"When I'm around you, all the light shines brighter" - Roxas

XHearts

chpt.4: Great Unexpectations pt.1

"...and I now travel from world to world gathering hearts in order to help complete Kingdom Hearts. That is my role within the Organization" says Roxas, turning his attention away from Kairi towards the horizon. "Wow, the sun's already setting? I didn't realize I had been talking for so long."

"I'm not bothered by that" says Kairi, also looking towards the setting sun before looking back at Roxas. "I still don't understand though. Why are you needed to gather the hearts from defeating Heartless and bring them together to form Kingdom Hearts for the Organization?"

"It's to restore that which we all lack. To regain our hearts" says Roxas.

"Regain? I don't understand?" says Kairi.

"That's what makes us what we are; Nobodies. When a heart and body are pulled apart by the darkness, a Heartless is born from the castaway heart. In turn, the body lost within the darkness becomes a Nobody. As a Nobody, I and the others seek to regain the heart we lost to the darkness" says Roxas before hopping down from the bent palm tree he and Kairi were sitting on.

"Anyways, its getting late and I need to be getting back before the others start to worry about me." As he opens a portal, his mentally corrects himself, telling himself his real concern was everyone finding out he had spent most of the day talking with Kairi which would get him in hot water with Saix.

Kairi hops down as well and ask "Do you really have to go so soon? I was...hoping, maybe, we could talk some more."

"Sorry, but I don't really have a choice here" says Roxas.

"I see..." Kairi looks away, then back at him and ask "Will...you be able to come back tomorrow?"

"I don't think that will be possible. But..." He steps towards her and places a hand on her shoulder. "But the next chance I get, I will make a return trip here. I'll come visit you again."

"You will?" Kairi asked, getting a nod which makes her smile. "I'll be waiting then."

They then say their goodbyes and Roxas steps into the portal, stopping and looking back at her one last time. "By the way. Does the name Xion mean anything to you?"

"Xion? No; not that I can think of. Why? Should it mean something?" asked Kairi, tilting her head to the side as she takes on a thinking pose while running his question through her head.

"I guess not. It's just...there's a girl within our group who looks just like you. In fact, the only difference I can see between you and her is in the color of your hair. She has black hair to your red. I really don't know much about her...no one does really. I thought, maybe, she might have been a relative of yours?"

Kairi thinks on this some more, then shakes her head. "Sorry, but I can't think of anyone like that within my family. But still, maybe...can you bring her around next time so I can see her for myself?"

"If I can, I will" he says before adding one final goodbye. He then passes completely into the portal, leaving Kairi behind to watch it close behind him. As he passed into the dark, Roxas made a note of the date for his journal; Day 88 since he joined the Organization.

"I miss him already..." says Kairi before turning and heading towards the docks, passing through the ghost Roxas who had been watching the whole scene. He watches her as she walks away before looking at the spot the portal his other self had used had been at.

"It's just like they say" notes ghost Roxas. "Absence does make the heart grow fonder."

And with those words, the world around him became so dark that he was unable to see anything and this latest dream came to an end with realities light bringing him back to the awakened land. Roxas groans as he gets up and stretches and yawns; rubbing his stomach as it growls, demanding breakfast.

"Well, better get something to eat before heading out..."

"Roxas, Roxas..." cries Monette as she comes flying into the room, zooming around him in a wild and frantic spiral.

"Monette, what's wrong?" asked Roxas.

"There's...a monster. It appeared from out of nowhere and..." cries Monette.

"What? A Thoughtless?" says Roxas, already grabbing his Chainsaw Blade and Know-it-all from off the floor, the sudden motion waking the magic tome from its slumber which makes it complain about all the commotion being made. "Lead the way. I'll take care of it."

Monette calms down enough to nod before flying from the room with Roxas right behind her.

At the camp site, the other Moogles hover behind Mog who stands before a bush with his spear weapon drawn. "OK foul monster, just come out nice and slow like and I promise I won't hurt ya."

"Mog, I brought Roxas" cries Monette as she comes flying in with Roxas arriving on the scene just a few moments after.

"Why'd ya do that for? I told ya I could handle this myself" yells Mog, then grumbles "No faith..."

"Is the Thoughtless hiding in there?" asked Roxas, coming to stand beside Mog.

