A/N-An early posting! How quaint! I had a lot of fun writing as Master Xehanort (although his name's a pain to type). If he wasn't such a manipulating bastard he would probably actually be a kind and caring guy. When I played BBS I did Terra's story last so I knew Xehanort was evil when I got to his plot, yet the old guy still had me pitying him because he's such a smooth talker. GEEZ! Anyway, enough rambles. Read and enjoy!

Roxas made his way around the beach at a slow pace. He wasn't in any rush to get back. 'Ienzo meant well but really don't want to see anyone today. Not after what happened. I just need some time to refocus and plan for what I need to do next. I have to get the hearts back. But how the Hell am I supposed to do that?' Roxas wondered.

He passed around the point on the island and headed back towards the larger beach. As he walked, he noticed someone standing along the tree line. They leaned against a tree with their hands behind their back. Roxas was going to walk past but as he drew closer the man earned his attention. The man was bald with a small white beard on his chin, neatly trimmed. He wore an intricate set of black and white robes that complimented his darker skin.

And his yellow eyes.

"Why hello there," the man greeted. Roxas stopped a few paces from the man and let the sand ooze between his bare toes.

"Hi," Roxas replied half-heartedly. The man stared out at the water and listened to the waves.

"What a beautiful day, is it not?"

"I guess so. I haven't really taken notice."

"Why's that?" Roxas was a bit touched by the man's concern. The man reminded him of a grandfather figure, kind and nurturing. Even his gravelly voice was somewhat soothing.

"I'm not really feeling up to it."

"Bad day?" Roxas nodded. "That's a shame. Days like these don't happen often and missing out on them really can put a damper on your mood."

"Right…" Roxas averted his gaze to the shoreline.

"I didn't catch your name."

"I didn't give it," Roxas quipped.

"Oh, my apologies. I didn't mean to sound rude. What brings you to this part of the island?"

"Just on a walk. Doing some thinking."

"Exercise is good for the mind. I've done some of my best thinking on my feet." Roxas chewed on his lower lip.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure. What can I do for you?" the man asked with a light smile.

"Was there ever a point in your life where you just wanted to give up? Where you're heart just couldn't take it anymore?"

"No. I can't say I have. You must be going through some tough times to be thinking like that. And at your age! I envy your youth. You're resilient! Young hearts are always strong and can push past the most tragic of events."

"Not mine." Roxas turned his face away and shoved his hands in his pockets. The man frowned.

"You lost someone important to you," he guessed.

"…yeah…"

"A feeling I'm all too well associated with at my age. I've lost so many friends to death's doors I've lost count. My family is dead. And here I remain. The older I get, the less fair it seems I get to live on when others do not. Yet the flow of time seems to evade me even long after I've past my prime. You still have a lot of life left in you. You shouldn't give that up so soon." Roxas didn't respond. The man stood up straight and stepped away from the tree, hands still neatly tucked on his lower back. "I wish I could lighten your burden for you, but that is something you will have to face yourself."

"…thanks…" The man reached out and clasped Roxas on the shoulder. He gave a smile and a soft chuckle.

"You're a sweet boy. Your friends must be fond of you."

"I wouldn't know. They're all dead." The man's fall fell.

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that." He lowered his arm back to behind his back. "That is a heavy burden to bear. I'm sorry for your loses." Roxas leaned down and picked up a rock. As he did, his necklace slid out from beneath his shirt and jangled. Roxas stood and threw the stone as hard as he could. It cleared the beach and landed in the water with a sploosh. The man eyed Roxas's necklace. "That's a pretty trinket you have there." Roxas looked down at his necklace and fiddled with the ornaments.

"A friend gave it to me before she died."

"What a nice gift. I am a bit curious though. That key looks vaguely familiar."

"It's a Keyblade, or it was."

"So she was from Radiant Garden then. What a pity. They've been through so much already but the passing of the young ones is always heartbreaking. And a Keyblade wielder no less! What a truly terrible loss. Tell me, if you don't mind, how did she die?" Roxas shifted his leery eyes over to the man.

"She was murdered." The man shook his head.

"Truly heartbreaking," he repeated.

