On the Edge [Axel]

[Axel]

Sinking into Thought

Zexion did make a good point. Saïx was already under a lot of suspicion, so there was no guarantee that Xemmy would believe him, even with Zexion to back him up. And now Zexion was rambling on about someone else with the trust of Xemnas acting as a second witness? The Schemer really had lost his marbles.

"Uh... Zexion. I'm pretty sure everyone else with that level of trust will actually try to kill me. And I'd rather not die again just yet. Next idea, please?"

It had only been an idea, after all. The preferable solution would be to find Marluxia and kill him. For real. No tricks. Just good, wholesome violence. As long as everything eventually led to Xemnas' death at Axel's hands, though, he didn't mind too much what direction they took.

Zexion was too busy thinking right now, which made Axel's mind wander to other things. Like Saïx. He was almost sorry for turning his back on the Diviner the way he had. But on the other hand, he wasn't, and not simply because he didn't have a heart with which to feel remorse. He was justified enough in what he had done.

But what if Saïx was right, and his friendship with Roxas really hadn't been real? No. He would never believe that. There had been something real. He was very proficient at recognizing lies for what they were, and the time he had spent with Roxas was not a lie. Not even Saïx could convince him of that.

Not that it mattered now, anyway.

"Sometimes, I wonder if I'll ever get out of the Organization's tangled mess." He sighed and leaned his head back against the wall. "It's diverting for only so long." He just wanted his heart back. No more power struggles, no more games.

[Fate]

I Better Get Something For This

Axel made a point; anyone that did have that level of trust with the Superior would actually try to kill him. But perhaps... "Perhaps we can work around that," he said, standing up now. He staggered a little bit, causing him to put his hand on the wall for support. "Maybe we can let someone actually try to kill you and have them succeed." Before Axel could protest what truly sounded like a ridiculous idea, and admittedly it started out that way in Zexion's head, he moved away from the wall and made himself look like Axel again.

"See this?" he asked somewhat rhetorically, "Anyone that comes across me will think I'm the real you. I can talk like you, look like you, and I can even do this." He put his hands out to summon chakrams as the real Axel normally would. "Maybe do a little bit of fire for show. If I can use a light ability from a 'keyblade' on Riku, I can surely use some fire. Obviously, not to the same extent, but it'd be enough." He made the chakrams disappear and returned to his normal form, leaning against the wall.

"It would be risky, but it would assure that you do not actually die," he went on, "I would simply have to take enough of a beating from another Organization member to make it believable. Then, all I would have to do is this." He then made the illusion of himself fading, turning invisible once the process was done. Once he finished that, he returned. "The Organization member then leaves and reports to Xemnas that Axel has been killed."

He slumped back on the wall, sitting down. "That's simply one version of it. You could actually go yourself and I could simply use illusions on you once you have taken enough of a beating. Either way, the Organization member that killed you would believe they had done the job and so would Xemnas. The only problem is now who it would be that would 'kill' you. It would have to be one of the Original Six since they not only have more of Superior's trust, but they would be strong enough to defeat you... aside from Number Four."

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[Axel]

Sorry, I Don't Think You Can Pull Off the Pyro Act

He wished Zexion would stop turning into him, even if it was to make a point. It was freaky. While the illusion was an effective one, the fact that Axel knew it was Zexion behind that disguise made it comical to him. He smirked. "Not bad, not bad. But are you sure you can really be a convincing me?" He thought for a moment. "And would illusory fire be the same as the real thing? If whoever ends up 'killing' me isn't getting hurt at all, I would think that would raise some suspicions."

So, if he was hearing Zexion correctly, the Schemer was willing to take a severe beating so he wouldn't have to. This struck him as very out of character for Zexion. Then again, it seemed that lately, the Schemer had turned into everyone's punching bag. Maybe he was just embracing that role a little more fully. In an extremely masochistic way.

He watched Zexion slump back down. He did seem a little more coherent now. Just a little. For a while there, he thought he might have to babysit the Schemer for the next 24 hours or so. Hell, he still might have to do that. What fun that would be. If Zexion expected him to sit up with him all night, he was dead wrong. Axel made it no secret that he preferred sleeping whenever he had the chance.

