Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts.

The Dollmaker

Chapter 11: Return to Magik Spell

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"So, where were you the whole time?" Sora asked as he ate some of his french toast. Riku was content with a protein bar and Roxas had cereal and a cookie on his left for later.

"Roxas's closet," Axel replied simply.

"Doing what?" Sora asked, a puzzled look on his face. There wasn't many things you could do in a closet... when you're alone, that is.

"I was asleep," Axel laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head. "That's why I didn't know Roxas was calling me."

Roxas stopped chewing his food and let his jaw fall. Some of his cereal and milk dripped down the corner of his mouth as he stared at Axel. "You what?" Roxas asked as he wiped away the dripping food.

"I was in your closet," Axel restated.

"My closet," Roxas repeated.

"Yes," Axel nodded.

"My closet."

"Yes."

"My closet."

"Yes."

"My CLOSET."

"How many times do I have to say 'yes?'" Axel asked irritatedly.

"Just one more time. My closet??" Roxas asked again.

"Yes, Roxy," Axel laughed as he patted Roxas's head. "I was in your closet the whole time, but I'm touched that you feel so strongly about me."

Roxas only glared up at Axel. He was in his normal form and was almost towering over Roxas. Axel grinned down at him and began to walk toward the front door as Roxas took a bite from his bowl, not even looked away from Axel.

"Come on Roxy, or I'll leave without you." Axel then put a cookie to his mouth and smiled at Roxas. "I'll even eat your cookie too."

"My-," Roxas looked down at his bowl and looked to the left of it. Sure enough, there was no cookie in sight. "Hey!! That's mine!!" Roxas jumped from his chair and ran toward Axel. He grabbed his cellphone as he left and said his goodbyes to Sora and Riku. "Get back here!" Roxas called as Axel made a run for it.

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Roxas and Axel made their way towards Magik Spell after Roxas succeeded in getting on a crumb of his cookie. That was only after he got Axel into a chaste kiss, neither of them could complain so it was all good.

"Well, this is Magik Spell," Roxas muttered as he opened the rusty old door. "Is anyone here?"

"HE'S HERE!!" a girly voice squealed, but her voice was muffled by the walls of the shop. Roxas and Axel exchanged quizzical looks as they waited for someone to show up.

"Roxas, you're back," a warm voice said. "Glad to see you."

"Hi Aerith," Roxas greeted. "About that deal..."

"I see you've kept your word," Aerith smiled as she approached them. "You came back in three days."

"Yeah," Roxas said softly. "I know my answer. I know for sure, and last night only assured me more."

"And? Your answer?" Aerith asked.

Axel looked down at Roxas intently and put a hand on his shoulder. Roxas looked up at Axel sadly and mouthed the words, 'I'm sorry.' Axel's eyes widened. He let his hand fall limply to his side. He knew the answer... Roxas then turned his attention to Aerith and took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry but," Roxas began. Axel could feel his heart sink as he listened to Roxas's words. Aerith's smile began to fade slowly. Roxas looked down, suddenly finding interest to the old wooden floor. "I want Axel. I'm not going to let him be tortured by Larxene. He'll be by my side." Roxas grinned and looked up at Axel. "Forever."

Axel grinned and hugged Roxas tightly. He's never been so happy in his life! Roxas struggled against Axel and tried to pull away, eagerly gasping for air. The three laughed as Roxas suddenly fell to his knees once Axel let go. Axel grinned from ear to ear and helped Roxas back up on his feet. Roxas just laughed held onto Axel's arm.

Aerith smiled. "Roxas," she began. "In this three-day trial, you have made plenty of mistakes." Roxas and Axel only laughed nervously. "But, you have corrected those mistakes. You have shown to me, as well as your parents, that you have the potential to become just like your ancestor. Roxas, you just passed your magic exam."

Roxas blinked. "My what?"

"A magic exam," Axel spoke up. "Is an exam that every to-be wizard or witch must take when they turn 17; if they don't take it by then, they have to go to the council and take it there. Anyway, the examinee is not supposed to be aware of the exam so that the ones scoring the exam can see what the examinee will do in a real situation. The scorers are able to see the to-be wizard's true nature."

"Exactly," Aerith smiled. "And you passed Roxas. Not only have you passed, but in making the decision of keeping Axel by your side, you have your guardian as well."

"Guardian?" Roxas asked cluelessly. "You mean like a guardian angel?" He looked up at Axel, then back at Aerith. "He's no angel, I can tell you that much."

Aerith laughed. "Not quite, but you're close. A wizard's guardian is the protector basically. The guardian is normally an old spirit that helps the wizard and stays by their side. A guardian is to always be by their chosen wizard."

"Oh," Roxas stared at Aerith blankly. "Does everyone get to have the guardian that they choose?"

"No, they don't," a manly voice spoke up.

"D-Dad?" Roxas asked in shock. "S-So that's what you meant earlier, about showing my parents that I have potential and all... That's also how you knew my name when I first came in!" Roxas suddenly understood everything!!--almost.

"Most wizards and witches are assigned a guardian, you were no exception," Cloud said.

"But I just chose Axel," Roxas said.

"Your father and I thought that Axel would be the best guardian for you," someone appeared behind Cloud.

"M-Mom?" Roxas exclaimed.

"Hi honey!" Tifa waved and smiled at Roxas.

"H-Hi, Mom," Roxas greeted as he waved back hesitantly.

"Anyway," Tifa began. "Like your father said, you are no exception. The only difference was that you had a choice, but if you chose not to take in Axel, we would assign you another one. You would have had to deal with another person that you may or may not like and you wouldn't have any other choice. You would be stuck with them for the rest of your life. So be happy you have Axel."

"I already am," Roxas smiled as he held Axel's hand.

"Aww, aren't they cute?" Yuffie was standing beside Aerith now and giggling at the two.

"Yes, they are," Aerith smiled.

"If every wizard or witch has a guardian, who's yours?" Roxas asked.

"My guardian is Cloud," Tifa said. "With the help of the council, he was turned into a normal human being." Cloud nodded as if he needed to verify her words.

"And my guardian is Aerith!" Yuffie exclaimed happily.

"Aerith?" Roxas asked. "But how was I able to see her?"

"Because you have magic within you, Roxy," Axel answered. It was about time he said something. Roxas thought he had gone mute from seeing his parents... for some odd reason. "That's how you're able to see me."

"What if I wasn't able to see Aerith? What then?" Roxas asked,

"You would have never taken the exam." Cloud replied. "You never would have met Axel."

"Has Sora taken his exam yet?"

"He doesn't have the right amount of magic," Tifa explained. "He isn't able to become a wizard the way you are."

"Oh." Roxas said. "But he's able to see Axel."

"He has magic, but to some extent," Cloud cut in.

"Will you people stop talking?" Yuffie asked. "We've got a birthday girl to get to!!!"

"Birthday girl?" Axel asked.

"Larxene!!" Roxas exclaimed.

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TA: Well, that was chapter 11. I'm sorry if that sucked. I'm just trying to get a few things clear now. -sigh- On the bright side, this may actually be the first story that I complete. -smile- Yes, I know how to end it now, but don't worry, there are a few more things I must add!!