Rebirth Keybladers

[Aeris]

Only moments before, the gummy ship had landed on the world of Traverse Town....Axle's home-world. Aeris had been sent here to investigate an odd stranger on the world, who, though dressed in white, seemed to have the traits of an Organization XIII member.

This fact, in itself, was odd simply because the organization had supposedly been destroyed, and all of it's members killed....again....however, this day in age, precautions were needed. The night before, Aeris had told Axle of the mission, and he had opted to go with her to his birth place, though he had no family or friends left on the world.

Now, as Aeris stepped onto the planet, she gazed around, only slightly awed by the buildings that sprung up just past the forest, she wondered why Axle had so dreaded coming back here. Before them lay a small forest, and past that the wall that enclosed Traverse Town itself.

So this is Traverse Town hmm?

She muttered to herself quietly, while waiting for Axle to emerge from the ship as well. The place didn't look too large, so hopefully it wouldn't take to long to find...or not find...this so called 'human nobody'.

This post has been edited by Aeris on Oct 16 2007, 02:52 AM

[axle]

The man in white had watched the ship descend, plummeting from the heavens like a shooting star... why did they call them shooting stars. They aren't actually stars after all. White smiled, somehow he knew, HE was on that craft. Grinning quite evilly, White launched himself from the tree he was perched on towards a suitable limb on another tree, making his way slowly towards the landing sites. After a few minutes of travel he was crouched in the shadows of several large trees staring at the ship that had just landed. A young woman stepped out from the egress ramp... quite pretty, she was. Another person stepped out a moment later. The sight of HIM was enough to send chills down his spine. His face was the same but it was a bit darker than his own, it almost looked older. Not to mention he wore all black...

Such a nasty color. Why does he have my face... I am myself, no one else can be!

Quickly he summoned his pristine silver keyblade to his hand. White stared at it for a moment then back at HIM. Slowly his gaze shifted to the girl and his smile widened, he knew what he would do.

*****

As Axle stepped from the gummi ship, his nostrils were assaulted by a familiar scent. The smell of the forest hadn't changed in all this time. There was a look of bewilderment on his face, so many memories came flooding back all at once. Taking another step forward he looked towards the town, he could already see the bell.

The bell... you know, I never thought it could look so beautiful.

Slowly, he took one more step forward. All of a sudden his true memories of his home came flooding back. The his mother, his friends, his father, the fight, the pain. Slowly Axle let his head drop to his chest and sighed. There was something he had to do, he would have to suffer his memories only a little longer. Forcing a smile he turned to Aeris.

Cmon, I'll show you around. Huh?

His eyes locked onto something in the forest. It was only there for a moment before vanishing. The smile on Axle's face vanished instantly, replaced by a look of quiet anger. Looking back down at Aeris he took her hand.

Stay on guard...

[Aeris]

Bewildered by Axle's actions, Aeris noticed that she felt as if she were being watched. At first he called his home beautiful, then offered to show her around, now he acted as if they were going to be eaten alive any moment! Surely there was something to be cautious about, there always was, but nothing to act in such a way? As he took her hand, she nodded at his words and followed him.

Axle...what in the world is wrong with you all of a sudden? I understand we need to be careful, but what are you so paranoid about?!

She asked as she trotted along beside him toward the town gates. A feeling of anger radiated around him....anger and fear....but fear of what? She had never been here before, but she had never heard of any creatures living here that should be feared in such a way...and the heartless...well, the two of them could handle heartless easily....so what was he so worried about? As they reached the gates and entered the town, Aeris pulled her hand from his grasp, stopping to gaze at him stonily.

What is the matter with you?

She asked, tilting her head to the side slightly.

[axle]

Crap, saw me.

Latus, yeah, ill go with Latus, almost laughed as HE grabbed the girl by the hand and pulled her towards the city. Silently Latus ghosted after them, staying to the treetops, HE would never see him up there. When they reached the gate and stopped, Latus let out one short, HAH and leapt over the wall, sprinting off into the city upon the rooftops.

Lets see what he does.

---------------------------------------------

The gate door swung shut with a dull thud, placing Aeris and Axle in the main courtyard of Traverse Town. It was only now that Axle stopped to answer Aeris, this time around he could be truthful. Not to mention that fact that Aeris probably saw their target vault over the wall.

I wouldn't call it paranoid, Aeris. I would consider it cautious. I think its time you know something about me. My last few moments on this world were spent in mortal combat with the heartless. Forgive me for using a bit more caution than necessary.

