I feel like tumblr was created by the devil. It is so stupidly distracting... This chapter's pretty long, so enjoy.

Sora walked briskly through the halls of the castle in the World that Never Was, looking around as if he were noticing them for the first time. That note he'd seen on Xion's bed…it had sparked something inside him. Not quite memory, those had flooded his head and then left, but…a sense of awareness he hadn't felt before. And a sense of self—a feeling that he was Sora, that he had this keyblade for some bigger purpose than the Organization…

Organization XIII…that left a bad taste in his mouth. Like he shouldn't be here. They were bad people, weren't they? He'd left before, hadn't he? He'd fought against the other members…ugh, it was all so clear now! What was he doing here?

Xion, Xion, where was she? She was part of the reason, Sora could sense. He had to find her, she was the one he needed to protect…

Sora halted in his tracks. Xion…he held out his hand. It was weird. Every time he thought about her, it was as if he was losing his grip on himself. Almost as if…

"Something wrong, Sora?"

Sora raised his eyes. Vexen was standing there in front of him, eyeing him strangely. Of course, Vexen always eyed people like that.

Sora shook his head. "Uh, right as rain!" he said cheerfully. Vexen nodded. "Well, stop by the lab if you're not feeling well. You're very precious to the Organization, you know. We'd hate to have anything unfortunate happen to you…"

"I'll stay safe, don't worry!" said Sora, adopting the stupid cheery grin he'd learned so easily to fake. Vexen seemed satisfied and walked on. Sora broke into a sprint, then full on stopped and gripped his forehead…

"Nobodies like us don't exist, yet we still are. Now you can be nothing, instead of nobody." A devilish grin grew across Axel's face. "You're off the hook."

Vexen backed away, whimpering, "No! I don't want to…"

"Goodbye."

Axel snapped his fingers, and Vexen was destroyed in a burst of flames. Sora watched on in horror, then turned to Axel. He'd do that to one of his comrades? "What are you…what are you people!?"

Axel smirked, but his tone was somber. "Don't know. I wonder about that myself."

Sora groaned and stood up straight. No time for whatever that was, had to get Xion, had to get her out of here…

"Hey, where's the fire, kiddo?"

Xigbar was standing in front of Sora, blocking his way.

"Just looking for Xion," she replied. Again, something inside himself shifted as he said her name, but he dismissed it. Something in Hotaru's words had scared him (Hotaru! He did know her! But what about the other one, who looked like Xion? Were they friends?).

"Poppet? She went out for a walk, some training, something like that. You sure you okay, tiger?" asked Xigbar, eyeing Sora strangely.

Sora nodded quickly. "I just have something to share with her. See ya!"

Sora quickly started to rethink his plans as he ran through the hall's. It was almost like the other members were looking for signs of just this happening. Leaving wouldn't be too easy…

Donald Duck!

The name's Goofy!

I'm Sora!

The three of them put their hands together. "All for one, one for all!"

Sora stopped again. "Donald…Goofy…" how could he forget about them? He was just fighting against them…then it was sure. Hotaru, Donald, Goofy, that other girl…they were definitely telling the truth. And it all had something to do with Xion.

You don't have time for that! Just find her! Something inside him seemed to shout. He closed his eyes and kept running, but his friends were still weighing on his mind.

Mixanko walked into the laboratory, looking exhausted. "You would not believe the whirlwind of non-emotion I've experienced today," she said, her voice steady and monotone. Xima was sitting on a computer, typing furiously. Mixa dropped a few papers right on the keyboard, and Xima looked up to glare at Mixanko. "What are these?"

"The reports on the communication device. You asked for them specifically. I can't really say whether or not it was a success; I thought it worked brilliantly when I contacted Saïx and told him explicitly not to send Sora, but Sora ended up there anyway."

Xima's eyes widened. "Sora and Kairi?"

"Relax; he didn't remember anything, luckily. And we managed to kidnap Kairi, so he definitely won't be seeing more of her."

Xima looked impressed. "That is quite good."

