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Post by Rikugurl on Jun 2, 2009 1:31:05 GMT -5
Even Axel had a sweatdrop run down the back of his head as he heard his son blatantly admit that he stalked poor Tensai...and in his closet of all places.
He suppose it did sound like something he'd do if he wasn't thinking clearly. Even though the statement made everyone's eyebrow raise, it didn't seem to bother the person who mattered the most right about now.
The multicolored eyes widened as he heard his nickname that only one person calls him by. Slowly he looked up, his red face slowly looking over towards Tensai's pillar and through the elements around them. For the first time... Roxel ignored his attention deficit disorder and actually stayed focus as he listened to Tensai speak. A slight frown ran over his lips as he heard the ton in Tensai's voice. he hated hearing him so sad.
However, at the last bit, his mouth gaped, his eyes widened and he gasped softly. Those words... made his heart pound, so much that he could hear it in his ears.
"I don't want you to leave me."
That sentence ran through his mind over and over again until a soft smile ran over his lips.
Slowly he walked over to the edge of his pillar and placed his hands on the field around him.
"Ten-chan...how could you think I'd leave you?" He smiled even more, showing his teeth and his eyes even seemed to shine. "I just want you to be happy. Don't worry... we'll figure it out! You can draw the art for my albums... and even if you don't want to do that... I don't mind still traveling with these grumpy Chasers. No matter what though... I'll never, ever leave you... so don't be scared..."
His face turned into something more caring and true. "I swore that I'd always be there....to protect you..."
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Post by Reno on Jun 2, 2009 16:22:06 GMT -5
Tensai looked back at his friend, smiling faintly at his obvious happiness. But the words struck him like his own did for the other. It made him smile, though still a little insecurely, at his friend. Maybe it was simply hard for him to believe in his friend because... well let's face it. For practically his entire childhood he had believed his biological parents had abandoned him, then lost his first adopted parents which resulted in losing his grandfather too, watched his beloved pet Invidia and her mate Xio die, and then finally lost Terra and Ven along with his grandmothers.
So many people had left him, or he often felt died because he came into contact with them. He was scared that one day, the people around him would realize that he was some sort of curse and... leave him before they could lose themselves too. For Roxel... this is were the fear was greatest. He couldn't lose him too... he didn't know if he could take it!
"I swore that I'd always be there....to protect you..."
Tensai's orange eyes widened some, and a smile broke out on his face...
Just as purple and silver glows jumped into the gem.
A little boy with multi-colored hair was seen, wandering the dark halls of an old ship that no longer existed, sweat rolling down his temples from fear. A flashlight was in his hands, lighting the way.
"I-is so--somebody h-h-here?"
There was a noise and Roxel turned around, his eyes wide... but when he pointed his flashlight back, there was nothing there. He sighed before turning around and-
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"
Tensai was right there!
The lights flipped on and Aerith came into the room, looking down at the giggling boys. Roxel was hugging onto the younger boy, grinning wildly. "What are you two doing?"
The blonde-red head looked up and giggled. "We were playing 'Scary Monster in the Hallway'! Tensai was the monster and he scared me!" He giggled as he hugged the black haired boy more. "He's really good at being the monster though!"
Aerith shook her head and smiled. "Is that so?"
She knelt down so she could be at their level.
Roxel pulled away and nodded, putting a finger in his mouth. "Yea... I'm bad at being the monster... when I see Ten being scared... I can't help up go and hug him. I don't want to scare Ten..."
Another scene came to screen.
"Alright! Lincintia is a small world but their in the middle of their peace carnival. So there's going to be a lot of people wandering around so we have to extra careful no one gets hurt!" Lucina was saying, looking over her team. "Terra's letting us take the lead on the active keyblade this time, so no screwing up! We need to find this guy, detain him and take the blade!"
There were nods.
"Alright so now the teams are-"
"ME AND TEN-CHAN!"
Everyone jumped and looked towards Roxel who was bouncing around excitedly. "And Moxley of course!" The moombacle gave a soft bark.
Lucina's eyes narrowed on them. "....I'll only allow it if you two promise to no screwing off! We're on a serious mission, not a vacation."
"No problem, me and Ten are all about getting the keyblade!" The other did his best to look serious. Lucina glanced at Gunnar who merely shrugged - it was her call - before sighing and nodding. "Fine."
"YES!"
The scene shifted, showing Tensai and Roxel walking down one of the many crowded streets of the coral town.
"Xel? Why'd you want to do the mission with me?"
The other looked back, grinning. "Because, I'm supposed to protect you." His words made the younger blush, but he ignored it, grabbing his friends hand and dragged him towards the many booths. "And because there's a FESTIVAL going on! Come on, let's try and catch a fish!"
"ROXEL!"
The scene faded only to show another.
"I don't even know why you hang out with me!" A distraught teenager cried dully looking at the newest tombstones in Destiny. The names on them both were familiar to them - Bryna Holani and Carina Mizushima. The Chasers hadn't even been able to travel space quick enough at the announcement of Carin;s death before Bryna's was given just two days later.
However Ten was not speaking to the grey stones but to a boy a few paces behind him, eyes full of concern.
"I'm nothing but a curse, a worthless... kid who keeps causing all these families to fall apart!" The orange eyes filled with tears. "You'll be next if you keep hanging out with me."
"Ten-chan don't say that!" The other asserted, hurrying to his friend's side. He sat down beside the other, his eyes narrowed and determined. "How many times to I have to tell you this? You're not a curse Tensai! You're just unlucky!"
Dull eyes looked back at his friend, his expression unamused.
"Well... I mean... ugh!" The other brought his friend into his arms, hugging him tightly. "I don't care if you are cursed Tensai - I'll fight it off if I have to! But no matter what I'm by your side until the end, got that?!"
The black-haired teen sniffled but he nodded slowly. "Yeah... I got it."
The last memory that showed was one that made everyone blink in surprise... as it was an event that had occurred just that very morning. Aqua was announcing that it was time to go, before she turned and walked through a portal made by her keyblade, Fuujin's hand in hers. Olette and Seifer were next to follow both of them sharing confidant smiles before they were followed by a man with fiery red hair and a short blonde - their disappearance making the multi-colored hair in the back sigh sadly. Luci and Sammy, also holding hands, left next and Gunnar, with an angry face, went stomping after with a silent Kadaj only steps behind. Namine, frightened, hung back until she was literally shoved through by the tall woman with bunny ears and followed shortly after.
The final two - well four if pets were included - hung back however. Roxel, his face a mask of fear as he swallowed hard, Jax perched on his shoulders.
The boy beside him, Moxley by his feet, looked over suddenly, his eyes full of sadness and things he wished to say but had no time to. There seemed to be some tension between them. In a caring gesture the black-haired boy lent over and hugged his friend tightly to him.
Roxel, taken by surprise, stuttered softly, "T-t-ten-chan...?" Though shocked, he wasn't too shocked not to automatically hug the other back... and he even smiled the distance that had been between them from the horrible events of the day before suddenly gone - just with a simple touch.
And the things Tensai wanted to say... suddenly echoed from his whirlwind of thoughts, as clear as day.
Please forgive me. I'm so sorry that I haven't been the friend I should of been. I messed up and broke my promise to you; that was a terrible thing to do and I'm so lucky to know a guy like you. I just want you to know I'm so happy we are friends and I'll always care about you, no matter what happens.
And then the two broke apart, Roxel smiling with a confidence he hadn't before and Tensai a little more sure of himself as well as he smiled to his friend and took his hand. "Let's go."
And then they too were gone.
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Post by Rikugurl on Jun 3, 2009 19:32:55 GMT -5
Roxel swallowed as he watched his friend... but Tensai didn't say a word. Had he said something wrong because it wasn't like he NEVER said anything wrong ever in his life. Cough, cough.
His eyes widened a fraction though as he slowly looked at the gem, seeing their...memories together. A small smile ran over his face as he saw the first memory. Oddly enough... they still kind of played 'Scary Monster in the Hallway' without really announcing it. Roxel would wake up in the middle of the night and sometimes Tensai wouldn't be in bed, though Moxley was sound asleep at the foot.
The multicolored hair teen would get up and pull on a baggy hoddie and slowly venture into the dark hallways with just a flashlight. He would call Ten's name when he walked into the rooms but never got an answer... until he turned around and screamed when the black hair boy was right behind him the whole time. They would still laugh and hug, Tensai usually with a glass of water in his hand.
Luckily the rooms were all soundproof so no crabby sleepers would open their door and yell at them...though it did happen a few times with at least every Gen 2 member except for Sammy.
At the next memory, he felt a bit sad. Their first mission where they failed big time... and caused a planet its death for a few years. The death of one of his closest friends... and his mate. He still had fun though, getting on stage and singing... and finding a beautiful fish! Unfortunately, Marco didn't make it either...
The third one was the worst. Roxel was in a state of shock... not believing that so many people in Tensai's... life had died... and it was sad to see his own grandmother pass away. What hurt worse that day was his best friends words. He could of kicked himself for the stupid thing he said...though if he said a stupid thing a few minutes ago, he wouldn't of realized it.
Tensai had always though the was a curse...ever since Ven and Terra died. Roxel somewhat agreed...though it was more like someone put a curse on HIM, not he himself was one. Now he had to wonder if Zeus was behind this... But didn't Sora make good friends with Hercules who was Zeus's son...? Or maybe it was another Zeus... could there be two? Maybe it was an evil twin! Yea!
The teen was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he almost completely missed the last memory, only snapping back into reality at the ending. It was this morning. He frowned slightly and looked away. Last night was hard... and he too hated himself for the most part...until that hug. Hugs always made everything seem better... at least to him. Jax even gave a happy yip as he saw himself.
When the memories was over, Gunnar just rolled his eyes, much like Bonnie as well. Axel and Namine on the other hand smiled happily, seeing how close the two friends were. There was nothing like friendship!
Multicolored eyes slowly left the screen and back to the orange eyed teen. His eyes became softer as he gave him a gentle smile, his own color starting to hit the gem.
In a familiar house that was no more, there was a small, yet homey living room where a corner was occupied with a large moomba, a carbuncle and few blankets.
Of course, there were the toddlers as well. Olette awed when she saw the camera get closer, both toddlers enjoying their nap time together, hugging their respectable pets.
Slowly, little eyelids opened to reveal a blue and green orb. Slowly the fire head boy got up and his chubby little fingers rubbed his sleepy eyes as he yawned. His sleepy face looked around, the large moomba behind him slowly waking up as yell, yawning softly.
"Oh!" The toddler smiled as something caught his eye. A cup! He was really thirsty! He slowly crawled over towards the other toddler sleeping and picked up a cup that was by his side.
He started to drink the fluid happily, his eyes closing. When he opened it, the black hair boy was looking at him angrily. "Tenten uppity!" Roxel smiled but gasped as the cup was suddenly RIPPED away from his fingers.
"MY MR. CUPPY!" Tensai frowned before slowly putting it to his own mouth and started to drink, seeing Roxel still in a state of shock and big fat tears started to form in his eyes.
"Mine! Mine!" Tensai turned away and that was when the waterworks started.
"wwwwwwwwwwwwwwWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!" Roxel closed his eyes and waterfalls started to burst from them as he flailed. He continued to scream and cry, some sounds of doors closing in the house as if one of the adults were coming in to check on them but before they could reach the room, the cup was put in front of Roxel's face and the toddler slowly settled down. He blinked and looked beyond the bottle at a Tensai who looked rather sad.
"Hewr... we share wike my daddies..."
The older toddler blinked but smiled as he took the cup, taking a sip and then handing it back, giggling some.
The silverette in the background could only smile at the scene in front of him before quietly leaving without them knowing.
The scene faded and came back, though this time in another ship that was no more. Balder.
"Hey Ten-chan!" The thin teenage yelled down the hall and waved, catching the black haired teen in his tracks as he came out of their room. Namine was happily bouncing at Roxel's side as they came up to Tensai.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" They cheered before Roxel grabbed Tensai around the neck as if he was going to give him a noogie but instead put a paper birthday hat on him.
"Here!" Namine chirped as she handed Tensai a small box.
"Open it!" Roxel smiled happily as Ten took it.
"Oh guys... you didn't have to..." Ten smiled as he slowly pulled the wrapping paper off and opened the box, seeing a handmade pocket watch. It was easy to tell that it was handmade due to some slight imperfections. "WOW! Did you MAKE this for me!?"
"Yep!" Roxel put his hands on his hips. "I had the idea and provided the fire. Namine helped a bit by put it together and molded everything!"
There was silence before Tensai rose an eyebrow. "Uh.... Xel?"
"Huh?"
"Doesn't that mean that....Namine made it for me?"
Roxel gasped and blinked. "What!? No way! She has her own gift to give you!"
Namine only blushed, a sweatdrop running down her head as she handed Ten another gift. "This is from....me." She winked kindheartedly.
The scene faded once more before showing a computer screen.
Tensai Tellus #10
Unable to Locate.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! NOOOOOOOO!!!!" A scream could be heard, desperate and hurting. The camera quickly turned around, showing a multicolored hair teen thrashing about, being held back by a shorter blonde man. "ROXEL! GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF!"
"NOOOOOOOO!! TENSAIIIIIIIII!!!! TEN-CHAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!"
Muscular arms wrapped around Roxel's arms to stop him from flailing and hurting another around him or himself.
The teen was hoisted off the ground, his legs kicking and he continued to scream at the top of his lungs, making the rest of the Chasers come running.
"DAMMIT VEN, WHAT DID YOU DO TO THE KID!?" Terra yelled in as he watched his husband try to contain the teen still trying to break free. "I DIDN'T FUCKING DO---"
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
"ANYTHING! TEN'S MISSING! HE MUST BE ON HIS AWAKENING!"
"TEN-CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!! NOOOOOOOO--UMMMmmmmmmmmmm!!"
A hand covered the boy's mouth and angry eyes looked up...and up to see....
The angry glare turned into a broken one as the teen's fight ended and Ven slowly let him go to collapse into Axel's arms.
"Roxel..." Axel frowned as he looked down at his son slightly, his fingers running through the fire mess of hair.
"Daddy....." The teen sobbed as he buried his face into his father's chest. "I need to protect him... he's all alone..."
The scene faded once more but the dim lights of the ship came back and from the passing of the windows, it was easy to tell where they were landing. Some place tropical with clear blue skies and waters.
There was faint voices coming to, being that of Terra's.
"Fuck...that kid better be here..."
"That KID is our son!"
"Like I don't fucking know that!? And... he's our pup..."
The voices dwindled as the camera showed the inside of the room, being an old room that Tensai and Roxel once shared before Gen 2 got their own ship.
