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Chapter 2: Story of Roxas part 2
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A few days had passed with nothing out of the ordinary happening, However Roxas was still having dreams about the mysterious girl Xion. Roxas started getting better at expressing himself in his dreams. Though he was still confused on why it was hard to express his emotions in his dreams and why he felt like he knew this Xion girl in real life. He felt like he knew her his whole life, but his friends and parents never met her before. As such, Roxas tried to just think of it as just a dream, except he kept having the same dream every night.
That night, Roxas had another dream where he was in the strange white cloak with Xion. He doesn't know how much time has passed but now he and Xion have become close friends who enjoy eating sea salt ice cream together. After every mission of rounding up Heartless and collecting the bodies left behind, they always enjoyed getting back together to talk about it. It was against the rules for more than one member of the Organization to be on a single mission together, so Xion and Roxas always spent the most time together after missions.
Since they had no place to themselves, they mainly just passed the time by walking through the halls while eating their ice cream. Eventually they found themselves in the testing room which was divided in the level they were on the observation section and the other floor several feet lower which was the official testing area. On this floor, there were the Keyblade Wielders of Darkness who were testing and even modifying the nobodies of both Dusk and Organization class.
The Organization class nobodies were able to use elemental abilities, though they used them sloppily given that they had no emotions and thus no creativity. They were unable to think of using their powers for any other way than to just follow orders. Because of this, it was a common sight for the Keyblade Wielders of Darkness to get angry at the Nobodies for not thinking outside the box and doing a basic and sloppy work of their jobs.
Xion leaded on the railing and sighed in sadness. She didn't like the sight of Nobodies getting bullied despite clearly following orders. Roxas sort of felt the same, he still wasn't used to expressing emotions so most of the time when he felt something, he wasn't sure if he was feeling it right or at all.
However, both of their frowns faded after Number 8 of the Organization, threw his Chakrams at target in front of him and not only did it perfectly slash through but the Chakrams spun around and cut through the targets surrounding the first target. The Keyblade Wielders of Darkness looked to be impressed with Number 8 and started recording some good notes on him.
After the training was over the Nobodies were sent back to their respective areas. Xion then noticed Number 8 and quickly grabbed Roxas by the hand making him blush.
"Come on Roxas, let's go talk to him!"
"Xion! Ah!" Xion pulled Roxas as she ran down the stairs and toward Number 8, when she did she stopped him which confused the Keyblade Wielders of Darkness.
"Hello! I'm Xion and this is Roxas! We saw what you did, and it was amazing!" Number 8 just stared at them emotionless while the Keyblade Wielders of Darkness just looked on in silence. They were especially confused about Xion and Roxas having names since they never gave them any names. One Keyblade Wielder of Darkness tried to break it up, but the others stopped him.
"Let's just see how this goes. I want to know how it's possible for them to be displaying emotions like that." Xion continued trying to talk to Number 8 out of joy while Roxas had his hood on feeling embarrassed that all the Keyblade Wielders of Darkness were watching them.
"Oh! I'm sorry, you're probably tired from all that training here... uh..." Xion looked around for anything to give but then she saw Doxcrum walking by with two sea salt ice cream pops. She smiled brightly and ran up to him and he stopped to look at her.
"Hi uncle Doxcrum! Can I have one of those sea salt pops?" The Keyblade Wielders of Darkness were shocked at the sight, none of them dared to ever address Doxcrum so plainly. However, to their shock, Doxcrum gave her one seemingly carefree.
"Sure thing Las, just dinnae git yerself a brain freeze."
"Thank you!" Xion joyfully took the popsicle and ran back to Number 8.
"Here, try one!" Number 8 then took the sea salt pop and ate it, after words his eyes lit up as if his soul returned.
"Hey-hey! This is actually pretty good!"
"Right!" Roxas was surprised to see the emotionless Number 8 suddenly started displaying emotions. Meanwhile the Keyblade Wielders of Darkness had lost all over their colors out of overwhelming shock. So far Roxas and Xion were the only ones to display emotions and now there was a third one, all after eating Ice Cream. One of the Keyblade Wielders of Darkness then leaded closer to Xion and touched her shoulder to get her attention.
"Uh excuse me Number 14." Xion then pouted at him in annoyance.
"Ah! I mean Xion!" Xion then smiled brightly at him which made the Keyblade Wielder squint his eyes due to how blinding her smile was.
"Uh, can you please tell me what ice cream that is?"
"Oh! It's a sea salt pop from the city near Hollow Bastion, there's a kind duck that sells them there."
"Ah! Xion, you can't go there, that's where the remaining Guardians of Light are! What if they hurt you! Remember how precious you are to Lord Xemnas!"
"It's ok you guys! The Guardians of Light didn't suspect me and Roxas! Besides, they were actually really nice. I think if we had a decent conversation, they would actually help us get the four remaining Fragments of Darkness needed to get Kingdom Hearts." The Keyblade Wielders of Darkness started looking at one another unsure of how to respond to what she said. Xion, who was blissfully unaware of all their confusion, turned her attention back to Number 8.
"Ah, where are my manners! What's your name?"
"Me? My name is-"
"Namine, my name is Namine." Roxas was confused as suddenly every froze up as if time had stopped. Then Namine suddenly manifested out of nowhere and all around them everything started converting into code and disappeared. Soon Roxas was floating into the abyss like he was forced to wake up only he wasn't actually in his room anymore instead he was surrounded by darkness. The floor was made of what looked like mural glass making out a picture of Sora and showing smaller pictures of Donald, Goofy, Kairi, and Riku. However, Roxas had no idea who any of these people were and thus felt nothing but confusion upon seeing them.
"Huh. guess dreams aren't supposed to make sense anyways." However, Roxas wasn't even sure if this was a dream considering how real it felt. He could feel the ground beneath him, his own heartbeat, and the coldness of the empty air around him.
"Is this a dream?"
