To Die For [Axel, Saïx, Xemnas, Zexion]

[Fate]

Moving Into Position
[July 22, 2010]
The 13th Anthology by Yoko Shimomura

It was time.

Zexion made himself appear at the Altar of Naught, his Lexicon open in his arms. The pages started flipping rapidly, a giant heart appearing in the sky. Not many of the Organization had truly seen it, but the illusionist had an idea of what it looked like. Kingdom Hearts, in all of its illusory glory, rose in the sky once more. Illusory hearts continued to pour into it, making it glow and light up the entire World That Never Was. If one had a heart, they might call it beautiful, ethereal. The Nobodies typically only saw it one way: a symbol of hope for them, that they may at last exist fully and completely.

The Schemer stood completely still as he did this, putting every ounce of concentration into this one illusion. Saïx would be arriving shortly before Xemnas would. It would take a moment for the latter to even realize that it was in the sky. Once these three were in their positions, Axel would come and take his and the true fight would begin. Six, seven and eight would all betray the Superior tonight while the rest of the Organization was rendered unaware. They were going to miss all of the fun though.

Though, once this was complete, that was when things got truly interesting.

[/size]

[Slash]

The Beginning of the End

Saïx appeared and looked up at the illusion of Kingdom Hearts. This was it. This was their attempt at something that had been failed numerous times before, the culmination of all their plans.

And yet, he was still as calm as always.

The illusion of Kingdom Hearts was a very convincing one. No doubt Xemnas would fall for it. Saïx did not talk to Zexion, knowing that he'd need all the concentration he could muster.

You'd better be ready, Axel.[/color]

[Administrator]

The Continuance of Power

A corridor of darkness opened up on the Alter of Naught. Xemnas did not notice the other two for a moment or so. It is time. Not realizing the irony of his internal statement, Xemnas called out to what he thought was the true Kingdom Hearts. "Kingdom Hearts," he called out, each word slowly spoken with a purpose, that purpose being he most dramatic sentence possible. "Once more, you have been restored to your full glory."

It was then that the Superior noticed Zexion and Saïx were there. Rather than give away his former intentions as they likely had hoped, though Xemnas did not expect it at this point so distracted by the glory of Kingdom Hearts before him again was he. "Six, Seven, this day is truly a magnificent one, for once again is Kingdom Hearts complete." Turning to face his two insubordinates, Xemnas smirked. "Our goal is almost realized."

He really, really did not know how ironic that statement was.

[Axel]

The fat cat's had a heart attack
--------
[Uprising by Muse]

The Castle That Never Was was a welcome change from Deep Jungle. The scenery was decidedly duller here, but at least there was the promise of action. Unfortunately, Zexion had been sparse on the details, so it was left up to Axel to decide exactly when and how to appear. Xemnas would probably travel to the altar directly by Corridor, so Axel made his way to the bottom of the stairs leading up to the altar proper.

He waited until he heard that droning, unmistakable voice before moving partially up the stairs.

Catching the last bit of Xemnas' speech, Axel couldn't help but smirk. There was no better time than the present. Quickly summoning Eternal Flames, he ascended the rest of the stairs and launched both chakrams, wreathed in flames, straight at Xemnas. Once the weapons returned to his hands, he straightened, spinning his weapons in hand. A large, very unfriendly grin spread across his face.

"'Our' goal? I think you mean yours. Stop playing dumb when everyone here knows why you really want Kingdom Hearts."

He dropped back down into a combative stance, his grin now diminished to a more mocking smirk. "Did you miss me?"

[Administrator]

My Kingdom come; my will be done.

Xemnas turned to face the traitor who had dared to come to his castle. And it appeared that he was a cohort to a plot to overthrow him, one organized by two members who could have been loyal to him, if not for the truth of his goals: Zexion and Saïx. It would seem that these three planned to take him on all by themselves. Of course, in his present weakened state, they could likely wipe him out of nonexistence rather easily, though that was not a fact he was likely to admit any time soon.

"Ah, the former number Eight. I hadn't expected you here, but it seems fitting," Xemnas said, sweeping his arms out towards the Kingdom Hearts he did not know was fake. "Kingdom Hearts!" he cried in monotone, "We have been reunited on this day for this purpose." The words were drawn out, and unnecessary words were added as descriptors to lengthen the distance between, causing the monologue to seem to take longer by comparison, as it truly did.

"This purpose," the Nobody continued, his words slow and methodical, "is to eradicate the traitors to my cause. To eliminate those obstacles in my path to true power." He floated off of the ground then, taking to the air above the so-called Altar of Naught, staring skyward at his beautiful, glorious, ultimately fake Kingdom Hearts. "Join with me once more, Kingdom Hearts."

