Chapter Fifteen: Day 315: Wind's Oblivion.
It was night.
But on this heartless world teetering on the edge of darkness, one wouldn't be able to tell night from day, as there was never a sun to rise and set.
There was only the light of Kingdom Hearts.
And nothing else.
Xemnas stood atop his perch as always, but once more found his eyes drawn away from Kingdom Hearts majestic view. The lord of Nobodies could see dark clouds approaching, far in the distance. Even from here he could see them.
A storm was approaching.
Xemnas showed no reaction as behind him, shadows swirled and rose up, forming the outline of a Dark Corridor. Xigbar emerged, single eye glaring at the back of his Superior. Even as the Corridor melted into black mist and the one-eyed sniper approached him, Xemnas still made no move to acknowledge Xigbar's presence.
Xigbar stopped a few feet away, looking up at Kingdom Hearts for a moment. Xigbar, "Wasn't the first one blue?"
Xemnas didn't respond.
The Freeshooter scowled and crossed his arms over his chest. Xigbar, "Alright, why'd you call me up here, especially so early?"
The Superior finally turned his head towards Xigbar, orange eyes meeting his single amber one.
Xemnas, "I have a very important mission for you, Xigbar."
The Freeshooter scoffed and gave Xemnas a mocking disbelieving look.
Xigbar, "Really now? A special mission, just for me?"
The one eyed sniper turned away from the Superior, giving him an annoyed and dismissive wave. Xigbar, "I'll pass, but thanks anyway."
Xigbar started for the steps.
"I don't think you understand."
At the sound of Xemnas's monotone voice, the Freeshooter stopped dead in his tracks and turned slowly to face him. Xemnas had turned in his place under Kingdom Hearts, staring at Xigbar, orange eyes narrowed.
Xemnas, "This wasn't open to debate. It's an order."
Xigbar turned and met Xemnas's glare evenly with his own.
Xigbar, "You really think I'm going to do another mission for you? I know you set me up on that mission to Hollow Bastion!" He pointed an accusing hand at Xemnas before going on, "I know you led her to the Chamber! How else could she have gotten back her keyblade and armor?"
Xemnas only continued to stare at Xigbar blankly, unfazed by his outburst. Xemnas, "Wasn't it you who said 'that world held what was hers and she would want it back'? I merely helped return to Aqua what was hers." Xigbar snarled and started to turn away again, moving towards the stairs.
The Superior did not move even as Xigbar reached the steps. Xemnas, "But this mission has nothing to do with her. As I said, I no longer desire her capture. And it requires your unique… unnoticeable information gathering skills."
This caused Xigbar to stop, his booted foot hovering over the stairs down to the Castle interior. The Freeshooter looked back at Xemnas. Xigbar, "Well you have my attention."
Xemnas smiled, pleased. Xemnas, "Tell me, how much did you hear what Roxas said to Aqua?"
Xigbar frowned. Xigbar, "Can't hear through a rifle scope and I was pretty far away at that. So zilch. Why?"
Xemnas turned away from Xigbar, looking up at Kingdom Hearts. Xemnas, "I need you to observe Roxas while he's on his mission today."
Xigbar blinked, confused. Xigbar, "Kiddo? Why? I scoped out his routine months ago. Wake up, talk to one of us in the Grey Area, go on missions, eat ice-cream, come home, go to bed. Rinse and repeat. Linear, and very boring."
Xemnas smirked to himself. Xemnas, "That's why you're watching him today. To find a chink...in the chain."
Xigbar stared at Xemnas's back, eye narrowed. Xigbar, "What am I looking for? What's the 'chink'?"
Xemnas's smirk grew wider.
"You'll know."
Xigbar scoffed and turned back to the stairs, his scowl deepening. As he walked down the steps and back into the castle, he muttered to himself, "I just love these kinds of missions…going in half cocked and completely blinded."
Xemnas couldn't wipe the pleased smirk off his face. He looked up and past Kingdom Hearts, towards the black clouds approaching closer still.
Xemnas, "What sleeps…must awaken. It's been too long…My friend."
His smirk widened as he heard the first rumble of thunder.
Blue eyes blinked open at the sound of distant thunder and stared up at the steel ceiling above.
For a moment, Roxas was confused.
He sat up slowly, pushing his sheets aside to let his legs over his bed, bare feet touching the cold floor. But he hardly noticed the chill, distracted by this weird feeling he couldn't quite shake off. To Roxas, he felt like he was…
Forgetting something.
But what?
Roxas stood up from bed, scratching the back of his spiky haired head, brow furrowed. Now he was getting annoyed. He knew what he was forgetting was obvious, really obvious. The young Nobody walked over to his desk and dry eraser calendar. For a moment he just stared at it, counting all the 'x's.
And then it hit him.
"No dream…" He gasped, before grinning. He left out a happy, almost triumphant laugh. "No dream!" He repeated.
He finally had a decent night of sleep! Those dreams or memories or whatever they had been hadn't plagued him once all night! He let out another laugh, pumping his fist. Roxas, "Guess like the hunt for Aqua, those dreams are over too."
With that matter settled and his day looking brighter despite the still dark sky outside and the growing rumble of thunder, Roxas eagerly set about his morning routine.
Another day, another heart, he thought. And smiled.
Roxas was still smiling as he headed down the metal halls of the Castle for the Grey Area.
It was a few moments later when he stepped into the Area and looked around. As usual, Saix stood with his back to the room, gazing up at Kingdom Hearts, arms crossed over his chest. Roxas looked around and saw the only other Nobodies in the Area were Demyx, who was sitting cross-legged and strumming his sitar as always.
Across the room, sitting away from Saix in one of the corner couches was Xion. She was looking outside the large windows and staring at the approaching storm clouds. Roxas followed her gaze. He could almost make out a few flashes of lightning…
Roxas gave Demyx a wave and the Melodious Nocturne acknowledged him with a nod. The young blonde approached Xion, the dark haired girl hearing him approach and looked over and up at him, smiling when she saw it was Roxas and the smile still on his face. Xion, "Wow you look happy. What's up?"
Roxas replied chipperly, "I'm having a better morning then I've had in a while."
Xion gave him a funny look, briefly looking back towards the window and at the approaching storm clouds. She looked back at Roxas, asking bemusedly, "Okay, wanna explain why?"
For a brief moment, Roxas toyed with the idea of telling Xion about the dreams but decided against it. The mission for Aqua was over and there was no point in bringing her up anymore. So Roxas casually shrugged and replied, "Finally got a decent night of sleep."
Xion rolled her eyes, bemused smile becoming a teasing smirk. Xion, "What's with you guys and sleep anyway? I swear if you boys could you'd just sleep all day!"
Roxas snickered. Roxas, "I know Axel would. All he ever does on his days off is sleep. We could have Demyx play his sitar at its loudest and he wouldn't budge from his bed!" Both teens laughed at that, prompting Demyx to look up but then quickly look back at his sitar.
Before Roxas could say something else, Xion gasped, eyes widening. Roxas was about to ask what was wrong when a familiar cocky voice spoke up behind him. "What's this about not budging in their sleep? Last time I checked, you two had me beat in 'who can sleep the longest' contest. The record currently stands at three weeks, courtesy of Roxas."
Xion covered her mouth to stifle more laughs as Roxas turned and looked up a little into Axel's smirking face. Roxas replied back in a completely straight conversation like voice, "But be honest, if you could have switched places with me you would have." For a moment, Axel had a mock thoughtful expression his face, eyes looking toward the ceiling with one red brow arched.
Then he looked back at Roxas, shaking his head as he replied, "Nah, I'll settle for the usual eight hours, like normal Nobodies."
Roxas laughed. Roxas, "Oh thanks!"
That had Xion laughing harder and pretty soon, all three were, with Demyx sparing another curious glance before quickly looking back down when he saw who was walking over to the three laughing Nobodies.
"Will you knock off this useless display of false emotion?"
Almost instantly, Axel, Roxas and Xion stopped laughing, the two male Nobodies glaring at the icy and slightly annoyed face of Saix while Xion looked away, avoiding any kind of eye contact with the blue haired second-in-command. Axel smirked back at Saix's glare and replied casually, "We're just having a good time, something you've long forgotten how to do."
