The Flurry - Axel's Story (Fanfiction)

Hey, all you KH Fans out there. I've decided to put my writing and character background skills to the test by writing a fanfiction about my best bud, Axel. I made an attempt at making it in manga version, but epicly failed seeing as an entire page of manga is the equivalent to half a paragraph in written text.

Anyway, I've decided to write this in regular font because as some of you picky readers out there are obsessed with flashy shiny colored writing, frankly I don't give a hoot. Right. Enjoy the story!

The Flurry
Axel's Story


Chapter I - Lea

I'm sure you've heard the stories of the infamous Sora, of my friend Roxas, of Ventus, Terra, Aqua... And if you've heard theirs it's undoubted that you've heard of me as well. But as someone who has little influence in their stories, I doubt you know very much about who I really am, about what I'm like, what has happened in my past...

So I will, in turn, tell you my own story. But be warned; you know of Sora, Roxas and Ventus's tales and how light constantly is radiated from each of them. But my tale is a much darker one. Most stories start with a birth. But mine... Starts with a death. My name is Axel.

"Come on, Isa!" I cried back to my best friend who was carelessly following me, "We're gonna miss the sunset if you walk any slower!"

"Relax, Lea," Isa said, "Remind me how many times we've missed it."

"None," I said, "Because I always get there in time. But we're gonna miss it this time if you don't keep up."

Isa sighed. "You're such a royal pain sometimes."

"I know. Look!" I stopped in my tracks and pointed to the magnificent sun that was just beginning to touch the horizon. "Just in time. It'll be any moment now!" I skidded excitedly around the balcony of the tower and perched myself on the ledge.

"Lea, you're going to fall off one day," Isa said in an annoyed tone, leaning up against the edge of the balcony.

"Shut up, Isa," I said, "I'm more agile than you think. Hey, where are my frisbees?" I felt around under my vest and pulled them out as if I was drawing dual blades. "Hah. And unlike you I've actually got a weapon!"

Isa gently pushed down one of my frisbees. "Unlike you, I may never need one."

I opened my mouth to say something, but was distracted by a sudden gleam of orange light on the horizon. "There it is! Isa, isn't it beautiful?" I sure thought it was. The way that the sunlight glimmered off the horizon made all the fountains in Radiant Garden below sparkle with an enchanting lure. I felt my bluegreen eyes shimmer with awe. I loved watching the sunset.

"Lea," Isa said, "Even though you're so obsessed with sunsets, I bet you don't know why the sun sets red."

I turned to him. Red was my absolute favorite color. And now that I thought about it, why did it set red? "Why does it?" I asked Isa.

Isa looked at me with his arms crossed. "Light is made up of lots of colors. And out of all those colors, red is the one that travels farthest."

I smiled. Somehow, I knew that I'd remember that forever. We stood there, bathed in the fiery aura of the sun. I was in my element here. I could not have been in a better place.

It was then that the last sliver of sun became swallowed up by the horizon. The sky cooled to a dark violet blue, and Isa cooed in relaxation.

"There's the moon," Isa said to me, pointing at the small white disc hovering in the sky. He had always been more interested in the moon than the sunset. I didn't know why. To me, nothing could have been more beautiful than the sunset. I couldn't even imagine the girl I was destined to fall in love with to be more beautiful.

"Isa," I said, "Why do you like the moon so much?"

Isa looked down at the small yellow crescent moon on his jacket. "I don't know, really," he said, "Why do you like the sunset?"

"The colors," I said, "The purples, the oranges, the reds... Oh, especially the reds. I adore red."

"And I adore the blue and silver of the moon," Isa said, "Lea, this may sound weird, but I think the moon may be the one who's watching over me."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"We all have someone to watch over us and keep us safe; give us strength in times of need." Isa stared at the moon. "It may be a person, or maybe a spirit... I think the moon is mine. Maybe that's why I feel such a connection with it."

I looked out to the horizon. "Who do you think is mine?" I asked.

"That's for you to find out," Isa said, "Only you can know."

I thought. Maybe the sun was mine. I always felt stronger when it was around... "Do you think we'll be together like this forever?"

"What," Isa said, "You mean like watching the sunset every night?"

"Just together, in general," I said, "As best friends."

Isa was silent for a moment. "Our destinies will decide. We'll never know until we finally are separated."

I frowned. "Separated? I don't want to be separated."

"We will have to be, at some point," Isa said, "Even if it's just by death."

"We're not going to die anytime soon though, right?"

Isa sighed. "Right."

Suddenly, a huge explosion of blackness erupted in the sky in front of us. The people of Radiant Garden ran in fear from the swirling dark vortex. These black creatures poured from the darkness and began to swarm though the Garden.

"Isa!" I cried, "What's going on? What's happening?!"

"Lea," Isa said, "We won't be able to avoid it. We have to join it!"

"WHAT?!" I cried, "You mean we have to jump into that gigantic black hole in the sky that wants to kill us?!"

"Either that," Isa replied, "Or you'll have to fight all those things down there by yourself with your little frisbees!"

I looked down again. There were so many that they made Radiant Garden look like it was flowing with thick ink. I couldn't possibly fight them.

"There must be another way," I said.

"Just trust me," Isa said in an eerie tone. He looked sternly at me and I became trapped in his blue gaze. What would happen to us?

The dilemma coursed through my mind. What could I do? I could follow Isa into the darkness, or I could attempt to run. The creatures infested the balcony now. One lunged at Isa. He shot out an arm and knocked it aside. I had no idea he had such strength. I whipped one of my frisbees at one of the creatures. But we were being overwhelmed.

"Lea!" Isa said, "Jump! Jump from the balcony!"

"What?!" I said.

"Just do it! We have to turn to the darkness! It's the only way!"

My heart was racing. I panted heavily. How could I turn to the darkness?

"LEA! NOW!"

Before I knew it, I was falling off the balcony. I had made my choice. A choice that haunts me to this day. I turned to the darkness.

Soon the bright nocturnal colors of Radiant Garden faded away. Blackness enveloped me. I found myself struggling in a tangle of black wispiness, trying desperately to fight my way out. I should NOT have done this!

Suddenly Isa's voice came to me. I saw a flash of blue among the darkness and caught sight of him. He was being devoured as well.

"Isa!" I cried.

"Lea!" Isa called to me, "Don't give up! You're stronger than me! Your heart is full of light! Even when you lose it, you must keep some of that light! Don't let it go!"

"Isa!" I called after him. But he was fading away. The darkness covered almost every inch of him. Only his right eye showed now through the shadows.

"Lea! Don't give up on the light! Remember your heart! Remember our friendship!"

"Remember who you are!!"

And the last sliver of blue from his eye was covered by the darkness. His voice faded away and the last words he said to me echoed in my head. A giant lump grew in my throat and I let go of the tears I'd been holding back.

"ISAAAAAAAA!!"

My voice trailed off into the darkness. I fought desperately against the shadows that had just taken my best friend. Sweat poured from my neck and my muscles ached with stress. I could barely move. Darkness covered my entire body. I couldn't tell if I had my eyes closed or not. I was dying, suffocating... I lost my senses. And then as I felt myself falling through a neverending darkness, I caught the last sight I saw as Lea. It was a brilliance of light, every color of the sunsets I would watch with Isa. There were oranges and purples... And reds. Lots of reds. And it was then that I noticed that the thing had come from inside me. And now... I felt nothing. This thing I was gazing at as I drew my last breath was in fact my own heart, drawn from my very core. And as I slowly let the dark, undescribable cloud of death swallow me up, I noticed something else.

My heart was more beautiful than the sunset.

To Be Continued...

 

Wow I really loved it! :<3: You described everything so well that I was able to picture it in my mind. Really Awesome job on it. I would love to read more to find out what happens next:)

 

Hey guys,

Sorry I haven't put up the next chapter yet, it accidentally got deleted after I wrote it. :(

But a new copy is on its way, so look forward to it this weekend!

~Alba

 

Chapter 2 - The Awakening

Great news! I was out of school today, so I had more time to rewrite the second chapter. Here it is!

Oh, and thank you all for the views. I hope to reach 100 by the end of this week! Don't be shy, leave a comment! Tell me what you think!

Chapter II - The Awakening

I slowly opened my eyes in a pure white room that was empty except for a small vanity and the bed I was lying on. Sweat beaded on my face and I was rediculously hot despite-as I noticed-being shirtless. All I wore was a strange white sheet wrapped around my legs. What had happened?

I sat on the side of the bed and rubbed my forehead. "Where am I?" My head was throbbing. But then, I noticed something that made me gasp. I caught sight of a long, bright red lock of hair flashing in front of my face. I grabbed hold of it and pulled slightly, seeing that it was mine. How did my hair get this long and red? I looked down and saw that the rest of my body had changed as well. I was more muscular and toned, and seemed ridiculously slim. I looked at my hands, which had changed as well. "Who am I?"

"So, it is true," A voice came suddenly from the door of the room and made me jump. "My best friend has come to the Castle as well." When I looked, I couldn't believe my eyes. It was Isa. He had changed as well; his hair had gotten longer, his face more stern, and his eyes seemed to glow with a golden aura. He also wore a long, black, hooded coat.

"Isa!" I cried, joyous to see my best friend.

He turned his head. "That's Saix now," he said.

My face fell. "Saix? Why?"

"We are no longer who we once were," Saix said, "I am no longer Isa. Just as you are no longer Lea."

Those words shocked me. What was he talking about? Of course I was Lea! "What do you mean?"

