Water poured down from the sky onto an empty city. The city, dark and eerie; the only lights were the few neon lights that emanated from the buildings and the heart-shaped moon in the sky. Nothing but the distant sounds of thunder and rain could be heard. Not a single person roamed the streets as the world itself seemed like an empty shell. This world was not even a world itself, not truly. And it was known as such, The World That Never Was.

It was desolate, save for one lone being that was seemingly unconscious. This girl, who lay on the floor, was motionless and still like a corpse. This was not the case, however, as she began to twitch and move. Her eyes opened slightly; her vision blurred as if she had never used her eyes before. All she could see was the empty alley in which she… perhaps was left? Or had she ever even arrived in the first place? As she regained consciousness, only one thing was clear to her in that very moment. She had no idea who or where she was.

She rose up from the ground, unsure of what was happening as she struggled to rise. It seemed as if her limbs had not been in use for some time. As she clamored to a sitting position, she looked around to see no one in sight. She looked up to the rainy sky as she looked at her own hands, as if they belonged to someone else. She did not recognize them, nor did she recognize her own features as she touched her face or felt her magenta hair in her fingers. She wondered perhaps if something had happened to her; though nothing seemed wrong with her, she thought something was off. This was not where she last was. At least, she thought so. She couldn't remember.

Now rising to her feet, her legs shaking, the girl began to shuffle off to find something… anything that could help her remember where she was and what she was doing there. Her legs were a bit shaky, and she herself only felt exhaustion. She yawned, noticing how tired she was. Was I asleep...? It must have been a while, because I'm so groggyshe thought to herself. She continued to wander aimlessly, for what seemed like a very long time.

She had no way of keeping track of time, but she could only assume hours had passed as she wandered through the cold, chilly atmosphere of the city. She held her exposed shoulders, trying to keep warm as she looked down to her attire. She was wearing a high-collar top, purple with pink stripes along her modest chest. It was sleeveless, but she had arm bands that seemed to match her top, with an added blue stripe. She wore blue shorts, with a belt that had an open front red skirt. On her feet. Some purple shoes, with desaturated pink socks underneath. Not the most ideal wardrobe for the weather.

The air seemed to brighten as the girl continued to wander, eventually finding herself in on the street where there seemed to be more light. Bright lights? Maybe there's people close by. The girl continued as she then heard a strange sound behind her. She turned to see nothing but a strange dark spot in the ground. From this dark pool, a figure seemed to emerge. She could only gaze in terror as the figure continued to rise from the puddle of darkness. First, antennae attached to a head. Limbs that held clawed hands on their ends. Yellow, beady eyes that pierced her very soul.

The girl ran away, as the dark creature followed her. As she ran, she noticed more of these horrifying creatures coming from the ground. She continued to run as the creatures gave chase. She found herself turning a corner to see a large opening from the streets, a square of sorts. She looked up to see that the bright light she had noticed earlier was coming from a rather large skyscraper. It was adorned with large TV screens at the top. At the base were two staircases; the base itself was lined with neon lighting. She turned back to see that the creatures were still behind.

Thinking quickly, she ran towards the tower, in hopes that she could find sanctuary within. She noticed a strange figure standing ahead, and gained a moment of relief as she yelled out.

"Help!" The girl cried out as she approached the figure.

But as she came close, she started to realize the oddity that was the figure before her. It was rather thin, unnaturally so. It wore a white suit, with a hood. As she slowed down, the figure turned to her. The hood it wore had a zipper horizontally along the front. On the top of its head was a strange insignia of some sort. The way the figure turned was so unnerving that she stopped in her tracks. The zipper somehow unzipped itself to reveal a mouth. The girl stood in shock, unsure of what she was faced with.

"We have come for you," A voice echoed in her head. She reeled back as suddenly the creature in white jumped into the air, floating away. The girl was stunned as she watched the white creature stretching and flipping around, as if it had no bones.

