Still Alive [Sora]

The woodlands were actually kind of peaceful depending on what time you came. The dwarves were of to work, surely whistling away in their mine. How they could tolerate that for hours on end was a mystery and not one he wanted to solve. Axel was perfectly fine just taking time to himself in the seemingly empty woods. Sure, the queen's creepy trees were still towering above him, but without her power, they weren't much of a threat.

They were wood so even less of a threat for the fire starter.

While really should be doing something productive as he had three people that he could be "helping," he was taking the day to himself. He had made certain choices that would need some planning around. The one thing he was certain of was that whatever change had started between Roxas and him was a good thing. It made him smile to himself as he watched the brave woodland creatures that dared to draw near to this creepy clearing. They didn't come far, quickly running back the other way, but he silently praised their courage.

Now, he had to have some courage in order to weave his webs around Marluxia and Maleficent. Now he was stuck thinking of words that started with m, like maim. If he wasn't careful, that was an option. Sadly, his tricks were well known to the pink haired Nobody. He wasn't sure about the dragon, but she was powerful enough that it might not matter. Tread lightly was going to be come his new mantra.

Tch, it was pretty typical that he ended up in a tough spot, yet somehow that offered him more options. Depending on who turned out to be the better provider of sorts, he could surely use them against each other. It wouldn't be the first time he used others to take care of his own hide. The Flurry ran a hand through his hair in frustration. He didn't have enough information yet to work them both over. He was just lucky enough that this was only the beginning. Plenty of time to do even more research, as if he didn't have enough already.

Master Yen Sid said one of the princesses of heart lived here, and that was enough incentive for Sora to sneak into the place to make sure she still lived there, without a certain old geezer’s twiggy fingers in her vicinity. It was expected; Xehanort had taken her and her kind before, even if indirectly. He could do it again, now that his return was blared throughout all the worlds. Sora took his protecting of them - and their princesses - with equal seriousness.

“Ooh! What’s this?”

Or as much seriousness as he could muster, really.

From the rocky rocks cliffs to the forest glade, the scenery went from drab brown to scintillating reds, blues and purples in a flash. Sora's expression reflected roughly the same enthusiasm as he bound further into the woods. "Wow," he gasped. "There don't seem to be any Heartless here, but it wouldn't hurt to check it out."

Good excuse, Sora.

He made it into the dense forest until a clearing came up ahead. Mostly, he was just enjoying the vibrant color-bleed and buying time until he had to report back to the tower master. At least he didn’t get to fight this time around. No stray claws or gleaming eyes in sight. No dark auras either...Maybe Xehanort hated pretty places.

When he stepped into the clearing, every thought he’d been entertaining died out when he saw who was occupying it.

“Lea!”

Sora skidded just before the newest Keyblader, hands casually knitting behind his head. His tone, while solid, didn’t escape his relief of seeing the ex-occultist again.

“There you are! Master Yen Sid’s been worried sick about you. You been slacking off again?”

Maybe Lea liked the forest as much as Sora did. Maybe that’s why he went and never came back...although, something was funny about this picture altogether. Sora next found himself studying the redhead in a way that was almost rude.

“...hey. You seem kinda different.” He pointed out, squinting even harder. “...did you do something with your hair?”

While he had found a seemingly fine place to get away, Axel was beginning to find less inspiration than he hoped. His mind was just spinning in circles and nothing new was presenting itself. He didn't care that these relationships he was foraging were new. He wanted to have plans laid out that would ensure that he would be fine in the end. The only thing that he could think of to use against them was each other. He hadn't come up with a new person for him to weave into his plans to possibly help him remove those threats.

While not a new person, someone that had been most useful in the past appeared. The redhead blinked as Sora wandered into the clearing, quite his usual chipper self. The Nobody had been aware of his triumph over Xemnas as the Superior was nowhere to be found, but that did not explain how close the brunet got to him. It certainly didn't explain how he knew his true name.

