Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts.

Hope you guys had a Happy Halloween! Oh yeah before I forget, I'd like to wish a happy belated birthday to dracula-key.

Alright, let's get crackin'!

Redemption and Retribution

Axel stood in the middle of the prison room as a great dome of fire surrounded him. His eyes were devil red, a sharp contrast from his usual bright green. The blazing chakrams still spun around his hands and a cocky smirk was plastered on his face. He had tasted the fires of hell and he liked it. The searing heat washed over his body like a deadly tidal wave, consuming him and filling his body with intense power. Never before had he ever felt this type of strength. Being consumed in raging fire was an unearthly experience. Axel lowered his arms and dismissed his chakrams in disappointment. He had hoped the battle with Riku would've been more enjoyable. It was just a shame it didn't last long enough.

Axel had been itching to do some real, EXTREME fighting. Demyx was getting to be a bit annoying with that overgrown cello of his. Luxord preferred playing cheap card games, and Xaldin cheated with those 6 cheerleader batons he used. Marluxia just straight up pissed everyone off. How was fighting with flowers lethal, again?

The flaming dome slowly withdrew and the wall of fire that surrounded the entire prison died down as well. His red eyes reverted back to green as the power from hell subsided. Axel looked around at the carnage that was before him. Smoke rose from the floor and everything was tarnished, brunt, or annihilated. Gaseous sulfur and carbon dioxide filled the air. The walls of the room were black from the soot and smoke. The floor looked like it would crumble any second now. It was a wonder how the cage still stood erect with Kairi's body inside, untouched.

'Well what do you know' he thought.

Axel walked stoically out of the room as if nothing had happened. Xemnas would know what happened the next day. He'd probably run his mouth again. If there was one thing Axel hated about his membership in the Organization, it was having to bear those pointless and boring meetings. They were dreadful.

He shrugged as he headed to his room.

-KH-

The white double doors flew open as Xemnas stepped through. He silently climbed the spiraling staircase into the long white hallway that led up to the infamous chamber room. Throwing the doors wide open, he looked up at the thirteen thrones that circled around the room. All but two seats were occupied. Rising gracefully into the air he sat down on his chair that was situated opposite the doors. His seat was also higher than the others, symbolizing his stature and influence. Lexaeus had the seat to his right; Luxord was on the left. Expressionless looks adorned their faces as their eyes stared down at the lone blonde who was standing in the middle of the room.

Xemnas lowered his hood before he began to speak.

"I know of what happened last night," he started out by saying. "Obviously that boy, Riku was able to infiltrate our defenses."

His sinister golden eyes narrowed on Roxas who, in turn, looked down at the floor. Xemnas crossed his arms as he began the trial.

"Roxas, you had security duty that night but more importantly, I have been informed that you may have purposely led Riku here."

Roxas looked up into the bright yellow eyes of the superior as he definitely shook his head.

"Riku got in here not because I led him here," Roxas calmly informed. He hoped the sweat riding down his forehead wouldn't give him away.

"Well, then how did he get in?" Xemnas instantly fired back. His sudden question shocked Roxas as he cleared his throat to answer.

"He knew we were here all along," the blue eyed blonde concluded. "It's not hard to see a white castle floating in the sky above you."

Luxord's eyes flashed as he heard Roxas explain his answer. The card dealing gambler was a professional at reading bluffs and this, certainly, was one of them. Roxas had nothing in his hand. The flop didn't help him at all. The turn card was a bust and the probabilities of even getting a pair on the river looked grave. Luxord rested his chin on his hand, slightly amused at the pitiful fight Roxas was putting up. There had to be more to Roxas' story, he knew. His eyes dug down into blonde teen as he tried to deduce his own hypothesis.

Xemnas, on the other hand, was ready to drop the hammer on Roxas. He never really cared for excuses and he was intolerant to failure. The X-shaped scar ran that across Saix's face was proof of that and Xigbar was just lucky enough to have an eye patch to hide the cavity in his skull. What would be Roxas' fate?

Axel sat uncomfortably in his chair as he witnesses his friend at the complete mercy of Xemnas. It bothered him that Roxas was being accused of treason though he knew his partner was innocent. It also was weird that Riku was able to get into the castle in the first place. It didn't make sense. Who would accuse Roxas? And how did Riku get in here. Despite his inner feelings, Axel couldn't muster enough courage to go against Xemnas. In this castle, Xemnas was king and his word was law. Axel closed his eyes, not wanting to see the pitiful image of his comrade.

Loyalty to Organization XIII was their cornerstone and all new members who wished to join went though "purgatory" as Xemnas so affectionately named it. They were purified by intense pain as they became molded to serve Xemnas. Every morsel of free will and rights were realigned to fit the Organization's needs.

Xemnas continued the interrogation, squeezing every lie and story out from Roxas.

"How do you think Riku got in?"

"He came through the front, most likely," Roxas answered. "There isn't another way in-"

"So," Xemnas cut in, "you're telling me that he was able to stroll in through the front!?"

Roxas gulped as he nervously shook his head. He was running out of excuses and once he did, Xemnas would have his head. The questions were getting harder as Roxas fought to keep the truth buried.

Xemnas slowly turned toward Luxord who whispered something into his ear. Once Luxord had finished, Xemnas turned to Roxas with a freakish smile on his face.

"Where were you when Riku attacked?"

