Author's note:Took awhile to update since the computer broke (stupid computers),but hey now it's fixed lol. If you've watched FF7:Advent children, you may recognise one of Axel's quotes in this chappy as Reno's, jus saying so I ain't taking the credit for it even though it is just a sentance...Anyways, here's the next chapter.
"Oh man this is so lame."
Sora rubbed a tired hand across his face. It was now starting to feel like an eternity since the three of them had been confined in this cell. Looking up, Sora caught sight of Riku still pacing round.
"Just give it up man," he groaned "They're not gunna let us out."
Riku stopped to look through the bars of the cell door.
"I just,can't believe they caught us," he explained harshly "We let our guard down and look where it got us."
"There was nothing we could do," accepted Sora "Anyway we did want an adventure."
Riku wasn't amused by the boy's humour and glared from under his silvery bangs. Kairi sat up from been layn on Sora's lap.
"He's right though Riku. We're stuck in a room with no way out and they've put some sort of seal on so we can't summon our keyblades. We're not getting out till someone lets us."
Roxas, Namine and Demyx stood under shelter in memory's skyscraper. Axel hadn't yet returned from his trip to check if the area was clear in Castle Oblivion. Demyx was obviously getting impatient from the growing nerves he felt.
"So then, who exactly came up with the whole idea?" questioned Roxas just to break up the awkward silence forming and to somewhat distract Demyx from his thoughts. If left to question his nerves long enough Demyx would undoubtebly pull out of this whole thing.
"Need you ask," came a mumbled response as he motioned in the direction Axel had gone. "He just wants revenge."
"Well don't you?" asked Roxas
Demyx shrugged his shoulders very slightly "I guess..."
"But Xemnas wanted Axel dead...and you! And me for that matter..."
"Well really it was only Axel, I just got in the way, like you did..."
Roxas gave Demyx a disgusted look and turned his back to him. Namine had been stood quietly behind Roxas, minding her own buisness. While looking at her he felt slightly guilty, realising that since finding out Axel was alive Roxas had somewhat left out Namine. He clasped her hand and started to lead her off without her saying anything. Demyx was blatantly ignored when he called after them...
Roxas brought her down the alleyway that ended with the portal into Betwixt and Between. The pair were encircled in darkness, finally able to talk in private away from Demyx's prying ears.
"I'm sorry..." was the first thing Roxas spoke.
Namine was confused by his words, questioning him with a glance from under her hood.
"I pretty much ignored you after finding out Axel was alive."
"It's ok," she answered lightly, not showing any annoyance in her voice if she felt it "Axel is your best friend, of course you're going to be happy."
"Yeah but it was wrong of me to just basically ignore you-"
Namine pushed her finger against his lips.
"Roxas, you didn't ignore me ok. Is this all you wanted to say?"
He nodded shyly.
"Well," started Namine "Don't worry so much."
Roxas looked away, eyes falling on the circular creamy coloured, swirling portal not far away from them.
"Not worried...just..."
"Nervous?"
It all came back to the next events of their nobodies life. Causing the downfall of organization XIV, the group they had come so readily to rely on. Roxas was still unsure on what they were actually going to do. Were they really going to take on Xemnas? Were they going to destroy the other the other members? Or were they just going to release those keybladers and rely on them to cause all the fuss? Whatever they were doing, Roxas hoped Axel had it all planned. The warm touch from Namine's hand on his cheek brought Roxas from his plunging thoughts.
"It's ok to be nervous," she said but all the while looking skeptical as if that may not be true "But...do you think what we're doing is right?"
Roxas didn't even need to contemplate that question. So he was nervous, but the shadowing question of if this was right or wrong hadn't even needed a second thought.
"Of course. Xemnas tried to kill me, get rid of Axel and Demyx, and have you lose out to your memories. I'm not gunna let him get away with it."
Namine smiled admirably, and Roxas' words were enough to persuade her. As long as he was there it'd all be fine and Namine wouldn't have to worry. Well, at least that was the thought she kept to reassure herself each time. Namine rested her head on Roxas' shoulder, his wet lips kissed her forehead.
"Ok," she whispered "Just...don't ever go away Roxas."
Back in Memorys Skyscraper Roxas spotted Axel was back. The pyro was stood in the rain, talking to Demyx, his back to the approaching Namine and Roxas.
