Twilight of the Heart

Axel just sat there tapping the screen, Sora continued to go on. Namine was now more on his mind than ever. The Replica had done his part perfectly. Perhaps a little perfectly. He was pissed now. Maybe the rumors were true and beyond just his feelings Kairi, Sora might have also had feelings for his best friend as well.

Again Axel felt it odd that someone like him could feel so much. Yet here Sora was, his emotions on the rails now. Anger going through him. Natural teenage angst at his finest. But angst with someone who wields a powerful weapon. That would be so easy to manipulate. No onwder Marluxia wanted this plan to go the way it was.

They should be so happy.

As Larxene watched the situation press forward she was heading into one of her moods again. Thanks to Vexen obviously.

"Where did he get a memory card" She shouted, "At this rate he'll ruin everything, why can't he just stop sticking his nose into other business"

"That's what genius get yuh" Axel snickered leaning against the couch, "Ego"

"That Vexen is letting it go to his head" Larxene sneered, "What should we do?"

Axel shrugged, "How should I know, personally I say just let him keep going, I don't know if this world is really important? Honestly might as well just let Vexen go along with whatever, and see what happens"

"Now, now, let's not be so reckless" Marlxuia started waking up to both of them, "He's unreliable, reckless and unpredictable, I will not stand idly by and let this occur". They look to Axel, "Go! Take care of the trait"

Axel smirked, this was the moment he yearned for, time to prove himself.

-000-

Twilight Town.

Apparently that was the name of the place given to this new Town Sora found himself in. It was so strange, but also really quaint. A large area of mostly shops and apartment homes all squished together around a road. A little tram going around the street. The only thing that would make this place easier to stomach would be if there were people around. Otherwise this place was completely abandoned and there wasn't a single soul to be found.

Sora didn't recognize the place at all, he had never been to this world in his previous travels and if he had he certainly didn't remember it. Perhaps this was the castle doing. He didn't know, right now his mind was fixated on Namine...and Riku.

"Ugh, what an idiot!" Sora muttered as he began to walk around the town, "Doesn't he know were on the same side, why does he always have to be my enemy!"

In anger Sora found a nearby trash can and kicked it.

Jiminy hoped on Sora's shoulder, "Now, Sora, don't take your anger out on the garbage!"

"So what if I'm mad!" Sora snapped, "Riku and I were enemies...Again! It was bad enough to first time...Of course that's the one thing I remember. Ugh! I thought we patched things up at the end!"

Goofy took Sora shoulder and calm him down, "Sora...You sure do get upset when it comes to Riku, are you sure there isn't something...You know...More going on here than just being worried about your best friend"

Immediately Sora felt his cheeks turn red as an apple. This wasn't something he wanted to talk about let alone with Goofy

"I thought Sora liked Namine," Donald asked, sounding confused.

Sora's eyes darted around, "Well I did-Uh do ...I do!"

Donald and Goofy looked at each other.

"I mean Sora, your life is your life, but you seem a little conflicted," Goofy asked, "Sure you don't wanna talk it out"

Sora sighed, rubbing his head, "Look guys, you know Riku and I are like brothers practically…

"You get worried about him the most" Donald pointed out, "I might not remember most, but I do remember how you were more worried about Riku"

"Well I uh…

"Yeah, you always talk about Riku, heck it was the reason we came here in the first place right?" Goofy added.

"Yeah, so…" Sora felt his head spinning, "So what...I worry about my friends okay, I like them, I mean isn't that friends do like one another"

"Yes, but...Is there more"

Sora didn't want to deal with this right now. Yeah he liked Riku just as much as he likes Namine. Maybe equally he didn't know. All that mattered now was just finding her, that was it. Erasing the memories and getting back at those bad guys for hurting her once.

"Is this heroism we're thinking Sora or good old fashioned payback?"

"What Bill...How are you?"

"Like I said master of the mind kid, I can hear and do many things...Still, the great hero of the Keyblade thinking these thoughts...Not very heroic if you ask me".

"Well, I uh...Shut up!"

Sora scowled

"You okay Sora?" Goofy asked.

"'I'm fine!" Sora snapped back, taking a deep breath, "Again, just...Lets keep going"

Eventually the trio found themselves standing in the middle of the woods. The forest was peaceful, had Sora not felt a stench coming from the distance near an old rickety mansion. Standing by the gate he saw there Vexen, standing there, smug face, waiting for them.

