Hello again. Here's your fix. Thought you needed it. ;)
By the way, DeadShut picked a very nice song to give to me as a present, and he says it's a good song to kind of get the feel for the Organization XIII. It's called "DLZ" by TV on the Radio. Go listen to it real quick, then come back. Sadly, it only counts for the Organization's parts. Boo. :(
And for Shameless Self-Promoting-brought to you by Haji! DeadShut just wrote a wonderfully witty one shot called The Table of Villians. Read it biatches. And I just started a new story called Gods Without Wings. Go check out both right after you're done reading this and be further entertained. Okay, shamelessness is over for now.
Enjoy.
Roxas had been contemplating what he had seen, with the nameless stranger who had claimed to come to kill them all. On behalf of Marluxia. Things weren't adding up to him, since Marluxia would never do anything to betray Superior, nor would he allow any victims to escape if that's what they truly were. Roxas had been there long enough to know that Marluxia's victims never escaped.
And nobody was there. He was alone, with three dead bodies. Roxas panicked because Marluxia would return any minute, probably tired and pissed off. He rushed to gather the dead man in the lounge, and dragged him back to Marluxia's room, hoping that he could make it look like nothing happened. He scrubbed the blood as best as he could with straight bleach when he decided he had to at least let somebody know what he had seen.
He tore his clothes off and threw them away, jumping into the shower and scrubbing his skin raw in hopes that he would be able to get the smell of blood and bleach off him. His heart fluttered in his chest, and he had no idea why he was so terrified. Nobody had seen anything except for him, and nobody was any the wiser. So why was he so scared?
Probably because it was Marluxia.
He trembled as he flipped his cell phone open and called Axel, the only person he would dare to disturb. After two rings, Axel answered in a hushed whisper, clearly angry about something.
"What is it, Roxas?" Axel hissed softly. "I'm kind of busy."
Roxas paused, not being able to think clearly. "Marluxia…"
"What about him?"
"He…" Roxas swallowed. Why was this so hard for him?
"Listen, Roxas," Axel huffed. "Whatever it is you're smoking, save some for me and chill out. I'm busy right now, and I can't afford to let you fuck me up. I'll talk to you later, okay?"
"But—"
It was too late. Axel had already hung up the phone, and Roxas was met with a cold dial tone. He closed his phone and tears welled in his eyes. He had to think of something—anything—that could help him protect himself in case Marluxia decided to finish off the Organization. He paced around his room, constantly glancing at the clock, listening for any sound of Marluxia's arrival when something occurred to him.
Though Zexion hadn't been a very understanding teacher, he stressed one thing above all else in his teaching of The Human Mind. And that was that knowledge was your best defense against any kind of threat. The more you know about your enemies, the better you can devise your plan of attack. So, now he had to gather information.
He made his way back to Marluxia's room, covering his nose. The smell of the bodies was overpowering. They were beginning to rot, and the odor could drop anyone without a strong stomach. Roxas kicked the freshly killed body out of his way as he opened Marluxia's numerous drawers and rifled through them.
There wasn't much. Knives, forks, spoons, and a whole host of common household items that Roxas was sure were used for torture. Papers with unintelligible script on them, possibly directions for their assassination. And several prescriptions for Zoloft. Roxas looked at them and processed this information, trying to develop a better profile of the pink demon. Just like Zexion had of him during his studies.
The labels read Marla Shift, and they were all empty, save for one, which was half full. Roxas pocketed the half full bottle and closed all the drawers behind him as he finished with them. He moved around Marluxia's room, opening drawers and cabinets and taking anything that looked like it could be useful to him later.
He opened another drawer and found a folder in it. It was blood stained, and had several fingerprints trailing across it, and it was thick. Fat with piles of information in it. Roxas guessed that it was Marluxia's Organization file. He hefted it, and opened to the first page. He noted Zexion's neat handwriting lined the paper, giving it a certain finesse that he wasn't sure Marluxia was capable of. It was his profile.
Marluxia is the eleventh ranked member in the Organization XIII, and possesses no scientific credentials. He has been accepted into this family, choosing freely to discard his previous life as Marla Shift, the serial killer. His name originates from the combination of his first name with the name of his favorite restaurant, where he would frequently loiter for days on end, though the reasoning behind this has not been revealed. His role in the Organization is as follows: He is to be considered the assassin. He will be sent out on the behalf of Xehanort and Xehanort alone to complete assassinations, collect subjects for Vexen's tests, and send violent messages to the general public using the Heartless as a cover. He is under no circumstances to listen to any other member of the Organization unless specifically directed by Xehanort in person, or over the phone.
He is unruly, violent, and unpredictable. He has a fascination with flowers as well as sexual-sadist tendencies, and can sometimes lose touch with reality when it comes to his "craft". He is to be watched carefully, though the likeliness of him committing any kind of fraud, or inter-Organization betrayal is slim to non-existent. Overall, he is loyal, albeit twisted, and would be a valuable addition to the Organization XIII.
Roxas flipped through the pages, noting pictures, newspaper articles, and other documentation, though he could find nothing that would be useful to him at that moment. He didn't care about Marluxia's previous life, and could find nothing that was recent enough to be a weapon. He thumbed through the last of Marluxia's file until he came to the last page, which had another Zexion-style handwritten document.
Under Organization protocol, I have given a personal profile session, in which I completely submerged myself in Marluxia's thoughts. This is a short list of what I have discovered, and if you wish to discuss further with me the details that would not be appropriate to place in this file, you may contact me at any time.
"A note to Xehanort probably," Roxas whispered to himself.
Marluxia's Modus Operandi is rigid, though the actions performed can vary greatly. He cannot deviate from this ritual he has set for himself until he goes through a rigorous re-self-assessment, which could take months, or even years to complete properly. So, for now, he must stay in New York City for any major kills, or any personal days herein.
His kill generally starts with a period of observation. Depending on how important this kill is will determine how long his observes. For unimportant murders, he will generally watch for a few hours to a few days. For more important murders, he will stalk for weeks, months, or years until he can reasonably assume an identity that will not alert the person to their imminent doom.
After he has attained this camouflage, he will take down his victim, usually with a strike on the head, or any action that would create a situation where he is not required to subdue his victim further. This is the time he either ties them to a table or chair, or somehow restrains them to some immovable object where he will abandon them for extended periods of time, only showing up once in a while to feed them. The reasoning behind this, it seems, is because his duties in the Organization get in the way so he has created a way to keep his ritual the same while still working for the Organization.
When he is ready to actually kill his victim, he describes exactly what he is going to do to them. The amount of detail depends on the level of fear, though this has not yet been able to be proven. Then, he'll let his victim wallow in their fear before he does exactly what he said he was going to do. Then he chops their bodies up into small pieces, and buries them in Central Park, where he places different varieties of flowers to mark their graves. As of the creation of this file, there are approximately nine hundred victims to Marluxia's name.
Roxas swallowed. Nine hundred? How could somebody have enough time to do that? Then it occurred that Marluxia was constantly killing people. Every day. And he was never privy as to how many people died by Marluxia's hand. If there were nine hundred, then that meant maybe two or three people a day, every day, for a year. And Roxas didn't know how old the file was, or how long Marluxia had been killing before then.
"I'm packing right now," came an unmistakable lofty voice.
Roxas froze. He hadn't been paying attention to the sounds outside Marluxia's room while he was gathering the disgusting information he had. He hadn't heard the elevators clunking around, nor did he hear any other doors open, but he didn't have time to think. He had to hide.
He had barely shoved himself into the back of Marluxia's closet and closed the door, when he heard the eccentric sounds of the pink demon's excitement. Something had happened.
"I'm going to Miami, you know."