"Back now are you?" spoke Demyx with a disgruntled look due to when they had gone off and left him earlier. Axel turned round, his face shadowed by his hood.
"It looks clear," he said, also ignoring Demyx's question. "But just remember not to use portals, they'll alert Xemnas straight away if you do."
Roxas and Namine nodded before following Axel up to Castle Oblivion, Demyx trailing quickly behind.
The entrance to Castle Oblivion was completly dead. The tall, leering white walls seemed to enclose around the four organization members. Their footsteps echoed in the air, each sound maybe giving away their location. After Axel had lead them down a dark, small flight of stairs that rose any feelings of claustraphobia, the group ended up in a pure white room. The organization's mark insignia was displayed boldly in grey on one of the walls, contrasting with the light colour of the room. Like any other room in the castle, it was sparsley full or decorated.
Riku looked up from his new sitting position on the floor of the cell. He could hear voices outside, probably just organization members come to check they weren't up to anything...A blonde haired, green eyed face peered through the bars. He was a member of the organization, but didn't have the cruel and menacing appearance about him like the others did.
"Well you guys are looking lively," he chirped.
This was somewhat ironic considering Kairi and Sora were asleep and Riku was just slumped there.
"What do you want?" asked the platinum haired boy while standing up.
The guy went to answer but was hastily pushed out the way and replaced by a tall man with spiky red hair. Riku instantly recognised him as the one who'd attacked them and then 'backed off' in the eclipse lands.
"You!" he cried
The red head shrugged nonchalantly "Breathe alright, I'm on your side now."
"Don't you mean 'we're'..." added the blonde guy Riku had first seen as he came and stood next to the red head.
"How do I know I can believe you? You're part of the group who's the reason for us being here," Riku replied
The silver haired teen came to stand by the cell door, spotting the other two organization members there aswell. Looking at them Riku noted they seemed to remind him of someone else he knew...They seemed so familiar, but the boy ignored it, trying to remind himself he didn't know them at all.
"We're gunna get you out of here, that's why you should believe us."
"Why are you doing that?"
The red head rolled his bright green eyes "You wanna get back at the organization, and so do we. We have a score to settle with organization's leader, so we're on the same side, like it or not."
Riku didn't reply and merely frowned at the seemingly confident red head. He smirked cockily when the teenage boy hadn't said anything.
"Pass me the key Demyx," he spoke while holding out his hand to the blonde. Demyx, who was grinning despite looking edgy, shuffled away slightly from his cocky companion.
"What are you talking about Axel...you had it last," he tried to say as normally as possible.
"No Demyx I gave it to you, REMEMBER!"
Demyx pulled nervously at the collar of his cloak "Oh really, well I uh, might have just...lost it kind of."
"Lost it kind of," Axel mumbled "Well then you better go find it."
"What!" whined Demyx "But Axel-"
"You lost it, you find it," Axel spoke without reasoning.
"You're sending the wrong guy for this," tried Demyx, but Axel's harsh stare sent the guy slouching off in the direction of the doorway.
Demyx climbed the small staircase, muttering comments of how Axel shouldn't have sent him. Before reaching the top step Demyx peered out the stairway entrance and glanced round to check there was nobody there. It all seemed clear so he walked out somewhat confidently. Before he got too far though that new confidence dissapered as he heard a pair of heavy footsteps coming up behind him. Spinning round Demyx came face to face with Luxord.
"Going somewhere are we?" he asked with a mock smirk
Demyx laughed nervously but the smile soon vanished when Luxord grabbed his arm roughly.
"You're coming with me..."
Namine sat on the floor of the room with her legs folded under her, watching Axel suspiciously go and look at the lock of the cell door. Thinking it was nothing she went back to her own thoughts again.
If Axel was right and they did get their hearts at the end of this, what would happen then? Even if they didn't get their hearts, how was the future going to sculpt itself for them? What did other nobodies do when they weren't in the organization? Did they just stay inside their others all the time, is that what her and Roxas would have to do? Would they be able to see each other, and what would Axel and Demyx do considering they didn't know who their others were? What would they do? Namine sighed from the numerous questions building up about life after what happened here...
"It's the wrong lock..."
Axel's voice caused her to look up.