Sad, red eyes looked out the window, his chipper attitude completely gone and his face pale.
"He'll be here, Roxel.... Don't worry." A soft voice came from next to him as Namine pulled him into a hug.
"How do you know...?" Roxel sniffed pessimistically.
"Because I can feel him." She nodded determinately.
Roxel just rose his head and eyebrow as he looked at her weird.
"Hey! I'm the princess of hearts, remember!?"
Before anymore words could be shared, the ship came to a shaky landing.
"THE FUCK!?"
"I THOUGHT YOU SAID YOU KNEW HOW TO LAND THIS THING!"
"GET AWAY FROM MY CONTROLS!"
"EVERYONE SHUT THE FUCK UP! WE'RE HERE SO GET THE FUCK OUT!"
Namine just shook her head and laughed before getting up, pulling Roxel up with her. "Come on!"
The screen quickly shifted to a few minutes later when some of the Chasers stepped out of the large ship and looked around.
Roxel and Namine slowly made their way down as well before Namine stood and smiled happily. "Oh yea! He's definitely here!"
Roxel looked down at her but suddenly ran away from her side, pass the other Chasers and quickly dash down the shore to a spot he knew so well.
Pass the houses and down the dirt roads, he ran and ran until he came to a familiar hill and quickly raced up it. By the time he got to the gates, he was panting hard but his eyes only widened as he saw a figure in front of tombstones in the back.
"TEN-CHAAAAAAAN!"
Before the teen could even look back, he and Roxel went flying through the air and smashed into the ground.
"TEN-CHAN! You're ok! You're ok!" The teen sobbed into the boy's chest as he held onto him tightly. "I'm....so happy....."
Suddenly, the gem started to glow and the room became extremely bright once more. The viewers had to cover their eyes as another pillar started to encase itself in light.
The teen that was inside gasped and he too had to cover his eyes until the light seemed to dull down a bit... but a ball of light slowly started to form in front of him. The blue and green eye shifted and slowly looked down at the ball, seeing a reflection of Tensai sleeping in bed safe and sound.
Slowly his hand reached out and took the ball, feeling a warmth that he could never forget.
The feeling of warmth that he felt when he watched Tensai sleep.
Roxel's light... was knowing that Tensai....was safe.
"Ten-chan..." He smiled as he pulled the ball closer, enjoying the warmth... for only a moment before a freezing cold wrapped around him. Bond of Flame tingled at the end of his fingertips before he felt a cold hiss in his ear.
"Do you wish to continue... to see the memories you and Tensai hold dear or the true body you were suppose to be?"
Roxel's eyes widened as the voice asked him the question.
"Suppose to be?"
He frowned. That was right... he was made from a Dusk... someone else's soul.
He swallowed as he closed his eyes and shook his head, holding the ball of light closer. "No. If I'm suppose to see me....Ten-chan will show me."
The cold seemed to linger for a few seconds more before the ball of light slowly faded and outside the pillar, the outline to the keyhole grew brighter.
The light around the pillar faded, revealing the fire head teen. He quickly looked over at Tensai and smiled happily before he noticed that stairs had formed once more to let him down. Oh! Shiny stairs! He happily raced down them and was greeted with a huge hug from his dad and a wet lick from Jax. Even Moxley ran over and nuzzled the teen's leg.
"Great job, Roxel!" Axel smiled as he ruffled his son's hair.
"Hehehe, thanks Daddy... I couldn't of done it without Ten-chan..." He spoked softly before looking back at his friend who was on the pillar.
Before more sentimental memories could be shared, the room started to get even colder... and by now, everyone was ready to see the gem start to burn.
They didn't have to wait long before it happened, the screen showing another scratchy filmed memory.
The forest was familiar, the fog like a blanket on the ground. The calling of crows could be heard in the dead trees above, some cleaning their feathers as others kept a watch. In the mist behind the trees was the house hidden in it's illusion placing. Light flickered inside as evening started to come across the land.
The sound of dead leave crunching under boots made a crow turn its head and looked down at a shadowy figure walking the hidden trail towards the house. It gave a call before fanning out its wings and pushed off the branch, flying around the house before swooping into an open window.
The bird gave another call before landing on a crocked wooden perch across from a large cauldron. Smoke and dust seemed to come up from the boiling liquid below. The fire under it crackled, bringing heat into the room. Above the cauldron on the other side of the crow as a figure, a few bottles at its side. One was picked up, the nails looking hauntingly familiar as the white powder was poured into his palm.
The bottle was placed down, the encryption reading
Crushed Bones .
He put his palms together before slowly putting it over the smoke and rubbed them together.
"Go Kah Pah Tah Mo Ro Jee Mee Loo CO!" He suddenly let the power splash below, making the liquid crackle and the smoke turning into a deeper black than before.
The remaining of the powder was brushed off by the long nails before a quark closed the bottle.
There was a creak and then the sound of a door closed behind him. The wooden boards creaked as a figure slowly walked up behind the man... but it seemed like he was expecting him.
"Your sister has impeccable timing." An evil chuckle admitted before the man turned away from the cauldron to look at the figure and the camera.
There was a sudden gasp and Bonnie looked over to see a horrid expression on the woman's face next to her. "What's wrong?" She whispered but Namine's answer was anything but quiet.
"IT'S THE GUY FROM THE STATUE OUTSIDE!"
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Post by Reno on Jun 3, 2009 21:12:02 GMT -5
Tensai, ignorant of the myriad of reactions around him, just continued to watch as more scenes passed before his eyes, his gaze dropping every now and again to see Roxel's reactions as well. His eyes shined as he one of their youngest memories play, being watched over by his late father; he chuckled softly at the small birthday gift he had lovingly received (and teased Roxel about not actually making); and he was disheartened when he saw his best friend in such a distress over his absence only to grin as they were roughly reunited. They had a lifetime of memories together from the days of Mr. Sippy Cup to their wild adventures on stage.
His eyes widened however as the bright light started to shine - no way! He blocked his face from the lights burning gaze, but as he felt the warmth start to fade he knew it was safe and looked over his fingers and towards his friend watching the other hurrying down to greet his father and their pets. When the other looked back Tensai could only smile more and give him a thumbs up, so very happy for him. "I told you could do it!"
Roxas watched his family, silently proud of them both. No matter how many awkward looks he had gotten over the years about his choice in a partner that hardly any believed was a good person or even sane or how many eyes rolled or people scoffed at his beloved son that too often was caught being immature, spaced out or all around oblivious HE knew they were strong, brave, confidant beings. Despite any odds, Axel was always at his side... and he knew Roxel would be the same for Ten.
He grinned, looking across the room to give Seifer than Gunnar a smug look. There better not be any more bad words going around on the ship about ANY of his family members any more after this!
Seifer scoffed as he saw Roxas shoot him the look, reading behind his eyes what the look meant. He grumbled under his breath, "Damn chickenwuss family." He grunted softly as Olette elbowed him in the ribs. What?! They just got lucky!
Kadaj rose an eyebrow curiously, feeling Gunnar tensing in anger behind him. He himself was baffled at this - should he not be happy? Now with Roxel done, that left six more. He was afterall the one to say a few memories ago that they had to concentrate upon finishing this trial.
Humans were so... strange.
Lucina couldn't help but sigh in relief as Roxel walked down the steps, shaking her head some as if she was disappointed he HADN'T failed. She supposed she had to give the teen rockstar a little more credit from now on...
Aqua shook her head as Roxel's term came to an end, but rather than being happy about the term of events she glared straight at the gem, knowing what was going to happen. After each light was found... a darkness reached up and tried to cover it up. When the gem started to burn, she felt no surprise only wariness as she saw the history of her land once more.
Everyone else's eyes turned as well, the newly released fire keyblader unable to stop himself from getting closer to his dad, their natural element keeping them warm as the room got colder and colder.
As they watched the first half though and heard Namine's yell however, some of their eyes widened in recognition, others narrowed in suspicion. A choice few who knew Dragoon well... wondered what this meant then.
If their was a statue of a human was placed within this castle on a world which only praised the acts of dragons and only made such sculptures in honor of those creatures... did that mean he was something to the Divine Dragon? And what?
Aqua's eyes narrowed more as the memory continued, knowing the answer would not be a blissful one.
The camera turned to show the tall man, his body lean but well-built - a man of fighting prowess no doubt, with strong shoulders, a sharp chin and dark purple eyes to match his long violet hair that was wild atop his head and around his face. No doubt... a 'child' of Hatchel as the old sayings would go. His body was still well decorated in armor, most of it tarnished now from the rain that had pelted it and the sparring that had obvious caused the multitude of scratching and imperfections.
At the other man's words the other seemed to sigh, tugging at one of the long strands of hair that framed his face. "Kuku..." He began, his words oddly soft and caring despite his warrior status, "You know she does not appreciate violence." This only seemed to make the man laugh more - she was also to be in the war after all!
The other huffed unhappily, gazing around the dusty, dirty abode with lazy eyes. "Why do I even bother wishing you could comprehend me?" He stepped a few paces away, picking up an old dusty bottle that despite this had contents within that looked fresh and squinted to read it. All he could catch was the word 'blood' the rest smudged. "You must admit your ways are strange Kuku and as you know, common nature of humans show that such strangeness makes others uneasy and mistrustful. Take my wisdom for once and attempt to change yourself some, to allow society to calm. We are, after all, at the head of destruction and times are unfavorable for those who are diverse."
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Post by Rikugurl on Jun 3, 2009 22:15:56 GMT -5
Mako eyes narrowed as they watched the scene, seeing the two interact. Who were they...? Why were their memories showing...? And why were they wasting their time? He glanced over at Aqua, seeing how serious her face was and how involved her thoughts seemed to be. Where any of these random memories of the past going to help?
"You know she does not appreciate violence."
The man with a strange style bleach blonde hair started to laugh once more, though more jovial than before, the sense of evil not in its tone. As if the man had told a great joke.
He quieted down as the slightly taller man walked to one of many dusty shelves, watching him carefully, a smirk on his face when the man picked up a bottle.
It vanished though as the man started to speak.
The room became silent, not even the crows making a noise. It seemed to shatter as the blonde stepped forward, his bare feet making the wood creek. "Eskel, do you honestly believe that I would care what those human think of me?"
He continued to step towards the man, making him back up slowly. "Humans do not possess the willpower to do what must be done." He continued to walk, pushing the younger man to back up more and more until he reached a wooden door that had ancient roots hung on it. The latch was pulled and the door swung open, making a loud bang that frightened the crows inside. Black feathers flew everywhere as the two continued.
"They are too blinded by their ideas of Sin, not even acknowledging that no Judgment Day will come to them." His beads around his neck jungle as he continued to walk, pushing the man through the new room. Should I be concerned about what foolish beings think of me? I am the one saving them from the reality of this world. I have preformed sacrifices years passed without a head turned but now that 'people are dieing' they must blame it on anyone but themselves."'
Suddenly, the tall man hit something and fell back onto a bed. Tarantulas scurried from under, some straw bursting from the sides, showing the age and wear of the bed.
The other man stopped at the foot of the bed and looked down, his face serious before an evil, thin smile ran over his pale lips.
"Would you honestly rather me any other way, Eskel?"
He reached up and pulled the clothes around his neck, claws gently shifting them until his whole robe fell to the dirty, dusty ground.
His skin was pale and in a familiar shape to Kadaj's body. It was clear that he was malnourished but the sight of his ribs and spine sticking through his flesh.
Slowly he moved towards the bed in all his pride, crawling on it and over the armored man as if he were his prey. Their faces met rather close before the blonde grinned, sharp fangs suddenly growing before their lips locked.
The scene faded and the room only grew colder.
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Post by Reno on Jun 4, 2009 0:21:14 GMT -5
The rest of the scene was interesting to watch, the obvious tension between the two men nearly tangible even in this room. The violet haired man, despite his obvious advantage over the slighter and weaker male, started to walk backwards as the other spoke, his lips pressed in a thin line as he spoke. Whether he wanted to speak out against the other or not was unclear as he continued to back off and despite not being able to see was easily able to dodge around various knickknacks and things around the room.
The man slammed into another room with a great noise and was soon cornered onto a bed. Eyes began to widen in realization as Kuku removed his only means of clothing and young Eskel was barely able to get out a breathless 'No' before their lips met and the scene faded.
"I-I-I'm gonna have to wash o-out m-my fucking eyes..." Aqua hissed, her teeth chattering some at the cold temperature in the room, her breath puffing out in front of her.
"Is this thing going to become a fucking gay porn show?" Seifer growled out, annoyed even as he once again had to hide his wife's eyes. Seriously, was fucking no one STRAIGHT anymore?
Roxas was blushing some, hiding his face behind once of his hands and sighing. And he thought seeing Kadaj and Gunnar doing it was bad - THAT had just been cruelty to his eyes.
Tensai, who had averted his eyes the minute the article of clothing had fallen, dared glance back at the screen now black and the gem over the small pedestal, once again as clear as water. This was... getting weird.
However... as a silver light hit the gem and started to color a new scene Tensai drew in a sharp breath and swallowed hard trying to brace himself for the horrible memory of his he was going to see. Many of them around him did as well all of them thinking of the multitude of deaths of close friends...
That was why they were shocked when it turned out to be something even further before.
Pure yellow hair, as bright as daffodils, flew gently in the wind, strands tickling that of a pale face of a small human-like boy. Orange eyes, wide open and staring at all around him, started to laugh softly, chubby hands reaching up and grabbing onto his caretaker's hair, tugging it with little remorse.
The blue face of the woman hardly twitched at her son's playful yet painful acts, her face like stone as she stared out at the silent world around her. The trees all around were barren of leaves and dark like ash, as if their very souls had been taken away. The land stretching for miles was blanketed heavily by snow and lighted by dawn.
"Come on Kali! Hurry before the sun gets up!" Came a happy yell, the gangly, and awkward man glancing back, his glasses a bit fogged from the cold. He was further off and down a hill already, holding close a half finished canvas and some paints, his mission clear. He wanted to color of the sunrise.
The woman's lips twitched, but from this distanced it mattered not as he could not easily tell her mournful expression. "You go on ahead, I'm right behind you!" Came the happy, chirping call in return despite her obvious anguish.
Charlie however didn't notice in the least, turning from his beloved Goddess and heading south, towards a large cherry tree that had been stripped of it's modesty. The same place they had met. In moments he was on a hidden trail through a small grove of trees, the winding path unable to be seen but no doubt leading his way.
