Chapter Sixteen: Day 316: Oblivion's Approach.
The storm clouds hovered over the entire castle and the city below.
Ripples of lightning passed through them, briefly lighting the black surface of the skyscrapers and making the white surface of the Castle That Never Was even brighter.
Atop the highest perch, Xemnas stood under the radiant glow of the moon of hearts, Kingdom Hearts bathing him in its light.
His head was bowed, eyes closed.
In his mind's eyes, he saw her.
But that was no longer enough.
But, he smiled, eyes still closed.
Soon, the real thing would stand by his side.
Willingly.
Behind him, footsteps approached and a boastful voice called, "When you're right, you're right."
The Superior of Organization XIII opened his orange eyes as he turned to face his one eyed Number 2.
Xigbar sneered at his leader, arms crossed.
Xigbar, "But then again, I can't remember the last time you sent me on a mission that went bad."
Xemnas turned and looked back towards the empty sea of darkness beyond his castle.
Xemnas, "What did you learn?"
Xigbar rubbed his chin in mock thought. Xigbar, "Hmm, a great deal. But I'm not sure if it's want you wanted me to find. After all, you did send me on that mission with no info."
Xigbar smirked at his Superior's back. The lord of Nobodies made no whatsoever so the Freeshooter went on. Xigbar, "So how could I know what I got on that little mission is what you want- "
Xemnas moved so fast he was a blur of black, silver and red. He appeared in front of his Number 2, his right arm thrust out, black and blue sparks discharged from his wrist, his red ethereal blade growing out in seconds and pointing at Xigbar's remaining eye a moment later. The Freeshooter went silent, face paling considerably.
Xemnas, "I have a great deal of patience. But you are beginning to test the limits of that patience. You will tell me what I want to hear, or I will take your other eye." Xemnas smirked at Xigbar's sweaty and pale face, his single amber eye looking right at the bright glowing blade.
Xemnas, "How, fitting, don't you think? You only commented yesterday you loved going in on missions completely blind."
Xigbar gasped and quickly raised his hands in surrender. Xigbar, "Alright alright! I get it, just get that away from my eye!"
Xemnas lowered his blade but not dispel it. He looked at Xigbar expectedly.
Xigbar took several steps back, panting as he fought to regain his composure.
Then, he looked back at his Superior with a scowl.
Xigbar, "I followed the little trio throughout their mission in Twilight Town. Pretty routine, destroy Heartless, gather their hearts and exchange witty banter. Until they ran into the Dustflier. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that after they fought that thing, we'd be three members shorter and keyblade-less."
Xigbar paused, looking at his Superior for some kind of reaction. But Xemnas only stared at him, expression blank but his orange eyes intense, sparks dancing around his wrist where the blade extended out.
So Xigbar went on.
"But surprise, surprise. They held their own for a while, almost beating it. Until it spat meteors on them that is. Axel and Xion were down but still conscious while I couldn't see where Roxas had been knocked too. The Dustflier was about to take out pyro and poppet… When up shows Roxas, using an advanced level of wind magic. When I saw Roxas himself, he was surrounded by these swords made out of light."
At that, Xigbar finally got a reaction. Xemnas's lips curved up into a smirk. Xigbar fought down a shudder and quickly resumed.
"The kiddo tore that Heartless into pieces with his keyblade and those swords, bringing it down with power I know he doesn't have. But whatever gave him that power caused him to have some kind of fit. He passed out for a few moments but just when pyro was about to take him back home, Roxy woke up. And in his hand he had three cards."
Xemnas's smirk grew wider still.
Xigbar continued, stating what both he and Xemnas already knew. "Cards that were forged from his memories. Or rather…"
Xigbar found himself smirking as well.
"Someone else's memories."
And what Xigbar said next still made Xemnas's smirk grow even wider.
"I guess I can't say I'm that surprised that it's Roxas who's leading us to the Chamber after all…"
Xemnas turned away from Xigbar, moving back to his spot under Kingdom Hearts while dispelling his ethereal blade.
Xemnas didn't speak until he was back under Kingdom Heart's glow. Xemnas, "Very good. This is exactly what I hoped would be the case."
Xigabr raised his brow and frowned at that. Xigbar, "So exactly how long have you suspected something like this might happen?"
The Superior looked at his right hand, blue and black flames swirling there for a moment. In his mind's eye, he saw a flicker of a keyblade made of wood.
Xemnas, "…For some time now, since Aqua reappeared."
Xigbar rubbed his chin at that. Xigbar, "Does Aqua have something to do with Roxas getting those memories? Could her interaction with him have triggered something?"
Xemnas smirked to himself. Xemnas, "No…While even I admit…there is a physical similarity between Roxas and the one whose memories he now carries…" Xigbar snorted derisively at that.
Xemnas went on, "Aqua's interactions with him have nothing to do with it."
Xigbar crossed his arms over his chest. Xigbar, "Well that's the only answer I can think of…unless…" The Freeshooter's single eye widened in shock.
Xigbar, "No way…Does Roxas have his-"
Xemnas scoffed and looked back at Xigbar contemptuously. Xemnas, "Don't even finish that. To even suggest such a thing is ridiculous."
Xigbar scowled and went on. Xigbar, "But the fact that he can wield a keyblade, that he even seems to have real emotions! Come one, even you have to admit he's an oddity among us!"
Xemnas chuckled and looked back at Kingdom Hearts. Xemnas, "And yet he is among us. That alone tells you he lacks a heart."
Xigbar was unconvinced. Xigbar, "But it doesn't explain the emotions he displays."
Xemnas' responded evenly, "There is. And it's quite simple: Sora, Roxas' 'other'."
Xigbar blinked. "I don't understand."
Xemnas went on. "Sora's existence, his mere presence, is powerful in itself. He leaves an imprint, a mark in the hearts of everyone he meets. Roxas inherited this unique gift. Or more likely, since Roxas is Sora, he is drawn to those who hearts are connected to Sora's, whether by instinct or latent memory. And as such, the memories of Sora began appearing to Roxas in dreams. As they did, Roxas began to display his unusual tendencies."