Roxas's heart ripped out from his chest when he thought that Marluxia was talking to him, but calmed slightly when he remembered that there were three other bodies in the room. Marluxia must have been talking to them. Roxas heard Marluxia opening drawers, and throwing things around hurriedly, all the while praying that he wouldn't need anything in his closet that day. Suddenly there was silence.
"You are awfully quiet today," Marluxia hummed. "Why are you not protesting? I am here aren't I? You should be threatening me. Why are you silent?"
Roxas stopped breathing. He had noticed that his breaths were heavy and coated in unnatural fear. It wasn't fair how terrified he was. No one should ever be this afraid of another human being. But, Marluxia wasn't human; he was a monster wearing someone else's skin.
Marluxia muttered something to one of the bodies and a snarl ripped the silence with enough force to tear the very fabric of time. He was pissed. Roxas shoved himself deeper into the closet, trying to escape the sounds of evil that was just on the other side of the thin wooden door.
"Where are they?"
Roxas put his hand in his pocket, and felt the half full bottle of Zoloft. He had been incredibly stupid to take them. He regretted it instantly. He took them out and held them steady, not wanting to make them shift and draw attention to his hiding place. He was greeted with silence again.
He thought that maybe Marluxia left his room to search elsewhere for his medication, but a strange wet sound prevented him from moving. It was distinct. No one would have been able to mistake it, even if they had never heard it previously. It was the sound of metal cutting flesh. It was soft, gentle. The sound that could only be made by the sacrifice of another man's dignity.
Roxas was there for a few more minutes. His heart would not stop thumping. He could feel his intestines writhing about, getting ready to weaken. He held his breath, not daring to breathe for one second. He would rather die of suffocation then have Marluxia find him wedged in his closet. But, suddenly the thin metal head of a scythe tore through the wood like it was little more than paper.
"They're not here!" Marluxia screamed. "I've looked everywhere! Under the bed! In my drawers! In the closet! I—"
Roxas heard the snap of Marluxia's cell phone. Marluxia grumbled under his breath as he wrenched his scythe from the closet door. The thought of Marluxia being so close took the last of Roxas's nerve to not scream. He let out a small squeak and instantly clamped his hands over his mouth. But, Marluxia had heard him.
The first thing Roxas saw were the pale fingers leafing through the clothing, then the swish of bloodstained pink hair. Then a single blue eye looking right at him, and a crooked smile that stole the last of Roxas's will.
"Boo."
Roxas panicked, and his body froze under that stare. It betrayed everything he believed in, and did not allow him to move, or fight back, when Marluxia grabbed his collar and lifted him off the floor and out of the closet. He looked excited.
"Well, what do we have here?" Marluxia laughed softly. "A little boy who is lost? My, my."
Roxas struggled against Marluxia's grip and kicked his feet out. "Come on, Marluxia." He was surprised that Marluxia could lift him up so easily. He couldn't determine if it was because he was strong, or if it was because he was just lightweight.
"What are you doing in my room?" Marluxia sang. He noticed the bottle in Roxas's hand. "Stealing are you?"
"No!" Roxas blurted. "I was looking for my cell phone."
Marluxia dropped Roxas and pushed him back. Roxas almost fell, but caught himself for fear that if he did fall, Marluxia would kill him.
"Well, why don't I find it for you?" Marluxia said as he flipped his cell phone open and dialed a quick number. "That should do the trick."
Roxas paled when his cell phone rang in his pocket. He hesitated pulling it out, but he knew the rules for cell phones. He flipped it open and answered it, all the while staring at Marluxia. He tried to keep the fear out of his eyes, but he knew that Marluxia had already taken advantage of that.
"Aren't you going to say hello?" Marluxia asked.
Roxas swallowed. "H-Hello?"
Marluxia smiled and spoke into the receiver. "I found your phone."
Roxas trembled, but kept himself as still as he could. Marluxia was watching him, even when he was moving slowly across the room, Marluxia watched him like a hungry dog. Roxas stepped over the dead bodies, which had been mutilated, and had almost made it to the door when it closed. Darkness kissed his eyes, leaving nothing for him to see. He was blind with his eyes wide open.
"You didn't answer me, Roxas," Marluxia whispered. "What were you doing in here?"
"I was gathering information," Roxas said as confidently as he could fake. "I found your employee."
Marluxia paused. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Roxas's fight-or-flight response was kicking in. He had to keep Marluxia distracted until he could figure out what to do. He didn't have Oblivion or Oathkeeper with him, so he was completely defenseless. He had to use his wit. If only his brain would stop going numb.
"You're a traitor," Roxas said stupidly.
Even through the darkness, Roxas could see the hatred in Marluxia's eyes, and he was swept off his feet and into what he was sure was blood, with a pink serial killer sitting on his chest. With his scythe at the ready, Marluxia spat in Roxas's face.
"Say that again!" Marluxia demanded. "Say that again and watch what happens to your pretty little face!"
Roxas howled in pain. He was crushed against something, and it was digging into his back.
"Open your mouth wider, Roxas," Marluxia crooned. "Don't be afraid. I only want your tongue."
Marluxia reached behind him for something. He grinned, and cut Roxas's face with an unknown object. Roxas cried out, but couldn't push Marluxia off of him. Marluxia licked the blood off his face. Roxas panicked.
"You taste so sweet, Roxas," Marluxia said. "Central Park will love you."
"Wait!"
Marluxia stopped. His phone rang, and he hissed as he opened it and put it on speaker. He placed it on the table behind him.
"What?" Marluxia whined. "I'm busy."
Larxene's voice echoed off the blood-covered walls. "Where the fuck are you? I called you twenty minutes ago and you said you were packing. Why aren't you here yet?"
"I got distracted."
"Xaldin is not going to wait forever," Larxene said. "You don't have to go to Miami with us. Superior only thought it would be a good idea to get you out of the city for a couple of days. He doesn't have to send you, you know."
Marluxia groaned. "Ugh, I'm on my way."
"What are you doing anyway?"
"Marking a target," Marluxia laughed.
"Whatever," Larxene huffed. "Just get here."
Marluxia rolled off of Roxas and hung up his phone. He grabbed the bottle of Zoloft Roxas had dropped, and headed out the door without another word. Roxas sat up, shaking visibly. Marluxia was pissed at him, and he had marked him as a target. He was next. He just knew it.
And, it was at that point, that he decided he would never go anywhere, or do anything without Oblivion and Oathkeeper at his side.
"I hate Cuban food!"
Aqua and Isa were standing next to a food truck, sampling the many different foods they served. Isa was wearing a thin white T-shirt and a pair of shorts. He ran his fingers through his hair, smiling and winking at a couple of girls that were sitting at a table across the parking lot.
"Keep it in your pants," Aqua huffed. "And besides, no one said you had to eat it."
Isa laughed. "I'll keep it in my pants as soon as you give me some. Until then…those are two of the hottest girls I've ever seen. God damn."
Aqua rolled her eyes and looked to the beach. Miami was a bouncy place. Full of scantily clad women and men who were showing off. And Cuban music blared from every street vendor. It was a lovely place, and for the drug dealer, it was the place to buy your goods wholesale and distribute them. Aqua knew this, and had many people under her employ who did just that. And this was where she was meeting one of her biggest distributors.
Martin Estevez. Also known as Master Eraqus, and Aqua's former Captain. He had been stationed in Miami by Aqua after he had handed his whole empire to her. He was a good distributor, and knew a thing or two about making a deal. And the only thing he had ever requested was complete privacy. He was never to be contacted or approached under any circumstances. Not even if it was an emergency.
However, Aqua didn't care. She knew Master Eraqus was the only one in her empire who could pass along a message as fast as a text message or phone call, without being flagged by the FBI or any other police force that was watching them. She was dropping by to send this message only. Then she would leave and never come back.
