Author's Comments: In response to a question I received, I am NOT Mia, I am Carolyn. (Though I wish I was Mia). And yes, Katie is my best friend in real life. She had me put in those jokes and insane things she does because she says that's what she'd do if that were really happening to her. Well one thing is absolutely sure, when I'm hanging out with her and Caitlin it's never boring.

"BULL!" Riku shouted instantly, "YOU'RE JUST TRYING TO PROTECT THAT SAD EXCUSE FOR A HUMAN BEING!"

"That 'sad excuse for a human being' happens to be my only son." Ansem said coughing slightly.

"Then who or what is controlling him?" Mia asked.

"Well, I…" Ansem stopped. Katie was jerking her head from side to side snapping her mouth open and shut.

"What are you doing?" Rikku asked obviously confused.

"I'M TRYING TO BITE MY OWN EAR!" Katie yelled in frustration. Then she went back to her futile attempts.

"Uh…Carolyn?" Ansem gulped, "Katie's behaving strangely. I'm concerned."

"I've been concerned about Katie since the day I met her." Carolyn said not looking up from her 'Reluctant Heroes' magazine.

"And how long ago was that?"

"Five years."

 "MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOUL!"

"Back to the story old man," Tidus snapped, "What about Cedric? If he's being controlled like you say, then who's responsible?"

"I'm afraid it's my fault," Ansem sighed, "After his mother died I wasn't strong enough. He became twisted as I fell to darkness. When I first tried to unleash the heartless on the universe it was my own doing. That demon that was attached to me when I battled Sora was a specially designed heartless I used to increase my dark powers. It was born from the keyhole in Hollow Bastion.

"But when Sora defeated me with the light within Kingdom Hearts, my body was too weak to continue on its own. From then on my life force was sustained because of the demon. Eventually my body became dependant on it, and it developed a will of its own. It began to use my body as a puppet. I was a prisoner within my own heart. But I do not place all the blame on it. It was my dark nature that caused it to do this."

Ansem was silent for a moment. Then he continued. "After my body was destroyed and my soul was set free, the demon no longer had a host. It needed a new body to take hold of in order to continue living." Ansem drew a sharp breath, "It chose my son."

"That doesn't change the fact that he's still a violent maniac!" Kairi yelled.

"It's understandable," Carolyn said turning towards Kairi, "He'd just lost his father, I bet the demon poisoned his mind when his heart and faith had been weakened."

"How'd you guess?" Ansem said sounding impressed at Carolyn's knowledge on the subject.

"Happened to Katie." Carolyn explained, "She was jealous of my power and fame and her heart was easily corrupted by darkness."

"Sorry 'bout that by the way." Katie said grinning sheepishly.

"Cram it!" Carolyn growled, "I still got a scar on my back from our duel!"

"But it's cool!" Katie whined, "If you squint and look at it from an angle it kinda looks like a lightning bolt! You're like Harry Potter! You just have to take your shirt off for people to see!"

"YES!" All the boys urged. "DO IT!"


 "Didn't I just tell you to cram it?!" Carolyn screamed. Her face was flushed red with embarrassment.

"Cedric probably went along with the demon's went along with the demon's plan for vengeance. He must've allowed Cedric a bit of control so he wouldn't get suspicious. That's why Cedric was able to fall in love with Mia. But the demon is beginning to think that this emotion would make Cedric realize how close he is to eternal torment."

Ansem sighed. He was absent-mindedly plucking at the grass.

"Did you see that eye beginning to open on his forehead? When the eyes opens fully Cedric will be turned completely towards darkness. His soul will be devoured and the demon will take over."

"When will it open?" Sora asked.

"At midnight tonight. After that there will be no hope for my son. The light will be gone from his being. So now I must ask something of you, young keyblade masters…"

 "What?" Riku asked. He and Sora were listening closely.

Ansem seemed very reluctant to be saying this. He was shaking as he spoke. "I want you…" He choked, "To kill him for me."

Silence fell over the campsite. Everyone stared at him in shock. Ansem had his head bowed. He seemed disgusted at himself. Finally Riku jumped to his feet and broke the silence.

"YOU WHAT?!" He shouted at Ansem.

"Put him out of his misery, please." Ansem begged, "I can't bear to see him like this."

"YOU WANT US TO KILL YOUR ONLY SON?!" Mia shrieked standing up, "MY GOD! WHAT KIND OF FATHER ARE YOU?!"

"But…"

"Listen," Riku sighed calming down slightly, "I understand that you don't want your son to suffer. But that's no reason for him to die! You want him out of his misery?! MY GOD! THAT'S WHAT WE DO TO OUR PETS! NOT OUR KIDS!"

"I thought we neuter our pets." Katie said stupidly.

"Katie, you have no idea how wrong that just sounded." Carolyn groaned.