I appeared in the round room once again, surprised to see Braig smiling down at me. I was standing in the center, so I guess I haven't earned the right to sit in my chair. I stuck my hands in my pockets, feeling a little better. Braig didn't seem to be mad at me, so that's good.

"I heard that someone got lucky," he said, and I couldn't help but grin.

"Yeah, yeah," I replied. "So what if I did? It's not like I took away her innocence or anything like that."

"Smart move," Braig said, nodding his head. "Don't want to get her pregnant."

"So, what's up?" I asked. Braig gave me a sympathetic look, sighing.

"Well, I heard that she's trying to turn against us." He leaned forward, looking me in the eye. "She's trying to turn you against us."

"Don't be ridiculous," I snorted. "Like I would really try to help those feckless-"

"Feckless neophytes, I know," Braig said, cutting me off. "You're really starting to sound like that old coot."

"Oh, man, you're right," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. I sighed, looking up at Braig. "Well, I better get going. Have to clear my name, get her to join the darkness, the usual stuff." He saluted me with two fingers, and I opened another portal.

••••

I appeared in Akio's room to see her asleep on her couch. She was wearing a white, strapless dress, a black belt, and clean combat boots. Her hair was parted to one side and she had on a dark choker. She looked beautiful. I smiled, walking over to her sleeping body. I reached out, touching her arm, and she shifted.

"Akio," I said, causing her eyes to flutter open. She sat up straight, blinking a few times before realizing where she was. Akio rubbed her eyes, yawning. She didn't seem to notice me in front of her, making me huff in annoyance. She strecthed out her arms, standing up. I followed her to the open window to see the sun was setting, the sky a mixture of red, pink, purple, and blue.

Akio smiled, a look of excitement on her face. She jumped out of her window, landing in the Sandlot. I saw the Destiny Island Trio down there, crossing my arms. She started talking to Sora, Riku, and Kairi, who were all dressed up as well. They exchanged words when a strong gust of wind came. Confused, I watched as a colorful spaceship landed in the center of the Sandlot. They all entered it, and I could've sworn I heard Akio yell, "Shotgun!"

I leaned on the window sill, sighing.

Where could they possibly be going all dressed up? Some fancy party? You'd think they would be training for the war. This is ridiculous. What is Akio thinking, joining their side?

I looked down to see someone storming towards the rainbow-colored spacecraft. I narrowed my eyes, realizing it was Beanie Boy. Before he could reach them, the spaceship started to rise into the air. He crossed his arms, scowling, and I suddenly remembered him hitting on Akio. Growling, I appeared in front of him.

He jumped back in surprise, his eyes wide.

"Who the hell are you?!" he yelled.

"I could ask you the same thing," I replied, crossing my arms. "I saw you trying to kiss my girl. Big mistake." Unversed appeared beside him, latching onto his arms and legs. He fell to his knees under their weight, grunting.

"Yeah, right," he sneered, gritting his teeth. "Like you could get with someone like her." An Unversed appeared, grabbing his neck. He started coughing, glaring at me.

"Say that again," I growled.

"I said...you don't deserve....a sexy person...like her....you bastard," he muttered, struggling to speak. I felt something in me snap, and my foot connected with his face. A large bruise was on his right cheek, and he looked up at me with hatred.

I snapped my fingers, the Unversed disappearing. He got up, holding his cheek.

"You're a real pussy, you know that?" he said. "You can't even fight me without having someone hold me down!" I swung my fist, hitting him square in the jaw. He stumbled back, but I grabbed him by the neck, pressing him up against a wall.

"Don't fuck with me," I said, tightening my grip. Fear showed in his eyes, and I released him. He fell to the ground, breathing hard.

"Seifer!"

I turned to see his gang running towards us. I glared down at him, opening a dark portal. I don't have time to waste on him. I entered the darkness, the jealousy I was feeling before gone.

••••

I noticed two things once I stepped out of the dark portal.

One was that my outfit had completely changed. I was wearing a nicer leather jacket, a maroon shirt, and a dog tag necklace. Thick, leather braclets with bronze spikes on them sat on my wrist, and dark gloves were on my hands. Some black jeans and bronze sneakers completed the outfit.

The second thing was that I was inside of King Mickey's castle. I looked around, realizing I was in his throne room. Large, marble columns lined the walls, the floor pristine. The large door behind me opened - well, a small section of the door opened - and Mickey walked into the sparkling room, Akio following behind him. They didn't acknowledge my presence, so I guess I was invisible again.

