This had been an idea of mine since listening to 'Walk On' by U2, which is, of course, the lyrics in here. I actually enjoied writing this. It's more of a OneShot than anything else, though there will be one more chapter after this. Hope you like, as this is my first attempt at first person POV.
And love is not the easy thing
The only baggage that you can bring
Love is not the easy thing
The only baggage you can bring
Is all that you can't leave behind...
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Roxas and I might have had a rocky start to our friendship, but it progressed remarkably. Although the pair of us were never even expected to get along, I think we've done pretty well. The rest of the Organization had this theory because, well, I never got along with anyone, except for Larxene, but that was on a respect-only basis. Roxas? He was this cute, innocent little kid who was a bit wary; a Keyblade Master, no less. Personally, I think the rest of 'em never even though he'd stand a chance if he was left alone with me. On that note...
Imagine my surprise when the blonde padded into my room one day, startling me out of my half-sleeping stage.
"You. You're Axel," he said this not like a question, but a statement. 'You're Axel, now shut the fuck up and listen to what I have to say to you.' That was the message he sent me; but you all know me; I'm not about to listen to what someone else has to say.
"Yeah, that's me." I straightened up, crossing my arms as I met his gaze. It was just then I realized how short he really was; the kid couldn't be any older than 15! I nearly laughed aloud at that, but managed to restrain myself.
The blue eyes (which I admit must have been just as vivid as my own green ones) stared me down, refusing to acknowledge my not-so-witty answer.
"What?" I demanded, getting off of the bed, arms still folded. "Do you need something, or did Xemnas decree that you no longer need to have to have a reason to enter someone's room without knocking?"
The boy rolled his eyes, muttering, "Oh, you're real mature. How old are you, anyways?" That was a personal question; I had a right to be offended. At least, that's what the smart person would have done. As we know, I'm not the smartest person.
"21, got it memorized?" I answered, scowling at him. Here was this little punk I'd never spoken to before in my room, demanding my age. Being me, of course I was going to see how long I could take this; see how far I could push the kid.
"21? 21 and you're still acting like a, like a, a complete idiot!"
Oh, clever, clever comeback, Roxy. He was an amusing boy, but really, this could only go on for so long until I got bored. "Look, as intelligently stimulating as this is, I've got things to do, so--"
"Xemnas want us to go and look for someone."
I was about to start laughing again, when what he said sunk in. "Wait... you mean, Xemnas wants us to do this together? As partners?" As I stared at him (maybe not the most intelligent thing to do), he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.
"Yeah, jackass. He wants us to work as partners, 'got it memorized'?" And off he went, using my catchphrase! Who said he could do that? "So get up and let's get going."
"You mean, he wants us to go now? As in, right now this instant?"
"Am I speaking a foreign language or something? Yes, now, yes this instant. I don't want to do this any more than you do, so let's get it over with." He had a point, but knowing Xemnas (which I think I did a little better than blondey), he wasn't about to give us one job together and then leave us alone. Hell no, that wasn't the Xemnas way.
With an overly-dramatic sigh, I pulled my cloak back on. What? Do you think I sleep fully clothed? If you must know, I was wearing my pants and nothing more. "What's the job?" I asked, pulling the boots on while hopping about to room to keep my balance. Luckily, they zipped up, making it easier for me. Zippers on the boots, zippers on the cloaks. Whoever came up with the outfits sure liked zippers.
"They want us to go check on something," He shrugged, unsure.
"Great," I grumbled, "First a mission with the new guy, then he doesn't even know what it is."
Those baby blues narrowed at me as he growled, "Do you not respect anyone?" The kid showed potential, but I wasn't about to take it easy on him.
Using a well-developed skill, I vanished from where I was standing and reappeared directly behind him, a chakram in either hand. I had one of the blades from each right by his neck as I hissed, "Don't screw with me, kid. You'll get my respect when you earn it." With that, I stepped away, making for the door. "Anyways, is it 'someone' or 'something'? Make up your mind."
"Some DiZ guy, whoever that is."
"Fine with me, then. Let's get this done with." Opening a portal, I stepped through, glancing back. "C'mon, Roxas." As I would be reminded later, that was the first time I used his name. He scurried after me and I snapped it closed maybe just a bit sharper than normal, to scare the new guy. Roxas sort of jumped, but was otherwise calm as we appeared outside, in the middle of a normal-looking street.
Being a veteran as this sort of thing, I moved a bit slower, sending out a handful of Dusks to scout out the area for enemies.
Roxas had a keyblade in each hand; one was black and much sharper looking, the other gold, white, and blue. 'Oblivion' and 'Oathkeeper' as I would later be informed. The kid was looking around nervously, biting his lip as he looked for enemies. He had moved maybe fifteen or so feet in front of me; this wasn't what I called partnership, but, as we all know, I fight by myself.
"A-Axel!" He yelped, looking the opposite direction from me.
"What?" I snapped perhaps a bit harshly, beckoning the Dusks back. I snorted as I saw what the kid had gotten himself into. Maybe twenty Heartless surrounded him, off assorted types. Oddly, they weren't on our side.
I'm guessing Roxas had never had a real fight with that many enemies before, but, luckily enough for him, I felt that if my partner was killed or seriously wounded on our first mission, I'd take the punishment.
There were literally flashes of the keyblades, and maybe four or five of the Heartless vanished, but were replaced by the same number. "Axel, help!"
"Alright, alright, calm down!" I yelled back, sending the Dusks to back him up. Normally I had them do my fighting for me, but when my partner needed to be babysat and there were enemies attacking me now, I had to give up that luxury. Summoning my chakrams, I threw them at the few enemies that had come after me, before half-running, half-sliding to Roxas' side. I could get my weapons back later.
