Ikurx
By MathiaSweetSlaughterArkoniel
Rating: PG - 13
Warnings: Language, violence, romance
Pairings: Riku x Sora, Axel x Roxas
Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts and characters belong to Square Enix and Disney
Summary: After the defeat of Organization XIII, Sora and Riku find happiness in the simplicity of a normal life. A year later King Mickey sends a summons that the fight with the Organization isn't truly done yet. Light. Dark. As long as either exists the battle is never over.
Chapter 14
There were consequences to be had after such a dangerous light show that had just happened in the darkened room belonging to Vexen. The Nobody he was trying to keep for himself would be in danger as his power wouldn't only be seen by himself and Zexion. He knew that it would be sensed by many others. It was the exact reason why he had been able to find the Nobody in the first place and all because of the power that had been displayed in the church once before.
Vexen could already feel them, getting closer as they craved what he now held tightly in his grasp. His hand had fallen to hold tightly onto Ikurx's shoulder since the teen seemed to be having sudden trouble standing on his own. His attention wasn't on Ikurx, though. Instead his glowing eyes were on Zexion who was casually leaning against the wall in the dark. "They're coming for him." The words slipped past his lips as he continued to watch his partner. He could see Zexion's acknowledgment from just the nod of his head, but his partner made no move otherwise to show he was bothered by such a thing.
No sooner said fierce dark fire threw itself from the shadows themselves between Vexen and Zexion, a raging inferno wall to barrage between the two. Another wall of wild flame crossed the other, caging up their space and smashing through technical equipment. The intensity of flame caused the air to waver, heating to an unbearable degree causing beakers and fragile equipment to shatter and violently explode; seems their old comrade wasn't playing nice to start.
Vexen pulled Ikurx even closer by his shoulder while he stepped away from the violent flames and debris that threatened him physical harm. He gave a rather loud 'tsk' to the culprit of such actions and turned his eyes on the entire scene, watching the flames flicker. Otherwise he didn't seem too bothered by any of it. "Temper, temper. Try to remember that what you want is in my hands. It will do you no good to burn it away." Vexen tightened his hold on Ikurx.
Zexion stood up straight, making sure to keep close enough to the wall that he didn't get burned. "Obsession is such a horrible weakness. It seems to impair a person's judgment more then even anger does." He reached up to push his hair aside, keeping his hand right where it was so it couldn't fall back down for the moment. "It's one of the reasons our dear friend is acting so rash." His hand finally fell to his side after the mocking words. "Isn't that right, Axel?"
Pale tattooed arms lashed out from behind Vexen, latching one around the man's neck while the other pulled it tight in a choke hold. "Dangerous hypocrisy." Axel hissed in Vexen's ear, his lips curling viciously. He slammed his knee in the base of Vexen's spine without mercy, yanking Vexen's head back at the same time.
Not a sound came from Vexen's lips at the treatment he was given. He never let go of his hold on Ikurx and only shut his eyes tightly. Instead of a grimace or any other sign of pain, a slow smirk made its way across his face as his entire form flickered out and shifted. No longer was the body of a Heartless held so tightly in Axel's tight grasp, but instead that of a thin teenager with short blonde hair in that same black coat from so long ago. Eyes finally snapped open to reveal a blue colored gaze and that's when the painful expression was shown.
"Dangerous?" Zexion echoed the word from the spot he was still trapped in. His voice calm as if nothing out of the ordinary were going on at all. "Dangerous for whom, Axel?"
Axel's grin didn't falter at the sight of Roxas now in his grasp, but his gaze flicked to the other in the room. "Zexion, always a pleasure. That's a new look for you." He scoffed his amusement; seems Zexion was the victim to the fail safe's little miracle. It only gave him proof that the Nobody's power was real, and worked.
Axel leaped back from the Roxas illusion, freeing his hands. He splayed his dark fingers to grasp his upper arms. Fingers grasped round tattoo chakram that burst into black flame, peeling away to grow significantly to their original size, solidify one after the other in the similar chain link they were upon his skin. "Human only means I get the pleasure of making you bleed!" He threw out his hands to send the chakram chain out, lashing either towards Vexen and Zexion.
A thin book found its way into Zexion's hand and before the chakram could complete their destination papers flew around himself and Vexen, creating a circle around them and trapping each of the chakram inside until the danger from the weapons were gone and each bit was trapped on paper. The papers stopped abruptly and lined up in a row facing Axel. "Not until I have the pleasure of watching your mind fall apart first."
From the papers Axel's very own chakram flew back at him on the same chains. Before they could reach the Heartless they were stopped as their path was blocked and the same body that had been Roxas was impaled by a heavy metal spike from the first chakram. It tried to continue, moving through the blonde's body which only caused black liquid to spill forth from the wound and his mouth. The weapon continuing through to try and reach Axel as it impaled the Nobody one at a time.
Axel snapped his fingers and each of the chakram burst into hot flame, Roxas' image incinerating with a murderous scream into ash and then nothingness. Still Axel's amused grin didn't leave his face. "Heh. Still just as much a bastard human as you were a Nobody, Zexy." The flame returned to him, swirling round back to the chakram they were which he grasped, toying with them in his lanky stance.
