Several months had passed since Ansem's apprentices had become Nobodies and arrived in Twilight Town. They had been hiding out in the Old Mansion, careful not to leave any signs of life for any curious adventurers to find. It had been difficult, but necessary as Traxer, Vexen, and Zexion studied and synthesized the coat the former had recovered. After weeks of trial and error, they'd managed to recreate the coat for the rest of their group, and Traxer had taught the other four older Nobodies how to summon Dark Corridors. He still worried about Zexion's youth and small frame, and wanted to take as many precautions as he could so the youngest Nobody wouldn't be overtaken by the darkness.

It had surprised him, on the other hand, that Vexen, Xaldin, Lexaeus, and even Xigbar had encountered quite a bit of difficulty in summoning the Dark Corridors. They were all getting the hang of it, but it was far from easy for the first three. However, all of them seemed to be developing command over various elements, and Traxer had concluded that his element was, unfortunately, Darkness, and he was learning to use what seemed to be a modification of the greatsword he'd taken before the Heartless had overtaken him. Xigbar's demonstration of his command over space that Traxer had encountered in their battle under the outer gardens of Radiant Garden had strengthened and he was working on refining those abilities. Vexen had developed an affinity to Ice and preferred to use a shield over a weapon, leading to an… interesting style of combat. Xaldin was gaining control of Wind along with his lances, and Lexaeus commanded the Earth itself as he continued to use his axe-sword. Zexion, perhaps reflecting his ability to see and understand things that others simply didn't, was mastering an art of Illusions, and he almost seemed to take pleasure in messing with Vexen by using this ability. It particularly amused and confused Traxer that, somehow, losing his heart had made Zexion more social and willing to speak up.

Now, all six of the apprentices were gathered in the foyer of the mansion wearing their coats, modified versions of their boots of their former uniforms save Zexion, and they'd all donned black gloves and pants at Xigbar's suggestion. Vexen had decided that the coat, pants, boots, and gloves were now the uniform of their group, or organization as a few of them had tossed around, of Nobodies.

"Finally," Vexen began, "We are ready to return to Radiant Garden. Ansem will resist us- we can be sure of that. But, for the sake of our studies, our hearts, and the worlds themselves, we must continue on. We need to find out all we can about the Heartless, the heart itself, and how we can one day recover ours. I assure you, my friends, we will not be Nobodies forever. We will one day regain our hearts." He got several quick approvals and agreements from the assembled Nobodies. "Now then." He turned to the side and summoned a Dark Corridor with his outstretched hand. "Shall we?" He entered the corridor with Zexion following, then Xaldin and Lexaeus, followed by Traxer as Xigbar brought up the rear.

As if by some twist of fate, night had fallen in Radiant Garden when they arrived. Vexen pulled his hood up and the other Nobodies followed suit as they made their way from the main plaza to the castle. Vexen motioned for silence as they entered the castle, and Traxer felt an odd sense of guilt hit him.

Can I really be responsible for the fall of both of my masters? he wondered. How could he bring himself to strike out against Ansem, the kind, aging man that had taken him in without much question, especially when he had already lost his first master when Xehanort finished off Eraqus? He didn't know Ansem particularly well, but he respected him. He sighed as he realized he didn't have much of a choice in the matter. For his sake, for learning where Xehanort disappeared to, and for doing everything he could to revive Eraqus somehow, he had to go on.

The group of Nobodies headed up through the castle until they reached a chapel hall of sorts, and within stood Ansem the Wise. He turned around at the sound of approaching footsteps, and he looked alarmed.

"What business do you have here?" he demanded. "Who are you?"

"Ansem the Wise," Vexen chuckled as Xigbar made his way forward to the former's side. "Tell me, how much of a fool are you?"

"What do you mean?" Ansem inquired, his tone reserved. "Wait… your voice. Even?"

"Vexen," he corrected as he removed his hood. "Surprised to see me? Us?" Lexaeus, Xigbar, and Xaldin pulled their hoods down. Traxer knew his identity was out, but couldn't bring himself to show his face. As for Zexion, he couldn't be sure what the youngest of Ansem's former apprentices was thinking.

"You… you all were consumed by darkness. Those confounded Heartless you spawned… how?"

"It turns out a body and soul can survive without a heart," Vexen replied.

