A Street light flickered.

The rays of the sun peaked through the clouds.

Thin shadows moved across the town's intricate design.

The street lights flickered once more before turning off.

The intricate streets were quiet and empty; the large bell tower in the middle of the town ringing eight o'clock.

On the other side of town in a dark bedroom, a groan sounded. It was time to get up.

"It's too early," they muttered. It was summer vacation – who got up this early?

A loud knock sounded on his door (which he proceeded to throw the cover over his head) before it was thrown open, light from the hallway pouring into his room. "Time to get up, sleepyhead!"

He didn't have to look around to know who it was, or that they were most likely rocking back on their heels, a smirk on their face. "Don't even think about it, Olette."

"How'd you know, Roxas?" she said, dropping down on the edge of his bed.

Roxas laughed, shaking his head, pushing the covers off his head. "You're the only one who knocks, Olette – the others just open the door."

Olette shrugged, letting out a laugh. "Anyway, Hayner and Pence beat you again. They're already up and waiting at the hideout. But, like always, you slept in –"

"It's summer," he stressed, pushing Olette slightly. "We don't have to get up early."

Olette smiled at him, standing up. "Today's the start of the Struggle Tournament."

The reaction she got was instant. Roxas froze at her words, his eyes widening before he shook the thought off, throwing the covers off his bed, flying out of it in a flail of limbs. "Damn it, how could I have forgotten? When does it start?" he almost yelled, pulling open a dresser drawer, throwing its contents on the floor.

Olette shook her head, turning on her heel for the door. "Nine thirty," she stopped in the doorway, glancing over her shoulder at him. "Oh, your mom said your papers are here, she didn't want you to forget . . . again."

Roxas groaned as the door shut behind Olette. Today just wasn't his day.

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The Twilight Tower was situated in the middle of town, looming over the rest of the town, its bell ringing every hour.

But, one of the well kept secrets was that behind the clock face, there was quiet a big alcove to serve as a small hideout.

They had found the place simply by accident. Hayner, when facing the boredom of summer alone, had come across a similar coloured door on the side of the towering building. His curiosity getting the better of him, he had opened the door, taking a quick look around. From what he had seen, he had suspected that it must have been a home for whoever looked over the ringing of the bell before the town got the clock going electronically.

After showing it to the rest of his ragtag group, cleaning the place up of spider webs and dust and adding a sparse amount of old unwanted seating, they had eventually dubbed it as their hideout – no matter how many times Seifer and his gang had tried to take it from them.

"How long to you think Roxas'll be this time?" Hayner sighed, flopping down on an overturned crate, a dart in hand.

"Probably a while," Olette commented, staring out the small window as Hayner threw the dart. "He was still in bed."

Hayner smirked, looking from the small dart board to Olette. "I bet you liked that."

Pence shook his head, letting out a tiny laugh. Bugging Olette was the easiest way to pass the time. "We all know how you get . . ."

Olette scoffed, placing her arms on her hips. "I can't believe you said that; I have no idea what you mean."

Hayner shrugged. "You keep telling yourself that."

Olette couldn't help it as her face flared up and Pence and Hayner started laughing. "You're so immature!"

"We all know that – but that's why you love us," came Roxas's voice, his skateboard under his arm. "What'd they do this time?"

Olette's response died on her lips – like she was going to tell him that. "Just wondering when you'd get here."

"You need to set your alarm clock," Hayner said, rolling his eyes. "I mean seriously, if Olette hadn't come by, you'd still be sleeping. If we had lost the tournament because of you . . ."

"You'd be dead," Pence laughed.

"You're just jealous because I have a job and munny," he said, tossing his skateboard in Hayner's direction. "But, I see you were tormenting Olette again," here, he shook his head, tossing his arm around Olette's shoulders as he sat down beside her. "How could you do that without me, that's just mean."

"Roxas!" Olette whined, pushing him away from her. "Don't say that."

Hayner grinned, glancing at Pence who nodded with a smirk. Olette narrowed her eyes at the two's exchange – something Roxas seemed to have missed – and as she moved to grab the two, Pence brought his camera up, taking a picture.

Olette's face went red, which made Hayner break out laughing. "Nice one Pence – totally one for the books!"

"What was that for?" Roxas grumbled, grabbing his skateboard back.

Hayner shrugged. "Anyway, about this Struggle Tournament; this year we have to cream Seifer and his gang. They're the only one's standing in our way, if we beat them, we get the trophy."

