Just One More Chance.
Chapter X.
"Strategic planning is worthless -- Unless There is First a strategic vision." - John Naisbitt.
---
Axel, Luxord, Larxene, Marluxia and Demyx are overwhelmed. They just stare at their elders in disbelieve. The said elders look a little uncomfortable under the wide eyes, apart from Vexen, who is calm and bares a blank expression.
"…I don't know what you were smoking when you were thinking up this crap" Axel says, shaking his head slowly, eyes on the men "but I would like to have some so I may understand your insanity."
"What is so wrong with my idea?" Vexen asks, folding his arms.
"Many things" Luxord points out. "Like the immoral suggestion of making new Lives in order to fight the High Witch of Darkness. Lives which are flipping children." Vexen sighs, holding his head in his hand again.
"For the last time, they will need to be children at first and be able to age so they can grow into their elements and mature their powers."
"You're all bonkers" Marluxia grumbles, not amused.
"I told you this will happen, Vexen," Xaldin growls at the scientist. He gives the giant man a glare in return.
"Bah! So much for backing me up."
"As if everyone will trust us with little tykes anyway" Demyx huffs. "We destroy creatures, not raise them, and alas we forget our brilliant upbringing of Roxas and Naminé."
"We were cruel and evil back then" Xigbar says, trying to back up Vexen a little, even if he is doubting this too. "We just don't make the same mistakes again."
"Easier said then done" Luxord mutters.
"Yeah. No offence, Vexen" Larxene says quietly, lacing her fingers together, "but we are not the world's most beloved at the moment. I don't think anyone will delight in the thought of another set of us mucking up the place." She looks past Vexen, Xaldin and Xigbar, towards Lexaeus and Zexion, who are standing still and looking at the tiled floor like shy schoolboys. "And what does the couple think about this?" The man look up slightly and only shrug. They are keeping their own thoughts and feelings and problems to themselves.
"You are off your rocker" Axel snarls. He spins around and heads straight for the door. "See you nutters later."
"Hey, wait a moment!" Vexen shouts at him. "Axel, get back here!" The redhead doesn't walk back, but he does stop on the spot, looking at everyone with dull eyes and slouching where he stands. "…Don't think of the idea as a chore or a pain" Vexen sighs after a moment of thinking. "If we prove that we can take care of little ones, it will give us a new branch of responsibility, a new outlook and people will start to see we are more then a bad past. You can't say you enjoy being second-class citizens." He sighs slightly again. "…I know that part sounds selfish, but they will and we will have a legacy too. Think about that for a moment." They look at one another for a long time. Axel slowly makes his way back over to the group.
"…I guess," Luxord shrugs, "having little sprats around won't be so bad. I mean, it not like we can have offspring later. Right?"
"After dieing, becoming Nobodies, fading to Nothingness and coming back alive again, we are probably lacking in that department anyway" Marluxia scoffs.
"Wait" Larxene steps in. "What about Xemnas and Saïx?"
"What about them?" Xigbar drawls.
"Aren't they going to be a little pissed about this when they wake up and find out we have reproduced twelve look-a-likes?"
"They don't own us anymore" Vexen stresses. "They are not the once we have to worry about."
"Wait, wait, wait. Hold our horses!" Axel waves his hands in the air, getting worked up. "Before we jump face first in this swallow pool, I have questions."
"I would never put that past you Axel" Vexen smirks.
"Well," the redhair rubs his neck, "if this goes ahead - if it does go ahead - how are they going to get born, created, whatever?"
"Likely the same way I created the Riku Replica, without keeping to a set plan for personality and body. Our genetic donations and fate will deal with that."
"Like embryo screening without the embryo?" Demyx asks, arching his brows curiously.
"Yes and no. They will have fake hearts, like the Replica did, however the technical advances over the past years and the farther studies into the heart will make the creation more easy and more exact. And if we not go implanting fake memories into them," he glares at Larxene who glares back, "they should be functioning fine awhile after awakening."
