Chapter 51: Trapped

What…happened?

Sora's whole body ached. Crushed by the weight of a million mountains. A haze flooded his mind. Voices spoke through it.

"Impressive work, Xigbar. It has been far too long since we've seen a truly flawless victory."

That deep, booming voice… Was it. Xemnas? Sora's claws twitched. The rest of his body still refused to respond. So heavy. And the ground so…cold. Smooth. Sterile?

"I'll say. But man, what a waste. All that treasure, just gone." Xigbar, too. Just like Xemnas said. "Welp. Least we got a couple of souvenirs. Better than nothing, am I right?"

"Indeed. And the greatest prize rests before us. No longer shall the shadows bend to his whims…"

What?!

Sora shifted. Pressed his palms down. Arms finally budged. His back arched. Still weighed a ton. His movements stayed sluggish.

A familiar voice cut through the haze. "Sora…slow down. You don't have to force this."

But—

Whistling, Xigbar said, "Gee, we musta done a bigger number on him than I thought."

"We?"

Xigbar paused. "The royal 'we.' I'm gonna miss that treasure..."

A low chuckle followed. "Then, consider Sora the greatest treasure of all. To Riku and Kairi, he is a beloved friend. To Roxas, a shadow of his former self. To Master Aqua…a bargaining chip."

Xigbar chuckled. "Wow. Cold."

"The truth so often is." Xemnas paused, then added, "Your part here is done. You have more than earned a reprieve."

Ven made a sharp, pained moan. The swish of a corridor caught Sora's ear, followed by footsteps echoing towards it. And then silence as the footsteps ended and the corridor dissipated. Finally, Sora's eyes blinked open to the sight of—

Bars.

A wide, wide window lined with metal bars. And beyond the bars of the violet cell was Xemnas himself, staring with a smirk that set Sora's heart ablaze.

He jolted onto all fours, ignoring the pounding in his head. He bared his jagged teeth as his claws lit up in green embers.

But they didn't.

Xemnas' smirk only grew.

"Something's wrong, Sora."

Sora's brow pinched, and his eyes became tiny, glowing slits. He raised one of his hands. Exhaled slowly. Pictured lightning tearing through the atmosphere, right over the Nobody's head…

Nothing happened.

His heart raced. He skittered back. This wasn't right.

Well, so what? He was a Heartless! A being of pure darkness. No way could they keep him caged! So, Sora snapped his claws, ready to rip open a corridor and show that Nobody who's boss.

But a sharp pain in his chest wrenched him over. Grasping at the heart-shaped emblem Aqua gave him, he grimaced and tried melding with the floor. Nothing.

Panicked, he rushed at the bars to sink his claws into Xemnas' face. The Nobody stepped back at the last second, and Sora could only grasp at thin air.

What'd you DO to me?!

"Isn't it obvious? We saved your life."

I didn't need you to save me! Sora hissed. Snarled. Dug his claws into the metal with an ear-piercing screech.

All that, and Xemnas never even flinched. He just grinned lightly and said, "Of all the guests in my castle, you are by far the worst-behaved. Then again, the Replica has the benefit of Master Aqua to keep him in line."

"Wait, they got Aqua?!"

Sora flinched. Gasped. This had to be a joke! Aqua was too strong. No way she'd let herself get captured! And if she had Xiruk as backup, the odds were even slimmer. This just didn't add looked away just long enough to regain his composure. This was no time to panic. Even though his powers didn't work and he was stuck in this stupid cage with the strongest Nobody on the block staring at him like a monkey at the zoo. He probably wanted to see him squirm. To see him weak.

He took one deep breath, then let it all out. You're lying.

"But Sora…"

Ven, c'mon! You know Aqua better than I do! Do you really think they'd be able to take her down?

After a short silence, Ven said in a sterner tone, "No, you're right. Aqua practically breathes magic, and Xiruk's not too far behind her."

"Ah, but you see, they are not here as prisoners, but as diplomats."

Sora's eye twitched. He seized the bars again. I'll believe it when I see it! There still had to be more to it. They must've known the risks, so why would they just walk straight into enemy territory? Unless—

No. It couldn't be. That was way too reckless!

Xemnas droned on. "I trust you know what they came to bargain for. As long as Riku bears the sigil, he is a grave threat to everyone close to him."

No! Sora's face bashed against the bars. His claws scraped the metal. Why? Why would they do this?! He wanted to scream, but only silence escaped him. And Xemnas was out of reach. Still watching. Still staring straight into Sora's eyes, drilling into his soul.

And then, clasping a hand over his empty chest, he said, "But I assure you, I am not an unreasonable host. Both the Replica and Aqua are safe. And that is how it shall stay..." Then, something happened to Xemnas' voice. It was no longer that deep, husky baritone, but something lighter. Softer. Warm, even. "...I promise, Ven."

Ven shrieked, "W—what?!"

Sora hopped back—or rather, Ven, in that brief, panicked moment—feet apart and claws still raised. Xemnas didn't bat an eye. In fact, a gentler smile unwound across his face. It clashed with his piercing gold eyes. Made Sora's spine tingle and heart writhe.

Just like the words that followed. "You were smarter than the rest of them, Ven. Saw straight through me from the start."

No. Way.

"Then you're—"

Terra…

But why? How? All signs pointed to a madman. A monster! Ven always insisted Terra was great. Kind. Heroic. Just. Same with Aqua! This wasn't…

Xemnas nodded. "Aqua knows."

Sora's legs quivered. Despite this, he stomped back to the bars. What'd you do with her?!

"Nothing. She's my guest. Safe from everyone else in this castle." Terra's voice paused, and a frown unfurled across Xemnas' face. "Ven…you know I'd never hurt her."

Sora's eyes stung. His vision blurred. His cheeks moistened. But they weren't his tears. "Y—you're here. You're…you're really here."

Ven, you can't—

"No! I can tell. It's Terra. He's in there, Sora!"

As if to prove a point, Xemnas dug through his coat pocket. Pulled out…a Wayfinder?!

He dangled it from its string, letting it sway ever so slightly. "That's right. I'm here, Ven. But you…" He clutched the charm. Squeezed it tight. "You're still trapped, and you deserve so much more..."

This was wrong. So very, very wrong. He'd heard it all before. From Maleficent. From Ursula. From Hook, Hades, Oogie. That kinda sugary-sweet deception. That's all this was! After everything Xemnas had done, that's all it could ever be!

But Ven's tears kept flowing. A deep, agonizing pain gripped his chest. Sora yearned to protest. To tell Ven it was just an act! A lie. To protect him. To spare him from the pain that haunted him even after he gave up his humanity…

But what if it was Riku on the other side of those bars? What then? He hung his head. Wiped the tears.

Still, it'd be stupid to say nothing.

Ven, I know what this looks like, but this can't be Terra! Would Terra mess with the worlds? Would Terra make us his enemies?!

Xemnas—or Terra—replied, "I had to keep up appearances. Even in death, Xehanort has eyes everywhere. Xigbar, Saïx, Xaldin…if they knew the truth, it would be the end of us all." Each word reeked with bitterness. A far cry from his usual monotone. "But this farcical masquerade's gone on long enough. Now that you're here, Ven, you can keep your promise. Do you remember it?"

"I…I'm supposed to be there for you…"

"That's right. And I need you now more than ever…"

x.x.x

Hey, before you go… take care of that heart. And don't be a stranger!

A heart? What a joke. A joke should've made Axel howl with laughter. Instead, it carved a hollow crater in his already empty chest. He sighed, taking a bite from his ice cream and slumping over the clock tower's edge.

