Day 5

Chapter 9: Going the Distance

Everything didn't matter to me. I was almost completely zoned out. The only thing I heard was Biggs announcing a half hour intermission before the championship match. That was a pretty frightening experience; anyone would be shaken up by it. My brain was clogged up with thoughts. So many questions – one of them was: would life ever be the same? Would I spend the rest of my life on the run? Hayner and Pence helped me over to a bench, and I sat there in silence. Obviously everyone was worried sick.

About a few minutes later, Olette broke the silence. "Roxas, what's wrong? You won the prize for us. This isn't like you."

No one would believe me. I know K.K. told me to give it a try, but I didn't want my friends to look at me differently. Would they really understand? Or like my emotions, would they just smile and nod, secretly thinking I was nutjob?

"I'm really tired," I said. "Vivi took a lot out of me."

"I'll fetch you some water," Pence said.

"Fetch!" a familiar voice said excitedly.

K.K. ran up to us and stuck his tongue out as if waiting for someone to throw him a Frisbee.

"Throw it! Throw it! Throw it!"

Pence laughed. "Not that kind of Fetch."

K.K. moaned and lowered his head in disappointment.

"Aw, man," K.K. said. "Anyways, sorry I'm late, cats. What'd I miss?"

"I won the match title."

K.K. gave me a high five. "Outta sight, man. I knew one of you would make it. But you don't seem too thrilled by it."

"Roxas is worn out," Hayner said.

"Understandable," K.K. said. "We should give him some space. He has one more match, after all."

I shouted out. "Don't leave!"

Everyone jumped back in surprise from my abrupt response. I didn't want to be alone right now. Maybe those weirdoes won't come back if I'm with friends.

"I mean, I wouldn't mind some company," I said.

"Um, okay," Hayner said with confusion in his voice. "Sure thing, man."

For the next half hour, we sat and talk with each other. Spending time with my friends did make me feel a little better. But it wasn't enough to reverse everything that happened. There was so much on my mind still. However, my chance to catch my breath was soon over, as the sound of screaming fangirls split my eardrums open.

"Seeeetttttzer!"

Setzer was on stage, eating up the attention like someone going crazy at an all you can eat buffet. I wanted to win so badly, but I wasn't sure I had the strength.

"In just two minutes," Biggs announced, "our newest contender, Roxas, will be going toe to toe with our Struggle champion, Setzer! I can't wait! Would both players please report to the tournament bracket?"

I stood up. "Well, this is it."

"Roxas, are you sure you can fight in your condition?" Olette asked.

"You already won the trophy," Pence said. "It's not worth it."

Hayner got me into a headlock. "No way! My boy is going all the way! He's going to show that prissy boy what a true struggle champion is like! Right, man?"

"Y-yeah," I said.

"You call that confidence?" Hayner asked. "Again! With passion!"

I released my grip from him and shouted, "YEAH!"

"That's more like it!" Hayner said. "Go get 'em!"

I said my good-byes and left for the ring. I guess Hayner's encouragement helped. I still wasn't sure if I was up for one more round. I had to give it a try. There was no way I'd miss an opportunity to take on Setzer. After getting our gear on, Setzer and I got into the ring. The producer came out and handed us our swords.

"You two, play fair now," the producer said. "You're at the top of the bracket."

"There's only room for one up here," Setzer said.

"Well, may the best man win!" the producer said.

As the producer walked off stage, I heard Pence say, "Man, he's still down. Wish there was something we could do to cheer him up. Oh! I got an idea!"

I heard Pence clear his throat. I didn't like where this was going.

"You're the best! Around!" Pence sang. "Nothing's gonna ever keep you down!"

Everyone turned to see Pence singing horribly. Before he could sing the next line, Hayner tackled him right to the ground. Ouch! Pence was going to feel that one in the morning. Olette looked down at Hayner with a raised eyebrow.

"Was that really necessary?"

"Didn't I tell you before?" Hayner replied. "It's how I express myself."

I rolled my eyes. Impulsive as ever.

"Hey, Roxas," Setzer said.

I turned to him.

"You ready to do this?"

I silently nodded.

"You don't look ready. The odds are going to be against you."

I sighed. "Just don't hold back."

"Hey, are you not ready to fight? I could postpone the match a little longer, if you like."

My ears almost refused to believe what they heard. Setzer was concerned for me?

"You would do that?" I asked in shock.

