Hello everybody, I hope you all enjoyed your holidays, I wish I would but I didn't enjoy it as I wanted. Anyway, I bring you the last chapter for this year. It's going to take a little time to bring the next one, but it's not my fault. I still don't have internet. In any case, this is the longest chapter I have ever written, so I really hope you enjoy it:
Chapter 52: The Last Choice
Saix was staring at Roxas with a smile on his face, a strange gesture coming from the Luna Diviner. But he couldn't help it, Roxas and Saix were constantly arguing and about to fight because of different situations, but most of them related to Xion of course. The last time he finally managed to fight Roxas, Xion had intervened on their battle. This time, it was only the two of them with no one to intervene. Even if Xemnas was against it, he'll get rid of Roxas once and for all.
Roxas on the other side was ready for fighting the guy who had insulted Xion so many times. The last time they fought, Xion managed to rescue him just in time, but now he was going to proof the last battle was just an accident he was lucky to be alive from.
A yell from the Luna Diviner indicated Roxas the battle had started as his opponent entered in his famous "Berserk Mode". A strange energy surrounded Saix's body and his hair somehow became spikier as he started attacking Roxas with his claymore. The blue-haired guy attacked Roxas at an incredible speed and strength while the blonde could only dodge and defend from his attacks. After several attacks, Saix jumped and from the air, the blue-haired threw his Claymore at Roxas hitting him and sending him to the floor.
-How you liked that? –Saix said as his claymore reappeared on his hand once again ready to attack Roxas.
The blonde rolled in the floor in order to dodge the attacks and then counterattacked at an incredible speed inflicting some damage on Saix. As Saix stepped back defending himself from Roxas's attacks, the blonde used this time to get at a safe distance from the Luna Diviner. No matter how strong he was, he wouldn't do any damage to him at distance.
-Where do you think you're going? –Saix yelled getting once again on "Berserk Mode" and running to him. Roxas frowned as he started running away from Saix, but he quickly caught him and started to hit him with his claymore inflicting him a lot of damage. Finally, just like before he threw his Claymore at him before his Berserk Mode finished, but this time Roxas dodge the attack.
-Let's see if you like this! –Roxas shouted throwing his Keyblade to the floor and grabbing Saix's claymore and attacking him with his own weapon. After some successful hits, the claymore disappeared from Roxas and reappeared on Saix hand.
Roxas used the chance Saix was glaring at him with pain as he raised his Keyblade to the air as light was surrounding it. Saix smirked thinking he knew what Roxas next movement was, but was surprised when his Keyblade began emitting a great light power. Roxas turned at Saix and smirked when he noticed the surprise look on his face.
-I don't have time for this, Saix. –Roxas said as his Keyblade began firing small but powerful light beams that went at Saix at an incredible speed.
At first the Luna Diviner ran trying to dodge the attacks, but it was useless as after a short time the light attacks began hitting him and severely damaging him. After about a minute of attacks, Roxas's Keyblade went back to normal and Roxas fell to his knees panting, but not taking away an eye from Saix who was on the floor.
Knowing that Saix was not going to be defeated so easily, Roxas started running towards him with his Keyblade in hand and started attacking Saix as fast as he could. Saix started defending Roxas's attacks with his claymore and after some seconds defending, Saix entered his "Berserk Mode" and quickly counterattacked Roxas inflicting him severely damage and finally sending him to the floor injured. Finally, Saix as always jumped and threw his claymore at Roxas from the air hitting him once again while he was trying to get on his feet sending him to the floor again.
Roxas stayed on the floor without moving while Saix was staring at him. After a few seconds, Saix started walking into Roxas direction and finally got next to him. Saix looked for a few seconds at Roxas who was now unconscious on the floor. His body was covered with injuries and there was some blood on his head. With a smirk on his face, Saix raised his claymore on the air ready to finish off Roxas once and for all.
-Good bye, Roxas. –Saix finally said with an evil smile on his face. The Luna Diviner launched his attack with all his strength towards Roxas, but before hitting him, the blonde opened his eyes and rolled away from the attack barley dodging it.
-You're right, good bye, Saix. –Roxas said as his body was covered in light and his Keyblade turned into a light beam sword.
Saix tried to raise his claymore to protect from Roxas's attack, but he couldn't do it in time and the blonde began attacking him with his Keyblade at an incredible speed. The blue-haired couldn't do anything but to receive all the damage while trying to protect himself with his arms.
After about a minute of constant attacks, Roxas gave a step back and then attacked with a single blow. This time, every single attack he did was followed by four pillars of light that hurt Saix even more. After four of these attacks, Roxas's Keyblade and body returned to normal as Saix was wounded, panting and glaring at Roxas.
