Two Across: Arrival
"Forgiven?"
Sora never saw Roxas's answer, on the other side of the mirror, on the other side of his dreams.
"No, not yet" was the whispered reply from Roxas. "Not yet Sora."
Roxas looked out the window, his eyes reflecting the distant thoughts that flew through his mind. It was around 2 am, and the Nobodies were on their way to Sheridan. Between the Nobody that was thought to belong to Riku, Roxas, and the sleeping Namine, there was nothing but silence. The black haired figure had his head down, apparently sleeping, though not a snore or breath could be heard. Namine still had her head against Roxas shoulder, and Roxas was, of course, thinking. The train rattled slightly as it sped down the tracks, its horn heard at random times throughout the night.
Roxas sighed in boredom and in sadness. For some reason, even though he knew that the brown haired boy didn't mean it, he couldn't help but be mad at Sora. Roxas held his hand out, and Oathkeeper appeared. Twisting it slowly, Roxas examined the keyblade in his hand. It was formed from the promise between Sora and Kairi, one that was, in a way, shared between himself and Namine. But the blade didn't hold much importance for him.
"Nobodies don't have feelings, right? They just have the memories of their former host; the memories that they create mean nothing, right?" Roxas muttered while holding the keyblade.
"If you believe that, why are you here, Blondie?" the black haired teen suddenly said. He raised his head and stared at Roxas, his yellow eyes showing a challenge. "What's your name, anyways? I don't think you want me calling you Blondie forever."
"It's Roxas, number 13 of Organization 13. How about you, mystery man?" Roxas replied as he disengaged Oathkeeper. The black haired Nobody sat up straight in his chair.
"It's Xiruk, no affiliation, but I'm the Nobody of Riku, the silver haired boy you beat up." The black haired boy replied. "Now, you didn't answer my first question. If you truly believe that the memories you create have no real meaning, then why are you here?"
"Not that it's any of your business, but I'm here to resolve my problems. I'm still unsure about the whole "creating memories" thing; I'm just here to find my own way."
"Really? Well, then maybe your first step should be letting go of that keyblade, Roxas. Find your own promise, your own reason to fight, your own keyblade," Xiruk suggested.
Roxas averted his eyes and put his hands in his pockets. Xiruk stood up and ran his hand through his dark bangs. His hair was reminiscent of a figure briefly seen in Sora's past and Riku's hairstyles combined. His yellow eyes showed his determination, but also a sense of responsibility.
"Well, how do you suggest I get my own keyblade, smart one?" Roxas asked suddenly, conviction returned.
"You can first give Sora his keyblades back. Remember, I have Riku's memories, so I know who those blades belong to. Also, I remember that the Original Nobody took away your true keyblade. He's probably in Twilight Town, which is connected to Sheridan," Xiruk replied, standing in a laid back stance, one hand in his pocket, the other on top of his head.
"How do you know so much?! The rest of us don't know a thing about this school!" Roxas shouted, waking Namine from her sleep.
"I'm not in the mood to tell you, plus, your sleeping beauty has awakened," Xiruk said smirking and straightening his collar. Xiruk wore an untucked shirt, loose tie, and loosely belted pants and his left hand was gloved. Looking as this Nobody, Roxas was pissed, but confused as well.
"Well, whatever, keep your secrets. When we get to that school, I swear I will become my own person, and I will get my keyblade back!" Roxas decided. Both teens sat down, and as Xiruk closed his eyes, Roxas looked out the window again. It was dawn, and the sun on the horizon gave the sky a warm glow. It reflected off the cerulean eyes of Roxas, which showed some life. He had a goal, a reason to go through the trials this school life was gonna bring. To get back what was taken from him, and discover something he never had: a life of his own.
After a while, the blond could finally see something besides the sunrise and ocean. The train was going full speed towards a ring. The gate was made of marble, with the words "Welcome to Crown" written around its upper edge. Inside the ring shaped gate a swirling purple haze, reminiscent of the portals that Nobodies use, started to open. The train ride was soon going to end, but the journey was just about to begin. Roxas started to wake Xiruk, who had fallen asleep again after their conversation. Namine noticed the act, and started to look away from her sketches, and towards the window. Her sky blue eyes lighted up when she saw the big city on the other side of the gate.