This time of day, the bells should've chimed. But with no one left to operate the tower, they hung lifelessly up above. The clock face still ticked away. But for how long? The once-sprawling train tracks no longer spanned over the rolling hills and distant rooftops. No, most of those buildings were now heaps of rubble. The sunset, once a beautiful complement to the sleepy town and its carefree people, now clashed with the desecration down below.

A ruin. Another Radiant Garden.

Axel took another chomp. What did it matter to him? This wasn't even his world. The tower just gave a sweet view…or a bittersweet one. A crooked, twisted smirk crawled across his lips. His face crinkled at the next especially salty bite, and after a few moments, he looked away from the wreckage. Forced himself to gaze up at the rolling clouds.

A swish from the side made him tense. He raised a hand and said, "Look, I already busted my back getting those Cy-Bugs, so if you don't mind, I'd like to enjoy my—"

"Wait, Cy-Bugs?" Shoot. That light, boyish voice was impossible to miss.

Axel grimaced for a split-second before forcing a smile as he looked to his new company. "Gee, kid. How'd you know where to find me?"

Roxas joined him and said with a shrug, "Where else would I find you?"

"Heh. Guess you got it memorized after all." He rubbed the back of his neck with a free hand. "So, what's the occasion? All your Somebody friends busy?"

Roxas paused for a second. Slumped and looked down. "Have you, uh. Heard anything about Xion lately?"

Oh. So that's what this was about.

Axel winced. "See, here's the thing. Your little puppet pal's got a habit of—"

Roxas struck the ledge with his fist. "She's not a puppet!"

Axel scooted back, gesturing with his ice cream. "Okay, okay! But the point is, she's got disappearing acts down to an art."

"So, nobody's seen her since you were in Disney Town?"

"Ugh. So you did hear about that." Terrific. And he was probably gonna pry about those bugs again sooner or later. "Anyway, she's off our radar. Zex thinks she might've had something to do with Lexaeus, but that's still just a guess."

"Then, Lexaeus is…"

"Gone. Just up and croaked. No explanation. No body—ewww!" Some of that ice cream splattered on Axel's coat. The next bite was out of necessity rather than pleasure. He spoke with his mouth full of mushy sea-salt glops, "Not that Lexy's a huge loss for me. Even with a heart, talking to him was like talking to a brick wall, and not just 'cause his head was full of bricks."

He expected Roxas to laugh, at least a little. Instead, he snapped, "How can you joke about that? He was one of your allies!"

Oof. There was that sentimental side talking. Well, Axel prodded his chest with his thumb. "I'm a Nobody, remember? We don't mourn. We update the attendance sheet."

Roxas opened his mouth, then shut it. He slouched again, his gaze distant. "Then, what about the Cy-Bugs? The others said—"

"The mission was a total bomb." With the sigil branded on him, casual treason was a luxury that Axel could no longer afford.

Roxas' eyes narrowed. "Could've fooled me."

"Hey, busting my back doesn't mean I succeeded. Place was a total snafu. The crazy drill sergeant chick didn't help." And that was at least a partial truth. He could still see her cocking that gun of hers, ready to fire. "Point is, I'm beat. You'll have to find your girlfriend on your own."

Roxas puffed up like an angry cat, cheeks bright red, and he whacked Axel's shoulder. "She's not my—!"

Axel's laughter drowned him out. It almost made him forget his lack of feelings. "Man, I wish I had a camera!"

"Ugh!" Roxas grumbled to himself, arms crossed. "Forget it. You don't know where Xion is, but…maybe there's something else you can help me with."

Axel raised an eyebrow at that. "See, here's the other thing. I'm done helping heroes."

"But you've helped us before!"

Axel shrugged. "Thought it would be fun. It wasn't."

"Fun?! You warned us about Twilight Town! You've looked out for Xiruk and Naminé! What's 'fun' about that?"

"Hey, if the whole town got trashed, I'd lose out on my favorite view. And somebody had to stop Zex from totaling the mansion." And what'd he get for it in the end? A burn, straight across his chest. A big, ugly X…

Roxas pouted. Maybe he wasn't entirely convinced. Or maybe he had some delusion of disappointment. "And are you really happy? Working for the Organization, I mean."

"Hello? I'm a Nobody. We just went over that."

"You know what I mean!" Huffing, Roxas looked up at the steadily darkening sky. By now, violets and blues had overtaken the warmer hues. The moon was full tonight, and something about it seemed to shock Roxas' eyes wide open. "Axel…why aren't you recompleted yet?"

Axel made a judgmental face at what had to be the stupidest question he'd ever heard. "I see someone didn't pay attention during Nobody Orientation Day."

Roxas shook his head. "You need Kingdom Hearts—I know—but I've seen it. It's done. If anything, it's gotta be bloated by now. …Why are you still a Nobody?"

That…was a good question. So good, in fact, that Axel breathed through clenched teeth and fought back a shudder. A task made infinitely harder by the brainfreeze. He'd pondered this from time to time. …But so what? Xemnas said it was close now. That he'd get his reward…

Which sounded really ominous, now that he thought about it.

Still, forcing his best poker face, Axel said, "You gotta remember, it ain't just us. We've got whole hordes of lesser Nobodies. If anything, those Dusks are the ones who've got it rough."

"But it's Xemnas!" Roxas' pout became a glare, and he stood up straight. "He's the one who blackmailed me and Xiruk with those fake kill-switches! He forced Naminé to rewrite our memories! He abused us for months all so he could keep us as his puppets." He looked down, and Axel avoided his gaze. "Just…Axel, you know what a monster he is!"

At first, Axel said nothing. His ice cream was still melting, anyway, so he spent a few moments nibbling what was left before wiping his mouth. When he finally spoke again, he mustered up a matching scowl.

"So? Trust 'em, don't trust 'em—doesn't matter. I've flubbed so many times, I've got no choice but to play nice. Chances are, they're listening right now." He pressed his palm against his chest, over the X concealed beneath his coat. "I'm in the same sinking ship as Riku now."

Roxas stumbled back, gawking at his reveal. "Wait, what?!"

"Oh, you haven't heard? Heh. Funny. With the way Xiruk and Aqua rushed to our door, you'd think they woulda told ya."

"No! That's…they'd never be that reckless! Especially after our last break-in."

"It's not really a break-in if you don't break-in. But, I'm just as surprised as you are. They marched right up to the castle, begging for an audience. All so we'd stop tracking the silver-haired wonder…"

"Xiruk…" Roxas' hands rolled into shaking fists. "Then, you've gotta help me, Axel! We gotta save—"

"What part of 'they're tracking me' don't you understand?" His voice was dry. Deadpan. "Face it, Roxas. I. Can't. Help. And the sooner you accept that, the sooner you forget about me, the better off you'll be." Funny, since he was always telling people to get it memorized.

"No way! I'm not just gonna forget a friend." And here came the saccharine speech. "Besides, we need you, Axel! You're our best shot at getting into the castle without having to surrender or play by their rules."

"And there you go, spilling your guts for them to hear." On spilling, Axel flicked the last wad of his melting ice cream at Roxas' coat, making the kid lurch back. With that, he turned his back on the pipsqueak. "Hate to say it, but this is one fight you and your pals just can't win. They've seen you coming for so long, they took every precaution imaginable. And now it's just a matter of time…"

He knew Roxas would protest further, but Axel was sick of listening. So, he summoned a corridor, stepped inside, and disappeared without looking back.

