I slid my cloak off and placed it on the edge of the bed, my report had finally reached completion. It was late, just about 1:30 in the morning. Thirteen was so blissfully unaware of all the plans, however it seems he could be directed to follow one easily. The manipulation card should not be played so soon, for it could easily backfire. Tomorrow is another day, I'll deal with the matter when the time comes...

.: Several Hours Later :.

"Your report?" Zexion handed me the report, as we both know how this worked. Hell, I didn't really even need to ask anymore.

"This should more than suffice, and answer any questions." We both nodded at each other.

"My mission?"

"None."

"How? I usually always have one."

"The superior has changed the format for the duration of training so there's not a lot of missions to do, and most of the ones that are up for grabs are more fight orientated."

"Ah. Then I suppose I have a free day basically."

"Enjoy it, you never know when you'll next get one."

"True." Zexion turned and left, he seemed a bit annoyed with not having a mission. Just what was on his mind?

As I left I couldn't help but be bothered by the fact that the only missions were ones that required good physical capabilities. Which I lacked. So I don't think I'll have any missions this week... but these remnant folk were indeed intriguing, a hybrid. Not brainless but not too bright either. Are they somehow able to be led? If so how? Perhaps this would be ideal to look into. I turned to get to the stairs, yes I could take a corridor but the exercise is needed for later. Who was training today anyway? Eight was it? My that is interesting. I reached the bottom of the stairwell and walked outside once again, the air had a slight breeze. "It feels like the calm before the storm..." I could hear the click of my boots echo in the air as I continued to walk to the place I was at before, the 'coffee shop'. I then opened the door and walked in, a few of the remnants were about. I looked at them closely, they retained human forms dressed like dwellers of a busy city. One skirted around me, it's skirt grazing my leg. It had felt almost like a breeze, but there was something more to it. I made my way to the counter through the crowd – It was busy today – and perched myself on a seat on the far end of the counter. These creatures proved to be more and more intriguing the more I found out about them. They could change shape, is it by world? Or by choice? Another seemed to notice me, it seemed to appear like a female waitress. A menu was placed down on the table in front of me, I eyed it curiously. So they can carry and interact with physical things. Not to be rude, even to this remnant I picked the menu up and browsed it contents. None of the items appealed to me, so I placed the menu back down and summoned my lexicon as well as a graphite pencil.

"Are you ready to order?" I looked up curiously to see that the remnant's mouth wasn't moving but I clearly heard talking. It smiled and picked up the menu, waiting for my answer.

"I am, but I have no order." Can it even understand me? Plus how am I able to understand it? Does it remember the language...

"Alright then, but if you do want to order something just go up to the counter and ask. Also, we speak through means of telepathy, that is why you're able to understand us. We have no vocals but we can understand them." The waitress smiled at me, I just looked at her absolutely dumbfounded. "I do not mean to be rude by reciprocating your thoughts but you harness the darkness like us and physically exist which makes you a curiosity to us."

I swallowed, "Do you all understand each other? And does having darkness in ones system make them more likely to be able to communicate?"

"Yes, we can all communicate with each other, sometimes we block off our thoughts if we want to have solace. But your thoughts are out there for us. Plus as I said before you exist more than we do." There are no words to explain my thoughts on what I am just now finding out.

"Oh." I shook my head, it was best I go and dwell on what i've now just learned. I smirked and nodded politely as I made my way towards the door, it seems a breeze just picked up. Good thing I couldn't quite feel the cold... but these remnants are intriguing. I walked towards the castle, not a soul in sight. How these only made it more complicated... If the superior had found out about them, would he use them? I fear what would come of it if he did. Although, I should document this in my Lexicon at one point. "I already feel another migraine coming on..." I flicked my wrist to form a corridor, it's destination to the sixth level of the castle. I walked through and made my way to the room, after the door was closed, I summoned my Lexicon and placed it on the desk across from my bed. Fortunately recording information in Retribution was far easier than on normal paper. I snapped my fingers and a quill appeared as I reworded my thoughts the illusion quill would make them appear on the pages of an infinite book. I calmly paced about and on occasion I would pause and look to see if everything was as I wanted it to be. After some time it was complete and not too long after I was interrupted. At that point I was only "amusing" myself by moving the quill about like it was dancing to some type of tune.

"May I come in?"

"Is this idle chat or something important."

"It's important."

"Come in." I spun the chair I was in around to see Seven was the one who knocked. I could see the emotion in his eyes. Anger. Concern.

"So, what's up?" I smirked, toying with him may not be the best idea but it seemed that the atmosphere would only get worse from here. His 'emotions' changed. Confusion. Anxiety.

"Uh... Not much? I have something to share."

"Grab a chair and we'll all share our issues."

"I'm serious it may be a bad thing."

"Ruin the joke Seven." I rolled my eyes and looked at him, the smirk still present.

"Now you're scaring me."

"What was this all important thing? This is what happens when I am given time to idle about, I've got a lot on my mind you know."

"A lot is an understatement, I caught a glimpse of some of the papers on the superior's desk."

"And?" My smirk changed into a bit of a scowl.