"You have forgotten..." She whispered ever so softly, her orange eyes slowly starting to water. The boy in her arms had too fallen silent, looking up at his mother in wonder and worry. He started to squirm and make agitated noises, but the woman did not attempt to console him. "I am sorry young one. There is no helping my emotions today."
She continued to stand there for a few moments more, tears falling like snow, before a soft sigh escaped her lips.
"Kali." Came a cold voice from behind her shoulder who was at such an angle he was unable to be seen.
"I was expecting you Hermes." She said simply, no surprise evident. "Must you run so quick? Do I not deserve just a moment more?"
There was a pause of silence, and the uncaring tone continued softly. "Come. Zeus has called for you." There was a flutter like so many wings, and the scene shattered into so many pieces, revealing a new one beyond it.
This scene was strange, the picture broken as if such things were not allowed to be gazed upon, and the faces of any and all shadowed except for two that came in clear as day. Kali and Tensai's.
She stood silently in an undecipherable place before a large and great person, his whole body glowing with a sharp red aura. She herself, too, was glowing lightly, the soft blue tone making her appear even more beautiful. As for the babe within her arms, he had a tender pale yellow tint to his skin. He was silent like her, his face twisted and unhappy.
Around the man were several over people, a man of some sort, his picture hard to discern with the blur, the audience just barely able to see his winged shoes. Leaving the screen was a tall and great person with a pink aura with just enough curves they could guess it was female, as great as the man it seemed, and behind her fluttered another small person, rainbows falling behind soft feathered wings upon her back. In the background of all, was a noise common to those who had ever passed a blacksmith's office. A lot sound of metal being pounded onto melt, shaping some sort of weapon.
"You know what my judgment is for this outrage." Came a booming voice. "Give your final words."
"Leda." Said Kali coldly.
"If that was a plea to save his life, you are very poor at doing so." "I did not cause a whole city to fall from my actions." She continued, her voice still sharp and hateful.
"Hephaestus!" Came the order. The pounding in the background stopped and suddenly something sparking went flying through the air towards the man, caught easily in one big fist.
Resolve broken, Kali's eyes widened and she shook. "Wait!" She cried, walking forward, but unable to keep her weight as she fell to her knees. "Please Zeus... please he is innocent!"
"Simply speaking words does not breathe fact. You have both committed a crime and you shall both suffer for it." In front of her formed a small crystal and within it appeared a man, sitting silently on the hill, his paints and things forgotten as his art was done. The expression on Charlie's face was unlike any they had seen before, full of dull and pale resignation as he stared at his final piece: a picture of himself and Kali sitting under a cherry tree in spring time, a boy that was no longer so tiny but a toddler with brilliant orange eyes sitting between them as they had a picnic. He had not forgotten at all.
But that did not keep his heart from hoping this was not truly the end.
The sight of him was too painful for the goddess but she was so struck by him that she was unable to look away. The boy she held started to make a soft aggravated noise, his small hands reaching up and towards the picture of his father. "Eh! Eh!"
"This is the face of a man who knows he has done wrong." Came Zeus' voice and the crystal exploded, making the boy whimper and the woman gasp out as her very soul shook in pain.
"No... Zeus, NO! CHARLIE!" Was Kali plea as she struggled to her feet and ran for him but she was not quick enough. ('NOOOO DAAAAD!!' came a disjointed, echoing cry in the room the pounding fists upon a magic force loud). The yellow weapon which had been given to the man was thrown with a boom of thunder. Her body froze in place her own orange-red eyes wide. Tensai suddenly started to wail wildly.
"His sin is corrected. Now it is time for yours. Ares. Hermes."
She was in such a state she was unable to react as chains were heard rattling in the still air. In an instant Tensai was torn from her arms by a passing blur that sounded like bird's wings as chains were seen wrapping around the goddess once, twice, three times, completely locking her in place. Her son, screaming still, appeared at Zeus' side in the arms of the vague picture of the young god with winged shoes.
"His fate is sealed. Hermes, take him to Hades."
"No! NO! Aki!! AKIIII!"
Though he knew little of what was occurring, his head still turned at his mother's voice orange eyes seeing her struggle greatly against the metal around her body, seeing a dark figure behind her holding that chains that was keeping her back.
"Ah!" He called to her, his little hands reaching for her now. "Ah! Ah!!"
Kali's eyes went wide at her child's need for her, her efforts redoubling and managed to get one arm free, her hand outstretching towards him as well. "My son..." She choked out, agonized.
Tensai's wide and tearful eyes stared at the screen, his own hand reaching up towards his mother's hand as well the tips of his fingers making the barrier shimmer. "Mother..." He croaked out, still needing even after all these years.
The screen went black, but they all heard the flutter of feathers as Hermes took flight and Kali's final scream.
"AKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDRIIIIIIIIIIIIIC!!!!!!!!"
And then there was silence. Ten's eyes were wide in horror before the irises turned dark and he, like his mother, could not keep his legs strong, falling to his knees in a heap. He lowered his head until it was pressed against his barrier of stars, his sorrowful cries echoing in the room.
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Post by Rikugurl on Jun 4, 2009 0:54:23 GMT -5
"ACK!" Axel yelped as he saw a sight that was extremely odd. The whole memory wasn't going to show right!? His poor virgin (?) son's eyes! Everyone slightly looked away as they saw a nude man that they had no idea who it was. The only ones who didn't was Kadaj, not seeing the problem and Namine, whose eyes only narrow more as she watched carefully.
She and Aqua seemed like the only people who realized that these memories weren't just random... and that they started right after Gunnar disrupted the force field. After Sammy's and Axel's light, there were no memories from this man or men.
Eyes quickly went back to the screen as the memory faded... but neither had the time to say anything else when a single glow hit the gem and a new scene started.
Roxel's heart seemed to drop when he saw it. Bad memories always came after this... and he just knew...
Eyes watered and widened as they watched the sad scene. Kali knew exactly what was going to happen...and crudely enough... it did.
Olette's fist tightened as she heard the gods. How could they? How could they torture a mother, father and baby so? They were so innocent...so happy! Water filled her eyes as she looked down and let out a shaky sigh. They didn't deserve that... they didn't deserve any of it... and even if they would never of met the wonderful, Tensai... it would be ok... because he would of been happy in that world too.
Fuu too had tears in her eye but she couldn't bear to watch the screen when Kali was summoned. Her eye were on her son now, watching him break. She rushed to the edge of her pillar, poundin on the field as well. "Tensai! TENSAI!" She called as a voice started to scream, filling the room. It was Kali's and..........Roxel's?
"TEN-CHAN!!!" Roxel cried as Tensai fell. He shot towards the pillar, tears running down his face and he quickly scaled the stairs going up to his fallen friend's pillar.
"ROXEL!" Axel quickly chased after and much like Ven in the memory before, he wrapped his arms around his son and pulled him back. "STOP! Don't do anything stupid now!"
More tears ran down Roxel's cheeks and he reached out for Tensai as he was dragged away from the pillar.
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Post by Reno on Jun 4, 2009 5:28:50 GMT -5
As the terrible scene came to pass before there eyes, a scene so terrible it usually meant death, everyone swallowed hard as it began knowing exactly what they were going to see. It was a terrible and cruel memory to behold, speaking of pain incomprehensible.
Seifer's eyes darkened some as he noticed his furious and hurting wife beside him, feeling her pain. He reached up and brought her close to him, doing his best to comfort her. Again he could not help but wonder how anyone could possibly decide between such roads - to live a full life or to die in a year with nothing but an abandoned child left? It made him realize... how lucky he had been to be able to raise his children.
Roxas, like Olette, felt fury spark throughout his being towards the heartless gods and goddesses that damned the small family. Even IF he wouldn't replace his nephew or his own son's best friend for anyone in the whole world... it was still so wrong. Hearing the yells of a voice more familiar than his own, his eyes darted to Roxel, seeing his lover dragging the boy away from the torn young teen still on his pedestal. He swallowed hard as he watched the strangely heartbreaking moment, knowing if it was him he would do anything to have Axel- suddenly his eyes widened some.
"Kadaj!"
"...I will be fine. Leave me be."
But that wasn't enough for one determined brunette as he crossed the room to the golden pedestal and walked up the stairs, using nothing but physical strength to be close to the man he loved.
Oh... ooooh. Roxas glanced back at Gunnar and Kadaj than towards his son and Tensai, realization in his eyes. He always suspected but now...
Aqua was, unlike her wife, able to the scene the whole way through, hearing her son's reactions as the memory grew more savage and dispiriting. At the end of the memory she heard the boy fall and quickly looked over, her eyes full of concern. "Ten!" But unlike her wife she knew... some things just needed to be cried out.
Tensai, for one, didn't react to anything around him, too absorbed into his own world at the moment to react to anything. Not his adopted mothers, not to Moxley barking worried at him, and not even Roxel. Instead he just stared down at the floor of his platform falling tears making little pools under him. His dad... and his mom...
He gasped in sharply though as the lights under him started to shine and shoot off, following the track in the floor to the gem once more. He shut his eyes tightly as he heard crying. No more... please...
However when he heard an angry yell of a voice he didn;t recognize his head shot up, eyes wide.
"Will you SHUT UP?!" There was a blast of fiery red flames in the dark world, the calls of the dead clinging to every wall and seeping up from the ground.
The crying abruptly stopped, the glowing baby staring up at the blue man with shark teeth, long claws and fire for hair with terrified eyes. He was in the arms of a fat little red demon with little wings and a pointed tail who also looked scared out of his wits.
"That's better." The tall god of the underworld stood and started to pace once more, mumbling to himself quietly and out of nothing but smoke, a drink of wine with a worm inside appeared in his hand, sipping it leisurely.
"Master! I've g-got it master!" Came a nervous cry as a small blue-green demon, thin as a twig also with wings and a pointed tail, came rushing into the picture, holding onto a baby's bottle full of glowing golden liquid.
Hades glanced back with narrowed eyes, angry enough the little demon squeaked. Suddenly his look turned into something even more malicious. "Ah. Now here's an idea." He snatched the bottle out of the demon's hands cruelly, raising it to eye level quietly. Panic continued to shake before he turned and ran over to the other demon, feel more secure at Pain's side. Tensai started to squirm and sniffle again, tears started to well in his eyes but both demons slapped a hand over his mouth and urged him to shush.
"Master?" The two asked in unison.
"Dead as a doornail when he drinks the full portion..." He looked towards the two with furious eyes. "But merely a mortal when not. For once your screw ups might actually come in handy."
The two demons perked up, looking a little happy.
"Really? Could we screw up more often then?" Asked Pain.
"Don't push your luck." The god growled, "Just don't give him the whole thing."
"We can do that, definitely!" Panic said eagerly, before the two moved their hands from Ten's mouth.
"WAAAAAA-" He started to scream when the bottle was shoved into his mouth. The boy blinked a few times before he started to drink.
"What are you going to do with him after this though?" Pain asked, watching the golden glow slowly start to fade around the boy the more he drank.
The God smirked smoke appearing in an oval ring and like a two-way mirror a picture appeared in it. It was of a silverette and a brunette sitting in a rowboat, the former pushing and pulling the oars with powerful arms while the latter let a hand dip in the water and flicked droplets at the other, the two laughing. "I'm going to give him to these two."
"Hey isn't that that one kid who kept competing in the Underworld games and kicking...your...butt?" Panic started to say, his voice breaking off as the god glared at him and at his words his flames started to turn red.
"That is NOT" more fire burst out, "how it happened." The other sighed running a hand through his fiery hair. "The point is, these two are close to kicking the bucket and spending eternity swimming in Styx. Now wouldn't it be satisfying that in that last moment before the blow of death comes all Hero Boy can do is mourn about his poor son he'll never get to raise?" Hades grinned cruelly. "Nothing is better than stirring things up." He waved a hand and a basket appeared at his feet. "Now let's get ready to ship off the bottom feeder."
The two demons nodded quickly taking away the baby bottle that still had some of the golden liquid in it though the glow around Tensai was gone completely. As they did the boy's eyes fluttered and fell shut. They were quick to hurry to the basket, Pain laying the baby down while panic tucked the blanket in around him.
"Ready sir!" The both said, saluting.
The scene slowly faded but reappeared, showing the basket floating in the ocean, bobbing in the waves. Inside the basket, Tensai was still fast asleep, his face scrunched up some as if he were in pain. His hair was stuck to his forehead and cheeks flushed with fever.
From some distance, there was an echo rolling over the waves. "Sora Sora Sora!"
And that's when the brunette was caught by the camera, flying right towards the boy. As he got closer though, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration than they widened in realization. "A.... basket?" Concentration lost, Sora suddenly plummeted right out of the sky and into the water, belly first.
When he surfaced he was grimacing some, but his eyes narrowed determinedly, swimming through the water and towards the basket. Thankfully he was a strong swimmer and was at the basket in a few strokes and blue eyes slowly peeked over the edge of the basket... only to have his eyes widen and his jaw drop open. "Baby...?" He whispered but, taking notice of the young child's appearance reached inside and checked the little heart. His eyes seemed to calm a little, feeling it's fluttery beat under his soft pads, though the skin was warm. "You're gonna be okay..." Sora whispered softly as he gripped the edge and started to make his way to shore where a silverette still stood, knee deep in the water as if he had been about to swim after him.
As he got close, he called to his lover urgently. "Riku! Riku you need to see this!"
The man blinked but hurried forward until he was waist deep in the water, meeting the other. He looked down at the basket that was cradled in the water between them, and his eyes widen. "Is that a... baby?!"
Sora panted softly before nodding, his looking imploring. "Yeah... Riku, he's really sick."
Riku looked up and at his husband's, than pressed his lips in a tight line as if he was about to make an argument. But something more surprising was uttered instead. "Come on, let's hurry and get him home!"
Tensai swallowed hard as the memory slowly disappeared, tears still making their way down his cheeks, Hades words still ringing in his head. That memory was not much better...
He sobbed softly laying his head back against the barrier. So that's what he was? A 'stir-up'? Is that why bad things kept happening to the people who took him in? Would Fuujin and Aqua be next?
"Tensai..." A soft voice cut into his thoughts and he glanced to his right, looking towards his blue-haired mom. The look on her face was of one of silent understanding.
Aqua glanced back at Fuujin with an expression that said 'I don't know how to do this but here it goes' before looking back to Tensai. "I'm not going to tell you to stop crying or anything dumb like that. But I need you to get this into your head-" Okay, so she was more like Terra. "It's not your fault. Kali and Charlie... they conceived you knowing damn well what was going to happen because they loved each other and you. It wasn't a happy outcome but they did it anyways... because having just that bit of time was enough. Sora and Riku, Ven and Terra, and me and Fuu... we all adopted you none of us knowing how long we too will have."
