Chapter 25:
The End: Part Two
"What do you mean? Roxy, what's wrong with you?" the red head asked, very confused. A click and the chains were released off of the blonde's wrists. Roxas rubbed his wrists and flinched when he felt the marks down his back react to his movement. Looking at the stranger grabbing a hold of his hips, the blonde shoved him off and slowly stood up. The man who said his name was Axel sat on the floor, shocked and hurt.
"Look, I don't know who any of you are and where the hell I am. But, would you mind telling me where are my clothes and how I can get the fuck out of here," Roxas said, trying to move as little as possible, the pain coming back to him.
"Roxas? It's me Demyx, you know. You're old buddy!" said a man with a strange looking mullet.
"Okay, Billy Ray Cyrus and Lindsay Lohan, if you don't know how to get out of here, the least you could do is help me find my clothes," Roxas grumbled, growing irritated with the two men in the room. Wait a sec, he was half naked and covered in blood, what the hell did they do to him?
"Uh, here you go Roxas," Axel said, untying a blue cloth that was tied around his wrist. He handed it to the blonde and Roxas snatched it out of his hand. The red head crawled over to his companion named Demyx and Roxas shook out the shirt. It was his superman shirt he got years ago.
"Why do you have this? I keep this in my house in the bottom of my dresser," Roxas asked, scanning the shirt. Not wanting to get blood on his favorite shirt, he kept it in his hands, waiting for an explanation from the two very confused looking people in there with him.
There was a very loud BANG from somewhere above them. The blonde threw his arms over his head, hoping he wasn't going to be hurt anymore.
"Roxy! Holy shit, what did he do to you?" called out his sister's voice. Huh? Kairi was there too? Roxas removed his arms and looked over at his sister who stood with her two friends Roxas vaguely remembered. He ran to his sister and wrapped his sore arms around her. Surprised, Kairi didn't hug him back.
"Kairi! Who are all these people? I'm so confused! The two over there had my shirt! Where am I?" Roxas sobbed into her shirt. Kairi lifted her brother's head up and eyed him curiously.
"Roxas, that Demyx and your boyfriend Axel. These guys here are our friends. What's with you? Wait, weren't you extremely pissed off at me?" Kairi asked.
"Mad? Mad at my sister? What for? You haven't done anything! Oh Kairi, we've got to get out of here. I'm afraid those might have hurt me! We can take your, uh, other friends and leave. I'm so scared," said Roxas, taking her hand.
"Kairi, Marluxia must've wiped Roxas' memory, he doesn't remember any of us," said a blue haired man in the back. Roxas looked over at the man and grew terrified of him. He had such a tough looking scar on his face. Roxas knew he shouldn't pick a fight with him. But he had to say something.
"Look, Mr. Blue Haired Dude, I'm not sure who you are or who this Marluxia guy is, but I'm pretty damn sure I've never met any of you. In fact, Kairi, Pence and Olette are the ones I really know. Do you guys know how to get out of here?" Roxas stated, putting his hands on his hips and wincing at the pain.
"Oh God, Demyx look at his back. I thought his stomach was bad. Marly is gonna pay," threatened the red head behind Roxas.
"I'm gonna pay am I?" echoed a voice. Axel's head snapped up and looked around, looking for the source of the voice.
"Where are you?" the red head growled. Roxas was baffled. He didn't know this Axel, but the red head was ready to kill someone for hurting him. Was what Kairi said true? Was this really attractive tattooed man Roxas'? Roxas turned around and took a step toward the now standing Axel. Axel's dazzling jade eyes sparkled with excitement and fury. Roxas held up his right hand and with the other, clutched the shirt tightly. The room was quiet and the only noise Roxas could hear was the loud thumping of Axel's racing heart and his own heart. Axel raised his own hand and their finger tips brushed each other.
"Axel! Would you care to hear what your beloved Roxas had told me earlier?" boomed that voice again. A button was pressed and Roxas' voice filled the room, three sentences on loop.
"You want Axel? Have him! I don't want him anymore!"
Axel stopped breathing. It was Roxas' own words. He could hear that beautiful sound anywhere and immediately recognize it as Roxas. This surely was Roxas. And Marluxia kept it on repeat. People gasped and whispered amongst themselves. Demyx was shaking his head in disbelief. He knew that wasn't Roxas. It was another one of Marluxia's games.
"I-I can't move!" cried Kairi. Roxas' blue eyes left Axel's green ones to see the group of people behind him froze in place. They only thing they were able to move were their heads and mouths. Axel dropped to his knees and held his face in his bloodied hands. Roxas awkwardly patted his spiky hair, not sure of what just happened.
"Roxas, do you want to leave? I can show you the way out. You and all those people over there can leave. Just leave Axel and Demyx here. It's not like you know them anyway. Just perfect strangers," said a deep voice. The wonderful fragrance of flowers tickled Roxas' nostrils. A pink haired man leaned against the wall. His blue eyes glowed and they kept an eye on the man on the floor.
"I would like to leave. But, it hurts so much to move," Roxas groaned, the stinging of the scratches on his back growing stronger as he moved.
