Part Six

How To Save A Life

Destiny Island

Since becoming the host to the Siren Guardian Force, Ienzo was now becoming used to strange dreams and thoughts. Sometimes he would see things through Demyx's eyes and become lost in his memories. There were times when Ienzo saw the final moments of Myde's life before he became Siren and the guilt become so intense he felt ready to scream from it all. Demyx had always told Ienzo that it wasn't his fault. Myde had wanted to die in that moment before he used the Dark Magic to end everything. It was the only thing left to do.

At the moment the lilac haired man was sitting upright in his bed with the images of his dream still haunting him. They weren't any of Demyx's or Myde's memories...at least Ienzo was certain of that. He recalled images of darkness and fire and water all mixed into one entity. He didn't know the meaning behind the bizarre dream and Demyx wasn't exactly helping him to understand. The blond wanted to go back to the beach today so he could feel the water against his flesh again.

Ienzo could only oblige Demyx until the beginning of a new school year. He may not be the Cloaked Schemer anymore but his intelligence and knowledge remained still and he decided to put it to good use. He had gone for a job interview at the high school but because he didn't go through teacher training programmes the board rejected him. And then Ienzo demonstrated his skills. He made quite the impact of the school board with his vast knowledge gathered from various worlds.

It was highly unheard of but the school board wanted to see how he'd do in a classroom. If he proved to be adequate enough then he'd get the job. Picking out an outfit Ienzo mentally reprimanded Demyx when he started singing Under The Sea again and at such a volume. The former Nobody lived in a small apartment that suited his needs. Demyx didn't require to eat or drink and Ienzo had a part time job at the library that gave him enough money to live off of.

With his breakfast eaten Ienzo left the apartment and made his way towards Roxas' and Sora's house. Ienzo actually had a decent life on Destiny Island and he had friends. He still kept his emotions closed off and in check but only until Demyx started coaxing him. The blond was the only one who could actually get a reaction of out the normally stoic Ienzo. The lilac haired man had agreed to take Sora and Roxas to the library. God only knew why those two would want to go there. Ienzo suspected a practical joke in the making.

"Ienzo!" a voice called out.

"Good morning Baralai." Ienzo greeted the white haired man. "So when are you heading out?"

"The King wants to leave as soon as possible." Baralai answered.

"We'll miss you." Ienzo tapped his temple to indicate Demyx.

"I'll miss you guys and this place." Baralai smiled wistfully. "Destiny Island reminds me of Besaid Island."

"You'll get home one day Lai." Ienzo said.

"And even if I don't I'll have a home here." Even though his tone was light Ienzo could see the sadness within that amber gaze.

"Do you think you'll find something in Radiant Garden?" Ienzo questioned.

"It's the only place left for me to check right? Maybe Ansem found a door to Spira but he didn't open it." Baralai said thoughtfully.

"I'd like to see Spira someday." The lilac haired man smiled wistfully.

"Sora would like it. The beaches are amazing and Tidus would be in heaven with the Luca Blitzball Stadium." Baralai laughed.

"Who else is going to Radiant Garden?" the two men reached the pathway that would take them towards Sora's place.

"Zell is going. He wants to find some more articles of the Watchers. He's bringing Tidus with him." Baralai replied.

"Who would have thought those two would hook up?" Ienzo shook his head.

"It just happens. You can't help who you fall in love with." White hair fell into expressive amber orbs.

"The voice of experience?" Ienzo pressed gently.

"You could say that." Baralai muttered sadly.

"Your relationship wasn't approved?" Ienzo sighed. "Where you persecuted for it?"

"No one knew about it." Baralai shrugged. "It was bad enough that a monk of Yevon was friends with an Al Bhed. If the truth came out, if the temple learned that I was giving my body to an Al Bhed, I would've lost Gippal."

"I'm sorry." Ienzo mumbled.

"Some things are worth risking." Baralai replied with a smile. "I better get going. Take care of yourself Ienzo."

"The same to you Lai." Ienzo said but before the two could separate the world suddenly exploded into bright light.

"What's going on?" Baralai yelled.

"Your abilities are needed." A familiar female voice said sternly. "The Phoenix has landed."

"Shiva?" Ienzo whispered.

Blue light filled the black chamber Ienzo and Baralai were standing in. The Ice Goddess emerged from the light looking as regal and beautiful as ever. She looked Ienzo over then her gaze took in the silent Spiran. A small smile graced her features then she turned her icy blue eyes back onto Ienzo. He felt uneasy as she stared intently at him. What could she want now? The last time they met she, Ifrit and Bahamut turned Demyx into a Guardian Force.

"What's going on Shiva?" Ienzo demanded.

"Axel will need your help." She replied and Ienzo felt his blood run cold.

"Axel's alive?" he whispered in shock. Then anger seeped into his heart as realization set in. "You said Axel became the Phoenix. You knew all this time? Roxas is a mess and you never had the decency to tell us?"

"We only became aware of where Axel ended up. When he fell into the Gateway we gave him the option of preserving his existence and becoming Guardian Force." Shiva explained icily.

"So where is he now?" Baralai asked.

