Body and Soul

by Dark Slayer Reborn

When a mysterious woman with blue hair wielding a keyblade appears, Xemnas orders his Organization to capture her at all costs. But who is she? And why is Xemnas after her? Complete. Epilogue Posted.

22. Chapter 21

We have come full circle.

Hello faithful readers, No Heart's throne here, presenting the final chapter of Body and Soul.

A full year has passed since I first posted this story on a whim.

About one year has passed since my best friend, Trey, encouraged me to post Lingering Vengeance.

It's been a long road...

And it's been worth it.

I say thank you, to all my readers, watchers, reviewers...and anyone else I've left out.

I hope you all enjoy this final chapter.

Until the next story everyone.

---

Chapter Twenty-One: Dawn of Day 319: Destiny.

Axel would never understand how a world like Twilight Town could go without an all night convenience store.

The Flurry of Dancing Flames was currently standing in the district hill that led up to the clocktower. He sighed in defeat rubbing the back of his head. Axel, "Well now what? The kids need some potions or at least a cure spell…Times like this I wish I could trade in my fire magic for other spells."

Breathing deeply, he tilted his head back, his hands resting on his hips, winter green eyes looking up at the starry night sky, though it held no answer to his problems. If anything the sky above seemed to make his problems even bigger than they already were. Letting out a frustrated groan, Axel lowered his head.

Axel, "These kids are going to be the death of me…if they aren't already."

The possibility that by disrupting Xigbar and Luxord's mission at Castle Oblivion he would now be labeled a traitor was too strong to ignore. And if he was banded a traitor, then what did that make Roxas and Xion? Xigbar said the Organization wouldn't need them anymore soon, too soon.

But that was only if he believed Xigbar's statement and the possibility of Aqua joining the Organization was true.

But it couldn't be true! For one, Aqua had avoided all their attempts to capture her, their repeated tries having just probably annoyed her to the point of avoiding anyone who wore one of these cloaks. And then there was the fact that Xemnas had called off the hunt after Xigbar's disastrous ploy to catch her in Hollow Bastion.

So why then, was Xigbar so convinced otherwise and confident enough to try and eliminate Roxas and Xion?

And then there was the whole thing with those two having gone to Castle Oblivion. Axel knew he would most likely never truly know what had happened there, but according to Xigabr, Roxas had led him right to the doors of the Chamber of Waking.

And now Roxas didn't remember a thing.

Axel groaned, rubbing the back of his head again.

Axel, "Boy oh boy…What to do…Stay on the run from an Organization that could appear on any world at any time? Or go back and most likely be executed, or worse…" He shuddered dramatically.

"Be turned into a Dusk?"

Axel rubbed his cheek and chin, grinning to himself as he shook his head. Axel, "I'm too fond of these looks to give them up…"

Bowing his head and closing his eyes, he chuckled to himself, before looking back up at the clocktower, a slight smile on his lips.

Axel, "…I'm too fond of those two for my own good."

Sighing, he started back up the hill, wondering how he was going to explain to Roxas he simply couldn't find any place that was open and sold potions at this hour? Of course he could go off world but that was too risky at the moment-

His chain of thought was broken along with peaceful stillness of the night when he heard an echoing scream pierce the silence of the sleeping Twilight Town.

It was easy to tell where the source of the scream was, seeing how close Axel was to it.

The clocktower.

Axel's eyes were the size of saucers and his face had turned deathly pale. His mind was already racing while his legs kept him firmly in place.

Roxas…Xion!

And then he was on the move, becoming a red and black blur that cleared the distance up the hill and was outside the clocktower not five seconds later, and then a split second after that he was inside the station and rushing towards the stairs. Within that same moment he was double timing it up the stairs, moving as fast as possible all the while his mind raced with possible explanations for the scream.

The Organization found them, Xigbar found them, someone found them and decided to finish the job-

Flames swirled around his hands and formed into steel, Axel catching his chakrams and doubling his already impressive speed. His concern and panic was now mixed in with his growing anger at the thought of someone attacking his two friends. And then he was in front of the door that led outside to the front of the clock face itself, Axel swung his leg out, kicking it open and leaving it hanging on one hinge. Racing ahead, he turned swiftly, chakrams raised and reared back-

He froze, his whole body going rigid.

He found himself suddenly wishing for an army of Heartless to be the culprits rather than what he was seeing now.

Axel's arms fell limp at his sides, his chakrams flashing before vanishing in a swirl of fire.

The Flurry of Dancing Flames staggered towards Roxas and Xion's unconscious bodies, the two teens lying sprawled on their back and sides. Quickly crouching down, Axel listened closely and his panic was replaced by relief the moment he heard Roxas and Xion's steady breathing. Wiping his brow, Axel looked over them, his eyes scanning for any kind of wound, whether it be a cut, scrape or anything at all.

Of course he found none. After all, Roxas and Xion were the only two he had ever met who fell unconscious for no reason whatsoever.

Oh, there's a reason, he corrected himself. And its' spelled S-O-R-A. Got that memorized?

Axel's gaze wandered towards Roxas.

Or maybe…it's spelled V-E-N-T-U-S.

Axel sighed, and then he moved carefully, shifting Roxas and Xion into more comfortable positions. As he did, he wondered would he could do now. One of them out wouldn't be a problem, but both? And with the Organization soon to be breathing down their necks…

That was it. Game over.

Sitting down on the ledge, Axel stared down on the two before sighing, a small, sad smile forming on his lips.

Axel, "Heh…And here I was hoping throwing Ven into the mix would of made things even more interesting…"

His eyes moved, focusing on Xion. The green orbs narrowed for a moment, confused. Then they refocused, understanding replacing his confusion, and Axel's smile turned grim.

"But I'm guess I'm stuck dealing with Sora…"

Tipping his head back, Axel gazed up at the night sky, once more looking for answers.

And still he found none.

---

The large open hall was still as quiet and calm as it had been when Axel and Roxas had left. Xigbar's unconscious body rested where he had fallen, a small pool of dried blood under him. While the amount of blood was disturbing, it meant no difference to the Freeshooter's health overall. Blood was useless without a heart to pump it after all.

Up ahead by the darkened doorway, the shadows shifted and swirled, gathering into a large oval that rose up. A large figure slowly emerged, the Corridor of Darkness behind him melting into the ground, melding back into the shadows seamlessly. The figure's storm blue eyes slowly scanned the room, quickly settling on Xigbar's still form. Walking in long strides, his footsteps finally breaking the silence that had settled over the room, the figure was soon standing over the fallen Freeshooter.

Reaching into his cloak pocket, the figure produced a golden elixir bottle. Raising his left hand out, the figure snapped his fingers and black wind swirled around his hand, lengthening out and taking shape, becoming a long and deadly dragonhead tipped spear. Tossing the elixir up, the figure slashed his spear out in a vertical slice so fast it left a purple blur and the golden bottle split in two, spilling its contents on Xigbar's body, the two broken halves smashing on contact with the floor.

The glowing liquid inside the elixir sunk into Xigbar, vanishing and only leaving a few wisps of green mist behind. Within moments, Xigbar's single amber eye blinked open, the Freeshooetr groaning softly as he pushed himself up into a sitting position. He rubbed his face, grimacing a little before turning his single blinking eye up at the figure who had used the elixir.

Xigbar's eye widened slightly when he recognized the hard, emotionless expression sported by a pair of muttonchops and topped off with a head of hair wrapped in dreadlocks.

Xigbar, "Xaldin-"

That was about the only word the Freeshooter had time to gasp out before Xaldin's black boot shot out, nailing a fierce kick square in Xigbar's scarred cheek.

Xigbar let out a bellow of a wounded beast, flopping onto his side and clutching at his now bruised cheek. He snapped his head back towards Xaldin, glaring fiercely and screaming, "What was THAT for? !"

Xaldin sneered in amusement. "Just because."

Still groaning in a combination of agony and outrage, Xigbar stumbled back up to his feet, his left hand clutching at his aching cheek and jaw.

Xaldin calmly gripped his spear and spoke up again. Xaldin, "So what were you and Luxord doing here?"

Xigbar shot him a glare with his single eye and snapped, "The better question is what are you doing here?"

Xaldin shrugged, his look bored. Xaldin, "Most curious. Not twelve hours ago did Saix suddenly order all of us out of the Castle. When I asked why, he said it was direct orders from the Superior himself. When I asked where, Saix then said something even more curious."

Xigbar, still rubbing at his aching cheek, turned his single eye away from the set of doors at the end of the hall like room, looking back at Xaldin in annoyance. Xigbar, "Well don't leave me in suspense…"

Xaldin smirked, then resumed. Xaldin, "He said he, and by he I mean both Saix and the Superior, didn't care where as long as we were all out until ordered to return." Xaldin narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. Xaldin, "Yes…most curious indeed."

Xigbar nodded slowly, not really listening.

Neither Nobody spoke for a moment, Xaldin's eyes wandering to the puddle of dried blood that had previously been Xigbar's resting spot before suddenly asking, "So why are you here, Xigbar?"

The Freeshooter had taken a few steps towards the doors ahead, looking at them with a blank expression. He stood still, not responding for several moments. Then, he finally replied, "Completing a mission that screwup Flamsilocks couldn't do."

That made Xaldin raise a dark brow thoughtfully. Xaldin, "Axel's mission in Castle Oblivion? I thought it was simply to single out the traitors."

Xigbar chuckled lowly, turning the right side of his face towards Xaldin, hiding his eye away from the Whirlwind Lancer, but not his smirk. Xigbar, "Just a smaller part of it, Windbreaker. Just a smaller part of it…"

Xaldin scowled, his brow furrowing. "So then, what is the bigger part of it then?" He snapped back.

Xigbar chuckled, turning his head back to look at the doors. Xigbar, "You wouldn't understand it even if I tried to explain it too you."

Xaldin tightened his grip on his spear. Xaldin, "Do not insult my intelligence, Xigbar."

The Freeshooter chuckled, finally turning to face Xaldin, slowly walking back towards him. Xigbar, "Oh, believe me, Windbreaker. That's the last thing I wanna do." He stopped walking when he was standing about three feet away from Xaldin, Xigbar's smirk ever present.

Xigbar went on, his tone sly. Xigbar, "But I'm afraid my real mission in here is classified. You need to be of equal rank to hear about its details, Number 3."

Xaldin's arm shook so fiercely it reverberated through his spear. The Whirlwind Lancer was loathe to be reminded of his inferior rank compared to Xigbar's. The Freeshooter's smirk morphed into a full-blown sneer at Xaldin's reaction. Xaldin quickly jerked his head, tearing his gaze away from Xigbar before snapping out, "Where's Luxord? I know he was with you!"

Xigbar scoffed, looking around the room for a moment as if Luxord was somehow in there, hiding at that very moment. Xigbar, "At this point no telling. Don't have a clue how long I was out."

Xaldin was about to ask exactly why Xigbar had been knocked out in a puddle of his own blood when Xigbar quickly asked, "You know where Demyx is?"

The sudden question successfully caught Xaldin off guard, and he wasn't able to respond for a few seconds. Xigbar shot him an impatient glare, angrily waving his hand to urge him to hurry up. Scowling, Xaldin snapped back, "Off on some beach. The dimwit was rather delighted to get a day off of sorts."

Xigbar chuckled at that. Xigbar, "Ah, good ol' Demyx. He makes us al look so much smarter by comparison." Xaldin let out a single muffled chuckle of agreement at that. Xigbar then suddenly declared, "Go find him. I'll be looking for Luxord. Once you find Demyx, head back to the Grey Area in the Castle That Never Was. I'll meet up with you two with Luxord."

Xaldin once more raised an eyebrow at Xigbar's new plan. Xaldin, "Are you sure? Saix did say to keep out of the Castle until he called us back…"

Xigbar scowled. "Saix? As if anyone cares about that trained puppy's orders! Mine came from the Superior himself, so if he's got a problem, he can take up with his master."

Xaldin allowed himself a small smirk at Xigbar's sudden outburst. Xaldin, "As you say then."

And with that, the Whirlwind Lancer turned and marched towards the shadowed hallway, the Corridor he had arrived in rising up, swelling in size to allow him entry. Once Xaldin's form had been engulfed completely, the Corridor shrunk down, dissipating into harmless miasma. As soon as Xaldin was out of sight, Xigbar ran a hand over the back of his neck, scowling as he felt the tears in his cloak.

Xigbar, "I'll remember that one, Pyro."

The Freeshooter lowered his hand, turning his single golden eye on the doors at the end of the hallway. His eye narrowed further into a hateful slit.

"I'll remember that too, Roxas…"

With that final promise, Xigbar turned and swept his arm, calling a Corridor of Darkness up. The Freeshooter stepped into it and was gone a moment later.

The halls of Castle Oblivion were empty once more.

But not for the last time.

---

The haze of blue fell away, and Aqua stepped back into the graveyard known as Proof of Existence.

No sooner had the water maiden completely stepped through the gateway to the area where she had dueled with Saix did she hear a sudden hum, followed quickly by a bright flash of light, both occurrences happening behind her. Turning her head slightly, Aqua saw the barrier of magic that had been barring her path between this graveyard and the exit where her Sorcerer guide still floated ever patiently, unfazed as the barrier shimmered and cracked, exploding into harmless shards of magic before disappearing without ever touching the ground.

With last glance at the two graves, although Aqua was beginning to wonder if they were even that, the keyblade mistress began walking back up the rise and up to the exit, the Sorcerer Nobody floating still and patient, it's featureless face looking over her carefully.

So, it spoke in her mind once again.

