Maya's P.O.V

I groan, feeling a sense of coldness against the side of my face. Fluttering my eyes open, my vison was greeted by a hall decorated with pure white. After fully waking up, I got up from the ground and looked all around me.

Where the fuckin hell am I?

The last thing I remember was dying in Sora's arms, running into King Mickey and Riku in the realm of darkness and that's it. That's all I can remember. But more importantly.

" How the fuck am I alive?" I shouted out loud, staring down at myself.

So many questions are running through my head right now.

It took me a moment to realize that this place felt so familiar to me. I crossed my arms in deep thought. It's like I've been here before. But how? I only know Land of Departures and Destiny Islands. Why did a part of me felt like this was home to me?

' Maya....'  

I gasped, as my eyed widen, hearing a voice that sounded so familiar to me. I might be insane but that voiced sounded exactly like..... " Ventus?" I muttered confused. My attention turned to the doors at the end of the hall. I swear that was his voice. There was a stinging pain shot in my heart.

I didn't realize I had shed a tear when my hand move up to wipe away the fallen tear. I shook my head. Pull yourself together Maya. There's no way that was Ventus. He and the others abandoned you.

Shaking my head I snapped out of it. I can feel Riku is having some trouble. He's fighting the darkness. I did my best to reach him but that darkness he has left is what's keeping me away. I know sending him my light will help fight it off.

It wasn't that long when a familiar figure pass through the doors.  " Gee, it sure took you long enough." I teased, Riku. I eyed him. There's more darkness in him than before. What happened?

He was shocked to see me. " Maya!" He looked around. " Where are we?"

" Hmm. I'm not really sure myself. I just followed this light and it lead me here." I said almost frowning but more like I was thinking. " What's that?" I pointed to the card Riku held in his right hand.

" Don't know." He replied told her.

I study him carefully then went towards the closed door in front of us. " Where are you going?" He asked me. " If wanna find out where the blazing place we are, might as well take a look around." She suggested.

He chuckled. "I guess you're right."

I grunts as I pull on the door but it wouldn't budge.  I heard laughter from behind me. " Stupid door... it won't... open..." I pant sliding my back against it.

" Does someone need my help?" Riku  teased me. I glares at me. "Like I need help from you."

He chuckled again as Riku held the card up towards the door. " Whoa!" I falls when the doors open. " You know... it's okay to ask for my help every once in a while." He pats my head.

I continue to pout. " For your information, I'm still recovering my strength." I argue brushing his  hand away. He laughed. " Sure you are." Riku walked through the door.

" Why did I have to be stuck with you!" I growls.

-----

For some odd reason when I passed through the door, Riku wasn't with me. I was yet in another white hall. " Riku?" I yelled but got no response. " Great, alone again." I growled.

Guess I have to play the waiting game. This sucks.

My eyes averted through the next doors in front of me. Why am I feeling another light that's similar to mine but yet it isn't?  Might as go on forward myself.

----

" How can we help you Vexen? It's not very often we see you topside." Axel questioned the long haired man.

" I came to lend you a hand. You obviously believe this Sora has much potential, but I remain unconvinced he is truly worth such codding. I thin an experiment would show if he really is of any value to us.

Larxene scuff. " Hmph. Well, here we go again. It's just an excuse so you can carry out your little experiments. That's all."

"I'm a scientist. Experiments are what I do, yes." Vexen smirks.

"Whatever, you do want you want. But you know, I think testing Sora is just a cover for testing your valet." Axel teased.

" Valet? He's the product of pure research." Vexen corrects him.

" What he actually is a toy!" Larxene teases along.

Vexen scuffs. " You should just learn to be quiet!" He scolds her.

Axel shakes is head annoyed. " Anyways... since you came all this way, you're gonna need this. A humble gift to my elder. I hope you use it to put on a good show for us. Axel tossed him a card.

Vexen smirks as Replica Riku appears before them. " That card holds the memories of Sora, Maya and Riku's home." Axel explains.

" it's just a card. What good is that?" Replica Riku spats.

"With a little help from Namine, you'll have all the real Riku's memories! Maybe we can get her to make you forget you're nothing more but a fake. In other words, we'll remake your heart so you can be exactly as the real Riku, 'kay." Larxene told him their plan.

