Kingdom Hearts ReChain of Days
Chapter Twenty: The New Trio
Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts in any shape or form.
Warning: Spoilers for Birth by Sleep, 358/2 Days
Note: I don't know how long the rest of the days arch will take but, there will be more longer chapters to help move it along quicker because I know some of you (and myself included) are eager to get to Kingdom Hearts 2: Rebirth.
The next coming day, Roxas enters the grey area for his assignment, until he was spotted by Xigbar. "Well good morning Sunshine!" the one-eyed man said to the boy. Roxas only looked to the older man.
"Well during your nap, kiddo; we found out that the whole team at Castle Oblivion was toast." Spoke Xigbar
Roxas eyes widened at the news; the last thing Roxas could remember that Vexen and Larxene had faded into the darkness but, Marluxia, Zexion, Lexaeus and even Axel. The young organization member getting lost into his own thoughts
Aside from Axel, Roxas really didn't know other members aside from his training missions but Axel had become his friend in the short time that they worked together and now they were gone, just like that.
"You're awake" spoke a cold voice
Roxas turning his head to look at Saix "Did you ever find out what happened at Castle Oblivion?" Roxas then asked the second in command.
"We're looking into what befell them." Answered the scarred face man "Them! How many" Roxas snapped at Saix "You still don't know?" added the boy.
Saix glaring at the young member "What I know is that I don't owe you any explanations." He said to Roxas "Now get to work. You'll be on your own for a while. Wherever our other members are, they're certainly not here to help." Spoke Saix
While Roxas was preparing to head out for his own mission to Agrabah; Xion entered the gray area to be given her own mission, she was to go Twilight Town and track and destroy a stealthy heartless.
Number thirteen arriving in the Agrabah Street; Roxas was having a sense of deja'vu as this was the place where he went comatose. He wonders around the desert city searching out his targets. His mission was to eliminate seven Fire Plants heartless.
He already eliminated four of them as he wander the area's that weren't barricaded by the large X's. Axel once told him, it was one of the organization's ways of keeping tabs on the members. While in his roaming Roxas came across two people who were talking and from the looks of it Roxas noticed that they were the same two from his first visit here.
"Another sandstorm, are you sure, Aladdin?" Spoke the worried Princess of Agrabah. Aladdin nodding his head "Unfortunately, yes, all the merchants were talking about it." Aladdin answered his girlfriend.
Jasmine could only shake her head "This is terrible" she said
Aladdin nodding in agreement "And that's only one of the things that have got me worried." Princess Jasmine picking her head up "Why? What else is wrong?" the royal asked her boyfriend.
Aladdin sighed before he could answer "The Heartless, they've been showing up all over Agrabah." The street rat confessed to her.
Jasmine's dark eyes widen in shock "Heartless!"
Aladdin nodded "Yeah. They always appear right before a sandstorm hits. I thought it was just a coincidence during the last storm, but..." The princess cutting him off "Oh no... I hope this isn't a sign of bad things to come." The princess even more worried.
The conversation ends and Roxas begin to look for the rest of heartless while Jasmine and Aladdin leave the area.
Roxas defeats the rest of Fire Plants and enters the Agrabah Gate area as the young nobody was getting ready to leave the world and head back to the castle until he heard someone yelling atop of their lungs.
"Hey! Get back here, Abu!" Roxas sees Aladdin chasing after a monkey "I told you, you can't just take things from the marketplace!" Aladdin takes a stolen item from the monkey, who tries to argue with him. Roxas has a flash of the spiky-haired boy again
"Uhp!" spoke the small monkey. "No excuses!" said Aladdin "We made a promise: no more stealing! Now c'mon, let's go give this back." He added. They walk back to the marketplace.
Something about them seemed very familiar to Roxas but he just couldn't place it.
Roxas leaves Agrabah. The young nobody entering into the clock tower on its ledge in Twilight Town; He sees it's empty and sighs. He sits alone and waits.
Diary Entry: Day 51
It sounds like the worst has come to pass: the whole Castle Oblivion team, wiped from existence. It's hard to come to grips with the idea that Axel is gone. I feel...choked up? I don't know what you'd call it. I've never had this kind of sensation. I went up to the clock tower to have ice cream, but nobody else showed up.
-Roxas
The next day was nothing special to Roxas as he did his standard mission, defeating Heartless in Agrabah still, though he did learn a few new techniques one as such being an Aerial technique.
And now here he was in Twilight Town trying to complete his mission, in tracking and destroying Tail Bunker. Just this morning he was in the gray area trying to get more information of the recent losses of the organization but he was told was
"If they're gone, they're gone. No point in crying over spilt milk." as Roxas was told this from Xigbar, who was supposed to be investigating the deaths.
Saix interrupted the conversation with "You will be conducting missions solo for the time being, until we can restructure" Roxas had no clue as to why Saix would need to keep reminding him the psycho.
Roxas heading into the sandlot section of the town, Tail Bunker appears before Number Thirteen; summoning the keyblade. Roxas was contemplating on how to fight creature.
Roxas quickly dodging an attack, "Fire" said Roxas as the spell hit the creature but nothing happened. "WHAT?"
"Roxas don't use fire against it; you'll just be wasting magic." In came that voice that sounded like his very much like own voice. "Well then what should I do?" Roxas said out loud. "Try using Blizzard."
Once again, Roxas dodged another attack by taking a few steps back, aiming the keyblade, "Freeze!" He said. He watched at the ice hit the creature only this time it done some damage.
