Afterdeath

Author's note: My weekend is going to be really busy, so I thought I'd better hurry and get this uploaded now so I don't have to worry about remembering later.

I've finally finished dividing the story into chapters – there will be 11 chapters total. I tend to just write in huge chunks, and figure out chapter divides later. I've been aiming for around 5000 words each, but the later ones will be longer since there wasn't a good place to divide the action.

I hope you enjoy this next chapter!

Chapter 7

"I hope you realize how lucky you are to be alive."

Lea tried to crack his eyes open. They hurt. So did everything else, actually. "Just tell me everyone else is okay, and then I'll believe I'm lucky."

"Everyone else has first or second degree burns," Merlin said wryly. "But they do credit you with preventing Organization Thirteen from achieving their objectives."

"So Sora and R—Ventus are okay?"

"Still healing. But safe in our hands, yes."

"Good." Lea sighed deeply and relaxed. "I guess I am lucky, then."

"You're also grounded from all missions until further notice."

Lea laughed weakly. "I kind of figured that part."

Merlin chuckled kindly. "Rest well, Lea."

x-x-x

"Shouldn't we wait until his body is fully healed?" Aqua murmured softly, staring down at Ventus.

The boy in question was laid out on a blanket, on the floor in the vast white hall of the Cornerstone in the hidden basement of Disney Castle. Healing spells had helped, but his face and arms were still reddened by burns.

"My dear, I wish we could, but we cannot afford to wait any longer," Merlin said gently. "We witnessed too many futures where Ventus is made another vessel of darkness. Xehanort is acting quickly, and so must we."

"Are you prepared?" Yen Sid asked Sora, the only other person present in the massive hall.

"I think so. Just tell me what I need to do!" Sora fidgeted with the bandages on his arms. He had been unable to stop picking at his peeling blisters, so Kairi had forced him to wear bandages to protect his healing skin. Kairi was currently either resting or overseeing the healing of the others.

Yen Sid nodded. "First summon the Key to Return Hearts." Once Sora did so with ease, Yen Sid continued, "Let your heart form a connection to it. Feel an awareness of your heart through the blade."

Sora's eyes unfocused in concentration. "I… I think I can feel it. I feel my own heart… and several others inside of me, too."

"Excellent. Now, focus on Ventus's body before you… and try to determine which of the hearts is his."

"Okay…" Sora could feel the four hearts, all swimming around together. But as he tried to include Ventus within his focus, three of the hearts receded. "I… I think I've got it!"

"Excellent again. Now." Yen Sid leaned down to look Sora right in the eyes. "Place the tip of the keyblade to your chest, and hook Ventus's heart with it."

"Okay," Sora said, obediently performing the motion. He hesitated slightly, remembering the last time he had done something like this. But I'm not going to become a heartless this time! I'm not removing my own heart – just Ven's. Sora could feel Ventus's heart close to the surface of his chest. He gave a slight push inward with the keyblade and… the heart connected to the keyblade. Sora withdrew the keyblade – a little too quickly – but a small glowing orb remained connected to the key. And Sora felt just fine. Really fine. "I did it! Look!"

"Yes, Sora, well done," said Yen Sid in amusement. "Now, return the heart to Ventus."

Sora bent over, and with great reverence pressed the tip of the keyblade to Ventus's chest. Sora wasn't sure what to do exactly, but it turned out nothing more was necessary. Sora pressed slightly so the tip of the keyblade melted into Ventus's chest, and the heart slipped in of its own accord.

Aqua dropped to her knees on the other side of Ventus, and gently picked up his hand. "Ven? Can you hear me?"

"…Yes. Aqua," came a new, weak voice. Ventus slowly opened his blue eyes and smiled up at his old friend. "I'm back."

X-X-X-X-X-X

Vanitas tailed Luxord in silence for several minutes, following him until he entered a moderately-sized gray room with several tables each ringed by chairs. There the blond man sat down… and started playing solitaire.

(Seriously?) Riku sputtered. (I know cards are his gimmick and all, but does he seriously spend all his free time messing around with cards, too?)

(Don't know, don't care,) Vanitas replied. (Time to go. Don't fall into the void!)

