It was a cold, dark and dreary day at The Castle that Never Was. But then of course it usually was like this in the Dark City. One would have to travel to another world to experience sunshine and blue skies.
In the castle resided Thirteen members of an Organization of Nobodies set out to reclaim their hearts and become whole again. The main superior's name was Xemnas. He was respected, obeyed, and feared by all members. The name of his clan was Organization XIII.
Xemnas was sitting in his office looking over some paperwork when a loud knock interrupted his concentration. He shut his eyes in anger, as he did not want to be disturbed. Being the superior though had its qualms, and he could not really ignore it. The knocking became a little more louder and persistent once the unknown behind the door did not hear an answer. He sighed and looked towards the door…maybe it was something important, but then again everything had somewhat of an important matter brought to him. Finally. when the knocking became more persistent, Xemnas shouted.
"Enter!" He pushed aside his pen and paper, and sat patiently awaiting the intrusion. It just so happened to be his second in command, Saix who oddly enough was not Number two, rather Number seven. He however stayed as Xemnas' right hand command. Once the blue haired Nobody walked into the room, he could tell by the look on his face that something was not right. He put his hands to the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. He then waited.
"Superior, I am most sorry for interrupting you, but there is something that you need to come and see, I can't not explain it, but...well, I guess for the first time in a long time we have a Code Black?" Saix bit his lip back as Xemnas' eyes became wide.
A Code Black was anything to do with something happening to the castle, surroundings, one of the members, and it was extremely bad. It did not happen often as the Organization was very powerful and could control pretty much anything in their path. The Luna Diviner looked at his master and shuddered.
"Well...Saix, what is it. You came into my quarters, aren't you at least going to share with me the problem?" He sat agitated at his desk staring at Number Seven. His fingernails tapping on the desk loudly. Saix suddenly became hot and uncomfortable in his Organization black cloak, the designated uniform all members wore.
"Yes, yes...well. I was hoping you could call a meeting, to the Round Room. Its something that I believe everyone should see, and not just you and I." Saix stood for a moment until Xemnas seeing the importance of this nature was. He was still a little confused and wanted another answer.
"Well give me some recollection of what is going on Number Seven."
"Alright superior." Saix stood wondering how he would begin the explanation. Looking to his leader, he suppressed a small smile. "So um Master Xemnas…what are your feelings on children?"
Saix stared right into his master's eyes. He couldn't think of a more strange question to ask his master than this. Xemnas most likely thought so too, because he was not saying anything. While the two stayed quiet, Number One spoke up.
"My feelings on children? Well now...this is indeed a strange question, I haven't been around a child since Ienzo...and that was roughly ten years ago, but then again so many things were different. Saix, what does this have to do with the code black?"
"My lord, I can not tell you now, I have to wait for the meeting. Please my master, if you would answer the question." He looked at Xemnas straight in the eyes this time.
"Well my feelings about them are so-so. I don't know if I despise children or not. Not having much of a childhood myself, I can hardly put the blame about not answering this." He waved him on, told him to get the other members, and he would be down shortly.
What could have happened so bad that would warrant an emergency meeting? Xemnas got up from his desk, and since you could not simply walk down to the Round Room, as it did not have doors to access, he created a portal of darkness. All members had this capability, and because it was a secret organization, they had to have some difficulties in case of outsiders.
All the members seemed to be situated in their appropriate seats. The room was round with throne like chairs circled. Xemnas had the highest chair and it was seated in a circle, with Xemnas having the most prominent seat. He looked over at each member. They were looking around, talking with one another. Some were yawning, not wanting to be there. He saw a couple of empty seats and became enraged. Looking to his right, he saw Xigbar, Number Two. Xigbar half grinned, but quickly stopped when he saw his master glaring.
"My lord...what is it?" Xigbar clamped his hands to his knees and intently looked upon Xemnas.
"What is it? You tell me Number Two. I am summoned to this meeting, and I see that several of my members are not even present. Why must you all waste my time, aren't you aware that I am extremely busy?" His eyes grazed over the members again. He knew who was not present. It was his Number Three and Number Thirteen. "Where are Xaldin and Roxas? Did they have better things to do today?"
It was at this time Saix spoke up. After all, he did not want Xigbar to get in trouble on his calling of the meeting.