You were able to come to some sort of agreement between lord Saix and yourself and gain passage?

Aqua didn't respond, simply kept walking until she stood at the exit, her blues looking up and into the next set of stairs to yet another higher level of the castle. She could hear the constant drumming of rain, mixed in with a soft rumble of thunder. Outside once again.

Still not looking at her guide, Aqua asked shortly, "How much further?"

The Sorcerer's body rippled once more in that chuckling manner.

Not replying immediately, her guide moved ahead, floating smoothly over the stairs.

Aqua glared at its back and started to follow when the Sorcerer stopped suddenly, looking back.

Soon, my lady.

It turned, resuming floating ahead.

Soon.

Aqua followed after it, albeit a little more slowly than her normal pace, she felt a sudden wind gust through. The shiver she had been fighting back shook her body full force.

Within moments Aqua could feel the stairs under her begin to grow slippery and the sound of falling rainwater was much louder and more consistent. Soon the water maiden and her guide were outside once more, the rain covering their forms. Aqua looked around, seeing they had arrived outside onto another walkway built onto the massive castle.

While the last one had been close together and consisted of several rising slopes that twisted and turned, this way was fairly straight forward, only curving ahead once, towards the left in contrast to the earlier walkway, which had curved to the right. The railings on the right side were adorned with large spikes and thinner poles that Aqua assumed were lighting rods.

The storm was still going strong but only in terms of wind and rain, the icy drops striking Aqua occasionally when a particularly strong gale suddenly roared up. The darker clouds bellowed still flashed with lighting, the muted thunder following. Pausing, Aqua looked up, amazed to discover that the final tower of the castle, the highest point, was so much closer.

Wanting to waste no more time, Aqua started to march ahead for the rising slope when her long strides slowed unwillingly, her ears focusing. She heard the sound again, a splashing noise, followed by another. Turning, Aqua's eyes widened when she saw that there were more of the lesser Nobodies at this junction as well.

These new ones closely resembled the Snipers except they did not float on the air and their bodies were longer, thinner, maybe a few inches shorter than Aqua herself. Their bodies were a mixture of pale pink an yellow along with a creamy white, the three crosses an ugly brown upon their chests, the same color as their boots with wicked spike ends. They appeared to be wearing rags or clothes of metallic pink over their heads, hiding their eyes. Aqua saw they had no mouths, but then again, most of the others hadn't so she wasn't too surprised.

But unlike before, these Nobodies made no aggressive moves towards Aqua.

Strangely enough, their bodies shifted and swayed, seeming to be in time with the drops of rain and gusts of wind.

They reminded Aqua of dancers.

The Nobodies continued their strange dance, gliding on the water littered surface of the walkway. Aqua found herself unable to look away, but forced herself to stand her ground. The Dancers finally seemed to take notice of Aqua, moving their swaying forms closer towards and extending their thin, pointed arms out, the single claws at the end slowly flicking back and forth in invitation.

Aqua stared in wonder, her arm beginning to rise on its own-

Squares of red energy appeared between the water maiden and the hypnotizing Dancers, forcing the Nobodies back in a flurry of enraged movements and snapping Aqua out of her stupor.

Her Sorcerer guide floated between her and the Dancers, the swaying creatures glaring their eyeless faces at the higher Nobody.

The Sorcerer made no sound but within moments it lowered its strange cubes, the energy that formed them fading away in a burst of red sparks. The Dancers slithered away, resuming their dance once they had returned to their original places, resuming their strange dance, not pausing anymore to consider the Sorcerer or Aqua anymore.

Rippling its head in what passed for a nod, the Sorcerer looked back at Aqua, who was slowly coming out of her daze.

Beware of their dance, my lady…

Aqua completely regained her senses at the Sorcerer's sudden intrusion into her mind. The rubbery guide floated ahead, gliding over the slope and towards the next door ahead.

While pleasing to watch it can be lethal to participate in.

Aqua stared at the back of the Sorcerer as it floated ahead, then glanced back at the Dancers. The strange Nobodies had resumed their dance, though it was a slower pace. One extended its arm back out to Aqua.

The water maiden quickly followed after her guide.

The Sorcerer was waiting up ahead, its body rippling gently as Aqua caught up with it on the higher slope. She spared it one glance when something shifted in the corner of her eye. At first she thought it was the running rainwater but then her eye focused on it and saw the shifting streams were not of water, or water at all.

They were smoky tendrils of red and blue, mixing together into purple mist that leaked down from the final rise and poured out of the opened doorway. Upon seeing how the strange mist completely filled the doorway, Aqua could not stifle her gasp and stepped back, nearly tripping on the water under her boots.

The Sorcerer watched her blankly, though its body rippled in that familiar amused motion. It spoke once more to Aqua; its voice while still emotionless carried a hint of mockery.

It's for too late to hesitate now, my lady…

Aqua snapped her gaze towards the Sorcerer, glaring fiercely at its silver form.

Aqua, "I'm not hesitating."

The Sorcerer's form rippled again mockingly amused.

Then why do you quiver and shake with fear?

Aqua hissed under her breath, lowering her gaze away from the Nobody. Without looking back up she replied, "It's not…fear. It's…apprehension."

The Sorcerer rippled its body again, this time perplexed.

Whatever for?

Aqua looked back up at the mist of darkness pouring from the door. Struggling for words, all she could get out was, "It's…it's because…"

Then she trailed off with a tired sigh, her right arm shooting up and slamming the palm of her hand down onto the silver armor charm on her left shoulder.

Swirls of pink light flashed, blinding the Sorcerer despite its sightlessness, and when the light had faded, Aqua stood in her armor once more. The dazed Sorcerer floated limply, never comprehending Aqua as she walked past it.

Aqua, "Never mind. Let's just keep moving."

The Sorcerer shook its rippling body, recomposing itself. Following after Aqua, the maiden heard it whisper in her mind.

As the lady wishes…

Taking a deep breath, Aqua stepped into the mist infested doorway and slowly began her ascent the Sorcerer quickly floating ahead of her. Aqua couldn't see her hand in front of her face or her guide and took her time climbing the steps, not wanting to trip and injure herself if she tumbled back down, especially in her armor. It didn't help that she could still feel the icy mist through her armor, several strands of it curling around her and making her shudder.

The process was slow, uncomfortable and disturbing, but soon, she could see rays of white and blue light begin to break through the mist.

Moving a little faster, her confidence growing, Aqua finally broke through the haze of purple fog, stepping free and waving her arms to brush aside lingering tendrils of it that clung to her armor. She brushed away a particularly large clump that had gathered over her helm's visor-

Aqua's sapphire eyes widened their widest yet when she saw the room she now stood inside. She didn't think it was truly possible to catch her off guard so many times, but this castle only proved her wrong at every turn.

It was massive in both height and width, and Aqua realized she was inside the final tower itself. Directly in the center, seemingly acting, as the only support was a huge blue column, glowing conduits of lighter blue light rising off of its side, flashing as power was poured into it for purposes unknown. Seeming to float under their own power was several smaller pillars or columns of light and at rising intervals were there several single platforms, all circling the glowing blue column. The strange mixing mist circled the room, filling in at the top.

Aqua took a single shaky step forward; her hand hovering over the spot her helmet covered her mouth, which was opened in awe. Beside her, the Sorcerer floated to the side and remained still, speaking once again.

And this is where I can guide you no longer.

The sudden words snapped Aqua out of her stunned daze and she looked back at her guide in confusion, her helmet hiding her features but clear in her next words.

Aqua, "Huh? What do you mean?'

The Sorcerer's form rippled as it went on.

The path ahead is single and final, your destination within reach. I was ordered to guide you this far, and so I have. My task is done. The Lord Superior waits ahead…

With those final words, the Sorcerer vanished in a swirling burst of black and white thorns, fading back into nothingness.

Aqua stared at the spot her guide had been at, her eyes wandering down and seeing what lie below if she took one wrong step. A chasm filled with the swirling mist, only a single walkway below to offer any safety, not that there was any true safety in such a fall.

Aqua looked back ahead, confused about how she was supposed to go nay further. While there were rising platforms that led to the center of the glowing blue column, there was no way to reach any of them for there were no walkways to connect them all. So what now?

Aqua took a few hesitant steps forward, peering around the empty air of the tower room, thinking, maybe, there was some kind of transport that would carry her to each platform. The tip of her boot poked over from the glowing blue edge of the platform, touching empty air-

A loud, almost musical hum broke the silence of the tower interior, causing Aqua to gasp in surprise at the sudden noise, her hand moving instinctively to call her keyblade-

And before her eyes a series of transparent glowing blue hexagons appeared in midair, forming a path that connected the platform she stood on to the one higher up over it.

Blinking, Aqua slowly placed her foot down onto the glowing pathway. It held, solid as steel. Breathing deeply, Aqua climbed the pathway and soon arrived on the next platform. Scanning the higher ground, the water maiden saw the next platform was too her right, a shorter distance away but still too far to even try to jump over. Aqua looked back at the glowing pathway, then back at the empty space between the platform she now stood on and the one across it.

She looked down at the edge of the platform, noticing a strange glowing blue line. When she looked back at the platform across from her, she saw two more similar lines, both aligning with an edge of a rising and lowering platform around the central column. Wondering, Aqua approached the line edge and slowly stepped her foot out of the platforms bounds. And like before, the sole of her boot made contact and a musical hum broke the silence, quickly followed by a shimmering of the air between the platforms, a second glowing path forming in a matter of seconds.

Understanding the secret to moving forward, Aqua quickly moved through the platforms, walking over each new pathway one by one, until finally…

She stood on the final platform, connected to the rising blue column itself.

And there was a single opened way before her, the symbol of the Organization, no, the symbol of the Nobodies, engraved over it.

The mist of darkness was very thick where she stood and Aqua found herself wiping it off of her helm and body with each passing second, more of it building up on her, threatening to consume her. The keyblade mistress knew she couldn't stay there much longer…

But she couldn't get her legs to move.

If what her Sorcerer guide had said was true…

Then Terra was up ahead.

Waiting.

For her.

Her heart fluttered in her chest, and Aqua swayed slightly, her hand rising over her chest. She panted softly, her heart beating faster and faster with every passing second.

This was it.

Once she walked through that passageway…

There would be no turning back.

Taking a deep breath, Aqua attempted to calm her racing heart and control her breathing. Aqua straightened herself, lowering her hands and clenching her fists, Aqua slowly marched forward and into the passageway of the blue column.

And towards her destiny.

---

Once more, she was outside on a walkway connected to the castle tower's side, the rain coming down harder than ever, though now there was no wind, no thunder or lightning. Just the ice cold water running over her armor. Slowly, carefully, Aqua touched her left shoulder's pauldron and her armor was dispelled in another brilliant flash of light. Within moments of removing her armor, Aqua's blue hair became plastered to her skull, her cloths sticking to her skin as well. But Aqua paid no mind to her discomfort. In fact, she reveled in the feel of her namesake soaking her to the bone.

She stood there for a long time, her blue orbs gazing ahead towards the final path ahead, blinking occasionally when raindrops dripped into her eyes. Her heart was beating at a slower pace compared to its earlier tempo. But it was still quick.

Aqua closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. And then she began to walk forward without another sound. The path was simple, rising and curving and within moments, Aqua found herself standing in front of a set of stairs, leading to the very top of the castle's highest point. Above her, Kingdom Hearts split the black clouds apart, leaving a small part of the towers' top dry, but rain still fell upon Aqua. The water maiden stared at the steps; hardly noticing the railing was adorned with large spikes and the ever present Nobody symbol. All she could focus on were these steps.

All she had to do was walk up them…

And he would be there.

Her heart furiously pounded in her chest, her blood beginning to burn.

Swallowing her fears, doubts and other anxieties, Aqua began her ascent up the stairs, taking one at a time. And then, after so long, so many days of worrying, doubts, trepidation, and overall longing, she arrived at the towers top.

There he was.

He stood with his back to her, his cloak clinging to him like a second skin from being soaked, his spiked silver locks drooping but fighting to remain raised. His head was tipped back, and he appeared to be gazing upon the moon of hearts that filled the black sky, only looking a few feet away. Aqua stood her ground, her face even and blank, controlled, but inside her heart was doing loops and skipping too many beats.

For a beat, there was only silence.

Then, he began to turn, slowly, so agonizingly slowly, lowering his head a he did.

Cobalt orbs met glistening sapphires.

More silence, his face blank and controlled.

And then, he smiled.

"You have come."

His voice sent shivers down her spine and Aqua's whole body shook, but not from the cold of the rain. His eyes locked onto hers and the intensity in them was becoming too much. The water maiden quickly lowered her gaze, turning her head away.

Silence resumed.

It was broken, not by his words this time, but his steps, as he approached her, smoothly, soundlessly as before when they had last met at Hollow Bastion.

Within seconds he was in front of her, close, very close, for Aqua could see his chest even from where she had turned her vision. She could see every muscle, outlined by the clinging leather. His right arm rose slowly, gloved fingers dripping with rainwater. His index and middle fingers gently moved under her chin, tracing her jaw line, applying pressure and forcing her to meet his gaze once again.

His eyes remained fiercely intense, but Aqua could see something under that intensity. Was it…relief?

His right hand stroked her cold cheek, sending another shudder through her body.

"I waited…and waited…though it has been ten long years, Aqua…"

His other hand rose up, brushing aside her damp locks away from her forehead.

"Waiting for you…the last few days…they have been even longer…For a time…I feared you would not come."

