Disclaimer: Shouldn't this be a given already!? Ugh...I don't own KH.
Axel: Hi-ya. Axel here. Spooky isn't in right now but he did want to dedicate this chapter to BlacAngel since I'm her favorite Organization member and all. Anyways, kick back, relax, and enjoy the chapter.
Too Hot to Handle
Sora woke the next morning feeling great. The full body massage and treatment did wonders for him and he had to admit that this was the best he'd felt in a long time. Though it was only day one of his long two week break, Sora couldn't help but wonder what other plans were up ahead. Another massage would be great or maybe there was still time for a facial. Yes, even lounging on the beach sipping a virgin pina colada would work as well. Obviously, afternoon naps were a top priority. There were so many things to do in such little time.
The spiky haired brunette turned out of bed. He stretched his muscles and for once he felt pain free. Being able to bend down to touch his toes without his lower back giving way was a new sensation for him and he smiled thankfully. It had been as if he'd been oiled like a machine; his movements were fluid. Sora reached out and took hold of his shirt. It had oil stains on it from the massage and he tossed it into the hamper before heading into the backyard.
-KH-
Riku sat at his computer, his eyes glued to the bright screen. The envelope that Selphie had given him yesterday was torn open and its content were scattered all over the place. The silver haired boy rubbed his chin before typing again. He wasn't pleased. Riku turned away for his work for a brief moment and reread the letter. It was evident that Namine feared for the worst when she wrote the letter, her neat and fancy handwriting looked like gibberish and Riku had a hard time figuring out what it said.
Roxas didn't have anything new to report but never failed to send back updates on Kairi. The last message he had sent was assuring news, for now. Kairi was locked in the dungeon and despite the danger she was in, she was perfectly fine.
Riku sat back down on his chair and glanced at the computer screen. A new message flashed and Riku opened it up. A man dressed in all black was on the screen. Riku turned up the volume.
"By the time you have gotten this message, I have already begun plans to destroy your home world," the caped figure that Riku guessed to be Xemnas said.
Riku tightened his fists and cursed out loud. Destiny Islands was in big trouble now and he, for once, felt dismayed. Sora was still injured and he couldn't call for his help. Roxas was in enemy territory, posing as an Organization member. Riku wiped his hair out of his eyes. There was only one thing to do…go after Xemnas. In the back of his mind, he contemplated waiting for Sora and Roxas so they could plan some course of attack. However, the clock was ticking and Riku wouldn't dare wait any longer. He threw a black cloak over his shoulders and disappeared out of the window.
-KH-
Sora took a deep breath as a rose out of the pool. The lukewarm water felt great on his body and he felt all his injury and pain wash away. He had to thank Riku for installing this pool. Sora turned around and floated on his back. He tucked his hand behind his head in usual pose and stared up at the blue sky. A chill wind blew through the palm trees that surrounded his backyard and Sora felt suddenly cold.
He swam out of the water and climbed up over the side. Water dripped from his trunks as he quickly jogged to the table to get his towel. He shook all the water off his head and his spikes instantly stood up. His natural hairdo refused to be tamed by the elements and gel and hairspray were its common nemises.
Sora reclined on the seat after drying off and he looked out to the pool. He watched the water ripple and the trees sway. He grabbed his ice tea and took a sip from the cup.
-KH-
"Roxas, this is Riku. Patch me your location. I'm coming."
Riku raced through the streets of town. He was determined to stop the Organization at any cost. His communicator beeped relaying Roxas' message. It turned out the Organization base was 37 degrees longitude, 48 degrees latitude, right at the tiny island. Riku shook his head. He and Sora practically grew up on that little island. It was their little hideaway. Stick fights was their hobby of choice. Riku would win most, if not, all of them. There was a little shack as well, a small tree house, and a small waterfall. Palm trees lined the back end of the island behind the waterfall. That's where both boys held their racing contests.
Riku raced down to the beach and found his old wooden row boat. It was clearly not used in years but as of now, it was the only transportation to the little island. Riku hopped into the small boat checking the wear and tear. It was useable enough but would it sink? Oh well, there was only one way to find out. He pushed the boat out into the water and grabbed the oars. Slowly, he rowed himself to the island.
It didn't take too long until he reached land. He secured the boat to the dock and stepped foot on the white sand. 'Just as I remember it' Riku thought. The waterfall was still flowing, the paopu tree was still standing strong but a white castle loomed over the waterfall, towering over the whole island. The castle was stunningly white and Riku felt a cold aura flowing from it.