Strangely, Roxas didn't say a word.

x.x.x

Mickey burst from the simulation's laser-entryway and struck the floor with a squeak and a wobble. His eyes rolled around in his head for a few seconds before he stopped, grabbed his cheeks, and shook himself out of his daze, clearing his view of DiZ's murky computer lab. It'd been a rough trip, hopping from world to world and tracking down Keyholes, but hopefully by now he'd bought the others enough time. And that included—

"Afternoon, Mickey," called DiZ, eyes still locked on the mess of monitors before him as he kept on rapping at those keys. "Please wipe your shoes."

Lots of lines of code flashed by, but Mickey was never the best with computers. No, that was Von Drake's area of expertise. So, instead, he cleared his throat and craned his neck. "Uh, hiya, DiZ!"

"Come to check on the progress, I presume?"

He nodded. "Even better. I know a shortcut!"

DiZ blew a heavy sigh. "If it concerns that wretched world of crumbling castles and overgrown weeds, then my answer remains the same."

"But, DiZ, you said it might take ya a few months to finish that encoder, right? But at the rate things are goin', we might not have that long."

DiZ squeezed the arms of his chair, while a scowl no doubt worked its way across his face. "Believe me, I am aware of that probability."

Good. Then, maybe this'd work out after all. "Well, in that case, don't ya think it'd be better to team up? Why, Cid programmed the town's defenses, and Gyro's a real wiz with gadgets! So, if ya put your heads together, I bet you'd have that Encoder all fixed up in a jiffy!"

DiZ said nothing. He remained facing the wall of screens and rapped at the keys further as more windows popped in and out of sight.

Mickey sighed, nearly accepting defeat. And then he remembered one last asset that DiZ couldn't possibly ignore. Something that would have him leaping with joy if he had the chance to work with it. "Oh, and if Cid and Gyro aren't enough, we found this nifty-lookin' program that we can't access yet, but I'm sure you'll love it. It's called the MCP!"

DiZ shot around in his chair, his one eye bulging with volcanic rage.

x.x.x

The sound of Cinderella's cheery humming filled Ansem's study. Where once dust and cobwebs coated the walls, they were now spotless and pristine. Books that had previously flooded the floor or sat in haphazard piles now filled the formerly barren shelves, categorized alphabetically. Those that had yet to be sorted lay in steady stacks on Ansem's desk.

Gone were the glass shards, the ground-in dirt, and exposed wires. Once-crooked frames now hung straight, save for Xehanort's portrait, which still leaned against one of the shelves, leaving the once-hidden password in plain sight on the wall. Under normal circumstances, Naminé would've whipped out her sketchbook for some observational drawing of the office scene.

But they had work to do. Thus, she continued helping Belle, Cinderella, and Leon in their organizational efforts.

But there was one miscellaneous journal that kept prying her attention away from work. Every now and then, morbid curiosity drew her back to it, and so she set her sights back on her book and read to herself in the corner, 'By forcibly injecting light into one of our specimens, we encountered unexpected results. Though he retained his humanity, his body entered a state of…' She shivered as she continued. 'A state of shock. Over the coming days, he developed the most peculiar tendencies. He'd cower in the back of his cell when light shone upon him. Prolonged exposure provoked a strange, almost feral reaction…'

She stopped reading at the sound of approaching footsteps and more of that merry humming. A quick glance up and she found Cinderella a short distance away, dusting the nearby bookshelf. In no time, Cinderella's humming gave way to whistling and singing.

🎶 Just whistle while you work
🎶 And cheerfully together
🎶 We can tidy up the place

Naminé couldn't help but smile sheepishly at the spontaneous little tune. It amazed her to no end how effortlessly the princesses could liven up even the most mundane scenes. Then, Cinderella plucked up the dreary journal from Naminé's hand and filed it under the "Preliminary Light Application" subsection on the shelf, singing as she did.

🎶 So hum a merry tune

🎶 It won't take long
🎶 When there's a song
🎶 To help you set the pace

Leon grumbled. "I see someone's been hanging out with Snow White a little too much."

Still, Belle joined in the spontaneous song number, handing Naminé the broom as she did.

🎶 And as you sweep the room,
🎶 Imagine that the broom
🎶 Is someone that you love

Naminé flustered instantly at the broom in her hands, trying not to picture Xiruk. Belle continued.

And soon you'll find you're dancing to the tune!

Cinderella joined in the last stanza for a brief duet.

🎶 When hearts are high,
🎶 The time will fly,
🎶 So whistle while you work!

Leon sighed as he placed one more book on a shelf. "Gotta say, none of this sounds very productive. Or mentally healthy. We're on a tight schedule here, so—"

The clock chimed twelve. Cinderella beamed. "Lunch break!" And, before Leon could protest, Cinderella was suddenly less than an arm's length away from him and leading him in a waltz as she hummed the rest of the song.

Naminé fought back the urge to laugh at Leon's misfortune, but even with her hand covering her mouth, she couldn't help but giggle uncontrollably.

And then Belle whisked her away in a dance. Naminé squeaked in surprise, but even with two left feet, Belle guided her masterfully, easing her into the dance to match Cinderella and Leon close by. Belle asked her, "Do you know the rest of the song?"

Naminé gulped. "I can't sing. Or dance. Or—"

But Belle led her in an underarm turn as she and Cinderella picked up the cheery song.

🎶 Just whistle while you work

Naminé caught a glimpse of Leon's defeated grimace, eying her in what might've been sympathy if she hadn't laughed at him earlier.

🎶 And cheerfully together

Another spin, Belle released Naminé's hand—

🎶 We can tidy up the place

—and then, when the pirouette ended, she found herself in Leon's arms. He was surprised as well. This must've been the part where the dancers switched partners. Naminé gulped. Not only was Leon more intimidating than Belle, but she wondered how much of this dance he actually knew. It'd be a case of the blind leading the blind.

Which made it all the more surprising when Leon naturally assumed the lead, taking care to mind her balance, and mumbled, "We can keep it simple. Don't worry so much."

And that's how he kept it. Simple and clean, easy for Naminé to pick up on. Basic box steps and even a few circles when Naminé grew confident enough.

Belle and Cinderella continued as they danced flawlessly,

🎶 So hum a merry tune
🎶 It won't take long
🎶 When there's a song
🎶 To help you set the pace

The last circle-step distanced the waltzing pairs a fair bit. Enough for Naminé to gather some semblance of confidence and attempt to sing the next verse under her breath.

🎶 And as you sweep the room,

She fought back a wobbling smile.

🎶 Im—magine th—that the broom

It was getting too silly. Is someone that you l—loveShe giggled uncontrollably again. Leon rolled his eyes, but caught her when she momentarily lost her balance. The princesses only beamed at Naminé's effort as they finished with a flourish,

🎶 And soon you'll find you're dancing to the tune!
🎶 When hearts are high,
🎶 The time will fly,
🎶 So whistle while you work!

Just as the song wrapped up, a round of applause broke out from across the room. Leon's entire body stiffened like a board. He spun on a heel, and the others followed suit with much less haste to find Aerith wearing a smile so tight, Naminé suspected she was fighting back a laugh.

Leon smacked a hand over his face. "Aerith, I swear—"

She cut him off in a sing-song voice, "Why don't you ever take me dancing?"

"That's what Cloud is for."

Aerith tapped a finger to her chin and thought it over with a pleasant smile, no doubt imagining the blonde's clumsiness. "That is an idea…"

Leon brought them back on track. "If you're here, I take it you have news on the footage?"

"Yep, yep. It's all done decrypting!" She stepped aside and swept her arms out in an inviting gesture. "Care to take look?"

"Not like we're getting anywhere with the reports." Leon shot what might've been a glare at the princesses, who only grinned at his grumpiness. Leon only shook his head before stepping through the door. Naminé, Cinderella, and Belle trailed behind.

