Part Three

Axel had only made it about three steps away from the door before he heard the door to the room he had just left slam open with a loud bang. Sora rushed out of the room, not realizing Axel was still near the door and collided into his back, falling to the floor with an 'Oof'. Axel spun around and stared down at him in confusion. Riku who was following Sora at a slower pace soon joined them.

"Can't you guys give me a break?" Axel grumbled, turning away.

"Axel, we want to help you." Sora said, sorely climbing to his feet.

"If you said you saw Xemnas, then we've got to act quickly." Riku agreed.

"Heh.." Axel grunted. "Nothing we can really do than just wait.."

"What do you mean?" asked Sora.

"Well you said it yourself.." Axel responded, closing his eyes. "You guys hadn't found a way to cure us.."

"That doesn't mean we should give UP!" Sora protested.

"And what do you think we should DO?" Axel demanded, his eyes suddenly flashing angrily.

Sora stepped back at the sharp tone.. Axel's tone was almost like it was when he had been part of the organization. Axel's eyes went wide at the realization and he shook his head.

"S..sorry.." Axel muttered. "I.. I don't know what's going on with me.."

"It's okay.." Sora responded, a bit unsure but still a bit concerned.

"I.. I think you guys should just.."

Axel trailed off, unsure about himself anymore. He began to leave again.

"Wait, Axel.." Sora started.

Axel stopped but didn't turning around. It was as if he only stopped to hear what Sora had to say.

"You don't have to do this alone.. We're your friends." Sora stated, placing a hand over his heart. "At least let us HELP you!"

"Heh..." Axel grunted.

He soon turned around.

"You really think you could help me?" asked Axel.

His expression was that of someone who had already given up.

"What makes you think Xemnas won't just use us as his puppets again?"

Sora opened his mouth to respond but immediately closed it again.

"See? You can't even answer that.." Axel replied, turning away again.

Sora shook his head.

"We're STILL gonna help you!" he stated finally.

Axel didn't stop walking this time, though he did go at a slower pace.

"Just.. Let us HELP you.." Sora said, soon turning his gaze to the floor.

Axel soon huffed in annoyance.

"Alright already! Sheesh!" Axel groaned. "If you SERIOUSLY want to help, then fine.. I'm not gonna stop you.."

Sora looked up and smiled with a nod.

"But, there's a catch.." Axel started, soon turning around. "You guys leave everything to me.. I'm not about let you guys get your butts handed to you.. Got it memorized?"

Axel said this while pointing to his right temple with a smirk.

"Got it!" Sora smiled with a nod.

Riku nodded as well.

"Good.. Now.. Shall we?"

Sora and Riku nodded as the trio made their way outside. As they left the mansion, they took notice of the light rain that pattern against the grass of the surrounding area.

"Looks like the storm is slowing down.." Riku commented, glancing up at the sky.

His friends did the same, taking note of the dark clouds that hung low in the sky. As the trio made their way through the main gate of the mansion, Axel stopped walking

"Hold it.."

"Huh?" asked Sora, confused.

"Don't move.." Axel instructed.

Riku and Sora both did as instructed as Axel kept his gaze ahead of them. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see a long shadow was moving toward them for a distance.

"Get DOWN!"

Sora and Riku off guard as Axel shoved them to the ground. Moments later, there was a smoldering spot where they had just been standing. Axel looked over at the black mass that was now rising up from the ground and stood protectively over Sora and Riku as he readied his weapons.

Axel glared at the moving black mass as it became more distinct. His eyes went wide as he saw the figure take the shape of young man. Though the black mist did not dissipate, the voice emanating from the being was all too familiar.

"My my.. It has been a long time, hasn't it?"

Axel stared in shock as he saw a pair of golden eyes gazing back at him.

"No.."

"Axel?"

Axel turned his attention to his friends as they got to their feet. Sora stared back in shock and confusion.

"Ah yes.. I nearly forgot about them.."

As the figure said this, the black mist slowly began to fade, finally revealing their identity. Sora and Riku stared on in horror as their eyes met with the former organization leader.

"You had always been the weakest of the organization.." Xemnas stated as he made his way over to them. "It's such a shame.."

Sora and Riku were taken aback as Xemnas stopped in front of Axel.

"How completely pathetic that you would choose to aid them.."

As Xemnas said this, he soon lifted his arm and Sora felt a sudden pain in his body as the marks begun to spread much quicker.

"Sora!"

Riku's shout ended with a groan of pain as the marks began to spread as well and had become such a deep red, they looked almost black in the dim light. Axel's eyes grew wide in horror as his friends doubled over in pain.

"I had warned you of your failings.." Xemnas stated. "Now.. I must fix your mistakes.."

Sora and Riku's pain intensified to the point where they could barely move. Axel shut his eyes before they snapped open, intense anger flashing within them.

"Let them GO!"

Axel swung the twin Chakrams as flames erupted from them. However as Axel's weapons drew close to him, Xemnas gripped Axel's wrist in a death grip. Axel cried out as pain shot up his right arm, once pristine white bandages slowly becaming a crimson red.

"Axel!" Sora shouted in horror.

He winced as the pain grew worse. Axel turned toward Sora and Riku in horror before turning to Xemnas.

"Leave them.. Out of it..!" Axel growled. "They're not.. Your CONCERN.."

Xemnas eyed him impassively.

"Why Axel.. Are you willing to give your heart to spare your "friends"..?"

Axel turned to look at the duo on the ground before his expression darkened.

"They're.. Not my friends.." Axel growled.

Sora's eyes grew wide in shock at Axel's statement.

"W-What? Axel-?"

"You HEARD me!" Axel growled. "I was NEVER your friend! I was just USING you so I could find ROXAS! Some plan THAT turned out to be!"

Sora stared at him, a deep pain forming in his heart.

"A..Axel-"

"Like I said.." Axel growled, turning to Xemnas. "You're here for me.. Not them.."

Xemnas smiled darkly at Axel's words.

"So I am.." he muttered. "Then.. We should not waste any more of our time.."

Axel glanced over at Sora and Riku as they stood up.

'I'm sorry..' Axel mentally said. 'I'm so sorry..'

As Xemnas and Axel made their way into the dark corridor, Axel closed his eyes, allowing a single tear to slip down his cheek.

Author's Note: Here is the next part and I'm very sorry for taking so long.. We had lost power at our house and i was unable to get any of the chapter done.. But here it is finally.. I hope to get more up soon..