Author's Note:

I can't believe I wrote this chapter so fast! I honestly thought it'd be another week before it was posted.

I really hope y'all like this chapter! A lot happens.

I can't believe how many awesome reviews I got last chapter! Thank y'all so much! A special thank you to my guest reviewers last chapter; your reviews made me so happy! :D I may start replying to guest reviews at the end of chapters, since I can't PM guests.

Anyways, here's chapter 21!

Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts or any of the direct quotes from the game used in this fanfiction.

Chapter Twenty-One: Why the Sun Sets Red

Day 226. Day 227. Day 228. 229. 230. 231. 232. 233. 235.

240.

245.

250.

The days went by almost faster than I could count, blurring together in my memory until I could barely remember one from the other. Every day involved the same routine of doing whatever mission I was assigned and then heading up the clock tower in the hopes my friends would be there.

Unfortunately, my missions for the past three weeks were long challenging ones, and by the time I arrived at the clock tower my friends had already left. Sometimes I saw them in the Grey Area before I left on my mission, but we never got the chance to talk much. Xion wasn't acting so weirdly quiet anymore, but Axel was still distant. He would barely even acknowledge me anymore. I tried not to let it bother me, but it made me a bit nervous. Had I done something wrong?

By day 253, I still had no idea who had read my diary. It couldn't be Xion or Axel, I had decided. Friends don't break into their friend's rooms and read their journals! So then... who was it?

I let out a sigh as I entered the Grey Area, glancing around to see who was there. Demyx was on a sofa as usual, playing that same familiar-sounding song he often softly strummed on his sitar. Sitting near him was Luxord, with Axel standing by the window at the opposite side of the room. The tall redhead didn't even glance over as I entered the room, although he must have heard me sigh. I had started to walk toward him out of habit, but now I stopped. Why was Axel ignoring me?

"Hey, Alexa!" Roxas's cheery greeting from behind startled me, my Keyblade appearing in my hand by itself. As I turned to face my blond friend, I could feel my face growing hot in embarrassment. I get scared way too easily.

"Hi! Sorry, you startled me," I apologized, dismissing my weapon. "Guess that's what I get for spacing out."

"Roxas, today your mission is heart collection in Agrabah," Saïx informed my friend from his usual spot by the window. I gave Roxas a sympathetic glance- he hated the heat of the desert as much as I did. The blue-haired man continued, "Alexa, you and Axel will take care of Heartless at Beast's Castle."

Now the redhead finally glanced over at me, his expression blank and unreadable. "Let me know when you're ready to go," he told me, a cool tone to his voice that matched his icy eyes.

I noticed Roxas's confused expression as he glanced between Axel and me. "Did something-"

He broke off as our tall friend summoned a Dark Corridor and stepped through, not bothering to wait for me. His mouth hung open slightly in surprise as he watched Axel leave. "Wow," he finally muttered. "Alexa, what did you do to upset Axel that much?"

"I didn't do anything!" I protested, fear rising up inside of me. Axel didn't... He hadn't... He wouldn't have read my diary, would he?! It was the only reason I could think of for my tall friend to be mad at me. Although, he didn't really seem mad, exactly... but still, he sure didn't seem happy.

I groaned, summoning a Corridor of my own to follow Axel. "See you later," I told Roxas with a forced smile before I stepped into the shadows. Here in the darkness my fears seemed to multiply as I hurried toward Beast's Castle, trying to ignore the worrying thoughts whispering inside my mind. It was a relief when I finally stepped out into the dim light of the castle.

As the Corridor closed behind me, I glanced around for Axel. Where had he gone? I was in the entranceway, facing the large staircase. He should have been here waiting for me. So where...?

"There you are, Alexa. Glad to see you finally showed up."

I was so nervous and on edge that I froze in terror at the sound of the voice behind me. I knew it was Axel's voice, but it barely sounded like him. It was too cold, too soft. It was almost creepy.

