Disclaimer: not mine
Just got my 4th covid shot so this is taking a bit to write. Ugh I hate those things. But it's a long chap cause I want to get to the end of Days and the long awaited reunion.
Chapter 16
"Kirux, how has the game been treating you?" Luxord called out as Kirux walked into the normal meeting area of the Grey Area.
"Uhh...fine, I guess." He'd never say anything about what he'd talked to Axel with to any of the other members.
"Saïx shuffled us together for today's mission. I wager we'll make a good enough team." Why was everything about cards with him?
"I don't see why not," he shrugged slightly.
"Oh, by the way, did you hear what happened to Xion?" he asked as he stood, and Kirux froze.
"No, what!?" he demanded.
"She bungled her last mission and has been in a deep sleep ever since. Can't win them all, I suppose." He absently shuffled a deck of cards as he spoke.
"Xion!" He turned to rush out of the room, but Saïx stopped him.
"And where do you think you are going, Kirux?"
"To see Xion," he told the higher ranked member.
"But you have a mission," he pointed out coldly.
"Which I'll do!" he promised.
"You cannot help your comrade. Xion will not wake up."
Kirux glared at him, shaking his head. "That's not the point! I should still be with her," he snapped, trying to get passed him again.
"What do you care? The creature is broken. Defective."
He spun to face Saïx again, hands clenched, seeing a flash of the boy again for a second, lying dead on a bed in a dim room… vague whispers of words saying to forget him, move on.
"Don't call her that!" he felt funny as he yelled, hot inside.
"I'll call that thing whatever I want. How we deal with Xion is no concern of yours." How could he be so cold?
"I didn't ask you if it was!"
"Look at you, Kirux. Up in arms over a Nobody."
"We're all Nobodies!" He spat back, he was shaking, why was he shaking? Luxord and Xigbar were watching them in silence, not interfering.
"Settle down. Xion's failings won't affect your standing with us. You've nothing to worry about." Seriously? Did he really…
"Won't affect my… What is WRONG with you? Look, I'll do my mission – later," he left the Grey Area, rushing to Xion's room to check on her. He knocked but there was no answer so he opened the door, walking over to the bed to see her lying there, so still. Hesitantly he reached out to touch her face, she wasn't cold. "Oh, Xion..." he whispered.
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Sora hunched over the toilet, fighting the urge to throw up again, feeling his hands shaking. What was wrong with him? Why couldn't he get the Darkness under control? Ansem was gone from his Heart, Ventus agreed with that, so why was he still fighting to keep from being overwhelmed? And…what would happen if he failed?
He got up and rinsed his mouth out, checking his blindfold was secure, before heading down to the basement levels, needing to check on Kairi. He didn't really care about the others with her, except that they were important to Mickey. And that was wrong, he should care, he knew he should, was that what the Darkness was doing to him?
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Kirux collapsed on his bed, worn out not so much physically as mentally. That stupid cat, why couldn't it have just given them straight answers? Even Luxord had become frustrated with it and he'd never seen the other Nobody ruffled in any way. He glanced at the time and then got up; he was going to be late to meet Axel! He slipped into Xion's room on his way but there was no change. Was this what it'd been like for her when he'd collapsed? He didn't even know why he had, at least with Xion there was a reason, she'd messed up a mission and it must have been a powerful Heartless to hurt her so badly.
He put the seashell he was carrying on her pillow and then left the room, heading to Twilight Town. He was running late so it wasn't surprising Axel had beaten him there. He sat beside the redhead who handed him his ice cream and they sat in silence for a while as they ate. Kirux found himself looking towards the abandoned mansion for some reason, like…there was something…
"Saïx told me what happened this morning," Axel jolted him out of his trance, and he blinked before looking down at the ground below them
"Why does he hate her so much?"
"Listen to you," Axel chuckled. "How come you do that?" he asked and Kirux looked at him blankly. "Talk like you're a real person," he clarified but Kirux was still confused.
"Why? What did I say? I don't know how real people talk," he denied. He didn't spend enough time around real people to pick it up, did he?
"I mean, sometimes you sound like you really are heartsick or something," Axel shrugged slightly.
"When I saw her lying there... I couldn't stop thinking that she'll never wake up. And then…I saw him again…I think he…he was dead."
"She will," Axel told him firmly. "And…I doubt you would have kissed a corpse kiddo. Could be he was under a spell or something."
"Saïx called her 'broken'," he spat. A spell? Did that meant the boy might be alive somewhere?
"Hmm... Well, if it cheers you up, I'm probably a lot more broken than her," Axel's words had Kirux twisting to face him.
"You're not broken either!" he denied, and Axel stared at him before grinning and reaching out to ruffle his hair. He growled in response, smoothing down the fly away strands before giving up and undoing it to re-braid. "Saïx knows something about her. Why we're both special Nobodies." He didn't want to be special, he wanted his memories back, to know who he was even if he could never be that person again.
"Well... If it's gonna keep you up at night, I could ask him for you."
Kirux paused in his work with his hair. "Really!?" he knew the two were close, or had been, he wasn't really sure with how cold Saïx was even with Axel but Axel seemed to think they were friends.
"Yes, really! Sheesh, finish with that mane. I'll ask, but don't get your hopes up. Straight answers aren't exactly his specialty."
"He's more likely to tell you than he is me," he pointed out as he tied his hair off. "And yours is more a mane than mine." His was long and sleek mostly, Axel's was….yeah.
"True."
Kirux sighed and leant back, staring at the sunset. "I just hope she wakes up soon," he murmured before finding his gaze drawn back towards the mansion.
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Axel found Saïx at Nothing's Call and approached him. "...Hey, that was uncalled for!" he called out, his oldest friend turning to face him.
"I warned you to keep out of this."
"And I told you I can't. I have to know what Xion's deal is. Why can't you be straight with me for once?" he demanded.
"Just like you're always honest with me?"
"Okay, you've got me there," he admitted. Yeah, he kept things from him but there was stuff that was none of his business. This was different.
"Xion has no right to be among our number," Saïx stated coldly.
"Why not?"
"What is it you two see in that thing? Just look at it," with that he walked away.
