Final chapter. I enjoyed writing this. c:
Thank you for all reviews/reviews to come!
Roxas stood up on the slightly higher elevated ground and looked around. He had his shoes in his hands, and looked over to see Riku next to him, shaking his fur for any water that clung to his pelt. The oversized flea popped out as well and blinked up at Roxas.
"Train's coming, here we go." and so it was as they all saw it speeding through the barely underwater tracks. No Face was walking on them when the train come and much to his dismay, the water pushed his transparent form over and made him splash with the waves for a minute or two.
When it finally stopped in front of Roxas, the ticketman took their tickets and pointed to each passenger. He pointed to Roxas, Riku, the flea, and then behind them. All three beings turned to look, and saw No Face standing there with that same smile on his mask. "You want to come?" Roxas asked to which No Face responded with an urgent nod. "He's coming too, please." he said, turning to face the ticketman. "I'm riding to Swamp Bottom."
They climbed aboard and Roxas took note most of the people on there were black and transparent, much like the beings from the town. He held onto the railing above and gradually went to go take a seat once the train started going. No Face looked around in panic as if he didn't know where Roxas went before the boy called him over. "Here, you can sit." Riku took up the offer as well and tried to fit in Roxas' lap. Figures. "Behave yourself ok?" Roxas asked No Face, who nodded.
As they rode, Roxas watched the window and saw a house on an island go by along with another train stop. A city in the distance could also be seen. When the train stopped, several of the shadow people got off and walked away into an underground tunnel outside. Roxas didn't know how that worked since the entire area was mostly water. They ended up being the only passengers before too long, and after a while, Roxas heard a familiar voice.
"Roxas?!"
He turned to see Riku smiling up at him. "Did you just..say something?"
"Yeah." Riku's mouth didn't move, but he could hear his voice. Just like Axel. "How long before we reach Saix's? I want to take this damn spell off."
"Soon I hope." Roxas muttered.
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Back at the bathhouse in the boiler room, Axel opened his bright green eyes slowly. He slowly rose and saw the sleeping form of Xigbar propped up against the back of his cabinets. Next to him was a bucket with some water and a rag. Axel looked around to see blood smeared everywhere and even on his clothes. He quickly rose and shook Xigbar.
"Xigbar." he barked quite loud.
"Huh?" he blinked awake with his one eye. "Oh, it's you Axel. Finally woke up?"
"Where's Roxas?"
"Don't you remember anything?" he yawned.
"Just little pieces." he paused. "Roxas kept calling my name in the darkness. I followed his voice and woke up lying here.."
"His real names Roxas?" Xigbar exclaimed. (AN: I don't remember if he knew it or not, but he's not supposed to.)
"Can't beat the power of love." Xigbar finished.
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Up top, Xemnas was fuming while the fake Riku stood next to him.
"Damn Thirteen. This gold will hardly pay for all the damage."
"But Xemnas.." one of the three foremen muttered. "..he did save us."
"BE QUIET! He started it all, and now he's ran away. Even abandoned his own parents!" he paused in his yelling. "His parents must be fat pigs by now. Turn them into bacon or ham." the three being in front of him blinked, one happened to be the small frog No Face first ate.
"Hold up." Axel walked in lazily with his hands in his pockets.
"Master Axel!" the workers scooted back.
"What your still alive?" Xemnas replied, not in a very surprised tone.
He went to stand in front of Xemnas, and slowly, a smile crept on his face. "You still can't see that you've lost something precious?"
"You've gotten pretty fresh. Since when do you talk that way?" Xemnas matched his smile.
After a while of staring, Axel's peridot eyes drifted to the gold. Xemnas' smile immediately dropped and he picked up the gold. He examined it with a finger and after a long while, he began to chuckle in his throat again, realizing Axel was wrong. But this time when Xemnas looked at the boy, Axel's eyes were on Riku. Xemnas had to say, Riku was oddly quiet. While the silver haired boy wasn't looking, Xemnas made a zipping motion with his hand to reveal the face of his 'heartless' on Riku's body. "WHAT?!" he shouted. Once the heartless figured it out, all three scattered and hopped for the door, opened the handle, and fled. Xemnas shot up and teleported to Riku's room, throwing around things to see if his son was hidden beneath them.
"Riku! RIKU!" once he realized the boy couldn't be found, Axel sauntered in. "You.." flames started to materialize around the sorcerer and his hair looked as if a fan was blowing it back. In an instant, he was chest to chest with Axel and screaming. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM!!"