It was about the Heartless. Diz wanted to play rough, try to make a fool out of her, but she would not allow that. She had managed to lose the couple of Heartless that had been sent to watch her, but she knew it wouldn't be for long. They would find her again, and she wanted them dead. She couldn't stand how Diz was undermining her.
She found out that he had been purchasing properties from her lesser affiliates in hopes that he would be able to set up some kind of network under her nose. As soon as she found out, fires were springing up everywhere, and everyone's insurance claims had been paid. Diz was pissed about that, but he had gone into hiding. He was waiting for something, and wanted to be safe when it happened. Whatever it was.
"When are we moving?" Isa asked. "My guys are getting impatient."
"We move when I say we do," Aqua said. She frowned.
"What happened to you?" Isa said softly. "You used to be so fun. Remember when we used to run Philly together? We were unstoppable."
"That was the past," Aqua warned. "Leave it there."
Isa laughed, "Yeah, but you and I would come down here when we could and get shitfaced, remember? Good times."
"Isa."
Isa frowned and furrowed his brow in annoyance. "Listen, you asked me to help you. I'm helping. Stop being like that."
"You do not tell me what to do," Aqua snarled.
Isa leaned closer to Aqua, lips curled back in a threatening smile. "I'll say whatever I want. Don't put it past me to fuck you up."
Aqua pushed Isa back. "Watch yourself, motherfucker. I don't need you. Keep your tongue in your mouth, or I'll take it."
"Oh, don't act all gangster now, sweetcheeks." Isa chided.
Aqua smiled and pulled away. "You can't call me sweetcheeks until you've kissed my ass."
Isa frowned. Aqua turned away, and he wasn't sure what made him do it, but he pulled Aqua back and hugged her tightly, whispering his apologies. Aqua pushed him back.
"Go fuck yourself!"
Isa let her go, but sent one his men to follow her. Aqua was pissed at him now. He had crossed that line again. Offered her memories of the past that she clearly didn't want and he had overreacted to her words. He was going to have to swallow his pride to make it up to her, though he wasn't sure why she was being so difficult. He hung his head and walked away. Come nighttime, he was going to have to accompany Aqua to her distributor's house.
And he secretly had this pool of excitement well in his chest. This person was the same one who had hired him all those years ago. He had never meet them face to face, and he wanted to put a person to the nameless shadow that had given him the job of Aqua's personal assassin.
"What was that all about?"
Isa turned around. Another one of his men was standing behind him. They called him Dilan. And he looked concerned. He knew how much Aqua affected Isa's ability to make responsible decisions when it came to a job. He eyed Isa, choosing to not press it further if Isa declined to answer, as he undoubtedly would.
Isa frowned. "It's none of your fucking business."
Dilan retreated. He knew he was going to have to punch Isa at least once before the day was out. That the only thing Isa could respond to. Violence. It was because he was always trying to keep Aqua on her toes. His way of showing that he cared about her. But he came off a bit strong most of the time. That was probably why he had been confined to Philadelphia in the first place.
Dilan followed Isa reluctantly. He contemplated stopping the whole operation. He, too, cared about Aqua, hell, even considered her a friend of sorts. But he knew better than to attempt to breach that divider between friends and coworkers. They weren't even on the same level in organized crime. She was the boss, and he was someone who had been there to witness her climb to the top.
She had been a high-class prostitute for most of her upbringing since Master Eraqus had taken her in. She did her job, and did it well, much to Isa's dismay. She had begun to run drugs throughout New York, earning an intimate knowledge of the streets that only the lowest of scum were able to learn. She had risen quickly through the ranks, easily surpassing any other woman Master Eraqus had "adopted". Until she had stepped over what, to this date, was an invisible line between prostitute and pimp.
And she had been punished for it.
Dilan never knew what happened. Aqua just disappeared for a few years. According to his highest contacts, she had been shipped to Miami for a little while where she had done something for Master Eraqus, though what she did was completely discreet. Whatever it was, it earned her her own set, a small pile of cocaine keys, and her first city. Philadelphia. Isa had been with her, as well as Terra Hopsfield, and Ven Claus.
Dilan, himself, hadn't meet Isa until he showed up at a counting house to kill his previous Captain. Dilan had been out at the time, but when he came back, he saw Isa shoot the owner of the house in the head. Dilan had been inspired by Isa's efficiency, and asked for a job. Isa refused at first, but allowed him to go to Aqua to ask for employment. Aqua had hired him in her eagerness, and Dilan was branded and given the job as an assistant to Isa whenever called upon.
When he wasn't busy with Isa, Dilan spent most of his time in Aqua's counting houses. He was guard for them, and had to kill his fair share of idiots who were brave enough to attempt to steal from the Free God herself. He didn't like his job so much, but it put food on the table for his family, and gave them opportunities that he had never been blessed with. And that alone was the only thing that drove him to stay with Aqua. Or Isa.
But, things were going to change one day. Starting with nightfall.
Just off the Delaware River sat a tiny town that the citizens of New Jersey had long forgotten. It was so eroded and ramshackle, it did not have a name, and if it did, the people in said town had forgotten it over time. It was a timber town. Piles of cut wood lay all over the dirt roads, and when Lexaeus drove up in his van, he was not greeted by a soul.
He stopped by what looked like a general store, and when he poked his head in the door, he was met with a film of dust and a muted jingle. He looked around, opening doors to houses, looking in abandoned stalls, and calling out to anyone who would listen. Still, nothing.
"Nobody's here," Lexaeus whispered after a few hours. He had set up a tent and was gathering firewood.
Night didn't fall for a few more hours, but during that time, Lexaeus scoped out the area, looking for the perfect place to set up a timed virus release unit. So far, he had a few trees, a cave that was just outside of the small town, and a hole near a small stream that led to the Delaware. He left to get a few more supplies out of his van when he turned and saw a small child searching his campsite.
"Hey!"
The child tried to run, but Lexaeus caught up with him in a few bounds. The child struggled against him, kicking wildly and screaming. He had stolen a pocket knife, and was attempting to cut Lexaeus with it, but he was so puny, Lexaeus felt bad for him.
"What are you doing out here?" the child snarled.
Lexaeus snorted. "I'm doing my job. What the hell are you doing out here?"
The child spat in his face and struggled more. "I'm surviving. Making sure that thing doesn't come back."
Lexaeus shrugged and dropped the child without a second thought. "What thing would come out here?"
"That man," the child said, trembling. "With the spade. And that hair."
Lexaeus frowned. This description was not unlike what had been described to him before when speaking of Marluxia. That man with that spade and that hair. But, to be more accurate, that was description of Marla Shift. Marluxia was much more treacherous than he had been before. The child stared at him.
"He killed my mother," he stuttered. "I watched him do it. He took her away, and cut her guts out. He was so happy when he did it. I'm always protecting myself from him. If he ever came back."
"He won't come back," Lexaeus said quickly. The child took it to be comforting, but that couldn't be any farther from the truth. Lexaeus just knew Marluxia had no desire to return to his previous life. In the Organization, that was common knowledge.
"Will you help me?" the child asked. "My name is Ron."
"No."
Lexaeus turned away and began to fold his tent up. He didn't want to stay anywhere where children were around. He didn't care if they died, but the thought of being anywhere near one of Marluxia's kill sites sent uncontrollable chills up his spine. He didn't like Marluxia. Nobody did, but they would never admit that to one another, and Lexaeus was a believer in remnant spirits. If Marluxia had scarred the Earth with his filthy murders, Lexaeus wanted nothing to do with it.
But, then he thought about the virus. If he could release it here, it would wipe out any part of Marluxia that still existed. This would be the first place to test it out. And he had a child to test it on. Vexen would be pleased with the results, and Zexion would be interested in how the child coped mentally with it. He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and called Xehanort.
