Memory 3: Axel- A Flurry of Dancing Flames

They walked from the darkness and emerged in a completely different place from before.

"Welcome, Roxas, to The World That Never Was." Xemnas motioned around them briefly before signaling Roxas to follow.

Roxas looked around anxiously at the grandness of the place while trailing Xemnas absentmindedly.

"Um...So, where are we going exactly...uh, Leader, sir?" he said still trying to take in the view, not quite sure of what else to call the Superior.

Xemnas glanced back at the boy briefly taking note of Roxas's gaping as they continued through the vast hallways of their base.

"This place is our headquarters. You'll probably be spending some time here until you get settled in"

"That's okay...Wait! You mean I'll be staying here!" he said in shocked realization.

"You are one of the Organization...It's only logical you stay with the Organization."

Roxas blinked, "Well...I guess that does make sense"

He felt kinda silly for not inferring this sooner.

"At least I won't get bored easily..." He thought to himself.

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The two walked rather silently the rest of the while, until Xemnas stopped at a large door at the end of a passage.

"Stay here momentarily. I'll be back soon..." the Superior said as he walked through the door.

Roxas caught a brief glimpse at five or so other cloaked members inside before Xemnas shut the door behind him.

The boy sighed trying to calm the butterflies in his stomach. "There's no reason to get so worked up...you should have expected more. It is an 'Organization' after all..."

Roxas wondered just how many nobodies there actually were...Would they all be as inviting as Xemnas had been?

He couldn't help but crouch and put an ear to the door, trying to figure out the voices inside in his curiosity.

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"He's here. I had the dusks deliver him from Twilight Town." He recognized Xemnas's voice.

"You mean the keyblade kid is here?"

"If you had been listening earlier, Xigbar, you would have known that about five minutes ago like the rest of us."

Here the one he could name 'Xigbar' seemed to get upset at someone named 'Vexen', but he could still make out two others amongst the squabble.

"It seems your sense of smell is as keen as ever, Zexion."

"I suppose..."

Xemnas spoke up. "Enough! Xigbar, sit down!"

"I can't help that Vexen's a pansy..." Xigbar muttered.

Vexen scoffed.

"So, what do we do with the boy?" Another voice it seemed.

"He'll join our Organization." Xemnas said simply.

"But Superior! He's--" The voice faded away hesitantly.

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"Hey, Kid. Whatcha doin'?"

Roxas turned suddenly from his place at the door startled by the voice behind him.

He looked a little shaken but quickly regained his composure turning to meet another member of this Organization he seemed to have caught himself up with.

The person was...taking out the trash it seemed...

"Um...Well..." Roxas was temporarily at a loss of words, having been caught off guard in his eavesdropping.

"Hmm...you waitin' for those geezers in there or something?"

Roxas nodded hesitantly. "Xemnas.. um, the Leader said he'd be back soon and to wait here..."

The hooded man shook his head with a sigh. "He'll be in there forever. What are ya waiting for anyway?"

This person had a way of moving his hands as he talked. It was nice to see some sort of inflection while he couldn't see the face behind the cloak.

"I'm...joining the Organization."

"Ha! Really? That's great! Finally someone who doesn't seem like they've got something shoved up their ---eh..." He paused. "Heh...Ignore that."

He flipped back his hood with a wide grin. His face was framed by flaming red hair and his eyes were a vibrant emerald that almost seemed to glow with enthusiasm.

"Name's Axel. How 'bout you say we ditch those guys for awhile and I show you around. Besides..." He reached out a gloved hand. "I'm sure they'll come get you if they need you for something. I'll take responsibility if we get in trouble."

Axel smirked.

"Um...are you sure that's okay?" Roxas hesitated a little.

"Pft. Of course. I don't care. I'm used to trouble!"

Both laughed a bit before Roxas took his hand.

"I'm Roxas."

"Sounds good. Nice to meet you, Roxas!"

A nod from the boy as Axel helped pull him to his feet.

"So...How come you're so used to trouble, Axel?" Roxas asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Let's just say that people do crazy things when their bored out of their minds!" He withdrew after the last bit and sighed deeply to point out the extent of his ennui. "But I guess no one else appreciates my creativeness." He gave a mock look of disappointment and shrugged.

"I'd appreciate your creativeness..." Roxas smiled really enjoying how animated Axel seemed compared to how Xemnas had acted.

Axel looked down at Roxas. "You know, I really like you, Roxas. It may be just me, but I get the feeling that we could be quite a team."

"Really?" Roxas blinked at the thought of making a friend already.

"Really." Axel smiled. He tended to do that a lot it seemed. Roxas like Axel, too. He seemed a fairly easy person to get along with and he had a lively attitude.

The two glanced at the door of the room next to them. "So, you going to wait here?"

Roxas thought about it a second before replying nonchalantly, "No. Like you said, they can come get me if they need me..."

"All right! That's what I'm talking about!" Axel gave Roxas a playful punch to the arm with his free hand. "In that case let's head that way!" He motioned to the hallway stretching out before them. "I'll show you around a bit. Who knows maybe we'll find something else to do along the way..."

Roxas nodded and the two headed down the hallway together.

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Alright. Sorry for the slight delay but here's Chapter 3 up and runnin'! Hope everyone still likes it. Axel's in there now. Things are sure to heat up! XD And yes. He meets Roxas while taking out the trash.

While Roxas is listening in to the conversation, you hear the first six members inside: Xemnas, Xigbar, Xaldin, Vexen, Lexaeus and Zexion. Personally I think this group is probably the main core of the Organization. Just my thoughts...even though they don't seem to get along all too well.

Oh, and when Vexen criticizes Xigbar of not listening, I meant that Zexion had already told them about it, but Xiggy wasn't paying attention. o.o; Zexion has a brilliant sense of smell and can tell when someone is close by. :O

Well... Hope you liked chapter 3! Please review!