Duality of the Heart.

Chapter 5

Luxu appeared in the shadows of Merlin's house. "Alright. All I need is a new look and name." He said, as the black coat molded into a shorter black coat and pants. Unzipping the coat half way, Luxu saw a teal shirt and shrugged. "It'll work."
    His hair remained sliver, as always, but he adjusted his eyes. Gold would give everything away, so why not a icy blue? Just pale enough to show a little gold.
    "And now," Luxu said. "A new name....Xlul," He chuckled. "This is too easy. And so simple."
   The Keyblade flickered, not wanting to change. "Come now," Xulu said. "It will only be for a few days."
   Finally the Keyblade shifted into a black Keybalde, with less teeth and the Eye became a blue gemstone.
   Xulu nodded, satisfied. "Perfect. Now, to weave a spell."
His hand moved in a circle and Xulu sent the spell into the house. "Find the records of Keyblade wielders in the Glade and put Xulu on it." He said.
   The spell whizzed away and Xulu smiled, showing pearl-white teeth. "Wonderful."

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Merlin sensed the spell as it entered the house. "Oh, my." He said. "What do I owe the pleasure of having a Master's Spell in my home?"
    The spell paused. It had direct orders but Merlin had surprised it. Merlin paused. "Never mind. Must be sensing the books on my shelves." The spell headed over to the desk and touched the list. Xulu appeared on it and the spell vanished.
   Merlin felt uneasy by the spells presence and already knew what had happened. "Alright," he said. "Who's the name that's new?" He looked at the paper for a moment. "Xulu? That's different. But if that's what he wants, that's what he'll get."
   Merlin opened the door and waved his stick. "And......Poof!" Merlin said, smacking Xulu's head.

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   Naminé gasped and paused Axel's memories. "What did you do?" She asked, horrified at the picture of Axel injecting Roxas with the yellow fluid. "Why?" Naminé asked quietly.
    "I know why," Naminé turned and saw a man. He had silver hair and blue eyes that were icy and cold. "Axel here has been putting a special potion into his friend. It can drain a persons abilities and transfer them."
   "Who are you?" Naminé asked, Blooming Hope raised at him. "I am Xulu, the new Keyblade wielder."
     "But we already have her. Ava arrived earlier today," Naminé said, now confused. "Who's sparing partner are you?"
       "Roxas." Xulu replied calmly. "Merlin says he needs two now. Me and Ven."
     Naminé dismissed Blooming Hope and Axel's memories vanished. "Well, Roxas is unwell at the moment, so you'll have only me, Axel, Ava, and Naminé to spare against."
    Xulu grinned. "Fine by me."

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  The next week resulted in a returned fever on Ven and Roxas becoming weakened and fell ill.
Merlin did all he could but eventually said "All we can do is wait for them to recover."
    Naminé quickly threw herself into learning healer magic and fighting Xion, who was becoming stronger in her Keyblade abilities.
    Xulu and Axel became sparing partners when Ava wasn't fighting. And she was pretty good. Merlin was surprised at both her and Xulu.  "Your both just short of your Mark Of Mastery," He said the next day. "I'll talk with Yen Sid and see if you two can take the test together."
    Xulu and Ava bowed their heads. "Yes sir."
Merlin left the glade and Xion noticed Naminé motioning to her. "What's going on?" She asked, walking over.
     Naminé looked pale. "I've been to see Roxas and Ven. They're not doing any better. In fact, Kairi just sent me a letter; saying the Sora's sick."
    Xion furrowed her brow. "All three? That's weird. And Axel's been avoiding me for the past week."
     "That's because he's the one who's caused this," Naminé said. "Earlier last week, I viewed Axel's memories. He used an injection of some kind of liquid on Roxas. I never found out what is was. Xulu appeared and interrupted my viewing."
    Xion frowned. "Weird. Xulu has been trying to get Axel away for awhile, but he always finds some excuse. Training with Ava, talking with Merlin. Let's try to corner Axel and you can use Memory on him."
      Naminé noticed Axel turning towards the woods.
"Let's go." She said, summoning Blooming Hope.

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    Axel stepped into the woods and opened his Gummi Phone. The dark figure was there. "Sora, Ven, and Roxas are all ill," Axel reported sadly. "They're all weak."
    "Alright, but how are the trainees? Did the serum work?" The figure asked.
    Axel paused. He knew that Ava was his next target, but it had been hard to use the serum on her. "Yes. Both trainees have received the serum and the effects are apparent." He said.
     The figure looked back. "I need to go. Keep your eyes on them." The Gummi Phone went dark and Axel placed it into his pocket.