"Can't be sure as I haven't been able to see it well enough yet."

"So, what happened anyways?" asked Roxas.

"Well, after we set up shop here, I couldn't help but get this feeling we were being watched but I couldn't sense anything dangerous around. Then we started to see some of our food supplies go missing. At first, I thought it might have been Noggy sneaking snacks seeing as he has been putting on weight as of late..." says Mog, having turned to face Roxas.

"I'm not fat, Mog. You know as well as anyone I'm just a little big boned" yells Noggy.

"Whatever" says Mog. "Anyways, it was just a few moments ago when we found the real culprit, hiding itself within this bush here. I was just about to go in after it..."

"Sure you were, Mog" says Kurpi.

"Quiet you" yells Mog. "Anyways, seeing as you're here now, slackey. Why don't you go in first and see what we're up against. I mean, you ARE the resident Thoughtless expert around here."

"Meaning I'm to much of a coward to actually go in myself despite all my big talk" says Gumo.

"What did you say?" yells Mog.

"Alright, I'll do it" says Roxas, already stepping forward while wanting to end the little back and forth bickering between the Moogles. With one hand holding his blade, he uses the other peel back the bush and peek at whatever it was that was hiding just beyond it. But what his eyes see wasn't what he was expecting to see.

"No way...it can't be..."

"What is it, slackey?" asked Mog, not sure if he should step forward and take a peek himself.

"Does someone have a blanket or something that can be used as covering?" asked Roxas suddenly.

"Why would you need a blanket?" asked Mosh.

"Here, I have one" says Monette, doing a little spin and making a blanket appear from nowhere. She then flies over to Roxas, ignoring Mog telling her to keep her distance. She also peeks into the bush then looks back and says "All of you stay where you are. No peeking...you wannabe perverts."

"Say what?" shout all the male Moogles as she moves beyond the bush. After a moment, she reappears and says "OK, you can come out now."

The creature doesn't appear, making Roxas extend his hand out, towards the unseen entity. "It's alright, they won't hurt you. We're all friends here..."

After a moment, a hand appears to take hold of Roxas hand, allowing him to guide the entity out into the open. It was, in fact, a human girl who appeared to be the same age as Roxas with fair skin, short black hair, and was naked save for the blanket that was covering her. But her face...her hair style...

"Wait, isn't that your sleeping beauty, slackey?" asked Mog. "When did she wake up and come outside? And when did she dye her hair?"

"No, this isn't Kairi..." says Roxas, not sure what to say. "I...I don't know what's going on right now?"

"Perhaps Ansem will have an answer" comes Know-it-all. "Place me down on the ground and I'll contact him." Roxas nods as he drops his sword so as to use his free hand to take hold of Know-it-all and place him down while keeping his other hand holding the black haired Kairi's hand so she didn't go running off on them again.

The gem upon Know-it-all begins to glow followed by it emitting a cone of light several feet into the air; the image of Ansem appearing within it. The site makes the girl hide herself behind Roxas.

"Roxas? This is unexpected. How fares your search for Kairi's light?" asked Ansem.

"Good so far. I've managed to collect two of her heart fragments so far though those Thoughtless haven't made thing easy" say Roxas.

"I can imagine. I am happy to hear you have been successful thus far" says Ansem.

"How are things going on your end? Have you found the one behind Kairi's current situation?" asked Roxas, his tone a little cooler than is the norm.

"He still eludes me though with each world I track him to, I draw closer to capturing him. It won't be much longer, I can assure you" says Ansem. "Now, what's the real reason I needed to be contacted just now? I doubt it was just for this simple update. Has something happened?"

"Yeah, you could say that..." says Roxas, moving around the girl so she was facing Ansem directly.

"What...what is this?" says Ansem, clearly surprised by the sight of this girl here before him.

"So boss, any ideas about this little look alike we have here?" asked Mog.

"Hm?" says Ansem, scratching his head. He studies the girl for a moment, then says to himself "Could it be...is it even possible?"

"You have an idea?" asked Roxas.

"I'm sure I may have mentioned this before when I spoke to you about the Thoughtless. There is another type of entity that can be born from the minds of men; the Figments or beings born from ones imagination. I believe this blacked haired version of Kairi may be as such; a Figment" says Ansem.

