Chapter Seven An Eventful Reunion
The group had exited the CoD and entered a whole new world. A calm tranquil town, hit by a soothing sunset. The group had arrived in a large area. The stage was set and the fighters were on opposite sides. One stood a tall well built pink haired man, and another was two young teenagers.
"Are you two ready?" Marluxia asked summoning his weapon.
"Yes." Maka answered with Soul switching scythe form. Let's see the power of darkness.
"Let's rock and roll!" Soul told her.
Xion, Roxas, Larxene, and Lexaeus would be the judges of the match. Xion prompted herself to pay close attention to Maka and Soul teamwork as a reference to how Roxas and herself should fight. Lexaeus silently watched while Larxene made crude comments and ate popcorn and drank from a shake.
"Ready… BEGIN!" Roxas said.
Maka and Soul vs Marluxia
Maka charged readying for an attack. Marluxia cut the distance faster than Maka could react. He tripped Maka down and slashed from behind. The cut wasn't too deep because the black trenchcoat took most of it.
"Maka, watch out for his movements. He's another scythe user like you are, so he probably knows what you're planning to do next." Soul told her.
"We'll see about that." Maka huffed.
Maka got back up, remembering to not make the same mistake again against Marluxia; she needed a plan if he was going to fight like this. Marluxia went on the offensive and began to attack with quick bursts of energy, keeping on Maka on the defensive. Or so he thought.
As Marluxia stopped attacking, Maka immediately charged with an underhand motion. He proceeded to block the scythe, but not the sand that came with her attack. The sand quickly got in his eyes, rendering his vision. Instead of trying to get the sand out, he simply closed his eyes and took a different stance. It was a defensive stance, but showed little to no weakness. He was blinded, but it appeared as he unlocked a new kind of vision. Maka felt a chill run down her spine.
"What's the matter Miss Maka, afraid of what I plan on doing next? Just to let you know, I'll just attack blindly." Marluxia spoiled," Or am I lying?"
"Watch out Maka." Soul advised, "He probably has a trick up his sleeve."
A second chill ran down her spine. She was going to attack now with the adrenaline boosting her speed and power. She jumped and went with the flow of her strike, a downward slash.
"Hrah!" Maka let out a war cry. Marluxia dodged the attack, letting Maka slice air and he relentlessly gave an onslaught of unpredictable attacks, causing Maka to panic. As Maka guarded, Marluxia snuck in a strike on her leg. As Maka fell down, Marluxia went for the killing blow.
"Wait I surrender!" Maka pleaded, unable to move her leg. As the his scythe went down, another weapon collided with it; stopping it's edge from touching Maka.
It was Roxas with Xion's keyblade form.
Feeling something tough, Marluxia opened his eyes once more. He smiled devilishly.
"Oh, didn't see you there Roxas. Where's Xion?" Marluxia eyed the Keyblade," Well guess she left. Good match Maka." He offered a hand. His softening eyes could not hide his lingering killer intent. He would've finished the motion.
"Uh… thanks." Maka swallowed her pride and accepted defeat."How did I lose?"
"I suppose the difference in skill and beauty." Marluxia answered smelling a rose from his pocket.
"Boo!" Larxene gave a thumbs down," Ya should've hit 'im where it hurts."
"The answer to why you lost," Lexaeus spoke with his gruff voice," Was because you overestimated Marluxia's skill, as well as underestimating your own. You stayed mostly on defensive because you thought Marluxia had a special technique, he does not.."
Upon hearing the tall man's answer, Maka huffed disappointedly. I've got a long way to go.
She stared at Roxas, who defended her earlier, a small smile form at the ends of her lips. I'll have to thank him sometime. She stopped smiling when her next thought came. Marluxia too I suppose.
"Thank you for the match. I learned quite a bit." Maka bowed. Soul stayed in form. "Soul don't you want to change forms now?"
"Nah," Soul responded," Something keeps telling me that there's something lurking. I'll stay on guard just in case."
"Alright if you say so."
*PAH PAH PAH*
Three giant birds burst in the middle of the Sandlot. The heartless emblem appeared on the underside body, and it's silver wings extended to its limits. The wings created mini tornadoes and attacked the Organization members. Everyone dodged from the raging winds. Marluxia merely sighed from the boring ambush. He summoned the Corridor of Darkness (CoD).
"Lexaeus and Larxene, deal with it." Marluxia ordered going to the CoD.
"Ugh, fine." Larxene made an annoyed face," C'mon big guy, let's take 'em down. Roxas and Maka, go play in the streets or something."
Lexaeus merely sighed and followed her lead. Larxene, despite her complaints earlier wasted no time striking each heartless with a large strike of thunder. She fired three times, each hitting its mark. The crack of thunder roared and the winged heartless shrieked in pain. The birds gently laid on the floor, going through paralysis.
