Disclaimer, I don't own Kingdom Hearts.

So here's the updated version of Friends on the other side, fixed up, edited and polished up, hopefully a far greater version than the original. Chapters 1-5 right here, so enjoy and check out The Other Side Of Nothing!

Main Couple; Roxas x Sora

Other Couples; Ventus x Vanitas, Larxene x Axel

The Man in the Black Coat

"I'm gonna get you Roxas!" Sora called out, arm outstretched, just a few feet behind me.

I laughed breathlessly, pushing my legs to make me go faster, desperate to get away. I could see the park rushing past us as we ran by, but I couldn't stay to look; I couldn't be 'it'. I spotted the playground toy and whipped towards it, sprinting towards my escape. I could feel Sora right behind me, and managed to jump on the toy, running up the stairs to the top. I reached the slide at the end, and was just grabbing the bar to go down when something, or rather, someone, collided with me, sending me crashing down the slide and into the hard bark below.

"You're it!" Sora cried out happily.

But I didn't notice; I was too busy with the pain in my arms, where the bark had pushed itself in and was slowly making that sticky red stuff, blood, come out. I felt hot tears pushing at the corners of my eyes, and before I could stop, I was crying.

"Sora!" An angry voice rang out.

Sora and I turned in unison, to see our mom, Tifa, coming towards us.

"Sora, look what you did to your brother!"

Sora looked over at me, and his smile instantly faded, turning to shock.

"Roxas?" He asked slowly, getting up and walking towards me. I turned away from him, tears burning my cheeks.

That jerk! Why had he done that? A pair of arms wrapped around me, and I jumped, turning around to find Sora trying to crush me in a hug, head buried in my shoulder.

"I'm sowwy Roxie. I really am. Can ya forgive me?" I nodded my head and hugged back, the pain instantly fading away as I did. Sora always made things better.

"Come on Roxas, let's get you cleaned up." Tifa said, gently grabbing my arm and pulling me back towards one of the benches where daddy, Cloud, had his nose buried in a book.

He glanced up when we approached, usually emotionless expression shifting to an annoyed frown as he put down the book saying "What happened to Roxas?"

"His brother tackled him down the slide. Can you get my purse out?"

Cloud nodded, grabbing mama's purse as she sat me down beside him and started gently prying out the wooden splinters. Cloud handed Tifa her purse, and she took out some pads, gently washing down my arms. After a few painful minutes, she finished cleaning up the cuts and put on a few checkered Band-Aids. She patted my spikey hair and smiled happily down at me saying "All better Roxy. Go on go find your dumb brother and have some fun."

I frowned, hating that she was being mean to Sora. Yeah, he had been a jerk and tackled me down the slide, but he was my brother, and I loved him.

"Be nice to Sora." I said, scowling at Tifa.

She just smiled broadly, ruffling my spiky hair before saying "You're a good boy Roxas. Go."

I nodded obediently, jumping off the bench and running off, looking this way and that for Sora. After a few minutes of scouring the park. He wasn't on the play set, he wasn't in the tick woods beside the park… Finally I saw him at an empty baseball field, talking to a boy with silver hair, and a pretty girl with wine red hair.

I rushed over, bounding up to Sora's side and throwing an arm around him, smiling at the other kids. "Hey Roxas" Sora said happily "This is Riku and Kairi. They live down the street."

I smiled shyly at them and waved. "Hi."

Kairi ginned and waved back, but Riku just glared at me, before turning back to Sora.

"So how old are you?" He asked.

"We're six." Sora said proudly, puffing out his chest. "Really? We're the same age!" Kairi exclaimed happily, jumping up and down. Riku gave Kairi a weird expression before smiling smugly at Sora saying "Well I'm eight." Sora gasped in awe, but I just stared uneasily at him. Something was off with the kid; he seemed mean and almost dark, like those bad guys in the movies.

"So, who's ready for some baseball?" Riku asked, holding up a bat I hadn't seen.

"I am!" We all called out instantly.

Riku may have seemed a little off and a bit like a show off, but a game was a game. Riku took command and split us into groups, me and Kairi on a team, him and Sora on the other. Kairi was up to bat first, and when Riku threw a fast one at her, Kairi hit it straight on, sending it spiraling towards Sora. Sora jumped towards it, but it was too high, flying past him and into the woods beyond.

"You moron! How'd you miss that!?" Riku shouted angrily, advancing towards Sora.

I clenched my fists and stomped over, walking right up to him and standing protectively in front of my brother.

"Hey! Be nice to my Sora!"

Riku rolled his eyes, glaring down at me, and even though he was a good five inches taller than me, I glared right back up at him.

"Shut up you cry baby. Your brother's an idiot."

I was clenching my fists so hard my knuckles had turned white, but I didn't even notice. "He's my twin, and he's not an idiot you big bully!"

Riku rolled his eyes, pushing me away from him and sneering. "Whatever. Go get the ball freak."

I scowled at him before walking away towards Sora. "Come on Sora, let's go play somewhere else."

Sora looked at me, before looking back to Riku, then back to me. After a few seconds, he bit his lip and looked down, eyes hidden from view.

"You should go get the ball Roxas."

I took a step back, not believing what I was hearing.

"Sora?"

"Go get the ball Roxas." Sora ordered, refusing to look me in the eye.

I felt unwanted tears starting to rip out of the corners of my eyes as I whipped around and ran off to the woods, desperate to get away from him. Why would he do that to me? Why was he siding with that jerk, the one who had just been so mean to him? I pushed through the trees, feeling branches and leaves whip past me, glancing this way and that for the stupid ball. I managed to push my way deeper into the trees, emerging at a small opening. I saw the ball lying next to a large boulder and ran over. I was still a few feet away when it jolted, spinning away and turning left, rolling down a small hill.

I frowned and ran faster, trying to catch the runaway ball. I had almost caught up, when it suddenly snapped to the left again, startling me and making me trip, sending me tumbling down the hill. I tried to stop, but the dirt and rocks just made my arms, legs, and head hurt worse, so I forced myself to go loose. Eventually I came to a stop at the bottom of the hill and groaned, feeling even more tears coming, pain ripping through my body. I looked up, still crying, and was about to call for help, when I saw the baseball just a few feet away near the center of a large clearing.

I smiled triumphantly, and pushed myself up, going for the ball. Yeah I hurt, but at least I would get the ball and get out of here. I was halfway there when I collided with something hard and unyielding. I stumbled back, looking around wildly for what I had hit, but there was nothing there. I tried again, only to collide with it again, stumbling back angrily.

I reached out, hands groping the empty air, only to for my hands to find something. It felt smooth and slightly rounded, and as I moved around, found that it went on for a long ways. I went around in a huge circle, walking around for five minutes before I finally got came back all the way around. It was the same no matter where I was, I couldn't get in. My frown deepened in annoyance, and I made a fist, angrily pounding down on the invisible surface.

A ripple of rainbow colors flickered away from my fist as it collided, my breath catching as in wonder. What was this? I watched as the ripples traveled around, going so high they vanished into the sky, ran around just like I had, and slowly vanished near the ground. I slapped it again, laughing when the colors blurred together, shimmering as they flew around. I hit it a few more times, giggling as I pounded out a rhythm. This was so awesome! Sora would flip out when I showed him! Sora… My hands tightened again as I thought about him, remembering his betrayal. I wouldn't show him this, the traitor didn't deserve to see it. But I needed to get the ball; I knew that if I took too much longer, they would come, and then they might find this. I frowned at the thought, and quickly went back to the wall, determined to get through and get the ball before anyone else came and found my new magic.

Breathtaking colors pulsed through the air as I hit the barrier over and over again. But it didn't go down, and I wasn't getting in. I felt angry, and started punching harder. I couldn't let the others see this. Riku was a jerk, he didn't deserve to see something amazing like this. Kairi hadn't done anything to help, and Sora was the reason I had gone and got the stupid ball. I was the only one out here, I was the special one, and now I had a treasure they wouldn't know about.

I was so wrapped up in my angry thoughts that I didn't notice the cracks appearing as I continued punching the wall, but I did notice when there was a loud crash, followed by a collage of blisteringly bright colors. I shook my gaze away from the bright lights, before slowly looking back towards the ball. I felt around in front of me, grinning when I realized that the invisible wall was gone; I had done it.

I smiled and let out a whoop of victory, before realizing that the warm sunlight I had been basking in had vanished, replaced by shadows. I looked around, only to feel my jaw drop as I stared at the monumental structure that had appeared out of thin air. The thing was gigantic, reaching up past the treetops, and billowing out at the bottom, taking up as much ground as it possibly could. The bizarre building was made up of what seemed like abandoned train cars, semi-trucks, twisted trees, various types of boats, ancient ruins, and what almost looked like some kind of futuristic castle keep, with a huge spiked tower stretching high into the sky.

"Whoa" was all I could think to say, gaping at the insane building in front of me. This was even better than the magical colors! I glanced around to find the entrance see what it was like on the inside, and saw a big pair of glass and metal doors with the words "Betwixt and Between" painted in large, elegant silver letters. I stared at the door, noticing the odd, pale light just inside. I didn't know why I was watching it, but after a few seconds, I realized that the shadows were moving around the light; not in the normal ways like when a light was going out.

No, the shadows were actually moving, making claw like shapes, reaching out towards the light before getting to close and retreating back into the safety of the darkness. I took a step back and whipped around, meaning to run away, and go back to mom and dad, but someone was standing behind me.

I froze, gazing at the person; they were wrapped up in a long black cloak with silver drawstrings, a dark hood pulled up over their heads. The hood seemed to suck all the light out of the air, keeping their face out of sight. I was about to take a step back, when the person held out their arm, the ball in their outstretched palm. I stared at it for a few seconds, before looking up at the person.

"I believe this is yours." They said, their voice thick and hypnotic.

I stayed stock still for another second before shaking my head saying "No, it's Riku's. I just had to come find it."

The figure nodded and let his arm go back to his side. "I take it that you do not like this Riku; am I correct?"

I nodded and said "Yeah, he's a complete jerk. But Sora-" I paused, remembering that the stranger wouldn't know who that was. "Sora's my brother. Anyways, Sora sided with him and made me come get the ball."

The stranger nodded. "Let me guess; you love your brother dearly."

I nodded, and they continued. "I cannot believe it. A brother that would side with a practical stranger over someone who cares so much for him; I am truly sorry Roxas."

I started, realizing I hadn't told them my name. After a second of wondering how he had figured out my name, I realized that this was a stranger, and mom and dad had said never to talk to strangers, because it was dangerous or something. I took a deep breath, feeling nervous all of the sudden.

"Can I please have the ball back? I need to go."

"Of course." The figure said, stretching out their hand once again.

I reached out, but before my hand touched the ball, it flew into the air, out of my reach. I stared up at it in disbelief, before looking back at the stranger.

"Do you see that?"

The stranger didn't move, or answer. After a second I looked back up, watching as the ball slowly floated down like a leaf, before landing in my hand. I held the ball close up, wondering how it had done that.

"Fascinating, is it not?" The stranger asked.

I nodded, and started as the ball suddenly hovered into the air again, floating back into their waiting hand.

"This Riku, what did he do?" They asked.

I looked at him nervously, still remembering that they were a stranger.

"Answer and I'll make the ball spin." They added.

Before I knew what was happening, my mouth was moving, and my voice was speaking for me.

"Riku called my brother and moron and an idiot, so I tried to get him to stop, and then he called me a crybaby and a freak and pushed me. Then he told me to go get the ball."

The stranger nodded understandingly. "I see. And did you push him back?"

I shook my head sheepishly. "No. Mom says it's not nice to push or hit people. We're not supposed to hurt people."

The stranger chuckled, before dropping their hand down; the ball stayed in the air. As I watched, it spun, going faster and faster until it was a white blur. And then it shot off, spinning around my head.

