Destati

Chapter One:

Echoing footsteps resounded throughout the tall, long, and empty corridors of Castle Oblivion. Each step resonated with an unconscious air of fear and urgency. The Castle had, fortunately, not been harmed by the strange activity between the darkness and the light which was surprising, seeing as it rested dangerously on the border of both realms. In truth the castle edged more towards the shadows, staring their adversary, the light, right in the face; a wise choice for a base. Still, escaping from the catastrophe was just as they all thought; a false sense of security. Mischief was afoot. The normal pattern of life at Castle Oblivion had somehow altered in such a short time.

The owner of the footsteps quickened her pace, her black, floor-length, leather cloak swishing rhythmically behind her with every swing of her hips. Every fiber of her being tingled with curiosity as she made her way down never-ending hallway after never-ending hallway in order to reach her most puzzling destination. Something wasn't right. Something was definitely wrong…

"Why would he wish to speak to me?" she wondered aloud, "I'm only number XII…why didn't he summon Vexen or Saix? Surely he trusts them more?" the woman sighed and ran a gloved hand through her short, cropped blonde hair. Her dark piercing eyes stared ever ahead, the door she sought finally in sight, 'None the less.' She resolved in her mind, this time only to herself, 'I must go and hope only for the best.'

She found her hand falling to meet the handle of a pair of tall blanched doors. She stayed there for a moment, maybe two…never had she been allowed here before. Never. Her gloved hand closed around the handle and she closed her eyes cherishing the feeling and the sound of the leather crunching, pulling, and twisting with the motion. The handle was cold, as cold as ice. She had expected it…the chill was universal around the Castle. The Castle walls, inside and out, were bathed in white giving the impression of ice, and also the lie of light. She felt naked standing there in the colorless hallway dressed in black, her blonde hair and shadowy, deep blue eyes popping against the pallid décor. It was as if the sin her soul was composed of was manifest for the entirety of the universe to see. She shook her head slightly in attempt to fortify her resolve.

'That's what this castle does to you.' She thought to herself as she took a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself once more. There was no more time to stall. For fear that he may have lost patience with her already; she pushed open the door with haste and strode into the room beyond.

Her strides shortened as she entered the room. It was nearly impossible to hold back the urge to gaze about in wonder; she had never been in The Leader's office before, and yet she kept her eyes closed for a brief moment, bracing herself for the beauty she was sure to be flabbergasted with. Each member of the Organization had been given a room to do whatever he or she wished with it. It was an amusing way to occupy time, customizing the room in a valiant endeavor to imagine up a sense of style. Even Number XII had found it most intriguing, changing the room to fit her needs and her wishes. She had always imagined The Leader's room to be extravagant and brightly colored, much unlike the rest of the castle. Blazing red carpet stretching for miles was the floor and a pure shimmering gold were the walls. A chandelier hung from the ceiling and every furnishing was brightly polished, adorned with jewels, and wrapped in smooth bright silks. Her muscles tightened with anticipation as she finally lifted her head and opened her eyes slowly.

She was shocked to find it…empty.

The room was completely white like the castle though lacking embellishments and carvings, wall to wall, floor to ceiling. There was but one item in the room, this being a simple white arm chair in which Number I of the Organization, The Leader, sat his posture relaxed and his gloved fingers steepled.

"Number XII…Larxene."

The blonde snapped to attention as her name met her ears. Standing upright then swiftly dipping a very low bow Larxene replied promptly, "Master Xemnas."

A silence drifted between the two until The Leader called Larxene at-ease with a wave of his hand. "Come closer."

Straightening, Larxene stepped forward until Xemnas held his hand out signaling for her to stop. It was then that she fixed her eyes properly on her Master for the first time.

Xemnas was not what she had expected him to be. Though her face did not show it, she was mildly surprised to find him to be so young in appearance. Her eyes traced his distinct features—his jaw, his lips, his nose, his ears, and then came back to rest upon his eyes. Xemnas had a relentless and piercing golden gaze that seemed to penetrate Larxene's very essence. His skin was dark, making his eyes liken to that of a panther. She couldn't help but feel she was being hunted at first, despite this fact. It wasn't until the slightest hint of a smile touched on Xemnas' lips that Larxene felt she could relax. He was not trying to antagonize her.

"I called you here on a very important matter." Xemnas began, casually brushing a strand of his silvery hair from his eyes. Another moment of silence passed between them since Larxene was unsure of whether to respond to this. Seeing her uncertainty, Xemnas rose from his seat. The chair immediately vanished as Xemnas stood which surprised Larxene though her face still remained expressionless.

"Another Nobody was born today." Xemnas explained.

Larxene nodded, the information did not come as a shock, though there had to be some other justification for Xemnas calling her here. Nobodies were born every day…although what type he meant was the more logical question presented at this point. The Organization already commanded an army of Void Nobodies, the Nobodies born from those weak of heart. Voids were susceptible to control and had no mind of their own. Shell Nobodies, Larxene had all too easily forgotten, were like her. The entire Organization was composed of them, even Xemnas himself. Shells retained the physical shape of their human counterpart with slight visible changes such as hair color or eye color. They had a mind, but no memory and most of all…Shells had no hearts and were incapable of feeling. So often Larxene delighted herself in pretending to feel emotion, but it was futile. The steely eyed blonde opted for apathy or rather her sheer inability to care.

