Chapter 7: Final Exams
– part1-
Larxene stared at Axel and Marluxia as Axel held Marluxia down against the floor and laughed at him.
"Had enough yet" Axel said, pushing Marluxia's face into the concrete.
"Let me up you ass hole" Marluxia snarled. Larxene had never herd Marluxia curse in such away. It was obvious he was outrageously mad. He was struggling and managed to get Axel to lose his grip, only for a second before he quickly regained it and held Marluxia even harder.
Larxene couldn't help but giggle at the site of it. She looked up from the two and saw Demyx. "Hey Demyx" she called. She tapped on the seat next to her and waved him over. He pointed at himself idiotically, as if there was anyone else standing around. He walked over and sat down next to her, grinning like an idiot. Demyx was ready to say something when a voice called out "Attention, Members of Organization XIII the exams will officially begin in three minutes. Please find your seats and stay there till I say other wise."
At that moment Axel released Marluxia and leapt out of the infuriated man's reach. He made several attempts to get Axel with his scythe but he evaded them without problem. Marluxia was prepared to run after him when he felt a cold heavy hand on his shoulder. "Take. Your. Seat." The superior said finality in his words.
Marluxia went pale for a moment and then slowly slunk moodily into the seat next to Demyx while Axel sat next to Larxene, grinning savagely over at Marluxia as if to say 'I won'.
XxXx A Watery Grave xXxX
All the attention turned to the center of the room when Xemnas stood in the center of the arena. He took his loud speaker and announced the first match: "Xaldin and Demyx, come to the floor now."
Demyx trembled when he heard his name called. Xaldin? He'd be killed! Larxene put her hand on his shoulder and grinned " go get'em Demyx" she encouraged. It helped Demyx swallow his fear as he got up and marched down the stairs towards the Arena. Xaldin was already waiting when he got there.
Demyx stood on the opposite side, breathing heavily. Just looking at Xaldin made his blood run cold. Xaldin smirked cockily as his 6 deadly spears appeared around him, circling him menacingly, like and impenetrable shield of steel shafts.
Then Xemnas declared" You all know the rules right? Weapons only. Summoning Heartless or Nobodies is against the rules. Teleporting is against the rules as well. If you teleport during a match you forfeit. Now that that's all been clarified: Let the match begin!"
Before the words had a chance to register Demyx found several spears flying towards him. He had just enough time to move out of the way of two before the third one nicked his shoulder. He cried out then scampered away as quick as his feet could carry him. He dogged another spear and ducked to avoid getting his head taken off by another.
"Jeezus, at least let me get me weapon out," Demyx muttered, summoning his sitar while Xaldin retrieved the spears he'd already hurled at Demyx. Demyx gripped his sitar tensely and began to pluck the strings of his musical weapon. "DANCE WATER DANCE!" he screamed, summoning water clones. It would buy him some time, hopefully.
Xaldin grinned and slashed through the water clones like a knife through butter. "Come on Demyx, just forfeit. You'll never win."
"Damnit he's right" Demyx muttered to himself as he ran away from another rain of spears. He thought quickly of anyway he could handicap Xaldin. Obviously his water clones weren't cutting it. He looked around the stadium, nothing but flat level ground. That's when the idea struck him…
Xaldin was running at him, ready to impale him. 'This was too easy' he thought. The match was already over in his mind. So wrapped up in his victory he didn't notice the water Demyx had summoned. Too late Xaldin realize something was wrong and he slipped on the water covering the floor. This gave Demyx a chance to sprint away and plan his counter attack.
Demyx grinned like an idiot, watching Xaldin stammer to get up. " Dance water, dance!" he called up. A powerful spout of water rocketed up from the ground, sending Xaldin skyward.
"Not a good move" Xaldin snickered. A harsh wind came from nowhere, catching Xaldin in mid-air. The wind aloud him to hover above Demyx, making him an easier target. "Say your prayers number nine," He hissed, hurling the spears down at him. Demyx yelped and ducked, narrowly avoiding a few.
Demyx looked up at where Xaldin was hovering menacingly, preparing his next attack. His eyes focused on the large blocks that made up the ceiling. They were solid concrete, perfect.
Demyx grinned and chuckled, earning himself a confused glare from Xaldin. Demyx played a soft melody and then pointed up at the ceiling. "going down?". Xaldin looked up questioningly.
