I thought this chapter was kind of sad at the end. But by no means was it climatic in anyway. Sorry.

I've recently run into a bout of writer's block. *hiss* Make an evil face. I'm working on it though. I might try writing something else. But, I'm sure it'll be over before you, my favorite readers, even read this chapter. I'm just putting it in there. We can't be all serious all the time now can we?

As always. I don't own Kingdom Hearts, but it is my bitch. :)

Enjoy.

The tall double wooden doors of Traverse Town were welcoming. Stitch landed the Gummi ship and crawled out. He pried the doors open, and Roxel followed. He was still confused about Haji's 'training'. Asmuth came out with Soriku, who was pushing him around. She was tiffed that he had almost killed her while he was in the form of Roxas.

"You could've killed me!"

Asmuth sighed, "But, I wasn't going to."

"And if Haji hadn't showed up."

"I would have stopped."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, really."

Haji closed the door to the ship and entered Traverse Town with determination. He was already working out his plan. He had connections abound in Traverse Town, he just wasn't sure how to sneak away to get his job done.

Roxel noticed Haji lagging behind. He didn't say anything. Thoughts of his possible betrayal were still dominant in his mind. He wasn't going to let him slide just because he made them a hell of a lot stronger in a short period of time.

On the other side of the door, there were two people waiting for them. One, with brown hair and a small scar across his face. There was a single lion shaped pendant on his chest. He looked serious. Next to him stood a woman. She wore few clothes, but the smile on her face was enticing.

"Hi!" the woman said.

The man looked up. "We thought you were never going to return to us."

Roxel looked around. "I've never been here before."

Haji pushed him aside. "That's because he's talking to me."

"Haji?"

"Hello again, Yuffie. Leon."

He looked between the two of them and motioned to Stitch. "You can have some relaxation time if you like, Stitch."

Stitch smiled and crawled away, off to have his own fun.

Haji looked to Leon and scowled. "You were taking us somewhere?"

Leon nodded curtly and turned. He walked away, leading them to a hotel that was in a courtyard covered in bluish bricks. The neon lights blinked, illuminating the night sky. Soriku shuddered uncomfortably. Roxel looked at her.

"What's wrong?"

"This is the place that Haji sent me for training."

Leon stopped. "Haji trained you?"

Soriku nodded.

Leon spun around and glared at Haji. "When did this happen?"

Haji leaned forward defensively. "I had to. They were weaklings. It was a necessary action."

"You remember what Merlin told you?"

"You remember what he told you?" Haji barked.

They were chest to chest, ready to fight, but Yuffie divided them. "That's enough you two."

Leon huffed and entered a beautiful hotel. Haji ignored Yuffie and turned. He brushed his jacket and took a step away.

"Where are you going?" Yuffie asked.

"I'm only here to get something." Haji explained. "Then I'm leaving. I'm not going to stick around too long. So you don't have to worry about your refugee camp." He sprinted away on all fours, melting through the buildings in a swirl of darkness.

Yuffie shrugged and ran after Leon.

Soriku tapped Leon on the shoulder. "Why is Haji's training a bad thing?"

Leon looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "Do you really not know?"

Soriku shook her head.

"Sad." Leon said. "You have to come into contact with darkness to do so. That makes your heart vulnerable."

Roxel scoffed. "Well, it can't be any worse than traveling with a psychotic Heartless."

Yuffie huffed. "Haji is not psychotic. If he was, he would have stolen your hearts already."

Asmuth, who had remained silent while taking uncountable notes on Traverse Town, whispered to Yuffie. "You seem to know quite a bit about Haji. Would you care to enlighten us?"

Yuffie scowled. "No. It's none of your business. If you want to know, you need to find another way of learning about it."

Leon crossed his arms. "If you want my advice. I'd get rid of Haji as soon as you can. He's a danger, but not in the way that you'd think. He'll destroy everything we've worked for. He just can't help himself."

Yuffie nodded. "It's not his fault though. He keeps missing his window of opportunity."

Roxel frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"Yeah?" Soriku added. "Haji has been nothing but helpful to us."

"So you say." Yuffie growled.

