Author's note: Well, here we are again. Another update, another chapter. This is is the one I'd say I'm most proud of so far. For those who've been wondering how Larxene and Vexen have returned from the dead, the waiting is over. All the answers are finally here in this chapter, and this will signify a major turning point in Hi-Jax's character and his quest.
Can people PRETTY PLEASE review and let me know what you think of this story? Being frank, a lack of reviews makes my heart want to cry. Please save it from falling into darkness!
Anyway...see you all soon!
D.C. Wood (07/03/08).
Kingdom Hearts II: The Darkness-Nothing War
By
Daniel Wood
Chapter 11: Demons Laid to Rest
The World That Never Was, home to Organization XIII
The discussion room in the Castle That Never Was.
"Vexen's experiment proceeds well. The 'return' of our comrades signifies this."
"Indeed, Saïx. For too long has our counter-measure defied us. Before tonight ends, the rebellious exile will disobey us no longer."
Xemnas smiled within the darkness of his hood, before letting loose an amused chuckle.
"How ironic. The coward and the traitor serve us better in death than they ever did in life."
"And our salvation?" asked the Luna Diviner.
Chuckling again, Xemnas replied, "Neither Sora nor Maleficent realise what favours they're doing us."
Saïx smiled as well.
Castle Oblivion, former Organization outpost, now home to Sharak.
The master computer room, originally designed and built by Vexen. It was extensively reconstructed and upgraded to suit Sharak's needs when he took over the castle.
Reflection was all alone in Sharak's computer room, typing away at the keyboard with speed and finesse, accessing and viewing all the information available. He was still hoping to find more details regarding the Keyblade War, the Saviour, Sharak and the Keyblade. When Sharak had taken over Castle Oblivion, he had acquired more than just a base of operations. He had essentially taken half of their resources. Not just Heartless creation facilities and the white rooms that shaped out according to the entrant's memories, but also the library, computer, research and development facilities and valuable information archives amassed by the Organization regarding the heart, the worlds, Kingdom Hearts and most of what there was to know.
Reflection's search through the library had been very successful, but the records stored in the castle were mostly incomplete. It was limited in comparison to all the master archives and resources situated in the Organization's main headquarters. And with no means of gaining access to their computer, let alone their world, available at present, Reflection had been forced to be satisfied with what he had learned so far.
Which to the arrogant aristocrat…was unacceptable.
The computer had many records, all of which contained data to satisfy the shape-shifter's greed. But the data Reflection really wanted, the information he didn't know, was corrupt, much to his frustration. He knew that the Organization were cautious about their secrets, despite the loss of Castle Oblivion. And with Drakken only able to swipe so much from DiZ's computer, to retrieve data from that source through an illegal connection was no longer optional.
DiZ's computer, thought Reflection suddenly, stopping what he was doing to contemplate his next move. That's closer to home. Perhaps a trip to Twilight Town is in order. Some time. When it suits my…'leader'.
Reflection then pressed a few more keys, and a disk popped out of the computer's drive, containing encrypted and password-protected copies of all the valuable information the shape-shifter had learned so far. Taking the disk, Reflection kissed it and then drew it into the darkness of his being, keeping it safe and to himself.
"Attention," warned the computer. "Anomaly detected. Priority alert."
"Ah…" mused Reflection. "The ENCOM computer system proves its value and efficiency once again. Computer, identify anomaly and pinpoint source of origin."
"Found something, have you?"
Sharak's voice startled Reflection. He turned round to see the emperor standing before him.
"Ah…Sharak," began the aristocrat, his nervousness immediately subsiding. "As we speak, I'm trying to identify…"
"And before that?" the contaminated darkness asked out of interest. Reflection knew that Sharak must have been informed by Ilxsa of his taste for history.
"Just a little research, eminence."
"So I've heard."
"Purely innocent study of history. I assure you."
"There is no such thing as innocence in darkness, Reflection," pointed out Sharak as he leered his face into the aristocrat's. "I trust this won't interfere with work matters."
"Of course not, my liege," soothed the shape-shifter. "If anything, it could benefit you. Other means to obtain Kingdom Hearts, facts regarding events prior to the Keyblade War…"
"They maybe a few gaps in my memory, but I know the essentials. And that suffices. I'll tell you all about it someday. Depending on whether or not you please me."
"Emperor Sharak, you are royalty. I am aristocracy. It is only natural for us to please one another. I…"
"We are not allies, Reflection," Sharak sneered angrily, eyes glowing brightly. "I am your leader. You obey me. I reward loyalty. That's all there is to it."
"Of course…my master. I…"
"Anomaly identified," interrupted the computer. "Matched to data file. Subject 'Hi-Jax.'"
The glow in Sharak's eyes faded. 'Smiling' sinisterly, he pushed Reflection to one side to get closer to the computer screen's readouts. The shape-shifter looked at his arm, then Sharak, and angrily dusted his arm off.
"Data error. Subject 'Hi-Jax' is emitting interference."
"Elaborate," ordered Sharak.
"Neural activity. Unable to properly identify. Subject's data is somehow corrupting himself and surroundings."
"Interesting. A little surprise you set in motion, Vexen?" the creature thought out loud. "When you redesigned Adam in your pitiful attempt to stop me? Computer, location."
"Interference emitted is partially clouding subject's energy signature. Impossible to pinpoint precise location."
"Just identify the world. A search party can take care of the rest."
"Identifying…Subject 'Hi-Jax' traced to World 'Traverse Town'.