That was the only warning Riku got before he was hurtled across the room, his heart traveling the path of the invisible chains. But Riku was better prepared this time, and fought harder to keep himself centered in the path. And Vanitas also put more force into his projection, and so the trip was both quicker and easier.

When Riku entered Luxord's Dive to the Heart, he couldn't help but groan. It was full of cards. Cards! Did this guy not have a life outside of his gambling? Riku summoned his keyblade and swatted at the cards as they passed, mostly out of spite. He was still bitter about getting trapped in a card the last time he'd fought this guy.

When Riku passed through the final portal and landed in the upper layer of Luxord's heart, he could only gape and stare for several long minutes.

He was in a great hall – it could only be a part of some massive castle – that was decorated more elaborately and beautifully than any place Riku had ever seen before. Several massive, crystal chandeliers dangled from the high ceiling to provide illumination. The walls were golden and shimmered, though much of the wall space was covered by large paintings in golden frames. Small tables and shelves around the sides of the rooms displayed pieces of fancy pottery.

And then the people – as elaborate as the room itself was, the people were even more so. Fancy clothes, of a variety of elaborate styles Riku had never seen before. Expensive jewelry adorned the men and women alike. And not a person there looked even a bit dirty or unkempt. This was the highest of high class. The epitome of wealthiness.

And Luxord stood in the middle of it, surrounded by a crowd of fawning admirers. He was very well-dressed too, in a fine gray suit with a cravat and handkerchief of blue silk. He looked utterly content, and showed no signs of having noticed Riku at all.

Other people wandered about the room, some giving Riku brief acknowledgement as they passed. No one acted like Riku looked out of place. Since this was a creation of Luxord's mind, it implied that he really did not care that Riku was here. Riku reluctantly gave up staring at the rich extravagance and tried to open his senses to detect Xehanort's darkness.

He was on too high a level. Riku knew right away that he was going to have to descend deeper into Luxord's heart. It was easy to make the transition when the person's heart-avatar was helping him, but soon enough Riku was going to have to be able to do it all by himself. This seemed like a nice, safe place to practice.

With both Edym and Even, their avatars had led Riku to the proper place by navigating a seemingly random path through their hearts. So Riku started by moving to the edges of the room and checking the doors. All were locked. By the fifth door he tried, Riku began to suspect he was in a trap.

He doubted it was a conscious trap. But it made sense that a person's heart would attempt to defend itself against intruders. To stop people like Xehanort – or even Riku – from gaining access to the deeper, more vulnerable parts of the heart.

So the only question now was: how to override the heart's natural defenses?

Well, Riku had a keyblade. More often than not, the solution to puzzles had been for him to unlock something with it.

Unfortunately, that meant he was going to have to interact with Luxord after all.

As Riku approached Luxord, it quickly became apparent that Luxord had decided to deliberately ignore him. That was just fine with Riku. He didn't want to talk to the other man anyway. Luxord continued chatting with his fanclub, laughing at his own jokes, and ignoring the whispered questions in his ear about Riku's identity.

Riku summoned his keyblade and pointed it at Luxord. Rather than simply unlocking the heart – doing so would turn Luxord into a heartless – Riku tried to make a connection with the man's heart and use it to open a path to the lower levels. There was a lot of resistance, so Riku had to put most of his strength into the magical unlocking. When the keyhole finally gave way, it did so in a flash of blinding light.

Riku found himself falling again. This time, however, there were images of places and people interspersed with the floating cards. Riku felt a lot more optimistic about his target this time. The fall took much longer, too. Finally the exit portal appeared and Riku dove through it.

Luxord was in a gambling house this time. Tables were set up all around a large room, where numerous gentlemen, and some ladies, were occupying themselves with games involving cards, tiles, or contraptions with levers. The people here were not as finely dressed as in the other hall, but they were still well-put together in clearly-expensive clothes. Luxord was again at the center of it all, playing some sort of card game while an extensive group of fans cheered him on.

Riku opened his senses and again searched for Xehanort's heart. It was much, much closer now, and Riku thought he could even detect a path that led to it. Riku cautiously walked the invisible path of darkness, doing his best to keep his feet on it even as he had to dodge various people. The path led directly to a wall, but Riku took a chance and continued going confidently forward.