Setzer smiled. "Of course. What's the point in putting your championship title on the line if your opponent isn't going to make a solid effort? I want to have fun."

Hearing Setzer say that made me feel better. I guess I really did judge Setzer too harshly. He was a decent guy.

I heard Hayner shout, "Roxas! Focus!"

I looked over my shoulder to see my friends cheering me on. It was their support that kept me going. If I didn't have such amazing friends, I don't know what I'd do. In fact, I didn't want picture it.

"What do you say, Roxas?" Setzer asked me.

I turned back to Setzer, smirking. "I say: prepared to lose that belt!"

"Alright!" Setzer said excitedly. "Then it's time to ante up!"

"Roxas, our underdog hero, versus Setzer, our defending champion!" Biggs said. "The winner of this match will be the true champion! That's bragging rights for a whole year, folks! It's time to countdown one last time!"

"Three….two….one….STRUGGLE!"

Setzer ran at me, ducked underneath my attack, and rammed the blade into my stomach. He quickly hit me on each shoulder, leaped back slightly, and then took a huge step forward to stab me in the stomach. He finished with an upward swing across my chest, which knocked me onto the ground. I got over onto my back and saw Setzer collect the orbs that fell off.

He ran over to me and swung the blade down. I rolled away to avoid his attack. However, Setzer was not going to let me get up. He ran after me and swung again. I stretched my arm out, and swung my blade upward to deflect his attack. I quickly got onto one knee, turned around and put my blade up horizontally to block his next attack. After I pushed him back, I got to my feet and stabbed at his chest. He titled his body left to dodge. He tried to counter, but I backed up and brought my blade up to deflect it. I swung right across, but he ducked underneath my attack.

He tried to bring his blade in low towards me legs, but, while I held both hands on the handle, I brought my blade in to block. I pushed his blade up to release the grip. Holding the blade in my right hand, I got my sword into a backhanded position. I swung it right across to block an attack. I repositioned my hands around the handle and swung it the other way to clash with Setzer. We both stayed locked in our positions.

"Not bad, rookie," Setzer said. "You definitely deserve to be up here. Too bad you won't win! I'm going to make you fold this game!"

I groaned. "Please, if you want me to fight at my best, you'll refrain from any more gambling puns."

"Have it your way!"

Setzer pushed me back. I tried to swing my sword at his right foot, but he lifted it and slightly moved back. He thrust the sword at my chest, but I tilted left to dodge it. I swung my sword up like a club and knocked his sword away. I swung my sword down diagonally, and Setzer moved back to dodge. Setzer brought his straight down, and I side stepped left to avoid the attack. Before Setze could react, I hit him in the side. I ran behind him and hit his back, knocking him onto his stomach.

I collected the orbs that fell. At the same time I heard my friends cheering me on. I tried to collect the last two, but Setzer, while on his stomach, swung at my feet, and I hopped back. He collected the two orbs, got to his feet, and swung at my shoulder. I moved right, but he quickly brought it around and tapped my other shoulder, knocking orbs off. I got distracted by that, and I felt him stab me in the stomach, knocking me over onto my back. I saw orbs fly everywhere. I rolled around on the ground to try and get them before Setzer did. I managed to get most of them back, with the exception of a few.

I knew that Setzer had more orbs. I had to get them off of him. I got to my feet and tried swinging at him. However, he was nimble; I couldn't lay a finger on him. I think Setzer knew he had more orbs, too, as he was being evasive. He was playing it smart. But I wasn't going to let this continue. Setzer was so busy dodging my attacks that he failed to realize I was luring him towards the end of the ring.

I brought my blade down again, and he leaped back. When he landed, he immediately turned around to see he was at the edge. Now was my chance! I tried to swing at Setzer's chest, but he rolled under my attack. The audience gasped in surprise (and I think in disappointment, too). Setzer turned around to face me, but I brought my blade down and knocked off a good chunk of orbs. See, I had a feeling he was going to roll to dodge my attack. That's why I stopped swinging the moment he started rolling; to prepare another attack.

I swung across his chest while he was still kneeled over and knocked him onto the ground. I collected the orbs. Unfortunately, Setzer instantly recovered and knocked me back. Orbs were flying everywhere.

"Time's running out!" Biggs announced.

