So many reviews so quickly!! You guys are fabulous. My list of thank you's is huge. Let's get it started: SexyZexy (Your username made me laugh out loud, I love it), AoZ, phantombullets240, NinjaSheik, Witchgirl590, Zamaya, peygoodwin, Kuro Neko to Kuro Bara, Hakura Natsumi, and pandabearmusic. You guys are my looooves.

Anyway! Belated update. I meant to post this last night after that barrage of reviews came in, but I had to prepare for an art seminar...alas, here it is now. I hope you enjoy it :)

If you guys have any questions concerning the plot at all that I haven't answered yet that also won't need me to give away any spoilers for the rest of the story, then feel free to ask.

Enjoy and review! There were ten reviews for chapter 3. Can it be topped? ;)

"Wait--what do you mean?" Sora asked once Vilixa revealed her secret. "What's a 'Nobody'?"

"A Nobody is created when someone loses their heart," Vilixa explained. "When someone loses themselves to the Heartless, an empty shell is left behind. A creature without a heart. A Nobody. Nobodies need hearts to be whole again. And that's what I am...the empty shell of who you used to call Livia."

"You don't have a heart?" he asked, baffled.

She shook her head. "I'm still trying to look for it. I was hoping you'd be able to help me..."

"Of course!" Sora replied, patting her on the back jovially. "We're friends after all, right? And besides, you're still Livia. Just Livia...minus a heart. You may look a little different, but I'm sure you're still the same kind of person on the inside."

"I looked different as a Whole?" Vilixa asked, examining herself. "I don't understand..."

"Well, before, your hair was more brown and not really all that red," he said, a hand on his chin. "But your eyes are still the same. That's the most important part."

"Ahem!" a voice quacked from the entrance of the room. "Good morning, Sora!"

"Donald! Goofy!" Sora laughed, running to hug his comrades. They all laughed together and Vilixa watched in wonder.

She smiled slightly. "So...that's what true friendship looks like. I wonder...how it feels..."

"Hey, it's Livia!" she heard Goofy call. "How ya doin', huh?"

She let out a small laugh. "I'm sorry, but I'm not Livia anymore. I released my heart, and now I'm a Nobody. Call me Vilixa."

"Vilixa..." Sora repeated. "Okay. Excuse me if I call you by your old name. It doesn't bother you, does it?"

Vilixa shook her head. "Being called our old names bothered some of the others I knew, but--"

"There are others?" Sora asked, eyes wide with excitement and inquiry. "Whoa!"

"Um," Vilixa stammered, unaware of how to react to Sora's flurry of bizarre emotions. "I know someone who will be able to explain everything. But we have to leave right away."

"Okay," Sora nodded. "Let's get out of here then!"

Leading the way, Sora bounded out of the room, Donald and Goofy following close behind. Vilixa stood back for a minute, watching the mannerisms of the brunette and chuckling to herself. He really did remind her of Roxas. Sighing sadly, she raced to follow them out of the Old Mansion and headed towards the train station.

"You know," she heard Sora say, "I feel like I've been here before."

"I have to go see him," Vilixa mumbled to herself. "They'll catch up. I have questions that need answers."

* * * * *

There was a quiet knock at the door of the White Room. Naminé looked up from her sketchpad to see Riku opening and silently closing the door behind him has he entered. She forced a sad smile and let out a sigh.

"Have you come to dispose of me?" she asked.

Riku tensed, but shook his head. "You know I can't do that."

Naminé eyed him curiously. "It's what DiZ wants, isn't it?" she asked. "He doesn't want me to be around anymore. I'm not meant to exist."

"That may be," Riku stated, "but you're still part of Kairi. And Kairi is one of my best friends. I can't destroy you, Naminé. That would go against everything I've ever fought for. And you helped Sora wake up...my heart's decided. I can't go through with it."

"Then..." she questioned, "what happens now?"

Riku held out his hand. "Come," he said. "I have a plan."

* * * * *

Vilixa stared up at the massive tower that stood before her, the very tip of it almost reaching the clouds that hung in the sky. She made her way up the tower's stairs, past three floors, until she reached her destination.

She pushed the door open and looked around to see an old man with a long, gray beard and a pointed blue had, adorned with stars and a crescent moon, looking at her intently from her place by the threshold. He sat behind a large, wooden desk with a massive book opened to a specific page, just waiting to be read.

"You must be Vilixa," his voice boomed. "The Nobody that King Mickey spoke of."

"Yes," she answered meekly. "And you must be Master Yen Sid." She knelt before him, her head bowed.

"Rise, child," he said with a small chuckle. "No need for such formalities. Please, have a seat." He waved his hand casually and a chair from the other side of the room hobbled along on its wooden legs over to where Vilixa stood, nudging her slightly from behind until she sat down. "I understand that you have questions that need answering."

"Yes," she replied honestly. "You're aware now that the Keybearer has awoken."

"I am," he responded.

"Well," she continued. "I know that there is still a battle to be won and a long journey ahead...what are the chances of me...actually finding my heart?"

Master Yen Sid stroked his beard in deep thought. "The question is," he pondered aloud, "Do you wish to seek out your heart, or restore it?"

Confused, she asked, "What do you mean?"

The old magician just smiled curiously and answered, "Dear girl, everything that you seek is always closer than you might imagine."

Vilixa bit her lip anxiously and fiddled with her fingers. "I don't see how that can be possible in regards to my heart...I'm just a Nobody. I'm not meant to exist in the first place."

"But you do," Master Yen Sid said. "And that is destiny."

Questions? Concerns? Or wanna just type up a review?

Go for it! :D