Xigbar rubbed his chin in thought. "Huh. But I thought Roxas didn't have Sora's memories? And even if he does, why has that other brat's began appearing in his head as well?"
Xemnas chuckled. "Again, the answer is quite simple and obvious."
Xigbar growled and finally lost his patience, snapping, "Well enlighten me please!"
Xemnas once more turned to look at the Freeshooter, unable to wipe the smirk off his face as he replied one word:
"Namine."
Xigbar showed no reaction, only staring blankly at his Superior.
Xemnas turned away, looking back not at Kingdom Hearts but the approaching storm clouds.
Xemnas, "She aides us still. Whether willingly or otherwise, it matters not."
Slowly, Xemnas turned to look back at Xigbar. Xemnas, "I have one last mission for you to do Xigbar. A very important one…"
The Freeshooter's lips slowly spread into a smirk of his own.
"I'm all ears boss man."
Roxas hadn't said much since they had gotten back to the Castle. As they all stepped out of the Corridor, Roxas didn't even look at them when he said, "We'll talk tomorrow. I'll explain then." Axel hadn't been that patient though, stomping after Roxas and quickly moving in front of him as he exclaimed in a demanding tone, "Roxas this can't wait that long! How did you know that name?" Roxas hadn't responded, hadn't even looked at Axel, just keeping his eyes downcast, almost completely hidden by his blonde locks. Without a word, Roxas simply headed for his room without even glancing at his friends. Axel let out a hiss of breath before following after Roxas but then veered off in a different direction.
Xion had stood there alone, feeling hopeless and impossibly confused. With little choice left, she headed for her room to an uneasy sleep. And hoped tomorrow would shed some light on the shadows surrounding them.
Now, it was tomorrow, and Xion was walking down the familiar steel hallways of the Castle that Never Was, passing various Dusks and Samurais, ignoring them and the lesser Nobodies returning the favor. Lesser Nobody? She asked herself with a mental sneer. At least they're real in a way. You're just a doll, poppet.
Xion scowled a little as her own inner voice became the familiar and unwanted mocking echo of the Freeshooter Xigbar's.
Xion shook her head, stopping for a moment to steady herself. She was heading for Roxas's room, to try and talk to him before Axel showed up and demanded answers. Though Xion had to admit, she was curious herself. Roxas's behavior as of late had been strange…well, stranger, then usual.
For a while, it looked like he hadn't been getting any rest, but he also had started sleeping later, waking up sometimes at noon and still tired to boot. And the way he had been fighting had been strange as well. Roxas didn't exactly have a unique style, just a basic 'hack into 'em until they're dead' way of fighting, using raw strength and wide sweeping slashes with absolutely no defense to speak of save for the simple guard technique they all knew.
But as of late, she had seen him using wind magic along with light power both Xion and Roxas possessed, and his skill with his keyblade had improved tenfold. Xion had brushed it off as experience gained from all their missions…
But then she remembered his fit when they had been at the beach…
And the way he tore into that huge Heartless…
The way he held his keyblade and those strange swords he summoned and then that fit he had about 'too many images'…
It was painfully clear Roxas was dealing with something very strange, perhaps even bad…And was maybe starting to lose.
Xion paused, standing right in front of Roxas's door.
The thing that stood out most to Xion...
Was the name 'Lea'.
Roxas had called Axel that and she saw the shock in the Flurry of Flames eyes. It wasn't until she really thought about it that Xion realized if you added an 'x' between the 'a' and 'e' and then turned them all backwards…
It spelt 'Axel'.
Got it memorized?
Xion closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath before letting it out. Then, opening her eyes and steeling herself, Xion gently knocked on Roxas's door.
"Roxas?" She called. "You up?"
He should be by now but with his erratic schedule he could still be asleep. Xion waited a few seconds before knocking again, a little harder this time while saying, "Roxas? It's me, Xion. Could you open the door please?"
And still no response.
Frowning, Xion tried the handle and discovered the door was unlocked. Pushing it open slowly, she called, "Roxas?" and stepped inside.
The room was empty.
Xion's blue eyes scanned the room for a moment before settling on Roxas's desk. Sighing, she stepped inside, closing the door behind her. She slowly looked around, walking towards Roxas's bed and saw the sheets were made. Xion turned towards Roxas's simple desk and walked towards it.
She saw he had marked another day down on his calendar with an 'x'. Xion looked at the simple white board and started to move away when she noticed the uppermost draw was slightly ajar. Xion cocked her dark brows and grasped the drawer, pulling it all the way open.
Her eyes widened, mouth opening in shock.
And then slowly, she smiled.
"Roxas…"
Inside the drawer was multiple and numerous uniquely colored seashells.
Xion picked one up, recognizing it instantly. They were the seashells Xion herself had lain by Roxas when he had been unconscious for nearly a month. He had kept them.
Xion cocked her head a little, raising the shell to her ear, eyes closing.
She listened.
Soon, she could hear it…
The sound of waves rolling on a sandy beach.
How she loved that sound.
With a small sigh of reluctance, Xion placed the shell back in the drawer and closed it.
"Roxas…" she whispered. "Where are you?"
She looked around the room one last time.
Maybe he was on a mission, she realized.
And then she left, stepping back out into the hall and closing the door behind her before she headed for the Grey Area, concern etched on her features and in her eyes as she moved a little quicker then usual, but still slow enough not to draw attention.
Not that any being in this Castle spared her more then an annoyed glance nowadays.
Down the opposite end of the hall, unnoticed even with his bright vibrant flame colored hair, Axel leaned against the wall, eyes closed and head bowed.
Xion stepped into the Grey Area and was disappointed to see Roxas wasn't here either. Her frown deepened, seeing the only other Nobody in the room was Saix standing before the great glass window, directly under the light of Kingdom Hearts as usual. Steadying herself with a deep breath, she stepped farther into the room.