It was a game of who collected the most orbs now. We both ran around the area, collecting the remaining orbs. Finally, it was just down five orbs that were coupled together. I looked up to see Setzer looking at me. Those orbs could make all the difference. We ran for the orbs as the audience counted down. By the time the audience hit three, both of us leaped for the orbs.

The match was over. Setzer and I both stood next to each other as Biggs came in to count the orbs. I couldn't wait for the results, but at the same time I dreaded them. Even if I lost, I still had a lot of fun out there. It took my mind off things for a little while. And hopefully the celebration I had with my friends later would keep those thoughts locked up in the darkest part of my mind.

Biggs finished counting the orbs.

"Ladies and gentlemen, after much scrutiny, I have determined who the winner is," Biggs said.

The crowd was dead silent. Oh, the anticipation!

"And the Struggle championship title goes to…..ROXAS!"

The dead silence was replaced by the loudest cheers I've ever heard. I couldn't help but pump my fist and shout, "YEAH!" I saw my friends in the crowd going absolutely ballistic. It left me with a good feeling; my friends were very proud of me, and I was proud of myself.

Setzer walked over and shook my hand. "Congratulations, Roxas. You truly deserve the title. Especially for your willingness to take chances. That's the second time you lured someone to edge of that ring."

"Hey, it wasn't easy," I said. "You're good."

"Thanks," Setzer said. "Cherish the belt while you can. I plan to win it back next year."

I smiled. "Okay! You're on!"

Setzer said good-bye and started to walk off stage. He stopped, pointed at me, and I saw my friends run past him.

"Roxas!" Hayner shouted.

Olette got to me first and gave me a big hug. "You did it!"

The others soon arrived, and they were all over me. Hayner got me into a headlock and gave me a noogie.

"I knew you'd win the title that was meant for me all along!" Hayner said.

I laughed. "Very funny, dude!"

"That was awesome, Roxas!" Pence said.

"Far out!" K.K. added.

"I couldn't have done it without you guys," I said.

The producer came on stage and placed the trophy right next to me. I placed my hand on it, feeling its smooth texture. I couldn't believe it was in my hands. The producer handed me the belt, and I lifted it up. The cheers were followed by people chanting my name. At least this day ended on a positive note. A few minutes later, the Biggs came back on stage.

"Well, folks, that ends this year's Struggle extravaganza," Biggs said. "Let's give all of our competitors a round of applause. They were fantastic!"

Biggs continued after the applause. "And before we say good-bye, we have a special surprise for our new champion, courtesy of our own Baking Mama!"

I lit up. So did my tongue. Baking Mama came onto the stage pushing a trolley. On top of the trolley was a huge rectangular cake with blue icing on it. The words 'Congratulations, Roxas' were written on it. I guess she got to work on that the moment I won. Next to my name was a picture of the crystal trophy.

"Wow!" I said.

"Mama knew you could do it," Mama said cheerfully.

"Thank you so much, Mama," I said. "It looks delicious!"

I heard Hayner say, "Well, then, have a bite!"

I turned to Hayner, and my face got greeted by frosting. It was all over my face. I rubbed the frosting out of my eyes.

"What was that for?" I asked angrily.

Hayner smirked. "Still had a little bit of that grudge left. That helped me get it out of my system."

I grabbed a piece of cake. "Good, 'cause now your system has room for this!"

I splattered cake against Hayner's face. He grabbed another piece, but I moved out of the way, and it ended up hitting Pence. One thing led to another, and soon, we were having a cake fight. It was like a Three Stooges episode, minus the slapstick. We were laughing, having a great time until…

"STOP!" Mama yelled.

Everyone came to a screeching halt. I turned to see that Baking Mama was beyond angry. I saw the fire in her eyes; it was so strong that it would melt her eye sockets in seconds.

"Mama worked really hard on that cake," Mama said. "And this is the way you show respect for Mama's cake?"

I looked at Hayner, who looked back at me with a smirk. It was like we read each other's mind; we picked up a piece of cake and shoved it in Mama's face. I have no clue why we did that. Maybe it was to calm Mama down. After Mama wiped the frosting off her face, we braced ourselves for her reaction. Surprisingly, she let out smile.

"Weeeellll, I guess you kids are just being kids," Mama said. "As long as you're happy. Oh, you boys don't have enough frosting on your faces. Here, Mama will fix it!"

Mama grabbed two pieces and shoved them in our faces. We resumed having fun for the remainder of the Struggle.