"As soon as Merlin told us that Haji was coming, we knew we had to be there to make sure he didn't destroy us again." Leon said. "We succeeded so far by keeping you separated while Haji talks to Merlin."

Roxel jumped up. "Why?"

Leon left the room, Yuffie following him impatiently. "There are some things that are better left in the dark." And he locked the door.

Haji's traipse through his Corridor of Darkness was short, though it was filled with displaced memories. Some of his own and some that seemed to belong to many other people. He didn't dwell on them for too long, for he hurled himself through the other side onto a tiny island with a tall house on it. It was in a dark cavern and surrounded by water.

A wizard wearing a tall blue wizard's hat sat on the edge of his island with a crooked fishing pole tapping the water surface gently. The twinkle in his eye was unmistakable. It was Merlin.

"Ahh, hello there, Haji," the wizard said, stroking his beard. "What brings you here again? I thought you were successful."

Haji frowned and straightened. "Sadly, I was, but still the cycle started again."

Merlin grinned. "Well, of course it did. I'm still here aren't I?"

"I need to make things right this time."

"You said that before." Merlin mused. "And I told you what you had to do. But, you didn't do it."

Haji sighed and looked down. "May I sit with you?"

Merlin patted the grass next to him. "If you don't think it'll alter the timeline in a negative fashion."

Haji sat next to Merlin. He pulled off his shoes and rolled up his pants, sticking his feet in the water and wiggling them. The water rippled outwards, making tiny splashing sounds that echoed in the large cavern.

Merlin watched his line carefully. "There seems to be something on your mind, Haji. Care to explain?"

Haji shrugged. "I'm not sure if I'm doing it right this time."

"Oh?"

"I mean, I followed my steps carefully. I've hidden the true path in clues. And, so far, everything seems to be going right."

"Then what's the problem?"

Haji flushed, anger radiating off of him and scaring away the tiny fish that swam in the water. "It's that Roxel kid."

"What's wrong with him?" Merlin asked calmly.

Haji simmered. "He keeps getting in the way. Every time I try to do the right thing. He always pulls me off course. It's like he is bent on starting over again."

"And by right thing, do you mean the right thing to fix the loop? Or the right moral thing?" Marlin asked.

Haji looked at him. "Whose morals are you talking about?"

"True."

Merlin reeled in his line. Sadly, the hook was empty. He stood up and packed his things into a trunk that had magically appeared. "Maybe we should talk inside? I might be able to help you, but you must listen to me this time."

Haji followed, leaving his shoes by the water's edge. "For sure."

Inside Merlin's house were thousands of books, pots and pans, and miscellaneous other things piled all over the place. Haji sifted through the mountains of stuff before he placed himself at the table on the platform in the middle of the house. He hunched over and rubbed his temples, trying to bat away an incoming headache.

"Would you like some tea?" Merlin asked, pouring himself a cup.

Haji shook his head. "No, I'm rather in the mood for something else."

"Perhaps some chocolate milk?"

Haji looked away. "I'm not in the mood for that either, though I will take a cup, thank you."

Merlin smiled, the twinkle in his eye flashing, and poured Haji a cup of frothy chocolate milk. He sat down and folded his hands. "Now, about Roxel."

Haji bit his thumb nail. "I could kill him, but that would defeat the purpose of my mission."

"Which is?"

"I need to get the heart of Krystahl so I can kill King Hawthorne." Haji explained. "He's the reason this started in the first place. With his stupid paopu fruit and his need to be intertwined with everyone's destiny. It seems unfair. So, if I kill him, the cycle will stop. Roxel is the only one with enough determination to get the heart of his world back. I need him."

Merlin grunted. "I would think so. But, you never told me why you hate this Hawthorne guy in the first place."

Haji scowled and looked away. "I used to have friends. Good friends. But after Sora won the Battle of a Thousand Heartless, things changed. I think the destruction of Xemnas's Kingdom Hearts broke something."

Merlin nodded. "I see. That would make sense. Destroying something so vast and powerful would have lasting effects."

Haji sighed, "But not so far as to completely bend the—"

A loud crash cut Haji off. It was soon followed by a monstrous splash and an earsplitting roar. Haji and Merlin rushed out. In the water, a huge white creature was hunched over, a strange dark substance dripping from its maw. It had Black eyes and white pupils. It was a massive Birth.

