~The World That Never Was~
Zexion made sure neither Demyx or Xion would mention the wolf attack or river incedent. They were all ready in enough trouble as it was.
Vexen and Lexeaus were waiting in the Gray Room, which is where Demyx opened his dark corridor too. Zexion froze when he saw the look in their eyes. Xion and Demyx crashed into the Schemer and the three of them crashed to the floor.
"Fourteen, go to your room. Nine, the Superior is waiting for you in his office. Six," ordered Vexen.
Lexeaus walked over the the tangled Nobodies and picked them up one by one. He held Zexion back before the Schemer could get away. Xion and Demyx ran out of the Gray Room to obey.
"Where did you go this time?" demanded Vexen.
"No where," whispered Zexion.
"Five," sighed Vexen.
Vexen left the Gray Room and Lexeaus picked Zexon up. Zexion squeaked in surprise and tried to wiggle his way out of the Hero's grasp, but he was much weaker than him. Lexeaus easily hauled the Schemer to Vexen's lab. He quickly noticed Zexion's body temperature was cooler than it should be.
"He's cold," stated Lexeaus.
"Where you in the snow?" wondered Vexen.
"Yes!" Zexion squeaked, as he was set on the table.
"The Beast's castle?" pressed Vexen, rummaging through a drawer.
"Narnia," whispered Zexion.
Vexen pulled out a thermometer and put it under Zexion's tongue. Vexen still looked cross. After a few moments, the thermometer was removed and Vexen studied it.
"It doesn't seem like you caught a cold. How do you feel?" asked Vexen.
"Perfectly fine," Zexion was a really good liar. Sometimes too good.
"Did you run into any trouble?" wondered Vexen.
"No. We just explored a little," rushed Zexion.
"A little?" scoffed Vexen.
"We lost track of time!" shouted Zexion.
Vexen ignored that last bit. He moved Zexion's hair our of his face, who naturally shied from the action. Lexeaus kept the Schemer still. After a few seconds, Vexen stepped back.
"You're hiding something," stated Vexen.
"No, I'm not!" Zexion squirmed.
"Fine. You're still in trouble for leaving the castle," informed Vexen.
"Everyone else gets to leave whenever they want! Why can't I?" snapped Zexion.
"We've been over this Six. You are too sickly to leave. You're lucky you didn't catch a cold from going in the snow in these coats!" Vexen retorted.
"I don't get sick when I do recon!" Zexion pointed out.
"True, but those worlds are picked specifically for you. If we trusted you to not just open a random corridor, then we might allow you some leave time," said Vexen, as he crossed his arms.
"It's not fair," growled Zexion.
"Our situation isn't fair Six. We just have to keep going," sighed Vexen.
Zexion crossed his arms and shook his head, fixing his hair. He glared at the Chilly Academic. The Schemer did not say another word.
"Fine. Five, take him to his room. Use the Superior's lock," commanded Vexen.
"What!?" demanded Zexion.
"You're grounded," Vexen said simply, as Lexeaus picked the struggling Schemer up.
Vexen stayed behind in his lab while Lexeaus carried Zexion to his room. He gently set the Schemer in his room before quickly slamming the door so he could not escape. He activated the lock and Zexion was now stuck in his room.
Zexion ran to the door, but was too late. The lock was put in place amd no matter how he struggled, the door would not budge. He let his head hit the door heavily as he sighed in frustration. The Schemer knew Lexeaus would wait by the door, just in case.
Zexion walked into the middle of his room and kicked his boots off. If he was to be stuck in here, at least he could get comfortable. He decided to leave the coat on when he noticed how far the bandages reached. The Schemer did not want Demyx to get into any more trouble.
Demyx found the Superior's office door open. He gulped and slowly entered. The room looked empty. He walked to the desk and turned sharply when he heard the door shut. Xemnas was waiting by the door.
"I expect more responsibility from you Demyx. You are an adult. Zexion and Xion are not. Zexion is more logical and studied than you, but he is only sixteen. You need to think more about the consequences of your actions. What if he falls ill because of this little adventure?" demanded Xemnas.
"He s-said he w-was f-fine," stuttered Demyx.
"He always says that. What about Xion? What if she got lost? She can not open dark corridors yet," reminded Xemnas.
"She's fine. We're all fine," gulped Demyx.
"This time. Demyx, we have the same conversation every time," sighed Xemnas.