"What?" asked Roxas
"The lock," pointed Axel "It's got a keyhole but really it's a card reader. The key we found was a decoy."
"So you're saying..."
Axel looked furious "It was a set up. Xemnas knew..."
Then without another word Axel dissapered up the stairs, not hearing Roxas call after him.
Upstairs Demyx wasn't to be seen. Instantly Axel considered the option that the annoying water boy had been caught. It was the most likely scenario, but also the worst...Demyx could never keep his mouth shut if they tried to get information out of him. One threat to destroy his sitar and he'd spill all. Then again he could easily just be back tracking where they'd been. Just to be safe though, Axel decided to go do something just to ensure they wouldn't be busted if Xemnas did have Demyx.
Like always...
...events never went to plan in the darkness...
Xemnas was once again up on the altar of naught. He stood admiring the growing formation of Kingdom hearts when a set of footsteps broke the silence. Without even turning round he already knew who it was, the nobody smirked.
"It would seem you are tougher than I thought..."
Axel's green emeralds bore into Xemnas' back.
"I've come to ask for my place back in the organization."
Xemnas laughed and turned round "You expect me let you back in after you betrayed me? It's why I wanted you destroyed, you couldn't be trusted...You see Axel, I do not care for the members of this organization, you are all easily replacable. But, you all need me, you need this organization, and that is just proved by you wanting your place back..."
Axel fought back the urge to tell Xemnas what he really thought and the fact he didn't need the organization, but instead the pyro took it and kept quiet...Xemnas' lips curled menacingly.
"Alright, number VIII, just because you are so desperate I will allow you your place back, but your loyalty will still need to be proved, and just remember..."
Xemnas walked over to Axel before grabbing the collar of the younger nobodies cloak and twisting it slightly so it choked Axel.
"If you decide to mess with me again..." he snarled "...I will personally destroy you, do you understand, nobody?"
Axel rolled his lip angrily, but slowly nodded "...I get it..."
Roxas sighed and spun Oathkeeper around on his fingers. Still no Axel or Demyx yet, and it had been ages. Slipping off the edge he had been sat on, Roxas placed a hand on Namine's shoulder as she sat on the floor. She looked up with her big blue eyes.
"Wait here," he said softly
Namine suddenly looked worried and grabbed Roxas' hand "Don't go."
It was a simple descision he had made in the lenghty time since the dissapearance of the other two. If they had been caught then Roxas needed to know, to save Namine and himself from just sitting around here until someone caught them.
"I'll be back soon," he promised, managing to slip his hand free from Namine's.
Luckily she didn't say anything to object, but the look on her face was probably worse. Roxas was now finding it hard to leave.
"I will be back," he spoke, maybe more to reassure himself rather than Namine.
Turning around before he could let himself be willed into staying here, Roxas sighed then quickly left the room.
Xaldin, Xigbar, Xemnas, Luxord, Axel, Demyx, Vexen and Sai'x, all stood in the room of Havocs divide. The superior nobody was informing the the group of what was to be done with the three keybladers. Axel and Demyx could feel everyone's eyes on them, condemming them for what they had done. The red head however wasn't listening, and merely wondering how Demyx had survived Xemnas' wrath following number IX's betrayal. Axel suddenly started paying attention though when he heard Xemnas tell Luxord to hand over the cell card key to him. Reluctantly the gambler did so and Axel caught it between his fingers. So that key they had found was a decoy...
"Superior do you really think it's a good idea to trust this traitor with something so important?" questioned Xaldin
"I sense jealousy," Axel mocked casually with a sly smirk
"It's ok, number VIII knows the consequences he will face if he decides to go against the organization again," explained Xemnas while boaring into Axel with his shallow eyes
After declaring Xigbar as in charge Xemnas left through a portal to go be somwhere else in the castle.
"So, why did you go against us then?" asked Xigbar pretty soon after the superiors leave.
"Because I should really tell you that," spoke Axel while rolling his eyes
"You have no reason why not to," Xigbar countered
Meanwhile Demyx had managed to shuffle over behind Axel to use the pyro as some sort of shield.
"Ok," began the red head, trying to be serious but letting the evil smirk give him away "I just couldn't stand the sight of your face anymore. It drove me to the point where I just went crazy and had to do something to get out of here."
