Kingdom Hearts: From the Ashes
A/N: Four more reviews! It means a lot you guys. Thanks for sticking with me so far; it makes things go a lot smoother. Anyways, I really enjoyed writing this chapter, and it's much longer than the first two. Heated debates, emotional breakdowns, and so much more. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did writing it.
Chapter 3: Split Decisions
"Destroy Kingdom Hearts!" I screamed. "But Kingdom Hearts is the heart of all worlds. Destroying that would-"
"Destroy everything...pretty much," added Zexion solemnly.
"What exactly does this Dryxl guy have to gain by annihilating the universe?" questioned Riku. "If everything is gone, what is he gonna have left to rule; what is he planning to do afterwards?"
"Dunno," answered Axel. "You'd think he would trust any of us with the master plan of his. All we were instructed to do was gather as many hearts as we could. It's not like any of us were stupid enough to question the guy's motives; not even Demyx is that dense..."
"Hey, I resent that," responded Demyx indignantly.
This was so much to take it at once. We have faced enemies before who had wanted to obtain the power held within Kingdom Hearts, but never had we faced something quite like this. The Organization was now back together, and there was some mysterious man named Dryxl who wanted to destroy the universe. We barely survived the Organization last time, and who knows what kind of power they're packing this time with this new guy pulling the strings. What if this is the end?
I just want to be back on the islands, relaxing and spending time with Kairi, Riku, and the others. Ok, so mostly Riku. Sue me. Oh why couldn't I have been a normal kid and enjoy a simple life for once?
"So what do you expect us to do about all of this?" came Kairi's voice.
"Go in there and do the whole Keyblade Masters getup," answered Axel optimistically. "Ya know, the same way you did it last time."
"Last time I checked, there are six of us, including you three, up against 9 Organization members and Dryxl, who we know absolutely nothing about except the fact that 'he can bring people back from the dead.' Yeah, that's definitely a bright idea," she finished sarcastically.
"No need to get vicious, girly," replied Axel. "We're all friends here."
"Are we really?" challenged Riku.
"Would we honestly have risked our own lives to bring you here, only to pretend to be on your side and tell you everything that the Organization is planning," responded Demyx. "That makes a lot of sense."
"It wouldn't be the first time we've been deceived," continued Riku gazing over in Zexion's direction. He had, in his last life, manipulated Riku, going so far as to use Sora's appearance against him.
"You little brat!" shouted Demyx as he stomped towards Riku.
"Calm down, Demyx," pleaded Zexion. "They have a right to-"
"No! We risked our necks just for a chance to tell these oblivious misfits about what's been going on around here, and they have the indecency to accuse us of misleading them! It's a load of shit! That's what it is!"
Thoughts and voices were swirling in my head, and everyone around me was yelling back and forth at one another. My body was starting feeling heavy again like being in the darkness from before, and the room was starting to spin. I can't take this anymore; it's too much responsibility for me to handle. I covered my ears hoping that I could escape this nightmare thrown upon us and just wake up already. No more Heartless or Nobodies or Darkness; just to be happy and carefree for once. Is that so much to ask for? Haven't we earned a break?
"Don't call us misfits!" shouted Kairi. "Just because you think you're some cool hotshot who thinks that he knows everything does not make you any better than us! I think we should just-"
"Stop it! Just stop it!" I screamed, my emotions finally reaching their boiling point.
Everyone went silent in shock. I looked around for the nearest exit, wanting to run away from all of this, and found a flight of stairs leading down. I ran down them as fast as I could just hoping that it would all just disappear for good.
The group was stunned, not really knowing what to do. This wasn't the cheerful, upbeat Sora everyone was used to. Something was seriously wrong.
After a few moments, Riku finally spoke up, "I'll go after him," and started making his way towards the stairs.
