I do not in any way own Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories or any of the characters thereof. I also do not own the songs, they belong to Relient K (Be My Escape), and Grove Coverage (Million Tears).
Welcome everyone! It's finally here! The second part of my story! Ok enough of that, this story is something that took me a long time to decide about. I know that a lot of you haven't played KH: CoM so I tried to put as much into it as I could. I also that the song By My Escape was a fitting song for this story. If you don't know the song you'll have to wait and see.
Anyways time for you to get reading... well? READ!
Chapter 1: Arrival
Not much time has passed since that day, but yet it seems like I'm counting down the hours, the minutes, and soon the seconds. I am trapped and I am afraid it will be a while until I get out of my own prison. After Xyked took over my body I have been unable to take it back. She is much more powerful than I, but there will come a time where I will be freed again. Time is very short, and against me.
I can't control what I do, but I do know what is going on outside of me, and what Xyked has made me do. I am not Kyde Drakes anymore, nor am I Elizabeth. Now all my actions point to Xyked and everyone knows that Xyked is in control.
"So he's finally made it." Xyked said looking out the window of her room.
"Ya, the upper level and lower level watch are ready for you." A mans voice came from behind.
"I'll be there in just a minute. Tell them." Xyked said smiling. The man left through a portal and it hissed shut. "Sora, it's time for me to have fun." Xyked also opened a portal and walked through.
Appearing on a white platform high above the ground surrounded by a number of chairs her black coat swayed from exiting the other side of the portal. She looked up, her face hidden by her black hood, looking at all that were there. In six chairs there were six Nobodys, people with no hearts. Five were men and only one was a women. Each had their hoods off as a symbol of respect to Xyked, who was indeed worthy of it.
"Castle Oblivion is ready and Sora is finally here." The women spoke.
"Yes number 12-Larxene, I am aware of that." Xyked sighed. Larxene was a spunky, offensive, and hateful Nobody. Being the only woman besides Xyked could have been the reason, but no one knew. With her thin figure, blond hair, and the natural green eyes all Nobodies had she could be very popular among the men. Then again, Nobodies don't have hearts, feelings, emotions, or anything that would show affection.
"Namine is also ready; she has already started on Sora's and his comrades memories."
"Well done number 11-Marluxia. You have my permission to continue." Marluxia was a pretty man. He was in love with plants and mostly flowers. His long pink hair is also his favorite color.
"But what are we supposed to do?" started the oldest. "Just sit and wait?"
"Yes. Number 4-Vexen, you don't have to worry about anything else other than your work. You and number 5-Lexaeus and number 6-Zexion will be continuing your work. Whatever that may be." Xyked was highly uninterested in what they were doing. It had nothing to do with her or her other half so far. Vexen was a blond scientist, along with the big, buff, none talkative brown-haired Lexaeus and the quiet, secretive, magical silver/blue/gray/whatever his hair color really was Zexion he ran the lower floors of Castle Oblivion. The last one in the room was number 8-Axel. Kyde dearly loved this one and Xyked likes to make it known to him every so often. Xyked looked at him, "So how is the new arrival coming?"
Axel, the one from before in her room, looked at her. "He's coming along."
"Good, I would like to see him. As of the rest of you, you may go. Axel will join you shortly." Xyked motioned them away with her hand and walked through a new portal.
Axel met Xyked outside on a balcony that looked over most of Hollow Bastion. She turned to him and smiled, there was the new arrival right next to him. "I see he does look a lot like him." She meant Sora, because this was Sora's Nobody. "What's his name? Roxas?"
Axel nodded, "He's gotten used to things now, portals, controlling the Dusks and lesser Nobodies, and even his weapons."
"Weapons? He has more than one?" Xyked asked interested. As if answering her question two KeyBlades appeared in his hand. One was known as Oathkeeper and the other was known as Oblivion. "Spunky isn't he?" Xyked smirked.
"Why don't you talk to me, it's not like I'm deaf." Roxas said.
"Very well, you may go Axel." She motioned him away and caused a portal to open. Axel didn't respond, and went through the portal it closing behind him.
"Where's he going?" Roxas asked making his KeyBlades disappear.
"Somewhere to have fun; let's get back to you." She sat on the balcony's edge, "Please sit."
Roxas took a seat next to her, although he wasn't going to sit to close.
"So, Roxas, where did you come from?"
"What do you mean?"
"Where did you first appear?"
"I'm not sure; I was in a small clearing of trees with a path leading into a forest and a mansion with a closed gate to my back."