"Get down!" I yelled, calling the chakrams back to me and whirling them in a circle, leaping up to do so. I wasn't sure if Roxas had obeyed my orders or not, but I had to go on. Landing in a crouch, I flung my arms out to the sides, sending up a sheet of flame. It was close enough that I could feel the heat from it, but I didn't have time to worry about that. With a quick spin of the chakrams, I threw them out to the sides, grabbing Roxas before I jumped out, leaving the Heartless to be devoured by the flames.
I let the boy down to the ground, more carefully than necessary as I checked on the Dusks and Heartless. Waiting until the fight was over; I looked back down to my 'partner'. "I just saved your ass," I pointed out. I felt entitled to it.
"Yeah, well," he returned, but trailed off there.
"Thank me later. I want to get back to the castle as soon as possible, and we have to get this done first." I stood, before thinking about the kid and offered him my hand. He took it, allowing me to help him up. "You owe me for that now, too."
"Bite me," he growled, dropping my hand and dusting his cloak off. As he did so, I looked for wherever this DiZ guy was. At least one of us had to put some effort into this thing, and apparently it wasn't going to be him.
But what he said was way too good to pass up. The Organization knew me for being provocative and flamboyant, and it was what I did best. Slipping up behind the kid, I whispered directly into his ear, "That could be arranged."
Roxas moved hurriedly away from me, marching off in what I presumed was the right direction. With a sigh, I dismissed the Dusks and followed after him, but caught up in case he was going to be attacked again. For being a Keyblade Master, he sure was, well, a little kid.
Upon reaching a building, the blonde led the way in, something I'm sure he enjoyed. I made sure to stay near, even when we went down a flight or two of stairs, ending up in a sort of basement. This was interesting, to say the least.
I kept alert, ready to summon the Dusks at the slightest sign of trouble; when Xemnas gave you a mission, there was a good chance your life would be endangered. Personally, I was more than a bit worried for my life. Even though Larxene and Marluxia were long-gone, I had killed Vexen on 'luxia's orders; Xemnas might be plotting his revenge for later. But hey, maybe I'm just paranoid.
"Think that's him?" Roxas' words startled me out of my thoughts once more. A man dressed almost solely in a bright crimson that was similar to my hair color stood facing a large computer screen with his back to us.
"Dunno," I hissed back, clamping my hand over his mouth. "But why don't you talk a little louder and have him discover us!" I sent out a pair of Dusks, which whirled closely to the man before coming back to me.
"A member of Organization XIII, I presume? Or are there more of you?" He had turned around right as I flung myself right in front of Roxas. Keeping an Ace in the hold, you know? Not that Roxas was much of an Ace…
"Number eight, Axel; got it memorized?" This man seemed to warrant an official introduction, though I wasn't about to mince words with him, nor waste time being polite.
"Pleasure, Axel," he returned, just as calmly as if I hadn't been a threat. "I'm supposing Xemnas sent you to check up on the simulator. It's over here." This was new. For some reason, he was cooperating with me. "And your friend can come, too. I'm guessing he's interested as well."
I turned around sharply, noticing Roxas was no longer behind me, but beside and a little in front of me. He glanced up at me, as if asking me permission. Throwing my arms up, I snorted. "Fine, go ahead."
He went down the last few stairs, followed by myself, though I went a bit more reluctantly. Not to mention, I wasn't about to let Roxas go over there without protection; I sent a few Dusks with him, though I was close behind.
"This is the simulator," DiZ began, seeing as he had our attention. "It can create memories in a person, as well as replace their original ones." This explanation went on for what must have been at least an hour, though Roxas was taking in every damned word. How it interested him, I'm not sure. Honestly, I understood maybe the first five minutes worth, but then it all sounded the same.
"Mission accomplished, can we go now?" I was close to fidgeting, which wouldn't make a very good impression.
Reluctantly, I could tell, Roxas tore himself away from the simulator and DiZ to look back at me. "Yeah, I guess."
Leading the way out of the building, I turned to make sure Roxas was following. Now, I could've opened a portal while inside, but that would be in bad taste; that DiZ guy might get an idea. You also might ask why I didn't appear directly inside the mansion, and the reason was more of the same, not to mention if you're opening a portal to a place you've never been before, it could get messy. The street had been the best I could do.
"Hey, Axel!" Roxas yelled, coming out after me.
"What? C'mon, I want to get back to the castle." I folded my arms, facing him. He opened his mouth to say something, presumably a warning, but I never heard it, as numerous Heartless jumped on my from behind, knocking me over.
"Axel!" Trust the kid to worry now.
I flung my arms out, knocking a few of the Heartless off, though more only jumped on, keeping me pinned to the ground. As we all know, I'm skinny and not the strongest member of the Organization, which was making it difficult to wrestle the Heartless off of me.
"Hold still!" I heard Roxas shout, though I was busy trying to keep the black things off my face so they couldn't smother me. Oblivion and Oathkeeper cut through the Heartless, extremely close to my face and body, so I made sure to keep still. Within seconds, the kid had gotten rid of them pests, effectively saving me (though in my defense I would have been able to take care of them myself).
"Well," blondey smirked, offering me his hand, "Guess we're even now." Rolling my eyes, I took his hand, getting up and dusting my cloak off as if nothing had happened.
"Don't get used to it. I don't need your help, got it memorized?"
Roxas only shrugged, though I could see him grinning over at me. "Sure thing, Axel."
Doing my best to ignore the suddenly-friendly Roxas, I opened a portal, stepping through. "God, no more partner missions."
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And if the darkness is to keep us apart
And if the daylight feels like it's a long way off
And if your glass heart should crack
And for a second you turn back
Oh no, be strong