"Do you remember when you followed me into the darkness?" Saix asked.

"Y...Yes," I said, "I'm starting to remember now."

"When someone with a powerful heart is devoured by the darkness," Saix began, "They are given a second chance to live on as a Nobody, a being without a heart."

"So," I said, "You mean, when I was swallowed by darkness, it took my heart?"

Saix was silent for a moment. "Yes. It took mine as well. A man named Xemnas found both of us and brought us to this castle. He is also a Nobody. As Nobodies without hearts, we can no longer feel any emotion. We live off the memories we posess of what it was like to feel. But it can never make up for true emotions. "

I felt a lump grow in my throat. How could I have lost my heart? I closed my eyes and put my hand to my chest, feeling for any pulse, any beating at all. None. I felt tears swell behind my eyes, but refused to let them out.

"That hairstyle does not fit you," Saix said to change the subject. How could he talk about something so simple as hair at this time? But as I took another look at the long, red locks that covered my eyes, I agreed with him. "Do something with it, and then we'll talk. Change into these as well." He took from the other side of the door a hanger draped with a series of black clothing, including a long black coat identical to the one he was wearing. He hung them on the door and left, shutting it.

I stood up, instantly regretting it as a wave of dizziness knocked me in the side of the head. I shook it off and took the hanger off the door. Then I changed into the clothes Saix had given me: black boots, pants, gloves and the coat. I then spotted the vanity and went to inspect it.
Already stocked with a wide variety of hair products, the vanity seemed to have anything I would need and more. Whoever lived in this place obviously liked hairstyling. I took a bottle of hair gel and created spikes in my hair as I usually did, but with it being this long it wasn't the same as usual. I tried to slick it back as much as I could, but two annoying locks of hair always stuck out on the right side of my hairline. I noticed as I lifted the hair out of my face that I had roots that were a shade of purple. This pleased me, as it reminded me of the sunsets I would watch with Isa-- Of all the shimmering colors of my heart as I watched it be taken away by the darkness. I also got a better look at my eyes. The bright bluegreen color I remembered had faded into a striking emerald green.

I then took a can of hairspray from the vanity and sprayed a coat onto my hair to make it stay up. I tampered with it a bit until it was pefrect. I stood there for a few minutes admiring my new look. Then, the door opened and Saix came in.

"I see you change appearance rather quick," he said.

"The hair's a bit long for me," I said, "But I don't know, I think I like it this way."

"Wery well," Saix said. "Now, since you are no longer Lea and currently lack a name in your new body, how would you like to join our Organization and recieve one?"

"Organization?" I said, "What kind of organization?"

"So far there are seven members," Saix explained, "All Nobodies like us. I am the seventh; I joined yesterday. It was founded by Xemnas, who discovered us and brought us here eight days ago."

"Eight days?!" I exclaimed, "I've been asleep for eight days?"

"I was asleep for seven," Saix said.

No wonder my hair was so long.

"Now," Saix continued, "The goal of this Organization, since we are all Nobodies, is to become complete again. We want to earn our hearts back."

"So," I said, "If I join you, I can get my heart back?" Again I put a hand on my chest.

"If, that is, we reach our goal."

I thought of the beautiful heart I watched be torn from me. Was it true? Could I really earn it back? "I'll do it."

I didn't see him, but I felt Saix grin. "Excellent. Are you hungry?"

I felt my stomach growl softly and put a hand on it. "Are you kidding? I haven't eaten in eight days! Of course I'm hungry!"

Saix smirked. "We'll be having a banquet in the mess hall after you have your initiation. They always do to welcome new members."

"Initiation?" I said, "What's the initiation?"

"It's simple," Saix said, "You just have to find your element. All Nobodies have one."
"Are you sure?" I asked nervously.

"Yes," Saix said, "All Nobodies have an element. I'm sure you'll find yours."

"Let's go, then," I said nervously.

Saix nodded. He lead me out and down the hallway. As we walked, a question came to my mind. "Saix," I said, "What's your element?"

Saix chuckled once. "You haven't guessed yet?"

"No," I said.

"Very well," Saix said, "It is the moon! I cannot believe you didn't assume that."

I should have known. Isa had always been in love with the moon. I grinned.

Saix led me to a doorway which led to a huge white room. Circling the room were seven columns of the same white color. Saix stopped before he entered.

"They will be a bit critical," he said to me, "I advise you to show no emotion at all. Stand tall and do not waver under their insults." I was nervous. "Are you ready?"

I reached up to fix my hair and then swallowed hard. "Yeah."

Saix nodded. He continued into the room. As I followed him, I saw that the columns weren't in fact columns at all. They were rather extremely tall thrones circling the room. In each throne sat a member of the Organization, as I presumed. They all looked at me and watched every step I took as I entered the room. They also all wore the same black coats as Saix and me.

"Hey, look, the kid's finally awake," said one of the members. He was rather scrawny, with long, graying hair and a patch over his right eye.

"He looks rather odd for a Nobody," said a strange-looking man with long, blonde hair.

"What a shame," said a big man with black hair and long sideburns, "He doesn't look half as strong as I expected."

"I think he looks fine," said a young man about my age. He had icy blue eyes and long, silver-blue hair that covered half his face. I had a feeling I would get along well with him.

There was one more member in the room. He was big and muscular with a rock-shaped face and short, light brown hair. He said nothing, but stared at me with a stern expression.

Saix stopped in the center of the room. As I looked down, I noticed that we were standing on an emblem: an odd shape like an upside-down heart with two holes on either side and three spades emerging from the top, each going in a different direction. This must have been the Organization's insignia.

Siddenly a plume of shadowy smoke shrouded the tallest throne in the room. When it cleared, there was a man sitting in the throne. He had long, white hair and rather frightening yellow eyes. His stare froze me to my core and ran chills down my spine. I choked down a gasp as I saw him. This must be Xemnas.

"You okay?" Saix whispered to me.

"I'm fine," I whispered back.

"I see you have awakened," Xemnas said in a deep voice that made my hair stand on end, "Are you here to join us?"

"I-" I began as my voice broke. I cleared my throat. "Yes, I am."

"Excellent," Xemnas said. He closed his eyes and lifted his head, and around us the air seemed to shift in tone. "Pitiful Heartless, mindlessly collecting hearts. The rage of the Keyblade releases those hearts. They gather in darkness, masterless and free, until they weave together to make... Kindom Hearts." At that, I saw Saix shift beside me. Those words had moved him. Xemnas looked down at me from his throne. "You seek answers. "

"I do," I said quietly.

Xemnas raised a hand and suddenly three letters appeared in front of me . L-E-A. Lea. How did he know my name? Well, my previous name? I stared through the letters toward him. Sweat beaded on my face. His golden eyes shone from above me.

"I can give you purpose." His voice shook me. He waved the hand he had raised, and the letters began to spin around me. "Will you join us?"

My eyes darted from him, to the members of the Organization, who were all staring intently at me, to Saix, who was looking at me in anticipation, to the letters, glowing with a bluegreen light the color of Lea's eyes, circling me faster and faster, and then back to him. I breathed heavily, my palms sweated, and if I had had a heart, it would have been beating rapidly. What should I say? Should I trust Saix and join? Or should I back away now? Time was running out. The world around me began to blur.

Saix shifted and I heard the man with the eyepatch say "Woah, I think the kid's gonna be sick!"

Saix reached out and grabbed my arm. "Are you alright?" he said.

I put a hand to my forehead. "Yes." I looked up at Xemnas with a new, fearless expression. "I will join you."

Xemnas's eyes widened and he grinned. In one swift motion, he struck out his hand. The letters around me stopped abrubtly. And in the middle shown a new letter Xemnas had just created. A big, red, luminescent X. Now the letters floated there and read A-X-E-L.

"Welcome to the Organization, Number VIII..." Xemnas said as the rest of the letters took on the fiery red of the X.

"...Axel."

To Be Continued...

 

Woah................I mean, woah! This is amazingly good, we need more Axel fan fics!

~He's my favorite Org.13 member next to Xion and Roxas~

 

lolz i love it alba... lolz i miss u and jsyk i think i have read this like 80,000 times and you sent me the link yesterday lolz I LOVE IT!!!!!! i might print it so i can take it on the go lolz... ily <3

 

Awwww Thanks Katie XD I'm writing the next chapter now.

 

Wow this is getting more interesting! Cant wait to read the next chapter, Great job on it^^

 

Chapter 3 - The Flurry of Dancing Flames

Heheh... February Vacation! Hope you guys are thirsty for more Axel, 'cuz I've got a lot more coming your way this week! I got two chapters done in two days! Yay for me! Here's the third chapter.