He couldn't feel fear, not in the same sense as she could, but Aqua understood. She nodded slowly, before replying back softly, "There was never anything too fear…I was going to come back too you…" She reaches up with her right hand, gently grasping his as he continues to stroke her cheek. She smiles, almost shyly.

"An unbreakable connection," she whispers. "Remember?"

He does not reply, only offers a smile of his own. It is a pleased smile.

His hand slips away from her cheek, and Aqua shudders, finding herself longing for it to be back there and he slowly begins to move along with his hand as it comes to rest on her bare shoulder and he now stands behind her.

If Aqua had thought her heart had been beating hard before, it was about to burst free from her ribcage.

He rests his left hand on her right shoulder, holding her where she stands as his right began to trace the exposed skin of her back.

The silence is tense, for her, her whole body rock still as she fights back the pleasant tingles his touch leaves. She does not know what he is doing. Then, the tracing stops, his hand resting on the small of her back.

Then, his voice breaks the silence once again.

"Who inflicted these wounds upon you?"

Aqua blinked. Then it came back to her. She had healed herself after her battle with Saix but there might have been a few stains of blood left on her skin and clothes.

She shifted, suddenly embarrassed, but replied sullenly, "Your second-in-command…the one calling himself Saix."

She finally feels him tense up as well, though he is rigid with suppressed anger. Not that he truly feels it. He speaks again.

"He will be…chastised…harshly."

And Aqua left it at that. She didn't want anything else to spoil the mood. For a long while, there was only silence, and Aqua could feel his ghost like touches on her back and shoulders.

Then he broke the silence once more.

"Is it…not beautiful?"

There is no confusion; Aqua instantly understands what he is referring too.

Her sapphire eyes look up, her head rising only slightly to completely take in the entire sight of his Kingdom Hearts.

The golden heart moon's blue outline shimmers slightly, and Aqua can barely make out a series of pink lines trailing into the massive body of it.

He goes on.

"Barely a year, and already this far. Imagine, Aqua…"

As he speaks he slowly rubs her shoulders, trying to sooth the tension in them away.

His deep voice drops into a whisper, and Aqua shivers once again as his breath fans her ear.

"Imagine what we can accomplish together once it is completed…I can make it all right again, Aqua. All the damages done by my foolish teacher can be amended and we…"

His voice drops even lower, and Aqua closes her eyes as she listens to him speak softly to her.

"We can be together Aqua…side by side…forever…"

She can feel how close he is now, but she feels neither a heartbeat from his chest or an ounce of warmth from his body.

Her eyes blink open.

She has to know. Now.

Aqua, "Terra…" His right hand slips from her shoulder, moving with a sinfully soft caress as he drags it along her neck, grasping her jaw again and gently turning her gaze to meet his intense one once again. She swallows, clutching his wrist, trying to ignore his lack of pulse as she struggles to maintain meeting his gaze. He just stares back, smiling patiently, his cobalt eyes as gentle as she remembers.

Aqua went on. "The worlds…and our's…our home…will you restore that as well? Will you remake them all?"

He grins, a spark flashing in his eye as he thinks this a sign of her agreement. He nods and replies, "Everything Aqua…With Kingdom Hearts power…I will remake everything in my image…"

And then he feels her stiffen under his touch, her eyes widening and her smile disappearing.

He stares back at her, confused.

Aqua closes her eyes, thankful for the rain for hiding her single tear.

Aqua, "…I thought so."

Her right hand flexes open by her side, and ethereal pink petals swirl and gather, calling her bright blue Bright Crest into existence.

He blinks, looking at the keyblade, then back to her.

Aqua only glares back in the face of his confusion before swinging her keyblade out. He moves without a sound with that same grace, jumping and twisting his body over her, landing back in the center of his towers peak. Aqua turns just as quickly, her keyblade raised by her side as her beautiful face is consumed with rage, her sapphire eyes cold gemstones.

He looks back at her, his face twisted in anguished confusion, his right hand held up by his chest, over the spot his heart should have been. He looks back at her, meeting her fury with unbelievable sorrow.

"Why?" He laments, the hurt evident in his baritone voice.

"Why would you raise your keyblade against me? Why, when I have offered everything we've lost back? Why would you do this? Why would you reject our old life? You cannot favor this false existence we both live. I can take it all back, Aqua."

He holds his arms out, his hands opened towards her.

"Isn't that what you want? Our home, our happiness…Don't you want it back?"

Aqua gripped the hilt of her Bright Crest so tightly her knuckles had tuned white.

She glared at him, the man who had held her and promised everything back, with a new understanding in her eyes.

Aqua, "I do want it all back…more than you will ever know or understand…" Her right arm thrusts up and out, keyblade pointed at him.

Aqua took a shuddering breath.

Aqua, "But not from you… the one who took it all away in the first place. The real Terra…he wouldn't remake everything in his image. He would just make things right again. He would undo the damages and not play god like you're suggesting."

The water maiden glared at him, the imposter as she began to speak lowly, but her pitch rose with each word. "You… You're the one who took my happiness and turned it into despair. You, who cast my home, my master, my friends, into the deepest darkness for the sake of your twisted desires." She grips her keyblade so tightly the blade shakes in time with the tremors of rage running through her body.

Glaring in outrage and seeking retribution for ten long years of pain and suffering, not all her own, Aqua cried, "I want it all back but not from the one who took it all away from me in the first place! Stop with this charade! Stop wearing his face! Stop hiding!"

Understanding flashes in his cobalt eyes.

No, not his eyes.

Not his eyes at all.

Aqua felt tears of pure rage run down her eyes as she screamed, "Return my friend! Return Terra to me, Xehanort!"

With that screamed revelation, thunder roared overhead of them a crack of lightning piercing through the black clouds, illuminating the peek they stood on.

His anguish vanishes, his face becoming blank, disappointed almost. His eyes close thankfully, as Aqua felt she could look into them no longer without risking breaking down completely. His arms remain stretched out, his hands open, palms flat.

And then, he begins to chuckle. It is lowly at first, but soon rises, somehow remaining low and flat though, a dry, mocking laugh. Thunder rumbles overhead again, but fails to drown his laughter out. The sound chills Aqua's rage into fear.

Blue and black sparks dance at the corners of his eyes as he begins to open them, and lighting flashes once more, illuminating his burning orange eyes, briefly making them blood red.

Orange flares meet her sapphire pools, and he smirks at her, his arms still outstretched.

"Most impressive. You are far more intelligent then I would have ever given you credit for, fair Aqua."

Aqua hissed and tightened her grip even further on her Bright Crest, keeping it pointed at the imposter before her. His hand moves, index finger raised suddenly.

"However, I must correct you on one account. And that is this:"

He lowers his left arm, his right still outstretched, palm open once more.

"I am not Xehanort. Long has it been since I abandoned that name and the failings tied with it, as he abandoned Terra's weak identity."

Aqua's eyes widen and she screams, "Don't say his name!"

The imposter sneered, chuckling dryly.

"Such anger…such hate…somehow, it makes you look even more beautiful."

Aqua growled and snapped out, "Shut up! Stop spouting this nonsense! You're not Terra, and maybe, you're not Xehanort…"

She swung her keyblade out, cutting through the falling rain.

Aqua, "So all that makes you is exactly what you are! Nothing! You're NOTHING!"

Her words made his eyes widen, then narrow in his own outrage. His right hand clenches, then falls to his side, his head bowing in lament.

"Then so be it. For this betrayal, Aqua, you leave me choice."

He looks back at her, his orange eyes burning into her blue orbs as he holds his right hand over the scar on his chest, hidden under his cloak.

"If I can't have your heart," declared Xemnas, Superior of the In-Between, his lips twisting into a sneer of anticipated glee.

"I will simply claim your body and soul!"

Aqua tensed, lowering her keyblade in preparation for his attack. But it never came.

The imposter stood his ground, his eyes closing, both arms raising slightly As they did, Aqua felt a sudden flux of power all around them, and before she had time to think or retaliate before he could, Xemnas thrust his arms into the air towards the blackened heavens above. And then a split-second later, the air began to hum with energy and the dark sky began to brighten, the falling rain sizzling as it was evaporated by the growing power. Aqua knew she should have charged and struck then, but she was so enraptured by the happenings around her she couldn't bring herself to move. And then the gathering power reached its peak, the falling raindrops glowing as they were filled as well, turning into streams of blue light as the dark sky flashed in that same brilliant radiance.

This strange light was too intense, blinding Aqua even as she moved her arm over her face to shield her eyes, Xemnas' form vanishing into the burning intensity-

-a feeling of vertigo swept through Aqua, and she tumbled suddenly as the whole world shifted around her. She could feel the rain again, but the air tasted different. Aqua lowered her arm, her eyes blinking rapidly as she attempted to get her bearings. Her eyes were still blinded and she blinked them repeatedly, beginning to make out blurry forms. She inhaled deeply and again noticed that strange smell. It wasn't unpleasant, rather the exact opposite actually. It was nice, a familiar fragrance. No, not one, but many scents-

And the realization struck her even before her sight returned to her and Aqua shook her head slowly, pleadingly.

Her sight mercilessly returned, confirming the truth she simply couldn't accept.

Where she had once stood at the peak of a mighty fortress castle, the radiance of Kingdom Hearts filling the sky above, Aqua now stood in a low courtyard, each side filled with different flowers of varying colors. Above the courtyard the streets led into two alleyways filled with homes, all guiding towards a massive patchwork castle that would one day be ruined and crumbling. It was the dead of night, dark clouds filling the sky above, and this time they finally yielded rain, soaking her chilled skin once more.

Aqua could only look around, turning in place, her face set in an expression of terror as she stood back in nightmare. But this was no dream. It was cold, unfeeling, merciless reality.

She was back in Radiant Garden…on that night.

The first time she had confronted the imposter in Terra's flesh.

Aqua shook fiercely as she slowly turned around towards the center of the courtyard-

And no sooner had she begun to move did a steel vice clamp around her throat and effortlessly lift her into the air.

Aqua choked, her left hand scrambling towards the grip on her throat, bruising her porcelain skin and cutting off her air. Her vision began to blur once again, this time from lack of air circulation. But she still forced her eyes to look down at the hold on her throat. She followed the gray blur…

And was met by a pair of confused amber eyes.

Aqua went still in his grasp.

No…

It couldn't be. It simply couldn't be.

The figure holding her gazed up at her, seemingly oblivious to the fact he was holding her in a chokehold.

And when he began to speak, Aqua knew this was indeed a true nightmare, a horror not meant to be relived.

"Who…"

His voice was deep, confused.

No, please no…

He went on, asking what she dreaded the most.

"…am I?"

That simple question made all the fear explode into cold terror.

"NOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Her scream of terror, horror and outrage erupted from her lips unbidden and Aqua's right arm rose up, her keyblade Bright Crest swinging, striking her attacker across his familiar face.

He made no noise as his head snapped to the left and his grip instantly relented, letting Aqua fall to the ground on her knees. The water maiden didn't stay there long, and pushed herself back, jumping a good distance away. A familiar motion.

Her attacker stood perfectly still, his right arm still outstretched, his head snapped to the side, revealing the cut she had left on his cheek.

As Aqua clutched at her throat trying to soothe the pain away, she found herself unwilling looking at her attacker. And she found him all too familiar. Like everything else around her.

He was young, perhaps eighteen or nineteen, taller than her by several inches. He wore a black shirt with two red suspender belts crisscrossing over his chest and a pair of baggy hakama pants tied with a black obi sash. A gold heart badge was pinned on his belt. On his right arm he wore a simple black wristband while his left was completely covered in a long gold and red armored gauntlet. Aqua looked up past his attire and towards his face.

His face.

Young and handsome even in his blank, confused state, his once earth brown locks now turned a snowy white, his skin darkly tanned.

And those eyes…

The eyes that haunted her every night and waking moment of her life since she had first gazed into their burning depths.

Her attacker slowly lowered his arm and turned his head, meeting Aqua's glare, his expression still blank.

And then, his lips curled into a cruel sneer.

His whole form rippled as shadows consumed his form…

They fell away just as quickly, and Xemnas stepped free from the clinging miasma, his orange eyes mocking her.

Xemnas, "How…nostalgic."

Aqua doesn't reply, cannot, her breath trembling pants as tears stream down her face, mixing in with the rainwater.

The Superior of Organization XIII swept his arm out dramatically, looking over his shoulder briefly before looking back at Aqua as he spoke. Xemnas, "I thought it fitting that we should return to where we first met…After all, it is a special place for me…" He watched in cruel amusement as Aqua shudders, fighting to remain composed and covering her face with her left hand.

For the water maiden…

It is simply too much.

Xemnas chuckles again, holding his hand over his chest in sympathy he did not feel, or even remember ever feeling.

Xemnas, "How long I've looked for you, so that we might share these memories together…"

He lowers his hand in a swipe, his smirk never wavering.

Xemnas, "And here you are…exactly as I remember…standing opposite of me as you try in vain to save your friend…"

The Superior sneers cruelly as he reaps in her anguish.

"Strange fate…wouldn't you say?" Xemnas asked, his smile triumphant.

The rain pours down upon them, and it is the only sound aside from Aqua's muffled sobs.

And then…

She stops, her whole body going still. Very slowly, Aqua lowers her hand away from her tearstained face. Xemnas pauses, his smile fading as he sees her look. Her expression is strong, unwavering. Now it is he who feels the familiarity of the scene.

Aqua rises, holding her keyblade out before herself.

Aqua, "Strange…but fitting."

Her voice is strong. Focused. And sure.

Aqua lowered her keyblade in a swipe, cutting through the rainwater.

Keyblade Master Aqua declared, "For it will end the same way…you, defeated by my keyblade!"

