Chapter 4: Pieces falling into place…
As Alexander leads the way back to the Hall of Beginnings, a feeling of dread comes over me.
What could I have done to make him so serious…?
Oh no… Did he find out that I was looking for Roxas?!
Well, it's no use thinking about it now…I'll just end with some crazy idea that isn't at all true!
Alexander…I'm ready for whatever you throw at me!
"Axel, if you would be so kind as to follow me to the Meeting Room. I would like to discuss with you the real reason I brought you back to life." Alexander spoke formally-with no traces of suspicions in his voice-as he suddenly turned to face me.
"Oh…uh, sure. It's not like I have a choice, right?" I spoke casually and feeling a little disappointed.
"Now you're starting to understand how things go around here, Axel." Alexander spoke seriously before he turned around and he headed down the hall towards the Meeting Room.
I was getting all worked up for nothing…!
He doesn't suspect a thing!
I smirk over-confidently as I stroll down the hall after Alexander.
XXX
Once inside the Meeting Room, Alexander immediately strides over to his chair and he takes his seat, while he motions for me to take a seat as well.
I sigh reluctantly as I stroll over to a chair-which isn't too far away from Alexander, but isn't so close either-and I sit down with an impatient look on my face.
"Well, how long do you plan to make me wait…?" I asked sarcastically.
"You're sarcasm reminds me a little of Xander sometimes, Axel." Alexander spoke coolly as he reclined in his chair.
"Thanks for the compliment, but I didn't come here to chitchat… You were going to tell me the real reason you brought me back to life!" I spoke impatiently.
"You like getting straight to the point, huh? Fair enough. The real reason I brought you back is so that you, and the other members of the organization, can find a certain girl for me." Alexander spoke seriously as he clasped his hands together and he rested his elbows on the table.
"That's all?! I was expecting a bit more…" I spoke feeling a little relieved.
"Let me rephrase: I want you to find a girl who owns a magical book of great value." Alexander spoke coolly.
"Now that's something I expected…" I spoke half-jokingly.
"Her name is Clair; and she has the Book of Elemental Animals. I want you to either retrieve the book or take her and the book, do you understand?" Alexander asked firmly.
"Heh, if you spell out the book's title it says: B.E.A., which if you think about it, it sounds like bee…" I spoke sarcastically as I wrote imaginary letters in the air in front of me.
"Axel, do you even understand what it is that I'm asking of you?" Alexander asked impatiently.
"Of course, you want me to snag the book or snag the girl and the book. But, honestly, what's in it for me? Because, as far as I'm concerned, I'm not a member of your organization." I spoke coolly and with a frown.
"Fine, make me an offer." Alexander spoke seriously.
"I want full access to the Information Room when I want." I spoke anxiously.
If I can have full access to the Information Room, I can find out why Roxas showed up in the Memory Reminder…
Now, if only I can get Alexander to say yes!
"Is that all you're going to ask for?" Alexander questioned curiously.
"Yes…do we have a deal or not?" I spoke impatiently.
"We have a deal. I'll give you the details on the mission tomorrow morning. For now, go get some rest." Alexander spoke earnestly.
"I've been dead over twenty years…I don't think I need to sleep any longer." I spoke firmly.
"You'd be surprised by how tired you really are, Axel. I can sense it rolling off you in waves…you're exhausted; and, I can't have a member of my organization tired before a mission." Alexander spoke coolly and with a similar grin.
"I never said I was going to join your organization!" I spoke heatedly as I stood up from my chair.
"Ah, but to have full access to the Information Room, you have to become a member of Organization Clear Hearts." Alexander spoke slyly a he reclined in his chair again.
"You love to trick people into joining your silly organization, don't you?" I asked angrily.
"I'll do whatever it takes to get what I want, Axel. Don't ever forget that…" Alexander spoke coolly.
"Fine, whatever! Call me a member, if that's what it takes…just keep your end of the deal." I spoke reluctantly.
"I never go back on deal, Axel. You have my word." Alexander spoke sincerely as he stood from his chair.
"I guess we're done here…" I spoke indifferently as I stormed out of the Meeting Room and towards the Hall of Beginnings.
XXX
As I stroll down the Hall of Beginnings, I spot a door with the words: "Gravity Room", on the plaque.
"Huh, I remember Mirabel and Ximara mentioned something about this room before… It couldn't hurt to take a quick look inside. I doubt I can even find a room to sleep in any way…" I spoke nonchalantly as I turned the doorknob and I hurried inside.
