AN-Dang, I'm really on a roll with this, aren't I? Four chapters in just a little over a week, that's gotta be a new record for me or something! Either way, this chapter was way more fun to work on than I thought, mostly since it focuses on our main baddies! So yeah, Organization shenanigans and whatnot, foreshadowing, plot buildup, all that good stuff. So yeah, I won't keep you from it then! Enjoy!


Chapter 3: To Seek the Darkness

And people who say things they don't really mean, really mean?

In the wake of the supposed defeat and destruction of the original Organization XIII, the group's former base of operations had been left abandoned. For almost an entire year, the World that Never Was and the grand castle at its heart lay completely empty and silent, bereft of the Heartless and Nobodies that were known to naturally spawn there. But with the rise of a new Organization with a new purpose, the shadow-steeped world's usefulness began anew as well. And once again, the members of the Organization gathered at their former headquarters, waiting in the wings for whatever it is their leader required of them next.

In their current idle time, two such members traverse the unchanged gray corridors of the castle, remembering their winding twists and turns well even after their relatively recent respective revivals. The pair carries on a casual conversation, though even despite that, their tones are hushed, lest any unwanted prying eyes or ears be on the prowl. Something that's a very high likelihood, considering the various familiar faces that have returned to fill out the ranks of the new Organization XIII.

"So, why are you back?" Marluxia asks plainly, only barely casting a glance at the member keeping pace alongside him.

"Hmph, nice way to greet your old partner in crime," Larxene scoffs, though she still smirks all the same. Her tone is enough to elicit a similar sardonic grin from Marluxia, though it's quick to fade as she continues. "I'm back for the same reason you are; because I had such a great time the last time around. But what I still don't get is why the old geezer took us back. He must know we backstabbed the Organization back when Xemnas was running it."

Marluxia shakes his head. "Xehanort doesn't care about you or me," he says evenly. "To him, we're nothing but empty husks. The old Organization was no different. Xehanort needs thirteen vessels to hold his essence; who they are or what they do hardly matters."

"Husks?" Larxene repeats, clearly not fond of the idea. "Not me. You know you and me are way above being just paws in someone else's game. So instead…" her grin deepens with a clearly sinister idea as she slides in just a bit closer to Marluxia. "Why don't we just stage another coup instead?"

Despite her scheming, he sighs almost tiredly as he offers her a disapproving glance. "Larxene…"

"Oh, come on!" Larxene pouts playfully. "It'd be fun. And it might actually work out this time without a dirty double-crosser like Axel around to throw a wrench into our plans. So… what do you say?" At first, Marluxia offers her no response as he instead continues on his way, even with Larxene trailing right behind him, still seeking an answer. "Well?" She scowls when he stops and turns to face her, his expression unreadable even as he prepares to reply and, at least as far as Larxene is concerned, give her the answer she hopes to hear. And yet, before he can, their conversation is unexpectedly interrupted by another member who just so happens to round the corner at that very moment.

"Oh please," Demyx scoffs, clutching his sitar as he joins the pair. "You guys couldn't do it last time, what makes you think you could pull that whole 'coup' thing off now?" He grins as he strums a few notes on his instrument. "You gotta play it smart, like me."

"What?" Larxene shoots back crossly. "You're not smart! In fact, you're just about the dumbest person in the Organization, but old and new!"

Demyx shrugs, seemingly unoffended. "Well, you heard what Marly said. The old man doesn't care about what any of us are like. Which means I don't have to be smart."

"Or capable, or likeable, or attractive," Larxene lists off, her hands on her hips. "A cereal bowl would make a better vessel!"

"Whoa, now you're way out of line," Demyx counters. "I am extremely imposing… When I want to be. Which is, admittedly, almost never."

"Well, that's one thing you got right," Larxene huffs coldly. "Looks like the geezer's getting desperate if he'd take someone like you back into the Organization. Probably only 'cause his plan to get the prize he actually had his eye on backfired on him."

"Huh?" Demyx frowns, confused. "What prize?"

