Okay, so the last chapter had another cliffhanger. I'm sorry, I know. But things happen, okay. It worked out well with what happened in the last chapter.
And yeah, I've got to say something about this chapter, or really the whole story. In this AU, 358/2 Days never really happens. How? Because they don't make it to the 358th day. I won't say anything else, you'll find out what happens.
Also, this chapter will be sad, for...reasons. Let's just get on with it.
Play: Scent of Silence - KH ReCOM
"You are telling me she is gone?"
"Yes. Kirux went into the room, but it appears that Ansem sent her away."
"Ansem," DiZ said, "How is it that he could have returned?"
"It's the darkness inside me," Kirux said, "He wants to take control over my body, just like he did with Riku. It's not the first time he's tried, but this...he didn't do that last time."
"Do you have any idea where he could have sent her?"
Riku shook his head, "Not a clue."
Kirux looked down at the floor, crossing his arms.
...
'Of course, Ansem was the one that ruined everything. We were so close, and they just had to ruin it.'
'All because he wants to awaken the darkness inside me and take control of my body.'
'In a way, this is my fault.'
...
"I do," Kirux said.
"Well, where could that be?"
"It's obvious. He sent her back to the Organization's world."
"And how do you know that?"
Kirux just shook his head, "Just a hunch. Plus, it would only make sense that they send her back so they can still have control over Sora's memories."
DiZ considered it, "You make a great point."
"Kirux, I want you to go there. Confront the Organization, and bring back the puppet. Roxas as well, if you can."
Kirux nodded, "Got it. I'll head out right now."
...
'Bring back Xion and take Roxas away.'
He summoned his portal and walked through.
'Xion, don't worry. I'm coming.'
Stop: Scent of Silence - KH ReCOM
Play: Sacred Moon - KH2
Quick Note: This is different than the one I used earlier in the story. This is the Kingdom Hearts 2 version, the one that plays while in The World That Never Was.
Kirux exited, finding himself back in the city outside of the castle. He was in an alleyway, one that he had exited through when he abandoned the Organization.
"Alright," he said, walking back towards the castle, "Xion had gotta be here. Somewhere."
...
As he walked, he thought of what was going to happen.
'I've got to bring Xion back to DiZ, and somehow find a way to bring Roxas with me.'
'If Riku had tagged along, things would be much easier. But he didn't'
'I'm alone for this one, but I'll make it work.'
...
Kirux had walked so long, he didn't even realize he made it to the skyscraper. Memory's Skyscraper, they called it.
...
Someone was standing there, somebody with spiky, blonde hair.
Roxas.
...
Kirux noticed him immediately, "Roxas."
He noticed, as he walked up to him, that Roxas was holding two Keyblades.
Yeah, that's right. TWO Keyblades. The one in his left hand looked as if it was pure light, but the one in his right was black and devoid of it.
Kirux ran up to him, but Roxas spoke, "Stop."
Kirux stopped in his tracks, "What are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be in the castle?"
"They told me...that you'll try and hurt Xion if you go any further."
Kirux shook his head, "Seriously? I would never hurt her. Roxas, they're lying to you."
"Oh really? Just like you did to all of us?"
Kirux went to speak, but he stopped himself. Roxas continued, "You were against us from the start. You were never meant to be one of us, or one of our friends. All you wanted was to lure us away and make us return to Sora against our wills."
"That's not true! I came back just for you and her. If you give back the memories you have of Sora, the four of us can be together again. Just like before."
"Come on, Roxas. We're best friends, all of us. Remember?"
Roxas shook his head, "I'm no friend to traitors."
...
Kirux didn't know what to say. He looked Roxas dead in the eyes.
'Wait a second.'
'Roxas' eyes are blue.'
When Kirux looked one more time, he saw it.
His eyes...they were yellow.
'This isn't Roxas. Somebody is controlling him.'
...
"Tell me," Kirux said, "Who am I really speaking to?"
"Roxas" shook his head, "Does it really matter? You're a traitor to the Organization, and all traitors will be eliminated."
"Xemnas, Ansem, whoever you are. Let Roxas go!"
"I'm afraid I can't do that."
Stop: Sacred Moon - KH2
Play: The Other Promise - KH2
Kirux shook his head.
'I already fought Axel today. Please, don't make me fight Roxas.'
When he looked back up at him, he saw whoever it was smiling.
