The lab session was something rather unnerving, but as Lexaeus walked down the hallways with me sitting on his arm and clinging to his shoulders, I tried not to think on it. I got to see Zexion again, which was nice, and I got to tell a few more bad jokes alongside that. Granted, Vexen wasn't exactly the warmest of people… the crazy man wanted to experiment on me!

Oh gods. Those giant tubes- he's not going to take the blood Zexion obtained from me and try to make evil clones, is he!? Is that a thing he can do? I don't know how things work in this place, in this… world. If Zexion hadn't actually showed up when he did and stopped Vexen from attacking me, what would have happened?

Leaning down and propping my arms on Lexaeus' shoulder, burying my face in my elbow, I squeezed my eyes tightly shut. I'm scared. I'm really scared. I know I was finally able to have my emotional breakdown the last time I went to sleep, but… it's still difficult trying to handle everything that was happening. I sort of wished Demyx was here right now- even though he was as void of emotion as the others he still tried to act cheerful. I liked talking to him.

If Maria really is my sister… what's going to happen?

If Zexion's tests prove positive and she is my Maria, what are we going to do? She's not just going to accept me into her life- I don't really expect her to. As much as I would like to have my sister back in my life… I won't force her. I shouldn't have even brought it up back in the lounge- people were going through unnecessary work for something that won't even have a positive ending. I was just putting more stress on them.

She's just going to hate me in the end.

She lived without me and the rest of our family for so long- what if she already had a new one? It would be cruel to force this information on her and yet… I had already done so. I already attacked her with the knowledge of my missing Maria.

Why am I like this…?

The rest of the walk to wherever it was we were heading was mainly consisting of me berating and insulting myself in silence, thinking of all the worst possible scenarios that would happen if the tests did prove positive once Zexion got her genetic samples. That's not even to mention that if she wasn't my sister-

No. Irene. Just… Just stop. Quit torturing yourself like this; it's not going to do anything for you in the end. She either is or isn't your sister, but regardless of the outcome she's going to despise you anyway. If she attacked the other members, who's to say she isn't going to attack you?

She seemed so angry in the hallway… all she did was glare.

This whole situation was so messed up. I hate this… I hate this so much. There's nothing good about coming here, about being brought here, about meeting these people. These… Nobodies. I just want to go home.

With a heavy sigh I turned my head, staring blankly at the solid white floor and watching as it passed by. Empty and soulless… without an ounce of color or personality. Shifting a little, Lexaeus unperturbed by all the movement, I moved my arm and outstretched a hand outward, turning my hand until I was staring at my palm.

This is all wrong.

Everything that was going on, all of what was happening… their claims to be physically heartless. It felt all so very wrong. And that magic Zexion, Lexaeus, and Vexen claimed I did… I still can't find myself to believe that it was me. It can't have been. I'm… ordinary. Ordinary and plain and boring. I shouldn't be able to use magic.

And yet I did.

I felt the warmth spark through my hands when it had happened- the tingle shooting down my arm. Vexen had been frightening me so much and all I wanted was for him to let go. I wanted to run and hide. And then… I hurt him. I didn't mean to, but I hurt him.

I hate this so much.

I closed my eyes, silent and waiting for the walk to be over. I didn't know where we were going; I didn't really care. I wanted nothing to do with this world.

A creaking noise caught my attention, so I opened my eyes and sat up. Lexaeus ducked down as he walked into the kitchen, so to avoid either of us smacking the top of the doorway, and set me down on my feet. I blinked in surprise, looking around when I saw where we were. I didn't think we were actually going to go to the kitchen- I had just been joking about that earlier because that seemed to be where everyone constantly brought me. Though, considering where we were now, I supposed that this was just a routine or everyone's favorite place to go.

"Lex-?" I wasn't able to finish, startled by the sound of metal clinking against glass. I whirled around, eyes widening when I saw a familiar redhead stirring what looked like a bowl of cereal. A contemplative look on his face, Axel looked greatly confused by something- if a Nobody "could feel" confusion. "Axel?"

"Hm?" The redhead hummed, raising his head and staring blankly in our direction- as though he didn't recognize us- before something flickered and recognition flashed on his face. "Oh, rabbit girl. And Lex. You guys here for lunch?"

"R-Rabbit girl?" Where did that come from? Oh, wait… I remember now. "Granted my Chinese Zodiac is a rabbit… I thought you hated Marluxia?" Why would he use a nickname he gave me if he despised him so much?

At the very name of the pink-haired Nobody, Axel's expression turned sour. "No, whatever could have given you that idea?"