"You don't let Zexion leave the castle unless it's for recon. He's trapped here," whispered Demyx.
"We are trying to protect him. We are trying to protect each other. Every time he leaves, there is a chance he will get sick. Eventually it will be too much for him. Demyx, you have to look out for Zexion. He won't admit it himself. He is weak and that scares him. I can feel it," warned Xemnas.
"I know," mumbled Demyx.
"Zexion is grounded to his room for the time being. Xion is grounded to the castle grounds. You are going to be sent on a series of missions with Saïx as your punishment. Don't make this any worse on them," informed Xemnas.
"Yes Superior," Demyx hung his head.
"Saïx will meet you in the Grey Room tomorrow morning for the first mission. You are dismissed," stated Xemnas.
Demyx quickly left the office without running. Now all he wanted to do was crash in his bed. Talking with the Superior always drained him. The Nocturne was shaking from the anticipation of the punishment.
Zexion laid in the middle of his floor and stared at the ceiling. He had plenty to do, but right now he was too preoccupied with what the Lion had told him. He was still just as confused.
Lexeaus had opened the door once to leave supper, but the lock was replaced once the door was shut again. Zexion sighed again. This was going to be a long punishment. He picked at the food, not really hungry.
Zexion hissed in pain. His shoulder was bothering him greatly now. He wondered for a moment if he should tell Lexeaus and Vexen, but shook his head. It would only get Demyx in more trouble. He would just look at it later.
Zexion waited until it was dark. He shut himself in his bathroom and opened his secret stash of medical supplies. He did not have much, but it would allow him to change the bandages on his shoulder.
Zexion took off his coat. The bandages were stained red and he needed to stop the bleeding. All his struggling earlier must have reopened the wound. He gently removed the bandages and looked over the wound.
The bite wound was red and Zexion wondered if it was starting to get infected. If that happened, he would have no choice but to let Vexen know about it.
Zexion struggled for awhile, trying to clean the wound as best as he could. He cringed as he wrapped it with a fresh bandage. It was the best he could do alone. Hopefully it would not get infected.
Zexion grabbed his coat and left his bathroom. He threw it on his chair and climbed into bed. Lexeaus would not be to happy with what little he had eaten, but he did not care.
Lexeaus opened the door and found Zexion still asleep. He left the Schemer alone and moved to pick up the tray. It was still mostly full. Lexeaus sighed as he replaced the tray with a fresh plate of food. He left, never noticing the lightly stained bandages and blanket.
Zexion slept for a long time. When he woke up, he felt weak. He found himself dizzy and a little nauseous. He slowly sat up and noticed his blanket was red. He stumbled out of bed and pulled his blanket off his bed. He kicked in under the bed and pulled on his coat.
Zexion found the plate. He tried to eat, but felt worse when he did. He ran to the bathroom and emptied to contents of his stomach. Once he finished, Zexion leaned against the sink. He looked at himself in the mirror, it was not good.
"Lexeaus!" Zexion tried to shout, but his voice only came out as a harsh whisper.
Zexion knew exactly what was going on. He needed Vexen right now before it got worse. He was loosing too much blood. He needed to calm down, but he needed Lexeaus to come into his room.
"Lexeaus!" Zexion tried again. He stumbled to the bathroom door and fell. He groaned as he looked around, eyeing his stack of books that did not fit on a bookshelf.
Zexion struggled to sit up and grabbed a book. It was not one of his important books, so he had no problem chucking it at the door. Zexion had to throw five more books before Lexeaus opened the door, looking a little annoyed.
"Why are you throwing books now?" demanded Lexeaus.
"I tried calling... for you. I need... Vexen," panted Zexion.
"What's wrong? Are you sick?" wondered Lexeaus, as he approached Zexion.
"No... I need Vexen. I'm... going into... Hypovolemic Shock," gasped Zexion, as he was lifted into Lexeaus's arms.
"Where?" asked Lexeaus.
"Shoulder..." whispered Zexion.
Lexeaus removed the Schemer's cloak and found the soaked bandages. His white t-shirt was now lightly stained red. Lexeaus had to hurry to the lab. They would get answers after the Schemer was taken care of.
Lexeaus carried Zexion out of his room. Xemnas spotted the two and headed over. "What's going on?" wondered Xemnas.
"He must have been injured while he was in Narnia. He hid it from us, but it got worse. Vexen can fix this," Lexeaus explained quickly.