He passed through the wall like it wasn't even there. The space beyond was dark and foggy, like a part of the Realm of Darkness itself. Riku grinned at his success and continued on, with each step feeling the pulsing wrongness of Xehanort's taint.

"Hey there! Where do you think you're going?"

Riku turned, and saw with surprise that Luxord had followed him out of the casino into the darkness. He looked a little disheveled, and honestly afraid. Riku waved to him. "I have some hunting to do. You don't need to get involved."

Luxord frowned and his shook head at Riku. "I didn't fancy you such a risk-taker. But if you want to survive, you're going to have to learn when to hold and when to fold."

"I know what I'm getting into. It's Xehanort's avatar back there, isn't it?"

"He's much too strong for you, Vanitas," Luxord hissed. "You don't stand a chance!"

"Are you worried about me?" Riku asked in surprise. He couldn't fathom why any of the other seekers would be concerned for Vanitas's welfare.

"I know you're planning something," Luxord confided in a quieter voice. "A move against Xehanort. And I'm all in. But you can't win the game if you're already dead."

Ironic statement, that, Riku thought in amusement. But to Luxord, he said, "I've beaten several of Xehanort's avatars already. I don't need to destroy it – just weaken it enough so I can put it to sleep."

Luxord's brow crinkled in confusion. "Putting hearts to sleep? How did you obtain such a power?"

Riku tried and failed to give his own name as an answer. So he just said, "Guess."

Luxord did. His eyes widened. "Riku." He smacked his fist into his other palm. "Of course! I had wondered what sleight you had planned with him!" Luxord rubbed his hands together gleefully. "Oh what a game this will be! I didn't like our odds… but you have improved them greatly, Vanitas." He cackled to himself, then his face turned serious and he quickly approached Riku. "I see you don't trust me with your full plan – a wise move that – but I understand enough. I offer you my assistance in fighting the avatar here." With flourish, Luxord offered a hand to shake.

With only slight misgiving, Riku took the hand and shook it. "Thank you," he said automatically.

Luxord raised an eyebrow. "It sounds strange to hear gratitude coming from you, Vanitas."

Riku kicked himself for his slip up as he started walking again. "Don't get used to it. We'll still have to pretend that nothing has changed between us."

"Never you fear. There is no better actor than a good gambler."

x-x-x

In spite of Luxord's fears, the battle against Xehanort was an easy one (though Riku opted not to tell him that). Once they battered the old man unconscious, and Riku sealed his heart into sleep, he gave Luxord his final instructions.

"So the moment the X-Blade appears is the moment of action. I understand." Luxord nodded.

Riku summoned his keyblade to his hand. "If you don't have any other questions, then I'd best be going."

"I don't suppose you'd tell me how many other seekers you've freed so far?"

Riku shook his head. "I'd better not – just in case. You understand."

"Yes, I understand," Luxord said ruefully. "Please forgive me – I am a naturally curious man."

"No problem." Riku prepared to leave, then abruptly aborted. There was still one thing that he hadn't asked. "What's your real name?"

Luxord raised an eyebrow. "Why do you need to know?"

Riku shrugged. "I'm also a curious man."

Luxord laughed. "It's Rould, then. And I'm touched that you care enough to ask."

Riku gave him a quick wave goodbye. "Farewell, Rould. Best of luck to you!"

"And you, too, Vanitas," Luxord-Rould said with a smirk. "Good luck, indeed!"

X-X-X-X-X-X

"We've received distress calls from multiple worlds," Yen Sid told the assembled group grimly. They were all gathered in an audience chamber in Disney Castle. Yen Sid had taken the commanding position at the podium and looked as comfortable and natural there as behind his own desk at his tower.

Seated in chairs around the room were the mouse king himself and his wife, Donald and Goofy, Chip and Dale, and all the human keybearers – with the exception of Lea who was still recovering.

Ventus looked concerned. "Has anyone gone to check things out yet?"

"Not yet," Yen Sid sighed. "I know you're not fully up to speed on current events, Ventus. But our numbers are few. And the last time this happened, we lost one of our number."

"You mean Riku." Ventus bit his lip. "I sort of remember that – from inside Sora's heart – like it happened in an old dream."

"But we can't ignore the calls for help," Aqua countered.

"And we will not," Yen Sid assured her. "But we need to be wise in our response. At the least, we cannot risk having anyone travel solo."