"Ugh, seriously?" Larxene rolls her eyes in appalled disbelief. "You can't be that stupid. But then again, since this is you we're talking about here, maybe you can be."

"You and a few of the others who were only just brought back are too late to have known," Marluxia interjects much more calmly. "But she's talking about Sora."

"Whaaaaa-?!" Demyx exclaims, genuinely surprised to hear this. However, before he can ask any of his many newfound questions, a corridor of darkness suddenly materializes, allowing a fourth member to join in on the engaging conversation.

"Ah, so the whispers I've heard among the higher rungs are indeed true then…" Luxord muses with a knowing grin as he offers the others a small nod of greeting.

"You're in again too?" Larxene speaks up before the gambler can continue. "What is this, Organization Rehash?"

"I happen to play an important role, even despite my rather recent revival," Luxord assures. "Unlike some… others, perhaps."

"So you were listening this whole time?" Demyx asks as he strums a low note on his sitar. "So not cool."

"One must hold one's cards as long as necessary," Luxord smirks, conjuring up a deck in his hand to playfully flip about. "Even so, the context you just provided me with… certainly does shuffle the deck in an interesting way. Now I believe I finally understand what I overheard from Xemnas when he said we haven't lost our proposed thirteen vessel just yet…"

The three younger members exchange a baffled glance at this before they look back to Luxord once more, overwhelmed with curiosity to hear more about what he'd gleaned from the Organizations' leaders. "What are you talking about?" Larxene asks, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Either we all heard what happened by now," Marluxia adds, the slightest hint of confusion in his otherwise usually collected tone. "Or we were there to see it for ourselves. Xehanort's attempt at forcing Sora to join our ranks was halted by none other than Axel. His plan, however complex and intricate as it might have been, was a failure."

"Ah, or so it might have seemed at the time," Luxord retorts. He holds up a lone card as he flips it over to show the rest, showing off the silver crown on its surface. "But a single wild card is all it takes to turn an otherwise unsavory hand…" His smile widens as several more matching cards appear in his hand to create a perfect full house. "Into a full set."

"Wait, I'm still confused," Demyx interjects.

"Why is that not surprising?" Larxene mutters dryly.

Demyx ignores her, though he still sends her a small glare before he speaks his piece. "So did this whole plan that Xehanort had for Sora that Marluxia was just talking about work out? Or… not?"

"That is of no concern to any of you right now." The other four members turn around to find none other than Saïx approaching them, his expression as aloof and stoic as ever as he comes to stand before the group.

"Ugh, Saïx," Larxene groans disdainfully. "Figures that you'd join up again. What, are you here to tell us to get back to doing our jobs or something?"

"Precisely," Saïx replies without missing a beat as he passes through the group. "If the four of you are done wasting your time on aimless gossip, then there are much more important matters to attend to. Master Xehanort has requested that all of us gather in the Round Room to receive our next assignment."

"Y-you mean… Xehanort's still here?" Demyx asks apprehensively, gripping his sitar a bit tighter at the mention of the master's name.

"I thought the old coot left after his plan to 'recruit' the Keybrat supposedly fell through," Larxene adds, crossing her arms.

"The master still has business in this world," Saïx explains, glancing over his shoulder at his fellow members. "And so long as he does, then it is his intention to remain here to see that business carried out. Considering what those intentions are, you would all be wise to listen well to what he has to say."

Without another word, Saïx disappears into a dark corridor himself, likely heading off to the very meeting he'd just mentioned. A bout of silence passes between them as they exchange a dubious glance, none of them quite sure what the master's specific "intentions" are to begin with. In fact, the only thing they really know is that the sole reason any of them had been brought back into existence is to aid in exacting those mysterious ambitions, whatever they might end up being.

"It seems as though another game is about to begin," Luxord speaks up first, summoning a dark portal as he takes his leave. "We might as well go learn what the rules are this time, hm?"

"Or better yet, learn how to bend those rules to our advantage," Marluxia remarks, offering Larxene a small, knowing grin as he leaves in a similar manner.