"Sorry, this was the only way you and I could meet." Roxas quickly turned around when he heard that voice. It sounded so much like Xion but who he saw was actually Namine.
"Huh? Who are you?"
"You and I are actually a lot alike you see... wait... LOOK OUT!" Roxas was confused at first but suddenly his body took control and he backflipped into the air and dodged a Nobody trying to ambush him. Roxas was floating in the air and looking at the Nobody as it looked up to him, seemingly in anger.
"You again?! Or wait, no... You're a different guy, right? What are your things, and why... wait... AM I FLOATING?!"
"This is good! You're unlocking the power of the keyblade!"
"The Keyblade what are-" Roxas then noticed that he was in fact holding the Kingdom Keyblade.
"That Keyblade is giving you power! Use it and you'll be able to protect those that you care about!"
"What but what does that even mean? Who are you? Why are you helping me?!"
"I'm trying to show them that-" The Nobody then whipped Namine in the stomach to get her to shut up. Roxas was shocked, he didn't really know this girl, but it was quite obvious that he needed her to understand what was going on. As such Roxas quickly flew down, landed safely and swung his keyblade at the Nobody. However, the Nobody used its flexible body to dodge the attack with ease. Roxas just kept swinging but the Nobody just kept dodging, eventually it twisted its body around and used the momentum to kick him as if its leg was a slingshot. The powerful attack flung Roxas toward the very edge of the circular floor; Roxas only barely managed to hold onto the floor to prevent himself from falling into the abyss. Roxas grunted as he was able to get back onto the ground away from the edge however two more Nobody's flew in from the ground.
"Oh great, so there really are more of you."
"... traitor."
"Wh- what?" The Nobodies hissed at him and flew toward him, Roxas tried to charge towards them but suddenly as they braced for him, he saw that there were no openings for him to strike. So instead on instinct alone his body lowered, and he practically slid on the ground, dodging all of their attacks. Roxas then used the time during their confusion to slash all of them in the back. They all screeched in pain but quickly turned around and growled at him in anger.
"This is actually way easier than last time." A Nobody tried to punch Roxas, but he dodged and slashed their arm making them back away in anger. A second Nobody flew up in the air while the third waved its arms up to show it was getting ready to whip him. However, Roxas was able to perceive the world in a much slower way, so he saw all the attacks and used his Keyblade to block them all. However, this was merely a distraction as the one who flew up in the air earlier, ambushed him but wrapped its whole body around him to keep him still.
"Argh! man you guys are so weird!" The Nobody in front of him roared in anger as it quickly punched Roxas in the face. Roxas felt pain from the punch, but it was more like getting hit by a pillow extremely quickly instead of an actual fist. It was very clear that these creatures relied on their speed in order to do some actual damage. However, that didn't deny the fact that Roxas was in trouble if he stayed in this position. He tried to think of something, but the Nobody kept punching him and as its speed increased it and therefore the damage it was giving to Roxas. However just when it seemed lost Roxas suddenly knew how to break out of this and slipped out of the Nobody's grasp like a slippery thief.
The third Nobody ended up punching the third in the face, afterwards it started apologizing but it didn't get to finish its apology as Roxas slashed them both and didn't stop until they were destroyed. Just like the first time they turned into empty bags of fabric that slowly faded into nothing. Roxas kinda felt bad for them as they seemed to be living things that had their own emotions but frankly his pity was deluded by the fact that they did try to hurt him.
"Sorry guys but you left me no choice."
"They're dead Roxas." Roxas then turned around and saw Namine again.
"Hey! You're ok."
"So long as Xemnas has their hearts he'll keep respawning them again and again. Just like what he would have done with you and me if Diz and Ri- ahem, Ansem hadn't stopped them."
"... Uh... I'm sorry, what?"
"Ah, forgive me of course you don't remember after the memory wipe and Diz's data magic."
"Yeah, that definingly explains everything." Namine looked at Roxas shocked but then started giggling.
"Haha, now that's the Roxas I know. Sarcastic yet delightful to be around."
"I'm pretty sure you and I have never met before."
"Oh, we have but just to keep things clear allow me to introduce myself, I am Namine, a Nobody like you."
"What the- Hey! I'm not a nobody! I have a name and it's Roxas!"
"No, no, I don't mean that as in the noun or even an insult, I simply am referring to what we are as Creatures of Darkness."
"... Ok so this dream is making less and less sense, so I think I'm just going to ignore you until I wake up." However, just as Roxas turned away from Namine, The Twilight Thorn Nobody floated down from the air and onto the ground. It released a loud roar as it looked at Roxas, it didn't have a face, but Roxas could tell that it was here to get rid of him.
"I'm sorry Roxas but this isn't a dream, I really wanted to tell you everything, but it will have to wait until we get rid of all the intruders." Roxas groaned as he knew that not only was he going to have to fight but this was going to be his most difficult fight yet.
"If what you're saying is true then after I bet this guy you better start explaining everything."
"Of course, Roxas. I owe you that much." Roxas then faced the Twilight Thorn again and raised his keyblade like it was a sword. Though it felt weird to do that since it clearly wasn't a blade but in fact just a giant golden key.
"But then again it slashed through those Dusk Nobodies like a sword so what do I know... What did I just say Dusk? How did I know they were called Dusks?" Before Roxas could ponder further the Twilight Thorn raised its fist and slammed it on the ground aiming for him. Roxas didn't know how but I managed to dodge the strike by the last second. Roxas didn't know where he got such reflexes, even a STRUGGLE battle wasn't this intense for obvious reasons. The Twilight Thorn pulled back its arm and suddenly shot out several torn looking ribbon projectiles. Roxas only barely managed to outrun them all, and even after he did the Twilight Thorn raised and stretched out its arms to slam them on him.
"Roxas! Try casting magic!"
"Magic?! Magic isn't real! Can you please stop talking nonsense!" Roxas then had to jump to the very edge of the platform to avoid the fists of the Twilight Thorn. Roxas was now annoyed and ran to the first while they were on the ground and started slashing at them. The Twilight Thorn started groaning in pain and quickly pulled back its arms. Suddenly the Twilight Thorn fell into the abyss seemingly disappearing.
