Author's note: This chapter is confusing. The next chapter will explain of this crap, so please don't stop reading.

Roxas' POV

"Water" was the first word that I that was able to come out of my mouth. It must have been days since I last had the slightest ounce of water and as punishment my throat was extremely parched. Thanks to the dryness of my throat, my voice was hoarse and rough. Even though my mind was overloaded with many questions, my first and most important priority was to survive.

Normal POV

As if she had know what he was going to ask, Larxene pulled out an army-style canteen from her baggy pants and handed it to the boy. Quickly snatching it out from her hands, the boy unscrewed the cap with what little strength he had left and began to gulp down the water as fast as he possibly could. The clear liquid burned as it made its way down his throat, but being so thirsty, he didn't acknowledge the pain. After emptying the canteen dry, he started to let out a series of brutal coughs.

"Hey there man, take it easy with the water. Are you trying to kill yourself again after we worked so hard to save your sorry excuse for a life?" Axel said jokingly. After calming his coughing, the boy looked around the room with dazed eyes and quietly said "Where the hell am I?"

"You should be inside the medical ward, but since it is already filled with patients in critical condition, we had to do our best to keep you alive in this prisoner's cell," the woman calmly stated. "By the way, my name's Larxene and that guy in the corner who looks like he could burst in to flames at any minute is Axel."

"You should memorize the name kid if you want to stay on my good side," said Axel.

"My name is Roxas and you still have not answered my question. Where the fuck am I?" Roxas said starting to get angry because no one was answering his question.

"Hey, don't get testy with me you little bastard," Larxene angrily said, "I'm the one who just saved your sorry ass."

"Hey calm down Larxene," Axel said trying to do his best to restore the peace, "Remember that you were acting the exact same way when you arrived here to."

Letting out a small sigh, Larxene said "Sorry, I guess I got a little carried away. People have told me that I can be more hot-headed than this guy."

"Hey," Axel said while making a pouting face.

"Anyway," Larxene continued "You're at CORE's headquarters, which is about eight miles below the Earth's surface."

"The CORE," Roxas exclaimed, a little shaken up after hearing he was eight miles underground, "I thought that place was just a rumor to make the stranded (will be explained in next chapter) feel like they still have a chance to survive."

"Oh no, it's quite real," Axel said almost defensively, "If it wasn't for us, I think that you might have shadow chow back there."

Quickly realizing why he was in need of medical treatment in the first place, Roxas tried to get off of the table while he said, "I need to find out what's going on here." Just as he tried to stand up on his feet a great pain shot through his entire body. His knees buckled in and he started to fall head first. Just when his face was about to get acquainted with the floor, Axel shoot across the room and caught him by his torso and his right shoulder. With an amused smirk on her lips Larxene said "I know you want to prove your manliness to us but normal people don't usually move after received a wound the size of grape fruit in their thigh and get zapped with ten thousand volts of electricity to jump start their heart. Hell, normal people don't usually survive."

Once Axel placed Roxas on the table with a thud, Axel said "I going to try and find this little rugrat a wheelchair so he doesn't tried to kill himself for a forth time today." With that Axel exited the white tile room leaving only Larxene and Roxas by themselves.

After a few moments of awkward silence, Roxas tried to cut the tension by saying, "Hey Larxene, you said that you were able to jump-start my heart before I died. How did you do it, I don't see anything uses full in this room. Wearing an impish grin, Larxene calmly stated "Watch this." Like lightning her had was up in an instant. Even though the unnatural speed started Roxas, he continued to silently watch. After a moment or two there was the faint sound of crackling electricity and within an instant Larxene's hand was laced with visible electrical currents.

With expression amazement still on his face Roxas immediately asked "How the hell did you do that?"

"Man, for a kid you sure have a strong mouth." Larxene bluntly stated. Roxas gave her a glare and said, "I am not some kid, I'm seventeen and will you quick beating around the bush for once and answer my damn question." scolding him Larxene said "All right, all right calm down I'll answer you Dang question. The reason I am able to project electricity is because I am a druid."

Looking more lost than before, Roxas said "What's a Druid?" With an annoyed look on her face Larxene stated, "Man you sure like to ask questions don't you spiky? Maybe I should go take you to see Ansem, he can answer all of your stupid questions until your heart's content. We just need to wait until that idiot gets back here with that wheelchair for you."

As if on queue, Axel stepped through the door rolling a plain looking wheelchair in front of him. " Sorry it took me so long you guys," he said with mock exhaustion, "I had to wrestle some old guy out of it before I could bring it here."

"Will you quit joking around Axel and get the kid in the chair already," Larxene said, apparently on her last nerve. "How many times do I have to tell you, I am not some damn kid!" Roxas said apparently on his last nerve as well. "Man, you sure do like to curse, don't ya." Axel sarcastically said. "Anyway, where are we going Larxene."

" We going to take this MAN," Larxene said putting emphasis on man, "to Ansem to see what he wants us to do with him."

" Ah man, I hate going to see the old man," Axel whined while he put Roxas in the wheelchair, " He always finds a way to make me look like an idiot."

"I don't think he has to try Axel," Larxene said flatly, "Anyway let's get going."