"Yeah, given the daimon you landed me with!" said Mixa angrily. Xima shrugged. "It seemed appropriate. I wanted to see how you'd make due. I also wanted to test another subject out…"

"Well, I'm glad you got your little experiments out of the way," replied Mixa, "because my Demyx got caught in the crosshairs. It's a shame, too. Things were just starting to get good."

Xima raised an eyebrow. "You don't exactly sound too heartbroken."

"Ha, you're so funny," said Mixa. "He was one of the main reasons I ever even bothered to feign emotion. It's not really a priority now." She sat in a chair nearby and tilted back in the seat. "You know, I kind of feel sorry for the loser. He never even got past first base."

Xima rolled her eyes. "Mixa…how do you suppose Demyx of all people made it to you?"

Mixa raised an eyebrow. "Well, I just assumed that you guys didn't care about him…you mean!?"

"That was just a replica; I told you, I was doing an experiment. Instead of copied memories, I tried using real memories. The only member that this would actually be useful for replacing would be Demyx, so he was a natural candidate."

"Huh. Well, your replicas need more work. I mean, Kairi was able to beat it."

"You don't seem very relieved either…" Mixa put her hands on her hips, and Xima just continued. "Well, it was a very new replica, and hopefully the replicas will soon be unnecessary. It's just a pet project for me."

"Oh? I thought it was the culmination of all research?"

"Please. The heart isn't so interesting," said Xima, turning her attention back to her computer. "Although…what does intrigue me is Xion. I tried to duplicate what happened to her in the case of Demyx. Naturally, the replica didn't survive long enough to even begin the process of what happened to her, yet…I don't know what it is. I find her intriguing. She certainly pushes the limits of the true nature of existence."

"How so?"

Xima sighed and pushed back from the computer. "Do you really care?"

"That's a bit of a loaded question."

Xima tried to make a glare at Mixa, but ended up smiling instead. "Whatever. I suppose I need to talk to someone about it. Vexen always scoffs when I say something. I was merely considering what a sense of self Xion has developed. But not only has she developed a sense of self; that sense of self has endured. It lives on. Xion is supposed to be nothing but a puppet. A replica built of Sora's memories; when she was destroyed, those memories flowed back into Sora. But, that wasn't the only thing to flow back. Something else did as well. Something powerful and enduring enough even to be brought back from non-existence."

"Uh…what?"

Xima rolled her eyes. She shouldn't have expected anything less from Mixa. "Unlike most of our replicas, Xion was filled with real memories. The most powerful memories from a most powerful heart: the memories of love between Sora and Kairi. She was a very fine replica, the finest ever made so far. She could even summon her own copy of a keyblade, and for our intentions, it was just as good as the real thing. But those memories began to become her memories, and they began to affect her in ways no one could have predicted. When she died, as a replica, she should have merely faded away. But, she seemed to grow, from her own memories, from her own experiences, and these lived on within Sora. The implications of that fact alone…well, it's quite fascinating anyway," she finished lamely, realizing that she had pretty much lost Mixa's attention. "Demyx is in the back somewhere," sighed Xima. "He should wake up soon."

Riku and Mickey walked along the outskirts of the Beast's castle, wondering where to go next.

"Saïx gave us a heads up, and we still managed to let Belle get kidnapped. Now we have no leads." He punched a wall in frustration, pulling back just enough so he didn't leave a mark.

"That's not the real issue here," said Mickey pondering. Riku raised an eyebrow. "We've now seen both Ansem and Xemnas, the two halves that should have made a whole Xehanort. Instead, we just have the pieces of him we thought we destroyed walking around…"

"Huh. You're right. And neither of them have a keyblade…" Riku frowned. "Not only that, but they're gathering the Princesses of Heart, too. What could they be planning with them? Old forms, old plans… where is it leading us?"

"Good luck trying to follow one of Xehanort's plans. It will only give you a headache."

Both Mickey and Riku turned as a corridor of darkness opened in front of them. Riku summoned his keyblade instinctively as a female figure in an organization coat walked through.