She sighed slowly. "But Ten... even if we did know our fate and even if it WAS conceivable that by NOT adopting you that would grant us something like... I don't know fucking immortality because honestly you need to realize people really do fucking DIE," She shook her head, "I don't think any of us would EVER trade you for longer life either because the experience of raising you and knowing you... is priceless."
Ten's head raised some more, his eyes widening as she continued. "And I know, right now, things seem wrong how they turned out for everyone. But think about it if things didn't turn out EXACTLY they way they did... how many things would be different for you now and for us? You wouldn't be traveling the stars and you wouldn't have the most fucking complicated family tree in history; you probably would know shit about music and keyblades. The Chasers never would of had you as a friend and teammate, Namine wouldn't of grown up with you, Roxel wouldn't have a best friend, those crazy Xipil rabbits wouldn't have a fucking nephew, Rave would probably still be fucking alive, Charlie and Kali would never of found any love at all in their lives, and all of us who adopted you... never would of had the chance to have a son or their parents have a grandson."
Tensai opened and close his mouth once then looked back down at the ground no longer crying it seemed but rather contemplative. Even though his life kept throwing him curves and breaks where more and more got lost... at least he had the comfort of knowing all of them who he did lose loved him.
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Post by Rikugurl on Jun 4, 2009 15:41:59 GMT -5
Fuu growled as she saw the rest of the memory, knowing Hades, Pain and Panic too well. When the Chasers grew a bit bigger way back when, Ven though it would be a great idea to sign up for the tournament now that Sora had retired. They were all crooks who didn't play by the rules at all.
Why would Zeus allow Hades to deal with the outcome of the child?
They all watched the sick baby floating in the clear waters of Destiny, a familiar couple walking down the shore, hand in hand. Then there was the desperate devotion to see what was stuck in the ocean, definitely not a bottled letter from Axel and Roxas.
They had all heard the stories that Sora told them about how he found Tensai... but now they all knew that every single word was true. The look on Riku's face was to be expected but as the couple ran away from the shore and towards the mainland and Kilika District, they knew that Riku had some heart as well.
When the memory ended and their leader's voice came through, everyone slowly turned to listen.
The struggling teen slowly started to relax, his eyes slowly drying up as he watched with a pant.
Axel sighed, slowly letting his son stand on his own and hoping that he wouldn't do anything stupid.
The young adult only swallowed as he listened to Aqua's words and looked at his best friend. He heard a grunt behind him as Axel pouted, hearing about being a bunch of bunnies. HEY! Sex was a healthy part of a relationship!
The room became quiet when Aqua was finished but before Roxel could say anything, the gem behind him started to glow and everyone turned their heads once more.
A young woman in a military uniform sighed as she slowly walked up into the ship.
"FUJIN FAIRHOLM!"
The woman stopped, her red eye widening before she looked back to see a very familiar man, he took in a military uniform.
"Seifer?"
She slowly turned and walked back down, meeting the man at the base of the lift.
There was silence between them before the blonde put his fingers through his hair and sighed. "Fuu... why are you leaving?"
"Aqua."
The blue eyes looked down into the red. "You really love her, huh?"
"Yes." The woman nodded before slightly looking away, his arms crossing. "Lonely."
There was more silence before Seifer seemed to stand up straight, a serious look on his face. "You didn't properly resign from your job at the Twilight Disciplinary Committee and as the head leader, I can't let you go..."
Fuu blinked before her eye widened, looking up at Seifer in shock.
"without telling me you'll be careful..." Seifer added, giving her a soft smile. "and allowing me to follow you."
Fuu gasped as she continued to listen to him, a silver eyebrow raising. "Olette?"
"Eh, she'll come too. I gave her something she wanted to I think she owes me one." Seifer nodded as he put his hands on his hips. Fuu could only tilt her head in question. "Owes?"
"Yea! She just found out she was pregnant so..." He trailed off and rubbed the back of his neck.
The look on Fuu's face was mixed when he admitted that he and Olette were expecting a baby. It was a mixture of hurt, of wonder... and of happiness. "Congratulations." Was all she could say before the memory faded away.
Another light hit the gem and it started to show the inside of a tropical house.
An old woman with silver hair looked back and smiled, seeing Terra and Ven. "Ah, what a pleasant surprise." She smiled more... but there was something missing in her voice...
She walked over and pinched Tensai's cheeks. "Sure thing sweetie." She place down a heart shaped sandwich at the spot that had a booster seat in and walked back to the counter. Ven placed Tensai in the booster and took a seat of his own. He sighed softly as he looked across the way at his mother. "So... how have you been? Managing?"
Terra looked around the room for a moment a little unsure before he quietly took a seat by Ven. He looked up towards the old woman as she also took a seat across from her son, then over towards the broken widow.
Bryna smiled good-naturedly. "Yes, yes, everything's been fine. You needn't worry about us Ven." Ven looked down slightly then looked at Tensai who was happily eating his sandwich. His body seemed to twist and shape as he though but snapped out of it when a plate was set in front of him and Terra. "Eat up." A sweet voice sounded as the other woman sat down.
Ven blinked and looked at the sandwich before shaking his head.
"Mom...." He stopped and frowned. "Did you ever ask... Tensai who he wanted to stay with?"
Bryna watched Terra devour the sandwich a little uneasily. However she glanced over at Ven when he asked the question and blinked. "Well... no." She glanced at Tensai. "But he's three and-"
"Smart." Terra cut in. "I couldn't memorize half the stuff he had until I was six at least." He looked at Bryna. "Children choose by what makes them happy."
Bryna shifted uncomfortably, and nodded slowly. "Yes... he is a very bright child. But such a decision like that..." Ven looked at Terra and then back to Bryna, slowly sliding his sandwich to his mate.
"To tell you the truth mom... I wanted to adopt Tensai."
Carina blinked, her eyes widening.
"I mean.... I lost my childhood you know.... and.... I want to relive it with Ten. I know... I put myself at danger's way every day... and.... I'm not much of a father figure but.... he's my brother's son.... and I saved his life. Ever since... I just... don't feel right without having him around. Like... I'm missing something...." He sighed and looked down. "I know... he's the only thing you have left. Roxas lives half hour away... and busy... so I know you don't get to see Roxel all to much... and... if he comes with me... you'll only be able to see him once a year at the least... but...."
He slowly looked at the boy and sighed.
"I think it should be up to him..."
"You know..." A voice came from the other end of the table. Ven looked up at Carina. "Tensai is my only grandchild. He is also the only relative I have left alive..." Her voice wasn't cruel or sarcastic... but it was giving a point to it.
Tensai looked up and blinked, a little confused at what was going on. His face was all messy with peanut butter.
Bryna frowned a little at her sons words and looked down sadly. She looked over at Carina suddenly, feeling even badder.
"If Ven hadn't been there that wouldn't be true." Terra pointed out back merely shrugging.
"...Ven..." Bryna suddenly said looking at her son evenly. "What about schooling? And finding a girlfriend... or boyfriend? What about learning to make friends with other kids his age or games in the playground? And... I don't have any doubt if you take him you'll want him to be a Chaser too. You'll be putting his life at risk for the rest of his life... knowingly. What kind of a future will he have?"
Ven looked down, listening to his mother. His blue eyes moved as he thought. "H-he'll have Lucina and Gunnar... and the other Chasers c-can teach him everything h-he needs to know... a-a...." He stopped, feeling tears at the rim of his eyes.
His shoulders slumped in defeat.
"You're...right..."
Terra blinked hard as water started to well in his own eyes and he looked at Ven in panic. He shut his eyes to keep his temper in check, and shook his head.
"You're wrong!" Terra said suddenly, drawing all eyes to him - even Ten's. He glanced at Carina then looked at Bryna. "Education? That's easy enough I have thousands of books by now. As far as relationships go... he'll find someone, trust me. If I can do it, anyone can. And Gunnar and Lucina can play with him and become his friends - one good friend is tons better then a hundred horrible ones. And... maybe Roxel soon too." He got a surprised look from both Ventus and Bryna. "...Roxas called me a few days ago..." He murmured with a shrug.
"But THAT is not important right now." Terra looked up at her, and growled. "Don't you dare think we'd ever make Tensai into something that he doesn't want to be. If he WANTS to be a Chaser fine we'll teach him but we'd never push it on him. He'd be free to make his own decisions."
"But at this age he's impressionable and if that's the only type of life he'd see-"
"It's not! He'd see the world - no not even the UNIVERSE." Terra said, waving his hands. "Tensai'll have one advantage me nor Aqua, nor Ven, nor Roxas nor even Sora or Riku had. He WON'T have a keyblade. Keybladers are forced into a fate without any choice - Tensai won't be. He... has more freedom then any of us."
He looked down, his eyes growing dark. "And take it from someone who knows Bryna. No matter how big a heart they have... Kairi and Tidus' attention will ALWAYS start with Namine first."
Bryna was silenced for a few minutes then her head bowed and she shut her eyes. "And what about me Terra? What about Carina?"
He shut his eyes and took a deep breath then said slowly. "I know it would be hard to be away from them so often... but we won't be stealing him away! You can call us anytime! And we'll still make sure to get together for Christmas... We just... we want to raise Tensai is that so terrible?!" That was the longest monologue he had ever given... without swear words.
The blonde took a breath and looked up at his mother and Carina.
"I know.... it's hard.... but both of you should know the natural drive of conception with the person you've decided to spend your life with. Terra and I... aren't going to have that luck like Sora and Riku did. We're not going to find a basket floating out in the middle of space. Even if we travel from world to world... our main mission is to find and capture Keyblades... we really don't have the time to stop to find an abandoned child."
He sighed and smiled softly.
"Sora loved seeing worlds... and I know Tensai will too. I had to see the worlds all alone for a very long time... and Tensai won't have to."
He looked over at the boy and smiled. "But no matter what anyone says... I still want Tensai to choose."
"How are you going to make him choose?" Bryna asked softly.
Ven blinked as his mother started the question. Carina seemed shocked too but sighed.
Ven glanced back at Terra then at Tensai who seemed to be still confused.
The blonde turned to the boy and gave him a soft smile.
"Tensai... you know your Daddy Riku and Daddy Sora are in a deep sleeps? Well, they're in a mega, super dooper sleep.... and won't be waking up for a very long time. We all are going to have a mega, super dooper sleep.... but not for a very long time... so...while we're waiting for the mega sleep... you need to choose who you want to stay with. You can stay with Auntie Kairi and Uncle Tidus... or you can stay with me and Uncle Terra. No matter what you choose, we'll all take as good care of you as sleepy Daddy Riku and Daddy Sora..."
Terra blinked at Ven's sudden way of talking and did his best not to laugjh. Oh dear god HE'D have to talk like this too. Crap, he was so screwed!!
Tensai blinked as Ventus suddenly turned to him and he grinned excitedly at finally having the attention back onto him. His little smile fell though to a look of confusion. Tensai was quiet for a few minutes it seemed, his lips turning into a pout. "We come back to see daddy Sowa and daddy Wiku?"
Ven blinked at the question but smiled. "Yea, of course. We'll come back every year... or maybe more if we can... so we can all see Daddy Riku and Daddy Sora again."
Tensai grinned then and nodded. "Okay! Den wet's see da univewse!"
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Post by Reno on Jun 4, 2009 18:36:01 GMT -5
There was little that could be said after Aqua's small yet slightly crude speech as two more memories played for them.
The first Seifer couldn't help but smile about remembering the decision he had made on just a whim. But, come on Fuujin was one of his best friends! Like hell he was letting her into space with a bunch of fucking psychopaths alone - and Raijin could take care of Twilight Town. He was a bit of a dumbbell, but he still managed to get things done somehow.
At the second memory it was Tensai who was smiling this time, watching Ven and even Terra fight to keep him! They... really had wanted him, hadn't they?
Another memory sparked on screen.
It was dark in the room, the sun having gone to bed while the moon took her course through the sky. In the large king-sized mattress two men lay, one with red-hair as dead to the world as ever the other, the slighter blonde, was looking up towards the ceiling blue eyes dark in the minimal amount of light. He sighed again, aggravated this time and glanced at his sleeping lover before rolling out of bed and opening the drawer next to him taking a few things out from their and stood from his bed, leaving room and walking down the stairs. He had no trouble finding his way seeing as the fireplaces were almost all lit though the flames were low and dying.
A hand reached out, flipping a lamp switch and a small ring of golden light colored the living room and the various placements that were around the room. Automatically he went over to the fireplace and sat on the brick edging before he looked down at the objects he had brought down from his room. One he set aside dismissively, the metallic colored machine falling to the rug before him. The second however he looked at for a long time, his lips pressed in a thin line as he rolled the stick between his fingers, watching the face spin round and round.
It was a blue hot air balloon sucker.
The blonde sighed, before he looked up at the chairs set around the room. There was a love seat set against the window, the lounge seat set adjacent to it, and against the wall but slightly pulled away was the sofa.
Things started to echo around him.
"Present time?" Came Axel's soft yet excited voice.
There came an excited squeal and rapid footsteps and everyone jerked in surprise as suddenly a ghostly form of Sora was seen in running into the lounge seat and pouncing into it. Soon five more ghosts were seen walking into the room only appearing once their bodies hit the light even though there voices still came in clearly.
Riku smiled softly as he say Sora already leaning back contently in the chair, having no problem squeezing his body in beside the other as the large was very large and they were both lean. "Excited?" He teased with a smirk.
"Yeah!!"
Roxas was laughing softly about something as Axel lead him over to the loveseat, their hands tenderly holding onto one another's. "I'm giving first!" The red-head announced.
Across from them the more nervous and new of couples, Terra and Ven, awkwardly crossed the room and took a seat on the sofa, sitting close but strangely so as if they were unsure how precisely sitting on a couch together worked.
Luckily they had little time to concentrate on each other as Axel took reign of the present-giving. "Cute or romantic first?"
The blonde blinked, grinning happily at the idea he was getting two before he seemed to think about it. "Mmm, cute!"
Soon a gift in a large box was given to the other, and the blonde was quick to rip out the wrapping and pull the top out of the box. He blinked curiously, picking out a medium sized jar that was full of slips of paper, setting it on the table slowly. "Jar of 365 hugs and warm wishes." The blonde read, smiling, before noticing a ribbon and a card attached. He turned the jar carefully and out loud read the poem that spoke of hugs and unconditional love. It was a gift everyone knew well... as Roxas still to this day ceremonially took out a piece of paper every morning to read.
