AN/ you might think there is a slight timing problem with this chapter, though I assure you, there isn't. The timing issue will be explained in the next chapter.

and... honestly... I have no idea if Joseph will mention where he ended up going. I don't think he will... but he might...

Chapter 38: Fearful Happening

"Would you quit your pacing!" one of the Larxenes shouted.

Well, the only Larxene left in their group. The other one had been killed by Riku.

Vexen Replica number 4 frowned at her. He could not remember which one she was. He hadn't bothered to go around and learn everyone's specification. It hadn't seemed like he would need to. He didn't realize that they would all be sitting here in a corridor-proof room, waiting for Saix to order out their punishments.

Well, order out what was probably going to be their only punishment:

Death.

"I'm thinking," number 4 responded. "And I need to pace so I can think!"

"It's really annoying," she mumbled.

4 shot her a glare and continued pacing.

Now I'm wishing I had sided with the Rebellion… he thought with a sigh.

Or at least gone rouge.

Master Vexen had never intended THIS to happen. Though, then again, how can anyone plan for such an event as this? He didn't expect to be ruthlessly killed by that bothersome Riku.

And, even if he had expected his death, I'm sure he would never assume the Program would be handed to Saix.

Even I never expected THAT.

I would have guessed it would have gone to Zexion, or maybe Marluxia.

Of course, everyone who happened to be in Castle Oblivion…

This is why I didn't side with the Rebellion. Why would anyone want to work with Riku? He's the reason we're all in this mess. He killed every likely person that could take charge of the Program.

I mean, I don't suppose I mind that he took care of Larxene… she and all her Replicas are annoying…

He shot another glare over at the Larxene Replica after thinking this, before glancing around the room.

There were only a few chairs, and the Larxene Replica was occupying two. She sat in one, and had her feet on another. She looked comfortable, actually. And bored. The Marluxia Replica that was also in their group was asleep in another chair, though how he managed to stay upright was a mystery. The Lexaeus Replica that had come with them was actually sitting on the floor, trying to figure out a puzzle that all the Lexaeus Replicas (and Lexaeus himself) seemed to carry around.

The other two people that had been in this party were a Larxene Replica, and another Vexen Replica. Vexen Replica number 13, to be exact. Both of them had been killed before 37 bothered to call the mission off.

4 sighed. He had liked number 13. He had actually helped create 13.

I almost wish I had died in Castle Oblivion, 4 couldn't help but think. I think that at least the Replicas with the Rebellion would at least kill us nicely. If anything, we would at least die fighting. Saix will probably just walk right in here any minute and drive his claymore through one of us, as cruelly as he possibly can…

I really should have gone rogue.

4's thoughts were interrupted when the Lexaeus Replica suddenly spoke up.

"I wonder if Namine is in Castle Oblivion," he said, voice quiet.

4 stopped his pacing, considering that idea. "I suppose it would make sense…" he muttered. "That would explain why Riku was in a particularly foul mood, and didn't feel like dealing with any of us. If Namine is indeed in Castle Oblivion, then obviously he would want to be by her side… and not having to deal with us."

"You're right!" the Larxene Replica exclaimed. "Hey, here's a thought, why not one of you loser brains convince Saix that we all figured that out together! He might let us off the hook."

"As much as I hate to agree with you…" 4 said slowly. "I think that might just work."

"We're going to have to stop thinking and start trying," the Lexaeus Replica muttered. "Here he comes."

Sure enough, right as the Lexaeus Replica said this, Saix came barging through the door, 37 at his heels.

4 scowled. He never had liked 37.

Saix stopped walking and glanced around the room. 4 glared at him, waiting for him to order their inevitable fate. The Lexaeus Replica glanced up at him, looking bored. The Larxene Replica didn't even bother to look up, and the Marluxia Replica was still asleep.

"You should be pleased," Saix said, his voice completely void of emotion. "That is, if a Replica has the capacity to be pleased…"

4's nostrils flared.

What does he think we are? Does he think we're worth less than Nobodies are? Does he think he outranks us? Maybe he does in terms of command, but in terms of Heart, we have him beat.

