Part Eight

Blast From The Past

Somewhere through the Gateway

Leon slowly opened his eyes to a dim orange light and the feeling of rain splashing onto his flushed skin. He parted his lips to allow the cool water to fall onto his parched mouth. The trip through the Gateway had been rough to say the least but he had landed in one piece.

Groaning in obvious pain Leon pulled his body up so that he was sitting on the hard, smooth surface below him. His vision was slightly blurring and he had to fight the urge to vomit. His ears twitched when he heard a pained moan from nearby. Turning his throbbing head to the left Leon caught sight of a black clad figure with familiar flaxen hair.

"Cloud..." he coughed out the name.

"Leon?" a pained moan asked. "What the hell was that?"

"I dunno but I'm never travelling that way again." The brunet reached his blond companion.

"Thanks." Cloud murmured when Leon helped him up. His sword was strapped to his back while Leon bent down to retrieve Lionheart.

"I can't see the others..." Leon scanned the area but there was no one in sight.

"They must've landed somewhere else." Cloud said.

"Let's find out where exactly we landed." Leon motioned for Cloud to follow him.

The two swordsmen had landed in a large parking lot by the looks of things. They were out in the open but the place was deserted thankfully. They walked towards the pathway along the street that was illuminated with orange light.

The streetlights lined the path for as far as Cloud could see. There were various shops and a restaurant along this side of the street. Maybe they landed in a main city. Leon gripped Lionheart when he heard a vehicle approaching their position. He relaxed slightly when a bus came into his line of sight.

"You wanna ask the driver for directions?" Cloud smirked.

"It won't hurt to try right?" Leon replied. The bus halted at a bus stop and various people departed.

"Excuse me." Leon called to the driver from the sidewalk. "Can you tell me what city this is?"

"Are you kidding mate?" the middle aged man laughed.

"Does it look like I'm kidding?" Leon replied coldly. Cloud smirked when that infamous icy mask went up.

"We're new to this region." Cloud said.

"Oh..." the man looked uncomfortable under Leon's gaze. "Well you're in Deling City. Do you want a lift to the train station or something?"

"No, but thank you." Cloud said before Leon could make another comment.

"Well...good evening gentlemen." The driver closed the door to the bus and took off.

"So now what?" Leon turned to the blond.

"Let's check out the city first. Maybe Sora and the others got here too." Cloud replied.

"Let's go." Leon gripped his weapon while Cloud walked alongside him. Hopefully the others were safe wherever they were.

Timber

Broadcasting Station

Axel had only ever been truly stunned speechless a few times in his existence. One time was when he awoke to learn he possessed no heart and the ability to control fire. Another time was when he laid eyes on Roxas for the first time. He remembered clearly the stunning blond boy with the endless blue eyes.

Axel choked as he stared at the Luna Diviner, those amber eyes glinting with the promise of fresh blood and pain. Saix always did enjoy shedding blood for his master or for his own personal pleasure. The blue haired sadist always enjoyed inflicting some level of pain on others. Even Larxene didn't dare cross him and she relished in the mayhem she could invoke.

Saix cocked his head to the side as a smile graced his elfin features. The blue haired Nobody was dressed in black leather pants, boots, and a blue tank top with a black fishnet covering his torso. His hair was tied back but a few stray bangs framed his face.

Axel could feel the energy and power radiating from Saix in waves. The Guardian Force stepped back to stand alongside Seifer then he turned his jade gaze upon the man who summoned him. Seifer was staring at Saix with a mixture of anger and recognition on his face.

As his GF Axel knew that some of his memories and feelings would become part of Seifer over time. The red head wondered if Seifer saw the memories of Roxas yet, the ones that still tore at Axel so much he was left bleeding and raw. Seifer had screamed Roxas' name when he got so angry that time in Kramer's office. Axel could only imagine what Seifer would see and say if he totally lost control of his temper. Glancing towards the ruined door Axel saw Squall, Zell, Quistis, Selphie and Rinoa bearing their weapons.

Axel shook his head. It would be a massacre. Only a Keyblade could truly destroy a Nobody but he could at least buy everyone time to get the hell out of the station. Axel allowed the fire to encase his arms as he summoned up his dual chakrams. Seifer was left weapon-less but not defenceless. He was already conjuring his own Fire spells, his green eyes alight with his own inner flame. Axel faced off against the blue haired Nobody and he allowed his anger to show. Saix was no longer his Superior. All bet's were off.

"I see you've changed Axel." Saix commented.

"And you look like some cheap whore. Xemnas probably would've loved it." Axel snarled.

"Bite your tongue Number VIII." Saix hissed with obvious anger.

"I bet that's what Xemnas used to say to you. Or did he bite it for you?" Axel smirked.

"You never did have any respect for our leader Axel." Saix narrowed his amber eyes.

"He didn't deserve it." The red head began to circle his enemy.

"What the hell are you doing?" Seifer yelled. "This is no time to strike up a conversation."

