Merry Christmas! ^_^

First of all, I would like to give you some kind of excuse as to why my two month vacation lasted a grand total of six, but I'm at a loss. Everything I worked on turned to crap, and everything I wanted to work on got overrun by school. (Welcome to Senior year— It sucks.)

And thus, we have this (whatever it is; I'm not entirely sure anymore) — the product of three days and several months of thought that got me absolutely nowhere.

Summary: Because humanity should have never asked for something it could never handle...

Rating: M for violence, but mostly as a precaution at the moment.

Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts or Disney. All characters mentioned in this work belong to their respective creators. I do, however, own the plot and would appreciate not getting robbed. It's not on my to-do list at the moment— check back next month.

Thanks: I would like to say thanks to Besieged . Infection (minus the spaces) for betaing this chapter, as I have proven many times before that I am a terrible editor. ^^'

Also, I apologize in advance for the strange formatting. The remaining chapters should be easier to follow (hopefully).

Hope you enjoy!

August 3, 2011

"Today, we're here with Mr. Ansem Wise, the creator of the new life-saving drug that we've been hearing rumors about for decades." The reporter smiled that pretty white smile of hers, pushing her legs together beneath her pencil skirt as the camera zoomed outward, illuminating the lavishly designed stage and full audience. The man beside her smiled right back, his white-blond hair slicked back smartly, emphasizing his straight posture and expensive charcoal grey suit. "Now, Mr. Wise, tell us more about this drug. Are the rumors true? Can it really bring back the dead? Save the terminally ill? Can this really be the magnificent cure-all the human race has been waiting for?"

The man laughed, a joyous yet short sort of sound that barely escaped his throat. "I'm not sure I'd call it all that, but it's definitely something that both myself and my fellow researchers have been waiting to get on the market for the rest of the world for quite a long time."

"So, tell us, what does this drug of yours do exactly?" The reporter leaned forward in her chair in just the slightest way, letting her naturally dirty blonde hair fall in front of her shoulder, shielding the top of her simple white blouse.

"At first, the drug itself was designed to help cancer patients. As we all know, cancer is a serious problem in today's society. The chances of survival have been fair in the past, but with this new drug, Candall, we can ensure the survival of patients. Every cancer sufferer has at least a ninety percent chance of survival when they take Candall." Ansem smiled then, a smile that stretched across his lips and pulled at the lines around his eyes. "Of course, that was only at first. When we tested the drug further, we were able to conclude that the drug can be used for a variety of other health problems. Tumors, more specifically. Candall, when taken by tumor patients, can actually shrink tumors without the need of risky surgery."

"Oh? So, this really is the cure-all we've all been waiting for, isn't it?" The reporter let out a little laugh. "But there really has to be something that you're not telling us. Candall seems too good to be true."

"Well, you see, that's really the best part of Candall." He leaned forward with barely suppressed excitement, crossing one leg over the other professionally, the white cuffs of his grey suit slipping down and revealing his thinned wrists for only the slightest moment. "While there have been no long-term studies as of yet, we have been unable to identify any damaging side-effects in our previous studies. The worst our patients have complained of was slight nausea, and that was only in our beginning trials, before the final product was perfected."

After a short lapse, the reporter stood, her pencil skirt hugging her tanned legs as she smiled at the camera. "Well, there you have it! The rumored cure-all really is all it's been promised to be! And that's not all! According to a recent report by the Food and Drug Administration, Candall has been approved for mass production. Every hospital in the nation should have a stockpile of Mr. Wise's new drug by the end of the year!" Her dark brown eyes twinkled against her tanned skin, that pearly white smile still set in place. "This has been Elizabeth Swann reporting from Radiant Garden—"

August 18, 2011

He could hear them whispering. They weren't being particularly loud, but he could still hear them chattering back and forth from not so many feet behind him. He could tell that they were talking about him, and he could only imagine what they were saying. Not that it really mattered. He could hear the same things filtering through his head, like a broken record that just wouldn't shut off. (Was it really an accident? What about those bruises? Didn't his mother know? ) He couldn't stand it, trying to shuffle through everything that had happened— make sense of it all. He didn't even know if he could at this point. Everything was just so muddled together, pushing at his temples and sticking in his throat.