"No, I think it's best you stay here for now." replied Axel. "I'll go after him and make sure he doesn't get into too much trouble. That way, if things get rough, I'll be able to teleport him out of the there safely." Axel smiled and awaited the boys approval. Green eyes met blue, as a soundless conversation flowed between them. After some serious thought, Riku nodded approvingly, deciding that Axel had made a valid point.
"Be back in a jiffy. Try not to miss me while I'm gone," remarked Axel.
The others watched as his flaming, red hair bounced behind him as he quickly disappeared down below.
I wasn't exactly paying attention to where I was going as I made my way out into the busy street. I just knew I had to keep moving, so that I could grasp what was happening and sort things out. Dodging around small clusters of people, I began to notice some familiar places from my journey here in the past. I recognized a few shops and even a couple of faces here and there. Or maybe it wasn't my memories that I was experiencing, but me tapping into those of Roxas. Ever since our battle with the Organization, I could feel something different in the connection that the two of us shared but couldn't quite explain it. I eventually ended up along the street containing the entrance to the woods leading to the old mansion. I felt like, somehow, this is where I needed to be.
I hopped through the opening in the wall and started to weave through the maze of trees. Glimmers of light shone through the thick canopy above, illuminating patches of the dimly lit forest. It was so quiet and peaceful; not a sound from the outside city could be heard within it. I wanted to sit down and enjoy the tranquility, but I felt I had to keep going.
I saw light ahead becoming brighter and brighter as I continued on. It was the sunlight shining from the nearby exit at the other end of the woods. I regretfully left the comfort of the woods and found myself standing in a familiar plot of land. The gates to the mansion lied just ahead. This is where it all began last time.
"I don't wanna fight anymore," I said to myself.
"I know what you mean," replied Axel, scaring me half to death. "Roxas and I used to say it all the time." I felt that familiar flutter in my heart once again. "He always talked about how fed up he was with the Organization and how we should just get up and leave together, but I was too afraid to follow my heart; that is, if I had a heart. He told me that he couldn't wait around for me forever though, so that's when he left in search of answers to his existence...without me. I was so stupid then," he finished, covering his face with his hands.
"No you weren't, Axel," I responded. "I remember when Riku, Kairi, and I were building our raft with the plans of sailing away from our island home. I wanted to go so badly but at the same time, I was scared shitless by thoughts of the unknown. It's not a small decision to leave behind everything that you know just for a chance at the possibility things could work out."
"Really?" questioned Axel.
"Really," I replied, grinning happily that I was able to share my thoughts and fears with someone else for a change.
"Can I ask you something personal, Sora," started Axel. "Did Roxas ever mention...did he ever tell-"
"Looky what we've got here," interrupted an annoying female voice he knew he recognized. "A bunch of sad-looking losers."
"It appears we've found one of our missing traitors, and he's brought a little bonus with him," issued another familiar voice, "A Keyblade Master."
"Sora! We have to get out of here now!" yelled Axel.
"Oh, you won't be going anywhere sweethearts," spoke the woman's voice. "You see, Dryxl would not be pleased if we were to simply let you get away. And I, personally, do not want to be on his bad side."
Two hooded figures materialized, on either side of Axel and I. They lowered their hoods to reveal themselves. One was a slender woman with blonde hair gelled straight back. The other was an even skinnier man with long blond hair with long bangs parted on either side of his face.
"Larxene and Vexen, just as I thought," said Axel venemously.
"You don't look too happy to see us, doll," replied Larxene mockingly.
"Yeah, because you only tried to kill Demyx and I, you bitch!" spat Axel.
"Not a very nice thing to say to your executioner, Axel. Master Dryxl wasn't pleased to hear about the betrayal by the three of you. He's ordered us to eliminate you sad little bunch," finished Larxene.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Sora," uttered Vexen.
"I can't say the feeling's mutual," retorted Sora.
"Well it's your lucky day. Master wants to keep you and your friends alive for the time being. You should feel honored. As for Axel, however, it'll be the last time he walks the ground we tread upon," said Vexen as his icy shield appeared upon his left arm. A bone-chilling breeze issued from his body, sending shivers all throughout my body.