Before long, the girl could hear the skittering sounds behind her again as she noticed that the creatures from before had caught up. She turned to run away again, but this time, they had her surrounded. Several more began to appear from the ground; two, four, eight, twelve, and on and on. A sea of black had circled her, as she panicked in fear. She couldn't escape, she couldn't do anything. She ducked down, ready for the worst as she then heard another sound. A ping, followed by a byoo. And suddenly, one of the creatures was vanquished.

One by one, the monsters were destroyed by tiny red bullets. Each one disappearing in a puff of black smoke. After they were all gone, the girl looked around to see who her savior was. Above, hanging upside down in the air, walking along it as if there was ground was a figure wearing a black coat, his face hidden under a hood, and holding two arrow guns in his hands

"Well, that was a close one, huh?" The figure spoke, drawing the girl's attention to him. She was left in awe once again, seeing this strange figure who was suspended in midair. The figure then disappeared into thin air.

The girl looked around, seeing no trace of the figure that was there before. He reappeared behind her as she then tapped the girl on her shoulder. The girl was startled, leaping forward as she then fell on her hands and knees. She turned to see the figure as she started backing away.

"Whoa," The figure said, approaching her. He then reached for his hood, pulling it off to reveal his face. He had long dark hair with gray streaks, worn in a ponytail. He wore an eye patch covering his right eye and had a large scar along his left cheek, underneath a golden colored eye. "Is that any way to thank the person who just saved your life?"

The girl was still stunned into silence, unsure of how to react. The man sighed and shrugged as he then turned away for a moment.

"Kids these days, I tell ya." He then turned back and looked to the girl. "You don't gotta be afraid of me, alright? I'm not the bad guy here."

The girl looked at him, unsure and confused. I guess he did save me from those things I should be grateful. The girl thought to herself as she then got up on her feet. She then brushed herself off as the man smirked at her. She cleared her throat, as she tried her best to look to the man.

"Th… thanks for saving me."

"That's more like it! You're lucky that Dusk found you and reported you to us. If it hadn't found you-"

"Dusk...?" The girl inquired. The man nodded his head.

"Yeah, the thing in white."

"And...you said 'us'. Who are you? Are there more people here?" The girl asked, desperately.

"Hey, I'm just on rescue duty, 'kay? If you want answers, you'll have to report to my superior."

"Your superior? The person in charge?" The man seemed to grow impatient with the questions.

"That's what a superior is!"

The girl pondered for a moment. If I can figure out where I amwho I am and what I'm doing here, it'll be a huge help. The girl resolved to follow the man to meet the superior he mentioned to get her answers, as anxious as she might be about it. Her fear of this unknown was less than that of those creatures from before. That and the pit that she noticed, the thing that made her… off.

"O-okay. I'll go with you." The man grinned in a creepy way as the girl was uncomfortable.

"Then let's get this show on the road!" The man then held out his hand, summoning what seemed to be a dark portal.

The girl looked at it as the man started walking toward it. She looked at it, unsure of going through it. The man then turned back to her, noticing her reluctance.

"Come on, what are you waiting for?"

"Do we… have to go through that?" The girl said, trembling. There was something really eerie about the darkness the portal was giving off and it made her uncomfortable.

"Look, it's the quickest way. Are you really gonna make us walk all the way back?"

The girl looked to the man, then back to the portal, then back to him. She shuffled nervously as she then backed away a bit.

"Y-you can go ahead. I'll just… walk."

The man then sighed and waved his hand once more, making the portal disappear.

"You're lucky the boss wants to see you."

"Huh?" The girl grew curious. "They want to see me?"

"Yeah, that's why I got sent out here in the first place. You think I'm gonna let you walk back alone so you can get attacked again? As if." The man then began to walk away, as the girl stood there. He turned back, seeing her standing still. "Well, come on!"

The girl then started walking with the man as they proceeded through the streets. It was a silent walk, as the girl did not wish to irritate the man even more than she already did. One thing did come to mind as they were walking, however, that she figured wouldn't be a bother.

"Um… excuse me?"

"No," The man groaned. "I will not carry you."

"That's not-" The girl pursed her lips, once again going for her question. "What's your name?"

"My name?" The man chuckled. "You itching for some small talk?" The girl's head dropped in disappointment at his avoiding the question.

"It's just that… I don't remember my name, so..."