The replica Riku gasped. "You want to remake my heart? The real Riku is a wimp who's afraid of the dark! What do I want with the heart of a loser?" He questioned the others in anger.

"Any objections, Vexen? After all, you do want to test Sora, don't you?" Larxene asked.

Vexen smirks. "It must be done."

Replica Riku felt betrayed. " How can you? Are you betraying me?"

" I told you I would make good use of you, didn't?" Vexen holds up the card.

"No!" Replica Riku said almost in fear.

"Relax, kiddo. I don't think it's going to hurt that much." Larxene pointed out.

Replica Riku scuffs. " I'll hurt YOU!" He took out his Keyblade and attacked her.

Larxene easily knocks him out the way, making him fall to the ground.

She laughs. "Stupid little toy! Think you can defeat me? Where would ever get a thought like that?" She mocks him.

Replica Riku backed away. " But--look on the bright side. Along with everything else in your head, Namine will erase the memory of me knocking you flat. Instead, she will implant the loveliest little memories you could ever hope for. It's no big deal that they're all lies." Larxene tells him. 

" No..." Replica Riku mutters as he tries to back away from her.  " NOOO!!!" He screamed. 

She knocked him and threw him in front of Namine.  " Erase his memories, Namine." Larxene order.

 Namine frowns. Maxay knew she didn't want to. It wasn't right. None of this was right.  So, she steps in. " I told you to leave her alone! I'll fiddle with his memories." Maxay argues. 

Larxene turns her head in her direction. " Are you interfering?  From what I hear, you don't have a say in this matter." She took out her knives and use her lighting on Maxay. 

Maxay held in her scream, kneeling on the ground. " Maxay!" Namine calls out to her in worried. " You might be a member of the Organization, but you were never given a number, therefore, you take orders from us! We decide which one of you gets to do what part!" Larxene smirks attacking Maxay again. 

Maxay, knew she didn't have to endure this, she can easily take everyone out in this room if she had to but, she had to pretend that she was weak to them. Because that's what 'he' asked her to do. 

" Stop!" Namine yelled. " I'll rearrange Riku's memories. Just stop hurting, Maxay!" Namine held back Larxene. 

Larxene glances down at the girl, brushing her off. Maxay pants. It didn't hurt as much, to her it Larxene's lighting was a tickle. " Good girl. Cause if you don't... I'll turn this one into dusk before you can even blink.

" Agreed."  Namine mutters. 

Maxay scuffs in the inside. 'As if you had the power to over come me.' She spats mentally. 

------

" Why so glum, Namine? Is there's something that's troubling you? " Larxene teased the blond girl after she was done torturing Maxay. " Are you feeling awful about tinkering with Sora's memory? Or maybe you--" She was interrupted.

" Cut it out, Larxene." 

Replica Riku appeared before them. " Namine and Maxay-- they don't want to remember Sora."

" Is that so?" Larxene questioned. 

Replica Riku got in front of Namine. " Don't worry. Whatever's hurting you, I'll make it go away." He then pulled out the same good luck charm Maxay created for Sora. " I swear it on this-- the good luck charm you gave me. See ya." He said leaving the room. 

Namine couldn't help but feel more guilty. Larxene grins. " That's just amazing. It's almost like you completely made his heart from scratch. Nice touch with the good luck charm. I didn't know you two could use memories to transform objects like cards into keepsakes. You used the same trick Maxay did on Sora, right? You changed Maya's good luck charms with your own magic, didn't you?" Larxene was impressed with their works. 

Larxene laughs glancing over to Maxay who was laying on the floor. " It won't be long before Sora forgets about Maya completely. And then you two can decided who gets to keep him---" 

" He won't forget!" Maxay shouted interrupting her. 

" Huh?" Larxene glares at her. 

" No matter how much we change his memory, Sora will never forget Maya. Memories of Namine and I--- more false memories of us will only just make his feelings for Maya even stronger than they where before. Because... were just shadows." Maxay stated looking deadly at Larxene. 

" What's your problem with that? That should be your incentive not to screw anything up. Just do you jobs rewriting Sora's heart. Then you two can actually be somebody---and no longer Maya's and Kairi's shadows. You'll be real in Sora's heart." Larxene pointed out. 

Namine frowns. She didn't want it like this. Neither did Maxay. Maxay just wants her own life. Her own destiny. 