Saix scoffed. The lunar eyed second in command crossed his arms, holding one hand up in an annoyed wave. Saix, "But annoying habits aside, it's good that you're all here at once. I have a mission ready that requires all three of you."
Axel gave Saix an annoyed look. Axel, "Isn't that a bit much? What could possibly require that much manpower?"
Xion cleared her throat, just loud enough for Axel to hear. He looked down at her, half scowling and smirking. Axel, "You know what I mean."
Saix, "I would normally agree with you, but this mission is of the utmost importance and would be impossible for a single keyblade wielder. So I'm sending both, plus you to supervise and intervene if need be. The mission is in Twilight Town and that is another reason I recommended you, as all three of you have the most mission time logged on that world."
Axel did a double take. Axel, "Wait, you recommended me? Wow, I'm flattered." Saix scoffed once again. He turned his gaze back down to Roxas and Xion. Roxas met his glare easily while Xion still kept her gaze averted. Saix, "Complete your preparations and complete them carefully. This will not be an easy mission."
Both Roxas and Xion found themselves a little stunned. Was Saix trying to caution them? Without insulting them? Deciding to heed his advice as a sign of how bad this mission could go, both headed over to the floating cloaked moogle.
Axel looked at Saix and asked, "Don't you think this a waste, sending both of them at once? We could get twice as many hearts if we sent them on separate missions. This mission can't get any worse if you just send me and one of them to Twilight Town."
Saix looked at Axel of the corner of his eye. Saix, "Normally, I would agree with you. But the target Heartless has been identified and I strongly urged the Superior to assign both of them and you as backup."
Axel did a mock double take. The Flurry of Flames stifled his amused chuckles as he asked, "Wait, you recommended for three? You? Wow this Heartless must be one bad beastie."
Saix smirked slightly, the corner of his lip rising ever so slightly. Saix, "It is." Axel waited for him to say more but Saix didn't elaborate, instead saying, "We believe an entire pack of 'Tail' winged Heartless is present in Twilight Town. The Hearts gathered from this mission will more then make up for what was lost during the hunt for Aqua."
Axel spared a glance at Roxas and Xion, green eyes anxious. Saix turned and walked away, heading back for his spot under Kingdom Hearts light. Axel stared at Roxas and Xion, who were smiling and laughing as they went over what they thought they would need for the mission ahead.
They looked like regular kids, he thought. But knew better.
I'm starting to wish one us had captured Aqua, Axel thought to himself as he stared at Roxas and Xion. Seeing them, happy, smiling for once instead of those usual blank expressions that made a feeling ache in a familiar spot where his heart had been.
Axel slowly followed after the two, towards Saix.
They're just kids, even if they are Nobodies. And they deserve better then this mockery of a life we've given them.
But a certain irony was not lost on Axel.
Without these two children, none of them could have real lives.
Roxas and Xion stood in front of Saix, the lunar gazer staring down at them with bored eyes. Saix, "Are you ready?"
Both Roxas and Xion nodded, smiling confidently while behind them, Axel had an apprehensive look. With a flick of his wrist, Saix called forth a swirling miasma of shadow, heralding the Corridor of Darkness. Without fear, all three stepped through.
The Corridor swelled for a moment, then shrunk in on itself, becoming a puddle of shadow.
A second Corridor of Darkness materialized in front of the rusted gates of the old mansion. The sky was a slightly brighter shade of red then usual and most residents of Twilight Town knew this meant it was morning. The Corridor shimmered as first Roxas, then Xion and finally Axel emerged from it. The swirling miasma shrunk down into a puddle until it was needed again.
For a moment, both Roxas and Xion were surprised by their location. If Axel was, he didn't show it. Roxas looked around a bit more, eyes lingering on the imposing crumbling mansion behind them Roxas, "Weird. Why are we so far out of town?"
Xion, "Yeah, isn't the target Heartless always usually in town?"
Axel nodded, moving pass them. Axel, "Yeah they're there."
Roxas blinked. Roxas, "'They're'? As in, more then one?"
Axel nodded, looking back at Roxas and Xion calmly. Axel, "Five to be exact."
Both Roxas and Xion had the same look on their face. It was a look of shocked astonishment that could be summed up in what they both asked next: "Are you kidding me?"
Axel shook his head, smirking back at them. Axel, "Nope. Five targets. Don't worry, it's not like a Leechgrave, Antlion, an Infernal Engine or a Ruler of the Skies all at once. Would you rather have that?"
At the mention of all those Heartless, both teens shuddered, Roxas in particular at the mention of the Ruler of the Skies. Xion looked at Axel while Roxas was still reeling at the idea of facing all those nightmare Heartless one after another, and asked, "So what are the Heartless we're facing then?"
Axel turned and faced them completely while replying, "Some 'tails."
Both Roxas and Xion stared at the Flurry of Flames, confused. Axel sighed then chuckled a little. Axel, "Let me guess, you two never bothered to read the list of Emblem Heartless that poor old, departed Vexen worked so hard to write, did you?"
They both shrugged helplessly and offered sheepish smiles.
Axel laughed. Axel, "Don't worry, I just skimmed it myself. Never liked reading, Zexion always loved it though." He paused for a moment, seeming to lose thought for a second. Then he went on, quickly. Axel, "Anyway, have you two noticed how certain Heartless are just bigger, badder versions of other Heartless?"
Roxas and Xion nodded, paying close attention. Axel, "Well, those Heartless are just that, evolved after devouring more and more hearts. One of our targets, the Tailbunker, is a perfect example. Surely you've both noticed how the Heartless Wavecrests and Phantomtails look exactly like it, only bigger bodies with different wings, horns and colors."
Both Roxas and Xion drew up a little, eyes brightening in realization. Roxas, "Wow, I…really never thought about it, but that makes sense."
Xion nodded. Xion, "So Heartless just get bigger and uglier when they get more Hearts?"
Axel held up a hand, index finger raised. Axel, "And stronger, don't forget that. But this is a good thing, because whenever you two destroy one really big and ugly Heartless, the more hearts it releases when it's gone."
Axel suddenly turned, waving his hand, signaling for the tow teens to follow. Axel, "Come on. Less talking, more Heartless slaying."
Roxas and Xion raced after, catching up in seconds. Roxas grinned up at Axel. Roxas, "Then the usual spot and ice cream?"
Axel smirked in amusement down at Roxas, ruffling his hand through the younger boy's spiky locks. Axel, "Of course!" Roxas desperately tried to get out from under Axel's hand, crying out, "Agh! Quit it!" But Axel easily pulled him into a headlock, laughing, "Why? Someone needs to comb this bed head of yours!" Before Axel could do anything else, Xion suddenly pounced on his back, tugging his long red locks. Xion, "Like you're one to talk!" she said through laughs.
All three Nobodies laughed heartily, despite the fact the fact they lacked hearts.
Watching above, hidden behind the curtains of her room, a young girl with blonde hair and bright blue eyes wearing a simple white dress watched the trio, smiling sadly and longingly.
The trio of nobodies wandered through the smashed side of the wall and into the Tram Common of Twilight Town.
And were greeted by two loud screeches and sudden shooting shadows followed by powerful gusts of wind so strong random bits of leaves and cans flew by. The trio looked up and saw the source of the shadows and unnatural wind.
Axel smirked. "Well, there's our Tailbunker."
And indeed it was a Tailbunker, a draconic looking Heartless with a mostly green scaled body with streaks of black on its sides and yellow running down its belly, the Heartless emblem embedded on its chest. The Tailbunker took one look at the trio, yellow eyes narrowing before it tossed its horned head back, spread its black claw tipped wings and let out a mighty screech of challenge right as it flew back up in the air and dive bombed them, whole body spinning and becoming surrounded by swirling air.
Roxas was the first to react, charging head first at the Tailbunker before Xion or Axel could stop him while shouting, "I got it!" Roxas jumped, shooting straight at the swirling, screeching wyvern Heartless and thrust his hand out, a line of bright lights flashing and his Kingdom Key materialized into his hand. Roxas gripped the yellow handle/hilt of his weapon, pulling it back over his head as the Tailbunker spun closer at him.