He took a half step back, a small frown pulling at his lips. He couldn't recall ever giving that name out, though for someone a bit more puzzle orientated removing the customary x from his name would only offer a couple of options. And how the hell did Yen Sid have anything to do with him? He only tampered with Keybearers. A small wrinkle appeared at his brow as he put a hand on his hip. Sora, I'm glad you're alive and all, but I think Xemnas might have done a number on you anyway, He said, taking his turn to lean down and inspect the shorter male.

I don't know how you know my true name, but Yen Sid has nothing to do with me or Lea. Of course, he completely dismissed the fact that the kid was right in his slacking. He didn't want to poke at that too much seeing as that was exactly what he was doing. The Somebody before him needn't know that. It offered a rather fortuitous turn of events in their odd reunion. Really, Sora calling him Lea was certainly the last thing he could have expected.

"Eh?"

Sora got lost around the first sentence. Xemnas was definitely not the subject he was expecting Lea to open with. Or anyone for that matter. Then again, maybe he was expecting all the wrong things. There was obviously something off about Lea in entirety, even if it wasn't, well - obvious. But what? He still seemed cocky as ever, so that must not have been it. Maybe he hit his head somewhere. It was actually beginning to feel like Sora did too.

"True, uh...name?" Sora echoed, eyeing the flare-head dubiously. Did he not like his name being said or some...oh.

Sora's expression shifted from realization, to surprise, to a kind of disappointed understanding. "You're...Axel, aren't you." Those black marks under the eyes didn't belong to anyone else - not even to Lea. Sora recalled what Roxas said about the Organization coming back. While seeing the tower of a guy in the flesh was more jarring than the news of hearing about him, it wasn't unwelcome.

Sora's thought process stopped there. He grinned instead. "It's good to see you again! Roxas told me you'd be around. But, uh...what are you doing here?"

Axel lifted his chin as he watched something pass over Sora's face. Really, how had he come to know Lea? Not only that, but clearly he had known Lea in a state that was easily confused with his Nobody. Had he missed something while he floated in darkness? Why did it seem like a bad thing that he was back? Don't be so sad to see the guy that saved your life, He growled, turning to take a few steps away. Ungrateful kids. As much as he cared for Roxas, he still saw some of the same traits shared between these two, even the negative ones.

The Key had up and left him, choosing not to see that he was important. It hadn't just been the Organization that needed him. It certainly hadn't been them that really wanted him back and would have fought so hard to win him back over. The redhead knew that he was nothing without that connection seeing as the only other one that had been important had fizzled out long ago. He made a small tsking sound and pushed the thoughts away. The squirts were always taxing to take care of. For some reason, the Flurry still took on the task anyway.

Why am I in this world? Mostly just aimless wandering. Don't really have anyone demanding I do anything anymore, ya know? He answered with a wave of his hand. The fire starter twisted back around to face Sora. I guess Yen Sid sent you for me? What's the old man want? The tall Nobody might not know what happened after he faded, what he could figure out was that there was something off with this time line. Great another thing to try and work out.

He didn't have much of a choice though. This small interaction with the brunet Keybearer let him know that he had met an older version of Lea, one that had the same features as Axel being that they were easily mistaken for each other. He also had dealings with Yen Sid after his second death being that he had never met the man before. But why was he important to a Keyblade Master that tried to affect the worlds from his tower? Excellent questions all. Hopefully he would be able to get pieces from this particular munchkin.

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Sora was meaning to keep the mood light by just being himself, but apparently things still had to get a little awkward. After all, you didn't talk much about somebodies to their nobodies these days. Sora was happy to see Axel - really, he was. But that still didn't help with Lea's whereabouts.

"Master Yen Sid didn't send me for you." Sora couldn't really control the emphasis on you. He wanted to continue that line of thinking, but thought against the speed of it. Instead, he meandered aside to Axel, hands behind his back and honest expression scanning the treetops. "I came here to make sure Aurora was okay. She was. Is. But you're okay too, right? So I'm glad."