After all the excitement, we headed to the clock tower to unwind. As we sat in our usual spots, I took the trophy and held it out towards the sunset. The four crystals shined brightly, giving them a magical look to them. It was really cool. I could do this all day – hanging with my friends and watching the sunset together. Nothing bad was happening. It was just us. I removed the four crystals and threw them to my friends. Pence almost dropped his, but he managed to catch it in his palm.

"Hello, we're sitting on a three storey building!" Pence said. "Would've been safer to just walk over."

I rubbed my head. "Sorry."

"Eh, don't sweat it," Pence said.

I took my blue crystal and stuck it out towards the sun, seeing the true beauty of the crystal as it shined.

"As promised," I said.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the others mimic what I was doing.

"Thanks a ton, Roxas!" Pence said.

"One more treasure for us to share," Hayner said.

We stayed like this for a few moments. It didn't get any better than this.

"What's it like to be champion, man?" Pence asked.

"It's really cool," I replied. "I can't wait to defend my title next year."

Hayner grinned. "Who said you're waiting till next year?"

"Hayner!" Olette said.

"What? I'm kidding! Would I do that to my buddy, even if I approached him in a dark alley at night, wearing a trench coat and holding two struggle swords?"

I started cracking up. "Subtle!"

"What? Those are my evening clothes!" Hayner joked.

We all laughed. After settling down, Olette went to grab something that was behind her.

"I got a surprise for everyone," she said.

She pulled out four sea-salt ice creams. I stood up in excitement.

"Whoa!" Hayner said.

Somehow, I accidently made my foot step off the edge, and I started losing balance; I was doing whatever I could to regain it. My breathing became heavy. How did I let this happen? And then, I fell right off the edge.

What a way to go.

On an island far way, a teenage girl was walking home from school. The sun was setting; the sky was glowing with a pinkish color. The girl walked down a narrow path, carrying her book bag. She was dressed in her school uniform. As she approached a small hill, she was stopped by the voice of another girl.

"Kairi! Wait up!"

Kairi turned around to see her friend, Selphie, run up to her. Kairi gave her friend a warm smile. The two started walking together.

"Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to go hang out on the island," Selphie said. "Tidus and Wakka are all wrapped up in their ball game."

"Not today," Kairi said with a very kind and gentle voice, "sorry."

Selphie moaned. "Aw, why not?"

When they got to the top of the hill, Kairi stopped. She looked out to see a huge island in the distance. Seeing that island always made her sentimental. But at the same time it filled her with sadness.

"What's wrong?" Selphie asked.

"Do you remember those boys who used to hang out with us?"

Selphie was confused for a moment, but the memory soon flashed in front of her eyes.

"You mean, Riku?" Selphie asked.

Kairi nodded.

"Yeah, whatever happened to him? He just disappeared one day."

Kairi knew the awful truth. It was a day she didn't forget. She still pictured the faint image of Riku telling her to run for dear life from the monstrous creatures known as heartless. She remembered Riku being under the control of Ansem. Oh, the suffering she heard in his voice. And after that, she never saw him again. It was a horrifying memory, one she didn't want to remember. But Selphie would not believe something farfetched.

Instead, she simply said, "He's far away. But I know we'll see him again."

Selphie noticed the sadness in Kairi's voice. She and Riku have been very close friends.

"Sure. Of course we will," Selphie said cheerfully.

Kairi was confused for the moment. Why did Selphie bring up just Riku? Something didn't feel right.

"And the other boy?"

Selphie titled her head in confusion. "What other boy?"

"The one who was with Riku and me all the time-we played together on that island. His voice always used to be there...but now it's gone. I can't think of his face, or his name. I feel awful about it. So I told myself-I'm not going to the island until I remember everything about him."

"Are you sure you didn't make him up?"

"The feelings I have for him are too strong to be made up."

Kairi heard a voice in her head. "Namine?"

She started feeling dizzy. The entire island she looked at was spinning around like a top. She held her forehead; there was a stinging pain. She was frightened by this strange occurrence. Soon enough, everything went black.

The last sound she heard was Selphie exclaiming, "Kairi! What's wrong!"

Why haven't I hit the ground yet? Was this how falling to your death felt like? Time moved as fast as paint drying on a wall? I was waiting for it to end.

But then I heard someone in my head say, "The feelings I have for him are too strong to be made up."

"Namine?" I asked in my thoughts. "Is that you? Help me! I don't know what's going on!"

