Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts (although that would be pretty cool!).


Vexen found Elsa already in the library when he arrived that afternoon. She was seated at a table, going through some papers. "Good afternoon, your majesty. I apologize for my lateness, but I just got back from a horse-riding excursion with Anna."

She smiled upon hearing the news. "Oh, certainly don't apologize for that! That's wonderful you were able to go with her for a ride," Elsa replied.

"I will likely be sore tomorrow, but it was certainly worth it," Vexen finished. "Now, let's see if we can get you sufficiently prepared to handle any touchy political situations." Vexen headed over to the bookshelves and grabbed a few books. "I'm not sure how much Kai has told you or prepared you, but these books cover all of the nearby kingdoms and their geographies."

"Okay," Elsa responded. She certainly would not classify herself as a politically active monarch, so she wasn't too versed in these sorts of things.

Vexen missed the tentative tone in her voice, and went on. He proceeded to go into a fifteen-minute lecture on various kingdoms and principalities. "However, it should be noted that things might have changed slightly in the last thirteen years, although I can't imagine they've changed too much. Time moves so much slower on this pl-continent." (He was going to say planet, but didn't want to reveal the existence of other worlds.)

"Well, um, it is worth saying that Arendelle no longer has any relationship with Weselton or the Southern Isles, after our…incidents with them," Elsa added.

Here, Vexen laughed. "Oh, of course! And really, that is not much of a loss. We had a small trade deficit with the Southern Isles and the Duke of Weselton always was a bit of an opportunistic buffoon."

Elsa felt slightly more reassured. "I'm glad you agree."

"In terms of expansion, it may be worth considering sending some sort of diplomatic voyage to the DunBroch region. Now, do you remember what their signature export is?" he asked with the voice of an experienced teacher.

"Um…uh…"

At that moment, Anna came into the library with a tray of three hot chocolates. "Oh, that's an easy one! It's furs. Bear furs to be specific!" she chimed in.

Vexen looked impressed. "Quite right, young lady!"

"How did you know that?" Elsa asked in amazement.

"I spent years with nothing to do growing up! I've probably read most of the books in this library," Anna explained nonchalantly.

"A positive outcome from an unfortunate situation," Vexen commented.

She shrugged. "I guess. Now, let's take a break from this studying and have some refreshments!"

"A break? We've only just begun!" Vexen protested.

"Exactly. Never too early for a break!" Anna replied.

Vexen looked over to Elsa, but she was laughing at him, so he knew that it was now break time. "Very well," he sighed, a ghost of a smile present on his lips. "I suppose you're right."


After an hour or two of studying and general merriment, Vexen departed the library to return to the Organization members. On the walk back, he reflected upon his next steps.

In his previous life as Even, he could have been described by three terms: researcher, teacher, and father. The researcher part of Even never disappeared, remaining at the core of Vexen. But the other two, teacher and father, were not as strong in showing in Vexen. He had indeed taken on trying to teach Roxas, Xion, and Naminé recently, but to very limited success. It certainly hadn't felt as good as when he was just working with Anna and Elsa.

Neither Even nor Vexen was ever a father, but that didn't mean that Even never showed father-like tendencies. As previously mentioned, he practically raised Ienzo, and he spent a good deal of time with Anna and Elsa as they grew up. But Vexen, The Chilly Academic, had no time for such frivolities. He let his status as premier researcher completely consume him, blinding him to his actions and snuffing out the other two major parts of his personality.

But now that his heart was regrowing and he was beginning to feel again, those parts of his personality were returning, slowly but surely. And the man who always pushed for good behaviors from those who saw him like a father or teacher realized how he failed to follow his own standards during the end of his time as Even and his time as Vexen. Inspired by his relationship with Marina, as well as rekindling his relationship with Anna and Elsa, Vexen was determined to set things right. And so, he knew exactly what he needed to do next.

Vexen found the rest of the members waiting for him in the longue. "Ah, splendid. You're all here. It's time we plan our next steps."

"Indeed we should. The uncertainly has been a cloud hanging over us," Zexion explained.

