Xion sat at the edge of the clock tower, gazing out over the expanse that was Twilight Town. Before her was the setting sun which shown beautifully and was a testament to this places namesake. Of course, it was all a big fake too as she was actually inside Memory Skyscraper.

Also, it was still night time in Never Was though morning wasn't that far away...not that you'd be able to tell either way as the realm of twilight looked the same no matter the time of day. She wondered if the same would be true for her.

Her face was hidden behind her hood. She didn't want anyone to see her; not like she was now. Not after what had happened and what Xemnas had done to her. Or, maybe she had done it to herself and he had simply made sure it had the maximum effect? She still wasn't sure. All she knew was that when dawn broke, she would finish changing in her mind and that would lead her to do something horrible.

Then she would set out and take the steps needed to fulfill her master's plan. She knew what it would mean for her and for the one who was most precious to her. Xion shakes her head violently, not wanting to acknowledge it but it was to late. She knew what she would do, knew that she would be unable to stop herself. She hoped that he would fight back, defeat her and save himself. But he wouldn't want to hurt her even though she would be hurting him, which is what assured her success.

And that, she hated the most about all of this. Looking to the sky, Xion allows her feelings to come out as words that only she would hear; the lament of her sorrow being the testament to what was to come.

I'm lost, so lost...will I be able to see the sky again?
Oh please, one more day
Wishing, praying...wont someone allow this shadow of a girl
To see one more day

Remember, remember, please remember who I used to be
Who am I, who am I, I'm a puppet in their game

Dreaming of a life I never had

Remember, remember, please remember who I used to be
Who am I, who am I, my reality has slipped away

Xion, Xion...isn't this the name they gave to me?
(Remember, remember, please remember who I used to be)
Promise...my friends...I'm still here
(Who am I, who am I, my identity is lost)

Remember, remember, please remember who I used to be
Who am I, who am I, who was I supposed to be

Xion hugs her knees close to her chest as a tear slides down her cheek. She could feel herself finally beginning to slip away, the other her awakening for the sake of the plan. As she rose to her feet, she knew that it was going to happen, no matter what now. And she would never forget...or forgive herself for not being strong enough to stop it from happening either...

Realm Hearts

chpt.20: Desrevnu

Everyone was gather within the great circular meeting hall, each sitting in their assigned chairs and all looking expectantly towards their leader, Xemnas, wondering why he had called this sudden meeting so early in the morning. There was one notable absence though.

Xion wasn't here with them.

Both Roxas and Axel were worried about her as she hadn't been inside her room when Roxas had gone to check. Axel hadn't found her anywhere else she might go either. Had she left of some special mission? Was this the reason why Xemnas had called this sudden meeting?

"My friends..." says Xemnas, drawing the gathered groups full attention. "A dark cloud had fallen over our world this day. It is my great sorrow to report that Xion has gone rogue."

"She what?" yells Roxas, unwilling to believe what he had just heard.

"So out little chicky-dee has run away" chuckles Xigbar. "Sure didn't see that one coming?"

"Lord Xemnas, how can you be so sure?" asked Axel.

Xemnas waves his right arm, making a Dusk appear at the center of the room. "Observe" he commanded, then snapping his fingers to make the Dusk do its job.

The Nobody emblem branded to its head begins to glow, followed by a beam of light shooting outwards into the air, taking the form of image for all to see. In the image, Xion is seen moving through the city, stopping to look around every few moments; as if she was trying to make sure she wasn't being followed. She then pulls out her com-device and opens a portal with it. Another Dusk then appears in the visual, moving towards her. Xion spins around and summons her Keyblade into her left hand, striking it down, then running into the portal before any more could show up. With that, the image from the Dusk fades and it leaves the room.

"Do we have any idea where she went to?" asked Xaldin.

"I'll need to go to the spot in question to do an examination" says Vexen quickly.

"But depending on how long ago she left, we may not get anything helpful" adds Zexion.

"Still though, why would she leave us like that?" wondered Larxene.

"Maybe she just couldn't deal with being around a marvelous specimen such as myself" said Marluxia, smelling the fragrant rose in his hand.

"If that was the case, we'd all have flown the nest long ago" says Demyx.

"Maybe she's just hit a rebellious phase in her life?" offered Luxord. "After all, our dear Larxene here has them all the time."

"Xion..." says Roxas, not sure what to think right now.

"What are your orders, sir?" asked Saix.

"First, we'll have Vexen and Zexion look into seeing if they can pinpoint where she went. Then, we'll send a team out after her" says Xemnas as his chair begins to lower down. The others have theirs do so as well, making a quick beeline for the castle gate.

