The Sapphire Sorceress

Disclaimer: The rights to Kingdom Hearts belong to Disney and Square Enix.

Act 4: Down The Rabbit Hole

"Whenever the Organization needs to know more about a world, naturally. Every world is unique, with its own terrain, values, Heartless population-any number of variables that could be turned to our advantage in the missions ahead."

The empty void that was The World That Never Was held beings without a real existence. Those who dwell in the castle walls were incomplete nobodies who desired to become full once more. I had grown more used to this feeling of being hollow inside as the days grew by in her new home. So now I was continuing to progress in my missions being assigned with Vexen of the Organization. He apparently was the Nobody who created my replacement weapon Monsoon. I was somewhat grateful in no longer being helpless without her keyblade weapon. Still it did not feel right almost like these hands was not meant to hold such a tool in combat, and as long as this body was unable to wield her weapon this would have to do for now. It would seem my partner has come to greet me as I noticed a man with an older look on his face approach. His light hair and grin made me feel nervous, but then again I could not really have that kind of emotion.

"Ahh so you're the new recruit everyone seems to be going on about, but honestly you don't like like much to me." Someone else who thought so little about my abilities. I can't let them get to me so easily so I just gave him a glare refusing to fall into his game. He looked amused by my reaction and I did not know if this was good or bad...bad most likely. Before I could open my mouth Saix entered my view most likely to give us the details about our mission for today. As usual his cold and uncaring look made the room so much colder.

"Number IV and Auxaq good you're both here. The both of you will be stationed in Wonderland to study for any Emblem Heartless that might appear in that realm. Auxaq you will be hunting and learning more about the Heartless we seek out with Vexen being your superior for the mission." He said with a lifeless tone fitting a nobody like him. I was actually getting used to his voice and began to sound as lifeless as him. I had changed so much since I first lost what made me special from everyone in this world a heart. Lost in my thoughts I heard Vexen snap at me with a look of disgust.

"Don't tell me you're trying to pretend to have a soul you're a Nobody like every other member of this organization. Your duty is to serve this group and gather hearts beginner expect nothing else." I wanted to say something, but I knew he was right in a way this was my role for now. Nothing but a student learning from teachers who did not give a damn about my care and protection seeing me as only an annoyance. Larxene was the first, Marluxia continued the trend, and now Vexen would give me the same kind of treatment.

The corridor of darkness felt more like a familiar setting each time I entered through the empty walkway. The symbol of the organization was under my feet as we headed for our destination. This power to travel into another world it seemed like I've done this so many times already yet it still feels like my first time exploring a new land. Unsurprisingly, Vexen continued to study me almost like I was some research project to him. Deciding to just ignore him we finally took in the light of a new land well for myself. It seemed like the area looked like it was not real with it's boxed in appearance. Vexen naturally was observing the area around us not caring if I wanted to say anything.

"Well now it seems this place looks perfectly insane a contradiction of logic itself. Yet our goal is to find special kinds of heartless in this world. Subject Auxaq you should do well not to get into battle with me like Marluxia and Larxene now won't you?" I could not help but hiss at that comment. They were the ones looking for a fight, and I was the one trying to avoid conflicts. My head turned around to see a strange creature before us that looked nothing like a heartless. It's white fur and giant clock gave the look of a strange kind of animal.

"Oh, my fur and whiskers! I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date!" The rabbit seemed to be in a hurry for something important. I called out to the creature hoping to offer some assistance.

"Hey hold on we can help each other if you slow down for a minute. We are new here an-" Suddenly Vexen was giving me a glare of anger. Clearly he was not happy about this action. I wanted to reply when the rabbit jumped up in the air surprised by my comment towards him. "Oh no the queen will have my head! Strangers have entered this place, strangers have entered this place, strangers have entered this place. I'm late, I'm late!" He suddenly yelled out running off into a hallway.

"You stepped out of line subject Auxaq! I do n-not I mean we do not ask strangers about directions we are not that worthless. If you can't even find your way around a world you are helpless and useless to the Organization's goals." His attitude was pissing me off it's like I was just a mindless tool to experiment on. I was done with being pushed around like this, and he was going to hear it good now.

"I am not some subject I am...not a fool! Besides he seemed to be lost, and even if it's artificial I wanted to help him out can't we pretend to care about the people with the hearts we desire Vexen!" I screamed out letting the anger building inside me out now. It felt so reliving to get rid of the pressure inside of me out in the open, but of course the "joy" lasted for only so long. Vexen spat back at me stating we are better than beings with hearts explaining how being a Nobody gives us the ability to not care about the conflicts of others letting us think for ourselves only. It was such a selfish speech, and yet part of it was true for me. I wanted to regain my heart and I was learning to work for these people so was I just as selfish...