Roxas smirked before he charged at the heartless attacking it with a series of aerial combo's Roxas was moving so fast the he hadn't noticed the blades trying to appear on the outsides of his body though someone else had noticed, "What? He nearly did Wing Blade" thought a stunned Ventus. "What's going on here?"
And then Tail Bunker was defeated.
Diary Entry: Day 52
I sit up on the clock tower, but no one comes. Not Axel, not even Xion. That weird lump in my throat won't go away. Something else is bothering me. This is gonna sound crazy but these pictures keep flashing through my head. Not all the time, just sometimes ever since I collapsed. It happens when I'm awake, too on missions so I don't think it's a dream. Where are the pictures coming from?
-Roxas
Nineteen days had passed since Roxas woke up, the young organization member walks into The Grey Area, hanging his head "Hahahah," Roxas could here Xigbar laughing "here comes sourpuss. Why the long face?" the one-eyed man mocked Roxas.
Roxas shook his head "Nothing, okay?" he said in a calm tone.
"Well Kiddo, You got to admit, the castle's a lot quieter with the others gone. Not half as loud, you might say. But I could get used to a smaller, more tightly knit group, how 'bout you?" Number two said to the boy.
Roxas didn't reply as he only stared at Xigbar, "There's something familiar about this guy but what is it?" Ventus began thinking to himself, "Aqua, I could really use your help, right now" Ven's mind added as he also thought of his friend.
Demyx walks in "Hey, Roxas, man, did you hear? No survivors! Everybody at Castle Oblivion got KO'd! Heavy stuff, right?" spoke Number nine.
Roxas looking down to the floor "Then they're really gone." He said but this was a conclusion Roxas already came too, "Gee, talk about rubbing it in. what's wrong with that kid?" Roxas hearing his other voice "Gone with the wind right, Xigbar? Whew, I really dodged a bullet there." Demyx said with upbeat tone.
Xigbar only looked at number nine "Yeah, Lucky you." He remarked to the teenager. "Hahahah, now you get to double your hours to help pick up the slack." Added the older member; Demyx now looking disappointed "Blegh! Roger that, remind me to under achieve twice as hard from now on." said the mullet haired boy.
Roxas looking to Demyx, "Everybody's out in the field pulling double duty. Hard workers, I salute you!" said the slacker of the organization
Xigbar turning his attention to Roxas, "You are pulling your weight, kiddo?" he asked Roxas "Not that you weigh anything. What are you, around a buck five?" inquired the one eyed man. "Here, better take this in case you pass out." Xigbar gives Roxas a Hi-Potion.
Roxas didn't say anything to Xigbar or Demyx, not that he wanted too. It wasn't till long Saix entered the room and began handing out orders "Finish your preparations and be on your way." Said Number Seven.
Roxas travels to Twilight Town and appears in Side Street. Roxas eliminates all the shadow globs that are covering the town. He walks toward the corridor to return to the castle
"Hey Roxas!" a voice called out to the young boy it made him stop dead in his tracks; Roxas turns around; his blue eyes widening at the appearance of Axel. Roxas remains in a stunned look as the red-head begins speaking to him.
"How's it hanging?" Roxas's eyes still widen as Axel walks closer "What's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost." Mocked Axel, "Though I would have been one if I stuck around" thought Axel. "That woman seemed like she was out for blood" Axel then thinking of Aqua. He remembers what she did Larxene, but when he watched her and Sora battle Marluxia, he'd seen just how powerful she was, "and yet she was holding back her power at the same time" his mind added
Before Axel had started to manipulate the Riku Replica, he was tracking Aqua through the crystal ball, he saw her in a room with Namine, and she told the girl she was Castle Oblivions true master. And then he tracked her when she left Namine alone but something was preventing the crystal ball after that, he felt a strong presence enter the castle at that moment of time and it followed Aqua but it didn't last long and then that strong scent was gone; Axel could have sworn if felt like Xemnas and then Aqua's disappeared for a short while and then Axel felt her presence just reappear.
It leads Axel to one conclusion, "She may have found the chamber the superior was looking for" spoke Axel's mind before his attention went back to Roxas.
Roxas blinks his eyes and shakes his head "Axel?" he said with confusion "But I thought you were gone, Castle Oblivion, the whole team was said to be annihilated" Roxas speaking at a slow pace as he tried to understand why Axel was standing before him and not faded back into the darkness.
Axel cutting off Roxas, pointing his index finger out "Correction, the weaklings were annihilated." He said to the boy.
Roxas shakes his head again at the disbelief of all this, "You had me worried." Roxas then said, catching Axel off guard with that statement
"What...Worried? Well, that's a neat trick Roxas, considering you haven't got a heart to feel with." remarked Axel as he crossed his arms
Just then an idea comes to Roxas "W-wait here. I'll go buy us some ice cream!" Roxas runs off before Axel could even say anything.
Later, Axel and Roxas sit on the clock tower eating ice cream "I got to check in with the boss, or he's gonna let me have it." Axel said as he took a bite out of the ice cream; Axel then getting lost into some private thoughts on what else happened in Castle Oblivion.
Roxas looking to Axel, "Why haven't you returned to the castle, since the others faded?" Roxas asked Number Eight out of the blue
"Hmm?" Axel snapping out of his head, "Well, why come here?" Roxas then asked him.