(an hour later)

"Based on what we can determine, there are six possible worlds she might have gone to" says Vexen as Zexion types in some data, then transmits it to everyone's com-device.

"I propose we break into teams of two and search each world for her. We must also consider she may have jumped to another after arriving in the first world, so we should also scan for any additional portal activities upon arriving."

"Agreed" said Xemnas, then turning to Roxas. "I would like for you to remain here for now."

"What? But why? I want to go search for Xion too" says Roxas, not wanting to be left behind in this.

"I know, but someone needs to remain here just in case she decides to come back. Plus, you have the best chance out of all of us in finding out why she left to begin with. Do you not agree?" asked Xemnas.

Roxas wanted to argue that, but he knew Xemnas was being truthful there. "Yeah..."

"So, you will stay then?" asked Xemnas.

"Fine, but only until another team returns. If there hasn't been anything on Xion found yet, then I'll head out myself and look" said Roxas.

"That's fine" agreed Xemnas before turning to look at the others. "Let's go..."

One by one, portals open and the various members of the Organization step through them. Axel is the last to leave, stopping long enough to look back at Roxas and say "Don't worry. We'll find her. Got that memorized?"

"I hope so..." says Roxas, watching the portal close behind Axel.

After the other had left, Roxas called some Dusk to him and ordered them to give the city as detailed a search as possible. Leave no alleyway unchecked. He then returned to the castle, to his and Xion's tower where he quickly proceeds to her room, hoping to find a clue as to why she had left or maybe to where she would have gone.

Not surprisingly, he found nothing. So he decides to go check his room next. Maybe she had snuck in there before leaving and left him a message he had failed to notice earlier. As he walked, he wondered if Riku's words from before may have been the cause of this? Or maybe it had been their heart resonance moment back in Charn that was to blame? Or maybe both?

As he enters his room, he quickly scans everything carefully, seeing noting new or out of place. Letting out an annoyed sigh, he goes to turn around and check elsewhere when he sees it at the corner of his eye. Behind and beneath his pillow; an envelope had been placed.

Moving over to his bed quickly, he pulls the envelope free and opens it, pulling the piece of paper out and opening it up. Upon reading it, he becomes dishearten as it clearly wasn't from Xion. But then he realizes that it was a message to him; simply saying 'Go to Xigbar's room.'

"Huh? Go to...but why?" wonders Roxas aloud. It was certainly an odd request and he had no idea who had even wrote this or left it here. But he had nothing else to do while waiting for either Xion or the others to return, so he might as well go see what this was about.

It didn't take him long to leave his tower and enter Xigbar's. He found the layout rather odd with lots of target boards having been placed all over, here and there. Likely these were for Xigbar to train with on the spur of the moment to keep his skills in top form.

It took a bit of looking around, but Roxas was sure he had found Xigbar's room which was rather plane looking. Off to the side, he saw some gray colored clothes hanging from a rack and a red colored sash. Perhaps these were his personal attire? Or maybe something he had worn before becoming a Nobody.

Still though, why had he been told to come here? Looking at the paper again, wondering if he hadn't read it all, Roxas is surprised to find the words had changed on him, now telling him to 'open the third compartment on the dresser.' Wondering what was going on, he steps forward and does as he's told.

The moment he opens it up, he sees it. Olette's missing munny pouch. Reaching in, he takes hold and pulls it out, finding it to be lighter than it had been before but still containing some munny within it. "But why is it here?" he wonders.

And then he hears movement and turns to find a Dusk had appeared; the emblem on its head aglow. Knowing what that meant, Roxas walks over to it and places his hand on the emblem, allowing the images to flow into his mind.

It was Twilight Town. He could see Hayner running towards the tram station with Pence following him, then Olette and finally him bringing up the rear. He then sees a shot of light that looked familiar come shooting in from behind him, slamming him in the back and sending him falling into the ground. He then sees Xigbar appear behind him and toss a phial of liquid onto him. It splashes about and he's pulled into a portal that had opened up below him. He then sees Xigbar pick up the munny pouch and walk off. And then the images end and the Dusk retreats.

"That...that was..."says Roxas, now understanding what had happened to him that day. But the question now was why? Why had Xigbar done that and taken the munny pouch? Had he been acting on his own or had someone else told him to do it?

Looking back at the paper again, he finds the words had again changed; now instructing him to go to Vexen's lab which he does, but now running instead of walking.

The inside of Vexen's tower was very different than what Roxas had expected. Each level was set up like a lab, though the layout differed with each section. Was he running multiple experiments in here every day, or did he just enjoy having a different series of layouts he could access on a whim? In his first trip here, he hand't seen all of this as Vexen had ushered him right to work in the lowest leveled lab.

