OBLIVION-CHAPTER TWO
"Axel, the Superior wants to speak with you."
The red-haired, Eighth member did not look up at Demyx from his seat in one of the common rooms. He had his feet propped up on the table with his hands cupped behind his head. He blinked a couple of times and leaned back. "Why?" The other member shrugged, scratching his head. He eyed Axel tiredly.
"How should I know? Saix is the one who told me."
"Then why didn't Saix come to tell me himself?" inquired Axel plainly. He cast a sideways glance at Demyx, who sighed.
"Oh, come on, Axel! What's the deal with you, man? You've been acting so... iffy recently."
"I'm not acting 'iffy'," retorted Axel as he got up, "I've just had a lot on my mind."
"Sure... whatever. And the Superior wants to talk now, so don't be wasting time."
"Why bother? You do all the time wasting yourself," he said with a grin before walking past him and out of the room. He dropped the smirk quickly, though; he spotted Luxord nearby, and they locked eyes for a moment.
Recent times had been trying for Axel. Ever since his mission at Castle Oblivion had been completed, things seemed to be going rather speedily downhill. Roxas acted strangely for a short period of time before disappearing completely. The remaining members also held a great distrust for Axel, most believing he had been involved in the elimination of Vexen, Lexaeus, and Zexion. He admitted that Vexen was a necessary sacrifice in order to catch Marluxia and Larxene, but he claimed no involvement in the deaths of the other two. It was a partial lie, but since Axel's discovery of Roxas in Twilight Town, his respect for the Organization in general, and, to a lesser extent, his respect for his fellow members, had fallen entirely to rockbottom.
He made his way gradually to the Superior's office, which was found at the highest floor of the mansion they used as headquarters. In fact, their leader rarely came down to the hidden basement levels. Going through a route alternate to that of the secret stairwell, he traversed through several rooms until entering the foyer. He took a breath and ascended the stairs, finally reaching the door to the office. He stopped short, however, hearing a voice within. "...should keep better tabs on Sora!" came the muffled shouts. Xigbar, of all people. Axel snickered and turned the doorknob, distracting the senior memer from his heated complaining. With his one, efficient eye he glared at Axel before turning back to the Superior, who sat with his back to them, staring out the window.
"I saw what he is capable of, and we'll be in a real dilemma if he finds us as enemies! Especially with that DiZ flashing his little lackeys all over the place! It makes a difference! I think-,"
"Xigbar," said the superior cooly, and that single word silenced him lightning fast, even if he was rather reluctant to do so. "I am well aware of Sora's increasing strength, however, at the moment we cannot concern ourselves with him. He is a liability, of course, but please try to direct your energy towards something more productive for our cause."
"Our cause? Sir, if Sora-,"
"Enough, Xigbar. You are dismissed... Yet, please tell me, where is the Keyblade Master headed to next?" he asked, the Second stopping right beside Axel.
"...Some castle, I think where Xaldin is at the moment."
"Alright, you may go."
Xigbar growled at Axel before leaving, but the redhead only stood still and expressionless. The Superior leaned forward in his chair, resting his chin on his fists. "The sky is so very... beautiful, is it not, Axel?"
Was he actually asking his opinion on something? On the rare occassions the Superior would speak to you specifically, he usually never shared an actual discussion with you. Axel tensed and folded his arms. "It's better at night, when you can see the stars," he answered, receiving a light chuckle.
"Had I asked you that when you first joined our ranks, I am quite positive your answer would have been different. Even though his time with us was relatively short, he certainly influenced you, correct? Please, have a seat."
He pulled the chair out and sat, inspecting the variety of objects that adorned the walls. The fire was burning in the small fireplace, and the First turned his chair around, spinning to the front. Axel remained stonefaced, looking into the Superior's eyes underneath his hood. "...Why did you ask for me?" he questioned, letting his arms rest on the chair's own.
"Is it that surprising that I wished to speak with you?"
"Yes, it is, because you never speak with us, but I could care less. You brought me here for a reason, and I'm really not in the mood for 'a talk'."
The Superior mimiced Axel's posture, but varied it by resting his head on his right fist. In this way Axel could see his face partially, but only the area around his mouth. "Then I suppose I made a mistake by choosing you, however, what is on your mind, Axel?"
"...You're not my parent," Axel responded rather assertively. "I can take care of myself."
"...Of course you can," said the Superior mockingly. He smiled smugly under his hood, unbeknowest to Axel, who fidgeted uncomfortably. The younger man glanced at the fire.
"I know why you told him about Sora."
"Do you? Well, then, please tell."
Axel looked up at him, inside burning with hate. Just who did he think he was, toying with everyone like this? He knew he was smirking under that hood, enjoying this "discussion". "It's pretty obvious if you ask me. Isn't DiZ supposed to be our enemy? Don't you think it's ironic that you've had private meetings with him?"
"He and I do not share an alliance, if that is what you are implying, Axel."
"That's exactly what I'm implying. You two want to join him and Sora back together, don't you? I can't concieve why, but you do."
