Author's Note: This story picks up directly when Axel is dying in the portal (thing)-the time in Final Fantasy is unknown, so just go with me here. Also, I've only watched Advent Children and played only two (almost) of the KH games-if something conflicts with, say...the plot in FF or KH, then just tell me...without flaming.
ALSO, some of the character's may start to seem a little OC-this may happen because they might be put into situations you'd never see them in. But, if...oh, I don't know-Axel starts skipping around in a skirt-then yes...just...yes *cringes at image* okay, I'll just try to keep them in character. That MIGHT be harder than some think though, as you'll soon see...muaha oh, muaha ha ha...ha...READ!
~~~GW~~~
Prologue
He couldn't hear Sora's voice calling his name anymore. All he could see was the sloping roof of the portals the Organization used. Blue and green colors swirling around and around. He tried so hard to keep his eyes open for as long as he could. He wanted to savor every last second of his so-called life. He wanted Sora to make it through the portal he was straining to keep open for him. Stupid kid needed to just shut up and take his weird friends and just leave. Axel put the last bit of himself into keeping the black portal open and willed the hard headed kid to go. He noticed the black smoke starting to drift upwards from him and a grin tugged at his mouth. He was fading. This was it. He'd never get a heart now-never see Roxas again. He didn't know what would happen to him now, maybe his flame would just extinguish into nothing. He was being thrust into the unknown but he refused to feel fear. These were his last few seconds of pretending to feel emotions and he certainly wasn't going to waste that on something like fear. So he grinned-almost sadly, and felt nothing, his body finally disappearing and rolling upwards in the form of black smoke.
"You did the right thing, Axel." A soft feminine voice quietly filled the vast blackness around him and he gasped in a breath of air, oxygen filling his lungs. His consciousness returned enough for him to notice he was seemingly floating and he opened his eyes to darkness. It was so utterly pitch black that it was bright. Or, maybe it was so glaringly bright that it was dark. He couldn't tell and he couldn't see anything. All his senses were dulled, or maybe there was just nothing to sense in this place…whatever this place was.
"What are you talking about?" He called out, feeling as if his voice would keep traveling until it found something-or someone.
"What you did, this is the second time you've died for someone. You're a good person Axel." The voice replied and Axel received flashes of pink clothes, brown hair falling in a braid, a large pink bow…and a kind smile.
"The second time I've-?"
"You deserve a second chance and so you've been given one. Please use it well and do good Axel-but most importantly, find happiness for yourself." The female voice told him and vaguely he felt someone touch his right cheek where his tear dropped tattoo was.
"Who are you?" He asked drowsily as a peaceful warmth spread throughout his body and settled in his chest.
"My name-" He saw a gentle smile. "-is Aerith."
~~~GW~~~
Author's Note: *Gasp?* Who saw THAT coming? Now, the little 'Review' button at the bottom of your page, centered, green? See it? SEE IT? Good. Ya know you wanna click it. Yes...yes you do... *Drums fingers on EMR and grins* xD