HOME | DD

Description
Part Six

Sora stared down into the darkness below, his tears mixing with the rain as it soaked through his hair and clothes.

"Sora!"

Sora turned around to find Riku and Kairi hurrying over to him.

"Sora! You're okay!" Kairi said.

Riku began to glance around.

"Hey.. Where's Axel?"

Sora felt his tears slipping more quickly down his cheeks as he turned to look toward the cliffs below. Riku and Kairi's eyes grew wide at the implication.

"No.." whimpered Kairi.

Acting quickly, Sora began to try and climb down the side of the cliff.

"C'mon!" he shouted. "We gotta find Axel!"

Riku grabbed Sora by the arm.

"Sora, it's too late!"

"No it's NOT!" Sora argued, pulling away.

"Sora," Kairi frowned. "It's too DANGEROUS!"

Sora, however, ignored her and quickly began to climb down the mountain. Every few steps he took, he slipped and nearly fell. Kairi and Riku followed close behind him. As he continued down the mountain, Sora let out a cry of fear as his feet slipped and he back to tumble down the cliff-face.

"SORA!" shouted Riku and Kairi.

Sora managed to grab onto some outcropping of rocks to slow his descent. He cringed at the pain in his body as he tried to move. After gathering his strength again, he soon continued his way down the cliff-side. After what seemed to be far too long, Sora made it to one of the many valleys near the bottom of the mountain.

"Axel?" Sora called out. "Axel!"

He looked around frantically and continued to call to his friend. Riku and Kairi soon made it to the bottom as Sora frantically looked around.

"Ax-!"

Sora suddenly stopped as his gaze landed on a large pile of rubble and debris. He hurried over to the rubble and frantically began to dig through the debris. After what seemed to have been hours, Sora halted his digging as he uncovered Axel from beneath the rubble.

"Axel.."

Sora continued to try and dig through the rubble, to the point that his hands began to bleed. He soon managed to pull him free and held him carefully. Axel's skin was marred with bruises and gashes and his cloak was completely tattered from the fall as well as the bits of rock that had once buried him. The left side of his face was covered in blood from the deep gash running from his forehead, down his left temple.

"Axel..?" Sora whimpered. "W-wake up.."

Riku and Kairi hurried over to their friend and slowed to a stop in shock and horror. Sora turned toward them, his tears slipping down his face.

"Riku! Kairi!" he cried out. "Help me!"

Riku and Kairi continued to stand where they were.

"Axel's HURT!" Sora whimpered. "We have to DO something!"

"Sora.." Riku muttered softly.

Sora stared at him before turning back toward his friend's motionless form.

"No.." Sora whimpered.

He stared down at Axel's motionless form, tears beginning to form in his eyes.

"No..!"

Sora's tears fell from his eyes, his anguished scream echoing throughout the valley.

"NO..!"

Sora pulled Axel's body close to him and sobbed into his shoulder. Axel remained motionless in his arms. Riku and Kairi stood nearby, sorrow overcoming them as the heavy rain continued to fall around them. As Sora continued to sob, he was barely aware of a soft and golden glow that began to emit from Axel's body. Riku and Kairi looked on in shock.

"Sora.." Kairi whispered.

Sora slowly raised his head and was shocked to see the golden glow forming around Axel's body, causing Sora to let go and stare in shock and awe as Axel's body seemed to be consumed by the light. A sudden flash of light caused Sora, Riku, and Kairi to shield their eyes as the light became so bright, it was painful to look at. After a moment or so, the light began to fade. As the light fade, the trio stared in shock as they saw Axel standing before them, every wound he had obtained now completely healed and his clothing no longer tattered. His body had a faint but golden glow around it.

"Axel.." Sora whispered. "Y-you're.."

Axel only smiled, his bright emerald eyes filled with sadness.

"Axel.. I'm s-so sorry.." Sora whimpered.

Axel let out a weak laugh.

"Hey, I probably should've guessed this would happen.. Especially considering how far I fell.."