Axel sighing before he answered the question "Guess I needed some time to sort out my feelings." He answered
Roxas merely shrugged his shoulders "Whatever, mister I don't have a heart." Roxas mocking Axel, the two then laughing together as if they were old friends while they laughed Ventus was observing Axel; he too seemed very familiar in fact most of the Organization seemed very familiar to Ventus, it just a shame he can't remember why.
Roxas eventually zoning out in his own head, "Hey your ice cream is melt. Eat up." Axel said to the kid, making him zone back into reality "hm…oh thanks." said Roxas, he takes a bite. Axel shrugged a response with his shoulders.
Roxas looking straight at the constant sunset of Twilight Town "You know, I started inviting Xion up here while you were gone." Roxas told the red-head to make conversation.
Axel nodding his head, not really paying attention to Roxas, "Wait...What" He said in his head. "Xion? Really?" he then said out loud "Well, that's surprising, after all fourteen does like to stay to one's self. From what I remember" Axel then said.
Roxas smiled "Yeah. I promised her the three of us could have ice cream together you know, once you got back. She and I are friends now."
"She?" thought Axel
Meanwhile in another part of Twilight Town,
"Fire" Xion casted the spell as it came out from her hand as she tried to fight off her target to make the matter worse she couldn't see her enemy. "Let's hurry this up" She thought while taking a deep breath; Xion then holding out her hand to summon the keyblade but nothing happened.
Xion's blue eyes widen "What! That can't be?" she said as the keyblade hadn't appeared in her hand; she tried once more. "Oh-no!"
Xion distracted by her own dilemma she's forgotten about the heartless and didn't realize it was coming to attack her.
It hadn't been till Xion felt physical pain running throughout her body was she was hit by something fast and hard. The hit was powerful enough to knock out Xion and then the heartless took off hoping to find some prey with hearts.
Diary Entry: Day 71
After work, Axel turned up. Just like that, out of nowhere. I didn't know what to say. I thought we'd lost him for good. We went up to the clock tower and talked for a while. I told him about Xion. The choked-up sensation has gone away.
- Roxas
Saix had a hand in what went down at Castle Oblivion. Well, more like a whole arm. Which means Axel was in on it as well. It's a fact that Xemnas ordered Axel to take out the traitors, orders which went through Saix. No specific names were given, but naturally Xemnas knew who the turncoats were right from the get-go.
-Xigbar
When the newly made trio of Aqua, Riku and Mickey had awoken the next day, they had been in for quite a sight. The three were resting with some of an ease considering their outdoor surroundings. They had heard the sounds of a dog barking; the dog acting in the stead of an alarm clock, trying to wake up the trio.
One of the sleeping figures begun to stir themselves awake; opening his eyes to see a yellow fur coated dog staring right into his own. "Gosh Pluto, just where have you been pal?" Mickey asked his loyal canine, haven't seeing him since after Ansem, Seeker of Darkness defeat where he had let a note for Aqua, Sora, Donald and Goofy. The king petting the dog on his head as the canine happy wagged its tail before the dog started barking again only this time Aqua and Riku were beginning to wake as well.
"Pluto, right?" as she wanted to make sure, Aqua only meeting the dog after the battle with Xehanort's heartless "Yup, Me and Pluto have been pals for quite some time." Mickey told them
Riku didn't say anything as the dog came closer to him. Pluto sniffing at Riku's face; Riku raised a silver eyebrow at the dog and then Pluto began to lick his face, saying hello to Riku. The silver haired boy could hear the king letting out a few chuckles, "He likes you Riku"
"Come on, we should start to get going soon, we've got a lot ground to cover if we're ever going to get out of here" Aqua then said as she was the first to stand up. Mickey agreed with Aqua as the trio began to clean up their camp spot.
Once they were done with that, Pluto began to bark madly."What's the matter boy?" King Mickey asking his canine companion then Pluto began to run off and the three chased after him "Pluto!" Mickey called after his dog.
Axel stands in his room, looking out the window, Axel looking to be in his own head. Saix walks in the room "Why didn't you report in?" asked Saix
Axel turns to give his old friend a glance over, "Oh, good to see you, too. You're welcome, thanks for the kind words." Axel mocking up a conversation, Saix ignoring Axel's behavior "I'm told Naminé has gone missing." Spoke Saix.
Axel mindlessly shrugging his shoulders "There one minute, gone the next, I don't know how she got out." Axel lying to Saix but never letting it show in his face or voice.
Saix wasn't looking too pleased with his childhood friend "You searched every room, I expect?"Axel's facial expression dead panning at the question "you're kidding me, right? That's like counting grains of dust in a building full of sneezing people." Spoke the red-head.
"What about the chamber? Did you find it?" Saix then questioned Axel. The red-head then raising an eyebrow "Come on, I would have told you that much. I got to hand it to you; you were right about Marluxia, the traitors you knew exactly what was up." Answered Axel as he crossed his arms over his chest, Saix made a nod of his head "All I did was find a place to send everyone who was getting in the way" replied the blue haired man.
Once again Axel's face dead panned "Well, it's nice to know where I stand!" He said to Saix "Sheesh"
"Did you come back in one piece or didn't you?" Saix then said as he began to turn away from facing Axel.
Saix starts to leave "I indirectly but personally disposed of Zexion." Axel then said out loud, Saix stops. "That's how you wanted it, right? I'll play it your way...for now." Axel added on.
Later, Roxas walks into The Grey Area and sees Axel "Hey get this, they paired me with you today as a slap on the wrist." Axel said to Roxas
Roxas raised an eye brow "What?" his first comment "and Why am I a slap on the wrist!" he then asked Axel. "Well, they just know how much I loathe babysitting" Axel told the younger member.
