Axel and Jason…bitter enemies since 84/3 days. But what exactly does Axel have against Jason?
First basement floor: Naminé looked distinctly red in the face. Jason's speech had caught her completely off guard, so she wasn't ready when Roxas came with the intention of wooing her. The end result being she now had a boyfriend, but no হৃদয় with which to প্রণয় him. But if anyone could give her a heart…
Fourth basement entrance hall: Xion nearly had a heart(?) attack when she saw Roxas waiting for her group. As usual, Jason took a quick look at the clock: 52hrs55mins. "Xion! Why are আপনি working for Jason? Axel hates him!" Roxas asked, clearly hurt(courtesy of Ventus's heart). «What am I, chopped liver?» Itzal asked to himself while sniffing for Selene's scent. Xion could not meet her friend's eyes, but said, "He's really in love! I don't think he deserves to have that taken away from him, Roxas." He took a few steps back at this statement. Roxas knew that it was thanks to Jason that he now had a girlfriend. But he didn't want to betray Axel! Which meant…Roxas used a World Card to open the door behind him. "If আপনি really feel that way, Xion, then tell it to his face!" he spat out as he walked inside. Xion chased after him, with Jason and Itzal trailing behind.
First floor: Larxene rolled her eyes. This again? She almost died because of their stupid war. Someone had saved her, but she never found out the person's identity. Nevertheless, she had no patience for this, she was going to take their war and shove it up…"Stop right there." Larxene turned to Saïx, who continued to stare at her coldly. "And why should I?" she returned. Saïx sneered at her. "I never did understand what motivates Lea…but whatever motivates him, including this war, is usually for a bigger purpose. So stand down and watch." Larxene grudgingly conceded the point and quit trying to escape her chains.
Agrabah: Jason groaned when he looked upon the desert landscape that was before them. "Is there something we should know?" Itzal asked. "Only that the brat is remembering something rather unpleasant. Am I right?" Everyone jumped at the sound of Axel's voice, Xion especially. "Face me!" Jason declared simply. "I would," Axel continued, "But I need to make sure আপনি haven't gone soft on me. Up ahead there will be two trails of my making. আপনি have to beat them both to reach me. If আপনি receive any help from either of your companions, আপনি will be disqualified. I'm giving আপনি three hours. Got it memorized?" Jason simply marched onwards, with Itzal following behind him. Xion was about to start running when Axel began talking, "Xion…I'm so disappointed in you. When the time is right, I hope আপনি remember who your বন্ধু really are." The replica sank to her knees in despair.
Larxene's memory: Was this what dying felt like? Her body was undamaged, whole, and was even could be described as hot. This did nothing to appease the pain in her heart, pain incomparable to any other kind. Arlene looked up at the evil redhead responsible for her current state, laying on the floor.
"It really amuses me, your pain." Emi Hana whispered into her ear, "I must admit, আপনি had bite. But আপনি could never beat me at my game." Arlene's eyes started to blur with tears. But there was one আরো hope…"I know what your thinking. But let me dash them right here and now. Oh, Kiyo-kun!" Arlene's heart, which has been pretty fragile, now shattered into twenty million pieces.
At Emi's call, came the smiling brunet that took away Arlene's heart, Kiyori Mamuro. "W-what are আপনি doing here?" he asked, clearly not wanted to believe what his girlfriend was doing. "I know what it looks like," Arlene shouted, "But I tried kill her because—" Emi's hand covered her mouth before she could finish telling the truth, that Arlene tried to kill Princess Emi was that Emi was evil, corrupt, twisted in the head. But the Princess clearly had other ideas. The মিনিট Arlene had entered the room, Emi started to talk. In just five minutes, she was on the floor, wanting to tear her ears out because of Emi's poisonous words.
"Oh, Kiyori," Emi breathed, the perfect picture of a damsel in distress, "As your closest friend besides Kimiko, I didn't want to tell আপনি the truth about your girlfriend, your precious Arlene. But…" A malicious gleam shone in Emi's eyes. "But this is all the proof আপনি need. She is a selfish স্বর্ণ digger who wanted to kill the both of us so she could get my fortune." She wanted to object to the lies, but her voice had deserted. "Oh, Kiyori. I wanted to spare you. I didn't want আপনি to see this." Kiyori looked uncertain, doubtful. "No, I know Arlene. I don't think she would do this, there must be a explanation!" Arlene's breath caught in her breath. Was there hope? Emi laid a shoulder on Kiyori's shoulder, and his eyes glazed over. The hope died. Emi was a lot of things, and a memory witch was one of them. "Vous êtes comme un malade, fille tordue." Arlene hissed in her native language, French. In Japanese(English) it meant "You are a sick, twisted girl." That her boyfriend was Japanese hadn't mattered to her. Emi smirked, and responded, "Peut-être. Mais je gagne." Maybe so. But I win. Emi left, hanging off of the arm of what was now Arlene's ex-boyfriend Kiyori.
Arlene had not gotten off the floor during the entire disaster. The pain in her chest made her feel like she was dying. She pounded the ground with her fist. What was the point your হৃদয় to someone? What was the point of uprooting your প্রথমপাতা to follow them? What was the point, if this is all আপনি had to প্রদর্শনী for it? When she looked up, she found herself surrounded দ্বারা creatures made of shadow. They stared at her with glowing amber eyes, scaring Arlene to no end. "Get away from me!" she screamed. They didn't listen. Instead, they engulfed her…
Cave of wonders: "All logic is officially gone." Jason agreed with Itzal's statement. The first locked door had led to this place, which made no sense because they were just outside. Now they appeared to be deep inside the cave of wonders. "This will be a test of your luck," Axel's voice echoed around the walls of the cave. Suddenly, the cave started to shake. "As in, you'll be lucky if আপনি get out of here alive. আপনি might want to get a সরানো on, but আপনি must take care of any obstacles yourself." The voice silenced. A boulder came down from the ceiling and almost crushed Itzal, but he got out of the way in time. "Damn you, Axel!" Jason shouted. The group ran up the stone stairs and out onto a long hallway. They ran as if they were going to die, which they might have if they stopped for even a second.
The first thing to pop out of the ground were stone spikes. Which would have be fine, but they were also on fire. "No use destroying them. Everyone, Aero-jump over them!" Jason ordered. All three of them collected Aero-magic below their feet and used it to propel themselves above the flaming spikes. The run continued, and there path was পরবর্তি blocked দ্বারা falling boulders. "Put up a Graviga shield!" Xion commanded. Jason supplied the actual spell power so that he could technically not be disqualified. The shield flattened the falling stones as soon as it touched them, leaving the path clear. The last part of the trail was that a good chunk of path was missing. But of course they could not afford to stop running. Itzal studied the situation impassively and ব্যক্ত nothing. Jason took this as a sign to keep running, and Xion decided to trust the both of them. For a single moment, Jason's হৃদয় stopped as he realized he was running over absolutely nothing. Before they knew it, they were on the other side. As the group was climbing up the stairs, they all looked at each other and smiled at each other, feeling closer than ever before.
