Disclaimer: I do not own or claim to own Kingdom Hearts or anything related to the Kingdom Hearts franchise. These characters, places, villains, etc. Are not mine. This is fan based fiction entirely for entertainment purposes. Please enjoy.

Axel

Life on the run wouldn't be easy but it was better than the life of a slave.

Axel couldn't help but feel humored by the look on Saix's face as he stumbled backward after he suddenly jumped out from behind a tall white pillar and screamed, "BOO!" It was the perfect combination of hatred and fear followed by him straightening out his coat and quickly finding the 'serious' face he always wore when dealing with confrontation in the castle.

Axel was practically bursting with laughter since he saw Saix's silhouette in the distance and got the bright idea that scaring him would be a humorous way to start out the day. He could barely contain himself as he tried his best to conceal his rather tall and wide form behind the skinny glass pillar and was almost convinced Saix would notice him before he got the chance to really get in a good scare. Luckily, Saix seemed to be wrapped up in his own mind and was completely oblivious to Axel's hiding spot.

"You're pretty lucky you're still be alive." Saix said. His tone was monotonous yet forced as he tried to regain his composure as quick as possible. "Never do that again please. Now what is it that you want? I already granted you permission to leave a day late. We both have important matters to attend."

Axel straightened up and wiped a single tear from the corner of his eye that he somehow produced during his previous fits of laughter at Saix's expense. He noticed his fellow man wore a look of concern as the single tear rolled off Axel's glove and splattered against the floor, disappearing slowly as it evaporated with the draft that seemed to linger in the castle halls.

"Right and thanks for that by the way. Super helpful. Now I can keep better tabs on our two favorite mutineers. Right now as we speak Marluxia is reading a book in the castle library. If the information our little blonde princess gave us is correct he should be heading up to her room at midday to give her full coverage on their plans. She is then to report to me. Then I report to you. Then this evening we all depart and meet on the second floor of Castle Oblivion where I will introduce them to Nam-"

Saix held up his hand. Axel stopped mid-speech and cocked his head to the right in confusion.

"What book was he reading?" Saix asked. Axel hadn't even covered the best part of his findings and Saix was concerned about Marluxia's literary guilty pleasures? Axel cleared his throat and answered, "Well uh. I didn't get a great look..."

Saix glared at him, "You didn't get a good look? You promised that you would come to me with every ounce of information about these two so that we could avoid resistance by taking them by surprise, and you neglected to look at the books he was buried in while you sat across from him and had long conversations about this little rebellion?"

In truth, Axel never cared to look or even ask. Zexion often loomed over Marluxia as he indulged in the many books he had stacked on the table next to him in the past to catch him reading something he wasn't supposed to be reading and also had a difficult time ever catching him reading something wrong, and the library was arguably Zexion's domain. Marluxia was well aware that Axel was likely rooting for a different team and was probably quite sure he chose his reading material carefully so that he wouldn't raise suspicion. Axel recall two books that Marluxia had with him that morning; a book on the Middle Ages and royal timelines and a book covering general information on death and afterlife. Both were acceptable and not at all an indication that he was farming for information on emotions or how to ease his way into taking down the Organization.

"He was reading a book on Queens and Kings and a book on where you go after you die. Just two books. Nothing out of the ordinary that would tip us off to Marluxia being weird and changing up the game. Probably just passing the time without looking too suspicious, honestly. How weird would that be if he was spending all of his free time bugging Larxene before they left together? Better to stay in plain sight than to sneak around and avoid everybody if you ask me."

Saix was nodding thoughtfully but Axel knew better than to trust anything that Saix immediately accepted as truth. The library was far from staying 'in plain sight' and he knew couldn't fool this man. Saix knew a mutiny would happen before Marluxia was even chosen to join the Organization. He'd warned Axel that if they let too many nobodies in they would soon face internal conflict. Axel assumed this was Saix's indirect way of expressing disdain toward whatever Xemnas had planned for the Organization. It wasn't until he began spying in Larxene's room that he ever thought Saix may have actually seen this one coming. So it often came to Axel's immediate surprise whenever Saix pressed him for information. He always assumed the blue-haired brood could see the future. Maybe he wasn't as intuitive about the castle politics as Axel thought.

Axel wouldn't have chosen mutiny to expose the Organization's secrets but he knew that to maintain a team the entire group needed to be honest with each other. Instead of working together toward a common goal they were all slowly falling apart. Piece by piece they were falling into ruin as mistrust grew among their ranks. When they once respected each member as their equal they now standardize themselves by their number and formed a ranking system used to hold power over any member ranking beneath them.

