If We Had Hearts
Chapter 17: My Summer Vacation PT. 1
Riku felt the rain patter against his cloak and could feel the cloudy mood that thickened the air. He watched Roxas from atop the highest tower in the square, watched her move and cut through her opponents with minimal effort. Xion's death had lit a fire under her and he had to stop her here, and retrieve Sora's memories… or he'd never get Sora back.
Roxas felt powerful, invincible. It was as if someone had flipped a switch in her mind and she was unlocking all manner of abilities with every cut of her dual blades. The heartless didn't stand a chance, she sliced through one after another letting the grief and anger build inside. She only paused when she sensed eyes on her. Lifting her head up she spotted the silver haired figure and grit her teeth thinking immediately of Xemnas.
"Come to stop me, have you? Well I'm not having it." She leapt atop the pillars and then ran up the side of the building as if she were running down a street.
Riku saw her coming and let himself fall over the edge. She tossed the blade at him hoping to cut him down straight off, but he caught it. Surprise lit her eyes and her stride hitched only a moment when she saw that the figure was not Xemnas.
Riku hissed out a breath, pain rupturing in his temple as memories flashed through his mind of Xion and quickly fizzled. He landed on the ground delirious a moment. For a moment he forgot where he was or what he was doing… but as he looked around, saw the heartless and the keyblade in his hand it quickly came back. Roxas, he was here for Roxas and for Sora's memories. As the heartless leapt at him instinct took over and he cut them down one by one.
Roxas made it to the top of the tower and turned to watch the stranger now take on the heartless. He used the keyblade as if he'd been born with it in his hand. Frowning she leapt from the building and joined him in eliminating the heartless. As the last of them faded to darkness the two of them squared off.
"Who are you?"
"What does it matter," calmer now he faced her. She wore her hood up and was thankful for it. He was sure he'd hesitate if he looked into her blue eyes… Sora's eyes. "I'm here for you."
"Why are you trying to stop me?" She didn't even know this guy? What the hell did he want with her?
"I want back the rest of Sora's memories."
Sora… there was that name again. There was the name that was taking everything away from her. She grit her teeth as anger boiled up in her. Sora took Xion away from her… took Axel away from her. This Sora caused all kinds of hurt, and confusion inside and she was sick of it.
"Enough about Sora!"
She looked up at the heart-shaped moon. Her plan was clear, her goal within reach.
"I'm going to set Kingdom Hearts free, and then everything will be the way that it was." They'd have hearts, they'd finally become their own people and the three of them could be together again.
"You mean Xion… it's a struggle just to remember her name anymore." He tapped his temple and frowned at her. "Either way… I can't let you go do anything crazy."
"Like you can stop me. I'm going to free kingdom hearts, and then I'm going to find Sora." She twirled the blade in hand and pointed at him. "I want Xion back… I WANT MY LIFE BACK!" She screamed at him.
"If you try to touch Kingdom hearts, the last the you'll get is your life back." Riku tried to persuade. "The organization will destroy you."
"Enough! Get out of my way!" She rushed him. Riku brought up the blade just in time to block and match against her but the force of it sent him skidding back. He hissed and quickly brought up a barrier to block the next string of cuts she launched his way.
She was so powerful… how had she gotten so strong? Even Sora wasn't this powerful when she faced against Ansem in the realm of darkness. He dodged and parried, their blades matching blow for blow now. He didn't want to harm her, didn't want to destroy the body… but if he didn't give it everything he was gonna lose.
He needed to think of something fast, needed to make her lose her cool so he could catch her off guard. When the next blade caught him and sent him falling back he sneered up at her.
"Why? Why do you have the keyblade?"
Roxas hesitated, she stare at the blade as those familiar questions plagued her… but then she grit her teeth.
"Shut up!" She move to make the final blow but Riku's blade was already up and she let out a short scream as the hit sent her flying backward.
She lay still a moment closing her eyes and whimpering some as the memory of xion, faint but still strong in her heart, pulsed inside her. She thought of Axel, of his smile and warmth. She remembered sitting atop the tower with both of them, laughing and sharing stories of the day's adventures. She couldn't let it go, she couldn't let something so precious and vital to her life just fade away. She wouldn't let this stranger stop her. She was stronger than him, she was more determined than him… she would not let him beat her!
She heard him stab the keyblade beside her head and her eyes snapped open. She swung her blade out narrowly missing him and took the other in hand. Eyes fierce she squared off.
"Why don't you quit!?"
Damn she was stubborn… but then again…
"Come on, Sora." He smiled a bit recalling how he'd often taunted her, teased her. The memory of it was both a comfort and an ache. "I thought you were stronger than that."