It took a bit of looking, but Roxas soon found a room that was smaller in size than the rest; giving off a more intimate feeling to it. He assumed this must be Vexen's personal lab of choice that may have also doubled as his bed room. He assumed this because he spied off in one corner a small little cot that likely acted as a bed. Roxas looks around, seeing if there was anything in here that stuck out to him. Unfortunately, he couldn't see anything of interest so he looked again at the paper to see if a new message had appeared.

'Look to the Dusk to see the truth.'

"Is there a Dusk in here?" said Roxas looking around. A moment later, he saw it hiding behind the table playfully. He makes his way over to it and finds its emblem was also glowing and he touched the emblem with his hand, wanting to see what it would show him.

The image he was seeing was familiar to him. It was Twilight Beach with storm clouds gathering quickly overhead. He realized it was the day the Darkside had attacked. And he sees Marluxia, Vexen, and Demyx sitting and waiting for something.

"Wait for my signal" came Saix's voice through the communicator.

"Understood" came Vexen in response, then he turns to look at Marluxia and Demyx, saying "You both know the plan right? When Saix tells us to start, I'll activate the machine to alter their thoughts and feelings."

"And along with my music..." says Demyx.

"And my fragrant flowers..." says Marluxia.

"...The people present here will be soothed by both, leaving their minds and hearts open for my machine, using a chilling mist, to get them to do what we need to do."

"Does Axel know?" asked Marluxia followed by Demyx asking "And is this really necessary?"

"I doubt it as even Saix wasn't keen on this method. And yes, it is necessary. We need the power of the Keyblade and we must be willing to do whatever is needed to get it" says Vexen before looking at his machine. "Here's hoping he's does as we need him to before the effects wear off in the morning."

The image he was seeing distorts and fades and he finds himself again back in the lab. The Dusk cocks its head to the side before moving away and swimming off into a freshly opened portal, leaving Roxas alone in the room.

"They were all behind it." Roxas still couldn't believe it. The way everyone had acted towards him after the incident, even his friends; it had all been forced onto them by the Organization. Looking to the paper again, he finds much more had appeared.

'By now, you've likely put the pieces together. The Organization has a secret they've kept from you. They have the ability to summon and control the Heartless, to use them to suit their needs so long as they aren't physically within the Realm of Darkness where the Heartless can't be controlled.'

'The Organization goes from world to world, summoning up a small band of Heartless to see if they can force a Keybearer in hiding to step up in its defense. That is how they found you. Xemnas decided to trigger a series of test for you, though his aim and goal are unknown to me. Even going so far as to put Twilight Town and its people in danger just for this purpose. Naturally, them turning on you they way they did was also part of the plan in order to make getting you to come to us even easier.'

'Now that I've told you this, you have to decide what you'll do next. Will you stay here and play loyal or maybe work to undermine the groups goal or will you run? If you choose the latter, then you must not linger in any world for to long less they find you. Also, destroy your Organization clothes as well and get something new as they can track you through them. Even your old clothes may not be safe. Lastly, take Xion as well as I fear Xemnas has dire plans in store for her based on the lie he told us about how he found her. I checked and couldn't find the world he spoke of.'

'You may be wondering who is writing this and why I would be? Sorry, but I can't say now without risking Xemnas learning of my own personal plans. Know that you have at least one ally here within the group and if the need arises, I will do what I can to aid you from the shadows. Now go quickly and leave while you have the chance...'

Upon finishing the reading, the paper burst into flames and is quickly consumed. Roxas just stands there, thinking hard. What was he going to do? What should he do? Riku was right; they couldn't trust the Organization. The answer was obvious.

It was time to leave.

Roxas was quick in returning to his room, gathering up his things and packing up quickly. Question was now where should he go? Perhaps back to Twilight Town or maybe go looking for Riku and join up with him? No, for now he just need to escape from here. And he needed to find Xion as well. No way was he leaving this place without her.

He exits his room, moving quickly to the main entrance. As he walks, memories of Axel pour into his mind. Was Axel his enemy too? In all the time they had talked, he had never felt anything negative from him. Just a strange out of place sadness. If he asked, would Axel come with them? Could Axel have been the one to leave the message in the first place?

A beeping sound brings Roxas from his thoughts and he pulls the com-device out and finds the message be sent was from Xion. Clicking on it quickly, he finds instructions to meet her at Memory Skyscraper on his floor. Sliding the com-device back into his pocket, he breathes a sigh of relief at knowing she was safe. Now running, he raced to get to her as quickly as possible, explain what he had learned, and get the both of them out of here before the others got back.

(ten minutes later)

Roxas stepped out onto the fake clock tower, his eyes quickly spotting Xion sitting at the edge with her hood up, hiding her face. "That was quick" she says, a certain playful tone present in her voice.

