Axel left Demyx in his room, he didn't understand what the Nobody had against water, but he figured whatever it was would pass quickly. Especially seeing that Demyx's element was water he would be forced to get over the small problem. Axel walked into his room next door, the Superior was being rather lenient with his missions lately due to Demyx. This of course made Axel very happy, he was able to relax. He used to like missions when he had worthy opponents, now it seemed as though the only thing he could fight was heartless and the occasional human. He turned on the game system, he hadn't played since Demyx first arrived. He smirked thinking about the boss battle ahead, finally something to look forward to.
In the middle of the boss battle Axel heard banging on a door. It wasn't his door, the sound was too muffled for that. He attempted to ignore it and return to his game when he heard Vexen's voice yelling for Demyx to open the door. Apparently the mad scientist wanted something from the poor boy. When it seemed like Vexen had given up he heard pounding on his own door. Axel paused the game, slipping a few curse words toward the door. He tossed the controller idly on the bed and headed for the door. "Am I too irresistible for you, Vexen?" Axel grinned, leaning on the doorway.
Vexen ignored the comment. "The Superior wishes to know why your training ended so soon." Vexen sneered, obviously not liking getting pulled from his research for such trivial matters.
Axel laughed, "What can I say, I'm just too intimidating. Demyx freaked out, he's not all there if you ask me." Before Vexen could utter another word Axel closed the door. It may have been his responsibility to train Demyx, but the Superior never stated how long the training had to be. He flopped onto his bed, pulled the controller toward him and continued his boss battle. He was running low on potions and had to end the fight quickly.
Axel had been so lost in his game he didn't realize how much time had flown by. His alarm buzzed on his small clock. Due to the expected gathering at dinner Axel quickly learned to set his alarm. After missing a few meetings he was threatened to be turned into a Dusk if he continued the behavior. The threat wasn't one he was going to push. Axel sighed, he was only a few towns away from completing the game. He saved the game in his current town and shut the system down. Axel stretched quickly before using a portal to the dinning area.
"Number Eight, your a bit late." Vexen sneered. "And why are you alone?"
The table looked over to Axel, just now realizing that Demyx wasn't tagging along with him. Even Zexion and Xemnas looked a bit startled. Axel looked around the room, Demyx wasn't here. He didn't bother grabbing the kid because he knew that the Nobody liked to get to to the kitchen early. Since Demyx didn't come to him he figured that he went ahead. "You mean he still hasn't shown?"
"No he has not." Xemnas replied, keeping his eyes focused on Axel. "Number Eight, your training with Number Nine ended rather early. You didn't confide in Number Four as to why it ended. Now Number Nine is not with you. What is going on Number Eight?"
Axel knew he had no other choice than to answer. If it was anyone else he would have made a sarcastic remark and went along with his meal. Sadly when the superior asked a question a direct response was expected. "Superior, during training I discovered Demyx's element is water. When he accidentally flooded the room he freaked out. He hasn't said a word since." Axel replied, leaning forward in his large chair.
"Ah, that makes sense." Xigbar stated before Xemnas could respond to Axel. "When I found the little dude he was drowning in Atlantica. Remember superior I brought him back and he was soaking wet." Xemnas and Vexen nodded, remembering the wet naked boy that was brought before them. "Not surprised he acted that way."
Saix snarled, pulling apart his steak. "If he's useless then get rid of him. We do not need a member who cannot control his powers." After his remark the table looked at him dumbfounded. Every member, even Xemnas, faced Saix during his berserk phases. During those times Saix was lucky if he could remember who he was fighting.
Axel didn't want Xemnas to order Demyx's death, even if the Nobody was useless at the moment. Demyx was the only other Nobody besides Saix who was not a part of the original six. Also Number Nine was slowly growing on him. "There has to be something we can do to stop his fear of the water. He's got potential." Lexaeus nodded along with him.
Zexion looked toward Axel, slightly surprised by the Nobody's affection for Number Nine. He remained silent for a few minutes thinking. He also didn't wish for Demyx to disappear, he was intrigued by the Nobody. "Superior, I know how to rid Number Nine of his phobia. Allow me to alter or erase the memories Number Nine developed when he was created. Those early memories have a hold on Number Nine, I'm certain that if those memories no longer had a hold on him that Number Nine may be able to wield water effectively." He glanced at Axel, curious to see what his expression held. He was not surprised to see pure amazement from Axel.
