Axel flopped over in his bed and stared at the ceiling.

There's still some time before I have to head to the Grey Area.

I lied to Roxas yesterday. Although it wasn't the first time. A single white lie led to another, and even when I tell the truth, I'm trapped in the web of lies. Was it really necessary to tell Roxas about Xion's origins in Castle Oblivion? I'm regretting it now.

But I didn't WANT to lie to Roxas. That feeling was real, too. Almost like I had a heart… I'm still lying—well, lying by omission. I can't tell Roxas the whole truth about Xion now. Actually, I'm pretty sure I should never tell him.

I'm clinging to the faint hope that keeping the truth to myself will allow both Roxas and Xion to keep existing—the thought made Axel smile bitterly. Allow them to exist. Ha. Nobodies aren't even supposed to exist in the first place. It's right there in the name—nobody, nonexistent. So why do I keep thinking about it?

Xion, Castle Oblivion…and Riku. That castle is a very peculiar place. If I go there with Roxas, I might discover something.

Axel clambered out of bed.

Nothing will change if I don't make some kind of move.

If I've told one lie, then after that, no matter how many lies I tell, it's the same. If I'm going to bring Roxas to Castle Oblivion, a reason will help. Like a fierce enemy appearing there. An enemy like the Organization impostor. Like Riku.

By the time Roxas stepped into the lobby, Axel and Saïx were deep in discussion.

Roxas stopped short when he overheard Saïx. "The impostor has been sighted again?"

"The impostor?" Roxas started. "You mean—"

"He's prowling about Castle Oblivion as we speak."

"I'll go." The words were out in an instant. If he met the Organization impostor, he could inquire about Xion—but really, he just wanted to go to Castle Oblivion. Xion had mentioned going there, so maybe he would find out something.

"This target is extremely dangerous." Saïx eyed him with cold disdain. "You couldn't possibly go alone."

Roxas was not deterred. But before he could insist, Axel spoke up. "There's no problem if I go too then, right?"

Saïx turned to Axel, somewhat reproachfully. He had been trying to foster Roxas's independence recently and here was Axel, eager to coddle him yet again.

"I do know Castle Oblivion better than anyone else in this outfit," Axel pointed out with a smirk.

Unfortunately, Axel did have a point. "…Very well," said Saïx. "Go, then, and teach this fraud the price for wearing our coat."

Axel and Roxas exchanged a glance and a nod. Maybe this would bring them a little closer to Xion.

"So this is Castle Oblivion…" Roxas looked up at the strange castle. He'd never been here before.

Another new world…but was it really a "world" at all? It seemed more like an extension of the liminal darkness of the corridors. This was where Xion was born. And where so many fellow members of the Organization had met their ends.

"What could possibly be here?" Roxas wondered.

"I told you before, there's a research facility," said Axel.

"To research what?"

"I dunno, research is research… Nobodies and Heartless, I guess, stuff like that."

"What did they have you do here, Axel?"

The third question had him at a loss. Axel scratched his head. "Just recon… More or less."

That didn't satisfy Roxas. "What do you mean, more or less?"

"Classified stuff," Axel replied with a shrug.

"Ugh, fine…" Roxas knew he wouldn't get a real answer once Axel busted out the classified label. "Can we go in?"

"Sure. We're here on a mission, aren't we?"

Roxas pushed the door open. The interior didn't look much different from the Organization's castle where they lived. He stepped inside…

And a weird sensation came over him, like everything was twisting somehow…

"Roxas?!"

He heard Axel worriedly calling his name as pain jolted into him. "Ow—my head—!" The wrenching agony didn't stop at his head. His chest hurt, too.

"Easy, man! C'mon, let's retreat for now…"

He knew it was Axel holding him up by the arm, and yet… "No… We have to…find Xion…" So he said, but it took all his strength to speak, and he collapsed to his knees. It hurt. Everything hurt. He could hardly breathe.

"Roxas!" Axel was practically carrying him.

He looked up at Axel's anxious face—and then it warped in his vision.

"Ugh..."

"We're leaving. Now!" said Axel.

"No, wait… There's something… I can almost…"

As Roxas was staggering, Axel led him into a dark corridor.