[Fate]

Your Kingdom is but an Illusion

Zexion barely registered what the Superior said, only that he was present. His eyes were staring forward blankly, his complete concentration going to the illusory Kingdom Hearts above them. Axel entered just on time as well and thrust his weapons at Xemnas, making him fully aware of what was going on. Yet, somehow, Xemnas still did not understand one major flaw in all of this as he started to float in the sky near the fake Kingdom Hearts. Something that wasn't real could unite with him, could it?

"It never will, Xemnas," Zexion stated simply, breaking his concentration, "Something that was never real cannot give you power." At these words, Kingdom Hearts shattered before Xemnas, then fading until it was gone. Xemnas now was alone in the sky, his dear Kingdom Hearts ripped from him. He knew what would happen next of course. Sooner or later, he would have to come down and face all three of them. He would not stand a chance without the power of Kingdom Hearts to aid him. None of the Organization would stand beside him either. The Organization was loyal to itself, not Xemnas.

[/size]

[Administrator]

More Monologue Madness

Of course. Six was always good with illusions. Xemnas would have despaired had he been capable of it at this point in time, but he was not, therefore he did not despair. Nor did he cry, though that emotion came to mind as a response he could have had were he human. Alas, he was not, even though he did not want to be any longer. He wanted to transcend that as he had once before, yet those insignificant keybearers, Sora and Riku, had stopped him.

And he had thought this time he might reunite with Kingdom Hearts without those keybearers to stop them. They were not here to stop him, but it appeared that this was merely an illusion from Six. "It was once real," Xemnas said softly, his voice carrying the tone of a monologue with it. "But you were eradicated by then, weren't you?" Turning to Saïx, he said, "You were there to see it. Was it not magnificent? And truly, if you had been the one to bond with it, you would be in the same position as I am now.

"But you were not the one to bond with it, none of you were. Are you truly any different from myself? Each search for the power for their own reasons, each all as selfish as each other." Xemnas suddenly smirked, or some equivalent, his arms flying outward for an over-dramatic show of emphasis. "None of you are any different from me. We all find our power in nothing, and to nothing we must all return, lest we use Kingdom Hearts to create an indefinite nothing, to become Nothing Eternal!" Floating in the air, his arms flailing like a chicken with its head cut off, Xemnas was quite the sight. But, then again, when wasn't he?

[Axel]

Oh, yeah. This is rich.
--------

Axel's eyes flicked to Zexion and Saïx only for the moments during which Xemnas addressed them. As usual, the old windbag was full of hot air. Talk, talk, talk. And about nothing, too. Time to shut him up.

After a second glance spared for Saïx, Axel looked up at Xemnas and began to laugh. It was only a soft chuckle at first until he reached deep down into the well of remembered feelings and drew out whole bucketfuls of cold amusement. Just listening to the fool babble on like that summoned up the ghost of irritation. It quickly morphed into full-blown, seething anger.

Yet, the laughter continued for several moments more. Perhaps he finally had snapped and lost his mind, as well.

"What the hell are you even talking about? Power? No one here except you gives a damn about power. We all want what was ripped from us. It's stupid to think everyone lusts after all-consuming power the way you do."

His laughter quieted a notch or two, but his shoulders still shook with empty mirth.

"So, you want to take over the universe or something. So what? If you destroy everything, consume everything with nothingness, what's left? Are you? What do you get out of it? Some sadistic satisfaction that you single-handedly wiped existence clean? Oh, wait. You'll be gone, too, so... huh. I guess there isn't a point."

Flames licked at his chakrams once more. "How about you stop cowering in the air? I think it's time you came down here and faced the music. You're not leaving here unless it's in a pile of smoldering ash!"

He was done talking now. Both weapons shot up at Xemnas without any further fanfare from him.

[Slash]

You misjudge me, Xemnas.

[/center]

Saïx's contempt and disgust was so intense that it seemed to almost hang around him like an aura. Xemnas had absolutely no comprehension of anything around him, did he? Under no circumstances would Saïx have given up a chance for his heart, certainly not for power. It didn't matter how great said power was.

"I would never have been like you," he said. "Only you are foolish enough to prefer power to a heart."

He wasn't going to say any more. He just wanted Xemnas dead, and talking would get in the way of that. The second he got within range, Saïx was going to smash him to pieces.

[Fate]

Wrong As Usual, Xemnas

More nonsense. The three other Nobodies there would never use Kingdom Hearts for power, something Xemnas should have known. Axel and Saïx stated all of this eloquently enough, leaving Zexion with nothing left to say. Anything that came to mind would simply waste more time and send Xemnas on another monologue. Without hesitation, he quickly summoned the Lexicon and cradled it in his arm. He wasn't going to back out of this now, though he had to wait for Xemnas to come down from his almighty height to fight them. There would be a fight; he would never surrender and they would not be satisfied if he did.

"I made the mistake of following you into this entire mess, Xehanort,"

[/color] he thought to himself, "This should more than make up for it."[/i][/blockquote][/size]

[Administrator]

If this were blackjack, Six, Seven, and Eight would have already won.

