AN: Hey everyone, I'm back with the actual chapter 7. Originally it was going to be longer than it is, but I kept getting reviews telling me to hurry up and update, so I cut out a few scenes. I hope the chapter is good regardless. Enjoy!


(Roxas POV)

I had another dream about Twilight Town. I sat on the clock tower eating sea salt ice cream, watching the last rays of sunlight sink below the horizon.

"Hey Roxas." I turned to see a girl with a rounded face, deep blue eyes, raven black hair reaching the nape of her neck, and a coat identical to mine.

Xion. For some reason I couldn't find my voice.

"What if you hadn't fought me the day I merged with Sora?" Xion stared out at the sunset, the glare of the sun hiding her face. "Would I have killed you?"

No! You would never do that. No matter what, we're best friends. The words never made it out of my mouth.

Xion turned on me with a crazed smile, her face replaced by Sora's. "Should we find out?"

Without warning, Xion vanished from my side and the ledge beneath me disintegrated. The calm scenery of the town faded to black and I began plummeting toward the ground, flailing for anything to stop my fall.

I looked up to see Xion staring down at me, the crazed expression still plastered to her face.

"Bye, Roxas."

Those were the last words I heard before slamming into the hard ground with bone shattering force.


I jolted awake, breathing heavily and slick with sweat.

What the hell was that?

I tried to slowly gain control of my breathing as I took stock of my surroundings.

I was lying on a bed, specifically my bed. Beside me, Ventus' bed was empty except for a pile of my twin's rumpled clothing. At the foot of my bed sat my boots and my coat, folded in a neat square.

How did I get back to the dorm? I thought, finally calming my breathing. I wiped the sweat off my forehead as Ventus' voice broke through my thoughts.

"Jeez Roxas, you sure know how to sleep," Ventus said, stepping out of our bathroom.

He was wearing a white button down shirt with a red tie, a slim black vest with gold trim, a matching pair of slacks, and a pair of black lace-up dress shoes. On the right breast of his vest was a circle with two crossed axes inside it.

I stared at my twin, unused to seeing him without his checkered windbreaker. "So," I began sleepily, yawning slightly and running a hand through my disheveled tresses of hair. "Who's the lucky lady?"

Ven snorted, making his way to his bed and sitting down. "Larxene," he responded, causing me to nearly gag. "Worth it!" My twin snickered, taking pleasure in my reaction.

"You're a jerk." I sighed, falling back onto my pillow and closing my eyes. "What did I miss?"

"A lot. We got a letter from the Headmaster. Apparently we passed that exam in the forest and we're honorary students of Beacon."

"Cool," I said unenthusiastically, turning onto my side to put my back to Ven.

"And," Ven continued as my pillow was pulled out from under my head, "we got uniforms, class schedules, and scrolls."

I sighed irritably and sat up, opening my eyes to see Ventus holding a pile of objects for me to take.

First, I grabbed a short silver rectangle with a horizontal gap through its center.

"That's your scroll," Ventus informed me. "It's basically a tiny computer you can use as a communication device and to get information. Pull the two sides apart to see the display."

I did as Ven directed and found that the scroll was indeed a computer. The screen displayed multiple icons ranging from "team status" to "messaging". I closed the scroll and put it aside, deciding to explore it further later.

Next, my twin handed me a uniform identical to the one he was wearing. "Put this on. You can either wear the vest or the sports coat."

I stared at the pile of clothing in my hands and back to my Organization coat. "Can't I just wear my coat?" A far as I could see, my coat was far superior to the uniform in every way. It was lighter, sturdier, and better for stealth.

"It's not for fighting," Ven argued, as if reading my mind. "If we're going to pass as students, we need to look the part."

"Fine," I grumbled, stomping into the bathroom with the pile of clothes.

Within two minutes I had changed into the stuffy uniform. Ten minutes later I was still wrestling with the necktie.

"How the hell do you tie this?!" I yelled, no small task considering how the damned piece of cloth was choking me. "Screw it!" I cried in frustration, simultaneously summoning Oathkeeper and slicing the tie into tiny pieces. After one final disgusted snort, I exited the bathroom.

"Have some trouble in there?" Ventus asked smugly as I slammed the bathroom door shut behind me.

"No. None. Not a one." I shot back hotly. "Give me the flipping schedule."

Ven complied, still eyeing me with an amused expression.

