader has given permission...or perhaps Lyle let you in...”

“Lyle?” Rond echoes. “As in Lyle Norg? The late Invisible Kid?”

Querl feels his heart almost stop. 

The ‘late’ Invisible Kid.

He feels himself slipping. The fatigue from time travel hits all at once and he loses consciousness. His last thought before blacking out is that he thinks someone catches him...

...

“So, Brainiac - what are your k-k-k-conclusions?” Circadia asks, as Brainiac 5 lifts the smaller-statured humanoid that has apparently been claiming to be him. “Shapeshifter? K-k-k clone? ”

Brainiac 5 glances at the time-bubble for a second. “Neither,” he deduces, “I believe we have a case of a Brainiac 5 from another Earth.”

“Intriguing,” says Rond. “From the way he was speaking, I believe he didn’t intend to end up here.”

“Agreed. To aim for a temporal jump and to cross Earths instead...” Brainiac 5 frowns. “A grave mistake in calculations. Of the kind I would make during one of my more difficult times.” He sees the tired lines on the face of his seemingly younger counterpart. “Let’s take him to the guest quarters. I would like to take a closer look at his transport, afterwards.”

The frown deepens. 

He has met other counterparts before but none so young and yet already in such a dismal state as this one.

Brainiac 5 decides that when their guest wakes up, they will help him. 

[sir-adamus]

okay epilogue and secret ending time time gonna live this one

okay the No Name landing in the graveyard, fitting

Xigbar? you’re alive?

wait the foretellers

that’s the box

hang on

summon them back?

HE’S LUXU?! what?!

“had to cast my old form away” he’s been bodyhopping over the eons then?

this was the role the MoM set him on?

Ava’s not here - apparently of her own design

i would very much like to know what his role is and what is in the box

i do like long stories please tell it

oh goddammit

okay back with the boys in scala ad caelum

chess metaphors

“i heard about this new game” oh how meta

chess pieces repping the Foretellers, Luxu and the MoM up against the Sora piece? iiiiinteresting sequel hook

--

opening on a puddle

oh hey Sora’s alive, always good

waking up on the pavement in a place you don’t recognise is never a good sign

okay so he’s in a city, cool - i’m reminded of the first KH secret ending, where we first saw the World That Never Was

this has been first person for the most part so far, seeing how far the CG has come that Sora’s hands being covered in the water he was lying in looks really good

okay now Riku’s waking up, did he go searching for him?

one thing i’m noting is how much more detailed and realistic Sora and Riku’s clothes look in this compared to the other CG cutscenes in the game, even the OP

Riku’s also in a city, the same one?

Sora’s true, most dire enemy, a car

intense music as the two walk around and we get shots of the city around them

wait, the 104 building? the TWEWY version of the 109 building in the real Shibuya? Sora’s in fucking Shibuya, Scramble Crossing - huh

that’s the metropolitan government building in Shinjuku - they’re both in Tokyo, okay

Riku walks away and we pan up the aforementioned building where he’s being observed, apparently, by...

...Yozora

the guy from the video game in Toy Box

WHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT

and a black coat, alright. posture seems familiar, so wild guess and i’m gonna say that’s the Master of Masters

yeah making a heart shape with his hands over the moon, it’s him

Reconnect. i keep trying Nomura but the opportunity keeps getting snatched away