That was one aspect of Marluxia's treason that Axel treasured above any other reason for overthrowing Organization XIII: Achieving equality and ditching the ranking system. Though Marluxia's attitude toward having a 'number 2' convinced Axel that his original idea would soon be cast aside once his original goal was complete.

"I rudely interrupted you, Axel. Please continue."

Axel crossed his arms and pretty much gave it to him straight. He explained the plan and how he planned on luring them to the tenth floor and introducing them to Namine. He told Saix how he helped Marluxia re-write his plan and how Vexen planned on using the Riku copy to aid in eliminating the traitors should anything go wrong. Saix was well aware of Marluxia's hesitance to let Axel in but Axel re-assured him that Larxene was using a power none of the others could even dream of possessing; seduction. With her exploiting Marluxia's obvious weakness they could overcome any mental obstacle Marluxia had with Axel's inclusion and easily reach their goal.

"One more thing. He won't expect Larxene's betrayal. I imagine that'd make taking him out pretty easily as he realizes he was betrayed by the only person he thought actually might have loved him back."

Saix smiled and added, "Yes. That would make Marluxia's death that much easier. However, Larxene will be pretty bent out of shape when you make your move to kill her off as well. Get ready for the battle of your life fueled by desperate hatred and unhinged emotion as the savage nymph fights you to stay alive."

Axel scoffed and turned away. He was ordered to eliminate both traitors. No matter what. Even though she'd switched sides she had to be punished for her initial treason. No amount of begging or pleading would save her from her fate. And of course, to gain her cooperation he couldn't mention the orders he was given to wipe her out.

With both traitors gone they could move closer to gaining control of Kingdom Hearts. The only thing that kept Axel actively involved in the castle's politics was the promise that he would one day have a heart. A heart that would enable him to shed his black coat and steal Roxas away so that they could reside in a place where no evil could ever reach them. Kingdom Hearts was still a world away but Axel was beginning to form a new plan. Sticking to the Organization's rules and slipping away unnoticed. Heart or no heart, Axel knew that his friendship with Roxas was pure. No matter where they went or how they got there they would have each other. But for now, compliance was key and he'd kill anything Xemnas told him to kill if it meant his survival. And, of course, Roxas's survival.

"Axel. Tell me one thing. Now that you've spoken to the two traitors I'm eager to know why. Why do they think they can overthrow the only Organization alive that can grant them completion? If they want to be whole together, why not work with the others and depart once they are given hearts?"

Axel frowned. He never expected Saix to dig for Marluxia's true motive. It was rumored among those who knew of the two's treachery that they both were simply fine with having no hearts. They wanted to take the castle for themselves and keep those who were fine being nobodies and wreak havoc in the worlds. Axel knew better than this. There was no way that these two would risk everything and develop such a finite plan in the name of boredom. Marluxia's true motive was terrifying as it was understandable and he had an idea of what they truly wished to accomplish even before Larxene told him herself late last night after Marluxia left her in her room and Axel crawled out from behind the dresser to high five his scantily clad puppet.

"Marluxia. He isn't a nobody. He has a heart. And what's more is he proved it to me."

Saix's eyes widened and he placed a trembling hand on Axel's shoulder.

"That isn't possible. There's no way he proved to you that he had a heart capable of feeling emotion in the few hours that you spent with him last night. It just isn't possible."

Axel shook his head. "Do you even know who he was before he came to the Organization? Did Xigbar ever bother to tell you who's nobody Marluxia truly is?"

Saix gripped Axel's shoulder tight. A cold draft filled the castle hallways and Axel noticed the corridor seemingly shrink before them. He was used to the castle assuming it's own identity and changing shape often. He believed that when tensions were high, the castle could feel it and created an appropriate atmosphere to mimic the sudden shift in tone.

"Saix. I've known you before we descended into nothingness. If they are keeping this information from you, it must be for a good reason. See I found out from doing some snooping of my own. Zexion's library is full of knowledge and one important weapon that he owns is his very own Book of Retribution. That book was written by a higher power and just happened to fall into his nosy little hands by chance. In that book lies the truth."

"Who? Who was he?" Saix asked. Axel needn't look at him to know the look of utter betrayal on his face. The mere thought of Axel knowing something before himself was enough to destroy whatever semblance of an alliance they ever had. Axel was certain that he'd beeline right for the portal that allowed entry to Xemnas's part of the castle to let him know that Axel, Lord Xemnas's most loyal spy, was digging up information on other members of the castle's past lives. An offense which was actually punishable if it was information not discussed at the white circle with the master's pre-approval of the topic.