"Oh, I don't know," I mused, making a face as I pretended to think, "perhaps it's the fact that the last time I saw you two, you both were ready to tear each other to shreds!?" Why is that everyone is always ready to spill blood? Freaking- even Saix got mad at Lexaeus earlier for no reason in particular. The only people who don't seem to go looking for a fight are Lexaeus, Demyx and Zexion. "You guys are… You guys are a team, right? An Organization? Sh-Shouldn't you guys act more… organized or something?"

It was scary; the idea that they would all willingly try to kill each other scared me. They should be working together, not against each other. What if… What if I wake up one day and half the Organization is just… dead? I don't know them very well and I don't really want to know them very well, but I can't stand the thought of them just… dying.

I don't understand how they could all want to hurt each other.

The sound of a chair scraping marble tile caught my attention, causing me to look up. Before I knew it, I was pushed back with Lexaeus' arm in front of me protectively, Axel standing a few feet away from us, his emerald eyes cold and empty. I was a little frightened of Axel, but I hadn't expected Lexaeus to take his role of "guard" so seriously. I would have thought he'd find me a nuisance more than anything.

"Ever think that maybe Xemnas grabbed a bunch of Nobodies with no place to go and stuck 'em with a cloak?" The redhead growled, the room warming up multiple degrees as his fingertips threatened to flicker with flames. "You have the founders of the Organization, and then you have the scraps that were picked up after. We weren't chosen because of our amazing teamwork; we were picked because he needed people that would work under him. If we so much as defect or turn rogue, we'll be turned to dusks and obliterated."

Axel moved closer, stopping directly in front of the ginger giant and peering down at me coldly from behind Lexaeus' arm.

"You got it memorized, kid? We don't get along because we aren't meant to get along. We're all here to complete one goal and one goal only: to complete Kingdom hearts and get our hearts back. Just because we're in a faction together doesn't mean we have to be nice to each other. It's survival of the fittest here and it's best you learn that quickly."

I recoiled at the harshness of his tone. I felt a bit like I had gotten punched in the gut, the words hitting home and making breathing a little difficult. I tried to keep my expression blank, but it was difficult and instead took on the form of something that resembled a kicked puppy. "I-I didn't mean-"

"You didn't mean to make me mad? Yeah, well, welcome to reality, kid. You-"

"No," I cut in, anxiety causing me to mentally berate myself for speaking up, "I didn't mean to cause any of this! I didn't… I didn't ask to be a stupid Light Keeper, you know! It's your fault that I'm here!"

"And how is it my fault all of a sudden!?"

"Because you were the one who kidnapped me!" My vision grew blurry and my head pounded, my heart racing as my breathing grew uneven. I became briefly aware that I didn't use my nebulizer today. "E-Everything was f-fine, and-and then you showed up with c-creepy Xigbar a-and you guys hurt my friends a-and then you tried to kill me! If-If you didn't show up that day then I wouldn't have had to come here!"

Axel laughed, the sound rather bitter to my ears. He placed a hand on his hip, staring down at me with a sardonic smile. "Oh? So it's my fault? Let's not forget that the one who really kidnapped you is Zexion. You saw him and didn't argue once as he led you through the Dark Corridor."

"I-I didn't-"

"Nope! You saw him and it was like you were starstruck." He waved his hands sarcastically in the air, the redhead pausing only when he saw I was glaring at him through the tears. "What? Am I wrong? You fought me and Xigbar, but you didn't resist Zexion."

"Yeah, b-but only because he didn't try to kill me! If memory serves, he sh-showed up and then… and then stopped you from slicing me in half with your-your stupid flame chakrams!"

"Stupid? Kid, you don't know who you're talking to-"

"Axel." The deep iron voice echoed around the kitchen, clear and strong and silencing the argument. Axel and I both froze, the redhead raising his head up to stare at the giant standing behind me, Lexaeus' gaze fixed firmly on Axel. He said nothing aside from the pyro's name, but the message was clear.

Axel turned his head away and huffed, bringing a hand up and ruffling his hair. "Okay, fine. Whatever. I was getting sick of this conversation anyway." He shook his head and pushed past us, opening the door and nearly walking face-first into Xaldin. "Whoa-hey! A little warning next time?"

Xaldin just stared down at him unimpressed. "You should watch where you're going. More importantly, where is the Keeper of Darkness? You're supposed to be watching Maria."

"Is everyone on my case today!? She fell asleep, okay? I'm not about to stand over her like a creep and wait for her to wake up! Now leave me alone."

"Number Eight, what are you-" Axel didn't let Xaldin finish his sentence, roughly pushing past him and leaving the kitchen. Xaldin scowled and glared in the direction the redhead had left. "Insolent little… hmph. One of these days he'll listen."

Axel had just… I was…

I don't feel so good.

