Disclaimer: I don't own any of these things.
Word Count: 8
Chapter 2: The Savior
Everyone was struggling to break free of the Target's grasp. Despite all their efforts, no one could succeed.
"Not like this, not until we take down this Kishin." Soul muttered angrily, unable to do a thing.
"Soul we'll think of... something. We are going to make it. All four of us are going to make it out... Alive." Maka said, feeling her body getting crushed by the strength of the Target's hand.
"Xi-Xion… can you cast any spells in your normal form? Maybe we can… ugh" Roxas quickly asked unable to break free, slowly losing consciousness
"I'm sorry Roxas, I can't, it's not working, it's my fault we're in this mess. If only… I … was… stronger." Xion slowly cried out. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Her vision was slowly fading to black.
The Target's grip was getting even stronger and increasing pressure with each passing minute. Would this be the end of their tale? Would their lives be lost before it's been lived? Would they be avenged? What would be avenging someone matter, when it won't bring them back?
Roxas felt hopeless, he felt the end was near and his comrades in battle would also join him shortly. He stared at the heartless. He felt nothing but shame that Xion and him failed to eliminate a single target, what made things worse was that others got involved. "Is this how it all ends?" Roxas saw something coming this way, more so towards the Target, "... What's that?". Whatever it was, it was engulfed in darkness. The closer it got, the darkness took a form, it was a person wearing a lot of dark clothing. The person threw two chakrams at the Target with such an intensity, flames surrounded it as hit the Target's back and the Chakram on the left had went deep into the back of the Target.
*shriek* The Target cried out, showing how it was in gruesome agony. It released Roxas, Xion, Maka, and Soul onto the ground, to try pull the Chakrams out. All four looked up to see who had saved them. Maka along with Soul didn't know the identity of the savior, but it seemed Roxas and Xion knew who it was.
He was a tall man wearing a long black trenchcoat, black boots, black gloves, he had medium skin, purple diamond tattoos under his emerald green eyes, and spiky red hair. He looked rather sweaty and tired, and as if he was woken up and was sick, which was assumed because he had an eye mask on his forehead, sweat was all over his face, and boogers slowly flowed out his nose.
"Soul, get up!" Maka said helping Soul get on his feet. "Any idea who this guy is?"
"Thanks Maka." Soul said getting up. "No clue, but with that outfit, I'd say he's probably with the other two we met earlier. They don't seem infiltrated with the Witch Organization crew though. Even though he saved us, stay on guard. Got it Maka?"
"Yeah, what about Roxas and Xion, shouldn't we stay with them just in case this guy can't win?" Maka asked pointing to them.
"Are you sure you want to stick around and wait for these guys?"
"Yes, absolutely."
"Fine, it's your choice, and my duty as your weapon. I'll stay by your side."
"Thanks Soul."
"No biggie." Soul said as they stood up. They chose to watch what would happen next.
"Axel you're here?!" Roxas and Xion smiling with a ray of hope in their eyes.
"Of course, it's Axel, the one and *achoo* only. Now you two gonna help me out?" Axel smirked as he caught one of the chakrams that the Target pulled out of its back.
"Axel *gesundheit * and watch out, it can fight off even 4 fighters off at the same time, it's really... tough..." Xion tiredly said, before resting against Roxas.
"Heh, we loved to, but right we can't really move, sorry Axel. But I'm sure you can handle this since you're a big boy, right?" Roxas told him as he rested beside an exhausted Xion.
"Yeah, you have a point, a big tough guy like me," Axel said walking towards the Target and wiping his boogers off with a tissue," will blow this one away." *Blows nose*.
"You really think you can take that thing on by yourself?! The four of us didn't even have a chance against it." Soul asked while grabbing Maka's hand.
Axel had no idea of the identity of the two teens, and why they were here, but if he had to guess; he would have to say, Roxas and Xion got beat by fighting the Target, and then the two teens tried to help, which lead to them all hurt by it. Axel then looked at the walls and ground around him. The damaged walls and ground had intrigued him. Roxas and Xion couldn't have done anything like that. Axel concluded that the fighters had gotten beat by the Target, who appears to have much potential in destruction and combat. He didn't even need to read the report to understand this.