"Before the Gateway closed down completely Axel fell into an alternate realty to this one." Shiva said.

"Can he come back here?" Ienzo asked.

"Not unless he can open the Gateway from the realty he is now in. But that is why I have come to you." Shiva sighed deeply.

"Is Sokar back?" Baralai choked out.

"No, that Hell-God is dead but the Gateway has begun to attract powerful creatures from most realities. When Sokar opened it briefly it was enough to make some very powerful people feel it." Shiva walked around the duo.

"What do you want us to do about it?" Ienzo demanded.

"Axel didn't end up in that reality back accident. He was drawn there by the presence of people from this reality." Shiva replied. "Their power combined with that of whoever wants to open the Gateway will cause incredible damage."

"But what can we do about it?" Baralai asked.

"We need Ienzo to cross over to the other side." Shiva said firmly.

"You want me to cross over to a reality? This is insane." The lilac haired man cried.

"You possess the Siren and his power will be more than welcome in that world." Shiva snapped.

"Even if I agreed to this madness how can you get me into that world without using the Gateway?" Ienzo challenged.

"Ifrit, Bahamut and I possess power you can only dream about. Our Trinity grants us abilities that must be used wisely. We can temporarily open a small door into another world but it will only last a few moments. Once you are on the other side you have to find a way back here yourself." Shiva started calling for the other two of the Trinity.

"Do you accept this mission?" Bahamut asked when the Dragon King and the Fire Demon emerged from the darkness around them.

"I can't just leave." Ienzo snapped.

"What about the others?" Baralai pointed out.

"You don't have a lot of time to make you choice Ienzo. The Gateway grows more unstable." Ifrit snarled.

"I need to talk to the others first...I need to tell Roxas." Ienzo murmured.

"Hurry with your decision Ienzo." Shiva said and when she waved her hand the darkness dissolved and both Baralai and Ienzo were standing on that sunny street again.

"We have to tell him." Baralai muttered.

"Let's go." The lilac haired man took off for Sora's house.

By the time they arrived at the house Sora and Roxas were having a conversation with Riku while Cloud and Leon talked to King Mickey. Demyx was sobbing in Ienzo's mind, crying about how Axel was still alive. Ienzo felt Demyx's pain as if it truly was his own and he could only mentally agree with the blond. If there was the slightest chance they could get Axel back then they would take it. But Roxas deserved to know about this...if anything the blond boy deserved that much.

"Hi Ienzo, are we ready to go?" Sora chirped happily.

"Shiva came to visit us." Ienzo got straight to the point as always.

"Shiva?" Roxas raised his eyebrows as everyone fell silent and stared at Ienzo. "What did she want?"

"Roxas..." Baralai said softly when Ienzo choked up. "Axel's alive."

"WHAT?" Sora yelled while Roxas went whiter than the snow on the mountain top in the Land of Dragons.

"Shiva told us that she turned him into a Guardian Force like Demyx but he ended up in an alternate reality." Ienzo explained.

"Axel...he's alive?" Roxas had fallen to the floor and Sora was now at his side trying to calm him down.

"Do you remember that day on the tower when Shiva said Axel became the Phoenix?" Ienzo said and when the group nodded he continued. "Shiva turned Demyx into Siren then she left without providing a proper explanation. Axel has become a Guardian Force."

"Can we get him back?" Riku asked.

"Shiva wants me to cross over through the Gateway. Someone from the world Axel has fallen into is trying to finish what Sokar started." Ienzo spat the name as if it were acid in his mouth.

"What do you want to do?" Mickey asked.

"If Axel truly is alive then I want to find him. I owe him that much." Ienzo answered. "And Demyx won't let me hear the need of it if I leave Axel wherever he is."

"I'm going with you." Roxas said with solid conviction. His blue eyes resembled hard diamonds and his fists were clenched at his sides.

"Roxas..." Sora was about to say something.

"I want him back Sora." Roxas snarled. "I'm going with you Ienzo."

"I'm going with you guys too." Baralai spoke up.

"Are you sure?" Roxas turned to the white haired man.

"I have to face reality. There's a chance I might never get home and I feel terrible for Axel. I see that moment in my nightmares, when Sokar drained his mind. I want to help him and you." Baralai smiled softly at Roxas.

"I'm coming too." Sora piqued up.

"Hell no!" Riku yelled. His aquamarine eyes flashed at the mere suggestion of Sora leaving him again.

"But they might need help Riku!" Sora cried back. "And Axel saved your life. I owe him."

"I haven't forgotten Sora." Riku mumbled.

"Look, whatever you wanna do we'll support you guys." Leon stated while Cloud nodded.

"Well we better decided on who is going and soon." Ienzo eyed the group in turn. They didn't have a lot of time to choose who was coming to the alternate world but Roxas had already made up his mind. He was going to get Axel back, one way or another.

Note-Once again I come to you my faithful fans. So who do you guys want to go to Balamb Garden? I actually have a whole scenario for Sora, Riku, Leon and Cloud if they go to the alternate reality. Besides I just know that you yaoi fan girls want Squall to meet his counterpart, I know I do. The three characters who are going anyway are Zexion, Roxas and Baralai. So who should go with them to Balamb?