"So… I guess everything's same old, same old, then?" Demyx wonders with an irresolute shrug.

"Oh, shut up already," Larxene hisses as she also departs, leaving Demyx behind to do the same.

"H-hey! Wait up!" he exclaims, quickly summoning a corridor of darkness for himself. And with that, the entire group is gone, off to join the rest of their number and learn whatever it is their mysterious master has in store for them all.


Perched upon the highest, most paramount chair of the Round Room, Master Xehanort sits, watching coolly and quietly as the various members teleport in to take their respective seats. Each one of them bears a fragment of his own heart and his essence, of that much he's personally made certain, even among the members that aren't already some sort of extension of himself. Even so, the master had brought each of these figures back into existence for a reason, a purpose that will not only ensure the clash of light and darkness that he's been seeking for countless years now. But also, a purpose that will also deliver the ultimate prize that awaits on the other side of that clash into his hands once and for all.

One by one, the spotless thrones are filled, some of the members' faces concealed by their pitch black hoods, others not. None of them speak to each other out of either respect or fear for their master's presence, but a few of them do exchange brief, fruitive nods of greeting here and there. By the time all of them arrive, all but one of the seats has been filled, the lone empty chair being the shortest throne directly across from Xehanort himself. The master's already steady grin deepens as he keeps his sights on that empty throne, knowing that it will be filled soon enough. And until it is, that still leaves him with plenty of opportunity to get another important initiative off the ground in the meantime.

"Greetings, my Seekers of Darkness," Xehanort begins, garnishing the attention of the entire group from his elevated throne. "It is fortunate that we have all managed to congregate here again so soon. Listen well, all of you, for there is much that we must discuss." The master pauses, almost as if to make sure every single member present is doing just that before he continues. "Firstly, let it be known that the clash of light and darkness that we ever strive towards is soon at hand. Already, the guardians of light are scrambling, rushing themselves to gather allies to their side, no matter how weak and inexperienced those allies might be. They are well aware that our own ranks are nearly completed, and indeed, we are close. There is but only one final vessel we must obtain, but fret not; that vessel is already starting to make the slow but certain fall into our hands. Our missing darkness will belong to us before they even know it."

"Oh really?" Xigbar speaks up from his own seat. "And just who might this so-called 'missing darkness' be, huh?" Likewise, upon hearing mention of this apparently unknown vessel, Larxene, Marluxia, Demyx, and Luxord all focus on Xehanort with the same sort of scrutiny, each of them curious to know if the rumors they shared amongst each other could actually bear some weight after all.

The master simply smirks at this, shaking his head as if to bar the more eager members of his Organization from knowing. "The answer to that will be revealed in due time," he says vaguely while sending side glances over at his younger self, Xemnas, and Ansem. The trio says nothing but nods, communicating something to the master, even if no one else is in on the tip. "But rest assured that we will soon indeed have all thirteen members on our side, perhaps even a few in reserve, just in case any of you fall short of my expectations…" A handful of the members practically feel the almost palpable chill in Xehanort's tone as he says this, his smile finally gone as he looks over each of them piercingly. "Which is something that each of you should pray does not happen… I've given almost each of you a second chance at existence. Use it well and do not disappoint me…"

If any of the lower-ranking members of the new Organization had any sort of doubts about the kind of stern authority their master wields, those doubts are soon laid to rest the moment he summons his Keyblade to his side as a show of exactly that. The fierce, dark weapon radiates immense power, power that some of them fear while others among them crave it. There's no question that it demands respect, and it's clear that respect is what Xehanort demanded of each of them. And for the most part, that respect is what most of the members decide, for varying purposes and reasons, to pay him. For now at least.

"Each of you," Xehanort continues, holding his Keyblade out aloft. "Take a look at this Keyblade. This weapon, and every other one like it in existence, are mere replicas, rendered after the most powerful key in existence, the one true X-Blade! It is a blade that I brazenly, foolishly even, tried to get my hands on years ago, all without realizing that it is merely a single key needed among several others to unlock the ultimate power that lies behind the essence of all worlds: Kingdom Hearts."

