The Sapphire Sorceress
Disclaimer: The rights to Kingdom Hearts belong to Disney and Square Enix.
Act 43: Axel and Roxas
"You wanna know why I do? Because you're my best friends. The three of us... we're inseparable."
The World That Never Was: Twilight's View ( Aqua's POV )
Today's mission was thankfully over for me considering the partner I had to deal with during this certain operation. With Xion going on a separate assignment to Beast's Castle the partner chosen for me was of all people Xigbar. We had been needed in Olympus Coliseum to see if the rumors about Hades making his tournament work out with new breeds of heartless. That certainly was a worse trip there considering unlike Larxene Braig did nothing besides screw around with me or try interrogating me like I knew more than I had let on...
"Don't be like that, dollface. Sure I left you high and dry when the heat got to be a little much for me, but I did come around to help you out with that dude with more flammable hair than Axel."
"That implies you do anything to help me out, the only thing you did was hit on Meg and forget I was trying to stop the Lord of the Underworld from burning me to cinder!"
"As if! Look just get over it already. We aren't a bunch of kids like Poppet or Roxas who need babysitters all the time." Watching him just sit on the railing like everything was right in the world just grinds my gears...
"Anyways you know I can't help but feel like something is missing here, and it certainly isn't our hearts darling. No, I think this moment would be perfect if you could smack me with that old keyblade of yours!"
"Certainly, but in case you've forgotten that blade won't even stay in my hand without burning let alone be used in combat."
"You sure it is all because of that keyblade, sweetcheeks." Sweetcheeks? Is he trying to get under my skin or Axel's by using that phrase? The next few seconds I could see him warp away from my position to look at me through his sniper scope like he was going to hit me from a distance.
"Perhaps it isn't the blade that rejects you rather you're the one who refuses to wield such a weapon like the keyblade." What? Why does Xigbar think I'm the one who is making this problem...I wouldn't dream of not wanting to use a keyblade to fight against evil. Then again I've only regained my memories of being a keyblade master, so perhaps this body is not compatible with that weapon. Xigbar's words suddenly started to make sense to me, which is why I wasn't angry when he fired off a projectile at me only for the "bullet" to get deflected by Monsoon.
"Those fans don't belong in those hands...no you're a bonafide Keyblade Master unlike those poor, hopeless, and lost friends of yours."
"Spoken like a true apprentice of Xehanort."
"We both were good students of that old geezer...were we not?" Hissing out I glared at his yellow eye not noticing Xion speaking with Saix until Xigbar pointed that scene out. I never saw Xion seem this vocal about something before, and while I didn't know what was being said it looked like a heated conversation.
"Sounds like our little poppet got into something on her own. Honestly, I never thought she was anything special without any of us being around for her missions. Roxas, on the other hand, is surprising me even if he's getting a little too buddy-buddy with our resident pyromaniac." So what? I wasn't going to give up on her like you seemingly already have, Xigbar. Before I could speak with her Xion stormed off, her eyes remained under her hood while I glared at Saix's cold expression.
"Friends am I right? Can't live with em, and you certainly won't live without them, Aqua!" At least I valued people as friends, Xigbar. You sold yourself out just to become a keyblade warrior, and in the end, you still can't use one like me, Ven, and Terra.
"Tell me Ziggy? Was it worth to know that you're still not a keyblade wielder?"
"Was it worth it, Aqua? To know that you still haven't found your friends or can't even use that armor or keyblade of yours?"
"For now..."
I couldn't hold it in anymore; the corner of my mouth began to twitch as my mouth let out a spiteful laugh, seeing the man who likely sold his soul to Xehanort only to end up with nothing besides an eyepatch was...hilarious?
We both shared the same sentiment even today...we couldn't stand each other no matter what despite lacking emotions. With our fake smiles on display, we departed as I looked for Xion who likely would be in her room. What I didn't expect to see was Axel and Roxas standing outside of her door, the both of them seemed concerned about her judging by their facial reactions.
"Well, isn't this a happy little reunion. As you can see none of us have been successful in making her open the door. Wanna try your hand at this, dollface?" If they couldn't budge Xion to open the door then I didn't have much of a chance, but she needed people to talk with meaning I had to give it a try. Giving a three knock that Xion would only know came from my hand she yelled out for everyone to leave her alone. It seemed like none of us would have any luck of getting her to speak with us right now.
"She might be willing to chat with one of us over sea-salt ice cream. Roxas?"