Sora scowled, "I knew this was a trap"

"Indeed" Vexen chuckled darkly, "Your heart is already a slave to your memories, you are bound by it's chains, and slowly...ever so slowly, you are letting them consume you.

"More riddles great," Sora groaned, "What is this place? I don't remember it, or is this more...Find what I lost or whatever".

Vexen made a dramatic pose before speaking again, "THIS PLACE! Is a memory from the depths of your heart, only it knows were it is"

"Well that's not helpful" Donald muttered.

Goofy scratched his head, "So...Uh, how do we ask Sora's heart, do we open him up or something"

"Hey!" Sora covered his chest.

"Ugh, symptioltons," Vexen rolled his eyes, "Do you not understand any of this? It seems the hero wielding the Keyblade's own heart is completely emotionless, ironic given who we are. Still...I knew Marluxia was overestimating you. You are nothing more than a puppet...someone manipulated by the memory of Namine"

Sora felt something inside him pop, "I am not being manipulated" He got his Key ready for a fight. "What's so strange about saving a friend! Bet you wouldn't know since you don't have any"

"Oh uncalled for" Vexen pretends to be insulted. "Purity is a dreadful thing. You should learn that there are two sides to every story. No one has the full picture and no one is above everything".

"I like the way this guy thinks," Bill said inside Sora's head.

"Neither are you ...And neither is my Riku!"

Sora eyes widened looking at Donald and Goofy before turning back to Vexen, "Your Riku? W-What does that mean your Riku? U-Unless….You did something to Riku...Did you? DID YOU! You did something to Riku"

"Maybe…" Vexen smirked, "I'll never tell ...Except that my Riku is one of the most greatest…."

Vexen stopped before he could say anything else, SPIKES piercing his coat, as from out of the blue Axel appeared behind them. He stood behind him before a few seconds before the other nobody vanished in an explosion of darkness. Now it was just Sora, Donald and Goofy standing before Axel again.

"Sorry for interrupting the juicy part, but orders are orders" Axel smirked.

Sora just looked in shock, "W-What, why? Why did you do that? H-He was your friend or colleague or evil friend? W-Why!"

Axel shrugged, "Again, orders are orders...I gotta obey orders. I don't enjoy doing all the messy stuff, but I do have to do what I have to do and right now you need to get ready for the big one. The grand finale, for you are close...Oh so close to finding Namine".

Sora's eyes widened.

"But will you be happy when you do" Axel smirked, going into the pocket of his coat and throwing him another card, "Here is the card...Hope you can figure out what we plan to do to Namine...Mr. Hero".

Sora just looked at the card and recognized the picture instantly, his face turning cold, eyes determined "Namine ...I'm coming"

Free from Traverse Town at last. Thank heavens. Sora couldn't take another one of these fake worlds or whatever they were. However it was only made worse by the fact that he was just back in another white hall. He hated them, he hated them all. It just meant he wasn't making any progress, not even close to saving Namine from these horrible people. Just thinking about it made his blood boil.

This castle was doing things to his mind and heart. Sora just wanted to burst out screaming. It was like feeling a chronic pain that wasn't getting any better.

Once free from that place, Sora pushed through the door and could see Riku again walking up the stairs to what he had to guess where Namine was. Perhaps he could get him to see reason one more time. Just try, at least once. After that...he wasn't sure what he was going to do, though right now, he had to have some sort of hope, even just a little.

"Riku!" Sora shouted.

Riku paused and just stood there, not even bothering to face him. The pain in Sora's heart increased, it was like being stabbed. Why was he acting this way, was it something he did.

"Still getting in my way I see" Riku sneered.

Sora gasped, "Riku-I, why are you doing this? Come on, were friends...Best friends. Is it...Is it those coat people, did they do something to you"

"Yeah-they did" Riku said.

Sora gasped, "I knew it!"

"They opened my eyes...Maybe me will realize you'll hurt Namine if you go any further"

"Hurt?" Sora blinked, "Riku, I don't wanna hurt namine I want to protect her like you!"

"No, you don't, I'm the only one who wants to protect Namine" Riku glared at him, "I remember...It was during a meteor shower, she was scared, I told her, I would keep her safe".

Sora gasped, "Riku...I don't know what your talking about...Because I was the one who made that promise"

Now it was Riku turn to look confused.