"Hello, Lexaeus!" Xehanort cried happily. "How goes your search for the first test site? Successful, I hope."
"Yes, sir," Lexaeus said. "I think I found a place. It's secluded. There are very few people. A child, and maybe a family."
"Oh, yes," Ron said quickly. "My dad and my brothers. And my grandma."
"He sounds so happy," Xehanort said excitedly. "Too bad he doesn't know what's coming. It's a shame."
"Yes, sir."
"So, leave a mark and move on, my dear friend," Xehanort commanded hurriedly. "We need more than one test site."
"Sir," Lexaeus asked quickly. "Would you mind if I set the test up now? I could gather information while I'm here. I think Vexen would like that very much."
"Sorry, Lex," Xehanort said. "No testing is to start until I hear word from the development of the virus infused fetuses from both Vexen and Zexion. Until then, you find more towns to study. I appreciate it."
Lexaeus sighed and hung up the phone after a gruff good-bye. Ron watched him, mixed with suspicion and hope. He thought that this redhead hiker would have been able to help him and his family escape this forest, but his hopes had been dashed when Lexaeus hopped in his van and left the ramshackle town behind.
As he made his way onto a paved road, he dropped a tiny tracking device in the dirt. Hopefully it wouldn't be carried off by some animal, but little did Lexaeus know, Ron had taken the device right back to his family.
Seaside Heights was bustling place during the summer and during the filming of Jersey Shore. But for the people who lived there year-round, it was a quiet place during the beginning of autumn. And when winter was at the door, it became a grey city. This is where Cloud and Namine chose to call their home. At least until they could make it Chicago.
Cloud had enjoyed his new life. He had sold the last of his weed, and moved Namine into a great starter house. He had given up his criminal enterprise, and got a job as a janitor at a nearby school. The pay was good, and the work was hard, but he was making a decent living, without Terra. Or Aqua.
Namine had been spending a lot of time by herself lately, and Cloud thought it could have been depression, since she was having trouble getting a job, and her art wasn't selling very well. He thought that he could surprise her by taking her to her favorite sandwich place.
As they sat across from each other, Cloud was digging into a classic Italian hoagie when he noticed that Namine hadn't touched her food. He swallowed quickly and looked at her.
"What's wrong, babe?" Cloud asked. "You're not hungry?"
Namine smiled. "No, I love it, really I do. It's just I haven't been feeling very well lately. I don't want to eat anything. I'm sorry, Cloud."
Cloud frowned, but felt that arbitrary flutter of giddiness. He loved it when Namine said his name, and that was the only reason he had kept his criminal nickname. But, he was still worried that Namine wasn't eating anything.
"Are you sure, you're okay?"
Namine nodded and stood up. "Yeah, but can we go? The smell in here is making me sick."
"Yeah, yeah," Cloud said. He left the money on the table and took Namine's hand.
When they got back home, Cloud made a cup of tea for his girlfriend and gave it to her, still worried about her lack of an appetite. He felt her forehead, and mumbled something unintelligible. She squirmed under his touch and stood up quickly, feeling nausea rise in her throat.
Cloud tried to pull her back, but she wrenched her hand away and ran into the bathroom. Cloud heard the unmistakable sound of vomiting on the other side and forced the door open. Namine was bent over the rim of the toilet, wiping her face. She tried to hide her face from Cloud, but another wave of vomiting made her stain the water green.
"Namine!" Cloud cried. He bent next to her and tried his best to wipe her face. Namine grabbed him and cried openly, not being able to handle the stress of not telling him about her pregnancy.
Cloud hugged her. "What's wrong, Namine? Please, answer me."
Namine sobbed, and hugged Cloud back. She could barely speak. She was afraid that she would be left alone if she told Cloud that he was going to be a father. "I…"
Cloud was slowly putting two and two together on his own. And that was the last thing he thought was going to happen. He guessed it was possible that she could be. They hadn't been very protected during their love-making. But, still it seemed so impossible.
"How far along?"
Namine tried to stop her sobs, but it was so overwhelming. She was only eighteen and just out of high school. She didn't have enough life experience to take care of a child. She had no money, no job, and had just moved into her first starter house with her boyfriend. But she muttered a weak response.
"Two months."
Cloud frowned. He didn't have the financial stability to take care of a child either. But, he wasn't going to leave her. He was going to pull through this, but Namine was going to need a lot of things now. New clothes, different foods, and vitamins. Doctor visits, a gynecologist, and dozens of other things that would suck at his wallet. He curled up inside, thinking about how hard it was going to get soon.
"I love you, Namine."
Namine hugged Cloud harder. "I love you, too."
Felix Vanitas was completely ignorant to the problems of his neighbors as he sat and stared at the small tube of ink black and red liquid. It had come in the mail, and was apparently a very dangerous weapon. And though Felix had spent most of his time staring at this liquid, he couldn't help but think that his grandfather had left him something a little more special than just a tube of goo.
He had touched the side of the tube, and the goo inside shifted eagerly. Felix recoiled, surprised by the sudden shift in temperature. It became ice cold and then burned hot, all in the span of a second. He was tempted to open the tube, but he thought better of it. He didn't think it would be a good time to try to open something that could possibly tear his house to the ground. For now, it would sit in his kitchen counter until he had enough time to study it more.
The phone rang, and he ignored it. It rang for several minutes, and as soon as it stopped, it rang again. Felix picked up the phone and answered it.
"What?" He growled. He still kept his eyes on the tube of goo.
"Don't talk to me like that!"
Felix sighed. "I apologize. I'm kinda busy right now."
"We just got a huge order. You need to get it moving right away."
"Right now?"
"Yeah, whoever it was paid millions. It's mostly explosives, but they want it soon."
Felix growled. "Thanks, Scapelli. I'll move them soon. Sometime in the next week."
"Good. Looking forward to seeing you."
Felix grunted and hung up the phone. He pressed his thumb to the tube again, and the black goo swirled around his print. It tingled and made the glass hot. Felix watched it, weighing his options. The worst that could happen was he died, and the Scapellis wouldn't have a family of slaves anymore. So, he really didn't have anything to lose. He picked up the tube, and screwed the cap open. The goo shifted slightly, but had the consistency of cold molasses. It barely moved, but when Felix pressed his thumb to the side of the container again, the sludge inside warped around the rim and attached to his digit.
Felix panicked slightly as the goo attached to his skin with tiny elastic tendrils. It sucked at his skin slightly, and when Felix pulled at it with his other hand, it expanded. He shook it off, growling at it, though inside he was growing more fearful. Just what kind of fucked up shit was his grandfather doing? He took a couple of slow heated breaths and relaxed as best as he could. The goo had crawled up most of his arm, but it stopped suddenly and retreated, crawling back into its container and once again falling into that molasses like state.
"Shit," Felix breathed in amazement.
Vexen sat in a cramped office with his one hand twisting around the other. The gauntlet he had designed was finally finished, and he was going to show his handlers exactly what he spent their money on, though they didn't know that most of their funds were covering the costs of keeping Dusk alive. He wasn't too happy that they were demanding so many things from him at once. He requested that they back off, but they declined and only added to his frustrations. In fact, if Zexion weren't there half the time, he would have never finished his creation.
"Ah, Dr. Redman, nice of you to come."
Vexen stood up quickly, hiding his distain at being addressed by his former name. He cracked a smile and shook hands with the General. General Branston, the leader of the highest scientific department of the United States. It was his job to make sure the United States stayed ahead of every other country when it came to cutting edge science. And Dr. Redman was at the top of his roster.
"I hope you have something nice to show me."
Vexen paused. "I suppose I do."
"Come in, come in."
General Branston was obviously excited to see what Vexen had created. The last time they had spoken face to face, Vexen had a normal hand, and now, there was something light blue on his wrist. General Branston eyed it.