Larxene's memory: The first thing she remembers is all the buildings. One look at all the buildings told her she was no longer in Hot Springs. The memories in her mind still stung, but much to her surprise she didn't feel the pain. In fact, she didn't feel anything. It was almost as if someone had scooped the হৃদয় right out of her. Which was a statement that was 100% percent accurate. Suddenly, a dark hole opened up in front of her, startling her. Out of it walked out an old man. An eyepatch covered one of his eyes, and he was wearing a black coat. He had black hair streaked with gray, which was tied in a ponytail in the back. "Who are you, Gramps?" Arlene asked. The "bite" she had was a healthy dose of sass, which oddly enough Kiyori found endearing. Once again there was a pang of memory, but no actual emotions. The man chuckled. "Gramps? Well then." Arlene took a moment to note how youthful the man sounded. "My name is Xigbar. If আপনি don't mind, I'd like আপনি to come with me. আপনি must have a lot of প্রশ্ন right now and I know exactly who to answer them…"
পরবর্তি thing she knew, she was in front of a tan man with long silver hair. One look at him told Arlene that he was evil, really evil. Now she was many things, but evil was not one of them. Nevertheless, Arlene knew now that she was a Nobody, a being without a হৃদয় অথবা emotions. She accepted the invitation to be part of the Organization. Now Xenmas had one final thing to take care…all of the sudden, the letters that made up Arlene were floating in the air, glowing faintly. "I gave আপনি purpose," Xenmas spoke softly, "Now I give আপনি a name." The letters started to spin, faster faster faster—An giant X burst between the letters, stopping them. The letters now read LarXene. She smiled. She had no problem throwing away her old name. Too much pain was connected to it…
One of the first Nobodys that the newly baptized Larxene ran into was Axel. One look at the mysterious redhead caused her body to react. Maybe Arlene may have had a problem with Redheads. But that person was gone. Larxene flirted with him, but was surprised when it got her nowhere. "Don't আপনি find me attractive?" she asked. Axel turned to her. "No, I'm just confused that আপনি would just talk to me for no reason," he explained, "I don't find your presence unappealing. I find it nothing." There was an awkward pause. "This দুর্গ is boring," Larxene stated, "Farewell, Axel." She left, leaving the redhead feeling distinctly confused…
The পরবর্তি Nobody she ran into was the member that had joined before her, Marluxia. They both found that they agreed on one thing: This দুর্গ was boring. "What is our role in this Organization, anyway?" Larxene asked her pink-haired companion. Marluxia outlined basic duties, and ended with the ultimate goal: To obtain their hearts once again. "After all, hearts are what give Somebodies their existence, their emotions. They are one of the most important things any person has, don't আপনি think?" Flashing through Larxene's head were images. The most recurring one was of her boyfriend Kiyori, with his eyes completely glazed over, and she kept hearing the same mocking words, "You could never beat me at my own game." "I think…having a হৃদয় is painful. We still live, just without the pain." Larxene responded, "Maybe we're better off as Nobodies." Marluxia's eyes widened. Obviously he was remembering his own past. He smiled as they started to walk together. "I was hoping আপনি would say that. I was testing you, and now that আপনি have proven yourself, we can overthrow this stuffy Organization…"
Bazaar: The group পরবর্তি found themselves in among tons of market stalls. "This পরবর্তি trail will test your resourcefulness. The Keycards that will lead to me are hidden in one of the stalls. All আপনি have to do is find them. Here are the rules: Only Jason can look for the Keycards. Of course, the three ঘন্টা has to be observed. But as for the two groupies, they can be the bodyguards. Got it memorized?" Jason and Itzal nodded while Xion held back tears at Axel's brutal treatment. But then it occurred to her, "Wait bodyguards? What are we protecting Jason from?" The প্রশ্ন was answered when the white fins started to poke out of the sand. This was Axel's signature Nobodies, Assassins. "I'm sorry…" Xion whimpered as she summoned her Keyblade. "Don't lose your logic, Xion." Itzal stated as he drew his weapon, "This was merely planned to add dramatic tension. আপনি did not call them with your voice."
Jason ঘুঘু into the nearest market stall. He searched every nook and cranny of the stall before declaring it empty. To differentiate it from the countless other stalls, he tore the canvas shading it and scratched up the sides. He ঘুঘু into the পরবর্তি stall without a second's hesitation. Meanwhile, Itzal and Xion were desperately trying to fight off the Assassins. Silver glinted off of both of their weapons as they danced around their foes. Itzal found it easy to fight them with his specially made Bo Staff. Even so, it was Xion that killed the most of them. Every time her Keyblade flashed, it meant the death of another Assassin. It helped that she accented her strikes with various spells. But as the battle dragged on, they found themselves at a distinct disadvantage. Finally, Itzal was forced to hold them off with an illusion. "Jason, have আপনি found they key cards yet?" he asked. Just as Itzal spoke up, Jason's fist thrust into the air in victory. Before the group left, Xion shot Itzal a look that said, "Oh, and I suppose this was planned as well?" He groaned. Logic was so hard to teach when this kind of thing happened.
Larxene's memory: দুর্গ Oblivion. In her mind, it represented a final confrontation with her past. If she could overthrow the Organization with Marluxia, then that meant that Arlene was truly gone forever, and Larxene could begin anew. Even so, it was disturbing just how many peaces of her past seemed to be প্রদর্শিত হচ্ছে up in other forms.
Naminé, for example. She was a memory witch just like Emi. Then there was the so called Keyblade wielder, Sora. Spiky brunet hair, pure heart, sunny disposition that seemed to naturally attract people to him…too many parallels to Kiyori Mamuro for comfort.
But bringing her comfort were Marluxia and Axel. The Graceful Assassin had become the closest thing she had to a friend. She even trusted him enough to tell him about her past. Marluxia responded much the same, leaving Larxene deeply disturbed. The pink-haired man had a pretty twisted past. Since meeting him, she had continued flirting with Axel. The Nobody was attractive. Something in Larxene knew that he couldn't be trusted. But maybe that was why she hung around him. So she couldn't set herself up for disappointment.
………
A single kick was all they it took to send Sora flying across the room. "Unfortunely, I'm one of the bad guys, so আপনি have to get past me!" Larxene exclaimed dramatically. In the back of the head, she realized that Emi was right. Watching people in pain was fun! She hadn't gone completely evil like her. But Larxene could confidently say that she would never be fooled like that again. No, because she would hurt people long before they could hurt her. She would have anything to watch Emi writhe in pain…
………
She watched the Riku Replica charge at her. She batted it aside without the slightest effort. "Did আপনি really think আপনি could scratch me?" Larxene scoffed, "But look on the bright side. Naminé will erase the memory of me hitting আপনি along with everything else. And she will give আপনি the loveliest memories আপনি could hope for." Larxene briefly wished for the same thing, but the reason she hadn't asked was because if আপনি didn't learn from history, আপনি were doomed to repeat it. A look of pure terror crossed his face a she approached. "No."
"No."
"NNNNNOOOOO!"
………
It couldn't be. But it was true. Once again, just when she thought that she had something good going, a memory witch ruined it! Not only that, but it was set off দ্বারা the betrayal of a redhead. This time, Axel. Sora's words drilled into her head. They were so full of light and hope. They reminded her of…Kiyori. Larxene advanced upon the downed Keyblade wielder. "You are going down alone!" she screamed as she prepared to kill him. But before she could finish him off, a shield came out of nowhere and bashed into her. Sora's বন্ধু had arrived as backup. Larxene prepared her knives again to battle…
………
Correction. This is what dying felt like. Every part of her hurt except her heart, because she didn't have one.
"I think… I think I'm fading?"
She asked the প্রশ্ন to everyone, to no one. To herself, to Sora, to Axel, to Marluxia, to Emi, to Kimiko, to Kiyori. It took a while for it to sink in that the answer was yes, she was fading.