"I'd love to fix that for you! Here, I've got clothes for you too," purred the pink haired man. A little wave of his hand and slowly the pain drifted away from his body. Roxas was feeling much better than he had before. A pile of clothes fell into Roxas' hands. Dropping the superman shirt, he threw on the clothes he was granted. It was just a simple black polo and a pair of jeans. He didn't have any shoes, but he was glad he actually had clothes on. Roxas tugged on the bottom of his shirt and was glad he was pain free and clothed.
"I'll show you the way out," said the man, another wave of his hand and a doorway appeared on one of the walls. Roxas gave the three strangers a parting glance and went to go stand by his sister who was able to move again. Roxas grabbed her wrist and tugged. Kairi wouldn't budge.
"C'mon, we're going home," Roxas urged, pulling harder. Kairi face twisted in anger as she yanked her arm away from Roxas' hand. Roxas crossed his arms over his chest and eyed his sister down. The blue haired man pushed his way to the front and walked over to kneel beside the stunned Axel.
"Saïx, don't do it," snarled the pink haired man.
"Marluxia, I've been putting up with your shit for years now. I'm sick of it. We're gonna finally stop you. You may have powers, but we have hearts and not an empty cavity," retorted the blue haired man named Saïx. Roxas' ears perked towards their conversation.
"And what are your hearts going to do?" challenged Marluxia. Axel's head slowly rose and he and Saïx stood up. The red head's hair looked like dancing flames as his anger built up inside him. Axel pivoted around to face the uninterested pink haired man. He took a step forward, but Marluxia had his fingers in his mouth, letting out one long high pitched whistle.
The room shook and Roxas couldn't stand up without falling over. He sat onto the floor and held onto Kairi's legs like he did when he was little. Kairi held a hand on her brother's back and closed her eyes waiting for the shaking to stop. Riku held her hand tightly and Sora's too. Luxord and Xaldin held onto each other for balance. Xion and Vexen tried to hold their ground. Roxas screamed, afraid of what was going to happen. He felt like a helpless child, weak and unprotected. The tremors grew stronger and Marluxia's evil laugh roared over all other noise.
Large warms arms enfolded around Roxas. The blonde did not dare open his eyes to see who was holding onto him. But, the smell of flowers was gone. He could smell more of woodsy smell, more masculine than the girlish flower smell that had once over powered him. The shakes had stopped just as quickly as they had come.
"Oh fuck," Roxas heard Kairi's voice. The arms that had kept him safe were gone and Roxas let go of Kairi's legs. In front of Marluxia stood twelve people, well more like three but with three copies of that person. Four blonde, cackling girls, four large rock like men and finally four old men with long ponytails stood, ready to fight on cue. Kairi pushed Roxas behind her and took a step forward.
"Kill them," Marluxia said, sounding bored. Riku, Kairi, Sora and Luxord charged out first, taking on the Xigbars. Cracking their knuckles, they all took one of them as Xaldin, Pence, Saïx and Demyx attacked Lexaeus and his copies. Larxene's copies took on Olette and Xion. The real Larxene glided over to her froze father, who didn't want to hurt his daughter. Roxas cowered in fear in the corner of them room, watching as he saw everyone fighting, people he didn't know fighting for him and Axel. Speaking of Axel, Roxas saw him turn around to ghost over to Marluxia. Smiling at each, their deadly dance began.
"Daddy! Why won't you fight me?" whined Larxene as she circled Vexen. Vexen shook his blonde head and didn't meet Larxene's cruel eyes.
"I won't hurt you. Larxy, you know I love you," Vexen said.
"You? Love me? Yeah right! We all know how much you loved Nami and how much you couldn't stand me. You always talked about how I was just like mom. The thing is, mom left when I was five so Naminé never knew who she was and I don't remember who she is. How do I know if I'm like her? Daddy, you never loved me. You loved Naminé stop lying!" she screeched, hitting her father in the face. Vexen tried so hard not to lash back at her.
"I love both of my daughters equally," Vexen sighed.
"Lies, you never paid any attention to me. It was, Naminé this! Naminé that! Oh look Nami! You got a one hundred on your science test! Larxene, oh an eight nine. Do better, why not be like your little sister and study? Naminé let's hang this up! I was so sick of it!"
"So, because according to you I was a failure as a father you decide to team up with that son of a bitch? He hurt your little sister! How could you let him do that?"
"Correction Daddy, I never allowed anyone to even think about Naminé. Not even Marly Darling did! I watched out for my dearest sister."
"Larxene just wanted to be a good big sister, but still keep her boss happy. I get it now."
"You don't get anything!" screamed Larxene as she tackled her dad to the stone floor.
Roxas wanted to go out and help his sister and everyone else, but he just didn't know what to do. What could weak little Roxas do? He glanced over to Kairi's fight with one of the Xigbars. Xigbar had her arms pinned behind her back, but Kairi swiftly kicked his legs and he let go, giving her a moments advantage. But Xigbar was quick, he struck her in the stomach and Kairi staggered backwards, clutching her stomach.