Moving to sit beside her, Roxas ask "Xion, where did you disappear to? Everyone was worried about you?"

Xion was silent for a moment, making Roxas feel tense for some reason. "I needed to get out, to clear my head. And I wanted to get you here alone so we could talk. I...its time for things to change around here, Roxas..."

"Yeah, I know" he says which makes her look at him.

"You do?" she asked.

"Yeah, after the others had left, I went back to my room to see if maybe you had left a message for me I had failed to notice earlier. I found a message but it wasn't from you. It led me to Xigbar's room where I found this." Roxas then shows Xion the munny pouch.

"It then instructed me to go to Vexen's room where I learned that everything that happened back in Twilight Town; everything that happened to ME, it had all been planned by the Organization just so they could get me to come here and help them."

"Is that all true, Roxas?" she asked, getting a nod from him. "Do you know who left the message?"

Roxas shakes his head, then says "Nope, I was just told I had an ally within the group and that I should run away and hide. I should also take you with me, Xion."

"Run away...from the Organization? Is that even possible?" she asked.

Roxas sighs, saying "I don't know, to be honest. I've seen things since coming here I never knew existed and even now, there's still so much I don't know or understand about anything. But I know I can't stay here and I know that whatever happens, I will protect you, Xion."

"You'd protect me?" she asked. Roxas gives her a grin of confidence which makes her smile.

"Thank you Roxas. Knowing all of this makes things easier" she says before getting up. "Since the day we first met, you've been a constant presence in my life. You've changed me, moved me, guided me through it all and have never once complained. You became my confidant; my best friend..."

She then spreads her arms out wide and high into the sky. "You've poured so many memories into me that I feel like I'm going to overflow."

She then lowers her arms, clasping her hands close over her heart. "You've helped me to experience so many different emotions, I feel like I'm going to burst."

"Roxas, who do you see...?" she asked suddenly, reaching up and pulling her hood off finally. Upon seeing her now, Roxas gasp out in surprise, his mind going blank from confusion.

"You see a face, a face that is so very much like my own yet different. The face you see is her face, the girl who I was created to replace" says Xion as she turns to look him in the eyes.

"This is Kairi."

To Roxas, Xion did look very much the same. The shape of her face was the same as was the tone of her skin. But her black hair was now an auburn red color and it was angled differently, like he was seeing her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were also the same; a light color of blue.

"You're wondering why I look like this" she says, getting his attention. "Back then, before the founding members of the Organization became Nobodies, they were living a quiet life living their lives. Xemnas was apprenticed to the king of their home world who was also a great scientist. He had a daughter; Kairi. Kairi was different than others for she was a Princess of Heart. Xemnas wanted to experiment on her, to unlock the secret of the Princess's power, but he knew he could never do it in the open."

"So, to sate his need to know, he created me instead to be a guinea pig using the little data he had been able to gather. But I wasn't what he wanted as my heart was pure dark, not pure light like hers. Though my reason for existing to begin with was deemed a failure, he kept me around as he discovered that Kairi also possessed the power to wield a Keyblade which was unheard of for a Princess of Heart. For a long time, I waited in dreamless slumber for the day I would be awakened and have a use in my existence. And then you came into the picture..."

A black, smoke like energy begins to flow from around Xion's body like some nightmarish aura. Her eyes become cold and distant looking, making him feel a terror deep down. "Through you, I have been crafted and awakened into something Xemnas can use. I am and forever will be..."

The aura around Xion explodes outwards, enveloping her in Darkness. The intensity of the release is so strong it throws Roxas back against the fake bell. He groans as he regains his footing, then looks at where Xion had been, saying her name silently as she reappears from the darkness; changed.

Her Organization clothes were gone, ripped away by the blast of darkness. Now, she was dressed in a black body suit that hugged her form perfectly, showing off all her curves and feminine qualities. On the chest was a wave of blue along with a gray colored crest, one that was unfamiliar to Roxas. Her hair had returned to being black in color but her eyes had changed, now yellow instead of blue.

"I am Unversed."

"Unversed?" repeated Roxas, feeling he had heard that term somewhere before.

"The second human formed Unversed to be exact, the first being my brother Vanitas who was the dark side of the Keybearer Ventus, a name you know somewhat well" said Xion as the dark smoke like aura began to swell around her, taking on the shapes of various beast.

There was a human shaped one with large claws, a fat looking one that was wearing armor like coverings. There was a giant one behind her that looked like a cross between a sting ray and a jelly fish. And then he saw one that was familiar to him; a little blue colored guy with pointed arms and legs with red eyes and antenna.