"So what about the ages?" Axel continues, eyes burning brightly. "I'm not changing no nappies?"
"Nor do I" Marluxia adds. Vexen places his hand to his pointed chin for a moment, thinking the process through carefully.
"Too young and it will take forever for them to reach a mature state of maximum power..." he mumbles softly. "Too old and faults in mental and emotional states will defiantly surface…" After his deep thinking, he comes to a conclusion. "The safest age to increase to is about pre-adolescent. Roughly nine to twelve. That way they can talk, walk and be as understandable as children get, while also being able to enter maturity and puberty steadily without many cock-ups in human development." By now, everyone has relaxed slightly. Even Axel's shoulder slouch into a more comfortable position.
"…Can we choose the gender of the kid we get?" he asks.
"Don't want to temper with nature and chance any more then I'll be doing" Vexen tells him, shaking his head. "They are not designer children and the process may cause more problems. The boy-to-girl chance ratio will be just like normal; one-to-one."
"Really?" Larxene squeals, her irises sparking with glee. "There might be more girls in our dysfunctional family?"
"I hope so" Xaldin grumbles and everyone stares at him with surprise. He shrugs the looks off. "Girls apparently behave far more better then boys," he explains.
"Yeah, but when girls become teenagers…" Demyx trails off and shivers at the thought.
"Don't fuss over that now" Vexen says. "We have coped much worse then that… I believe."
"Wait a moment." Luxord looks towards the silent couple hiding in the back, and everyone else does too. They look up quickly when Luxord clears his throat loudly. "Ahem!"
"What?"
"What about you two?"
"What about us?"
"Of course" Vexen groans, hold his forehead in his thin hands, as if he had overlooked a important factor in a equation. "If we get one young charge each, since you live together, you will have double the childcare on your hands… Do you think you can handle two young children?" Lexaeus and Zexion look at each other for a moment, sharing a mute understanding then shrug at their friends.
"We can give it a go" Zexion says.
"Are you sure?"
"We don't mind," Lexaeus reassures them, folding his arms. "Two children can't be so bad."
"Yes, two is fine." Axel shakes his head and smiles. "But all twelve together? The universe better be childproof."
------
"You want what?!"
"We want children, Leon" Larxene grins, not helping with the current situation.
"Yeah" Demyx cries, also not helping. "We work hard for you lot and we get nothing from this relationship. We are not some… trophy slaves."
"Alright, you lot are not helping at all" Vexen growls, ushering the younger members out of the door, so only he and his fellow apprentices are with Leon. "Off you go"
"But Vexen--"
"Don't 'but' me. Go." He slams the door in their bitter faces. "Fools."
"I asked you to come up with an idea for a weapon which will protect the people" Leon says calmly, fury an undertone. "And you give me the demand of offspring. Did I miss something here?"
"We are not demanding anything" Vexen insists. "You asked for an idea; you have it."
Leon moans with a angered flare and paces for a moment, making his poor, aching mind understand this twisted plot. The five other men watch him carefully and with a wary feeling. They thank the Gods that the gunblade is not at hand. Leon stops, turns towards them and points his finger at them.
"No" he says. "No. I am not allowing this. This is insanity. Where would you get the power to make them magical?"
"…There is samples of our Nobody powers at Never Was," Vexen sighs, "locking in a vault into lowest basement."
"…Why am I only just learning this fact?" Leon queries.
"Why are we only just learning this?" Xigbar jabs at the scientist.
"Because I didn't think it was that important to now" Vexen shrugs. "They were just for elemental tests, but they might be useful."
"Why don't you just give yourselves the powers then?" the young man asks bitterly.
"It's the same reasons why you shouldn't inject yourself with illegal drugs. It's too dangerous. Our bodies have been near-mortal for too long anyway. We could die from overdose."
"Give me strength" Leon groans. He shakes his head over and over again. "I am not allowing this. Why should we trust you with children? How do we know you just don't want puppets to do your private dirty work?"