The man looked to her, confused as they continued.

"You don't remember your name, huh?"

"No, I don't." The girl once again let her head fall as the man sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know what good it'll do you, but it's Xigbar."

"Xig… bar?" What a strange name, the girl thought to herself.

"Don't wear it out, kid."

The girl continued to wonder about herself, now knowing Xigbar's name. But she wouldn't get to think for too long as they reached an opening in the street up a hill, which led off to a cliff. The girl was shocked as she saw the cliff, but more so when she noticed that floating in the air above the cliff was an enormous castle. The girl had never seen such a building before; the sheer size of it was impressive and the fact that it was somehow in the air. The girl wondered if it was the same thing that allowed Xigbar to be in the air.

Before long, Xigbar waved his hand and a bright light shone as a bridge appeared, connecting the cliffside with the castle. Xigbar walked ahead as the girl was shocked at him walking off the edge. The bridge seemed to be made of nothing, so she thought he might fall. But as he stepped foot on it, it seemed solid enough to walk on. She followed cautiously behind as they trekked the long bridge to a walkway underneath the castle.

The girl noticed all the machines, pieces floating and moving around as they headed to an entrance. Entering the castle, there was a large platform that didn't seem to lead anywhere. But once they had stood in the center, the platform rose up quickly, revealing to be some sort of elevator. It was fast, and everything around them was too bright to see. Soon enough, it slowed and came to a halt, to a stairway that had a glass floor. And waiting in the middle of the stairs was another man in a black coat.

The man glared down at them with intense eyes. The girl noted his features - mostly his long, blue hair that was spiked in the back. As they grew closer, she noticed an X-shaped scar on his face. Xigbar stopped in front of the man, the girl standing behind Xigbar.

"Where do you think you are going, Xigbar?" The man spoke in a brisk tone.

"Saïx, to what do we owe the pleasure?" Xigbar replied in a sarcastic tone.

"We were waiting for you to report back." Saïx, the man with the blue hair, looked to the girl as she stood awkwardly. He merely glared at her and then turned back to Xigbar. "And what were you planning to do with this?"

"Well, I wanted to bring her to Xemnas, but I figured I could give her a tour." Xigbar grinned, but Saïx was unamused.

"You wanted to parade this paltry thing through the castle?"

The girl was unsure why Saïx was speaking about her so harshly, as it was not as if they knew each other. Or at least, she didn't think they did. He didn't seem familiar, but with her memory as faulty as it was, how could she know?

"If you're going to bring her to Lord Xemnas, then you will bring her, directly." Saïx said as he then waved his hand, summoning a dark portal like Xigbar had done before.

Xigbar walked through it as Saïx turned to the girl. He sneered at her, gesturing to the portal. The girl, though still wary of the dark portal, was now presented with a far more intimidating being. She nervously walked to the portal, entering as she found herself lost in darkness. It was uncomfortable for her, though she did not know why. Fear of the dark is common among people, but for some reason, this fear was something different. It echoed inside her, leaving her with that same sensation from before. Something was wrong, but she didn't know what, exactly.

It wasn't long before she could see a light at the end of the darkness. She went towards it, squinting as she approached the light. She shielded her eyes with her hand as she then walked through, now appearing in a different room. It was slightly jarring for her as she was unsure of how she got there. The portal disappeared behind her, as she looked around to her surroundings. She stood on a round platform, with the very same insignia that she saw on the Dusk's head. She looked around to see several tall pillars which, when she looked up, became clear to be thrones.

Xigbar was sitting on one of the thrones as Saïx was sitting on another. The girl looked to see them looking down to her, then they turned to look up at the tallest throne in the room. She then looked to the throne above as a dark cloud appeared. And when it dissipated, another figure in a coat was sitting on it. This is it. He must bethe girl thought as she looked to whom she could only assume was the superior that Xigbar and Saïx had mentioned; Lord Xemnas.

Xemnas sat atop his throne, looking down to the girl as she took in his features. He had a darker complexion than his two comrades, with spiked, silver hair. As well as his deep, amber eyes. They gazed upon the girl, as he merely sat back in his chair. He then spoke with a booming, yet monotone voice.

