Chapter 37

Separation

This was as far as the gummi could take them, or was it something Xemnas wanted to see. Riku thought as they jumped out of the ship and into a desert.

Xemnas and the others looked around at the red sand that seemed endless, it was no surprise though when he started to walk backwards right into Vexen.

Saix glanced over at his boss seeing an odd look on his face... was that fear, "Superior you ok?" he asked out of honest concern.

Riku was also showing similar signs but not as severe as Xemnas though, but he was still bothered quite a bit, "Sora this is... where they died."

Sora was now worried as he looked between the two, "Riku, Xemnas... what's going on with you two and who died?"

Vexen waved a hand over Xemnas' eyes, "Boss is this where..." suddenly he went dead silent as he scanned over the surrounding area, finally he was here the place that had plagued him for years, "The place of the keyblade war." he was awestruck as he walked towards the horizon.

Sora turned toward him while Xemnas ran back to get to the door with Saix chasing after him, "what are you saying, you've been with the team only to get here?"

Vexen grinned making Sora know he was right, "Sora for years I've dedicated my life and my nonexistence to research, for all those years I've been chasing the information about this place that was locked inside of Xehanort's head. Once I found out though I kept Xehanort safe trying to keep the info I needed from ever being affected or changed, but he played forgetful keeping me from ever knowing the events that happened here. I figured I had to join your team in order to pursue what I wanted, but now I'm here... so have fun with the rest of your journey."

Sora sighed, "So this was your plan." he glanced back at Xemnas who was trying to pull the doors open if it wasn't for Saix who was closing them, "Can't you see you've basically scarred him for life, him and Riku are scared of this place."

Vexen gave Sora a bored stare, "Not my problem anymore, I've gotten what I wanted now." he answered walking away to get what he need from this place and leaving his old team behind.

Meanwhile Xemnas was still prying the doors open, but now had Axel trying to control him also.

"Xemnas what is the matter with you!?" Axel yelled pulling Xemnas back or well trying his damned hardest to, "What happened here that has you acting weird, tell me!"

Xemnas looked back at Axel, "You haven't seen what I've seen child, you never saw people die left and right before your eyes, you've never had to drag what's left of your friends across the hot sand having barely any heart left to care that they are dead." he tried to keep his grip on the doors but his memories kept plaguing him more then ever before, "I let Ansem use me as an experiment because I wanted to forget what I saw, but I couldn't and I screwed up and made everyone suffer." Xemnas gasped out and fell on the ground against the door, "Everyone I'm sorry for everything I have ever done, I deserve The Void."

The rest were shocked at Xemnas' reaction, nobody knew how long he kept that inside but it must have been several years. Even Axel was stunned to see that, and he glanced over at Saix both wondering how would their boss get through now.

Slowly Kairi walked up to take one of Xemnas' hands in hers and squeezed it tight, "Xemnas can't you see it yet? Nobody here is angry with you anymore, all that stuff you said it's in the past now... you don't need to hang on to that anymore." she whispered.

"Yeah." Sora added in, "We know you've made some mistakes in the past, but now you're not in the past..."

"And you have a whole group of friends now who don't want you to die." Riku continued throwing an arm around Sora's shoulders.

"Right, though you might be a pain in the ass when your moody." Axel gave him a thumbs up grinning like he was crazy or something, "Besides if you're gone who will stop Saix from fighting with me."

"What was that pyro!?" Saix shrieked and tackled Axel like a tiger.

Xemnas was a bit surprised as he watched them, maybe he did have what he was looking for and maybe they were right, he then averted his gaze to Saix and Axel who were playing cat and mouse, "Maybe it finally is time to forget this." he never expected though to be nearly mauled by his own team who were as Xemnas would say 'a bit to happy' as he was squeezed by Kairi, basicly had Sora in his face, and Riku was messing his hair up.

"I knew that wouldn't last long huh."

"You just like to give us a scare don't ya." Sora said poking Xemnas' nose, "Can you do us a favor and calm down more often."

"Don't even think of leaving me again got it." Kairi ordered.

Xemnas twisted up his nose but still smirked, "Alright but get off!"

After that the three stopped smothering poor Xemnas in order to let him take care of a huge battle taking place between Axel and Saix.

"Xemnas I can see your mad but... hey put those away!"

"Superior it was him, he started it!"

"Xemnas, ouch that hurts damn it!"

"I don't want another scar!"

Sora winced a bit as he watched the two get thrown onto the ground, "Yep he's still Xemnas."

A few seconds later the team were making their way across the desert, only stopping when they saw a figure approach them, for caution they all drew their weapons. They all by now knew who it was, or so they thought, but when the dust cleared Sephiroth stepped out and into view.

"Xemnas why are you here?" Sephiroth questioned, "I know dark wouldn't allow you to release your heart, so how will you now survive The Void?"

Xemnas looked back at his team, "I'll take my chances."

"This won't work, Xemnas we had a deal. I will not take you there, if one of you dies then everything will go straight to hell!"

"Don't bother I'll handle this."

By now everyone knew that cocky voice anywhere and prepared to face Dark and destroy him.

Sephiroth even got out Masamune to rid the world of Dark, despite the fact that The Void would only revive him in the end.

Dark was carrying Dispair at his side which no longer was completely black but now was rusted considerably, affected by it's wielder's cruel heart, "Xemnas, I understand that you've completed your quest I sent you out with, so I think it's time you, Riku, and Terra were reunited."

Riku and Xemnas relaxed and stared at each other, "Terra?" they both said at once.

"You mean Terra..."

Dark quickly cut him off, "Yes the previous ruler imprisoned him in this weapon before he could completely die. However part of him stayed to create you two, what is left was the anger towards Xehanort who killed him."

Riku rushed forward, "Meaning Terra is also incomplete."

"Very good Riku. Yes, now he needs you to join him."

Xemnas pushed Riku back, "I'm complete now, there is no way this will work. Next time think and plan before you do all the stupid stuff you did now."

Sora quickly pulled Riku back, he wasn't going to lose his friend again.

Dark put Dispair way and reached up toward The Void, "That's right you forgot to give back my replica."

The rest seemed to scatter like they knew what was coming, all except Xemnas who watched a stream of darkness come down right for him. He tried to move but something wouldn't let him.

"Fake, what are you thinking!?" he yelled as he was surrounded by the black smoke.