Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or the characters relate to Kingdom Hearts.

Chapter 14: Light and Dark

"Let us go," one of the small chipmunk- mechanics said, hammering against the bar in the cage. Lexaeus simply swung the cage hard, causing the small animals to tumble against the side violently.

"It was so nice of Sora to forget his little friends here," Zexion said. "...and even more convenient that he left his original gummiship for us to use."

"We will never help you to fly it!" one of the animals said.

"I can." Lexaeus deemed two words enough.

Leaning against the wall Saïx was silently watching the argument. Zexion rather wished that he didn't have to go on a mission with the Lunar Diviner, but it could not be helped. Saïx was on the same team as X'ero and Xemnas' new rule were would not be nullified – not even for this.

Thinking of X'ero: She was taking and unusual time of preparing, Zexion couldn't help but wonder if she had chosen to flee from them. She sure hadn't looked overjoyed with the prospect of meeting the keyblade master. To shame Zexion's thoughts they soon heard footsteps on the stairs and X'ero came into the gummiship dock dressed in the grey jacket and blue jeans she had preferred to wear when they lived in Traverse Town. But that was not the only change. X'ero had removed the long side of her hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear and keeping it in place with hair slides formed like black feathers. On top of that she was hiding her eerie orange eyes behind a pair of sunglasses.

She temporally removed said sunglasses and directed her orange stare at Saïx.

"Do I look not creepy now?" she asked with a hostile tone.

Saïx shrugged.

"I merely pointed out that you normally look... a bit too creepy. Not even Sora would trust you if you look and act as usual. Also: you should properly not introduce yourself as X'ero. Sora might have grown a brain and figure out that the 'X' in your name means that you are a Nobody."

"Simply put: Be anything but yourself." X'ero asked angrily.

"Yes!" Both Zexion and Saïx answered in union.

X'ero turned to Zexion.

"Why do I have to go? Can't you just use your illusion powers to change everyone's look?"

"As the keyblade wielder the heart of Sora might just have the power to see through illusions." Zexion explained. "I don't want to take the risk. I can make the rest of us invisible and Sora will not know there are any illusions to see through, but if we are all invisible it's impossible to talk Sora into giving us the blue-print. You are the only one it's impossible for Sora to know beforehand." X'ero still didn't look convinced. "I will be beside you, invisible, to guide you through. " Zexion tried to calm her.

Behind them Lexaeus had started the gummiship:

"One hour," he said. "Then I fly back."

Sora was having an audience with Queen Minnie or rather they were discussing King Mickey's whereabouts while Sora waited for his gummiship to be repaired. Donald and Goofy were catching up with old friends. One of the cleaning brooms came swooping in with a note which it handed to the Queen.

"It's a distress signal," she said. "From your old gummiship. It asks for permission to land."

"Cool," Sora said. "Hurry up and let it in."

"I will," Minnie said. "But be aware it could be a trap."

Few seconds later Sora waited in the hangar as the gummiship land and a green haired girl stepped out carrying the two small mechanics with her.

"They crash landed in my world," the stranger said. "They managed to say something about this world before passing out, so the people of my world agreed that it would be best to have someone fly them here."

Sora looked at his small friends, they seemed to be sleeping rather than passed out, but just to be safe he decided to take them to the Queen. He signalled the girl to follow him. Just as they began walking Sora had the feeling that something unseen passed quick by him, but he could not see anything.

"I'm Sora," he introduced himself as they walked - Always eager to make new friends. "It's nice to meet you..."

"Nihil."

"It's nice to meet you, Nihil." Sora smiled at his new acquaintance. "We have been worried about them. It's good of you to bring them back."

"You're... welcome?" Somehow the girl managed to make it sound more like a question than a statement.

"Which world are you from?" Sora asked as they arrived in the Queens' chambers. "If you would like it, we could take you back."

Nihil didn't answer at first. Her head was slightly tilted as if she listened to something.

"A magic world." She slowly said and adjusted the position of her sunglasses. "I'm the only one there that can fly a gummiship, so..."

