Yay! My first KH fanfic! Anywho, I'm a pretty big ZekuMaru fan and I was inspired to write by my friend QuarantineVirus (READ HER STUFF! ISH GOOD!) and so here it is!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Kingdom Hearts I/II. They belong to Square Enix, Buena Vista Games, and of course, Disney. If I owned them, I wouldn't be writing fanfiction, it would be fan-truth.

Oh, and some of the worlds I'm planning to put in here are from movies some people may not have watched, or some places you didn't think came from Disney movies, so see if you can figure 'em out. 8D

"This is a bad idea Superior," Saïx said, flipping the ends of his silvery-blue hair. Xemnas sat in front of him, his elbows propped up on his desk and his hands folded before his mouth as though in a contemplative prayer. The Diviner grumbled and turned around, flipping one hand in the air in a very Demyx-like fashion while pacing. "Those two already don't get along. What makes you think that they would be able to get along for that long?"

"Silence VII, your words are surprisingly disrespectful," the Superior muttered, closing his eyes in obvious irritation.

Saïx turned quickly and bowed his head. "I'm very sorry Superior. Forgive me for questioning you."

"You're forgiven," Xemnas replied, flicking some of his fingers as though to dismiss the Diviner's disrespect. "However, I would like to seek your opinion as to why this plan would not go through."

"Superior, VI and XI are at two opposite ends of the spectrum. VI, as you know, is a genius, but he is cold and contemplative. XI is too exuberant and far too outgoing for VI. There is no way they could complete a mission completely without causing problems not only for themselves, but for the rest of the Organization as well."

Xemnas was silent for a moment before opening his eyes and examining his folded hands. "Saïx, wouldn't you think that possibly, the two would balance each other out? Both have their strong points and personally, I believe their powers and abilities would complement each other."

Saïx lowered his head and grimaced quickly before composing himself. "Superior, you already know XI's motives, don't you?"

Xemnas's molten eyes flickered up to Saïx and he smiled maliciously. "Come now VII, you don't think I would notice? He's almost made it obvious what his plans are. Moreover, who better to thwart his plans than one of the more loyal members? VI is a quick thinker. He will be able to catch on to XI's plans and should there be a great enough catalyst, I won't have to worry about eliminating XI myself."

There was a pause before Saïx began laughing darkly. "Nevermind Superior, my thoughts were not in the place they should be. I suppose this plan will work."

"Good," Xemnas said, his own voice tainted with laughter. "Now bring the two here in an hour. I must sort the missions out."

Saïx bowed deeply, still smiling virulently. "As you wish Superior."

Zexion sat in the library, his fingers nimbly turning the pages of a book about herbs. Vexen had requested he would gather information about certain potentially dangerous herbs as so the Academic could begin work on new creations capable of destroying entire legions of Heartless just by natural means. It wasn't something Zexion looked forward to researching, but he supposed it was for the best. Besides, he was running out of reading material in the library and had never touched the herbal books before.

Unfortunately, he knew the source Vexen would have to turn to for gathering said herbs. Marluxia, the flowery Assassin whom Zexion certainly could not fraternize with. As long as it was Vexen speaking to the neophyte, Zexion would be content. That thought satisfied him enough to keep him reading for the Academic's sake.

He skimmed through several chapters and occasionally scribbled down notes, his cerulean eyes flicking back and forth from the pages of the book to the small pile of notes he had started. 'Milkweed root,' he scribbled. 'Potentially dangerous and fatal to small and medium-sized animals.' For a moment, he paused to look at his notes and sighed. Of course, Zexion was never one to take breaks, but for once, he decided the time seemed right for one.

He stuck a small sliver of paper in between the pages of the herb book to save his place before getting up and stretching out. Being hunched over a book for hours on end was never pleasant on one's back, despite being a powerful Nobody. After stretching himself out to satisfaction, he walked through some of the aisles of books, glancing over titles he had probably already read. One shelf was completely filled with binders he had composed, made out of hand-written notes and sketches. No one ever bothered to look at those other than Superior, so Zexion could only question why they would be in the library.

For several more minutes, he continued filtering through the nearly endless supply of books before pausing in front of one shelf. Among the hundreds of books was a small section he hadn't seen beforehand, or so he thought. Three dark-purple leather-bound books sat together, each sporting illuminated gold lettering on their spines, titled Known Worlds, followed by their volume number. Zexion pulled the first volume out and opened it, glancing with half-interest at the pages. Suddenly, something caught his interest. Within the book were sketches and paragraphs about all the different worlds, some of which he had never heard of.

Without hesitation, the Schemer pulled the other two volumes out of the bookshelf and eagerly carried them back to his table, ignoring their seemingly immense weight. He stacked them on top of the table and picked up the first volume again, sitting down and going through its pages again. He recognized some of the worlds, more of the nearby ones than anything. However, there were worlds he didn't recognize, each with strange descriptions and images. Places like 'Treasure Planet', or 'Devil's Bayou', or 'Notre Dame', or 'Prydain', they were all very strange to him.

As he began to get into the different stories about all the different worlds, the door to the library opened. Zexion instantly shut the book and looked up at the intruder. Saïx walked in, glancing around the library before finally resting his cat-like eyes on Zexion, a smirk playing on his face. "It's amusing that I no longer have to look in your room to find you VI."

"Am I just that predictable VII?" Zexion asked, keeping his cold blue stare trained on the Diviner.

"Indeed VI. Of course, I do not come here without news for you."