I finally forced myself to slowly turn toward the tall redhead, suddenly noticing Kingdom of Broken Hearts was gripped firmly in my hand. When had it appeared? I dismissed it, turning around fully so I now faced Axel.

His expression was still mostly blank, except for his eyes. They shone with a suspicious glint, as if he didn't trust whatever he was looking at.

Which, at that moment, was me.

And then I knew.

"Oh, no..." I whispered, the words slipping out on their own before my brain could stop them. "You read it. You actually read it." I felt sick as the realization slowly sunk in.

Axel didn't say anything, but I thought I saw his eyes flash with... Guilt? Anger? I couldn't tell. He held my gaze for a few horrible seconds that seemed to last for years before finally looking away and walking past me. "We have a mission to do," he stated coolly, pausing at the bottom of the stairs.

I didn't respond, still shocked. Out of all the Organization members, Axel was one of the three people I trusted to not have read my journal- because he was my friend. In fact, I considered him a best friend. I trusted him to have my back, and I, of course, would have his.

But now...

"Well? Are you coming?" Axel's voice rang sharply through the large entrance hall, jolting me out of my thoughts. I answered him with a nod, following as he started climbing up the stairs. I still felt shocked and betrayed and... hurt. It didn't even occur to me then how horrible this was for the canon timeline. All I could think was that my friend had betrayed me.

Why? What had I done to deserve this?!

I was barely aware of my surroundings as I followed Axel through the castle's hallways. I must have looked like a zombie with my blank expression as I stumbled along on autopilot.

I should have known it was him. He had always seemed slightly suspicious of me, since the very beginning. I winced as I remembered how he had threateningly summoned his weapons in the "usual spot" under the tracks when we were searching for Xion. His hands were empty now, to my relief. He wasn't going to attack me or anything. Not that I really thought he would, anyway. We were friends, right...?

Axel stopped suddenly, causing me to almost crash into him. A small group of Heartless had appeared a few feet in front of us: two Bad Dogs and three Soldiers. Without any warning, Axel summoned his weapons and lunged toward the Heartless, defeating them incredibly fast. I snapped out of my shock and summoned my Keyblade, rushing to help Axel. No sooner had all the Heartless been defeated than Axel kept walking, not even pausing to catch his breath. I hurried to catch up to him, already tired. I had a feeling it was going to be a long mission.

It wasn't, actually. It was one of the fastest missions I've ever been on. Axel seemed stronger than usual, or maybe I was just hyperaware of it due to my fear. Not that I was afraid of my friend!

...Well, okay, I was. But only because I knew what he was like when he was angry, at least in the video games. Hopefully he wouldn't be that mad at me.

Although, he certainly had every reason to. I knew the future, had knowledge of what would happen to him and his friends. If, back home, one of my best friends revealed to me that they were actually from another world and knew what the future held in store for me, I'd probably be shocked and... a little upset. I mean, wouldn't you be?

By the time our mission was over, even Axel seemed slightly tired. I was exhausted and out-of-breath, wanting nothing more than to head back to the castle and fall asleep. But I couldn't.

I turned toward Axel as he was about to leave through a Dark Corridor. "So it's true, isn't it? You're the one who read my diary." I tried to appear bold, but my voice shook despite my efforts.

The tall redhead paused. "You shouldn't freely write about all your secrets," he finally replied after a few scary moments of silence. His weapons were still tightly gripped in his hands as he continued, "Especially when those secrets can be danergous in the wrong hands. I'd destroy that book before Saïx decides to snoop in it."

"Why... Why did you read it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "I thought we were friends."

Axel didn't say anything. He took a step forward into the Corridor, disappearing in the darkness.

I stood there, staring at where Axel had been, for a few seconds. So many emotions were swirling inside me, yet I felt so empty. I didn't know what to do.

My vision started to blur, and I reached up to wipe my eyes. They felt... wet. Was I... Was I crying? It had been so long since I had last cried, it didn't seem natural anymore. It was weird. I blinked away the water forming in my eyes and held out my left hand. I couldn't just let Axel walk away, I had to go after him! I had to explain, to make him understand!