I jumped a little, trying to keep up with the white blur, laughing at how amazing this was. After a few seconds, the ball slowed down, before flying down into the strangers hand once again.

"You know Roxas, sometimes you need to push people. It may not be nice, but do you want to get pushed again?" I shook my head, still staring at the ball. "Are you angry at them? At your brother? After all he did side with Riku even though you stood up for him. And the girl, Kairi, did not even do anything to help. And of course you cannot forget that Riku not only insulted you, but ordered, and pushed you around. He should not do that to someone like you."

My face twisted into an angry snarl. They were right. This wasn't fair. Riku shouldn't be able to do stuff like that to me.

"So tell me, what would you do if you could push him back? What if you were the bigger kid? Or better yet, what would you do if you could do something akin to this?"

I barely had time to comprehend what they had said, and wonder how they had known about Kairi and how Riku was bigger than me, when the ball suddenly zoomed out of their hand, flying faster than I could see and slamming into tree with a loud crack. Once again, before I knew what was happening, my mouth was moving without my permission.

"Yes! I want to know how to do that! I want to get back at Riku!"

The stranger nodded, staying silent for a moment, before finally speaking. "Look at the ball."

I did, staring so hard at it, I wouldn't have been surprised if either my head or the ball exploded.

"Make it come to you." They ordered.

I kept staring, thinking of the ball flying towards me like the stranger had done.

"Think of it moving. Picture the ball rolling towards you first, nothing complex."

I nodded, not taking my eyes off of the ball. I stared and stared, holding my breath, but nothing happened. I reached out my arm, trying to coax it towards me.

Eventually my arm got tired and I put it down and threw the other up, trying again. Still nothing happened. I actually growled in anger, determined to make the ball move like they had, and for a moment, it twitched, before becoming motionless again. The stranger sighed gently, their voice monotone with disappointment. "I suppose you just do not possess the gift. Such a shame, I suppose you will not get to chance to experience the fun you might have had."

I stomping my foot, hot anger taking over as I shouted "I do have a gift! I'm special, and I can do whatever I want!"

I snapped my hand forward, feeling burning heat rush through my chest down into my hand. The ball started rolling towards us. The closer it got, the faster it got, and when my fingers twitched, the ball suddenly threw itself into my waiting hand, the pain of impact nothing to the scorched feeling inside of me. I grinned, before turning to the figure, holding the ball up in triumph.

The stranger stared at my hand for what seemed like an eternity, before gently clapping their gloved hands.

"Bravo Roxas, bravo. It appears that I was wrong; you are far stronger than I could have expected. You know, there are many more things I could teach you. This is but a simple parlor trick. You have potential Roxas. Allow it to grow, and under my care, you will become far greater than you could ever imagine. However, you would need to stay here, with me and my… friends. We would be your new family. A family that does not abandon its fellows, a family that would never take the side of the enemy over their own. Would you like that? Or would you rather go back to being pushed around by people like Riku?"

I watched the stranger for a long while, before looking back to the ball. "I don't even know your name…" I murmured softly. In answer, they reached up, and pulled back the dark hood, revealing long silver-white hair, dark tanned skin, and unsettling orange eyes.

"My name, is Xemnas."

I stared at him for a second, before looking down guiltily.

"I don't know."

I wanted to learn more, to see more, I wanted to make Riku pay. But I wanted to go home. I wanted to go back to my family, I didn't want to leave them.

Xemnas nodded gently. "Think about it young one. In the meantime, why not go show Riku to his proper place?"

I nodded eagerly and ran off towards the hill. I stopped halfway there and turned back shouting "Thank you Mr. Xemnas!"

Xemnas smiled strangely, showing off startlingly white teeth "It was my pleasure. You have seen the behind the curtain Roxas, you have seen the truth. Remember that you now have friends on the other side. If you do decide to join, just call my name."

I nodded hurriedly, turning around and dashing up the hill.

When I raced out of the woods, Riku, Kairi, and Sora were all sprawled out at home base looking bored. Riku scowled when he saw me, standing up and shouting "What took you so long moron?" I just smiled brightly and held up my arm, balancing the ball on my palm. I stared at Riku intently, and then to the ball, before looking back.

The ball soared off my palm and through the air, sadly missing Riku's face, but smacking him squarely in the shoulder, the force sending him to the ground with a loud crack. I smiled proudly as Riku started bawling, and looked back at the ball, catching it with ease as it sailed back to my waiting hand. I glanced at Kairi who was hovering over Riku, looking panicked and petrified, and then to Sora.

His bright blue eyes were confused and scared, and for some reason, I smiled even wider, feeling stronger; the traitor should be scared. A small part of me flinched seeing him like that. It didn't like seeing our Sora scared, it didn't want him hurt. But the righteous triumph flowing through my veins overpowered the feeling in an instant. I threw the ball up into the air and caught it, smiling back at a terrified Riku, whose face streaked with tears, gripping his shoulder in pain. It looked like my day just got a whole lot more fun.

A Deal with the Devil

Things had been different since that day at the park. I had gotten in trouble with mom and dad because I had hit Riku with the ball. Of course they thought Sora was being his usual self when he had told them how I had made the ball magically fly through the air, hitting Riku and then summoning it back. And why would they? I hadn't shown or told them about my new power, my gift from Xemnas.

Sora had avoided me a lot though, and always had a scared look in his eyes when we were near. I did my best to ignore him. After all, he had sided with the bully; he was lucky he wasn't getting the same treatment. But after a week of no TV and more chores, with no free time, I was starting to miss him. Yeah, he had been mean and teamed up with Riku, but he was still my brother, and I still loved him more than anything.

So, when mom put us to bed in our bunk beds, I had stared up at Sora's bunk trying to think of how to get Sora back. After what felt like hours, I glanced around in the darkness, looking around our room. It was a big room, painted a brilliant blue, with an empty trunk, dresser, and bookshelf in their respective corners, their contents- clothes, toys, and books- thrown carelessly across the floor. I stared up at Sora's bunk was, biting my lip, wondering if he was still awake.

I glanced around for something to use to wake him up, wondering why it was so dark. After a few seconds, my eyes fell on Sora's nightlight. It was in the shape of a paopu fruit, Sora's favorite treat, and had once been delicately painted, but was now chipped and fading. Sora hadn't turned it on, like he did every night. Come to think of it, he hadn't turned it on the last few nights.

What was wrong? Was it what I had done to Riku? I sighed nervously, knowing I was going to have to talk to him to get my answers.

"Sora?" I asked quietly.

A minute went by, and I was about to ask again, when Sora's spoke, his voice hoarse from underuse.

"Yeah Roxas?"

"I'm sorry for hurting your friend."

Sora stayed silent for an agonizing eternity, while I tried desperately to fill in the silence.

"I was just angry that he was being mean to you and me, and I just… I mean… I…"

I screwed my eyes shut, trying to fight back tears. My stupid conscience had finally caught up to me, and now I was paying for it. Something landed gently beside me, and my eyes snapped open just as thin arms circled around me.

"I'm sorry too Roxie. I was mean to you to. I should have left with you." Sora admitted.

I hugged back, no longer able to keep back the tears, Sora patting my back gently.

After a few minutes, I managed to pull away, wiping at my tears. "I just thought that I had lost you. I mean, you just took his side after he was mean to us, and I thought… I thought…"

My eyes traveled back to the darkened nightlight, my mind snapping away from the dark place it had been visiting.

"Why isn't your nightlight on?"

Sora peeked over at it sheepishly, before turning back to me and saying "Oh, Riku said that nightlight's were for babies."

I frowned at him over at him, entwining our fingers and giving a reassuring squeeze. "But you don't like the dark."

Sora nodded glancing around nervously, and I smiled mischievously, pointing my finger at the nightlight switch. After a couple of seconds, the burning sensation returned, and the switch suddenly flipped, soft light illuminating our small corner of the room. Sora stared at it, then my hand in awe, and I smiled whispering "Ta dah!"

Sora laughed, and snuggled down on my bed, pushing his head into my pillow, pointy hair crumpling against the pillow.

"Hey, what're you doing you lazy bum?" I asked, shaking him lightly.

He glared up at me before saying "I'm tired; I don't want to go back up."

I sighed, before lying down, curling up next to him, savoring the warm blankets and quiet breathing from my twin. "Love you Sor." I whispered, before falling away.

"Rise and shine!" Mom called out, throwing open the curtains. Sora and I groaned in unison, both pulling the blanket over our heads at the same time, trying to block out the sunshine. "Ah… You two are so cute!" Sora giggled, before grabbing our pillow and jumping up shouting "Cute! We're not cute! We're adorable!" He jumped at Tifa, swinging the pillow, slamming into her with all the force he could, which was not much.

Mom pretended like it had been a lethal blow, and sank to her knees, letting Sora get close before jumping on top of him and tickling him.

"Help Roxas!" He managed to shout between fits of laughter.

I chuckled and rolled my eyes happily, grabbing the blanket and jumping at Tifa, throwing it over her head. She let out a startled cry as we tackled her, jumping up and down, before she finally managed to escape, falling down on top of us, laughing breathlessly.

After a few minutes of more laughter, mom sat up saying "Go get take your showers and come down for breakfast, we're going to go to the movies later."

Sora squealed with excitement before rushing off. I laughed, charging after him, and was pulling ahead of him in the race to the bathroom, when Cloud turned the corner.

I skidded to a halt just in time, but Sora wasn't so lucky, and ended up stumbling into dad. "Who, careful there bud. You okay?" Sora nodded, bouncing up, and Cloud crouched down, giving him a bear hug, before patting his head.

"You ready to go see a movie?" He asked in an excited voice.

Sora nodded his head so fast it was a blur, hair bouncing up and down, and Cloud laughed.

"Go take your shower, then get dressed. Your mother's making breakfast."

Sora smiled saying "Got it daddy!" before racing into the bathroom, looking back and ticking his tongue out at me.

"Beat ya!"

After the door had slammed shut, I looked up to dad, smiling and waiting for the same treatment, but after a few moments of staring at the door happily, he turned and walked back to our room. I frowned after him for a while, feeling heartbroken.

Why hadn't daddy given me a hug, or asked if I was ready to go to the movies? Why hadn't he looked at me like he did Sora, with that happy gleam in his eyes? I sank to the floor, feeling lonely. Mom and dad were like that sometimes; Sora seemed to come first over everything, even me. But hey, he was the baby by a few minutes, and I was supposed to watch out for him. But still…

Xemnas' offer to join his family and learn more cool things sprung back into my mind, and I remembered how he had said to just call his name. It would be so simple… I could feel his name coming to my lips right now. But then I shook my head. I was happy, and besides, I had my brother back, we were the best of friends again! I jumped as Sora threw open the door, draped in a towel, usually gravity defying hair now lying limp and damp against his face.

"Meet you downstairs Roxy!" He said, rushing back to our room. I rolled my eyes, knowing he would still be getting dressed when I got out. And I was right; by the time I got back, he had finally managed to push his head through his shirt. He was still putting on his pants when I had finished, and smiling smugly at him.

"See ya downstairs Sor Sor."

Sora glowered at me as I ran downstairs to the table. Mom was just flipping pancakes onto a plate when I came in, and smiled in relief when she saw me.

"Hey Roxas, you're just in time. Could you go get some plates for me?"

I nodded, hurrying into the kitchen. I got back in time to see Sora come into the room.

"Hey baby!" Tifa exclaimed, putting the rest of the pancakes down and walking over to give him a hug.

I froze at the sight, once again feeling left out and slightly abandoned. Before I could move a muscle, Cloud came in, and the three of them made their way to the table, all laughing and talking happily. I stood in the doorway to the room, plates held loosely in my hands, Xemnas' name on the tip of my tongue.