Axel seemed to have a lot of time on his hands from what he said, so Sora interpreted that as an opportunity to talk for a bit, even if mostly he was inclined on doing the talking. The hero decidedly explained the things that came to mind.

"Actually, the master kind of anticipated the Organization coming back. That...wasn't exactly good news at first, but Roxas said it was okay. Or at least, you and him were." Sora didn't exactly have tea with the other Organization members who tried to destroy him. Meeting them was a whole 'nother line of trouble he didn't really want to do. "Anyway, a lot's happened since you...yeah. After Xemnas, Riku and I had to undergo a lot of training for what was to come." Sora thinned his lips. "One of the people who helped us along the way was Lea."

Axel glanced down at the blue eyed boy as he neared him again. He gave a small sigh and gave up on thinking that he could shake the kid. He had added another problem to his plate and he wasn't really in the mood for more problems. Oh well. If nothing else, he seemed to be a sucker for these Keyblade wielders since he was never far from one. Even Lea couldn't get away from them. His mind was slow to realize one thing and instead decided to ease Sora's potential concern.

He waved a hand in dismissal. The Organization isn't a threat. Only a few of us have shown back up and we aren't even all together, He stated. While he had promised the blond that he would find the others, he hadn't been putting much effort into that endeavor. He had whispers and possible sightings so that would do for now. He didn't need to hunt the others down and find out what they were up to. The only ones that were a threat would come to the castle anyway and then he would be worried.

The conversation needed to move on. Sora's somewhat concern for his well being wasn't exactly touching as the brunet clearly was excited to see his Somebody more than ... Wait. The redhead went still, finally realizing that he had been whole. This kid knew his Somebody. It wasn't just that he knew his name, had met Axel in another form, but Axel had his heart and became whole again. There was an almost flutter in his own chest and he took a deep breath. Questions went spinning through his mind, tumbling over each other. How had he become whole? Why wasn't he anymore? Had Roxas been there?

No, that last one was stupid. He doubted that Roxas would have been his own person since he had made the decision to merge with Sora again. He didn't think that they would give up being complete to become nothing again. So what the hell had happened? More questions and he was sure that Sora wouldn't be able to help. Yen Sid would though. Emerald eyes shifted back to the brunet, seeing an easy way to the old master. Even after death I still help you, He gave a small chuckle and put his hands on his hips. Far be it from me to take away your fire. What are we working on this time? He offered his trademark smirk and already started to make plans for when he got close enough to people that would have more answers. Sadly, this seemed beyond what Ansem's study would have so he couldn't exactly do this alone.

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So only a few of the Organization showed up? That was good. They could show up all they want, as long as it wasn't anywhere here. Since Sora believed Roxas, he wanted believe Axel too - at least on just that subject. It was the least he could do, since Axel did kind of stick out his neck for him. Even if he kidnapped Kairi once.

What Axel said next made Sora blink smartly.  Axel sounded pretty comfortable about wanting the details laid down. Yeah, he was a good guy in the end and, yeah, he did risk his life that one time and Sora more than appreciated him for doing what he did. But that coat he was wearing right now did a lot of things too and that made Sora double-guess just how much he should tell Axel in the first place. Especially regarding the past and upcoming fiascos with Xehanort.

"Uh...Things." Sora rubbed his head sheepishly. "...Sorry, Axel. I don't think I can tell you anything. You don't know, but Lea did and now he's..."

Not here. Come to think of it, with Lea's whole disappearing following closely with the Organization's appearing, Sora wasn't sure what to think anymore, let alone say. For a few weeks, he just kind of just psyched himself that Lea was fine and probably slacking off somewhere. It wouldn't be the first time.