"Ah so you came from Twilight Town. That doesn't surprise me, so Axel found you."
He nodded, "He showed me the ropes after that."
"Good, that's my Axel." She smiled a very unfriendly smile. "I think you two would be great friends."
"Axel and I?"
"Him too, but I'm afraid you can't meet her. It's just not the right time."
"What are you talking about?"
"Never mind that, now do you know who I am?"
"A member of Organization 13."
"The Leader of Organization 13, and don't forget it. You see there were 13 of us before you came but my existence is a secret to most of the members. You were a great catch because you are now number 13. Now the others won't question why we're called Organization 13."
"Why don't some of the others know about you?"
"If they knew what I truly was it wouldn't be very easy for them to follow. To them their Leader is number 1, where I, number 0, am the true Leader. Number 1 just does what I tell him."
"So who all knows, so I don't slip up?"
"Well counting you there's nine, so I guess I was wrong. Only some of the members don't know I'm the Leader. One found out by mistake, that would be number 9-Demyx. Annoying fellow but she likes him also, back to the subject."
Roxas was looking at her with a strange questionable look.
"Do you know who's Nobody you are?"
"No."
"Most don't, and only I know the originals for all the Nobodies. The only problem is yours is still kicking."
"But I thought…"
"That when a Nobody is born the original dies, mostly yes. Unlike you, Axel, and I the others originals are died."
"Who is mine?"
"You'll find out in due time, but for now I need to take you to the other Leader. He'll teach you more about Nobodies then Axel could." Xyked opened another portal and beckoned Roxas to go through. "He'll be waiting for you on the other side. He'll send you back to me when you're done."
Roxas stood and looked at her, "Your name?"
"Xyked or Xykx for short."
He nodded and walked through the portal and it hissed to a shut.
"Well, Kyde… it's too bad I can't let you out yet. I would have so much fun with you." She laughed and stood. "Maybe later."
"The second floor? Already?" Xyked asked.
"What would you like me to do?" Marluxia asked.
"Go to him, I would like to watch. Also… Axel, it's time for you two to meet."
"I'll be there in a minute." Axel replied.
Marluxia nodded and put his hood up, opened a portal and the two of them went through. They appeared in a new room, again white in color like every other room in Castle Oblivion. Marluxia stayed where he was and Xyked jumped back to watch from afar, she had her hood up so Sora couldn't recognize her. Even though she was Xyked she did have quite a resemblance to Kyde.
Sora, Donald, and Goofy were standing in front of doors that lead to this floor.
"Well, Sora? Did you enjoy meeting your memories?" Marluxia spook.
"It was good to see everyone again. But what do you want from me?" Sora replied.
"That depends." Marluxia started to step forward. Sora called his KeyBlade and a portal opened up behind Marluxia, when it vanished Axel stood where it was. Marluxia stopped.
"Yo!" Axel smiled.
"What?"
"You're hogging the Hero."
Marluxia threw a blue card to Axel and Axel caught it naturally. "Perhaps you'd like to test him." He started a portal, "Test his heart." With that he was gone.
"Looks like it's my show now, KeyBlade Master!" Axel was really into hand gestures and such, so he used them quite often. This is when Xyked finally noticed this. "My name is Axel. Got it memorized?"
"Um… sure." Sora stepped back a little.
"Good, you learn quick. So, Sora, now that we're on a first-name basis…" Axel put out his arms and called his Chakrams, then looked back at Sora. "Don't go dieing on me." Axel started a battle.
In this castle everything is controlled by cards. Battling, continuing forward, memories, everything to do in this place has to be done with cards. When you battle you can't just strike without the proper card. There are magic cards, attack cards, summon cards, and item cards. You can combine these cards in different ways to make different combo attacks and such. Each card also has a power number, if a card is played that has a low power such as 1 and a card is played after it that is higher you can't strike until that card is done or you play an even higher card. There are a total of 10 powers, 0-9. When you play a 0 card after another card it cancels out that other card.
In Sora's case there are also friend cards. Comrades that are turned into cards during battle which are also bound by the rules of power and such. Other than that you can only have so many cards in your deck at a time and you can have 3 decks, but you can only hold one at a time for battle. When you run out of cards you have to refresh and each time you do it the longer it takes, making you open for attack. These battles are based on strategy and shear luck at times.
Before long the battle was over and that was only because Axel was going easy on the boy. After it ended Axel was gone and the card he had was floating in the air. Sora walked up to it and grabbed it, and they had forgotten about Xyked still standing in the back of the room.
