Magicians Reversed [Zexion, Sora]

[Axel]

I'm Not Interested in Seeing-- Okay, the Answer is "Yes"

Axel listened intently as Zexion explained the current state of the Organization. There were two new recruits already, which was surprising, one of which was most assuredly taking Marluxia's place, according to Zexion. The Flame wondered if this one possessed Marluxia's tendency to hate everything as well as the former Eleven's affinity for flowers. As amusing a thought as that was, Axel forced himself to push it aside for now. Information was at hand, and as he knew, information was vital when dealing with the Organization.

He couldn't help but smirk a little when Zexion mentioned that Saïx had not been among the ones who had responded to the Superior's call for a meeting of loyal members. That was certainly... interesting. Perhaps Number Seven hadn't been resurrected at all. Doubtful. The Diviner was probably running around somewhere, seeking his heart. That had been his constant obsession, after all.

Zexion now turned to talk of this Tool of Darkness he had mentioned before in Traverse Town. Axel's eyebrows rose a little when he learned that Radiant Garden had been practically decimated by this guy. He sounded like someone Axel would want to steer clear of for the time being, at least while so little was known about him. As always, important knowledge like this was swiftly memorized.

However, the Schemer's next words caught him even more by surprise. Zexion was asking him to track down Saïx and find out his current motives? Axel suppressed a grimace. He really wasn't interested in--

Remember the order: "You must eliminate the traitor."

Oh? This was most definitely up his alley. And what made it even more appealing was that Saïx had this coming. From Axel, personally. There was no hesitation or doubt when it came to how to respond to the Schemer's request. He may have been friends with Number Seven in the life before, but there were no feelings of comradeship remaining on the Flame's part. Not after how Saïx had treated Roxas. That had been the cut that had severed that friendship.

A dangerous grin spread across Axel's face. "You know exactly who to come to when you need a traitor hunter, don't you?" He chuckled softly. "And you have come to the best. I think my résumé speaks for itself." He was somewhat amused by the stern look on Zexion's face, and then a thought suddenly occurred to him. Now that the Diviner was gone, was the Schemer replacing him? If so, that put the Flame in a better position than he thought he was in. Very interesting.

"But you're asking me to possibly kill a previous friend of mine. I don't know if I can do that." It was a complete lie, of course. Axel would relish the look on his former friend's face when he took his non-existence from him. He was, again, merely messing with Zexion. It was too much fun not to do, after all. "Since the satisfaction of personally killing Saïx will be more than adequate, you won't owe me anything for this particular favor. Unless you have something you just need to give me. Anything else I need to know?"

[Fate]

Denouement

”Indeed, it does,” Zexion replied, keeping his arms crossed and his face stern. Axel had managed to expose Marluxia’s traitorous plot and had both him and Marluxia killed; Vexen was merely the scapegoat in all of that and Zexion knew too much, ordered to be killed by Saïx himself so he could gain rank. The positions were now opposite, though Zexion was not going to gain anything out of it; he did not need rank, even though he had already acquired it. No, he would simply earn the slight satisfaction that the traitor who ordered his death would not come back; while Number Seven may have been looking out for the Organization, the Schemer still believed that attempting to stage a coup d’état was unnecessary.

Axel was, of course, messing with him when saying he could not kill a previous friend of his. The Illusionist let a slight grin sneak its way onto his face as the Flame continued, telling him that he did not need to be paid to do this rather heinous crime; disposing of Saïx would be enjoyable and killing him even more so. Though, Saïx could not be killed directly after he was found; Zexion preferred to wait until he at least knew his motives.

”Make sure to find his motives before disposing him,” he said, making sure that his point got across before allowing himself to grin again, ”I will have to make sure I do not miss this show; the positions have now been switched.” He paused, thinking again. ”Though, I suppose there is one thing I can offer you. I will be sure to keep all other Organization members from attempting to find you; you can consider this as protection.”

This was a slightly dangerous move on his part; it would mean he would have to watch which members went where and warn Axel ahead of time to make sure he would not get spotted. He also would possibly have to change the member’s mission, which could get tricky if it was done too many times. He did not need anyone becoming suspicious of him at this point; if they knew he was consorting with a traitor, then that trust he had worked hard to establish would be gone. Though, in the end they would understand why he was doing this. This was for the good of the Organization. One could say that he had the goal of Organization and its best interests at heart when he did this.

”I will use the Dusk network to update you on Sora’s progress,” he said, creating a Corridor of Darkness behind him. ”When he has gotten far enough, we can decide what the next move should be. For now, do not expose your position.” He gave the Flame one final look before disappearing into the Corridor of Darkness, this time leaving Castle Oblivion by his own accord.

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[Axel]

Non-tearful Goodbyes

Axel knew better than to strike first and ask questions later in this case. Although, he also knew that Saïx did not have the most pure motives to begin with. Secretly planning hostile takeovers did not exactly paint one's innocence for others to see. It shouldn't take long to get Number Seven to admit his own guilt. Though, from the sound of things, Zexion wanted to be there to see the death of Saïx. It was interesting that now the two Nobodies' positions were reversed. Yet, Axel still remained caught in between, the one responsible for doing this dirty work.

I've got to find a new crowd run with.

He glanced at the Schemer in slight surprise when he said he could offer the Flame protection of a sort. Just how much was Zexion willing to risk his neck for him? Those boundaries might need to be tested later. After all, promises of protection from the more zealous members of the Organization were not something to be taken lightly. Axel wondered if Zexion's suspicions about Xemnas had anything to do with this. Surely, this wasn't the Schemer's attempt at making friends. He had to choke back a laugh at that thought.

After telling him that he would be in touch via the Dusks, Zexion disappeared through a summoned Corridor of Darkness, leaving Axel alone in the vast emptiness of the hall. While he was not leaving here with Roxas, at least he now had two separate objectives with which to occupy himself. Saïx was the more immediate concern, since Sora's corruption would need to happen slowly. With a shake of his head, he sighed and raised a hand. Once the corridor blossomed into existence, he cast one last glance around Castle Oblivion.

"Hmph. Won't miss this place one bit." And then he was gone.