Axel replied simply, "He's with Saix."
"Saix..?" Xemnas cooled down immediately, and stood there for a minute wide eyed. Eventually, he went to go sit down in a nearby chair, still calming down. "That bastard so he think's he's beaten me." he turned to Axel. "So, what's your plan?"
"I'll bring the little shit back." Axel said smugly. "But in exchange, return Thirteen and his parents to the human world."
"And what becomes of you?!" Xemnas asked, raising his voice again. "Let's say, I tear you to pieces after sending them back?!"
"Whatever." he turned around. "You'll never get enough of my sweet ass." he purposely rocked his hips as he walked, fuming Xemnas to no end.
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The train had finally arrived at Swamp Bottom. No Face, Riku, Flea Crow, and Roxas stepped out and watched the train leave. It was terribly dark outside, but having Riku next to him made his fears go down a little. He was a wolf, after all. Roxas turned and looked at the path behind them. It made a beeline for the woods and rose higher than the swampy water, promising their feet wouldn't get wet.
"I think this is the right stop." he spoke. "Let's go." he turned to No Face and nodded.
As they progressed down the trail, the woods eventually got thick and dark to where they could not make out what was in front of them. Riku growled causing Roxas to look where he was pointed. Sure enough, straight ahead a light was hopping towards them. It sounded as if metal was rubbing against something each time making a 'squeak, squeak'. The light came up to them and revealed itself to be a lamp on a pole with a hand on the bottom, which is what was hopping. It took them through the woods and eventually brought them to Saix's house where the lamp resumed its position on the gate in front of his house.
When they approached the house, the door swung open and a voice said, "Come in." and so they did.
"Excuse us." Roxas spoke as he entered.
"Well, hurry up and come in, then." Roxas looked back to see No Face lingering outside.
"Come on." he motioned for the shadow to come in, to which he obliged.
"So, all of you came." when No Face had made it in, Saix closed the door, revealing he had been behind it.
"Um.." Roxas began but was interuppted as Saix moved to the stove.
"Sit down, I'll make you some tea." he began to pull out pots.
Roxas approached the man and held out his hand with the seal. "Saix, Axel stole this from you. I brought it back." the man looked at it in confusion before taking it and holding it up to Roxas' face.
"Do you know what this is?"
"No, but I know it's very precious. I'm here to apologize for Axel, I'm sorry." when he said he was sorry, he bowed real quickly, causing Riku to jump.
"You didn't feel ill when you had it?" Saix asked, confused. "What's this? The spell is gone." he stared at his seal with an eyebrow raised.
"I'm sorry I stepped on that strange bug." Roxas quickly apologized. "It was on the seal so I squashed it."
"Squashed it?" Saix asked with wide eyes before letting out a throaty laughter. "Xemnas slipped that bug on his apprentice so he could better control him. Squashed it..AHAHAHA!" he laughed again at the end. He put his hand on Roxas's back, and the boy noticed he had clawed nails. "Sit sit." he then put his yellow eyes on No Face. "You're No Face, aren't you? You sit, too."
Roxas turned and faced Saix suddenly. "Could you please turn them back to their original selves?" he pointed to Riku and the flee.
"The spell was long broken. They can turn themselves back at any time." he smiled.
"Oh." Roxas muttered, looking to Riku who pointed to his mouth. "Can he speak?"
"Of course." Saix flicked the wolf on the nose, earning him a glare but also something else.
"Ow you bastard." the wolf's lips moved in sync to the words now. "I was going to ask if you could give me wings. I want to fly us back home instead."
"Why not?" Saix said before clapping his hands, and suddenly a flurry of feathers filled the three peoples vision before revealing Riku with a strong set of wings that looked beautiful and majestic.
"Hah, thanks." he walked to the door. "I'm gonna go try them out." and dissapeared.
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"Xemnas and I are two halves of a whole but we don't talk to each other anymore.. You see what bad taste he has." he stopped to sip some tea. "I would love to help you m'dear but I just can't. One of our rules. You'll have to deal with your parents and dragon boyfriend on your own."
"But, um, can't you give me a hint?" he asked, propping his elbows up on the wooden table. No Face was next to him eating cake. "I feel like Axel and I met a long time ago."
"In that case, it's easy." Saix started. "Nothing that happens is ever forgotten. Even if you can't remember it."
Roxas looked down at his hands.
"It's already late. Why don't you stay the night?" Saix asked. "You boy's give me a hand."