"More cards?" Goofy asked.
"Hum… they look kind of like the card that made Traverse Town." The cricket on Sora's shoulder, Jiminy, said.
"Then we need these to go on." Sora said.
"Correct." came a voice from beside me. I looked to see Axel, he didn't disappear he just waited.
"Axel!?" Donald spook.
Axel lifted himself off the wall he was leaning on and walked forward, Xyked followed. "After an introduction like that… you don't think I'd just give up the ghost." He said then they both stopped.
"You were just testing us?" Sora asked.
"You weren't listening to the conversation before the fight obviously." Xyked sighed.
"And you passed! Congratulations, Sora." Axel said. "You're ready… To take on Castle Oblivion. Follow your memories. Trust what you remember, seek what you forgot… And you will find someone very special."
"You mean Riku and the King?" Goofy asked.
"I don't know. You'll just have to give some more thought to who's most important to you. Our most precious memories lie deep in our hearts… Out of reach. But you can find yours, Sora."
"How?"
"The Light within the Darkness. You've lost sight of it, Sora. You've forgotten forgetting."
"Light? I don't understand…"
Axel held out his hand, "Would you like a hint?"
There was a small pause. "Well, Sora?" Goofy asked.
There was another pause, then Sora spook, "No I want to figure it out for myself. And if you get in my way-"
Donald jumped forward, "He won't! We won't let him!"
Axel let out a small laugh, "That's the kind of answer I'd expect from the KeyBlade Master." he paused, "But be forewarned… When your sleeping memories awaken you may no longer be you." Axel disappeared in to a portal.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sora demanded.
"Exactly what he said, you could change and be someone you never thought of yourself being." Xyked started.
"And who are you? Do I know you?"
"Who knows? Is it a memory?"
He thought for a moment. "I recognize you."
"Well then I can't argue with that." Xyked smiled. "Let me just tell you that you know part of me."
"What do you mean? Wait, do you know where my friends are?"
"Friends?" Xyked smirked.
"Their names are Riku, Kyde, Tai, and the King."
"Maybe."
"Please tell me!" Sora pleaded.
"Or we'll make you tell us." Donald jumped in again.
"Now, now. I do know where Kyde is, but the others I'm not sure as of yet." She gave an evil smile.
"Where is she? Please tell me!"
Xyked was about to open her mouth, but stopped. Her body seemed to stiffen and her eyes filled with shock. Although Sora and the others couldn't see her face they could tell that something wasn't right.
"What's wrong with her?" Donald said looking at Sora.
Sora didn't answer, he just kept looking.
Xyked took a step back, "Not now, you idiot." Behind her a portal appeared.
"No! Wait! Who are you talking about? What's going on here?" Sora demanded sensing that she was going to leave.
"Search your memories, Sora. Search them. Not others." A voice came out of Xyked's mouth, but it wasn't her own.
"Kyde?!"
Xyked stepped back into the portal and disappeared.
'Finally I have a chance! While Xyked is playing around with Sora she's not paying attention to me.' I thought to myself, keeping my thoughts my own. 'All I have to do… is will myself.' I reached down inside myself, looking for the last piece of heart that I had left. With that I could start to break free, but going all the way would depend on the strength that I had left.
Now Xyked was about to tell Sora about me, and well myself. I wouldn't let her; I willed my voice to be heard. I stopped Xyked's speech and broke through her barrier enough to where I could almost feel myself again. I could now move my mouth and speak something true, but what? It had to be fast, so something important, something that Sora would know it's my voice but still would question. If he knew about me…
"Search your memories, Sora. Search them. Not others." That was all I could manage to say before Xyked walked through the portal she made. I could hear Sora call my name when it shut.
When we were past the portal and into an empty room Xyked spook, "What do you think your doing? How dare you try to interfere?"
'I'm interfering? What about you? You've taken over my body, my life, and are trying to go after the one I love; you also are trying to hurt the ones I care about.' My voice now echoed inside our mind.
"I'll hurt them more if you don't stop with this."
'Don't you even-!'
"Or what? What can you do to stop me?"
I stayed silent, I had a plan but it's not like I was going to tell her.
"I thought as much. Now enough of this, I'm going to see the others." Xyked said strengthening the barrier again.
I could feel myself loosing feeling again, and then suddenly I was slammed back into the shell I was kept in. My head felt light and that was the only feeling I had for the moment. In this place there is no feeling, I could tell it was empty but I couldn't 'feel' it. Everything was void of solid form or anything else for that matter. Before long the feeling in my head was gone too.