Sora stared at him in confusion. His eyes grew wide as a sudden realization hit him. Sora stood from his spot and ran to his friend. As Sora threw his arms around him, he felt his tears begin to flow down his cheeks once more as he realized how empty the space really was. Sora looked at him, eyes going wide in horror.

"No..! Y-you can't..!" Sora sobbed, grasping tighter.

"Sora.." Axel smiled, his own tears forming. "I'm sorry, but.."

He soon let Sora go.

"I have to do it.."

Axel turned around and made his way toward the pile of rubble. Sora hung his head, his spiky hair obscuring much of his face.

"P-please don't go..." Sora whispered out, his tears slipping freely down his cheeks.

Axel stopped a few feet away from him and let out a sigh. Axel turned to face him again.

"C'mon Sora.. It's not like I'm going away forever.." Axel said with a weak smile. "Just think of it as me going away for a little while.. Got it memorized?"

Sora fought back a sob and shakily nodded. Axel turned away again, looking back at the rubble.

"And I know it's hard.. But you're gonna have to trust me, Sora.." Axel said, turning toward him again.

Sora choked back a sob as he ran to him and hugged him the best he could, eyes clenched shut as he fought back his sobs. Axel smiled softly and looked up to see Riku and Kairi walk over toward the two. The four friends joined in a group hug which seemed to last forever as they held onto each other. An eternity passed before the friends finally let go of each other. Axel smiled at his friends and took a few steps away from them, soon turning his gaze toward the sky. Bright rays of golden light soon formed around Axel as he closed his eyes. Slowly, the glittering of light began to obscure Axel's form.

"Axel!" Sora cried out.

He took hold of the glittering light that still made up Axel's hand, his eyes filling once more with tears.

"D-don't forget us.. O-okay?" Sora tearfully smiled.

Axel let out a soft chuckle.

"Trust me.. I won't forget.." Axel smiled. "I'll see you guys in the next life."

"Cya.. Buddy.." Sora whispered, fresh tears forming again.

As Sora watched the glittering light disperse, fresh tears slipped down his face. Sora hung his head and gazed at his tightly clenched hand. Taking a moment, he slowly opened his hand and smiled tearfully as he found a small charm in the shape of a flame on a delicate metal chain.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Sora made his way through the square of Twilight Town, lost in his thoughts. He couldnt help but think of what had happened over two months ago. Tears formed in Sora’s eyes as he thought of Axel. He still couldnt believe.. Axel was really gone. Over the time since they had returned, Sora, Riku, and Kairi had told Hayner, Pence, Olette and Roxas what had happened and all the friends had then held a ceremony to mourn the loss of their friend. Sora had held onto the charm Axel had left behind, refusing to let go. He continued to make his way, now heading down an alleyway when je was suddenly snapped out of his thoughts as he collided with someone, nearly falling to the ground.

"Oh! I'm so SORRY!" someone said. "Are you okay?"

Sora's eyes went wide as he thought he recognized the person's voice. As he looked up, however, he let out a breath as he saw a boy at least the age of sixteen or so standing before him. The boy had auburn shoulder length hair and wore an outfit similar to Riku's but was white and gold with bits of red. What caught Sora off guard, was the boy's eyes. They were a bright emerald green, the same ones Sora knew from anywhere. The boy looked at him oddly.

"Uh, something the matter?" he asked.

"H-huh? N-no.." Sora frowned. "I-it's just.."

He continued to look at him, completely unsure.

"Okay, you're starting to creep me out.." said the boy. "I-I should probably go-"

"No WAIT!" Sora shouted, grabbing his shoulder. "I-I'm sorry.. I just.. You seem so familiar to me.."

"The boy smirked a little.

"Is that so..?" he asked.

Sora nodded.

"Well, still.. I need to get going.." he frowned. "Parents are waiting for me."

"Well, uh.. O-okay.. I guess.." Sora frowned.

The boy nodded and soon began to leave. Sora stood where he was, watching him go as a flash of the boy's familiar emerald eyes went through Sora's mind.

"Axel?"

The boy stopped and spun around to look at him.

"Huh?"

Sora froze and saw the boy walk closer toward him.