Chapter III - The Flurry of Dancing Flames

"Axel." I repeated the name over and over in my head. This name would stick with me for the rest of my life. It was time to forget about Lea. Now I was Axel.
"Now, Axel," Xemnas said, "You must perform your initiation. We will discover what your powers are and you will be given a title."
"Title?" I said. I thought I had just been given a name. What difference did a title have?
"Yes. A title." He looked at the man with the eyepatch.
On his cue, the man stood up. "Number two, Xigbar," he introduced himself, "The Freeshooter."
Then the big man with sidebirns stood up. "Number three, Xaldin, The Whirlwind Lancer."
Then the man with long blonde hair. "Number four, Vexen, The Chilly Academic."
The muscular man who had said nothing. "Number five, Lexaeus, The Silent Hero."
The young man with silver-blue hair. "Number six, Zexion, The Cloaked Schemer."
Saix turned to me. "Number seven, Saix, The Luna Diviner."
Then, Xemnas stood up. " Number one. Xemnas. The Superior In-Between."
They all sat down again. Saix disappeared in one of those plumes of darkness, and then reappeared a moment later in his own throne.
"Now," Xemnas said, "Show us your element."
"How?" I asked, "How do I find it?"
The Organization snickered at me, except for Xemnas. He raised a hand and they were all quiet. "Do whatever comes to you. Look into the empty gap where your heart should be. You'll find the answer as whatever is left to fill the vacuum your heart made when it left."
I opened my mouth to say something, but the words got lost. I simply nodded and closed my eyes. I tried to feel deep inside myself. Soon I noticed I had laid a hand on my chest. I felt a small nothingness within it, but it was very faint. Then I tried to sense what was filling that nothingness. But my mind was distant...
Out of desperation, I shot out the hand I had laid on my chest. But nothing happened. The Organization snickered once again. I shot out my other hand. Then both. I tried again and again to make something out of the ordinary happen. But nothing would work.
"Okay," said Xigbar, "This is getting ridiculous."
"No!" I said, "I can't... Nothing's happening-"
"Number eight," Xemnas said impatiently, "You can't simply flail your arms and make something happen. You must control the power as if it were an extra limb. You have to feel the connection with it."
"I'm trying!" I blurted out. I clenched my eyes shut and tried desperately to feel what took the place of my heart. All I felt was anger; heat.
"Number eight..."
"I'm trying, I'm trying!" I felt the heat grow stronger in my chest.
"Number eight! Control yourself!"
My eyes closed again. Heat consumed my entire body. The Organization members were on the edge of their seats, looking at me as if I had gone mad. Now I knew. I knew what my power was. I should have known! I was destined for this my entire life as Lea! And now that I was Axel, I could finally let out all that I'd been keeping in...
"AAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!" Flames exploded from my body in the most violent display of fire I had ever seen. They swirled throughout the room and danced in the air, scorching the walls and the floors. I breathed heavily and tried to calm myself down. My arms trembled and I quickly began to lose strength.
"Axel," Xemnas said, surprisingly calm. He waved a hand the flames suddenly disappeared, as well as the damage it had left. It was as if I had never made them. I looked up at him in imediate regret and wondered what he would do to me as punishment. I braced myself for the worst.
"Welcome to the Organization," Xemnas grinned, "The Flurry of Dancing Flames." Then, he was consumed by yet another plume of darnkess and disappeared.
I was in shock. What had just happened? Let's recap, I thought, I just got practically eaten by some big black cloud, slept for over a week, woke up in a castle that looks like it got dunked in bleach in the middle of nowhere, got renamed by a bunch of glowing letters, almost fainted, got taunted repeatedly by a guy in an eyepatch, and exploded.
I felt one eyebrow arch in confusion. What the HELL was going on with me?
"All hail the almighty Flurry!" Xigbar said, raising a fist.
"Are you crazy?" Xaldin said, "The kid is too dramatic."
I narrowed my eyes. "I am not a kid," I spoke up, "I'm eighteen! Practically a man!"
Xigbar laughed. "Eighteen? You're not a man! You're only a year older than Zexion here!"
I looked at Zexion. He looked away. Obviously he did not like to have himself brought up as a topic. Still, I was surprised. I had seen him as older than me.
"Look, Flurry," Xaldin mocked, "You have no right to stand up to us. We are highly trained Nobodies. Even as Somebodies we were highly trained!"
"And it looks like you've got no skills at all," Vexen said, "Let alone a weapon."
Weapon? I needed a weapon? What did this have to do with earning hearts?
"So, Axel," Xaldin said, "Do you think yourself as a man now, compared to us?"
I looked at all the members. Even Saix looked at me in challenge, but Zexion looked away. I think he felt sorry for me.
"No," I said qietly, looking down.
"Aw, no need to be so down," Xigbar said, "You'll be a man like us in time, once you start training up a bit! But hey, enough for now. Let's go to the mess hall! We'll have a nice banquet for you!"
I felt like I was being treated like a baby. I blushed in self-conciousness.
"Come on, Axel," Saix said, disappearing again in a puff of blackness and appearing beside me, "I'll take you to the mess hall." I looked up to see that all the other members had gone in their own puffs. Saix raised his hand and created another.
"What is that?" I asked.
"This?" Saix said, "This is called a Corridor of Darkness. They are our means of transportation between worlds, not to mention around the castle."
Worlds? There were other worlds than Radiant Garden? What was this world? I left those questions for another day and followed Saix through the corridor.
Both of us came out of the corridor and into a room with grey walls and a long table lined with a white tablecloth. Finally I had seen some place in this castle that wasn't all white. The other members were there already, placing dishes of food all up and down the table.
"Ah," Vexen said, "The Flurry has arrived!"
"Wow," I said, "This was fast."
"We already had it all," Xigbar said, "We knew you'd wake up soon. Especially after Saix woke up."
"Take a seat," Lexaeus said, pulling out a chair for me next to Zexion. I nodded and sat down. Saix sat in the chair next to me.
I looked over at Zexion. "Hey," I said.
Zexion looked at me. The one icy blue eye that was not covered by his hair seemed to connect with mine. "Hey," he said back.
"I'm Axel- Well, you probably already... Knew that..." I scratched my head.
He nodded once. "Zexion. Though you already knew that as well."
"Oh," I said, rocking as I nodded, "So... What's your element?"
Zexion glanced off for a brief moment, and then looked back at me. "Illusions."
"Ah," I said, "Mine is fire... Obviously."
"You nearly singed me," Zexion said.
"Oh... Sorry."
"It's fine," said Zexion, "I had sympathy for you. I faced a similar problem the day of my initiation."
"Oh?"
Zexion nodded. "Vexen. I knew him as a Somebody. He's the one who referred me to the Organization. Just as Saix did to you." He shifted slightly. "You and Saix were good friends as Somebodies, weren't you?"
"How do you know?" I asked.
"I saw how he and you acted around each other. I've never really had a friend like that." Zexion looked off.
"What?" I said, "You can't tell me you've never had a best friend in all the seventeen years you've lived."
Zexion shrugged. "Let's just say I've had a complicated past."
I wondered what he meant by that. But I didn't ask him. I wouldn't have liked it if someone asked me about my past. I had to get Lea out of my head.
"Oh," I simply said, "I'm sorry."
"Zexion! Axel!" Xigbar said, "Come on! Help yourself to some dinner." He walked by me and patted my shoulder. "You're not gonna be anorexic on us, are you, Flurry? You've gotta get some meat on those bones!"
I smirked and looked at Zexion. He grinned ever so slightly.
"It's true, Axel," Saix said, "Get any skinnier and I could wrap my entire hand around your waist."
"Woah," Xaldin said from across the table, snapping a wishbone, "Don't go too far, moon boy!"
"Moon boy!" Saix blurted out, "Why, I oughtta..."
We all laughed. The meal was great, but I hardly noticed it over all the jokes these guys cracked. It was getting late on in the banquet when I noticed that Xemnas had never showed up.
"Hey," I said, "Where's Xemnas? Isn't he supposed to be here?"
"Him?" Xigbar said, "Aw, he's never here. We only see him in meetings nowadays."
"Where is he?" I asked.
"The Chamber of Repose," Xaldin said, "He seems to spend his entire life there."
"What does he do?" I asked.
"No one knows exactly," Vexen said, "He never tells anyone. And never ask him that."
I nodded. I didn't want to know what would happen if I did. I just took another bite of takayaki.
Suddenly, Xigbar coughed and spit out a hot pepper, immediately reaching for a glass of water. "Damn these Nippon Takas!"
"What?" I said.
"These peppers are way to hot for me," Xigbar chuckled, "You try 'em, Xaldin."
Xigbar handed Xaldin the bowl of Nippon Takas and Xaldin took one. He bit into it and, even being big and tough as he was, retreated and threw it on the table. Xigbar laughed.
"Come on, Xaldin!" I said, "Be a man!"
"Oh," Xigbar said, "So now you think you're all high and mighty, Flurry?"
I immediately regreted speaking up.
"Come on, then," Xigbar said, "You try one!" He passed me the bowl of peppers.
I stared at the tiny red edible bombs piled up in the bowl. Cautiously, I took one out.
"Go ahead, Axel," Saix said.
I looked around at everyone, smirked, and then popped the whole thing right into my mouth. Immediately the heat spread through my mouth, but I liked the spice it had to it. It reminded me of when I discovered what my element was, when the heat spread through my body and exploded out of me as fire.
Everyone stared at me with wide eyes. "What?" I said, "They're not bad."
"Man," Xigbar said, "This kid's got threshold! Do another one."
I took another pepper and popped it into my mouth. I leaned back and put my arms behind my head.
"How do you do that?" Vexen said, intrigued.
I shrugged and took another one. "Dunno. Maybe it's because my element is fire."
"Don't eat too many of those," Saix said, "You'll be sick for the next two or three days..."
"You know what we need?" Xigbar said, "We need someone who's completely clueless to everything that goes on. Someone who we can push around and play jokes on all the time... Yeah; a good target for pranks."
"I could always use another buddy," I said in a laid-back tone, "But I think I'm set for now." I looked at Saix, and then at Zexion. This place wasn't as bad as I expected. In fact, I was beginning to feel comfortable already.
"What's the chance that the Organization will recieve any more members, anyway?" Vexen said.
"Don't get cocky," Xaldin said, "These two just got here. You can't say they'll be the last!"
"I wonder who will be next, then," Xigbar said.
"Me too," I added.