"Is that what you came to show me?"
"Well, yes and no," Vexen said. "I first want to discuss the terms of my employment. Then, I will show you what I have done. Agreed?"
General Branston sat at his desk. "Agreed, my good friend. What is it you want? A raise in pay? Better facilities?"
Vexen placed his hands on the desk and leaned in General Branston's face. "I no longer wish to work for you."
General Branston frowned, losing at once that friendly exterior. "What are you talking about? You want to quit? After everything I've given you?"
Vexen snorted. "You have given me nothing. All you talk about is what you want. You never once asked what I am interested in."
"Your ego is hurt?" General Branston asked lazily. "Okay, what is it that you like then?"
Vexen grinned. "Here, let me show you." He pulled out an envelope and placed the pictures of Dusk on the desk. "I enjoy biochemical engineering. This is my latest creation."
General Branston gasped at the pictures. Dusk had developed further, and was looking more and more human like. There were still no eyes, but something was beginning to develop in its place that looked like it could have been some kind of sensory organ. General Branston looked up, flabbergasted.
"This is impossible!" He sputtered. "You…This…is not human. What the fuck did you do?"
Vexen smiled. "Well, I created something that had never been attempted before now. You government pussies, who are too afraid to experiment. And why? Because the American people say it's wrong? Incompetent idiots."
General Branston reached for the pistol in his desk, but Vexen stopped him. His gauntlet pulsed, and extended along his arm. General Branston stopped struggling and stared at the gauntlet. It was an icy blue. The very color chilled the air around it.
"It samples the temperature in surrounding area," Vexen said. He flexed his fingers, feeling his blood rush. "Then, it passes heat along. It just happens to move the heat away from the body. So you feel this draft."
General Branston breathed shallowly, and a long jet of fog escaped his mouth. It was getting colder. Exponentially so.
"Then, the cold becomes so unbearable, your body begins to shut down," Vexen sneered, being sure not to gloat too loudly for fear someone would catch him. Not like he really cared. "First your fingers go numb, then your arms, and you go through what we scientists like to call Hypothermia."
General Branston did feel cold, though he could still feel his fingertips, and his arms. In fact, he just felt a little chilly as opposed to being frigid. Perhaps his star scientist was just bluffing.
He was just about to take a swing at Vexen when he locked up. His arms suddenly lost all feeling and pins and needles scratched the inside of his skin. He looked at his fingers, and they were pitch black. And he saw the cells in his arms die, and the darkness crept up his arms until black streaks stroked his neck and clung to his face.
"What the fuck?"
Vexen smiled. "I never said anything about it happening slowly. It happens fast. In the blink of an eye. You don't even know what hits you until you can no longer fend for yourself." Vexen showed the Gauntlet in the light. It sparkled dangerously.
"What did you do to me?" General Branston choked. He wanted to clutch his throat, but his arms weren't listening to his brain anymore.
Vexen stepped back. "I've created things you could hardly imagine. Right now, a time release Liquid Nitrogen compound is coursing through your veins. It's reacting to the Hemoglobin in your blood, and it's killing you from the inside out."
Vexen turned. "Enjoy death, General. I have much more important things to take care of. I have a child waiting for me at home."
General Branston sputtered, but Vexen ignored his pleas. Hypothermia took him first, but frostbite had not finished with him yet. By the time his affiliates had found him, his skin was frozen solid, and Vexen was nowhere to be found.
He had returned to the labs to find Roxas sitting in the lounge. He wasn't playing any video games, like he normally would have, but was sitting in a dazed stupor. Vexen, though slightly concerned by Roxas's sudden change in behavior, did not stop to chat. He had more important things to take care of. He rushed to his lab, practically throwing his travel cloak to the floor.
He stopped in front of the tank in which he kept Dusk. He had named the tank itself the Womb. And the fetus inside was becoming less fetus, and more being. Vexen touched the tank, leaving tiny heated smudges on the glass.
"You're almost there, Dusk," Vexen said. He jotted down a couple of notes and looked in the tank again. "Just a few more weeks. I promise."
He had a strange paternal feeling towards the being in the Womb. He had brought it into creation. He infused the donor fetus with the virus, and bred it in this tank with the perfect balance of every vitamin and nutrient it needed to survive. He had even conducted cognitive tests and determined its brain capacity long before its brain had even developed. He was proud of his creation. He loved it.
His cell phone rang, and he flipped it open and put it on speaker. He moved around his lab as Zexion's voice greeted him.
"I have news for you," Zexion said. "It seems like nothing on the surface, but I do believe it is important."
"I'm listening, my friend," Vexen answered. He pulled out a few charts, and graphed equations on a chalkboard across the room from the Womb. "Tell me, how has your testing gone?"
Zexion cleared his throat. "The eight-month-old died. Or rather, the mother died and the child went with her."
"That's a shame." Vexen clicked his teeth. "Was it the virus?"
"I don't think so," Zexion replied. "I believe the woman was so malnourished, that the virus took hold of her body before it had a chance to fight back. She died because she was weak. So I would consider eight months pregnant to be inconclusive."
"Shit."
"However, I had two subjects who were both a little less than three months along when I introduced the virus to their bloodstream." Zexion paused, and a slight tone of happiness could be heard under his monotone explanation. "They are still alive, and thriving. Unfortunately, they will not be alive much longer."
"Oh?"
"Yes," Zexion confirmed. "They are exhibiting many of the same symptoms as our previous subjects had, only much slower, and less obvious. Though, their blood volume is decreasing drastically, and they can no longer walk without assistance. But, this is something that I found interesting that may prove your ingenuity."
"Flattery," Vexen laughed. "Are you setting me up for a shortcoming, Zexion?"
"No."
Vexen stifled his laughter to a muffled chuckle. "You must loosen up, Zexion. You'll die young if you don't."
"I'm not concerned about that," Zexion retorted.
"My apologies, six."
Zexion ignored Vexen and continued. "The one woman told me that after I had left about a month ago, her baby had not moved. Not once. I found that to be mildly alarming, but upon giving her an ultrasound, I found that her fetus was fine. Healthy even, but it did not react to most of the stimuli I had presented. However, I found that it moved more often when I was explaining things to the locals. This leads me to believe that your attempts at making the virus responsive to our voices successful."
Vexen smiled. "Really? This is fantastic! I must record this."
"Yes, you do that," Zexion muttered. "Have you seen Marluxia?"
"No, but, I believe he's not here. Why?"
"Just wanted to issue a warning." Zexion paused. "It's no big deal. I'm sure Xehanort will deal with it."
Vexen picked up the phone. "When will you be returning? It's rather somber without you here to assist me."
Zexion hummed. "I think I will be returning soon enough. After the hosts have delivered the Dusks. I believe that's what we're calling them? Dusks?"
"Yes, charming isn't it?"
Zexion didn't answer.
"No matter." Vexen said quickly. "I'll see you soon, my friend."
Dialtone.
Marluxia had entered the hanger where Lindworm was sitting, carrying a bag of supplies. He seemed more haughty than usual, and was extremely unhappy with Roxas's accusation. How dare he accuse him of such a treacherous crime. Why was he still breathing at this moment? But, he had to focus. He didn't have time to fuck up.
Travel always made him nervous, but he enjoyed it greatly when he could go to other places and kill. Xehanort was being generous today. But, Marluxia frowned deeper when Xehanort was nowhere in sight.
"Superior is not here?"
Larxene stood with Xaldin. She had her long hair tied back, and she spun around angrily.
"You're late, Marluxia," she hissed. "Superior was disappointed by your tardiness. You better make it up to him when we get back, or he'll kick your ass."
"Somebody not fucking enough?" Marluxia spat back.
