The Sapphire Sorceress
Disclaimer: The rights to Kingdom Hearts belong to Disney and Square Enix.
Act 27: The Cloaked Schemer
"It's such a shame...The Organization used to be the rope that bound us together."
Destiny Islands - Main Land: ( Kairi's POV )
I didn't know how long my body was asleep this time around, but I did know that when I woke up my body was not in the forest anymore. The last image of my mind was that of Sora holding his hand out for mine to grab. Then I could feel the water rush around me, the sound of screams and panic, but then nothing besides a dark void around me like before when I began my journey. The cage of my body protected my soul as it lost my heart to darkness, but it managed to find a home in my best friend.
'Sora...I can't just keep dreaming about you being here. I must find you and make it reality!' It looked like the dorm room I stayed in with a few other students, so that would explain why Zidane was sitting in my chair looking at me. Why do we always meet in these odd situations like this one?
"Woah! Listen Leon, Yuffie, and your pals just wanted me to keep watch over you that's all!"
I couldn't help rolling my eyes at the comment when I looked at him with one of my pictures on his hand. The frame had the image of myself, Tidus, Wakka, and Selphie during our first night from going to this school. The phone also had some goofiness from Tidus and Wakka trying to get in the center of the camera, Selphie tripping and colliding into us, but it also showed our bonds with each other were as strong as ever.
"Kairi, you do know we have to make a photo with the both of us someday!"
"Yeah so you show it to everyone in school! I'm not that stupid Zidane."
Despite our little spats I did consider having a nice photo made with him among other students for a nice photobook, and perhaps one with just us two. Shaking my head I looked at the calendar for today's day which brought out another scream.
"I ONLY HAVE THREE DAYS BEFORE S.E.E.D EXAMS!"
Just perfect! Here I am trying to get ready to become a keyblade warrior, and I forget about my issues at school. I've only gotten to catch up on math, science, and history but noting else why is this happening to me? As my hands threw a pillow over my face Zidane reached into his bag pulling out some papers for me to look at. They could only mean one thing.
"Well...I brought you the homework from today's class."
"Oh great! Thank you for reminding me I missed out on doing more classwork." Once more my face connected with the soft feeling of my bed as I let out my flustered emotions into the bed sheets. I've attempted to balance both sides of my life, to live as both Kairi another student in Shinra Academy, and Kairi the next "Chosen One" of the keyblade.
"Kairi," Zidane said, his voice becoming soft as he sat down on my bed, "Do you need to talk with someone?"
That would be nice if I could tell him what exactly was wrong, but I can't do that not even if I wanted to tell him. I got away from the white sheets moving the red hair from my eyes, before I began to stare at his smile which brought some peace to my troubled soul. Even if part of me feels annoyed by him Zidane usually was a sweet guy. Perhaps it would not be so bad if I had someone like me to talk with about my other life...
"Zidane...Have you ever needed to keep something a secret, and even if it meant lying to some of your best friends that truth must not ever be known to anyone else."
"Actually yeah I know that feeling." Of course I now remember he posed as both a student and thief before he got caught by the authority. He must have gone through exactly what I'm feeling now, but I doubted he had to carry the burden of being a hero of the worlds. As his face got closer to mine I suddenly had a loss of words. My cheeks apparently did the talking as they grew as red as my hair.
"I'm guessing this is because of your "secret activities" after-school lets out then?"
I couldn't help nodding that was the truth even if I could not explain everything about those activities. As I placed my hand over Zidane's to grab my homework I could feel my skin getting heated from this contact, so I felt unable to move from my place unsure if I should take my papers or just keep my hand on his for a while longer. Eventually he pulled his limb back with a chuckle, and I giggled right back at him trying to ease the tension.
"Well I know we've done some crash courses lately, but perhaps we can get others involved in one big study session. Hell I bet we can even make it a little party, get some nice cola, good food, and even if not all of us succeed we can at least have some fun!" Yeah that sounds like a great idea! It might even bring me closer with some of the other students that I haven't gotten to know yet.
"Hmm I would love to decorate the room, but where do you think we can have this little gathering?"
"Oh I know we can hang out in the school's gym, because it's big enough for all of us, and if we can pitch it right to the school's teachers they might be willing to accept it."
"I was honestly expecting something more rebellious Zidane." Considering the kind of reputation he's gained in the school having the party right in the middle of the building is rather ironic.
"True, but I've tried to act more clean these days, so having this kind of party to help everyone get into shape for the exams would help out my reputation. Believe it or not I'm not always causing trouble Kairi." He really does seem like he's trying to become a better person after all. His eyes were in contact with mine again, our faces got closer to each other, and for a fleeting moment I wondered how he would respond if our lips contacted each other.
