Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was a serene, starry night in a distant, enchanting kingdom. Three girls, around the age of twelve, descended from a castle balcony using a nearby tree as their path. The first girl, adorned in a glimmering purple gown, gracefully landed on the grass, a small bag dangling from her shoulder. She turned back to assist her two friends, eager to embark on their clandestine adventure.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Princess? What if someone spots us?" the youngest girl voiced her concern.

The princess waved off her worries with a dismissive gesture. "Come on, Leslie, it'll be fine! All the adults are sound asleep by now. No one needs to know." Turning around, she placed her hands on her hips, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "And I've told you before, you don't have to call me 'Princess' when it's just us! Miyu is perfectly fine."

"I know... it's just hard to break the habit," Leslie admitted sheepishly.

Miyu then turned to their other companion, her eyes brimming with anticipation. "Ceri, did you manage to get the things I asked for?"

Ceri beamed, holding up a small bag tied with a ribbon. Miyu had entrusted her with the task of procuring their favorite treat from the royal kitchen, knowing her friend's adeptness at stealth.

"Yes, I've got it! Don't worry!" Ceri exclaimed, her excitement palpable.

Miyu clapped her hands, bubbling with enthusiasm. "Excellent! And Leslie, you have the book, right?"

Leslie nodded, showcasing the hefty volume in her hands.

"Then let's get going!" Miyu exclaimed, her voice brimming with joy.

The trio ventured into the castle's garden, a tapestry of vibrant flowers illuminated by the moon's gentle glow. Spreading a blanket on the ground, they settled down, embracing the comfort it provided. Ceri unveiled the contents of her bag, revealing colorful konpeito candies—their cherished indulgence. With laughter and camaraderie, they each received a share, savoring the sweetness that seemed to taste even better in each other's company.

Miyu, still clutching her own bag, smiled warmly. "I'm grateful to have friends like you two to share moments like this. These candies wouldn't be half as enjoyable if I were eating them alone."

Curiosity sparkled in Leslie's eyes as she inquired, "So, what did you bring, Miyu?"

Miyu raised a finger playfully. "That's a secret for now! But first, I want you to tell us another story. One about those other worlds." Leslie possessed an insatiable curiosity for the histories of the countless realms in the universe, while Miyu, yearning to escape the weight of her future royal duties, dreamt of traversing the expanses of the cosmos. Though she understood the impossibility, a glimmer of hope persisted within her.

Leslie pondered, tapping her finger against her chin. "Hmm... where did we leave off last time?"

Ceri chimed in, her face lighting up with recollection. "Wasn't it about some wealthy baby or something?"

Miyu erupted in laughter at the absurdity. "That one was ridiculous! Surely it couldn't be true!"

"Hmm..." Leslie flipped through the pages, finding a tale about a queen blessed with magical ice powers who plunged her kingdom into an eternal winter.

Ceri nudged Miyu with a mischievous grin. "You know, Miyu, she reminded me a lot of you. Not just because of the ice magic, but it seemed like she didn't want to be a queen either."

Miyu's laughter subsided, and she nodded in contemplation. "You're right... perhaps someday, I'll meet her and seek her guidance." She chuckled, aware of the unlikelihood.

Interrupting their conversation, Leslie voiced her doubts. "But Miyu, you know it's impossible for us to travel to other worlds..."

Miyu sighed, staring up at the moon while nibbling on her candies. "I know, I know... but just because we can't right now doesn't mean we won't have the opportunity in the future."

Ceri interjected with a touch of melancholy. "What about your duties as a princess? The king and queen would never allow you to leave, even if it were possible. They have such high expectations for their only heir."

Miyu's grip tightened on the bag she had carried since their escapade began. "Why couldn't I have an older sibling to take over? That's how it ended for the queen in the story—she was the older sister so she assumed the throne."

Her friends exchanged understanding glances, acknowledging the inalterable nature of their circumstances.

"I'm tired of being the sole princess... It's overwhelming," Miyu murmured, her voice tinged with frustration. "Moreover, it keeps us from spending time together freely... If only..." Her voice trailed off, lost in thought.

Curiosity sparked within Leslie. "If only what?"

Miyu's gaze turned determined, and she sat back down on the blanket, facing her friends. Reaching into her bag, she produced two tiaras she had crafted by hand—an attempt to replicate her own albeit imperfectly. "I've always regarded you both as sisters since we grew up together in this castle... but I wish it were true, you know?"

Ceri and Leslie, with parents employed within the castle, were expected to serve as Miyu's guardians. Yet, Miyu resented the hierarchical distinction that kept her apart from her dear friends. She yearned for equality.

She extended the tiaras to her companions, a hopeful smile gracing her lips. "Even if it can't be a reality, at least we can pretend, right?"

The two girls exchanged glances, their faces lighting up with affectionate understanding. With gleeful acceptance, Ceri and Leslie adorned the tiaras, embracing the fantasy of a bond that transcended their roles, a testament to the extraordinary friendship they shared.

***

By the time of the Princess's 14th birthday, she was sent to a place called The Land of Departure to train under Aqua, a student of her mother's friend and a Keyblade wielder in her own right. Miyu's two friends, Ceri and Leslie, were also sent to this world to watch over her during her training. They chose to share a room, making every night feel like a sleepover in contrast to their lives back in the castle.

One night, Miyu lay in her bed, swinging her magic wand—passed down to her by her parents—playfully pretending it was a Keyblade.

"I think today's training was a lot of fun! I feel like I'm improving a lot!" Miyu shared enthusiastically. Earlier that day, she had engaged in a mock battle with a boy named Ventus, who was also learning to wield a Keyblade. The fight had ended in a draw, but both Miyu and Ventus had learned valuable lessons from the match.

Leslie agreed with a nod. "You've come a long way since we first arrived here, don't you think, Ceri?"

But Ceri seemed unusually distracted. "Huh? Oh, yeah, you're really getting the hang of that spell Aqua taught you today!"

Miyu sat up, confused. "Spell? Magic training was last week! Today was my battle with Ven! Weren't you watching?"

Ceri stumbled over her words. "Oh! Yeah, I knew that! I was just—"

Before Ceri could finish, Leslie giggled mischievously. "She was a little busy..."

"What do you mean?" Miyu asked, growing more curious.

Leslie playfully nudged Ceri. "Her eyes were practically glued to Terra!"

Miyu's confusion turned into amusement as she joined in the laughter. "What? Really, Ceri?"

Ceri, blushing, tried to defend herself. "That's not true!"

Leslie laughed, nudging Ceri playfully. "Oh, come on, Ceri! Admit it, you've got a little crush on him!"

Ceri's cheeks flushed even more, and she playfully swatted at Leslie. "I do not! Can we focus on Miyu's amazing progress instead?"

Miyu giggled, enjoying the lighthearted banter. "Alright, alright, let's give Ceri a break. But seriously, you guys, thank you for being here with me. I couldn't imagine going through all this training without my best friends by my side."

Leslie grinned and wrapped an arm around Miyu. "You know we'd never leave you alone in this. We're in this together, through thick and thin!"

Ceri nodded, her eyes filled with warmth. "Absolutely. We promised each other that we'd support one another and follow our dreams, no matter what. And today, we're one step closer to making those dreams a reality."

The girls spent the rest of the night talking and laughing together, enjoying their time in each other's company. They all wished they could have moments like this more often. Despite Miyu's daily training, which she enjoyed, it was a stark contrast to her royal duties back home. Learning to wield the Keyblade felt significant, especially if they were to leave their home world one day, as they hoped.

***

After several months of training, Miyu's time in The Land of Departure drew to a close. It was her last day, and they gathered in the main room of the castle for Miyu's Keyblade Inheritance Ceremony. As she stood next to Aqua, Miyu scanned the room, noticing that only those she had met since arriving in this world, including her two friends, were present. Absent were her parents and anyone else from their home world, which briefly tugged at her heart.

However, Miyu brushed aside those feelings and turned to her two best friends, offering them a bright smile just before Aqua began the ceremony. Aqua summoned her Keyblade and extended it for Miyu to take in her hands.

"In your hand, take this key. So long as you have the makings, then through this simple act of taking... its wielder you shall one day be," Aqua spoke, bestowing the Keyblade to Miyu.

As Miyu handed the Keyblade back to Aqua, the older girl smiled and gently patted her on the head. "You've done so well, Miyu. You're going to make a great Keyblade wielder in the future." Aqua's pride in her accomplishments during their training was evident.

At that moment, Ceri and Leslie approached them, enveloping Miyu in hugs and offering their congratulations. Although Miyu's training aimed to prepare her for defending their home kingdom, they all understood that it was essential for her to learn to protect herself as well, especially once they had the means to leave their world and embark on their dream adventures.

Miyu's smile widened as she looked at her two best friends, feeling grateful for their unwavering support. "Thank you, both of you. I couldn't ask for better friends or stronger allies. With you by my side, I know we'll conquer any challenge that comes our way."

As the ceremony came to an end, Aqua gave Miyu a final encouraging nod. "Remember, Miyu, the Keyblade is not just a weapon but a symbol of your courage and heart. Embrace its power, but always stay true to yourself."

With newfound determination, Miyu felt the weight of responsibility and the anticipation of the adventures that awaited them. She knew that her training had only been the beginning and that their journey was about to unfold, filled with excitement, danger, and the bonds of friendship that would carry them through it all. Together, they would embark on a path that would shape their destinies and the fate of the worlds they would encounter.

***

Several years had passed since their training in The Land of Departure, and Princess Miyu found herself lying at the end of her luxurious, fluffy bed, her head hanging upside down off the edge. With a sigh, she expressed her longing, "Isn't she ever coming back?"

Ceri, one of her closest friends, responded, "It really hasn't been that long," her words accompanied by a teasing smirk as she playfully remarked on Miyu's unconventional posture. "You know, that's not very 'princess-like.'"

Miyu huffed in defiance. "Hmph, like I care! I'm sick of having to be so proper all the time." Rolling her eyes, she dramatically threw her arms over her head, letting them hang loosely at either side.

Their other friend, Leslie, had been away for a few weeks on some secretive "special training." Although the details were shrouded in mystery, the trio had a strong inkling about the nature of Leslie's training.

"Besides, soon it won't even matter!" Miyu whispered, rolling onto her stomach to face Ceri. "When she gets back, we'll be out of here for good!"

Ceri's smile mirrored Miyu's enthusiasm, yet she couldn't help but voice a hint of uncertainty. "We don't know that for sure, though..." Despite her reservations, Ceri shared the same burning desire to break free from their castle and explore the countless worlds that awaited them.

The princess scoffed at Ceri's cautious words. "Oh, come on, you know as well as I do that she's learning how to pilot one of those magical ships, just like her parents!"

Both Ceri and Leslie came from influential families within the castle, their parents playing pivotal roles in protecting and guiding the king and queen. However, their shared upbringing and close bond had transformed them into sisters rather than mere protectors. Their friendship far surpassed the relationships their parents had with one another.

As Miyu gazed toward her balcony, her chin resting on her hands, she observed the starry sky. Ceri joined her, sitting on the edge of the bed, their camaraderie evident. "What world do you think we'll visit first?" Miyu pondered.

"It's hard to say... There's so much out there that we've never even imagined." Ceri then nudged Miyu with her elbow, her smile equally as bright. "Well let's hope we don't end up in any dangerous places. You still have a lot of training to do, and you don't even have your Keyblade yet."

Miyu's legs kicked back and forth behind her as she beamed with excitement. "But that's what makes it even more thrilling, Ceri!"

Ceri chuckled, shaking her head affectionately. "I know, but let's be cautious. Your magic has grown stronger, but it doesn't make you invincible."

Miyu playfully pouted, then giggled. "Come on, have a little more faith in me! But you're right. As long as we stick together, we'll be just fine."

Suddenly, a flash of light illuminated the balcony, signaling Leslie's return. Miyu gasped and stumbled off the bed, followed closely by Ceri, as they rushed to greet their friend.

"You're back!" Miyu practically cheered, grasping Leslie's hands and pulling her inside. "Is it time? Did you finally learn how to pilot the ship?"

"Calm down, Princess. Give her some space. She just got back," Ceri said, laughing as she closed the balcony doors to ensure their conversation remained private.

Miyu let out an exuberant sigh, her excitement barely contained. "Aww, come on! I'm just so excited!"

Leslie chuckled at her friends, and the trio gathered in a small circle on the floor, whispering to each other.

"Yeah... I did learn how to pilot the ship, but..." Leslie hesitated, a trace of worry in her voice. "I'm not supposed to tell anyone. It's meant for emergencies only. We could get in a lot of trouble."

"We already knew that, Leslie. We discussed it," Ceri reassured.

Miyu chimed in, her eyes sparkling. "And this is definitely an emergency! I can't endure another minute of those etiquette classes!"

The statement elicited laughter from all three girls, with Miyu joining in merrily.

"But seriously... We've been waiting for this day. We can't let something like that hold us back," Miyu continued determinedly.

Leslie sighed softly, her nervousness apparent. She had always been the most cautious among them, but deep down, she shared their yearning for adventure. "I know. I just want to make sure you both understand the risks. Are you sure you're ready?"

"We're ready!" they exclaimed in unison, their enthusiasm almost overpowering the hushed tones they attempted to maintain. Leslie shushed them playfully.

Suppressing her giggles, Miyu asked, "When can we leave?"

Leslie pondered for a moment before responding, "How about early tomorrow morning? We'll depart before anyone in the castle wakes up."

Though guards patrolled the castle at all times, the girls had become experts at evading or sneaking past them over the years.

"Yes!" the princess whispered excitedly, nearly jumping to her feet.

"Which means we should all try to get some rest," Ceri suggested, rising from the floor.

"I was just about to say that," Leslie agreed.

Miyu pouted, realizing her excitement would make it difficult to fall asleep. "You both know I won't be able to sleep easily!"

In truth, none of them would find sleep easy that night. Their excitement was too overwhelming. Nevertheless, they understood the importance of resting to ensure they had the energy to fully savor their first adventure together.

"But... I'll try my best! Tomorrow is a momentous day!" Miyu declared with determination.

Chapter Text

~2 Years Later~

"Mrgh…" Miyu groaned, clutching the side of her head as she slowly sat up. Her body ached all over as she tried to recall what had happened.

As she opened her eyes, she found herself in an unfamiliar forest. Confusion washed over her. "Where am I?" she muttered to herself, scanning the area. Her gaze landed on a figure in a long black coat, hooded and concealing their face. The person seemed suspicious, fueling Miyu's unease. "Who are you? Have I been kidnapped?"

"Whoa, hold on! It's not like that!" the hooded figure exclaimed, revealing a masculine voice. He pulled back his hood, revealing his red spiked hair. "You were unconscious near the mansion, so I brought you here to keep you safe. Don't you know this forest can be dangerous?"

Miyu's eyes widened as she realized Ceri and Leslie were missing. "Wait! My friends! Where are they? Were they with me?"

"Sorry, but you were alone when I found you," he replied with a somewhat blunt tone. "Anyway, the good news is you're awake now. It's best if you head home before you get into more trouble."

The news that her friends weren't with her hit her hard. Miyu glanced down, feeling lost. "But... I'm not sure where I am."

"Huh? You're in the forest just outside Twilight Town," he answered, a hint of confusion in his voice. Assuming she was a resident of this world, he expected her to know her surroundings. However, her response indicated otherwise. His thoughts shifted to the mission he had just completed. "Don't tell me the effects of that castle followed me here..." he muttered, placing a hand on his forehead.

Twilight Town... She couldn't recall hearing about that place in the stories Leslie had shared. As she tried to remember the world they were in before waking up here, she drew a blank. All she could recall was their battle with a gigantic Heartless and her overconfidence in her magic, which led to her slipping on her own ice and falling. Before she knew it, a powerful attack had sent them all flying, seemingly into a different world.

The man let out a sigh, growing slightly impatient. "Listen, I really need to be somewhere, so I'm going to leave." He pointed behind him, indicating his intention to depart and meet someone he had been away from for a while.

"Wait!" Miyu called out, stopping him before he could turn away.

He paused, giving her a moment to speak. There was something about her that made him feel compelled to listen.

She struggled to her feet and nervously fidgeted with her hands. "Um... Thank you for helping me."

"Sure," he replied. "Just be more careful, okay?"

She nodded, her gaze dropping to the ground, a tinge of sadness in her expression.

Observing her closely, he sensed there was more she wanted to say. Although he normally avoided involvement with people from other worlds, he felt drawn to her for some reason. Sometimes, bending the rules could lead to unexpected encounters.

'What is it with you and picking up stray puppies?' a voice from his past echoed in his mind.

He sighed, crossed his arms, and leaned against a tree. "Alright, let's start over."

Confused, Miyu looked up at him. "What do you mean?"

"My name's Axel," he introduced himself, finally sharing his name. "Got it memorized?"

"Oh," she said, taken aback. It hadn't occurred to her that they hadn't exchanged names yet. "I'm Miyu."

"So, Miyu, how did you end up knocked out in this forest?"

She began twirling a strand of her hair, feeling anxious. "Well, it's kind of a long story..." Considering his earlier urgency, she didn't want to keep him any longer than necessary.

Even though being left alone in an unfamiliar place made her uneasy.

"Basically, my friends and I were in a tough battle... and we lost. I think the attack we were hit by blasted us into a different world," she explained, her voice tinged with uncertainty. She glanced around the forest, realizing how unfamiliar it all was. "I don't know anything about this place."

That was a lot to process. Axel found her knowledge of other worlds intriguing. She was unlike anyone he had encountered on his missions before. Maybe that was why he felt compelled to help her.

He scratched his chin, deep in thought.

"Alright, follow me to town. Let’s get you out of this forest," he finally said, making a decision.

***

Miyu followed Axel as they made their way into Twilight Town. The peaceful atmosphere of the town stood in stark contrast to the bustling city she called her kingdom.

"So, where exactly are we going?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Axel continued walking, not bothering to turn around as he replied, "I know a place where you can wait for your friends safely."

She nodded, maintaining a close distance behind him until they reached the town's center.

Just across the street from Axel's favorite shop stood a quaint little hotel. Though he had never stayed there himself, he knew it was one of the finest establishments in town.

"Here we are," Axel gestured toward the hotel. "It should provide you with a comfortable place to rest while you figure out where your friends went."

Miyu looked at the hotel and then back up at Axel. Gratefulness filled her eyes. "It's perfect. Thank you for your assistance."

"Sure," he replied with a nod. "I'll be going now, but just... take it easy, okay? You seemed to have hit your head, so I don't want you passing out again, you know?"

"Right," she murmured, her gaze shifting downward. She couldn't deny her mixed emotions about being completely alone in this unfamiliar place. It was an entirely new experience for her, being without companions by her side.

***

“Hey there, Roxas. Nice work. Still taking out Heartless like it’s your job. Wait…I guess it is.” Axel spoke to his friend when he finally caught up to him after leaving behind the girl he found in the forest. “It’s good to see you. Although, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Roxas fumbled for words. “They said…the whole team at Castle Oblivion was annihilated…” By they , Roxas was referring to the other members of the group they worked for, known as Organization XIII.

“Correction: The weaklings were annihilated,” said Axel, cockily brushing imaginary dirt from his sleeve.

“You had me worried,” he admitted.

“Worried?” Axel laughed. “That’s a feat, considering you haven’t got a heart to feel with.”

Neither of them had hearts, in fact. They, as well as the rest of the Organization they belonged to, were beings called Nobodies. A Nobody like himself or Roxas was created in the instant when the original person became a Heartless. Without their hearts, they had no way to feel the normal emotions a human usually felt.

Roxas had to laugh, too—a little bit.

He really was glad that Axel wasn’t gone. Now that they were both here, they could hang out at their usual spot, and…

“I’ll go get us some ice cream!” Roxas took off at a run.

Concluding that his role was to go and wait at their hangout, Axel went on ahead to the clock tower.

When the dust finally settled, he was the only one to return from Castle Oblivion.

That would have been fine—except that he’d lost track of Naminé, Sora, Riku, and the other visitors. There were too many incomprehensible rooms in that castle. And he still hadn’t found that chamber.

“Axel!” Roxas called.

When he turned, he saw Roxas grinning with an ice cream bar in each hand, out of breath after a sprint.

Once again, Axel marveled at the resemblance to Sora. He took an ice cream bar and grinned back. “Your treat today, huh?”

“It’s a special day.” Roxas sat down beside him.

As the two of them sat with their ice cream, Axel thought back on the girl he had helped earlier that day. For some reason, he couldn’t get himself to walk away when he saw her lying unconscious in that forest. 

But why?

Lost in thought, Axel was unintentionally staring at his friend, which Roxas eventually noticed. “What? Do I have ice cream on my face?”

“Nah, it’s just… I gotta check in with the boss, or he’s gonna let me have it.” Brushing off his distracted mood as anxiety over work, he bit into his ice cream.

“You haven’t gone back to the castle yet?”

“Um… Nope.” Axel shook his head and watched the sunset.

‘I wasn’t away for all that long, but it feels like ages,’ he thought.

“Then why’d you come here?” Roxas wondered.

‘Because before reporting at the castle, before seeing anybody else, I wanted to have ice cream here with you.’

“Guess I needed some time to sort out my feelings first.”

He shrugged, and Roxas nudged his shoulder. “I thought you didn’t have a heart.”

They laughed.

That gave him such a strange sensation. Almost as if… Yes, it was like being human again. Like something loud inside his chest.

“Hey, your ice cream’s melting,” Axel teased, hiding his feelings again. “Eat up.”

“Oh. Right.”

Axel took a bite himself, and so did Roxas.

“You know,” Roxas said after a bit, “I started bringing Xion up here while you were gone.”

“Xion? Really?”

“I promised the three of us could have ice cream together once you got back.”

To Axel, that came completely out of the blue.

“Xion and I are friends now,” Roxas added quietly.

***

Miyu settled herself into the hotel room for the night, finding solace in its small yet comfortable space. If it was just a temporary stay, she knew she could manage just fine.

Gratitude filled her heart as she thought back to the man who had been with her when she regained consciousness earlier that day. How long had she been unconscious? A few hours? Days? The uncertainty was unsettling. The worst part was not knowing if Ceri and Leslie were safe. Were they also transported to this unfamiliar world, or was she alone in this ordeal?

She stepped out onto the balcony, gazing at the setting sun, lost in the replay of the harrowing battle in her mind.

"That creature is no joke! It won't back down!" Ceri exclaimed, springing back after slashing at the colossal Heartless with her claw-like weapon.

Leslie frantically searched her book for any information on the formidable monster, but to no avail. "I can't find its weakness either..."

Miyu clenched her wand tightly, her eyes fixated on the menacing beast. They had been enjoying a delightful day together before everything went awry. The Heartless had destroyed their ship, leaving them stranded until Leslie could magically repair it. But the creature stood between them and their only means of escape.

"We can't give up! There must be a way to stop it!" Miyu raised her wand, casting a Blizzara spell to freeze its legs, temporarily immobilizing the monster.

Momentarily trapped, the beast roared with fury, but it bought them a moment of respite.

A sigh of relief escaped Miyu's lips. "It worked!"

"You did it!" Ceri cheered.

"Now we just need to reach the ship and--"

Before Leslie could finish her sentence, a powerful energy burst from the monster forced them to dive out of harm's way.

With a groan, Miyu glanced back at the relentless creature. "It's not giving up, is it?" She turned to her friends. "Leslie, head to the ship while Ceri and I distract it!"

"Got it!"

Leslie teleported past the Heartless, leaving Miyu and Ceri to continue the battle. Miyu unleashed her magic, launching ranged attacks, while Ceri engaged in melee combat. Leslie's healing magic would usually support them, but for now, it was up to the two of them.

"Enough is enough!" Miyu's voice dripped with determination. She leaped back, preparing to unleash one of her strongest attacks.

However, a brief moment of overconfidence clouded her judgment.

In an attempt to imitate her mentor Aqua, Miyu performed a cartwheel, forgetting about the residual ice on the ground from her earlier spell. Her footing gave way, causing her to slip and land flat on her face.

"Miyu!"

Ceri spun around to face her fallen friend, then quickly redirected her attention to the monster, which was charging up another devastating attack.

Leslie, alerted by Ceri's cry, teleported back to their side in an instant, ready to lend assistance.

The two girls lunged toward Miyu, shielding her from the impending strike, just as it collided.

Recalling that pivotal moment, Miyu couldn't help but cringe. They had failed because of her. "It's all my fault."

She let out a deep sigh, resting her chin on her arms against the balcony railing, hoping against hope that Ceri and Leslie were safe wherever they were.

***

Later that night, Axel was stretched out on his bed, staring vacantly at the ceiling, when Saix appeared.

“Why didn’t you report in?”

Axel propped himself up to blink at him. “Gee, thanks for the kind words. Glad to see you, too.”

If the needling bothered Saix, he made no sign of it. “I’m told Naminé has gone missing.”

“She was there one minute and gone the next,” said Axel. “Wonder where she could be.”

That was the plain truth. Of course, he was the one who had incited her to do something, but he didn’t know where she was now.

“And you searched every room?” Saix prodded.

“You’re kidding, right? That’s like counting grains of dust in a building full of sneezing people.”

Castle Oblivion was full of rooms in which no one had ever set foot. Which was the reason it existed, in a way.

“What about the chamber? Did you find it?”

“Come on, I would’ve told you if I did,” Axel drawled.

Saix heaved an exaggerated sigh.

In a way, Saix put more effort than any of them into pretending he had a heart, Axel thought. And yet, he was more lacking than any of them.

