And here is another long chapter! Here we go with it! Also thank you all for the reviews and everything!

Also minor violence warning towards the end!

Ch.11

The replica had finally calmed down enough that he let go of Saix. He still stood there though, his eyes red from crying, but no more tears were on his face. He breathed in slowly a few times before he could make proper eye contact with Saix.

"Uh… thank you…" the replica muttered, finally breaking the long silence between the two.

Saix nodded. "You're welcome. It looked like you needed to hear those things and let it out anyways."

"It's… You don't see that as weak though? If anyone else saw that I bet that they would think I'm pretty pathetic for letting my emotions do that to me," the replica said as he lowered his head.

"I wouldn't say that."

"How would you even know? Aren't you a Nobody? Someone who doesn't have a heart to feel emotion anyone?" the replica asked, now skeptical of anything that Saix had said before.

"You are correct about that, but I once was a Somebody. I once had a heart and I knew what it was to have emotions. In my opinion it is better to let out what you are feeling then concealing it. If others judge you for having natural human emotions, then that is their problem, not yours."

The replica pressed his lips together. Every time he tried to get angry at Saix and find a fault in what he was trying to do, he somehow managed to make everything sound better. Somehow Saix was able to say the right thing each time. It almost would have infuriated the replica of what was being said wasn't so helpful to him.

And on top of that he remained perfectly calm and posed. Never once seemed annoyed or upset by anything the replica had said. He would have attributed that to him being a Nobody, but he had already seen the other Nobodies fake emotions, so there was the possibility Saix could do the same.

Once again the replica felt thankful to Saix. If he wasn't there to talk to him, and say those wise things, the replica wasn't sure what he would have done with him. "Thanks… again…"

"No worries. But what you need to figure out is what you are going to do next. Do you have any idea yet?"

The replica lowered his head and shook it slowly.

"Would you like me to offer some more advice?" Saix asked, still having the drive to help out the replica as much as he could.

There was a pause from the replica, but then he nodded.

"I think what you should do is go to confront Riku," Saix stated.

The replica's head shot up and he stared long and hard at Saix. "What? Why would you want me to do that?"

"Because I do not believe you will truly face yourself about your identity until you properly talk things through with Riku. But you shouldn't go in rash about it. You need to only talk things out with him."

Now the replica was starting to feel annoyed again. The last thing he wanted to do was to go and see Riku. Why would he even want to see whom he was created after? Seeing the real Riku wouldn't help him feel better at all. It would only remind him of how he was a copy and nothing more.

"I do not want to see him! That's not going to help me at all!"

"Then I would suggest you go back to help Namine, since I know deep down you still probably want to. But with that, I have a feeling Riku will end up finding her one way or another because she is currently with Sora. So regardless you will have to face Riku one way or another. And in my personal preference, doing it before going to Namine and Sora would be the best option."

The replica gritted his teeth. There Saix went again, saying something that sounded right. Despite not wanting to face the real Riku, what Saix was saying did make sense. The replica did want to see Namine again, and he did want to help her. Even if his memories of her were fake, Saix's point that they were his and his only, made him feel better about them. And he wanted to cherish them, and keep Namine prominent in his heart.

But now he was at another lose. Saix was right, but once again the replica didn't know where to go from there. "But… what do I say to him? How do I know he won't go and attack me 'cause I'm just some copy of him?"

"I can come along to help you if you need more guidance. And to see that Riku does not do anything like that to you," Saix replied, offering as much kindness as he could to the replica.

The replica closed his eyes, thinking over the situation. "I'd like that. Please… help me figure this out."

"Of course," Saix responded as he walked closer to the replica. He placed a hand on his shoulder and offered a small smile. "Now let's go, all right?"

"Yeah… though there is something I want to ask before we go…" the replica said, speaking softer than before.

"And what would that be?"

"Since you first encountered me here… you never called me by Riku, or even 'the replica'... why is that?"

Saix looked at the replica carefully. "I didn't say any name to you because I did not want to dismiss what I was trying to get across. If I kept calling you 'Riku' or 'replica', how would my point of you being your own person make any sense?"