With a mighty battle cry and overhead swing of his keyblade, Roxas's blade slammed right between the Tailbunker's eyes right as it was about to hit him. The Heartless came to a stop, screeching in pain as it dropped hard back down to the ground below, body bouncing once before it settled, the creatures yellow eyes dazed. Roxas fell down as well, twirling his keyblade and holding it reversed as he did. The tip of the keyblade pierced through the Tailbunker's back and through its chest, shattering its emblem. The Heartless had the strength for one last loud screech before it shuddered and went still, head lolling forward, eyes closing.
Roxas stepped back, ripping his keyblade free as the Tailbunker vanished into a burst of pink light and black mist, a large pink heart fluttered free, rising high into the red sky before vanishing. Roxas slashed his keyblade twice before balancing it across his shoulder, grinning cockily at Axel and Xion. Roxas, "One Tailbunker down."
Xion had an awe struck expression while Axel only smirked begrudgingly. Axel, "Not bad Roxas. But," He raised hi hand, index finger pointing pass Roxas himself and something behind him. Something that floated on huge wings and cast a very large shadow.
Axel, "Can you do that to his bigger brother?'
Roxas turned, looking up as he did. His cocky smile vanished a split-second later when he saw the winged creature hovering above.
As Axel said, this Heartless could pass for the now deceased Tailbunker's bigger brother. But the color of its scales were different, instead of dark grey and green they were the lighter silver and its wing tips were bright green. It had a long jagged horn rising out from its forehead, right above the spot between its eyes and a wicked curved blade ending at its long tail.
The Windstorm Heartless glared down on Roxas and roared, a mighty gale rising up and blowing at Roxas.
The spiky haired blonde crossed his arms over his face, Axel and Xion following suit by raising their arms over the heads as well but Roxas was the unlucky one.
The force behind the wind intensified, sending Roxas flying back, the teen exclaiming in surprise as he was knocked far across the Tram Common. Xion gasped and cried, "Roxas!" before sprinting after him.
Axel watched her run and sighed, eyes closing as he shook his head. The red head turned his green eyes on the Windstorm, the terrible beast snarling at him, wings beating to keep itself high over Axel.
The Flurry of Dancing Flames smirked up at the Heartless, flames encircling his body as he thrust his arms out. the fire traveled down the lengths of them, the fires turning into black and white thorns that shot out of his palms and formed into Axel's silver and red blade tipped chakrams.
Axel balanced the right one on his shoulder while letting the left dangled from his left hand by his leg. Axel, "Well seeing how the children have left, shall we dance my dear?"
The Windstorm's response was another roar of fury, more gales blowing by him but Axel didn't react, his hair just billowing a little. Axel smirked, raising his arms up and crossing them, the blades of his chakrams gleaming dangerously.
Axel smirked, "Whoo! That's some real bad breath! Sorry, don't have a mint-" His chakrams burst into flames as he pulled them back and thrust his arms back out, letting the deadly projectiles fly, twin stars of flames streaking towards the he wyvern Heartless. They tore through the bright green membrane of its wings and the Winddstorm let out a below of pain, falling down to the ground like the Tailbunker before it. Axel caught his chakrams on the rebound, smirking. Axel, "That'll have to do instead."
His smirk vanished as the Windstorm rose up, air circling around its parted jaws, yellow eyes narrowed in rage.
Axel, "Oh boy."
Across the Common and slumped over by the train storage lot, Roxas groaned as Xion raced over, calling her Kingdom Key into existence as she did. When she reached Roxas, she thrust her keyblade high into the air over him. Instantly, a green aura surrounded him, healing up several cuts and bruises. Roxas shook his head before looking up at Xion, smiling. Roxas, "That's another one I owe you."
Xion held her hand out to him and Roxas took it, pushing himself up as Xion pulled him. Xion, "We're even. Now come on!"
Back with Axel, the Flurry of Flames was dancing and dodging on his feet as the Windstorm fired miniature tornados and bursts of storm strength winds from its parted jaws, Axel narrowly dodging several blasts while responding in kind to the Heartless, his chakrams thrusting out to launch multiple fireballs of varying size. Each one struck but the Windstorm only snapped its jaws in annoyance each time, the fireballs singing its scales but little else. Axel drew his chakrams back to let them fly and tear into the Heartless once more but it beat him to it. Its jaws opened wide and another beam of swirling winds struck Axel dead in the chest. The red head let out a shocked cry before flying back, slamming into a buildings side and quickly falling back down with a grunt. The Windstorm let out a victorious screech, head tossed back and its torn wings spread out far-
As twin javelins of lightning came down, striking its horn dead center. The Heartless couldn't even screech in pain, rage or confusion as its body locked up, jolts of lightning spreading over its huge form and stunning it. Axel looked p and saw Roxas and Xion running over, keyblades clutched in both hands with the electric magic of the Thunder spells still circulating over their blades. The two leapt, tearing into the ruined wings of the Windstorm with a series of fast and powerful slashes.
The Heartless howled and the electricity crackling over its body discharged, forcing Roxas and Xion to jump back, sliding away from the wounded beast. The Windstorm glared down on Roxas and Xion before drawing itself up, wind swirling around its parted jaws as it prepared another attack-
And never finishing that attack. Both keyblade wielders charged at once, Kingdom Keys drawn back. They both jumped and swung, their twin silver blades tearing through the Windstorm's neck in a shower of black mist.
The large head flew through the air before hitting the ground, jaw opening and closing weakly as its eyes dulled down, the yellow turning gray.
Roxas and Xion looked back at the Windstorm's headless body. For a split second it stood completely still, torn wings still outstretched. Then, they dropped back down and its whole body pitched forward though it never hit the ground. The decapitated Heartless flashed, melting into black mist and bright pink light. An even larger pink heart fluttered free and into the red sky, following after the heart freed from the Tailbunker.
Roxas and Xion turned their blues eyes up, watching the heart vanish just like the earlier one had. They both let out the breaths they had been holding, relieved that the Windstorm was down.
"Not bad kiddies." Roxas turned and saw Axel approaching, a chakram in each hand and hanging limply at his sides.
Axel flashed a smirk. "Two down, only three more to go."
Roxas grimaced while Xion groaned, rubbing her forehead.
Xion, "Oh joy."
Axel chuckled loudly. Axel, "Relax kids, you've got me backing you up!"
Roxas and Xion exchanged glances, smirking at each other. Roxas, "Oh this will definitely be a cakewalk."
Xion, "Oh yeah, with Axel backing us up there's no way we can lose."
Axel sighed moving pass them while they stifled laughs.
I miss the times when they were emotionless zombies and not smart alecks. But not even the Flurry of Dancing Flames could stay angry at the two for very long. He jerked his shoulder, urging them to follow him.
Roxas and Xion stopped their laughing but still smiled, keyblades at the ready as they followed after him, heading for the sandlot.
High above, hidden in the shadows and the distance, a cloaked figure watched and listened. Under his hood, his single amber eye followed every movement they made.
And listened to every single word they said, paying close attention. All the while looking for something that was there…
But hiding.
No, he corrected himself.
Not hiding.
Waiting.
Axel led Roxas and Xion to the large open spaced area that was Twilight Town's sandlot.
Which was currently occupying two screeching wyvern Heartless.
Physically, they were almost virtually identical to the Windstom and Tailbunker from before but had a few minor differences. For one they were slightly bigger then the Tailbunker but still smaller then the Windstorm and their bodies were shaped differently, with long rippling like wings and tails, yellow eye narrowed in glares, long blade like horns jutting down from their noses and the black and red Heartless emblem on their chests. But their scales were different and that's how the trio could tell them apart.
One was various shades of blue, from dark navy to sky blue and white, while the other was solid metallic gray.
The Wavecrest and Avalanche screeched in sync once again but their roars were not nearly as fierce as the Windstorm's had been.
Axel smirked and chuckled, stepping forward and raising his chakrams, the silver blades sparking as flames burst off them, Axel, "I got the ugly gray one. You two can handle the Wavecrest right?"
Roxas and Xion both gripped their keyblades with both hands, crouching slightly at the ready. Roxas returned Axel's smirk. Roxas, "Of course."