There was a slight snigger from Demyx while Xigbar scowled furiously. He came over and snatched the keycard from Axel's grip.
"Good luck in getting back into Xemnas' good books, punk."
Vexan laughed "Not that that's ever going to happen."
Axel pulled a mocking sad face "Vexen you're always so cold," a smirk pulled his lips as a flame ignited on the tip of his finger "Maybe I should warm you up abit, how 'bout it..."
Vexen backed off slightly, looking disgruntled. Sai'x pushed back his hood and frowned at both Demyx and Axel.
"Just remember that you owe alot to this group and Xemnas. You hold no significant value and may be disposed of at any time," he explained seriously.
"...Can I get that on paper..." Axel was seriously pushing his luck and Demyx was starting to doubt that his place behind the red head was safe at all.
Luxord flicked up a card between his fingers "How about we carve it onto your dusk?"
Axel smirked and held out his hand before summoning up half a dozen dusk nobodies. The grey jump-suit like creatures danced around behind their master, waiting for orders.
"Pick one, any one," motioned Axel to Luxord "Your choice."
The gambler scowled and Axel took it as a chance to retrieve the keycard from Xigbar's hand. A new voice then broke out from the doorway.
"Axel!"
Everyone turned round to see Roxas stood there. The dusks continued to dance around.
"Well, well, well what do we have here," tutted Xaldin
Axel flicked up the card between two of his fingers and glanced back over his shoulder at the other nobodies.
"You got a bunch of traitors, got it memorized."
Axel then threw the keycard to Roxas who caught it with a snatch of his hand.
"That's the cell door key," cried the red head
"You never listened did you Axel, still going up against the organization," laughed Sai'x
Axel turned back to them fully "Oh no, you're just too clever," he said in a sarcastic manner
"Just wait till Xemnas hears of this," threatend Xaldin
Demyx pulled on Axel's sleeve to get his attention.
"What are you thinking-"
Axel clamped his hand over Demyx's mouth and pushed him in the direction of Roxas "Go with him."
"But Axel!"
"Don't ask, just do it!"
Demyx paused, wondering if leaving Axel on his own was really a good idea.
"Luxord, Xaldin go after Roxas and Demyx, Sai'x go inform Xemnas. Vexne and I will deal with Axel here," smirked Xigbar
Sai'x dissapered in a haze of black while Xaldin and Luxord began a pursuit of of the two speedily departing blonde nobodies, leaving the pyro, Vexan and Xigbar in havocs divide.
"Why bother Axel, trying to get back into the organization when a mere few minutes later you just go and drop yoursefl in it again?" questioned Xigbar
"I needed the keycard, you think Xemnas would have given it to me otherwise?" Axel grinned
"I think you need 'cooling down'," joked Vexen
Axel rolled his eyes and sighed "Don't try to do the jokes like me, it don't work and you're really not funny, got it memorized?"
Demyx found himself struggling to keep up with the fleeing Roxas. The boy had the advantage of distance between him and the persuers, plus he had got out the room first. Even when they reached the Hall of Empty Melodies, Roxas didn't bother to go the long way round, instead he jumped of the ledge into the room below and dissapered. Demyx continued the normal way, hoping Luxord and Xaldin would follow him and then so Demyx could lose them both, enabling Roxas to get back to the keybladers.
The waterboy sidetracked into a room and hid down behind a block, readying his sitar for attack. Trying to calm his heavy breathing Demyx listened closely to the approaching footsteps. He peered out slightly to see only Luxord walking into the room, signalling Xaldin was still after Roxas.
"Come on Demyx, I know you're in here," taunted Luxord
Demyx remained silent, just watching the blonde nobody walk further into the room. He could be caught any minute, which would mean instant disposal by either Luxord or Xemnas, but now was his only chance. The gambler had his back to Demyx. Number IX snuck out from his hiding place, his footsteps silent on the floor as he approached Luxord from behind.
"Huh?"
Number X was just about to turn round upon sensing someone was behind him, when a blue sitar came and hit him right round round the head, knocking him out cold.
"That's for hitting me with that dice!" cried Demyx smugly
He then decided it'd be better if Luxord was out of sight, so grabbing his legs Demyx dragged the unconsious nobody to the spot where he had hid. Nobody would see him, and Luxord certainly wouldn't be waking up for a while...