The silence, thick as per Sora's ultra-rare brainstorming session (all 2 seconds of it), ended when he realized he could still say something useful. "Oh! Axel, why don't you come with me to see master Yen Sid? I can't tell you much, but he might!"

The Flurry stuck his hands in the pockets of his coat to keep from making fists. If he wanted answers, he needed to keep his temper but Sora was testing his patience. For all the things that he had done for the brunet and his friends, he wouldn't trust him? Sure, there was that one thing that could come between them, but Kairi wasn't hurt. It also led the Keybearer right where he needed to be. Axel didn't waste his time with nonsense and kidnapping the girl had been the quickest way to get the results he wanted.

He closed his eyes in an attempt to keep his cool. Tch, just because I don't have a heart, I can't be trusted. You Somebodies are really something else. The redhead's morals and conscience had been worn thin over the years, but the lack of a heart didn't change the fact that he still had them. He hadn't harmed any of them, nor had he actually killed very many. Did Vexen really even count? He rolled his eyes and looked out into the darkness around them. The queen's forest was still, eerily quiet, and felt rather a fitting place for him to be right now.

For all the good he did try to do, limited as that might be, it rarely gained him anything. Even though Sora had taken his advice plenty in the past despite his rank in the Organization, now it was a problem even though this chosen one knew for a fact that the Organization was no more. He had taken down all but four of them so that was pretty solid evidence that he shouldn't worry about them anymore. Whatever. Axel's shoulders slumped even as the shorter male perked up with an idea.

He wouldn't say anything, but Yen Sid might? It wasn't a bad idea. The old man would have answers Sora never would, though that would require him willingly walking into the belly of the beast. As Sora said, he wasn't Lea so how many of them would be okay with him wandering through the Mysterious Tower unscathed? He took a deep breath, tilting his head in thought. Well, if nothing else he had a couple of good moves to protect himself. If that failed they could all go down in flames. With all these dark thoughts spinning through his mind, he doubted Roxas would care that much. The Key had left him multiple times so why not the other way around?

Yeah, let's go. You're not the only one with a lot of questions. Hopefully having an actual person to question would be better than flipping through someone's notes. Ansem surely had plenty of answers to some of his problems, but it was hardly easy to come by, nor was it exactly laid out so even Sora could understand.

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It didn't take long for the excitable boy to direct Axel to the master's tower. Axel said he had questions, and Sora was sure the master did too.

The brunette mostly kept quiet and listened throughout the exchange. Although most of the conversation flew over his head, he did pick up the important bits like the uncanny relationship between Lea's disappearance and Axel's appearance. It was also clear that Yen Sid trusted Axel enough to answer his questions about everything that had transpired between...that time and now, including Lea's skirmishes against Xehanort's forces. Most of all, even an air-head like Sora noticed that not once did master Yen Sid ask Axel of anything else in return. Sure, Lea had willingly collaborated with them, but Axel was as free as anyone else when it came to making choices. He could walk an entirely new path and it wouldn't necessarily be wrong of him.

The master's trust gave Sora the okay to stop withholding things from the Pyrogenic - though he had the feeling saying as much wouldn't make Axel any happier with him.

"So...you really don't have any of Lea's memories with us, huh." Sora acknowledged. To think that all that training Lea went through was for nothing was pretty sad to think about. And not to mention Lea himself was a good friend, too. Maybe there was a part of Sora that hoped both individuals were still connected somehow, and that was better than facing the idea of Lea being really gone away for good.

Then again, would he necessarily want for Axel to go away if that meant bringing Lea back?

Sora shifted from his seat to get rid of some of that uncomfortable energy. "...Well. I guess that makes sense. Lea is Lea. Axel is Axel." From across the table, Sora was still regarding Axel curiously. Obviously the redhead needed time to process everything that was discussed, but-- "...What are you going to do now?"

