Part 11: Conflict
Day 303
Xeeres wakes up, still sore from fighting the Pumpkinator. He walks into the Grey Area and it's empty. Not even Saix? There's a notice on the wall canceling all missions for the day.
Xeeres: A break?
He stands there for a while. What was there to do with a break? Since it was a break, Xion got to go spend time with her friends. She had told him a few times that they planned on going to the beach, so he wasn't too curious as to where she was. He sighs. What to do? He could go to Moonlit Garden, but then again, did he really want to spend the day being depressed, especially after that episode the other day?
He looks up in thought, still contemplating what to do. He did like that one place they went to on one mission, Hollow Bastion. That's where he'd go. He waves his hand, opening a dark corridor, and walks through.
He steps out in the Marketplace of Hollow Bastion. He looks around at all the people there. They were usually recommended to lie low, but this was vacation so he didn't care. He walks up to a kiosk, the one selling ice cream. Xion had told him about sea salt ice-cream. She, Roxas and Axel had that after every mission. It didn't sound too appetizing to him, but he got some anyway. He sits on the wall of the stairs in the Borough, eating the ice-cream. He didn't like it too much. It was alright, but it wasn't awesome. He at it anyway though, he paid for it.
He sits there for a while thinking. It was a nice town, not too many people though. He looks down at Merlin's house and sees cloud and Leon standing outside talking. He takes a bite out of his half eaten ice-cream.
Aerith: Hey there.
Xeeres' eyes widen with shock. He was losing it. That's the second time someone was able to sneak up on him. He tilts his head back, looking up at her. She sits beside him. He looks confused as she smiles at him.
Aerith: I haven't seen you around here. Are you new?
Xeeres: Just visiting.
Aerith: Hm, we don't get to many visitors. What's your name?
Xeeres: Xeeres.
Aerith: Hi Xeeres, my name's Aerith.
Xeeres: Hello Aerith.
He smiles at her. They sit there, swinging their feet off of the wall. He liked Aerith; something about her reminded him of "her". He finishes his ice-cream and looks over at Aerith.
Xeeres: Hey, you want some ice-cream?
Aerith: Sure, if you're buying.
She smiles at him. It was so weird. Aerith reminded him so much of "her" it was scary. They looked similar, wore similar cloths, even acted sort of the same, but they were two completely different people. Besides, he could tell Aerith was in her what, mid twenties. While "she: was only sixteen. They couldn't be the same. They get up and go into the town.
Riku is standing on the roof of the door leading to Bailey. He was there looking for Xion, but this was almost as good. The boy that was always with her was alone. He could gauge his strength, and if need be, take him down. He didn't need to kill him to get Xion, and besides, the less strain the better.
He smiles to himself. It was also a good way to test how far he could push the usage of his dark powers. He'd been trying to see how much he could use without being strained, but it's harder to gauge when enemies are numerous. A one on one fight was perfect. He walks toward the Bailey. It was best not to be seen. Last time the people here saw him, he was possessed by Ansem, but they didn't know that. If they saw him, it could start an unwanted fight. He needed his energy.
Aerith and Xeeres walk back to the wall and eat their ice-cream. They sit and talk for hours, just passing time having random conversations and laughing. Eventually, it gets late and Xeeres has to go. He gets up, helping Aerith to her feet.
Xeeres: Well, I have to go.
Aerith: I'll see you again sometime?
Xeeres stands stunned for a moment. The sound and tone of her voice, coupled with the question, reminds him of a similar situation, when he was someone else.
Girl: You're coming back again, right?
Aerith: Um, are you alright?
Xeeres: Yea, I'm fine. Sure, I'll come to see you again.
Aerith: Good. I had fun.
She walks away, down the stairs, and disappears into the town. Xeeres sighs in relief and contentment. Spending the day with Aerith was a lot like spending the day with Her. He smiles and walks back to the castle in Hollow Bastion. He walks across the flat part of the roof, away from The Great Maw, far enough so no one can see him. He gets ready to open a dark corridor and stops. He drops his head.
Xeeres: So much for my happy ending.
He turns around and sees Riku, with his hood on. Riku is just standing there, facing him. Xeeres tilts his head in curiosity.
Xeeres: So, you're the impostor Saix was ranting about that one time.
Riku: How could you tell?
Xeeres: You don't look like anyone I know. And besides, you just gave yourself away. So, what're we gonna do?
Riku: Where's Xion?