Lexaeus summoned his large axe-sword and annihilated each heartless with a single monstrous swing. As his weapon slammed against the bodies, the heartless would disappear and his weapon would then make contact with the ground. The ground beneath shook from his demonstration of strength. The duo seemed invincible, that is if Larxene didn't leave already. The Silent Hero walked towards the teens.
"Are any of you injured?"
They nodded no, and in awe of their performance. Shortly after Lexaeus went back to the CoD, leaving the teens to themselves. The weapons took their original forms. So with the danger now gone, they proceeded to chat.
"So these Organization guys are really something." Soul grumbled, he was inspecting the damage Lexaeus caused.
"Yeah, I can't believe they can fight like that. It's almost inhuman." Maka agreed.
Roxas and Xion could only smile upon hearing compliments about their comrades.
"So who do you think is stronger," Soul finally asked the 100 munny question," Axel or Marluxia?"
"Axel." Roxas and Xion answered with deadpanned expression like true Nobodies.
"I'd have to say Marluxia." Maka said," I think Soul agrees too. Right?"
As Soul was about the mouth "A-" he felt Maka's book being unsheathed if he finished. He went from the safer route.
"A- Actually I think they're both strong in their own right. Axel has flames, and Marluxia has technique." Soul tried to make an acceptable answer. Ugh, that was so not cool.
After more arguing about who would win a hypothetical battle, they decided to call it a day and head back to the Castle.
_Change Scene_
As the four returned, they saw a pink haired boy with a large dark blade swinging at a man with an eyepatch. The man simply laughed as he dodged each attack, after the boys attempts failed, the man brought his own weapons out and began shooting at various angles. The boy tried to dodge or block, however, the shots seemed to predicts his moves and still reach it's mark.
"Had enough yet Owl?" The man taunted," For being Medusa's kid, you're more green than she said. You're rebellious act doesn't mean jack since you got no skill or willpower."
"What are you talking about?! My name is Crona, quit calling me Owl." Crona angrily yelled," I do have my own free will, soul, and heart! I even fought Medusa so I could help Maka. Where is she and what have you done with her?"
"Right here Owl," The man brought out a mini doll of Maka, and tossed it to the floor," She can even talk."
"That's a li-" Crona skeptically said.
"Xigbar what are you doing?!" The voice of Maka said.
"It's her?!" Crona dumbfounded and a hand over his mouth.
"No, Crona I'm over here." Maka waved.
"THERE"S TWO?!" Crona's eyes widened. The dark sword began to speak.
"No you clueless Moron! The one waving is the real one and the doll other there is a fake! You're such an idiot! "
"I'm not an idiot Ragnarok!" Crona aggressively shot back, the teens looked surprised and Xigbar smirked," It was a simple misunderstanding, I heard Maka's voice after the eyepatch freak threw a doll. How was I supposed to know, Mr. Vexen only told us she was somewhere else. He didn't say she was actually safe."
"Well if you looked before ya leaped, we wouldn't be in this mess!" Ragnarok undid his sword form and put Crona in a choke hold,"What did THAT NOODLE HAIR FREAK DO TO US?! I STILL HAVE THE SOULS, BUT YOU SEEM TO BE STRONGER NOW! AND THAT'S WITHOUT THE BLACK BLOOD!"
"Shut up!" Crona punched awkwardly at Ragnarok's face. He stopped talking and went back inside Crona. Crona's face softened as he looked to Maka and Soul.
"Well looks like you kids have lots of catching up to do. Don't let the darkness stop you with enjoying yourselves." Xigbar laughed and simply exited the activity room.
With the Freeshooter now gone, the teens began to talk after Crona picked up the Maka doll and held it close.
"Maka, Soul. Is it true what Mr. Vexen told me?" Crona asked concerned," That you two joined the Organization, what about the DWMA?"
"Well you see…" Maka explained," Since the Organization is in an alliance with the Witch Association, and we're in the Organization, and the DWMA is against the Witch Association; we're technically traitors."
"Traitors! But you haven't done anything bad." Crona saddened," I'm a traitor to Lady Medusa…"
"Who's Lady Medusa?" Roxas questioned.
"She's Crona's mom." Soul slapping Crona's back," Also don't sweat it Crona, she was bad news."
"So why did you go rogue like that anyway?" Maka asked," I remember you obeyed all her commands, but why did you suddenly change sides? Not that I'm against you for doing that."
"Uhh, because Lady Medusa told me to kill you two. I didn't wanna kill you two." Crona frowned.
Ragnarok reappeared, looking disgruntled," I think betraying Lady Medusa was the worse thing you could ever do!"
"Ragnarok?" Soul and Maka said tilting their heads.
"Yeah, what'daya want?" Ragnarok said," Ya wanna fight or somethin'?"