Xemnas stares back at her, his expression blank. And then he closes his eyes, chuckling deeply as he opens his arms, as if to embrace her.

Xemnas opened them as he sneered back at Aqua.

Xemnas, "No…it will not end the same way…This time…I will claim you and your radiant light…"

He extended his right arm out, flexing his fingers before clenching them into a fist; bursts of black and blue sparks discharging between them.

"As I guide you to the deepest depths of darkness."

And then he closed his eyes, bowing his head as if in a prayer while Aqua stood her ground and held her stance.

Destiny was at hand.

For a moment that seemed to last an eternity, they both stood there ground, Aqua glaring at Xemnas while the Superior kept his eyes closed and his head bowed slightly, sparks discharging around his fingers and hands. And then he raised his head, his orange eyes opening and meeting Aqua's, his smirk reappearing. The simple sight of his eyes and that mocking smirk on his lips was enough to get Aqua to charge forward, keyblade swinging and leaving trails of blue light in its wake-

And do no damage as Xemnas' form became engulfed in shadows that sunk into the ground, moving rapidly behind Aqua. The superior reformed just as quickly as he had vanished, now behind Aqua at arm's length. She whirled around, raising her Bright Crest in an attempt to cut him across his chest-

Xemnas deflected her blow when he thrust his right arm out, his whole arm engulfed in that blue and black energy, all of it gathering at the center of his palm and then discharging in a single beam of power that shot out and struck Aqua directly in her chest as Xemnas roared, "Kneel!". She grit her jaw down to stifle her cry. There was no pain but now she could feel a strange icy sensation slithering throughout her whole body.

She staggered back, the energy stream encircling her whole body, and then branching out in three smaller streams that formed into glowing black crystals, the symbol of the Organization inside them. Aqua looked around wildly at the three crystals, seeing them beginning to circle her slowly. As they did, more energy traveled from the beams connecting Aqua to the crystals. As they did, Aqua felt her strength beginning to wane. It wasn't much, but she could feel it. And it was growing.

Xemnas lowered his arm, his sneer triumphant. Before Aqua could think to attack him, shadows engulfed his form and glided across the courtyard, slipping under the high gates that blocked the stairway to the castle beyond. But even as he slipped away, Aqua could hear his voice whisper in her ear.

"Come to me…"

Aqua watched as Xemnas' shadow glided atop the castle's highest point, her expression outraged by this cowardly act. She glanced at the crystals encircling her, feeling their draining affects begin to pick up in time with their spinning. Aqua looked back at the top of the castle, seeing Xemnas patiently standing and waiting for her. Glaring up at him enraged, Aqua pulled her arm back and threw her keyblade, Bright Crest becoming a spinning blue blur as it shot towards Xemnas. Her arm moving in the same motion, she slammed her palm down on her armor charm, light bursting off of her body and shattering the black crystals spinning around her as her armor appeared on her. The same light burst from her spinning keyblade and in a flash it became her rider, still shooting towards Xemnas. Aqua crouched and leapt, clearing the distance between herself and the air between her rider, landing on it and gripping the bars.

Gunning the engines, Aqua shot towards Xemnas, a blue trail of light in left in her wake.

Xemnas grinned as he watched Aqua fly towards him, wearing the armor he had returned to her, though he was annoyed when he had seen her keyblade was changed, no longer resembling the blade he had become so familiar with.

As Aqua flew towards him, Xemnas crouched back slightly, his whole body tensing. His fists clenched fiercely, the energy around them discharging and flashing from blue and black to bright red, the energy lengthening out into long blades that extended from his wrists under his palms. Their composition resembled the same ethereal energy that made the petals that heralded Aqua's keyblade. When he was sure she was close enough, Xemnas pushed back and leapt off the castle top, leaping towards Aqua.

Time seemed to slow as they flew at each other.

And then Aqua leapt off her rider, curling and flipping through the air, her rider flashing and becoming her keyblade Bright Crest as it reappeared in her hand. The armored maiden swung her keyblade as she and Xemnas met in midair-

And the silver haired Nobody simply dodged by flipping over her, his ethereal blades vanishing. Xemnas floated over Aqua, smirking as he imagined the look of surprise hidden behind her helm. His right hand reached out, the knuckles of his index and middle fingers caressing her helmets cheek.

And then he went limp, falling back down below as his form became engulfed in shadows to cushion his fall down to the castle courtyard below.

Aqua watched him fall, and indeed she had looked surprised behind her helm. But her shock turned back into fury as Xemnas reformed, his smirk never wavering. He raised his arm up, extending his hand to Aqua. Bellowing enraged, Aqua twisted her body and shot down after Xemnas. She landed, on her feet but hard, falling to her knees, but managed to keep her Bright Crest raised and pointed at Xemnas. The Superior watched as her armor vanished in a burst of sparks and Aqua rose up, never letting her blade waver. Xemnas flexed his hands open, sparks discharging between his fingers as his ethereal blades reappeared, growing from his wrists into long sparking red blades.

Neither moved. Aqua didn't let her eyes wander, keeping them locked on Xemnas. She didn't need to think about where she now stood, couldn't afford too. But still she found herself recalling that little girl's smile.

Xemnas suddenly spoke up, his tone as dry and deep as ever. And still mocking. Xemnas, "It's not too late my dear. We don't have to do this."

Aqua gripped her blade tightly. Aqua, "I told you to stop talking nonsense."

Xemnas sneered at her, scoffing in derision.

Xemnas, "Then so be it."

And then he slowly began walking towards Aqua, his footsteps making no sounds save for the occasional sizzle from his blades as rain touched them. Aqua held her ground firmly even as Xemnas began to run towards her. The Superior charged forward, spinning his body as he swung his blades out, jumping and kicking his leg out to strike Aqua across her chest, aiming for her neck. But Aqua was faster, leaning back and parrying a thrust of Xemnas' left blade, sparks rising where her keyblade and his ethereal blade met. Xemnas then swung his right blade out and Aqua deflected that one as well and thrust her left hand against his chest, her hand glowing as she released a Thunder spell directly into his body. Xemnas shook once as the glowing yellow sparks traveled through and out his body. But once the spell had dissipated, Aqua looked up into his face.

He stared back emotionlessly, unaffected by her spell at all.

Aqua felt her face pale slightly. Xemnas sneered and with inhuman strength freed his right blade from hers, twisting his body as he did and swept his leg out as Aqua reeled from the sudden motion, tripping her up and off her feet, and as she flew through the air Xemnas swung his left blade out, striking Aqua across her exposed back. The water maiden let out a cry of pain as she spun in the air before roughly landing on her side, her back flaring up in pain beyond description. His blades burned but left the skin numb, frozen and sensitive to the slightest touch of rainwater.

She pushed herself up on her hands while still holding her Bright Crest and looked up just in time to see Xemnas sliding on his knees towards her as he swung his left blade towards her face and neck. Aqua pushed against the ground hard and narrowly jumped over his weapon, landing back on the ground with a grunt of pain as Xemnas continued to slide a few feet behind her, though she knew he would be getting back up in an instant to continue his assault.

Aqua forced herself to rise up first and turned around as she charged forward, thrusting her keyblade out. But Xemnas spun in place while thrusting his elbow up and out, colliding with Aqua's arm and deflecting her blow, completing his spin as Aqua staggered forward, unable to stop herself and a scream tore loose from her lips as Xemnas slashed her across her back with his ethereal blade once again, crossing over the invisible wound he had already left. No doubt if his weapons had been capable of truly cutting her, Aqua would have a huge, bloody 'X' across her back. Aqua whirled around, trying to swing her Bright Crest but Xemnas was still moving faster than her.

He charged forward before suddenly leaping and curling his body and once his spin leap was completed, thrust both of his legs out, his black boots colliding into her chest with enough force to send Aqua flying back all the way down the stairs and into the gate that blocked the castle off from the town courtyard. And even the metal gate couldn't stop Aqua's propelled body and it burst off its hinges, flying back with her. Aqua and the gate landed directly in the center of the courtyard's flowers and the water maiden let out a pathetic groan.

Xemnas calmly walked down the stairs, the sparks around his blades where they connected to his wrists flashing erratically.

Aqua forced herself to stand back up, pausing to shake her head and try to clear the daze left over from the Superior's brutal assault. She looked up towards the steps and saw he was already standing by the ruined gate, his blades still out and sparking menacingly. Aqua noticed he was still pretty far away. She had a chance.

Thrusting her keyblade out, the wave like tips of Bright Crest glowed brightly, forming into a small orb of swirling color. Xemnas paused, watching curiously.

Aqua let the power grown and then released it, her keyblade shooting the seven multi-colored beams of Prism Rain. All seven beams were shooting directly toward Xemnas at speeds that guaranteed even he couldn't dodge them all. Aqua watched tensely as the Superior stood his ground, his smirk never wavering.

And then he dispelled his ethereal blades in a burst of blue and black while thrusting his arms up and out, palms up and with a cry of "Guard!", Aqua watched the red checkered square barrier appear between Xemnas and her beams, the magical attacks striking the barrier and exploding, creating smoke but failing to even crack the Superior's shield. The smoke cleared just as Xemnas' barrier flashed, turning a vibrant electric blue before fading away entirely. Aqua watched in growing fury as Xemnas stepped forward, his smirk ever present and raised his right hand, wagging his finger in mock disproval. He then clenches his fist, his ethereal blade reappearing in a burst of sparks.

Aqua tensed.

But Xemnas didn't move at first. Instead, he slowly made a circular motion in front of himself with the arm the ethereal blade had formed from. And as he did, the blade sparked wildly, and the air was filled with glowing red orbs in the blades' wake. Xemnas completed his circle, thirteen red orbs filling the air in front of him, his empty hand now in the center of the glowing orbs. His fingers flexed open and he thrust his palm forward. The orbs flashed, turning into thirteen floating copies of his ethereal blades and all launched forward as burning red beams.

Aqua gasped and quickly shielded her arms across her body, light flashing around herself as her Reflect Barrier appeared around herself just as the shooting beams reach her. Aqua grunts with each resounding impact, the blades striking one after another in rapid succession and lets out a frightened gasp when one of them manages to crack her shield and then she cries out as the final beam shatters her Reflect Barrier completely, sending her stumbling back in a slight daze.

Aqua didn't even have a chance to blink as Xemnas' form was once more engulfed in shadows, rapidly moving across the courtyard and slipping behind her all in the same second. The water maiden froze when she felt Xemnas' icy breath fanning the back of her neck, tingling the numb skin where his blades had struck her back. She heard the familiar crackle of energy and knew he had re-summoned his ethereal blades.

Whirling around, Aqua swung her keyblade out, hoping to strike Xemnas across and through his neck but the Superior still proved to be the faster as he swept his left blade out, deflecting her blow and quickly followed up with a slash from his right blade, knocking Aqua back with a cry of pain, red sparks clinging to her stomach from where the blade had struck. Aqua staggered back, allowing Xemnas to grab her by the back of her neck and throw her back down into the courtyard below. Aqua cried out but thankfully her fall was cushioned by some of the flowers in a bed of them she had landed in. Forcing herself up on her hands and knees, Aqua looked back and saw Xemnas slowly walking back down towards her, ethereal blades sparking dangerously. Thrusting her Bright Crest forward, Aqua unleashed a salvo of lighting spells from the blade's tip.

Once more Xemnas merely dispelled his blades and thrust his palms forward with a cry of "Guard!", his checkered barrier deflecting them easily. But by the time the barrier flashed over and Xemnas lowered his hands, Aqua had rose to her feet and thrust her keyblade into the air. Aqua screamed, "Fire!", and her keyblade shot a burning spark into the sky that grew into a massive sphere of flames. As soon as it reached a sufficient size smaller orbs of flame began to branch off and launch themselves at Xemnas.

The Superior scowled as his barrier vanished and he saw the missiles of fire shooting towards him. Becoming a blur of spinning black, silver and flashing red, Xemnas charged forward in a lethal flurry of spins, slashes and a kick as he charged at Aqua while deflecting her fireballs, slashing them aside or just outright dodging them. Aqua jumped back once her spell had reached full power and could sustain itself and her body glowed, magic flowing through her so powerfully that she was able to suspend herself in midair, her whole form glowing an icy blue as she spun in place, Bright Crest thrust back into the air as she called, "Freeze!", and gales of frost blew from all four corners, the ice zeroing in on Xemnas.

The Superior's charge slowed as clumps of ice formed around his legs, quickly appearing on his arms and shoulders as well, his legs completely freezing and forcing him to come to a slow halt as the ice built over him, forming into a huge glacier. But never once during his freezing did he let his flaming eyes waver from Aqua, who could only watch tensely as he became entrapped in ice.

The spell died down, though Xemnas remained trapped inside the glacier that had formed around him, his body frozen in place, his orange eyes still locked onto Aqua.

The water maiden panted from the effort of performing both of those high level spells in a row, her shoulders hunched, keyblade lax by her side. She gripped the hilt tightly, forcing herself to remain standing as she quickly cast a Cure spell, though the healing magic failed to really help at all with the invisible wounds left over by Xemnas' ethereal blades, the skin numb and sensitive. Aqua forced herself to look back at her frozen foe. Her grip on her Bright Crest was so tight it shook, her knuckles white.

This was her only chance. She had to end this now before he found a way to free himself, which could be any moment. Aqua took in several deep breaths as she raised her keyblade, aligning the blade with Xemnas' chest. Unbidden and unwilling, Aqua found her eyes meeting his again, sapphire blue staring into flaming orange.