Xeeres: Is she who you're after? Well, she's probably out enjoying herself, or at home. Either way, she's not with me.
Riku: I need her. It's important.
Xeeres: Look buddy, I don't know who you are, and Xion's a pretty good friend of mine, so let's just drop this and go on, hm? I really don't feel like fighting.
Riku: Sorry, I can't let this opportunity pass.
Xeeres (sighing): I'm not in the mood, so let's do it like this, a friendly sparring match. You seem like a pretty cool guy, so I don't mind. If you win, I'll tell you whatever you wanna know. I win, you leave me alone. I realize that asking you to stay away from Xion would be pushing my luck, so yea, those are the terms. Cool?
Riku: Fine by me.
He runs at Xeeres and punches. Xeeres sidesteps and jumps back, examining Riku. The way he stood was the stance of a weapons fighter, sword most likely, but he wasn't using one. This was a test, so Xeeres wasn't going to use his gauntlets, as a test.
Riku punches and Xeeres blocks, pushing Riku's arm aside and palms him in the chest with his free hand. Riku slides back and Xeeres rushes him, punching at his face. Riku moves his head, avoiding his punches. He blocks a punch, crossing Xeeres' arms, and punches at his face. Xeeres disappears. Riku looks shocked. Xeeres grabs his fist and kicks him in the gut, knocking the wind out of him. Riku slides back as Xeeres lets go of his fist. Riku looks up to see Xeeres kicking at him repeatedly at high speed. Riku dodges most of them but gets hit in the leg, side and chest. He blocks, turning and driving the side of his fist into Xeeres' liver. Xeeres slides sideways, winded and in pain. Riku punches at him and he dodges, kicking him in the mouth. They both turn to each other.
Xeeres is hunched over, grabbing his side. This guy only landed one hit, but he made it count. Riku wipes blood from his lip, realizing that, had they both gone all out, he'd be in bad shape. He takes a deep breath and rushes at Xeeres. He punches at Xeeres' face. Xeeres disappears and reappears directly behind him. He rams both elbows into Riku's back. Riku arcs back in pain and turns, swinging outward. Xeeres ducks under it and slams both palms into Riku's torso.
Riku's eyes widen as he slides back. What did he just do? It felt, awkward, like pressing his stomach to a speaker on full blast. Only this had no sound, just the vibration. He catches himself as Xeeres appears in front of him, fist cocked back. He punches and Riku uses a dark shield. His fist slams into it and creates another shock-wave. The shield takes it for Riku while Xeeres is sent flying down the roof.
That was the down side to using those types of attacks, it could backfire like that. It was a good thing he didn't have the gauntlets on, he would have gone straight off the roof… or punched through the shield. Smooth, no weapons.
He catches himself and draws his arms back, then slams his palms together, sending a massive shock-wave at Riku. Riku gets sent sliding back, but "catches" some of it, forming a Dark Firaga. He shoots it at Xeeres. Out of shock and instinct, he blocks by crossing his arms. It explodes, sending him and chunks of the roof flying backward. He lands on his back. Riku returns to his stance as he gets back to his feet. He's panting, exhausted and still sore from the Pumpkinator.
Riku: Had enough?
Xeeres smirks. This guy was sure he'd won with that one. Xeeres starts to laugh.
Xeeres: Is that all you got?
Riku jumps at him gearing back for a punch. Good, he was much too tired to land a successful offensive strike. Riku punches at him and he disappears. He reappears, grabbing Riku's free arm. He kicks him in the side, then turns and kicks him in the stomach and face. He lets go and elbows him in the sternum, sending him sliding down the roof. He falls on his back. Xeeres appears in front of him as he sits up. He looks down at Riku.
Xeeres: I win.
He sits down in front of him, sighing. Riku looks at him confused. Why was he just sitting there, like they weren't enemies? Did he not consider him a threat? Or, did he not consider him an enemy? Why wouldn't he? He had no reason not to, but there he was.
Riku: What're you doing?
Xeeres: Sitting. What's it look like? I'm tired.
Riku tilts his head.
Riku (in head): What a strange kid.
Xeeres gets up and opens a dark corridor. He walks toward it.
Xeeres: Good fight, see ya later.
He walks through the corridor and it closes, leaving Riku sitting there. Riku gets up still confused by Xeeres' behavior toward him. Why was he so friendly? Did he really not see him as an enemy? He opens his own corridor and walks out. Xigbar, who had been standing, upside down in the air, just out of view, was watching the whole thing. He laughs to himself.