A few soft, muted gasps rise up from some of the younger members who weren't previously privy to the master's plan, though in hindsight it does add up. Kingdom Hearts had always been the ultimate goal of the old Organization; it only makes sense that the newest iteration of the group would be working towards its untold power as well. Which is why all ears were still on Xehanort's bold words as he continues with the intent of detailing exactly how they're going to do just that.

"As mighty as the X-Blade itself is, it alone is not enough to bestow control of the heart of all worlds onto any one individual," the master explains as his Keyblade disappears. "To truly claim complete control over Kingdom Hearts, at least according to ancient legends previously lost to the ages, one must gather and unite thirteen divine Keyblades, all forged by the very Kingdom they possess the ability to unlock. Whoever holds them all is destined to be its ruler undisputed, with every shred of power it has to offer at their disposal, now until the end of time itself."

"The ruler…" Saïx speaks up first, breaking through the small bout of silence that permeates the room after such a weighty prophecy. "Of Kingdom Hearts…"

"Well, well!" Xigbar speaks up with an intrigued grin upon hearing this. "Now we're thinkin' really big here, aren't we, old man? I'd say it's about time!"

"So I suppose your intention is to have each of us go out and collect these thirteen Keys for your proposed regime then," Marluxia infers, feigning boredom. "Correct?"

"To an extent…" Xehanort grins knowingly. "The Keys to the Kingdom, as they are called, are scattered far and wide across the worlds. No one knows exactly where they are hidden, but it is foretold that finding even just one will lead to the location of the next and so on and so forth. It is for that purpose that I am sending each of you out amongst the worlds to search for the Keys and bring them back to me. Do this for me, and I can guarantee: each and every single one of you will have an equal share in our conquest when Kingdom Hearts at long lastbelongs to us!"

Out of any other group, this rallying promise might have elicited an excited cheer; but instead, the members of the new Organization simply nod in solid, mostly unanimous agreement with their master's plan. After all, the power and potential of Kingdom Hearts is beyond comprehension, said to be able to do just about anything and everything imaginable. Regardless of whatever Xehanort wants that incredible power for, more than a few members already have their own ideas in mind for what they'd do with even a fraction of it. Ideas that, as far as most of them are concerned, are more than worth the effort it would take to track a few simple Keys down and bring them back to Xehanort so he can pull it all together for them.

"I am certain that the guardians of light will soon be made aware of the prophecy of the Keys, if they're not already," he goes on. "But even if they do intend to search for them, they shall be far outnumbered. Scatter yourselves among the worlds and do whatever you must to secure those Keys for the darkness. And as I said before…" Xehanort glowers down at his members warningly, barely even needing to remind them just what's at stake if they fail to do as he says. "Be aware of the price for disappointing me. Inasmuch as I brought each of you back, I can just as easily take all that I have returned to you away again. And so, with that in mind… go! Go and bring forth both the Keys and the Kingdom for us all!"

On this stern command, most of the Organization members readily comply, not hesitating to disappear into dark portals so they can set out to do just that. The master watches with a satisfied smile as they all depart, including his own Heartless, Nobody, and younger self, each heading off on their own with their primary mission clear. However, only a handful of them currently know of the other prize they're seeking, one that they can only just keep a close eye on from afar for now. Though Xehanort remains certain that, with enough time, perception, and patience on his part, then all the pieces will soon fall perfectly into place, just as they did once before.

"'Go and bring forth the Keys and the Kingdom for us all', huh? Good one. I gotta admit, you nearly had me going right along with everyone else with that. And maybe I might have if I was even half as stupid as any of them are."

Xehanort's lingering grin fades as he raises an eyebrow down at the only remaining member in the room sitting several seats away from him. "I do believe I just issued an absolute order to everyone present," he says coldly. "Which means you are free to go as well, Vanitas."