"I guess you're right… but what do I do about that then? I can't go on being nameless," the replica replied.

"I think that is something you need to figure out for yourself. Find yourself and find a name that can suit you," Saix said, offering the best he could.

He knew that he could not name the replica, that was something that was in his right to do. It was up to the replica if he wanted his own name. And he would have to do it on his own. All Saix could do was offer hope that he would find it one day.

"Okay, yeah… I'll think about that," the replica said as they started walking down the hallway.

"Is there something you would like me to call you in the meantime?" Saix asked.

The replica shook his head. "I can't really think of anything right now. But if I do, I'll let you know."

Saix nodded in understanding as they proceeded to walk. Soon enough the replica spoke up again, having more thoughts on his mind than he originally thought. "Can you tell me… what I was like before?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean before I was giving these fake memories to think I was the real Riku. I know that at first I didn't think that, but I can no longer remember anything about it. Was I any different when I knew that I was a replica of Riku in the first place?"

Saix nodded to him. "You did know that you were a replica of Riku, but you were rather arrogant and cocky."

The replica whipped his head to glare at Saix, and once again was met with his calm expression. But he didn't say anything, he stared at Saix, waiting for him to say more.

"You expressed your annoyance with the real Riku, seeing him as a loser and a whip. So I am not in the wrong to say you were much more arrogant before."

"And so you mean that what I am now is an improvement?" the replica asked quietly.

"In a way, yes, because you now think much more logically and do not think you are above everyone else," Saix answered.

"I guess I'll take that as a compliment…" the replica replied shrugging his shoulders slightly.

The two walked enough until they reached the floor where they sensed Riku would be. When they entered the floor, it was a version of Twilight Town. Saix knew that it was not the real version of course, only one that used the data from cards. But it was still fairly convincing.

They walked around until they got to where Riku was, which was at the gate to the old mansion. They saw him walking around, looking at his surroundings, trying to understand where to go next.

"Maybe Namine is here…" Riku muttered aloud, still pounding where to go.

The replica watched him quietly. He did not move or say a word though. His eyes were locked on Riku, and no doubt he was having deep thoughts about confronting him. Saix cleared his throat and began to whisper to the replica, not wanting to draw the attention of Riku yet. But it had seemed Riku must have sensed them. His attention was more focused to what was around him, and he looked to be searching more diligently.

"Are you going to say anything?"

"I still don't know what I should say…" the replica whispered in return.

"Would you like me to start talking to him then?"

The replica shook his head. "No, I have to be the one to do it. It has to be me."

With a deep breath, the replica stepped out from where the two of them were hiding. "Hey," the replica said, as he tried calling out to Riku. His voice was a bit shaky, but he continued to move forward and Riku turned around to face him.

"What are you doing here?" Riku asked, ready to draw his weapon at anymore.

"I wanted to talk to you…" the replica started to say. "And I can sense you are different than I last thought."

"And what do mean by that?"

"Your darkness, you are handling it better. You're not afraid of it."

"And? What is your point?" Riku asked, starting to get suspicious of the replica's quiet approach opposed to his rude and cocky attitude from before.

"Just a comment really… but I… I do want to talk to you," the replica replied before dropping his gaze.

Riku slowly loosened up. His first encounter with his replica had left him annoyed, this was a complete change. He wasn't acting cocky or claiming he was better. He almost looked sad and defeated. But Riku knew he couldn't just believe him right off the bat.

"Okay…? Then go on with it? What do you have to say?" Riku asked as he crossed his arms.

"It's hard to explain!" the replica retorted. "You see what I am. You see that I am only a fake of you. But even if I can't do anything to change my appearance… I want to do something to make my own choices. I don't want to remain an empty shadow of you. But I think I need to work alongside you… or something to really understand that."

"Huh? What does that even mean? How would sticking around me do anything?"