"Who are you?" the girl asked. "And that's not my name. I'm Kairi."

Kairi….that name. I knew who that was. The promise he made to her.

"Kairi? Aren't you that girl he likes?"

"Who are you talking about?"

Strange, now I couldn't remember his name. Everything was getting cloudy. How could I forget that guy? After all, I've been having dreams about him every night.

"Please, a name!"

"I'm Roxas."

"Okay, Roxas, but can you tell me his name."

Another voice entered my head. "You don't remember my name? Thanks a lot, Kairi."

Kairi gasped. I recognized that voice, except it sounded older. Was it…him?

"Okay, I guess I can give you a hint. Starts with an 'S'…."

"Kairi! Kairi! Are you okay?"

Selphie frantically shook her friend in hopes of waking her up. Finally, Kairi opened her ocean blue eyes, and she slowly sat up. Selphie helped her sit up.

"What happened?" Selphie asked. "Are you not feeling good?"

Kairi shook her head. "I don't know. Maybe it was the heat."

Selphie helped Kairi stand up. Kairi wasn't sure what just happened. She had no idea who Roxas was, but she recognized the other boy's voice. Hearing it somehow lifted her spirits. She looked out towards the island. Selphie, although confused, did the same. Something clicked in Kairi's head as she stared at the island that kept her childhood safe. She turned to Selphie with the brightest smile. Selphie would have needed sunglasses just get a glimpse of Kairi's excitement.

Selphie was about open her mouth, but Kairi ran off towards the shore of the island.

"Wait up!" Selphie said. She muttered under her breath, "What's gotten into her?"

Kairi arrived at the beach. She looked off towards the horizon. Today she was going to be proactive. She wasn't going to stand around waiting for answers to abruptly hit her in the head. Selphie arrived moments later.

"Kairi…?" Selphie asked in concern.

Kairi stroked her long red hair. She wasn't waiting any longer. Selphie watched, even more confused, as Kairi pulled a bottle with a letter out of her bag. She kneeled over and set it in the water, and the tide pulled it away. The bottle slowly floated away to its destination.

"What's that?" Selphie asked.

"A letter... I wrote it yesterday, to the boy I can't remember. I said that no matter where he is... I'll find him. One day. And when I stopped writing, I remembered we made a promise, something important. This letter is where it starts. I know it."

Selphie was incredulous about Kairi's idea. She had no clue where this boy was. How would a bottle manage to track him down? Selphie didn't think Kairi was crazy, though. She knew how determine Kairi got sometimes, and she would do whatever it took to find what she was looking for. Selphie would support her friend, despite how ludicrous her objective was.

"Wow," Selphie said. "I hope he gets it."

"He will," Kairi said. She said to herself, "Starts with an 'S.'"

There was a brief flash in her memories

"Right, Sora?" Kairi asked.

She gasped. Sora! The boy who first befriended her. The boy she protected from the heartless. It was all coming back. Everything. Even the promise they made about Sora returning her lucky charm.

Selphie was baffled by suddenly remembering him. "Sora! How did I forget him? Oh my gosh, that's so weird!"

All of the memories were flashing through Kairi's mind. It was too much. The last thing she remembered was being separated from him. She needed time to herself right now.

"Hey, I need to get going," Kairi said. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Are you sure you don't want me to walk you home?"

"I'll be fine."

Although feeling skeptical, Selphie said her good-byes and headed home. Kairi looked out at the island. The worst part was she just heard his voice in her head. She tried to call out for him inside, but there was no started to fill her eyes.

"Sora, I'm sorry I forgot you," Kairi said in her thoughts.

She took a deep breath and fought the tears back. She had to be strong. Crying wasn't going to bring him back. It was a long shot, but she hoped the letter would reach him. It had to reach him, she thought. She remembered the last thing he said to her.

"I'll come back to you. I promise!"

She smiled. He will return, she thought, because he never breaks his promises.

RESTORATION AT 79%

Back in the computer room, Diz continued watching the monitor. He typed on the keyboard and brought up a green screen that had images of boxes, numbers, and letters. The hooded man stood behind him, tossing a round blue crystal in the air. After scrutinizing every detail, Diz brought up another screen, showing the vitals of the spiky haired boy. Diz sat back and sighed.

"We were fortunate to get that dilemma under control," Diz said.

"I don't get it," the hooded man said with confusion in his voice. "Why didn't the program react immediately to the threat?"