----

Zexion gasped when he sensed something strange. " Vexen is no more." Lexaeus announced appearing before him. " Yes, his scent is gone. Axel struck him down... something I find deplorable--- Agents of the Organization striking each other down." Zexion found it hard to believe. 

" Our problem is Sora. Vexen proved to be no match for him, yet he's still under Maxay and Namine's control." Lexaeus said. 

" But we cannot eliminate Sora, can we?" Zexion asked knowing that wasn't an option they can do. 

" Correct. For our Superior- he is in dire need for the hero of light. When light loses sight of it's path--- we may find use for the dark. What we must do is obtain the darkness." Lexaeus explained. 

" Riku... of course." Zexion mutters understanding. 

" But first, we must vanquish the remaining light that is making him resists the darkness." Lexaeus suggested. 

" You mean, killing Maya again? Isn't her power important as well?" Zexion reminded Lexaeus that they couldn't be afford to lose. 

Lexaeus nods. " Yes. But we have Maxay if Maya were to disappear Maxay can just have Maya's powers trans over to her." 

Zexion hums in thought. Yes, Maya is another problem they must deal with carefully.  

------

-- back to Maya

" Riku!" I shouted passing through the next hall. I let out a frustrating sigh. He wasn't here either. It's like a maze in this place. As I stop walking, I placed a hand on my head feeling it starting to hurt. I groan in pain. Why was it getting harder to have Sora in my thoughts? Is something happening to him? 

Shaking my head a bit hoping it would dye down the pain, I couldn't help but know somethings seriously wrong here. It's like an unknown force is leading me somewhere. I can feel Sora's and Riku's presence. Yet I feel others are here too. They must be hiding in the shadows. 

My Keyblade appeared in my hands as someone appeared in front of me. I got into my stance sending a glare to the guy wearing a black coat and messy spiked hair. He had a giant ass weapon too. 

" This scent.... you must be one of those 'Nobodies' the king warned me about." I glared at the strange figure. 

" You've done well to let Riku over come his darkness even though he fears it." The man said. 

I grip my Keyblade tighter. " He doesn't fear it! He's a lot stronger than you make him out to be." I spat. 

" In order for Riku to control his darkness we need to get rid of the remaining spark of light you're giving him. " He said. 

I scuffed. " That will never happened. Even if his darkness will never go away... my light will still be there to remind him not to give up." 

" Which is why I'll take away that light from him!" He powered off. 

I took a step back but control my emotions. Well shit... wasn't expecting to fight one of these bastards this quick.  

" I, Lexaeus, will not yield to the likes of you." He introduce himself.  " Now, it's time for you to disappear for good!" 

-----

We both pant once Lexaeus fall to his knees first.  " You're done!" I yelled charring to finish him off. He glared. " Don't mock me!" He shouted pushing me towards the ceiling. I yelped hitting the floor with a thud. 

 " I will admit. You have potential. I can clearly see your not at your full strength." He began walking closer to me. 

I groan as I tried to get back up but my back hurt too much. 

" Maya!" 

I gasped as Riku blocked Lexaeus weapon. 

" Riku." I was relived to know he was okay. Another gasped escaped my mouth seeing that he was in his Ansem outfit. 

Lexaeus groans once Riku cuts him down in a flash. 

" Too slow." Riku said. 

I crawled back. That wasn't Riku. The air caught in my throat sensing that the light I gave him was starting to weaken. 

 " You are the Superior's--- Forgive me Zexion. This was a fight I should not have started." Lexaeus didn't get to finish what he wanted to say as he started to fade away.  Riku scuffs. 

-----

 Riku's P.O.V

Opening my eyes, I saw that I was in pitch blackness again. What happened? I remember trying to help Maya fight that guy in black, but then I-- I lost control. 

" I see you now... clearly." 

I gasped hearing Ansem's voice. 

" Maya?" I shouted looking for her. 

" Riku... I can see your heart..." 

I notice that Maya's light began to weaken. " No... it's not. Darkness this foul could... only---" Did I give into the darkness again? I frown. I failed her. I just wanted to protect her. 

" That's it, remember me... let me drift into your heart..."

" Ansem!" I growled. 

His laughter echoes around the darkness. " You called out my name. You have been thinking about me... you're afraid of the darkness I command. Loosing Maya to the darkness again made you afraid which lead you to lose control of that little light you had left. Good... the more you think of me, the closer my return draws. And when I have awaken, I will take hold... Your heart will be mine!" Ansem appeared before me. 