The replica groaned in frustration. He really wished he had asked Saix more on what he should say. Now he felt totally stuck and he was not fully ready for this. He gripped his head and let out a frustrated sigh. "I don't know, okay!? I'm still trying to figure this out… and I still don't understand a lot of it. All I know is that I want to discover myself… and be different from you. But I just… I don't…"

"I think I may be able to help with the answer," Saix said, speaking up. He left the hiding spot and entered into the open area, walking up besides the replica.

Now that Riku saw him approach, he took to offensive position and summoned his weapon. "You are another one of the others. The same dark scent, just like the rest."

"I have no reason to fight with you Riku. Please lower your weapon and hear me out," Saix said.

Riku narrowed his eyes, looking at Saix. He had not met him before, but he did have the same scent as the others he had encountered. But for some reason, he didn't feel intimidated by him or threatened to fight like he did with the others. He remained calm, but Riku couldn't assume he meant his word.

"How can I trust you? Why even would I trust you?" Riku didn't lower his weapon as he asked his questions. He wouldn't do so unless he truly knew that he could trust whom he saw before him.

The replica stepped forward a little. "He really only wants to help. If it hadn't been for him, I probably still would have held a lot of agitation and resentment towards you."

"But why would I even trust you? The way you acted the first time we met left the impression that you wanted to prove that you were better than me."

The replica sighed and lowered his head again. "I don't even remember that."

"How can you not remember that? It wasn't all that long ago," Riku asked, now feeling a little confused by the replica's words. It was only a few floors back he had met his replica, could so much time really pass by for him to forget? Or was it something faulty with being a replica?

"It's a long story… but I no longer have any memories of what I did before," the replica answered honestly. "I'm sorry if I acted like that."

The more Riku stared at the two that stood before him, the more he saw how truthful their words were. Finally he let out a sigh of his own and lowered his weapon. "Okay… what is it that you want to help with? And secondly, who are you?"

"My name is Saix, but that isn't really much of importance. But what I do want to do is help. And I figure if you let him come along…" Saix gestured to the replica. "You two can not only work together, but also help discover differences between the two of you."

"I suppose I see your reason on that, but why do you think that we would need to work together?" Riku asked.

"I do not know what lies on the path before you, but it is always nice to have a helping hand," Saix replied.

"And," the replica chimed in. "Even though I am trying to figure out how to be my own person, I guess you could say that having someone to talk to about my thoughts would be nice, especially if they have a similar mind to my own. Or really… the other way around."

Riku still wasn't sure how to take all of this in. All the other people with the black coats he had faced, fought against him. But Saix was different. And then his replica was acting calm and nice now. It seemed far too strange to believe, but what else was he supposed to do? He already knew that choosing to fight that wouldn't be right. Neither of them looked in the mood or position to start up something like that anyways.

"I guess so… I mean you have nowhere else to go, right?" Riku asked, facing the replica.

The replica shook his head. "No, I don't."

"All right, then, I guess you can come along with me."

The replica raised his head back up. He did not expect such an easy and quick response back from Riku. He thought for sure there would be a bit more of a confrontation over the subject. "Why did you agree so easily?"

"I guess it is because… I am curious. Even if we look and sound the same, seeing you act differently now, it makes me wonder who you will become."

There was that reason, but Riku also had one other reason, but it was one that he was keeping to himself. The other was that he wanted to start trusting others again. After being deceived by Maleficent to turn against Sora, his trust had faltered. He believed and trusted a manipulative, evil witch over his best friend, and that still lingered deeply in his heart.

He wanted to try again to trust in his heart and not give into any manipulation. And right now his heart was telling him that he could trust these two. Though maybe his heart only said that for his replica because he was a replica of him. But Riku didn't want to believe anything like that anymore. After seeing this new personality in him, he wanted to truly believe the replica had changed and wanted to be better.

The replica found himself starting to smile from Riku's words. Though still a bit surprised Riku agreed, he was happy for it. "Then I can say the same to you, because I want to know how you stopped being afraid to use the darkness, but also use the light."

Saix watched as Riku and the replica smiled to one another. Seeing that there was no longer any tension in the air or in their eyes, he felt like it was best that he made his leave. "I wish you two the best of luck, but I must be going now. I still have… other matters I need to attend to."

