re_alignment | Number V: Taking stock [video]

Entry tags:

kingdom hearts | axel

Number V: Taking stock [video]

[Axel appears on the screen at a somewhat odd angle, like he's not actually holding the communicator.]

OK, show of hands. Or if you happen to be invisible- which I hear is the case for at least one person-, speak up.

I think it's safe to say that a lot of us are having weird- or at least weirder than usual- things happening to us recently. And it seems to be connected to these weird clumps of colored energon- that glowing, crystal stuff the robots use for fuel for those not paying attention. Thing is, if we're going to figure out how to undo all this stuff, we're going to have to figure out if there's some kind of pattern to all this.

Alia already seems to be on the scientific angle, but just having a simpler list for reference would be good too. That way people can tell what energon seems to cause which effects and where it is at a glance.

For me, I found some red in a rock crevice on the outskirts of Megatronus' territory, and now, I pass right through any solid objects other than the ground. Including people, which is just as weird as you'd expect it to be.

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Yeah. Well, we called them 'stones' because they sort of resembled headstones, but they were really a lot more complicated than that. Each of them was about as tall as a person, mostly flat, and about six inches thick at its thickest, made of metal and glass. They each had or name, number, and title on them, along with an image of our individual weapon.

Every member of the Organization had one, and they were magically linked to us. As long as we lived, the glass part glowed blue. When one of us was destroyed, it would turn red. They were all gathered together in a room at the Castle That Never Was called Proof of Existence, because, as Nobodies, those 'stones' were the only proof of that we thought we had sometimes.

The only one who didn't have one there was Xemnas. Either he didn't have on at all, since he planned to outlive the rest of us, or his was somewhere else. Maybe in that secret room of his.

It kind of sounds a little creepy...

I don't see why you'd need stones to do that, though. So long as people remember you, why would you need proof?

Ven, I told you basically what the Organization was like. Most of us had no reason to believe anyone would care enough to remember us if we died. Up until I met Sora and Roxas, I'd have been the same way.

Besides, they served as a good reminder to us when we started doubting if we existed ourselves.

I know, but-

....

[But he said they couldn't feel, so that nulls a lot of reasons that would otherwise seem obvious. True enough that there had been a point when he couldn't really feel much either, but then that had been different. He didn't know anything, or to even care in such a way. It was like he was just...there, but without Aqua or Terra, the boy isn't sure where he would be now.

He nods slowly.]

[Aww, don't look like that Ven...Axel really wants to ruffle your hair reassuringly, but couldn't right now, even if you were there in person. Somehow, that only adds to his desire to be rid of this new bit of weirdness.

Though the thought strikes him after a moment that this desire to offer unnecessary friendly contact is new. And yet it feels familiar, somehow. A result of the red energon's effects, perhaps? Or something else...?

Anyway, he has a Ven to cheer up.]

Hey... it's OK. Cause all that Organization stuff? Ancient history.

I've got you and Sora around now, and I know you guys aren't likely to forget me. Even if I'm obnoxious enough that you might want to sometimes.

[Axel gives an amused smirk.]

[That does manage to tug that smile back on the boy's face.]

Heh, I guess that's true enough.

[There, that's better. Axel's expression softens a bit.]

You know... that's kinda where my catch phrase came from. Back when I was still Lea, I wanted everybody I met to remember me. That way, I figured I could live forever inside people's memories.

Course, when I became a Nobody, I kept doing it more out of habit than anything else. But I guess... I guess I've always sort of been afraid of being forgotten, even when I couldn't actually feel afraid.

I dunno... Does that sound weird to you?

No... I don't think it's weird at all.

I guess no one really wants to be forgotten. Even if you remember things yourself, it won't mean as much if others won't remember you in turn.

Yeah. I mean, the whole 'living forever' thing was overdramatic and dumb in the way only cocky little kids tend to be, but still... it's nice to be remembered.

[The last bit of what Ventus says causes a trickle of unease deep in Axel's slowly developing heart. Almost like he had forgotten something, though he couldn't place what it might have been. Strange...]

Heh... Well, there's no way I could forget someone like you.

Same here. You're pretty memorable yourself.

Especially now that I've known you for more than a few minutes.

[That gets another amused smirk; their initial meeting might not have been an especially long one, but even so, it had still left an impression.]

[Ventus smiles.]

I'm glad we've had that chance here.

Me too. As... bizarre as it can be sometimes, there are lots worse places to be. And with you and Sora around, it almost seems cozy sometimes.

[smirks and glances up at the giant-robot scaled ceiling of the room he's in] Almost.

Yeah...

[It was still a strange place, a strange situation. It's something he's become a closer part of, ever since his initiation.]

...

[He opens his mouth, wondering if he should bring it up now, but he hesitates. Maybe now isn't a good time.]

[Axel raises a curious eyebrow at Ventus' hesitation.]

Something wrong?

[The boy shakes his head.]

No, not really. There's...something I've been wanting to talk to you about, but I think it can wait for now.

[The curious eyebrow goes up another notch, but after a moment, Axel nods.]

Right. Probly should at least wait til this latest craziness is sorted out before getting into anything else.

Anyway, guess I'll see ya around the Haven. Be sure and let either me, Alia, or Knockout know if you see any of that weird-colored energon, but try not to get too close to it. Especially the brown kind; that's what made Sora and couple others sick.

[Have a nod back.]

My thoughts exactly.

Ah, all right. I'll keep an eye out.

[He frowns.]

Sora's affected too?

Unfortunately, yeah. He and Rewind both ran across a clump of brown energon in one of Alpha Trion's gardens, so you should probly avoid that area. And a spot near the Junkpile by a pile of rocks that looks like a guy waving, which is where the other guy found some.

[So red ones made you intangible and brown made you sick...]

Noted...

[Axel's about to list off what the other types of energon do, but can tell that's not really what Ven wants to hear right now.]

Hey... both Sora and I'll be fine, OK? After surviving Heartless and Nobodies and who the hell knows what all else trying to kill us, we're not about to let a bunch of glowing rocks do us in. That'd just be embarrassing, you know?

[He nods.]

Yeah, I know everything will work out, somehow.

[Axel nods too,slight smirk morphing into a more genuine smile for a moment.]

Good. Glad you got that memorized.

Though speaking of things working out, I should probly get back to trying o do that. You take care, hmm? I'll try and keep you updated what's going on on this end.

Oh, right. Thanks- I'll see about doing the same if I come across anything.

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Number V: Taking stock [video]

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[Video] Blaah forgive my icon fail, account expired =A=;

[Video] Boo expired accounts. :<

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