Disclaimer: If you think I'm Nomura, that's cool. I'll give you my autograph.
For something that actually does need to be disclaimed in this disclaimer, this is the final chapter in the Chain of Memories arc, which means we are heading into definitive SPOILER territory. If you haven't played CoM, or don't at least know the gist of it (like me) and don't want anything ruined, just hit the back button.
Spoilers ahead! You've been warned.
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Not That I Care
Chapter 11
A Night of Fireworks
Things fall apart, the center cannot hold
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.
--William Butler Yeats
"Wow, Vexie. You really—I mean, wow, you really fucked this one up."
"Silence."
"Yeah, letting your own puppet cut his strings and run off on his own—yeah, I'd say that's a grade-A failure."
"Silence!"
"Oh no, Larx, don't you see? This is all part of Vexie's plan. It's an intricate quantum plot applying rational metaphysics to standard logistics in order to subterfuge and divert Sora into Vexie's cunning trap. You see?"
Larxene is practically crying for laughter. Axel can't help it either; the situation is just too damn funny.
"Oh, of course! I should have known. An intricate quantum plot of subterfuge and stuff, right. So sorry, Vexie, I never should have doubted you. I was wrong to question your intel-ee-genze and edjumication."
Vexen is bright red and has his arms folded across his chest, tightly. "'Quantum plot.' Not even correct usage of the word. I doubt you apes even know what the word 'quantum' means! How could I expect you to understand the subtleties of the scientific process? Sometimes—sometimes data just doesn't add up, sometimes hypotheses are wrong, and…"
Vexen trails off, because even he knows how useless it is to argue. His failure is rather extraordinary. He has never exactly been the rocket scientist of the group, no matter how much he would beg to differ, though he has never failed as completely as he has now.
The Riku Replica is gone, and out of Vexen's control. No one's sure where he is, though judging by what the Replica has been through—his mind and heart revamped by Naminé, only to find out all over again that he isn't real, facing both Sora and the real Riku and losing to both—Axel wouldn't be surprised if the poor thing has gone and offed himself. Though somehow Axel doesn't think so. All the Replica has left now is the promise he thinks he made to protect Naminé. He'll stick around to do that. And he'll want to face Riku at least one more time.
Not that it matters much. The loss of the Replica is all that really matters—it has put a serious dent in Marluxia and Larxene's plan to take Sora, and from what Axel has heard, an even bigger dent in the others' plan to take Riku.
Fortunately for Axel, it's all going according to his plan. He has to stop himself from laughing even more. These idiots have no idea. Their plans are falling apart around their ears and they hardly notice. Guess that's the old Organization determination showing through. I suppose you saw this coming, huh, Xemnas?
"Scientific process my ass," Larxene scoffs. "You fucked up, that's all there is to it."
Vexen grits his teeth, pushed to his limit. He throws out a hand to call his weapon. Larxene reaches for her kunai knives, grinning madly. Axel steps backward before the sparks can fly—literally.
"I'll carve out that insolent tongue of your mouth, you—"
"That's enough," says a voice, and Marluxia appears out of a dark portal. He clicks his tongue. "Really now, fighting between the ranks? It's unsightly. Especially you, Vexen, considering you're in the wrong."
Vexen glares at him, putting his hand down. "I didn't—"
"I'm extremely disappointed in you, Vexen," Marluxia says, closing his eyes and shaking his head as if Vexen was a promising student. "Your experiment has failed miserably."
"Don't you dare talk down to me! If anyone is disappointed here, it's me! All of Castle Oblivion will fall because of your incompetence and scheming! Don't forget, I outrank you, Number Eleven."
Marluxia opens his eyes and gives Vexen a curious look that Axel finds rather ominous.
"Outrank me? I beg to differ, Vexen. This is my castle, my realm. Though I'm interested, Vexen, does this mean that you wish to defy the Organization itself?"
Vexen turns white and starts spluttering.
"Hey Marluxia, what's the punishment for treason?" Larxene asks, delighting in watching Vexen squirm.
"I believe it's death, Larxene."
"You can't be serious!" Vexen cries.
"Oh, but I am, Vexen," Marluxia says, fixing Vexen with a dangerous look. "I take failure very, very seriously. I'm going to have to report this failure to the Superior. After all, I don't want him blaming this incompetence on me."
Never mind that you probably haven't made a single report to Xemnas since this began, Axel thinks, hiding a smirk. He's right, though. Eggs benedict is a death sentence. Wait, no, "Benedict Arnold," that's what the Superior said, right?