Once he was finished he was given a nuzle, the red-head murmuring softly, "So every morning, you can pull out one piece of paper and remember how much I love you." Before Roxas could say anything though another gift was placed in his lap, this one small. Again the papers were taken off and the gift revealed - a silver key with rose petals - fake naturally - and a scroll attached to it. the blonde was smiling even as he took out this paper and read it softly, this poem one just simply full of love. This gift no one knew.... as it was one they had not been able to salvage from Sigurd when it was destroyed by Rave. Even still, the ghostly Roxas was moved by the touching gifts, and threw his arms around the other, near to tears from happiness. "Oh Axel... God I love you!" There lips were sealed in a passionate kiss.
While the two were... preoccupied, Riku took advantage of this, pushing a slightly big gift right in front of Sora's feet. Blue eyes glowed with excitement and the man's hands shredded the paper in instant, unable to contain himself, the others watching in curiosity. But as he revealed the box underneath, he took care to lift the top off and set it aside before his hands dug inside and he carefully took out... an old messenger bottle. It was a third way full with beach sand and tiny, colorful seashells, as if he was seeing a piece of home. But inside, there was also a message. The brunette glanced at Riku curiously and the other grinned, indicated he should indeed open it and read the letter.
Sora smile and did so, pulling off the cork and carefully fetching out the paper, unrolling it carefully. It looked worn and torn as if it were old and slowly he read the message out loud. Like with Axel's little gifts, this was a message that spoke of much love and care, one eternal. As he finished the brunette was glowing as he set it down with care - before he surprisingly tackled Riku in his enthusiasm, their lips meeting in wonderful kisses. "Thank you... thank you, I love you..." Came the soft happy whispers.
Roxas and Axel were watching them with small smiles but then the brunette's eyes darted to see the ghostly Terra with a pale face his eyes looking around the room in a panic. "Look behind you." His words brought Riku and Sora out of their lovefest. The brunette blinked but glanced over the couch before getting up and carefully leaning over to grab something.
As he did, Roxas grinned at his twin who was beginning to look shell-shocked at the idea he was getting anything at all. "Did you know Terra FAILS at wrapping? I had to help him and everything. I still don't know what he got you though."
There was a grumble of agreement as a silver gift was lifted from behind the couch, held with great care as set it in front of his lover cheeks a bit red from embarrassment. "Be careful opening it okay?" He murmured softly shifting nervously on the couch as his fingers picking at a silver chain on his belt habitually.
The blonde nodded slowly before he reached over and pulled off the wrapped paper and tape carefully, before lifting the top off. Ven's eyes seemed to widen... before he lifted out a beautiful stained glass lamp on the shape of a hot-haired balloon. On it's edge was a note that was unreadable and Ven did not read outloud, but whatever it said seemed to make him happy. An adorable sweet smile came unto his lips as he started to speak - "I-"
But he was interrupted by the nervous brunette. "There's more."
The blonde looked at him in surprise, before looking at the lamp closely, seeing nothing upon it. He set it on the table carefully before reaching bag into the page, the sound of tissue paper being ruffled could be heard before a box thin yet long box was lifted from the bigger one. Keeping it closed was a single pink ribbon.
It was tugged off easily enough and the top lifted... before blue eyes widened. he slowly reached into the box before pulled out... a red hot air balloon sucker. The sight of it was such a shock, a tear ran from his eyes - making Terra look a bit frightened that he had done wrong.
However that wasn't the case as the blonde turned to him and wrapped him up into a tight up, his words soft but loving, "This.... is the best birthday gift.... ever." The ghostly figures all vanished, only to reappear at the far end of the living room by the lamp all of them standing and this time around Roxas and Axel, the brunette looking onto the blonde's left hand with wide eyes. "Oh my god! Is that an engagement ring?!"
"I was wondering how long it would take you all to notice." Roxas said, a smile on his face.
"Come on baby, show it off!" Axel said with pride.
The lift hand was lifted, catching the light, the many diamonds glittering. Riku and Sora were both smiling, one knowingly, one just happily, Terra gave a whistle of appreciation knowing that - despite his culture - that the ring was something special in this one, And Ven couldn't help but say for all of them: "Wow, that's really something."
Roxas blushed lowering his hand as he mumbled a thanks.
"I'm so happy!" Sora burst out and suddenly he was hugging the two of them. "Ah, when is it going to be?!"
Dates and plans were discussed, congratulations spread and laughter was common the family all happy about the development.
Then Sora nudged the silverette behind him, grinning cheekily. "See I told you!"
The other seeming to find his reaction amusing, "I already knew. You think Axel is that creative on his own?"
"Wha... YOU KNEW?!" The brunette burst out in mock outrage, pointing at his own husband, before his finger turned on the new fiance. "And you didn't tell me?! Why not!"
All five of the men in the room looked at Sora with a common look, before their words came out together, "Because you can't keep a secret to save your life." They paused and glanced at one another, before breaking into surprised laughter.
The only one unhappy was Sora who had a pout on his face. "B-But..." That was until his chortling lover lent down and gave him a kiss on the cheek, then he was all smiles again.
Shortly after this event the goodbyes started to ring, but Terra suddenly separated from the others as they continued to chatter and whatnot, leaning over and grabbing a ghostly white box that was still sitting on the coffee table. He looked down at it, then sighed in recognition, walking back over to group where Sora had moved closer to Roxas' side, speaking to him about something.
That was until the box was shoved right under their noses. "One if for each of you as well." The man mumbled, looking away from the two as if he didn't actually care but it was truly more out of shyness than anything. The whole event made his future mate smile.
The two blinked in confusion before looking down at the box.
"Really?" Sora whispered softly, taken by emotion more so than Roxas. When Terra mumbled a second affirmative the brunette's finger reached into the box and pulled out another lollipop, also a hot air balloon but his was yellow. He held it up high as if he wanted it to fly. "It means a lot that you'd think of us too. Thank you so much Terra." The other said holding the seemingly unimportant piece of candy close to his heart. Riku wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him in close.
Roxas was a little more slow at reacting, but eventually his hand raised and took out his own - his blue -, holding it up like his brothers before him had, letting it spin and catch the light. He smiled then, just glad to be included this time. "Thanks Terra."
"Yeah yea, just no fucking mushiness alright?" The man grumbled,
The figures all disappeared once more and the room seemed to get darker. Roxas eyes had darkened, a frown on his face and grief in his eyes. "Sora... Riku..." He sighed and shut his eyes. "What am I supposed to do...?" He mumbled as he lowered his head to his knees, the candy falling from limp fingers and falling without a noise onto the carpet.
Suddenly, a new scene was shown this one in black and white like they had been during Riku and Sora's previous memories. The town that erupted around them was full of dark buildings and a night sky, a heart-shaped moon hovering in the sky. At the end of the town a huge white castle erupted, full of people with all sorts of faces all milling around, confused and lost.
Six people were standing in the midsts of the city, parts of it destroyed from building that had been crumpled or cut through. Two were familiar agents of the king - Donald and Goofy. The other four were even younger still, almost all of them teenagers. Sora, Riku, Roxas and Axel however were still unmistakable. However, something was wrong with the young and smallest of them, the brunette leaning against Riku heavily and his eyes unfocused, not really paying attention to much around him.
"I need to talk to him!" Roxas suddenly broke in, his hand reaching out and grabbing the unknowing brunette's wrist. Sora's tired eyes went wide and he yelped as he was tugged away. "I'll be right back!"
"What Rox-ahh!!!" The poor master cried as he was tugged away, hearing Donald quacking behind them to Axel, inquiring what he was going to do now. They were unable to hear the red-head's response as the two walked down an alley and out of sight and hearing range.
Roxas was more gentle now as he helped his Somebody to lean against the wall, the brunette's face lax and pale even in the lack of color.
The current Roxas' eyes widened in horror remembering this scene from long ago suddenly. His heart skipped a beat and he bit his lip, but there was no stopping... the conversation that Axel never knew about.
"Sora... are you SURE you're alright?" The other said.
"Oh yeah I'm great. Just hunky dory - never felt bett-ah!" The brunette started to slip but Roxas was quick to reach out and catch him. The small teen started to shake a little and he groaned, resting his head against his Nobody's shoulder as his breath came in harsh pants. "Okay... I'm a little tired. I dunno why..."
Roxas' eyes narrowed hatefully as he held the other, letting him catch his breath. "Anti. Now that I'm not there to guard him he must be trying to take your heart again."
"Oooh~ow" The brunette winced in pain then sighed. "That sucks."
Roxas looked down at his brother in concern, before he grabbed the others shoulders and helped him up against the wall again, staring straight into his eyes. "Sora... Sora you know I can..." The other hesitated, unable to finish his sentence but his meaning.. was all too clear.
Despite his vulnerability at that moment, it was not lost upon the small Keyblader either. His eyes narrowed open and he growled at his Nobody. "No. No, damn it Roxas, don't you EVEN dare!! This is not a time to grow conscience!"
The other shrunk back a bit, stung and scolded but he was quick to recover, looking at the other's failing body. "But look at you! Your-"
"Damn it Roxas, look at you! Look at how different you've become now that you've got your own heart!" Sora cut in strongly. "You LOVE Axel! I'm... I'm not going to take that away from you!" "But..." The other stuttered, unsure.
The other looked at him, understanding and at the same time befuddled. "Roxas... I know for some reason you have this strange sense of duty to protect me... yet at the same time this inner desire to be free of me." The other grimaced guiltily. "I'm fine Rox... I'll be just fine. Just give me time." He reassured calmly, smiling faintly. "All I want... is for you to be happy now. So, be happy okay? After all that's happened and all you two went for to get to each other... you deserve it."
There was a pause... then Roxas eyes started to water as he pulled his Somebody into a hug, sniffling some. "Thanks... thank you... Sora..."
Sora blinked, feeling a little stronger with his nobody so near, and smiled sadly, reaching up and wiping away a falling tear. "Hey, why are you crying?"
The other sniffled again, more tears running from under his lids. "I dunno... sorry I think... I'm still getting used to my own heart..."
"You're own heart..." Sora repeated, smiling as if the words were a true magic. He laid his head on the other's shoulder, his eyes lidded as if he were about to fall asleep. "Hey Roxas... I'm gonna tell you a secret about selfishness. When you see something pass by you that you want... that your heart truly desires and your life ultimately needs to enrich it with love or happiness or togetherness or family... don't just let it pass you by. You need to reach out and take it with all the strength you have. Got that?"
There was a pause then, "Yeah... I think so."
"You'll understand one day." The brunette chuckled. "Come on let's head back."
The blonde blinked but nodded slowly, helping his Somebody out of the ally. As they did he couldn't help but ask one final question. "...So what does this make us anyhow? Friends?"
"Mmm... no. We're closer than friends." Sora said softly. "Oh! How about... brothers?"
"Brothers?"
"Yeah I always wanted a brother and your perfect for the role! We can even be twins!"
There was a small pause, then a chuckle. "Sure Sora. We can be brothers."
The scene faded out but revealed Roxas again still in the living room but his head shot up, and with a resolve he hadn't had before his hand snatched out and grabbed his cell phone, opening it and dialing the 5 before placing it against his ear.
"Terra? I need to speak to you..."
The scene slowly faded away, but Roxas didn't seem to care about that at all. Instead he was looking towards his husband, still afraid of his reaction of the event he had never known of. How would he respond to knowing that, just minutes after he had obtained his new heart he had been willing to carelessly throw it and all their hard work away... like it was trash?
Whatever he was about to get he probably deserved...
"Axel?" He mumbled softly, sounding as if he was bracing for either the red-haired man's fury or pain... whichever came first.
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Post by Rikugurl on Jun 4, 2009 19:24:24 GMT -5
Everyone watched the scene, seeing a moment that the Gen 2 didn't recognize.
Axel however did. How could he ever forget the night he proposed to Roxas? And he was rather proud of his gifts too! That whole day came out great. The cranes, the arcade, the fireworks.
The random sex on the couch.
Yea, he wouldn't forget it for the world.
Roxel smiled slightly as he saw the ring, a ring he knew so well and even asked Roxas if he could try it one when he was smaller. He was really upset when Roxas told him no, even carried a fit but when he grew older and found out exactly what that ring was, he understood why Roxas wouldn't even take it off.
Axel on the other hand took of his whenever he washed the dishes or changed his diaper.
Sammy tilted his head, looking at the ring that Roxas was showing off. Obviously it was special.. but he didn't understand what they meant when they asked him if they had a 'date'. It didn't seem like the kind of 'date' that Namine taught him about. He would have to ask Lucina about that later.
Olette tapped her finger to her lips as she saw the ending. That must of been when Roxas asked Terra if they could join the Chaser's group... and obviously it had to do with what Sora had said in the past memory... but what exactly was the main reason? She never knew, just was happy to have the Xipil family become a part of the Chaser family.
The scene faded and the slight smiles stayed on some of their faces. It was neither a good or bad memory. One of change.
However, green eyes brightened as the owner heard his name and slowly her turned, looking through long red hair up at his husband. The look on his face made Axel frown slightly but it seemed more...unknowing that sad. Then...it clicked.
Roxas was afraid... about wanting to give up his heart. He supposed if it was anything or anyone else, yea, he'd be pissed... but it was for his Somebody who was suffering. A Somebody in which he had become good friends with.
"It's ok, Roxie... Even if you did... I'd still find a way to bring you out."
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Post by Reno on Jun 5, 2009 17:19:37 GMT -5
Roxas swallowed hard as he saw those green eyes looked towards him, ready for anything -
"It's ok, Roxie..."
Except for that! Roxas' stared in shock, listening to the other, then slowly his eyes turned a beautiful blue, the expression in his face full of tender love. "Oh Axel..." He murmured softly, his hand touching against the barrier, his heart pounding strong in his heart and once again he felt that all-consuming desire to by the red-head's side, to kiss him and hug him...
Maybe it was just because they were older and wiser, maybe it's because they knew fighting over the past was for the most part a bit useless; that in the end things turned out more wonderful than any novel could reprint, that between the trials they suffered and they days that were sometimes hard to even wake up to, they didn't lose an ounce of love to one another. In fact it had grown. Whatever the reason, Roxas couldn't help but be glad again and again... that someone like Axel had found him.
The white glow under him shimmered to life and hit the gem once more.
Axel had always been there for him...
Harsh panting filled the room as a screen was revealed, Roxas pinned up against a light pole by thin almost invisible gray wires that were so sharp they had cut through his clothing and skin, visible waves of blue coming off his body. Like so many puppet strings, the wires gleamed faintly in the orange sunlight of the downtown area of Twilight Town, the blue energy seeming to be twisting down them and the puppeteer of those strings... was a woman becoming very familiar to them all.
