Kingdom Hearts: Re:chain of Days.
Chapter 24:
By: Karma's slave
Disclaimer: I do not own kingdom hearts.
Note: Time skips for Aqua and Riku
Aqua walking into the room as she saw Master Yensid waiting at his desk while Mickey and Riku were standing at the other sides of it. Aqua noticed that she wasn't the only one with a change of clothes; Riku as well had been given new clothes.
Aqua guessed that they would have been charmed just as hers were by the trio of fairies that accompanied Master Yensid.
"Now, we've had enough distractions, Aqua please do tell me everything that has been going on and start from when Xehanort was defeated the first time."Spoke Master Yensid as Aqua began to tell the retired Master everything in the last ten years while King Mickey and Riku filled in the Areas that Aqua could not.
Though Aqua did leave out some details about Terra's fate; she couldn't face the judgment more or less stand to listen it either.
Roxas walking into the grey area as the young nobody was ready to start his newest mission of the day but the thing was and very much to Roxas's own surprise, the grey area was empty.
No one was here and Roxas wasn't sure as to why there was no complaining Demyx running around or Xigbar being nosey and Saix being…Saix.
"Where did everyone go?" Roxas asked himself out loud as the dirty blonde haired boy was left too rubbing his head. It wasn't long till Roxas noticed a piece of paper attached to one of the windows. Roxas then reading the note out loud; "Operations closed for Vacation"
"What's a vacation?" Roxas then asked himself.
"What! He can't be serious?" thought Ventus as he was keeping a close eye on Roxas, Ven couldn't help but empathize with Roxas as it wasn't that long ago that Ventus was the one with no memories.
He walks around the castle and finds Axel at Naught's Skyway "Oh, hey, Roxas. You hear about this vacation? About time we had a day off."
Roxas looking unsure at the red-head "I've never had a vacation before" replied Roxas. Axel quirking an eyebrow as he looked down at Roxas "Is that right?" he says to the younger boy.
The blonde shrugging his shoulders "What's my job during a vacation?" he innocently questioned.
"What's you're…?" Axel stunned by the statement as he couldn't finish the question "Roxas, you're really missing the point." as Axel putting one of his hands behind his head and scratching at it.
"It's not my fault I've never had one. I don't know what to do." Roxas then argued his case to Axel.
"Do what you like." Axel then told Roxas. Roxas now feeling confused "But...I don't know what I like" Roxas then told Axel; it was the way Roxas said it that would make someone feel sorry for him "What are you gonna do, Axel?" Roxas had asked Number Eight.
"Me? Sleep. And one I'm done with that, roll over and sleep some more." Axel stated with confidence in his lazy day.
"Don't you spend enough time in bed?"
"Are you kidding me? I'd nap six times a day if they'd let me. All right, snooze-land is calling. Enjoy your time off!" Axel walks away.
Roxas thinks to himself as he wanders around the castle that never was. He finds Xion at Twilight's View "Oh, Xion!" calling out to the young girl Xion giving the boy a small smile "Hey, Roxas, and good morning." She said to her friend.
"Did you see the notice posted?" he asked Xion
"Yeah" She replied. "What are we supposed to do with a day off?" Roxas then asked her.
Xion shrugging her shoulders as she bit her bottom her lip "Well...I was thinking I'd practice" answered the black haired girl. "Practice?" Roxas asked "Yeah, I want to get really good at using the Keyblade" Xion answering the question "Why don't you join me?" Xion giving Roxas an invitation to her training session.
Roxas shaking his head "Nah, I'll pass." Rejecting the offer.
"Really?" Xion making sure "Okay, then. Come find me if you change your mind." She then told Roxas. Xion leaves as she headed to train in the hall of empty melodies.
Roxas wanders around, finding himself back at The Grey Area, "What am I supposed to do? Hmm...What do I WANT to do?" He thinks a bit
"Ice cream" Roxas then travels to Twilight Town.
Hayner, Pence, and Olette are in the Sandlot, "Woo-hoo! Go, Hayner!" cheered the brunette girl "Keep it up!" Pence also cheering for his friend; Roxas walks into the Sandlot
"Augh! No more! Huff, huff... I'm done." Hayner said as he let the ball drop as the boy had grown tired. "That was amazing, Hayner! A new record, for sure!" spoke Pence.