"No one likes ties anyway," I muttered bitterly as I looked over my schedule. I only had about four classes in total; Combat Theory with Professor Goodwitch, General History with Professor Oobleck, Grimm Studies with Professor Port, and Heartless Studies. Below Heartless Studies it read, "Professor not yet determined".

I looked up from my schedule a few moments later to find Ventus with one foot in the hall. "Where are you going?"

"Class," Ven answered simply before dashing out of our dorm room. "We're late!"

"But I have no idea where to go!" I yelled down the hall.

"Your scroll has a map!" Ven shouted over his shoulder as he turned a corner and disappeared from my line of sight.

"Gee, thanks," I muttered peevishly as I pulled my scroll out of my pocket.

It took me two frustrating minutes to find the map function. Soon after, I began to slowly navigate the halls of Beacon.


Maybe no one will notice if I sneak in quietly…

I stood in front of the door to the Combat Theory class, unsure of how to proceed. According to my scroll, I was ten minutes late, which was probably a bad thing. However, I didn't want to just barge in and suddenly become the center of attention.

"Just suck it up." With that I pushed open the classroom door and stepped inside.

The room was a plain rectangle. In the front of the room was a raised platform shaped like a semicircle with an ornate backdrop. Stage lights lit the platform, causing it to stand out from the rest of the room. Above the platform hung a large monitor.

On the platform were Jaune and another male student who I didn't recognize. He was fairly tall with burnt orange hair and indigo eyes. The student wore a chest plate with a bird whose wings were stretched out. Underneath the armor, he wore a black shirt with red trimmings and black pants with a red belt tied around his waist. In his right hand he held a double-handed mace to Jaune's chest, who was laying on the ground with his hands up.

"Enough, Mr. Winchester." Only then did I notice an older woman, Professor Goodwitch I assumed, standing between the two male students. "Students, as you can see, Mr. Arc's aura has dropped into the red. This indicates that Jaune is no longer fit for battle and Cardin was won the match," the professor told the mass of students standing before the battle area.

No one even noticed me. Way to go Roxas!

"Ah Roxas, it's nice of you to join us. I am aware that you are a new student, however I would prefer that you show up on time for my class."

So close. "Sorry," I mumbled falling into place with the herd of students.

"Roxas," the Professor continued, "perhaps you would care to demonstrate dueling with Mr. Winchester? I see that as fitting retribution for arriving late."

Jaune dragged himself off the stage as Cardin grinned maliciously, as though excited by the idea of "dueling" me.

She wants me to fight that guy? Why? And more importantly, am I really so unintimidating in this monkey suit?

Despite my confusion and apprehension, I pushed my way to the front of the room and took Jaune's place, flashing him a forced smile as I passed.

"Now, please take your positions," Goodwitch commanded. Cardin got into a sloppy stance, his large weapon resting on his shoulder and his feet slightly apart. I took my position opposite the large boy, waiting for further direction.

"Excuse me, Professor? Is it really fair for me to fight this little kid?" Cardin jeered, earning quiet laughter from the audience.

Goodwitch was not amused. "The duel will end when one participant's aura drops into the red. You may begin."

I crouched, tense and waiting for the older boy to make his move. Confusingly, he just stood there, his weapon on his shoulder and a cocky grin on his face.

"Okay kid, I'm going to give you one last chance to give up. C'mon, you don't even have a weapon."

I stared at the older student with a cold hard gaze. "Shut up. You're wasting my time as it is."

Cardin stared at me, likely stunned by someone smaller and younger than him standing up to his challenge. "Fine then, kid. Don't complain when they're cleaning you off the walls." With that the large boy charged, his weapon back on his right side preparing to launch into my side.

Right as the attack was about to make contact, I dashed behind Cardin and kicked him in the back of the knee, forcing him to the ground.

I stared at the massive student, unimpressed. "Are we done?"

Cardin turned to glare at me, his eyes murderous. He jumped to his feet, swinging his mace in an arc as he got up, forcing me to retreat a few paces. With almost no pause, he launched a barrage of strikes, advancing with each swing.

I ducked, jumped, and sidestepped the attacks with relative ease, waiting for an opening to attack the giant oaf. Seeing none in the near future, I retreated out of Cardin's reach and assumed a low crouch, my arms at the ready.

Seeing this as an opening, Cardin rushed forward with his mace prepped for an overhead strike.

That's right. Just a little closer.

The giant mace was right above my head when my hands flew above me and grasped the air, commanding my keyblades to appear. Immediately, I felt the familiar grip of Oblivion in my right hand, but nothing appeared in my left hand.