"Did you just.. Call me.. Axel?"

"U-uh.."

The boy tilted his head curiously.

"Wait.. You look.. Familiar.." said the boy.

He paused as he tried to think of where he had seen him before. It was at that moment that the sudden flashes of a young boy filled his mind. He saw many other images going through his mind; a boy similar as the one in front of him, fighting dark creatures, fire burning, the strange blade of fire in his own hands. As the flashes went away, the boy soon looked up.

"S...or...a..."

The boy seemed to struggle with the name. Sora's eyes went wide as he realized what the boy had just said.

"S..So..ra.." said the boy again.

The boy turned to Sora again.

"T-that name.. I-it's so... Familiar.."

Sora stared at him, hope filling his heart.

"Axel..?"

The boy stared back, a slight pain going through his mind and heart. Sora's smiled as tears filled his eyes.

"Axel.. Axel, i-it's me.." Sora smiled.

The boy's eyes went wide as recognition washed over him.

"Sora?"

Sora smiled and nodded. The boy felt tears in his eyes as he put his arms around him.

"Sora.." he said. "I-it's you.."

"Axel.." Sora smiled.

The duo shared a hug before Sora finally pulled away and smiled.

"C'mon!" Sora grinned.

"Where're we GOING?" asked Axel.

"We've gotta let the others know!"

"Whoa! Hey! W-wait a sec!" Axel said, trying his best to keep up.

They made it outside of Twilight Town, and Sora realized Axel was still hopping along on one leg to keep up. Sora sheepishly let go.

"Eh.. Sorry!" He grinned. "I can't wait to let the others KNOW!"

"Know, what?"

"That you've come BACK!" Sora smiled.

"Oh, I dunno, Sora.." Axel said. "I don't think they'll recognize me."

"Don't worry," Sora smiled. "We would never forget who you are. Got it memorized?"

Axel's eyes grew wide as he remembered that saying. Soon he smiled.

"Yeah.. Let's go." Axel grinned.

Sora nodded and soon the duo raced toward the old mansion within the forest.

The End

Description
Part Six

Sora stared down into the darkness below, his tears mixing with the rain as it soaked through his hair and clothes.

"Sora!"

Sora turned around to find Riku and Kairi hurrying over to him.

"Sora! You're okay!" Kairi said.

Riku began to glance around.

"Hey.. Where's Axel?"

Sora felt his tears slipping more quickly down his cheeks as he turned to look toward the cliffs below. Riku and Kairi's eyes grew wide at the implication.

"No.." whimpered Kairi.

Acting quickly, Sora began to try and climb down the side of the cliff.

"C'mon!" he shouted. "We gotta find Axel!"

Riku grabbed Sora by the arm.

"Sora, it's too late!"

"No it's NOT!" Sora argued, pulling away.

"Sora," Kairi frowned. "It's too DANGEROUS!"

Sora, however, ignored her and quickly began to climb down the mountain. Every few steps he took, he slipped and nearly fell. Kairi and Riku followed close behind him. As he continued down the mountain, Sora let out a cry of fear as his feet slipped and he back to tumble down the cliff-face.

"SORA!" shouted Riku and Kairi.

Sora managed to grab onto some outcropping of rocks to slow his descent. He cringed at the pain in his body as he tried to move. After gathering his strength again, he soon continued his way down the cliff-side. After what seemed to be far too long, Sora made it to one of the many valleys near the bottom of the mountain.

"Axel?" Sora called out. "Axel!"

He looked around frantically and continued to call to his friend. Riku and Kairi soon made it to the bottom as Sora frantically looked around.

"Ax-!"

Sora suddenly stopped as his gaze landed on a large pile of rubble and debris. He hurried over to the rubble and frantically began to dig through the debris. After what seemed to have been hours, Sora halted his digging as he uncovered Axel from beneath the rubble.

"Axel.."

Sora continued to try and dig through the rubble, to the point that his hands began to bleed. He soon managed to pull him free and held him carefully. Axel's skin was marred with bruises and gashes and his cloak was completely tattered from the fall as well as the bits of rock that had once buried him. The left side of his face was covered in blood from the deep gash running from his forehead, down his left temple.