Zexion allowed each page to move back to him only for them to twist and turn around his body. He didn't seem at all taken aback that the illusion he had created had been destroyed so easily. "You haven't changed much either, Axel." He kept careful eyes on the Heartless, yet his own expression remained nearly emotionless. "This time around I won't be taken down as easily as you can clearly see. An advantage of finally being whole." His one eye narrowed on the Heartless. "Something that will never be within your grasp."
Axel shrugged in his battle stance. "Sticks and stones." He thrust out his hands, the chakram turning to flame so they could unlink themselves, churning in the air freely. "But paper BURNS!" The fire wall fell together like a fierce tidal wave, crashing down upon the illusionist it had caged.
As the fire fell the paper around Zexion flew around uncontrollably, making it hard to see the figure that had once been behind the thin pieces. Ashes flew every which way as the paper burned under the heavy heat. It was under the smaller flames that there was no real body to be seen, only the strips of paper that had somehow survived the horrible burning.
From behind Axel warm breath could be felt on the back of the Heartless' neck while words were spoken. "Will Roxas cry if you were to die?" A strip of paper was placed on Axel's skin near his back, made to suck out whatever energy it could as soon as it made contact. "Or will the Key of Destiny simply continue to never care for lonely number eight."
Axel's eyes widened a little; the little illusionist was a crafty one. Of course stepping into the ground zero of several flaming chakram wasn't exactly 'clever'. He grunted; damn paper. "... At least eight is a bigger number than six!" He grasped onto the floating chakram at his sides, throwing his arms forward; the other hovering chakram dove towards Zexion.
Axel raced forward, going after Vexen next. He held the chakram tight, spinning on the ball of foot as he swung at the other Heartless.
Zexion was forced to side step the chakram that had been aimed for him, but still received a deep gash in his shoulder despite his try at dodging. He ignored the wound and called forth more paper, using it to stop the chakram in their path. The weapons were sucked up onto the sheets with a loud sizzle. The edges of the paper burning until the weapons were completely caught. Zexion ignored it all and turned a hard glare on Axel's retreating form. "Amateur." The word was spat out under his breath.
Vexen had taken a few steps back as he watched Axel hurry towards him. He still held Ikurx tightly against him and had been watching the entire fight between his partner and the Heartless play out. A cruel grin came to his lips and as soon as Axel seemed ready to strike Vexen pulled Ikurx in front of him, using the Nobody as his own shield. "Careful, Axel. How will you help one Nobody if you kill the other?"
Axel skidded hard on his feet, the fiery point stopping dead just a few inches from Ikurx's face. The Nobody's breath caused the fire to flicker, his glazed eyes still dead to the world flickered to life as he realized his face had been near impaled. The shocked gasp from the teen had Axel leaping back a few steps.
Axel casually twirled his weapons, his eyes narrowing. "I thought I smelt a burning rat. I'd expect no less from a low leveler."
Ikurx's eyes grew wide and he jerked back, bumping into Vexen. He raised his hands as if that would be enough to shield him from the fire user.
Vexen ignored the biting words and allowed both his hands to rest rather roughly on Ikurx's shoulders, keeping the teen pinned as he was. He bent his head low and kept glowing eyes on Axel even though his words were for the Nobody in front of him. "This is Axel. He is one of the few I told you about. He needs you for his own selfish reasons just as much as the rest of us do, but it's funny..." He trailed off as he smirked. "He doesn't seem to care much for your safety."
Ikurx stared wide eyes. What colour was left in his face blanched.
Axel reached behind himself to finally yank the strip of paper off his back, shaking it Vexen's way, furious. "You're the one that's using the only thing in existence that can make us whole again as a human shield!" The paper burst into flames, incinerating into nothingness.
Vexen only watched as the ashes fell to the floor. "And you're the one who feels the need to run around and set everything you see on fire like the over eager pyromaniac that you are." His eyes roamed around at the ashes that were still scattered from various papers from the earlier fight. He turned his gaze back up to the Heartless and titled his head to the side. "Who knows what would have happened had the fail safe been caught in the midst of it all. It certainly wouldn't have been my fault."
"That's why back stabbing," the coo of a female voice whispered much too closely near Vexen's ear. So sweet like an endearing lover as five blades, or rather five sharp clawed fingers, plunged themselves into Vexen's back. "is such a preferred tact." She plunged her hand forcefully deeper.
Vexen's entire body locked up at the sudden intrusion through skin and his hold on Ikurx grew even tighter. "Larxene..." He choked the name out through a grin despite the pain. "How nice of you to join us." There was obvious sarcasm in his voice.
Zexion's one eye narrowed at the scene. He knew Vexen was no real fighter and was in no position to do so anyway. Thankfully he still had a small trick he could use for his own and Larxene's attention was too focused on Vexen anyway. With a quick flick of his wrist he called forth Axel's chakram which had been taken captive by his paper and sent the weapon heading towards Larxene to impale the Heartless where she stood.