"Huh?" For a moment Roxas looked confused but then her face changed, and her mouth and body moved all on its own. "Get real, Riku! Look which one of us is winning."
The moment the words left her lips Roxas held her mouth and shook a little. Where the hell had that come from? Riku? Was that this guy's name? Her eyes met his and she saw him smiling at her. There was an uncomfortable fluttering sensation in her chest… one she'd only ever felt with Axel… who the hell WAS this guy?
"So it's true… you really are her nobody." Riku smirked and crossed his arms. He watched irrittation come across her face, and felt the twist in his chest from how much she looked like Sora just now.
"What are you talking about? I am me! NO BODY ELSE!" She rushed him again and Riku barely had time to put up a guard before she attacked. He let out a shout and went to his knees. Damn it… she was too strong.
"Please Riku, you have to stop her!"
Riku heard Namine's voice in his mind and knew she was right. If he lost here, there was no way he'd ever get the real Sora back.
"How many times do I have to beat you?!" Roxas snarled at him.
"Alright…" resigned, Riku knew this was the only course he could take. He had to save Sora… he had to do whatever he could to bring her back. It didn't matter if he'd never be able to see her, hold her, or touch her again. It didn't matter so long as she was safe. "You leave me with no other choice."
"What?"
"I have to release the power in my heart… the dark power that I've been holding back." Riku removed the blindfold from his eyes. Roxas could remember those eyes… they were the eyes that haunted her dreams, the eyes she'd seen when Xion had kissed her.
"What… What are you doing?" Roxas stepped backward truly afraid now. "Who are you?!"
"I have to do this, for her… even if it changes me forever…" the dark power rose and Roxas could hear a voice scream in her head.
NO RIKU PLEASE! DON'T DO IT!
"WAIT STOP!" Roxas held out her hand, and couldn't explain why tears suddenly streamed down her cheeks. "STOP IT RIKU!"
As the dark power emerged Riku opened his eyes, and Roxas watched in horror as those beautiful teal orbs went gold and his body transformed. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe… she just stare at the figure known as Ansem… and was helpless to do anything against him. Even if she could fight, she couldn't bring herself to do so.
The shadow beast connected to him wrapped its large powerful arms around her. Roxas felt her breath escape, felt the bones and muscles in her body slowly being squeezed until she felt the dark come around her.
"No… mnng Xion... Axel." She pictured her friends, the two people she cared about most in her mind. The memory of them fading to grey, and then the world went black.
~Meanwhile~
Axel stare at the winner stick in his hands his eyes sad and body slumped with exhaustion. He just couldn't find the energy to do anything. He wanted to curl up and sleep for a millenium.
"Roxas…" He clutched the stick in hand and then pocketed it. He needed fresh air, needed to clear his head. He'd heard about Xion's demise… knew it had come by Roxas' hand… but where was she now?
Walking out of the castle and down to the city below he took his time and just let the cloudy atmosphere depict his mood… if nobodies had moods.
Ah hell, this whole thing was just confusing and frustrating. He'd never had a hard time believing that no bodies had no hearts before. It didn't bother him before… until Roxas came along.
When Roxas was around he could really believe he still had a heart. He could be himself again, let himself just express and vent and relish in every happy moment, and brood at every frustrating event. Who cares if it was just memories playing tricks on him, who cares if they weren't meant to exist. The fact was they DO exist whether people liked it or not they were here, they were alive, and they were their own people.
"I love you, Axel."
"I love her…" Axel's head suddenly shot up. "I DO love her… I gotta find her!"
He suddenly started to run, his long legs eating up ground fast. She had to be in Twilight Town… where else would she go?
"If she had met Sora, maybe things would have been different." He heard a voice speak and his senses went on high alert. He saw two figures in the square, one wearing the organization's robes and the other shrouded in thick red garments. At their feet lay a third figure… and one he recognized immediately. "ROXAS!"
Both heads jerked up. Diz tsked and opened a dark path. Axel sneered and his Chakrams came out with a fiery blaze. He sent one flying which Riku deflected with his shadow.
"Hurry!" Riku quickly grabbed up Roxas' slumped form and stepped through the portal and Diz right behind him.
"NO! ROXAS!" Axel made a leap for the black but his hand slid through the cloak of black and he cursed. "DAMN IT! BRING HER BACK! GIVE HER BACK TO ME!"
How had this happened? How had he let them get away? Who were those people? Allies of Sora's? Were they trying to awaken her?
"The memories… they're gonna use Roxas to wake her up. They're gonna make her disappear." Panic bubbled up in his throat and he whirled around heading back to the castle. He had to tell Xemnas… they had to find out where these strangers were hiding Sora and prevent them from destroying Roxas.
