Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts (although that would be pretty cool!).
Where Nothing Gathers was rarely quiet before a meeting, but the atmosphere was remarkably tomb-like. The sense of apprehension was clear to everyone and likewise, all knew the meeting was going to be one of the most important the Organization ever held. Another surefire way to tell everyone was on edge about the meeting was the fact that no one was late. All members were seated in their thrones eagerly awaiting the arrival of The Superior of the In-Between. Of course, Xion's empty throne weighed on everyone's minds as well.
A Portal of Darkness opened and Xemnas appeared in his throne. "Thank you for your prompt attendance. Vexen has completed his observations on our fallen member. Vexen, the floor is yours."
"Thank you. I'll keep this rather brief. Lexaeus and Demyx were correct. They captured Xion's partially formed heart. She was apparently growing a heart despite not having one. That is the definitive evidence that proves my theory correct. We are all regrowing our hearts," Vexen explained. There was not an uproar like before, as most of the members had already come to terms with Vexen's theory. "The question that faces us is what to do next."
Xigbar chuckled, crossing his legs. "Is there really anything to do? Can the process be sped up? If not, there's really no changes to be made," he posited.
"As of now, I have not found a way to do that. I do have some interesting hypotheses, but no data to back them up," Vexen responded.
"Such as?" Marluxia pressed.
"Everyone who has suffered a heart issue is someone who has been spending good chunks of time away from The World That Never Was. I would be surprised if that would be only a coincidence."
A sly grin appeared on Xigbar's face and he threw Xemnas a look, which was immediately shot down by a glare from him.
Zexion put his hand to his chin in thought. "Well then, it would make sense to delay our invasion plans."
Saïx looked mortified. "Delay? That's ridiculous."
"Not necessarily. We would simply stop ourselves from doing something rash when there are better options available," Luxord chimed in.
"Better options?" Roxas asked, not understanding.
"If our true goal is to get our hearts back, simply waiting for them to regrow would be far less messy than invading and destroying four planets," The Gambler of Fate explained.
Roxas nodded his head thoughtfully. "Yeah, that makes sense."
"I agree. I know I'm always down for a fight, but if our hearts are just growing back, there's no need for us to cause all that destruction," Larxene chimed in.
"The destruction is needed so that we can summon Kingdom Hearts," Saïx answered in reply.
"True. But we're choosing to summon Kingdom Hearts in order to get our hearts back. That will be rendered moot if our hearts can just grow back on their own," Vexen countered.
There was a silence for a bit as everyone digested the arguments being made. Finally, Lexaeus opened his eyes and spoke. "But we don't know if the lesser Nobodies' hearts will grow back. Achieving Kingdom Hearts is the only way to ensure that."
"As far as Vexen currently knows. That could change, right?" Demyx offered up.
"Precisely. Which is exactly why we should delay the invasions. To give me time to start experimenting with the lesser Nobodies," Vexen offered.
"I'd like to say what everyone is dancing around: that a number of us are uncomfortable with allowing the deaths of the people we got to know on our missions," Axel intervened.
"And this is exactly why you weren't supposed to do that," Saïx chastised.
Xigbar waved his hand dismissively. "What's done is done. And you're kidding yourself if you thought everyone could remain completely invisible, Saïx."
"I never kid," Saïx shot back with a scowl.
Xaldin decided to enter the conversation. "The plan should continue. Kingdom Hearts can also provide us with other benefits. Besides, we've come too far to turn back now," he reasoned.
Several members shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Nearly everyone was surprised when Naminé spoke, as she almost never spoke in meetings. "I'm not comfortable with the Organization killing that many people, and I never was." Her statement led to another prolonged period of silence.
Vexen attempted to compromise. "I'm not suggesting that we cancel our plan, just that we delay everything so I can do more research. Just a few weeks would likely suffice."
"No," Xemnas finally weighed in. "The plan will proceed on schedule."
"But Superior, a few weeks is really nothing in the grand scheme of things," Zexion pleaded.
"I'm certainly not opposed to rethinking the plan. It looked good on paper, but it didn't really take into account the number of people who will die. I will fully admit that my opinion changed upon meeting people in Toontopia," Luxord added. He made eye contact with Marluxia, who gave a single nod. Uncharacteristically, Marluxia had not said anything on the subject yet.
"You speak as if you feel for them. As if you have…" Saïx trailed off, realizing what he was about to say.
"As if he has what, Saïx? A heart? Yes, we're regrowing them, so it makes sense if we are more sympathetic," Vexen countered, his voice rising.
"I understand your point, Vexen, but the simple fact is that this is much bigger than us. If it were only us members, I would agree with you. But we have the fate of thousands of Nobodies depending on us to save them," Lexaeus explained.
"And I don't disagree. But this is not the way to proceed," Vexen argued. "Can we at least put it to a vote or something?"
"I'm a little uncomfortable about this as well," Demyx chimed in.
"No. There shall be no delay," Xemnas thundered.