"Why do you care so much about her anyway?" Roxas pressed, turning to face the man. The man in turned chuckled softly.

"Because pain is truly tragic, but pain can birth strength." The man held up his hand and clenched his fist. "That strength can guide us to great things." Roxas took a hesitant step backwards.

"You're not from here, are you?" The man grinned.

"No, I am not." Roxas gritted his teeth together. "Xemnas sent you."

"Very good, Roxas. They did say you were bright. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Master Xehanort, head of magic at Hollow Bastion. I have come for your light."

"Then take it! I don't want this bloody thing anymore!" Roxas spat. Xehanort clasped his hands behind his back and walked towards the shoreline.

"I wish I could, but we seem to be at an impasse. I want the light you no longer want yet neither of us can remove it from your heart. You are not from Radiant Garden so you cannot wield a Keyblade and yet that is what I require for taking the light. It must be unlocked from your heart, a task only the Keyblades can do."

"Why don't you get your own?" Xehanort stopped walking and turned, holding out his hand. A dark chrome Keyblade appeared in his palm. The metal intricately wove together like viperous vines.

"I wish I could but to you it is useless." Xehanort dispelled his Keyblade and returned his hand behind his back. Then he turned to Roxas. "Perhaps I could use magic to try and draw it out but it will be very painful and there is little chance that I might succeed."

"Do what you have to." Xehanort nodded and walked up to Roxas. He placed a hand on the blonde's chest. Dark magic swirled from between his fingers. Roxas gasped in pain as his heart screamed inside his chest. It fought back against the darkness invading its home.

"Your heart is too strong," Xehanort stated.

"Try harder!" Roxas grunted. The mage intensified the magic. Roxas bit his tongue to bite back a scream. His heart felt like it was going to rip out of his chest. He felt something materialize in his hands and Roxas felt the familiar feeling of Oathkeeper and Oblivion against his palms. "W-what…?" Then the swords erupted into light, one white and the other black. Xehanort removed his hand from Roxas and the soldier sank to his knees.

As Roxas hit the ground, he started at his swords in shock. They were no longer swords. They were Keyblades. Xehanort smiled wickedly.

"So, they decided to show themselves," he commented.

"What…? But how?" Roxas sputtered. Xehanort walked over and took Oathkeeper from his grasp. Roxas stared up at the mage, suddenly feeling a bit of fear.

"Fool. Radiant Garden isn't the reason for Keyblades. Kingdom Hearts is. Those who live in Radiant Garden are touched by the power of Kingdom Hearts and so they can summon the Keyblade." Xehanort pointed Oathkeeper at Roxas's chest. "You too have been touched by the same power and so the gift is passed onto you."

"I didn't ask for this!"

"But your heart did." Xehanort pressed the tip of the Keyblade against Roxas's chest. The tip glowed brightly. Roxas felt like his body was suddenly being split into two. He screamed as Xehanort drew the Keyblade away. A glowing orb sat on the tip and shone brightly. It created a beacon of light for all of the worlds to see.

Roxas felt his body being consumed with darkness. He couldn't fight it off. Xehanort took the light and tossed the Keyblade at Roxas's knees. Roxas screamed and his heart clenched. He felt cold and angry, hatred pulsing through his veins. Roxas growled and got to his feet, dropping Oblivion. Xehanort stepped away from Roxas. He pulled something from his pocket. It was a completed ruby heart.

Kingdom Hearts.

The cracks were still showing and it pulsed with a dark energy. Xehanort started channeling the light into Kingdom Hearts. That was the last thing Roxas saw before his mind shattered. He felt something crawl out of him and the world turned cold. Lightning crackled overhead. Roxas held out his hands and a dark static built up inside of them. Behind him grew a behemoth of a heartless ready to unleash his bidding.

Roxas turned when he saw movement. Sora and Riku had appeared around the point. Roxas grinned wickedly. "Come and taste the power of darkness!" he taunted, his voice echoing in his throat with a dark aura. "Come and be consumed with hatred and desire. I will destroy the light!"

"What the Hell happened to him?" Sora shouted.

"He was consumed by darkness," Riku stated. He spotted Xehanort farther along the beach channeling the light. "There! He must have taken Roxas's light."

"What's he doing with it?"