Haji gasped. He crouched and prepared himself for a fight, but Merlin stopped him. "Don't, Haji."

Haji shook with rage, black shadows crept up his arms. "Why not?" He growled in an other-worldly deep voice.

Merlin frowned. "You promised."

Haji stopped. The shadows instantly disappeared. He stood and turned to Merlin. "When?"

Merlin thought for a second. "The first time. When you saved Sora from Ansem."

Haji looked away. He could remember only vaguely what had happened the first time he did this. He had evolved since then. "Sorry."

Merlin smiled. "No worries. I'll take care of it." He raised his arm, wand in hand.

Haji grabbed him. "Wait! It's too powerful."

Merlin smiled and released a potent spell that tore the Birth from his world and sent it away. Merlin smiled blissfully as he, too, faded, draining all his strength to rid his sanctuary of the ultimate darkness. Haji tried to pull Merlin back from the abyss, but Merlin forced him away.

"I've given you the path to what you seek." Merlin's voice whispered, lingering in Haji's ear. "Do not fail this time. It is the last chance you ever get."

A single Navigation gummi floated from the top of the cave, lighting the whole of it with its pure light. It was a magnificent spectacle, and Haji was the only one to witness the last of Merlin the Wizard. It was the highest honor one could receive in a lifetime. There was no messing up.

Haji nodded and let a single tear escape, before he hopped across the rocks to the other side of Merlin's cavern after collected his shoes from the water's edge. "I will not fail you, my friend. Not this time."

Roxel had managed to break the lock on the door. He and Asmuth slipped out, Soriku following closely. They each had their weapons out and ready to fight. All except for Asmuth, who refused to walk about with Lexicon open.

"There is no need to bring such attention to ourselves," Asmuth hissed. "Put your weapons away."

Roxel didn't listen as Soriku dismissed Diamond Dust. "Haji is plotting something. I can feel it. He's been gone for a while. I'm not going to let him steal my heart."

Asmuth rolled his eyes. "It's not Haji I'm worried about right now. It's Leon. There's something about that guy that bothers me."

Soriku looked around the corner. She saw nothing, and crept around the corner. Roxel and Asmuth ran after her as quietly as they could.

"Where are you going?" Asmuth asked. "We need to get out of here before we get caught."

Soriku shrugged and continued forward. "My heart is telling me to go this way."

Roxel scoffed a little louder then he meant. "Your heart is going to get us in trouble one day."

Soriku stopped by an open door. It wasn't open very wide. Just enough so that the conversing voices inside could be spied upon by outside forces. Soriku held her ear as close to the opening as possible, Asmuth and Roxel doing the same.

"I don't think it is necessary to kill him, Leon." It was clearly Yuffie's voice. She sounded concerned. "You're diluting yourself."

"Well, I do think so!" Leon shouted. "This needs to stop. Haji is behind this all. If we just let him die—"

Yuffie banged the table. "You know that wouldn't have made a difference. He's been around much longer than that. Way before Sora even showed up. This goes back much farther."

"Then we could've at least done something to keep him from going on."

Yuffie sobbed. "This is so frustrating. He's our friend."

"Friends don't kill each other." Leon barked. "Friends don't let their friends' worlds fall into oblivion. Friends don't betray each other." He was obviously afraid of something.

Soriku gasped. She tried to cover her mouth before anyone could hear her, but it was too late. Quick footsteps approached the door. Roxel grabbed Soriku and dashed away. Asmuth cast a spell and darted in the opposite direction. He had an idea, but he wasn't sure if it was going to work.

Yuffie raced after Roxel and Soriku. She was much faster than they were and caught up with them in the courtyard of Traverse Town's Second District. She blocked them and threw dozens of shurikin. Roxel immediately summoned Blaze of Glory and protected himself from Yuffie's onslaught.

His single Chakram gave him the appearance of wings guarding his soul, and that threw Yuffie off her game. She tripped, but managed to spin herself into a cartwheel and kick Roxel down, weapon and all. Soriku swung Diamond Dust at her, knocking her over. She helped Roxel to his feet.

"Where'd you get that?" Roxel asked.