"Golly, when you put it that way, I don't stand a chance. *achoo* However, I'm stronger than those two put together, probably even stronger. Wait, can you two do me a favor and take them somewhere safe? I don't want them getting hurt because of my amazing techniques." Axel chuckled.
"Wish we could help, however, Maka and I are here to stay, if that thing is still around and making some noise, we're staying and helping until it gets slayed first. "Soul stated.
"Alright, if you get hurt, not my fault. "Axel said," Maybe these teens might be good fighters, who knows? Not me of course." summoning his chakrams," Now it's time to get to business."
Axel vs Target
The Target was already in pain because of Axel's previous chakram throws, and Axel was already tired previously from running towards them along with a lack of sleep and a runny nose. The Target lunged at Axel with its large hands closing in, and Axel jumped above and launched a barrage of fireballs. The fire seemed to deal some damage, but the Target used its left hand to block most of the Pyromaniac's Flames. With its right, the Target caught Axel's body, but with his arms still free.
"Tch!" Axel grunted, knowing it's specialty with breaking things with its hands.
The Target proceeded to increase pressure, at a constant speed, and Axel using his two chakrams, struck the Target's forearms deep. The Target shrieked once more, and added more pressure at twice the speed. Despite all the pain reaching into Axel's body and mind, he became even more determined to eliminate the Target.
"Hah, I'm stronger than that!" Axel shouted, summoning deadly concentrated fire, aiming it at the Target. The intensity of the ball of flames was becoming so compact, the flames started to change color from a crimson red into a yellow sunset; Axel's flames slowly became stronger, he began to sweat faster and faster. Axel's arms began to shake due to the intensity of the ball of flames' difficulty to control, his body felt like it was getting crushed, like grape slowly mashed into wine.
*CRACK* *CRACK*
The Target was breaking Axel's ribs.," Sure, take my ribs for all I care," *CRACK* "I'll even throw in my arm if I have to! In exchange, I'll take your life!" Axel shouted, releasing the yellow fire, it contacted the body of the Target. The hands and arms of the Target was burnt to nothing, setting Axel free and onto the floor, taking a knee, with his right hand clutching a Chakram and used the left to try to nurse his broken ribs by holding it in place.
The impact of the flame ball sent the Target flying and hitting against a big wall made of steel. The Target became engulfed in a sunset colored ball of flame, remains of its body was crumbling and it gave one last shriek before exploding. *SHHHREIIK* *PAH* A pink heart appeared where the Heartless was destroyed and ascended into the violet night sky.
The Target was successfully eliminated. Therefore, the Roxas and Xion could return to the castle and rest from a hard day's work, while Axel wanted even more rest because he felt that his day was even harder than theirs.
Besides, he's the one that would probably have to carry them back despite his current injuries... Or maybe he could get the two teens earlier he saw to do it for him. Axel may have not been the smartest guy around in the Organization, but even he knew the values of working smarter and not harder.
Maka and Soul both approached Axel, while Roxas and Xion slept against the wall. Maka and Soul both had to admit what they saw was awesome, the Man with red hair and could control fire; they did not want to end up on his bad side. The red headed man gave Maka and Soul a friendly demeanor, telling them he wasn't an enemy.
"So are you two alright? It'd be a shame if you two got hurt. "Axel greeted.
"No, we're fine, just kinda beaten here and there, I think you should turn your attention on Roxas and Xion over there, I think they've had it worse. Also, Mister, thank you for saving us, I'm Maka, and this is Soul. What's your name?" Maka greeted.
"Well, since you already know the names of Roxas and Xion, I'm guessing they used that special permission to good use." Axel scratched his head," Anyway I'm Axel, can you two act like you never saw us before? I don't want my boss to throw a fit because I intervened with a mission to help out a friend."
"Wait, so are you training these two?" Soul asked.