Larxene pushed him. "You keep your mouth shut, flower fag. I'm in charge of this assignment and I expect a certain level of respect. I have no problems stabbing you in the back."
"You wanna try it, bitch?" Marluxia's fingers twitched.
Xaldin pulled the two of them apart, growling. "I'm not taking either one of you anywhere until you pull yourselves together. I will not have you two fighting on my plane."
Larxene whipped around and boarded Lindworm without another word. She wore her Organization robes, but pulled them off as soon as she was at the top of the stairs. It was cold in the Northeast, but in Miami, it would be hot. She was already dressed in eccentric yellows for the beach, and she glared at Marluxia through catlike green eyes. Marluxia followed her, but Xaldin pushed him back.
"Xehanort wanted me to tell you something," Xaldin said.
Marluxia didn't say anything back, but his heart leapt with excitement. Almost as much as when he cut Roxas's cheek and tasted his blood.
Focus!
Xaldin looked away. Marluxia did make him uncomfortable, but he could deal with pink demon's presence better than most in their dysfunctional family. "Xehanort does not want you to kill anybody in Miami."
"What?" Marluxia barked. "Then why send me?"
"He said that if push comes to shove, to bring Aqua back alive." Xaldin said without answering his question. "He doesn't want you to kill unnecessarily. He just wants you to observe."
Marluxia huffed.
"However," Xaldin added. "You will have a week off to do whatever you please when you return, providing everything goes according to plan."
Marluxia smiled crookedly. "Sounds good."
"Xehanort says that now more than ever, will the blood of the innocent be valuable." Xaldin whispered. "It would not be wise to lose sight of that. Please, stay sane, Marluxia."
Marluxia frowned. "I suppose he doesn't trust me, then?"
"No, that's not what he means," Xaldin corrected. "He understands your apprehensions about travel, and just wishes for you to be okay. He knows it makes you nervous."
Marluxia huffed again and boarded the plane.
"Don't disappoint him."
Marluxia grinned. He would never do anything to upset Xehanort in any way. He was there to provide invaluable intelligence, though he wasn't entirely sure who his subject was. Obviously Aqua was not to be killed, but he could already feel those murderous nerves twitching.
He had a lot of planning to do for his week off, that was for sure. That comment just kept floating in his mind. You're a traitor. You're a traitor. Marluxia struggled with the logic. He couldn't see where something like that could come from. He did his job, finished his assignments quickly, and managed to pin almost everyone he killed on the Heartless. So, why was Roxas's comment bothering him so much? Marluxia groaned inwardly. He was beyond annoyed.
Maybe Xehanort wouldn't miss one blonde.
Aqua stood in front of a freshly painted red door in an area that connected to a private beach in a gated community. She had gotten in easily enough, all she had to do was tease the security guard, and he let her in without a problem. But, she was stressing out. Not only because what she needed was detrimental to her fight with Diz, but meeting with her old Captain brought about memories she wished she could have left behind.
But, she stood in front of this door, shaking slightly. She had to regain her composure before she approached this man, who had instilled so much fear in her before. Now she was in charge, and she had to get her message out.
"I can do this," Aqua mumbled. She knocked on the door briskly.
After a few minutes of waiting, the door opened, and a boy of about twelve years stared at her, bored out of his mind, and listening to an IPod. He looked her up and down and blushed.
"Yeah?" He asked. "What do you want?"
Aqua smiled softly. "Is your father home?"
The boy paused, thinking for a second. He looked back into the house and yelled as loudly as he could. "Dad! There's a woman here for you!" He turned back to Aqua. "He'll be down in a second."
Aqua nodded as the boy closed the door. Her heart thumped in her chest, and she wished she didn't have to do this alone, but Isa was climbing in through an unguarded window, and the guys he brought with him where watching her through rifle scopes. The door opened again.
"Yes, what can I help you…?"
The man at the door froze, and he calm face swirled into a pit of anger that Aqua hadn't seen coming.
"What the fuck are you doing here?"
"Eraqus," Aqua said. "We need to talk."
The man turned an alarming shade of red, but let Aqua in. Aqua immediately set to closing all the windows and drawing the blinds. Dilan, who had been watching her closest, cursed under his breath.
"What the fuck are you doing?" he breathed.
Aqua drew the last blind, and turned to her former Captain. "Okay, I'm going to make this quick."
Eraqus raised an eyebrow.
"You're going to send a message to all of my employees," Aqua barked. "You are going to do it right now, then you're never going to see me again."
"So you think you can just barge your way in here and demand things of me?" Eraqus laughed. "You're out of your fucking mind, bitch. I knew it was only a matter of time before you crawled back to me to give back the gift I bestowed on you."
Aqua threw the first thing her hand touched. It was a small vase that looked expensive, and water and flowers flew everywhere before the vase shattered. "You will not speak to me like that! I am to be respected! You shut your fucking mouth!"
Eraqus smirked. "I see you still have feelings for me. I gave you everything. To them, you might be the big boss, but you'll always be my little whore."
Another vase shattered over Eraqus's head. He stood up and took a step forward. "I'm not doing shit for you. You haven't earned it."
Aqua flew across the room, using all of her strength to punch Eraqus across the face. She wasn't as strong as her bodyguards or Isa, but Eraqus fell backwards. He reached out and pulled Aqua down with him. They rolled over each other, both yelling horrifying obscenities at each other, until Eraqus pulled a knife from his belt and held it to Aqua's neck. Aqua froze, breathing erratically.
"You still respect me," Eraqus muttered. "I own you."
"You do not," Aqua growled. "Not anymore."
"Oh?" Eraqus smiled. "Fine, let me prove it to you."
He drew the knife lightly along Aqua's cheek, being careful not to mar her beautifully enraged face. He snagged the back of her shirt, and cut the fabric easily, exposing an elaborate tattoo that flowed down her back. Angel wings that looked like they had been torn. And in the middle of her back were faded initials. ME.
"See?" Eraqus breathed huskily. "I still own you."
Aqua pushed up, but Eraqus kept himself pressed against her. Aqua teared up because this was exactly what he did the last time they had spoken face to face. And then she had been banished to Philadelphia shortly afterwards. And she began to shiver, scared of what was going to happen to her.
"Oh, I'm not going to hurt you, honey," Eraqus whispered. "You already gave me what I wanted."
"Dad?"
Aqua looked up. The same child that had answered the door was standing in the doorway, looking slightly apologetic, but not surprised. It seemed he was used to the way his father treated women. He stood there, thinking about what he wanted to say, but nothing came out of his mouth.
"Miguel," Eraqus said. "Go to your room and wait for me. I'm just in the middle of a business meeting. It'll be over soon."
"Please don't hurt her."
"I won't," Eraqus held up a hand. "I promise."
Miguel, not believing his father for a second, turned on his heels and ran up the stairs to his room, where he would try to block his ears from the screams of pain he knew would float up the stairwell. He flopped on his bed, covered his ears with headphones, and turned his music all the way up. He couldn't hear a thing, and he couldn't hear Isa moving around the upstairs.
Isa had climbed through the back window, and had been followed by another man. As soon as they were both in a spare bedroom, they attacked each other, trying to stay as quiet as possible so nobody would hear them. It was Moloch, and he was alone despite bringing two other men with him. Isa hadn't seen him until it was too late to try to deter him.
Moloch pulled out a gun, and Isa froze.
"Not so tough now, are you?" Moloch laughed. "Come on, move back."
Isa obeyed, moving away from the door and towards the window. "You don't have to do this, man. We used to be on the same side."
Moloch frowned. "Yeah? Well, we're not anymore. Aqua got to be too much of an obstacle. Diz wants her dead. And you're not going to stop me."
Isa grinned, laying on a cool exterior. He was going to have to turn the tables somehow. And killing Moloch was a must unless the little shit escaped. But, for now, Isa had to get the gun out of the equation.