"Superior, I apologize for your time being spent. Xaldin went on to a mission early this morning to Beast's Castle, and he will be back any minute, I summoned him right before the meeting started. As for Roxas...well...this is a somewhat awkward dilemma. Roxas is who we are concerned with, and the reason why I am saying this, and the convo about children is because...well superior, here he is..."
For the whole time, unbeknown to Xemnas's eyes was a small child with blondish orange spiked hair, and vibrant blue eyes sitting next to Number Seven. The little boy certainly looked like a younger Roxas, but it could not be. He was still wearing the Organization cloak, but it was now fitted to his small size. He wasn't more than four years old, and he smiled and laughed up at his master. Xemnas gasped, as well as some of the other members. Number Nine, Demyx who was one of the youngest members until Roxas arrived laughed in his chair, that was until Xemnas eyed him, and he stopped.
"Saix, is that Roxas?" Said the silver haired Nobody. He stared in disbelief at the young member happily playing with an object that Saix handed him so as to make him quiet. Roxas was the youngest member to be recruited to the Organization. He was only fourteen years old, while the other members were all adults, besides Demyx being seventeen years old.
"Yes...um, yes it is my lord. And I uh...I don't..." Saix was cut off from one of the other members. It was Larxene, the Organization's only female member.
"Ooooh how adorable, little itty bitty Roxas, I could just eat him up! Look at me pretty boy, look at me!" She was a couple of seats down from the boy and he was smiling back at her. A few of the other members were a little disgusted and uncomfortable. This set Xemnas off even more.
"Larxene, stop that at once! Control yourself!" The supreme one made a face, and then turned back to Saix. "As you were saying Number Seven. What do you mean you don't know what happened to him? Who was the last person with Roxas? He is still too young to go on missions alone, so who is responsible for his transformation?"
Saix fumbled through his paperwork, and clipboard. He kept a list of all members, and what missions were planned for the days, weeks, and months. As he was looking a black portal formed. It was at this time Xaldin had returned. Saix continued looking, and Xemnas looked down at the returned member. Xaldin sat down in his seat and looked around at the commotion. He took one look at the littlest member and slyly grinned.
"Xaldin...I am so glad you could make the meeting, we have only been waiting for you for at least twenty minutes." barked Xemnas as he eyed his Number Three.
"I apologize superior. I had a nasty bout with some heartless, and I could not shake them off. I did however get what I was there for, and it was a crystal shard, should be useful in the item synthesis." He showed it to Xemnas, who was pleased. Then Xaldin looked over at Roxas. "So...what's the deal with the little runt? What happened to him?" He said this with no hesitation as to why Number Thirteen had been changed.
"Quiet Xaldin, I am in the process of working on it." Said Saix. He continued to look when there was a quiet clearing on one's throat from one of the thrones.
Saix, along with Xemnas and the rest of the members looked up. It was Axel, Number Eight. He was the first one to make Roxas feel like one of the members. He warmed up to him, and the two were now very good friends. They often go on missions together, their favorite being Twilight Town. Xemnas knew about the likes of the Axel. He, Roxas and Demyx were the ones who usually got into trouble. Xemnas lowered his brow at the red haired Nobody and spoke.
"Well Axel, can you please divulge exactly what happened? Surly this could not have happened while the two of you were in Twilight Town could it?" Number One just stared at him. Xemnas knew that the two of them would take their time and eat sea salt ice cream while holding up meetings. He never said anything unless it was extremely necessary.
"Uh, well master, it seems that while Roxas and I always go to Twilight Town, we decided to take a detour, and go to Wonderland. Luxord is always saying he has a challenge there, and well...we wanted something harder. I didn't think anything like this was going to happen though." Axel swallowed hard. He knew that by changing routes, he could be suspended from any other missions for a month or longer.
"You changed courses? What the hell were you thinking Axel. You and your hair brained schemes. I had the whole day planned for each member, Luxord was already there, and if you two were there, he could have screwed up his mission." Saix shouted hysterically. This seemed to stir little Roxas a little. It was at this moment, The Gambler of Fate spoke up.
"Uh actually Saix...I believe I may have been at fault with the way Roxas is right now. You see, because they were both there while I was fighting, I was using my time cards, and well...I guess one hit Roxas square in the chest. I did not look back to see because I thought it was a heartless. My time cards usually just destroy the enemy, but when its against one of us, there are different outcomes, and well...it turned him ten years younger. I sometimes find it amusing what my magic does." Luxord chuckled. Xigbar looking at him could not help but laugh as well.