Stiffening, his deep blue eyes swiveled to the light pressure on his shoulder, a set of clean nails squeezing him reassuringly. Their owner, a pretty woman by the name of Jane Porter, sat beside him, dressed in her trademark yellow blouse and charming smile. He knew what those turquoise eyes of hers were trying to tell him. They were trying to say that everything was going to be okay and that he had nothing to worry about. That the jury believed everything he had said. That he would be headed home in just a few short hours.

He turned away, nibbling at his lower lip and trying to ignore the way her hand didn't move. In a way, he believed her. Or, at least, he wanted to believe her. He wanted to believe that this would soon just be a bad dream, that he could wake up at any time and it would be like nothing had changed. But, he had never been very good at trusting people, and it would be vindictive of him to put his trust in a court-appointed attorney at this point. Besides, he wasn't so sure that he wanted everything to be okay.

None of it really seemed fair.

"All rise for the honorable Judge Black." Rigidly, he stood in session with the rest of the courtroom, his eyes locked on the portly judge before deciding better of it and resting on the hand-me-down dress shoes his attorney had found him at the local thrift store. It wasn't like he owned any of his own, and they looked nice enough, with only a few scuff marks here and there and an uncomfortable push at his toes.

The judge cleared his throat in that nauseating way of his, taking his seat with enough force to cause his chair to strain. Beadily, he peered down at the child that had been dragged into his courtroom daily for the past week. Weak looking little thing— his fate didn't really matter to him. "I've been told that the jury has come to a verdict," he ground out, turning to the row of jurors.

"We have, your honor." An old man dressed in brown stood, bowing his white head in just the slightest way, before turning towards the rest of the courtroom, a slip of paper held carefully in his wood-carver hands.

The judge nodded in acknowledgement, his black eyes piercing, worried more about the wall clock's relentless ticking than the jury's decision. "Carry on."

"We find the defendant, Zexion Snow, not guilty of murder in the first degree."

Zexion felt himself literally sink into his chair, his head falling forward and laying in his shaking hands. He could hear the way the tension split in the air, with the courtroom reacting to the decision, his mother somewhere behind him, probably just as relieved and sickened as he was.

Not guilty. Not guilty. Not guilty.

He didn't know how he felt about that.

"There have been recent reports that the drug Candall, having only been released to the first of the nation's hospitals three weeks ago, has been causing unexplainable side effects in some of the early trial patients. We're here in Radiant Square with the drug creator himself, Mr. Wise, to help clear up some of this recent confusion." The reporter held out her microphone, the light wind pushing at her hair and showing off her rosy cheeks.

"Thank you, Ms. Swann." Ansem smiled, a purple sort of scarf tucked around his neck to fight off the cold. "I must say that it's a pleasure to be able to speak to the public directly in such a way. Now, let me be the first to tell you that these reports are nothing to panic over. The drug has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and I assure you that it is safe for all patients. The side effects that have occurred during the past three weeks have been unexpected, but, as mentioned before, Candall hasn't been tested in a long-term setting."

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes and leaned in attentively. "But what does this mean for the public? What should they be looking out for? Is it safe for younger patients, or the elderly? Does Candall need to undergo further testing?"

"Oh, no, most certainly not." He smiled, the age lines around his lips pulling with amusement. "I can assure you that Candall is still going to become routine medication for patients, no matter their age. The side effects that have recently appeared in patients are mild and, considering their severity, are not dangerous to patients or life-threatening."

"I see. Then, can you perhaps explain some of the reasons for these side effects so late after the trials? Is there a particular reason the side effects haven't presented themselves until now, or is it all simply a coincidence?"

"While the exact reason for the side effects cannot be confirmed until they have been tested in one of our laboratories, it can easily be explained by the make-up of the drug. Candall is actually a very complex pharmaceutical, made up of several lesser components created by both natural and synthetic means. Several of these components are used for aggressively attacking cancer cells and tumors. The remaining components of the drug combat the more aggressive components, thus making the drug effective but nonfatal." He cleared his throat, holding out his hands at opposite sides as if to show the world the two sides to his medical masterpiece. "However, it seems that in some cases, the more aggressive components have been overwhelming the combative components, leaving the patient to feel a slight fever or a momentary fuzziness of vision."