"Oh no."

"What?"

"Sora, look! It's the same as Kairi's Shard. That's Kingdom Hearts!"

"So that means…Roxas had the light?!"

"It makes sense. The light was powerful enough to keep this monster at bay. Once it was removed the darkness was unleashed and consumed Roxas."

"Shit. We have to get him out of there!"

"Right!"

They drew their swords and charged across the beach. The swung at Roxas and the blonde blocked the strikes. The pair gasped as their blades were cut in half by the static power Roxas was wielding.

"He's too powerful!" Riku shouted. Sora felt the pool of darkness seep over his ankles and start drawing him in. He struggled to keep his balance. Sora spotted a glint out of the corner of his eye and lunged for it. Sora dove head first into the dark shadows. "Sora!" Riku cried. Roxas knocked Riku back and cracked the man's chest plate. Roxas laughed manically.

"Pathetic weaklings! You cannot destroy the power of darkness!" he shouted.

Sora suddenly resurfaced and swung something at Roxas. It struck the blonde across the face. Roxas slowly turned his head back to face Sora, his eyes livid. Sora was wielding Oathkeeper. Despite all of the darkness surrounding it, Oathkeeper kept its brightness. Roxas roared in rage and slammed his static blade into the Keyblade. Sora braced but was shocked to find to Keyblade held. He pressed back against Roxas.

"Riku! There's another Keyblade over here!" Sora shouted. "They must be Roxas's swords! That's why they can block the attacks!"

"I'm on it!" Riku called. He ran back into the pool of darkness and dove underneath the surface.

"No!" Roxas growled. The giant heartless picked up Sora in its hand and started to crush him. Sora struggled to break free since his arms were pinned by his sides. Riku suddenly resurfaced with Oblivion in his hands.

"Back off Roxas! This isn't you!" Roxas growled and pounded Riku with strikes from his static blades. "Shit!" Riku didn't realize how good of a fighter really was. The strikes were strong and sent pain running down his arms.

"Riku!" Sora grunted. "Fuck! Roxas! Snap out of it!"

Xehanort chuckled venomously.

XxXxX

"We have to do something!" Ienzo exclaimed. Demyx held him back.

"And what are you going to do?" he challenged.

"You can help!"

"And who's going to watch over you!" The pair kept arguing while Naminé watched quietly. She knew she should be worried or scared. Yet her chest still felt the usual dull ache. Naminé wrung her hands together and started pacing. Something caught her eye and she paused. Then she walked across the room.

"Axel," she stated. "We need your help."

"No," Axel refused. Naminé pounded her fist against his chest.

"Damn it Axel! For once in your life get over yourself!" Ienzo and Demyx stopped fighting to see what Naminé was yelling about. "Please, we need your help."

"No." Naminé knew she wanted to cry.

"Give it up already. He won't do anything," Demyx stated.

"No, wait. Maybe he can help," Ienzo refuted.

"How?"

"Remember when Kairi was pissed off?"

"Of course. She wanted to chew Roxas's head off."

"Axel stepped up to protect Roxas."

"Right. Maybe if he knows Roxas is in danger he'll do something."

"It's worth a try." Ienzo went over to Axel.

"Axel," he started. "Roxas is in danger. He needs your help."

"He can take care of himself." Ienzo felt like he had been punched in the face he was so flabbergasted. He turned to Naminé for help.

"Axel, Roxas is going to die if you don't get off your ass and help him," she said firmly. This got a better reaction. Axel's eyes slid to the side and narrowed, staring coldly at the pair next to his bed. He sat up and stared Ienzo in the face.

"How?" Ienzo swallowed hard.

"He's being consumed with darkness. At this rate, he'll turn into a heartless."

"What happened to the light?" This left the trio guessing.

"What light?" Naminé asked. Axel didn't clarify.

"The light," Kairi spoke up, lost in a trance. "The light to bind them all together. The light of all worlds. The light of Kingdom Hearts."

"Oh, Hell no!" Demyx exclaimed. "Roxas had the light of Kingdom Hearts? Why didn't he tell us?"

"Maybe he didn't know," Naminé offered.

"Or he didn't want us to know," Ienzo added quietly.