"You know something Kairi, being here like this reminded me of when I first met Garnet..." Oh right she is the person that really matters to him. What on earth was I thinking even considering the idea of-
"It was during my first years here, and I was kind of like a dumb kid back then messing around with some of the girls. By accident I ended up in her room when I was trying to hide from teachers trying to put me in detention. Not my proudest moment, but there she was looking out of her window at the birds flying in the sky."
He seemed to have gotten lost in his story perhaps he really does care about her if he seems very sincere with his words. I can't say for sure since I've never gotten to meet Garnet in person, but from what some of the other kids have said she is well-liked here. It's not surprising that Zidane fell for a girl like her, but then why did something inside my heart want that kind of attention from him...
"Do you miss her, Zidane?"
"I would be lying if I didn't say yes, but it's not like we don't see each other now and again during school. I usually visit her before she goes to class, about assignments then why I ended up failing that year splitting us apart; then Student Council, about how she has to focus on managing the place along with troubles that run along the school as the days go forward."
"Heh, and I'm the one complaining about doing so much school work. She really does sound like a strong-willed person." Zidane just laughed as he pulled out a picture he had on him of Garnet. When I got a good look at her she really seemed beautiful in her uniform, the hair flowing in the wind, and that graceful smile.
"Actually when she started at this school Dagger was pretty shy around everyone. She usually remained in her shell until I met her. After we got to know each other is when she began to get along with the other kids, but funny enough you don't have that problem you want to meet everyone else."
That was true, but it's not like I'm not a little shy around people like you Zidane...
"So umm do you want me to help you with this homework?" My cheeks grew red-hot yet I agreed to his offer with my assignments for the day. As the time passed on while I managed to do better with a "coach" I also got to hang out with Zidane again instead of needing to worry about training. For tonight I could just feel like a normal girl, spending time with a good friend, and getting ready for the S.E.E.D tests.
The time began to pass us by, seconds turned into minutes, minutes turned into hours, and before long Selphie walked into my room seeing me laugh as Zidane was telling another of his "almost got away with it" heists. She didn't expect that I was spending more time with the former troublemaker, but she had a smile on her face when she looked at me.
"Soooo~ How was your date?"
"IT WAS A STUDY DATE NOTHING ME!"
She giggled at my outburst as I got ready for bed once the moon rose up in the dark sky. I explained the idea of having a huge party to get some last-minute training in before the exams, and she was so excited to help out with the planning. Then I explained what Zidane was doing here trying to avoid confusion leaking out about our relationship.
"Well I hope for your sake you don't get serious with him," Selphie laughed looking over her own homework for the last day before the weekend, "I'm sure a few of the girls who fawn about him would not like more competition."
"Do you really think I care about what others think about who I hang out with Selphie?" Honestly I never really let the opinions of anyone else bring me down, from the bullies who picked out newbies like me, some of the more strict teachers who wanted nothing short of perfection, and even the popular kids who said they hanged out with Rufus at social parties often. Some considered it a major flaw of mine, but that is just the kind of person I am.
"That's true, so do you think that we can pass the exams? I know that I'm going to have trouble with science, but I have not heard from you in a while." Yeah considering how much time I put into school/keyblade practice didn't give me a lot of time with my friends. This was another downside to my duel life it left me with hardly any chances to just relax with the others from my home. I knew that I couldn't just quit this role, but I really felt like running away from this responsibility, so in a way the upcoming exams were a blessing in disguise for me.
"Kairi, how do you really feel? I know you haven't told me what you've think about this school so far, but I'm worried your holding something inside that's bothering you." She knew how to guess when I was having a bad day, and that's why she is one of my best friends. Turning over in my bed I tried to explain the best way about my issues.
"I'm supposed to just be a normal girl; I would rather living on the islands until Sora came back yet that is not going to happen. Even so I'm going to school, doing the classes, and trying to stay in everyone's good graces." My lips bit as my mind was heading into dangerous territory if my mouth said anything too extreme.
"I just feel like I'm all alone with my issues, and even if everyone is helping me they can't solve the problem..."
"Kairi," Selphie wrapped her arms around my body in a warm embrace, so my body began to relax in this hold of my friend trying to comfort me. "You aren't alone so don't let the world get you into a rut. Besides you should focus on the positive things coming up. Sora would want you to feel happy."
Yes he would not want that, but why is it that I feel like he's forgetting about me. Did he find someone else to spend time with like me? As the years go on could I also loss my memories about him? If he ever found me would he remember my face, my name, and or who I was...