"Me? Why not Auxaq instead? We haven't spent much time with each other compared to her relationship with Auxaq."
"Well, that would be a good reason to start speaking with her. My training shouldn't interfere with your time with her, so Axel and Roxas consider Xion open for your time that is unless Xemnas wants us together for missions." I gave Roxas a gentle shove hoping to inspire some confidence in him like I've been trying to do with Xion. Axel had the same approval of him giving him a small thumbs-up sign while Roxas gave a knock on the door, the result being Xion allowed him into the room while we stayed outside to discuss a few things.
"Axel, have you been given any assignments to go back to Castle Oblivion lately?" My hopes of getting sent there had to come with someone else, the order given to all of us nobodies was clear by Xemnas who claimed that he didn't wish to risk losing more members of this organization. I had to find a way to go back there, find Ventus, and learn more about what Vexen was up to since I couldn't stick around to perform a full investigation during my stay there with Marluxia's team.
"You know the Superior has made it clear none of us can even leave this castle except for missions, the idea of letting any of us go there during our free time would only risk any of us becoming Dusks." The worst punishment any of us nobodies could receive for disobedience, the loss of our reason and ability to think beyond basic action like many of the Dusks under our command.
"Axel, do be quiet on this matter. I know Xemnas wants me to find my friend there, but I likely need to do it outside of the Organization's watch."
"Don't worry about that my lips are locked, but if something does come up I'll let you know about it. There are some things I've been wanting to check out in the castle as well." Xion's door opened to reveal Roxas, and if his expression was anything to go by their conversation went well.
"We're gonna have a talk on the clocktower later, but she wants to only speak with me." It was a start at least, but I only hoped Roxas could find out what's going on with Xion. I can't shake this sensation about things changing around here, but it wasn't for the better...
"Everything will be fine, Auxaq. Sometimes people go through a rough time this won't break-up this four-way friendship."
"Oh, now you consider me a friend? Here I got along with you before Xion and Roxas came along, Axel!"
The World That Never Was: Havoc's Divide
- Day 152- The Wrong Buttons
Compared to my last few missions with Xigbar being partnered with Luxord to visit Wonderland once again was a breath of fresh air. While it was a fool's errand to find those Mushroom Heartless trying to use our group's image Luxord felt happy about going to this world, the sight of those guards of the queen nearly sent him into singing like he had a real soul inside of his body. That would explain why I was being dragged into his personal chamber where he wanted to show off something he's been working on lately.
"You remember the last time we've played a little game, a small moment certainly for us, but I've been thinking about how to improve it over the last couple of weeks until it hit me. We're both capable of fighting dear Auxaq- and if you allow me I wish to test your abilities in a more interesting version of my Fair Game." His hands drew out those old cards he liked to use during his card games with all the members of this group.
"Are you sure this is still just a game, Luxord?" Considering how the now giant-looking cards were moving around behind him I wondered if he was about to strike me. The cards began to surround me as I defended myself with my fan-bladed weapons, which Luxord smiled at while twirling around more of his cards.
"The first to run out of time is the loser. I challenge you!" Guessing this was the beginning of this new little "game" with the nobody of time. Fortunately, he wasn't the only nobody with an ability-Lore the gifted skill that makes me stand out these days without my keyblade. As I struck the cards covering my vision I noticed Luxord was no longer in sight, but his cards were moving along the ground in this outside area located in the castle. Suddenly the many cards began to charge at me, so I struck back at them noticing half of them looked blank while a few had different symbols on them.
'A clock, some weird kind of fireball, and is that Luxord?!' Right next to me was the card having an image of Luxord smirking at me and I was unsure what how to stop it with only one solution coming to mind-attack him until he stops attacking me.
"Don't squander your time!" By trying to hit you with my weapons or these other strange cards you're using in this game? That is when I tried flipping a card to reveal a fireball card, the ball suddenly turned into lines of darkness which Luxord sent into my direction. With little time to react, I decided to strike Luxord with my weapons hoping they could reach him, but these black tendrils wrapped around my body sapping me of my strength. My fans were able to connect him in time, the bonds holding me still were gone allowing me to go on the offense.
Charging at Luxord I tore through the cards he sent my way letting me land a kick to his chest before he retreated in a field of flying cards surrounding him from my sight. The stack of cards became a huge pyramid either showing off Luxord's arrogance or some kind of taunt about my lack of strength. Striking another card with a symbol on it, and this time it was that clock image that I didn't understand until I saw that everything froze around me. Unlike my powers that affected speed my entire body was frozen solid, the image of Vexen laughing while freezing a poor Dusk came to mind as Luxord reappeared in front of me.