"Huh, this keyblade is stronger than I thought."
"No Roxas, wait! it's not over it's just-" Suddenly the whole platform started shaking and Namine disappeared as a result. The Platform started shifting to the side and Roxas had to run to the edge to keep himself from falling down. How he was on the side of the platform thought from what he could see it looked like a pillar. Either way, right there in front of him was the Twilight Thorn, it reformed its large arms into blades and charged right at him. Roxas suddenly had an overwhelming feeling of danger heading his way and suddenly out of instinct alone he shot a spiderweb at the side of the head of the Twilight Thorn and started swinging around it.
Roxas landed on the back of its head and slashed it heavily on the neck. The Twilight Thorn growled in pain and tried to crush him like a bug, but he jumped away from it and started floating away. Roxas then used his keyblade to shoot a fireball at the back of its head as he floated away from the Twilight Thorn. Once Roxas landed, he smirked in pride at the sight of Twilight Thorn staggered in pain. However, Roxas quickly realized that it was staggering because of all the weird stuff he just did.
"Wha- wha- WHAT?! ... WHAT?! Spider webs... Fire... flying... What kind of dream is this?!"
"It's not a dream Roxas!" Roxas then turned to see a translucent version of Namine flying right next to him. He looked at her in shock but that quickly turned to disappointment.
"Yeah, because you're flying there like a fairy... ghost... thing is convincing me this isn't a dream."
"Roxas I'm sorry this is happening; I swear this was supposed to be secure with my own data magic, but the Twilight Thorn was too powerful for me to hold back. Your only hope is to defeat it, I promise I'll explain everything once you do!"
"You really could just explain right now!" Suddenly the Twilight Thorn started rising back up and turned around toward Roxas with its whole being radiating in anger.
"Ugh, fine, I'll try to make this quick." Roxas then ran toward the Twilight Thorn as it started shooting the ribbon projectiles at him. Thankfully Roxas started running faster than he was normally capable of but right now he wasn't focused on that. Instead, he jumped up high while raising his keyblade in hopes of slicing it right through the Twilight Thorn's face. However, this plan backfired as Roxas was slapped by the Twilight Thorn's hand making him spin in the air uncontrollably. The Twilight Thorn was unfortunately not done and kept on slapping him as if Roxas was a toy to be played with.
Roxas was in pain and getting white dizzy with all the hitting and flying around. However, his dizziness was quickly turning into anger and once the next fist started swinging at him, he retaliated by punching it with all his might. To his shock the punch resulted in such great force that it made the Twilight Thorn's arm fly back, its bones would have broken if it actually had any bones. Roxas just floated there in shock that he was the result of that but then he was even more shocked that he was floating again.
"Ah... ugh... You know what, I'm just not going to question it anymore." Roxas then flew toward the Twilight Thorn's face and punched it as hard as he could. The impact of the punch forced the Twilight Thorn to hit the ground hard. This actually caused the whole pillar to shatter like glass which didn't surprise Roxas since that's what it looked like it was made of. However, what did surprise him was that his floating powers were no longer working, and he started falling into the Abyss.
"Ah! No! No! AAAAAAH! AAAAAAH! AAAA- huh?" Roxas looked around and he was no longer falling but instead he was in a large white room.
"Castle Oblivion? How did I get here? Wait, what's Castle Oblivion?"
"I guess you could say it's where you were born." Roxas turned around to see Namine standing on a level higher than him.
"Oh, great you're here, are you finally going to start explaining? What were those things? Why are they after me or anything related to me? How did I get those strange powers? If this isn't a dream, then what is it?"
"I guess you could say it is a dream, I'm using my data magic to enter your mind."
"Data magic?"
"It's a powerful form of magic that can alter reality through coding. However it's almost impossible to control without a medium. That's why Diz is using a magic powered computer to control the Data magic around Twilight Town."
"... Ok, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that it didn't explain any- wait, did you say my town was surrounded by magic?"
"Correct, you see-"
"That's enough!" Suddenly Ansem came through a manifested void and grabbed Namine by the arm.
"What the-! Ansem! How are you back?! wait, Ansem, why did I say that?"
"Namine! You're not supposed to be giving the memories to him! You're supposed to be... argh! Just what do you think you're doing?"
"I just thought he should learn the truth, before... it ends."
"That will only cause him more suffering. It's better if he forgets. especially about Xion."
"Wait, Xion?! So, she is real! I knew she was real! Do you know where she is, please I need to find her and ask her something!"
"There is no Xion! Forget everything! For this is only a dream!" From Ansem's hand a flood of dark mist came forward and surrounded Roxas like a wave.
Suddenly Roxas woke up and was now in his bed, he sat there for a moment only to start grunted and thrashing around in frustration.
"Ugh! Who is Namine?! Who is Ansem?! What are those weird creatures I keep seeing?! Where is Xion?! What is going on?!"
"Roxas! Why are you shouting so much?"
"Ah! Sorry Mom, I just had a bad dream!" Roxas sighed in frustration and embarrassment, he then changed into his plain clothes, put on his shoes, and went downstairs to see his dad eating breakfast and his mom in the kitchen who had just finished making him a plate.
"Here you go Roxas, I made sure to give you extra because of the big event today!"
"Huh?"
"Oh, you remember. Today's the struggle event, you and your friends were talking about all week."
"Oh right, I guess I forgot."
"Hmph, would have been better if you kept forgetting. That STRUGGLE tournament is a complete waste of time."
"Oh dear, don't start."
"I'm serious, all that sport amounts to is just a cheap and glorified imitation of sword fencing. Sure, it's fun but in the end what it does compared to the work of the Organization, you ought to spend your time with more productive things Sora."
"Uh... Dad, what did you just say?"
"Huh, I said you should focus on something more productive Roxas."
"No before that."
