Sora walked down the hall, his head held high but then saw that there was a man in a black coat waiting for him at the end of the hall, with ash colored hair and startling green eyes.

"Who are you?!"

"I am Vexen" He introduced, flourishing in a respectful bow before pointing at him."and I have come to collect your debt, Sora."

Sora tilted his head in confusion. "What? I don't even know you!"

Vexen smirked, "Oh, but you do. You owe me for reuniting you with your former friend."

"You don't mean-" Sora edged further as he recalled the image of his best friend.

"Indeed, I do. I'm the one who brought Riku to you."

"Then you're...you're the one who..." Sora grew enraged. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!" A fire spell radiated within the palm of Sora's hand as he focused on the person standing in front of him.

Vexen merely smirked "I see no benefit in simply handing you this information. But I can assure you, he will be personally dealt with."

"No chance of that!" Sora retorted, an aura of protectiveness radiating off of him.

"Come now Sora, I'm surprised. It wasn't too long ago that he betrayed you on the islands." Vexem smiled knowingly.

Sora's breath escaped him, for a moment his rage vanished as he instinctively reached for the lost chain around his neck, a reminder of his final moments on the island before his anger returned in full force. "It doesn't matter, this time I'll save him!"

"Is that how you recall it? That Riku needed to be saved? I wouldn't be so sure, or did you even notice?" Vexen remarked as a sinister smile drew on his lips as he pulled out something from his pockets, a familiar blue card."Your memories appear to reveal many truths about you, this one for instance." Vexen held up a card, similar to the one that Sora received earlier that had a picture of the Destiny Island on it. "A card crafted from all the memories that are locked in the other side of your heart." Vexen tosses the card to Sora and disappeared within the darkness as the rest of the black coats had.

"Wait!" Sora reached out.

"If it's answers that you seek, then one must being a ruthless within its pursuit." Vexen's voice rang through the hall.

Sora faltered for a moment, glancing at the card that held what appeared to be a clock tower against a setting sun as Vexen's voice faded. Jiminy jumped out of his pocket glancing at the card alongside him. "Memories...?"

"A card made outta memories from "The other side of your heart"? Hmm, I wonder what it does." Jiminy asked standing on Sora's shoulder.

Sora just shrugged, "We'll find out soon enough. It's the only one we have left. No other way to move forward right?"

Jiminy nodded in agreement as Sora held up the card in front of this door. It shone as the door opened to a blinding light.

"So what you're saying is, if Sora disappears, that would mess up the Organization's plans?" Axel checked in disbelief as he stood with his arms crossed near the crystal ball.

Marluxia stood with his back turned towards he and Larxene as Naminé sat nearby, continuing to scratch new drawings."Indeed."

Larxene huffed as she placed her hand on his hip with discontent, "Why the heck would the organization need a roach like that? He can put up a fight sure, but other than that-" The nymph stopped talking for a moment as a sly, knowing smile drew on her face as she walked towards her fellow member, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Ah, I see. Vexen's finally gotten to you hasn't he? Are you finally going to give him Sora?"

"Aw, and I was just beginning to like him." Axel remarked jokingly though he kept a deadpanned expression.

Marluxia simply smirked. "There's a little more to it than that, i should think you of all people should understand, Axel." he said turning around, glancing at the red haired man.

"Haven't a clue, really. Maybe you could spell it out for me." Axel sarcastically said looking bored as he figured what was coming.

"Vexen's actions as of late have not only gone against the goals that the Organization has lain out for us, but he has committed a treasonous act within our own ranks. Axel, you must eliminate the traitor."

Axel simply smirked without a second thought. "No taking that back later."

When Sora opened his eyes he was a little shaken as this time the white monotonous hall was replaced with an unfamiliar town that looked to be more developed that his own home was. Looking up he saw that the sky was painted with the colors of the setting sun, the golden light reaching across the sky.

"Sora, have you been here before?"

Sora shook his head, "I don't think so, I'd never forget a place like this."

Jiminy pondered for a moment, "Hmmm, well if this place is "The other side of your heart", maybe it's important?" Jiminy reasoned.

"Even so, Castle Oblivion is the only other place I've been to..." Sora remarked as he walked through the empty town, looking around at all the empty shops. He eyed a tram passing by with no one controlling it. "I wonder if this place is always deserted like this, it's kind of spooky."

"I don't think it's an actual town, remember, those cards you have are made from your memories, and no one can remember an entire town."

"Oh, right!" Sora remembered, his eyes widening slightly. "We're still in the castle after all."

...

It felt as through Sora was guided towards the woods next to the town, the path leading towards a gated off mansion.

"This place..." Sora murmured as melancholy grew within his heart.

"Do you recognize it?

"No..." Sora said half unsure as he crossed his arms, tilting his head back as he tried to place his feeling.

"Maybe it's like it was with Naminé."

Sora shook his head, "This is different. With Naminé-my memories...sort of came drifting back to me, a little piece at a time. But not now. It's not memories, just this idea that I've been here before."