They gathered around the terminal as Leon hunched over the screen. "Hmm. Security Footage and Archive… Let's start here."

He clicked under Archive, selecting one of the many files from the list. Seconds later, a window popped up, showing a featureless white room. Within that room stood a tall figure in a lab coat, noteworthy for his shoulder-length silver hair. Xehanort.

Before him stood a boy with spiky black hair and what looked like a blue, sleeveless turtleneck and matching baggy pants. Manacles bound his hands, and judging by his hunched posture and raspy breaths, he seemed…fatigued. Or hurt.

Leon's eyes widened at the sight of him, and Aerith cried out, "Zack!"

The footage flickered, grainy and low-res.

Both the princesses looked to one another, but opted not to speak. Likewise, Naminé remained silent as the video continued.

"Terra, please! I know you're still in there!"

Xehanort folded his arms. "Again and again, you prattle on about this Terra. When will it end?"

"When you stop being a massive turd and get this through your skull!" And despite the ominous presence Xehanort surely imposed, Zack flashed a grin. "Or do you still not get it? The face, the hair, the amnesia—you're obviously Terra! Or are you as stupid as Braig says?"

"I…" Xehanort paused. Grunted. Stumbled back and grasped his head. "That is… Don't be absurd!"

"But it's true, isn't it?" Zack moved closer, as far as the chains would allow him. "And if this is what all these experiments are about, then shut it down! I'd be more than happy to help ya fill in the blanks."

Another groan. Xehanort's breathing grew heavier. The footage flickered again. "Then elaborate. Now."

"That amnesia erase your manners, too?" It was amazing how he was still such a smart-aleck despite the circumstances. Zack paused to collect his thoughts, then spoke, "See, we met back in this world called Olympus. You were this big, hot-shot warrior with a magic Key, cruising through the games and taking names!"

Xehanort tensed, his posture straightened. "A…Keyblade?" He closed in on Zack, took his shoulders in hands. "I wielded a Keyblade?"

"Yeah, and you kinda saved my life with it! See, I had some darkness issues once. Went all berserk, couldn't control myself, then, BAM! Here you are, beating that darkness right outta me."

"That…would explain your abnormally high tolerance." Xehanort's voice remained strained. His grip on Zack's shoulders tightened. "But I…was a warrior? A Keybearer? I was…"

Something resembling a compact burst of lightning shot past Xehanort's shoulder and struck Zack's neck, blasting him off his feet with a sudden shriek. He crashed against the wall and collapsed on the floor. Xehanort whirled around with a glare.

"Braig, what is the meaning of this?"

Another figure, clad in a bluish-grey uniform, strutted into the room, carrying what must've been an electroshock pistol. His scarred face and eyepatch stood out even on the low-quality footage. Xigbar—or his human self, at any rate. "Just doin' you a favor."

"By silencing him in the middle of a crucial interrogation?"

"Little punk was full of lies, callin' you Terra. I killed Terra a long time ago, after he went berserk and slew his own master. You might have some quirks, but you're no madman."

Naminé's breath stopped, and she heard Cinderella gasp beside her.

"He's lying," Belle said. "Remember, Aqua faced Terra herself. If she says Terra's still out there, then I believe her."

With the momentary shock dispelled, the footage played on. Xehanort glanced from Zack to Braig. "I… I…" He took his head in both hands.

But Braig steadied him with a hand on his shoulder. Looked him in the eye. "Besides, this kid's got plenty of other uses. I mean, you said it yourself—his heart's got some killer darkness tolerance. So, how's about we take a look and see what makes him so special?"

"Yes… Of course. It is most resilient." Xehanort's voice steadied. He released his head as Braig released his shoulder. "Very well, then, Braig. Transport the boy to the operating table, and inform Even immediately."

The feed cut to static. Silence filled the room. Aerith squeezed her eyes shut tight and clamped a hand over her mouth, while Leon pounded the desk with his fist.

"Damn it!" He let out one shaky breath, then inhaled deeply. "All that time, I knew something was off, but nobody listened. They let these sick experiments happen right under their noses."

"But what could we have done?" said Aerith. "This all happened behind closed doors. Not even Ansem himself could've stopped them."

"A kingdom of fools," called a deep, booming voice, "and Ansem was the worst fool of them all."

Naminé immediately turned around, only to find a towering figure in the doorway, his face bound in red bandages. She recognized him instantly, her eyes shooting apart in terror as she stumbled back into Belle's arms.

As DiZ advanced, Leon moved ahead of the others, taking a defensive stance. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

"I'm your only hope at stopping Xehanort. Now, get out of my way." He brushed past Leon, past the princesses as well, and gave Naminé only a brief glance. One that terrified her to her core.

She shied away. Ducked her head. "You're…DiZ, right?"

"Sure is!" said Mickey, zipping into the room.

By the time Mickey reached the others, DiZ had already parked himself at the terminal, and though Leon peered over his shoulder, DiZ showed no signs of stopping.

"Hey. What do you think you're doing?"

"Running a virus scan." The list of archival footage minimized as he toggled through a number of various screens and schematics, seeming to beeline for something in particular. At last, he stopped, straightened, and pointed at an icon labeled Master Control Program. "There it is, just as Mickey said. A program that would cause irreparable damage beyond the system itself if left unchecked."

Leon stared incredulously at DiZ. As he looked to the icon, he brought a hand to his face and groaned. "The king brings us a fool who can't tell a central processing unit from a Trojan horse."

DiZ growled, right-clicking to analyze the program's properties. "How arrogant of a steward, neglecting even to check that the program's contents match its label." He gestured to the new information on screen, "This is a foreign program that contains administrative privileges. It is far worse than any Trojan; this malware is the unholy union of spyware, rookits, and botnets all in one."

The princesses and King Mickey stared blankly at DiZ's proclamation. Even Naminé had to admit that his jargon was a lot to take in. Leon, however, managed a neutral stare despite DiZ's insult.

Heaving a heavy sigh, DiZ elaborated, "In other words, so long as that insidious program remains within the system, none of you are safe! It can and will overtake all mechanical functions, and this computer would be only the start." A command prompt popped up, and he typed hastily. "You should have considered that before attempting to access the DTD." Another window popped up. "Words cannot express how immeasurably fortunate you are that the MCP has yet to utilize any of the data within."

Belle spoke up, "You sure seem to know a lot about this computer." Her face was scrunched in what Naminé could only guess was deep contemplation.

"One would certainly hope so, given your haphazard handling." His head snapped toward Leon. "And you, Squall—Mickey has informed me that you are the leading authority on this world. Which means that the onus of responsibility rests with you."

A vicious glare overtook Leon's face. "How could I—?"

But Mickey stepped between them, waving his gloved hands. "Now, wait a sec! I'm not sayin' you're wrong, DiZ, but couldn't ya have warned us beforehand?"

DiZ's one visible eye popped wide-open, but only for a second. "Had I known the Master Control Program was reactivated, then I surely would have. But you and the Replica neglected to mention that particular detail during our last encounter."

"Oh. Right…" Mickey's tail dropped to the floor, and his head drooped. "Shucks, I, uh. Guess we all got so caught up that—"

"That you're lucky I'm here at all. However much the MCP has gleaned, I may yet be able to thwart it."

Quiet until now, Naminé took one tiny step closer to DiZ. She bit her lip, waffling on whether or not to speak before finally saying, "So, you're really going to help us?"

