Axel lips thinned. He remembered Merlin from Radiant Garden. Him and Isa would always get into trouble. Merlin's house was no exception, if Merlin recognized him, he would be in trouble.

Axel opened his mouth to speak. "Our-our world, it was lost to the darkness." Axel's voice was weak and broken, he knew how to manipulate people to do his bidding, and he hated it. "My little brother and I ended up in this world. Then we were attacked. My brother found this place, and here we are." It technically wasn't a lie, but it was not the truth either. Merlin's face softened as Axel spun his story of woe.

"You poor boys, you must have a hard time." Merlin eyes were full sympathy. "If I may ask what are your names?" Axel internally panicked briefly before he heard Roxas groan.

"Roxas!"

The blond hair boy fluttered his eyes open. Within seconds both Axel and Merlin where at his side. "Easy buddy, relax, you're safe."

Merlin pressed his hand again Roxas's forehead "The boy has developed a fever, as much as this place has saved you. I refuse to let the boy stay here any longer. He'll only get worse if he stays. I sense a bright light within him, in this world between worlds, the darkness will find him. Neither of you boys are safe."

Axel raised his eyebrow. Was Merlin suggesting what he thought he was? Axel pretended to be confused. "But sir, we have no have no where else to go."

Merlin chuckled, "Nonsense," he reached into sleeve and pulled out a wand. "Come with me to my world. I promise you, you will both be taken good care of."

Axel smiled, this time it was genuine. "If I may, why are helping us? You don't have to help us."

Merlin smiled and looked over Roxas. "I know what it's like to a lose your world. Besides, this boy reminds me of someone I knew once." His voice was soft as the image of a joyful brown haired boy came to mind. "Now why don't you pack your things, and I'll take us to my world."

Roxas felt his body sway. Carefully he opened his eyes. The world was bright. Carefully he sat up. Above him a blue sky that overlooked an even bluer ocean. He couldn't help but to let out a slight gasp. He was at the beach, subconsciously he reached into his pocket and pulled out a single thalassa shell. He'd only ever been to beach once, and that was to look for... something, maybe even a someone.

He stared off into the ocean, it was beautiful.

"Oh!"

Roxas turned around, it was a girl. She was pretty, semi-long red hair that passed her shoulders. She seemed familiar.

"Sorry if I startled you, I wasn't expecting anyone to be here." She said.

Roxas shrugged, "Don't worry about it."

Her eyes wandered over his figure. "You're not from around here, are you?" The way she said it, she knew something. Roxas felt a bit thrown off. She continued, "Are you from another world?"

"Wait you know about other worlds?!"

The girl giggled, he knew her from somewhere, but where? "Don't worry I won't tell anyone. I'm Kairi."

'Kairi.' He thought, 'That's a pretty name.' As familiar as she was something about her felt wrong to Roxas. Her voice felt off, her hair looked weird, he didn't know what it was. But she seemed nice enough. "Roxas." He said.

She smiled. "Hello Roxas. Is that a thalassa shell?"

Roxas looked down at his hand where he clutched the pink and yellow shell. "Yeah. A friend gave to me... now she's gone. It's funny, you remind me of her."

Kairi blushed, "You remind of someone I knew once as well... Did you know legend has it sailors used to make charms out these shells for good luck. May I?" She pointed at the shell, Roxas nodded.

Kairi reached to take his the shell hand, her face went pale. Roxas followed her gaze down to their hands. Kairi stumbled back onto the sand.

Their hands never met, they went through each other.

"Roxas?!" Kairi picked herself up and ran to his side. Her hand went through him again. "ROXAS!?"

Roxas felt himself begin to sway, suddenly the world started to spin. "Kairi...what's going on?"

Kairi's image began to blur, behind her another figure appeared, a girl, blonde with a white dress.

"Roxas..." The other girl phased through Kairi. "Roxas you need to return to Sora, please, something is happening to your memories! You have to return to Sora! His memories are finding their way to you, he'll never wake up if that happens."

Roxas grabbed his head in pain. "...Sora?"

Kairi's ears perked up, "Sora? Did you say Sora?"

The blonde girl continued but he couldn't listen. He felt himself fall backwards. Kairi screamed "Roxas!" She reached towards him as he fell. Only to have him disappear as she touched him.

'Darkness, why is it always darkness.' Roxas thought as he fell. He kept falling and falling. This seemed familiar.

From the darkness he felt something warm, he felt light. He followed it as the world around him turned from black to a blinding white."

•••

Roxas opened his eyes, he was no longer in darkness, nor was he at the beach. Rosey streaks of sunlight poured into the room he was in. He wondered where he was.

"Who... are you." Roxas turned around. This time it was a boy in red. He looked at Roxas with tired blue eyes.

Roxas felt a burning sensation inside him. He didn't like this boy, not one bit. "I could ask you the same thing." Roxas shot back curtly.

The boy tilted his head and looked around. "My name is... Sora, I think."

Roxas was taken back. This boy is Sora? He seemed more like a zombie, nothing like the over enthusiastic self he 'remembered'. 'It must be because he's missing his memories...' Roxas thought, the burning sensation lessening. "I'm Roxas."

Sora blinked, "Roxas... that's a nice name." He gave Roxas a slight smile.

It was awkward to say the least. Sora just kept zoning off into the distance. "It's weird, I feel like... like I know you." They made eye contact. "Roxas... please."

"Huh?" Before Roxas knew it Sora was wearing a cloak just like his.

"Roxas.. I don't understand what's happening. Make it stop! It wasn't supposed to turn out this way!" Sora's voice changed, it became higher, more feminine.

Roxas took a few steps back, that's when he heard the unmistakable sound of the keyblade.

Sora crouched down with his Keyblade in hand. The last thing he saw was a keyblade in his face.

A/N: sorry the lack of delays, but this story is still being updated. Even if it is being done slowly. And yes I will try to make up the slow updates with longer chapters. Please feel free to comment and review.