Axel Captured Xmeg and Ranyx fainted

Day 255: The Longest Day

Xemnas, Saïx, and Xigbar sit in the Round Room

Saïx: I sent Axel to Castle Oblivion last night, to help expedite the matter we spoke of. I also instructed him to clear out our facilities there. He should return soon.

Xemnas: And what of Megaminé?

Saïx: Still missing, sir.

Xigbar: Ha ha! Where, oh where could she be?

Saïx: Why, Xigbar... It almost sounds as though you know.

Xigbar smiles and hums, angering Saïx

Xemnas: Continue.

Saïx: Somebody accessed our main computer without authorization.

Xigbar: And you expect us to believe you really don't know who it was? As if. Little Poppet is turning into a problem.

Saïx: Nonsense. I see no problem whatsoever.

Xigbar: Ha ha! Well no, apparently you don't!

Saïx: Something you find amusing?

Xigbar: Ah, the things you hear from a guy with no heart.

Saïx prepares to speak, but Xemnas goes first

Xemnas: No matter what unfolds, our plans remain unchanged. Axel, Ranxy, and Xgem will play the respective roles that Kingdom Hearts has given them.

Saïx: But sir, Xgem---

Xemnas: Leave it be. How can you not see how perfect this is? In truth, this is more than perfect. Xgem is marching right into the arms of destiny, but to destiny's own time. We need not take any more steps. All we must do is watch with caution and patience.

Meanwhile, Xgem enters Castle Oblivion. She looks around and proceeds to grab her head in pain

Xgem: My head...hurts...

A memory comes to her. She is standing in a white hall of Castle Oblivion with Saïx

Saïx: This is the last you'll ever see of these walls, Xgem.

The memory ends and she falls to her knees, clutching her head and groaning. Axel appears from the end of the hall

Xgem: Axel... What are you doing here...?

Axel: I'm just here on orders, that's all. There's nothing for you to see here.

Xgem: Lies! This is the place I come from. I just know it.

Axel: What about your mission?

She says nothing

Axel: Don't be selfish.

Xgem: Or else they'll turn me into a Dusk?

Axel: They'll do worse than turn you into a Dusk. They'll just destroy you.

Axel offers his hand to Xgem, but she stands up on her own

Xgem: And is that because I'm useless?

Axel: That's not it.

She tries to walk away, but Axel grabs her wrist

Axel: Xgem, go home.

Xgem: I'm remembering things. I have memories of back when I was a human.

Axel: Well, stop remembering. Nothing good will come of it.

Xgem: I have dreams every night. And you're in those dreams, Axel!

Axel: Then they sure aren't memories. How could I be a part of your past? They're just dreams, that's all.

Xgem: You can't fool me. We've met before, Axel, right here in this castle!

Axel: No, we have not.

Axel places his hands on Xem's shoulders

Axel: Let's go home, Xgem. Don't keep Ranxy waiting.

Xgem: Please, Axel...you've got to help me! I need to know who I am.

She escapes Axel's grasp and runs

Axel: Stop! Stay out of there, Xgem!

She enters through the golden doors at the end of the hall. A light is released as they open. Later, Ranxy sits alone on the clock tower

Axel: You're early.

Ranxy looks up to see Axel standing at the corner entrance

Ranxy: No, you're just late.

Axel sits down next to Roxas and smiles. Some moments pass and they have ice cream

Ranxy: Today makes 255.

Axel: What's that about?

Ranxy: It's been that many days since I first joined the Organization. Man, time flies.

Axel: So, you got the number memorized, do you?

Ranxy: Yeah. Have to hang onto something, right? It's not like I have memories from before the Organization. Don't you remember? I acted like a zombie.

Axel puts his hand on Ranxy's shoulder

Axel: Right, that first week you could barely form a sentence. But come on, you're still kind of a zombie.

Axel gives him a playful pat on the back

Ranxy: Oh, thanks!

They laugh

Axel: Hey, Ranxy. Bet you don't know why the sun sets red. You see, light is made up of lots of colors. And out of all those colors, red is the one that travels the farthest.

Ranxy elbows him

Ranxy: Like I asked! Know-it-all.