Saix didn't take his lunar yellow eyes off of Kingdom Hearts and Xion noticed the thick group of black clouds that ha begun to cover the sky. No real difference from before as there was never a star in the sky but now Xion could see ripples of lightning coursing through the black clouds.
A bad storm was coming.
Only when Xion was right behind him did Saix move a little, turning his head ever so slightly, glancing at Xion out of the corner of his eyes.
"Nice of you to arrive Xion. Though I was almost hoping you wouldn't, seeing how you've either blundered or deserted nearly all your missions as of late."
Xion scowled at the smirking moon gazer.
"What's my mission?" She snapped.
Saix turned to face her completely, sneering down at her.
Saix, "A rather simple one, even you can't mess this up. There's a rather large infestation of Dire Plant Heartless as well as a few Poison Plants inside the underground tunnels of Twilight Town. Go and eliminate them all before they pollinate and spread to the surface. Finish any preparations and then be on your way, the sooner the better."
With that, he flicked his wrist, calling forth the swirling miasma of shadows, a Corridor of Darkness. Without another word, Saix resumed gazing up at Kingdom Hearts. Xion moved away for a few moments, checking her pack. Seeing she still had a decent supply of elixirs she decided not to buy anything else. Besides it was just some Plant Heartless, no real big deal.
Without another glance towards Saix, she stepped into the Corridor, the smoky miasma engulfing her slowly and within seconds she was no longer visible inside its depths. The Corridor swelled up before shrinking in on itself, becoming a puddle of shadows.
Outside, lightning rippled and thunder rumbled.
In the alleys over the sandlot of Twilight Town, a second Corridor of Darkness rose up and seconds later, Xion stepped out, the Corridor shrinking down into a puddle behind her. Xion looked around, eyes squinting a little. It was brighter then usual in Twilight Town but her eyes quickly adjusted and Xion looked around for a few seconds to see what part of town she had arrived in.
She was a little relieved to see she was in the alleys that lead to the sandlot and station heights as well as the underground passages. It just made everything all the more easier. Deciding she wanted to get this mission done as soon as possible, Xion moved towards the tunnel entrance and into the underground.
Almost immediately she had to dodge a large black projectile, ducking back towards the tunnel entrance as the black seed shot past her and into a wall, smashing itself to pieces. Xion glanced around the corner, confirming Saix's words.
There was an infestation of Dire Plants, lots of them, each identical down to the their green stalk bodies and the red and yellow flower petals around their black heads, each grinning stupidly with dead yellow eyes right on Xion.
To the Heartless, she wasn't fresh prey, just an intruder.
Xion, "Weeding time."
With a swing of her right hand, Xion called her Kingdom Key into existence in a flash of bright sparks.
She waited a moment, letting the first group of three Dire Plants fire their seeds at the wall closest to her. When they stopped, she charged out, thrusting her hand out, smoke billowing between her fingers as a fireball shot out. It struck the middle plant among the group and exploded, spreading flames to the other two's stalks and leaves. The Plants all shook and flailed as the fires consumed them swiftly, leaving nothing but purple smoke and floating pink hearts.
Xion lowered her hand but kept her keyblade ready. She could se more and more Dire Plants down the rest of the tunnels but didn't see any Poison Plants. This wouldn't be too hard.
Xion moved quickly into the next section of the tunnels, seeing two more groups of three Dire Plants, their stalk bodies shuddering as they drew back, petals closing and glowing. Xion kept moving towards them even as two of them shot their projectiles. The dark haired girl swung her keyblade out like a baseball bat, clutching its hilt with both hands. Both shots rebounded slammed back into the faces of the Dire Plants, stunning them while the others began to shudder as well, preparing to fire. But it took a while, giving her the chance to charge over, swinging her blade in a spinning slash that took off all the heads of the Dire Plants.
Their stalk bodies spasmed for a moment, the green fading a pale white before going limp and then they exploded, releasing more pink hearts in a burst of purple smoke. Xion didn't lower her keyblade and looked down the connecting tunnel. More Dire Plants were all over the place, at least two dozen more in these tunnels alone if she didn't count the last sealed off tunnel in the far back and that was most likely where the bigger Poison Plants were. Xion twirled her keyblade in one hand, taking a breath.
Stop standing around, she told herself.
The sooner done, the sooner she could find Roxas.
She moved over to the gate over the large loading tunnel and from where she stood over it there was at least a dozen more Dire Plants. Deciding not to waste time with hacking them all up, Xion raised her keyblade, pointing the blade tip down at them. A large fireball grew at the end before firing off and into the center of the Plants. Instead of taking out a single one, it exploded, raining down a bunch of smaller fireballs that incinerated all of the Dire Plants in an explosion of fire, purple smoke and pink hearts.
When the smoke settled and she could see no more Dire Plants, Xion looked towards the left tunnels, the ones that lead to the market place and the clock tower heights.
She'd save that for last.
Xion jumped down into the lower steps, moving through the open gate and into the tunnel. Looking further down the rest of the way, she saw two lone Dire Plants. With a casual wave she threw another small fireball, destroying these two with little trouble. She walked past the fading smoke and freed hearts, looking further down the tunnels. She could see no more Dire Plants in this part of the tunnels and decided it was time to head into the waterway.
Tightening her grip on her keyblade, Xion moved deeper into the tunnels.
Just as she thought, the bigger Poison Plants were indeed inside the waterway, two of them right by the gutter.
While there was not much difference between the Dire and Poison Plants in appearance, there was one simple, obvious and dangerous one:
The Poison Plant was three times bigger then the Dire Plant and three times more annoying, making them just a bit harder to destroy.
