I'm so so so sorry that this chap took so long! My internet shut down, my inspiration was lost, and this chapter was hard to write. Sorry!

Disclaimer: If I owned KH, then you'd probably be waiting decades till the next game - enough said through this story.

Warning: Shonen ai, gore, swearing

I think this chapter is way over dramatic, and way too short, but I just wanted to get it out.

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2o: Red

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"This is so stupid," Hayner mumbled. "I could be at home watching struggle champions, but I decided get lost in a haunted mansion with you."

"I could be watching struggle champions," Seifer shot back. "Now shut up, lamer, cause this night isn't going how I planned either."

"You're the one who tried to scare us," Hayner smirked. "And, it was your worst attempt yet. Congrats."

Seifer grit his teeth and grabbed the younger by his shirt, "Why you -"

"Hayner!"

They both looked over, to find Pence frantically running towards them. He stopped short, and walked the rest, a confused look settling on his face.

"And . . . err, Seifer?"

Seifer let go Hayner's shirt and scowled, and the shorter blond still held that cocky smirk as he patted down his shirt, "It's a long story and - What the hell is on your head?"

Pence blinked, but then grinned, "His names Lucky!"

"You named it? But it's one of those things!"

Lucky jumped off of the Pence's head, and blinked his yellow eyes up at the blonds, who were both giving him wary looks.

Pence scowled at Hayner's comment, "He's different and without him, I wouldn't of been able to find you."

Hayner's gaze flickered from Pence to Lucky, and then he heaved the sigh, "You know, I've seen much worse, so fine - as long as he doesn't cause us more trouble."

Pence grinned, "He won't! So, why is Seifer here?"

"Like I said, it's a very long and VERY pathetic story- OW!"

Seifer punched the blond in the shoulder and continued sharply, "We're stuck here; all that matters is that we get out."

Pence shrugged, "Works for me, Think you can hold down an argument till then, Hayner?"

"ME?! He's the one who hit me!"

Seifer smirked, "You have no self - restraint, do you?"

Hayner glared, "Of course I do, I'm just not gonna waste it on you!"

Pence sighed, "Guess not. Hey, Lucky, Can you get us to the front of his mansion?"

He blinked twice, which meant yes, and started to hop down the hall. Pence Started to follow, and the two blonds finally noticed and simultaneously yelled out "Hey! Wait up!"

"You guys need to keep up," Pence simply said as they ran over.

"Not my fault the lamer is so annoying," Seifer scoffed.

"And it's not my fault that the idiot provokes me!" Hayner fumed.

Pence had a feeling that this was going to go on all night; really, they were both so stubborn that together, it was hell for anyone stuck with them. Aka Pence. But, then with that thought, the brunet got an idea.

"You know, you two are really alike."

Now, that shut them both up.

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"Zexion . . . I think I found something I shouldn't of had."

The fact that the blond used his actual name was enough for Zexion to realize this was serious. He walked over, and peered inside the room. His eye widened.

It was like a lab, but it was far from your typical 1920's lab. It was way too mechanized, like it was constantly being added on too, but the cobwebs still covered everything. There were viles, filled with all sort of (most likely rotten) liquids. The most peculiar thing was a bathtub in the back, though, which as far as Zexion knew, isn't and never was, an essential lab tool.

He saw Demyx staring at something on the other side of the counter, where Zexion couldn't see from the door, and he looked terrified. Zexion slowly stepped in.

"Demyx, what is it?"

" . . ."

Zexion stepped beside the blond, and blinked, unable to believe this was really there.

It was sora.

But, yet, it wasn't.

He was completely black and yellow replaced his normally blue eyes, and it seemed like black flames were radiating off his body. He huddled in the corner, yellow eyes flickering.

"Demyx Let's-"

Too late. The blond took a step forward, and the 'thing' jumped up and through itself right through Demyx and disappeared in thin air.

Demyx seemed fine at first sight, but then Zexion could see him shivering.

"Zexion?"

For some reason, Zexion wished the blond would refer back to that ridiculous nickname, " . . . yes?"

"That wasn't Sora."

"How do you know?"

Demyx turned to face him, his eyes glassy, "Because Sora's what it wants. I saw it. I think I saw what's going to happen."

The blond shut his eyes tight, "No."

Zexion tilted his head, "Demyx, I think we should go."

"No."

"You want to stay here?"

"No."

"What do you want to do?"

"No."

"Demyx, what's the matter?"