Number 14, Xion - the Ruthless Thief.
Around her the blue energy seemed to spiral before slowly being sucked into her body, like a parasite she sucked at the other's energy. Roxas continued to groan softly his teeth grit, but the longer this went on, the weaker he seemed to become, his feet hanging heavily the toes bare inches from the ground, blood droplets falling slowly around them to make dots onto the ground below. "Nngh..." The blonde groaned again, hanging his head.
"My power..." She murmured softly, ignoring the blonde's soft cries "It's going to be fulfilled very soon. Like a vessel overflowing with water, now my memory is full of memories of Roxas." Her smile turned cruel. "To Roxas... How do I appear now?"
Blue eyes squinted open, and looked across towards her his eyes narrowed in anger. "Axel... he was right... about you..." He hissed between his teeth. "Unreliable... a traitor... all of it true..."
The words seem to make her wild. "SHUT UP!" She tugged on the wires sharply, making them tighten fiercely around the Nobody, making him yell. The blood trickled faster, the cuts deeper. "How dare you - Axel, he!" She growled, looking at the weakening other. "He is no different than I. He has already destroyed two of our kind. That 'friend' of yours would just as turn on you as the rest of us had these orders been his. Regardless of the fact, you are both nobodies, whatever you believe you 'feel' is just a lie!"
Roxas seemed to shudder all over... and then he laughed, his head raising slowly. "No. You're wrong... you jealous bitch." He grunted as the wires tightened even more. "Axel, he is my friend. He would never... ever betray me because... even if we don't have hearts... we can still care about each other. We trust each other! And you... you just can not handle that can you?!" The flow of the energy being taken from him seemed to increase. "Nnaaah!!"
"Well where is he now?!" She cried manically. "Where is this friend now?! He is certainly not saving you!" The blue energy suddenly faded from around Roxas, leaving him breathless and shaking, his blue eyes dim with weariness. As the last of it came to her she let go of one hand of wires and tugged and the went spinning off of the blonde. She watched apathetically as he collapsed onto the ground before she slowly started to walk towards him.
"However if you are so convinced of these 'feelings' than maybe I should leave you in such a state that it would be gift for him to find you in. Which way would you like to be done in?" She said with a wicked tone in her voice as, shockingly enough, the Keyblade once again appeared in her hand. "Should I bash your head in with your own weapon? Or maybe I could use my wires to cut you to pieces?" The blonde's head moved to look towards her feet as they stopped a few paces from him, his eyes full of fury as his trembling fingers curled into the dirt. "Oh! I know! The perfect death and one such as Number 8 will be able to appreciate such art." Her smile turned utterly insane. "Let's burn you alive."
Roxas' breathing stopped and his eyes widened as the Keyblade was pointed down at him, magical energy beginning to collect around it.
"N-! No! R--!!" Came a blurry voice across the screen, unheard by Xion but the twitch in Roxas' eyes showed he had. "H--ry! RUN!" And that voice was unmistakable - Sora.
Roxas grunted, struggling to get to his feet, his legs drawing up under him-
"FIRAGA!"
And with strength he probably shouldn't have, Roxas suddenly sprung straight up into the air as flames burned like wildfire onto the ground in great waves. His body spun and his feet landing against the light pole, using it as leverage to vault over the fire and Xion and landed further away. He panted hard, glancing back, seeing those deep sea blue eyes staring at him in shock and fury, slowly turning towards him. He didn't wait another second and stumbled into a run, hearing her call another ferocious magic attack ice started to collect on the walls around him...
The scene faded only to return, the sound of thunder booming sparks of electricity flashing all over as the blonde narrowly avoided being struck, escaping into an alley. Some time had definitely passed, as Roxas was more wounded then before, blood running from his temple and coloring his hair scarlet and his right arm seeming it be held more carefully then the left, signifying he must of fallen. The reason why seemed to be answered by the incredibly deep yet incredibly thin cut circling around his left shin no doubt done by Xion's wires, later becoming a small and thin white scar upon the blonde's leg that still to this day stood out on the skin.
The Nobody was exhausted and desperate, so out of breath he was coughing, as his body straggled against the wall, seeming to have reached the end of his limit as he went tipping forward like a drunk man and slammed into a metal trash can. The sound was great as the poor teen finally hit the ground, a mess of trash all around him. Footsteps started to echo close by. "Rooooooxas...." He just laid there, sighing as he shut his eyes, appearing as if he had given up.
"Come on... Get up! Get UP!" Sora's voice was echoing to him even stronger now just as s shadow of a figure appeared at the end of the alley. Roxas' eyes opened and, though he was unsure why he was listening to this voice, he grunted and struggled valiantly to his feet once more and blindly kept going but his pace was slow. Xion seemed not worried at all, calmly walking after... as the blonde walked himself right into a dead end - the way cut off by a large fence.
"No! Shit!" The blonde cussed futilely, his hands slamming into the gate, hearing it ring.
"End of the line." Said Xion her footfalls stopping but her presences blocking his only way out.
Roxas looked back at her before he gazed around the area trying to search out anything that could save him. He found little to nothing... except a lone stick that kids who probably played her before had forgotten. Without a choice, he reached out for it and turned to face her, holding the piece of wood as threateningly as possible.
The other girl stared blankly for a few moments before bursting into laughter that would of made even Larxene cringe. "Do you honestly think that will save you?!" She grinned, her body tensing all over as she got ready to charge.
The blonde stared at her silently before his shoulders slumped some, his offensive position falling away into one of resignation and defeat.
She's right. I have nothing left... His thoughts echoed.
"Oh Roxas... this was fun while it lasted!" Were her last words before she started to run for him.
This is the end...
"NO! NO I REFUSE TO DIE HERE!" Came a fierce objection from his other half.
Roxas eyes went wide, his head looking up just as Xion came upon him, Kingdom Key swinging.
"I STILL... HAVE TO FIND... RIKU!"
Almost beyond his control and with really no hope of saving himself, Roxas' arm moved of its own accord, Kingdom Key swinging down with every intention of snapping it in two...
When instead the clang of two keyblades hitting echoing the the back alley, the stick having been replaced by a beautiful black blade with a heavy tip that could crush in skulls and a black crown for a keychain. Between the blades, two pairs of blue eyes stared into one another, both in a shock. Dark energy started to wisp around Oblivion and Roxas singlehandedly shoved her back with force, Xion giving a cry as the dark energy jumped from blade to blade and wrapped around her. She stumbled back, limbs spasming.
"AND I STILL NEED... TO RETURN TO... KAIRI!"
In Roxas second hand, another keyblade, this one white, suddenly appeared, this one delicate-looking with a tip that could cut through stone and a keychain a small but happy seashell star. Power thrummed through this blade as well and Roxas eyes narrowed as he lifted it high and swung it towards the other, waves of white flying through the open air like sickles. Xion was barely able to gasp in horror before the attack hit her and she cried as she was thrown back her body slamming hard into another couple of trashcans, body rolling in the filth.
The blonde panted hard before his legs shook and he fell to his knees, keyblades buried into the dirt before him. His fingers tightened around the handles though when he heard a soft groan echoing from down the alley and Xion struggled slowly to her feet, her angry eyes narrowing onto the blonde. "You..."
She stumbled to her feet, an angry huff hissing from her lips as she picked up her blade and started to approach him again. "I don't know how but it matters little. You can put up a struggle all you want - this is still the end!" She lifted her keyblade as she got in Roxas range.
The blonde grit his teeth, body tensing as he got ready to strike back - and then his face turned into one of horror as a glowing red pole was suddenly in his face. The camera slowly moved back to see Xion, her body frozen and mouth slack, keyblade falling from nimb fingers and turning to dust before it ever touched the ground. And behind her stood Xemnas, one of his sabers having been thrust through the middle of Xion's body. She didn't even scream as she faded away...
"S-Superior...?" Roxas whispered.
"Come 13." The man said easily, lowering his arm and turning away a portal appeared before him. "We have no time to have traitors in a midst if we wish to obtain our goal." Without waiting he walked into the portal.
Roxas stared blankly for a few moments more before he struggled to his feet and hurried after, the duel blades disappearing from his hands.
The blonde was scene again walking from the portal into that of a white castle. Xemnas was nowhere in sight any longer but someone else was, someone much more friendly.
"Roxas! Hey what happened to you?!"
The lips twitched and slowly turned into a smile, mouth moving to form the two syllables of the name he knew so well. "Axel..." His eyes slowly shut and he started to fall.
"Roxas!" The red-head cried, hands reaching out to catch the other Nobody. "ROXAS!"
The scene faded only to return once more this time revealing Roxas stirring into wakefulness bandages around his head and arms. The rest of his body was covered by the sheet but there was no doubt that those injuries had been tended to as well. "Unnn..." Came the soft moan as the blue eyes fluttered open, the head rolling on his pillow to gaze around the moon soaked room. the look on his face was one of befuddlement until he caught the sight of fire at his bedside. He looked calmly towards the blaze, smiling faintly as he reached out and ran his fingers on top of the flames.
But they were not flames at all... no it was hair. Red hair. Axel's hair. The red-head was half sitting in a chair, the other half of his body thrown on the bed, head pillowed on his arms, soft breathes passing his softly parted lips. "I don't know where you before... But I am glad you are here now." Spoke Roxas into the silence, his body shifting ever so slightly so it was angled more towards his friend. The lids fell upon the windows of the soul, and soon he was asleep once more.
Axel had always supported him...
A new scene entirely started to show on screen, Roxas in the kitchen, putting jelly on a piece of bread. From the other room came the sound of Roxel's voice, trying to sound out words. Terra's voice started to echo in the room though it was obviously words of the past.
"Have you even spoken to Axel about this? did you even think about Roxel? ...Listen Roxas, get your shit together and than once you've decided call me again."
"I thought you'd be at the Town Hall already." Came Axel's voice, the red-head walking into the kitchen a content smile on his face. rather than chastising the other for not going to work arms came around the other and the red-head cuddled his shoulder as if he couldn't be happier to have him so close.
The blonde inclined his head, smiling even as he set the knife down. "Mmm... I'm not going today." His body leaned back against the other. "I've started to realize something Axel..." He sighed looking up at the other. "I think I've been working too much." He teased. "I feel like I hardly spend any time home anymore. I never have time for you or Roxel any more..."
His eyes looked away as his tone turned serious as if he wanted to talk to the other about something serious. "I think... I wanna quit."
The red-head blinked for a few moments at this revelation, before he smiled and pressed his body closer. "Oh? Then... maybe we should run an election huh? The people of Delshad can elect their new leader or leaders..." Slowly however his grin turned lecherous. "Then.... why don't you stay for awhile?" His fingers danced along creamy skin before dipping to the, deftly undoing the button and going for the zipper.
"H-Hey!"
The screen faded out only to return again this time roxas was pacing agitatedly around his bedroom, cellphone in his ear.
"I can't believe you! Did you even fucking think this through?!" Came a voice that was the same as Roxas' but the blonde's lips were not moving. It was obvious who he was talking to on the other end.
"Of course I thought it through!" Roxas said back, huffing. "I wouldn't of called up Terra and asked him to join if I hadn't given it some serious thought! I'm not impulsive like you."
"That's not the fucking point!"
"YOU ASKED THE QUESTION!"
"... WELL! Argh!" Ven grumbled. "Fuck. Well, what about Roxel? And Axel? And Xio and Invidia?"
"They'd come with me, obviously."
"I know THAT idiot! But how do they feel about it?!"
"I uh... haven't exactly asked yet." Ven started to cuss up an angry storm but Roxas was quick to jump in - "However I'm sure Roxel will warm up to the idea if he knows he's get to be with Tensai - just think we'll get to raise our kids together!" The blonde smiled suddenly at the idea. "And Axel will go with me no matter what so..."
There was a pause then a sigh. "Roxas... why do you WANT to suddenly be a Chaser? You're heaving your family up from their lives to come with us! And yes I fucking know technically Seifer, Olette and Fuujin all did the same damn think but none of them worked as hard as you two to CREATE a fucking town. Why leave it now?"
Roxas continued to pace, before he hesitated in front of the large window, looking out it, seeing the town of Delshad spread before him. "I don't know there's... a lot of reasons!"
"Like what?"
"Well... I'm kind of getting bored of the same routine here... and I always wanted to travel!" Roxas said with a happy smile. He got a dull grumble in return. "And... well I am the master now I could really help you guys out and fulfill my 'purpose' or whatever it is." He hesitated, "And this way I wouldn't have to find a job that cut into any time I wanted with my family..."
"You're putting them all in danger!" Ven exploded. "Fuck, they could both die tomorrow for this stupid decision!"
"I won't let that happen." Roxas dismissed him easily before continuing, "Besides with the mastership in my hands now, danger is going to come find me ANYways... we'd all - myself, my family, Delshad and the Gardens - would be more protected if I left." He paused, before he murmured, "And of course you have Tensai now. He's my nephew and I'd LIKE to get to know him." There was a hesitance. "And... well..."
"What is it?"
"You..."
"Me? What the fuck do I have to do with this?"
The blonde's frown twisted down some. "Well I know we aren't really that close - in fact if it wasn't for Sora... we wouldn't know each other at all. And now that the connection between... it's gone. I can't feel you at all anymore because Sora's not here anymore. And I just don't want to wake up one day and get a random call and someone tells me your dead and all I can feel is this deep regret I never got to know you better." There was a pause, then Roxas continued, his expression insecure. "You never really said it about me Ventus. I know you have no reason to think about me as a brother at all... I wasn't born with you two, and we didn't grow up with each other eating balloon lollipops or watching the races or playing games around windmills, you probably only know me for nothing more than your replacement after you left, the guy who stole everything about you just because Sora missed you that much. So maybe this is stupid of me that somehow still I feel I wish... we could at least be friends."
"................................."
There was a long pause, then,
"You're a fucking idiot."
"Huh?"
"Of COURSE I fucking think of you as a brother Roxas!" Ventus snapped loudly. "Shit. Even if I don't fucking SAY it doesn't fucking me I don't think it! I think shit! And further-fucking-more just because you didn't grow up with me and Soran and just because you're Soran's nobody doesn't mean you AREN'T our relative! You're part of him which, since I'm his fucking twin, means your a part of me too!" Roxas was staring blankly out at nothing, but as the other continued to speak, a soft, happy smile broke upon his face. "And while I wasn't fucking happy about you at first, I am glad you exist idiot and that your apart of my... our family! Soran was always so oblivious to everything he always needed somebody to watch his ass anyways!" There was silence for a few moments then a huff. "And like hell could you ever pull of being me. I'd like to see you tackle that asshole Terra when he gets into the fucking mood."