"Tragic, so here I thought my new, improved, and very exciting Fair Game would provide a thrilling challenge to you. Instead, you've managed to come up short once again..."
"You never even explain the rules-the game was anything but fair!"
"Well, I did say the first to run out of time would be the loser. I might have neglected to mention the smaller details however you did lose this game which means this..." My body suddenly became shrouded in a cloud, my limbs began to twist, distort, and before I knew it the world around me grew much bigger in size. What in earth did Luxord just do...wait is he picking me up with his hands?!
"Such an ugly form love, but unlike a Dusk this change is reversible. Now then I should let my Gamblers have a little fun with this new dice block." This man...was he seriously using me as a toy for his nobody subordinates? Considering they were tossing me around, the fact I couldn't move out of this position must me he did turn me into a dice...he is so getting his butt kicked for this!
"You're pushing the wrong buttons, Luxord! Chance me back now!"
"Certainly love, so tell me which number out of 6 I'm thinking in my head."
"Three as in how many knocks to the hear you're about to get-woah!" I felt the rush go through my body as these lesser nobodies continued tossing me around in a circle, and I felt like I was some kind of ball kids played with during free time in school.
"Don't be impatient that is how you lost the last game you played with me. If you wish to find your precious friend in that castle then you will need to adapt to the rules. Yes, I've spoken with Axel about your little request yet I've not told anyone else besides Roxas." Damn it, Axel. I figured there must be a good reason he broke his word, and that is when I saw the card shown in his hand...it was me?
"You wish to retain yourself like the rest of us, and your rebirth does not mean just regaining your heart. You wish to regain the power of the keyblade, find your comrades that are scattered throughout the world, but most of all get revenge against this Xehanort bloke who is in fact behind all of your misery."
"Don't tell me you're also a physic, Luxord."
"More like Axel owed me a debt for losing a game, so he paid me with information. Sufficed to say I have sympathy for your plight here, Auxaq." Then why did you bring me out here in order to turn me into a playing dice for your followers then?
"Learn to play the waiting game, and only then will you gain what you desire. Distract yourself like you've been doing with Xion in her training or like how I play my games with the other members of Organization XIII." Are you trying to give me advice on how to handle things...I guess it does make sense when I think about it.
"Play a different game, learn to change the rules, and perhaps then you might solve the puzzle that is plaguing your incomplete self," With a snap of his fingers suddenly I could feel my legs again while I fell on top of the Gamber nobody holding me. "The answer you find will yourself surprise that much can be certain at this point." Growling at Luxord I helped myself up, refusing the hand he brought out when I was on the floor still mad that he decided to change my body into an inanimate object in order to give me a long-winded speech like that although it wasn't that long rather being stuck in a box made it seem that drawn out.
"Enjoy the time with your mates-who matter not just to you but myself as well. Believe me, I want both Axel and Roxas to find nothing besides happiness in this group."
"You care about him like me, Xion, and Axel do, Luxord?" Considering I haven't seen him interact with our first keyblade wielder often made me question what he meant by that remark. His eyes closed for a moment while he seemed disappointed I was even judging his words.
"That boy is such a poor fellow, and out of all of the nobodies residing in this castle, he is the one who lacks the ability to "feel" anything even if our emotions are nothing but a falsehood. He could use a good pair of lads like all of you, but do you think he won't mind playing a few rounds with me in the future?"
"You mean to turn him into a dice and make your nobodies play keep-a-way with him?"
"Oh, heavens no!" Luxord actually found my remark amusing as he continued laughing for a while. "My games won't nearly be as interactive, the idea is to make him feel calmer here than being isolated from everyone else. In a way, I'm grateful for people like you who seem to care about beings like ourselves, and even those like Larxene who treated most of us like savages." True, but I knew that there was something in her that wanted to come out like a secret locked away in a person's mind. It was lucky she even opened up to me at all considering how hostile she was toward everyone else in this group.
"That is why I've asked you to care for not just Roxas but Xion as well. They are literally the key to our future..." Nodding in agreement I left the Gambler of Fate to his thoughts while I pondered over mine. For the moment I had to trust Roxas and Axel with Xion's care since I would likely be put on different assignments in the future. One thing was certain I will not give up the goal of finding Ventus or Terra-Organization XIII will not stop me from reuniting with my past...
