Leaving the second floor in silence Yuki nervously glanced between the twins. There seemed to be a sort of unspoken tension between them. Whatever Vanitas had done to Y must have been something pretty bad. Though, X was once friends with the broken boy.

"So, those people, those were your friends?" Yuki asked hesitantly. Y's brooding look was replaced quickly by a wistful smile. 

"Yup," she said. "Aqua, Terra, and Ven."

"They seemed like really great people," Yuki said. Y flinched at her words. Yuki couldn't place why though. What had she said wrong this time?

"They are," Y said firmly with a nod. "I can't wait for you to meet them for real. I wish you could meet Master Eraqus too."

"Right," Yuki agreed. It was hard to imagine all the pain Y had to be carrying with her. She lost not only all her friends but her master too. And then she lost another set of friends to what seemed like a similar plot. "That Vanitas guy, what was with him?" Yuki asked, glancing at X as they went up to the next floor. X stopped, frowning as he put his hands in his pockets.

"That was actually pretty unusual for him. I have no idea why he even bothered talking to you, no offense," he said. Yuki chuckled slightly. Y frowned, crossing her arms.

"That wasn't normal?" she asked.

"Nope," X said.

"So, was it normal for him to make up weird nicknames for people? Cause he used to call me Starshine," Y asked. X frowned looking at Y with a narrowed gaze. He bit his bottom lip glancing at the white tile floor under their feet.

"Huh, that is strange. He usually didn't mess around," X muttered.

"He was your friend?" Yuki asked.

"In a way," X said calmly. "Friend was a loose term for both of us."

"Oh," Yuki said. She suppressed a shudder, putting her hands on either arm as if a cold breeze had blown through the large open room.

"You ok Yuki? You look more shaken up than us," Y asked, stepping closer to Yuki and resting a comforting hand on her arm. Yuki offered her a weak smile looking away.

"You guys lost everything you ever had. I can't imagine the pain you guys go through," she said.

"Well, I don't know about Y. But I didn't lose everything," X said, tilting his head to the side. Yuki looked up in confusion.

"Nope, I still had one thing. And it's not something I'm ever gonna lose," Y said, her tone surprisingly bright. Yuki turned her confused gaze onto Y. She was smiling just as brightly as her tone had been.

"What's that?" Yuki asked.

"Each other," Y said, taking X's hand in her own. She was the only one that ever seemed to be able to touch X for more than a few seconds without him flinching away from her.

"We really would be screwed without each other," X agreed, returning the pressure of Y's hand.

"How sweet," a familiar voice drawled. Yuki held in a groan as she turned to face the next set of doors. Syrine stood in front of the doors inspecting her nails idly. "I think I might vomit."

"Of course. We can't go a floor without meeting someone," Y complained, letting go of X's hand. Her hand was held off to the side, likely to summon her keyblade if it became necessary. Syrine glanced up at her, dropping her hand to rest on her hip.

"Rude," Syrine said.

"You are the last person to be talking about rude," Yuki snapped. Syrine frowned for a moment then shrugged, her arms going up as to emphasize the movement.

"Eh, guess you're right there," she agreed. She dropped her arms and descended the steps to be on the same level as them. Despite that she still stood taller than all of them, here eyes scanning over each of them individually coming to rest on Yuki. "Just checking up on you. Aryum thought that floor might break you kiddos. Strange it seemed to break the one who she thought wouldn't care."

"I'm not broke. It's just a lot to think about, seeing the start of what I know the end too," Yuki said, crossing her arms and looking away. Syrine gave a laugh rubbing the bridge of her nose as she looked to the side.

"Oh, trust me, you only think you know the end. Your buddies aren't telling you everything," she said. She kept a vicious smirk as she looked between X and Y.

"What?" Yuki asked. She looked to X and Y, surprised to see them stone-faced, X glaring and Y's jaw locked.

"It doesn't matter," Y said calmly.

"She's going to see it soon enough, right?" X asked, his head tilting to the side.