Releasing her hand he took a step towards the Armor/Weapon shop and took in the spectacle. Nothing seemed to have changed, the weapon building sign was always a little crooked, Gepetto's workshop brightly lit, as usual. The only thing missing were, he was afraid to even think it, the heartless.

This post has been edited by axle on Oct 16 2007, 03:54 AM

[Aeris]

Cautious wasn't the word she would have used...she prefered paranoid, but she couldn't exactly blame him for his feelings now that she knew what caused them.

Axle....I'm sorry for what happened to you, but...we can't let that affect us. Heartless or no heartless, we have a job to do. We're both here, so we stand a better chance than anyone else here does....now please, calm down.

She stated, her eyes turning toward a dark alley as she saw a flash of white disappear down it. Without a word to Axle, she ran toward the alley, keyblade in hand. When she reached the alley however, there was no sign of anyone there. Her sharp blue eyes tried to pierce the darkness that permiated the area, but to no avail. There was just nothing to be seen.

Grunting, Aeris realised just how difficult it was going to be to find this 'nobody'. As she stood there, however, there came a scratching noise from down the alley, followed by doezens of pairs of eyes.

Heartless!

She called over her shoulder, warning Axle of the fight to come as she stood her ground before the alley. Better to keep them confined than let them surround you.

[axle]

Sadly, Aeris had the point. Axle was letting his own personal loathing for the heartless interfere with what they were sent to traverse to do. He took a deep breath and looked down at her.

You have a valid point Aeris, I'm... Aeris?!

Without saying anything the girl had bolted from his side down an alley to his right, as quickly as he could, he started after her. Must have had seen their target. After taking only a handful of steps Aeris shouted the word he dreaded, Heartless. Slowly, like a thick black ooze, heartless began to well up from the pavement. Hundreds of bright yellow eyes blink into existence and slowly form the shapes of the lowliest heartless, the shadow. However, even the lowliest of heartless en masse is dangerous.

Axle stopped, frozen in place, head to his chest, eyes closed. Fears, trepidations, and words of what seemed like ages gone by flashing through his head...

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From a vantage point high above the alley, Latus surveyed the situation. His cadre of heartless cronies were closing in upon them. The Girl seemed feisty enough but HIM... he just stood there, his keyblade wasnt' even manifest.

Makes my job all the easier.

He starts to laugh maniacally as the heartless closed around Axle.

[Aeris]

AXLE! A LITTLE HELP HERE?!

Aeris shouted as she sung her keyblade through a group of the Shadows that were trying to force their way out of the alley in which she had them trapped. Several of the creatures evaporated, the hearts they had devoured escaping into the night sky. Surely Axle had heard her, hadn't he? Where was that man?! She couldn't hold back this wave by herself for long.

Axle! I can't hold them off by myself forever!

She shouted over her shoulder, not certain where he was. As she looked up, she spotted their target...a male figure robed in white, gazing down at them being attacked by the heartless....it made her blood boil.

You! Get down here and fight like a man! Or are you so coward that you must have your lackies do your work?!

[axle]

Latus' laugh continued as the girl yelled up at him, he didn't have to prove himself to anyone. His heartless continues to swirl around his counterpart coming ever closer to ripping him apart, again! He looked back down at the girl struggling to fight off the ever larger swarm of shadows. His voice may have been the same as Axles but the pitch was higher making it hard to discern his voice from his counterpart's.

My lackies are doing just fine, missie. Since I bet you came here to kill me that doesn't give me much incentive to fight fair does it?

As Latus started to laugh again, a bright flash of light stopped him. He looked over at Axle. Axle was staring up at him, a look of pure rage on his face even as the heartless are about to engulf him.

------------------------------

No, NO! Don't kill them, take me instead! Axle felt like he was a puppet in his own body as the memories of that day came flooding back, forcing him to relive his worst day alive. The heartless had broken into the house and he was pleading with the silent figures to leave his family and friends alone. They were about to pounce when Axle heard a woman's voice... so very familiar.

Axle! I can't hold them off by myself forever!

His eyes snapped open and he saw the writhing mass of heartless before him. He glared up to the man in white who was perched on the rooftops staring at Aeris. Out of sheer rage, he summons his stained keyblade to his hand, shouting.

Every heartless here will die by my hand!

Grasping his keyblade with both hands, he simply picked a set of eyes and swung. The impact from his keyblade on shadow flesh was ever so familiar as well as a powerful drug. The more he swung, the more that died, the sharper he got. He swung wildly but focussed, a storm of blows that sent more and more glittering hearts back into the night sky. The small army around him was quickly reduced down to a fraction of its initial size. Much of the forse that were attacking Aeris had turned their attention on him and they just kept coming. Drawing his keyblade back he threw it will all his might through the swarm of shadows almost smiling as he saw more and more hearts escape from their prisons of darkness.

