Hello everyone! Sorry this chapter took so long-I've been pretty busy. Also, my new KH story ReBirth is up, so check it out! *shameless self-advertising*
I don't feel like making a long-winded intro, so on to the story!!
The door to the Superior's study creaked open as a tall, slim man with fiery red hair stepped through.
"Figures," thought Axel, "he has a brand new castle and his hinges squeak already. It's probably on purpose-for 'dramatic effect.'"
"You wanted to see me?" Axel showed an impressive lack of respect for someone of such relatively low rank who was addressing the Organization's Number I. He even shot a sideways glance at Saïx, who stood next to his leader's chair.
This was not lost on Xemnas.
But the Nobody commander carried on as if he hadn't noticed.
"Number IIX." Xemnas started in with his slow, controlling voice. That voice saps the will of anyone who hears it. Few people could abide the Superior's voice, but Axel was one of them. If he had any emotions, he would have been proud of his ability to avoid his leader's manipulations. Of course, being a rouge member meant that he would never be a high-ranking officer, but his current position in the Organization suited him just fine anyway.
"Number IIX," he said again, still laying on his mind-numbing spell. "I have prepared a special task for you."
"Really now?" Axel paused just long enough to make sure that both of them noticed there had been a pause-not out of spite, but rather in open contempt-before he put on a more respectful air.
"I'd be proud to benefit the Organization in any way I can." If I could feel pride, that is. He added within his own mind. "What are your orders?"
"The Keyblade master was turned into a heartless recently. He then regenerated himself without an ethereal body. Your task is to retrieve his Nobody. I have contacted him already. I leave it to you to recruit him and deliver him here."
"I see." Axel paused again. "And what will the Superior preoccupy himself with while I retrieve the boy?" Everyone in the room knew that Xemnas must be chopping at the bit if he had visited the boy himself. And even the fact that he and Saïx, being very intimidating figures, could not be trusted to make someone eager to join freely. No, Xemnas needed someone who could make this recruit want to be a member of the Organization. He needed someone who could appeal to the boy on a personal level-someone agreeable to him. Xemnas had a tough decision to make. He had to choose someone he trusted so that he could be a good mentor and make the boy loyal to the Organization and, more importantly, its leader. Xigbar's personality tended to annoy people, Xaldin had fought the boy already so that was no good…Vexen, Lexaeus, and Zexion rounded out the Six Founders, but they were becoming less and less reliable, dedicated though they were. Xemnas needed Saïx here to deliver his orders to the others and was too unfriendly for recruitment. Axel's personality seemed to fit, based on the short interaction Xemnas had had with the recruit, so he was the optimum choice.
"The Superior has his own business to attend to," offered Saïx. Xemnas had been about to chide Axel for his remark, but instead sat back and smirked. He decided to show him some imitation of trust and tell Number IIX of his plans.
"I will go to the ruins of Radiant Garden and test the Keyblade master's strength." Neither of the men had expected to actually hear of his plan, much less to hear that he would fight Sora himself. The poor boy didn't stand a chance.
"Now go to your task," bade Xemnas. "Saïx, you are excused as well." He turned away, ending the dialogue instantly. Saïx and Axel walked out. Once the door was safely shut and out of range of their voices, Saïx started in on Axel.
"You need to show Xemnas some respect. He is our leader."
"And you're his lapdog," Axel said lucidly.
"Axel…" Saïx's voice was soft and slightly sad as usual, but he tried to make it sound sincere. "We joined the Organization together, but ever since we did you've under minded the Superior at every turn."
"And you've pandered to his every whim." He took on a mocking tone.
"Saïx," Axel started haughtily, emptying his lungs with every word in a crude imitation of Xemnas's voice. "Discipline the underlings. Saïx, retrieve my reports on the status of Kingdom Hearts. Saïx, cut my toenails and organize them by length and color. Saïx…"
"That's enough." He pretended to be annoyed. "You've changed since we came here."
"Really?" Axel stopped and turned toward Saïx. "Because I think you're the one who's different. We used to be friends. We hung out together, we fell fighting Heartless together, we became Nobodies together, and then we wound up here." He paused for a moment. "We wound up here and you started playing goody-two-shoes with Xemmy."
"Would your existence really be so much more unbearable if you showed him some respect?"
"I wouldn't know how my existence would be..." Axel turned away, talking over his shoulder. "…I haven't got one. What I do have…" He opened a dark corridor, and his words echoed out as it snapped shut behind him. "…is a job to do. For your precious 'Superior!'"
Saïx let out a sigh of faux exasperation and headed up the castle stairs. He felt like paying Vexen a visit. Maybe getting to mock someone else would provide some entertainment.