"Excellent," approved Sharak. "With Hi-Jax in such a questionable and hopefully vulnerable state, I will finally have the means to cure myself. Closest units?"
"'Coldstone' and 'Karall'," informed the computer.
Hi-Jax in Traverse Town! thought Reflection. I can finally have my chance to avenge myself against the little pauper. And perhaps interrogate him for what history he knows. And Sharak will undoubtedly reward me with everything I need to know once I present his cure before him.
"I will gladly assist them with the capture," the shape-shifter volunteered, bowing gracefully. "After all, with my valuable shape-shifting talents…"
"Hi-Jax will see right through any disguises you conjure!" roared Sharak in frustration. Calming down, he furthered, "Besides which, Coldstone and Karall will need to embark on their first real field mission. And you haven't quite recovered from your 'change of heart'. You need more time to adjust."
Angered by Sharak's patronizing, Reflection, carefully choosing his words, rebutted, "I am in optimal physical condition. And further reinforcements…"
"Would be a waste. Especially when your expert data handling skills would be best suited to helping Drakken finish the Kim Possible replication. Send Coldstone and Karall to Traverse Town at once. And make sure that there's enough Heartless reinforcements to account for Nobody interference."
Sharak left the room, Reflection not taking his eyes off him.
Oh, I've completely adjusted to my change of heart, you condescending, spiteful, dictatorial fascist. And I have Hi-Jax to thank for showing me the light.
Removing his disc from his being, Reflection stared at the power he held in his hand.
Oh, yes. I see things MUCH more clearly now.
Traverse Town, a haven for those who have no other world to call home.
The First District, where new arrivals start out.
Hi-Jax smiled when he returned to the world he and Jaron had been exiled to, upon the decimation of their home at the hands of Sharak. Adam had been six when he arrived here, and Jaron was the age of five. For five years, they had lived here as thieves, not trusting anyone and focusing on themselves and survival. Traverse Town had truly been a haven for the brothers, even though they probably didn't deserve it. Stealing from others to survive when they could've just welcomed help from the townsfolk with open arms. They were outcasts when they didn't need to be.
And yet it didn't matter.
Traverse Town had let them stay. The sheer hospitality, the forgiving nature, understanding and acceptance and the welcoming, heart-warming aura that radiated from this place…one could only grow fond of it.
Hi-Jax thanked the town for saving his life. If it hadn't been for this place, he honestly didn't think he'd be here today. He didn't think that the Council of Light would've found him and Jaron. If not for Traverse Town…the rest wouldn't be history.
Suddenly. the H.J.F.M. in the anomaly's coat pocket rang a heavy-metal tone. Hi-Jax took it out to answer the call.
"I'm here, Wade."
"Okay, cyber café exactly to your left."
"I've lived here before, don't worry. Can you identify exactly which computer it was our mystery user was on?"
"No problem, HJ. Once you're inside, just plug the H.J.F.M. into a connection port and we should be able to trace the line back to Sharak's computer. And hopefully the Organization's as well."
"Are you sure that's even possible?" asked Hi-Jax doubtfully. "Even for a genius?"
"If Drakken left a trace, he's bound to have slipped up more than once. It's what he usually does."
"True enough. Right, then…time to get some nice juicy answers."
"Hi-Jax…" Wade's voice stopped the anomaly going into the café.
"What?"
"Are…are you alright?" the ten-year-old computer genius asked, appearing really concerned.
"Why wouldn't I be?" replied the anomaly, confused.
"Well…" Wade sighed, pausing for a moment, unsure how to put this. Then he decided not to insult Hi-Jax by being blunt.
"Ever since you told me about Larxene and Vexen…"
"I'm fine." Hi-Jax's interruption meant that he didn't want his traumatic experiences distract him from the task at hand
"You clearly haven't been. Look, I know that I don't know exactly what you went through at Castle Oblivion but I wanna help. Your data scans show something seriously screwed up. If you let me do a proper test, I can try and correct…"
"I appreciate that, Wade," the anomaly sighed painfully. "And…yeah, it does frighten me what's going on. I've no idea what this means but it's something I'm just going to have to try and solve by myself. If it happens again, it'll be the very last time."
"What makes you so sure?"
"It's a feeling I have."
"A FEELING? Hi-Jax, that is SO nineties-material."
"And?" he smiled back, appreciating Wade's humour." Besides, it's gonna be the very last time because I'm past sick and tired of…"
A Dusk teleported in front of Hi-Jax without warning. The arrival was naturally startling and came without warning. Hi-Jax snarled in anger at the dancing Dusk, who was subsequently joined by a dozen more. They all circled the anomaly, dancing as some kind of pre-attack ritual.
"Hi-Jax, what…?"
"Nobodies! Gotta go!" the anomaly signed off, switching his H.J.F.M. off and putting it back in his coat pocket. Drawing his swords of light and dark, Hi-Jax assumed his battle stance, ready to engage and destroy.
Three Dusks flew towards him at top velocity. Soon as they were within range, Hi-Jax struck them down with no effort at all. Two more walked upside down, advancing slowly with their arms flailing wildly. While another two Dusks flew circles around the anomaly, distracting him while the other two were getting closer and closer to striking him.
Hi-Jax cast a Graviga spell that flattened the two circling Nobodies. Backflipping away to create some distance, the anomaly then threw a light fireball to eliminate one of the upside-down Dusks. Then he turned his own body upside down and charged towards the other Nobody, impaling it with his dark sword.
Righting himself to his correct position, Hi-Jax looked up to see the remaining Nobodies all leap up high to come down on top of him. The anomaly smiled as he used his phenomenal strength to spring-leap backwards across a great distance. The Dusks all landed together in one spot.
