A Second Chance

When A Dream Isn't Just A Dream

I'm gonna start this off with a spoiler: [Name] isn't involved in Sora and Riku's Mark of Mastery exam. I've gotten a lot of comments expressing interest in that happening, and I tried to possibly make it work. And it just didn't.

Here's why: A mark of mastery exam needs to happen /just with those taking the exam/. Yen Sid and Mickey don't realize something fucky is going on with the exam until way late, so there's not a need for [Name] to come help. And honestly? I just don't want [Name] and Sora to officially meet their first time in a dream world. I've already plotted out their long-awaited, very much questioned meeting (it's srsly so good and HAPPENING VERY VERY SOON GUYS) so putting her in DDD would ruin that. But I also like that it's just Sora and Riku for the exam. It's really their last adventure before shit goes down and suddenly it turns into a big team effort in KH3.

Just wanted to put that out there before the chapter so no one is disappointed :3 I did give it thought and I think it's best this way~

Also the picture for this chapter is for those of you who are pissed Xehanort got a happy ending in KH3. Trust me, I am too. He won't be getting one here.

[RADIANT GARDEN]

"Hey, Axel? You haven't forgotten?"

The soft question draws the redhead from his thoughts, slowly pulling the pale blue popsicle from between his lips as he stares down at his blond friend. They're seated in their usual spot – atop the tower in Twilight Town.

"Hm?" he hums.

"You made us a promise," Roxas continues, his gaze downcast.

"I did?" Axel asks with genuine confusion.

"That you'd always be there. To bring us back."

"... Yeah..." Axel hums as he breaks his friend's gaze, staring down at his popsicle.

"Got it memorized?" Roxas adds with a mocking smirk as he taps a finger against his own forehead.

Axel chuckles as Roxas begins to disappear, vanishing into non-existence and leaving the redhead alone once again.

"Best friends forever," he promises.

The vision fades as quickly as it appears, pain rocking Axel's body as his green eyes flutter open. His head is throbbing, his body sore as he stretches gloved fingers out, feeling the uncomfortable fabric of his Organization robes shift against his body as he does so.

"Where... What happened to me?" he whispers as he clenches and unclenches his hands into fists. "... Roxas?"

How is he alive, he thinks to himself as he shakily leans back, resting on his knees as he glances around. He's in the old computer room in Radiant Garden. Ansem the Wise's computer room. And he's not alone. The bodies of Zexion and Vexen are with him as well, as are Xaldin and Lexaeus. They're all stirring at the same time, though Axel seems to be moving around the easiest.

But they aren't their Nobody versions anymore. They're wearing the clothes they used to wear, as humans.

"Dilan, Aeleus, Even, Ienzo," he gasps in shocked realization, watching for a moment as the four men before him slowly wake

Axel then glances forward, his vision shifting to his reflection in a window just past the computer. He does a double-take, soaking in the sight in silence.

"That's me," he mutters as he takes a few clumsy steps towards the window, barely able to believe what he's seeing. Fingers hesitantly reach up to his face, touching where the triangle tattoos used to rest under his eyes. They're gone, leaving behind pale skin.