Why? Why were they giving all their love to Sora? What had I done to deserve them ignoring me? Breakfast went by fast, and I was trapped in my thoughts a lot of the time, but that didn't stop the other three from talking and laughing. The more time that seemed to go by, the more separate they seemed from me, and it looked like I was some kind of friend on a sleep over, not their son and brother.

I barely noticed when we got into the car, driving for a long while before finally pulling into the movie theater parking lot.

"I can't wait!" Sora said excitedly next to me, but I wasn't even able to fake a smile; I felt too empty. Sora took off towards theater's entrance, not bothering to listen to mom and dad telling him to wait, or to look for cars on either side. He probably never saw the silver car speeding towards him; but I did. Mom and dad screamed his name in terror, while something strange, something powerful, took over inside me.

My hands snapped into the air, power bursting through me. The past few times were nothing compared to this; very core hurt beyond measure, my blood turning molten in my veins, and a visible tear in the air surged out from me, blasting the car safely away, but catching Sora at its edge.

I ignored the awed stares from onlookers, I rushed over to Sora's limp body with my parents, kneeling at his side and staring down at him horrified.

His brown hair was quickly being stained a dark shade of crimson, his blue eyes closed, and for a moment, I remembered some of dad's TV shows, where they showed people who looked just like this; people who were dead. I felt tears coming from my eyes as Tifa sobbed while Cloud dialed 911.

"They got the wrong one… they got the wrong one…" Was all mom could say, but I didn't listen to her. All I could do was stare and cry; I had done this. I had thrown the car and Sora threw the air, even if I had been trying to save him. I didn't notice when the ambulance arrived, or when we zoomed to the hospital and were rushed to the emergency room.

Sora got taken away, and despite our pleas, we weren't allowed to be with him. So we waited; and waited. Only hours later, when the sun had started to set, and when rainclouds had started shedding tears at what had happened to my brother, did they finally let us go and see him. He was a bloody mess; he had stitches on his head, and the doctors kept saying words I couldn't understand. But when I asked mom and dad, the translation to those words were simple; Sora was dying.

I stared at my brother, still limp and lifeless, not able to comprehend what was happening. Sora couldn't die; this couldn't happen. It just couldn't happen. We had promised each other that we would always be together. He couldn't leave, he couldn't break his promise. There had to be something we could do, something that would save him. I thought about my gift, but I couldn't think of how it could help. All it had done was hurt the one person I cared about more than anything else. I was starting to panic, wishing I could do more amazing things, before I realized I could. I just needed some help. I turned around and rushed out of the room.

My parents didn't even move, they were too busy in their tears, but I didn't care. I knew what could save Sora. I pushed past nurses and doctors, going down an elevator, before rushing out the front doors of the hospital, running out into the pouring rain.

"Xemnas!" I screamed.

Nothing happened. I looked around, desperate for something, no, anything to happen, but nothing did. I ran, screaming Xemnas' name, ignoring the stares I received, determined to find Xemnas. He could fix Sora. I knew he could.

The rain was starting to really come down by the time I finally collapsed onto the sidewalk in exhaustion, drenched and shivering, surrounded by unfamiliar buildings and unfamiliar people. I sobbed to myself, not caring that no one was stopping to see if I was alright. Xemnas had lied to me. Just like everyone else, when I had needed him, he wasn't here. And now I was going to lose Sora.

Burning tears were flooding down my face, mixing with the freezing rain drops, when I felt an unfamiliar tingle in the air. In what had been a previously vacant lot, now stood Betwixt and Between in all of its mix-matched glory, once again appearing out of nowhere.

Hope flooded me, and I charged across the street, cars colliding with invisible barriers on either side of me as I did. I ran up to the door, throwing it open, and rushed in. The inside wasn't much different from the outside; the floor was a maze of random materials, from wood to marble to dirt. The walls were decorated with graffiti, portraits, windows, aged wallpaper and other various nick knacks. The pale light I had seen on my last visit was nothing more than strange torches that burned with pale, silver fire and flickering lights. I barely noticed any of it as I ran, crying out Xemnas' name. I saw a door that had been left ajar and heard voices talking behind it, and pounced towards it, the door blasting itself off its hinges.

"Xemnas I…"

I froze, staring at a crowd of unfamiliar faces. Ten people stared back in shock, suspicion, and boredom. I glanced from face to unfamiliar face, to unfamiliar face, catching eyes with a boy who looked only a little older than me with flaming red hair and green eyes, and would have stayed looking at him if another boy with an X shaped scar in-between yellow eyes and bright blue hair hadn't stepped forward.

"Who are you?" The boy barked tonelessly making me flinch.

I ignored the question asking "Where's Xemnas? I have to talk to him!"

The boy's emotionless façade never faded as he demanded "Who are you and what business do you have here boy?"

"Where's Xemnas?" I retorted desperately.

The boy let out an emotionless sigh. "Why is it that violence is the only way that you get questions answered?"

He held out his hand, and huge spiked weapon materialized in his hand, with some kind of odd cross symbol at the top.

"Saїx" One of the others hissed, still staring at me "He's just a kid!"

Saїx shrugged his shoulders, flipping the weapon behind him and saying "He's an intruder, he'll get the same fate as the others."

And then he charged me, his odd sword suddenly spiking outwards and becoming, if possible, more menacing. For a single moment, fear coursed through me, ordering me to run away, to get away from this danger. Nut then the memory of my brother came back. Where was Xemnas? He had said he would help me, just like so many people. He was a liar, just like them. And now these people weren't even helping me. Anger flooded me, and I punched the air with both hands.

The boy, Saїx, flew clumsily through the air, smacking into the wall, his weapon impaling itself next to his head. After a few moments, the invisible power in my hands let up, and Saїx fell to the floor. Everyone was staring at me now, and now all of them were moving, various weapons seeming to pop into existence, ready for a fight. Saїx quickly stood back, anger breaking his emotionless mask for a moment, and he was opening his mouth, when a familiar voice spoke from behind me.

"Roxas?"

I whipped around, hope rushing through me as I saw Xemnas standing in the doorway. I rushed over to him, my mouth moving fast.

"It'ssorahegothurt,ineedyourhelp,yougottafixhimpleaseplease!"

I took a deep breath watching as Xemnas tried to understand what I had said.

"Would you care to repeat that?" He asked.

I took another deep breath before saying "It's Sora, he"

Xemnas' eyes snapped behind me, and he stood straight, glaring at someone behind me.

"Get out, all of you!" He commanded, and the group instantly stampeded one another trying to get out, casting curious glances at me as they did. In seconds, the room was empty apart from Xemnas and me.

Xemnas kneeled down, before saying "Forgive the interruption, continue your report."

"We were going to the movies, and there was this car, and I got Sora out of the way, but he's dying, and I know you can save him. You have to help!"

Xemnas nodded for a moment, an agonizingly long moment, before saying "You are correct, I may indeed be able to help. I will make you a deal Roxas."

I nodded, desperate and willing to do anything.

"If I heal your brother, you will join our family. You will still be able to see your own family, but you will stay with us, learning and training, and working with, and for me. You will become one of us. Do we have a deal?"

I nodded faster than my eyes could comprehend, making my head spin, and a smile played on Xemnas' lips.

"Very good; at which hospital is your brother residing at?"

I thought hard for a moment before saying "I don't remember, but it has a really tall building with a funny name in gold letters on the other side of the street."

Xemnas closed his eyes for a moment, before nodding saying "Yes, I believe I know which building you are referring too. Come."

Xemnas turned to the wall and waved his hand. I jumped as a sudden wave of shadow condensed into one area, billowing and smoking like a witch's cauldron.

"Hold on tight." Xemnas ordered, holding out his hand to me.

There was no disobeying an order by Xemnas, his tone left no room for argument. I grabbed it, holding on as tightly as I could, as we walked into the shadows. For what seemed like an eternity, pure ice sank its frigid fangs into me, while shadows clawed at my skin, and wind ripped through my hair, biting hungrily at exposed skin.

And then it was gone, and I found us standing in Sora's room. Dad and mom were gone, but Sora was still there, still out cold. Xemnas glanced around, adjusting his long cloak sleeves casually, before stepping forward and examining Sora.

"You were right to come for me. He would have died within the hour if you had not."

With that, he put a single gloved finger on Sora's forehead.

Green light flooded from Xemnas fingertip, gently caressing Sora's skin, before slowly fading into his skin. I stared at Sora as the light faded, thinking that something had happened. Then the monitor beeped loudly. My eyes snapped to it, and I noticed the lines had gotten closer together, and were now at a steady pace, unlike the uneven, sluggish pace it had gone at earlier.

The color came back into Sora's face, and he slowly opened his eyes, looking at us blearily. "Roxie?" He whispered hoarsely. I dove through the air, throwing my arms around him, eyes filled with happy tears.

"What happened?" He asked tiredly, his arms wrapping around me instinctively, giving me a peck on the cheek.

"We fixed you Sor. You're okay."

Sora smiled into my spikey hair, before wincing and falling back onto his pillow. I stared at him in horror, looking back to Xemnas, but Xemnas just shook his head.

"Do not fret, your brother is fine. The healing has simply taken its toll, his body was not ready for it."

I nodded slowly, still not understanding, and jumped when Xemnas put his hand on my shoulder.

"Now that your brother is alright, let us discuss the terms of our arrangement."

I nodded saying "So I guess I can't stay with my family?"

Xemnas thought for a moment, before saying "You can stay if you prefer, but I have a feeling you will want to stay with us. After you join our family, your old life will seem far too lacking in comparison." I nodded, as Xemnas began talking again. "Until your brother completely recovers, you may stay with your family. You will need to come by at least twice a week, sometimes more. In the meantime, you must practice with your powers, but only in secret; for the moment, it would be wise to avoid-"

He was cut off as the door suddenly swung open.

"Yes, the computers said that his monitor suddenly spiked, and his vital signs are going back to normal; it's a miracle." A doctor said, walking in with mom and dad in tow.

I glanced at them proudly, opening my mouth to explain what happened and who the man beside me was, when Xemnas spoke.

"They cannot see us at the moment." I looked over at Xemnas in surprise, and he smiled saying "There are so many things I cannot wait to show you."

I smiled at him, watching as the doctor left, leaving mom and dad alone with Sora. Sora opened his eyes again, smiling at them, and they ran forward, throwing their arms around him, crying in joy. I smiled for a second, and was stepping forward to join in, when mom said "Our families back together again."

I stopped, my smile slowly fading. What were they talking about? I wasn't there, or at least as far as they could tell according to Xemnas. Cloud nodded into Sora's head saying "Just the way we're supposed to be." I pushed my hands to my ears, trying to block out the words, but their voices were nothing compared to the ones inside my head.

They didn't love me. They didn't want me. Memories of how they had constantly ignored me, going for Sora instead, and all the comments they had made that were just like these last two. No, no they loved me. They wouldn't have said something like that, they loved me. I remembered mine and Sora's last birthday, where my name hadn't been on the cake, only Sora's. I remembered all pictures on our walls of mom, dad, and Sora. But none of me.

I was a nobody, I didn't exist to them. I didn't matter. No! That wasn't true! My family loved me! Sora loved me! And then my thoughts ran back to when we had gotten to Sora's side, back to when Tifa had said "They got the wrong one… they got the wrong one…" They had wanted me to get hit, not their precious Sora.

"What about me?" I whispered.

Xemnas glanced at me curiously, and I could tell he had somehow already put two and two together.

"What about me.?" I demanded loudly, and my parents whipped around to me, guilty expressions on their face.

"Roxas, you're back." Tifa said, straightening up.

Cloud glanced at me, an annoyed expression on his face before saying "What are you talking about Roxas?"

He had barley finished my name when my hand slammed up and Cloud was thrown into the wall.

Tifa and Sora yelped, and Xemnas took a step forward, his hands extended to calm me down.