"Ugh, now I'm all tired." Hayner letting out deep breathes. Olette seeing Roxas "Huh? Pence, who's...?" Pence now also seeing Roxas, "Hey, I know you. How's it going?" Pence asked Roxas.
"Hey" Greeted the nobody "On your own today?" Pence noting that Roxas was alone "Did you ever find your friend?" Pence asking questions left and right "Huh?" Roxas taken back by the sudden questioning "Yeah, we did" answered Roxas.
"Friend of yours, Pence?" Olette asked as she gave a wide smile over to Roxas. Pence nodding his head "Yeah, I bumped into him a little while back."
"Oh. Well, it's nice to meet you. I'm Olette." The girl introducing herself "Nice to...meet you, too" Roxas spoke with some hesitation.
"And I'm Pence. But you already knew that." Pence added, Hayner looks away
Roxas finally noting the white ball on the ground "What are you all doing?" Roxas asked with curiosity
"Watching Hayner here practice his Grandstander act" Answered Pence. "Grandstander?" Roxas questioned as he didn't know what a Grandstander was.
"Yeah, you keep hitting a ball in the air and try to keep it from touching the ground." Olette being the one to answer.
Pence nodding his head "Hayner's one of the best in town."
Hayner walks over, holding a Struggle bat "You new around here? How come you're bothering us?" spoke the boy in the green wife-beater and camouflage pants.
"Bothering? I'm not… Sheesh, I was just passing by." Roxas replying to Hayner's rude remark.
"Uh-huh. Well, keep passing by then. We're busy here." Hayner brushing off Roxas "Hayner, don't be rude! There's no need to be mean." Olette raising her tone of voice to her friend.
"Sorry about that." Pence trying to apologize for Hayner's behavior "I'm sure he didn't mean to offend you. He's just…"
Hayner now pointing the blue struggle bat at Roxas "You try it; let's see your juggling act."Olette, now crossing her arms while embarrassed at Hayner's attitude "What will that prove?" she then asked.
"It's not gonna kill him. Here" He hands the bat over to Roxas, who surprisingly took it. Pence took a few moments to explain what Roxas had to do and for certain amount of time Roxas was able to keep the ball off the ground with 50 hits.
"Wow, you're good!" exclaimed Olette as she was clapping her hands.
"Yeah, you'd give Hayner a run for his money!" said a cheering Pence; Hayner having his arms crossed over his chest as he was now looking over at Roxas. "I guess you're all right. We're cool, man."
"Uh...thanks?" said Roxas as he wasn't sure how to react to Hayner after he was being rude.
"Sorry for railing on you before." Hayner now apologizing for his actions, "Hayner was only acting all grumpy because Seifer beat his record." added Pence, "Hey! That's enough from the peanut gallery!" cried out Hayner
"Hee-hee..." Olette couldn't help herself as she let out a chuckle
"That includes you!" Hayner then cried out to the brunette. Roxas then couldn't help himself as he too let out a laugh "Heh-Heh."
"Oh great, now even the new guy is laughing at me." Hayner had given up by this point, Pence turning to Roxas "So, you said you were passing by. Does that mean you have to head off soon? Because if not" the black haired boy trying to get Roxas to hang out with them for bit longer.
Roxas shaking his head "No, I do. I should go"
"All right, sorry for holding you up. We should get going too." Hayner mentions
"Yeah, anyway we'll see you later." Spoke Pence, "Bye for now! Hope we can practice Grandstander again soon!" Olette then said.
Later, Roxas has ice cream on the clock tower. He looks down, seeing Hayner and Olette chasing Pence
"There he goes!" pointed out Hayner "I'll catch him!" said Olette, Pence rests for a bit "Huff, huff... Why...do we have to play games...that involve running?" questioned Pence before he starts back running again.
"You're not getting away! After him!"
Axel arrives on the clock tower "Fancy meeting you here." Speaks out the tall red-head.
"Hey, Axel." Greeted the boy as he took a bite of his ice cream
"Whew, I slept like a log."Axel says as he sits down next to him
"What's going on down there?" Axel taking a gander at what Roxas was watching "Are the kids here on summer vacation?...Nah, can't be. It's too early." He then added.
Roxas raised a brow and turned his head to Axel "Summer vacation? What's that?" asked the younger boy.
"A dream come true," said Axel "that's what…a whole month off." Axel trying to remember when his somebody was a kid in school; well on days when he wasn't cutting class.
