The Sapphire Sorceress
Disclaimer: The rights to Kingdom Hearts belong to Disney and Square Enix.
Act 29: Scythe of Petals
"Imbeciles... You would knowingly shackle your heart with a chain of memories born of lies? You would be one who has a heart, yet cast aside your heart's freedom?"
Castle Oblivion: ( Aqua's POV )
Running and moving...running and moving...running and moving...
My body was used to this sort of action having to move quickly to confront whatever problems were plaguing someone. Even now when I was trying to find someone it was to solve an issue that was made from a problem. Granted the fact I was helping someone like Marluxia was not exactly satisfying to me, but it would bring everything back to a somewhat normal situation. Then I remembered I was not alone during this mission seeing Larxene's angry expression contradicting the rules of nobodies.
"Aqua, we can take care of these guys together."
"Do you think we can live the rest of our lives in peace?"
"Ven really seems like he could take part in the Mark of Mastery test. Do you think he has a chance?"
"Are you done with that stupid daydreaming?!"
Shaking my head I was looking at a very pissed-off "Larxy" likely because I was drifting off once again. Why can't I shake off this sensation that I was closer to Ven than I really was at the moment? What was I saying, of course, he's here in this place, but the question is where...
"Look alive bluebird I can sense a huge pool of darkness, the edgy brat is near us."
As could I, but it felt stronger than usual, and it began to remind me of the same essence that Xemnas held. Judging by the different I knew he was slowly becoming like Xehanort despite his claims of fighting against that same darkness. This time, at least there was something else to deal with this person besides me.
"Don't underestimate him Larxene, his strength can easily match up against us nobodies like ourselves."
"Ohh you're implying the real Riku is not some worthless puppet like Vexen's toy? I guess we'll see how long he can last then." Ignoring that pride my eyes looked around to see where this friend of Sora's could have gone, the young warrior has not left this floor yet so he must be heading to this exit soon enough. Suddenly I could hear footsteps slowing growing louder with each step. This could only mean he's finally made it closer to the first floor of this castle.
"You! Why are you here again?" His growl came out when he got a look at my face as his white met her yellow and my blue hair colors. Shortly afterward each one of our weapons came out as he looked ready to attack, but I can still see resistance in his eyes from his own personal demons.
"Calm down shorty we're not here to kick you around yet, but if you want to get beaten up that sounds alright to me!"
'Why do you always have to let your sadistic nature come out like this?' Thankfully Larxene didn't force the issue as Riku suddenly put two hands on his head.
"Ansem, you won't control me again...I will eliminate the darkness inside me including everyone who uses it to harm others!"
Unfortunately, he was speaking about the both of us, and I knew he was gonna attack in a matter of moments. Suddenly I noticed his momentary hesitation left him open for attack, so I looked at Larxene giving a silent comment to swarm him which she agreed with charging up her element of lightning. Before Riku knew what hit him both of us nobodies were holding him on the ground with our weapons on his body.
"You have to listen to us Riku, the fact is we are not here to battle your friend is in danger Sora!"
"Sora? He's...no you're just lying or trying some kind of trick on me!" Stubborn just like before when I first met him it reminds me of how Terra could act. His quick flare of rebelling was stopped once Larxene smacked him right in the face not caring how mad he got about that action.
"I would not bother dealing with a little punk like if you if this was not the case. Now are you gonna man up and help get him back, or just stick around sulking in a corner about your oh so dreadful darkness!"
"You're one to talk I can't stand the horrible smell you have nobody!" Another loud slap came on his cheeks Larxene was not one to hold back her anger, and I was grateful that I was not on the receiving end of that abuse. His red cheeks were the sign of her attacks as he looked even more ready to harm or even destroy us.
"Enough! You can hate us all you wish, but that won't stop Vexen playing with your friend's body! Larxy said you can help us or do nothing like a coward. Then again you don't seem like the kind of person to let your friend down...right?" No, I knew he would help us to break Sora free that's what it means to have a friendship with someone. You might get hurt, suffer pain along with punishment, and yet, in the end, it means you really care about someone.
