Larxene
Larxene returned to base with a heavy scowl. She finished her job with flying colors, finding not one, but two new hearts to fill their new Seven Princesses of Light. It was a surprise really, how two sisters, one of pure heart, and the other plagued with darkness, managed to influence each other to grow into a blinding light that could power worlds. Larxene only needed to make sure one of them was born as a back-up plan for their back-up plan, but who was she to refuse two? It saved them all the trouble of scouring worlds for the remaining hearts.
Given a win like that, one would think Larxene should be elated. Even she was shocked at this emotion rippling through her supposedly heartless body. Larxene was pissed.
The last person she talked to before skipping out of that frozen hell hole was the goody-two shoes and his nitwits. She knew Sora was going to pop up one way or another. Pests always do. But she didn't expect her mood to be this run down to the ground. It was all the brat's self-righteous speeches and amiable nature that truly grated her nerves.
Larxene gagged as she mouthed Sora's teasing about their short handed number, then his empty threats; if one would even consider the latter capable of such, and shuddered. "Ugh, gross." It left a bad taste in her mouth. "As if this war hasn't strung along innocent people before."
It also didn't help that the thought of Sora and his dastardly keyblade reminded her of the thing Xemnas told her and the rest of her old Organization buddies. She had hoped to forget it with the mission, but seeing that weapon on the twerp's hand just made it gnaw at her mind again.
You were chosen to unlock an ancient keyblade history
What kind of bullcrap was that even supposed to mean?
Unlike the higher number who knew of their past once they woke to being Nobodies, Larxene wasn't as lucky. When she was first given the name Larxene and subsequently recruited into the Organization, Larxene had to put up a front to hide the fact that she didn't remember anything about herself. Not even a semblance of her personality. Most of the organization then when she was welcomed had already established who they were in the unit. There was a sadistic lancer, the silent and rather stoic brute axe man, and et cetera, et cetera. They knew who they were, or at least, established who they were now as a separate person to their past.
As one of the last to be recruited, and the only female member at that, Larxene had to adapt with the big boys. She smiled for days on end, giggling, playful, and teasing; anything to throw them off the fact that she was struggling to find her true self. In the end, her search made her too impatient, too angry, and too desperate when all her efforts led to nothing.
What initially started as a mask became Larxene, the only self she'd ever come to know.
She treated others like dirt, too callous, and too spiteful to let anyone in and get to know her. As though to match everyone's lack of a heart, she became just as ruthless as the other, refusing to be seen as anything less just because she was a woman in a man's world. She became disliked, but feared.
Larxene soon found that she liked the feeling of being feared, and hasn't stopped making it so since. She loved this version of herself; the assured and strong persona she felt like her past self was not. Somehow, she felt like her past self was so disgustingly weak that it was a blessing that she didn't remember her altogether. Larxene loved her confidence and ambition. After all, that's what got her reinstated in the real Organization.
She was by no means into the whole, being a vessel of some old man, but after Xemnas' little meeting with the former number's nine to herself, that once lost, unsure, desperate mewling woman was back gnawing at her mind.
How the fuck was she supposed to unlock an old ancient keyblade history hidden within herself, when she barely found answers about her past life on her own? She rolled her eyes, waving her hand dismissively at the annoying thought. "Ah, to hell with it. I don't need whoever I was to know who I am now."
She strolled back to her room, hopefully to get some beauty sleep before they were called out to gather for the final fight. She'd done her job and that means she had all the time in the world to relax till then. Larxene passed by the lobby on her way to her quarters, a little surprised to find Luxord by the high tables, fixing up what looked like a plate of freshly cooked meat with a string or two of vegetable on the side.
"What's all this?" she said, gesturing to the meal with her nose held up in disgust.
"Larxene, how timely of you to return."
She raised a brow at the other, with hands on her hips. "This isn't for me is it? I prefer my suitors younger, and less bearded." Luxord briefly looked at her, his poker face unbroken. "And preferably not you. Sorry old man 'M not interested."
"Then perhaps it is for the best that this isn't for you then."