"Ienzo, what do you see out there?" Demyx asked. Ienzo turned to where he could see the top of the heartless's head over the trees.

"I can see Sora and Riku faintly but their balance is slowly turning dark. Roxas has no light left to him but it's still there. It's just off to the side," the boy responded.

"Someone must have removed the light."

"With what? Scalpels?"

"I don't know!" Axel suddenly stood and started walking towards the side path that ended closer to where Sora and Riku were fighting Roxas.

"Dem," he called. Demyx flinched. "Lead the way."

"R-r-right…" Demyx pouted and started jogging down the path with Axel close behind. Unlike Axel, Demyx didn't have his armor anymore so he was going in just jeans and a t-shirt. He suddenly felt very exposed. Demyx glanced over his shoulder and Axel unclipped his chakrams. It spooked him how Axel's eyes were still unfocused like Kairi's.

They ran along the beach and around the point. Riku was getting hounded by Roxas while Sora was being crushed. Demyx whipped out his sitar and played a few notes, summoning six water clones. Axel spun his chakrams and sent a flurry of flames from the spikes. Then they dove into the fight.

Axel jumped over Riku and Roxas and slammed his chakrams into the heartless's leg. Then he started climbing using his chakrams like a pair of ice picks. Demyx swung his sitar. Riku ducked at the last second and the base smashed into Roxas's head with a sickening crack. Roxas snapped his head back and leapt at Demyx, static blades blazing. The Knight shot a pillar of water from the ground and knocked Roxas airborne. The blonde twisted and spun around midair. Demyx used a jet of water to launch into the air to meet Roxas in combat.

Roxas pressed his swords together and shot a static laser. Demyx tried to block it with a wall of water but it broke through. Demyx blocked it with his sitar and was knocked backwards. He crashed into the sand and rolled, scraping his arms and knees on the way. Riku jumped in as Roxas landed back on his feet. The silver haired Militia slashed away at Roxas. Demyx shakily rose to his knees and spat some blood onto the sand.

Axel reached the heartless's shoulder and jumped on top. He ran along the arm to Sora and tried to pull the brunette free. "It's no use!" Sora grunted. Axel whipped his chakrams around until they were consumed with fire. He threw them and they drilled into the heartless's wrist. The fire cut through the darkness and the pair plummeted as the hand broke free. The hand melted into shadow and Sora broke free. Axel landed and turned to Roxas next. Sora rolled and ran over to help Demyx as he was struggling to stand.

Riku leapt back as Axel's chakrams came flying at him and Roxas. Roxas blocked the flaming spikes as they grinded against his static blades. Riku rolled as he was almost crushed by the giant heartless's spare fist. He darted and changed direction. Riku slashed the heartless's small legs with the Keyblade. The heartless shrieked as it collapsed to its knees. Riku ran up the creature's arm and started pounding away at its head with the Keyblade. Shadow sprayed everywhere like black blood. Riku gave one final slash and the heartless disintegrated. Roxas howled with rage as Riku fell back to the ground.

"I will destroy you all!" he spat.

"Roxas, you have to snap out of it!" Riku called.

Sora eased Demyx to his feet. "I can stand," Demyx muttered. Sora could tell he was lying. Demyx's shirt had torn against the friction of the sand and the skin on his chest was starting to bruise.

"Dem…" Sora started but Demyx ran back into the battle. He sent his water clones at Roxas who easily destroyed them. Demyx started chanting under his breath. He rolled painfully to the side as Roxas fired another laser at him. The blonde whirled around and caught Riku off guard. Riku's pauldron exploded as Roxas's blade crashed into it. The silver haired Militia was knocked sideways into the darkness, his shoulder badly damaged.

Axel continued his assault on Roxas with little hope of gaining ground. Sora ran into the pool of darkness and sliced it with his Keyblade. The shadows backed away momentarily and he was able to pull Riku to his feet. Demyx finished chanting and pounded his fist into the ground. The sand behind him exploded and a large Aeon appeared. It looked very reminiscent of a bird only its wings were chunkier and one had a large set of gold loops hanging from it.