"You again? You know, I'm getting a little tired of not seeing your face."

"Oh, aren't you clever. And here I was, coming to help you…"

"Why do I have trouble trusting…wait a minute. You're not her." Riku eased up a bit. "You smell like darkness...Of the darkness, but…different."

"Oh…you caught up on that? Well, I'm not really supposed to interfere in anything. You can just call me mysterious figure number two. Now, listen: Your girlfriend's been kidnapped by the Organization."

"Wait, Hotaru!? What do they want with her?"

"Actually, I was talking about Kairi, but I think they nabbed her too. You really are over her, arent' you? Good to know. But I'd avoid Hotaru."

"What do you know about her?"

"Her destiny revolves around destruction; her powers are unstable and out of her control, now more than ever. If she deems it necessary, she would kill you without hesitation, completely without wanting or meaning to. Not to mention I just plain hate her guts…"

"Enough of that: how was Kairi captured? And why?" asked Mickey. "And how do you know any of this anyway?"

"Oh, I've been following people around and stuff. A girl picks up on gossip in the darkness…I don't really know what they plan with the Princesses of Heart, but they do contain a lot of hidden power. Their a valuable commodity no matter how you look at it. As for how Kairi was taken…well, that brings up another good point: Sora. Someone practically made sure he ended up meeting Kairi, and I think he might start remembering himself. Now may be the best time to go grab him. He needs to be away from the Organization's influence if he's going to recover most of himself."

Riku turned to Mickey. "Think it would be a good idea? Maybe I should go alone."

"I can make sure he comes to the memory skyscraper," she said. "That should be far enough away. After that, you're on your own. And Riku, please: don't screw this one up too."

Riku glared at her. She shrugged. "I'm definitely no saint," she said. "Just don't forget that if the time comes, Riku."

He nodded. "No problem. I get it." He turned to Mickey. "I'm going to go bring Sora back. Wait for me at Yen Sid's."

"Riku…are you sure?" He nodded. "It'll be fine.

"Huh. No test you want me to go through to make sure I'm trustworthy? Not even gonna ask about the Organization coat?"

"I wore a coat once too, you know," said Riku. "And I'm no saint either. I can tell by the way the darkness is around you…judging by the coat, you're hiding from the darkness, learning to control it, or fighting against the enemy from the shadows. Maybe all three."

Her face contorted into a scowl. "Don't assume everyone's like you, Riku," she said, only a hint of anger in her voice. "You're just mad 'cause you're found out."

The figure slumped. "Are we going to do this thing or not? We don't have time to wait around. Let's go." She summoned a corridor of darkness. "Be careful going through this; I don't know what happened, but even I can barely stand going through them, and I'm practically one with the darkness. Only use them as an absolute last resort." She grabbed Riku's hand and pulled him through. Mickey sighed, and walked on towards the gummi ship.

"Not so fast…" said a voice behind him. Mickey turned around and gasped.

Zexion had his eyes closed, leaning against a wall deep in thought as Saïx walked by him. Without opening his eyes or moving, he said, "That was quite the stroke of genius, getting Kairi and Sora together like that. I think Sora's remembering himself already. He'll have left us by tomorrow at the latest."

Saïx eyed Zexion. There was something in the cloaked schemer's tone that he didn't like. "Is there something else you're trying to hint at, Ienzo?"

Something about the name Ienzo always sounded strange and foreign to him. He had been Zexion for so long… "It was bold," he replied finally. "And conspicuous. Especially considering that Mixa contacted you."

"No one listens to her. She's an idiot—

"A loud mouthed idiot!" retorted Zexion, barely raising his voice for fear of being overheard. He then brought his voice down closer to a whisper and said, "If there truly is something breaking down within this organization, someone here is behind it, and someone is probably watching for signs of our awakening."

"Sorry we don't all think as cunningly as you do," said Saïx coolly before starting to drift off. Zexion frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Forget it. I understand the risk I took; none of it will implement you in any way. That's what you're really worried about, right?"