"That... that's the creature we battled back in that game world" he said, shocked to see it had come from her.

"One of the powers possessed by Unversed like myself" said Xion, reaching down to pet the blue jittery creature. "They are what I feel; fledgling emotions that can be created to serve my needs. Unversed are beings who know not what it means to exist and yet, we know better than anyone else as well."

She then looks to the one she was touching and says "This one for example is called a Flood, born from the deepest aspects of sorrow. They came into being when I thought you were going to go away forever. How it ended up in that game I do not know but now I do know why it didn't attack me. It couldn't bring itself to harm its own originator."

"Xion..." says Roxas, not sure what to say now.

The Unversed creatures are absorbed back into her aura which quietly fades away. "Now Roxas..." she says, raising her right hand out before him. "it's time for us to become one." She spreads her fingers out which causes a crackle of darkness and then a Keyblade as black as midnight appears, one Roxas had never seen before.

"Behold, my true Keyblade; Oblivion. Thanks to our heart resonance before, my heart was finally awakened and I could summon it. Before, I was relying on a fake Keyblade created by Xemnas in the form of your own to act as a training tool till my true blade had been awakened. Now Roxas, I will merge you to myself and gain an even greater power. With our hearts combined again, we'll be able to summon forth the ultimate Keyblade and realize Xehanort's great vision" said Xion.

"Xehanort?" said Roxas, recalling the name as the one that belonged to the old man who was Ventus's master. What did he have to do with any of this? "Xion, stop this. We don't have to do this. We can..."

"It's to late for all of that now, Roxas" says Xion before disappearing suddenly, reappearing right beside him. "Don't struggle now. It will only make things harder for you in the end."

And then with lightning fast motions, she swung her Keyblade hard, making contact with Roxas. The power behind the hit was far greater than anything Roxas had expected, so much so that he's sent flying into the invisible wall and found himself being pinned against it.

Xion was on him before his mind could even register the impact. It was only due to pure instinct that allowed him to summon his own Keyblade and bring it up to meet her's as the connected with her second attack; the blow strong enough to send both crashing through the wall and shoot out from Memory Skyscraper, sailing across the sky and landing upon a nearby building.

There they stood motionless save for the struggle going on between their Keyblade's. Xion's was attempting to strike against Roxas again while Roxas did everything he could to push her off. He was shocked to find her much stronger than he had ever known her to be. Had she always been this strong or was it having to do with this Unversed business Xemnas had got her believing in?

Roxas

He heard her voice in his mind clearly, as if she had spoken but he knew no words had left her lips. As they struggled against each other, he saw a flash; an image of Xion being held tight by chains, tears falling from her eyes.

Roxas, please stop me

"Xion...?" he said, confused by what he was seeing. Was it possible that...?

"You can't stop what's coming" said Xion, putting even more strength into her attack, forcing Roxas to fall onto his knees. "We're going to become one. Accept it and surrender to me."

No, I don't want that. Roxas, I can't...please, finish me off before I...

"NO" yells Roxas suddenly, gaining a sudden increase in strength himself, enough to push Xion off him and send her nearly over the edge of the roof top. As she recovers from his sudden showing of power, he realizes what it was he had seen and heard just a few moments before.

He had heard the real Xion speaking to him from within.

He wasn't sure how it had happened. Maybe it was a side effect born of their recent heart resonance moment? He couldn't be sure of that but there was one thing he was sure of and that was that he would save her, no matter the cost.

"Xion, I understand now. You...the real you is trapped inside" says Roxas, now pointing his Keyblade at her. "Please just hold on. I'll get you back out here somehow."

"This is the real me, Roxas. Don't think you can confuse me with words of trickery. I'm not going to fall for any of that" said Xion before charging Roxas.

Roxas goes for her as well, their Keyblade's now clashing repeatedly against one another as they move across the roof of the building, then jumping to others in turn as their battle continued. As they clashed, Roxas was busy considering his options. How would he bring Xion's true self back out? Could another heart resonance work here? No, they would need to be able to perform the technique first and given Xion's current state, it was likely impossible for them to enter Master Form.

And then he has an idea. "Xion, out of curiosity, how would we be fused into one exactly? Is defeating me enough then you take me into yourself via heart resonance like I did you back in Charn?"

Xion shakes her head, stopping her attacks momentarily and says "No, lord Xehanort feels such a thing would be to risky for me to do."

'Probably because merging like that could risk freeing your true self' thought Roxas.

"No, instead he will personally oversee the merging using his own personal methods" says Xion.

'So in other words, he'll be present for the deal. In that case...'

"So, are you giving up then, Roxas?" asked Xion.

