A/N-In the creative words of Axel, "TWO?!" Yes, I spent all day typing. Read and enjoy! :D

"So what is this big plan of yours?" Roxas asked, following Demyx down the beach. The dirty blonde looked over his shoulder and smirked.

"Wouldn't you like to know."

"That's why I asked, dumb ass." Demyx frowned and turned forward. He was leading Roxas farther down the beach where no one would be able to see them. Demyx found a nice spot by some rocky cliff walls and stopped.

"Alright, you're going to need your swords for this." Roxas smirked, instantly knowing what Demyx wanted to do. Roxas stood at attention and pounded his shoulder, armor and swords appearing. He unsheathed his weapons and turned to Demyx.

"Okay, so how do you do this?"

"Well, it's sort of hard to explain but I'll do my best. Your swords have names, right?"

"Oathkeeper and Oblivion."

"Good, that will help. My sitar's name is Arpeggio."

"And what does this have to do with turning weapons into transports?"

"Well, that's where it gets weird. You kind of have to ask...for permission."

"Permission?" Roxas was even more lost than when he tried to learn how Disney tech worked.

"…yeah. I know it sounds corny but it's how it goes. You have to channel yourself into the weapons and then ask nicely. If they like you, they'll get you to where you need to go. If not, then nothing will happen."

"That doesn't really help." Demyx scratched his head furiously.

"Oh! But I don't really know how else to explain it! Hmm, oh! You're an elemental fighter so you know how to channel your element during a fight, right?"

"Of course."

"It's just like that only your focus is on the weapons instead of the target. Go on, give it a try!" Roxas rolled his eyes and focused his energy on his swords. He could feel their energy radiating back to him.

'I need to get to Hollow Bastion.' Roxas said in his head. His swords started glowing and they tore from his grasp. Roxas watched as they turned into a swirl of light and darkness. When the swirling mass dissipated, Roxas was a bit shocked at what was left behind. His swords had turned into what appeared to be a wind surfer with Oblivion as the base and Oathkeeper as the pearly sail.

"Wow, that's pretty cool," Demyx admitted. "Nice job for your first shot." Roxas stepped up to his transport and ran his fingers over the bar on the sail. He was a bit speechless. "Now get going already before your head explodes from worrying. Just remember to come back in one piece or I'll have Ienzo chase you around with thunder spells." Roxas smirked at the notion.

"Thanks Demyx. I owe you."

"Owe me? Shouldn't it be the other way around?" Roxas stepped onto his transport and hung on tight. He turned to the confused Knight and grinned.

"You'll figure it out." Then he pulled back and launched into the sky. Demyx watched Roxas soar higher and higher until he vanished from view.

"What exactly did I do?" Demyx wondered. He mused over Roxas's parting words as he made his trek back to the main beach to check up on Ienzo.

XxXxX

Roxas was a bundle of mixed feelings. He couldn't seem to focus. He was thrilled to be riding through the spaces between words at high speeds, wind blasting him in the face. He leaned back and felt the vertigo as he hung over the edge of his transport. But then he was also anxious. He was worry for what Xemnas had in store for Axel and how he was going to get into Hollow Bastion without being discovered. He also had no idea where Axel was, which meant he would have to go looking for the red head.

Roxas was also curious to how Xion and Naminé were doing in his absence. He guessed Naminé would be fine but Xion would be worrying all over the place. Lastly, he felt cold. He knew he would discover the fate of Zexion when he returned to Hollow Bastion. Having to relay that news back to Ienzo broke his heart because Roxas already knew Zexion was most likely dead.

After twenty five minutes, Hollow Bastion came into view. Roxas assumed he arrived fast than he left because he was riding solo compared to when Demyx carried the three of them out. Roxas took the far route and entered the world at the barrens. The dark colored rocky canyons were barren of forms of life. Roxas swerved through the narrow channels at high speeds to help avoid detection. He decided the water ways were his best option of getting into the castle unnoticed. Roxas flew straight on until he heard water rushing nearby. Then he slowed his approach.