After the banquet, Saix led me back to my room. It had been a big, tiring day, and I was ready to go back to sleep for the night. I reclined on my bed, proud of my new position in the Organization, fond of my new name, and full from the banquet. What adventures awaited me in this new home? I couldn't wait to find out. I turned out the lights and gazed out the window in my room. It was an odd sky out there, swirling with mysterious clouds and ever filled with rain.
And the questions came back to me. Were there other worlds than Radiant Garden? What was this world? And, why did my destiny bring me here?
I rolled over in bed and closed my eyes, awaiting the dawn of the next day.

To Be Continued...

 

Chapter IV - The Eternal Flames

Some people have been asking me when Demyx will come into my story. For all you Demyx fans, I assure you he'll be here soon. I need to come up with a good Somebody name for him, though. I'm arranging a poll to see which one will sound best.

Chapter IV - The Eternal Flames

I opened my eyes to find myself again in my room the next morning. I had expected to see light shine through the window, but it looked the same as it had the night before. Had any time even passed at all?

"Rise and shine, Flurry," Xigbar's voice came from the other side of the door.
"Don't taunt him," I heard Saix say. My door opened and Saix came through, already in his coat. "Axel, get ready. Today you will start your basic training."

Basic training? Already? I rolled over and sat up in bed. "I'll be right out."

Saix nodded and left, and I sat on the side of my bed and stretched. Then I went to the vanity and fixed my hair. I blinked a few times; I could not focus my eyes right. It's probably just the morning, I thought.

I took my coat from where I had hung it up on the door the night before and put it on. Then I opened the door to find Saix, Xigbar and Zexion in the hallway.

"You ready?" Saix asked.

I nodded. "Here," Zexion said, and handed me a small blue can. "It's an elixir. A little gift before your first taining."

"Thanks, Zexion," I said as I opened the elixir and took a sip. As soon as it came into my mouth, I began to feel the energy coarse through me. "So, Saix, what are we doing today?"

"You'll be with us today," Saix said, "First you have to decide on a weapon to use."

"A weapon?"

"We all have weapons," Xigbar said, "Duh. How else would we fight?"

"But what does fighting have to do with earning hearts?" I asked.

Xigbar and Zexion looked at each other. "You'll be told soon enough of our plans," Zexion said.

I narrowed my eyes a bit. There was something they weren't telling me.

"Let's get to the weaponry, Flurry!" Xigbar said, putting his arm around my shoulders and opening a Corridor of Darkess.

All of us stepped through the corridor and came out into yet another white room. But this room was full of peculiar-looking weapons. On one side of the room was the door to some kind of closet.

"First I'll give you a little briefing of the place," Xigbar said, "These here," He walked up to a pair of ornate silver-and-blue guns hanging on the wall. "These are my arrowguns, the Sharpshooters. These..." He motioned to six long, blue lances stood up against the wall, "...Are Xaldin's lances, the Lindworms. That there," He pointed to a large blue shield hanging on a wall, "is Vexen's shield, Frozen Pride. And that book on the shelf there..." He pointed to a thick, grey book resting on a shelf, "...That's Zexion's lexicon."

"I call it The Book of Retribution," Zexion added.

Saix walked up to a spiked blue weapon on the wall. "And this is my claymore," he said, "Lunatic."

I nodded. "What's your element, Xigbar?"

Suddenly, Xigbar disappeared. "Space!" came his voice from behind me. I jumped and tured around. He had warped behind me. "Ha," he chuckled, "You've got to be more alert, Flurry!"

"Why are you calling me Flurry?" I asked, annoyed.

"That's your title, isn't it?" Xigbar said, "The Flurry of Dancing Flames?"

"I guess so," I said, "But stop calling me Flurry. Call me Axel."

Xigbar laughed. "Sure, Axel!"

"Now," Saix said, "Axel, you have to choose a weapon."

"But," I said, "There doesn't seem to be any left to choose."

Xigbar snickered.

"Come," Saix said, and led me to the closet. He opened the door, showing me a closet full of white boxes of all sizes. "They are weapons left unclaimed by our members. But you see, Axel, it is not you who must choose the weapon. The weapon must choose you. These are no ordinary weapons. They are powerful, enchanted weapons."

"Crafted by Kingdom Hearts itself," Xigbar added.

"Kingdom Hearts?" I asked. Saix looked lost as well.

"It's considered the heart of all worlds, a source of infinite knowledge," Zexion said. "I'm sure Xemnas will tell you two in time.

I sighed. "So," I said, "How do I know which weapon 'chooses' me?"

"You'll know," Zexion said, "Open that box in front of you."

I opened the long box that was in front of me to find about four or five plain grey swords. I quickly ran my hand over them, but I knew none of these were for me.

"Try that one there," Xigbar said. I opened another box next to it to find a long, silver scythe. Were all of these weapons so plain and grey?

Then I opened another one to find a simple deck of cards. I looked up at Saix in confusion.

"They're more powerful than you think," he said.

I opened a box containing a few bows and a quiver of arrows. Again, they were grey. Then I found a box of small throwing knives, also grey. Then I found a large stringed instrument, grey as well. "What's this doing here?"

"We don't know," Xigbar said, "But it was with the weapons."

"I can't find any weapons that seem to fit me," I said.

"There must be one," Zexion said.

"I don't see any more."

"Wait," Zexion said, and walked into the back of the closet. He picked up a box I hadn't noticed and blew the dust off it. "What about these?"

I stood up and lifted the top of the box. Inside, there were two identical, razor-edged discs with handles in the middle. "What are these?" I asked.

"They're called chakrams," Zexion said, "They are disc-shaped throwing weapons."

"Like my frisbees," I added.

"Of course," Saix said, "These will be perfect for you."

I reached into the box and picked up the chakrams by the handles. A warm air rushed from them up my arms, blowing back my hair. Before me, the chakrams began to spin, glowing orange until they caught fire. Faster and faster they spun, transforming before my eyes. The handles became cross-shaped with black padding. The edges became less razor-sharp and thickened up, and around them formed four smaller circles. The inside of the chakrams became pigmented with a bright red color. And then along the edges, eight silver spikes on each chakram burst from the main loops. They stopped spinning and the fire died out, and they seemed to fix themselves there in my hands.

These weapons were mine without a doubt. They had chosen me. They seemed familiar as I held them. And then a thought came to my mind: What if, just like me, my frisbees had been swallowed by darkness as well, and they had become Nobodies- these chakrams? They seemed to already know who I was, as if they were waiting for me.

"Alright," Xigbar said, "Those are your weapons, Flur- I mean, Axel! What will you call them?"

I thought. And then I knew what to name my chakrams. "How about The Eternal Flames?"

"It's not our decision," Zexion said, "It's all up to you. They're yours."

"The Eternal Flames it is, then," I said.

"Congratulations, partner," Saix said. "Now, let's see how well you can use them!"

"Wait-" I said, "What?"

"Don't you worry," Xigbar said, opening another Corridor, "It shouldn't be too hard for you."

"Yeah," I said, "But shouldn't we-"

"Come on!" And Xigbar shoved me through the Corridor.

I stumbled out into a white and grey hall. In front of me was an ornate landing on a much higher level. "What is this place?"

"The Hall of Empty Melodies," Xigbar's voice came from atop the landing. In a different Corridor, he, Saix and Zexion appeared there. "Hope you can handle yourself!"

Handle myself? I thought. But then, I was answered when three lanky, white creatures appeared in front of me in Corridors. About ten more appeared behind me. What were these guys thinking? I couldn't defeat these things myself!

"What do I do?!" I yelled at them, "What are these things?!"

"They're called Dusks," Zexion said, "Innihlate them."

But how? I thought. I looked at my chakrams. This time I couldn't run. I had to stand and fight. As a Dusk neared me, I threw out one of my chakrams. It flew through the Dusk and it immediately exploded into a puff of blackness.

The chakram spun around and came back to me like a boomerang. I tried to catch it, but again my eyes refused to focus. It hit my hand and fell to the floor. I winced in pain and shook it off, and then picked up the chakram just in time to jam it into another Dusk.

"Work on your throwing," Xigbar said. "Throw it horizontally! Overhand! No, with your hand on top of it!"

I was becoming annoyed. I threw my chakrams again and again, expelling more Dusks. But then one of them came up behind me and wrapped its arm around my leg, nearly tripping me. Another one jumped on my back, clinging to me and attacking.

I groaned and shot a swirl of fire out of my hand. It went around me and knocked the Dusks away. I threw my chakrams again, hitting and killing them. Again and again I threw them, also using them as meelee weapons and hitting the Dusks directly. But then two more jumped on my back, one on my front. They tackled me to the floor and I was becoming overwhelmed.

"Get up, Axel!" Saix said, "Keep moving, or the darkness will overtake you!"

But I couldn't get up. The Dusks held me down and I couldn't move. I outstretched my arm toward one of my chakrams, which I had dropped. But I could not reach it. I stretched my arm as far as it would go, but I just could not reach.

"Fire, Axel!" Zexion called, "Use your fire!"

Fire. Fire! I felt deep within myself to the gap where my heart had been. Gathering that heat, that flame that filled the gap, I let it expand and burst outward, fire exploding from my core. The dusks flew off and died into the darkness. My chakrams spun around me and I threw them outward, flaming, toward the rest of the Dusks, and killed them all. The fire died away, and I collapsed to the floor.