"I suppose. Can't wait to see her realize not everyone here is as friendly as she thought. Have fun in the next world," Syrine said. She waved her hand, being swallowed up by a dark corridor. They stood in silence, Syrine's words echoing in their ears. Yuki glanced at X and Y again. What were they hiding now? 

"They exist to merely taunt us," X drawled, shaking his head.

"So it would seem," Yuki agreed. "Where to next?"

"My card, let's go," X said, pulling the card from the stack. He approached the door and held up the card. As it vanished and the doors opened he didn't waste time entering. Yuki and Y followed soundlessly.

The next floor was a forest world. They entered beside a calm lake. In the distance, Yuki could see the faint outline of a castle. It was one of the worlds she had never seen before. It seemed nice enough, if a little empty.

"Enchanted Dominion," Y said, taking a few steps farther into the world and looking around. "How many shadows should we expect?" She turned to look at X. Unsurprisingly he had a brooding expression as he looked toward the castle.

"Two?" he said. "Terra and Maleficent. The only ones here I saw."

"Small world," Yuki said, frowning. Maleficent. That was a name she hadn't heard in a while. No one had seemed to know what happened to that fairy.

"Yeah, let's find them," X said, taking the lead through the world.

X took them toward the castle in the distance, stopping as they reached a bridge crossing over a moat. Terra stood at the edge of the bridge, looking up at the castle. X paused for a moment, Yuki and Y stopping a few steps behind him. It surprised Yuki to see the way his shoulders slumped. It was like he was trying to appear smaller than he was. Whatever it was, it didn't suit the X she knew at all.

X let out a heavy sigh, taking a few steps forward until he stood beside Terra, lightly tapping his arm. Seeing the two beside each other was almost comical. X was so much smaller than Terra was.

"Oh, X, right? Y's brother," Terra said as he looked down at X.

"That is one way to look at it I suppose," X said. Yuki almost rolled her eyes at the tone of his voice. It was the same as when he used to talk to her. Before he warmed up. The sarcasm so thick it was impossible to miss paired with a cynicism. "I assure you, we're very different people."

"Right," Terra said, sounding a bit confused. "Why are you here?"

X opened his mouth to reply, but he stopped before words formed. His lips pursed together as he started up at Terra. His purple eyes glazed over as he looked away from Terra. He remained where he was staring at nothing for what seemed like ages. Terra even reacted, his head tilting to the side in confusion.

"X?" Yuki asked. He didn't move.

"I don't think anything's going to happen if you just stare, you gotta say something," Y said. She took a step forward, her hand slowly extending out toward X. But her hand dropped the moment X spoke.

"I don't wanna lie to him. Not again," X muttered. Yuki looked at Y in shock. She had stiffened up, her mouth slightly open. After a pause, she pressed her lips together and nodded, almost to herself.

"Then don't. Tell the truth," Y said calmly.

"How do I tell him I'm here to ensure he falls into darkness? How do I tell him I'm here to take everything he loves and holds dear from his grip?" X asked, his voice filling with venom. 

"X," Y began. X cut her off before she could get very far into the thought.

"We're supposed to change what we would do, right?" he asked.

"Yeah, so what would you change?" Yuki asked.

"Everything," X answered. He turned his attention back to Terra, who was looking down at him in complete confusion. It seemed the shadow had heard all of what X had said, but none of the rest of the conversation. Yuki wasn't sure why that was surprising to her. "I'm here to help you. There are things about Xehanort you don't know. I want to be sure he can't hurt you and your friends."

"What do you mean?" Terra asked.

"He's going to summon Kingdom Hearts, and your friends are at the center of it all, you too. I wanna stop him, and I need your help," X explained calmly. 

"Are you sure?" Terra asked. X nodded wordlessly. "Then we'll stop it." Terra decided, a look of determination appearing on his face. The shadow disappeared, soundlessly and without another word.

"Thank you," Y said.

"As much as I love you, it wasn't for you," X said calmly. He turned back around to face the two of them. Yuki could see what looked like tears at the edge of his eyes. But he blinked them away before she could really tell what they were. 