I stepped through the Corridor as it appeared, then broke into a run as I attempted to catch up with Axel. I saw a tall figure in the shadows up ahead and yelled my friend's name. "AXEL!"

To my relief, he stopped and turned around. His weapons were gone, and he crossed his arms as his cold mint eyes met my gaze. "Yeah?" he asked, no suspicion or hostility in the simple word.

I nervously swallowed, suddenly unsure what to say. "I... I'm sorry," I blurted out finally. "I'm so, so sorry. I kept a huge secret from you, and I know that's not what friends do but you have to understand! I couldn't tell anyone, not even you, or Roxas, or Xion. Knowing the future, it's... it's scary. All this stuff's gonna happen, so many things that hurt to think about, and I can't do anything to change it without consequences. I know I'm a terrible person or Nobody or whatever the heck I am for not telling you, but please-"

I broke off as Axel held up his hands. "I get it. I get why you didn't tell anyone. That is, if you're telling the truth. Y'know, your first few days in the Organization... Every time you lied, your eyes would lose their brightness for a moment." He smirked, letting out a small joyless laugh that startled me. "It was almost like, I dunno, fibbing hurt you or something. So I trusted you. But now..." He frowned, his eyes serious. "I can't tell when you're telling falsehoods or truth."

Guilt and shame rose up within me, causing my face to grow hot. I hoped Axel couldn't tell in the darkness. "I'm telling the truth, I swear. But I understand if you don't believe me." I lowered my head, unable to meet the tall redhead's gaze any longer. I couldn't stand the look in his eyes, gleaming through the shadows surrounding us. "I just... I don't want you to hate me. I want for us to have as many sunsets on the clock tower as possible. Even if I can't figure out a way to save Roxas and Xion, I want them to both have mostly happy memories. I want us all to get along and be best friends. I want..." I trailed off into a sigh, feeling tears fall from my eyes and slide down my face. In the dim light, Axel wouldn't be able to see them, so I didn't bother to wipe them away. It felt almost good to cry. "I'm so sorry," I whispered again, my throat tight. "I've messed everything up and I am so, so sorry!" By that point, I wasn't even sure who I was apologizing to anymore- Axel or the universe.

I didn't dare to look up at Axel during the several silent moments that followed. I could only desperately hope he would forgive me. If he didn't... what would I do? Leave the Organization? Or stay and just try to avoid Axel? What if... what if Axel told Saïx or Roxas or even Xion about what he had read in my journal? I had messed up big time by writing everything down. If only I could go back in time and fix things!

"Alexa, what do you really want?"

"Huh?" I was surprised by Axel's sudden question. "What do you mean?" I finally looked up, meeting Axel's gaze. To my relief, it wasn't quite as hostile anymore. He seemed to be observing me, trying to decide something.

"All you mentioned wanting was a way to save Roxas and Xion. What does that get you?"

I frowned. "I don't know. Relief, I guess? I just don't want anything bad to happen to anyone!"

Axel rolled his eyes. "No one's that selfless. What's your real motive?"

I thought for a moment, confused. Motive? Did I have a motive? "I..." I stopped, suddenly realizing something. "You're right. I guess I do have a motive. I guess I feel like I sort of... owe you guys. Your game- the game you're in- it means so much to me. I played it a lot to deal with stress and stuff, and it's helped me through some hard times. So... I guess it's my turn to help you." I could feel my face reddening as I admitted to Axel what I hadn't even been able to admit to myself. "I know it's stupid, but... you guys have always meant a lot to me, even before I knew you were real. Oh gosh, why am I even telling you all this?" I groaned and looked away, already regretting what I had just said. But it was too late to take it back.

"You owe us, huh?" Axel muttered, sighing. "Some way to pay back your debt, keeping secrets from us. But then again, we all have secrets, right? I've kept quite a few from you, I'll admit. So I guess we're about even."

I looked up, surprised. "You mean... you're not mad?"