"Meet the Nobodies," Xigbar chuckled.

"And as Nobodies, there is much we need to know. We all now have a deeper understanding of the workings of the heart than you ever will, Ansem," Vexen continued. "And so, we need this castle. If you'll stand in our way, I can't guarantee your safety." The Nobodies summoned their weapons, but Ansem held his ground.

"Nobodies," he shook his head. "Have you lost your minds along with your hearts?! Don't you see what you've done to yourselves? If you had ceased your studies when I'd commanded you to, you wouldn't be in this mess!"

"But think of what we'll uncover now. There is so much we didn't even know was possible, and even more that we haven't even touched yet." Vexen sighed. "Well then? Will you stand down, or will you oppose us?"

"Your experiments endanger us all," Ansem replied. "I cannot allow you to put my people at risk. You will leave, NOW."

"Wrong answer," Xigbar aimed one of his arrowguns at their former master. "We don't have hearts, so we won't feel guilt about hurting you."

Speak for yourself, Traxer thought darkly.

"I will not allow this," Ansem said firmly.

"Very well," Vexen nodded and glanced back to his companions. "Remove him." About then, panic began setting into Traxer's mind and whatever he had left for a heart. Xigbar, Xaldin, and Lexaeus advanced forward toward Ansem, and Traxer's mind raced to find a course of action. Even if Ansem escaped, Vexen and Xigbar would pursue him relentlessly until he either fell or was captured. Ansem needed a place they wouldn't follow without good reason.

One came to mind, and he sighed as he realized he didn't have another choice.

He opened his hand and focused, and a Dark Corridor appeared to envelop a shocked Ansem before disappearing a moment later just as one of Xigbar's shots passed through it.

"What the?!" he demanded.

"How did he…" Vexen spun around and scanned over the other Nobodies. "All right, what happened? Who did it, and where did you send him?!" His accusing green gaze fell on Traxer, who didn't budge.

"I did," Zexion spoke up as he pulled down his hood. Disbelief appeared all over Vexen's face as he stared at the young Nobody. "I… I've been watching the rest of you when you're practicing with the Dark Corridors. I figured out how to do it… sort of."

"Where did you send him?" Vexen inquired coldly, but Zexion held his gaze.

"…The Realm of Darkness, I think," he replied, and Traxer's mind came to a halt as to how his companion could have known that. "He won't be able to get out of it… And besides. The Heartless will probably pick him off eventually." After another moment, Vexen nodded.

"It wasn't what I had in mind, but I suppose it works. Either way, he won't be around to get in our way." He looked up and around the other Nobodies. "Search the castle and make sure Ansem hasn't left us any 'surprises.'" They all nodded as he turned back to Zexion. "You, on the other hand, stay here. You've done enough." Zexion dipped his head slowly, and the other Nobodies proceeded to leave the hall.

Traxer stopped and returned to Zexion, removing his hood, and he knelt down to the younger's height.

"Why did you take the blame for me?" he wondered, not unkindly. Zexion's deep, serene gaze met his calmly.

"I didn't want to see him get hurt either," he replied. "So, thanks for saving him, Traxer."

"Yeah, well… more took him out of immediate danger. You were right about the Realm of Darkness. But we'll have to hope he can hang on for a while." Zexion nodded. "So, have you really learned about the Corridors on your own?"

"Not enough to do that," he answered. "But a little." Traxer sighed and shut his eyes for a moment, then opened them.

"Then at least let me teach you how to summon them safely. I don't want to see something happen to you."

"Thanks, Traxer." He paused. "You seem like you still really care." Traxer blinked and swallowed. "You're not fake like the rest of us. Even I just pretend I can feel emotions from my memories. But you… did you really lose your heart?"

"I did," Traxer replied. Technically, he did. "But… maybe I've fooled myself into thinking I can still feel emotions. But I'm like the rest of you: all I have to go by is my memory."

"If you say so."

"TRAXER!" Vexen's voice echoed into the hall. "Get out here!"

"Don't worry," Zexion advised. "He's not really angry. He can't be." Traxer chuckled a bit and smiled.

"Yeah. If he acts like this now, I'd hate to see him when he really IS mad." With that, he bade Zexion good-bye and hurried out to catch up with the other Nobodies.