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Later that night, Saix began to sew thread with No Face and the flea crow. "That's right your doing great. Wonderful help." he said this all with glasses on his scarred face and a cheery tone of voice. "A magic one won't do the trick. Pull it through there..and do it again." he was watching as No Face knitted while Roxas walked up to him with a grim expression.
"I really have to go, Saix. Axel could die while I'm just sitting here.." he paused as tears began to well up in his eyes. "They might eat my mom and dad!"
"Just wait a little longer." Saix said, leaning to cut something. "There we are." he handed Roxas a beautiful purple braclet.
"It's beautiful." he murmured, marveling the piece.
"Wear it on your wrist. It'll protect you. I made it from the thread they spun."
"Thank you." Roxas smiled, slipping it around his wrist. Suddenly, the windows clacked together as if a wind had just blown through causing everyone to look at the door expectantly. Saix smiled and pulled Roxas closer as if he was telling a secret.
"What good timing. We've got another guest, let him in."
"Sure." Roxas replied, not getting the hint. But he sure did when he opened the door. Air flowed through the crack as soon as he opened, causing the door to fully open. There in the doorway stood the most cockiest redhead he had every known. He was leaning on the doorframe and staring at Roxas with the slyest smile. Roxas about fainted but composed himself.
"AXEL!" he grabbed the redhead in a tight hug and felt the tears come back. "You're alright.." he sobbed and then looked up at the green eyes. "..Right?"
"Of course little guy." he ruffled Roxas' hair and turned to see Saix watching him. He dipped his head as did Saix.
"Perfect timing." he smiled. "Axel, I no longer blame you for what you did. Just be sure you protect the boy." he then turned to No Face and Riku. "Ok, boys, time you went home." when Riku walked over to Axel, the redhead insantly busted out laughing at his canine form and wings. Saix turned to No Face. "You, stay here. Your a big help around here." No Face nodded vigrously, and about that time Roxas ran and hugged Saix.
"Thank you Saix so much."
"I'm sure you can manage everything." the man smiled.
"My real name is Roxas." he smiled.
"Roxas..what a nice name." Saix chuckled. "Take good care of it. It is yours after all."
"Right." Roxas beamed.
"Off you go."
Roxas ran to Axel who had changed into his dragon form in order to look better than Riku. Riku merely flapped his wings so he looked bigger. "When will I see you again Saix?" Roxas called from Axel's back as he grabbed onto the black horns. Axel silently thought this was very suggestive and kinky.
"Soon, actually. You inspire me to follow your heart, Roxas. You will see me soon." Saix smiled, waving as they took off.
The whole time it was a game. Axel didn't seem to mind tossing Roxas around on his back while Riku soared through the sky doing several tricks and the like. Axel looked truely happy as his peridot eyes shone in the night, making Roxas smile wider than before. As he sat there, the same image of him on Axel's back came into his mind, but he was in the water. He also saw his shoe float away in the rapids and how he reached down to get it, but fell.
"Listen, Axel." he started. "My mom once told me when I was little I fell into a river. She said they'd drained it and built things on top. But I've just remembered the island that the river used to border. And I remember you saving me when I fell into the water surrounding it. The name of the Island was Roaxel Island." he paused again. "Your real name..its Roaxel, isn't it?"
As soon as he said it, Axel's eyes widened and he broke into petals or scales. All right there. Roxas feared he had killed the dragon, but really, Axel was now in front of him as the boy he always looked like. They were falling, but were so far up in the air it would take a while to get to the bottom. Axel grabbed both of Roxas' hands while Roxas repeated the action. "Thank you Roxas! My real name. It is Roaxel Nekorashi."
"Nekorashi?"
"Yep!"
"What a name. Sounds like a..god!"
"And I remember how you fell into me once as a child, you had lost your shoe."
"Yes, you carried me to shallow water Axel!"
As the two fell, they finally reached the water. Axel held out a hand underneath him and let out a blast of fire which propelled him up enough to where he could fly them through the air, hand in hand, never letting go. And as they went back to the bathhouse, every now and then they would laugh for no reason at all and kiss with the moonlight reflected them. Even Riku was touched since he heard everything.
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Back at the bathhouse it was now morning. Xemnas paced in front of eight pigs he had penned in front of the bridge. Sora poked his head over the bathhouse and suddenly got wide eyed. He pointed to the sky and shouted, "They're here!" all of Sora and Axel's friends rose from where Sora was to look at the two, hand in hand, staring down Xemnas. Riku flew in behind them.
"Well?" Xemnas stomped. "Where is my son?"
