Gathering Allies, Heading Home

Marluxia, Larxene, and Luxord teleported into Axel's section of the Castle That Never Was. The Flurry of Dancing Flames had sent each of them an Assassin Nobody bearing a letter asking them to meet him in his common room. Though all of them didn't care for Axel, they didn't hate him---well, at least Luxord didn't hate him. Marluxia and Larxene despised the pyro, and they had good reason to.

Marluxia looked around the common room. Unlike the other rooms in Axel's section, or even in the rest of the place, this room was a loud and glaring red. It had pictures of rock bands and flames that scored the walls. Multicolored couches and chairs sat on a yellow carpeted floor. A sliver statue of an Ifrit stood in the center of the room. "He'll burn for this" the Graceful Assassin smiled, laughing at his own pun. "This is against regulations, having a red room like this in a white castle!"

"Your room is pink" Larxene reminded him.

"Yes, my bedroom is pink" Marluxia corrected. "I don't have it where anyone can walk right in and see it."

"You make a good point" said Luxord. "Unfortunately as your superior, I must report it to Xemnas once this is over."

"Only by one rank" Marluxia retorted in anger. "Axel!" he called. "Where are you? We have better things to do than sit around and wait for you to grace us with your appearance!"

"Maybe if you'd stop yelling and look under your nose, you'd see what was right under it" Axel responded from a large yellow and red armchair with flame shaped armrests. He was wearing a flame colored robe and was able to blend in with his crimson surroundings.

"What are you doing?!" asked Luxord. "Axel, decorating your section a color other than white, wearing red? Even alone you are supposed to wear the Organization's colors."

Axel signaled for them to sit down. Once they had, he teleported out of the room. In a few minutes he returned. "Sorry about that" he said. "I was just proofing it against visitors. This is a privileged gathering."

"Privileged to what?" asked Larxene. "Hearing you tell us how much of a great fighter you are? You telling us something new that happened in the Dark City? What is it Axel?" to her surprise, Axel did not snap back, or tell her to shut up. Instead he got up and poured them all glasses of their favorite things, white wine for Luxord, sake for Marluxia, and beer for Larxene.

"Privaleged to here what I have to say" said Axel. "Listen to me, all of you. I chose you three because you're the ones who I'm most comfortable with sharing this with. If…if Roxas was still with the Organization, he would definitely be here---"

"And I wouldn't. The little brat always had an ear for your crap, number eight" interrupted Marluxia.

Axel lost his temper and threw a ball of fire at a footstool near the Graceful Assassin. It burst into flames with a loud crackle. "Shut the fuck up!" he shouted. "From now on, you speak when you're fucking spoken to! Got it?!"

"I've got that I'm going to get up and leave" said Marluxia.

"Wait a minute" said Luxord. "At least let Axel say what he was going to say. To be fair, you started the argument."

Marluxia muttered something and sat down in his seat. "What?" he barked, "Do you want?"

"I want help to take Xemnas out" said Axel, forcing his voice to remain calm.

Luxord spat out his wine. Marluxia dropped his sake. Larxene choked on her beer. No one here was actually surprised. It was just what the logical thing to do was. But it was pretty weird. Marluxia was the first to stop pretending to be surprised. "What is this, Axel? Another scheme to ferret out traitors within the Organization? And you've invited the prime suspects? Is that it?"

"And if you are serious, do you think that we will help you with it? Xemnas is more powerful than any of us combined!" Larxene said.

Luxord merely stared at Axel in surprise and horror. "I should report you to him, number eight" he said quietly.

"Will you?" Axel asked. "That would be annoying."

"It was you wasn't it?" Marluxia said. It wasn't a question. "You let the witch escape for some reason. What was it for? Was it to further undermine the Organization? If it was, then you did a terrible job. She had no value to us at all."

"Perhaps not to you all" said Axel. "But to me she had great value. Fine" he said. "I'll lay all the cards on the table (forgive me for the pun, Luxord). Xemnas is a total nut. He's a power hungry madman who wants to rule the universe with his plans."