"A Void or a Shell?" She questioned.

"A Shell."

Larxene's jaw tightened and she grew silent once more. Xemnas looked her over for a moment before folding his hands behind his back and nodding to a far wall. A simple white block, resembling a bed, appeared at the far wall. Larxene's eyes widened.

On the bed lay a boy clothed in nothing but a white blanket.

"This is the Shell." Xemnas announced.

Larxene only stood and stared aghast from her distance. Finding her hesitation appalling Xemnas snapped his fingers. Within a single moment, Larxene was only a breath away from the boy, standing tangent to the side of his bed.

"What do you make of him?" Xemnas questioned, walking over to stand beside Larxene.

Larxene was hushed as she examined the boy. Something about him made her imagine a sense of what the humans called calmness. Her muscles relaxed, and her expressionless façade melted with the first glance at the shell's youthful, blemish-less face. He appeared to be around the age of fifteen due to his height and still immature features. This frame was thin, but not at all malnourished by Larxene's observations, though the color in his face seemed faded, almost sickly looking. Blonde hair hung down in his still closed eyes and for some strange reason Larxene felt the urge to wake the boy in order to see the shade of his eyes. It was then she remembered that he was a shell…not a so coveted human. Yes…even this perfect adolescent boy was deprived of a heart and a soul. He too would never feel. Larxene's eyes dimmed, her expression dropping, feigning a hint of sadness.

"I was speechless as well." Xemnas continued, still receiving no answer from Larxene. His next statement was blunt.

"This boy is Number XIII of the Organization. I want you to take care of him, Larxene."

Larxene's attention turned to Xemnas, the look on her face giving the impression of shock. She was speechless with surprise and also curiosity. The burning question in her mind was…why? Why was this simple boy so easily accepted into the Organization? Why did Master Xemnas ask her, Larxene, to attend to this task? Was Xemnas testing her? Or was he testing the boy? Confusion seared her thoughts but fear held them all within her mind and she only stared at Xemnas.

A warm smile broke over Xemnas' face, seeing the inquiry in Larxene's eyes. His explanation was prompt and simple, "Who better to raise a child than the only woman of the Organization?"

This coaxed a small smile to melt Larxene's icy persona. She nodded slightly in acknowledgement of this fact—yes; she was the only woman in the Organization. She waited patiently for Xemnas to continue, she knew there was more it than just this one and only fact.

"You are wise." Xemnas said, his grin widening with approval, "I was right to have selected you for this assignment. Number XIII will learn well from you, Larxene."

Larxene was left absolutely beaming from the praise. Wise…how high a compliment. She merely nodded, accepting Xemnas' encouragement and rolled the word 'wise' about in her mind for a moment or two.

"The Shell will need a name, a weapon, and clothing." Xemnas went on, looking back down at the slumbering boy, "He will also need to be taught how to fight—the basics, and I will be monitoring his progress." He paused after this and placed his hand gently on the boy's forehead, carefully smoothing back his bangs. Xemnas withdrew his hand and sighed softly.

"Somehow…" he began quietly, so as Larxene had to strain in order to listen, "This one is different from the others."

Larxene nodded an affirmative. Xemnas turned to face her, his golden gaze once again engulfing her, "This assignment is to be kept entirely secret. Under no circumstances will any information regarding Number XIII be revealed to anyone at anytime." With this Xemnas' gaze intensified and Larxene suddenly could not breathe. He was serious, completely dead serious, for reasons Larxene couldn't understand now. Something about this shell Nobody was absolutely vital to the organization. A chill crawled up her spine as Xemnas' lips parted and he spoke once more, "Is that understood, Number XII?"

Reduced to her number, rather than her name once more, Larxene came to realize this as an order. Her spirits plummeted and she managed to croak out, "Yes, Master Xemnas."

"Good."

The choking sensation vanished as Xemnas averted his eyes and Larxene could again breathe. She, not so discreetly, gasped in a breath rather desperately and then focused her attention back on her master and the shell nobody he towered over.

Xemnas waved his hand and the boy was gone. With his back still facing Larxene he spoke, "I have prepared a lab for you on floor twelve. You will find that it accommodates all your needs. You will begin immediately."

Larxene swallowed, "Yes Master Xemnas."

"Dismissed."

Larxene shivered, "Yes, Master Xemnas." Then she bowed, turned, and swiftly as she came she exited. No, Xemnas was not at all what she'd expected him to be.

PREVEIW OF CHAPTER TWO!

Larxene begins her investigations on the new Nobody. What will she discover? Find out in Destati, Chapter Two!!

Author's Note: Hey guys! This is my fist KH fanfiction. I hope everyone likes it! If you do, I'll keep writing. I'm having alot of fun, and I hope this interests everyone. :) There are spoilers, which I beleive I may have put a disclaimer to already. So watch out, but do enjoy Destati! I hope you guys like reading it as much as I have writing it. Stormy over and out.