"Mad? Nah," he responded with a shrug. "You had your reasons to keep things secret. I was suspicious of you at first, sure. You seemed to know much more than you should. That's why I read your journal. But now.." His eyes narrowed. "We need to talk about what you know."

"Um... I shouldn't..."

"I already know so much, what'll it hurt if I know more? Besides, you want to save Roxas right? I can help."

I blinked in surprise. Axel wasn't mad? He wanted to help? Should I be suspicious... or grateful?

"Y-You'll help?" I stuttered, not sure what to think.

"'Course. What are friends for?

"Th-thank you," I told him gratefully, relieved we were friends again.

"Don't mention it. Anyways, we should probably get out of the Corridor. Not really the best spot to stand around and talk for so long. See ya around."

"Wait, I thought you wanted to talk more?"

"I gotta head back, but we should come up with a plan soon. Meet me here tomorrow, after our missions?"

I nodded. "O-okay."

We headed back toward the castle, silent except for the mess of thoughts inside my head. Axel knew my secret. He had known for awhile, yet hadn't said anything. Why?

Just as we were about to exit the corridor, I thought of a very important question I needed to ask Axel. "You haven't... You haven't told anyone else about this, have you?"

To my relief, he shook his head. "I'm not stupid."

"Thanks," I told him with a smile.

Axel exited the Corridor and just as I was about to follow, I noticed a movement out of the corner of my eye. Was that a flash of silver? I turned towards it, but whatever it was had vanished into the shadows, if there ever even was anything there. I shrugged and left the Corridor, heading down the hall toward my room.

It's weird, I thought as I stepped inside my room and was greeted by the stars outside the window. Axel knows so many things he shouldn't about the future, yet I'm not really nervous or panicking. In fact, I'm kind of relieved. Is it bad that I'm sort of glad to finally share my secret with someone? And who knows, maybe Axel will come up with a plan to save Roxas and Xion.

It's weird how quickly you can go from despair to hope.

~Time-Skip~

I waited for Axel in the Dark Corridor after my mission the next day, but he never came. I was so worried something had happened to him that I actually gathered the courage to ask Saïx about it the following morning.

"He's been sent on a special mission," was all the blue-haired man would say. I wondered what that meant. Castle Oblivion, maybe?

I had completed my mission for the day and was now sitting on top of the clock tower, all alone. I had high hopes my friends would show up. After all, it was Day 255. I felt like something important had happened on that day in the video game, although I couldn't remember what.

Usually the sunset didn't seem nearly as beautiful without my friends there with me, but on that day it glowed like never before. The sky was painted in various shades of red and gold, with a few puffy clouds floating slowly by. It was practically the prettiest sunset I'd ever seen.

"Alexa! Wow, you're here really early!"

I grinned as I turned toward Roxas, who was walking up behind me. "Maybe you're just late," I teased him. "Look at the sunset. Isn't it amazing today?"

"Yeah," my blond friend agreed, sitting down next to me on the ledge. "I think this is the best it's ever been."

As I nodded my agreement, I heard footsteps from behind us. Glancing over my shoulder, I was surprised to see Axel walking toward us.

"You're early," he greeted us, sitting down next to Roxas.

My blond friend grinned at me before replying, "No, you're just late."

We sat in silence for a few minutes, eating the ice cream that Axel had handed out. The gentle wind that usually softly ruffled our hair was stronger that day, pulling more and more strands of my hair free from its braid until I finally gave in and put my hood up. I envied Roxas and his shorter hair, which didn't seem to be annoying him in the slightest. Even Axel's hair somehow managed to stay in its neat spikes.

I slowly ate my popsicle and savored the salty, creamy flavor. Life seemed pretty good at that moment, now that my secret had been revealed to Axel. I was certain that together we'd come up with a plan to save our friends.

Just... hopefully he wouldn't do something crazy.

"Today makes 255."