When he reached the base of the water ways, he dismounted and his swords returned to their original state. Roxas sheathed his weapons and started making his way up towards the lower grounds. He was surprised when he met no resistance. Entering the castle, he felt as if his mission was going too smoothly. It made his heart rate spike.

Roxas managed to recognize the hallway where Axel's room was and he slipped down it silently. As he arrived at the door, he couldn't help but reflect back on the time he spent in the room, hiding away from the King and talking to Axel. It was a bit bitter sweet.

Roxas raised a fist and lightly knocked on the door. There was no reply. He tried again a bit harder but he kept it soft in case there was someone nearby. Still no answer. Roxas tried the door and found it locked. He cursed under his breath.

"You will not find him there." Roxas whirled around in a blind panic. A tall Knight with sandy brown hair peered down at him. He was extremely well toned and bulky. Roxas swallowed hard at the prospect of fighting him. The Knight studied Roxas briefly. "I have no will to fight you. You're business here is your own." Roxas's brows furrowed.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, hands hovering over the hilts of his swords.

"I have no quarrel with you. Besides, you took Master Ienzo to safety, a task even I could not accomplish." Roxas felt even more perplexed.

"Master Ienzo?" Roxas suddenly recalled Demyx's words from a few days before. "You must be Lexaeus."

"Indeed. How might I call you?"

"Roxas."

"Thank you, Roxas. What you did was very noble. Not many would have stepped up to the task."

"Speaking of which, what happened to Zexion, Ienzo's brother?" Lexaeus fell quiet. His eyes were distant and he turned his gaze to the stone wall.

"It would be best if I showed you." Lexaeus started walking down the hall. Roxas was hesitant to follow but he knew Ienzo would want to know the state of his brother. So, with much resistance, he followed the burly Knight. He was led through the lower grounds to the research area. Lexaeus brought him through a set of double doors and led him through an area Roxas was unfamiliar with. They turned and went through a smaller door and stopped in a narrow hallway. The wall had a large window that took up most of the space looking into a white room.

Roxas's chest clenched painfully.

Vexen was looking at a clipboard, reading various test results. His face was pale and eyes sunken as he desperately tried to keep the dark haired man alive. Zexion lay on the roomy hospital bed with six different lines plugged into his body. A mask was over his mouth and nose to help him breath. His face appeared to be in severe pain. He only had one arm. The other was bandaged at the shoulder. Various monitors kept track of his condition with heart rates, brain activity, blood composition, breathing rate, and several other things Roxas couldn't identify.

"What happened?" Roxas asked quietly. Lexaeus grunted softly before speaking.

"He went against Isa and was badly beaten. We have nearly lost him so many times but he's held on by so much as a thread. I admire his will to hang onto his life but one man can only take so much."

"Why are you keeping him alive then? Wouldn't it be kinder to end his pain?" Lexaeus's frown deepened. He closed his eyes and sighed. Then he opened his eyes.

"Master Zexion is important. His knowledge is valuable to us and his loss would deeply affect the world."

"You're very formal for just being friends with the brothers."

"We weren't exactly friends. I was their charge back when their parents were alive. Their parents were nobles in the court of Queen Maleficent. I was hired on to be a friend to Master Zexion when he was merely two and I was fifteen. I didn't have a family and they took me in. I watched over Master Zexion as he grew. He always kept to himself but he was incredibly intelligent. It was later in the year after I was assigned as a charge that Queen Maleficent died. His parents were ejected from the court and they moved into the city.

"Then the war started when Master Zexion was merely ten. He was frightened and he clung to me for protection. When he was twelve, Master Ienzo was born. Master Zexion finally had someone else to hold onto. Two years later their parents were murdered. The case was never solved and so the task of raising the boys fell to me. I did my best but I could never be the parent they longed for. Master Zexion came to me one day and asked if I would join the Knights, as he had heard I had been requested to join. I told him he and his brother were my priority but he urged me to join. So, I left them alone in the city.

