Behind the News – Chapter Two
by Allexandra Radcliffe
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Yay! I finally finished writing this! In Pre-Cal, too...I don't need to do that, but anyways, that's not the point. If it seems a little spacey and wandering, I'm sorry, but this is the most inspiration I've had for my fanfics since the last chapter of TNoNC. I promise I'll get something done for that sometime this week.
Anyways, yeah. Warnings...a teensy hint of AkuRoku, and a teensy hint of AkuDemy. Nothing serious yet. Oh, and some butchering of Marluxia's character...like I said before, I really don't like him. As for the disclaimer...I don't own Kingdom Hearts or the characters, unfortunately. See, if I did, well...
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Xemnas stood at breakfast the next morning and called, "Everyone, I have an announcement."
Nobody paid any attention to him. Roxas was eating pancakes and listening to Demyx's rambling, and Axel was fixing more food for himself. Larxene and Marluxia were reading something under the table and giggling like fangirls. Luxord was playing cards with Xaldin, Xigbar, and Zexion, watched by Lexaeus and Vexen. Saïx glanced up once, then went back to eating his raw bacon.
The Superior glared at them for a moment before reaching into a portal and retrieving a whistle. He blew it, startling everyone except Roxas and Saïx.
"Thank you," he said, setting the whistle down. "Now...I have an announcement. Since none of you can agree on who should have control of Castle Oblivion, I have decided that it will go to Marluxia."
A manga flew across the table and hit Demyx on the head as Larxene and Marluxia began celebrating. Axel lost control of his fire and burnt his food, but didn't notice as he gaped at Xemnas. Everyone else stared or glared silently, and Roxas continued eating his pancakes.
Xemnas continued as if nothing had happened. "Since Castle Oblivion is in need of repairs, you can pick five others to help you out, Eleven. They'll be under your command."
Marluxia smiled evilly, turning to look at each member in turn. "I think...Larxene, Axel, Lexaeus, Vexen, and Zexion would be good." he said sweetly. The pan in Axel's hand turned a blazing white as the pyromaniac lost control of his fire again. The others except for Larxene glared at Marluxia, and Demyx sent one of his forms to put out the fire in Axel's hand.
"Hey, Roxas," the musician whispered, watching Axel destroy the form with the frying pan, "I have a new lead. Meet me in the Hall after..."
"Oh, and Thirteen?" Xemnas broke in, turning from Marluxia. "Your assignment today is to clear the Heartless from Memory's Skyscraper. They're becoming a nuisance..."
At that moment, Axel threw the still-flaming frying pan at Marluxia, who dodged it easily. Flames began crawling up the wall as Marluxia summoned his scythe, and Axel's chakrams appeared in his hands. Xemnas sighed dramatically, and disappeared into a portal. Roxas did the same just as Demyx's forms converged on the flaming wall.
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He emerged in front of the glowing doors of Memory's Skyscraper, Keyblades in hand as Heartless manifested from pools of shadow around him. As the first leapt at him, rain began to fall, sliding down his coat and off Oathkeeper and Oblivion, then flying off as he cut through the Heartless.
There was a roar of flame behind him, and another light briefly joined those from the building as Axel incinerated a few Neoshadows behind him. He ignored the redhead, splashing through the water at the foot of the stairs with the Keyblades dragging, throwing sparks in his wake. The Heartless had no chance against a double assault of flames and blades, and soon the last of the captive hearts was floating up to the incomplete Kingdom Hearts.
"What are you doing here?" he asked coldly as Axel approached.
"Xemnas came back and told me to go cool off before going to Castle Oblivion. So I figured this would be the easiest way. Got a problem with it?" The taller Nobody shivered, drawing the hood of his coat further over his face. "It's fucking freezing out here..."
"No it isn't," Roxas protested, looking up at the clouds. Rain immediately ran down his neck and into his clothes, but he ignored it. "It's nice out here."
"See, I told you he'd agree with me!" came a happy voice from a portal that opened next to them. Demyx stepped through, a large smile on his face as he looked at the two of them. "You knew I was right, so admit it!"
"One day, I'm going to roast you and Marluxia," Axel growled. "Got it memorized?"
Demyx only shook his head, still smiling. A portal opened behind Axel, and he stepped into, saying, "I'd better get to Castle Oblivion. Wouldn't want to miss my chance to kill that flower-loving freak."
As Axel disappeared, Demyx reached into a hidden pocket of his coat and pulled out a book. "Look what I found!" he proclaimed joyfully. "It's the manga Larxene and Marluxia were reading!"
Roxas took the book, ignoring the rain that fell onto the pages, and read the first few panels. Demyx began laughing as his eyes grew wider, and he slammed the manga shut, pushing it back at the other Nobody. "Why'd you have to show me that?"
"So you'll come with me to investigate! We have to get to the bottom of this! Come on!" Ignoring Roxas's protests, Demyx opened a portal and dragged the Keyblade wielder through.
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"I can't believe you're making me do this!"
"Aw, come on. You have the Keyblades. If Larxene comes back, you can defend us!"
"Why didn't you just get Xigbar to help?"
"Because he threatened to shoot me if I made him come with us."
"...Now I really don't want to be here."
"Hang on, let me get the light switch...Oh my god..."
"I'm leaving."
"No, wait! You have to take pictures!"
"What's this? Xemnas equals Mansex? Is that...Saïx?"
"Okay, time to go!"
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When Axel returned, Roxas was lying facedown on his bed, listening to some loud music that Demyx had lent him. The younger Nobody didn't react as he entered, and he went to sit right on the edge of the bed.
"You didn't move. I could have been Larxene trying to kill you."
"You smell like smoke; it's easy to tell when you're around. Go away."
"What happened to you?"
Roxas groaned and turned on his side. "Larxene and Marluxia are yaoi fans. Xemnas's name scrambled up is Mansex. My shoulders hurt from fighting Heartless. Is that enough?"
Axel smiled and pulled off his gloves. "I can't help with the other stuff, but I can do something about the shoulders." He nudged Roxas onto his stomach again and grabbed the blonde's shoulders, sending heat through them as he massaged the knots from Roxas's muscles.
Roxas sighed, relaxing for the first time since breakfast, and whispered, "That feels good..." After a few minutes, he began breathing steadily, snuggling into his pillow. When Axel released his shoulders, he didn't move, and continued sleeping as Axel left the room, turning off the light.
"You're oddly gentle with him," commented a familiar voice as he stepped back into Proof of Existence. Demyx was lounging against the wall next to Roxas's room. "You never gave me a massage..."
"Only because you keep waking me up at night, playing the same song over and over again. Got musician's block?"
Demyx immediately looked away, fingers tapping his arm nervously. "It's nothing. I'll see you later..." The Melodious Nocturne disappeared into his room, leaving Axel standing there, very confused.
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Wow...that ending sucked. Sorry, peoples... Anyways, yeah. Many apologies for Marluxia, but I still can't stand him! Also, I got lazy around the middle, so...yeah... Reviews are loved; they cheer me up when I have to do my Pre-Cal homework.
- Allexandra