"No… this isn't the way I…"
She tried to grab on to the parts of her that were fading. «This isn't the way I wanted things to end,» Larxene finished in her head. «Not back then, not now. Back then, I was supposed to expose that sick, twisted liar Emi. Now, I was supposed to make Sora a puppet so Mar Mar and I could overthrow the Organization.»
"I won't… Allow!" Larxene bent over, gripping her sides. «I won't allow আপনি to win!» In her minds eye, she saw that mocking smile Emi Hana had when she revealed her trump card. Arlene's own boyfriend. «I won't allow আপনি to win!»
Then, there was nothing.
Palace gates: Axel and the Serenna replica awaited the groups arrival. "Where's Roxas?" Xion asked. Axel refused to look her in the eye, but Serenna answered, "He had to go attend matters on his own basement floor." Completely ignoring Xion and Itzal, Axel approached Jason. "So. আপনি really do প্রণয় her." His statement caught him off guard, but Jason managed to respond, "Yeah, why do আপনি care? You've trying to kill me for a while now." Axel spread his arms wide. "If আপনি can defeat me, I'll tell you." His chakrams burst into fiery existence. "But I have three আরো words for you: Burn, baby, burn!"
Xion and Itzal tried to rush to his aide, but their path was blocked দ্বারা the Serenna replica. Xion summoned her Keyblade and began to confront her. The two fought close range, with the Serenna replica wielding her Bo staff as skillfully as the real one. For a while they seemed to be deadlocked, as metal kissed wood in repeated encounters. But then Serenna managed to disarm Xion. "You really shouldn't have betrayed Axel," she sneered as she prepared the finishing blow. Xion watched in horror as her fellow replica prepared to kill her…and was promptly stabbed through the chest. The wielder of the blade was Itzal, who had tears running down his eyes. "I know that is not my mother I'm stabbing," he murmured quietly, "But I can't help but feel as though I have," The Serenna replica, which had collapsed on the ground, turned to face him. "I—I have a son?" she asked faintly. Itzal nodded as he held her hand. They stayed that way for a good five মিনিট as the Serenna replica faded into the Darkness. Finally, there was nothing and Itzal was alone. He looked আরো miserable at that moment than Xion ever saw anyone. Her fists clenched in anger. That what was the last straw. Best friend অথবা not, Axel had hell to pay. She turned to the battle fully intending to to interfere…only to find that to do so was a bad, bad idea.
Ten মিনিট earlier: "Burn, baby burn!" Those three words set off what Jason could only describe at chaos, and obscene amounts of fire. His chakrams, of course, were on fire. Axel began a bullet speed series of attacks. Jason didn't bother to use the Larxene card because like Marluxia, Axel knew most of her moves. He had the Marluxia and Vexen cards but no clue as to what they did. «Vexen is an ice elemental, so using it would be a bad idea,» Jason mused, «Marluxia is ফুল elemental, so that would be equally bad. Meh, what do I have to lose?» He took the Marluxia card and slapped it to chest. It sank in but no other noticeable changes took place. At that moment, Axel snapped his fingers, and an explosion erupted right in the center of Jason.
First floor: "Nnnnnnoooo!" everyone but Zexion and Larxene screamed. "Don't আপনি care about my son, আপনি frigid bitch?!" Nicole yelled at the impassive blonde. She turned to the redhead mother. "How ever much I do অথবা don't care is none of your concern," she responded cooly, "But he's fine. My deceased friend saw to that."
Palace gates: Jason opened his eyes to find himself completely unharmed. "Marluxia!" Axel breathed in surprise, "That card of his saved you." He resummoned his chakrams. "But that card won't last forever." The Flurry of Dancing Flames attacked, as Jason let his reflexes take over movement while concentrating on attack. The two danced among the palace grounds, little bursts of flame signifying where there attacks met. The Marluxia card, which rendered all elemental attacks harmless, protected Jason from Axel's flames. But the chakrams themselves still did damage, and Jason was able to slip under his guard every so often to cut him up. Axel leapt back and landed a good distance away. "Firetooth…" He threw his chakrams, which multiplied into four in midair and flew right at Jason. He ducked under them and renewed his assault, but much to his suprise they bounced off of the surrounding walls. One of the original chakrams embedded itself right into Jason's back. He threw his head and gave an almighty scream of pain. Axel smiled. "I hope that didn't hurt too much. Be if it did, I may as well put আপনি out of your misery." Axel threw his other chakram at him, only for Jason to deflect it with his knives. The Nobody caught his weapon, and the pause took one সেকেন্ড too long…"Blizzagun." The giant sheet of ice blossomed out of the knives and wrapped Axel up tighter than a cocoon. Jason looked down at him in contempt. "You're weak against Blizzard spells? Really?" He grinned sheepishly. Jason tried to walk, but his entire body was seized দ্বারা fatigue and pain. His vision started to blur. He had used up all his Cure spells at some point during the battle, but Axel was proving to be the toughest opponent he had ever fought. «If he's just the Fourth Basement…the only Nobodies left are Xaldin-Sensei, Roxas, and Xenmas himself. Can I really win this?» Axel broke out of the sheet ice and advanced upon him. The pain in Jason's body started to get worse. «Is this what dying feels like?» he asked to himself. Axel hurled his chakrams again, and they both made brisk contact with Jason, sending him flying. When he landed, he became aware of the fact that he was bleeding all over his body. With the last of his strength, Jason took out the Vexen out and slapped it on his chest. Axel sneered at the fallen boy. "Goodbye." He snapped his fingers, and once again an explosion engulfed Jason, except this time it was tearing his body apart…
First floor: Everyone watched in horror as the explosion cleared. In the center of a crater was Jason, beaten broken and bloody. He wasn't breathing. Zexion and James turned their heads away while the women started to cry. Larxene happened to look through the tears…"You old fart. I guess this means আপনি repaid your debt." The old fart in question, Vexen, scowled but said, "Indeed I have. What of it, Number XII?" She motioned Vexen to kneel close to her, which he did. She kissed his cheek and whispered into his ear, "Thank আপনি so much. And don't ever tell anyone I did this." Vexen nodded as he stood up straight, looking as impassive as ever.
Palace gates: A warm white light surrounded Jason's battered and bruised body. It felt so incredibly warm, and it was making the pain go away. «This look familiar…like when I thought I beat Vexen but this light brought him! Vexen's card is bringing me back!» He stood back on his feet, looking at himself. He was mostly but not completely healed. Jason drank an ether to restore some of his magic, and used a Cure spell to take care of the rest of his wounds. He saw Axel walking away. A Larxenish grin spread on Jason's face…
Intense pain exploded on the back of Axel's head. He placed a bad back there to discover that most of the hair there was scorched off দ্বারা a Thunder spell. He looked behind him in time for his face to connect with Jason's fist. The পরবর্তি five মিনিট were as much of a blur as Jason's fists, hitting every last inch of Axel's body that they could reach. When the beating ended, Axel tottered briefly, then fell flat on his back. He became dimly aware of Jason standing over him. "Why." he asked softly, "What did I ever do to you, that it was worth killing me over?" Axel chuckled ruefully. "I'm beaten, humiliated, and have হারিয়ে গেছে most of the hair on the back of my head. This has to be the lowest point I have ever reached. And I've done pretty low things. I'm not going to repeat my story twice. Got it memorized?" Jason nodded, feeling exasperated.
"Since becoming Axel, my life has just been one long line of me betraying people, either at other people's orders অথবা to protect my friends. And this is where it's led me. I betrayed Marluxia and Larxene in the name of the Organization and Isa. Then I betrayed Isa in the name of Roxas and Xion. After that I betrayed Xion in the name of in the name of Roxas. And when I pushed off the clock tower, Jason…that was in the name in Larxene." The redhead in প্রশ্ন raised his eyebrows.