Ms. Swann smiled at the assurance, pulling her microphone closer to her chest. "Do you feel any hesitation in allowing this drug on the market, knowing there are side effects that haven't yet been tested or fully accounted for?"

The drug's creator shook his head, maintaining that perfectly practiced smile. "No. I feel no hesitation whatsoever in giving the public the chance to use this life-altering drug. Candall is perfectly safe."

"I know I'm not a girl or anything, but isn't this a bit extreme?" The lithe blonde in question stuck her tongue out, flopping back against her bed and tucking her arms behind her head.

"Beauty is extreme." The redhead standing over the blonde stated simply, smearing a healthy amount of cream bleach between her fingers. "Besides, I'm not about to ruin your precious little Nam-Nam." She cooed.

The blonde's carefully plucked eyebrows scrunched. "Nam-Nam? Seriously, Kairi? I sound like a fruit snack." Kairi rolled her eyes, carefully spreading the white substance across the girl's unprotected front.

The lone male in the room sighed, pushing his calloused fingers through his uneven dirty blond hair. He was used to this. Unfortunately. "Yeah, okay, beauty is extreme. Beauty is pain. All that weird creepiness that takes up your free time. What I don't understand, Naminé, is why you're bleaching your already blonde hair. It doesn't make any sense to me."

"Demyx, Demyx, Demyx," Naminé chided, swiveling her oceanic blue eyes towards her older brother. He was leaning against the doorframe separating her room from the rest of the house. "We're going to Destiny Islands. Everyone over there is blonde. If I want anyone to notice me, then I'm going to have to look my best."

Demyx stared at her incredulously, sea foam colored eyes widening before he took a step forward and slumped against one of his little sister's seventy style bean bags. "I'm going to pretend you didn't just tell me that."

Naminé rolled her eyes, enticing a laugh from Kairi. "You're just going to have to realize that your little Nam-Nam is growing up. You can't protect her forever." The redhead mumbled, scrapping at the thick cream with her short green plastic spatula.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah— I get it. Naminé is old enough for a relationship. She doesn't need me checking everyone out for her," the older agreed airily, yawning and spreading his arms out above his head.

"Exactly. Naminé is a big girl now," Kairi kept on. "Bleaching is just part of the package."

"Uh…Can you two stop talking about me like I'm not here?" The blonde asked, leaning up on her elbows. Her friend pushed her back down with a shush. "Anyway, are you sure about this, Demyx? I mean, I know you said it was okay and that everything was fine, but if you really want me to stay, then I will. You know that, right?" She lifted herself back up again, concerned oceanic eyes boring into him.

And Demyx couldn't help but wonder when Naminé ended up growing up on him.

He smiled, genuine and easy, easing away his little sister's worries in the same way that he used to chase away the monsters from under her bed. "I'll be fine. You and Kairi go have fun with your class at the Islands. I'll invite Axel over for the week. We'll rent some movies, eat some popcorn, talk like chicks, and try to kill ourselves on energy drinks. The usual." He shrugged, watching her lazily as she sunk back against her plush bedding.

"You're sure you're sure?" She asked again, staring up at her ceiling, Kairi busy with her stomach, worries still bubbling against her chest.

"Yeah, Nam. I'm sure I'm sure." He let his head fall back, watching that same ceiling. "Promise."

Thin fingers tightened against the steering wheel, a startling white compared to the tattered black leather. Zexion sat in the passenger seat, his knees pulled to his chin, those hand-me-down dress shoes resting against the cigarette burns littering the seat cushion. He wasn't sure what to say. He wasn't sure he wanted to say anything. It all seemed like a nightmare. The incident, the hospital, the arrest, the trial— all of it. It seemed like something that would happen to one of the characters in the books he would read. The story would be tragic and ill-fated. Then, suddenly, everything would get better. It would be like it never happened.

He had a feeling that things were just going to keep getting worse.