"Oh, thanks!" remarked Roxas, "Would it kill them to give me a day off?" Axel asked in a complaining tone. The red-head bring his hand to under his eyes and stretching the skin in that spot "Look at these bags under my eyes. Pfft." Roxas doesn't say anything as he doesn't know how to process this, Axel let's go of his face "All right, c'mon, partner." Axel then said as he headed off to prepare his own supplies.
"Right behind ya" Roxas said. After Axel left, Roxas began to wonder where Xion was as he hadn't seen her in awhile.
"Demyx" Roxas called out to number nine, "Have you seen Xion, lately?" Roxas then asked the just barely older member. "Have I seen Xion?" Demyx said starching the side of his head before shrugging his shoulders. "Search me, man. Probably out on a mission, no?" Demyx then said.
"I guess that she is." Said Roxas unsure of himself
Roxas and Axel enter Agrabah by way of the Palace Gate area "Whaddaya say we make this quick?" Axel told Roxas
Putting a hand to his head, his fingers rubbing at his temple, Roxas has a flash of Aqua, Sora, Donald, and Goofy "Yeah" answered with hesitation "Why is it that every time I come here; I have these images playing in my head?" Roxas asked himself. Ventus was listening to the boy and wonder, if he should answer the question.
They enter Agrabah Street and see a large cat-like person walking around "Where is it? It's got to be around here somewhere" said the cat like creature.
Axel raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms cross his chest, "Well now who is that? And what's he up to?" Axel speaking to himself or possibly Roxas
Roxas now getting a good look at the suspicious character "He wasn't here the last time I came by, that's for sure" remarked Roxas. The red-head putting his hand under his chin "Hmm..." Axel making a noise as he began to think about the new addition in their mission
"Grrr" growled the stranger "Well, I ain't giving' up till I find a way in! And once I find the lamp that's stashed down there all my wishes will come true" said the cat like creature.
Axel shook his head before sighing "He thinks some lamp is gonna grant his wishes?" Axel said to Roxas
"Yeah, strange guy" Roxas replied "Wait a minute there, I know that strange guy!" Roxas heard the voice in his head say. "You do?" thought Roxas. "Yeah his name is…"
"Change of plans, Roxas! Our new mission is following that Lunkhead there." Axel unknowingly cutting off, Ventus which prevented Roxas from hearing the name of the stranger.
Roxas now confused, "What? But...we're out on heart collection. Won't we get in trouble if we just…" Roxas was trying to say
Axel sighed, "I guess no one got around to telling you this but looking into any suspicious characters you come across is an important part of the job." Axel said to the boy.
Roxas still confused "But wouldn't you still call it disobeying orders?" he asked
Axel shrugged, putting a hand behind his head "No, I'd call it flexible thinking. Got it memorized? Plus, we'll still have plenty of time to collect hearts afterwards. No harm, no foul." Axel reasoned
"I guess..."
Axel smirked "Good, then we're agreed; now the key here is to keep your eyes on him, Roxas. Just make sure he doesn't lay eyes on you, ya follow?" asked Axel.
Roxas nods his head, still feeling unsure about this change in plans.
They follow the cat creature, but get a little too close
"Huh?" said the cat
"Ack!" thought Roxas; Roxas and Axel run behind a wall before Pete swerves around.
"I could have sworn somebody was watching' me." The cat began to say "Next I'll be jumping' at my own shadow. Grrr... Great! I had to go and lose my place! Now I gotta start looking' from the beginning." The cat said angrily.
"His Name is Pete" said Ventus, and strangely enough it also came out of Roxas's mouth, "His name is Pete" Axel simply looked to Roxas like he grew two heads.
"How could you possibly know that?" Axel asked. Roxas silently panicked, "I just do" he said, not sure how he would explain the voice in his head.
"Probably because of Sora" thought Axel "Well it doesn't matter, he's sharper than he looks. Be careful not to let him out of your field of vision, Roxas. And obviously you'll need to stay out of his." Said Axel
Roxas nods.
They follow Pete to the Agrabah Gate area, where he inspects a wall
"What's he staring at that wall for, anyway?" Roxas whispered to Axel
Axel sighed "Roxas, we wouldn't be investigating if we knew all the answers." The red-head answered in an annoyed tone of voice
"Bingo! Hahahah! I finally found it!" spoke Pete; Pete punches a part of the wall. It slides in and over, revealing an opening "Open sesames!" he said while laughing.
He walks inside, and Axel and Roxas move closer "A hidden door in the middle of the city? Why? Where does it lead?" Roxas began asking Axel many questions at once.
"I think our new found friend there is about to show us. Keep tailing him. And try to be subtle about it." Axel said to him
They follow Pete through the desert to the Cave of Wonders. They stare up at the tiger head "Never would've guessed this was here." Said Roxas
"I've already seen it, thank you" commented Ventus. Axel nodding his head, "I'll say. This is a nice little bonus." He said; they enter and look around, "This cave's bigger than it looks from the outside; Hey, I think we lost him." Axel then said
"So, what now?" asked the young boy, "Guess we'll have to give up for now? Switch back to heart collection." Said the red-head
Roxas had look that said 'you've got to be kidding me' "You don't want to look for him?" Roxas said slowly, not keen on the idea of this unofficial investigation being all for nothing.