An arm resting across my stomach, I clamped a hand over my mouth and strangled back a sob, eyes squeezing tightly shut. I couldn't breathe properly-I couldn't think. My head was pounding and my heart was working in overdrive, lungs gradually beginning to burn and hurt like a pair of weights were pressing down on them.

A-Air-!

I stumbled back, moving blindly as black spots corned my vision. I was scared and frantic, and I had no idea where my bedroom was or if I could even get there before I passed out. I was determined to try, and remained unaware of Lexaeus and Xaldin's startled and confused reactions as a strange heat passed through my hand and expelled itself into the space before me-swirling gold and white, non-threatening and caused by sheer desperation to survive.

I stumbled into that light, something in my heart telling me I would be safe if I did so, and promptly collapsed into white as a comforting warmth enveloped me and alleviated the pressure and pain I felt.

Then, as I hit solid ground, I blacked out.

…

Axel hadn't meant to get mad at the kid- he honestly didn't. He just had a lot on his mind, struggling to wrap his brain around the events that were happening about the castle and trying to understand why the Keepers were so necessary to them. It wasn't like they actually needed them- the whole point of having them there was so that the Organization's enemies couldn't use them against them. But then it turned out the Keepers were possibly sisters…

Talk about one messed up family.

Eyebrows raised, he grumbled to himself and ruffled his hair as he made his way down the hallway. Axel didn't really feel guilty about getting so angry with the kid- she was the one who brought up that arrogant, prissy bastard in the first place- but he knew that if he had a heart he would probably feel really bad about making a little girl cry. Lea certainly would…

But I'm not Lea. Lea was foolish Human who went out of his way to smile and befriend everyone- who snuck into places he wasn't supposed to and got himself killed because of it. I'm Axel.

And Axel wasn't an idiot- he wasn't a fool. Axel was manipulative, cold, and cunning. He knew how to play his cards right and how to act; after all, isn't the whole non-existence as a Nobody nothing more than an act? They pretend to be who they were, while pushing towards what they could never be. They'll never be Human, they'll never be who they had lost; all Nobodies could do was fight for a Heart, even if it seems pointless and impossible.

The Organization was their only hope to achieve that meaningless goal, and they couldn't stop until they reached it. Sure, they still age- Axel had the body of a teenager when he was created and nearly ten years have passed since then, but that wasn't going to stop them. They had to keep going.

It was their only reason to live this empty life.

Yet that stupid girl just doesn't seem to get it. The Keeper of Light seemed absolutely certain that they had to have hearts and that magic didn't exist. She believed that since they were all in the same faction that they had to get along. She doesn't understand anything.

Marluxia was going to exploit her weaknesses. He was going to turn her into a lifeless puppet that obeyed only him. Axel could read that narcissistic assassin like an open book... but, unfortunately, there wasn't really anything Axel would do to stop him. Why should he? It would the girl's own damn fall for falling for his sickening lies.

At least the Keeper of Darkness has a good head on her shoulders. He huffed, opening the door to his room, and walked in. Quietly as he could, he closed the door behind him so not to disturb the resting woman on his bed. She doesn't trust anyone here- though, it's rather obvious why.

With a sigh, Axel walked over and sat down on the floor, back resting against the side of the bedframe. It had been a long few days and, honestly, he wanted to get a nap in while he could. He was sick of everyone nagging him- Saix, Xaldin, the Superior… even Lexaeus was trying to get on his case now.

A rampaging woman and timid little girl… that's a nightmare if I've ever heard one.

As Axel fell asleep, his mind was left wondering what made such a peaceful sleeping face twist into something so angry, and so full of hate and flame.

…

Zexion paused mid-typing, his nose twitching as a scent faded from the castle. It was an almost burning sort of scent, so full of light and fear, and one that would never leave his mind because of how sickeningly pungent it was. That scent belonged to one very peculiar Keeper of Light and… it vanished.

Single blue eye narrowing, he pulled away from the large array of computers and the data they possessed, the young scientist bringing a hand up to his face-index and middle finger resting upon the bridge of his nose as he thought.

She can't have just vanished… The Keeper of Light barely has any access to her powers. The only way possible for her to vanish like that would be to traverse through a Corridor of Darkness- yet, if that were the case, I should have caught scent of the darkness around her. She was near Xaldin and Lexaeus after all…

He recalled how she had trouble breathing the other day, nearly falling over the staircase railing if not for him having caught her arm in time. Perhaps… no. However, he can't erase that as a possible variable; if she was under enough stress at the time then it is likely that she managed to access a portion of her power to create a passageway of light. That would explain the sudden spike in energy and light he had smelled.