Xion stared at the two large Heartless plants and decided to try a spell, wanting to avoid getting up close and personal with these things at all costs. Because she had learned a long time ago one of the really annoying things about these Heartless was-
Xion gasped, her thoughts interrupted as she quickly ducked behind the wall again when she saw both Plants shaking, their bud like heads drawing back and glowing a little as the petals covered their faces for a moment. A split-second later two loud 'Splats!' could be heard.
Xion took a moment to slow her breathing before glancing back around the corner. She let out a disgusted groan upon seeing to very large smudges of ooze dragging slowly down the wall, little purple bubbles rising and popping off of them occasionally.
That was the reason she hated these particular Heartless so much, their projectiles were just gross. It didn't help any that they were also poisonous. And the poison sometimes blinded their victims as well, letting these Heartless easily gang up on their prey.
Fortunately, Xion had slain enough of these to learn when to dodge.
And when to fight head on.
The dark haired keyblade wielder ran her hand over her blade, the steel glowing red hot as her fingers skimmed over it. Moving quickly from behind the wall, Xion lunged out, her keyblade thrusting as two fireballs the size of large rocks fired out. They struck the Poison Plants right in the face, setting their bud shaped heads afire.
The Plants flailed about for several seconds, randomly pounding their burning heads into the ground so hard they shook the whole area and made Xion stumble. But eventually, the flames consumed them and they exploded into small clouds of purple smoke, releasing slightly larger hearts then the ones released by their smaller cousins.
Wading through the smoke, Xion moved into the last tunnel of the area and was a little relieved to see it was clear.
All that was left was the last tunnel leading into the market and clock tower station and all that was left was a few Poison Plants. Xion balanced her keyblade across her shoulder with a small annoyed groan, before breaking into a slight job, rushing back into the main section of the tunnels, suddenly more eager then ever to get this mission done and find Roxas.
She rushed into the last tunnel, swinging her keyblade out in wide and high slashes, decapitating every Poison Plant in her way, deflecting their projectiles in the same strokes, leaving the Plants stunned long enough for her to chop them down. When the final tunnel was cleared at last, Xion allowed herself a sigh of relief and a small pleased smile.
She turned right, heading down the last small passage and then made a left for the rising slope that lead to-
A black ball of sludge sailed past her and would have hit Xion right on her face if she hadn't reacted instinctively and ducked then rolled back behind a wall. Xion panted for a second, more surprised then winded.
A third Poison Plant, blocking the exit to the clock tower.
Xion cursed at herself for so stupidly believing the Poison Plants and Dire Plants wouldn't intermingle together. They had before but she forgot and now she was paying for it. She was out of magic so she was going to have to fight it head on.
Xion readied her keyblade, gripping it with both hands tightly before charging out, swinging high and will all her strength. Her Kingdom Key tore into the thick green stalk of the Plant but not deep enough to cut it all the way through, only spilling a nasty looking green ooze all over the ground and onto her boots. Xion cringed and let a, "Yuck!" before ripping her blade out and jumping back as the Plant suddenly lunged down, slamming its head onto the floor several times as it tried to pound Xion to nothing.
Xion simply kept back, keyblade raised until the Plant stopped, its bud head swaying a little. Xion smirked a little. Xion, "Not very smart to do that, it just makes you look stupider then you already are."
That said, Xion quickly tore into the stalk body of the Heartless, tearing out chunks of green flesh and splattering more of that gross green ooze. Xion did her best to dodge that. The dark haired girl pulled her keyblade back before delivering am mighty uppercut spinning slash, tearing into the petals around the bud head and scattering a few of them across the ground. Xion jumped back to the ground; annoyed she hadn't taken its head off like she had been trying to with that attack. Easily corrected though, she told herself. Xion pulled her blade down again, gathering her strength as she prepared for another go at the Heartless' stalk like neck-
Only to meet it's bud head into her own, stunning her as Xion let out a cry of surprise and pain, falling back to the ground and staggering, trying to reorient herself but she didn't recover in time and the Poison Plant began repeatedly slamming its head down onto Xion, knocking her back and causing her to grunt, gritting her teeth down in pain as she was struck several times before one final slam sent her reeling back, almost dropping her keyblade.
Xion stumbled back up, clutching her aching head with her left hand, swaying a little on her feet. She shook her head, trying to make the tunnels stop spinning but only making things worse Xion discovered. She staggered back, watching the Poison Plant rise back up, preparing for another head butt attack but from for some reason, there was three of them now, all spinning around each other as they leaned back to finish her off.
One shot, Xion told herself, tightening her grip on her keyblade's handle with both hands.
The Poison Plant lunged forward-
At the same time Xion swung her Kingdom Key out, striking its neck and tearing the bud clean off in a shower of purple smoke and green ooze.
Xion panted, lowering her keyblade as she clutched at her still aching forehead. Everything was still spinning and she felt like she was about to be sick.
She stood perfectly still for several seconds, dispelling her keyblade in a flash of light and burst of sparks, taking a few deep breathes to calm her nerves. Slowly the dizziness began to fade away mercifully, and the tunnels stopped spinning. Xion lowered her hand and took a few hesitant steps back, looking at the tunnels once again.
"Even I can't screw it up, huh?" She asked the empty tunnels, scowling at the memory of those lunar eyes and sneering face. She wished that Poison Plant's neck had been his instead.
With one last angry sigh, Xion turned her back on the tunnels and moved towards the exit gate, stepping out of their poorly lit shade and into the red glare of perpetual twilight.
Xion walked a little ways until she was under the looming shadow of the clock tower, right before the ledge that let her look overt he whole town. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath of fresh air and smiling a little.
This was her favorite spot to be, this hill overlooking the entire town, atop the whole world. Of course, she reminded herself, slowly turning around, there was an even better spot to look at it from, and that was-
She looked up, dark blue eyes looking up at the clock towers very top, at a ledge.
Where someone in a black cloak was currently sitting.
Someone with golden locks.
Xion's eyes widened a little.
"Roxas," she gasped.