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Sora kept his hood up, ducking back as he spotted Jack, he'd like to say hi and he knew the citizens of Halloween Town wouldn't judge him but…he just couldn't do it. He heard an explosion and headed over to check it out, watching an Organisation member take on some Heartless. His heart leapt into his throat as he recognised the feel of the weapon even at a distance…Soul Eater! Riku! He broke into a run, dodging around gravestones that barely appeared in his vision. He stopped out of sight, not wanting to startle him or distract him from his fight.
Watching him fight…he'd improved a lot since the last time they sparred. His movements just flowed, even in the bulky coat and boots. He got so distracted watching him that it took him precious moments to realise he was done. He scrambled from his hiding place, feeling Darkness gather.
"Riku!" he called but it was too late, he was gone.
Sora snarled, kicking a nearby stone in anger, feeling the Darkness in his Heart surge in response. He always missed him!
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Ven sat beside Sora's bed, gently running his fingers through messy brown spikes. He was really worried about him; he'd stumbled back to them such an emotional mess. Not that Ventus blamed him, he'd been so close to speaking to Riku's Nobody only to miss his chance again. It was like when he'd been chasing after Terra and always just missed him.
He'd had to put Sora to sleep, the Darkness had been too strong and Sora'd been visibly struggling with it. He hated doing that but Sora had agreed to it before, to make sure he didn't become a danger.
He wasn't just worried about Sora though; he was worried about Riku…what was left of him anyway. Who knew how becoming a Nobody had changed him. What if he wanted nothing to do with Sora? If he was working willingly with the Organisation? They hadn't found out a lot but they knew the Organisation's plans were not for the good of the Worlds. It'd break Sora's Heart if Riku was now their enemy…would Riku remember how he died? Would he blame Sora?
What would it be like to exist without a Heart? Without a Heart there could be no emotion, was Sora really prepared to face that? Without an emotional bond, would Riku care about anyone or anything? Axel was different to Lea but how much of that was a decade of time and how much was being a Nobody? And he hadn't said he didn't have a Heart…that was DiZ…how much could they trust him?
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"All done with work?" Axel asked, and Kirux nodded, sitting beside him.
"Yeah," his eyes shifted towards the old mansion to Axel's interest. Was the group still there….could Kirux somehow sense that? "Axel, you're not gonna believe this. I flew today."
"Flew?" he asked in confusion.
Kirux grinned and Axel could almost fool himself into believing there was real emotion in it. "Yeah, like a bird! Well, sort of. It's hard to explain..."
"I can imagine." Flying…really?
"There's just no way to describe it. I've been waiting all day to tell you and Xion!
"Right..."
"Flying felt incredible, though it was a little scary at first, wasn't sure it'd work," he admitted, and Axel shook his head. And yet he'd still done it, they needed to work on his self-preservation. "I wish Xion would wake up so I could tell her all about it."
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She saw a brown-haired boy impale a silver haired boy on a Keyblade, heard a female voice screaming a name…Riku…the silver haired boy's body exploded into little pinpoints of Light which drifted up and away even as the other boy staggered back.
The memory over, Xion opened her eyes and sat up, stunning Kirux, who was standing over her bed.
"Whoa!" he leant back and then his eyes widened and he smiled. "Xion... Good morning."
"Morning..."
"You startled me," he told her.
"S-sorry..." she hadn't meant to. She turned her head and blinked at the line of seashells decorating her bed. "Huh?" she smiled, picking one up before looking back to Kirux. "You brought me seashells." She held it up to her ear.
"Do you hear it?" he asked, and she nodded.
"Yeah, the sound of the waves," she put it down, really seeing how many there were. "How long was I asleep?"
"About twenty days," his answer was a shock.
"That long!?"
"Yeah. Axel and I were getting worried."
"I'm sorry. I feel bad. Kind of...weird that we can feel anything at all, huh? Without Hearts to feel with."
"Yeah..." he looked down at the ground.
"Hey, don't you have work?" she asked, moving to get up.
"Huh?" he blinked at her before his eyes widened. "Oh, I'm about to head out."
"Can I come, too?" she asked, smiling at him.
"But...don't you need more rest?"
"After sleeping for three weeks? I'll be fine. C'mon, take me with you," she pleaded.
"All right... Sure."
They left her room together, Xion puzzling over the strange dream…memory? The boy…he looked like Kirux….could that have been, was it possible…she'd somehow seen how he'd become a Nobody? So did that mean they'd known each other before? They had to have. So that would mean she'd been the one who shouted, but…who was the other…it was him! the imposter. Was that why he'd been so shocked by her appearance? Then why not say something? He had killed the silver haired boy…Riku, had he killed her too? Was that why he'd been so cold with her, because she was meant to be dead?
She was so lost in thought that she was standing in front of Saïx before she even realised it,
Kirux holding her hand.
"Well, well. It lives. There's just no keeping you down," he said coldly, and she forced herself not to cower from him. She wasn't scared of him, she wasn't!
"Saïx, I want to go with Kirux today on his mission," she told him, but he shook his head.
"You belong in your room."
"Oh, hey, Xion!" a welcome voice called, and then Axel was walking over. "About time you crawled out of bed," he smirked, and she smiled.
"Morning, Axel."
"Kirux will team up with Axel today, as scheduled. Xion, I'm afraid I neglected to pencil you in."
"Don't keep me pent up in here. I need the exercise," she argued.
"I'll look after her. I promise not to let her out of my sight," Axel stepped in, staring at Saïx.
"Hmm... Fine. Go, if that's what suits you," he sneered. Had they fought? She thought they were friends? Saïx walked away to her relief.
"A three-man team? That's a first," she offered, and Axel laughed.
"Let's go, huh? Before Saïx changes his mind!"
They headed out and walked into Twilight Town. She liked it, the warm light from the never-ending sunset just made it feel…warm.
"This should be fun, huh? Tripling up like this," she smiled happily
"Yeah, I think this is my first three-man mission," Kirux agreed.
"Just remember it's still a mission. We're not on a field trip, guys," Axel warned.
"Yeah, yeah," she nodded. "It sure is nice to be back on my feet."