“Anyway… You were right about everything.” In an attempt to change the subject, Axel hauled himself to his feet and leaned in close to whisper at Saix’s ear. “About Marluxia, the traitors… You knew exactly what was up.”

“Hmm.” Saix sniffed. “All I did was find a place to send everyone who was getting in the way.”

Maybe he was telling the truth. The other members were only obstacles to Saix— No. To both of them.

And yet, Axel couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his response. “Well, nice to know where I stand.”

He said it with a grin, but the hint of a frown tugged at the scar between Saix’s brows. Apparently, the joke wasn’t very funny. “You made it back in one piece, didn’t you?”

Were you worried I wouldn’t? Axel almost said, but he didn’t want to deal with putting him in an even fouler mood. Disgust and rage seemed to linger closest to the surface of Saix’s memories.

So he shrugged and offered one more addition to his report. “I took care of Zexion.”

Saix turned a pointed glare on him.

“Just making sure things go the way you want,” said Axel, holding his gaze. “For now.”

Chapter Text

Axel finished the report, hardly getting any sleep in the process, and figured he might as well get back to the Grey Area.

To be honest with himself, he had been sweating bullets the entire time. It wasn’t simply writing things down. He had to decide what to include and what to leave out, where he could get away with fudging the truth—it made for a grueling project.

The lobby was still empty. With an enormous yawn, Axel collapsed on the sofa. Even Nobodies needed sleep.

He crossed his arms and let his eyes close. Just a little catnap…

“That's not a bed.”

A sudden rebuke cut through the peace and quiet, and Axel startled awake. The voice he heard, wasn't one he recognized.

"Huh? Who are you?"

He looked back, his head still on the armrest, which made his new visitor look upside down in his vision.

"She's our newest member. Xerci joined the Organization just before you returned."

His attention turned toward the second voice that had arrived. “What…? Oh. Saix. So, you want me to break this one in too?”

“There is no need for that. She has already been out on a mission on her own.”Saix looked down at him with distinct displeasure. “Did you hand in the report?”

Axel stretched his back. “Obviously.”

“Then you’ll leave for that mission with Roxas as we discussed.”

“Right. Gotcha.” As he popped his neck, trying to work out the kinks, Saix walked away to stand in his usual spot, while the new member followed right behind him. Axel watched with a questioning look on his face. They sure hadn’t wasted any time replacing the members who hadn’t returned with him.

Before too much longer, Demyx and Luxord arrived, and then eventually Roxas.

Axel got up from the sofa, stretching for the umpteenth time. “Hey, there you are. Rise and shine.”

Roxas, too, was rubbing his eyes. “Sorry… I couldn’t sleep.”

“I asked Saix about Xion,” Axel told him. The day before, Roxas had mentioned to Axel that he hadn’t seen Xion in at least 10 days, which worried him. Axel had promised Roxas that he would find out more information from Saix.

At that, Roxas looked up.

“Your friend was sent out on a mission but never returned.”

“But…why not?” Roxas nervously averted his eyes. “Shouldn’t the mission be over with by now?”

Axel gave him a gentle push and started toward Saix. “I dunno, but we’ll find out soon enough.”

“How?” Roxas asked skeptically.

Axel grinned at him. “You and me get to go track down Xion. That’s our mission today.”

“Really?!” Brightened, Roxas looked back to him.

“Nope, I’m pulling your leg,” Axel joked. “Yes, really! Hurry up and get ready, will you?”

“Yeah! Let’s go!” Roxas dashed off toward Saix.

“Hey, I mean actually get ready first. We don’t know what we could come across.”

“I’ll be fine!” said Roxas, then blurted at Saix, “Where’s our mission today?”

“Twilight Town,” Saix replied dispassionately. “Don’t come back until you find out what happened to Xion.”

“Got it!”

The kid could get a little too task oriented, in Axel’s opinion.

“C’mon, Axel!” Roxas called.

“I’m coming, I’m coming.”

With an impatient glance over his shoulder, Roxas opened a dark portal and stepped in without wasting another second.

***

In the woods outside Twilight Town, Xion huddled under a tree, clutching her knees to her chest. The humid air smelled of rotting leaves.

No matter how many times she wished and pleaded, her Keyblade would not come to her.

She might be able to manage with magic, but without the Keyblade, even if she took down the giant Heartless, the heart wouldn’t be captured. If she went back only to report another failure, Saïx would know that she couldn’t wield the Keyblade anymore.

And then…she might be terminated.

‘What do I do? What can I possibly do…?’

Suddenly Xion heard voices. She looked up with a gasp.

“Around here somewhere?”

That was Roxas.

It was nothing unusual for Roxas to be in Twilight Town, but he was with that Organization member with the flaming red hair… Axel, it had to be. The one who was Roxas’s friend. The two of them were peering up at the trees.

Hiding there between the branches was the giant Heartless—the Veil Lizard. It resembled an enormous chameleon, but it didn’t just change color to camouflage itself. It could become entirely transparent. Xion had tried to fight it with magic once, but it just ran off.

The trees shivered.

“Heh, we got a live one,” said Axel.

The enormous creature broke from the shelter of the woods in a mad dash for the haunted mansion.

“C’mon, Roxas. Don’t let it get away!”

“I know!”

Axel and Roxas darted through the trees in pursuit.

Xion took a deep breath to calm herself, then got to her feet to follow them.

The Veil Lizard revealed itself in front of the haunted mansion.

Roxas stood ready with the Keyblade. “You think this is it? Xion’s target?”

“Most likely.” Axel gripped his chakrams. “No wonder the mission’s taking so long. It blends right into the scenery.”

“So where’s Xion?”

“Still out trying to find it probably.” Axel wreathed himself in flames.

“What should we do?”

“What, I gotta spell it out for you?” Axel shot a jet of fire at the Veil Lizard.

“Right!” Roxas charged, and their attacks landed in a nearly simultaneous explosion.

And then—another figure came rushing out of the woods, someone in an Organization cloak.

“Xion!” cried Roxas.

But…how did he know? Axel couldn’t tell if it was Xion or not with the hood up. Roxas could, though, apparently.

“Roxas!” Xion called, turning, but the Veil Lizard seized on that moment of distraction to lash out with its tail and knock her aside.

Yes—her. That was Axel’s first time hearing Xion utter a sound, but it was definitely a girl’s voice.

Roxas shouted her name again, about to run to her side, but Axel grabbed his shoulder. “Hey, focus! We have to take down that thing first!”

“…Right.” Roxas whirled to strike at the Veil Lizard.

It seemed like just yesterday they had gone on their first missions together, but Roxas was so much stronger. Not just in his fighting skills—there was something else, Axel suspected, and he wished he could find out what. He got to act as support, flinging his chakrams at the thing from a distance.

“Here goes!” Roxas sprang into the air and dealt a nasty blow that finished off the Veil Lizard. Light swallowed it, dissolving their foe into nothing but a glowing heart floating up and away.

Without sparing a moment to revel in the triumph of defeating a giant Heartless, Roxas ran straight to Xion and cradled her. “Xion, are you okay?”

“…Roxas?” Her hood was still hiding whatever expression might be on her face.

“Are you hurt?”

“Thanks… I’m fine.” Her voice was so faint. “It’s just…”

Axel figured they might as well get her out of here. “You can tell us all about it. But first, let’s find somewhere to sit down. Like a nice hangout spot. You two go on ahead.”

He started walking. Ice cream was in order.

***

Miyu strolled through the bustling town, her mind consumed by thoughts of her missing friends, a grocery bag swaying from her arm. Despite being thrust into a different world, she was relieved to have her munny intact, a small comfort amidst the chaos.

For the past few days, she had taken refuge in a hotel that Axel had guided her to upon her arrival. However, her search for clues about Ceri and Leslie's whereabouts had yielded no results, leaving her feeling despondent. Were they also searching for her? Perhaps it was best to stay put for a while longer, hoping they would cross paths.

Approaching the hotel, Miyu's gaze fell upon a charming sweets shop nestled across the street. A sweet treat seemed like the perfect remedy to lift her spirits. With a hopeful smile, she entered the shop and joined the line, contemplating her order when it was her turn.

Unfortunately, the person ahead of her was rather tall, obstructing her view of the menu. Peering around him, Miyu strained to catch a glimpse of the options. Sensing her struggle, the person turned towards her with a mischievous grin.

"Well, would you look who it is," he said, his voice filled with amusement.

Startled, Miyu met his gaze and recognized him instantly. "Oh, Axel!"

"Heh, so you remembered! How's it going? Found your friends yet?" he inquired, his curiosity evident.

Miyu's expression fell, and she shook her head. "No, not yet..."

"I'm sure they'll turn up soon," Axel reassured her, momentarily diverting his attention to place his order. "Three sea-salt ice creams, please."

As Axel turned back to Miyu, he couldn't help but notice the sadness etched on her face. The depth of her longing for her friends struck a chord within him.

"You know what, make it four, actually," he declared, making an impulsive decision.

Completing his purchase, Axel handed Miyu one of the wrapped ice cream bars. "Here," he said, offering it to her. "It's on me today. Cheer up!"

Her eyes widened in surprise as she accepted the unexpected gesture. "Wow, thank you..."

Tucking the remaining ice creams into his pocket, Axel smiled warmly. "I've got to deliver the rest of these elsewhere, but I'll see you around, okay? Good luck!"

As he departed from the shop, Miyu stood there, clutching the ice cream bar in her hands. A peculiar sensation washed over her. Throughout her life as a princess, she had grown accustomed to being showered with gifts and favors, but this encounter felt different.

Axel had treated her as an ordinary person, not as someone of royal lineage. It was precisely what she had longed for, even if she hadn't fully realized it. There was something special about the way he saw her.

Leaving the shop, Miyu made her way back to the hotel across the street. With anticipation, she unwrapped the ice cream, taking a hesitant bite.

"Hmm... salty?" She savored the intriguing flavor, one she had never encountered in her own kingdom. It was a departure from the familiar, but surprisingly enjoyable.

As she continued her journey, ice cream in hand, Miyu couldn't help but wonder about the enigmatic Axel and the genuine connection they shared. Little did she know that this encounter would be the catalyst for a profound friendship, leading her closer to the answers she sought and teaching her that sometimes, the most meaningful connections are formed unexpectedly.

***

Axel took the three other ice cream bars he bought at the shop and ambled up to the clock tower. He wanted time to think. There were things here he didn’t quite get.

Why does Roxas fuss over Xion so much…?

Axel couldn’t imagine being able to trust someone whose expressions were always hidden—whose face he had never even seen. Not that there was a whole lot of trust or faith to speak of between members of the Organization—or between Nobodies in general. Still, it just didn’t make any sense to him.

Roxas’s words echoed in his head.

‘I promised the three of us could have ice cream together.’

Chapter Text

Before their missions, they were called to a place none of them had seen before—a great balcony so high it seemed to be floating in space, where the breeze was cool on their cheeks.

In the center stood Xemnas.

Xerci stood with everyone else, paying close attention to what was being shown to them.

“The time has come… At long last the great gathering of hearts is revealed to us,” he intoned, opening his arms wide beneath the empty black sky.

But something was rising… A heart-shaped moon…?

‘Is that…Kingdom Hearts?’

“Hearts full of rage, of hate…of sadness and bliss,” Xemnas went on. “Shining down upon us is the heart of all hearts—Kingdom Hearts. There in the sky hangs the promise of a new world.”

It felt as if the light from that moon fell on her alone, Xerci thought. She had lost her heart to darkness and ended up here with the Organization. 

“My comrades! Let us remember why we are here, an Organization of Nobodies, and what we hope to achieve. We will gain still more power; we will conquer hearts and make them our own. Hearts shall never again have power over us.”

The glow of Kingdom Hearts above them was so beautiful, she felt it hardly mattered what Xemnas was trying to say. The goals of the Organization weren’t important to her. She had an important goal she planned to achieve—to track down her princess and their other friend. And there was one person in the Organization who knew this and promised to help her, as long as she helped him in return.

Hearts…a great collection of hearts.

‘If I hadn’t lost mine…’

Xerci gazed silently up at the heart-shaped moon.

***

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a soft golden glow over the woods outside of Twilight Town, Miyu found herself immersed in solitude. The gentle rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of crickets filled the air, reminding her of the companionship she had lost. Loneliness settled heavily upon her heart, casting a shadow over her resolve.

Lost in her thoughts, Miyu wandered deeper into the woods, seeking solace in the serenity of nature. As she meandered through the labyrinth of trees, a rustling sound caught her attention. Turning her gaze, she spotted a small figure darting through the underbrush. Curiosity tugged at her, compelling her to investigate.

With careful steps, Miyu approached the source of the noise, her eyes widening as she beheld a cheerful, floppy-eared dog emerge from the foliage. Tail wagging fervently, he bounded toward Miyu, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of excitement and trust.

Surprised and touched by the dog's presence, Miyu knelt down and extended a hand towards him. "Hey there, little guy. Are you lost?" she asked softly, her voice carrying a hint of sympathy. The dog responded with an affectionate lick on her hand, confirming his yearning for companionship.

Miyu couldn’t help but giggle at the dog’s affection. Spotting a nametag on his collar that read "Pluto," she smiled warmly. "So your name is Pluto, huh?"

Pluto barked excitedly, his tail wagging even more vigorously.

"Well... I hope you find your owner soon! I'm sure they're somewhere close by," she remarked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

She was about to bid Pluto farewell when the dog sat down and tilted his head at her, his eyes pleading. Gazing into Pluto's adoring eyes, Miyu felt a deep connection, recognizing their shared yearning for companionship. "Well, I suppose you can stay with me for now. We both need some company," she murmured, offering Pluto a warm smile.

Allowing him to follow her, Miyu made her way back to the hotel where she was staying, hoping they permitted guests to bring their furry friends. Thankfully, upon arrival, she discovered that the hotel did, in fact, welcome pets—a fortuitous turn of events.

Inside the room, Miyu retrieved extra pillows and blankets from the closet, creating a cozy bed for Pluto on the floor. She filled a bowl with fresh water, ensuring his comfort.

"There we go! All set!" she exclaimed, kneeling down to give Pluto a gentle pat on the head. Sharing a bond of lost companionship, Miyu empathized with Pluto's longing for his owner, yet she harbored hope that both of them would eventually reunite with their cherished friends.

Unbeknownst to Miyu, Pluto's arrival in her life was no mere coincidence. It was as if fate had intervened, recognizing the mutual need for companionship and support between them. In the embrace of this unexpected connection, Miyu found solace and a renewed sense of purpose.

In the weeks that followed, Miyu and Pluto formed a unique bond, finding comfort and companionship in each other's presence. They became inseparable, exploring the town together, taking leisurely walks in the park, and sharing quiet moments of respite.

Yet, there were times when Pluto would unexpectedly run off, disappearing for days at a time. Miyu couldn't help but feel a tinge of loneliness during those moments, a reminder of her own yearning for her lost friends. She wondered where Pluto ventured off to, imagining he must have other connections in this vast world.

However, just when she would begin to worry, Pluto would reappear with the same enthusiastic wag of his tail, as if he carried tales of adventures and newfound friends. The sight of his return brought a mixture of relief and joy to Miyu's heart. While she couldn't fully comprehend the nature of his absences, she cherished the moments they spent together, making the most of their time, relishing in the companionship they shared.

***

Atop the clock tower, Axel absently watched the sunset.

He let out a long sigh. Being sent to Agrabah alone was all well and good, except for the part when he’d been slammed into the ground.

‘Looking out for other people when I can’t even take care of myself—this isn’t like me at all.’

A dark portal yawned open behind him. “Hey, Axel!”

“Whoa! Don’t scare me like that.”

Roxas popped out, fresh from the corridors, with Xion right behind him. “How was your mission?”

Axel scrunched up his face. “It would’ve gone better if the Heartless would just sit still. Threw me flat on my butt,” he complained, dramatically rubbing a sore spot to emphasize his point.

Roxas had to laugh. “Oh yeah? I thought you said you were tough?”

“Not the point!” But Axel gave him a wink. “What about you?”

Roxas turned to Xion. “Ta-daa!” he sang, as the Keyblade appeared in her hand.

“Well, what d’you know!”

“I’d like to dedicate this Keyblade summoning to my friends Axel and Roxas,” Xion declared, beaming, and let the Keyblade wink out again.

“Me? I didn’t do anything,” Axel protested with a wry laugh.

“Sure you did! You spoke up for us this morning so Roxas and I could stay together.”

Axel knew she meant it, but he looked away. It felt uncomfortable somehow to have anyone grinning at him with such uncomplicated joy.

“If it weren’t for you, she might not have remembered how to use the Keyblade,” Roxas added. Then he and Xion both spoke at once: “Thanks, Axel.”

That, right there—it just felt so awkward. Axel scratched his head and turned away. “Well…how about buying me an ice cream, then?”

“Huh?” Roxas blurted, confused by the request when Axel couldn’t even meet their eyes.

But that was the only concession he could give them. If they showered him with any more effusive gratitude, he didn’t think he could stand it. “Then we can call it even.”

Xion and Roxas exchanged a glance.

She jumped to her feet. “It’s on me! I’ll be right back!”

The sun sank lower and lower as Axel watched, his mind wandering.

If he stared for too long, the image would burn itself into his eyes, visible even after his eyes were closed.

A phantom sun.

Someone had once told him why sunsets were red… Who was that?

Xion finished her sea-salt ice cream and took a deep breath in satisfaction. “Mm. That was yummy.”

“Was it? Roxas doesn’t seem to like his,” Axel teased, noting that Roxas was the only one with any ice cream left.

“I’m savoring it. Xion treated us. I’m not going to scarf it down in two seconds.” Roxas contemplated the single bite left on his stick.

“But she was only supposed to treat me.”

Axel was just needling him, but Xion replied sincerely, “No, I wanted to thank both of you.”

The train blew its whistle in the distance.

“I hope we’re always together like this,” said Roxas.

Xion nodded. “Yeah… Me too.”

Axel scratched the back of his head. “What’s gotten into you two?”

“I just…want these days to last forever,” Roxas murmured, slow and pensive. “Hanging out after the job’s done, eating ice cream, watching the sunset…”

Axel peered at his profile as he did just that. The sunset’s glow touched Roxas’s face and Xion’s with warm red.

“Well, nothing lasts forever,” Axel mumbled, looking off to the side again. “Least of all for a bunch of Nobodies.”

At that, both of their expressions fell.

‘Seriously, you two? You’re always grinning or getting bummed out…just like real live people with hearts.’ Axel exhaled and gathered some words. “But, you know, hanging out every day isn’t the only thing that matters. We’ll still have one another, even if that changes.”

“Really?” Roxas perked up.

“Yeah. As long as we remember one another, we’ll never be apart. Got it memorized?”

Roxas grinned. “Who are you, and what have you done with Axel?”

“Hey! I tried, okay?” All that effort to cheer them up, and they just turned it into a punch line. Chagrined, he looked away.

Xion burst into giggles, and then, as if it was contagious, Roxas started laughing, too.

“Oh, c’mon, it’s not that funny!” Axel scolded.

They paused, looked at each other, and giggled again.

“I don’t know why I put up with this…”

“But, I mean…it just didn’t sound like you, Axel.” Xion could barely hold in laughter long enough to get the words out.

A wish that they could always be together—was longing for the impossible. But at least they could always remember one another.

And yet…if that wasn’t to be, either, what could they do?

Chapter Text

The moon hung in the sky outside the window, a great glowing heart. Sprawled in bed, Axel stared at it without really looking, idling the time away before he had to leave on a mission.

‘We will conquer hearts and make them our own. Hearts shall never again have power over us.’

For the past few days, he had been mulling over what Xemnas could have meant by that speech.

Hearts having power over them? What was that about?

Whenever Axel was whiling away the hours by himself, that phrase kept bouncing around in his head. He didn’t know what was so compelling about it. Did the other Nobodies think about stuff like this?

Hearts, emotions… He couldn’t stop thinking about where it all came from. He chewed over the possibilities, coming up with theories. Since when had he been a philosopher?

But he did know the answer to that question. And he was probably just pretending he hadn’t realized it.

These thoughts had been occupying him ever since Roxas had joined the Organization—or rather, Roxas and Xion.

Those two had lobbed so many questions at him as they grew as Nobodies. Was it just their curiosity that had him thinking so much? But it hadn’t started when they joined the Organization. It was after he’d gotten to know Xion, after Castle Oblivion.

But it wasn't just his interactions with Roxas and Xion that had caused this shift. Another figure loomed in his thoughts—the human girl he had met in the forest near Twilight Town. She had a heart, a quality that set her apart from the rest of them. Axel couldn't deny that there was a magnetic pull drawing him to her. Was it her heart that intrigued him? Or was it something deeper, something that resonated within him? 

Whatever the catalyst, he had to acknowledge that something in him was different. The old Axel wouldn’t have wondered about all that.

He was changing. But why?

His train of thought rambled on until suddenly he felt someone else with him. Irritated, he sat up. “Ever heard of knocking? You should try it sometime.”

Saix was standing there beside his bed. Axel decided not to look at him and focused on a random point on the wall.

But Saix made no sign of caring one way or the other. His voice was as dispassionate as ever. “Tell me what Xion has been doing.”

“How should I know?” Axel retorted. “It’s not like I follow her around all day.”

“But you do seem close.”

Axel considered why Saix would be so interested in Xion. He already knew what made Roxas special—namely, being the Keyblade wielder’s Nobody. But he still had no definite answers as to what might set Xion apart. And while he wouldn’t mind having some, he was certain of one thing: Asking Saix for answers was an exercise in futility.

He wouldn’t give any, either. He got up to face Saix. “What, so I’ve gotta rat on my friends to you? Get out of my room.”

On the topic of things that had changed, his relationship with Saix had, too. Axel thought it must have changed a bit since he started hanging out with Roxas and Xion. Although he couldn’t have said exactly what about it was different.

“You and Xion will be working together on your next mission,” said Saix.

“Well, thank you, sir, for coming all this way to tell me.” Axel went to the mirror and started to fix his hair.

Saix glared at Axel’s reflection, their eyes meeting in the mirror. “We’ll also need you to go back to Castle Oblivion.”

Axel turned to look at him directly, his lip curling. “We? So that came from our fearless leader, did it?”

Saix, of course, didn’t answer that. “The castle hasn’t given up all its secrets. And there is one in particular that Lord Xemnas—”

“You mean that chamber again?” Axel interrupted, turning back to the mirror. “We turned the place inside out and upside down. If it’s there, we’re not gonna find it by just looking.”

The all-but-permanent scowl on Saix’s face relaxed just a bit. “Then let me give you another incentive. Naminé isn’t the only one who can trace her beginnings to Castle Oblivion. Xion came from there, too.”

He paused, but Axel gave him no response.

Saix went on. “Still think another visit is a waste of time?”

There it was, the dangling bait. To bite without making Saix work for it would be so boring. Axel snorted and spun to face him again.

“Sounds like you’re the one who’s so interested in Castle Oblivion.” He stepped forward and past Saix, out of his line of sight. “Let me guess… That chamber will tell you everything you want to know about Xemnas’s true agenda. Is that about the size of it?”

Still facing away, Saix replied, “The Chamber of Repose and the Chamber of Waking… There is something Xemnas isn’t telling us about his plans. The missing chamber, the Chamber of Waking—it holds all the answers.” Then he turned to fix a level stare on Axel. “Those answers will give us the upper hand—and then we can worry about our own plans.”

‘Yeah, I know. Our plans. That part won’t change.’

Axel let out a breath. “Look, I knew Vexen and Zexion would cause trouble for you. That’s why they’re not around anymore.”

That sounded more like he was justifying it to himself, Axel thought. Their lack of hearts didn’t render their actions meaningless. It wasn’t as if they never thought carefully or acted without objectives in mind. Humans and Nobodies alike would pursue their own purposes.

“I’ll handle all the dirty work,” Axel went on. “You just go right to the top.”

There was nothing false in that, and he looked Saix in the eye as he said it. Saix stared hard back at him.

Saix spun on his heels. “You’ll have a solo mission in Castle Oblivion. Expect the orders soon.”

With that, he was gone.

Left alone in his room, Axel clenched his fists and then stalked out after Saix.

***

Miyu, a young princess with determination shining in her eyes, stood before her parents in the grand chamber of the palace. The air was thick with tension as she prepared to voice her deepest desires, knowing well the disapproval that awaited her.

"I can't do it," Miyu said firmly, her voice quivering with a mix of defiance and desperation. "I can't become the queen. I don't want to bear the weight of this crown."

Her mother, Queen Elara, looked at her with a stern gaze, her expression tinged with disappointment. "Miyu, it is your duty, your responsibility to inherit the throne. The kingdom relies on your guidance and leadership."

Miyu's father, King Boreas, joined in, his voice carrying an undercurrent of frustration. "You are the future of our kingdom, Miyu. It is not a matter of what you want, but what is expected of you. This is your birthright."

Tears welled up in Miyu's eyes, the weight of their expectations bearing down upon her. She had always tried to be the perfect daughter, obedient and respectful, but the prospect of ruling the kingdom left her feeling overwhelmed and suffocated.

"But what about my dreams?" Miyu pleaded, her voice trembling. "I want to explore the world, to find my own path, to make a difference beyond these palace walls. I don't want to be confined by the limitations of my birthright."

Her parents exchanged a glance filled with a mix of frustration and disbelief. The notion of choosing her own destiny clashed with their firmly held beliefs about duty and tradition.