"You've learned nothing from Marluxia what a pity." His only reply towards me before he started walking in the direction the rabbit ran towards. With a sigh I took off in that direction knowing he would make another rant if I was left behind. As we entered another room there was a strange table with two drinks. Vexen was observing the drinks wonder what they could be while I decided to look at the door. It was smaller than both of us, but we had to go through otherwise we would not be able to find that rabbit or the heartless. It felt like something was pulling me to drink this strange liquid before me. Vexen was yelling at my decision as I gulped down the decent tasting drink when suddenly my world grew smaller. Actually it was myself who shrank in size which Vexen seemed intrigued by never seeing this happen before to a Nobody.

"I see this is how people can travel in this world changing their height with this substance intriguing find Subject Auxaq." I rolled my eyes knowing he would continue to call me that no matter what I said to him. Knowing there was no other way into the door Vexen shrunk down with me as we opened the door to find a huge garden area with a castle design in the room. I happened to notice a weird looking guard in one of the doorways. It looked like a playing card holding a weapon for combat. Before I could move Vexen once more interrupted my actions.

"Hold on we are in a new area we can't just ask around we will simply be rid of the annoyance." Suddenly he pulled out a blue shield and moved in to attack the guard. Something told me to let him get rid of the guard, but I did not listen to it deciding there had to be another way besides more violence and suffering. Running towards Vexen I stood in front of him with my own weapon.

"Now hold on a second! This guard was not even attacking you, and you're the one trying to harm it! I refuse to allow more pain on something else when it does not deserve any at all!" With my eyes glaring into his I turned around at the shaking guard who was trembling in fear. I tried to put the guard at ease with a fake smile of happiness.

"It's alright we are just looking for a white rabbit that might have entered this place." Vexen was yelling about our useless hunt for a rabbit stating we needed to find the special heartless. Before I could reply the guard began to speak about his queen.

"This is her majesty's private area no one can be allowed. If you seek creatures of darkness enter the forest!" He replied holding up his weapon in case Vexen went after him. I gave my "superior" a smile knowing I got somewhere this time and he could not say anything bad now. Well that's what I hoped would happen but unfortunately it did not.

"Hmm how boring you were just as pathetic as that guard so easy to surrender, and your pacifist nature make a horrible combination for yourself." I growled as we came into the forest that guard mentioned. My eyes opening to reveal a head floating in the air. Even my partner could not believe the sight before our eyes as this head was giving off a rather odd smile.

"Lose something?" The head said now moving around in the air like this was nature. Considering Vexen's field of logic this must be his worst kind of nightmare. Personally I was happy to see the scientist dumbfounded by this action. He clearly wanted to think of a reason for this happening yet nothing came out of his mouth. Suddenly the head floated over to a tree revealing a cat looking at us with curious eyes. Deciding to get somewhere I opened my mouth knowing Vexen would give me a speech about this.

"We are looking for creatures of darkness called The Heartless." The cat moved his tail around suddenly putting his head on the tree and having his body stand over it defying all kinds of sense. Vexen naturally was freaking out unable to even be angry with my forwardness as the cat seemed to know about these creatures we were seeking.

"Hmm you want to ask where they are then! You may ask, but the answers you seek will be difficult to find." The cat said with his growing grin. I looked annoyed by his teasing tone. There was something about all of this that felt reminiscent about my memories. Traveling to a new world, seeing the people of that land, and helping out others even now I still have this desire to protect. Perhaps if I can hold onto this instinct I could return from this horrible state of being.

"An empty forest filled with two hollow shells how fitting, but in these woods lurk the heartless you seek explore and dive further into your own darkness." As quickly as the cat arrived it was gone leaving us with the answer we desired from him.

"How disappointing I would have loved to study that creature and it's form, but alas we have our assignment well your assignment." With a sigh I walked further into the forest hoping these heartless would pop out. At least he was not calling me his subject so that's something at least. Suddenly I could hear a faint cry reaching my eyes. Quickly I leaped into the direction with Vexen following clearly upset once more. Before my eyes that rabbit from before was surrounded by blue and red floating heartless. Realizing he was in trouble I leaped into battle when Vexen called out my name.

"Subject Auxaq what are you doing?! We should not be helping this weakling if he can't fend off these small heartless then he deserves to lose his heart!" Not again I will not lose someone due to the commands of someone else. Ignoring the yells I rushed in flicking my fans at the heartless moving my body in front of the rabbit as a shield. This will not happen again and these monsters won't steal more hearts on my watch. I don't care if this was the purpose of my existence what's happening right now is wrong!