"Then I formally renounce my support for this plan," Vexen seethed. "I will not be a part of a senseless slaughter when there are other options available."
"Are you disobeying The Superior's command?" Saïx quickly fired back. "That's treason to the Organization."
"Traitors are eliminated, I believe that's what the rules say," Axel said in amusement.
"Axel, what are you saying?" a surprised Zexion interceded.
"If Saïx is serious about his claim, then he'll have to act on it. Which he won't because he's spewing nonsense. Everyone just needs to calm down," Axel continued.
Saïx summoned his claymore, which caused Xigbar to grin. Vexen's eyes widened. Saïx looked towards The Superior, ostensibly looking for instructions. But Xemnas chose not to speak, perhaps indicating tacit support.
"Don't be ridiculous, Saïx. I'm not-" But before Vexen could finish, Saïx launched himself at Vexen, ready to strike.
Axel flung himself to stop the attack, interrupting him. The former friends crashed into each other, weapons clashing.
"Axel, stand down," The Superior announced, stunning all. He turned and nodded to Xaldin.
The Whirlwind Lancer raised his eyebrow in surprise, but then summoned a lance and fired it towards Vexen. It clanged against a giant card that Luxord summoned to intercept. It was at this moment that all hell broke loose.
Saïx knocked Axel down, but before he could make a further move, Larxene dove at him and tackled The Luna Diviner. Lexaeus summoned a rock pillar that knocked Luxord from his throne. Vexen summoned Frozen Pride and sent some ice needles at Lexaeus, who quickly summoned Skysplitter and blocked them. Xaldin readied a second lance and Zexion created Vexen illusions to trick Xaldin right before the lance flew. It missed.
"Oh, this is going to be legendary," Xigbar gleefully said. However, The Freeshooter did not get into the battle. Sensing it was time to retreat, Vexen and Zexion started to lower their thrones. Xaldin prepared two more lances, but some help came from an unlikely source.
"This is so not cool," Demyx grumbled to himself. He summoned a water geyser that hit Xaldin and sent him sprawling. However, the two lances then flew at Demyx. He managed to avoid them by diving out of his throne, landing with a tumble on the ground below.
A number of members did nothing. Roxas and Naminé looked too shocked to take any action. Marluxia initially looked like he was going to help Larxene, but did not. Xemnas was calmly watching the fray and Xigbar sat at the edge of his seat, watching everything with excitement.
Zexion opened a Portal of Darkness, signaling the new team to retreat. Vexen helped up Axel and they headed into the Portal. Luxord created a wall of cards to obscure the Portal and provide protection. Demyx shuffled into the Portal next. Larxene managed to disengage from Saïx and Zexion quickly created three Larxene illusions, disorientating Saïx. Luxord dashed into the Portal with Larxene hot on his heels. Zexion hopped in last and closed it, leaving a fractured Organization behind.
Zexion stepped out of his portal in the Grey Area, where Vexen, Larxene, Demyx, Axel, and Luxord were waiting.
A furious Larxene began, "What just happened?"
"I'm not quite sure, but something tells me that we're no longer welcome here," Vexen added.
"You think so?" Demyx asked. "That'd be kinda dras-"
An announcement blared, interrupting him. "This is a Code Red. There are traitors in the Castle. They are wanted alive, preferably," Saïx announced.
"I'm gonna go with Vexen on this one," Axel quipped.
"What now?" Luxord asked.
Vexen took charge. "Get rid of your watches right now. They have tracking devices in them. I'll see if I can disable security." As the others took off their watches and threw them on a table, Vexen started clicking screens furiously on his. "Disable lab," he commanded.
"Password to confirm," an automated voice called out in response.
"Vexen4ever," The Chilly Academic said.
"Thank you, Vexen. Lab is now locked," the voice finished.
"How courteous," Larxene cooed.
Ignoring her, Vexen continued on. "I've set the security to shut down and reset so that should buy us some time."
No sooner he said that than a bunch of Sorcerer Nobodies appeared, led by Sorcerer, Xemnas' henchman. "There they are, get them!" was his shrill cry.
"And we're already out of time," Axel bemoaned.
"Time to run!" Larxene called out. She expressed a sentiment that the others shared but had not made verbal: that they had no desire to fight and potentially kill their former allies if they didn't have to.
The rebels ran out of the Grey Area chased by the Sorcerers. A group of Berserkers led by Berserker suddenly appeared and trapped them.
"I think I liked it better when they were on my side," Axel quipped.
"Looks like we'll need to clear a path," Zexion called out.
Summoning their weapons, the rogue members attacked the Berserkers. The group didn't exactly consist of the best fighters in the Organization, but they were certainly more formidable than the lesser Nobodies. However, strength in the Berserkers' numbers was going to make it a tough fight. Axel and Larxene dealt out most of the damage, a blur of knives and chakrams. Vexen and Demyx broke off to create a water and then ice wall, sealing off the way behind the group, hoping to slow the chasing Sorcerers. Zexion worked to create distracting illusions like bags of Nobody Feed while Luxord sniped Berserkers from long distance with his cards.
