Chapter 9: Day 3

Going back to class after the episode was quiet to put it lightly. Everyone has been giving me strange looks and while it didn't it faze me, it felt wrong somehow. It felt as if I didn't belong here, as if I was supposed to be somewhere else and doing something very important.

Shaking my head, I proceeded to head t the first period of the day that almost wanted me to hit my head at a wall. Keyword, almost.

It was during my calculus period that things started to pick up. It was unnoticeable at first, but as the period started reaching the end it became apparent that something was here. SOmething unnatural to say the least.

It first started with shimmers, as if someone cranked up the heat to the point the waves appeared. Then silver and white started leaking through, making designs and creatures that I feel that I have seen before. However, as I attempted to get close to one when turning my paper it dissipated, only to reappear at the other end of the room. I attempted to ignore it, but my concentration seemed to worsen as it progressed.

Eventually, it managed to stop as the bell rang signaling the end of the course. I sighed in relief, the things were starting to make me question whatever sanity I had left in my life. Unknowingly enough, I didn't notice the professor observe me with a smile. His yellow eyes, gleaming with malice and amusement.

"Are you sure you're up for today Xion? I asked as we sat down with the others at the usual spot.

"I'm fine Roxas, it was only a one-time thing don't worry about it." She said as she waved off the issue ignoring the looks of concerned sent her way.

"We are just making sure that you are all right." Said Alice.

"Look, guys, I'm thankful of your concerns for my well being but I'm FINE," she said, stressing out the final word and ending any more conversations regarding about her health.

She took a deep breathe, calming her annoyance back to manageable levels before turning to me. "Hey, what time are you going to arrive at my house? We will need to get the ice cream made before we head to the beach."

Putting a single finger up, I finished whatever food is in my mouth before I continued. "Would you mind straight after school? I want it done as quickly as possible."

She nodded in understanding and agreed to our plan. We all lapsed into silence after that, the tension that was charged quickly evaporating as we all sat there enjoying the silence and the company.

However, this silence quickly broke when Xion started to speak again. Only this time, it was unexpected, to say the least.

"Hey Alex, were you called any other name before your time here?" Xion asked as Alex looks surprised at her question.

"Why are you asking Xion?" He asked. His question seemed to be filled with curiosity. On the other hand, the tone had a dangerous undertone.

This went unnoticed by the others as I stared at Alex, my eyebrow raised. Seeing my look, Alex silently mouthed out the word later as we all continued to look at Xion.

"Well, it dawned on me that everyone kept on calling you Alex when I arrived here so I followed the trend. But that doesn't mean that's the name you prefer." She said.

Alex stared at her for a few moments, the longest that he has done to anyone. His expression unreadable as his eyes were searching Xion most likely looking for another reason.

"You're right Xion, that's not my preferred name." Said Alex, as he proceeded to grab a bit of his food before eating it. "Not that many get to know my real name, even Roxas doesn't know it. My preferred name is Axel, got it memorized?"

Seeing Xion pale and her eyes widening confirmed what Roxas and I were thinking of. She is remembering, and that is a problem in it of itself.

This experiment that the organization designed was to do only one purpose, and that is to bring the old puppet into the fold. Unfortunately for them, the person who brought back Xion noted their plans and only separated me from Lea long enough for this not to occur at all costs.

Looking at my two best friends, it's surreal that they acted as nothing had happened, but there was none problem. Only one of them is alive while the other resides in Sora.

"Hey, Axel? Why didn't you correct people? asked Xion, breaking me out of my thoughts on the mission and the past.

"It was their preference, I didn't want to change their thoughts," I said, waving off the question as it was a common occurrence.

"But…" was all Xion said before I put my hand up.

"Xion, there is no point in changing the minds of the people here. Many of them are stuck in their bubbles and look down on those who go against the mold." I said. Opening up my phone, I noted that time seemed to fly during lunch.

"Look we have a few more minutes of lunch before we have to head our separate ways, just make sure you don't do anything rash Xion," I said, leaving a not so subtle warning.

With that said, the bell rang informing us what we all knew what was going to happen. We quickly packed up and went our separate ways hoping that the day would end sooner rather than later.

At chemistry class, Roxas and I are finishing the rest of our plans when they decided to make their moves. I barely noticed it at first, when something came to me in a horrible sense as I looked around. Everyone was frozen, mid-action much like yesterday. Looking to my side, I hoped that Roxas was unaffected like my last revelation, only to find no trace that he was ever there.

Standing up from my seat, I went towards the door and exited hoping that it was all in my head and everything will be back to normal. Oh, how I wish I was right.

Whatever it was that made those distortions during calculus has reared their ugly head. Unlike the silver sleek creatures I faced a day prior, this one is different. It had multiple wings with sharp blades, it had two swords strapped to its sides and had cards flowing around it. It wore something similar to a wizard's robe and pointed hat to top it off.

