One class down, one almost done, and two more to go until my break! And then, I can write as much as I want! Yay!!! Anyway, thanks for reviews! By the way…IMPORTANT: I need opinions…I'm thinking about putting Zexion in here later, but should I make a ZexionXDemyx pairing? Votes would be appreciated!
Chapter 4:
Demyx sighed tiredly. The Dusks had been cleared away (more in part to Axel than Demyx) and they were making their way to the castle. From the time Demyx was defeated by Sora and obtained a heart, he hadn't really practiced fighting any. Who would have thought he needed to? He was never much of a fighter to begin with.
Axel took a deep, steadying breath and looked up to the doors that would lead them into the castle. "Ready?" he asked, looking at Demyx. The blonde hesitated, but nodded slowly. "Here we go."
"I just hope we don't run into anyone. Let's try to hurry," Demyx followed the red head and, together, they began to run through the familiar hallways, Demyx leading the way to the portal that would put Axel one step closer to finding Roxas.
"It seems so empty," Axel commented, looking around as they ran. "So where is this portal? What room?"
"The Proof of Existence; you know, the room where Luxord usually hung out?" Axel nodded, cursing quietly. Why did it have to be so far? "Um, why haven't we run into anymore Nobodies? They used to be everywhere through here."
"Well, either they're gone because of Sora, or Xemnas knows we're here and is just playing with us." Demyx swallowed nervously. If Xemnas knew, they were screwed. They couldn't take him, even together. "So hurry your ass up!"
"R-Right," he muttered. He looked up, a smile lighting his face. "Right pass here! We're almost there!" Passing through Naught's Skyway, they cautiously passes the doorway that led to their destination.
"Where is it? I don't see anything," Axel grumbled. He was getting anxious. Finding Roxas was exciting, but he had to live through here to make it to him.
"Calm down. It's over here," Demyx motioned for him to follow and reached to the floor. He pulled a loose tile up, then another, and another, until a large, white light was open to them. "This is it. It leads right to Disney Castle."
"Number eight and number nine; welcome home," Demyx tensed at the voice and turned slowly to meet none other than number one. "I must admit, I never thought the two of you would return willingly."
"Nah, we're just passing through," Axel narrowed his eyes. "So just run along and leave us be."
"Such disrespect, number 8. Is that any way to treat your superior?" Xemnas chuckled at Axel's angry expression.
"What the fuck ever. You're not our 'superior' anymore. And by the way, you stay away from Roxas, or I swear—"
"You'll do what? I can find Roxas much quicker than you, and I know how to use my powers. Neither you nor Roxas, or even Demyx know how to use the new powers you were given," he gave a smug smirk. "I could always show you."
"No thanks," Demyx mumbled nervously. "Uh, I mean, we'd rather not be in the Organization again and…yeah."
Axel rolled his eyes at the naïve boy and shoved him forward into the portal. Better to get away while they could, and if Xemnas did attack, at least Demyx would be safe for the moment. Demyx let out a startle cry and disappeared in a flash of white light, leaving Axel and Xemnas alone.
"Why stay behind? I don't need either of you yet; besides, once I get Roxas, I have no doubt that you'll come back with me. It will only be a matter of time. So, you'd better hurry Axel." With that, Xemnas disappeared into the dark portal that had materialized behind him.
"Bastard," the read head hissed before jumping into the portal after Demyx.
* * *
"Come one Roxas! Think about this for a minute. What would we tell our parents; what about Kairi and Namine; what about—"
"Sora, I never said you and Riku had to go. So you and Riku can stay here to watch Kairi and Namine and tell your mom something. But I have to go."
"But you don't even know how to fly the gummi ship and it's too dangerous for you to go alone." Hidden away on the island they played on was a gummi ship that Sora had made before he returned home. Mickey, Goofy, and Donald had left it with him to travel on so that he could visit his friends in other worlds.
"Make up your mind!" Roxas sighed and looked at the brunette. "I'm going to find Axel, with or without you guys. Whether you go or not is really your decision; it's your choice. Just hurry up."