"Just don't push it, you hear me? We'll pick up the slack." Had Axel been worried about her? He looked so serious, keeping an eye on everything as they walked through the town.
"I hear you. Thanks," she smiled at him.
Kirux bumped her shoulder and grinned at her, making her laugh.
"Come on kids, time to work."
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Mickey stood before his old Master, listening to him speak on the state of the Worlds. More and more Nobodies were appearing, thankfully the lesser kind, but they were harder to deal with than the average Heartless since they were more intelligent. It was obviously the doing of the Organisation, but for what purpose? They were after Kingdom Hearts, but how did the Nobodies help with that? Sora had told him of the Kairi look alike and her sham Keyblade which he had passed on to Master Yen Sid. At Sora's pleading, he had kept the fact that Riku was with them from Yen Sid.
Sora wanted to deal with Riku's Nobody himself, hopeful that he could talk him into leaving the Organisation. Mickey wasn't sure it would work, not if it…he remembered how he'd died. Then again, his Heartless had given its life to protect Sora so maybe he wouldn't care that it'd been Sora's hand to kill him? Sora had been possessed at the time after all. But, if the Organisation controlled Nobodies…did that include the members? Would Riku be able to leave?
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Kirux lay on his bed, curled on his side, shaking. He stared at his hands but they were normal, pale with slender fingers, not white…not white. He barely noticed when there was movement behind them and then he was tucked against a firm chest, arms wrapped around him.
"It's okay Kirux, just breath," Axel murmured in his ear.
He took a gasping breath and then he was clinging to his friend even as a hand ran through loose silver hair.
"Try to relax, the calmer you are, the faster it'll pass."
He tried and slowly he started feeling more normal but Axel kept petting his hair and holding him, so he didn't try to move. It felt…nice.
"With me?" Axel asked eventually, and Kirux managed to make an affirmative noise. "You're okay, it happens to everyone. No matter how human we look, we're still Nobodies. If the body is under enough stress, the normal Nobody traits become stronger," he explained. He sighed and shifted slightly but didn't make Kirux move. "You're not the first number XIII, the last guy…he was weak, everyone knew it, barely maintained human when he was created. Eventually…he turned into a Creeper. No clue if he's still around or was later destroyed."
Kirux shuddered, the idea of becoming a lesser Nobody…
"You're strong Kirux, it won't happen to you," Axel promised.
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He wasn't surprised when Kirux fell asleep in his arms, poor kid. It was really draining the first time; he'd passed out when it happened to him. According to Luxord, Kirux had recovered quickly enough, though had appeared in shock so the mission had been aborted. Luxord had brought him back and then Xion and Xigbar had gone with him back to Wonderland.
The kid weighed almost nothing so it didn't bother him to be used as a pillow, not like he could gain weight or anything. When all you ate was ice cream…then again ice cream was meant to be fattening wasn't it? Axel, Zexion, Saïx…they'd all grown up since becoming Nobodies, Demyx too but it hadn't been normal. Xemnas had done something to age them and it'd hurt, so it was good he wasn't pushing that on Kirux and Xion, not yet anyway. Nobodies didn't age naturally, as proved by the other members still looking the same after a decade.
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DiZ frowned at the readouts and then glanced up at where Kairi floated within her pod. Despite the machines best efforts it appeared some memories were missing…the computer beeped as a new report was generated. Well, that was interesting. A Nobody?
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"Heartless duty again today? I keep telling them I'm not cut out for this stuff..." Demyx whined as they walked out of the Dark Corridor, Kirux shrugging.
"This time we're after a specific target. Saïx said it was strong."
"Yeesh... Is it too late to go home? It's because I'm partnered up with you I keep getting saddled with these combat missions!"
"Wanna split up the search like last time?" he offered.
"Are you crazy!? And risk actually finding that thing? I'm not fighting it alone!"
"Then let's move out," Kirux told him, Demyx groaning in response.
Of course, that was when the Heartless appeared and Kirux summoned his weapon, launching at them. For all his complaining, Demyx didn't run, water flowing around, destroying Heartless.
"I'm gonna stay out here and, uh...guard the exit, yeah! Nobody's exiting on my watch," Demyx announced. "Except maybe me..." he mumbled but Kirux still heard him.
He didn't say anything about it though, just heading inside.
"I've been waitin' for ya, kid! Today's the big day, huh?" Phil called, surprising him.
"Big day?"
"Don't worry. I already got you signed up for the Games. Now you just gotta go in there and put all that training to use!"
"But..All right..." He'd kind of forgotten all about being signed up for the Games. What were the odds he'd come back on the day they were being held? But entering was the only way into the Coliseum so it worked out well enough he guessed. As long as…that didn't happen again, no, he wasn't going to think about it.
"Snap out of it, kid! I need you sharp out there. Just tell me when you're ready."
"Huh, oh, yeah, let's go," he managed a grin for Phil.
"Okay, head into the Coliseum. Just remember my sure-fire way to win…two words: Never. Ever. Lose!"
Wasn't that three words?
"You entering some kind of contest, Kirux?" Demyx called and he turned to see him lounging in the doorway.
"Sort of. These Games are the only way to get inside the Coliseum right now."
"Ahh, I follow you. Knock em dead!"
"I wish you would," he sighed, but waved a hand at Demyx and headed inside.
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Sora stared at his reflection in the mirror, seeing the streaks of yellow marring his blue eyes. He was paler too, he didn't get much sun anymore, and he needed a haircut. Had he lost weight or was his face thinner cause he was getting older? He was…fifteen? Or was he sixteen now? He didn't know what the date was back on the Islands. He picked up his blindfold and secured it, the world becoming shades of grey again.
He was leaving in a little to try and track the girl down, DiZ was sure she was the reason Kairi's memories weren't returning.
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"Hey, Xion. Get here early?" Kirux joined her on the clock tower, sitting down with his own ice cream.
"Yeah. I breezed right through my mission," she answered with a smile, and he was glad to see it, she seemed back to normal after that last collapse. "So, how'd your day go?"
"Ugh, you'll never believe what Xigbar did..."
