Chapter 4: The Lady of the Mansion

The next day found Xion walking into a near full Gray Area. Almost all of the Core Organization, save for The Superior and Vexen, were there. They all looked bored and were lounging around.

Xion walked up to Axel, who was standing a bit behind a group of the others playing cards with Luxord. "Morning Axel."

"Morning Xion," he replied.

"Lot of us here this morning," she said.

Axel nodded. "Happens at least once a week when missions are lax. There's enough branches and lesser Nobodies to command that there's sometimes not enough work to do for us."

"Oh, okay, so what do we do on days like...," began Xion.

"Number Thirteen, I have a mission for you," called over Saix.

"Oh boy," said Axel, "You get a mission on the lazy day, lucky you."

Xion shrugged and walked over. "Yes?"

"You are to perform recon again, this time in a world called Twilight Town," said Saix.

"She on crazy lady duty?" called over Axel.

Saix gave him a thin look before turning back to Xion. "Your mission is to observe a blue-haired woman who resides in a mansion there for the day. Go."

"Um... whose coming with me?" she asked.

"No one," answered Saix.

"How do I get there then?" she asked.

Saix looked almost impatient. "Through a Dark Corridor."

Was that what the black portals were called? "How do I make one?"

Saix sighed. "Axel, go teach her how to do it."

"Yeah yeah yeah, c'mon Xion," said Axel.

She followed him out of the room, down into the Hall of Empty Melodies.

Axel turned and crossed his arms. "Now, normally, you'd think a Nobody couldn't use these kind of things."

"Umm... why not?" she asked.

"Because were not darkness, or light, abandoned by both as the Superior likes to say," said Axel before he held up a finger, "But, just because we're creatures of nothingness, doesn't mean we can't use pathways that are already there. It actually makes it easier for us to slip in. Nobodies aren't supposed to exist, we get around a whole lot of rulesets."

Xion frowned. "Everyone has a right to exist..."

Axel rolled his eyes. "Not what I meant. A heart isn't supposed to be separated from it's body, kind of like the whole 'till death do us part' thing. A body walking around and talking without it's heart is kind of... unnatural, if you get my drift."

"I... guess?" she answered.

He's right, no one should be without their heart...

And there was the Voice. "Good morning."

What's so good about it?

"Are you going to wake up like this every day?" asked Xion with chagrin.

Yes.

Xion resisted the urge to sigh.

"Anyway, all you need to know how to do, is push open the cracks and slip right in," said Axel, "Dark Corridors are natural pathways, they already exist, they're how most Heartless move around."

"Can we run into these 'Heartless' things in a corridor?" asked Xion.

Axel paused for a moment, thinking it over. "I dunno, I never have, never heard anyone else mention it either."

"Okay," she said, feeling a little relieved.

Axel turned away from her and held out a hand, palm outwards. "All you need to do, is feel for the pathway, and..."

A black portal appeared. "Presto."

"Umm... how do you feel for it?" she asked, baffled.

Axel banished the corridor. "Ya know, feel for the currents of darkness flowing between the worlds."

She stared at him blankly.

Axel scratched the back of his head. "Oh boy..."

He walked back over and stood next to her. "Hold out your hand like I did."

She did as instructed.

"Focus your senses, first on your hand," he said, "Then slowly stretch them out, past what you can see, into the darkness between worlds."

Xion's eyebrows furrowed. "I'm... not really sure how."

"Here, I'll show you," he said, holding out his arm next to hers, "Close your eyes and follow along with what you can feel."

Xion closed her eyes. "Okay..."

"From your hand, you gather energy," he explained, "Then, you feel out for the pathways in the darkness, and with your energy, you crack open a pathway, open a portal for you to walk."

Good luck with that, light can't use the darkness...

Xion felt confused. Was this something she could do or not?

"Well? Give it a try," said Axel.

"Umm... what do you mean by 'with my energy?'" she asked.