"It's been real, Axel," gestured Larxene. "Have fun with him, Vexen. Sora's all mine." Lightning sparked around her, and throwing knives formed between each of her slender fingers.
I nudged Axel's shoulder, "Let's show these assholes who they're messing with, eh Axel?" I summoned the Kingdom Key into my hands, taking a fighting stance. These guys picked the wrong time to pick a fight. I was in no mode for it.
"You got it, partner," responded Axel, summoning his chakrams in a blaze of fire. "Piece of cake."
Vexen charged after Axel ferociously, intending to kill while Larxene rushed towards me with determination burning in those devilish eyes. The sound of metal against metal rang throughout the clearing, breaking the serenity that was previously so calming. The two groups separated from one another, retaliating from the initial attack. Vexen and Axel flew off in one direction, and Larxene and I bolted off in the other.
"You honestly think you stand a chance against me, Vexen! You were always the weakest link in the Organization, spending all of your time playing with your test tubes and toys when you should have been training for combat. You're mine," shouted Axel, throwing his fiery rings at the scientist.
"Things have changed, you fool," roared Vexen as he deflected Axel's attack with his shield. "Master Dryxl has given us more than enough power to defeat you weaklings. You should have thought twice before betraying us. There's no coming back now!"
They charged at one another once more, matching each other blow for blow. Neither one seemed to take an advantage over the other. It seemed that this battle was going to prove more difficult than expected.
Meanwhile, Larxene and I were taking part in our own heated skirmish off in the distance, and this bitch was seriously starting to piss me off. I leapt backwards, attempting to retreat momentarily and regain my composure.
Larxene didn't miss a beat, as lightning began to dance in the palm of her hands. "Take this, brat."
Electricity surged hastily towards me. "Reflect," I managed to call out, only a second before it hit. The energy merely bounced off my protective barrier, flying off in all directions.
She charged towards me throwing two handfuls of her deadly knives, "Block these!"
"Gladly!" I watched as the knives came flying in my direction. I quickly raised my keyblade in defense to deflect the knives. One...two...three, four, five...
Slice! "Argh!" I screamed in agony. I felt the the burning sensation as one knife gashed open my right shoulder. Seven...eight...nine...slice! It was now my left leg feeling the sting of her razor sharp blades. I'd underestimated her abilities and was now suffering the consequences.
"You've gotten slow and careless, Sora!" she cackled maniacally. "What happened to the warrior who once defeated me. It seems that he disappeared in Castle Oblivion while we manipulated your weak little heart."
"That's what you think, wench!" I cried while I charged directly at her full force. I will not let this crazy woman take me down so easily. Who does she think she is?
"Goodbye, love!" muttered Larxene, raising her hands in preparation. "Thunderous Crash!"
I knew as soon as she said it, something big was coming. The ground rumbled hungrily, sending waves of energy beneath me. I looked up just in time to see an enormous amount of lightning come surging down from the sky. Here it comes!
I raised my keyblade for protection, "Reflect!"
A tremendous force came pounding down on me, but I was still standing. For a second, I thought that I had managed to save myself once again, but that was not the case. I started hearing a cracking sound coming from above. My shield was failing! I made one last effort, managing to throw myself sideways just as the energy came crashing down. I thought I had avoided it, but my body flared with electricity. My mind and body were consumed by unimaginable pain, and suddenly there was nothing. I think I'm dead.
"I thought this was going to be easy, Vexen," teased Axel.
"It's about time I stopped toying with you, Axel," responded Vexen calmly. "I grow tired of this nonsense. Absolute Zero!"
A wave of freezing wind surged towards the redhead. Axel braced himself firmly, calling forth a wall of fire to protect him from the attack. The icy wave, however, proved to be much stronger than he had anticipated. His fire was beginning to slowly diminish, and without it, the icy wave would freeze him solid; it would be over in seconds if he didn't think of something fast.