Without another thought or word, Xion broke into a sprint, rushing towards the station, double stepping up the steps and quickly pushing the door open and racing inside, surprising the clerk behind the ticket window but Xion didn't spare that person a glance as she raced down towards the docking and leaving trains, looking around widely until she spotted the door to the stairs. She rushed through the door and double timed it up them, panting, still a little winded from her quick fight with the Poison Plant.
But she didn't let that slow her down.
Within in seconds, she was in front of the door to the ledge, standing right by the large churning gears, the slightly loud and heavy mechanical sounds mingling with her panting breath.
Her breathing slowed gradually.
Xion stared at the door.
And found herself thinking of yesterday.
She hesitated, but wasn't certain why.
Roxas…
Her gloved hand gripped the door handle and she gently pushed it open.
The dark room was filled with bright golden light, blinding Xion for a second, her eyes snapping shut.
She stood there a moment, eyes reopening slowly. She took a deep breath, and stepped onto the ledge.
She was on the left side of the clock tower, hidden in the shadows. The sun was beginning to set. For a very brief moment, Xion thought that she had just imagined Roxas sitting there. She moved towards the front side of the ledge slowly, maddeningly slow.
And then she stepped from around the corner and saw Roxas was still sitting there, dark cloak and bright hair contrasting against each other. Xion didn't say anything as Roxas turned to look at her, smiling. He held up his left hand, revealing two blue sea-salt ice cream bars.
Roxas, "About time. I had to use a Blizzard spell to keep these from melting."
Xion stared in surprise for a moment, gaping blankly at him.
Then, she smiled back and replied, "Well if I had known we were going to meet up today I would have hurried up."
Roxas smiled, nodding and closing his eyes. "Touché."
Xion giggled a little, the tension easing and fading away instantly. She walked over, taking one of the bars and then sat down beside Roxas.
The two began to lick at their ice cream, savoring the sweet, yet salty taste, completely unique and impossible to find anywhere else save in this sleepy town between light and shadow.
It was Roxas who broke the silence once again, turning away from his ice cream to look at Xion as he asked, "What was your mission today?"
Xion took another lick of her bar before looking at Roxas to reply, "Oh, just weeding out some Dire and Poison Plants. The last one managed to hit me with one of those really annoying head butts. The whole world was spinning for a bit because of that."
Roxas winced, rubbing a spot on his head as if relieving a bad memory. Roxas, "Been down that road. Those things hurt when they hit. Not nearly as annoying as getting blinded though. The first time that happened, I was with Axel and he tripped me so many times before it wore off, laughing his butt off."
Xion giggled and covered her mouth to stifle her laughter. Roxas mock scowled before smiling again and laughing as well.
Then there was silence; the two teens watching the sun slowly sink down, the red sky beginning to grow darker, and eating their ice cream.
Xion found the anxiety of yesterday and her worry of today fading away entirely by the simple act of sitting next to Roxas and eating ice cream, like they always did.
Everything was right again.
Then, Roxas lowered his ice cream, watching the red sun for several seconds before finally saying, "Xion, I'm going to be gone for a few days."
She had been about to take another bite out of her ice cream when Roxas announced this, the blue bar freezing mere centimeters away from her parted lips, dark blue eyes widening before she turned her head to meet Roxas's lighter orbs.
Xion, "What? Why?"
Roxas kept her gaze for a few seconds, his expression lost and confused. Then he looked away with a sigh, eyes lowering. He didn't say anything, instead looked back at the setting sun.
The sudden silence did nothing to relieve Xion's nerves. She fidgeted, shifting where she sat to better face Roxas before she asked in desperation, "Roxas what did you mean? Where are you going to go? Why are you leaving?"
Roxas looked at his ice cream bar, as if it held all the answers. Then he, looked back at the twilit sky. And finally spoke again.
"I've been having these…weird dreams lately…And I wonder…are any of them real…or not?"
Roxas lowered his head, his bangs briefly hiding his eyes. Xion sat perfectly still, waiting for him to go on.
Roxas raised his gaze, revealing his eyes again.
"There's this boy…and he-" He paused, hesitating.
Xion found herself leaning closer all of a sudden, eager to hear more even though Roxas had barely said two sentences. But she was dying, aching to know what had been plaguing him so for these last two weeks.
Roxas looked back towards the sky and finally said, "He has a keyblade. Like me and you."
Xion stared at him, eyes widening a little bit but she kept her shock hidden from her face as best as she could.
Roxas continued to stare at the sky as he went on.
"His name is Ventus. He has some kind of connection with Aqua…I've seen her in the dreams too…and that's why I though they were just that for a while, and why I didn't say anything. I thought they would just go away if I ignored them long enough."
He let out a sigh through his nose, mouth closed as he lowered his head, eyes closing again.
Xion leaned a little closer, asking, "Did they?"
He shook his head slowly from side to side.
Roxas, "No. No they didn't. Every night they came back. Different but the same each time."
He opened his eyes, looking back at the sky, still not meeting Xion's eyes.
"Ven…that's what they called him. Aqua and…their friend. He went to so many worlds, Xion. Even some of the ones we've been too, and he met so many of those worlds inhabitants, befriending them all."
He finally turned to look at her, smiling a small melancholy smile. Roxas, "It sounds nice, doesn't it?"
Xion found herself smiling wistfully as well. Xion, "Yeah…" She looked at the sky as well. "It sounds really nice," she whispered.
Roxas looked at her for a few seconds, then returned to looking at the sky. The red was beginning to bleed into black.
Roxas stared at the sky. And then, what he said next was barely a whisper.
"There's someone else in the dream too."
Xion blinked, looking at Roxas, noticing his hands had clenched into fists on his lap. They were shaking.
Roxas went on. "It's a boy, around Ven's age. He wears this strange mask…and he has a keyblade too. It's the strangest keyblade I've ever seen. It's…wrong. Dark."
Xion blinked, frowning a little in confusion.
Roxas went on. "That day at the beach…the reason I had that fit…I saw something…It was like the dreams but I was awake."