"The Grim Reaper. There are children's horror stories of a hooded and cloaked figure that visits people at night. He delivers the news of their timely death and pulls out his scythe to behead them. He then devours their soul."

Saix dropped his hand from Axel's shoulder.

"Axel. The Grim Reaper cannot be killed. He has no heart, therefore he cannot become a nobody."

"See, that's the thing. He did have a heart. But much like Roxas he was half of somebody else. So I guess you could say he had half a heart. What is the opposite of death? Well, that is life. There was a prophet that existed in the world Marluxia lived in before he joined us that descended from the heavens to heal the sick and help create a prosperous community with the help of four disciples. He dedicated his life to finding and ending The Grim Reaper so that he could achieve a state of completion where they would move into a holy age and never again wait for the cold hand of death to come knocking on their doors at night. He was life and light himself. He devoted his cause to destroying the darkness in their world. That prophet never succeeded."

He was surprised at how composed Saix seemed. Possibly out of disbelief or doubt. Saix was always one to question the validity of the other's words until he had an audience with Xemnas to prove their truth.

"Marluxia never had a heart. Xigbar sensed this and took Xaldin to persuade Marluxia to join the Organization. They didn't realize he wasn't a true nobody until Marluxia explained this to Lord Xemnas himself. They kept him and promised him the opportunity to become whole and gave him his own end goal – kill the prophet that he shared his existence with. Marluxia killed him a few days ago. Now Marluxia is whole. He realized that he wasn't too different from Roxas. See, now he has a heart. He can feel emotions. Here's the catch - Xaldin and Xigbar both caught the prophet and his followers for Marluxia to execute. So he didn't do it alone. He was handed his victory so in return he must serve the Organization until Xemnas gets his hands on Kingdom Hearts. Then Marluxia can consider himself free of his duties and go about reaping whatever he wants to reap in his homeland."

Saix nodded intently and began to pace back and forth in front of Axel, as if he were in deep thought.

"Well he knows that some of our past beings died to create the nobodies we are today. And if our current form disappears we will become whole again. All but the two who were killed and brought here to serve. Larxene being one of them. He now holds the power to grant life or death and he plans on finding Larxene's soul and re-instating who she was before she was... murdered. He wants revenge on the men who killed her and revenge on the man who ordered it to happen. He doesn't care about Kingdom Hearts. He doesn't care if the rest of us become whole. He wants to steal away Larxene and use this Organization to steal back his world and rule it with her by his side."

"Wait." Saix stopped Axel and came to a halt, "Does Larxene know she was murdered? Is she in on this plan?"

Axel nodded slowly. "Kind of. She knows he can feel and she knows he wants to destroy the castle and take back the world he came from. She was never convinced that he could make her whole and, strangely, he never told her that she was murdered before her arrival here. I didn't bring it up and just let her ramble on with her ideas on how to kill him."

"Axel... do you truly think we can kill death itself? I can't imagine this being easy. I assumed he was a nobody... but he can feel? Well, no wonder he's been practically forcing himself on Larxene. Emotion is a powerful motivator. I almost feel sorry for her. A God-like being fell infatuated with her and will absolutely crush her if he finds out she's been working against him. He may very well kill her for us. But you? You, my friend, dug your hole too deep. I have a different plan. Follow me."

Axel watched as Saix summoned a portal between the two of them. It concealed Saix completely but Axel stepped inside anyways. Though Saix was just as slimy and dishonest as any other nobody Axel knew that he could always trust Saix to be forward and true to his meaning. He had no idea where they would end up, and hey maybe he was being punished for knowing too much, but he knew the consequence for staying behind would be far greater than trusting the unknown.

They both materialized on a large glass balcony that overlooked the castle grounds. He recognized it as the extension to Saix's personal chambers. Above them was the heart-shaped moon that hung in the sky, radiating a sinister glow that seemed to put out the stars around it. Saix walked toward the edge of the balcony and rested against it as he scanned the grounds below. Axel lingered where the portal had disappeared.

"Axel. You are a genius. A dishonest spy but a genius. You unearthed the easiest way to dispose of Marluxia and Larxene. See, she's his motivation, right?"

Axel nodded and Saix turned to face him. The giddy expression in his eyes reminded Axel of the children that lived in Twilight Town after finding rare treasures during their daily activities in the streets or the day they got off of school for summer vacation. He'd never seen Saix so proud of anything before in the years he knew him both before and during the Organization.