-You're lucky I don't have time to finish you off. –Roxas said as his Keyblade disappeared from his hand and he started walking towards the entrance of the castle.
As Roxas walked by his side, Saix turned around and tried to stop Roxas, but he fell to his knees instead and then to the floor. When Roxas heard Saix's body fall to the floor, the blond turned around and stared at him for a few seconds. Roxas glared at him once more time as he finally exited the castle.
After some hours, Xion started to slowly open her eyes. The first thing she saw were her hair and her coat that was slightly covered with blood thanks to her previous fight with Roxas a few hours ago. For some reason, she felt really, really weak on that moment.
-We need to get help for her. She's wounded. –she heard a girl's voice said
-Yeah. I'll go and get some help. You two take her to the hideout. –a boy added as she heard footsteps going away from her.
The girl raised her head and spotted a boy and a girl who were staring worriedly at her. The boy was blonde and had brown eyes. She had seen him before, and he didn't look like a nice guy, but now she quickly changed her mind when she noticed the worry on his eyes. The girl had brown hair and beautiful green eyes. Just like the boy, she had seen her before also hanging around with the boy. The two teens gasped in surprised when they notice Xion was trying to get on her feet.
-Don't move! You're wounded. –the girl said trying to stop her, but Xion ignored her and got on her feet.
-I'm not wounded, I'm just tired. –Xion said in a low and weak voice.
-Are you sure? Because you don't look you're fine. –the boy added still looking at the girl worried. Xion smiled somehow remembering Roxas on that boy.
-I'm fine, really. You don't have to worry…uhmm… -Xion stopped not knowing the names of the teens that were so worried for her. The girl with brown hair realized and helped her.
-Oh, I'm Olette and this is my friend Hayner.
-Nice to meet you. I'm Xion. –the girl replied with a smile
-Is there anything we can do for you, Xion? –Hayner said kindly
-Yeah. Do you know a girl named Namine? Or where she lives? –Xion asked, Hayner and Olette looked at each other and then shook their heads at Xion making her sigh.
-What does she look like? –Olette asked. Xion placed her hand on her chin trying to think, Riku didn't gave her too much information
-I don't know. My friend only told me she was blonde. –Xion sighed making Hayner laugh at the lack of information.
-You have a lot of searching to do, then.
-Don't be rude, Hayner. –Olette scolded him. Hayner and Olette started arguing, but Xion didn't pay any attention to them and started walking away. After a few moments of arguing, Hayner noticed Xion wasn't there anymore and stopped.
-What happened to the girl?
Meanwhile, Xion was walking through the people towards Station Heights. The girl raised her sight to the sky, it was really early. A small smile appeared on the girl's lips. It was really weird to look at that particular sky without it being orange with red thanks to twilight.
The girl finally got to Station Heights and stared at the view of all the houses and buildings from the town. Xion closed her eyes wondering how Roxas was doing. Maybe, by that time everyone knew she had abandoned Organization XIII, which meant she was running out of time.
-Where I should start looking…If she is with Sora right now, they must not be at a usual place. A blonde girl… -Xion said to herself trying to find a hint on her own words. After some minutes of thinking, Xion opened her eyes widely after a memory came to her head.
-Oh we've been investigating a hidden old mansion on Twilight Town's woods. There are reasons to believe the mansion is…haunted! –Demyx explained saying the last word with a creepy voice.
-Haunted? You mean like with ghosts in it or something? –Roxas asked
-That's what haunted means, kiddo. People from the town have said they've seen people get in the mansion but never coming out. –Xigbar explained
-I heard people often listen to strange noises coming from the mansion, and also I heard from a group of kids they are sure they saw a blonde girl watching through the window… and then disappearing. –Demyx added, Roxas shook his head obviously not believing in that sort of things
-Sounds creepy… -Xion said getting scared just listening to the story
-THE OLD MANSION! –Xion shouted happily as she started running towards the forest. The girl ran avoiding people while thinking on what will happen to everyone once she was gone. She was so lost on her thought she didn't even realized when she got to the forest. Once there, the girl stopped running and walked to the mansion.
As she walked through the woods, she started remembering all the good times she had with Roxas and Axel. The first "date" she had with Roxas when they went together to see a movie, the day they found a little fat pig and saved it from being eaten, the first storm they spent together, gosh there were a lot of memories.
The girl cleaned her eyes feeling how tears were starting to form on her eyes. The girl finally reached the Old Mansion's gates. A small smile appeared on the girl's lips as she spotted Riku and the blonde girl waiting for her on the entrance of the mansion at the other side of the gates. The girl summoned her Keyblade ready to open the giant lock from the gate, but just as she unlocked the gate, a familiar voice called her name.