Halfway to its mark the chakram was slammed down to the floor by a heavy steal blade that curved around the edge, making the obvious weapon a very large scythe. The blade stayed in the floor, keeping the chakram held down as the owner of the scythe's eyes stayed narrowed on the chained weapon that had been heading for the Heartless. "It seems you'll have to try better then that." Eyes rose to stare at Zexion before they turned to look towards Axel.
Axel took a step back and then another. He tried to give a nonchalant chuckle, but it was nervous at best. "... It seems we have a regular reunion on our hands." His eyes fell on the shaking Nobody in Vexen's grasp. He knew exactly what was to come next. He sprinted forward to grasp Ikurx's hand, yanking the teen forward and out of Vexen's death hold as Larxene let lose a powerful volt from herself straight into her hand inside the other Heartless.
Axel called back what remaining chakram he had left to spin around him aflame, knowing now he was the biggest target of them all with the kid in hand. Ikurx clung to Axel, since he had no other choice; he didn't want anymore hurt. His eyes darted wide from one person to the next.
Vexen's entire body shook with the force that the lightening caused at such close range. He didn't even seem all that troubled that Ikurx was snatched away for the moment, too focused on the powerful jolts being sent through his body. He refused to make any form of noise, though. He didn't want to give Larxene such satisfaction.
Vexen's defenses went up and although he wasn't a very good fighter, he refused to stand there and take what was given to him. As Larxene kept her claws buried, Vexen lifted his own hands and brought them backwards despite the jolts moving through him, and placed chilled hands on the other Heartless' arm. Instantly ice began to cover her skin as Vexen started to pull Larxene's arm out of him, and he left her arm numb for the moment while he pulled himself off her claws. As soon as he was free he let her go and jumped away to a safer area in the room, holding one hand to his wound while the other wiped blood from his mouth.
Zexion relaxed as soon as Vexen had been able to free himself, but still his eye stayed narrowed on each of his former partners. His gaze turned finally to the chakram that were still being held captive by the large scythe. Zexion held out his hand and summoned the linked weapon back to the paper it had been bound to, having complete control over it now that he had been able to capture it on the strips of paper. As soon as each piece was back on the paper Zexion straightened up and turned his gaze on Axel out of them all, watching his weapons spin around him. "What's wrong, Axel? Not feeling quite as cocky anymore?"
"Heh." Axel loosened his stance, taking the time to casually run a hand through his spiked hair. "I've got more than you do, paperboy." Even if all four of his old comrades were now against him. He took a cautious step back. "You know as well as I do that Marluxia planned with Larxene to take over the company." Amusement played over Axel's face, and he splayed a hand out casually as if the conversation wasn't over such tense circumstances. "Zexion, Vexen and our dear departed friend Lexaeus decided to turn the tables and tried to capture Riku. Ironic justice was it? Pitting Riku against Sora." He laughed through his teeth. "No, not really."
Larxene had been furiously trying to wipe the last of the ice off her arm. She swiped her long clawed arm to the side, the last of the ice and water splattering to the floor. She floated a little higher, her claws poised as she gracefully sat perched on Marluxia's strong shoulder light as a feather. Her glowing eyes moved to the Heartless she wounded who had slipped into the shadows of his own destroyed domain. She had her vendettas marked.
Marluxia had pulled his scythe free of the floor as soon as there was nothing under it any longer. He straightened the weapon, holding it near his side and only gave Larxene a small glance, but said nothing to the Heartless. His attention was immediately back once more on Axel. "You act as if you're the most innocent of us all. There's no real justice in anything you've done either and the reason you're standing in this room trying to fight us is just all the more shameful at best."
Paper which held chakram spun around Zexion in a twisted sort of circle. The wound that had been on his shoulder had finally stopped bleeding for the moment, but even then he still didn't seem to notice it. "Giving yourself one too many enemies has come back to haunt you, Axel." Although Zexion knew that Marluxia and Larxene weren't only after Axel's blood. Still, it put the Heartless at a disadvantage that he and Vexen were quite willing to take.
Axel laughed at Zexion. "You're just upset because I killed Lexaeus' Heartless." He grinned wryly. "And Riku killed your Heartless; I felt it. No doubt everyone else did." He took another subtle step back. "But look at you: bleeding all over the place. Shameful. Is being human again really so worth it?"
Ikurx stared at Zexion, through him. He suddenly felt light headed, and he caught himself before he staggered into Axel. This would have been dangerous given the situation.
"Now you're just Xemnas' little scientific lap dog again." Axel tapped his lips. "What was your human name again? Ienzo! Little Ienzo." The spinning fiery chakram had come to rest at either of his sides without notice as he belittled Zexion. "Either way- fire still beats paper!" He threw his hand forward and either chakram flew forward spinning, a fierce wall of fire trailing behind them as they cross paths in an X, barraging either teams of two as Axel turned and ran. "Run- kid!"
Zexion didn't seem to care about the sudden fire keeping them all held captive. He was too angered by Axel's words to him. He could feel more emotions then he ever could as a Heartless and especially more then he could as a Nobody. He wanted nothing more then to be rid of Axel once and for all. The paper surrounding him moved forward and the chakram flew forth into the fire, looking for the target it had been sent after to impale the one it once belonged to.