Everyone stared at him blankly. "So?" said Larxene. "Why is that a reason to betray him? He's going to get our hearts back."

"Yes, I agree with number twelve" said Luxord. "What does it matter if the universe falls apart as long as we are able to feel again?"

"But that's not going to happen!" Axel snapped. "He's going to use Kingdom Hearts for something else! I went down to the Dungeons to---for some personal matters to speak to the Superior about…and I heard Xemnas and Maleficent talking. He wants to turn all the inhabitants of the worlds into Nobodies somehow. I don't know exactly what he plans to do…but he wants to absorb Tine into his body and become a god!"

"Why should we believe this?" Marluxia demanded. "What proof do you have that Xemnas is…is on this course of action? Well?"

"I have none" said Axel. "You'll just have to believe me. But you can believe this. He's released Morgan le Fay from her prison to help him! She's going to be at the Castle any minute!"

Larxene shrugged. Marluxia turned his face away from Axel. Luxord stroked his beard thoughtfully. He was the first to speak. "If Xemnas has released her, then he has committed a great sin…but then again, what are sins to us Nobodies? We have no emotions, no guilt…therefore we cannot be sinners…"

"Before number ten goes of on a philosophical tangent, I still want to ask you what do you want to do about it?" said Larxene. "If we all believe you, and if we decide to join you after we believe, Xemnas still has most of the Organization on his side. He's got Saix and Nexumair. They're two of the most devoted."

"What of it?" said Axel. "They can be taken care of, and others can be recruited to our cause. Don't think that just because Xemnas promises everyone the return of their emotions that they will act like he's the messiah. You didn't."

"I won't help you" said Marluxia. "Whether Xemnas is doing this or not, I will have no part of any plan of yours Axel."

Larxene got up. "Thanks for the free beer pyro. But I think I'll pass on any grand plans to overthrow the Superior."

"I'm afraid I must as well" said Luxord. "However! Due to what you have said, and the evidence you have presented…I will not inform Superior Xemnas of your actions…and neither will you!" he said to Larxene and Marluxia. "Axel, continue what you want to do in peace. If you---" he was interrupted by a loud ripping sound as the air in the room began to shimmer and stretch. Then it ripped like a cloth and Xibar tumbled in. The Freeshooter got to his feet, cursing like a drunken sailor.

"What the hell! Why'd you seal the perimeters around the place, you idiot?" he asked. "I've been trying for half an hour to force my way in here. Zexion tried a little bit and so did Lexaeus. But Zexy gave up, and Lexaeus said he had better things to do."

"What is the problem?" asked Marluxia.

"Well…Superior says we've got two major problems. He wanted to make a big meeting out of it, but now I'm just going door to door telling everyone. Tine's dropped off our radar screen, and Nexumair thinks that the Guild Leaders have figured out his identity…" he sighed. "It's days like these that puts more gray in my hair" he said mournfully.

"We don't know where Tine is?" asked Axel. "We don't know where she is?!" hehad to force himself not to grab Xibar by the front of his robe. If Tine---Kingdom Hearts---was gone…then he would never see Lea again. He would be forced to dream of her nightly for the rest of his immortal nonexistent life. As they didn't exist in the first place, Nobodies did not know death…unless they died by violent means. But Axel thought that he would rather commit suicide than live forever like he was now.

"Jeez Axel, don't have a cow" Xibar said. "We'll find her, don't worry. Zexion's working on it now. She can't have gone far though, and if anyone can track her across the universe he can. Oh yeah! We're also getting a new guest."

"Someone else has joined the Organization?" asked Larxene. "Who?"

"Not exactly joined" said Xibar. "More of an ally than a member. Morgan le Fay. Ring any bells?"

"Yes, we all know who she is" Marluxia said impatiently.

"Hey, don't get snappy with me traitor boy" said Xibar. "I'm just the messenger."