"Hey hey. Oh, Xion, what are you doing here?" Axel interrupted as he joined them.
"What, do you want me to leave? Sheesh," she looked away.
"C'mon, that's not what I meant," Axel shook his head even as he took his normal seat.
"Hey, Axel?" She asked after a few moments.
"Uh-huh?"
"You've been to Castle Oblivion, right?"
"Yup," he nodded while taking a bite of ice cream.
"What's it like?" her question confused Kirux, why was she so interested in that place all of the sudden?
"The Organization uses it as a research facility."
"Seems like people are getting sent there all the time. Especially you," he offered. Axel wasn't a researcher or anything so why did he keep getting sent there?
"But they never send me or Kirux."
"Well...they probably just don't need you there, that's all," Axel shrugged, it made sense to Kirux.
"Maybe..." she stood up. "I gotta go."
"Huh?" Kirux looked up at her, lunging forward as she began to fall, grabbing her wrist and pulling, landing on his back with Xion sprawled on top of him. "Are you feeling all right? Maybe you need to rest."
"No, it's nothing like that," she denied even as Axel helped her off him.
Kirux sat up and they stayed there in silence.
"I've got it!" Axel suddenly exclaimed, making him jump.
"Huh? Got what?" he looked at Axel in confusion.
"Let's go to the beach next time we get a day off," Axel answered.
"The beach?" Xion laughed. "Where did that come from?"
"What, don't you want to go somewhere different for a change?" Axel asked them both.
"So...it would just be the three of us?" Kirux asked in return.
"Yeah, exactly."
"...I'll join you...if I can," Xion offered.
"Of course you can, Xion," Kirux told her firmly.
"You'll have a blast, trust me," Axel was grinning now, and Xion slowly smiled.
"Well...all right, sure. Let's do it."
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Xion typed at the keyboard, data progressing on the screens in front of her. She kept checking to make sure no one was around; she wasn't meant to be in there after all. "No, no..." she kept typing, frustrated. "Where is it?" She pulled up a large data screen with the symbol of the Nobodies on it. "Got it!"
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Kirux blinked at the ceiling, that dream…he touched his face, finding his face was damp. Why? How? There wasn't any water dripping from the ceiling or anything.
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-Secret Report: Xion-
My body feels heavy, and my head aches. I'm too busy dreaming to get any
rest from sleep. Axel knows something. He's hiding some secret. It must be
in Castle Oblivion. That's where I was born.
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"I sent Axel to Castle Oblivion last night on short notice, to help expedite the matter we spoke of. I also instructed him to clear out our facilities there. He should RTC soon," Saïx reported.
"What else?" Xemnas asked.
"Somebody accessed our main computer without authorization," he admitted.
"'Somebody'?" Xigbar scoffed from his own chair. "Are we all gonna pretend we don't know who? Little Poppet is turning into a problem…and I think you catch my meaning."
"Nonsense. I see no problem whatsoever," Saïx denied.
"Ha ha! Well no, apparently you don't!" Xigbar shot back with a laugh.
"Something you find amusing?" Saïx stared at him.
"If people see with their Hearts, Saïx, then you're even blinder than the rest of us," was Xigbar's cryptic answer.
"Our plans remain unchanged. Axel, Kirux, and Xion will play the roles Kingdom Hearts has chosen for them," Xemnas stepped in.
"But sir, Xion... If we don't take steps…"
"Take steps? How can you not see how perfect this is? Xion is marching right into the arms of destiny. The only steps we need take are two: watch...and wait."
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Xion entered Castle Oblivion cautiously, gasping as she had a flash. "Nngh...my head..."
A memory came to her - she was standing in a white hall of Castle Oblivion with Saïx.
"This is the last you'll ever see of these walls, Xion."
The memory ended and she fell to her knees, clutching her head. She looked up as a corridor opened and Axel stepped out only to freeze as he saw her. "Axel... What are you...doing here...?" she tried to get up.
"Orders," he shrugged. "Nothing to do with you. I'm not sure what you thought you'd find in an empty place like this." He walked over and offered his hand to help her up.
"Don't lie to me!" she snapped at him, slapping his hand aside and staggering to her feet. "I know this is where I come from! The answers are here."
"Weren't you given some other mission?" he asked, but she didn't answer. "You can't just throw orders to the wind, Xion," he warned.
"Or else what? They'll turn me into a Dusk?"
"Not even a Dusk. They'll skip right past that and destroy you outright," his answer had her stepping back slightly.
"Because I'm useless?" she asked quietly.
"No, I didn't say that," he denied. "Turn around and go home, Xion," he told her.
"Axel, I'm remembering things... About who I was."
"Well, stop remembering. Nothing good will come of it," he shook his head.
"I have dreams every night. You're in them, Axel!"
"Then they sure ain't memories. How could I be part of your past? Use your head, Xion," he seemed genuinely perplexed by her having dreams with him in them, but he was good at faking emotions.
"You can't fool me. We've met before, Axel, right here in this castle!" she was sure of it!
"Have not. Go home, Xion. Don't keep Kirux waiting."
"Please, Axel, just...help me! I need to know who I am." She turned and ran for the doors that led further into the castle.
"Hey-stop! Xion, stay out of there!" he yelled after her but she didn't listen.
She had to know the truth!
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"You're early," Axel commented as he walked out to see Kirux already waiting with ice cream.
The teenaged Nobody looked up at him and smiled. "No, you're just late," he teased.
Axel sat down beside him down and they ate in silence for a while.
"Today makes 235."
"What's that about?" he looked over at the kid in confusion.
"It's been that many days since I first joined the Organization. Man, time flies," Kirux shook his head.
"So, you got the number memorized, do ya?" he chuckled. Had it really been that long already?
"Yeah. Have to hang onto something, right? It's not like I have memories from before the Organization. Don't you remember? I acted like a zombie."
Axel put his hand on Kirux's shoulder even as he laughed. "Right, that first week you could barely form a sentence. But come on, you're still kind of a zombie," he teased with a playful pat on the back.
"Oh, thanks!" Kirux pulled a face.
"Hey, Kirux. Bet you don't know why the sun sets red. You see, light is made up of lots of colours. And out of all those colours, red is the one that travels the farthest." His explanation got him an elbow to the ribs.