"Oh uh, I said it STRUGGLE might be fun, but it's impact doesn't compare to real work. Why?"
"Uh, dear, did you just call Roxas Sora?"
"What? No, who's Sora? Are you both feeling ok?"
"I... I don't know." Roxas looked at his breakfast seemingly unsure of himself, meanwhile both his parents looked at each other with concern.
"Ah, ahem! It must be just summer heat; you know it messes with your head if you don't eat enough or stay hydrated. Better chow down Roxas, you'll want to stay focused on that upcoming STRUGGLE match."
"But I thought you just said STRUGGLE is a waste of time."
"Ah! Ahem, well yes, but I'm not so harsh as to prevent a growing boy from enjoying his youth. Now finish your breakfast and go play with your friends." Roxas smiled again and did as his father said, once Roxas was done, he joyfully said goodbye to his parents and left the house. However as soon as he left the smiles on his dad and his mom's face faded.
"It's not the summer heat is it?"
"... Whatever it is, I'm sure it's not something to worry about."
"Dear, this morning I forgot we even had a son! How is that something not worth worrying about?" Roxas's father sighed, got up and walked over to his wife.
"Hey, look at me, I don't know what's going on, but I've noticed it everywhere. People keep forgetting things they've known their whole lives and others are remembering things that never happened. Maybe it's some kind of plague or a sigh from the heavens. I don't know but what I do know is that as long as we stay together, we will be ok. You, me, and Roxas... we're always going to be a family, and nothing will change that." The two of them then hugged, hoping that the worst had already passed.
Roxas had made it to the Sandlot where this year's STRUGGLE match was taking place. Roxas looked around to see so many people there but to his shock he saw her standing right there. She didn't see him, but he could tell it was her, it was Xion. Roxas couldn't believe it, there's no way she could just be here but right now he just didn't care. He just ran up to her as she was joyfully watching the stage, and once he was close enough, he immediately hugged her.
"I found you! I knew I would find you! I just knew it! I've been searching for so long."
"Uh... thank you Roxas?" Roxas went wide eyed as he recognized that voice, it was actually Olette. Roxas started blushing in embarrassment as he let her go and backed away from her, to make matters worse he saw that Hayner and Pence were there as well. They were looking at Roxas with the same confusion as they had seen everything making Roxas even more embarrassed.
"Uh, Roxas? Are you ok?"
"Um, yeah."
"You sure, man? You're crying a lot." Roxas looked at Pence in confusion but then touched his face and sure enough he was practically crying a waterfall of tears.
"Uh, wow. Sorry, I... I didn't even notice I was crying." Olette then crossed her arms and glared at Roxas in disappointment.
"Let me guess, you saw me as your girlfriend Xion." Hayner and Pence then sighed when they heard Xion's name.
"Seriously Roxas, you're still daydreaming about Xion?"
"Ah No! I... Well. actually yeah." All three of them sighed in disappointment towards Roxas.
"Ah, but hey! Listen guys I had a weird dream last night and-"
"Let me guess you saw Xion in the weird mansion again?"
"The mansion may I add, doesn't exist!"
"In that forest that also doesn't exist."
"No no, it was a super weird dream and... as weird as it sounds, it was a wakeup call. You guys were right, these things I'm seeing are just that, Dreams." The three of them then looked at each other with surprise but then all of them smiled at Roxas.
"Really? That's great to hear, Roxas."
"Glad to see you back in the real-world man, and just in time too! Are you ready to STRUGGLE?"
"Haha! Anytime Hayner! This year, that trophy is ours!"
Roxas walked up to the stage with his STRUGGLE baton ready and faced his first opponent with a smile. He felt like finally things were going to be normal again now that he accepted that those weird creatures and Xion were just figments of his imagination.
"Alright! Here's the first round of STRUGGLE! Let the match begin!" Roxas ran up to his opponent ready to win this round however as he got close, he realized that his opponent wasn't moving anymore. Then he stopped and realized that his opponent stopped too though not intentionally, more like he was frozen in place.
"Uh, everyone can see this right?" Roxas looked around and sure enough everyone was also frozen as well. It was like time had stopped leaving Roxas the only one unaffected.
"Uh... Wait... NO! Not again! Please don't-" Suddenly several Dusk Nobodies manifested around the battle arena, each one focusing on Roxas.
"... *sigh* Sure, as if anything else today has gone my way." Roxas then begrudgingly held out his STRUGGLE baton because he knew what was going to happen next. Suddenly his baton was surrounded with rings of code and transformed into the Kingdom Keyblade. Roxas raised his keyblade like it was a sword now that he was more used to this kind of bizarre situation.
Alight freaks, come and get me!" The Dusk's hissed in anger and flew toward Roxas but as they did Roxas jumped high in the air, flipped forward and landed on the ground behind them all.
"Air and Wind magic combo!" Just as he commanded his Keyblade manifested fire and wind magic. Roxas quickly spun around and slashed at the backs of the Dusks; with the combo of magic, it didn't end with a slash but also a chain explosion on all of the Dusks. They all roared in pain as Roxas smirked at them with pride, however it only took a second for his pride to turn into confusion.
"Wha- How do I keep doing that?! I don't even know magic." Unfortunately, Roxas had no time to have his questions answered as the Dusks were flying right toward him in anger. Roxas sighed and charged back at them the first Dusk tried to slash him with its whip light arm, but he dodged its attack and slashed it as it passed him by, defeating it easily. He ended up using the exact same move for the next Dusk and even the one after that, however the fourth Dusk landed in front of him and raised its leg abnormally high, kicking Roxas on the chin hard. Roxas was not only in pain but practically flung in the air as well, thankfully he managed to activate his flying ability to keep himself from falling hard onto the ground.
Just when Roxas started collecting himself, he saw the last three remaining Dusk Nobodies flying right towards him. Out of instincts he pointed his keyblade at them and shot out a lighting spell, frying them all and defeating them instantly. Roxas sighed in relief and slowly landed on the ground. Though to his disappointment everyone around him was still frozen in time.
