Part One
"Axel? Axel!"
Riku grabbed his shoulder
Axel let out a grunt of pain as he curled in on himself to try and stop the pain. He took in sharp and ragged breaths through gritted his teeth.
Acting quickly, Riku summoned his Keyblade and held it over Axel on the floor.
"Heal." he commanded.
There was a flash of light from the Keyblade and almost instantly, the pain in Axel's body began to fade. Though the pain was still there, the pain was no longer as severe. Axel took in shaky, ragged breaths, as the wounds in his chest began to close and the heavy bleeding had stopped.
"Axel, it's okay.." Roxas comforted. "We're here to help you."
Axel didn't reply, he was too lost in his thoughts.
'What is WRONG with me!?'
"Axel?"
Axel turned to his best friend, who placed a hand on his shoulder. Roxas looked at him in concern.
"Hey, c'mon.. I'm fine."
Axel tried to smile, but it seemed more like a grimace.
"Axel, you have no memories of what happened," Riku frowned.
"I'm sure I'll figure it out.. Eventually.." Axel replied
Axel soon rose to his feet, placing a hand against the wall as he stumbled a bit. Roxas instinctively took hold of his arm to help steady him. Axel turned to look at him. Taking in the look of concern on his friend's face, Axel turned and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder
"Roxas, I'm fine, REALLY." he said, trying to calm his friend's fears. "It's gonna take more than THAT to get rid of me."
Roxas looked at him, his concern still evident on his face. He wanted to protest but the look on Axel's face caused him to go silent. Roxas let out a breath and nodded softly in response. Axel gently placed both hands on Roxas's shoulders in an effort to comfort his friend.
"Roxas, don't worry.." Axel said. "I'll be fine."
X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
Axel stood looking out over the town from his vantage point of the clock-tower. He could see the train as it traveled down the long and winding tracks. Peering over the side of the ledge, Axel could just make out the citizens going about their daily lives. After a moment or so, he let out a sigh and took a seat, allowing his legs to swing off the edge of the tower. His gaze never left the sight of the people below him as he became lost in his thoughts.
Everything that happened over the past few days had only been a blur. He couldn't understand why he couldn't remember. It didn't make any sense! How could he not remember? The more he tried to remember, the more lightheaded he began to feel. He closed his eyes as he tried to fight the dizziness away.
'Why can't I REMEMBER?'
Axel's mind snapped back to the present as he heard footsteps from behind him. He snapped his head up to look over his shoulder. He let out a breath as he saw the familiar blonde-haired boy standing behind him.
"I had a feeling you'd be up here.." Roxas said, making his way toward him.
Roxas settled down on the ledge beside him, staring out into the distance.
"Do you remember when we were first in the Organization? How we'd always come here after missions?" he asked.
Axel only turned away in response.
"Axel?"
Axel let out a sigh.
"I must be crazy for being like this.." he muttered, turning to look at the town again.
"Axel, what're you-?"
"You know, I'm probably just as crazy as the Nobodies in the Organization," Axel said, his voice distant as he stared at the setting sun. "I don't even know if I'm even the same person as I had been.."
"Axel.." said Roxas. "What are you talking about?"
Axel turned away, not wanting to answer him.. What could he really say?
"Axel..?"
Axel remained silent, allowing his gaze to turn back to the sunset. Soon he sighed.
"I don't know.." Axel said in a murmur, not turning away from the sunset.
Roxas reached toward him, his hand hovering in the air for a moment before completing the journey to his friend's shoulder.
"Axel-"
"I just don't KNOW!"
Roxas jolted back in shock at his friend's suddenly sharp tone. At noticing Roxas's shocked and uneasy expression, Axel turned away, clenching his eyes shut.
"I'm.. I'm sorry.."
Axel began to stand up, looking back toward the distance again. As he took a step, he felt a suddenly overwhelming dizziness wash over him. His heart skipped a beat as his left foot was met with nothingness.
"AXEL!"
Roxas took hold of his friend's arm, trying his best to keep from falling over the ledge. Supported only on his belly, he held onto Axel's arm with both hands.
"I've GOT you!"
Axel turned to look up at him, his eyes filled with shock. Roxas looked back with a look of fear and horror, doing his best to hold Axel up. He could feel his hands slipping but held on tighter. Axel turned and used the bottom of the ledge to try and push himself back up to the ledge. Roxas began to help him back onto the ledge, soon pulling him back to solid ground. Axel took in a shaky breath as he was pulled to safety.
"You okay?" said Roxas.
Axel looked at him for a moment, before turning his gaze toward the ledge.
"Fine..." he muttered.
He let Roxas go and began to stand up, thankfully being far enough from the ledge to not risk a fall again.
"I gotta go.. Sorry.."
He soon began to leave.
"Axel, what's wrong?" he said. "This isn't LIKE you."
Axel stopped for a moment, only turning around slightly.
"I just.. I need a moment to think.."
"Axel.."
Axel, however, didn't respond. Instead, he left the tower without saying a word.
Author's Note: I am extremely sorry for not updating in such a long time.. I've been really busy with work.. I am not sure what my schedule will be but I will do what I can to get more up soon..