At the words "traitor boy" Marluxia gave a meaningful glance at Axel. Suddenly realized just how much of a risk he had made when he had told them of his plan. How exposed he was now. Any of them could tell at any give moment. Any of their words could send him to his death.

Leon walked through the hallway on the thirteenth floor of the Guild Castle. He paused to look at a massive gold and silver framed portrait of the late Ansem the Wise. What would he have said about all this, Kingdom Hearts made flesh and living among them? I bet even he would have just sat down and scratched his head the brunette thought. He continued past the picture. He had a job to do. At the very end of this hallway was the HQ of the Bastion Knights. Leon's hands were sweating inside their gloves. His gunblade was loose in its scabbard. He was going to confront that boy and ask him the question. The Big Question was: are you a Nobody or not? And if you are not, why did you attack King Mickey and Kairi? He didn't know what to expect. Half of him was embarrassed at being afraid of a fourteen year old boy…but a fourteen year old boy who had whipped the leader of Xavier's Flyers and killed all of the bandits? A fourteen year old boy who could wield six sabers and draw them so fast that he didn't seem to move? Yes, the other part of Leon mind (the smart part) said. It was very wise to be afraid.

"Leon?" asked a voice behind him.

"Ahhhhh!" the gunblade master jumped up into the air. He whirled around to see Tifa next to him. The assistant captain of the Bastion Knights smiled. "Is it true that Cloud has returned?"

"Y-yes Tifa" said Leon. "It is true. But please, don't sneak up on me like that! I almost died!"

"What are you afraid of?" she asked. She looked out at the large floor to ceiling windows that lined the hallway. Light from the sky poured in through them. "It's a beautiful day. So what's wrong?"

"I…nothing" Leon said. An idea had occurred to him. Why confront Nexumair when he could just pry the information out of his assistant? Tifa was the closest to Nexumair of all the Bastion Knights. She would notice anything strange about him, things that would be hidden from anyone else's eye. Leon laughed slightly, forcing his voice to sound light and carefree.

"What is it?" Tifa asked again.

"I just thought about something. You know how Captain Nexumair can't remember where he came from?"

"Yes?" said Tifa.

"Well" said Leon, "what if it was because he was a Nobody? Isn't that rich?!"

Tifa laughed a little and then frowned. "That's an awful thing to say, Leon. But…" she sighed. "It is pretty suspicious that he doesn't remember. But you have to understand that he came in the war with the Heartless and Maleficent two years ago. So of course he doesn't remember. The shock of his whole world, family, everything being wiped out could have done it."

Leon tried to make himself look guilty. It wasn't hard; he actually felt that way. He had never thought of it that way before…but there was the fact that Nexumair had attacked King Mickey and Kairi. If he wasn't a Nobody, then what was going on? His thoughts were interrupted by Tifa dragging him forward. "Whoa! What're you doing Tifa! I…wait!"

"You want to see the Captain, right? Maybe you should tell him about your fears?" she said.

Leon tried to plant his feet, but they slipped in the carpeted floor. Cursing King Mickey for supplying them with carpets instead of stone floors, Leon was dragged along. "Don't do this, Tifa! Besides" he tried to reason, "This is the Headquarters of the Bastion Knights! I lead the Warrior's Guild, I'd be completely out of place here! Please, wait---"

Tifa threw open two large red double doors that were marked with the bird and gears the symbol of the Bastion Knights. As she threw it open, Leon saw that the main room of the Headquarters was empty. All the Knights must be out training or something.

"Hey! Captain!" Tifa said. "Guild Leader Leon just had an interesting theory to tell you" Tifa said. Her eyes narrowed to slits. "Let's see…how did it go…that you were…a Nobody?"

"Yes, Leon" said a voice from one of the rooms to the left. Leon turned and saw Nexumair walk out of it, all of his six swords buckled to his back and his arms were folded. "And what if I am a Nobody, Leon?" he asked. His green eyes were blank. Not angry, not upset, not even enjoying this moment. Just empty of all emotion. "And what if I am in Organization XIII? Is that a problem?"