"I'm not sure you could pull me off well enough. Plus, you'd probably not be able to take the pain and die far too quickly. Can't let you give me a bad reputation. Vexen would have a field day." The Academic would probably still have a field day when he heard that Axel was "dead." How he'd love to come back from the dead right in front of Vexen. And then kill him. Oh, yes. Killing him was definitely required.

"So, if my murderer isn't going to be you and if it isn't going to be Saix or Vexen, who are our options? Of the Original Six left, Xemnas obviously doesn't count. So, that leaves Xiggy, Xaldin, or Lexaeus."

[Fate]

I Don't Mind Seeing You Get Beaten Up. Really.

Zexion scoffed. "I could be convincing for at least the purpose of talking," he said, "And while I could use, to some extent, your abilities, it would only be that; an extent. That, and I would need a very good reason to lend myself to a beating. I would be able to take it; I survived Riku, did I not?" Well, that was only barely. Still, he survived Riku running through him twice with that Soul Eater of his. Though, he was not about to try and take on one of the other Organization members if he could help it unless it came with a deal he could not turn away.

And part of him did really want to see Axel bludgeoned. Yes, that would be suitable retribution for the crime in Castle Oblivion.

Axel then posed the question of just who would do the job. In Zexion's mind, there was only one option. "Indeed, that would make Vexen quite delighted; I don't think I want to see that. At this point, Xigbar knows too much and the Superior does not truly care what he does. Xaldin has not even shown himself to the Organization. I should add that to my list of things to do." Yes, just what he wanted; more things he had to do. "Lexaeus has undying loyalty for the Organization and the Superior recognizes this. He also would be able to defeat you. That could easily be arranged."

There was one small snag with this. Lexaeus was one of the only ones that Zexion truly trusted and vice versa. If Lexaeus were ever to find out that Zexion had set this up and that he, in a way, helped in the disposal of Xemnas, trust could be lost. Zexion highly valued the trust he had with the Hero too and did not particularly want to see that get tarnished. However, trust could be gained back and the Schemer was doing this for a truly valid reason, not because he wanted to.

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[Axel]

All Right, Let's Play. No Cheating, or You're Dead.

The retort came naturally to Axel, but he bit his tongue in time to stop it. No reason to keep bringing it up. The Schemer wasn't dead anymore, and Axel didn't plan on killing him again. Unless circumstances drastically changed, of course. He couldn't rule out the possibility entirely. But for now, Zexion was some of the most tolerable company he had access to. And besides, if he killed Zexion, he wouldn't have anyone except Saïx to talk to about the moon. Which was very important.

Lexaeus?

The Flame chewed on that for a moment. He had never really had that much interaction with the Silent Hero. Then again, Lexaeus tended not to be the most social Nobody in the Organization. He automatically got points in Axel's book for not being obnoxious. However, that didn't mean he wanted to get beaten to a pulp by the Skysplitter.

That was the whole point, wasn't it? He had to make it as believable as possible that he was dead. And while Zexion could probably pull it off well enough on his own to be convincing, nothing substituted for the real thing. So, he would get tossed around a bit and then poof away while Zexion worked his illusion magic.

Well, there goes my suspicious mind again.

Arms crossed over his chest, he glanced at the Schemer out of the corner of his eyes. "I hope you're actually on board with this and not thinking about letting Lex really kill me because of some lingering shadow of resentment you've hidden very well." He narrowed his eyes ever so slightly, his voice deadly serious. "Because the moment I figure out that's what's going on, guess who immediately jumps over Vexen and Flower Boy and Xemnas on my priority people to kill list?"

[Fate]

Cheating? Me? Why Would I Do That?

It looked like they had a plan. Though, Axel made it rather clear that if this plan deviated, if Zexion changed his mind and let the plan be to let Lexaeus kill him, the Schemer would be the first to die above the rest. He had no doubt about that either. "I have far too much of an invested interest in this to let Lexaeus kill you," he said, "It would be incredibly foolish just to let you die about from bitter resentment alone." He grinned ever so slightly to this and then went back to his normal blank face.