Roxas's eyes widening "A month! How do they hang on to their sanity? I can't even figure out how to fill a day."
"Well, they do get a little help. Their teachers dish out plenty of homework. Trust me; it's over before you can blink." Stated Axel as he did now recall his own school days.
"I could deal with a week, maybe." Commented Roxas
"Most kids spend summer vacation just goofing off with their friends. They save the homework till the end and then help each other finish it." responded Axel. "That sounds fun, I guess." Roxas then added.
Axel shrugging his shoulders "Yeah. I hadn't really thought about it much since becoming a Nobody. So how'd you spend the day?" commented the flurry of dancing flames.
"Hey, guys. How did I know you'd be here?" Xion sits down on the other side of Roxas "So, did you end up going anywhere?" Roxas then asked Xion shaking her head "No why? Did you guys go somewhere without me?" Xion then asked Roxas.
"Axel went somewhere. He went to sleep." Roxas now making fun of Axel's vacation plan. Xion smiled as she let out a laugh "Ha-ha! What kind of vacation is that?"
Axel defending himself "Hey, unlike you two lazybones, I work myself pretty hard!" he told the two younger nobodies.
"Hah, maybe you're just out of shape!" pointed out Xion
They all laugh before they all had a moment of silence
"Tomorrow, it's back to work." Axel then stated out to them."Yeah..." responded Roxas. Xion nodding her head "Hope we get another vacation soon."
"Oh, before I forget... I might not see you guys again for a little while." Roxas and Xion both looking to Axel with wide eyes "Huh? Why not?"asked the boy.
"They're sending me out on recon for a few days." Axel told the two.
"Where?" enquired Xion, "Can't tell." Axel answered.
"What do you mean, "can't tell"?" said Roxas
"It's classified." Axel then said who now wished he hadn't said anything at all.
"But I thought we were friends" said Xion "Hey, I'm not about to tell you ALL my dark secrets. Got it memorized? I bet you keep a thing or two from me." Axel now trying to get the two to talk about something else.
"I don't have any dark secrets." Spoke Roxas as he took somewhat of an offense to the comment.
"Ha-ha, relax, would ya? I'm kidding. I just gotta keep my mouth shut about it, or else Saïx will get on my case. You know how he gets."Axel then noted
"Heh, yeah" Roxas agreeing "Try not to bungle everything while I'm gone." added the spiky red-head.
"Now, why would we do that?" commented Xion, Axel looking over to the dark haired girl "Well, considering your track record..." Xion gives him a glare of her blue eyes "Hey! Don't make me come over there!" she warns him
They laugh.
Later Saïx finds Axel as he walks through Nothing's Call
"Hmph. What took you?" demanded Saix.
"It's my vacation. I can take all the time I want. Since when do I have to check in with you?" stated Axel as he looked to his old friend, giving him a stern expression as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"You're letting yourself get too attached to them." Saix then remarked
"Yes, sir, whatever you say." mocked Axel
Saïx turning around "You've changed" He tells Axel as he leaves Number Eight alone in Nothing's Call.
- Diary Entry: Day 118-
Today was my first vacation ever. I didn't know what to do with it. Axel said to do what I like, but all I like is having ice cream with my friends. So that's what I ended up doing. Axel leaves tomorrow for some kind of mission. Which reminds me-I still haven't given him the WINNER stick yet.
-Roxas
-Secret Report-
Talking to Roxas and Xion always brings back memories of my human life, back when I was a kid. It's a weird sensation.
I ought to be able to share all this with Saïx, but I just don't feel like it anymore. It's strange, but I'm content with just missing what's gone.
I'm not the one who changed. You did.
-Axel
"Master Aqua, what will be your plans on this new threat?" questioned the retired Master Yensid as they were finally discussing. Mickey stayed silent, while Aqua had let Riku leave the room. So he could get some more rest before he and Aqua leave, the next day.
"To be honest with you Master Yensid, I don't know what my plans are as a majority of my focus will be attaining to Riku's training to helping him overcome the darkness that is still lurking inside of him; my main goal is to show him how to control that darkness and harness it for better uses." Aqua explaining to Master Yensid.
Before Master Yensid could say anything, "Riku needs this; he needs to be given this chance. A chance that I and Master Eraqus should have given Terra." Aqua confessed to the retired master. An image of Terra and herself in the Keyblade graveyard flashed into her mind as her mind replayed the memory of Terra telling her, he needed to watched. She then quickly shook her head at the memory.