"Master Zexion soon found out the money his parents had amassed was cut off from him and he was forced to go work for the research team at the castle when he was sixteen. He was cut off from his brother shortly after. Master Ienzo was only four and they wanted him to fend for himself. People from the city helped to watch over him until Master Zexion discovered the dark portals. Then he could see his brother again. But he was caught last year. The King tore the brothers apart, torturing them equally. As the King's Knight, I was not allowed to take action. My duty was now to the King."

"So you kept him alive because his parents were important people," Roxas deducted, but Lexaeus shook his head. Roxas frowned. What had he missed?

"When Queen Maleficent died, Xemnas was not the next in line to rule. Her Majesty had no family so she planned to pass the crown down to her most trusted advisors."

"Zexion's parents." Lexaeus nodded.

"They were going to take the crown but Xemnas stepped up before they could protest. He wanted the crown more than anything. He was also on the council so people started assuming Xemnas was her favorite. It was later learned he was not. When this happened, Master Zexion's parents were killed."

"But Zexion was still technically in line for the crown," Roxas finished.

"Yes. He was too young at the time of his parent's death and he had his brother to take care of. Master Zexion never even knew he was supposed to take the crown. When he reached the age of sixteen, he was the proper age to rule but Xemnas refused to let that happen."

"He tried to suppress Zexion."

"And he did. Only three people know of his fate: Xemnas, Vexen, and myself. I was hesitant to tell Vexen of Master Zexion's origins but I disliked how my young charge was being treated. Vexen's disposition changed over a year. At first he was reluctant to accept it but then he found Master Zexion was quite likeable. I have done what I can but the task of keeping Master Zexion alive is up to Vexen now." Lexaeus crossed his arms and sighed heavily, closing his eyes pensively. Roxas stared at the broken man with a heavy heart. He had no idea Zexion had such a sad history and yet even when Roxas didn't want his help, Zexion was there. The man had saved Seifer's life. He calmed Roxas down when he was having a panic attack. He kept Roxas a secret from the King. He helped Roxas get into the castle without being noticed.

Zexion just wanted to help.

"Fuck," Roxas hissed. Lexaeus glanced down at the short blonde. "He doesn't deserve this." Roxas watched as Vexen flicked a syringe and injected the fluid into one of the lines leading into Zexion's arm. "What do I tell Ienzo?"

"Tell him his brother is alive and in good care. He's a smart boy and will figure out what it means. Master Ienzo already knows his brother is either dead or dying. He does need to know the details unless he asks. Be respectful to his wishes."

"Right…" Roxas looked up at the sandy haired Knight. "Why are you sharing this information with me? I'm not exactly the ideal person to tell this information too."

"I have a mutual trust towards you. We are marked as enemies yet we have never met in person so I do not know the true you. You stepped up when Master Ienzo was in need and kept him safe. That is reason enough for me to trust you and reason for me to believe you will help change this war. It may not end the way we hope it will, but the end is coming."

A long silence passed between them. They watched Zexion's body fight to stay alive and Vexen struggle to help him. Roxas reflected on what Lexaeus had told him, finding it very hard to digest.

"Roxas, I will look out for Master Zexion. Demyx will be there for Master Ienzo. Now you must be there for Axel."

"How'd…?"

"Master Ienzo told me he had a special heart. I can assume what he meant by it and finding you at his door only confirms my suspicions. Go to him, Roxas. He will need your help in the dark days to come. I hope you are ready to weather the storm." Roxas nodded stiffly. "You will find him in Castle Oblivion. Do watch out for Isa while you're there. She has the uncanny habit of sneaking up on her victims."

"Thank you, Lexaeus. I appreciate you doing this for me and for Ienzo."

"May our paths cross again in a more cheerful occasion." Roxas bid his farewells and stepped back into the wider hallway. After a deep breath, he braced himself and made his way up to Castle Oblivion.