As soon as the both of them made it to Twilight Town, Roxas collapsed. Worried, Axel watched him as he slept.

Yesterday Isa had spoken for the first time. It was a shock to Lea, but a very pleasant one nonetheless. After eating ice cream, the two went back to the hotel and Isa fell asleep rather quickly. They hadn't gotten the chance to talk much. Today, Isa still seemed a little quiet and sleepy. So, the two of them just did a few odd jobs delivering letters, making small talk. Now, they were heading to the Tram Common to buy some ice cream to finish out the day.

"You worked hard today, so you get a reward," Lea said. As they were walking towards the Sweets Shop, he reluctantly broached the subject. "So, you still don't remember anything?"

Isa shook his head slowly. "No. I just remember waking up next to you yesterday on the clock tower. I don't know anything from before that."

"What about your name?"

Isa seemed to concentrate. "My...name..." Some kind of pressure was gathering between his eyebrows. The center of his head felt heavy, like something pressing from the space between his eyebrows all the way back. Right in the center of his X-shaped scar, where the two gashes intersected. He staggered forward, clutching his head in pain.

Where am I? Am I alive? I think I'm in...in a prison cell.

"Young man!"

There's an older man. He's wearing a white lab coat with a red scarf.

"Young man, what ails you? Can you speak?"

He's looking right at me.

"Wh...re...m...I...wh...yo..."

I try to get a few words out, but they get all jumbled up and won't come out properly.

"Please. Tell me your name."

He's asking me my name. But I don't have an answer to give him. I can hear a voice in my head.

"As your flesh bears the sigil, so your name shall be known as that...of a recusant."

There's a large 'X' in front of me... Recusant...? What is that?

"One who refuses to submit to authority."

Authority...?

"X...The time has come. You will obey me without fail."

...X...? That's my name...?

"A most ancient letter. Death..."

Death...?

"The old you has died. But now, you shall be reborn."

I don't understand what he's talking about...

"The new you."

There's a loud buzzing noise. My head hurts. I can't move.

"Young man, please! Wake up!"

It's the old man's voice again...

"It's no use. All efforts to explore his memories have met with a rejection response."

Everything is dark now. I'm lost in the dark, by myself. I'm afraid.

"HEYY! Wake up!"

That's Lea's voice. He's...calling for me...But I can't see him.

"Are you okay!? Wake up!" Lea caught him before he hit the ground.

"—Riku!" Roxas lurched violently awake. His head no longer hurt, at least, but he still had no idea what had happened.

"Whoa, you okay there?" Axel peered at him, clearly concerned.

"What happened to me?" Roxas asked.

"You collapsed right inside the castle doors. Don't you remember?"

"I remember going inside the castle…" He got to his feet. "But that's it." They were now in Twilight Town. Anything that took place once he went through the doors was a blank, though. He felt a little bit woozy but not too bad.

Axel still looked worried. "Hey, you should take a breather."

"I'm fine. Let's go back to Castle Oblivion."

"Don't push yourself, man." Axel started—but then he sensed a presence and jolted his head up. "Who's there?"

Two people in black cloaks, watching him and Roxas. One was probably Riku. And the other was definitely—

"Xion?!" Roxas ran closer. He just knew it was her.

Xion took one step toward him but then backed away again. Behind her was a swirling dark portal.

"Xion, wait!" She vanished into the corridors. As Roxas dashed after her, the other cloaked figure blocked his path. "Out of the way!" He summoned his Keyblade, but the figure stepped through the portal after Xion. "Hey!" And Roxas followed.

"Roxas, wait!" Axel ran after him in turn.

Roxas pursued the other cloaked figure all the way into the train tunnels.

"Hey. Roxas, settle down a second," said Axel.

How was he supposed to do that? His chest heaved.

"They're gone. We've lost them." Axel put a hand on his shoulder.

Roxas looked back at him. "But… Xion…"

"No way was that Xion." Axel sounded so dismissive, although he was breathing hard, too, having to keep up with Roxas in a determined sprint.

"The one who ran away first was Xion," Roxas protested. "But...why run?"