"More or less, the others helped out too." Axel gestured," Don't ask who the others are, I can't say their names, because I don't wanna say too much."
Before asking anything else, a sudden aura filled the area, Maka recognizes this feeling, it was a presence of a witch. Maka used her Soul Perception to pinpoint the location of the witch, she looked around, and looked up; the witch was in the sky the entire time. Why did she decide to undo her Soul Protection?
The witch slowly descended onto the ground, where Dark Arrows appeared everywhere, on the buildings, floor, and even midair. The witch's true appearance was hidden under a dark cloak, with white markings of a snake appearing around the top of the hood, and she wore no shoes. Her stature was of no child, and clearly an adult, especially with her. Measurements.
"Hello Axel," The witch spoke, "Why did you interfere? Were you not informed about this special mission?"
"Axel, who is this woman, how does she know your name?" Maka questioned, as Soul grabbed Maka's hand again, and transformed into his scythe form.
"Interfere with wha-ahhh," Axel felt a sneeze coming on, but nothing came out…" what? All I did was save my fellow buds." Axel responded ignoring Maka's questions." What's wrong with that? Also, I wasn't informed about any special missions either, so who are you? "
Maka took a quick glance at Axel, who looked more exhausted than Roxas and Xion did, and scanned the area with her Soul Perception, suddenly she couldn't see or sense Roxas nor Xion. Maka felt even more uneasy now that she could not sense the wavelengths of her new founded comrades. Maka aimed her scythe at the witch, who didn't show any facial expressions.
"What did you do to Roxas and Xion?! I can't sense them!" Maka angrily said with a threatening tone," Either give them back or I'll eliminate you immediately!"
"My, my, aren't you making quick assumptions. I didn't do anything at all, I had my child do it for me, "The witch showed a magical circle, showing Roxas and Xion resting together against a different building wall," see I didn't harm them whatsoever, and you wouldn't be able to defeat my child, let alone me anyway."
"Your child? So, that means you're a mother? Why would a mom put her own child close to danger? "Maka becoming anxious to attack.
"Yes, Crona is my own child, and with Ragnarok as the weapon, you will never be able to defeat them, not in reality or in your wildest dreams. Therefore, they had never got in harm's way to begin with." the Witch laughed.
"Alright lady, who are you exactly and what you want?" Axel asked becoming impatient because his friends could be in danger.
"My, either you are quite the actor OR you really haven't been informed, oh well. I'm from the Witch Association, the same Association that has recently formed an alliance with your special group called Organization XIII. And what I wanted was simply a matter of following orders. I honestly didn't account for someone defeating my new experiment, but that just means I need to experiment even more. Until we meet again, good bye~."
Before Maka could do anything, the Witch had vanished, leaving no trace behind along with the Dark Arrows vanishing. Axel threw his chakram at a corner of a building in anger and shouted," Who was she!? Where's Roxas and Xion!?"
"I can't sense them anywhere?! Why can't I sense them? What if she kil-" Maka thinking of illogical probabilities, but still possible.
"Maka, snap out of it, we'll find them. I think that Witch wasn't lying when she said she wouldn't harm them it's crazy, in fact, they might actually be nearby." Maka looked puzzled by her partner's statement.
"Nearby? How can you trust a Witch?" Maka questioned.
"Watch," Soul told her, walking towards Axel and telling him something, with Axel nodding," You ready Axel?"
"Yeah." Axel responded
"3-2-1..." Soul prompted
"ROXAS, XION, WHERE ARE YOU!" Both Axel and Soul shouted in unison, at the top of their lungs.
"That's his plan?" Maka disappointingly sighed, thinking she was a fool for thinking Soul might've had a legitimate plan.
Their efforts did make Maka fell a little more confident that they would reunite with their new comrades Xion and Roxas again. The new trio began searching around the area in hopes of finding Roxas and Xion.
"Hey Axel," Soul asked while checking a dumpster," How are you exactly associated with the Witch Association? What's Organization XIII?"