The twin Heartless screeched again, flapping their wings as they dive-bombed towards the trio. The three jumped in opposite direction, Axel to the right and Roxas and Xion to the left. Axel sneered up at the Avalanche, thrusting his chakrams out. Multiple fireballs blasted out, striking the gray scaled Heartless on its wings, torso and side of its head. The Heartless flinched and jerked, screeching annoyance and slight pain. It rounded on Axel, tail whipping to strike the Flurry of Flames.
Axel jumped over it while throwing his chakrams at the Avalanche's face. The Heartless moved to quickly before they connected and the flaming blades only cut into the beast's chest, spilling a black mist like substance. It screeched, further enraged as it charged head first at Axel, who gripped his chakrams and smirked in challenge.
Roxas and Xion meanwhile were overwhelming the Wavecrest quickly. As soon as the two charged at it, the bright blue Wavecrest had risen up into the air with a strong flap of its wings, floating above Roxas and Xion and out of the range of their keyblades.
But not their magic.
The two teens thrust their twin weapons high into the air, yellow sparks discharging off the tips of the blades. At the same time, dozens of bolts of lightning shot down from the clear red sky above, lancing through the membrane of the Wavecrest's wings. It screeched in agony, plummeting back down from the air and striking the ground of the sandlot, lying flat on its belly as its clawed feet scrambled and kicked at the ground, trying to rise up as Roxas and Xion charged at it, keyblades drawn back.
The Wavecrest opened its mouth, as if to screech again, both Roxas and Xion thought.
But no sound came out and instead the air suddenly became dryer, much dryer as if all the moisture was being sucked up-
The answer came a split-second later as a thin stream of glowing blue water erupted from the Wavecrest's mouth. Both Roxas and Xion came to a halt before jumping in opposite directions as the water beam shot pass them, shattering a solid brick wall when it finally hit it. Both Roxas and Xion looked at the shattered wall, then each other. Roxas, "Definitelyneed to avoid that."
Xion nodded in agreement before both turned to look at the Wavecrest, which had finally risen back up on its feet, yellow eyes glaring at them while its jaw hung open in a loud and fierce hiss. Roxas and Xion pulled their keyblades back and charged the wounded but not out Heartless.
Meanwhile, Axel was throwing fireballs while the Avalanche spat chunks of ice, the attacks colliding and canceling each other out and leaving only steam. Axel growled, gritting his teeth. A circle of fire appeared around him, lighting up the ground. He let go of his chakrams and they floated by him, circling him slowly but gaining speed. As they spun and spun, sparks of fire discharging off of them. The Avalanche was drawing itself up and back; jaws opening, misty air circling around its mouth and forming into a white orb that gave off such cold even Axel could feel it from where he was.
The flames around Axel burned brighter, the heat meeting the cold as the air began to ripple. With a cry of fury, Axel caught his chakrams and threw them, the twin blades becoming two throwing starts of fire. At the same time the Avalanche clamped its jaws shut and lunged forward, mouth opening to fire a pure white beam of ice magic. The attacks collided and held, Axel's chakrams still spinning, melting away the ice while the beam still fired, trying to cool the flames around the blades.
Axel growled and thrust his hands out multiple times, firing dozens of fireballs into his blades, getting the fire around them even hotter and helping push the chakrams further forward through the ice beam. The Avalanche's eyes widened as its ice beam melted away and the chakrams shot through, slicing into the beast's wings and tearing them to shreds, burning the membrane like paper.
The Heartless screeched in agony, stumbling back as its wings burned away, leaving them useless. Axel jumped back, catching his chakrams as they rebounded and smirking at the screeching Avalanche. Axel, "Can't handle the heat, don't mess with the pyromaniac."
Back with Roxas and Xion, the two were hacking into the Wavecrest, dodging its bites as it tried to lunge at one or both of them. Roxas whacked it upside its head, cutting at its left eye and tearing into it, sending shadowy black mist everywhere. The Wavecrest screeched in agony, thrashing itself about to knock Roxas away. Roxas was forced to duck and roll away from the Heartless's thrashing. Roxas looked at Xion and shouted, "Finish it!"
The dark haired girl nodded and charged at the Wavecrest, pulling her keyblade back and gripping it with both hands. She ducked under it as it swung its tail out and righted herself under its torso. With a loud cry, leap and spin, Xion cut through the Wavecrest's emblem and its torso, then its neck, cleaving the Heartless in two. The Wavecrest gave out one last weak cry, before splitting in two, the pieces of its body melting away into black mist and pink light. A large pink heart rose up and floated into the sky, vanishing in seconds.
Xion lowered her keyblade, sparing a glance at Roxas to see him running over and then pass her. Roxas, "C'mon! Let's help Axel!" Xion nodded, following after the blonde teen.
The Flurry of Dancing Flames lived up to his title, becoming a spinning and leaping blur of fire, multiple bolts and orbs of flames striking the Avalanche and canceling out its attacks. The Heartless was a mess of burns and deep cuts, screeching weakly in agony. It beat its ruined wings, feebly and uselessly trying to escape.
Axel sneered, raising his chakrams as he crossed his arms, the blades lighting up and covered in flames. Axel, "Bye-bye."
With a roar, he threw his chakrams with all his might, the flaming blades tearing through the Avalanche and causing its body to erupt into bright red and yellow flames. The Heartless gave off one last cry of pain before exploding into black mist and pink light, releasing a large pink heart. Axel spared a glance at the vanishing remains of the Avalanche before looking up and watching the heart flutter away, but not disappear.
Axel watched it for a moment longer before looking at Roxas and Xion as they moved towards him. Axel, "Three out of four isn't bad."
Roxas gave him a wry look before following his gaze back up to the sky. The heart was just moving out of sight before vanishing from their range of vision entirely. Xion followed the two males gazes before looking back at them and saying, "Maybe it'll reform while we're here and we can go after it again."
Roxas looked at her, face doubtful. Roxas, "Maybe. But if it gets away it's not a big deal."
Axel nodded, opening his mouth to reply, "I'm sure Saix wouldn't mind-" He stopped, looking back up at the red sky, green eyes narrowing.
Roxas and Xion looked at him, concerned by how tense the red head suddenly was.
Roxas, "Ax? What's wrong?"
The Flurry of Flames glared up at the clouds above. Had something darker then a cloud moved across the sky just now? He stared up for a moment longer, his neck beginning to ache. Then he looked away, smiling down at the two. Axel, "Nothin'. It's nothing."
Roxas and Xion frowned, looking at him unsurely. Axel kept his smile on, moving towards the steps. Axel, "Come on, we got one last target. And this one's the most annoying and tricky."
Roxas blinked, confused for a split-second before groaning loudly. Roxas, "Aw, that's right! There's still a Phantomtail, I hate those things!"
Xion looked at Roxas, confused as well. Xion, "What's a Phantomtail?'
Roxas looked at her disbelief, the two teens following after Axel. Roxas, "You've never fought one? Really?" Xion shook her head.
Axel chuckled, moving up the stairs as the two arrived at the base of them. Axel, "Well picture this: Xigbar. Only slightly smarter."
Roxas looked at Xion, mirroring Axel's smirk. Roxas, "But not by much."
Xion covered her mouth to try and stifle her giggles while following after Roxas and Axel into the alleyway for the Station Heights and the Station Plaza above.
In the skies above, the pink heart released by the Avalanche floated and wandered across the red sky and clouds, dark mist rolling around it as it attempted to reform itself. Then suddenly, a huge shadow loomed over it, a pair of great black wings beating to support the massive dark red body of something draconic. There was hiss so deep it was almost a growl and then a large set of jaws opened, devouring the heart and swallowing it whole.
The creature growled, its hunger far from sated. It turned its small yellow eyes towards the clock tower, rising over the entire town…
Axel was ahead of Roxas and Xion as they made their way up the road hill of the Station Heights. Roxas looked around, eyes narrowing as if he was seeing something strange. While Axel and Xion continued forward, Roxas stopped suddenly. A moment later Axel and Xion noticed and stopped as well, turning to look back at him, looks both confused and in Axel's case, slightly impatient.
Axel, "Yo Roxas, what's the holdup?"
Roxas looked around the hill, eyes narrowed in concern. Xion noticed this and asked, "Roxas, something wrong?"
Roxas looked around for another second before looking at Xion and Axel, his look suspicious. Roxas, "Shouldn't we have run into some more Heartless?"
