Lying in a world between light and darkness, above a city populated by the heartless, floats a solid white castle, known only as the Castle that Never Was…this castle is the headquarters of Organization XIII.
At the very top of the highest tower…an area known as the Alter of Naught, Xemnas, Axel, and Roxas appeared in a black portal.
"Welcome Roxas…" Xemnas said, "…To your new home."
"Not much color around here, but hey its home." Axel added.
"Wow…you never said I would get to live in a castle." Roxas said as he looked over the edge, as such he didn't notice a blue haired man with a large X shaped scar across his face approach.
"I see we have a new member." The man said as Xemnas nodded.
"Yes Saix, I give you number thirteen, Roxas, the Key of Destiny." Xemnas said as Roxas turned to face the man.
"I'd watch out for this one kid," Axel whispered as he walked up next to Roxas, ", this guy's crazy with a capital C."
"Welcome Roxas…I hope you find your time with us satisfactory." Saix said as he approached.
"Uh thanks…and your name is Saix?" Roxas said as Saix nodded.
"Yes, I am number seven, Saix, the Luna Diviner." Saix replied.
"Or otherwise known as the Xemnas's biggest brown nose." Axel said as Saix narrowed his eyes at the red head.
"I don't recall asking for your opinion number eight." Saix replied.
"No one ever asks my opinion…I like to give it without asking." Axel sniped.
"Now isn't a moment to fight but to rejoice for the induction of our newest member." Xemnas interrupted.
"Come Roxas…you must meet the rest of your fellow members…" Xemnas said as he then turned to Saix.
"Are all the members assembled?" Xemnas asked.
"They wait in the meeting chamber, Superior." Saix replied as Xemnas nodded and the four black portaled away.
Within a tall cylinder shaped room, high up on the wall sat thirteen thrones at various heights, all but four had a person in black robes sitting in them. Then the two of the four appeared on the bottom floor as Xemnas and Saix appeared in their assigned thrones.
"Fellow Nobodies our salvation is at hand, for our thirteenth member has joined us." Xemnas announced as they all leaned forward to look down at the small blond.
"I really hope you're not referring to the runt." one a blond female with two antennae like bangs said as she spotted Roxas.
"I see we already have an eager volunteer to train him, thank you number twelve." Xemnas said as the woman snarled in frustration.
"I dunno Superior he doesn't look very convincing." One a man with long blue hair with his bangs covering his eyes said. "…though for the sake of preserving his existence I shall volunteer to train him."
"Very well Zexion you shall train him..." Xemnas replied as the blond breathed a sigh of relief, "…but Larxene shall assist."
"Uh excuse me?!" Roxas yelled, waving his arms around, "…do I have a say in this?"
"Not until your trainers deem you worthy of being one of the thirteen." Another man with long black dreadlocks replied.
"I thought I was one of the thirteen?" Roxas asked.
"In title only…consider this a, 'breaking in period'… you have to meet our approval before you may officially be considered a member of our Organization." The dreadlocked one replied callously.
"Then can I at least ask that Axel be one of my trainers?" Roxas asked as four of the members near Xemnas, the dreadlocked one, a long haired blond man, a big man with orange hair, and Saix, replied in unison…
"NO!!"
"Hey give the kid a brake dudes…" one with a large scar and an eye patch said as he received death glares from the four in question, "…he's still new, and the pyro dude has taken a shine to him…I say yea."
"Xigbar you ignoramus, do you honestly expect Axel of all nobodies to train him properly?" the blond long haired male asked.
"I do." Zexion replied as he received surprised looks from half of the members.
"Yeah what's the harm in having Axel help the kid out?" a blond haired man with a mullet asked causing the four negative Nancy's to face palm.
"Demyx, you are without a doubt the poorest excuse for a warrior I have ever had the misfortune of knowing." The dreadlocked one snarled as Demyx calmly summoned a blue guitar like instrument and started playing it softly.
"Demyx!" Saix said, "How many times must we remind you that you are not allowed to play the sitar while in a meeting?"
Demyx sighed and dismissed the sitar.
"We shall decide by a vote…" Xemnas said as half of the group groaned.
"All in favor of Axel being Roxas's trainer respond by saying yea." Saix said.
"YEA!!" Xigbar, Zexion, Demyx, a man with blond hair and matching goatee, a man with pink hair, and Larxene said as they raised their hands.
"Opposed?" Saix said.
"NAY!!" The dreadlocked one, the blond long haired man, the orange haired man, and Saix said as they raised their hands.
"Superior?" Saix asked.
"Ok this may sink us." Axel whispered to Roxas.
"I suggest a compromise…Axel does train him, yet he does so with the aid of Zexion and Larxene." Xemnas said as they started muttering in reluctant agreement.