"Miyu, you have a responsibility to your people," Queen Elara said, her voice tinged with a touch of sadness. "Your dreams must be set aside for the greater good."

King Boreas's tone hardened as he spoke, his words cutting through the air like an icy wind. "You are not like other children, Miyu. You are born to lead, to shoulder the burden of this kingdom. It is your duty, and you will fulfill it."

Miyu's heart sank, her spirit dampened by their lack of understanding. She felt trapped, caught between the expectations of her lineage and her own longing for freedom and self-discovery.

"But I don't want to be a puppet on a throne," Miyu's voice wavered, her tears flowing freely now. "I want to choose my own path, to find my own purpose. I want to be more than just a queen."

Her parents exchanged a solemn glance, realizing the depth of her turmoil. They had hoped she would come to accept her fate, but they now saw the fire in her eyes, the unwavering determination that matched her rebellious spirit.

Queen Elara's voice softened, a hint of understanding creeping into her tone. "Miyu, we love you, and we want what's best for you. We only wish for you to embrace your responsibilities and understand the significance of your role."

Miyu's tears continued to flow, her voice trembling with a mix of sorrow and frustration. "But can't you see? I'm drowning in these expectations. I don't want to be confined by the role of a queen. I want the freedom to make my own choices, to forge my own destiny."

Her parents fell silent, the weight of her words sinking in. They exchanged a glance filled with conflicted emotions, torn between their love for their daughter and the rigid traditions that shaped their beliefs.

In that moment, Miyu realized that their support may never come, that she would have to fight for her dreams on her own. But she also knew deep within her heart that she couldn't let go of her desires, that she needed  to find a way to honor herself while navigating the responsibilities that awaited her.

Miyu, her heart heavy with disappointment, turned away from her parents and stormed off towards her room, her footsteps echoing through the grand corridors of the palace. The weight of the conversation lingered in her mind, and she knew she needed the comfort and understanding of her closest friends, Ceri and Leslie.

Rushing through the hallways, Miyu's emotions consumed her as she thought about the lack of support she had received from her parents. She needed solace, a safe space where she could freely express her frustrations and fears.

Finally, she reached her room and burst through the door, finding Ceri and Leslie sitting on her bed, their concerned faces lighting up at the sight of her.

"Miyu, what happened?" Ceri asked, her voice filled with genuine worry.

Tears streaming down her face, Miyu recounted the intense conversation with her parents, the clash of her desires and their unyielding expectations. The weight of her responsibilities seemed to suffocate her, and she longed for an escape, a chance to define her own destiny.

"They just don't understand," Miyu sobbed, collapsing onto the bed beside Ceri. "They want me to be a queen, to fulfill their vision of what I should be. But what about what I want? What about my dreams?"

Leslie, ever the voice of reason, placed a comforting hand on Miyu's shoulder. "We understand, Miyu. We've seen the pressure you've been under, the weight of those expectations. You shouldn't have to sacrifice your own happiness for the sake of tradition."

Miyu looked up at her friends, her eyes searching for reassurance. "What do I do, though? How can I break free from their expectations?"

Ceri, her eyes gleaming with determination, spoke with unwavering conviction. "Let’s create our own destiny. We have the power to shape our lives. If your parents won't support your dreams, then we'll support them for you."

Miyu's tear-streaked face transformed with a glimmer of hope. She looked at her friends, seeing in them the unwavering loyalty and love she desperately needed.

"What are you saying?" Miyu asked, her voice filled with a mixture of anticipation and fear. “Are you… suggesting we run away?”

Ceri nodded. “We'll forge our own path, away from these suffocating expectations. We'll travel to other worlds, just like we’ve always dreamed, where you can be yourself without constraints."

Miyu's heart swelled with a mix of trepidation and exhilaration. The idea of escaping the confines of the palace, of venturing into the unknown with her friends by her side, was both terrifying and enticing.

"But… I can't ask you to do that," Miyu whispered, her voice filled with gratitude and uncertainty.

"You don't have to ask, Miyu. We're in this together,” Leslie responded, agreeing with the things Ceri was suggesting. “We'll support each other, protect each other, and chase our dreams without compromise."

Miyu's doubts began to fade, replaced by a newfound sense of courage. She realized that her friends were the family she needed, the ones who would stand by her no matter what.

With a resolute nod, Miyu wiped away her tears and looked at Ceri and Leslie. "Then let's do it. Let's take our destiny into our own hands and embark on an adventure that will shape our lives forever."

In that moment, the bond between the three friends grew stronger, and they made a pact to follow their dreams, leaving behind the confines of tradition and stepping into a future of their own making.  

Miyu lay in the comfort of her hotel room, her gaze fixed upon the ceiling as memories of the past flooded her mind. It was the night, etched vividly in her heart, when she and her two closest friends made a pact to abandon the confines of their kingdom and embark on a journey to explore the vastness of the universe.

While she didn't harbor any regrets about leaving behind the burdensome life of a princess, a lingering curiosity tugged at her thoughts. What if they had remained within the familiar confines of their kingdom? If so, they wouldn't have experienced the pain of separation, and she would know that her dear friends were safe.

She couldn't deny the ache in her heart that missed them dearly. The bittersweet freedom they craved had come at the price of separation. The universe was vast, and the unknown loomed ahead, yet she couldn't help but feel a sense of longing for the familiarity and warmth of their shared past.

But Miyu was resilient. She had chosen this path for a reason. The desire to explore, to uncover the mysteries of the universe, still burned within her. She had to believe that their paths would converge once more, that fate would guide them back together, and their reunion would be even more meaningful after the trials they had faced individually.

With a determined exhale, Miyu resolved to carry on, to embrace the unknown with unwavering hope. She would cherish the memories they had shared, drawing strength from the bond that remained unbroken despite the physical distance between them. The road ahead might be uncertain, but she knew that the power of their friendship would guide them through.

Closing her eyes, Miyu allowed herself to envision a future where they would reunite, their hearts intertwining once more under a shared sky.

Chapter Text

“Morning…,” Roxas said, then realized he was greeting an empty lobby. The light from Kingdom Hearts shone down into the cavernous room.

Where Saix would usually be found, he saw a piece of paper tacked on the wall.

OPERATIONS CLOSED FOR VACATION.

“Vacation…?” Roxas mumbled. He wasn’t clear on the concept. What was he supposed to do with himself?

Anyway, there was certainly no one here. Maybe he wasn’t supposed to be in here, either.

Then he recalled something Demyx had said not too long ago about needing a vacation or he’d go insane.

He walked back up the hallway and found Axel.

“Oh, hey, Roxas. Been a while since we’ve had some time off.”

Axel seemed to be in higher spirits than usual, but maybe it was just his imagination. “I don’t know. I’ve never had a vacation before.”

“Really? Huh.” Axel shrugged.

“Um, Axel…” Looking up at him, Roxas frowned briefly, then asked the question. “What am I supposed to do during vacation?”

“Supposed to do? What kind of question is that?”

Roxas hung his head, unable to fake his way out of ignorance. “But…I really don’t know.”

Without a mission, he honestly had no idea what he should be doing.

“You just do what you want,” said Axel.

“What I want…? I don’t know what I want to do.”

Axel let out a long-suffering sigh. “Well, I’ll tell you what I’m gonna do. Sleep. And then maybe have a catnap and a snooze after that.”

“But you do that anyway,” said Roxas, still confused.

“Hey, I’d nap six times a day if they’d let me.”

How could anyone sleep that much? Roxas thought. I’d just have dreams that wear me out even more.

“Speaking of, I'd better get to it. Enjoy the break.”

As he turned to go, Roxas grabbed his sleeve. “Wait, Axel…”

“Hey, c’mon, let me get some sleep.” Axel yawned, stretching his arms to emphasize his point.

That was when Xion happened to turn the corner, stopping in her tracks to stare at them. “Uh, what are you two doing?”

“Did you see that paper?” said Roxas.

“Yeah.”

“What are you gonna do, Xion?”

Axel yawned again through Roxas’s question. “If anyone cares, I was just getting back to bed.”

“Wh—? Oh. Okay.” Roxas nodded uncertainly as Axel sauntered off without another word. How can he be that sleepy…?

“Roxas?” Xion prompted.

“Oh yeah—what are you up to?”

She grinned. “I thought I’d get in some practice.”

“Practice?”

“I want to get better with my Keyblade. Why don’t you join me?”

Roxas didn’t really get why she needed to do anything with the Keyblade when they were on a break. “No thanks… I’ll pass.”

“Okay. Well, I’ll see you around, then. You can come find me if you feel up to it later.”

Then Xion was leaving, too, her steps brisk and energetic.

Alone in the deserted hallway, Roxas sighed. Do what I want, Axel said… But what would that be? I mean, what do I like…? Ice cream, I guess?

He couldn’t think of anything else. So he started walking.

***

With a rare day off, Xerci decided to return to the world where she and her friends had encountered the colossal Heartless. There was a glimmer of hope that Princess Miyu and Leslie might not have been expelled from that world like she had. Perhaps they had managed to stay behind.

As she arrived at the site of their intense battle, Xerci's heart sank. Their ship, the vessel that had carried them through countless adventures, was nowhere to be seen. If her friends had still been present in that world after the confrontation, they were no longer there.

She let out a sigh of frustration and settled on a large rock, lost in her thoughts. Were Miyu and Leslie together, somewhere out there? And, more importantly, were they safe? Despite the absence of her own heart, Xerci still held deep care and concern for her friends. She remembered what those emotions felt like and knew that reuniting with them was of utmost importance to her.

She couldn't help but blame herself for the outcome of that fateful battle. If only she had fulfilled her duty and shielded them from harm, maybe they would still be by her side. The guilt gnawed at her, a constant reminder of her perceived failure.

Shortly after their separation, she had made the difficult decision to relinquish her heart, hoping that the newfound strength would enable her to protect Miyu and Leslie once they were reunited. But for now, she remained trapped within the confines of the Organization, their machinations binding her.

Yet, there was a silver lining in her lonely existence. She had found an ally, someone within the Organization who was willing to assist her on her quest to find her friends. Though her path seemed uncertain, Xerci clung to the flicker of hope, determined to make amends and create a brighter future for herself and her cherished companions.

***

Roxas took a bite of sea-salt ice cream.

“Fancy meeting you here,” said a familiar voice. Roxas turned to find Axel behind him, stretching and yawning. “Slept like a log.”

He sat down beside Roxas just as Hayner’s voice rang out from below. “Ha! Gotcha!”

“Aw, man… I’m not gonna be able to walk tomorrow…” Pence collapsed to the plaza’s paving stones.

“What are those kids doing? Is it summer vacation? Nah, can’t be. It’s too early…,” Axel murmured.

Roxas glanced up at that. “Summer vacation? What’s that?”

“The kind of perk only humans get.” Axel laughed. “A whole month off.”

“A month? What do they do with themselves?” Roxas looked down at Hayner and his friends again. “I can’t even figure out how to fill a day…”

It was nice running into them and playing around for a bit, Roxas thought, but all day every day? For a whole month? He’d go insane.

“Well, they don’t have to look far for things to do. The teachers give them a ton of homework, and they’ve gotta hang out every day. Trust me, it’s over before you can blink.”

“I dunno… I could deal with a week, maybe.” Roxas finished his ice cream and distractedly hugged his knees.

But that would be fun—a whole week like today.

“Most kids spend the time just messing around with their friends. They put off the homework until the end and then help one another finish it.”

He was apparently speaking from personal experience. Was Axel referring to his own memories of summer vacation as a human?

“It’s not a bad way to spend your time. I hadn’t really thought about it since I became a Nobody…,” he murmured, almost to himself, before turning the conversation back to Roxas. “So what’d you end up doing today?”

“How did I know you guys would be here?” another voice asked at the same time.

Roxas turned to see Xion sitting down beside him. “Hey, so where’d you go?”

“Nowhere. I was just practicing in the castle…and finally I got bored,” said Xion. “Why, did you two go somewhere without me?”

“Does going to sleep count?”

“What?! Axel, you wasted your whole day?”

“Hey, I needed the rest! I work hard on the job, unlike some people.”

“It’s not our fault you get tired so quick,” Xion shot back, and the three of them cracked up together.

“Well, back to work tomorrow,” said Axel.

“Yeah,” Xion replied. “I hope we get another day off soon.”

The far-off call of a bird broke through the stillness.

“Oh, by the way, it looks like they’re shipping me off again,” said Axel, a bit subdued. “I won’t see you guys for a bit.”

“What?” Xion and Roxas both chorused.

“Yeah, I’ll be going out on recon for a few days.”

“Where?” Xion demanded.

Axel stretched his shoulders as usual and smirked. “Can’t tell ya.”

“What do you mean by that?” Roxas pressed.

“It’s classified,” Axel said with a shrug.

Xion was entirely unsatisfied with this. “I thought we were friends.”

“Doesn’t mean I have to tell you everything. Everybody’s got secrets.” The smirk hadn’t left Axel’s face, but his voice was low and solemn. “Got it memorized?”

“Secrets…?” Roxas repeated to himself. Do I have any of those?

Xion’s gaze dropped, as if her thoughts were wandering, too.

“Geez, you two. I’m kidding!” Axel laughed, dispelling the pensive mood. “I just gotta keep my mouth shut about this, or I’ll have Saix on my case. You know how he gets. Watch your step with him, okay?”

If that was a warning, he probably meant it.

Roxas didn’t know what they would have done without Axel when Xion lost the use of her Keyblade. They would have been out of luck on their own.

He nodded, taking the advice seriously. “Okay.”

“Try not to bungle everything while I’m gone,” Axel added.

“Why would we do that?” said Xion.

“Well, considering your track record…”

“Excuse me? Don’t make me come over there!”

At Xion’s mock threats, Roxas lost it.

She turned on him. “Come on, Roxas, back me up…! Pfft.”

But she couldn’t hold back the giggles, either, and then nor could Axel.

***

Back at the castle, Axel ambled through the halls back to his room by himself.

It was nice to have a little break.

“Where have you been?”

Axel turned, but he already knew who it was. No one else would be so brusque. “What, now I have to report every detail of my day off to you?”

Saix had no response for that. A moment went by before he spoke again. “You’re letting yourself get too attached to them.”

“Right, sir, of course, sir.”

Saix spun on his heels.

‘That was all he wanted to say to me?’

But just as Saix started walking away, he caught a barely audible murmur—

“You’ve changed.”

He listened to Saix’s receding footsteps, and his gaze dropped to his own feet.

“You sure I’m the one who changed?” he said under his breath.

Chapter Text

Axel made his way through Castle Oblivion. Not much time had passed since he’d been here last, but it didn’t feel the same at all.

Everything inside was still made of that cold white stone. The layout, however, had changed—different hallways led to different rooms. He knew the rooms here shifted based on the memories of whoever walked in—so whose memories were controlling it now?

“Ugh, this better be over soon.” Axel rolled his eyes. He was talking to himself more and more, an unfortunate side effect of spending all his time with Dusks for days on end. The castle was now managed only by the Organization’s underlings.

The lesser Nobodies that served them were unfailingly obedient, but that was the only thing they ever did. The greatest difference between them and Organization members was not appearance but the capacity for independent thought.

Where did that capacity come from, then? Did it have anything to do with the heart?

“I’m gonna go nuts in here…” Axel scratched his head and continued his search of the bizarre castle.

***

After concluding his search for the day, Axel made his way to the sweets shop in Twilight Town to indulge in his favorite ice cream. As he approached, he spotted a familiar face seated on a bench outside the shop.

"Hey there, Miyu!" he greeted her, offering a quick wave. He couldn't help but notice how effortlessly he had grown so fond of this girl. Perhaps it was out of sympathy, considering her solitude?

No, that couldn't be it. Axel reminded himself that he couldn't feel anything at all, so there had to be another reason.

Miyu raised her head upon hearing his voice, and he detected a glistening in her eyes. Had she been crying? Nevertheless, she maintained her calm and cheerful demeanor as she responded, "Hey, Axel!"

She was still alone, indicating that she hadn't yet located the friends she sought. "Still no luck?" he inquired, concern lacing his voice.

Miyu let out a sigh and gazed downward. "No, not even close."

Axel took a seat beside her on the bench, leaning back and crossing his arms. "Finding someone isn't always easy, especially in a place like this. But hey, don't give up just yet. You never know when luck might turn in your favor."

Miyu glanced at him, her eyes reflecting a glimmer of gratitude. "Thank you, Axel. It means a lot to me."

He shrugged nonchalantly, though a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Hey, what are friends for, right?"

A flicker of unfamiliar warmth passed through him as he saw her vulnerable expression. It was strange, considering he had always been detached and indifferent. Yet, when he looked at Miyu, he couldn't help but feel a connection.

Axel leaned closer, his voice softer. "You know, sometimes it helps to have someone by your side, even if it's just for a little while. If you ever need someone to talk to or hang out with, I'll be here."

Her lips curved into a small, genuine smile, and for a fleeting moment, he swore he could feel something deep within him stir.

***

Roxas sat on the clock tower eating his ice cream alone.

“So what’s up with Xion?” Axel said to him when he finally arrived.

“She’s not here again.”

“Oh well…” Axel took his perch next to Roxas.

They were silent for a moment.

After a few more bites of ice cream, Roxas remembered his questions. “Hey, Axel…”

“Hmm?” Axel turned mid-bite.

“Do you have anything you couldn’t stand to lose?”

Axel shifted in surprise and pulled the ice cream bar out of his mouth. “What? Where’d that come from?”

“I saw someone today and…he was talking about something like that. It was so important he couldn’t even think about losing it. Xaldin told me that’s a weakness. And I started thinking about how I don’t have anything—”

“Yeah, because you don’t have a heart.” Axel sighed, weary of having to point it out.

“Oh…I guess.” Roxas stared down at his dangling feet.

He just wasn’t finding the right words for what he wanted to say. How could he get Axel to understand?

“I mean, Demyx doesn’t have a heart, but he’d go nuts if you took his sitar, wouldn’t he?” Roxas tried.

“Huh…you’ve got a point. So, okay, say you don’t need a heart for things to be important to you… Maybe the closest thing we Nobodies have is our pasts. It’s the memories that give things value.”

“Memories…,” Roxas mumbled at his lap. “Well, I don’t remember my past, so I guess that explains it.”

Axel pondered that for a few seconds before suggesting, “What about your present, though?”

Roxas looked up. Somehow, he hadn’t expected to hear that from Axel. “Huh?”

“You’ve got your memories since you joined up with the Organization, right? There must be something special to you there.”

“I dunno…”

Memories…? Roxas didn’t have any from when he was human. But he did remember his time with the Organization so far.

“Wait, you’re right. I don’t want to forget about you or Xion.”

Forgetting something means losing a memory. And that’s what I don’t want to lose—my memories of them.

But where do they go when you forget? What happened to my memories of my human life?

“See?” said Axel. “Everyone’s got things they wanna hang on to. Even us Nobodies.”

Roxas slumped over again. It was…

“Kind of a scary thought.” The words tumbled out of him.

“Oh yeah? How do you manage that without a heart?” Axel shot back.

"I mean, when I think of losing you and Xion, or my memories of you…to forget what it’s like to be with my friends… It is scary.” It was like a cold breeze had found its way under his cloak. Roxas shivered.

The mere idea made him so afraid.

Afraid…? Scared? What does that mean anyway?

“Fear’s an emotion. It doesn’t exist for us.”

“But…I am feeling it. I’m scared right now.”

Axel and Xion ceasing to exist—the thought was even more frightening to him than his own termination. Roxas didn’t want to dwell on it at all.

Axel looked away into the distance. “Something in you probably does remember what it’s like to be scared. So you think you’re feeling it now.”

Xion’s not coming again, Roxas thought, raising his eyes to the sunset.

What if I forget all the memories I have now? What’ll happen to me…?

***

That night, as Axel lay in his bed, his mind wandered back to the recent conversation he had with Roxas.

‘Something I couldn't bear to lose... Do I even have something like that?’

Suddenly, his thoughts shifted to Miyu, who was grappling with a similar struggle. On most days, she appeared downcast, though she made a valiant effort to conceal her inner struggles whenever they spoke.

There were instances when her eyes betrayed her true emotions, glistening with unshed tears, yet her voice remained calm and cheery. Did that indicate the strength of her heart? Axel couldn't help but feel uneasy whenever he witnessed her sadness.

In that moment, the mere thought of Miyu's teary-eyed expression sent an inexplicable surge through his chest, causing him to sit up abruptly.

“What the..?”

***

With a great yawn, Axel stretched out on the lobby’s sofa the next morning, which remained as cold and uncomfortable as ever.

There was no one there yet. ‘Guess I’m actually early…’

He was only up at this hour because he’d never gone to sleep.  After the weird feeling he had last night, he had trouble getting himself to relax, so instead of sleeping, he spent the whole night on his report of the mission in Castle Oblivion. But pulling an all-nighter to finish a report did not gain him a reprieve from missions.

He twisted to look up at Kingdom Hearts shining outside the window.

“You’re here early,” said Saix.

Axel waited a second before rolling over to face him. “So are you.”

“No, I’m not. You’re just usually late.” Saix took up his usual post.

That time already, huh? thought Axel. Just as he was yawning and stretching again, another member arrived. “Hey, Xion.”

“…Good morning,” she said without meeting his eyes, marching straight over to Saix before Axel could get another word in edgewise. Something in the set of her shoulders seemed to warn him away. “Saix. Today’s mission?”

“Eliminating Heartless in Twilight Town.”

“Understood.” Xion didn’t utter a syllable beyond what was absolutely necessary. A dark portal opened up in the corner of the lobby, and she disappeared into it with no further ado.

Then Axel realized he hadn’t seen her at the clock tower, yesterday or the day before. He stared at the wisps of darkness swirling away to nothing in her wake.

Saix noticed his gaze. “Surely you’ve heard?”

Axel was baffled. “Heard what? I just haven’t talked to her since I got back, that’s all.”

“Hmph…” Saix seemed to regret saying anything. “Just that we know for sure she is defective.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Roxas entered the lobby then, and Axel bit back the rest of his questions.

“Hey, Axel, you’re here early,” Roxas remarked.

“Uh-huh…” He nodded vaguely and peered at Saix again.

But now Saix was all business. “Roxas, you’ll collect hearts in Twilight Town today.”

“Okay.”

“Get to it.”

Roxas nodded and looked back at Axel. “See you later, Axel.”

“Uh, sure,” Axel fumbled, sleep-deprived. “See you.”

Just like Xion, Roxas wasted no time heading into the Corridors of Darkness.

Saix had sent both Roxas and Xion to the same world. And Twilight Town. Something about it didn’t sit right with Axel, but when he tried to pin down exactly what, he couldn’t come up with anything solid.

Saix spoke to him first—after making sure that Roxas was gone. “I suppose you have questions?”

Axel gave him a look, took a breath, and asked, “So are Xion and Roxas working together, or…?”

“I assigned them separate missions. Eliminating Heartless and gathering hearts,” Saix replied. “But I did arrange it so that they’re likely to cross paths.”

“On purpose? What for? And why you?” Axel pressed, hardly pausing between questions.

“It’s necessary that they stay close, to some degree.”

“Necessary for what?”

“…Don’t concern yourself with them too much.”

“And after all your efforts to make me concerned. What are you playing at?”

“You’ll understand soon enough. Now, it’s about time you heard your assignment today. The outsider in the Organization cloak—Riku, that is. I might as well use his name with you.”

“…How did you already read my report?”

“I can guess that much without reading it.”

One of the things Axel had investigated at Castle Oblivion was the matter of the cloak. But all the cloaks were accounted for—which meant somebody had obtained one through other means. Not just anyone could do that. And Riku’s whereabouts were unknown, so that was the name Axel put forth in his report with a disclaimer that it was only his speculation. Saix had apparently been speculating along the same lines.

“Follow him,” Saix ordered. “But do not engage him. The last to try was Xion, and it ended poorly.”

“She lost…?” Maybe that was why she looked so glum, Axel thought.

“Of course, all that means is that number fourteen is defective.”

“You’re calling her defective just because she couldn’t beat Riku? Seems a little harsh.”

When Axel had last encountered him, Riku had not been all that impressive. Since then, however, he’d immersed himself in power. The power of darkness—of Xehanort. Riku’s mastery over it had been far from complete at Castle Oblivion, but that was some time ago. There was no telling how strong he might be now.

“…Is it?” Saix retorted.

“Well, why are you—?”

Saix promptly cut off Axel’s question. “Go to whichever world you want to try first. Just track him down, find out what he’s doing. That may give us some clues leading to the hero of light.”

'Guess I won’t get any more answers today,' Axel thought. 'But seriously, what is his problem with Xion?'

He gave up and nodded. “Got it.”

Saix narrowed his eyes. “Don’t concern yourself with Xion.”

It was the second time he’d said that. Axel returned Saix’s stare, trying to piece together what he really meant. “Is that an order? Or a warning?”

Saix, of course, gave him no answer.

Chapter Text

There was no sign of the elusive young man in the cloak—Riku—anywhere to be found. Axel reluctantly admitted defeat and decided to call it a day, preparing to return to the Organization.

Axel ducked into the sweets shop. "One ice cream, please!"

The shopkeeper handed him the sea-salt ice cream, and with the frozen treat in hand, Axel strolled towards the clock tower. The anticipation of reporting his fruitless search to Saix loomed over him, along with the inevitable sneers and snide remarks that constituted Saix's limited display of emotion, even without a heart.

