Story 7 – Clandestine Schemes

Zexion laid on his place – a messy big mattress – without moving his body at all; feeling dirty and sore through his whole body. His indigo eyes – the usually covered one was revealed, with his longer bangs fell on the side of his face. Those eyes were lifeless; half-lidded opened, but totally blank. He nearly didn't blink at all; wouldn't want to if his eyes weren't irritated and dried from no blinking at all. Just a glance of darkness would make him remember what happened a few minutes ago, which he hated so much. He despised it with his life, yet he could do nothing to stop it.

This had been going on for years, Xemnas forced his desire to the slate-haired man. Yes, Xemnas told him that Zexion was the only person he cared, but Zexion could careless. It was all lie. His Superior only wanted to satisfy that dirty desire to him.

Well, of course Zexion had such desire as well; every human being – and even not human being as well – had it. But, it had to be mutual, not forced like this. Supposedly it was for showing love, not for assaulting someone. Zexion never wanted to sleep with Xemnas, but he had nothing to say since Xemnas was his leader; had to obey him.

The only question from him was, why it had to be him?

Amazed by the stinging tears on his indigo eyes; Zexion curled his body and covered his body by a blanket tightly around him, ignoring pain on his back. At this rate, he should have used to it, but it seemed not yet. Zexion prayed he would become used by this, but deep inside his heart, he prayed not to as well.

So he had the reason to revenge the leader.

'Roxas,' the rather short male reminded himself. 'Roxas can help us, I know it. He has the power Xemnas does not have but craving for it.' He shut his eyes tightly, trying to erase the stinging sensation there while hot tears running down his cheeks. A few images from before fell to his vision, but he didn't open his eyes. 'And he is different… even he has the power… he will not turn like him…. He will definitely save us…. Me, Demyx, especially Axel….'

Zexion sighed with shaky breath so he didn't sob too loud.

'I hope you will be okay, our Key to Destiny….'

"You saw that? You saw that, didn't you?"

Sora flapped his hands excitedly, azure eyes shone brightly, competing his wide, blinding grin. Zack chuckled while Cloud sighed – they're relieved that Roxas could pass this day alive though he was indeed injured.

"He was really great, beating such huge leopard!" the brunette prince continued boasting about his little twin brother's ability. He was like that all the way they went out from the crowdy Coliseum after Roxas' battle. Cloud was irritated enough being pressed to other people's body, and the prince chose this time to blabber endlessly. Occasional chuckle from the raven guardian did calm down him a bit though – Zack always had the ability to assure him unintentionally. But when he did intentionally assure the blond male, it turned out annoying instead. "The light was coming out from his body, just like a star! It was so blinding, yet warming! He could stand up again even that cursed leopard clawed him – wait. Is Roxas okay? The blood flew from his chest was rather too much…. Will they take care for him?" the tone Sora used was changed drastically; from excited and proud to sickly worried and panic.

"Uh…," Zack shoved someone on his way, and finally, the Amphitheatre, the hall right outside of the Coliseum. Cloud sighed with relief on his side, but he couldn't do the same. How he explained the truth to Sora…?

"Zack…?"

"Uh, no, I mean, yes, of course they will take care of him!" he grinned awkwardly, forced and a bit more like a grimace. "Now, now, let's register to the hero championship, shall we? We still have to help him, right?"

"Right," Sora nodded, not continuing the previous topic, much to Zack's relief. "C'mon!"

They walked together toward a big building where many people went to on the north of the Amphitheatre, didn't realize a pair of stormy grey eyes gazing at their back intently.

The owner of the said eyes quickly turned his body, walked to the contrary, right toward a bunch of tents on the south corner of the Amphitheatre. He went into one of the tent quietly, where a lone figure sitting on a mattress, calmly playing with a sword. An unusual sword, with its dark purple color and the blood red bat-like blade.

"So, Leon," the figure greeted, didn't shift his aquamarine eyes toward the newcomer. He continued lifted his sword slowly, feeling the light weight on his palm. "How is the news about our lovely prince?"

"He attends the hero championship, Sir Riku," Leon bowed his head respectfully. "It seems his guardians will as well."