"Considering that you could have very well doomed this world, then yes, I will. Because it is clear that your negligence—"

Leon cut him off. "Would you shut up already?! This so-called 'negligence' rebuilt the world from nothing, banished the Heartless, and saved countless people from across the stars. What have you done for the worlds?"

"Guys, please!" Naminé slipped between the two. "We won't get anywhere if we start fighting ourselves."

"Naminé's right!" said Mickey. "Right now, we oughta stop butting heads and start putting our heads together."

DiZ scoffed. "Very well, but I must analyze the current status of the datascape before we proceed any further. It is clear to me that Xehanort's tampered with it over the past decade, and we cannot risk even the slightest breach of security, lest our efforts be for naught."

Leon crossed his arms. "Speaking of security, has anyone wondered how you know all this?"

Silence in the room. No one had the opportunity to consider it. DiZ had simply barged right in and taken over. DiZ tensed in the chair.

Leon continued, "You talk about Xehanort like you knew him personally, and you certainly know more about this computer than anyone else on the world. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were with Xehanort. Or maybe...we never found his Heartless' body."

Naminé stepped in. "That's impossible. Riku defeated Ansem once and for all in the simulation! There's no body to find."

Leon raised an eyebrow at Naminé's assertion. She shrank away immediately after, surprised at herself.

But Mickey supported her, "Leon, Xehanort's Heartless was as much an enemy to DiZ as he was to any of us. And if that's not all, I've seen DiZ and Xemnas hold a gun to each other's heads. Xemnas would've done him in if I and the others hadn't saved him. And this was back when Riku was in the simulation—under DiZ's care! He might not be the friendliest guy, but there are few people in all the worlds that I trust more than DiZ."

"Fine." Leon threw up his hands, his exasperation clear as day. "Guess that gives us time to fetch Cid and Gyro." He cast another glare at DiZ. "But I'm warning you now…" He clamped a hand on Naminé's shoulder, making her squeak. "Naminé is one of us. If I even suspect that you try to harm her again... "

"Um… you don't have to…"

"No, I'm with Leon," said Belle. "You're just as much a part of the Restoration Committee as anyone else, Naminé."

"And we certainly won't let anyone else abuse you," Cinderella added.

DiZ turned his focus back to the monitor. "You worry for nothing. Naminé is now as useless to me as the rest of you."

Naminé fidgeted. "Then…I think I can trust you," though her words came out slow, and Leon's grip remained firm. "I'll be okay, Leon."

"Hm. Fine." Leon released his hold, then turned away. "Just be careful, okay?"

A small nod was all the assurance Leon needed, it seemed, or maybe he just wanted to escape DiZ's frustrating presence. Whatever the case, he wandered off for the time being.

As a wave of calm washed over the computer room, Mickey toddled to Naminé's side.

"Say, how come Xiruk isn't with ya?"

x.x.x

Xemnas…was Terra. No matter how Aqua tried to deny it, that was an inescapable truth.

A truth that carved a hollow cavity in her chest. Left her cold. Numb, yet gored by a thousand icy needles. The room seemed to teeter. Walls crept closer. Tears still leaked from her eyes, no matter how tightly she shut them. Though the minutes stretched on and on and reality set in, the agony never faded.

Because the Terra she remembered…the Terra she clung to for all those years, lost in solitude and trapped in the deepest darkness…the Terra she drove away with doubt and distrust…

Had become her greatest adversary.

No matter how impossible things seem...a powerful enough dream will always be enough to light the darkness.

She could still see his smile. Hear the warmth in his voice. His hope. His convictions…in that encounter, within the palace halls, his light burned so bright.

And then…

And what is this dangerous task, Terra? It doesn't sound like what the Master told you to do.

She slammed a fist on the bed. Why? Why did she ever say that to him? Why did she ever doubt? Xemnas' own words kept echoing in a sickening cacophony, clouding her mind even further.

Unfortunately…there was nobody left to light the way.

Nobody left…

I just want to…protect the things that matter.

Aqua suppressed the urge to bury her face in the pillows, to scream bloody murder at the top of her lungs 'til her vocal chords snapped and she lost her breath. But she couldn't. Not here. Not with Xiruk so close. Maybe Ringabel. He was always good at listening. Patient, trustworthy, willing to lower his own barriers. Bruised and broken like her, yet ever persistent. Always forcing a smile, always lifting the mood. An enviable skill. Oh, what she'd give for one of his silly quips right now…

But he was worlds away, and though Xiruk had suffered at Xemnas' hands, and despite his maturity, he was still just a kid. Still learning, still growing. She had to be a good role model. She had to stand firm, if only for his sake. So, she seized her Wayfinder, slowing her breathing. Desperately fighting to clear the haze in her mind, for Xiruk's sake as well as hers.

She should have known better. No matter who Xemnas was, that didn't excuse his crimes or ambitions. Yet, her heart still ached, and still, she fought back sobs. Breathed in, then out. In, then out. She had to stay strong. Sturdy. This was no time to falter, despite the weaponized nostalgia of her surroundings. Even though this wouldn't have happened if she hadn't pushed him way. Even though he clearly resented her words after all these years, heart or not, yet exposed his identity at great personal risk.

Even though he'd left before she could question him further, clear her head, something, anything to—

"Aqua?"

Aqua clutched her charm reflexively, but relaxed once reality set in and she found Xiruk standing before her. Still, she avoided eye contact. This was still so much to take in. She could've lied and said she was fine, but…

No. He'd see right through her.

"I'm…" She took another deep breath. "I need a minute."

"Aqua, c'mon. You've had plenty of 'minutes' already." He settled back onto the mattress beside her. "And you don't have to look strong for my sake."

She winced. As she suspected, he'd practically read her mind. She smiled weakly. "Honestly, Xiruk, I think you're the one staying strong for me at this point." The smile faded as she blew an immense sigh. "But, there's just too much to process. Especially now, when Riku's safety's on the line."

"Would it help to take things out on the furniture?"

"No!" Well, maybe a little. "This is…it's Terra's room. It's just the way I remember it, so I can't…"

"Then scream into the pillows. Or punch them. I doubt Xemnas cares that much."

She looked down. After a moment's contemplation, she reluctantly lifted the pillow from its spot. Still, screaming with Xiruk so close by… It felt wrong. It was too much vulnerability, even if, by all logic, she needed to let it out.

He must've sensed this, because he soon left her side to peruse Xemnas' desk.

Seconds later, he dug something out of a drawer and whistled. "Well, what do we have here?"

"Xiruk! You can't just sift through Terra's belongings."

He turned around, waving a hardback notebook. "And why not? Xemnas has been spying on Riku. I'd say what goes around comes around."

Aqua dug her fingers into the pillow, brow tight and eyes narrow. She wanted to protest, and yet…

"And you can't tell me you've never read Terra's diary before."

"…All right."

He repressed a surprised laugh. "Wait, have you?"

"Just open it."

Xiruk returned to her side, and she kept her eyes fixed to the notebook.

She flinched momentarily at the sight of Terra's handwriting. Nonetheless, she read on.

Entry I.

'They say freedom comes at a price. Now I know it's true.

In the time I spent grappling with Xehanort's heart, so many people suffered. So many people got swept off the streets. Parents. Children. I practically tore their hearts from their bodies. That's not something I can forget. I can't undo it either.

I was too weak, and now Aqua's gone.

She should've let me take the fall. At least then the worlds would have a hero.'

"Terra…" She choked out his name. The tears returned at full force. Not just because of the familiar writing, but his word choice. His tone. It lacked the cold, brutal edge Xemnas displayed now. Was that…genuine regret? And she wasn't there. Neither was Ven. No anchors. No guiding lights…

She had to look away again, if only to collect herself.