"Axel!" Saix said, appearing next to me in a Corridor. He helped me up and put my arm around his shoulder. I leaned against him as I stood up. "Are you alright?"

"I-" I gulped in exhaustion, "I think so..." I looked down at my arm. I had a gash in it, but it wasn't a normal gash, and the Dusks hadn't caused it. Blood didn't come out of it, but a small wisp of black shadows. "Wh- What's happening to me?" I began to feel faint in panic.

Saix looked. "Aw, crap! Xigbar! Do something about this!"

My eyes widened. "What?!"

"Axel," Zexion said as he and Xigbar arrived in Corridors, "You can't go putting your entire being into an attack! If you do that, you'll begin to fade!"

"Fade?"

"You see," Zexion said, "When a Nobody uses up all their power, they have nothing left to keep themselves alive. Nobodies are constantly using up energy just to maintain their existance, and if they lose it all..."

He didn't have to finish that. I didn't want him to anyway. "Am I going to be alright?" I asked.

"Here ya go," Xigbar said, taking a bandage out from a pocket under his coat, "Saix, would you mind?"

Saix nodded and turned to me. "Axel, he needs your arm. I just need to unzip your coat for a moment."

I nodded weakly. Energy was draining from me. Saix grabbed the top zipper of my coat and unzipped it about halfway down. I took my arm out from the sleeve and Saix held it out. Xigbar wrapped the bandage around the gash and the shadow stopped escaping from my arm. Saix then fit my arm back into the sleeve and zipped my coat back up.

"That'll stop your existance from escaping," Xigbar said, and turned to Saix. "He'll need some rest. Saix, take him to his room. In the meantime, we'll have to go about our missions for today."

"Come on, Axel," Saix said, and created a Corridor of Darkness. "You're lucky you didn't use your entire being." He brought be through the Corridor and we came out into my room. He placed me on my bed and I laid back on the pillow.

"What happened today with those Dusks?" Saix asked.

"I..." I was afraid to admit it. "I couldn't see right. My vision has been going lately."

"Really?" Saix said. I nodded slowly. Saix sighed. "We'll get it across to the other members. Maybe they'll know what to do."

I nodded.

He sighed again. "Well, I hope you feel better. Do you think you'll be able to join us later?"

"I just need some rest," I said, "I think I'll be alright after a few hours."

Saix nodded. "If you need anything, Vexen is in his room down the hall. He's got work to do here, so he didn't have a mission today. You can go to him." He disappeared through a Corridor.

I sighed. I was beginning to feel a bit better, but my eyelids drooped as the dark cloud of sleep came to visit me once again.

To Be Continued...

I've done two chapters in one day, since my room's being renovated and I've got nothing else to do. Don't worry, Demyx fans, he's in the next one!!

Chapter V - Eye Black and an X-shaped Scar


I woke up a few hours later with a headache and a bad taste in my mouth. I sat up, but immediately regretted it as a sharp pain and dizziness shot through my head and I laid back down.

"Ugh," I groaned, rubbing my head. I felt even worse than when I had first awakened as Axel. I unzipped my coat and took it off; it was far too hot. My black undershirt was drenched in sweat. I usually didn't sweat this much; what was wrong with me? Was I getting sick? I looked down at my arm which had the gash on it. The bandage was still wrapped around it, but this time the gash stung and blood was beading through it. I unwrapped the bandage. A small puff of shadow came out of it as the gash was revealed, and I tried carefully not to let too much of it come out. It was healing, and not much of my existence was coming out anymore. But as it healed, it began to bleed. This was good, I assumed, because it was scabbing over and preventing any more shadow to get out.

As I looked around, I noticed that my eyesight seemed to be even worse. What was I going to do about this? I couldn't fight like this, not being able to see! Saix said the others would do something about it. But what?

I finally managed to sit up on the side of my bed. I took off my undershirt seeing as it was soaked. As I looked down, I caught myself by surprise. It was only the second time I had seen myself shirtless in my new body. I still needed to get used to being so much more muscular. I put a hand on my forehead. What if this wasn't the right thing? What if I wasn't meant to be Axel? What if I was still supposed to be Lea, the kid with the soft face, spiked orange hair and bluegreen eyes I always saw staring back at me in the mirror?

No. I had to get Lea out of my mind. I was Axel now. Axel. Lea was dead. He didn't exist anymore. And neither did Isa. But as I thought of them, I was reminded of something that happened in my past as Lea. It was very vague, but I remembered the face of someone I had seen. He had blonde hair styled in short spikes, blue eyes... He didn't talk much, but I remembered meeting him. I didn't remember his name, or anything that I had said to him. Did he even exist? Or was it just a dream?

My stomach was feeling sour. Maybe I was getting sick. Saix had said I could go to Vexen if I needed anything. Maybe he could help. I stood up and walked to the door, wondering if he was even there. I opened the door and headed out into the hallway. Each door had Roman numerals on it; our positions in the Organization. Which number was Vexen again? I tried to remember. Vexen, number four, the Chilly Academic. I found the door with the Roman numeral IV on it and pushed it open a crack.

Inside, it was much like my room, but there was a desk the same white color of the walls, littered with papers and computers. Shelves lined the walls with strange devices and glass containers sitting on them. Vexen must have been a scientist. There he was, sitting at his desk, looking very busy on his computer.

"Vexen," I said quietly, "I wouldn't be bothering you if I asked something, would I?"

"Actually," he said, "I'm glad you showed up when you did. Would you come here for a moment?"

I came closer and kneeled down to his level. Vexen reached over and took a small glass tube from a box on his desk. He uncorked it and with a tweezer-like instrument he took out what looked like a thick, brown hair. He laid it down to a microscope that was on his desk in front of me.

"Now, if you don't mind," he said, "Would you hold this down just like this? And make sure it does not move at all!"

I nodded and held the tool for him. He looked into the microscope for a few moments and then began to type codes into his computer which I did not understand. Again he looked, and again he typed. This happened a few times, and then he seemed to be finished.

"That'll be it," he said, taking the tool from me and placing the hair back inside the tube. "Thank you, uh, what was your name again?"

"Axel," I reminded him.

"Ah, yes," he said, "Thank you, Axel. Now, why did you come here?"

"I was injured in training today," I said, "And, well, I've been resting up. Saix said I could go to you if I needed anything."

"Yes," ha said, "I am aware of that. He came to me and informed me before he left for his mission. So what do you need?"

"Well," I said, "I'm not feeling to great. I think I might be getting sick or something."

"Sick?" he said, "What do you mean sick? And where is your coat?"

I looked down. I had forgotten I had no shirt on. "It was getting too hot. And my shirt was soaked in sweat when I woke up. Another reason I think I might be sick."

"Have you eaten anything today?" Vexen asked.

"Just an elixir, if that counts," I replied. But I really didn't feel like eating right now.

He turned and looked at me. "You should try something. That might help."

"Yeah," I said, "Not really up to it..."

Vexen sighed. "Here," he said, taking from one of his shelves a clear plastic bottle full of green liquid. "Drink a potion. It might help."

I took the bottle form him and opened it. When I drank from it I got a similar reaction as I did from the elixir, but it was less energizing and more relaxing; healing. The dizziness in my head began to clear and the nausea began to die as I drank.

"Better?" Vexen asked.

I burped as I took the bottle away from my lips. "Yes, much."

He seemed a bit annoyed by my laid-back attitude, but looked tolerant of it. "Anything else you'd like to tell me?"

I thought. Then I remembered my eyesight. "Yes, uh, I haven't been able to see very clearly lately. What do you think I should do about it?"

"Ah," Vexen said, "There are many options for that kind of problem. You could try glasses...?"

I didn't even need to think about that. "No way."

"Contact lenses?" Vexen suggested.

"What if those fell out in battle?" I said.

"Hmm..." Vexen thought. After a few moments, he snapped. "What about eye black?"

"Eye black?" I said.

"Yes," Vexen said, "You create dark markings under your eyes which allow you a deeper contrast in your vision and therefore allow you to see more clearly."

Dark markings under my eyes? I guessed that could do. "That sounds good."

"But then there's the task of having to apply it all the time..." Vexen thought again. "How would you feel about having markings tattooed onto your face?"

What? Tattoos on my face? But he had a point. I had to get eye black or I'd suck at fighting. And why not if I was going to wear it all the time anyway? "I'll do it."

"Excellent," Vexen said, "I'll ask Xigbar about that. He is skilled in tattoo art."

I nodded slowly. Should I really trust these guys to be drawing in ink under my skin? "Alright. Ask Xigbar when he gets back." I then left the room and went back to my own.

I gulped down the rest of the potion and went to the vanity. In one of the drawers, I found a few more undershirts just like the one I had had on. What was up with this castle? It seemed to always have everything I needed. I put on one of the shirts and then got ack into my coat. Not long after, I suddenly heard a few people come through a Corridor of Darkness in the hallway. They were babbling loudly, and one of them was moaning in pain. I knew that voice anywhere.

"Saix!" I cried as I burst out into the hallway. There, Xigbar and Zexion were leading Saix to his room, holding him as they walked.

"It'll be alright, Saix," Zexion said worriedly.

"You're okay," Xigbar said, "You're gonna be okay..."

When I saw Saix's face, I nearly collapsed in fear. Be was holding it, blood gushing from the center of his face and dripping off his hands. He was moaning in what seemed to be excruiciating pain.