"Tell me where he is I'll save him myself..."
"Nope! So be a good boy and listen to what we tell you, otherwise we can just keep you here all day."
"You can't stop...me no one can!" That voice Ansem no Xehanort! We both knew he would not come quietly at this point so we had to knock him out for the moment, the idea was simple however Riku's growing darkness made this difficult. Despite having the advantage something inside his body began taking control of his movements. Like the puppet Riku, he was no longer in control of himself following the will of others, and he quickly forced us back with a burst of dark energy.
"There is no way in hell I'm losing to this angst-filled punk, but this power reminds me him..."
"Riku's becoming more like this "Ansem" or as I know him Xehanort."
Suddenly he began to swing around his blade forcing us to dodge his attacks which he likely had no control of along with his body's actions. Sparks of lightning quickly covered Riku's body while I threw around my weapons hoping to send him back on the ground quickly. To my surprise, he learned how to block my fans with just his bat-like sword and smirked in confidence.
"What pathetic creatures you nobodies are!" Why you arrogant...
"He's mine just watch my back!" Before I could beg her to stop she began slashing at him from all direction, so by using her incredible agility she was managing to avoid his increasing power. I knew just what to do and quickly activated Slow to make him even more easy to hit. My partner smiled knowing he was now a sitting duck and sent down a huge thunderbolt over his body.
"He's just about done for want to finish him off, girlfriend?" Girlfriend? She's never called me that before, the fact her tone was not full of sarcasm which meant she was genuine. A rare set of smiles were both now on our faces while Riku was barely able to stand up now.
"We are just trying to capture him, but yes I can take care of the rest from-"
"You underestimate the power of my darkness!"
Just like before there was now some figure hovering above the boy's form with his arms folded over his chest. Suddenly his body was dripping black with hatred, the air growing thicker with his power rising slowly. Whatever was inside him was pumping him full of power, so the idea of having him save Sora might not happen if he ends up needing to get saved as well.
His left hand grew blue as more of those fireballs were getting tossed at us, we both managed to move around them, but he was getting quicker with his fire attacks increasing in their number. There has to be some kind of way to put him down. That's when I saw him appear in front of my almost cutting my face with a punch from his mere fists.
I tried once more taking advantage of using my experience in hand-to-hand combat grabbing his arm, so I could move my leg around to hit him right in the chest, but he was able to block it with his free hand. Twisting my foot he slamming his arm right into my own chest slamming me on the ground hard. I didn't think he's gotten this strong, but I knew he was no weakling now.
"Begone you worthless being of naught."
"Not before you kid!" I wrapped my hands around his legs tripping him over on the floor as Larxene took advantage holding her knives right above his neck not giving him an inch this time around. Slowly getting up I held down myself to keep him from pulling another stunt like he just tried on us.
"I suggest you take up this offer before we get real nasty. These knives can do far worse things to a somebody than hit them..." She replied slowly making a gesture to cut open his skin. I hoped she was not trying to provoke him any further since he might become impossible to keep down by that point.
"Do you think Sora would want to see you like this? Once more a dark shell of what you are Riku. If you have the strength to fight against the darkness do it already!" Hoping to keep his inner demon at bay I used the bond with Sora as a lure, but it was up to Riku to go for that bait. I breathed a sigh once his face began to calm down from the angry glare that was stuck on for a while, the movements of his body under myself were also slowing down.
"I can't face him right now, but if I can overcome my darkness then..."
"Your friend needs you right now! You're the only one who can rescue him, the fact is Vexen played us both for fools, but that's where you can come in and help out Sora." Despite his stubborn nature, I knew Riku could not avoid this realization forever as we had little time to spare in this debate.
"Sora...take me to him please..." That's what we've been trying to do all this time ugh. Well, he's not fighting back for now which was good since he would have felt upset about this. I quickly shoved my hand over his face slamming him on the ground just to knock him unconscious for a while. Once again Larxene's artificial personality is rubbing off on me, and her whistle of approval hardly bothered me.
"See Auxaq, I told you this childish pipsqueak was just as easy as his own replica!"