"Okay, so we can pair up." Ventus glanced over to Aqua beside him.

Yen Sid hmmmed thoughtfully. "I appreciate your enthusiasm to help, Ventus. But you are Aqua are still weakened from your respective trials."

"I'm feeling much better, really!" Ventus protested. "Oh and sir… would you please call me Ven?"

Yen Sid smiled and nodded. "Ah, of course. Ven. As you like."

"I suggest we form two teams," Mickey spoke up. "We can send Sora with Aqua and Ven for support. And Kairi can come with me."

"Hey! What about us?" Donald squawked.

"Donald, Goofy – you two will join me as well," Mickey added.

Goofy and Donald both voiced their agreement.

Yen Sid considered it a moment longer before agreeing. "Your plan seems like a balanced division of strengths. Very good. Aqua, you will be in charge of your team. Mickey, you will head yours. Prepare yourselves as you need. Come see me when you are ready, and I will give you your destinations."

"Um, Kairi? Can I talk to you for a second?" Sora asked quietly.

"Of course, Sora." Kairi turned to face him.

"Privately?" Sora pleaded.

Kairi frowned in confusion. "Oh… okay." She followed him as he led her all the way across the room and out into the hallway. Once in the hallway, Sora looked both ways to see if anyone else was around. Then he motioned for Kairi to follow him down the hall.

Kairi held her ground. "Sora, I think this is private enough. Now what is it you need to tell me?"

"Uh, Kairi, I…" Sora wouldn't meet her eyes. "I think you should go back to the Destiny Islands."

"What?" Kairi wasn't sure she'd heard him right. Why would Sora suggest…?

"I want you to go back to the Destiny Islands," Sora said again, in a rush of words. "Please, Kairi?"

Kairi stared at him, appalled. "What, like right now? Why?"

"Please, Kairi."

Kairi took a step back. "I can't go back now. Mickey is counting on me to help him on his mission."

"No, he's not!" Sora snapped. At Kairi's shocked look, he clarified. "We… we don't really need you. Mickey will have Donald and Goofy with him. He'll be safe enough with them. But you… you need to go back home. Before you get hurt again."

Tears were coming to Kairi's eyes now, but she was angry. "You! You want me to go home so I won't get hurt?!"

"Yes, exactly!" Sora grinned. "So will you please go, Kairi?"

"No way!" Kairi yelled at him. "I'm not leaving now! I'm not – I'm not going to just hide at home while all the worlds are in danger! How can you ask me that?!"

"Kairi…" Sora looked really worried. "I can't… I can't let you get hurt again. I'm too afraid. With Riku already… with Riku gone, I just… I can't lose anyone else. Okay?"

Kairi shook her head, sending her hair flying. "No. Just… no. I miss Riku, too. And I'm scared, too. But don't you get it Sora? Nowhere is safe now! If Xehanort gets his way, all the worlds will be destroyed. Everyone will die!" She stomped over to him and jabbed a finger in his chest. "I'm done with being left behind. This is my fight, too. I didn't choose to wield a keyblade for you. Or for Riku, or for anyone else. I chose it for me. This is my fight now, too. And I'm going to help my friends save the worlds." With that, she stomped back to the door to the throne room.

"Kairi…" Sora pled softly.

She ignored him. She wiped her eyes, pulled open the door, and went back to find Mickey for their mission.

X-X-X-X-X-X

When Riku was pulled back to Vanitas's heart, his immediately adjusted his sight so he could see what real-life Vanitas was doing. To his surprise, Vanitas was playing cards with Luxord.

(What? Why are you hanging out with him?) Riku was shocked. (I thought you didn't like interacting with the other seekers!)

(Jealous I found a new friend?) Vanitas snarked. Then he admitted, (He noticed me, and I didn't want to have to think of an excuse to leave and come back again later. What's it to you? I can talk to him if I want to!)

(Of course, you can do what you want. I was just surprised is all.)

Vanitas tossed his hand of cards on the table. "This is boring. I'm out of here."

Luxord just smiled. "You show great promise for the game. You're welcome to join me for another lesson any time. I could use some more competition."

Vanitas snorted and stalked out into the hall.

