Choice Is But An Illusion

Seven little lights split and accuse each other of tricks; A mean trick plays on and then there were six.

Six little lights armed themselves with a knife; She couldn't take it anymore and then there were five.

Five little lights feel beaten and sore; One turns against the other and then there were four.

Four little lights must find the key; If time stops then there will be three.

Three little lights turn blue; One has to give up so there can be two.

Two little lights stand with a gun; A final game must be played until there is one.

One little light smiles as all is done; The last walks away and then there were none.


"You can't treat him like this!" Sora states as Axel and Roxas put duck tape around Riku's wrists before locking the boy in a closet. Axel shakes his head, "We have to be careful, Sora. Riku killed Demyx. You want to trust him after that?"

"I keep telling you all it was an accident!"

"Maybe Sora's right.." Kairi says softly.

Namine glares at her, "Ten seconds ago you were all for this. What's with the sudden guilt?"

Kairi looks away, "Maybe.. It's none of us doing it.. Maybe.. Someone we don't know just wants to hurt us.."

Namine crosses her arms, "I have a hard time believing that. Why would someone who doesn't know us break into Sora's house just to play this sick game?"

"I don't know.." Kairi shakes.

Namine scoffs, "Keep acting like no one's involved and you'll be the next to die."

Kairi gasps and Sora pushes Namine, "Why would you say that to her?!"

Namine shoves Sora back, "Don't touch me! You and your creepy brother are the most likely to be the killer!"

Vanitas raises an eyebrow, walking up to her, "I'm the creepy one? Take a look in a mirror."

Roxas sighs, looking worn out, "Guys, don't start. Look, we just need to get out of here."

"I'll look for another way out." Axel rolls his eyes and leaves the dinning room, heading upstairs. Sora crosses his arms, looking worried. The lights flicker a few minutes later and he looks at the ceiling. Everyone looks around and Kairi picks up a card that was lying under the leg of a chair. She frowns, reading aloud, "It's time for another game, and this time you get to choose the outcome. There are two little lights locked away, and you have to power to save one of them. In ten minutes the air in both rooms will run out. You have the key, so choose the light that gets to go free.."

She starts crying and Sora gasps, "We have to let someone die?"

"Who's locked away?" Namine frowns.

"Riku must be one of them.." Roxas crosses his arms, he looks disturbed, "And Axel's gone.."

"We have to choose between Riku and Axel." Vanitas states, "It has to mean them. The only others left are standing right here."

"He's right.." Sora trembles, "So.. Who do we save?"

"Riku killed Demyx, so he has to die." Namine says instantly.

"No!" Sora protests.

"I agree with Namine." Vanitas groans, "Can't believe I said that.."

"Well.." Kairi frowns, looking uncertain and weary, "Maybe.. Riku should.. Be the one to.. Die.."

"We're saving Axel then." Roxas closes his eyes.

Sora glares at his friends, "I can't believe you all! It was an accident! I won't let you just kill him!"

He quickly snatches the closet key from Roxas and Roxas gasps, grabbing Sora's arm, "Stop him, don't let him open the door!"

Vanitas moves and restrains Sora, allowing Roxas to take the key back. Sora yells and fights against Vanitas, but he can't get free. Vanitas growls, "Just hurry up and find Axel."

The others run off towards the stairs and Sora screams, "I hate you! I hate you, how could you condemn him like this?!"

Vanitas doesn't reply, he just continues to keep Sora restrained. His eyes are locked on the closet holding Sora's best friend. He sighs slowly and closes his eyes. He just stands there, feeling Sora fighting against his hold. He hates himself right now. Sure, he doesn't particularly care for Sora's friends, but that doesn't mean he enjoys their deaths. He especially doesn't like having to hold Sora down as his friend is killed. Hearing Sora cry, feeling him fight, it's draining Vanitas's spirit. People can say what they like about Vanitas, about how horrible the older boy is, but he does have feelings, he does care about others. Vanitas chuckles softly, moving so he's not restraining Sora, but hugging the younger boy instead, "After this, will someone have to hold you back when they kill me off, or will you be okay with it..?"

Sora goes limp, blinking slowly, "Wh-what..?"

"You saw how easily we all turned on Riku. And none of them even like me. When it comes my turn to die in this game, will you have to be held back? I helped kill your best friend. How will you feel when I die?" Vanitas explains.

Sora looks back at Vanitas with wide eyes, "I-I won't let them kill you.."

Vanitas shakes his head, smiling lightly, "I know I'm going to die here. I've come to terms with it. It doesn't bother me. The thing that bothers me is how it will affect you. The people you know have changed in a few hours. How much will you change? How much more can you take before you hate us all?"

"Vanitas.. I don't know what you're talking about.." Sora shakes, "I won't let you die!"

Vanitas holds Sora tighter, "I'm the older brother. I'm supposed to say that to you.."

Before Sora can reply, Namine, Roxas, Kairi, and Axel return to the living room. Vanitas releases Sora and Sora tackles Roxas. He takes the closet key again and runs to the closet, throwing the door open. He drops to his knees, staring at the limp, lifeless body of his bound friend, sitting on the floor across from him. Riku's head's down, his hair covers his face. Sora shakes, just staring at yet another lost friend. Kairi turns away from the closet, sobbing. Roxas sits up, watching Sora with dark eyes. He looks down then, What's becoming of us?

He holds his hand up, staring at the crumbled card in his fist. The card he found in the room Axel had become trapped in. Seven little lights split and accuse each other of tricks; A mean trick plays on and then there were six. He looks back at Sora and he sighs, shoving the card in his pocket as he stands. He takes a few steps towards Sora and when he reaches out, Sora looks up and glares at him. Roxas hesitates and Sora looks back at Riku. Anger seeps into Sora's voice, "Just leave me alone for awhile. All of you.. I don't want to look at you right now."