Roxas's simple statement startled me so much I almost lost my balance, barely catching myself in time. My blond friend glanced over at me, his eyes wide, and I quickly told him I was fine. "Just lost my balance for a second," I explained. I couldn't exactly tell him I was startled because I knew exactly what he was going to say next! I remembered now why day 255 seemed important to me. It was Why the Sun Sets Red. One of the first scenes in the game. My first impressions of Roxas and Axel came from this scene. And now, here I was, experiencing it in person!

"255? What's that about?" Axel wondered, biting into his popsicle. I wonder if he ever got brain freeze from doing that so much.

"It's been that many days since I first joined the Organization," Roxas explained. "Man, time sure flies."

"Guess you've got the number memorized," Axel teased, causing Roxas to grin.

"Yeah. After all, gotta hold on to something, right?" He turned towards me, and I realized he was quoting what I said the second time I'd ever talked to him. Oops. He had just quoted me quoting what he was supposed to say at this very moment. I smiled at my friend as I thought how weird that was.

"It's not like I have memories from before," Roxas continued. "Don't you remember? Those first few days, I acted like a zombie."

"Yeah, back then you could barely form a sentence," Axel agreed seriously. Then he broke into a grin and playfully shoved our blond friend. "You haven't changed much!"

"Wow, thanks," Roxas laughed, shoving Axel in return. I was horrified.

"Guys! We're at the edge of the top of a very tall clock tower. We probably shouldn't shove each other! We could accidentally push someone off the ledge!" I exclaimed, risking a glance down at the town below us. Far, far below us.

"Chill, Alexa. That's not gonna happen," Axel assured me.

"How can you be sure?" I muttered, feeling dizzy as I looked back up.

Axel ignored me. "Hey, bet you dunno why the sun sets red," he challenged us.

I felt my throat tighten as he spoke those familiar words. How many times had I thought them to myself as I stared up at the setting sun?

"You see, light's made up out of many colors. And out of all those colors-"

"Red's the one that travels the farthest," I finished, my voice in unison with Axel's. I couldn't help it!

"Right," my tall friend agreed, glancing over at me in surprise.

"You're such know-it-alls!" Roxas accused us, laughing. I joined in, and soon we were all laughing together under the brilliant sunset. All my troubles were completely forgotten when I was hanging out with my friends. I wished it could be like this all the time. The only thing that could make it better would be if-

"Seriously, where is she? She should be here by now," Roxas muttered, as if he had been able to read my thoughts. I knew "she" was Xion. I wished she was here with us.

"Roxas... I'm not sure she's gonna show today," Axel warned. He had turned to face Roxas, and I saw him shoot a glance at me like I should know what was going on. I didn't. Had something happened to Xion? I frowned in confusion.

"Why?" our blond friend asked, surprise in his tone. "She didn't... she didn't collapse again, did she?"

Axel hesitated. "She..." He turned away, suddenly breaking into a grin. "Didn't you hear? She got sent on a really important mission! Pretty cool, huh?" The cheeriness in his voice was obviously fake, but Roxas actually seemed to believe him.

"Oh. So when's she coming back?"

Axel hesitated again. "Guess that depends on how well she does her job, right? She'll be back whenever the mission's done." This time his cheerfulness was almost believable, and Roxas didn't seem to suspect anything.

"Fair enough," he agreed with a small laugh.

Silence settled over us as we sat there on the ledge, gazing up at the beautiful sunset. I wanted it to last forever.

But where was Xion? If only I could remember the timeline better!

I sighed and shook my head, forcing my worries to leave me alone. So much had happened in the past few days. It was nice to finally spend time with my friends. And even though Axel knew Roxas's canon fate, he was doing a pretty good job of acting normal.

My adventure in this world is nothing like I ever imagined it would be, I thought as I studied the various shades of red in the sky. But now that there's a chance, small as it may be, that I can get a happy ending for my friends- with Axel's help- I wouldn't want it any other way.

Author's Note:

THE MYSTERY IS SOLVED! IT WAS AXEL! (My apologies to everyone who was hoping it wasn't him.)

I feel like I did a terrible job of writing Axel this chapter, but I tried my best! What do you think? Please let me know in a review!