Disclaimer. I don't own Kingdom Hearts or its characters; I'm just the writer of this fic.

"Huh? Where did this fog come from?" a guard asked. It was dense and nearly impossible to see through; he couldn't even see the other guards. As the others anticipated, they did have cotton in their ears, keeping sound out; as anticipated, the guards removed them, knowing they were better off risking listening to what's around them than knowing fighting blindly.

That was when a sweet melody flitted through the fog, carrying around. Some of the guards tried to find the source of the music, but it seemed like it was coming from all around despite being just one voice. Sure enough, though, as the melody went about, the guards fell down, fast asleep.

Zexion brought down his magic, making the fog dissipate for the most part; some lingered, but it was easier to see.

"You know he's waiting for you." Saïx said, standing at his nephew's side. The others were stationed in other areas through out the castle and the grounds, handling any other guards who didn't hear Sora's lullaby.

"I know." Zexion responded with a sigh. "He'll most likely be in the throne room waiting for me since he's expecting us." He walked off, heading inside the castle. It was just as he remembered. He may have been young when he had to flee for his life, but he remembered it well. The difference, though, were the paintings he saw. He then walked to a large set of ornate doors, the guards there passed out.

"I'll be waiting then; remember the plan?" Saïx inquired.

"I came up with most of it, mind you." Zexion replied, smirking some. His smirk melted into a smile as Saïx put his arms around him.

"Be safe… and be quick." Saïx told him. He then let go and left the castle, clearly getting ready for the next part of the plan.

Zexion nodded and entered the room, pushing the doors open, feeling them give way as they opened more than he thought they would. As a child, he struggled to push them open, but as an adult, he was stronger… more capable than before.

"Well, well, well, little Ienzo has come." Sephiroth said, sitting on the throne, a guard, Squall and Cloud, on either side of him; Zexion remembered Vexen describing them to Sora so he knew they were his allies and Sephiroth was none the wiser. The former prince's next thoughts were that Roxas definitely did look like Cloud and that Sora looked like the mix of the two; it was strange, but he couldn't let that distract him.

"You don't belong up there; the throne is not yours for the taking." Zexion stated, keeping his voice firm and level.

"Ah, but you forget, I've already taken it." Sephiroth responded. "Hmm, perhaps you want it for yourself instead?" He sneered a bit when Zexion didn't answer. "Or do you plan on choosing someone else to be king? To rule in my stead?" He chuckled deeply. "But look at you; you're clearly unarmed. What could you possibly even do, Ienzo?"

"I don't need to be armed to defeat you." Zexion declared.

"That's not quite how fighting goes about, boy. Surely your father taught you something before his death?" Sephiroth inquired.

"He taught me that a physical weapon isn't always needed to win a fight." Zexion responded.

"Yes, yes, and where is he now? He. Is. Dead." Sephiroth sighed. "Well, as nice as this is..." He waved his hand a bit. "Squall. Cloud. Eliminate this pest." He waited before realizing neither male moved. "Did you not hear me?" he inquired, glaring over at Cloud before shifting his gaze to Squall. "I told you to eliminate him."

"You'd be so weak as to have someone else fight your fights?" Squall inquired.

"Even King Terra fought his own battles." Cloud added.

"Bastards… you'd betray me?" Sephiroth stood up from the throne.

"That's assuming we were even with you to begin with." Squall said. He then jumped back, just as Cloud had, when a sword was swung at the brunette.

"I'll deal with you two later." Sephiroth snapped before glaring at Zexion. He then charged at him, the blue haired male running away quickly. "Running away, little coward? It won't do you any good!"

That's what you think! Zexion thought, moving outside the castle, occasionally glancing to be certain that Sephiroth was still following him. Damn, he's quick. He nodded and cast his magic, making the fog in thickly, hiding his position.

"Ah, is this your pathetic plan?" Sephiroth inquired. "Hoping I'd open my senses to hear for you since I clearly cannot see? Then you'd use that bitch of a siren to sing a song and stop me?" He didn't have the cotton in his ears, meaning he was hearing quite well. No longer was he hearing for Zexion, though; he knew the aqueducts ran under the entire kingdom, the castle included. He figured he'd hear a splash, a ripple, and know where Sora was. He also figured, since Zexion was clearly working with the Organization, the others would remove or loosen some of the grates, allowing the siren to get up past them if needed.