It occurs to Axel that when all this is said and done, Axel will also be guilty of treason. Hell, he already is. Axel only hopes that doing the job Xemnas asked him to do—eliminating the traitors—will cover up that minor transgression.
He'll suspect something. He's the Superior. Even if I make it out of this alive, I suppose I won't live much longer after that.
Vexen has gone even whiter, which Axel wasn't sure was possible. He's scared out of his mind. Axel understands, though he doesn't particularly care.
"No, really…that's not necessary. I can fix this. Please, don't involve the Superior."
"Well, that depends on how well you can perform on the mission I'm about to give you. Call it, 'correcting your mistake.'"
"I'll do anything." Axel has never heard Vexen beg before. It's kind of weird. Rather disconcerting.
What do you have in mind, Marly?
"Kill Sora. Erase him."
Okay. That, I was not expecting.
"K-Kill him?"
Marluxia raises an eyebrow. "Is this a refusal? That's too bad, I guess I'll just have to—"
"No! No, I, I'll do it. It's just…why? I thought…"
"Questioning your orders now as well," Marluxia says with a chuckle. "You must want to die, Vexen."
"No, no. I'll do it, I said I would! I'll…do it."
With that, Vexen disappears. Marluxia smiles triumphantly to himself.
This is bad. Very bad. This is not at all what Axel had planned. Killing Sora doesn't make any sense. It'll screw everything up. The whole idea was to deliver Sora to the Organization alive and under Naminé's total control. Marluxia needs someone as powerful as Sora if he really wants to take over the Organization. Killing Sora…just doesn't make sense.
"He'll actually do it, you know," Axel says in a low voice. "You threatened him with the Superior."
Marluxia just shrugs, the picture of nonchalance. "We don't have much of a choice, do we?"
Axel's hands have balled into fists.
"This is nuts," he says. If Sora dies, what will happen to Roxas?
"Relax, Axel," Marluxia says, turning away. "I know what I'm doing."
Axel watches him walk away with Larxene, thinking quickly. He can't fight them now, not both of them together. Everything depends on Axel not directly killing any of them—otherwise the Superior will find out and wonder why. Everything will go to shit. Axel doesn't particularly want to die just yet.
He closes his eyes, forcing himself to calm down. Don't do anything stupid. Just wait. Wait and watch. This is Sora we're talking about, after all. And Vexen isn't a fighter. Sora will beat him.
Axel disappears to go watch the fight.
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To Axel's delight, Vexen loses at first.
To Axel's dismay, Vexen isn't finished. He has something to say to Sora:
"Would you like to see the memories from the other side of your heart?"
Axel is dismayed because "the other side" is Roxas.
Sora can't find out about Roxas. He simply can't. If Vexen tells him, everything is over. Roxas is over.
Axel is about to step in, blow his cover to keep Vexen from doing the worst thing he could possibly do, but then Vexen and Sora and his friends all disappear into one of Vexen's illusionary worlds. Axel almost lights the entire castle on fire in his anger.
"Fuck. Fuck." Larxene's voice comes from behind and Axel turns to see her and Marluxia. For the first time, Larxene looks worried.
"Fuck," she says again, for emphasis. "We are fucked if Sora finds out about the other side. Vexen's crazy! It'll mean the destruction of us all, the whole Organization."
Who gives a shit about the Organization? Axel wants to yell at her. Roxas will disappear….God damn it! I can't do anything while they're in that illusionary world! And I can't exactly just randomly kill Vexen, the other two will realize that I'm acting on my own…
"Naminé will take care of it," Marluxia says, feigning calmness. "However, Axel. You know what to do."
A light goes on in Axel's head. Yes. This could work.
"Say it clearly," Axel snaps. Say it. It needs to be concrete.
"Fine," Marluxia fires back. "Kill Vexen. Clear enough for you?"
"Crystal," Axel says, a grin spreading over his face. Perfect. This way, I'm just following orders. And I can give the Superior solid evidence for their treason. After all, all that talk about treason wasn't enough. Actions are the only things that count. Perfect!
The fuse on this bomb is getting short. It's all about to explode.
Axel goes to wait for Vexen.
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Vexen is thrown violently out of a hole in the air, and Sora leaps out after him, Donald and Goofy in tow. Axel was right to think that Sora wouldn't go down easily.
"I knew it," Vexen says, spitting out darkness. "I knew you were dangerous. You have to be destroyed."