Kirux knew he wasn't getting out of this without a fight.
And it hurt him.
...
"Roxas, I don't want to fight you. But...you're not leaving me any choice. Please, fight back! Don't let them control you."
"Your calls will not reach him. He's trapped in the deepest darkness."
Kirux sighed.
"You may be my best friend, but I'm not letting you get in my way."
His Keyblade appeared in his hand, "I will do what I must to get Xion back."
He lifted it up, "Now, let my best friend go!"
...
They ran towards each other, blades colliding. Roxas was strong, and the fact that he now had two Keyblades didn't help Kirux.
He threw Kirux away, then jumped into the air, flying towards him. He swung with both Keyblades, but Kirux dodged away.
'This isn't going to be easy. I have to do this though.'
'For Roxas' sake, I have to defeat him.'
Roxas' face scrunched up in anger, "You ruined everything! Our friendship was destroyed, and it's all your fault!"
"You will pay for what you have done!"
He ran right at Kirux, grinding the blades across the ground. Sparks were coming up from the ground from the blades.
Kirux didn't do anything until the last minute, when he jumped over Roxas.
He then lunged at Roxas, striking him one time.
...
...
...
Roxas dropped his two blades, both of them fading away.
Kirux turned around, and found that Roxas' eyes were back to normal.
They were blue again.
"Kirux..." he said, holding his chest, "What...happened...to me?"
"Someone took control of you. They made you fight me."
"I...did that?"
"Yes. I'm sorry, Roxas. But you're going to have to go to Sora now."
Roxas looked down at the ground, "I see. I got it. Don't worry, I'm not afraid."
Kirux let his Keyblade fade off, "You're fine with it?"
"Yeah. It's okay. As long...as we're all still friends, it's...be okay."
"Now go. Go...save her."
Roxas collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
...
A portal appeared to Kirux's right, and Riku stepped out.
He saw Roxas on the ground, "I see you're already half way done."
Kirux nodded, "Yeah. Not something I'm proud of."
"I'm sure we'll find a way to make everything work out. Trust me."
Kirux wasn't convinced. Riku went over and picked up Roxas, carrying him over his shoulder.
"I'll take Roxas back to the mansion. Go find Xion."
Kirux nodded, and Riku left.
He looked up at the castle, "Xion. Tell me where I can find you."
...
Suddenly, he heard a voice in his head.
'The Altar of Naught.'
Kirux nodded, "Alright. I'm coming."
He ran towards the castle.
Stop: The Other Promise - KH2
Play: Organization XIII - KH2
Kirux ran up the stairs to the Altar of Naught. He found Xemnas standing there, facing him.
"Admirably done, No. XV. I knew that this was a journey that your would make."
"Where's Xion?!"
"The puppet is no longer your concern. She is being dealt with accordingly."
"What do you even want with her?"
"Your friend was made to copy the powers of Roxas, so we could have the power of the Keyblade for our own. However, the puppet developed its own identity, much like you did."
"We wanted the Keyblade to be able to complete our Kingdom Hearts. Once you gained the ability to wield it, we thought we would be done in no time at all."
"However, you were too aware of yourself from the start. And soon, you led Xion astray."
"But no matter. Ansem led Xion back to us so that he may gain control over the darkness inside your own heart."
...
'Wait? What?'
'My...heart? That's crazy. I don't have a heart.'
...
"My heart?"
"Yes. You managed to grow your own heart, thanks to your connection with the puppet. She may have been able to grow one of her own, as well."
"Unfortunately, for you, your heart is made of nothing but darkness. A heart filled with pure darkness is nothing but a benefit to us."
Kirux shook his head, 'That makes no sense. How did I manage to grow a heart?'
...
"You can deny it all you want, but the truth will always be there."
"Forget about all of that!" Kirux yelled, "Tell me where Xion is!"
...
"Very well. I'll bring forth your puppet friend. But beware, you have nothing to look forward to."
"She realizes now what you really are."
...
Xemnas disappeared, but someone else was there behind him.
Xion.
Kirux gasped, "Xion!"
He walked over to her, "Xion, it's me."
...
...
...
She spun around, swiping her Keyblade at him.
Kirux jumped back, "What?!"
Xion ran at him, jumped up, and swung her Keyblade down towards him. Kirux stopped it with his own, but she was pushing him down hard.