Marluxia wasn't far behind, taking advantage of Zexion's sudden anger to use his own tactic along with it. The scythe in his hand was let go and flung towards the chakram so it could twist and turn around it, making the weapons even more dangerous for the one they were headed for. It would not be a pretty sight when they landed their mark.
A high pitched sound pierced the air that dulled as it faded out. The sound brought on a rumbling throughout the room before four geysers made their way out of the floor, stopping the deadly weapons that had been on a search for the fire user. The weapons were thrown aside by the force of the water and a few of the flames easily fizzled out as drops rained down before the geysers disappeared.
A hand had shot out to grab Ikurx's shoulder before the teen had a chance to follow Axel's orders and soulless black eyes with nothing but white depths looked around the room cautiously since the fail safe was suddenly in their possession.
Vexen looked on in disgust and annoyance. This was one thing he hadn't been expecting, but he tried to keep his composure all the same despite the wound he was still trying to pass off as nothing. "The frightened mouse crawls out of his hole. Amusing..."
Axel blinked, absolutely startled by who had Ikurx now by the shoulder while he still had the teen by the wrist. "Demyx?" Despite the save he still tightened his hold on Ikurx's wrist. He let out an amused sound. "You of all halves I didn't expect to find here." He reclaimed his chakram; they burst into flame, returning as tattoos.
Larxene swiftly flew from Marluxia's shoulder, a toe touching down on the black water causing a small ringlet of ripple. She retrieved Marluxia's scythe from the ground, twirling it once with ease before gripping it tight between her clawed hands. "Especially when the odds are so stacked against you, water boy." She sneered her sweet smile.
Demyx flinched at Larxene's tone of voice and her choice of words. They all knew him so well. He wasn't one to jump into a fight so easily, nor was he so quick to volunteer. He could feel the Heartless behind him stepping closer through his own black water that he had summoned, but still he didn't move. The once bright blue sitar hung at his side no longer shaped with the Nobody's symbol, but that of the Heartless and colored in black with flecks of red.
Still, Demyx kept a tight hold on Ikurx and only seemed to notice Axel's grip for a second before he raised his eyes to look at the Heartless he stood only inches from. "I want to feel whole too." It was a simple answer to why he was acting so rashly and spoken only to Axel instead of the entire group.
Axel was taken aback. He knew Demyx wasn't one for confrontation, so it startled him to side with himself instead of the other pairs against him. But the offer was there, at least for the convenient moment. "Heh. Who ever heard fire siding with water?"
Ikurx was getting tired of being the living tug of war in this crowded battle. Afraid for his life or not he rather be with the lesser of evils in the room; he couldn't help being biased, having peeked into personal lives through physical contact. "Team up with him already."
Axel was surprised to find the Nobody had spoken up, and so boldly of all times. It was true though, he had no qualms with Demyx; neutral territory was good enough for him. He stuck out his hand towards Demyx offering truce. "Good enough for me."
Demyx's eyes widened only a bit at the gesture. It wasn't that he wanted to fight Axel. It was just that he hadn't expected the other to side himself so easily. It caused Demyx to grin and take the other's hand with his own free one to give a quick shake.
As soon as he let go, Demyx jumped to the side to face Larxene and Marluxia, letting go of Ikurx in the process. He knew now was not the time to be cowardly, and the sudden alliance had given him a little bit of purpose to at least try. He swung his sitar around from his side to his front and easily ran his fingers down the strings that rested on the instrument causing a low, melodious sound to move throughout the room. The black puddle the geysers had caused began to move upward into a watery tunnel, making its way towards Marluxia. Demyx knew better then to mess with Larxene for the time being. Lightening was not an element he was fond of.
Marluxia only narrowed his eyes as the water grew closer to him. Larxene had taken possession of his scythe, but that didn't leave him totally open. As soon as the water started to get too close the Heartless waved his hand out, summoning dozens of black petals that proceeded to surround the swirling water. They moved around the vortex, keeping it in place and continuously draining each bit of water into the petals until the vortex completely weakened. Marluxia gave a calm smirk as he watched and turned his eyes to see Demyx's annoyed and nearly fearful expression. "Still as weak as you always were..."
Larxene laughed as she raised the scythe up high, volts of obsidian shaded electricity racing up her body into the curved blade. She then slammed the blade into the watered ground, the vicious current spread through violently, conducting well since water was washed near over everything.
A second downsides to his ally's power Axel realized. He snapped his hand back to gather an immense ball of fire only to chuck it into the watery current with explosive results. Dark steam whisked through the air; perfect cover.
Axel didn't think twice and yanked Ikurx with him from the scene. Of course he didn't count on Ikurx lashing out a hand to grab Demyx's shirt in their get away; Axel hadn't counted on the tag along. Bringing Demyx only meant they'd be that much slower. Though Axel kept his disappointment to himself; he wasn't about to break the treaty just yet.