Castle Oblivion: ( Aqua's POV )
'Who is he?'
'Why does he contain such power?'
'Is he really a new form of Xehanort or my Terra?'
The questions distracted me from the other problems I would need to deal with shortly. My footsteps echoed through the hallways as I began my trip to find my "Lord" at the highest level of this base, but I decided to finally continue my search for Ventus in the meantime. While I had nothing to go on my eyes looked around the hallway I was going past, it didn't look any different from the rest of the rooms to the naked eye. In truth this castle was capable of changing its layout, after all it had to work like a labyrinth, and lead anyone who wondered in towards confusion, and then they would be left in oblivion lost to the endless halls.
"If you're around here then I could really use a sign Ven..." Without any kind of hint there really little hope I could find where he was sleeping. The others could be right without my keyblade or heart finding him might be impossible. With a sigh I placed my hand on the wall trying to reach out for him, but nothing happened around me. Defeated I made my way back into Marluxia's unfeeling embrace.
'Is it time to pick a side in this civil war?'
What I expected to see was Larxene, Marluxia, and or Axel when I came back up on this level of the castle, it should have been that so when I saw the body of Riku laying on the floor screaming in terror, Namine looking shocked about what is going on, and Axel with Vexen observing the event amused was the last thing I expected.
"Oh come on little toy! This is not going to hurt in the least!" Her foot stepping down on his chest as that reply came from her mouth. For a moment I considered leaving the room during...whatever the hell was going on here. Still I felt confused about this whole scene, after all I just faced off with Riku in the basement so how did he end up on this level?
"Go on Namine, the memories of this doll are very little it will be easy to erase them with more "pleasant" thoughts."
"Don't look surprised dear Auxaq, yes this Riku looks rather convincing this is merely a fake. I'm sure Vexen can explain the details of his replica can't you?" Axel quickly informed me, but I didn't even consider this Riku to actually be a mere reproduction of the original. That word however, the word replica I knew from Vexen's files in his lab area. Suddenly I began to wonder if this was the first creation of his, and or this was the latest one he made.
"It really is fortunate I ran into that boy otherwise the collected data would have not produced such a wonderful replica! Then again you also know about that child's potential don't you XV?"
Was he watching our conversation oh crap!
"I can't just change his memories I don't want..."
"So you want me to destroy this doll, wasting this research, and take away his existence?" Larxene knew how to get results no matter the cruel methods taken to achieve them. Namine was a sweet, innocent, and kind being despite the lack of a soul, and so she had no choice besides manipulating the false Riku's mind. Seeing Riku's expression change so quickly was unsettling; yet I could not truly care as a nobody. The face grew blank and his eyes became hollow, empty, and soulless as Namine began her "bewitching" on his memories.
"Now this is why Marluxia wanted to study Namine's power interesting." Axel's hand went under his cheek with a grin as Vexen along with myself took notice of that remark. The light from Namine's hands finally disappeared as the process took some time to complete, but now it was over as she moved away from him.
"I-It worked?"
Even Namine looked surprised about this, but I figured even if he was a fake the real Riku and his relationship with Sora would allow her power to activate. Riku rose up despite the physical he must have taken by Larxene's hand, but I wondered how he would react with those implanted thoughts, something told me he could attack us so I got ready to fight again yet Vexen waved me off from doing just that.
"N-am-ine...Namine!"
"Yes Riku, so do you remember what you said you would do for this girl? The promise you made to her when you first met her?" To drive the point home Vexen walked over to Namine and did something behind his back with her help. Suddenly a strange charm was in the glove of Vexen's hand as he was holding it above Riku's head. A hand quickly snatched up the item, but it seemed like the fake was now interested in the object.
"I will protect you...Namine."
"That's right Riku, but someone else wants to protect her as well. It's your best friend Sora!" Vexen must have wanted to provoke a fight between his specimen and the keyblade hero.
"No one is going to touch her I made a promise!" Naturally with that "vow" he rose up from the floor and quickly began to run downwards towards his new enemy, much to the approval of his creator and the other nobodies. It didn't surprise me at this point to see how manipulative our kind was towards others.
"Hilarious! Now Sora will think he's fighting his pal when the real Riku is nowhere near him in the castle. That is gonna be loads of fun to watch." Larxene winked at me as Axel just shook his head, but Vexen seemed unhappy to find me here likely due to my recent actions.
"Well I'm going to work on some other matters, but I will return shortly so I expect you to stay put subje-"
"Just call me Auxaq already!"
"Yes...Auxaq you stay in line, and remember you are still young, foolish, and naive compared to me!"