"After that, the only problem we are left with is Xemnas," he said, crossing his arms and partially lamenting the ice cream he had put down; why did he have to do that? "After your supposed death, getting you into the Castle will be no issue. The fighting will of course be a challenge, and I might consider finding my Keyblade Master and seeing if he will aid us." It would certainly be a lot to ask of Arc; helping in the killing of the leader of the Organization. He would just need to make it clear that it was for a very good reason.

"Once the deed is finished, you can consider yourself as no longer having part in the doings of the Organization, if you so choose," he added, "It depends on who gains power, which I do not look forward to." After Xemnas was gone, there would certainly be a power struggle over who takes his place. Xigbar of course was going to stay out of that because he was, well, Xigbar. Though, he could not speak for the other members. Vexen might see this as time to seize power and gain the respect he thought he deserved through rank. Then there was Saïx, who undoubtedly would not mind gaining that spot. The rest truly did not care enough to go into the Superior's position.

"The power struggle should at least be interesting," he said, "Though, I only see two others going after that position, that being Vexen and Saïx. I do not see the former doing well and I might actually attempt to steer power away from him. Number Seven has the ability to do so and the power, though he lacks the trust from other members. I do not think I trust him enough, but I will not fight for the position. It is only rank, not something I see the need to fight for." It was straight back to the point that he had talked about with Axel ages ago. Sure, Zexion would steer the Superior's chair away from Vexen because he did not see him fit to do, but he was not going to fight Saïx for it.

He might not even have to anyway.

The Schemer yawned and stretched, shifting from a sitting-up position to a lying down one. He wasn't sure what it was, but he felt exhausted all of a sudden. Maybe it was all of this talking nonsense. Yes, of course it was. Right now, he did not feel like talking anymore but reading his Lexicon until he fell asleep and took a nap. He summoned the book and let it fall on the floor. "All of this planning and talking of the moon and nothing has exhausted me, I'm afraid. Mind flipping through that and finding a suitable story to read until I fall asleep?"

It was a completely stupid question to ask, but the Schemer wasn't in the right frame of mind to see it as stupid or even as childish. He may be the youngest of the Organization except for when Roxas was around, but that did not make him a child. Right now, he was too bloody tired to open the large book himself and search for something and he was doing what every good leader did when they wanted something done; delegating.

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[Axel]

Story-time, Little Children!

"Good. We understand each other, then." Zexion knew better than to waste his best chance at getting Xemnas killed.

Fighting Xemnas was going to be challenging, but if the Flame had surprise on his side, he didn't foresee too many problems. Between Zexion and Saïx--who would undoubtedly want in on the actual killing--Xemnas didn't stand much of a chance. Unless he got off a monologue before any of them could take him out. That could very well be enough to put them all to sleep and therefore allow Xemmy to escape. "Just don't let him speak. Kill him before he can open his mouth and start rambling on about hearts and power and nothingness."

Zexion left him the option of not rejoining the Organization after all this was over. But if Saïx was indeed the one who gained the big chair, Axel might have to consider reattaching himself. Then again, he also wouldn't mind it so much if Zexion ended taking the spot. But of the two, at this point, he preferred Saïx.

Arching an eyebrow, Axel watched Zexion slide down onto his back and subsequently summon the Lexicon. The other eyebrow joined the first when the Schemer voiced his request. "Already putting on 'Superior' airs, are we?" He couldn't deny that picking up the book and actually opening it was an intriguing prospect.

"Hmm..." He opened the book and started flipping through the pages. Most of it was Zexion's own writings, and Axel had to stifle a chuckle at several passages that jumped out to him. There was something in there about some girl running around without her clothes in the Castle That Never Was. Man, he missed all the excitement. If that was the sort of thing that happened in the castle on a regular basis, he would be more than willing to rejoin just to have laughs at the Schemer's expense.

"Apparently, Xiggy likes to mess with you, too," he said as he scanned through an incident involving a victory dance. Other than that, though, most of the Schemer's ramblings were boring, introverted affairs in which it was obvious that he needed to stop thinking so much.

There was nothing in here worth reading out loud. He shut the book with a flourish and set it back down next to Zexion. "I have a better story for you." If it was a story he wanted, it was a story he was going to get.