Axel yanked them along as he tried to run while they still had the luck of cover. "Hurry up." He hissed his whisper. "If we can make it to the surface we can make a get away. Vexy probably has the heart of this world teaming with his own Heartless lackeys." Which he cussed; the heart of worlds were practically a welcoming open door for ins and outs of Heartless.
"W-What?!" Demyx's panicked voice followed Axel's words as he tried to keep up with the two as he was pulled along by the Nobody. "You mean we won't really be in the clear?" He glanced back at what they had run from and could see some of the smoke starting to lift from his vantage point of being the last in line. The others would easily be after them as soon as they could see again and it was horrible odds. The two of them against so many and with what Axel said even if they did get away they still had plenty of rouge Heartless to tend with. He was starting to rethink his sudden decision to have a back bone.
"Didn't you notice anything coming here?" Axel glanced back with a scowl but then just as quickly a cocky grin; he knew something the other two obviously didn't. Then just as quickly he skidded to a stop, literally skidded, and the others bumped ungracefully into him.
The area around was unbearably cold, although it was only Ikurx who remembered to shiver.
Axel let go of Ikurx and stepped away so he had a good amount of space. "This planet is mostly made of ice." He crossed his arms and summoned the chakram chain with a flash of black flame. Ikurx squeaked having seen those things work at first hand, and he clung onto Demyx.
Axel threw his hands upward and the chain burst into flame easily shooting straight through the hardened ice ceiling with no resistance at all, continuously digging upwards towards the surface. "It makes creating an exit quite easy." He flashed either a rather sly grin.
Demyx had watched the scene with wide eyes. He was rather familiar with Axel's element so it didn't scare him much like it had Ikurx for certain reasons and he let the Nobody cling to him. The new look to the weapons and such did entrance him a bit though, and he found himself staring until Axel grinned at them and that's when Demyx bowed his head, giving a nervous laugh. "I guess I just wasn't being very observant on my way here. That's all. We were all in a rush I'm sure." He looked back up at Axel after those words.
"Amazing." Ikurx stared upward; he was impressed to say the least.
Axel glanced past Demyx as he heard the sound of an intense battle for the race to get Ikurx from either of them. He pointed a finger upward to the long tunnel he'd made. "Care to give us a lift, Demyx?" He shrugged out his arms with a smirk. "That is unless you'd like to ride a pillar of fire up to the surface."
Demyx quickly lifted his hands to wave them back and forth. "No, no! That's okay. I'll do it!" He dropped his hands to push Ikurx away from him so he could have some room to himself and brought his sitar around much like he had before. Only a few strings were plucked, but it was enough as the ground below their feet moved and shifted and soon a large burst of water rose underneath them to lift the three of them up towards the tunnel while Demyx continued to keep his fingers on the strings.
Axel crossed his arms and glanced around, watching the rushing walls of smoothed ice go by. "Hm. Seems you've proved useful after all." He then gave the other Heartless a narrowed eyed smirk.
Ikurx looked from one Heartless to the next before hesitantly asking in a quiet voice. "... You two aren't going to stick me full of wires... are you?"
"That's not funny..." Demyx mumbled the words as he tried his best to glare at Axel. The question from Ikurx pulled his attention away and without even pulling his fingers away from his instrument he was still able to answer the teen with a suspicious gaze. "Wires? No, I'm not going to stick you full of wires. I just want a favour." He said the words as if they were the most obvious thing in the world. "Vexen ran some of his tests on you didn't he?" It was an obvious question after having spent so much time with the Nobody of the scientific Heartless. As the water started to reach the end of the tunnel Demyx stopped playing with the strings, allowing the rest of the pressure to push them along on its own.
Ikurx rubbed his arms, shrinking into himself; he could still feel the little needle tips buried deep in his skin, the sickness and pain. But it was the way Demyx worded the way he wanted him to use his gift. 'A favour.' Asking, not torturing into submission. That's what caught Ikurx's attention.
"Vexen always was Heartless." The comment slipped out of Axel. "What he is suits him perfectly." He muttered with distaste. He patted Ikurx on the shoulder more warmly, trying to assure the Nobody and grinned holding up two fingers. "Sign me up for two more of those favours, eh."
Ikurx glanced from one to the other; either had their reasons, but Vexen's words still haunted the empty echo of where his everything should have been. He wasn't so sure of anything right now. He kept flitting between a body that attempted pretentious emotions and a dull nothing his mind wanted to slip into. There was something very simple and painless about not caring, not feeling.
Ikurx just lowered his head and continued to rub his arms.
The entrance towards the surface was just in sight. But still Axel sighed, though it was more dramatic than anything. "Wonderful. Vexen broke our trump card."
Demyx continued to keep his gaze on Ikurx. He felt a little sympathetic towards the Nobody. He didn't have the same hatred or need for silly revenge that the rest of his former partners that they had left in the smoke did, which was why he couldn't help feeling a little bad for the teenager.
Demyx did have one drive though, and it's what caused his gaze to turn back to Axel. The other Heartless' earlier words made him think and remember something important. "Two favours?" He mumbled the question. "You're really going to do it." His tone suddenly turned bitter which was something rare for him. "Even though he was a traitor..." The water underneath them shifted and became shaky because of his switch in mood, but thankfully the entrance was finally near enough to allow them off.