"... I wasn't told about any the alliances with this Witch Association." Axel tiredly said looking up a tree. Guess Isa didn't care to tell me about this either.
Maka started climbing a rooftop. "I'm going get a birdseye view, maybe we might be able to find a clue that way."
"Hold on, we'll join you, six eyes are probably better than two." Axel tiredly joked, telling Soul to follow up to the rooftop.
"Shouldn't you rest? "Soul asked yawning," That fight took a lot in you. *yawn* We'll find Roxas and Xion eventually."
"I'll rest later, you two should probably head home or something. Don't you two have parents or someone worried for you?" Axel asked the duo who seemed to have spotted something.
"Maka, do you see that?" Soul pointed to a rooftop a block away. The rooftop had two figures wearing all dark, lying together, not moving at all.
"Yeah, I think that's them! They might be up ahead!" Maka responds.
"What are we waiting for? Let's go!" Axel preparing to jump rooftop to rooftop, but something caught his arm.
"Axel, Maka, wait. What if it's a trap by that Witch? Or we see this Crona kid she mentioned? We're all still tired, so how will we deal with an ambush, if it is one?" Soul questioned.
"Hmm..." Axel quickly thought," If it's an ambush, then you and Maka get Roxas and Xion somewhere safe, and I'll fend them off. Does that sound good enough?"
"... Fine, but how will we contact you?" Soul asked
Axel reaches for his pocket inside his dark trench coat and pulls out a card with his face on it, handing it to Soul," Just light the bottom on fire, and I'll know where you are."
"Alright, now let's go get Roxas and Xion." Soul decided.
The trio made their way and ended on the same rooftop as two dark figures began to move. Axel knew, without a doubt, knew it was Roxas and Xion. He was prepared for any ambush and was ready for anything. As Maka and Soul checked up on Roxas and Xion, Axel began scanning the area, looking for any potential threats. Oddly enough, not any threats around or even signs of heartless activity.
"Well if there aren't any threats, then that's fine as well. No need to fight any more than I need to." Axel mentally said." Now onto to the next agenda."
"*Yawn* How did you win?" Roxas questioned as he stretched.
"Easy, I burnt it to smithereens. It was an easy job, no idea how it was so tough for wittle Roxas and Xion." Axel teased, he felt his sides still hurting.
"Hey, it was probably easy because we weakened it so much, and you just happen to have Lady Luck on your side." Xion pouted, her cheeks became puffy and pink, Roxas couldn't help but smile and give her cheeks a poke.
"St-Stop it." Xion giggled gleefully.
"So Roxas, Xion," Soul interrupted," How did you get here on this roof? Don't you remember sleeping on the floor?"
"Uhh… I don't remember how we got here actually." Roxas replied as he stopped teasing Xion.
"Well, "Xion began," I felt something picking me up, so I woke up and saw some a pink-haired boy and some weird creature attached to his back picking Roxas and me up. When I asked what was he doing, he flusteredly replied,"Please, please, please don't make any noise. If you do, I might get in trouble, I can't deal with trouble or noise that well either." and then that creature thing spoke," Crona, pipe down! Hey kid, my servant and I are gonna "relocate" you somewhere safe. It's orders under uhh... Axel,the fire wielding, tall pretty boy over there. So just sleep like your little boyfriend is doing and you won't get endanger the mission." Before I could say anything else, I kinda just went back asleep.".
"First I miss a "ball of light" and now this "Crona guy", what else will I miss?" Roxas asked himself mentally while scratching his head.
"So, uhhh you two harmed in any way whatsoever?" Axel asked them, while trying to find something to offer up," Aw nuts, I forgot to get potions on the way here."
"No, Roxas and I are fine, the only thing that hurt us was the Target." Xion answered," Hey Roxas, you have any elixirs left?"
"Elixirs? Oh, yeah, just enough for the five of us." Roxas responded handing everyone a single elixir bottle," Thanks again Axel for giving us these, this mission really was tough. Heh, who knew this universe had fighters who can use magic too?"