Axel accompanied the silent Roxas to the top of the station tower to calm him down.

"Why would she do that?" Roxas asked, completely at a loss.

"At least we know she's safe," said Axel. "She'll come home when she's ready."

Something about that reply bothered Roxas. Like Axel was deliberately being obtuse. "But won't they turn her into a Dusk?" he prodded.

Axel let out a deep sigh. "Not necessarily."

Roxas's frustration was rising. "Who was that guy she was with? Why is she cooperating with him?" His hands balled into fists, and he bit his lip as he stared down at the bottom of the tower.

Axel had no answer to give him.

The man they're calling the impostor. That fake Organization member. It's Riku. Roxas could very well remember that, somewhere deep in his memories. Still, it's too soon to report this. I need to know why Xion was with him first. If she's siding with the hero, it could easily mean her erasure. What are you planning to do, Xion?

Axel woke up early the next morning.

Every time I try to wake up, the first thing I can think is how badly I want to go back to sleep— although it's not like I'm not getting enough rest or my stamina isn't recovering. I just wish I could have a day to myself and do nothing but sleep. It's probably some remnant of my human memories.

Besides, this world is always dark, even in the morning. The deep indigo sky and the heart-shaped moon outside the window might as well be a night sky.

Axel rolled over. He still had a few more minutes. But then he began to think about yesterday.

After fainting in Castle Oblivion, Roxas called out Riku's name. Not unlike the time Xion murmured Sora's name when she passed out that day. Did Roxas remember something there in Castle Oblivion? Without his memories of his human life, Roxas couldn't possibly know who Riku is. But he called his name. That could only mean a memory came back to him, in some form.

It makes me uneasy. Maybe it was a bad idea, bringing Roxas to Castle Oblivion knowing it might jog his memory. I took him to the castle thinking we might learn where Xion had gone—but I hadn't expected to actually find her. And Riku, the other one in the black cloak…

Axel had seen Riku several times in that castle, back when Roxas was still fairly new. He didn't like to remember all the intrigue now, nor how he'd treated the Replica.

"What happens when a fake dies—one like me? Where will my heart go? Does it disappear?"

"It'll go somewhere. Maybe to the same place as mine."

After all, I was the one to determine where the Replica should go. I was responsible for his death. Back then I didn't care what I had to do to achieve my goal. Anyone in my was just a pawn. What the hell has changed since then? I don't know whether it's Organization XIII, or myself, or something else entirely. But things are definitely different.

Roxas and Xion are like a pair of mirrors, reflecting each other back and forth. But is that all? Xion is just a vessel, an empty disk to hold a copy of Roxas's powers.

Nobodies derive our personalities and abilities from memories of our human lives. But what exactly are those abilities? What gives rise to them? The answer that comes to mind is the presence of memory itself. We're chained by our memory, and in those bonds is power. So it's probably fair to say that Roxas and Xion are bound by the same memory—the memory of Sora. That's why they both wield a copy of Sora's Keyblade and fight the exact same way as him.

As Roxas's powers are being copied into Xion, she's absorbing his memories, too. But somehow, I suspect there has to be more to it. There in Castle Oblivion, Roxas called out for Riku. I figured that the castle's strange aura had provoked some kind of reaction in his memories, like metal fillings in a magnetic field—but I might be wrong. Everything about Roxas's memories is so uncertain.

"But what if…?" Axel muttered.

What if copying powers from Roxas wasn't all that Xion was doing? He knew the questions he had to deal with, but he wouldn't be able to work out the answers himself.

"…Such a pain in the ass." He groaned, imagining Saïx's face if he reported all this. It was so much fun back then. Why did this have to happen?

The memory of his heart twinged with pain. Breaking a friendship was this painful, was it? I lost my heart, so I don't really know.

"So sluggish. Don't wanna get up…" But he dragged himself out of bed, taking a huge stretch and cricking his neck. He had to get to the Grey Area early if he wanted to talk to Saïx.

Doesn't look like I'll spend today in a very nice mood, either.

As soon as Axel entered the lobby, he knew there was something up. Saïx didn't even wait for him to approach. "Axel. You failed to report that the impostor and Xion are working together. Instead, that news came from Roxas yesterday."