"Kairi!" Roxas cried, standing up, trying to see if he was able to go and fight with her. But the little brunette who looked a lot like him, one of Kairi's friends, caught his eye. One of the Xigbar copies had the kid's arms trapped and he was on top of him. The brunette's blue eyes were wet with tears and large with terror, he was defeated. Roxas saw the strain on his face and even the guy was just familiar, he had to get the old man off of him. The blonde charged through the masses of screaming bodies and shoved his way to him.
"Roxas!" he squeaked, the Xigbar licking his cheek. Roxas almost threw up as he used his shoulder to knock him down to the ground. Holding down the man with all his might, the brunette went to go help Roxas keep him down.
Marluxia hadn't made a move yet. Axel and Marluxia just moved around in a circle, glaring at each other. Axel hands were up at his sides, ready to dodge anything Marly might throw at him. The pink haired man had his arms crossed over his chest.
"Are you gonna throw some of your magic at me or not?" Axel said bitterly.
"Now, why would I want to hurt my Axy Waxy for?" said Marluxia in a seductive tone.
"I'm not yours, besides Marluxia, I thought it was my Roxy you wanted," Axel said, stopping their circling. Marluxia stifled his laughter, but let out a sort anyway.
"Get real Axy! I never wanted Roxas! He was just a little card I played to help win! As you can see, it all worked out. Roxas doesn't know who you are, therefore you and I can finally be together! Like we should've been! Getting Roxas out of your life was easier than I thought. He's so feeble, I got rid of him quickly. Not to mention, I had some fun throughout!" giggled Marluxia.
"Do you think that after all this hell you put me through I'd ever want you? You must be dumber than shit to think that! You've ruined my life. Even if I had gotten rid of Roxas when you asked all those years ago, we wouldn't be together. I had no attraction to you at all. You were just a best friend and we could've remained friends, but you fucked that all up."
"You would've fallen in love with me, like how I fell in love with you. Then Demyx can be our silly friend that will always be in our life. It can be just us three again, like when we were sixteen. Don't you miss that?"
"Actually Marluxia I don't miss that. I regret ever meeting you ad becoming friends. You are just one of the worst people ever to live and I just hope you fucking die already. I will never love you and I will always love Roxas!"
Roxas collapsed to the side and his eyes went blank. Images flew around, memories of Axel ad Demyx and Marluxia flooding back to him.
O~o~O
"I'm Axel, and Roxas? If you ever feel like you're in trouble, just come meet me here. I'll be here to help. It's what I like to do. I promise to watch over you," said the eighteen year old Axel. Roxas looked up at him with tired eyes and smiled. Vision change, a few years into the future.
"Happy birthday Roxy!" Axel screamed the loudest. Laughing, Roxas blew out the eighteen candles and looked around at his friends. Demyx and Zexion were across from him, holding each other and singing to Roxas. Pence and Olette were on his left cheering. To Roxas' right, with an arm draped over the blonde's shoulders sat Axel, Roxas best friend in the whole world.
"You know Roxas, I love that shirt. Superman huh? Keep dreaming kid," Axel teased, messing up Roxas' spikes. They laughed together and Roxas hugged Axel as Demyx cut the cake for everyone. Flashing forward a year ahead…
"Hey Roxas, did you hear the song You and I Tonight by Faber Drive?" Axel had asked Roxas when they were hanging out in Roxas' room one warm August night. Axel had his laptop open and he was giving Roxas a lesson on taste in music… again.
"Maybe, play it for me," Roxas said, sitting by Axel's feet. He dragged his knees to his chest and hugged his legs, waiting for Axel to play it. A soft guitar part kicked up and then after a little while, so did the words.
"Tonight a candle lights the room. Tonight, it's only me and you. Your skin, like gravity is pulling every part of me. I fall, you and I collide. What if I stay forever? What if there's no goodbye? Frozen for a moment here in time, yeah. If you tell me the sky is falling, or say the stars collide, the only thing that matters in my life, is you and I tonight," Axel sang along with his too deep voice with the singer. His emerald eyes closed as he sang along, feeling the meaning of the song. Roxas' jaw dropped as Axel's hand extended and took Roxas' own hand. Opening one eye at a time, Axel leaned in close to Roxas. Roxas' breathing quickened and his palms got sweaty. The song played in the background as Axel softly pressed his lips to Roxas', sealing their fate together. Roxas' body relaxed and he pushed Axel back, deepening the kiss. The song was right, the only thing that mattered in Roxas' life was Axel at that moment. Years on end he was waiting for a moment like that. The song slowed to a end and Axel pulled away.
"I love you Roxy, forever and always. This song will be our song," Axel said, stroking Roxas' cheek softly. Roxas leaned into his hand and smiled.
After that memory, the one where Axel told him that Zexion had just been taken away and Demyx had stormed out of the apartment, furious at everyone.
"S-so you think I can be next?" Roxas stammered.
"You could be, Marluxia is unpredictable… do you remember him?" Axel said, lacing his and Roxas' fingers tightly together. Roxas bit his lip and nodded.