Sephiroth focused, keeping an ear out for any sound of disturbance. He then heard one little splash near by. Before a voice could say anything, he reached and yanked up whatever, he was sure it was the siren, was in the water, dragging it out.

"Too slow." Sephiroth hissed, holding the siren up by his neck and plunged his sword through Sora's stomach.

Sora felt a burning pain, one like no other. He couldn't help but let out a screech, one that was opposite of his songs; while his songs were alluring, beautiful, and irresistible to listen to, a screech from him was painful. Hearing it, Sephiroth dropped Sora on the ground to quickly cover his ears, the sound ringing and causing some pain.

Zexion heard the sound and knew exactly who it was. Worried, terrified even, he forced the fog he brought in away and stared in disbelief, seeing the siren on the ground, bleeding out with the sword still stuck in him.

"No..." Zexion whispered. He then watched as Sephiroth flashed him a smirk and ran away, clearly challenging the boy to follow him. Zexion knew he had to pursue, but he had to check Sora first. He ran over to kneel beside him. "No, no, no..." he rapidly said, trying to figure out what to do. The sword was straight through his friend… his brother.

"Zexion!" Vexen and Saïx rushed over after his uncle called for him. "The plan, it… oh no… Sora..." Saïx knelt on the other side of Sora. "What do we do?"

"Sirens heal best in water." Zexion said. He let Saïx, who was bigger and stronger than him, gently pull him into the aqueduct that had its cover removed for easy access. Zexion was then careful as he slid the sword out, knowing Sora couldn't heal with it in him. "Sora… c'mon, you're fine now. You're in the water." he said, staring in disbelief. He was relieved to see Sora was breathing, but he was upset to see he was still bleeding. "Sora..."

"Zexion, you need to continue with the plan." Vexen stated.

"I can't leave Sora here!" Zexion hissed. "He'd never abandon me; I won't abandon him."

"Let him rest… he may just need to rest." Vexen said, trying his best to assure the young man. "And I'll wait here with him, I'll make sure he's safe."

"Nn..." Zexion grunted. He reached over and gently pushed hair out of Sora's face. "You'll take care of him? What if he dies?"

"Don't think of that, just think of finishing the mission." Vexen said, scooting into the water to support Sora's head, not caring that the bloody water was now staining his clothes. "The bleeding is already slowing down."

"Sora, I'll be back, okay?" Zexion assured. He nodded and left Sora in Vexen's care, though he didn't want to leave the siren he had known since his parents' death when he was alone.

"Don't worry, Vexen will take good care of him." Saïx assured. They then met up with the others who already got the idea that the initial plan failed. Even Riku and his brothers had joined up with them, wanting to help.

"Zexion, where's Sora?" Roxas asked. "That call… that sound he made..."

"Sora's badly injured." Saïx explained, knowing that Zexion didn't have the strength to say it himself. "Sephiroth stabbed him through; Vexen's with him now."

"No..." Riku whispered while Roxas stared in shock. He had the tear Sora gave him on hand. Hold onto it. Maybe it'll come of use. If it did hold power like Sora said, maybe it could heal him. Riku went to run off, but Yazoo caught his arm. "Let me go, Yazoo!" Riku hissed.

"There's nothing you can do, Riku; you don't have any experience in medicine and injuries and how to treat someone who is hurt." Yazoo snapped. "Right now our task at hand is to stop Father."

"But..." Riku sighed. Wait for me, Sora; I'll make sure you heal. He thought.

Heyo, lovelies!

Now, I know Zexion pulled the sword out of Sora, but should you find someone with a sword (or any other object, really) impaled into them, remember not to pull it out because it could potentially kill them. Zexion only did this since this is a fantasy story and Sora's a siren. I don't know why, but I just felt the need to say this.

On another note, we're almost done! Two or three more chapters left! I'll get them uploaded today, too!

Until next time, my dears!

Ciao!

~ Chibi