"He would abandon his cause if he lost his motivation. Sure, he'd attempt to take it out on the other inhabitants of the castle but what if you weren't there? We created the castle. Xemnas, Xaldin, Xigbar, Vexen, Zexion, and I each worked hard to build the castle of illusions from the ground up where we planned to one day trap the keyblade master. An extravagant but seemingly easy way to coax him into our domain. We can take Sora without Marluxia or Larxene even knowing. Steal him away and leave you to shed light on Larxene's betrayal to Marluxia. What better way to take his mind completely off his goal and watch as he kills his only 'faithful' cohort in a fit of anger and lust. You get out of there as soon as he swoops in for the kill and we will seal the castle. There he will lost ability to travel and we will work together and find a way kill The Grim Reaper as an Organization. As a team. With both traitors gone we can properly execute Sora and your Roxas will reach completion and our copies can continue farming hearts until we complete our goal."

Axel just stood there. He saw gaps in the plan but stood silent. Kill a God? Either Saix didn't truly see the irony in attempting to kill death itself or knew they'd likely keep that castle sealed forever and that it would hopefully slip from their minds and forever be lost among the crossroads of dark and light. Though Marluxia was twisted and conniving he couldn't imagine the man laying a finger on Larxene even after discovering her betrayal, yet another factor that would potentially drive a wedge through Saix's new plan. Axel simply nodded and stated, "Agreed. Good work."

Saix cast him a dark glance and returned his gaze to the grounds below.

"It will work. It'll take some tweaking but it'll work. Just give me the day to talk this one out with Xemnas. If anyone could conquer death, it's Lord Xemnas. Report back to me before you leave and we will send Xigbar to coach the others that have already reached the castle on what they are to do."

"Wait a second. Aren't the others at Castle Oblivion because Xemnas thinks they harbor thoughts of overthrowing the Organization as well?"

Saix shrugged, "They have all acted suspicious and in favor of their own agendas. Xemnas sent them as a precaution but none have been caught working against our best interest yet. They will all be awarded for their compliance should they respond to this plan with the utmost interest and efficiency."

Axel couldn't shake the feeling of doubt but said his 'yes sir's' and began toward the door leading back into the castle. Sure, he could summon a portal anywhere he wished to go but the appeal to walk and think through his position was far greater than finding himself suddenly in a place where he knew that no matter what he was being watched. All he wanted was to steal away with Roxas. That much was always true. No more worries about conquering the lord of death or getting away in time. He wouldn't become whole if Marluxia fulfilled his fantasy of making Larxene his twisted little death queen. Axel was almost certain that even death himself couldn't bring back the dead. Yet again, he wasn't sure he'd ever become whole even if they did kill Sora and find Kingdom Hearts.

He pushed through the door and left Saix to scheme on the balcony of his own chambers and passed through Saix's cluttered room and out the door leading into the North corridor. He never planned on outing Marluxia as the Grim Reaper to Saix. In fact, he never planned on overthrowing Marluxia either. In truth, Axel fully intended to use Larxene and Marluxia as a combined force to kill Sora thus granting Roxas his true form. This way Axel could make his great escape with his best friend and be rid of the conflict once and for all. Now he was left to deal with his potential death at the hands of the one man he never intended to piss off in the first place. All while entertaining the man's little lover so that he could use her as the key to unlock his fury so that they could destroy each other while the Organization sealed them away in the castle of the damned while they danced on Sora's grave and achieved their goal.

It was becoming too much. He realized now that his plan was ruined no matter which side he took. As he paced through the castle he had the sudden urge to just run away. No Roxas. No Saix. No Xemnas. He could just run away and live alone with the guilt that he condemned his friend to pay for his cowardice or possibly left him to die at the hands of The Grim Reaper who would certainly succeed if Axel wasn't there to execute the Organization's counter plan. Or he could take Roxas with him. Wherever he went, Roxas was sure to follow. He wasn't nearly as invested in the Organization as Axel was and would have no qualms with ditching. They could use Sora to farm hearts and Roxas could join Axel in paradise. Assuming they weren't tracked down and executed for desertion. In fact, he was so wrapped up in his newest 'running away' fantasy that he almost didn't notice Larxene as she approached him silently.

He gasped at her sudden appearance. He looked around him but no remnants of a portal were to be seen. Was she simply strolling about the North end of the castle? Stupid girl. Nobody walked around the corridors that housed the senior members of Organization XIII. Unless she was seeking him out and just happened to decide he'd be snooping up there. In that case, it did make sense.

"I forgot to give back Namine's dress." She said. She reached into her coat and pulled out crumpled white fabric and tossed it at Axel. He caught it and tucked it into a pocked that he had asked to be sewn on the outside waistline of his coat shortly after joining.

"That it?" He asked as he pushed past her and continued forward.

"Wait!" She called out. "Wait. I need to talk to you. I know you were talking to someone just now. You look troubled."