"Hey guys, look at where we are!" Namine spoke up. Roxas and the woken Xiruk peered out the window. They entered the city high above the ground, and they had a great view of Crown. A large city spanned out below then, with a crowded shopping area, neighborhoods, restaurants, and skyscrapers. They could even see a beach at the far end of the town. Looking out a window on the opposite site of their train car, Roxas could see other trains coming out of gates, and he noticed that they were all headed in the same direction: the middle of the city. The train soon lost altitude as the track lowered down to about a story or two high. Xiruk opened a window and looked out, immediately covering his eyes from the glare of the sun. He could see that they were slowly making their way towards a building, presumably the train station, and were entering from the second floor. Other trains also were entering the station, on both the first and second floors. Xiruk could see Riku and the others a few trains away. As the blonds grabbed their duffle bags and straightened their clothes, Xiruk did the same and told them what he saw. Roxas just dropped to the floor like he got kicked in the family jewels and Namine wildly blushed and got into an innocent looking pose. Now, Xiruk's reaction to this was bloody brilliant. It was a combination of "WTF?!, OMFG!, and ROFLMAO!". His face initially looked like this: (O.o;;;), but after snapping out of it, a slowly rising laugh came from him. Soon, he actually ended up hanging upside down, laughing like a crazed killer, with the strap on his bag totally wrapped around him, almost choking him.
After the dark haired Nobody got down (and untangled) he reclaimed his cool and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Ok, no one saw that. Deal?" Xiruk muttered, looking down.
"Sure, but you're gonna have to explain that once we get our rooms, got it, Bag-O-Laughs?" Roxas responded.
"I blame Riku and his pent up happiness. It spurts out of me at random times, since the stoic rather not have fun. Lame-ass" Xiruk continued, looking annoyed.
As they exited the train, the trio snuck through checkpoints and security, trying hard not to run into their counterparts. After they were in the clear, the group of Nobodies found a place to sit and relax. A long trip on a train with benches wasn't exactly good on the body. The hallway where Roxas, Xiruk, and Namine were sitting was pretty empty, but in the main hallway leading from the platforms mobs of students, Somebodies and Nobodies, were traveling through. From over the banister looking down at the mobs, Roxas could see the Org, Sora's group, even Donald and Goofy. Roxas leaned on the banister, bored, and started to see if he knew anyone else. He spotted a familiar face that made him almost gave him a heart attack.
It was…him. Another Roxas was walking down the hall, along with two other people. In the group there were 2 guys and one girl. The tallest guy had brown hair that strangely reminded him of Xiruk. The second boy was like a twin of Roxas, height, hair, everything! The third, the girl, was short, and holding the Roxas clone's hand. She had blue hair and seemed to care for Rox-clone. Roxas gritted his teeth and glared at the group. Who were they, and why did they have a clone of him with them??
"Whoever you are, we will meet again, and I will…will…raaaah!" Roxas growled, his voice growing louder with every word, and erupting with a yell of fury at the end. He was already confused about his place in the world; having a clone just made everything worse. Xiruk and Namine, who were surprised at the yell coming from their friend, stood up and walked over, but by time Roxas had told them what he saw, the mysterious trio was gone. To make things worse, Sora, Riku, and Kairi had found them.
"Roxas! You ok? Did something happen?" Sora asked, out of breath and concerned.
"None of your business Sora! Now…get out of my face," Roxas angrily replied, pushing past the group and running to the exit. Namine and Xiruk also started to walk past, but Xiruk was stopped by Riku.
"Who are you?" Riku asked, putting his hand on Xiruk's shoulder. "Why do you fee-"
"Another Side, Another Story, Riku. Another Side, Another Story," Xiruk answered, and shrugged Riku's hand off his shoulder. Namine just walked past Kairi, almost embarrassed, and followed Xiruk to the exit, the duo hoping to catch up with Roxas. Sora just stood there and watched as the Nobodies left, defeated. All that the brown haired boy wanted was Roxas's forgiveness, but it seemed that it wouldn't come easy. Sora sat down on the bench that the three Nobodies had just given up, as Riku and Kairi tried to console him. But he didn't listen; he was too wrapped up in his thoughts. Sora? Have a pensive moment? I can't believe it, but it happened. Of course, his thoughts when to his blond counterpart.
