[Ryusuke]

Welp, the E3 trailer showed off the new secret boss as a dude with an Organization XIII coat with light blades. And thus the discussion begins.

Part of me wants to say Ansem the Wise, but I don't know.

[Karas]

First impression: Oh yeah, that's Xehanort. The move set and techniques are highly similar to secret encounter with Xemnas in KHFM. I can essentially be wrong of course, but base on the setting and having Aqua being the "character to challenge him" I can lean towards that possibility.

Perhaps it's the "Xehanort" after Xemnas and Ansem were defeated and merged back once again.

[Grassy]

I'm with Karas. The lightsabers make me think it's some incarnation of Xehanort.
Then again, maybe it's a red herring.

[Lagunamov]

My train of thought went similarly at first, but his precense in the past is what intrigues me. Unless the KH story starts dealing with time travel, or the battle is entirely non-canon, then it's hard to see him being the Xehanort that is supposed to be formed after Xemnas and Ansem were defeated.
This ethereal blades also have handles, and his battle stance uses a reverse grip on both blades.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Sir...csnap-85837.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/Sir...csnap-86742.png

[Grassy]

Spoiler

The secret bosses from KHFM and KH2FM have both had something to do with Xehanort. The former being Xemnas and the latter being Terra's LS (and, of course, Terra became a part of Xehanort the Apprentice).

I feel like this is will be no different.
While I do fear the idea of time travel becoming relevant (since that's the last thing this series needs), they could go the same route as they did with the LS. I mean, it's never explicitly shown that Sora travels through time, and it's arguable if it's even canon.

[Axel979]

So the Ice Titan isn't a secret boss?

[Chaos_Riku]

I'm hoping it's someone new, but it'd be cool if it was one of the countless variations of Xehanort.

[gxyoumo14]

i was thinking ansem the wise but thats a long shot.
it also might be.... spoiler alert!!!

*when master xehanort removed his heart he may have made a nobody as his heart was quite strong
or what ever happened to terras heart after xehanort split himself into xemnas and ansem the seeker of darkness*

[The 15th Member]

So the Ice Titan isn't a secret boss?

That wasn't actually the Ice Titan. It was the Ice Collossus. Which is just a weaker replica of the Ice Titan, that can be fought at the Mirage Arena.

And it was in the original version.

[Sun Sets Red]

I don't want

Spoiler

another secret boss involving Xehanort in some way

--I just want something new.

[Toteka]

In that interview, when they discussed altering the difficulty setting, does it mean they made it easier or harder for the Western players? I got confused.

[Axel979]

^
They're adding a harder difficulty level for westerners.

That wasn't actually the Ice Titan. It was the Ice Collossus. Which is just a weaker replica of the Ice Titan, that can be fought at the Mirage Arena.

And it was in the original version.

Ahh ok. I thought it might be because the Ice Titan was considered in one way or another to be a secret boss in the original KH, so.

[Karas]

^
They're adding a harder difficulty level for westerners.

In addition, Japanese play more casually than the competitive westerners. The overall game mechanics of got a little tweak here and there to make it more balance according to Nomura. The biggest plus is indeed critical mode for all those who keep ranting that KH2 was too easy. (Like myself)

[Ryusuke]

Y'know I wonder why Nomura decided to go and give this secret boss an Organization cloak instead of doing a new design like with Lingering Spirit. I'm not sure if I should call it lazy, or he's on to something here.

[bengals81192]

My thoughts are that it is Sora after he turns evil. It can't be a Xehanort because his blades were red and that is just plain ol' retarded to change a color and make it a secret boss. also, the cape is just for someone that was following a dark path. It could be Sora after he turn evil or a young Master Xehanort before he turned full evil ( who I think could be Sora's dad and thats why in KH II FM Terra can sense Xehanort in Sora).

[Toteka]

No offence but that's just a pile of crap. Sora probably wouldn't turn evil. He could but I reckon it'd be completely pointless. In 358/2 Days, Xemnas' blade colors changed all the time with different panels. In KH2FM, Terra sense's Ventus, NOT Xehanort in him, I don't see how that's possible seeing as 2 incarnations are destroyed and Master Xehanort is in Terra. And I thought Young Xehanort would have a Keyblade like his older self, not Ethereal Blades. I don't see how it'd be retarded to make him a secret boss, it can help build towards future titles. Sorry for completely ripping your theory to shreads.

[Exavier]

My thoughts are that it is Sora after he turns evil.

lol no.

It can't be a Xehanort because his blades were red and that is just plain ol' retarded to change a color and make it a secret boss. also, the cape is just for someone that was following a dark path.

What? Cape? Dark path?
Terra, Aqua, and Ventus all have capes for their armored forms. And Terra is the only one that is semi evil. Kinda cliche to think Cape = Evil.

It could be Sora after he turn evil or a young Master Xehanort before he turned full evil

Sora is 4-5 at the time.

Spoiler

And it can't be Master Xehanort since he's already old and inside Terra.

Square wouldn't pull something like that.

( who I think could be Sora's dad and thats why in KH II FM Terra can sense Xehanort in Sora).

This **** has to stop. "It's Riku's dad!" Omg "Its Sora's cousin!" ROFL "Aqua is Sora's mom!"
Terra's Sentiment is simply apeshit for revenge. So he simply flipped and initiated the fight; otherwise there'd be no point in putting him in FM+. He is a secret BOSS.

No offence but that's just a pile of crap. Sora probably wouldn't turn evil. He could but I reckon it'd be completely pointless. In 358/2 Days, Xemnas' blade colors changed all the time with different panels. In KH2FM, Terra sense's Ventus, NOT Xehanort in him, I don't see how that's possible seeing as 2 incarnations are destroyed and Master Xehanort is in Terra. And I thought Young Xehanort would have a Keyblade like his older self, not Ethereal Blades. I don't see how it'd be retarded to make him a secret boss, it can help build towards future titles. Sorry for completely ripping your theory to shreads.

