a/n: The reason this is up so late at night is because of a video I saw on Youtube that got me addicted to a new anime series, 07-Ghost. Awesome video, beyobd awesome anime. Teito is so adoarable, and I just love Frau, perv he is. Hey, every anime's gotta have one.
Anyway, chapter up. Have fun.
HIPPIE GIRL SAYS: I NEED TO GET A NEW SAYING
"Guy with red hair?" Riku turned to look at Roxas.
"No, spiky red-hair. Was there a person like that in the Organization?" Roxas's dream last night had kept him from falling asleep again. He decided to ask Riku about it since the older boy seemed to know every member from the Organization.
"Yeah, there was a guy like that who was a member. Also had upside down teardrop tattoos under his eyes as well. You know him?"
"Yeah, well, I think I dreamed about him last night. It's the only part of the dream I can remember now. What's his name? Do you know?"
Riku considered not telling Roxas, since Axel was already long gone. But he would remember at some point, so… "Yeah, his name was Axel."
"Axel," Roxas repeated. "Axel. Thanks Riku!" The boy ran off. Riku watched him, worried. He should probably tell Zexion and the King Roxas was already starting to remember.
Roxas had adjusted to life on the island. Wake up, eat breakfast, play around on the beach with Sora, Kairi, Riku, and the other kids on the island. Lunch, some more playing, maybe collect a few more shells, ask any new questions he came up with, watch the sunset, dinner, bed. Simple, yet Roxas loved it.
A few days later Zexion came back to the island to check Roxas. He also came with another Heartless problem for Sora, who gladly accepted it. And so all five, plus Donald and Goofy this time, headed off to destroy the Heartless.
"Monstro!" Sora exclaimed when they arrived.
"Yes. Apparently, a Darkside has appeared here, and so far has not done anything."
"Then why are we destroying it?" Kairi asked, confused.
"Because a Darkside is a giant Heartless who can collect hearts simply by existing in a world. It also calls other Heartless to it, making them override the world. We need to get rid of it as soon as possible."
"Darkside, huh." Sora looked worried; Roxas glanced around nervously, as if the giant Heartless could pop out anywhere and attack the group.
"No need to worry!" Donald and Goofy smiled at the four teens. "That's why we're here-to help you guys!"
Zexion rolled his eyes. He started to walk off, the others scrambling to follow the taller man. Leading them beyond the bustling main city, they approached what seemed to be ruins: houses, huge buildings, barns, cracked and crumbling walls.
"The only place destroyed so far-we can guess that's where the Darkside is hiding. Everyone, keep together. Weapons out, eyes open. Don't wander from anyone else. See something, call out." Everyone nodded; no one would want to get caught by the giant Heartless unaware.
Complete silence and a feeling of oppression filled the ruins. Kairi stayed close to Riku and Sora, both clutching at their weapons. Roxas had a death grip on the edge of Zexion's shirt, plainly terrified. Zexion didn't have the heart to push him off. In any case, even he felt nervous in this place.
Donald kept using his magic to light up darkened homes and buildings, but never found anything. Goofy kept his shield up and led the group, knowing his first duty was to protect Roxas and Kairi, the two who couldn't fight, safe.
The small avalanche of rocks alerted Roxas, who called out to Sora "Watch out!" just in time. The huge claw slammed into the ground Sora and Kairi were just standing on. The two had jumped backwards, into Donald, who yelped and accidently sent a fireball into the claw. The claw's owner screamed, a sound so horrible everyone covered their ears.
"Sora! Riku! Donald, charge!" Zexion shoved Roxas into the shell of a nearby house and ran at the Darkside, pulling out his magic book. Kairi followed Roxas, and Goofy stood in front of the entrance, prepared to keep the two safe no matter what. The others all ran at the Darkside, jumping up onto roofs to reach it.
Riku reached the giant Heartless first, hacking at the injured hand. Sora came next, both him and Donald concentrating their attacks on the Darkside's legs, trying to knock it over. Zexion stood back with Donald and launched his magic at the head, where he did the most damage but also had to dodge a lot of arm swings and falling/thrown rocks. Roxas and Kairi watched from the house, both terrified for their friends.
Another horrible scream: Sora and Donald had cut one of its legs. It toppled sideways, right on top of Riku. "NO!" Roxas screamed. He ran out of the shelter, ignoring Kairi's protests and dodged Goofy, who tried to grab the blond. He ran straight for Riku, tackling him out of the way just as the Darkside fell.
"NO! ROXAS!" This time the yell was shared by everyone who had seen the boy run. Zexion turned, not seeing what had happened but could guess, judging by the way Riku was sprawled in the dirt. He yelled, and the Darkside flew backwards, smashing into a building. There was nothing where it had just lain.