Xemnas, caught unawares by the sudden assault, was struck directly by both chakrams. Losing his control over his weightlessness at that point, Xemnas plummeted directly towards Saïx. Rerighting himself before he was attacked by the other Nobody, Xemnas summoned to him Interdiction. Dropping straight to the ground at that point, Xemnas attacked the other Nobody, seeing as how the first blow had been struck against him anyways.

Swinging the ethereal blades at Saïx, Xemnas thought to himself how ironic it was that Kingdom Hearts was, again, the reason for their Organization to turn upon itself. It was almost as though just be seeking Kingdom Hearts, for whatever reason, brought one into direct opposition with all others seeking it. In fact, it was almost as though the universe had instituted laws to disable any from searching out Kingdom Hearts.

Striking with a fury not seen since his battle with the keyblade wielding children--who dared to call themselves keyblade warriors--Xemnas kept himself wary for Eight and Six as well. Six was not quite as much of a priority, but he knew Axel was capable of killing a vast majority of the most hardened warriors. And, little did they know, Xemnas had lost much of his power after losing Kingdom Hearts.

Might they guess to it as well?

[Slash]

I've been waiting for this for a long time.

[/center]

Xemnas landed near him, and Saïx readied himself for an attack. Sure enough, here he came, striking again and again.

Saïx blocked the blows one by one. He'd never fought Xemnas before, or even seen him fight. It was...disappointing. He was fast, but hardly moreso than Axel. He was strong, but didn't hold a candle to Lexaeus. Was this it?

Was this seriously it? This was all? This was all the Superior could-

At least he couldn't feel emotion, or else he'd be distracted by a huge wave of self-disgust and frustration. This could have been done a long time ago, but he had apparently overestimated the Superior by a great deal.

Saïx attacked as soon as the blows let up, aiming for Xemnas's midsection. He probably wouldn't even have to go berserk while Zexion and Axel were here.

...this was so anticlimactic.

[Axel]

The old man isn't nearly as threatening as I thought he would be.
--------

Wonder of wonders, Xemnas had absolutely nothing to say in response to any of them. He took both chakrams and tumbled out of the air. Straight onto Saïx.

Xemnas must have figured out by now that they were not just here to shoot the breeze, because he called his weapons to hand and began attacking Saïx. But the Diviner did not look like he was having much trouble at all defending himself.

Xemmy's looking a little winded there already. If I had known he was this pathetic, things might have been very different.

No reason to go over the what-ifs and should-have-beens. The important thing now was to kill Xemnas, which was beginning to look easier as the seconds ticked by. Saïx was going on the offensive, and Axel decided to give Xemnas even more to think about. In a pincer move, he attacked from the opposite side, hoping to catch Xemnas between a pair of chakrams and a claymore.

[Fate]

Is This All?

Xemnas had nothing left to say to them after Axel attacked, getting hit and falling back down to their level. His weapons were out shortly afterward and he went for Saïx first. Something wasn't right about this fight though. Zexion expected more from the Superior, more sheer power than what he was showing. He moved quickly, but the Schemer could match that speed if not go past it. His strength also did not look like it once was. The Superior that Zexion knew was much more powerful than this, much stronger and formidable. What they were seeing here was nothing.

Fitting, of course.

Axel and Saïx had him from either side of Xemnas. This fight was not going to need all of the strength they had, no. However, that didn't mean Zexion wasn't going to sit by and watch. He watched carefully as he sunk into the ground, becoming a mere shadow. That shadow swam toward Xemnas, coming up abruptly at the right time to deliver a beam of darkness straight toward him. Zexion took extra care to come from a different angle than Axel and Saïx, not wanting to hit either of them. And, if Xemnas managed to avoid that, he could just redirect it.

To put it bluntly, Xemnas had no chance of winning this fight. He could try, but the three versus the one had better odds.

[Battle Report:
Zexion used Shadow Silhouette
Six posts until next use
Two uses remaining]

[/size]

[Administrator]

What shall be my famous last words?

Xemnas, after being on the offense for a time, was suddenly on the defense, blocking all of the atacks that number Seven was throwing at him. Of course, then came the moment of truth, when the three combined their powers into a single offensive assault. Xemnas, at that instant, swung with one of his ethereal blades, blocking the assault from his front, and swinging the other around to block the chakrams from the side.

The bottom was the more difficult, and he was unable to block or dodge it, caught as he was. Xemnas used the propulsion to float just above the gathered traitors--to him anyhow--for a final attack. He knew he was going to die, so he might as well wound them as much as possible before he went out for the second time.

And thus, a sphere of glowing red formed around him, and through the spaces betwixt and between, Xemnas could be seen with a smirk upon his face. Suddenly, the blades of energy lanced outward, striking in great gouts below. Yes, though he would not survive this fight, he would make certain that those below did not leave unmarred.