"I want to go against Fuujin," Olette chirped. "There's no way I'm brawling against Seifer or Raijin!" she curled her nose up. "They're allyours."

"Fine by me," Hayner said, leaning back on his palms. "Guys can't fight girls anyway."

"Like she'd care about that," Roxas muttered, rolling his eyes.

"You're probably right; but I want to take down Seifer; everybody knows it's the only fair time I can hit the jerk."

Roxas sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. "I wanted to fight him – he's been bugging me all week."

"Too bad man," Hayner shrugged. "You can take him in the second round. Mom's not coming to the competition, so its open season."

Olette rolled her eyes at the huge grin on Hayner's face and way he smacked his fist into his palm. "What is it with you guys always beating each other up?"

"Feh, if you had a sibling, you'd feel the same way," Hayner countered.

"No, we'd have fun," she commented, shaking her head.

". . . and if you had Fuujin as a sister?"

Olette paused. "Touché."

Hayner grinned, pushing himself off the crate. "I knew you'd see it my way," Olette frowned, narrowing her eyes as Hayner messed her hair up. "Now, all that leaves is Raijin and Vivi and Pence and Roxas . . . take your pick guys."

"I don't want to fight Vivi . . . I mean, seriously, what is under that hat of his? It figures that why he hangs out with your brother, Hayner."

"So, you want Raijin, then?" Roxas said, glancing at Pence.

"He might have brawn, but not much brain."

Roxas let out a laugh. "So, I'm stuck with Vivi," he shrugged. "At least I'm taller then he is."

The four laughed. "Good luck then, Roxas. The kid may be short, but he's damn agile. You know, that could actually be an advantage for him . . ."

"I can handle whatever that pint sized wizard can dish out."

Olette shook her head. "Well, since that's figured out, we just got to figure out how to win and . . ." Olette glanced down at her watch. "Oh my gosh; we're going to be late!"

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"You know, I have a question," Kairi said, bored by white floor after white floor. "Why do you all wear black, it's so boring."

Demyx shook his head; Kairi and her questions! Pausing momentarily, trying to gather his thoughts, he fidgeted under Kairi's stare. Running a hand over his head, he let out a sigh before glancing back at Kairi. "No real reason, I suppose. The Ruler of Castle Oblivion liked the colour; I suppose it's a habit."

Kairi nodded. "But, he died." How like Kairi to straight out ask these questions. He had to be careful what he said. "So, why don't you change it then?"

"Marluxia . . . he, well, we're used to it."

Marluxia . . . he had it coming; trying to gain his own following to take down the Superior, how stupid could he have been. You couldn't go against the Superior and live to tell the tale. Without a doubt; the title had gone to Marluxia's head, which had led himself and Larxene to their own destruction.

Kairi raised an eyebrow. "So . . . what happened to him?" She wasn't even going to try pronouncing his name.

Demyx shook his head, trying to hide the grin that threatened to appear on his face. If Kairi knew what Sora had done here . . . she would hardly be fascinated by him anymore. "He was killed by someone; some outsider," he sighed, cursing himself inwardly; he wasn't able to tell her. "Only those of high rank know who it actually was."

Kairi nodded slowly. "So, what rank are you?"

"Nine."

Kairi frowned; so far she'd only seen Axel and Demyx . . . "How many of you guys are there?"

Demyx grinned, reaching forward, ruffling Kairi's hair, earning a grumble from the girl. Obliviously, she was smarter then the damsel in distress Princess she'd been classified as. "There were thirteen; but five died last year," he said offhandedly, shrugging his shoulders.

"Five!" Kairi shrieked, her eyes widening, whirling around on her heel to face him. "That's so many – who could do something like that, murdering in cold blood."

Demyx sighed, gripping Kairi's shoulder, turning her around again. "You're too pretty to worry about causalities of war."

Kairi snorted, pushing her hair back as she cast a patronizing look at him. "I've seen my share of a war too, I'll have you know."

Of course he knew about Kairi's part in the war two years ago. Who here didn't know that she was a Princess of Heart, had lost her heart to darkness and had helped weaken the seal on Kingdom Hearts. How else would she have been able to steal the Keyblade Master's heart?

"You mean on your Island?" he said, laughing. "What'd you fight over; a boy?"

Kairi shook her head, pivoting out of his grasp, clasping her hands behind her back. "No, I already had a boyfriend."

Demyx didn't know why he felt a sense of resentment, a frown appearing on his face at Kairi's words. "So, what did you fight over then?"