Roxas sped through the rest of the train station, not caring who he bumped into, or where he was going. He just needed to get away. He felt lost and confused, in part because of what just happened. But that even was just the straw that broke the camel's back. His confusion about the world he lived in, and about himself had been brewing for a long time, and even when he thought he was finally gonna get some answers, only more questions came. Focusing on getting away, he leapt over ticket machines, people's bags, and sometimes even people. He heard several voices telling him to slow down or stop, but he didn't obey any of them. Of course, speeding through a crowded, noisy train station blindly was bound to get him hurt, and this is when it did. Charging full speed like an animal running for its life, Roxas slammed into a man, full on. Bags fell, luggage spilled out on the floor, and he could hear both of their bodies hit the floor.
"Ugh, ok, I know we're in a train station, but I didn't expect to get hit by a freight train," the teen said.
"Oh sorry, I wasn't paying attention to wher- YOU!!" Roxas said in shock. The other teen looked up, and it was like looking in a mirror. A slightly older version of Roxas was staring back up at him. It was one of the teens he saw before, and one of the reasons he was so confused. Helping his smaller version up, the teen pulled Roxas and himself back on their feet. The taller teen looked identical to Roxas, but his eyes, they held so much experience, and sadness.
"Well, even though we look alike, I don't exactly know you. So, hi, I'm Ven. Who are you, and are you ok?" the older teen introduced and asked.
"Oh yea, I'm fine, and I'm Roxas. Number 13 of the Org." Roxas introduced, and shook hands with Ven.
"Well, I'm a little confused as to why we look alike, but it's nice to meet you. Since you seem to be alone at the moment, why don't we go get some coffee and try to figure this whole thing out?" Ven suggested. Roxas felt that this might take a little stress and confusion off his shoulders, plus, Ven seemed to be a nice guy. The guys picked up their impact-strewn items, and headed out. The two teens walked throughout the crowded city of Crown. The city had a summer feel to it, as sunlight streamed all over the city, and a pleasant breeze blew in from the sea. While walking, Roxas saw a lot of students with a similar uniform to his. He figured most of them were looking for a restaurant, since the trains didn't serve food. As they continued through the city, Roxas realized that Ven knew his way around the city, as he led them to a quaint second floor café.
"Whenever I stop through town, I always like to pay the people here at Café Jazze a visit; good food, good music, good service," Ven explained as the found two seats by the window. The café had tall windows it the front of the store, giving a great view of the city and providing the café with natural light. The room was large and circular, with the cashier station in the back. Most tables were big enough for two, and cushioned metal chairs with ornate designs were placed two to a table. There was an also a live jazz band playing off to the side, the music creating a relaxed mood. Various groups of people were enjoying themselves, one group was playing cards, and another group of girls were just idly chatting and drinking coffee. Roxas looked around and saw Ven returning with their orders. Roxas had ordered a bowl of Sea salt Ice-cream, while Ven had ordered a Panini and iced tea.
"I know it looks a bit different than the kind you're used to, but here's your ice cream," Ven said softly as he sat down and gave Roxas his ice cream. Ven seemed nervous, but I guess when you talk to virtually a clone of yourself for the first time, you're bound to be nervous. Roxas was the same way. They just sat there, eating quietly, until Ven broke the ice.
"So tell me a bit about yourself. All I know is that your name is Roxas, you're part of some Organization, and that you can take a hit," Ven said with a chuckle. Roxas laughed a bit at the joke, then proceeded to tell Ven about his time with Org. 13, in Twilight Town, and of his origin.
"Yea, I'm the Nobody of Sora, the brown haired boy I was running from…"
"Sora…spiky brown hair, caring personality, always loses to a silver haired friend?"
"Yea that's him. How did you know so much Ven?"
"Oh…just…the past, that's all…" Ven said, staring in space, a reminiscent smile on his face. "I guess that's why you came out in my image. Now it all makes sense."
Roxas just stared at Ven in surprise. Not only did the older teen know Sora, he HAD been the influence for Roxas's appearance. To change the subject, Roxas started to search Ven's figure, looking for something to talk about. He then realized something that had, up to that point, he hadn't noticed.
"You're a student at Sheridan?!" Roxas exclaimed. Ven stopped starting into space, and almost chocked on his tea once he saw how surprised Roxas was at the fact that he was a student.
"Yea, the uniform didn't tip you off?? Me and my friends are Seniors this year. We plan to stay at the school as trainers for the next few years though," Ven explained.