"What the!" I only got out as several large dies appeared before me, forcing me to dive to the left of me. Whatever this thing was, it's intent is clear and the keyblade appeared only to be different.

The keyblade in my hand wasn't the kingdom key that Sora used in kingdom hearts. It was my preferred one, only opposite to elegance of oath keeper. Oblivion, the keyblade that focused more on strength rather than magic for some reason it felt fitting as I looked to my opponent.

"All right, if you want me, come to get me!" I said as the battle began in earnest as I charged at the creature in front of me.

However, it soon became apparent that whatever this thing was quickly outshined its predecessor as it attacked me in a multitude of ways. Giant dice, cards flying similar to that of ninja stars, wings that pop from the ground and so many more came from it that I spent most of my time dodging instead of attacking.

It was only when it took a stance that it gave me an opening. Charging at it, I had a feeling that something was wrong as it moved its arms towards the sheathes canceling out the cards floating around it. I stopped and decided to wait with my keyblade ready at my side.

I was not wrong with the prediction when it dashed forward moving faster than my eye could track. Only my sense of self-preservation saved me as I openly slashed at the air feeling a little bit of resistance.

Turning around, I saw it with two swords drawn as if it was waiting for something. It then slumped as I finally felt what it tried to do. Pain blossomed as my arms screamed when the cuts started to appear. I went down on my knees, my face morphing into pain as I gritted my teeth in order to stave off it.

Soon the pain started to become too much to me as I looked around, only to be shocked at what I see. Instead of the hallway that I've been fighting in for several minutes, it was black and I was up on a pillar that shined with clear sea blue, twilight, and a very light red. Looking around and seeing nothing, I decided to look down and my breath hitched when I saw what it was.

It was me, sleeping with a keyblade on my hands. I was wearing the black clothing of the Organization as I looked at myself. Looking to the side of my sleeping figure, in three yellow circles, that are similar to the setting sun back in Twilight Town, were three people. Roxas, with his blue eyes staring off at the distance, his face etched into one of sadness and regret as a single tear is on his face. Axel, his crimson red hair staring back at the viewer, his expression morphed into one of anger. Finally, a picture of the one that connects myself and Roxas. A picture of a brown-haired boy that is smiling with pure joy. Sora, the person I was a replica of.

A chest appeared, it's bright yellow and red hues clashed with the darkness behind it. The flash brought me back to reality, as I moved my aching and wounded body to a standing position before limping towards it. Moving above it, I quickly use my keyblade on top of it, opening it up to the world before it. Peering inside, imagine my surprise as a bottle with three green stars and a full moon underneath them. I quickly picked it up and downed it as my body aches faded and my wounds disappeared leaving me with a feeling of relief.

The sound of something opening up made me turn myself with my keyblade aimed at a dark portal when a man in a black exited.

I said nothing to the figure before me as my danger senses when off like a car alarm. Whoever this not only made me deeply afraid but his very presence seems to shake whatever world I'm in.

"So you are really back XIV, come we have much to talk about." The mysterious man said as he beckoned for me to come forward. Unfortunately for him my feet stayed planted as I mentally refused his command.

"So my suggestions are not affecting you. Then we have to see what happens when I order you. Come." He said his tone not changing.

Unlike the last time, I felt my feet slowly moving forwards as if an invisible rope is pulling me closer and closer to the person in front of me. It was then that I grew desperate, my mind trying to regain my bodily functions as I in his closer and closer. Soon enough, I decided on the action that was pretty stupid, I threw my keyblade at him.

He didn't move, he didn't react as the keyblade went through him. He burst into a white light leaving a small figure in his place. Taking off the hood, I was shocked to see that it was me only looking happier.

"Thank you," she said as she turned into ice. The ice she turned into quickly broke into millions of lights that swirled in a variable color of rainbows. Only to be surprised when they entered me, flooding me with all the memories that I've been quickly regaining. Soon the light show ended, and I was there all alone in the darkness before a light appeared appearing in the shape of the doorway. Knowing what I now have to do, I exited my heart, only to be woken up by a familiar blond hair boy with blue eyes.

"Hey Xion, you fell asleep so I finished up the last of the papers we needed to do. I hope you don't mind." He said as I yawned and looked at him.

"No it's fine, are you coming after school?" I asked as he nodded.

I smiled as the memories of the time we spent as friends came to the forefront of my mind. Nestling those thoughts in my head, we quickly discussed what color and I chose blue.

"Why blue?" Roxas asked as I gained a wistful look to my features.

"It brings back some friends that left." Was all I said as Roxas gave his sympathy.

"If only you knew Roxas. If only you knew." as we heard the bell ring marking the end of class.