Silence, then; "Can you keep a secret?" Demyx nodded, taking in her narrowed eyes; calculating his movements, she suspected. "If you know about Sora, then, you must know about the incident from two years ago – about the Princess's of Heart and the failed attempt to open Kingdom Hearts?" Demyx nodded, so that was what Kairi was going to tell him. Well, that was going to make this whole pretending thing so much easier. Kairi shook her head, her voice failing her slightly. "I was a Princess of Heart – the Hallow Bastion Princess, but I wasn't even aware of that; I had been hidden away on the Destiny Islands so that it would never happen . . . but, it didn't matter."

She had still lost her heart to the darkness.

She had helped break the seal of Kingdom Hearts.

And, she had fallen in love with the Keyblade Master, giving him his heart.

After all that, hiding her away did absolutely nothing.

"That's an interesting story," he said at length.

Well, that filled in the last remaining clues.

"It was," Kairi nodded; her tone wistful. "It was complicated, but I wouldn't trade the memory for anything."

You already did once, Demyx thought idly. "That's good; remember your past; keep a good hold on it, you hear me?"

Kairi nodded slowly, raising an eyebrow. "I will, you too." Was it just her, or had she seen a wistful look on Demyx's face?

Picking up their pace again, the stairs echoing underneath their feet, Kairi couldn't help but frown. Had she said too much? She had never told Selphie about what had happened when the Island disappeared; although, according to Selphie, Kairi had been found on the Island the day after the major storm. The only thing she could think of was that, no time had past; or she had gone back in time, she really didn't know. But, Selphie wouldn't have believed her anyway.

Shaking her head, she cast a glance at Demyx, eyeing his black clothes. She couldn't explain why, but she felt uneasy with him; she had a feeling he was hiding something important from her. She rolled her eyes as they entered another white floor; biting down on her lip. She could vaguely remember something Belle had told her; that being a Princess of Heart gave her the ability to see the darkness in those around her.

Selphie had hardly any darkness in her; the hyper brunette to immature to stay on one emotion longer then a couple seconds. Tidus and Wakka's seemed to come and go, depending on the game they were planning, and whatever it was boys did. She didn't know and didn't really want to. But from Demyx . . . she could hardly find any light radiating from him.

"Say, why do you wear those gloves all the time?"

Demyx narrowed his eyes at her; Axel had already told him about Kairi's little gift hours ago. "I just like the feel of leather," he said offhandedly.

Kairi wasn't going to trick him.

"Like a comfort thing, then?" she said, shrugging the comment aside. She could play this game too.

"I guess," Demyx said, laughing slightly. "So, tell me more about this ordeal from two years ago."

Kairi's eyes narrowed; Demyx was trying to switch the subject and he wasn't good at it. "Fine, but I want to know about a year ago."

Demyx shook his head. "But, you're going first; end of story."

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Axel sighed; his footsteps echoing against the brown slabs beneath him. He narrowed his eyes as the sun peeked around the clouds, beating down on him. He grumbled under his breath, it would figure it would have to be a sunny, hot morning. "How quaint," he muttered, exiting the small alleyway, the town square bustling with people as the large clock tower tolled overhead.

Sighing, he glanced at the people who past by him, hardly paying the man leaning against the wall any attention. He frowned; none of these people seemed like the type to wield a Keyblade, he could sense an even amount of light and darkness within the residents. Shaking his head, he pushed himself away from the wall – his hands itching to grab his Chakram Wheels – but forced them into fists, making his way purposely through the throng of people.

"Where would our little Keyblade Wielder be?" he muttered to himself, glancing momentarily at the people who past by.

"Seifer!" Axel turned, seeing a silver haired girl stalking through the crowd; her piercing eyes narrowed. "Fighting that girl?"

"Can it, Fuujin," a blonde haired male grunted, waving his hand vaguely at the angry teen. "She's their only girl – we're not fighting her."

"Cakewalk, y'know" Raijin mocked, pushing her aside.

Fuujin glared at him, balling her hands up into fists. Seifer shook his head, rolling his eyes at the brawny teen. "Olette's weak anyway, she'll fold in no time. It's not like they're going to get past the first round, anyway."

Fuujin frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. ". . . cakewalk."

"Exactly!" Seifer said, nodding. "Figures they'd be friends with my brother. Roxas and Hayner are their toughest links; we'll trounce them. You can take down Setzer when we get there."