Sora looked at Riku, desperate for help, but Riku shrugged and looked away. Oh yes; so helpful. "Roxas, I understand that you want to find him, but you definitely can't to alone. But then Kairi and Namine will be left alone. What if Xemnas tries to use them against us? And what will me and Riku tell our parents?"
"Well," Roxas frowned and looked away thoughtfully. "I don't know what we could do to keep Kairi and Namine safe, but you could tell your parents we went of a trip for school."
"But the school was destroyed," Riku pointed out, crossing his arms.
"So? The school doesn't have to be intact for us to go on a trip. If we can just convince Kairi and Namine to act as if we're on the trip, things will be fine."
"What if our parents try to call the school? The school won't know about any trip." Roxas sighed in defeat; before a devious smiled made it's way onto his face. Riku grimaced. "What's that look for?"
"Um, I need to talk to Namine," he mumbled, running away before the two could catch what he was doing.
"Roxas, don't you dare!" Riku yelled, running after the younger boy. "It's too dangerous!"
"It's just one little memory! It won't hurt anything!" he called back, continuing to run from the silver haired boy. Riku sighed and stopped chasing after him. He supposed it wasn't anything too bad; it was just adding in one little memory.
After making his way back to the main land, Roxas ran to a little shop in the center of town that Namine worked in. The owner of the shop, a friend of Sora's mother, had taken her in once she had become her own person.
"Namine?" he called. A crash could be heard from the back, followed by a startled squeak. Finally, the girl peeked out and smiled.
"R-Roxas. You scared me," she laughed quietly and stepped out. "Did you need something?"
"Yeah," Roxas smiled and sat on the counter. "Can you do me a favor?"
"Anything."
"Good. I need you to use your powers to make the teachers believe there was a trip that me, Sora and Riku went on; their parents too." Namine looked at him in confusion, a frown marring her face.
"A trip? Where are you going?" Roxas sighed.
"To find Axel. Can you do it?"
"You know I don't like using my powers to change people's memories, but I suppose it's a minor enough thing. I can do it," Namine smiled when Roxas gave her and excited grin. It was when Roxas was happy that you could see the resemblance to Sora; the same, silly grin.
"Thanks Namine. I guess we can wait until tomorrow thought; it's getting late." Namine nodded in agreement.
"You should get the proper supplies and plenty of rest. Who knows how long it's going to take for you to find him."
* * *
Roxas stared up at the ceiling, his eyes half-lidded with exhaustion. He wanted nothing more than to sleep, but he was too excited! It was only a matter of time until he was able to see Axel again. Of course, there was the threat of Xemnas and the Organization. Speaking of which, he wondered who all went back to the Organization. There were a few he figured, but some…
Obviously Xemnas and Saix were there. He had a feeling that Vexen and Zexion would go back; he wasn't sure about Lexaeus. The overly large man had always been so quiet. Larxene and Marluxia probably wouldn't even be bothered with. Axel had told him that the two had tried to betray the organization at Castle Oblivion. And Demyx…yeah right. Xaldin and Xigbar would definitely return. They were some of the founding members after all. Then there was Luxord. It was just a game to him; he could go either way. Finally, there was Axel. But Roxas knew better. He would never go back to them if he could help it.
A big yawn escaped him. He was going to fall asleep, whether he wanted to or not! With an exasperated sigh, he clenched his eyes shut and fell asleep a few long minutes later.
***Major Spoilers***
Images were flashing through his head. They weren't there long enough for him to see, and yet he memorized each of them. Precious memories of the time he first met number IX, their first few missions together, her finally speaking. Soon after, he learned that she could use the Keyblade too. While Axel was gone, he had invited her up to the clock tower and given her sea-salt ice cream and they had become friends. Once Axel was back, she had disappeared, but him and Axel had saved her. He helped her on missions when she could no longer summon her Keyblade, even going so far as giving Xion his Keyblade while he had to fight with a stick.