While intriguing, this is far from wanted, Zexion thought with a grimace, waving a hand in the air and creating a Corridor of Darkness. He needed to speak with Lexaeus, discover what had happened, otherwise-

Zexion blinked, partially surprised when the scent reappeared in the castle. Sickeningly pungent, churning his stomach just slightly, and appeared within the proximity of her room. No, that wasn't it. It was in the Keeper of Light's room that the scent reappeared. Interesting.

Just as Vexen walked into the room, Zexion walked through the portal with a question in mind.

What was her goal?

…

Unfurling from the last remnants of sleep, Maria's mind slowly came back to her. Falling had always been easy, it was the climb back up that was difficult. To come back from drowning in one's own heart. Although, if she was to be honest, Maria was never fond of staying in her own heart. She had closed off it's walls long ago. And yet...

"It's Micheal. I think… my name is Micheal."

How he had gotten there was still a mystery, this Micheal. But now that he had found a way to reside within the confines of Maria's heart, it was hard to make him leave. In a way, their hearts connected, and that gave her pause.

She pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind as wakefulness seized her, taking note that of her surroundings before opening her eyes. She remembered a sunset blazing red over the sea, and a clocktower. Axel. Falling asleep against his shoulder.

The surface she now laid on was not the redhead's shoulder.

Shifting, she felt soft sheets and a warm pillow beneath her head, nuzzling into the soft comfort it provided. The sweet smell of spiced cinnamon and musk filling her nose as before she dared to crack open an eye. The familiar white walls and bleak furniture told her she was back at the castle, but this was not her room. She looked around, sighing at the baren, barely used furniture save for a few ice cream sticks littering the trash can near the dresser before seeing a familiar mop of spiked red hair over the edge of the bed. Axel sat on the floor, back pressed against the side of the bed as he tilted his head back onto the mattress. Chest rising and falling easily in sleep.

She watched him for a moment, debating to let herself fall back into sleep or to move about again. Instead of doing either, she moved lower on the bed, curling around the space Axel's head took before gently grasping a sprig of crimson hair between her fingers. It was surprisingly soft, especially since it seemed to defy gravity so well; she had thought it would have been much stiffer. The silken strands brushed easily through her fingers as she weaved them through it. Enjoying the soft touch they provided to her battle hardened hands.

Simple, sweet, and altogether out of reach. It was things like this that Maria remembered would never be hers willingly. That damn mouse made it perfectly clear; her darkness made her a tool. And her training made that tool into a lethal weapon. Gentle things were not meant to be kept in flame; her sparks burned to hotly.

With a nearly-there sigh, and a face as blank as porcelain masks, she sat up, moving to get off the bed and move to the door. She was just past the dresser when a soft rasp of a voice sounded, still muddled by sleep.

"Not even gonna say goodbye for leaving? That's harsh."

She half turned to look down at Axel, staring at the redhead whom had not yet moved. Arms still crossed lazily over his chest, one leg propped up lightly. She crossed her arms, waiting for him to give some other form of acknowledgement before speaking.

Slowly, one green eye opened to peer up at her, staring her down, "Where exactly do you plan on going?"

"I hardly think it matters." She replied smoothly, cocking her head to the side a bit at his lazy demeanor.

With a groan, he closed his eye again, moving to sit up properly and stand with a grumble of annoyance at the movement, "It matters. I know we had a fun little field trip but you still can't go running off by yourself."

"It wouldn't be the first time I've roamed the halls alone."

"If Xemnas had it his way there wouldn't have been a first time."

"I don't see why my walking is such a chore for him."

"Just humor me, will ya? You already played with my hair. At least indulge me in not running off somewhere."

A scowl decorated her features at that, the slight coloring in her cheeks easy enough to be mistaken for anger, "You're a dangerous man, Axel."

"What can I say?" He chimed with a grin, moving his hands to his hips. He looked her over before falling back into a serious tone, "Honestly, though, if the Superior finds you walking the halls alone, it won't matter that you're the Keeper of Darkness. He will hurt you."

"I'm assuming by your tone that it won't just be me he attempts to hurt."

"Xemnas isn't known as the forgiving sort. I don't know about you, but I don't like the idea of being dusked."

"Care to elaborate on that?"

"Not really."

Maria scowled. Glaring up at him with agitation written all over her posture. Whatever easy camaraderie they had earlier seemed to be nonexistent now. Figures.

"You're more than welcome to follow if you're that worried about your hide, but I'm not staying here." She stated as she moved to head out the door again.

"You can't just leave the castle. Xemnas will destroy you!" He snapped, taking a step forward.

She stopped with her hand on the doorknob, glaring back at him, "I never said I wouldn't come back. I have things to take care of. Threats of death be damned, I'm going and you can either follow or scurry in fear like a rat. Man up or back off, Axel. I won't be made a damsel to be kept locked away. If you all are so intent to keep me here there are things that I need."