[Aeris]

Aeris slowly started to make a path through the alley way toward a ladder that led up to the roof where the man was standing.

Apparently you're nothing to be feared then. I'll just continue to worry about your lackies, and send one of our trainees out to kill you. I'm sure they could do so in one or two hits.

She said, aiming to insult him, and hoping that if he felt insulted enough he would chose to come down to her level and fight. The more energy she could save the better, she thought as she cut down more of the heartless in her way. She was now surrounded by them, and they clawed at her legs and back, but she ignored the pricks of their claws as she focused on getting to her target.

[axle]

From atop the building, Latus' smile didn't fade. The girls attempt at insulting him only served to amuse. She didn't know his potential, in fact she would probably be the first real challenge he had if he ever did cross blades but the heartless would do their job. He looked over to see if Axle had died yet still almost encased in a mount of heartless. His voice cut through the sounds of battle, claiming he would kill every heartless and, within a matter of moments, the mound of shadows was largely dead. Scoffing, Latus remained still watching the carnage below.

My dear, if that was the case they wouldn't have sent two of you, simple as that.

------------------------------------

As Axle continued to wade through the mountain of shadows, still swinging his keyblade, he overheard the nobody shout his thoughts to Aeris... funny, Axle smiled slightly. He hadn't been assigned there, he had opted to come along because he was afraid for the girl. His whole mind was set on getting to Aeris, to help her but the heartless never ceased to stop coming.

[Aeris]

They didn't send us both. They sent me.

She called back, shoving againts a mound of heartless, before knocking them over and killing five of them with her next swing. Aeris had finally made it to the end of the alley way, and the ladder....now the trick would be getting UP the ladder without falling because of the heartless that were attacking her.

As she lept up to catch hold of the bottom rung of the ladder, Aeris thought fleetingly of Axle. She shouldn't be leaving him behind like this, but the source of the heartless was this man...she knew it. The sooner this man was dead, the sooner the heartless would stop coming to attack....and that's what Axle needed. It wouldn't help either of them to continue fighting a never ending swarm of the beasts.

Climbing swiftly up the ladder, Aeris lashed out at anything that got in her way, making the heartless fall to their deaths on the ground below. As she reached the roof-top, the young woman spotted her target once more and headed swiftly for him. If the Nobody valued his own life, he wouldn't call heartless to attack her while she was so close to him.

Show your face, Nobody.

Aeris demanded, holding her keyblade out before her, pointed directly at his neck, making sure to keep him a fairly comfortable distance away from her. The slight wind at this level caused her battle dress and her hair to flutter around her, her cold gaze giving her the look of a ferocious goddess of war.

[axle]

From the alley below, Axle continues his struggle against wave after wave of heartless. Each swing extinguished several of the small heartless but with each swing he gets weaker and weaker. Its seems like its only a matter of time. Grunting, Axle delivers a vertical slash that knocks one of the shadows back into its companions, blowing it across the courtyard where it sashes into one of the walls. Spinning around, he swings the blade horizontally, almost as an extension of his arm, cleaving through more and more of the dark things. Looking over the rows upon rows of yellow eyes he sees Aeris, only now still in the Alley but climbing one of the service ladders that lead to the roof. No... NO, Its what he wants!

Aeris! Don't do anything foolish!

Shifting his focus to the ladder, Axle charges headlong into the mass of heartless, slashing violently.

---------------------------------

From the roof top, Latus continues to stare down the young woman who had accompanied Axle. She had been sent their to kill him? Hmph, it was time to show this young woman the truth. With a wave of his hand, the heartless that had scurries onto the rooftop stopped moving and with a flick of his wrist they all turned towards Axle. At the same moment Axle shouted up to the girl.

You should listen to your friend, little witch. If you play with the big boys you are going to get hurt.

Slowly, he straightened, allowing his coat to flow with the slight breeze that was blowing across the rooftops. With a comparable amount of emphasis, he raised his right arm and, with a flash of light, his keyblade appeared, clutched tight. The wind, which started as a breeze, suddenly picked up, blowing with force across the roofs. As it hit Latus, his coat caught it in a most stunning way, blowing the hood from around his head. He smiled, comprehending her expression as one of shock. As Latus stood, staring at the girl, the wind continued to ruffle his length of hair. Slowly, he lowered his arm and brought his keyblade to the ready, grasping it with his left hand.

