(A/N) Yay! Pirate Illusionist is back! Again, thanks very much for the review. Tera Earth, thank you for that loverly little review. It inspired me so. And yes, we do know our Axel. Duh-duh-duh-dum! Bright-scales of the wintery north, thankies for the review, and yes, Takiren is my OC. Well, enough said on that. Let's be movin' along to…

One Kiss before the Sun Sets

Chapter 3: Melee

"All right, Master Yen Sid. Why did you summon me?" Takiren asked the old wizard as she approached his desk.

"Four the past four years you have been on a quest. A quest to find your intended, Lea, and restore his heart to him. You've been searching for his Nobody and his Heartless."

"Yes," Takiren said slowly. "That's true. If you'll forgive my impertinence, why do you care?"

"I've brought you here to warn you."

"Warn me?"

"Four years ago, when Lea was lost to you, the Nobody called Saix explained to you what a Nobody is. And he told you about the Heartless as well. Am I correct in thinking that you also know of the Keyblade Master and his quest against the Heartless?"

"Yes. Leon and the others told me all about that."

"And might I ask you what you would do if Sora were to destroy Lea's Heartless?"

"I would do everything in my power to stop it from happening. And if I couldn't…I would make him pay," she said quietly.

"You mean, you would kill him?" Sid asked, staring pointedly at her.

"No! I'm not a murderer," she defended. "But I would let him know that not everyone appreciates his warmongering."

"What Sora does is for all of us. The quest is for the good of the worlds. You must understand that before you leave here," Sid reprimanded her.

"You don't intend to keep me here, do you?"

"No. That is something I cannot do, regardless of the danger your personal ends may pose to the Keyblade Master. What I will do is try and help you understand."

"Understand?" Takiren asked harshly. "The first word I heard out of anyone was understand. I don't want to understand. I just want Lea back!"

"I know, Takiren. But there is something that you must understand. The Lea you knew is gone. Saix wasn't lying. If you do find his Nobody, it will not be the same. Nobodies do not have hearts. As such, they cannot feel emotion. No hatred, or pain, or guilt…or love. Lea's Nobody might not even remember who you are."

"Well, that's why I'm trying to find his Heartless."

"And what will you do if you find the Nobody, but not the Heartless?"

Takiren suffered in silence for a long moment before answering. Sid had given voice to her greatest fear. She had considered that possibility and she had thought of another option but she wasn't sure if it was possible. Perhaps Sid would know.

"That's a risk I'm willing to take. But Master Sid?" she began, still trying to be respectful. "If I don't find Lea's heart, is it possible to…to replace it with another heart?"

Sid stared at her long and hard. He stewed over the question for a good while. He understood what she was getting at but he also knew that if he gave her the answer she wanted that she would commit herself to that course one hundred percent. Besides, he wasn't even sure if it was possible.

"I won't lie to you. I am not certain if that's possible. I won't say that it's entirely impossible, but in order for it to work certain conditions would have to be met."

"What sort of conditions?"

Sid opened his mouth but he wasn't the one who spoke next.

"Perhaps I can answer that question."

Takiren's mouth automatically went dry. She would recognize that voice anywhere. Its owner still haunted her nightmares. Slowly, fearfully, Takiren turned towards the large open window where she'd heard the voice. There, hovering who knew how far above the ground in a cloud of darkness, was-

"Saix," Takiren breathed.

XxX

The World That Never Was

(Same moment)

"Hey, Axel! Wait up!"

Axel looked up to see Roxas running towards him down the street. When the boy finally caught up to him, Axel waited for him to catch his breath.

"You're not leaving again are you?" Roxas asked as they continued to stroll down the street. "You just got back."

"I had some delivery business to take care of. I'm heading back to Castle Oblivion. Something big is going down over there."

"Like what?"

"Can't tell you," Axel said mysteriously.

"Shit, you guys never let me in on anything!" Roxas complained.

"One, you're still new around here, and two, clean up your language. I might just have to wash your mouth out with soap," Axel jibed.

"Yeah, sure you will. But why can't you tell me anything?"

"Because it's a secret," Axel taunted.