"You are a pilot?"

Once again the girl paused before answering.

"No, a mechanic - apparently. I'm good with all sorts of mechanic devices."

"Sora," Minnie said. "They seemed to be poisoned. I'll go get some medicine."

Sora nodded and Nihil shifted nervously. As soon as the Quenn was out the green haired girl spoke.

"...Is there something you like? I really like...eh...blue-prints. Especially blue-prints of weapons..."

"Really," Sora said excited. "Because we got a weird one lately and we don't know what to make of it."

"Can I see it?"

"Sure, just a second."

Sora searched his belongings and handed Nihil the weird blue-print, she quickly scanned her eyes over it. (Or at least Sora assumed so. He couldn't quite see her eyes.)

"Is this it?" she asked the thin air. Then she nodded as if she had received an answer. "I need some time to examine this blue-print, could I borrow it?"

"I don't know." Sora crossed his arms. "The weird voice said to keep it away from the Organization. What if you get attacked?"

"Believe me. I'm more than capable of defending myself."

Sora was still not sure it was a good idea, before he could decide the Queen returned with the medicine which she quickly gave to the chipmunks. Sora ran to their bedside.

"Are you guys all right?" He asked.

"Sora," one of the mechanics said, still feeling drowsy. "The green haired, she's with the Organization."

"Whaaaat?" Sora turned around just in time to see the door slam: The girl was gone along with the blue-print.

"Forget it," Sora said summoning his keyblade. "You are not getting away."

Sora and Minnie followed the girl into the hallway.

"Stop," Sora shouted. "Hand that blue-print back. I won't let the Organization get away with anything."

The girl froze. She turned around to face Sora again and slowly removed the sun glasses to reveal two sinister orange eyes, which were judging him harshly.

"You're nothing, but a kid who has wielded the keyblade for far too long. You won't even be able to touch me."

"We'll see about that."

Sora charged, but to his surprise his keyblade struck something of metal before it connected with the girl and he flew backwards. Sora landed on his feet and charged again, this time he didn't even get close something kicked him hard in the stomach sending him flying once more into the wall.

"Ouch." Sora looked at his enemy: She had not done anything to attack him. Instead she was backing slowly away towards the door, her eyes trained on him and her body tense, but seemingly not doing anything aggressive. The Queen helped Sora back on his feet.

"I think they are more than one."

"But I can only see one."

Minnie pointed to Sora chest.

"See with your heart and not with your eyes." She said and extended her hand to Sora. He took it and closed he his eyes, trying to follow the Queen's words.

The combined power of Sora and the Queen of Disney Castlee filled the hallway with a blinding light. Sora heard a gasp and something dropped to the floor.

When the light disappeared Sora saw the girl supporting an Organization member he hadn't seen before, a thick book had fallen to the floor. Saïx was there too, and Sora was willing to bet his keyblade that it was Saïx that had kicked him.

"Zexion are you all right?" Nihil (or whatever her name was) asked the unknown member.

"Yes, but is not very healthy when someone break through one of my illusions."

The Nobody named Zexion took the book from the floor:

"I guess we are resorting to plan B."

Saïx stepped forward.

"X'ero..." he said to the girl.

She nodded.

"Aeroga!"

The spell hid the wall close to the ceiling simultaneously with one of Saïx most powerful swings.

"Back!" Sora shouted and literally threw the Queen back into the chamber as a huge part of the wall and ceiling crumbled to the floor. Sora coughed and tried to look through the dust. The Nobodies were getting away.

Zexion and X'ero had escaped to the garden. X'ero coughed and waved her hand in front of her face to clear some of the air from dust.

"What a brilliant plan." She said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Plan B is seldom as good as Plan A. That's why it's your second option." Zexion commented while dusting of Lexicon. "He was not supposed to realize that there were more of us."

"I know, I know. Are you unharmed?"

"Yes, we should get back to Lexaeus. We have the blue-print, after all."

"Saïx is missing." X'ero said looking around.

