So, that stimulus package as it stands is garbage and may put a lot of people in jail or fined for fanworks amongst other things, so uhm. That's trash.

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Where lyrics would go, lol
-Stop DMCA and save Net Neutrality
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Ansem the Wise had disappeared.

No one would tell him why, or what had happened. Only that they would now be able to continue their research with a strange relief in their eyes.

Even gave him a soft pat on the head, giving him reassurances as they observed each experiment become more and more depraved.

It was as if they had all been entranced, unable to look away and unable to keep themselves from going further and further into what no man should.

Perhaps that had been why he hadn't flinched as he watched people be devoured. As the heavily injured Lea and Isa, the guards Dilan and Aeleus each fell under Xehanort's hand while Braig watched from the sidelines hidden behind the doorway.

He had looked Braig in the eyes as Even had stood before the amnesiac, "Xehanort!" The terrified elder blond kept him close behind him, "Please, don't do this! At least leave Ienzo out of this!"

The man in front of them had no emotion in his eyes as he stabbed his final guardian in the chest with that strange black key. He watched as Even's body faltered and fell, black smoke beginning to waft from it as it faded.

Just like the others.

Xehanort stared down at him dispassionately, the boy swearing to himself he would never trust the eyepatched man as he stepped around his guardian's body.

He may have been a child, but he deserved this for all he had seen and not stopped.

Not a single plea had left his silent lips, far too fascinated in the thrill of discovery.

The man impaled his chest, weakness immediately overcoming him as his world went dark.

Ienzo fell.

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He had been particularly hazy at the start. As the youngest and without the decade or more of memory to go off of, he had been off for a few extra days than the others.

Each slowly [re]gained their innate Power. Vexen had been pleased that his Ice Magic had expanded, and could still summon his shield from his youth which he was swift to upgrade into stronger material.

Axel came into his Fire Magic, though it was recognized his weapons were inadequate and thus upgraded. Saix had an unusual Power, one which he had refused to divulge until a long session with Xemnas had changed the teen irreparably. A Claymore was granted for his unspoken ability.

Lexaeus had his heavy and oddly shaped sword, sheer Strength and Earth his boon. Xaldin with his Wind-based Magic and spears, Xigbar with his crossbows and impeccable aim.

But he alone was a mystery.

They had allowed a few years to pass, to see how the state of being a Nobody would effect a child as the youngest among them.

Axel and Saix grew and aged as did he. The adults didn't change all that much, but it was clear they were still somehow aging to some degree. He was their benchmark of time passing.

To some extent, this seemed to displease some, yet, they realized their bodies could sustain and survive more damage than their normal human bodies.

So he grew, observed the others, and kept his silence as he always had.

Xemnas one day approached him, "I believe it is time."

Zexion frowned, he was thirteen, yet his unique Power had yet to become clear. He has been studying a hefty book of academia from a random World with strong scientific discovery. The others all knew not to disturb him in his research, Xemnas alone the only exception as he shut the book with a harsh snap, annoyance deep in his chest.

Or what he could only assume was a facsimile of the emotion. He hadn't been prone to strong emotion as a young child, so it was hard to distinguish between Nothing and Something.

Nothing was the truth, no doubt.

(But he did doubt. No research could be without variables.)

Xemnas smiled, "Your shrewd silence pleases me, I have noted your reports and observations. Of the many under my command, you are one of my most trusted, Zexion."

The young teen frowned, "Thank you, Superior, though I believe flattery is useless to those such as ourselves."

Xemnas waved a hand for him to follow alongside, "Thus proving my words ever more true. Come, let us discover your unique talent. Not a single one of us is without a gift, and you shall be no exception."

Zexion felt a chill roll down his back as he slowly followed, "My intellect is not enough?"

Xemnas hummed, "One day you too shall be sent on missions- soon in fact, for collecting data on the many Worlds we have access to and to assist Vexen in his research. I would hate to lose such a bright mind as yours to a mere Shadow. The Dusks and Creepers aren't enough to hold under your command for protection."

The teen could not refute his Superior's observations.

"I can smell the others."

Xemnas looked down to him, eyebrows minutely raised, "Smell?"

Zexion hummed, "I can scent the others. Their level of Darkness or the Light within people's Hearts. I can almost pinpoint where each member is at any given time within the Castle."

Xemnas hummed, "Why have you not placed that in your reports?"

The teen felt himself grip the book he carried, "I believed it to be inconsequential, my apologies."

Xemnas slowly nodded as they entered a wide and empty spacious room. The door closed behind them as Zexion felt fear weigh heavy on his chest.

But he had no Heart, so it was a falsehood he tried to bury.

