In the great, big debate over who gets to put the final bullet in old man Xehanort's noggin, I've seen more than a couple of people saying that Terra should get to deliver last rites. Reasoning including that he's probably been through more garbage on account of Xehanort than most, and that this would be the final justice. After losing his body and a whole lot of time in his life, it makes sense that Terra's probably gonna be kind of mad, and will want his sweet revenge.
But, really, isn't whole heartedly embracing revenge exactly what got Terra into this pickle in the first place?
When fighting Xehanort in BBS, Terra's motivations are driven entirely by hate, spite, revenge, personal vendettas, and a whole lot of ego. While you can argue that there is still some level of greater good in his actions (protecting Ven, stopping what's-his-face from forging the X-Blade), within his own head is a tumultuous mix of everything Dark and angry. He's not so much thinking about how he wants to save the world as he is thinking about how much he wants to end Xehanort. With his heart so full of dark thoughts and intents of violence, that's what Xehanort uses to corrupt and tap into his heart and take over.
So fast forward to KHIII. I have no idea if they're going to save Terra in his physical form, or when he's going to make an appearance. Speculative goggles only. In the event that Terra happens to be in a position to ice Xehanort by his own hands, should he take it? I personally believe he should not, if only to show that he did wind up learning something throughout his travels. My biggest complaint against Terra in BBS is that he's essentially the same person at the end of the game as he was at the beginning. If at the end of all things, he learns that maybe, just maybe, violence and revenge is NOT the answer, then it will mean he's learned more than Eraquas could have hoped for. He learned compassion, wisdom, and how to harbour his impulses in exchange for deeper thought.
Moreover, one of the things I keep saying about Sora is that his real strength never comes from strength of arms. Sora is the hero because of who he is, and the kindness he shows to other people. Even his worst enemies, from Maleficent to Xemnas. That's what makes him the guy who's saved the world twice, and it's the thing that Terra was lacking when Eraquas flunked him. It wasn't because his hand glowed purple, it was because the Light is more about who you are as a person, and how you think of and treat other people. If Terra wants to finally be the bigger man, he needs to put aside the simple, base levels of revenge and fighting and try to begin to search for higher truths. And if it means not axing his greatest enemy simply because it makes him feel good, then so be it.
If revenge is what shot him in the foot the first time, and he's had a lot of time to think about it, maybe he can finally be the bigger man and accept that taking that shot just to satisfy his ego is not the best thing he can do.
Bear with me.
In the great, big debate over who gets to put the final bullet in old man Xehanort's noggin, I've seen more than a couple of people saying that Terra should get to deliver last rites. Reasoning including that he's probably been through more garbage on account of Xehanort than most, and that this would be the final justice. After losing his body and a whole lot of time in his life, it makes sense that Terra's probably gonna be kind of mad, and will want his sweet revenge.
But, really, isn't whole heartedly embracing revenge exactly what got Terra into this pickle in the first place?
When fighting Xehanort in BBS, Terra's motivations are driven entirely by hate, spite, revenge, personal vendettas, and a whole lot of ego. While you can argue that there is still some level of greater good in his actions (protecting Ven, stopping what's-his-face from forging the X-Blade), within his own head is a tumultuous mix of everything Dark and angry. He's not so much thinking about how he wants to save the world as he is thinking about how much he wants to end Xehanort. With his heart so full of dark thoughts and intents of violence, that's what Xehanort uses to corrupt and tap into his heart and take over.
So fast forward to KHIII. I have no idea if they're going to save Terra in his physical form, or when he's going to make an appearance. Speculative goggles only. In the event that Terra happens to be in a position to ice Xehanort by his own hands, should he take it? I personally believe he should not, if only to show that he did wind up learning something throughout his travels. My biggest complaint against Terra in BBS is that he's essentially the same person at the end of the game as he was at the beginning. If at the end of all things, he learns that maybe, just maybe, violence and revenge is NOT the answer, then it will mean he's learned more than Eraquas could have hoped for. He learned compassion, wisdom, and how to harbour his impulses in exchange for deeper thought.
Moreover, one of the things I keep saying about Sora is that his real strength never comes from strength of arms. Sora is the hero because of who he is, and the kindness he shows to other people. Even his worst enemies, from Maleficent to Xemnas. That's what makes him the guy who's saved the world twice, and it's the thing that Terra was lacking when Eraquas flunked him. It wasn't because his hand glowed purple, it was because the Light is more about who you are as a person, and how you think of and treat other people. If Terra wants to finally be the bigger man, he needs to put aside the simple, base levels of revenge and fighting and try to begin to search for higher truths. And if it means not axing his greatest enemy simply because it makes him feel good, then so be it.
If revenge is what shot him in the foot the first time, and he's had a lot of time to think about it, maybe he can finally be the bigger man and accept that taking that shot just to satisfy his ego is not the best thing he can do.