A Tale of Renewal and Rebirth

Dark Lady Devinity

Twelve

A/n: This was supposed to be more of an Akusai romance story than an action/adventure. But here we are, twelve chapters in and only a few teeny tiny hints. I'm going to change the genre of the story. Is there anyone reading who would still like to see romance blossom between Axel and Saix? Any other pairings you might be interested in? Or just hints of potential pairings and lots of friendship?

Twelve

They weren't sure if they could trust each other or if they even should. But somewhere along the way trust, love and a sense of friendship grew. They had learned things about each other that were personal and intimate. So any betrayal was bound to hurt.

XxX

This is the point where one has to choose to fight.

XxX

Frowning, Axel readjusted the blanket covering Aerith's body.

It wasn't easy to stop themselves from just running out on Yuffie and going off to save the others. But Yuffie knew her way around the modern Radiant Garden far better than Axel, Saix or Vexen so she would have been able to stop them. But all three men were desperate to go after their companions and rescue them from Xemnas. It didn't help any of them to know that Xigbar may have been acting against them this whole time.

Axel sighed, remembering how close he had felt to the others in the short time they were together with hearts. He thought about how Xigbar would lose himself just as easily as Zexion did when it came to insatiable scientific curiosity- the way they wanted to go after the alien dog Stitch- and the way Xigbar snored while sleeping, perfectly comfortable with Marluxia cuddling him while they both slept. The way the sharpshooter constantly teased everyone, especially Zexion. How Xigbar knew Luxord so well that he instantly knew how to find him. How his first thought was to protect Zexion when Saix went berserk in Corona.

"Goddamnit!" Axel yelled.

Vexen, sat beside Axel so he could check Aerith's vitals, jumped in surprise.

"You could have given me a heart attack just then." Vexen lectured, clutching his heart. "It may be brand new but I'm still old!"

"Sorry." Axel muttered.

"What's wrong with you now?" Vexen asked, the irritation now replaced with concern.

Axel shifted uncomfortably and looked at Vexen. "It's Xigbar. I really think that he did have something to do with this attack. It's the only thing that makes sense. And yet, when we travelled together, he seemed as invested as the rest of us in making sure we were okay. He was sociable, approachable, and took good care of Zexion. I don't understand how he could have betrayed us."

"Everyone had to have gotten close on that journey. Especially you, Saix, Xigbar and Zexion as you were together since this started." Vexen said. The scientist sighed and rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Xigbar has been an annoyance since he was Braig. But he was one of us. He always watched out for Ienzo, partially because I think he actually likes kids. And he was extremely good friends with Dilan and Aeleus. He was so very smart under that terrible personality too. I don't want to admit it but Xigbar was always capable of being your best friend and the assailant that sticks the knife in your back too. I don't want to think that Braig was the same way but they shared so many traits."

"I can't imagine bringing anyone else into this." Axel said, looking down at Aerith's sleeping face. "It's gotten too personal. I don't mind Sora and Kairi seeing what we've become because Roxas and Namine saw the best and worst of us."

"Then maybe we should leave without informing Yuffie." Saix's calm voice said. Axel and Vexen glanced in the direction it had come from and watched as Saix walked through the main entrance while carrying more blankets.

"Where's Yuffie now?" Axel asked. Saix had been helping the girl collect more blankets and pillows.

"The castle's been abandoned for so long that one of the pipes burst when she tried to run some water for tea. I said you might be able to help and offered to come get you." Saix explained.

"I'm not Demyx or a plumber." Axel pointed out.

"That wasn't the point of the lie." Saix said, exasperated. "I wanted to talk to you both without her overhearing and that was an extremely suitable opportunity. We can't waste time but she's not going to want us going after the others without backup. No one in the committee will be waking for some time though."

Vexen frowned. "We could easily leave if Yuffie's occupied. And we don't have much time."

"Better to be on the offensive than the defensive." Axel said. "Let's go."

XxX

The trio had gotten out of the castle with few problems. Then they quickly started on the path to Villain's Vale. Some time later, they reached the outskirts of Xemnas' hideout.

"Should we rest up for a minute before we go bursting in there?" Vexen asked.

"It would be preferable but we don't have the time to waste." Saix said.

Axel agreed and took the first step forward. An arrow-bullet suddenly lodged itself in the ground by his foot, as if it was trying to tell him to turn back now before it was too late.

"Hey there kiddies." Xigbar said. The sharpshooter was sat on a tall rock, overlooking the party.

"Xigbar!" Axel yelled. "What's going on?"

"Weeell… it's complicated." Xigbar wheedled.

