Demyx is lost and sick and begins to hallucinate. Soon his hallucinations turn into past memories. I do not own Kingdom Hearts of any of the characters….unfortunately. Rated M for language just to be safe. Please comment !
Prior Memory
Chapter One: Search
"Number eight, enter." Axel winces at Xemnas's voice. "Now, number eight!" He opens the door with a soft click. He sees Xemnas sitting at his desk. He is quite obviously angry about something and right now that anger is directed at the redhead. Axel stops in front of the older member. Xemnas asks," Do you know where you friend is, Axel?" Not expecting the question, Axel only stutters," Umm, sir?" Yelling now Xemnas repeats," Demyx! Where is Demyx? He is your friend, is he not?" Snapping out of his confusion he replies," Yes, number nine is my friend, but no I don't know where he is." Actually Axel remembers more than he's willing to tell. The blonde left for about an hour on a short break. He said he forgot something on a previous mission. That was yesterday. Xemnas asks a little quieter," Are you sure he didn't mention where he was going?" Axel's voice is dripping with sarcasm when he answers," Surely he would have told you that, sir." Xemnas stands and yells," His only other missions yesterday were in Agrabah and Olympus! Search there! Now get out before I turn you into a Dusk!" Axel quickly makes his retreat into the hallway. He turns the corner and knocks a pink haired man into the floor. Axel mutters," Sorry, Marluxia." Marluxia can see the sparks dancing in the redhead's hair and knows he's furious. "It's alright, Axel." Axel reaches out a hand to help him up but Marly recoils away from him. Axel sees the flames running across his palm and up his fingers. He quickly dismisses the fire and Marluxia cautiously takes his hand. Marly asks," Xemnas, again?" Axel nods and says," Demyx still isn't back. I'm going to look for him at Agrabah and Olympus." Marluxia can see Axel's unspoken concern and hesitates then offers," If you want, I'll search Olympus while you search Agrabah?" Axel pauses," That would help a lot. We'll meet back in Demyx's room." Marluxia realizes that Axel actually accepted. He must be extremely worried. Marly nods and opens a portal. Once he's gone, Axel leaves for Agrabah.
Once Axel steps out of the corridor he feels his feet sink about an inch in the hot sand. For hours he wanders around through the sand and on rooftops. Still searching he walks past a row of abandoned stalls covered in sand. The awnings are mostly torn to shreds but one still provides some shade. Acting on instinct, he cautiously approaches the stall. It appears that someone used to sell fruit here. There are still a few rinds on the ground. One crunches under Axel's foot. He freezes at the sound that follows. It's a weak whimper.
In Olympus, Marluxia slips into the shadow of a column. Hercules walks by completely unaware. Marly steps out again and opens a dark corridor. If no one has found Demyx yet, then he isn't here. It's too busy. He walks through to Demyx's room and waits for Axel to return hopefully with Demyx.
Axel summons his chakrams and skirts around the corner of the stall. He sees a dirty pale face looking back at him. His chakrams disappear and he whispers," Demyx, are you ok man?" Demyx curls up into a tighter ball and mutters," Axel, it's hot." Axel cringes at his friend's voice. It's raspy and hoarse. He whispers," Come on, Dem. Let's get back to the castle." Demyx whispers," Hot. Too hot." Axel picks him up and manages to open a portal. He carries him through to his room. Marluxia is quickly walking across the room while saying," I'm sorry, Axel. I couldn't-." He sees Demyx and goes quiet. Axel lays the boy on the bed and turns to Marly, "Open a corridor to Vexen's lab! Tell him to get a cot ready and that we found Demyx! Quickly!" Marluxia considers Axel's orders but then follows them. Axel turns and takes Demyx's wrist. His pulse is still there but even Axel can tell it's weak.
Marluxia trips over his own feet and falls out of the portal. He lands sprawled in front of a surprised Vexen. Vexen raises an eyebrow in question. Marluxia sits up rubbing his ankle. He answers," We found Demyx in Agrabah. He's in bad shape. Axel is bringing him here so you might want to get a cot ready." Vexen's face softens a little at the mention of Demyx. Marly remembers that he's always had a soft spot for Dem. Vexen silently moves around his lab. He walks over to an empty corner and pulls back a curtain. Marluxia blinks in surprise, never having notices a curtain there. As Vexen moves, Marly sees a cot with a chair and a small metal bedside table. Vexen returns to the corner rolling along a shiny metal pole with an IV bag hanging off one of the hooks. Marluxia stay sitting on the cold tile floor because of the pain of his ankle. Next, Vexen goes over to a freezer along one of the walls. He grabs a small towel off of a shelf above his head then retrieves ice from the freezer. He dumps the ice into the towel then walks to a plain metal operating table behind Marly. Marluxia hears him set down the ice. Curiously, he turns his head to watch just in time to see Vexen walking back towards him. "Umm, Vexen?" Vexen stops beside him then picks him up unexpectedly. "Vexen, what in Hell?" Marluxia squirms but Vexen doesn't drop him. Vexen says," Relax, number eleven." Marly doesn't listen at all. Vexen deposits him onto the cold operating table. He sits still but frowns when he sees his feet dangle off the side. Vexen orders," Legs on the table." Cautiously, he obliges with his knees pulled up against his chest. Vexen moves Marluxia's legs to where they're laying flat on the table. He unlaces Marly's boot and slides it off gently. He glances up at Marluxia's face and sees his eyes are shut and he's biting his lip. Vexen peels off the sock then sets the homemade ice pack on his ankle. "Ah, cold, cold!" Vexen almost grins. He walks to the far side of the room and gets another towel. He returns and removes the ice. He puts the towel over the ankle then puts the ice back on. Marly visibly relaxes some and lays back on the table with his arms under his head. Vexen turns as he hears a portal open.