Larxene huffed. She knew it wasn't for her, but the way Luxord said it made her a tad bit annoyed. None of them needed to eat. It was one of the few blessings of being an entity without a heart. So, who the hell was it for?
The question was left unsaid but Luxord seemed to understand the glare she had on the plate before them. "If you stay longer, you'll find out soon. They should be done with Vexen now."
Larxene, against her better judgement, pulled back a chair and settled down. She drummed her fingers on the table, impatiently waiting for this mystery person.. This better be not some trick with Demyx or else she'll gouge both their eyes out.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, it wasn't a joke. The door, which led to the many laboratories Vexen had to keep his little wind-up toys in, slid open behind her. A child of indiscernible gender and age walked in with a crossed expression on their face. They barely gave Larxene a passing glance and placed themselves across Luxord, who was seated beside the plate of meat.
The child looked at the food, clicked their tongue, then to Luxord, who simply chuckled. "As we have agreed, you lost our last gamble, and as such, you must eat real food."
The kid arguably shook their head and gestured something with their hands that Larxene didn't understand. Luxord stood his ground, as though he understood whatever nonsense the child just motioned about and pushed the plate closer to the latter. He frowned at the child, his gaze growing more imposing each second.
The child huffed then angrily stuffed meat into their mouth, pushing away the greens as they did. Luxord's eyes narrowed into slits and the child begrudgingly pushed them back.
Larxene glanced between them, suddenly feeling left out of whatever was going on between them. "Alright, what in kingdom shit is this? Can't the brat talk?"
"Ansem brought them back from the Realm of Darkness," Luxord started, then he reiterated what he heard from Demyx, and some other information he was allowed to share from Vexen's studies about the child. "And no, they aren't mute. If I recall correctly, Vexen called it… selective mutism."
"Fancy term that don't mean shit to me," Larxene scoffed. "If the kid can talk, then let them. No need to baby them, we're not a kindergarten."
The child looked at her, eyes flashing in a split second image of recognition, before they frowned; either curiously or offensively. Larxene didn't give a shit. She growled at the child, who blinked at her sudden animosity. That's right pipsqueak, I'm not in a friendly mood and I bite, she thought to herself.
"No need to be hostile. They are one of us now," Luxord said, ignoring her comment earlier. "When the time arises that I am not here, I would do you the same faith Demyx has given me."
"Hard pass," she groaned with a wave of her hand. "I'm not taking care of some snot nosed brat. Have fun playing dad with a future vessel or some shit. I'm going to my room. Don't ring me up" After she disappeared into the other door that led to their respective quarters, the child looked up to Luxord, a question mark painted in their face.
"Do not mind her, Larxene's like that to everyone. Now eat before Vexen calls for you again."
Luxord turned around to discard the paper container the food had come from and the child stared at the door the female Nobody just exited from. "Larxene…"
Larxene was woken up by three, maybe four, no - ten knocks on her door some time later. She tried to ignore it, but the knocks kept on coming. She pushed herself up and glared at the door, silently sending her killing intent through the metal door.
For a while, the glaring seemed to work and Larxene pulled the covers over herself.
Not a second later, however, the knocks returned. "Oh for the love of -" she shoved the covers to her feet and stomped towards the door. "DIDN'T I SAY NOT TO DISTURB ME!" Larxene paused, blinking in confusion when she didn't see anyone by the door. At least... no one at direct eye level.
She looked a tad bit lower and spotted Luxord's kid, or Ansem's, whoever it was who owned or fathered the child, it didn't matter. Luxord didn't bother sharing the kid's name to her anyway. The child blinked, eyes blank, face devoid of emotion. Larxene's eye twitched when the child's visage shifted into that of Xion in her mind. Those empty eyes reminded her of that puppet. By hearts, she hated that bitch.
Larxene peered on both sides of the corridor, trying to find Luxord hiding away somewhere like a helicopter parent. This has got to be some ploy between him, Demyx and the kid to drag her in their little babysitting club. When she didn't, she stared at the kid again. "What?" she hissed, crossing her arms as she did. "Daddy got fed up with you and now you're running around for scraps?"
The child blinked again, their intentions still deafeningly unclear.