"Oh for the love of...," muttered Axel, smacking his forehead.

I agree with him... this is painful to watch, here...

Xion gave a startled gasp as an image played across her mind. In it, from the eyes of another, a armored hand was held out infront of her, and a light burst forth.

She found herself mimicking the movement subconsciously, her hand slowly raising, and a soft light emanating from it.

"What the...?" said Axel, looking surprised, "Light? A Nobody using the light?"

Xion shot a burst of light from her hand, trying to mimic what she had felt Axel do, but nothing happened. "I don't get it."

"Umm... you can't open a Corridor of Darkness with light," said Axel awkwardly.

Told you.

Xion frowned and looked at her hand, contemplative; she drew out a tiny amount of light, watching it coat her hand. "Where did this come from...?"

"Miss Voice... you said 'here', and then I could do this," said Xion in her head, "How... did that happen? Why did I see that image?"

There was no reply.

Xion narrowed her eyes and ground her teeth at the silence. The voice was keeping something from her, that was obvious enough for her. She had been told as a Nobody she couldn't feel, but she was pretty certain she was feeling anger right now. The notion of people hiding things from her, it set her off for a reason she didn't understand. She clenched her fists tightly...

And the light faded from her hands, replaced by a soft black glow.

There was a startled gasp from the voice. "W-what was that feeling?!"

"Oh, there we go," said Axel, "Just like that, draw out that power and you can open a path between worlds."

Xion stared at the glow around her hand, contemplative.

T-that chill... is this what it's like to feel darkness being used through your body? Is this... what Master Aqua felt...?

Xion paused at that name. Something about it tugged at her...

She pushed aside the thought and frowned once more. "If we're abandoned by darkness and light... how can I use them?"

Axel shrugged. "Beats me on the light, you're the first Nobody I've ever seen use it. Anyway, let's go, I'll take you to Twilight Town so you can feel out the pathway you need to open."

Xion nodded absentmindedly and followed him through into an alleyway. She mumbled out a goodbye as he left. She just... felt so confused, what were these powers she could just suddenly draw out?

How can you use the darkness though? Aren't you supposed to be...? Hmph, well, I guess then you haven't become what they want you to be. Nor will you if I have anything to say in the matter.

"What's that supposed to mean?" demanded Xion.

Wouldn't you like to know?

Xion seethed quietly at the Voice's mocking before shaking her head and sighing. She had a mission to do, figuring out cryptic words and the puzzle of the life she found herself in could wait for later. She began to navigate through the town, trying to remain somewhat hidden. She really had no idea where she was supposed to be going. Where was this mansion this 'blue lady' was supposed to be in? She couldn't just well and go ask the people here, she was supposed to not be seen.

She took to slinking around the outskirts of the town, until she came upon an oddity in the wall, a hole that led into a woods. Something about it felt... familiar, as if she had been here once before. It was the oddest of sensations...

She shook her head and started walking through it before pausing. There was a presence on the edge of her senses, something... powerful..., strong enough to make her a bit uneasy. If it was something hostile, she was done for. Yet, the power reeked of nothingness. Was it a fellow Nobody? She reluctantly followed the sensation to the edge of the woods.

There, outside of the woods, was a mansion gated mansion, and outside of the gate talking to one another was a blue haired woman, and a young teenage girl. Xion moved to stand behind a tree and studied them. The girl had brown hair and looked to be around whatever age Xion herself was, she was dressed in an orange shirt and tan pants,

The woman... she was the presence, the immense source of power, and definitely a Nobody.

She had short blue hair. Her eyes were relatively cold, emotionless, and empty, like the rest of her face. Underneath her eyes were blue tear shaped symbols that extended down onto her cheeks and turned into a half-broken heart. Like the symbols on her cheeks, she had a matching gray earring, one half of a broken heart on each. She bore set of somewhat tight looking white and gray full body clothes, showing no skin below her neck. There were white straps across her chest in the shape of an X, with a button of the Nobody Emblem keeping them in place. The back of her top continued down into an gray almost cape like thing, extending down to the back of her ankles.