Her hand shook unsteadily. Her gaze became uncertain as her eyes lingered on his face and the shakes running down her arm became more intense. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. Aqua knew she had to do this. She had to stop him, no matter the cost-

Crack.

Her thoughts were broken by the sudden sound and Aqua gasped when she saw a large, ugly crack running across the glacier's surface, directly over Xemnas' face. This was quickly followed by a series of more cracks, all of them starting around his arms but quickly spread over the entire surface of the glacier. Aqua watched in horror, unable to act in time as Xemnas' eyes blinked behind the ice and then he smirked before his whole body flashed an electric blue and the glacier exploded into hundreds of thousands tiny shards of ice.

Aqua instinctively threw her arms over herself, her Reflect Barrier appearing and taking the brunt of the larger shard while the smaller ones disintegrated on impact. Aqua lowered her barrier, watching in shock as Xemnas calmly walked out of the steam, his whole body covered in a glowing blue/white aura. Smoke rose up around his legs and Aqua's eyes quickly glanced down, widening when she saw the Superior had stepped onto a bed of flowers and upon contact with the flower dried up and lost all their color as the strange aura seemed to drain the life out of them.

Aqua looked back up at Xemnas, seeing strange trails of black and white thorns now traveling over his form. He sneered at Aqua and spoke up, voice as dry as ever. Xemnas, "A good try my dear, and indeed, you would have won…had your heart not held you back."

With that infuriating sneer still plastered on his face, Xemnas swept his arms out and the glowing aura around him flared up, turning into a large sphere of burning blue light that surrounded his whole body. The raw power of it was enough to send a gust of wind at Aqua, pushing her back as she crossed her arms over herself futilely. The Superior's glowing form began to hover over the ground and several beams of blue light began to form off of the sphere's surface, two large ones growing from Xemnas' hands, right where his ethereal beams should have been. Wherever the beams touched, the ground, flowers and even the air seemed to be drained of all energy, the flowers dying, the ground corroding and the air burned away as fuel for his terrifying power.

Xemnas' voice echoed all around her, mixed in with the hum of his sphere of power.

"The heart…such a truly marvelous thing…"

Aqua found herself backing up, eyes wide. Never in her life had she seen such a display of raw power. But…

Whatever this power was, it was neither light or darkness.

Xemnas went on, his voice still echoing around her in the surreal realm.

"They are scarred by envy… burn with hatred and passion…And because of these emotions, they hold sway over you…"

His sneer morphed into a triumphant smirk.

Xemnas, "But…when you have completed my Kingdom Hearts…the heart will not hold these…emotions…over me…I will hold sway over them."

The Superior of the In-Between extended his arm out, slowly clenching it into a fist.

"For you see…hearts are the source of all power…and Kingdom Hearts…is the greatest source of power in this universe…and it will only be completed…with me."

Aqua looked upon Xemnas' ethereal form, her expression blank. What she said next shocked him into a brief silence.

"You're right. Hearts are the source of ones power…it gives strength to those who thought they had none…but it is you who are wrong on one account this time, Xehanort."

The utterance of his old name made Xemnas' orange eyes flash red but he did not speak, and seemed to be leaning closer in, almost eager to hear her revelation.

Aqua clasped her hand over the silver Mark of Mastery badge that lay over her chest, feeling the strong beat of her own heart. Her eyes closed briefly, then she opened them, glaring back at Xemnas.

Aqua, "The heart itself is not the source of power…but the emotions from it! The darkness may come and even consume it…but…deep down…there is a light…"

Aqua swept her hand out as she made her final declaration.

"That will never go out!"

Xemnas' gazed back at Aqua, his face blank once more.

Xemnas, "How disappointing. It seems I must open your eyes…to the truth, I've come upon…"

And then his floating, glowing form began to move, leaving a trail of dead flowers, corroded stone and burned air as Xemnas cleared the distance between himself and Aqua, his sphere of power both a shield and sword.

The water maiden stepped back, but her eyes never wavered. Crossing her arms over herself, the air around her began to flicker and burn as well, smoke and sparks beginning to encircle her, moving faster and faster each second, the sparks becoming orbs of fire and when Aqua swept her arms out with a cry of "Burn!" three pillars of fire erupted around her, the columns of flame encircling her. Aqua met Xemnas' glare, the fire swirling around her, her blue locks rising slightly, and the red glow reflected off of her eyes, giving them a glow light and strength.

Xemnas found himself suddenly breathless as he watched Aqua rise slightly, her form levitating from her own magic and the power of the pillars of flame.

Aqua, "I'll show you the power of my heart! These flames are fueled by my emotions…the same emotions you claim make me weak!"

Aqua pointed her Bright Crest at Xemnas through her fire. "I'll show you their real power!"

Xemnas did not respond, only grinned at her in mad anticipation, his eyes glowing bright red as his sphere of power moved him closer and closer, moving faster than before. Aqua floated off the ground and lunged forward, sweeping her keyblade out in a slash as the pillars of flame circled around even faster as she charged at Xemnas. The Superior met the water maiden's charge head on, the two meeting in the center of the courtyard meeting in a manner of seconds-

In the same split-second that Xemnas' barrier collided with Aqua's circling pillars of flame there was a massive explosion, and a strange black and red sparking smoke engulfed the center of the area. A moment later, Aqua was flung out of the smoke, striking the ground hard and letting out a pained whimper, her body rolling once before she settled on her front. Aqua's whole body was badly cut and her clothes were burned in several places, her sleeves almost completely torn off. Blood marred her beautiful face and she weakly looked back towards the smoke.

The smoke parted slowly, and there was no sound as Xemnas emerged from the black and red mist, his smirk still plastered on his face. He was completely unharmed, and the only signs that Aqua's attack had managed to pierce through his barrier was a spot of gray ash on his shoulder. The Superior calmly brushed it away.

Still sneering down at Aqua, Xemnas spoke once more. "A valiant effort, my dear. But utterly futile." He extended his arm out once again, slowly clenching it into a fist, all the while speaking. "Your heart…how I desire it…Such power…in something so frail…"

The smoke began to swirl around his form and Xemnas held his other arm out, flexing it slowly with dramatic flair.

"You have come this far…only to stumble and fall as you reached the end…but I will grant you this final truth…my revelation…"

The smoke consumed his form and dissipated seconds later. Xemnas was gone. But his voice echoed around her.

"We are conceived in cool, soothing darkness…and the birthed into a world of bright and hateful light…and then, in death, we return to this darkness…"

Aqua looked around slowly, panting as blood dripped down her cheeks, one eye closed as blood dribbled into it, blinding her slightly. And then she slowly looked up.

Floating in midair, his hands sparking blue and black arcs of power, Xemnas stared down on her with his burning orange eyes. His look was clear, peaceful…almost serene. He spoke one last time, his voice echoing all around her.

"I will tear down the oppressive walls of light that surround all worlds…and in the empire I will forge through Kingdom Hearts…"

He moved his hands closer together, the sparks of energy arcing, whipping against each other and forming a sphere that grew between his hands, the growing orb completely white yet surrounded by black and blue aura of darkness. Grinning in triumph, the Superior of the In-Between thrust his hands into the air, and with them the sphere. It rose away from his hands under its own power and it flashed brightly, radiating a strange ethereal blue glow-

-Before multiple streams and lines of pure darkness branched off, completely covering the area in moments and stealing away all light. Aqua watched helplessly as Xemnas stole every iota and spark of light from the courtyard, leaving her surrounded by absolute darkness on all sides. The only thing she could still see were his eyes…

They burned like fire, never wavering or flickering as he kept his gaze locked on her.

And then she finally heard it.

The sound of his laughter, flat, but loud, echoing all around her.

Mocking her.

Trapping her.

"There will be no such thing…as light…"

Aqua stood stone still, her whole body suddenly freezing cold in a combination of awe and fear. Above her, Xemnas raised his hands out and the darkness around them both flickered and shifted. Then it slowly began to burn a bright red.

Aqua stared straight up into the darkness, no longer able to see Xemnas at all.

And then fell to her knees.

The water maiden bowed her head in submission.

And admitted defeat.

It's hopeless, she thought, her eyes closed.

I don't have the strength to defeat him…He outclasses me and everyone and everything I've ever fought…

Letting out a strangled choke, Aqua jammed her Bright Crest into the ground in front of her, gripping the bottom of the hilt guard with both hands as she kneeled against it, her eyes closed fiercely as she fought back tears. To come this far, to get this close…

And all for naught.

Terra…Ven…What should I do?

But of course…there was no response.

Aqua lay trapped in darkness, the shadows shifting, more streams beginning to turn a bright vibrant red…

And then…

There was a faint white glow.

Aqua blinked, her eyes opening and closing rapidly from the sudden light despite its dimness.

The glow emanated from her keyblade, no…

The star charm that hung from the clothe that tied it too her keyblade.

Aqua watched as her charm's glow grew brighter and brighter…

And then the glow spread through the cloth and into her Bright Crest, making the entire keyblade glow bright white tinted with a shade of blue.

Aqua stumbled to her feet, staring down at her glowing in keyblade in shock.

Very slowly, Aqua reached out with her right hand, her fingers slipping over the hilt before closing over it.

As soon as her hand grasped her keyblade, a warmth spread through her whole body, starting at her hand and spreading all over body, settling strongly at her heart.

And the glow of light that started around her charm spread over Aqua herself, her whole form glowing radiantly.

A new strength filled the water maiden. Aqua stared at her keyblade for another moment, her face registering a mixture of emotions. Shock, awe, confusion…

But soon they were all overshadowed by determination, Aqua's eyes becoming hard as she looked back up.

Her glowing form only barely managed to pierce through the darkness, allowing her to see her surroundings but not much. Aqua gazed back up at her foe, willing the light around her to let her vision pierce through the darkness for just a moment. And slowly, she began to make out his form.

Her eyes widened.

The Superior floated above her, directly in the center of the air, his arms swept wide out, sparks of energy crackling between his fingers. His upper body glowed in that ethereal bright blue aura and the aura pulsated each passing second as the areas of red grew in the darkness. His eyes were closed shut, his brow furrowed, jaw gritting down harshly in complete concentration.

Aqua stared up at him, confused.

And then she realized.

He had not seen nor sensed the light that appeared from her charm.

Too enwrapped in preparation for his final assault, Xemnas had assumed Aqua had simply given up. The lord of Nobodies had thought his victory assured.

For this arrogance…

Xemnas was off guard.

Vulnerable.

This was her one and only chance.

Aqua looked at her glowing Bright Crest, the light radiating from it continuing to fill her with warmth and strength.

But would it be enough?

Extending her blade out, Aqua closed her eyes, and gathered all of her willpower. The glow around the blade intensified while the glow around Aqua diminished. Aqua grit her teeth down, gripping her keyblade with both hands, her arms shaking as the glow of light burned brighter and brighter, illuminating through the darkness like a second sun.

So great was the intensity of the pure, white light that Xemnas' eyes snapped open as soon as he felt its warmth touch him.

Almost instantly he threw up his hands over his face to shield them from the lights burn, Xemnas letting out a cry of shock and pain.

The Superior of the In-Between forced his arms to lower slowly, his burning orange eyes squinting as they fought to see through the foul, blinding light.

Xemnas, "What? What…is this?"

His voice was a low hiss of contempt, too low to be heard by anyone.

And that's why it came as a great surprise when Aqua answered his question.

"It is what you claimed did not truly exist. It is the power you swore was too weak to accomplish anything."

Her voice was loud and strong, and like the light burning from her keyblade, it pierced through to his very core. Xemnas eyes widened in shock as he finally forced his eyes to look past the light…

…staring straight down on Aqua as she glowed with the same light from her keyblade.

Xemnas could only stare in utter and complete shock.

Where is this light coming from? Her heart didn't burn with this intensity…so where? WHERE?

Aqua firmly grasped her Bright Crest, her ocean blue eyes looking straight up to glare into Xemnas' hateful orange.

Aqua, "Superior…this is what the heart truly is…"

And then the Keyblade Master thrust her weapon into the air, the wave like tips flashing their brightest. Xemnas swept his arms over his face once more at the same time his ears picked up the sound of rushing air and the burn of raw power. Aqua's voice rose over all else though.

"Light."

Xemnas lowered his arms in a fierce swipe, forcing his eyes to open even as the light blinded them once more. He blinked rapidly, trying to see past the light. Wait, he thought in realization.

The light was no longer radiating from the ground below-

But concentrated in the air around him.

Xemnas watched in a combination of disbelief, fascination and a feeling he couldn't place, or even remember, as the light began to concentrate even further, condescending down into eight identical forms.

Orbs.

Xemnas was surrounded by eight orbs of light, circling him in varying heights in a spiral fashion.

So caught up in his nameless and forgotten state, Xemnas never saw a bright flash behind him as Aqua appeared floating in midair, directly behind one of the orbs. Her Bright Crest was drawn and pulled back for a mighty swing-

The blade connected and the orb flew through the air, clearing the short distance between itself and Xemnas and slammed into his back, vanishing into his body.

The Superior of the In-Between tossed back his head and let out a howl of agony.

He staggered in midair, his back burning in intense and complete utter pain.

A glow began to spread from the part of his back where the orb had struck.

Xemnas whirled around towards the origin of his agony, his enraged orange eyes just catching a faint flash of blue and white light-

And then he screamed again as another orb struck him, this time on his side and produced an equal amount of that same burning pain. Once more, his agonized body began to glow from the attack, the strange white glow spreading a little faster.

Xemnas weakly floated, his right arm extended out while his left clutched his chest, his arm shaking as he attempted to summon an ethereal blade to defend himself.