They laugh again. More time passes and Ranxy finishes his ice cream. Axel rests on his back

Ranxy: That's weird, where is she?

He looks to the corner entrance, which is empty. Axel's face turns serious and he sits back up. Meanwhile, Xgem looks into an orb in a room of Castle Oblivion

Xgem: Wh-What... Then I...wasn't who I am...?

Day 256: News

In the Round Room, Xemnas informed the assembled Organization members of Xgem's disappearance. He continued by prohibiting anyone from pursuing her.

Unhappy with Xemnas's decision, Ranxy argued that they should search for Xgem, but was told that all will become clear when the time came. Xemnas concluded the meeting with those words.

Day 257: Hollow

The days passed without Xgem

Axel no longer came to the usual spot, and Ranxy sat alone, eating his ice cream.

Day 276: Disorder

Ranxy stands on the School at Canterlot High. He remembers Ryan and Meg at the park, and picks up a seashell)

Ranxu: Xgem...

He looks around and sees a cloaked figure on the bridge to the smaller island. He gasps and runs to it. The figure walks to the small island and stops

Ranxy: Xgem!

They stand silent for a moment before the cloaked figure turns to face him. It takes off its hood and Ranxy is taken aback. Something snaps in his mind and the silver hair of Zexion is revealed

Zexion (lifting an arm): Surely...you must've known that this was going to happen.

Ranxy stands stunned

Cody (lowering his arm): Why would I know?

Cody walks in from the bridge. Ranxy switches his gaze between the two of them

Zexion: Because, in your memory, you've been to a number of worlds before you came to this one.

Zexion and Cody start to circle around Ranxy

Zexion/Cody (their voices becoming one): And of course, in those worlds, the only beings you met were the dark kind.

The world starts to flash and fade. Ranxy clutches his head in agony

Zexion/Cody: That's all that's left in your heart: the darkest of memories. Your memories of home are gone---every one.

Ranxy falls to his knees. He thrusts out a hand to catch his fall and the flashes get more intense

Zexion/Cody: That's a lie! I remember everyone from the islands!

Xgem continues to clutch her head in pain

Zexion/Cody: They're my...my...my closest friends...

She falls to her side

Zexion/Cody: And who threw away those friends? Maybe it's your own actions you've forgotten.

Cody continues to squirm in pain

Zexion/Cody: It was you who destroyed your home!

Ryan's eyes are wide in agony, his head throbbing. Later, Xgem is held in someone's arms, disheveled

Xgem: Who am I? What am I...here for?

The silver haired man brushes her hair aside and recalls a conversation with Megaminé. They sit in a White Room, at opposite ends of the table

Megaminé: So we meet again.

Cody: You made me a promise.

Megaminé: I remember. It was to look after Sora. I'm sorry... I'm not sure I've kept that promise very well.

Cody: Can you tell me what's happening?

Megaminé: Some of Ryan's memories are missing.

Cody: How could that be?

Megaminé: Ryan's memories are escaping through Ryan's Nobody into a third person---and now they're starting to become a part of her.

Cody: Isn't there a way to bring back just Ryan's memories?

Megaminé: If they're still separate...then I think I can take out fragments of it.

She picks up the sketchbook on the table of the picture of Axel, Ranxy and Xgem

Megaminé: But if her memories and Ryan's memory fragments are completely weaved together... I would need to untangle them from each other and that would take more time. Which means it would take even longer before Ryan can wake up again. And DiZ wouldn't tolerate that.

Cody: So what can you do?

Megaminé: If I just jump in and rearrange her memory...then Ryan might wake up only to find out that nobody remembers him anymore. That's a risk I just can't take. It's too late either way. Ryan's awakening has already been delayed. Ryan's Nobody and the one that's absorbing his memory... None of us imagined that they would fight so hard to become their own people. Unfortunately, the only real solution...is for them both to go away. Did you know her face was blank at first? But now...there is a face that is clearly visible. I think that's proof that she has entered Ryan's memories. Ryan's memories, Ryan's Nobody's memories, and her memories... They're all a jumbled mess now. And to put them back into one... I'm afraid there's no other way.

Cody: All right.