"Wha-" I didn't have a chance to finish my sentence. Cardin's mace rocketed into my weak guard, causing it to break and the mace to come crashing down on me.

"Damn that hurt," I groaned from my sprawled out position on the ground. Cardin cast a dark shadow on me as he looked down at me, a smirk on his face.

"That's what I thought, newbie. Just another worthless mistake of a student."

I allowed my brain a moment to fully digest Cardin's words, focusing on "worthless mistake". I had heard that phrase far too many times, always referring to my best friend.

"It would seem Roxas' aura has reached the red," Goodwitch began. I never gave her a chance to finish the thought.

I raised Oblivion from my position on the ground, yelling one word. "Heal!" Immediately the Cura spell began taking effect, chasing away my fatigue and healing my scrapes and bruises.

I could hear a few gasps from the students watching the duel, but I ignored them. I was solely focused on Cardin, who had already turned his back to me and was walking away.

I jumped to my feet and got into my stance, my legs at ninety-degree angles and my back hunched over my one keyblade. Before Cardin even knew what was happening, I twirled my keyblade in my hand and used another spell.

"Thundaga!"

Small bolts of lightning ravaged the platform around Cardin as the boy looked around with a confused expression. The lighting surrounded my opponent until a much larger bolt came down right above him, hopefully frying him on contact. As soon as I saw Cardin fall, I turned around to face the professor.

There was a stunned silence before Goodwitch cleared her throat and spoke up. "As you can see, Mister Winchester's aura has been depleted and he is unable to continue dueling. Roxas is the victor of this match."

I nodded politely and quickly left the dueling area, pulling up my hood as I walked.

At least I survived my first class. Only three more to go.

I sighed despondently and attempted, unsuccessfully, to go unnoticed for the rest of Combat Theory.


(Ventus POV)

"So, how 'bout that Boarbatusk?" Yang ribbed Weiss.

I was sitting in Beacon's mess hall beside Team RWBY, happily enjoying my dinner of a chicken sandwich. The black haired team leader was inhaling cookies at an impressive rate, Yang was happily chewing away on a double cheeseburger, Weiss was nibbling a simple yet "refined" salad, and Blake was quietly enjoying a tuna sandwich. In between bites, we shared some simple small talk, mostly about the day's classes.

"It was Ruby's fault that I almost lost!" Weiss exclaimed, pointing her fork at the younger girl.

"What did I do?" Ruby protested with her arms crossed indignantly.

"You did yell out to her right when that boar thing was attacking," I offered, my mouth partially filled with delicious chicken. If I ever get back to Land of Departure I'm making this for Terra and Aqua.

Yang nodded wisely. "He's got you there, little sis."

Ruby had a somewhat annoyed expression, likely unhappy about being ganged up on, but pushed with the conversation. "We really never talked about our takes on Roxas." When met with my confused look she continued. "You know, about him being-" Ruby quickly looked side to side, as if worried that someone might be listening in on our conversation. "- a Nobody."

"What's there to talk about?" I asked confusedly. "He's a little cold at times, but he's a good guy."

"Well, you two are pretty close," Yang said, "but you're siblings, so that's to be expected. We can't really be sure how he'll react to everyone else."

I stared at Yang, slightly surprised at her view of my twin. Suddenly Weiss chimed in.

"I agree. Yang told us that Nobodies don't belong in any world. Although I'm not completely sure what that means, there has to be a reason why they don't belong. If you ask me, it would be better if Roxas wasn't here," the white haired huntress finished coldly.

"Why are you being so hard on him?" Blake demanded angrily, surprising the rest of us. "He's different. So what? We're all different," the girl emphasized with emotion. "Ruby can run at superhuman speeds, Yang can ignite, Weiss can summon glyphs out of thin air, and I can make physical shadows of myself. None of that is normal." I smiled at Blake defending Roxas even when her team seemed unsure.

I felt a shiver run down my spine, making me feel that someone was staring at me. I looked over my shoulder to see Roxas sitting at the table behind me and Team RWBY, his blue eyes like ice and his face expressionless. His hands were clamped down on the edge of the table, his nails digging into the thick wood. Nervously, I turned back to my table, where Weiss and Blake were glaring at each other with Yang and Ruby quietly sitting there. It was as if they knew they wouldn't be able to stop their teammates from arguing, and had no other choice than to sit and watch.

