high_seas | PIRATES vs. NAVY BATTLE LOG

[Riku's eyes go wide when there's abruptly someone who's not wearing a Navy uniform ducking out of the way of his attack.]

Sorry—hey!

[...And then that. Having a Keyblade pointed at his chest was not something he was expecting to have happen today. And a familiar Keyblade, at that. Riku stares at it for a long moment, before slowly raising his head, eyes following the length of the blade until he meets the gaze of its owner, and it takes a lot of willpower not to let his mouth drop open right there.]

...What are you doing here?!

[The second the words leave him, his thoughts abruptly take a wild turn. They flash immediately to Sora with the panicked worry that something happened and he's not okay, not whole, and what if there are Heartless and Nobodies attacking the city now, maybe this IS just another world that needs saving—

Breath.

He narrows his eyes a little, and he brings his Keyblade up as well. There's no move to attack, nothing like that, he's just...prepared to fight, if need be.]

[It was more of an instinct than anything else. Roxas' eyes go wide when he realizes he's staring at Riku. There's a pause and Oblivion vanishes as he puts a hand up to his head.

Riku. He's met Riku before. They had a fight and then...something happened. Summer vacation, Roxas thinks, but he's not sure. His memories are currently tied up in knots and he hasn't sorted it out yet, with all the excitement. It's all very unclear. He remembers however, soft gentle feelings towards him, feelings from dreams on a sunny island in a place he's never seen.

He takes a step back but peers from behind his hand, not lowering his blade, in case Riku is going to attack him again.]

[Roxas' focus on Riku hasn't escaped the notice of the navy officers surrounding them. A small group of them have circled around behind him, poised to attack. Well, obviously that won't do.

There's a sudden burst of flame and those fortunate enough not to be caught in it scatter. They've seen enough strange magic to last them a lifetime since they were assigned to duty on this island and here's more of it.]

Geez, Roxas, watch your back, would ya?

[Lea hops down to the ground and brushes off his coat. The navy officers, realizing that this must be the source of the magic, raise their weapons.]

[Riku's eyes soften in something like concern when Roxas puts a hand to his head. He looks so much like Sora, and even though Riku still kind of wants to hightail it out of there to make sure his best friend isn't frolicking around as a Heartless somewhere, he manages to stay focused and reminds himself that all sorts of crazy things are possible in this world.

He falls into more of a defensive stance at the sudden burst of fire, however, his attention immediately redirected beyond Roxas. And by then point, when he spots Lea, he can really only give an exasperated huff.]

Axel, too, huh?

Axel! [Roxas gives him a big smile, completely distracted from Riku. He lowers his weapon a moment.]

[They however, are still surrounded by enemies and a fired gunshot reminds him of this fact. Roxas summons his second keyblade.]

I think we have to talk later.

[...yeah, there's no point in correcting them right now. In fact, it's probably just easier to be "Axel" right now. He doesn't really have the time to mess around with summoning his Keyblade anyway. Chakrams will do fine, so that's what he calls up.]

Ya think?

[Lea takes a position at Roxas' back, spinning his chakrams and staring down the navy forces.]

If you keep up, it shouldn't take too long!

[Raises his eyebrows and snorts a bit, before turning to eye the oncoming Marines and map out an attack plan. He readjusts his grip on his Keyblade and throws a quick look over his shoulder.]

I was never the one who had to keep up.

[It's a soft jab at Roxas, something he might say to tease Sora in a different situation. He's testing the waters a bit, unsure what all this Roxas knows and remembers.

He doesn't wait around for a reaction, though, instead diving right into battle.]

[Roxas covers the ground between Riku and Axel, but not before retorting what he did when he saw Riku last.]

How many times do I have to beat you?

[With that, he jumps into the marines. A keyblade in each hand, slashing and moving around them, spinning on one blade or the other. Although he hasn't had much experience fighting with two keyblades, it's like he knows somehow. Roxas has never questioned it.]

Well, isn't this fun?

[Lea grins and sends his chakrams flying through the crowd, spinning and slashing and spreading flames in their wake. You can see the resolve in their opponents begin to waver. One boy with a strange weapon is one thing, but these three together are way more of a threat than they bargained for.]

[Lets Roxas' retort slide...truthfully, you beat him one time too few, though Riku doesn't like the reminder of what he had to do to overpower him.

He slashes at a few more of the Marines, though they're definitely beginning to back off now. One of the guys in the back raises his rifle, and Riku's quick to throw a Strike Raid attack his way that knocks the gun clean out of his hands. He jumps up to catch the Keyblade when it returns, then skips backwards when he lands so he's closer to the other two again.]

Is fun really the word we're looking for here?

[Roxas uses his speed to his advantage and it's scary enough to cause them to retreat after a few minutes. Honestly, as far as fights go, it's a bit of a let down. He throws one of his keyblades over his shoulders and watches them retreat with a shake of his head. Although he has a huge pile of questions about this place, he's satisfied with the outcome of the fight.]

Fun? Well I guess it is.

Of course it is! Getting stuck in the middle of a group of soldiers with no idea why we're here or why they're trying to kill us? Sooo much fun.