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Larxene led the way and Axel was not for behind pushing Roxas in the wheelchair. They were current walking on a pavement sidewalk through a busy city. Roxas could not believe what he was seeing, an entire city that was eight miles underground. If anyone had told Roxas yesterday that it was even possible to fit city underground, he probably would have tried his best not to laugh and call that person crazy. Above city there was what appeared to a giant glass bowl. Axel had told him that there was a giant fiber glass dome around the entire city, to filter in clean oxygen and protect the city from rock slides. The thing that amazed Roxas the most was not the city or its glass dome. It was its people.

The citizens of CORE seemed to be normal and happy. This is what amazed Roxas. Roxas was use to a world were everyone he knew was gripped with fear and panic. Roxas was use to a world were its people always wondered whether they were going to die by day trying to risk getting food for their starving families or by night when the fallen (will be explained in next chapter.) rule the land. Roxas was use to a world were hardly anyone smiled. But here was a world of happiness and happiness and opportunity. Axel, noticing Roxas' discomfort, quickly bent down to him in his wheelchair and whispered "It's a lot different from the surface word, isn't."

"I don't understand," Roxas questioned, "How do these people remain so happy if they know what the OC9 virus (one again, it will be explained in the next chapter.) did to their world above? I know it's been twenty years since the virus spread , but do they still remember?"

"Of course they remember Roxas," Axel said in a depressed tone, "But down here Ansem gives us hope to keep on living. He's even said that he might be on a break through for finding a cure for the OC9 virus." "Hey you goons, heads up. This is the place." Larxene shouted back.

The building in front of the trio was an elegant white marble skyscraper. In front of the building there was a large marble statue of a man, matching the color and texture of the building, who appeared to be about in his late forty's. On the base of the statue there was a quote that said:

Not even all of the Darkness in the world can extinguish a lone candle that continues to shine.

-Ansem the Wise

Roxas continued to think about the quote even after Axel had entered the building and was heading toward an elevator.

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Once the trio exited the elevator, after riding it for the last 46 floor, they calmly made their way down the hall. There was a door about every seven feet, alternating form the left side of the hall to the right side of the hall. Curiosity got the best of Roxas and he asked, "What are all these doors for anyway?" just as Axel was about to open his mouth. Larxene quickly interrupted him " That is classified information only know to Ansem and his Elite."

"Elite?" Roxas questioned. "Once again" Larxene sighed, "all of your question will be answered by Ansem when we get there."

After walking for what seemed like an eternity the three final stopped at the end of the corridor. In front of them was a graceful looking door that stood about ten feet tall. Across the doors, in big gold letters, said "Ansem the Wise"

"Don't just stand there like a moron Axel," Larxene said irritably "go in." As instructed, Axel rolled Roxas in at once. The room was well lit so it was easy for Roxas to take in his surroundings. The walls, like the rest of the building, were made of marble. On either side of the walls, there were book cases that stretched from one side of the office to the other. The floor was made of a fine wood that was so polished, Roxas could swear he was looking into a mirror. In front of Larxene, Axel, and Roxas was a giant wooden desk with various object on it that intrigued Roxas. On the other side of the desk, seated in an exquisite leather chair was the man whose statue was in front of the building. He had shoulder length blonde hair and the sharp hazel eyes that reminded Roxas of a hawk. He was wearing long red and white robes and a fine beard. Standing next to him was a girl who appeared to be the same age as Roxas. Like the man next to her she had blonde hair and she was wearing red and white robes. Unlike the man, she had beautiful cerulean eyes. She notice Roxas staring at her, and she smiled and gave a wink at him. Roxas tried to hide his blush by turning his head the other way, but he failed miserably.

Larxene was the first one to talk. "Namine, why the hell are you not at the medical ward?"

Turning her head to Larxene, the blonde girl said " I'm sorry Larxene but I was under the direct orders from the Czar to come here immediately." "Czar?" Roxas questioned. "The Czar is the title given to the person who is governing the CORE." said man behind the desk, now standing up. Even though his eyes gave the impression of a fierce hawk, he had a very steady and gentle voice. "I am terribly sorry that you did not have the proper healers to tend to your wounds, but most of them where tending to other patients in critical condition." The man said.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ansem Wise, Czar of the CORE and head archmage and this young lady is my daughter and apprentice, Namine." He turned to the young lady next to him. She smiled and gave a small wave. "My Roxas you sure have grown into a fine young man" Ansem said, "The last time I saw you, you were just a newborn baby in your father arms." Roxas cringed at the mention of his father but found the strength to ask "You new my father?" "I didn't just know him," Ansem said, "I am the one who taught him everything he knows."

Roxas would have asked another question, but Axel quickly said "Hey old man, I know the kid has a lot of basic questions that he wants to ask, so why not just show him the files tape."

"Great idea Axel. For once you're thinking with your head."

After receiving an annoyed glare from Axel, Ansem turned to Namine and said " Namine dear, will you set up tape #117 so that we may inform our guest Roxas?' She nodded and with wave of her fingers and a couple of words Roxas didn't understand, the lights turned off and a projector was lowered behind Ansem's desk.

Authors note: Next chapter should be up next week. Please review. I only got one review for my awesome prologue and I feel dead inside.