The concrete block directly above him was suddenly pushed down by a torrent of water. The block hit Xaldin, causing him to fall along with it. Moments before the block hit the ground he teleported away. The block hit the floor with a loud crash and crushed the tiles around it.
Demyx grinned victoriously; unable to believe he'd won. He'd actually did it. He'd beaten Xaldin.
"And the winner is Demyx" Xemnas declared boredly. "Winner take your seat. Next match is in five minutes."
XxX A Brief Respite XxX
Demyx marched triumphantly back to his seat, grinning like a mad man. "way to go kid" Axel said, giving him the thumbs up.
"Really showed that mean ol' Xaldin what's what" Marluxia said and slapped him on the back.
Demyx blushed and chuckled "yeah…I ummm guess I did…"
" You guess? You kicked ass man, high-five" Larxene said, smiling at him. Demyx gave her a high-five, feeling quite proud of himself. He was ready to believe he was king of the world until he heard the cool, emotionless voice wash over him.
"Don't get too cocky" Saïx purred, walking past their seats. He continued down to the arena.
Demyx shuddered, staring at the back of Saïx's head. "He's creepy," he muttered, Marluxia nodding in agreement.
"Pfft. He's just tryin to psyche you out. Don't worry bout him," Larxene said. She obviously didn't like him much.
"Would all nobodies please take your seats? The next mach is about to begin" Xemnas called out in a bored monotone. No one had actually bothered to get up aside from Saïx so he didn't know why he bothered. "The next match is…
XxX Berserker XxX
…Saïx verses Axel" He called out, uninterested.
Axel stood up grinning. Now was his time to shine. "Whish me luck" he said jumping over the seats in front of him, rather than use the walkway.
Xemnas sighed tiredly, fed up with Axel's antics already. Axel leapt over the last row of seats into the arena; Saïx had been waiting all along. " You both know the rules correct? Let the match begin" Xemnas declared and teleported out of the arena again.
Axel summoned his chakrams immediately and took his fighting pose. "Ready for it berserker boy?" he called.
Saïx grinned evilly, a low sinister laugh leaking from his throat. Axel frowned; it was never a good thing when Saïx was happy.
Saïx pointed up at the ceiling where the missing block was from Demyx's battle. The moon shone through the hole in the ceiling. Saïx stood in the center of the moonlight, gazing up at it as if it were the face of God. "Behold my power" he growled ominously before throwing his head back and howling at the moon like some sort of deranged wolf.
Axel waited cautiously; watching Saïx like a predatory cat, ready to pounce at any moment. Saïx jerked his head down suddenly, staring at Axel with wide amber eyes, filled with rage and madness. He launched himself at Axel who easily dogged the clumsy attempt.
Axel danced elegantly back and forth, easily evading Saïx animal like charges and swipes. This was too easy, he thought. Saïx launched himself at Axel again who easily dogged once more. Axel brought one of the chakrams down on Saïx's back, earning him a howl of pain.
"Too easy" Axel said grinning, looking at the pained Saïx. He laughed and began walking back towards the edge of the arena, figuring it was over. Axel heard a howl and spun around in just enough time to see Saïx knock him to the ground. "well you sure recovered fast dog-boy" Axel snarled at Saïx.
Saïx fastened his hands around Axel's neck, choking him. He dug his nails in deep, drawing blood. Axel coughed at struggled, trying desperately to throw Saïx off.
'Wait? What the hell am I doing?' Axel thought. He used his pyrokinesis to ignite Saïx's cloak. Saïx jumped off Axel and, rather than stop drop and roll, ran around screaming for someone to put him out. Axel grinned devilishly at the insane berserker running around on fire. His grin only broadened when he slipped on the puddle of water left over from Demyx's match.
Axel laughed as a soggy Saïx pulled himself up from the water, glaring at Axel. He summoned his trusty claymore and launched himself at Axel. The initial hit knocked one of the chakrams out of Axel's hand, leaving him with only one to try and deflect the blows from the claymore.
Axel managed to deflect Saïx's enraged blows for a while but he was quickly becoming fatigued. In the rhythmic steps of the battle to get slightly off beat would mean losing. Axel managed to keep in time, matching Saïx blow for blow for a while. Finally his fatigue caught up with him and Saïx knocked the remaining chakram out of his hand. He then swung the claymore at Axel, knocking him down. Axel struggled to get up before being hit upside the head with the claymore yet again.