Axel, Xion, and him had become best friends, meeting up everyday to have ice cream together and just talk about their days. It had been fun times, but everything changed when Xion disappeared again. She decided she would help Riku get Sora back…they had fought…he had won…
The memories began to slowly fade, as if attaching themselves to the memories he already had. Part of the reason he had questioned his existence and why he held the Keyblade; why he left Axel. It had been because of Xion. But he couldn't be mad. She couldn't help it. It wasn't her fault.
"My head hurts," he whispered, holding his head in his hands. "Xion, it's like Namine said, isn't it? You're still here, with me, aren't you?"
It was hazy at first, but slowly, Xion appeared before him just as he remembered her. She was still in the Organization robe, but it didn't matter. Roxas knew that she wouldn't want to be part of them again.
"It's about time you remembered! I've been trying to get through to you for weeks now," she smiled excitedly.
"Sorry," he mumbled. "I didn't mean to forget in the first place. I tried my hardest to remember, but…" he trailed off sadly.
"It's okay Roxas. I knew that you'd forget me and I thought it'd be for the best. But it doesn't matter now. You're going to look for Axel, right?"
"Yeah. Sora, Riku, and I are leaving tomorrow." Xion nodded in understanding.
"I'm glad, but I want to help somehow. I feel like I owe it to you and Axel." Roxas looked at her, confusion plain on his face.
"How will you do that? You're not exactly—"
"You'll find out when you wake up."
* * *
Roxas groaned tiredly, the alarm by his head going off. Sora, Riku, and him had agreed that they would leave at five so that there would be no interference by their parents, so Roxas had set his clock for four-thirty. He reached over to shut the alarm off, but a weight on his chest made him freeze. That wasn't right…
He turned the light on his stand on and looked down, black hair meeting his eyes. "What the hell!?" he cried, trying to roll away, but only succeeding in knocking himself and the stranger off the bed.
"Ow!" the person groaned, sitting up and rubbing her head.
"X-Xion!" Roxas stuttered. "I'm sorry! I didn't realize it was you. You were just kind of…there."
Xion giggled at her friend's confused state. "It's okay. Now, shouldn't you be getting ready?"
"Oh! Yeah!" Roxas stood, grabbed some clothes, and ran into the bathroom to shower and change.
"Roxas, are you r—" Sora stared down at Xion in surprise. "Who are you?" he asked. Xion sighed and looked towards the bathroom door.
"I guess I have some time to explain."
* * *
They all met on the island, Namine and Kairi waiting to see them off. Riku had already remembered Xion (saving another explanation) and Sora had been well informed by the time Roxas had finished showering.
Kairi looked at Xion curiously, but didn't ask. "So, you guys are going now?" Sora nodded.
"Yeah, but we'll be back. Just…keep yourself safe. You too Namine," Namine nodded slowly and looked at Kairi. There really wasn't much they could do.
"That's what I can do!" Xion smiled and moved to stand beside Namine. "Roxas, I can stay here and keep Kairi and Namine safe." She summoned her Keyblade to prove her point.
Roxas frowned and summoned his two Keyblades. "I don't understand. I thought this one was yours," he mumbled, moving Oathkeeper to emphasize.
"It's yours now. I have a new one," Xion looked at her Kingdom Key. "Maybe it's part of being reborn." Roxas only nodded.
"Okay, but be careful." Roxas, Riku, and Sora looked at one another and nodded. They began to climb into the gummi ship.
"We'll see you later," Sora called to all of them, waving slowly. Here he was, leaving his home again. Roxas and Riku followed suit.
"We know you will." Kairi smiled.
"Stay safe." Namine waved back.
"Good luck." Xion nodded to Roxas reassuringly.
With that, the three girls stepped back as the top of the gummi ship closed and it began to lift into the air. They all watched until it was completely out of sight, and even after the sun had risen.
Well, there's chapter four. Hope you enjoy. Don't forget to cast your vote for the pairing up top. Should I make ZexionXDemyx?