"Good," Riku nodded. The aquamarine stone on his sword's handle was gleaming softly, so similar with eyes with a black slit on the middle of the stone, making it the pupil for the aquamarine orb. "No one recognise about your existence yet?"

"No, Sir," Leon responded, his eyes never dare enough to see his master's own. Or maybe that blond guardian of the Prince recognized him, but he didn't say anything about it. It wouldn't make any difference after all; maybe that guardian only curious about him? Or, it was the contrary…? "Sir Xemnas doesn't even know about my existence."

"And any other person except me knows about the Prince following us?"

"I doubt it, Sir. I don't know about Sir Xemnas, though. It was surprising enough he knows about Prince Roxas' origins; it won't be odd that he knows about Prince Sora following us as well."

"I see," Riku loosened his grip on his sword, and the sword vanished into dark purple fog instantly. "But they hide themselves very well. If you hadn't told me, Leon, I wouldn't had known that they are following us." He smirked. 'It seems Sora really cares for his brother…. Though from Xemnas' saying, Roxas was prisoned because of Sora – maybe it was because of guilty? Whatever it is, I can use this….'

"Very well then," the silverette nodded. "You can go now. As usual, keep close eye on them, and tell me whatever they will do next, understand?"

"Yes, Sir," the brunette man stood up, and without really looking at Riku, he walked out from the tent, without the acknowledgment from anyone.

"You're great, boy."

Roxas winced as his chest being wrapped tightly with bandages – not really clean bandages, but beggars couldn't choose – making him a bit difficult to breath. The man from before – the one who talked about how his 'kitten' was hungry – was taking care of his injuries from his battle; a huge scratch wound on his chest and a few bruises on his hands and legs, also on his chest and back.

"Uh… t-thank you…?" the blond said hesitantly, for the compliment and treatment. It was strange – the man's attitude changed almost completely from before. He was really kind to Roxas now; though he eyed Roxas with creepy eyes when said blond was taking off his shirt so the man could taking care his wound, he did nothing rude at all.

"No one ever beat Cerberus before," the man said as he tied the bandage tightly. "My kitten, the leopard you against before," he explained after got quizzical stare from the younger male. "I thank you to spare his life, boy."

"You welcome…," Roxas answered, not knowing what else to say. He eyed the man before him; still messy and scary, but far better than before when he gave Roxas wicked stare.

"My name is Phil," the man introduced himself. "What's yours, boy?"

"Roxas," the cerulean-eyed boy answered.

"Ok, Rox," Phil grinned, giving his incomplete rotten teeth to see, then hit Roxas' chest, right on the bandage covering his fresh wound. The blond boy groaned painfully while the older man laughed heartily. "You have to be stronger, boy! So you can change your status, from criminal to hero!"

"But I didn't do anything," Roxas said softly, still feeling pain on his chest. Phil stared at him, judging.

"Somehow, I trust you," he said with frown. "But you have been known as the murderer. A sadistic murderer, at that."

"I know…," Roxas drooped his head; but he smiled. "But I have my friends. They will rescue me, I'm sure…."

"Friends?" Phil snorted. "Well, yeah, I ain't gonna talk about that, but…." His dark brown eyes went from Roxas' spiky hair's tip to his black leather boots' point. "I have two words for you, boy."

Roxas stared at him with big, round curious eyes.

"Strengthen. Your. Heart!"

Then he left just like that, with loud creepy laugh accompanied his leaving. Roxas was left there alone, sitting on the wet ground in his cell – the same cell where he was before he went to the arena. His cell – and the other similar cells around him which were arranged like a big maze – was apparently located below the arena of the Coliseum.

"…he said three words," he mumbled to himself, then slowly wore his clothes again so the coldness didn't make him shivering too much. The lone teen got on his feet, wincing a bit since he supported his body with bruised leg, then approached the trellis. His cerulean eyes contemplated his surroundings – dark and quiet, with only a few torches lighting the stony hall, and the empty cells (so there was no other criminals right now? Maybe that's why the audience were so eager seeing Roxas) in front of him and right next of his cell as well. "So dark and quiet…." He turned to where Phil went to before and saw a stair to above – it was dark.