Xion felt a tug in her chest at the sight of her. She was... drawn... to the woman for some reason, entranced by her. She swore she somehow knew her, and that she was important to her, but she didn't know...

She grew dizzy and raised a hand to her head as she finished the thought: she didn't know why...

She cringed and let out a small pained gasp as a memory hit her...

She was standing in an infirmary of sorts, looking through someone else's eyes, someone very small, perhaps a child. In front of her was the woman who she had just seen outside the mansion, only, she was different. She was in a slightly dressed down blue version of what she was currently wearing, with pink strips, a different button, and blue hanging cloths instead of the cape. She had no earrings, or tattoos. Her eyes... shone with kindness and care instead of cold emptiness. Was this... was this the blue-haired woman's original self?

The woman summoned a blue Keyblade, reversed it's grip, and extended it towards her. "In your hand, take this Key. So long as you have the makings, then through this simple act of taking..."

Suddenly, the memory froze, and then was ripped away from her.

YOU'RE NOT TAKING THIS ONE!

Xion wheezed and fell to her knees, pitching forward and slamming her head into the tree as agonizing pain ripped through her chest at the voice's scream of rage. HURT! WHY DID IT HURT SO MUCH? She couldn't even catch her breath enough to scream. She clutched one hand to the tree, and one to her chest, whimpering painfully to herself. She stayed there for a few minutes before the pain slowly started to lessen. She took a ragged breath and leaned against the tree for support.

"What... what was that...?" she whispered painfully.

All she got in reply from the Voice was a seething hiss of anger.

"Please... what's going on?" she begged.

The Voice didn't answer, but Xion swore she could practically feel her anger, for some reason directed at Xion herself.

Xion closed her eyes and took a ragged breath before pushing shakily off the tree. Her legs wobbled a bit, but, she slowly adjusted herself. There was still a throbbing ache in her chest, but she could at least function. Whatever the heck that was, she never wanted to feel it again.

CRACK

Xion jumped a little when the sound of thunder filled the air. She went back to the tree and peaked around it. The girl was... practicing magic? Xion's eyes jumped back and forth, noting how the blue-haired woman spoke quietly and made gestures with her hand, as if...

Oh.

She was trying to teach the girl magic.

The girl looked hesitant before aiming a hand at the ground and unleashing a bolt of lightning from her hand. She girl jumped a bit, appearing skittish over her use of the spell. She stared at her hand for a moment, appearing astonished.

Suddenly, she rushed at the blue haired woman and latched onto her in a kind of tackle-hug before squealing, "I DID IT AQUA!"

Aqua.

The name sent a spike of pain through Xion's chest. Why... why did that name seem so familiar to her?

The woman, Aqua, gave a soft empty chuckle. "Well done, did I not tell you that you had the potential to learn, Olette?"

Olette separated from her and smiled sheepishly. "Y-yeah, you did. I just... I never..."

"You were never taught, nor is anyone else here currently capable of wielding magic," finished Aqua, "It's through no fault of their own. Some worlds, to my limited knowledge and memories, simply have no understanding of magic and power despite their own potential. They were simply never introduced to the concepts."

Shes... teaching her...

Xion cocked her head at the Voice's shocked words. "Yeah, so?"

It's... what I had wanted... my whole life...

There was... an air of extreme bitterness and longing about the Voice's tone.

Grr... well, what do I care, that's... that's not the real Aqua, it's just her Nobody...

Despite what the Voice said, Xion was 'pretty sure' she was jealous.

I am NOT!

"Whatever you say," said Xion aloud, "And who cares if she's this 'Aqua' or her Nobody? Nobody's are people too!"

If you say so.

"Olette," said Aqua in an odd tone, "Would you go inside and make some tea?"