Saix had already turned around and started to walk away, but just as he did, he heard one of the two called out to him. "Wait just a moment."

It was hard to tell which one it was, since their voices were the same, but he wanted to guess it was the replica. But Saix did turn around, and looked towards the two boys. "Something else?"

The replica walked back to Saix, keeping a serious tone in his face and eyes. "You're just going to leave? We're about to go see Namine, and you aren't going to come?"

"I don't see why I would need to come along for that," Saix replied.

"Hmph," the replica huffed before crossing his arms. "Don't play dumb. I heard Sora telling Namine that you told him to tell her that you were sorry. If you can tell me that you are sorry, you can tell it to her in person as well."

Saix stared long and hard. He knew the replica was right about that. He should apologize to Namine in person. It would be the proper and right thing to do. Though he knew he still had to deal with Zexion, he figured it could wait a little bit longer.

Though when he tried to sense if Zexion was still around, as he did survive he encounter with Riku, there was nothing. There was no other Organization member's presence left in the castle aside from his own.

"Did he actually not make it through the battle? Could it have been he escaped from Riku only to disappear afterwards? Or… did he escape because I did not deal with him immediately after?"

Saix wanted to sigh in frustration, but he could see that the two were still waiting for an answer from him. And he knew that he did not have to disclose what he was supposed to do to Zexion. That was his own mission and he saw no need to inform them of it. Though it did bother him that Zexion was nowhere to be sensed in the castle, he still did want to apologize to Namine.

"I will come along, but I cannot stay long," Saix answered. "It would be best if I got to those other matters as soon as I can."

With that, Saix, Riku, and the replica walked onward until they came to the room where Namine was. She stood there, as if she had been waiting for a while now. When she saw the group come in, her eyes widened. Right away she looked to Saix first, a mix of fear and confusion filling her face. But it all faded away slowly once she breathed in and out a few times.

Saix walked forward and looked down at Namine. "I'm sorry that I did not give you an apology in person at first. I didn't think you would want to see me after everything else that happened."

"No it's okay Saix, you helped me. You're the only one who wasn't rude to me. And you didn't attack Marluxia when he held me in front of him. I was afraid you would… but you didn't. So thank you."

Saix smiled. "Of course. I am glad that you are all right."

She smiled back to Saix before her eyes shifted to see Riku, and the replica standing next to him. Once again she felt confusion. "Oh… um I didn't expect you to come back. Um…"

The replica held up a hand. "It's okay Namine. I'm working on figuring out a name for myself, but it's okay."

Namine nodded, smiling slightly again. "Okay, I understand."

Now it was Riku's turn to speak. "So you're Namine?"

"Yes."

Seeing that he wasn't needed anymore, Saix left the room. The three walked off to another section of the room, no doubt where Sora was, but that wasn't of any concern to Saix. He had to get back to his own mission now. But the fact that Zexion was no longer in the castle made things a bit more difficult.

"He probably went back to The Castle that Never Was. No doubt to try and expose my treachery to Xemnas…" Saix sighed heavily. "I should go back, see if I can beat him there or something. I know I still need to search a bit more… I don't think at this rate I'll find anything on the chamber, but I know I should try. I can only hope that Zexion's plan to expose me comes slow, or at least not have anyone believe him. Or maybe Axel will be able to handle it…"

Sometime later, back at the Castle that Never Was, Zexion arrived at the entrance to the place. He quietly walked through the hallways, seeing as it was late at night and everyone else was sleeping.

Though he did want to go straight to Xemnas and explain what happened, he knew better than to try and wake the superior. It would have to wait until the next day. But that gave Zexion plenty of time to get his facts together and say what needed to be said.

The trek back to the castle had been long enough for him that he did want to go sleep right away anyways. He headed up a few floors, and then down another hall until he got to his room. Once he was inside he let out a long and heavy sigh.

"I didn't think you'd be coming back."