"I'll always protect you Roxy. This failure will be my last. I promise to save you my love, my life."
O~o~O
"Axel," Roxas moaned as he started to come back to reality. His eyes fluttered and he remembered everything. From the first time he met Axel, to when Marluxia captured Zexion and then whisked away Roxas. Then everything came back from when he spent those two weeks in Marluxia's room, all the lies Marly had spun about how much Marluxia had loved his Roxy Dearest. In truth, Marly just wanted Roxas' Axel. That's right… Roxas'. Axel was his and no one else's. The blonde got to his feet, hearing the cries of pain bounce off the walls from the ongoing war. It seemed it was Marluxia's team who was winning. Sora was back to being pinned, but he wasn't going without a fight that time.
Vexen had endured Larxene's many slashes with her knife. He still lie there, taking in every hit his daughter give him, still refusing to cause her any harm. She cried as she sliced her dad, wanting to stop, but knowing she couldn't. Marluxia orders were to kill him. Tears formed in her father's hurt eyes. Larxene kissed his forehead once.
"Remember that I loved you Daddy," she whispered in his ear as she plunged her knife into Vexen's stomach. The old man gasped, but did not scream in pain. He'd rather die than injure either of his daughters. Even though Larxene was a narcissistic bitch and all she did was make her father feel awful he loved her just as much as he loved Naminé.
Vexen choked on his words, but managed to say, "Love you too sweetie."
Larxene cradled her father's lifeless body after that and wept. She brushed the hair out of his face and all she could think about were the good memories she, her sister and her father actually had together. All was forgotten, even the falling people beside her. She didn't care. Larxene had killed her dad.
Riku and Kairi stood back to back, fists up with three Xigbars pouncing on them. Kairi got a good right hook to one of their jaws and she saw one of the clones fade away. Riku kicked another in the gut and it too disappeared. Saïx had a Lexaeus in the corner and Xaldin rolled on the floor with another. Luxord ran to help Pence with a Lexaeus. Xion and Olette were working together to get the three Larxene's but they vanished just like the Xigbars with a deafening screech. Xion ran to pull the real Xigbar off of poor Sora who actually managed to keep the touchy freak off of him, somewhat at least.
One of the Xigbar copies didn't want to disappear and neither did the Lexaeus fakes. Demyx had gotten stuck with the real Lexaeus who was much larger than he was. Lexaeus managed to get a good punch to Demyx's nose which was bleeding now. Demyx tried so hard to keep Lexaeus from getting another punch like that in. Olette let Xion to help the struggling Demyx. The real Xigbar teamed up with his clone and was fighting Kairi and Riku. Xigbar's fist connected with Riku's chin and Sora just happened to see this. The small brunette felt something ignite inside of him.
"Don't hurt my Riku bitch!" shouted Sora, leaping on Xigbar's back and wrapping his arms around his neck. Xigbar stumbled backwards ad tried to get the yelling boy off of him, leaving Riku to recollect himself and go back to getting the clone.
Roxas turned around to see Marluxia putting his hands on Axel's shoulders, pulling the red head close. What the blonde didn't see was Marluxia slipping a knife out of his pocket. All Roxas could see was Marluxia planting a sloppy wet kiss to Axel's lips. On to the lips Roxas knew was his. Marluxia was almost glowing with excitement. Pulling his mouth from the shocked Axel, he snickered.
"I keep that forever Axy Waxy. Sleep well my sweet prince," cooed Marluxia. Axel yelled as he felt the cold metal enter his skin. Blood spilled onto Marly's hand. He let go of the knife and Axel fell to the ground, dying.
"No! Axel!" Roxas bellowed, running towards Axel's fallen body. The fighting ended. All of the remaining fakes turned to ash and Xigbar and Lexaeus flitted to Marluxia's side. The pink haired man's eyes were twitching as he patted the two men on the head. Larxene didn't even flinch when she felt Marly's order flow through her. She had given up.
"He can't be… not the both of them," Demyx breathed through the silence. Riku wrapped his arms around the silent sobbing Kairi. Xion opened her arms for Sora to come and mourn. Luxord and Xaldin met up to grasp hands and only watch what Roxas was going to do. Demyx blinked out the tears forming on the corners of his eyes. Saïx went to go be with Larxene and Vexen, not at all surprised by the deaths. Marluxia and Larxene were both not right in the head. He only expected someone to die. But he felt awful because it was one of his friends and Roxas' Axel. Roxas had worked so hard to stay with Axel. The kid was running blind though the fiery bowls of Hell.
Roxas set Axel's head on his lap and took his hand. Axel wasn't dead yet, but he was barely hanging on. The red head's mouth dripped with blood. Roxas' salty tears fell onto Axel's face.
"You're not going to die. You promised to stay with me, forever and always. Don't leave me. Axel, we've been through too much. Please, if you die I'll ever be able to live right," he said. Axel smiled at the blonde and coughed. Roxas ran his free hand through his red hair. Hair Roxas will ever forget.