'Night already?' Roxas asked himself, surprised by how fast time passed by. 'Well,I fought Cerberus a few hours ago, while it was evening….' He drooped his head, sad. 'I can't see their performance tonight…. Though they will repeat the drama from before, I still haven't watched it until finish yet….' Sigh. 'Why do I always get unfortunate things like this…? Maybe I'm not supposed to go out from the Castle?'

The constant but faint sound of dripping water was mostly saying 'yes' in Roxas' mind.

"So? Would you tell me why you really don't want to participate in the championship?"

Zack sweated below Sora's piercing eyes. They were in his house once again, after Sora and Cloud signed up for the championship (a bit reluctant from the latter part) and now Sora was pestering him since he utterly declined when the prince told him to sign up too. Sora let him not participating at the end, but now he demanded the reason. Zack sighed.

"Cloudy, help me?" he said with kicked puppy eyes to the calm blond on the corner of the room, reading a thick and heavy book on his lap quietly. Of course the raven man didn't get any desired response since those mako-blue eyes were glued onto the small, narrow alphabets on the old book. Why did Cloud choose to have his revenge now? "Clooooud…!"

"Just answer me, Zack," the brunette teen pouted. "How hard is it to tell me your reason?"

"…it's not an easy thing, Sora…," the older man answered quietly, his expression frowning. "You know, it's just…."

"Zacky, you got a guest!" Zack's mother interrupted her son's words. Sora tried hard to prevent himself in cursing older people, but it's really hard. Zack smiled in amusement, then looked at his blond comrade.

"Cloud, tell him," he asked, now earning attention from Cloud. "Tell him why I don't really like my own hometown and why I don't want to fight in the Coliseum at all…."

"If you insist…," the spiky blond guardian sighed, then closed his book.

"Thanks," Zack grinned at him, then walked out from his room to see his mother had waited him outside of his room.

"Sorry to interrupt your time with our guests, but…," Zack's mother said apologizingly. "He insisted to meet you when he heard that you're here…."

"I know," the raven said in low voice. He sighed. "Time to tell the truth to him…. I've avoided him in such long time…."

"Be strong, dear," his mother caressed her son's arm in assuring way. "I know this is difficult for you, but… you can do it."

"Thanks, Mother," Zack smiled gently though complicacy still lingering in his mako-blue eyes. "I'm going."

"Sooooo, Cloud!" Sora called his guardian in excitement, finally getting know something he wanted to know all this time. "Tell me, tell me!"

Cloud sighed, then sat on the white tiling floor to join the small brunette there. Sora looked at him with sparkling eyes in anticipation and a dark brown fluffy pillow in his crushing hug. Cloud chuckled. At this kind of time Sora never failed to reduce his own age by his looks. "I feel like a grandfather telling his grandson some bed time story…."

"Just tell me, Cloud!" the azure eyed prince pouted, impatient. Cloud chuckled again.

"Okay, okay, so…," he sighed. Cloud didn't really like this story as well, but Zack had told him to tell the young prince…. "This is what Zack told me, so if you hear something strange or what, ask him." Replied by an enthusiastic nod. "So, in this town… Zack has a friend since childhood, his name is Hercules."

"Why didn't we see him, then?" Sora protested. "I'd love to know new people!" But Cloud's raised hand stopped him to continue blabbering. "…sorry. Keep on."

"…they are really close, and together they learnt martial arts," Cloud continued his story. "Zack was taught by Angeal, a popular and great hero, while Hercules was taught by Phil, who had the same status like Angeal that time. They often sparred with each other that time, and promised to each other to become a hero like their teachers. They spent their childhood to train so they can participate in Coliseum and become heroes. But…."

"But?" Sora said, encouraging Cloud to keep going.

"Something happened. The previous senator, Zeus, passed away. Hades, the current senator, replaced him, and he changed the Coliseum. While the championship for heroes still being held there, he created a new rule… that is what you see now, the rule for criminals."

"I see!" Sora nodded. "So actually Coliseum is only for heroes?"

"Yes," Cloud nodded with sigh. "But, this is where Zack's story started…. While many greedy people agreed with this sick kind of entertainment, there were a few people didn't agree with this. Some of them were Angeal and Phil."

The prince quietly agreed with the two.