[Aeris]

Aeris! Don't do anything stupid!

Axle shouted at her just as she had reached the roof-top. Don't do anything stupid?! Even being here was stupid! Who the heck was this man, and why did he control the heartless? He wasn't one...if he was a nobody, he should have been controling the nobodies!...not that she wasn't greatful that he wasn't....but even so.

You should listen to your friend, little witch. If you play with the big boys you are going to get hurt.


The man who stood infront of her said. Aeris furrowed her brows....this man was cocky sure enough....if only Axle would get himself up here....Suddenly the heartless turned against Axle all at once. This man, this nobody, was trying to get her to do something she would regret...like attack first. Well that WOULD be stupid of me now wouldn't it? she thought to herself, glaring at the man before her. As the wind picked up, and his coat flew around him, and his hood flew off, she gasped at the sight of his face.

Axle. It was Axle's nobody...and he'd not told her? Dammit! This isn't good. If he's anything like Axle....I'm good as dead anyway, I might as well attack first. she thought, her face swiftly changing to anger once more. So this was why Axle had been so reluctant? Perhaps now he would see that she wouldn't turn her back on him because of his past?

I suppose I should listen to him, yes....and perhaps you're right...but I've never been one to cower in fear, nor run away....

She said, loudly enough to be heard over the wind that blew around them, as she lifted her own keyblade into the ready.

...but the way I see it, you have no intention of just 'hurting' me, do you? I figure, if you're going to try and kill me, then try and kill me, don't just stand there talking about it.

Aeris stated, so that only Latus could hear her. Her blue eyes hard, as she focused on his every action...every movement....because that's what counted now. Everything else was gone from around her....it was just the nobody and herself on this roof....there was no Axle, there were no heartless....there was nothing but here and now. Taking a defensive position, Aeris stood her ground, trying to suppress a snarl.

This post has been edited by Aeris on Oct 20 2007, 06:24 AM

[axle]

From the ground below, Axle could only watch in horror as Aeris stated her mind. She was a good fighter but even if his Nobody was a portion as powerful as himself, Aeris would not likely come out the winner. He had to get up there. His eyes shifted back to the mass of heartless and his mind soon followed; FOCUS damn you! He grasped the keyblade tighter with both hands, laying into the mess of heartless with no quarter given.

------------------------------------

For the first time that evening, Latus' smile faded. This girl had too much cheek to be left alive. One eye passes back over Axle. If he had any emotions for this girl Latus had all the more reason to end her worthless life. Then he would find meaning!

I will not only start this conflict between us, girl. I shall also finish it!

In one fluid movement, he shifted the shining blade from just his left hand to also grasp it with his right. He took one step, more than enough to give him momentum. Using it to his advantage he charged, dragging the keyblade across the metal sheeted, sparks lighting up the night of Traverse.

[Aeris]

((w00t! finally!))

Aeris knew that this would more than likely be the end of her, but she had to stop this man...this Nobody...from causing any more damage to this world, or it too would soon fall, never to be seen again. I will not let that happen! she shouted inside her own mind, watching as Latus flew towards her with the speed of a striking snake. Sparks flew out from behind him as his keyblade dragged along behind him.

So this is Axle's nobody after all.... she thought in the brief moment she had to spare for thought, noticing that he used one of the few moves she knew Axle used consistantly. Thank the stars for sparring matches with him. Aeris' eyes followed Latus' motion, waiting until the very last second before she made her move. Darting to the side, Aeris ducked under the swing she knew was coming, ending up behind the nobody.

Darting backward, Aeris made sure to put as much space between herself and the nobody as she dared, and still remain even a slight threat to him....she had to keep him busy....keep his mind focused on her and less so on his minions or his surroundings...and maybe....just maybe....she would get lucky enough to wear him out in the process.

Raising her keyblade once more, crystal blue eyes focused their hawklike gaze on their foe. The wind blew her dress out behind and around her, the silver of the metal gleaming in an eerily heavenly manner as Aeris stood, waiting for the next move in the dance.

[axle]

As another shadow became part of the twisting nether once again, Axle's eyes were once again drawn to the rooftop as a great shriek of metal on metal rang forth. Latus had made his move! NO! Can't give up now. Axle grimaced as the claws of a shadow swept in one arc across his arm, cutting the fabric and running a new line of blood over his scars. His stained Keyblade continued to cut the air as the shadows continued to well forth.

Aeris!