~Twilight Mansion~
Diz sent Roxas into his digital Twilight Town and let out a small sigh of relief.
"There… that should buy us some time." He stood up. "I've used the data I've collected on her and altered her memories to make her more docile. While she goes about her days in peace, we can extract Sora's memories without interference."
"How long will that take?" He looked to Namine who held her chest.
"I'm not entirely sure… but I can already feel Sora's heart beginning to take shape again. I think a week at most." She folded her hands and watched the monitor with soft sad eyes. "The closer she is to completion… the harder it will be to keep Roxas under your control. She'll start to remember more and more, and it'll be harder for her to accept her fate."
"She won't have a choice in the matter. Either she joins Sora of her own will, or we'll have to force her to submit. Either way Sora will be whole again, and that's all that matters."
Namine sighed and put her folded hands over her heart. Her eyes looked up ta the screen once again. "Right…"
~Digital Twilight Town: 7 days left of Summer Vacation~
The soft morning light crept into the window of Roxas' room. She could hear the train roll across the tracks, and the croons of doves that perched on the roof and window sills of the town. Roxas slowly opened her eyes… the visions and dreams of the person known as Sora still fuzzy in her mind. She slowly pulled her legs to her chest and stared dazed at the posters.
"Another dream about her…" She ran fingers through her hair groaning. Man why did it feel as if she'd been hit by a truck? "What happened yesterday? Did I get into a fight?"
Names and faces flashed in her mind and she frowned.
"Oh, that's right. I had that scuffle with Seifer and his gang." She pouted remembering how she'd challenged Seifer to a Struggle match and had lost. "Damn it… how embarrassing."
Oh well, she thought, no point sitting in your room sulking about it. There was only seven more days left of Summer Vacation, and she wouldn't waste it sulking. She stood up, stretched, and got dressed. She tied her hair up into a high tail, and paused eyeing herself in the mirror. The outfit for some reason made her smile and she held out her arms spinning around and giggling.
She ran out the door, calling out to her mother and father that sad at the kitchen table as per the usual, before jogging towards the usual spot. Her and her friends Hayner, Pence, and Olette always hung out there, and had turned the little hide away into a private club room with little personal touches such as posters, a dart board, tables and chairs.
"Morning!" She called out to her three friends and they all looked at her with a frown. She raised a brow. "What's wrong?"
"What's wrong? Don't tell me you haven't noticed." Hayner accused and sat down grunting. "Seifer's ruining our good name!"
"So? What else is new?" She sat down and crossed her legs at the ankles. "Are you angry because he won yesterday?"
"No, though thanks for reminding me! You should be more pissed off by that by the way." He pointed an accusing finger at her.
"Oh believe me I am… but the struggle tournament is coming up. So long as we win on the grand stage then I don't care if he wins in a street match." She smiled and clenched her fist up in a sign of victory. "Right?"
Hayner smiled at her and nodded.
"Right… but like I said that's not what's bugging me. Things have been going missing all over town, and I don't care if Seifer thinks we're the thieves, but what REALLY bugs me is he's going around telling everybody we're the thieves. Now everyone and their mother are treating us like the klepto club."
Roxas frowned at that and she crossed her arms. Items going missing? She hadn't heard about anything like that. Then again no one had really approached her today, no one talked or hailed her as per the usual… and that was strange.
"Now then, what to do?" Hayner beat his fist into his palm. Olette got a fretful look in her eyes hoping Hayner wouldn't pick a fight with Seifer. She looked to Roxas who caught the fret and she sighed knowing it was her job to calm Hayner's anger.
"How about we find the real thieves?" She suggested and stood up. "That should set the record straight."
"Hey, yeah, that sounds like fun!" Pence agreed.
"What about Seifer?" Hayner grumbled.
"First we gotta clear our names. Seifer can wait." She pat his shoulder smiling. "Come on, let's go find some clues."
~In the Real World~
"Those Organization miscreants have found us. Namine must make haste." Diz fretted thankful he'd copied the proper data for Roxas to use her keyblade. It was a temporary fix for a temporary problem… but he foresaw things only escalating from here.
"Why would the dusks steal pictures though?" Riku, or Ansem as he now called himself, asked.
"It's all just data to them… the fools can't tell the difference." Diz explained and slumped back into his chair with a heavy sigh. "Sora's heart is already returning… doubtless she'll awaken soon."
Good, Riku thought looking down at his hands. It was better that way.