"I was a traitor." Was Axel's simple answer and he shrugged just as simply as his chakram returned to tattoos on his arms. "And here you are helping me."
"Precisely." The voice was neither Demyx nor Ikurx but spoken in Axel's blind side. Axel didn't have time to turn around and see before a decimating blow sent him flying to the aside; his limp body skidded along the harsh tundra, crashing straight into jagged icy mountains.
Demyx had watched the scene as if it happened in slow motion and stared at Axel's limp form with wide eyes. Without thinking about his own fear he pushed Ikurx behind himself and turned to where the source of the attack had come from. His hand moved down in one quick flick of strings, letting out a much louder melody then any of his other attacks. "Dance water dance!" As the words were shouted puddles of black water came up from all around himself and Ikurx to form dark translucent clones of himself that begin to circle the two of them.
Just as Demyx was about to summon the clones to attack he got a look at just who it was that had hit Axel. His eyes widened and he finally allowed the fear to surface instead of his sudden bravery. The clones stayed right where they were, but he could still feel some of his control slipping.
Ikurx had clung to the back of Demyx's shirt and he peeked around the other to look at what had him so frozen. His eyes grew perfectly wide around and he shrunk back behind Demyx.
As a Heartless Saïx was the physical embodiment of his element as a Nobody; 'The Luna Diviner'; a fierce Heartless, with sharp feline features that were as cold and unkind as the moon itself. His sleek tail was the only betrayal of his reserved emotion, lashing lazily behind him; he saw Demyx as harmless.
Saïx raised a clawed hand stoically to clutch one of the water clone's heads, and with a sudden clench of fist squished its head with a messy splatter of black water. The rest of the clone splattered to the ground as water once again.
Demyx swallowed hard at how easily the one clone was taken out and back stepped, causing Ikurx to move with him. Saïx wasn't someone he had expected to see. Although, he shouldn't have been surprised. Saïx had been Xemnas' number one lackey despite his lower rank. There was only one real reason he would have been drawn in by the light that had brought them all to Vexen's hide out.
Demyx suddenly stopped and narrowed his eyes as he remembered why he had started fighting in the first place. He tried his best not to show his fear, but it was still there as he plucked a string, sending the rest of his clones towards Saïx. As soon as the clones made their move he ran his fingers down the rest of the strings while his other hand moved along the neck. Multiple geysers shot forth from the ground and traveled their way towards Saïx at a fast pace.
Each clone was taken down with but one swing of Saïx's hand, splattering black across the pure white of ice. With a dashed leap he was out of the geyser's path and beside Demyx's, his hand snapping out to grab the other Heartless' neck in a vice grip.
"It seems you too betray Xemnas' memory." Saïx calmly spoke. His hand slowly closed, although Heartless didn't need air to live, the crushing act was just as delightfully painful.
"D-Demyx!" Ikurx darted from his hiding behind Demyx and summoning his angelic weapon he swung it hard against Saïx's arm that held him. But it was to no affect. Ikurx's gasped, eyes widening, and he received a blow to the face for his efforts with Saïx's free hand which threw him back to fall on the cold hard ice.
Demyx panicked in that moment. He wasn't able to concentrate, nor able to see his instrument as he was, which left him without his own element to maintain in the situation he was in. He had flinched when Saïx struck Ikurx, but at the same time he had his own problems to deal with. "I'm not betraying anyone. I just have my own reasons for fighting. That's all..." The words were mumbled out to the dangerous Heartless that held him.
Cracks began to form in the ice surrounding the area and followed a crooked path until they found their way towards Saïx. There the cracks stopped and the ice that had been under the Heartless started to tangle itself upwards to cover his feet and legs in a chilly embrace.
"I suppose I should thank all of you for making this so much easier on me." Vexen's voice came in the same direction as the hole which Axel had created much earlier. His hands lay on the ice where the cracks started near his fingertips. "Saïx, what a nice surprise." Although his tone said quite the opposite. Zexion stood behind him looking the worse for wear, more then likely from the battle to follow along after the trio. His human body taking on more risks, but yet he still acted as if none of it mattered.
"Don't forget me!" Axel appeared again, battered and covered in ice, black bleeding down his pale face. "I'll show you how it's done, Demyx!" He grabbed the handle of Demyx's sitar and swung it with all his strength against Saïx's head. The feline Heartless was caught by surprise and still pinned to the ice he took the hit and let go of Demyx.
Demyx fell rather ungracefully onto the ice, not expecting to be let go so suddenly. He stared up with wide eyes at Axel who had found a new use for his weapon and suddenly all he could do was stutter. "A-Axel!" The name came out rather loudly and in a panicked voice as he tried to get back on his feet. As soon as he was he yanked his sitar away from the other Heartless and proceeded to look over it as if it were a child and not an instrument. "That's not how you use it! Are you insane?!" He was about to continue when he seemed to realize he was still very close to Saïx who's legs were still captured. He gave a startled noise and backed away as quick as he could, holding his weapon close even though it had yet to do any good other then as a bat.