"What the hell happened?!" I cried.

"Axel, move!" Xigbar yelled, "We need to get him to his room!"

I dashed to his room, which was directly across from mine, and opened the door. Xigbar and Zexion came through and placed him on his bed. "Zexion," Xigbar said, "Go to the room with the medical supplies and get something to clean this with!"

"Don't worry," came Vexen's voice from behind us, "I've already got it."

He had come into the room and was now trying to wipe the blood from Saix's face with some kind of medical cloth he had most likely had in his room. When enough of the blood was gone, I saw where it had come from.

In the middle of Saix's face, connecting on the bridge of his nose, were two tremendous, deep gashes that formed an 'x' on his face. This would be a scar, no doubt about it.

"Here we go," Vexen said, taking a roll of tape-like bandages and ripping two sections off, applying them to the gashes in Saix's face. He wiped of the last of the blood and was finished.

"Thank you, Vexen," Saix said, still grimacing in pain.

"What happened?" I asked again, more calmly this time.

"It was a Heartless," Xigbar said, "And a pretty damn big one, too."

"Heartless?" I was confused. "You mean like those Dusks I fought earlier?"

"No, Axel!" Xigbar shouted, "Heartless are nothing like those weaklings! Dusks are Nobodies. Heartless are just as their names apply: Wretched, foul, heartless creatures of the dark!"

"It was a Dual Blade," Zexion said, "One of the worst Heartless you'll probably come across in your time. It came out of nowhere. It just attacked him, cornered him against a wall. Then it slashed him twice across the face. He's lucky he wasn't killed."

I looked down at Saix. I was so glad he was not killed. I didn't know what I'd do without him here. I'd be completely lost.

"Axel," Saix said, holding back his pain, "How are you feeling?"

Everyone was looking at me now. "Earlier I was feeling a bit sick, but now I'm fine, thanks to Vexen. He gave me a potion."

Saix nodded.

"Oh," Vexen said, "Xigbar, I had a bit of a conversation with him a few moments ago, and he says his vision is challenged lately."

"Oh?" Xigbar said.

"I told him about eye black," Vexen said, "And we were wondering if you would be willing to tattoo it onto his face."

"Tattoo eye black onto his face?" Xigbar said, and snickered. "Don't you think that's a little much?"

"I think it is a pretty good idea," I said, "It's the only thing that will really work for us."

Xigbar looked at me. "Well," he said, "I guess it's your choice. We can do it right now, if you want. I've got my tattoo stuff in my room."

I nodded nervously.

"Alright then," Xigbar said, "Saix, you just rest up a bit until that doesn't hurt as much. Axel, come with me."

We went out of Saix's room and Xigbar led me into his room, Roman numeral II. It was plain and white, just like mine. But it had a side table next to the bed with a black case on it. Xigbar opened the case. Inside was a bunch of machinery and wires. As he set up his tattoo instruments, he began to ask me questions about it.

"So," he said, "What kind of design would you like? Just a simple dot under each eye, or how about a kind of football design? It could be like this tribal thing, or some sort of symbol... Ooh! You know what will make your vision extra sharp?"

"What?" I asked.

"If we did some kind of triangle or reverse-teardrop design, the points at the bottom will angle your eyesight so that it's sharp and alert. How about that?"

I could imagine that. "Yeah, let's do it."

Xigbar had his tools set up and was going through the ink. I sat down on his bed. "What color do you want them to be? Just black, or a dark blue, or something like that..."

I thought again. I didn;t want it to stand out that much. Then, I thought of the purple roots I had noticed in my hair. "How about purple?" I asked.

"Purple," Xigbar repeated, "That's a nice choice." He began to apply purple ink to the needle. "Now," he said, "This'll sting a little, but you can't move or you'll end up with scars, or worse, scribbles, on your face for the rest of your life."

I gulped. "Okay." He turned on the needle and it began buzzing. I closed my eyes and exposed my face to him.

When the needle touched my face, it created a warm, stinging sensation on my cheekbone where he began to draw the eye black. I tried to ignore the pain as much as I could. After about half an hour of buzzing and stinging, one teardrop was done. He began the other one, and as the first one burned like a new scar, the other had just begun to sting.

After another half hour, they were both done. Xigbar led me to his vanity and I peered into the mirror. The eye black looked amazing, as if it were meant to be. They were purple reverse-teardrops under each of my eyes, and I thought it actually made me look tougher. Already I began to see better.

We went back into Saix's room. Vexen had left, but Zexion was still there with Saix. As soon as I came in, Zexion's face lit up in interest. "They look great," he said.

Saix looked at me and grinned. "Yes," he said, "They suit you."

"Thanks," I said. "And who knows, maybe that scar you'll have will make you look more threatening as well."

Saix nodded. "Thank you for looking at it optimistically."

"Well," I said, yawning, "I think I'll go hit the hay for tonight. Thank you for the eye black, Xigbar."

"You're most welcome, Sir Flamesilocks," he said. "Ha! A new nickname! Sir Flamesilocks!"

"No..." I said, "Just call me Axel."

Xigbar looked displeased.

"Alright," I said, "See you all tomorrow." I left the room and went across the hall to my own. It had been another long day. When would it not be a long day?

I took off my coat and got into bed. But after I turned out the lights, I had noticed something out of the corner of my eye. I turned them back on, and then I nearly jumped out of my skin.
Some big creature stood before me. It was silver and steel blue, with a humanoid body and long arms sporting slat spikes similar to those of the Nobody insignia I had seen in the Round room and throughout the castle. It stared at me, and I stared back. It didn't take me long to figure out that this was a Nobody, just like the Dusks I had seen. But this one was different. What was it, and why was it in my room?

To Be Continued...

 

Chapter VI - The Ninth Member

Dem fans, your wait is OVER! Here is the next chapter to the story. It is a bit long, because I still had to fit in the Assassin and Berserker. But this is where we meet our Demikkusu!! (Yes, I am a Demyx fan as well) And thank you if you helped with the voting on his Somebody's name. I know it was of short notice and I didn't give much time, but thanks to you who helped! Oh, and I'd also like to thank you all who have been reading my story! BE SURE TO GIVE REPUTATION!! XD So here we go!

Chapter VI - The Ninth Member

"Who are you?" I asked the strange creature.

It said nothing, just stared at me.

"Can you even talk?" I asked.

It just stared at me again.

"Do you understand me?" I asked it.

Slowly, it nodded its head. At least it understood me.

"Are you a Nobody?"

It nodded.

"What kind of Nobody?"

It lifted its arms slightly and churred, but still could not say anything. I stepped out of bed and went back into the hallway. "Saix! Saix, what is this thing?"

The Nobody followed me like a lost puppy. It seemed to slither as it walked, and slipped in and out of the floor. I opened Saix's door, and as I came through I saw that Saix had a similar problem. Before him stood a rather large Nobody, bulky and bronze, carrying a large, ax-like claymore. It turned and looked at me, and then at my Nobody. Then it looked back at Saix.

"I see you have found a friend as well," Saix said.

"Not exactly," I said as my Nobody looked up at me, "What are they?"

"I..." Saix said, "I'm not sure, Axel."

"Is there something wrong?" Zexion's voice came through the door. He came in and was answered when he saw the Nobodies.

"What are these," I asked, "And why are they following us?"

"They're Nobodies," Zexion said, "But I've never seen these breeds before. They must be yours."

"Ours?" I said.

"Yes," said Zexion, "Whenever a new member joins the Organization, a new breed of Nobody is created under their control." He waved his hand and another Nobody came in a Corridor. It was rather small and white, much like a Dusk, but it walked on its long, thick hands.

"This is a Creeper," Zexion said, "I control them. There are others as well. Xemnas controls the Sorcerers, Xigbar controls the Snipers, and Xaldin controls the Dragoons."

"So..." I said, "I'll control this one?"

"Yes" Zexion said, "Just as Saix will control that breed." He motioned to Saix's Nobody.

Zexion sent the Creeper back through a Corridor. "You can send them to the barracks when you're not using them," he said.

Saix created a corridor and his Nobody walked through it. I looked at Zexion in confusion. "How do I create a Corridor of Darkness?"

"Ah," Zexion said, "It's simple. Just think of where you want it to lead, feel the darkness in your veins, and then..." He lifted his hand and created one.

I nodded and thought of the barracks, wherever they were in the castle. Then I felt into my veins, sensing the traces of darkness running through them. Then I lifted my hand, and a plume of blackness formed in front of me. My Nobody leapt up and slithered through the Corridor. Then it closed. I grinned; I had done something right for once.

"Very good, Axel," Zexion said, and patted my shoulder. "Now you'd best be off to bed." He left the room and I followed him out, walking into mine. I got into bed and finally got to sleep.

While I was dreaming, I kept seeing vague shadows of some kid's face. It was the kid I had met a while back, as Lea. What was so special about him? Why did his face keep appearing in my mind? Who was he?

Morning seemed to come quickly, although you could never tell in this world. Saix came through my door to wake me up, but I decided to ask him about it.

"Saix," I said, "I never found out, what is this world? Where is this castle? And why is it always dark and raining out?"

Saix looked out my window. "Ah," he said, "This is the World that Never Was. It is so named because it is not supposed to exist, just as we are not."

"Not supposed to exist?!" I was alarmed.

"We are supposed to be Lea and..." He seemed to have difficulty with the name, "Isa, remember? But our hearts were taken away."

I looked down. "Right..."