They all turned their heads to see a smirking Hi-Jax as he unleashed a powerful Thundaga spell. The impact scattering them in all directions. The exile then cast a Stopga spell, making them all freeze in mid-air.
After landing on his feet, Hi-Jax joined his swords of light and dark together to form a large pole weapon, with scythe blades at both ends. Spinning his weapon in a radial-blur, he then held up his new weapon up high over his head, before hurling it at the motionless Dusks. Like a boomerang, it swiftly passed through all of them, one after the next in uncanny motion. Hi-Jax caught the weapon perfectly in his hand. It then disappeared out of his grasp, as he smiled to see that the Stopga spell had worn off. Time returned to herald the Nobodies' destruction.
"Oh, thank you! Thank you!" said a middle-aged woman who ran up to Hi-Jax to hug him. It surprised him at first, but he quickly warmed to the gratitude. Other locals soon arrived and swarmed him as they cheered, applauded and thanked him, patting him on the shoulder.
"Uh…excuse me, young man," asked an elderly lady, curiously. "But…you look awfully familiar. Have we met before?"
"Yes!" said a boy in excited recognition. "Do you have a brother?"
"Two boys used to live here several years ago," explained another local. "Little thieves, they were! But never did any real harm, I suppose. Just trying to stay alive was the rumour…"
As the chatter continued to grow, Hi-Jax fell deep into astonishment. Some of the townsfolk felt that they recognised him. DiZ's warnings about the ramifications of the time reversal resurfaced in his mind. Most would have completely forgotten the events of Sharak's New Era of Darkness. Yet there would be anomalies. Only a select few would have the ability to remember those events and those involved.
So if some of these people know…or think they know me…what does this mean for Castle Mahanah? The Council of Light? Jaron? Do they still exist? Does Sora remember? Who else knows?
"You must be dreamin', woman!" argued the town's blacksmith. "I've never seen this lad before! And neither 'ave you!"
"Maybe you're right," conceded his wife. "But…I was so sure I'd seen him before!"
"No!" protested another local. "He and his brother used to live in Traverse Town years ago! His name's…his name's…uh…well, his brother's name was…was…"
"Jaron?" suggested Hi-Jax, hoping that the provocation would help.
"'Jaron'?" he replied back, shaking his head. "Sorry, lad. No one who goes by that name has ever lived here. What's your name, anyway?"
Anxiety overwhelmed the former Adam. His heart grappled with the notion of his identity. Over who he was now, and who he had been. And what DiZ had advised him. How he should never let his desires cloud his judgement. If that ever happened, another Imbalance of Reality would follow.
With no chance whatsoever of a reversal this time.
"I'm…not who you think I am, unfortunately," he answered sadly. "This…is the first time I've ever been to Traverse Town."
And that's technically true. This is the first time that HI-JAX has ever been to Traverse Town.
"Oh, sorry, lad. It's just you look awfully like someone I once knew."
"Anyway, thanks so much for saving us! Is there anything we can do?"
"No, thank you," smiled the anomaly. "I was just passing through."
The crowd then dispersed, going their separate ways, all thanking the teenage exile and saying goodbye. Amidst the crowd chatter, Hi-Jax heard something that made him both bewildered and hopeful.
"Strange…I could've sworn that he was that young Adam boy."
Hi-Jax now stood alone in the centre of the first district, wondering what this development could possibly mean to his future.
Sighing, he said to himself, "Great. More complications on the horizon. And I don't know if that's good or bad. Naturally."
Shaking off his turmoil, he turned to the café to continue his mission. And counting that a hot chocolate and a croissant would help make him feel better. But as he directed towards the café, he soon realised that that would have to wait.
Another Dusk shot right past him, fleeing up the steps past the Accessory Shop and Geppetto's House towards the Second District.
"Oh, no you don't, you little sucker," seethed Hi-Jax as he chased after it. Shortly after he'd gone, the hooded Xigbar emerged from the shadows of the alley in-between the Item and Accessory Shops.
"Go fetch, little boy," No. 2 chuckled sinisterly, looking towards where Hi-Jax had gone. "Go fetch."
The Second District.
Upon his entry, Hi-Jax sprinted and jumped over the nearest wall, over the water fountain. After he landed in the market square, he slowly rose to stand up straight.
All was still.
Unholy.
Quiet.
There wasn't a soul outdoors. Hi-Jax could feel hearts all locked away safely in their houses and hotel rooms. That suited Hi-Jax just fine. With no bystanders around to get hurt, the anomaly could concentrate fully on the battle ahead, and thus deal with whatever the Organization threw at him.
"Come out, come out, come out, wherever you are," sang Hi-Jax eerily as he venture further into the heart of the square. "Here, little Nobody. Don't be afraid. You know you can't be. So what's wrong with running away from the inevitable?"
That instant, the Dusk reappeared behind the anomaly and pounced for him. Not even turning around, Hi-Jax just thrust his dark blade backwards, impaling the last Nobody.
As the slain Dusk faded back into oblivion, Hi-Jax withdrew his weapon and stood up straight again.
"See? It's not so bad."
"'What's wrong with running away from the inevitable?'" repeated Vexen as he faded into existence behind Hi-Jax. "'It's not so bad'. What an excellent rhetorical question, my greatest project. Backed by an answer that cannot be put in more simple terms. You've now realised why I'm still here. Because I created you. Because I am a father to you. You need me to survive. You look up to me for guidance. And I am here to help you. My death may have devastated you, but it's alright now. I am here, my Hi-Jax. And now it is time for you to accept the inevitable, because at long last…you realise…that it is nothing to be afraid of. As you adequately put…it's not so bad."