Demyx was lucky for Saïx made a swipe for him and nearly took off his head. He then swiped at Axel but missed when the fire user darted from his grasp. He growled loudly, baring teeth and went to smashing and clawing the ice to free himself.
Axel shoved Demyx towards Ikurx. "Never mind the damn guitar- Get the kid and get out of here!" He leaped aside and summoned up his chakram chain, crossing arms so either swung around him in their rows. "I'll catch up with you later." He skidded to a stop on the ice between all three of his former comrades and Demyx. The corner of his lips tweaked up and he grinned at all three. Self sacrifice; damn, third time would have been the charm.
Demyx looked around at each of the other three Heartless before his gaze turned back to the one he had allied himself with. "Axel..." His eyes narrowed after the other's name fell from his lips, but there was a sad look on his face despite his soulless eyes. "He's not worth this." The words were quietly spoken and whether they were heard by the fire user or not, Demyx didn't seem to care. He turned his attention straight to Ikurx and made his way over to the fallen teen. As soon as he was close enough he used his abused sitar to strum a few notes, causing giant geysers to swirl around them and keeping them hidden for the time being.
Vexen's eyes had followed Demyx's every move. While his one hand tried to keep a steady control on the ice surrounding Saïx, his other moved away so it could slam down across from Demyx all the way on the other side of the icy ground. He watched as cracks began to spring up, making their way towards the water that Demyx had created. The water started to freeze up and become completely solid until there wasn't a drop of the black liquid left dripping on the ground. With that observation Vexen slammed his hand into the ground and the crystals shattered one by one.
Vexen watched as the crystals fell only to reveal an empty space where Demyx and the Nobody had once been. Only trails of darkness slowly fading away, making it obvious a portal had just been closed up. The look on Vexen's face was one of murderous intent and he immediately turned it on Axel.
A wide sadistic grin was waiting there on Axel's face for Vexen. "Just too, too slow old man." He stretched out his lanky arms proving there were no chakram to be seen. Of course everyone had surrounded Vexen from above while the Heartless had been busying himself with stopping Demyx. "This is twice now; how sad." He threw his arms forward and each of the chakram with blistering heat dove towards Vexen.
"You're in my playing field now, Axel." Vexen spat the words out as he twisted both his hands in the ice below him. His control on Saïx slipped completely just so he could use the ice under him to mold it over himself as a makeshift shield as the chakrams dove at him. Each of them slammed into the ice. The heat easily caused it to melt, but for the most part Vexen was safe from a demise he had met before.
Zexion was quick to bring forth paper to capture the chakram which continued to try and melt the ice surrounding Vexen. The paper immediately began to burn, but Zexion didn't plan to keep the weapons for long. He turned the thin strips towards Axel and sent the weapons right back towards the Heartless, but didn't seem to care if they impaled him or he caught them. His only concern was something else while his eyes traveled to Saïx who had been let free. "You let the fail safe go so easily. Your goal was just as important as ours and now that weak little coward has him, but whose to say he hasn't been fooling you all this time." His eye narrowed. "Now you're just as much out of luck."
Saïx looked unimpressed with the entire ordeal but soon his long pointed ears perked up and he adjusted his stance to something more solid as his attention turned to a far plain of ice. Soon there a large explosion burst forth from underground and up flew the thunder nymph herself, still clutching Marluxia's scythe quite delicately between her claws.
Larxene wasted no breath on words to give her old comrades time to act. Instead she jolted the scythe with raw imploded energy and speared it into the ice dead center of them all. On impact the electrical energy exploded out of the scythe in jagged waves throughout.
Zexion allowed more paper to twist around himself, but there was only so much it could hold up against. Strong currents of electricity wasn't one of those things and he was pushed back and slammed into jagged rocks of ice, feeling more pain then he ever had as a mere Heartless. The paper that had once surrounded him vanished in an instant since he couldn't keep control.
Vexen tried to keep up his own shield, but the fact that most of it had been melted away thanks to Axel caused it to be weak and he was forced to let it drop away and crack under the pressure of the energy. As he fell back he manipulated a few shards of ice, molding them into sharp picks and sending them Larxene's way.
Axel strained to block the colossal attack with his chakram, but the force was too strong and he didn't have the energy from the last blow he took from Saïx. His chakram flew away, black flame melting back onto skin. He raised his arms to try and save himself what little he could, grounding his feet. But in the end he was thrown back.
Larxene easily smashed the ice shards with her claws with a laugh. She flicked the shining icy fragments from her sleeves. "Ice, Vexen? Really." She sighed.
"Incompetent traitors." Saïx glowered, the electrical attack faded the field, still licking down his form causing pain he ignored; he'd known far greater pains than this. "This I just don't have time for." He pointed a clawed finger Zexion's way; Ansem's youngest assistant, Xemnas' as well. "You." He treaded across the ice towards the human's shambled form. "You finally have what you desire." He narrowed his eyes, tail lashing with impatience. "Will you take your proper place and return the favour to the one you owe this 'second chance' to." Saïx's tone left no room for questioning or second chance.