Xemnas and Saix did not find any amusement in the situation. While Xemnas sat and thought, conversation started with the other members. Axel sat in his chair awaiting his fate, and Saix although he would never show it, was starting to form a little bond with the rejuvenated Roxas. The little boy played with the a pen Saix was holding. Finally Xemnas held out his hand for everyone to be quiet.
"Alright, my friends. This is what is going to happen." He looked directly at Axel. "You...you are going to take care of Roxas, he is your responsibility."
"Ugh, what? Oh man...I did not sign up to be a babysitter when I joined this cult!" Frowned Axel.
"Silence! You only did this to yourself, and now you will have to figure how to reverse him. Oh and your future missions are suspended until you fix this little problem." He used the term little loosely while pointing at Roxas. The little boy looked up at the superior and smiled. Xemnas' cold look broke into a half smile. After all this, Roxas did make a very adorable child.
Axel sighed and all the members including Saix who was holding Roxas in his arms were now standing. One by one the members disappeared into black portals. Some had missions to finish, while others went into The Grey Area to lounge and relax. Others went to their bedroom chambers and slept, or did whatever it was that they did. Xemnas went back to his office and locked his doors as to not be disturbed once again.
"Well Axel, do as you must, take him off my hands, I have many more missions to get together, and just like the superior, I am very busy as well. So here." Saix handed over the child. By this time, with the dull conversations in the air, Roxas had fallen asleep. Axel grabbed him, and held him. The little boy's head rested gently on the fire wielder's shoulders.
"What am I supposed to do with him? I haven't been around a child...since uh...we were children...remember...Isa?" Axel looked at his friend. The name he spoke was from back when he and Saix were something more than Nobodies. Saix looked back, with a glisten in his eyes. He fussed with his cloak sleeves and tilted his head to the side.
"Axel...you haven't called me that since we were kids...it was a long time ago. I can't believe you remember."
"Of course I remember, I may be a Nobody now, but I do remember when you and I were somebodies. Anyway...I guess I better get this little nipper in a bed. My room might be the safest. How long do you think he is going to be like this?"
"Well...I guess you can ask Luxord...last I checked, he wasn't scheduled for any missions, so you can go and see if he is down by The Grey Area. Put Roxas down for a nap, and then I'll see you down there Lea." Saix winked at his friend. Roxas suddenly held his head up at the word nap. Even though he had fallen asleep on his own, he did not want to go to sleep with someone telling him he had to.
"Axel, I don't want to go to sleep!" Roxas wiggled so much that Axel had no choice but to let him down. It was the worst mistake because Roxas had started to run away, but Saix soon grabbed him by the collar and held him back.
"Not so fast there you little rascal." Saix looked over at Axel who was smiling and had his arms crossed. Roxas figgited trying to escape.
"Let me go Saix! Please! I don't want to go to sleep. I DON'T WANT TO SLEEEEEEEEP!" Shouted the little boy. Saix and Axel looked at each other bewildered and then Saix knelt down at the little boy.
"Now you listen to me young man…you are going to take a nap, and you are going to listen to Number Eight. Axel is going to take you to his room where you are going to take a nap. I feel its only necessary as you are very grouchy right now. Is that understood?" Saix looked the little boy right in the eyes. Roxas stood his ground. He looked up at Axel who was smiling smugly. He then looked back at Saix who raised one eyebrow. "I am waiting for an answer Roxas…because if you don't, you'll be sorry!"
"Okay! Okay…" Said the boy. Saix stood up and left the child to Axel. He turned and then a dark portal formed and he was gone. Axel was now the only one left in the Round Room. Number Eight looked down at the boy and reached down to pick him up. Roxas breathed heavy while in his arms. The heat he admitted from his body made the little boy weary. Axel spoke to himself, and quietly to Roxas.
"Well kiddo, I best be putting you down, don't want to have you wake up all hysterical." He quickly walked down the corridors until he approached his room.
The member's rooms were all bare and plain, unless of course it was decorated to their liking. White with metal walls are the preferred decor. They had large white beds in them with symbols of the nobodies that they are. Next to each bed is a desk, and book shelf. Axel's room had splashes of red on the walls. Something that he got in trouble with from Saix, but then he shrugged it off after a little while.