"Stop it, Xion! Don't you recognize me?!"
"Yeah, I recognize you! I can see...exactly what you are."
Kirux threw her off of him, but she retaliated.
She fired a burst of light at him, which hit him right in the chest. It sent Kirux flying, his Keyblade disappearing almost immediately.
Xemnas reappeared behind her.
"You," Kirux said angrily, "What...did you do...to her?"
"I simply told her the truth about what you are. A being of darkness, and the Keyblade bearer's given task,"
"Is to defeat the darkness."
Xemnas put his hand on Xion's shoulder, "Eliminate him."
He disappeared again.
Stop: Organization XIII - KH2
Kirux stood up slowly, "Xion, please. Listen to me."
"You have to fight it. They're controlling you, just like they did with Roxas."
"I don't want to fight you. You're my best friend...and...I love you."
"So please. Please don't make me do this."
Xion didn't move.
...
...
...
Play: Vector to the Heavens - KH 358/2 Days
She put her Keyblade up in the air, a barricade forming on the stairs behind Kirux.
"Xion, no!"
She jumped at him, but Kirux rolled underneath her, summoning his Keyblade.
He turned around and swung at her, their blades colliding.
The two of them flew back, Kirux looking at her in sadness.
"Xion. I know you're in there. Please, fight it!"
...
He really didn't want to fight her.
He said that he could never fight Xion. He could never fight the one person he cared about the most.
And that was her.
...
Suddenly, he saw her struggling.
She was moving around, as if she was fighting something on the inside.
"Kirux..." she said.
"You...have to..."
She could barely speak through her struggling.
"Destroy me..."
Kirux was shocked, "What?"
Xion ran at him, swinging at him again. Kirux blocked the attack just in time.
"Please. You can't...let Xemnas...win..."
...
Kirux threw her off of him, watching her struggle as the Organization tried to control her.
'She's suffering in there.'
'I can't just let her suffer like that...'
He looked down at his Keyblade.
"I...don't have any choice..." he said to himself.
"Forgive me, Xion."
He lifted his Keyblade up.
...
...
...
They both ran at one another, both attacking at the same time. Their blades connected over and over again, as the two of them just tried to hit each other.
Quick Note: Just imagine the Sora and Riku fight from re:Coded (the second one) when you think about this fight. I'm talking about the actual fighting sequences, not the talking and stuff.
At one point, Xion went in to stab him, but Kirux simply jumped behind her. Their blades collided two more times, before Xion brought her Keyblade down to strike him.
Kirux simply dodged it to the left, and swung at her from above. Xion, fortunately, was able to get her Keyblade back up to defend herself.
Their blades collided once again, and Xion threw him back.
...
...
...
Kirux thought to himself, 'I'm not getting anywhere like this.'
'I've got to end this.'
...
He prepared himself to run towards her, while he had the chance.
'This is it. Now or never.'
Stop: Vector to the Heavens - KH 358/2 Days
He ran at her, swinging his Keyblade hard.
This time, the swing connected.
Not with her blade, but with her.
Kirux turned to look at her.
...
She turned around slowly, "Kirux..."
She dropped her Keyblade, and fell to her knees.
Kirux walked over to her, very slowly.
Suddenly, a sharp pain came through his chest. He very nearly fell to his knees.
...
"What...is this feeling?"
"It's weird. I feel like I'm losing something very important."
...
...
...
Play: Musique pour la tristesse de Xion (Xion's Theme) - KH 358/2 Days
"Thank you...for everything...Kirux." She said slowly.
...
She began to fall over, but Kirux caught her before she could hit the ground.
Suddenly, she began to fade, very slowly.
"Did...did I do this to you?"
"No..." she said, quietly, "It was my decision...to go away now."
"Better that...than to let Xemnas have his way."
"I belong with Sora...and I'm going back to be with him."
...
'No...'
'No no no. She can't go.'
'I came her to save her, not destroy her.'
...
"Kirux...I need you...to do me a favor."
"Once Sora wakes up...I want you...to be to guide him."
"You want me...to guide Sora?"
He looked down at her legs, and gasped.
Her legs began to crystallize.
"It's too late...for me to undo my mistakes."
"But you can't Xemnas...have what he wants. You can't."
...
"Good-bye...Kirux."
"I'll see you again. I'm glad I got to meet you."