Axel let out a bemused chuckle, crossing his arms over his chest. Axel, "What, the ones we already fought to easy for you?"
Roxas growled. Roxas, "That's not what I meant. I mean, usually whenever we go after big Heartless, lots of smaller Heartless follow after it. You know, like scavengers."
Xion cupped her chin in thought for a moment, eyes scanning the hill before nodding. Xion looked at Axel and said, "He's right. We've usually run into more Heartless but so far it's just the targets. Where are the weaker Heartless?"
Axel sighed in aggravation. He threw up his arms. Axel, "Who cares? Let's just finish the mission already."
With that Axel resumed walking up the hill. Roxas stood there for another moment, Xion watching him. Then with one last glance, he followed after Axel, Xion by his side.
If they had waited for just another second, they would have noticed the huge shadow pass over the heights, moving towards the clock tower.
And those who would soon be there.
The trio stood under the looming clock tower and in front of the train station.
Axel looked around, flames gathering by his hands that erupted into two spinning silver chakrams. Without even looking, he caught them, letting them hang by his sides. The Flurry of Flames looked around, eyes narrowing in annoyance.
Axel, "Where is it? Should be here."
Xion and Roxas moved pass him, looking around as well and like Axel, seeing no Heartless. Xion looked back at Axel, saying, "It might be underground."
Axel shook his head. Axel, "No, Phantomtail's are too big. It has to be out in the open."
While Xion and Axel looked around the station, Roxas was scanning the skies. If the Phantomtail was here, it might be in the sky where they couldn't see it immediately. Suddenly, a shadow rapidly moved over them, quickly followed by the frantic beating of wings. The trio tensed, Roxas and Xion summoning their keyblades while Axel raised his chakrams, seeing it was indeed their target, the purple scaled Phantomtail.
But to their astonishment, the Heartless was flying away from them. The trio all blinked in confusion. Axel, "What's it doing?"
Xion, "It's… running away."
Roxas looked at her. Roxas, "It's…scared?'
Axel watched it fly over the ledges, moving over the town. The Phantomtail looked back over its shoulder and wing, seeming to look at the trio of Organization members. Then its eyes widened and it screeched, quickly flying faster. Axel chuckled smirking. Axel, "Yeah I'd be scared of us-"
There was a great rush of wind, almost like the gale of a hurricane as something huge shot over them, the three stumbling, Roxas and Xion falling to their knees while Axel was able to right himself, looking around wildly. The Flurry of Flames and the two keyblade wielders heard the Phantomtail's screech and looked back over towards it-
Just in time to watch a giant set of claws snatch it up. Axel's eyes widened, Roxas and Xion following suite when they saw it.
It was easily three times the size of the Phantomtail, five times the size of the Avalanche, Wavecrest and Windstorm and ten times the size of the Tailbunker. But it retained the shape of all of them, the draconic triangular head, the large wings and clawed feet, the long tail and of course the yellow eyes. And lets not forget the black and red emblem engraved on its chest.
The new Heartless peered down on the Phantomtail trapped in its claws. The smaller Heartless was thrashing wildly, desperately trying to escape. The larger Heartless seemed to stare at the smaller almost curiously. Then it lunged down, biting the entire head and torso of the Phantomtail whole and swallowing it down with one gulp. Axel flinched back, Roxas paled and Xion let out a terrified screech.
The huge Heartless looked at the Phantomtail's waist and tail before bringing them up, tipping its head back as it swallowed these whole as well.
Roxas turned his wide and terrified eyes up to Axel. And he saw the unflappable Flurry of Flames quivering where he stood. Roxas, "What…IS that?"
Axel spared him a glance but remained facing in the direction of the huge Heartless. Axel, "Evidently, the thing above the Phantomtail in the Heartless food chain."
Roxas gripped his keyblade tighter while sparks of fire flickered off of Axel's chakrams. Xion managed to calm herself enough to get a firm, but shaky, grip on her keyblade. The huge Heartless finally seemed to notice them, its yellow eyes looking at them before narrowing, jaws parting in a hiss that was more of a very deep growl.
Roxas spared another glance at Axel. Roxas, "Think we can take it?'
Axel was about to reply when the Heartless swiftly turned, still floating in midair to face them. It tossed its head back, letting out a mighty screeching roar that shook the entire town.
Axel looked at Roxas and replied flatly, "I don't think we have much of a choice."
The Heartless floated over to them, huge black wings beating slowly but powerfully, keeping itself aloft with no effort at all. It glared down on them with hungry eyes. None of the trio moved, not wanting to provoke it, while at the same time too terrified to move.
The giant Heartless thrust its wings out, ceasing their flapping and let itself plunge down. It landed with a deep and heavy impact, shaking the entire plaza and causing Roxas, Xion and Axel to stumble, nearly falling over. But they managed to right themselves and started to charge forward. As they did, Roxas noticed something, a ripple in the air but decided it wasn't important, instead pulling his keyblade back to-
The next moment all three were struck with the force of a moving train at high speed and were sent flying back, crying out in pain.
They each hit the ground, bouncing a few times before coming to a sudden and painful stop. Roxas groaned in pain while Xion whimpered, Axel the only one managing to force himself to his feet. He stared at the huge Heartless in shock and anger, gritting his teeth as a small trickle of blood ran down his lip. Axel, "A two part shockwave. Of course."
Roxas forced himself up on his elbows, following Axel's gaze, blood running down his mouth and from a cut on his forehead. His blue eyes narrowed when he saw the Heartless wasn't moving. Roxas, "It…stopped. It's not moving."
Axel spun his chakrams in his hands, flames rolling off of them.
Axel, "Then this is my chance. Roxas, take care of Xion. I'll see if this thing likes fire."
With that, Axel charged at the Heartless, throwing his chakrams, the flaming blades tearing into the pale scaled belly of the giant beast. When they struck, sparks burst as the blades had struck metal or solid stone and rebounded, forcing Axel to catch them, wincing as he did. The Heartless peered down at him, annoyed. Axel growled, teeth gritting down even harder. With a swing, he launched fireball after fireball, the attacks striking the Heartless and exploding on contact. The Heartless didn't even flinch as Axel kept throwing more and more, roaring in fury with each fireball he launched. Within moments, the Heartless's giant form was obscured by smoke.
Axel lowered his blades, arms swinging a little as he panted, shoulders rising and falling quickly in time with his chest. His green eyes widened, then narrowed as the smoke fell away, revealing the Heartless, intact and unharmed, meeting Axel's glare with its own.
Axel drew his chakrams back to throw them again-
But the Heartless thrust its wings out and flapped them once, the sheer strength behind that single beat of its wings sending Axel flying as the wind struck him hard. The Flurry of Flames hit the upper wall of the clock tower, bounced off it and then struck the ground, sliding for a second before coming to a stop, eyes closed as more blood dribbled down his parted lips.
Roxas had seen the Heartless easily knock Axel aside and reached into his pack, wincing a little before pulling out a large green glass bottle. He tossed it into the air and at the same instant summoned his keyblade, swinging it and cutting the potion bottle in two. A wave of green light passed over himself, Xion and Axel, healing their wounds. Roxas and Xion stumbled up, keyblades held firmly in their hands. Xion, "It took Axel out, just like that."
Roxas nodded. Roxas, "Let's pray we don't go down that fast."
The two charged, keyblades pulled back for a swing-
The Heartless dug its claws into the ground for a second, legs tensing. Then, just as Roxas and Xion were almost on top of it the beast pushed down and jumped back up, kicking up dust and small flecks of rock. Roxas and Xion came to a stumbling halt as the Heartless rose over the, yellow eyes glaring right down on them. Roxas, "Two can play at that!" He crouched and jumped, thrusting his keyblade up as he did, the metal blade striking its scales. And doing no real damage. Roxas growled in annoyance before he started rapidly swinging his blade, trying to pierce through its scales. Xion followed suite, jumping and hacking into the Heartless with Roxas. The Heartless looked between the male and female keyblade wielders.
