I. Am. So. Sorry for the long wait! It's been... over a year now since I've updated... I'm sorry... I've been having a tough year and my creativity pretty much goes into all my AP English essays (trying hard for a B right now...). However, I think that my long-lasting writer's block is finally near its end! I'm starting to write more and more... so hopefully I can post more updates when I don't have much homework! Since this is more of a test-run after being uncreative for so long, I warn you that it's not going to be my best work... but I really wanted to get this out to you. E-enjoy! :D
Oh, for the explanation on why Roxas and Xion's fight was in third person, I'll tell at the end of the chapter for those who didn't quite get it, but here's a hint: think of Chain of Memories...
Forgotten: I Remember... (Roxas POV)
By the time Xion finished, the sun was almost set and the atmosphere was calmly silent. She gazed at the pink and purple sky, a little solemn but also relieved. Like a big weight was lifted from her shoulders. She didn't ask us our reaction, just simply sat there and soak it all in. Axel looked like he was in some sort of trance, you could see his thoughts trying to process everything. I wanted to laugh at his puzzled face, but there was something on my mind.
The moment Xion started telling us about the fight, the memory flooded into my mind. It started as a faint picture, but soon, the images became clearer, more vivid. Almost like it was being painted into my head. The clash of weapons, the sting of wounds, the desperation of saving her. I felt it all. As if the fight had just happened.
As Xion recounted those painful moments, I saw them clearly in my mind. Her strange armor with the pulsing darkness, my spells that trapped her, the last strike of the battle. I saw it all.
But sometimes, the memories I saw weren't mine: I saw Vexen snapping the bracelet on Xion. I saw Xemnas controlling Xion from the Tower. I saw a dark figure carry an unconscious Xion away from my passed-out form. Who was that? I scanned my memories to try to identify the figure, but I couldn't find any.
Then, a dark but familiar voice smirked in my mind: "Thanks for the prize, Blondie." Him! It was him who kidnapped Xion! But who was he? Have I ever heard his voice before? I don't think so... But it sounds really familiar.
A memory of my cousin flashes in my mind. His spiky brown hair bouncing as he yells something about chocolate. Other than that malicious tone, it sounds exactly like his voice! Sora's! But there's no way it could be him. Sora's way too nice to ever do something like that or sound like that! But the voice totally matches up... He wouldn't do that! ...Would he?
Xion must've sensed my conflicted emotions because she gently placed her hand on my shoulder and asked worriedly, "You okay?" I turned to her and nodded.
"Yeah. Just a little confused, that's all." I replied with a reassuring smile. Of course, there was one thing I needed to figure out...
"Can I ask you something?" I asked, wanting to know who that guy was. I saw a quick flash of surprise in her eyes and her hand dropped from my shoulder. She turned away from me and toward the sunset.
"Y-Yeah, sure. What is it?" she tried to hide it, but I could clearly tell she just gulped nervously. Why do I get the feeling she knows what I'm going to ask her about? And why do I have the feeling I'm going to regret asking this? But I need to know.
"Who took you away?"
She automatically flinched and bowed her head. Her expression was hidden behind her black bangs, but her trembling body and her clenched fist told me enough. I don't think I should've asked that. Stupid Roxas.
"H-hey, if you don't want to answer, then that's fine. Seriously. I didn't mean to hurt you by asking that." I cupped her shaking hands reassuringly. I didn't want her to have to be in more pain. The movement jarred her out of her thoughts and she turned towards me again, her somber eyes piercing mine.
"No... You should know." She took a deep breath and continued, "That guy... He looks a lot like Sora. Sounds like him, too. You might even say they're twins, except he's got black hair and golden eyes." At least she was starting to talk like she used to.
But yeah, now that explains it. So Sora didn't turn bad after all. I gave a small sigh in relief, though it didn't go unnoticed by Xion. She looked at me questionably. I just gestured for her to continue. I heard Axel, who must've gotten it all somewhat straightened out by now, say to continue as well. She nodded and began to talk again.
"His name.. His name is Vanitas," She shuddered and scowled when she said it. "he's from Dark Relam Academy, the place I was taken to after the fight. After you beat out Xemnas' control, Vanitas came and kidnapped me while I was passed out." Her hand curled into a trembling fist in my grasp. My mind went blank from shock and the only thing I could do was listen to her.
"When I came to, I was in his house. I can't remember what happened exactly... but I was t-tied up ...and gagged so I couldn't f-free myself... or call for ...h-help." The horrible memories seemed to flood over her, and she glared at her shoes. Tears began to fill her eyes. She took a deep, angry breath and turned to us again, though refusing to meet our startled eyes.