The Superior chuckled once more. Axel, of course, felt a bead of sweat falling down the side of his face. No matter what he said or did, his superior would always have an advantage over him. It was impossible to "win" this discussion, but he had to try; he was so close to the truth, he could not let it slip away.
"And when, Axel, did you begin to abide by the Organization's beliefs?"
He could have walked away then and there, left this "conversation" behind him, but he pressed on, although he was losing his control. "Even if I don't agree with their beliefs, you obviously aren't acting in the Organization's favor." At this, and it seemed like he had been restraining himself, the Superior laughed. It was a laugh that signaled his triumph over Axel, a laugh that chilled him straight to the bone.
"You amuse me, Axel. Just when did the favor of the Organization matter to you? You were always the black sheep, a minor splotch I could have easily swept away. But it is what makes you that black sheep, your defiant and headstrong nature, that elevates you to a level higher than each of the other members. We are the only ones in the Organization, as was Roxas, that have that particular quality about ourselves. We stand on the same level, but stare off in opposite directions."
He was trying to distract him, but Axel would not be broken down. "So you admit it, then? You admit that you don't give a damn about what happens to the Organization?"
"The Organization was crumbling long before Roxas joined its ranks, and even if you were to inform the others that their superior has betrayed them, are you sure they would even offer an ear to your claims? They distrust you as much as you distrust them, Axel. They... are like dogs. They follow my orders without a second thought. I could easily have one of them eliminate you, but that is merely an example. They would, ultimately, see you as the traitor."
The First searched Axel's face for any signs of weakness, but he kept them well hidden. Axel stood up and walked over to the door. "...I'll kill you all if you try anything with Roxas, you hear me?"
"If Roxas still exists, you mean, correct?"
Axel stopped and clenched his fists, closing his eyes. A spark of flame ignited in his hand, but the Superior had turned his chair to it's previous way, allowing him view of Twilight Town from the window. "You may go now, Axel," he said. "Do what you wish, but keep in mind that your actions will always have consequences, positive or negative. I believe you know what is best for yourself."
"It isn't just for myself," Axel responded, but the Superior remained quiet. The flame died out, and he left.
---
Hayner had finished his Poxy stick by the time they reached the train station. The walk had been fairly short, and during that time Sora and his two compatriots took in the sights around them. This Twilight Town was an amazing spectacle, and for a moment the Keyblade Master thought about how it would be nice to settle here after his journey was over. But then he remembered his island. That... was his place. It was peaceful there, when the stars would shine and the waves came slowly in to the shore... He snuck out one night, just to be at that beach, although his parents gave him a stern talking when they found out. Riku had laughed, saying how girly he had acted.
Of course, that was Riku, and it was his responsibility to sustain that side of Sora, although the brunet knew the older boy felt similarly about it. Then there had been Kairi... she had honestly admitted to doing the same thing several times before. She suggested they do it together sometime, dragging Riku along if necessary. And the raft... no doubt it was driftwood, floating out in the ocean somewhere. They had gone through all that work... and for what? To be responsible for the fate of all the other worlds out there? Just his luck. Just their luck. Kairi did not deserve this, and neither did Riku.
"Well, what do you think?" asked Hayner as he nodded towards the train as it stopped at the platform. Sora looked up, eyes widening in awe at the train. It was the type of thing he remembered seeing in the picture books his mother would read to him when he was a child, the type of thing he dreamed about riding for years.
"It's... great," said Sora while he took a few steps toward it.
Hayner tapped his forehead, looking back at the boy. "...Funny, I remember someone saying the same thing..."
"What are you talking about, Hayner?" inquired Pintz, and Olette glanced at the oldest boy suspiciously.
"Agh, it's nothing... So, are you guys getting on or what?" He turned his attention to Goofy and Donald, who stepped beside Sora.
"...You're sure this train... that it-,"
"Yeah, we're sure. Look, over there." Hayner stared off into the distance, in the direction the train would go after they boarded. Sora did as told, and the others slowly followed suit. "They say the train can go to places beyond Twilight Town... they say to other worlds." The stars were slightly visible now, glimmering in the hazy sky. "Personally, I have my doubts, but if what they say is true, then I wouldn't worry."
"...Maybe..." Olette murmured, "...maybe he came from another world..." Pintz rolled his eyes. "Don't start with that, again, Olette. Mystery Boy doesn't exist, we've been through it tons of times already."
"Mystery Boy?" questioned Goofy, but Hayner turned to Sora. "You better get a move on before you miss your ride."
"...Yeah," said Sora. "Come on guys, and... thanks, I guess."
"Don't thank us," stated Pintz, "we'd be doing ourselves a crime if we didn't help out a bunch of clowns like you three." The Keyblade Master and his friends chuckled before he slid the train door open. They climbed in and said their farewells when suddenly the door closed, and they were forced to find themselves a place to sit. The other three waved goodbye as the train started off almost immediately.
"So... is it just going to take us there?" asked Goofy curiously. Sora shrugged and stared out at the moving scenery, catching a glimpse of a figure cloaked in black atop a building. The person was hooded, but Sora could feel whoever it was staring right back at him, but the train sailed past, and the person ended up a small, black dot before just disappearing into the distance.
END-CHAPTER TWO