"He wasn't lying when he said he'd gotten stronger," thought Axel. "If I don't do something quick, I'm going to become a human popsicle. Think, Axel, think...got it!"
Axel called forth all of his remaining power from within. "Eternal Flame!" he shouted throwing his chakrams around the attack towards Vexen.
Vexen ducked to dodge the incoming barrage. "You've gotten weak and sloppy, Axel!" harassed Vexen. "Honestly, I don't know what Xemnas saw in you to begin with."
"No, Vexen!" he retorted. "You're becoming foolish listening to this new, crazed master of yours!"
His chakrams came hurtling back at Vexen and began to spiral rapidly around his body.
"Sorry Vex, it's over. Erupt!"
A column of fire burst from the ground, surging upwards towards the sky. Nothing could be seen of Vexen from within the blazing flames. Vexen's frigid attack ended immediately, and Axel slumped down onto one knee from exhaustion. "It's finally over. That was some fight. I almost didn't make it," he breathed heavily.
The column of fire began to grow slimmer and slimmer. "Nothing left but-you're still alive, Vexen! It's not possible!"
There, standing hunched over was a singed and infuriated Vexen. He was looking more deranged than ever and appeared lost in rage.
"You idiotic fool! You think that I could be defeated so easily! I'm done with this! It's time to finish this, don't you think, Larxene?"
Larxene was quietly making her way up from behind Axel. Axel turned to see Larxene, unharmed and ready to dish out some more. "Damn, Sora!" muttered Axel, dropping his head down in remorse. "I think this is the end for me, bud. Tell Roxas...tell Roxas that I love him."
"Aww, how cute," laughed Larxene. "Little Axel has finally gotten the courage to admit his undying love for Roxas. Too bad that you're just about to die again." Her body glowed yellow as she began to charge lightning all around her body.
"It's time to pay for your treason, Axel," added Vexen as he also began to gather his strength, blue energy began to glow around his figure similar to his partner.
Suddenly I felt surge in my strength. I pulled myself up, using the keyblade for support. I looked over to Axel to see Larxene and Vexen preparing to complete their deadly mission. I have to save him! He can't die! He can't. I bolted towards them trying to get there in time. I had to get to him in time! I just couldn't bare-
"Ta, Ta, dearest. Thunderous Crash!" squealed Larxene.
"Au Revoir. Absolute Zero!" bellowed Vexen.
"No!" I cried, thinking to myself, "I'm not going to make it. It's all my fault! I wasn't strong enough." Tears streamed down my face as everything felt like it was in slow motion.
I felt a burning sensation in my heart as though it were splitting in half. I closed my eyes from the pain inside of me. This feeling was almost unbearable. I didn't know what was going on. This feeling was like none other.
There was flash of light and a whooshing sound as I opened my eyes to see a monstrous explosion as ice met lightning. My heart sunk from the sight of things.
I dropped to the ground. "Axel!" I screamed, unable to control myself.
"Looks like Axel has finally left the building," giggled Larxene evilly.
That sound fueled the fire burning within. I flew after her, "You bi-"
"Twin Strike Raid!" issued from the smoke of the duo's attack. Two energy blazing keyblades came hurtling from the cloud. The weapons plunged straight through Larxene and Vexen's heartless chests.
"You fucking bitch will never touch my man with those evil little claws of yours ever again!" came a familiar voice from the smoke.
Larxene and Vexen plunged towards the ground but never made it as they evaporated in a mist of darkness.
I was at a loss for words.
The cloud began to fade and there stood, none other then, Roxas, cradling Axel in his arms.
A/N: Wasn't that doozy of a chapter? Yay, Roxas is back. You know what that means Chyuouko *giggles* Axel/Roxas time ^_^. And don't worry, Riku/Sora is coming shortly; promise. Can't wait to hear what you guys have to think.