For the most part, clearing up after the battle was uneventful, as was their return to the Arcology. In order to keep suspicions inside to a minimum, they left in groups, the exception being Roxas, who vanished during one of the nights. Well, vanished as far as anyone outside knew, Sora knew he'd been taken.
Sora was the last to leave. He hadn't wanted to leave his friends again, and they hadn't wanted to lose him again, but he'd pointed out he was a First now, he had responsibilities to see to. He did promise them he'd visit when he got the chance, then left them again, heading to the gardens that had become his office. He didn't need an office, but with the vast array of rooms he now had, he found setting them aside for specific tasks had helped put some of them to good use, where previously they'd been neglected. Merle hadn't used many of them. It also gave his people something to do, keeping them clean and ready in case he decided to give one of them a use.
He'd taken one look at the suite of rooms that he was meant to use in place of his old one, and rejected them out of hand, instead preferring to keep his old one.
Danny met him in the gardens as he appeared there.
"I thought I'd find you here."
"I just got back."
"I know. You remember that reputation you were getting here?"
"Which one? The one that's making me out as someone to be afraid of?"
"That's the one. We kept what we were just doing a secret, right?"
"Yeah. Well, as much as possible."
"So naturally in a pretty much closed society like ours, everyone knows already. That reputation of yours has grown from it."
"Just what I need," he sighed.
"It's not too bad, actually. Some of the other Firsts will respect you more for it, and be more inclined to listen to you, perhaps even take orders from you, even though you're on equal terms with them."
"Equal except power. Sephiroth told me mine outstrips all the other Firsts."
"Power doesn't equal authority though, it's just how much respect or fear you gain based on what's known of it. As long as you don't abuse your position, you'll do just fine, maybe people will think of you as being ruthless, or harsh, but let them think that."
"You're suggesting I just let them? That's not who I am, Danny."
"I know that, but tell me it wouldn't be useful to just go up to anyone, give them an order, and have it carried out without question?"
"Having it questioned could be useful sometimes."
"So have them give their opinion on it before doing it. You're the one in power, Sora. If they're afraid of you, it only adds to it."
"True enough."
He leaned back against a tree, staring out of the windows. They were still focused on Twilight Town and the sun setting over it.
"There's something else I think you should be aware of," Danny told him.
"Go on."
"I gave your Nobody a fifth rank like you asked. He asked to be allowed to go on an investigation about the various rumours and such about you."
"I'm assuming you let him."
"Yes, why?"
"That was going to by my question actually."
"It made sense. It'd give him time to have his own power manifest, learn the Arcology, and give him a useful task."
"Interesting. Alright, so what did he find out?"
"So far, he's sent word that he uncovered two plots to kill you."
"You're not serious?"
"Unfortunately so. I've sent word to the Overseer on this floor with all Roxas found out so far, but it's not much, and all I got back was an order to find out more."
"Who'd want to do this..." Sora muttered thoughtfully.
"It's anybody's guess who it is. But watch your back."
"At least I'm doing something right."
"What makes you say that?"
"Wasn't it you who told me that if there's someone who doesn't like what you're doing, you must be doing it right?"
"Well, yes, but I hadn't exactly included people trying to kill you for it."
"Shows I must be doing a perfect job then, doesn't it? Don't worry, I'll keep an eye out."
"Not literally, I hope."
"Of course not. Do me a favour on your way out?"
"What's that?"
"Tell whoever's on watch at the door not to let anyone in unless I say so, no matter who it is. Just to be safe."

Roxas was back in the Arcology now, on one of the rarely visited floors. Seifer had suggested there was someone worth meeting up here.
This particular floor had no apparent owner, and if it did have one, they had some strange ideas. It resembled a ruined urban setting, complete with a few burning buildings and even the odd brawl in the streets. He kept clear of them mostly, until he was left with no choice in order to reach the only unruined building he'd seen here.
He ignored the brawl unless he had to, letting it surge around him, ducking when someone was thrown toward him, kicking someone else out of his way, and breaking a few faces along the way where people tried to attack him. After a bit of this, they began to catch on, allowing him to make it to the building unscathed.
It had a neon sign flickering above the door that just read 'Snorts'. This was the place.
The brawl wasn't limited to the outside, it seemed, but he wasn't bothered. He made his way to a table in the far corner. Two others were waiting.