Tightening the hold he had on his legs, he chanced a look at his mother through his hair. Zexion honestly couldn't tell if she looked relieved by the verdict or not. Not that he blamed her in any way— he wasn't sure how he felt about it either. Still, though, it would be nice for her to at least say something. Since he was released, the only one who had said anything to him was Jane Porter, that pretty smile of hers wishing him luck as she hugged him good-bye. His mother had done her job, he supposed, picking him up and now dutifully driving him home. She had even testified in his defense, and that had to count for something.

But he wasn't asking for much.

He didn't ever ask for much. He never asked for birthday presents or Christmas presents. He never asked for a parent to attend his school's Open House. He never asked for snacks or reassuring words or— anything. Would it really be that selfish of him to ask for a hug? Maybe a smile to let him know that he wasn't all alone in this?

Not that he blamed her for that either. Zexion didn't really think he deserved something like that after everything.

Abruptly, the car stopped, screeching to a halt. Deep blue eyes checked the windows as he uncurled. They were at a stop sign— three miles from home, yet so very far away. The street was deserted, their car the lone vehicle on the road. They didn't move forward, and Zexion didn't say anything. He just listened and waited.

"I love you." He tightened his hands into fists, indifferent to the bite of his nails against his skin. His mother took a shaky breath, the wash of tears apparent as she continued. "I love you, Zexion, but—" She swallowed thickly, and he could hear the slap of hair against her cheeks as she shook her head sharply. "— but I loved him too. And I can't forgive you for this. I just can't."

He nodded even though he knew she wasn't looking at him, biting his bottom lip and pulling his knees back to his chin. "I know, mom. I know."

The car pushed forward. And life moved on.

September 1, 2011

"— new report in about the strange attack that took place earlier this morning in the Pride Lands. The attack took place at a local convenience store around eight a.m. when an unarmed female collapsed in one of the store's aisles. A bystander rushed to her aid, and was subsequently attacked. The bystander, as well as three others, were killed during the attack. The woman was killed later by police when she refused to surrender and was shot multiple times. She was identified by family members as Daisy Duck, a local school teacher and a recent drug trial participant.

"While it has not yet been confirmed, the local police department is looking in to the possibility of this attack being linked to the recent attacks by other trial patients across the globe. The attacks have all been remarkably similar, with all suspects attacking bystanders before being killed by police. So far, there is nothing connecting the drug with the attacks besides the patients themselves, and the Food and Drug Administration still maintains that this drug is safe for consumption by the public. However, the representatives of the drug company have refused to comment on these recent developments.

"We'll bring you more on this developing story after a quick—"

Demyx followed his sister and her overly excited friend through the airport faithfully, Naminé's light pink bag slung over his shoulder and digging into his skin. Kairi and Naminé were leaving today, heading off to enjoy Destiny Islands for a week along with the rest of their class. He was happy for them as much as he hated to think about it. Really, he was. Demyx loved Naminé— she was his sister; how could he not? — and he knew that she needed a break. They never really had the chance to go on vacation. Sure, they'd go into Radiant Garden sometimes, but the city really wasn't that far away from Atlantica and it was more of a necessity anyway. That's where their parents worked, so it was only natural for them to go and see them every couple of months. At least that way they sort of resembled a family.

But, that aside, he didn't really want her to leave. He was fine with it, because he knew that she really wanted to go and he wasn't selfish enough to ever ask her to stay, but he wasn't looking forward to a week alone. Axel wouldn't have a problem coming over and staying with him for the whole week. He knew that. He understood that. Still, though, it wasn't quite the same as having Naminé around. Or maybe he was just obsessively overprotective.

Either way, he really wasn't stomaching this well.

"Demyx?" He stopped, blinking his sea foam eyes a couple of times to bring himself back to the present. Naminé smiled at him, her light blonde hair held back in a high ponytail and bouncing as she tilted her head to the side. "You look nervous. Are you sure you don't want me to stay here with you?"

He laughed a bit, shaking his head and running his hand through his hair. "Positive. Do I really look that bad?" She rolled her eyes at him, holding her hand out for her bag. Slowly, he lowered it down to her, rocking back and forth on his heels for a moment before clearing his throat. "I... It's nothing. Really, Naminé, I'll be fine. Enjoy your trip. Don't do anything that requires me to kill anyone. I'll be right here waiting when you get back, okay?"