"Eh, I've been okay. I've enjoyed the vacation," Demyx chimed in while strumming his sitar on the couch. Larxene shot him a threatening glare, which promptly ending his strumming.

The Chilly Academic cleared his voice. "Yes, well, I apologize for my disappearances, but I've needed to take care of some things."

"Hey, no worries. There's been no sign of the Organization knowing we're here, so laying low isn't the worst idea," Axel added.

"That is true. I believe that our presence has remained hidden. And yet, I propose that must return to The World That Never Was," Vexen solemnly replied.

Larxene was the first to react, furious as expected. "Are you out of your goddamn mind, old man? They killed Luxord and you wanna go back?!"

"Woah, woah, I don't know about that!" Axel chimed in at the same time.

"No way!" Demyx added in simultaneously.

Zexion, however, was more measured in his response. "And why do you think that?" he said, arms folded.

Vexen nodded appreciatively towards his friend. "We cannot let the Organization go through with their plan. If we do, many will die as a result of our inaction."

The group registered Vexen's remarks uneasily. "No offense, but that's not exactly our problem," Demyx finally responded.

"Look, I get that you want to be noble and all, but I'd rather not die here. Xemnas and the others will stop at nothing to get this plan done," Larxene added in a calmer tone than before.

"And they didn't listen to reason before, so what makes you think they will do so this time?" Zexion continued.

"I don't think that they will. Which is why we must stop them at any cost," explained Vexen.

"What's with the sudden burst of courage, Vexen? Not trashing you, but that's a new look for you," Axel asked.

Vexen sighed. "Men like us…in the pursuit of science, we sometimes make terrible mistakes. Lose sight of our mission to help people. I made those Nobody spawners. If they are used to destroy the targeted worlds, their deaths are on me."

"I'm not a scientist," Demyx replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"Quite the understatement. But I understand. None of you are at fault like I am. If you don't want to help me, you certainly have every right to walk away. You can go to any planet you like and live out the rest of your days. But I do ask that you leave this planet."

"And why is that?" The Cloaked Schemer enquired.

"Because…I have learned that both Anna and Elsa are princesses of heart. My theory about the pure lights moving to others was correct. And now that I know the Organization will stop at nothing to achieve their goal, I cannot risk them finding Anna and Elsa, should I stop their plan to get Kingdom Hearts. There's already been too much damage to that family."

The other members were silent as they processed Vexen's request. Finally, Zexion spoke up. "I may not have created spawners, but I have caused grief to Tarzan and Jane on the Deep Jungle. And if I could atone by saving their lives, I'd like to take that shot."

Axel scratched his head. "I don't really have a place to go and besides, I don't have a problem with sticking it to Xemnas. And Saïx has to pay for what he did to Luxord. What's one more suicide mission? Count me in."

Vexen looked to Larxene. She rolled her eyes. "Do you even have to ask? You three won't be able to get anything done without my help. Let's do this." Vexen was surprised that Larxene was willing to join, but neither Zexion nor Axel were.

They all turned to Demyx. "Nope. Not me. No way. Besides, you don't need me, I'm just a benchwarmer."

"That's quite untrue. You would be quite the asset," Vexen began.

"C'mon, dude. I'm useless, I'm chicken," Demyx said, trying to talk himself out of it.

"Your recent performance back at The World That Never Was suggests differently," Zexion offered.

"Besides, you don't really think we're going to opt for a brute force approach?" Vexen continued.

Demyx squinted his eyes. "What did you have in mind?"

"I can deactivate all of the spawners from my lab. But they can also be deactivated individually on each of the planets. So I propose that we try both. That way, if one plan fails the other is still in play. So you wouldn't have to fight per say, as much as sneakily sabotage equipment."

"Hmm... So I'm not doing any fighting?"

"Correct. And more importantly, no benchwarming."

A big grin broke out on The Melodious Nocturne's face. "Ha! Yeah baby! Sign me up. Yes! Demyx time."