"And the reason it is always dark and raining is because..." He gazed out the window. "It is not simply rain, but all the sorrows of the hearts that have been taken by darkness. It is always dark here, never light. This displays the true nothingness of us Nobodies."

I nodded. "Are we supposed to feel like this world; dark and empty?"

Saix closed his eyes. "Sadly enough, it is the way we are forced to be. We cannot feel any other emotion."

I said nothing. Suddenly, Xigbar entered my room, followed by Lexaeus.

"Axel, Saix," he said, "You two have a mission together today. You need to meet up with Xemnas in Dive to the Heart."

"Dive to the Heart?" I said.

"That is where Xemnas found you two," Lexaeus said.

"He says a new Nobody's been found," Xigbar added. "He wants you there as soon as you can be ready."

"Come, Axel," Saix said, and he reached up, peeling off the bandages on his face. The scars had healed partly, but dried blood still lined it, and looked recent. "Let's go."

I took my coat and put it on, and Saix opened a Corridor. We stepped through it, and immediately found ourselves in a strange, dark place. The floor was made of stained glass, and had a peculiar design on it. A body laid in the center, wearing only a white sheet identical to that I woke up with. Next to him stood a man in a black coat with his hood up. It was Xemnas.

"Put your hood up, Axel," Saix said, doing just that. I pulled my hood up around my hair, concealing my face. Together, Saix and I approached the young man that lay there.

"This one seems restless," Xemnas said quietly, "He seems to be awakening rapidly."

I did not see it. As I looked down at his face, I saw that he bore similar likenesses to me. He had the soft, innocent face I had had when I was Lea. His hair was long, shaggy and dirty-blonde.

"What shall we do with him, Superior?" Saix asked.

"Carry him to the castle," Xemnas replied, "Place him in the spare room."

Spare room? I had only seen eight rooms in the hall, one for each of us. But if he said there was a spare, I would not argue.

I kneeled down and put my arms under the Nobody, lifting him up. He was heavier than he looked.

"Let's go," I said.

Saix nodded and opened a Corridor. We walked through it and came out into the hall. Strangely enough, there was indeed a ninth room in the hall. I had not seen it before. We walked into the room and I placed the Nobody on the bed. He reminded me much of myself.

"If that's it," Saix said, "I'll go report and see if I have any other missions assigned today."

I nodded. "I'll stay here with him a bit longer, in case he wakes up." But as I thought, what were the odds of that? Saix had slept for seven days, and I had for eight. What if he wouldn't wake up for even longer? I sighed. He reminded me so much of myself for some reason.

I sighed as I sat beside him on his bed. "I know how you feel," I said, thinking of Lea, "You have no choice but to turn to the darkness, and it then turns on you and steals your heart... And the next thing you know, you're in a strange place, far away from everything you've ever known. And the fact that your heart is gone..." I clutched my chest, feelng that emptiness that seemed to be growing more and more vast each time I felt it. "It just... Kills you inside. Feeling like there's nowhere left to go, nothing left to do... Just going along with what people tell you, having no further purpose... I know all of that. And I know that no matter how bad things seem to get, you've always got someone to rely on. But maybe... Maybe I'm doing it all wrong. Maybe it's all an illusion. There are many points of view in life, but which one is right? Which one am I supposed to follow?"

"Follow... Your heart..." A small voice squeaked from beside me. I nearly jumped. Looking down, I saw the Nobody's eyelids twitch slightly, before opening ever so narrow to show bright green irises like emeralds encrusted into his face. He looked at me weakly.

"You..." I said, "You're awake?"

The Nobody moved slightly, but I outstretched an arm and pushed him slightly back down.

"Don't try to get up just yet. Trust me, you'll regret it." He relaxed again. "So, what was that about following my heart?"

"You were... Talking about which point of view to follow in life..." He said, "Just do what your heart says to do."

I looked down. How was I going to break this to him? "We're Nobodies," I said, "We don't have hearts. What am I supposed to do if I don't have one?"

"What?" he said, sounding surprised, "We do too have hearts!"

I looked at him. "Look, uh..."

"Myde," he said, "My name's... Myde."

"Myde," I said, although I knew this couldn't be his name anymore, since he was a Nobody, "I'm sorry to tell you this, but, you're a Nobody now. Your previous self... Myde... Well, your heart was taken by darkness. You're... Dead, in a way."

He looked even more surprised. "That... Can't be possible..."

I looked at him sadly. "I'm sorry, but it's true."

He was quiet for a while. But then he spoke up. "How do we know... If our hearts are gone?"

I put a hand on my chest. No beating. "Feel deep within yourself. Can you feel your own heart beating?"

There was a silence as he put his own hand on his chest and listened. "No," he said quietly.

"We can't feel emotions," I said, "We can only remember what it was like to feel."

"Then..." Myde said, "Why do I feel... Sad?"

I thought about that. Why did we feel sad? "It must be... Just emptiness," I said. He was silent.

"Look," I said, "You are no longer Myde. You have a new body, therefore a new name. But we have to see Xemnas before you can know what it is."

"Xem...Nas?" He said weakly.

"He's the one who found me," I said, "And Saix, who helped me bring you here. He's a Nobody as well. We're all Nobodies. The Organization."

"Organization? What... Kind of..."

"Our goal is to earn back our hearts," I said, remembering the answer of that question. "It's founded by Xemnas. I don't know... Exactly how he plans to earn our hearts, but I'm learning new stuff every day. You will, too."

"I'm... Regaining strength," he said as he sat up beside me. "Could I see Xemnas?"

"Do you want to join our Organization?" I asked, remembering how Saix recruited me.

Myde thought for a while. "Is it fun?" he finally said.

Fun? Out of all the things I had expected him to say, he had to go and ask that? "We, uh, can't feel amusement..."

He suddenly seemed to be full of energy. "Then why do I feel like having fun right now? See, we do have hearts! We might not be able to feel them, but I can still feel the want to have fun! So, is it?"

"I..." I said, "I'm not sure... I haven't really began to get into it yet..."

"Well," Myde said, "I guess I'll check it out. Sign me up!"

He seemed rather strange all of a sudden. How did he get this much energy? It was as if he had drunk three elixirs right in front of me! "Alright," I said, "I'll get the members together in the Round Room. You stay here." I got up and went to the door.

"Hey," Myde said as I opened the door, "I never caught your name."

I turned to him and grinned. "My name is... Axel," I replied.

He smiled at me. "Okay, Axel," he said.

I nodded and walked out into the hallway to gather the others. But then a thought came to my head. What if Myde was the kid I had seen? No... His name was not Myde. I couldn't remember it, but that wasn't it. I went down the hall and walked into Xigbar's room. Luckily, he was there.

"Yo, Axel," he said in a laid-back manner.

"Xigbar," I said, "The new Nobody has awakened."

He looked at me as if I had gone crazy. "What?! You must be pulling my leg! He couldn't have awaken in such a short time!"

"Well," I said, "He did."

Xigbar got up and walked toward me. "You're not stretching the truth with me, boy...?"

"No," I said, "Go see him yourself."

Xigbar looked over my shoulder, and then looked back at me. "I guess I trust you. I'll get the others into the Round Room. You bring the Nobody. And give him these." He took from his door another Organization uniform on a hanger like the one Saix had given me. I took it from him and he disappeared through a Corridor.

Then I went back across the hall into Myde's room. He had obviously found the vanity, and was now finishing styling his hair into a mullet-type hairstyle.

"Axel!" he said happily as I walked through the door. I handed him the uniform.

"Put these on," I said. He took the hanger from me and went to his bed. I left his room to wait for him to change. But when I closed the door, I suddenly felt faint and pictures began to flash through my mind. I was back at Radiant Garden, walking with Isa.

We were on our way to the castle. I had heard that there would be some sort of big meeting there, and wanted to eavesdrop on it to find out what I could. I had always been the type that finds out everything he's not supposed to. So Isa and I were talking, planning out our strategy to get around the guards.

"Yeah," I said, "There's totally a door on the side of the castle. Must be some secret passage or something. The guards are completely oblivious to it!"

"Are you sure you still want to do this?" Isa asked, "If we're caught, we'll be in a load of trouble."

"That's what's so great about it!" I laughed, "The suspense, the excitement, the adrenaline in your veins..." We were descending down a ramp into the courtyard of Radiant Garden, when suddenly a long, wooden object fell out of nowhere in front of us. I walked over to it and picked it up, swung it around a few times. It looked like some type of toy sword. Then I spotted the kid who had dropped it, sitting there against the wall of the courtyard. It was the kid I kept remembering, with short spikes of blonde hair, blue eyes, and dressed in some type of clothing collaborated with armor.

"This yours?" I asked him. He looked up at me.

Isa, who was in front of me, turned back. "Lea, we don't have time for this."

"Lighten up, Isa," I said, "It'll only take a sec." I walked over to the kid. "You still play with toy swords? That's cute." What kind of a baby did that? I pointed the wooden sword at him.

He looked away and groaned, trying to ignore me. I felt the need to show off.

"Now this right here..." I said, whipping my frisbees out from under my vest, "Tadaa! Whaddaya think?" I swung them around in my hands.

"Not a whole lot," the kid said, looking away.

How dare he? My weapons were a ton better than his phoney wooden sword. I bent down to him. "You're just jealous. I'm Lea. Got it memorized?" That was my old catch phrase. "What's your name?" I hadn't seen him around the Garden.