"Superior if I may?" the pink haired man said as he raised his hand.
"Marluxia…" Xemnas nodded.
"Perhaps his training would be better done from a more remote location, where his training could be more adequately done." Marluxia said as the blond long haired man rolled his eyes.
"Of course you would suggest that number eleven but you just want an excuse for us to use that castle that Superior so graciously gifted to you." The man said.
"And if that is my true intention Vexen?" Marluxia asked.
"Then I say no way will I let that happen." Vexen replied.
"Is that a challenge?!" Marluxia asked as the whole room erupted into argument save for Axel, Roxas, and Xemnas.
"This is madness." Roxas said to Axel.
"Actually this is politics." Axel replied as Xemnas snapped his fingers causing a loud clap of thunder to erupt throughout the room.
"SILENCE!!" Xemnas yelled as everyone instantly fell into a fearful silence.
"Marluxia, Castle Oblivion must be prepared for our 'special guest's' arrival and as such cannot be used for his training…on that note…"
"NOTE!? Did someone call for music?!" Demyx asked excitedly.
"NO DEMYX!!" the entire group sans Roxas and Axel yelled.
"Now where was I? Oh yes…have you selected the members to accompany you on your mission?" Xemnas asked.
"Yes Superior, I have chosen Axel and Larxene." Marluxia replied.
"Insufficient…you must select three of the original six to join you as well." The dreadlocked one ordered.
"I agree with Xaldin…you must choose three of the original six to ensure things go according to plan." Xemnas said as Marluxia grimaced slightly.
"Very well…Vexen, Lexaeus, and Zexion." Marluxia answered.
"Now…back to Roxas…you shall leave with Zexion, Axel, and Larxene immediately to begin your training." Xemnas commanded as the two nobodies in the thrones nodded and jumped down landing feet first on the floor.
"Your awakening begins now!" Xemnas said as the four black portaled away.
"And on that note…"
"NOTE?!"
"NO DEMYX!!"
In the city…
"Ok Roxas there are a few things to know about each member of the Organization." Axel explained.
"What's that?" Roxas replied.
"Each of us have our own element that we control, like I control fire, Larxene here controls lighting and Zexion controls…what do you control Zex?" Axel asked.
"Illusion." Zexion replied as he appeared behind Roxas.
"Is that even an element?!" Larxene asked as Zexion rolled his eyes and re-appeared at Axel's side.
"Okay…Now you're probably wondering what those strange black portals are." Axel said as Roxas nodded.
"They're called Corridors of Darkness; all of us nobodies can summon and use them without suffering any ill effects." Zexion answered.
"What kind of ill effects?" Roxas asked.
"Oh the usual slow inevitable consumption of the heart by the darkness due to frequent use of the Corridors." Axel answered, "But we don't have hearts so hey…no bad stuff."
"So how do I summon them?" Roxas asked.
"Let's start with a simple portal…" Axel said as he stretched out a hand and opened a black portal nearby then quickly threw a fire ball within it causing the three to look at him strangely.
"Where did it go?" Larxene asked.
"The library." Axel replied casually as Larxene shrieked and ran through the portal as Axel closed it quickly after she ran through.
"You do realize that she will kill you when she realizes that you threw it into the Chasm of Despair right?" Zexion asked as Axel snickered and stepped to the right as Larxene came crashing down on top of Zexion.
"AXEL!!" the two yelled as they realized what happened.
An hour later…
"Well Roxas…I'd say that you have the basic abilities down just fine." Axel said as Roxas nodded with a determined smirk.
"Might I add that he accomplished each task on his first attempt…the only one ever to do so before now has been Superior." Zexion said as Larxene nodded.
"Ok then now comes our favorite stage…combat magic…" Axel said as he held out his arms and summoned two flaming circular objects.
"C-combat magic?" Roxas asked as Axel hurled the objects at him which Roxas instinctively blocked with reflega.
"Nice work Roxas…I see you have the defense magic down," Axel said with a smirk, "…now hit me with some kind of offensive magic."
"Like his your breath?" Roxas asked as Larxene smirked.
"I think I like this kid." Larxene chuckled as Axel rolled his eyes.
"No…I mean like some kind of magic that can be used to MUPH" Axel suddenly found himself unable to talk because of the block of ice on his mouth caused by Roxas firing Blizzaga at his face.
Larxene was doubled over with laughter.
"Y-you just got owned Axel!!" she laughed as Zexion snickered quietly.
"Oh a wise guy eh?" Axel asked as the ice melted away and Roxas smirked.
"Now let's see…what kind of element shall our newest member use…" Larxene asked as she tapped her chin.