"You were not the one getting slamming into the floor, but it seems that Sora is the only thing holding back this dark power of his." It was both a weakness and strength for the warrior of the darkness. Much like the hero of light's flaw was his desire was the relationship with this boy, and or his kind heart which could easily be manipulated.
While I did the hard work of carrying his body which felt heavier than usual Larxene was looking at something near the stairs instead of helping me out.
"Hold on a second. Did you just see that guy?"
"What guy I'm busy trying to hold Riku with no help from your end by the way!"
"I'm serious there was some creeper here just a moment ago, the guy was in red, with a bunch of black belts over his face too, and he was just looking at us with that yellow eye!" Hold on that description sounds like something I've seen before, so could it be the same guy? Looking in the direction there was no one there, but Larxene sounded confident there was someone standing at that spot.
"DiZ? He's in this castle as well?" The blonde nobody moved her head up and down confirming my suspicion.
"Well, I thought he was here considering the reports matched up with how this guy just looked like to me!"
"Just like before when he disappeared when I made eye-contact with him" So, why is here lurking in this place right now? This can wait though since Riku could wake up anytime, and we had to get to Vexen's lab before he regained his consciousness. The both of us entered a portal of darkness with our captive knowing we had to exit as quickly as possible.
"Alright, we need a plan since we have to rely on Riku's help with this attack."
"We can just show up and take out everyone like usual!"
"That is not a plan! They have Sora, and could do something to harm him, so we need to think carefully about this rescue operation." Just running in there with no kind of idea how to get Sora out is just foolishness. Too many elements could go wrong; the goal is to ensure everything goes right as Marluxia requested from us. Of course, as I've learned from my past life nothing always goes exactly as planned.
"Okay, I think there is a way to get into Vexen's research area while catching them off-guard."
Castle Oblivion: Vexen's Lab
The dark room showed no signs of life as I stepped through the portal of darkness. Larxene remained in the pathway in order to ensure they don't find her with me. The element of surprise would be vital if this scheme of mine was going to work out. Thankful it seemed like none of the basement members have located me so far, and I quickly placed Riku down.
'How long until he begins to make more chaos? Hopefully, it's sooner than I expect.' The area seemed more depressing than usual or perhaps that's what I think it's like due to the recent developments in our ranks. Peeking through some doors I could not find Vexen, Zexion, or even Lexaeus in the rooms near this one. This means either they are luring me into a trap or I had caught them off their guard.
"This is an interesting surprise." So it was the latter after all. Seeing the figures surround my position was confirmation they at least expected me to show up. All three looked ready to break me apart, the plan required I let them take me to Sora which meant I had to work with a silver tongue. I hoped my time with Larxy and Marluxia taught me good manipulation skills.
"We never expected one of the traitors to show up like this." Lexaeus' voice sounded much deeper than usual implying a very real threat of harm towards me.
"This is perfect, but why is your replica beside her Vexen?"
"That is not my replica his power is far darker, and that can only mean this is the genuine Riku."
"He's a peace-offering since I want to explain to you what I've uncovered." Alright here goes everything...
"Peace? You're just trying to buy yourself out of getting punished by the Superior!"
"Zexion, do you want to know what Marluxia has planned or not?" It was a half-truth since I did know what the take-over plot was, but I was not siding with Vexen on this matter or Marluxia even if I had to join them to save my skin for the moment.
"How do we know you're not lying or just playing both sides on this matter?" Lexaeus looked ready to grab my neck so I glared at him with defiance refusing to let them overwhelm me.
"I am in this for not just the sake of us nobodies, but for my own personal reasons. This castle's secret is still hidden, so until I find it I have to make nice with the people living here although that is becoming hard these days!" Another truth since I've not gotten the chance to do what I've wanted for some time due to this huge double-conspiracy happening.
"Ahh which means you've deciding to help us bring the traitors to justice with Riku's aid in this how intriguing. Still, we can't be sure you're not aiding the enemy so we'll just bring your both in for some...studying!"