"And what was that? Oh Great Leader?" Larxene asked with much ridicule in her voice the minute Xyked walked through her portal.
"I was just scaring the boy, also does it matter what I do so much to you Larxene?" Xyked commented greatly surpassing Larxene's tone.
She crossed her arms, "I'm just concerned about you, Leader."
"Again, it's Xyked. I just changed my mind about telling him something. Enough info for you?"
"Humph. Well what is it were doing next? Axel gave him cards for another few floors and until we have something to do."
Marluxia came through his portal, hood down. "Everyone here."
Axel, who was in the corner, stepped forward.
"What took you so long?" Xyked asked.
"Nothing."
Xyked got up close to him, touched her chest to his, she was floating, and touched his face. "Don't think for a minute that I won't find out sooner or later." She smiled.
He to smiled; "Now why would I be doing something to anger you Xyked."
"Wise answer." Xyked said lowering herself to her feet. She turned around and walked to the center of the three. "I want you to listen and listen well. All of you." There was a small pause. She turned abruptly and faced them Marluxia, her fist clenched, "I want them to feel pain. I want them to feel the sorrow, the loneliness, the emptiness, show them the void of the Darkness." She lowered her hands, "We as Nobodies don't 'feel' the Darkness like normal humans do, and only I know what it can feel like. I want them to suffer." There was evil in her voice, immorality, and corruption flowed through her words.
Marluxia smiled with a slight smirk, "Gladly, but is death in that vocabulary."
"Did I say kill? No, I don't want them dead. If they want to die, then they can feel free to do so themselves. Make them wish they didn't remember, make them wish they didn't feel. Always remember this though; the Hero doesn't die so easily."
"Understood." Marluxia bowed and left through a portal.
"Is it me or does it seem like your mad?" Larxene said boldly.
"Say that again and I'll rip off those antennas you call bangs that you gelled back."
"Testy aren't we?"
"You're lucky that you're useful to Me." she said turning to a portal she made behind her. "I'll be watching his progress." With that she walked through and left Axel and Larxene alone.
Xyked walked into a room full of computer screens, each one on a different room where Sora was currently at or will be at. She sat down in one of the chairs and started clicking some buttons on the keyboard. Half of the screens changed to the lower floors, she looked closer as something caught her eye. Quickly she zoomed in on the screen and sure enough there was someone there. "Take a look, Kyde. Riku's found his way into this place. Only how did he get to the lowest floor of the basement?" Xyked laughed, "Maybe it has something to do with that being inside him, this so called 'Ansem'." She heard a portal hiss shut and she turned her chair around. "What can I do for you Axel?"
"I know you're keeping Kyde suppressed, why?" Axel didn't move from his spot.
"You're smarter than I suspected." Xyked smiled and put her hands together.
"Enough with that, now tell me what you've done to Kyde and why you're doing this? I thought you wanted to be one with Kyde."
"Well that's what I wanted you to think. When I wanted to combine with my other half Kyde it was only to gain the rest of my power. When we were apart our power was cut. Oddly enough she had more power than I, but she didn't realize it."
Axel just listened and glared at her.
"She didn't know her own strength, even though she could use both the power of Light and Darkness. Such a fool." She laughed, "I was going to let her do all this herself, with my persuasion of course. Only she screwed up, damaging our bond. Then she went and tried to grab the heart of the combined worlds that were destroyed by the Heartless. Anyways she's how do you say, damaged."
"What do you mean 'damaged'?"
"If I didn't take over our body then she could have been dead, or worse."
"What's worse than death?"
"You of all people should know both you and Tai."
Axel fell silent.
"Eternal suffering, the knowledge of killing so many innocent people. What you and Tai share. If Kyde had somehow survived that incident she would have kill everyone there, and every world within a thousand miles or so. She would have had to live with what you do ten times over. Do you really think so badly of me now?" Xyked smiled evilly.
"What about now?" Axel said trying to ignore her question, "Is she still damaged?"
"Luckily not so much, but if I let her out she would have no choice but to obey my every command."
"Then let her out."
"Now, where would be the fun in doing that right now?"
He just looked at her.
She sighed heavily, "I forgot, she gave you most of what she had left of her heart. You can't help but feel connected to her."
Again Axel didn't answer but you could tell the impact those words had on him.
"Alright, but when I do let her out it will be on my own time." She stood, "Now if you excuse me I have a guest to greet."