He holds out his hand as he launches himself at me. I backed away as my arms shield me from a bright light. 

" Riku, you gotta fight! Don't let Ansem win!" That voice. 

" Maya!" 

She was in front of me in a see through kind of way like how king Mickey was. " You meddlesome princess!" Ansem yelled. 

Another bright light surrounds us. 

----

" Riku!" I groan hearing a familiar voice. " C'mon, get up Riku!" I felt my body shaken. I gasped waking up. 

" Maya!" I shouted. It took me a minute too realize I was back in the white halls. 

" Are you okay?" She asked me worriedly.  

I chuckled. " I should be asking you that. Y-You protected me again... didn't you?" I asked her. 

A smile appears on her face. Well... you did kind of went a bit berserk a few moments ago. I wasn't the only one that helped." 

She was right. I felt two lights guiding me through the darkness.  " The king?" I muttered realizing it was him. She nods. 

Maya stood up holding out her hand. " You don't have to fight this alone, you know." She says. It took a long time for me to understand but I get it now. I took her hand as she helps me up. They've been there for me this whole time. 

------

" Lexaeus is gone as well..." Zexion mutters sensing the disappearance of his fallen member. 

" Vexen, Larxene, Lexaeus... I wonder who will be next in line." Axel appeared in the room. 

" I thought perhaps it might be you." Zexion teased. 

" Me? No way. I already took my pounding from Sora. He thinks I'm done for good. Nope, I think it'll be Marluxia next." Axel pointed out. " For defying the Organization and targeting Sora. I hope he moves exactly as his heart commands him to." 

" So, what about you? I thought you guys had plans for Riku." Axel questioned him.

" Yes, we were going to set him off against the traitors... but with Marluxia gone, there is no more need. Not to mention that princess keeps getting in the way. He is no more need. He is nothing but a nuisance now." Zexion explains. 

" They're too dangerous, as well. After all Riku might've taken down Lexaeus but it was Maya that did half the job." Axel added. 

" You know that is not how I do things. Tell me, did you obtain the data on Riku's home?" Zexion asked. 

-----

--back to Maya and Riku. 

When Riku and I reached the next floor, the place started to shake. " What? One of the scents has died--- a really strong one." Riku mentioned as we steady ourselves. 

" I swear its not my stomach! I haven't had lunch yet." I defended myself. 

Riku deadpanned at me. " I wasn't talking about you, Maya." He said annoyingly. 

I nervously laughed. " Y-yeah, I knew that." 

He sighs rubbing his temples. " You're given another chance at life and you're still this annoying." Riku teased. 

I puffed my face. Okay that made me feel offended. " Why don't you say that to my face again like a real man!" I waved my fist in air. He shakes his head. 

We gasped once another guy in black appeared in front of us. " The keeper of this castle, Marluxia has just been felled by the Keyblade master." 

" Keyblade..." Riku and I muttered together. 

" You mean Sora! Sora is here!?" Riku yelled. 

I gasped again. S-Sora? I grabbed my head that began to hurt. 

" Maya?" Riku puts a hand on my shoulder. 

" Of course he's here. Want to see him? But... can you face him?" The guy asked us. 

" What's that mean?" Riku questioned him. 

" The world of darkness, and Ansem's shadow, still nest within your heart. Do you plan to face Sora like that? Even after what you did to your princess over there. Are you not ashamed?" The guy stated.  " Sora's fate is to battle the darkness. He must oppose anyone who hosts the dark-- in other words, it's you."

Riku growled. " D-Don't listen to him... Riku. You know Sora and I don't blame you for what happened. Don't let this guy get to you. I'm here now, right?" I tried to reassure to him that everything's okay. If he thinks negatively of himself. It would only make the darkness in him stronger. 

 "If you don't believe the words I say...." The guy tossed him another card. " Then you had best see the truth with your own eyes." He taunts. 

I heard Riku gasped. " This card! This is our---"  I peeked over and saw it was the Density Islands card.  

" Yes, it is your home." The guy said disappearing. 

" Riku..." I frown at him. 

" Maya...." He says my name. 

" Hmm?" I titled my head a little wondering what he has to say. 

" Can you....