Chapter 10: Xion's Keyblade
I still can't believe what's happening, since yesterday for some reason I can't summon my Keyblade! I'm not sure what happened, it just suddenly stopped appearing. With it I'm useless at the Organization, my job is to collect hearts and without the Keyblade I can't! I'm afraid to tell Roxas or Axel, what if they get mad at me? They'll think I'm slowing them for getting their hearts of their own.
I couldn't complete my mission yesterday, I thought it was just something it happened but it happened again today, I didn't wanted anyone to get mad at me so I didn't returned until I was sure everyone was asleep. I wonder if Roxas is having the same problem?
The next day Xion woke up before everyone and left trying to complete her mission, unfortunately her Keyblade didn't appeared again causing desperation on her.
A few hours later, Roxas and Axel woke up and continued their search for Xion, her room was empty and her bed was like if she had not slept there in days. They decided to tell Saix again.
-She hasn't come back since her last mission! –Roxas said, starting to feel frustrated
-I heard you, Roxas. Now you're mission today is to collect hearts, Axel you're off today. –he said giving Roxas a paper with his missions details, Saix attitude frustrated Roxas and Axel even more.
-Saix… -Axel muttered
-Aren't you listening? Xion is missing! –Roxas yelled at Saix
-Yes… you're right. Double your hearts quota Roxas.
-Hey man, stop acting so rude, that's how you treat your most special members? –Axel said, strangely Saix glared at him
-We're already searching for the Puppet in several worlds, but don't get your hopes up, maybe it was destroyed. –Saix said leaving, Roxas and Axel glaring at him
After a mission day for Roxas, he finally got to the clock tower, tired since he had to do Xion's quota too. When he got there, he was surprised Axel wasn't there yet, since today he had the day off, he decided to sit and rest a little. Roxas couldn't help thinking where Xion was, after a little waiting he heard a dark corridor at the clock tower…
-Xion! –Roxas exclaimed, but it was Axel
-Huh?
-Oh, its just you. –Roxas said disappointed
-Hey, that's no way of greeting me! –he screeched
-Sorry… -Roxas said in a low voice, Axel took his sit with his ice cream in hand and started biting it.
- So, you had a hard day? –Roxas simply nodded biting his own ice cream
-This is the first time I work so hard, my body hurts.
-Well, you're not the only one who had a hard day! I've been looking for Xion, but no luck. –Roxas sighed
-I hope she's ok. If I remember correctly, Xion's last mission was here on Twilight Town. Maybe I can see her from here. –he said, watching closely the town while creating shadow to his eyes with his hands.
-You're serious? Did you brought a telescope or something? –he laughed but almost suddenly a huge explosion occurred on the forest
-What was that? Maybe that's her! –Roxas said while quickly creating a dark corridor and stepping into it.
-Roxas wait! –Axel yelled, but it was too late.
Roxas reappeared in the forest, there was a cloud of dust because of the earlier explosion. Roxas covered his nose with his sleeve while he started searching what caused the explosion. He walked a little until he spotted a black coat running figure being chased by some type of lizard Heartless.
-Xion! –he exclaimed, this time being sure it was her, the black figured stopped and stared at him
-Roxas? –she said surprised, but she was hit by the Heartless and went heavily to the floor. Before anything else could happen, Roxas got between the Heartless and Xion with his Keyblade on hand.
Roxas started attacking the Heartless with his Keyblade, but after a few hits it disappeared. After searching everywhere he was hit and sent directly to the floor just as Xion did minutes ago. The Heartless was ready to strike again on Roxas but it was stopped by two fired up chakrams.
-You're pathetic Roxas! You come here supposed to help and you get yourself beaten up? –Axel exclaimed as his Chakrams returned to his hands Roxas got at his side and they both charged against the chameleon Heartless. It was easily defeated with both of them working together, they then walked into Xion who looked tired as she sat on the grass.
-Are you ok? We've been looking everywhere for you! –Roxas exclaimed helping her to get on her feet, she slowly nodded but her sight was set on the floor
-Looks like you have some explaining to do. –Axel said, the three of them went to the clock tower again, new ice cream for everyone since Roxas and Axel lose theirs. Both of them was happily eating their ice creams but they noticed Xion wasn't eating hers.
