"Even, be reasonable! You're diving in too quickly. Master Ansem has forbidden us from-"

"Don't you dare mention that fool to me, Xehanort," the blond-haired, green-eyed researcher interrupted him. "You're so interested in studying the heart, so why are you siding with him? He's holding us all back in fear, when we should be pursuing greater knowledge despite the risks. If we live in fear, how will we get anywhere?"

"But recklessness won't get you anywhere either," "Xehanort" replied.

"I've been here far longer than you," Even reminded him. "I know what we must do. If you want to continue researching the heart, then you'll join me. If not, then stay out of my way, and if you try to stop me, you may get hurt." With that, Even turned and stomped off.

"Master…" Xehanort, or truly Terra, mumbled, unable to subdue placing his hand over his chest for a moment.

The last thing he remembered clearly was Xehanort taking over his body, and then vaguely recalling Vanitas attacking Aqua and Ventus with the χ-Blade, then a bright flash that had knocked him out. He'd woken up in Radiant Garden and found himself back in control of his body, though he could still feel Xehanort's influence within his heart and mind. The old master had lost a large amount of willpower when Vanitas had betrayed him, allowing Terra to wrestle dominance over his body back.

When he looked in the mirror, however, he cringed at his golden eyes, silver hair, darker skin. Despite his control, his body still reflected Xehanort's presence, and he had no idea as to how to restore himself and purge himself of the former Keyblade Master's heart. What's more, he clung to a desperate hope that, somehow, he could revive his first master, Eraqus, whose heart also dwelled within him to an extent. Though Terra occasionally had his disputes with Xehanort within his mind, he hadn't heard anything from Eraqus, and he couldn't help but acknowledge the possibility that there was nothing that could be done for his master. He wouldn't give up without a fight either way- not until he could be absolutely certain one way or another.

So, now, deprived of his Keyblade and armor, he had taken the role of an apprentice to Ansem the Wise, the ruler of Radiant Garden, along with Even, a boy named Ienzo, a couple of guards that went by Dilan and Aeleus, and the one person that had all but forced Terra to adopt Xehanort's name: Braig. Beyond his being the one responsible for Braig's scars and loss of one eye, he didn't trust the arrowgun-brandishing guard. On top of that, he now knew for certain that Braig had been working with Xehanort for some goal that remained unknown to him. The best he could do was feign amnesia and hope Braig still trusted him.

"Seriously, since when are you so cautious?" Like Terra's pondering had summoned him, Braig showed up from behind him and slung an arm around the silver-haired boy's shoulders. "I mean, if you're that interested in the heart… what about all that 'we must embrace the darkness' stuff? You haven't forgotten about all that, have you?"

"I'm… not sure… everything is foggy," Terra replied. Braig frowned for a moment.

"You're not really Terra, are you?" he asked suddenly. Terra blinked, trying hard to remain calm.

"Of course not," he scoffed. "That name… why does it anger me so much?" he added, his mind racing to find some way to convince the guard. To his relief, Braig laughed.

"Well, you may not totally remember, but at least you sound like yourself. I guess you could say Terra was a bit of a noble brat that was trying to get in our way with his light. He wouldn't accept the darkness like you wanted him too. And, as you may or may not remember, he was responsible for giving me these." He pointed to one of his scars. "But hey, if you got him to submit in the end, then I guess it's not all worthless."

"Right," Terra replied, though he suddenly felt sick. He didn't know whether Ventus and Aqua were safe, nor did he have the means of looking for them, and now the closest thing he had to a companion was a man who hated the real him. Even was on a dangerous path and he seemed to command some unseen strings over the rest of Ansem's apprentices, especially Ienzo, and Braig had already proven he would do anything if it meant having power. If he wanted to maintain the precarious peace he'd found for the time being, he couldn't do anything about trying to stop them.

"Well, anyway, you'd better listen to Even. Because things are about to get hectic around here," Braig continued.

"How so?" Terra wondered, turning to his fellow apprentice.

"Ansem has been in power too long. It's time someone knocked him down a few pegs." Terra remained silent for a few before responding.

"When are you planning on striking?"

"Tomorrow at sun-high. We were supposed to today, but a couple of boys messed everything up again. They've tried time and time again to get into the castle- not even sure why. But they cause trouble every time, and Aeleus and Dilan get stuck throwing them out. They'll never learn."

"I see," Terra nodded.

"Well, if you're in, then we're good. If not, then Even'll skin me for telling you. Especially if Ansem finds out somehow."

"Braig, do you really believe I'd pass up an opportunity like this?" Braig fell silent for a moment, then started wholeheartedly laughing.

"Guess not! Yep, you're Xehanort alright. Heck, you could probably spearhead this entire thing if it wasn't for Even's ego. Something tells me he'll get himself knocked down at some point too. But for now…"

"This all hinges on what we can find out about the heart," Terra continued. "That's all that matters to me."

"Yeah, yeah, of course," Braig brought his hands up. "Well, I'll let you handle all that science stuff. Just make sure I get my dues when you find something."

"Yes, of course," Terra forced a chuckle. "Then, out of my way. I need to prepare."

"Alright, alright! See you around, old man." With that, Braig walked off, and a torrent of grief, guilt, confusion, and hatred crashed down on the former Keyblade wielder. Keeping up the appearance of Xehanort, especially when it was just Braig, was one of the hardest things he'd ever done, and he wasn't sure he could bring him to betray, and even attack, the man who had taken him in after everything that had happened. He didn't know Ansem very well, but he understood why he bore the title of "Ansem the Wise." He was a kind, aging man who seemed to want what was best for his world. But, Terra had to admit, his forbidding their research of the heart and its depths put a large dent in his goals and hopes. He needed the understanding that Xehanort had if he had any intention of freeing himself from that dark influence.

I'm doing this for my master and for the worlds, he told himself. Sacrifices have to be made. I have to get rid of Xehanort once and for all.