Hi :). Unfortunately, I got bored whilst revising so I am taking a break to type this up :P. Don't mind me. Anyway, enough garble from me; I'll continue with the story now :P.
Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom hearts and the plot is based on that Kindaichi case files episode I was going on about which I also don't own and I just twisted it a bit so it's not 100% the same and made up the lines they say, blah blah blah. Must I say this every time?
Previously…
The chandelier hanging above Larxene was shaking and…wait, was that only a thin rope it was hanging from?
SNAP!
The chandelier plunged to the stage, just when Larxene looked up.
"LARXENE!"
Too late.
The people sat in the audience bolted up in shock at the sight when the dust of the chandelier hit the performance area. Naminè even screamed when it happened, and Marluxia had to stop her from collapsing as well.
"Larxene!" Axel's voice could be heard.
Xigbar, Luxord, Axel, Saïx and Vexen ran onto the stage, Demyx dragging Zexion with him.
Larxene was laying there, the lighting decoration flat on top of her. Blood trailed out of her mouth and her eyes were wide open with a scared expression on her face, staring up lifelessly at the ceiling without seeing anything. Xigbar carefully went over to the body and examined it. His eyes widened and he gave Zexion a grim look.
"She's dead." He reported, standing up.
Everyone was quiet, gazing at the limp body, robbed of its life.
"That wasn't supposed to happen," Saïx says, then he bellowed to Lexaeus and Vexen. "Vexen! I thought you said everything was secure before we started practicing! Now Larxene is dead, how do you explain yourself?!"
Vexen had his eyes glued onto the body as well before he turned to Saïx.
"I swear, it was secure, Saïx! Me and Lexaeus had made sure that nothing like this was going to happen! I don't know why it fell! I swear!" Vexen protested, pure truth in his voice.
Whilst Saïx and Vexen were arguing, Luxord and Axel kneeling over Larxene, Naminè, Marluxia and Lexaeus were still staring at the scene and Xigbar and Demyx were discussing it with each other, Zexion had a look at the chandelier itself.
What caused it to fall? Why did it if it was secured and…how was it possible when everyone was either in the audience and Axel was off-stage and Luxord was with him?
"Zexion? What are you doing?" Demyx asked when he spotted the slate haired teenager examining the wires of the chandelier.
"Shhhh. Just a minute, Demyx." Zexion replied without looking up.
Demyx nodded, then bounced to Xigbar.
"Xigbar! Zexion's getting something!" he shouted, causing nine pairs of eyes to focus on Zexion.
"…"
Zexion didn't speak for a while before he stood up again.
"Thought so." He commented, folding his arms into their usual position again; when he's thinking hard.
"Well, Zexion? What do you think?" Xigbar asked his friend.
"It is quite obvious to me that it's not Vexen or Lexaeus's fault," Zexion explained. "If everyone looks closely at the wires that held the chandelier up, it's clear that they had been cut. A small knife by the looks of it, judging by the flares. What I'm really wondering, is that who did it. Everyone was either in the audience, or in the wings. There aren't any others in this theatre, right, Luxord?"
"There shouldn't be. It's been closed off to everyone else since we booked this place for our performance." Luxord answered.
Zexion nodded.
"I see," he spoke. "Well then, I guess the case is on."
Everyone gave him a look again.
"You're going to investigate it? But I thought you were just here to see the final performance?" Vexen questioned, turning away from Saïx.
"Well, I originally was, but since this incident occurred and it's something to catches my interest, I'll do you lot the favour. I'd like to find out how this all came along as well." Zexion shrugged.
Xigbar and Demyx sighed, but they had to agree. So much for 'taking a break', but to be honest, this was something that is worth doing. Besides, Zexion always seemed to enjoy solving mysteries like this, so there was no stopping him.
"I actually agree with Vexen for once. Investigating this crime is for grown-ups, not amateur wanna-be detectives. Stay out of something you're not involved with." Marluxia put in whilst still supporting a stunned Naminè was he stood off stage with Lexaeus.
"Look, Zexion may seem like your average nineteen-year-old, but he's a top class investigator who's solved many other crimes with the police force, despite his looks. Just give him the time he needs and he'll figure it out, I'm sure of it." Xigbar stood up for Zexion, putting an arm around his shoulders.
Zexion looked at his friend.
"…Thanks, Xigbar."
"Don't mention it."
Marluxia sighed, "Fine, I suppose I can allow it. Show me what you can do." And Zexion gave him a nod.
"I won't let anyone down." He determined after Xigbar let go of him.
Just then, something floated down from the roof of the stage and Zexion caught it. It was a small note, written in a messy handwriting.
"'Be warned: one more will die tonight, and nothing will stop it from happening.'" Zexion read out loud, then he glanced at everyone, receiving their stares back.
Another moment of pure silence, which happened a lot that evening.
"Let's go back to the green room to continue this discussion." Luxord suggested and everyone agreed.
Just then they were about to leave the stage, Demyx stopped them.
"Wait a moment, what's that?" he asked, pointing to the left wing.
It looked like something…pure white and familiar.