-XION, XION! –she heard Roxas's voice behind her. Xion turned around slowly and widened her eyes when she spotted Roxas running to her as fast as he could.
-Roxas… -the girl whispered as she felt once again how tears started forming on her eyes. Roxas finally got into her and hugged her as tight as he could surprising Xion even more.
-Xion…I thought I was late… -Roxas said as tears started rolling down from his cheeks.
Namine and Riku stared at the weird scene for a few seconds, not knowing exactly how to react. Namine couldn't help but to smile sweetly at them, not even after all they went through, especially Roxas, he had never given up to her, he was ready to fight for her no matter the cost. Riku turned to her and immediately know what the girl was thinking.
-Things definitely change like this, huh? –Riku asked staring seriously at her, the girl shook her head.
-Not really. If they still want to do it, they will, but if they don't, DIZ will order you to bring them. I'm sure you can handle them… -Namine commented not taking away her sight from Roxas and Xion who were still hugging each other.
-I could defeat Xion once, but I don't know if I could do the same with Roxas. After all, he is Sora's Nobody. –Riku reminded with a small smile, Namine smile also at Riku's answer.
-You got a point there… -Namine said smiling and staring back at Roxas and Xion, but her smile disappeared as soon as she saw them together.
-Is something wrong? –the boy asked once again, Namine sighed sadly and stared at him.
-It's just…why does it have to be this way? It's not fair to do this to them. After all, they don't have anything to do with all this mess, unlike me… -Namine said feeling ashamed for her actions on Castle Oblivion.
-…Well, what will you do? –Riku said turning to her who just sighed
Roxas…why are you here? Why can't you understand? –Xion said staring directly at his eyes as tears started rolling down her cheeks.
-I understand…But, I need to ask you one more time: You really want to left everything behind, only for Sora? Even if that means putting an end to your life? –Roxas asked placing a hand on her cheek and caressing it. Xion stayed a few seconds on silence staring at his beloved eyes.
-Roxas, you should understand I'm also doing this for you. If I stay longer…
-Just say yes or no… -Roxas interrupted her. Xion bit her lip before answering
-I have too, I'm sorry. –Xion said not even daring to say it while looking at his eyes. Roxas felt a pain on his chest when he heard Xion's answer and sighed in defeat.
-Ok, I won't stop you then. But…if you're disappearing for him, I will also do it. –Roxas replied sadly, Xion turned to see him again and stared at him with a confused face
-What…what do you mean?
-I mean that if you're going back to Sora, I will too. After all, he needs me also in order to wake up, not only you. –Roxas said faking a smile. Xion stared at him knowing he really did not want to do it.
-Why?
-Because I can't imagine my life without you.–Roxas answered turning away and walking into the Mansion's entrance where Namine and Riku were waiting for them. Xion stared sadly as he walked away.
-Roxas… -the girl whispered lowly before following him
Riku stared seriously at Roxas once he got next to him. Roxas did the same with him and then turned at Namine who couldn't even look at his eyes. After some seconds of feeling the heavy weight of Roxas's sight on her, the blonde girl finally raised her sight and stared at the boy's eyes.
-You must be Namine, right? –Xion interrupted making Namine quickly turn to her and nod shyly
-Well, we should keep this short and quiet, right? –Riku said walking into the room. Roxas quickly nodded and followed him making Xion sigh depressed and followed them.
-Riku…what do we have to do? –Xion asked not as enthusiastic as she usually was.
-We should go to the place where Sora is sleeping now; Namine will handle things from there. –Riku answered not turning to see her. Namine who was just entering the mansion frowned not standing the whole situation anymore.
-Roxas! Xion! –Namine called them closing her eyes. When she opened them, Roxas, Xion and Riku were staring at her, making her a little nervous.
-What is it, Namine? –Riku asked noticing the girl was stunned. Namine shook her head trying to make her shyness go away.
-Guys…I haven't think too much on it, but…maybe all of these isn't necessary. –Namine finally said confusing Roxas and Xion. Riku on the other side simply smile knowing that the girl will try to change her mind on the last minute.
-What…what do you mean? –Roxas asked, talking to her for the first time.
-I mean…maybe is not necessary for you two to disappear. Maybe I can find a way to extract Sora's memories from you. –Namine added making Roxas and Xion gasp in both surprise and happiness
-Really? –Roxas exclaimed happily
-You…you can do that? –Xion added with hope on her eyes.
-I can't promise I'll find a way, but you disappearing can't be the only way either. –Namine explained making Roxas and Xion hug each other
-I knew it! I told you there had to be another way, Xion. –Roxas said hugging tightly at the girl who was also yelling happily. As Roxas and Xion celebrated their new hopes of survival, Riku walked next to Namine.