"I see that you were successful in retrieving this one, Xigbar."

"Yeah, a Dusk scouted her out while she was getting chased by Heartless. I managed to save her in time."

"Lord Xemnas," Saïx spoke up. "This would be the fourth one since we have gained our Keybearers. I do not believe it is necessary to add more to our ranks."

"Aw, lighten up, would you, Saïx?" Xigbar replied.

"Would you rather she take your place, Xigbar?" Saïx retorted.

"As if," Xigbar waved dismissively. "I'm just saying, maybe give the kid a chance?"

The girl was confused at the bickering between Xigbar and Saïx as Xemnas stepped in.

"We need not concern ourselves with such idle quarrels. Though it is true that we have the necessary components to continue in our goals, new members may prove to be useful." Xemnas then turned away from Xigbar and Saïx to look down to the girl. The girl, still very confused from this whole ordeal, was watching as Xemnas gave her a strange gaze. "I sense great potential in this one."

It's now or never, the girl thought to herself. If I want some answers, I'd better ask. The girl then inhaled before looking up to Xemnas, who looked at her curiously.

"I don't know what you're talking about, I just came to get some answers!"

"Silence," Saïx barked. "You will speak when spoken to!"

"Saïx," Xemnas bellowed as Saïx flinched. He turned to see Xemnas staring him down. "Need I repeat myself?"

"No, Lord Xemnas," Saïx uttered.

"Then leave us."

With those words, Xigbar disappeared in a black cloud, Saïx staying for a moment as he then disappeared. Xemnas was then left alone with the girl as she looked uncomfortable.

"Forgive me," Xemnas said, with vague regret. "What answers do you seek?"

"W-well..." The girl stuttered, realizing that though now was her opportunity, she was unsure of how to proceed.

What do I ask first? She pondered. I guess I should figure out where I am maybe it'll jog my memory. The girl then looked back up to Xemnas with as much confidence as possible.

"Um..." She stumbled on her words. "Where am I?"

"You are in a world that never should have existed. One that does not truly exist."

What is that supposed to mean? The girl puzzled.

"Do you know… how I got here?"

"Unfortunately, I do not know the answer to that question." The girl was distraught at his lack of knowledge. "But I do know why you are here."

"You do?" The girl asked, intrigued.

"You are here because you, like us, have lost something very important to you." The girl grew more desperate for answers with each passing second. "Tell me… do you feel anything?"

It was in that moment that the girl realized something. This whole time, something had been wrong with her, but she wasn't sure what. She was sure everything was fine until that moment, but the more she thought about it, the more she realized what Xemnas had brought to her attention. She couldn't feel. Though her mind was responding to the external stimuli, all her responses were somewhat… forced. She couldn't remember a lot of things, but the responses were still there, somewhere. They just weren't… happening like they should.

She looked up to Xemnas, unaware of what else to say. Xemnas then disappeared, which surprised the girl. He then appeared in front of her, as he approached her.

"You don't feel, do you?" Xemnas asked.

"N-no... " The girl replied. "I… guess I don't... "

"That is because you are a Nobody." The girl looked confused.

"That was kind of mean."

"What I mean to say is that you are a being that was never meant to exist."

"I don't… understand." The girl pouted, looking away as Xemnas continued.

"We are all Nobodies here. We were all created when we lost the very thing that ties us to existence."

"Which is?" The girl then turned to Xemnas, in suspense to his response.

"Our hearts."

"Our… hearts?" The girl repeated, while putting her hand to her chest.

She tried to feel inside, but she noticed that the pit she had before, the lack of feeling she noticed, all originated in her chest. Where her heart should be. Maybe I did lose my heartshe wondered to herself. But I don't rememberShe then looked back to Xemnas.

"Is that why I don't remember anything?"

Xemnas puzzled to himself for a moment, as the girl's response was something he was not sure of.

"You have no memories from before?" He questioned.

"No..."

"Do you know your name?" The girl looked to him, thinking to herself before looking back to Xemnas.

"No."

"Then I shall give you a new name."

"A new name?" The girl wondered aloud.