"Errr, no thanks." Roxas laughed. "I like playing the dominant role, you girl."
"Hey! Fuck you!" The other's voice got low and maybe just a tad bit jealous. "Still can't believe you went and asked him about this first!"
"Well Terra's the leader! ... So that's why I asked HIM duh." Roxas said into his cellphone, shifting nervously in the bedroom. He didn't notice his lean husband lurking in the doorway. "Come on Ven stop it I haven't even asked AXEL If he wants to join the Chasers yet so stop giving me a hard time-"
"WHAT?!" Came Axel's sudden cry.
Roxas froze and looked around.
"WHAT ABOUT BEING A CHASER?! WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?! WHEN WERE YOU GOING TO TELL ME!!!"
"I was TRYING to Axel but you decided to distract me with sex in the kitchen while our son was in the next room!"
"......................" Went the cellphone. ".......Maybe I should go."
The scene slowly faded only to return once more this time Roxas was looking silently at a picture of his son smiling goofily at the camera. He smiled slowly before he laid the picture with care in a cardboard box setting on a table empty of all but the phone and computer. The room around him was nearly stripped bare of anything that would make it his own. Nimble fingers curled around the keys before he turned around and walked to the other end of the room, placing them in another pair of hands. "It's all yours!"
The woman looked up, black hair falling to her shoulders as her fingers curled around the set of keys. Her face was narrow but kind, her eyes full of a sort of wisdom to them. "Mayor Roxas-"
"Just Roxas please."
She swallowed but nodded. "Of course. Roxas... are you certain of this?"
"Never been more sure of anything in my life." The blonde said as he crossed the room again, picking up the cardboard box full of his things.
"But what will you do now?"
He glanced back and shrugged. "I'm not sure yet, but I'm gonna start by spending time with my family!"
There was a flash and Roxas was seen walking through his house door, still carrying the box.
"Yay! Daddy home early!" Came a happy cry, Roxel jumping up from where he had been laying on the rug, coloring to race across the carpet and hug his father's legs enthusiastically. Roxas lent down, setting the box aside and instead embracing the small boy, chuckling. "Yeah, daddy is gonna be home for quite awhile." He laughed as Xio licked his cheek also very happy about this turn of events.
"YAY! Let's par-tay with ice cream!" Little Roxel said, wiggling in excitement.
"I could go for some of that." Roxas was saying just as a shadow fell over them both. He looked up, giving his husband his best cutesy questioning look.
Axel smiled a bit and nodded. "Alright but just this once."
"Alright!" Roxas grinned, lifting Roxel into his arms, letting the boys small arms wrap around his neck while Axel lent down and picking up the box. "So how did it go?"
"It was fine. I think Nexia is going to do a fine job running this town." Roxas said as he walked towards the kitchen.
"Well, I'm glad your home."
"Me too."
Another one appeared this one on the ship.
"Alright," Terra was saying, looking at the family of five. "Roxas you'll be Chaser number 11, Axel you'll be 12, Rox-"
"WAIT!" The red-head burst out loudly.
"What damn it?!" Terra snapped back.
"...I want to be number 13." The red-head said hopefully.
Terra gave him a dull look. "You can not be serious."
"Please?"
"Why the fuck should I-"
"IT'S JUST A FUCKING NUMBER GIVE IT TO HIM!" Came Aqua voice from the kitchen, standing up for her friend.
"FINE UGH!" Terra yelled back. "Roxas you're number eleven, Roxel you're twelve, Axel is THIRTEEN, Xio fourteen and Invidia fifteen. Everyone fucking happy?!"
"Definitely!"
"Uh-huh!"
"Yep!"
"Yip!"
"Bark!"
And then of course... without Axel they never would of had... Roxel.
"Sora, Riku," Roxas said to the two men who were in wonder, nodded to a small boy hiding behind Axel's legs, his multi-colored eyes peering up at them. "This is Roxel, our son. Roxel, these are your uncles, Sora and Riku."
The boy looked at them with big round eyes before hiding behind his dad's legs again.
"Come on Roxel say hello." Axel said kindly ruffling his son's hair.
"Nuh-uh!" The boy cried, making the two new parents sigh.
Sora blinked than a smile grew on his face, "Mind if I try?"
Roxas looked over but nodded. "Sure, go ahead."
The brunette smiled ecstatically before walking a few steps and crouching down by Axel's legs, seeing the little toddler glancing around at him every now and again. "Hey Roxel. Do you like coloring."
"Nu-huh!"
"Roxel, it's not nice to lie." Roxas chastised.
"No lie!"
Sora smiled, finding this amusing. "So you don't like coloring."
"Nu-huh!"
"Alright do you..." He glanced around, spotting Xio close by, watching the boy protectively. "Do you like lions?"
"Nu-huh!"
"Moombas?"
"Nu-huh!!" Xio whimpered and Roxel stage whispered. "Sorry wion!"
"Are you lying because you don't like me and Riku?"
There was a pause and then Roxel looked past his dad's legs again. "No."
The brunette smiled kindly to the other. "Are you lying 'cause you're scared?"
"Uh-huh." Came the answer.
"Yeah, meeting people is really scary huh?" Sora said softly.
"Uh-huh." Roxel nodded.
The brunette smiled even moreso. "That's okay, we all get scared sometimes. But you don't have to lie. Sometimes Lies can be even scarier than people!"
"Weally?!" The boys eyes went wide.
"Yeah!"
"I make Sowa scared?"
Sora did his best fearful expression. "A little. Cause I like coloring and lions and moombas and I want to be your friend but you don't like the things I like."
"I wied I wied!" The boy cried jumping from behind his dad's legs. "I wike wions and Ooobas and cowoing! I'll be a fwiend! Pwease don't be scawed!"
Sora smiled again. "Oh I feel better now! I'm not scared anymore!"
"Yay!"
"Do you like hugs?" Sora asked then.
"Uh-huh! My daddies give good wugs!"
"Can I give you a hug Roxel?"
Rather than answering the boy hurried over, little chuuby arms reaching out and curling as best they could around Sora's body.
"Me give wug to unca Sowa!"
Sora grinned then and his arms curled around the little boy carefully, returning the hug. "Why thank you. It's the bestest hug ever! Wanna be my friend too?"
"Uh-huh!!"
The two seemed to be very happy but above their heads unseen by the brunette but easily caught by the silent silverette was Roxas and Axel sharing panicked looks that said it all: Shit, they had so much to learn!!
"Like ice cream?"
"I WUV ICE CWEAM!!!"
The scene faded away, only to open up again in the Nexus Garden. Sora was sitting on the lawn, his hands cupped as if he were holding something in his hands, Roxel's big eyes looking into them with a wide smile.
Further away on a bench sat three people, a tall red-head who was slumped in his seat with his arms crossed, a short blonde with a troubled visage and a silverette merely watching his husband with a small smile.
The two's voices carried even from there.
"It's called a ladybug because she's just sooo pretty she must be a lady!" Sora was saying, making Roxel giggle. "We can call her Miss Lady."
"Miss Wady! Miss Wady!!" The boy clapped.
"Maybe we weren't ready for this." Roxas whispered suddenly, making two heads turn towards him in shock.
"Roxas!" Axel was the one to chastise.
"Axel look at us! We've had him for ten days and even when we could convince him to go outside he was scared of everything that moved, especially people! Sora comes here and in five minutes he's not scared of anything at all!" Roxas cried, his face pale with worry as he hid his face in his hands.
"Well it's not like we can take him back!" The red-head cried hysterically.
"I know that! I just... I just want to be a good father to him..." Roxas murmured behind his fingers.
The red-head's face became sad. "Me too Rox... me too..."
A hand reached out, gently being placed upon Roxas' shoulder. The blonde looked up towards Riku, seeing the man's sympathetic and understanding look. "The fact that you two are worrying about it at all means you two are really trying. You're putting all your effort into caring for him and loving him and that's a great start."
Roxas sighed, "But Sora-"
"Sora's been working with kids for YEARS Roxas. He had to learn everything too. When he first started teaching almost every day he'd come home and tell me he had no idea what he was doing and lots of things weren't working at all. But he started to find things that did and still does even now. Now it's just second nature for him." The other smiled faintly. "You guys are gonna be fine."
"What if we mess up really bad though?" Axel asked softly.
"Then you screw up bad and trust me, you probably will at some point." Riku said. "No relationship is perfect, and just like you guys can't be perfect for him, he can't be perfect for you. You'll just have to accept that it will happen and deal with it when it does." The silverette sighed softly. "But most of all, you two need to brave for him. You can't throw in the towel just when you've begun. You two are all that little guy has to feed and cloth him, to teach him everything that's right and wrong, and to give him the happiest life he can ever have. So don't give up even on the little things. If it doesn't work the first way or even the tenth way, keep looking. An answer will come eventually."
Axel sat there quietly for a few moments before something caught his eye, which slowly narrowed with determination as it landed on Roxel. He stood suddenly and crossed over to where Sora and his son were, sitting down with them. "So, Miss Lady was it? Do you know she can fly Roxel?"
"She can?!"
"Yeah." The red head seemed to be pondering before he spoke. "She's magic!"
"Oooh what's dat?"
"Well... err... It's like this special juice inside of you that allows you to do amazing things!"
"Like... wonge juice?"
"Yeah! So if you drink lots of orange juice, one day you'll be magic too!"
Roxas watched them in silence his lips twitching some before he sighed, head hanging. "Axel... he's gonna be such a great dad. God, I just wish... we had been a little more prepared but he was just... unexpected completely!"
"Roxas," Riku called softly making the blonde look at him. "I know it's seems terrifying right now and even impossible but remember you're not doing it alone. You and Axel... you two are a team. You can help each other as you get stuck. It's going to be okay." The new father looked towards the two. "But everything has to start with a beginning effort."
Roxas was quiet for a few moments then he smiled softly. "Thank you... Riku." He stood and started to walk towards his family. "Roxel, you wanna know about the mini fairies? They're called butterflies!"
In fact if it wasn't for Axel... he wouldn't exist at all.
Two hands were clasped as together they began to climb towards the moon, the two Nobodies ready to meet their fate. They paused in front of two large double doors.
"Here goes!" The red-head said and grabbed a handle and started to pull. Roxas blinked but soon joined him, trying to open them but they didn't move at all. The red-head suddenly blinked however and looked towards his companion. "Umm.... why don't you just... unlock it there, Roxas?"
"Huh?" Roxas asked looking towards the other, then blushed. Oh. "I knew that!" He let go of his handle and walked a few steps away Oathkeeper appearing in his hands.
Around them hundred of nobodies started to appear, all of them waiting in edgy excitement at the event that was about to occur. Roxas looked up and pointed the blade towards the sky, a bright light shooting upwards. At the call of the blade, their was a rumbling turn like a mighty lock was shifting. And then the doors started to slide open.
As it did, Axel suddenly looked at his companion, smiling. "Roxas. If something goes wrong... you can have my heart. Like I said... I feel like I have one when you're around..."
"Wha... Axel..." Roxas started to blush - just as the doors opened wide and the world exploded into light. Hearts shot out in all direction flying into nobodies chests that slowly started to turn human dance through the sky as beautifully as the meteor shower that brought back all the worlds. There so many - more than those who were in the world that Never Was. The rest of the eharts went farther still, maybe across the universe to find their true home.
But Roxas cared little as he looked instead at his red-haired friend... as one heart started to lightly float down towards him. "Where the hell have you been!?" He laughed, reaching for the heart and bringing it close. It seeped into his body... and suddenly there was such a wonderful change that occurred in the red-head. His clothes changed to something more becoming, his skin tone turned natural almost glowing, his eyes began brighter, his smile more true and his heart... once again beat in his chest.
Roxas' breath was caught, stunned by the sight of the other turning back into a human - more beautiful than anything he could explain. However it was not enough that he missed the heart floating down in front of him.
There's really one... for me too? Came the disbelieving thought.
The crystal heart floating there before it shoved it's way into Roxas' chest.
The scene faded away and suddenly light wrapped around Roxas' pedestal unexpectedly. Wait, what? THAT was his light?! His heart?
"Tch, narcissistic chickenwuss!" Was Seifer's unheard yell.
Roxas squinted as the light surrounded him again also baffled. Of all the moments in his life that could of been his light his heart was that?! Why-
Then he remembered Fuujin's words. "The phoenix said something about collecting the light in our memories... we can combine them to open another keyhole. I'm guessing... it's not just memories of Terra but maybe like.... the happiest moment in our own lives."
His happiest moment. Of course now when he looked back at that day naturally he would think of it as his best because it began everything else. And it wasn't his heart that was his light... it was freedom and life. He cherished his heart because without it he could never of been with his love Axel, could never of helped build Delshad and make a difference in the universe, could never of had brothers, and could definitely of never made Roxel!
"I understand," Said Roxas with a soft smile as he reached out and caught the ball of light, nothing and everything reflected in it. He was definitely Sora's Other.
As he felt the cold again however his eyes narrowed in familiarity. Not this again - this voice... it must come after each finished trial. This is what the phoenix spoke of.
"Do you desire to see more of the memories lost by the witch and your fallibility? Do you not wish to ease the guilt of your stolen heart?"
Roxas frowned some at the question, before shaking his head. No memories could settle the many guilts he felt - that was something he had to, overtime, accept and forgive himself for. "You like to ruin moments huh?" He sighed holding his light close. "I will tell you again - no. You will not sully my memories either!"
The cold seemed to growl around him before it backed off and the warmth overtook him before the light was gone around him, the keyhole shining even brighter. Roxas' eyes fluttered open, ready to descend the stairs and go greet his family - when he noticed the barrier of sun ray lights was still around him.
Was it another malfunction?
However when he reached out and touched the barrier it still stood strong. "What's going on?" He murmured.
"Well if you and Tensai are controlling Ven and Terra's memories you need you probably need to finish their trials as well." Aqua spoke up.
"Oh..." The blonde said, highly disappointed as he looked towards his family. He was done... but he still couldn't be with them.
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Post by Rikugurl on Jun 5, 2009 20:44:17 GMT -5
At the first memory, Axel's and Roxel's eyes narrowed as they watched the 14 member try to kill Roxas. Axel held that look on his face whenever something really bothered him... and looked as if the wheels in his head were trying to think of something evil to do.
Why...did she want to kill Roxas? And if he had known this before... he would of done her in before Xemnas. More blood on his hands but...
He remembered that night though. Demyx kept asking why he wouldn't come out, Saix even growling at him with how stupid he was still acting... like he actually had a friendship.