Her eyes twitched. She didn't have the patience nor the skill to decipher what their cryptic look meant. She also didn't want to understand any or at all of what they meant. The less she did, the less capable she would be in handling them. Larxene definitely wasn't going to smother the brat with kindness just because she had to. She hardly knew what they needed another kid for experiments for. They already had the Replica's, and a backup for Replica's, and a backup for the missing warriors of light.
One more secret plan and she's going to make that balding golden eyed man wish he had stopped with plan A. Just how much more convoluted does Xehanort intend to make this war be. It was already a shitshow from the start, she thought to herself.
The child kept staring, and Larxene shuddered.
She thought she might have just imagined the recall that flash in the kid's eyes the first time they met, but now she was sure. The child looked at her like they knew her. It was downright insulting.
"Nuh-uh, no, no, I'm not doing this. You're going back to Vexen," she harshly grabbed the kid's arm and pulled them along with her.
They let out a pained yelp, which Larxene so casually ignored. She's fought children before; with knives, she can handle one brat that had the most frustrating sets of eyes she's ever seen.
The child continued to struggle against her grip, punching and slapping her arm just to make her release them. Larxene grew tired of their futility and smacked them on the head. The child's free hand flew to their head, eyes narrowing in protest. A silent venomous word fluttered over their eyes, but Larxene once again dismissed it.
"Ohhhh stop being such a whiny baby. I'm just returning you back to your cage so you can leave me the fuck alone. I'm not as easily manipulated by your adorable face like the oth- OW!" Larxene immediately pulled her arm and back handed the kid on instinct. The child fell to their side, a red mark obvious on their cheek.
Larxene stared at the reddening circle on her skin and shook. "YOU BIT ME! FUCKING BRAT!"
The kid pushed themselves upright again, standing their ground with an oddly misplaced resolve in their eyes. Larxene hissed at those eyes. They shone far too brightly for a creature borne out of darkness like her. Now, not only did the kid remind her of Xion, but their stubborn eyes also mirrored Sora's faith in the good of all people. Always, going on and on about saving everyone. Well, pity, she didn't want to be saved.
It's already too late to save her anyway.
She felt her anger rise, and before she could stop herself, threw out her knives, sparking with electricity towards the kid. The child raised their arms, but didn't even once flinch at the lightning that danced inches away from their limbs.
The blades flew right past, and lodged themselves on the wall. "Stop being so fucking annoying before I actually kill you. I don't know what deal Vexen and Ansem wants with you, but I want out of it. So be a good little kid before I turn you into a lightning rod."
The kid lowered their arms, seemingly won over by her anger, until they took one step forward and shook their head. They once again stared at her, eyes mirroring a plea she could not, did not understand.
Larxene felt a vein pop in her head. A murderous grin slipped past her lips, her patience already reaching its absolute limit "You got a death wish, don't you? Is that what this is?"
Their eyes answered her with just silence. This time though, Larxene understood it.
She didn't know why. She absolutely despised those eyes. It reminded her too much of Xion and Sora's own. It also didn't help that the longer she stared, the more she felt as though his past actually recognized them as well.
She didn't even know why. She didn't know why it made her so angry. All she knew is that every part of her body wanted it gone. She wanted to kill it dead; wanted to get rid of anything related to her weak past self, whoever that was.
Her arm sparked. "Oh, I get," she said with a theatrical wave of one hand, "You've had enough of playing nice and want it over with, right? A swift death. That what you want? That's why you're being an insufferable brat right now. To get me angry so I can end it all."
The child reached out for her arm, and naturally Larxene pulled away. "Back off, brat! I didn't say you could touch me."
The kid lowered their head then very shyly, gestured something with their hands; one face down and the other moving across the open palm like they were writing. Larxene didn't have the patience to decipher their signs, but only an idiot wouldn't understand that.
"You... want something to write on?"
They nodded, making the older palm her face. A rather unsatisfying mix of emotions swirled in her brain that basically just left her more exhausted than she was before. "I almost fucking killed you over a freaking notebook," she sighed.
The child tilted her head, seemingly unbothered that they almost just died by her hand. "You're a weird one, kid, I don't know whether to be scared or worried about you."