"You can't leave."

"Watch me."

…

Sharp pain stabbed me from all over my body, needles tearing away inside my chest and ripping at my lungs. When I awoke, it was bound to a lab table with my arms and legs strapped down by brown leather, wires in my arms and an oxygen mask on my face. When I saw all the equipment surrounding me and the high-tech machinery, my first thought was to panic; I didn't know what was happening. I had no idea where I was. I didn't remember where I had been previous before waking up, either.

I just knew I was somewhere unfamiliar, my mind was blank, and at the moment I couldn't even recall my own name. I was just scared.

But I didn't scream. I held my tongue and tried to calm down, a machine beeping louder and faster as my breathing grew more labored, heart racing frantically in fear. Within moments I could hear footsteps, but it did nothing to cease my fright. I tried to wriggle my hands out from under the straps, desperate to escape from the bindings, wondering if I was about to be murdered, and it was when I was on the verge of sitting up that a pair of hands pushed me back down.

I tried to speak, but no words left me. All that came out were whimpers and a strangled sob. A single blue eye looked down at me, expression calm yet empty, a familiar voice oddly comforting despite its cold tone.

"Stop struggling."

I know him. I know I know him, s-so why can't I-? My vision was blurring, tears burning my eyes, but instead of speaking more the man simply turned and typed away on the computer.

"There's a collapse of a main stem bronchus upon exhalation, and the constant collapsing of your trachea. This is what causes your coughing and breathing problems, and why the Corridors of Darkness affected you more than usual for being pure light. Usually your symptoms would be seen in older adults, and yet…" He turned, eyeing me like a specimen to be studied. "...you prove to be the exception. Your airways also tend to swell up. Tell me, Keeper; how have you managed to survive this long with the separation of your other half given your condition?"

I don't… understand. What is he talking about? Other half?

Seeing my confused reaction, the man hummed to himself and picked an odd tool off of a tray, walking over and pressing it to my forehead. I winced, the tool cold against my skin, a small blue light radiating off of it, but within seconds he was done. Then, without any explanation, he walked off.

There was a long moment of silence, when suddenly I could hear the man speaking to someone.

"-she not going to survive?" A new voice asked, much higher and older-sounding than the man who had been speaking to me.

"...You're the genius, Vexen. Figure it out."

"Yes, but you're the real doctor here. My PHD is purely science. Can't you fix her?"

I could hear him talking with someone in the distance, but I couldn't see them. I wriggled again, wincing at the annoying beeping of the machine. Finally, after what seemed like forever, I managed to get my right wrist out from the strap. I gasped into the oxygen mask as I did so, my flesh relieved to longer be bound.

"It's not a matter of "can I", Vexen." The man who had spoken to me sounded a little irritated by this point. "It's if I can find a proper solution to remedy her; that would require changing her genetic design and making sure I don't harm her in the process."

"But if you don't then she will die; do you know how furious the Superior would be if we had to locate another Keeper? Nonetheless an infant!?"

I listened as they spoke, but also worked on freeing my other wrist.

"We won't."

"...You've already decided?"

I got my other hand free. I leaned down to undo my ankles. Movement hurt my arms, the needles in them pricking and pulling at my skin. Leaning over like this made it even more difficult to breathe.

"...I took a second sample of her blood while she was unconscious."

The beeping of the monitor got louder, my breathing got a bit harder the longer I remained leaned over. I unlatched my right ankle.

"After doing the necessary research, I've already started working on an antigen. I'm still calculating what all needs to be done. Perhaps you could help me for once, seeing as I'm always helping you with your experiments…"

"Why you-! You say that as if I hadn't ever expressed gratitude for your assistance!"

"..."

"..Grr… Fine! But I expect a little more respect from now on, Zexion."

"Hm."

"Don't you hum at me! Now go in there and fix the stupid brat while I go over your research!"

"...How kind of you."

"Zexion!"

There was no response, only fuming from the other person as footsteps headed my way. As I did the final latch I fell back onto the table, tired and worn and like I had ran a thousand miles without stopping. My eyes closed and things went temporarily black, but when I opened them the amount of needles in my arms had increased and the straps were latched over my wrists and ankles again.. Standing beside me was a giant, his blank iron-strong face gazing down at me, his arms crossed over his broad chest.

I blinked a few times, face contorting into pain as my brain hurt, but I recognized him. He was… god, what was it? "L…" It hurt to speak, it hurt to think, it hurt to be existing. "Le-Lex...Lexae…"

"Don't speak." Was all he said.