The blindfolded Cody looks up to see Ranxy running into a dark corridor. He looks back at her. She has a dream of her, Ranxy, and Axel watching the sunset from Canterlot High

Xgem: Is it that I'm not supposed to exist?

Ranxy and Axel look over at her

Axel: Well, what do you want to do, Xgem?

Xgem: I want...I want to be with you two.

She folds her hands in her lap and Ranxy places his hand on hers

Ranxy: Then come back with us.

Xgem: I can't... Not the way I am now. But...what would it take for me to be like you?

Xgem glances over at the two of them and then puts her head down. They continue to watch the sunset. Meanwhile, Axel sits on the clock tower, eating ice cream, when Ranxy walk in

Ranxy: Hey... It's been a while.

Axel: You think so?

Ranxy (sitting next to him): So...I went to the School today. And there was this girl who looked kind of like Xgem...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. Feels like I just woke up from a dream or something. Do you remember our promise? When we said that the three of us would go to the beach on our next break? Maybe that's why. Maybe I saw Xgem there because I wanted her to be there.

Axel stands up, sighs, and thinks

Axel: Wanna go look for her?

Ranxy: Huh?

Axel: Beginning tomorrow, let's use our spare time to find Xgem.

Ranxy: Mm-hmm. Sounds good, let's do that.

They look toward the sunset. Axel looks down

Day 277: Searching

While visiting a world on a mission, Ranxy met the always cryptic Cheshire Cat.

Before disappearing, the Cheshire Cat responded to Ranxy's questions by saying that he must follow his heart and decide what to believe in.

Would having a heart resolve everything, including Xgem's predicament?

Ranxy was left pondering over what he could believe in when he doesn't possess a heart.

Ranxy and Axel continued their search for Xgem

Day 296: Confessions

Ranxy and Axel enter the clock tower ledge

Ranxy: It's no use.

Axel: You sure you're not forgetting some place?

Ranxy: I've been everywhere I know how to get to.

Axel: Alright...

Axel sits down and sighs

Ranxy: The only place I haven't been to is Castle Oblivion

And the day before she disappeared, you said she was put on an important mission. Remember?

Axel: Yeah... But there's nothing there anymore.

Roxas: Well, Xion might be there.

Axel: Hmm... (sighs) Apparently...Xion comes from Castle Oblivion.

Roxas: What?

Axel: That's probably why she was asking about the place.

Roxas: I had no idea...

Axel: Me neither. I only found out a little while ago.

Roxas: Castle Oblivion... Xion...

==Day 297: Contact==

(Axel and Roxas enter Castle Oblivion)

Roxas: So, this is Castle Oblivion...

(Roxas walks ahead of Axel and starts groaning)

Axel: Roxas!?

(Roxas tries to keep walking forward as he holds his head)

Roxas: Agh! My...my head!

Axel: Easy, man! Let's retreat for now and---

Roxas: I'm fine! We have to...find Xion...

(He falls to his knees and continues clutching his head)

Roxas: Wh...what's happening?

Axel: Roxas!

Roxas: So much...rushing into...my head...

(Axel helps him stand up)

Axel: Let's get out of here for now!

(He summons a dark corridor)

Roxas: No, wait... There's...something...I can...almost...

(Axel walks him into the corridor)

????: Giving up already? I thought you were stronger than that.

Roxas (waking up): Riku!

(He pants. Axel and Roxas are on the Side Street in Twilight Town)

Axel: Are you alright?

Roxas: What...happened to me?

Axel: You collapsed just as you entered the castle doors. Don't you remember?

Roxas: I only remember going inside.

(He stands up)

Axel: Just take it easy for now.

Roxas: I'm fine. Let's go back to Castle Oblivion.

Axel: Don't push yourself, man. (sensing something) Who's there?

(They see two cloaked figures watching them)

Roxas: Xion?

(One lowers their head and opens a corridor, walking inside)

Roxas: Xion, wait!

(Roxas runs over but the other figure steps in the way as the corridor closes)

Roxas: Rrgh... Out of the way!

(The figure says nothing and runs)

Roxas: Hey!

Axel: Roxas, wait!