Olette looked a bit confused. "Umm... sure? I mean, I thought we were going to do this for awhile."

"Oh, we will resume, I merely need to make a new introduction and lay down the ground rules," said Aqua.

Olette blinked a few times before making for the gate. "Oh, well, have fun I guess."

What was that about?

You were too loud is what.

"Huh?" said Xion.

WARP

Xion was surprised when Aqua disappeared in a swirl of gray nothingness...

WARP

She gave a yelp as a hand grabbed her shoulder and spun her around. She was picked up by the collar of her cloak and slammed into the tree. She looked fearfully at Aqua as the Nobody stared at her coldly. She looked as if she were about to speak before she paused and looked Xion over.

"Hmph, so this is your fate," said Aqua, shaking her head, "I hope your friends were worth it then, Kairi."

Even she's fooled...

"M-my name is X-Xion," stammered out Xion, fearful, and yet still confused as to why another person was calling her that.

Aqua cocked her head, and for a moment, her eyebrows furrowed. "Are you not...?"

Aqua shook head. "I suppose it doesn't matter either way who you are or you are not. The fact still stands that you are in a world under my protection. I'll give you the same warning I give the rest of your Organization. If you harm any of the inhabitants here, destroy their property, terrorize them, or attempt to kidnap them, I will destroy you, are we clear?"

"Y-yes," stammered out Xion.

"And before you even ask, no, I will not join the Organization," said Aqua, "I don't know why they thought sending you to ask would make a difference."

Xion stared at her, baffled. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh? Not sent to attempt to recruit and then spy?" said Aqua almost mockingly.

"N-no," said Xion before hesitating, "W-well, yes to the spying, b-but I don't know why they want me to watch you."

Aqua dropped her and started past her. "I don't particularly 'care' why, I'm not capable of it. Spy all you want, but remember, break my rules and you die."

Xion sat there, stunned and fearful for a moment before she took off in a panic into the woods. Holy crap... that woman was terrifying... but... what was worse was the anxious sensation she swore she felt at that woman not taking a liking to her. For some reason... the thought of Aqua disliking her set her ill at ease. The realization that she was spying on this particular woman made her... well... she swore she felt awful about it...

Spying on anyone is bad, but... I agree... I would never have spied on the real Master Aqua.

Xion nodded in agreement, and stopped running, taking a quiet breather and leaning against a tree. She contemplated the wave of sensations that had just washed over her. It was so strange, she had thought it before, but nothing of what she had 'felt' seemed faked... were... the others right about not being able to feel?

Idiot...

Xion bristled and spoke aloud, "Well then miss know it all, do you know the answer?"

They aren't fake, but they sure aren't what you think they are, parasite.

Xion narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean? Why do you call me that?"

Wouldn't you like to know?

Xion bit back a barrage of angry retorts and simply said, "You're not a very nice person."

Yeah... well I don't have a reason to be right now... especially to you.

"What did I do?" she couldn't help but whine, she didn't enjoy the Voice's constant borderline harassment.

Just... just... shut... up...

Xion blinked a few times, hearing a familiar tiredness fill the Voice, Her chest relaxed a bit, and then Xion's eyes furrowed.

Hello?

No response.

She shook her head. "That Voice is something else. Rude, works herself up into a frenzy, and passes out."

Yet... why was she acting like that? Always so bitter, and... she almost seemed pained at times. It was one of the reason's Xion hadn't exploded at the Voice yet. Not to mention... the Voice had actually told her something for once, kind of. She said what Xion felt wasn't fake, but... what was the whole parasite part about? Not to mention... why could she feel when other Nobody's couldn't? It made no sense to her. Was she being lied to...? Or was something else going on?

Xion sighed and started back towards the mansion. As much as she didn't like it, she still had a mission to do. She returned to the edge of the woods and waited. Olette and Aqua returned to their training a bit after she took her spot. She watched, as hours flew by, as the blue haired woman instructed the young girl in magic. The entire time, a tightness filled her chest, along with a longing. She didn't know why, but she wanted desperately to trade places with Olette, and be taught by the woman.