Then, with a mighty screech, thrust its wings out, forcing the two to jump back, distracted as they tried to reorient themselves-
And failing to do so in time, resulting in them getting hit and hit hard as the Heartless spun rapidly, hard scales scraping and tearing into the two teens. Roxas and Xion cried out in pain as they were knocked back and knocked back hard, flying through the air with bone shattering force. Both Roxas and Xion slammed right into a building so hard, the bricks shifted and cracked and several windows exploded in a rain of glass. The two slumped forward, Roxas managing to land on his hands and knees while Xion fell face forward, groaning in pain. Roxas looked at her, his face covered in fresh cuts, small lines of blood running down in red streams. Roxas gasped when he saw Xion go limp. Roxas, "Xion!"
He reached out to touch her but stopped when he felt the ground shake again. Roxas whirled and saw the giant wyvern Heartless had landed once again, more shockwaves rolling towards the three downed Nobodies. Roxas quickly moved over Xion, shielding her from the worst of it as the shockwaves hit. Distance had weakened their power slightly but not by much and Roxas was forced to grit his teeth down hard to keep from screaming.
Axel wasn't as lucky, the Flurry of Flames being knocked back into the air for a few seconds before landing back down on the ground with a grunt. The sudden movement and pain caused Axel to stir, his eyes blinking open. He saw Roxas hunched over Xion, the blonde teen moving away from the dark haired girl. Axel gasped when he saw all the cuts on his face, his hair stained with it. Axel, "R-Roxas?"
Roxas looked at his friend, smiling wearily. Roxas, "I got it. Stay here and heal yourself up."
With that Roxas staggered up and then ran at the Heartless, bellowing a battle cry as he pulled his keyblade back slightly, gripping it with both hands. Axel gasped, arm thrusting out as if to try and grab his friend even though he was too far away to stop now. Axel, "Roxas, no! STOP!"
But the teen didn't listen, jumping up at the Heartless and slamming his keyblade into its head, right across its jaw. The Heartless actually flinched before furiously shaking its head, forcing Roxas to jump back but he quickly leapt forward, keyblade tearing at its head and neck. The Heartless shook its head as if a really annoying fly was flying around its eyes and buzzing in its ears. Roxas slammed his blade on its head a few more times, landing a lucky hit as he tore into its eye. Black mist oozed out and the Heartless finally let out a screech of real pain. Roxas grinned, pulling his keyblade back as he started to swing for its other eye-
But Heartless despite its size was much quicker, flapping both of its wings and sending a gust of wind that knocked Roxas back, sending him flying trough midair. The teen would have hit another building-
If a blur of red and black hadn't caught him. Both Roxas and Axel hit the ground, sliding for a second. The huge Heartless turned its head towards them growling in rage. It started to raise its wings again for another gust attack when multiple streaks of lightning shot down, striking the Heartless right on its head. It screeched in pain as Xion lowered her keyblade, blue eyes glaring up at it. Xion, "Hope that hurt."
Roxas and Axel stumbled up, Axel glaring at Roxas. Axel, "You idiot! We can't afford to just charge in! That thing can kill us without even trying, understand?"
Roxas met his glare evenly, before replying, "I managed to hurt it."
Axel spared he beast a glance. It tossed its head back in a mighty roar with earth shaking force. Axel, "No, you managed to make it mad!"
The Heartless flapped its wings and rose back up, moving towards the trio. Xion looked back at Roxas and Axel, calling, "We need to go NOW!"
Axel tore his angry gaze away from Roxas, seeing the Heartless flying towards them. Axel, "Let's move!" The three ran under the Heartless's shadow, sprinting across the plaza to the spot where it had stood mere moments ago. Seeing its enemies escaping it, the Heartless roared again and let itself drop with almost twice the impact from before. The entire plaza shook, a wave of visible power rolling towards the three.
They all stood tense and ready, weapons held tightly. Axel, "Wait for it…"
The shockwave was almost on top of them and just as it was about to strike-
Axel's eyes widened and he cried, "NOW!"
All three jumped and shot forward, moving over the shockwave and dodging it entirely. The Heartless jerked back, shocked. And this gave all three of them the time they needed. Axel's chakrams exploded, covering themselves in flames while Roxas and Xion thrust their blades out, light surrounding them as they turned into long swords of holy light. They all charged at the Heartless, its single eye widening. Axel, "Tear it apart!"
Not needing to be told twice, Roxas and Xion tore into the Heartless's giant black wings, the membrane burning away wherever their light blades touched and causing the monster to howl in agony. Axel tossed his chakrams over and over again, the flaming blades finally tearing through its scales as Axel caught and threw them over and over again, the flames around the blades glowing a furious red. The Heartless stumbled back under the relentless barrage of attacks, its wings burning away as its torso and belly were burned to ruin.
Finally, the rush of power died down and the three jumped back and away from it, their weapons returning to normal. The huge wyvern Heartless stumbled back, trying to flap its ruined wings but screeching pain and annoyance as they refused to work and the last of its membrane burned away. Axel smirked up at it. Axel, "Not so tough without your wings now are you?"
Roxas however narrowed his eyes at it. Was it just him, or was there smoke wafting out from between its jaws…?
The Heartless glared down on the three, snarling and this time Roxas was sure there was smoke coming from its mouth, thick streams of it. And fire too.
Red hot flames billowed around its parted jaws and it tossed its back in a fierce screech of rage so loud and powerful, the plaza shook once more, the trio wondering how much more the plaza and they could take. Xion, "It's going to use a breath attack!"
Axel, "Brace yourselves!"
The three held their weapons back and flat against each other, preparing for this Heartless to breath the hottest of flames down on them. But what happened next was both shocking and a split second later horrifying.
The Heartless tossed its head back as if to roar but the flames continued to gather and swell in its parted jaws. The flames grew to the size of a boulder slightly smaller then Axel was tall and a split-second later fired into the air, its flaming color blending in almost perfectly against the red sky of Twilight Town. The trio all followed its ascent with confused eyes. Xion, "What's it doing?" Before either Roxas or Axel could respond, the Heartless fired several more blasts for a grand total of six huge fireballs.
And they all began to plummet back down to the plaza below. All of their eyes widened in stunned realization. Axel whirled screaming at the two, "RUN!"
But his warning came too late as the first fireball struck the ground, not five feet away from them-
And exploded into an inferno of red hot flames. The inferno struck all three, sending them flying and hitting the ground hard with several loud cries of pain. Just as the second fireball landed, exploding into another huge inferno and sending them all flying once more. Right next to the fourth. And then the fifth. And finally the sixth.
When the pain and explosions finally stopped, all three were left on the ground a mess of burns, blood and agony. Axel was slightly better off, his control over fire giving him a limited immunity towards it. But against flames this hot and intense, even he was feeling the heat. He forced himself up on his elbows, coughing and spitting blood fiercely for a few seconds. When the fit calmed down, Axel looked towards Roxas and Xion.
He could see the dark haired girl lying on her side, hurt and burned but not too badly, thankfully knocked unconscious. Axel tried to look around the rest of the plaza but he couldn't spot Roxas anywhere. Axel, "Roxas? Roxas!" He called but there was no response anywhere. Axel could feel his panic beginning to worsen, almost to hysteria. A few feet away, Xion stirred. "R…Roxas?" she mumbled. Axel looked back over to her, his hand reaching out. Axel, "I can't see him Xion. Were both hurt pretty bad."
The plaza shook once more. Then again. And again.
Axel and Xion both turned their heads up, Axel's eyes narrowing while Xion's filled with dread.
The one eyed giant wyvern Heartless glared down on them, smoke still wafting from between its jaws as they parted in a deep growl. Axel managed to force himself up to his knees. Axel, "Come on already. Just end it."
The Heartless growled even deeper before tossing its head back in another roar, flames rolling out of its jaws. Axel closed his eyes in defeat. I guess this is one enemy we just couldn't beat. Roxas…Xion…Isa…I'm so sorry.
The Heartless's fireball was growing in its mouth, almost ready to fire-
A huge blasts of wind slammed into the Heartless, a tornado easily its size. The huge Heartless stumbled and the flames in its mouth were put out. It screeched in confusion. Axel stumbled as the wind blew into him and behind him, Xion called, "What's going on? Where- Roxas!"
For a second Axel thought she had asked where the blonde was again but then realized she had spotted him. Roxas stood in front of the clock tower and train station entrance, his left hand thrust out while his right still held his Kingdom Key. And it was held reversed, the blade touching his elbow.