Axel continued his tale: "It all started after Organization XIII was revived, including myself. I got back together with Xion and Roxas, and they forgave me. After we became বন্ধু again, I ran into Larxene and Marluxia again. I thought they were going to kill me after দুর্গ Oblivion, but much to my suprise they both forgave me as well. I found this really suspicious, so I went through Marluxia's journal. It pointed to Larxene, so I went through her journal as well." It was at that point that Jason knew Axel was telling the truth. Those words were so suicidal that they could only be true. "While পাঠ করা her journal, I discovered that it was because I'm such a low scum that she hangs around with me." he grinned ruefully. "Apparently, she had a brunet boyfriend, back when she was a Somebody, named Kiyori Mamuro. But a memory witch caused him to betray her. I realized that she found reassurance in the fact that I was likey to betray her. I was someone she could trust to not trust. But then আপনি showed up."
Jason held his breath as Axel came to the point of the story. "I was surprised when Larxene brought someone that looked just like me before Organization XIII. But it had nothing to do with me, so I observed calmly while she tried to break your spirit. But instead of breaking your spirit, she ended up falling in প্রণয় with you, Jason. I'll admit at first I was jealous of you. I was convinced I was better than you. But what I was really doing was keeping Larxene from becoming hurt again. It's also why I never answered her flirting. So to answer your question, the reason I tried to kill আপনি is the same reason I do anything. Because I care so much."
First floor: Axel's monitor erupted in a storm of static and turned off. At this point most of the monitors were off. As predicted earlier, only three monitors were left functioning: Xaldin, Roxas, and Xenmas. The clock read: 51hrs13mins.
Palace gates: After Axel passed out, Jason realized that he had company. "You guys heard every word of that, right?" When no answered, he looked up to find himself surround দ্বারা various people: Xion, Itzal, Roxas, and Larxene. Jason looked each of them in the eyes as he asked, "I will never become Axel's friend, not after what he's put me through. But after hearing his honest reasoning behind his actions, the least I can do is forgive him. What about the rest of you? Do আপনি forgive him?" Roxas and Xion looked at each other briefly before nodding. Roxas opened a Dark Corridor and walked through, much to everyone's suprise. Itzal stepped অগ্রবর্তী before saying, "I knew he was low. He simply fulfilled my expectations, so I forgive him." Everyone looked at the Savage Nymph. She smiled. "The blabbermouth is going to have to answer to me eventually," everyone shuddered, much to Larxene's amusement. She continued, "But everything he ব্যক্ত was true. But what he forgot to mention that I really don't care about my past anymore." Her fingers tickled the bottom of Jason's chin. "And you're the reason why. At first I didn't tell আপনি about Kiyori because it was none of your beeswax. But then আপনি got under my skin, and I'm not lame enough to talk about my ex-boyfriend to my current boyfriend. So yes, I forgive this moron. But could আপনি inform him that he doesn't know everything me? There won't ever be a person who could safely assume that."
After Larxene finished her speech, she headed towards the World exit. Itzal looked at Jason and stated, "You have a long, hard path ahead." Jason smiled at his future wife. "I know. But I প্রণয় her." Xion sighed contentedly. "I think it's sweet. But why did Roxas leave Axel here?" The two males looked at the redhead, who was still unconscious. Jason shrugged. "Just leave him. He'll wake up eventually, and what's the worse that could happen to him?" Itzal agreed, and Xion was forced to leave her friend অথবা get left behind. Together they followed Larxene to the পরবর্তি floor.
Konoha: Kiyori Mamuro opened his eyes. It was about three in the morning, and he didn't know why but he had a feeling he should remember something special, but it kept escaping him. "Kiyo-chan, something wrong?" Kimiko asked from her half of the bed. "I think it has something to do with Emi," Kiyori murmured, referring to his first girlfriend who looked innocent but was actually a sick twisted memory witch. Wait, first girlfriend? Something about that didn't seem right…the sapphic blonde grunted. "If we spend enough time, all your problems can be traced back to Emi. Go back to sleep." Kimiko drifted back into her dreams. Kiyori looked at his best friend, and while staring at her blonde curls an ember of memory started to spark. «I can almost remember…» A face floated into his mind, playful. «Just a little more…» And then a name. «Ar-Arlene?» But then Emi's magic kicked in, and Kiyori হারিয়ে গেছে both the memory and consciousness. Maybe once, but no more.
Palace gates: Axel thought at first that he was alone when he woke up. But when he looked up, he saw someone in an Organization ছদ্মবেশ not two feet away from him. He tried to get up but his body was too beat up. "Who are you?" Axel asked. The figure took off its hood, revealing the face of a young girl. She had a playful face with a sarcastic grin and a cute button nose. Her eyes were a mossy blue-green, and she had straight blonde hair with red streaks. "Who do আপনি think I am?" she asked. Axel frowned. She seemed familiar, but…"I'm sorry, but if আপনি could—" The words were cut off when the mystery girl put her fingers to his lips. In that moment, he knew. "That's right, I'm Larxene's daughter Selene," Selene informed Axel. He raised his eyebrows. "Wait, but that means your father is Jason!" Selene began to drag him away. "Right again! আপনি know, Uncle Axel, I don't appreciate how many times you've tried to kill me." Axel began to sweat. "You wouldn't kill me, your father forgave me." Selene smiled. "You're right, I won't kill you. Just make আপনি wish আপনি were dead." Axel began to sob quietly. Karma, thy name is Selene.
Fourth basement exit hall: As Jason, Xion, and Itzal slept. Watching over them was Larxene, because she had slept earlier during her chain imprisonment. She studied Jason briefly before continuing her watch. When he had forgiven Axel, and asked everyone else if they could forgive him, that had reminded Larxene of Kiyori. The brunet had also been ready to forgive people if they humbled themselves. Jason and Kiyori…Kiyori and Jason. They were nothing alike, but they also had little things in common. Sometimes, Larxene wondered if they were related. Technically, Jason and Kiyori were siblings, but the reason no one knew that was because they lived in different universes.
The toughest challenges were yet to come.
Destiny Islands: "Sora!" The brunet Keyblade wielder looked up to see King Mickey running up to him in a panic. "What's wrong, your Majesty?" Sora asked. "I need আপনি to get to দুর্গ Oblivion. We thought it was abandoned after the আপনি defeated Organization XIII. But a couple of days পূর্বে we detected some activity." Sora didn't wait around. "Kairi, Riku." His two best বন্ধু looked up, "Let's go. If they're back, that can't be good."
Long chapter is long. Putting Kiyori in Larxene's past was a decision a made on the fly. Are আপনি excited, Serenna? Only the finalists are left! (^-^).
First basement floor: Naminé looked distinctly red in the face. Jason's speech had caught her completely off guard, so she wasn't ready when Roxas came with the intention of wooing her. The end result being she now had a boyfriend, but no হৃদয় with which to প্রণয় him. But if anyone could give her a heart…
Fourth basement entrance hall: Xion nearly had a heart(?) attack when she saw Roxas waiting for her group. As usual, Jason took a quick look at the clock: 52hrs55mins. "Xion! Why are আপনি working for Jason? Axel hates him!" Roxas asked, clearly hurt(courtesy of Ventus's heart). «What am I, chopped liver?» Itzal asked to himself while sniffing for Selene's scent. Xion could not meet her friend's eyes, but said, "He's really in love! I don't think he deserves to have that taken away from him, Roxas." He took a few steps back at this statement. Roxas knew that it was thanks to Jason that he now had a girlfriend. But he didn't want to betray Axel! Which meant…Roxas used a World Card to open the door behind him. "If আপনি really feel that way, Xion, then tell it to his face!" he spat out as he walked inside. Xion chased after him, with Jason and Itzal trailing behind.