"That's a lie! I was there I made that promise. You weren't even there, you were probably being a idiot running around".

"No! I WAS THERE That's when she gave the good luck charm to ME!" Sora went into his pocket and pulled out the good luck charm.

In a rage Riku charged towards him striking Sora with his Soul Eater, the Keyblade managed to block it causing the two blades to clash.

"Oy vey it's like watching kittens fight with their claws" Sora could hear Bill's taunt in his head, but he didn't have time for that right now.

Sora thrusted him back was weakened.

Riku just looked at it, his eyes narrowing, but slowly a small smile appeared on his face as he laughed,

"Heh...Nice try...That one's obviously a fake...Because I have the real one" He went into his own pocket and pulled out an exact copy of the charm.

Sora was now far more confused.

How was that even possible.

"No..I-I remember that charm" Sora said, his voice shaking, "It's important to me cuz...T-That was the day Namine went away!"

Riku smirked, "Oh yeah...I remember you crying about something"

Something sent Sora into a rage, jumping into the air he unleashed his keyblade and knocked Riku right back against the wall knocking the charm out of his hand. Nothing mattered at that point as that particular hard memory came back flooding to him. The pain, the loss, the loss of the person so important to him. If it weren't for Namine then he would have nothing left in this world that mattered.

For Riku to open that scare, that was probably the cruelest act he could possibly due.

"See kid...He's the villain, should finish him off now and be done with it" Bill again echoed in his head.

For a brief moment Sora considered it but held back, "Riku….Go…"

Riku slowly got up, scowling at him, but knowing that Sora was dangerous enough with his Keyblade to handle, and thus he scattered away.

"Like I said kid...Your villain"

If Sora could lose his temper he would. In fact he was just about too. Once again another world down the drain all ending up in another hallway. He wanted to just take his keyblade and wing it at someone. To bad there wasn't anyone around, he really wanted to hit something right now. He wants to take down those hooded guys, he wanted to save Namine, he wanted smack Riku in the head for being an idiot like usual.

"Well, isn't this great" Sora muttered under his breath, pausing in the middle of the hall, "Another hall, surprise, surprise...Let me guess, more staircases, more halls...More staircases more halls!"

"Sora take it easy" Goofy said.

Sora glared at him, "Take it easy, take it easy! We aren't even making progress at this point! So NO I'm taking going to TAKE IT EASY"

"Okay Sora now your just being silly" Goofy said, far more sternly than anyone was used too, "Just calm down and think for a minute"

"Again? Why should I...My best friend is against me...He's gone completely insane, it looks like he's helping those hooded guys for all I care ...and now I have you two questioning me! So why should I calm down, I have the right to be angry!"

"Sora we get, you do!" Donald stepped in, "No one knows what it's like to be angry more than me, but it never helps unless channelled properly"

Goofy nodded, "Donald's right"

"I don't care!" Sora snapped at them arms folded.

Jiminy Cricket hopped onto Sora's shoulder, looking worried yet stern, "Sora...I know things look bad…

"Oh not you too" Sora rubbed his head in frustration, turning to the wall he started slamming his hand on the wall, "Why don't you guys get it, Namine...My Namine is in trouble, she's here, we are...Who knows were ...Riku has lost it!"

"That Vexen guy said you were being manipulated by the memory of Namine" Goofy spoke again, "What if he's right"

Sora turned around scowling, "Manipulated! Again what's wrong with wanting to save a friend! Namine is in trouble, don't you care! Nothing else matters...Don't you see that, only Namine ...Only namine!"

"Sora…

"Don't Sora me!" Sora yelled, he took another deep breath, "Look, I've said it before now...Namine...is...the...only...thing...that matters, she's the only thing that makes me happy ...Do I have anyone who understands me!"

"I do kid...If you wanna talk"

"Shut up!"

Donald and Goofy looked confused.

"Who are you talking too now?" Goofy asked.

Sora turned to them scowling, breathing heavily, "I-I…..I gotta be alone"

He took Jiminy off his shoulder and handed him to Donald before running off.

"Sora wait!"

"Wait! Sora!"

Sora just ignored them as he kept running. He needed distance. Lots of distance right now. He didn't want to have to deal with those two. One reason was he felt that if he said anything else, he might say something he'd regret, the other was that he didn't want to have to deal with any questions or talk, he just wanted to find Namine. Find Namine and save her, it didn't matter who or what got in his way now, not those hooded guys, not even Riku.