Leon turned to Tifa, but the assistant captain's eyes were now focused on some high point on the ceiling. Yes Leon thought. When King Mickey said that no place in Radiant Garden would be safe if the Captain of the Bastion Knights is a Nobody...he meant it.

Riku and Tine sat in the chairs as Kairi piloted the ship across space. Tine was still a little sick, so she wasn't saying much, mostly napping. Riku was shouting advice to Kairi and occasionally he took turns at the controls.

"I can do it, Riku!" Kairi yelled as she blasted a Heartless ship out of the way. "Look, only twenty more minutes until we reach the Destiny Islands. It shouldn't be too bad, okay?"

"But we barely avoided that last barrage. If I hadn't shouted out---"

"Then we'd be dead" Kairi finished. "Look, I get it, I understand okay? Let's just try and get home without me killing you."

"How about just getting along and making this a smooth ride?" Tine asked. "My headache came back after that last round of bumping and shaking. Remember, I'm still sick, and I'd like to at least ride in peace before we get there."

I'm so sorry! Are you alright? We really didn't mean it. We'll be quiet if you need some rest said Namine from Kairi. Tine blinked in confusion. For a minute she had seen an image of a blond girl in a white dress superimposed over Kairi.

"That's Namine" Kairi said in a huff. "She always has to have a word." Then she laughed and Tine got the feeling that Kairi was having a private joke.

Tine sighed and reclined her chair back. Riku looked over at her, concerned. Even with Aerith's illness potions, Tine was as pale as milk and her face was tired and wan. She looked ready to fall asleep again. Riku suddenly wondered if she would ever gain back her full strength. He felt her forehead. It was hot with fever, and damp with sweat. "Take another potion" Riku commanded.

"I'm fine" Tine said. "Aerith said take one every few days. I took one this morning, so I won't need it until three days have passed."

"Does your head still hurt?" Kairi asked worriedly.

"Yeah…" said Tine. "But it's fine. I'll live. I've been hurt worse than that before. Besides, it doesn't hurt as much as it did before I took the potion."

"Here we are!" Riku said. As the Islands came into view, Riku and Kairi sighed in happiness. They both looked outside the windows at the blue and white planet that greeted them. Tine felt sad. She didn't really have a home, she realized. If any world could be called home, it would be the Word That Never Was. But that wasn't home; it was just where she had been "born". Maybe I can make this place my home Tine thought. I can live here with Riku and Kairi and eventually Sora. I'll live here and grow here, and finally I can be normal. No one will try and use me for their goals…I can live in peace.

"Tine" said Kairi. "We're taking you here to protect you from Organization XIII…but they could find you anyway. Is there any way for you to…change? I mean, change shape?"

Tine thought. "I can't change shape exactly…I can change my clothes, but that's about it."

"Could you change your hair color?" Kairi asked, looking at Tine's flaming red hair. "It's brighter than mine. If the Organization's after you they know what you look like. If they send someone to the Islands to look for you, then at least as long as you don't face them, they won't know it's you."

"Good idea" said Tine. "But I've never tried it before…what hair color should it be…" she muttered. Then, thinking of Namine, she tried blond. Tine gritted her teeth and grunted and concentrated, trying to make her hair blond. Then she winced in pain as she felt her once low headache skyrocket. Then she felt an unpleasant, almost wet feeling as her hair changed from red to blond. It was more of a strawberry blond, but it was all Tine wanted to try. "There" she breathed tiredly. "Why couldn't I have just dyed it?"

"Trust me" said Kairi. "From what I know of you, you wouldn't like the process one bit."

As the Gummi ship sped through the atmosphere of the Destiny Islands, getting hotter and hotter, a small Nobody ship was watching. The Dusk driving the vessel knew that the Gummi ship that had passed was carrying Kingdom Hearts. It had sensed the multitude of hearts inside of the body in the ship. It hurried off to tell the Cloaked Schemer that had sent it on its mission. The hunt was not over.