"Guest?"
"Riku has found his way into the bottom of Castle Oblivion." She turned and switched the screens back to Sora. "Bye." Xyked disappeared through a portal.
The lower level guard hadn't noticed Riku yet, sadly they didn't even noticed when they weren't doing anything at all! Xyked had dropped by, unnoticed also, and they might as well of been sleeping. Not interested she went to Basement Floor 12, the lowest floor in Castle Oblivion.
Riku was walking towards the door on the other end of the room as Xyked appeared behind him, hood up. He stopped, "What is it now?" he turned around, obviously not seeing what he expected.
"How rude. You haven't changed." Xyked smiled.
"Who are you?"
"Now Riku, aren't you to the point. I guess the Darkness has let go of you for a while."
"Who are you and how do you know my name, or anything about me?" he demanded.
"Let's just say that if we every had that fight I'd've kicked that scrawny ass of yours."
He looked at her puzzled, "What are you talking about?"
"Are you going to keep asking questions?"
"Until you answer."
"I see, well this is as good as time as any." She sighed, "I was thinking of holding back longer but this seems like fun." She laughed.
Riku called a KeyBlade, "If you're looking for a fight just go ahead."
"A fight? Well that's your choice if you attack." She put her hands out and started diminishing the barrier. 'It's time; I'll have my fun with you.'
I felt the barrier start to disappear, and then I felt my body. It was so sudden I stumbled just to catch myself on the floor. I slowly stood and flexed my hands just to see if it was really happening. To my surprise it was! I looked up and saw nothing, how the Nobodies could wear their hoods down so low and still walk around was a mystery to me. I lifted the hood and shook my head to free my hair, I opened my eyes and I felt my stomach go into my throat. "Oh Shit…"
"Kyde? Is that you?" Riku, who was standing ahead of me, asked squinting.
"Right now, yes, but I wish it wasn't." I added quietly.
"Why did you talk like that? You got me worried." He said making his KeyBlade disappear.
'Remember my dear Kyde, your still mine. I'm letting you have this time. Take it in while you can.' Xyked's voice echoed in my head. "Damn you." I whispered.
"What?"
"Nothing." I smiled.
"So where are we?"
"This? This is a place that can recreate your memories and such. It can take memories, remind you of memories, and give you memories."
"Alright…" he paused, "So how did you get here?"
"That is not something I would wish to tell you." I said.
"What do you mean?" he started to walk towards me.
"You know when you gave into the Darkness… well there are many ways to become one with the Darkness." I turned my head away and grabbed my arm with my other hand.
Now he was almost right in front of me, "What are you trying to say?"
"I'm saying that I'm no better then the one inside you."
He put his hand on my chin and turned my head to face him, but didn't remove his hand. "How do you mean? You don't seem anything like him."
"You don't know me that well, and I'm glad. My secrets will hurt you and everyone else that I'm close to."
"Secrets can only hurt the one holding them."
"It's just…" my eyes started to water, I didn't want him to see me cry. I forced them back, "Get to the end and I'll tell you everything."
"But-" he stared.
"I'm sorry!" I slapped his hand aside and kissed him in the cheek. As the tears started to fall I turned and ran. I caused a portal to open and I was gone from him, from Riku, from those memories.
I ran through the other side of the portal and into the computer room. I put my hands down on the small table that was in the center of the room and cried. How could I have let this happen to me? Why did this have to happen to me?
'Because you weren't smart enough. Isn't it obvious?'
"I don't recall asking you."
'You don't need to.' Xyked laughed.
"I'm sick of you!" I yelled picking up a chair and sending if across the room. It smashed and shattered on the opposite wall.
"I see she did let you out." A voice came from behind.
I turned, eyes still wet, "Axel, don't come near. She might do something." I begged.
"I know very well…" he sighed.
"Please don't." I sat on the table, "I don't want to hurt you." Now I really couldn't hold back the tears.
He walked up to me and put his hand on my shoulder, "I'm not afraid of you."
"You should be!" I managed to say between the sobs.
"No, not you, not the real you." He also put his hand on my chin and lifted my head so our eyes meet. "I know the real you. That is something that I'm not afraid of, it's something I cherish."
"Why do you tease me like this?" I must have looked pitiful.
He smiled, "You gave me something dear to you remember? I knew you gave me some of your heart but I didn't know you gave me most of it."
"I didn't want you to pity me."