As he nibbled on the ice cream, Axel murmured to himself, as he often did, "This stuff is so salty."

Thoughts of Xion's encounter with Riku plagued his mind. She had fought him and lost. They must have exchanged words, perhaps even a glimpse of Xion's face. Could Riku have sensed something familiar in the echo of Naminé's features?

Before he could delve deeper into his musings, Axel spotted Miyu sitting on their usual bench. Something seemed off about her demeanor.

In that moment, a glint of light caught Axel's attention as he noticed a tear streaming down Miyu's cheek. She was crying...

Driven by an uncharacteristic impulse, he veered back to the shop and grabbed an extra ice cream before rejoining Miyu on the bench. Silently, he took a seat beside her, offering her the additional treat. He had no words of comfort or a grand plan to lift her spirits, but there was a part of him that yearned to make a difference.

Miyu, startled by Axel's sudden presence, hurriedly wiped away her tears and forced a smile. "Hey, Axel..."

As she looked in his direction, she noticed him extending the ice cream towards her. "Rough day?" he gently inquired.

Accepting the ice cream, Miyu's gaze fell to the ground, her false smile fading as tears welled up once more. However, she remained silent.

Axel leaned back, his own ice cream stick resting between his lips. "You can tell me about it if you want," he began, "or we could just sit here and eat this ice cream without saying a word. It's up to you."

For a while, Miyu savored the ice cream in silence, contemplating the burdens weighing heavily upon her heart. Axel didn't rush her; he had made it clear that he was willing to give her all the time she needed. And in that simple act of companionship, he offered her a glimmer of solace.

Finally, as they finished their ice cream, Miyu mustered the strength to speak. Axel sat there, still holding his ice cream stick in his mouth, ready to lend an ear.

"It's... my friends," she began, her voice laden with sorrow. "They still haven't come for me. I was so sure they would have found me by now."

Axel didn't respond with words, but he emitted a sound to let her know he was listening. "Mm..."

Sighing, Miyu toyed with the ice cream stick in her hands. "At this point, I'm certain they are in a different world than this one."

Removing his own ice cream stick from his mouth, Axel immersed himself in contemplation. The sadness in Miyu's voice awakened a peculiar sensation within him, a feeling he couldn't quite describe but didn't wish to experience when she was unhappy.

Yet, he understood the risks involved in his next proposition, especially considering that Miyu seemed unaware of the Organization. Taking her along on his missions, where danger lurked in the shadows, could potentially cause complications. Nevertheless, the thought of leaving her in such despair was unbearable.

He glanced at her, her sorrow etched on her face, and sighed inwardly. It was undoubtedly a terrible idea, but he couldn't bear witnessing her pain any longer.

"Wanna go look for them?" Axel offered, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Miyu's head snapped up in surprise, her eyes widening. "Huh? But how? I don't have any way to leave here..."

"Well... let's just say that I do," Axel responded, his tone slightly awkward.

"Wait, seriously?" Miyu's voice brimmed with hope.

Pointing his ice cream stick at her, Axel smiled wryly. "I'll help you, but on one condition!"

"Anything! What is it?" Miyu's excitement was palpable, her mood transforming drastically from when he first arrived.

"You have to stick with me at all times. It's not exactly the safest method of travel," Axel warned, fully aware of the risks. His black coat offered him protection within the Dark Corridors, but Miyu lacked such safeguards.

She nodded eagerly. "Don't worry, I understand! When can we go?"

Chuckling at her enthusiastic response, Axel found himself caught off guard by a surge of warmth in his chest. This time, it wasn't an unsettling feeling.

"Meet me here in this spot first thing in the morning, and we'll head out," he instructed.

"Okay, I'll see you then!" Miyu exclaimed, already brimming with anticipation. It would be wise for her to rest and gather her strength before embarking on their search. With that, the two parted ways, but Miyu abruptly turned around and rushed back towards Axel, embracing him in a quick, unexpected hug from behind. "Thank you, Axel."

The unexpected gesture startled him, yet he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of contentment. "Sure... no problem at all," he mumbled, slightly embarrassed. "Now go on home, okay?"

As Miyu departed, Axel watched her leave, a mixture of emotions swirling within him. "What a strange girl..."

Heading towards the clock tower, he placed a hand over his chest. The enigmatic sensation persisted, but this time, Axel welcomed it, knowing that he had made a difference in Miyu's life, even if it meant stepping into the unknown.

***

When Axel reached the ledge atop the clock tower, he only saw one other figure there—Roxas. But hadn’t he been working with Xion today?

“Hey, Roxas!” Axel greeted him.

Roxas seemed especially down. “Hi, Axel…”

“Xion still isn’t coming?”

“You just missed her.” Roxas hung his head.

Axel was beginning to gather that something had happened. He wondered if he should ask, then decided against it. But he couldn’t have said whether Saix was the reason why. More like this wasn’t the time.

So he sat down beside Roxas and ate his ice cream.

The silence stretched on until Roxas stood up. “I’m about to get going, too.”

“What, seriously?” Axel protested. “I just got here.”

“Oh… Heh. Right, sorry.” Roxas awkwardly sat down again.

Axel noticed Roxas really was out of it. He couldn’t not be concerned. “Did something happen?”

“It’s nothing…”

That was a bald-faced lie. Whatever had happened, it was something Roxas didn’t know how to explain, Axel figured.

He’d knew the look, though.

“Girls are pretty complicated, huh?”

At that, Roxas raised his head in surprise. “How’d you know it was her?”

It was such a sincere question that Axel barely swallowed a laugh. The evidence was right there; Roxas wouldn’t be thinking of anything else.

“’Cos you’re relatively simple,” Axel replied. “Well, most Nobodies are.”

It was a joke, mostly, but Roxas didn’t even snort. His reply was perfectly sincere. “But real people are complicated?”

Axel took a deep breath and allowed himself one tiny chuckle before answering. “More complicated than us. And that goes double for the ladies.”

“What about a girl Nobody like Xion?”

“Less so than humans but more so than you or me.”

Roxas squinted in confusion. “Yeah, I’m lost.”

Well, sure you are, Axel thought. It doesn’t make a lot of sense in the first place.

“Anyway, the important thing to remember when dealing with girls is not to push the wrong button,” he told Roxas with a grin, trying to keep the atmosphere light. “Got it memorized?”

“Maybe that’s what I did…” Roxas let out a long, dramatic sigh. “I hit the wrong button.”

“Well…just make sure you give her some space.”

“What? Why?” He sounded frustrated.

“Because if you rush in trying to fix things, you’ll just hit more buttons. Trust me on this one.”

Roxas sighed again. “Fine… I guess.”

He slumped into a pile, just like a boy with a heart.

Axel couldn’t hold back his laughter anymore. “Aw, Roxas. You’re a good kid.”

Roxas scowled at him. “Don’t call me a kid!”

That only made it funnier. Axel lost it.

“Stop laughing at me!”

Somehow, Axel managed to contain himself, but he was still grinning. “Hey, it’s Xion, you know? It’ll be fine.”

“I hope so…” Roxas looked out at the sunset.

Chapter Text

The sandstorm in the deserts of Agrabah seemed to have only gotten stronger since Axel's last visit to this world.

Miyu's hair thrashed wildly in the wind, repeatedly striking her face. "Ack!"

Axel chuckled as he glanced at the disheveled girl. "I should've warned you about the unpredictable weather in this world..."

Frantically, Miyu swiped her hands across her face to regain her vision.

"Let's head toward the palace gates. The town is usually bustling with people, unlike this desolate place," he suggested. However, when he turned around to lead the way, he spotted a figure in a familiar black coat battling Heartless in the distance.

The imposter?

Upon closer inspection, Axel realized it was Xerci, another member of the Organization. "Great..." he muttered with a sigh.

Perhaps he should have stayed longer to gather information about everyone's mission assignments before deciding which world to visit that morning.

Glancing at Miyu, whose hair had once again entangled her face, Axel discreetly slipped into a dark portal, teleporting himself directly to Xerci's location. He didn't want to waste time or risk exposing Miyu to unnecessary danger during his missions.

"Yo, Xerci!"

Surprised by Axel's sudden appearance, Xerci turned to face him. "Axel? What are you doing here?"

"Didn't you hear? I'm on a special mission to track down the Organization Impostor," Axel explained.

"Right... Well, I haven't seen him around here, so if that's all you came to ask–"

Axel glanced back at Miyu. Time was running out. "Actually, I thought I'd do you a favor and send you back to the castle. Since I'm already here, I can handle your mission for you."

"Leave? And disappoint Saix? Are you trying to make me look incompetent?!"

"Come on, I know you dislike being in this world. Look, I'll let you take all the credit for completing the mission. If Saix asks, I'll back you up," Axel proposed, stealing a quick glance at where he had left Miyu. Her hair continued to whip around, obstructing her vision, as she wandered in confusion, searching for Axel.

Xerci groaned. Axel had a point about her feelings towards this world. However, Axel's suspicious glances made her wary. "What are you planning, exactly?"

"Huh?" Axel turned his attention back to Xerci. "Nothing! I'm not planning anything! I just... We got off on the wrong foot before, right? I thought I should make it right."

Xerci remained silent, unconvinced by his explanation.

Time was slipping away. Miyu drew nearer. "You want to impress Saix, don't you? I can tell you anything you want to know about him! We go way back," Axel pressed, hoping to persuade her.

"So I've heard..." Xerci's voice lacked amusement, and Axel sensed his attempt was backfiring.

"Axel!? Where did you go??" Miyu's voice echoed in the distance, causing Axel to act swiftly. He opened a portal, quickly pushing Xerci into it, hoping she wouldn’t hear her.

"Just think of it as my way of making up for eating the last of your cereal the other day!" Axel blurted as he propelled Xerci further into the portal.

"Wait, that was YOU? I thought it was Demyx..." Xerci grumbled, casting an angry glare at Axel. "I should have known!"

"Yeah, yeah... I'll buy you another box or whatever!" Axel retorted, urging her onward. "Now, can you please get going!?"

Once Xerci had disappeared from sight, he released a relieved sigh. That was a close call. The girl had been getting too close to Saix lately, and if she had spotted Miyu following him, she would have undoubtedly reported it. Axel had no desire to deal with the hassle of explaining himself to Saix of all people.

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted when something crashed into his back. He swiftly turned around, only to find Miyu standing there. A soft chuckle escaped him as she brushed her hair away from her face and looked up at him. "Don't walk so far ahead! It's hard to see out here!" she pouted.

"Sorry about that!" he scratched the back of his head. "Shall we continue?"

He began walking again, but instead of heading towards town, he veered in the opposite direction. Xerci's mission for the day involved battling some Heartless that had appeared in the desert. 'What a nuisance,' he thought to himself. If he had been more thoughtful, he could have convinced Miyu to accompany him to another world, especially after Xerci informed him that Riku hadn't been seen in that world.

However, Riku wasn't the only person he was searching for. He had to help Miyu find her friends, and he wouldn't obtain that information from Xerci.

"Axel? Isn't the town in that direction?" Miyu tugged at his coat sleeve, questioning his chosen path.

Ah, right. He needed to find a way to explain the situation to Miyu. "Uh... slight change of plans! It turns out there's a pack of Heartless in this direction. We can't allow them to get too close to the town, as innocent people might get hurt. Got it memorized?"

Miyu tilted her head, trying to make sense of his words. Perhaps it had something to do with his work. They hadn't discussed his job in great detail, so she couldn't be entirely sure. All she knew was that his work enabled him to travel between worlds.

"Right, that makes sense!"

He was relieved that she agreed so readily. It made things much simpler. As they drew nearer to the Heartless, he summoned his chakrams into each hand. Miyu glanced at him, realizing she had never witnessed him in combat before.

"Alright, stay behind me. I'll handle this quickly!"

With that, he spun his chakrams in a whirlwind of motion and launched himself into the midst of the Heartless. He moved with incredible speed and strength, tearing through the enemy like a force of nature.

Miyu was impressed by his fighting prowess, clearly recognizing the experience he possessed.

Axel relished a good fight, and now he had an audience. He glanced back to ensure Miyu was still watching. However, to his surprise, he saw her summon a wand into her hand and rush to his side, using ice magic to dispatch a few of the smaller Heartless on her own.

"So, you can fight after all!" he grinned, impressed by her efforts. "Just try not to get in my way!"

Axel winked in her direction, indicating that his comment about getting in his way was not meant seriously. Miyu giggled at his playfulness and used a frozen gust of wind to blast away more Heartless.

The two of them continued their assault, fighting side by side. The battle reminded Miyu of fighting alongside her best friends. She hadn't fought like this since the battle that led to their separation. As these thoughts entered her mind, her confidence wavered.

Axel noticed her faltering confidence and observed a Heartless leaping toward her during her moment of distraction. Stepping in front of her, he intercepted the incoming attack and blocked it, before swiftly knocking it away. He turned to Miyu and flashed her a charming smile, returning to his fighting stance.

"Don't worry, I've got your back!"

She looked up at him, her eyes slightly widened. His smile caused a deep blush to spread across her face, but she quickly averted her gaze out of embarrassment. "Thanks, Axel." She composed herself and tightened her grip on her wand, ready to aid him in finishing the fight.

The Heartless pressed forward, and soon Axel and Miyu found themselves evading, blocking, and countering a relentless barrage of attacks.

"Keep it up. There aren't many left!"

They discovered that they made an effective team. Miyu would freeze the Heartless with her magic, allowing Axel to swiftly slash them down, making short work of their enemies.

As Axel fought, he remained watchful over Miyu, stepping in front of her whenever a Heartless made a move that threatened to strike her. It was a risk, but he was determined to keep her safe. It was odd, the extent to which he cared about her well-being.

He sliced through the final Heartless and then held his chakram over his shoulder as he turned to Miyu. With her assistance, they completed Xerci's mission much faster than expected. Of course, he had no intention of informing her that someone like Miyu had aided him in its completion. "Alright, that's the last of them."

"Phew..." Miyu wiped the sweat from her forehead and looked up at him, a smile on her face. "That was fun!"

"We do make a good team, don't you think?" He put away his weapons and flashed her a smile.

Miyu smiled back, her cheeks reddening once again. Why was he affecting her like this? She hadn't experienced these feelings before. Was this what having a crush felt like?

Just as she opened her mouth to respond, the wind picked up once more, and she found her mouth full of hair. "Pfff!"

Axel couldn't help but laugh. "Why don't we head into town? The palace walls will provide some shelter from the wind, and I know a fantastic food stall. Let me treat you for all your help out there."

As Miyu cleared her hair away from her face, she looked up at him, her heart fluttering. "Sure... Let's go!"

***

The next day, when he saw her small figure in the lobby, Axel hesitated for a second, then called out, “Xion!”

She froze, not even turning to look at him.

“Hey. Haven’t seen you in a bit.”

“Oh… Yeah.” Xion’s voice was barely above a whisper. She didn’t bother to meet his eyes.

“It’s been a while, y’know? We haven’t even had ice cream together since I got back.”

“…Huh. You’re right.”

“I keep seeing you around here, though.”

“Uh-huh… Sorry, I have to get to work.”

Before she could break into a run, Axel grabbed her arm. “Wait.”

“Let me go…” Xion nearly keeled over, but Axel held her upright.

“Hey.” He peered into her face, which was white as a sheet. “Are you feeling okay?”

Xion shook her head. “It’s nothing… Sorry.” She started walking away as fast as she could.

“It’s Xion, you know? It’ll be fine.”

Axel recalled what he’d said to Roxas, and suddenly, he wasn’t so sure.

“No, wait.” He took her arm again.

“I’m sorry; I can’t talk. Let me go.”

“Hey, about the impostor…”

Xion finally looked up at him, her eyes wide. “You know about that?”

“Well, everyone does.”

“Oh… I guess they would.” Xion slumped over.

Axel was afraid she’d misunderstood—she might think that he meant everyone knew about her loss. He let go of her arm and watched her steadily. “The search for him is still underway.”

“Is that your job?”

“Yup.” Xion met his eyes, and Axel only waited a moment before telling her, “His name’s Riku.”

“Riku…,” she softly echoed, touching her lips after they formed the name. The information was probably new to her. “Do you know who he is?”

“…Yeah.” Axel nodded.

“Where did he go?”

“I don’t know…yet.”

“Oh.” She looked away again.

“Xion, what happened?”

“Nothing. It’s just, I lost to him… Riku.”

“That’s all? You sure?”

“Yeah… That’s all. I lost.”

Axel had his doubts—but it wasn’t like Roxas attempting to avoid a topic. This went deeper.

“Look, Xion. This guy isn’t your average opponent. It’s no wonder you couldn’t beat him.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because he’s—”

“What are you two doing? I gave you missions.”

Of course Saix would cut him off just as he started getting to the point.

“…Saix,” Axel muttered.

“Get to work.”

Xion darted away. When Axel tried to catch her arm once more, his hand closed on empty air. He let out a sigh.

“Do I have to tell you again?” Saix remarked. “Don’t concern yourself with them.”

“…I’m not all that concerned,” said Axel.

“What use is your information to number fourteen anyway? Divulging it would be meaningless.”

“No point…? What about you? Why’d you have Roxas and Xion hang out after she fought Riku?”

She hadn’t been the same since that battle. And then Saix had deliberately put her in contact with Roxas. After that mission, Roxas and Xion had their falling out… Was that Saix’s plan all along?

“I can’t tell you that right now.” Saix gave a slight shake of his head.

Axel snorted at the gravitas. “What? Are you gonna tell me I’ve changed again?”

“No… I was just thinking you should remain in contact with them for now. But not if you’re about to tell Xion or Roxas what you know about Riku.”

“…Not following.”

“No? I thought I was quite clear. Just don’t get too involved. That’s all.” Saix promptly marched away.

Watching him go, Axel sighed then left to pick up Miyu so they could leave for his mission and to find her missing friends .

Chapter Text

The vast expanse of ice and snow stretched out before them, offering Axel a glimmer of hope. With such a stark contrast, locating their target in this wintry landscape should be a breeze. A figure donning a black coat would stand out like a sore thumb.

Glancing at Miyu, Axel noticed her uncharacteristic silence, her arms tightly crossed over her chest as she shivered. The sight surprised him, considering her proficiency in ice magic. Unable to resist teasing her, he quipped, "What? I thought you’d love the snow!"

"Y-Yeah, of course I do! Just... after I get all bundled up!" Miyu admitted, acknowledging the exposed areas in her outfit that left her vulnerable to the cold. She glanced at Axel, noting his apparent resistance to the freezing temperatures. "How are you so unaffected by this?"

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Guess my body just naturally stays warm. And when you're clad in head-to-toe leather, the cold isn't much of an issue, you know?"

"I see..." 

"Listen, we can always try another world if you'd like. We can come back to this one another time when you're-"

However, she interjected, her voice determined. "No! I want to search this world!" Her eyes held a hidden knowledge, a secret Leslie had shared with her. The story of the princess who wielded powers akin to her own. Miyu yearned for the chance to meet her, despite her kingdom's ignorance of this hidden truth. Only through Leslie's magic did she possess this forbidden knowledge.

"Well, alright," Axel relented. "We'll keep moving, then."

Observing Miyu's struggle, Axel felt a pang of guilt. After contemplating for a moment, he made a surprising decision. Closing the distance between them, their arms almost touching, he turned away, unable to meet her gaze. Heat tinged his cheeks as he suggested, "If... you want, I can try to keep you warm. If you trust me, that is..."

Miyu blinked, torn between maintaining her tough facade or embracing the warmth she secretly desired. In that very instant, a chilling breeze swept through, causing her to gasp and cling to herself even tighter. Axel chuckled softly. "Alright, forget I actually asked. If I don't, you'll end up getting sick out here. Come on," he said, extending his arm.

With a bashful expression, Miyu shuffled through the snow until she stood close enough for him to wrap his arm around her. He drew her body snugly against his, and she instantly felt the radiating warmth, akin to standing next to a cozy heater. The comforting sensation dissolved her guard, allowing her to relax in his embrace.

Unbeknownst to Miyu, Axel blushed deeply at their closeness. There was something about her that stirred unfamiliar feelings within him. He couldn't quite put it into words, but he felt a deep affection, akin to what he felt for his friends but somehow different. If he still had his heart, he would have recognized this feeling as one of adoration, or even love. He laughed inwardly, knowing it was impossible for him to experience such emotions.

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by her delighted gasp as they approached the imposing gates of the castle. "Look! There it is!" Without waiting for his response, she tugged on his arm, urging him forward as she broke into a joyful run.

"H-Huh? The castle? What about it?" he questioned, matching her pace. Weren't they here to find her friends? He had visited this world countless times and knew the castle was strictly off-limits to anyone except the two princesses and their servants. Why was she so excited about it? Nevertheless, he couldn't help but smile at the sheer excitement radiating from her. He found it endearing.

Unbeknownst to her, Miyu remained oblivious to the castle's closed gates. She was exhilarated at the prospect of finally meeting the older princess, someone she had revered through Leslie's stories. The princess possessed powers similar to her own, but far more potent. However, upon reaching the gates, Miyu's elation turned to confusion as she spotted the guards stationed in front of them. She tilted her head, perplexed. This was not part of the tales she had heard. "I don't get it."

Axel glanced at Miyu, a quizzical expression on his face. He couldn't grasp her enthusiasm, but perhaps she had a general interest in kingdoms or castles? It did spark an idea in his mind for a future destination.

With a shrug, he approached her, standing by her side. "Guess I should have mentioned that this kingdom is closed off to outsiders. Nobody really knows why," he explained, watching her intently. He noticed her shivering again, prompting a sigh. "Why don't we find a place to take a break for now, huh?"

"Sure," she responded, her voice tinged with disappointment. She turned away from the castle, walking beside him once more.

He led her to a secluded area in the forest, assuring her that it was safe and free from any threats like Heartless. Utilizing his magic, he conjured a warm fire for them to sit beside. As evening approached and the sun began to set in the distance, the temperature dropped noticeably. Miyu settled comfortably by the crackling fire, lost in her thoughts. Axel sensed her introspection and decided to break the silence. "Something on your mind?"

"Hm?" Her head snapped up at the sound of his voice, her eyes meeting his. "It's just... This world was part of the stories my friend used to tell me. She possesses a special magic that grants her knowledge about any world she desires. Her tales made me long to meet Princess Elsa in person because, uh..." She halted her words, realizing the potential consequences of divulging such information. No one was supposed to know the kind of lore she possessed or that Elsa wielded any powers. Revealing too much might inadvertently expose her own secret as a runaway princess. Shaking her head, she amended, "She just seemed... really cool, I guess."

After speaking, Miyu returned her gaze to the mesmerizing flames. How long had it truly been since she and her friends had been separated? It hadn't even been a full year, but it felt like an eternity. Fidgeting with her hands in her lap, she couldn't help but feel a sense of restlessness.

Axel felt a pang of awkwardness as he witnessed her descending into melancholy once more. Finding the right words to comfort her proved challenging, especially considering it had been a while since he had experienced such intense emotions. Nonetheless, he endeavored to sustain the conversation. "You and your friends are really close, aren't you?"

"Yeah," she nodded, her eyes meeting his once more. "They're my best friends in the whole world. They mean everything to me." The firelight cast a soft glow on his face, accentuating his features in a way that made her blush, unexpectedly finding him handsome. Determined to quell those thoughts, she redirected her focus and asked, "Do you have anyone like that?"

"Huh?" He hadn't anticipated her question, briefly placing a hand on his chin as he pondered. He did have two friends back at the Organization, but until now, he hadn't regarded them as his "best" friends... or had he? And then there was his childhood friend. Though their closeness had waned in recent times, there had been a period when they were inseparable. "Yeah, I guess I do."

A gentle smile graced Miyu's lips as she observed his expression while he deliberated over his response. "So, you understand why finding them is so important to me..."

He nodded, realizing that he couldn't bear the thought of being in her position. It only strengthened his resolve to assist her in locating her friends. Just being able to empathize with how she was feeling by imagining her situation was enough for him to want to take that feeling away from her.

And that peculiar sensation in his chest resurfaced once more...

Why did it persist whenever he was around her? It defied all logical explanation. Glancing at the setting sun, he noted the advancing hour and remembered another promise he had to fulfill. His friends, the very ones she had made him contemplate, were likely waiting for him at their customary gathering spot. "Looks like it's time for me to take you back to Twilight Town. Are you ready to head back?"

"Yeah..." She nodded, rising from her seat as he summoned a dark portal for their return. Before stepping through, she turned to face him. "Thank you, Axel... for all your help recently."

Her words of gratitude caught him off guard, prompting an awkward smile. "Of course! I'm confident we'll find them soon."

***

Axel had a hunch that if he could just track down that kid, things might improve a little. But it wasn’t happening. He couldn’t pick up the trail.

In the usual spot on the clock tower, Axel felt someone arrive behind him. He hailed them as cheerfully as he could with his mouth full of ice cream. “Hey! How’s your day treatin’ you?”

Roxas sat down next to him without a word, until he asked, “Have you seen Xion?”

“Nope, not yet.”

“Oh…” Roxas stared at his lap.

“Can’t believe she’s skipping out on us,” Axel remarked.

Roxas shook his head. “It’s up to her whether she comes or not.”

That didn’t sound like him at all. “Well, sure, that’s fair…”

They sat side by side, eating their ice cream. The sunset was the same beautiful crimson as always. 

Lately, there had been quite a bit on Axel’s mind, between the questions he had about Xion to the way he had started feeling when spending time around Miyu. 