I gave a defiant glare as I continued to fend off these magical based heartless as the rabbit went behind Vexen shaking in fear. I knew these weapons would not produce the hearts the superiors desired from me, but this was not about them right now. I was shaking in anger wanting to let out my fake anger at these mindless beasts. They would serve as my source of venting as they continued to be sent back yet they would not be destroyed. They also used fire and ice spells forcing me to dodge a lot. This is so annoying they won't let up forcing me to move around a lot damn them.

"Curse you monsters why can't you slow down!" I yelled throwing my weaponized fans at them noticing they were now glowing dark blue in color. As they returned to my hands I noticed the heartless were actually moving slower in speed. Wait did I just slow down these heartless somehow, but I don't even remember casting a spell on them. With a smile my body began to move on instinct as well as I jumped up in the air swinging my body with the fans creating a blue wave that cut the heartless destroying them all. No way did I just use some kind of magical power how could that be possible. These actions and powers they were very familiar to me.

"Oh I'm late so very late must hurry back at once!" The rabbit said heading off once more forgetting the danger he was about to be in. Vexen clearly was pissed with me, but I could not care right now. So we headed back to the entrance most likely to head back home. Vexen would likely report me to Saix hoping I would get into trouble with the "Superior" however I looked at a bunch of cards holding weapons at our faces.

"Halt the both of you are placed under arrest by her majesty's request! The Queen of Hearts shall judge you both." What! We just saved the rabbit now we are being held as prisoners? Looking over at the woman with the crown I saw the rabbit looking away from us. So this is where he wanted to be so badly did...did he tell her about what happened? My eyes looked at the queen who clearly was upset with the both of us.

"How dare you defile my lands with these dark creatures. Not to mention harming the White Rabbit. This can't be allowed to continue and you both will be judged for your actions!" This can't be happening she thought we had send the Heartless here! This was just a lie if anything we helped or rather I helped the White Rabbit. Looking over to Vexen he clearly did not care about the situation right now. After what we did for that rabbit how could he just...

"Objection! How can you have a fair trial with lack of proof of our "actions" in bringing the heartless to this world. I can hardly see how is a courtroom of balance!" Vexen was actually standing up for me...nah he just wants to speak for himself. It did not matter as the queen decided our fate with little thought.

"Seeing as how you have no proof you did not bring those creatures you're both guilty therefore off with their heads!" The queen yelled ordering her men to just kill us like we were to blame. Such mindless thoughts and ego pouring from this woman she can't do this. She seems to be the queen of hearts, but really she has no heart. Out of everyone here she deserves to be an empty shell with nothing inside. Closing my eyes I began to draw on the power I used before, but this time I wanted to defend myself. Suddenly I heard an explosion from the both of us as I opened my eyes seeing blue circles on the ground near the both of us. Again this power of mine felt like something from my past yet different now. Vexen clearly followed suit bringing out his shield and freezing some of the card guards. The queen was clearly furious about this unable to do anything as we took down the remaining forces. Now I walked up to the queen pointing my fans in the direction of her face. My face was apathetic, but my feelings were quite furious right now.

"You dare use me as your scapegoat? You have creatures of darkness roam these lands and instead of dealing with them you sat around doing nothing. We helped your White Rabbit and this is the takes we have gotten. I would love nothing more than for you to see first hand those heartless, to lose everything that makes you special to become...a Nobody!" My voice was full of venom and loathing as the rabbit seemed to show a look of guilt. It did not matter I was tried of everything right now as I threw my weapon near the queen hoping to scare her into understanding. With a sigh I walked back to Vexen ready to leave this place now. As I felt a tug on my black clothing the rabbit seemed to want something.

"Wait oh wait I was the one who told the queen about you! I did not know she would harm you like that I swear!" So he was the one who told her about this whole incident. Still I could care less and just gave an empty reply.

"Go back and be the queen's fool for all I care I'm done here..." Vexen said nothing to me as we both returned into the dark void. For some reason it felt more gentle around me than the last time. As the blackness told me in I saw the rabbit look sad now and I wonder what exactly has come over me...

I was walking back to my room after giving the report to Saix. Clearly Vexen wanted to explain more about the mission results while I just gave the main details about what happened. I did not know how the higher ups would react but that would have to be something I would deal with later. As I went to the door I noticed someone was waiting there. His hood made it hard to tell who this person was as his voice felt very deep.