"Zexion, that's brilliant!" Axel smiled, twirling his fork in his fingers. He expected Zexion to follow what Saix said earlier. This was something he did not expect the smaller Nobody to say, but he wasn't going to question it. The plan Zexion arrived at would likely work, and if it was anyone else who mentioned it he would not be as certain. There was nothing that Zexion calculated wrong.
Xemnas waited for silence for answering, he did not enjoy speaking above others. "Number Six, you may do whatever you feel necessary to insure that Number Nine preforms without any hesitation."
With those words the discussion of Demyx came to a close. The Superior's word was final. The Organization continued to eat their meal as usual. Saix spoke solely spoke to the Superior. Axel, Xigbar, and Vexen bantered across the table. Lexaeus and Zexion managed an intellectual conversation despite the previous three. Xaldin ate his food silently, occasionally exchanging words with Xigbar. All thoughts on Demyx vanished during the meal.
After the meal Axel stayed behind with Zexion. Once the other members of the Organization were out of the premises Axel walked up to Zexion. He slightly bent down so he was able to talk with the other on his level. "What do you have planned for Demyx? I know you're not the kind of person who would willingly do work, you'd rather sit on the sidelines and let others do your bidding."
Zexion's face remained intact, he didn't show any emotion to Axel. "Number Eight, you accuse me of foul play? After I willingly volunteered to assist you?" Zexion continued before Axel had a chance to reply to the questions. "You know as well as I that if I remained silent the Superior would have sided with Number Seven, a Nobody without powers is useless to the Organization."
"I know that!" Axel interrupted. He stood up strait to his full height as he said his next words. "I know your the only one in the Organization who can help Demyx, don't get me wrong, I appreciate what your going to do. I may not be able to read you, but I know you're up to something. Got it memorized?" With those words Axel left the room. He wanted to follow Zexion to Demyx's room, however, he wasn't sure if he wanted to see what Zexion was able to do. He liked to think that Zexion had limitations, especially when it came to altering memories. Illusion was the one power that he feared in the Organization more than when Saix went berserk. He knew he was not the only member of the Organization who feared Zexion, he was sure even Xemnas was on edge when it came to Zexion. This is why the Organization generally left the Nobody alone, which was preferred to Zexion. Reading alone in the library was creepy. Axel used a portal into the training room, during dinner Xemnas ordered him to drain the room.
Zexion walked through the corridors of the castle towards their living courters. He detested using portals, especially around the castle. He knew very well that the others felt otherwise, walking was an inconvenience to them. Zexion preferred the simple walks, it allowed for normalcy in a very abnormal environment. He reached his desired location in under ten minutes. Demyx sat on the floor curled into a tight ball muttering "water." Zexion closed the door lightly behind him, not wishing to alarm the boy on the floor or anyone in the corridors. He knew the others did not enjoy his element due to their avoidance when he used it. "Number Nine," he said, his voice emotionless. He didn't receive any response from the boy.
The room was silent, neither Zexion nor Demyx spoke a word. Zexion walked over the window and closed the curtains. He preferred to work in the dark, his powers seemed to have a stronger effect when there was little light. After he was sure the room's light had diminished he walked over to Demyx. Zexion lowered himself to the floor in front of Demyx. There was no need to pull out his Lexicon with Demyx's current state. He only used it if he knew his target would resist his illusions. Both of his hands traveled to each side of Demyx's head after he brushed his hair away from his right eye. He needed to look at his target with both eyes if he wished his powers to be controlled affectively. Demyx's memories were effortlessly obtained, they were easier to alter.
Within minutes Zexion stood from his earlier position by Demyx. He succeeded in changing Demyx's memories. The once terrifying encounter was replaced with a rather enjoyable one. Rather than waking up in the ocean Demyx now believed he awoke on the sand beside the ocean. There was no terror for the water, now only a desire to enter to the water. He also altered every experience Demyx had with water. Every shower he took he enjoyed, not detested. The fight with Axel now ended with Axel's defeat. The water managed to put out Axel's fire. Zexion put Demyx to sleep before walking out of the room toward his own.