He DID have a friendship... and a crush.
If it wasn't for Sora...
The next memory was one that Roxel gasped at. He couldn't remember that day since he was so young and there was nothing special to it... but his dads!? They......they were.........DOING IT in the kitchen when Roxas was making him his sandwich!?
WHAT THE HELL WERE THEY THINKING!? Dammit... maybe Terra was right calling them bunnies!
His hand covered his face as he sighed, shaking it. At least he didn't have to encounter what poor Ten-chan did... oddly enough. He told them that one night he had a question about his homework that Terra had left him and he accidentally walked into an....intimate scene. A....bloody intimate scene that scared his poor best friend for weeks!
With all the intimate moments in his fathers lives, it was still shocking he never bumped into one.
Maybe he had Xio to thank.
Speaking of Xio, it depressed the father and son as they watched the old memories, seeing their old family member. His death... was so... tragic. Roxel had a hard time understanding why Vi sacrificed herself as well... but Tensai explained it softly. No one would want to continue on without their lover. Moxley was well taken care off... and she could no longer have kits let alone want to with anyone else but her Moomba. She was also old... and that jump first off would of been a lot of effort and two.. if she had none left, there was no use to her of fallen into the Darkness.
The second to last memory pulled the teen out of tears as he smiled, seeing what he was like on his first few days of life. He always found it strange that he was born a toddler... but then again, it was a Dusk they placed a little heart into... one probably the size of a toddlers. There was also that bonding that he missed out, ones that babies got when they were fed by a bottle or getting their diapers changed. He couldn't see his dads do that though. He was sure one sight of smeared poop would have Axel running for the hills!
He did get a hell of a lot of attention though from everyone in Delshad. He was the leader's little boy in who they 'made' themselves and then Sora and Riku spoiled him. Then there were Gunnar and Lucina BACK THEN who played with him when they joined, making the Chasers become a big family and watched after him too. No wonder he had such an ego!
Axel crossed his arms as he watched the memory, remembering how difficult the first few months had been but it suddenly lifted off and it was second nature. Of all the people who helped them with standing strong, everyone in the room was baffled that it was Riku himself... who was so anti-social and not use to kids himself.
The scene faded and showed one that only Riku and Sora had seen. One that told the beginnings of Axel and Roxas's real life together. Roxel could see the different that the heart had done to his father. His eyes... were so much greener and even though he had lost the sparkle in his eyes that use to be there but had faded with old age, that fire behind them was still burning strong. Roxas as well, his eyes were as clear as glass as the heart came down on him and then---
"Ah!" Roxel cried as he covered his eyes, the light of the gem shining throughout the room, making everyone look away.
Axel too covered his eyes, though they squinted to see the light pillar around his husband and lover. Unlike Seifer or some others...he knew it wasn't just Roxas's heart that was his light...
The coldness wrapped around the room once more and the couples and friends moved together again to keep each other warm.
These lights that should be good to see happen were slowly making everyone flinch... knowing what was going to happen after. Another unknown memory would be shown to them... and then a few horrible memories of their own would follow. Roxel could only hope it wasn't Tensai again... his friend couldn't handle much more.
Fuu shivered at the cold, wrapping her arms around herself. It was defiantly getting stronger. She knew that if Ven was here... it would drive him insane.
As the light faded, everyone looked over at Roxas's pillar. Roxel pulled away from Axel and happily rushed over to the stairs but... the field didn't disappear. "Dad?" He called but looked over as Aqua started to speak. He pouted and heard Axel sigh. Roxas was still on trial... Slowly the thin teen walked back over to his father and took Jax into his own hands, feeling the little moomba lick his chin.
What happened next was expected. The gem seemed to start burning, black smoke coming off it was a screen appeared.
The sounds of beads clicking together could be heard as a man looking away was pulling on the last of his robed outfit. Clawed hands reached up towards one of the millions of things that hung from the wall, pulling down a black mask with a large crow beak.
The Room of Echoes seemed to have a small bit of warmth as the man placed the mask over his face and slowly turned to look at the bed that was in the memory before. The younger man with purple hair was sleeping soundly, his naked body covered by a warm blanket made of animal fur. Bite marks however punctured his skin here and there but he seemed to be content.
Under the mask, a small smile rose before he walked out of the room and closed the door. Crows around the house flapped their wings and birdseed was thrown around messily across the floor yet the largest of them all only flew to land on his shoulder as the man made his way to the front door. The coldness came back to the Room of Echoes as the man stepped out into the foggy morning and the door closed behind him, bringing the screen into darkness once more.
The screen started to come back in the fog, this time in the vast field. Pale feet sunk into wet mud as the figure walked down a trail, a crow on his shoulder looking around. The figure was headed to a run down looking shack where outside, some famished horse looked around for grass to eat.
The camera suddenly switched to show the inside of the shack, blue scared eyes looking through the cracks of wood, watching the figure coming closer and closer. From the gasps of frighten air passing through wet lips, it was easy to tell it was a female. Suddenly, a violent outbreak ran through the room as the young woman shot out and started to run around the small room that seemed to be a bedroom. She frantically closed all her shutters and locked them, her bare feet splashing in small puddles in her room from some holes in the roof. When she was done, she quickly rushed to her bed and hid squirmed under it as if her life depended on it.
"Ah!" She yelped as her long blue hair caught one of the coils but she stopped, her eyes wide in horror as she heard some voices throughout the house.
"Y-you're early. T-they said you'd be here tomorrow evening." An older man's voice could be heard.
"They lied." A more familiar voice was then heard, making the frightened blue eyes close tightly as just his voice brought her pain.
Suddenly, the sound of a few children could be heard screaming as some wood creaked and then a woman's cry. "Please! Enough!" She sobbed as some more boards creaked. "Why do you plague the house of Umi!? What made you choose us!? We are Regole's children, the Divine doesn't want us!"
The room went into shock as they heard the unseen woman. The... Umi...family? Children of Regole....?
"Wife! Please, do not call out!" The old man's voice could be heard but the sound of the woman and children sobbing.
"Please... come this way."
The woman under the bed started to hyperventilate as the door to her room was opened, the bar that allowed it to be locked being ripped off at some point in time. Her eyes closed again as her wet blue hair fell over her face, her body shaking.
Rotten boots and muddy bare feet could be seen entering the room from under the bed, their steps slow and hesitant.
"Nirveli?"
The woman under the bed shivered even more, her hand covering her mouth as she tried to stay silent.
"Nirveli, where are you hiding? Come out right now!" The voice was more stern but the girl continued to stay as quiet as she could.
The feet continued to move around, some things being overturned and moved.
"You're wasting my time, Arvin. Is she here or not."
"N-no! She's here! M-maybe she's in another room.... that girl never listens to me!" The wore boots quickly moved across the wet wooden boards and the blue eyes under the bed slowly opened to see no feet at all. She gave a soft sigh of relief as her breathing calmed... until she was suddenly ripped from out under the bed.
"AAAAAAAAAAAH!!" She cried as long nails dug into her skin, not breaking her flesh though, as the masked figure pulled the woman up off the floor.
"LET GO OF ME! GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF ME!" She twisted and fought, flailing as she tried to rip herself way from the man. The crow on his shoulder suddenly flew in front of her, flapping its wings in front of her face, paralyzing her for a second until the man could get a grip of her cheeks much like the boy in the previous memory.
A man could be seen at the door, blue hair too on his head, though badly balding. He swallowed as the crow calmed and landed on a bed post, the girl now squirming slightly.
"Any flaws, Arvin?" The lips moved behind the mask, making the balding man shiver but shake his head.
"N-no! She was raised and cared for... under the sacrificial rules. She is still a virgin, her blood has never spilled and she is the healthiest of the family..."
The masked man nodded and pulled the fighting girl with him towards the door, making the man move out of the way. The rest of the house was now seen and in the corner, a woman with blue hair wrapped her arms around four frightened children as they huddled in the corner. The masked man stopped and slowly looked towards the balding man. "If I find one scar, one gash or a broken hymen, I'll be back for your youngest."
The balding man swallowed but nodded. "You have my word... She is a pure as the day she was born."
The masked man only nodded before continuing to the door out, dragging the girl with him pass the woman and children. An arm reached out as the woman on the floor continued to cry. "No! No, don't take her! Don't take my baby!"
The man didn't flinch as he opened the door, violently yanking the girl out with him and the door slammed behind him.
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Post by Reno on Jun 5, 2009 21:47:54 GMT -5
Roxas sighed sadly as he watched his son walk away, but he knew that he would be close to them soon. He had to remember the purpose of this mission was to free Terra's soul through memories - and somehow by dumb luck they had been chosen. It was almost done.
When he heard the gem behind him burn he looked back, calm at least over this fact - at least his memories were now locked. There would be no reaction of terrible memories to show from his experiences thankfully.
Tensai frowned as he watched the memory in silence, hoping like Roxel that afterwords nothing from him would follow. As he watched though he raised an eyebrow at the first half as he felt the slight warmth. He wondered if they would have to find the light in this man's life too. That young guy... the one with the purple hair. The other man - what was his name, Kuku? - and him... they must of been in love.
Aqua, like Seifer, was beginning to feel like this was becoming even further invasive and she rolled her eyes some - but as the memory switched scenes and she saw the shades of blue hair, her eyes narrowed, seeing the frantic and scared young girl.
But at the sound of the mother's cry, her lips parted and her face paled, blue eyes reflecting the terrible scene. "Why do you plague the house of Umi!?"
No... it couldn't be...
But as she watched the child being dragged from the house, the camera rolling over the entire little shack of a house, she saw it mounted on the wall. The crest that was still theirs today. The picture of the blue serpent dragon, symbolizing protection, loyalty and truth to Regole, curled around a maroon arrow meaning direction during battle. Her family had a long history of both greatness and despair but reputation alone preceded them. That was why her dad had made such an impact during the rebellion, why her mother was well-respected, and why her brother was a beserker and she a blader.
"Nirveli..." Aqua whispered as the memory came to an end, her eyebrows furrowed though sad for the young woman who was being sacrificed. It was almost always a woman unsoiled by marriage or a young child still innocent given away for a sacrifice that did nothing. Aqua turned her eyes away, sad for the ancestor she never knew - and aware that no doubt afterwords the Umi name had gone up amongst those still deeply ingested in the old ways and the young girl who died needlessly regarded as a hero. Her name had never been echoed this far into time, the sacrifice of her own forgotten as the old habits fell away and new took their place.
She heard her wife calling for her worried, and Aqua inclined her head, looking towards the wall with holes within it but everyone knew who she was truly looking at. "Why?" She asked imploringly.
There was no answer, not even a growl.
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Post by Rikugurl on Jun 5, 2009 22:34:16 GMT -5
At the end of the memory, Fuu's eye widened. She knew the surname of Umi very well... it was her own now, adopted from her wife. There could of been other families with the surname of Umi though... but she knew that she was only kidding herself. The world was obviously a young Dragoon and those people's hair... that crest.
It was Aqua's ancestor that was chosen for sacrifice much like the horse before.
It was still unknown if he actually did... kill them... Aqua would probably know more---
Aqua...
The red eye slowly shifted to look at her wife, seeing the complex look on her face. It was hard to read... which was odd. Fuu had a knack for telling what people are feeling by facial features but... she couldn't even figure out how her own wife was. There was indeed a twist in her heart that she knew was Aqua's but...
"Aqua?" She called softly but the blue haired woman didn't look her way but at the wall that was between the room and the one where the Divine Dragon sat.
Suddenly, there was a gasp and everyone quickly looked at Roxel who looked like he saw a ghost.
"Roxel!?" Axel called as he grabbed his son and shook him slightly, snapping him out of it. "What's wrong!?"
Roxel blinked as he was shaken and shook his head. "Daddy! What happened to that horse!?"
The room fell silent and some palms met foreheads, even Axel grew another sweat drop. "Roxel... he killed it."
"What!? That poor horsey! He didn't do anything! Why would he kill him? I always wanted to ride a horse, they seem like so much fun!"
.............................
"Roxel, shut up." Gunnar rolled his eyes before the gem started to glow once more, making the pouting teen look up.
The room was still cold around them...and they knew what was going to happen.
Beautiful green grass was shifting in the soft breeze, the sun hitting the blades just right so they seemed to shine as dew gently ran down them. A few flowers brightened up the area, happy to see the sun shining brightly before they were suddenly overcome by a black sludge.
The black goop continued to rain down from the sky, killing everything it touched. Trees were burned and easily toppled over, crashing loudly. The leaves fell from it, making whatever they touched die as well. The liquid sizzled and snapped as it continued to pour down more, expanding as if someone was pouring chocolate into a pan, trying to make it level. Further and further it crawled until the camera focus pulled out and show it all cornering a golden wolf.
The wolves head was low, a soft whimpering coming from him as the blue eyes watched the sizzling muck get closer. There was no where for him to go. However, an agonizing howl came from far off and the wolf looked up at the hole that Darkness was pouring out of. The wolf pulled his head up and started to howl too... but there seemed to be no calm reply.
There was a sudden whimper as the steamed liquid ran over his paws, making the wolf lift a front leg, the muck dripping off but still staining the golden fur. The golden wolf continued to howl and whimper as the sludge continued to build up around him, flooding the land. Sad yet determined eyes narrowed and the wolf started to move the best he could through the sludge. It was becoming harder and harder by the moment, the poor beast falling sometimes and having to rip his snout from the Darkness.
He was finally able to reach the hole, the goop consuming more and more of his body until his neck was the only bit left. He continued to move, as if he was in water and he needed to stay surfaced. His wet nose reached the hole and seemed to....nuzzle it as the black liquid continued to seep down his face, burning his fur and skin. Blue eyes slowly started to pale as the liquid continued to consume him, his ears disappearing until it was just his snout and forehead. A final gasp and whimper came from the wolf before he come completely taken over.
The Darkness took over the screen, only to softly fade into a new scene that few got to see in real life.
Roxas and Axel were kneeling on the steel floor, as if they had been sitting next to someone laying there. However, all that they could see was a black and white checkered wristband. Roxas, with puffy eyes and tears falling from them, looked down at the checkered band that was left behind, slowly reaching out and picking it up. "Ven..."
The scene faded and some people swallowed. They could only guess who the golden wolf was. He was in another memory as well and seeing that he was with the beast that Terra could become... it was Ventus... and that was his inner world being destroyed.
Blue and green eyes looked up to the orange eyed boy, making sure he was ok. He hadn't been there to hold his friend back from making the same dive as his daddy Terra had... but he was thankful that Olette and Aqua did.
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