Oh hell, they're not gonna put my on some cold table, picking my limbs apart, and treat me like some lab experiment. I stood ready to fight them off since I could not allow myself to become unable to defend myself from these guys. Their eyes shifted to each other silently speaking to one another. Looking at the still resting dark hero I knew how to fend them off for now.
"You should be holding him down instead! Riku's becoming a vessel of a dark source of power, and if he wakes up then he's bound to start attacking all of us." It was desperation yet this was all I could do, the hope of stalling them long enough to find Sora's current location. Only then could I give the signal to begin the rescue operation.
"She has a point the smell of that child is rather dank with darkness."
"Zexion, how long do you think he has until that power consumes him?"
"He won't last much longer Lexaeus. I think we should follow her advice Vexen before he wakes up." Vexen's moment of pause brought some concern since I didn't know what the mad scientist was scheming to himself.
"Hmm that does make sense, but you're not going to run off to Marluxia Number XV so stay put!"
Good, the first part is done with as they pulled Riku up as we all entered the lab area surrounded by several monitors. Each one was blinking, and reading off some kind of brain-wave all having the same subject name on them Sora! Finally, my eyes looked at Sora laying motionless on some big table area, the many colored cables were on his body likely watching his activity for Vexen's research.
"Sora and Riku united once again as my test subjects!"
"Ironic considering both came into this castle for that very reason."
"Also both were involved with Marluxia's treacherous goal Zexion."
I couldn't stop my eyes to roll at that irony of calling Marluxia treacherous considering your treating these kids like your own lab rats Vexen! I remained silent during the conversation trying to wait for Riku to stir himself awake. Perhaps conversation will do the trick along with learning what the Number IV was going to do with these two.
"With the both of them under my control, Marluxia can't hope of stopping Xemnas now. Perhaps I can even get a promotion with such trophies for the sake of the Organization."
"Still Namine's powers have sealed off much of Sora's memory. We can't hope to remove them from his mind without her powers."
"I know that detail Lexaeus, but I'm merely thinking hypothetically about our next step."
So, they are not ready to use Sora they likely would just keep him away from Marluxia's grip until they get Namine. I got a strange realization from this; what was once a civil war is now simply a stand-off between both sides. Which meant that my future actions can affect this whole situation. Without the heart to care I would feel bad that I've gotten so involved in this corruption of light and dark.
"I see you plan to remove both pieces of Marluxia's plan before dragging him back to Xemnas for his punishment."
"That is what Lexaeus and Zexion have in mind, but I want to pick apart each limb of the traitors before removing them from their present existences." For a second I thought this was actually Larxene in the disguise of a male with an odd wig. While I didn't know what to do about this coup there was no way I would take part in the execution of nobodies willingly, but considering what Marluxia had in mind I could be acting hypocritically.
"Auxaq, tell us where Marluxia and his followers are?" Lexaeus was still glaring at my direction thinking I was hiding something, the giant was pretty wise for such a powerhouse, so I huff out some air before laying out the trap. My wording needed to come out very carefully which brought out some hesitation in me.
"Apparently the reason he's taking over is a fear of Xemnas' "true goal" with Kingdom Hearts. Marluxia thinks he wants to do something else with that power than help out the Organization."
"Kingdom Hearts? That's just absurd that realm is meant to revive our hearts returning us to being normal beings once more!"
"Don't act so quickly Auxaq's words seem genuine about this reasoning Zexion."
"Yes, that reserve of the gathering of hearts can do much more than bring back our lost souls. The data I've gathered seems to imply with the full strength of Kingdom Hearts one can reach a state of power that some might consider as divine..."
"So, that would mean you can do anything with such an unknown source of hearts collected Vexen? The Superior must fulfill the promise made for us...right?"
"I can't say for sure Zexion...what we do know is whatever happens once that artificial Kingdom Hearts is complete will be under Xemnas' influence." Indeed as the most powerful nobody he would command such a resource of power easily with no one to refuse him.
"Then perhaps Marluxia is not simply paranoid or power-hungry about taking over our group."
