(Axel warps back to the Entrance Hall of headquarters, trying to relax. This isn't an easy task: he has been caught in an act of direct treachery.)
AXEL
Oh God, oh man…..
(His chakrams disappear. He falls to the floor and holds his head between his hands, bobbing back and forth. He knows he is, in a word, doomed)
(To top it all off, Xemnas has just appeared).
XEMNAS
Having fun?
AXEL
(Leaps off the ground, freaked) Master! I can explain…!
XEMNAS
It is beyond explanation, Lae…
AXEL
What??
XEMNAS
Have you forgotten your true name? Stand when you are spoken to!
(He does so, albeit reluctantly and by an unseen force)
AXEL
I have never forgotten my name-
XEMNAS
Sir!
AXEL
What does it matter? We both know I'm pretty much dead.
XEMNAS
No, dear boy, you have a chance to redeem yourself. Now be honest- why have you betrayed us?
AXEL
Or rather, why have I gone against your orders?
XEMNAS
Is there honestly any difference?
AXEL
Just because you're Number One doesn't make you-
XEMNAS
Wrong Axel! I am the Organization's heart and soul-!
AXEL
You don't even have a heart! None of us do! What's the point in pretending? What's the point in seeking what isn't there?
XEMNAS
I could ask you the same question.
AXEL
Roxas IS there! He's in Sora! I know it!
XEMNAS
Denial doesn't do the body good, Number Eight. Roxas is gone and it is no loss. We needed Sora in retrospect, to complete the master plan.
AXEL
Oh hell to with your plan! We can function fine without hearts!
XEMNAS
You can function fine without Roxas.
AXEL
It's not the same-
XEMNAS
Actually, I think we are exactly the same Axel.
AXEL
Never once did I kill for my own gain-
XEMNAS
Bull and you know it. What about what happened in Castle Oblivion?
AXEL
That was not for my own gain.
XEMNAS
Oh, did you decide to become my avenging angel of justice? Purge the ranks of all traitors?
AXEL
Yes, actually.
XEMNAS
And…
AXEL
And what?
XEMNAS
What else for? You lack a heart Axel. Nobodies never do anything out of righteousness. We rely on basic instinct and gain.
AXEL
I'm different. And….
XEMNAS
And?
AXEL
(Sheepishly)
This kid was different. I didn't want him to become just some toy for Marluxia's coup. It didn't feel right. I connected to him I guess.
XEMNAS
Why? Are you just a tool?
AXEL
No. All my existence, or lack thereof, you filled our heads with the crap that we're just meant to serve you, the darkness and our blackest desires. I just know there's more to that, and that's exactly what I told Roxas. That's probably why he left, I guess. He got as sick of it as I did. And he did something about it. Something I couldn't do just yet.
XEMNAS
So, this led you to plotting against our order?
AXEL
Well, there's only so much of Saix's goading I can handle.
MICKEY
AYAH!!!
(Mickey jumps out of the vortex and attacks Xemnas. Well, he tries to, but gets deflected by the superior and is sent flying.)
MICKEY
WAAAH!!!!
(Lands in some no-man's land)
(Okay, moving on.)
XEMNAS
Well, Axel, you can get Roxas back, y'know.
AXEL
(Eager, but hides it) Really?
XEMNAS
All you have to do is bring Sora to Darkness. Roxas will be born again, and you'll be united: together forever. Isn't that what you want?
AXEL
And Sora?
XEMNAS
Does it matter?
AXEL
I guess this is what makes us different, Xehanort.
XEMNAS
(Peeved, doesn't like the use of that name) What, Axel?
AXEL
I will never kill in cold blood.
XEMNAS
Pity. (Snaps his fingers. Dusks appear.) You have one last chance…
AXEL
Go to Hell!
(Summons his chakrams and gives his captain a good one-two. He falls, but only for a moment)
XEMNAS
Axel, you have been found guilty of treason, the punishment of which is death. Delivering it will be my honor.
AXEL
That's a pity.
XEMNAS
(Intrigued) How so?
AXEL
You'll never get that honor.
(He vanishes into thin air)
(Xemnas looks to the starlit sky and screams with fury. He motions ands summons troop's worth of Dusks)
XEMNAS
Find and kill Axel, regardless of anyone who gets in your way. Do not rest until that traitor is dead!
(The Dusks fly out in their demented way. Xemnas disappears with a look of bloody murder ignited in his eyes.)