Axel's eyes widened. He recognize that stance, it was-
Roxas charged forward, his keyblade becoming surrounded by light, a light that spread over his entire form. The air shimmered around him and bright lights burst, almost blinding Axel but he forced himself to watch anyway as multiple phantom swords appeared around Roxas. The spiky haired blonde leapt at the giant heartless, his keyblade tearing into it like a hot knife through butter, spilling more of its black mist like blood. The Heartless screeched in agony, thrashing itself about to try and knock Roxas away. But Roxas was unfazed, continuing to tear into the beast's torso, steadily making his way up to its emblem. The Heartless made one last desperate lunge at Roxas, jaws parted open to bite him in two like the Phantomtail from before-
Only for all the phantom swords to fly up and tear into its head, cutting out is other eyes and its large ear like horns. The Heartless flinched back, screeching in pain. Roxas leapt and with a roar, slashed his keyblade through the emblem embedded on its chest. There was a great flash of light and the giant Heartless froze. For a brief eternity all it did was stand there, body unmoving while Roxas slowly lowered back to the ground, his keyblade held flat against the back of his arm. Then, as soon as his sneakers touched the ground of the plaza the Heartless split in two like a 'V' and black mist rolled out of the wound, mixing with the pink light of the hearts inside its body. Axel watched the huge Heartless pitch backwards but vanish before it ever hit the ground. Axel nearly did a double take when he saw the size of the heart it released from inside itself. It was easily at least the third of the size of their Kingdom Hearts!
The massive heart floated into the sky, flashing brightly several times before vanishing completely.
Axel stared at the sky for a moment when he heard Xion whimper behind him, "R-Roxas?"
Axel snapped his gaze forward, green eyes focusing back on Roxas.
The spiky haired blonde had dropped his Kingdom Key, the blade clattering before vanishing, his hands clutching at his head. Roxas groaned in agony. Roxas, "Stop…stop it…too much…too much…TOO MUCH!"
Roxas screamed in physical agony as he stumbled forward before falling to his knees. Axel gasped and fumbled for one of his cloaks pockets. He found a large golden elixir bottle and smashed it against the ground. A gold aura covered Axel and Xion, restoring them back to full health as they both shot up and raced towards Roxas. Axel reached him first, grabbing Roxas by his shoulders and trying to steady him. Axel, "Roxas, what's wrong? Tell me what's wrong!"
Roxas still clutched as his head, eyes clamed shut as his face contorted in agony. Roxas, "Too many…there's too many…" Xion moved closer to Roxas while asking, "Too many what?"
Roxas didn't respond for a moment, but slowly, his eyes opened into narrowed slits. Roxas, "Too many…images…too many...pictures…can't…think…"
And then, without warning, he pitched forward and unconscious. Axel and Xion gasped, the red head catching his friend and crying out, "ROXAS!"
Her crayon ceased to move as she put the finishing touches on the picture before her.
Across her table were two others.
The first was of three people in armor, one a brownish red, the next a gray and blue, the last a silver and light green. The next was a picture of the one in blue armor holding the one in green while a darkly clad man sneered down at them, holding a crossbow aimed at both of them.
And the last…
The last showed a strange station, where two boys, one light, and one dark, slept on its surface. And standing atop the station, were the two boys themselves.
Namine stared at her last picture. It was of a boy, sleeping on a throne in a pure white chamber, with several strange heart like symbols embedded on the walls.
Namine looked out her rooms window, towards the town.
Namine, "I'm sorry Roxas…I'm so sorry…But…if she is to survive her fated encounter…she needs all the help she can get…"
The pale girl rose up, her hands held to the front of her white dress as she walked over to her rooms pure white walls. Namine stared up at two pictures.
One was of Aqua, with her friends Terra and Ven.
The last…
The last was of Aqua, in her armor, wielding a pure blue keyblade like the water's waves. And that very same blade was locked against a man with silver hair and orange eyes own twin red blades. And the man had a horrible smile on his face.
Namine stared up at these pictures.
"It's not time…not time for everything to Reconnect…yet."
It was like a slideshow going to fast to keep up with.
But Roxas saw each and every image.
The first was of Ven with his friends Terra and Aqua, smiling.
The next was of Ven, glaring at the masked youth.
Then of Ven, first meeting Zack, then Peter, and finally Lea and Isa.
The next image was of Ven watching with a shattered heart as his friends Terra and Aqua stared at each other with growing mistrust.
Then, Ven was in that empty canyon, the masked youth holding his gear like keyblade to his neck right as Mickey appeared in a spin and flourish of his bright star like keyblade.
And then, Ven was at the mercy of his teacher, only to be saved by his friend, no, his brother, Terra.
And then, Ven was on those islands, learning the horrible truth behind the masked youth…
And finally…inevitably…
It was the end.
The man who walked towards them was ancient, so old he shouldn't have been able to move as he did.
But still he approached them, a smirk on his face, yellow eyes wide as he observed everything around him.
The three friends across from him…
And the ancient and rusted keyblades embedded in the ground surrounding him.
And then, he spoke with a voice that crackled like leaves burning, so rough it almost hurt to listen. But Ven couldn't stop himself from listening.
"Behold...These lifeless keys used to be full of power." He clenched his fist at the mention of 'power', but continued on soon after. "United with the hearts of their masters. On this very soil keyblades of light and darkness were locked in combat..." He thrust his arms into the air as if in a triumph, the dust mist falling away and revealing endless rows of broken and shattered keyblades, his smirk widening into a sneer, his voice rising as he declared with mad joy that seemed to give him back the strength he lost from his age.
"As a great Keyblade War raged on!"
Behind him, a shadow shifted and Vanitas appeared, his gear like keyblade in hand. The old master lowered his hands, his right moving behind his back while his left opened in a flex, black flames and purple lightning flaring. Calling forth his own keyblade.
And what a weapon it was, a twisted ebon axe like weapon with an eye at its tip, and a lion like demon face embedded in its hilt. Its charm was a single blue eye, swinging back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth. But never looking away from the three's shocked faces.
The old master stood by his apprentice.
"Now…" He rasped. "Let us reenact…that great…and terrible…war."
Terra met the old master's gaze with a fierce look of rage. Terra, "That will never happen! As long as I draw breath…" His right hand slammed into his armor charm on his left shoulder, golden light swirling around him. "I will never let you hurt anyone again!"
Ven nodded, Terra's resolve strengthening and reaffirming his own. Along with Aqua, he slammed his own charm and lights swirled around them and as they lowered their hands, more lights gathered in their open palms, heralding their keyblades. They looked different from before.
But they were still theirs.
Terra charged forward before either Aqua or Ven could stop him and leapt, keyblade pulled back-
What happened next Roxas did not see. The images broke apart in a crackle of static, jumping from scene to scene. He could make out lightning flashing, earth rising and chips of armor breaking and shattering, along with a whirlwind of shattering blades. And then-
Cold.
He was so cold.
Aqua cradled him in her arms, his body frozen in a position of outstretched flailing while his face was twitching, the ice melting faster but not fast enough.
Ven, "W-w-we h-h-have t-t-t-t-to get back t-t-to –Terra!"
Aqua, "Ven you're in no condition to move."
Ven struggled harder against the ice. Ven, "I have to help him!"
Aqua opened her mouth to reply but stopped as a low voice chuckled. Aqua whirled her head up, Ven forcing his eyes to follow her gaze.
Standing across from them was an older man wearing dark clothing and a red scarf frayed around the bottom. He had an eye patch over his right eye and a scar along his left cheek. Ven couldn't take his gaze off the man's remaining eye.
It was a fierce amber.
The man slowly approached them, chuckling still. "Well, look who we have here. Two lost little keyblade wielders."
Aqua glared at this stranger and snapped, "Who are you?"
The man chuckled. "Oh just your average apprentice." He looked around, craning his head up to stare at the majestic blue heart shaped moon above breaking through the clouds. He sneered. "Guess the old man did it after all. So I'm right on time."
Aqua growled and snapped again, "On time for what?'
The man laughed. "Why, to get my own keyblade of course!"
His single eye wandered over to Ven. Ven glared as hard as he could at this man.
The man actually looked impressed.
"Some look you got their kiddo."
