A/N: And the last chapter is also the shortest. Huh.

Yes, my friends, it's finally done, all six months worth. Wow. That was... quite amazing. You know, I think this is my first finished non-oneshot for Kingdom Hearts. Wow, wow, wow. That is really... wow. For me, that kind of patience is rare.

I read something funny in Chapter 12 just now, because I was looking at my notebook. You know how sometimes you look really fast at something, and you think a word around the sentence is acutally in it? So I read it like this:

"Come die with me."

...I really can't think of anything I can say, but you're probably getting that nice tragic pit-of-your-stomach feeling right about now. If you're not, go read Luc Court's KH fics when you're done with this. Matter of fact, read them anyway. He's SO good.

But anyway, this is it. I hope you've all enjoyed this. Lots of people read it... it's my most alerted story. To those 25 or so people, thanks!

Enjoy. And you'd better cry.

Encounter 13. Fade

Sora was very close now.

Marluxia paced back and forth in his rooms, occasionally summoning his scythe and taking a few swings with it to vent some steam. He carefully maintained the memory of rage, imagining Axel's grinning face sliced into a thousand bloody bits.

Larxene was fighting Sora, but he knew she wouldn't win. Axel had vanished, darkness knew where to. Naminé was gone too, presumably with Sora. Vexen and Lexaeus were dead. It was probably selfish of him to want Zexion to be here. Riku was still loose in the castle's lower levels, along with the mouse king and the mysterious stranger, so the Schemer had plenty to deal with. Still, Marluxia would feel much more secure with the other Nobody around.

He jumped at the sound of a portal opening nearby and whirled, scythe at the ready. A blessedly familiar blue eye narrowed in annoyance.

"Mutiny?" Zexion inquired dryly as the corridor of darkness closed behind him. Marluxia let the scythe vanish from his fingers. Zexion studied him closely, almost-concern crossing his face.

"Larxene will fail," he said. There was no hint of a question; they both knew Sora was stronger than XII gave him credit for. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," Marluxia replied, almost completely confident. "If I can bring Naminé back to me, I can force her to erase Sora's memories. It's too late to take him as he is… Axel's meddling already spoiled that. But even without his memories, he can be healed, and perhaps then…"

Zexion shook his head, stepping closer.

"Don't underestimate him, or Naminé," he warned. "Sora is strong. He defeated Vexen, and Larxene will fare no better. He'll have to be destroyed, won't he? You can't use him."

"What else can I do?" Marluxia asked, seeming almost to droop. "We can't leave him alive, not with all he knows."

"Don't worry," Zexion said. "Concentrate. You can defeat him, but don't underestimate his power. The Keyblade gives him strength we can only dream of."

"I will destroy him," XI declared. "And then we will leave. We can forget the things that happened, forget the Organization. We can be free."

"I will deal with Riku," the Schemer replied, a mirthless smile twisting his lips. "I owe him for taking Lexaeus from me."

"Be careful," advised Marluxia. "If he killed V, he must be at least as strong as Sora. And Axel is missing."

Before Zexion could answer this, a Dusk appeared from a portal and gave its silent report.

"Larxene is gone," Marluxia repeated, once it had vanished. He took a deep breath. "I should be going."

Zexion's fingers brushed his face, turning him to look down at the smaller man again. Marluxia closed his eyes, letting Zexion into his mind. The Schemer's presence was calming, soothing his jangling nerves, relaxing him, preparing him to face the Key-bearer.

We'll see each other again, Zexion whispered in his mind. I promise you that, with all of my soul.

Marluxia shuddered as Zexion drew out of him.

"We'll make it through this," he sword. "And then we'll get our hearts back, somehow, without Xemnas… and I'll love you with every bit of me."

The Schemer nodded and turned away to form a portal. Marluxia gripped his arm and pulled him around, leaning down for a last hungry kiss. Zexion's fingers curled in his coat, and Marluxia stroked his silvery-blue hair, taking in as much of his lover's taste as possible. He wanted to be able to remember this.

Zexion's breath was warm on his lips as they broke apart.

"This isn't goodbye," he whispered.

"No," Marluxia agreed. "It can't be. I won't let it be."

He released Zexion, who lingered against him for another moment before reluctantly drawing back and opening a portal.

"Live," he murmured, gazing into the Assassin's eyes.

"I will," Marluxia returned, and Zexion entered the darkness.

There wasn't much time to think during the battle. Marluxia fought on instinct, letting his well-trained muscles carry him through the attacks and parries. He dwelled not on Sora, but on the taste of honey lingering on his tongue, the memory of a small form in his arms.

"Live," he whispered over the singing of his scythe. "Zexion."

He repeated it over and over, adopting his lover's name as a good luck charm. He sank into the pattern of battle, his eyes half-shut.

The bite of the Keyblade made his eyes fly wide in shock. He registered the taste of blood overpowering the remnants of honey. He stared down at the Keyblade in his chest with a detached sort of amazement.

"No," he murmured as Sora leapt back, ready for a counterattack. None would come. "It can't… I won't let…"

He was fading. Tendrils of darkness were rising in little wisps from the parts of him he could see.

"I'm sorry, Zexion…" he gasped, staring. "I didn't… live…"

Darkness.

When the castle itself seemed to shriek and writhe in agony, Zexion knew he was gone.

Then I… I am safe from Xemnas, was his first though, as practical as ever.

At such a price? his second thoughts cried at him, and the hollow recollection of anger tore through him. There was no time to grieve, not now, not while he could still take his revenge.

It was easier than a thought to lure Riku into a world of his own creation.

Sora. You killed my love… so I will kill yours.

He didn't even think to correct himself. It was far too late for that.

Even if we do get our hearts back… what will I have left? Without Even? Without Elaeus?

Without ever having met Aramuil?

Somehow… it was easier to fade knowing that he would see Aramuil waiting for him.

-end

A/N: Whoo. The last line gave me chills.

Thank you to anyone who's made it this far, especially those of you who've reviewed like... every chapter. You're the best. I love reviews... don't we all?

I've received some reports of people liking MarZex who hadn't before. That makes me feel good. Very, very good. 8D MUAHAHA, I WILL CONVERT YOU ALL!!!

Since it's become a tradition for this story, I will say it once more:

REVIEW OR MARLUXIA'S AND ZEXION'S GHOSTS WILL HAUNT YOU FOREVER!