First floor: Larxene rolled her eyes. This again? She almost died because of their stupid war. Someone had saved her, but she never found out the person's identity. Nevertheless, she had no patience for this, she was going to take their war and shove it up…"Stop right there." Larxene turned to Saïx, who continued to stare at her coldly. "And why should I?" she returned. Saïx sneered at her. "I never did understand what motivates Lea…but whatever motivates him, including this war, is usually for a bigger purpose. So stand down and watch." Larxene grudgingly conceded the point and quit trying to escape her chains.
Agrabah: Jason groaned when he looked upon the desert landscape that was before them. "Is there something we should know?" Itzal asked. "Only that the brat is remembering something rather unpleasant. Am I right?" Everyone jumped at the sound of Axel's voice, Xion especially. "Face me!" Jason declared simply. "I would," Axel continued, "But I need to make sure আপনি haven't gone soft on me. Up ahead there will be two trails of my making. আপনি have to beat them both to reach me. If আপনি receive any help from either of your companions, আপনি will be disqualified. I'm giving আপনি three hours. Got it memorized?" Jason simply marched onwards, with Itzal following behind him. Xion was about to start running when Axel began talking, "Xion…I'm so disappointed in you. When the time is right, I hope আপনি remember who your বন্ধু really are." The replica sank to her knees in despair.
Larxene's memory: Was this what dying felt like? Her body was undamaged, whole, and was even could be described as hot. This did nothing to appease the pain in her heart, pain incomparable to any other kind. Arlene looked up at the evil redhead responsible for her current state, laying on the floor.
"It really amuses me, your pain." Emi Hana whispered into her ear, "I must admit, আপনি had bite. But আপনি could never beat me at my game." Arlene's eyes started to blur with tears. But there was one আরো hope…"I know what your thinking. But let me dash them right here and now. Oh, Kiyo-kun!" Arlene's heart, which has been pretty fragile, now shattered into twenty million pieces.
At Emi's call, came the smiling brunet that took away Arlene's heart, Kiyori Mamuro. "W-what are আপনি doing here?" he asked, clearly not wanted to believe what his girlfriend was doing. "I know what it looks like," Arlene shouted, "But I tried kill her because—" Emi's hand covered her mouth before she could finish telling the truth, that Arlene tried to kill Princess Emi was that Emi was evil, corrupt, twisted in the head. But the Princess clearly had other ideas. The মিনিট Arlene had entered the room, Emi started to talk. In just five minutes, she was on the floor, wanting to tear her ears out because of Emi's poisonous words.
"Oh, Kiyori," Emi breathed, the perfect picture of a damsel in distress, "As your closest friend besides Kimiko, I didn't want to tell আপনি the truth about your girlfriend, your precious Arlene. But…" A malicious gleam shone in Emi's eyes. "But this is all the proof আপনি need. She is a selfish স্বর্ণ digger who wanted to kill the both of us so she could get my fortune." She wanted to object to the lies, but her voice had deserted. "Oh, Kiyori. I wanted to spare you. I didn't want আপনি to see this." Kiyori looked uncertain, doubtful. "No, I know Arlene. I don't think she would do this, there must be a explanation!" Arlene's breath caught in her breath. Was there hope? Emi laid a shoulder on Kiyori's shoulder, and his eyes glazed over. The hope died. Emi was a lot of things, and a memory witch was one of them. "Vous êtes comme un malade, fille tordue." Arlene hissed in her native language, French. In Japanese(English) it meant "You are a sick, twisted girl." That her boyfriend was Japanese hadn't mattered to her. Emi smirked, and responded, "Peut-être. Mais je gagne." Maybe so. But I win. Emi left, hanging off of the arm of what was now Arlene's ex-boyfriend Kiyori.
Arlene had not gotten off the floor during the entire disaster. The pain in her chest made her feel like she was dying. She pounded the ground with her fist. What was the point your হৃদয় to someone? What was the point of uprooting your প্রথমপাতা to follow them? What was the point, if this is all আপনি had to প্রদর্শনী for it? When she looked up, she found herself surrounded দ্বারা creatures made of shadow. They stared at her with glowing amber eyes, scaring Arlene to no end. "Get away from me!" she screamed. They didn't listen. Instead, they engulfed her…
Cave of wonders: "All logic is officially gone." Jason agreed with Itzal's statement. The first locked door had led to this place, which made no sense because they were just outside. Now they appeared to be deep inside the cave of wonders. "This will be a test of your luck," Axel's voice echoed around the walls of the cave. Suddenly, the cave started to shake. "As in, you'll be lucky if আপনি get out of here alive. আপনি might want to get a সরানো on, but আপনি must take care of any obstacles yourself." The voice silenced. A boulder came down from the ceiling and almost crushed Itzal, but he got out of the way in time. "Damn you, Axel!" Jason shouted. The group ran up the stone stairs and out onto a long hallway. They ran as if they were going to die, which they might have if they stopped for even a second.
The first thing to pop out of the ground were stone spikes. Which would have be fine, but they were also on fire. "No use destroying them. Everyone, Aero-jump over them!" Jason ordered. All three of them collected Aero-magic below their feet and used it to propel themselves above the flaming spikes. The run continued, and there path was পরবর্তি blocked দ্বারা falling boulders. "Put up a Graviga shield!" Xion commanded. Jason supplied the actual spell power so that he could technically not be disqualified. The shield flattened the falling stones as soon as it touched them, leaving the path clear. The last part of the trail was that a good chunk of path was missing. But of course they could not afford to stop running. Itzal studied the situation impassively and ব্যক্ত nothing. Jason took this as a sign to keep running, and Xion decided to trust the both of them. For a single moment, Jason's হৃদয় stopped as he realized he was running over absolutely nothing. Before they knew it, they were on the other side. As the group was climbing up the stairs, they all looked at each other and smiled at each other, feeling closer than ever before.