"And as far our new enemies, I will be doing recon missions as these enemies are something else and I need to visit with Namine and find out as much as can about them; about what they are; as I have learned they are called Nobodies and I need her to tell me where they are located but most importantly figured out what they wanted Sora for as I have no doubt in my mind they'll send more people to Castle Oblivion and Namine can only hide Sora, Donald and Goofy not to mention herself for so long." Aqua then finished explaining to Master Yensid,
"Very well Master Aqua, it would be best to hold back and learn more about this new threat before any harsh actions are taken." The old man agreeing with the female keyblade master.
The next day, Roxas had a new mission at Beast's castle; this time the mission was to investigate the beast. For this Mission Roxas was partnered with Xaldin. The whirlwind lancer had already informed the younger nobody of his findings from previous mission here to the castle.
"Yes" Began Xaldin "I suspect it was some kind of spell that left him in that state."
"A spell?" Roxas not understanding what Xaldin was trying to say to him.
Xaldin further explaining "The data we've collected suggests he was human, originally. The exact sequence of events is unclear, but it was a spell that forced him to live as that thing."
"Wow...That can't be fun." Remarked Roxas as he thought about the beast.
"We're here to analyze, not sympathize. Let's begin hunting for clues." Xaldin told Roxas.
Roxas and Xaldin continued on with their mission discovering that Beast and his servants were all victims of magic while their highly regard guest better known as Belle was not affected as she was quite human and the most important object they found in the castle was a floating rose that was hidden away into the Beast's chambers; it was clear that this object was something to be held in high regard.
Xaldin mentioned to Roxas that it would be the Beast's weakness though Roxas did ask the whirlwind lancer, Why would caring about something be a weakness?
Xion sits at the clock tower eating ice cream as she enjoyed the overlooking view of Twilight Town.
"You're here early" Observed Roxas as he walked to the ledge with his ice-cream in hand.
"Work was easy today." Answered Xion a she never took her eyes off the amazing view, for an unknown reason Xion never grew tired of this spot.
"I guess Axel's still out on that classified mission, huh?" said Roxas while Xion merely gesturing her head 'Yes'
He sits next to her "So where'd they send you, Roxas?" Xion then asked. "Beast's Castle, with Xaldin. You remember the castle's master, Xion?"
"Yeah, the beast we saw." Noted the dark haired girl "Well, you were right. He does have something he wants to protect. Something he cares about." Roxas explained to Xion; Number fourteen giving a surprised look to Roxas "Really?"
"Yeah, but Xaldin says that's a weakness." Roxas then added.
Xion now looking confused, "Why would caring about something be a weakness? As she asked Roxas her question.
Roxas shrugged his shoulders "I don't know. I didn't get it either." He tells her. They eat ice cream and watch the sunset, "I hope Axel comes home soon." Xion then says
Diary Entry: Day 119
Axel has been gone forever. It's been just me and Xion at the clock tower while me and Xaldin explored Beast's Castle, we found something he wants to protect... Xaldin says that's a weakness, but I'm not so sure. What does it mean to care about something that much? I don't, so it's hard to wrap my head around the whole idea.
-Roxas
Days 119-148: Aqua and Riku
A lot of time has passed over since Aqua and Riku had left King Mickey and Master Yensid back at the mysterious tower.
The first stop Aqua made was back at Castle Oblivion where she went to check on Namine while hiding under the Vanish spell as Aqua did sense someone else into the castle but undoubtedly Namine had long left the castle with Sora, Donald and Goofy however Namine didn't leave Aqua without a notice.
Namine left a piece of paper for the keyblade master that read, "The other side of Sora's Heart" at first Aqua didn't understand but then she remembered it was the copy of the world that she and Sora had never been too.
"Twilight Town" she whispered to herself. Aqua now recalling some of the billboards and notices over the fake town which she'd seen. The keyblade master heading back to the gummi ship where Riku had been waiting patiently. Aqua then telling silver haired teen that "We have a change of plans."
Aqua was charming the Gummi Ship to pilot it's self as she was taking Riku to a world that was only known by Keyblade Masters and apprentices; The Mirage Arena where Aqua was able to train Riku in her extent knowledge of hand to hand combat; Aqua also showed him how to make his other senses stronger as she tied a black blindfold around his head.