Namine was all that mattered, there was no one else. No one else is important.

As he ran though his emotions got the best of him for he wanted to just clobar Donald and Goofy

How dare they consider something other than Namine to not be important it was absurd unthinkable and just plain rude.. The anger in him was boiling, he was glad he was finally rid of those two blockheads and Jiminy, if he was going to do this he was going to do this on his own. To Sora, all of this was for Namine, that was the only person who mattered, no one else.

Riku, well he was something else. Sora knew about his constant need for control and perhaps protecting Namie on his own was definitely something he do. Though the extremes he was going too, the embrace of darkness. His maddening need to oppose him. Why was his best friend doing this. The more Sora thought the more he worried that Riku would take protecting her too far, and do anything. Perhaps go as far to when Soras as Keyblade Master would have to do something ...No, no he wouldn't think it.

Never!

Sora stopped himself and with a fist smashed his fist to the wall hard. "Namine...Only Nanime….."

"Amazing kid, you really are going all out aren't yuh" Bill said causing Sora to jump back, he was floating right behind him now, "And all for this one person too, how chivarous, how brave...how...heroic"

"I'm not in the mood to talk". Sora huffed as he kept moving

"Clearly" Bill said smugly, floating in front of Sora's face now. The poor boy wished he'd just go away but it seemed it was just not to be at the moment. "But you are getting closer, I can tell, just one more door and you'll have your precious Namine in the palm of your hand...But it might come at a cost"

"Oh not you too" Sora groaned, clenching his fist in anger "I'm tired of all these riddles, just-just give it to me straight for once!"

Bill just laughed, "Look at you kid, the great hero who defeated Xehanort slowly losing it...It be hilarious it wasn't sad, I mean, I think it's funny but others might not"

"ENOUGH!" Sora yelled almost slashing Bill with his Keyblade, thankfully it just went right through him.

"Okay, okay...Calm down…." Bill said, getting on Sora's last nerve, he had his Keyblade at the ready, but the demon triangle just seemed chill, "Just hear me out...You are a lucky kid. How many people do you know come from a boring dull Island only to then be swept off and see the universe and all its facets. To interact with others, learn from them, influence their lives and vice versa ..."

"Yeah, so…." Sora said still sounding upset, "Sometimes, sometimes I wish I didn't have that life, that I could just be back home with Namine"

Bill raised his eye, "You know some people would leap at the chance to be able to interact with the worlds...see it all, escape the boredom and the mundane that society has put on them ...Didn't you think that? What you do...It's a privilege...a gift...don't squander it".

"I thought that way once" Sora sighed, defeat overtaking him for a moment as he just sagged "But knowing where it's gotten me now...I...I just wanna go back home".

"Would you trade with someone else if to go back to a somewhat normal life" Bill asked, his expression inquisitive

"I….." Sora paused unsure, "Maybe, I don't know...That's a big question"

He wanted the hurt right now to go away so badly, all these memories in his head. Some of them more conflicting than others. Images going through his head one way or another. It was like he had lived two lives but only one of them was real, not knowing what to believe anymore. It hurt, so much of it hurt.

"I know, I know kid...I have these moments too" Bill said continuing to float around Sora, putting a tender hand on his shoulder, his eye giving a sympathetic look "As an all seeing being of pure energy, I see the infinite, so I know stuff from areas that have been, will be, might not be, etc etc...You get used to it over the millenia though and learn to make sense of it...Or more no sense...Ha!"

"Just make it stop" Sora said, now clutching his head and heart, "Just...I wanna know one thing"

"Give me the card kid" Bill held out his arm, for some reason it sorta reminded him of the time Riku did it with him, a signal of trust.

"Huh?"

Bill twiddled his fingers excitedly, "The card, the one blondie gave yuh...Give it to me, and when you go through the door this time, things will become far more clear than they ever have been before"

"I-I can do that?" Sora asked, holding out the card in his hand, recognizing the image of his home.

Bill just nodded.

Sora handed Bill the card slowly, though he still was entirely sure if everything would work out as he hopped.