"There are other tables," one told him. The shadows here kept him from telling much about either.
"I like this one." he told them. "Seifer sent me."
"Anyone could say that."
"Not anyone could say it and have two sets of markings," he replied, surreptitiously showing them.
"He's the one," the first told the other.
"Good," the other grated. "What do you know?"
"Enough. If you want something specific, you'll have to ask for it, and be ready to supply something in return. Nothing for nothing."
"Nothing for nothing," the other repeated. "As you wish. A deal then. You tell me about your owner, and I'll tell you what we plan to do."
"Wait," the first interrupted. "What are you doing acting against him? I hear you're related."
Roxas shrugged. "That's no business of yours. I do what I want. What do you want to know about him?"
"Tell me how he'd react to an armed assault on him."
"You'd be blown away in instants. If he knew what you were doing, you'd stand no chance. Have you even heard the rumours about how powerful he's grown? They say he isn't even hesitating to kill people now." Roxas knew this wasn't true, but he couldn't show that. He was counting on their trusting what he told them to buy Sora time.
"I hadn't heard that."
"Yeah, well, I've got an ear out for anything to do with him. I hear a lot more than you think."
"So we'd have to get him more stealthily."
"Not easy. You'd stil encounter his people along the way. He's expecting people to come after him. I'd almost say he's paranoid over it."
"It has a better chance than an open attack on him, unless you've a better idea."
He pretended to consider it, then shook his head.
"I didn't think so. So here's the plan. You're one of his, you'll wait for him to be vulnerable. Get his people clear so we've got a way in, and then bring us in. We'll grab him, bag him and bring him here."
"Then what?"
"Then you'll tell your Second that you'll have to take over in his absence, giving us another First."
"What about Sora?"
"Oh, he'll come around to us once we're done with him," the first of the two said in an evil tone, holding up a clear jar with a green liquid in. "He'll come around quickly, and if he doesn't... well, I'm told the withdrawl symptons are excrutiatinly painful."
"A drug, and an interesting sounding one at that..." Roxas remarked. "I could make some good use of that. Get me some of it, and I'll see what I can do to help you."
"That wasn't part of the original agreement," the other grated at him.
"The original agreement said nothing about my getting involved. Only hearing you out. You want my help, you pay my price."
"How can we trust you?"
"You can't. But you've no choice. I'm the only one of his people willing to even see you, let alone deal with you. Since you're not interested though, I'll be on my way."
"Wait! I believe... we can come to some arrangement."
"I knew you'd see it my way."
"How much do you want?"
"One jar will do. I have... resources that can get me more from it."
"More?"
"You don't need to know the details. One jar for my services. Is that really such a bad price?"
"Hand it over, Gretch," he grated. The one holding the jar reluctantly surrendered it. Roxas stowed it inside his robe.
"Good doing business with you. You'll have what you need in two days. Use the northernmost entrance into his part of floor 22. You won't see me along the way unless something goes wrong."
"You're confident of yourself. Almost too confident."
"You're getting something you want, I'm getting something I want. Nothing more to it."
"What exactly are you getting?"
"You don't need to know the details. Unless you've something else to discuss, I'll be leaving now."
They said nothing more, so he left without another word, making his way through the brawl easily. Miasma would be able to identify the chemical and create an antidote for it if it was needed. He and Sora could then work together to thwart the plan, now he knew all of it. And to think it'd been so simple.

Miasma had to admit, Sand knew exactly how to help her. She had her own laboratry to work on chemicals now.
One of Sora's newer members had brought her an interesting dark green chemical. She didn't recognise him, but she didn't need to, his markings identified him.
She bustled from test to test, examining the results of each and making notes, then consulting other notes.
"Kalthasalt," she announced finally.
Roxas jerked up from the nap he'd been taking. "Sorry? What?"
"That's what it is, Kalthasalt. It's a very rare drug. I've only ever seen it once, and that was when I created it by accident."
"What does it do?"
"It renders the user susceptible to suggestion, and makes them very pliable.. In plain terms, they'll be inclined to believe just about anything they tell him, and do whatever they want."
"I don't suppose you know about withdrawl symptons?"
"From a few doses, not many. From prolonged usage though, they'll begin to experience severe stomach ache, followed by uncontrolled and painful muscle spams, some brain damage, and then finally death by heart attack."