"No, duh!" Roxas said angrily. "You know what I mean!"

"Yeah, I know what you mean. All I can say is that Saix has some big project about to happen there and The Superior thinks Marluxia might have his own plans. If anything happens, I'm supposed to take care of it."

"What? But…what about Larxene and the others?"

"I don't know. I'll just have to find out when I get there," Axel said as he opened a dark gateway.

"I'll let you know how it goes, kiddo," he called over his shoulder before disappearing into the vortex.

Roxas stared after his friend long after the door had vanished. Somehow he got the feeling that there was more to the goings on at Castle Oblivion than met the eye…and Axel was about to be thrust right into the thick of it.

XxX

Hollow Bastion

(Same moment)

When Azmaria Gylfie finally came to her senses, she found herself gazing up at a starry sky. She was propped up against the wall in a sitting position. For some unknown reason, she was freezing cold. The next thing she noticed was the giant blue fluff ball standing in front of her.

"Oooooh," the fluff ball said.

"Ach!" Azmaria shouted, jumping back in surprise and smacking her head against the wall as a result.

Upon closer inspection, Azmaria could see that the fur ball looked something like a dog. Except for the fact that it was blue and stood on its hind legs.

"Hi," the fluff ball said, waving its paw.

"Um…hi," Azmaria returned weakly. Dogs definitely didn't talk on Galenna, but hey, this thing was probably something entirely different.

"Cama'ahar teh terraces?" it asked.

Azmaria stared at the creature for a moment. She knew she'd never heard that language before but somehow she knew what he was saying.

"Azmaria," she answered. "And you?"

"My name Stitch," he answered proudly.

With that, Stitch formerly known as fluff ball began to sniff her hair and face.

"H-hey! Stop!" she tried to shout through her laughter. "That tickles!"

Azmaria finally managed to climb to her feet and held Stitch at arms' length.

"You really are a cute little thing."

"And fluffy!" Stitch added happily.

"Hey, wait a second," Azmaria said, suddenly noticing her surroundings. The last thing she remembered was falling asleep in her bedroom at home. Lea had been there last night. He'd promised to sit with her until she fell asleep. He'd also promised that when she woke up, Takiren would finally be home. For some reason, Lea had seemed really sad. Though she couldn't figure out why, if Takiren was really going to get better.

But this place definitely wasn't her home…wasn't even her town. Slowly Azmaria turned her attention back to Stitch.

"This isn't Galenna, is it?" she asked, though it was more of a statement than a question. Stitch just shook his head

"Naga. Hollow Bastion," he said slowly.

"Hollow Bastion?" Azmaria repeated as she looked around.

"Achi-baba?" Stitch asked hopefully.

"Definitely," Azmaria answered without hesitation. Gods knew she could use a friend right about now. She had to figure out just what was going on.

"Goobaja!" Stitch said excitedly as he jumped out of her arms and started to scamper away down the road.

"You read my mind. Let's go," Azmaria said, quickly following after him.

They walked the city streets for awhile without seeing anyone. But Stitch finally led Azmaria to a humble, cottage-looking house. It was the only house around with lit windows so she went and knocked on the door. After several minutes the door was opened by a tall, rough-looking man with brown hair. The man, Leon, scrutinized the girl for a few seconds without saying anything. There was something oddly familiar about her emerald green eyes.

"Look, kid, I don't know how you found this place, but the streets really aren't safe so-"

"Oh, please sir!" Azmaria interrupted him. "I'm sorry, but the light was on and I thought that maybe…well…My name is Azmaria Gylfie and I was wondering if-"

"Hold on a second!" Leon cut her off, shocked. "Did you say Gylfie?"

"Yes."

"You don't know a Takiren Gylfie, do you?"

"Yes!" Azmaria shouted. "Takiren's my big sister!"

"I'll be damned. Yuffie! Merlin!" Leon shouted over his shoulder as he drew Azmaria inside. Stitch slipped in as he was closing the door. "Look what just turned up on the doorstep."

Yuffie looked her over much the same way Leon had, no more successful at placing her green eyes than he had been. But Merlin looked at her…and knew her instantly.