Twilight Town: Old Mansion ( Kairi's POV )
I can certainly say out of all the places I've visited since becoming a wielder of the keyblade this is the strangest one yet. Here I was sitting in a room drinking tea with a blond-haired girl, drawing another picture with me fighting black blobs of darkness, and hovering above her was two people with one wearing the cloak of the Organization while the other was in a mostly red attire with one yellow eye peeking out of his costume. I wasn't sure to be afraid, surprised, or calm about this whole scene.
"Don't let your cookies get cold, Kairi. I'm not exactly in the mood to provide more if you won't eat any of those." His voice certainly gave off a loud enough boom that convinced me to eat one, which actually wasn't that bad to chew down my throat. Washing it down with the milk Namine looked over at me, studying my face while she continues drawing with those crayons she had used on her paper.
"You've come quite a far way from your land of origin. You must have a keyblade user, the walls around the worlds usually aren't broken that easily." He wasn't just imitating he was rather bright as well to figure that out so quickly. I knew my secret was out in the open here, so I nodded to confirm that fact while drawing out my keyblade for him to inspect.
"Amazing, the idea of another keyblade user existing in the universe like this is rather surprising. Of course, you're not the only keyblade wielder running around if those nobodies any indication." Yes, it does seem like I'm not alone in the world, but those people aren't exactly allies against the forces of darkness. Then again I still understand much about a nobody besides what their life really is like outside of the one's I've met over the past few days.
"Those worthless nobodies are defiling a power meant for those who walk in the light. You, however, are not ready to fully become a master of that weapon not until you've become strong enough to endure the real tests of being a warrior of the light." That sounds like something Squall or Leon would tell me back in Hollow Bastion, but even though he wouldn't sound this cold about it.
"You are rather weak for a protector of worlds, the nobodies this man encountered would have wiped you out in your current state. You must have been trained if you were able to defend yourself although clearly not enough training."
"You don't know anything about me, the places I've visited, and the people who've been helping me out! Compared to them you're just a rude stranger that's picking on people he doesn't know about, which I won't accept no matter who you are..." My eyes were in a staring contest despite this man being at a disadvantage considering he had only 50% percent of his vision with those belts over his other eye. The girl seemed frightened by my remark, the guy in black didn't really say or do anything, and as for this guy...
"Bwahahahaha! Such a fiery spirit you have, young one! This girl certainly wishes to have the kind of backbone you have..."
"Kairi! If we're going to be sticking around each other for a while the least you can do is provide me with a name."
"Don't push your luck with that attitude of yours. The arrogance of youth is both a virtue and sin, but I suppose that we should introduce ourselves," Pointing over to the blonde artist apparently her name was Namine, the brooding guy leaning on the wall like Squall has no name...yeah right, and the man speaking right now is DiZ. "As you can see we are not exactly a normal family, so at least you won't feel bizarre staying here until you're well enough to leave."
"Umm I actually should have left a while ago, but everyone in town was talking about this place. Everyone thought this place was inhabited by ghosts or some kind of scary stuff if the rumors were anything to go on." I felt that he was owed me an explanation for why I came here in the first place while I continued looking at the pictures covering the walls.
"I'm really glad to see you're handling being on your own, Kairi. I might have met you for a long time, and yet I feel like we have a connection with each other..."
"Yeah, I guess some people can just connect with each other easily..." Something about her words she told me earlier didn't sit right with me, the connection had to be something deeper than our similar eyes. Like with Xion it was a feeling that I couldn't shake about this girl, Namine.
"Seeing as you will be here for a while longer, the very least I can do is provide you with some valuable information for your on-going journey and peril as the world's keyblade hero. In order to overcome the challenges you face first you must understand the worlds, people, and heroes of light that came before yourself and Sora."
"Don't tell me I've got more things to remember," I couldn't help but sigh at the thought of doing that. "I've already got schoolwork and keyblade training on my plate when I'm not traveling around to inspect the worlds for heartless." Life certainly wasn't getting easier, but if I had to guess Sora went through this kind of stuff during his time as the light in the growing darkness of Ansem and Maleficent. No matter how much I wanted to complain it won't help anyone dealing with the heartless plaguing around the universe.
"I'm sure you have vague memories of being in a world that wasn't on those islands you spent your days with Riku and Sora. Images of people who you might not remember, which is understandable considering they aren't exactly around these days besides a few like that nobody you encountered." How could he possibly know about her or Riku and Sora?