"I know. But I'm still grateful," Y said. She smiled, her hands resting over her heart as her eyes closed. X snorted looking away from her.

"You shouldn't be, it took me far too long to realize that's what I should have done," he hissed. It was a type of malice Yuki had never heard from him before. One more potent than the most lethal poisons. "I can't believe sometimes how easy it was to trick Terra."

"What do you mean?" Y demanded, her eyes opening and narrowing into slits. She had heard it too.

"It took some pretty words and friendly smiles. Lies buried in truth," X muttered. The malice was gone in an instant, replaced by a breathlessness. "And he trusted me. And, well you know how that went."

"It's in the past," Yuki said, stepping forward. "I don't know these guys, but I'm sure if they could see you now they would see how much you've changed."

"Yuki's right. I'm sure when we see them again, they will forgive you," Y agreed. Her eyes had softened again. X only snorted again, still refusing to look at them.

"I don't want their forgiveness. I'm not worth it," he snapped. He didn't let them respond, stalking his way across the bridge and toward the castle. Yuki could only watch in surprise. 

"Is he ok?" she asked.

"No, this is probably going to be hardest on him. He's done a lot he doesn't want to remember," Y admitted. Her hands clenched nervously. She was holding the charm that had once hung off her coat. It was a bit larger than Yuki remembered it being, closer to the size of Kairi's good luck charm.

"Right," Yuki agreed, glancing back to the castle. X was already out of sight. "Then we should catch up to him, he shouldn't have to face these shadows alone."

When they caught up to X he still didn't speak. He let them follow behind him soundlessly as he led the way up endless staircases to a chamber in one of the tallest towers. It was fairly empty, save the bed that had a young woman lying asleep. Or Yuki hoped she was asleep. It was hard to tell, her breathing was so shallow.

X stopped beside the bed, looking at the blonde with a frown. His eyes narrowed into a fierce glare.

"I tricked Terra into thinking he was the one to hurt her," he muttered. Yuki glanced at Y. She was unsurprised Y made no move to speak. Nothing would comfort X. Only anger him further. "This was the first heart I ever stole."

"A valuable tool, the ability to gain trust."

They all turned to see Maleficent standing in the corner of the room. Her lips turned up into a wicked grin. She was holding her staff a hand resting over the green gem at the top.

"Maleficent," X greeted calmly.

"Will you not assist me this time?" she asked, seeming to be able to tell something was different about X. X rolled his eyes and looked back at the princess who was sleeping.

"No, get the heart yourself," he decided. "And don't so quickly count the Heartless as your allies. Terra wasn't the only one I thought I played here."

"Such power you hold, and to only use it twice," Maleficent said, ignoring X's warning. That in and of itself was enough for Yuki to decide Maleficent was crazy and possibly stupid.

"Twice was more than enough. I have far too much blood on my hands now," X said. He looked at his hand, clenching it into a fist and suppressing a shudder.

"A fool," Maleficent hissed. X chuckled, unclenching his hand and glaring at Maleficent over his shoulder.

"Yeah, I really am. Who am I to think I can outrun destiny?" he asked. With a flick of his wrist he summoned his daggers, turning quickly he pointed them towards Maleficent. His purple eyes were alight with anger that seemed to be more than just what had happened here. "But your as much a fool as I."

"Fighting me will be your grave," Maleficent snapped. She held up her staff, which glowed an ominous green color. The tower shook as she smirked down at them. "Enjoy your doom."

 The shadow vanished, leaving the trio to look around in a panic. The tower still shook on occasion, like something was attacking at its base or heavy footfalls from beneath them.

"What was that?" Y asked.

"Unversed?" X suggested.

"You mean Heartless?" Yuki asked in confusion.

"Unversed," X repeated firmly. Y rolled her eyes with a heavy sigh.

"Long story, come on."

They ran down the tower, finding themselves in the throne room. There they found themselves face to face with a giant Heartless. It was similar to a dragon, though its wings took the place of its front legs. Yuki recognized it well, she had seen it before, when in Halloween town. The Heartless emblem on its chest was pink outlined with black.