"Axel..?" Sora whimpered. "W-wake up.."

Riku and Kairi hurried over to their friend and slowed to a stop in shock and horror. Sora turned toward them, his tears slipping down his face.

"Riku! Kairi!" he cried out. "Help me!"

Riku and Kairi continued to stand where they were.

"Axel's HURT!" Sora whimpered. "We have to DO something!"

"Sora.." Riku muttered softly.

Sora stared at him before turning back toward his friend's motionless form.

"No.." Sora whimpered.

He stared down at Axel's motionless form, tears beginning to form in his eyes.

"No..!"

Sora's tears fell from his eyes, his anguished scream echoing throughout the valley.

"NO..!"

Sora pulled Axel's body close to him and sobbed into his shoulder. Axel remained motionless in his arms. Riku and Kairi stood nearby, sorrow overcoming them as the heavy rain continued to fall around them. As Sora continued to sob, he was barely aware of a soft and golden glow that began to emit from Axel's body. Riku and Kairi looked on in shock.

"Sora.." Kairi whispered.

Sora slowly raised his head and was shocked to see the golden glow forming around Axel's body, causing Sora to let go and stare in shock and awe as Axel's body seemed to be consumed by the light. A sudden flash of light caused Sora, Riku, and Kairi to shield their eyes as the light became so bright, it was painful to look at. After a moment or so, the light began to fade. As the light fade, the trio stared in shock as they saw Axel standing before them, every wound he had obtained now completely healed and his clothing no longer tattered. His body had a faint but golden glow around it.

"Axel.." Sora whispered. "Y-you're.."

Axel only smiled, his bright emerald eyes filled with sadness.

"Axel.. I'm s-so sorry.." Sora whimpered.

Axel let out a weak laugh.

"Hey, I probably should've guessed this would happen.. Especially considering how far I fell.."

Sora stared at him in confusion. His eyes grew wide as a sudden realization hit him. Sora stood from his spot and ran to his friend. As Sora threw his arms around him, he felt his tears begin to flow down his cheeks once more as he realized how empty the space really was. Sora looked at him, eyes going wide in horror.

"No..! Y-you can't..!" Sora sobbed, grasping tighter.

"Sora.." Axel smiled, his own tears forming. "I'm sorry, but.."

He soon let Sora go.

"I have to do it.."

Axel turned around and made his way toward the pile of rubble. Sora hung his head, his spiky hair obscuring much of his face.

"P-please don't go..." Sora whispered out, his tears slipping freely down his cheeks.

Axel stopped a few feet away from him and let out a sigh. Axel turned to face him again.

"C'mon Sora.. It's not like I'm going away forever.." Axel said with a weak smile. "Just think of it as me going away for a little while.. Got it memorized?"

Sora fought back a sob and shakily nodded. Axel turned away again, looking back at the rubble.

"And I know it's hard.. But you're gonna have to trust me, Sora.." Axel said, turning toward him again.

Sora choked back a sob as he ran to him and hugged him the best he could, eyes clenched shut as he fought back his sobs. Axel smiled softly and looked up to see Riku and Kairi walk over toward the two. The four friends joined in a group hug which seemed to last forever as they held onto each other. An eternity passed before the friends finally let go of each other. Axel smiled at his friends and took a few steps away from them, soon turning his gaze toward the sky. Bright rays of golden light soon formed around Axel as he closed his eyes. Slowly, the glittering of light began to obscure Axel's form.

"Axel!" Sora cried out.

He took hold of the glittering light that still made up Axel's hand, his eyes filling once more with tears.

"D-don't forget us.. O-okay?" Sora tearfully smiled.

Axel let out a soft chuckle.

"Trust me.. I won't forget.." Axel smiled. "I'll see you guys in the next life."

"Cya.. Buddy.." Sora whispered, fresh tears forming again.