Roxas felt an odd discomfort wash over him as he entered the chapel. The place was a wreck. The floor was completely torn up and the walls were dark without the eerie green fire illuminating them. Roxas skirted around the edge of the room in order to not fall into the gaping chasm in the center. The wall into the old throne room had yet to be repaired as well. Roxas could see the structure was unstable so he quickly passed through to avoid debris falling on his head.

He climbed up the left side of the stairs leading to the throne room side it was the only bit left of the stairs that wasn't caved in. The he walked across the battle torn floor and headed into Castle Oblivion. Roxas walked quickly up the floors, counting as he went. He wasn't sure what floor Axel was on but he figured if he kept walking he would eventually run into him.

His hopes were dashed when he reached the thirteenth floor and it ended in a set of tall double doors. Roxas frowned and walked over to it. He could feel a dark aura radiating from inside. He swallowed hard and pressed open the right door.

His worst fears were confirmed. He had found the throne room.

And he found Isa.

She wore a large gold crown on her head and a long silver dress. Her expression was dark and calculating. The appearance of Roxas didn't seem to faze her at all. In anything, she was expecting him to arrive. Isa rose from her throne and strode towards him, high heels clicking on the ground.

"You might be able to fool Xemnas with that guise, but you lose that luxury with me, Twilight soldier," she called out, her pace even as she continued across the large room towards Roxas. The blonde unclipped his helmet and removed it from his head. Roxas took a few paces into the room so Isa wouldn't back him against the door. Isa stopped a short pace from him and peered down at him, seeing as she was taller than the blonde. "Welcome to Castle Oblivion," she greeted coldly. "I can only guess to why you are here. Axel, yes?"

"My business is my own," Roxas snapped. Isa scowled and clasped her hands behind her back, turning her gaze to the ceiling somewhere to the right.

"I never caught your name," she realized.

"You don't need to know."

"But I would like to know. After all, it's not every day you find something you have been looking for."

"Excuse me?" Isa giggled.

"You're so ignorant it's cute. Are you here for Kingdom Hearts or for Axel?"

"Axel, you bitch." Isa burst out laughing, covering her mouth with her long fingers.

"I'm sorry, that was rude." Isa began strolling around Roxas in a leisurely circle. Roxas stayed rooted to his spot, glaring at the woman. "You really don't have to worry about Axel, dear. We won't kill him. We just want what's inside him. And now that I've met you again, I can say for certain I want what's inside of you too."

"I'm not a Shard," Roxas growled. "You don't need my heart."

"Ah, but what is Kingdom Hearts made out of? Seven shards…darkness…and…" Roxas's face paled as realization hit him.

"Light…" he breathed.

"Very good."

"But I'm not from Radiant Garden! Kingdom Hearts doesn't have anything to do with me!" Roxas protested, baring his teeth. Isa giggled.

"When Radiant Garden was destroyed, it lost its light. We thought it was permanently destroyed, which meant Kingdom Hearts could never be put back together. I knew you had a strong heart two years ago. Who knew it would grow into the light that holds together Kingdom Hearts." Roxas felt his blood run cold.

You are the one who will bind them together.

His body started trembling and,
for the first time in years, Roxas felt fear. Isa was eyeing him like a juicy piece of meat. Roxas started to back away from the woman as she passed in front of him. She held out her hand and a sword appeared inside of it.

"Where do you think you're going?" she asked.

"Away from you!" Roxas spat.

"Running away? How pitiful. Axel will be distraught."

"He's not even here. He won't even know I was here." Isa smiled wickedly.

"Is that so…Axel?" Roxas stopped backing away. He slowly looked over his shoulder and he instantly wanted to turn into dust. Axel was staring at him from the doorway, the confusion obvious on his face. The silence that followed was deafening on the blonde's ears.

"Roxas?" Axel asked quietly. "What are you doing here?" Axel's eyes stared back at the blonde, searching for an answer.

"A-Axel…I-I…" Roxas choked out.

"He came to see you, my dear," Isa interrupted. Axel stepped into the room and shut the door behind him. He walked over to Roxas's side. Then he turned to Isa.

"What lies are you telling him?" Axel growled.