"Not really, but…" Maka could find what she wanted to say.
"Weren't you bigger the last time we saw you?" Soul finished Maka's sentence.
"That Noodle brain jerk took all the souls for Research while he's at Castle Oblivion." Ragnarok pouted," At least Axel gave me some darkness and candy as compensation, but even that's not enough to fuel me to full power." Ragnarok crossed his arms.
"So does that Crona's stronger than you now?" Soul asked.
"No." Crona and Ragnarok answered in unison.
"Hey Soul and Crona,"Xion finally entered the conversation," Can you two help me train?"
"Train? Why?" Soul questioned.
"So that I can become a better weapon, you and Crona have more experience, so I thought you could train me for a bit," Xion gave the ol' puppy dog eyes for twice the persuasion effect," Please?"
"Fine, fine. Just stop giving me that look." Soul sighed heavily." Crona you're coming to help train Xion too, since Ragnarok is technically a weapon."
"Got it," Crona nodded, he turned to Maka,"Goodbye Maka."
With the three people leaving, it was just Roxas and Maka left.
"Hey Roxas, wanna come to my house?" Maka offered," I just remembered, I need to get some supplies if Soul and I are gonna be here for a while."
"Sure, I'm free anyway." Roxas smiled.
Finally, Crona, Xion, and Soul parted ways to train, while Maka and Roxas went to the CoD, for Maka's supplies.
_Change Scene_
Maka and Roxas entered her home, there were signs that someone had been snooping around rather wildly. As Roxas sat on the couch, Maka walked towards her room. She saw a familiar cat walk past her, swaying her tail to and fro. The purple cat cautiously approaches Roxas while giving Maka a stare. Maka only sighs.
"Roxas," Maka pointed," This is Blair, our witch cat. She lives with us and will probably seduce you. Be careful, or Xion won't forgive you."
"Seduced by a cat, you're crazy." Roxas scoffed, Blair jumped onto his lap, then started to rub up against Roxas's stomach, his confused expression changed almost immediately," Oh, you're purring! Wait, does that mean you like me? It that your paw, you want to show me your paw?"He felt Blair's paws," Wow your paws are so soft! Is that a hat? What a cool hat! It fits your head perfectly"
"Meow~!" Blair nodded her cat head, accepting the head scratching and playful hand on her cat back.
Within a minute Roxas, a nobody with no emotions or heart, was enticed and fawning over a purple cat. Maka had seen it all, she left to her room and heard Roxas play with Blair even more. Nobodies are real mysteries. Too bad the other members already left to Castle Oblivion.She packed many books to read and decided to leave her journals hidden and tucked away. After she packed enough items she realized Roxas stopped speaking and heard the sound of furniture crashing and someone being thrown against the wall. She ran to the living room as quick as possible.
"WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MAKA!?" A blue haired fighter interrogated, "Answer quickly or I won't have to kill you!"
Maka saw her spikey buff blue friend Black Star shoving Roxas against the wall, and choking Roxas. Roxas slugged Black Star's face with a closed fist, earning a mark on his cheek. Black Star's grip only tightened
"So you can throw a punch, big whoop."He smiled," I bet'cha I can punch harder tho!"
"Maka's right there," Roxas began to choke,"*cough* And you attacked me first!"
Black Star turned his direction and saw Maka, he looked confused upon her outfit. He looked at Roxas' outfit and let go. Maka went to check on her blonde hair comrade.
"What's going on Maka?" Black Star asked," What happened while I've been training?! Kid, Kilik, and pretty much everyone have been telling me that Soul and you are traitors!"
Maka knew it would be a long night. She explained the situation to Black Star, to much luck he understood for the most part.
"So the Organization has wimps like him," Black Star gesturing to Roxas, who looked angered about that insult," and you felt sorry and had to save him. Since his groups is teaming up with the Witch Association, that means they think you're a traitor. So is his group bad or not?"
"I'm right here you know." Roxas irritated, writing in his book, the past incident meeting a mouse wielding keyblade. When Xion and I fought him, my other hand kept tingling, as if I needed to use another keyblade. Can I even use two keyblades?
"So are you a good guy or bad guy?" Black Star asked," Also what'cha writing?"
He grabbed Roxas' book without permission and began skimming the pages.
"The hell is this?" Black Star turned the book upside down," I can't read this, Maka what's this stuff say, it's like a whole different language."
He passed the book to Maka, who looked unsure, "Hey Roxas, do you mind if I look at what's in here? Black Star's kinda illiterate."
"Actually I do mind," Roxas shot his eyes as Black Star," It has some information that my boss told me not to let others see. If someone reads it, they'll send people to destroy you. But you are in the Organization already, so go for it."