"Luxord said you weren't mute, so why not just fucking talk?"
The child looked away, obviously still intent on keeping silent. Larxene scoffed. "Figures. Nothing ever came easy in this world."
"I do this one thing for you, and you leave me alone forever, got it?"
They hesitated for a second but nonetheless nodded.
"Thank fuck, I thought I was going to have to hurl you to a wall to make you agree," she sighed and immediately led them to Namine's old quarters. They should have a couple of spare notebooks and crayons lying around. That is, if no one came to clean up the place after the first organization died off.
The kid followed her from behind like a newborn duckling albeit with less quacking and more dead silence. Larxene didn't realize how endearing that silence was now.
Larxene found two blank sketchbooks inside the drawers but no crayons. They tried searching Demyx's room next, because he was the closest person to child Larxene in the organization (the young Xehanort didn't count) and failed. The child made a face as though to say, 'I told you so' which she shoved a gloved hand to to silence.
They ventured to Vexen's lab next as a one stop shop. She'd be able to leave the brat where she intended to, and maybe find them a pencil to write with as well. "Hey, blabbermouth, you got a pen? This duckling won't stop following me until I give it what it wants?"
Vexen's head popped up from his piles of books and notes. "A pen?"
"No a knife, yes, a pen."
"Why would you assume that I have a pen?" he frowned. "All our data is encrypted directly into the computer. We are not so primitive to use such things anymore."
"Well excuse me for thinking you, a scientist, stuck in these four walls playing with your dolls everyday and night, would have some form of writing tool."
Vexen sighed, defeated. "Then I apologize, you assumed wrong. What do you even need a pen for?"
"Not me," Larxene huffed then jabbed a thumb towards the young one. "Them."
Vexen's eyes sparkled in heightened interest. "You know how to write?" The duckling shrugged, but the scholar nonetheless grew excited at the new information. "Then we shall make haste. If they are capable of literacy, we may be able to get something out of them without forcing them to speak."
Larxene groaned even louder as she was dragged along to find any and all writing material in the whole freaking castle. After about an hour scouring all over for the place for even the smallest clump of color; they reconvened with about 3 crayons, and one charcoal pencil that was snapped in half.
Vexen sat the kid in the middle of the lab and picked up his tablet, ready to input whatever data this little experiment of his would yield. Larxene hardly saw it as an experiment as it resembled more of anursery activity.
"Very well, write what it is you want to convey."
The child stared at the paper then very anxiously hovered the crayon over the surface. Vexen watched intently, while Larxene curled her hair antenna around her finger, clearly bored. After minutes of nothing the child finally scribbled on the page then flipped it around for them to see.
Visible confusion etched on Vexen's eyebrows while Larxene burst out laughing. The scientist turned to her, perplexed at first, but as she continued to guffaw, his eyes narrowed in intrigued as though he just discovered something crucial.
"Christ, kid, where did you learn that?" Larxene shouted. "Did Demyx teach you that? Holy shit, that's not something a kid should know!" She clutched her stomach, bending over to curb her spirit. "No that pasty bread wouldn't know shit, it's got to be Luxord. He curses like hell when he loses a game."
"Hold on," Vexen cut her off, "you can -? You can read what they wrote?"
Larxene wiped a tear and waved a hand around. "I'm not illiterate, Vexen. Of course I can read it. They called you a -" she stopped herself. "Actually, I'm not saying that. It's bad for my reputation."
Vexen pressed the bridge of his nose. "Larxene… This is one, if not the biggest revelation I have had with them since they arrived. I am already behind schedule on my Replicas and have very little patience right now. What did they write?" he hissed.
She rolled her eyes. "Sheesh, at least say please if you're going to be so pissy about it. And no way. A lady shouldn't say that aloud."
"Fine," Vexen conceded. "They shall write something else then, and you will tell me then."
Larxene looked at the note again, making sure she read it write and wasn't just hallucinating. The words hadn't changed. "You seriously can't read it?" Vexen shook his head, which prompted Larxene to read it again for the nth time. Still as clear as day.
