Lingering Will: Difference between revisions

'''Lingering Will''' is a collection of thoughts and desires of the Keyblade wielder [[Terra]]. It took control over Terra's discarded [[Keyblade Armor]] after his body was possessed by [[Master Xehanort]]. Lingering Will is playable for a short time at the end of Terra's scenario in ''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]''; it made its debut appearance in the ''{{c|Kingdom Hearts|series}}'' series as a secret boss in ''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix]]''.

When Master Xehanort extracts his heart in an attempt to possess Terra, Terra summons his Keyblade Armor in a desperate attempt to defend himself. The Keyblade wielder is just a moment too late, however; his body emanates darkness, symbolizing Xehanort has won. The newly born [[Terra-Xehanort]] discards the Keyblade Armor, as he doesn't desire its protection from the darkness. With the [[No Name]] in hand, Terra-Xehanort walks off in triumph, only to become trapped in [[Will's Cage]]. Terra-Xehanort turns in shock to see Terra's Keyblade Armor reassembled and standing before him; Terra's rage towards Xehanort and his desire to protect his friends has given life to his discarded armor. Determined to stop Master Xehanort at all costs and get back its body, Terra's "lingering will" challenges Terra-Xehanort to a battle. Angered by Terra's continued resistance, Terra-Xehanort readily engages it.

In the end, Lingering Will is victorious in battle, but although Terra-Xehanort is knocked unconscious, it fails to expel Xehanort from Terra's body. The armored figure plunges its [[Ends of the Earth]] into the ground and slumps down, as Terra-Xehanort is consumed by the light storm created by the destruction of the [[χ-blade]] via [[Aqua]] and [[Ventus]]. The clouds that have masked the [[Keyblade Graveyard]] in darkness cover Kingdom Hearts in the sky above, and Lingering Will is left alone. It silently promises Aqua and Ventus that someday, it will set things right.

Eleven years later, a portal to the Badlands appears in [[Disney Castle]]. [[Sora]], [[Donald]], and [[Goofy]] enter it and find themselves standing before the kneeling Lingering Will. The animated Keyblade Armor mentions Aqua and Ventus before sensing Sora's Keyblade, and it mistakes Sora for the one it had chosen, [[Riku]]. Realizing its mistake, Lingering Will asks why Sora is not him; it then wonders if Sora is Xehanort, slowly pronouncing the latter's name. Determined to fulfill the promise it made long ago to avenge itself and its friends, Lingering Will rises to its feet and picks up its Keyblade. Sora and friends draw their weapons in preparation for the upcoming fight, and after an intense struggle, they eventually defeat their silent attacker. Upon its loss, Lingering Will senses Ventus's presence within Sora and kneels back down. If Sora returns to battle Lingering Will after this, it accepts his challenge, but it states that it has nothing left to give the young Keyblade wielder other than its contempt for Xehanort.

In the opening credits of ''Kingdom Hearts Re:coded'', the Lingering Will is seen kneeling down after the defeat of Terra-Xehanort.