"You know kid...We're a lot alike, I too used to love seeing the universe , getting to know all the little ins and out of it all, even my own family said I probably shouldn't because of rules and what not. But I wanted to see i all and learn it all so badly" When Bill spoke it was almost nostalgic like discussing a life that had long since passed him as he continued to just look at the card, he sighed, "Boy those earlier centuries were fun, just seeing it all, learning it all, not for any real reason, i just wanted to ...you know"

"Yeah, I-I get that" Sora sighed, feeling sorry for Bill now, "So...what happened"

Bill shrugged, "Guess i got bored of it that's all, being in the same dimension and only being able to see but not really touch...you know. I did all the seeing, never did a lot of touching like you".

Sora eyes widened as he suddenly realized just what he was saying for the first time since they met, "Bill? Are you, are you stuck?"

"We're all stuck kid" Bill said, his voice almost bitter, "But yeah, in some ways, I honestly have more interactivity here because of how this castle sorta is a bridge between the real world and the mindscape"

Sora frowned, feeling guilty now that he's calmed himself "Oh, I wish I could help"

"You just may kid ...you just may…" Bill then summoned a card in his hand and held it to Sora, "If you need help, here's my card"

"Will I remember"

Bill chuckled, "So long as you have it with you...I think you'll be fine"

Sora put it in his pocket and rushed off.

"Don't worry kid...I'll be watching", The last thing Bill said sounding a little to ominous though, almost, almost threatening "I'll be watching you"

-000-

"Ugh...Vexen! Sometimes I wonder what the point of him was" Larxene yelled leaning in so close to Namine that she could see her nostrils snarl, "And as for you...These memories aren't having the desired effect anymore"

Namine just sat on her chair as Larxene held a few of her sharp talons close to her neck. She didn't flinch, she didn't move, she didn't scream. All she did was remain empty, like her emotions at the moment. There was nothing inside of her, nothing at all. The plans were slowly down to pieces it seemed. Sora wasn't breaking fast enough, and while he was turning it wasn't at the pace her superiors had hoped for. Vexen's demise had been a blow back for sure, his science was a much needed asset to the Organization and it's works. However Marluxia did not seem to take too much concern, for all they needed was Sora, and so long as he was still intact that's all they could go upon. However that still didn't mean things were running smoothly.

Why didn't her memories seem to stick. Every time she would try something nothing would work. It was if something, deep down in Sora's mind, or maybe even his heart, prevented the spell from working.

She tried everything and yet it seemed like her powers were always being held back. It just made her heart sink knowing just how useless she really was. A pawn to the Organization and not even a useful one at that.

Larxene just continued to pace around her and sneer, like an animal ready to jump on it's pretty. "He's breaking, but not fast enough, we need him to break now! Otherwise all of this would be for not!"

Poor Namine was petrified beyond reason at this point. All her memories had backfired in some way as Sora kept finding ways to break free of the illusion. Something never stuck, worse, he was ready to break, but if he wasn't able to stick to the illusion completely then all of this would be for nothing and she would not be able to feel his love and they wouldn't have a functioning Keyblade Master. A lose-lose for everyone in this situation.

The Organization members were furious and she could sense it. Despite not having feelings it seemed that rage was something that easily came to them. Sadly Namine was the one who bore the brunt of the abuse felt by them. Worse still though, the emptiness in her soul was continuing to grow. More and more the need for Sora's affection grew, as they got closer it seemed, the feeling still felt so very far away.

"I-I'm sorry, he has a strong heart," Namine said, stuttering, "I mean the Keyblade chose him for that right?"

Larxene glared at her, "I don't care about his heart, I just want his mind and we just want his body-"

"Larxene enough!" Marluxia said sternly as they marched into the room, they took a moment to regain composure before speaking again, a small smirk this time appearing on their face, "Calm please, I'm sure all will work out in the end. Most of the plan is coming nicely into focus".

Larxene quickly got up, she was loyal enough to Marluxia to know when to quit. Though she had cold eyes on her. One wrong move and Namine knew she would be in for a world of hurt. There was a brief moment of silence though as the two of them just stood in silence.

Suddenly Axel arrived through a portal of darkness smirking as he brandished his weapons with a confident glare. It caused the others to flinch, his arrival must have been more unexpected. However Marluxia beamed either way, clapping with delight once he fully entered.

"Ah, Axel wonderful" Marluxia declared, "I was so thrilled that you showed your loyalty to us and our plan"

"What can I say I enjoy a good coup" Axel chuckled, putting away his weapons, he seemed rather confident in himself.

Larxene smirked, "Didn't think you had it in you"

"I have a lot in me...Except a heart" Axel smirked back, causing Larxene to sneer.