As he stared into the sunset, he replayed a moment from earlier that day in his head. Why did he enjoy it so much when he held Miyu close like that?

“Axel, can I ask you something?” said Roxas, breaking the silence when he was about halfway through his bar.

“What’s up? Something happen?”

“It’s…just something I heard about on the mission today. Um…” Roxas screwed up his face in concentration. “Do you know what love is?”

“…’Scuse me?”

“It’s something powerful, right? Where does it come from?”

Roxas was completely in earnest.

‘Love… Huh,’ Axel thought to himself. ‘If only that was the explanation for the way I feel around her. But…’

“It is powerful, but it’s not a power we get to have.” Axel had very little confidence in his ability to explain it. But whenever Roxas or Xion had questions about the mysteries of the human heart, he did his best to answer.

“Nobodies can’t love?” Roxas asked.

“Nope. You need a heart for that.”

‘That’s why I’m sure that can’t be what it is with her.’

“Oh… Right.” Roxas fell quiet, pensive.

Axel kept talking. “Love is what happens when there’s something really special between people.”

‘Special…’ He really thought about his own words as he was explaining it to Roxas. Was it possible he was also trying to convince himself of something?

“More special than friends? Like…if they’re best friends? Inseparable?”

“Well, you can care about your friends, but that’s not exactly it…” Axel paused, grasping for words that might make sense to Roxas.

“So it’s a step above best friends?”

“No—it’s not about steps.”

Roxas looked bewildered. As he’d expected, he wasn’t doing a very good job explaining it.

“Not that it matters. We’ll never know the difference.” For some reason, when he said this, it was almost like he sounded disappointed.

Roxas wouldn’t let it go. “Do you think we would, if we had hearts?”

“Once Kingdom Hearts is complete, I bet you’ll be able to figure it out.” The magic words again, Axel thought. It’ll all make sense when Kingdom Hearts is complete. But was that true?

No one had ever seen it happen before. So who knew?

Still, all they could do was believe in it.

“Kingdom Hearts, huh…?” Roxas said under his breath, gazing out at the sunset.

Axel watched his wistful profile and sighed silently.

***

Axel made it to the Grey Area just as Roxas was stepping into the Corridors of Darkness. Luxord was right behind him. Now, there’s an odd couple.

“So, Saix, what am I doing to—? Oh, boy. Awfully early for such a bad mood, don’t you think?”

Saix had whirled to face him with a rather pronounced scowl.

“…Nobodies do not have ‘moods’ to be ruined,” he said at length.

“Well, sure, technically…”

Of course, with no hearts, they couldn’t have moods or fits of temper. If something went frustratingly awry, their faces might reveal shadows of remembered emotion, no more.

Still, for a remembered shadow, that was a mean glower on Saix’s face. “Did I miss something?” Axel wondered.

“Xion has collapsed again.”

Now Axel frowned. He sure had missed something. “Did she get hurt or what?”

“No,” Saix replied, any hint of expression vanishing from his face. “It’s just that the failure was functioning better than expected until recently.”

“‘The failure’? Is that what we’re calling her now?”

Saix’s estimation of Xion seemed to have plummeted lower than ever. True, she’d lost badly against the Organization impostor—but that was Riku. Defeat was all but inevitable against him.

Failing to carry out a mission was unacceptable, of course, but not impossible. She could always challenge Riku again. If the mission was so unsuited to her in the first place, though, Saix ought to know better as the one in charge of handing out assignments. And Axel was beginning to suspect at least some of the blame lay with him.

Saix held some particular grudge against Xion…

“Never mind that. Your mission is to continue searching for Riku.”

“Sure, gotcha.”

“I do need you to find him sometime soon.”

“Well, I’m sure he’ll be in the last place I look.”

“Get going.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Axel muttered, already walking away. He glanced back at Saix. “Hey, so…our plan’s making progress, right?”

“Just as long as you don’t do anything foolish.”

Axel shrugged at the tetchy warning and left the castle.

Chapter Text

Axel led Miyu through a portal, transporting them to a dark and desolate world. They found themselves surrounded by deserts and dry landscapes—a world unknown to Axel, but one that resonated with Miyu's memories.

As they stepped onto the new terrain, Axel couldn't help but notice Miyu's uneasiness. Her grip on his arm tightened, her gaze darting nervously from one shadowy corner to another. It was clear that something troubled her about this place.

"Are you alright, Miyu?" Axel asked, his voice filled with genuine concern. "This world seems to be affecting you differently."

Miyu hesitated for a moment before finally mustering the courage to speak. "This… is the world," she began, her voice quivering. "The world where my friends and I fought that giant Heartless."

His eyes widened, a mix of surprise and understanding crossing his features. "Ah, I had no idea," he said softly. "I'm sorry for bringing you back here. If it's too much for you, we can leave and try looking elsewhere."

She shook her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "No, it's okay. I need to face this. I need to find them," she whispered, her voice filled with determination.

Axel nodded, a newfound sense of purpose filling him. "We'll find them," he vowed, his voice brimming with conviction.

As they traversed the sprawling landscapes of the realm, Axel kept a close watch on Miyu, offering silent support whenever she needed it. The memories of her battle with the Heartless lingered in the air, haunting her every step. Yet, she pressed forward, driven by her unwavering hope of reuniting with her friends.

They searched through ancient ruins, navigated treacherous terrains, and noticed what seemed to be many statues of people along the way. Despite the challenges, Axel couldn't help but admire Miyu's resilience. Her determination was an unwavering beacon in the face of adversity.

Finally, they reached a secluded clearing, surrounded by towering trees and the gentle murmur of a nearby stream. Miyu gazed at the spot, her eyes distant yet filled with a mix of sorrow and hope.

"This is where it happened," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Where we fought... and got blasted away."

Axel approached her, his presence a source of unwavering support. "I can't imagine how hard this must be for you," he murmured, his voice laced with empathy.

She turned to face him, tears shimmering in her eyes. "I have to find them," she said, her voice trembling. 

"You will, Miyu. We'll find them. No matter what it takes," he reassured her, his voice filled with determination.

In that moment, Miyu felt a surge of gratitude. Despite the pain and uncertainty that lay before her, she was grateful for Axel's unwavering presence, for his belief in her and their shared journey. Together, they would face the challenges ahead and strive to reunite her with her lost friends.

***

The mission complete, Roxas went to the usual spot to watch the sunset over ice cream. As he was squinting against the brilliance, Axel came up behind him and took his own customary seat.

Roxas gave him a glance but soon turned back to the sunset. “So something happened to Xion…”

Hugging one knee to his chest, Axel answered him. “Yeah, Saix told me this morning.”

Roxas slumped over. “Why does he hate her so much…?”

Axel was a bit taken aback. Out of habit, Nobodies might say they liked or hated things, but none of them really had those emotions—not the way Roxas meant.

“What d’you mean by that?” Axel laughed. “You just can’t stop talking like a real person, can you?”

Then Roxas turned to him. “What did I say?” He seemed uncertain, his gaze wandering, and he hung his head again. “I don’t know how real people talk…,” he mumbled.

Roxas must feel like he doesn’t know anything, Axel thought. Well, I don’t have the best handle on things myself, but I’m slightly less clueless.

He shifted, relaxing his legs. “Are you that worried over Xion?”

“It’s just…when I saw her lying there, she was so quiet. It made me think she might never wake up.” Roxas’s voice was hushed with something very like fear.

“I’m sure she’s fine.” The best Axel could offer was empty words of comfort.

Roxas closed his eyes for a moment, as if he had to say something terribly important, and took a breath that he let out in a sigh. “Saix called her ‘defective.’”

Axel sighed, too. He had his doubts that Saix realized just how special Roxas and Xion were. How they seemed to process things with an emotional quality that none of the other Nobodies had. Speak in those cold, dispassionate terms to one of them, and it would provoke the opposite reaction—just as if they had hearts.

But whether they were unknowingly reliving emotions from when they were human, or whether it was something unique to them, Axel couldn’t have said. Roxas was the Nobody of the hero of light, while Xion (he suspected) had something to do with the same person. Maybe that made them more special than even he knew.

Saix didn’t understand that. Despite the lack of a heart, he could imagine what it was like to have emotional responses based on what he remembered from his human life. And he must be able to remember how much trouble it was.

Since he was already overthinking things, though, Axel had to wonder if he wasn’t letting Roxas and Xion or even Miyu have too much influence on him. All these “friends” and “promises” were taking over his life.

Almost as if he rejected his identity as a Nobody.

That would definitely be considered abnormal for a member of Organization XIII.

“Well, I’m probably a lot more defective than she is,” Axel admitted, almost to himself, and looked at Roxas.

Deep in thought, Roxas sat there and stared at nothing.

Roxas and Xion were always so dutiful. Loyal. Axel was the failure. And not just because he shirked missions—he was always plotting against the Organization along with Saix.

The clock tower’s bells chimed the hour. A train sped away in the distance.

“I think maybe Saix knows something about her… About why Xion and I are special Nobodies,” said Roxas.

Well, sure.

“If it’s gonna keep you up at night…” Axel sighed. “I could ask him for you.”

“Really?!” Roxas grinned at that. Not a Nobody-like reaction by any means.

Axel shrugged and eyed him with a wry smile. “Hey, calm down! I’ll ask, but don’t get your hopes up. He’s not the best at giving straight answers.”

“But you’ve still got a way better chance!” Roxas still sounded excited.

“I’ll give you that,” said Axel, avoiding a concrete reply.

Roxas was special among Nobodies, no question. And perhaps Xion, too…

Axel gazed out at the sunset, as red as ever. That color still looked the same to him now as it had when he was human. Some things didn’t change even when you became a Nobody.

“I hope Xion wakes up soon…,” Roxas murmured.

That would be nice, Axel thought. If only the three of us could just waste our time talking and laughing together again…

***

As soon as he returned to the castle, Axel went to call on Saix.

There were other things besides Xion that he wanted to discuss. Well, to be more precise, there were plenty of other things he needed to bring up. They hadn’t been speaking much.

‘It’s messed up,’ Axel thought. ‘Why am I trying to put Saix in charge of the Organization…?’

“Well, this is a rare occasion.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Saix swiveled his chair around. His room was in the depths of the castle—although it was more like an office, overflowing with documents and materials.

“It means you hardly ever come looking for me these days.”

“So? I’ve got something to discuss with you, for a change.”

“Very funny,” Saix remarked flatly. He was the one being sarcastic.

He never spoke like that in front of any of the other members—only Axel. It was something that originated in the relationship they’d had as humans.

“Is this about the defective thing in our midst?” asked Saix.

“Am I that easy to read?” Axel shrugged.

“Yes, because you’re completely guileless. You always were.”

“Excuse me? Were you always such a jerk?” Axel retorted, taking a seat on a shelf across from Saix.

“Don’t sit on that,” another voice said while entering the room. It belonged to Xerci. She walked into the room carrying what looked to be two coffees.

“Then tell him to put another chair in here.” He let his legs swing, the way he would sit on the clock tower. He couldn’t understand why she was coming in here too… They really seemed to be getting close.

“Somehow, I doubt that would stop you,” said Saix. “Anyway, I’m not going to talk to you about it.”

“Hey. She has a name, you know.”

“I told you to stay out of this.” Saix swiveled his chair, turning his back on Axel to end the conversation.

“Well, I can’t. I need to know what the deal with Xion is.” Axel got up and grabbed Saix’s shoulder, peering into his face. “So give me a straight answer for once.”

“Just like you’re always honest with me?”

Caught out, Axel grimaced with a short laugh. Maybe they’d both been less than forthcoming with each other lately…and he was too forthcoming with Roxas and Xion. “Seriously, though, Saix—”

“He gave you his answer! So why don’t you just go?” Xerci interrupted with a piercing glare.

“Wonder which one of us is more different now,” Axel said under his breath.

Just for an instant, he saw a twitch in Saix’s shoulders. But he wasn’t about to hold his breath for more. Axel showed himself out.

***

In the morning, Axel headed toward the lobby a bit earlier than usual. He staked out the corridor leading in, waiting for Roxas where Saix wouldn’t interrupt them.

Finally, Roxas came meandering in, blinking sleepily as ever.

“Hey, Roxas,” Axel called.

The younger boy immediately perked up and hurried over. “Did you find out anything about Xion?” he asked enthusiastically.

Axel nodded. “I talked to Saix.”

“Really?! What’d he say?” Roxas’s face was lit up with hope, but—

“Well… Nothing,” he faltered. “Sorry, his lips were sealed.”

He had been thinking all night about how to tell Roxas. And the conclusion he arrived at was not to tell the truth at all. If he just repeated what Saix had said to him, Roxas would only have more questions to worry about.

“Oh…” Roxas practically wilted in front of him.

Axel couldn’t stop himself from trying to alleviate the disappointment. “Well, he did say he’d take back calling her defective…if she proves herself more capable going forward.”

I guess this is one lie leading to another, he chided himself, and yet, he kept going.

“So until she wakes up, the best thing you can do is just to keep up the good work yourself.”

Roxas’s smile only made Axel’s guilt worse. And now he suspected he’d trapped himself into telling Roxas even more lies.

“I will! Thanks, Axel! That’s great!” Roxas beamed with gratitude, and he entered the lobby with a spring in his step.

“I’m sorry…,” Axel mumbled, disconsolately scratching the back of his head as Roxas walked away.

Chapter Text

Yet again, Axel found not a hint of a clue that might lead him to Riku. There was nothing, not even the vaguest rumor, and he began to think he must be somewhere beyond their reach.

So what was the point of searching aimlessly like this?

At least there was the benefit of this mission giving him a chance to help Miyu out. But even that search seemed to be getting nowhere.

He called it off early and headed to the clock tower. To his surprise, Roxas had beaten him to it. “Hey, done already?”

“Yup!” Roxas was strangely cheerful. Was it still the lie Axel had told him that morning?

Just as Axel was about to sit beside him, Roxas blurted out an explanation. “Axel, you’re not gonna believe this. I flew today.”

He was right—that did sound a little out there. Axel gave him a serious look. “You did what now?”

“I flew! Like a bird! Well, not quite like a bird. I’m not really sure how. But I did it!”

“…Sounds pretty neat,” Axel replied, though he wasn’t sure why it merited that much excitement. Maybe it was lost on him because he’d never done any flying himself. But Roxas’s expression as he tried to describe it was as bright as Axel had ever seen.

“It was better than neat. It was amazing! I’ve been waiting all day to tell you.” Roxas gazed out at the sky, as if he was imagining himself soaring off the clock tower right now. The breeze ruffled his bangs. “And it felt so familiar somehow. Like I’ve done it before… Like a good memory. Isn’t that weird?”

Like a good memory. It was the first time Axel had heard Roxas describe anything that way.

Then, as if the fever of his enthusiasm had broken, Roxas fell into another of his pensive moods. “I wish Xion would wake up, so I could tell her, too…”

***

It wasn’t long after that Xion had finally awoken and she was ready to get back out there again, wanting to join Roxas on his next mission. But they just had to persuade Saix.

They discussed it briefly and stopped their superior just outside the lobby. “Saix!”

He glanced sidelong at Xion. “Well, well. Look who’s awake.”

She faced him directly and took a deep breath. “I want to go with Roxas on his mission today. Two of us can gather more hearts, right?”

Saix seemed to consider it briefly. “You shouldn’t be up and about yet.”

That was not a reply she’d anticipated. He sounded…well, worried was the wrong word, but at least somewhat concerned for her health as a member of the Organization.

As she tried to formulate a response, Axel showed up. “Oh, hey, Xion! Finally awake.”

“Morning, Axel.” A smile came to her face when she turned to him. He would help them out.

“Roxas will team up with Axel today, as scheduled,” Saix told Xion. “I’m afraid I didn’t know you’d be available.”

Apparently, he was also relieved at Axel’s interruption.

“Let me go, too,” Xion entreated. “I could use the exercise.”

A pause turned into a silence just slightly too long.

“What’s the problem? She’ll have me looking after her, too,” Axel finally said.

Still, Saix made no reply. He and Axel appeared to be in a staring contest—and not an entirely friendly one. It made Xion nervous.

“Fine. Go, if you’re so determined.” Saix capitulated.

He retreated to his post in the lobby. The other three watched him go and exchanged glances, then broke into grins.

This would be their first mission as a trio.

***

The mission was in Twilight Town, the home of their usual spot.

“This should be fun, huh? We’re tripling up!” Xion giggled.

Roxas grinned back. “Probably for the first time in the Organization.”

“C’mon, guys. It’s a mission, not a game,” Axel chided them half-heartedly.

He was right, though. This was work.

“Yeah, yeah. Still, it’s nice to be back.”

Axel gave her another warning, seriously this time. “Just don’t push it, okay?”

“I know.” Xion nodded. “Thanks.”

She wouldn’t go too hard. If she passed out again, she’d lose everything for sure.

But that wouldn’t happen—not with both Roxas and Axel to help. If anything went badly, she knew, they would have her back.

“So the mission… Eliminate the giant Heartless of the day.” Axel rubbed the back of his neck. “It sounds like a tough one.”

“But we know it’s big. At least that makes it easy to guess where it’ll appear,” said Roxas. “I’m guessing the sandlot or the station plaza?”

“Sounds good to me,” Xion agreed.

There were some large open areas at the tram common, and in front of the haunted mansion, too, but chances were good a giant Heartless would try one of the other two places first.

“Well, let’s take it out and have ourselves some ice cream.” Roxas set off with purpose.

Xion wasn’t far behind. “Yeah, and we’re already in Twilight Town! It’ll be right there once we’re done!”

“You’re not wrong…but don’t let your guard down,” Axel told them, bringing up the rear.

“Quit being such a worrywart, Axel.”

“Maybe I could if you two would quit giving me so much to worry about,” he retorted.

Xion and Roxas exchanged a look and laughed.

“So…where are we headed first?” Axel asked.

“Station plaza,” Roxas replied.

“Any particular reason?”

“We want to be able to get back to the tram common to get ice cream, right?”

“Huh?” Axel wasn’t following.

“So we’ll start at the farthest point away from the tram common and work our way toward it. That’ll make it easier once we’re done.”

“That’s smart, Roxas!” Xion exclaimed.

“It is…?” Axel mumbled.

Axel isn’t getting it, she thought. But that doesn’t really matter. Working together as a trio, here in Twilight Town—it just makes things more fun.

But then…

It happened as soon as she stepped into the station plaza. The world…tilted.

Everything spun and swam and went dark.

What’s happening? What is this? I don’t know…

“Promise.”

Who are you?

“It’s my lucky charm. So you have to bring it back to me!”

Lucky charm…? The seashells……?

“Xion!”

That’s Roxas. I can hear his voice.

What’s happening to me?

***

Axel caught her just before she hit the ground.

“Xion!” cried Roxas—and a growl came from behind him.

That would be their target. He whirled around.

“I’ve got Xion,” Axel called to him. “You take care of that thing.”

“Right!” Roxas nodded, summoning the Keyblade to his hand as he charged the Heartless.

Once Roxas had it under control, Axel hoisted up Xion and darted toward the shelter of the station in the giant Heartless’s blind spot.

“Xion!” He called her name, gently setting her down, but she was unresponsive.

He’d been so careless.

He had no idea exactly why Xion seemed to collapse so often. But he knew that she did, so why would he let her go on a mission immediately after she started to recover?

As he berated himself, something occurred to him.

Saix kept telling him not to concern himself too deeply, but the warning could be interpreted another way: Don’t ask questions. I have no intention of divulging anything more to you about Xion.

So the only thing to do was to find answers for himself.

She stirred in his arms.

“Xion?”

An instant later, he saw Roxas deal the finishing blow to the giant Heartless. The heart it released vanished into the sky.

Then Xion uttered a weak murmur. “Sora…”

Axel stared down at her, not sure he’d heard correctly. Sora…? How did Xion know that name?

“Xion!” Roxas came running to them and peered at her anxiously.

“It’s okay. She’s not hurt,” said Axel.

“But, Axel—”

Roxas was only going to fret more. Axel stood up with her in is arms. “Let’s just get back.”

He didn’t give Roxas a moment to argue before he set off.

***

They returned to the silent halls of the vast castle. Axel was carrying Xion with Roxas glued to his side. Her face was so pale it seemed translucent—not a comforting sight.

“Did it break again? That didn’t take long.”

Only Saix would make such a callous remark. Rage surged up in Roxas, and he spun around. “Don’t call her an ‘it’!”

He was on the verge of throwing a punch, but Axel stepped in between them, still holding the unconscious Xion. He didn’t look at Saix, but he did have one thing to say.

“Keep your mouth shut.”

Roxas had never heard him speak so coldly to anyone before.

Saix made no reply.

He spent one more moment glaring daggers at Saix before following Axel out of the room.

“Axel!”

“What?”

“…Was it okay to talk to him like that?”

“Talk to him how?” Axel’s voice sounded just a bit lower than usual.

“I mean…you and Saix are usually on pretty good terms, right?”

“Not that good. But I’m not the one who was about to deck him.”

“Well, yeah, but…”

Something just felt wrong about it—Axel was putting distance between himself and Saix. Just like Xion did with him.

And not just that…

“Open the door, would you?” said Axel, stopping outside Xion’s room.

“Oh—right.” Roxas fumbled to open it, and there was her room, no different than it was this morning.

Axel set her down softly on the bed.

“Mm…,” she groaned. Maybe she wasn’t quite unconscious after all. Axel watched her carefully.

“Are you worried about her, too, Axel?”

The question slipped out before he could stop it.

Axel eyed him in mild surprise. “Of course I am.”

But his voice was still oddly low. Running into Saix had brought out a different side of him—and that side was a little scary.

“This just doesn’t seem like you,” said Roxas.

“What do you mean?”

Roxas found he couldn’t quite put the answer into words. What can I say…? “You don’t like things to be complicated.”

That was the best he could do. It wasn’t quite right, either…but he didn’t know how to describe this.

As he was trying to find the words for another attempt, Axel spoke instead. “Look, Roxas… Why do you think the three of us meet up to have ice cream every day in the same spot?”

“Huh…?” Roxas couldn’t tell where this was going.

“It’s not like I have to. If you think about it, it’s just one more chore on the pile, right?”

From that angle, it did seem like a chore. Except it wasn’t a chore—it was fun, having ice cream together after work. That was why they went to meet up. What made it so much fun, though?

“You wanna know?” Roxas quietly waited for the answer.

‘They're my best friends in the whole world. They mean everything to me. Do you have anyone like that?’ He thought back to the conversation he had with Miyu back in Arendelle. When she asked if he had anyone like that, Roxas and Xion came to mind.

“It’s because you two are my best friends.”

Axel had said before that he didn’t have a best friend, Roxas remembered. But now it’s us…?

“Got it memorized?” A smile played at the corners of Axel’s mouth. “The three of us, we’re inseparable. You’re my best friends.”

Roxas felt a grin come to his face. “Yeah… I guess we are.”

“Hee-hee.” It was Xion, awake—still lying down but laughing. “Thanks, Axel. You’re so sweet.”

Axel sheepishly scratched the back of his head.

“Feeling any better?” asked Roxas.

Xion nodded, brushing off his concern. “I just got a little dizzy. Sorry for worrying you.”

“Man, don’t scare us like that,” Axel complained.

“I’ll try not to.”

“You stay in bed, okay? Take it easy.”

“I will,” she said meekly and smiled at them. “Thanks, guys.”

Roxas and Axel glanced at each other. She might have to stay off her feet for a while, but she was okay.

***

Xion had definitely said Sora’s name. But how did she know it?

The wheels of Axel’s mind were spinning as he returned to his room.

If Xion had any memories—and if, as he suspected, she had something to do with Naminé and Kairi, the Princess of Heart—it wouldn’t be so surprising that she knew who Sora was.

But Xion certainly didn’t seem to remember anything. To hear her tell it, she had no memories whatsoever of her past, and there was no reason to think she would lie to him or Roxas.

It might mean, then, that she was regaining her missing memories. What could they possibly hold?

Now that he thought about it, Saix had mentioned that Xion came into being in Castle Oblivion. Axel hadn’t found any traces of her origin there. So far anyway. It was impossible to search every corner of that place.

To the best of his knowledge, all that remained of the Organization’s setup there was Vexen’s laboratory. And as for what they had learned in there—it was that memory was an uncertain thing.

Being Nobodies, they were at the mercy of the memories of their human lives. And in Castle Oblivion, they’d sought to rearrange a living human’s memories—those of Sora, wielder of the Keyblade. Human memories were terribly fragile, and all those pieces were liable to get mixed up and misplaced. They needed Naminé’s power to link them up in the order the Organization wanted. But there had been one other aberration to account for.

That was the Replica, the puppet Vexen had built in his lab to copy memories. The Replica absorbed memories with no assistance from Naminé, and when he did, he copied strength and ability as well. He had even stolen Zexion’s power.

A sudden realization struck Axel so forcefully that he sat up straight. What was it Saix had said?

Xion was defective… A failure not qualified to be counted among them…

A chill went up his spine. No—that couldn’t be right.

I have to find proof, Axel thought firmly. This is all speculation. Just my own stupid mind wandering. I need facts. I need the truth about Xion…

Chapter Text

Miyu strolled alongside Axel as they ventured into a new world she had never visited before. It was evident that a vibrant festival was in full swing.

Although it might not have been the most prudent decision for Axel to be in a crowded public setting while on a mission, he had a couple of reasons for bringing Miyu to this particular world on this specific day.