"I can smell him, so he's unharmed. He is surely heading for the gummiship himself."

"All right," X'ero said. "It's not like it's my problem, anyway."

Neither Zexion nor X'ero was especially fit so they walked through the garden instead of running. Perhaps that was why they were interrupted by a talking duck and what seemed to be a large... something, before they could reach the gummiships.

"Donald and Goofy," Zexion said. "Sora's loyal friends."

"What have you done to Sora?" Donald asked angrily.

"Nothing, we need him to create Kingdom Hearts." Zexion explained. "There is no need for this to resort to violence…" In his mind he was already preparing several illusions.

"Get out of our way." X'ero wasn't in the mood to a long talk. It wouldn't take long before Sora fought his way through the rubbish in the hallway.

Donald and Goofy prepared their weapons. It looked like they wouldn't get by without fight. X'ero glanced at Zexion. It was not because she thought that Zexion couldn't hold his own in battle, she had seen him fight heartless in Traverse Town, but Zexion were a tactician not a warrior, he was meant to plan the battles, not to fight them, besides the keyblade-kid had broken through Zexion's illusion, X'ero knew that Zexion was drained no matter what he said.

"...Go on ahead," she said and threw the blue-print to him. "I will take care of these two."

"What? I'm not leaving you behind. Lexaeus won't wait."

"I'm sure you can talk Lexaues into waiting for ten more minutes. It won't take longer getting past these two – I promise."

Zexion look at her intently.

"You better keep that promise."

"I will."

"All right," X'ero said, turning to Sora's two followers. "You are fighting me. Blizzaga!" She aimed a spell at the large one with the shield.

"Goofy!" The duck shouted and then looked angrily at X'ero. "Firaga."

"Reflect!"

The fire spell was cancelled as the two spells met and X'ero used the opportunity to ensure that Zexion had gotten away. He was nowhere to be seen. Now all she had to do was figure out how to defeat those two, with the Cornerstone of Light preventing her from summon her gloves.

"Sora!" Goofy suddenly shouted. If he hadn't said anything X'ero wouldn't have been sensed the attack, as it were she saw Sora coming just in time and barely dodged his keyblade.

"How did you get through the hallway so fast?" she asked. "We destroyed it completely."

"Her Majesty knew another way." Sora raised his keyblade once more. "I won't let you threaten my friends. Now hand the blue-print back."

X'ero narrowed her eyes. A memory of her other fighting the keyblade knights in the past flashed through her mind. Her past self had lost that fight – and lost it big. Sora was the keyblade master and X'ero was weaker than usual in this world. This mission had just evolved from crazy to suicide, and she had no wish to fade. She couldn't possible reach Zexion and Lexaeus in time.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled and then she folded her hands together, hoping that her new repeat-spell could work with persons and not just areas. "Zexion-repeat." X'ero vanished in a rush of pages.

"She's gone." Goofy said.

"Block the exit to the gummiship," Sora explained. "Queen Minnie said that they need a gummiship to leave."

With Sora, Donald and Goofy blocking her way out she fled in the opposite direction, before her repeat of Zexion's illusion wore off. She would have to find another way out.

"Time's up" Lexaeus concluded. "We are leaving."

"No, wait." Zexion grabbed Lexaues coat. "I can still smell X'ero. We can't just leave her."

"Then get off."

"I... I can't do that. I wouldn't be able to leave."

"..." Lexeaus simply started the gummiship.

Few minutes later they were in the empty space between the worlds. Zexion smashed a fist against the wall, the same way his illusion had done when Riku had defeated it. Somehow he thought of himself as just as defeated as his illusion. Why had he not stayed and figured out a tactic so they both could escape? Why had he trusted her word? What the hell was she thinking?

"You said you would be back in time," he whispered as Disney Castle and X'ero's smell disappeared more and more. "You promised."