Xemnas followed Lexeaus to the lab. He would get answers out of the Schemer if the other two could not. Vexen was startled by the sudden entry. Lexeaus laid Zexion on the table.
"What's this!?" demanded Vexen, noticing the bloodied bandages.
"It must have happened while he was in Narnia. We'll get answers after you've treated him. He said he was going into Hypovolemic Shock," explained Lexeaus.
Vexen sighed as he got to work. He had to cut Zexion's t-shirt and removed the bandages. It was obviously a bite wound and was starting to show signs of an infection.
Vexen quickly stopped the bleeding and cleaned the wound. Zexion was still fighting to stay conscious. The wound was wrapped and Vexen turned to prepare something.
Vexen held an IV for Zexion. He would need it in order to get his strength back and hopefully not fall ill. Zexion never saw the needle and simply laid on the table. He was barely conscious.
"He'll be fine now," sighed Vexen.
"How did he manage to hid that?" wondered Xemnas.
"I only looked over him for any signs of a cold. He said nothing about an animal attack," explained Vexen.
"This is getting out of hand," whispered Xemnas.
"Yes, he is quite stubborn. I can't get him out of his fear of needles and hatred of medicines. I've all ready tried so many different things," stated Vexen.
Zexion fell asleep quickly. Vexen made sure the Schemer would not pull the needle out of his hand and kept an eye on him. He did not check for any signs of a cold.
Zexion slept for awhile. Vexen made sure the wound was kept clean and healing properly. He removed the IV after awhile and Zexion began to stir. He slowly woke up.
Vexen had a plate of food ready. He never noticed the signs of a cold, thinking it was from the shock Zexion had just gone through. He helped the Schemer sit up and handed him the food. Zexion slowly ate.
"You didn't tell me you were bitten," stated Vexen.
"It was fine until I reopened it with the struggle. I would have been fine by myself," Zexion said with that look Vexen hated.
"Six, what attacked you?" demanded Vexen.
"Wolves," answered Zexion.
"What happened?" Vexen crossed his arms.
"We were bored so we went to Narnia. We were playing in the snow and fell down a hill. Demyx got separated..." started Zexion.
"Why didn't you RTC?" interrupted Vexen.
"It was too cold for me. You know I loose control under certain conditions," Zexion pointed out darkly.
"Continue," ordered Vexen.
"I managed to stay with Xion. We went looking for Demyx, but a pack of wolves found us first. I was bitten while trying to protect her, but we managed to chase them away. I was able to take care of the wound and once we found Demyx, we came back. It's not his fault," explained Zexion.
"How can you say it's not his fault!? He should have known better," shouted Vexen.
Zexion flinched at the volume Vexen reached, but whispered, "I didn't have to follow. I could have stayed behind and informed a higher rank, but I went along. I knew something bad was going to happen, but I still went. I may be young, but I know what I'm doing. I can take responsibility for my own actions."
"That's true. You should have known better!" exclaimed Vexen.
"Not even you would have known the wolves would have attacked us!" screamed Zexion.
Zexion threw the tray aside and jumped off the bed. He stormed to the lab entrance and Vexen tried to stop him. "Where do you think you're going?!" Vexen demanded.
"My room!" shouted Zexion.
Vexen let the fuming Schemer go. Lexeaus had just happened to be walking to the lab, when he heard the two shouting at each other. He quietly followed Zexion a little ways behind. Zexion did go to his room and slammed the door. Lexeaus did not bother with the lock this time. The Schemer would stay in his room for a long time to at least stay away from Vexen.
The week passed by quickly. Xion was bored out of her mind, being unable to leave the castle. Roxas tried to keep her company, but he still had missions. Demyx barely had an energy left after each mission. Saïx was keeping the Nocturne busy. Xemnas had decided their punishment had gone on long enough and tomorrow they would be free.
Zexion continued to remain hidden in his room even though the lock was not in place. Zexion refused to see Vexen for two reasons. He was still mad at the academic and he now had a cold. He sulked in his room, only leaving to eat meals or Lexeaus would force his way in and find out he was sick. He was succesfully keeping his cold a secret.
Larxene was in the dining room waiting for Xaldin to bring out lunch. Zexion unfortunately walked in and sneezed. Larxene raised an eyebrow, but the Schemer only shot her an one-eyed death glare. She smirked.