Oceanic eyes narrowed a bit, watching him for a lie. Eventually, she sighed, looking towards her congregating class and biting at her lower lip. "Yeah, okay. You'll pick me up from the airport?"

"I'll be waiting at the gate." He pushed his thumbs into the pockets of his old jeans, tapping his fingertips against the worn denim.

"And I'll call you as soon as I get there. Promise." She stood up on her tip-toes, balancing precariously on her perfectly white heels, throwing her arms around her brother's neck. "I love you."

Demyx shook his head a bit before pulling her against his chest and then letting her go just as quickly. "Love you too, Nam. Have fun with Kairi."

"I will. Just—" She quirked her nose to the side, shaking her head, laughing a little at herself. "Take care of yourself, and I'll see you in a week."

And with that, she backed away, smiling and waving as she walked. He watched her meet with the rest of her classmates. Everything seemed fine. It was just a perfectly normal class trip. There was nothing alarming about it.

So why did he feel like he shouldn't let her leave?

September 5, 2011

"— series of outbreaks have been popping up over the past several weeks. Police are continuing to investigate the attacks in relation to the release of a recent drug, but have been unable to find any definite leads. Right now, the federal government is still asking the public not to panic. They encourage caution when leaving your home, but ask that everyday citizens not change their daily routines. We have been assu—"

September 7, 2011

"—should take heed to stay in doors for the time being. All public transportation has temporarily been stalled. Airports and train stations should be back on line within the next several days. Please do not panic and—"

"—link has been recognized. Ansem Wise and his affiliates have been out of reach since their last interview, where they maintained that their product is safe, despite the behavior of the test patients. It has been rumored that they have retreated underground to a remote location. Government officials and local police have continued to—"

"—power outages have begun to occur in suburban areas. During these blackout periods, first responders ask that all citizens carry flashlights and stay in the most secure room in their homes. They also ask that people take caution and remain within the company of someone else at all times. This is for both you safety and thei—"

September 16, 2011

"—Candall has been confirmed as the cause of these deadly outbreaks. All patients should stop treatment immediately and retreat to their local hospitals. It has been estimated that over a million people have already taken the drug. Destiny Islands was the only area left untouched by the drug, as the Islands do not have their own hospital. Government officials have—"

"—not go outside. We repeat: do not go outside. Stay indoors as long as you are able. First responders and officials are currently trying to contain the outbreak, but encourage all citizens to stay indoors. Supply yourself with enough food to last for at least two weeks, and stay close to someone else at all times. Officials are still maintaining that there is no reason to panic—"

"—regions that have seen the worst of the outbreaks. Radiant Garden, Pride Lands, and Atlantica are some of the areas that have been hit the worst by these mysterious outbreaks. All citizens in these regions have been told to stay inside and keep all doors and windows locked. It is—"

"—signals are still out in most areas. These problems should be—"

September 25, 2011

Sea foam orbs opened narrowly, taking in the early morning light coming in through the cracks in the boards covering the windows. He sighed, sitting up heavily, one skinny arm slung over his stomach— complete deadweight since its owner was still asleep, sprawled out across his side of the twin sized bed. Demyx didn't really mind, simply leaving it there as he rubbed at the crust that had gathered along his eyes. Axel had been his best friend since he started preschool, so sleeping with him was more or less routine, even if he did take up most of the bed and snore like a gorilla.

Warily, he glanced at the clock on his nightstand, letting his head fall back when he realized it wasn't even six yet. He hadn't been getting a lot of sleep lately. Right after Naminé left, Axel had come to stay with him for the week, since his brother was gone on vacation with one of his co-workers and he would have been by himself anyway. Now, he was staying out of necessity. It wasn't safe for him to go home. Naminé had only been gone for a few days before the power outages had started. After that, it was the airports and train stations. No one could get in; no one could get out. Finally, it was the phone service. It was a blessing to get a signal. Even more of one to have one that lasted.

He hadn't been able to talk to Naminé since the day after she left. It was driving him insane not knowing if she was okay or not. He wasn't sleeping. He was hardly eating. And he was antsy. Demyx felt like he was in slow motion, not moving or going forward. It was sickening. It was—

There was a crash downstairs. And he could feel his heart stop.