"Now we're just talking crazy Xemnas is something we can't disobey! Without him, none of us would even be here right now! I don't know about you Lexaeus, but I'm not buying what Vexen or this siren is saying as well!" Siren? I'm not going to take any of that from such a whiny teenager! Before we started a brawl act Riku suddenly began to shake in his confines, and he was already breaking out of his body even while he was still unconscious.
"No this is wrong he can't wake up now Sora might break out of his confines as well!" Yes if Sora and Riku both got up now it would ruin everything. I can't believe I'm about to do this Eraqus would be ashamed... oh what am I saying that person does not exist anymore. Everyone was focused on the two heroes which seemed like the perfect moment for me and my partner.
"None of this would be happening if that woman didn't show up here!"
"Enough Zexion! We need to focus on keeping Riku down!"
"Exactly she can be deal with lat-what are you doing over there we need some help!"
"Then you won't mind if I bring in some help then Vexen." The line would be crossed here, and the consequences are something I will accept in the future. The darkness which I've grown accustomed to welcome my traitorous partner in crime Larxene. Naturally, Vexen and his cohorts were shocked by this action.
"Let's help our fellow nobodies "girlfriend" of mine!"
Castle Oblivion: 11th Floor ( With Axel )
The hired assassin for Saix was not having a good day right now considering he could not perform what he was sent here to do in the first place. Between orders from Xemnas, Saix, and now Marluxia Axel figured he should have never become a nobody dealing with so much dirty work lately. The redhead didn't like these kinds of kill missions, but if it meant getting back to home sooner than he was fine with it.
'You know I would have not felt bad about taking out any of these guys during the first weeks, but now I'm regretting this assignment. Roxas, have you started to change me?'
The one thing he was looking forward to once this icky stuff was over with, the chance to go back on the clocktower, and eating some more ice cream with his favorite member of the Organization. Granted Saix was still his closest friend, but Roxas had brought out something Axel thought didn't exist in his shell of a body these days, the ability to enjoy something that was almost like a real friendship.
"Huh to think nobodies can't really have something called a friend..." Like with Auxaq and Larxene, the idea of emotionless beings getting along was considered absurd, but it didn't stop their bond from growing much like the ones he has with two fellow male nobodies, and now possibly two females as well. All the more reason to get the job done with he thought to himself.
"Twilight Town or what Vexen made from Sora's memories..."
The portal dropped him off right near the fake mansion hideout for the only one rebelling against Organization XIII. While it was a duplication Axel appreciated the scenery during the execution of Vexen soon to occur well that's what the hired hand expected to happen, the lack of anyone being in the air was not the sight Axel planned to see in front of him.
"Okay! Well played joke Marluxia now you can come out Sora...Donald...Goofy...Vexen?!" His smile grew into a frown realizing something went terribly wrong here, and now he wanted some answers. Was this a set-up or was Vexen able to escape from here? Questions began to form up in his mind as he no longer looked cool, calm, and collected about things. If they were not on this floor then what the hell happened to them?
"I can explain what happened for you, Axel..." Naturally, the head of the conspiracy Axel wanted to destroy appears in front of him; only now he can't stop him or his plot due to this unforeseen twist of fate. Still, the fire-styled nobody wondered if he could still try since Marluxia is without his puppet or "Queen" to help him.
"Marluxia, honestly if you just wanted to talk with me in private you didn't have to beat around the bush using Vexen or Sora."
"Yes it is a good time to not leave any secrets out now, the fact of the matter is both of us are hiding something from each other, and we can't go on without know what that is!"
"Whatever do you mean Lord Malu-"
"Enough with the ruse. I've figured out the reason you were so eager to follow my commands, uncovering what Vexen has been up to, and most of all trying to get into my little circle of trust. You're a spy working for Xemnas aren't you?"
The wind blew in the created forest crafted out of the memories of a nobody, so it was fitting both the hollow men in the room act like this revelation was something unexpected when it was a long-time coming. Their eyes were locked onto each other wondering who would speak first.
"Funny I was going to ask you the same thing, but you're obviously not a spy trying to watch my actions. No, you are exactly what I believed you were the second you got the leadership of this castle...a traitor."
