Challenge [253]: Polar Opposites, "Cat's In the Cradle"

[kiaxet]

Title: Cat's In the Cradle
Challenge: [253] Polar Opposites
Word Count: 301
Notes: MAJOR BBS SPOILERS. Yes, according to the KH Wiki, that is that Keyblade's name. Yes, the ages are headcanon, but that's more for the timeline effect than anything else. Yes, this is named after the Harry Chapin song that makes me bawl every time, sob. No, I will probably never have a straightforward interpretation of a prompt.





At eight, he was certain. "I'm going to have one of those someday," he said, solemn as a small child could be, pointing to Master Keeper. "Just like you."

At thirteen, he was excited. "I've been practicing," he beamed, basking in the praise from his Master and brandishing the wooden Keyblade that had become his constant companion. "I'm getting strong - just like you."

At eighteen, he was driven. "With Ventus the way he is," he mused, speaking with Aqua but thinking of their newest arrival - young, unknown, and comatose - as, unbeknownst to them, their Master caught the threads of their conversation from beyond the hallway, "we'll need to protect him." Aqua replied - The way the Master protected us, when we were his age - and he nodded. "Yes. Just like the Master."

At twenty-three, he was furious. "You may be my Master," he snarled, Ven's semi-conscious form tucked under one arm and Earthshaker clutched in a white-knuckled grip, "but you will not hurt my friend!" He'd become stubborn, headstrong, fiercely protective-

And in that breath, Eraqus realized that Terra had indeed grown up to be just like him, save for one difference.

"Has the darkness taken you, Terra?" he demanded, watching the black clouds roil around his apprentice. The glow from Eraqus' light was no longer enough to cut through the darkness seething in Terra's heart. Somehow, when Eraqus hadn't been looking, the one difference between them had grown into the chasm that divided them, too deep to be crossed and too powerful to be tempered.

His grip on his Keyblade tightened, an attempt to disguise hands that shook as one somber, final solution sunk in: the only way now to save his apprentice - his son - was to destroy him.

At sixty-two, Eraqus was finished.

And at twenty-three, Terra was shattered.

Comments

[harpie-siren.livejournal.com]

*puts on notpick hat* Except when you do the math based on some word of god said by Nomura in an interview with Famitsu, Terra's nineteen. *takes off nitpick hat*

[kiaxet]

That's why I made the point about ages being headcanon - it really was more to create a timeline effect, and I didn't think we'd gotten any canon on that. I must've missed that interview.

[kitsuneikkin.livejournal.com]

Mind if I ask where I can find this interview? You've made me curious. ^_^;

...and, to not be entirely off-topic: I love the portrayal of Terra in this fic. He's just right. <3

[kiaxet]

/so very, very late

Thanks! I'm flattered that you think so. ♥

[darklight90.livejournal.com]

Powerful stuff. Your insight into Terra is one of the most uniquely-worded from what I've seen. I like how you emphasized that protective instinct of his, especially. It's a nice contrast to the dark subject matter than's an underlying theme here. Ah, and not to forget the last two lines. Just perfect.

Thanks for posting this. Good!fic, as hard to find as it is, always makes my day :)

[kiaxet]

Terra's always been a well-intended road to hell character, in my opinion. He tries so hard to do the right thing; he just keeps getting screwed up or turned around in the process.

I'm really glad you enjoyed it. Good!fic is stupidly difficult to find in this fandom, but this comm always has quite a bit. ;)

[kagome-angel.livejournal.com]

The last two lines are likea crushing blow. Magnificent.

[kiaxet]

The last two lines almost didn't exist - they didn't come about until the editing process. I'm glad you liked it!

[iki-teru.livejournal.com]

sdflkjdsflk TERRA YOU ARE TOO SQUISHY FOR YOUR OWN GOOD.

[kiaxet]

I'm really glad there's nobody in the office right now, because I saw your comment and cackled like a madwoman.

YES. YES HE IS. ;~;

[iki-teru.livejournal.com]

oh god. your icon is adorably hilarious. we seem to be sharing the giggles today

[kiaxet]

That is one of my most-used icons, if only because the schadenfreude is so easy.

Bitty!Kairi eeeeeeeeeee 8D

[cygna-hime.livejournal.com]

I knew from the title that this was going to make me weep, and I was not disappointed even a little. *squishes Terra* Oh, honey, why must you be so tragically adorable?

[kiaxet]

Seriously, that song just makes me bawl every time. It's not an exact fit, but I figured that was close enough.

Because he's Terra. I don't know, man. ;~;

[synchroshatter.livejournal.com]

D = !!!

There are pretty much no words. I really like how you write Terra, and how well you get the giving-in-to-darkness-but-with-the-best-intentions side of it across, and, and, just WHAT. How can you make me feel so bad for him in 300-odd words? Especially with the last two lines, which just about broke me.

So, basically, I loved it.

[kiaxet]

Terra really is the well-intended road-to-hell type, sad as it is. You kind of want to punch him and hug him all at once. |D;;;

I'm glad you liked it! /provides duct tape for broken hearts

[synchroshatter.livejournal.com]

You kind of want to punch him and hug him all at once.

Most accurate description of Terra EVER. XD

[dreamer1789.livejournal.com]

Loving it. The content, worded in this particular style packs a punch that's bound to tug at some heartstrings. ;)

[kiaxet]

Thank you! That's what I was going for, and I'm glad to see it worked.