And ran into Vexen. "I believe you owe me something," the scraggly-haired blond said in his serious voice.

Vanitas shoved past him. "I don't owe you anything."

(The picture!) Riku reminded him. (He wants the proof that Ienzo is okay.)

(Oh.) Vanitas sounded grumpy. The real-life Vanitas stopped and turned back to face Vexen. "Oh yeah – that thing. I haven't got it yet."

Vexen scowled. "I warned you. If you don't have anything to give me, then I have something to report to the master."

(Vanitas! Tell him it's his own fault if he loses out on what he wants because he's too impatient to wait another day or two!)

Vanitas related Riku's words to Vexen. Vexen seethed, but through grit teeth just said, "Very well. But you don't have much longer!" And with that he stalked away.

Vanitas left as well, but as he walked, Riku kept thinking. They needed to find Ienzo, but none of Ansem's assistants or Riku's friends had been anywhere in sight when they had searched Radiant Garden before. It was possible that Ienzo and the others had joined up with Sora and the rest of his team – and if so, they would be sticking closer together. There were too many worlds they could be hiding in – the keybearers had allies scattered everywhere. Riku needed more information on current events. But he couldn't just ask anyone. Luxord seemed friendly enough, but Riku didn't feel confident that Rould had taken back control yet. The only one he was sure about was…

(Uh, Vanitas?) Riku asked tentatively.

(Oh great, what now?)

(We need to talk to Vexen again.)

Vanitas didn't like the idea any more than Vexen clearly did. "What do you want now?" the older man snarled when Vanitas cornered him again.

(Ask him about Xehanort's last meeting. I need some clue about what my friends are up to in order to guess where they are.)

"That last meeting the boss called," Vanitas drawled. "What was it about?"

Vexen's lip curled and he looked like he was going to tell Vanitas off, but instead he replied, "Just another mission gone wrong."

"Any more details?"

"I wasn't on the mission," Vexen replied with a sniff. "Try asking Marluxia or Xigbar if you want to know more."

"I'd rather swallow a firaga," Vanitas deadpanned. He crossed his arms. "They really didn't mention anything else?"

"You know how those meetings go," Vexen gestured dramatically. "All code words and vague phrases, coupled with pithy excuses."

"Fine." Vanitas turned and started away.

"It was Castle Oblivion," Vexen called after him. He shrugged when Vanitas turned back to look at him. "If that means anything to you."

Vanitas made no response to Vexen. (Happy now?) he asked Riku sardonically.

(Castle Oblivion… that would mean… Ventus!) Riku mused.

"Ventus!" Vanitas gasped aloud.

"Ventus?" Vexen inquired, unabashedly curious. "What's that?"

"Nothing!" Vanitas snarled at him. "Just… shup up!" Black smoke poured from Vanitas, forming into a small trio of red-eyed black creatures that skittered about on all fours.

"Fascinating," Vexen mused, his eyes wide, a smile on his face. "But yes… I believe I shall be going now. But I'll expect to hear from you again, very soon, Vanitas." He made a hasty, vaguely dignified retreat.

Vanitas was still fuming. Riku decided it was in his best interest not to bother him right away, so he went back to thinking.

If the Organization's plans had failed, that meant Riku's friends had succeeded. Their plan for Castle Oblivion had been to retrieve Ventus's body and a special key that would enable Sora to restore Ventus's heart. With any luck, Sora and the others had successfully retrieved both, which meant that Ventus had been, or would soon be, revived.

And with the Key to Return Hearts in hand, their next plan would be to restore Roxas, Xion, and Naminé's hearts to new bodies. Riku wasn't sure how long it would take to make new bodies – but Yen Sid had already discussed their intentions to utilize DiZ's research to make bodies for the nobodies out of data. The only other alternative was to try to utilize Vexen's cloning research, which honestly nobody had wanted to touch. Including Even.

So if Riku's friends hadn't already, then they would next be working on creating the data bodies…

(I should make him eat that stupid camera!) Vanitas grumped at Riku. (Speaking of, let's get our kid-stalking over with. Where do you want to look this time? At the castle again?)

(No, let's start with… Twilight Town.)

X-X-X-X-X-X

Kairi was gasping for breath by the time the gigantic heartless finally crumbled to the ground and dissolved into black wisps, piece by piece. She tried to cast Cure on herself but was still too winded. She fished out a potion instead and gulped down the overly sweet concoction.