"I wouldn't try to stop you," Isa said. "I want the same thing you do."
"I don't think so," Moloch growled. "You've been her wing man since you started."
"That may be true, but I don't want her in the drug game anymore than you do," Isa explained softly. "I've been trying to weed her out of it since Lea disappeared. You're just making it harder, because I want to be the one to get rid of her."
Moloch subconsciously lowered his weapon. Though he still had the gun drawn, he was no longer interested in pulling the trigger. Isa had distracted him.
"Why would you want to get rid of her?" Moloch asked. "This is not making sense to me."
"I want the power."
Moloch flashed a smile. "So you want to be in control? I should have known. All you drug dealers are alike. All you want is money and power. You don't even care about anything else. Pathetic. Diz was right about you."
Isa glanced around the room, looking for something he could use as a weapon. His gun was out of the question because he would be shot before he could even think about it. He shook his head, and an angry cry drew his attention. He could recognize it anywhere. It was Aqua.
Moloch looked at the door. "Looks like you're boss is in trouble. Aren't you going to help her?"
Isa frowned, and tensed up. Of course he wanted to help her, but if he did, his distraction would be destroyed. He relaxed and shrugged. "Why would I do that? She deserves it."
Moloch smiled. "So, will you let me pass?"
Isa tensed once again. "Sure, go ahead."
He side stepped Moloch, and opened the door. Moloch grinned and pointed the gun at him. "Step back. I know your type. You'd wait for me to leave, then stab me in the back. I'm not stupid, Isa. I'll blow your fucking head off."
Isa grimaced. "I would never."
"Well, I'm not taking any chances," Moloch growled. "Step the fuck back."
Isa did as he was told, hating that he couldn't do a thing. So far, this easy job was turning into a political battle for the ages. Only the policies were bullets and the politicians were guns. Isa growled under his breath as another angry cry echoed upstairs. He knew what was going on, because that was the same sound he remembered hearing when Aqua told him that she was going to get him a job.
He had been asked to stand outside the house. He had never seen her Captain's face, but he was waiting to hear f he was going to have a job or not. He had just been kicked out of the University because he was caught stealing prescription drugs. Lea had bet him, and he was up to the challenge, not really caring what the consequences were until he had been expelled.
So, with his dreams of becoming a doctor dashed, he turned to Aqua, asking her for help. He had heard that she was getting into the drug game, even though he had specifically asked her not to. But, she was strong willed, and desperate, and she owed Isa a favor for not telling her parents.
So, there he was, standing outside this counting house, with Aqua alone, inside, with a bunch of tough men. He wanted to go in and beat them up, but he knew he was out numbered, and he wasn't strong enough to do anything to them if they decided to make it a gunfight. At the time, he knew he couldn't kill anyone.
He never smoked, but that day, he lit his first cigarette, and sucked the smoke in nervously. He chuckled at the thought that Lea would probably laugh at him, and then steal it right from his mouth. He threw the butt in the grass and peeked through the curtains. He had to stand on his toes, but he figured that he could at least steal a glance at the mysterious person who was going to change his life forever.
Instead, he saw Aqua, bent over a chair, with a man behind her. She was crying, and as soon as she saw Isa peeking through the curtain, she cried out angrily. Isa fell back, completely caught off guard and disgusted by what he witnessed.
Aqua was getting raped so that he could have a job. He clenched his fists and stormed up to the door, ready to kick it down, when someone stopped him. It was Lea, and he had come with a half-assed apology. Isa yelled at him, and turned back to the door. It was cracked, and the same man who had so greedily thrust himself into Aqua handed Isa a gun and a list of names. Isa glanced at it, and instantly recognized some of them.
"Turn around," the man said. Isa heard a distinctive Southern drawl that reminded him of movies that he had seen that centered on racism. This man was the plantation owner, and Isa couldn't help but feel like the slave.
"Listen," the man said. "You've been given a job. You are to protect Aqua at all costs, even if it means giving your life."
Isa opened his mouth, but a searing pain ripped his head open, and he clutched his ear. He doubled over, and fell down the few cement stairs that led to the door. Lea backed away, and ran off, not bothering to help his once best friend, and closest comrade. Isa's eyes watered, and he shouted curses. The man opened the door wider, and Aqua stepped outside, looking haggard and defeated.
She passed Isa without looking at him. Isa sat up, and the man at the door laughed.
"Well, Isa," he chuckled. "You've certainly got your hands full, don't you? Be careful."
Isa sat up, "Who the fuck are you?"
"Well, I'm certainly not the man you're looking for." The man snarled. "I only pass messages along. Aqua's…unfortunate encounter with me was only a reprimand ordered by her Captain. He gave you the job, not me, and not her."
"Motherfucker."
"Name calling won't get you anywhere, son."
Isa stood up, but he wobbled. His head throbbed. "I'm going to kill you."
"I look forward to the challenge, young man. You see, I am very powerful, and I don't appreciate people trying to take things that belong to me." A short bout of laughter. "You'll understand one day, Isa. But, if you want to live to see that day, you'll leave, and never show your face to me again. Or, I promise you I'll cut it off."
A sharp yelp from Moloch disrupted Isa's reminiscing. He looked out of the room, only after pulling out a silenced pistol. That motherfucker was going to get a bullet in the brain. As soon as Isa stepped into the hallway, he stopped. One of the biggest men he had ever seen was looking down at him through thick eyebrows, and bristled sideburns.
"Shit," Isa muttered. He assumed that this was one of the guys Moloch had been accompanied by.
Xaldin growled at him. Isa took a defensive step back, and bumped into Marluxia. He was cornered, once again, but he had a weapon this time.
"Who the fuck are you?" Isa barked. He had no authority to ask such a question in that manner.
Larxene moved past Xaldin, snickering. "We only want to talk, Isa."
Isa swallowed, but kept up his tough exterior.
"No need to be so defensive, love," Larxene said. "They won't hurt you much. Not unless I say so."
Marluxia giggled under his breath and Xaldin hushed him. He fell silent, but Isa could feel evil radiating off of him. Isa glanced at each of them, weighing his options. Gunfire echoed up the stairwell.
"What do you want?"
Larxene hummed. "Well, we are awfully blunt, aren't we?" She paused. "I suppose we could just cut to the chase. We understand that you and the Heartless are not on good terms."
"So?"
"Well, we want to know where he is," Larxene said. "It's a simple enough question. And, I think you can find that out. After all, isn't that what Aqua's here for?"
Isa bit his lower lip, thinking. He had no idea where Diz was. And these people who were threatening him with just a glance we starting to unnerve him.
"I don't know where he is," Isa said coolly. "But, if you find him, tell him I'll kill him."
Larxene poked a knife at Isa's stomach. Isa didn't struggle against her, but he knew a fight was stirring. "I know you know." She poked him harder. "Think about it. Anything you talked to Moloch about ring any bells?"
"We didn't make small talk, bitch," Isa snarled.
Larxene smiled dangerously. "Think about it, Isa. If you were Diz, where would you hide?"
Isa leaned back. "Why are you asking me?"
Xaldin grunted. "You will be more likely to tell the truth, for fear that you're boss will die. I would make sure of that if you don't answer her question."
Isa thought for a second. He honestly had no idea. He had never even seen the guy that closely before. They must have been testing them. He frowned, and tensed up, letting the rush of adrenaline build into an ocean that couldn't be rivaled. Larxene stared at him for a moment longer, before they both moved at the same time.
Isa grabbed the knife from Larxene's hand, and spun it into a comfortable position, while Larxene danced out of the way of Isa's first attack. They ended up back to back, each holding a fistful of each other's hair. Larxene pressed an acupuncture needle into Isa's back. Isa locked up in pain, but didn't dare show a sign of weakness. He pulled her long hair.