"Well I'll be," the old wizard started happily. "It is Lady Azmaria of the house of Gylfie. It is a great gift to see you alive and whole, dear child."

"H-how do you know my name?" Azmaria stammered, staring nervously at Merlin.

"Takiren's sister," Yuffie said, shaking her head in wonder. "Looks like we've all got a lot of explaining to do."

XxX

Twilight Town

Yen Sid's Tower

"Why don't you come out here and talk to me, Takiren?" Saix asked, sounding perfectly reasonable.

"Don't listen to him, Takiren," Yen Sid ordered her sharply. "As long as you stay in the tower he cannot harm you."

"I don't fear him," Takiren hissed. Boldly she stepped away from Yen Sid and out onto the balcony with Saix waiting just out of her reach. Yen Sid could only watch. If Saix tried anything now, he would be powerless to stop it.

"It has been four years, Lady Takiren Gylfie," he greeted, using her proper title like it was some foul curse. "You've grown into such a lovely young woman."

Takiren chose to ignore the jibe. The truth was that she probably looked like hell. She was thinner than she should be from years of pushing her body beyond its limits without food or water. Her clothes were wrinkled and dirty without fail because it only occurred to her to wash maybe once a month at best. There was a permanent set of circles under her eyes and her skin was very pale from all the travel through the corridors. So Takiren ignored the comment and reached into her jewel pouch. Quick as lightening, Sentinel Breeze was in her hands and the point was right in Saix's face.

"Tell me where Lea is!" she demanded.

"If I do not answer, will you kill me? But who else knows where your sweet Lea might be?"

"You will tell me where he is."

"Or you'll what?" Saix asked, the ghost of a sneer flitting across his face. "Four years you've searched for Lea and Organization XIII without any clues. It must have been painful."

"It's your fault!" Takiren accused, suddenly losing her cool. "You're the one that threw everything into chaos!"

"Oh, Takiren, you are so mistaken," Saix began condescendingly. "The truth…is that this is your fault."

"I…I don't believe you!" Takiren stammered, drawing back just a little.

"And yet you step back from me. You are obviously willing to listen. Do you know why Lea was chosen?"

"You told me it was because of the strength of his heart," Takiren said indignantly.

"That was part of it. That was why I knew his conscience would survive. But I sought him out because of you."

"Wha-what are you talking about?" Takiren asked, feeling her insides start to go cold.

"Galenna was a very interesting discovery for Organization XIII. In the Gylfie family we had at last found a weapon apart from the Keyblade that could unlock hearts and release captive ones. After closer study, your family proved that their power was a necessity for our goals. As you were next in line to inherit the Gylfie crown, you were the natural choice to place our control over. But by the time that plan was in place you had fallen deathly ill, and you would have been no good to us dead," Saix recounted dispassionately. "But I saw the pain that Lea endured during your illness. I saw how his grief drove him to expend every waking moment searching for a way to cure you. And in that quest I saw the strength in him. I saw what a useful tool he would be. It was a shame to see such potential go to waste over love. So I offered him an alternative."

"What happened?" Takiren knew deep in her heart that she didn't want the answer, but at the same time she couldn't turn away.

"I offered to cure you…in exchange for his heart."

Takiren struggled to suppress a cry at this.

"It was pathetic, really. To see him cry and profess how much he cared for you. That was his downfall. Lea would have given me anything to save your life. So I used the Organization's resources to heal you and took his heart as payment. It hurts, doesn't it Takiren? To know that Lea sacrificed everything because of you."

"Takiren, you mustn't listen!" Yen Sid warned her.

But Takiren couldn't help but listen, couldn't turn away from him. Anguished tears leaked out of her eyes against her will. She felt like she was going to be sick. The last four years, all the suffering Lea must have endured…was all because of her? Saix had stabbed her to the heart in a more painful way than any weapon ever could.

Saix came towards her, stepping right onto the balcony and backing her up against the wall.

"Now," he whispered in her ear. "Do you want to see your beloved Lea, or don't you?"

"Of course I want to see Lea. I want to see him. I want to care for him. I want to hold him in my arms. And if he's suffering, then I'd gladly take his place!" she cried, finally allowing tears to flow freely down her face.