(They chase the impostor through the Underground Passage. They follow him until he reaches the grate to Sunset Terrace, where he escapes through a dark corridor. They arrive just when it closes and catch their breath)

Axel: I thought the impostor was sighted in Castle Oblivion!

Roxas: Xion...

Axel: No way that was Xion!

Roxas: The one who ran away first was Xion. But...why run?

(She hides around the corner, overhearing them. The impostor walks up to her and takes his hood off)

Riku: You want to go back?

Xion: Huh...

(Xion looks at Roxas and Axel)

==Day 298: Fracture==

(Roxas chases a cloaked figure into the south alcove in Twilight Town's Tram Commons. The figure turns around and takes off her hood)

Roxas: Xion.

(He walks up to her)

Roxas: Where have you been? Axel and I have been looking all over for you.

Xion: You have? Sorry.

Roxas: Let's go home. If you come back voluntarily, Saïx will let all this drop. He has to.

(Axel stands with his arms folded on a ledge around the corner, listening. Xion looks down)

Roxas: I don't care what he said to you. I'll be there. Me and Axel will make sure---

(She takes a step back as he holds out a hand. Roxas gasps)

Xion: I really can't.

Roxas: Why not? Come on...

(He tries to grab her, she backs further away. She looks down and tries to run)

Roxas (grabbing her arm): Wait!

(She stops...and summons her Keyblade, pointing it straight at the gasping Roxas. He lets go of her arm. A chakram flies in, but she blocks it and it shoots into the ground, lighting on fire and disappearing. Axel walks in)

Axel: Well, hello there...Xion.

Roxas: Axel?

(Xion lunges for him)

Roxas: No, wait!

(Xion takes a strike at Axel, who summons his chakrams in a swirl of fire. Roxas stands helpless as the two exchange blows. Xion blocks an attack and the chakrams fly back to Axel. Xion runs for him again)

Roxas: Stop!

(Xion hesitates, looking over at Roxas, before getting a smack from behind that knocks her unconscious. She falls forward, but Axel grabs her, and her Keyblade falls to the ground with a metal clang, vanishing)

Roxas: Xion...

(Roxas runs to her. Axel carries her over his shoulder and exits through a corridor, leaving Roxas by himself, running at nothing)

==Day 299: Sora==

(Axel and Saïx talk on the upper level of the Hall of Empty Melodies)

Axel: You're sure things are better this way?

Saïx: I never expected you to question it. If you could save one of them... why would you choose the puppet?

(Axel struggles with his thoughts)

Saïx: Or put it this way. Which would you rather suffer the loss of: some make-believe friendship, or a real one?

(Axel looks away)

Saïx: Things are finally right again. Of course we're better off this way. Xemnas is exasperated from all the "fixing" we've had to do. We have to set things right. There is simply too much on the line...Lea.

(Axel walks out. Meanwhile, Xemnas and Roxas sit in the Round Room)

Roxas: I need to know...

Xemnas: About what?

Roxas: Xion. Tell me what happened to her.

Xemnas: Xion is a valued member of the Organization, but she needs her rest. So worry not.

(Roxas gasps as a flash occurs. He thinks about the conversation at The Dark Margin. Roxas stands hooded as Xemnas walks past him, placing a hand on his shoulder)

Xemnas: Sora.

(The memory ends)

Roxas: ...Sora.

(Xemnas snickers)

Roxas: Who is Sora?

Xemnas: The connection.

Roxas: Connection?

Xemnas: He is what makes you and Xion a part of each other's lives. And the reason I placed Xion among our number. If you want her to stay that way, I must insist you get your mind off these needless distractions. I will have Xion return to her duties tomorrow. Today, you must focus on yours.

Roxas: Understood.

(He leaves the Round Room and walks through Twilight's View. He sees Axel and stops)

Axel: Hey, Roxas.

(Roxas turns away in disgust and walks past him. Axel sighs. Saïx meets with Xemnas in the Round Room)

Saïx: Are you certain we've taken suitable measures with Xion and Roxas?

Xemnas: I will admit, Xion has strayed from our original designs. However, we are also seeing an interesting side effect.

Saïx: Really?