Axel coughed weakly, spitting out a bit of blood. " That all ya got?" He asked, offering a lopsided grin. Saïx was amazed Axel still had enough energy to be an ass.
Saïx chuckled. " No" he said smoothly, slamming the claymore into the side of Axel's head, sending him flying into the wall. Axel lay limply on the ground, unmoving.
Saïx slithered over to Axel's unconscious form and raised his claymore up for a deathblow. Only then did it strike Saïx was perfectly willing to kill Axel.
"Oh my God, AXEL GET UP," Larxene screamed. She looked over at Demyx and Marluxia and said " Saïx is going to kill him!"
Demyx bit his lip and looked at Marluxia helplessly. "Larxene…there's…nothing we can do" Marluxia purred softly.
Larxene stared at them, shocked. She stood up and Marluxia grabbed her sleeve and shook his head.
Larxene looked at Marluxia, then at Saïx, poised to strike. "AXEL DON'T DIE YOU SHIT HEAD" she screamed angrily. How dare he go off and get himself killed! " YOU PUSSY! COME ON!"
Saïx looked over at Larxene's direction, confused. Then he grinned sadistically, completely prepared to destroy Axel. Axel's eyes fluttered open and he saw Saïx standing over him with his weapon. " Oh shit" he muttered and rolled out of the way, barely. Axel barely missed Saïx swinging his claymore at him furiously.
"Die!" Saïx hissed. He slammed his claymore into the ground, getting it stuck for a moment. That was all Axel needed. He jumped out of the way then launched himself upward into the air.
" I'm the best, got it memorized?"
He summoned two flaming chakrams and hurled them at Saïx. Saïx cried out and screamed in agony trying to pry the flaming weapons from his body he feel on his knees on the floor, crying out and writhing in pain before finally teleporting from the arena, leaving the two weapons to clatter to the floor.
Axel landed on his feet perfectly and wondered over to his weapons. He grabbed them then smiled up at the others, holding up a single finger as if to say…
'I'm number one, got it memorized'
XxX Burned Out XxX
Axel grinned wildly up at the others before his eyes drifted close and he collapsed on the floor.
"And Axel is the winner" Xemnas snarled, though no one could tell why he was angry (though few had suspicions).
Now that the match was officially over Larxene and Demy both leapt over their seats and hurried down to see what was wrong with Axel. Marluxia walked down the walkway after them. Apparently Luxord had been concerned for their spiky haired pyro friend too for he ran out onto the arena and over to the body.
The four gathered around Axel's limp frame, trying to determine what was wrong. Larxene shook him violently demanding him to wake up. Luxord grabbed her hand and said, " you're not helping."
"is anyone here a doctor?" Larxene asked. They glanced at each other nervously. " Okay WAS anyone ONCE a doctor then?"
"Ummm I have…limited medical knowledge…" Marluxia offered.
"Move aside peons" Xemnas said, looking at the body. " He'll be fine." He snapped his fingers and two dusks and a sorcerer appeared. " Take him to the recovery room" Xemnas snapped. The dusks dumped Axel onto the bed of blocks provided by the sorcerer and headed off.
Larxene and the others got up to follow but Xemnas shook his head and said " to your seats, the next match will begin shortly."
"But…" Larxene offered weakly. " but…but…"
"To. Your. Seats" Xemnas snarled.
Larxene winced and the nobodies shuffled back to their seats, Luxord taking Axel's place on the other side of Larxene.
"He'll be fine, he's Axel" Luxord comforted a worried Larxene. She nodded and sighed, waiting to watch the next match.
Xemnas stepped out into the arena and called out the next names:
"Larxene and Lexaeus to the arena now"
Looks like she wouldn't be watching it after all.
XxX Grounded XxX
Demyx and Marluxia glanced at each other worriedly.
"No Larxene you can't do it" Demyx said, eyes wide.
"He will kill you" Marluxia said, nodding in agreement.
Larxene rolled her eyes and started towards the arena. She looked back at them and gave them the thumbs up and said " Don't worry about it. You don't know just how good I am."
She entered the arena, staring at Lexaeus. He was huge. A wicked grin crossed his face and he spoke " So…you're Larxene eh? Seems to be the first time we've met."
"Yeah you were busy the night I got here…and every day after."
He chuckled and shrugged. " You've met the others, I'm sure you realize with all these jack offs someone has to be doing actual work."