Mickey jogged over to her. "You doing all right there, Kairi?"

She just nodded in response.

Mickey grinned at her. "You did a great job, Kairi! Don't worry – you get more used to it. Go ahead and rest for a bit if you need to. Donald, Goofy and I will finish scouting around the area.

Kairi felt herself light up at the compliment. I did a great job! she beamed. She didn't realize the king's approval would mean so much to her. But right now, she really needed to hear it.

Sora's doubts were still eating at her, but she kept pushing them away. It didn't matter if she wasn't as good as Sora or Riku or Mickey. The worlds were in great danger. They needed all they help they could get! She just had to keep telling herself that so she wouldn't start doubting herself…

Riku had believed in her. Kairi clung to that. He'd told Sora that Kairi was probably the strongest of them all. He might have just been exaggerating then – he did that sometimes – but the fact that he'd said it at all…

Kairi was really trying to cling to the positive now. After all, despite defeating the giant heartless, their mission to this world was otherwise a failure. This world's resident princess of light had been kidnapped before they had even arrived. The four travelers had emerged from the gummi ship into a castle full of screaming people and swarming heartless, with a massive monster trying to tear apart the castle itself.

Defeating the ravaging heartless was damage control – but still an important part of their duties. Kairi hadn't hesitated to jump into the battle alongside Mickey and his companions. Now that all the heartless were defeated, the remaining inhabitants of this world were safe. But with the princess gone…

Mickey wandered back over to Kairi, breaking her out of her thoughts. "We can't find any more heartless. There's nothing more we can do here for now."

"Will the princess be all right?" Kairi blurted out. "Can we rescue her?"

Mickey sighed. "We know that Xehanort wants the princesses of light for his plan. I think he'll keep Snow White safe. And of course, we'll rescue her if we get the chance. But for now… we don't even know where Xehanort is."

Kairi nodded, looking down at the ground.

Mickey came up and gently patted her arm. "Are you injured at all? If you're doing okay, we'll just go straight to the next world."

"I'm fine." Kairi straightened up with determination. "Let's hurry. We don't have time to waste!"

X-X-X-X-X-X

Just in case someone might be watching Vanitas, Riku had him portal to the train station in Twilight Town first. From there, Riku gave directions across rooftops to the old mansion, outside the city walls.

(There's something wrong about this place,) Vanitas said as he studied the mansion.

(Wrong how?) Such a statement worried Riku.

Vanitas shook his head, making the scene sway. (This location… it has deep ties to the darkness. More than the rest of the town.) Vanitas dashed forward the rest of the distance to the structure. (It's just… strange, that's all. It reminds me of the other places Xehanort likes to haunt.)

(Maybe this was his house originally,) Riku mused, highly disturbed by the thought.

(So… I break down the door?)

(No!) Riku protested. He suspected Vanitas had only asked the question to annoy him. (Nothing that would make a loud noise! We can't be seen by my friends. Try the front door first. If it's locked, then check the windows.)

(Fine, fine. Bossy.) Vanitas complied and quietly tried the door. It was unlocked.

Riku felt his imaginary heart pounding. He was on high alert, both hoping and dreading to run into his friends. As much as he would love to have Vanitas give them the news that he was okay… he had already imagined how it would turn out.

Vanitas would say, Don't worry about Riku – he's living in my heart and helping me undermine Xehanort's power.

Then, whoever Vanitas told would pass the news along to everyone else. Including Sora. Especially Sora.

Then, during the final battle with Xehanort, Sora would blurt out, You'll never win, Xehanort! Even Vanitas is on our side!

And then Xehanort would kill Vanitas, and Riku with him. And then Xehanort would summon the X-Blade and destroy everything.

Vanitas, in the meantime, was slowly inspecting the insides of the derelict mansion. (This place is a dump. And likely to fall on our heads while we're in it! You're sure your friends would be here?)

(There's a secret basement. The entrance is upstairs.)

(Go upstairs to go downstairs? Now that's logical,) Vanitas grumbled. Nevertheless, he complied with Riku's directions. Riku walked him through the trick to reveal the white staircase, and Vanitas descended it without hesitation.