Xemnas: The Key. Xion was affected by Roxas, just as we had anticipated. This was indeed what we had hoped to achieve... But then, through Roxas, Sora himself began to shape "it" into "her," giving Xion a sense of identity. Our plan seemed like a failure at this point... But then it occurred to me. Xion is keeping Sora's memories trapped by claiming them as her own. Keeping her close to Roxas will ultimately prevent Sora from ever waking.

Saïx: I see. And what of the imposter?

Xemnas: See that he stays away from Roxas. He is merely an impurity that would make Xion's existence incomplete.

Saïx: Then we shall return to our original plan.

(Outside, in the Dark City, Riku stands atop Memory's Skyscraper. He looks over to the moon. Xion sits curled up in her room)

Xion: What am I supposed to do... ...Riku?

(She looks toward the moon outside her window)

==Day 300: Shutdown==

(Roxas sits on the clock tower. Axel and Xion join him. They sit in silence. Naminé stands in the Pod Room)

Naminé: Oh no...

(DiZ walks over)

DiZ: What has happened?

Naminé: Sora's memory...I'm afraid has stopped.

DiZ: What does that mean?

Naminé: Unless something is done, he'll never wake from his slumber.

DiZ: The gloves must come off then.

Naminé: But...

DiZ: Nobodies never should have existed---as I'm sure you understand, Naminé.

Naminé: Yes...

==Day 301: Vacant Place==

(Roxas sits on the clock tower alone, eating ice cream)

==Day 321: Waning Power==

(Roxas has a dream about when Sora lost his Keyblade, and his friends, to Riku. A tear falls from Roxas's cheek and he wakes up. He wipes the tear from his face and looks at it)

Roxas: What..is this...?

(A memory of Sora sealing the Agrabah Keyhole plays)

After Xion returned to the Organization, Roxas grew weaker by the day. It was as though Xion continued to gain strength as Roxas lost it.

Using the Keyblade was beginning to wear out Roxas.

(After their mission, Roxas and Xion sit on the clock tower)

Xion: Are you really okay?

Roxas: (laughs) This is getting weird.

Xion: Huh?

Roxas: Since when do you ever worry about me?

Xion: What do you mean "weird"?

Roxas: Usually, I do all the worrying over you. I don't think it's ever been the other way around before. Just feels strange, that's all.

Xion: Roxas, of course I worry about you.

Roxas: I'm just glad you're back, Xion. Even though it might have been rough on you.

Xion: Is Axel coming today?

Roxas: Ah... Who knows...

Xion: You didn't fight, did you?

Roxas: How could he? How could that jerk attack you like that?

Xion: ... "That jerk"...? Do you mean Axel?

(Roxas says nothing)

Xion: But...I wouldn't be sitting here with you if Axel hadn't done that.

(Roxas still says nothing)

Xion: He's your best friend.

Roxas: I know, but so are you.

Xion: Heh. It's just not the same without all three of us...

(Later, Axel walks through Naught's Skyway)

Xion: Axel!

Axel: Huh?

(Xion approaches Axel from behind)

Axel: You need something?

Xion: Well, um... Something's wrong with Roxas. You don't know why, do you? He says the Keyblade wears him out when he goes to use it. And then today, I was fighting the same way Roxas does.

Axel: You would know more about Roxas than I do by now.

Xion: What do you mean?

Axel: (sighs) Well, what do you think, Xion?

Xion: I'm not sure.

Axel: Not sure, huh? Is that because you're a puppet?

(Xion gasps)

Axel: You do know that. You're a replica whose original purpose was to copy Roxas's powers. So if you see Roxas's powers getting weaker, while your powers are getting stronger... It could be that you're robbing Roxas of his powers more than you oughta be.

Xion: What can I... Then what should I do?

Axel: You gotta think for yourself. Cuz I know you're not just a puppet. We're best friends. You, me, and Roxas, that is. Got it memorized?

Xion: Sure. Can I ask you just one other thing?

Axel: What's that?

Xion: I saw a boy today who looks just like Roxas.

(Axel gasps and sighs)

Xion: Is he who I think he is?

(Xigbar stands around the corner overhearing the conversation)