"Did you drug everyone and kidnap them for Xemnas?" Saix asked bluntly.

"Ah, so you figured it out, huh? Guess it wasn't hard. Only I'm capable of such a feat." Xigbar bragged.

"But why?" Vexen asked.

Xigbar shrugged. "That's a good question. I never thought it would take this long to bring the plan to fruition. But what it comes down to is power. I want it and Xehanort offered it."

"Xehanort? The man that destroyed the original keybearers?" Vexen asked. "But he died."

"See, that's where it gets complicated. Xemnas is Xehanort, just in some other dude's body. There was a problem and he lost his memory. But thanks to Sora, that mess has been sorted out." Xigbar said.

"What does Sora have to do with Xehanort?" Axel asked just as Vexen accused Xigbar of using the apprentices.

The sharpshooter looked between the two. "Don't need to talk all at once dudes. Okay, one, I was never really into that science-y stuff, ice pop. Yeah, I was brilliant at it but being a diligent little researcher following all those stuffy rules? Boring. And, two, Sora has everything to do with this. And maybe his friend Riku as well. They destroyed us, after all."

"So?" Axel asked.

"It took a while to figure out but Xemnas wanted me to find out all the ways a heart could be regained. And Xehanort left some pretty detailed instructions for different contingency plans. So I found out that if you destroy both the nobody and its heartless the two halves fuse back into one whole. That's why it took so long for those who died at Castle Oblivion to wake up. Sora was unconscious for a year so he wasn't out killing heartless." Xigbar said. "I sometimes think that the kiddo defeated your heartless long before he met any of us, Axel. It would explain how you were so emotional over Roxas. Lost pieces of you were returning to you."

It was clear from Xigbar's ramblings that the theoretical mind of a scientist was truly a part of him. But science wasn't the thing he valued most unless he could use it for power or prestige. He wasn't at all like Vexen or Zexion, who simply wanted to learn, although his intellect certainly rivaled theirs. But he looked so ready to engage Vexen in a discussion about his heartless/nobody theory that it actually made Axel's heart hurt. How could someone be so close to a group of people, share in their interests and pains, and still turn their back on them?

A warm hand landed on Axel's shoulder. The red head looked over to see Saix, who was frowning at Xigbar. The quick way Saix squeezed his shoulder and then dropped his hand told Axel that the Luna Diviner was concerned about something. He was right to be concerned too. So far Xigbar hadn't actually done anything to them. He was just answering questions and exploring theories. Xigbar did love to hear his own voice but he was quick to complete any necessary action. And what was necessary for Xigbar was to find two more former nobodies. So why hadn't he attacked them yet?

"You're stalling." Axel realised aloud.

"So maybe I am. What are you going to do about it?" Xigbar asked.

"Combined, we have more power than you." Saix pointed out.

"No, not really. See, I gave in to the darkness before l lost my heart." Xigbar said. "I've had my powers the whole time yours were in remission. I have my gun, as my lovely warning bullet should have told you, and I can summon corridors of darkness. Babe, I've been playing you from the beginning."

That did put them at a disadvantage. Vexen had full control over his ice magic but he didn't have the ability to use any of his other nobody powers. He was also severely weakened from his time in Xemnas' dungeon. Axel was strong and well rested but his powers were still in a fledgling state. Then there was Saix. Except for his berserker rages, all of his fights made use of his claymore, nobody minions and his superior physical prowess. It was difficult to say if he even had any magic that was useful in a fight because his title 'Luna Diviner' suggested his ability lay in fortune telling. The berserker could take Xigbar in a fight but it would attempt to take out Axel and Vexen as well.

"I can tell what's going on in that assassin's mind of yours, Axel. You know you've got the disadvantage." Xigbar said.

"That's true. But if you're stalling us then it must mean that someone is causing you trouble in Villain's Vale and Xemnas doesn't want us arriving in time to make it worse. So who's causing you grief? Sora? Kairi? It's certainly a mistake to mess with either of those kids. Or maybe it's Marluxia. He was one of the strongest members of the Organization and, judging by his hulking excuses for brothers, his somebody is strong too. Never mind Luxord and his brains, or Zexion's schemes or Xaldin and Lexaeus' brawn." Axel said. "We're too much for Xemnas to handle now that we don't need him anymore."

Xigbar cocked his gun. "You're right. Xemnas is easy. But you've never dealt with anyone like Xehanort."