"Still, I worry that my program will not be enough to keep the organization at bay. Riku, I want you to keep an eye on Roxas… I shall monitor you both from here, and give you direction on how to handle the situation."
"Alright…"
~On the ClockTower~
Axel scowled at the one picture his minions had managed to retrieve. Roxas and Hayner both smiling at the camera holding out peace signs.
"So… you are in Twilight Town…" He glanced down at the ruckus below and saw the three friends. "Strange… I've been watching these three since you left but I never see you with them. Which means…" he tapped the photo on his palm. "HE has to be involved. The man in red… and here I thought the boss had gotten rid of him for good."
Axel stood and sighed.
"Well now that I know where you're hiding Roxas… I just need to find a way around your guard dogs."
~Digital Twilight Town: 4 days left of Summer Vacation~
What the hell was going on?
Roxas stare up at the ceiling her lips scorned in a deep frown. Too many weird things were happening. First there was the picture thief, and the husks in white, then a strange looking weapon that just appeared in her hand out of nowhere. On top of all that she kept having the strangest dreams about a girl named Sora and all these people that she met.
She stretched her hand up imagining the blade there. It had felt so real, and so right in her hand.
"A keyblade…" she lay her arm over her eyes sighing heavily. Forget it Roxas… just forget all these strange occurrences. It was because she'd been caught up in all these events that she'd lost the money for the beach she and her friends had worked so hard for. It was also because of that she'd bumped into Seifer and caused a miscommunication between her and Hayner. She had to find a way to apologize.
"You and I have to make the finals… that way no matter who wins we all split the prize."
"Okay, you're on."
"It's a promise!"
Roxas lifted her arm her eyes going hard and strong.
"Promise…" She smiled and sighed heavily. "Right."
~meanwhile~
Axel let the warp form around him and he looked around whistling low.
"Wow… looks just like the real thing." He put his hands on his hips. "Not bad, old man… hmm now then where are you hiding her?" He walked down the pathway and eyed the struggle poster on the street. The date matched today's and he could hear the crowd in the distance. "Guess that answers my question."
He made his way to the crowd and eyed the stage as the struggle combatants were announced. His brow rose when he saw Roxas amongst them in regular clothes looking strangely normal amongst them.
"Well she seems to be fitting in a little too well here." He scowled and crossed his arms. Saix had mentioned that Roxas more than likely had her memories tampered with. If she was unresponsive he may have to get physical with her, and that didn't sit well with him. "Let's see if we can jog her memory a little. He waved his hand and jerked his head at the dusks that appear.
"See that tiny one there?" Axel motioned to Vivi who practiced on his own in the corner. "Use him for your objective. Don't let anyone stand in your way."
~In the Real World~
Diz let out a small sound of surprise when he saw the glitches in his system go off.
"Damn, he's breached the system." He glanced over his shoulder cursing. What a time for his little helpers to be preoccupied. "Guess I'll need to handle this myself."
It would take some time for his data to be processed and integrated into the system… but he had to make sure this organization member didn't say too much.
"Diz what's happening?" Namine spoke up as she stepped into the room.
"An organization member has breached the system. I'm going in to make sure he doesn't pull Roxas out. You stay here and keep an eye on Sora, concentrate on returning her memories, that's your only job, do you understand?" He said with a brisk tone and phased into the system.
Namine sighed and watched the monitor with sad eyes.
"Roxas… I promised Xion I would look out for you… but I'm not doing a very good job am I?" She hung her head and returned to the pod room.
~With Roxas~
The struggle with Vivi left her abit winded, the kid had stamina and moved irregularly from his norm. No wonder Seifer couldn't beat him. Still after everything she'd been through the past couple days this was nothing. She blocked and sent her struggle bat through his gut and collected the balls quickly.
She paused and glanced up when Vivi stopped moving to just stare at her. He was normally such a sweet kid… but yeesh he was creepy just staring at her like that. It was then she noticed everything had stilled around them. There was no sound, no movement but her own. Her eyes go back to Vivi and she frowned.
"You're not really Vivi, are you?"
Vivi shook his head, and in a flash of white the white nobody husk reformed and four more popped up to surround her.
"What? Again!?" She lifted up her struggle weapon and gasped as it turned into the keyblade. "Again…" She stared at it, the feel of the weapon, the stir in her gut, and the memories of a girl in her dreams wielding it with such fervor and heart. Narrowing her eyes she lifted the blade up and attacked.
The feel of battle was all too familiar. The way they moved was very slithery and serpent like and she moved with them to keep out of their peripheral vision. She dodged and gilded, catching their weak points and hitting them with three solid hits before jerking back and around them again.