"But…," the spiky blond guardian drooped his head. "Since the Senator was the most powerful person in this city, obviously Angeal and Phil were lost….

"Phil was suspended as heroes' trainer for unlimited time and it seems he lives without any suitability right now, but the worse came to Angeal…."

"Long time no see, Herc."

A tall, very muscular figure with sandy blond hair turned around, facing a man on his height but with spiky raven hair and leaner figure but no less strong. The man with bright blue eyes immediately grinned widely and waved to the newcomer excitedly. It was dark since it was already night, but those eyes were still bright and alive.

"Zack!" Herc, shortened from Hercules, greeted happily seeing his old buddy in front of him. "It has been a few years since the last time I saw you!"

"Yeah," Zack shrugged with an awkward smile on his lips. "You know, job doesn't let me go home anytime I want, so…."

"It's okay," the muscular man smiled. "I know you're really busy being a Soldier and a guardian for no one but the Prince himself now! I'm so proud of you, Zack!"

"Same here," the azure eyed man grinned while punched the other male's shoulder playfully. "Huh, 'the strongest hero ever' title wielder?"

"It's nothing, really," Hercules scratched his head sheepishly. "But it's really nothing for me as long as I haven't faced you yet, Zack. You're my only rival, and the title isn't mine before we face each other!" Zack threw his gaze away from Hercules. "Zack, it's the time for you to explain why you never want to fight in Coliseum! You never answered me; I need your answer as your childhood friend and rival!"

"Herc…," the young raven sighed, complicacy in his chest. He frowned, trying to piece the words up so Hercules wouldn't surprise too much hearing his story. "You know, when Senator Zeus passed away…?"

"Yeah, of course," the strongest hero nodded slowly. "He is my father; I escorted his body myself with our family to Mount Olympus for a few days."

"And you know how Hades took advantage of your departure and made himself the next Senator while you're the one who supposed to be the next Senator…?"

"Uh, yeah. But I don't really mind; I was really young that time and besides Hades is my father's brother, so I let him took the authority."

"How wrong your act is, Herc," Zack shook his head shamefully. "You know, nothing like this would happened if you took your right that time…."

"What do you mean?" the other male frowned. "Everything's okay. I know the rule for criminals here is a bit cruel, and Phil's divestment is very unfair, but…."

"Not only that, Herc," the raven stared right to the blond's eyes intently. "Do you remember Angeal?"

"Ah, of course! He is your respectable teacher and a great hero! I idolized him, but I don't know how is he right now… do you happen to know about his condition?"

Zack smiled bitterly. "I know his condition very well, Herc…. He is dead."

It was a perfect silence; nothing disturb them for a while. Zack's house was located at a small street, which was crowded with houses but also quiet and comfortable. Nothing luxury nor mighty like the rest of Olympus Coliseum, but it's really comfortable.

"…what?" Disbelief reeked from the voice.

"He is dead," Zack repeated the sentences, no matter how much pain it gave to his chest. "In Coliseum."

"What?" Hercules gripped his old friend's shoulders tightly and shook it lightly. "Why didn't you tell me? Why no one tell me about this at all? When?"

"…along with Phil," with husky voice, Zack started to explain. "Angeal opposed your uncle's plan to change Coliseum to a sick entertaining machine…. While Phil was divested from his position as heroes' trainer, Angeal was…." He took deep breath heavily. "…the first criminal-labeled fighter in Coliseum…."

Hercules' eyes bulged. His mouth dropped, couldn't say anything after hearing this confession.

"I saw him… fighting in Coliseum… day after day… while you're taking care of your father's funeral at Mount Olympus…," the prince guardian was no longer look at his friend as he tried hard to hold back his tears. "…Angeal struggled for his life against beasts….

"I saw him getting weaker and weaker as he stayed there longer and longer…. His wounds were never taken care… and on his last day, right on the seventh day of his stay in Coliseum, when he was no longer able to fight with such horrible condition, he was…." A tear slid down on a pale cheek. "…devoured by two lions…."

No more tears. No sob, no sound, nothing. Zack had dried his own tears a few years ago, but a tear still managed to slid down now. Amazing. Hercules didn't say anything. He let his friend composing himself for a while.