"Like I asked! Know-it-all."
They laughed again and it was nice. Axel flopped back to stare up at the sky, Kirux still eating beside him. What would his parents say if they knew his diet consisted solely of ice cream now? He didn't even remember what hunger felt like. Axel sighed, he never would have even thought of his parents before Kirux and Xion showed up, they'd changed things a lot.
"Seriously, where is she?" Kirux muttered, looking towards the stairs.
Axel winced, glad Kirux wasn't looking at him. He sat up…and chose to lie. "Kirux... I'm not sure she's gonna show today."
"Did she collapse again?" Kirux asked, sounding really worried.
Axel shook his head. "What, didn't you hear? She got sent on a really important mission. Pretty cool, huh?" he didn't like lying to Kirux but it was too dangerous.
"Oh... So when's she coming back?"
"Well, I guess that depends on how well she does her job, right?"
"Heh, fair enough."
How long would the lie hold? If Kirux asked any of the others… she better hurry up and come home. He couldn't cover for her for long.
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"Xion is gone," Xemnas announced from his chair, and they all looked at him.
"What!? Whoa whoa, time out... You mean she, like, flew the coop?" Demyx asked.
"Hah, preposterous. What would drive her to choose her own demise?" Xaldin shook his head.
"On the contrary. No one is to go looking for Xion without my express permission," Xemnas ordered.
"What? Why not!?" Kirux demanded.
"Your "friend" will be left alone. Or would you rather we find some punishment?" Saïx asked him.
"I'd rather you get her back!"
"And why would we do that?"
"Rrgh..."
"All will be revealed when the time comes," Xemnas told them.
"Hmm... Which means, if the time doesn't come, things can stay as they are..." Axel looked between Xemnas and Saïx.
"Lord Xemnas has spoken. Obey, or face your end," Saïx warned, looking between Axel and Kirux.
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-Kirux' Diary Entry: Day 236-
Xion has gone missing, but nobody said anything about her being hurt, so that's good...I guess. Did she run off? That doesn't make any sense. Xemnas told us not to go after her. The way Saïx explained it, it's almost like they don't think she's worth getting back. What is going on?
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Xion was being held in someone's arms, dishevelled, confused. "Who am I? What am I...here for?" she mumbled, even as a hand gently brushed her hair aside. Her eyes fell shut as she fell asleep, dreaming of her, Kirux, and Axel watching the sunset from Destiny Islands.
"Is it that I'm not supposed to exist?" she asked, and they looked at her.
"Well, what do you want to do, Xion?" Axel asked.
"I want...I want to be with you two." She folded her hands in her lap and Kirux placed his hand on hers.
"Then come back with us," he told her.
"I can't... Not the way I am now. But...what would it take for me to be like you?"
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Sora felt the girl, Xion, begin to stir.
"Are you..."
"Sora, Kairi's friend," he answered, letting go of her.
"Kairi? You know Kairi?" she asked, confirming to him that she had Kairi's memories like DiZ had said.
"Yeah," he stood and offered her a hand to help her up.
"Thank you. You saved me...but I don't know why you did."
"Guess I just felt like it," he shrugged.
"Sora, please... Tell me more…about Kairi and the boys she's always with. One of them is you, isn't it? And the other?"
"You mean Riku." It hurt to think about him.
"Riku…he looks so much like my friend…and Kairi, she looks so much like me. But I saw…I had a dream and you…you killed him," she whispered.
"To Kairi, he's someone very special." It was true, they'd all been so special to each other. It was hard not to flinch at her accusation. "I would never hurt Riku," he whispered. "He saved me, but I couldn't save him…and my body was used to kill him, I wasn't strong enough to stop it."
She looked confused by that before her eyes widened. "Something…possessed you?" she asked carefully, and he nodded. "I'm so confused," she admitted, "it's just... I remember things about all three of you. But I'm nothing more than a puppet...something that somebody created. So why would I have...her memories? Do you know where Kairi is now?"
"That secret stays with me," he couldn't help snapping at her.
"Why's that?"
He sighed, running a hand through his hair, looking out at the sea, not that he could really see it, just grey all the way to the horizon. "Xion...your memories...they really belong to Kairi." He finally answered.
"So you mean...I'm like a part of her?"
"When her memories were scattered, some of them found their way inside you. Now, Kairi has been put to sleep so that we can piece together her memory. Except..."
"You can't, because part of it is inside of me. That means...she can't wake up," Xion whispered, and Sora nodded, pushing back his hood to let her see him.
"Yeah, you got it. But, if you go with me to Kairi right now, we could give the memories inside you back to her," he offered even though he knew she'd say no.
"So, do you hate me for taking your friend away from you?" she muttered.
"Nope," he shook his head. "I guess...I'm just sad."
"I'm sorry, but...I can't go with you. It's my friends…they need me. And I need them, too."
He got that, how could he not? He put his hand on her shoulder. "Maybe...you should take some time and think about it. Figure out who really needs you more. And where you belong." He knew that in the end, she'd come back to Kairi.
"How will I know where I belong, truly? I'm not sure I can promise you I'll come up with the right answer."
"Well, the answer you come up with can't just be right for you. It has to be one that works best for everybody, you and your friends and everyone else."
"I'll try," she murmured.
Sora nodded and then left, not able to stay on the Island any longer, it hurt too much to be there without them. Xion was lucky he'd been nearby and had felt something happening so had gone to check, to make sure their home wasn't being threatened. Stabilising her had not been easy and he was exhausted, the Darkness close to the surface after using so much magic.
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"Wow, you're actually up here," he stated flatly.
"Been that long, huh?" Axel asked, and Kirux sat down, though not as close as usual.
"I got to go to the beach today for my mission. There was this girl there who looked kind of like Xion...but I couldn't get close enough to tell for sure. I probably imagined it. To be honest, I'm not even sure today's mission really happened. I feel like I just woke up from a dream or something. This is gonna sound crazy, but you know how we promised each other we'd all go to the beach? Well, I think I only saw her there because I wanted her to be there.