"Yes, we want youngsters to abuse and to plot against you" Zexion scoffs, sounding offended. "Give us a little credit, Leon."
"Er, I don't want to be causing more problems" Lexaeus mumbles, choosing words carefully, "but it's not your place to say what we can and can't do anyway, Leon. This needs to go to the highest authority."
"And our highest authority is the Mouse King" Xaldin adds.
"Yes." Vexen smiles at this information. "We have it all more or less planned out. If I write a formal letter to the King explaining the plan and the process needed, you can give it to him--"
"No!" This is the final straw for Leon. "You are not dragging me into your plans! Forget this!"
"But Leon--"
"No!" The door handle twists and Aerith steps in, blinking slowly.
"What's with all of this shouting?" she asks with a smile, hands on hips. "And why is there five grumpy people sulking half-way down the hallway?"
"I'll tell you why" Leon hisses. "They have lost their minds." The flower girl widens her eyes a touch and looks over to the five men pulling unsure faces.
"Explain."
"They have one idea of defence against Maleficent" Leon tells her, voice harsh. "A… miniature Organization."
"Not a mini Organization," Vexen tries to correct him. "Just… beings with similar powers... and genes." Aerith places a hand to her mouth, and they are not sure if she is shocked or thinking. It's one or the other.
"Really?"
"But its not going to happen" Leon makes very clear. "It is a ludicrous idea. I wash my hands of the whole affair." The young man leaves with a slam of the door. Vexen bites his lip desperately, and places his hand on the woman's shoulder.
"Aerith. Please. Leon won't even allow us to contact the King. Just let me send one letter with the proposal and the entire plan. That's all we ask." The girl blinks up at him for a moment. A smile creeps across her face.
"You are very determent about this, aren't you?" They all nod together and that makes her laugh. "Well, in that case, trying won't hurt, will it?
------
Zexion is going to work. Well, he was - with his coat on and his bag ready - but the boy is now looking out of the den window, into his eyes reflected in the glass. He sighs to himself. He can see his pupils, and all the different shades and tones of blue in his irises, and his dark soft eyelashes which are clumped together.
Maybe… soon I won't need a mirror to see them. I will just have to look downwards and glaze upon a little one's face.
He shivers. He can't really picture someone else with his eyes, or any of his features for that matter. It was a strain on his imagination… He realises something and closes his hand over his mouth.
"Gods alive, there might be someone with eyes like Lexaeus' as well…" He has no idea what his lover thinks of all of this. He only just thought of that. Zexion walks to the bedroom and worries his lip as he sits on the bed. He watches Lexaeus sleeping silently for a moment, stroking the outline of his firm forearm. He swallows. "Lexaeus?" The man's eyes flicker open for a moment and he smiles as they close again. He takes hold of his love's hand.
"Yes Zexion?" The boy looks down and blushes slightly. He talks very quietly.
"…Do …Do men get broody?" Lexaeus bolts up, his eyes wide with shock.
"What?!"
"Do you need something from the shop?" Zexion says quickly. It's not what he said, but he doesn't what to repeat that 'brooding' question. It's too embarrassing.
"…Is that what you said?" Lexaeus asks, confused.
"Well, we have no cranberry juice left" Zexion says, making up excuses. "And the tea is running out. I'm just seeing if you might need something."
"Errm… Body spray. I need more spray."
"Alright. I'll buy it during lunch."
"…Zexion, is something troubling you?"
"Nope. I'm fine. Peachy. Super. See you later."
"Zex--" The boy gives him a brief goodbye kiss on the mouth, and runs away, slamming the front door behind him. Lexaeus sighs deeply and deflated, scratching his head. What is going on?
------
"What did you do?!" Leon throws a letter onto the ex-Nobodies' table and glares down at them. They stared curiously at the paper in front of them. It's labelled to Vexen. "Who allowed you to do this?" the man demands. "Who?!"