"Ugh, please tell me I don't have to fight that Twilight Thorn thing or whatever."
"Nah, even that type of Nobody can't get the job done when it comes to you."
"Ah, thank goodness, because really I... wait who said that?" Suddenly the boy who was supposed to be Roxas's opponent transformed into a Void portal. Then someone in a white hooded coat came out with the Nobody Emblem on his back.
"Wha... He- hey! You're one of the guys I saw in my dreams?"
"Tch, seriously, just one of the guys? You really don't remember me?" Axel then took off his hood and showed his face to Roxas. Roxas instantly recognized the face and was speechless with shock.
"Your, Your Number 8!"
"... Seriously? That's all you remember? Just my number? My name is Axel you jerk."
"Ah, Sorry I saw you in a dream, you were just about to tell me your name but then a girl named Namine interrupted it."
"Namine? Ugh, so she's working with Guardians after meeting Sora? I heard about her betrayal at Castle Oblivion, but this is just sad."
"Wait, you know about Castle Oblivion?!"
"Of course, I do, how could... Ah, right, right. You still have amnesia. Well, in that case I'll keep this simple." Axel then manifested both his Chakrams, in each hand.
"You're coming with me, whether you want to or not."
"Uh, hey wait! If you're real, then so is Xion! Do you know where she is?" Axel looked at Roxas in shock but then looked away as if he was hurt badly.
"You damn traitor... how dare you..." tears started falling off of Axel's eyes.
"What?"
"How dare you... say her name... AFTER WHAT YOU DID YOU HER!" Axel's Chakrams ignited in flames, and he charged at Roxas seemingly fueled by rage. Roxas was terrified by the sight and quickly jumped in the air to avoid his attack. However, Axel quickly threw a Chakram, and it spun toward Roxas, slashing and burning him in the back. Roxas then fell to the ground but before he landed, Axel threw his second Chakram and it both slashed and burned Roxas on the stomach. Afterwards Roxas fell hard on the ground and groaned in pain due to having magic burns on both his stomach and back.
"Hurts doesn't it, though I'm pretty sure this isn't much compared to the pain you forced Xion to go through when you betrayed us." Roxas was still hurt but forced himself to slowly get back up.
"Argh, I... I don't know what you're talking about."
"Yeah, you don't! That's what makes me ANGRY!" Axel then kicked Roxas in the stomach making him fly toward the edge of the stage arena. However, Roxas didn't fly off the stage but instead impacted some kind of invisible barrier. Roxas slid down the barrier and again fell on the ground hard, though somehow, he found the strength to force himself back up.
"We were your friends Roxas; I was your friend! I would have followed you anywhere! But then you betrayed her! You turned your back on Xion!"
"Wh- What? Why, why would I do that?!"
"HOW SHOULD I KNOW?!" Axel charged at Roxas and tried to slash at his head, but Roxas managed to dodge and roll away from Axel. Roxas then tried casting a lighting spell at Axel, but Axel threw his Chakram at him, knocking the Keyblade out of his hands. Suddenly Axel transformed into fire and flew right around Roxas and turned back to normal right behind him. However out of instinct Roxas backflipped over Axel and slashed him in the back leaving Axel dazed by the attack but still standing strong.
"Heh, still got the moves huh?"
"Wait please, what did I do to Xion? Where is she?"
"... After what you did, you'll never find her."
"Please, I know there's something more about her, when I see her I just... I..."
"Let me guess, you're in love with her?" Roxas blushed and looked at Axel in shock.
"Yeah, everyone knew idiot. How could we not, you literally never went anywhere without her. You loved her and she loved you. It was like love at first sight even, but then... YOU RUINED IT WHEN YOU BETRAYED HER!" Axel then clashed his two Chakrams together and a barrage of fire shot right at Roxas. Roxas, out of instinct, stabbed his Keyblade into the ground and suddenly a wall of ice formed from the ice magic forming in his Keyblade. However, the fire quickly broke all the ice and Axel rushed through and forced Sora to ram, back first, into the barrier. Roxas only barely managed to raise his Keyblade to keep Axel from using both his Chakrams to cut off Roxas's head.
"Grrah! Sure, it was annoying but so long as you two were happy I was okay with it! You two were my only friends! I could always rely on the both of you but when you betrayed her! You ruined everything!"
"Argh! Stop! I would never hurt Xion!"
"Yeah, that's what I thought, guess we're both idiots!" Axel's Chakrams started burning hotter than before, deeply hurting Roxas. Worst off Axel was slowly overpowering Roxas it wouldn't be long before he would succeed in cutting Roxas's head off. Roxas was trying his hardest, but he simply couldn't hold back Axel for much longer, that was until heard a voice.
"You can't give up Roxas, not yet." Roxas recognized that sweet and beautiful voice, it was Xion, he cried a single tear of overwhelming joy as he started using all his strength to push Axel back. Soon enough his heart was seemingly glowing a golden light and he was able to pull even more strength out of seemingly nowhere.
"What?! How are you-" A sudden burst of energy came out of Roxas's heart pushing Axel back, Roxas then stood tall and raised his Keyblade as his heart glowed brighter than before.
"I'm not going to give up! I will find Xion! I will get answers! I will save my friends and family!" Roxas then charged at Axel and started slashing his keyblade at Axel who had to back off as Roxas proved to be too fast. Axel tried raising his Chakrams to defend himself, but Roxas was slashing them away too quickly. Eventually Roxas managed to slash away both of Axel's Chakrams entirely and force Axel to fall to the floor. Roxas then raised his Keyblade in the air but looked at Axel with a hurt expression.
"I don't know what I did to hurt you and Xion, but I promise I'll find a way to fix it." Roxas then proceeded to swing his keyblade down only to be suddenly stopped by the referee.
"OK! OK! TAKE IT EASY KID! YOU WON!"