Xemnas observed him, and slowly he smiled. "You have a small Light within you- a curious thing as we are empty husks who can make use of the Darkness. Certainly, your Darkness is much greater, but I consider it a loss that no other member has that Power. Nurture your Light, for it can be used to torment those Hearts who fall into the lure of Darkness."

Zexion nodded cautiously, the book still held tight in his hand.

Xemnas waved a hand forward, the book lifting away from his grasp as it was changed and transformed into something more. "A Lexicon. Now." He opened his arms wide and raised his face upwards, "May your Power awaken!"

Zexion felt Power coalesce upon him, weighing him down and pulling him apart as he screamed in agony.

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It took a year to understand his Power fully. Illusions and the ability to copy both ability and a person's shape. It pleased Xemnas, as it could be used to manipulate and distort truth.

His first mission was granted with Saix as his partner. It was rare the blue-haired man was placed on the mission roster, having quickly become noted for his impeccable organizational skills and overall command.

Zexion learned how to use his abilities on the field, though it was swiftly noted that his defences were especially weak, and would best be paired with those of overtly offensive capability.

Lexaeus was his primary mission partner thereafter.

He observed people to understand the Light in their Hearts, to figure out how to nurture his own Light for the sake of the Organization. He was Xemnas's most trusted, and thus, was given special tasks throughout his tenure in the Organization.

In the end, it was that Light that undid him. His all-too-small and fragile Heart that had grown all on its own allowed him the true fear of Death as the Riku Replica devoured the last of his lifeforce.

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Ienzo felt awareness return to him, the floor cool and humming with energy beneath. He kept still, simply breathing as he realized his heart was beating in his chest.

A strange flush of emotion overcame him, emotion he had and hadn't felt over his young formative years.

He was afraid to open his eyes- would he awaken to be the eight year old he had fallen as, or the eighteen year old?

Slowly he allowed himself courage, the rustling of the others nearby and further away strengthening his resolve as he heard Axel speaking to himself. His eyes opened, and he was met with his grown arm and hands, surprised that the clothes he had worn as a child had adjusted and shifted to fit his grown self.

The clothes had been far too big in his childhood.

Now they fit just right as he slowly lifted himself, Aeleus close to him and watching, "Ienzo."

The teen sat on his tucked knees, looking up at the older man, "Aeleus."

Axel stepped close while still keeping a comfortable distance, "Isa and Braig are missing."

Ienzo finally dared to give the one who brought him to an end his attention as Aeleus helped to lift him to his feet.

He felt unsteady, but after a world tilted moment of vertigo, all became right as he was cautiously allowed to stand by his own strength.

Axel was giving him a strange look, "Help me find them, please."

Ienzo frowned, "Axel-"

"Lea."

Ienzo glared at him, "Lea, we should take care of the others first."

The assassin glanced at the downed Even and Dilan, ruffling his hair awkwardly, "Right." The taller man looked at the strongest of the group as the copper haired guard rolled his eyes with a huff and turned to his fellow guard, turning and lifting Dilan in a simple movement.

Lea and Ienzo glanced at one another before they both went over to Even, both carefully taking the elder Scientist's arms over their shoulders and lifting him. They followed the guard to an empty room with cots, placing the two recovering Somebodies into the beds.

Lea was awkward once they settled Even. "...Sorry."

Ienzo raised an eyebrow, "About?" Lea gave him a strange look as Ienzo caught on, "Ah. You mean my death? Can't complain when we were making bets at the expense of the others."

Lea shook his head, "You still didn't deserve that."

Ienzo nodded, "I hold no grudge against you, Lea. There are far more important issues at hand."

The ex-assassin nodded, restless, "I'm gonna start looking for the others."

Ienzo agreed as Aeleus stepped close, "I will take the West wing, you take the East?"

Lea thought that over before nodding.

"I will look through what's left in Ansem the Wise's office for information."

The two agreed with that sentiment, each going about their chosen task.

Ienzo was startled by the state of his mentor's room, but he did not allow it to deter him for long.

He would do what he could, a strange and restless feeling of unease in his chest.

The teen hoped the others were alright.

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Aeleus had returned first after checking on Dilan and Even as they recovered. He had found nothing, so began to assist in looking through the office alongside him.

Soon after Lea arrived, "Where could they have gone..? Were they even recompleted at all?"

Ienzo began to extrapolate, unable to help himself as if a dam had broken.

Lea huffed, walking up to the schematics that were left on the wall nearby, "Then I'll just have to make my own way."

Ienzo frowned, "A Dark Corridor?"

Lea nodded, "We've been using them for years, shouldn't be too hard."

Aeleus was stern, "But dangerous now that we have Hearts."

Lea shrugged, "Riku could use them, and I've still got my coat." He shook out an arm as if to remind them, "It'll protect me. Besides, I've got some people to find, maybe even help."