"What do you think?" says Roxas before charging her, already moving his Keyblade into position for another attack. Xion sighs as she easily dodges back away from his attack, then sends one of her own out, making contact with Roxas and sending him flying back, making hard contact against a building.

Roxas stays there for just a second before falling forward onto the ground, appearing to be unconscious. Xion approach's him cautiously, poking him a few times with Oblivion to confirm he was out. Seeing no sign of movement from him, she releases her Keyblade and picks Roxas up, slinging him over her shoulders and heading towards the castle.

As she walks, she fails to notice a slight grin form on Roxas face. He would let her think she had won so she would take him to Xemnas. Then he would spring to action and force the leader to restore Xion to normal. Or, at least, he hoped anyways.

Xion walked slowly through the rain soak streets till her eyes caught sight of the castle floating over the abyss. As she moved closer, a dark portal opened and Xemnas stepped out to greet her, bringing her to a stop a few feet away from him.

"So, you managed to defeat him after all. I must confess I was unsure if you would actually be able to go through with it, Xion" said Xemnas, a hint of amusement present in his voice.

"Why would I not do it?" asked Xion, confused. "He's nothing, means nothing. His existence is even less than that of a Nobodies. He won't be missed; won't even be remembered when all is said and done."

'Wait? What do you mean, Xion?'

Xemnas gives her a grin, saying "Indeed. Now then, we should proceed with the plan then, before the others return. Xigbar will make sure they are kept busy till I send the signal that we have finished, but it would be best to not wait to long in any event."

"Agreed" said Xion, taking a step forward, then stopping. "Master, he knows about what happened back in Twilight Town somehow; how the people there were made to turn against him and the appearance of the Heartless as well. Do you think we may have a traitor within the Organization?"

"We may have several in fact. For some time, I have had my suspicions on this matter but I have chosen to take a wait and see approach. For now, we'll leave it be as is. But keep your eyes open all the same for any signs of betrayal, Xion. Now, lets be off." Xemnas then turns and walks towards the castle.

"Yes, mast..." She doesn't finish as Roxas takes this moment to act, moving fast and pushing himself off and away from Xion, then before she can react, uses a little trick Larxene had taught him; smacking the back of her neck with a karate chop to incapacitate her. He catches her and lays her gently on the ground before rising up with Keyblade appearing in hand to face Xemnas who had turned to face him.

"So, playing possum I see. I'm not surprised, Roxas" says Xemnas, smiling and showing little concern over this sudden change of events.

"Change Xion back" yells Roxas.

"How do you mean? Change her back to what? The Xion you knew before? Roxas, surely she told you of her origins. This Xion IS the REAL Xion. The other one, the girl you had come to know so well and became so close to was just an illusion, a fabrication of memories and feelings I molded into her to serve a purpose. And that purpose can finally be realized."

Roxas balls his free hand into a tight fist, his eyes locked onto Xemnas with a hate filled glare as he shouts out "You're wrong, Xemnas. I felt it when our Keyblade's clashed. I could feel her, the real Xion trapped inside, being forced by you to do these horrible things while thinking it was what she is. Now, CHANGE XION BACK!"

"I refuse" said Xemnas, grinning deviously.

The next second, Roxas was on him moving with amazing speed he had never before had while in battle. Xemnas though had been equally fast, creating two ethereal blades in his hands, countering Roxas first attack. But this didn't stop Roxas as he began to slash as fast as he could swing over and over every which way, pushing Xemnas back to the very edge, then goes for one final swing to send him off and over into the abyss, but Xemnas teleports to avoid the attack, appearing standing by a still unconscious Xion behind Roxas, who looks back while taking a moment to breath.

"Hate for me and what I have done certainly has made you stronger. But don't forget that the focus hate brings is the wrong kind of focus" lectures Xemnas like a master speaking to his student.

Roxas doesn't fail to notice this fact, saying "While we're on that subject, there are a few things I want to ask you."

"Then ask me, Roxas."

"Before, Xion said her master was named Xehanort which I assume she meant you" said Roxas.

"That is correct. I am the Nobody of a man named Xehanort" said Xemnas.

"The thing of it is...I've heard that name before, the name of Ventus's master, except he was an old man. Is it just a coincidence or..."

"We are one in the same, does that answer your question?"

Roxas was shocked to say the least as he really thought that it had been a coincidence. Was it possible that becoming a Nobody could make one younger if they had originally been an old man? He knew some Nobodies underwent physical changes from their original selves when born, but he didn't think it would be to this extent.

"But how is that possible?" yells Roxas.

"Search your memories, if you can. Or maybe I should say..." Xemnas then teleports to Roxas side, already swinging his blades at the Keybearer to disable which Roxas barely blocks in time. "Search the memories of my former pupil."