Zexion gritted his teeth. For Saïx of all people to imply that he was being heartless…well, it stung a little.

"I only ask two more things of you. Then your role in all of this can be done. When Sora gets back to his room…"

Saïx whispered his plan to Zexion. Zexion considered. "That will send him bolting for sure…" said Zexion. "Consider it done. And the other?"

"I'd like you to interrogate one of our new prisoners. Michiru is in the lab with Vexen as we speak. She was doing some sort of secret mission assigned by Xigbar."

"Xigbar?" Zexion frowned. "You know…that almost makes too much sense. If memory serves right, he and Xehanort were awfully close. Of course, that would mean the superior himself is mixed in with all of this…that doesn't bode well."

Saïx frowned at Zexion for a moment, and then continued. "Something sparked within her when she came across Kairi and her companions. All of those girls who were just put into the organization…they are all connected somehow, and I think that girl Hotaru has something to do with it. I want you to see what you can dig up." Zexion nodded. "I was curious about that myself…" he said, with Xima suddenly coming to mind. Damn emotions.

Saïx walked off, and Zexion headed in the opposite direction. He had only walked a few steps before running into Xigbar.

"Hey, comrade. How's it going?" he asked. Zexion rolled his eyes. "What do you want?"

"You remember you're little assignment?"

Zexion frowned. "You know my movements are restricted to the realm between, as are all of ours. I've exhausted every resource I could easily get to. The only other place I could think of is the library of Hollow Bastion, and that's obviously inaccessible. Besides, I've read practically every book there. We only kept scholarly things; nothing about ancient legends." Zexion turned. "Why the sudden interest in fairy tales anyway?"

Xigbar chuckled. "That's for me to know for now. Mission straight from the superior."

Zexion grinned. "That's not fair, Xigbar. After all, we are both comrades. Founding members of this glorious organization. What secrets do you need to keep from me?"

He shrugged. "I don't know, but orders are orders. You know how weird he can be at times about this stuff…"

"All right, then," said Zexion. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go to the lab for something…"

Zexion brushed past Xigbar. Xigbar eyed him suspiciously as he walked on.

"Demyx is in the back somewhere," sighed Xima. "He should wake up soon."

"Already awake," said Chriximu, coming out of the back of the lab with Demyx hanging on her shoulders. "He's a little woozy."

"Demyx!" said Mixa, her voice full of fake concern as she ran towards him. "I was so worried about you…"

"Don't worry…I'm a real trooper when I need to be…" he said groggily. Vexen came from behind Chriximu. "Are you sure you feel fine?"

She nodded. "It was just a fluke. Something went wrong with my powers. I should be able to complete my mission by tomorrow."

He nodded after, and she exited the lab. At the same time, Zexion walked in, brushing past her. Their eyes locked for a brief moment, before Zexion turned his attention onto Xima. Chriximu winked at him, causing him to blush. Damn emotions.

"Ah, Zexion," said Vexen. "Perhaps you could assist Xima with finishing up. It's about time I retire for the night." He walked on and exited, leaving Xima and Zexion alone. They both looked at each other for a moment, and Zexion felt his heart racing, his tongue tied, his muscles stiffen…

Damn emotions.

"Zexion…I have something to ask you," said Xima finally. "When you were a Nobody…did you ever feel…something like the shadow of an emotion?"

"What do you mean? Did you remember something?"

"No, not really. Just…instinct I guess, or intuiting. It's as if, sometimes, the ghost of who I was is haunting me."

"I was only a child when I lost my heart, and went through the better part of my life without one," said Zexion solemnly. "I can't really understand what you're feeling."

"I thought as much," said Xima, standing up. "The me I was…Mizuno Ami…" Zexion's eyes widened as she recalled her name. "Yes, I remember that name, and nothing else from my past. Yet still…somehow, I know she wouldn't be happy with who I've become."

"And what do you think now?"

Her eyes seemed to glaze over. "Who I was was weak. This is me now. I don't care to be bothered by memories, or even to have a heart. Science doesn't need a heart…"

She quickly walked off, as if angry somehow. Zexion frowned. If hearts were difficult to understand, what about those without?

