Disclaimer - This story purely fan-made. Kingdom Hearts and the characters belong to Square-Enix (c).

Author's Note: My apologies for the long wait. With the holidays and such I've been pretty tied.

Chapter III

Orangization XIII's plans were underway. The heart collecting became easier with the support of a second keyblade. Less Heartless were appearing and Nobodies began to take over Twilight Town and the many other worlds. Their next assignment was to head to the Beast's Castle.

Stepping through the darkness, Xion and Xaldin arrived at the castle. It towered above with it's frightening stare. Gargoyles with grim faces stared down the path to the castle. Xion's knees gave a wobble, questioning herself why it was called "the Beast's castle".

Xaldin split up with her at this point and headed into the building, and she was to search in the garden. She pushed open the gates to find the garden was more frightening than the entrance: the flowers hovered over, withering away with the chilling wind. Thorns tangled around every vegetation and seemed to choke the life out of it. A fog swept over the dark garden and Heartless slowly pulled themselves from the decaying ground. She briskly took them down with her Keyblade and the hearts floated away.

The snapping of a branch sent a sharp chill down her spine, and she braced herself for another fight. Cautiously she approached the tree, then sprung behind it. No one was there. She told herself to get a grip, but the sound echoed and she quickly hid behind the tree between the bushes. She hid herself, getting as low as possible and waited to see someone. A cloaked Organization member entered the garden. Turned their head a few times, then turned back and left. Xion got up and tagged behind them.

" Xaldin? " she asked.

The cloaked figure turned quickly, and swiped their blade at her. Barely dodging the attack, Xion fell backward onto her bottom.

" Hey!! " she shouted. " What are you doing?? "

Without receiving an answer, Xion pulled out her Keyblade. The cloaked figure stepped forward, then back. They shook their head in frustration.

" Sora?! " the cloaked figure gasped.

Xion charged at the hidden opponent and slashed the Keyblade. The cloaked figure blocked her attempt, and sent her flying back. Landing back on her feet, she dashed back, raising her blade high. But this mysterious figure was too quick. Her failed attempt sent her soaring back into a gargoyle statue that began to tip. The figure came to her rescue and pushed her out of the way before it crumbled on top of her.

Xion couldn't stand. Her vision was foggy from such a blow into stone, and there was no sign of her Keyblade anywhere. The mysterious opponent kneeled down, taking his blind fold off to get a look at her face. He was surprised to find a delicate girl underneath the mask. Covering his eyes again he picked up the Keyblade. It disappeared and returned the owner's hands.

His anger built up and he began to shout at her, " Who are you?! And why do you have the Keyblade?! "

Xion gained a little strength to push herself up to meet her enemies' eyes. Though he wore a blind fold, she could see he was young, only a little taller than her, with white long hair.

" What about you? " she snapped back, refusing to answer to his demands. " Why are you dressed like the Organization? "

The boy was silent for a moment, but decided to answer. " To make sure his sleep...isn't interrupted. " He turned his back to her. " I don't know where you got that, but it must be a fake. "

Xion's hands clenched into fists. This boy was really getting on her nerves. " You have no right to say that! " The boy began to walk away. " You seem deceiving too. "

" You're right. " he said, turning back to show her his soft smile. " Maybe I am the one who doesn't exist. "