Xigbar went over and picked it up. When he returned, his face was solemn again as he showed them the plain, white theatre mask.
Axel was suddenly apprehensive when he saw it, and Zexion spotted him.
"Axel? Isn't this your mask?" he inquired, seeing the main actor slowly pale.
"No… mine is right here, and I've only got this one," Axel truthfully replied, pulling out his mask. "Then does that mean…"
Axel suddenly bolted up and ran out of the room.
"Axel!" Luxord called, running after him.
Lexaeus, Vexen and Saïx followed.
"Shall we go after them?" Xigbar asked Zexion.
"Yes. It's worth seeing what that is about," The younger answered, then he turned to Naminè, Demyx and Marluxia. "Marluxia, Naminè, you two call someone in to sort out the body. Demyx, you stay with them and we will meet you in the Green room."
With that, Zexion and Xigbar left the room.
They soon found the remaining in the Green room; Saïx, Vexen and Lexaeus were stood in their corners again, and Luxord was sitting next to Axel who was calming down after running out. The two of them seemed to be talking quite intensely about something, and when Xigbar and Zexion seated themselves opposite, they listened in to the conversation.
"You think it's the real phantom who did it?" Luxord questioned Axel.
"Positive. He got Larxene first and she was the main actress. What if I'm next? Anyone who performs the role as the phantom…is his next target." Axel nodded, shaking slightly.
"You mean the Phantom who was apparently lurking in the tower outside?" Xigbar butted in with his question.
Fortunately, Luxord and Axel didn't seem to mind.
"Yes. There isn't any other explanation for it. It must have been him." Axel insisted.
He seemed quite stuck with his idea.
"Well?" Xigbar turned to Zexion again.
The boy looked like he was deep in thought.
"You know that's not how I do things. I don't come up with conclusions without evidence, but if Axel claims that he thinks it's the Phantom, then shouldn't we take some measures to ensure his safety?" He suggested finally.
"Yes, I would have to say I agree with that one," Luxord says. "There's an outside shelter literally next to this theatre. There are no windows, and absolutely no way of getting in except the main door. I should think Axel should be safe in there. If the Phantom fellow really is after Axel, then he wouldn't be able to find him, until we leave this theatre, and he could forget about Axel. Would that be an option?"
"Well, if no-one else has any better ideas, then we'll have to go for it," Zexion says. "Axel? Any objections?"
"No, not at all, if it means getting that guy away from me." Axel was quick to agree.
"Right then," Xigbar stood up. "Lead the way, Luxord."
As soon as the four Nobodies had out of their seats, Demyx, Marluxia and Naminè came in. Naminè seemed to have finally overcome the shock and was acting closer to normal again.
"The people are carrying the body out at the stage now," Marluxia reports, then he spotted the four heading to the door. "Where are you lot going?"
"The outhouse. Axel would be safer there," Luxord explained. "The key please, Marluxia."
Marluxia reached into his pocket and pulled out a brass key.
"It's the only one. Don't lose it, otherwise Axel would be stuck in there and you'd need a locksmith to get him out," He warned, handing it to Luxord then patted Axel's back as walked past. "Good luck, my friend. Don't do anything stupid."
"I won't," Axel replied. "Catch you later, Marluxia."
Later that evening, the Nobodies and Naminè were sat in the Green room again, thinking about what was going to happen next.
"Are you sure Axel is safe in there? What is the Phantom manages another way in all together?" Naminè asked, sitting down with them. It was the first time she had spoken again since Larxene was killed a few hours earlier.
"Certain. There shouldn't be any other ways, like I've mentioned." Luxord repeated himself again, looking up from a game of poker against Marluxia.
"I see, but knowing the Phantom, he would somehow figure out a way." Naminè reasoned, and it was a logical one as well.
"If you're so concerned for him, then why don't you go and check on him yourself? Lexaeus and Vexen would go with you," Luxord simply said, then he gestured to the chest of drawers next to the door. "The key's in there."
Naminè huffed, but did as she was told, then screamed.
"!"
A small purple bag skidded across the floor, and there were two literally huge spiders crawling all over it.
"I'll help you, Naminè!" Demyx leapt to action with a pair of thongs and tossed the bag into the fireplace, where it was slowly getting swallowed up by the flames.
"Demyx, you idiot!" Zexion yelled at him. "That's the key to where Axel is!"
"S***!" Demyx realised, starting to poke around the fire, but it was no use. They couldn't get it out now, it was too late.
Xigbar buried his face in his hands.
"Demyx, you are officially classed as a first class moron," He sighed. "Now how are we going to get Axel out?"
"It's brass. It shouldn't be burnt up as easily so we could retrieve it once the fire has finished burning, but there's one thing I don't quite understand." Zexion says, knowing that it's not something to get too mad over; the key, but everyone knew what the un-understandable thing was.
What was spiders doing in that particular drawer, and crawling over that particular bag?
Well, after all that, that's the second chapter finished, people :D. So, how did I do? Good? Bad? Medium? Not as interesting? Let me know. Thanks :)