"I love you Roxy. Don't worry, we'll meet in again in the next life. It's just my time to go," Axel said hoarsely.
"There's your problem Axel, you always give up so easily. Don't give up on us! I love you too much for you to leave me. You can't die. We're going to live forever," Roxas smiled, but his eyes didn't match his mouth. Axel raised a hand and let it linger on Roxas' face. He opened his mouth to say something, but he was gone. Those beautiful green eyes held no life. They were soulless. And so was Roxas. He disconnected from the world and fell on top of Axel's corpse.
"There, now no one can have him and Roxas can be miserable for the rest of his life," Marluxia said proudly. He clapped his hands together and turned around to talk to the grinning idiots that still followed him after that.
Larxene looked at Axel's body then back at her dads. Two innocent lives gone. Because of her. Because of Marluxia. She should've quit working for him a long time ago. But there was that voice in the back of her mind that always persuaded her to stay. Yet, once she murdered her father the voice disappeared. Larxene felt no obligation to stay loyal to Marluxia. It was not like Marluxia cared about her anymore. He had won. Marluxia had gotten what he wanted. She was promised once she first started with him that in the end she'd be happier than she had ever been. It's the end and she didn't feel happy. Larxene felt… depressed and guilty. Marluxia deserved to die. He should've died instead of Axel and her father.
She looked down at the knife still in her father and then at Marluxia who had his back turned. Larxene knew how she could make herself feel better. Take a life that deserved to be taken. Punishing the guilty would lessen the pain. As quietly as she could she pulled the knife from her father. Saïx watched her carefully, in case she decided to attack him. But he didn't think she was capable of doing what she did.
The knife whizzed so fast in the air no one even saw it coming, especially not Marluxia. It stuck right between his shoulder blades. The pink haired man dropped as heavy as a brick face first. Xigbar and Lexaeus didn't know what to do. They backed slowly away from their dying boss and exchanged a glance. A black shadow seeped from the wound and ghostly wails filled the room. Sora hid his face into Xion's torso as the shadow grew larger and filled the room. Kairi screamed and Riku murmured for her to be quiet. Luxord ad Xaldin didn't know what to think. Demyx was still keeping an eye on Roxas and Axel. Saïx was in complete disbelief. Larxene had killed Marluxia. She had let lose whatever darkness resided inside him. The darkness that gave him those powers. Whatever it was it was filling the room like a thick fog as it slowly crept into Larxene.
"Help me!" she screamed as the darkness entered her body. Larxene didn't know what to do and no one knew what was going on. It all happened so fast, like lightning. The dark shadow was gone in minutes and it was completely in Larxene. She felt powerful and strong, but Marluxia had taught her. Having these powers could drive her insane. Larxene had been granted Marluxia's powers after she had killed him. To test it out, she thought about chaining Xigbar and Lexaeus to the wall. Her green eyes narrowed and she focused on the two idiots. As how Marluxia's eyes did, the black tint formed around her eyes.
"Larxene, you're… you're just like Marluxia. You got his powers," Saïx gasped watching as Xigbar and Lexaeus had iron cuffs form around their wrists and then chains sprouted from those cuffs and connected to the wall. The two men struggled against their restraints, but knew it was no use. They were trapped by magical chains, much harder to break than regular old chains. Larxene looked away from them and then at the blue haired man.
"I may have his powers, but I'm going to be nothing like him. He made me kill my father. The powers drove him to kill Axel. I'll probably never even use my powers. They'll be shackled up just like those assholes over there," said Larxene. Saïx nodded and looked down at Vexen. His eyes were still open and Saïx felt like he needed to close them. Vexen was done looking at the ugly world. Saïx pulled down the scientist's eyelids so he could rest peacefully.
"Our eyes close, the candle burns away, but I know the fire still remains. This love is all we need. We fit perfectly, I fall and you and I collide. What if I stay forever? What if there's no goodbye? Frozen in time for a moment here in time, yeah. If you tell me the sky is falling, I'll see that the stars collide. The only thing that matters in my life is you and I tonight," Roxas half cried, half sang on Axel's body. Part of him remained attached to the world, but the string was ready to break. He knew Axel was gone and never coming back, but he couldn't accept it fully. Roxas just wanted his lover to be back and alive so they could live until they were one hundred and die together in their sleep. Just like how he dreamed when he was a teenager and knew Axel was to be his. Demyx had crawled over to Roxas and put a hand on his back. He had lost his best friend and he didn't know if he was going to be able to go see Zexion ever again.
"Roxas, we're all gonna miss him. Axel was the fire in our lives, but now we're just going to have to make do with ashes," Demyx sobbed, rubbing Roxas' back soothingly as Rox lay on Axel's chest.
"Oh Riku, Roxas is never going to be the same! We've lost Vexen, Axel and now Roxy!" Kairi bawled. Riku cried with her, but silent. He could hear Sora's cries behind him and he wished he was holding Sora instead of Kairi. Not that he didn't love Kairi, the silver haired man just wanted to be with Sora. There was a light tap on his shoulder and Riku let Kairi go for a moment to see who it was.