"Unpleasent. How long does that take?"
"About four days, and that's just what's known about it."
"There's more?"
"Possibly. I don't know. It's not like I can just administer it to someone and find out what happens."
"Alright, so can you make an antidote?"
"It's theoretically possible, but it could take time."
"I need it in less than two days."
"I don't know if I can do that."
"If not, then you probably have about three days to make a cure for it."
"You think someone's planning to use this?"
"I can't really say in case word gets out."
"I wish you'd tell me more."
"Got to be careful. You can have my word that I'll try to stop it from being used, but an antidote or cure would be useful in case. I can't guarantee I'll be able to stop it's use."
"It'll have to do, I suppose." She thought for a few moments, then to the air beside her, "Father, I need to speak with you a moment."
"Is something up?" Sand asked, appearing nearby.
"Not exactly. I've got something I'm working on for Roxas here, but it's got a sort of short deadline. Could you get me some help here?"
"How many people do you need?"
"At least four, and they need to be really good with chemicals like me."
"Just what are you working on?"
She glanced over at Roxas. Sand followed her gaze.
"I've had word that someone's plotting something against Sora, and I'm trying to stop it. I got hold of a drug they plan to use, and asked Miasma to identify it, then make an antidote or cure, in case it gets used."
"I see. That's very ambiguous information."
"I know, but I can't risk tipping them off. I made a deal to help them in order to get the drug, a deal I don't plan on keeping, but I can't let them know that."
"Playing both sides of it. Alright, you two have my support. I'll get you whatever you need Mia, but you Roxas, you had better watch yourself."
"I know how to take care of myself, don't worry. I ought to go though, I've been here too long."
Sand nodded, watching him leave.
"Which drug, dear?" he asked Mia.
"Kalthasalt."
"Ah. That one. I think I know who he got it from then."
"Who?"
"Best if you don't know, little one. I'll find you the best help I can for this."
"I think I'm going to need it."
"We can hope he can prevent needing them before time."

Danny's café was open as usual, as if nothing had happened. Even the regulars were there the same.
Danny himself was busy, which was unlike him. He had been since Sora had taken his new place, so Dog was left to run things by himself. He didn't mind this, he'd done it before.
What wasn't normal was Danny's unusual request to keep a certain box of ice cream to hand. No one had asked for it, and they'd never had any in before. It was in an odd flavour, too.
The next more unusual sight for the day came when Roxas came in, and instead of waiting at the counter like everyone else, came right behind and took Dog aside.
"Dog, can you get something to Sora without anyone noticing?" he asked in a low voice.
"Not easily, but I should be able to."
"Good." He took out an envelope, and handed it to him. "Don't open it, don't let anyone open it but Sora. It needs to get to him as soon as possible. Make sure no one at all knows it even exists but him. I can't stay for long. Can you do this?"
"I'll get it done. Why can't you stay?"
"I've got a lot to see to," he replied, turning to leave. He took an ice cream from the box Danny had said to keep near, winked at him, then left. It made sense why it was there now.
Dog called Mia's younger brother over, picking up some paperwork from a counter, and hiding the envelope among them.
"Whatcha need done now?"
"Take these to Sora for me please. Ask him to pay attention to the third page."
"What's so special about that?"
"Don't worry about it. I think it's something you and I aren't meant to know about."
"What's in it for me?"
"I won't tell Danny about the dishes you broke earlier."
"Oh, alright then."

"Zemyx is here to see you, sir," a young girl told him. She was one of his many second rankers, and he couldn't always remember who was who.
"Did he say what he wanted?"
"He said he had documents from Dog to give you."
"Send him on in then."
Paperwork. There seemed to be too much of it, and he didn't even have to put up with much.
"Sora," Zemyx called, coming over. "Here. Dog said to pay attention to page three. Didn't say why."
"Thanks. I'll have a look. Don't suppose you've heard anything from Roxas?"
"He came in a few moments before Dog got me to bring this to you."
"Alright. Go on back and help out then."
Once he'd gone, he turned to the third page immediately, and found the envelope he knew would be there.