[Can you hear the sarcasm? Can you?

Lea gives his chakrams one more spin before they vanish, then turns to face the other two and crosses his arms.]

So the fun's over. Now what?

[Sighs and props one hand on his hip, the other slinging his Keyblade up on his shoulder. He looks back and forth between the two of them.

They're really here. Somehow. They shouldn't be, not after everything that happened, and yet...]

Well, first off, they're trying to kill us because we can do stuff like that.

[Tosses a brief look in the direction of a few conked out Marines, then stares pointedly at the faint scorch marks Lea's fire left on the side of a nearby building.]

They're scared of us. They're not used to that kind of fighting here. Here being another new world, but...it's different from wherever else you've been.

[Roxas' keyblades disappear as he turns back to look between them. His head turns as he can't decide who exactly he needs to talk to first.

He makes a decision, he has one question for both of them.]

Axel...and Riku, what're you doing here? I wasn't expecting this. I thought I was going to disappear.

[You did disappear.]

That's what I want to know. I was just here all of a sudden and now I can't get back.

[There's a lack of recognition from Riku, too. Well, he recognizes him, but he thought they were starting to get along a little better than this.]

This shouldn't be possible.

[Yeah, Riku's not quite as considerate. He looks at Roxas. The guy will run into Sora sooner or later anyway.]

You did disappear. And Sora woke up. He's here, too. Same with Kairi.

[He glances at Axel.]

...You're even more of a mystery. But this place is...weird. Wouldn't be the first time someone who's not supposed to be alive ended up here.

[Roxas' expression is completely unreadable but he's torn between confusion and even more confusion. He can't focus on what is wrong more, the fact Axel is dead, or the fact Sora... That doesn't make any sense, Sora woke up without him? Somehow that doesn't feel right. He doesn't feel any different. Namine said he would]

I...I don't understand.

[He's working his mouth, trying to think of how to describe it.]

[Not supposed to be alive? Well, if Roxas is talking about thinking he'd disappear and Riku thinks he's supposed to be dead, then...has he somehow gone back in time? It's not a very good explanation, considering he's pretty sure this never happened in the past.

He drops a hand on Roxas' shoulder and squeezes, giving Riku a good glare while he's at it.]

Last time I checked, I got better. Or did you forget that part?

[...Got better? What did that even mean? How did you get better from fading away into nothingness?

Riku frowned.]

I can't forget something I didn't know about.

[Though, there does seem to be something different about him. He can't put his finger on it, but the more he looks at Lea, it seems like there's...something missing.]

[He looks between them.]

You died? But Axel, you weren't supposed to die, I mean we were supposed to meet again in another time right? How can Sora be awake? I just saw him, he was sleeping. I don't feel right, so we're not together. [Roxas pats his chest a few times.]

None of this is making sense.

It doesn't make sense to any of us, okay?

[He keeps his hand on Roxas' shoulder, hoping it steadies him a little, but doesn't take his eyes off Riku. So apparently Riku doesn't know about what happened. Well, that puts him in a great position, doesn't it?]

If you ask me, it sounds kinda like this is our "other time," Roxas. Only it's not the same time for any of us. Guess I'm further along than both of you.

[Luckily, this is another thing Riku's heard of happening in this world, so the suggestion doesn't surprise him much. He gives an annoyed sigh and finally lets the Keyblade disappear.]

Well, we're both further along than him. [Said with a head tip Roxas' way. He keeps his eyes on Lea, though.] What's your story?

[Roxas is still a bit distressed about the whole thing. Another time with Axel sounds really really good to him, however he's stumped. He was supposed to join with Sora and destroy Kingdom Hearts because...he can't remember.

He turns his wide puppy eyes on Riku.]

Sora is really okay?

[He asks softly, hopeful but at the same time afraid. If Sora doesn't need him, what the heck is he supposed to do? His whole purpose rests on that fact.]

I know he was when I last saw him, but that wasn't here. As for me, well...

[He debated keeping it to himself because he wasn't sure how Roxas would take it, but he can tell just by the look in Riku's eyes that that's not going to fly. Well, if he has to come out with it, he might as well do it in style. He holds out his free hand and --

Well, he tries--

And tries--

And he must look like an idiot by now--

But finally, mercifully, he manages summon his stupid Keyblade. He spins it around once to show it off because, really, it's pretty awesome looking.]

I wasn't going to be rude and correct you two, but the name's Lea, actually. Got it memorized?

[Roxas' tone manages to snag Riku's attention pretty well. Same with the eyes. God. That's all Sora, right there.]

...Sora's fine. He's here with me.

[Then he's back to watching Lea.

And watching.

...Still watching.

He looks a little skeptical after a moment and he's about ready to say something, but then -- that.

Riku's eyes go saucer-wide.]

You have a Keyblade?? How? I—hang on. Lea?

[Axel minus the X. Riku's eyes somehow manage to get even wider.]

That means... [Blink blink.] ...Well, I guess that explains the missing tattoos.

PIRATES vs. NAVY BATTLE LOG

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