Once inside the room, I quickly notice that this room is another white room, but it does have light-blue dots on the walls, floor, and ceiling; and, the light-blue dots connect to form rectangles throughout the room.
"A-Axel…what are you doing in here?" Roxie spoke anxiously as I spotted her standing in a corner of the room, behind yet another black, podium-like object.
"Let me guess: that thing powers this room?" I asked jokingly.
"O-Of course it does! It's no joking matter either, Axel! The Gravity Machine is one of the most important objects to the organization." Roxie spoke firmly and with a frown.
"Oh, how so?" I questioned sarcastically.
"With this machine, members of the organization can get around more efficiently; and, we can even increase the gravity on someone or something else to make them immobile." Roxie spoke proudly.
"I doubt something like that even works." I spoke doubtfully.
"W-What?! I'll have you know: I'm the one who built it, tested it, and use it on a daily basis!" Roxie spoke indignantly.
Uh oh, I think I made her made at me again…this won't be good!
"If you think it doesn't work, Axel, I'll test it out on you to show you that it does work!" Roxie spoke heatedly as she pressed buttons on the podium in front of her.
Suddenly, the room starts glowing a light-blue as I feel entirely weightless and I start hovering over the floor.
"What…?! So it actually does work?" I spoke with shock as I floated higher.
"I bet you regret doubting me now, huh?" Roxie spoke confidently.
"Y-Yeah… I mean, our organization never had this. This is…so awesome!" I spoke energetically as I kicked my feet off one wall to float to another wall.
"Ugh, you're not allowed to have fun… I was only showing you this to get revenge!" Roxie whispered heatedly.
"What was that, Roxie…? Just come on and join me already!" I spoke impatiently as I stared down at her.
"Ah, um, okay…" Roxie spoke meekly as she stepped away from the podium and she immediately began to float too.
"I'm not such a bad person, Roxie." I spoke sincerely as I floated near her.
"Yeah, I guess…it's not like you actually meant to doubt my machine. Not many members believe it'll work outside the organization." Roxie spoke grimly.
"Well, do you have a mobile version?" I asked curiously.
"Uh, yeah…why?" Roxie asked in confusion.
"I could test it out for you tomorrow." I spoke warmly.
"Oh, that's right, you're going on a mission tomorrow! Are you sure you want to use it though? It's not exactly done with testing yet…" Roxie spoke anxiously.
"I want to test it regardless. Besides, I want an advantage over everyone else anyway…" I spoke firmly.
"Axel, thanks so much! I've looked for someone to test it out, but no one ever seemed interested… Here's the mobile version, by the way." Roxie spoke eagerly as she handed me a white wristband with blue dots all over it.
"So, I just wear this and it'll work the same way as the podium over there?" I questioned curiously as I stared at the wristband.
"Yeah, it will…just go easy on it. I don't really know the limits on it yet…" Roxie spoke anxiously.
"Well, that's why I'm testing it out first, Roxie." I spoke sincerely as I placed the wristband on my right wrist.
"So, do you want to train for tomorrow's mission?" Roxie asked earnestly.
"Sounds good to me! Show me what you got, Roxie." I spoke eagerly.
"Okay!" Roxie spoke excitedly as she floated to one corner of the room.
I follow Roxie's lead and once I'm in another corner of the room, I turn to face her.
"So, this room works pretty much the same as the Training Hall, but it has either zero gravity or intense gravity. The easiest way to move in zero gravity is by using your magic to propel you to where you want to go. We'll start with that first." Roxie spoke confidently as she suddenly summoned a Keyblade in her left hand.
The Keyblade has a gold, heart-shaped, hand guard around the bronze, handle with a white, feather tassel attached at the end of the handle; and, there are two sets of white, spiral, feathers encasing the rest of the gold, Keyblade and a gold, heart as the key's teeth.
"I call this beauty: Heart of Gold. Now let me show you what you can really do in the Gravity Room!" Roxie spoke excitedly as she aimed her Keyblade behind her.
Suddenly, a burst of gold, light shoots out of the Keyblade and the light propels Roxie straight at me!
I quickly call my Chakrams just as she comes within arms distance away from me.
Roxie swings her Keyblade in front of her and she strikes at me, but I block it at the last second.
"You're pretty good at this, aren't you?" I asked anxiously as I struggled to keep the Keyblade at bay.