Great I was only making more enemies in this group now, considering the kind of friends I have though perhaps that was not a bad thing. Once our researcher left I felt it was safe to explain myself, the glares they gave me easily suggested I should explain myself. The details were long and boring to Larxene, and yet Axel looked surprised that I managed to find out so much being in the basement.
"I suppose it was only a matter of time before a rift formed between us."
"Not that it will matter Axel, so what if the boys downstairs are catching on Riku is an unstable element compared to Sora."
"My my Larxene! Using that kind of vocabulary makes you sound like Vexen."
"Don't compare me to that old coot! Even with that brain of he the fool can't see what's happening before his eyes."
"Still I think they are trying to use Riku as a deterrent for Sora." I interrupted their conversation trying to wondering how they would respond to that move. While I haven't picked sides yet I would be lying if I was not impartial to whatever side Axel had, the guy saved me from the Realm of Darkness even if it was too late for my soul.
"Really now they believe that brat full of angst can match the power of the keyblade's chosen!" My blonde ally snorted at that idea Riku challenging Sora, but I knew that was not impossible to believe.
"Actually Larxene, he does contain a special kind of darkness very similar to the Superior, and yet not the same right Auxaq?"
Nodding in agreement I wondered if I should explain that the man I saw in my confrontation with him bore the image of my former master. Considering how much they already knew it would not hurt, and perhaps they can help me shed light on this issue.
"Xehanort again? Well I can't really say I know him that well, even though I remember that name from before when I was...ah right. Err nevermind that's not important, but we should focus on what we do know instead!"
"No Axel! How about you keep going Lea..."
"Oh come on Aqua! Do you really think what happened all those years ago could be affecting what's happening now? Besides Xehanort is long gone just like your other friend Terra." Namine began to look teary-eyed despite not having what would allow her to shed tears. I bit my teeth not letting this thing in my gut leave it was going to bother me if I didn't speak up.
"He is not gone, and just like with Ven I will find him again! It does not matter what must get done, and I've already proven that by helping move along whatever is going on here." My voice grew loud, my eyes staring right into his green ones, and my hand was pointing at his direction showing how serious I was now.
"Tell me then, the people you care about is it us fellow nobodies or do you really care about Terra or Ventus?"
"Why can't it be both ways Axel?"
"It's not how the world works Auxaq. Even if you find Ventus he could have changed from as you've known him, and if you don't even know where to begin looking for Terra how can you even want to find him so badly? You should focus on what you do know and not the unknown. So, instead of wearing yourself out just relax and think about who you are not what you were...otherwise you will lose what you have left."
The room grew tense and quiet suddenly; the thoughts racing through our minds were very loud.
"Now Axel," Larxene broke the tension in the room, with glee stepping in-between the both of us enjoying our "fight" like the sadist she is known as by everyone else from our group. "Surely Axuaq just wants to do good for everyone no matter how impossible her desires are in the end. Even for someone like myself I can support that kind of passion!"
This whole scene was becoming awkward for me so I decided to look over at how Namine was doing after what she just did to that replica. She actually moved away in her chair when I walked over to her.
"Do you want me to manipulate someone's memories as well?"
"That's not what-"
"Just go find your real friends! I know you really don't care about me..."
This is far worse than before, and now I fear Namine will never trust anything I say again thanks to this incident. My indifference about violating Riku likely brought about this result.
"You are correct Namine; I do want to find my real friends. That means I don't care about you, but perhaps if we could learn more about one another we could become real friends as well..."
"I-I...I don't believe you liar!"
So this was her belief then, but even if she does not think I'm being honestly I will prove her wrong. Larxene however, pressed her glove on Namine's head moving some of her hair around her face. The lion was observing its prey not physically, but proverbially; Larxene was studying the "witch" nobody careful.
"Who do you think you are trying to push us around like that! Think you're brave standing up to us, we're the ones who convinced you to use your power, but you could have refused that order!"
As much as I hated to admit it she did have the will needed to deny the order, but perhaps that's why Larxene is beating her over the head with that fact, and with her defiance down she would do whatever they wanted to all over again.
"No! I only did it because...because I-"
"You want to see Sora and Riku fight each other, and the winner gets to become yours. That's the way a woman grabs attention from men, even without a heart I know how it works just as much as you do Na-mine!" The sing-song tone, combined with her "gentle" touches over Namine's face, and the sudden playfulness about their destined battle was unsettling to watch. Part of me was ready to call her away, but then I thought about her words, and on some level I agreed with her sentiments.
"...Yes."
"See Na-mi-ne," Her hand patted her head with mocking support about that truth being admitted. "Why bother holding in fake thoughts about innocence everything is not so black-and-white in this world. When you think about it nobodies like us live in nothing but grey, so why don't you just be yourself the cruel, manipulative, and vile witch that you are!"