"Normal people have hearts!" Weiss shot back. "That-" she struggled to find the right word, "thing isn't even human!"

A loud, dull crash of a wooden chair hitting the linoleum floor echoed from behind our table, catching the attention of almost everyone in the dinning hall.

Team RWBY immediately grew silent and I shut my eyes in despair.

Why did he have to be right behind us?

I reopened my eyes to see Roxas, hands balled into tight fist at his sides, quickly making his escape from the silent cafeteria.

"Roxas, wait!" I yelled, springing form my seat to chase after my twin. The chatter of the cafeteria resumed behind me, as though nothing had even been amiss.


I finally caught up with Roxas when he reached our dorm.

I threw open the door to see Roxas flopping down on his bed with a tired sigh. He stared at the ceiling, flicking his wrist so that his palm faced up.

"Roxas," I began softly, stepping into the room and making my way to my twin's bed. "Ignore what Weiss said. She was just-"

"Saying what everyone was thinking," Roxas cut in sadly, still flicking his wrist. "We look identical, but they accept you and want me gone."

"I'm sure they don't mean that." The excuse sounded pathetic even to me. "Besides, how would you even leave this world? Not even Sora, Kingdom Hearts, could send us home."

Roxas didn't hesitate at all with his answer. "Corridor of Darkness." He flicked his wrist again and an oval made of pure darkness appeared. Black and purple tendrils of shadow flipped off the portal and a low hum could be heard.

"Are you insane?!" I burst. "We're inhabitants of Remnant now, so we can't leave! If you try walking through that thing you'll just end up like Aqua!"

Roxas shrugged. "So I get lost in the World of Darkness, big deal." With that he took a step toward the portal.


AN: And that brings chapter 7 to a close. Honestly, I wanted to keep it going for a few more scenes, but I cut those since this was taking way too long. Don't worry, those scenes will be appearing in chapter 8, however I have some things I want to complete before I write that. Namely, those things are Garnet Rose chapter 20, and The Flower and The Monster (a collaboration between myself and Ryan Roach) chapter 4. Basically, don't hold your breath for chapter 8. Anyway, let's move on to the reviews. As a side note, I don't exactly remember what I've already responded to, so bear with me if there are some repeats. Also, these are reviews from the previous chapter and the preview of this chapter.

Guest: Wish granted.

Guest (#2. In response to chapter 1): Sorry, but I have no idea what you're talking about. I can go back and look, but I don't think I made any mistakes with that.

The Eternal Forgotten: Glad you liked that. I almost skipped that scene, but I'm glad I wrote it.

ShadowSnowApple: Don't worry about being "bad at critiquing", I'm just happy to hear that you like the story. Also, you're welcome. I'm not sure if anyone else has ever really said thanks for a chapter.

Guest(#3): Don't worry about the misspelling, it happens to all of us.

duskrider (In response to chapter 4): Xion will be appearing in this story, so I completely agree with you.

Duskrider: Sorry, but I don't have any plans for that even though it sounds cool. Thanks anyway for the awesome ideas.

Kurai K and Syn:. …Um…sorry?

Antex-The Legendary Zoroark: You'll find out what was with the Xion nightmare next chapter. Originally I wanted part of the resolution for that to be this chapter, but it was taking too long. Anyway, I'm sorry about the somewhat short chapters, but they're all around 3000 words. That's not bad, right?

TehUnoman: Thanks for backing me up. I've been getting a lot of reviews giving me a hard time about updating recently, so it's nice to have some support.

Guest (#4): Your review was AMAZING! It actually inspired the dinner scene in this chapter. I'm not sure if that will pan out into an actual fight, but we'll see. To be honest, even I'm not completely sure what's going to happen between Roxas and Weiss.

Kuroyami Fukaikuro: …Man, tough crowd. I completely understand where you're coming from, but a little diplomacy is greatly appreciated.

Lorion: Dude(or lady, I try not to discriminate), you have no idea how happy it makes me to have someone who understands the relation between quality and time. Thanks for backing me up. If I could, I would kiss your shoes. Just, not in a creepy way. I'm just gonna stop talking now before I say something else that's stupid.

Ksebala1: At least you were polite about asking for faster updates… As I said before, I'm really sorry but there's not much I can do about the update times. I have no real update schedule because I don't want to rush to meet deadlines, so you guys are just going to have to wait. Sorry.

And those were all the reviews I received, all fourteen of them. As per usual; Read, Rate, and Review. Rinse and Repeat.

-Ventusblade