Spoiler

Terra senses Sora/Ven. Since he did meet Sora when he was 4-5. But chose Riku as his successor.

[Grassy]

Intro/Outro as well as music for the "Mysterious Figure":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5EnhzGAdmA

Very interesting. The music doesn't sound like Kingdom Hearts music, really, but 1:02 and on is delicious.

Keyblades you get for defeating the two secret bosses:

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/2046/201009041117290.png
http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/7225/201009041117390.png

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/5875/201009041141290.png
http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/1272/201009041142050.png

All things considered, it looks to be that

Spoiler

time travel will play a role... unfortunately. That's the last thing this series needs. But it's heavily implied. Just look at No Name. A clock on the blade and an hourglass for a keychain...

Let the speculation commence!

[Toteka]

I'm jumping on the bandwagon and saying Xemnas and "Ansem" came together again. Just going off the lightsabers Blades and Black Coat. The aspect of time control does and doesn't annoy. It annoys me because this person's probably gonna be popping up in every time zone, but it doesn't really annoy me because I like time control anyways.

[Ryusuke]

It's theme...I cried...manly tears. That's the best theme ever...

[Karas]

Birth by Sleep has by far the best soundtrack in the entire series. The Mysterious Figure track, simple puts a exclamation mark on it.

I've notice his attacks are similar to that of various Org members. My hence is still that he either has relations to

Spoiler

Xehanort

or an entirely new character. But if you notice...

Spoiler

Deathclock and deck wiping - Marluxia
Creating clones - Larxene
Creating Fire Pillars - Axel
Stopping time - Luxord
Throwing lances - Xaldin
Insane combo - Xemnas
Turning invisible - (possibly) Zexion
Meteor Break - Lexeaus
And possibly more..

It's almost like you're fighting Organization 13 combined.

But there is also...
Sonic Rave - Sora
X attack - Vanitas

BAH!!!! D:

[Grassy]

If anyone hasn't seen it yet, TimmyTurnersDad, as usual, was the first to post a high quality version of the music:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkHefpAki60

Also, two videos of the fight.
First, Aqua with a move exhibition:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qThA9ycAm0s

And Ven, complete with in-game sound:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGp6iehRAes

My impression?

Spoiler

I think the music gives off sad vibes. Like Terra's Lingering Spirit, I doubt the Mysterious Figure is a true enemy. Note how after the fight when he reappears, Aqua readies her keyblade, assuming he will attack. But he doesn't. Instead, from what I gather, he just stares at her and (based on his hood's position) looks down. Then he turns to walk away, not before giving Aqua one last glance.

Now that to me seems to suggest he's forlorn about something (looking down in disappointment, turning back to see Aqua one more time).
If past secret bosses are any indication, he will be connected to Xehanort in some way.
But that apparent sadness also screams of Terra to me. Of course, had he met Aqua again, he'd be ashamed.

I'll have to mull over this for a while.

[Monix]

Well Ima throw in my 2 cents involving this.

Spoiler

So at the beginning of the fight he's fading in and out, like he's jus arrived or something, further implying time travel. Also, he points at Aqua like he's come for her(or if it's any other character) and so maybe he's on a mission to either test them or something.

Otherwise, ya, highly implied it's time travel.

Also, he keeps fading in and out, but maybe then again this is a hint to the future.

And who says this guy is a part of Org 13? Who can't say that he's just a guy who belongs to the Realm of Darkness?

The other thing is, all his attacks are almost like the other members of Org 13.

Maybe he's all of the Org 13 members in one being? Maybe they found each other when they died?

[StoryKing]

"Y'know I wonder why Nomura decided to go and give this secret boss an Organization cloak instead of doing a new design like with Lingering Spirit. I'm not sure if I should call it lazy, or he's on to something here."

Does no one realize the cloaks have a purpose? They act like the armor Aqua, Terra and Ventus wear and it stops the darkness from just consuming them, there just Xehanort's version.

Just to be safe i put my whole spiel on ideas i have about the mysterious figure in spoilers

Spoiler

As far as the secret boss goes... I think the figure is Vanitas, or Ventus or at least linked to them. The reason being is the boss holds his weapons backhand, and uses the x-blade attack only used by Vanitas when the x-blade has been formed. (I could be wrong about that, i just never saw him do it before the x-blade had been formed.) Also the games lore makes a big deal of the x character, so maybe the x-blade attack should be pronounced the same way x-blade itself is pronounced. Does no one see the similarity in the way the mysterious figure fights and how Ventus fights when he's using the wingblade form? I know it's not exact, but it's similar.

[Ryusuke]

StoryKing, on 22 September 2010 - 04:42 AM, said:

Spoiler

As far as the secret boss goes... I think the figure is Vanitas, or Ventus or at least linked to them. The reason being is the boss holds his weapons backhand, and uses the x-blade attack only used by Vanitas when the x-blade has been formed. (I could be wrong about that, i just never saw him do it before the x-blade had been formed.) Also the games lore makes a big deal of the x character, so maybe the x-blade attack should be pronounced the same way x-blade itself is pronounced. Does no one see the similarity in the way the mysterious figure fights and how Ventus fights when he's using the wingblade form? I know it's not exact, but it's similar.

Honestly, I'm really tired of Nomura playing "this new character is connected to such and such" card...for his sake it better not be. Him holding his weapons backhand is just a coincidence...'sides...he doesn't have the clown sized shoes. >.>