"I figured as much," Zexion responded with boredom.

"Superior wants to see you," Saïx said as though it was a great honor to even speak of Xemnas.

Zexion refrained from rolling his eyes at Xemnas's brown-noser. "Of course. It would be my pleasure to speak with him," he said in a monotone voice. This wasn't the only time he felt as though the entire Organization ran on a script. He said the same exact statement every time he was commanded to meet with the Superior.

Saïx nodded and turned to leave, but turned his head back while grinning. "Oh, and XI is already there, so please be on your best behavior."

"I'd be thrilled to," Zexion muttered sarcastically, not even attempting to mask his distaste for the Assassin. Saïx chuckled before summoning a portal and disappearing into it with Zexion following behind him.

Zexion walked through the dark portal and ended in Xemnas's office, a room that was nearly pristine with all the white furniture and décor. Marluxia was already standing in front of the desk, his hands folded behind his back and switching his weight from one foot to the other. He turned to the Schemer as he entered and smiled. "Hey there Zexy," he said brightly.

"Good afternoon XI," Zexion said coldly, feeling it was unnecessary to bother with pleasantries with the neophyte but ultimately catering to his more polite side.

"And good afternoon to the both of you," said Xemnas, walking through a portal and straightening the sleeves of his coat. He took a seat behind his desk and folded his hands before him, looking at the two members. "As you can see, I've summoned the both of you for something rather important. The mission I am assigning you is taxing enough that I didn't bother sending notes out to you detailing it. This mission requires my personal thoughts and plans."

"Must be good," Marluxia said with amusement, a smile forming on his face.

"Good may not be the right word for it XI. I find it more…interesting. I have chosen the two of you to carry out this mission because of your individual abilities. VI, your ability to scheme and track is of unfathomable use to this mission. XI, your abilities of offense will be needed extensively for the dangers you face."

"Cool, I'm dangerous," Marluxia murmured, the smile growing wider.

Xemnas laughed quietly. "I can see living around VIII has made an influence on you. Regardless, your mission requires much of your work and time. Both of you will go to several different worlds and attempt to not only collect hearts as you normally do, but find the core of the world, or if you will, the heart of the world."

"Superior, I'm not sure if I understand you completely," Zexion said honestly.

"You see VI…each world has a center, the 'heart' of it if you think metaphorically. It may be an object, or possibly an idea. Whatever it may be, I leave it up to you two to find this core and if you have the ability, to take it. There are many worlds I'm leaving you to cover, which means more work than you are probably used to."

"How many worlds are we talking about?" Marluxia asked, folding his arms in front of him.

"More than we originally figured there were XI. Some worlds have stayed so well hidden over the years that even the Heartless haven't been able to reach them yet. Of course, the Heartless are inferior to us, acting on instinct rather than thought. It is for this reason that I figured VI would be suited to accompany you on this mission. He is able to follow clues that no other member would be able to pursue. You should be able to find the worlds in less time than it would take other members."

Zexion thought back to the library when he had discovered the volumes about alternate worlds. He glanced at Xemnas and tilted his head. "Pardon my interruption Superior, but could it be that you placed three volumes written about different worlds within the library?"

Xemnas smiled and closed his eyes, nodding slightly. "As quick as ever VI, for indeed I did. My belief is that if you could gather information from texts about these worlds, you would be able to track them down quickly and efficiently. Have you been able to look at them yet?"

"Just for a moment Superior," Zexion replied.

"I see. Did you find the information helpful?"

"Yes Superior, I did. It was helpful as well as interesting."

"Well done VI, you have already helped speed up the mission." Xemnas paused and reached into a drawer of his desk and pulled out two gold-colored folders. "Now, here is a list of all the worlds I would like you two to arrive at. Look over it tonight and attempt to gain an idea of what to do. Tomorrow morning, you shall depart, understood?"

"Yes Superior," the two answered in unison, bowing to him in synchronization.

"Very well, now you may leave."

Marluxia was the first to walk out, his head held up high as though he had been given the highest honor ever bestowed upon a Nobody. Zexion walked slowly behind him until Xemnas spoke up again. "VI, come here for a moment." Zexion turned around and walked back to Xemnas's desk without hesitation.

"Yes Superior?"

"I could see your distaste in my choice of partners for this mission."

Zexion bit his lip, thinking of a way to phrase his disgust without screaming. "XI is not my…favorite member of the Organization. I find it unnecessary to fraternize with him on any level."

"I see. Unfortunately, he has been exhibiting questionable behavior, so please look after him and report anything unusual to me immediately. I trust you with him above anyone else."

"Thank you Superior," Zexion said while bowing.

"Alright, on your way then," Xemnas said, unfolding his hands and leaning back in his chair slightly. Zexion bowed his head quickly before leaving and shutting the door behind him. The office was silent for a moment until a portal opened and Saïx stepped out.

"How did it go?" he asked, walking next to the desk and leaning one hand on it.

"Very well I think," Xemnas said, leaning back further and resting his hands behind his head. "XI will surely not cause any further problems if things go as planned. Our Schemer is already two steps ahead of me it seems."

"I figured as much. What should we do now?"

"Relax," Xemnas chuckled, closing his eyes and sighing. "For now, our only problems are ones with the Heartless, and that isn't very much."

"Very good," Saïx said in a low voice, his malicious smile coming back. "I believe this plan is foolproof."

"As do I," Xemnas muttered, a small grin forming on his face. "But we will wait and see all the same. I don't expect to see XI coming back after this."