"Nah. I would've liked to know what he was up to, but hey. Just finding out about this cave is enough of a feather in our cap for today. Plus, searching a place this big would be a royal pain." Axel said.
"Well he's not completely wrong, it is a pain the butt to explore in" spoke Ventus, recalling when Aqua and the others were in the cave of wonders.
Roxas ignoring Ven's comment "What happened to this being an important part of the job?"
"Like I said Roxas, flexible thinking." Answered Axel
"Ha-ha. Oh, I see..."Roxas's face then dead panning at Axel.
"Hey, let's just get this mission over and done with." Spoke the red-head. And just so happens that they encounter Heartless in the cave.
They defeat all the Heartless in the room, but are unable to go any further. They search the room for clues
"There are some deep gashes in the floor here." Pointed out Roxas; Axel coming over to look, "Yeah like somebody dragged something heavy across it.
They move pillars and pull switches to enter the next room. They find a carving on the wall
Roxas noticing a weird looking wall "There's an indentation in the middle" he said to Axel
"Looks like some kind of mechanism" replied Axel, They enter another Pillar Room and fight more Heartless. After finishing, they return to the corridor
"And that takes care of that. Ready to go?" asked the red-head
"Yeah"
They sit on the clock tower, eating ice cream "You're more outgoing now, you know that?" Axel said to the boy
Roxas quirked an eyebrow "Yeah, well you are, too." Remarked Roxas
"Me? You think?" Axel looking slightly stunned at the comment "Guess he must have rubbed off on me." Axel muttered
Roxas becoming confused "Huh? Who did?" questioned the curious boy.
"Crap, should not have said that" thought Axel; Axel scratches his head "Heh. Let's just say you can thank yourself that we get to sit here again and laugh like idiots over ice cream" said the flurry of dancing of flames.
Roxas not thinking it over anymore and laughs before taking a bite of his ice cream. Axel eats his ice cream, and Roxas looks to the corner entrance "I guess Xion's not gonna show today." He said out loud
Diary Entry: Day 72
Axel and I went to Agrabah. He seems different now that he's back from Castle Oblivion. Ice cream was just the two of us today. I wonder when Axel and I, Xion will all get to have ice cream together.
-Roxas
The longer you know someone, the less you need to speak in clear terms. Everything gets across with a wink and a nudge, a little reading between the lines... When it comes to what befell our late comrades at Castle Oblivion, ambiguity suits me just fine. But the Keyblade master and Roxas come out and say every little thing that comes to mind. Maybe that's human, or maybe they're just special.
-Axel
Day 73
Roxas walks into The Grey Area and looks around "Where is she?" he asks himself.
Axel now walking into the Grey Area "Hey, Roxas." He greeted the boy "Axel. Have you seen Number XIV?" Roxas asked Number Eight
"Xion, hmm...Now that you mention it, no." answered the spiky red-head "It's been days now. Ten days, at the least" Said Roxas
Axel shrugged "Wish I could help, but I took off for Castle Oblivion almost as soon as Xion joined up. There's a lot I missed" said the older member, "I feel bad. I promised we'd all get together for some ice cream." Roxas then said
"The two of you are friends, right?" Axel asked Roxas before he sighed "Tell ya what. I'll pick Saix's brain; see what I can find out." He told number thirteen.
"Thanks, Axel." Said Roxas as Axel took off; Roxas seeing two other members in the room; Numbers Ten and Three.
Luxord sits in a chair, while Xaldin stands by one of the couches. "I didn't return until late yesterday night. It has been tough with so few of us..." Roxas overhearing what Luxord said to Xaldin
Roxas then talks to Saix "I'm having you visit a new world for your mission today." Saix said to the boy.
Roxas exits the corridor and arrives on the bridge of a Castle "This is a castle..." before Roxas makes another sound or move "He hears a loud roar echo from the building.
"What was that roar? It came from inside... Maybe it's the Heartless I'm after?" Roxas talking to himself "That roar sounds oddly familiar" thought Ventus
"I guess I'll find out, time to head in and take a look." Roxas then muttered to himself.
Roxas enters the Courtyard and walks up to the large door of the castle. He tries to open it "It won't budge Must be locked from the inside."Roxas ends up finding a secret passage into the castle; by moving some statues in the courtyard. He makes his way through the Upper Level of the Entrance Hall to the interior of the castle.
"Roxas, you do know your keyblade can unlock doors too, right?" Ventus asked the boy. And on that note Roxas felt pretty dumb for that moment as he ignored saying anything to Ventus. "It's awfully quiet... Is nobody home?" Roxas speaking to himself
He looks toward the stairs and a Sergeant appears "There's my target!" Roxas summons the keyblade and quickly begins attacking the heartless, it wasn't hard to fight at all which made Roxas go quickly through his battle with this weak heartless.
He defeats the Sergeant "Mission accomplished. Time to return to castle" he then said, He hears a roar
"Huh! What was that another Heartless or something besides the Heartless?" Roxas asked himself, it was tempting to check out but Roxas didn't want or need to do what Axel called 'Flexible Thinking' "Well, Saix's orders were to return to castle as soon as the mission was done. I'd better call it a day."
He sees a lock on the back of the front door "Looks like this is the only way out. I'll just unbar the door..." Roxas unlocks the door and returns to the corridor on the Bridge.
Late, he sits on the clock tower, taking a bite out of his ice cream "Where's Axel? I hope Xion's okay..." as number thirteen began to think of his only two friends among the organization.