"What about…" Roxas said as a thought came to him, "…Light?"
"Hmm…I dunno Roxas." Axel replied as a familiar voice spoke up.
"It's perfect for him."
Everyone turned to see Xemnas standing atop a skyscraper.
"Especially against them…" Xemnas said as he pointed and a number of black creatures with glowing yellow eyes emerged from the ground.
"You three…leave him be…he must do this alone." Xemnas said as Roxas turned to engage the creatures in battle…alone.
With every swing of the Keyblades the creatures vanished in a puff of black smoke causing a glowing pink heart to rise up and eventually vanish from the smoke.
Finally the creatures were gone and Roxas turned to where Xemnas was standing. Xemnas grinned.
"Well done Roxas…you are going to be a great asset to the Organization indeed." Xemnas said as he black portaled to the ground.
"Thank you Superior." Roxas said as he gave a slight bow.
"I am pleased to welcome you fully into Organization XIII." Xemnas said as they black portaled back to the castle.
An Hour Later…
Roxas was settling into his new apartment, called "Anonymity's light house," which was one of the castle's many towers, his room was easily accessed through the graveyard like "Proof of Existence."
It was a simple apartment with the basic necessities; a bed, a bathroom, a closet, and a few tables here and there. One aspect that Roxas particularly liked was the actual light house room above his bedroom that had a breathtaking view of the city, however it wasn't as high as the Alter of Naught, in fact the light house was the second highest tower in the entire castle.
Roxas was currently looking out over the city…
"You settling in okay buddy?" Axel asked as he portaled in.
"Yeah…I like the view…kind of…" Roxas replied.
"Yeah…my place is next to the furnace…called 'the empty inferno' I swear whoever came up with the names for each of the rooms has got to be emo." Axel said as he walked up next Roxas at the railing outside the glass on the light house level.
"That would have been me Axel!" Zexion said as he entered.
"Should I be surprised by this?" Axel asked.
"(Sigh) Superior wanted me to make sure I dropped this off for Roxas to study so he knows who each of us is." Zexion said as he handed Roxas a thin book with the nobody logo on the cover.
"Read it cover to cover, it will help to answer any questions you may have about the Organization…though you may want to skim over the first few pages because Superior also has your first assignment for you." Zexion said as Roxas nodded.
"Thanks Zexion." Roxas said as Zexion arched an eyebrow.
"No one has ever thanked me before unless it was in jest…but you meant it…your welcome Roxas." Zexion said with a faint smile as he turned and left.
"Whoa ho, already making points with the higher ups." Axel said as he watched Zexion leave.
"Well I better not keep Superior waiting." Roxas said as he portaled away with Axel in toe.
On the Alter of Naught…
"Excellent timing number thirteen…" Xemnas said as Roxas appeared then frowned as Axel appeared right behind him, "…number eight when I need you I'll call you."
"So?"
"Dismissed Axel." Xemnas said as Axel shrugged and portaled away.
"I have a special assignment for you Roxas…you and I will be leaving for a world known as, Hollow Bastion…do you know of this world?" Xemnas asked as Roxas shook his head.
"I see…" Xemnas said as he turned to look at the Keybearer, "I have a task for you that is given to all members as a symbol of their initiation into the Organization. You and I will go to Hollow Bastion, locate and traverse the Cavern of Remembrance on foot in order to reach the Garden of Assemblage…once there you will find an inactive marker and you will use your Keyblades to activate this marker signifying your induction into our ranks."
"Do you understand your objectives?" Xemnas asked.
"May I ask something?" Roxas asked.
"Certainly." Xemnas replied.
"When you say on foot you mean…" "No portals of any kind." Xemnas answered.
"Oh." Roxas said.
"You are however allowed to use any kind of flight magic at your disposal, just no teleporting of any sort…unless in combat and even then you may only use it to take your enemy by surprise or to deal a stealthy blow." Xemnas explained, "…and you may also portal back to the entrance at any time."
"Ok then one more question…" Roxas said.
"…and that is?" Xemnas asked.
"What will you be doing while I'm completing my objectives?" Roxas asked as Xemnas narrowed his eyes and pulled the hood over his head.
"That, Roxas, is my business not yours." Xemnas replied as Roxas pulled the hood over his head as well and Xemnas summoned a portal and the two walked through together.
End Chapter 2.
Quick clarification the story is currently running in parallel with Kingdom Hearts Final Mix where Sora has the optional battle with Xemnas (identified in KHFM as Unknown) which will be what occurs in the next chapter while Roxas is on his mission.
Yes the Cavern of Remembrance and the Garden of Assemblage is from the Final Mix+ edition of KH2 (Curses the name of Square Enix for not making the Final Mix for both games in English)