"They got the wrong one?! You wanted me to get hit, not Sora! You never wanted me, you just wanted him!" I screamed. The anger inside me exploded out, throwing things around the room, chairs, medical supplies, and bags imploding; all somehow missing Sora. Before I could do anything else, Xemnas grabbed me, and pushed us back into darkness.

I didn't notice the wind or the cold, I didn't even flinch. My body was too numb; rage and sorrow had ripped everything away.

"Roxas!" Xemnas said, leaning down to me.

I stared stoically into his eyes, wanting to cry, but finding that the anger had stolen those too.

"Why did they do that?" was all I managed to ask, my voice as empty as I was now.

Xemnas examined me curiously, orange eyes scrutinizing me carefully, not answering.

"Make me forget them." I ordered, my voice barely above a whisper.

Xemnas' raised an eyebrows, slight surprise flickering deep in those eerie orbs of his.

"Make me forget them. I know you can do things like that. I know you can do it."

Xemnas studied me, then slowly shook his head.

"That is not a recommended path Roxas-" he began, but my angry scream interrupted him.

"They never wanted me! I don't want them! I don't want to remember them! I don't need them!" Xemnas stayed silent, and I gave a little push asking "Please Xemnas. I don't want to remember that they didn't want me. I don't want to go back. I want to stay here"

Xemnas sighed, looking up to me with a serious expression. "There will be no return. Memories are not meant to be taken apart, and while you may gain bliss now, there will undoubtedly be a price to pay for this action in your future." He warned.

I nodded. "I understand."

Xemnas smiled strangely, a knowing, smug look in his eyes.

"Of course you do." He said, placing his fingers to my temples, white light swirling from his fingers. Then my vision went black, and the last thing I heard, was my own scream.

All That's Left

10 years later…

Fire and lightning danced in tandem around me as I dashed across the darkened training room, dodging flying kunai and chakrams. A bolt of lightning arced out of a corner towards me, but years of intense training threw my body out of the way, flipping over it before throwing back a blast of telekinesis, which slammed into one of my invisible opponents causing her to cry out.

I was charging away when fire suddenly ripped up through the ground around me, and my best friend, Axel, a red, porcupine haired teen with vibrant green eyes and twin chakrams engulfed in flames threw himself through the blaze towards me.

We smashed into the nearest wall, chakrams embedding themselves deep into the cement, only inches away from my skull. I ignored them, forcing my hand to my Axel's chest, a quick blast sending him flying away from me, back into the shadows.

"You're going to have be better than that Axel!" I shouted with a grin, ripping the chakrams out, adding a flare of my own napalm to their fiery surface, scanning the flickering shadows of the training room for any movement.

10 years of twisted mental and physical training had taught me a lot, and I had moved on from being able to move simple objects with a flick of my hand, to so much more. Axel charged me again, and I jumped forward, chakrams slashing through the air, but my heart wasn't in it. Ten years was a long time. I couldn't clearly remember what my life had been like before I had come here, but I did remember having parents, parents that had hated me. Xemnas had taken me into the Betwixt and Between, and had shown me a richer side of life, a side of the supernatural and impossible.

My old family hadn't wanted me, so I had replaced them with a new one, a family where freaks, savants, outcasts, and nobodies were accepted as they were. Axel and I had become quick friends, along with his on and off girlfriend, Larxene, and her cousin, Demyx. They were a fun group to hang out with, and were in charge of my combat training. The whole organization helped its members develop and grow, we all learned and taught the other members of our family. Thanks to training, I usually taught the others how to combine powers with weapons, something I was apparently fantastic at. There was Zexion and Vexen, the two mad genius' of the Betwixt and Between, who took over the younger members schooling, and bringing out my latent abilities. Xigbar and Xaldin were my weapons and sharpshooting mentors, Marluxia taught me unarmed combat, and Lexaeus, Luxord, and Saїx were my physical trainers. And then there was Xemnas; the man who had done so much for me, the supreme ruler of the Betwixt and Between, and practically my adopted father. It was hard to describe what Xemnas did for me; it was just… bizarre, seemingly unconnected, and extreme.

But somehow, when I was around them, I felt good, like I was actually home, and I actually had a family that loved me. Sure we had a few issues; Larxene was a sadistic bitch sometimes, Xigbar shot at anything that moved, Luxord had serious gambling issues, Marluxia had a gardening obsession, and Saїx hated me with a passion thanks to our first encounter, but we were a family. I didn't need anyone else, especially two people who had hated and rejected me. Memories of when I had first met Axel started coming back, and I smiled, thoughts drifting off even further.

My first mission here had happened almost a week after I joined. Xemnas had sent Axel and I out on a reconnaissance mission. Apart from being completely clueless as to what a recon mission was, Axel and I had scoured the area we were told to, taking in all the information we needed to. Who was even going to notice anything suspicious about a six and nine year old boy walking around?

On the way back, Axel had swiped three Sea Salt Ice-creams, and offered me one of them. It had been the most amazing food I had ever tasted in my short life. Axel and I had finished our ice creams, laughing and talking the whole way back, only to remember that Axel still had one more. We actually ended up fighting over it, rolling around in the dirt and punching each other. We had still been fighting we realized that it had fallen on the ground and was half melted and covered in dirt. For some reason, that just sent us into hysterics, we just laughed and laughed. When we finally stopped, we decided to be best friends, then swore on it in blood. I smiled at the memory, one of the only ones I had from back then. I don't know what I'd do without the blockhead.

Back in reality, said blockhead took advantage of my distraction, twisting his chakram out of my hands and spinning towards me, fire spouting from each deadly spike.

I shook my head, trying to get my head back in the game, and contorted my fingers. An electrical arc zigzagged through my fingers before ripping through the air, stunning Axel for a moment, and, if physically possible, making his hair even spikier. I whirled away, glancing around for Larxene. The Savage Nymph loved hiding in the shadows, waiting for you to make one wrong move before unleashing her wrath. I wasn't going to give her the chance. I curled my fingers, whipping them through the air, watching as my fingers turned red and a deluge of liquid fire ripped through the air, singing the air with smoke and bringing the enormous, cement structure into focus.

I spotted Larxene running behind a pillar, and started running towards her, ready to end this. I was almost there, when the doors to the training room flew open. I skidded to a halt, glancing over to the door in time to duck under a flying lance. The lance embedded itself in the wall, quivering with the force of the impact, and I glanced back, catching eyes with a stone faced Xaldin before a well-timed lightning bolt collided with me, sending me to my knees in pain.

I heard Larxene calling out in triumph, and saw Xaldin and Axel advancing. Damn it, I hated it when they teamed up on me! When it was just Larxene, Axel, and Demyx, I could handle myself. But whenever one of the senior members like Xaldin or Lexaeus started meddling, I started losing. I forced myself to concentrate through the pain, and started working my numb fingers, trying to get them to move. I had obtained plenty of abilities, and I was definitely a proficient fighter, but I still had a lot to learn, and the basic conductors for powers were your hands.

If you couldn't use your hands, you were pretty much out of luck. It was one of the reasons why Larxene's bolts were so devastating if they actually hit. I managed to twist my fingers, and green ribbons twisted out from my fingers, relieving the pain. I sighed in relief and glanced up, watching as Xaldin solidified another lance out of the air and pointed it down at me. Larxene giggled like some kind of demented schoolgirl, and Axel smiled saying "That's checkmate Roxy. Got it memorized?"

My mind flashed, and I lifted my hands above my head, feigning defeat.

"Good luck next time blondie" Larxene snickered, and even Xaldin let off a little smirk.

"I must say I was expecting more-" He began. I didn't let him finish. I let out my momentary rush of rage out, rage born from fear of losing and adrenaline.

My core burned with ice cold fire, slowly spreading out across my body, and I let my façade fall, smiling deviously. Xaldin's eyes widened and he snapped his wrist forward, but my fingers moved faster than his lance, and a telekinetic explosion blasting out from me, throwing them away from me, shaking the entire building.

My vision went black for a moment, and when it came back, I stared around in wonder at the carnage. I was kneeling in a shallow crater, pillars were collapsed, and chunks of the ceiling had let go and fallen down to the earth. But the real marvel started when the building groaned, and the pieces slowly started moving back to their places, and cracks realigning themselves. That was one of the great parts about the Betwixt and Between; no matter what you did to it, it always fixed itself. My new home would last forever, long after my old one was nothing but dust.

I pushed myself off of the ground, head spinning from giving out so much energy, and made my way over to the others. I stopped next Axel, and stood over him, smirking as he slowly opened his eyes, groaning in pain.

"Checkmate Axel. Got it memorized?"

Axel scowled through the pain, aiming a kick at me. I laughed and helped him up, turning back to the others as they shook themselves off.

"An adequate performance" Xaldin noted, wiping dust off of his coat.

"Cheater" Larxene muttered, stomping away.

Axel laughed, but quickly stopped when an electrified kunai flew past his face, a hair's breath away. Xaldin chuckled, giving the two of us a farewell nod before banishing his lance and walking towards the door.

"Oh, Roxas" He turned back in the doorway "I'd watch your back. Saїx has a new claymore he's been dying to introduce it to." I rolled my eyes and glanced around at the room, marveling that it was already back in one piece.

I started heading out, when Axel threw his arm around my shoulder, leading me down the other hall. I flinched away from the contact instinctively. My years of training had left me skittish and uncomfortable at contact. I was just too used to being punched, kicked, cut, sliced, diced, and more. Their touch felt wrong, physical closeness literally hurt. Axel's touch was always hot, scorching my skin, Larxene's skin sent biting currents through me, and Demyx could have me gasping for air as I drowned on dry land in less than a minute. It was the same with everyone I met. It didn't matter how much Xemnas, Demyx, or Axel tried to calm my nerves, I couldn't help but try to get away.

"Axel" I said gently, sliding out from under his arm, and smiling uncomfortably at him "You're my best friend, so I'll warn you; touch me again and I'll nail you to the wall."

Axel smiled back evilly, raising his eyebrows.

"I like that last part, sounded kinda kinky."

I face palmed.

"Axel, have I ever told you you're a pervert?"

Axel pretended to think about it before grinning saying "Maybe once or twice. Now, if you'll excuse me, the magnificent Firehawk has a nine p.m. show to get to. Half as long."

"Twice as bright." I finished, waving after him as he walked off, fiery hair swaying with every step.

Everyone had jobs here at the Organization. Some of us did research into magic, some went on missions, collecting information on the world, some worked to protect us from enemies, and sometimes we had entertainment jobs meant to sway public opinion for us. Seeming as some of Axel's greater qualities were hogging the spotlight and his galaxy sized ego, the fire-eater performance was right up his alley.

I stared down the now empty hallway for a minute, lost in thought, before turning away and heading back to my room. I lived near the top of the Betwixt and Between, in one of its many towers. My 'room' was actually a lighthouse tower that had one day up and migrated, randomly appearing out of side of the structure. Xemnas had given it to me when I first came here, and I had stayed in it ever since. The top of the tower was actually quite large inside, with plenty of open space aside of the lamp in the middle of the room, wrap around windows, and a sturdy, comfortable bed.

In all the years I had lived here, I hadn't really decorated it, just keeping my bed, a few souvenirs from memorable occasions, and a cache of various weapons and books. I never really wanted more, I was fine like that.

The sky outside was already dark as I flipped the light on, watching the lantern in the center of the room flickered into dim life, slowly spinning in its circle again and again. I flopped onto my bed, curling into a ball and closing my eyes. Things were good here, a wonderland compared to my old life, but I knew I'd be lying if I said that I was okay. My family was definitely better than the one I had left behind, but even this new, amazing life was sour sometimes. My head spun around me every day, my thoughts felt like razorblades scraping against the inside of my skull, and I lied to everyone I met.

