Author Notes :: I know I split the first chapter in two halves, but this is going to be all Axel. Beta-ed by Krash and dedicated to my little sister!

Disclaimer :: I do not own any of the characters in this work of fiction, it is exactly that. A work of fiction. From my very own brain. Characters are owned by Square Enix.

Axel's eyes pierced the darkness with their intense gaze, almost expecting to see someone or something before him to account for the voice that spoke to him. Except… it wasn't exactly a voice and he didn't exactly hear it. It was like the feeling inside of his mind, it was just there, inside his head as well and forming words so Axel could comprehend what it brought him here for, what it wanted from him. While as a Nobody he didn't exactly believe in a God, or Gods, it was the only word he could come up with to describe the seemingly omnipresent being. But it still didn't settle right, wasn't a God supposed to be of light? Wasn't a God supposed to be warm and welcoming? It was the best answer he could come up with, even if it was a fake one thought up only to ease the turmoil his mind was in, he still desperately wanted to know just what it was.

"You can't have them." He spoke into the open air, grinding his eyes shut once again as if it would help him with focusing on pushing out the alien feeling. It just became stronger, what had started as gentle probing now felt like stabbing fingers trying so hard to open the chest within his mind that had all his memories in it. "NO!" Axel cried out, fingers curling to press into his palms but even with the all the force he was trying to rebel with, it was of no use. With some pain he felt the part of his mind break open, letting a defeated cry fade from his lips as his eyes opened once again; glistening, pleading. "What are you doing?" Even in his exhausted state, mind still throbbing lightly from the pain, he had a little edge to his voice; realizing now that his memories would be all but raped no matter what he said or did. He wanted to know just what was going on.

Searching.

"Searching? What? Who are you? What do you want from me?"

Why did you die for the one yielding the Keyblade?

Axel was confused, and more than angry. Who did this…thing think it was to bring him here, rip open his mind, then just start asking questions. Without realizing he could Axel righted himself, finding purchase under his boots and standing despite being in a pool of complete darkness. "Excuse me? No. You answer my questions first. Who the fuck do you think you are to interrupt the peaceful death I was looking forward to?! Who the fuck do you think you are to drag me to where ever the hell this is and rip apart my memories?! Then you have the audacity to ask me questions and expect answers?! No! Not until I get some first goddamnit!!" He was definitely angry now; a sneer on his lips and fire dancing at the tips of his fingers while he spun in a circle, looking and searching for any clue as to where he was and what exactly was going on.

I am Kingdom Hearts.

"…" It was as if the being had patiently waited for him to finish before dropping a bomb the size of The World That Never Was on him. "Wait. What?"

I am Kingdom Hearts.

If it was possible for the voice inside his mind to have a matter-of-fact tone then it surely would have with the repetition of it's proclamation. It was not the answer he had been expecting, even if he hadn't really expected anything specific, but Kingdom Hearts never even crossed his mind. Before he could even speak he was just about knocked on his back with the next revelation from the sentient being.

And I am here to give you a second chance.

Axel couldn't even describe all the emotions both flowing through his mind and crossing his angular features, but if he could pick one it would be confusion. A second chance?

Tell me, why did you die for the one yielding the Keyblade?

"I…" Lips shut, his muddled and confused mind trying to get the words together. "I died for Roxas. So he could have the chance to live a life." His soothing voice was almost a whisper, his chest aching at the mere thought of the blond. Eyes canting downward and to the side, closing slowly as he let out a sigh, exasperated. "What do you mean by a 'second chance'?" His voice was slightly needy, and he cursed himself for it. There was only one time before that he had been so needy, a time when he thought he would simply cease to exist. When Roxas left the Organization. No matter all they had been through, no matter how close they had gotten or what The Flurry of Dancing Flames had said Roxas still left.

You gave your life for another. Someone who was, by your training, meant to be your enemy, that is a noble act Axel. Especially for someone without a heart.

Kingdom Hearts seemed to pause then, as if collecting its thoughts. Every moment it was silent Axel's anxiety grew, it still didn't explain to him what it meant by second chance, and maybe he was being dense but with his mind in such turmoil he didn't connect the dots.

I want to give you a heart.

The Flurry of Dancing Flames reeled, eyes going wide and staring into the distance; shock was the only discernable emotion on his face. "You what?" Could that be done? Just…give him a heart? Just precisely what did he do to earn a heart? He had done many more bad things than good in his existence as a Nobody, hell he had set up the deaths of more than one Organization member. Did sacrificing your life to save another really erase all that?

But I do not yet know if you are worthy, you may have done a noble deed but there are plenty of lesser deeds in your past that cannot be looked past.

Apparently not. Axel's shoulder's slumped, having straightened at the prospect of finally getting what he had tried so hard to obtain for his entire Nobody life, he sighed and if there had been a rock to kick he would have done so in the attempt to harbor pity out of Kingdom Hearts. A laughable attempt.

I intend to set you into a life, to see if you are worthy of a heart from me. Your heart. Your original heart.

"You can do that?" He asked, brows furrowing slightly. He didn't even know his 'original' heart was still around. "What…is it like to have a heart?"

I can, I am Kingdom Hearts. And for that…you'll have to find out on your own. Goodbye.

"Wait! I'm not done!" Though Kingdom Hearts was.

Time lapsed though he had no memory of it, only to wake lying in a plush bed in a room that he didn't recognize. It most certainly was not his room in the castle, well old room. Sitting up ramrod he looked around, chest heaving as eyes took in the walls and bedroom that looked like he had lived in it his whole life, his chakram's hanging from the wall as if just a decoration, framed pictures of artwork all with the same tones of red and orange hung on his walls. He stood, slowly, not knowing if this was really his new home or if he was just set somewhere fake like DiZ had set Roxas in Twilight Town. Long legs brought him to the window, emerald eyes looking to take in the sight of the street below him, a street belonging to Radiant Garden by the looks of the glitter-like sparkles falling from the sky. All of a sudden there was a striking pain in his temple, hand flying to press his palm against the spot right above the pain, groaning audibly.

Find him.