Firstly, he surmised that if her friends were hiding in this world, their chances of finding them would be higher during such a grand event when the entire kingdom was bustling with activity. Moreover, having witnessed her disappointment at the closed castle gates in Arendelle, he hoped that this visit would lift her spirits

Miyu wandered around with her hands behind her back as her eyes scanned the faces of everyone who passed by her. Not a single person was who she was looking for.

Amidst her search, something caught her attention.

Axel continued walking, assuming she was beside him. However, when he turned, he realized she had stopped a short distance away. "Something wrong?"

She happened to be gazing at a mural in the town center depicting the royal family of the kingdom. Citizens were lined up to offer tributes to the one they referred to as 'The Lost Princess.'

Initially unaware of Axel's inquiry, Miyu was jolted from her reverie. "O-Oh... I was just... lost in thought. It's nothing, really!"

Axel's eyes followed the direction of her gaze. "Is it about the princess?"

"Well... yeah, actually," she responded.

"I've heard she's been missing for a long time."

"The people in this world seem to miss her dearly and wish for her return, don't they?"

"Yeah, it appears so."

Miyu resumed walking, her thoughts swirling in her mind. "But how can they be certain she would even want to come back? Perhaps she left because the pressure became too overwhelming..."

He glanced at her with a hint of curiosity. "Well, based on what I know, she vanished when she was just a baby, so... I'd say the more likely scenario is that she was kidnapped."

"I see..." She walked in silence for a few moments, her head lowered. Eventually, she raised her gaze to meet his. "But... hypothetically speaking... if it were the other option, do you think they would still react this way?"

"Where is this coming from, exactly?"

Blushing, Miyu's face reddened. "Just... answer the question!"

"Fine, fine!" Axel rubbed his chin as he contemplated her query. "I suppose if she was beloved within her kingdom and simply vanished one day, it would be natural for them to hope for her safe return."

She nodded in response. "I guess that makes sense... But if she wasn't happy there, shouldn't they be glad that she found the freedom she desired?"

"I'm sure if they knew that was the reason she left, it's possible, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't miss her. But seriously, why all these peculiar questions?"

Miyu sighed softly. She and her friends had been away from their home world for years, leaving without a word to anyone. Witnessing the reaction of the people in this world to their own missing princess filled her with a profound sense of guilt for abandoning her own kingdom.

Could it be that things were similar back home?

Observing the somber expression on Miyu's face, Axel interjected, "Ah, I think I understand..."

Startled, Miyu focused her attention on him. "You do?"

"You're wondering if your friends miss you as much as you miss them."

"Uh... well..." It wasn't precisely what she had been contemplating, but she couldn't reveal her entire past to him just yet.

He smiled warmly at her. "I have no doubt in my mind that they feel the same way."

‘You’re special, Miyu… Anyone would be sad to have lost you.’ That was what he truly wanted to express. But how could he without making things awkward?

Miyu recognized that his words were his way of trying to uplift her spirits, and it was working. A smile graced her face. "Thank you, Axel..."

As they strolled along, Miyu glanced up at the sky, noticing that the sun was starting to dip below the horizon. Normally, this would be the time to conclude their search for the day. "It's almost time to head back, isn't it?" she remarked.

"Not quite," he replied, a smile gracing his lips.

"Huh? Really?"

"Yeah... There's something I'd like you to see!"

Miyu furrowed her brow in confusion. Didn't he have to return in time to meet up with his friends? "But I thought—"

"Come on, it's a festival, right? We can't leave before witnessing the main event!" he interjected, lifting a finger. Axel reckoned that Roxas and Xion wouldn't be overly concerned if he missed one evening together. This was an experience he genuinely wanted to share with Miyu. Perhaps it would shed light on the peculiar sensations that swelled within his chest whenever she was near.

Why did Miyu suddenly feel butterflies fluttering in her stomach? Was it her imagination, or was this thing he wanted to show her meant to be something special?

"I know a fantastic viewing spot! Let's go!" Axel instinctively took Miyu's hand to ensure they wouldn't lose each other amidst the bustling crowd. He guided her toward the bridge.

In that instant he clasped her hand, Miyu's heart raced, her pulse quickening.

***

The sky had gradually darkened, signaling the imminent commencement of the event. Miyu remained clueless about what awaited them, but judging by Axel's demeanor, she sensed that it would be something truly delightful.

Axel stood beside her, his tall frame leaning against the bridge railing, his elbows resting upon it. His gaze fixated on the castle ahead. When he spotted the first pair of lights emerging from the castle, he pointed excitedly. "There! Can you see it?"

Miyu followed his direction and beheld the enchanting sight of two dancing lights in the sky. They appeared to be graceful paper lanterns. "Oh, yes! I see them!" she exclaimed. Yet, she couldn't help but wonder if there was more to this experience that Axel wanted to share with her.

Before she could inquire further, she turned around to find themselves encircled by a multitude of lanterns, ascending into the night sky. The once dim town now glimmered softly, bathed in the flickering radiance of the lanterns. They floated, twirling and reflecting off one another, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.

As Miyu observed this magical scene unfolding around them, Axel's gaze shifted to her face. She appeared completely captivated by the floating lights. The pure joy shining in her eyes, her exuberant leaps and laughter, her near misses as she reached out for a passing lantern, only for it to be whisked away by the wind above her head—every moment delighted him. Her smile, her giggles, the way she spun to admire the view from different angles on the bridge and then dashed back, her features bathed in the soft glow...

Seeing her like this stirred something within him, a feeling he had never experienced before.

Finally, Miyu managed to catch one of the lanterns that drew near. "Axel, look!" she gleefully exclaimed, turning around to show him.

And that was when she caught him staring at her with a smile gracing his lips. She felt her cheeks burning a bright shade of red and she immediately hid her face behind the lantern as she showed it to him. But while she was hiding her face, a big smile started to form on her lips.

Heat surged to Axel’s cheeks, and he quickly averted his gaze, rubbing the side of his head in embarrassment. Could it be possible that these inexplicable feelings he experienced were indeed affection for Miyu? How could he fall for someone when he lacked a heart?

Feeling self-conscious, he spoke awkwardly, no longer looking in her direction as his mind raced with unanswered questions. "You're...supposed to release it into the air, you know..."

"Yeah... I know," Miyu replied, still hiding her face behind the lantern, wrestling with her own uncertainties. Letting it go would reveal just how much she was blushing.

Perhaps... perhaps he needed to confess his feelings. By verbalizing them, he might dispel the notion that they were mere illusions. Maybe he could convince himself that what he felt was undeniably real, not a figment of his imagination.

Only a few days ago, Roxas had asked him about love, affirming its profound power.

Could it be that love was potent enough to impact even someone like him?

Taking a deep breath, Axel mustered his courage. "Hey, Miyu?"

At long last, she lowered the lantern from her face, releasing it into the air alongside the others. "Yeah? What is it?"

"I just... well, I wanted to tell you—"

But before he could articulate his thoughts, the surrounding crowd erupted in cheers, marking the conclusion of the ceremony. Miyu glanced around as the lights dimmed and the town returned to darkness.

It was as if the magic had disappeared.

"Uh... never mind," Axel uttered, his voice tinged with disappointment. Miyu swiftly turned away from the waning lights, refocusing her attention on him. His gaze no longer met hers; instead, it was fixed upon the water below, distant and contemplative, as if lost in profound contemplation.

What was he about to say? Why did he retract his words so swiftly? She didn't understand.

‘It's just not possible. These emotions aren't real. I can't toy with her heart by pretending to love her.’

"We've been out quite late tonight. Perhaps we should head back now," Axel stated with a defeated sigh.

Miyu nodded in resignation. "Yeah, I suppose you're right."

***

Atop the clock tower, Xion absently took a bite of ice cream. Today’s mission had been another easy one.

“Hey, you’re early,” she heard Roxas say.

She turned to greet him. “My mission wasn’t very hard.”

As usual, Roxas circled around behind her and plopped down. “How’re you feeling?”

“I’m okay now. I think.”

“Glad to hear it.” Roxas grinned and took a bite of ice cream. Side by side, they enjoyed the cold, salty-sweet flavor.

“Where’s Axel?” he asked.

“He hasn’t come by yet.”

The tower’s bells rang. Before long the sun would sink below the distant hills. Usually, Axel showed up earlier than this.

“It’s getting kind of late,” said Xion. “Maybe he’s not coming today.”

“Why don’t we wait a little longer?”

“Okay.” She nodded.

If the three of them never had ice cream together like this, Xion thought, she probably would have been turned into a Dusk by now. She wouldn’t be here at all.

It was thanks to Roxas that she’d regained the use of her Keyblade, and Axel had talked to Saix on her behalf, too. They’d both helped her when she collapsed again. They were always taking care of her.

Xion let out a tiny sigh. “You and Axel are always there for me.”

“Aw, I don’t do anything special,” said Roxas. “Axel’s the one who sticks up for us with Saix.”

That’s not true, Xion wanted to say, but she kept it to herself. Roxas would just deny it again.

“I’m just glad you both are in the Organization, too,” she told him instead.

They gazed at the sunset.

“I wish Axel would come,” Roxas murmured.

Chapter Text

It was nice to have some time with just Roxas. The two of them had just finished a mission together in Neverland, where a small pixie gave them the ability to fly.

Holding an ice cream bar, Axel sat laughing with Roxas atop the clock tower.

“You think that sparkly dust would work in other worlds?” Roxas wondered.

“I dunno about that…”

Flying was quite an experience. Now he understood why it had Roxas so thrilled. It also gave him an idea for exactly where to take Miyu next…

“Wow, you guys are early.”

“Hey, Xion! Where’ve you been?”

While Roxas shouted with delight to see Xion, Axel automatically found something else to look at. It made him nervous.

“Sorry I’m so late.” Xion took her perch beside Roxas. “I had my hands full today.”

“Okay—I have to tell you!” Roxas crowed, still full of glee. “Today me and Axel were flying! Like, actually flying! All you need is this sparkly dust!”

Xion let out a tiny sigh. “I was wondering why you two looked so happy. Lucky…”

“You can come next time. That world has this beautiful sea…”

“Really…?” Xion murmured, looking down at the rooftops. “I’ve been to a world with a beach before. It was so pretty. Destiny Islands, it’s called…”

“Isn’t the ocean nice? I love listening to the waves.”

“Yeah, it is.”

Roxas was still riding high on the excitement. Axel, on the other hand was lost in his own thoughts.

“Um, I’m not…being a third wheel, am I?” asked Xion.

“What?” Roxas was taken aback. “Xion, you’re our friend!”

Xion hung her head.

Roxas and Axel both noticed that something was off, casting a pall over them.

“Hey, Axel…,” Xion murmured timidly.

“Yeah?”

“You were at Castle Oblivion, right?”

Whatever Axel had expected her to say, it wasn’t that.

What do you know? was on the tip of his tongue, but he only nodded.

“What’s it like there?” she asked.

“Just an Organization research facility,” Axel replied, perfectly honest.

Her expression was dubious.

“Research, huh…? Seems like everyone gets sent there all the time,” Roxas said, trying to help her out. “Especially you, Axel.”

“They never send me or Roxas. We’ve never been,” Xion pointed out.

“Probably because they don’t need you there,” Axel said without missing a beat.

Silence fell between them again.

The bells chimed. Taking it as a cue, Xion stood up. “I have to get going.”

“Huh?” said Roxas in dismay.

But then—Xion staggered.

She lost her footing and slipped from the clock tower’s ledge.

“Xion!” Roxas lunged for her hand.

Roxas grasped Xion’s hand and held on with all his might, and Axel in turn grabbed hold of him.

“Are you okay?!” cried Roxas.

“I think so…,” she squeaked, suspended by only one hand high above the ground.

Somehow, they hauled her back onto the ledge. Roxas had to catch his breath. “Are you sure you’re feeling all right? Maybe you need to rest more.”

“No… That’s not the problem.” Sitting down again, Xion looked away from Roxas’s anxious stare.

“Hey, I know!” Axel blurted.

“Huh? You know what?” said Roxas.

Axel grinned at them. “Next time we get a day off, let’s go to the beach.”

“The beach? Where did this come from…?” Xion mumbled at her lap.

“Well, don’t you want to go do something together for a change?”

Axel didn’t often propose outings like that. He must have felt the urge to cheer up Xion somehow, Roxas thought, and then he brightened, too. “So it’ll be a vacation with friends?”

“Bingo!” Axel replied in kind.

Now he sounded just as cheerful as he had before Xion had arrived. I wish she’d been here for that part, too, Roxas thought.

“I’d like to join you…if I can make it.” Xion’s voice came out so small.

“Of course you can, Xion!” Roxas told her firmly.

“You’ll have a blast, trust me,” Axel added.

She looked up at them with a hint of a smile. “Okay…sure. Let’s do it.”

As she finally agreed, Roxas and Axel exchanged a glance.

“So for beach snacks…,” Axel thought aloud.

“It’s gotta be pretzels,” Roxas finished.

“Watermelon, too, right?” said Xion.

The three of them looked at one another and laughed in the light of the setting sun, just like always.

***

“Get up.”

“Just five more minutes…,” Axel mumbled.

“No. Get up—now.” The voice was distinctly annoyed.

Axel relented and opened his eyes. “What are you even doing in here?”

Saix was standing next to his bed, as irritated as one might have guessed from his voice. Axel hadn’t been so rudely awakened since before turning into a Nobody.

“Xion ran away.”

Axel sat up. “Ran away…?”

Meaning she had deserted Organization XIII.

Xion… He climbed out of bed and started to freshen up. 

“You seem to be wide awake now,” Saix remarked.

Axel leaned back and stretched. “I’m guessing you’re gonna tell me to go find her.”

“Good guess. Xion is probably heading to Castle Oblivion.”

“…What?”

“Of the two of us, I imagine you must know Xion better by now. Weren’t you investigating?”

Axel was stunned into silence.

“What Xion does has no impact on the Organization,” Saix went on. “But we can’t have her poking around there. You’re to go and destroy them. That is my only order; I leave the rest to your discretion.”

Axel nodded and left his room.

He was supposed to meet up with Miyu again today… It wasn’t like he could tell her what was going on, or even let her tag along this time. Hopefully she wouldn’t be too upset with him for not showing up.

***

Miyu woke up early that morning, eager to prepare herself for the day ahead. Another day spent with Axel awaited her, and she couldn't contain her excitement. It had been a few days since their last search for her friends, but today was the day they had agreed to meet.

Ever since that memorable night in the Kingdom of Corona, Miyu couldn't stop thinking about Axel. There was a certain look in his eyes that had left an indelible impression on her. She could sense that there was something special between them.

As she carefully tied a ribbon in her hair, she gazed at her reflection in the mirror and smiled. Her feelings for Axel had grown stronger, and she acknowledged them wholeheartedly. True, there were still many things she didn't know about him, but she couldn't deny the depth of her emotions.

Axel stood out from the people she knew back home. He treated her as an ordinary person, and that brought her immense joy. Granted, part of it was due to his lack of knowledge about her royal status, but even so, it meant a lot to her.

She waited at their designated meeting spot for a considerable amount of time, but it seemed as though Axel might be running late. Miyu glanced at the clock tower, checking the time. He usually arrived by now...

A twinge of worry crept into her mind. Had something happened?

Chapter Text

Xion’s head ached as she took in the sight of the strange castle.

No…it felt like someone was calling to her, echoing inside her head.

She was afraid to open the tall, heavy doors. She was afraid of what she would find beyond them. But she slowly pushed them open.

Inside, the walls of cold white marble reminded her of the Castle That Never Was. And yet, the air felt different somehow.

She made it to the middle of the entrance hall before a flare of pain in her head brought her to her knees.

But the answers I want must be here…if I can just keep going…

Then she heard something—footsteps. Behind her, she saw the familiar flaming hair of her dear friend.

“Axel… What are you doing here?”

Looking down at Xion, he scratched his head uncertainly. “I had orders, that’s all. I don’t know what you thought you’d find in an empty place like this.”

“Don’t lie to me!” Xion cried. “I know this is where I come from! The answers are here.”

Axel shook his head, unruffled by her shouts. “You can’t just throw orders to the wind.”

“Or else what? They’ll turn me into a Dusk?”

“Worse than that. They’ll skip right to destroying you.”

He said it like he didn’t care, and something in her chest ached. Xion looked at the cold white floor. “Because I’m useless?”

“I didn’t say that.” Axel shook his head again and took her arm, pulling her to her feet. “Just go home, Xion.”

This time she shook her head. What should she do? Wouldn’t Axel understand, if she told him?

She didn’t know how to put it into words, though. Nothing sounded right. But still, she tried. “I’m remembering things. About who I was as a human.”

“Well, stop remembering. Nothing good will come of it.”

She’d just put all her effort into explaining, and all he did was shoot her down. “I’ve been having dreams every night! You’re in them, too, Axel!”

“Then they sure aren’t memories. How could I be part of your past? Use your head, Xion.”

Why wouldn’t he listen?

“You can’t fool me!” Xion shouted. “We’ve met before, Axel, right here in this castle!”

“No, we haven’t.” Axel put his hands on her shoulders to peer into her eyes. “Xion, just go back. Roxas is gonna be wondering where you are.”

“Axel, please—just listen to me! I need to know who I am!” She wriggled away from his patronizing attempts. She had to know.

So she ran.

“Xion, don’t! Stay out of there!”

He started to chase her, but Xion opened the door at the end of the hall. Through there…was a room created by her “memories.”

And someone was blocking Axel’s path—another young man in a black cloak.

Riku.

As Xion closed the door, Riku stared steadily at Axel.

Or he faced Axel anyway. His eyes were covered by a strip of black fabric.

“…Riku,” Axel muttered, readying his chakrams.

It hadn’t quite been a year since Axel had last seen him, and yet, Riku had grown into a completely different person.

“Let her go,” said Riku.

“What do you know about Xion?” Axel demanded.

“Xion? Is that her name? …Anyway, I don’t want to fight you.”

“Then maybe you should get out of the way!” Axel hurled his chakrams.

Riku smoothly dodged. “Like I said, I don’t want to fight.”

“What do you want with Xion?”

Without answering the question, Riku vanished into a dark portal without a trace.

***

Despite Axel's absence the previous day, Miyu made sure to be ready and waiting on the bench where they usually met, just in case he showed up. She spent most of the day waiting, only leaving briefly to grab a meal before returning to the same spot. With a sigh, she leaned back against the bench, her eyes scanning each passerby.

While she waited for Axel, a small glimmer of hope remained within her that her friends would appear first. If they reunited, she wouldn't need Axel's assistance anymore. But then, the thought of never seeing him again unsettled her. There was a part of her that wasn't ready to say goodbye.

Miyu shook her head, dismissing these conflicting thoughts, and shifted her gaze upward to the sky. Did finding her friends mean losing Axel? Would she have to prolong her search for them in order to spend more time with him? Was there a possibility of having both in her life?

The question of whether Axel considered them friends lingered in her mind. Did he value their connection as much as she did?

Almost as if summoned by her thoughts, Miyu heard Axel's familiar voice. She perked up and turned to see him taking a seat beside her. "Oh, good, you're here," he said.

Relieved, she sat up straight to face him. "Axel... I was starting to wonder if you forgot about me."

"Forget? Nah..." Axel reached into his pocket and retrieved two wrapped ice cream bars, handing one to Miyu. He had planned to give the other to Roxas if she hadn't been there, but he was glad to share it with her after letting her down the day before.

Grateful, Miyu accepted the ice cream, a small smile playing on her lips. She couldn't help but wonder why she wasn't upset. Axel had failed to show up yesterday, and she had waited for hours today. Yet, a strange sense of calmness washed over her, almost like a weight had been lifted.

"What happened yesterday? You never showed up," she asked, genuine concern in her voice.

Axel tore open his ice cream wrapper and tossed it into the nearby bin before sighing. "I'm sorry about that. There was... a bit of an emergency with one of my friends."

"An emergency?" Miyu gasped. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah," Axel replied, concealing the truth about Xion's absence. He knew that Miyu had her own friends to worry about, and he didn't want to burden her further. "Anyway, I came to apologize yesterday, but by the time I made it back, you must have already left."

Miyu's expression softened as she listened. "It's alright, Axel. I'm just glad you're here now." She meant it. The fact that he had taken the time to come and apologize, despite the circumstances, meant a lot to her. Deep down, she knew that their bond was genuine, and she couldn't stay mad at him for long.

Axel nodded, appreciating her understanding. "I promise I won't let you down again."

As they sat there, enjoying their ice cream together, Miyu felt a sense of reassurance. Maybe their friendship was strong enough to weather any challenges that came their way. And just maybe, their connection could grow into something even more profound.

Miyu took a bite of her ice cream, savoring the sweetness while her mind raced with thoughts. She couldn't deny the growing crush she had on Axel, but she was afraid to express her feelings. What if it scared him away or made things awkward between them? After all, he was her guide in finding her lost friends, and she didn't want to jeopardize that.

As they sat together, enjoying the cool breeze, Miyu chose to break the silence. "Axel, do you think we're getting closer to finding my friends?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Axel glanced at her, his eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and uncertainty. "Yeah, I think we're making progress, slowly but surely," he replied. "But finding them isn't going to be easy. We need to stay focused."

She nodded, her heart pounding with anticipation. "I understand. I'm grateful for all your help. I couldn't have come this far without you."

Her heart swelled with gratitude, but she couldn't help the pang of sadness that accompanied her happiness. She wanted to tell Axel how much he meant to her, but the fear of rejection held her back. She didn't want to risk losing the friendship they had built.

Unbeknownst to Miyu, Axel struggled with similar thoughts. He longed to express the affection he harbored for her, to let her know that her presence had brought a flicker of light into his otherwise shadowed existence. But doubt gnawed at him, whispering that his emotions were mere imitations, empty echoes of what it truly meant to feel.

As they continued their conversation, discussing the worlds they had yet to explore, their words were laced with unspoken sentiments. Each passing moment only deepened their connection, strengthening the invisible thread that bound their hearts.

Miyu cast occasional glances at Axel, admiring the way his hair caught the sunlight, the subtle warmth in his gaze when he looked her way. She wished she could find the courage to confess, to let him know how her feelings for him had blossomed. But for now, she would treasure these moments and keep her emotions hidden, lest they scare him away.

Axel, too, cherished their time together. He cherished the way Miyu's laughter could chase away the shadows, the way her smile illuminated his world. But he convinced himself that his emotions were hollow, manufactured, a mere illusion of what he yearned for.

Unbeknownst to both, their hearts were entwined in a dance of emotions, hesitant steps taken in unison. They couldn't predict what the future held, but for now, they would continue their search, guided by a friendship that held the potential for so much more. And maybe, just maybe, their hearts would find their way, dispelling the doubts that plagued them.

***

“Hey, you’re early,” Axel said as he arrived to the clock tower after apologizing to Miyu for ditching her the day before.

Roxas turned with a grin. “No, you’re just late.”

Axel smiled, though only faintly, and sat down beside him. The sinking sun drenched them in light.

“Today makes two hundred fifty-five…,” Roxas murmured.

Axel cocked his head at him. “What’s that about?”

“It’s been that many days since I joined the Organization. Man, time flies.”

“Got the number memorized, do you?”

“Yeah. Have to hang on to something, right? It’s not like I have memories from before the Organization. Don’t you remember? I acted like a zombie.”

In fact, Roxas knew how many days it had been because he’d been rereading all his reports.

Axel stared at him as if trying to figure something out and then grinned. “Right, that first week you could barely form a sentence. But come on, you’re still kind of a zombie.”

“Oh, thanks!” Roxas huffed, and they laughed.

Then they fell quiet and watched the sunset.

Sitting in silence with anyone else would be unbearably awkward, Roxas thought, but with Axel and Xion, he didn’t mind. It was nice, actually, sitting side by side and not saying anything. Because they were inseparable. It gave him the feeling that whether they were together or not, whether they talked or not, everything would be fine.

“Hey, Roxas…”

“Hmm?”

Axel’s face was lined with the sunset’s glow, his red hair shining crimson.

“Bet you don't know why the sun sets red.” He eyed Roxas mischievously. “You see, light is made up of lots of colors. And out of all those colors, red is the one that travels the farthest.”

He finished with a boastful grin.

“Like I asked! Know-it-all,” Roxas retorted, and Axel let out a low laugh.

Axel wasn’t quite himself today, though Roxas couldn’t have said exactly what had changed about him. Still, it wasn’t a bad thing. Roxas laughed, too.

He hoped Xion would get here soon.

“Seriously, where is she?” Roxas thought aloud.

“Roxas… I’m not sure she’s gonna show today,” said Axel.

That was alarming. “Did she collapse again?”

Xion hadn’t looked well for a while. What was wrong with her…?

“…Oh, didn’t you hear?” said Axel. “She got sent on a really important mission. Pretty cool, huh?”

The way he said it didn’t quite sound natural. Like maybe he was trying to keep Roxas from worrying.

“Oh…” Roxas sighed. “So when’s she coming back?”

“Well, I guess that depends on how well she does her job, right?”

“Fair enough…” Roxas looked out at the red sky and bit into his ice cream. “I hope we get a day off soon…so the three of us can go to the beach.”

They’d promised her, after all.

The last rays of the sun cast him in their brilliant red hues.

Chapter Text

Roxas sat in his usual seat in the Round Room, waiting for Xemnas’s arrival. Nearly half of the other twelve seats were empty. Axel’s arms were folded sullenly. Xion wasn’t here yet.

It occurred to Roxas that there was no seat for Xion. Maybe she would take one of the empty ones. Whose would she inherit?