I put on little acts, letting them get to know 'me', but in reality, just letting them know someone else, someone who wouldn't get hurt again, like I had all those years ago. Only Axel and Xemnas saw through my act. They were the only ones who really cared about me anymore. My mind started drifting off, and an image of something, a boy with spiky brown hair, started to come into focus. The haze around him was just starting to vanish, when a cold whisper sliced through the air.

"Roxas."

My eyes snapped open, chills running down my spine. I launched myself off of my bed, snatching a knife from my side table, eyes scanning the room for the source of the voice. I froze when I saw it; a black mass, swirling with dark colors, waiting.

A Dark Portal. A gloved hand reached out of the darkness, and made a beckoning motion and the voice returned.

"Come my apprentice."

I hesitated for a moment, before standing up straight and walking towards the portal. Icy wind ripped through me, and the darkness seemed to wash over me, probing, trying to find a weakness.

After a brief eternity, the cold vanished, and I looked around, realizing I was in the mission room. The room was long and wide, with a large round table composed of pure black obsidian in the center, standing proudly over our symbol in the center. Thirteen pristine white and grey thrones were assembled around it, waiting for their rightful owners. Only one had its wish; Xemnas sat at the opposite end of the table, deeply engrossed in some kind of mechanical device.

He glanced up as I approached and smiled. "Welcome Roxas. Please, have a seat. How is your training progressing?" I slid into my chair, watching as the obsidian suddenly lit up, showing various projects, details, notes, and other business items.

The entire table, beyond looking awesome, had its own abilities, able to see wherever people were, hack into programs, take pictures, and so much more. It was especially helpful during recon and recovery missions.

"Its progressing, I guess."

Xemnas nodded, gently setting down the machine, and giving me his full attention.

"You do not look well Roxas, how have you been faring? Are you still having the nightmares about the boy?"

I flinched at the mention of my nightmares. Horrible things, filled with jagged claws, dark maws, insatiable appetites, hollow images, twisted memories, and always that brunette, that strange boy.

"Yes." I whispered.

Xemnas vanished, reappearing beside me, and patted my shoulder.

"You have my sympathy."

I flinched away from the contact and Xemnas sighed. I glanced guiltily at him, remembering our relationship. After I had left my former life, Xemnas had taken me in, not just into the Betwixt and Between, not just into the Organization, giving me a job, but into the family, taking me on almost like a son.

He was the closest thing I had to a parental figure in my life, and I owed everything to him. He was a kind man, who was always there when I had an issue, and helped no matter how ridiculous the problem was. Saїx hated me for being Xemnas favorite, but then again, Saїx hated me for a lot of things.

"If only we could have understood the repercussions of our actions all those years ago. Perhaps if I had simply stayed away and let you be, you would have been better off."

I stared at him, horrified that he was thinking like that.

My mind suddenly snapped in pain "No! No, you've given me everything, you saved me from my parents, and you gave me a life! I'm the one who's sorry. You've given me everything I could ever want, and I just mess up and" Xemnas leaned down in front of me, orange eyes boring into my soul.

"Stop" He ordered, voice gaining some anger.

I took a deep breath, suddenly realizing that I was shaking violently. Xemnas sighed, standing up and walking back over to his chair.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what happened."

Xemnas waved me off saying "I do. I warned you something like this might happen. It is a part of the memory fragmentation I performed on you. It is the reason why you pretend to act like you want to be around people, and why you cry yourself to sleep and have such violent, intrusive nightmares. It is also the reason why you are so out of tune with your powers and emotions, and the reason why you are currently falling now. You were too young, your mind was too fragile." Xemnas stopped talking, a far off look in his eyes.

I could understand. The dreaded mind fragmentation. I remembered asking Xemnas for it long ago, I remember pain and anger. I remembered my parents, I remembered that they didn't love me. I remembered that the fragmentation had gone wrong, something inside my head had fought back, something that had damaged my mind in its fight to survive. So yeah, the fragmentation had failed. I still remembered the two people I hated the most. And on top of that, it screwed my brain up. All kinds of fun.

After a few minutes of silence, he shook his head saying "I apologize, I drifted off a moment. The reason I summoned you is because I will be sending you out on complicated, dangerous mission soon. You are going to perform a Heartless Deal."

I stared at him in confusion, and the corners of his mouth twisted up into a smirk, waving his hand at the wall, summoning up another Dark Portal.

"Come apprentice, let us have some fun. We have an appointment with a very desperate man."

I followed him through, ignoring the feelings it sent through me, thinking about what he had said. We arrived in a darkened room, cluttered with posters, statues, symbols, and other eccentric items, with a large table in the center of the room.

A man sat at it, tapping his fingers restlessly, and jumped when he saw us.

"Ah, Xemnas, I didn't hear you come in. Who's this?"

Xemnas didn't take his eyes off of the man, studying him with a meticulous stare.

"He is my apprentice. You do not mind of course?"

The man glanced me over, large figure moving restlessly.

"Nah, it's fine."

We sat down at the table, the man still looking jumpy and nervous.

"So, about our deal; I give you the schematics, you give me the money, that's it, right? No double crossing, just fair business, right?"

"Of course." Xemnas said, pulling a suitcase out of thin air.

I glanced between the two, wondering how any of this had to do with a 'Heartless Deal', watching as the man handed Xemnas tablet, and Xemnas passed over the briefcase. Xemnas skimmed over the contents, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips, and the man let out a loud "Yes!"

I glanced over, jumping when I saw that the suitcase was open, and was stuffed with cash.

"This will suffice for now. You are satisfied with the amount?" The man stood up, smiling so wide it was surprising his face didn't split in half.

"Oh I'm satisfied alright. It's been a pleasure doing business with you sir." He turned to leave, when Xemnas spoke.

"Why did you want the money?"

The man paused before saying "Nothing much, just needed to pay back some old friends."

He was walking away again when Xemnas started talking again.

"Yes, borrowing from thugs is never a good idea, and their idea of a warning is anything but subtle."

The man froze, turning around, face ashen. "Oh god, he sent you didn't he?"

Xemnas shook his head, and stood up walking over to the man.

"It has been a pleasure doing business with you." He said, holding out his hand.

The man looked at it nervously. The last part of the conversation didn't make much sense, but Xemnas had obviously hit a nerve. After another few seconds, the man reached out and shook it. The next thing that I knew, screams were ripping through the room, and the man had fallen to his knees, pure darkness rushing out of Xemnas and into the man's large body. I took a step forward, entranced and horrified at the sight, watching as the man slowly changed, turning from a fairly average man, to a round, metallic creature, with a wide mouth filled with sharp teeth, an emblem of a thorny heart painted on its chest.

"What did you do?" I asked, staring as the creature hopped around, jangling and crashing with every move. "I made a Heartless Deal; People like us use our inner darkness, and use their own fears, anger, hatred, and other negative emotions, to turn them into Heartless, creatures that give us power." I nodded my head, still trying to wrap myself around it, watching as Xemnas made a Dark Portal and kicked the man turned Heartless into it. "I must find accommodations for our new acquaintance. I simply wanted to show you what was going to happen next time. Only you will be the one performing the act."

Before I could say anything, he was gone through the portal, and I was alone in the room. I stared into space for a long time, not knowing what to do. Things never really made sense in my life; it was an unfortunate part of being me. I turned around, eyes looking through the darkness until I spotted an exit. I walked out, entering the bright Miami sunlight, feeling the heat rush over me. I don't know what it was about Miami Florida, but the Betwixt and Between seemed to love it here, we managed to come here at least once a month.

When it wasn't wandering around the continents, it spent most of its time here and in Kyushu and I definitely wasn't complaining. I started walking down the street, smiling as the street lights started turning on as it got darker and darker. People were everywhere, chatting and smiling, laughing and fighting, it was perfect. I managed to make my way over to a bench, and sat down, letting myself relax and just enjoy the moment. Actual peace.

But even as I thought that, I knew it wasn't real peace. I was lying to myself, just like I was lying to everyone. I sighed, trying to force relaxation to come back, and opened my eyes. Why couldn't I do this? Why couldn't I even relax for a moment? I sighed and glanced across the street, and noticed a girl with pure blonde hair, falling in just the right ways, with a porcelain complexion, sparkling blue eyes, and a sketchbook.

Seemingly noticing my staring, she glanced up, and my world exploded in pain. I managed to keep myself from screaming, but collapsed onto the bench, pain coursing through me. What the hell was happening? I managed to open my eyes again, and saw the girl standing up, looking at me, concern painting her delicate features. Agony sank its teeth into me again, and this time I did scream, falling to the ground. The image of the girl was burned into my head, but was changing, growing smaller, until it was a little girl with wine red hair and bright blue eyes. Kairi, I thought.

Why was that name so familiar? Then, the image shifted again, this time into a boy with sky blue eyes, tanned skin, and spiky chocolate hair. "Where are you Roxas?" He asked. I screamed again, falling into pain, the image finally gone. I could hear people around me, trying to see what was wrong, trying to help me, but I only heard one word. Sora.

Strife of the Angel Scourge

They got the wrong one.

What took you so long moron?

What about me?

Where are you Roxas?

The voices ripped through me as I floated through darkness, my mind searing from pain. I had no idea what was happening, all I knew that this was agony beyond description. The voices started getting louder, screaming at me, and blurry images started racing past.

A park, a house, a movie theater, a hospital, it was all moving too quickly to comprehend. And then it all stopped. My agony slowly seeped away, and after a few seconds, I managed to open my eyes. I was curled into a ball on cold, grainy sand, surrounded by shadows and darkness.

I sat up, wincing as pain zipped through me, and stared around me. I was on a beach, the full moon and star vanishing into a dark, empty sky. I glanced to the side, noticing oddly shaped black rocks, with glowing blue lines running along there rounded surface, pulsing lightly every few seconds. Where was I? The dark ocean stretched as far as I could see, and to the other side, more rock formations formed a sort of maze, going on for miles, the pulsing lights swirling around like fireflies.

I glanced down at myself, and realized that I was in my Organization Cloak. Stress instantly evaporated, and I let myself relax. Our family, or Organization XІІІ as we were called, were the only people in the world who had these cloaks. They acted as near bullet proof armor, and were impervious to most attacks; Xemnas had taken almost everything into consideration when making them, and now they were nearly indestructible. I hadn't had one on before, so obviously someone in the family had found me and taken me here. But where was here?

I looked down the beach, and saw a lone figure in one of the organization's cloaks, hood covering their face, staring out over the seemingly endless ocean. I stood up, and carefully made my way over to them, cold sand crunching under my feet. As I got near, the figure glanced at me and lifted up there hood, revealing Xemnas face.

"Ah, you have awoken."

I nodded silently, flinching when pain accompanied the movement.

"I am not aware of what triggered it, but I know that what happened to you was because of my actions. The fragmentation I preformed is really starting to dig in is it not? And if I am correct, soon your mind will start destroying itself soon. But that can wait. For the moment at least."

My mind was destroying itself, but it could wait?! I stood there in silence, trying to wrap my head around what Xemnas had said, feeding the ever growing stillness. After another quiet minute, Xemnas continued.

"It is amusing to think that it has been so long since you joined our family. It seems like only yesterday we met, and mere hours ago that you moved into the Betwixt and Between. You have come so far my apprentice, and your potential is growing."

I nodded mutely, trying to figure out what Xemnas was leading up to. "Do you know where we are?" I shook my head, and Xemnas laughed quietly. "Of course you don't; we never told you, and your missions have only been back there. This is it Roxas; the Realm of Darkness, the true realm of reality. Look around you; all of this is pure power, pure darkness, pure nothingness. It is all ours. And one day, it may be all yours."

I stared at him in shock, finally finding my voice.

"What?"

Xemnas stared out at the sea, before looking back to me.

"Do you know why the rest of the family pushes you so hard, when most of them just have fun, earn munny, and delve into their own twisted plots? Do you know why they respect and fear you, and why Saїx truly envies you so much?"

I shook my head.