"I... What?!" Roxas stopped struggling and sure enough he looked around and saw everyone cheering for him with his opponent on the ground where Axel was, seemingly scared for his life. Once Roxas calmed down, his opponent quickly got off of the arena and the Referee grabbed Roxas's arms and raised it up in the air.
"And there you have it! After Three executive victories Roxas is victorious!"
"Wait, you mean I'm already in the final round?!"
"Weren't you paying attention kid? That was the final round, you won!" Roxas couldn't believe it, apparently the entire time he was being attacked by Axel and the Dusk's he was also fighting in the STRUGGLE matches and won each one. Roxas was quickly handed the trophy and he walked off the arena but was still processing the fact that he won without knowing how he won.
"Roxas, that was amazing! How did you do that?!" Roxas then turned to his left to see Olette, Hayner, and Pence running toward him in excitement.
"Man you took them all out!"
"You were amazing Roxas!"
"You really packed a punch, ey Roxas?" Roxas then noticed Hayner was holding his arm in pain as if he was hit really hard. Roxas then remembered that Hayner entered the competition as well, so if Roxas won all the matches, then there was only one culprit for his injuries.
"Ah, Hayner! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean-"
"Ah don't sweat it Roxas, you fought like a machine, and it really fired me up. I lost fair and square. If I get a bruise from this, let's just think of it as a War Scar, okay?"
"Bruises and scars aren't the same thing, Hayner."
"I know that! I'm just trying to help Roxas feel better!" Pence, Olette, and Roxas all started laughing joyfully while Hayner was left annoyed.
Once the match was over, the four of them left the struggle arena and went down one of the streets to get back to the center of town.
"Come on guys! Since the struggle match is over there should be a discount for Sea Salt Ice cream."
"Geez, you're going to get fat if you keep eating that ice cream."
"Shut up Hayner! And for the record Sea Salt is actually healthier compared to regular salt!"
"Man, you two argue like a married couple." Hayner and Olette blushed and glared at Pence in anger.
"We do not!" They both ended up shouting at Pence at the same time, at first he was shocked but then he and Roxas started laughing at them.
"Hahaha! They're so in sync!"
"That's what's called destined lovers Roxas, Hahaha!" Roxas and Pence kept laughing as they kept walking to the town center leaving Olette blushing in embarrassment and Hayner more annoyed than ever.
"Hahaha, ha... Okay, okay! I'm sorry guys, here let me make it up to you." Roxas then placed the trophy on the ground and started taking the crystal orbs off of it.
"Ah! Roxas what are you doing?!" Roxas then got all four crystal orbs and gave the yellow one to Olette, the red one to Hayner, the green one to Pence, and kept the blue one for himself.
"There! We promised we'd share the trophy and now this way we can!"
"Oh! Cool!"
"Wasn't what I had in mind but I'll take it."
"Thanks Roxas!"
"Anytime you guys you're worth it after..." Roxas froze as two schoolgirls passed by behind him, he wasn't looking at them, but he could feel their presence. For some reason the girl with the brown hair seemed very familiar but not as familiar as the girl she was talking to. Roxas turned his head to her, and she suddenly stopped and looked at him, it was Xion. Roxas wondered if it really was her or just another illusion, but then she smiled and started crying as if she had seen someone so dear to her. That clicked in his mind. There was no doubt now, it had to be Xion, he quickly ran to her, and she ran back to him. He was so happy, that nothing else mattered at that point he just had to reach Xion and hold her in his arms.
"Xion!"
"Sora!"
"... eh?"
"Eh?!" The two of them stood in front of one another holding hands but that was when they both realized who they were actually in front of. It wasn't Xion Roxas looking at but instead it was a schoolgirl he had never seen before in his life.
"Oh... hi..."
"Uh... hello..."
"Sorry I uh... would you happen to be named Xion?"
"Xion? uh, no... I've never heard of that name, my name's Kairi. Do you by chance know someone named Sora?"
"Sora? I think I heard that name before, but I don't know who it belongs to. I'm Roxas by the way."
"Oh... right, of course... uh hey? Why are you crying?" Roxas then let go of Kairi's left hand and touched his face, he was indeed crying, and he didn't even notice.
"Uh, you're crying too, you okay?" Kairi then used her left hand and sure enough she was indeed crying as well.
"Ah, sorry I didn't even notice... weird."
"Uh Kairi? How long are you going to hold that boy's hand." Kairi then noticed Selphie beside her, and Sora noticed Olette beside him. The two of them then looked at their right hands and sure enough they were still holding hands. The two of them let go, backed off, and started bowing to one another.
"I am so sorry!"
"No, I'm sorry, I'm a stranger and I just went and held your hand!"
"But I ran towards you first! I don't know what came over me!"
"Uh- So- Uh- It- It was nice meeting you Kairi!"
"Uh, you two Roxas, bye now!"
"Yeah, bye!" Roxas and Kairi then tried to walk away from one another, but both ended up walking toward the town center.
"Oh uh..."
"Sorry I..."
"Hey! You're going to the town center too?" Selphie then wrapped her arms around Kairi while smiling joyfully at Roxas.
"Yeah! We're actually getting some Sea Salt ice cream." Pence then put his arm around Roxas's shoulder while smiling at both Kairi and Selphie.
"Perfect! Why don't we get all together! Get to know each other better!" Kairi then looked at Selphie, embarrassed and shocked.
"Sure, Roxas and Kairi already seem to like one another so might as well get them more comfortable right?"
"Ah, Pence!"
"You too, Kairi, don't you think Roxas is cute?"
"Eh? Selphie!"
"Alright so it's settled! Come on Roxas don't be a jerk and escort the beautiful Kairi to the Ice Cream stand." Roxas was still shocked as Pence pushed him closer to Kairi.
"Come on Kairi, don't be rude and walk with Roxas." Selphie then pushed Kairi closer to Roxas, leaving them practically face to face. Roxas groaned and extended his hand to Kairi. She let out an embarrassed laugh and took his hand. The two of them then awkwardly walked forward while Pence and Selphie smiled at them. Hayner and Olette caught up and saw everything, they then looked at Pence in confusion, but he didn't notice them. Instead, Pence just smiled at Selphie and she smiled back at him.