"We need some place to go," Zexion called out to Vexen.
"Agreed. But it's got to be a place where they'll never find or guess," Vexen yelled back.
"Got a place in mind?" Demyx asked.
"Maybe," was all Vexen responded.
A pack of Berserkers burst through Axel and Larxene's front lines. They swarmed Zexion and Luxord, hitting The Gambler of Fate a number of times. Zexion summoned a meteor down on a few and Vexen summoned his lengthy ice blade to swat those attacking Luxord away.
Axel unleashed a primordial yell and sent a massive searing flame that decimated some Berserkers and cleared a path ahead. Sorcerers slammed into the ice wall behind everyone, signaling there wasn't much time left.
"I've got a place, we just need some space," Vexen called out.
Larxene and Luxord dashed forward to lead the way. Axel, greatly weakened, stumbled and Zexion rushed forward to assist him. Demyx and Vexen brought up the rear, creating another ice wall at the start of the flame tunnel (which obviously wouldn't last too long as the fire would melt the ice soon).
Once everyone was through, Luxord created a wall of cards that blocked all the Nobodies left behind. The group thought they had a moment to breathe, but standing before them was The Graceful Assassin himself.
"Marluxia! This is madness," Zexion began.
"You coming with us?" a hopeful Larxene asked.
"No," Marluxia replied.
Larxene's face instantly fell, feeling betrayed. "You'll stay loyal to Xemnas? You don't even like him!"
"I don't but…the Reapers have changed things. I don't think it's time yet," Marluxia explained.
Luxord stepped forward. "That's all well and good, but you don't need to stop us. Let us escape."
Marluxia considered for a few agonizing seconds. "Make it look good," he finally conceded. Larxene perked up a little upon hearing his concession.
Vexen opened a Portal of Darkness. "I have a place to hide. I'll explain when we get there."
"We'll see you again. Hang in there," Larxene said as she kissed Marluxia on the cheek. She then took Axel away from Zexion and helped him into the Portal.
"I'll take good care of her," Zexion then told Marluxia. A look of understanding passed between the two and Marluxia nodded. The Cloaked Schemer then dashed into the Portal.
"Thanks, partner," Luxord said.
"Make it count," Marluxia replied emotionlessly.
"Demyx, blast Marluxia with a water jet," Vexen commanded.
Demyx did so, sending Marluxia flying across the room. It wasn't a knockout blow, but Marluxia would certainly feel it tomorrow.
Just then, the ice wall exploded and a berserk Saïx flew through. Demyx and Vexen started running for the Portal as Luxord worked to cover them. Saïx leaped in to the air, trying to slam down onto Luxord.
Luxord threw up a giant card defense to protect him. Whether because he was weakened from his run in with the Berserkers or because Saïx was too powerful (or a combination of both) will never be known, but The Luna Diviner burst right through the card, slamming into Luxord with tremendous force.
Luxord fell to one knee and slumped.
"Luxord!" Demyx called out.
Luxord (and then quickly Vexen) started to realize that he was fading, dissolving into nothingness. "I guess I'm…out of time," he mumbled.
Demyx started to run towards Luxord, but The Gambler of Fate tossed a giant card at him with the last of his strength, forcibly pushing Demyx into the Portal.
Vexen watched horrified as Luxord faded away, but snapped himself out of it as he remembered Saïx. Luxord gave a final nod and Vexen ran into the Portal, closing it behind him.
The Gambler of Fate faded away leaving nothing behind.
Axel, Larxene, and Zexion looked in awe at the place that Vexen had taken them to. The trio was on a bridge that led up to a massive castle. Towering mountains surrounded the area and the whole place was mostly surrounded by water.
"Where are we?" Larxene asked.
"I have no idea. I thought Vexen might send us to Radiant Garden, but evidently not," Zexion replied.
"With all those mountains, this does seem like a place that Vexen would like. Maybe he's got a secret vacation home here?" Axel added.
Demyx then tumbled through the Portal, falling to the pavement. "Not good," he moaned. The trio immediately moved to help him up.
Seconds later, Vexen stepped out of the Portal, closing it behind him.
"Where's Luxord?" Zexion immediately asked.
A crestfallen look washed over The Chilly Academic's face. "He…didn't make it. Saïx broke through his defenses."
"He was captured?" Axel assumed.
Vexen's shook his head. "He faded out of existence. He's gone."
A wave of silence fell upon the quintet. "I guess Xemnas was serious, then. No going back now," Larxene said in a weak voice.
"Yep. We're stuck here," Axel agreed. "But where is here?"
"Welcome to my home planet," Vexen began. "Welcome to Arendelle.
Hey everybody! We've finally reached the moment you've been waiting for: watching the Organization turn on each other! In addition, we finally get the reveal about Vexen that I alluded to in Chapter 20. Thank you to all who read/review/follow/favorite this story; I really appreciate your support! Next time, we'll get our first proper look at Arendelle.
See ya real soon,
The Mustachioed Academic