The air trembled, and Xemnas appeared.

But Xion still isn’t here, Roxas thought.

Xemnas was already speaking. “Xion is gone.”

Roxas stared at him in shock. The other members of the Organization looked startled as well.

But…what happened to Xion?

“What?! Whoa, whoa, time out…” Demyx hunched his shoulders. “You mean she, like, flew the coop?”

“Preposterous,” said Xaldin. “What would drive her to choose her own demise?”

Xion would never desert. She must have some other reason. Or what if she met the impostor in the Organization cloak again and something happened to her…?

What then…? The thoughts spun in Roxas’s mind, dizzying.

Xemnas interrupted them. “No one is to go looking for Xion.”

“Why not?!” Roxas was immediately on the defensive. But why wouldn’t they want to find Xion?

Xemnas briefly glanced at him but offered no answers.

Saix spoke instead. “Your ‘friend’ will be left alone. Or would you rather we find some punishment?”

“I’d rather you get her back!” Roxas shouted.

“And why would we do that?” Saix challenged.

Roxas didn’t know how to answer that cold, flat question.

He just wanted things to keep being the way they were. But Saix wouldn’t understand that.

As Roxas hesitated, Xemnas turned to him slowly, almost admonishing. “All will be revealed when the time comes.”

Axel finally stopped sulking with his arms crossed and looked up. “Which means, if the time doesn’t come, things can stay as they are.”

Saix glared at him. “Lord Xemnas has spoken. Obey or face your end.”

After Saix’s warning on his behalf, Xemnas vanished from the room. The others followed suit.

Soon, only Roxas and Axel remained.

“Axel…?”

“Time to get to work.”

Roxas tried to bring up the question of Xion, but Axel promptly cut him off and disappeared in a swirl of darkness.

Why did the others think this was okay…?

Xion had been out of sorts for a while now. But now that he thought about it…so had Axel.

Roxas was starting to suspect everyone else knew something about Xion that he didn’t.

He slumped, staring at the middle of the floor. That was where he’d first seen Xion.

He tried to remember the look in her eyes back then, but he couldn’t. It felt like so long ago.

Roxas took a breath and let it out in a sigh before he created a portal back to his room. Axel must have done the same.

***

He would have to make up his mind soon.

Staring absently at the setting sun, Axel bit into his ice cream.

What should he do? What did he want to do?

It seemed he’d been thinking about nothing else for ages.

A replica, a manufactured puppet…and a Nobody, a being that shouldn’t exist. Axel heaved a sigh and wondered if there was really much of a difference.

Nobodies had no hearts. What they had was self-awareness, a sentience guided by memory. But Axel had come to wonder lately—if memory directed all their actions, was that really limited to the memories from their human lives? Wouldn’t they be swayed by memories of the day before—even minutes ago?

Memories from when they were human were just more vivid.

What do I want to do?

And what am I supposed to do?

He wasn’t sure that bringing Xion back to the Organization would be good for her. Although when he was sitting here eating ice cream, the answer seemed perfectly clear.

And here came proof positive.

“Hey… It’s been a while.” Roxas sounded surprised to see him.

Axel turned with a grin. “You think so?”

But Roxas didn’t have a smile in him. Axel shouldn’t have expected one.

Roxas sat down beside Axel as usual. “I got to go to the beach for my mission today,” he said, pausing for a bite of ice cream. “And there was this girl who looked kind of like Xion…”

Axel peered at him. There was something hazy about his eyes.

“But I couldn’t get close enough to tell for sure. I probably imagined it. To be honest, I’m not even sure today’s mission really happened…” Roxas took another bite of ice cream. “I feel like I just woke up from a dream or something.”

Apparently, Xion’s disappearance was deeply affecting Roxas. He kept rambling without looking at Axel.

“You know how we promised one another we’d all go to the beach?”

“Uh-huh.”

“I felt like she was there today. But…maybe just because I wanted her to be there.” Roxas looked unwaveringly toward the sinking sun.

I do have to make up my mind, huh? Axel thought. Right about now.

He dragged himself to his feet and stretched. “You wanna go look for her?”

“Huh?” Roxas finally looked at him. “But Xemnas said—”

Axel grinned. “Forget him. Starting tomorrow, let’s use our spare time between work and coming here to try and find Xion.”

“Okay… Yeah, it’s a deal!” Roxas nodded and stood to face him—and smiled.

Maybe we will get to go to the beach together one day. Roxas’s smile had ignited hope in Axel’s mind, and he rejected the doubts that followed. Instead, he chose to watch the sunset.

***

They assigned Axel the same mission once again: track down the imposter, Riku. It had been an ongoing task for him, and he couldn't help but hope that they would also give him the additional objective of searching for Xion. However, to his relief or disappointment, Saix had not issued such an order. As usual, Axel brought Miyu along, hoping they could make progress in finding her missing friends.

This time, Axel and Miyu found themselves in the enchanting realm of Neverland, surrounded by verdant foliage and the distant sound of crashing waves. Having visited this place recently with Roxas, Axel couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement at the prospect of soaring through the skies once again, this time with Miyu by his side.

Miyu glanced at Axel and noticed the determination etched on his face. He seemed to be searching for something or someone in particular.

"I know she's around here somewhere..." Axel muttered under his breath.

Perplexed, Miyu tilted her head and inquired, "Who...?"

"A little fairy, I think," he responded.

His words only served to deepen Miyu's confusion, but she decided not to question him further. If Axel had an idea that could aid her in finding her missing friends, she would trust his judgment without hesitation.

After some time spent searching, Axel finally located Tinkerbell and discreetly beckoned her aside. "Listen, I need your assistance. Can you provide us with some of that magical pixie dust so we can fly?"

Tinkerbell crossed her arms and pouted, her wings fluttering in annoyance.

"Oh, come on! Don't be like this! It's not even for me; it's for... um, my... friend," Axel stammered, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.

Tinkerbell fluttered to the side, casting a skeptical glance over Axel's shoulder at Miyu. She then turned back to Axel, rolling her eyes with a mischievous grin that seemed to imply, 'Oh, I understand perfectly. You have feelings for this girl.'

Axel blushed, flustered by the implication. "I-It's not like that!"

Sighing, he shook his head and continued, "Look, I'm trying to help her find her missing friends. If we can fly using your pixie dust, it'll increase our chances of locating them."

The mischievous grin remained on Tinkerbell's face as she nodded in understanding, still convinced of her assumption about their relationship, causing Axel to groan in frustration.

Without hesitation, Tinkerbell flew over to Miyu, who gasped in surprise. "Oh! Hello there! You must be the one Axel was searching for."

The fairy fluttered around Miyu, sprinkling her with pixie dust, before returning to Axel with an air of pride.

"Now it's my turn," Axel declared, stepping forward and extending his hand towards Tinkerbell. His eyes gleamed with determination as he met the pixie's gaze.

Tinkerbell hesitated for a moment, scrutinizing Axel's face intently, as if trying to discern his true intentions.

Opening his eyes wide, Axel realized she was wavering in her decision to help him. "Come on! This means the world to Miyu, and I want to give her the best chance of finding her friends. Flying will enable us to cover more ground and search more efficiently."

Tinkerbell's mischievous smile widened, and she finally flew around Axel, showering him in a cascade of shimmering pixie dust. A tingling sensation spread throughout his body, and suddenly, his feet lifted off the ground. He hovered in mid-air, his heart filled with exhilaration.

Miyu watched in awe as Axel floated effortlessly above her, his fiery red hair flickering in the breeze. She couldn't help but admire the unwavering determination etched on his face, his unwavering commitment to helping her. As Tinkerbell's magic worked its wonders, she couldn't contain her excitement any longer.

"Wow, Axel! We can fly! This is incredible!"

Axel chuckled, his gaze locking with Miyu's. "Yeah, it's pretty amazing, huh? Now we can search Neverland from above and cover more ground. Let's find your friends."

As they took to the skies, their bodies floating among the clouds, Axel couldn't deny the rush of emotions coursing through him. The wind whispered secrets in his ear, reminding him of his own vanished friend, Xion, and the uncertainty that surrounded her disappearance.

In this moment, he couldn't help but draw parallels between his own quest for answers and Miyu's search for her friends. The empathy he felt for her grew stronger, and a newfound understanding blossomed within him.

Yet, amidst the exhilaration of flight, Axel couldn't shake the nagging doubts in the depths of his being. He knew he didn't possess a heart, or at least not in the way that humans did. Were his feelings genuine, or were they merely a reflection of the bonds he had forged with Roxas and Xion?

But as he looked at Miyu, her eyes sparkling with hope, he realized that it didn't matter. Whether his emotions were born from a heart or not, his desire to protect and support her was real. And in that realization, he found solace, pushing aside the uncertainties that threatened to cloud his thoughts.

Together, Axel and Miyu soared through the skies of Neverland, their hearts united in a common purpose. As they searched for her lost friends, they formed a bond that transcended the boundaries of their individual journeys.

As Axel and Miyu soared through the skies of Neverland, they scoured the vast expanse below, their eyes darting from one island to another, searching for any sign of Miyu's missing friends. They had been flying for what felt like hours, their determination unwavering, but the reality of the search began to weigh heavily on them.

Miyu's brows furrowed with worry, and she let out a sigh of frustration. "We've been looking for so long, but we still haven't found any trace of them. What if we can't find them?"

Axel's expression softened as he glanced over at Miyu, understanding her concern. He gently guided their flight towards a nearby beach, a secluded spot where they could rest and regroup. Landing gracefully on the sandy shore, they both touched down, their feet sinking into the warm grains beneath them.

Sitting down, Miyu let out a weary sigh and stared out at the shimmering turquoise waters before them. Axel joined her, his presence offering silent comfort. He reached out a hand, lightly squeezing her shoulder.

"I know it's frustrating, but we'll find them. Don't give up. Sometimes, taking a break and allowing our minds to rest can help us see things more clearly."

Miyu nodded, her gaze lingering on the horizon. "You're right... We've come this far, and I can't lose hope now. My friends are out there somewhere, and I won't stop until I find them."

They sat in silence for a moment, the gentle sound of the waves crashing against the shore filling the air. It was a moment of respite, a chance for them to catch their breath and gather their thoughts.

Axel looked out over Neverland’s ocean and leaned back, stretching. Along with Miyu’s friends, he couldn’t sense any trace of Riku or Xion here, either.

What did the Organization intend to do about Xion? Were they going to let her wander freely until she led them to the Keyblade master? Or…did they actually know where she was?

But if they did, they wouldn’t have Axel looking for Riku.

He hadn’t breathed a word to Saix that Xion was probably with Riku. But he couldn’t have said why he was keeping his suspicions to himself.

But that had allowed him to suggest looking for her with Roxas. It was a choice, a resolution toward a certain path, and it was also…what?

Friendship?

Axel made a wry grimace at the word. His doubts still remained, and he agonized over what would be the best course of action.

Would he ever find the answer?

Chapter Text

Roxas and Axel sat side by side, watching the sunset, in their usual spot on Twilight Town’s clock tower.

“It’s no use.” Roxas sighed. “We’re never gonna find her.”

They’d been to world after world searching for Xion with not even the faintest clue to show for it.

“Isn’t there somewhere you haven’t looked yet?” asked Axel.

“I’ve been everywhere I know how to get to.” Roxas stared down at the toes of his boots.

If there’s some other place I haven’t tried…it would have to be somewhere I’ve never been before. But somewhere Xion might know…

Then maybe—

Roxas said it as soon as it crossed his mind. “The only place I haven’t looked is Castle Oblivion.”

He stared at Axel until their gazes met.

That had to be it. He could recall Xion saying something about Castle Oblivion. Why had he forgotten until just now? Roxas kept thinking aloud. “Xion was asking about it, remember?”

Axel’s eyebrows twitched downward.

“And the day before she disappeared, you said she was put on an important mission,” Roxas went on. “When you go on those important missions, it’s to Castle Oblivion, right? So maybe Xion is—”

“Look, the place has been cleared out, man,” Axel interrupted, trying to derail this train of thought. “There’s nothing there.”

But still— Roxas couldn’t let the idea go.

“You know…that’s where she comes from. Castle Oblivion.”

“What? Really?” Roxas spluttered in surprise.

“That’s probably why she was asking about it,” Axel added.

“I had no idea…” Roxas slumped. Xion had never told him that.

And Axel hadn’t mentioned it before, either…

“Hey, neither did I,” said Axel. “I only found out about it a little while ago myself.”

“Castle Oblivion…,” Roxas murmured distantly. When had Xion discovered her origins there? She had no memory of her past, like him.

And their memories of the time right after becoming Nobodies were fuzzy, too. So maybe Xion wanted to know more about that strange, uncertain time for herself. But they had never discussed it.

Maybe Xion was struggling with something on her own.

Friends were supposed to help each other out when they were in trouble. But Roxas couldn’t do anything for her. He hung his head in the sunset’s glow.

***

Axel flopped over in his bed and stared at the ceiling. There was still some time before he had to head to the Grey Area.

He had lied to Roxas yesterday. Although it wasn’t the first time.

A single white lie had led to another, and even when he told the truth, he was trapped in the web of falsehoods. Had it really been necessary to tell Roxas about Xion’s origins in Castle Oblivion? 

He was regretting it now.

But he didn’t want to lie to Roxas. That feeling had been real, too. Almost like he had a heart…

He was still lying—well, lying by omission. He couldn’t tell Roxas the whole truth about Xion now. Actually, he was pretty sure he should never tell him.

Axel clung to the faint hope that keeping the truth to himself would allow both Roxas and Xion to keep existing.

Allow them to exist. Ha. Nobodies weren’t even supposed to exist in the first place. It was right there in the name—nobody, nonexistent. So why did he keep thinking about it?

Xion, Castle Oblivion…and Riku.

That castle was a very particular place. If he went there with Roxas, they might discover something.

Axel clambered out of bed. He got the feeling nothing would change if he didn’t make some kind of move.

Just like one lie led to another and another.

If he was going to bring Roxas to Castle Oblivion, a reason would help. Like a fierce enemy appearing there.

An enemy like the Organization impostor. Like Riku.

***

Miyu sat alone on the familiar bench outside of the sweets shop, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon. The minutes turned into an hour, and still, there was no sign of Axel. It wasn't the first time he had failed to show up for their planned meeting. The previous time, he had offered an explanation, citing an emergency involving one of his friends. But now, as the days stretched into weeks, Miyu couldn't help but worry about him.

Her thoughts swirled within her mind, a mix of concern and uncertainty. What was happening in Axel's life when he wasn't by her side? He had always been mysterious, revealing fragments of himself but never fully opening up.

The absence of his presence gnawed at her, reminding her of the complexities of their friendship. Axel had become a pillar of support, a confidant she relied on during her search for her missing friends. They had shared laughter, tears, and moments of understanding. And yet, there were still aspects of his life that remained shrouded in secrecy.

The worry for his well-being intensified with each passing day. Miyu couldn't help but imagine the worst-case scenarios, envisioning Axel caught in battles against formidable foes or navigating treacherous worlds on his own. The weight of her concern settled heavily upon her shoulders, intertwining with the lingering sense of longing for their shared adventures. 

Maybe, she thought, he had his reasons for staying away. Reasons he couldn't divulge, burdens he carried silently within himself. Maybe there were battles he fought alone, battles that demanded his attention and kept him from their meetings.

With a heavy sigh, Miyu leaned back against the bench, her gaze fixed on the darkening sky. It was during these moments of solitude that the doubts and fears crept in, reminding her of the daunting task before her. The search for her friends felt like an endless labyrinth, each twist and turn leading to more questions than answers. 

She yearned for their presence, for the warmth of their friendship that had once enveloped her. Memories of their shared dreams and aspirations flooded her mind, reminding her of the strength they derived from each other's presence. They were a trio, a force to be reckoned with, and yet now they were separated, their bond weakened by the vast expanse that separated them.

Miyu's heart ached for the conversations left unfinished, the laughter left unshared, and the moments of understanding that had become distant echoes in her memory. She hated how time seemed to drag on, prolonging their separation, teasing her with the hope of their eventual reunion.

Fate had played a cruel hand, tearing them apart and scattering them across different worlds. The days turned into weeks, which turned into months, and now, nearing a whole year, their separation had become unbearable. Miyu couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness, the longing to have her friends by her side intensifying with each passing day.

But it was Axel's absence that magnified the ache of their separation. When he was around, Miyu could lean on him, confide in him, and find comfort in his presence. But without him, the weight of her search became all the more burdensome.

It was in moments like these that Miyu realized just how much she relied on Axel's companionship. His mere presence had a way of brightening the darkest corners of her heart. He had a knack for making her laugh, for offering a comforting hand when she stumbled, and for reminding her that she was not alone in her pursuit.

Her gaze shifted, drawn to the sweet shop across the street. Maybe buying herself a sea-salt ice cream would at least put her in a better mood.

***

Every time he tried to wake up, all Axel could think was how badly he wanted to go back to sleep—although he was getting enough rest.

He just wished he could have a day to himself and do nothing but sleep. It was probably some remnant of his human memories.

Besides, this world was always dark, even in the morning. The deep indigo sky and its heart-shaped moon outside the window might as well be a night sky.

Axel rolled over. He still had a few more minutes. But then he began to think about yesterday. He had taken Roxas to Castle Oblivion after his friend insisted they look for Xion there.

After fainting, Roxas had called out Riku’s name. Not unlike the time Xion murmured Sora’s name when she herself had fainted.

What had come to Roxas there in Castle Oblivion? Had he remembered something? Without his memories of his human life, Roxas couldn’t possibly know who Riku was. But he called his name. That could only mean a memory had come back to him, in some form.

It made him uneasy.

Maybe it was a bad idea, bringing Roxas to Castle Oblivion to jog his memory. And they’d ventured to the castle thinking they might learn where Xion had gone—but Axel hadn’t expected them to actually find her. And Riku, the other one in the black cloak…

Axel had seen Riku several times in that castle, back when Roxas was still fairly new. He didn’t like to remember all the intrigue now, nor how he’d treated the Replica. After all, he’d been the one to determine where the Replica should go.

What had changed since then? He didn’t know whether it was Organization XIII, or himself, or something else entirely. But things were definitely different.

Roxas and Xion were like a pair of mirrors, reflecting each other back and forth. But was that all? Xion was just a vessel, an empty disk to hold a copy of Roxas’s “powers.”

Nobodies derived their personalities and abilities from memories of their human lives. But what exactly were those abilities? What gave rise to them?

The answer that came to mind was the presence of memory itself. They were chained by their memory, and in those bonds was power. So it was probably fair to say that Roxas and Xion were bound by the same memory.

As Roxas’s powers were being copied into Xion, she was absorbing his memories, too. But somehow, Axel suspected there had to be more to it.

There in Castle Oblivion, Roxas had called out for Riku. Axel figured that the castle’s strange aura had provoked some kind of reaction in his memories, like metal filings in a magnetic field—but he might be wrong. Everything about Roxas’s memories was so uncertain.

“But what if…?” Axel muttered.

What if copying powers from Roxas wasn’t all that Xion was doing?

He knew the questions he had to deal with, but he wouldn’t be able to work out the answers himself.

“Ugh, I’ve got enough on my plate.” He groaned, imagining Saix’s face if he reported all this.

Those days as a trio had been so wonderful. Why did this have to happen?

The memory of his heart twinged. Had the breakdown of a friendship always been this painful? It was hard to tell when he didn’t have a heart anymore.

As he worried about the impending disappearance of one of his two friends, Axel's thoughts unexpectedly shifted to the promise he had made to Miyu. He realized he had neglected to assist her in locating her missing friends over the past few days, or was it weeks?

A surge of an indescribable sensation coursed through him—an emotion akin to guilt, despite its impossibility. Yet, these thoughts nagged at him persistently, defying the confines of being without a heart.

“Don’t wanna get up…”

But he dragged himself out of bed, taking a huge stretch and cricking his neck. He had to get to the Grey Area early if he wanted to talk to Saix.

Most likely, today would be another bad day.

Chapter Text

Roxas hadn’t expected to sleep very well, and he was right. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. The center of his head felt heavy, like something pressing from the space between his eyebrows all the way back.

Axel must have realized it was her, too. Axel was the one who said they could go find her, and Roxas had looked and looked and looked. But he got the sense that Axel wasn’t.

And yesterday—Axel didn’t seem to feel the same urgency. Well, maybe because he didn’t feel anything as a Nobody. Of course, a nonexistent heart wouldn’t ache at their friend’s disappearance. But Roxas didn’t have one, either. So why had he been in so much pain since Xion left? He was sad. The days dragged by in an endless gray fog, and nothing was any fun.

He couldn’t understand what was going through Axel’s head during the search for Xion.

He couldn’t understand Axel, period.

Roxas climbed out of bed and gave himself a quick once-over in the mirror.

Would he have time to go looking for Xion today…? He shook his head, trying to soothe the prickly feeling in his chest, then went out the door and down the hallway. But before he reached the lobby—he came across Axel and Saix.

“You’re ordering me to what?!”

“Now that Xion has had contact with that man in the black coat, tell me what choice is left.”

The obvious tension piqued Roxas’s curiosity, but they fell silent when he approached.

“Um, Axel…?”

Axel looked away.

What? Why won’t he look at me? Were they talking about something they didn’t want me to hear? Uncertain what to ask, Roxas hesitated.

Saix spoke first. “Xion has betrayed us.”

“What?!” It felt like the wind was knocked out of him.

But Saix didn’t give him any time to absorb it. “You saw the creature consorting with that impostor. What more evidence do we need?”

“That’s not evidence!” Roxas retorted. “You don’t know why she was with him!”

Just because they’d seen her with that other guy, that meant she’d betrayed the Organization? Roxas wasn’t going to believe that. He looked at Axel in desperation—but Axel refused to meet his eyes. Why won’t you say anything?

“I think we all know, and you just don’t want to accept it,” Saix remarked, his voice dripping with disdain.

“He might be forcing her…,” Roxas mumbled.

Saix only snorted at him. “Spare me your repulsive displays of would-be sentiment.”

But that was the only thing Roxas could think of. Xion wouldn’t betray the Organization…or her friends. Would she? He stared at the floor, his fists clenched at his sides.

Were Nobodies and humans really all that different?

“It’s not a display!” Then he raised his head to glare at Saix. “Why is it such a crime to give each other the benefit of the doubt?!”

“That’s enough, Roxas.” Axel put out an arm in front of him before he could lunge at Saix. “C’mon, dial it back.”

Roxas chewed his lip. He didn’t have a handle on anything.

Saix looked down his nose at him. “The impostor has resurfaced in Twilight Town. Go and destroy him, Roxas—like I expected you to do yesterday.”

“Wh—? Destroy?” Roxas stammered.

“Yes, destroy,” Saix replied, now cool and businesslike. “It seems you need clear orders, or you’ll just let the target escape. This is an elimination mission.”

Roxas hung his head and said nothing.

“Axel, you bring back Xion. Gagged and tied up, for all I care. And if that proves too troublesome, then you are authorized to adopt a more permanent solution.”

“What?!” Roxas cried. “Saix, no!”

“Roxas. Easy!” Axel had to hold him back again from launching himself at Saix.

“You have your orders. Get going.” Saix promptly walked away.

Roxas bit his lip, staring down at his boots in fury.

The silence went on long enough to be awkward, until Axel scratched his head and sighed. “Well, this is pretty icky, huh?”

Without Saix as an outlet, Roxas’s rage turned on Axel. “You’re not actually gonna follow those orders?!”

Axel only scratched his head again. “Relax. I’ll think of something clever once I find her.”

“Something clever…?”

“Yeah. Just trust me, okay?” Axel gave Roxas a pat on the shoulder.

I trust him… I want to trust him. I get it. Roxas looked at the floor again. I know I can trust Axel. But still…

“You just worry about yourself,” said Axel. “That guy in the cloak won’t go down without a fight.”

“Yeah, I know.” Roxas nodded without meeting his eyes.

“Anyway, let’s check Twilight Town separately.”

“Huh? Why?” Roxas asked, looking up. He didn’t see why they couldn’t work together.

“We’ll find our targets faster if we split up. That’s just math. C’mon, let’s get going,” he urged.

Roxas willed his feet to move, but they felt heavy.

Things weren’t the same between them. He didn’t know what to do. How can I possibly fix it…?

***

Did Roxas realize he was lying?

Axel’s mind wandered as he went down the slope from the station plaza to the tram common.

It was probably better for him if he never found out, Axel thought. But that was too optimistic.

Roxas was starting to resent the Organization because of Xion. It was an uncomfortable idea, but some of the blame lay with Axel, and he was getting worried that Roxas’s doubts might include him as well.

And he was still uncertain what was best for Roxas or for Xion. He couldn’t guess what would come of it if the two of them had any more contact. The only thing he knew was that Xion was copying Roxas’s memories and his powers.

What would happen if the process ran to completion? He didn’t know that, either.

Axel walked on. He wanted to find Xion before Roxas did—and that was why he had them split up. If he could find her first, maybe he could defuse some of the tension.

But how would everyone be satisfied without getting hurt? How could he make that happen? He doubted it was even possible. That didn’t mean he was about to give up, though.

Unfortunately, he was a moment too late. Roxas had found Xion first.

Axel had folded his arms and eavesdropped.

If Roxas had managed to talk her into coming back, so much the better. But Xion made her choice: a definite no.

And the choice Axel made was to secure her. In that instant, he determined there was no other way. He believed he’d chosen the path that would hurt Roxas less.