"Sorry by the way, my friend Roxas kinda has his head in the clouds so I'm hoping this little date will help him out in a way. Hope I didn't make you mad by stealing your friend or something."
"Oh, not at all! Actually, this is doing me a favor too! My friend Kairi always doesn't want to learn about magic or whatever and keeps saying she needs to find a way off world or something. I'm hoping she can find a nice boy to keep her grounded in reality if that's okay?"
"Well looks like we're helping each other out, how about that?" Pence and Selphie then lock arms and follow Sora and Kairi leaving Hayner and Olette confused.
Roxas laid in his bed with a disappointed expression, it actually ended up being nice talking to Kairi. For some reason there was something so familiar about her, so it was surprisingly comforting to talk with her. The sad thing was that they didn't actually have much to talk about so the conversations they had ended up getting stale super-fast. Or at least that would have happened until Kairi brought up magic. The two of them tried to share what they knew but Pence, Hayner, Olette, and Selphie quickly separated Kairi and Roxas.
Afterwards they all went back home Roxas just went to his bed with disappointment, he really wanted to know what Kairi knew. Though that wasn't the reason he couldn't sleep, it was mainly because he didn't want to dream tonight. Roxas knew the moment he went to sleep he was going back to those weird places he always goes to once he sleeps. However, he could no longer keep his eyes open as he was getting increasingly tired.
"Ugh! Fine Sleep demon you win! Just try to keep the craziness to a minimum! Will you do that for once!"
"Roxas, why are you yelling so much?! Go to sleep!"
"Sorry dad!" Roxas then grunted and let his eyes close, then slowly but surely his body started to relax as his brain became fuzzy as he went to sleep.
"Roxas what are you dragging back there for?" Roxas then opened his eyes; he was now in a hallway with Xion and Axel.
"Ah, sorry guys, I'll catch up." Roxas smiled at the two of them, the more he hung out with them the more it was getting easier to get used to smiling. Expressing other emotions was also getting easier as well so Roxas was no longer confused concerning emotions. As such Roxas found no problem smiling around Axel and Xion, especially around Xion. The three of them normally just talked about their missions' new things they learned about the people they interacted with.
"Hey, apparently Vexen got chased out of another world before he could collect all the hollow bodies and wild Heartless."
"What do you expect? Vexen is a jerk; he thinks his research matters more than anyone or anything else. It's no wonder he never gets along with anyone."
"It's quite a shame, if he ever bothered trying, he would get his missions done as quickly and easily as we do."
"Yeah, just asking people where they have seen Heartless is so easy."
"Apparently that's not true since we're the only ones that do that. I honestly thought that when other Organization members started getting emotional, they would all become nice but so far. Vexen's a jerk, Xigbar is rude, Xaldin is bossy, Lexaeus gives the cold shoulder to everyone, and Zexion is much worse than Vexen!"
"Hm, it is sad that they all turned out to be jerks but I have to wonder, why did they all suddenly gain emotions in the first place, we're Nobodies. We're not supposed to feel anything." Xion then stopped and glared at Axel while pouting at him in annoyance.
"We're not JUST nobodies!"
"Ugh, Xion that's... alright you know what, you win, it's too early to start arguing with you." However, the three of them stopped and looked forward in confusion after hearing a strange noise. They saw one of the doors down the hall opened and there was a light with shadows moving inside. The three of them creeped slowly and quietly forward to see what was going on. Once they reached the door they peaked inside and saw two Keyblade Wielders of Darkness running tests on an organization member sitting on an observation medical bed.
"Okay, then now take this ice cream." The Keyblade Wielder of Darkness handed the Organization member an ice cream and they took it. They quickly started eating the ice cream, but they did so emotionlessly which left the two Keyblade Wielders of Darkness frustrated.
"Ugh! Damn it! Not even the Seal Salt ice cream works!"
"I told you this was a waste of time!" The two of them suddenly heard giggling and turned to the door to see Xion, Roxas, and Axel covering their mouths while laughing at them.
"What the- HEY!" Xion, Roxas, and Axel then busted out laughing as they ran down the hall away from the Keyblade Wielders of Darkness.
"You hollow mannequins! Get back here!" Xion, Roxas, and Axel continued laughing as the Keyblade Wielder of Darkness chased after them. The other Keyblade Wielder of Darkness followed but he wasn't as fast as he was slithering with a snake tail rather than legs like the rest of them. Axel was running by himself while Xion and Roxas started holding hands, Axel then noticed them doing so and smiled proudly at them. However, as they keep running, they come across a corner and by running closer they end up bumping into Larxene. Xion is actually the one who ends up bumping into her head on. Upon doing so, Larxene's eyes lit up and she instantly glared at Xion with burning rage.
"Watch where you're going brat!"
"Ah sorry Larxene!"
"It's Number 12 idiot! Oh what? You think you're so special with your stupid emotions that you can go giving yourselves names. Don't flatter yourselves. Emotions or not, you're just hollow mannequins like the rest of us."
"Hey back off Larxene!" Roxas was quick to shield Xion while staring down Larxene, however she glared back seemingly unimpressed by him.
"What's this the little knight wants to defend his little princess? Too bad, I'm definitely better than you." Larxene then manifested her throwing knights making Xion and Roxas back off in fear. Roxas breathed in and out, then tried to manifest his Keyblade but Xion stopped him. Roxas looked back at Xion in confusion, but she just shook her head hoping he would just trust her not summoning it. Instead, Axel manifested one of his Chakrams and held it close to Larxene's neck.
"Back off, zap ninja. Unless you wanna see why they call me, the Assassin." Larxene and Axel glared at each other with intense rage, but Larxene eventually unsummoned her knives and pushed Roxas and Xion apart as she walked away smirking at them mockingly.