The sound of fingers typing against a keyboard stopped, the man with the single blue eye picking a small light off the cart beside him and walking over to me. Latex gloved fingers grabbed at my face, forcing me to look at the blue-eyed man as he shined the light in my eyes.

I winced, trying to pull away, but he didn't give me a choice. "Look at me." Confused, but trusting the stranger, I did as told and focused on his face. As I did so, he shined the light in my other eye. My eyebrows furrowed in thought, and I was left struggling to put a name with his face.

Fair skin, with the barest hint of freckles under his eyes. If it weren't for him leaning down, I wouldn't have seen the other half of his face at all. He had surprisingly long lashes, not to mention dark given his hair color. I could smell mint, which I was assuming to be his breathe, but also sanitizer and fresh soap.

My senses were working again, at least. His name… what did it start with again?

The man pulling away, he set the light down and began typing again, calling out to the person he had been talking to before. That person was messing with chemicals, muttering oddities to himself, and nodded to acknowledge the blue-eyed man's words. I didn't pay attention to what they were saying this time, my gaze focused intently on the blue-eyed man's back and trying to recall his name.

It started with a Z…

I'm pretty sure I heard it earlier, too. Watching as he picked a syringe up, tapping it with his index finger, gaze focused and calm, it suddenly hit me. The slate blue locks that fell into his face, moving with just the slightest action… the perfect posture…

"Zexion."

He paused. Lexaeus looked down at me. From behind the clear mask I was wearing, my lips spread out into a huge bright smile, my eyes lighting up as details and memories gradually returned to me.

"Y-Your n-name is… is Z-Zexion, is-isn't it?" Speaking felt like glass was shoved in my throat, but I felt like I had reached an epiphany. This man's name was Zexion; the person beside me was Lexaeus. I remembered I liked both of them; I thought they were nice and friendlier than other people. I wanted to be friends with them. "Y-You're-"

A painful, body wracking cough cut me off, heavy and thick and like I was being torn apart from inside. It lasted for a good minute, draining me of all my strength, and left me so tired afterwards that I couldn't even whimper when the man I deemed "Zexion" shoved the needle of the syringe into my arm. Pressing his thumb down against the end, he injected some sort of blue-ish green liquid into my arm.

It didn't hurt; it just tingled all over, the liquid spreading throughout my arm and gradually my whole body. There was an odd feeling in my throat, like it was closing up, but then became covered in some substance that I immediately wanted to cough out. I resisted, especially because I was wearing an oxygen mask and I didn't want to get grime all over it, so I tried to continually clear my throat.

"How is she?" A nasally voice asked, walking over with a few vials in his hands. "Did her body accept it?"

Accept what…? What are they doing to me?

The man with the long hair, Vexen if I'm recalling correctly, scowled at Zexion. The younger scientist merely turned away, typing at a computer with one hand and then proceeding to grab some files with the other. He handed them to Vexen, who took them curiously and began to read silently. I turned my head, looking up at Lexaeus who was still standing beside the table I was on. "Hmph. Of course she had to be broken…"

Though the coating in my throat made it hard to swallow or speak, it didn't stop me from making face at his words and giving the blond man a sour stare. Rude. Zexion seemed to sense my stare, regardless of it not being meant for him, and turned his head to look down at me. The corner of his mouth twitched into a smirk. "I don't think she appreciated your "words of wisdom", Four."

"My words of- I told you to respect me, Number Six! Take that sass of yours elsewhere."

Zexion gave no response, merely closing his eyes and raising his eyebrows as he turned and began typing again. There was a whirring noise in the other side of the room, Vexen giving a small huff as he marched off to wherever that sound was. The odd coating in my throat began to spread not long after he left, the tingling sensation moving to my skull.

There was a sharp spike of pain and then-

What the crab monkeys is-? Oh dear god... Everything that had happened to me came rushing back at once: the talk with Marluxia, meeting Vexen, arguing in the kitchen with Axel, and running from Lexaeus and Xaldin when I had trouble breathing… and the realization that I was now currently being experimented on. How long have I been in here?

…

To say that Xaldin was "worried" be an understatement. First was Maria's distress over Zexion's and Demyx's accusation that Irene was her sister, then Axel's outburst and anger brought on as by Irene, and then Irene's sudden panic. Not to mention the obvious factor that Irene had summoned a portal... A fully functional portal of Light. He had never seen one before, and given the girl's reluctance to believe herself capable of magic let alone to actually be a Keeper, the fact that she had managed to produce a Portal was remarkable.

However, it was her distress that lead her to that that "worried" him.