Replicas do in fact have the capacity to feel emotion!

See, even as I think about this, I am getting angry.

This is outrageous!

However, 4 bit his tongue.

He would not say anything, no matter how annoyed and angry he was.

Yelling at Saix would only make matters worse…

"I am not going to kill any of you," Saix continued.

4's angry thoughts came to a halt. He frowned, unsure if he had actually heard Saix right. It was highly out of character to not just outright destroy them.

They had, technically, failed the mission.

Are we just that incredibly lucky? 4 thought, something like a smile coming to his face. He really isn't going to kill us.

I can't believe my luck!

See, here I am, feeling excited. Replicas do in fact have the capacity to feel emotion!

He opened his mouth to point this out, but caught himself.

He may not kill me for failing the mission, but if I start with this he'll destroy me for being annoying.

Though that makes me wonder how all the Larxene Replicas have managed to stay alive…

It seems the only ones that have died have been killed by Riku.

4's thoughts were pulled to a sudden halt as he realized something. Everyone was staring at him. Well, all but the Marluxia Replica, who remained asleep. But Saix had his gaze fixed on him, as did 37. The Lexaeus Replica had also turned to him. The Larxene Replica had even looked up, probably wondering what the heck everyone was staring at.

4 was wondering this, too. He opened his mouth to ask, when Saix snapped his fingers.

Everything went black.

xxx

The Lexaeus Replica watched in shock as Vexen Replica number 4 suddenly collapsed. He turned back to Saix, unsure of what to make of him. He did find that he was absolutely horrified to find that Saix was smirking.

Smirking, as if he was enjoying this.

Smirking, as if he had the capacity to feel emotions to enjoy this.

"What did you do!" the Larxene Replica demanded. The Lexaeus Replica figured this wasn't out of worry for poor number 4, but out of worry for her own well-being.

"Deactivated him," Saix replied simply.

"Just like-" the Larxene Replica began, and then winced. "Yikes…" she muttered.

Saix started to say something else, but the Larxene Replica interrupted him.

"Namine's in Castle Oblivion!" she blurted.

Saix frowned at her. "And how do you know this?" he asked.

"I could see it on Riku's face," the Larxene Replica continued with an evil grin. "There was something about the way he was acting back there. It seemed as if he just wanted to get rid of us so he could go back to spending time with his precious Namine."

Why that- the Lexaeus Replica thought with a scowl. How dare she! She took what Number 4 and I said and simply spat it back out at Saix.

Taking the credit for the discovery.

When, technically, I was the one who had figured it out…

"That does make sense, sir," 37 pointed out. "I have seen firsthand what Riku's reactions are to anyone who interrupts his time with Namine. The first time I met him, I believe I was interrupting a conversation he and Namine were having. He did not look at all happy to see me, and insisted I leave right away. Similar to what happened on this last mission, actually…"

"May I be the one who gets to go kidnap her?" Larxene asked, sounding way too happy.

"That would not be wise," Saix replied. "Riku would kill you on sight. I will send someone else."

The Larxene Replica sighed in disappointment.

"As for the rest of you," Saix said, glancing over the still sleeping Marluxia Replica, and then to the Lexaeus Replica. "You are lucky that we do not have the numbers we used to. I cannot afford to get rid of you."

With this, he turned on his heel and walked out.

"Whoo!" the Larxene Replica sighed. "I thought we were all goners! It's a good thing I spoke up, or more of us than just that annoying Vexen might have been Deactivated."

The Lexaeus Replica grunted. He turned to number 4, who no one had bothered to move. He frowned.

"Well, I'm not staying here any longer," the Larxene Replica laughed, hopping to her feet. "See you later!"

The Lexaeus Replica watched her go with a glare, and then turned to the Marluxia Replica, who had managed to sleep through all of this. He grunted yet again, looking back at number 4.

After a second he went over to number 4 and picked him up. He was surprisingly light. The Lexaeus Replica then made his way over to the door and pushed it open with his shoulder. He took a quick glance around outside, and once sure that no one was watching, formed a dark corridor around himself and left.