"It's because you are my apprentice. When I am gone, you will take my place as the head of the Betwixt and Between, the ruler of this, and so much more. Do you know what I do aside of guide you and protect the family?"

I shook my head again, trying to comprehend what Xemnas was saying. I was going to replace him? I would own all of this?

"I write fate, Roxas. I start and end wars, I create things beyond imagination, I heal and destroy, I do nothing and everything. It will take time for you to understand the exact scope of what I do, and how I do it, but I have faith in you."

We stayed there for a moment, silence overtaking us, while my thoughts cascaded through my head.

"I don't know what to say." I finally managed.

A smiled tugged at Xemnas' lips.

"Then do not say anything at all. You have plenty of time to come up with your 'rise to power' speech, and I have no intention to die or retire anytime soon."

I snickered as Xemnas stood up, brushing invisible dust off of his cloak and looked to me.

"Are you ready to travel? Or are you in need of more rest?"

I did a mental check over myself, flexing my muscles. I flinched when my heart spiked in my chest, sending a rush of freezing blood through my veins, and suddenly saw the boy in my nightmares standing behind Xemnas. I stared at him as he got closer, and I was just starting to make out his face, when pain ripped through me, sending me to the ground, writhing. Everything instantly went black again, but before I could drift off into nothingness again, light cascaded over me, and I was pulled back to reality.

I managed to open my eyes, clenching them shut when blinding, white and blue light bombarded me, but it didn't go away. I held up my hand to block it out, but the light got even brighter. "Roxas" Xemnas' voice hissed. I forced my eyes open, and stared at my outstretched hands. My palms were glowing, the light pouring out of them, vanquishing the nearby darkness.

I could barely register what was happening, amazing as it was, my brain just wasn't working. I was numb, all feeling gone from my body. I felt my lips forming words, but I couldn't hear them; I could see I was shaking, but I couldn't tell one way or the other. Xemnas stepped forward and placed his hands on my temples, multi-colored light swirling out his fingertips. My mind started coming back into focus, and the lights in my palms died. I was about to sigh in relief, when the numbness fell away too, and the pain brought me back into focus.

"Roxas."

I looked up to Xemnas, his face a mask of anger, fear, and something else, something dark. Before I could identify it, he spoke again.

"This process is too fast. I thought I would have time to at least prepare you, if anything bad was truly happening, but I believe this has confirmed it; your mind is dying. It is why you made the light; your power, your darkness, was slipping away. You cannot let it go Roxas. If you do, you will die. I will see my old mentor, Xehanort, to see if he can assist me in healing you, but all I can do is prolong the inevitable. Until then, your mind is going to be playing against you. You will be seeing things that are not there, feeling things you should not feel, your powers will most likely be out of control; there is so much that is happening to you."

I barely managed to register what he was saying.

"I'm… dying?"

Xemnas nodded. "I fear the fragmentation took out too much from your brain when you needed it most. Now it is starting to break down. All you can do is hold on. I will teach you how, but your best hope for now is to expand your powers of Darkness. The more darkness that fills you, the longer you can hold off your death, at least until we find a cure. Which means we will need to speed up your training boy; look me in the eyes."

I stared into his eyes, getting lost in the seemingly ancient, endless pits of dark amber, and power rushed through me. Images and words came to me, explaining how to do things I had never heard of, all of it coming together in some kind of immense collage. Then it was all gone, mere whispering in the back of my mind.

"That will show you how to use your darkness. Now go, I need to see some less than pleasant acquaintances." I stumbled back as he turned around, black cloak flowing like liquid through the air, and walked towards a Dark Portal.

He was almost gone, when he turned back around saying "Oh yes, happy early birthday. She will help you survive."

He pulled something out of his cloak and tossed it to me, before vanishing into the portal. I caught the object, and glanced it over, taking in the miniature version of an Organization cloak, dark blue buttons, and mop on top made up of black string.

Xemnas had given me a doll. I stared into its blue button eyes, and suddenly felt power rush through my arm, shocking me and making me drop the doll. I jumped back, checking over my fingers, and glanced back at the doll, wondering what the heck Xemnas had actually given me. As I watched, black and red lights started to form around the doll, growing larger and larger, until there was a bubble big enough for a person to hide under.

There was a sudden crack, like a whip, and the lights vanished, leaving a life-sized cloak in its place. I stared at it for a second, and jumped back, fire and electricity forming in my hands, as the cloak suddenly gasped for air. The ex-doll pushed itself up, stretched, and looked around. It saw me, and after staring at me for a few seconds, pulled back its hood, revealing a girl my age, with a pale, heart shaped face, dark ocean blue eyes, and short blue-black hair.

We stared at each other for a second, my hands still full of flames and electrical arcs, before I finally spoke.

"Hi."

The girl smiled slightly saying "Hello."

Another few awkward seconds went by, and I tried again.

"I'm Roxas."

"Roxas? Hmm, I think Xemnas has talked about you to me before. I'm Xion by the way."

I let myself relax a little, letting the power leech away from my hands, but still waiting for an attack.

"Not to be rude, but what are you?"

Xion giggled. "Straight to the point, I like that. You're not like Xemnas; everything he says is trapped in a puzzle and coated in secrets."

I chuckled, knowing all too well what she meant.

"I'm kind of a… well I guess you could call me a voodoo doll."

I stared at her for a second. Voodoo wasn't well known in the family, although from the lore going on between Luxord and Zexion, I was pretty sure no voodoo doll turned into a human.

"Um… What?"

Xion smiled. "Xemnas made me a couple of years ago to act as kind of a second opinion. Someone he could talk to, who could think like him, and see things he couldn't. Xemnas gave me to you so I could watch out for you, so now I'm yours. I can do some magic, and can be pretty helpful if you let me. Or, you could just keep my on a shelf like Xemnas did."

I stared at her in shock for a few seconds, before she cracked a smile and said "You know, it's rude to stare."

I shook my head, laughter finding its way to my mouth.

"Sorry. Just trying to wrap my head around everything; it's been a long day."

Xion nodded in sympathy, and for a split second, I saw smaller version of her, with red hair blue eyes, before she flickered back. I fell back, head ringing, felt Xion helping support me, and heard her saying

"Easy there Roxy. Let's get you sitting down, you don't look so great."

Xion sat me down, and after a few seconds of rest, I managed to get back up.

"Thanks."

Xion shrugged her shoulders, face still shrouded in worry.

"Xemnas gave you to me to help me right; on anything?"

Xion nodded slowly, and before I could stop myself, my mouth moved.

"Have you ever heard the name Sora?"

Xion tilted her head and bit her lip, deep in concentration. After a few seconds, shook her head saying

"Nope, I've never heard of any 'Sora'. Sorry Roxy."

I sighed and sat back down. Why was finding out who Sora was so important?

"I better get heading back; I have some work I need to get done." I got up, and was heading off, when I noticed Xion just standing there, looking lost and sad. "Xion?"

She glanced up guiltily saying "Sorry, just preparing myself for another shelf."

I looked away, eyes locking onto the spot Xemnas had exited.

"Thanks for the present." I muttered. It seemed cruel to put her back in that doll state, I mean she was basically alive. I think. Besides, having her around could be a little weird. "I'm not going to put you on another shelf. You can do whatever you want to do?"

Xion gasped. "What did you say?"

"You can do whatever you want to." I repeated.

Xion tackled me from behind, gripping me in an enormous bear hug. Before I could stop myself, and blast of telekinesis threw Xion to the ground.

"Sorry!" I murmured, quickly helping her back up "I'm not good with physical contact."

Xion nodded, swaying slightly. "Now he tells me" she muttered.

I forced a chuckle and said "So what do you want to do?" Xion's eyes lit up.

"I was wondering if I could do some exploring. I've never really been off Xemnas' shelf, and I kind of want to see the world."

I nodded. "Go ahead."

Xion squealed, nearly jumping at me again, but managed to control herself.

"Thanks Roxy!" she said, before summoning a Dark Portal and cartwheeling out. I stared at her for a second, wondering what I had just unleashed, before shaking my head. Leave it to Xemnas to get me a doll that turned into a crazy human girl.

My palms tingled, and I glanced down, remembering the light that had blinded me, and my palms instantly started lighting up. I quickly let go of the memory, sighing in relief as the glow slowly died. Xemnas had said that using this power, this light, would speed up this process that was killing me. This day was just getting better and better. I sighed and glanced around. Usually Xemnas, or other members of the family provided the Dark Portals for me to get around, but now, here in this 'Realm of Darkness', with no one around, I was stuck.

Why hadn't I asked Xion to help me out? The image of a Dark Portal came together in my head, and before I knew what I was doing, I had waved my hand, burning cold eating at my arm. Almost instantaneously, a Dark Portal flared into existence in front of me, its dark colors clawing at the air. I stared at it in shock, before remembering how Xemnas had stared at me, and all the images and words. Xemnas had said something about speeding up my training; I guess this was it.

My face broke into a grin; I could get used to having power at my fingertips. I could feel more information just waiting, more power inside me to be used. I stepped through, embracing the cold, and stepped through. The world seemed to spin around me, and the when I opened my eyes, I was back in the park. I glanced around, wondering how I had gotten here. I was about to make another portal, when I heard someone behind me.

I whipped around, and saw the girl from earlier, sitting on the bench I had been on, sketching. Her back was towards me, and she was so engrossed in her task that she didn't even seem to notice my sudden appearance. I stared at her for a few seconds, suddenly feeling the need to talk to her. I shook my head, trying to get rid of the feeling, but it just grew bigger and bigger. Should I really talk to her? She had looked pretty freaked out earlier when my mind had been doing… whatever it had been doing. But she had been the cause, why should I talk to her? I was about to walk away, when a breeze whipped by, blowing her hair back, and revealing three blotchy red spots on her neck.

I smiled, making a mental note to thank Xemnas. No one had actually witnessed my decent into madness; Xemnas had wiped everyone's memories. She must have been one of the last; otherwise she wouldn't still have the marks from the wipe. Maybe I could get some answers from her, maybe I could figure out who this Sora was. I glanced down at myself, remembering the cloak I was in. Anyone who saw me in this would think I was in some kind of demonic cult.

Maybe if I… I had barley thought it, when power rushed through me, the same power Xemnas had shown me, zigzagging around inside me. The cloak suddenly grew hazy, and the next thing I knew, it had morphed into a pure black short-sleeved hoodie, thin black jeans, and black chucks. I glanced over myself, smiling at the sudden power I had, and watched as the black gloves I was wearing shrunk, revealing my fingers before stopping just before my knuckles. I checked myself over, wondering what else this thing I could do now.

How much had Xemnas taught me through that single look? I was drifting into my own thoughts when the girl sneezed, making us both jump. I took a deep breath and walked over, leaning over the bench and saying "Hi."

The girl jumped at least two feet in the air, nearly falling off the bench until I caught her. She whirled around, sparkling blue eyes full of fear, holding up her pencil like a knife. I held my hands up in mock surrender saying "Easy there princess. I just wanted to say…" My mind snapped down to her drawing, finishing my excuse. "That you're a pretty good artist."

The girls fear wavered, before falling away entirely. She gave me a tentative smile before saying "Thank you."

"I'm Roxas." I said, sitting down on the other side of the bench.

"Naminè."

"I'm more of an abstract person myself, but I like the focus."

Naminè smiled shyly saying "I wanted to show off the landscape around here. Do you really think it's good?"

I nodded, throwing in a smile, and Naminè blushed slightly, looking down. We sat in silence for a while, my mind working out how to get the answers I needed from her.

"You look familiar, have we met before?"

She was shaking her head, when she stopped saying "Well, you might not have met me, but I have a cousin who looks like me. She definitely gets around; her name's Kairi."

I nearly screamed in pain when Naminè said that name, memories ripping through my head, trying to be seen and heard, but staying just out of reach.