Roxas had left him a letter explaining everything he'd found out so far, and detailing a plan. He wanted Sora to play along with it, deliberately leaving the route from the north of the area he owned directly to his room completely unguarded, and feign sleep. Roxas planned to keep nearby with a few others that he didn't name, and aimed to catch them in the act. He didn't say what 'the act' was.
This was both welcome and unwelcome news. He didn't like the idea of being live bait, even if they were likely to catch and stop those involved.
It was going to bother him for the next two days.

The two day wait crawled past. Sora, driven to distraction worrying about what was going to happen, had ensured there was a second exit to his room, not because he was paranoid, but because it would give an extra chance to keeping him in the clear if things didn't go according to Roxas' plan.
That evening, he lay trying to look convincingly asleep. He knew he wasn't going to.
"Don't get surprised," Roxas' voice told him quietly. "It's only me."
"Where have you been?"
"On the inside of this particular plot against you. Or as much inside as they let me. Go back to pretending to be sleeping, Sora. There's two others here with me. We'll stop them."
"From doing what?" he asked, but got no response. A glance around showed no one there at all.
Uneasily, he settled back down again.
Faint voices started to reach him. Being careful not to catch anyone's attention with it, he tuned his power to listening in on them.
"... don't see anyone yet."
"Of course not, that guy said he'd keep everyone out our way."
"And you trust him?"
"No, but as he put it himself, we don't have any choice. He's working with us, that's all we need."
"But-"
"No buts. He's done nothing against us."
"That we know of."
"He's held up his end of every agreement with us so far."
"Emphasis on 'so far'."
"Stop being a pessamist. It was either this or attack him."
"I don't like either."
"Oh, shut up. We're almost there. The plan is to go in, grab him before he can react, knock him out, then get him out. Keep it quiet now. I don't know how soundly he sleeps. We don't want to wake him and have him realise what we're up to."
Sora grinned to himself in the darkness. He already knew what they were up to.
As silently as he could, he went to work on the hinges of his door, ensuring they'd creak. If nothing else, it'd give them a scare.
Just as he finished, the door opened, creaking loudly, and masking the sound of Roxas stifling his laughter at it.
His eyes now adjusted to the lack of light, he could see that the two figures now in the door way had drawn back sharply, but once the creaking stopped, and they saw no apparent reaction, they continued silently in, approaching him. One took a large sack off it's back, the other took out what looked like a cloth, taking one end in each hand. He guessed it was probably to stop him making any noise.
When the two were directly beside him, and about to put the cloth over him, there was a faint rustle, and Oblivion appeared at the nearest's neck.
Sora willed the lights to come on, revealing Roxas wielding Oblivion, and someone he didn't recognise wrestling with the other to hold him back. A third was at the door.
"All clear, Rox," he whispered in.
"Thanks. Sora?"
"I'm fine, thanks to your warning."
"Don't mention it. Now, if our friend here would care to step away before I have to lop his head off?"
He did so, turning to face Roxas.
"You! You betrayed us!"
"So I did," he replied calmly. "Hand over the cloth. I happen to know it's impregnated with the same poison you kindly gave me a sample of."
"And show me your markings," Sora added, getting up.
"They don't have any," Roxas told him. "They're rogues. There's a few of them hiding out in the upper floors.
"Inconvenient. What were you planning on doing?"
"What does it look like? Kidnap you. We had a deal with him-" he jerked his head at Roxas, "- to make him replace you once you were out of the picture."
"Why?"
"Why would I tell you that?"
"You're talking to the most feared First there is at the moment. Isn't that reason enough? Just think about all the things I might do to you."
The one wrestling with Roxas' unidentified friend stopped resisting long enough to call out, "It was the Grandmaster! He put us up to it!"
"You're an idiot, do you know that?" the first of his would-be captors snapped at him.
He ignored his companion's insult, and continued, "If you'll let me go free, I'll tell the rest."
"You'll go free afterwards – if your information's good," Sora replied.
"He said you were too powerful, and wanted you under his control. He knew you wouldn't do it willingly."
"So he aquired the drug for you," Roxas said.
"He said it was the only way he could be sure. But there's more – he said he'd know if we failed, and that there'd be more coming afterwards.
Roxas nodded. "I already know about that. I infiltrated a bit higher than you two knew, and fed them false information. They're currently dealing with the rest of my friends."
"Where did you find your friends, Roxas?" Sora interuppted.