Getting by the bed, Axel gently set down the little boy down. His head hit the pillow, and he snored a little loudly. Pulling the covers over him Axel stood and watched the boy sleep. He seemed so small and angelic. Axel's sea green eyes had a little tear in them. It was at this moment that Roxas was his responsibility and he would make sure nothing would happen to him. Once the boy was sound sleeping, Axel left the room and closed the door shut behind him. He quickly made it down the hall to the Grey Area and saw Luxord and Xigbar playing cards. Axel shuttered and hoped they were not the same cards that turned Roxas into a child. He walked over to the two.
"Hey, uh Luxord, can I ask you a question?"
The Gambler was focused on his game, and did not look up. As Axel stood there, he began to get a little irritated.
"Oy, Axel, what is it man? Can't you see Xigbar and I are a little busy? Ha! King beats your Queen there mate! Phony up that munny!" Luxord slammed his cards down on the table, and this caused Xigbar to shout out some rather colorful words back at Number Ten.
"Please Luxord, I need to know what to do about Roxas, he can't stay a little boy forever!" It was at this moment that Luxord remembered about Roxas and his transformation.
"Oh! Man, I forgot what happened to that little bugger." He threw his hand of cards down on the table and sat back in the couch. "As you know, my cards don't react with me because well, its my magic, but um...you never really know what's going to happen. The only thing I can think of is if you go down to Vexen's lab and see if he can figure something out, maybe come up with a sort of potion for the scamp. If you need any other questions answered, I'll be right here. Your deal Xigbar!"
Axel nodded and then headed towards the door, he was intercepted by Lexaeus, one of the larger members of the group and Xaldin, who was equally as big. Axel did not have time to deal with their antics.
"Hey there Axel, where's Roxas, aren't you supposed to be babysitting the little brat?" said Number Five as he stood in Axel's way. Xaldin chuckled and stood too with his arms folded. Axel did not feel like dealing with the likes of the hulk squad, so he tried to circle around them. He finally vanished, and appeared behind them from the portal. Xaldin seeing this walked back over to him and grabbed his shoulders in a gripping hug squeezing Axel.
"Ugh, come on guys, I need to get this error fixed, and its not going to happen if I got you guys hassling me, now please let me get to the lab!" Axel shook them off. Xaldin walked back over to the couch and sat down. Lexaeus got bored and walked to Saix and asked if there were any missions. Axel took this as his way to finish his task.
In the lab Vexen and one of the other members Zexion were busy working with potions, and spells, and all sorts of things in the name of science. It was Vexen's lab, but Zexion was always there with his friend. He was sort of like an apprentice. Axel stood by the doors, which were open, but he still didn't walk right in. He knocked on the wall. Zexion's head was buried in a large book, and didn't seem to notice. Vexen looked up from one of the veils of liquid he was mixing. He smiled strangely at Number Eight, and walked to the door.
"Ah, Axel...so good to see you from this mornings briefing. However can I assist you?" His blond hair fell past his shoulders and he had a coy look on his face.
"Ah, well Vexen, I need some help with Roxas, uh as you could remember from this morning's meeting, he got sorta, uh shrunk whilst him and I were in Wonderland. I need something to change him back. Do you think you can help him?
The Chilly Academic smiled again. To him, this was nothing. Just a little whisk of a potion here, and a spell there. It would be no problem.
"Of course I can help, bring the child here, and we'll get started." It was at that moment when Vexen said that, that Axel's eyes widened. He had put Roxas down for a nap a long time ago. By this time the child was most likely awake and maybe scared that he was alone. Axel started to jet down the hall when he was stopped by Marluxia. The Graceful Assassin looked like he was taking a walk, he had a book in his hands, something about flowers.
"Axel...calm down, why are you running so fast, surly you're going to trip on your cloaks. What is it?"
Axel went to say something, but paused so he could catch his breath, he then caught up and responded.
"Roxas...put him down...nap...have to see...ugh. I have to see if he is awake by now." Axel put his head down by his knees and breathed in.
"The child is alone? Are you mad?"
"I know I know...I can't leave him alone, he could be so scared!"
"Never mind him being scared Axel...the boy is four years old, can you possibly imagine what he is doing?" Said the pink haired Nobody as he walked by with a sly smirk. All the color is Axel's face drained as he stood there and tried to imagine what the child could be, and would be doing.