Axel stood up, startling him. "You wanna go look for her?"
Kirux blinked up at him. "Huh? But Xemnas' orders..."
"Orders, shmorders. Starting tomorrow, let's use our spare time between work and coming here to try and find Xion."
Kirux scrambled up, grinning. "Okay... Yeah, it's a deal!"
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-Kirux's Diary Entry: Day 256-
I don't remember much about today's mission-just that it was by the beach. Or was it? The mission didn't even feel real. Axel and I agreed to start looking for Xion tomorrow.
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"The impostor has been sighted again," Saïx told everyone in the Grey Area, waiting for their assignments.
"Impostor? You mean the one that Xion..." Kirux trailed off, the one that she couldn't beat…all this had started after that.
"He's prowling about Castle Oblivion as we speak."
"Castle Oblivion? I'll go," Kirux immediately volunteered, the one place they had yet to look for Xion.
"Not by yourself, you won't. This target is extremely dangerous," Saïx answered.
"Then how 'bout I tag along? I know Castle Oblivion better than anybody else in this outfit," Axel offered as he walked in.
"All right, better. Go, then, and teach this fraud the price for wearing our coat, with that Saïx walked away.
"Castle Oblivion, huh? Ask and ye shall receive," Axel smirked, and Kirux nodded.
They left quickly so that Saïx couldn't change his mind.
Kirux looked around the white hall, disappointed. "So, this is Castle Oblivion...guess I was expecting something…more," he admitted.
Axel chuckled. "Nope, just white, white, and more white."
"So, where to?" he asked, and Axel began walking.
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-Kirux' Diary Entry: Day 277-
I went to Castle Oblivion to find Xion, but there was nothing. Just empty white halls. Is that the only colour the Organisation ever decorates with? We came home via Twilight Town and for a second I thought I saw her but when I went to look no one was there. Where could she be? We didn't find the Imposter at the Castle either, so he must have moved on.
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"You're ordering me to what!?" Axel yelled, and Kirux ran up the stairs to reach him, something had to be really wrong for him to be yelling.
"Tell me what choice is left, now that Xion has had contact with that man in the black coat," Saïx demanded in return, and Kirux froze, what? Saïx looked in Kirux's direction, Axel following.
"Axel?" Kirux asked in confusion but Axel said nothing.
"Xion has betrayed us," Saïx said.
"What? No!" that wasn't possible.
"The creature was seen consorting with that impostor. What more evidence do we need?"
"That's not evidence! Who knows why she was with him?" Kirux looked over at Axel, who had no response.
"I think we all know, and you just don't want to accept it," Saïx told him, and Kirux looked down.
"He might be forcing her," he suggested.
"Ha! Spare me your repulsive displays of would-be sentiment."
Kirux's head snapped up and he glared at Saïx. "It's not a display! Why is it such a crime to give each other the benefit of the doubt?"
Axel walked closer and shook his head.
"The impostor has resurfaced in Twilight Town. Go and destroy him, Kirux…like I expected you to do yesterday."
"He wasn't even there!" Kirux snapped. How could he fight someone if they weren't where the mission said they were?
Saïx ignored him for Axe. "Axel, you bring Xion back. Gagged and tied up, for all I care. If that proves too troublesome, then you are authorized to adopt a more permanent solution."
"What? Saïx, no!"
"Get going," the blue haired Nobody commanded before walking away.
"Well, this is pretty icky, huh?" Axel sighed.
"You're not actually going to follow those orders, are you?"
"Relax. I'll think of something clever once I find her. You just worry about yourself, huh? That guy in the coat doesn't seem like the type to go down without a fight," Axel warned.
"I know."
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-Secret Report: Axel-
Man, two days in a row with bad intel, Saïx's slipping. Is Xion really with the Imposter? At least I didn't have to fight her.
The man they're calling the imposter, that fake Organization member? It's got to be Sora. Kirux could very well remember him, somewhere deep in his memories, especially if forced to face him. He deserves to remember so why do I want to keep them apart?
If Xion's siding with the hero, it could easily mean her erasure. What are you planning to do, Xion?
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"Sora!" Xion called as she spotted him on the bridge.
"Did you find the right answer?" he asked, turning to her, hood down but eyes covered.
"Yeah. I did. I'm on the verge of losing everything I ever cared about. I can't let that happen. Tell me what I need to do."
She wanted to go back to Kirux and Axel but she couldn't. she'd almost done it, had seen them in Twilight Town, but then she'd heard them talking, Axel had been given orders to bring her back no matter what, which meant getting away again would be impossible.
"Go to Twilight Town. You'll find a boy there by the name of Ventus," Sora told her.
"Ventus? What's he like?" she asked, curious.
"You'll find out. I don't think you'll have much trouble tracking him down."
"All right. Thanks, Sora," she turned to go but then glanced back at him. He looked so…lonely. "Good-bye..."
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"Kairi is having a powerful effect on her," Xigbar offered.
"Yes, it was not supposed to gain a mind of its own - nor become the person we see. But in the end, it only proves the puppet is the more worthy vessel. At last, the time has come. Saïx, are the devices ready?"
"All three will be operable in a matter of days. We only have to find Xion for the plan to work."
"Good," Xemnas nodded.
"What do you want to do with Kirux?"
"Both of them have connections to Kairi and Sora, but we only need one of them under our thumb. Let Xion take from Kirux whatever he may have to give…Or, let him destroy her first and prove himself worthy of being among us. It makes no difference to me."
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"Xaldin!" Kirux called, and the other Nobody turned to look at him.
"Kirux... Why are you here?"
"You never RTC'd from your last mission. I came to get you," he explained.
"Hmph. How presumptuous."
"What's kept you here so long?" Xaldin did seem kind of obsessed with the Beast and whatever was going on with him.
"Just making a few preparations."
"Preparations for what?" he asked warily.
"It won't be long now. Things here should become quite interesting."
What? Seriously, why was the Beast so interesting to him?
"A shame you've wasted your time. We return immediately," Xaldin ordered, and Kirux sighed.
"Fine..."