As Sora watched the glittering light disperse, fresh tears slipped down his face. Sora hung his head and gazed at his tightly clenched hand. Taking a moment, he slowly opened his hand and smiled tearfully as he found a small charm in the shape of a flame on a delicate metal chain.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Sora made his way through the square of Twilight Town, lost in his thoughts. He couldnt help but think of what had happened over two months ago. Tears formed in Sora’s eyes as he thought of Axel. He still couldnt believe.. Axel was really gone. Over the time since they had returned, Sora, Riku, and Kairi had told Hayner, Pence, Olette and Roxas what had happened and all the friends had then held a ceremony to mourn the loss of their friend. Sora had held onto the charm Axel had left behind, refusing to let go. He continued to make his way, now heading down an alleyway when je was suddenly snapped out of his thoughts as he collided with someone, nearly falling to the ground.

"Oh! I'm so SORRY!" someone said. "Are you okay?"

Sora's eyes went wide as he thought he recognized the person's voice. As he looked up, however, he let out a breath as he saw a boy at least the age of sixteen or so standing before him. The boy had auburn shoulder length hair and wore an outfit similar to Riku's but was white and gold with bits of red. What caught Sora off guard, was the boy's eyes. They were a bright emerald green, the same ones Sora knew from anywhere. The boy looked at him oddly.

"Uh, something the matter?" he asked.

"H-huh? N-no.." Sora frowned. "I-it's just.."

He continued to look at him, completely unsure.

"Okay, you're starting to creep me out.." said the boy. "I-I should probably go-"

"No WAIT!" Sora shouted, grabbing his shoulder. "I-I'm sorry.. I just.. You seem so familiar to me.."

"The boy smirked a little.

"Is that so..?" he asked.

Sora nodded.

"Well, still.. I need to get going.." he frowned. "Parents are waiting for me."

"Well, uh.. O-okay.. I guess.." Sora frowned.

The boy nodded and soon began to leave. Sora stood where he was, watching him go as a flash of the boy's familiar emerald eyes went through Sora's mind.

"Axel?"

The boy stopped and spun around to look at him.

"Huh?"

Sora froze and saw the boy walk closer toward him.

"Did you just.. Call me.. Axel?"

"U-uh.."

The boy tilted his head curiously.

"Wait.. You look.. Familiar.." said the boy.

He paused as he tried to think of where he had seen him before. It was at that moment that the sudden flashes of a young boy filled his mind. He saw many other images going through his mind; a boy similar as the one in front of him, fighting dark creatures, fire burning, the strange blade of fire in his own hands. As the flashes went away, the boy soon looked up.

"S...or...a..."

The boy seemed to struggle with the name. Sora's eyes went wide as he realized what the boy had just said.

"S..So..ra.." said the boy again.

The boy turned to Sora again.

"T-that name.. I-it's so... Familiar.."

Sora stared at him, hope filling his heart.

"Axel..?"

The boy stared back, a slight pain going through his mind and heart. Sora's smiled as tears filled his eyes.

"Axel.. Axel, i-it's me.." Sora smiled.

The boy's eyes went wide as recognition washed over him.

"Sora?"

Sora smiled and nodded. The boy felt tears in his eyes as he put his arms around him.

"Sora.." he said. "I-it's you.."

"Axel.." Sora smiled.

The duo shared a hug before Sora finally pulled away and smiled.

"C'mon!" Sora grinned.

"Where're we GOING?" asked Axel.

"We've gotta let the others know!"

"Whoa! Hey! W-wait a sec!" Axel said, trying his best to keep up.

They made it outside of Twilight Town, and Sora realized Axel was still hopping along on one leg to keep up. Sora sheepishly let go.

"Eh.. Sorry!" He grinned. "I can't wait to let the others KNOW!"

"Know, what?"

"That you've come BACK!" Sora smiled.

"Oh, I dunno, Sora.." Axel said. "I don't think they'll recognize me."

"Don't worry," Sora smiled. "We would never forget who you are. Got it memorized?"

Axel's eyes grew wide as he remembered that saying. Soon he smiled.

"Yeah.. Let's go." Axel grinned.

Sora nodded and soon the duo raced toward the old mansion within the forest.

The End