"Pity you? No, Kyde. I don't pity you, I care about you. Something that I never really did before you came." He pulled me in closer and let my head rest on his chest. "Can you hear it?"
I could hear it, his heart, and a beating heart. Something no Nobody had, and he felt even warmer then before.
"So Xyked is Kyde and their one person… but with a heart…" Roxas started.
"Not a full heart, a piece of a heart." I said trying to clear things up.
"I don't think he's going to get it." Axel admitted.
"I'm already new to everything and you dump this on me. What do you expect?" Roxas said defiantly.
"Listen, I'm just trying to apologize if I was rude, or if Xyked was rude." I sighed.
"So you don't have any idea what Xyked does when she takes over?" Axel asked.
"Not unless she wants me to, but otherwise not a thing. All I knew was that she meet Roxas, talked to the others, to Sora, and threw me in with Riku."
"Sounds like a headache." Roxas said.
"You have no idea." I sat down on the chair. We were in one of the meeting rooms; this one was rarely used since we got more members. It only had five chairs and was used for more of a game room for the Gambler… I'm not going to get into him yet.
It wasn't like the room where Xyked had talked to the others. It was all on the floor for one and had a table in the center. It was like any other room you would have in a house, and much like a dinning room for that matter.
Roxas and Axel took a seat and both leaned on their hands, they had a lot in common. They both liked to play around, trick the other members, and they both-
"Hey everyone!" Demyx burst through the door.
-though Demyx annoying…
"Demyx, how many times have I told you? Knock before you go in anywhere, and warn us before you do something like that." I said not even looking.
"Where would the fun be in that?" he said walking up and taking a chair next to me, seeing that we were all spread out. "So your Kyde again hu?"
"Axel?"
"I didn't tell him."
"Roxas?"
"I might have let it slip that there was something about Xyked being Kyde. Something to that point anyways. I was confused!" he tried to cover for himself.
"And I was eavesdropping." Demyx smiled.
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" I sighed and put my head on the table.
"Com'on, Kyde. Don't be like that. You're you again."
"If only you knew…"
"Xyked still has control of her Demyx; she's not what you would call free." Axel informed him.
"Ohhh…" he said and paused for a moment, "Anyways how about that song?"
"Song?" both Axel and Roxas said.
"Ya, Kyde gave me a song a while ago. Well more than one, and I've got them down." He kept smiling triumphantly.
"Right now?" I moaned.
"You need something to cheer you up."
I raised my head and saw Axel's and Roxas's confused faces. "Fine, what one?"
"Yay!" he squealed. "How about 'Be My Escape?' I like that one."
"Have I told you how evil you can be?"
He ignored my remark and opened a portal, "Let's do it on the balcony by my room. There's no one there." He grabbed me and dragged me through.
"I can't imagine why." I said sarcastically when we were in.
He exited the portal and we were on his rather large balcony… the reason it was his was because that's where he practiced and everyone let him have it. He called his weapon/guitar, a Semitar, and waited until Axel and Roxas had appeared. Finally he asked, "Ready?"
"Do I have much of a choice?" I raised an eyebrow.
He smiled, "I'll play an intro." He started to play the intro to the familiar song. A song from home, I had used my powers to dig my memory and put the notes on paper… amazingly it worked and he was playing it perfectly.
I waited for my part and started to sing,
I've given up.
I'm giving up slowly,
I'm blending in so you won't even know me
Apart from this whole world that shares my fate
This one last bullet that you mention is my one last shot at redemption
Because I know to live you must give your life away
-I started to move my feet, remembering the game called 'DDR' that I used to play. Recalling the steps and mix-matching them to make something good.-
And I've been housing all this doubt and insecurity
And I've been locked inside that house
All the while you hold the key
And I've been dying to get out
And that might be the death of me
And even though, there's no way in knowing where to go,
I promise I'm going because
-I threw my arms out and started to use them, the way I had seen my older sister use them once on a vacation we had.-
I gotta get outta here
I'm stuck inside this rut that I fell into by mistake
I gotta get outta here
And I'm begging you, I'm begging you,
I'm begging you to be my escape.
- Now add the hips', I remember her saying. In reaction I moved around, feeling better by the second. I just let myself flow with the words.-
I'm giving up on doing this alone now
Cause I've failed and I'm ready to be shown how
He's told me the way and I'm trying to get there
And this life sentence that I'm serving
I admit that I'm every bit deserving
But the beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair
Cause I've been housing all this doubt and insecurity
And I've been locked inside that house
All the while you hold the key
And I've been dying to get out
And that might be the death of me
And even though, there's no way in knowing where to go,
I promise I'm going because
I gotta get outta here
Cause I'm afraid that this complacency is something I can't shake
I gotta get outta here
And I'm begging you, I'm begging you,
I'm begging you to be my escape.