Sora advances on Vexen, his Keyblade ready. Axel watches from out of sight. He waves his hands at his sides. There's a flicker of fire and his chakrams appear in his hands. He spins them once in his hands, testing the weight.
Axel is shaking.
"Why did that place feel so familiar?" Sora is asking Vexen. "That city, the mansion…"
Twilight Town. He showed him Twilight Town. God damn it, Vexen…
"Because you've been there. In a matter of speaking."
"I'm sick of the riddles! Just put Riku back right!"
"You damn fool. He wasn't even your Riku, can't you understand that? Your Riku will soon be destroyed—as you will be, as well! You'll both disappear into the darkness! All because of that brat, Naminé! Leave this castle, Sora! Leave and don't return, unless you wish to become Marluxia's pet!"
Axel steps out of his hiding place. He has a clear shot. He swallows hard.
"What are you talking about?" Sora demands. "Who is Mar—?"
Axel throws the chakram, weaving fire around it as it flies. It strikes Vexen in the back. Vexen lets out a pained sort of gasp as the breath is knocked out of him and he falls to his knees. Sora jumps back in shock. The weapon comes sailing back into Axel's hand.
"W-what the…?"
Vexen turns around, though darkness is pouring out of him. His eyes focus on Axel, who is striding forward.
"Axel!" Sora cries.
"Axel," Vexen agrees. He coughs. "I don't…understand. Why…?"
Axel hates him suddenly, hates him more than he thought it possible to hate. For always being such a pompous asshole, for creating a Nobody like the Riku Replica…for nearly destroying the only friendship Axel really has.
Who knew. I'm not even supposed to be able to feel hate…
"Blah, blah, blah, talk, that's all you ever do, Vexen," Axel says in a low hiss he can barely recognize as his own voice. "Just shut up already. Shut up forever."
"No…please…"
"You know, for awhile there, I thought Nobodies could be Somebodies? But it's a lie, Vexen. We're Nobodies, and that's all there is to it. So you're the lucky one here. You get a better deal than all of us. You get to be nothing, instead of just nobody."
Vexen raises his hands in a feeble attempt to defend himself. He's already gone; he can't even summon his weapon anymore.
"N-no, Axel, I'm not ready…I don't want to be…nothing…"
"Goodbye, Vexen. It's been…not real."
Axel raises his chakram and slashes across Vexen's shoulder and chest before the older Nobody can say another word. Vexen cries out. His body collapses on itself as he starts to fall to dust and shadow. Axel watches him disappear at his feet. A few seconds later, not even dust remains.
Vexen is dead.
"W-why…you killed him!" Sora cries.
Axel shakes bits of darkness off of his chakram and doesn't look at Sora, because it would be like looking at Roxas; would be like trying to explain to Roxas what Axel has done, and why.
He disappears his weapons in a puff of flame, turns his back on Sora, and starts to walk away.
"What the heck are you people?!"
Axel opens a dark portal and stands before it, staring into the darkness that yawns to swallow him.
"Wish I knew the answer to that, Sora," he says, and steps into the black.
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It really sucks, staring at a white wall. There's nowhere for Axel's eyes to settle on, so his eyes rove all over the place. His arms are crossed over his chest, and he drums his fingers on his elbows. He's tense; he's on edge and he doesn't know why.
"I always knew you had it in you, to kill one of your own comrades," Larxene said.
It had to be done. Vexen would have ruined everything. I hated him, anyway. He deserved to die. Fuck it all, he deserved to die.
I wonder if it would be as easy to kill Roxas. I have no heart. It probably would be. What can a friendship between two Nobodies really mean, anyway? I bet it would be easy. Just as easy.
Axel hates himself for the thought.
"God," he says finally, because he can't stand the silence. "Why is it so fucking white in here? This whole freaking room, this whole freaking castle!"
"White is my favorite color," Naminé explains.
"Figures," Axel growls. "You could at least put up some of your drawings."
He can feel the girl's eyes on him. "Okay," she says. "I will."
Axel makes an indiscriminate sound.
"You're upset," Naminé observes. Axel listens to the sound of her crayon on the paper. "Is it true what they said a minute ago? You killed one of your comrades?"
"Like I said, he wasn't a comrade," Axel says, not sure why he's defending himself. "He created the Riku Replica, he would have totally screwed up everything. He deserved it."
"I thought you already were trying to screw up everything," Naminé points out.
She's got me there.
Axel closes his eyes. It's time. He turns around to face her.
"Naminé," he says. "It's time to put an end to this."