"From Haji's training. You like?" Soriku asked. "I learned to fight with my heart. You?"

Roxel smiled and threw Blaze of Glory at Yuffie, who easily dodged it, tossing her own shuriken back at him. Blaze of Glory reappeared in front of him and he grabbed it by its tiny twisted silver handle. "I only managed to catch one. I let my body and soul command it."

Yuffie came in close and cut Roxel's cheek with a hidden kunai. Roxel kicked her back and spun Blaze of Glory in his hands. It created a wind barrier, deflecting any and all of Yuffie's attacks.

Roxel grinned confidently. "This is too easy."

But, he had spoken far too soon. Yuffie had taken advantage of his over confidence and bashed him over the head with a broken piece of wooden post that had been ripped from a building. Roxel broke his connection to Blaze of Glory. It vanished, and Roxel fell to his knees, holding the back of his throbbing head.

"You bitch!" he screamed.

Yuffie smiled and giggled softly. "It had to be done."

Soriku flung herself at Yuffie and nicked her leg with her Keyblade. Yuffie barely made it out of the way. She landed on her injured leg and it crumpled. Soriku thought about hitting her over the head, but decided against it and helped Roxel to his feet.

"You okay?"

Roxel grit his teeth. "No. It hurts like a mother—"

Yuffie squealed in pain as she arched her back, waving her arms about. She was trying to swat a creature that had attached itself to the back of her head. It was the same kind of Birth that had attacked them in New York City with Bolt.

Soriku steadied Roxel before leaping behind Yuffie and chopping at the Birth. Yuffie had stopped the blade with her bare hands. They bled, but she stood up, despite her hurt leg and threw Soriku at Roxel. Roxel was clear enough to catch Soriku, but it sent another wave of pain crashing down on him.

"You are so interesting, Roxel," Yuffie breathed in a sinister voice. "You are uniting species that don't belong."

"Y-Yuffie?" Soriku stammered.

Yuffie motioned to herself. "Me? No. I'm just a vessel. A simple Scout. We are very interested in you."

Roxel forced himself to concentrate. "What are you?"

Yuffie laughed deeply. "We are Births. We are in our most tainted of forms. Burdened by our responsibilities."

Roxel tried to make sense of his constantly changing world. "Burdened?"

Yuffie motioned to the worm like Birth attached to her neck. "I can only speak to you while connected to a weak human. But, you can help me."

Roxel struggled to bring forth Blaze of Glory. But, sure enough, it spun into existence, ready for battle. "Why would I help you?"

Yuffie teetered on her uninjured leg as she took a step forward. The way she walked was creepy and disturbing. "All I want you to do is kill me."

She turned around. The Birth pulsed disgustingly. Roxel was hesitant. But he raked the Birth with his Chakram, and it disappeared, writhing in agony.

Yuffie returned to normal and crumpled in a heap. Roxel ignored her and turned to Soriku.

"That was strange." Roxel said. "But, I think we need to get Haji and Asmuth and get out of here. I've got a bad feeling."

Soriku agreed and dismissed Diamond Dust. "But, where did they go?"

Roxel exited the Second District into the Third. "I'm not sure, but this way seems safer. For now."

Leon was looking for Haji. They had an obvious score to settle, and he wasn't going to let him leave without a fight. He kept his Gunblade ready for any impending attack. He knew Haji had his own agenda, so he was ready and willing to fight dirty.

"Haji!" Leon screamed.

Haji melted through a wall and turned to Leon. "You called?"

Leon pointed his Gunblade at him and fired. Haji moved out of the way and fazed behind him. Leon spun around and knocked Haji away. "We've gotta talk."

Haji hit the broadside of Leon's weapon with his palm. It vibrated, but Leon kept a firm grip. "I don't see what you and I could possibly talk about."

Leon and Haji threw quick punches and parries, each trying to one up the other. "I can not allow you to live any longer."

Haji snorted. "You could barely call my existence living. I'm taking up space at best."

Leon growled. "Regardless. I can not allow you to leave without a fight. Neither one of us is leaving until the other dies."

Haji laughed softly and his voice took on the other-worldly deepness again. "And who do you think is truly going to win this fight? Surly not you?"

Leon tensed up. "Tell me, Haji. How long has it been since you last stole a heart?"