Well...

Not that she understood half the concepts or things Aqua had told Olette about magic...

The girl left a bit after noon, and Aqua went into the mansion. Xion stood there, still behind the tree, a frown on her face. What was she supposed to do now? Saix had said it was 'for the day'. Was she just supposed to wait out here then? Because she sure wasn't barging into the mansion uninvited, that was for certain. She quickly grew bored, found a stick, sat down, tossed it into the air and caught it over and over again, trying to somewhat keep herself entertained as time passed her by...

"Still here huh?" came a young voice.

Xion was startled, and didn't catch the stick as it came down and whacked her head. "Owww."

Xion glanced up at the sound of a giggle, seeing Olette standing a bit from her, trying to suppress a laugh. "Your a total goofball for an Organization member."

Xion huffed a bit. "That's not nice!"

Olette gave her a fake innocent look. "Tee hee."

Xion felt a bit... awkward... to be again talking with someone she was kind of supposed to be doing recon on. Well, recon wasn't specifically on the girl, but, she was associated with Aqua...

Olette studied her for a moment. "Hrm... hey... aren't you that girl..."

Xion sighed. "No, I'm not 'Kairi'."

Olette smiled a bit. "Get that a lot? You do look just like her."

"Mhm," was all Xion said in response.

"You know, if you were trying to spy on us earlier, you were really obvious," teased Olette, "Your head poking out from behind a tree wasn't that hard to spot."

Xion's face burned a bit. "I'm um... not really good at recon. Not that I particularly like spying on people."

"Why do it then?" asked Olette.

Xion shrugged. "Helping out the Organization and doing what they want is the only way I know to get back what's missing."

Olette gave her a sad smile. "At least your trying to get your heart back."

She rolled her eyes. "Unlike 'some' people."

Xion gave her a quizzical look. "Huh?"

"Aqua doesn't particularly care if she has a heart or not. Says she's 'content' with her life at the moment," said Olette dryly.

She sighed. "Someday though, I'd like to meet the true Aqua. I... I love the Lady of the Mansion like a mother, she's always been there for me, saved my life a few times, but... she's not right, not whole. It's painfully obvious at times just how much she can't feel or properly interact with people."

I'd like to meet the true Aqua again too...

Oh, miss Voice was back, and hopefully in a better mood.

Don't press your luck.

Xion slowly shook her head and stood up, dusting herself off.

"You know, if you wanna 'watch' Aqua, why don't you come in and say hi?" said Olette with a mischievous look on her face.

"Umm... maybe later," said Xion sheepishly, a bit skittish to go near that woman again so soon.

"Alright your loss, see ya later miss Org member," said Olette, walking pass her.

"It's Xion," she called after her.

Olette waved a hand back at her. "See ya Xion, I'm having a sleepover tonight, don't think your going to see Aqua again today."

"Okay, thanks," said Xion.

Guess that was her cue to go back to the World That Never Was then. She aimed a palm forward, and remembering what Axel had taught her, tapped into her anger and felt for that pathway linking the two worlds.

WARP

She watched the black portal appear before her transfixed by it for a moment.

It's so... strange, to feel the darkness like this... it's something not natural for me...

Xion tilted her head. "You can feel what I just did?"

There was silence.

Xion sighed and shook her head before stepping through and coming out at the entrance to the Castle That Never Was. She walked into the castle, passing lesser Nobodies as she went. When she got back to the Gray Area, she was a bit surprised to see what she saw...

An entire room wide card-game was being played, with piles of little circle disks near every person playing. The only one not playing was Saix, and the absent Superior and Vexen.

"Pah, fold," said Axel, throwing his cards down.

"Ah, come now Axel, take the chance, where's your sense of adventure?" asked Luxord.

