Well, here's chapter 11 after God knows how long, lol. I've been so booked with stuff it's been hard to write, but I did. I know that it's a short chapter, but a) I was tired and kinda lazy b) Leaving for Mexico for a week tomorrow at the crack of dawn, and c) Didn't want to give away too much right now. Anyway, R&R and enjoy!

P.S. I won't be back on for 2 weeks because of 2 consecutive trips, so I'll read the reviews and continue writing when I get back.

Chapter 11

Vanishing

Kurix let out a sigh and began to laugh. "So Mickey," he said with a grin, "how long have you known?"

The King fixed his eyes on Kurix and locked him in a stone-like stare. "Ever since I met the real Ansem, I've had a hunch. This only proves it."

Goofy was wide-eyed as he looked from the door to the King and then to Kurix. "What are ya talkin' about yer Majesty? What's this here Barrier?"

Tronahex answered before the King had time to respond. "It's Kingdom Hearts, Goofy. Kingdom Hearts and the Barrier is the same thing, some just call it by a different name. But it doesn't make a difference once you've passed through."

The King looked at Tronahex with sadness in his eyes. "Tronahex…how many times have you passed it?"

Tronahex sighed and looked away from the King, still keeping a firm grip on his Keyblade at Kurix's neck. "Too many times. I've passed the Barrier far too many times for safety. Now look at me." Tronahex held out his arm that wasn't holding the Keyblade. Donald and Goofy were about to speak, but then something happened. "Watch," Tronahex said as his outstretched arm slowly began to vanish, starting at his fingertips. Soon his entire hand had become transparent, but with a wave of his arm it appeared again.

"Tronahex…" was all the King could say as he stared at the floor in sadness.

"The more a being travels between the Real world and the Illusion, the more their heart begins to break and disappear," Tronahex said with anger. "It's happening to me quickly, but…I must continue."

"Why Tronahex?" Kurix was the one to speak this time, staring up at his captor with hatred in his eyes. "Come back to us! Xehanort can help you more than that pathetic king ever could! You know it but you don't want to believe it."

"Shut up!" shouted Tronahex. "You don't know anything about me or what I feel! You and Eoxodem will never…" Before Tronahex could finish, Kurix had disappeared.

"How can you still fall for that?" The voice came from behind the King, from Kurix. "My shadow may act just like me, but you really didn't notice anything? This is what Emptiness can do for you, Tronahex!"

Kurix was hovering in the air behind the King, a lavender aura surrounding his body…and the new Keyblades that had appeared in his right and left hands.

"What was that, your Majesty?" Donald exclaimed.

"It was a shadow," the King replied, keeping his gaze locked on Kurix and his Keyblade ready for attack. "Kurix manipulated the darkness in the air to form a perfect clone of himself, something not many can do anymore."

"You're right that nobody else can do it, Mickey," Kurix said with a smile. "That's because I destroyed the others that could! Now, see what happens when you disobey the Emptiness in your own heart!"