"Traitor? So, you honestly believe Xemnas will give you want you to wish for out of his Kingdom Hearts? What about the others like me who don't want our old lives back? I can't return to what I once was just as easily as you want Axel. Too many mistakes were made back then, but now I know that my new existence will turn out much greater than before all this!"
"What's so great about lacking the heart to really enjoy yourself? The life of living in-between life and death, having no real emotion inside yourself, and being around somebodies who can really have friendships..."
That is why he wanted to feel his chest beat and have his body feel warm around others like Roxas. Axel believed Marluxia was crazy for abandoning his past life out of some fear of this "Xehanort" Aqua knew from her own previous life. Speaking of which the fact she was not here gave him a bad impressing she was also buying into Marluxia's game as well.
"Who else is involved with your plot then? I know Namine is your doll, Larxene is your right-hand man, but Auxaq..."
"A simple wild card much like the real Riku. While she does not seem to support Vexen's actions of taking Sora she has not exactly confirmed in believing in my plan."
Inside he could breathe a little easier knowing there was still a chance she could make it out of here alive. Now the bigger issue was the fact Vexen was in Sora's hands which could be very bad. Should anything happen to him it could not only affect Roxas but Xemnas and everyone involved with him.
'This whole situation now is one giant clusterf-'
"Axel, I know you have some amount of loyalty towards Xemnas, and this issue between us won't be over with, but Sora can't remain under Vexen's control which is why I sent Larxene and Auxaq to handle it."
"No they can't deal with that by themselves...which is why you're telling me this, and you want me to come to their aid like a princess protecting some princess." The smirk now grown on Marluxia's face confirmed Axel's train of thought. He was willing to use two nobodies one of them actually following his own plan just to get Axel to obey his commands.
"Larxene, your own precious queen could end up removed from existence and yet you..."
"She knows the risks as does her partner, but to bring back Sora they risked themselves anyway. That is loyalty to the mission that you knew well enough to possibly exterminate Vexen." Not for Xemnas's benefit thought Axel since his demise would hamper certain projects in the future. Axel never thought however Marluxia would get this desperate in order to get his hands on Sora which only meant he really did believe in taking over Xemnas' leadership.
"Do you really think I'm doing all this for the sake of The Organization? You're right and wrong on that subject, but there is something else you're both right and wrong about Marluxia. I can both take you down and still find them both!"
"Ever prideful aren't we Axel. We certainly cannot see eye to eye on this matter, obviously; no point in discussing this any further. How disappointing that you will just be another head for my scythe of petals."
"Those pink petals will burn to ash like your ambition!"
The weapons came out as both knew this battle was coming for a while now, but they didn't have to hold back anymore. Axel knew he could not win, but it didn't hurt to try harming the "Lord" of Castle Oblivion while Marluxia wanted to remove this thorn in his side. The scythe launched toward Axel while he tried to burn away his prime target with his chakrams.
"In the name of the Organization...oh the hell with it I just want to kill you really badly Marluxia!"
"What kind of line is that Axel?"
"One you don't need to memorize..."
The fated battle of two assassins finally began along with the decisive fights which would determine the fates of both Sora and Riku. The destiny of other players would also come into the light, but in the middle of it all was a white witch unable to do nothing besides observe the upcoming events, or that's what Marluxia believed when in fact Axel also gave her the will to break free. Leaving the gilded cage she's been staying in her focus would place her in danger, but she didn't care anymore since her mind only wanted to set things right.
"I have to get to Sora, and save him since that is what she would want me to do..."
[ Wow Kingdom Hearts 2.8 looks like a great build-up for Kingdom Hearts 3, so good luck waiting two more years to get both of these games. Seriously why are so many hyped games being pushed back these days, and it has to be stuff I want to play when I finally buy a PS4.
Oh well this arc is almost done believe it or not with only this cliffhanger left, but how you do feel about Larxene's character? Do you hate how I've made her more sympathetic or do you like her enough that she should remain around...not asking for any particular reason just curious. _ ]