-Demyx did his little guitar solo as I spun around and twisted my body.-
I am a hostage to my own humanity
Self detained and forced to live in this mess I've made
And all I'm asking is for you to do what you can with me
But I can't ask you to give what you already gave
Cause I've been housing all this doubt and insecurity
And I've been locked inside that house
All the while you hold the key
And I've been dying to get out
And that might be the death of me
And even though, there's no way in knowing where to go,
I promise I'm going because
I've gotta get outta here
I'm stuck inside this rut that I fell into by mistake
I've gotta get outta here
And I'm begging you, I'm begging you,
I'm begging you to be my escape.
-I stopped moving for a moment to sing this last part with emotion and waited for another guitar solo.-
I fought you for so long
I should have let you in
Oh how we regret those things we do
And all I was trying to do was save my own skin
But so were you
So were you.
There was a small pause and I felt kinda' awkward. Axel and Roxas didn't know what to say and Demyx was just smiling so big I could've shoved a watermelon in his mouth. I just smiled and put my hands behind my head, like Sora usually did, and spoke, "Well? How was it?"
"Great!" Demyx shouted, not like he needed to.
"It was good." Roxas smiled also.
Axel paused, then to my relief smiled, "Sing another."
"You're as bad as he is!" I yelled pointing to Demyx.
"What I don't mind."
"I know you don't!"
They all started to laugh, "Com'on, Kyde. Another?"
I sighed heavily, "A short one."
"Yay!" Axel and Roxas gave each other a high-five.
"Evil." I whispered.
'You have no idea what evil is then.' Xyked smirked.
"Shuttup!" I tried to keep my voice low.
'Remember, I'll do what I want.'
"What are you three?"
She just laughed.
"You ok, Kyde?" Demyx asked looking at me, "You ready?"
I looked at him, "Sure what song?"
"How about 'Million Tears'?"
"Fine but it's the last one for today, and don't even think about tomorrow." I paused.
'What is it?' Xyked asked, not caring in the least bit.
'I want Sora and Riku to hear my song.'
'I can do that; I wonder what the reaction would be.'
'Is that all you care about?'
'Maybe, but I enjoy messing with people.'
'As if I haven't noticed.' I sighed, and then nodded, "I'm ready."
"Now remember there are a lot of solos in this one." He said to me.
"I'm the one who gave you the song."
He smiled, and then started to play the small intro
I wanna know where you belong,
I wanna know why I sing this song.
I try to show how much I feel,
is that a dream or is it real?
I never look where you belong,
until I'm gonna sing my song.
Is it a lie or is it true?
So many tears I've cried for you.
Oh ho oh ho a million tears for you
Oh ho oh ho a million tears for you
Oh ho oh ho a million tears for you
Oh ho oh ho a million tears for you
-I started to move my body once more. Hoping Sora and the others heard my song.-
A Million tears that I have cried,
I wish you where right by my side.
I try to show how much I care,
believe in me I will be there.
I never knew where you belong,
whenever you just hear my song.
Is it a lie or is it true?
So many tears I've cried for you.
-This song was indeed short but that didn't mean that it didn't have a lot of feeling behind it.-
Oh ho, oh ho, a million tears for you,
Oh ho, oh ho, a million tears for you.
-The song was ending, and for a techno song it wasn't what I had hoped. I moved my body as much as I could to keep with the beat, but all I could do was hope. My mind wasn't on the dancing… it was on my dear friends.-
'Did they hear it?'
'Every word.'
"So was that short enough?" Roxas joked.
"The length of the song doesn't mean anything. It's the words and the melody." I pointed out.
"Leave that stuff to Demyx, Roxas. He's the band geek."
"Hey!"
"That's not nice, Axel." I said holding in a laugh.
Roxas laughed along with Axel
"How's Namine' fairing?" Axel asked.
"She's fine; she's been drawing up Sora's new memories. Quite a power that girl has." Marluxia smiled.
"And his old memories?" Axel asked.
"She's taking care of those quite well also."
I sighed, "I'm going to go watch." I said with Xyked voice. Actually she said it, not me.
"They're somewhere on the third floor." Marluxia said, "They should be on the forth in no time. So be back soon when they are."
"And why is that?" I asked turning around and opening a portal.