Riku had show much promises in hand to hand however when succeeded in using his other senses, Riku refused to take the blindfold off and he would not give an answer, so Aqua had let it go and continued on teaching Riku, everything she had learned from the books she had taken from Castle Oblivion.
While in training, Aqua and Riku, the more Riku wore the blindfold, the more he's was beginning to take on someone else's physical appearance but not just anyone's it was Ansem, Seeker of Darkness better known to Aqua as Master Xehanort.
Over the time they spent training in the mirage arena, Riku had grown patience and contentment while his body he had grown in height and well muscled; his hair going a little bit past his shoulders.
"It's time we left Riku." Aqua calling out to student as she watched Riku finish off the data copies of the unversed that were programmed into the command panel as the fighting arena had begun to phase back into the main control room of Mirage Arena.
The silver haired teen looking to his master, "Right"
"Let's find Twilight Town first and look for Namine after locating her, then we'll deal with the organization."
Day 149: Aqua and Riku, Beast's Castle
The first world Aqua and Riku wearing the cloaks they had been given a while back. The newly made duo had arrived to what was a dark world, with a large and ugly looking castle. Riku and his teacher were walking around the grounds of the castle.
Aqua was the first one to hear familiar beastly roars from within the castle, "It couldn't be the beast, could it?" Aqua questioned herself as she used her teleportation technique along with her double flight to gain a higher ground, Riku following closely behind her.
The female master peering into one of the windows of the castle, she saw a bed chamber that looked like it was destroyed to pieces. It wasn't until Aqua noticed a hunched over figure by a table, the bluenette wanting to get a closer look but while as to not wanting to get caught.
"It is the beast!" thought Aqua as she finally got a decent look.
While Riku on the other hand was beginning to feel a presence in the area, "Aqua, do you feel that?" he addressed his master. Aqua looking to her pupil, she then felt the presence he was feeling. "It feels very familiar but I'm not sure how to describe it though." Riku then added.
"Yeah I feel it too" Aqua who was now having her eyes roaming around the area; her eyes catching a small figure on the ground by the main entrance to the castle.
"Riku, it's an organization member by the main entrance, go now!" Aqua told him.
With the order given, Riku descended down off the roof and landed feet first to the ground blocking the way for the petite sized organization member.
Roxas was being sent to a new world, which was not only a recon mission but it was as well as heart collection mission. The world was known as Halloween Town and this world wasn't what Roxas could call normal but then again having been to Beast's Castle, what was normal anyway.
Roxas mostly spent his day destroying heartless and trying to avoid pumpkin bombs from a trio of three mischievous children.
He knew it wasn't much of a mission but it least it was done and over with and now he could head over to the clock tower and have his ice cream.
"Hey Roxas!" spoke up a voice that was coming from behind the boy. Roxas looking up to see Axel; "Axel, you're back!" Roxas yelled out loud.
"Yup, I just got home." Axel sits next to him
"How ya holding up?" Axel first asked but then noticed a certain dark haired girl was missing "Where's Xion?" He then asked.
Roxas shook his head "She's not here yet" answered Roxas.
"Huh." Was all Axel could say for the moment; Roxas looking at back at the tower still waiting for Xion "It's getting late. This isn't like her..."
Meanwhile at the world that Never was; Xion sits alone in her room, curled up on her bed
"How could he say that..." she said as was burying her face into her knees.
She has a flashback of a confrontation on the Bridge of Beast's Castle. She strikes out her Keyblade and runs forward, but is struck down, her Keyblade disappearing. There is a glimpse of silver hair and a black cloak.
"He's wrong. It's not a sham...and neither am I."
Diary Entry: Day 149
Today's mission took me to a new world. It was a weird place. I was up on the clock tower afterwards when Axel turned up after being away forever. He said he finished that long mission. But this time Xion didn't show. I was gonna give Axel that WINNER stick, but I should wait until I get another one. It wouldn't be fair to leave Xion out.
-Roxas
While Aqua and Riku were still at Beast's Castle taking care of Heartless, unknown to the beast.
Riku stops and recalls his battle with that organization member. The Keyblade is thrown to the ground. Xion calls out in silence. The silver-haired man tosses the Keyblade apathetically. Riku then removes his hood while he is still blindfolded.
"Riku is everything all right?" Aqua then asks him.
"I'm not sure" he replies to her.