"Feeling nostalgic?"

Sora tensed up as a void of darkness appeared infront of him, appearing through the darkness was Vexen with his hands behind his back, with a smile on his face.

"Your memories of Naminé or your feelings here-which of the two of these is more real, I wonder."

"What are you all taking about?! My memories are real, every single one of them!" He insisted. "Whatever it is that I'm feeling, I bet it's just one of your mean tricks!"

Vexen just laughed as he staggered. "The memory's wiles can be cruel. In its silence, we forget. In its obsession, it binds our hearts."

"Stop being cryptic!" Sora demanded as his anger grew.

"I told you- This place was created solely from another side of your memory. It is on the other side of your heart that the memory of this place exists, a place that the other you treasures fondly."

"There's no "other side" to my heart, everything that I've experienced came from my home!"

"So you say, but if you remain bound by the chain of memories and refuse to believe what is truly inside your heart and throw it away; You are more than than a slave to those twisted memories, exactly like my Riku."

Like YOUR Riku...?

"You... YOU'RE the one who changed Riku!" Sora trembled with anger, as his rage radiated off of him. "Vexen, what did you do to him?!" Sparks of lighting radiated around Sora, as he summoned a powerful Thunder spell that Vexen blocked by summoning a large shield over his head.

"All I did was create the vessel, it was Naminé that warped what was in his heart, as she already has with yours."

Sora just ignored him, "The only thing that's in my heart is the will to save Riku and Naminé and anybody that comes between us!" Sora abruptly said as a large fireball formed above his head from the strength of his heart, mercilessly shooting smaller fira blasts aimed squarely towards Vexen.

With little trouble, giant shards of ice erupted from the ground, blocking most as the rest hit Vexen's shield, the man behind it looking content. "Then show me such a resolve, Sora." Vexen mocked a smile drawing on his lips as Sora charged towards him blasting powerful fire magic from his fingertips.

...

...

Sora dealt a final blow as a powerful bolt of lighting struck Vexen down from above, destroying his shield and dealing critical damage as the men fell to his hands.

"Urrgh... To have such strength, even at the mercy of your memory-" He grunted as he tried to stand. "I wonder, where is it that your strength derives from..."

"None of that matters!" Sora snapped him out of his inner thoughts. "Tell me what you did to Riku!"

"I told you did I not?" Vexen chuckled as he staggered to his feet. "The Riku you speak of...has but one fate, to sink into the darkness and you will share that fate if you continue to seek the girl, Naminé. With every floor you ascend, the shackles will tighten, you'll lose your heart, your memories...and end up becoming Marluxia's pawn."

Sora hesitated in confusion at Vexen's words. He had no doubt that the man was not to be trusted, yet what did the man have to gain from warning him? "What does Naminé have to do with-" The breath escaped him as a chakram flew past Sora his head, striking Vexen against the gate. Sora took a step froward out of reflect but felt a hand resting top of his head, freezing as he recognized his.

"Yo, Sora. Did I catch you at a bad time?"

His eyes widened as he glanced up at Axel smiling playfully as the taller man glanced down fondly at him.

"Axel, what are you-" There was something different about him, something darker that radiated around the red haired man behind that smile.

Axel placed a finger over his own lips as he ruffled his Sora's hair playfully, baring a cheeky smile on his face. "Shush now, the grown-ups are talking." Sora swatted his hands away as Axel walked towards Vexen who had re-materialized his shield, aiding in helping him stand.

"Axel, why...?" Vexen muttered as he saw the nonchalance attitude traded for something more terrifying.

"Oh you know Marluxia, has to carry out the orders of our lord in a timely manner." Axel said as it was more of a bother to go out of his way.

"Orders...?" Vexen flinched slightly with realization, "You can't possibly believe that he would ask that! Without my research there's no one else to finish what I've started!"

"We are just Nobodies who have no one to be, yet we still "are." But now you can be nothing instead of just being a Nobody. You're off the hook."

A reflection of fear encased Vexen as he realized what was to come. "No... Please don't! I don't want to-"

"Goodbye."

Axel snaps his fingers engulfing Vexen within a pillar of flames, screaming in agony. As the flames dispersed, the man fell to his knees, eyes clouded over as his body began to fade away within the darkness.

Sora took a step back, trembling as he glanced at Axel in disbelief, murmuring before he grew enraged at the man's actions. "What are you- What ARE you people?! Wasn't he your friend?!"

Axel hardly acknowledged him, shrugging his shoulders as he glanced towards the clock tower within the distance, hearing the bells ringing. "I wonder about that myself." He remarked as he faded within the void of darkness.

Sora felt a numb feeling in his fingertips, his heart feeling sore as couldn't process what had just happened. Instead he feet began to guide him towards the sound of the bells.

Marluxia was waiting for him as Axel returned to the meeting room with the crystal ball held within.

"Well?"