"Oh, they're rogues too. I hired them to lend a hand."
"What did you promise them?"
"Can we not go into that right now? The details aren't exactly important for the moment."
"We've got trouble incoming Rox," his friend at the door told them. "There's more of them than we can handle. We need to get those two out, and get Sora somewhere safe."
"I'll take care of Sora myself. You boys handle our little friends here. You know where to go?"
"Ten four boss, we haven't forgotten."
"Snap to it then, I'll meet up with you when I get the chance. Sora, come on with me, I can get you out of this safely."
"Lead the way," he replied.
They said almost nothing as Roxas led him quickly through the labyrinth of corridors and hallways. He clearly knew where he was going, and was also clearly expecting trouble, given that he kept his keyblades at the ready.
Eventually, they ended up in a large circular hall with giant pillars around a gaping hole. It led both up and down. He couldn't see the top, or bottom.
"This is where we wait," Roxas announced.
"For what?"
"Who, not what, and it's Seifer we're waiting for."
"Interesting. While we're waiting, why don't you report in on what I've missed?"
"There's four separate plots on your life, only one of them fatal, all of them were started by the same person, who we now know is Sephiroth himself. At the moment, Danny and our people, roused and warned by me on the way in, is commanding our people to protect the parts of the Arcology you own from an attack that was planned to land if the first two failed – which they did. My people are working with them, and providing as many distractions as possible to draw attention away from here. Seifer and I planned to meet here whether we got you safely out of trouble or not."
"Neat."
"It took him and me a lot of planning to work out, and we're both missing a bit of sleep," he yawned back.
"Just what did you give them, Roxas?"
"A bit of this, a bit of that," he replied evasivly. "I'd really rather not talk about it right now."
"You're going to have to sometime."
"Not just yet though," Seifer told him, entering through one of the arches leading into the room. He was limping slightly.
"Trouble?" Roxas asked.
"I got caught unexpectely. Your friends got me out of it. Nice to see you got Sora," he noted.
"It was easy. There were only two of them."
"That's about the only good news I've heard so far. I talked with Sand, he got Swordsman with us again, and they're helping, but Nighthawk, Darik and Sebastion have decided to go against us, throwing the odds in Sephiroth's favour again. The remaining Firsts have so far elected to remain neutral, aren't aware of this yet, or are too distant."
"How many of them might be persuaded?"
"It's hard to say. Sand's running around pulling in every favour he's got. The last I heard he was on the line to Phoenix, and he had a long list of people to call on."
"Would it help if I went to any of them?" Sora asked.
Seifer shook his head though, "Too dangerous. We don't know if any of them are in on this, and just waiting for the right moment to strike. You're better safe with Roxas."
"This place isn't going to stay safe for long, Seifer," Roxas told him gravely.
"I know. I won't be able to go with you, not with the injuries I picked up along the way. I'll support people here as much as I can, but you two have to go now."
"Which way?"
"Plan 3."
"Gotcha."
"What's plan 3?" Sora asked as the two of them left.
"We came up with seven different routes to get you to safety. This is one of them."
"Run, Roxas!" Seifer's call shouted after them, and sounds of fighting not long after.
He led Sora on through yet more corridors, along some there were people going about normal business who stepped hurriedly aside at these two running through.
On another, there was fighting blocking their path. Roxas cut aside any who got in their way, and a few of those figthing helped out, cutting off any pursuit from behind, and helping carve a path through.
"It looks almost like the entire Arcology's up in arms!" Sora remarked when they were clear.
"If Sephiroth doesn't get his hands on you, it will be," Roxas replied. "Firsts are taking sides in this; some are supporting you, others are against you. The rest we don't know about, and quite frankly, I'm not going to stop to ask right now. Keeping you safe is important, even I can't tell you what Sephiroth will do to you."
"I don't think I want to find out."
Several floors up and many corridors later, they had to pause for a break.
"How much further?"
"Not far, I think. If I remember it right, it's just at the end of this corridor. There's a room spanning most of this and the surrounding floors."
"That's useful?"
"I'm not finished yet," he breathed, still winded. "There's some boards there – like snowboards, but for the air. They're dead easy to get the hang of. It shouldn't be hard to keep from getting caught in there."
"How exactly-" his query was cut off, as people came out from various doors nearby, all brandishing weapons.