She looks up at him, her blue eyes wide. Axel goes to the door and opens it. Naminé stares at the open doorway, her freedom, as if she isn't sure whether she believes it.
"But…"
"No one can stop you now," Axel says, stepping aside for her. "So get it right."
Naminé sets down her crayon and paper and gets to her feet. She looks from the door to Axel and back. Axel just jerks his head toward the door. He can't stand the gratitude in her eyes.
Naminé runs, as if afraid he'll slam the door in her face. Axel feels the wind as she runs past him. Then she's out the door, down the hall, gone.
Axel steps out after her and looks around. He breathes deeply. And suddenly, despite it all, a grin comes to his face. He starts laughing and spins around on the spot.
Who am I kidding? I'd never kill Roxas. It'll never come to that.
"Showtime," he says to no one. "This is going to be good! It's too bad you're going to miss it, Roxas. This is one explosion you should have seen."
The fireworks will be pretty tonight.
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It's chaos after that.
Naminé makes it to Sora before the others realize she has escaped. The Riku Replica then chooses that very moment to reappear. Axel watches him advance on Sora. Protecting Naminé is the last thing the Replica truly has.
"I won't let you get in the way anymore!" the Replica screams at Sora, knocking the smaller boy backwards. "It's my job to protect Naminé! Even from you!"
"No, Riku, stop!" Naminé cries. The Replica does stop. Then he falls, unconscious.
"What? What happened to him? Riku!"
"Sora, please listen to me…I don't have much time," Naminé says breathlessly. She looks over her shoulder and gasps. "It's her!"
"Crushing his heart in your fist," Larxene says, stepping out toward Naminé and nodding toward the fallen Replica. "That's cruel, even for you. I come all this way to check on you, but guess what? You're not even in your room. How the hell did you get out, you little witch? You're ruining everything!"
"Then it's true?" Sora says, raising his Keyblade. He looks betrayed. "She told me that you've all been replacing my memories. My memories, all of them—"
"Fake!" Larxene cries. "Completely fake! Manufactured by this brat! We were hoping to use her to take you over, but thanks to her, all that's gone to hell!"
"But Naminé…she wouldn't…"
"Of course she would! She wanted a life for herself, didn't you, Naminé? You'll never get that life now—do you understand that?" Larxene whirls back to Sora. "She replaced all of your real memories with fake ones. She's not the one you're meant to protect at all! You don't even know her! You're pathetic, Sora, pathetic and stupid—and, sucks for you, now you're worthless to us!"
Lightning is crackling around Larxene as she pulls out her kunais. Sora raises his Keyblade in defense.
No, Larx. Just let it go. You know you can't win against him. Marluxia is the only other one who really has to die. And the last two scientists, of course. I can't let them take the real Riku, after all. You can still get away from this alive. Maybe I'll be generous and lie for you. Come on, Larxene, don't lose it now.
But Larxene has already lost it. There's no chance of taking over the Organization now—no chance of her ever getting a heart. Even if Axel lied for her, the truth will come out when the Superior starts investigating. For all Axel knows, Zexion or Lexaeus have been sending secret reports to Xemnas. Either way, Larxene will die for the crime of treason and fade into nothing.
Of course she has lost it.
Axel convinces himself that he doesn't care.
"Damn you!" Larxene screams and throws herself forward, lightning searing the air. Sora deflects the bolts with his Keyblade. Larxene throws a knife and Sora dives aside to avoid it, rolling back to his feet to swing at her.
Larxene's fighting has always impressed Axel. She tends to let anger and the desire to cause pain get the better of her, but she's an excellent fighter. None of the others in the Organization have ever dared cross her. Even Saïx has kept his verbal harassment to a minimum with her. Axel supposes she's had to be strong. She's really the only girl in the Organization; it must suck. That sense of aloneness…Axel knows what it's like.
She throws bolt after bolt and knife after knife, but Sora is slowly gaining the upper hand. He swings and she deflects with a kunai, just barely; she goes into a backward hand-spring and throws a knife in the same motion. Sora ducks, and she sends a bolt of lightning for his feet.
A burst of ice comes from nowhere and hits the lightning, sending it off course. Axel looks—the duck and the dog-thing, Donald and Goofy. Axel thought they'd abandoned Sora, but here they are, ready to fight for him. Nice to have friends.
Larxene looks between the three, and only Axel sees the flash of hesitation.
"Fine! Three times the pain for you—three times the fun for me!"