"Yes, I've trained in here for a long time now, Axel." Roxie spoke confidently as she pulled her Keyblade away from me and she used the Keyblade to propel herself back to her corner.
"It's my turn now!" I spoke eagerly as my Chakrams engulf in flames.
"Okay, give me your best shot, Axel!" Roxie called anxiously.
I aim both of my Chakrams behind me and I use my magic to propel myself forward.
Instead of a straight shot to Roxie, my magic propels me in a zigzag pattern throughout the room!
"How do I stop…?!" I asked worriedly as my magic pushed me to the ceiling.
"Calm down, Axel! You just need to focus on the target, which is me!" Roxie spoke firmly from where she floated.
"Right…I'll get right on that." I spoke jokingly.
Roxie frowns at me intensely, so I take a deep breath and I focus all my magic on flying towards Roxie.
Just then, my magic rights itself and it propels me directly at Roxie this time.
I smirk confidently as I swing one Chakram in front of me and I use my magic to shoot out a fire blast at Roxie.
The fire blast grows bigger as it nears Roxie until it's too big to avoid.
"Axel, that's cheap!" Roxie spoke heatedly as the fire blast engulfs her.
"That's just how I fight…if you can't keep up, just let me know." I spoke jokingly as I lowered my Chakrams to my side.
"Oh, I can keep up…as long as you don't mind losing to a girl!" Roxie spoke eagerly.
Roxie slashes the fire blast away with her Keyblade and she aims it at me now.
"Say goodnight, Axel." Roxie spoke confidently as a gold, light shot out of the Keyblade again.
"Uh, Roxie, you do know what the word training means, right?" I asked with hope.
Roxie smirks instead of answering me, so I watch anxiously as the gold, light suddenly changes into a gold, heart when it nears me.
"There will be no escape, Axel!" Roxie spoke earnestly.
"I'll just have to take it head-on, no problem…" I spoke anxiously as I readied my Chakrams at either side of me.
Ah, I know what move will work in this situation!
I smirk intensely as I start spinning around, using my Chakrams to create a fire barrier around me.
Once the gold, heart finally reaches me, the fire barrier protects me from the damage I should have received; and, when the gold, heart and my fire barrier both collide, they disappear instantly and they leave behind a red and gold trail of where they were.
I'm breathing heavily as I stare mockingly at Roxie, before I whisper confidently, "Ha, there goes your attempt at revenge!"
"You're right, Axel. Thanks for training with me today. I really needed to unwind…" Roxie spoke warmly as her Keyblade vanished in a puff of gold and white smoke.
"So, that's it…?! You're going to call it quits? What about earlier?!" I asked with disbelief.
"It's okay now, Axel. I'm not mad at you any more, so we can stop training for today. If you want, I can even show you how the intense gravity works before your mission tomorrow." Roxie spoke earnestly as she floated down to the podium.
"Uh…maybe another time." I spoke honestly as I my Chakrams vanished and I floated down next to her.
"Okay, turning the Gravity Room off now!" Roxie spoke proudly as she pressed a few buttons on the podium.
We both stop floating and our normal gravity returns; and, as soon as it does, my legs suddenly feel weak and I fall to the ground.
"What the heck…?! What happened to my legs?" I questioned worriedly as I tried to stand up and failed.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that happens when you first start using the Gravity Room…" Roxie spoke apologetically as she gave me her hand to help me up.
I take her hand, she pulls me to my feet, and we struggle to the door.
Once we get outside-of the Gravity Room-, my legs return to normal, so I can stand on my own again.
"Roxie, do you know where I can find an empty room to sleep in? I want to recover from all this training…" I spoke curiously as I remembered what Alexander had told me earlier.
"Oh, didn't you know? You already have a room here, Axel. In fact, I can show you the way…that is, if you don't mind me showing you the way." Roxie spoke earnestly.
"I'm already over it, Roxie." I spoke firmly, before I added teasingly, "So, please, show me the way…I can already feel myself falling asleep."
"Axel, you're so strange…" Roxie whispered meekly as she led the way down the Hall of Beginnings with me right behind her.
XXX
After a series of door combinations, we finally find my room.
"I'll see you tomorrow after your mission, okay?" Roxie asked anxiously.
"Yeah, tomorrow…" I whispered lazily as Roxie smiled warmly at me, before she left me at my room.