(I'm not sure we're still in Twilight Town,) Vanitas observed. (This place feels… different.)

(Deeper in the darkness?)

(No. Like it's… somewhere beyond either darkness or light. It feels… weird.) Vanitas suddenly dove against the wall. (I hear voices.)

(Let's see if we've gotten lucky!) Riku waited impatiently for Vanitas to peer around the corner.

Cid was there. Riku caught the sound of his voice first. Then he heard Merlin speaking in response. The talked back and forth for a minute before leaving the room. Vanitas waited until things were completely silent before creeping around the corner.

The massive computer was there, looking mostly as Riku remembered it. There seemed to be a few additions, however, a la Cid. Large boxes and lots of cables. The doorway to the left was open, likely because of the mass of thick cables now running into it.

Vanitas crouched down well below eye level and peered around the doorway. The room beyond was full of equipment and smaller computers piled all over several large tables. A dozen monitors were simultaneously displaying different information. Cid and Merlin were inside, focusing intently on one of the monitors. A couple other people that Riku didn't know were nearby. But also in the room was…

(There he is!) Riku exulted. (Quick, the camera!)

Vanitas drew the camera from his magical storage pocket, and fumbled with it a bit. He accidentally took a picture of himself. He growled softly and tried again, snapping several awkward shots of Ienzo. (Stupid piece of junk! How do you get it to focus!) Vanitas took several more photos while cursing the camera.

(That's got to be good enough. Even if they're all blurry.)

(You don't have to tell me twice.) Vanitas summoned a dark corridor and slipped through it, before Riku could tell him to sneak back outside first.

Vanitas aimed directly for Vexen's lab; he was clearly very done with this mission. Without a word, he shoved the camera in Vexen's face.

Vexen took the camera with no reaction but a raised eyebrow. He activated the camera's display screen and paged through each photo. Then Vexen deliberately deleted each photo, one by one. His expression remained stony, the perfect poker face. He set the emptied camera down and turned his gaze on Vanitas. "I believe there is nothing more to be discussed."

"Great," Vanitas snapped. "And you won't yap to Xehanort?"

"I have nothing to discuss – with anyone."

"Fantastic," Vanitas snarked. "Stay out of my way, then," he offered as a farewell on his way out the door.

(Are we finally done with this?) Vanitas hissed at Riku.

(Yes. I think he'll keep his word.)

(Finally!) Vanitas sounded like he wanted the shred something. (Let's go assault another vessel.)

(Vanitas, remember you can't attack them anymore,) Riku warned him, anxious that Vanitas would ignore him and do it anyway. (Xehanort said–)

(I remember what he said!) Vanitas bellowed with such wrath that it knocked Riku's avatar over and broke his connection to Vanitas's real vision. "I'm not stupid, you little heart worm!"

Riku opened and closed his mouth, not sure how to respond to his new nickname. He chose to ignore it. "I'm just trying to look out for your safety."

"Well you can shove your concern! Are we moving ahead with your plan or not?!"

My plan. Not Vanitas's plan. The tiny admission made Riku smile. He was glad again that Vanitas couldn't see it. "I'm ready. Let's see – the ones left are…"

"Marluxia, Larxene, Xigbar, and Saïx. And that's not counting the ones that are definitely Xehanort," Vanitas said.

"I'm not risking those. We already decided," Riku reminded him. "So let's see…"

"Don't think too hard about it." Vanitas interrupted Riku's thinking with a shove. "Just pick one at random."

"Larxene then." Riku didn't know much about her. She had fallen to Sora in Castle Oblivion, but Sora remembered nothing about it. All Riku's information came from Lea, and Lea clearly had a strong dislike for the woman. Of course, knowing Lea, he might have justly deserved the other nobody's ire.

"Oh, yay, the lightning witch. If she attacks me, I'm totally going to defend myself. Just so you know…"

X-X-X-X-X-X

Endnote: I just want to note that I spent a lot of time considering what name to use for Luxord. I opted for Rould because of its similarity to Roald, which is a real name.

Also, I want to acknowledge that Luxord's dialogue is ridiculous. The game writers clearly had too much fun working in every gambling-based reference they could think of. I almost regret writing him in that style because my own lines make me groan… oh well, at least he's in character.