Day: 150
Roxas walks through Twilight's View; He looks up and sees Xion speaking with Saïx
"Just give me another chance!" Xion demanded of Saix.
"We can't afford to expend any more chances on you." He turns around "You were a mistake we never should have made." Saix tells the girl as he leaves area.
Xion looks down to the floor. Roxas walks over "Xion?" Xion runs away from him.
Roxas's newest mission was once again at Beast's Castle and like last time he was partnered with Xaldin, the mission it's self was to destroy a giant heartless. The mission didn't take as long as Roxas thought it would since Xaldin was making it a point to not be wasting any form of time.
Their target may have been giant heartless but it was weak.
They enter the West Wing and the Beast roars; Beast slamming his fist "The last rose petal is about to fall. When it does, I'll lose…No! I can't bear it; I don't even want to think about it!"
"The rose?" Roxas turned to Xaldin with his question
"How fascinating then his beastly form must be tied to it somehow" Concluded the dark haired man. "It's related to the spell?" Roxas then figured out for himself.
Xaldin then continuing further with his discovery. "Yes. It seems if he doesn't complete some task in the rose's lifetime, he stays a beast." Said the dread locked man.
"One of his servants did mention something about time running out." Noted Roxas
"The key to his cursed form. Heh, this morsel will prove useful." Xaldin declared
"What do you mean?" questioned Roxas. "I'd only waste my time attempting to explain it to you. Come along. We must return." Responded Xaldin.
Later, Roxas and Axel have ice cream; "Where's Xion?" Axel questioned Roxas, as he hadn't seen the girl since he got back from his 'classified' mission.
"Haven't seen her today, either." Answered Roxas as he was wondering what was going on with Xion. He'd never seen her argue with Saix before and Roxas knew Xion wasn't confrontational unless on a mission.
"Oh well." Went Axel as he shrugged his shoulders and took a bite out of his ice-cream.
"Hey, Axel..."
"Huh?"
"Is there anything you couldn't bear to lose?" Roxas then asked.
Axel's emerald eyes growing big at the question "What? Where'd that come from?" he asked Roxas.
Roxas began to explain "I ran into somebody today, and well, he had something like that. Something so important to him he couldn't bear to lose it. Why don't I have anything like that?" finished Roxas.
"Because you don't have a heart" Axel simply answered. "Uh, I guess but Demyx doesn't have a heart, and I bet he'd get upset if you took his sitar away." Reasoned Roxas
"Hmm, true, but I don't think that's quite the same. I guess the closest thing we Nobodies have got is our past. You know memories of the stuff we couldn't bear to lose, back when we couldn't bear to lose it." Axel really trying to explain this to Roxas
"Oh...Too bad I don't remember MY past." Remarked the boy; Axel then asking him "Well, what about you're present?"
"Huh?"Went Roxas "You've got memories from here in the Organization, right?" once again Axel figuring out how to explain it to Roxas.
"Yeah... I do, don't I? I couldn't bear to lose my memories of you or Xion."
"Well, see? There ya go. Everybody's got something they want to hang on to." Spoke Axel
"It's scary to think I could lose you guys." Commented Roxas
"Scary? Scary's a feeling, man." Axel pointed out to the boy. "Yeah, I know I can't feel, but... It's still a scary thought."
"A thought, then but not a feeling." Remarked the red-headed man; "Are you sure?"
"Maybe you just remember what it's like to feel scared, and think you're feeling it now."
Diary Entry: Day 150
Xion didn't come to the clock tower again today. She and Saïx had some kind of argument. Axel and I talked for a while about the things we can't bear to lose. Axel thinks that for Nobodies, it's our pasts, because that's all we have to remember the pain of losing something. I don't remember my past, but the idea of losing the present Axel or Xion, scares me.
-Roxas
Roxas travels to Twilight Town and arrives in the Station Plaza. He looks up at the clock tower to see"Hey, isn't that..." Xion stands alone on the tower.
Roxas goes up to meet her "Hey, Xion!", "Roxas? Don't you have a mission?" asked Xion
"Yeah. They sent me here today." Said Roxas; "Really? Me too" Xion said, only to make conversation
Roxas looks toward Xion, but looks away. Xion then does the same. She stares at the ground
"Roxas, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have run off like that yesterday." Xion then apologized to Roxas
"Whatever, it didn't bother me." Roxas lying to her.