Xemnas then waved his hand, as suddenly a bright light appeared in front of the girl. She couldn't quite make out what the lights were, but they seemed to be letters. He waved his hand, as they began to spin around the girl, before stopping when Xemnas waved his hand again. He made an "X" appear and the letters fell into place in front of the girl. She read the letter before speaking them out loud.

"X… ai… k..." The girl struggled. "Xaik..."

"Yes. Xaik," Xemnas breathed the name, stoic yet slithery. Unnervingly, he continued. "And we Nobodies must join forces so that we can regain what we all have lost."

"Is… that what this is about?" Xaik questioned.

"Yes," Xemnas continued. "Our Organization exists so that we may regain our hearts and become whole again."

"You..." Xaik thought to herself for a moment before finishing her sentence. "...want me to join your organization?"

"I am merely giving you the opportunity to take back what you have lost. The choice is entirely up to you."

Xemnas then turned and walked away a few steps, before turning back towards Xaik.

"But if you stay, perhaps you can regain what you have lost. Your memories, and perhaps your heart."

Xaik pondered her situation for a little while as they stayed silent. To get my heart back to feel and remember againShe continued to weigh the options in her mind. Through some unknown circumstances, Xaik was brought here. Was it destiny? Was it some sort of twisted fate? Was it luck that she ended up in the place that she needed to be to meet these other "Nobodies" with the means to give her back her heart? Everything was up in the air, so unclear.

The only thing Xaik knew was that she had nothing. No memories of who she was, how she got there or how she lost her heart in the first place. She didn't even know where to begin. Perhaps it was best that she stay there, regardless of what led her there in the first place. Now was not the time to let doubt stand in her way.

Xaik then looked to Xemnas, who seemed pleased with the look she gave him.

"I'll… join you. I want to help you get my heart back. Get all our hearts back."

Xemnas smiled slightly, a somewhat crooked smirk as he then approached Xaik and put his hand on her shoulder. It was rather large on her, as she looked up to him.

"Nothing would make me happier."

Xaik was unsure of what that meant, as it seemed strange to hear someone who claimed to have no heart. Who, for all intents and purposes, also could not feel like she could. But she digressed and nodded with determination.

Xemnas then stepped away before waving his hand and opening another one of those dark portals that the others had been using. Xemnas turned to her as she looked to him.

"You must be tired. Perhaps it is best that you rest for now."

"B-but..." Xaik uttered. "I still have so many questions."

"Rest assured they will be answered. Tomorrow, I will have Saïx make sure you are properly inducted into our Organization."

Though Xaik was not fond of the idea of dealing with Saïx, she nodded and proceeded to walk through the portal. She went through the darkness once again, appearing this time in a different room. It was small, only containing a bed. The walls were silver in color, the headboard of the bed was in the shape of the symbol from before. Xaik noted that this symbol must be of some relevance to the Organization. She then saw a window, with light shining through.

She approached the window, looking out onto the city below as she then looked up to see the very strange moon that floated above the castle. The shape of the moon was in the shape of a heart. It was an interesting sight to behold, and a somewhat ironic one. The very thing that Xaik lacked, was also the same thing that was brightening her room in that very moment. Looming over her as she walked over to her bed, getting in and pulling the covers over herself.

Xaik shut her eyes, resting them. Even though she had woken up here, after an unknown deep sleep, she felt like she could actually rest. She drifted off into a sleep, where she found herself somewhere else. Somewhere in a dream. She could see a boy, as she approached him, sitting by his lonesome. His face was clouded, unfocused as he looked to her.

"I just like sitting in the back, is all. No big deal. I'm used to being alone."

A curious case.

We've inducted a new member to our Organization, and one who seems rather familiar. She looks very much like the girl who the boy was attached to. The one I used to plant the seeds of darkness. It seems my experiment has produced not only one, but two new potential vessels.

But something strange seems to be surrounding this one. Similar to Number Sixteen, she seems to be missing her memory. Though there seems to be a difference between her and Sixteen. I'll have to further study and watch her as she works alongside us.

This will bring us to eighteen. Let us see how she does. Let us see her full potential.