After clearing his throat in a very dramatic fashion, the Flame began. "Once upon a time, in an enchanted castle, there lived... a turkey. This turkey loved to boast about his supposed higher intellect and his greater prominence among the rest of the animals in the castle. It was very annoying, to say the least."

"One day, the turkey was stupid enough to argue with the resident flamingo. The flamingo, after taking a moment to preen his bright pink feathers, told the annoying turkey to shut up. But the turkey refused to listen and continued to annoy the hell out of everyone."

"Since the flamingo didn't want to spoil his well-groomed plumage, he decided to request the services of the castle's resident hunter. This hunter was very skilled in dispatching unwanted nuisances, and he agreed to do this task. And despite the turkey's pitiful protests, the hunter killed him. After that, everyone lived happily ever after. The end."

Axel turned his head toward Zexion and grinned. "Well? How was that for entertainment?"

[Fate]

Is It Turkey-Hunting Season?

After Zexion gave Axel the Lexicon, he simply waited until Axel decided what he was going to do. That Lexicon had a lot more in it than people thought it did, which was why Zexion could always be seen reading it. Though, it probably didn't work like that for everyone else that tried to pick up the book. Axel seemed to be reading the entries, which was boring Zexion. He didn't listen to either of the Flame's comments while he looked; something about the Superior and air and Xigbar, which sounded like some nonsense. His eyes were glazed over as he looked at his Lexicon out of the corner of his eye, wondering what was taking so long.

Well, Axel seemed to have something different in mind and was going to make up a story for him. Zexion put the Lexicon under his head as a pillow as Axel began. He started off with an enchanted castle, which now formed in the sky of Neverland. It was white since all enchanted castles were white; it resembled one of the hallways of Castle Oblivion since that was the first thing that came to the Schemer's head. Then, a turkey formed in the middle of it. Zexion didn't understand why Axel went with a turkey, but he went along with it.

Apparently, this turkey was very stupid and thought it was better than everyone else. Well, how rude of the turkey. It shouldn't have done that. It picked a fight with a flamingo, though the flamingo was too busy preening itself to deal with it. It sent a hunter after it, which appeared as a sort of tall shadowy figure in the illusion that Zexion had formed; if he were more coherent, he would have formed exactly who the hunter was, but he wasn't and therefore made a shadowdy figure. The shadowy figure approached the turkey, making the turkey explode. After that, flowers bloomed. According to Zexion's mind, flowers blooming meant everyone was happy.

"Wonderful entertainment Axel," he said, yawning shortly afterward and then grinning, "I appreciate that." The illusions then disappeared out of the sky. "You may leave if you wish. I will stay here a bit longer. Vexen wanted me to go somewhere tomorrow and I need rest." He could easily go back to the Castle That Never Was, but that required effort that the Schemer did not want to use at the moment. "Do be careful. And remember the importance of the moon. I don't want you to forget that."

And with that, he closed his eyes and fell asleep. What would most likely end up happening next was him waking up in about two hours, realize what had happened, become the Nobody equivalent of enraged when he did, and then return to the Castle That Never Was to write something. That's just how things went.

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[Axel]

I've Had My Fill of Babysitting

Axel had to hold back another retort when Zexion essentially dismissed him. Once again, there was no mention of a future meeting time or place, and Axel was tempted to sit there until the Schemer woke back up. Actually, he was more tempted to punch him again. That should wake him up well enough.

With a smirk, Axel leaned his head back against the wall and looked up at the sky. The moon hung amongst the stars, which inevitably turned his thoughts to Saïx. He would need to be told what was going on. On the other hand, he was almost morbidly curious to find out if his "death" would get any sort of reaction out of the Diviner.

Nah, probably not. Brick walls don't have reactions, even if their former best friend dies. Again.

He glanced at Zexion. The Schemer had said he was meeting Vexen tomorrow. Had he mentioned where this meeting was going to take place, Axel might have taken it upon himself to drop by for a surprise visit. As things were, it was back to waiting.

"Heh. Hope you don't fall off the tower while you're sleeping, Schemer. Do give my regards to Vexen when you see him. Well, I suppose you really can't. Secrets and all. But it's the thought that counts, right?"

After another look up at the moon, the Flame opened a Corridor and left the clock tower behind.