That thought was quickly replaced with more and more growing agony as a third orb of light struck him, this time in his chest.

Xemnas didn't scream this time.

The pain was only slightly dulled by the shock of seeing Aqua floating in front of him, her whole body glowing with pure white light. The blue of her eyes and hair had taken an almost translucent flair and the way her body glided so gracefully…

She had become water personified.

Xemnas stared at her, his flaming eyes wide, jaw hanging open.

Aqua didn't spare him a second glance as she vanished in a flash of white and blue once more, only leaving a trail of sparks in her place.

Xemnas gasped, then he began looking around wildly, trying to see where she would reappear-

His answer hit him in his left side this time and Xemnas grunted before rapidly swinging his right arm out, sparks of power bursting from his hand as he fired a three round salvo of his ethereal blades, all of them aimed for Aqua.

But the water maiden merely teleported out of their line of fire and reappeared above Xemnas and behind the fifth orb. Aqua swung her keyblade out, sending the orb fling into Xemnas' upper right shoulder and knocking him back a few feet in the air.

The Superior attempted to right himself but stopped, his eyes widening once more once he glanced at his shoulder. Finally he saw what the orbs were doing to his body, the glow they had left behind having spread all over his torso and beginning to work its way up his neck towards his face and down his arms and legs. The Superior of the In-Between could only look over himself in utter shock, that strange feeling making a resurgence. This time he could almost remember what it was called…

But he didn't have a chance to think over it any more as Aqua teleported twice more, sending two more orbs of light crashing into his agonized body.

Xemnas could only float there, his whole form beginning to glow a pure white, light radiating from his form this time but it did not empower him like it did Aqua, but weaken him entirely. All he could do was tilt his head back as the glow spread up his neck and towards his face-

This time his eyes did not widen when he saw her.

The water maiden floated high over Xemnas, the final orb directly under her. She gripped her wave forged keyblade with both hands and had the weapon pulled back for one final swing.

The Superior gazed up at her and when he saw the calm, collected look on her beautiful face, he finally remembered the name of this strange and alien feeling inside him, a feeling he could only remember feeling once before. And only when he had seen this look as she had glared at him, ten years ago in this courtyard.

Fear.

Aqua stared down on Xemnas, masking her face with a calm she did not feel at all. Inside her heart was literally tearing itself to pieces with each strike she had been forced to deliver and seeing the true, utter agony she had inflicted upon the imposter wearing her friend's face.

Gathering the last of all her strength, Aqua whispered softly, and still Xemnas heard her:

"Farewell."

And then she swung with all her strength, striking the final orb and sending it crashing into Xemnas, directly into the center of his chest, the light of the orb piercing through the flesh and bone and burning through the empty spot his heart had once been.

Xemnas' eyes flashed, his pupils vanishing entirely as they became consumed in light, the same light consuming him utterly and silencing his final scream of pain.

All around the two the false recreation of their first battle began to flash and burn with light as well, particles of blue light rising from ground and falling from the air until the darkness had vanished entirely and was consumed with righteous, hallowed light.

Time slowed and then stood still for Aqua.

She remained floating in the air, watching Xemnas become consumed in pure white light. She closed her eyes, but could not stop a single tear that slipped down her cheek.

Xemnas remained frozen in his pose of pain and rage, his body glowing just as fiercely as the light around him and Aqua…

But then, as Aqua closed her eyes…

Xemnas' mouth closed…

And his lips twisted into a familiar sneer of triumph and ruin.

His lips moved slowly, no words slipping past them but somehow…

He spoke.

"Only now…"

The light flashed, consuming the Superior of the In-Between and the water maiden, but failed to drown his final words.

"Have I truly won."

---

Once more, Aqua found herself surrounded by a haze of bright electric blue. She stumbled through the haze of color, a steady hum ringing through her ears. Very slowly, the glow of light began to fade and the hum began to grow fainter. The water maiden realized that the strange light show Xemnas had performed to teleport them to that surreal battleground was working in reverse this time.

Gradually, her sight began to return and she could hear and feel the rain around her, still going strong. If she knew any better, Aqua would have said that no time had passed since her and Xemnas' duel. Then again, maybe it really hadn't.

Aqua had her left arm raised over her face to shield her eyes from the sudden intensity but she lowered it after the glow faded away entirely, and she knew she stood back atop the white castle's highest peak. Her watery orbs were squinting deeply, almost closed entirely but she could make out the peak around her through the blurriness. Her opening eyes narrowed when she spotted a figure in a black cloak, kneeling in what had to be great pain, only a few feet away. Strangely, there seemed to be mist like streams of miasma rising around him, gathering in a small puddle under his legs.

Aqua lowered her left arm and raised her right, her Bright Crest still gripped tightly in her hand. She aimed the blade at the kneeling, wounded form of Xemnas, though there was no real point. He was defeated, broken. Finishing him off now would be an act of mercy.

Aqua didn't feel very merciful right now though.

Her sight was returning to her faster than ever and she could truly see the kneeling lord of Nobodies at last-

Sapphire orbs widened at the same time her whole body was struck frozen. Her mind went blank and silent.

Aqua simply refused to accept what she had just seen. Her eyes had to be playing tricks on her, or more likely, Xemnas was playing one last desperate gamble.

The figure kneeling before her was just as bloodied and torn up as Aqua looked and felt, collapsed on their knees while a puddle of bubbling shadows slowly grew under him, shifts and streams of shadow rising around his form. But Aqua only noticed the injuries for a brief second. It was his skin and hair that shocked her into such a state.

Hair that had been snowy silver was once more the shade of earthen brown…

Skin that had sported a dark tan was much lighter, much healthier looking…

And then the figure before her raised his bowed head, his eyes meeting hers, weary, confused and in so much pain, more pain than any soul should ever had to have endure.

Cobalt blue met sparkling, teary sapphire. And when he spoke, it was with a voice that had not been heard for ten years.

"Ah…Aqua?"

The water maiden couldn't, wouldn't, respond.

The figure kneeling before her raised one shaking hand, looking at it in confusion upon seeing the black glove covering it. He looked back at Aqua, jaw parted in agonized pants, blood running down his mouth as his arm shook fiercely as he reached out to her.

"Aqua…what…what happened? Where…am I?"

Again, the water maiden could only stare back with wide eyes, refusing to respond. Not that she could get her mouth to work anyway.

The figure's hand fell away, clutching at his chest, his expression a combination of horror and confusion.

"Why…why…can't…I…"

His eyelids drooped suddenly, and the shadows under him began to swirl and gather over him, beginning to consume him entirely.

Aqua snapped out of her disbelief, tears pouring down her eyes when she heard his last word.

"…feel…"

And the darkness consumed him entirely.

"Terra!"

Her scream echoed only briefly around the abyss, quickly mixed in with the sound of metal clattering as her keyblade Bright Crest struck the floor of the castle peak. Aqua raced towards the oval shaped miasma of shadows, her right arm reaching out for her fading friend, her earlier fears and disbeliefs cast aside. No one could fake that pain and confusion with such sincerity.

Aqua felt a great tide of self-loathing for just standing there while Terra lay there in agony, the first thing he had truly felt. Aqua's mind raced as fast as her legs ran towards him, quickly concluding that her final attack had somehow purged Terra's body of Xehanort's last influences, but at the dear cost of the last remaining spark of life. Magic gathered in Aqua' palm, glowing a healthy green. She would heal him, save him this time.

She wouldn't lose him again!

Aqua had reached the swirling oval of darkness, her hand reaching to thrust though it and grab her friend-

Then everything went silent around her as she heard a strange, deep hum of energy-

-And then a crackling beam of electric blue and white burst through the oval, striking Aqua in the chest.

Right at her heart.

Aqua couldn't even scream as icy tendrils of agony raced throughout her whole body, snapping her arms and legs out in a spread eagle fashion as she was flung back through the air only to come to a sudden and painful stop. Aqua floated there, her mouth open in a silent scream of horror and pain, sparks of blue and black energy traveling all over her, numbing her body but at the same time igniting her nerves in an agony she had never experienced before. The pain converged and centered at her chest, right at her heart.

It felt like it was about to be torn beating from her chest.

The swirling miasma of shadows suddenly expanded, though there was no sound as the cloaked figure emerged from them, the crackling of energy mixing in with the falling rain.

'Terra' smirked as he gazed up at Aqua's captured form.

The water maiden forced her eyes to open and look down at her 'friend'.

'Terra' let out a single dry chuckle, before bowing his head and running his left hand over his face. As he did this motion, the shadows behind him swirled over his form, briefly obscuring him.

And then they faded and disappeared just as quickly.

Earthen brown locks returned to their snowy silver.

Skin darkened.

And flaming orange eyes burned into hers, mocking her without a sound.

Xemnas sneered up at Aqua, not a hair out of place or cut on his skin and cloak, his injuries gone and most likely had never been.

Aqua could only stare back as her body was held aloft by this terrible, agonizing power.

His power.

Xemnas let out another single dry chuckle.

"Yet another weakness of the heart I am glad to be without. Those with hearts…cling to this terrible disease…a disease that eventually consumes them alive…"

His sneer returned as he gazed in terrible victory up at Aqua.

Xemnas, "A disease called hope."

Aqua forced her eyes to remain open as she tried to glare back at Xemnas.

All she could manage was to open them, unable to control her pained features.

Every second that passed fueled the pain ripping through her. The agony continued to focus in her chest and every beat of her heart made the pain all the more unbearable.

Xemnas went on, his dry voice rising over the crackle of energy.

Xemnas, "And that hope, however weak, is what led to your defeat. And now, I will administer the only cure to hope…Truth. And that is this: Your friend is gone. His body long submitted, his heart gone…"

He paused suddenly.

"…His will…asleep…"

That last part barely registered to Aqua, though what little confusion it inspired was quickly drowned out by the torrent of agony ripping through.

Xemnas looked thoughtful for a moment.

Then he returned his burning gaze on Aqua.

His sneer returned as the flow of energy running through the beam increased and Aqua jolted in midair, her head tossed back in a scream that died in her throat.

There was an icy vice grip on her heart and she knew now that something was trying to rip it out from her chest.

The agony was both physical and emotional.

Xemnas spoke once more.

"I invite you…to the in-between. Your body and soul…will stand by my side. And your heart…will rest in the palm of my hand."

His orange eyes widened as he grinned emotionlessly at her.

"And you will truly, finally, be mine."

His voice echoed deeply into her mind, soul and heart, adding to the worsening agony as she finally understood he did intend to rip it beating from her.

And she was utterly powerless to stop him. Her keyblade lay fallen under her, her magic drained along with her strength. And her will to keep fighting had been shattered the moment the beam trapping her had struck.

For the young keyblade mistress…

It was over.

Aqua closed her eyes, failing to prevent the tears that she had always held in check for so long. Then again, this monster in her friend's flesh knew what strings to pluck and pull to reduce her to a sobbing ruin. And even now, as she lay in his grasp, her heart only moments from being stolen and claimed, she did not truly hate him.

She could never hate him for being led astray.

Because for one, single moment…

He had fought back.

He had sought forgiveness and redemption.

He had reached for the light.

Aqua coughed and gasped, the icy grip of Xemnas' power stealing her voice but she gathered what little strength she had left.

"T-Te-Ter-"

And then she gasped it out at the same time the grip tightened and pulled at her heart with all its might.

"Terra."

And darkness stole her vision.

---

The Superior felt her will finally break and crumble, her absolute surrender and knew that now was the time to claim what had been his.

He increased the flow of power, gripping her heart tightly. Even through the conduit energy, he could feel its warmth, the strength inside it. Its purity.

Xemnas slowly clenched his fist, increasing the power one last time. His arm tensed-

And the power waned, dissipating in a sudden burst that forced him to slide back.

The Superior staggered, shocked.

Xemnas, "What?'

He watched numbly as Aqua limply fell back down to the ground, landing on her side without a sound, right next to her wave like keyblade.

He stared at the water maiden for another moment before looking at his hand. Sparks of blue and black crackled between his fingers, the power was still there. But what had shattered his conduit? His concentration…

What had broken it?

His confusion morphed into annoyance and he clenched his fist, releasing a burst of sparks. He returned his gaze on Aqua. His glare turned into a suddenly intrigued smirk. While his conduit had been broken…The power was still there and all he would have to do now was walk over to the unconscious water maiden and finish what he started…

With a more personal touch.

His anger forgotten entirely, Xemnas slowly approached Aqua, his right hand raised and flexed open, sparks discharging from his palm.

But he only took a few steps when he suddenly stopped, orange eyes widening.

Xemnas looked at his left arm which had begun to shake and tremble, starting at his hand and soon traveling up the entire limb. Before his horrified eyes, his left arm began to glow with a golden light. The arm shook and jerked on its own accord and Xemnas desperately lunged out, grabbing it by his left hands' wrist. He struggled with his suddenly possessed limb.

Xemnas didn't have time to even wonder what in all the worlds was happened when the glow around his arm began to spread throughout his whole body, covering him in a golden aura. Xemnas struggled, his eyes wide with confusion and horror. His own body was struggling against his will; he could barely take another step forward or back.

Grunting and gasping, Xemnas' whole body suddenly snapped rigid, his gaze locked forward.

On Aqua.

Xemnas continued to struggle against the strange power that gripped him, his orange eyes wide with fury.

So close to his prize…He would not be denied now!

Once more, his left arm came alive on its' own accord. It rose up, his gloved hand extending out.

Towards Aqua.

Xemnas then felt his lips move on their own accord. His shock intensified when a familiar voice spoke, the same voice Aqua had not heard in ten years…

This time under its own power.