Sora decided to be brave. He wanted to tell… no… show Riku how he felt. That way Riku would know Sora wanted to be held and comforted by him. When he tapped on Riku's shoulder, sniffling now, he almost changed his mind to go back to Xion. But Xion was waving at him, telling him to do it. She knew Sora wanted Riku and Kairi was just in the way. Riku turned around, smiling weakly at Sora, his aqua eyes upset, Sora just jumped up and took Riku's face in his hands. Riku didn't have time to pull away. Sora locked lips with Riku quickly and closed his eyes.
Riku, well rather shocked, was ecstatic when Sora leapt into his arms and kissed him. The silver haired boy closed his eyes, wrapped his arms around Sora's small waist and kissed him passionately back. Kairi gasped, but he didn't care at that moment. What was such an awful moment… turned into one the happiest times of both his and Sora's lives.
Sora unwillingly let go of Riku just so he could cry in his chest. Riku hugged Sora tightly and swayed back and forth. Kairi looked at them and knew she wasn't wanted at that moment. Everyone was disturbed down there. It was the time to mourn. Kairi walked over to sit with Demyx and her little brother. They wept over the lives lost, but just not Marluxia's.
An idea occurred to Larxene. Marluxia could do anything with his powers. He created worlds and even killed people. Could the powers bring back the dead? It was worth a shot. Carefully she set her dad's body on the floor and stood up. Demyx and Kairi looked up at her as she walked over to them. Demyx nearly sprang up to rip her throat out, but he didn't have the heart to kill anyone, no matter how malicious they were.
"I wanna try something. Maybe… maybe I can bring him back," she whispered. Roxas' head flew up, his face covered in blood and tears.
"You could save him?" he croaked. Larxene shrugged and bent on one knee. She looked Axel's body up and down and her hand hovered over the blade in Axel. Looking at Roxas hoping he wouldn't get sick, she slid it out. Larxene tossed the bloody thing to the side and flinched at the scraping sound it made as it skidded across the floor. The blonde girl took in a deep breath and put her hands over the wound. She closed her eyes, but had a feeling the black tint was forming around her eyes again.
"Please work, I wanna do one good thing in my life," she prayed to no one in particular. Larxene pictured Axel alive and healthy, with no pain from the injury he had received. Repeating 'please work' over and over again Larxene concentrated. Demyx and Kairi eyed her carefully, but Roxas only had eyes for Axel. He stroked his cheeked, hoping those green eyes would open again.
Warmth spread over Larxene's palms. She could feel her heart pounding like a jackhammer in her chest. Electricity coursed through her veins. Something was happening, she wasn't just kneeling there looking like a complete idiot. The warm sensation spread from the middle of her palm all the way down to the tips of her fingers.
"Her hands, they're glowing!" Demyx gasped.
"It's working! Look, the hole is closing and Axel's color is returning," said Kairi. Larxene's prayers were answered. Her focus sharpened and she put all her energy into healing the red head. The warmth grew and her hands were white hot now. It didn't hurt. Actually… it made her feel blissful. A peaceful heat.
There was a cough and cheers followed it. She had done her job and brought some light into the darkness. Larxene exhaled deeply and fell on her butt, exhausted from all her energy being wiped. Axel was sitting up, gasping for air, but otherwise alive. She could see the life go back into Roxas' blue eyes and that was all she needed to cheer herself up.
Roxas' fingers immediately began to trace every feature of Axel's face, saving the eyes and those beloved tattoos for last. Axel was able to breathe right soon and he took advantage of that. Placing a hand on Roxas' back, he pulled Roxas into a deep kiss. Roxas smiled against his lips and placed a hand on his cheek lightly.
"Larxene! You can bring back your dad!" Demyx said joyfully, but to his surprise Larxene shook her head.
"I'm not going to bring him back, I deserve to live with the pain and guilt and reminder I'm a sinful person. I know it's not fair to Naminé, but that's why I'm glad she has such good friends," Larxene said. Demyx was about to say something, but he didn't want to upset Larxene. She had brought back his best friend and saved Roxas from becoming an empty shell. Larxene had repaid him for her wrong doings.
Sora was filled with joy as he saw Axel come back to life. Riku still held him in his arms and that's where he wanted to stay. The brunette boy snuggled closely against Riku and as Xion walked by to sit with Saïx, she clapped him on the shoulder. Sora liked her and hoped they could remain friends if they ever got out of there.
Luxord found himself being picked up by Xaldin and spun around. The man with the goatee leaned down to kiss his dread lock lover. Xaldin set Luxord down without breaking the kiss and they interlaced their fingers.
Saïx was happy to see axel alive, but he was still hurting over Vexen. The mad scientist was his friend and his daughter didn't want to bring him back, which he didn't find fair. Everyone had someone to hold at that moment and his Xemnas was far, far away. Xion plopped down next to him and shook her black hair out.