"Aerith" they all say very quickly, in a rush together. Leon leaves as quick as he had entered to find the woman. Leaving the ten people around the table to stare blankly at the white letter laying off-centre between them all. Demyx elbows Vexen slightly in the side.
"Open it."
The elder nods as he reaches for it, slowly as if it was going to suddenly explode in his grasp. He rips the seal, takes out the piece of parchment and unfolds it, before reading it out for them all to hear. The message reads as follows:
Vexen,
Your letter and idea has gained my interest, however this sort of task needs more then just simple fact and formulas. I would like to see you face-to-face to discuss this farther. Come to the Castle this Sunday. Bring a few of your fellow partners-in-crime with you. I will need to think about my answer for awhile before I give my verdict. Hope to see you then.
King Mickey.
"Well," Vexen sighs, folding up the letter again, "I think we have an audience with the King."
------
The gummi ship trip to Disney Castle was less then fun. Vexen had chosen with obvious company of Zexion, Xaldin, Lexaeus and Xigbar to attend the meeting with him, and they spent the time in the passenger hanger in silence, having a window each to gaze out of, watching the starts zoom by. It would have been easy if they could still open portals. Luckily, the Garden is not too far away from the Castle and they are now in the lush green centre courtyard, with its fragrant flowerbeds and finely shaped shrubbery, and they are being led to the library by an enchanted broom.
"Let me do most of the talking" Vexen mumbles as they walk up the stairs. "It's my idea, I will have to explain myself."
"What if something goes wrong?" Xaldin asks.
"Well, let's hope the guards are friendly."
They enter the library and King Mickey is already here, who gives them a warm smile and they bow to pay their respects. They are asked to sit around the desk and to remove coats if they wished. The King takes his place behind the desk. The men haven't set foot in here since their Others were under Ansem's care.
"So, of course, we all know why we are here," King Mickey says, and the men nod in sync, feeling like students again. The King laughs somewhat. "Funny. I never thought I would have a talk like this with an past enemy… In fact, never thought I would be having this conversation with anyone at all." He makes a good point. This sort of thing never happens, unless you count this moment. Vexen clears his throat.
"Ahem. If you don't mind, Your Majesty, I believe we should get to the matter in hand."
"…Yes. I agree." The mouse sits back in his chair, fanning out his fingers and placing them together, tips together. He looks up towards the ceiling in a thoughtful manner. His tail sways idly from side to side. "…You have all left me in an awkward corner" he admits with a sigh. "On one hand, you are proposing a more or less solid plan of defence against Maleficent. On the other, it can lead to other problems. The question is, which is more… weighty? Hmm?"
"Surely the lives of many innocent people across the universe is the most important facture here" Lexaeus urges.
"Oh, yes. Of course" King Mickey agrees with a wave of his hand. "That is very important… Although, the creation of beings with fake hearts and second-hand powers is not a comfortable topic. Almost taboo even. The last time that sort of experiment happened, Radiant Garden had fallen into despair and the Heartless took over."
"We said we were sorry" Xigbar grumbles under his breath, as a sort of unneeded, unwanted joke. The King pretends that he didn't hear.
"The ages of the children will be about ten. They will need support and care like any other young being."
"I know we don't have the best past for being the caring type" Vexen nods, "but we all understand that we will need to treat them right. We will take care of their general education and help train their magic."
"…I am considering to let the plan go ahead" the King says simply. The men don't know what to think about that. Well, it's better then nothing. There is a knock at the double doors. "Come in." The door opens with a bang, and a wide-eyed Sora and an enraged Riku are standing in the frame. Just what the moment asked for. The men stand in shock. The King blinks in surprise. "What are you boys going here?"
"When we heard about this idea, Riku wanted to come" Sora explains, nodding over to his friend.
King Mickey shakes his head, sighing. "I can handle things by myself, Riku."