"Just what I expected."

"Saix!" Yen Sid commanded, finally making his presence felt in the conversation by summoning a ball of energy. "Release her!"

"Don't kill him!" Takiren shouted, tearing herself away from Saix and racing to stand before Yen Sid. Now that Saix had come in closer, Sid could get in an attack.

"If he dies…I'll never be able to find Lea!"

"There's no way a Nobody is going to help you," he warned her.

"Please! Please, Master Sid," Takiren begged. She bowed her head low and raised her hands in a desperate plea.

"Master Yen Sid, you misunderstand me. I have come to help her. I've come to take her to Lea."

Takiren slowly looked up at this.

"What?"

Saix quickly opened up a portal to the darkness. Then he extended an inviting hand towards her.

"If you ever want to see Lea again then come with me now."

But the moment Takiren took a step towards him Yen Sid stepped in.

"Don't go, Takiren! He'll just take your heart from you."

"I don't care!" Takiren said with more conviction than she felt. "I must find Lea. I must! I can't let the last four years be for nothing! This could be the only chance I ever get. I'm taking it!"

With that, Takiren stepped forward and took Saix's waiting hand. Then he led her into the dark portal.

XxX

Castle Oblivion

(Same moment)

"Any word yet?" Lexaeus asked Zexion the second the larger Nobody stepped into the room.

"Yes," Zexion answered quietly. "The Keyblade Master has sealed Kingdom Hearts. The Superior couldn't break through. Sora will be dealt with shortly."

Lexaeus was about to say something when he noticed that Zexion was behaving strangely. The younger Nobody had tilted his head back and his eyes were closed in intense concentration. But then his eyes opened wide and a feral sneer spread across his face.

"She's here. The princess has come to Castle Oblivion."

"Are you certain?"

"I can smell her. Saix has brought the Gylfie princess to us at last."

"In that case," Lexaeus began with a smirk of his own. "Let the games begin."

XxX

The next thing Takiren knew she was standing alone in a stark white hallway.

"Saix!" Takiren shouted, her gaze darting wildly around the entry hall like an animal in a cage.

Immediately sensing foul play, Takiren searched for a way out of the hall. The first end was a dead end and there were no other doors save for one at the opposite end of the hall.

Takiren made for the door, but just as she was about to climb the small set of stairs and open it, a black-robed Organization member appeared before her.

"Saix?"

"Not Saix, Lady," the figure began as it pulled down its hood to reveal a hardened face and long, ash-blond hair. "But Vexen."

"What is this place?" Takiren demanded

"All in good time, jewel witch. For now I will explain to you how to make your way through 'this place'."

"What! Why have you brought me here? Where's Lea?"

"Ah, Lea," Vexen began in a mocking tone. "Lea is no more. To answer the second question, you are here so that we might measure the scope of your talents on the field of battle. Some of the others think you have proven your worth to us enough over the past four years, but I believe you have reserves of untapped potential. You will navigate the castle using these," he said, tossing her a packet of cards of some kind.

"Each card carries the memory of a place you have visited in your life. In order to find what you seek you must face what lies in your past. The question is…can even you, princess, defeat the demons of your past?"

Without another word, Vexen vanished into thin air.

"Wait! Takiren shouted. When she didn't get a response she gave a loud groan of frustration and looked up at the large white door before her. Then she looked down at the cards in her hand, six in number. The first was blank, probably best to save it for later. The second was the Forest of Renewal. The third was Eternal Spring. The fourth was Darkest Jungle. The fifth was Agrabah. The last card was Basement.

"Basement? What the hell does that mean?"

At length, Takiren chose the Forest of Renewal and held it up to the door. The door glowed briefly and opened for her.

XxX

(A/N) And it's into Castle Oblivion we go. I thought I should mention that Takiren's experience in Castle Oblivion is going to be vastly different from either Sora's or Riku's. Also, this may well be the last update for awhile. I'm off to camp for a councilor-in-training program and I'll be gone for a month. I'll try and get one more chapter up before I leave tomorrow but I'm not making any promises.