Demyx sighed, pulling at his hair, and started to pace, "I can't explain what I saw, it's just something that I really don't want to happen."

"Demyx . . ." Zexion sighed, unsure of what to say or of what the blond was talking about. "It's okay if you don't want to tell me, but if you did, I might be able to help."

"Of course you'll be able to help, you're Zexion," The blond smiled and Zexion felt himself blush slightly. "It's just, hard to explain. Or, more so, I just don't want to believe it."

Demyx stared at the spot the black figure once was, "I saw everyone go away, one by one. I saw Sora being taken here and I saw him drowning . . . in red liquid," He shivered. "I saw a library, and then this . . . gold drawing. Then I saw a broken computer, and all these pods . . . filled with your bodies and a huge white room, with a huge pod and Sora's body in it. It was all in short flashes, but it's so clear. And . . ."

Demyx stopped, clenching his fists. "And I received a phone call that my mom isn't going to make it."

Zexion knew this must have hit him the hardest. Finally, though, he knew what to say.

"Demyx, that hasn't happened yet. And it won't. We don't know the future, and that . . . thing doesn't either. It was an illusionist, probably - MEANT to mess with your head."

Demyx blinked, and a warm smile appeared upon his face, "See, I knew you could help."

"You get so worried about nothing," Zexion smirked. "Now come on-"

Demyx pulled him into a hug, and it wasn't one of those deathly, over excited hugs. It was soft and warm, and really different. Demyx set his chin on the top of his head, and Zexion's face was facing the taller's chest (reminding him how much taller Demyx really was).

"Thanks, Zexy."

Zexion breathed out a sigh, for once, not aggravated by the nickname. Demyx let go, still smiling, "Things are changing, but I think I can deal with it now because I've changed too."

"You have," Zexion said, more to himself then to Demyx, though. He began to walk towards the door when Demyx said,

"You've changed too, Zexy."

With that, Zexion smiled slightly, "C'mon, let's get out of here."

Demyx then ran forward, past Zexion, "Bet you can't catch me!"

There's the old Demyx again. Zexion smirked, "Isn't that a little immature."

"Very," The blond called over his shoulder, already half way down the hallway. "But where's the fun in being mature?"

That was always Demyx's logic, but yet, it seemed like one of the most intelligent things Zexion has ever heard. With that, he ran down the hallway to catch up to the blond.

You've changed too, Zexy~

Yeah. He had . . . it didn't seem like it, but he and Demyx knew it and that was all that mattered.

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It was His body. His old body. Stitched up and sewn like some doll. Riku could barely look as his possessed body, much less Namine's. They were pale, and their eye sockets were lacking the eyes.

I don't want to know what happened to my eyes.

"Riku . . ." Sora whispered beside him. "Are you-?"

"I'm fine," Riku replied sharply. "It's just an empty shell, just destroy it."

Just destroy it. If Riku didn't care, why should Sora? It's not like it would do them any good. But yet, he really didn't want anything to do with either body.

Riku stepped up and swung his blade in anger, "Well are you all just going to stand there?!"

"Oh look, kids mad," Xigbar stepped out grinning. "Man, be a little patient. Don't you like our dolls? We made this one," He smacked Riku's body on the back. "Just for you."

"You're disgusting," Riku sneered. "But it doesn't matter because you won't be able to tell a single stupid pun or joke ever again."

Xigbar faked a hurt expression, "Stupid? C'mon, I'm hilarious!"

The ghosts around him mumbled, and even the two bodies turned to each other, warily. Xigbar scowled and held up his gun, "Okay, that's it! No more games."

Xigbar raised his arrow gun and an array of shards spilled over them.

"Don't let them hit you," Sora yelled and, knowingly, slashed the ones that came towards him with ease.

Am I actually getting use to this?

That single move started the whole fight. Those black things swarmed in clumps, ghosts flew out, making the room icy cold, and the two ragged bodies sauntered down, by far the slowest but also by far the most horrifying.

Sora slashed those black creatures countlessly until he was once again faced once again with the talkative Xigbar.

"Hmph," He smirked. "At least I've got a challenge this time - somewhat."

Sora raised his blade, "Really? Then I think this'll be quick."

Xigbar laughed, "Got a whole lot of confidence, don't you kid?"

"Because I KNOW that I'll win," Sora took a slash with his keyblade towards the ghost, only to have the ghost disappear and reappear five feet further.

Ok. This was new. He knew ghosts could disappear and reappear, but not during a battle. It'd take too much effort.

"Heh, you're not the only one with a new trick."

