Kingdom of Chaos

Chapter 12: Words of a Firestarter

Author: Sketchy Sunshine of OSTOCOM

Rating: PG-13, just to be on the safe side

See chapter one for summary, disclaimer and other goodness. Otherwise, here's chapter twelve! XD

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Axel's shadow moved along the quiet alleys, passing in and out of the ambient light. Axel looked up at the sound of cast-iron bells. The clock tower's shade was barely visible between the rooftops, chiming out the start of the evening hours. Axel felt a heavy ground wind billow through his robe. There were many presences scattered around the town, some more potent than others.

One in particular came upon him with the ferocity of a thunderstorm.

Larxene teleported directly in Axel's path. The two faced each other for a moment, the air between them thick and still. Finally, Larxene marched up and landed Axel a sharp slap across the face.

Axel's wince warped into a smile. "Looks like you're feeling better," he said.

"I was until I found you here," Larxene snapped. "I should fry you where you stand. You betrayed us!"

"Actually, if you'll remember correctly, you and Marluxia were the traitors," Axel said, rubbing his cheek. "And if I were you, I wouldn't be so quick to use violence…after all, I could put in a few good words to the Superior for you before the second Gathering. I can only imagine how he'll punish Marluxia."

"You bastard," Larxene growled.

"Oh come on," Axel folded his arms and sauntered back a step. "You know the reason you hurried out of the void was to see me."

Larxene blushed furiously. "So I could kick your ass," she said defensively.

"I'd like to see you try," Axel said, challenge in his eyes.

Larxene glowered at the red-haired man. She tried to regain her composure and dismiss the hotness in her face, but had only mild success. "Why did you turn on us? With your help, we could've had the Organization and the Keyblade master!"

"I was merely reinforcing where my loyalties lie," Axel responded.

"Oh please," Larxene said, her tone similar to an exasperated parent scolding a child. "You're not like those brown-nosers Kojix or Zexion. You have about as much respect for the Superior as you do for me."

Axel grinned. "Touché. But just because I'm not a brown-noser doesn't mean I'm a traitor."

Larxene narrowed her eyes at Axel, trying to see past his calm façade. "You're planning something…" she said quietly."I want to know what it is."

"Even if I was planning something, I don't see why I should tell you," Axel said simply.

"Don't toy with me!" Larxene's composure was rapidly deteriorating. "After what you did to me, I have a right to know!"

"Of course, because it's always about you," Axel mocked.

"You're no different!"

A sharp wind whistled overhead, drawing their attention upwards. Larxene recognized it instantly, and her eyes widened in surprise. "Zexion? Zexion's come back?"

"Apparently so," Axel answered. "But as much fun as it is bickering endlessly with you, I've got an appointment I can't miss."

"Don't you dare—" Larxene spun around to face Axel again, but he was gone. Her shoulders slumped as she stared at the empty alley, its criss-crossing shadows fading into nightfall. Although she was now alone, she still tried to hide the frustration and disappointment in her face.

It's not me…it's all about you.

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The sun slanted across the tiles with a final brilliance at the day's end. Riku and Toshi used the twilight to their advantage, moving from one patch of shadows to another. The streets were nearly completely empty, but they couldn't be too careful.

They stopped behind the corner of the post office as an overhead streetlight blinked on. Toshi watched the street for more than just movement.

"You see anything?" Riku asked from behind him.

"Nope," Toshi said. "Do you smell anything?"

Riku put his nose to the wind. "No…nothing so specific," he replied, frustrated. "I sense all sorts of power in the air. But I can't tell who it is, or where they are."

Toshi stepped back into the shadows, and let out a long sigh. The night was becoming unusually warm. "Let's move on, then. Maybe we'll find something farther downtown."

"We've been searching all day," Riku reminded him with growing impatience. "We should've found something by now."

"Not necessarily. These robes work to disguise the aura of whoever wears them…it's why the Organization wears them, and why I picked one up," Toshi explained. "Unfortunately, it makes the Organization difficult to track."