No. 4 then held out his hand to the teenage exile.
A long and unsettling silence followed.
Hi-Jax turned slowly and menacingly around to face the Chilly Academic.
"I will say this…" the anomaly began coldly, "one - final - time. So get it through your head. I am not your slave. I never have been your slave. And I never will be your slave. PERIOD!!!"
Vexen snarled angrily.
"Stupid…CHILD. Don't you understand? You can never be rid of me. You never will be rid of me! I am your master! Your creator! You have no choice but to follow me!"
Vexen's sneer turned into a evil smile.
"Now do as you're told."
Hi-Jax just burst into laughter.
"'Do as I'm told'. You mean like that 'fabulous' Riku Replica? Like Mr 'Low-Ranking' Marluxia? Has anyone ever been known to take orders from you seriously? You have no charisma, no respect from anyone…you were an embarrassment to the Organization, you cringe-coward. And a complete joke to believe that people would follow commands from a total, snivelling weasel like you."
As Hi-Jax pointed and laughed at Vexen in ridicule, the Chilly Academic's smile gave way to the venomous sneer.
"Always the one for mind games…that is a true sign of love for your enemies. Even for those who are no more. Don't forget…absence makes the heart grow fonder."
Hi-Jax stopped laughing, thinking a bit about what Xigbar had told him back in Ruination City.
Then he narrowed his eyes in contempt at Vexen.
"Whatever," the eighteen-year-old sneered, brandishing his swords. "It's dying time."
The Organization's No. 4 smiled evilly once again, as particles of ice radiated brightly from his left forearm. The element of ice intensified, the ice particles growing in number and becoming brighter and brighter…
Until they formed Vexen's shield.
"Willing to die in denial?" he asked curiously. "Than live in acceptance?"
"No," Hi-Jax replied simply. "To live to prove that I'm right and you're not. Freedom is truth…and the price of death is worth it."
The two mortal foes braced themselves.
"Self-destruction is for the foolish," commented the Chilly Academic.
Vexen levitated himself off the ground and fired an ice blast at Hi-Jax. The teenager somersaulted to dodge the blast, but quickly found himself having to avoid another ice blast. The Chilly Academic chased after the anomaly, firing projectile after projectile at him. He was also getting quicker in his attacks. So Hi-Jax responded by being quicker in his athletic evasions.
"So flawless," remarked No. 4 approvingly, relentless in his attacks. "So responsive and instinctive. More than a match for Sharak. You truly were my greatest project. It is such a shame it had to come to this."
Hi-Jax somersaulted away from another ice blast and was about to land on his feet when he noticed Vexen raising his arm in summoning fashion. Pillars of ice sprung out of the ground' chasing after the anomaly. Changing tactics, Hi-Jax sprinted to avoid the trail of icicles smashing up out of the street. Vexen remained relentless in his attack, still hurling balls of ice after the teenage exile. Hi-Jax swatted them back with his swords in his tormentor's direction, but they only impacted harmlessly against the Chilly Academic's shield.
With the ice pillars closing in rapidly, and the barrage of ice blasts becoming more intense, Vexen assumed that Hi-Jax hadn't noticed the slippery puddle he was about to step on. As expected, Hi-Jax stumbled and tripped the instant his foot stepped onto Vexen's trap. Instinctively rolling forward, the teenager saw the pillars about to connect with him. Timing the move just right, his swung his blade of light at the icicle parade just before it reached him. The impact cancelled the attack, shattering the ice and sending shards of it right towards Vexen's face at tremendous velocity.
The Chilly Academic gasped and quickly raised his shield to cover himself from the deathly hail. The jagged ice shards smashed harmlessly against his shield. No longer in a complimenting mood, the scientist lowered his shield to reveal another insidious scowl.
"Your defiance no longer amuses, boy!" he yelled, his patience having run its course. "Follow the Organization code NOW! Obey us or…!"
Vexen's voice trailed away in surprise, confusion and then even more frustration over Hi-Jax's sudden disappearance.
"You cannot run, let alone hide, from your destiny, you little scum!"
The hand grabbed Vexen's scrawny neck and squeezed hard. The Chilly Academic tried to teleport to safety but the anomaly's powers stopped him from doing so. As No. 4 choked due to the pressure, he opened a pained eye to look to his left.
To see a menacing Hi-Jax whisper coldly into his ear, "When my destiny…is to destroy Sharak, reunite myself with my friends, rebuild my happiness…and rid myself of you vermin forever…I don't run and hide from it…"
Hi-Jax let go of Vexen's neck to allow him to scream.
As he thrust his dark blade right through the Nobody's spine.
"I FULFIL IT!"
Kicking the Chilly Academic's body right off his blade, Hi-Jax screamed as he charged towards his creator's body, his dark blade screeching sparks of fury as it trailed along the ground, on collision course with Vexen. The scientist's screams echoed throughout the caverns of Hi-Jax's tortured mind as raw, unleashed savagery overwhelmed him. The anomaly sent his sword slashing through the Nobody again and again, taking enormous pleasure and satisfaction in inflicting the violent, killing strokes.
At last…at long last, the Anomaly relished with glee, sweet retribution is mine! About time, too.
Seconds later, all became still again in the town's Second District.
Unholy and unnerving solitude.
Hi-Jax saw Vexen's brutally slain body fade back into the oblivion whence it came.