"Your memories are returning yet you are changing at the same time. How much can you remember?" His voice felt like someone I had met here before yet I could not figure out who exactly. Deciding to let out my building thoughts about my new existence I told him everything.

"Some details I know I used to visit other worlds and I did have some past as a keyblade master. There is also faces of people I don't know or their connection to me no I mean Auxaq. My powers also feel like spells I used to have, but now they feel different in power and strength. That's all I can remember." He seemed to be taking in this information when a smile formed on his face.

"Indeed it seems your activities are restoring parts of your memories, but at the same time your emotions are continuing to drift away you still believe you feel angry yet that's not how you really feel now. You are becoming stronger and more hollow if Vexen's details are to be truth. Saix also seems interested in your development as well from what he's told me."

Wait Vexen and Saix talked to this person about my mission. That can only me the Nobody before me was...

"S-Superior! Forgive me for not knowing you were before me right now." I said bowing my head in respect for the being who gave me a place to stay and the ability to fight once more. His amused laugh echoed in the hall sending a chill down my spine. I felt like a small ant standing before a giant who could smash me into nothing right now. His power and might were something I could feel now even if he was not trying to harm me. I knew it was better to respect my leader rather than show defiance. Besides he's helped me out right now, and I had known to pay him back for his kindness with my loyalty.

"How much has changed in just a short amount of time for us all. Well then I will leave you with your thoughts Auxaq." Afterwards he simply walked away and once more I was in my room. As I lay in the bed something went off inside my mind. That face and voice it was someone I had known from somewhere, but I could not piece together where. Also this Aqua person I once was could she have something to do with this man I continue to see in my mind.

Another man from another world in a better time...

Kairi's POV

The dark void surrounding me seemed to never end as I looked for a sign of life. It must have been a long time back in the normal world then again time might not even move here. As I looked at my rod something felt different now. As I looked at the ground I noticed my shadow had grown in size. Before I could even blink the shadow a grown into a giant monster much taller than myself. It's tendrils and yellow eyes were haunting in it's look. My hands were holding the magical rod very tightly now. How could I possibly take down this massive thing by myself! That voiced entered my head once more during all of this.

'Don't be afraid and don't run away. Your journey shall now begin with this step young warriors. To defend the light of the universe and protect those who must be helped is your duty keyblade warrior.'

Keyblade warriors? Before I could think the giant tried to hit me with a fist. I was lucky to jump out of the way in time. Looking at the giant hand a pool of black liquid formed and some more of those black creatures were coming after me. I knew taking care of the smaller guys would come first so I used more of my spells removing them from the battle. I noticed the giant was not that aggressive towards me. While that might be good I knew if I got hurt it would be very bad as the beast moved his hand up in the air creating a huge ball of energy. Gritting my teeth I had to dodge this thing and hope he would leave himself open for combat. I did not want to be a warrior like this having to fight and destroy something, but I had to survive so this thing would...have to die.

With a roar I grabbed on the arm being pulled up high as the huge monster tried to grab me yet I knew this was a good range to hit his face with a fire spell. This had an impact as it shook his head in pain. Still I was sent flying still hooked on the arm trying to avoid being flown to the ground. I grit my teeth trying to hit him with more spells, but he managed to grab me as I was not being squeezed causing air to come out of me very fast. I had to escape this otherwise it would be the end of me...

'Deal? The winner gets to share a paopu with Kairi.'

'Woah! Give me a break, Kairi!'

'I can feel the light.'

"Sora...Riku... the three of us will always be as one!" With a surge of power I managed to break free as the beast lumped over surprised by this action I made. With a confident stare I pointed my wand at the beast pouring my power into one final attack that will end this fight. I knew this power might have belonged to someone else and the fact I could use it was surprising to myself but she is not here right now. Besides Aqua saw something in me a light so why not let it shine down.

"Magic Hour!" The ray of light hit the head of the creature causing it to roar in pain as it slowly dissolved into nothing. With a groan I went to the ground huffing out so tired from that battle. I'm just glad it's over...or was it only beginning for myself. Before I could get a moment of rest the floor around me began to break as the glass was shattering and falling down. I joined the pieces as the void swallowed me whole once more. I feared this would mean the end of me despite my will to fight. Unable to see the people that matter to me so much in my life. Riku that boy who desires to leave Destiny Island. Then of course is...

"Sora?" My eyes opened to see the first sight I had of the real world since I fell into darkness Sora fading away.

Sorry this took ages writer's block plus stuff in real life. As promised the beginning arc is complete with KH 1 almost done in this story. Of course this means the birth of two new Nobodies who we shall be seeing next time thanks for reading.