Larxene nodded " yeah, they are a buncha jack offs. But at least they know how to have fun."
"are you two quite finished talking?" Xemnas asked, glaring at both of them.
"yes sir" Lexaeus said and nodded.
"Good, you know the rules. Read, set…Go!" He declared and vanished.
Battle underway the combatants summoned their weapons and stared each other down. Nether moved for a long time, eyes locked, waiting for the other to move.
It would be easy to accuse Lexaeus of being a big dumb behemoth from his look, but beneath the brawn was also amazing intelligence. He examined Larxene, making mental notes. She was small, tiny in frame, meaning she would be able to move quicker than him. She used kunai as a weapon, meaning her attacks would most likely come from a long range.
While he was planning it all out in his head Larxene made her move. Quicker than the eye could perceive she almost seemed to vanish as she darted away. It took Lexaeus a moment to realize she had gone. "Hey, up here big boy" he herd a voice call. Larxene had leapt into the air and hurled eight deadly blades down at him.
Lexaeus brought up his tomahawk to deflect them easily. "Not bad, try this" he muttered and slammed his massive weapon down into the ground. The floor shook and a gaping fissure opened up in the floor beneath her. Larxene fell down into the pit, grabbing the side of it, digging one of her kunai into the wall for support.
Lexaeus walked over as she struggled to pull herself up. He grinned and slammed the weapon down on her fingers. She screeched and let go, tumbling back into the crack. Dirt quickly filled in the gap, burring her alive.
Lexaeus sighed, " what a waste, another perfectly good candidate, too weak to make it. Oh well, Organization XI it is." Unlike the others though he did not immediately turn his back on the fallen opponent. He watched carefully, making sure that she didn't somehow crawl back up out of the ground.
A minute ticked by, then another. He smiled at the satisfactory outcome. He watched for a moment more and stuck his weapon in the ground where she'd fallen. "Rest in peace " he said. He felt almost sorry for her quick demise.
Then he noticed small sparks crackling around the base of where his weapon was stuck in the ground. Before he knew what was happening he found a charge of pure electricity coursing through him as he tried to pry his weapon from the ground. He finally jerked the massive weapon from the ground, Larxene holding onto it for dear life.
She coughed violently, trying to suck air into her lungs. She staggered to her feet, brushing off dirt. She grinned at Lexaeus and said "not bad, but if that's all you got I'm going to win this."
Lexaeus laughed, amazed at her persistence. " Don't worry, that's far from it." He quickly swung the weapon at her, barely giving her a chance to dodge it. She jumped up and landed on the blade, then kicked Lexaeus square in the jaw. Stunned, he dropped the weapon, causing her to tumble after it.
"Owww…" she grumbled, rubbing the back of her head. She then took advantage of the moment and kicked the weapon away from his reach. Once he realized what was happening he snarled and lashed out at Larxene, attempting to punch her out.
Larxene dodged him flawlessly. He might be strong, but he was slow. After weaving through a barrage of attempts to strike her she summoned a lone kunai and slashed it across his face. He cried out, gripping his face in pain, leaving him wide open. She proceeded to punch him in the gut, and then followed it up by kicking him in the ribs.
He collapsed on his knees, one hand pressed against the bloody streak across his face, another wrapped around his gut.
"Your good" Larxene said, smiling wickedly. He looked up at her, glaring venomously at her. She kicked him in the crotch and laughed " but I'm better."
Lexaeus cried out, grabbing his pained crotch. Larxene took advantage of this and came up behind him, placing a kunai across his throat. " You wanna keep going with this? Cause I know one hundred and one ways to pain you without killing you… for each part of the body." Lexaeus gulped and teleported from the arena, head down in disgrace.
Larxene grinned up at here friends then looked over to where Xemnas was waiting on the sidelines. "Larxene wins" He called out boredly. He had actually been quite interested in the fight though. He had seen what Larxene was capable of, which was why he had recruited her in the first place. At first she'd given him a nice kick to the ribs that had left more than a few of them cracked. Later she had decided to come with him though, obviously.
Larxene took a deep breath, satisfied with her victory and grinned crazily up at her friends, then over at the lone admirer, leaning against the door.
XxX Observations XxX
(Note: Axel's perspective, for your pleasure)
I woke up in the recovering wing I don't know how long after I had passed out. I sat up but then had to lay back down I was so dizzy. I groaned then herd " oh shut up, like you've got it that bad."