"Kairi? Yeah, I think I might have met her."

Naminè snorted saying "And you survived the encounter? You're tougher than you look." We both laughed while my mind tried to process what little information I was getting.

"Nah, I'm just good at getting by."

Naminè nodded curiously, fingers twitching, like she wanted to draw more. Maybe… A plan was just starting to form when something near Naminè beeped. We jumped, my hand curling to make fire, when Naminè pulled out a cellphone. She glanced it over as I quickly let out go of the power I had, hoping there no sparks fluttering in my palm. Naminè let out a sigh, turning to me and saying "Sorry, I need to get going, my dad wants me home."

"It's alright." I said, panicking on the inside; time for plan B.

"Hey Naminè, you wanna hang out next Friday?"

Naminè's face lit up in surprise.

"What?"

"Well, I don't have anything going on, and I know I haven't known you that long, but you seem like a great person." Please buy it, please buy it.

Naminè bit her lip before smiling and saying "Sure. I think I'm free. How about we meet here at six?"

I nodded smiling brightly. I could wait that long; I think.

"See you next week Roxas!" she called, before jogging off, sketchbook in hand. I watched her go, smiling at how easily she had fallen for that. But almost as soon as I did, guilt rushed through me.

Had I seriously just manipulated a girl into thinking I wanted to be her friend just so I could get answers? My want and guilt battled it out for a few moments, before my want won out, my want for answers. I turned around, and walked down the path, wondering what to do next. I was sure Naminè would be able to help fill in some memory gaps, and I would be willing to listen, no matter the pain they put me through, but something else was digging at me. What else was there to remember?

I didn't know where I was going, but I did hear something hit the ground to my left, and I whirled around, icy mist spewing from my fingertips, ready for an attack. A man was sprawled on the ground behind me, covered in black leather, a ridiculously long sword strapped to his waist, silver hair going down his back.

I cautiously approached him, ready for any movement from the weirdo with the sword, but none came. I let the power go out, and cautiously nudged the stranger with my foot. Faster than I could comprehend, the stranger had thrown themselves up into the air, unsheathed there sword, and slashed at me. I jumped back, but the blade slashed across my cheek, and an invisible force threw me to the ground. I rolled and sprang back onto my feet, feeling green sparks singe my cut until it wasn't there.

Power roared to life in my hands, and I stared into the strangers cold eyes. "Bring it." I whispered. The man raised his sword, but suddenly coughed, droplets of blood flying through the air. After a few seconds of coughing, the man fell out of the air, clutching his chest, where I could see blood pouring out. I sighed, walking over and turning the man over. They tried to get away, but I pinned them down and put my hand to their chest. Green sparks sizzled over there wound, and after a few seconds, it closed, and the blood stopped flowing.

The man let out another cough as I got up, before slowly standing up.

"You're fine." I said, ready and waiting for another split second attack.

The man studied me with disgust and disinterest. "Why did you touch me?"

I took a few steps back just in case and said "I prefer to fight my enemies when they can actually fight back, otherwise the fights not fun."

The man nodded before saying "My name is Sephiroth. Your assistance was not required. Leave."

I ignored his order, instead asking "So how'd you end up like this?"

Sephiroth glanced at me, before looking up at the sky. "An old enemy; he was stronger than I expected him to be."

"Are you afraid he'll beat you?"

Sephiroth looked at me sharply, but his eyes told the truth. Fear, hatred, and desperation swirled behind those eyes, and a sudden idea came to mind. Xemnas had said to speed up my training and use the darkness more, right? Let's try this on for size.

"What if I told you I had a way that would make sure you won you're next fight?"

The previous disinterest vanished, face twisting into an unreadable mask.

"I'm listening."

I smiled and said "He's good, whoever your opponent is, isn't he? Powerful too, if he managed to hit you. Imagine how fast he is."

Sephiroth just stared at me.

"How would you feel if I could make sure you were faster? Stronger."

"I would be… joyous. I would finally destroy my enemy. I am the scourge of angles!"

I raised my eyebrows in confusion, but threw on a smile and held out my hand.

"Shake on it?" Sephiroth grabbed my hand, and I closed my eyes. Instantly the words 'Heartless Deal' echoed through my head, Xemnas' information pulsing instructions to me, and power rushed down my arm, into Sephiroth's.

Sephiroth's hand suddenly crushed mine in an iron grip, and I opened my eyes, blasting him back breathing hard. I watched as Sephiroth's pale skin turned black and scaly, bony protrusions pushing through his skin. I walked backwards, watching as Sephiroth turned into a Heartless, horrific wings ripping out of its shoulder blades, and scythe shaped claws flashing out of fingers.

The Heartless stopped, letting out a mighty roar of triumph, and I stared at it in awe. It was nearly seventeen feet tall, with massive bone structures protecting its vitals, twin tails, and glowing red eyes.

"Scourge of Angels." I murmured.

The Scourge's eyes snapped to me, and it raised itself up and roared. I jumped back in surprise, narrowly avoiding a slash of its lightning fast claws. Here we go again. The Scourge threw itself at me, its bulk missing me my inches. I barely had time to summon fire to my hand when its tails whipped through the air, throwing me through the air, and slamming me into the ground.

I didn't even have time to get up before the Scourge was grabbing me and slamming me back into the ground. I cried out in pain, trying to focus as it slammed me down again. The Scourge started lowering its head, a maw of jagged teeth opening up, and I turned away, hoping this would at least be quick. My eyes snapped onto a lamppost a few meters away, and I reached out, snapping it off its pole with a blast of telekinesis.

The Scourge looked for the source of the noise in time for the pole to smash into it, sending it stumbling back, a crack appearing in its bony hide. I gasped for breath, letting green sparks rush over me, and jumped up, rushing at the stunned creature.

I threw a fireball at it, making it scream as the fire melted into its scales, burning brighter every time it tried ripping it out. I was almost to it, when it screamed again, jumping forward and grabbing me, before spreading its wings and taking to the air. I twisted around in its grasp, trying to get away to no avail. I glanced down, watching as the city got further and further away.

The beast started squeezing me, and I screamed, earning its attention. It let out a laughing noise as it looked down at me, mocking me. Anger rushed through me, power pulsing through my fingertips, and I screamed, throwing my hands out. Blinding blue and white light erupted from my palms, and the Scourge screamed, dropping me as it started falling out of the sky.

I froze as I hurtled through the air, horrified. I had just used the light again. Xemnas had said using it would kill me. Even as I thought about it, I started feeling weaker. I closed my eyes in defeat, letting the darkness overtake me. So much for a great future; so much for everything. I had let them all down, everyone in the family. Especially Xemnas. Something suddenly flashed through my head, someone whispering my name. I frowned, trying to hear over the wind whistling behind my ears.

A sudden image of an oversized key appeared in my mind, and my eyes flashed. The key was in my hand. A single word ripped through my head. Keyblade. I didn't question where it came from or what it was, all I knew was that I could feel power pulsing out of it, and it was my ticket out of here. I whipped around in the air, watching the Scourge trying to recover, the ground coming up fast. I slashed through the air, letting the Keyblade throw me towards the creature.

I slashed at the cracked piece of its armor, zipping around it as it tried to knock me away, before landing on its chest.

"Sorry Sephiroth." I whispered, stabbing the Keyblade through the crack.

The Scourge screamed in pain, and the next thing I knew we were slamming into the ground. The Scourge absorbed most of the impact, but I was thrown off, landing a few feet away. I stared at its body, watching as it dissolved into darkness, a ruby red heart hovering in the air for a split second before vanishing. I didn't even notice when the Keyblade flashed out of existence.

My body was numb; the light I had used had taken everything away. I jumped dizzily when I heard clapping, whipping around to see Xemnas standing a few feet away, gloved hand smacking each other over and over. The numbness took over, and the last thing I heard was Xemnas saying "It seems you are even more special than I had been led to believe."

Oblivion's Takeover

The past three days had been a living hell. After I had summoned this 'Keyblade' thing and killed the Angel Scourge, Xemnas had taken me to his old mentor, and resident Keyblade Master, for training.

The few days I had been here, I had been pushed past even my limits in all respects, my mind being constantly twisted around crazy tricks, my body worked until it bled, and being forced to fight with magic and the Keyblade.

The only thing that got me through it all was Xehanort's treatment for my destabilizing mind. Every day after I got up, I would visit him and he would force my mind to reshape itself, making me go numb for the rest of the day. I honestly don' know how I was surviving, especially with Xehanort's apprentice, Vanitas, constantly harassing me.

They were an interesting pair, Vanitas and Xehanort. Xehanort was older than dirt, bald except for his eyebrows; somehow maintaining a fairly athletic body, frighteningly young yellow eyes, dark tanned skin, and a silver goatee. He always talked with extravagant hand gestures, and almost always seemed seven or eight steps ahead of everyone else. And then there was Vanitas, the local molester, tormentor, headache, and warrior.

Almost every time I saw him, the numbness Xehanort had given me would start to fade, an agonizing pain ripping my head apart. Something about his gravity defying, jet black spiky hair, golden eyes, pale skin, and sharp features ripped apart my 'cure', leaving me exposed and trembling. Some of his favorite pastimes were beating me to a pulp, drinking my blood, and trying to sexually harass me. As if that wasn't enough, he loved tormenting me, and had shown himself to be cruel and cunning.

Sometimes it looked like he wanted to kill me. Wasn't this life great? Not even three days here and I was already being pushed to my limits by a crazy man, and my would-be-murderer/pervert. But it could be worse. There was a knock on my door, followed by Xehanort's disembodied voice saying "Arise Roxas, it is time to continue your training."

I groaned, turning my head into my pillow and pulling my blanket over me. I take it back, this was as bad and just getting worse. I hadn't got a sliver of sleep at all last night; I was still in too much pain. I heard Xehanort talking again, but I tuned him out, trying to force myself to go to sleep. Something suddenly lifted the pillow from on top of me, and a cool, icy voice whispered in my ear saying "Rise and shine Roxie. We've got a full day of fun ahead, and I can't wait to nail you again."

Totally on instinct, I whipped around, Keyblade materializing instantaneously, swinging towards the source of the voice; Vanitas. Vanitas managed to duck under the blade, his hair a breath away, but he wasn't quick enough to dodge a blast of telekinesis. He flew towards the wall, but halfway there, a Dark Portal appeared behind him, and he flew through, laughing. Before I realized what was happening, Vanitas arrived behind me, tackling me off my bed, slamming me into the ground. I struggled to get up, but Vanitas managed to stay on.

"This is fun, but you want to know what's better?" He leaned down, and I felt his hot breath on my neck. "You." He whispered, grinding up against me, fingers digging into my skin.

Anger pulsed through me, coming outwards as electricity, frying Vanitas, effectively paralyzing him. I jumped up, grabbing my cloak and rushing towards a Dark Portal. I heard Vanitas cussing me out as I ran through, ending up in a deserted room.

I threw on the cloak, shivering as it swirled around me, until I was back in jeans, sneakers, jacket, and shirt. I smiled, glancing down as a star shaped necklace appeared on my neck, a checkered band strapped to my wrist, and black and white rings appeared on my pointer and index finger. After a few more times experimenting with cloak, I had mastered a few new abilities, and was able to make almost any clothing now, although it almost always came out black, white, or silver.

I flexed my sore muscles, checking to make sure I was still in one piece, before summoning up another Dark Portal to Xehanort's training arena. I might be in one piece, but Vanitas had a thing for retaliation, so staying in one piece might be harder than I thought. I got there at the same time as Vanitas. He smiled when he saw me, summoning his Keyblade, Void Gear, and was charging towards me when an invisible barrier flew up between us, bouncing him back.

We both turned to the center of the room instinctively, watching as Xemnas shook his head, smiling. "Now, now Vanitas; let Roxas get his cure and lesson before you chop him up." Vanitas sighed, letting his Keyblade vanish as we walked towards Xehanort. Once we were seated in front of him, he stepped forward pressing his palm to my forehead.