"…I see why you don't want to fight in Coliseum," he nodded. "Now I see why Hades is really, really cruel. But… how about our promise about become a hero?"

Zack smiled, now with certainty. "Well, Herc…. Our paths aren't the same. You're the strongest hero, approved by your winning against all heroes in this world, but me…. I don't think I'll get my hero title as glorious as yours. At least, when I can swipe away people's tears and give my hand to those who need, I will feel like a hero as well…."

"Zack…," Hercules said in awe, then scratched his head shamefully. "Well, this proved I'm not a hero at all. I only digged for fame all this time, but never being the true hero… it's really disgraceful of me! Father would be really mad to me if he knew what I'm doing until now…." He smiled sincerely to his friend. "Thanks, Zack. You reminded me what a true hero really is."

"It's nothing," Zack tapped the other male's shoulder firmly, smiling with strong determination. "I hope you can change everything before it's too late."

"Aah, so annoying…."

Axel stroked his painful ears after getting an earful from Saïx because of his bad performance. Since he still thought about Roxas, and the fact that the blond wasn't there to see his performance, his playing was less good than usual. The audiences didn't realize, but all of the Kingdom Hearts crew knew it very well. Obviously the scarred man wouldn't let him slip easily with such performance.

The tattooed man sighed loudly as he straightened his feet and looked up to the starry dark sky. He was sitting on the outside of a great building of temple – townspeople said it was to pray to Venus and Rome – alone, mind getting through the great wall of Coliseum, right to the small blond inside it.

'Is he okay…?' he asked himself anxiously. 'Though he was winning, but his wound… I hope they take care of it for him….' He sighed loudly. 'I hate this kind of feeling, when I can't do nothing but see my beloved ones suffering….' He jerked on his place, shocked. 'Beloved ones? Roxas is… one of my beloved ones…?'

"Axel?"

Before the spiky red hair could contemplate his own unintentional statement, a voice interrupted him. Axel turned his jade eyes from stony ground below him to a pair of turquoise ones a feet from him.

"Hey, Dem," he greeted casually, erasing his formerly thoughts. Being a skillful actor he was, wearing a happy mask while in sour mood was an easy task for him. "What's up? Zexion ignored you again?"

"Not that!" Demyx retorted with a (manly) pout and sat next to Axel. "Well, yeah… but that's not the point!"

Axel snorted at how stubborn Zexion was. Everyone knew already that he and Demyx were really into each other, but Zexion always acted as if Demyx was nothing to him. What an annoying prude.

"The point is… I want to talk about Roxas."

The older man went stiff, but fortunately the younger didn't notice that.

"You know, when I saw him at Coliseum…," the dirty blond hesitated a bit. "…he was great. Really great. I mean, for someone who is as innocent as him…. Well, I don't know about his past, but… I think, people who can use Light element is rare?"

'He noticed,' Axel quietly applauded the other male with a concealed smile. 'Though as the newest member here he is still underestimated by many of us, he shows great development in everything he does. Maybe that's why Zexion attracted to you…. You're a great potential, yet has kind and pacifism heart….' He scratched his head non-too gently. "I don't know, Dem. I don't think there's an element such as Light."

"Don't lie to me, Axel!" the other male frowned. "Xemnas and Riku uses Darkness, sure there is Light element!"

'Should I tell him?' the redhead thought. 'Demyx is a trust-worthy person, but… this isn't about trust, but about safety. I don't want to risk his safety – it's Zexion and my responsible to keep Naminé and Demyx's safety. But how to convince him…?' "Demyx, I−"

"Yo, Demmy-boy! Little Zexion needs ya there!"

Demyx was startled, but Axel didn't budge at all. That voice – that voice nearly disturbed him all the time he did some important conversation before this. It felt like purposefully disturbed him at certain times….

"T-thanks, Xigbar!" the blond stood awkwardly, as his turquoise eyes still on Axel's. He ran toward the tents without anymore words, leaving the tattooed man with another tall figure standing on the base of the temple's stairs. A meaningful grin plastered on that scarred face, amber eyes almost glowing in the dark.

"I saw how he fighting," Xigbar said, arms crossed in front of his chest. "Xemnas's words were right."

"…what?" Axel widened his eyes toward the other male in surprise. The grin curved up more satisfiedly.