"About five hands back with half my chips," muttered Axel.

"Agreed," said Mesaxn, putting down his cards as well.

"Why do lazy days always devolve into card games?" said Larxene with a bored sigh.

"Because we let Luxord have his way," muttered Xaldin.

"You're all spoil sports," said Luxord before his eyes flickered to the door, "I bet Xion would have met the challenge."

Axel turned his head towards her and waved and waved. "Yo."

"Shall we deal you in Xion?" called over Luxord, "Poker isn't that hard to learn..."

Saix coughed and moved to cut her off from the table. "Mission report first. Was there anything specific to report on your target?"

"Umm... she's a really scary lady?" said Xion a bit timidly.

"Sounds like she met the 'honored guest' of Twilight Town personally," said Xaldin was a dark chuckle.

Saix crossed his arms. "The purpose of recon, Xion, is to not be seen."

Xion bowed her head and mumbled out an, "Sorry..."

"The Organization has no need of apologies, only successful missions," said Saix coldly.

"Hey, go easy on the newbie," called over Axel.

Saix ignored him. "Was there anything else to report about her?"

"Umm... she was training that Olette girl on how to use magic?" she offered.

Saix paused at that, blinking a few times. "Interesting."

She noticed a few of the others were tilting their heads her way, listening in.

Saix rubbed his chin. "Something new occurring within her daily routine is a curious development, I wonder why it started. Either way, the Superior will want to know. Though, I doubt the girl will become anything noteworthy."

So... it was the Superior himself who wanted Aqua watched?

With good reason considering she beat his face in as both a person and a Heartless, heck, I wouldn't mind if her Nobody made it three for three... not that she'd ever leave Twilight Town..

Wait, Aqua and the Superior had fought before?

Saix refocused on her. "Very well Xion, that is potentially useful information, well done."

Xion pushed away her thoughts and brightened at his praise. "Thanks!"

Saix frowned at her. "Don't let it go to your head, you still need to learn to conceal yourself better."

She winced a bit at that. "Yes sir..."

"Was there anything else to report?" he asked.

"Umm... no? Well, she can teleport, is that known?" she asked, feeling a little ashamed at telling them of Aqua's abilities.

"Yes," answered Saix.

"Umm, I got nothing else," said Xion.

"That is what is preferred in regards to your target," said Saix, "If she will not join us, then it is for the best she stays in Twilight Town and does not interfere with our work."

"Considering she killed most of our original selves, I don't want that psycho anywhere near us," said Larxene with distaste.

"She... did?" asked Xion with quiet hurt disbelief.

No! It wasn't... it wasn't Aqua...

Xion was a bit surprised, and confused, at the Voice's sudden outburst.

"Her heartless did," correct Lexaeus.

Oh.

"Your mission is finished then, do as you see fit for what remains of the day," said Saix before walking out of the room.

Xion's eyes immediately turned to the table and the gathered Organization members.

Luxord gave a small laugh. "Axel, pull up a chair for her and give her half your chips."

"Whaaaaat?" whined Axel, "Why mine?"

There was a chorus of chuckles as Xion joined the table, an eager smile playing across her lips at the thought of playing a game with all her comrades...

Author's Notes:

First meeting with Aqua's Nobody/Olette, there will be more.

I struggled a bit with the Dark Corridor decision. To allow Xion to be able to make them or not. On one hand, considering who she is supposed to be a replica of, it doesn't make much sense, on the other hand, forcing her to drag someone with her to portal her around everywhere is kind of off-putting, and would have made portions of the story I've planned out ahead a bit difficult to do.

I decided to let her be able to go through with it, my 'reasoning' would be that while she is a replica of Kairi, she is NOT Kairi herself, she is not a pure heart of light. She is 'unknowingly' leeching off of Kairi's heart to accelerate the growth of her own heart, but unless/until she completely consumes Kairi (If that happens or not, not spoiling! :tease:), she is not pure light.