Roxas relaxed, and the two teens continued to talk until 4 more people entered the scene. A small bell tinkled as the door opened and 4 familiar faces entered from the first floor. Ven's friends, Namine, and Xiruk stepped in, and looked around slowly for Roxas and Ven. The sound of the Roxas's spoon hitting the bottom of the small empty bowl of ice cream attracted their attention, and Ven's tall friend led the group to tables close to Roxas and Ven. After they were all seated, Ven took it upon himself to start with the introductions.
"Hey Roxas, since you guys don't know each other yet, I would like you to meat Terra and Aqua," Ven introduced, pointing to the tall, brown haired teen and the shorter, blue haired teen respectively.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Roxas, and I hope we can become friends," Aqua said, smiling and holding out her hand. Roxas shook it softly.
"You must be Sora's Nobody. Nice to finally meet you," Terra said, almost in a monotone. Roxas' eyes widened in anger at Terra's comment.
"Sora's Nobody?! Is that all you people see me as?! My name is ROXAS. I'm not PART of Sora anymore. I'm my own person," Roxas shouted in anger, killing the mood in the café, silencing the band, and drawing everyone's attention to him.
"Oh really? Prove it to me. Are you still using his keyblade, Nobody?" Terra challenged.
Roxas summoned the keyblade, then threw it to the ground, and looked away in anger. He felt his ability to summon and use the keyblade disappear.
"There's your answer, you ass," Roxas said, and stormed out of the café, his friends, who looked exhausted, in tow. Roxas didn't run this time though. He walked down the street determined.
"Hey Roxas, wasn't that overdoing it a bit?" Xiruk asked as he caught up.
"No, not at all. I will find my original keyblade, but until then, I won't rely on Sora. I'll use the standard Kingdom Key, not Sora's power, his promises," Roxas responded, determination in growling in his voice, not anger. Suddenly, Roxas stopped, tilted his head back and loosened his tie, then faced his friends, his hands in his pockets.
"Come on, let's head to Sheridan. Our futures' waiting."
Back at Café Jazze, the mood was slowly starting to return to its usual hum. Ven and Aqua sat there, staring shocked at Terra, who sat there, laid back in his chair with a smirk on his face.
"Looks like I pushed him in the right direction. I just wonder how Sora will feel about this." Terra said softly. Realizing what Terra had done, Ven punched him playfully on the arm, and started laughing. Aqua looked at both teens like they were crazy. But Ven just kept laughing, leaning back in his chair.
"Wow Terra, you did NOT just do that. You, you of all people, played the bad guy to help out our confused friend?? I'm not sure where I should believe it and thank you, or just call it a stroke of luck!" Ven commented in-between laughs. After the hysterical blond calmed down and finished his drink, the trio left the second floor café. It was sunset, and Ven and friends needed to head to the campus. It was gonna be a long and interesting semester.
The rest of the night went in a blur for Roxas, Namine and Xiruk. They had found their way to Sheridan's campus. It was a large campus, with the classes taking place in a castle. The dorms were set for each three person group, each having their own bedroom. They got room keys, schedules, lunch times, and dorm directions. The annual opening ceremony would take place tomorrow, and that's when things would truly begin. With Xiruk leading, the group found their dorms. They were on the third floor, and faced the sea, which was now giving off the bright moonlight glow. The three bedrooms were beside each other, each connecting to the living room. They had a small kitchen, and one full sized bathroom. Namine didn't seem to like that fact much, but she would live.
Roxas didn't inspect their new place for long; he decided that sleep was his number one priority. He threw off his clothes, and fell into his soft bed. He quickly fished out his Ipod, and scrolled through the possible selections. After two minutes of futile search for a song that would match his mood, Roxas jut placed the mp3 player on his bed. Laying on his back, Roxas propped up his head using his arms, and peered out the window. He thought about how much had happened in that short day, and it seemed like his hand found the song in his Ipod on autopilot. Roxas slowly drifted off to sleep with "Good Morning" by Kanye West.
Author's Note: What, Nobodies can't listen to rap? I think I'll elaborate on why I chose that song next chapter. Sorry this chapter took longer than I thought it would. Life's kept me busy, but now I've found time, and the mood to write. I don't know when chapter 3 will be out, but I can tell you this. I'm not gonna rush it. OH! I guess I should elaborate on another fact. If you want Rox/Sor out of this story, you're not gonna get it. The relationship between them will further, but not in a love way. I guess I can't explain it well, but if you keep reading, you'll understand. Thanks for reading, and please comment! Tell your friends!