"I'm not judging your abilities, Your Highness" Riku says confidently, breezing past the glaring ex-Nobodies to stand in front of the desk. "However I thought it was our duty as Keyblade Masters to attend important matters. Especially with is sort of problem." He leans forward on his hands. "Surely you are not going to grant this request."
"I said I am considering. Nothing is final as of yet."
"Riku." Vexen approaches the young man gingerly, being as nice as possible with him. "This is between us and King Mickey. I understand you are--"
"What were you thinking!" Riku spits at him, them, not really phrasing his words as a question. "Reproduction? Producing creatures with fake hearts? Fake hearts are too close to no hearts at all. Just sounds like another version of the Organization. Of you all."
"That's a bit much, don't you think, boy?" Xaldin grumbles, his bushy brows knitting together as he pulls a angry face.
"Well, no offence, but you guys don't have the best record. Do they, Sora?" The younger boy doesn't want to get in too deep with this tension and grief, but he nods all the same, very slightly.
"Hey, everyone has done things they later regret" Xigbar points out.
"True" Zexion sneers, waltzing over to Riku in four strides. "So true. You of all people should know that, Riku. Remember your little mishaps." The boy's eyes narrow as the young man continues to stare him out. "What is it with you? Everything we do seems to be a crime in your eyes."
"Zexion. Please don't." Lexaeus rests his hand on his lover's shoulder, to try to calm him but Zexion just shrugs him off. Nothing against him, but Zexion is too pissed off with Riku at the moment.
"What we do is always against everything in your books. Like me and Lexaeus. You can't except the fact we have always cared for each other."
"Nobodies don't care."
"Riku. That is enough" the King says sternly, but Riku isn't listening.
"Gods know how the children will be like. You lot are a poor choice to be carers. Heart or no heart, you can't shrug off old lives off like the skin of a snake. Like you for example. You're the Cloaked Schemer; cold, cruel and controlling. What would you do to a little boy or girl? Why would you want th--?"
"Maybe I want to have a child, Riku!" Zexion bellows at him, and everything goes eerily quiet, and Zexion is only just releasing what he had said and blushes deep red. He places a hand over his opening mouth, feeling everyone just staring at him. He looks at Lexaeus through his curtain of hair. Never during the years of being with him has he seen his lover so stunned, so overcome… Quickly and sharply, Zexion grabs his jacket, knocking over his chair over in the process and escapes out of the door, brushing Sora out of the way.
"Zexion!" Lexaeus gives Riku a deadly glare, which makes the boy gulp loudly before running after his dearest down the corridor. The young man is trying to shrug on his jacket as he walks away. "Zexion. Where are you going?"
"To wait in the ship" Zexion hisses. "I'm not staying to be insulted and to be made a fool of." Those large, loving hands take hold of his shoulders and he stops, sighing, melting under the touch.
"Please don't do this" his lover sooths, turning him around so they are face to face. The man caresses his hair, stroking his cheek. "Please don't let this get to you." Lexaeus speaks to him in the most calming voice, and Zexion feels very silly for acting like a brat. "…You want this?" Lexaeus asks. "You want these children, Zexion?"
"…I-I don't know what I want, or what to think or feel anymore" Zexion whimpers. "I don't know if I'm coming or going, or if I want to cry or laugh, or what."
"…What do you feel about us?" Lexaeus asks, holding his hands. "Do you understand that?"
"Of course" Zexion insists, sounding ever so sure. "I love you dearly. My heart knows that…" He trials off and swallows nothing. "…But I feel like I'm in need of something." He looks up at his beau, eyes large. "…I think I want these kids," he admits. "I think I need these kids. I don't know why, but I do. I might be crazed and losing it big style, but I just…" He reaches out to hold Lexaeus' chin in his fingers, and he lowers his voice. "I adore you very much" he tells the man, "and your love for me is more then enough… but I just feel like I want to share our love with someone else…" He beats down a blush, and looks away from Lexaeus' warm smile. "Does that sound strange to you?"