Xion stared at him, intrigued, her curiosity growing with every word. Roxas looked at his right hand, blue eyes vacant as they recalled the images only he had seen that day.
Roxas, "I don't…I don't think I should have seen what I saw. And that's why I passed out."
Roxas looked at her, offering a crooked, apologetic grin. Roxas, "Real day killer huh? Sorry about that."
Xion smiled back and a little of the new tension softened. Xion, "It's ok. I understand now. Please, Roxas, what happened yesterday?"
His smile fell a little, not disappearing but not really there. Roxas, "Yesterday… I though the dreams were gone. After what happened in Hollow Bastion, I didn't have anymore, except one but not the next night. I guess I celebrated too early. Something like that happened twice before. Once, in Halloween Town, when I was fighting a premature Leechgrave. And then again at Olympus Coliseum, when I was fighting this really strong fighter named Jecht. And even then I only barely managed to knock him down afterwards. And then the last time you saw, was against that huge Heartless."
Roxas looked at his hands again, as if wondering if they were really his.
Roxas, "Each time…It was like I had this sudden strength. But it wasn't me using it. It felt like I was just watching someone who looked like me doing the fighting. And you saw the way I held my keyblade."
Xion nodded. Xion, "Backwards, the blade against your elbow."
Roxas nodded. Roxas, "It's the same way he holds his keyblade. Ven. And I guess, that's the way he fights. I never saw him fight in my dreams, just his interactions with all his friends and…"
He trailed off for a moment. And then he finally said, "That masked boy."
Xion was leaning really close now, completely wrapped up in his words.
Roxas didn't say anything else for a long moment and Xion held her breath.
And finally, he went on again. Roxas, "Yesterday, after I destroyed that Heartless…I saw what happened to Ven. I can't explain it because I still don't understand everything I've seen in these dreams. But, something strange happened after that Xion. Right before I woke up…"
He reached into his cloak and then pulled out the three cards from yesterday, staring at them. Xion followed his gaze before looking back at Roxas.
Roxas went on. "He gave me these. I think it was Ven but…And he said…"
Roxas turned and met Xion's eyes.
"The Way to Awakening lies through Oblivion."
Xion blinked, leaning a little ways back, expression confused an thoughtful as she repeated to herself, "The Way to…Awakening?"
She looked back at Roxas before asking, "What does that mean?"
Roxas shook his head helplessly, eyes closing as he bowed his head once again in lost.
Roxas, "I don't know. I don't understand what any of this means."
His eyes opened, suddenly brighter, thoughtful. "No," he whispered.
Xion looked at him, brow furrowing. "Roxas?" She asked.
He didn't look at her as he went on. "I understood one thing. When he gave me these cards, he was standing in front of a castle."
And Xion knew what he was going to say before he did, and her blood turned to ice.
Roxas turned and looked at her again, his eyes the bright blue of the sky.
"Castle Oblivion."
The very mention of that place's name sent a shudder rippling through her body. Xion turned and moved away suddenly, wrapping her arms around herself.
Not many people reacted that way at the mention of their birthplace. But Xion knew she was one of the few exceptions to that.
Roxas saw her shudder and reached over to place a comforting hand on her shoulder but Xion moved away from his touch. His blue eyes flashed, filled with hurt for a moment as he lowered his hand and looked back towards the dark sky.
"That's where I have to go Xion. My whole being tells me I'll find my answers there. Maybe not to everything, but I know I'll find something."
His tone was determined, unafraid and unwavering, jaw set and eyes fierce.
Xion looked at him, eyes shining, mouth agape a little.
Roxas sat back and stood up, turning away from Xion. Roxas, "I just wanted to let you know why I wouldn't be coming back Xion. Hopefully for only a few days…"
What he said next sent another shudder through Xion.
"Or maybe not at all."
She moved so quickly she surprised herself yet again.
Xion wrapped her arms around Roxas, holding him tightly, desperately.
"Roxas please don't go!" She exclaimed, her voice shaky and on the verge of tears.
Right then, they both found themselves feeling a strange ache in their chests. And this ache hurt worse then any pain they had ever felt before.
Roxas didn't turn to face her, staying stone still and replying with a distant, flat voice, "I have to Xion. I don't want too, but I have to. I have to know."
He pulled away gently, and Xion drew her arms to her chest, her whole body shaking. Xion, "Why? What do you have to know?" Her voice cracked.
Roxas closed his eyes, fighting down this strange ache. Roxas, "I have to know why this has happened. I have to know who he is and why he's been in my dreams."
Roxas turned to face her at last; his eyes shining with held back tears. Roxas, "It feels like…I'm loosing myself. Yesterday, I didn't feel like me at all. And today, I only feel a little like myself. Xion, I think if I don't confront this today…"
He looked at his hands again.
"I think I won't be me anymore…" He whispered this, truly afraid and Xion could see his hands were shaking fiercely.
And they stopped when she took his hands in hers and held them firm. Roxas blinked in surprise as Xion stared up at him with a sudden determination, eyes still teary but her grip strong.
Xion, "You are you. Nobody else. You will never be anyone else but Roxas. And if one day, you feel like you're about to lose yourself…"
She smiled, a single tear running down her cheek.
"I'll be right there, to remind you."
Roxas stared at her, completely at a lost.
Roxas, "Xion…"
She let go of his hands and stepped back before turning away from him and waving her arm out. The shadows swirled and gathered, rising up to form a Corridor of Darkness.
She turned back to face Roxas, meeting his confused gaze with a smile. Xion, "I'll come with you, to make sure you're still you when you come back."
Roxas's reply was instant "No way, it's too dangerous-"
Xion interrupted. "You need some back up, whether you want to admit it or not. And besides, I spent a little time in Castle Oblivion, I know a few of those floors."
They both knew that didn't mean anything, as both had heard and in Xion's case learned, that the layout of Castle Oblivion was never the same twice. But she held her ground and gaze, staring unafraid at Roxas.