Then he spat on the spot where it once lay.
"Good riddance," he sneered venomously.
Seconds later, he withdrew his dark sword and breathed a sigh of relief. And beamed happily.
Whistling, he turned around to go back to the First District, telling himself it was finally over.
Fool! chastised Vexen's voice as it screeched through Hi-Jax's head, rattling his brain and bringing him to his knees. You still understand nothing! You fantasise retribution and taking pleasure in causing our suffering when you already KNOW you can't! You're twelve months too late! So accept that you've ALREADY LOST! Accept that you can do nothing to stop us without upsetting the balance! Accept that the ONLY chance of survival and peace is to FOLLOW us!
Peace can NEVER exist so long as your kind screw up everything, Vexen, cried Hi-Jax in psychic pain. So no deal.
Stop fighting, boy! You're only making things worse for yourself and those you've come to befriend! Spare yourself this torment and start being the Organization soldier you were MEANT TO BE!
'Organization soldier'…don't you mean 'Sharak terminator'? Sorry…'EXPENDABLE Sharak terminator'?
Do you really WANT to die again, son of Mahanah?! bellowed Vexen. I know you don't want to…
You're BLUFFING, sniggered the anomaly. I know you won't kill me. You NEED me to get rid of Sharak. So that means you can't do a damn thing other than put up with little ol' me.
Nice try, my greatest project, Vexen smirked back. But you're forgetting who you're dealing with. You WANT to destroy Sharak. You NEED to destroy Sharak. You CRAVE his destruction. You have done ever since he took your father away from you. He destroyed your home TWICE, destroyed everyone and everything you ever cared about TWICE. Then he destroyed Jaron. Think about it, Hi-Jax. You hate him far more than you hate us. And for us to take that opportunity away from you would be…heart-breaking, wouldn't it? You don't want us to rob you of the chance to avenge yourself. It's all you have left.
Doesn't change the fact that you still NEED ME.
We can devise other means of eliminating him. Your loss will be most unfortunate after all our time and investment…but at the end of the day, NOT critical.
Are you actually WILLING to take that chance?! grimaced Hi-Jax even more because of the psychic torture. You're cleverer than that.
Why do you think we drafted Luxord? Why do you think he's the Gambler of Fate?
Nice try…but no coconut. You can't do anything about Sharak yourselves. Neither can Sora. Which means I'm ESSENTIAL to your little contingency plan. I'm crucial 'cause I'm the only one who can sort Sharak out without messing everything up again. Just like I can't do anything to stop you - at the moment - without messing everything up again. STALEMATE!
Not quite, my reluctant little slave.
Hi-Jax's scream's echoed throughout Traverse Town. His mind exploded with Vexen's commands hammering into his brain, threatening to shatter his grip on reality more and more.
Obey us, Hi-Jax. NOW.
No.
I said obey.
And I said no.
OBEY!
NO!
OBEY!
MAKE ME!
OBEY!
"I'LL KILL YOU ONCE AND FOR ALL, YOU PATHETIC WEASEL!" howled Hi-Jax in insanity and agony. "I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!"
…
A flash of light then followed.
A tear fell from Hi-Jax's eye, as he panted in relief.
It was as though the whole experience had never happened at all.
"Damn it," he seethed in despair. "I can't take this anymore."
Rising to his feet, the eighteen-year-old looked around him. The town remained a ghost one, leaving Hi-Jax to wonder in the unnerving silence how many minutes…or seconds of peace he'd have left until Larxene decided to show up.
Round one to you, then, Hi-Jax, sang the Savage Nymph telepathically. But this whole fight lasts much longer than you can stomach.
"I can beat anything you throw at me," retorted the anomaly.
Oh, good! I love it when the corpses are defiant to the grave! Or in your case…zombification.
Larxene's cruel laughter reeled Hi-Jax in. He knew that laugh anytime and anywhere. His intimacy of it allowed him to know it was coming from the Third District.
"This time…this time…we're finishing this."
"What do you see?" asked Karall.
"His…data patterns have been corrupted," reported Coldstone. "Available data on the Organization corroborates our theory regarding Hi-Jax. Vexen has tampered with his neural waves as a means to ensure total control."
"Very clever, indeed," nodded the vampire in approval. He and his fellow soldier stood high on the roof of the cathedral, having surveyed Hi-Jax's (seemingly) mad rantings, his fierce power display on the Second District, the display of Vexen's powers and the erratic readout of his data patterns. "My zookeepers designed Sharak's feast to be as deliciously resistible as possible."
The rehabilitated Karall's nostrils flared, taking in Hi-Jax's scent very deeply. Then he licked his lips.
"If Sharak hadn't made dinner reservations, I would've seriously dived in to the feast teeth first. The child's power would make anyone invincible."
"I see further evidence of data tampering," furthered Coldstone. "Not Vexen…this is much fainter, less visible."
"Who?"
"I'm identifying the codes."
"Plural?" asked the vampire, intrigued.
"Yes," the gargoyle confirmed. "Established as opposing means of control. Both have different signatures. One belongs to that of Xemnas. The other…is that of the anonymous individual known only as DiZ."
"Hmm…so their 'truce' was not all it was cracked up to be, then. How could it be with such a prize meal at stake?"
Hi-Jax's screams filled the Traverse Town air once more as he found himself caught up in a battle between Neo-Shadows and Dusks in the alley leading to the Third District. Karall and Coldstone continued to observe.
"The Organization must be here to ensure that their primary enslaving program is complete," concluded Coldstone.