Then the sharpshooter disappeared. Vexen, Axel and Saix instantly formed a tight circle so that all their backs were covered, leaving only their fronts exposed. Although Xigbar could teleport between them if he wanted. Xigbar popped up in one location and fired at Saix. Both Vexen and Axel took down the bullet. Unfortunately, they had been distracted by the shot and did not realise that was the point. When Xigbar reappeared again, they weren't watching for him and he quickly shot at Axel.

The bullet never hit its mark.

A flash of white, yellow and deepest black took out the projectile. Axel blinked and the form quickly took shape as a young man. Riku. The key blade user then launched himself at Xigbar, swinging his weapon in a wide arch. Xigbar teleported out of the way before he got the blunt of the attack but it looked like Riku had made contact.

"I'll handle him!" Riku said. "You go and get the others!"

"What about Yuffie?" Vexen asked.

Riku shook his head. "Just me. I woke up just before you left and I've been tailing you as best I could. I wasn't drugged, after all. Now go. I'll catch up as soon as I can."

Axel nodded and grabbed Vexen and Saix, pulling them along behind him as he made his escape. He vaguely felt bad about forcing a sixteen year old boy to take care of their problems but Riku was a capable kid. And Riku had just as much to lose as the rest of them if Xemnas was successful in his plans.

XxX

It was damp and cold when Marluxia woke up. The auburn haired man blinked, trying to send the traces of an unnatural sleep from his eyes. He found himself shackled to a wall with his wrists slightly above his head. The majority of the Organization, including Sora, was slumped around him, all in chains. Marluxia frowned, noticing that Xigbar, Saix and Axel were missing. He vaguely recalled watching Larxene collapse against him in the dining hall of the castle and Riku looking like he was about to bolt. So they had likely been attacked by Xemnas and kidnapped.

Marluxia stretched his back, allowing his head to come within reach of his hands. Then he plucked out the hairpin he always wore in case of emergencies and quickly undid his locks. Wherever he was, the locks there weren't as good as the ones used in the city of Corona. His girly penance for wearing hairpins was what allowed him to be a more successful escape artist than either of his younger twin brothers. The thief smirked to himself: he would likely never lose the thief or assassin in him. Then he crept around to each of his former comrades and undid their chains before shaking them awake.

No one was pleased to be captured but they carefully discussed what their plan of attack was. Marluxia could get them out of the locked room that they were trapped in and Sora could lead the way as he was capable of summoning a weapon. Larxene would have to be carried in case they had to move quickly and her limp might hinder that speed. Then they could get out and regroup with the committee.

"There's only one problem with that. Where are Xigbar, Axel and Saix?" Xaldin asked.

"Saix and Axel left the dinner early. I saw Aerith give them something and Yuffie left around the same time the boys did." Luxord said. "They may not have been captured."

"Maybe it's possible that Xigbar got away too then." Zexion said. "He's capable enough."

"Can we run away now and work out that bit later?" Demyx whined.

Sora was frowning. "I would have thought that Vexen would be here."

"The kid's right. It is possible that the geezer is in another room though." Larxene commented.

"This would be a good opportunity to look for Vexen." Lexaeus pointed out.

"But it's scary." Demyx whined.

"You guys can go and I can stay." Sora offered. "I'll look around and see if I can find him. Once you're out of here you'll know where we are. Then go get Riku."

"Perhaps we should put it to a vote?" Luxord suggested.

Larxene was concerned about her damaged side and Demyx was a lazy coward but otherwise the group felt it was best to go find Vexen before escaping. Xaldin decided to carry Larxene on his back. Marluxia pointed out that although Zeus took away some of the girl's mobility he did give her that deadly electric magic. Larxene may have had to rely on Xaldin to get her places with haste but he could rely on her fully developed magic as protection for both Larxene and himself.

"I do like the idea of carrying a weapon around with me and I know how quickly you can bring an enemy down." Xaldin told Larxene.

"Just consider me your nymph gun, big guy." Larxene said, substituting her species in for 'human.'

"Is anyone going to try to make me feel better?" Demyx asked.

"It's an adventure. It'll be fun." Sora said, trying to be helpful.

"That's not going to work." Demyx muttered.

XxX

Xemnas growled. He had searched Villain's Vale from top to bottom. Vexen and Namine were both missing. But whereas Vexen appeared to be long gone there was no evidence that the red headed girl had ever left. The last thing he needed was a Princess of Heart loose in his base, especially one with a key blade. He had sent Xigbar out to stall Saix and Axel, knowing that those two would come after him. Although he needed them, Xemnas did not want Namine getting to them first.

This was not the first time Namine ruined someone's carefully constructed plot but Xemnas would be damned if he let the girl ruin this one.

XxX

Betrayals occur. But now all sides in the conflict are known.