Summary: Watching someone die was never easy. It was harder to watch yourself die. It wasn't the real Zexion Repliku had killed, and Axel realized that too late. Now his plans to overthrow the Organization are shattered as Zexion escapes the fallen Castle Oblivion to report to Xemnas, but will he be able to make it in time? What if Axel gets there first?

Warning! This fanfic contains blood, gore, mentions of death, violence, cursing, dark imagery, betrayal, character death, slight hints of yaoi, and other things that make this rated T. Rating may go up in later chapters.

Disclaimer: I, KradsLover, do not own Kingdom Hearts. If I did I would not be writing fanfics and what I write would have happened.

Axel screamed in pure fury, or at least the shadow of it. Flames erupted around his body and he looked as if he were going to literally explode. It was truly a frightening site.

Naminé's eyes were wide in fear and her screams and whimpers were muffled by Zexion's gloved hand. They were crouched down low next to Sora's sleeping chamber. Zexion had enough strength to pull up an illusion of the simple, blank white walls around them. They could hide there for a short time.

As long as Axel's temper did not get too out of hand. One mis-thrown chakrum could cause some problems.

The pyro let out another enraged yell before storming out of the room. Naminé struggled against Zexion, her instincts telling her to run for her life. Zexion held onto to her tighter, giving her a stern look that urged her to be quiet. The two could hear the soft crackle of flames die out as he got farther and farther away. Soon the soft woosh of a portal could be heard and Zexion could no longer smell the putrid scent of ashes and betrayal. The Schemer let out a small sigh of relief as he removed his hand from Naminé's mouth.

The moment he did that he felt a sharp sting on the side of his face. Naminé slapped him as hard as she could. The illusion fell.

"Are you insane?!" She shrieked, her pale blue eyes flashing with furry. "You lead him here, he could have hurt Sora!" she yelled.

"Sora.." Zexion repeated that name softly, his eyes glancing at the pod. "So that's who is in there... The Keybearer... " he whispered. His eyes then slid over to Naminé's face, which was now one of fear. She was worried that he would do something to Sora.

"Hmph.. Do not worry yourself." Zexion said, his voice cold. "I'm in no shape to harm someone, and I wouldn't dream of harming a helpless little boy." he scowled. He stared at Naminé's petite face, as if trying to read her thoughts. "Now... About that portal?"

-

Xemnas sat alone in his study, his amber eyes closed in thought. It had been nearly two weeks since he sent almost half of his Organization to Castle Oblivion. He had received a few messages from Zexion on how everything was going. So far both his theories had been proven correct.

The first one was that some of his members were not loyal to him. Xemnas obviously knew about Marluxia and Larxene's plans to over throw him. He had been thrown off guard by Axel's sudden betrayal, but Saïx kept telling him not to worry. That it was all a ruse. Axel was a very good actor it seemed. But now it did not matter as the traitors had been disposed of. He had lost a few good Nobodies as well but... Vexen was hardly useful and Lexaeus was often to slow in missions.

Zexion however.. That was a waste. The young Nobody could barely fight but it was not his strength Xemnas needed, it was his mind and his plans. Zexion was one of the main reasons the Organization was founded, why Nobodies existed. Everything that is now, was created with the help of a little boy named Ienzo...

The second theory proven correct was that Xemnas knew that they would not find what he had been searching for. That one room... It was there, but hidden. If he ever saw his old friend again he would have to thank them and then kill them. It kept the precious thing inside safe but it kept him away. He did not like that.

The Superior's eyes slowly opened and he looked at the door for a few seconds, as if he was expecting someone.

"Three... two... one.." he said slowly, not blinking.

Right on cue, the door opened to reveal his seventh and possibly most loyal member of the Organization. Saïx. His face was emotionless, as it should be.

"Superior.." said the slightly shorter Nobody. "Axel has returned from Castle Oblivion." was all he said before excusing himself and heading back to whatever task he had been doing previously.

"Excellent."

-

Axel did not have time to rest or sort through what he had gathered at Castle Oblivion. The moment he returned to The World That Never Was, Saïx told him to go to the Superior's office to report what was found.

That annoyed him.

He remembered when they were Lea and Isa, best friends in the whole world. At the time, Lea seemed to be the one in charge of their plans, after all he was the most charismatic. But both of them knew that Isa was the one calling the shots. Lea didn't mind the few orders Isa would give him. He'd do anything for his best friend.

Now he seemed to have developed a rebellious streak. Ever since they joined the Organization, Axel knew Saïx had his own plans. And ever since Roxas appeared, Axel strayed farther and farther away from that plan. He was taking matters into his own hands.

He had to protect them. Him. Whether or not he was remembered.

Axel sighed and pulled up his usual mask, the one where he looked the part of a Nobody. Blank, emotionless... Heartless.

He walked up to the large gray doors and knocked.

"Come in." came the low tone of the Superior.

-

In the opposite wing of the castle, a faint woosh of a portal being opened went unheard by the Nobodies residing there. A small figure was practically tossed from the portal as it hastily closed.

Zexion gasped and panted heavily as he got to his feet. In his hands he clutched the disc he took from Vexen's computer and a small piece of paper given to him by Naminé. Scribbled in crayon were two names and three words that he'd have to watch out for.

'Riku, the King, and.... Darkness in Zero'

Zexion had no clue what the last one meant. But he had no time to think. He had to get to the Superior, now!

"Welcome back, number six." came a cold voice from the dark corner.

Zexion whirled around to see golden eyes staring at him.

"What a surprise to see you... Alive."

Author's Notes: I'm sorry this update took so long but I kept getting writers block as I typed. I"m kinda ccontent with how this went.

And oh noes! Cliff hanger! Please REVIEW and stay tuned to see what happens!