He shook his head as he saw Fuujin smirk; a plan forming in her mind no doubt. Raijin just shook his head, ignoring the silver haired girl. "Where's Vivi?"

Axel's eyes narrowed as he glanced at the three teens. Changing his pace, he followed after the three teens – noticing the people tended to move aside for them – his eyes staring intently at them as they disappeared down another small alleyway. What was with this town and all the alleyways?

"I still don't get why you want to fight him, y'know?" Raijin said, cracking his knuckles. "You've wanted to pound Roxas for ages, y'know?"

Seifer smirked, narrowing his eyes as the sun from the sandlot beat down on them. "Hayner just pisses me off and mom can't stop me from beating him to a pulp. I'll cream Roxas later." Fuujin shook her head, slumping down on the wooden bench, staring blankly ahead; the Struggle Tournament's arena getting set up. Raijin flexed his muscles, agreeing with Seifer's comment; they could get the other blonde later on. "Can we help you?"

Axel had stopped a couple steps behind them; his eyes staring intently at them. He held back a smirk as Seifer caught sight of him, the blonde's face darkening slightly. Raijin raised an eyebrow, his hands balling into fists at his side as he glanced at Axel. Fuujin, however, just looked over her shoulders at him, her face blank as she stared at him.

"I overheard you mention Roxas," he said, taking a step toward the trio. "Where is he?"

Fuujin rolled her eyes, picking herself off the bench, moving to Seifer's other side, her eyes narrowed. "What'd you want him for?" Seifer barked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"We're old rivals," Axel commented, shrugging. "It's about time we settled the score."

"Get in line," Seifer said, turning on his heel. "We're taking him down first."

"I don't care," Axel commented, his tone bored. "Do you know where he is or not?"

"Try the Tower," Seifer said, walking away. "But, we're still taking him down."

Axel glanced over his shoulder at the looming clock tower, sighing. Great; he'd just come from there. "So, care to tell me what this Struggle thing is then?" he said, winking in Fuujin's direction.

The silver haired girl frowned, balling her hands into fists, her eyes narrowing as she looked at him. She didn't answer him though, turning her back on him again. Axel sighed, running a hand through his hair. Whatever, he guessed it didn't really matter anyway. Squinting, he glanced up at the tower, balling his hands into fists.

"It's a fight match," came Seifer's sharp voice. "Don't you kill him though, newcomer – we have unfinished business."

Axel smirked, glancing from the retreating trio to the looming tower.

Twilight Town . . .

The Struggle Match . . .

It was all valuable information.

"Now to settle this score, Roxas," he shook his head, heading back into the alleyway, his eyes trained on the tall tower. "You can't run."

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Pence flopped down on the bench his team occupied, out of breath as he tried to fix his headband. He frowned, pushing his bangs out of his eyes.

"Hey Pence," Olette hissed, leaning across Hayner's legs, tapping him. "I thought you said that Raijin was all brawn and no brain. What happened out there?"

Pence rolled his eyes, leaning back on his palm. Frowning, he looked up at the bright sun, shaking his head. "Alright, so I was wrong; it was a bad strategy! But," he let out a laugh, leaning conspiriously towards Olette. "I didn't see you receive a victory either. Fuujin, got you in what – three minutes?"

Olette huffed, blushed and looked away. "Did you really think I could beat her?" she shook her head, looking across the arena at the silver haired girl. "She trains with Seifer and Raijin, it'd be suicide to even try and beat her."

"What?" Hayner exclaimed, dropping an arm around Olette, dragging her close to him. "Does that mean you didn't try?"

"I – I did!" Olette yelled, pushing Hayner away from her, indignant.

Hayner sighed, dropping his arm to his side. "Anyway, it's all up to you, Roxas," he smirked, leaning around Olette to see the blonde. "If you don't beat him, we're out of the tournament. We're counting on you."

"Right, so no pressure," Pence said with a shrug.

"Yeah . . . real good confidence booster," Roxas muttered, shooting the other two boys a withering look.

"Well, that's a great thing to tell him!" Olette said, throwing her hands up into the air, shoving Hayner with her shoulder. "Well, at least tie with Vivi, then we're safe for the moment. Leave it to Hayner – you go take down Seifer and get us our win."

"I plan too," Hayner said idly, not paying attention.

"If we don't win, we can just beat them in a street brawl later," Olette said, looking from Hayner to Roxas. "Just ignore Hayner, do your best!"

"You're always the inspirational one," Roxas said, shaking his head, shoving her playfully.

"Well, someone has to do it," she smiled.