The Aeon cried and spread its wings wide. A beam of bright blue light shot from its beak and drew a line across the battlefield. Where the line was created, it exploded. Roxas was knocked forward and his temple started bleeding, trailing blood down the side of his face. Demyx dispelled the Aeon and the bird vanished. Roxas knelt on the ground panting. The pool of darkness around him was starting to shrink.

"I think it's working!" Sora shouted. Roxas growled and leapt up. He dashed so fast everyone missed him when they blinked. Roxas drove his static blades into Demyx's chest.

"Or not!" Riku countered. Sora was the closest and slammed the Keyblade into Roxas's side.

"Get off of him!" Roxas was latched on tight to the Knight. He bared his teeth and bit down on the space between Demyx's neck and shoulder. The Knight yelped and whimpered. Blood was pouring down his shirt and trickling from between Roxas's teeth.

"Stop it Roxas! You're killing him!" Riku screamed. He hurried over and helped Sora attempted to pry them apart. Sora noticed Axel was simply standing on the beach.

"Do something dammit!" he roared. "Demyx is going to die!"

Axel flinched. He blinked and for a second his eyes cleared.

"Dem?" he asked softly. His eyes widened. "DEM!" Axel charged and dug his blazing chakrams into Roxas's back. "Let him go!" They fell backwards as Demyx's legs gave out and he fell onto his back. His body had started to convulse from the loss of blood. "Dammit it Roxas!" Axel roared. He ripped the blonde's head back, taking Demyx's flesh with him. Riku and Sora managed to pull Roxas off and Axel threw him across the beach.

"Dem, don't worry, we'll get you some help," Sora muttered. He ripped off his armor and tore his shirt from his chest, pressing it against the gaping hole in Demyx's torso. The shirt was almost instantly stained red. Sora found himself shaking. Riku took off down the beach, leaving Oblivion behind by Sora's side.

Axel punched Roxas in the face as the blonde tried to stand. His eyes faded back to their unfocused state. "You cannot beat me. I am the darkness, I am power, I AM THE DESTOYER OF WORLDS!" Roxas raved, laughing manically.

"No, you're not." Axel knocked Roxas's arms back and wrapped his arms tightly around the blonde. Roxas screamed in protest and bashed his blades into Axel's back. The armor chipped and cracked. "You're better than this Roxas."

"The darkness made me strong! I will destroy Xemnas and all who stand in my way. I will kill everything!" The armor shattered and Roxas's blades dug into Axel's back. Axel flinched as the static blades stabbed him again and again, blood pouring from his back.

"Roxas, they may have taken the light of Kingdom Hearts from you but deep down there is always a light in you that never goes out! Your light! Kingdom Hearts was using that light to gain strength and now you have to fight back!" The pool of darkness on the ground faded into the sand. Roxas drove his blades deep into Axel's back and screamed in rage, howling since he couldn't break free. "Kingdom Hearts chose you because it wanted to feed off of your light, but then it did something even it didn't expect. It became a part of you."

"Stop talking!" Roxas screamed, thrashing wildly. Axel turned his gaze to Xehanort. The light was almost completely absorbed into Kingdom Hearts.

"Roxas, you changed everything." The light snapped into Kingdom Hearts and Axel watched as the jewel glowed brightly. Xehanort laughed happily but then it quickly turned to confusion.

"WHAT?!" he cried. One of the Shards shattered and crumbled away into ashes. "How? How is this possible?!"

"When Isa raped Ienzo it destroyed her Shard, turning it into an empty husk. Kingdom Hearts had to find a new person to hold the Eternal Radiance. It turned to you, Roxas. You're the seventh Shard!" Axel shouted. Roxas stopped struggling, his eyes wide in confusion and fear.

"You're lying!' he shouted. Axel felt his body starting to grow weak from the lack of blood.

"I needed a new host and so it chose you Roxas."

"Impossible!" Xehanort raged. "He's not from Radiant Garden! He does not carry the bloodline!"

"He carries my bloodline!" Axel snapped. "I created the Shard inside of Roxas. When he held my Keyblade, our hearts were connected. The Shard inside of me broke into two, putting half inside Roxas."

"How dare you!" Roxas started to look more worried. His static blades dissipated and he was left standing in Axel's arms. His yellow eyes looked up at Axel's face, searching for an answer.