A chilling, cold voice came across the room. A voice filled with cruelty and darkness that made a chill run up Zexion's back. Slowly he turned his head to see none other than Axel leaning against the wall. His arms were crossed while kept his eyes locked on Zexion.

"A-Axel?!" Zexion asked. "What are you doing in here?"

"When I sensed that you were back, and only you, I figured something was wrong," Axel replied. "And now here we are."

"What are you even talking about? Didn't any Dusks report back to tell of who we lost at Castle Oblivion?"

"Oh yeah they did, but they couldn't say who. You know the Dusks, not much for conversation… since you know… their Dusks." Axel then stood from the wall and walked closer to Zexion, his golden eyes gleaming in the darkness of the room. "Why do you mention that? You know something?"

"Yes in fact! And I think you would like to hear it. Though Sora took out Larxene and Marluxia, and Riku took out Lexaeus, Saix… he-"

Before Zexion could finish, he was shoved down onto the floor. He let out a short cry of pain as his head hit the floor first before the rest of his body. When he opened his eyes Axel was kneeling over him with one hand wrapped around Zexion's neck.

Axel's eyes were wide, full of energy and excitement. And slowly a grin started to spread across his face, one that made Zexion feel uneasy. Axel leaned forward, bringing his face closer to Zexion's. "You weren't supposed to come back."

Zexion gasped. He tried to speak out to Axel, but when he did, Axel started to squeeze his throat.

"Uh-uh. You don't get to speak now. You've already seen and said too much," Axel replied, his grin turning more sinister by the second. "But before we can continue our little fun chat here, I think we need to move to a less noticeable location."

Darkness surrounded them and in the blink of an eye they had left the room and were now out somewhere in The World That Never Was. Zexion was still pinned to the ground by Axel, and his hold on his next was still tight. It was enough to make Zexion start to hyperventilate.

"A-Axel… what… are you… doing…?" Zexion wheezed out, surprised Axel let him talk this time.

"I'm doing what should have been done; eliminating you," Axel cackled. "And oh I think this is going to be fun"

"But… wh-why…"

"Because…" Axel replied before he starting to stand up. He kept his hand around Zexion, so he picked him up and now held him above the ground. His fingers slowly began to tighten once more, and Zexion choked.

With his eyes beginning to water, he tried to look at Axel, though the lack of air was making it hard to focus. He could see that Axel was still grinning at him, looking far too happy than anyone else should have been. Zexion could feel his hands trembling, but he couldn't get himself to do anything. The main reason was that Axel was far more terrifying than he ever expected. The man was still glaring at him with his golden eyes, filled with a near inhuman look. Then there was the lack of oxygen that was making it hard to process anything. Without enough oxygen to his brain, he had become lightheaded, and that left his brain to function severely less than what he would have wanted.

"I need you out of the way," Axel said, finally finishing his sentence.

He squeeze tighter and Zexion once again let out a series of weak, struggling gasps. "P… P-Ple… ase…"

"So sorry Zexion," Axel replied, the cruel sarcasm rolled off his tongue as he continued to keep his grip tight. He chuckled softly, only adding to the fact that he was clearly enjoying it. "I'm afraid I can't do that."

Zexion wanted to beg again. He wanted to try and get some words out, something he could say to get Axel to stop. But then he felt heat forming at his neck. Axel sneered as the flames stared to flicker from his fingers. Zexion's eyes widened, and then he felt the flames engulf him. He didn't even have enough air to scream as he felt every part of his body catch fire.

Axel watched, all with an amusing face as Zexion struggled. Within seconds his body went slack and it began to fade away. Axel's grin slowly faded and he let go of Zexion, who fell to the ground and remained motionless.

"Maybe I should have let you breathe a bit more. It would have been more enjoyable if I could hear your pitiful screams," Axel spat at Zexion coldly before the body vanished entirely.

"Oh well, you're out of the picture now, that's what matters anyways," Axel mumbled as he opened a portal to take him back to the castle.

Heh, rip Zexion. He may have escaped from dealing with Saix, but he forgot about Axel.

But hey! This means I can finally get back to the 358 stuff with Roxas and Saix, and eventually Xion!