I've felt this before… she thought as her blade cut through the first of them making them vanish. I've fought things like this before. The second one leapt up and she whirled around just in time to cleave it in two. Who are they? What are they? The third jumped and leapt and she with it smashing the tip of her blade down on its head and watching it vanish as if it had never existed. Why… She questioned her eyes wild as the last of them came at her... why do I know them?
She screamed and jabbed her blade straight through it, and she watched as the body just faded. She panted and huffed a fresh beat of sweat going down her temple. With her eyes still wild, they darted side to side looking for more. The townspeople were still frozen as if a still from a photo.
The sound of clapping had her tensed up and she whirled around blade at the ready.
"Alright, Roxas, fight, fight, fight!"
The hooded figure stepped out of the crowd and onto the platform. She turned to him fully blade still up and eyes puzzled and fierce.
"You really don't remember me… it's me, you know…" he removed his hood, the flaming red hair spiking out. "Axel."
He smiled as he watched those confused eyes narrow on him. There was still confusion, but he sensed a recognition in her eyes… which meant she knew him.. .but she didn't know why he knew her.
"Talk about blank with a capital B… even the dusks aren't going to crack this one." Axel let his chakrams appear and Roxas went back on alert.
"Wait a second!" She held out a hand, her senses on high alert. She couldn't get rid of this nagging gut feeling. There was something deeper here… something that would explain the mysteries that had been happening over the past few days. "Tell me what's going on!"
"This town is his creation right? Which means we don't have time for a Q & A… I don't want to hurt you, but you're coming with me, conscious or not." He told her and raised his chakrams spinning them in hand.
Damn it… Roxas thought gritting her teeth. What the hell was happening? Why were things so off and out of whack? One thing she knew for sure was that this redhead meant business. She looked into his eyes… and could just feel something tugging on her insides. She gripped the keyblade tightly in hand and without warning rushed him.
"Alright you asked for it!"
"That's more like it!" He rushed forward and blocked the blade with one Chakram. She let out a little gasp when he freed up his other arm and used it to grab her by the back of the neck and pull her to him. His mouth crushed down on hers and Roxas' eyes went wide with disbelief. She released one hand off her blade to push up on his chest but Axel just gripped her tighter, his lips sliding across hers and nipping playfully at the bottom lip.
"Number 13, Roxas… the keyblade's chosen one…" he smiled down at her his eyes affectionate on her face. The hand that gripped her shirt loosened and cupped her cheek while the other released his weapon to trail over her hand and clasp it. "I've finally found you."
His mouth found hers again, gentler this time and full of pent up emotions he'd all but shoved aside.
"Mmmmph…" her head felt fuzzy while her insides lit on fire. Roxas felt her blade drop, her body completely surrendering to his mouth and touch. She felt herself fit into his tall form as if she belonged there. "Axel…" she murmured his name on his lips as the kiss broke. "Who are you? I don't understand what's happening inside me. How do I know you?"
"I told you," he brushed hair behind her ear and he took her hand in his. "We don't have time for a Q &A… now come on, let's get out of here before-"
"Roxas!" Diz appeared suddenly and Roxas tensed up looking at yet another stranger. Axel let out a sound of annoyance.
"So it was you…" Axel let go of her hand to call forth his chakrams again and he sent them flying at the figure. They hit against a solid block wall the man unharmed and unflinching.
"Roxas, this man speaks nonsense."
"Roxas don't let him deceive you." Axel pleaded turning towards her again.
"Roxas…" The stranger called out for her attention, but Axel wouldn't let it go. Both of them called out her name over and over and she looked between the two confused and sick. What was going on? What was happening? Who were these people? Where were her friends?
"Hayner… Pence… Olette…"
She could visualize them… she and her friends eating ice cream atop the clock tower smiling and watching the sunset. This was what was familiar to her… having fun with her friends, eating sea salt ice cream, watching the sunset over the town. The image was so perfect and so complete she clung to it and refused to let go.
"HAYNER! PENCE! OLETTE!"
She gasped as sound and movement returned and she looked around. The strangers were gone, the people were shouting and cheering for her after her victory against Vivi. She turned around, saw her friends smiling and calling her name. Tears of relief stung her eyes and she smiled.
Yes… this was normal, this was what she wanted. All she needed was her friends…
...and yet as the day settled and she returned home she could still feel the burning taste of Axel's lips on hers… and feel the ache in her chest from looking into his familiar eyes.
~Ask Briry~
Briry: I had to split this chapter into 2 because it got waaaaaay too long! I'm refining the last bits of this next chapter but I'll have it posted within 24 hours of this one. PROMISE!
Next Chapter: My Summer Vacation PT. 2
