History Fanfic / TheTieThatBinds

* ArmorPiercingQuestion: Lea frequently lobs these at Aqua as an attempt to make her see Xemnas isn't such a great guy. The one that finally sticks is "What do you really know about the time you were gone?"

** Ventus also [[NoSell nosells]] everyone when they try to stop him from [[spoiler:destroying part of Kingdom Hearts.]]

* DemotedToExtra: Braig is [[spoiler:killed off at the end of the second chapter.]] Partially justified as the Union X and Master of Masters plotlines are not canon in this universe.

** Xemnas is able to [[spoiler:summon Ends of the Earth, but cannot keep it for more than a few seconds. This reflects that Xemnas is genuinely identifying as Terra, but is not actually him.]]

* HeroicSecondWind: The Lingering Will gets one after [[spoiler:Xehanort defeats Aqua in front of it,]] leading to the aforementioned [[spoiler:FusionDance.]]
* HoistByTheirOwnPetard: If Ventus and Xemnas hadn't tried so hard to isolate and control Aqua, she likely would have [[spoiler:kept enough trust to believe Xemnas when he claimed everything that happened in Radiant Garden was an accident.]]
* HourGlassPlot: Prior to the story, Aqua's strong maternal instinct made her the {{Team Mom}}. However, the {{Year Inside Hour Outside}} nature of the Realm of Darkness means that by the time she's rescued, she's physically younger than her friends. Ventus is quick to position himself as her new big brother, while Xemnas outright says it is her turn to be watched over.

* ItsAllMyFault: As most of the events between ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep'' and ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'' were caused by Terra and Ventus looking for her, Aqua blames herself.
* LoveMakesYouEvil: While an apprentice of Ansem the Wise, Terra destroys Radiant Garden while trying to find Aqua. Ventus didn't contribute to this, but he stood by and allowed it to happen.

** Bonus points goes to the time Xemnas gave Aqua the silent treatment for the simple crime of ''talking to her old friend Mickey.''

* ToxicFriendInfluence: Ventus, Terra and Aqua to each other. Ventus and Terra support each other's descent into villainy. Xemnas and Ventus constantly chip away at Aqua's self-esteem while isolating her. And while Aqua herself isn't that toxic to Xemnas and Ventus, she provides the fuel for their nastier sides.

** While he is apprenticing under Ansem the Wise, Terra begins his research into darkness because he has recurring visions of Aqua lost in the Realm of Darkness.

The Tie That Binds is a ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' fanfiction that starts at the end of ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep'' and progresses through the fall of Radiant Garden, ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsI'' and ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII' before becoming completely AU. It can be read [[https://archiveofourown.org/works/17924201/chapters/42323534 here]]

A small miscalculation turns Master Xehanort's plan on its head. Vanitas, after merging with Ventus, does not wake up as the dominant personality - but neither does Ventus. Instead, the result is an odd fusion of the two: a vicious, aggressive soul with full control over the X-Blade. . . and who really, ''really'' wants his friends home and safe.

However, even that simple wish isn't within reach as Terra and Aqua have succumbed to their canon fates. Ventus isn't about to give up though. Terra is still ''here'' after all, just amnesic and once he finds Aqua, everything will go back to how it should be.

* HeroicSecondWind: The Lingering Will gets one after [[spoiler:Aqua is defeated in front of it,]] leading to the aforementioned [[spoiler:FusionDance.]]

* ItsAllMyFault: As most of the events between ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep'' and ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'' were caused by Apprentice!Terra and Ventus looking for her, Aqua blames herself.
* LoveMakesYouEvil: Apprentice!Terra destroys his entire world trying to find Aqua. Ventus didn't contribute to this, but he stood by and allowed it to happen.

** Bonus points goes to the time Xemnas gave Aqua the silent treatments for weeks for the simple crime of ''talking to her old friend Mickey.''

** Xemnas [[spoiler:kills Roxas]] to solve Ventus's jealously problems once and for all. In response, Lea [[spoiler:leaves the Organization and not only tells Sora and co. what they're up to, but also provides them the information needed to make the Ventus-Vanitas and Xehanort-Terra connection. He also abandons subtlety and outright tells Aqua Xemnas is hiding something from her.]]

** Aqua believes Xemnas when he says they can use Kingdom Hearts to restore his heart and joins the Organization.

* WhyDontYouJustShootHim: Averted hard. Ventus [[spoiler:kills every remaining member of the Organization after realizing it will reunite them with their hearts.]]
* {{Yandere}}: Ventus [[spoiler:scars Isa]] to warn everyone to keep their distance from Aqua.

The Tie That Binds is an [[AlternateUniverseFic AU]] ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' fanfiction starting at the end of ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep''. It can be read [[https://archiveofourown.org/works/17924201/chapters/42323534 here]]

But the path to a happy ending is long and difficult. And their efforts to make one might end up destroying the universe instead.

* FallenHero: Ventus goes from a pure-heartened hero in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep'' to such an unstable threat to the universe that it is strongly implied [[spoiler:Terra mercy-kills him in the final scene.]]

* {{Foreshadowing}}: While on Destiny Islands, Ansem's narrative mentions 'the one he chose', a designation that in context can only refer to [[spoiler:Terra passing the keyblade onto Riku.]] This is a big clue about{{The Reveal}}.
* HourGlassPlot: Prior to the story, Aqua's strong maternal instinct made her the {{Team Mom}}. However, the {{Year Inside Hour Outside}} nature of the Realm of Darkness means that by the time she's rescued, she's become the youngest. Ventus is quick to position himself as her new big brother, while Xemnas directly tells her it is his and Ventus's turn to watch over her.

* VillainousFriendship: Ventus with every version of Terranort.

** Apprentice!Terranort begins his research into darkness because he has recurring visions of Aqua lost in the Realm of Darkness.

* AdaptedOut: Most canon after ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep'' is ignored. This means there is no Union X, no True Organization XII, or time travel.

** Lea. He constantly questions Aqua's friendship with Xemnas and tries to make her see she's being manipulated. And it's his [[spoiler: recompletion]] that makes Ventus realize [[spoiler: they don't need Kingdom Hearts to get Terra's heart back.]]

* WhyDontYouJustShootHim: Averted hard. Ventus [[spoiler:kills every remaining member of the Organization after realizing it will reunite them with their hearts.]]