The battle between them was on again, but now with Xemnas taking the aggressor path, using slick and fluid motions in his attacks that Roxas wasn't use to, yet it seemed oddly familiar to him to. He then jumps back, away from his enemy to make some room, then uses Strike Raid against Xemnas which he easily bats away, forcing Roxas to call Kingdom Key back to his hand.

"Be careful, young Roxas. I would rather not see something so important as that be damaged over such a petty dispute such as this" says Xemnas, raising a hand up and creating a prism like dart which he then sends flying at Roxas like a missile.

Roxas easily dodges it, but finds countless more being sent at him in rapid succession. He finds himself being pushed into a corner, literally, of a building thus forcing him to use his Keyblade like a shield to defend from the unending barrage of projectiles.

"You talk as if my Keyblade is special? More so than the average Keyblade" says Roxas which makes the attacks stop.

"Oh, it is more special than the rest for there is only one other quite like it and I shall need both in order to reforge that ultimate power. I wonder though..." Xemnas then teleports again, appearing before Roxas and attacks again, forcing him into another defensive block.

"Where did you find it to begin with?"

"What do you mean? This is the Keyblade of my heart..."

Xemnas stops his attack again, teleporting back a ways; chuckling. "Is that what you think? Do you really think you could ever have a Keyblade of your own, something that has even less meaning to it than a Nobody?" Xemnas then raises an arm out and snaps his fingers, causing a wave a electric energy to form around Roxas, lifting him into the air.

"Now then, just like before."

As Roxas hung from the air, barely able to move, he can't help but feel this is well was also familiar to him. He could feel this electrical energy slowly sapping his strength and if he didn't do something soon, he really would be finished. But what could he...an idea pops into his head. Channeling all his power, he calls upon everything he has which makes his body glow with light and some how, against all odds, he shatters the electric energy holding him, much to Xemnas's surprise.

"Interesting, you weren't so skilled last time we battled."

"The last time...what do you mean by that? Just what do you know about me and my past?" yells Roxas.

"I know your memory loss is likely do to our battle before as was your arrival at Twilight Town also a result. Beyond that, you'll just have to beat me to get your answers" says Xemnas.

"Fine then" says Roxas running at him again, swinging hard but finding a wall of energy appearing to block his attack. He swings at it several times, finding his attacks having no effect at all.

"Strike all you want, Roxas. It will do yo no..." Xemnas doesn't finish as Roxas suddenly disappears, reappearing directly behind him with his attack already coming before Xemnas could make a move, landing hard against his back which slams Xemnas into his own barrier.

"Ars Arcanum" shouts Roxas, unleashing a new volley of attacks on Xemnas that sends him crashing through his own barrier, slamming him against the ground. Roxas moves in for another attack, but Xemnas recovers just in time to unleash a stream of black and white lighting that sends Roxas back right to the edge of the abyss.

Xion groans as she regains consciousness, her eyes opening to see Xemnas getting back on his feet while Roxas lay unmoving on the ground. She also picks herself up, though finds her body sluggish and slow to respond.

"You truly have improved since the last time. But you cannot escape your fate. Either way, you will cease to be in the end" says Xemnas as Roxas finally responds and picks himself up.

"Maybe so, not that I would know what you mean..." says Roxas, grinning a little as both Xemnas and Xion approach him. "But at least I have an option this day..." And then Roxas falls back, recalling what Axel had told him about falling into the void of the twilight; for him now his sole chance at escaping to fight another day.

"Roxas" yells Xion, her voice filled with concern as she rush's forward to the edge and looks over, not seeing any sign of him as the abyss had already swallowed him whole. Xemnas joins her and looks at her curiously, seeing a trace of blue in her eyes for just a moment before seeing the yellow again.

"Worried for him?" he asked.

"No master. I...had a moment of complication, nothing more" she said, sounding more like her Unversed self again. She then looks at him and ask "So what do we do now?"

"We'll leave him be for the moment. Tracking him will be easy enough, either with his Organization garments or his regular clothes which have been tagged as well. Let him think he's escaped and allow him to let his guard down. Then we shall take him."

"But what if he starts traveling to other worlds...?

"If he does so, then maybe he'll take care of those annoyances we have hiding in the darkness that could cause impede our plans in the future. For now though, let us return to the castle and decide on how best to break the news to the others..."

"Roxas has gone rogue" said Xemnas simply and matter of fact like to the gathered members of Organization XII, several hours later within the massive meeting room.

"What?" yells Axel, practically jumping from his chair. "No way, impossible. He would never..."

"Calm down, Axel" says Saix, looking at him and giving Axel a look he would know all to well what was being said in silence. Saix then turns to Xemnas and ask "What happened?"