"On the contrary there is no better time." Saix replied flippantly.

"How the hell did you get here?" Axel demanded.

"Oh now that would be telling wouldn't it?" Saix grinned. "But you're smart Axel. Surely you can figure it out."

"You used the Gateway didn't you?" Axel murmured. Saix clapped his hands together. "You jumped in before it closed."

"Well done Axel." He said.

"What the hell is he talking about?" Zell cried anxiously.

"The Gateway..." Seifer recited suddenly. "A door between dimensions that opened when the blood of the Final Key was spilled."

"Seifer...how do you know that?" Quistis questioned. The scarred blond turned around to face the shocked group.

"I have no idea..." he whispered. Squall was staring at his rival, his expression impassive even though his emotions were in turmoil. Ever since Seifer got that crazy GF he'd been acting strange.

"So what have you become Axel?" Saix admired the red head's new form.

"You could say I'm a guardian." He replied stiffly. "Why did you jump into the Gateway Saix?"

"I was out of options. Demyx had defeated Xemnas..." those amber eyes shone with something that could be called an emotion. For a moment Saix looked...sad. Almost instantly the look was gone. "I had to do something."

"So that's it? Xemnas got his ass kicked and you ran?" Axel snorted.

"Don't talk about our leader so flippantly." Saix warned.

"At least I didn't follow him around like some pathetic love sick puppy." Axel retorted.

"I have only one thing to say to that..." Saix was grinning now and it was a grin Axel knew all too well. "Roxas."

"You leave him out of this!" Axel barked.

"Roxas had you at his beck and call Axel. You were nothing more than his good little dog." Saix laughed.

"Shut up!" Axel attacked the blue haired Nobody. Saix summoned up his own weapon and deflected the blow.

"You just can't handle the truth can you?" Saix sneered. "Roxas left you. He didn't want you Axel. He wanted to find Sora...you were just a convenience. I'm surprised you could feel any sort of pain when he left."

"That's not true!" Axel screamed angrily. "Roxas made me feel like I had a heart!"

"But you just couldn't make him feel anything." Saix smirked.

"Enough!" Seifer yelled as he tossed a Fire spell towards Saix.

The blue haired Nobody was sent flying across the room then he landed in an adjoining chamber. Rinoa, Squall and the other SeeD members ran into the chamber after Seifer and Axel. Saix scrambled to his feet, his amber eyes fixed on Seifer as a grin twisted his lips.

Axel approached the scarred blond. He had seen that look on Saix's face...right before he made a kill. Before anyone could do anything else two dark portals opened and two familiar figures emerged causing Axel to stare in shock and horror.

"Luxord? Xigbar?" Axel cried.

"Well if it isn't the rogue member." Luxord grinned as he flipped a card between his fingers.

"How's it goin' dude?" Xigbar greeted. Saix was now standing between them.

"Is the Sorceress coming?" he questioned.

"She'll be here in a few moments." Luxord answered with mirth.

"You're working with the Sorceress?" Seifer hissed.

"Why haven't you heard?" Saix raised delicate eyebrow. "We're the Sorceress Knights."

Behind the three Nobodies a portal opened and a tall regal woman emerged from the darkness. She was wearing a long black dress with a purple lining on the bottom. A fair amount of her cleavage was exposed thanks to the low cut gown. She was wearing a golden headdress and her golden eyes glittered curiously. She was a beautiful woman and she possessed the grace of a queen. Her strange eyes fell on Axel then Seifer and a smile appeared on her regal features.

"So these are the SeeD?" she smiled. Her voice was like silk and it sent shivers down Axel's spine. She reminded him of Xemnas for some reason.

"And it seems our wayward friend Axel is helping them." Saix smirked.

"You're helping her?" Axel cried.

"We've offered her something." Luxord grinned.

"It seems my power alone isn't enough." The Sorceress smiled. "I cannot wait to control the Heartless."

"Are you insane?" Axel yelled at Saix. "You can't bring Heartless into this world."

"That's what you think Axel." Xigbar sighed. "But you'd be surprised."

"You..." the Sorceress glanced towards the Galbadian President. "Is everything ready?"

"Yes my Mistress." The man replied.

"I shall take care of the worthless SeeD in time." The Sorceress snarled. "Come, my Knights."

The group watched as the Sorceress followed her three new Knights into a dark portal along with the Galbadian President. Axel slumped against the nearest wall as his chakrams fell from his numb hands. The shit had really hit the fan now.

Note-Ok guys I've finally gotten my own account on YouTube. The address is my homepage in my profile. I've made 5 videos and I would really appreciate it if you guys checked them out or me. I'd love to know what you think. Also I'm taking request so if you guys want me to make a video for any character then tell me. My videos include Sora/Riku, Roxas/Axel, Zexion/Demyx, Seifer/Squall, a Disney song with my fav characters and a dedication to Sephiroth. It would mean so much if you guys told me what you think. Till next time everyone.