"Hmm, I figured as much," Riku said, feeling the material of his sleeve between his fingers. "Although I suspect if the Organization knew where we were, they would've found us by now."

A new voice answered Riku's question. "Or perhaps they just don't know where to look."

Riku and Toshi turned, drawing the Soul Eater and the Keyblade on reflex. Axel appeared directly behind them, hovering a few inches off the ground.

"It's one of them!" Toshi yelled, and splashed through puddles towards Axel with the Keyblade pulled back for a swing. Axel teleported above them just before Toshi struck. The blond-haired boy leaped off the wall after him, and Axel barely managed to avoid another attack.

"Wait! It's Axel!" Riku called. Toshi stopped in mid-swing, startled at Riku's exclamation.

Axel was obviously relieved at the intervention. He floated down to the ground a fair distance from the two. "Thanks. I should've expected as much from the Keyblade master's shadow."

"You know him?" Toshi looked at Riku suspiciously.

"He approached me and the king," Riku said. "He came to me asking for help."

"And I still need it." Axel glanced around the alley with one raised eyebrow. "Speaking of…where is His Majesty?"

"I was expecting you to tell me," Riku said. Axel could feel Riku's powers of darkness concentrating on his aura. "If you want any help from me, then I expect some answers from you."

Axel suddenly felt uneasy under the furious gaze of the two boys. "Hey, don't look at me. If the king's missing, it's no fault of mine."

"But you know who's responsible?" Riku demanded more than questioned.

"Actually, I don't" Axel sighed. "But I'm not the only person interested in you or your future. It's not surprising someone got to him first."

Riku heard Toshi step close to his side. He lowered his voice to a whisper. "Did you make some sort of deal with him?"

"I don't trust him, but I'm not sure he's an enemy, either," Riku whispered back.

Axel didn't bother pretending not to hear them. "Hey, I wouldn't trust me, either."

Riku glared through the blindfold at the Organization member. "I've done what you asked. I got myself here, and I even did it with my eyes shut. So get to explaining before I explain how much this hurts," he said, brandishing the Soul Eater.

"You've done well so far." Axel eyed the Soul Eater and Keyblade with hidden respect. "My plan involves gathering you and all your friends together. It's the only way you will stand a chance against the Organization at the second Gathering."

"So there will be a second Gathering," Toshi commented. "Where will it happen?"

Riku interrupted Axel's reply. "Wait! You said me and all my friends…you mean Sora and his companions!"

"More than that," Axel grinned.

Riku smelled the meaning in Axel's voice. The realization made him lower the Soul Eater and hold back a breath. "…Kairi."

Toshi was much more interested in Axel's first statement. "Sora! You'll take us to Sora?"

Axel seemed to know exactly what Toshi had left unsaid. "Rarin' to go, I see. I like that. He's in the city right now…in fact, he's at your old haunt. I'm surprised neither of you sensed him."

"The clock tower!" Toshi said to Riku.

"So you do have powers of deduction," Axel said, his confidence slowly returning. "I'd hurry if I were you. This is new territory for Sora. He doesn't know the rules of Chaos. There's no telling what he'll do…what sort of unscrupulous people he'll run into."

"You're coming with us," Riku demanded.

"Wrong again. I can't afford to compromise my position right now. But I will see you again soon."

Before either of the two boys could react, Axel disappeared. Riku sensed the ashy scent die away…Axel was nowhere near them now.

"Well isn't he a busy little bee…" Riku said through clenched teeth.

"Sora's at the clock tower! Let's get over there," Toshi said, his voice charged with excitement.

"You and Axel know something about Sora," Riku turned to Toshi. "And possibly Kairi, too. What is it?"

"I don't know for certain…but I have a really strong suspicion," Toshi answered, his tone serious. "I'll explain what I can on the way."

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We're done! Next chapter is written, and should be posted in the next few days.

Check it, I'm doing fanart-ish-type things for this fic here: http : lynxgriffin . deviantart . com (spaces added so that the addy wouldn't be deleted.)

Reviews are greatly appreciated! XD