He was caught off guard, but out of the pure spite gathered for this ghost, he ran and slashed again. And again. And again.

Xigbar disappeared and reappeared all over the place, and everyone was too distracted with their own fight to notice when the ghost would appear by them. Then, Sora lost track of Xigbar. He absent mindedly slashed the black things whilst trying to find the ghost, but it was no use.

Kairi, in the midst of her own battle looked toward him and yelled out, "Sora, behind you!"

Thinking it was Xigbar; Sora swung the key blade around him and spun around. But it wasn't Xigbar.

Sora stopped his blade in the air, frozen. Two pairs of eyeless, void less holes stared at him, framed by a stitched up face and silver hair.

This was Riku. This was Riku. Sora's arms shook in midair while he stared at the body.

'Don't kill me'

What?

Sora blinked, and images flashed through his head.

A lab, a bathtub, a gun being shot, a single rose, a room with a huge pod in the middle, a silver key, and blood. So much red. So much blood-

"Sora! Just slash it!"

That was Riku. Sora blinked, but instead, dropped his blade.

'I don't want to die.'

"You didn't deserve too," Sora mumbled, wondering if the soulless body was trying to send him a message.

"Sora, just KILL it!"

But Sora couldn't. The Keyblade refused to return to his grip. But, it wasn't the keyblade at all, it was him.

"Is this too much for you?"

Sora looked up to see a blue haired ghost with an X like scar on his face. His yellow eyes were threatening.

"You're putting all your friends in danger, when all we really need is you."

Sora's heart sank to his stomach. It was his fault. His friends were at risk for their lives because of him.

"If you come with us," The ghost said. "We'll leave your friends alone."

Sora looked at everyone, fighting their hearts out but looking worn and terrified all the while. It killed him to put them through this and no matter how much they smiled and said it wasn't his fault, it was. Because that's what their suppose to say, it be nice. To be good friends.

"You'll leave them alone?" He asked.

The ghost nodded, "Save them from this pain. Sora, end this."

End this. I can end it all. Right here and right now?

Riku noticed Sora standing still in front of this body, and was about to yell one more command of just destroying it when he noticed Saix standing there. His eyes narrowed.

" . . . I -"

"Sora, don't listen to a single word the bastard says."

The brunet looked to see Riku beside him, pointing the tip of his blade at the ghost's chest. The ghost smiled maliciously.

"Riku, what a pleasure."

"Can't say the same, Saix" The ghost glared. "Where's Xemnas?"

"Your father has more important matters to take care of instead of dealing with you," Saix said coldly. He turned his attention back to Sora.

"Is that a yes or a no?"

Riku shot him a look and Sora glanced away.

"Sora," Riku said slowly. "What did he ask?"

Sora didn't answer.

Riku grabbed his shoulders, "Sora, what does he want?!"

Sora bit his lip, and looked up into the ghosts eyes.

"I'm going to end this, Riku."

Before the ghost could respond, he was thrown to the side by Saix, who was looking mildly impatient, which did not seem to be a good thing.

"I -" Sora sighed. "Okay, leave them and I'll come with you."

Saix smirked, and suddenly the black creatures faded into dust and the ghosts went back to his side. The two bodies of Riku and Namine fell in heaps beside each other.

"Excellent choice."

Saix went towards the door and Sora followed, upon finally realizing what was happening, Riku's eyes widened. He appeared in front of Sora,

"Sora, don't," He practically begged.

The brunet smiled, "I'll . . . be fine." His smile flickered. "Don't worry."

"Don't worry?" Riku repeated angrily. "Sora, you're walking right into a trap!"

"To save you!" The brunet countered. "It's my fault that this is happening to everyone, and I know it." Sora turned away, towards the other ghosts. "I . . . need to do this."

Saix smirked, "The boy's made his choice, Riku."

Sora started to fade, and at first startled, sighed. He turned back to Riku and leaned up to place a kiss on the ghost's lips. It was so light, it was barely noticeable. Riku changed that, he leaned forward and made the kiss meaningful.

They broke apart, and Sora was barely a glimmer before he disappeared. He was gone. Gone.

There was silence, and then Kairi stepped up the stairs, "What's going to happen to him?"

"I don't know."

Roxas then asked, "Is he going to be okay?!"

"I don't know."

"Why would he do something like that?" Kairi whispered, and Riku was about to make the same reply, but he wasn't going to cheat her out of answers she deserves.

"He said he was going to end this," He replied, unemotionally. "So they'd leave you alone."