"That's him!" one of them pointed at him.
Roxas seemed to find new reserves of energy, and stood between him and them. "Go, Sora – I'll hold them off."
He didn't hesitate, instead ignoring the sounds of fighting breaking out, and pushing onwards.
Roxas hadn't been wrong. The room looked like a daytime sky, complete with clouds, but missing a ground. Hovering boards were tied to posts nearby.
He stepped on one, strapped himself to it, and loosed it from the peg. The board dropped slightly, then continued to hover.
Leaning forward made it speed up, while back slowed down. He had only to lean over to one side or the other to turn. He found changing height wasn't hard either, trying to put more weight on front or back foot decided the rate of ascent or descent.
There didn't seem to be any kind of power source, until it dawned on him, he was probably the power source for it. It explained why it was so responsive the way he'd expected it to.
This sky room seemed deserted except for him, so he took the change to enjoy flying around on it. It was massive, and cylindrical, the large center pillar being the only way in and out on any of the floors it connected to. The only exception was a bar spanning three floors that cut directly to the edge. It was on the same floor he'd been on until recently.
His time alone was cut short when he spotted several more people taking to boards. He took cover in the edge of a cloud, hoping it'd mask him enough while still letting him observe.
"You can't hide," a voice behind him said. He turned to see someone grinning at him, toying with a knife in one hand.
Without missing a beat, he let to board drop in hight rapidly, turning it into a steep dive. Several others around noticed him and headed directly after him, others after them in hopes of finding him.
The floor was clearly visible, he noted on the way down. The clouds drawn on it were flat. He could just about make out where it was.
He kept in his dive until he judged it wasn't safe any longer, pulling up at the last moment. A series of thuds and crashes behind him told him several of them hadn't noticed, and had fallen for his trick.
Several more still pursued, however, and yet more still had taken to the air. Most were searching, but some saw the pursuit and joined in, trying to cut him off. He skimmed close to one wall, causing several more people to crash into it, then again near the ceiling. No one hit it this time, having caught onto his tricks.
Instead, he glanced back, focused some of his power, and started throwing lightning bolts at them, forcing them to scatter. They weren't lethal by any stretch, but it'd shock them enough to knock them out of the air for a few moments.
Next he created several fake clouds of his own, making them move around as if in powerful air currents, and also making a few of the already existing ones move similarly.
Then he took cover in one of them. Of course, this wouldn't work for long, they'd seen him go in, so instead he drew all the clouds he was controlling nearby, then darted into a different one, letting them separate again.
With a sudden idea, he also masked the bar in static clouds, and created several more bars of clouds in thin air. With any luck, a few of them would mistake which one was really hiding the real one. Some startled cries gave proof it was working.
Then someone shot through the cloud he was in, and moments later, he heard, "That one! He's in that one!"
He pulled in several more nearby clouds, then let them go again. They all started searching the ones he'd pulled in, ignoring the one he'd stayed in.
Taking advantage of this diversion, he flew his cloud away from the rest of them, near to the top, then made it continue to drift slowly along with the original clouds. No one paid his cloud any attention any more. It was perfect, and gave him a panoramic view of the area. There were a lot of them by now, flitting around constantly, in and out of clouds. Eventually they began to organize. Several of them flew above all of Sora's rapidly moving clouds, then on a signal from another of them, dived through each at the same time.
They realised he'd duped them again when no one found him, and started searching the rest of the clouds too.
He quickly adjusted the look of his cloud, taking it as close to the ceiling as he could. Hopefully it'd look to them like it was one of the ones drawn onto the ceiling. He then dispelled all the clouds he'd created except for this one, and then created several more new ones for them to search.
His ruse didn't work for long, and he was soon discovered and forced to leave the cloud again. This time he didn't last long. Someone cut right in front and caught him round the head just right.
Unconsciousness was immediate.
Everyone watching saw him become limp in the air, and the board falter. All the illusions he'd created vanished with his consciousness.
Then he fell.

Author's Note: I hadn't planned on putting another note in - not until the end. But I'm putting one in anyway.

Apologies fo the unusually long chapter, but there was no way I was passing up leaving you that cliffhanger. What's going to happen to him? Wait and see. Reviews, as always, are welcome. Flames can go someplace else though.