"But how did she come into existence?" asked Monette.

"Perhaps as her heart was leaving her, Kairi created this girl to replace her missing presence within Roxas life, so he wouldn't be left alone. Or, perhaps it was you yourself who did that, Roxas" says Ansem. "At present, that is the best I can assume here."

Roxas was quiet for a moment, then he says "So, what should I do with her then?"

"I'll leave that decision up to you. Well, if there is nothing else, I'll take my leave..."

"Sir, is there something you could do with your powers to clothe her?" asked Monette. "I doubt she'd feel comfortable wearing only a blanket to keep her modesty intact."

"I suppose that's true. Very well..."

The ghostly image of Ansem then holds a hand out making it glow before a light is released which is then seen passing out from Know-it-all's gem, floating over to the girl and making the blanket glow while lifting her into the air. The blanket forms itself around her as it glows brighter and brighter. When the light fades, it had become clothing similar to those being worn by Roxas.

The girl now had a white shirt with string like shoulder straps, white shorts that had a baggy quality to them, black shoes and a black hooded jacket with white lines running along it, and a necklace similar to that being worn by Roxas, except gold instead of silver. The girl looks at her new garments though she didn't seem to interested.

"If anything else happens, contact me" says Ansem before is image fades. Roxas walks over and picks up Know-it-all.

"So, what do we do with her now?" it asked.

"We'll take her with us, of course" says Roxas. "I...we can't just leave her here by herself..."

"Hey, what are we? Chop liver?" yells Mog.

"You know what I meant, which wasn't that" says Roxas.

"I think taking her with him is for the best" says Monette. "It may help solve the mystery of her origins. So Roxas, you have any idea what to call her?"

"Black haired Kairi? Kairi Two? Other Kairi? Boy, giving her a name is hard" says Mog.

"Xion" says Roxas, his attention turned to the girl. "Her name is Xion."

"Xion? Where the heck you get a name like that brat?" asked Know-it-all.

"Well...it's because...she looks like a Xion" says Roxas.

"Xion, I like it" says Monette.

"Well, what ever floats your boat, slackey. She doesn't seem to mind, though that isn't saying much right now" says Mog.

Roxas turns his attention to Xion, getting her to look at him. "Understand? Your name is Xion. And as for me? I'm Roxas. Got that memorized, Xion?"

"Xi...on? Rox...as?" she says, her voice sounded dazed and confused.

"Oh boy, this is gonna be a fun trip now" says Know-it-all, his tone clearly less than excited about this.

"Anyways, let's get going. We have a light to return" says Roxas, putting Know-it-all back into its holding pouch, grabbing his blade with one hand and Xion's hand with the other before heading back to the ruins and to the portals.

As they reach the three star portal, Roxas stops and allows himself a moment to take in a deep breath. Sensing the sudden apprehension building within Roxas, Know-it-all ask "You feeling OK?"

"Yeah. I'm...just feeling anxious is all" says Roxas as he goes to step forward. "Let's do this..."

"Roxas..." says Xion suddenly, her hand reaching out and taking a hold of Roxas coat sleeve. He looks back at her as she ask "Can I...call you Roxas?"

"Xion..." he says before smiling at her. "Yeah, that's fine with me, Xion. Let's go." He turns back and walks into the portal with Xion following right behind him.

Like before, their passage within the tunnel of spiraling light with quite the trip for Roxas who takes a moment to look at Xion, wondering if this experience was having any effect on her mind or emotions. Not surprisingly, given her current state of mind, she remained rather neutral in her facial features.

And then the passed into the new world and, for a second, his vision went dark.

When his vision returned, he found himself a little on the wobbly side and needed a moment to orient himself. It was obvious though that they had arrived somewhere more different and new than anything he had seen before. This world was dark and dank with a strong fog filling the air. It was also a little on the cold side. As he looked around, he noticed something really odd.

The nearby street lamp was tall. Like, extremely super tall. It was as if he was looking up at a rather thin mountain. It only took a second before he realized why it was so big; it wasn't. He was just incredibly small. Turning back to look at Xion, he says "Well, it looks like we've been shrunken dow...mouse?"

Xion, though still dressed in the clothes that had been fashioned for her, was now looking way different as she had been transformed into a mouse. Roxas didn't need to look at himself to know he had also been transformed as Xion had been.