The images broke off. He could make out scenes of a fight but little else. And the-
Ven's sky blue eyes widened in horror as Vanitas's boot crashed down on the back of her neck. Aqua had time for one last gasp of pain and surprise before she was knocked down. Unconscious and defenseless. Ven screamed, "NOOOOO!"
Vanitas spared him a glance from behind his mask, chuckling. Vanitas, "Guess I didn't need her for 'Plan B' after all." He looked down at her, his keyblade resting only mere inches from her neck. Ven, "Stop! Don't you dare hurt her!"
Vanitas chuckled again. "Try and stop me kid."
The masked youth pulled his blade back, rearing up for what was no doubt a fatal strike-
Ven's eyes widened in terror and outrage as the dark youth swung. Ven, "NOOOOOOO!"
And the ice around him shattered, freeing his armored body at the same instant he shot up and charged forward, his keyblade appearing in his hand to block Vanitas's strike.
The two stared at each other, Vanitas's eyes meeting Ven's as they pushed their blades against each other in a struggle of strength and will.
Finally, they were both forced to jump back and away, sliding across the dead soil.
Vanitas laughed loudly. Vanitas, "Gotta say Ven. I'm almost impressed."
Ven twirled his keyblade, keeping it backwards but raised.
Vanitas held his own weapon out, extending his other arm slightly back but keeping it raised as well. Vanitas, "Let's see if you're ready."
Without another word, the two charged at each other-
But again, he saw no fight.
Just a random flash forward of images, of ice, lightning, dark flames and swirling winds carrying broken blades. And then it stopped on-
Vanitas stumbled back, clutching his side, blood oozing through his fingers from where Ven's blade had torn through. Ven narrowed his eyes in disgust.
The dark youth's blood was black.
Vanitas raised his hand to his masked face, right where a crack ran from where Ven had slammed his blade into the youth's face. And Vanitas chuckled.
Vanitas, "Yesssss…this is it. The time is now…"
Ven's eyes squinted, confused.
Another crack ran along the mask.
Vanitas went on. "I will be empty no more."
Another crack, a shard of the mask falling away and revealing a golden eye, wide and staring right at Ven.
"And we shall at last…"
The mask exploded into a shower of black glass.
"BE ONE!"
Ven gasped at what he saw.
Vanitas couldn't be much older then he was but his hair was longer and a dark blue, almost black. His gold eyes were fierce.
And insane.
Ven tried to meet his gaze evenly, but couldn't fight the shudder of revulsion that went through him.
Vanitas looked over his keyblade with an almost bored expression.
Vanitas, "This has served its purpose. I will claim the ultimate weapon…the greatest power…"
Vanitas's body melted into shadow.
Van gasped, remembering the boy had used this as a sneak attack-
But not this times as he reappeared in front of Ven, his face sneering right into his.
Vanitas, "THE X-BLADE!"
Vanitas thrust his hand out-
And into Ven's chest.
Ven screamed-
And the images faded to black. Then, very slowly, began to reappear.
Ven stood alone on his station.
He stared down numbly at the once shattered glass and saw it was restored.
The image was still green and his picture still slept on it.
But he was not alone.
Resting beside him, was Vanitas.
His picture was a mirror of Ven's.
Ven heard footsteps behind him and turned.
His eyes met Vanitas's once more.
The dark youth had abandoned his mask and his keyblade.
What he held in its place was something that should have been beautiful.
But in his hands, it was tainted, and shattered.
It looked like two Kingdom Keys joined together, with a strange film like substance branching off at the hilts, but one of the handles was broken and the film was cracking and rotting away. Jutting out from where the two blade ends of the Kingdom Keys met, was a broken and rusted sword blade.
Vanitas was looking over the weapon in disappointment. Vanitas, "Hmph. I guess my heart was too strong in the end. There's too much darkness."
He looked back at Ven.
Vanitas smirked. "But I guess it'll do. Once our merge is complete, so will the X-Blade."
He lowered the weapon slightly, holding his hand out to Ven. "So: easy way or the hard way? It makes no difference to me, I've already won."
Ven stared at Vanitas.
And then, he began to laugh.
Vanitas flinched, then growled. "What's so funny? You lost it or something? Don't you get it? I WIN YOU LOSE! I'M THE MOST POWERFUL KEYBLADE WEILDER EVER NOW!"
Ven slowly stopped laughing, but smiled sadly at Vanitas.
Ven, "No, you're not. Just the most misguided." Ven held up his keyblade, seeing it was back in its original form.
Ven, "You believed that personal strength was all you need…but you're still missing something."
Now Vanitas was laughing. Vanitas, "And what, pray tell, is that?"
Ven met his gaze once more, his blue eyes fierce with unbreakable determination.
Ven "The strength and support…of your friends."
Vanitas actually flinched. He laughed. Nervously.
Vanitas, "Friends? Who needs friends? All I need is power. Why rely on something as useless as friends?"
Ven scowled and snapped, "You still don't understand do you? The only reason I've gotten this far was because of my friends! They're my power and I'm theirs!"
Vanitas chuckled and looked over the X-Blade once more.
Vanitas, "Then show me this power. Show me the power of friendship."
The two raised their weapons, the darkness surrounding them, the only light coming from the station.
And then there was one last burst of static and a flash of images of battle, light, darkness, wind and the sounds of blades clashing-
And shattering.
Vanitas stumbled back, looking at the shattered hilt of the X-Blade in horror.
Ven stood a few feet away, panting and bloody.
Vanitas didn't even seem to notice his injuries.
He turned his gold eyes to Ven.
Vanitas, "Do you understand what you've done? The X-Blade was made by our hearts…"
His hand went lax, the shattered hilt striking the broken and ruined station.
Vanitas fell to his knees, his body melting into shadows.
Vanitas, "If it's gone…"
The station cracked.
Ven looked down at it, impassively, as more cracks appeared.
Vanitas closed his eyes.
"We go with it."
The station exploded…
And Ven and Vanitas fell with its broken pieces.
They plunged into darkness, the shadows reclaiming Vanitas in seconds.
Ven allowed himself one last smile.
'Terra…Aqua… As long as you guys are safe…'
Ven closed his eyes, letting the shadows take him in their embrace.
'That's all that matters…'
And he fell, vanishing from sight.
Roxas's eyes opened slowly.
He was no longer in Twilight Town, no longer in front of the Station Plaza.
He was somewhere else…
On the edge of light and darkness before a great and familiar golden castle.
Before the castle stood a person in armor.
His back was to Roxas, his helm raised as he stared up at the castle.
Roxas looked around confused.
"Oblivion."
Roxas flinched, looking back at the knight.
He was facing Roxas now.
"The Way to Awakening…"
He held his hand out, orbs of light, darkness and twilight floating from his palm.
"Lies through Oblivion."
The orbs flew over to Roxas, encircling him several times.
Then, they flashed and became-
Axel turned Roxas over, Xion moving closer, asking, "Is he alright?"
Axel shook his head, trying to pull Roxas up, his aching muscles screaming at him in protest. Axel, "I don't know. He had some kind of fit. We need to RTC now-"
Axel froze. Xion gasped, fidgeting anxiously. Xion, "What is it? What's wrong?"
The voice that responded was not who she had expected it to be.
"Everything's fine Xion…"
She gasped when she saw Roxas move away from Axel, standing on his own albeit stumbling a little. He offered the two a weak smile.
Roxas, "I'm alright. Everything's alright now."
Axel didn't say anything, only staring in shock.
Not at Roxas…
But what was in his hand.
In Roxas's right hand…
Were three cards.
The first was blue lined with red and with crown shaped ridges jutting out from its top. The symbol engraved on it was a black heart with spikes around it. Like an 'X'.
The second was shaped the same only lined with light green. Its symbol was of a swirling orb of wind.
The last…
The last was lined gold. And its symbol laws a silver heart with three needle like points on its lower point.
Roxas looked at the cards, smiling sadly.
Axel, "Roxas…where did you get those?"
Roxas looked up at him, his smile sad and tired.
Roxas, "It's a long story…Lea."
Axel's eyes widened.
Xion could only look between the two males and the cards in wonder and confusion.
High above, unnoticed in the shadows of the towers tip, a cloaked figure watched.
And under his hood, he couldn't wipe the smirk off his face or hide the excited glint of his amber eye.