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Ventus leant against the wall, people watching. He'd never really been around a lot of people until he'd gone chasing after Terra and even then, he hadn't just stopped to interact with others, it had all been for beating the Unversed or finding his friends. Sora had sent word, Xion was coming to them of her own free will. He felt bad about it, knew Sora did too, but what else could be done? Xion technically wasn't real, so why did he feel bad about ending her existence to wake Kairi?
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"There has been no sign of Xion anywhere," Xemnas stated.
"Do we have no idea where she is?" Xaldin asked.
"'It', not 'she'. Xion is just a Replica...a puppet," Xemnas informed them all.
"Puppet? Someone made her?" Luxord asked, leaning forward as he played with some cards.
"Puppets generally don't make themselves," Saïx stared at the gambler.
"The Replica Program was one of our little pet projects," Xigbar shrugged.
"Replica whatza?" Demyx asked in confusion."
"Perhaps you'd care to enlighten us about this "pet project"." Xaldin looked between those in the know.
"The goal was to duplicate the Keyblade wielder's memories, and through them, her powers - thus making them our own. Vexen oversaw the project at Castle Oblivion. However, our efforts were severely derailed by his unexpected demise. And this particular Replica, the one we called Xion, came to form an identity of her own," Xemnas explained cooly.
"That caught us off guard. If anything like that happened before, no one at Castle Oblivion ever reported it. Did they Axel?" Saïx looked to the redhead who remained silent.
"Fortunately, the puppet has no means of dashing our plans now, even if she has learned to pull her own strings. Still, she knows our secrets. We need to shorten her leash... And perhaps tighten it."
"You don't mean…" Kirux spoke up for the first time.
"Axel," Xemnas cut him off, and Axel looked to their leader. "Seeing as how she escaped on your watch, the onus is on you to capture her and return her here. I am willing to overlook any nicks and scratches. Just ensure she still functions on arrival."
Xaldin shook his head. "Why you would allow a deserter back under our roof... She should be eradicated!"
"'Deserter' is hardly the term for a broken specimen who wandered out from under the microscope," Saïx answered him.
"Axel, you have your orders. Dismissed," with that, Xemnas left.
Kirux sat there even after everyone else had left. Xion…was a puppet? No! She was real and she was his friend, he wouldn't let them hurt her. He'd failed the boy in his dreams; he wouldn't fail her too. And it wasn't fair to blame Axel…but the way it'd been said, had Axel been spying on her?
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"Why am I doing this? Why am I going back to the castle? There's nothing there for me. How can I keep working for them if they're gonna leave me in the dark? What am I saying... This isn't about them, or Xion. It's about me. Whatever "me" is," Kirux murmured as he left the cave, looking up at the stars in the night sky. "I feel like I'm the only person who doesn't know. Have I got anything left? Any place I really belong? Any friends...I still belong with?" His eyes watered and he wiped his tears, putting his hood on, and left Agrabah.
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Mickey walked through the woods, heading for the mansion when a Corrior opened and a tall black coated figure exited. The figure took off its hood off to reveal a man with long white hair and yellow eyes. The King jumped back and summoned his Keyblade. They stared at each other for a few minutes, anticipating the other's next move. The man slowly put a blindfold on his eyes, a dark aura covering him as his body began to change form, grow younger, and his hair turned to brown. Surprise appeared on the King's face as he stood before...
"Sora?" He dispelled his Keyblade and walked closer.
"Your Majesty," Sora greeted.
"Gosh, have I been worried about you! Where've you been all this time?" he had been worried and he knew Ventus was too because Sora hadn't been seen in ages, though he'd sent some messages.
Sora stared at the ground. "Searching, for a way to conquer the Darkness within me and for Xion…the Replica who's taken Kairi's memories.
"For a second there, you looked just like...well, you know..."
Sora winched but nodded. "You don't have to worry. I'm getting the hang of keeping the Darkness under control."
"That's great to hear. But, what do you mean a Replica took Kairi's memories? Did something go wrong?" he would trust Sora to know what he was doing, he believed in him.
"There's a reason the Organisation has been quiet since our battle at Castle Oblivion, and it's not because we weakened their numbers. What they did to Kairi they didn't just wasn't to make her forget so they could use her. They went out of their way to make it hard to put back together."
"Gosh, I guess that explains things. It's almost like they're trying to buy some time..."
"Yeah, they want Kairi's memories...which means DiZ and his computers aren't the
only ones picking up the pieces. And as long as they've got their hands on Kairi's most precious memories, of Riku and me, I…I don't think she can get better."
"Well, then you have to let me help! Maybe I could get the memories back!"
That made Sora smile which was good to see. "I've got that covered, Your Maj, I mean, Mickey. Maybe you could do me a favour, though."
"Sure. Just tell me what you need," he agreed.
"I have to face one of the Organization's members soon. I might not survive the fight if it becomes one. If we do fight…I don't know what will happen… That means you're the only one who will be there for Kairi, Donald, and Goofy…the only one who can guide them when they wake up."
"Don't say that, Sora. It's Riku…his Nobody you're talking about, right? Even his Heartless tried to protect you, it won't come to that."
"Promise me, Mickey. You have to be there for our friends. Please," Sora pleaded and Mickey was shocked when a tear slipped from under the blindfold.
"Of course, Sora. I promise."
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"Hey, Kirux," Axel murmured as the teen joined him.
"You find Xion?" he finally asked.
"Like it's gonna be that easy," he shrugged. He honestly wasn't looking incredibly hard for her.
"I know..." Kirux stared at him but Axel just waited in silence. "Have you been keeping the truth about her from me this whole time?"
"...Not the whole time."
"When did you find out?" Kirux demanded.
"Oh, I dunno. Somewhere along the way." He waved it off, and Kirux glared, arms crossed.
"Didn't get it memorized, huh? Axel... Who am I, really?"
What was he meant to say to that? Axel didn't know for sure after all and if he was wrong it'd do more harm than good.
"I'm special, like Xion. I know that. But the Organization wanted me out of the picture."
"Yeah... They did," Axel admitted.
"Is it because Xion copied the Keyblade and they didn't need me anymore? Because I can't call a Keyblade so she's more useful? What were they going to do, make us fight for the right to exist?" Kirux spat.