"As you know, there's only been three to go to Training so far. It seems like he's scoring them and the numbers have some meaning to the other notes on his desk. Not sure what, but the notes next to the scores concern me. It's like adequate or needs improvement."

"I don't care for the sound of that." I frowned this time.

"Well, I also saw another thing and it said something about equivalent exchange. Not sure if that means anything." If I had a heart it would've skipped a beat, It was a dead silence until the quill I had manipulated into prancing about hit the desk.

"What did you just say?"

"Equivalent exchange." I didn't look at Seven, but at the shelf behind him. I felt a sharp pang from the past, of some emotion... it's hard to tell what it is.

I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath, it seems Seven sensed my distress. "Not this..."

I heard Sai'x swallow, unsure how to approach the situation. "I assume this is a bad thing, and are you okay? You just got a lot paler."

"It's what destroyed Radiant Garden... Remember those notes I told you about, he's attempting to recreate them is what it seems like."

"The ones on the Heart?"

"Yes. He's probably trying to return one. I had been asked by him a while back about it... That explains the notes on his desk then."

"All of them?"

"Most of them, did he have and dossiers?"

"What?"

"Written records."

"Perhaps, I didn't get too much of a good look. Why?"

"If he is doing what I think he is going to do, he will only be able to return one, maybe two hearts if he plays his cards properly. The exchange 'rate' for a nobody or lesser being is much less than a being with a heart." I opened my eyes and looked at Seven, who still looked worried... no perhaps more worried would be the proper terminology.

"What." I could hear the anger in his voice.

"Don't dwell on it Seven, it's highly likely I'm just over thinking this. I lack sleep and for me that only makes it worse sometimes." But we both know I'm not wrong. "Although, we may be able to get Thirteen on our side."

"Huh?"

"Thirteen hasn't fully established any loyalty, sure he has his own 'reasons' but he's got doubts and with the proper assurance and 'convincing' he may jump ship. It's something to consider, but we'll discuss that later."

"What if he doesn't want to?"

"We simply show him the truth, the boy's moral compass is to do the right thing Seven. I doubt he'll want to see all of us harmed for a selfish reason. He's no fool Sai'x." Seven seemed to be thinking this through. "Understand?"

"Yes, do we wait to tell him?"

"Definitely Seven. We must find the right time." I frowned, I do not like the fact that he plans to use Equivalent Exchange. "Is that all?"

"The remnants, do they follow any leader?" So he's done some reading in between the lines.

"No, well not that I know of."

"What are they, I know you said a hybrid but do you know of anything more?"

"It seems they use the area around them to create what they look like, it's similar to a world form. Although, as I wrote in my report they are not a physical being. It's like they're an illusion of the worlds citizens."

"What you mean illusions? Isn't that your forte?"

"They both exist and do not exist. It is my forte, and I can sense magic in them but I cannot control them. It's similar to how I can replicate anyone's weapon with it's same abilities."

"Oh." He still didn't seem convinced.

"If I knew how to control them, we'd be a lot farther in out endeavor then now."

"True." I nodded.

"Is that everything now?"

"Yes, i'll be on my way now." He nodded as well and left, as soon as the door shut I let out a repressed sigh. The superior obviously plans on saving himself, but if given two hearts... Who would he give it to? He wouldn't. I turned and returned both my Lexicon and quill to the realm of nothing. I got up, I need to get my mind off of this as well as exchange my current reading selection. I picked up the few books I had from the library for my leisure and left my room. I then flicked my wrist and walked through the corridor straight to my destination.

"Some isolation would do me good..." I placed the books down on a nearby table and began to wander the shelves, I knew all the titles and the spines of them. I let my fingertips run across the spines and closed my eyes. A nobody is just the body and soul, their heart becomes a heartless... but what if both the heartless and nobody died? Would they be reunited? The heart, body and soul? Not according to his notes. There's another way to him. I must tread carefully, I need him to believe I am still 'loyal' to his cause.

A/N:

So it's probably clear by now that updating this in a reasonable amount of months is how its going to work. Alas, Chapter 11 is up. (I also try to make a chapter about 2,000 words so that's another reason it takes some time).

This one got a little off track, but I kind of needed to introduce the remnants since they are reappearing. I also happen to take requests, I always like to have the opportunity to write new things.

But I digress, now here's the explanations that you may need.

Remnants: These are kind of hybrids I made up for this AU, they have an appearance of heartless as well as darkness in them but yet they have soul fragments like the nobodies do. They're sort of beings in between. They also take on a type of world form, or they can morph into one. Hence the reason in Chapter 10 that they looked like dolls in a way. I plan to use these more later so any input you guys may have is appreciated.

"Ruin the joke Seven." I rolled my eyes and looked at him... : I feel that Zexion would take the opportunity on occasion to mess around with some of the neophytes minds.

Loyalty: In the game series Zexion shows clear loyalty and a strong work ethic within the organization, so that's why he mentioned he needs to continue to show the "unquestioning" loyalty to Xemnas even if he is no longer loyal. Otherwise VII's and his plans would most likely be foiled.