"Doubtless, my fellow beast of the night," replied Karall, trying hard to fight the temptation to leap into they fray, to carve and feast on those below. "And they must have banked on our being here, as well. Our Heartless troops are no match for both Hi-Jax and the Nobodies at once. And with Hi-Jax's power and mental state in a dangerously precarious state…direct confrontation would be suicidal for us. Most unhealthy for the predators to become prey…especially after Shego and Reflection's debacle."
"So you suggest?"
"Hi-Jax will fall at our master's hand regardless, Coldstone. He needs to know of the status of his meal, immediately. Best to have his meal cooked to perfection rather than horribly spoilt. And it would give us means to refine a little strategy for our hunt. Come, we must prepare the bait."
Karall turned to leave but Coldstone just remained where he was, observing Hi-Jax as he tore through the attacking Heartless and Nobodies with ease. Coldstone ignored the computerised figures that were running through his head. Instead he focused on his struggle, his victimisation at the hands of Sharak and Organization XIII…and his refusal to allow his torment to carry on.
WHY am I here? Coldstone thought to himself. What am I doing?
"Coldstone?" called Karall, looking back to him.
"Karall…I am grateful to Sharak for resurrecting me…" began the gargoyle in uncertainty, "but…his intentions are a mystery to me. They don't seem hospitable for the human boy. Why must he suffer? And Sharak still hasn't answered my questions about my past. The other gargoyles…"
"I respect Sharak enough never to question his orders, cyborg," snarled the vampire in annoyance. "He freed me, and now he feeds me. I don't bite the hand that feeds me. And I really think it's a bad move for you to even consider it. Both you and Ilxsa'll get your memories back if you behave and do what you're told."
Karall entered the dark portal back to Castle Oblivion, shouting over his shoulder, "Besides…whenever did gargoyles owe anything to their destroyers?"
Coldstone looked back to Hi-Jax below. The sole survivor of the Heartless/Nobody conflict. As he entered the Third District, Coldstone's primary directive processed through his core conscious. He snarled at Hi-Jax as he ran out of his sight, the doors closing behind the anomaly.
ALL humanity has to pay for what they did to our kind, remembered the cyborg gargoyle.
"Point taken," he called back to Karall as he followed the dark vampire back to Castle Oblivion.
All was deadly silent in the Third District.
Hi-Jax just glared.
"Come on, then," smirked Larxene, winking. "Let's have the 'Larxene's a pathetic cow' speech, for old time's sake."
Hi-Jax just summoned his swords to his possession.
"Aww…what? No witty comeback? No death threat?" she moaned, feigning disappointment.
"Oh, I'm so done yammering with you," he explained, assuming his stance. Smiling, Larxene gave a humph before summoning her daggers, heralded by a fierce crackle of lightning. Spinning gracefully on the spot, she assumed her own fighting stance. Then her haunting giggling began, soon developing into trademark evil laughter.
The Savage Nymph and the teenage exile charged towards one another, their blades clashing fiercely with one another. Showers of sparks erupted from the connecting pieces of metal. Despite the obvious size mismatch between Hi-Jax's large swords and Larxene's small daggers, the Nobody's sheer skill and grace allowed her to match the anomaly's own formidable swordsmanship and reflexes.
As Hi-Jax's light flashed with each furious sword clang, bolts of Thunder magic struck the battleground, dancing round the participants. Both backed away to create regroup distance, then Larxene threw her knives for Hi-Jax's face. Hi-Jax's light blade swatted them far away. Larxene retaliated by throwing more and more knives at her foe but they were perfectly deflected by the anomaly's weapons.
Charging headstrong, the eighteen-year-old soon reached his nemesis, but before his blades could strike, Larxene teleported away from harm. An instant later, she reappeared, greeting the anomaly with a vicious boot to the face. She then teleported in and out, striking him with a flurry of martial arts attacks. The assault was relentless, threatening to pummel Hi-Jax into submission.
"Last chance, runt," No. 12 smiled in intimidating fashion. "Better take it."
Hi-Jax, battered and bruised, smirked back as he caught Larxene's fist and began to crush it, making her scream.
"That's the difference between you and me, witch. I give you no chance whatsoever."
The anomaly then shot up with a brutal roundhouse kick that knocked some of Larxene's teeth out. Hi-Jax followed it up with sword attacks, fireballs and a fierce uppercut that sent her rocketing into the air. The anomaly then levitated off the ground, an aura of light and dark energy emitting from his body.
Channelling his power, the anomaly flew at high-speed to attack Larxene. Flash after flash, Hi-Jax came in repeatedly with a dashing sword strike, a sword/kick/punch combination, a colossal fireball, battering pillars of darkness and then finishing it all off by fashioning his double-scythe throwing weapon and hurling it at Larxene.
The combination attack was monstrously brutal. And the result was Larxene's beaten body falling from the sky and landing with a sick thud. Hi-Jax's feet gently touched the ground as his weapon faded away in withdrawal. Approaching the Savage Nymph's fallen body, Hi-Jax slowly grabbed her roughly by the hair and picked her up so she could face him.
Without warning, Larxene's seemingly limp body sprung back to life. She grabbed Hi-Jax's arm and drew his body to him…
With her daggers once again in-between her clenched fingers.
Hi-Jax's reflexes blocked the death strike, but poorly. He seethed in great pain, grinding his teeth before looking to see Larxene's daggers impaled right through his forearm.
"Way to block a blade, 'hero'!" laughed No. 12, mockingly.
"Touché," Hi-Jax grinned back.