"That's quite enough, Larxene." A new figure entered the room, and that voice sounded like Marluxia himself. The hood was covering the face which was odd considering we all knew what he sounded like so why hide his face from us. He quickly went towards Namine forcing the sadist to back away from her target. I was thankful he interrupted that moment, but I knew he could act just as twisted as she does around the child.
"I know we can't trouble her with such terrible thoughts, so why not leave her alone for a while. I do hope you all stay focused on our other goals during our stay in this place, Axel, Larxene, and Auxaq."
Something about this was not right, and yet I nodded along with the other two nobodies in the room answering to his comment. He rose up looking at each one of us closely like this was an interrogation.
"I mean every single goal in our group. Axel, what is our purpose in being here?"
"To do valuable research, and obtain more ways to regain our hearts."
He slowly moved over to me next avoiding Larxene for now. His faceless void was odd to look at, but it seemed like there was something off about the size and face of Marluxia today. Shaking my head I tried to look into his face despite only seeing nothing but darkness.
"What about the creation made by Vexen Auxaq? Surely you have become aware of the Replica Program, and the details behind its purpose."
"To be honest I still don't understand why or how Vexen built that fake version of Riku, but perhaps you can explain it for me...my lord." The bow was given to not look too disrespectful about my answer to the question. He didn't answer rather he gave me a long stare instead. Suddenly he moved over to Larxene, and quickly grasped her shoulders.
"You surely must remember the real reason for us being here Larxene. In order to gain power over the other members..."
What? Did he just say gain power over everyone else?
"Marluxia, I haven't the faintest idea of what you're talk-"
"Don't lie I have faith none of this conversation will get out of this room. The whole point of bringing the new keybearer into this castle...to gain the tool needed for the coup."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing from him. Was Marluxia plotting to overthrow Xemnas? Axel and Larxene also looked shocked by that statement.
"You're joking right, but that would explain why you've gotten so interested in Namine."
"What do you mean Axel! Why would I be interested in Namine...and Sora." The figure suddenly moved away looking to leave, but that's when I finally got a look at the size of the "Marluxia" in the room. This is just like before when I felt something was off with "Terra" could it be just like before with him.
"Didn't you look much taller Marluxia?" Suddenly I began to piece things up, and the puzzle was now clear as day. Axel and Larxene also got suspicious about this. This man was acting nothing like the Marluxia we know, and even for a clever schemer like Marluxia he would not ask these kinds of questions like this.
"Why don't you remove your hood you have nothing to hide right Marluxia?" Axel must have caught on as well, and the figure didn't bother doing that which could only mean he was trying to conceal himself from us.
"I have nothing to prove to any of you! You're all supposed to follow my orders not the other way around!"
"Not when you're not the real lord of this castle you faking bastard!"
The electric-charged knives shot themselves at the fake Marluxia who quickly disappeared into a portal of darkness. I knew then who was trying to spy, uncover, and trick us into revealing things for his own ends. I had to hand it to our "Cloaked Schemer", he pulled a good trick on me with Terra, but now I knew exactly whose ability that belonged to in our Organization.
"Zexion, but that can only mean he was trying to learn about us and what Marluxia has planned however it backfired for him."
"Indeed, and now it seems everyone here could be a traitor to the Organization even you Auxaq." The red-head looked unhappy about what I just said as did Larxene.
"Traitor? I've been nothing but loyal so what could I gain from backstabbing everyone."
"Exactly as you put it Auxaq. Honestly Axel do you think I would team-up with those losers on the lower floors, and gain nothing but the end of my existence."
"Yes Larxene working with the likes of Vexen or Zexion does not suit you, but Marluxia on the other hand."
Before I knew it weapons were now drawn, the room suddenly became a stand-off with Namine unable to do anything besides see the scene. Axel's "Eternal Flames" were ready, Larxene's signature weapon "Foudre" became aimed at my direction, and I grasped my weapon "Monsoon" as it seemed we would end up fighting each other. The truth about what's going on here might have to wait...
llll
"It's as I feared, the Organization is full of treason after all. Vexen, Lexaeus, and myself are the only ones loyal to the Superior, but we must stop Marluxia's plot before it's too late. I can't go back to nothingness yet I don't want to return to being that weaker version of myself...something must be done before it's too late."
[ So Zidane and Kairi eh? I know some people might consider putting them as an item, but I can't really see them really getting that serious. Still if some are now on this paring then more power to them I suppose. Also the penny has dropped with this cliffhanger how will Marluxia react? ]
