Author's Note (forevermagik13): Nothing too terribly important to say about this chapter, except have a few laughs :)
Oh, and KKBeckett asked the important question according to rarmaster. Have Riku and Namine exchanged the words "I love you"? Technically, no they haven't, not yet anyway. Riku in rarmaster's universe is ABOUT as slow as Sora in the regular universe when it comes to admitting love for the significant other (Namine in Riku's case, Kairi in Sora's.) At least that's my (forevermagik13's) take.
Kay, enough with the rambling, enjoy!
"You mentioned the Organization?" Vexen said suddenly, looking up.
"Riku killed a third of them in a mere few days!" Joseph blurted out.
Vexen frowned, unsure of how he felt about this.
Riku found himself laughing. "You practically programmed me to protect Namine," he said, looking pointedly at Vexen. "Larxene, Zexion, Marluxia, they might have hurt her."
As he said this, a pained expression flashed across his face.
Joseph almost blurted out that Riku had killed Master Vexen too, but decided it probably wasn't smart. He covered his own mouth before any sound could come out and thankfully, Vexen didn't notice so he didn't have to explain himself.
"So how many of the Organization's ranks remain in this universe?" Vexen asked, still scribbling away.
Riku began counting them off on his fingers. "Well, Xemas is still very much alive, though I haven't seen him."
"No one has," Joseph said. "He never comes to Castle Oblivion."
"Xigbar's still around, as is Xaldin. Saix is around," Riku continued.
"Unfortunately," Joseph coughed.
"What do you mean by that?" Vexen asked, looking up.
"Saix is in charge of the Replica Program currently," Riku said. "And it's been cause for much unrest."
"I would certainly think so," Vexen said, sounding almost offended. "I'm not sure if it holds true for this universe, but back home, Saix is not fond of Replicas."
"He doesn't like them here either," Joseph said. "But he was placed in charge, so what are we supposed to do?"
"Axel's still around," Riku said. "Though, I don't think I've seen him around since Saix forbid members of the Organization to come to Castle Oblivion."
"Why would he do that?" Vexen asked.
Riku wasn't exactly sure how to explain that the little bit of 'unrest' he had mentioned earlier was actually something closer to a full-blown Rebellion.
"Luxord and Demyx are around still," Joseph continued for Riku, ignoring Vexen's question completely. "So is Roxas, though he's technically a Replica. But he's still part of the Organization and he still comes here…"
"Roxas is a Replica?" Vexen asked.
Riku frowned. "What is he in your universe?"
"A Nobody. He's Sora's Nobody."
"Huh," Riku snorted. "Well, Roxas is the Replica of Sora in this universe, and it's the only one I really care about it."
"Because Namine's in it," Joseph muttered.
Riku restrained himself from smacking Joseph. "Would you quit that?" he hissed.
Joseph stuck out his tongue.
"Right, well what of the other members?" Vexen asked. "You never did mention the Vexen in this universe, nor Lexaeus."
"No one knows where Lexaeus is," Joseph said. "He disappeared long before the Restart."
"As for Vexen…" Riku said slowly. "I just sorta… had to… kill him…"
Vexen's lips drew into a thin line.
"Awkward," Joseph coughed.
Riku now resisted the urge to kick him.
"I was a different person then," Riku admitted. "I was a lot angrier, but I've gotten better since then. At least, I would like to think so."
"Well yeah," Joseph interjected. "Especially since you have Sora to worry about."
Riku cringed at the mention of Sora's name. He whacked his forehead at Joseph's inability to shut up.
"Do you have the capacity to keep your mouth shut about the more important subjects?" Riku asked.
"Nope," Joseph stated proudly.
"As interesting as Sora may be," Vexen said. "I am more interested to know about how Saix is running the Replica Program. And you mentioned something called a Restart?"
"Well, after Riku here ki—" Joseph began. However, after a glare from Riku, he quickly rephrased his statement. "After Master Vexen was killed, the Replica Program kind of fell apart. But then it was placed into Saix's hands and Saix ordered for it to be Restarted so they could create a replica of Sora for the purpose of heart collection—whatever that is."
"I take it Xemnas is after Kingdom Hearts?" Vexen asked.
"Something like that," Riku responded.
"Some things never change," Vexen said, a twinge of sadness in his voice. He couldn't help but notice the parallels between this universe and his own. Xehanort wasn't even a Nobody anymore, and he wanted Kingdom Hearts. And Xehanort wanted Replicas of himself, for reasons even Vexen couldn't figure out. Vexen almost had to wonder if those closest to Xehanort (Xigbar and Saix) knew. All he knew was that Saix didn't approve of Replicas. Something that seemed to transcend universes from the info he was getting from the two boys in front of him.