----------------------------------------

She was a quick one, Latus had to give her that. His drag-cleave only succeeded to cut the air where the young woman stood. She was a fast one all right, he would have to take special care in taking her out of this world. Using the momentum from the cleave to fuel his next attack he continued the motion and spun completely around, slashing the air in a horizontal slice that could knock the weapon out of the hand of the most skilled swordsman.

[Aeris]

Aeris!

Fighting the urge to look over at Axle as he shouted to her, the young woman lept backward away from the wild swing of the nobody. As the blade swung past her, it managed to barely graze some of her long hair, severing a lock of it and sending it flying into the wind. Taking her chance at his open back, Aeris twirled around Latus with the grace of a dancer, bringing her keyblade in an arch directed at the nobody's spine with all her strength...unfortunately the man was fast as well.

As her blade came down, he turned, her blade missing it's target...though she did feel her keyblade slow slightly as it connected with the skin of his side. It wouldn't be a deep wound, but it would show that she ment business...and that was good enough for Aeris at the moment.

[axle]

Ugh! Damn you girl!

There was a sting of pain as the girl's keyblade contacted with his side. Latus was mad now, this girl had become far too annoying for her own good. Perhaps now was the time. Silence whispered through his skull as he brought his blade around to the ready. Maybe it wasn't the best idea to kill her but, then why was he doing just that? NO! He had to do it. The sooner he made Axle's life a living hell the sooner he would be happy.The girl returned her blade to a ready position in front of her, it was time to end this.

What is your name?

--------------------------------------

No sooner had Axle swung his blade and extinguished the last of the heartless around him that he noticed that they had stopped coming. He glanced around several times before looking at the roof; Aeris! Not hesitating, he threw his keyblade aside, which vanished in a flash of light, and sprinted towards the ladder that led to the roof. The blade would only serve to hinder him as he climbed to to roof. If Aeris could only hold on a little while longer.

--------------------------------------

Latus looked down, Axle had started towards the ladder. He would have to make this quick. Taking his keyblade in his right hand, his dominant one, he swung horizontally, meant to, once again, knock the girls own keyblade away.

[Aeris]

Does it matter?

She replied, her voice more calm than it had been all evening....almost as if she knew her time had come. Her eyes were a stoney grey-blue. It was amazing what the knowledge of death could do to clear one's mind....infact, there were only two thoughts that ran through Aeris' mind at the moment....the fact that she didn't want to die...and why had Axle kept this from her for so long?...even after she had asked?

Aeris saw the blow coming and knew there was no way she could stop it. Bracing herself for the impact of it, her keyblade shuddered against Latus' before it was nearly ripped from her grip. Stumbling backward slightly, Aeris caught herself before she fell...she had no where to go and no way to dodge....she had been forced into a corner of the roof top.

As the keyblade clanked once against the metal roof, it vanished from sight. She knew she wouldn't have time to re-call it to her hands, but she would try any way.

[axle]

Axle's footfalls clanged on the metal service ladder as he poured all his energy into getting on the roof. As he climbed he glanced over at the fight goign on between Latus and Aeris. His nobody had backed Aeris into a corner, he saw the swing coming and flinched as her keyblade was knocked away. Axle's mouth slid open and his eyes went wide, he knew what Latus was about to do...

Aeris! NO!

----------------------------------------

Latus' smile had returned, it was the adrenaline and the thrill of killing that made his existence worthwhile. Her answer was funny, "does it matter?" If she didn't value her own life than he would put a price on it. He looked back at Axle, glaring at him from the ladder. Heh, he was almost to the roof, too.

Don't turn away Axle, I want to see your face when she DIES!

With that Latus leveled his blade and plunged it into the girl's chest. The small vortex of darkness cutting clear through her silvery armor. A lot of good that did. He turned back towards her, reveling in her facial expression as he slowly twisted his keyblade.

-----------------------------------------

Aeris!

Tensing his arms, he put all his strength into propelling him onto the roof. The moment his feet touched the metal roofing he summoned his keyblade. Axle, his grey eyes glinting in rage, turned and sprinted at his Nobody, his blade still lodged in her chest. The darkness would soon consume her if he didn't act quickly. Within a matter of moments he was in range of the blade. Dragging his blade along the roof, in the same fashion as Latus had a few moments before, he brought the slash vertical knocking the clean keyblade from Aeris' chest, the small gap of darkness closing.

You will die, bastard!

His face twisted in rage; Latus would pay for this. With all his might behind one attack, Axle swung in a low to high sweeping motion from the opposite of the running attack he just made. The momentum of his sprinting compounded by his rage, this strike would be felt.