Vanitas paced furiously, kicking up dust with every sharp turn. The debris-filled wind smacked against his helmet, and he could feel the dirt clinging to his bodysuit. But despite the horrible climate conditions this place held, these Badlands were his home, second being the Realm of Darkness. His fists clenched and unclenched, pulsing alongside the beat of his heart.

As of this moment, he officially deemed Xehanort a big bag of loony-nuts. What plans did he have up his sleeves? Whatever it was, it involved taking in the Nobody of his granddaughter, Hallie. Vanitas didn't understand anything of it; he wondered if Xehanort did either.

He growled underneath his breath as the little girl's face filled his mind. He wouldn't have to deal with her if his master wasn't so menacingly stubborn. With just a swipe of his Keyblade, the girl would be sent to oblivion, just like her Somebody.

But the thought of facing Xehanort's wrath filled him with fear that overpowered his hatred towards Ahllixe. Xehanort had made it clear: he wasn't to do any harm to the young Nobody. Yet, Vanitas wondered how long he'd be able to be a pawn in his master's frustratingly complex plans.

Anger flared in his heart, and an Unversed emerged from the ground: a Red Hot Chili. Vanitas scowled as Unversed circled around his head a few times. His Keyblade, Void Gear, appeared in his hand, and with a grunt, he thrust the teeth into the Unversed. It squealed in pain as it faded away into dark flames, followed by a scream from Vanitas. He clutched his chest as a sharp pain cut through. He clenched his fist and dispelled his Keyblade. Vanitas cursed himself for letting his weakness show.

It's all because of Ahllixe. He thought as agony swept through him. This is all her fault. It's all Xehanort's fault. Why can't I be free to do what I want to do? What makes me happy?

Another Unversed appeared: a Hareraiser. It hopped slowly to Vanitas and nuzzled its cheek against his boot. He stared down at the creature until his face was sore from scowling. He turned away, too weary to destroy it and too frightened to face that pain again. He summoned a corridor of darkness, but the Hareraiser scurried first into it.

"Hey-!" he cried, expecting it to respond to his voice, but the Unversed ignored him and disappeared into the darkness. He was flabbergasted; never before had an Unversed disobeyed him. They were manifestations of his emotions, so they were directly linked to him. What could be the meaning behind this?

Vanitas followed the Unversed into the Realm of Darkness, where his ears filled with children's laughter. Vanitas grumbled an "Oh, great." and followed the sound. He found the Unversed and Veni the Shadow circling around Ahllixe. She watched the creatures chase each other in circles around her, which made her giggle gleefully. She lifted her eyes and, when she saw Vanitas, her face fell and she bowed her head.

"What are you doing?" Vanitas said.

"I was just walking around, and this thing came up to me." Ahllixe mumbled, shrinking back. "It... it looked like it wanted someone to play with."

Vanitas scoffed. He set his eyes on the Unversed and reached out to grab it. Veni the Shadow hissed, and Vanitas retracted his hand. He glared at the Shadow, and after a few seconds, it scurried to Ahllixe's side, continuing to hiss at him.

"You're lucky I don't chop up that rat of yours." Vanitas growled.

"His name is Veni, and he's not a rat! He's my friend!" Ahllixe cried, which Vanitas assumed was with every bit of courage she could muster.

He could see her red eyes shaking with fear and pride; pride for standing up to him, and fear of what he would do now. Vanitas shook his head and turned away.

"Whatever. Just stay out of my sight." Vanitas mumbled, and he walked away. He heard her take a breath.

"Why do you hate me so much?" she called.

Vanitas stopped in his tracks. Ahllixe clutched Veni close to her chest. Vanitas turned around and walked back over to Ahllixe, who gulped audibly.

"Is it... because of who I am?" Ahllixe said. "Or... who I was?"

"I see Xehanort filled you in a little on the details." Vanitas said. "But how much do you really know about the girl you came from?"

"I know that she's really powerful. Xehanort thinks she's a fool because she's scared of the darkness. I'm going to master the darkness, and then I'll be as experienced as you! I may come from someone, but I'm nothing like them! I'll prove it! I'm not afraid of the darkness!"

Ahllixe turned on her heel and marched confidently into the darkness. Vanitas crossed his arms and watched the girl disappear before he breathed a chuckle.

"Is that what he told you...?" he said. He looked down and saw the Hareraiser waddling around his feet. Catching a glimpse of its face, his eyes widened. He crouched down and seized the the Unversed by the head and turned it so it faced him.

Certain Unversed were created through certain of his emotions: anger, sadness, and fear being the most common. Hareraisers were born through his sadness.

But this Hareraiser's eyes were turned completely upside down. It was... happy.

Vanitas dropped the Hareraiser, and it dissolved into dark flames after it hit the ground. Vanitas clenched his fist, bracing himself for the sharp pain. But no pain or agony came to him. As he consumed the Hareraiser, a strange, warm feeling buzzed in his chest. He looked up and down the way Ahllixe left.

"Is something the matter, Vanitas?" Xehanort's voice filled his ears, and the feeling was gone. Vanitas stood up straight and turned to his master. "I hope you are treating Ahllixe well."

"Like I have any other choice." Vanitas said.

"Perhaps, one day, the two of you will become friends. Maybe she can help thaw that minuscule shard of ice you call a heart. That is, if you can call that pathetic rock a heart."

Vanitas scowled underneath his helmet and turned away. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to keep his anger down to avoid summoning another Unversed that could and would be used against him.

"That'll be the day." he said, and he walked away.