"He hit me a lot. Punched. Kicked. Until I passed out again. Everyday. He did anything he could to hurt me. Even started cutting me with his knife, that sadistic piece of dirt." she said darkly, furiously. She spat out those horrible memories: the black-haired demon attacking her relentlessly, bruises and cuts that covered her body, blood coloring her skin red. It was so cruel, so excrutiating knowing she had to face that for months. I couldn't listen to it after the first week of beatings.
I... I was shocked. I couldn't believe the things she had gone through. There was no way my best friend was beaten, battered, and broken like that. Who would ever want to do that? To Xion of all people! Two emotions then started to grow: anger and shame. I was ashamed that I wasn't there to help her, my best friend. I couldn't even remember her for Kingdom Heart's sake! How could I?! My rage at my stupidity grew, but then I remembered the one who made her suffer. I can't believe he felt he had the right to do such terrible things! That Vanitas... thinks he has the right to make my Xi-I mean my best friend suffer! How dare he! Gah! I wanna rip him apart just for kidnapping her in the first place! The gall! That guy makes me sick. I felt anger boil in me and almost erupt, but when I got a good look at her expression, it immediately evaporated into worry. Her eyes seemed to glow with rage and... hatred. This was definitely not like her. It scared me.
"Xion. Xion! Snap out of it!" I said, my voice filled with alarm. Xion blinked a couple of times and the dark look in her eyes disappeared. Phew, I think she stopped remembering. But when she glanced at me, her eyes were still dulled by pain. She looked back at the sunset and took a few deep breaths. With eyes still trained on the sunset, she started speaking again.
"Sorry... I didn't mean to get carried away. I just... I just hate him so much!" she exclaimed, heaving a sigh.
"But at least I was able to escape. Thanks to Ven, and my cousins anyway." Her expression was a tad bit lighter when she mentioned them. She gave me and Axel a small smile. Relief relaxed my tensed muscles and I gently let my hands fall back to my lap. This is more like the Xion I know. She looked out at the sunset as she told us about Ven, a guy who apparently could be my identical twin, though with a brighter personality. Despite being easily manipulated, he always treated her kindly, tried to heal her wounds, made her laugh, helped her in the school, and even protected her a little from Vanitas' sadistic nature. An overall "great guy" as she described him, grinning. I tried to grin back, but I felt... a little jealous that he had helped her more than I did. Don't get me wrong: I'm grateful that he helped Xion through those horrible times and aided her escape. It's just that... I wished I could've done that. Be the one that got her out, the one that she depended on for light in that dark place, the one she was talking about with such a happy look on her face...
"I just hope he's okay now... when I first met him, he had cuts and bruises all over from Vanitas. And when he tried to protect me, Vanitas would punch him until he was out cold... If that demon finds out Ven helped me escape..." the air seemed to grow colder around us as she left Ven's fate to our imagination.
"Is there... any way we can help him?" Axel asked, breaking the chilled silence. I clenched my fist tightly as Xion sadly shook her head.
"They're connected somehow. Not physically, but Ventus and Vanitas seem to be... halves of each other. They can't exist without the other. At least, that's what Ven told me..." I couldn't see because her bangs covered her face, but I was sure her blue eyes held tears for her friend. I didn't know what I could say, so I hugged her and let her cry on my shoulder. Axel looked at me with a serious look. I knew that look. Whoever messed with Xion messed with him. And no one messes with Axel. Or me.
The red sky flared with agreement.
...and that's the end for the moment! Sorry for the shortness, but that's all I could muster before I lost my focus... I really must thank all the people who have read, favorited and commented on my stories! It might not seem like it, but you all really helped me fight this stupid period of no imagination!
So, the 3rd person is supposed to show how the memory kind of comes back to Roxas the moment Xion starts talking. It first starts with Xion's memories, but as the memory becomes stronger to Roxas, it changes more to his perspective. Also, Xion's memories get drowned out because at that time, she is under Xemnas' control and her memory can be a little hazy. Oh, and Axel also sees these memories (sorry I didn't include it.. but I couldn't find a good place for it..). The reason? Well, there's a little blonde girl who knows how to draw memories into a person's head! ^^ Extra points to everyone who knows who she is!
I hope you enjoyed this short chapter! I plan to finish this before I go to college... so hope to post a new chapter soon! :) I'd love to have some constructive criticism on this! It's been a while since I've written fanfiction and I really want to rebuild some writing skills! Please review! :D