"I was upset. I messed up a mission really bad. I don't suppose you heard about the guys pretending to be one of us? The Organization imposters? I was ordered to take him out but I couldn't beat one of them. Saïx was so mad, he called me a mistake." Explained Xion.
"Oh...Gosh, I'm sorry..." Roxas not knowing what to say to her.
"Don't be. That jerk can say whatever he wants. I can take it." Xion clearly lying to Roxas
"Hey, Xion... Why don't we work together today?"
"Huh? How?"
"Let's double up on our missions. If we team up, we should be able to cut through the work faster." Suggested Roxas
"Well okay. Maybe we'll finish early and have more time for ice cream." Xion finally going along with his plan.
They collect all the needed Organization emblems and proceed to the Sandlot, where they defeat the Avalanche. They return to the corridor
"So how 'bout that ice cream?"
"Okay... Yeah, sure."
They sit on the clock tower, ice cream in hand
"Wonder where Axel is. Guess we got the work done a little bit TOO fast, huh?"
Xion says nothing.
Her flashback returns. The Keyblade flies to the ground. Xion is on her knees, panting. She collapses. The silver-haired man turns around and dispels his own blade. He kneels over her and pulls her hood back. He lifts one side of his blindfold, showing a blue eye, and gasps, stepping back from her. She tries to get up, clutching her side
"Your face... Who are you really? And why do you have a Keyblade?"
She puts her hood back on
"Tell me first...why you are dressed as one of us."
He walks over to her Keyblade, stuck in the ground
"To make sure my best friend...sleeps in peace." He pulls the Keyblade from the brick "I don't know who you're supposed to be. But you can't fight fire with sparks. This Keyblade, it's a sham; worthless."
He tosses it aside. Xion gasps "My Keyblade is not a sham! What gives you the right to say that?"
She snatches the Keyblade from the ground and runs at him, shouting. He moves left to dodge her attack, and slams his fist into her bruised side. She falls to the ground and the Keyblade disappears. He stands up
"Find a new crowd. Trust me. Those guys are bad news."
He walks away. She struggles to her knees "Why? You're the real sham."
She clutches her side in pain "Fair enough. You could say I am...the biggest nobody of them all" He walks away and Xion screams.
"Wait, I know that presence it's Riku and there's another one…it's Aqua" thought Ventus as he has been harboring inside Xion for almost some time now. Ven who was subtle in helping Xion with her training with the keyblade.
"Xion? Hey... Xion!" He snaps her from her flashback
"What's the matter with you today?" Roxas then said to her "Sorry. My mind's on other things." She responded with; Xion the letting out sigh "Roxas, why are we doing all this? Working for the Organization?" she asked from out of nowhere.
Roxas just looked at Xion with an expression of confusion, "What do you mean, why? So we can get hearts of our own, right?" Roxas tried to answer.
"Why? What do we need hearts for?" Xion asked him
"I don't know. But I figure once we have them, we'll be in a better position to judge. Right?" answered Roxas but he didn't even known himself.
"Maybe. I just wish I knew what I was doing here. How I got here... I started having the strangest dreams." Xion explained
"Really?" questioned Number Thirteen, Xion nodding "I can never remember what they're about. I just wake up feeling like...like something is really wrong."
"Well, if it makes you feel any better, Xigbar said you and me were pretty special. Exceptional," he said.
"...Special just means different. Because I'm a mistake." She said to Roxas
Roxas shaking his head "You're not a mistake."
Xion stands up "Well, we may both be exceptional, Roxas. But I don't think we're the same." She walks off
"Xion, wait…" Roxas sits alone until Axel arrives
"Hey ya, Roxas!"
"Hey, Axel."
"Xion couldn't make it again today?"
"You just missed her."
Roxas then has a flash of Sora on a moonlit road.
Diary Entry: Day 151
I ran into Xion in Twilight Town. I guess she messed up a mission pretty bad the other day, and it's been bugging her.
We went up to the clock tower afterwards. She said me and her are different; which is pretty obvious if you look at us, but I don't think that's what she meant. A lot seems to be on her mind, and it's not the same as what's on mine.
-Roxas
Secret Report
I wasn't ready to see Roxas again. I can't help but compare us.
We both use the Keyblade, but we're so different. Does he dream? It seems like that's all I do anymore. Last night I dreamt of the ocean. I was drowning.
-Xion
End Chapter.