Alternate Ending

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"So, you've chosen your side, I see…" Zexion broke the silence between them. "It's too bad this had to happen. I really didn't want to do this…..No, I lied. I really did."

With that taunt, Zexion made his move, leaping forward and swinging his katana. Xembré side-stepped, parrying the blow easily, only to have the next lightning-quick slash rip the sleeve of her cloak. She had not expected Zexion to strike again so soon. Without any time to think, she was blocking and parrying blow after swift blow, forced to back down or be cut to pieces.

Only when Zexion paused to circle around her did she get the chance to breath freely again. Circling with The Cloaked Schemer, careful never to let her guard down or leave her back vulnerable, she watched the Schemer's every more carefully, focusing her eyes on his neck, so she would be able to see his every move.

He came at her again with a downward slash. She blocked, ducking under their blades. Her movement brought her close to Zexion, too close for him to use his katana. Using her advantage as best she could, she struck him a hard blow in the solar-plexus, knocking him breathless. As he staggered back, she lifted her katana and thrust at him. He parried the thrust, barely, and then they were at it again.

Soon the rain was coming down in torrents. The ground was soon one big puddle. The two Nobodies slipped and slid through the rain, fighting hard, the clash of metal on metal the only sound in the night, besides the rain. Thunder crashed, and lightning split the sky time after time, the flashes of lightning illuminating the horrific scene below of lovers fighting to the death.

The fight ended when Xembré slipped, letting her guard down for a split second. Zexion needed nothing more than that fraction of a second. He flicked his blade upward, disarming Xembré and sending her blade spinning through the air. As Xembré fell to her knees, it was only to find Zexion's blade at her throat.

"You're a jerk, Zexion. I trusted you." Xembré snarled at the Schemer. On her knees, there was hardly anything for her to do. She could only glare hatefully up at Zexion, her eyes flashing and her hands clenched into fists as she waited for an inevitable death.

"That's quite a coincidence… Demyx trusted me too. It was his idea for us to get together. You have no idea how hard he tried to get us together. He took your sketchbook, and gave it to me to give to you, so it would look like I had found it for you. And, of course, there was the Christmas Party." He sighed emphatically, and then smirked.

"Isn't it sad that he's not here to save you?" He said. "I would have thought someone who loved you as much as he did would have stayed to fight in your place. But, I like it better this way."

With the light of anticipation in his eyes, Zexion raised his katana. Before he could deliver the finishing blow, a figure hurtled out of the darkness, tackling Xembré out of harms way. Xembré cried out, both from surprise and pain as her shoulder smashed into the hard cobblestone ground.

And then she was looking up into a pair of sapphire-blue eyes. For a moment time seemed to have stopped completely as she gazed into the eyes of the best friend she could have ever asked for. "Demyx…" Her lips formed the silent word, and she saw the shadow of a smile cross his face. But then time resumed, and Demyx looked up at Zexion, who thankfully was too shocked to react just yet. Taking advantage of the momentary surprise of his enemy, Demyx formed a portal and rolled into it with Xembré.

Xembré felt arms wrap around her as she and Demyx disappeared into the portal. She relaxed into Demyx's arms, relieved to be safe, and with her friend.

Once out of the portal, she smiled up at Demyx, who gazed lovingly down at her. And then Demyx blushed and looked away. He got up, freeing Xembré, and then pulled her to her feet. All Xembré could do was gaze at him in wonder.

"You can back…" She whispered, catching Demyx's hands in hers.

Demyx glanced down at their hands, and then looked up. "Actually, I never left. I couldn't just leave you there. And then I just couldn't stand by and watch that bastard kill you. The world wouldn't really be the same without you…" He smiled in an embarrassed way, but let his smile drop when Xembré lowered her eyes.

"I'm sorry Demyx. I'm sorry I picked Zexion over you. I'm sorry I let Zexion fool me. I'm sorry I stayed behind. I was too stupid to realize what a great friend you are, and how much you really care for me. I really like you, Demyx. But I don't deserve someone like you." She lowered her head, wanting to look up at Demyx, but feeling unable to.

Demyx squeezed her hands. "Xembré, you made a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes. What's important is that you realize that, and try to fix it." He reached to run his hand through her hair, and then tilted her chin so he could look at her.

"How can I fix it?" She asked in a quavery voice.

Demyx grinned. "Easy, kiss me." Xembré willingly complied.

"Oy, Demyx!" The two Nobodies broke apart and looked up to see Axel, followed by Larxene, running toward them.

"Nice to see you rescued Xembré." Axel said, grinning.

Xembré smiled, and then threw herself at Axel. Soon she was enveloped in the embraces of the two Nobodies she loved best. They were all together again.

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EPILOGUE!

Zexion could not believe his luck. He'd had her in his clutches, and then that idiot blonde had come butting in. Now he'd lost not only the three run-aways, but Xembré as well. The Superior was not going to be pleased with him.

A flutter on the ground attracted his attention, and he stooped to pick up a photo that must have fallen out of Xembré's cloak. It was wet, but not damaged. Zexion frowned as he looked at the picture. It was of him and Xembré. They'd taken it not too long ago. Xembré stood in the circle of Zexion's arms, with one arm around his neck, and the other extended to take the picture.

With a resentful sneer, Zexion crumpled the picture and threw it to the ground. But as he turned to leave, he stopped in his tracks as an idea began formulating in his mind. Turning back, he bent, picked up the photo, and straightened it out. Then, with an extremely calculating expression on his face, he stowed it in his cloak, and turned around once more. Soon, the Cloaked Schemer had disappeared into the darkness.