Axel patted Demyx on the back. "That's not a bad plan, but I'm not sure you can simply sneak onto The World That Never Was without anyone noticing. Anyone who goes with you would be committing suicide."

"That's a chance that I'm willing to take. I'll go alone if need be," Vexen replied. "Speaking of teams, Larxene and Zexion should go to the Deep Jungle, since they know the layout of the base well. Axel and Demyx should go to Toontopia, because that planet has the most people. Unless you'd rather make a case for Lothal?" Vexen asked Axel.

Axel shook his head. "Actually, my friends escaped Lothal and won't be coming back for a while, so I'm fine with your logic. And besides, it doesn't really matter if we're going to save them all."

"Love the optimism, but this plan is full of risks. And besides, you still haven't answered how you can sneak into The World That Never Was, old man. Not that I don't mind you going and getting yourself killed, but pretending that I do, what's your plan, Vexen?" Larxene replied.

"Well, I have been testing some more replicas…if I could get those running, they could buy me so time," Vexen offered.

Zexion, whose hand was resting on his chin in thought (as usual) suddenly pointed. "I've got it! The perfect distraction to get you in undetected."

"What is it?" Demyx asked.

"The Keyblade Wielder himself. Sora."

"What exactly are you proposing?" The Chilly Academic questioned.

"Sora's already fought Xemnas once. And after his encounter with Larxene and myself, he probably is very curious about our existence. And certainly believes we are foes. If you could lead him to The World That Never Was…"

"He could cause all sorts of mayhem," Larxene finished. "It could work."

Vexen nodded slowly. "It certainly would cause a distraction."

"Then it's all settled," Axel replied. "We're taking down the Organization."

"In a sense. I'm convinced that some members will come to see our side is the correct one. After all, Marluxia let us go, and I can't imagine Luxord's death had no impact," Vexen explained.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with the Icy Academic here," Larxene said. "Without the spawners, the invasion plan will be impossible to pull off. And that will give us the chance we need to convince others to join us." Obviously, Larxene was thinking about Marluxia.

"Great! But when do we start this plan?" Demyx asked.

Everyone looked to Vexen. "We mustn't delay. We should start tomorrow." The group nodded in agreement. "Everyone, get some good sleep tonight. Tomorrow, we fight to save some worlds."


With a strained groan, the man opened his eyes and looked around, unfamiliar to the surroundings he saw. He appeared to be in some sort of darkened alleyway. Looking up to the sky, the man saw it appeared to be nighttime. A soft jazz music seemed to echo from lampposts that doubled as speakers, playing a calming melody. The man struggled to get up, feeling extremely sore.

"Well, that was not how I planned on things going," he grumbled. The man reached out to open a Portal of Darkness, but none appeared. "What the?" Looking down at his hands, he saw that he no longer was wearing Organization gloves. Likewise, the man wasn't wearing an Organization cloak either. "This is unexpected."

"Hello down there, are you alright?" a new voice called out. The man looked up to see a large man standing on a ledge a few feet up from his location. This new person was wearing a white button-down shirt and jean shorts. With a bulky face and heavy chin, the man definitely appeared overweight, but seemed to have a kindly face.

"I've been better," the first man replied.

"Understood. I'm Paul, nice to meet you. I imagine that you're new here. Haven't seen you before."

"You are correct. I'm from…somewhere very far away," the first man said.

"Don't worry, we're all refugees here. What's your name, friend?"

The man hesitated. Although he had gone by a certain name for many years, that was not always his name. For a majority of his life, he had gone by a different name, one without the X that Xemnas added to it. Realizing he no longer had powers, he realized that he was not actually a Nobody anymore, but his original Somebody. "It's…Ludor."

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Ludor," Paul responded. "Welcome to Traverse Town."


Hey there everybody! Welcome to the first chapter of 2021! As you can probably see, we're speeding along towards the climax now. Thank you very much to all who read/review/favorite/follow this story. Your support is greatly appreciated! Next time, we will see what Ludor is up to in Traverse Town.

See ya real soon,

The Mustachioed Academic