This room is one of the smallest rooms that I've seen so far; and, it only has the same bed from the Infirmary, which is a plain bed with white sheets.
I wonder if all the others' rooms look like this…I doubt it.
Suddenly, an intense yawn overtakes me and I glare at the bed sitting in front of me.
Why exactly am I so tired?
It's not like I did much today…
Ugh, just for a few minutes.
I drag myself over to the bed, I sit down on the edge, and I fall the rest of the way on the bed.
"Just a few minutes and I'll be ready to go…" I whispered incoherently as I closed my eyes and I fell into a deep sleep.
XXX
The next thing I know, I'm dreaming of a place I've never been to before.
From up high, I notice a colorful, village-with every color imaginable everywhere I can see-in the center of a valley with green, mountains all around it.
A secluded patch of trees, next to a lake, draws me nearer by some unseen force.
Once I land on the ground, I peer around the cluster of trees to spot a girl standing above the water.
The girl has medium-length, wavy, blonde hair with pink eyes; and, she is wearing a medium-sized, pink, hat-with a white, cross in the center-, a knee-length, pink, dress-with two white, crosses on either side of the dress and white sleeves that aren't connected to the dress-, and half-calf, pink boots.
The girl is obviously using magic to stand above the water; and, for some reason, I feel like I should approach her.
"Axel, I know you're out there…I was the one who brought you here, through your dreams, after all." The girl spoke casually as she glanced in my direction.
How does she know my name?!
"Because I've watched you since the time Alexander brought you back to life. I also know that he asked you to come find me." She replied grimly.
"Wait…?! Are you…Clair?" I asked with disbelief.
"Yes, I'm the one you're looking for, Axel. Also, this is the book you're after." Clair spoke earnestly as a big, book with triangles of colors-red, blue, green, and brown-, on the cover, floated next to her.
Also on the cover of the book are the words-in black ink-: Book of Elemental Animals.
"Why are you telling me this?" I questioned warily.
"I want to earn your trust, so that we can help each other." Clair spoke warmly and with a slight smile.
I suddenly step out of the cover of the trees and I stand closer to the water's edge.
"What are you talking about?!" I asked heatedly.
"I know you're looking for a friend of yours, Axel. I'm also looking for someone… If I can help you, will you help me?" Clair asked cautiously.
"Ah…I don't know about that. Alexander seems to want your book, for some reason." I spoke reluctantly.
"Yes, I know this, but you see he can't have it! If Alexander were to get his hands on my book…I don't even want to think about the consequences. Please, at least consider it." Clair spoke earnestly.
"Alright, I'll think about it, but don't expect much from me." I spoke nonchalantly.
"Thank you, Axel. I have to go now, but we'll see each other soon." Clair spoke warmly.
"Yeah about that… You do know that we're coming for you tomorrow, right?" I asked worriedly.
"I figured as much… It'll be okay though, because I'll let you catch me." Clair spoke indifferently.
"Wait…what?!" I questioned with confusion.
"If I'm at the organization, it'll be easier for me to help find your friend for you." Clair spoke knowingly.
"Is he at the organization now?!" I asked eagerly.
"I can't say for sure, but I have a feeling that he is. Now I really have to get going…there's a lot I need to do before morning." Clair spoke seriously as she slowly began to fade away.
"Clair…! I think I will take you up on your offer!" I called anxiously to her.
"You will…?! Oh, thank you so much, Axel!" Clair spoke happily as she faded completely.
I stare at the empty lake in silence as I think about the conversation that just happened.
With Clair's help, I'll be able to find Roxas faster than on my own!
I just didn't know that he was actually in the organization this whole time…
Which explains why he was in the Memory Reminder!
Without warning, the dream around me slips away suddenly and darkness takes it place instead.
I lose my balance as I fall backwards into the endless darkness all around me.
XXX
I wake with a jolt and a feeling of falling still clutches at me.
"That's the second time I've fallen…it's getting really annoying!" I spoke heatedly to myself.
Suddenly, there was a tap on the door and I lazily get up to open it.
Standing on the other side of the door is Lenex and Xander.
"Hey newbie, guess what…? I'll tell you anyway: you're on the recon mission with us." Xander spoke proudly.
"Recon…?" I asked with confusion.
"What Xander means is that you'll be helping us look for Clair today. Alexander assigned you to our team." Lenex spoke reassuringly.
"Oh, so I guess I don't have to meet with Alexander today…" I spoke feeling relieved.