"Don't we all" Marlxuia muttered, keeping that stoic demeanor befitting a leader. "But Vexen is rid of, he was a nuisance anyway. Most of his research we could probably figure out ourselves, or find others who will be willing for us. There are plenty of scientists out there who we could sway to our side".

"So, what exactly will be the endgame here?" Axel asked bluntly.

Marluxia and Larxene exchanged sly looks at one another before speaking.

"Easy," Marluxia spoke first, "Sora will be so loyal to Namine he'll have to do anything she says, that includes helping us take over from the superior".

Axel smirked, "Sounds fun"

"It will be...Oh it will be…." Marluxia then went over to Namine again, "So long as we don't have further delays"

"No, of course not" Namine said, feeling the chill of fear down her spine, "It will be ready, I promise"

"Wonderful!"

Marluxia clapped his hands together with excitement as he turned to the others and nodded, "Send the Replica out again...One more engagement with Sora should be enough to trigger something"

"Oh, I have an idea" Larxene said with a wicked smile appearing on her face.

"What?" Namine asked, looking nervous.

Slowly Larxene whispered something in her ear, Namine's eyes widened as she heard the words.

"What?"

Larxene nodded, "Yep...Perfect way to twist the memory enough for him to snap"

Namine looked at Larxene, her talons out in case she refused.

"Very well," She sighed.

"Good"

"What's going on here" Namine looked up to see the Riku Replica enter the room, dragging the sword through the ground he seemed a bit hunched over now, eyes covered by his hair. There was something off about him right now. She could feel it.

"You?" Larxene sneered, "Aren't you supposed to get ready to take on the brat"

"I will, I will" The Riku said, something in his voice felt….unhinged, "But first...I'm going to take on you!"

Without even a single moment of warning, the Riku Replica pushed his sword and swiped right at Larxene. Axel and Marluxia jumped in silence. She just stood there now in shock. Everyone remained silent.

Namine gasped.

Larxene stood there for a moment before suddenly she collapsed, the darkness overtaking her instantly. Marluxia and Axel took battle stance ready to attack.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you" Riku finally raised his head, however his eyes had chance, no longer were they green cyan, but glowing yellow, with slits for pupils, "Now...Slashy Slashy"

"What are you?"

The Replica rose into the air and began to attack Marluxia and Axel. The two of them were able to doge but the attacks kept coming. Namine noticed that the Replica's strikes were far more erratic than they had been in the past. Less focused and more bouncy, as if he didn't care for his own safety or well benign when he attacked.

Leap, forward, Axel used his flames to try and take him down but the Replica was still dodging easily. As if something or someone was controlling his actions, guiding him

The more Namine watched the more she began to wonder if the Replica was in control.

"What has gotten into you" Marlxuias shouted dodging another attack, "Is this Vexen doing"

"Oh trust me" The Replica said, in a high pitch voice, "There's way more going on then Vexen...To bad you just can SEE it".

Before Marluxia could retort the Replica slashed right through them causing them to stammer for a bit. Namine just watch with a mixture of horror and shock as they slowly vanished into the darkness before leaving now only Axel standing there.

Namine looked at him with worry before he said, "Make the right call kid" with that he vanished.

Now it was just the Replica and Namine now.

The Replica turned with a creepy grin and the glowing eyes, whatever had hold of them did not seem intent on harming her right away. Instead they slowly approached her, stumbling a bit on there legs as if they were unsure how to walk before speaking, laughing all the way.

"Well, well, well...Showed them huh"

Suddenly the Replica's eyes turned back to normal as the thing that possessed it appeared before her.

Namine looked in confusion as she saw a floating triangle with one singular eye and floating top hat arise from it.

"W-Who are you?" Namine asked, looking nervous.

"Just the answer to all your prayers and more" The triangle said giving them a wink, "Names Bill, Bill Cipher, but you can call me ...oh wait I just said that, nevermind"

Namine leaned back in her chair, "H-Hello Bill? W-What are you doing to him?" She pointed to the Replica

"Using him as a puppet" Bill replied, "I mean come on, that's what he is? A puppet. Why do you think I had Vexen make him"

"V-Vexen?" Namine stuttered, "I-I thought Marluxia wanted him"

"Nah, Vexen had these weird ideas for the heart and what not, and I like weird and I like the direction he was going, so I had him make him, but now that he did, I didn't need him...Poor sap. Oh well, what can you do? Anyway, that's not important I wanna help you out kid"

Namien seemed taken aback, "Me?"