The masked boy scoffs as he leans back in his chair a bit, making no apparent effort to depart whatsoever. "Like I just said, I would have left right along with the rest of them," he begins bluntly. "If I hadn't already caught onto exactly what kind of game you're playing at, old man."

"And what 'game' might that be?" Xehanort asks almost boredly.

"You and I both know that you don't have any plans of sharing Kingdom Hearts if you really do end up getting your hands on it," Vanitas points out plainly. "A prize like that is far too enticing to just split up like that, especially for someone like you who's been after it for so long. I don't know how you managed to get all those idiots to believe you, but believe me when I say that you're not fooling me."

Xehanort initially says nothing to this, instead simply sending his apprentice a piercing look of disapproval before ultimately deciding to pass his brazenness off as mere hyperbole. "So I suppose you find yourself quite clever for figuring that out, don't you?" he asks, his confident smirk returning only slightly. "No matter. The other seekers shall still go and search out the Keys to the Kingdom all the same. And in the same way, so too shall you fulfill your purpose, Vanitas, by locating Ventus, joining your heart together with his, and finally forging the X-Blade for your master. And this time you will not fail me as you did before. Do you understand?"

Vanitas doesn't respond, instead opting to glance away from his master as he crosses his arms stoically. Xehanort's already impatient scowl deepens at this impertinence as he repeats himself much more firmly this time. "I said do you understa-"

"Understand? Yes," Vanitas interrupts, the bitter sarcasm in his tone excruciatingly clear. "Care? No." With that, he leaps down from his seat with the apparent intention of leaving. "You really think that grand scheme of yours is actually gonna work this time? Face it, old man, you couldn't get Kingdom Hearts to be yours back then, Ansem couldn't get it to be his, and neither could Xemnas. You're all exactly the same, in every way imaginable. Just a bunch of blind, ego-driven men stuck on the same stupid plan that never seems to work! Which is why I'm surprised I'm the only one who's tired of waiting on you to deliver on something you'll never be able to obtain, even with the X-Blade, even with the Keys, even with all the other pawns you think you have set up so nicely to help you in what's ultimately gonna be just another losing battle. So forget it; I'm done." Without even sparing Xehanort another single word, Vanitas turns to make his succinct and sour exit, though before he can make much of an attempt to summon a dark corridor, his leave is swiftly interrupted by the master himself.

Vanitas deftly leaps out of the path of a powerful burst of darkness, one that comes from Xehanort's hand as the master stands atop his high throne, glaring down at the masked boy below him. "I'm afraid you don't have the option of being 'done'," he remarks, his Keyblade appearing in his hand. In an instant, he speeds down from his perch with frightening speed, his blade poised for attack. Vanitas only has mere seconds to summon his own Keyblade so that he can properly block Xehanort's brutal swing, but even so, it still pushes him back across the room's central platform by a span of several feet.

"So…" Vanitas begins, somewhat breathless from the surprise of the attack as he repositions himself to properly square off against his master. "We're back to this again, huh?"

"I've found that it always was the best way to get either you or Ventus to behave," Xehanort muses calmly as darkness swirls around his Keyblade.

"Hmph, as if that straight-edged loser even has a rebellious bone in his body," Vanitas deadpans haughtily at the thought of his other half. Acting on adrenaline alone, he rushes forward, Keyblade at the ready before he sends its edge swinging at his mister. Xehanort counters the strike well, kicking Vanitas back once more before rushing in for yet another barrage of unforgiving blows. He only barely blocks most of them, with a few of them landing hard and painfully, even if they still aren't quite enough to completely wear him down. Despite his age, Xehanort is skilled and strong, his abilities with his Keyblade far surpassing Vanitas' own, however formidable they might be. He knows from experience that he'll only be able to hold his own in a struggle like this for so long and it's quickly becoming apparent that this fight will be no exception.