"You want me to put it back?"

"No… I have to know more." Maybe this journal would explain how he lost his way.

So Xiruk flipped the page.

Entry II.

'Even after I freed myself from Xehanort, I can't escape him. His plans, his goals, they're all scarred into my mind. The

χ-blade. The Keyblade War. Thirteen vessels for his parasite heart…

But no. I won't allow it. One Xehanort was one too many.

I don't know what I'll do now. No matter how many times I search our old home, nothing changes. Its endless white walls are a labyrinth. Only sometimes will my surroundings shift to something more familiar.

But my Wayfinder keeps reacting. Ven must be here…

So, why do I feel so apathetic? No matter how hard I try, I can't feel a thing. No guilt. No regrets. No

No pain.'

Thirteen.

Not one. Not even two, but…thirteen?! It only occurred to Aqua when she noticed the pinching pains that her fists were shaking violently.

But this…it wasn't Ter—no, Xemnas' objective. He'd…searched for Ven. Come so close. So far, he'd retained some semblance of who he was…

"This is so weird," Xiruk said, rubbing his forehead as he read and reread. "Just how old are these entries? And, man, how did he get to be like…well." He gestured with one hand, as if searching for the right words. "You've seen him, so…"

"I wish I knew." But the only way to learn was to continue reading.

Entry III

'The others are like me. Empty. Xehanort's reports had a term for this: Nobodies.

Hollow husks devoid of hearts. It explains my endless apathy. I should be terrified, yet here I am. Perfectly calm.

That's probably for the best. I already almost blew my cover on the night the others found me.

It was my intention to kill Braig in his sleep. I crept close, ready to thrust that accursed Keyblade through his back, but then a tiny voice spoke up.

Ienzo.

I faltered. Even without a heart, I didn't want to murder in front of a kid. But now that he's seen me, I've lost my only chance. Ienzo was close to Xehanort. They all were.

So, maybe Xehanort's knowledge is a blessing in disguise. If I focus, I can adequately emulate his vocabulary. I possess enough of his knowledge to take the script he has provided and cherry pick the most pertinent points. As I scrutinize the depths of this knowledge, one thing remains constant.

Kingdom Hearts.

A conglomerate of hearts, powerful and pristine. In Xehanort's hands, it'd surely doom the universe.

But the worlds are already spiraling into the abyss. Stars are fading. The shadows claim the hearts of the innocent, and the wicked still reign.

But I'm not afraid of what the darkness holds now. Fear no longer shackles me.

So I'll take that power in my own hands, and with it, I'll set things right.'

Aqua gave a sharp, pained grunt. She tore her eyes off the page, eyelids snapping shut. What was she supposed to think about this? Just how long ago did he write this passage? He made it all out to be some grand ruse for a greater objective. Did that change? And if so, when? And why?

Just…why?

When Xiruk's gloved hand fell over hers, she nearly lashed out—fortunately, she had the sense to hold her position. She froze, but nothing more.

"Look, I get it. This is a lot to take in. I'm just as lost as you are."

"No, you're not." Her heart stopped the moment she said it, shocked at her own audacity. Xiruk raised an eyebrow, surprised as well. Aqua sighed, ashamed. "You didn't deserve that. I'm sorry. It's just…you didn't grow up with Terra like I did. You didn't push him away from home and make him the monster he is today."

And, in hindsight, maybe Terra's downfall twelve years ago wasn't as grotesque as she'd once believed. She'd only had the word of her Master and Maleficent to go off of, yet she'd accused him without a second thought.

Pathetic.

But, as a Master, she was supposed to pursue the greater good. To set aside personal obligations and act as sword and shield for the worlds. Xemnas' actions were unquestionably wrong, and yet—

The air whipped. Shadows sprung from across the room, and Xemnas emerged. He seemed only slightly surprised at the book in Xiruk's grasp. "Not my juvenescent poetry, I hope." To Aqua's relief, he spoke in the deeper, more ominous voice she'd come to expect from the Nobody.

Xiruk stiffened, dropping the book in surprise. "Aqua, did Terra really—?"

But Aqua had already stood from the bed, fists and teeth clenched as she glared into Xemnas' yellow eyes. "Explain yourself. Now."

The light, empty smile faded, replaced by a more somber expression and that heart-wrenchingly familiar voice. "Aqua, I would love to, but—"

"I was talking to Xemnas." She wasn't ready to accept that Terra could be responsible for the crimes of this Nobody.

Xemnas sighed and shook his head. He spoke in his own voice again, "We are not here to discuss my plans, but what is to be done with Riku. He has regrettably declined my offer. It seems he would rather continue tormenting his loved ones than live freely once more."

Xiruk scowled, arms crossed. "Gee, I wonder why."

Xemnas answered Xiruk with a glance and nothing more. His focus remained on Aqua. "There is still an alternative…"

Ven.

Aqua gulped. This was…so much more complicated than she had ever imagined. Xemnas' actions remained underhanded, yet he'd searched for Ven all those years ago. Maybe even missed him. It didn't even begin to justify the Organization's actions. She hardly intended to leap to forgiveness, regardless of how much he'd suffered…

Regardless of the guilt still gnawing at her from within.

"But…" She hesitated, then glared in full force. "That's not my choice to make. Sora is not a bargaining chip."

"Did I say he was?" Xemnas' tone was flat as a board. "The choice is his alone."

x.x.x

Sora paced back and forth, around and around. His claws scraped the floor. His eyes burned bright. He could feel Ven's presence shivering inside him. His light pulsated, fluttered. Practically bounced around inside Sora's chest.

Given Xemnas' words, Sora couldn't blame him. It was too much to process. So much to take in. Sora at least had the benefit of hindsight to leave him guarded, but for Ven, this was so much more personal. A connection Sora couldn't begin to rival, no matter how hard he tried. But Ven's continued anguish made his spine tingle and his chest ache.

So he stopped, lifting one clawed hand and bringing it over his chest.

Ven…c'mon, you can talk to me. It's okay.

"But how is it okay?! Terra wants me to wake up, Sora, but you know I can't do that! Not while you're still a Heartless…"

His voice cracked. Strained. Sora's vision started to blur again from another bout of inky tears. Nose wrinkling, he reached up and wiped away the incoming waterfalls.

He wanted to offer some form of reassurance, longed to whisper words of support, but…

How was he supposed to handle this?

Across the hall, a corridor twisted into view, and though Sora hissed and flexed his claws in anticipation, the two emerging figures immediately shattered his guard.

He scrambled to the bars as Aqua bolted his way, shouting, "Sora!"

Xiruk turned on a heel, glowering at Xemnas as he joined them in the hall. "Is this your idea of a joke?! I thought you said this was their choice, Xemnas!"

Aqua clutched one of the bars, glaring daggers at the Nobody. "Let them go."

Xemnas brushed past Xiruk, not even batting an eye. "Rest assured, I have no intention of keeping them trapped within these walls. But what I said before still stands." He locked eyes with Sora, shifting his voice back to Terra's. "Ven deserves to be free, and if you two cooperate, I'll make sure the Organization stops tracking Riku for good."

Sora looked down, scraping his claws against the floor again. It all seemed so simple. Too simple, but…

He looked up again, expression firm. How do I know we can trust you?

Terra's voice replied, "Because I hold all the cards, and I've kept you all safe. I have for years." He paused to let the words sink in.

Aqua opened her mouth, but Terra's voice continued before she got a word out. "More to the point, Riku is at his wit's end. But you, Sora, have the power to save him." He slowly turned his gaze toward Aqua.

Aqua looked away. Her hands clenched, then unclenched.