Axel averted his eyes. "I was gonna tell you this morning..."

Saïx sighed. "As you know, Number Fourteen is working in tandem with Riku. That means Xion is a traitor."

So...the time has come. "So, you're ordering me to do it?"

"Now that Xion has had contact with that man in the black coat, tell me what choice is left."

As Roxas entered the lobby, the obvious tension piqued his curiosity, but they fell silent when he approached. "Um, Axel…?"

Axel looked away.

Uncertain what to ask, Roxas hesitated.

Saïx spoke first. "Xion has betrayed us."

"What?!" It felt like the wind was knocked out of him.

But Saïx didn't give him any time to absorb it. "You saw the creature consorting with that impostor. What more evidence do we need?"

"That's not evidence!" Roxas retorted. "You don't even know why she was with him!" He looked at Axel in desperation—but Axel refused to meet his eyes.

"It's a clear act of betrayal. It is now obvious that Xion stands against us."

"She only stood next to him—It doesn't mean she's against us!"

"That's just what you want to think, isn't it? I think we all know, and you just don't want to accept it," Saïx remarked, his voice dripping with disdain.

"She could've just been threatened. He might be forcing her…" Roxas mumbled.

"Hah! Your pitiful way of thinking is just like a human's. It's nauseating."

"What do you mean, like a human's…?"

Like a human. He's referring to me, I'm sure, Axel thought. I could never just grow up. It's my fault Saïx is stuck here in the organization. Because I was a crybaby kid who couldn't accept reality.

Roxas stared at the floor, his fists clenched at his sides. Were Nobodies and humans really all that different? He recalled a previous conversation he had with Saïx.

"This was a training mission, right!? You didn't need to go full force on him!"

"Hmph. Full force? Don't make me laugh. I was holding back."

"Still, you didn't need to beat him THAT bad. He's a comrade—one of us!"

"Comrade? One of us? Now is a good opportunity to learn, Roxas. We are only organized to fulfill our purpose of completing Kingdom Hearts. Nothing more. Anything that gets in the way of that goal—even a member of the organization—deserves no mercy. Don't forget that."

Roxas raised his head to glare at Saïx. "Why is it such a crime to trust a comrade?!"

Axel sighed. Roxas still had no idea what the organization was really like. What HE was really like. An assassin. He'd mercilessly eliminated his former "comrades" plenty of times before. And Saïx had no reason to consider anyone in the organization a comrade, either. Not after what was done to him after being branded a "traitor". The scar on his face was proof of that.

"That's enough, Roxas." Axel put out an arm in front of him before he could lunge at Saïx. "C'mon, just calm down a little."

Roxas chewed his lip. He didn't have a handle on anything. He always thought Axel was on his and Xion's side.

"Did it break again? That didn't take long. That's why I told IT not to move."

"Don't call her an 'it'!"

"Keep your mouth shut."

After all, the last time Saïx insulted Xion, Axel seemed angry on her behalf and defended her. Even Roxas was concerned Axel might have gone too far talking back. But now, Saïx was saying something infinitely worse. And Axel didn't seem to care at all. He wasn't arguing or anything. Roxas couldn't understand what he was thinking.

Saïx looked down his nose at Roxas. "The impostor has resurfaced in Twilight Town. Go and destroy him, Roxas—like I expected you to do yesterday."

"Wh—? Destroy?" Roxas stammered.

"Yes, destroy," Saïx replied, now cool and businesslike. "It seems you need clear orders, or you'll just let the target escape. This is an elimination mission."

Roxas hung his head and said nothing.

"Axel, you bring back Xion. And if that proves too troublesome, then you are authorized to adopt a more permanent solution and dispose of it."

"What?!" Roxas cried. "Saïx, no! That's going too—destroy her?!"

"Roxas. Easy!" Axel had to hold him back again from launching himself at Saïx.

"You have your orders. Get going." Saïx promptly walked away.

Roxas bit his lip, staring down at his boots in fury. The silence went on long enough to be awkward, until Axel scratched his head and sighed.

"Ahhh… what a pain," he said.