Realisation then came with pain for Larxene. She looked to her side to see Hi-Jax's blade having gone through it. Grimacing in slow agony, she turned to face the grinning anomaly. Now it was his turn to laugh.
"Gotcha."
Both warriors pulled their blades from one another's bodies. Kicking away one another, they both looked to see the blood dripping from their wounds. Then they looked to face one another.
"Say 'I give in' now…and maybe I'll make it painless for you," offered Hi-Jax, venomously.
"Same old Adam, same old idiot, some old loser," cackled the Savage Nymph cruelly. "Don't you get it? You can't win. You couldn't stop me from erasing your family and kingdom, you couldn't kill me in Castle Oblivion and you can't stop me here and now. You had to have Sora to finish me for you, didn't you? And that eats away at you, doesn't it, cry-baby? Well that's too bad…'cause you can't beat me. So accept it, pucker up and kiss my…"
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" yelled Hi-Jax, angrily.
"This is not a game, Hi-Jax," explained Vexen as he faded back into existence. "You cannot win or defy the truth any longer. Either you accept us as your masters…or you let your hatred be the death of you."
Hi-Jax could only watch as his fingers incredibly snapped themselves to summon a horde of Dusks that surrounded him. His loss of control contributed to his shock. The shock was fleeting, though. Soon to be replaced by his overwhelming hatred for Vexen and Larxene, the architects of Adam's downfall and the evolution into what he was now.
Then realization kicked in.
All these Nobodies that he was facing…an alarming number. If he opposed them all, here and now, it would undoubtedly be his last stand. Hi-Jax knew that this was it, knew that death was literally opposite him. And he realised that he wasn't afraid to die to spite the Organization.
But he also realised that he couldn't die. Not today, not until he'd avenged himself. Reunited with his friends, gotten his answers…there was still too much to do.
Furthermore, the Dusks he himself had summoned here…the same ones he had summoned back in Metroville. Vexen and Larxene both dead, destroyed by Axel and Sora twelve months ago. The damage to his surroundings, the Nobodies only he, not his friends, could see…
I never did get my revenge, realised Hi-Jax. And it sucks. Scales of justice were never balanced…no. That's not true. At the end of the day…both Larxene and Vexen DID pay for their crimes. Justice WAS served.
Breathing in deep, Hi-Jax sighed and then withdrew his swords.
And stood up straight.
"I knew you'd come round," smiled Vexen. "On behalf of Organization XIII, I officially welcome you to our ranks. Your first assignment…"
"You can go now," interrupted the anomaly, happily.
Vexen and Larxene looked at one another, absolutely bewildered.
"You still don't get it, you little brat," explained Larxene evilly. "You've accepted that it's over. So that means…"
"No, Larxene," Hi-Jax calmly replied. "You still don't get it. I don't care anymore that I wasn't the one to finish you both. I accept that. What matters is that you both got what was coming to you. You're both dead. And unlike you, I won't go to my grave full of hate…because that's not worth dying for. All it does is consume you, stop you from achieving your goals. And I have you two to thank for proving that to me."
The Dusks then faded away back into nothingness, one by one. The sight made Vexen and Larxene gasp in horror. This wasn't the way the experiment was supposed to have gone.
"I'm done being enslaved by the past," admitted the teenage exile finally. "It's time for me to move on. Here and now are important, as is my future. What's done is done. That's why I'm letting my hatred for both of you go. That's why I'm letting my desire for impossible retribution go. That's why I'm letting you two go."
"No, you can't!" protested Vexen, fading away.
"It's your job to hate us, Hi-Jax!" yelled Larxene desperately as she brandished her knives to charge at him once more. Not rising to debate and conflict, the anomaly just furthered, "My job is my own, not the one the Organization believe they gave me. My quest so far…I thank you two…and Xemnas for what you've done. You've balanced Adam's destruction…by giving me, Hi-Jax, a chance to rebuild my life. And as such…I forgive you. Both of you."
"No!" screamed the Chilly Academic. "Hi-Jax, please! I don't want you to forgive us! Please, my son! I don't want to die forever! PLEAAAA…!"
"You can't forgive us!" cried out the Savage Nymph in denial. "I won't allow it! It's not possible! It's not…NOOOOOOOOOO…!"
Both 'Vexen' and 'Larxene' faded away. Both nothing but bad memories, laid to rest and things of the past. Both of them demons now exorcised.
Both revealed for what they truly were.
Hi-Jax, blissfully refreshed and now at peace with himself, removed his shades to allow the tears of joy to escape from his eyes.
"I forgive you," he repeated, smiling.
"Congratulations, Hi-Jax."
The anomaly, instantly recognising the voice, turned round to face the arrival.
"You've passed your most important test," complimented DiZ. "You have successfully won the battle against your past. Accepted the truth and found the strength to move on. As I knew you would."
Hi-Jax's eyes narrowed in confusion at first, but he soon nodded in understanding.
"When we first met," remembered the teenager. "When you suggested the idea of me joining the Organization."
"Your answer at that time foretold your refusal to live in their shadow. It has been a long trek to get out and never look back…but now you are free. There is nothing more to teach you. It is time for you to carve out your own destiny, seek your own answers…and win your own battles. Without Xemnas or myself to interfere."
The old Hi-Jax would've instantly gone for DiZ, demanding answers and no more subjection to games. But now, the anomaly understood. DiZ had showed him the path, just like he had done for Riku. And like Riku, Hi-Jax had to walk down the road himself.
He had left the crossroads now…and there was no need to look back.
Putting his shades back on, Hi-Jax smiled and bowed.