"Just in case." He laughed.
I walked through the portal and exited out the other side. I wasn't going to be just standing on the ground so Xyked made my float near the ceiling. Almost like there was another floor there, because I could walk around with ease on nothing but thin air. Shortly after I appeared in the room Sora and the others walked in.
"How could everything that was written just vanish like that…?" Donald said.
Sora stopped, "Maybe… It's not just stuff we write down." Donald and Goofy stopped and looked back. Marluxia was right, they were headed for the forth floor door.
'Are they talking about Hollow Bastion?'
'They don't remember anymore…' Xyked informed me.
'I know that… but that's where… Sora gained his Nobody. When he turned into a Heartless.'
'Will you just be quiet.'
"Goofy said we've been to some other castle. But I don't remember it at all. Maybe… Maybe we don't remember because those memories are gone?"
"Gone? Are you crazy?" Donald asked.
"Wait! Remember what Axel said! 'In this place, to find is to lose and to lose is to find.' He was talking about memories!" Jiminy said.
"If we keep going, we'll loose our memories… No wonder they call it Castle Oblivion!" Sora exclaimed.
"So… the higher we go, the more we forget?" Donald asked pointing up, and then lowered his arm. "What if we forget everything and can't get it back?"
"I'd forget Riku and Kairi, too…"
"Maybe we should turn back?"
"Don't worry." Goofy finally said, "We might forget where we've been or what we saw, but we won't forget our friends."
"I'm not sure…" Donald said.
"Hey, Sora. When you turned into a Heartless, did you forget about us?" Goofy asked.
"Of course not."
"See… No matter what happens, you won't forget your friends." Goofy smiled.
They all paused.
"Yeah… You're right. Thanks, Goofy."
"I guess there's nothing to be scared of after all." Donald said, "So bring it on! Come on guys, let's go!" he turned around and headed for the door.
Sora put his hands behind his head, "When I was a Heartless… Who was the one that clobbered me, huh?"
Donald stopped on one foot and turned slightly, "THAT's what you should be forgetting!" he squinted his eyes and started to have a fit.
I laughed a little and left through a portal before they had the chance to look up. I came into the room with Axel and Larxene stood, "He's on the forth floor, or at least in the next few moments he will be."
"Looks like you're getting a little concerned about Sora." Larxene said.
"And what about you, Larxene?"
She laughed, "Well, good question." She turned away from him.
'I guess I came into something.'
'Quiet!'
"I'm more worried about why you're interested in him."
'What's going on?'
'I made it to where they can't see us, or hear us.'
I sighed.
"He became a Heartless. And those who become Heartless…" Axel started.
"They lose all consciousness and free will and become slaves to the Darkness." Larxene turned around again.
"But he was different. He maintained his own free will even after becoming a Heartless. He's only the third person to ever do that."
"The power of the Heart… So you're interested in the Heart of the KeyBlade's chosen one?"
Axel paused, "Isn't the mission of the Organization to understand the mysteries of the Heart?"
Larxene laughed.
'What is Axel talking about?'
'He's planning something.'
'What do you mean?'
'I mean that he has something up his sleeve, probably for Roxas. Sora is Roxas's original, and Axel's right, Sora is different.'
'Then what does that make me?'
'Special.'
'I will never ask to be special or anything again.'
'Wise choice, but it's too late for that. Now let's go.'
'Go where?'
'To the Witch.' Xyked took us to another room, where Namine' was. "So, Namine'. What are you working on now?" she said as I walked over to her. "Removing and remaking memories, must be hard, no?"
She didn't say anything. Namine' was a shy girl, quiet and kept to her drawings. That's how she did Sora's memories, by drawing. She had long blond hair and a short white dress on.
I looked over onto what she was drawing. It was a picture of Sora, Kairi, Riku, and Namine'! "I see, adding yourself to the picture. Literally." I laughed. "But you removed me, how rude."
This is when she looked up, "You?"
I was able to speak with my own voice, "Me, as in Kyde. That's not nice.
"You're Kyde?"
"So you do know you got rid of me." I sighed, "Well, I guess I can't expect too much from a witch."
She looked down again. "Even though you don't have a Heart… you still feel. One day you'll notice that." I got up and started to walk away. "Although, I guess everyone has a Heart," I stopped and looked back at her, "just not everyone can see it." I opened a portal and left.
You like? Well the nest one probably won't be up for a while... Sorry guys! Schools starting and I'll try to do it there. No promises though. -