This is an old idea from when everyone was theorizing that Axel was Renos nobody. I was thinking about it the other day and decided to go ahead and write it, even though it goes against canon. Hence why it's under AU. It is a bit AU, but doesn't stray so far that it no longer follows the plot of KH.

Let me know what you think of the concept and how the first chapter turned out. Reviews always help me in future planning. So now that I'm done explaining everything, please enjoy!

Chapter 1 - The Process of Existing

One day, I simply existed. There was no celebration, no hospital or doctors, no parents, no nothing. I just was. There really is no other way to say it.

When I was, born I suppose you could call it, I stood. That may seem strange to you, but it's true. I came into existence standing in a place now referred to as The World That Never Was. It was dark, the only traces of light coming from the skyscrapers overhead. I now remember that the alley was cold, though I was unaware of what cold even meant. I stood for what must have been hours. You see, I was not like the others who arrived after me. There was no one there to persuade me of anything. There was no offer to join any group. There was nothing but myself and the city.

Although, I must admit. a birth like this is rather convenient in a way. I came into being with a decent enough body, that of an adult in their early 20's, leaving me physically capable to fend for myself. Despite the great advantage, I was also born with one fatal flaw. I felt nothing. Everything was blank. I had no purpose, no reason to move at all. My mind was completely vacant of any and all thought. I stared at the alley wall, unflinching, my eyes uninhabited by thought or any sort of emotion.

All this being said, this must seem peculiar to you. Me telling you all this I mean. But to truly understand my story, you must understand everything; who I was, am, and what I will become.

Looking back on everything, the most perplexing part of abruptly existing is to not grasp what existing is. You are, but you aren't. You physically are, but you cannot comprehend that you are. It is different for all of those who are like me, how we "awaken". How we become self aware, how we come to take the first step. I've always felt the others were spoiled in the regard, to have the luxury of having another to make them move. It was hardest for me, having nothing to make me be.

The hours ticked by as I stood there, unflinching, rooted to one spot. I should have been grateful for what happened next. But at the time, I was only bitter and resentful for my awakening.

Something fell on me. Slowly in small, light increments, something from above descended onto me. It first came in a small gentle wave, something I could barely even notice. Then it seemed to grow, a larger, heavier blanket falling on me. I looked up on instinct. Why I gazed above me, I'm still not certain. Perhaps I was curious about the outside stimulation. But as far as I remember, I don't recall wondering. I merely looked.

Soon the blankets turned to something even heavier. It was difficult to look at any longer, so I cast my eyes down to the ground.

This was something. I knew what this was, but couldn't remember. I struggled to find the word, but couldn't think of it. I stood there even longer than I already had when it came to me.

"Wet."

The sound of my own voice startled me. I spoke again to be certain it was me.

"Wet. Wet."

The vibrations of my voice made me uneasy. I placed my hands on my chest and throat, repeating the only word I seemed to know. I repeated the word over and over again seemingly without meaning. I couldn't grasp if what was coming from above was called wet or simply was wet.

I fell silent. I raised my hands slowly, cupping them so I could collect what was falling around me. I examined it, looking for the word I knew but had never heard.

"Rain," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "This is rain."

I didn't know how I knew what I knew. All I knew was that I needed to do something. I looked at my surroundings as if seeing them for the first time, despite that I had been staring at them for what felt like eons. The things around me were so tall I couldn't see over them.

"Buildings."

These new but old words were coming to me one right after the other.

"Tall. Sky. Lights."

Where was I? I was standing between some buildings. It was small, narrow and cramped. It was dark but I could see the soft glow of blue light at the corner.

"An alleyway."

It had finally dawned on me that I was standing in an alleyway. Of all things, it was an alleyway. I drifted slowly towards one of the walls beside me, finally allowing the water to slip through my fingers as I reached out. I jerked my hand back instinctively as I felt the icy chill of cement beneath my fingertips. The frigid temperature had deterred me almost instantly and I was not eager to reach out again. My gaze went back to the corner of the alley where it looked like I could leave this closed off area.

My legs moved of their own accord, guiding me where I had never thought to go before. The sound of my own footsteps rang in my ears. Sound, now that I was conscious of it, was going to take some getting used to.

I rounded the corner, following the alley to a street. Towering skyscrapers lurked overhead and neon street signs adorned the buildings. Blackened skies gave little vision to anything that could be seen down the empty streets.

Gazing around at my surroundings, I tried to think of where this was. Perhaps it would come to me like other things had. Surely I would recognize something. I examined everything before I came to a stark reality.

"No. I don't know this place. Where am I?"