"No lies. Just simple truths."

"Then let him go."

"But he came to me. Like I said, he came to see you."

"Is that true?" Axel asked, turning to Roxas.

"Yeah," Roxas muttered, turning his gaze away.

"Why? They're going to kill you! How you managed to get up here without being caught is a miracle by itself. Do you want to die?" Roxas's flinched.

"I wanted to protect you," he said under his breath. Axel seemed to have heard because he was taken aback. Axel looked from Roxas to Isa and back again.

"From what?"

"They know you're from Radiant Garden!" Roxas shouted, facing Axel. Their eyes met, confusion clashing with pain.

"Oh course they do. Isa isn't stupid enough to keep secrets from the King."

"Axel, Xemnas knew Demyx was able to summon Sin so what are the chances he knows what's inside your heart!" Roxas roared, pounding his fist against Axel's chest. Axel was certainly shaken by Roxas's words.

"What are you talking about?"

"Axel…" Roxas felt himself getting choked up and he didn't know why. Axel raised a hesitant hand, as if he was going to touch the blonde, but he refrained.

"How touching," Isa commented. She swung her sword in front of her and it burst into a bunch of dark orbs. Then it turned into a black Keyblade with a red hilt. "He really does care about you but is it enough to keep him alive?"

"Alive? What are you…?" Axel didn't get a chance to finish. Isa was so fast he didn't even have time to raise his arms. Isa slammed into him and he was sent sprawling backwards, rolling across the floor.

"AXEL!" Roxas screamed, finding his body was frozen with fear. The red head shakily got to his feet. Isa pointed her Keyblade at Axel and dark tendrils sprouted from the doors. They wrapped around Axel's body and pulled him against the wooden structure. Axel grunted as he hit the doors and his arms were pulled to the sides.

"What the Hell, Isa!" Axel roared. Isa merely laughed and it quickly turned into a cackle.

"We've found it Axel! We found the light of Kingdom Hearts! Now we can finally complete it," Isa said breathlessly. "All we have to do is unlock all the pieces."

"Kingdom Hearts isn't real!" Isa walked over to Axel and pointed the tip of her Keyblade on Axel's chest.

"Oh?"

"Stop this, Isa. Let me go, let Roxas go and we'll forget this ever happened. He shouldn't have come back…"

"Who said this was about Roxas?" Isa interrupted. Axel's face paled slightly.

"What do you mean?"

"How long are you going to keep deluding yourself into thinking we never figured out you were a Shard?" Whatever color was left in Axel's face instantly drained.

"No…" he breathed.

"Ah, so you never figured it out. Even Roxas figured it out before you did. Why else did he come back here, dear Axel? He wanted to warn you, to protect you! And yet you're still as ignorant as the day we met."

"Leave Roxas out of this!" Isa grinned wickedly.

"He's a part of this now. He doesn't have a choice." Isa lowered her Keyblade and placed a hand on Axel's chest. "Show me your Keyblade, Axel." Darkness poured from her hand and Axel gritted his teeth against the pain. His chakrams started glowing at his side.

"NO!" Roxas shouted. He ran at Isa and was quickly knocked aside with a swipe of her Keyblade. The jagged teeth of the Keyblade sliced Roxas's cheek, sending a trickle of blood down his face and neck.

"Roxas!" Axel shouted. He gasped as his chakrams glowed even brighter. Isa smiled wickedly. Then his chakrams disappeared and appeared as his true Keyblade in Axel's hand. "Shit…" he growled. Isa pulled the Keyblade from his grasp.

"Time to start what we've longed for," Isa said with a venomous grin. She let her Keyblade disappear and she wielded Axel's in front of her.

"NO!" Roxas screamed. Isa thrust forward and struck Axel in the chest. Axel's head threw back and his eyes closed against the pain. His body tensed as a crystal ruby Shard emerged. It pulsed in time with Axel's heartbeat. Isa ripped it from the man's chest and he screamed in agony.