A small part of Axel felt a little uncomfortable going to Yen Sid. Considering his former allegiance, why should any of them accept him, no less answer his questions? This master had pulled so many strings against the Organization that it seemed unlikely that he would be allowed to walk back out of the tower. He took a deep breath and followed the kid anyway. It couldn't hurt to at least try. If the trend kept up, Lea's involvement would do well for him.

In fact, Lea's presence did smooth things out for the Nobody. It seemed that he had been quite the friend to the Key wielders after the fall of Xemnas. He had been whole again, complete. Green eyes dropped to the floor as he processed the information given. Kingdom Hearts was unbalanced. Things in the worlds weren't quite right now and it was trying to correct itself. Perhaps that was why he had returned with something unusual for a Nobody. Had that Heartless seen a small piece of Lea in him? A small glimmer that said that he could still be around?

He took a deep breath but said nothing of what might be inside him. He wasn't sure if he wanted a lot of people to know. He definitely feel comfortable trying to decipher it with Sora. The brunet hadn't been all that willing to share earlier, so why should the redhead do so now? Plus, he didn't know what kind of connection he still had with Roxas, so what Sora knew might find its way to the little Nobody.

He turned away from the old wizard and joined Sora at the table, unable to help the unconscious motion of his hand straying to rest over where his heart should be. He idly played with the chain that rested over his chest as he questioned him. I don't. Maybe he's in here somewhere, but right now, the last thing I remember is making that corridor for you before fading. Then it was just ... dark, He replied. The darkness had been comforting then. He never thought that he would see Roxas again, never find his friends or gain that true feeling of having a heart again. He embraced the nothingness at that point.

Now he didn't want to go back. He had his blond again and a chance to find his own way without the Organization breathing down his neck. Yet, he didn't know how to function without that threat. For a moment, a lost look overcame him. I'm not sure. I've just been trying to find answers for Roxas. I don't ... know how to ... Axel let his sentence fade off into nothing. Really? Another personal issue? He thought he knew himself pretty well. While he still had all the major things covered now he had no purpose other than to keep Roxas happy and safe. He couldn't think of anything else. How sad was that?

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What Axel said didn't phase Sora in the slightest. Sora knew how it was like to try your darndest to help out your friends. He didn't think Roxas would actually ask Axel to stretch himself thin just for his sake, though. Axel was just that kind of person, Sora supposed, whether the redhead thought he had a heart or not...which was funny, because Xehanort had a heart and look where that got him.

"It sounds to me like you’re not paying a whole lot of attention to yourself." remarked Sora, sitting back with a bothered look. "I mean, I don't know what kinds of answers you and Roxas are looking for, but I don't think he'd want you wracking your brain over it." Sora remembered the confidence and bravery in which Lea had presented himself under Yen Sid’s tutelage. Compared to Lea, Axel looked like he was standing in the middle of an intersection.

“Maybe,” Sora said, “you need to start doing some things for yourself. When you do, I know you’ll find what you want. You’ll even know how to help Roxas one day, too. And I know this because, even if it was just for a while, I think Lea found his way. He listened to his heart. He made new friends. He even forged the Keyblade.”

Following his nonsense, Sora smiled brightly and pointed to his own chest. Axel could deny having a heart all he could, and even if that were true, he didn't seem to need one to help those around him, did he?

Axel blinked when told he wasn't thinking of himself enough. That seemed like a first. He couldn't think of a time when he had done something selfless. Well, maybe he just didn't look at things the same way everyone else did. He narrowed his eyes at the brunet as he tried to figure out how he could apply what was being said to himself. His younger self had always only wanted to be remembered so he could live on forever. As a Nobody, it didn't really seem like that would be much of an issue. Granted, there were obviously ways of him no longer existing, but if he avoided that, then what was stopping him?

As the Organization member, the Flurry of Dancing Flames, he had only wanted to survive. Yes, he had wanted to gain his heart, but most of the moves he made were to ensure his own safety and on occasion the safety of those around him. When Roxas left and merged with the boy before him, he worked only to try and see the blond again. Now, it seemed he needn't worry about dying, he had Roxas by his side, and nothing threatened his survival. So, what was he really to do?