This was sick. Underhanded, and yet…

"Sora, you can't. We don't know what it'll do to you!"

Sora hung his head. He looked down at his clawed hands, flexing and unflexing. They'd discussed it before. It'd been obvious for a while how much Ven yearned for freedom. How much he put up with solely for Sora's sake. Sharing control of his body wasn't enough. A cage was a cage, and Ven couldn't even use his Keyblade like this.

Sora…was holding him back.

"Sora, you better not be thinking what I think you are."

Sora's claws curled against his palm, forming a tight fist. You know I am.

"No! I don't want you getting hurt for my sake!"

But it's not just for your sake! It's for Aqua. For Riku. For…the worlds, Ven. They need a hero like you.

"But…I don't wanna leave you."

Past Xemnas and Aqua, Xiruk lifted his palms and said, "Look, I don't know what's going on here, but if you need a surrogate Keybearer, use me instead of Riku. Throw a dozen missions at me—I don't care."

Xemnas—no, Terra?—shook his head. "My brother is irreplaceable."

Sora felt his and Ven's shared heart tremble with wild, mixed emotion at Terra calling Ven his brother.

Crouching down, Aqua reached through the bars to cup Sora's cheek. "Please, both of you, you don't have to rush into this. I don't want either one of you to get—"

Sora reached up and nudged her hand away. He forced his lips into a smile in spite of the circumstances and gave her a thumbs up.

But then, Sora's hands flew to his head against his will. His claws dug into his hair. He stood up straight, shook his head.

That wasn't gonna fly. Shutting his eyes, Sora plunged deep, deep down, to the stained-glass platform now smothered in shadow. He hit the ground feet-first and seized Ven's shoulders.

"Ven, you gotta cut this out! You know there's no other way around this."

"No!" He clamped one hand over Sora's. "There has to be more to this! We should go back. Talk to Yen Sid. Merlin. Somebody who could fix Riku without putting your heart on the line."

"And how're we gonna do that if our powers don't work?" Sora sighed. "Face it, Ven. Xemnas has us cornered…and I don't think he'll settle for anything less than you."

"But—"

"Hey, c'mon. It's…not so bad, right?" A weak, tired laugh crept up from inside Sora. "You've wanted this all along. I know you have. And…besides, now you know the truth about Terra."

"…Yeah. I guess I do." Ven's eyes watered, and his grip on Sora's hand tightened. He made no efforts to pry it away. "I miss him, Sora. And…I did make a promise. I said I'd be there, but…" Trailing off, he gazed down at the smoky floor. His posture slackened. "He's not the only one who needs me. And I…"

"Ven…" Sora pulled his hands back, then embraced him in a hug. "You stuck with me when I needed you most. You gave me a second chance and cheered me on when no one else would. That's way more than I could've ever asked for after some of the stupid stunts I pulled."

After a few moments of silence, Ven returned the hug, good and tight. He rested his chin on Sora's head. "Don't say that. You've always been a good person, Sora. Getting caught up in Maleficent's schemes doesn't change that. You're a true hero, Keyblade or not. You matter just as much as I do—maybe even more."

Sora huffed. The contact was nice. He wouldn't question how metaphysical heart-hugs even worked. But for now, he pulled apart. "Man, we're just gonna argue in circles at this rate."

"Yeah, well, if it keeps you from doing something stupid, I could hug you for days."

"Well, I can't." Sora blew a small sigh. "Because the fact is, Terra needs you more right now."

Ven's eyes widened. "No, that's—"

"You know it's true, Ven. He's literally the biggest threat to the worlds right now, but he still cares about you. So, maybe he's not a lost cause. Between you and Aqua, I know you can save him."

"But what about saving you?"

"Heh." Sora's cheeks puffed up, and he rubbed the back of his neck. "C'mon. Haven't you already done that?"

"That's not what I mean, and you know it! And what about Riku and Kairi?"

Sora shivered. That…was a fair point. "Well…if the worst comes outta this…tell 'em it was my choice."

"Sora…" Ven wiped his eye. "You really oughta tell 'em yourself!"

Sora sighed. "I was willing to sacrifice myself to bring Kairi back. I never expected I'd stick around. The fact that I got this much extra time…it's more than I could ask for."

Ven stomped his foot, pouting. "So you're just giving up?"

Sora smiled wanly. "No. I'm just keeping my promise to you and Roxas. Most of it, anyway."

"…Right." Ven sniffled. "Well. Guess there's no stopping you."

"Nope! You're waking up, whether you like it or not, but…" He extended his hand. "If we're lucky, I'll see ya on the other side."

After a moment of staring, Ven took Sora's hand. "You better…"

And just like that, Sora's Heartless eyes opened once more. He stood up straight, dug out his notepad and wrote, 'We'll do it.'

x.x.x

Pressure bubbled and roiled throughout Xion's body. It felt as though every muscle was about to burst. Still, she flexed her twitching fingers and raised her throbbing arm, psychokinetically tearing an enormous chunk of rock off the sandy shore with the new power she'd absorbed from Lexaeus.

Chrysanthemum and Éclair watched closely, their eyes following the motion of the floating stone. At Xion's slightest movements, the rock warped and deformed into something slimmer and conical. At Xion's command, it came to a rest atop another chiseled block of stone, one of hundreds. With the last spire set, Xion's crude replica of Xemnas' castle stood tall and imposing on the black sands. It was only a fraction of the true castle's size, yet this 'miniature' towered over Xion and her friends just the same.

She'd never seen the castle herself. Even during the failed siege nearly a year ago, the barrier was practically opaque. It was only through the intel files from Chrysanthemum's turncoat Dusks that she had any idea what it looked like.

It had taken over an hour to construct, and with the last stone placed, she collapsed to her knees and gasped hoarsely, sweat drenching her aching muscles.

Stranger yet, Éclair gawked at the sight, seemingly in genuine awe…at least for a few seconds. After the initial shock at Xion's handiwork, she turned to Chrysanthemum and said with a notable tremble in her voice, "Aw, isn't that cute? They grow up so fast…"

A tiny smile worked its way across Xion's face despite the overwhelming fatigue. A compliment from Éclair—even a backhanded one—was rare indeed.

Éclair's smirk steadied, and she clasped her hands together. "Nice work, kid. …Now, let's see you smash it."

In most other cases, Xion might've grumbled at the extra labor. This exercise was a test to ensure she'd memorized the castle's layout and key weaknesses. It had taken months of studying to memorize a single wing, but actually constructing a scale model with the powers she'd siphoned from Lexaeus was a grueling test she'd never anticipated.

But in this case, she didn't think of destroying her handiwork as the final exam. It was her reward.

And so, with ragged breaths and a crooked smile, Xion stumbled back to her feet, broke into a walk, a jog, a sprint, drawing her fist back as she did. With a final burst of solidified sand beneath her feet, she launched high into the air, careening straight for the stone castle's heart. With a shriek baring all the hatred she'd garnered for Xemnas and his Organization, she drove her fist into the stone keep, obliterating it and the rest of the castle in a tidal wave of powderized earth.

Her entire body rippled with an electrifying energy on contact, and she sailed through the destructive dust cloud, pivoting on her heel as she landed, and snatching one specific rock fragment out of millions from the obsidian fallout. It was no larger than her fist, yet she'd put the most care and detail into this one, making sure to find it after the castle was complete. She gazed into the effigy's lifeless eyes: the lord of the castle. Xemnas, helpless in the palm of her hand…

…and crushed like rotted bones when she snapped her fist shut. His remains poured like sand through her gloved fingers, dispersing with the rest of the castle's sandy fragments.