Diary Entry: Day 73
After I finished my mission I wanted all three of us to have ice cream, but I couldn't find Xion. It's been at least ten days since I've seen her. Axel said he'd ask Saix what was going on. Speaking of Axel, I didn't see him at the clock tower today.
-Roxas
Day 74
Roxas walks into The Grey Area. Luxord stands near the couches, while Demyx sits playing his sitar. Axel greets Roxas "Rise and shine, sleepyhead" greeted the taller man.
"Sorry..." yawned Roxas "I was up late couldn't sleep." Said the boy
"I asked Saix about Xion." Axel changing the subject; Roxas perking up at this, "And?" he pleaded, Axel shaking his head "Your friend was sent out on a mission, but never returned to castle" he told Roxas
"But...why not?" Roxas could barely speak "Shouldn't the mission be done by now?" he managed to say. Axel shrugging at the boy "I don't know. But we'll find out what happened soon enough." He said to him.
"Why's that?" questioned Roxas. "You and I get to go track Xion down. That's our mission today." answered Axel.
Roxas eyes grew big with surprise "You mean it!" he then asked
Axel paused for a brief moment "No, I made it all up. Go back to bed" he said throwing off Roxas "Yes, I mean it! Hurry up and get ready, will ya?" Axel then said to Roxas as he went to prepare himself.
While Roxas stayed in the Grey Area. Roxas talks to Luxord about Xion "Xion's whereabouts? Shall I ask the cards for you?" Spoke the blonde haired man.
Demyx comes into the area in a complaining mood "Would it kill them to give us a day off now and then?" whined the mullet haired boy. Roxas merely glanced at number Nine.
Axel coming back, going over to Roxas, "They think Xion's in Twilight Town somewhere. We'll go when you're ready" mentioned Axel.
"I'm ready now to go and look for Xion" added Roxas as the two went over to Saix who had opened the dark corridor to Twilight Town.
"Don't come back until you find out what happened to Xion" ordered Saix.
They enter Twilight Town on Side Street
"Where do you suppose Xion is?" Roxas asked his comrade; Axel with hands on his hips "Well, the mission in question was to take out a giant Heartless." Roxas groaned "That and Xion could be anywhere." He muttered.
"Well wouldn't Xion be in the places only the organization hadn't barricaded with those 'x' things" suggested Ventus as he recalled those particular objects. "Maybe" thought Roxas as he replied to Ven
"Okay let's start by digging up info around town. If we can find that Heartless, there's a good chance we'll find Xion, too." Axel began speaking professionally
Roxas nodding his head "Right" as the boy clenched a fist in confidence in finding Xion.
They walk into the Sandlot and see Hayner and Olette in conversation; "You sure you heard that right?" asked the boy in the green army print.
"Yes, I'm sure. I told you!" replied the brunette girl "And you heard it where again?" the boy kept questioning her
"The tunnel; I was just there, and I heard a weird, low moan." Olette answered.
"Did ya see what was making it?" he asked "Are you kidding? I was scared! I got out of there as fast as I could." She told him
"A low moan?" Roxas wondered if it was Xion "Could be our Heartless." Suggested Axel "Or it could be Xion injured, unable to make it back to the castle..." Roxas interjected; Axel sighing at this "I'm sure Xion is just fine. C'mon, let's go check it out." Roxas nods at the somewhat decent plan.
Hayner waving off at Olette "You need to get your ears checked, Olette." He told her. This making the green eyed girl mad
"I'm not making it up!" she practically yelled as she stomped a foot.
Roxas and Axel enter the Underground Passage to get to the Tunnel. Something peculiar catches their eye
"Something's scribbled on the wall: 'IT'S THERE... IT'S HUNGRY... DON'T TURN AROUND!'" Roxas reading the message off the stone made walls.
"Tsk, it's nothing Roxas. Mostly likely kids playing pranks" said Axel as he could recall his other and his others best friend doing stuff similar to this.
They enter further into the Tunnel and look around area for quite sometime
"No Xion..." pointed out Roxas. Axel groaning tiredly as he stretched his long arms "No Heartless, either." he added on
"Huh? What are you guys doing down here?" entered a young man's voice "You lose something?" as the person attached to the voice entered the area.
Axel and Roxas looked to see a boy about fourteen years old, wearing a jersey and head band. "You could say that, yeah. We heard rumors of a strange moaning sound?" Axel said the strange boy.
The Boy looked to be in deep thought over this "Strange moaning... Oh! Are you talking about that vent up there? The wind coming through it creates a lot of echoes. It sounds kind of like a moan" concluded the boy.
Axel dead panned "What?" he whined "Ugh, for crying out loud..." he muttered in his disbelief.
The dark haired boy opening his mouth "So...you guys said you lost something?" he then asked them
"Someone not something; A friend of ours" Roxas taking offense, "Oh I'm sorry. Hope you find them soon." Said the heavy set boy.
"Thanks." Said Roxas
Axel turning to the other boy "So what's your story, Why are you down here?" asked Axel
"Me? Heh-heh, that's a secret. Hey, I don't think we've been introduced. I'm Pence. If you ever need anything, I'm always happy to help." Said the now formally introduced Pence
"Um, thanks again" said Roxas. Pence nodding at Roxas "Sure I'll catch you guys, later hope you find your friend." as Pence said good-bye as the duo headed to leave the tunnel
Axel looking at Roxas "Well that was a dead end." Spoke the red-head
"Yeah, all we really learned was that guy's name." said Roxas
"Time to hit the town again..." groaned Axel
They walk out of the Underground Passage to the Tram Common and Roxas see's another peculiar note "Somebody scribbled something here: "IF YOU CAN READ THIS, YOU ARE A NINJA"" he read out loud
"It's a prank Roxas, don't think on it" said Axel as they walked around twilight town.