"Tch, just another jerk to add to the list." Axel then noticed Xion and Roxas looking at each other in concern. He sighed in annoyance, got in-between them and wrapped around each one.
"Alright love birds, let's go get some Ice cream, okay?"
"Ah! Roxas we're not in..." Xion then blushed and looked away from Roxas while Roxas did the same. Axel just sighed again but smiled as he escorted the two of them down the hall, what am I gonna do with these little lovable idiots, he thought to himself. Meanwhile the two Keyblade Wielders of Darkness were shocked by all that they saw, especially Larxene suddenly having emotions.
"Number 12? Are you feeling ok?" Larxene almost walked past them but stopped once she saw them. Though after hearing that question her expression turned back to anger.
"Ugh! I feel... I- I feel annoyed? how? How do I feel about things? I never felt ANYTHING before." The two keyblade wielders of darkness then looked at each other, once in complete shock while the other raised an eyebrow in confusion but also curiosity.
"Is there anything else you remember happening to number 8 before displaying emotions, despite it eating ice cream?"
"As soon as he bit into it, that's when his eyes went from soulless to full of life, right after... right after Number 14 handed it to him." The three of them then looked down the hall back at Axel, Roxas, and Xion, they especially looked carefully at Xion.
"hm... it seems that THING has more to it than meets the eye."
Roxas was then thrusted into another memory where he and Axel had just completed a mission together. In fact, they had just returned a large haul of Wild Heartless and hollow bodies and turned it into the Keyblade Wielders of Darkness in charge.
"hm... another successful mission, dismissed Numbers-" Another keyblade wielder of darkness then elbowed him on the rib to get him to stop. The wielder holding the clipboard showing the results then sighed and cleared his throat.
"Ahem! I meant to say," Good work you three."
"Aw, that's it? Don't you at least get our names memorized?"
"Watch it number 8, don't forget your place. now move along your hogging the line." Axel then huffed in amusement, but Roxas pulled him back before he annoyed them any further. Roxas and Axel then walked off while the next Organization member moved up to deliver their haul. Axel and Roxas walked down another hallway for a while in silence, but it only took five minutes before Axel broke the silence.
"Hey, have you asked out Xion yet?" Roxas nearly ended up slipping on nothing, he then faced Axel with a red face making Axel smirk pridefully.
"Axel! What the heck are you-"
"Oh, for crying out loud your numbskull it's pretty freaking obvious you two dorks like each other. Now go and ask her out already!" Axel then forcefully pushed Roxas forward, Roxas looked back at Axel confused but sighed in defeat. Roxas then went on to look for Xion and eventually found her sitting on a bench at one of the halls. She was looking at the ground sad and alone which made sense since Axel and Roxas were Xion's only friends. Other organization members either ignored or bullied her and the Keyblade Wielders of Darkness were either afraid of her or treated her like an experiment.
"Hey Xion." Xion lit up and smiled brightly when she heard Roxas's voice.
"Roxas!" She quickly got up and jumped at him to hug him tightly. She was giggling out of joy at first but then quickly realized how awkward this scene was, so she quickly backed off while blushing in embarrassment.
"Ah sorry." Roxas looked away as well while blushing in embarrassment as well.
"I- It's okay, uh... did Vexen or Zexion bully you again?"
"No, I just... Lord Xemnas asked me to participate in an experiment concerning the other organization members and... more jerks."
"Oh! Oh... Sorry."
"It's okay. Not your fault, I'm just glad you're here now!" Xion then made a bright and warm smile that made Roxas's heartbeat faster with burning love. Roxas then cleared his throat and thought again about what Axel said. Roxas was about to shake his head in denial, but he looked again at Xion's face, and this time smiled in confidence.
"Xion, I actually have something to tell you." Roxas then gently grabbed both of Xion's hands and walked up closer to her. This and the fact that Roxas was smiling at her made Xion blush.
"Ro- Roxas."
"Xion, you're my best friend, but honestly sometimes I think you're more than that, and... I want to be more than just YOUR best friend. So... will- will you be my girlfriend." Xion's face turned redder than a tomato, she had never been so overwhelmed in her life. Roxas then thought that maybe he was rushing things a little too quickly and was just about to back off. But before he could Xion wrapped her arms around him and kissed him on the mouth. Roxas was now the one redder than a tomato but soon he claimed down and started kissing Xion back. They continued kissing for several minutes before taking a step back from one another. Both their eyes were sparkling as they looked at each other.
"Hahaha! Ye adorable wee bairns!" Now Xion and Roxas were red again as they backed away from each other and looked down the hall only to see Axel and Doxcrum smiling at them. Roxas covered himself with his hood while Xion pouted in anger. She then walked up to Doxcrum and punched him in the shoulder.
"Uncle Doxcrum!"
"Ow!" Doxcrum rubbed his shoulder in pain.
"Ah, calm down lass, I just wanted tae congratulate ye two on finally dating." Doxcrum then started ruffling Xion's hair, but she forcefully tried to stop him. But afterwards she smiled while blushing in embarrassment. Roxas smiled while blushing as well, Axel then wrapped his arm around Roxas and hugged him tightly.
"Haha! Knew you two were destined for each other. Though didn't think it would take you this long to get together ya numbskull." Roxas just laughed and looked at Xion again, she noticed him looking at her and smiled lovingly. Roxas just blushed and smiled back, however suddenly everything glitched out. The glitching kept happening until suddenly Roxas was alone in the darkness. He looked around wondering what was going on until he saw in front of him another him. He was crying as he was holding an injured Xion. Roxas was about to run toward them to help but then he saw that the Roxas holding Xion had the Oath Keeper keyblade stabbed into Xion's stomach. The other Roxas then looked up at Roxas with tear filled eyes.
"I did this!"
Roxas then woke up in a cold sweat and nearly screamed but managed to prevent himself from doing so as to not wake up his mom and dad. He then looked at his hand and for a second saw the Oath Keeper keyblade in his hands which terrified him.
"What... What did I do?"