Finally, he let out a sigh and nodded reluctantly. Roxas, "Alright. Let's go."
He started to move past her but stopped. Roxas extended his arm out, letting Xion move ahead of him. Roxas smiled as he said, "After you, my lady."
Xion giggled and gave him a small grateful bow. Xion, "Thank you kind sir."
They both smiled at each other stepping into the Corridor. The miasma of shadows swelled before shrinking in on itself, vanishing from sight and taking them both with it.
The red sky turned completely black, the sun setting.
Twilight became darkness, and everything was hidden from sight.
Only a few times before had he ever been actually nervous to be in this empty white room of thrones.
And today was one of them.
Axel sat across from Saix, his green eyes meeting his lunar orbs. The Superior sat on his highest throne, looking at both of them in something that was almost curiosity. But if one looked closely, they would see it was truly amusement.
Axel broke the silence, sighing loudly as he crossed his arms over his chest. Axel, "Alright, I'm here. What's the deal?"
Saix scowled. Saix, "Watch your tone when addressing the lord Superior."
Axel relished his smirk and response: "I wasn't addressing the Superior. I was addressing you."
Saix's eyes twitched. And then, much to Axel's growing annoyance, he smirked back.
Saix, "Even so, watch your tongue still."
Axel sighed and slumped back against his throne. Axel, "Whatever. Just spit it out. What'd I do? Is this about the mission yesterday?"
Saix's smirk wouldn't shrink or grow but remained infuriatingly there. Saix, "In a way, yes. It concerns Roxas and Xion."
At the mentions of their names Axel tensed and sat up straight. Axel, "What about them? What happened? Have they been hurt?"
It was strange how he instantly assumed the worse. They may have been nothing to begin with, but they still existed. Were they both-?
Saix, "They are fine. As far as we know."
Never had he felt a stranger combination of relief and confusion so perfectly mixed together. And Saix's smirking face didn't help alleviate Axel's growing frustration.
Axel, "What's that supposed to mean? What happened?"
It was the Superior who responded.
"It seems Roxas and Xion have both fled from their missions. They have run away together."
Axel blinked, completely caught off guard.
Axel, "W-what?"
Saix picked up from the Superior.
Saix, "Roxas never went to his mission and Xion vanished from Twilight Town after clearing the Heartless Plant infestation. We sent two Samurai Nobodies to their 'usual spot' in Twilight Town and found traces of a Dark Corridor. They have fled, to where we are still not sure."
And suddenly the frustration chilled into fear.
Axel, "Let me go after them." He said it so quickly he almost missed the slight fearful tone in his voice. Almost.
To both his and Saix's surprise, it was the Superior who responded.
"The matter is already being handled Axel. We called you here simply let you know. And to advise you not to get involved."
Axel protested, "But I-"
The Superior's eyes flared, becoming orange flames that pierced through Axel's own winter green.
Axel's words died in his throat. He slumped back down on his throne and nodded slowly.
With that said, the Superior became engulfed in shadows, vanishing from sight and leaving his throne empty. A second later, after giving Axel one last smug smirk, Saix vanished as well.
Axel sat alone on his throne, hands lying limp and flat up in his lap, eyes staring into his palms numbly.
'Roxas…Xion…'
His sigh was heavy and sad, eyes closing slowly right before he became engulfed in shadows a well.
Where Nothing Gathers was empty.
As always.
He sat before his small table in the center of his room, hands moving rapidly as they shuffled the deck of black and white cards.
After several seconds of shuffling, he began to lay them out in no particular order. He wasn't playing any game, just killing time.
He had all the time in the world.
"Such a pity…"
His finger stilled over the next card as he heard the voice.
Cobalt eyes turned to meet a single amber gaze.
Xigbar smirked down at Luxord, arms crossed.
Luxord said nothing, only stared at the interloper for a moment in mild curiously and growing irritation.
Then, he resumed laying his cards out.
Xigbar stood where he was and went on.
Xigbar, "You are one of our best. Decent field mission numbers, tricky and unique fighting style and weapon. And your power…"
Luxord drew another card and turned it over.
Ace of Spades.
Luxord spoke without looking at the Freeshooter, "Gifts of the silver tongue. Flattery and manipulation. It's not hard to tell which of us has which gift."
Xigbar chuckled, still not moving.
He spoke again, "I meant what I said. You are one of the best and a lucky find." He frowned in sudden sympathy. Xigbar, "Darn shame the Superior won't give you the credit you deserve. I vouched for you, y'know. I said it should have been you who was Lord of Castle Oblivion. You are the true lord of the cards after all."
The Gambler of Fate did not respond but couldn't hide a small smirk on the corner of his lips.
Nor did he see Xigbar's growing one.
"But, in a way, it's kind of a good thing you didn't go," Went on the Freeshooter. "We might have lost you if you went and that would have been a real tragedy."
Luxord drew the next card and looked at it.
The King of Spades.
He stared at it another moment before flicking it atop the Ace and saying, "Maybe so."
His fingers reached for the next card but Xigbar beat him to it, drawing the card but not showing it, keeping it's back to both himself and the Gambler.
Xigbar smirked down at Luxord, who kept his gaze even though his eyes showed interest.
Xigbar, "What if I told you," his voice lowered to a whisper. "If you help me with this mission I'm on, you'll be named the next Lord of Castle Oblivion?"
And then, Xigbar looked at the card before showing it to Luxord.
The Gambler couldn't hide his amusement at what he saw.
The Joker.
The wild card.
What he said next wasn't much of a surprise to either of them.
"I'm listening."
The sound of slow waves on a sandy shore…
There was no sound quite like it and like every world; it was unique to its own beach.
Sapphire eyes gazed at the blue waters turned red. The sun was beginning to set.
She had arrived very late, and was leaning against the familiar curved tree.
It hadn't changed in ten years, she noticed.
But then again, neither had she, she remembered sadly.