Without Saïx as an outlet, Roxas's rage turned on Axel. "You're not actually gonna follow those orders, are you?! They're treating her like a traitor!"

Axel only scratched his head again. "Relax. We don't know that Xion is gonna put up a fight."

"How can you be so calm? Is it because Nobodies don't feel anything?" Roxas's voice began shaking and he looked like he was on the verge of tears. "Then why does it hurt so much. I'm a Nobody, too."

"Roxas..." Axel gave Roxas a pat on the shoulder. "I'll think of something clever once I find her."

"Something clever…?"

"Yeah. Just trust me, okay?"

Roxas looked at the floor again. He knew he could trust Axel. But still…

"You just worry about yourself," said Axel. "That guy in the cloak won't go down without a fight."

"Yeah, I know." Roxas nodded without meeting his eyes.

"Anyway, let's check Twilight Town separately."

"Huh? Why?" Roxas asked, looking up. He didn't see why they couldn't work together.

"We'll find our targets faster if we split up. That's just math. C'mon, let's get going," he urged.

Roxas willed his feet to move, but they felt heavy. Things weren't the same between them. He didn't know what to do.

Axel's mind wandered as he went down the slope from the station plaza to the tram common.

"I'll think of something clever once I find her."

"Something clever…?"

"Yeah. Just trust me, okay?"

Something clever. It's not the first time I've lied like that. I told Saïx that I would take over the Organization with him. But I didn't understand what or how I was gonna do it. I'm still not entirely sure.

Did Roxas realize I was lying? It'd be great if he didn't. But that's being too optimistic.

Roxas is starting to resent the Organization because of Xion. It's an uncomfortable idea, but I'm getting worried that Roxas's doubts might include me as well.

And I'm still uncertain what's best for Roxas or for Xion. I can't even guess what will come of it if the two of them have any more contact. The only thing I know is that Xion is copying Roxas's memories and his powers. What would happen if the process ran to completion?

Axel didn't know that, either.

I want to find Xion before Roxas does—and that was why I had us split up. If I can find her first, maybe I can defuse some of the tension.

I wonder how I can come to a conclusion where no one gets hurt, and everyone gets what they want. Maybe something like that doesn't exist. But, even so, I still don't want to give up.

He walked on.

"It hurts", huh?

How ironic. Maybe I should be glad I'm a Nobody... That I can't feel anything. Because if I could, the pain would definitely be unbearable.

"Xion!"

Axel headed in the direction of Roxas's voice.

I'm a moment too late. Looks like Roxas found Xion first.

Axel had folded his arms and eavesdropped.

"Where've you been? Axel and I have been looking all over for you."

"You have?" She couldn't meet his eyes. "Sorry."

Roxas stepped closer, reaching out toward her. "Let's go home. If you come back voluntarily, Saïx will let all this drop. He has to."

She clenched her fist there, hanging her head.

"No matter what that guy says, I'll protect you."

She looked up at Roxas's stubborn declaration. His unguarded smile made her chest ache even more.

"Me and Axel, will protect you—"

Roxas doesn't really get the reality of the situation. He's making a promise he can't really keep, Axel thought. It's just like back then...that day.

"They… they'll find out they don't need me… and they'll turn me into a Dusk…"

"We'll never let that happen."

I was the one who had to think of a solution back then, too. And I guess I'll have to do it again today.

Xion shook her head, cutting him off. "I really can't go back."

"Why not? Come on…" Roxas demanded, hurt.

She turned away and tried to run.

"Wait!" Roxas took hold of her hand.

She didn't move. Slowly, Xion turned, summoning the Keyblade to her hand.

"Wh…what…?" Roxas gasped. Her Keyblade was identical to the one Roxas had lent her that time.

That's it. I have to act now or she and Roxas are going to fight.

Axel remembered a conversation he had with Naminé back in Castle Oblivion.

"Does it hurt, Naminé? Watching your two childhood friends fight all because of you? You have my sympathies. From the heart."

I don't want Roxas to fight Xion. I'd do anything to prevent Roxas feeling that type of pain. Even if I have to do it myself, right in front of him. I'll take that burden on, so he won't have to.