Larxene's memory: The first thing she remembers is all the buildings. One look at all the buildings told her she was no longer in Hot Springs. The memories in her mind still stung, but much to her surprise she didn't feel the pain. In fact, she didn't feel anything. It was almost as if someone had scooped the হৃদয় right out of her. Which was a statement that was 100% percent accurate. Suddenly, a dark hole opened up in front of her, startling her. Out of it walked out an old man. An eyepatch covered one of his eyes, and he was wearing a black coat. He had black hair streaked with gray, which was tied in a ponytail in the back. "Who are you, Gramps?" Arlene asked. The "bite" she had was a healthy dose of sass, which oddly enough Kiyori found endearing. Once again there was a pang of memory, but no actual emotions. The man chuckled. "Gramps? Well then." Arlene took a moment to note how youthful the man sounded. "My name is Xigbar. If আপনি don't mind, I'd like আপনি to come with me. আপনি must have a lot of প্রশ্ন right now and I know exactly who to answer them…"
পরবর্তি thing she knew, she was in front of a tan man with long silver hair. One look at him told Arlene that he was evil, really evil. Now she was many things, but evil was not one of them. Nevertheless, Arlene knew now that she was a Nobody, a being without a হৃদয় অথবা emotions. She accepted the invitation to be part of the Organization. Now Xenmas had one final thing to take care…all of the sudden, the letters that made up Arlene were floating in the air, glowing faintly. "I gave আপনি purpose," Xenmas spoke softly, "Now I give আপনি a name." The letters started to spin, faster faster faster—An giant X burst between the letters, stopping them. The letters now read LarXene. She smiled. She had no problem throwing away her old name. Too much pain was connected to it…
One of the first Nobodys that the newly baptized Larxene ran into was Axel. One look at the mysterious redhead caused her body to react. Maybe Arlene may have had a problem with Redheads. But that person was gone. Larxene flirted with him, but was surprised when it got her nowhere. "Don't আপনি find me attractive?" she asked. Axel turned to her. "No, I'm just confused that আপনি would just talk to me for no reason," he explained, "I don't find your presence unappealing. I find it nothing." There was an awkward pause. "This দুর্গ is boring," Larxene stated, "Farewell, Axel." She left, leaving the redhead feeling distinctly confused…
The পরবর্তি Nobody she ran into was the member that had joined before her, Marluxia. They both found that they agreed on one thing: This দুর্গ was boring. "What is our role in this Organization, anyway?" Larxene asked her pink-haired companion. Marluxia outlined basic duties, and ended with the ultimate goal: To obtain their hearts once again. "After all, hearts are what give Somebodies their existence, their emotions. They are one of the most important things any person has, don't আপনি think?" Flashing through Larxene's head were images. The most recurring one was of her boyfriend Kiyori, with his eyes completely glazed over, and she kept hearing the same mocking words, "You could never beat me at my own game." "I think…having a হৃদয় is painful. We still live, just without the pain." Larxene responded, "Maybe we're better off as Nobodies." Marluxia's eyes widened. Obviously he was remembering his own past. He smiled as they started to walk together. "I was hoping আপনি would say that. I was testing you, and now that আপনি have proven yourself, we can overthrow this stuffy Organization…"
Bazaar: The group পরবর্তি found themselves in among tons of market stalls. "This পরবর্তি trail will test your resourcefulness. The Keycards that will lead to me are hidden in one of the stalls. All আপনি have to do is find them. Here are the rules: Only Jason can look for the Keycards. Of course, the three ঘন্টা has to be observed. But as for the two groupies, they can be the bodyguards. Got it memorized?" Jason and Itzal nodded while Xion held back tears at Axel's brutal treatment. But then it occurred to her, "Wait bodyguards? What are we protecting Jason from?" The প্রশ্ন was answered when the white fins started to poke out of the sand. This was Axel's signature Nobodies, Assassins. "I'm sorry…" Xion whimpered as she summoned her Keyblade. "Don't lose your logic, Xion." Itzal stated as he drew his weapon, "This was merely planned to add dramatic tension. আপনি did not call them with your voice."
Jason ঘুঘু into the nearest market stall. He searched every nook and cranny of the stall before declaring it empty. To differentiate it from the countless other stalls, he tore the canvas shading it and scratched up the sides. He ঘুঘু into the পরবর্তি stall without a second's hesitation. Meanwhile, Itzal and Xion were desperately trying to fight off the Assassins. Silver glinted off of both of their weapons as they danced around their foes. Itzal found it easy to fight them with his specially made Bo Staff. Even so, it was Xion that killed the most of them. Every time her Keyblade flashed, it meant the death of another Assassin. It helped that she accented her strikes with various spells. But as the battle dragged on, they found themselves at a distinct disadvantage. Finally, Itzal was forced to hold them off with an illusion. "Jason, have আপনি found they key cards yet?" he asked. Just as Itzal spoke up, Jason's fist thrust into the air in victory. Before the group left, Xion shot Itzal a look that said, "Oh, and I suppose this was planned as well?" He groaned. Logic was so hard to teach when this kind of thing happened.
Larxene's memory: দুর্গ Oblivion. In her mind, it represented a final confrontation with her past. If she could overthrow the Organization with Marluxia, then that meant that Arlene was truly gone forever, and Larxene could begin anew. Even so, it was disturbing just how many peaces of her past seemed to be প্রদর্শিত হচ্ছে up in other forms.
Naminé, for example. She was a memory witch just like Emi. Then there was the so called Keyblade wielder, Sora. Spiky brunet hair, pure heart, sunny disposition that seemed to naturally attract people to him…too many parallels to Kiyori Mamuro for comfort.
But bringing her comfort were Marluxia and Axel. The Graceful Assassin had become the closest thing she had to a friend. She even trusted him enough to tell him about her past. Marluxia responded much the same, leaving Larxene deeply disturbed. The pink-haired man had a pretty twisted past. Since meeting him, she had continued flirting with Axel. The Nobody was attractive. Something in Larxene knew that he couldn't be trusted. But maybe that was why she hung around him. So she couldn't set herself up for disappointment.
………
A single kick was all they it took to send Sora flying across the room. "Unfortunely, I'm one of the bad guys, so আপনি have to get past me!" Larxene exclaimed dramatically. In the back of the head, she realized that Emi was right. Watching people in pain was fun! She hadn't gone completely evil like her. But Larxene could confidently say that she would never be fooled like that again. No, because she would hurt people long before they could hurt her. She would have anything to watch Emi writhe in pain…
………
She watched the Riku Replica charge at her. She batted it aside without the slightest effort. "Did আপনি really think আপনি could scratch me?" Larxene scoffed, "But look on the bright side. Naminé will erase the memory of me hitting আপনি along with everything else. And she will give আপনি the loveliest memories আপনি could hope for." Larxene briefly wished for the same thing, but the reason she hadn't asked was because if আপনি didn't learn from history, আপনি were doomed to repeat it. A look of pure terror crossed his face a she approached. "No."
"No."
"NNNNNOOOOO!"
………
It couldn't be. But it was true. Once again, just when she thought that she had something good going, a memory witch ruined it! Not only that, but it was set off দ্বারা the betrayal of a redhead. This time, Axel. Sora's words drilled into her head. They were so full of light and hope. They reminded her of…Kiyori. Larxene advanced upon the downed Keyblade wielder. "You are going down alone!" she screamed as she prepared to kill him. But before she could finish him off, a shield came out of nowhere and bashed into her. Sora's বন্ধু had arrived as backup. Larxene prepared her knives again to battle…
………
Correction. This is what dying felt like. Every part of her hurt except her heart, because she didn't have one.
"I think… I think I'm fading?"
She asked the প্রশ্ন to everyone, to no one. To herself, to Sora, to Axel, to Marluxia, to Emi, to Kimiko, to Kiyori. It took a while for it to sink in that the answer was yes, she was fading.
"No… this isn't the way I…"
She tried to grab on to the parts of her that were fading. «This isn't the way I wanted things to end,» Larxene finished in her head. «Not back then, not now. Back then, I was supposed to expose that sick, twisted liar Emi. Now, I was supposed to make Sora a puppet so Mar Mar and I could overthrow the Organization.»
"I won't… Allow!" Larxene bent over, gripping her sides. «I won't allow আপনি to win!» In her minds eye, she saw that mocking smile Emi Hana had when she revealed her trump card. Arlene's own boyfriend. «I won't allow আপনি to win!»
Then, there was nothing.
Palace gates: Axel and the Serenna replica awaited the groups arrival. "Where's Roxas?" Xion asked. Axel refused to look her in the eye, but Serenna answered, "He had to go attend matters on his own basement floor." Completely ignoring Xion and Itzal, Axel approached Jason. "So. আপনি really do প্রণয় her." His statement caught him off guard, but Jason managed to respond, "Yeah, why do আপনি care? You've trying to kill me for a while now." Axel spread his arms wide. "If আপনি can defeat me, I'll tell you." His chakrams burst into fiery existence. "But I have three আরো words for you: Burn, baby, burn!"