"Well, this is certainty gonna make things interesting while we're here" says Roxas. "So, can you detect Kairi's fragment at the moment?"

"Kind of" says Know-it-all. "But I can't get a good lock, sadly. All this fog in the air is somehow mucking with my powers to get its exact location."

"Well, care to make a guess then?" jokes Roxas.

"Roxas?" says Xion, making him look back to where she had been standing and finding her gone. A quick turn allows him to spot her standing a few feet away, holding a discarded news paper in hand. She then looks to him and holds the paper out to him.

"What's up?" he asked as he walks over to her and takes the paper and looks at the front page. What he sees upon it makes him smile. "Xion, I'm really glad you here." He then reads aloud the headline beneath the picture.

"Beloved Queen to show off Marvelous gemstone at Buckingham Palace Royal Art Exhibition."

They now know where they needed to go, with one little issue. Just where in this place was the palace? Luckily, that wasn't a major problem as at that moment, Roxas spotted a group of well dressed mice come walking into view, chatting away about the very exhibition the paper was talking about. Figuring they were heading to the palace, Roxas and Xion follow after them.

The palace was huge, especially looking at it from their reduced size. But Roxas assumed it was where a human queen reigned while the mouse queen simply had her own section fashioned within its walls though he doubted the human queen would be happy to learn of this truth. Seeing many a mouse passing through a gap within the iron fence, Roxas and Xion follow them and join in the crowd as they pass into the castle walls.

After passing through a fancy looking hall, they entered a large spacious room with many a piece of art and jewelry set out for all to see with several guards positions across the room in order to make sure no funny business happened. As he looked around for the fragment, Roxas couldn't help but feel there was many an eye on him on Xion, especially Xion.

Maybe that wasn't to surprising as they weren't exactly dressed like everyone else here. The attention on Xion was mostly coming from the men in the room, not that Roxas was surprised seeing as her manner of dress as well as her hair style were a little to different than what she was likely being expected to wear as a girl in this sort of place. Something told him her having all the right curves in all the right places made her even more desirable to the men here. The women, on the other hand, were giving her a rather sour look, likely shocked to see her dressed as she was and maybe wishing they had her looks.

As for Roxas himself? Something told him the men here were likely jealous of him having Xion at his side, thinking he didn't deserve the company of such a beautiful girl. That made Roxas wonder; if Kairi was here as well, then would seeing both her and Xion at his side make the men here want to kill him?

"Great, and now I'm fearing for my life" he says to himself over where his thoughts had led.

"Come again?" asked Know-it-all.

"Never mind. Just having some weird thoughts" replied Roxas.

"There..." says Xion suddenly, already pointing in the direction she was wanting him to look at.

Finally seeing the gem, Roxas says "OK, this was rather easy. Now, how do we get a hold of it?"

"Maybe find this queen and explain the situation to her?" offered Know-it-all.

"Would that really work? I mean, who knows how she came into having it" says Roxas.

"Well, we could always just steal it" says Know-it-all.

Roxas laughs at that, then says "Yeah, then we'd have every guard in this place hot on our tails. I guess we'll try talking to the queen once we find her and we'll see were this goes from there. What do you think Xi...Xion?"

Roxas realizes Xion was gone and quickly begins to look around. When he finally spots her a few seconds later, he nearly has a heart attack as he sees her walking towards the gem, her intention obvious to him.

"Wow, seems Xion isn't worried about the guards" says Know-it-all.

"Xi..." Roxas had to stop himself as his words were coming out like a yell which makes many in the room turn to look at him. He acts normal and unaware of having said anything, making them think it had just been their imaginations. He then does the best silent yell he can towards her.

"Xion, what are you doing?"

She stops and looks back at him long enough to say "You want the gem so I'm getting it for you." She then continues towards it while Roxas just stands there, unable to make himself move due to his shock.

Opposite them within the room was the Queen of all mousedom, dressed in all her best finery, as she talks to two fellow mice whom she both knew and had nothing but the greatest admiration and respect.

"Such a stunning display, majesty. Truly, a most splendid sight" says the chubby of the two male mice, older than his counterpart with a graying mustache.