Both Soul and Maka exchanged looks. Universe?
After everyone drank the elixirs and healed back to full health, Maka decided to finally asks the questions that Soul and her have had for quite a while. With all that has happened, this day seemed rather unusual for Maka's standards,sure fighting Kishin is normal now, but those creatures wasn't like anything before, especially with no souls coming out.
"Alright, Roxas, Xion, Axel," Maka began pulling a pen and paper," Can all of you each answer some questions Soul and I have had for a while now. "
Roxas nodded his head yes.
"Sure! I'll try to answer them as well as possible." Xion happily responded.
Axel waits patiently for Maka to begin her "questions".
"Alright to clarify, I've summed up all my questions into a total of five, and I think Soul has around five as well, making it a total of ten. Will you be willing to answer all of them before we begin?" Maka asked writing each question and their names with empty space for a hopefully detailed response.
"Sure. Our mission's done and we have lots of time before returning anyway." Roxas said.
"I'll try to answer them all to my best knowledge yes." Xion responded.
"I want to lay some ground rules first," Axel said," If there's a question we can't answer, we will just go with the best answer that comes to mind or pass on that statement. Also, since you are asking us so many questions, we'll ask you about some in return. Trade" Information for information" Does that sound fair?"
"Deal," Soul replied," It is only fair, but those ground rules also apply to us as well. So are you all ready?"
"Yeah." said Roxas.
"Yes." responded Xion.
"I'm ready enough, let's begin." Axel finally spoke
Maka's Question One: How old are you?
R: What's age?
X: I think they mean how old we are since we've been in the Organization. So, I'd say I'm a week younger than you Roxas.
R: So, I'm a week older than Xion, and Xion is a week younger than me. That's our age.
A: Sure, that answer works for them; me? I'd say early 20s and in my prime.
Maka's Question Two: Why do you all wear the same type of clothing?
R: Funny question, I was just thinking about that too earlier before this mission. I have no idea.
X: I assumed it was to hide our identity or something.
A: To hide our identities? Sure, why not.
Maka's Question Three: How much experience do you have with fighting those "creatures"? Have you ever fought Kishin before?
R: I think you mean "Heartless", all of us are pretty much masters at defeating Heartless. And I don't think we have ever fought Kishin before.
X: Yeah what Roxas said.
A: Ditto.
Maka's Question Four: What do you know about the Witch Association?
R: ...
X: It's probably an association about witches.
A: Oh, it involves witches.
Maka's Question Five: What can you tell us what you know about Organization XIII?
R: uhhh-
A: -Covers Roxas' mouth- We slay heartless and wear the dark clothing to hide in the shadows so we aren't seen fighting.
X: That sounds about right.
Now to Soul's Questions.
Soul's Question 1: Axel, how are you able to wield fire?
A: By controlling it.
Soul's Question 2: Roxas and Xion, who assigned you two to take on that big creature that took all four of us down?
R: Either our boss or his right hand-man.
X: The higher-ups.
A: …
Soul's Question 3: Xion, can you describe what the thing attached to Crona looked like again?
X: It looked monotone, so it could be the reason why the Crona guy was scarred.
Soul's Question 4: Xion, is Roxas your boyfriend?
X: What's a boy… friend?
R: *blushes slightly* Xion passes!
Soul's Question 5: Axel how long have you been in this "Organization XIII"?
A: Since the very beginning. You're looking at a founding member over here. Bask in my glory.
They had answered all the questions from the duo. The trio had a little meeting to discuss of what should be asked.
"... What should we ask them? Any ideas Roxas? Axel?" Xion asked her friends.
"Maybe we should ask them if they're in a relationship? Or maybe what organization what they are from?" Chimed in Roxas.
"... Sure ask them that. I'll ask them other things last, doing around five questions I'd say; so, you two can go ahead first." Axel said.
Xion and Roxas had a quick talk about what to ask, and assured themselves that what they would ask would be good questions.
"Alright, now it's our turn to ask the questions. Are you two ready Soul and Maka?" Xion asked.
