Part 1: New Beginning
Day 193
Xion wakes up. Roxas and Axel are sitting beside her bed. Roxas' face lights up when he sees her.
Xion (softly): Roxas, Axel.
Roxas: Xion! You're awake!
Axel: Good thing too. You were makin' me actually worry about you.
She laughs to herself as he smiles at her. They all get up and head to the Grey Area. Saix is standing in his usual spot, handing out objectives. Saix tilts his head in curiosity as the three walk in. Axel and Xion go sit down as Saix calls Roxas over for the days mission.
Saix: Today you will be partnered with Luxord to eliminate the Commanders in Wonderland. Leave as soon as you're ready.
Roxas and Luxord walk through a dark corridor. Saix turns to Axel.
Saix: Axel.
He looks up at Saix. Saix glares slightly at Xion.
Saix: I want you to take Xion to Agrabah to collect hearts.
Axel: Alright, c'mon Xion, let's go.
They get up and walk towards a dark corridor that Axel opens. Xion looks over her shoulder at Saix's glare. They walk through the corridor and it closes. Saix disappears in a column of darkness leaving behind a notice canceling the rest of the missions for the day.
Meanwhile, Axel and Xion arrive in Agrabah. Axel looks down at Xion and notices that she looks kind of upset.
Axel (concerned): Xion? What's up with you?
Xion (distracted): Did Saix seem, angry with me?
Axel: C'mon Xion, you know we can't be "angry".
Xion: I'm serious Axel. You know what I meant.
Axel: I'll admit, he did seem more hostile towards you than usual, but he's alwaysa jerk to you.
Xion: I know, but today seemed… Different.
Her voice trails off with the last word as she faints. Axel catches her, concerned for his friend.
Axel: Xion? Xion!? C'mon, we're going back.
Xion (weakly): What about the mission?
Axel: Forget it, you're in no shape for this.
He opens a dark corridor and carries her through. Meanwhile, Saix is in the throne room with Xemnas.
Saix: I believe something may have gone amiss with our little project.
Xemnas: I see. How so?
Saix: It may have consumed too many of the boys memories of her.
Xemnas: Interesting, let's see how this plays out before we do anything rash.
Saix: As you wish.
He teleports away, leaving Xemnas to think. He tilts his head a little, resting it on his feet.
Xemnas: Very interesting.
Axel takes Xion up to the stairs to her room and passes Saix. He stops, looking over his shoulder as Axel reaches the top.
Saix: So, it broke down again?
Axel: Shut up Saix!
Saix: You've changed Axel, the you I used to know wouldn't have been this defensive over a mere puppet.
Axel: … I'm done here.
He walks away, Xion's hood coming off, showing her face. Saix glares at it. Later on, Roxas returns from his mission and looks around the Grey Area for his friends. Xigbar sees the expression on his face.
Xigbar: Hey Kiddo.
Roxas looks at him kind of startled.
Xigbar (smiling): You looking for Axel and Poppet?
Roxas: Yea, do you know where they are?
Xigbar: Apparently Poppet passed out on the mission, heat must've gotten to her. Anyway, Axel took her up to her room.
Roxas (running out of the room): Thanks Xigbar!
Xigbar: No problem Kiddo.
Roxas runs past Saix on his way up the stairs to Xion's room.
Saix: Going to check on it I see
Roxas stops cold. Something in Saix's voice always seemed to get him down and make him feel like he was a failure, even his compliments; it was just the way he spoke. He felt as if concern had become a mortal sin and he didn't get the memo. Roxas turns reluctantly towards Saix, not wanting to hear him speak again, but unable to avoid defending his friend.
Roxas: Yes, I'm going to check on HER.
Saix: Hmph, no point crying over a broken toy, but if you still insist on playing with I, be my guest.
Saix walks away, Roxas glares at him as he walks away. He grits his teeth in anger, and then catches himself. He has no heart, it makes no sense for him to be angry, but he was. He shakes his head, remembering the point of this trip, and heads over to Xion's room. He gets there and she's sitting on her bed and Axel is sitting by the window. Xion turns toward Roxas exited, Axel looks at him.
Xion: Roxas!
Axel: Hey buddy, 'bout time you showed up.
Roxas (sitting beside Xion): What happened?
Xion: I t… It's nothing (she smiles). Just, the heat got to me.
Roxas: You sure?
Xion (smiling): Positive.
Roxas: Alright, well, try not to push yourself so hard, okay?
Xion: Okay
Axel looks at her suspiciously. He gets up and walks toward the door. Roxas turns toward him.
Axel: Well, you seem to have things handled here. I gotta go.
Roxas: You sure?
Xion: Yea, Axel, do you have to go?
Axel: … Yea, why are you so worried? You act like I'm never coming back.
He walks out of the room, leaving the two of the alone.