"Hello Saïx! I'd say this was one hell of a game. Looks like Axel's team has won. This is good, because I don't think any of us would want Marluxia to win. We'd all probably be dead by now. With Larxene in charge of those shitheads over there and her new, clearer thinking mind, we should all be fine. Marluxia's dead. It's the time to celebrate," she said.
"I hope we can all go home soon. I miss Xemnas and my regular life there. Five years Xaldy and I have been gone, how much has changed? That's my question," Saïx shrugged. Xion patted his back.
"Probably not much, but we shall see," smiled Xion.
Pence and Olette had retreated to the corner. Olette took one of Pence's hands and smiled.
"Olette I…"
"Shh Pence, I already know. Don't worry I like you too."
Pence was smiling himself now and Olette leaned down and kissed his cheek. The wide man smiled and looked over at the now happy scene. They didn't have to worry about Marluxia anymore and now Pence didn't have to worry about Olette being in love with Roxas. It seems she has finally realized she could never have him, especially after seeing what had just happened moments ago.
"Let's go join everyone," Olette suggested. Together they walked over to Sora and Riku who were swaying side to side, eyes locked on each other. Olette said hello and the four of them were off talking.
"Roxas, I was afraid I'd never see you again," Axel whispered, stroking his cheek with his thumb.
"I thought I lost you. I wouldn't have been able to handle it," Roxas admitted, keeping his blue locked onto Axel's emerald.
"When we die, we're dying together," Axel smiled. Roxas turned his face and kissed Axel's hand.
"Together in our sleep."
"Hey guys, don't you want to go home?" Larxene asked everyone. The room erupted into a chorus of yes and she giggled. Larxene stood up and cracked her knuckles. She was pretty sure she knew what she was doing. With a wave of her hand, she opened a portal of bright light.
"Leave Dad here. Naminé shouldn't seem him like that. Tell her that I love her and always have and that I'm terribly sorry," Larxene said. Everyone ran toward the portal and stepped through. Demyx looked at Axel and Roxas who wanted to go last and smiled. Roxas helped Axel onto his feet and hand in hand they walked to the portal.
"You're not coming with us?" Roxas asked.
"I can't, my life is here. I've lived here for too long. Don't worry, we won't be a problem anymore," Larxene shook her head.
"Larxene, I cannot even express my thanks in words to you. You gave me my life back. I feel bad about leaving you here. Your past is your past, but I like the new you. Please, at least trying to contact us," said Axel. Larxene could only smile and push them through the portal. It closed after them and she dropped to be with her father. Larxene wasn't done mourning. Xigbar and Lexaeus completely forgotten, she cried heavily and laid next to Vexen.
"Rest in peace Daddy. I'm so sorry."
O~o~O
White light, then the shapes of Vexen's lab took form. Roxas used his free arm to block out some of the light. Before he could even see completely, someone yanked him into a hug. He was torn from Axel's side momentarily, but he realized… Roxas was home.
"Roxas! Oh sweet Jesus you're alive! And covered in blood! What the hell happened? Where's my daddy?" rushed the soft voice of Naminé. Roxas blinked his eyes and he could see her fully. Naminé looked past him worriedly.
"Vexen… Naminé I don't know how to tell you this, but honey, he's… dead," Roxas sighed, choking on the word dead. He hated being the bearer of bad news. Naminé's face fell and she dropped her arms to her side and ran towards Seifer. Roxas heard her crying in his arms and he felt like shit for being the one who had to tell her. Just as Naminé let him go, he was pulled into another hug. This time by Zexion. His was brief because Zexion wanted to be back with Demyx.
Saïx had found Xemnas as far away from everyone as possible. His heart nearly jumped out of his chest when he saw him. Saïx's fingers ran through his blue hair as he made his way towards Xemnas. The silver haired man turned his head when he heard approaching footsteps. His face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. Saïx ran to Xemnas, hugging the man closely. They sobbed with happiness and were just glad to see each other again.
Luxord and Xaldin had excused themselves to go upstairs. Xaldin said he had to 'take a leak because the dam was gonna burst' and Luxord didn't want to leave his side. Xion and Zexion hugged quickly and that's where Zexion introduced her to Demyx. They hit it off pretty well. Pence, Olette, Sora, Riku and even Kairi were off to the side, talking to each other and smiling. Ever since the kiss Sora and Riku shared, Riku had kept his arm tightly wrapped around the boy's waist. Olette never let go of Pence's hand and Kairi just stood there quite awkwardly, staring at Riku and Sora.
"Come here gorgeous," Axel whispered into Roxas' ear. Roxas spun around and Axel crushed his lips to Roxas' hard. Roxas put his hands on Axel's shoulders as Axel kept his hands on Roxas' hips. The red head grinned excitedly against Roxas' mouth. Wanting to catch his breath, the blonde pulled away, but their faces remained close.
"I need to get this blood and shit off of me," Roxas said.
"Damn, way to end a mood. I was hoping for 'Oh Axel! You're such a good lover! Kiss me again!' and that's what I get? You better at least add 'Come join me in a shower' or some shit. I did die after all," Axel teased. Roxas smacked his shoulder and Axel faked being hurt just to get a rise out of Roxas.