"So, what's the surprise?" Akio asked, staring up at the high ceiling.

"Well, there are two surprises. The first: I was wonderin' if you could do me a favor? Ya see, I wanted to make this celebration really special. Why celebrate alone when we could invite all of our pals from the different worlds?" Mickey asked.

"Wait, isn't that 'meddling in the affairs of other worlds' or something?" she questioned. Mickey nodded, smiling mischievously.

"Ya, but it's a celebration! We should enjoy tonight, especially with Xehanort trying to start another Keyblade War. This could be the last time we see them all. Since you have dark powers, I was wondering if you could open up a portal to bring everyone from the different worlds here." Mickey winked at her. "C'mon! What do you say? One last time?"

Akio stared at him blankly. She doesn't have dark powers anymore, does she? Forcing a smile, Akio nodded her head.

"Sure," she said, not sounding so sure. She held out her hand, a concentrated look on her face. I smirked as she made a fist, trying again. This was getting sad. She tired one more time, and I snapped my fingers, causing a dark portal to open up in front of her. She stumbled back in surprise and Mickey grabbed her arm to steady her.

"You okay?" Mickey asked, concerned. Akio nodded her head, looking slightly confused. Guess she didn't think she would be able to do that. Doubting her dark abilities. Tch, tch, tch.

Akio stepped towards the raw energy, but her face became pale. She backed up, taking in deep breaths. Why was she acting like that?

"What's wrong?" Mickey asked, walking towards the portal. Akio pulled him back, plastering a fake smile on her face. I knew that she was in pain, though. She moved closer to the darkness, seeming to take more shallow breaths.

"Nothing!" Akio exclaimed, seeming to try to keep Mickey away from the darkness. "You just stay here and keep everyone out of this room! 'Kay?" Before Mickey could respond, she entered the portal, and I followed after her.

She stumbled, her legs going limp. I caught her just as her eyes closed and she fell unconscious. I guess the darkness is too strong for her heart to handle. Carrying her in my arms, I cut through the darkness. An opening showed the closest world, and I took her there.

••••

"You mind watching over her? I have to get going," I said to the guy before me. He had brown hair, a scar on his face, and a shit ton of belts. He looked at me, an eyebrow raised, before focusing on Akio. Something seemed to click in his head, and he nodded his head.

"Bring her inside," he said, leading me into a small house. This world seemed familiar, but I couldn't figure out what it was. I placed her body on the single bed in the room, pulling the blanket over her legs. Her chest rised with each breath, and I looked up to see the guy staring at me.

"So, you know Haku?" he asked, crossing his arms. I flinched at the name, looking away.

"Uh, sure. Just, make sure she gets better," I said, heading towards the door. Our eyes met, and he nodded his head. "Oh, and don't tell her about me."

"Okay."

I left the house, walking down the street. I turned a corner, blending into the shadows. Guess I have to keep opening dark portals for her.

••••

After going to all those worlds, opening all those portals, I felt drained. We had finally gotten the last guests, some kids from Twilight Town, and it was after midnight. Akio stayed outside in the Disney Castle courtyard, looking up at the sea of stars.

"I would make a move if I were you. Time is running out."

I nodded my head slightly so Xehanort could see, taking a deep breath. Here we go.

"Akio," I said, causing her to freeze. She turned around slowly, a smile growing on her face. Before I knew it, she was hugging me tightly. I felt something take over my body, the only thing holding me back from wrapping arms around her.

"Hey, you okay?" she asked, searching my eyes. I just stared straight ahead of me, expressionless. She grabbed my chin, tilting my head down so we were staring at each other. Her gray eyes captured me, holding me in place. A moment passed before I pulled away from her, gathering my strength. I had to warn her.

"Are you fighting for Xehanort? Or those weaklings?" I asked coldly, nodding my head towards the party going on inside. Akio stared at me with confusion, and I felt terrible.

"Those are my friends," she said, crossing her arms. "And, yes, I am. We talked about this already-"

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"

Her eyes widened at my words, and I could've sworn she took a step back. I looked down, ashamed. I didn't mean to snap at her. I just...I want her be safe.

"What?" she asked, her voice low.

"Make the right choice, Akio," I said, my voice just above a whisper. "Please." She nodded her head slowly, and I opened a dark portal, entering it in silence. Standing in the darkness, I sighed.

Shit.