"Oh, and of course, Roxas and Axel too."
"You were all my best friends. And you...were so much more to me."
She put her hand up, and placed it softly on his cheek, "Never forget. That's the truth."
...
...
...
Kirux had nothing to say. His eyes showed that he was close to the edge.
He gasped, as Xion's hand fell from his face.
"No! Xion! Please, I can't lose you!"
...
It was too late. Xion's whole body began to fade even faster. Her hand faded out of his own, and Kirux looked up, seeing the particles of her flying away.
There was a blinding light, and Kirux felt the weight of her disappear from his arm.
When he looked back down, only one thing remained.
...
Her thalassa shell. The same one he had seen when she was asleep.
Kirux picked it up, continuing to stare at it.
...
All of his memories of her flashed in his mind. Every encounter they had, every word she said, everytime they even looked at one another.
Kirux remembered it all.
And even if everyone else would forget about her, he would never.
...
"Xion..." he said, as he felt tears finally sting his eyes.
DiZ was sitting in his chair, as he normally was.
Roxas was sitting down in a little tube. He was still unconscious. Riku was leaning against the wall.
Suddenly, one of the monitors flashed. Data came onto the screen.
...
All of Sora's memories of Kairi. They were all coming back.
"That only means..." DiZ said.
Suddenly, Kirux appeared in the room. His eyes showed that he had been crying at one point.
DiZ, however, did not notice, "Where is the puppet?"
Riku did, and was more concerned, "What happened out there, Kirux?"
...
Kirux didn't say anything. He just looked down.
...
...
...
Riku knew then, and so did DiZ.
"Quite unfortunate. I know you were close with her."
Kirux looked back up.
That was the first time DiZ had referred to Xion as a person, and not "it" or "The puppet."
...
Kirux ran out of the room, ignoring Riku's call.
Riku looked over at DiZ, "I'll go talk to him. Don't worry."
Riku left, going after Kirux. He found him in the same room he had found Ansem.
Kirux was sitting in one of the chairs, crying.
...
Riku thought to himself, 'Great. How am I going to help with this?'
"Kirux. Please, tell me what happened."
Kirux shook his head, "It doesn't matter anymore. Nothing does."
"What did the Organization do to her?"
"They...they turned her against me. I didn't want to fight her, but she...she was suffering, Riku. They were hurting her."
"I had to stop them, but..."
...
"It's not your fault, Kirux. You're not the one that did that to her."
He stood up and faced Riku, "I am. I'm the one that struck her down."
He looked at his hands, "I...destroyed her. I destroyed the only person I had left."
He walked over to the wall, resting his arm on it. He was still crying, Riku didn't know what to say, "You can't put it all on yourself, man."
"What else should I do, Riku?! My heart is nothing but darkness! The only light I ever had came from her, and I destroyed it!"
He took out the thalassa shell, "She's the only person I loved, or cared about. And now...she's gone."
Riku walked up to him, putting his hand on his shoulder.
"You can still save her, Kirux."
...
He looked up at Riku, through his tear soaked eyes, "How?"
A Keyblade appeared in Riku's hands.
"The Keyblade she fought you with wasn't really hers."
He put it in Kirux's hands, "She told me to give it to you."
Kirux looked at it in awe, "When...did she give this to you?"
"Not long before you returned earlier. She knew that she was going to have to be destroyed, in order for Sora to wake up."
"So, she left her Keyblade here, for you."
...
...
...
Kirux couldn't believe it.
"You can save her, Kirux."
Kirux went towards the door, but Riku stopped him, "But not in the condition you're in now. You need rest."
"But...I,"
"I'm serious, Kirux. Give it a little. At least let us get Sora's memory put back together before you go doing anything like that."
...
Kirux nodded, and Riku walked towards the exit.
"Get some rest. You need it after everything you've done."
...
Riku left the room.
Kirux stared down at the Keyblade in his hands.
...
He clutched it tightly.
"Xion..." he said, quietly, "I know you said you belong with Sora."
"But, I don't want to-. No, I can't live in a world if I don't have you."
"I'm going to save you, no matter what. I promise."
You know, it's ironic that this is chapter fourteen. Xion is No. XIV. It's sad.
Oh, that was painful one to write.
Are you crying? If not, you really should be.
Hope you enjoyed the sadness that this was.
Until the next one..
-Broncozfan623