Vexen picked up the notebook from the kid and wrote something on his own as well, "Read and compare."
"You're an annoying bitch," she read on command, and glared at Vexen. "Har, har, very funny." Vexen bristled and turned the page back to the kid's writing.
Larxene gasped, finally catching unto Vexen's discovery. Her mask faltered, the amusement falling prey to the confusion that now painted her eyes. The characters they used to write both messages were very different. Vexen wrote with a script that Larxene read everywhere in almost every world she visited, meanwhile the child wrote in almost symbolic script.
"Wha- how could? But I-?"
"That is something I would like to know the answer too as well. You are aware UE has no memories?"
"UE?"
"Their name, or well, what I have decided to call them. They do not prefer to settle with a single name."
She shook her head, not the least bit interested in that. She grabbed the paper in Vexen's hand and shoved it at the child. "Write something else," her voice almost pleading.
The child scribbled out a new message.
"What does it say?" Vexen asked.
"They're asking when they can leave."
Vexen rolled his eyes. "We have been through this already. You are not leaving until my study has been completed. Have you forgotten that I may have a way to retrieve your forgotten memories?"
The child wrinkled their nose and wrote another string of words. "Just one trip, they want to see outside."
Vexen shook his head. "Absolutely not! They have been trapped in the realm of darkness for far too long. They must remain bathed in darkness or else they would cease to exist. Light exists out of this world, lest you want them dead that badly?"
Larxene frowned. She may have once, but with this new information, things have changed between them. All of a sudden her irritation at their seemingly familiar eyes made sense. Her past. For the first time since being born as a Nobody, she finally had a lead.
It's just a shame her lead also didn't have memories. It was almost ironic how they've both forgotten themselves. "Just... who is this kid?"
"If I knew, I wouldn't be here. All we know for certain is that they were once a keyblade wielder, or is," he corrected. "I have yet to see them sumon it again."
Xemnas words echoed again in her head - chosen to unlock an ancient keyblade history.
Vexen turned to his data, continuing on with his scientific rants that Larxene didn't understand. In the end, Vexen appointed her as the child's translator, much preferring this mode of communication than guessing their hand motions to which only Demyx and Luxord seemed to understand.
Larxene sighed to herself as the child followed her all the way to her quarters. Luxord still hadn't returned, probably still looking for that box, and Demyx was out gallivanting someplace else. So much for not being bothered.
The little duckling settled themselves as far away as they could from her, somehow respecting their distance after they got what they wanted. Larxene tried prying more history off them, but the child merely directed her to their favorite written page "I don't know".
Her frustration bubbled up inside again and decided to call it off for the day lest she act on it again. If she read that line one more time, she was going to rip the entire notebook in half.
After a long time of silence, she heard the kid's clothes rustle towards her. They held the sketchbook close to them and looked as though they wanted to say something. Larxene pushed herself off the bed and tilted her head, "What do you want now?"
The little duckling handed them the sketchbook, and Larxene half expected to see another stupid request written on it. To her surprise, it wasn't just a request, it was an entire drawing. Poorly done in comparison to what she's seen Namine do, but it was clear enough to spark a semblance of familiarity in her.
It was a drawing of purple colored twin towers with a large golden clock in the middle. "Daybreak town," she found herself saying on instinct, and the child beamed.
A/N: Larxene enters the battle!
I dunno if I got Larxene right, but I did my best to get her to as close as I think she acts to the game. She was always so bitchy in her cut scenes and I felt like she would be the type that hates or generally dislikes kids. She's also very theatrical and begging for a reaction, so I thought she'd get really pissed at someone who hardly showed or said what they think.
I took a bit of freedom with how she became and entirely different person from Elrena (Union X). It's one of the biggest mysteries Union X gave us and I wanted to throw my take on it. As for the language only she and the kid can understand, that's a personal head canon. I used it in Something Lost, Something Found too, if you can spot it, that Daybreak Town uses it's own language (dead language now hahaha) I wanted to use something to connect keykid with the other "ancient weilders" without relying too much on their memories of each other because half of them barely met then.
Also, Larxene is so going to call the kid duckling. Add that to the list of pseudo-names.