"No, you don't. Now come on, we're wasting time! Lux is going to find out soon that we left without him…" Xander spoke impatiently as he led the way to the Hall of Beginnings.
"Lux is also on our team?" I asked with disbelief as I closed the door behind me and I followed after Xander.
"Yes, but as you can see: Xander doesn't want him to tag along." Lenex spoke teasingly as he walked next to me.
"Well…that's because…someone like him doesn't need to go on recon! I can handle this myself…I mean we can handle this ourselves!" Xander spoke reluctantly.
"Ah, now I see…you just want all the glory for yourself, Xander." I spoke jokingly and with a smirk.
"S-Shut up, newbie! You don't get the right to say that…" Xander spoke lightly.
"Let's all try to get along or Lux will really get there ahead of us." Lenex spoke casually.
Xander stops walking to glance back at Lenex with an intense glare.
"Fine…just this once." Xander whispered firmly as he turned back around and he continued down the hall.
"I'm guessing Xander and Lux have bad history, Lenex?" I asked casually.
"You have no idea, Axel…" Lenex spoke seriously.
We walk the rest of the way in silence until we reach the other end of the hall, where Xander waits impatiently for us.
"How do we get outside?" I asked curiously.
"Easy: touch your hand to the wall." Xander spoke seriously as he touched his left hand to the wall, while he stared at me.
"Is that all…?"
"Well, I don't like long, drawn-out, answers, so…just put your hand on the wall and see for yourself." Xander spoke firmly.
"Okay…" I spoke anxiously as I touched my right hand to the wall in front of me.
Lenex also places his left hand on the wall, on the other side of Xander, and suddenly a light-blue, light flashes from within the wall.
The wall liquefies beneath our hands and Xander is the first one to pass through the wall.
"What the…?! How is this possible?" I questioned worriedly as the wall pulled my arm through it.
"Relax, Axel, this is how we get outside of the organization. Doors are easy for intruders to get in, so that's why Alexander built these walls." Lenex spoke casually as the wall consumed half of him.
"You seem a little too calm for all this, Lenex!" I spoke half-heatedly and half-jokingly as the wall consumed more of me.
"That's because I'm used to this by now, Axel. Anyway, Xander is the one who is too calm about it…he likes being outside more than being in the organization." Lenex spoke warmly as the wall absorbed all but his neck and head.
"I can see that actually…" I spoke knowingly as I faced the wall again.
This could take hours!
I need to get outside and to Clair before the others do…
If they get to her first, I won't know where they'll put her!
I sigh deeply before I rush into the wall and I finally end up on the other side.
Xander is already striding down a neon purple path-which leads away from the organization and to green, mountains in the distance; and, I also notice that everything-except the path and the mountains in the distance-, is black and desolate.
I turn around to face the organization-which actually sits on a high cliff-and I notice with disbelief that it's black like everything else in sight.
"Why would the organization have white inside, when the outside is black?" I questioned curiously.
Lenex walks through the wall then and he stares quietly at me, before he notices my attention on the organization.
"Ah, you're probably wondering why it's all black, right?" Lenex asked knowingly as he stared at it with me.
"Yeah…I guess." I answered nonchalantly.
"I've wondered the same thing myself, actually… I just can't come up with anything besides: the organization is blending in with the surroundings." Lenex spoke firmly.
"I can't imagine anything else either… By the way, how long will it take to get to Clair?" I asked anxiously as I turned my attention back to Xander, who is still walking without us.
"Hmm…a while I assume, but Lux will probably beat us there if we go on foot." Lenex spoke grimly as he glanced at Xander too.
"Why…?! Does Lux have a faster way to travel?" I asked worriedly.
Don't tell me he plans to use the Gravity Machine to get there first?!
I thought Roxie said I'm the only one, besides her, who uses it!
"Oh, I think he always uses a Coffin Hawk to get around." Lenex spoke thoughtfully.
"That's another one of those weird Coffin monsters, right?" I asked feeling a little relieved.
"Yeah, they actually live outside the organization. The Coffin Portal just allows them temporary entrance." Lenex spoke indifferently.
"Wait…What?! They live out here?!" I asked with shock as I glanced around again.
What I had thought was a desolate land, is actually teeming with Coffin creatures of all kinds.
"If you two don't hurry, I'm going to leave you in my dust!" Xander exclaimed heatedly from a yard in front of us.