"From your lips, a little," Lexaeus sooths. He cups Zexion's cheek with his careful hand and gently moves his head so they are facing each other again. "But remembering how nice Ienzo was, it doesn't sound so outright bizarre." He bows his head and whispers in his ear. "You can love children as well as me, Zexion. Parental love is completely different from romantic love."
"...I find this all too scary."
"It's human nature to nurture. You're being human."
"For once."
"It's alright." He pulls the boy into his arms and kisses his hair. "Whatever happens, whatever you want, I'll keep an eye out for you. Making sure nothing bad happens to you, or any little ones who might come along."
"Hmm…Wait." The boy pulls away slightly, staring up at Lexaeus with questioning look. "Do… you want children too? You want kids?"
Lexaeus shrugs, still smiling. "Maybe."
"…You jerk" Zexion laughs. He gives him a mild whack on the shoulder. "Not telling me that. I would have never have guessed."
"I'm surprised you haven't worked it out by yourself" the man chuckles. "I thought I was giving out that feeling for ages."
"I thought that too" Zexion grins, shaking. "But that look at your face in there said otherwise…" He trials off, smiling softly then pushes up on his toes to kiss Lexaeus' lips. The man sighs contently at the touch, returning the kiss with no hesitation. As they pulls away, he caresses Zexion's cheek lovely.
"We are such nitwits, aren't we?" he sooths, and Zexion nods and laughs, agreeing.
"Yes. We are… Errm," he pulls away, seeing King Mickey standing there. Both men feel caught.
"…How long have you been standing there, Sire?" Lexaeus asks.
"Long enough" the King smiles, walking over. "Heard enough too."
"...I am truly sorry for my behaviour, Your Majesty," Zexion pleads, bowing to the mouse. "I have been acting terribly."
"It's fine, Zexion" the King tells him, taking his hand to pat it friendly. "Please don't take Riku's words too personally. He hasn't been the same boy since Xehanort's Heartless and all. You can't blame him for being slightly paranoid."
"Yes," Zexion nods, smiling. "I know he is only looking out for the best interests of those he cares about."
"Right. Just like you two look out for one another." The men give each other confident smiles at this. The Mouse King sighs again, more light-hearted. "You two really do care for each other… I'm sure you will give the same amount of care and affection to the little ones." The men's eyes widen, mouths hang open a touch from the shock.
"What?" they asks together.
King Mickey smiles, giving a cheerful laugh. "From what I have seen today… I have decided to allow this plan to go ahead."
"Really?" Vexen asks in a shrilled, stricken voice as he, Xaldin and Xigbar come down the hall to them. "Y-You're letting us go through with this?"
"Yep," the King points a stern finger at him, "but I'm keeping a watchful eye on this. You need to treat these children with kindness and let them be children. I will have the Committee report on the process to me, Sora and Riku will come for frequent checks and I also wish to see all twelve of them for myself a few mouths afterwards. Maybe at one of the formal get-togethers I host."
"O-Of course" Vexen stutters. "I will need to get the material and equipment of this from Never Was first--"
"I will send for them" the mouse tells him. "People who will be save going there. How long will it take to create all twelve children?"
"Ah, a mouth or two. Replica took little time to make. The children will defently take longer."
"All the time you need." King Mickey shakes them all by the hand, before handing back to the library. "I wish you all the best of luck." He can hear the men mutter to each other in shock and glad surprise as he walk through the doors, closing them behind him. Sora and Riku are waiting for him. Riku looks ashamed.
"I am so sorry, Mickey" he mumbles. "I should have controlled myself."
"It's alright, Riku" the mouse sooths, patting the boy on the arm. "Just don't lose your temper next time. We must have faith in them. Give then a second chance. As everyone did with you, and with Ansem."
"Your Majesty" Sora pipes up, "what are we going to do now?"
"Now?" The Mouse King sits and smiles warmly at his young friends. "Now we will have lunch... and we will watch the Organization with great curiosity."