-You have been thinking for a solution for months, Namine. –Riku said making the girl sighed depressed.
-I know, but maybe I missed something. There has to be another way, I can't make this to them. I can't end their lives. –the blonde girl said closing her eyes. She opened them slowly when she felt Riku's hand on her shoulder.
After receiving the excellent news from Namine, Roxas and Xion followed her and Riku to the library of that Old Mansion Roxas and Xion visited a few months ago. Riku hold Roxas and Xion at the entrance of the room as Namine walked into the table on the center of it where a sketchbook and some crayons were. Roxas and Xion stared curiously at Namine who started drawing something on the sketchbook. As soon as she finished, the girl started running where the others were as the floor started emitting a strange light and after a few seconds it disappeared revealing some secret stairs heading to a basement.
-This way. –Riku said as he walked on the stairs being followed by the others.
-Ummm, where are you taking us exactly? –Xion said noticing the mystery Riku and Namine were hiding.
-You're going to meet a man named DIZ. He gave us this hideout to take care of Sora while he's asleep. –Namine answered while they got to the basement.
-Really? And why are we meeting him? –Xion asked confused
-He's been in charge of Sora's memory restoration, so its only normal we tell him Sora's awakening is going to be delayed a little more. But you should know he's not going to be happy when he knows this, try not to talk until we told you. Is it clear? –Namine warned making Roxas and Xion nod in agreement.
Roxas, Xion, Namine and Riku opened a door on the basement and walked through a small hallway and finally after a short walk, they reached a small laboratory. Roxas and Xion looked at every machine surprised; it was the first time they were on a place like that. Suddenly, a computer caught Xion's attention and walked into it. There was a picture of a boy on the screen which Xion quickly recognized as Sora.
After a few seconds staring at the screen, Xion closed her eyes holding her head which was now on a big pain. The girl fell on her knees attracting everyone's attention. Roxas got also on his knees trying to help her as Riku and Namine approached the girl who was still on her knees. After a few seconds, Xion opened her eyes slowly as the pain started to go away.
-Feeling better? –Roxas asked placing a hand on Xion's shoulder who just nodded.
-It was about time that you brought them, Riku. Now all we have to do is place them at the simulated town as Namine extracts their memories. –a deep voice said. Roxas and Xion turned to the other side of the lab where a man was staring at them.
Roxas and Xion stared curiously at the man who was wearing some strange red ropes on his face leaving only one of his eyes visible. He was wearing some strange armor also and a red cape, definitely not ordinary clothes for someone who was supposed to be a "normal" person.
-Simulated town? –Xion asked obviously confused
-Ummm, DIZ, actually I prefer we wait some time, you know, to search for another solution. –Namine said lowly as DIZ looked at her confused
-Another solution? What do you mean Namine? –DIZ asked getting in front of her making her feel nervous. Riku noticed this and got between her and DIZ.
-DIZ, what Namine is trying to say is that she is going to take some time trying to find a way to extract Sora's memories without Roxas and Xion having to disappear. –Riku explained. DIZ stayed in silent for a few seconds and then moved Riku to stare directly at Namine's eyes.
-Is that true, Namine?
-Yes. –Namine said after a short silence.
-I forbid it then. Nobodies doesn't deserve to share with normal people. They are like Heartless, they need to be eliminated.
-How can you say that? We have rights just like you. –Xion said getting on her feet. DIZ turned to her and laughed loudly making her glare at him
-Nobodies doesn't have rights. You're all destined to fade into darkness.
-You think that? Then perhaps we will change our destiny then. –Xion answered glaring at the old man who once again laughed at her
-Who are you anyway? As far as I know you have no part to play in here. What's the worse you can do to us? –Roxas said facing and glaring at DIZ.
-I can make Riku take care of you whenever I want. –DIZ answered. Roxas smirked and summoned his Keyblade.
-Then bring him. I'll take care of him in a sec. –Roxas yelled turning to Riku who was just staring seriously at him.
-STOP GUYS. Remember Sora is the reason we are all here. –Namine yelled angrily, something strange on her shy personality.
-And you are delaying his awakening –DIZ reminded making Namine bit her lip
-And what? I'm the one who can control his memories and those connected to him. I will take some time to find other way to extract his memories from them without making them disappear. –Namine said staring directly at DIZ. The man stared at the girl for a few seconds and sighed.
-You have 30 days, Namine. If you don't find a way, you'll have to take care of them. –DIZ finally said before disappearing in a dark corridor.
That's it guys, Roxas and Xion have 30 more days before...who knows. In any case, thank you for reading and as always: Please, Review.