Donald uses his magic to deflect the lightning, Goofy uses his shield to deflect the kunai knives. Sora takes the opening, rushes forward and slashes Larxene down her side. She cries out, but doesn't miss a beat and drives a knife upward. Sora springs backward, but not fast enough; the knife slashes across his arm. He yelps in pain, and blood falls to the floor.
So you bleed, Axel muses. Lucky bastard.
Sora is reeling backward. Larxene grins and rushes forward, thinking she's got the upper hand. Axel sees what she doesn't.
Goofy's shield comes out of nowhere, thrown like a discus, and catches her square in the chest. She loses her balance. Sora is there before she can right herself.
The Keyblade slashes across her stomach. She falls, clutching her abdomen, darkness pouring out of her.
"No," she says, squeezing the wound, trying to keep the darkness from escaping. The rest of her is starting to fade. "No! No! I can't…I can't lose…no, no, this wasn't supposed to happen…Marluxia, Axel, someone…damn it…I just…wanted…"
She seems to sigh, and then she fades into darkness. Axel watches the tiny particles drift upward into nothing. Larxene is gone.
Axel sighs to himself. Hope it's peaceful there, Larx.
Sora sinks to the ground, worn out, and his friends and Naminé go to him. Naminé will explain everything now, and Sora, being Sora, will probably forgive her. Axel smiles a little, and disappears. As strong as Sora is, he's tired and confused now. He won't be able to fight Marluxia—not alone.
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Marluxia is pacing back and forth when Axel walks in on him.
"Hey, flower-boy."
Marluxia whirls, startled. When he sees who it is, his face contorts with rage. Axel smirks. And here he thought Marluxia was as cool as they come.
"You bastard. You've got a lot of balls, showing yourself around here after that little stunt you pulled. I thought you were on our side!"
"Your side, huh? I thought you knew me better than that, Marly. I'm on no one's side. Never have been, never will be."
"You're a traitor!" Marluxia roars, jabbing a finger toward Axel. "You're the one who released the girl! We were so close! You've ruined everything!"
"Traitor, hmm." Axel rubs his chin. "Traitor, right, an eggs benedict. But, see, I'm a bit confused, Marly. See, you're the one who was going to turn Sora into your puppet, so that you and Larxene could use him to overthrow the Organization. Take Kingdom Hearts for yourself, right? See, but I'm confused because—you know, that would make you the traitor."
"But you were on our side! You even killed Vexen!"
"Well, I didn't like Vexen. And it was a handy opportunity to get you to trust me."
"You're a double agent," Marluxia growls. "You've been working for the Superior all along. Since when are you, of all people, the Superior's bitch?"
"I told you, I'm on no one's side but my own. But you've got a point. The Superior probably knew all along you would betray him. I guess he likes explosions as much as I do. So, Marly, I guess it's in the name of the Organization and our dear Superior that I have to kill you now." Axel's chakrams appear in his gloved hands.
Marluxia grins. "Alright, then. Go ahead, if you've got it in you!" He waves his hands and suddenly Naminé appears in front of him, looking surprised. "You'll be going through her, though!"
Axel looks at Naminé's scared face and immediately looks away. If this is how it has to be, then so be it. At this point, Axel has to think of his own life. The Superior asked him to eliminate the traitors—if he doesn't, if he fails, Xemnas will kill him.
It's a shame, though. Naminé truly was interesting.
"Oh, Boss-man," he says, shaking his head sympathetically. "I killed Vexen, didn't I? And right now I like you about as much as I liked him. Going through her is fine by me. Sorry, Naminé. You're probably better off dead anyway, like the rest of us. Think of it as freedom."
He doesn't look at her face, watching Marluxia, who is glaring at him. But then Marluxia's gaze slips past him.
"Hear that, Sora?" he calls.
The bottom seems to drop out of Axel's stomach.
"Wha—?"
Axel turns. Sora and the other two come running in and skid to a stop when they see what is happening.
Crap.
"You heard him, Sora! He's willing to kill Naminé just to get at me! Kill him! Erase him, if you want to save her!"
Marluxia grabs Naminé and they both disappear. Axel sighs and turns around fully to face Sora. This is not what he had in mind.
"What is this?" he says. "You're his pet after all, even after what the girl told you?"
"I'm no one's puppet," Sora snaps. "I'll deal with him once I'm through with you."
"Guess it's unavoidable, then," Axel says, moving into a ready stance. "You know, we've got a lot in common, Sora. More so than you hopefully realize. I really have to fight you, huh? Oh well. I'll fight, on one condition."
"Begging for your life?"
"Hardly. Just promise me you'll destroy Marluxia."