Haji smiled viciously. "Awhile."

Leon grinned. "Well, prepare for death."

Leon sprinted at Haji, swinging his Gunblade and firing rapid shots at the same time. Haji rolled out of the way of the blade, but was hit several times by the burning bullets. They stung, and he groaned in false pain. He was not really hurt, for the shadows creeping on his skin removed the fragments and healed him before he knew what had hit him. But, for Leon's sake, he had to feign injury.

Haji hurriedly launched himself at Leon, trying to end this fight quickly. He could sense his company approaching, and he had to cover his tracks by any means necessary. He grabbed Leon's Gunblade and slid it out of his hands. He kicked Leon's feet from beneath him and held the blade to his neck.

Leon leaned into the sharp metal, smiling. "Go ahead." He goaded. "Do it. Prove what you are."

Haji dropped the Gunblade and put his hand to Leon's chest. He wanted very badly to rip what he sought most above everything from Leon's body, but he remembered what he was sent to do, and he backed away. The shadows on his skin rippled and disappeared.

Leon frowned. "Do it. Take my heart!"

Haji shook his head. "You are not worth it. I am saving myself for the one who started this all."

Leon gasped. "You…are not responsible?"

Haji scoffed. "Me? No, never. Who else do you know who was that selfish?"

Leon crawled away. "That's impossible. He would never—"

Haji spread his arms out. "And yet here we are. But, it seems you no longer trust me. He told me you would end up like this. Merlin said this would be the last time. No more mistakes."

Leon scrambled to his feet. "You lie!"

Haji snapped his fingers and a group of Soldier Heartless appeared, dancing from side to side, armor clanging. They reached greedily for Leon, who was swiping at them. Haji watched, saddened at what he knew was right.

"Haji!" Leon cried.

Haji turned away. "You have already fallen so far, Leon. It was time for you to rest forever. Time to move on."

Leon screamed as his heart was stolen from his chest. He crumpled and faded away, a lowly Shadow replacing what used to be a valiant and well respected warrior. The Soldier Heartless disappeared after taking what they had been summoned for.

Haji patted the Shadow on the head. "It's over, my friend."

He turned as he heard fast approaching footsteps. He turned as Roxel broke through the doors of a nearby building. Heartless poured out after him as Soriku crushed them with her new found ability. Roxel ran past Haji, Blaze of Glory spinning over the vast numbers of Heartless that continued to pop up.

Haji stood still. Quiet as the wind in summer. He watched Soriku escape, still swinging Diamond Dust with fervor. As he allowed more and more Heartless into the world, he silently cried as Traverse Town's memories began to fade. Apparitions of the thousands of refugees that had past through this world over many years appeared and disappeared, taking little bits of the world away with them. Tidus, Cid, Riku, Pluto…and Merlin.

He waited only a bit longer, dwelling on Merlin's ghost, before he raced after Roxel and Soriku. They passed Asmuth and Stitch on the way to the double wooden doors, grabbing him and dragging him to the Gummi ship. Asmuth held out a Navigation gummi.

"Look what I found."

Haji sprinted ahead and stopped them. He glared at them. Traverse Town crumbled around them, slowly fading into nothing.

Roxel stepped up. "Haji, get out of the way."

Haji shook his head. "No, we have to wait."

Soriku thrust Diamond Dust at Haji, who side-stepped it. "We need to go."

Haji knocked Diamond Dust away. It dismissed itself, leaving Soriku weaponless. "We have to see this. This is important."

Soriku became frantic as the edge of the dead world came closer. Heartless swarmed everywhere, their beady yellow eyes staring greedily at the prize of all prizes. A huge, glowing heart crashed through the bricks that made the water fountain in the middle of the square. It hovered ominously before it shot away.

Haji let his arms fall. The Heart of Traverse Town was lost. His sadness made him tremble ever so slightly, though unnoticed by his party. "Now we may go." He said.

Stitch started the Gummi ship and carried away his crew. They rocketed into the sky and watched in horror as the only refuge for the displaced worlds vanished. Completely torn from the universe.

And another star in the night sky died.

Not terribly dramatic, but essential to the story plot. Keeping this short.

Has a nice day. :)