It wasn't a loud sort of sound, just the crashing of plastic cups falling out of the drain. It was probably nothing. Nothing to worry about. Gravity was probably the only culprit. He was just jumpy. It wasn't a problem. Really.

Nodding briefly to himself, he slipped out of bed, sliding out from beneath Axel's arm, sock clad feet padding against the hardwood floors as he pushed through his bedroom door and into the hallway. He didn't see anything other than the ethereal glow of the early morning dawn reflecting off the hall's white walls. All the pictures were still in place; Axel's duffle bag was still strewn across the top of the staircase where the redhead had left it. Nothing was wrong.

Chuckling lowly to himself, he slipped down the stairs, shaking his head at the ridiculousness of it all. They hadn't left the house since the early reports on the outbreaks. The reporters were probably exaggerating it all anyway. Wasn't that normally how television worked? Propaganda and fear? It was probably just a bunch of psychopaths breaking into homes and—

He stopped, tilting his head to the side, his breath catching in his throat as he stood at his kitchen's threshold. The cups had fallen over just as he'd predicted, their plastic yellow tops littering the ground. The person standing over his countertops, their back tense and clothes tattered, was not as he predicted. Demyx couldn't see their face, but he could hear their rapid breathing, the way their chest moved up and down just a little too fast. And he could smell them. It was like they were dead and already decaying— the kind of smell one would associate with road kill. It was… horrifying.

And he couldn't move.

Suddenly, like a puppet in a horror movie, the person turned, smiling crookedly with a blood-soaked mouth and yellowed eyes, pupils blown like an addict. They swayed from one foot to the other, those yellowed eyes darting across the room before landing on him and narrowing. Finally, the person lunged forward, snarling. And Demyx really didn't have to think about it.

He ran.

He ran with his socks slipping against the hardwood, voice caught in his throat while he and whatever this was raced around the downstairs of his house, knocking old china and books to the ground. The person— creature, monster— caught him in the living room, tackling him to the ground, and slicing at him with oversized nails. For the first time, he screamed, grabbing at its jaw with calloused fingers and trying to kick it off of him.

He could feel it constricting his airways, its face getting closer and closer to his neck, bloody teeth coming towards him, the putrid smell it was emitting earlier pushing at his chest and causing bile to rise against the back of his throat. He couldn't get it off of him. He couldn't get it off. He couldn't get it off.

And then it was off.

Axel bludgeoning its skull with a baseball bat, red blood and brain matter staining the white walls.

Time stood still, and he didn't stop. He just kept going and going until Demyx could literally see that the thing was dead, the muscles in Axel's arms literally jumping from the exertion. Slowly, he backed away, slumping to the ground beside the dirty blond, the bat held between his shaking fingers.

He swallowed thickly, red hair soaked with sweat and sticking to his forehead in matted clumps. "It's not safe here," he whispered like it was a secret, emerald eyes rushing from one area of the room to the other, looking and waiting for any sign of a threat.

For a moment Demyx looked away, taking in the sight of the broken body of whatever it was; the sight of his home and all the memories that came with it. He didn't want to think about leaving, but he knew Axel was right. The body on the ground was the proof— his home wasn't safe anymore.

"When do we leave?"

A/N: Yeah...I don't even.

Honestly, I'm not sure where this story came from or where it's going. It just kind of happened, and I'm not as happy with it as I could be. I am happy to be writing again, though, and I hope I can get back into the swing of things quickly enough. It's a thought anyway.

As for this chapter, it was originally planned as a prologue, which is why it doesn't really flow together very well, but I wanted it to set the stage a bit more than that. Thus, this weird first chapter/prologue/thing. It was supposed to give a bit of background information, as well as give off a feel for the characters, though...I'm not entirely sure it worked. ^^'

Production: I'll be perfectly honest and say that I have no idea when the next chapter of this story will be posted. It's planned out already, so I might write it before break is over, but I make no promises. And, following the first of the year, I will be back to working on scholarship applications, so my writing will be sporadic at best. Sorry for any inconvenience.

A Little Word Math for You: Reviews = Motivation; Motivation + Time = New Chapters (Also, all signed reviews are responded to). ^_^

And, again, Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays to those who don't celebrate the holiday!