"You fucking cunt," Isa growled. "Get the fuck out of my way."
Larxene smiled and pressed another needle into Isa's flesh. "Tell me what I want to know. You're Aqua's wingman. Moloch's companion says you know."
Isa frowned. They had the wrong person. Although he was commonly mistaken for being Aqua's wingman, that title belonged to the one who Aqua deemed her second. And that person was far away.
"Fucking Riku," Isa growled.
Larxene frowned. Her assignment wasn't going as planned, and Xehanort would be pissed if she didn't come back with something. He specifically asked for the whereabouts of Diz, and if she didn't get it for him, she would be punished, and Marluxia would be only too happy to oblige. She grit her teeth, and pulled as hard as she could out of Isa's grasp. Isa pulled her hair back, and cut the blonde locks.
"Jesus fucking Christ!" Larxene snarled. She reached up, and felt split ends. "I'm over this. Xaldin, you can kill him. He doesn't know."
Isa frowned. "Xaldin?"
Xaldin picked Isa up and threw him down the hallway. The needles buried themselves deeper, and Isa lost all the feeling in his lower half. He panicked. He gripped the carpet and pulled himself along, trying to reach his pistol before Xaldin killed him. He was almost there when Marluxia pressed the heel of his boot on Isa's hand. Isa looked up.
"I'm not allowed to kill you, Isa," Marluxia laughed. "But, I am certainly going to watch you die."
Isa rolled over and grabbed his pistol with his other hand. He instantly aimed it at Marluxia and pulled the trigger. Marluxia fell back, grasping his arm. He had screamed, but Isa wasn't sure if it was the pain that created such a hollow sound. Marluxia glared at him, blood oozing from his shoulder.
"You motherfucker," Marluxia yelled.
Isa's soul left him, and several things happened at once. Marluxia grabbed his scythe and stood to his full height. He seemed completely unfazed by his wound. Xaldin tackled Marluxia and pulled him back, and the pink demon swung down with all his might. The scythe's blade buried itself in between Isa's legs, missing by an inch. Isa gasped, and Marluxia struggled against Xaldin's iron grip.
"Fuck you, Isa!" Marluxia cried. "You think you can shoot me and live? One day, I'm gonna cut your dick off and shove it down your throat! Do you hear me?"
Xaldin wrestled Marluxia to the floor and stuck him with a hypodermic needle. Marluxia calmed instantly, and vomited. He passed out, and Xaldin stood up, flipping his cell phone open.
"Yeah, we've been compromised," he muttered. "We're on our way back."
Xaldin picked Marluxia's body, and left, running down the stairs. Larxene had long gone, and Isa breathed harshly, scared out of his mind. His hand shook violently, and he fell back onto the carpet. He resisted the urge to vomit. And his stomach turned over itself.
After a few minutes, Miguel opened his bedroom door. He had heard the fight, and hid in his closet. But, once the vibrations in the floor stopped, he peeked out of his room. Isa panted, scared out of his mind. When he saw Miguel, he chuckled in spite of himself.
"Hey, kid," he groaned. "Could you help me out?"
Miguel hesitated. He had seen this before, when his father got into fights with his friends. They usually ended up like this. And he had always been told to never help anyone. But, Miguel had never seen this man before. And he didn't think that any self respecting drug dealer in Miami would dye their hair such a crazy shade of blue. He came closer, but he grabbed a bat from his room before doing so.
"Could you pull these out?" Isa asked. He rolled on his side. The needles were barely visible "Please?"
Miguel approached Isa apprehensively. He frowned slightly, and ran to the bathroom to get a pair of tweezers. As he got closer to Isa, he felt a strange sympathy for him, even though he had never seen him before. But he squatted next to him and pulled the needles out one by one. Isa hissed. He tensed up every once in a while, but didn't move otherwise. He could feel his legs again. They tingled and stung, though he remained on the floor.
Miguel went back into his room and turned his music back on. Isa sighed deeply. He was beginning to get tired of this. Constantly fighting for something he didn't want. Drugs, prostitution, extortion, murder. He was sick of it all, and wanted so desperately to take Aqua away. He wasn't lying when he told Moloch that he wanted Aqua out of the game. He just didn't want to kill her to do it, and he didn't want the power she had.
He wanted her to be safe.
He struggled to his feet, and made his way downstairs, scared that he would see Xaldin, or Marluxia on the way. Or if those gunshots he had heard previously would be Aqua's dead body on the carpet. Moloch was nowhere to be found, though Isa could see signs that he had fought with those lunatics as well. He felt slightly bad for him because Marluxia was a scary motherfucker, but he erased those feelings as soon as remembered that Moloch had threatened to kill him.
The living room was in disarray. Tables had been broken, vases smashed, and glass littered the floor like a twisted kind of diamond warehouse. Isa paled when he saw two bodies in the floor, facedown. Neither one was moving, and a strange looking device was sitting in front of them.
"Aqua!"
Isa rushed to Aqua's body and turned it over. She was naked, and Isa pulled a throw blanket from a destroyed chair and covered her with it. He cradled her and tried to wake her up. Her skin was decorated with shards of glass, and Isa began to pull them out hurriedly, stifling incoming sobs.
"Aqua!"
Isa brushed glass away from Aqua, and laid her down gently. He stood up, gathered supplies from around the house, and sat back down next to her. He had been in the University long enough to know how to fix somebody up, but could do little more for her. He removed all the glass shards from her skin, cleaned her wounds with alcohol, and wrapped most of her body in gauze.
During this process, Aqua had stirred, but she remained still, not opening her eyes, or making any other attempt to tell Isa how she felt. Isa panicked, but couldn't help that flutter of lust rise in his heart. He hated himself for it, but there was a certain satisfaction in knowing that he could ravage Aqua much better than Riku could.
And there it was again. That jealousy.
He flipped his phone open and called Hayner. He knew his companion would be in New York, and would have received that message, if it had actually been sent out.
"Hello?"
"Hayner, did you get a message recently?"
Hayner fumbled around on his end of the phone. "Uh, yeah. A KOS had been placed on the Heartless."
"That's it?"
"Well, yeah." Hayner paused. "And I thought you should know that Riku is looking for you."
Isa growled. "That little shit."
"He's here. I told him you guys were in Miami, but that you were coming back soon." Hayner coughed. "I think he wants to talk to Aqua."
Isa frowned and hung up the phone. He was up shit's creek for sure. Aqua opened her eyes, and sat up. Isa didn't say anything to her, but his heart leapt. Aqua gathered the blanket around herself. Eraqus was still facedown.
"Did you kill him?" Isa asked.
Aqua was quiet for a while. "No, he's just down on Red Birds. Fucker injected me with it, too."
Isa blinked. "Do you want me to kill him?"
"I should," Aqua said. "But Miguel needs his father, though I fucking hate him."
Isa helped Aqua to her feet. "We should go. There's no telling when the cops are going to show up."
Aqua nodded, and allowed Isa to help her dress. The Red Birds were still in her system, and she felt sluggish and unaware. She just needed to sleep, but she knew she couldn't until she flushed it out of her body. She was going to be awfully cranky by the time they made it to New York.
If they made it back to New York.
Just a note: Secobarbital is a drug that is used as a temporary treatment of insomnia. It is considered a downer, and sometimes goes by the Street name Red Birds. I used this because it sounds pretty when written down. Don't do drugs.
So, that's my disclaimer. I thought is was relevent to the last part of this chapter. You know, thirteen thousand words. It would have been longer, but I had to hold myself back again. And I kind of liked how it turned out. The parts that I cut were not that important after all. Yay for editing.
So, thank DeadShut for the lovely music for the Organization XIII. *claps*
And you has a nice day, from the both of us. :D