It's a small world, she reminds herself. Change does not come too soon or too fast.
And suddenly, inexplicably, she thinks of those three children.
The little boy with spiky brown locks and his crooked grin.
The little girl with the short red locks, the flowers in her hands and the smile on her face as well.
And…
The last boy.
The one with the unique and light blue eyes, so light she had almost thought they were green. They matched his silver hair perfectly.
Silver hair…
She brushes the thoughts off, wondering and hoping that those three were older and living normal lives, no worries over the balance between light and darkness. And no keyblade to ruin their lives.
She let out a small sigh, leaning closely to the tree and closing her eyes. She tried to let the sound of rolling waves lull her to sleep. But she found herself thinking of her friend.
And the choice she had left herself with.
Down below, cloaked in shadows, a figure cloaked in black leaned against the ledge wall under the bridge connecting to the smaller island the woman above currently rested on. His own eyes were closed in rest, his weary soul soothed by the familiar sound of rolling waves on the golden beach.
But even if his eyes were open, one wouldn't be able to see them. The shadows he cloaked himself in weren't dark enough to hide them.
But the blindfold hid them perfectly from anyone else's own gaze.
(Takes a long, relaxed sigh.)
Finally...DONE.
The long awaited return of Riku is here! (Looks at Riku) Where have you been?
Riku:...I'd rather not say. (Challange readers! Who can come up with the craziest place Riku could have been all along?)
Hello readers! been a while, I apologize. School is being quote :Ridiculous: end quote. I' ll leave it at that.
A few things before i move onto the review resposnes and announce who guessed which character I would play as fist in BBS right.
First thing, I will not be changing the names of Aqua's Keyblade to their english names since I'm already using the Japan names. Her Glider will still be Rider and the Wayfinder will still be referred to as a star charm just in this story. In Fading Sentiment I will be using translated names.
Ok, that's it.
Also I'll be doing a review of Birth by Sleep soon, I'd do it now but I'm in a hurry.
As to who guessed correctly...Any one who said Terra first...
YOU ALL WIN PLUSHIES! (Plushies rain down from the heavens.)
(Zack picks one up, blanches, screams and runs away. The Sentiment cuddles with a bunch of Aqua ones.) Sentiment: Aqua...(Little hearts float around his helm) (Ven picks up a bunch and grins. Master Xehanort scowls at his own pluishie before throwing it aside. Vanitas stares blankly at his own. Aqua holds a Terra one, smiling. Xemnas pockets an Aqua one before leaving. Xigbar shoots a Terra one and leaves, grumbling about his eye.)
...I kinda wish I hadn't started the whole plushie thing.
Ah well.
Review Responses Time:
kirabook: Man, I don't even want to think about what you'll feel come the next few chapters. I thank thee for the thumbs up and offer my own. (Grins and thumbs up.)
Aqua StormXIV: Yes! And to you, an Aqua plushie. Oh, about three more chapters...not counting certain things that shall remain secret for now... Why thank you! I'm very happy to see people like my stuff so much. (Zack wakes up groaning and sees Aerith smiling at him.) Zack: AERITH! (Glomps and nuzzles) (Xemnas staggers around with stars in his eyes.) Xemnas: Who threw that anchor? I'll find you and- AHHH! (Falls down cliff. Hits several rocks. Jagged rocks.) Me: (Calls to Xemnas) Watch out for that first step, it's a doozy!
BloodyAphrodite: That is exactly what I did.
NinjaSheik: Yeah, not really doing that as often as I should.
iceandfire66: Nope, Terra. I picked him because he's my fave male KH character by far now. Err...About the whole 'Roxas has Ven's heart' thing...I don't actually believe that. There's a different thing going on here.
Yue Twili: Oh they are... Messa stoked you stoked!
DarkNekoGirl92: Thank you. Beautiful? I wouldn't go that far but to each their own. Badass indeed. I really need one but I did correct as many as I could and all the obvious ones. I'm excited when my readers are. I hope I can live up to all your expectations. (Just review and add it once, and I'm happy)
Blu rose: Thank you.
Xorncon- Number 0: The final battles...
My responses:
1: Not with KH2 per se...but it will tie in with somethings.
2: I did plan some rematches but decided against it. No point in dragging anything out really.
Paitence...All will be clear soon.
Fenrir of the Shadows: Thank you.
Flightfoot: A serious thank you for pointing all these out, I went and fixed every one. I'm going to ignore your other reviews and kindly ask you to be more patient because being plagued with 'Update plz' its very annoying and distracting.
CrimsonDarkness0013: I love twists. And I'm not done with them yet. Good luck on your stuff.
-Ringy rina-: No, they're pretty different. Thank you.
kalulu 1080: Thank you. Nope, Terra first.
Vampire Countess: Yep! Why indeed...
Twilight Cardmistress: I love cliffhangers...Now that I'm writing them!
fictionalcharacterwish: Was it not good to begin with?
FallenXMidnight: (Pulls Zack off of you and looks at him sternly.) You are not off the hook for your awesomely ridiculous fight. (Throws to Xehanort.) And you! (Points at Braig.) Are living on borrowed time.
ShadowYashi: Nope. Thank you. I'm not going that far though.
The Dani-Chan Replika 2.06: Salutations! Computers can be tricky. Thank you, I'm proud of keeping everyone in character. He's a something...starts with an 'H'. (Snickers.) I look forward to more reviews from you hopefully.
Marluxia13: Thank yew. There are tons of mistakes but you have to look closely. Thank you again.
Ami: 1: You're the second person to tell me that. A lot of people really liked that chapter. Thank you, I try to spread the Aqua love. 2: o_o Seriously? Wow. I'm...at a lost to what to say.
ReplicaRiku's Girl: We shall see...
KingdomHeartsDragon: Thank you. Xemnas is evil. He and Terra aren't the same characters. I try but they sneak in on me.
Thanks for the reviews everyone and I'll get to work on the next chapters of Fading and Body as soon as I can.