"Because the Organization has figured out a way to temporarily disable the program, making it vulnerable to their attacks," Diz explained. "Fortunate I created a failsafe which makes the program disappear until I can reprogram it."

"So, it can be destroyed by physical means?" the hooded man asked.

Diz nodded.

"What about deleting it from the outside, like any other computer program?"

"Highly improbable," Diz said. "I created a very secure password, preventing them from gaining access to all of its files. Besides, by the time they could decode the password, our task will be complete. Take a look: he's making amazing progress."

The hooded man glanced at the computer screen. He placed the crystal in the same pouch he stole the other day, and placed it back in his pocket.

"Indeed. By the way, how did Sora and Kairi manage to connect like that?" the hooded man asked.

"Namine's encounter with Roxas put his heart in contact with Kairi's. And that, in turn, affected Sora. You see?"

"Yes," the hooded man said with fascination in his voice. "Namine...she truly is a wonder…"

"She wasn't born like other Nobodies. She can interfere with the hearts and memories of Sora and those aligned with him."

"A Nobody of that nature must've come from someone very powerful. Who is she the Nobody of?"

Diz glanced at the hooded man. "I could tell you. But first, perhaps you could tell me your true name?"

The hooded man hesitated for a moment. He didn't feel comfortable with revealing his true identity. Then again, he trusted Diz enough; he was pretty sure Diz wouldn't tell anyone his secret.

"Come now," Diz said. "Don't be shy."

The hooded man removed his hood, revealing himself to be a menacing man with yellows eyes and long white hair.

"It's Ansem," the hooded man said.

Diz wasn't sure how to react at first. Suddenly, he started to chuckle, which soon erupted into laughter.

"It's an honor, Ansem!" Diz said in a mocking tone.

"Whoa, timeout!" Axel said in shock. "You want me to knock him off now? I said I could bring him back!"

Axel was sitting on a tall white chair, which was located in a huge, round white room. Surrounding the room were other tall chairs. Some were taller than his chair, and some were shorter. Sitting on two of the chairs were other hooded men. The one that sat across from him crossed his arms.

"It's an order," the other man said with a heavy British accent. "Why are you hesitating? Aren't you the one who deals judgment upon those who disobey the Organization? The boy clearly betrayed us."

Axel scoffed. "Who said he betrayed us? The kid can't even remember his own birthday!"

"Rubbish," the crossed armed man said. "The boy has been nothing but a menace. He should be eliminated immediately!"

The other hooded man in the room (supposedly Axel's boss) put his arm out to silence his subordinate. With a hesitant grunt, the crossed arm remained quiet.

"I'll give you one more chance to bring him back," Axel's boss said. "But it will be of his volition. You're merely an escort. If he refuses to return, he must pay the price."

"That's not fair!"

"Don't oppose these orders, Axel," the cross armed man said. "Otherwise YOU'LL be the one who pays!"

The cross armed man summoned a purple naginata, and, using nothing but his own mind, sent the weapon flying at Axel. He felt the force of the attack fly by him, as it barely missed his face; it ended up hitting the right side of his chair's back. Axel was unfazed by the man's threat.

Axel raised an eyebrow. "Really? Have you forgotten that we can't experience intimidation? No wonder you were nothing more than a guard in your past life."

The cross armed man was enraged. "What? How dare you!"

"Enough!" the other hooded man said firmly. "Stand down."

The cross armed man sighed and made his weapon disappear. The other man put his hand out, and it started glowing. A ball of energy appeared in his hand, which was surrounded by an uncontrollable wave of electricity. Axel finally understood what the stakes were. This place he lived in, which he used to call home was now his prison. And disobedience would lead to capital punishment.

Axel sighed dejectedly. "So it's come to this, huh?"

Axel wasn't sure which would be worse: killing Roxas or being erased from existence. He looked back at his boss, who wouldn't hesitate to take out one of his own. Axel sat in deep thought for a moment.

"Fine!" he said reluctantly. "If it'll make you feel…any sort of emotion, I'll do it!"

Axel leaped off of the chair. When he landed on a round platform, he shoved his hands into his pockets and stormed off. The other two watched in silence as Axel exited the room. Deep down, they didn't fully trust Axel. Given his unpredictable nature, Axel might switch sides faster than the tap of a foot.

Axel knew that once he performed this task, life would never be the same again.