"From what I have learned, the unknown coat wearer encountered recently was, in fact, a Keybearer as well. This information comes from Xion herself who sensed the power of the Keyblade coming off him as they battled" said Xemnas.

"But why didn't she say anything about this before?" asked Zexion.

"Roxas felt it would be better to stay quiet about that little detail until they could get a better grasp on this person's intentions. Xion agreed with him, albeit reluctantly. It seems this person told them things about us that unsettled Roxas. Lately, Roxas had begun to act strange when no one else but Xion was present, talking of leaving the Organization and joining this...Riku person, I believe that was his name according to Xion as well."

"And what of her disappearance earlier? What has she to say about that?" asked Xaldin.

"Roxas was behind it. He decided that they would leave her and she was against the idea, so he attacked her and knocked her out, hiding her someplace where even the Dusk wouldn't fail to look. He then waited till we had all left to go search for her before moving on to leave while taking anything he felt would be of value from here with him, along with Xion herself. But Xion awoke and freed herself, facing him and asking him to stop. He refused and had it not been for my returning to check up on the situation, we would have lost her as well. Roxas decided to cut his losses and escape alone."

With the explanation finished, the others took a moment to think on this. Larxene allowed herself a moment to glance at Xemnas with narrowed eyes. Her gut was telling her he wasn't being honest with them. Something else had happened he was keeping secret that may explain why Roxas had done what he had done, assuming he had done anything at all besides leave. And Xion? Why would she want to stay what with the way she was attached to Roxas? Something smelt rotten here in Never Was and she was going to find out what it was, no matter the cost.

"So what are your orders in how to deal with Roxas should we encounter him in the future?" asked Xigbar, secretly enjoying this little show that was being put on by Xemnas.

"We must consider the possibility that Roxas is being controlled by someone, possibly this Riku person. We will be searching for him and when we find him, do what ever it takes to bring him back here as uninjured as possible so we can determine what it was that really brought this sudden action on."

'A least I can agree with that' thinks Axel, determined to find Roxas at any cost.

"Now, for something more pleasing to hear" says Xemnas, making a wave of his hand that brings the sound of foot steps into hearing range. The others turn to see Xion walk into the room with an air about her that seemed different than what they were use to from her. Several even noticed her eyes seemed different somehow, though they couldn't say how. Only Xigbar knew what it meant as he see the glint of yellow and what she was now.

"For her loyalty and bravery, I have decided to make Xion a full member of our Organization as apposed to being an honorary member like she had been before alongside Roxas. Because of this, we can no longer call ourselves Organization XII. From this day forth..."

Xion sits in the chair that she had once shared with Roxas which then slowly raises itself up.

"...We will be known as Organization XIII."

to be continued...

End of the Keybearer's of the Organization arc

next time, we begin

The Seeker's of Darkness arc...

AN: I know I said I wouldn't have this chapter out till tomorrow, but I figured what the hell seeing as chpt.19 took longer to release than I planned on. Also, the chapter title you are reading is 'Unversed' spelled backwards and the reason I did this was to see if anyone would figure it out and because I didn't want to just say the actual title because I knew it would spoil the reveal I did with Xion this chapter. I will go in and change it to the proper title of 'Unversed' sometime next week.

I'm still job hunting (as of the time I write this AN) so wish me luck.

The song Xion sings at the beginning of the chapter comes from Youtube, curtisy of Nucl3arW3ss3l (nice refrence to Star Trek, especially the fourth movie; The Voyage Home, by the way Lizz) who wrote the lyrics herself based on what she felt from the actual Xion theme from the games (that play in the back ground as she sings this lament). If you have the time, I highly recommend you go on there and have a listen, along with her Roxas, Namine, and Ventus themes (and her other, non Kingdom Hearts works too). Don't know if she has finished and released her Kairi and Aqua themes yet though?

Finally, this will be the last chapter of Realm Hearts released this year as the story goes onto hiatus till the spring. The reason for this is I need access to a certain something in order to continue the writing of this story that is currently packed away in a box inside my brother's garage; something I won't be able to get until I'm moved back out into my own place again which won't happen till at least March unless I come into a LOT OF MONEY here in short order. So please be patient and know that there is plenty more to come. It'll just take me a few months in order to make it happen.

In the meantime, though, my readers of this fic who also read my Naruto fics will be happy to know that while this is on break, I'll be returning and focusing on my Rave Master Naruto series with chapter 61 planned to be released either before or on Thanksgiving so look forward to that.

Well, I'm signing off for now. Till either RMN 61 in about two weeks or less or RH 21 in the spring, see you guys again:)