Even now, he wasn’t sure whether it was right. But he was sure—mostly sure—that it was the best one out of the options he had at the time.

When Roxas screamed at them to stop, Xion flinched for barely a split second—but it was enough for him to dart behind her and knock her out with a blow to the back of her neck. He caught her as she fell, and Roxas ran to them.

Axel turned away and opened the Corridors of Darkness, and then he was on his way back to the castle with Xion, alone.

He still had no idea how to explain things to Roxas, and his thoughts had been so tangled he couldn’t even begin to find the words. That self-doubt had led him to turn his back on his friend. Maybe that, if nothing else, would plant the seeds of distrust in Roxas. But in that moment, Axel had seen no other way.

Xion had her own doubts, and that was why she had rejected Roxas. Axel had no idea what might happen between those two after this. Someday, she would reach her decision, so for now he would have to obey the Organization—and Saix.

What would she do? What would happen to her?

And Roxas?

Gazing at the pod that held the sleeping Xion, Axel wondered what was to come.

***

Axel was waiting for Roxas to come back. He would pretend he hadn’t been, of course—he would just happen to run into him. He leaned against the wall of the long hallway, staring into space.

He’d put Xion in a pod to sleep rather than her bed, because she was no longer being treated as a Nobody who once was human. Her status had reflected what she really was. And he couldn’t let Roxas find out yet.

“Axel!”

At the sound of his name, Axel looked up. Roxas was furious, perhaps unsurprisingly, but Axel still answered with a smile. “Oh, hey, Roxas.”

“Where is she?” Roxas demanded, breathless with effort.

“Safe,” said Axel.

Roxas grabbed his collar and shouted, “How could you do that to her?!”

“Do what?”

Axel’s stubborn calm took the wind from his sails, and Roxas went slack. His voice came out small and defeated. “You didn’t have to use force…”

Axel sighed theatrically and circled his shoulders. “Didn’t I?”

Still gripping Axel’s collar, Roxas shook his head with the emphatic refusal of a little kid. “No, you didn’t…” But he sounded uncertain as he said it, and his voice shrank even more. “We’re supposed to be best friends.”

Axel brushed Roxas’s hands from his collar. “This isn’t about friendship.”

Roxas raised his head. The glare in his blue eyes was sharp as a knife.

Axel had never seen that from him before. His chest twinged, just a bit. He let out another sigh. “Listen, if that’s all, I gotta go.”

Roxas wilted again, and something in his expression weakened Axel’s resolve slightly.

I just did what I thought was the best thing at the time. For Roxas, for Xion, for the Organization—and for Isa. But most of all for me.

He turned away from Roxas and made himself walk away.

‘Didn’t I?’

That was Axel’s reply. He had to. Really?

Roxas bit his lip, staring at the white floor.

Maybe Axel was right, but surely he could have found another way. But right now, Roxas wanted to ask about Xion. He wanted to see her.

He gathered his strength and ran the rest of the way to her room.

He knocked on the door and went inside—but there was no sleeping Xion to be found.

“Xion…?”

He stood helplessly beside her bed.

***

After he left Roxas, Axel’s distracted wandering through the hallways came to a stop when he saw someone else.

Leaning against the wall with folded arms was his once-upon-a-time best friend—Saix—probably waiting for him. But Saix was keeping his gaze fixed on an imaginary point below the floor.

“You’re sure things are better this way?” Axel wondered aloud.

Finally, Saix looked up. “I never expected you to question it.”

Question it? Well, that was one way of referring to the buzzing doubt in his chest.

Saix left his perch by the wall and came closer. “Which one is more dear to you? Roxas or the puppet?”

Axel looked away. “Dear” to him? What would he know about that as a Nobody?

“Or put it this way,” Saix said, as if he’d heard himself. “Which one would you rather suffer the loss of? Some idiotic charade of friendship or Roxas himself?”

The answer to that was obvious. If it came down to Roxas or a puppet, Axel knew perfectly well which one he would save.

“Things are finally right again,” Saix went on. “Of course, we’re better off this way.”

Axel had no retort for that. Maybe because he didn’t want to alienate Saix anymore.

“Xemnas is exasperated from all the ‘fixing’ we’ve had to do. We have to set things right. There is too much on the line…Lea.”

Hearing his old name, Axel glanced up to see Saix watching him intently. He remembered being human. Memories surged inside him, crowding the space in his chest. For Nobodies, memory had all the weight of a heart.

I remember. I won’t forget. But those sunsets with Roxas and Xion were part of his memory.

Axel broke away again from Saix’s gaze, looking down at nothing.

Chapter Text

Xion was there. Axel, too.

He recalled what Xemnas had told him yesterday, and he felt a little better. Xion was still part of the Organization—she wasn’t being penalized or anything. It was good to see.

“I’m sorry, Roxas,” Xion said by way of greeting.

Axel was behind her with his arms crossed.

Roxas shook his head. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

She turned. “I must have freaked you out, too, Axel.”

“Don’t sweat it,” Axel replied.

Roxas no longer knew what to say to either of them.

Why had Axel attacked Xion like that? He’d been for real. Serious enough that he almost seemed about to take her down for good. The thought made Roxas nervous.

Axel wasn’t saying anything to him, either.

As the awkward silence settled over them, Xion cocked her head. “Roxas, is something wrong? You don’t look so good…”

“No—I’m fine.”

“Are you sure…?” Xion looked uncertainly to Axel, but he had nothing to say.

Roxas gave up and quietly dragged himself toward Saix.

“I’m deploying you and Xion together today,” was the order.

That, too, let Roxas breathe a bit easier. He was glad the mission was with her. Especially since it meant he wasn’t with Axel. “All right. Let’s go, Xion.”

“…Right.”

Roxas started off by himself, opening the portal to the Corridors of Darkness.

“Hey, Roxas, wait up.” Xion came after him, but she stopped right in front of the portal to glance back at Axel.

“Go easy on yourself,” Axel said.

She smiled at him and disappeared into the corridors.

***

Xerci paced back and forth in her room within the foreboding castle of The World That Never Was. The dim light filtering through the narrow windows painted the chamber in shadows, mirroring the uncertainty that weighed upon her.

Her thoughts drifted to her dear friend, Miyu, the princess she had sworn to protect. Where could Miyu be? Had she found safety in some distant world? The absence of concern gnawed at Xerci's being, a strange void where worry should have resided.

Her mind then turned to Leslie, their other companion who had become inseparable from their adventures. Where had Leslie vanished to? The bond they had forged during their journey seemed unbreakable, and Xerci couldn't fathom a world without their shared laughter and camaraderie. Yet, her current state robbed her of the longing and yearning that should have accompanied their separation.

With a sigh, Xerci leaned against the window, gazing out at the shadowy cityscape below. The world outside appeared as dark and desolate as her own existence. The absence of emotions left a void that should have been filled with concern and urgency. It was an emptiness she couldn't quite comprehend.

She knew, logically, that she should be worried for Miyu and Leslie. After all, they were her friends, her companions in their quest for answers. But the sense of urgency that should have propelled her to search tirelessly for them was absent. The realization left her feeling adrift, detached from the very essence of their friendship.

Xerci's thoughts swirled, torn between the duty she once felt and the emptiness that now consumed her. She yearned to reconnect with her lost companions, to restore the bonds that had once anchored her. And yet, the absence of a heart made her actions feel hollow, devoid of the depth and sincerity she once knew.

As she stared out into the abyss of the night, a flicker of determination sparked within her. Though she may not feel the weight of worry, she understood that finding Miyu and Leslie was a task that demanded her attention. Even without the storms of emotion, Xerci would persevere and fulfill her promise to protect her princess.

Xerci made her decision. She would remain with the Organization until she located Miyu and Leslie. It was not driven by the heartfelt yearning she had once possessed, but rather a sense of duty and commitment. Another member of the Organization, Saix, had approached her with a proposition. In exchange for any information he might gather from the Dusks on potential sightings of her princess, Xerci had agreed to assist him in achieving his own goals.

It was an agreement born out of necessity, a necessary alliance to navigate the treacherous currents of the Organization's machinations. But as Xerci stood by the window, staring into the void, she couldn't help but wonder if her choice had been the right one.

The absence of her heart left her questioning her own motivations. Was her determination fueled solely by duty and loyalty, or did a flicker of something more still remain within her? She had once believed in the power of friendship, the strength it bestowed upon them as they faced the unknown. But now, devoid of the emotions that had once guided her, Xerci questioned if she could ever truly understand the depths of those connections.

With a deep breath, Xerci straightened her posture and turned away from the window, ready to embark on her mission for that day. The path before her may be shrouded in shadows, but she had made a promise. Until Miyu and Leslie were found, until the truth that lay hidden within the Organization's tangled web unraveled, she would remain steadfast in her duty.

It was a journey she embarked upon not just for the sake of her companions, but also for herself. She yearned to understand the enigma that was her own existence, to unlock the secrets that lay dormant within her. And perhaps, along the way, she would rediscover the essence of her own being, the fragments of her lost heart that still lingered within the confines of her Nobody existence.

With each step forward, Xerci embraced the unknown, confident in her own strength and the flicker of purpose that burned within her. The absence of her heart would not define her, for she would pave her own path, navigating the tumultuous waters of existence with unwavering resolve. And as she set forth into the night, the shadows whispered their secrets, promising revelations that awaited her on the road ahead.

***

Axel barely slept a wink thanks to all the thoughts turning in his head. He scowled at the throbbing pain in his temples. These sleep deprivation headaches were awful.

Rather than going back to sleep and getting a lecture, he went to the Grey Area before anyone else and claimed the sofa to keep thinking.

Xion and Roxas… Memory and power. Sora, the Keyblade master. A replica whose only purpose was to copy another.

Back in Castle Oblivion, Axel had met the Replica created from Riku’s memories. Although he wasn’t sure it was appropriate to say they’d met. He had encountered the Replica there—that much was a fact.

Vexen’s creation had gained Riku’s powers by copying his memories. The copying itself involved Namine’s abilities as a memory witch. But Vexen had always said Namine’s very existence was an anomaly—meaning the original plan had never accounted for her. There had to be some method of copying memories without Namine’s power; otherwise, the Replica would have remained an empty shell.

Axel reflected on the operations of the Organization members in Castle Oblivion, extracting memories from Sora and Riku. Larxene took them from Sora, and Vexen from Riku, by doing battle and sealing those memories in cards. They gave the cards over to Naminé, who then subtly rewrote the memories stored there before they were returned to Sora and the Riku Replica.

So perhaps Namine’s power was only necessary for the rewriting part. What if copying memories and abilities could be accomplished simply through battle…?

Having Xion and Roxas work together, then, let the puppet copy his memories. Memories and power were inextricably entwined, which was how Xion gained Sora’s abilities along with his memories.

Last night, Axel had told Xion that she might be borrowing more from Roxas than she needed. But that wasn’t quite right.

He had it memorized, all right. The Riku Replica had another way of gaining strength—completely absorbing an opponent’s powers by destroying them.

Knowing that, Axel himself had goaded the Replica into terminating Zexion. At the time, he’d believed it necessary.

Xion was already copying memories from Roxas—or rather, the memories from Sora that Roxas harbored. Not all of them. Not yet. She was still incomplete. So what would the Organization have her do?

“Good morning, Axel.”

“…Xion?” He looked up to find a very gloomy Xion standing there. “So how did you sleep?” he asked with a little smile.

She shrugged and shook her head.

“It’s not like your time is up, you know. You’ve still got a while to think. Got it memorized?”

“I guess so…,” she mumbled at the floor.

Axel actually had no idea how much time she had.

“Xion. Your orders for today.”

She turned. “Saix…”

Saix looked down his nose at her. “An especially powerful Heartless has been spotted in Halloween Town. Go and eliminate it.”

“Understood.” Xion nodded, just as Roxas came into the lobby.

“Hey, Xion.”

“Good morning.” But she turned away from him.

Roxas didn’t even spare a glance at Axel, like an angry kid giving a friend the silent treatment. Axel let out a wry laugh under his breath.

“Listen—,” Roxas started.

“Sorry. I have to go.” Xion promptly cut him off and stepped into the Corridors of Darkness.

Roxas hung his head, the picture of dejection.

And he still looks like he’ll keel over any second, Axel thought. He’d just told Xion she had some time, but maybe she really didn’t.

Saix had notice the exchange, too. He flicked a glance toward Axel and then turned to Roxas. “How are you feeling, Roxas?”

“…Same as always.”

Saix smirked at the reply—and a chill ran through Axel at how vicious it was.

“I have an urgent mission especially for you and your Keyblade,” said Saix. “There’s a fearsome Heartless that’s surfaced in Halloween Town.”

That was the location of Xion’s mission, too. Something was weird about this.

“I was hoping you might exterminate it for us,” Saix went on.

“Yup, got it!” Roxas chirped.

Axel couldn’t hold it in. “Whoa, whoa, whoa— Roxas, are you sure you’re up to that?”

Roxas shot him a nasty look. “Why wouldn’t I be?” he muttered, turning his back.

“It’s just, lately you—”

“Shouldn’t you already be out on your mission, Axel?” Xerci interrupted as she entered the room.

Mission? Saix hadn’t given him his assignment yet. Axel blinked at her, and turned to Saix.

“I better go. See you, Axel.” Roxas left, disappearing into the corridors as abruptly as Xion had.

“Can’t you just let things run their course?” Xerci interjected, her arms crossed. She had noticed Axel's recent actions and was determined to ensure their plans remained intact. They had come too far to let anything derail them.

“What course? Whose plans am I ruining, exactly?” Axel retorted, still staring at the empty space where Roxas’s portal swirled into nothing.

“The Organization’s, obviously.”

Axel let out a low chuckle. “Yeah? You sure about that?”

Exasperated, Xerci sighed and turned away, redirecting her attention to Saix to discuss her own mission for the day. She reminded herself of the purpose that had brought her here, determined to stay focused and not let her annoyance with him distract her.

As Xerci engaged in conversation with Saix, Axel couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration. The weight of his actions and the uncertainty that surrounded Roxas and Xion's missions weighed heavily on his mind. He needed answers, and he needed them now.

Leaving the others to their discussions, Axel stepped into a dark portal, seeking solace in the solitude of the empty corridor. His thoughts raced, contemplating the true intentions behind the missions assigned to his friends. Something didn't add up, and he couldn't shake the feeling that they were being manipulated.

***

It was always night in Halloween Town. The humid chill in the air would have told her so, even if the gloom didn’t. The moon over the horizon was not heart shaped but fat and round.

Xion picked her way through the graveyard. She had so many questions on her mind and, yet, so few answers.

But she didn’t want to think about them.

And she didn’t have to when she was busy, which was nice, she thought as she cleared out the Heartless.

She climbed through a hole in the stone wall deeper into the graveyard, where mist hung thick in the air, thicker than she’d seen anywhere else in Halloween Town. She drew her hood up tight against the clinging damp.

It gave her a bad feeling…

Just as she admitted that to herself, she felt the tingle of something behind her, and she whirled around. Heartless!

How could it have gotten so close without her sensing it? The Heartless slashed at her with its sword.

Xion sprang back, dodging the strike, and sank into her fighting stance with the Keyblade. But the mist was so thick she couldn’t even tell which way her enemy would come from. The right this time…?

She blocked another blow and moved in that direction. It jumped and swung at her again. It was strong—and fast. But she was stronger. She wouldn’t lose.

She stepped out of its range and then rushed at it. This will do it…!

But in that moment, something else cut through the mist—a chakram. One of Axel’s.

“Stop, both of you!” Axel leaped in between her and the Heartless.

What was going on?

The mist cleared, and she saw that Roxas was here, too.

“Xion?!” he exclaimed.

“Roxas? What are you doing here?” Xion realized there was no Heartless to be found. Had she been fighting one at all? “The Heartless I was just fighting—that was you?”

Cold sweat beaded on her skin. The Organization. This was their idea. What were they trying to do? Her chest twinged.

“This mission was a setup. It was rigged so you two would battle each other,” said Axel.

“Huh…?” The Keyblade fell from Roxas’s limp hand and winked out.

If Axel hadn’t jumped in to stop us, then I… I would have… Xion looked at the ground.

“Why would they do that?” Roxas murmured.

“We’ll figure it out later. Hey, since we’re all together…why don’t we get out of here and have some ice cream?” A tiny smile came to Axel’s face.

“But—,” Xion began.

Axel interrupted her with a look and clapped Roxas on the back. “C’mon, how about it?”

“Y-yeah. Okay,” Roxas stammered.

“Xion’s coming, too. Right?” This time Axel patted her shoulder.

“…Right.”

Axel opened the Corridors of Darkness, and they all headed in together.

***

The sunset was dazzlingly bright. Roxas squinted and took a bite of ice cream.

“Ooh, brain freeze,” Xion mumbled, then chuckled sheepishly.

Roxas smiled back at her. “Been a while since we all hung out like this, huh?”

“Well, we’ve had our share of drama lately,” said Axel.

Something still bothered Roxas about the way Axel was treating Xion. But sharing ice cream as a trio again was definitely improving his mood.

Why did the Organization want him and Xion to fight? The idea filled him with dread, but at least Axel had been there to stop them. If not for him, things might be very different right now. That realization made forgiving Axel seem a little more doable.

Axel followed his own rules. And Xion had said herself that if Axel hadn’t acted as he did, she wouldn’t have come back. Roxas was still convinced there was another way to bring her home, but maybe that was the only choice back then.

“Oh, hey, I just remembered…” Axel idly kicked his dangling feet against the ledge. “Did you guys know you should be checking your ice cream sticks?”

“Really? For what?” asked Xion.

“Once you finish your ice cream bar, check the stick. It might say ‘Winner.’ Not that I’ve ever seen one.”

“Oh yeah!” Roxas blurted.

Axel looked nonplussed. “‘Oh yeah’ what?”

Winner. Now Roxas remembered. So much had happened, it had gone right out of his head. I had one of those…

I was going to show it to Axel, so I saved it. Not to Xion. Back when I got it, I wanted to share it with Axel.

“Uh—n-nothing,” said Roxas. “So what do you win?”

Axel’s gonna be totally floored when I show it to him. Thinking about it cheered him up somehow. Roxas already knew what the prize was, but he kept it to himself.

“Heh… Beats me.” Axel shrugged.

“You don’t even know?” Roxas teased him.

“It’s gotta be something good, if you’re a ‘winner,’ right?”

“Right…”

“Hee-hee-hee.” Xion giggled at Roxas’s prodding. He and Axel both looked at her. “You two are such good friends,” she remarked and turned her gaze out to the sky. “Wow. The sun sure is beautiful…”

At the sincere admiration in her voice, Roxas and Axel looked out at the horizon, too.

The sun turned red as it sank, painting the whole world in the same warm crimson as so many days before.

“I know we’ve seen a lot of sunsets, but today’s puts them all to shame.”

Roxas couldn’t ever remember seeing her so alive.

“If only things could stay like this for the three of us,” said Xion.

“What if we all ran off?” Roxas mused.

“What?” Xion looked at him in surprise. Axel said nothing.

“The three of us. Then we could always be together.”

The Organization isn’t going to let us, so why should we stay? Can’t we just go somewhere else?

“We don’t have any place to run.” Xion shook her head.

“I know,” he mumbled. “I was just thinking out loud.”

He knew that was impossible. Or…was it? Maybe they really could get away. Just…not now. They might be terminated, or something else terrible might happen. He’d ended up fighting Xion, after all… What would the Organization do if they tried to leave?

Axel suddenly broke his silence. “Well, even if things change, we’ll never be apart—”

“—As long as we remember one another,” Xion finished. “Right?”

Axel’s encouragement from ages ago echoed in Roxas’s head.

“Don’t worry, Axel. We’ve got it memorized.” Xion grinned at him.

“Just checking.” Looking at the sunset rather than her, Axel munched his ice cream.

“I’ll remember all these things for a long time,” said Xion. “Forever.”

“Me too. Forever,” Roxas added.

Never. I’ll never, ever forget.

I’ll always remember it, watching the sunset together like this.

I promise I won’t forget. Even if the three of us get separated someday…I’ll never forget.

The three basked in the sunset’s glow.

***

As the sun began its descent, painting the sky with a warm golden hue, Axel found himself lingering behind while Roxas and Xion made their way back to the castle. Lost in his thoughts, he couldn't help but revisit the recent events that had unfolded—the battles fought, the conflicts faced, and the unbreakable bond shared with Roxas and Xion.

The weight of their intertwined destinies and the complexities of their existence pressed heavily on Axel's mind. Lingering doubts and unanswered questions tormented his conscience. Why did the Organization seek to pit Roxas and Xion against each other? What elusive purpose lay behind the façade? The enigmatic puzzle refused to yield its secrets, leaving Axel to contemplate the true intentions of those who held their strings.

Amidst the turmoil, Axel's thoughts wandered to his promise to Miyu. He had been swept up in the whirlwind of Roxas and Xion's struggles, their shadows eclipsing the path he had vowed to walk alongside Miyu in her quest to find her missing friends. In the chaos, he had inadvertently distanced himself from his commitment, breaching the trust Miyu had bestowed upon him.

A pang of guilt coursed through him as he envisioned Miyu's frustration and disappointment. He had let her down, failing to fulfill the role he had promised to play in her life. 

With a heavy sigh, Axel reclined, his hands folded beneath his head, his eyes fixated on the mesmerizing canvas of the sunset above him. The vibrant hues mirrored the complexity of emotions swirling within him—regret, longing, and an unwavering resolve to make amends.

As his mind circled back to Roxas's contemplations of a different life, Axel couldn't help but ponder the possibility of escaping the Organization's clutches, of creating a world where their bonds would not be dictated by fate. 

A wistful smile touched Axel's lips as he entertained a fleeting notion—an imagined scenario where he could spend more time with Miyu, perhaps even introducing her to Roxas and Xion, bridging the gap between their intertwined destinies.

Yet, Axel quickly dismissed the notion as a mere fantasy, acknowledging its improbability. It was a flickering ember of a dream, one he knew to be far-fetched and unattainable. Yet, the flame of hope persisted, whispering "what if" in the deepest recesses of his heart.

***

Beneath the clock tower, concealed from Axel’s view as he lay down, Miyu took a leisurely stroll through the town, hoping to clear her head. Her mind had become a tumultuous sea, consumed by thoughts that weighed heavy upon her spirit—loneliness and despondency casting their shadows upon her heart.

While Twilight Town had become her refuge, a place where she found a sense of comfort unlike anything she had experienced within the confining walls of the castle she grew up in, the absence of her friends lingered as a constant reminder of her isolation. The yearning to traverse the realms and search for her companions tugged at her soul, leaving her feeling trapped in this realm of familiarity.

Yet, despite the ache of longing, Miyu couldn't deny the genuine admiration she held for the town. Its streets and familiar corners whispered tales of simplicity and serenity. The notion of spending a lifetime in this place, basking in the warm embrace of Twilight Town, held a certain allure—if only she didn't feel so utterly alone. The presence of Ceri and Leslie by her side would complete the idyllic vision she cherished.

As she passed by the clock tower, retracing her steps toward the place she had come to call home over the past several months, Miyu's footsteps faltered at the sound that reached her ears—a familiar and comforting sound. She turned around, her eyes alighting upon the sight of Pluto, the faithful yellow dog that had accompanied her on many of her wanderings. It seemed he always appeared when she needed a companion the most.

“Hey boy, where have you been all this time? Going off on exciting adventures, I imagine?” Miyu spoke softly, a warm smile gracing her lips as she knelt down to meet Pluto at eye level.

Pluto wagged his tail excitedly, his tongue lolling out in a cheerful pant. He nuzzled against Miyu's hand, his warm and comforting presence instantly lifting her spirits. It was as if he understood her need for companionship, offering his silent support in the face of her loneliness.

Miyu's smile widened as she extended an invitation to Pluto, her voice filled with genuine warmth and affection. "You know, I could really use some company tonight. Would you like to come back with me to the hotel? I'll make sure you have a good meal and a fresh bowl of water."

Pluto's tail wagged in response, a clear sign of his enthusiasm and acceptance of Miyu's invitation. It seemed as though he understood her words, sensing her need for companionship in that moment.

Miyu rose to her feet and began to walk with Pluto happily trotting alongside her. They made their way through the familiar streets of Twilight Town, their steps carrying them closer to the comfort of the hotel.

As they entered the hotel room, Miyu swiftly prepared a bowl of water for Pluto, then moved to the small kitchenette, rummaging through the cupboards to gather ingredients for a simple but satisfying meal. The rhythmic sounds of cooking filled the room as she busied herself, a feeling of contentment enveloping her as she shared the space with her visiting companion.

Pluto settled down on a cozy bed she had made for him the first night he had stayed with her, his gaze fixed on Miyu as she moved about the room. There was a sense of understanding between them, an unspoken connection that eased the weight of loneliness that had burdened Miyu's heart.

Finally, the meal was ready. Miyu placed a plate filled with nourishing food on the floor for Pluto, watching as he eagerly dug in, his tail wagging with delight. Seeing him enjoy the meal brought a sense of joy to Miyu, a reminder of the simple pleasures and the comfort that companionship could bring.

As Pluto finished his meal, Miyu settled beside him, her hand gently stroking his fur. In that moment, she felt a deep sense of gratitude for the presence of this faithful canine companion. Although her search for her friends continued, she found solace in the company and unconditional love of a furry friend like Pluto. He may not have been the friends she longed for, but they offered a sense of connection and belonging that eased the ache in her heart, if only for a little while.