No, wait-there! Roxas popped out of a hole in the wall behind him, covered in dirt. "You idiot!" Riku and Zexion yelled at him, but the Darkside was getting up again. Even missing a leg it wouldn't give up and slashed at Sora, the nearest to him. He backed up, barely dodging the claw, and Riku jumped forward to help. Zexion had to tear his attention away from the idiot blond and hope the boy would make his way back to the shelter. He didn't.
Sora jumped onto the roof next to the building the Darkside was leaning on and started attacking its head. Riku began working on the other leg while Donald and Zexion began a barrage on the chest. Scream-the other leg was out. The Darkside went forward this time, aiming at the boy standing in the rubble, mouth open and staring. It crashed right on top of Roxas.
"ROXAS!" But it wasn't over; no, something was pushing the Heartless up, up, and threw it back into the building. Roxas stood there, panting, clutching at the Keyblade in his hands. He glared at the Darkside, and charged at it, Keyblade held up and ready to swing. Sora and Riku didn't even hesitate; they charged at the same time.
All three weapons plus a huge blast of magic from Zexion and Donald was too much for the Darkside; it gave one final scream and disappeared, dissolving into darkness and releasing all the hearts it had collect. Roxas couldn't stop his momentum from his charge-he flew right into Sora. Both boys fell off the roof and crashed to the ground below.
Kairi abandoned her hiding place and ran with the others to find the two boys. They had landed in a heap, tangled together but still holding onto their Keyblades. Riku helped pull them apart, laughing and shaking his head. Zexion could see he was shaking as he helped his best friend and his Nobody up. Both were fine.
"Hey." Sora turned to Roxas. "You can use the Keyblade!"
"Huh?" Roxas looked at the Keyblade he held. "Hey, I can! I can wield the Keyblade!" He grinned and jumped up, whooping. Kairi laughed, relieved, and Donald and Goofy joined in. Zexion just watched it all, shaking his head. So he can use the Keyblade again, huh? And remembers Axel, a bit. Soon he shall remember it all, and we're still not sure if that's a good thing or not.
"Come on," he remarked casually. "Let's get back and tell King Mickey how badly we kicked this Darkside's ass!" The others all cheered, especially Sora and Roxas. Both boys stood side by side, grinning and laughing, Keyblades twinkling in the waning sun. Only Riku saw the sad look he cast upon Roxas, and he didn't know what to make of it.
"Well, good job today. I though sending Donald and Goofy would keep anyone from getting injured, but it seems that we might've needed that." King Mickey appraised the four teens in front of him: Riku, somber and calm; Sora, still grinning; Kairi, smiling as well; and Roxas, still holding his Keyblade, but somber like Riku. Zexion raised his eyebrows at Mickey; they needed to talk.
"Very well. Thank you all. You've been a considerable help in taking care of the worlds. Now I think you all would like to go home and rest." Mickey nodded at them. All four smiled back then left through the portal Riku opened.
Zexion sighed and collapsed into a nearby chair. "Now I'm all but convinced that the reason Namine sealed his memories is because of a Replica; and yet we can't stop them from coming back, now that she's gone. I'm afraid that since he can wield the Keyblade again it won't be long till everything comes back."
"And that may just ruin everything," King Mickey agreed. "But it may also be what we need to reverse the past. That wasn't supposed to happen, you know that, and yet no one is supposed to remember a lost Replica." The mouse sighed as well, and dropped his head.
"At any rate, we won't know for sure till everything comes back. Until then, we just have to wait and watch what happens."
That was the first night he dreamed of her.
Roxas stood, surrounded by darkness again. And just like last time, a Heartless came at him. This was had wings and was silver blue. But he didn't have time to bring up his Keyblade-
A loud CHING!-metal on metal- and the Heartless disappeared. Behind it stood another black cloak wielding a Keyblade.
"Roxas, are you alright?" The strawberry pink lips asked. Her blue eyes, cerulean just like his, the same color exactly, shone with worry. The short black hair swayed gently in the wind.
"Yeah, ----, I'm fine. Just daydreaming again." Roxas rubbed the back of his head, grinning ashamedly. "Mission complete. Let's hurry up and get to the clock tower-maybe Axel's waiting for us!"
"Yeah, we should go. C'mon Roxas." The girl disappeared into the dark portal. Roxas followed, only to end up in complete darkness again. Only this time the girl was still in front of him, waiting with that gentle smile on her lips.
"Wait-what's going on?" He reached for the girl, suddenly overwhelmed by the impulse to hold her, make sure she was really there. She danced away, smiling still, but so sadly now.
"I'm sorry, Roxas. This is the way it has to be. I can't change it. I'm so sorry, Roxas." She began to fade. Roxas yelled, screamed, reached for her hand but went right through her body.
"Don't worry." Her voice echoed all around Roxas. "We'll meet again someday, I promise."
"No! Come back! Please, don't go! I need you!" Roxas yelled, tears streaming down his cheeks. He ran and yelled but the girl never appeared again.
"NOOO!!"