"Yeah there is an echo here" Bill laughed.

This was all so very sudden and weird. One minute she was pretty much benign held hostage by Marluxia and Larxene and now this strange triangle came to him offering help. Although something about him seemed very off. Was he here the whole time, what was he doing, she had so many questions and felt like she was not going to get a lot of answers.

"Okay you look confused" Bill sighed, "Look I know you do all that memory hoodoo that you do, and I wanna make that a little extra spicy. I've been watching you break Sora's memory down and hollow out his heart until it's nothing but you in it...And i gotta say I'm impressed, but I want to ...meddle ...with the Organizations plans"

Namine looked down in shame, "It's-it's not like I enjoy it, it's just" she paused for a moment, unable to complete the phrase, forcing herself to continue " ...It just I feel so empty and...And I feel that if I can experience this love that Sora has for...Then maybe...Maybe I'll be able to finally feel whole." Her voice started shaking as she hugged herself tightly, "I've felt this way ever since I could remember, and I hate it...I hate this feeling"

"Ah young lamore" Bill summoned himself a violin and began to play, continuing to tease but with a certain amount of genuinesses in his voice. "How can I not wanna help that...Well I can think of some reasons, but for the most part I wanna help you here".

"H-How can you help me?" Namine said, sounding surprised. Why would this creature want to help her, they've only known each other for a few minutes.

"Well...I'm a bit of a master of the mind, and that includes memories and I know far too well what it's like to be stuck in isolation…." Bill replied summoning a marteene and drink, speaking in a very business-like tone "I might be able to help crack the code in what makes our little keyboy tick and we can all get what we want".

"Okay" Namine took a step back from him, she was still uncertain about all of this, "B-But why do you want to help me?"

Bill sighed, rubbing the tip of his temple "Oh boy….So many questions, look let me cut to the chase...I'm weird...You're weird...Sora is weird"

Namine just remained silent, what did weirdness have to do with any of this.

Bill got straight to the point now, tired of mincing words "Look kid, all I'm saying is, we have a lot in common. We both missed out on an awesome adventure and we want in this one!"

Namine again looked confused "We do?"

"Yes...See, you and I want one thing...To be part of the story, to be included in the epic quest, that has been going on...without us" Bill replied leaning back, his words becoming inticing for they were exactly how she felt at that moment. To belong, to part of this epic quest that was unfolding right before her eyes

It took a moment as she thought it over, she really wanted to be part of Sora's story. To be part of whatever great feet he took on next. He was the Keyblade Hero after all, someone who was destined now to do great things because of it. If this was her chance to be part of something epic, something grander, then she had to take it.

"Okay?" Namine said taking a step back, a bit confidence rushing through her "But I still don't understand""

"Look they say that moving, getting a new job, and starting a relationship is the hardest thing anyone could do through" Bill replied getting Namine's attention again, he was becoming more and more excited "This plan is sorta all three...BUT! If you stick with me, I can show you things...I could show the world...Weird... ...Bizzare...Madness! Your powers are unique Namine, they just need to be used in a way that can truly be special".

"Doesn't sound very appealing" Namine snickered.

Bill shrugged, "Point is you want to be part of the story right...You want the empty feeling in you gone or not".

Namine sighed, "Yes"

"So it's a deal then?" With an outstretched hand a small blue flame appeared inside of it as his eye glowed blue as well,

Namine looked hesitant at the hand, and nodded, "Deal!"

"Oh man! Yes! We are gonna have...SO ...MUCH ...FUN!

Namine now found herself standing in the middle of a black empty canvas. She had always made the memories ahead of time but this, this was the exception. Bill had said they planned to tinker a bit with Sora's memories, a way to make them completely different and not just an extraction of something he or his friends had endured. This though, this was mind manipulation on a grand scale, however, because of Marluxia and his schemes some of the pieces have already been put into place.

She started to have some second thoughts. Was this really

"He should be coming soon" Bill said, still floating next to her, and just like that Sora appeared, however this time, completely asleep, unconscious, just floating next to her.

Namine felt something inside her skip a beat as she saw him, so, so helpless, and asleep.

"What should I do?" Namien asked, looking nervous.

"Simple...Be exactly what your doing...Just now...In person"