Kairi's pale, scared face turned to a red that could rival her hair, "How could Sora be so stupid?! That's not brave, that's selfish!"

Riku sighed, "Sora's feels guilty, and he can't handle knowing that. He's just the type of person who rather risk himself."

"But we're not going to let him go," Roxas stepped up the stairs. "He isn't ending this. We are."

Riku smirked slightly, "I like your confidence, but I don't think you guys understand Saix."

"We don't care!" Roxas' glared up at the ghost.

"You should. Saix goes berserk."

Kairi blinked, "Like, he's crazy?"

Riku stifled a laugh, "that too. Saix is duel sided - a calm manipulator, and an out of control mad man. I can't even think whether that side comes out."

"Well," Leon walked up the stairs. "There's no way in hell I'm losing Sora." He looked at Riku. "Where would he be?"

Riku shrugged, "I don't know. But . . . Namine would."

There was no reply, and even if the ghost was far away, she would answer. He looked over at Aerith and Olette, "Where's . . . Namine?"

Aerith glanced at the white room door, "She had to draw a picture, and she told us to go."

Riku disappeared in an instant, and Kairi and Roxas glanced at each other before bolting towards the door. Roxas pushed it open.

Namine wasn't there, the chair was on its side and her sketch book lay in a heap on the ground while her crayon was far off.

Riku was leaning over the sketch book, "I think I know where he is."

The ghost grabbed the sketch book and held it up; it was a bathtub, filled with red liquid - dark red that was splattered on a tile floor around it. Blood.

"That's sick," Roxas shook his head, eyes wide. "Why - what . . . does this have to do with Sora?"

Riku Grimaced, "You don't want to know."

Kairi stared at the ground, and began to scan the room, for any other clues, when a familiar, horrifying picture caught her eye. Her heart dropped.

"Oh my god," She said. "It's happening . . ."

"Kairi?"

"She ran over to the picture, ripped it off the wall and held it in the others view. They stared at it blankly - it was too scribbled for them to see.

"This picture," She started to explain. "Is a foresight of . . . Sora. He's not a pawn anymore . . . he's checkmate. They want him to aid them."

Riku looked from picture to picture, before standing up and walking out the door, "C'mon. We have a long walk."

The ghost walked away, and everyone exchanged glances and Kairi set the picture on the table and walked in Riku's wake, leading the others to follow in whatever was to come next.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

"That's sick."

"So what's your brilliant plan this time?"

"That's . . . vile!"

"Simply cruel."

"I'm not doing this."

"You know nothing about me!"

"I . . . I don't want to die."

Sora couldn't breathe, he couldn't see, and all his senses were hindered. He felt dead. But even he knew he wasn't. They wanted something from him, and it wasn't death.

But there was this voice, ringing in his mind, making it ache. Sora could pinpoint it easily as Riku, and he was pretty sure those words were towards his father. But the last sentence . . . that lifeless body said the same thing. Riku was brought death from his father's fault, and suddenly, Sora understood why Riku was still here. He died out of a purpose, and he knew for however long, that death wasn't far off.

What would it to be like to wake up one day, anticipating not waking up the next? Oh . . . well, maybe Sora did feel that. All this week, he's been scared, confused, vulnerable, spiteful, and worn down. Was he going to die? Really, was he? The most precious thing all the sudden was his life and everything else was on the back burner. He'd never been so scared in his entire life.

I don't want to die. I really don't.

His touch sense came back like a sting when he felt really cold, and it felt like water - no it was thicker - was drowning him. He flapped his arms and found the surface. His mouth breathed in air heavily, but a strange taste hindered it. He slowly opened his eyes.

He was sitting in a bathtub. Filled with blood. It was like what he saw in front of the body. He coughed and spat out as much as could, and rapidly wiped his face, but his arms were covered in it as well. It was horrifying, unreal, and Sora felt panic take over. He lifted a shaking, blood soak hand, staring at his palm.

"What is this?!"

"Did you enjoy your bath?"

Saix stood feet away from him, and Sora stood, blood soaking his clothes and pouring off of him.

"You . . . you're insane . . ."

If possible, the ghosts smirk widened.

"I'd like to call it creativity."

Then, when all the other ghosts appeared before him, looking cynical as ever, Sora knew he was screwed. But when Namine appeared, dragged by two ghosts, and fading on the spot . . .

He knew that this was not going to end well.

Not at all.

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I'll try really hard to get the next one out soon! Promise!

~Before-I-Fall =3