Xaldin was very much aware of the fact that the longer the Keepers were separated, the more their health declined. And if the accusations of their relations were true, then they were apart for thirteen years. It's a wonder they were both moving around as they were, but for the child to befall such distress, and so suddenly? It made Xaldin fear for the little one; or at least, he believed it to be the memory of fear. He would not goad himself into believing false feelings, but he knew the memory of the emotion. And he knew what that feeling had brought him to do in the past.

It was that feeling that led the Whirlwind Lancer into action. Knowing that Zexion would undoubtedly sense the overwhelming presence of light and seek to investigate; he set himself to his own charge. If the Light Keeper were to suddenly befall a pain such as that, there was no telling what would happen to their other guest. And that is what led him to the door of the Organizations very own Number VIII.

Stepping up to the door with brisk, precise movements, Xaldin raised his fist to rap his knuckles across the hard surface.

"Get off of me!" Came the sharp cry from the other side of the door, making the Violet eyed warrior halt in his movement. Shoulders drawn taught and gaze narrowing to a sharp glare, he shoved the door open roughly, lance in hand as a harsh wind blew through the room- ready to destroy whatever assailant dared tred within the castle walls to harm his charge.

The sight that greeted him, however, was not the battle that he had expected.

In the middle of the room stood Axel, arms wrapped around a struggling Maria, his chest pressed to her back as he held her to him. One hand gripping onto her flaming forearm as she struggled to get loose, Maria's normally hazel-colored eyes tinged with red.

Concern and determination were replaced by anger and frustration as Xaldin strode forward, grabbing Axel roughly by the back of his coat before yanking him away from Maria. Lifting him up until the redhead was barely able to keep his feet on the ground, he tossed him roughly out of the room with a slight yelp from Axel. He took a moment to compose himself before turning his steely gaze back to the freckled beauty, looking over her slightly ragged appearance as he stepped forward.

"Are you hurt?" Xaldin asked, being sure to keep his tone even.

Maria sent him a sharp look as she adjusted her clothes, making a face of annoyance. "I'm fine."

"If that is the case, would you care to tell me why you two were fighting?"

"Axel wouldn't let me leave."

"You cannot-" Xaldin began, only to be cut off by a very angry fire starter as Axel stormed back in, shoving Xaldin slightly to the side in agitation.

"I told you, you're not allowed to walk off on your own!" He snapped, green eyes gleaming in restrained fury.

"And I told you I don't give a damn! I'll come back!"

"It doesn't matter; you can't leave the castle!"

"I'm a grown ass woman. I can do whatever the hell I want."

"You're asking for a fight, kid."

"You're asking to get burned."

"You think you can burn hotter than me? I'll show you who can burn."

"Bring it."

"Fucking little-"

"Enough!" Xaldin roared, a sharp fierce wind shoving both the fire bringers back as he growled low in his throat, mumbling a tired "Insufferable" as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He took a deep breath to calm himself before looking at them. The two reminding him of how he- of how Dilan used to scold Lea and Isa long ago for such antics. "Maria, why are you trying to leave?"

She huffed, crossing her arms with a scowl, "As I tried to tell Axel, if I'm going to stay here there are things I need. I was going to come back."

"I told you-" cut in the redhead with a sharp retort.

"Axel." Xaldin warned, his tone leaving no room for argument.

With a scoff, Axel turned his green gaze to the wall, arms folded behind his head and fingers entwined, "Whatever."

Turning his sharp gaze back on their ward, Xaldin inclined to her again, "What is it that you need?"

Hazel eyes turned to stare up into Violet, the intensity in that gaze holding firm before softening. Moving to train her gaze on something beyond him, "I needed clothes. The ones you gave me don't fit." She commented before fixing a soft glare at Axel, "If you had bothered to ask, you would have realized I wanted to go shopping."

Axel's brow twitched before he turned to stare at her, "How the hell was I supposed to know that?"

"Simple. Ask questions instead of jumping to high strung conclusions."

With a frown, Axel just stared at her, hands curled into soft fists at his sides. His voice was even as he spoke, a realization more to himself than the other, "You know, I'm not sure if you've got guts or if you're just reckless."

"I hardly think it matters."

Xaldin simply shook his head. The two go from fighting over nothing to having a strange sort of calm between them. He was correct in his earlier statement; they were going to be insufferable together, "Axel is correct. You cannot wander without a guard."

"I'm going, so you can either follow or get over it."

"I did not say we would not follow." replied Xaldin firmly, his gaze fixed now on Number VIII, "As it seems Axel is more prone to argue with you then be a firm companion, I fear I have no other option but to accompany you."

"Hey!" Axel snapped, offended, "I can watch her just fine."

"It would appear otherwise."

"Man oh man, ye of little faith."

"As I am sure you are well aware, you have yet to give me cause to have faith in you."

"That's harsh."