"I know you know what I'm talking about," the eyepatched man shrugged. "You're always like that, Axel. We're similar. With same past, we know more than everyone, we're involved more than them."

"…what past?" now frown was plastered on Axel's uncovered forehead. "I don't understand what are you saying…."

"You will someday, kid," Xigbar looked up, toward the starry sky above, and his eyes narrowed in mixed feeling – loneliness, sadness, and hatred…. "When he tells you about our past hundreds years ago…." He snorted. "Or maybe you're just lucky to forget everything, unlike me."

"What did you say?" the younger male was totally confused now. What's with Xigbar? Why he acted all different from usual? What did he mumble about? What past? What similarity?

"Nothin'," Xigbar smirked, than turned around so his back was facing Axel. His long ponytail swayed softly along with his movement. "Get ready, kid. Changed plan. We'll do everything tonight."

"…tonight?"

"We'll meet Hades tonight."

"If Xemnas wants us to talk with Hades tonight, then for what reason we assigned for the championship tomorrow? We can talk to Hades to release Roxas now!"

Axel was grumbling all the way he walked together with Xigbar, Larxene, and Riku. They were walking in a small alleyway that night with black coats covered their bodies. Their face and hair were covered with the hood of their coats, merging with the darkness pretty well. Only the moon up there shone their way, though it didn't bother them at all. They could see almost as well as in the daylight.

"I don't know…," Riku responded quietly. "I don't think Hades will let him go easily." 'Besides, I want to fight that Prince Sora.'

Axel huffed. "You're right. He is so annoying."

"No need hurrying, kid!" Xigbar hit the redhead's back a bit harsh, earning a nasty glare but he only chuckled in reply. "He won't go anywhere!"

"He is injured, Xigbar," the lanky man said cooly, beyond pissed off. "If he had to fight with such wound, he would−"

"You sound like a fussy mother worry over her only son, Axel," Larxene cut Axel's sentences. "Calm down a bit, would you?"

Axel was about to talk back when he realized it's futile to talk about Roxas anymore, so he stopped himself from saying any word; and obviously it would earn suspicion from his fellow comrades. Besides, they had reached their destination that night.

"This is it," Xigbar said, waving toward a small, square-shaped house on the corner of the alley. The house was quiet, and it looked inoccupied since the window was dark. The building was built haphazardly with rough stony wall and lines of crack here and there – it looked like the building was useless. "Never judge from look – like our dear Saïx said; this place can lead you to our destination." Xigbar smirked when Larxene scrunched her nose seeing such rotten building.

"Whatever, just hurry up," she snorted carelessly. Being the most impatient one, the blond girl strode into the small building without hesitation. Shrugging to each other, the males following her in silence. It was darker inside than the outside, making the only female there groaned. "Axel, could you be useful when you're needed to be?" A flick of red fire was glowing immediately, giving enough light to see all the inside of the building. "That's a good boy."

"I didn't do this because you told me to, Larxene," the redhead, who was lifting his right hand on his chest with a small, bright red fire puffing from his palm, retorted grumpily. "It's just you said it right when I was about to light it."

"Oh God, why did Saïx choose Axel and Larxene in a team again?" Riku groaned in exasperation. Xigbar snorted in amusement.

"Because Axel has fire and Larxene is… Larxene," he answered kindly, making the silverette rubbed his forehead tiredly. Fortunately the other two were already going into a really dark hidden lane behind the mossy wall so they didn't hear Riku and Xigbar's conversation.

"Right – wrong question. Why am I here again?" he corrected his question.

"Because you're the one who will talk to Hades."

"Hurry up, you two! We don't have all the night chit-chat in this disgusting place!" Larxene's voice thundered from the lane. But, much to Riku's sanity's relief, the rest of their in the dark, sewer smelly lane was spent in silence – not counting Larxene's occasional complaints about the 'disgusting, indecent place for lady' lane.

"Took you long enough, Kingdom Hearts."

The slightly mocking voice welcomed them in a wider, lighter room on the end of the lane. The room was still made from mossy black stone and hard, blackish ground, but at least a few blue torchs were lightened the room a bit. Blue torches? Riku narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"It's because of your hellish route, you know," Larxene snapped, not caring at all whether she was talking to a dirty hobo or the Senator of Olympus Coliseum. The said Senator raised a non-visible eyebrow toward her, but his smirk didn't vanish.

