-1Those Who Never Were
"Is that so?"
"I'm afraid it is."
Nathaniel leaned back in his throne, folding his hands together. He stared at it as if it was a Magic 8 Ball.
He looked up to his right. "Are you sure?"
"Oh, for cryin' out loud…" Every head in the room turned to the hooded member on the opposite side of the room. "I turned that castle inside and out. If I took it apart anymore, you couldn't call it a castle. Got it memo-"
"Yes, yes, Axel, we've all got it committed to memory," Nathaniel said, "but I want to know if you're absolutely sure."
"Yes. I am."
"And you found nothing."
"Nada. Zilch. Zero. Zip."
"And you're sure about that?"
"Yes. That's what I've been sayin' for the past ten minutes!"
Nathaniel cradled his forehead with his hand and let out a deep sigh.
"So out of all of your time at the castle, nothing happened?"
"Exactly!"
"I wouldn't dismiss the deaths of five of your colleagues as 'nothing'."
Axel grunted. "You know what I mean; and why are you even judging me anyway? You're not even a member of the Organization!"
"Consider Nathaniel an honorary member."
Everyone turned their heads to the highest throne. The Superior had spoken for the second time in the meeting.
"It does not matter whether he has a heart or not -" Axel groaned. "- he has agreed to help us achieve our goal."
"Yeah, but still! He doesn't have the right to boss me around if he's just an honorary member! I have seniority! I am -"
"Let it go, Axel."
Axel stopped and faced the member across from him, staring as if he had just asked him to shave his head.
"Oh, not you too, Saïx!"
"If you're intent on disobeying the Superior, then I suggest you leave," Saïx replied.
Axel began to throw his arms forward. "You don't understand! I don't want to be bossed around by some newbie!"
"Axel."
Axel eyed the Superior. "What?"
"I believe that's enough from you. You've given your report and that's all I have asked for."
Axel crossed his arms. "I liked it better when you shut up," he murmured.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that." Superior turned his head straightforward. "Now, then, Nathaniel, I would like to hear your opinion. I believe I have given you ample time to reflect."
"You have," he said as he sat up straight, "and I have two possibilities. The first entails Axel going AWOL and killing the team out of cold blood-"
"YOU BASTARD!"
Axel had removed his hood and summoned a flaming chakram in his left hand, flinging it in Nathaniel's direction. Nathaniel chopped it with his hand and it shattered as the flames died out, leaving a cloud of diamond dust falling to the ground.
Axel's pupils had shrunken to dots.
"I said 'possibility,' not, 'solution'."
Axel leaned back in bewilderment.
Nathaniel's attention returned to the Superior as he brushed imaginary dust off his white coat. "Now the second possibility involves what the Organization has sought after for nearly ten years."
"The Keyblade," the Superior spoke again, "the rage of the Keyblade."
Nathaniel nodded. "What else could truly destroy a member of the Organization, let alone five?"
"Then its wielder must be sought out, if we are to achieve our goal," the Superior supplied.
Nathaniel thought for a second. "Axel," he called, as the member turned his head, "you didn't happen to see the wielder, did you?"
Axel looked down. "Never occurred to me."
Nathaniel narrowed his eyes. "I suppose it wouldn't."