"Can we get back to the matter at hand, please?" Maria interrupted, rolling her eyes at the stares that got cast her way, "Are we leaving or not? Because I'm going. So?"

Axel and Xaldin exchanged glances for a moment before the Whirlwind Lancer allowed his spear to vanish. Sighing as Axel shrugged his shoulders, Xaldin resigned himself to his fate, "I suppose we have no other choice."

"Don't say it like it's a death sentence."

Axel shrugged, putting his hands on his hips, "Could be worse. Any place you have in mind?"

"Where ever that stupid Mouse isn't."

Axel and Xaldin exchanged glances. Axel lifted one shoulder in a half shrug as, pulling a sigh from the Organization's Number III. Pulling himself up to stand at his full height, a sense of regal power flowing from him, he made a decision, "Follow me."

...

For a minute, I laid there unmoving as I processed all that was happening to me. I was finally able to make sense of the conversation Zexion and Vexen were having earlier, though knowing just made me more concerned than I already was. A… Am I dying? What's happening to me? What's going on!?

The beeping on the heart-rate monitor got louder with each passing second, my heart beating faster and faster as I became more panicked. I looked around me, taking note of just how many wires there were connected to my arms, liquids of all different colors being injected into my body. "Wh-What are you doing to me?" I choked, suddenly very scared compared to the odd calm I had been feeling earlier. "What's happening!?"

Zexion said something about my trachea and bronchial tubes earlier… but that didn't really explain what he was doing to me. All that did was explain what was wrong with me. Lexaeus didn't answer my question, merely closing his eyes when I started to freak out, and Zexion ignored me to continue typing. I didn't dare move despite the binds having been removed, too many wires and needles in my arms to risk aggravating.

"Wh-What's going on!? L-Lex-" I was never able to finish my sentence, cut off by loud body-wracking coughs. Through the coughs I was left wheezing, chest heaving up and down as my heart thudded inside my chest, struggling to keep beating. I tried to calm down, squeezing my eyes and shut and attempted to breathe in through my nose and out my mouth, but it was exceedingly difficult.

It hurts… e-everything hurts…

I'm scared. I'm so scared…

I don't want to die.

I tried to keep the coughs and the tears at bay, strangling a painful sob deep in my throat and curling my hands into fists. Sirens rang in my ears, temporarily deafening me and silencing all sound around me except for that of my own heartbeat. A fire slowly spread throughout my veins, following the path the liquid had taken after it had been injected into my arm, but instead of tingling it began to burn.

Hot, acidic-like fire encasing the inside of my body, intense and inescapable. Bright, blinding red coated my vision and there was a scream- a terrified shriek ripping out of my throat as I began to thrash, scared and frightened and in pain. Needles tore at my arms, blood trickling along my flesh, and a pair of hands pushed down on my shoulders- forcefully holding me down.

The pain was so great I couldn't even hear my own scream anymore- I didn't even know what I was doing after being forced onto my back. There was red, and white, and black, and then I was standing on a partially-fractured platform, too dazed to make out the figures sleeping in the art of the mosaic glass ground. I wasn't in the lab anymore; I had no idea where I was. I hadn't any idea how I got there, either. My legs soon gave out before me, leaving me to collapse on the glass floor.

I didn't have the strength to move, just laying on the ground on my front with halfway closed eyes. Weak, aching, and feeling like I had been destroyed from the inside out. My own heart struggled to keep beating.

"You can't be here…" A female voice murmured, filled with concern.

"No, not yet. You aren't strong enough!" The voice sounded panicked, male and utterly distraught.

The next voice was rougher than the previous two, also male, and was filled with anger and disbelief. "We're fracturing… This can't be! What the hell is happening outside!?"

The last voice sounded younger than most of them, but was calm and soothing as the boy murmured softly, "Quiet now... let her sleep. The girl has barely just awoken to her powers; now she's having all sorts of elixirs being pumped through her veins. Her body can't handle the overdose of magic being forced into her. She needs silence to fight through the corruption; she can't mend the fractures with all this chaos! We need to remain calm, peaceful..." Adorned in a white robe, decorated with pale blue flowers, the young man knelt down and smiled, resting a hand gently atop my immobile head. "Isn't that right... Irene?"

I could give no answer, nor muster even the slightest nod to show I heard. I wasn't even certain I had heard anything- the voices were rushed, mixed together, and then there was a gentle breeze. A cooling sort of warmth, countering the fire that burned inside my body. Slowly, my eyes closed... and I was left to drown in endless black.

Fun Fact: Irene means "peaceful" and Maria means "retribution" "bitter" "revenge" etc. Quite fitting, eh?

Read and review, lovelies~! Also, please be careful if you're driving in the snow. :[ Really bad weather right now.