As Xion lifted her arm to point the Keyblade at Roxas, Axel tossed his chakram, knocking it aside. The weapon returned to its owners's hand as he finally revealed himself. "Well, hello there, Xion." He stood there with a smirk.

Roxas spun to look at him.

Realizing his intentions, Xion didn't waste time. She leaped at Axel, Keyblade swinging.

Axel could hear Roxas pleading, "No, wait!"

Xion jumped back from Axel and let out a furious shout. Then—she charged.

Xion is serious. She's fighting me with everything she has. I may have to take her out right now. So be it.

"Stooooop!" Roxas screamed.

Xion flinched, letting her guard down for barely a split second—but it was enough for Axel to dart behind her and knock her out with a blow to the back of her neck. It was a move he had used in the past, which is why he was able to react so swiftly. He caught her as she fell, and Roxas ran to them.

Axel stared at him momentarily, then turned away and opened the Corridors of Darkness. Then he was on his way back to the castle with Xion, alone.

Gazing at the pod that held the sleeping Xion, Axel wondered what was to come.

If Roxas had managed to talk her into coming back, so much the better. I wouldn't have minded that. But Xion made her choice: a definite no. And the choice I made was to secure her. In that instant, there was no other way. I intended to choose the path that would cause Roxas the least harm.

Even now, I'm not sure whether it was the right choice. But I'm sure—mostly sure—that it was the best one out of the options I had at the time.

I still have no idea how to explain things to Roxas, and my thoughts have been so tangled I can't even begin to find the words. That self-doubt led me to turn my back on Roxas. Maybe that, if nothing else, will plant the seeds of distrust in him. But in that moment, I saw no other way.

Xion had her own doubts, and that was why she rejected Roxas. I have no idea what will happen between those two after this. Someday, she'll reach her decision, so for now I'll have to obey the Organization—and Saïx. What will she do? What will happen to her? And Roxas?

Axel walked into the lobby waiting for Roxas to come back. He would pretend he hadn't been, of course—he would just happen to run into him. He leaned against the wall of the long hallway, staring into space. He'd put Xion in a pod to sleep rather than her bed, because she was no longer being treated as a Nobody who once was human. Her status had reflected what she really was. And he couldn't let Roxas find out yet.

"Axel!"

At the sound of his name, Axel looked up. Roxas was furious, perhaps unsurprisingly, but Axel still answered with a smile. "Oh, hey, Roxas."

"Where is she?" Roxas demanded, breathless with effort.

"Safe," said Axel. Roxas grabbed his collar and shouted,

"How could you do that to her?!"

"Do what?" Axel's stubborn calm took the wind from his sails.

Roxas went slack. His voice came out small and defeated. "You didn't have to use force…"

Axel sighed theatrically and circled his shoulders. "Didn't I?" I did what I had to.

Still gripping Axel's collar, Roxas shook his head with the emphatic refusal of a little kid. "No, you didn't…" But he sounded uncertain as he said it, and his voice shrank even more. "We're supposed to be best friends."

Axel brushed Roxas's hands from his collar, trying to be the objective adult in the situation. "This isn't about friendship."

Roxas raised his head. The glare in his blue eyes was sharp as a knife.

He's never looked at me like that. My chest aches just a little. He let out another sigh. "Listen, if that's all, I gotta go."

Roxas wilted again, and something in his expression weakened Axel's resolve slightly. He couldn't help but recognize his past self in Roxas's childlike reaction.

I just did what I thought was the best thing at the time. For Roxas's sake, for Xion's sake, for the Organization's sake—and for Isa's sake. But most of all for my own sake.

He turned away from Roxas and made himself walk away.

"We're supposed to be best friends."

I told him this isn't about friendship, but that's what I'm trying to be. A best friend.

"In times of trouble, you can depend on your friends. Right, Roxas?"

You can always go to your best friend when you're in trouble. You can lean on them. I've tried to be that person for Roxas as best I could. Even if it means sacrificing that friendship, I'll protect him. Because that's what a best friend does.

"What's it like having a best friend, Axel?"

"Well... I haven't got a best friend, so I couldn't tell ya."