"Let's go, Axel, I think he means it this time." Lenex spoke anxiously as he hurried after Xander.
I think this is the first time he sounded anxious…the Coffin monsters probably have something to do with it.
"Wait Xander, I have a better idea to get to those mountains over there!" I exclaimed eagerly as I followed Lenex.
"If you're going to say: Gravity Machine, don't bother! I'm not using that lazy method." Xander spoke in a huff as he continued down the path.
"I thought you wanted to get to Clair first, Xander?" I asked impatiently as I caught up to him and Lenex.
"Ugh… Fine, but don't you dare tell anyone that I took the easy way out!" Xander warned coolly.
"I promise." I spoke earnestly as I switched the white, wristband on.
The three of us start floating above the path, before Xander smirks at me.
"I bet I can beat you two there." Xander spoke daringly.
"Must we…?" Lenex asked lightly and with a warm smile.
"I'm with Lenex on this…" I spoke jokingly.
"Ready…set…go!" Xander exclaimed impatiently as he used his fire magic-with just his bare hands-to propel him towards the mountains.
I copy Xander by using my hands to call my fire magic.
"You won't beat me!" I called heatedly as I used my fire magic to follow after him.
"I guess I have no choice now…" Lenex spoke earnestly as he used his water magic to surf after the two of us.
XXX
We finally reach the green, mountains and we spot a colorful, village in the center of a valley.
"Ugh, just great! Clair could be anywhere down there…" Xander spoke grimly.
"We'll have to split up to cover more ground, Xander." Lenex spoke firmly.
I suddenly spot the same secluded patch of trees, by the lake, from my dream.
"You two should search the village; and, I'll search the woods around the village." I spoke impatiently.
"Huh, why should we…?! Also, what makes you think she'll be in the woods?" Xander questioned heatedly.
"Because you'll both have an easier time spotting her if you go together. And, I'll be in the woods if she tries to escape." I spoke reassuringly.
"Sounds like a good plan. Let's go, Xander." Lenex spoke willingly.
"Ugh, fine…! If you find her first send up a flare; and, we'll do the same if we find her." Xander spoke seriously.
"I got it memorized." I spoke firmly.
I watch impatiently as the two of them fly down to the village, before I propel myself towards the lake.
I land quietly as I can and I hurry through the trees to get to the lake.
Once I spot Clair-who is sitting cross-legged above the water-, I slow my pace and I stop at the water's edge.
"Clair…I'm here." I whispered anxiously.
"Axel! Thank goodness you got to me first… I was expecting someone else, but you're here now and that's all that matters." Clair spoke warmly as she stood up on the water.
"I've wanted to ask you: how you can float over the water like that… It's magic right?" I asked curiously.
"Oh, yes…I'm using one of the Elemental Animals from inside the book to stand on the water. You see, the reason I have the book in the first place is because I'm a witch in training." Clair spoke seriously.
"A witch, huh? Sounds like Naminé…" I whispered knowingly as I suddenly remembered the past.
"I think I've heard of her…but, now isn't the time for that, Axel! We have to hurry…he'll be coming soon." Clair spoke grimly.
"He…? Who are you talking about?" I asked worriedly.
"The witch would be referring to me, chicken!" A familiar voice exclaimed excitedly.
I glance towards the sky and I spot a Coffin Hawk-which really is a huge, silver, hawk with neon blue eyes and neon green stripes on its body-with Lux standing on its back.
"Lux…! What…are you doing here?!" I questioned heatedly.
"I could ask you the same thing! Once I woke up-from my well-deserved, nap-, I found that my team left without me! I would be mad too, but considering that I found the witch and a chicken, I'm in a good mood." Lux spoke nonchalantly as he controlled the Coffin Hawk to hover above Clair.
"You're not taking me without a fight!" Clair shouted angrily as she summoned her book.
"Chill out, Clair… Unless you want to get hurt: you better put your silly book away." Lux spoke coolly as he glared at her.
Clair shudders from the look, but she shakes her head anyway.
"I call upon you to lend me your strength… Phoenix Inferno!" Clair exclaimed anxiously as she clenched her hands together under her chin, before she suddenly released her hands and she spread her arms out.
Suddenly, the book opens as a fire, phoenix bursts from one of the pages; and, it flies straight at Lux and the Coffin Hawk.
"A weak move like that won't hurt me!" Lux spoke seriously as he drew his sword and he slashed the phoenix in half.