Axel said nothing, signifying his work as Marluxia smiled glancing back at the crystal ball that still observed Sora.

"Marluxia... You tricked Vexen to test Sora's strength, didn't you?"

"Partially, it was an act that benefited all involved." Marluxia remarked. "Vexen was merely a stepping stone that needed to be crossed, the boy needed to witness the strength it took to defeat one of our own. Soon enough once Namine completes her work, then control of the Organization will be within our grasp."

Axel crossed his arms, "So was that your plan all along? To guide Sora here just so you could groom him just like Vexen and Namine did the Replica?"

Marluxia shook his head, "There was something else within the castle that guided Sora to it's doorstep, something I doubt that the boy could even recognize for himself."

"If you say so." Axel said about to turn away, "Oh, just so I have a clear conscious later," he said looking back, "Exactly what crime did Vexen commit to warrant such an unforgiving punishment?"

Marluxia simply smirked as a smile drew on his face, gazing in amusement as he watched Sora climbing the steps towards the top of Twilight Town's clock tower. "The eradication of Roxas's memories." he saw Axel's eyes widen slightly within the reflection of the crystal ball, unable to hide his shock. "I'm sure you remember, he was so close to reclaiming his past life, it was a shame that Vexen couldn't allow that."

"If Vexen took away Roxas's memories then whose to say we couldn't get them back?" Axel recommended, almost unable to hold back the shock in his voice.

" Vexen was removed to suit our own needs, with his end the Organization's plans will be set back irreversibly for some time. Enough time that we can bend Sora to our will as well. Besides, Roxas had no use for a past identity in order to wield the Key, all he needed was purpose, and that was what you gifted to him was it not?"

Axel fully faced him, his hands gripped into tight fists reflecting what appeared to be an enraged emotion as the image of his friend flashed in his mind. He glared at Marluxia, wavering for only a second he turned back towards the dark void, longing for the taste of Sea-salt ice cream.

Sora sat upon the edge of the clock tower, looking out towards the setting sun of this world, grasping Naminé's charm over his chest. Jiminy sat on his shoulder simply watching alongside him, feeling that the boy was shaken by the events that had recently transpired.

"This good luck charm that Naminé gave me." Sora began saying, catching Jiminy's attention as he saw his friend looking fondly at the charm in his hands."I remember I promised her... From now on, as long as we're friends I'll be your good luck, I'll keep you safe. But when Naminé left the islands...and I forgot about her all this time. I really let her down.."

"Well that was mighty sweet of her, sounds like she cared about you a lot." Jiminy remarked.

"Once, when it was really dark and Naminé and I were little, there was this meteor shower. It was so beautiful, but I also remember it being really scary. Naminé started crying, She said, "What if a shooting star hits the islands?" So I said, "Then I'll just hit it back, right into outer space!" I was swinging this toy sword around the whole time." Sora said confidently with a smile. "Naminé laughed at that, she said, "You can't hit a shooting star you'll get blown up first!" We argued for a while about that for a long time. She was crying all throughout that she didn't want to see me get hurt, and ultimately gave me this charm when we both calmed down. She promised that it would always protect me, that even if we weren't together this charm would always help guide her to me..." Sora then frowned. "That's why I'm worried, what if the charm lost it's power? What if it couldn't guide her to me because I forgot about her?" Sora questioned.

"Aw, you didn't mean it Sora, I'm sure that the magic wouldn't be so selective." Jiminy reasoned. "But you know, what Vexen said back there really bothered me. He said that it was Naminé that Riku was acting all off like that.

Sora just shook his head, glancing towards Jiminy. "I don't know what's going on, but I know that Namine would never hurt Riku, when we find her we can ask what exactly is going on." he reasoned to which Jiminy just nodded in agreement. He lifted his head towards the sun setting in the distance, a fondness growing in his heart at the sight. "It feels really strange..." He placed his hand over his heart. "I'm sure I don't know this place, but it's starting to feel like it's familiar to me..." He remarked. "Also for some reason I really want ice cream."

Jiminy chuckled as he took out his journal again, "Well, I guess once we find our friends then we'll all have to have the best ice cream together. Just happens I know the best place to get it."

"You do? Where?!" Sora asked excitedly.

"In his majesty's world, Disney Town."

"That's so cool! They just have shaved ice on the Destiny Islands, but you know, sometimes my mom made me, Riku and Naminé ice cream when it got too hot."

They talked together fondly for a long time about their respective words, both of them smiling and laughing as Jiminy began writing down their promises for the future where they could all be reunited with the ones they cared about.

/Notes/

-Thundara, Firaga Burst, Diamond Dust,

- Sora is just so confused, but he's trying

- Mar-Mar, why u alway's lyinnn' (Me writing Marluxia as a manipulator who makes Axel feel bad about himself :T )

- Ah, poor Vexy, I suppose you could say he need to, Chill out? :D

- So, I suppose ya'll have questions, and I am happy to say, they most likely will not be answered within this arc :3 (Maybe)