"I concur that sentiment as well" says the younger mouse. "Our thanks for the personal invite you sent to us, your majesty."

The Queen laughs heartily, then says "Not at all, not at all, my dear Basil and Dr. Dawson. After everything the two of you have done over these last few months, how could I not ask London's two bravest detectives to come to this showing personally?"

Basil nods, then takes a moment to look around again which makes him realize something. "Say, isn't the number of guards on watch here rather thinned out? I would think given all that is being out on display and the importance of said items to both yourself and the country would demand more security to be in place."

The Queen gives him a warm smile, then says "My adviser also asked that question. But I doubt there will be any funny business seeing as there one only one fiend who would even attempt such a theft out in the open and he's long since been dealt with...by yourself no less."

"Ah yes, Ratigan" says Basil. "Can't say I miss him...yet..."

"He at least made things interesting for you I imagine" comes Dawson, placing his hand on the young mouse detective's shoulder.

"Yes, he did" agreed Basil. "Still, I'm happier with the peace and quiet we have now. Besides, I doubt any would be fool enough to try a theft right now. Not with so many witness's here and all."

Both Dawson and the Queen nod at that, then Dawson's eyes happen to look over at the star of the show just in time to see Xion walk up to it and claim it for herself like it was nothing.

"I say..." he says loudly to make both Basil and the Queen look at him before turning to look where he was looking. "What are you doing miss?"

The moment Xion's hands come into contact with the gem, it releases an intense light which fills the room, forcing everyone to cover their eyes. "What is this?" yells Basil.

Xion's body goes rigid while her eyes roll into the back of her head and she collapses onto the ground. The gem falls from her hands and rolls along the ground while the light from the gem fades. Roxas runs over to her and takes her into his arms. "Xion? Xion? Are you alright?"

"Guards, thieves. Stop them" commands the Queen, suffering a momentary halt in her orders at the sight of someone actually having the gall to steal in such an open and exposed way.

Immediately, the six guards in the room converge onto Roxas, making him curse his luck while he stands and pulls out his weapon. Defeating these soldier's was an easy task for him, though he made sure not to hurt them to much. But no sooner than they fall in defeat do more come running in, these ones looking a lot tougher. Knowing he couldn't win like this, he releases a Frosty Mist spell to force them back, then picks up Xion and the gem and tries to make a run for it.

"Not so fast, little thief" yells Basil, tackling Roxas with a sudden leg sweep which sends Xion and the gem flying. Before he could recover, Roxas finds several guards pinning him down while restraining his arms and legs. To his side, he spies Xion also being pinned despite being unconscious.

"Young man, what ever possessed you to sneak in here and try to steal that which isn't yours?" asked the Queen.

"Because the gem belongs to a friends of mine. It was stolen from her and it's my job to get it back. Please...let me go" yells Roxas.

"The nerve..." retorts the captain of the guard. "Are you daring to say our beloved Queen had something stolen from someone? How horrid."

"No, I'm not accusing her of stealing it. Please, you need to believe me though. I'm not lying. If you just let me..."

"Enough" yells the captain. "Men, escort this scamp and his partner to the tower dungeon. Once her majesty has had a chance to recover from this mess, she'll decide one what we should do to them." The guards nod before hauling Roxas off, the young warrior doing his best to remain in the room while another guard takes Xion, clearly liking his job right now as his prisoner wasn't awake to fight him."

"I say, that was quite the sudden turn" says Dawson.

"And to think he claimed your majesty's gem was stolen from his friend. Quite a tale he told, wouldn't you a...gree?" Basil's words slowed as he saw the somber look on the Queen's face. "Please tell me his words can't mean that..."

"Basil, Dr. Dawson, will you both come with me. There is something in private I wish to speak with you both about" says the Queen before leading them from the room to another, more private chamber.

"What is all this about?" asked Basil.

"As hard as it is to believe, I feel that boy's claim may hold some merit of truth to it" says the Queen.

"But how could that be possible?" asked Dawson.

"The other day, as I was going through all the royal treasures that would be put out on display for this gala, I came across this very gem...one that I had never seen before that day. I knew it was not one of ours yet I could not determine how it had come to be mixed in with all the others. Despite this, I was compelled to put it on display by a power beyond my comprehension."