Axel couldn't say anything, he didn't know what the plan was. It might be like Kirux had said, a fight to see who would remain, but it could have been something else.
"And you feel the same way," Kirux whispered, and Axel shook his head.
"No, you've got that part wrong. You'll always be my best friend," did Kirux really think…everything he'd done had been to try and protect him!
"Best friends are honest with each other! Who am I, Axel? Xemnas said me and Xion are connected to Kairi. Who is that? Tell me! Am I a puppet like Xion?"
"No..." he denied.
"What, then?"
"You really think the truth is going to make you feel better? We're Nobodies Kirux, that's all there is to it. Remembering who you once were isn't going to fix the emptiness inside, if anything it'll make it worse."
"What makes you so sure? I have a right to know who I am! How did I get here? Why am I special? Where did I get Soul Eater? I deserve those answers!"
"Kirux..."
"Are you gonna tell me or not? Axel... Who am I?" Kirux sighed, sounding so tired.
"You've just gotta trust me, Kirux," Axel pleaded. He'd find a way to fix it, somehow.
"I don't," Kirux whispered, turning away.
"Hey, c'mon..."
"If I can't get answers here, I'll get them somewhere else. Somebody knows where I came from."
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"Hello Xion," the blond teen greeted her, and she stared at him warily.
"Are you Ventus?" she asked, and he nodded. "I…I want to do the right thing," she whispered, surprised when he held his hand out to her.
"Then come with me," he told her.
She stared into blue eyes and then slowly took his hand.
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Kirux stared at the winning ice cream stick, picking it up. "I tried, but...there's nothing left for me here. The answers are out there."
He left his bedroom and made his way down through the Castle That Never Was until he was intercepted by Saïx.
"We don't accept resignations."
"I've got nothing to say to you," he spat in response.
"Then let's keep this short and sweet." He summoned his Claymore and Kirux's eyes widened but he called Soul Eater as Saïx attacked. He was big and powerful but slow and Kirux managed to keep out of his range, hitting him with fire spells. "Nngh... How much longer..." Saïx moaned from his knees.
Kirux dispelled Soul Eater and walked past him, sore and tired but not willing to wait to recover.
"Kingdom...Hearts... Will your strength never be mine?" Saïx asked just before Kirux was out of hearing range.
He left the Castle and walked through the neon-lit streets of the Dark City, passing Axel, who was leaning against a building.
"Your mind's made up?"
Kirux paused but didn't look back. "Who am I? I have to know."
"You can't turn on the Organization! You get on their bad side, and they'll destroy you!" Axel sounded scared but it was an act, it was always an act.
"No one would miss me," he scoffed, walking away.
"That's not true... I would," Axel whispered but Kirux didn't hear him.
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Xion stared at the girl floating in the pod, it was her…Kairi. Ventus stood behind her, silent support, as the man worked on a computer. "I wanted me and Kirux and Axel to be together forever. But then I started to realize these memories don't belong to me. The more I remember, the more I feel like I'm in the wrong place...like... Like I need to go back."
"Back to Kairi," Ventus murmured, and she nodded.
"If you return your memories to her, you'll disappear. And since everything about you was built on those memories...no one will remember you when you're gone. There won't be any 'you' to remember. We can't save you, Xion…even a memory of you. I'm sorry."
"I know," she glanced back at him and smiled sadly. "It's not your fault. I'm ready." She turned back to Kairi and then closed her eyes. She was ready, it was time to go back to where she belonged.
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Ventus watched as Xion glowed, her body beginning to crystalise. He stepped back as the computers beeped and Kairi glowed softly as well.
"I'm glad…I got to meet you…Kirux…Axel…" Xion whispered. The light faded and all that was left of her was a seashell on the floor.
Ven picked it up and slipped it into his pocket for safe keeping. "Thank you Xion," he whispered. He looked over to see the progress bar had jumped to 80%.
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-Secret Report: Axel-
Kirux left. It's so like him to just leave that WINNER ice cream stick behind. Come tomorrow, I'll probably get the order to hunt him down, but leaving that here makes it feel so permanent. I wish the three of us-three? No. That the two of us could share some ice cream again someday. That's what it is to be friends.
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"Pence! Olette! What's the matter?" Hayner asked as he stopped, and Kirux made sure he was well hidden. He knew he could say hi but he didn't want to.
"Slow down, Hayner..." Olette panted as she leant against the wall of the Sandlot.
"You know the rules! Last one there buys ice cream!" Hayner told her.
"What!? Not this again!" Pence groaned.
"If you don't want to shell out, I suggest you get running!" Hayner called as he ran off, and they took off after him.
"I guess...not all friendships fall apart. ...Maybe I'll stop by the clock tower. Seems as good a place as any..." he walked away, heading for the Station Plaza. He looked up but the sunset made it hard to see. "The clock tower... I wonder if anybody's up there. I guess I could go take a look..." Maybe…maybe she'd come back…who? He shook his head, he didn't want Axel to be there waiting for him, did he?
He climbed, making his way to the top and sat alone, thinking. He chuckled weakly after a while. "Where did I think I could go? What a joke." He buried his head in his arms, loose hair falling forward.
He heard someone approaching and froze, before looking up. Standing near the stairs was someone in one of their coats, too short… his eyes widened and he scrambled to his feet. "You're the Imposter!" As soon as he said that, they turned and ran. Kirux took off after them, running through town and into the woods.
"Stop!" he yelled and surprisingly they did. He summoned Soul Eater, watching them warily. "Who are you?" he demanded.
"You know who," the Imposter answered softly.
"What are you talking about?" he asked in confusion, brushing his hair back, why had he left it loose?
The imposter raised their hands, showing they were unarmed, but that didn't mean they weren't dangerous. Slowly, they pushed down their hood and Kirux froze.
TBC…
If you notice, the dates in the diary entries don't line up to canon, that's because Kirux was wandering around for a while so he was found later than Roxas was. About 20 days difference. And I was nice and didn't make him fight Xion, he has enough trauma in his life.
And yes, Sora was in Ansem's form but I did listen to the poll so it will not go how canon did for Riku.