Axel scoffed and looked over his shoulder, "Why the hell do you care?"

"Well... because we're in this together now. You're the only person I have that's vouching for me. I'm supposed to meet with Marluxia soon to discuss our final plan. Your seduction idea worked and you're smarter than I gave you credit for. I just wanted to touch base before I saw him to make sure I didn't screw it up."

"You won't. Now go find him. Be all lovey and call him your king again or something. Remember all three of us meet at the castle entrance before departure."

He heard Larxene groan as he continued to walk away and something within him forced him to stop mid-step and turn around. She had her arms wrapped around her sides as if she felt unwell. She wore a look of worry that Axel couldn't help but sympathize with. His whole plan was ripped out from under him and now he had to face this impossible internal battle. She was likely in the same predicament knowing damn well that she was betraying her only safety net should Axel prove to be untrustworthy in the end. He couldn't fathom walking into something feeling safe only to meet an untimely end at the hands of someone who was supposed to be trusted. He realized her ignorance and couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

He approached her slowly and put his hands on her shoulders. "Larxene, listen. It'll work out. I vouched for you just now and Saix seemed hellbent on letting you stick around if you just do what I tell you. Okay?"

She nodded but avoided his gaze. He had the feeling that she didn't wholly believe in him. She was right to feel that way. He was lying to her face and for the first time since he was appointed the Organization's unofficial spy he actually felt bad. Then he realized that, hey, he felt. He was actually feeling.

"Thank you, Axel. I know I'm a bitch. I'm annoying and I'm mean. I've ridiculed everyone who lives in this castle but you stuck your neck out for me at your own expense. I owe you my life now. I didn't know it was Saix you were talking to... but I'm going to trust you. Thank you."

Axel just stared at her, horrified. Her death will be his assurance at a new life. When she dies he can run off with his friend and pretend she never existed. The weight of his morality and past decisions were beginning to weigh on him heavily. He couldn't help but feel like maybe he wasn't cut out for this spy stuff after all. Maybe he should come clean and spare her life as well. He was beginning to adopt the idea that maybe running away wasn't such a bad idea. What harm was there in digging his 'hole' even deeper and sparing the life of the sad little nobody he manipulated to get this far into a plan he didn't give a damn about?

"Larxene... meet me in Twilight Town after you talk to Marluxia. Make your conversation with him as short as you can, okay? Meet me at the top of the Station Clock Tower before dusk."

Larxene frowned and took a step back.

"Why do you sound so urgent? What's going on? Tell me. Now."

"Just trust me. I have information for you. The sooner you end your talk, the sooner we can straighten something out."

He summoned a portal between them and nearly jumped into it. He heard her sputter out protests but it was too late. He was taken directly to the mansion that sat outside Twilight Town. He didn't know why he summoned it to take him there. All he knew was that he needed to get away before he felt obliged to answer any questions. Last night as he helped Larxene into Namine's little white dress he saw her shift into the innocent seductress that changed Marluxia's mind about letting Axel in. He thought it was all an act. Could Larxene really feel for her fellow members? Love? Was that even an emotion a nobody could comprehend let alone feel? She was arguably the worst antagonist of them all but she approached him with feeling in her voice and for the first time he felt something back.

He saw in her eyes just moments ago the same doubt for her own survival that he felt since the moment he met Roxas. He couldn't let her die. His mind raced as he weighed the chances of taking Larxene with him and Roxas as they made their grand escape to a world untouched by the Organization's darkness. It was a stretch, and almost impossible but he felt it that they could pull it off as the others simply weren't expecting it. In the grand scheme of things even if they were tracked down and caught they could all die together rather than be picked off one by one at the Organization's convenience.

He felt that they wouldn't be pursued, though. There was no way they could find them among millions of other worlds. He hoped that eventually the Organization would give up and their scent would drift away as they did their best to blend in with a new life and a new purpose. Life on the run wouldn't be easy but it was better than the life of a slave.

Axel began toward the forest that separated the ruined mansion from Twilight Town. He could've sworn he heard rustling among the shrubbery that adorned the gates that surrounded the mansion but he blew it off. He didn't have time to investigate whatever squirrel got caught in the bush outside the scare mansion. He had to hurry or he wouldn't make it to the ice cream stall in time. The sun beat down on the town and the tram's horn sounded in the distance. Midday was arriving sooner than he thought and he knew that his last day as a faithful member of Organization XIII was coming to an end.

I read the reviews posted and wanted to thank you guys for your feedback! I'm currently snowed in so I'm trying to update as often as I can before the roads clear and I have to start back up with work. Thank you for reading!