Ienzo clenched a fist, "I won't forgive you if you don't come back."

Lea stared at him before barking a startled laugh, "Got it. I'll return before dinner." He waved a hand passively before placing it in front of him and opening a Dark Corridor, "See ya."

The Portal stayed open for a few moments before closing, leaving Ienzo to realize.

Did he have any power at all anymore?

He looked down at his left hand, feeling bereft of his Lexicon. It hadn't been a spectacular Power, but it was his. A hand clamped on his shoulder, Aeleus giving him a sympathetic look. His had been made by his own strength, so he was sure to be minimally effected along with most of the other ex-Members.

But he had grown up in the Organization. Had his abilities merely been granted by the Superior?

Only time would tell, as he followed the guard through the Castle at his insistence.

What they found in the end was that while his Power was still present, it was sleeping without a catalyst.

His Heart settled as they returned to the computer room to begin making sense of what was left behind.

Tron was a tremendous help in catching them up to speed, as well as alerting the Restoration Committee of their presence.

Ienzo was left awkward around the strangers as Aerith tutted at them, "When was the last time you ate anything?"

He blanked out, not knowing how long it had been since he had fallen in Castle Oblivion while Aeleus answered, "Too long."

The woman smiled at them sympathetically, "I'll go get some food prepared for you all. Leon, why don't you help them out?"

The brown haired gunblader huffed, "Right."

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Lea returned, an odd look on his face, "So I got a Keyblade."

Ienzo stared at him as he couldn't help but blurt out sarcastically, "You?"

Lea smiled depreciatively, "Yup. Me. Bullied my way into it, but… I'm gonna get Roxas back."

Ienzo stared at the man for a long time before slowly nodding, "I see." He turned towards the console before him, "I would like to help in any way I can as well."

Lea observed him for a long time as he contemplated, "You're not much of a fighter."

Ienzo smirked with a grimace, "No, I'm not."

Mickey strolled into the room, "Lea, did you finish what you needed?"

Lea ruffled his hair, "Sorta. Ienzo here would like to help."

Mickey looked the teen over as Ienzo gave a short bow, "I may not be particularly strong, but if there is anything I could do for the Worlds, after being in the Organization for so long… It would help ease my guilt for all that has happened."

The mouse King frowned sympathetically, "How old are you, Ienzo?"

"Eighteen."

The mouse hummed, scratching at an ear as he rocked on his heels, "What do you specialize in?"

"Research and technology, amongst others."

Mickey nodded absently, "I wonder if you might be able to help Chip 'n Dale with a project they've been trying to get ta work."

Ienzo was intrigued, "What is it?"

Mickey smiled, "Well, we wanted to try and communicate between Worlds more easily. Something like a phone, but singular that could travel with us."

Ienzo cupped his chin in thought, "I believe I may have some ideas for such a system, if you wouldn't mind my input."

Mickey brightened, "Already?"

Lea tapped his temple, "He wasn't a child genius for nothing."

Ienzo gave him a bit of a look as Mickey was pleased, "Let me speak with them, and I'll have them contact you as soon as possible, alright?"

Ienzo nodded, "Thank you, your Majesty."

Mickey raised a hand as Ienzo hesitantly took it, the King enthusiastically shaking his hand, "Any help we can get is more than we could've ever asked for! Welcome to the team, Ienzo!"

His Heart felt warm and full as he smiled with a nod.

This was how he could begin to atone for his silence.

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Ienzo had gone off-World with Scrooge to look at the terminal in Twilight Town when they received the news. "W-what do you mean Even's gone?!"

Leon was on the other side, "He was gone when Aeleus went to check on him."

Ienzo rubbed his temple, closing his eyes in frustration, "He wasn't fit to move yet, so how was he taken?"

Leon pursed his lips, "There was no sign of struggle."

Ienzo stood sharply and began to pace, a hand on his chin as he thought over the man's behavior lately. "It just doesn't make sense…"

The brunette on the other end shrugged his shoulders, "All we can do for now is set up that communication system, the sooner the better. Then we can ask the Keyblade wielders to keep an eye out for him."

Ienzo ruminated on that for a moment before finally nodding in slight defeat, "You're right. Thank you for the update, Leon."

The other man ended the call as Ienzo stood in defeat. He rubbed his face, deciding perhaps it was time he took a break.

He needed to burn off this new nervous energy.

Growing up without emotions had multiple drawbacks. Still, he was growing more everyday and understanding himself and others more. Things he just couldn't understand before slowly made more sense the more he observed and interacted with people.

He would rest for a short while, and continue compiling information so that the Gummi phones would hopefully be operational within the next week. He was excited to be able to help the others on their journey.

It was the least he could do.