"Puzzling indeed" says Basil. "And you sure you no not how you came to have this gem he claims to be his friends property?"

The Queen shakes her head. "Detective Basil and his partner, Dr. Dawson. Will you undertake a new job from your Queen?"

They both nod and say they would without hesitation. "Go to the dungeon and meet with this boy and ask him to tell you both his story. I hear you are quite good at telling when one is being truthful or not, right Basil?"

Basil tugs on his coat proudly. "I've never known to be wrong before."

"Then use that talent and get the truth, then return to me and tell me what you have determined. I will decide then on how to proceed with this matter" says the Queen.

"As you wish" says Basil before turning and heading out of the room. "Come Dawson, back to Baker Street."

"Baker Street?" says Dawson, running to catch up. "But why there? The tower isn't on Baker Street."

"True, but in order to do as her majesty asked us, I will need something of the utmost importance" says Basil as they move quickly to return to their quaint little hovel of a home.

Elsewhere within London, Roxas found himself a prisoner on his way to jail; inside a tower from what he understood. He was now walking with several guards around him with his arms bound behind his back and one of the guards holding his weapon. Leading them was the captain who had taken it upon himself to carry the unconscious Xion.

"Sir, there's no need for you to have to lug around that criminal" comes one of the guards. "Surely one of us could do that for you?"

"Nonsense, soldier. What kind of captain would I be if I left you all to do the work?" comes the captain. Roxas doesn't fail to notice the annoyed looks the guards were giving their captain as well as his own joyful tone. Clearly, he was enjoying having a cute girl like Xion in his arms and his men were each wishing that it could be them doing the job himself.

"You know, this is really unnecessary" says Roxas. "If you just take me back to the palace, I'd be willing to explain everything to your queen and..."

"Quiet thief. There will be no attempt of trickery from you" says the captain.

Roxas glares at him for a second before noticing something none of them had yet. Xion was starting to regain consciousness. This makes an idea pop into his head. "Fine, but you'll regret not letting us go."

"Oh, and what makes you say that?" asked the captain, looking back at him.

"Because my partner isn't one for this sort of thing being done to us and she will kick all of your butts if you don't let us go" says Roxas, wondering if Xion was awake enough to hear him.

"Really?" says the captain, sounding surprised as he looks back at Xion. "This cute little..."

He didn't finish as Xion's head lurch's up towards his suddenly, landing a powerful headbutt against his head which makes him stagger back before falling to the ground unconscious. As he falls, Xion slips from his grasp and lands on her feet, her eyes locking onto the other guards.

"Let Roxas go now" she yells before charging at them. The guards around Roxas try to fight back, though unsure on just what they should do against her. Their hesitation didn't stop Xion as she punch's and kicks all of them into unconsciousness as well. She then grabs the keys to Roxas cuffs off one of the guards before moving to his side to free his hands.

"Roxas, are you OK? Those guys didn't hurt you did they?" asked Xion.

"No, I'm fine. But...what about you, Xion?" asked Roxas, looking at her and her new found personality.

"I'm fine apart from a little headache" says Xion.

"No, that's not what I meant" says Roxas.

"Huh? It wasn't? Then what did you mean?" asked Xion.

"He's talking about your whole mind and emotional state. Before, you were like a mindless zombie, void of any emotions. Now you're talking and sounding filled with feeling" says Know-it-all.

"I was?" says Xion, thinking back on it. She then remembers which makes her blush while she scratches the back of her head while giggling a little. "Yeah, I guess I was rather spacey, huh? I wonder what happened to me?"

"It must have been when you touched Kairi's light fragment" says Roxas.

"That makes sense if her Figment self was really created by Kairi. Her fragmented heart must have added some personality and feeling to your existence" says Know-it-all. "Say brat, better tie up these guards before the wake up or we'll have to deal with them again."

"Right" says Roxas, already moving to do just that. Once he had done that and retrieved his sword, he ask Xion "So, do you...remember anything about your self and...your reason for being?"

"I...I don't, sorry. All I can recall is that island and meeting you and those furry creatures" says Xion. "Is there something important I should be remembering?"

Roxas places a hand on her shoulder and says "Only you can answer that question. Anyways, we need to get back to the castle and get the gem before any Thoughtless start showing up."