"DiZ…thank you."
The masked stranger smiled and nodded.
"Like Riku, you've tamed the beast within. Waged the inner battle and triumphed. And used the aftermath…to make you better and stronger. Clearly, I have nothing left to show you…or teach you."
DiZ extended his hand out towards the anomaly. A dark green aura radiated from Hi-Jax's being. It soon subsided, but Hi-Jax felt the change. It was big, and without knowing it, the teenager summoned a dark replica of Vexen's shield to his right arm, and light replicas' of Larxene's daggers to his left hand.
"As Riku conquered Ansem to make him stronger…" realised Hi-Jax, admiring his new abilities and weapons, "I finally conquered Larxene and Vexen to make me stronger."
"The road will nonetheless become harder with each passing step," warned DiZ as he walked into the dark portal. "I advise you to never lose sight of your mission, the caution you must maintain, what you want, what you must…and who you are. Farewell, Hi-Jax."
"Farewell, DiZ. I shall not forget."
The crimson-one faded away from sight.
And Hi-Jax had never been more content.
"Sorry, Xemnas," shrugged Xigbar in his chair. "The stubborn little cretin won't ever take the hint. Don't ask me how."
"So Vexen's primary failsafe failed, after all." remarked Saïx. "That is unfortunate, especially after such promise, uncharacteristic of Vexen's science. Let us hope this is not a signal of what is to come."
"Vexen's project still has merit," pointed out Xemnas. "Do not forget…Hi-Jax will still carry out his mission to destroy Sharak. It's his mission, his destiny…before we officially made it so. It was in his best interests before it became ours. His role is no different than Sora's. His bidding is the same as ours, and he will do it regardless of whether or not we actually control him. Our hand guides and plays all the fools. It is simply the way of things."
"And Sharak's forces?" asked Xigbar. "They're not like Maleficent's. They could get ridiculously out of hand and turn ugly real fast."
"Hi-Jax won't let that happen. How can he? And when he crushes Sharak…he'll at last see the darkness. Our darkness. As it is…we're still in the lead."
"And so when Drakken finished translating the code I scanned from Hi-Jax's data," explained Coldstone, "it read out as Vexen and Larxene. Slain members of the Organization."
"In other words…he was hallucinating," Karall finished the report.
"It all makes sense," said Ilxsa.
"Indeed it does," agreed Sharak, sat in his throne. "Very clever indeed. You've both done well to inform of this."
"Master? Forgive me, but I don't understand."
"It's quite simple, Karall," explained the contaminated darkness. "Larxene and Vexen 'returned' because of Hi-Jax. Because he had never got his revenge on those who had undone his life, it made him subconsciously bitter. Because of the extreme nature of his power, that brought life to his past demons. But now he is at peace with himself, they no longer have power over him. If Hi-Jax had succumbed, he would now be completely under Organization XIII control."
Amused, Sharak chuckled, "Interesting how 'great' minds steal one's tactics."
The creature then rose from his throne to leave the throne.
"Come, my followers. Drakken will have finished the Kim Possible replication by now. And we still have much work to do."
Back in Traverse Town, Hi-Jax had established contact with Wade, who determined exactly which computer in the café had received the information from Drakken. Sure enough, the scientist had left a trail, and Wade had been able to trace it back to Sharak's computer. Wade made sure to save a copy of the link to work on at a later date. It had been broken deliberately to block intruders, but Wade knew he could repair it to (hopefully) find a way back into Sharak's computer one day.
Hi-Jax had been hoping to find the opening he needed to find and get inside the Organization's computer.
But his and Wade's original assumption had been wrong.
"It was DiZ's computer Drakken hacked into?!"
"That's what the readout says," confirmed Wade, typing away.
"Well…" thought Hi-Jax out loud, as he took a gulp of coffee from his mug, "DiZ is bound to know about the Organization's plans…so I suppose it doesn't make that much difference. Shame we can't decrypt more of that info Drakken sent to here. That'd give us more of a clue exactly who Sharak was helping. And more importantly why."
"I bet you a pizza and a soda that whoever Sharak was helping, the Organization wanted him or her."
"That'd certainly corroborate that Dusk invasion a few weeks back. So whoever used this terminal obviously had something that Sharak wanted."
"She was such a nice girl. So sad she couldn't remember a thing."
Hi-Jax's ears pricked up with interest. Turning his head slightly, he focused on the conversation between two other customers with interest.
"I know. Scared out of her mind after being chased by those white things…"
Bingo, realised Hi-Jax.
"Yeah, sat at that computer where that nice Hi-Jax boy is sitting now, then ran out of the café like she'd just seen a ghost. Summit clearly up with her."
"So nice, though. Couldn't pay for food and drink, felt she couldn't take it, but definitely needed…"
Hi-Jax looked deep into the hearts of the customers to see the memory of the girl buried deep.
She was the one who Sharak had helped. The one he'd had Drakken supply with all that information from DiZ's computer.
Hi-Jax saw the vision of the teenage girl.
She looked awfully familiar to him. It was almost as if he actually knew this person from somewhere before…
"Hi-Jax? You there?"
Snapping to attention, Hi-Jax answered, "Wade, I think I may know who Sharak supplied that information to."
"Who?"
"I'll explain on the way," said the anomaly, finishing off his coffee, leaving his munny on the tray next to the bill, and disconnecting his H.J.F.M. from the computer, putting the communicator back in his pocket. Giving his thanks to the staff, the anomaly left the café. Stepping back outside into the first district, Hi-Jax opened a portal to take him to the next world.