My world spun, and I started losing feeling in my fingers. In a matter of seconds, the numbness had spread throughout me, until I couldn't feel my body, and my brain was foggy. I saw Xehanort let go, but it took me register what that meant until my head started clearing up and started working again. "Now that that is out of the way, let us move onto further matters. You recall what the Keyblade is, correct?"

"Yeah, it's one of the only weapons that can actually destroy Heartless, it's a weapon that can do incredible things, and it can unlock items, and has a whole lot of other uses."

Xehanort frowned at my blunt description, before saying "Now do you know what a Keyblade does to people?" I tried remembering what Xehanort had pounded into my head the past few days, but I couldn't remember anything in particular. After a few moments of silence, Xehanort continued.

"The Keyblade chooses those who have a strong heart. Their first Keyblade is neutral, and grants only the basic abilities. However, as they gain more power, experience, and go through more situations, their Keyblade will change, fitting some part of their emotions or memories. The blades appearance, abilities, everything about it will change. But, as your Keyblade evolves, it gains a mind of its own. Whatever abilities, properties, or otherwise it has, it will affect you, changing your perspective, turning you into someone else, someone more powerful. When your Keyblade develops more, I will elaborate on these changes."

I nodded and Xehanort smiled. "Good. Now where were we? Oh yes, Vanitas was attacking you."

Before I could react, Vanitas threw himself at me, smashing me into the ground, bringing my neck up to his mouth.

"You know, that shock really stung. It almost felt like this, but not as painful."

With that, he sunk his teeth into my neck. I bit my lip in, feeling Vanitas sucking out blood, the numbness turning into pinpoints of pain. I managed to push my hand against his chest, and sent him back with a blast of telekinesis. He flew through the air, twirling to right himself, but I didn't give him a chance.

I threw myself up, summoning my Keyblade, while green sparks crackled along my neck, healing the newest set of bite marks. Vanitas landed in time to throw up a quick shield, before summoning his own Keyblade and going back on offense. Somehow I managed to stay ahead of him, fighting moves and combinations I had never thought of suddenly taking over and fighting back.

After a few minutes of back and forth fighting, I ducked under Vanitas' blade, adrenaline coursing through my veins, and smashed him against the wall. He was still recovering when I slashed at his neck, his blade barley blocking the attack, embedding both our Keyblades into the wall. "What was that about pinning me to the wall Vani?" Vanitas growled at me, but something seemed to change behind his eyes. He threw his hand forward, darkness missing me by inches, before I managed to slam him back into the wall, our faces inches apart.

"You're right, this is kinda fun!" I whispered, ripping my Keyblade out of the wall and slashing at him. Our fight kept up, powers blasting off in every direction, Keyblades throwing sparks with every encounter, but something was different. Vanitas' eyes seemed different, the hardened gold color seemingly turned to molten metal, a hunger in his eyes.

That hunger seemed to take over, and Vanitas started throwing more and more at me, until I was barely able to keep up. Finally, we clashed in the center of the arena, my blade at his throat, his at my stomach. "Very good Roxas; it appears you've ended up in a tie. I must say, I have never seen anyone advance as quickly as you. It seems as though you have intuitive knowledge of how to use the Keyblade."

I thought back to Xemnas' look of power, but nothing about the Keyblade suddenly appeared. I wasn't big on sword fighting, so how had I gotten so good, so fast? I shook my head, before glancing up at Vanitas. "Draw?" Vanitas' eyes wavered, before returning to their old, hardened state.

"Whatever."

I let the Keyblade go, and turned around walking towards Xehanort.

Vanitas walked up behind me, slapped my butt, and walked ahead saying "Nice ass."

I stopped, speechless blushing, listening as Vanitas walked away, and laughing manically, like some super villain. Xehanort rolled his eyes, and then focused back on me. "I have a test for you, a way to test your skill with the Keyblade. There is a powerful Heartless roaming the Realm of Darkness; dispose of it and take its heart."

"It's heart? I thought it was a 'heartless'?"

Xehanort chuckled saying "No, Heartless have hearts; powerful ones at that. We gain our power from hearts. The more Heartless we produce and destroy, the stronger we get. It was one of the reasons your master was so pleased at you destroying such a powerful Heartless the other day."

I nodded, noting the angry flash when Xehanort spoke about Xemnas.

"Now go, you will find this Heartless near the Middle Zone."

"Got it."

I turned away, wondering how to get to the Middle Zone, and where the heck it was. I opened up a Dark Portal, and focused on the Realm of Darkness, letting the cold claw at me. After a few seconds, I emerged on the other side; back on the beach I had met Xemnas on the other day. I glanced around, wondering which way to go. There had to be some kind of rhyme or reason to this right? I started walking down the beach, looking this way and that.

After a few minutes, I was contemplating returning to Xehanort. Why hadn't I just asked him where the stupid zone was in the first place? I glanced to the side, suddenly noticing an opening in the glowing rocks. I smiled, jogging over and entering the stone maze. I followed the path, turning and twisting with every turn, wondering where I was going.

The maze suddenly ended, stone boulders acting as a sort of stairway leading up into darkness. I stared up at it for a few seconds, before looking back. Even as I watched, the way I had come in closed itself off, before completely disappearing.

"So much for that exit" I muttered.

I glanced back at the makeshift stairway, before heading up, jumping form one step to the other. How had my life come to this? I remember meeting Xemnas for the first time, talking about someone or something; I couldn't remember what exactly, but I knew that whatever it was very important. Then I remember getting angry with my parents; they had hated me.

I can't remember why, but they just did. After that I had moved into the Betwixt and Between, and had stayed there ever since, the Organization becoming my new family. I had done what they had done, learned to do incredible things, fight, preform, and so much more. How had I gotten to this? I could understand why Xemnas wanted to get rid of the Heartless, but why were Vanitas and Xehanort separate, and not with the Organization?

Questions continued circling around in my head like vultures, swooping down every so often to pick at my brain, bringing up more questions, making me feel smaller and smaller. The stairway finally stopped, and I glanced around, taking in the high cliffs, stone columns, stairways, and orbs of darkness. How was all this up here? The stairway had seemingly vanished into nothingness, how could it hold all of this? It looked like an entire other world was just floating up here, connected only by the lower ground by the stairway. The thought of it suddenly breaking, and the area just floating off… I shivered, before forcing myself to think about the task ahead, and walking into the valley.

Something about this area told me it was the Middle Zone, something Xemnas had done or seen that he had shown me. I was just starting to remember, when a giant fist smashed in front of me. I jumped back, following the fist to its arm, and then back to its body.

It was a Heartless. It had to be the one I was after, the thing was huge, pitch black, with a heart shaped hole in its chest, miniature wings sprouting from its back, glowing yellow eyes lacking of irises. I stared at it, taking an involuntary step back as it withdrew its fist, its immense bulk shifting towards me. I was supposed to kill something like that? It was huge, nearly four and a half stories tall, all muscle. How had the thing snuck up on me? I couldn't kill something like that, it was impossible. Before I could move its hand clawed the air, smashing me away, slamming me into the side of one of the cliffs walls, bones snapping with the force of the impact.

I groaned falling to the ground, feeling green sparks mending my broken bones. I pushed myself up, summoning the Keyblade shouting "Oh, it's on!"

I rushed the Heartless, blasting away one of its hands with a quick burst of electricity, before throwing myself up, slashing away at its exposed chest. The Heartless recoiled, moving with surprising speed and smacking me away again. Before I could get back up, it slammed its fist down onto my back, and I screamed, hearing a sickening crack. The pain ripped through the numbness, and I could feel green sparks forcing my broken body back together, but the pain kept my mind from working. I felt the ground shake as the Heartless stalked forward, and could feel it leaning towards me as I forced myself up, summoning a shield around me.

It slammed its fist down, the impact cracking my shield, dark wisps of smoke curling through them. The Heartless pushed harder and harder, forcing more and more of its bulk on top of my shield, as darkness slowly seeped in, coating the ground. I felt my breathing getting hard, the exhaustion of holding up a shield against so much power while in so much pain starting to take its toll. My shield cracked again, and a piece of it fell, darkness now pouring in like a small stream. I moved my hand to summon a Dark Portal, but the moment I started siphoning off power, the shield cracked again, and more darkness poured in. I started panting, and was decided to make a run for it.

I let go of the shield, forcing what was left of my energy into making a Dark Portal, and rushing forward. I hadn't even made it a foot when the darkness caught my foot, pulling me in. I didn't have time to realize what had just happened when the Heartless came down, the absent shield letting it fall straight using on me, forcing me into the pit of pure darkness. I sunk, farther and farther, choking on the black tar like substance that was stuck in my throat. The darkness was killing me.

I remembered how Xemnas had said I needed to use the darkness; to give into it to survive, but how was I supposed to do that when so much of it was smothering me. The darkness was killing me, just like the same. But right now, it was the only thing I had, the only cure, the only way I could make sure I found out who Sora was, and why they were so important. It wasn't a permanent solution, but for now it would work. I closed my eyes, feeling myself sink further in, but the deeper I sank, the more hope flooded me. I had to survive. No matter what I had to do, no matter how dark, I had to survive and stop this, and most importantly, find Sora. I opened my eyes, darkness trying to block my view, but I ignored it, reaching out and summoning the Keyblade.

A crackle of purple lightning and dark smoke and sparks rushed out from my hand, lighting up the darkness, and a new key, this one gothic in appearance, made of jet black metal, the symbol of darkness making up the teeth. The area around it was cloaked in some kind of aura that seemed to suck the color out of the air, leaving the surrounding air black and white. Oblivion. The name whispered through my mind, and the key pulsed with power.

I closed my eyes, holding Oblivion above my head, and suddenly felt dark power rush through me. I rocketed out of the darkness, slicing the Heartless' hand clean off, flipping through the air before landing neatly a few feet away. The Heartless stumbled back, but before it could recover, I sprinted towards it, throwing myself towards the Heartless. I slashed Oblivion, cutting straight through its dark flesh, before landing on the other side. A crash erupted behind me, and when I turned around, the creature was in two pieces. As I watched, a glowing red heart emerged from the carcass, floating a few feet in the air. I walked towards it, stopping when I was just a foot away. I studied its transparent complexion, glowing brightly. I raised Oblivion into the air, but the blade moved before I could, pulling my arm so it could rip through the heart. It exploded in a shower of red light, and power rushed through me, healing whatever wounds I had had.

I smiled darkly, feeling more powerful than ever. I licked my lips, reveling in the darkness, feeling strong for once in my life.

"That's what you get bitch." I said, watching as the body evaporated.

I whipped around, barley noticing that my clothes had suddenly changed from my previous attire, into a leather jacket, tight black jeans, and combat boots.

A Dark Portal appeared in front of me, and I arrived back at the training arena. Xehanort looked up in surprise saying "Roxas? Back so soon?" I smiled, letting the power I had gathered pulse through me, black and purple lightning arcing between my fingers. Xehanort smiled widely saying "Very good, very good. Go take a break; I believe you've done enough for today." I smiled, glancing over to a hallway as Vanitas came in.

"Back so soon moron?"

Lust and anger rushed through me, and the next thing I knew, I had pinned Vanitas to the wall.

"Shut up and kiss me." I hissed.

Vanitas hesitated for a mere moment before complying. Our tongues battled, clashing over and over again, and the kiss deepened. Vanitas threw me against the wall, pushing hard, and I smiled, breaking away to gasp for air.

"Told you I'd have you pinned" Vanitas whispered.

So here's to hoping this version is greater than the last, and that the updates to the story is constructive, helpful, and skillful. Trying to elaborate on several other points that were lacking before, and tried to make things better, so there ya go! Hope you liked it, have a great morning/day/night!