"I'm just kidding babe, don't get your panties in a bunch. You know I love you, now, kiss me again," Axel chuckled at Roxas' expression. Roxas sighed and pecked his boyfriend quickly on the lips.
"I love you too, ass," smiled Roxas. Axel kissed his forehead and pushed Roxas slightly away from him. Confused, Roxas arched an eyebrow, but dropped his jaw when he was Axel slide down onto one knee. Everyone stopped their chatter and looked at the two of them. Roxas could feel himself blushing deeply which made Axel grin cockily. The red head took Roxas' hands and inhaled heavily.
"Sorry I don't have a ring or anything. I'll get you one though… promise. But anyway, look Roxy, we've walked through Hell and back. For these nine years I've known you and these years actually being with you, I know you and I are two pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly. You're the jelly and I'm the peanut butter. The bread to my butter. Uh, excuse the food talk, I'm pretty damn hungry. Shit, I'm getting off topic. Roxas, I love you more than life itself. I want you to be officially mine for the rest of my life. I know I'm not the serious type, but I couldn't be any more serious when I say this. Roxas, will you marry me? Uh, please don't say no," Axel blushed. Finally, the red head was the one blushing. Roxas felt his heart soar. Axel wanted to marry him. Axel was going to be his husband and Roxas knew this because why the hell would he say no?
"Of course I will you dumbass!" Roxas squealed. Axel stood up and squished Roxas to his chest, spinning him around. The room erupted into cheers and whistles. When Axel set Roxas back down on his feet, the blonde felt light head.
"Took these two long enough! Damn, thought Axel would never ask. He's only been talking about it for years, ya know?" Demyx laughed. Zexion rolled his eyes and stood on his toes to kiss his lover's cheek. He pulled back to give Demyx a when-are-we-gonna-get-married look. Shrugging, Demyx pulled Zexion next to him and squeezed the small man in a very tight bear hug.
Everyone went around, buzzing around and talking to everyone, happy that their nightmare was finally over. Luxord and Xaldin eventually made their way downstairs, a bottle of rum in Luxord's hands. He was going back to being the happy drunk.
Axel had pulled Roxas away from all the congratulations so they could be alone. He took Roxas' hand and put his other hand on his waist. Roxas smiled shyly as Axel spun them around in a dance.
"There's no music," Roxas noted, putting his other hand on Axel's shoulder.
"Then sing our song with me," Axel said. Roxas rested his head on Axel's shoulder as they dance together.
"Tonight, a candle lights the room. Tonight it's only me and you. Your skin, like gravity is pulling every part of me. I fall, you and I collide. What if I stay forever? What if there's no goodbye? Frozen for a moment here in time, yeah. If you tell me the sky is falling, or say that the stars collide. The only thing that matters in my life is you and I tonight," Axel and Roxas sang together. They sang the whole song, dancing along to it. Both of them were so involved with each other that they didn't notice everyone coming over to smile at them.
"They're so cute together," Sora whispered to Riku.
"Shh Sora, they went through a lot, let's just let them have their moment. We can bother Roxas later," Riku murmured back. Sora nodded and leaned against Riku, closing his eyes and listening to Roxas and Axel singing. He closed his blue eyes and was happy it was all over.
Because it really was all over.
Author's Note:
HOLY CRAP. I'M DONE. This was one hell of a story. AND LOOK. Team Axel won. So take that Team Marluxia and the random Team Candy!
I thought I made this ending pretty damn nice. I rewrote it twenty times, so this better be good.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the song You and I Tonight by Faber Driver. I'm pretty sure they do. Also, I don't own the characters.
The only reason that song made its way into this chapter is because this is my best friend [You know, the one I mentioned before, my little Zexion!] and girlfriend's song and she made me listen to it like fifty thousand times and I fell in love with the song. So… I made it Axel's and Roxas'! ^-^
I love how I just sneaked in Sora x Riku in the end. Epic win. High five! No? Okay :3
Uh, mentioned before I'm gonna have little side chapters about what happens in their lives after the Marly Mess. Heehee, Marly Mess. Anyway, the whole Axel and Roxas wedding might be one of those side chapters. Side chapters will be posted when they are finished and I won't start them until… Monday. Maybe. I wanna work on the first chapters for Looks like a Lady and the Sora and Riku one I haven't decided a title for.
Candy, I'm sorry for not taking my time. I did surpass my 6,000 word mark by getting like… 7,780 words or something and I was just on a roll today! I had Axel and Roxas' song on total loop for like… eight hours and it kept me going to write the whole chapter.
What else… oh! Check every day for a side chapter because I don't have a set time for them to be posted. Also, check for the first chapters of my two other stories to be posted very soon!
Quick shameless plug, I'd recommend listening to the two songs I had for this. Come On Get Higher by Matt Nathanson and now You and I Tonight by Faber Drive. Both very good songs!
Lastly, I'd like to thank all of you for getting through my 25 chapters of hell! It has been a rough path trying to fight our way through Marly's game, but we did it!
This is my good bye for now.
Review and favourite :]