Roxas then begins to run back in the direction of the castle with Xion just a few steps behind. "You both do realize we'll need to break in and steal it, right? Have no issues with becoming thieves?" asked Know-it-all.

"Not like we have much of a choice" says Roxas. "Just do me a favor and not tell anyone about this."

Xion laughs and says "I don't know why, but I feel like this is gonna be fun."

Fifteen minutes later, Basil and Dawson come walking onto the scene. "I can't believe you needed to fetch your pipe just for a simple talk with the lad."

"Come, come now, Dawson. You know the pipe helps to heighten my focus and allows my mind to be at its peek" comes Basil.

"You can't be..." Dawson didn't get to finish as the sound of the captain and his guards yelling for help which allows them to finally notice the tied up guards. Running up to them, Basil ask "What has happened here?"

"Ah...that little thief was more troublesome and clever than we had expected. He broke free from his shackles, knocked us out, and I assume kidnapped that poor innocent girl" says the captain, not wanting to admit that it had been the girl who had taken them out, nor admit the girl was in any way a villain as he found her to adorable to feel anger towards.

"But captain, it was the girl who..."

"Silence, dummy. Forgive him master Basil, he must have hit his head which had led to him to think weird thoughts" says the captain. "But you need to hurry. I fear the boy will return to the castle and make another attempt as his villainy."

"Right, captain. Come Dawson, we haven't a moment to lose" says Basil, quickly breaking into a run back in the direction to the castle.

"Ri..right, let's hurry" says Dawson as he follows though his husky frame made his run slower.

"God speed, brave detectives" says the captain.

"They could have untied us before running off" comes one of the guards. "That way, we could have gone along and helped protect the queen and the royal treasures."

The captain blinks, realizing that was true. "Ah curses..."

Roxas and Xion finally arrive at the castle, finding the main entrance under heavy guard. "So, what are we gonna do, Roxas?"

"I'd rather not have to fight if I can avoid it. Know-it-all, is there any other way to get inside that would allow us to bypass the guards?"

"Hm, let me see" says Know-it-all, going silent as it uses its sensory powers to detect. "There's a door that leads into the kitchen we can use. I can't detect any guards or servants inside or out."

"That'll have to do" says Roxas. "Where is it?"

Once they had reached the door, Roxas tries to open it but finds it locked. "Well, should have seen that coming."

"Just so you know, brat. I can't do anything to unlock it" says Know-it-all.

"I figured that much" says Roxas before taking hold of Know-it-all and handing it to Xion. "I'm gonna try to pick the lock. Xion, take Know-it-all and go keep watch for anyone who could cause us trouble."

"Alright" says Xion, taking Know-it-all.

"Wait, you know how to pick locks?" asked Know-it-all.

"Not really, but Robin and Little John did show me a few things back in Sherwood" says Roxas before turning his attention to the door.

Xion heads over to the far side of the fence, taking a look around and seeing no one. "Know-it-all, how do I know if someone coming will cause us trouble or not?"

"What? You really need to ask that? Just assume everyone is a threat" says Know-it-all.

"Really? Roxas, what do you think?" asked Xion, looking back at him and finding a glow fading from around his hand. "Rox..."

"OK, it's open. Let's hurry" says Roxas, opening the door.

"How'd you just do that?" asked Know-it-all. "How did you pick that lock so quickly?"

"I just had then right 'key' for the job. Nothing else to it" says Roxas. He then enters into the kitchen with Xion following right behind him.

Back at the main entrance, Basil and Dawson arrive. "So, do you think they've already arrived and have gotten inside?"

Basil looks at the guards then back to Dawson and says "If they have made their way inside, it wasn't through the main entrance. Let me see..." He then kneels down and examines the ground. "They were here and they...headed this way." He then jumps to his feet and runs towards the kitchen entrance.

"More running. Ah, my poor legs..." moan Dawson as he again runs after Basil.

Inside the palace, Roxas and Xion found themselves doing something rather different than they had expected to do; sneaking from one room to another without being seen and caught by the guards stationed around the grounds. Not surprisingly, this made Roxas again think how all of this reminded him of a game. But soon enough, they reached the doors to the large room where the gallery was being held.

"Is this the room, Know-it-all?" asked Roxas.