What little the lost and broken soul had left.

"Aqua…"

Shadows swirled and gathered from all corners. Moving towards Aqua's prone body, gliding under her smoothly.

Xemnas understood in an instant. His eyes widened as the voice finished:

"For…give…me…"

And then the hand clenched and the shadows lurched, rising over Aqua and consuming her, dragging her into its murky depths.

Xemnas' eyes widened and flashed red. He screamed, "NO!" and the golden aura around his body shattered, returning control to him. He raced forward, left arm still extended out, reaching for Aqua, his orange eyes catching a faint glimpse of the perfect, pale skin of her arm as she sunk completely into the puddle of shadows. Without any hesitation or real fear, Xemnas lunged down, diving into the puddle after her.

And then he was falling through infinite darkness.

The Superior of the In-Between only took a second to right himself, his flaming eyes catching glimpse of blue falling deep below him and then he lunged down once again, diving towards the limp body of his maiden.

Yes, his.

He had dreamed of her for ten years. He had held onto her charm. He had returned the armor and her keyblade.

He had guided her, protected her…

Mine, he thought with a snarl, uttering the word over and over again in his mind.

Mine.

Mine.

MINE!

Xemnas thrust his arm out, his fingers reaching for her. He was already half way towards her, quickly clearing that as well. She had slipped from his grasp only once before.

Once too many.

His triumphant smirk returned as he suddenly found himself next to her, his hand only mere centimeters away from touching her-

And then a faint flash of light pierced through the infinite darkness.

Xemnas' eyes snapped shut, not from the sudden flash but because his descending body came to a brief and sudden halt, a grunt slipping past his lips. He attempted to right himself, but something was holding him with a grip of steel, trapping his right arm while his left was still free, though it hung limp over something hard and cold. Xemnas shook his head, eyes blinking rapidly-

They caught sight of black glass and blue and white steel.

Xemnas stared into the visor like face of Aqua's armor, the suit holding him in place.

The Superior had no words.

He could only watch numbly.

Small sparks of light trailed upwards, past his face captured in an expression of numb horror. And recognition.

Xemnas' burning orange eyes watched the sparks rise from Aqua's prone body, the maiden floating peacefully, her eyes still closed, her keyblade Bright Crest gripped in her right hand.

Then her sapphire eyes opened.

They were dull, flat stones.

She gazed dispassionately up at Xemnas.

Then, she extended her right hand out, and without a word from either her or Xemnas, she slipped her keyblade into his outstretched hand.

Returning his gift to him.

Her hand started to pull away, but paused as her fingers brushed the cloth connecting her blue star charm to the keyblade. She traced the cloth for a moment, Xemnas following her movements with his eyes. Then, with a sudden movement, Aqua ripped the cloth off and with it, her charm.

The effect was instant.

The wave shaped keyblade flashed white once, then its form shifted, returning to its familiar form of Rain Storm, only its surface was pitted and beaten, the color dull and faded.

Xemnas could only watch with forced restrain as Aqua carefully pulled her arm back, her hand that held the charm coming to rest on her chest. Over her heart.

The heart he had tried to claim for himself.

Aqua turned her gaze up to Xemnas, her watery eyes still flat and dull, lifeless.

Her lips moved slowly, though no sound could be heard in this void.

Xemnas' eyes widened.

His face twisted into a mask of rage as he started to move-

Only for his body to suddenly be propelled backwards and up, away from the infinite darkness of the void.

And the water maiden who continued to fall…fall…

Down into the darkness.

---

Just as suddenly, he was back atop his tower, on his back, the heavy weight of the armor no longer holding him in place.

Xemnas blinked, his eyes looking heavenward, rain still falling from the dark clouds.

He slowly rose to a crouch, surveying his surroundings.

The armor rested a few feet away, lying on its side lifelessly as it had before.

Xemnas blinked, then looked down at his left hand. He was still clutching the dull and powerless Rain Storm between his fingers. Rising slowly to his feet, Xemnas stared at the blade for a long time. As he did, his arm began to shake and tremble once more, but not due to a power attempting to exert control.

But from barely restrained rage.

Xemnas threw the useless keyblade down onto the ground, watching it bounce, then fall and spin towards the equally useless armor.

He stood there, panting fiercely, shoulders hunched.

In his mind, he kept replaying the image of Aqua's lips moving silently.

She had not spoken…

But he had understood her message.

"I will never be yours…" The water maiden had declared.

And now she never would be. Having willingly plunged back into the Realm of Darkness once more, Xemnas doubted he would ever find her again, even if he sent an entire legion of Nobodies to scout the Realm.

She would just avoid, or outright, destroy them.

She had slipped from his fingers once again.

This time for good.

The Superior of the In-Between stood there, under the pouring rain, his false rage, the only emotion he could truly remember and recreate welling up, building and building, all the while mixing with a feeling he couldn't place. All he knew was this feeling filled him with an unfamiliar pain, worse than any wound ever inflicted upon him. He clutched at his chest, his fingers digging into the front of his cloak.

His scar…ached.

The feelings of rage, the nameless, painful ache and the growing pain of his scar continued to mix together and build, climbing higher and higher, until…

Xemnas tossed back his head and screamed.

It was a primal scream of pure fury for being denied what he had felt was his by right…

And the scream of a lost soul, this one filled with the pain and anguish over the loss of a dear friend.

Xemnas' scream of rage and anguish was joined in by a mighty crash of thunder and burst of lightning…

But not even the gods wrath could drown out his own.

---

Puddles of rain began to gather around and mix with broken shards of glass and even chips of steel, Xigbar noted as he surveyed Saix's ruined arena.

The Freeshooter had arrived about ten minutes ago, with a sullen Gambler of Fate who he had left in the Grey Area. Xigbar had to admit a non-talkative Luxord might be a serious sign of how injured the Gambler's pride was.

Not that he really cared.

Xigbar slowly approached the unconscious and fallen Luna Diviner, smirking at the sight of Saix's beaten body.

Xigbar, "Not so tough now, are you puppy?"

Saix, of course, wasn't fit to respond.

Xigbar allowed himself one last smirk before turning slowly, watching without surprise as a Corridor of Darkness rose and formed, Xaldin stepping free from the shadows to greet the Freeshooter.

Xaldin, "So, you found Luxord?"

Xigbar rolled his single eye. "He was there in the Grey Area last time I checked. You find Demyx?"

The Whirlwind Lancer nodded, then frowned upon noticing Saix's fallen body. Xaldin looked back at Xigbar, asking, "Is he…?"

Xigbar sighed sadly. Xigbar, "Nope. You'd think by now she would at least try to off one of us."

Xaldin looked over the room's damage. Xaldin, "She really is here…"

Xigbar shrugged. "Of course." His smirk returned as he turned, looking out the ruined window and up at Kingdom Hearts.

Xigbar, "She's made it this far, so it's the only real conclusion. She'll confront the boss man…"

He trailed off. Xaldin cocked his head slightly, waiting for Xigbar to continue. When the Freeshooter didn't, Xaldin looked over the ruined room, before his gaze settled on Saix's body.

Xaldin, "She may have enough power to even defeat the Superior…"

While Xaldin had muttered this under his breath, his words still reached Xigbar's ears. The Freeshooter let out a scoff of derision. "Defeat the Superior? As if!"

Xigbar rounded on Xaldin, mocking smirk plastered on his scarred face. Xigbar, "She may beaten all of us, but we're nothing compared to the Superior! The little girl is probably already begging for mercy if she dared to challenge the Superior."

Xaldin nodded as Xigbar turned his back to him again, smiling a secret little grin.

"But I doubt it has come to that," The Freeshooter whispered to himself, Xaldin none the wiser. "After all…they have a unique…relationship."

Xaldin gave Xigbar a look, hearing the Freeshooter mumbling, but unable to decipher his words.

Xigbar suddenly turned back to face Xaldin. Xigbar, "Have more faith in the Superior, Xaldin."

He smirked, good naturedly.

"There's no way that little girl could even put a scratch on him."

Xaldin stared back at Xigbar, his own lips curling into a sinister smirk as well.

And then a loud crack of thunder accompanied by the greatest flash of lightning yet broke through the clouds, the noise and light actually making Xigbar and Xaldin jump and whirl around, looking out the ruined window.

They both took a single step towards the window when a second sound rose over the raging storm. The sound chilled the two Nobodies to their bones, freezing them were they stood, the color draining from their faces. It was a sound they both knew all to well.

A scream of rage.

Xigbar looked back at Xaldin, his amber eye wide, jaw dropped slightly. Without a word or order from Xigbar, Xaldin waved his hand out, and the shadows gathered and rose, calling a Corridor of Darkness open. Abandoning the fallen Saix and his ruined arena, Xigbar and Xaldin rushed through the Corridor.

The miasma swelled then shrunk, dissipating back into slithering lines of shadow that raced away, past Saix's body and out through the broken window, pouring down the castle walls.

They looked no different from the falling rain.

---

Not even a minute had passed when a second Corridor rose up at the bas of the stairs that led to Xemnas' peak, and Xigbar burst through the shadows first, quickly followed by Xaldin, both emerging into the rainstorm but ignoring it entirely. As the two ran up the stairs, taking two at a time, they quickly summoned their weapons, ready to come to their leader's aid. Xigbar reached the top first, right arm thrusting out to point his arrowgun at-

The kneeling figure of Xemnas, his face buried in his right hand… and a blue and gray colored suit of feminine armor, its' outstretched gauntlet resting near the hilt of an all too familiar keyblade.

Xigbar blinked, instantly leveling his weapon at the armor and the fallen maiden he knew was inside it. But even as he focused on the armor, he realized it was pointless. The armor was broken in certain places, pieces of it scattered. The broken areas revealed no occupant inside.

The Freeshooter lowered his weapon just as Xaldin raced up beside him, all six lances ready to impale the source of his leader's scream. But when he saw Xigbar lower his weapon and then the empty armor, Xaldin looked between his leader, the armor and Xigbar, more confused than ever. Xaldin, "Xigbar, what-"

The Freeshooter silenced him by dispelling his weapon and then taking a few steps forward, approaching their kneeling leader.

As he did, Xigbar spoke up. "Boss man? Hey, lord Superior."

The lord of Nobodies made no move to indicate he had heard his servant, his face still hidden behind his hand.

Xigbar swallowed. Behind him, Xaldin watched nervously, his face pale, dreadlocks sticking to his head as the rain continued to fall down on him and Xigbar. Taking a few more steps, but still keeping a safe distance away, Xigbar swallowed again before asking, in a very small voice, "Xemnas?"

At the mention of his name, the Superior snapped his head up and out of his hand, turning while still crouched down in a kneeling position to glare at Xigbar with wide, enraged orange eyes. Xigbar flinched a step back while Xaldin jumped, pulling his lances closer on instinct. Their leader glared at the two with a fury unlike anything they had ever seen.

Then, his burning gaze settled on Xaldin, who was unable to fight the sudden shudder that shook through his whole body.

Xemnas seemed to study Xaldin for a moment before settling his glare onto Xigbar. The Freeshooter shook a little, and could feel sweat trickling down his brow along with the rain but he held his leaders' gaze. Xemnas glared at them both for what felt like an eternity under the cold rain.

Then, he slowly rose back up to his feet, turning his angry gaze away from the two to stare down on the armor. Xemnas finally spoke up, his deep voice level and controlled, masking his rage.

"Take it back to the Chamber."

Xigbar nodded slowly, turning and looking back at Xaldin. Xigbar, "Xaldin, get that for me," He nodded towards the broken suit and keyblade. "And take it back to the Chamber under Hollow Bastion."

Xaldin nodded, dispelling his lances in six bursts of black wind while approaching the armor. As he passed the Superior, Xaldin could feel his leader's gaze burning into his back, watching him closely. Xaldin tried to ignore his slight discomfort as he kneeled down next to the armor. His gaze wandered to the keyblade, and he noted that it lacked a keycahin. Strange.

The Whirlwind Lancer suddenly paused.

Something about this…

Felt very familiar.

But before he could pursue that thought, Xigbar called, "Xaldin!" And the Lancer shook his head before reaching down to touch the metal floor of the castle peak. Instantly, shadows swarmed over him, the armor and keychain-less keyblade. The shadows swelled, then collapsed on themselves; fading away and revealing the empty space Xaldin and the armor had been in.

With that, only Xemnas and Xigbar remained atop the castle peak.

The Superior had his back to the Freeshooter, the silence suffocating.

Then, Xigbar took a chance and asked, "Xemnas, what happened-"

"Did you find it?" Xemnas interrupted, voice deep and clear. But this time barely controlled.

Xigbar flinched again, his single eye looking around wildly, as if an excuse would just suddenly appear in midair.

Seconds ticked by and Xemnas turned his head slightly, burning gaze looming over his shoulder.

"Well?"

Xigbar swallowed again, and took a bold step forward.

Xigbar, "Uh, well, you see, Superior…I did find it… Roxas did lead me right to it…"

Xemnas continued to stare back at his subordinate. Then, he spoke again.

"But?"

Xigbar felt that familiar trickle of sweat on his brow and neck.

Xigbar went on. "But… Something happened…and Axel interfered and-"

Xemnas clenched his fist, sparks of energy discharging loudly to silence the rambling Freeshooter.

Xemnas, "What happened?" He spoke both words slowly, making his point.

Xigbar gulped the loudest yet, almost swallowing his tongue.

Xigbar, "It's…gone."

The tension was suddenly too thick to even nick with a knife.