"I'll take that as a yes… "Maka read some of the information," Black Star it's just cursive…" She sighed disappointedly at her friend's intelligence.
Two hands trembling while fighting a key wielding mouse and kid with two guns and three white lines on black hair. Maka internally read," … Hey Roxas, have you ever met a boy named Death the Kid?"
"... I don't remember anyone by that name," Roxas answered," What's he look like? Is he important or something?"
"Yeah," Black Star joked," He's Maka's boyfriend. She's probably wondering when to introduce him to you."
*Maka CHOP*
"... Blehh…" Black Star laid on the ground, defeated.
"It's not like that Black Star," Maka barked," We're just friends. Besides I don't even have a boyfriend."
"Oh, I thought we could be… "Roxas mumbled, not finishing his sentence. I thought we could be friends…. WAIT, maybe if we eat ice cream by Twilight Town, then we can become friends.
Black Star and Maka did a double-take on what Roxas mumbled.
"Ruck-ass, you have the hots for Maka?" Black Star's eyes widened, Huh, and all this time I thought she'd always be single.
"!" Maka,unsure how to respond. The gears in her mind were functioning at a fast motion. Wait, DOES Roxas like me? Should I tell Xion? Doesn't Xion like Roxas? What if she finds out? She wouldn't hold it against Roxas, would she? She did go ask Soul to help her train, maybe it was a codename for asking what Roxas likes? But if she's already Roxas' best friend then-
"What are hots?" Roxas looked confused," This room is actually kinda cold, and I'm wearing a trenchcoat" he pointed to Black Star," and you're wearing white shorts and black sleeveless shirts.."
"Ya-ya know… the hots." Black Star trying to come up with an answer, he was not prepared for Roxas' answer." Like, do ya like Maka? You wanna be like… good friends with Maka?"
"Yep!" Roxas answered almost immediately with a smile on his face. I'd like to be good friends with her. Glad to see Black Star's finally on the right subject here.
"Why though, she's doesn't have, if not any assets." Black Star gestured his own chest," If you're more into the downstairs that's fine, I don't think there's not much there either."
*Maka Chop* *MAKA CHOP*
"Bowry." Black Star apologized with a bloodied face.
"How about we changed subjects here!" Maka flusteredly switched the topic," Death the Kid is a really nice guy. He's got black hair, three white lines on his head, and yellow eyes. He also has two partners, Liz and Patty who are also weapons as guns. Does that ring a bell?"
Roxas was trying to think of Maka's description. It sounds familiar, but where?
"Now that you mention it," Black Star recovered," Nowadays it seems like he's possessed or somethin'. After one of the missions, he's been acting all weird, and even before that. This happened probably when you left I think. When I tried to ask what happened, Kilik keeps on saying pretty much nothing, but Kid looked kinda creepy. His face didn't have any emotion and he just said nothing. Professor Stein wasn't much help either. How about we -"
"Oh, I remember!" Roxas caught their attention," Kid was with the mouse who kidnapped Xion and I. After that, I think Xion and I were put in machines and we almost died."
As Roxas finished his sentence, Kid comes walking in unsteadily, as if he had finished fighting a tough opponent. His clothes was dirty, and his clothes was unsymmetrical and it appeared that he didn't even care about that. His tired yellow eyes scanned the area.
"See what I mean?" Black Star pointed," So Kid, I got some good news, Maka isn't a traitor. She's only joining the Organization until she can help take down the Witch Association. So we can just let her go."
"Hey you were with the Mouse who beat Xion and I!" Roxas stood up," Why are you here?!"
Kid aimed his hand at Maka, and dark aura began surrounding it, charging up.
"Maka, please run." Kid gritted his teeth,"Something's controlling… me!"
"Nothing Personal Kid."Black Star face darkened as he practically teleported from behind, and knocked Kid unconscience with a single blow. The aura around did not stop surrounding his body.
"Maka, go get what you need, and get back to the Organization, I think there's something wrong with Kid. Whatever you plan on doing, I'll help out. It's what friends do… "
"Fine… tell me if there's anything weird happening, use this calling card of mine." Maka gives him her calling card," Stay safe."
Maka and Roxas went to the CoD and returned to Castle where the remaining members were. Black Star picked Kid up and proceeded to leave the house, in hopes of getting answers from Lord Death.
However, the aura surrounding Kid forced him back to consciousness and made him assault Black Star.
"OW! KID WHAT DID YA HAVE TO DO THAT FOR?!"Black Star shouted,"YOU'RE GONNA GET IT!"
And so the fight began once more.
Author's Note: Send a review if you want to share you thoughts about the story. I'll eventually do a summary chapter, stating what's pretty much happened in each chapter til now. It's most likely going to be after chapter 8, 9, or even 10. I might do a one-shot eventually of just Kingdom Hearts that's not so complicated to this fanfiction.