"Yeah, the fragment's presence is strongest beyond this door."

"Will you need to pick the lock on this door too?" asked Xion.

Roxas reaches out and touches the handle, giving it a turn and, to his surprise, finds the door unlocked. "Strange, I would have thought they'd lock the door after what happened earlier?"

"It may have been locked before" says Know-it-all. "I'm detecting someone inside the room. Someone who's exuding a dark aura around him..."

"Thoughtless?" asked Xion.

"Crumbs" says Roxas, opening the door quickly and running inside while drawing his weapon. He and Xion come to a stop when they see the figure Know-it-all was sensing, a tall rat dressed in stylish finery, standing before the fragment.

"Oh, now I can see why my dear Contessa Desiree would want me to bring her this gemstone. Surely, it is the most beautiful of treasures" says the rat as he reaches out to claim the fragment.

"Stop" yells Roxas, making the rat jump. "Don't even think about it."

"And what is this? Have I been caught by the guards...?" The rat turns back and, upon seeing Roxas and Xion, becomes both confused and annoyed. "What? Just a bunch of annoying brats. Tell me, squeeklings, just how did you two find yourselves in here? Get lost during the earlier festivities?"

"Same way you did, I'm guessing" says Roxas.

"Oh?" he says before a thought runs through him. He chuckles before saying "I see now. You must have come here to claim this glorious stone, am I right? A gift for your girl there I assume. Sorry, but I've already have laid claim to this gem so I'm afraid you'll have to find her something else."

"And I'm sorry to say that's not happening. That gem belongs to a friend of mine and I'm not letting anyone stop me from getting it and returning it back to her" says Roxas.

"How amusing. To think a child like you would assume to have skill enough to take this from me? I'm not sure if I should be insulted or flattered by your moxie, boy. Tell me, what's your name?"

"Tell me your first" counters Roxas. "That's how its done in polite circles."

Before the rat could respond to that, Basil and Dawson come running into the room. "Ah hah, there you are you little..." Basil's words freeze just as his movement does when his eyes see who else was in the room.

"Professor Ratigan?" he says, his tone one of shock and skepticism.

"Basil" says Ratigan, his tone low and angry in sound.

Roxas looks back at Basil then back at Ratigan then to Xion and says to her "Looks like they know each other."

"How...how can you be here?" asked Dawson. "We saw you fall to your death several months ago."

Ratigan's facial features change from angry to amused as he says "Oh, my foolish little overweight doctor. Thinking such a thing could bring me to an end..."

"How did you survive?" asked Basil, still a little taken aback by seeing his old rival again.

"Since you asked so nicely, I'll tell you" says Ratigan before he begins to walk in circles around the fragment. "I admit, even I believed I would die from my fall. But, due to the strong winds brought on by the storm, I was pushed enough to make me land within the river by the clock tower. The waters saved me from death but I feared I would drown from the bones broken from the impact. That's when she came and saved me..."

"She?" asked Dawson.

"Who?" adds Basil.

"My precious angel, the most beautiful mouse in all the land. My beloved Contessa Desiree" says Ratigan, his tone and eyes almost wispy and serene. "She saved me and nursed me back to health. Since then, I have devoted my life to her and making her happy. When this gem was shown off in the papers, I knew she would want it for her own so..."

Ratigan then grabs the gem from the alter and says "I have claimed this piece of art for her and the love she gives. Now, I shall bid you all adieu..."

"Stop" yells Roxas as he rushes Ratigan, already swinging his sword to knock the fragment from Ratigan's hands. "I won't let you take Kairi's heart."

"Fool" says Ratigan as he snaps a finger, making something appear in between him and Roxas. This new being also has a blade, a rapier, which it uses to counter Roxas attack then pushes him back away. As Roxas steady's himself, he sees as several more enemies like the first appear as well as several others that looked like dogs.

"Now then boys..." says Ratigan. "Remove these creatures from my sight."

to be continued...

AN: Due to the length this chapter was looking to be (it was already at twenty pages and was still far from being finished), I decided to break it up into two chapters with the second planned to be released before the end of the month. While having to add another chapter because of this wasn't planned, it's not a big issue as there was going to be another chapter or two anyways in order to have a proper final battle location as the one I had originally planned just wasn't good enough for that status. Till then...