Xion and Itzal tried to rush to his aide, but their path was blocked দ্বারা the Serenna replica. Xion summoned her Keyblade and began to confront her. The two fought close range, with the Serenna replica wielding her Bo staff as skillfully as the real one. For a while they seemed to be deadlocked, as metal kissed wood in repeated encounters. But then Serenna managed to disarm Xion. "You really shouldn't have betrayed Axel," she sneered as she prepared the finishing blow. Xion watched in horror as her fellow replica prepared to kill her…and was promptly stabbed through the chest. The wielder of the blade was Itzal, who had tears running down his eyes. "I know that is not my mother I'm stabbing," he murmured quietly, "But I can't help but feel as though I have," The Serenna replica, which had collapsed on the ground, turned to face him. "I—I have a son?" she asked faintly. Itzal nodded as he held her hand. They stayed that way for a good five মিনিট as the Serenna replica faded into the Darkness. Finally, there was nothing and Itzal was alone. He looked আরো miserable at that moment than Xion ever saw anyone. Her fists clenched in anger. That what was the last straw. Best friend অথবা not, Axel had hell to pay. She turned to the battle fully intending to to interfere…only to find that to do so was a bad, bad idea.
Ten মিনিট earlier: "Burn, baby burn!" Those three words set off what Jason could only describe at chaos, and obscene amounts of fire. His chakrams, of course, were on fire. Axel began a bullet speed series of attacks. Jason didn't bother to use the Larxene card because like Marluxia, Axel knew most of her moves. He had the Marluxia and Vexen cards but no clue as to what they did. «Vexen is an ice elemental, so using it would be a bad idea,» Jason mused, «Marluxia is ফুল elemental, so that would be equally bad. Meh, what do I have to lose?» He took the Marluxia card and slapped it to chest. It sank in but no other noticeable changes took place. At that moment, Axel snapped his fingers, and an explosion erupted right in the center of Jason.
First floor: "Nnnnnnoooo!" everyone but Zexion and Larxene screamed. "Don't আপনি care about my son, আপনি frigid bitch?!" Nicole yelled at the impassive blonde. She turned to the redhead mother. "How ever much I do অথবা don't care is none of your concern," she responded cooly, "But he's fine. My deceased friend saw to that."
Palace gates: Jason opened his eyes to find himself completely unharmed. "Marluxia!" Axel breathed in surprise, "That card of his saved you." He resummoned his chakrams. "But that card won't last forever." The Flurry of Dancing Flames attacked, as Jason let his reflexes take over movement while concentrating on attack. The two danced among the palace grounds, little bursts of flame signifying where there attacks met. The Marluxia card, which rendered all elemental attacks harmless, protected Jason from Axel's flames. But the chakrams themselves still did damage, and Jason was able to slip under his guard every so often to cut him up. Axel leapt back and landed a good distance away. "Firetooth…" He threw his chakrams, which multiplied into four in midair and flew right at Jason. He ducked under them and renewed his assault, but much to his suprise they bounced off of the surrounding walls. One of the original chakrams embedded itself right into Jason's back. He threw his head and gave an almighty scream of pain. Axel smiled. "I hope that didn't hurt too much. Be if it did, I may as well put আপনি out of your misery." Axel threw his other chakram at him, only for Jason to deflect it with his knives. The Nobody caught his weapon, and the pause took one সেকেন্ড too long…"Blizzagun." The giant sheet of ice blossomed out of the knives and wrapped Axel up tighter than a cocoon. Jason looked down at him in contempt. "You're weak against Blizzard spells? Really?" He grinned sheepishly. Jason tried to walk, but his entire body was seized দ্বারা fatigue and pain. His vision started to blur. He had used up all his Cure spells at some point during the battle, but Axel was proving to be the toughest opponent he had ever fought. «If he's just the Fourth Basement…the only Nobodies left are Xaldin-Sensei, Roxas, and Xenmas himself. Can I really win this?» Axel broke out of the sheet ice and advanced upon him. The pain in Jason's body started to get worse. «Is this what dying feels like?» he asked to himself. Axel hurled his chakrams again, and they both made brisk contact with Jason, sending him flying. When he landed, he became aware of the fact that he was bleeding all over his body. With the last of his strength, Jason took out the Vexen out and slapped it on his chest. Axel sneered at the fallen boy. "Goodbye." He snapped his fingers, and once again an explosion engulfed Jason, except this time it was tearing his body apart…
First floor: Everyone watched in horror as the explosion cleared. In the center of a crater was Jason, beaten broken and bloody. He wasn't breathing. Zexion and James turned their heads away while the women started to cry. Larxene happened to look through the tears…"You old fart. I guess this means আপনি repaid your debt." The old fart in question, Vexen, scowled but said, "Indeed I have. What of it, Number XII?" She motioned Vexen to kneel close to her, which he did. She kissed his cheek and whispered into his ear, "Thank আপনি so much. And don't ever tell anyone I did this." Vexen nodded as he stood up straight, looking as impassive as ever.
Palace gates: A warm white light surrounded Jason's battered and bruised body. It felt so incredibly warm, and it was making the pain go away. «This look familiar…like when I thought I beat Vexen but this light brought him! Vexen's card is bringing me back!» He stood back on his feet, looking at himself. He was mostly but not completely healed. Jason drank an ether to restore some of his magic, and used a Cure spell to take care of the rest of his wounds. He saw Axel walking away. A Larxenish grin spread on Jason's face…
Intense pain exploded on the back of Axel's head. He placed a bad back there to discover that most of the hair there was scorched off দ্বারা a Thunder spell. He looked behind him in time for his face to connect with Jason's fist. The পরবর্তি five মিনিট were as much of a blur as Jason's fists, hitting every last inch of Axel's body that they could reach. When the beating ended, Axel tottered briefly, then fell flat on his back. He became dimly aware of Jason standing over him. "Why." he asked softly, "What did I ever do to you, that it was worth killing me over?" Axel chuckled ruefully. "I'm beaten, humiliated, and have হারিয়ে গেছে most of the hair on the back of my head. This has to be the lowest point I have ever reached. And I've done pretty low things. I'm not going to repeat my story twice. Got it memorized?" Jason nodded, feeling exasperated.
"Since becoming Axel, my life has just been one long line of me betraying people, either at other people's orders অথবা to protect my friends. And this is where it's led me. I betrayed Marluxia and Larxene in the name of the Organization and Isa. Then I betrayed Isa in the name of Roxas and Xion. After that I betrayed Xion in the name of in the name of Roxas. And when I pushed off the clock tower, Jason…that was in the name in Larxene." The redhead in প্রশ্ন raised his eyebrows.
Axel continued his tale: "It all started after Organization XIII was revived, including myself. I got back together with Xion and Roxas, and they forgave me. After we became বন্ধু again, I ran into Larxene and Marluxia again. I thought they were going to kill me after দুর্গ Oblivion, but much to my suprise they both forgave me as well. I found this really suspicious, so I went through Marluxia's journal. It pointed to Larxene, so I went through her journal as well." It was at that point that Jason knew Axel was telling the truth. Those words were so suicidal that they could only be true. "While পাঠ করা her journal, I discovered that it was because I'm such a low scum that she hangs around with me." he grinned ruefully. "Apparently, she had a brunet boyfriend, back when she was a Somebody, named Kiyori Mamuro. But a memory witch caused him to betray her. I realized that she found reassurance in the fact that I was likey to betray her. I was someone she could trust to not trust. But then আপনি showed up."