Sora frowns at him, obviously confused.
"Gawrsh, well that doesn't make much sense," Goofy says, scratching an ear. "Ain't he on your team?"
"He never make any sense!" Donald says, shaking his head.
"I should hope not. Well, come on, Sora. Let's fight—for real this time."
I wonder if this is it? The end of the great Axel? Well…it feels like Lexaeus is dead. I guess I have Riku to thank for that. At least if Sora kills Marluxia and Zexion, he and Roxas will be safe. Sora will be alive, and never find out about Roxas. Though of course, this is me we're talking about. Sorry, Sora. I fully intend to live.
Sora rushes him, yelling. Axel parries with a chakram and slashes toward him, but Sora dives out of the way, swinging his Keyblade in the same motion. Axel spins and parries just in time. Donald comes at him from the side, blasting a Thunder spell. Fire leaps up from the second chakram to deflect it, and then the chakram goes after Donald and Goofy like a blazing wheel with a mind of its own.
Sora jumps and slashes for Axel's shoulder; Axel parries and kicks out, catching Sora in the hip and sending him crashing to the ground. Fire explodes around him and Sora rolls out of harm's way before he gets burned. Axel throws his chakram and Sora knocks it back his way like a batter at the plate.
Axel yelps as his whole left arm seems to freeze, and looks down to see ice spreading across his arm; a Blizzard spell from Donald. He calls up a flame to melt it, but now water is everywhere. The fire will be harder to call.
The distraction costs him; Sora comes out of nowhere and the back of the Keyblade strikes Axel in the side. He snarls in pain and backs away. His teeth bare in a grin.
Merciless, just like Roxas.
"Go, Sora!" Donald cries, and sends a wind spell at Sora's back that launches him through the air toward Axel. Axel is forced to call both chakrams back to his hands to parry. Sora flips over Axel's head and lands squarely behind him. Before Axel can turn, something sharp bites into his side and pain bursts outward. The blow sends Axel into a wall.
Ow. Ow. Fuck.
Sora gives him no time and charges forward, so Axel sends up a wall of fire. The kid cries out, shielding his eyes. Axel throws both chakrams while Sora is momentarily blinded, but then Goofy appears with his shield. Two swift clangs ring out as one chakram and then the other ricochet in separate directions. Axel leaps through the fire to catch them.
He spins around in time to see Sora charging him, and then the Keyblade is slashing up from Axel's right side to his left shoulder. Pain seems to rip him in half. Axel drops his chakrams and both disappear in a puff of smoke. He sways, then falls to his knees. The wound is deep. Darkness is falling everywhere.
Sora stands over him, panting, pointing his Keyblade at Axel's head.
Axel looks up at him and chuckles.
"Nice, Sora," he says, though it hurts to talk. "This was quite the ride. The fireworks were worth it. Guess it was a good idea, saving your life and sanity."
"Saving me?" Sora lowers his Keyblade. Goofy and Donald come to stand behind him. "I don't get it."
"Yeah. Ah well, all my hard work always does go unappreciated. Not that I care. You'll figure it out and thank me someday." Axel coughs and darkness comes up. "Hey, don't forget, Naminé's waiting for you. Time for you to go destroy old Marly."
Axel furtively opens a dark hole beneath himself. He sinks slowly downward, as if dissolving. Axel hopes it looks authentic.
"I don't understand you. Just whose side are you on, anyway?"
Axel laughs again, sinking deeper.
"Weren't you listening? I'm on…no one's side but my own. Got it…memorized?"
Axel disappears. Dies, essentially—at least that's what he hopes everyone will believe.
Sorry, Sora. It may be just a half-life, but it's all I've got, and I'm gonna live it. You deal with Marluxia—I'll deal with Zexion. There's a lot more interesting things to see out there, and your Nobody is one of them. After I tie up the last loose end.
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Whoo! Chapter Eleven! Long one, here. It kind of had to be; I wanted all of Axel's fights and stuff to be in here, because otherwise the CoM arc would end in a Roxas chapter, which wouldn't be much fun—it would leave out all the juicy, violent bits .
Sorry if this chapter feels kind of rushed. I hope I extended it over enough space so that it's not too bad, though I did kind of squeeze the entire last half of CoM into one chapter, lol.
This completes CoM. After this will be several chapters that will cover the year that Sora spends sleeping—and then after that begins the Kingdom Hearts II arc. Expect angst!
Anyway, I promised a second chapter before break was over, and here it is! Hope you all like it! Feedback is candy for my soul.