-KH-
Kairi awoke to find herself on the floor. She scratched her head. The room she was in was purely white and it stung it eyes. She got up and looked around. Three white walls surrounded her and she realized she was behind bars. A flashback flashed into her head of what happened a few nights ago. She was rudely woken from her sleep by someone dressed in all black. The man had an eye patch covering his right eye and scar running down his left cheek. Kairi figured he was the one who took her. It was clear she wasn't at Namine's house anymore though the white walls could have proved otherwise.
Kairi jumped as the door open. Someone dressed in all black stepped through the threshold and walked up to the cage. Kairi gasped and took a step back.
"Stay away from me!" she cried.
The dark figured lowered his hood to reveal a striking familiar face.
"Roxas?! Oh my gosh!?"
"Shh," Roxas quietly whispered. "Keep it down."
Kairi nodded as she approached him. She felt so happy to see but why he captured her, was still a mystery. Nonetheless, it was good to see a familiar face.
"Are you alright?" Roxas asked her.
"Yeah, I'm fine but what is going on?"
"Apparently you have something the Organization wants," Roxas told her.
Kairi stared at him weirdly trying. She didn't have anything of value except the necklace she had around her neck. It was given to her by her grandmother and Kairi certainly didn't think it was worth a few k's.
"What do they want?"
"They want the power that's inside your heart."
Kairi put a hand over her chest and felt her heartbeat. Her heart? What is so special about a heart?
Roxas sensed her confusion and continued with the explanation. "Deep inside Destiny Islands is the gate to this world that can only be opened by a pure heart. Your heart is that key. If the Organization can open that gate they can sap all the power of this world. Their strength will grow and the whole universe will be under their control."
Kairi stared at the ground dumbfounded. This was truly unbelievable. She couldn't believe what she had heard. It felt like a dream to her but it was reality. She fell to her knees and sobbed.
"Hey, hey relax," Roxas told her. "We're going to bust you out of here."
"What? Aren't you an Organization member?"
"Kind of, but really no, I'm with Sora."
Kairi couldn't help but smile. She could just imagine his goofy grin or that wildly spiky brown hair and not to mention those wide blue eyes. Despite Sora's mysterious nature, those eyes were a gateway into his soul and when she looked into them she could see a side of him she'd never seen before. She could see those childhood stories that he was talking about at Aerith's restaurant replay over and over through his eyes. She could see that little kid- little Sora.
"Hey are you ok, Kairi?" Roxas asked. "You're spacing out."
"Sorry. I was just thinking of something."
"More like of someone," Roxas slyly inserted.
Kairi felt heat rise to her cheeks but she cleared her throat. Hopefully, she didn't give too much away.
"How do you know Sora?" she asked.
"He's my cousin, actually. He was suposed to be watching over you, protecting you from the Organization. Shame you still got caught though."
He chuckled a bit.
"I just can't believe it. I guess he's losing his edge."
"Wait, so you mean you work together?" Kairi asked. She was still confused at the events unfolding around her.
"Well, Sora and I are from Destiny Island Squad Force. We practically protect Destiny Island."
"I never heard of you guys."
"I get that a lot," Roxas plainly said, "we work undercover."
"Oh? So what are you doing here?"
"I'm the guy who's been watching everything the Organization does. I tell Riku what's going on and Riku informs Sora. Sora just doesn't know I'm here. Riku will be here any minute now to bust you out of here. Sora's injured so he's taking some time off."
Kairi frowned. She hoped Sora was ok. Now everything started to make sense to her. The accident at her apartment was probably some Organization goon trying to get her and Sora saved her. It still didn't explain that explosion that almost blew off her head but at least the bigger mystery was solved.
"Roxas, I'm here," a voice over the communicator said.
"That's Riku," Roxas told Kairi. "He'll get you out of here."
Roxas walked back through the doorway. It would only be a matter of time.
-KH-
Riku entered the castle cautiously, hugging the walls and diving in and out of corridors. He knew that his presence was unwarranted and unexpected. Still he had to be careful. He couldn't blow his cover, unlike some spiky brunette he knew. 'Sora you had better get well soon. I can't be doing your job for you now' he thought to himself.
Riku withdrew his head from behind a door as an Organization member came strolling into the hall. "I'll guess I'll just follow this guy," Riku said as he silently crept around behind the cloaked person.
"I knew you were behind me Roxas," the person said uncovering his face to show red fiery hair.
Riku immediately stopped and lowered his head to cover his eyes.
"Roxas, I'm going to check on the girl," Axel said. "You know, got to make sure she's comfortable."
He gave Riku a smirk and a salute before walking away. Riku kept his distance as he followed.