I looked over to the bed next to me to see a pissed of Saïx, wrapped in bandages. He was glaring at me viciously, so of course I smiled at him and pretended it didn't bother me, just to piss him off even more.
Sitting on the bed next to Saïx was a frowning Xaldin, randomly placed Band-Aids all over him. " looks like the dusks just wanted you to look pretty" I offered sarcastically. He gave me a death glare and I shut up.
I looked to my other side to see the dusks that ran the recovery wing all sitting in front of a large screen, showing the exams. I saw Lexaeus walking down to the arena and…Larxene?
No it couldn't be. After what happened to that last girl surely they wouldn't make them fight.
I watched the match intently, all my nerves on edge. They seemed to stare each other down forever and it made me terribly edgy.
"Jesus Axel don't piss your pants" I herd Saïx snarl behind me. "Seriously, we all know what's going to happen so don't look so wound up over it. Its pathetic." I glanced back at him, and evil smirk on his face. " Lexaeus is unbeatable Axel… so you might wanna say good bye to your little girlfriend." He Xaldin chuckled until a dust turned around and pressed its hand (or what ever you wanna call what they have) to its face, as if to tell us to 'shhh'.
I bit my lip, feeling a bit sick. Lexaeus was trouble, no doubt about it. Given the chance he'd snap her neck clear off her body. While pondering over my thoughts I noticed movement on the screen, the first move…
It was Larxene. She was much faster than I could see. It was like she was there one moment and gone the next. I grinned a bit to myself; it would be an easy match if Lexaeus couldn't follow her.
My grin faltered slightly as Lexaeus deflected her attack so easily. Then it turned to shock and horror as I watched her fall into a pit and be buried alive. " LARXENE!" I screamed, though I knew there was no way she could hear me.
"Larxene! Oh no Larxene, what will I jerk of to with out you around?" Saïx said in a mocking tone. He and Xaldin giggled and I stood up.
"Fuck you guys" I snarled, staggering a bit. That blow to my head from the claymore had more than just addled me. I figured I probably had a billion different kinds of brain damage now. " Larxene is one of our comrades you know. If every fucking member that comes here gets killed off by Lexaeus then we'll never be strong enough to open Kingdom Hearts." Well that had shut them up. They both stared at me, I guess shocked by my outburst. One of the dusks turned around and gave me it's pathetic 'shhh' sign, and I promptly replied by kicking it in the face. I stormed out the door, running down the hall.
I don't think I ever ran faster in all my life. I tripped several times on my way down the stairs but I made it to the doors to the stadium and flung them open in time to see Lexaeus pulling the tomahawk out of the ground, Larxene holding onto it for dear life.
I leaned against the door and watched in silence as she proceeded to beat the crap out of him. She was fast AND strong. Now I realized why Xemnas was limping when he first drug her here to the castle. She seemed to be having lots of fun at Lexaeus's expense. She seemed to derive some sort of twisted pleasure from his pain. I swear I herd her laughing as she kicked him right in the jewels.
Finally Lexaeus departed the arena in shame and I smirked. Larxene was some woman. I can't believe I had ever doubted her. She grinned, obviously proud of her victory. All odds had been against her, and she made it seem like a cakewalk.
She exited the arena and started walking towards the aisles when she continued walking towards the doors, to me.
She grinned at me and said " Still worried about me?"
I cocked and eyebrow at her and smirked " a little" I teased, earning a punch in the elbow from her. " owww! Jeez Lar, I just got out of the recovery wing."
" Must have been a terribly injury. You were gone about five minutes" she sneered back at me.
She turned and walked away, leaving me there to just stand and admire her. She was an interesting creature, no doubt about it. She took her seat and I herd the others all praising her. She seemed really happy at their approval, but not as happy as mine.
It made me wonder about Larxene. What was that wily woman up to?
XxX
"That was amazing" Marluxia said. " I figured you were a goner when he shoved you under ground."
"Pfft, are you forgetting who I am? I'm Larxene; I'm the Savage Nymph. No one can beat me." She grinned; she had actually had her doubts too. But no one had to know that.
END PART 1
(Note from the Author: I am so sorry it took so long to only get out this very small part of the story. I have been so busy lately. There's so much work I gotta do its not even funny. Not to mention inspiration positively deserted me for some time. Please forgive me and enjoy this chapter…well more like half a chapter. The second part won't be out until the New Year but it will be out before February…hopefully.)