"Here for lunch?" wondered Larxene.
"It is that time of day, Nymph," Zexion answered coldly.
Larxene snorted at what Zexion chose to call her. She could never convince him to stop as she was not allowed to use her power on the Schemer. She did not say anything else.
Xaldin entered the dining room with two plates of food. He had known Zexion would be there. Unfortunately, Zexion sneezed again. Larxene shot Xaldin a wicked smile before Zexion could see it.
"Thanks," whispered Zexion, as he quickly accepted the meal.
Larxene did not say anything as her plate was placed in front of her. They ate in silence. Zexion finished quickly and headed to the kitchen. Xaldin met him before he could step into the kitchen.
"I can't possible set anything on fire if all I'm doing is putting dirty dishes in the sink," snorted Zexion.
"I still don't want you in my kitchen," stated Xaldin, as he took the plate.
Zexion tried to cover the sneeze up and quickly left. Larxene simply watched the Schemer leave, thinking of a way to torture him. Zexion decided he had enough of his room and entered the Grey Room, which was thankfully empty.
Demyx and Xion were looking for Zexion to tell him the good news. They found him reading in the Gray Room. They could not see him rub his nose behind the pages of the book he held close to his face.
"Zexion! We've got good news!" shouted Demyx.
"What is it?" wondered Zexion, curious as he set the book in his lap.
"We're not in trouble any more!" Xion exclaimed happily.
"Really?" Zexion tried not to smile.
"Yeah! Superior said that since your not hurt anymore, we could be released from our punishments," smiled Demyx.
"Group hug!" shouted Xion.
Zexion dropped his book as he shot up to escape the hug. He still was not used to this and tried to avoid hugs as often as he could. "No hugs!" panicked Zexion.
"Aww, come on Zexion. Just one little hug?" whined Demyx.
"No!" Zexion shoke his head fiercely.
"Why not?" Xion put on her puppy eyes.
"I don't..." Zexion started, but heard his name being called. "Vexen's calling me. Got to go," Zexion rushed. Muttering under his breath, "Saved."
Zexion rushed out of the Gray Room, forgetting his anger torward the academic. He found Vexen waiting for him in the hallway. "Follow me," ordered Vexen.
Zexon silently obeyed. Vexen brought him to the lab and closed the door behind Zexion. Zexion started to grow suspicious. Vexen turned to the Schemer and crossed his arms. He did not look amused.
"Do you have a cold, Six?" wondered Vexen.
"No," Zexion answered quickly.
"Twelve informed me that she noticed you sneezing during lunch. I even consulted with Three and he stated you have begun to act strange. I'll ask one more time. Are you sick?" demanded Vexen.
"No! Larxene will say anything to get me into trouble. I've only seen Xaldin during meals, how would he notice anything?" shouted Zexion.
"I'm not convinced," stated Vexen.
Vexen quickly grabbed Zexion and placed his hand on the Schemer's forehead. It was a little warmer than normal, but he would need a thermometer to be sure. He dragged Zexion closer to the table.
"Stop it Vexen! I said I was fine," struggled Zexion.
"Let me take your temperature," growled Vexen, as he tried to keep the Schemer still and pull out the thermometer.
Vexen eventually managed to place the thermometer into Zexion's mouth. After a moment, he pulled it out and muttered to himself.
"You have a cold. It doesn't seem that bad yet, but we need to take care of it now. This must be from your trip to Narnia last week," Vexen rambled on, letting go of Zexion to grab some medicine.
Zexion noticed what Vexen was reaching for and made a break for it. He quickly opened the door and ran down the halls. Vexen could not keep up. The Schemer ran back to the Gray Room.
"I'm not here!" shouted Zexion, as he tripped over a couch and hid behind it.
"What?" wondered Demyx.
Demyx noticed Vexen stop in the doorway to look around and move on. He figured something happened and the Academic needed to give the stubborn Schemer something. He quickly made it next to Zexion and tried to grab him.
"You traitor!" gasped Zexion, as he jumped away.
"Xion, help me!" shouted Demyx.
"Roxas can help too," smiled Xion.
"HE'S A LUNATIC! Don't do this to me!" panicked Zexion.
"What? I don't know what you're talking about, Zexion. Xion, hurry! Roxas, grab his arm!" Demyx managed to grab an arm and Roxas grabbed the other.