He barked out a laugh as Sora mentioned Lea and his heart. Oh, the things I could say about my heart. Ever met a sentient Heartless other than the Seeker of Darkness? Those things have some weird things to say, He sneered. If that little creature were to believed, and if she had brought forth Lea's true heart, or what it was now that they weren't whole anymore, then he didn't have much hope. His heart had become some grotesque thing, twisted, and rotten. If there was something truly budding within his chest now, then could he really be able to listen to it and be led down a somewhat decent path? With the things he has done in the past, he didn't think so. Such dark thoughts corrupted what little light was there.

Though, what if he could be like Lea? Axel sat forward, still not moving his hand from above where his heart should be. I had a Keyblade? He asked quietly, finally claiming Lea as a part of himself. He stared at Sora, wondering if it would be possible ... I'll work for that then. How'd he do it? He questioned, eyes intense as his eagerness to latch onto this one thing grew. If Lea could do it, he sure as hell could to if Asphyxia was right and there was some kind of heart beginning deep in that empty hole. He would deal with any other issues that might occur with it later. He just wanted a direction to wander in.

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Sora laughed weakly, rubbing the back of his head. "...Boy would I like to know."


The day Lea got his Keyblade was the day he floored Sora and Riku. To think someone who wasn't Roxas, and who used to be a part of the Organization, could just up and have a keyblade? It just showed how nothing was impossible and firmed up Sora's belief. Thinking about it now, it must have had something to do with rescuing him and Riku. Seriously. Without Lea that day, who knows what would have happened to him.

Sora thought of thanking Lea since then, but didn't. Friends don't keep score.

"Something tells me you shouldn't worry about it," he said a moment later. "If Lea could make his Keyblade appear, I'm sure you can too someday! Kinda like me and Roxas." That said, he didn't know exactly how a Keyblade would help Axel. Maybe Axel associated the Keyblade with having a heart - the thing he and other Nobodies seemed to want. Maybe Axel just envied Lea. Either way, if that was what he wanted, then Sora was for it all the way. With a consenting look given from Yen Sid, the unchosen one firmly nodded to himself.

"Okay. If you really want your own Keyblade, I can help you get it. But you'd have to train really hard, okay?"

The Flurry watched Sora carefully. He felt like there was a flicker of doubt here. Would Sora really even want to help him gain a Keyblade? Would he feel comfortable with another being wielding that kind of power? Lea had been different. He had clearly made himself valuable to the squirt and his friend. He had a heart that helped control his impulses when choosing right or wrong. Was there going to be a big difference in how the Keybearer sitting beside him acted?

Perhaps he was just projecting.

He took a breath, trying to clear away all the questions and really think on what it could mean for him to have a Keyblade. He would be able to protect himself and Roxas better. A Keyblade was supposed to be a representation of one's heart, so that meant he would have one in the first place. Complicated and overwhelming as they could be, he wanted to truly feel emotions again. He wanted to believe that he could really love. Another breath. The redhead caught the glance to Yen Sid and that seemed to be the deal breaker.

He gave a casual glance to the wizened man as well then stared at the brunet. Hard work? When had he ever bothered with that? He barked out a laugh and grinned at the teen. I've spent a lot of time watching after you brats. I think this will be easy in comparison. He had been teacher, guardian, guide, and he was sure a list of other things for Roxas and at times Sora. He had taken on so many roles that no one would believe him. Why shouldn't he add Key wielder to the list and shock the hell out of everyone? Any of the other Organization members would certainly be shocked that a clown like him could accomplish that. Any of them that might think to try and take him down would have to put extra thought into that as well.

The tall male slouched down in his chair with a smug smirk falling into place. You let me know when you're ready, kid. I got plenty of free time.