Roxas froze in his black boots as he looked around the giant room. All eyes were centered in on him, all looking for any sign of discomfort or weakness. It was like everyone was looking through a radar and he was in the line of fire. Their piercing stares sent chills down his spine.

"I was getting something for the girl," Roxas spat out.

Luxord rubbed his chin tiredly as he casually looked on. He pulled his black over his head as he flashed a hand signal to Xemnas. Instantly, Xemnas stood up and drifted slowly to the ground. He walked up to Roxas and crossed his arms. In one swift movement, Roxas collapsed on the ground, his eyes bulging from intense pain. Xemnas dismissed his light sabers as he threw his hood over his head and walked out of the room.

"Lexaeus, Marluxia, take him away," Xemnas ordered. "I'll deal with him later."

Roxas was dragged onto his feet as he held his throbbing side. The light saber did massive damage as blood soaked through his shirt.

-KH-

The blue eyed spy found himself in chains as he awoke. He hung from the wall a few feet above the hard ground. Sweat drenched his face and he could feel the metal handcuffs tear into his wrists. He was facing a stone wall and his shirt was taken off his body. There was a wrap around his midsection where Xemnas had struck. His back was entirely exposed.

The door creaked open as Xemnas stepped in. He closed the door softly behind him as he placed a firm hand on Roxas' shoulder. Roxas shuddered at the touch. Xemnas' hand felt like cold steel; no warmth radiated it from it. Roxas gritted his teeth as Xemnas tightened his grip.

"You know, Roxas," Xemnas calmly said. "Do you want to know how Saix got that ugly looking scar on his face?"

The blonde stayed silent. His eyes continued to stare at the wall.

"It's quite nasty to look at, isn't it?"

Roxas faked a smile.

"I'll tell you, then. You see, he disobeyed me and he paid for it."

Roxas lifted his eyebrows in sarcasm.

Xemnas unchained Roxas and the young teen fell on the floor and landed on his stomach.

"I offered him a chance at redemption and I'll offer you the same."

Roxas looked at him with a sullen demeanor. There was a bit of sterness in his voice.

"Think of it this way. You're redemption is your retribution."

Xemnas summoned his twin light sabers as Roxas whipped out his Oblivion and Oathkeeper keyblades. Swinging them over his head, Roxas charged in first but Xemnas kept his distance as he back flipped out of the way. He landed on the window sill. Roxas crossed his blades in an X as he ducked down to block Xemnas' diving attack. The keyblade wielder pushed up with his legs sending Xemnas into the air again. Roxas pursued but his attack was easily blocked as Xemnas was able to rotate his body and bring his light saber around to stop the attack.

"Oh, you have to do better than that, number thirteen," Xemnas mocked.

Both fighters landed on opposite sides of the prison. Xemnas had his sabers in a defensive position and Roxas took the opportunity to try to attack again. This time he was more fortunate as he slashed with both blades pushing Xemnas back. The yellow eyed villain sustained no damage as he pushed forward and took a swing at Roxas' head.

Roxas ducked down and slashed once more but Xemnas was too fast with his saber and he took a piece off Roxas' black robe. Nodding amusedly, the blonde fighter jumped into the air as he threw his keyblade directly at Xemnas. The projectile was easily stopped as the suerior caught the blade and threw it at the wall, pinning it stationary.

"Try again," Xemnas egged on.

Roxas smiled as he recalled it and threw both blades this time. Xemnas was able to block one but the second blade caught hold of his robe and latched him on the wall. Roxas picked up his other blade and ran in for a quick kill. However Xemnas used his free hand to call forth a light saber and hold off Roxas' lethal attack. Sparks flew from the impact. Roxas took out his blade from the wall, releasing Xemnas. Quickly, he swung with both blades hoping to overpower Xemnas' lone weapon.

However, he was unfortunate as Xemnas was able to recall his second saber and stab Roxas' in the midsection. Roxas staggered back as he fought for air. He didn't account for his opponent's planning and craftiness and it cost him dearly. He felt his energy drain out.

Xemnas lifted his saber and swung, connecting with Roxas' left wrist. The teen screamed out in pain as his keyblade fell from his hand. His index and middle finger were cut deeply and blackened blood dripped down to the ground.

Xemnas took hold of Roxas by the neck and threw him across the hard wall. Roxas groaned as he fell back to the floor. The Superior sheathed his sabers and called for Lexaeus to take the fallen fighter to the infirmary.

-KH-

Roxas awoke and found himself in a white bright room. The brightness stung his eyes and they watered. He felt like he was ran over by a mach truck and his body was numb and sore. His head was still woozy from hitting the wall but at least he was alive. Xemnas got him pretty good, he had to admit.

Roxas slowly sat up. A wide bandage was wrapped around his midsection and his head was bounded as well. He inspected the rest of his body but found scratches and cuts, bruises, and bumps here and there. It wasn't too bad as he originally thought. He rolled onto his side and planted his left hand on the bed to lift himself up.

However, the impulse of pain shot up through his body. His arm buckled and he fell back on the bed. His wrist felt excruciatingly raw and his two fingers were swollen to the bone. The blood had dried and he could see tender flesh of his hand. Roxas was able to get up after a while and he traced his way back up to his room. Throwing aside his door he rummaged through his closet and pulled out a black and white, checkered wrist band and two black and white finger bands. He dressed up his carpal region before collapsing on his bed.

Well that's my story on how Saix and Xigbar got their injuries and why Roxas wears what he wears on his left hand. Now only if I could explain why Sora has big feet…

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