Jason held his breath as Axel came to the point of the story. "I was surprised when Larxene brought someone that looked just like me before Organization XIII. But it had nothing to do with me, so I observed calmly while she tried to break your spirit. But instead of breaking your spirit, she ended up falling in প্রণয় with you, Jason. I'll admit at first I was jealous of you. I was convinced I was better than you. But what I was really doing was keeping Larxene from becoming hurt again. It's also why I never answered her flirting. So to answer your question, the reason I tried to kill আপনি is the same reason I do anything. Because I care so much."
First floor: Axel's monitor erupted in a storm of static and turned off. At this point most of the monitors were off. As predicted earlier, only three monitors were left functioning: Xaldin, Roxas, and Xenmas. The clock read: 51hrs13mins.
Palace gates: After Axel passed out, Jason realized that he had company. "You guys heard every word of that, right?" When no answered, he looked up to find himself surround দ্বারা various people: Xion, Itzal, Roxas, and Larxene. Jason looked each of them in the eyes as he asked, "I will never become Axel's friend, not after what he's put me through. But after hearing his honest reasoning behind his actions, the least I can do is forgive him. What about the rest of you? Do আপনি forgive him?" Roxas and Xion looked at each other briefly before nodding. Roxas opened a Dark Corridor and walked through, much to everyone's suprise. Itzal stepped অগ্রবর্তী before saying, "I knew he was low. He simply fulfilled my expectations, so I forgive him." Everyone looked at the Savage Nymph. She smiled. "The blabbermouth is going to have to answer to me eventually," everyone shuddered, much to Larxene's amusement. She continued, "But everything he ব্যক্ত was true. But what he forgot to mention that I really don't care about my past anymore." Her fingers tickled the bottom of Jason's chin. "And you're the reason why. At first I didn't tell আপনি about Kiyori because it was none of your beeswax. But then আপনি got under my skin, and I'm not lame enough to talk about my ex-boyfriend to my current boyfriend. So yes, I forgive this moron. But could আপনি inform him that he doesn't know everything me? There won't ever be a person who could safely assume that."
After Larxene finished her speech, she headed towards the World exit. Itzal looked at Jason and stated, "You have a long, hard path ahead." Jason smiled at his future wife. "I know. But I প্রণয় her." Xion sighed contentedly. "I think it's sweet. But why did Roxas leave Axel here?" The two males looked at the redhead, who was still unconscious. Jason shrugged. "Just leave him. He'll wake up eventually, and what's the worse that could happen to him?" Itzal agreed, and Xion was forced to leave her friend অথবা get left behind. Together they followed Larxene to the পরবর্তি floor.
Konoha: Kiyori Mamuro opened his eyes. It was about three in the morning, and he didn't know why but he had a feeling he should remember something special, but it kept escaping him. "Kiyo-chan, something wrong?" Kimiko asked from her half of the bed. "I think it has something to do with Emi," Kiyori murmured, referring to his first girlfriend who looked innocent but was actually a sick twisted memory witch. Wait, first girlfriend? Something about that didn't seem right…the sapphic blonde grunted. "If we spend enough time, all your problems can be traced back to Emi. Go back to sleep." Kimiko drifted back into her dreams. Kiyori looked at his best friend, and while staring at her blonde curls an ember of memory started to spark. «I can almost remember…» A face floated into his mind, playful. «Just a little more…» And then a name. «Ar-Arlene?» But then Emi's magic kicked in, and Kiyori হারিয়ে গেছে both the memory and consciousness. Maybe once, but no more.
Palace gates: Axel thought at first that he was alone when he woke up. But when he looked up, he saw someone in an Organization ছদ্মবেশ not two feet away from him. He tried to get up but his body was too beat up. "Who are you?" Axel asked. The figure took off its hood, revealing the face of a young girl. She had a playful face with a sarcastic grin and a cute button nose. Her eyes were a mossy blue-green, and she had straight blonde hair with red streaks. "Who do আপনি think I am?" she asked. Axel frowned. She seemed familiar, but…"I'm sorry, but if আপনি could—" The words were cut off when the mystery girl put her fingers to his lips. In that moment, he knew. "That's right, I'm Larxene's daughter Selene," Selene informed Axel. He raised his eyebrows. "Wait, but that means your father is Jason!" Selene began to drag him away. "Right again! আপনি know, Uncle Axel, I don't appreciate how many times you've tried to kill me." Axel began to sweat. "You wouldn't kill me, your father forgave me." Selene smiled. "You're right, I won't kill you. Just make আপনি wish আপনি were dead." Axel began to sob quietly. Karma, thy name is Selene.
Fourth basement exit hall: As Jason, Xion, and Itzal slept. Watching over them was Larxene, because she had slept earlier during her chain imprisonment. She studied Jason briefly before continuing her watch. When he had forgiven Axel, and asked everyone else if they could forgive him, that had reminded Larxene of Kiyori. The brunet had also been ready to forgive people if they humbled themselves. Jason and Kiyori…Kiyori and Jason. They were nothing alike, but they also had little things in common. Sometimes, Larxene wondered if they were related. Technically, Jason and Kiyori were siblings, but the reason no one knew that was because they lived in different universes.
The toughest challenges were yet to come.
Destiny Islands: "Sora!" The brunet Keyblade wielder looked up to see King Mickey running up to him in a panic. "What's wrong, your Majesty?" Sora asked. "I need আপনি to get to দুর্গ Oblivion. We thought it was abandoned after the আপনি defeated Organization XIII. But a couple of days পূর্বে we detected some activity." Sora didn't wait around. "Kairi, Riku." His two best বন্ধু looked up, "Let's go. If they're back, that can't be good."
Long chapter is long. Putting Kiyori in Larxene's past was a decision a made on the fly. Are আপনি excited, Serenna? Only the finalists are left! (^-^).
An অ্যাঞ্জেল wrote:
1. Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true বন্ধু will leave footprints in your heart. (like you)
2. To handle yourself, use your head; To handle others, use your heart.
3. Anger is only one letter short of danger.
4. If someone betrays আপনি once, it's his fault; if he betrays আপনি twice, it's your fault.
5. Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people.
6. God gives every bird it's food, But He does not throw it into it's nest.
7. He who loses money, loses much; He who loses a friend, loses more; He who loses faith, loses all. (I don't want to lose you.)
8. Beautiful young people are acts of nature, But beautiful old people are works of art.
9. Learn from the mistakes of others. আপনি can't live long enough to make them all yourself.
10. The tongue weighs practically nothing, but so few people can hold it.
This is for you, Serenna! Now if you'll pardon me, I have to go write some more.
1. Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true বন্ধু will leave footprints in your heart. (like you)
2. To handle yourself, use your head; To handle others, use your heart.
3. Anger is only one letter short of danger.
4. If someone betrays আপনি once, it's his fault; if he betrays আপনি twice, it's your fault.
5. Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people.
6. God gives every bird it's food, But He does not throw it into it's nest.
7. He who loses money, loses much; He who loses a friend, loses more; He who loses faith, loses all. (I don't want to lose you.)
8. Beautiful young people are acts of nature, But beautiful old people are works of art.
9. Learn from the mistakes of others. আপনি can't live long enough to make them all yourself.
10. The tongue weighs practically nothing, but so few people can hold it.
This is for you, Serenna! Now if you'll pardon me, I have to go write some more.