Zexion allowed his gaze to travel up to where Saïx stood. One of his hands had moved to his side where his back had collided rather hard with ice, but otherwise he showed no real pain and let go to allow his hand to fall away. Slowly, he stood up, refusing to say a word in response to the animalistic Heartless. Only a slight smirk tugged at his lips while he pushed his hair back only to let it fall back to place as soon as it was let go.
The area started to grow colder then it had already been, though none of the inhabitants aside from Zexion would really notice. Still, it was the entire atmosphere that changed around them as a shadowy figure took shape behind Saïx, moving in close to breathe down the back of the Heartless' neck; the wispy hair unmistakable and the cold golden eyes just as familiar. "Just like all the rest you fail me. So weak in your own wants that you let what is needed escape so freely." The voice became lower as the body moved closer. "You're the incompetent one."
Vexen had turned his attention away from Larxene and tried his best to stand as soon as his eyes caught sight of Saïx. It was Zexion's behavior which had him narrowing his eyes and he knew something was up the moment he felt as if even he couldn't stand the area surrounding them. The planet had started to feel even more shrouded in the darkness then it had previous been. That's when Vexen noticed the familiar figure and his mind caught on. He knew the trick, but it still unnerved him to no end to see who it was.
Black petals twisted around beside Larxene and fell away as Marluxia's form came to be. The Heartless had been a silent observer since their break from down below, allowing Larxene to have her fun while he watched from the icy rocks beyond. It was only in this moment he stepped in to watch the scene with narrowed eyes from a closer vantage point, his full attention on the figure behind Saïx, rather then Saïx himself.
Everyone waited with baited breath, eyes captured at the now living image of a man they knew far too well. A man that stopped the battle right where it was with his very presence. The familiar sound of his voice caused now existing hearts to skip livid beats.
A dangerously cold wind blew across the now silent scene, and the sound of ice swept across the tundra beside feet could now be audibly heard. The wind blew Saïx's now longer bangs, each strand gently wavering beside the other.
"... How insulting." The words were whispered indignance as Saïx eyes narrowed sharp at Zexion; this was not an illusion he would forgive. Midnight light shattered from his fist, moonlight falling away as he summoned his awesome claymore.
Zexion didn't seem at all threatened by the sudden weapon in Saïx's possession. "Insulting?" He shook his head, causing his hair to move aside for only a second. "Actually, I find it amusing." He took a step backwards and jumped up to kneel, crouched down on the rock which he had been thrown against earlier. "The mind holds our thoughts. It's just as vital as the heart we all craved so much for." He bowed his head a little as a sadistic look crossed his features. "Obsession." He glanced towards Axel. "Loyalty." He turned his eyes back on Saïx. "Each are so easy to take advantage of so quickly."
The figure of Xemnas reached a hand up to brush across the Heartless' neck almost gentle, but fingers started to tighten. The hand began to encircle Saïx's neck as fingers dug into skin as tight as they could much as the Heartless had done to Demyx. There would be no breath taken, but the pain would still be there.
"... Everyone has a vice." Saïx spoke hoarsely through the grasp, still as icy as the area about them. His hold on the claymore never hindered. "Not admitting to your own makes yours all the more pathetic. You're nothing but a weak, insignificant trickster; hiding behind other's illusions because you're too feeble to fight for yourself."
"...Heh. I think I've lost my reason to stay." Axel murmured to himself as he slunk back along the ground. He subtly called a portal to crawl into.
Marluxia's attention moved towards Axel's attempt at escape. The battered and beat fire user wasn't nearly as subtle as he liked to think. Marluxia wanted to take the chance to go after him, but he noticed in the corner of his eye Saïx's temper flaring. His own chance at revenge would have to wait and instead he followed Axel's example. He called a portal behind himself and Larxene, grabbing onto the girl and pulling her into it before the worst could happen.
Saïx said no more, unnatural light gathered at the star end of his sword and he slammed his weapon with all his force where Zexion perched, the impact violently explosive throughout that side of the face of Vexen's ice planet.
The explosion seemed to rock the entire planet. Ice cracked and broke. A few of the icy rocks around fell apart, causing the area to shake from the force. The explosion caused ice to turn to snow, and as it all started to settle and fall the one place where Zexion had sat, perched in such cocky way, was suddenly empty. Papers flitted down and twisted in the air with the snow to land on the ground. A few feet away darkness curled on the ground, fading away to nothing before ice covered the area. Vexen's own escape.
The illusion of Xemnas slowly loosened its grip. Fingers fell away to touch neck and shoulders until the image of what had once been the Nobody started to fade away since the controller was no longer there to control it. As soon as the hand fell completely the illusion was gone and Saïx was left on the chilly planet alone.
A sigh of breath finally left Saïx's lips, but it wasn't warm enough to mist the air. He ripped the claymore from rock hard ice, letting it thud to rest heavily at his side. His breath dusted away the snow that fell near his face as he looked up at the sky.
"... I'm sorry, Master." Saïx too slipped into the darkness, leaving the desolate icy wasteland.