"Fire away." Said Soul.
"Ready!" Maka said enthusiastically.
Xion's Question One: What organization do you two belong to?
M: The DWMA Academy, or Death Weapon Meister Academy. Soul and I are both attending the same Academy.
Xion's Question Two: What are your goals while in the DWMA Academy?
M: My goal as a Meister is to collect 99 Evil human souls and one Witch soul, that way Soul can become a Death Scythe or in the area of Death Class. Another goal is to become stronger than my father and be one of the top meisters in the academy.
S: My goal as a Weapon is to devour 99 Evil human souls and one Witch soul, so that I can be an awesome Death Scythe. Another Goal/Job of mine is to make sure no one hurts my Meister.
Roxas' Question One: Are you two boyfriend and girlfriend?
M: No, we're both just good friends. I don't know why people think I want Soul for a boyfriend. He would probably make a good husband in the future though. *sighs* He's just worried about for me is all.
S: Nah, we're just close friends. No clue why people think I would wanna date a flat chested girl like Maka. *heh heh*
M: *Maka Chop*
Roxas' Question Two: How did you get into the fighting business?
M: I got into the "fighting business" because I thought slaying Kishin would make a difference, save lives, and because I follow orders.
S: I'm a weapon, so I'm bound to get into fighting eventually.
Xion and Roxas' Question One: Wanna join our Organization?
M: Uhh, I'll pass. Thank you for offering though.
S: Nah, I'm good.
Axel's 5 Questions:
1.Are there any other meisters and weapons closeby?
M: Not in this town, but there's plenty of good meisters and weapons at the Academy.
S: ...
2. How experienced are you in fighting?
M: Experienced, but I still have ways to go!
S: Experienced enough.
3. How often have the Heartless been appearing in this world?
M: Not too long ago, probably two days ago at most. They're no Kishin, but they still are a threat to lives of the citizens.
S: Long enough.
4. How are these "Kishin" formed?
M: Kishin are just people who have devoured the souls of innocent people, so we must stop them from devouring as much as possible, and as fast as possible.
S: By eating Souls.
5. If any trouble happens that involves Roxas, Xion, or the Witch, will you contact me using that Calling Card?
R & X: Hey, we don't need -
M: Yes, but only in serious situations.
S: If we need to yeah.
Xion felt satisfied that they answered the questions with ease. She couldn't tell if Maka and Soul felt satisfied with their answers because Maka looked confused about all their answers. They answered to their best abilities, so why did Maka look somewhat displeased?
"Maka is there a problem with what our answers?" Xion asked feeling slightly worried.
"Wha- no, no, there's nothing wrong with them, "Maka rubbing the back of her head,"They're good answers, but I still have a few other questions. Asking more now seems kinda rude is all."
"Well, you can ask us another time, because we need to head back now." Axel yawned, readjusting his eye mask.
"Alright, we have to head back as well. See you soon!" Maka waved as they went their separate ways. Soul went to Roxas waved a fist, Roxas had no idea what to do. Soul sighed and taught him how to fist bump. They fist bumped. Feeling satisfied, Soul walked away and caught up with Maka.
As the long walk to the Corridor of Darkness began, Xion still had many lingering thoughts about the events of today. The ball of light that made some weird link between Roxas and her, becoming the keyblade, meeting Soul and Maka, fighting the Target, and heading home. A thought came into Xion's mind that made her shudder; What if Axel hadn't come?
"Can we get ice cream?", asked Roxas.
"No idea," Axel thoughtfully,"Can we get ice cream? Maybe another time, it's late as it is and you kids need your sleep. Besides we need our little keyblade wielders up and early for more missions."
"Fine." Roxas said as the three approached the corridor of darkness, they took one last look at the Soul Eater world, took one last breath and proceeded to walk into the darkness, where they would go into the Castle, and finally take a well-deserved rest.
In the same town, a girl was in a mansion, who saw everything from the distance.
Roxas… Xion… they must return to "him" soon.
Word Count: 4781