After lashing out with another merciless swing, Xehanort decides to keep his Keyblade pressed tightly against Vanitas', knowing that the friction will inevitably wear his apprentice down, as much as he tries to push back against it. "You realize just as much as I do that this bout of petty rebellion is absolutely meaningless, do you not?" the master asks, glaring down at the masked boy harshly. "If you do not pursue Ventus and join again with him to form the X-Blade, then you will forever remain an incomplete, empty being of nothing more than directionless darkness. Act as impertinent as you'd like, but you cannot deny that I am the only one who can help you become whole again."

Put off by such an arrogant assumption, Vanitas shoves his Keyblade back hard, surprising even Xehanort, but still not enough for him to relinquish his steady hold. "It's amazing how someone who claims to know so much can be so wrong about so many things," he shoots back bitingly. "I don't need you to find Ventus. I never needed you. Face it, old man: if you really want that X-Blade, then you're the one who needs me."

That final bold statement easily sets Xehanort off even more than he already had been, an impressive feat to be sure. In his tranquil rage, the master brings his Keyblade down in a sudden, calculated swing, one that Vanitas is unable to properly deflect this time. He's thrown back brutally by the incredible force of the attack, to the point that he barely even notices the small, but sizable crack torn across his mask as the result of it. Somehow, its glass surface doesn't break, but all the same, Xehanort shows no signs of letting up anytime soon.

"Perhaps you did not hear what I told the others," he says, standing over his injured apprentice threateningly. "I restored you to your pitiful existence, even after the disappointment you proved to be years ago. But it'd be just as easy for me to take you out once again and replace you with a much more… suitable candidate." At this, Xehanort raises his Keyblade, hovering it over Vanitas with the intent of bringing it down in a devastating blow in a moment's notice if he doesn't get his way. "Which is why I will only tell you this one final time: you will forge the X-Blade for me or you will face obliteration once more. And this time, I will not be as merciful as to give you another chance if you refuse. It's your choice, boy."

Initially, seems to comply with his master's demands as he says nothing, simply hanging his head in what almost looks like begrudging acceptance. That is, until he manages to pull off the only trick he has left up his sleeve to put some distance between himself and Xehanort's deadly Keyblade. An immense pall of darkness surges around Vanitas, and from that darkness, a swarm of creatures, both big and small, though all composed of the same shadowy malice, emerge: the Unversed.

The massive wave of monsters is more than enough to push Xehanort back, finally giving Vanitas enough time to pick himself up and leap out of the fray. Of course, the master makes quick work of the rampaging Unversed, but by now, his apprentice has already safely distanced himself by leaping onto one of the higher chairs and summoning a dark corridor to make a hasty retreat.

"Oh, believe me, I am going to forge the X-Blade," Vanitas assures, his tone icy as he turns to face his now-former master one last time. "But when I do, I can guarantee that you'll be the last person to ever get your hands on it, 'Master'…" Without bothering to spare another word on Xehanort, Vanitas disappears into the darkness, ready to act on his own ambitions for a change instead of those of his faltering, vindictive master.

"Hmph," Xehanort scoffs to himself, still standing in the center of the Round Room as his Keyblade disappears. "Insolent whelp. No matter…" The master is quick to teleport back to his usual elevated seat, his contented, calculated grin returning as he thinks back to his steadily-developing plans. "He cannot stop what is destined to transpire. The Keys, the Kingdom, and of course, the thirteenth vessel shall all soon fall into my hands, one by one." Xehanort's smirk widens as he sets his sights on the lowest-bearing seat across from him, still as empty as it had been before, though he can already tell that it won't remain that way for long. Not when his most ambitious scheme is already so well underway. "Isn't that right… Sora?"


AN-Dang, I'm not even subtle at all am I? Either way, like I said this was a lot of fun! And important setup for a lot of things to come, so I hope you paid good attention! I was gonna include like two more scenes in here, but honestly, I'm just gonna put those scenes off for later chapters, since they're easy to move around and I liked how this ended. All the same, next time we're kickin off our first of many Disney chapters with a... fun little jaunt to Olympus! So yeah, I don't have a ton else to say except to encourage you to follow/favorite/and most of all REVIEW telling me what you thought, what you think might happen next, all that good stuff! Until next time!