Xemnas' eye was narrowed but the burning orange orb looked away, Xemnas turning his back to Xigbar once again. The Freeshooter stood his ground, his knees shaking. He started to take a single step back-

And then Xemnas spoke again.

"Did you manage to complete the second half of your mission? Are Roxas and Xion…no more?"

Xigbar jumped so badly that he almost tripped and fell backwards down the steps. Xigbar quickly responded, "No, like I said Axel interfered and-"

Xemnas interrupted, his voice low and dangerous.

"Then I suggest you go and get them back here…"

What he said next made Xigbar freeze up entirely.

"…Less you wish to lose what's left of your worthless existence."

No more words were spoke, but the message was very clear. Xigbar quickly turned and practically leaped back down to the Corridor at the bottom of the steps. The Freeshooter dashed inside the rising Corridor, the shadows swelling then dissipating just as quickly.

Once more, Xemnas stood alone atop his peak.

The Superior gazed at the spot the water maiden's armor and keyblade had fallen as the rain continued to pour down his form.

If one didn't know better…

They would almost think the water running down his cheeks were tears.

---

All was quiet in the Grey Area.

Luxord was sitting in a chair, his jaw resting on his fist, his cobalt eyes dull and listless.

Demyx meanwhile, was sitting cross-legged on a chair, tuning his sitar without actually playing yet. The Melodious Nocturne could feel the tension throughout the Castle, and that was throwing him off. He didn't want to start playing less all his notes be sour. He really didn't want to give anyone (Though the only person with him was Luxord, but hey, someone always hears somehow) an excuse to yell at him just to blow off some metaphorical steam.

The tense silence was suddenly broken by the sound of rushing air and hum of energy, and both Demyx and Luxord looked up to see a Corridor of Darkness rising up in the center of the room. Demyx jumped and almost let out a yelp of fright when Xigbar stumbled out. It was Xigbar's entrance that frightened him so badly but the way the Freeshooter looked. Xigbar was pale, his scars over drawn and his whole form was dripping wet, his salt and pepper hair clinging to his head. Xigbar took in several deep breaths, the Corridor behind him not vanishing but remaining open.

Xigbar seemed to regain some semblance of self-control, standing up right and breathing evenly. His amber eye scanned the room, landing on Luxord. The Gambler of Fate had watched Xigbar's entrance in uncaring boredom. Demyx could only freeze up as Xigbar turned his one eye on him. And then grinned.

Xigbar, "Demyx, my man!"

The Melodious Nocturne tried to get up and scamper away but Xigbar moved faster than ever, suddenly sitting down next to Demyx, arm draped over the younger Nobody's shoulder. Trapping him there.

Demyx chuckled nervously and started to say, "H-hey, Xiggy. Uh, listen I-"

"Got a very important job for you my good buddy." Xigbar interrupted, his voice boisterous and loud…a tad too forcefully.

Demyx tried to speak up again but was once more interrupted.

Xigbar, "I need you to go to Twilight Town, to the top of the clocktower where that ledge is at, you know? Axel and his little friends 'usual spot'?"

Demyx nodded dumbly, all the while trying to speak up, "Uh, yeah, I know it, but, uh, Xiggy-"

The Freeshooter went on, giving Demyx no chance to speak. "That little trio should be there and I need you to tell them to come back, right now."

Demyx found the strength to speak up. "Listen, Xiggy, I don't think I'm the-"

And then the Nocturne saw Xigbar's amber eye glint and his smirk widen.

Xigbar, "Oh, trust me, Demyx. You are the perfect Nobody for this job."

Demyx tried to protest but his whole mouth had suddenly gone dry when he saw Xigbar's wide grin and one eyed stare. "I insist." The Freeshooter finished darkly.

And all Demyx could do was nod slowly and weakly agree.

---

The sun was beginning to rise in the distance, casting red and yellow rays over Twilight Town.

Axel stared, inwardly realizing he hadn't witnessed a sun rise in years. He also knew he was quickly running out of time. The longer he stayed here, the longer he risked someone from the Organization stumbling upon him.

Axel glanced down on Roxas and Xion, both teens still in their unnatural state of sleep.

Coming here had been a bad mistake now that Axel had a chance to think about it. For one, everyone in the Organization knew that this was their place. For another, he really should have seen Roxas' sudden unconsciousness coming. His last trip to Castle Oblivion had nearly led to that, and that was only after just stepping inside. This time, the blonde had been inside that place for hours.

The Flurry of Flames closed his eyes, sighing.

They had to move now, though Axel had no idea where he could take himself and these two in their current condition and hope the Organization wouldn't be able to track them down. Sooner or later, they would find them. Always.

Axel turned, facing the kids and started to raise his hand to call a Corridor of Darkness-

When he felt a rush of air, and the familiar hum of gathering energy coming from behind him.

Axel whirled around, green eyes widening when he saw a Corridor he had not summoned materializing.

In a split second flames swirled around his fingers and his steel chakrams appeared in both of his hands. Axel raised them, the twin throwing weapons smoking as the cloaked figure emerged from the Corridor. But the flurry of Flames found himself off guard when Demyx stumbled out of the Corridor.

It wasn't all that surprising that Demyx was equally shocked at the sight of Axel…and his smoking chakrams. The Melodious Nocturne let out a high pitched frightened scream and threw up his hands to defend his person from on fire, cutting blades, eyes snapping shut. Demyx, "AHHHH! Don't, please! I come peace I swear!"

Axel blinked, doing a double take. Axel, "Demyx?" He cried incredulously. "What are you doing here?"

Demyx opened one eye, looking around as if to confirm he wasn't burnt to cinders…yet. Demyx, "Uhh…I-I was sent here to tell you that it's okay to come back to the Castle now."

Axel narrowed his eyes, and did not lower his chakrams. Axel, "Let me guess: Xigbar told you to come here and tell me that?"

Demyx nodded eagerly, smiling hopefully. Demyx, "Yeah, yeah! Xiggy was the one who sent me!"

Axel's grip on his chakrams tightened and the blades were lit afire.

Demyx let out a pathetic, "Meep," and asked weakly, "Is it too late to say someone else sent me?"

Axel nodded, pulling his arms back as he prepared to send his flaming chakrams Demyx's way. As the Flurry of Dancing Flames shifted his body, Demyx noticed the limp forms of Roxas and Xion slumped behind him. Demyx blinked, momentarily forgetting Axel was moments away from cutting him apart and burning him to ashes. Demyx, "Hey, what happened to them?"

The Melodious Nocturne's sudden question threw Axel off, causing him to stop and stumble slightly, quickly looking back at his sleeping friends before he rounded on Demyx again, chakrams raised.

Axel, "Not that it's any of your business, but I'd guess it's because they stayed in Castle Oblivion too long."

Demyx blinked, then rubbed his chin in thought. "Oh, so that's where they've been. Huh."

He looked back at the two teens, then back at Axel. Demyx, "Uh, Ax? Shouldn't you have taken them back to the Castle where they could have…you know?...gotten medical treatment?"

Axel dared a glance back at his unconscious friends before resuming his glare on Demyx. Axel, "Yeah, and let Xigbar finish the job? No way, Demyx. Even you know he's not trustworthy."

Demyx rubbed the back of his head. Demyx, "Boy you sure can say that again…" He let his arm drop, looking back at Axel pleadingly. Demyx, "Hey, Ax, look. I don't know what exactly went down between you two, all I know is that these orders came from the Superior himself."

That revelation made Axel gasp, his eyes widening. Axel, "What? But, why?"

Demyx shrugged. Demyx, "I dunno. Something went down while we were all off base and now he's orderin' Xigabr to get back Roxas and Xion." Demyx offered Axel a goofy grin. Demyx, "Guess you're just an added option."

Axel didn't crack a smile, just continued to stare mistrustfully back at Demyx.

The Melodious Nocturne threw up his hands in surrender, sighing. Demyx, "Axel, just look at it this way: Obviously, Xemnas isn't going to have them destroyed the moment they get back. He wants Roxas and Xion back on heart capturing duty, that's pretty obvious."

Demyx held a hand out imploringly to Axel, who maintained his blank, emotionless gaze.

Demyx, "We both know that if I don't hurry up and get you all back there, then Xigbar will send either Xaldin or Luxord, -or even just come himself- and then go through you to get them." Axel lowered his gaze slightly. That much was too true.

Demyx took a chance and stepped closer.

Demyx, "So, just come back, with them in tow. If you do that, you'll be spared a worse fate. And on the plus side…"

He stepped up right next to Axel's outstretched chakrams. Demyx, "You can protect them both a little longer. So the choices are: run and die. Or surrender and live a little longer."

Axel glared at Demyx, his chakrams still crackling with red hot flames. Demyx, to his credit, held his ground.

Finally, after a long moment of tension, Axel lowered his arms, his chakrams vanishing in twin bursts of flame.

Demyx smiled and breathed a sigh of relief while Axel gave him a bemused but annoyed glare. Axel, "This is pretty out of character for you, Demyx."

The Melodious Nocturne grinned again, closing his eyes as he rubbed the back of his head and said, "Well, even I've got my mome-" Before he could finish that, his took a single step forward, promptly tripped on his own foot and careened into glass wall of the giant face on the clocktower wall.

Silence.

"Those moments don't last long, do they?" Axel deadpanned.

"No…not really," Demyx mumbled sadly in agreement, his face still planted against the wall.

Axel sighed in anger and reached out, grabbing Demyx by his collar and yanking him back. Demyx staggered, and Axel straightened him out quickly. Axel, "Just grab Xion and let's get out of here before I change my mind."

Demyx breathed a sigh of relief while Axel reached for Roxas.

"Thank goodness! Roxas is heavy…"

Axel sighed again, fighting back a headache.

The two older Nobodies collected the younger ones and stepped into the Corridor, the dark portal vanishing quickly as the rising sun let its rays over Twilight Town.

---

Axel and Demyx stepped out of the second Corridor that lay in the Grey Area, this one shrinking and fading away as well. Luxord glanced up, his cobalt eyes widening upon spotting Axel, a razor sharp Ace slipping down his sleeve to rest between his forefinger and middle finger. Xigbar stood in front of the exit to the area, his scarred features drawn in a pleased smirk upon seeing Axel and Demyx with Roxas and Xion cradled in their arms.

Demyx declared cheerfully, "We're back!"

Axel met Xigbar's mocking smirk with a glare, not saying a word as he stomped over. He paused once he stood next to the Freeshooter. Axel turned to look at Xigbar, who didn't move.

"If you go anywhere near them…I'll know," Whispered the Flurry of Dancing Flames, his hushed voice laced with restrained fury.

Xigbar merely looked at him, smirk widening.

Glaring in disgust, Axel resumed his march and left the area.

Xigbar turned, watching him go. Demyx meanwhile quickly raced over, panting as he asked, "Hey, uh, you'll tell the Superior I helped out? Right?" Xigbar suddenly moved into the darkened hallway, Demyx calling after, "Right?" but the Freeshooter was gone.

Demyx sighed sadly. "I don't think anybody in this group gets treated worse than me…" He blinked, looking down on the sleeping Xion in his arms.

"Well," he reconsidered sadly. "Maybe not." With one last sad sigh, he trudged after Axel.

---

The rain had calmed somewhat outside, not falling nearly as hard as it had been earlier.

Xemnas still stood atop his perch, orange eyes locked on the spot where Aqua's armor had come to rest before he ordered it away.

He found himself unable to look away.

The Superior did not show any reaction as usual when a Corridor appeared, Xigbar stepping free from the swirling miasma. The Freeshooter looked pale, but not as pale as before when he last spoke to the Superior.

Xigbar, "Well, Demyx did his job right for once. Roxas and Xion-and Axel, not that you care- are back. Xaldin just returned as well, and the armor and keyblade are safely back in the Chamber of Repose."

Xigbar offered a weak grin that Xemnas did not acknowledge.

Xemnas continued to stare at the spot while Xigbar waited with bated breath.

Finally, Xemnas declared in monotone, "Then there is nothing left to be done. You are dismissed."

Xigbar's one eye closed at the same time he let out a sigh of relief beyond measure. But he looked back at the Superior, unsatisfied. Xigbar, "Hold on, I still need to know: What happened? Where is Aq-"

He didn't finish that.

Xigbar was too shocked and frightened as Xemnas slowly turned to glare at him, his orange eyes brimming with anger and hate beyond mortal measure.

"Did I not warn you once before," the Superior spoke quietly, "What would happen if you continued to test my patience?"

Xigbar nodded once and then turned tail and raced down the steps.

Alone, utterly alone, Xemnas turned to look one last time at the spot on his perch, imagining not the armor, but the maiden hidden inside it resting in its' place.

And then the Superior of the In-Between turned his burning gaze towards Kingdom Hearts, resuming his wait for its' completion…

It was, after all…

…the only thing he had left.

---

Xaldin waited inside the tower under Xemnas' perch, waiting for Xigbar.

The Freeshooter didn't keep him waiting long when he stumbled suddenly next to him, panting deeply.

Xaldin blinked, stepping towards Xigbar. Xaldin, "Well? What did he say?'

Xigbar took several deep breaths, his eye closing for a moment. Then, he straightened himself and looked back at Xaldin, glaring in annoyance.

Xigbar, "What did he say? Nothing."

Xaldin blinked, incredulous.

Xaldin, "Nothing? He said nothing?"

Xigbar nodded, walking away. But then, he stopped suddenly. Xigbar looked up towards one of the tower windows, staring at the golden moon of hearts with his single amber eye. Xaldin watched him carefully, saying nothing.

And then, the Freeshooter declared simply:

"There's nothing left to be said….except it's over."