"We'll make it to the second group for sure," Roxas commented, pushing himself up from the bench. "I'll see you guys later then." He flashed the three of them a thumbs up before turning, heading for the arena; Vivi already waiting there.

"What'd you tell him that for," Hayner grumbled, narrowing his eyes at Olette. "We need that title – street brawls aren't worth anything."

Olette nodded, pushing her bangs out of her eyes. "I know that, but seriously, do you think Roxas will lose now?"

Hayner sighed; leaning back on his palms. "You're such a smarty pants," he grumbled.

Pence laughed, bringing his camera up, snapping a photo. Hayner never admitted he was wrong.

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Roxas sighed, his eyes narrowing slightly as he climbed up the stairs, unto the arena's floor. He glanced at Vivi, the pint sized wizard standing in the opposite corner, his large hat hiding his face from view. Hmm, maybe he should try and knock Vivi's hat off . . . he shook his head. He had to focus; this was ridding all on him, as Hayner liked to say.

"Ready?" The Struggle Tournament's coordinator asked. Roxas nodded, swinging his foam weapon around experimentally. He noticed Vivi nod, holding his weapon loosely. "Roxas versus Vivi; round four – GO!"

Roxas gripped his weapon tighter, watching Vivi with calculating eyes. Vivi wasn't going to beat him here – Seifer wasn't going to hold this over them. He watched Vivi intently, looking for the smallest movement to give him away. After many moments had past; Vivi still hadn't moved, and the crowd – alongside Roxas – was getting impatient.

This is getting old fast, Roxas thought idly.

Taking a deep breath, his eyes never leaving Vivi's small form, Roxas shifted his weight, quickly moving forward, weapon outstretched. However, underneath this hat, Vivi let out a smirk and before Roxas hit him, he raised his magical rod; yelling Stopra.

Roxas immediately stopped, as did the other's surrounding the area. As the sandlot became eerily quiet, Roxas raised an eyebrow, looking around him in confusion. He shook his head, looking back at Vivi; that was one powerful Stopra spell; he'd never seen one like that before.

"What's going on here?"

Dropping his stance, Roxas held his weapon loosely. The fact that even Vivi was frozen; made him wonder; the caster was always free of the effects. He frowned, turning around on his heel; locating his friends behind him. He smiled as he saw Olette, standing up, obliviously cheering while Hayner and Pence were leaning over a tally sheet for the competition.

"What did you do Vivi?"

He frowned remembering Vivi froze too. Sighing, he glanced behind him, rolling his eyes. Seifer was leaning against the wall, holding his foam bat tightly. Fuujin was glaring at Raijin, pointing angrily at something. When wasn't the silver haired girl angry though? While Raijin just leaned back on the bench, probably trying to tune out the ranting girl.

"He can't hear you," another voice broke in, breaking the silence. "No one can hear you here."

Roxas didn't understand why he felt a shudder run down his spine as he heard the low, almost menacing voice. Tightening his grip on his weapon, Roxas slowly turned around on his heel, eyes narrowed. It didn't take him long to find the owner of the voice; dressed completely in black with flaming red hair, the man stood behind the bench his friends occupied.

"Who are you?" he shouted, his voice guarded. "What did you do to them?"

The man merely shrugged, waving the question away. Slowly, he pushed himself away from the wall, passing the bench, glancing at Olette as he past her by. Roxas's eyes narrowed, inwardly cursing the man. He backed up a couple steps as the man ascended the stairs, stopping on the Stuggle's padded flooring. "Those are all unimportant questions, Roxas."

Roxas faltered. "How do you know me?"

". . . unimportant," he said after a moments silence.

Roxas backed away again as the man came closer still, fixing his grip on his bat as it started to slip slightly. "Who are you?" He hated how their voices echoed here.

His eyes narrowed as the man smirked at him; stretching his arms out beside him, muttering something. Roxas raised an eyebrow at his actions, his mind racing a mile a minute; the Stopra spell should stop soon – but considering his luck; not soon enough. Roxas paused, his eyes widening slightly as a wind suddenly gushed through the sandlot – Roxas raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly, the Stopra spell must be wearing off.

Scratch that, he thought seconds later.

His footing slipped as the wind grew stronger, pulling him closer to the cloaked man. Then, the wind ended as quickly as it started; two wheels now in the cloaked man's hand. "The name's Axel," he smirked, glancing again at the bewildered blonde. "And this, this is the end of the line; Roxas."

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02/09/09