"Ok, Yuki was right. Heartless," X said, spinning his daggers in hand.

"Let's beat it," Y said, calling her own key to her hand.

"Yeah," Yuki agreed, her own keys appearing in her hands. 

Wyvern let out a shriek seeing them and launching towards them. X and Y dodged to the side, while Yuki jumped forward blocking with her keys. She pushed Wyvern back, its teeth caught on her keys. Shoving the giant Heartless back took all her strength, but it toppled easily once its balance was gone.

X darted forward taking advantage of the downed Heartless. His daggers cut through the membranous wings, which led to another earsplitting shriek. He pulled back to the side as Wyvern got to its feet, shaking its now useless wings.

Y jumped forward next, using Yuki's shoulders as a step-up. She landed on an upper beam, raising Light's Keeper above her head. Yuki flinched back knowing well what was coming before Y even spoke.

"Holy!"

The bright light that filled the room was enough to cause spots to dance across Yuki's vision despite her eyes being closed. When her eyes opened again she saw Wyvern staggering back. Yuki wasted no time darting forward again. Both keys dragging behind her. X was moving too, closing the distance between him and Wyvern faster than Yuki could keep up.

His strike hit fist, cutting clean across Wyverns chest. Yuki hit next, her keys slashing upward on Wyverns chest, up to its throat and chin. As Yuki pulled back Y jumped down, her key piercing through its head easily.

Y landed on the ground as the Heartless faded behind her, releasing its pink crystalline heart. Y stood, looking behind her as her keyblade vanished. Yuki and X both banished their own weapons as they regrouped.

"What was Maleficent talking about?" Yuki asked. The faerie had always said strange things. But whatever she was asking from X. It seemed to be beyond the weird she usually was. It seemed the shadow knew too much.

"She's crazy, she wants power she can't have," X said with a shrug.

"Yeah, X is right," Y agreed. Yuki nodded, her mind still racing. X had taken two hearts. That was only one more than she had. Had Y taken a heart at all? Or was she the only really innocent one among them? 

Remembering the heart she had stolen Yuki felt ready to throw up. She had never tried to find out who that girl was. The guilt would have eaten her alive if she had known

"You know, just because you've taken a couple hearts doesn't mean your evil," Yuki said, her voice low. It was meant more for herself than the others. She prayed they would agree with her. Were they already too late to be good?

"It's not the number," X said. Yuki looked up hopefully. "It's who's heart I took."

"What?" Yuki asked.

"No, stop," Y said firmly. She stepped toward X, her eyes wide with fear.

"What?" Yuki asked again.

"I'm the reason Y is a Heartless."

The words almost echoed in the throne room. Yuki felt her breath catch. X, the reason Y was a Heartless? That wasn't right. X could never hurt her. He wasn't supposed to. It went against the feeling in Yuki that was burning with anger now. X couldn't have. He wouldn't. Not unless someone had made him. Forced him to. And even then, if it were true why would his sister be anywhere near him? Y would hate him, wouldn't she?

"And if you hadn't of taken my heart I'd be dead!" Y snapped. Yuki lurched, the anger that wasn't quite hers burning even brighter. "Xehanort wouldn't have let us escape and you know it! I don't care, I forgave you ages ago! Stop being so hard on yourself!"

"You don't even have the capability of understanding this Y," X said, his voice surprisingly calm. He looked up at her, his eyes not moving as they locked onto her. "I'm not being hard on myself, I'm being realistic."

"No your n-" Y began only to be cut off.

"Shut up."

Yuki hardly believed she heard those words. X still looked calm, contrasting to the way he had snapped. Y stared at him, mouth agape. 

"Let's go." X turned away, walking towards the thrones. Yuki had been so distracted she hadn't noticed the doors to leave this floor open behind them. She bit her bottom lip, glancing over at Y.

"Did he really?" Yuki asked.

"Yeah, but I let him," Y said evenly. "Come on."