"And you are?" Hades asked calmly, his eyes still studying the only woman's figure.

"She is Larxene, one of our new members," Riku answered flatly. He bowed a bit, though he was cursing silently to show his honour to such man. He admitted he wasn't much better than the Senator, but at least he did whatever he had done for a purpose, not for a selfish entertainment like the pale, bluish skin owner.

"I see," Hades nodded, averting his dark eyes to Riku. "She is the only unfamiliar face here to me."

"So, Milord," Riku changed the topic before Larxene grew more impatient – an angry Larxene was never a good Larxene. "Do you accept our offer to the connivancy?"

Hades, sitting casually on the stony round table on the center of the room, smirked as his eyes staring at each of the caravan members. "Well, I have to see the guarantee of your capability first," he said after scratching his chin with his pointy nail softly. "Doing a rebellion to the central kingdom is not a play thing, afterall. It risks my life, and this kingdom as well."

"I understand," Riku nodded, then he summoned his bat-wing shaped sword without any hesitation. "I, Riku, the only Prince and heir of Hollow Bastion Kingdom, and the true heir of the Keyblade, the controller of the Darkness."

"And we are his loyal private soldiers, the Kingdom Hearts caravan, as well the secret messenger from His Majesty of Hollow Bastion," Xigbar continued, a pair of large arrow guns with shining purple arrows lined up on the gun appeared on both of his hands. "Xigbar, the Free Shooter and controlling space."

"Axel, the Flurry of Dancing Flame," the lanky redhead lifted his hands and in a second, there were a pair of stainless steel red chakhrams in his hands with fire surrounding the round weapons. "Controller of fire."

"And Larxene, the Savage Nymph," Larxene raised her hands to show kunais on between her each fingers, sharp and dangerous. Electricity gleamed around the kunais, giving more light to the room for a while before vanishing. "I'm controlling thunder."

"So that's what you hid from me before," the Senator exclaimed satisfiedly, pleased to see such great power. "Is that the result of embracing the darkness like you told me, Prince Riku?"

"True," Riku nodded firmly. "And if you choose to work with us, you'll be invincible to the Heartless, our dark soldiers. You can control them, even."

"Your offer is truly promising," Hades grinned wickedly, obviously happy with the prosperious deal. It was great enough being the number one person in the Olympus Coliseum, but having a powerful companion and invincible – scratch that, controlling the Heartless? It's not impossible he could take over the world itself one day, after he succeeded getting rid of these dangerous people…. "I take your offer."

'Blinded with power, I see…,' the silverette prince snorted inside his mind, taking note to kill this firehead later after he succeeded in taking over what truly his. Right, he was the real heir of the Keyblade, Roxas and Sora were only impostors… their ancestor stole his ancestor's right as the Keyblade wielder, so he had to take it back now, whatever it took. 'How interesting Sora is, I have to kill him, along with his brother….'

"So, you're our ally now. What do you offer as your guarantee of loyalty to us?" Xigbar said, stepping forward. His guns had disappeared once again. Hades opened his long, black sleeve and took something from it. Smirking mysteriously, he lifted a small, coin-shaped gold with thunder symbol on it.

"This," the Senator started the explanation with mysterious tone. "Is Olympus Stone. This stone… is my secret power, got this directly from Zeus, the previous Senator." He chuckled. "Ironically, this is the one killed him – this stone can increase someone's power a few times than usual. You give me power, I give you power – I lend this stone as the mark of my loyalty."

"Very well," Riku nodded, then took the stone from Hades carefully, eyeing the gold stone with curiousity. The stone indeed gave him stronger feeling, but not too much. Maybe it was because he was already a strong person himself…. "Deal."

"Deal," Hades smirked, making the other Kingdom Hearts members suspicous, but shrugged it off as his smirk was always suspicious. "Where's my Heartless?"

"Here," the silverette prince gave the pale bluish-colored skin man a dark blue orb carefully. "With this orb, you won't get attacked with Heartless, and you can also control them. But, this is the sign that you embrace the darkness too."