Time was up, which meant that he was in trouble. Saïx had taken a harder hit than the other two when the ceiling in the hallway came down and thus had been later to arrive in the garden. When he had arrived, he saw Sora and Sora's two 'lackeys' blocking the exit to the only way out to the gummiships. Saïx knew Sora (or rather Roxas) well enough to know that the only way to defeat him was to kill him, which was far too early. They still needed Sora- So Saïx retreated while he waited for Sora to get out of his way, but Sora didn't move and now time was up. He had to find another way of this stupid, useless world.

The problem was the Cornerstone. It prevented any form of darkness from forming so if it was destroyed he could teleport out. With that in mind Saïx headed to the throne room and soon arrived in the secret room.

"X'ero," he said surprised when he arrived. "Why are you here?"

"The same reason as you, I suspect. We can't get away with this stupid light ball blocking all darkness out."

X'ero had removed the hair slides and had thus reverted back into her normal eerie self. Complete with eerie smile and all.

"Have you found a way to destroy it?"

"I tried throwing one of my hair slides at the Cornerstone- just to see what happen. But the slide got pulverized, so brute force is out of the question."

"Pity. How about you magic?"

"Without my gloves my new spell drained me from energy. I only have enough for one more spell so it has to be right."

"I'm not sure what could destroy it." Saïx admitted.

"Me neither..."

"Is there no other way out? Some kind of magic portal?"

"A very powerful spell was casted in this area. Its magic still lingers, I could repeat it, but I have no idea what it does."

"Cast it: We have nothing to lose."

X'ero sighed, but folded her hands nonetheless.

"Repeat."

A weird look door appeared out of nowhere. Saïx tried to push the handle down. It was unlocked.

"All right, let's go."

"Wait! Keep you hood up, don't talk to anyone and don't try to change anything. Things are the way they was, they can't be changed." X'ero seemed unusual nervous.

"You sound like we are going straight to hell."

"Not far off, considering it was me who summoned the door."

Saïx looked at his teammate, but opened the door. It was after all their best bet. Besides they could just teleport out when they arrived.

Saïx blacked out as they went through and he was alone when he woke up. He was in castle where all was black, the wall was black, the furniture was black, even the air seemed darker than normal. Deciding that he did not like this place Saïx tried to summon a portal. He couldn't. Apparently they weren't better off in this world than the world they had left.

Something crept by him. Saïx summoned his claymore. It was a shadow, but something was wrong. It did not attack him, and somehow it seemed different, controlled by the unnatural silence that ruled in the hallways. Saïx decided that he had to find X'ero, she obviously had expected this world.

As he walked in the hallways he passed small insignificant looking door. He would have passed by it, if he hadn't noticed the word on the door:

Nihil

It was too much of a coincidence to be a coincidence. With no other clue to go on he pressed through the door and entered into a room full of green. It took his eyes a moment to adjust to the colour then he realized that it was a room full of green feathered, sleeping birds. He was sure he could see a door in the far end of the room so he carefully stepped in. All the birds immediately woke up and began circling him.

"Unknown specimen, unknown specimen." They screamed. "Moon affinity, berserker, touched by darkness. Intruder! Intruder!"

Saïx flung his arm into the bird flock, but they were so many that they were impossible to scare away. The door in the far end creaked open and Saïx thought he saw a blue robed person peek out from behind it. Then the door closed again and the birds just kept flocking him. Deciding that this was a battle he could not win, Saïx turned around to flee the way he came, when he heard a clicking sound from the lock.

Slowly, almost disbelieving he tried to push the door handle down, but the door was locked. He was trapped.

"Intruder, intruder." The bird just kept screaming and then he heard a chuckle close behind him.

"This is my territory," a female voice whispered. Saïx wasted no time: He swung around while hitting out with his claymore. He felled a few birds, but the owner of the voice was nowhere to be seen.

The chuckle was behind him again.

"This is my territory and I dislike trespassers."

Ns: What do you say in english... out of the frying pan and into the fire? They got the final blue-print, but I'm not really sure that we can call the mission a succes.

Zexion: You better get X'ero back. I want to give her a piece of my mind.

Ns (sweat drop): That... might be a little hard...