Darkness suddenly covered his body as he started turning into a heartless. Roxas watched in horror as Axel turned into a shadow of his former self, his eyes yellow specks. Roxas swallowed hard and shakily got to his feet. He slowly placed one foot in front the other, stepping closer to Axel.

Isa backed away with the Shard in her hand. She tossed Axel's Keyblade at his feet. "Typical Axel. Your heart was too full of darkness. But now your heart is in a good place." Isa stroked the gem. "I'll be sure to take good care of it." Isa suddenly paused as she watched Roxas walk up to Axel. He picked up the Knight's Keyblade and held it tightly in his left hand. Then he placed his right on Axel's chest.

Roxas closed his eyes and channeled his light into Axel. Isa watched as the darkness started melting off of the Knight. The shadows dripped onto the ground and vanished into swirls of darkness. Axel's body was left behind. A nobody. Black diamonds had imprinted under his eyes, marking him for death.

Roxas tore at the bonds holding Axel to the doors. Isa pursed her lips in confusion.

"What are you doing?" she asked quietly.

"Getting the Hell away from you," Roxas seethed. Axel pitched forward suddenly and Roxas had to brace the man against his shoulder so he wouldn't fall over while Roxas removed the last of the tendrils from Axel's legs. Once Axel was free, Roxas threw the Knight over his shoulder and opened the door to the hallway.

"There's nowhere you can run where we won't find you," Isa reminded.

"Go ahead and try!" Roxas trudged through the doors and pressed onward. Axel, being tall and clad in armor, was extremely heavy. Roxas struggled to get him down the hallway. When he reached the first set of stairs, he glanced over his shoulder. Isa was stalking him. He gritted his teeth and descended the stairs.

His progress was halted by Xaldin.

"Well, look what we have here," the dark haired Knight greeted. Roxas bared his teeth. He turned to try and go back but Isa was descending the stairs.

"Fuck," Roxas hissed. He tried to set Axel down but the Knight dropped to the floor with a clank. Roxas flinched as the man hit the floor. He pulled out his swords and started channeling his light. Xaldin smiled wickedly.

Instead of a fight, Roxas blasted a hole through the ceiling. The light blinded the Queen and the dark haired Knight. Roxas quickly channeled his swords and they sprung into his transport. He hopped on and tried to haul the unconscious Knight on board.

"Wait…what? How does he…STOP HIM!" Isa screamed. Roxas started to sweat as Xaldin rushed him. Roxas grabbed onto the bar of the sail and clamped onto Axel's belt. Then he cast off. Isa screamed in rage as Roxas blasted into the sky. Xaldin summoned his transport and started after him. Roxas's hands were going numb from being pulled into two different directions.

Xaldin was faster than Roxas due to the lighter weight and he had the wind on his side. Roxas cursed his really unfortunate luck. He urged his transport to go faster but it was already maxed out in speed. Axel was starting to slip through his fingers. Roxas gritted his teeth and tried to hold on.

Then the lance pierced his shoulder.

Roxas screamed and nearly dropped Axel. With the last ounce of his strength he pulled the Knight onto the transport, shoulder screaming in agony. Roxas was about to be over taken by Xaldin. He closed his eyes and focused his energy around him.

'Fast like light. I am light.' He told himself. Light grew around him and the transport. Then he was gone in a flash.

"What?!" Xaldin halted midair, baffled to where the blonde had disappeared to. "Damn!"

Roxas was jarred to a halt as the effects of his magic wore off. He could Destiny Islands in front of him. Roxas pressed on until he felt the pull of the gravity. Then his transport spiraled downward violently. Roxas felt his grip falter and he slipped from his transport. His consciousness faded to black as he struck the water.

A/N-Musical Muse: Roxas's Theme with Original Lyrics by Lizz (YouTube: Nucl3arW3ss3l) Holy cow is that song pretty! She has other themes as well. (Ven's makes me want to cry ;_;) Please show her some love if you like her music! ^^

(Does not own music, does not own lyrics, was not paid to advertise, cool people just deserve to have fans :D)