"He's my responsibility. I will do whatever it takes to protect him!" Xehanort drew his Keyblade and placed the almost complete Kingdom Hearts in his belt pouch.

"Then let me take him from you!" Xehanort charged and Axel spun around and pushed Roxas away. He blocked the attack with his chakrams.

Riku came sprinting back with Selphie and Aqua close behind. Demyx was pale and his breathing was short. Sora's hands were covered in blood as he desperately tried to stop the bleeding. Selphie dropped to her knees and immediately started pressing a blanket to the man's chest.

"Come on, Demyx," she urged. "Stay with us."

"Curaga!" Aqua cast. Demyx was cast in a soft glow and his body shook as it self healed. Demyx screamed in agony and blood shot out of his mouth.

"Try it again!" Selphie ordered. Aqua cast the spell again but it was a high order spell. She couldn't cast it too many more times or she would over exert herself. "Again!"

"Curaga!" Demyx screamed as his flesh started sealing back together.

"Sora, put more pressure over here!" Sora moved his hands while Selphie pulled out a MegaPotion from her kit. She poured it over Demyx's chest and had the man sip some.

Riku watched Axel and Xehanort battling on the beach. Axel was bleeding badly and he was reduced to blocking. Riku swept up both of Roxas's Keyblades and ran over to help. Riku blocked a blow that would have knocked the Knight unconscious. Axel fell to one knee and coughed up blood onto the sand.

"Axel!" Riku called. Axel tried to summon his fire but it made him dizzy. He wavered and collapsed sideways onto the sand. Riku wasn't used to fighting with two blades so his swings were awkward. He was suddenly swept aside and rolled into the shallows of the beach. Xehanort frowned and turned to Roxas.

Only the blonde wasn't where he had been.

Roxas ran along the shallows and ripped his Keyblades from Riku's grasp. He dashed and slammed the weapons against Xehanort's. "I see you've finally come to your senses," Xehanort observed. Roxas's eyes were starting to change back. The right one was a vibrant blue while the other was still the sulfurous yellow of darkness.

"Give me back my light!" Roxas ordered.

"You gave it up! Now deal with the consequences." Roxas growled and rained a flurry of blows on Xehanort, the elder man blocking them all.

"You twisted my mind! You used me!"

"Just like Kingdom Hearts did. You are nothing but a tool, Roxas. A tool of war, a tool of light, a tool of darkness. Nothing more! You will forever be used. Even as we speak you are a tool to Axel. He saved you because you had a strong heart. He impregnated you with his blood, sowing the seeds for Kingdom Hearts to form. You already had the light. It had only needed to be awakened. Now all that's left if your heart, the final Shard!"

"My heart is my own! You can't have it!" Xehanort sent Roxas sprawling. He strode over and ripped Oathkeeper from his grasp. He stabbed Roxas in the chest. "Gah!" Roxas felt blood pour down the front of his shirt. Xehanort paused. Then he noticed Roxas's other Keyblade.

"Rather sneaky of you to have two Keyblades." Xehanort stomped on Roxas's wrist and ripped Oblivion from his grasp. "One to release the light." Xehanort pulled Oathkeeper from the blonde's chest. "And the other the heart." Xehanort stabbed downwards and drove the Keyblade into Roxas's chest.

Roxas screamed as light burst from his chest. Darkness oozed out and fled into the shadows. Xehanort reached down and ripped a ruby shard from the blonde's chest. Roxas panted as his vision started to fail. He found himself drowning in darkness. He reached out only to find his hand came up empty.

'I can't hang on! Is this how Xion felt when she died?' Roxas thought. Tears poured out of his eyes and he slipped away.

"Roxas!"

He felt a strong pair of arms wrap around him in the dark.

"Don't give into the darkness! I will protect you!" Roxas reached out in his mind and felt someone grab his hand. He looked up and saw the faces of his friends. Axel was hanging onto his wrist tightly. "Roxas!" he pleaded. The blonde felt himself slipping. "No, don't! Roxas!"

Roxas slipped and fell into the void of emptiness.

A/N-Muscial Muse: Fragments of Sorrow-KH OST (no ownership besides physical copy of the disc :P)