"Oh no…! I'm so sorry…he's just too strong; and, I'm still in training…" Clair whispered remorsefully to the disappearing phoenix, who cried out once before it vanished completely.
"Now do you see?! Someone weak, like you, can't beat me! Give up now, Clair, or else…" Lux warned heatedly.
I can't just stand here and let this happen!
I need Clair's help to find Roxas…
"No, Axel, let Lux take me back…that way it won't look suspicious. I know this wasn't how you wanted it, but we don't have any other choice."
Clair…?!
You can speak in my mind?
And, why should I?!
"Yes, it's one of my many powers…and please, just trust me!"
Fine, but I don't like this one bit…
I watch reluctantly as Clair's book disappears and she moves her arms over her head to surrender.
"That's more like it… I'll see you back at the organization, chicken!" Lux spoke excitedly as he grabbed Clair's arms and he dragged her on the Coffin Hawk, before they took off towards the organization.
"This just isn't my day…" I whispered heatedly.
I suddenly remember what Xander had said earlier, so I send a flare up, using my magic, to signal Xander and Lenex-who are probably still in the village; and, it only takes them a few minutes before they appear from the direction I came.
Xander takes one look around, before he glares intensely at me as he speaks heatedly, "Where is she, Axel…?! Don't tell me: Lux got here first?!"
"Xander…" I spoke grimly.
"No, don't even… I already saw him take off on a Coffin Hawk, so I can only guess what happened." Xander spoke coolly.
"What really happened, Axel?" Lenex asked curiously and with concern.
"There was nothing I could do… Lux wouldn't let me take her back myself." I lied about the first part, but was sincere about the second.
"I guess I can't blame you completely, Axel. That's just how Lux is…" Xander spoke sorrowfully.
"Yeah…" I whispered grimly.
"Well, there's no use worrying over it any more. Let's just head back before Alexander sends out a search party for us." Xander spoke half-seriously and half-sarcastically.
"Agreed." Lenex spoke warmly.
"Right, let me just turn the Gravity Machine back on…" I spoke casually as I switch the wristband on again.
"Just so you all know: I'm completely against this method!" Xander spoke seriously as he floated higher than the rest of us.
"Yeah sure you are, Xander…" I spoke jokingly as I used my magic to propel me towards the organization first.
"Wait for us, newbie!" Xander spoke impatiently as he used his magic to follow me.
"Same pattern, just a different outcome…" Lenex spoke teasingly as he used his magic to surf behind us.
XXX
Meanwhile…a group of unusual people emerge, from the cover of the trees, and they all stand at the water's edge.
"Are they gone now, Sara…?" A girl with blonde hair and blue eyes asked softly; and, she's wearing a plain white dress and blue sandals.
"Yeah, Naminé…they're all gone now." A girl with medium-length, straight, copper hair and blue eyes spoke confidently; and, she's wearing: a dark-green, half-jacket, a light-green, shirt, dark-green, pants, and light-green shoes, with yellow outlining the entire outfit.
"I can't believe this…! How could they take off with our Clair, Amani?!" A girl with short, wavy, orange hair and brown eyes questioned with disbelief; and, she's wearing: a gold, shirt-with a brown collar and slits at the end of the sides of the shirt-, gold, pants-with similar slits as the shirt-, and brown shoes.
"It seemed like she surrendered a little too easily, Shayna." A girl with short, straight, indigo hair and violet eyes spoke wistfully; and, she's wearing: a black cape-with a hood and sleeves that connect to the cape-, a lavender, mini-dress, and black boots.
"We promise to help rescue your friend, if you help us find our brother. He was also taken by the same organization…" Sara spoke firmly.
"Sounds like a deal to me!" Shayna exclaimed eagerly.
"Yeah…" Amani whispered earnestly.
"It was a good thing we ran into you two like we did. Otherwise we'd never find Roxas on our own…" Naminé spoke warmly.
"You're right, Naminé… I have a terrible sense of direction." Sara spoke grimly.
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Sara. It could happen to anyone! Luckily, Clair prediction this would happen, so we were all able to meet." Shayna spoke reassuringly as she clutched the note Clair left Amani and her.
"We better hurry or we'll lose their trail…" Amani whispered anxiously.
"Right, let's head out everyone!" Sara exclaimed excitedly.
The group then follows the trail of the strange, white-clad, organization members back to their castle.
XXX
X…To Be Continued…X