A/N: Sorry about not updating in awhile. I've been lacking inspiration. So this is where the rating goes to T for violence...

Terror

"No! You can't do this!" Zexion struggled against the gloved hand gripping his throat. "Please!"

Vexen's creation was uncontrollable. VIII had corrupted its mind, making it a complete killing machine. Emotionless turqoise eyes met Zexion's aqua terrified ones.

Zexion should have known Axel was to be feared. He had killed Vexen, after all, but that was on Marluxia's orders. XI disdained Vexen, so hiring Axel as an assassin made sense in a twisted sort of way...

Marluxia never had anything against me, did he?

Marluxia no longer mattered. At that moment all that mattered was surviving, not fading. Zexion gritted his teeth as he was pressed against the wall by the replica of Riku.

How ironic. The creation of my adoptive father is now murdering me.

The Schemer now fully understood the terror that came with fading. Of course, it was only a memory of fear. Even in the face of death, he lacked emotion.

As the Replica's grip tightened around Zexion's fragile jugular vein, all sense of time was lost to the Schemer. How long had he been hanging there, suspended in midair by the Replica's cruel hand? When only a few seconds in reality, it seemed like a painful eternity to the Schemer.

Loss of oxygen was taking its toll on Zexion. His lungs burned with the need for air, and he kicked futilely at the Replica. Grabbing his throat, Zexion made one last cry of distress. "Aagh!"

So this is how it ends...

A/N: :'( poor Zexion. Many thanks to my beloved reviewer, IenzoRenaNipah69. You're the reason this story is progressing, even though it's slow going. :)