-KH-
Roxas heard the door creak open and he immediately jumped behind it to hide. He propped a finger over his lips to tell Kairi to stay silent. Axel entered the room with Riku following behind.
"Kairi. Hi…" Axel greeted.
"What do you want?" Kairi snapped, cutting off the red head.
"I uh, just wanted to make sure you were doing ok."
"Well, I'm not ok!" Kairi angrily answered. "I've been kidnapped, thrown in a prison, and room service here sucks."
Axel smiled as he ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry. Roxas was never the hospitable one. He'll have your lemonade up here soon. Don't count on it, though, you'll be out of here soon."
"What do you mean?"
"Don't worry about it. You'll find out soon enough. By the way, the name's Axel. Got it memorized?"
Kairi nodded as a small smirk came to her face. 'His name is A-hole' she laughed in her head.
Good name; fits him well.
Axel turned to leave but we immediately stopped by a black keyblade that was aimed at his neck.
"Funny," Axel said. "For a moment there I thought you were Roxas. I guess I was wrong."
"The name's Riku," the silver haired boy said as he lowered his hood. "Got it memorized?"
"That's my line and, yes, I know who you are."
"Let Kairi go or things will get ugly."
Axel laughed hysterically at the threat as he backed up and extended his arms out to his side. His blazing chakrams appeared and he charged at Riku.
"Let's go pretty boy. Show me what you got!"
Riku charged in as well and thrusted his blade at the red head's midsection. Axel easily blocked the strike, jarring the blade between his chakrams. He twisted his weapons and Riku was spun into the air. Axel threw one of his chakrams, hitting Riku as he fell down. Riku grabbed his left arm and felt blood trickle onto his fingers.
Axel recalled his deadly weapon and prepared for a final strike. He raised his chakrams into the air and brought them to his side in one swift movement. Fire rose from the floor enclosing the two fighters, cutting them away from any escape. Axel twirled his weapons furiously and they too, were ignited on fire.
"It's time to die, pretty boy."
Riku stood back up unfazed by the fire show. It was impressive but it would take more than just a little camp fire to scare him. He gripped his blade tightly in his right hand. Axel rushed forward to make his move pushing his chakrams out in front of him as they spewed fire. Riku jumped over the flames landing behind Axel. A slash from Riku's blade barely missed as the green eyed jokester was able to swing his chakram around to stop the blow.
More fire raged out of the weapons forcing Riku to fall back. He couldn't get to close.
"Burn, baby!" Axel yelled as he threw his flaming chakrams at Riku.
Riku slide under the first projectile and knocked back the second. He stepped into a blow that his opponent easily blocked. Axel stared into Riku's eyes and pushed him back. Instantly, Riku swung upwards, connecting with Axel's weapon forcing his arm to go up. Axel's eyes widened as his body was exposed and unprotected. He quickly tried to summon his second chakram but a short jab from Riku broke his concentration. Screaming out in rage, he felt Riku strike his body with devastating might. Axel stumbled back, gasping for air. Tears flooded his eyes as he struggled to endure the pain.
He decided to finish this battle now as he called for the fires of hell to aid him. Riku crouched into a defensive position as he saw the fire consume and surround Axel's battered body.
"This is unbelievable," Axel exclaimed. "I FEEL INVINCIBLE!"
Riku tightened his hold on his blade as Axel threw his hands out in front of him. Fire swirled around his palms and he released a column of flame. Riku did his best to hold off the attack with his blade but the fire proved too strong and he was engulfed in the searing heat. Axel charged in and pounded Rku's keyblade with both chakrams. The contrasting strength of the two opposing forces, fire and metal, set off an explosion and the silver haired fighter was sent flying across the room.
A dark, gray smoke covered the prison as Kairi fell to her knees. She was badly injured due to the explosion. She was thrown back and her head connected with the wall of the cage. Faint, the world around her went black.
Riku opened his eyes to find that he still was alive. His body was singed and he couldn't feel his arms. He could however still feel the burn and he seethed at the sting. The area around him was scorched and destroyed. Rubble was everywhere. The black cloak he was wearing was tattered and his keyblade was pinned on the wall. His hair, unbelievably, was untouched. As he struggled to his knees, Roxas came to his aid.
"Riku, Riku. You have to get out of here," Roxas said as he helped his friend to his feet, "it's too dangerous. High tail it."
Riku nodded his head and limply retreated.
Axel: Hey, hey. Down here. Spooky's birthday is on October 28. So yeah, we should get a party going. I'll bring the candles. Just keep it quiet though.
Rock out, party hard, live hardcore