-Hey, it's melting. –Roxas announced her
-What happened Xion? –she remained silent for a while but then started talking
-I… I can't use… the Keyblade anymore. –she said depressed, both guys stared at her in confusion, Roxas summoned his own Keyblade to see if he had any trouble with it
-That's why you haven't returned? –Axel questioned as she nodded
-I couldn't. Without the Keyblade, I can't collect hearts. In other words… I'm useless. –she said closing her eyes not wanting to see her friends stare at her
-You're not useless Xion. It's not your fault. –Roxas said placing a hand on her shoulder
-He's right. Maybe you just forget how to summon it… -Axel added, a small smile appeared on the girl's face
-Thank you guys, but I don't think Saix will understand…
-And who says he has to know it? –he said grinning, Roxas and Xion stared at him in confusion
-Are you serious? How I'm supposed to complete my missions? -Xion asked, Axel started scratching his neck…
-Well… What about if you do missions with Roxas? If you two are together, nobody will notice you're not collecting hearts.
-That's amazing Axel! –Roxas grinned
-That means you have to do Xion's quota also Roxas! –he reminded
-No problem.
-But how are we going to convince Saix? –Xion asked, still not sure if this was a good idea
-You just ask him tomorrow. If he says "no" I'll come to the rescue, understood? –both teens nodded.
-Thank you guys. You're amazing! –she said with a big smile
-No problem girl, that's what friends do. –Axel said, Xion giggled
The trio continued talking as they used to that noon. When they went back to the castle, they said Xion didn't came back 'coz she was trying to find the Heartless. Since the Heartless actually was difficult to find because of it being a chameleon Heartless, they decided to believe the girl and she avoided punishment.
The next day, Roxas and Xion were nervous because they didn't know how to ask Saix if they could work together on their missions, at the end they went directly to Saix. Xion feeling nervous decided to put her hood on so that he couldn't see her face.
-Roxas, you must go today to Wonderland. Collect hearts as usual. Xion, you do the same but in Twilight Town. –Saix said, lacking of emotions in his face as always
-Actually, we want to work together on our missions. –Saix raised an eyebrow
-Together? Why?
-Well, that way we can do harder missions and collect more hearts in a single world. –he explained, Saix shook his head and was about to talk when Axel appeared
-Hey, that sounds like a good idea to me. –he said with a grin, Roxas and Xion sighed in relief
-Not to me. I consider it a waste of time.
-How can you consider it a waste of time? They can collect all the hearts a world can contain and finish their quotas faster, that means they can collect more in a day too. Beside, you should let them work together, remember this lovebirds are the only ones who can collect hearts. You should make them happy. –Saix closed his eyes considering again their proposal…
-What does he mean by "love birds"? –Xion whispered to Roxas, he shrugged
-I don't know, I thought birds could fly… -Roxas whispered back
-Fine. You may work together on your missions. But, I expect you to triplicate your quota. If not, this comes to and end. –Saix finally said,
Xion set her sight on Roxas, that was a lot of work even for both of them. She waited for Roxas to answer because she didn't wanted to answer for both of them. Roxas by the other side didn't like the sound of the "triplicate" word but he had to make the sacrifice for Xion, so he nodded
-Fine. To Twilight Town. You Axel, your mission is waiting too. –Saix said leaving the trio
-Wow Roxas, you really have a lot of work on your shoulders. –Axel informed
-Don't worry, I'll help him with my magic. –Xion said, Axel nodded
-Well, we should go if we want to finish today. –Roxas sighed opening a dark corridor
-Well, if you haven't finish we I get to the clock tower, I'll skip ice cream and help you. –both teens nodded as they stood on the dark corridor, Xion waving to Axel.
They arrived to Twilight Town, Roxas summoned his Keyblade getting ready. Xion tried and summon her, but again it was useless. She sighed resigned
-Don't worry, you'll remember to summon it again. –he cheer her up
-Thank you Roxas. –she said with a fake smile
Both teens started searching and defeating all the Heartless they encountered, Roxas with his Keyblade and Xion with her magic spells. At first, they defeated them easily, but as the day advanced both of them, specially Roxas started to get tired and they hadn't even collected the half of their quota.
They recovered a little of energy at lunch and continued. Night was in the sky as they were collecting the lasts hearts. Xion used a thunder spell to paralyze the Heartless and Roxas sliced it.
-That's the last of them. –Xion said with a little smile, Roxas sat heavily on the floor heavily panting, Xion's smile was erased and she felt guilty for what all Roxas had to do for her
-Let's go home, I'm hungry. –he said with a little smile, Xion silently nodded
-I'm sorry Roxas.
-Come on, Xion. You've been apologizing all the day. Remember I'm doing this for you. Now let's go and get some dinner. –he said with a smile, making Xion smile also