Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories

Chapter 11: 10th Floor

(3rd) POV:

Something I can do...? Can I do anything for Harmony? Something I can do for Harmony, even though I'm nobody, and I can never become somebody...Hey, Harmony. What should I do? I don't know. Because I don't have anything that's special to me...

While Harmony and her friends head to the 10th floor, Axel, Larxene and Vexen watch them through the crystal ball.

"So what's going on, Vexen?" Larxene mockingly asks. "Your Riku and Madison were supposed to counter Harmony. What're they waiting for? Where are they?"

Vexen only glares at her, eyes filled with anger.

"They're hiding somewhere to lure Harmony deeper into the castle, right?" Axel asks, smirking at Vexen. "I suppose we should just leave it at that, you know."

"A-ha! Oh, I see now! I would have never guessed that. So sorry, Vexen," Larxene says with a smirk.

"Silence!" Vexen yells.

All Larxene does is scoff at him. "Predictable response. Forget it. Men without hearts are so boring."

"You're one to talk," says Vexen. "As if you have such a heart to speak of yourself."

"That's enough," a new voice says, gaining everyone's attention.

"Marluxia!" Vexen exclaims.

The man, Marluxia, is actually the same person who led Harmony and her friends to this castle in the first place. Feeling that there was no need, he hasn't made another appearance since the first floor. He takes off his hood to reveal his face.

"Vexen, the simple fact is that your project was a failure," Marluxia says. "You'd best not disappoint us again."

"Disappoint YOU? You got too far! In this Organization, you're No. 11! I'm No. 4 and I will not have you--" Vexen says then gets cut off.

From out of nowhere, Marluxia brings out a scythe, pointing the tip of the blade in front of Vexen's face. "I've been entrusted this castle and Namine by our leader. Defying me will be seen as treason against the Organization."

"'Traitors are eliminated'. I believe that's what the rules say," says Axel.

"Who needs a half-baked-good-for-nothing, anyway?" Larxene asks.

Vexen sneaks a glare at the two, angered by their words.

"Vexen, you cannot win against Harmony or the Guardians of Lorelei," Marluxia says.

Vexen then smirks. "Pity to be so ignorant. As you're only able to see the surface of things, I should not expect you to appreciate my true might."

"Oh? Then let us watch as you prove it," Marluxia says, making his scythe disappear in a flurry of petals.

"What?" Vexen asks, surprised by Marluxia's words.

"None of us wish to be suspicious of a comrade," Marluxia says, having his back face Vexen.

"Your sincerity is comforting," Vexen says, with a hint of sarcasm, then leaves the room.

"You give a challenge like that to Vexen and he'll seriously want to eliminate Harmony," Axel points out.

Marluxia smirks at Axel's words. "That would be an unfortunate denouement," he then walks over to Namine, who is still sitting on a chair, looking sad. Marluxia places a hand on her shoulder, nearly catching her by surprise. "What to do? Your friend is soon to be wiped from existence. But I believe there is a certain promise that she made to you. Isn't that right, Namine?"