Still, right now, I wish there was someone I could lean on. Someone who worried this much about MY well-being. A best friend who would sacrifice everything to protect ME. That'd be nice.

After he left Roxas, Axel's distracted wandering through the hallways came to a stop when he saw someone else.

He was probably waiting for me. Standing there against the wall with his arms folded was once my best friend—

But Saïx was keeping his gaze fixed on the floor. Axel didn't tell me about Xion working with Riku. But now he has captured Xion and returned it to us. His motives are impossible to read. Our plans can be altered if necessary, but doing so can only delay their realization. Our ultimate goal is to overthrow Xemnas.

"You're sure things are better this way?" Axel wondered aloud.

Finally, Saïx looked up. "I never expected you to question it."

Question it? Well, that's one way of referring to the buzzing doubt in my chest. Doubt. Remorse. I haven't had any of this before. For all these years I haven't given a damn about a single other person but Saïx. I've done all of this for his sake. So I can find a way to free him from this organization.

Saïx left his perch by the wall and came closer. "Which one is more dear to you? Roxas or the puppet?"

Axel looked away. "Dear" to me? He's asking like we have hearts.

"Or put it this way," Saïx said, as if he'd heard himself. "Which one would you rather suffer the loss of? Some make-believe friendship or a real one?"

All of this is putting a strain on our friendship too, is what he's saying, I guess. The answer is obvious. If it came down to Roxas or a puppet, I know perfectly well which one I would save.

"Things are finally right again," Saïx went on. "Of course this is for the best, isn't it?"

Those words. 'For the best.' They bring back so many memories. The reason I'm unable to answer Saïx is probably because I depend on him, thought Axel. He's the only one I've ever depended on. Because he's the only one who was willing to sacrifice everything for my sake. He took on the role of the 'adult' so I wouldn't have to... Just like I'm trying to do for Roxas now.

"Xemnas is exasperated from all the 'fixing' we've had to do. We have to set things right for the sake of our goal. There is simply too much on the line…Lea."

Hearing his old name, Axel glanced up to see Saïx watching him intently. He remembered being human. Memories surged inside him, crowding the space in his chest. For Nobodies, memory had all the weight of a heart.

I remember. I won't forget. But those sunsets with Roxas and Xion are also part of my memory now.

Axel broke away again from Saïx's gaze, looking down at nothing.

Isa suddenly jolted up.

He seemed terrified of something and began hyperventilating. All of his hair stood on end. His face became red. His eyes were glowing yellow, like a Heartless. An ominous feeling filled the air.

Lea slowly took another step forward toward his friend. But as soon as he made a move, Isa lunged at him. He attacked with his bare hands, like claws. He seemed like a caged animal backed into a corner, defending itself as a last resort.

"Wh-What? Stop! It's me!"

Isa wasn't acting like himself at all. Isa would never attack me. It's like something is possessing him.

Isa continued to attack Lea seemingly without any awareness of what he was doing. He was frighteningly strong.

"Snap out of it!" Lea yelled, but it didn't seem like Isa could hear him. Lea was having a hard time protecting himself from the vicious blows, but he was reluctant to use too much force to fend him off.

Damn it! What do I do!? I don't want to hurt him! But if I don't do something, he's going to kill me!

Lea took quite a beating as he pondered over what to do. His arms and legs were getting bruised.

"Arrrghhh!" he shouted as he was thrown against the wall.

Isa came charging right at him as he was backed against the wall.

What do I do!? I don't think I can bring myself to...attack him... Lea instinctively shielded himself with his arms while yelling at the top of his lungs. "STOOOOOOOOP!"

Surprisingly, that worked. Isa stopped attacking Lea. He just stood there, motionless. Then he clutched his head in pain and collapsed onto the ground.

Lea took him into his arms and anxiously waited for him to come to.

After a few tense minutes, Isa slowly opened his eyes.

"Are you all right!?" Lea asked frantically.

"I think so..." He looked around. "What...happened...?"

Lea averted his eyes. "...N-Nothing. You looked a little lightheaded, then you just passed out all of a sudden. Guess your head's still pretty foggy." He helped him onto his feet. "C'mon. Let's get some ice cream."