They then walk through Station Heights and they found nothing so the duo headed back over to the sandlot; they enter the Sandlot again and like last time Axel and Roxas are over hearing another conversation
"Olette, what's Pence up to?" Hayner asked the girl
"He said he was off on another of his 'investigations' today." She said, Hayner sighed "He's been acting pretty dodgy lately all this sneaking around? I wonder what he's up too" pondered the dirty blonde haired boy.
Olette shrugging her shoulders "Beats me. He freaked out when I swung by the usual spot yesterday. Whatever he was looking at, he hid it in a hurry." She told Hayner
"Hmm, now why would he do that?" asked the boy
Roxas turning to Axel "I wonder where their "usual spot" is." Mumbled the boy, Axel had a look on his face that said 'how should I know' "Guess we'll have to hunt around." He whispered
Hayner groaned "Aw, crud... I think I forgot to shut the fence outside the usual spot." He said in a whining tone of voice
"Hayner, it's on a side street. Who's gonna go anywhere near it? Whose idea was it to have the usual spot under the tracks? You need earplugs in there" Complained Olette.
They find The Usual Spot on Side Street and enter the small area.
"These crates were just thrown in a pile here. They're all empty, too... this stepladder's ancient. It squeaks like crazy. I see the dartboard, but where are the darts. This sofa's seen a lot of use. Some of it recent too huh; there's something behind this oil drum" spoke number thirteen as he and Axel were searching throughout the area.
Roxas pulls out something "Hey, I found a piece of paper."
"It's some kind of map." Pointed out Axel
"Somebody's scribbled some notes on it."
Axel raised a brow as he read out the notes "Spooky Steps? Friend from Beyond the Wall; Hey this one about a moaning tunnel. There's more The Doppelganger, The Animated Bag," he read.
Roxas also reading the list, "A ghost train, a haunted mansion... There's seven altogether." He then said.
"The question being, what's it all mean?" said Axel. Roxas merely gave a small shrug of his shoulders "I think we know just the guy to ask. If nothing else, he seemed to know a lot about the town." Suggested Roxas
They return to the Tunnel and speak to Pence; "Hey, guys. Something I can help you with?" Pence said with a smile
Axel speaking first "Yeah actually, we had a question" Roxas staying silent "Okay, shoot Let's see if it's anything I know" said the other boy.
"Is anything weird happening here? You know, in the town. I mean, there are lots of little quirks and mysteries, right? Like, say...the Spooky Stairs..." Axel questioned Pence.
"So you guys are like me, investigating the town's Seven Wonders?" spoke Pence; Axel nodded "Uh, yeah something like that" as the red-head put a hand behind his head.
"Hmm, I wasn't planning to talk to anyone about it until I'd finished up my investigation, but all right. I'll tell you what I've got so far. That is. IF you can answer the following questions!" said Pence
Roxas now becoming confused "What?"
Pence looking to Roxas "They're about the town. I want to see how serious you are about investigating this place." Said the dark haired boy
"What's at the top of Station Heights?" asked Pence
"Station Plaza" answered Axel
"What's written on the bulletin board in Station Heights?" Pence asked again
"Scoop up some sea-salt ice cream" this time Roxas answering
"How many cars are in the train you can see from Station Plaza?" Pence asked once more
"Just one car" answered Axel
"Correct! All right, a promise is a promise." Said Pence "I'll tell you what I know. So, I've been digging around, and I've learned that the town's Wonders are all linked! In the sense they're all made-up stupid urban legends and rumors." Explained the heavy set boy
"What?" Roxas sounding baffled Pence continued to explain "Like those stairs you mentioned? Total sham the truth about that one is just embarrassing." Added the boy
"Just another sleepy town, huh" Axel subtly calling the town boring, Pence looking to the ground "Sorry guys you're wasting your time. Well, except maybe for the Eighth Wonder..." "There's an Eighth!" spoke Roxas as he interrupted Pence
"The one about the tree out in the woods; There's one tree where, if you shake it, the whole place starts to rustle. Swish, swish, SWISH! Weird I still haven't seen it firsthand, so I can't tell you much. But people have said they feel like they're being watched there even though it's deserted" Explained Pence
"Pretty strange" Roxas commented.
"Sounds like a Heartless" thought Axel
Pence looking at the duo "Wouldn't be much of a Wonder if it wasn't! I'm planning to go figure out the trick behind it later" said Pence
"Good luck with that" Remarked Axel, "Thanks! Well, I should get back to my investigation. Try to keep this to yourselves, yeah?" spoke pence as he began to leave the tunnel, Pence leaves
"That was uninformative." Said Roxas; "Maybe, maybe not" Axel said to the boy
"Huh?" went Roxas, "He said people have been feeling some kind of presence in the woods outside of town, right? Maybe that's Xion's target." Pointed Axel
"Right... Let's go check it out." Roxas now seeing Axel's point
They enter The Woods and inspect a tree, whose leaves are constantly shedding. There is a rustle in the trees
"Axel, something's there?" observed Roxas,
Axel smirked "Heh, looks like we got a live one here." He said to Roxas
An invisible entity jumps from tree to tree, before running to the grounds of The Old Mansion
Axel summoning his weapons by this point "Hurry, Roxas. Don't let it get away!"