And Ami…the name echoed through his head. He wondered what Hotaru knew of "Ami"…

Kairi leaned against the bars of the cell sadly. "I can't believe it. I'm here again."

Hotaru looked around the prison, frowning. "You know, you have a keyblade. You could probably unlock the door."

"All I ever do is get kidapped…" said Kairi, drifting down to her knees.

"Or, you know, you could use magic. Freeze the bars. Burn them down. Blast them. Cut them."

"I'm so useless…"

"You know, these bars are spaced pretty far apart. You could probably slip through them…"

"Hotaru, just stop!" shouted Kairi angrily. "I'll stop when you tell me why we aren't escaping right now! I don't think Sora's going to be too reliable this time!"

"Hotaru, as soon as we exit this cell, the hall will flood with lesser nobodies. I know from experience. Assuming we get past those, we'd have to navigate the castle, which we don't know, and would probably run into organization members, who would probably have been alerted and looking for us by then. I may have been able to take out Demyx, but I doubt I could do that for anyone else, and we'd probably face several. But, assuming we managed to get out of this castle, then what? We don't have a gummi ship, and neither of us can use corridors of darkness, so we'd be stuck wandering around the World that Never Was until we were eventually found, again, and put into an even higher security prison. But please, if you think you can make it, go on." Kairi didn't sound angry so much as broken as she said it all. Hotaru lowered her head. "Sorry, I didn't realize…"

"It's fine," said Kairi sighing.

"Huh? Is someone there?" said a voice sleepily. Hotaru and Kairi both turned to see someone in the cell next to them, sitting and leaning against the bars. She looked worn and weary, but brightened up a bit when she saw them. She had light pink hair, a was wearing a dress of the same color.

"Kairi?" she said excitedly. "And…Sailor Saturn?"

"Who are you?" asked Kairi. Hotaru just stood there and closed her eyes. The girl stood up. "I'm sorry. My name is Sailor Mnemosyne, sailor soldier of memory."

Boom.

You always see negative comments on youtube around that cutscene where Kairi's sitting in the dungeon. People say things like, "oh, she could have just slipped through the bars; they're so wide, hahaha." Yeah. And get where, exactly? And yes, it sucks that Kairi was kidnapped yet again in kh2, but she's not a bad character. She's actually quite brave. She's just been, literally, powerless up to this point.

Sailor…Mnemosyne!? For those who don't know, she's from the manga at the end of StarS. She and her twin sister, Sailor Lethe, are named after the twin rivers from greek mythology that are in the underworld, the rivers of memory and oblivion. *SPOILER ALERT STORY* So, as Usagi, the Starlights, and Princess Kakyuu are going off to battle Galaxia, they get caught in the Lethe river and begin forgetting who they are, then Sailor Mnemosyne comes in, and Usagi manages to remember herself even while drowning in the river of oblivion. Mnemosyne helps them all out and then gives them water from her river of memory, restoring all of their memories…sound familiar yet? A bit like Naminé, perhaps? Anywho, her sister comes, and the two of them sort of argue. Unlike the rest of the animemates, they were real Senshi who were following Galaxia only because it seemed they had no choice. Eventually, Usagi convinces them that she wants to bring an end to the conflict, and both start to side with her…before suffering horrible deaths at the hands of one of their superiors. T-T

Also, that part you probably don't remember because of long times between updates where Sora hears a voice telling him to remember stuff...that was intended to be her, not Namine. He said that the voice was completely unfamiliar to him; it wasn't for lack of memories, but because he'd never met her before.

I wrote this chapter fairly quickly—I wrote most of it at the beginning of the week, right after I uploaded Sailor Hearts, then finished the other half just now. Originally, this chapter was going to be even longer, if you can believe it, so I pretty much know what will happen next chapter…unlike SH, which I have a tiny writer block for the next chapter because I'm inserting things on a whim. Good things, but…I just have to think it through and put in additional things.