The two headed to the top of the clock tower.

"Something wrong...? It's melting," Lea spoke up reluctantly.

Isa was staring off into space. "I think...I remembered something."

Lea looked at him mid-bite, trying to hide his uneasiness.

"I remember being locked up in a prison cell. Then a man came to take me away. I couldn't see him because it was so dark. Just that he wore an eyepatch. The next thing I remember, I woke back up in the cell, alone. Then, some researcher came and started prodding me with questions, trying to uncover my identity. I couldn't even tell him my name. I was just called 'X' there." He turned to look at Lea as if looking for answers. "Who am I?"

Lea felt his heart ache. He knew he'd have to make a difficult choice right now. A painful choice to either tell him the truth or lie and let go of their past.

His memory is blocking out his trauma. I can't let him know what happened to him. If he starts to remember more, his mind might break down again. Or he might lose control of himself again. If that happens, I might have to...use force on him. No. I can't let that happen no matter what.

I can't even tell him who I am. If I do, he'll have too many questions about himself. It's better that he doesn't know the truth. I have no choice. I have to do this. I have to let it all go. For his sake.

Lea looked over at Isa.

It hurts. It hurts lying to him. It hurts to...break this friendship.

"I don't know. I just found you lying on the ground. You were kinda like a zombie, so I decided to look after you."

The look on Isa's face was one of clear disappointment and also fear. "I don't understand anything. I'm so confused."

Lea looked at him helplessly. He looked so agonized.

"I just want to have somewhere...I belong..."

"Hey now," Lea instantly interjected. "You do have somewhere you belong."

Isa stared at him.

"Ya know, I think I was destined to find you." He gave him the most reassuring smile he could manage. That was all he could offer.

Isa smiled back, a bit shyly.

The clock tower's bells rang as the two boys slowly finished eating their ice cream.

"Hey," Lea spoke up after a long heavy silence. He was still a bit too nervous to look at Isa.

"Huh?"

"You can always just...stop remembering." Lea shrugged a bit as he said it.

"What do you mean...?"

"It doesn't matter who you are or where you came from. Forget the past. Forget everything that might have happened and just...start over."

"But...how...?"

Lea finally looked him in the eye. "Look. What matters isn't the past. It's your present. You have your whole life to make new memories. Think about it."

Isa turned away and looked into the sunset. Would he ever remember his past? Did he even want to know? Or did he just want to focus on his present?

In the Round Room, Saïx looked up at Xemnas high above.

"Was how we dealt with Roxas and Xion… really for the best?" His tone was markedly different from usual, as if he spoke to an old friend rather than a superior.

"I will admit, Xion has strayed from our original designs," Xemnas replied. "But this unpredictable behavior is proving to have an interesting side effect."

"Really?" said Saïx, unconvinced.

"The Key…"

Key? The key connecting everything, perhaps? The Keyblade is the key to the worlds. Would it also unlock all these mysteries?

"Xion's exposure to Roxas effected a transfer of its power, just as we had hoped," Xemnas continued. "Had things stopped there, Xion would have been an unequivocal success. But then, through Roxas, Sora himself began to shape 'it' into 'her,' giving Xion a strong sense of self. Too strong."

Sora's influence was more potent than we accounted for. That is the power of a Keyblade wielder, apparently.

"Our plan seemed like a failure at this point, but then it occurred to me. Xion is keeping Sora's memories trapped by claiming them as her own."

This unexpected development for the Organization also posed an unanticipated problem for Sora and his slumber, as well as those seeking to protect him.

"Keeping her close to Roxas will ultimately prevent Sora from ever waking," Xemnas finished.

"I see. Then what about that impostor in the black cloak?" The other thing that concerned Saïx was the cloaked man—Riku.

"That gadfly? See that he stays away from Roxas. He only poses a threat if his buzzing reaches Xion's ears."

That was an order, and Saïx politely bowed his head. "Then we shall return to our original plan." As he kept his head low in obeisance, Xemnas couldn't see his bitter approximation of a smile. Back to the original plan. No room for hesitation. Isn't that right, Lea?