I still couldn't remember his name. As he said it, it seemed to be muffled in my memory. I remember him sounding annoyed as he said it, though.

"Okay," I had said his name, but couldn't remember, "Let's fight!" He thought he was so tough? I would show him wrong.

"Fight?" he said, "Why would I wanna do that?"

"You scared of losing?" I taunted. "C'mon." I leapt back and got into my stance. "Hope you're ready!"

The next thing I knew, I was leaning against the wall outside Myde's room. I had passed out. How long had I been out? Had anyone seen?

"I'm ready, Axel," Myde said as he opened the door. He now had the uniform on. The sleeves of his coat tightened around his arms as mine did, and the shoulders of his coat semed to be pointing out in contrast to his shoulders. He grinned, but it fell when he saw me. "You okay?"

"Yeah," I said, and stood up straight. "Let's go to the Round Room."

I had led him down to the Round room and now I looked back at him, only to be surprised again. He was trembling like a wet puppy in a blizzard.

"Are you alright?" I asked him.

"I'm fine," he said, "Let's go."

"Show no emotion," I said, although I knew that it was no use. He showed too much already. "They're gonna be very critical, and they enjoy making fun of new rookies. Just don't let them get to you."

Myde nodded. I led him in. I got a flashback of when I first came through here. It was the same; all the members were there in their thrones. But this time, Saix was there in his throne as well, and I was the one leading the rookie into the room. And as I looked around, I saw that there were not seven thrones as before, but eight. Xemnas had added one for me?

When we reached the center and stood on the big, grey Nobody insignia, Xemnas appeared in his throne with a Corridor. He gave Myde that same, chilling grin he had given me, and I felt Myde quiver behind me.

"You seek answers," Xemnas said, "I can give you purpose."

Myde said nothing. Xemnas raised his hand and summoned the letters of his name. They spun around him faster and faster as they had to me.

"Do you wish to accept it?" Xemnas asked.

After a few moments, Myde answered. It surprised me yet again. "Do you have fun here?"

Everyone in the room was silent. Xigbar tried to hold in a laugh.

"If regaining your heart is what falls under this aspect of 'fun'," Xemnas said impatiently, "Then yes."

Myde thought. "Yes, then." I was shocked at how laid-back he was acting, just after he was scared half to death! What was with this kid?

Xemnas ignored this, and created the 'x'. The letters stopped in their position, and the blue 'x' Xemnas had created spread its color to the other letters. The Nobody grinned in satisfaction of his new name.

"Welcome to the Organization, number IX," Xemnas said.

"Demyx."

 

It's coming soon. I've been busy so I haven't had time to write it. Hopefully it'll be done by this weekend.

 

This is a great story Axel's my favorite character too :) I cant wait for teh next chapter

 

Hey guys sorry it's taking so long I've been really busy lately and missed my previous deadline... I'm trying as hard as I can to get the next part done and I hope for it to be up by this weekend.

 

Chapter VII - Heartless

Hello. Sorry again that I'm so late, and sorry it's so short. I've been very busy lately... So I haven't had much time, plus writer's block has struck again. So, I've decided to do this. You guys can post suggestions to things that you think would be good details in the story, and if I approve, I'll put them in, and even give you credit. How's that?

So, for now, here's the latest chapter. Again, sorry it's so short.

Chapter VII - Heartless


It seemed like ever since Demyx joined us, Saix and I had been the ones having to show him the ropes, drag him around on our missions, and clean up the messes he made. And man, did he make a lot of messes.

It turned out that his element was water. He found the water deep inside him where his heart had left a void, and very easily as well. I rolled my eyes when he discovered it, as I had not had such luck.

First, we took him to the weaponry, as I had been taken when I got my chakrams. He seemed awfully frightened by all the members' weapons hanging on or against the walls. I could tell he wouldn't make a good fighter. Then we went into the closet off the weaponry and told him to choose a weapon. He looked through the many grey weapons in boxes, and then found the instrument called a sitar. Immediately, his eyes widened.

"It's a sitar!" He exclaimed, "I used to play one of these all the time in my old home!"

I was surprised. "Really?"

"Yes," he said, and picked up the sitar. As soon as he touched it, it began to transform before us. It turned to a blue color, with white markings on the back of it. On the front was a slightly darker blue board, looking very similar to the emblem I had seen around the Castle, which I had discovered was not only the emblem of the Organization, but the symbol depicting all Nobodies.

Demyx seemed very amused. He instantly began plaing his new sitar, and named it Arpeggio, apparently a musical term. We were all a bit surprised and confused by his weapon of choice, but he showed that it did indeed have an effect on his water element.

Saix, Demyx and I were assigned to go to a world we hadn't seen before. It was called Twilight Town. We were to show Demyx the proper way to fight, and I was to learn more about the Organization's goal. We arrived in front of a large station tower. On the side of the tower were two large bells. I looked up at it in awe. It reminded me of the castle at Radiant Garden. I wondered what had happened to it...

So we made our way down a sort of ramp, or inclined alley, which there seemed to be a lot of in this place, having such choppy terrain, when in front of us appeared these strange, black creatures out of nowhere. They were rather insect-like, with antennae and scrawny arms and legs, and had huge, glowing yellow eyes in the middle of their round, black faces. Saix summoned his claymore, Lunatic, out of thin air, and I summoned my chakrams.

"What are these things?" I asked.

"They're called Heartless," Saix said, "They are what is left of a person's body after their heart is taken by darkness."

This struck me. "So, my body is still out there somewhere?"

"As a heartless," Saix replied, "But yes."

I looked at the Heartless. They were greedy, creeping scavengers whose only goal was to steal the hearts of others. But even then they wouldn't be themselves again, just as we Nobodies would never be.

"These ones are called Shadows," Saix said, "A type of Heartless called a Pureblood. They, unlike other Heartless, do not carry captive hearts."

"So," I said, confused, "The other kind actually have hearts?"

"They still have their hearts inside their bodies," Saix said, "But they have lost connection to them. Those are called emblem Heartless, and each have the Heartless emblem wherever the heart is being kept."

"Heartless have an emblem like us Nobodies?"

"Yes," Saix said, sounding annoyed, "Now save questions for later and attack it."

"Why?" I asked.

"They are part of the darkness," Saix said, "And will do anything to take away the hearts of those who still have them."

I nodded, and then I attacked.

After we defeated that group of Heartless, we continued through Twilight Town. Soon more Heartless came, and this time they were strange-looking, more colorful, and had markings on themselves, most of them with them on the front. The emblems looked like hearts, with a sort of tail at the point, and an X crossing through them. These ones were emblem Heartless.

"Axel," Saix said to me, "Take a break. Let Demyx handle these ones."

I looked back at Demyx, who was wide-eyed. "What?" he said, "Why?"

"Axel and I handled the first group," Said responded, "Now it's your turn to show what you've got."

Demyx whined, and then nodded unsurely. He stepped forward and summoned his sitar in a splash of water. Saix lifted an arm and took me back a few steps. We watched Demyx as he tried to fight, but he was obviously not very good at it. He began to whack the heartless with his sitar, but it obviously wasn't doing much damage. Soon, he was being overwhelmed.

"Demyx!" I said, byt Saix wouldn't let me go. He watched Demyx. "Just let him fight it out himself.

A group of Heartless then knocked Demyx to the ground. He couldn't get up.

"But he'll get hurt," I said, "It's too much for him."

"Just wait," Saix said. I watched anxiously.

Then, Demyx's green eyes became serious. He gripped his sitar and groaned, water spraying up from him and knocking off all the Heartless. He then stood up, beginning to play licks on his sitar. As he played, columns of water rose up around him, forming out of nowhere. From him came about three forms of water, each looking similar to his shape. They fought for him, attacking the Heartless with their water form sitars. Soon, the Heartless were defeated, and Demyx let the water fall around him, flooding the ground. He then looked to us.

"How was that?" he asked.

"Not bad," said Saix, "But you have to work on your defense."

Demyx groaned.

"That should be enough for today," Saix said, "We should RTC."

"RTC?" I repeated.

"Return to the Castle," Saix explained, and opened a Corridor of Darkness. "We use that term when we're out at other worlds."

I nodded, following him through. We all came out into the Grey Area, a place we would socialize before accepting missions. I sat myself back in one of the white couches and sighed. I hadn't done much that day, but I was tired. I was beginning to get used to life at the Castle That Never Was, and I didn't think much of it. I was also beginning to forget about my life in Radiant Garden, before I had become Axel. It seemed more distant than ever now. My eyes closed as I tried once more to remember the boy I had met... The one with the wooden sword. But I couldn't. I sighed again as I thought over my day.

But then my eyes opened when I realized something. The Heartless I had seen today, those were the creatures that had attacked Radiant Garden, before my heart was taken away from me.

 

This was defiantly worth the wait! The first paragraph was funny, and why don't you after the story's complete publish it and so far it's not good but brilliant!

 

Hahaha I don't think I'd be able to publish it... Copyright laws and everything... But thanks!

 

I loved it! It was just as good as always :) I love reading about Axel, since he's my favorite character and all :)

 

Yay you put another chapter up! :D

I really love this story....and I love Saix and Demyx so its nice to see them,though Axel is my fav of all time XD

 

ok, your story is awesome so far, but i do have one thing i have to point out.

Heartless arent the remaining bodies. the Heartless are just hearts. the Nobodies are the bodies, as well as the "soul". it should be in KHII, that part when Sora & co are in Yen Sid's tower and Yen Sid is teaching Nobody 101.