"I have already embraced it a long, long time ago," again, the Senator gave them a wicked smirk as he lifted the orb on his hand, examining it with satisfaction. "Do you think killing the previous Senator, who was my own brother, can be the sign for it?"

No one answered the rethorical answer. Riku glanced at Axel, then nodded.

"Hades, you see…," the redhead said. "Actually, the criminal you saw fighting in Coliseum today… he is our member."

"What? That blond murderer?" those dark eyes still glued to the shining orb, surrounded with dark light. "Sorry, rule is rule – no criminal can get out from Coliseum."

"But he is innocent!" Axel snapped, pissed off. "It was a wrong accusation! He can't kill anyone; let alone sadistically!"

Hades raised an eyebrow. "You don't have a proof. Neither I. It will cause a great ruckus if I release a prisoner without any explanation."

"You can just say it was a misunderstanding!"

"Aw, kid, still you have to prove me he is innocent."

"Then what proof do you have to make him as the murderer?"

"He was at the crime site right when the boy was murdered, and his mother said he was the perpetrator. Need another one?"

"Axel, cut it. We can release him by winning the champion," Riku whispered on Axel's ear. The latter was shaking violently, enraged. "So, Hades. We take this as our dismissal. We will give you further plan next time."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Hades waved his hand lazily as his eyes still on the orb on his other hand, as if he was hypnotized by it. Giving a last glare (which was totally ignored), Axel turned his body, following his comrades getting out from the place.

"That was strangely easy," Larxene said after walking for a while.

"Immune to Heartless, who don't want that?" Riku snorted. "Let alone control it."

"But, isn't it dangerous to give him one of Xion's power orbs?" the blond woman asked.

"Nah, it's okay. That orb is a weak one – if he doesn't use it much, then the power will last for a half year. But if it's the contrary, the longest will be only two or three months. I know it'll be dangerous to give him more power."

"But he gave you his power stone as well," Xigbar said. "Is it really make you stronger?"

"Not really," Riku shrugged. "I won't be surprised he gave us a fake one too. But it doesn't matter – as long as he is on our side now, we can finish him later. At least he won't add our headache."

Silence. They arrived at the outside once again, and Larxene exhaled a relieve sigh. The air was much refreshening out here. She walked quickly while grumbling about creepy bluish-skinned old man as a silent Riku followed right after her, thinking deeply about something. Axel walked behind them, slower as his eyes trailing to the tall building of Coliseum. Xigbar smirked seeing this.

"Axel," the eye-patched man called. He smirked after getting those stare from shining jade eyes. "Don't you miss the little blondie?"

"I don't miss him, doomy old man," the younger man answered with crooky mood – showing that he indeed missed the young blond. "Just… a bit worried. He is wounded."

"Well, you know…. I found this secret path to Coliseum's prison. Excited?"

It was really soft – the feathery golden strands below his own calloused fingers. Axel was a bit scared to touch it; scared whether he would dirty it with his hands or not. But he couldn't stand it – he really wanted to touch those strands, enough to release his overwhelming worry.

The small body shook a little, cold from the night breeze and icy hard ground below the sleeping form. Axel frowned, then took off his own black coat silently, sound of fabric rustling didn't beat the sound of water dropping. Gently he placed it on the small teenager through the rails, covering the entire body and hoping it would stop the shivering, but it didn't. Though it did decrease the shivering a bit; satisfying enough for Axel. He moved his hand to the angelic sleeping face and stroked the porcelain cheek softly. The blond boy sighed and Axel smiled.

"I'm sorry…," he whispered softly. "I feel so useless to let you through something like this…." He chuckled bitterly. "You know, usually I give no mind to others; I wouldn't care if someone else was here; but you… you are different. Though we're just met, but… I can't help but feel like I have to protect you…." His fingers brushed the pink lips gently, then shivered a little after feeling the softness of it. "…I can't help but wonder how it feels to kiss you…."

Axel was shocked, but understood it as well. It was like he said something from his deepest part of his heart – the part he didn't even know he had. It didn't feel quite right, yet it was honest, pure from his heart. Axel didn't even know why he felt like that.

It was like as if he admitted something he didn't dare to admit in the past.