Crushing her greatest enemy like it was nothing…removing the last obstacle to saving herself from what she was becoming…it was all so…so liberating…

Yet the surge of power made her shiver, and once her knees gave out and she hit the ground again, she gazed down at her hands, half-expecting them to had changed to match her new strength. But, unlike Lexaeus, they retained their smaller size. Yet, she could feel the rock-hard muscles of her arms concealed beneath the leathery sleeves.

And worse, the silver streaks had overtaken more of her hair, leaving only ribbons of black in their place. Thus, while Éclair cheered at her display of brute strength, her enthusiasm failed to lift Xion's spirits.

Instead, she slumped against yet another hunk of black stone, shoulders slumped and arms loosely folded.

The sand nearby crunched. Éclair drew near, gripping her shoulder and trying to look into Xion's eyes—the electric, blue-green eyes that she was so self-conscious of. "What's the matter? I thought you'd be thrilled! After all, you just trashed your worst enemy without breaking a—" Her nose scrunched and her face twisted as she pulled away. "Okay, so you broke a lot of sweat."

Xion didn't have the heart to react, either with a giggle or a grumble. "I know, but…" She reached up, tugging a lock of hair beneath her hood.

Chrysanthemum said calmly as he approached, "Ah, I understand." He joined Éclair by Xion's side. He even sat down amid the rubble for level eye contact with her. "You're worried about your body, aren't you?"

Xion whimpered and nodded. "It's still scary. I swear I'm not trying to be ungrateful, but—"

"No, no. It's all right." His voice was soft. Soothing. Warm, like his smile. "You have every right to worry, Xion. Your very existence hangs in the balance."

She looked up at him, but a smile failed to form. Validation could only solve so much. "It's just…I don't want to rush you, either. Fighting the Organization is way more important."

"Éclair and I would love nothing more than to break the Organization for good…" He took her hand. "But not if it means breaking a promise. And, as luck would have it, I may have discovered a place that holds the key to restoring you."

"Y—You have?"

"It's just a small chance, but as I recall, Vexen had performed some rudimentary Replica experiments within Castle Oblivion. The answers we seek would most likely be somewhere within its walls." He stroked his chin, eyes half-lidded. "Unfortunately, the castle is a labyrinth, and one of great value to Xemnas. Attempting to enter now would be suicide. But, if we could make you stronger, take down one more Organization member…"

The swoosh of a corridor cut the conversation short, and Chrysanthemum's two Dusks sprung from the portal and skidded across the sand, wiggling haphazardly and nearly tripping over one another. Both performed a salute, one of them doing so with a manila folder in its flimsy hand, smacking itself in the forehead with it.

Under normal circumstances, Xion might have laughed at their antics, but the most she mustered was a weak, "Hey, Zippy. Hey, Booper." She'd named them.

The two Dusks wiggled excitedly at seeing her again. …Or, she hoped it was excitement, and not continued objection at their nicknames. Dusk body language was still beyond her comprehension.

But while Éclair groaned and sneered at the sight of them, Chrysanthemum approached his followers and accepted the folder.

"Ah, more intel. But…what's this?" He flipped through the papers. "Number…fourteen?"

One of the Dusks—Zippy—swayed from side to side, then did a little hop with a kick.

Chrysanthemum ignored him (Xion decided Zippy was a him) and stroked his chin. "Well, that's certainly unexpected. But, in light of Lexaeus' death, and so long after Vexen's, they are growing shorthanded."

This seemed to pique Éclair's interest, as she hurried over and peeked over Chrysanthemum's shoulder. Not to be left out, Xion hustled behind them.

Chrysanthemum lowered the folder so that they could all read in unison.

'Number XIV: Nahxs
'Element: Glass

'Newly recruited from worlds unknown, he has existed as a Nobody for many years, having cast away his heart of his own volition. Cunning, cutthroat, and driven, his power is not to be trifled with. An unparalleled swordsman, strategist, and wielder of enchanted glass, his powers range from amplifying a person's darkest nature to replicating his opponent's abilities. Perfect for corrupting others into Heartless and for battling Keybearers.'

The file lacked any images, leaving the trio with no visual cues to go on. Not even a profile of his hooded form.

Éclair groaned. "Ugh. What kind of element is glass?"

The graveness in Chrysanthemum's expression and tone unsettled Xion. "Perhaps the most dangerous element of all…" Neither Xion nor Éclair understood his concerns. He elaborated, "Read right here. 'Replicating his opponent's abilities.'"

Éclair scoffed and slapped a hand on her hip. "What, you think I can't handle a little static shock? I do my hair with it."

Chrysanthemum shook his head. "That's not what worries me." He turned to Xion, eyes more grim and intense than she'd ever seen, and her heart sank at the anticipation of what she knew would be a dire warning. "Xion, if this man can truly copy the powers of his enemies, then it is absolutely crucial that you never face him."

She frowned. "And why no—" She realized why the moment her foot bumped into something. A chunk of decimated, black rock. One of the countless leftovers from her devastating performance only a few minutes ago.

Chrysanthemum nodded. "Exactly. You are now the most powerful Keybearer who has ever lived, and this is only the beginning of your potential. If Nahxs were to face you in combat, he would be unstoppable."

"But…but I gotta take one more of them down, right? That's the only way we can get into Castle Oblivion and escape with our lives! And if we don't get into Vexen's lab, then I'll be—"

The other Dusk—Booper—swiped the folder out of Chrysanthemum's hand and rifled through the pages.

Éclair snapped at her (Xion decided Booper was a her), "Hey! We are not playing fetch with the intel!"

But Booper handed the folder back to the trio after pointing frantically at the page she had turned to. Éclair's eyes brightened as she beamed at the new info. "Well, lookie that, kid! You're gonna get your next Nobody meal after all."

Chrysanthemum took the folder and elaborated, "Nahxs is working with Xaldin…on a world called Arendelle."

TO BE CONTINUED

A/N: Sorry about the lack of updates, guys! The reason for it is that I'm also participating in the Kingdom Hearts Big Bang on tumblr, which means that I have another fanfic in the works. I won't be releasing it until this fall, but the entire story has to be done by around November. Antipode will still be updating! I'll just be juggling two stories for the time being. To make up for it, I wanted to give an extra meaty chapter.

A lot of callbacks to earlier points in the story. Can you believe it's been three years since I posted Axel's previous appearance? Same with Xion, Marluxia, and Larxene! It was important to re-establish certain details as a refresher.

There's also a super small thing in Aqua's scene that I think one of my regular reviewers will appreciate. ;) Something she was thinkin' about, hehe. Special thanks, as always, to chickenscrews for his help editing as well. The spontaneous song number and cute nicknames for the Dusks were his idea.

Anyway, before I go…

Guest Isa: Yeah, Xigbar is gonna be SUPER important, and I am thrilled. Honestly, KH3 really gave me a new appreciation for the character, and it inspired me to make him extra cool in the Treasure Planet finale. A lot of things that happened in the finale will come up in some capacity later, and I look forward to follow up as a reslt.

Riku definitely needs to cut back on his recklessness, but he's kinda in a rough spot right now given that everyone just crash-landed in Arendelle and he saw Sora get kidnapped. Next chapter will certainly be a fun ride as far as showing the immediate aftermath/consequences.

The thing that was overlooked is SUPER subtle, but there are hints in both this story and The Year Between. Castle Oblivion scenes are of note.

As always, I wanna thank everyone for reading and for their feedback! See you next time. C: (Also, lemme know if any text formatting got wonky. The doc editor didn't like this chapter's heavy italics, but I tried to fix what I could find.)