"No!" Zexion struggled harder.
"Shush, Zexion. It'll go easier for you if you just go along with it," panted Demyx. "We've almost got him!"
"I DON'T WANT HIS MEDICINE!" screamed Zexion.
"Zexion! It won't be that difficult. If you'll... just... take it like a man, we can get... it... over with!" Demyx tried to keep ahold of the schemer. "I'm not a man! I'm only sixteen," Zexion countered.
"What has Luxord done to you?" sighed Demyx.
"Believe it or not, he didn't do anything. I just got sick again... I'll send you to Agrabah, Demyx! Roxas, let go of my leg!" Zexion tried to escape their hold on him.
"Oh... Sorry Luxord! Wait... What!? Not there again! Please?!" Demyx panicked when he realized the threat that was made.
"Then let me go! I don't need Vexen's medicine!" stated Zexion, angrily.
"You need a hug!" Demyx glomped Zexion. "Xion, Roxas, now! I'll hold him down! You get the medicine!"
"No hugs!" shrieked Zexion.
"Yes hugs! They're fun!" smiled Demyx.
"I won't take it! You can't make me!" Zexion shoke his head violently.
"Xion! Zexion's getting restless! Hurry!" rushed Demyx.
"No! Do you really want to see what Vexen's drugs do to me?!" Zexion said to get out of it.
"Fine! I'll do i- Wait... On second thought, let's just take you to another world and find someone else to help you," Demyx quickly fell for it.
"I don't want that either!" shouted Zexion.
"As scary as Vexen is, you on his drugs is scarier," Demyx shuddered at the thought. "C'mon! The lady at the Beast's Castle is nice. She gave me tea and let me sit by the fire with her weird, chair-like dog! Surely she could make you feel better!" Demyx was now trying to convince the Schemer.
"No! I'm not going to do it!" Zexion flat out refused.
Demyx still opened a dark corridor and exclaimed, "Off we go to a world with magic!"
"I'm not going through that portal, Dem," Zexion pointed out.
"Where should we go? There's a world where they teach you to be a man," Demyx was now ignoring the schemer.
"Where does that portal lead to anyways?" demanded Zexion, noticing Demyx's absentmindedness.
"Umm... I don't remember. Let's find out!" smiled Demyx.
"Stop!" Zexion screamed as Demyx tried to pull him to the dark corridor.
"Zexion, if you must know, Saïx is after me. He'll have my hide if we're still in this room! I might have... accidentally said something to him... and then told him I was only repeating what you'd said to me..." Demyx tried to explain.
"What did I say?" wondered Zexion.
"Nothing!" Demyx said quickly.
"When Saïx finds out what Vexen wants to do, he's going to make me take it," grumbled Zexion.
"Well, are you coming with me? We need to give them time to cool off... Hehe... puns..." Demyx tried not to laugh.
"Don't start," groaned Zexion. "Fiiineee! As long as it's not too cold." Zexion muttered under his breath.
"Yay! We should take Roxas and Xion with us... But Axel might find out. He would kill us. So should we go to the Beast's Castle?" wondered Demyx.
"It snows there Dem," Zexion pointed out. "Still curious about what you told Saïx."
"Oh, yeah. Umm... Neverland is nice this time of year! It's kind of nice all year 'cuase the weather never changes. Is that okay?" Demyx mused.
"As long as there isn't any medicine..." Zexion trailed off.
"There isn't. Zexion, we can fly there," reassured Demyx. "Wait... What?" Zexion was caught off gaurd. He did not necessarily like heights.
"To Neverland! You'll love flying! It's like swimming, but not," Demyx explained poorly as he reopened the dark corridor.
"I don't know how to swim, Dem..." whispered Zexion. "Now tell me what you said to Saïx!"
"You don't need to now that, right?" Demyx squeaked.
"If I'm going with you, then yes," Zexion crossed his arms.
"O-okay. I may or may not have told him you thought he should be called 'X-Face the Crazy Puppy.' He made me really mad! You would have said it too! You did call him a 'dumb dog' before," whispered Demyx.
"What?! That was when I had a high fever! I didn't know what I was saying! Let's get out of here now. I don't care where anymore," rushed Zexion. "I'm going to regret this."
Demyx rushed through the dark corridor, pulling Zexion along. Neither noticed Roxas and Xion following behind them. They just wanted to escape the older members and their wrath.