"I've met all three of them in Castle Oblivion, so Riku must have told you about me when he met you again..." Namine? That's who she is that nobody who was being manipulated by Marluxia! That would explain those pictures, knowing my friends, but most of all how she knew about me.
"Indeed, the girl was being used by her own kind in a twisted game of warped memories. The nature of beings without a soul is simply disgusting, and those abominations against life shouldn't be in the first place!" Hey, that isn't what you should say to a girl like Namine. Perhaps she might be a nobody, which explain a few more things however she doesn't seem to behave like those organization members. She was likely a victim of their actions not like them in any way that I can see and she certainly didn't support them of her own free-will if what Riku told me was the truth.
"You underestimate her by simple appearance, the girl who is drawing childish pictures can manipulate the memories of someone you hold very dear to your heart. This nobody is a witch who erased Sora's memories." Yes, I was aware of that being the reason Sora isn't around these days - even if I hated that it wasn't all her fault for wanting someone to find her after being alone in that castle. That fear of isolation is something Riku knew all too well, and he still is going through that as he struggles to overcome his personal demons.
"People shouldn't be judged for their mistakes rather the courage, determination, and strength to overcome their flaws. Namine might have wanted to place herself in Sora's mind, but she helped him out in the end! I might not know everything that happened during that period of time, the thing is my heart is telling me Namine isn't like Organization XIII!"
"The power to rewrite someone's entire life, and you're willing to accept her despite messing with your best friend. Face it, Kairi. Nobodies are hopeless abominations that need to be wiped from the face of the universe."
"Look at Namine! Does she look like an evil monster out to steal hearts from people? I know that I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, which tells me that I should consider the nature of a nobody. Victims who lost their hearts to darkness and even Organization XIII are people who lost what gives them a real life, a precious gift that all somebodies have within themselves. DiZ, the nobodies aren't exactly good people, which goes for somebodies who don't always do the right thing. I'm sure Namine only wishes to regain her humanity, but unlike the organization, I doubt she will use others or steal away hearts for some grand scheme."
He could say that I was naive about my thoughts and speech- which I won't deny however this is how I truly feel on this matter. Namine helped out Sora and Riku when they needed it; would a being lacking in emotion really do something like that without feeling anything? They remembered all of the actions needed to have emotions despite their claims that it was merely acting. There was a piece of who they once were buried in the hollowness of their new bodies. There must be another way the organization can become whole again...
"Foolishness. Nobodies are soulless monsters who have intelligence unlike the heartless who rely on pure instinct. None of them can be trusted, and Namine is only meant to help undo beings like herself so that they can all return to their non-existence forever."
"You're saying you want that former keyblade master to just fade away without helping her? Sure, the personality has changed yet some part of herself is the Aqua who saved me in Radiant Garden..." While I might be upset by her recent actions leaving her in that state doing nothing to help try and convince her to give up working with those guys is wrong. All of them were human, and they can still become like that again so I can't simply let them continue on with this urge to make others suffer. On the other hand, I can't let them disappear for good since not all of them can't be that horrible like Marluxia.
"It will destroy you if you hold onto the foolish mentality, Kairi. You will soon confront more of those creatures in the future, and it will not hold back out of a shed of kindness that it can't feel."
"You really like calling Aqua "it" don't you?!" The more I learned about this guy the more he was getting under my skin with his lack of empathy for these nobodies.
"I will let you go back to your homeworld, but if you truly wish to understand this enemy then it would be wise if you come back here once again."
"Don't worry I will be back here, so with that, I must bid you all farewell." Ignoring DiZ and the mystery figure I walked over to Namine to shake her hand when suddenly she moved away from me, her face showing fear of me?
"Do not touch me...please..." Before I could say more the figure in black took hold of Namine while DiZ ordered me out of the room. Part of me considered putting my foot down, but I knew my friends and teachers back home missed me by now. Another day filled with more questions than answers with one thing that was certain. Something big was on the horizon...something big that I would need to be ready for and fast. All the more reason I needed to finish my training along with the schoolwork that I've put on the backburner ever since I encountered that nobody who was once my savior.
[ Another build-up chapter, but things will get more interesting with Xion's condition next update along with Auxaq getting into more trouble with Saix and Xigbar. As we approach the 50 chapter mark I want to know what you all think about things do you think this series could use more dialogue, fights, romance or any other kind of advice. I hope you all continue reading because it makes me happy to continue on with this story. ]