Roxas chasing the creature "Right" he said.
Roxas and Axel find the creature by the old mansion and the heartless drops its camouflage revealing it's self to be a veil lizard.
"You think that's the one?" questioned Roxas as he summoned his keyblade; "No wonder Xion had trouble. It was blending right into the scenery." Axel answered with.
"So, then where is Xion?" asked Roxas
Axel groaned "Still out trying to find it, probably." He said, "Or the creature got to Xion first" his mind added.
Roxas having his eyes locked on the creature "What do you suggest?"
"Well, a target's a target. Doesn't matter who takes it out. I say we do it now, before it vanishes again." Spoke Axel
Roxas nodded "Right."
"Here we go!" Axel then said as the duo lunged towards the huge heartless
They fight the Veil Lizard for a moment, before Xion runs across the field toward the creature
"Xion!" Roxas spotting his missing friend, "What do ya know, Xion's still alive" thought Axel as he too saw Number fourteen.
Xion stopping, her surprise seeing not only Roxas but another organization member as well "Roxas!" she said. In Xion's distraction, the Veil Lizard's tongue lashed out and knocks her unconscious
"Xion!" called out Roxas
"Focus, Roxas!" yelled Axel "We have to take that thing out first!" he added.
They eventually defeat the large Heartless; Roxas quickly goes to Xion's side
Roxas begins nudging the young nobody "Xion! Are you okay?" he asks her.
Xion staring to stir "Nngh... R...Roxas?" as she began to speak; Roxas helps her up "That looked like it hurt." He tells her "It did...I'm fine though... Thanks. It's just..." she tries to say but stops herself
"You can tell us all about it but first, let's find a place to sit down." Said Axel
They sit on the clock tower. Axel hands them some ice cream "There ya go." Handing Xion her ice cream "Thanks." She mumbles
They sit and eat for a moment but Xion isn't exactly eating; "Eat up. It's gonna melt." Roxas tells her
"I know." She says with a low tone in her voice
Axel looking at her "What's wrong, not hungry?" he asked the small girl, Xion says nothing
"You want to talk about what happened?" asked Roxas, Xion still says nothing
"We're here for you if you want to get it off your chest. Right, Roxas?" Axel trying to get the girl to speak
"Yeah. That's what friends are for." Added Roxas
Xion sighs "they'll find out anyway" her mind said "I can't... I can't use the Keyblade anymore." She finally tells them
Axel and Roxas look surprised "And without it. I can't do my job." She adds
Roxas still stunned "What happened?"
Xion shaking her head "I don't know. But if I don't defeat Heartless with the Keyblade...the hearts they release just find their way into other Heartless instead. I swat them in one place and they just pop up in another. I'm supposed to be collecting hearts. Those are my orders. Without the Keyblade...I'm useless." Xion explains to them
Roxas turning to Axel "Is there anything you can do, Axel?"
Axel shrugged "wish there was. But keyblade's aren't my area of expertise...it's just like Xion said. No Keyblade no can do."
Xion looking down "They're gonna turn me into a Dusk once they find out they don't need me."
"C'mon, Axel, think of something!" snapped Roxas
"Hey, I'm racking my brain here, and there's just no way to…Wait." Axel actually coming up with an plan
"What? Tell us." Pleaded Roxas
"What if you worked double duty, Roxas?" asked Axel
"Huh?"
Xion looking at the red-head "What do you mean, Axel?"
"Xion, stick with Roxas until you can control the Keyblade again. Make sure your missions are with him. Then, he can collect the hearts and nobody will ever have to know that you're not doing the same." Explained Axel
"Axel, that's brilliant!" Roxas excited at the plan. Axel stopping Roxas from getting too excited "Ah-ah -ah but Roxas, that also means you have to collect twice as many hearts." He pointed out to the boy.
Roxas nodding his head "I can do it."
Xion looking unsure "You don't mind?" Roxas looking at Xion "Of course not!" "But…" she tried to speak
"Hey, friends have got to be able to lean on each other now and then. Ain't that right, Roxas?" Axel commented
Xion then smiled at the two "Thanks... So...Axel, does that mean you and I can be friends?" she then asked him
Axel nodded "Well, yeah. Was there ever any doubt? Any friend of Roxas's is a friend of mine." He told her
"Thank you... Roxas, Axel, thank you!"
"Eat your ice cream Xion" Axel said to her.
Diary Entry: Day 74
My job today was to help Axel find Xion. It turns out she had gone missing, but we managed to find her. We finally got to all have ice cream together, which was nice, but Xion can't use her Keyblade anymore. Axel says friends help each other out, so I'm gonna go on missions with her until she remembers how to work the
Keyblade herself.
-Roxas
Honestly, I never got why Roxas was so crazy about Xion. I know they both joined up around the same time, and they're both rookies, but how do you get so close to somebody who hides their face all the time? Well, I saw it today. All of a sudden, No. XIV up and takes off...her hood. Xion is a girl, and she looks just like a dark haired Naminé.
- Axel
"Where is this dog, leading us" Riku asked as they were still chasing Pluto and then Pluto just stopped as the canine had leaded them to something very crucial for their new journey.
"Whoa" said Riku as, He, Aqua and Mickey had stopped once Pluto had.
The dog just kept barking as it wagged its tail happily "Oh wow" said Mickey
"It's…the Gummi ship!" pointed out the Female master.
End Chapter