He shrieked when the mut landed, growled in his face, and then was enveloped in light as he turned back to the boy he once was. "Here." he would not forget how his father had called him a mutt.
"R-Riku?" Xemnas sputtered.
Riku looked over and saw Sora staring at him with amazement. With a flick of his hand, Sora levitated over to the silver haired boy and looked confused for a moment. They never made their relationship public. Ever. Xemnas replaced his shocked look with a confused one. "What's going on here?" he yelled mostly to Sora, who cringed.
"Shutup." Riku barked. His nails had been longer and shaped like claws from the spell. "This is Sora. And I have loved him since the day he showed up at this shitty bathhouse." Sora made the face which looked like 'o3o' and tensed as Riku connected their lips in one very very long kiss. The crowd in the bathhouse cheered for them and Roxas smiled.
"Whatever." Xemnas growled. "Roxas isn't getting ANYTHING by the way."
"Let his parents go." both Axel and Riku growled in unison.
Xemnas cringed when they both growled at him. "But..but there are rules. Otherwise I can't break the spell."
"If you make Roxas cry, I'll run away Xemnas." Riku bluntly responded.
"Why that's.." Xemnas muttered.
"It's alright."
All turned to stare at Roxas, who was walking away from Axel and going across the bridge.
"I know all about your rule. Axel told me." he said once reaching Xemnas.
"Hmph, at least you got guts." the older man said, turning around.
Roxas followed him, but not before he could give Riku and Sora a nod. "See if you can guess which of them are yours." he looked to see Xemnas in front of the group of pigs. Roxas looked at each and every one of them carefully before raising an eyebrow. He turned to Xemnas and said, "This is no good. They are not here."
"Not here?" he clenched a contract in his hand. "Is that your final answer?"
"Yes." Roxas nodded.
He jumped when suddenly all of the pigs turned into a row of maids and frog attendants. They smiled up at him and sang in unison, "You got it!" and the contract in Xemnas' hand lit fire. Xemnas shook his hand and growled at his loss. All the people in the bathhouse cheered from the windows and on the rooftops. Axel had come and slipped his arm around Roxas' waist, smiling at the boy. He looked to Xemnas before walking away.
"Go! You win, just get out of here!" he growled.
Roxas bowed anyways. "Bye Xemnas, thanks for every--"
He stopped when he saw a familiar face standing behind Xemnas. Xemnas must have noticed too for he turned around and stared at the man for a minute. Saix held out his clawed hand, making Xemnas flinch, but instead of hurting the sorcerer, he ran his hand over his face and brushed back a piece of stray hair. As Xemnas watched it go behind his ear, he looked back to find those beautiful moonlit eyes inches from his and their lips pressed together. Everyone cheered louder and Roxas even saw Xemnas smile.
"Bye everyone!" Roxas waved as he left. "Bye Riku and Sora!" he shouted to the two as he passed. Both winked at him.
"Roxas let's go." Axel smiled as they hand in hand navigated through the city. Both ran down the steps as Roxas started to talk.
"Where are my parents?" he asked.
"They've gone ahead. You'll meet them there. Once you get to the tunnel, don't look back either."
They reached the steps where the meadow once was, and to Roxas' surprise, it was there once again. He smiled, but it was soon gone once he realized a problem. "Are you coming with me?"
"No, I have to stop here." he frowned as well.
"No! Don't go.." Roxas hugged the boy tight to which Axel responded with his own hug. When they broke apart, Axel placed a light kiss on Roxas' lips.
"I will be fine. When I go back, I will speak to Xemnas about quitting my apprenticeship. Since I know my real name now, everything is all good." he smiled.
"Will I ever see you again?" Roxas choked.
"I'm sure."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Roxas started down the steps, Axel's hand in his but as he walked down them, their hands broke apart. He ran down the meadow all the way to the large building. He may have tripped now and then, but eventually reached his destination to find his parents waving to him. "Roxas! Hurry up!" they shouted, his dad going back into the tunnel.
"Mom! Dad!" he exclaimed once getting next to them.
"You can't just run off like that." his mom said when she turned away.
"Away we go." his dad sang.
They navigated the tunnels like before, but only this time there was no strange aura. When getting to the car, his mother and dad were surprised to find vines and weeds had grown over it and would take some prying before it was free. "Geez how did this happen.." his dad complained. If only he knew, Roxas thought. Once the car was drivable, he slipped inside and only then did he look back.
He was pretty surprised to see Axel leaning against the wall waving to him.